CHARLES XAVIER - PEFECT MOLD
Perfect
Mold, the fourth release from Happy Note Records, features Charles Xavier, a
multi-instrumentalist and composer who plays genre-fusing original compositions
and puts his unique spin on rock and pop classics including Hey Jude, Blowing
in the Wind, The Beat Goes On, Fire and Rain, Eleanor Rigby, and Leaving on a
Jet Plane. Xavier, who arranged and performed all the parts on vibraphone,
piano, and percussive batterie, designs his percussive arrangements to induce a
“soothing but intriguing vibe, a kind of meditative soundscape.” Xavier’s music
appeals to listeners with a wide range. Longtime
DownBeat columnist Frank-John Hadley has reported, “Playing vibes, keyboards,
and drums, joined by guitarist Russell Golub and Tina Murray on vocals, Xavier
fills his wassail bowl with electronic sounds, samplings, Gary Burton-like
abstractions, elements of world-music, and quirky allusions to maybe Gong’s
vibes player Pierre Moerlen. A dozen carols and holiday favorites drift
together as one trippy soundscape. Recommended.” DownBeat has elsewhere called
Charles Xavier a “Rara Avis,” which is Latin for “rare bird.”
MARVIN TRAVIS - INTRODUCING MARVIN TRAVIS
Marvin's
first encounter with the guitar was at the tender age of four years old. Being
the son of a Pastor Bishop Marvin Travis Sr, and seeing his father play the
guitar inspired Marvin to want to learn more. Marvin listened to the radio and
cassette tapes his Father had around their home, picked his guitar up and
attempted to play all of the cords he had heard, over and over again until he
could master those cords. Seeing Marvin's talent grow, his dad bought him a
guitar and the rest is history. As a child Marvin played for visiting artist
such as Dorinda Clark Cole, Jay Moss, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, and many others.
Marvin knew at an early age that God had given him a gift to play the guitar
and vowed to give that gift back to God and others.Marvin
has been known for playing cords that only keyboard players could play. Having
played in his dad's church there was only a lead guitar and the drums for a
season. Marvin learned to play all the parts both rhythm and cords. During his
formative years in High School he was called nick names such as: "Thunder
Thumbs" and "Marvelous Marv". After over 40 years of playing,
Marvin's ability to play with such precision and skill has opened many doors
for him within the music industry. Marvin
is well known for his ability to "flow" with his guitar. Marvin has played on many projects with artist such as commission's own Marcus Cole and
Mitchell Jones, world renown Motown legend Kim Weston along with the legendary
Jazz composer and pianist Teddy Harris Jr, Tim Bowman, Charles Laster II,
Ernest J Lee, The Powell Brothers, La June Travis, and has also graced the
stage with Bishop Paul Morton, Bishop William Murphy, Marvin D Travis III aka
Bam Travis. Marvin has also played alongside the innumerable bass player and
vocalist Mr. Fred
Hammond as they shared the same church home "Great Faith Ministries"
for a season. There are host of other artist to namely to mention.His new
debut CD entitled Introducing Marvin is a project that has been long awaited
for by his audience and peers. With his smooth jazzy style and skillfully
played precise cords, it is Marvin's prayer that this CD takes you into a place
of peace and serenity. Enjoying every cord, this compilation of music is sure
to leave you wanting more.
REGGIE WASHINGTON - FREEDOM
Reggie
is a bassist of rare sobriety and efficacity. His savant bass lines are legible
andthey always serve the music. He has a certain form of exigence and great
musical taste.His list
of collaborations is infinite in addition to being a participant in the
revolution of Modern Jazz during the 90's. In 2005,
he stepped out as a leader for the first time in his career with "A Lot of
Love, LIVE !", on the Jammin'colorS label. The CD has received stellar
reviews from journalists and colleagues worldwide in the music business. It is
being played on U.S.A. and European radio to touch a wider audience. "My
music represents the cutting edge of jazz today. It's a healthy musical mix
paying hommage to our forefathers and exploring our craft by journeying down new
roads to help pave the way for the future." says Reggie. For him, the music
must evolve and he feels he's among the select group of musicians capable and
dedicated to keeping MUSIC alive and strong. Reggie
has toured with his bands through Europe and the U.S. A to very receptive
andappreciative audiences. Bass Player magazine presented Reggie in its August
2007 issue entitled "The Eternal Internal" by journalist Bill
Milkowski. In 2008, Reggie was among the winners of the Rising Stars electric
bassist category in DownBeat magazine's International Critics Poll. He was also
featured in the April 2008 issue ofJazz Times magazine in an article entitled
"Overdue Ovation; Groove Instincts". He hasalso appeared in Jazz
Magazine, Jazzman, De Bassist, Jazz Hot, Le Soir. Aside
from holding down the groove for Steve Coleman's Five Elements, Reggie has
alsoplayed for such notable groups as Roy Hargrove's RH Factor, Branford
Marsalis's Buckshot LeFonque and Oliver Lake Steel Quartet. His extensive list
of credits includes work with African drum master Babatunde Olatunje, calypso
star Mighty Sparrow, jazz singer Cassandra Wilson, R&B singer D'Angelo,
guitarist Jean-Paul Bourelly, pianist Uri Caine,trumpeter Lester Bowie,
clarinetist Don Byron, alto saxophonist Arthur Blythe,the World Saxophone
Quartet, Mike Mainieri's Steps Ahead, saxophonist Jacques Schwarz-Bart,
bassist-vocalist Meshell Ndegeocello and cabaret diva Ute Lemper.
No comments:
Post a Comment