Thursday, November 14, 2013

NEW RELEASES - MARQUEAL JORDAN, JASON WEBER, NICK VAYENAS

MARQUEAL JORDAN - CATALYST

Chicago-based artist, and Los Angeles native, Marqueal Jordan is the rare musician who is blessed with the gift of being equally proficient as an instrumentalist and a vocalist. His distinctive saxophone tone and style, combined with his soulful vocals, places him in the tradition of legendary dual talents, George Benson, Donny Hathaway and Ronnie Laws. Described by fellow saxophonist Mike Phillips as "one of the most versatile saxophonists in the game today", Marqueal (pronounced Mar-KWELL) earned his reputation as an electrifying live performer after moving to Chicago in 1995. He was the front man for the Chicago-based funk unit, Fat Time, and became an integral member in numerous Jazz, R&B and Blues bands in the city. In 2008, Smooth Jazz star Brian Culbertson asked Marqueal to join his touring band and since then he's captivated audiences around the world with his talents. As a sideman, he's performed with an amazing list of major artists such as Oleta Adams, Gerald Albright, Patti Austin, Avant, Average White Band, Rick Braun, Peabo Bryson, Jonathan Butler, Stanley Clarke, George Duke, Aretha Franklin, Savion Glover, Larry Graham, Buddy Guy, Lalah Hathaway, Al Jarreau, Earl Klugh, Dave Koz, KRS-ONE, Jeff Lorber, Maysa, Najee, Ray Parker, Jr., Phil Perry, Eric Roberson, David Sanborn, Jill Scott, Sinbad, Gerald Veasley, and Kirk Whalum. "Catalyst" is Marqueal Jordan's solo debut CD. After years of sideman work and being involved with original bands and projects over the years, "Catalyst" reveals the focused vision and emergence of Jordan as an artist, songwriter and producer. ~ marquealjordan.

JASON WEBER - IN TOO DEEP: THE BARITONE SESSIONS

"In Too Deep" is saxophonist Jason Weber's 8th CD release. Unlike Weber's previous work, this album is exclusively a baritone saxophone feature. "I feel the bari is an under-utilized voice, except when holding down the bottom end of a horn section like Doc Kupka in Tower of Power", Weber explains. "Typically it's tenor, alto or soprano handling the melodies & solos. There are some obvious exceptions with albums by some great bari players like Pepper Adams, Ronnie Cuber & Gerry Mulligan, but their music is primarily straight ahead jazz. This album has more of a funky, contemporary vibe. I also wanted to showcase the extended altissimo range of the bari on several of the cuts which is also something that you don't hear often enough. It has a very cool, fat texture that you can't get on tenor & alto." ~ cduniverse.com

NICK VAYENAS - SOME OTHER TIME

Trombonist, trumpeter and vocalist Nick Vayenas presents his third release as a leader, 'Some Other Time'. The album is a truly eclectic set of music comprised of four original compositions by Vayenas (which range from multi-metered funk grooves to full on driving rock) and four expertly arranged covers. It features saxophonist Patrick Cornelius, bassist Michael Janisch and guitarist Doug Wamble. The covers on 'Some Other Time' include Michel Legrand's "You Must Believe in Spring", Leonard Bernstein's "Some Other Time", Cole Porter's "So in Love" and Oscar Levant's "Blame It On My Youth". Vayenas' take on these four classics have virtually transformed them into new songs of their own. Nick Vayenas seamlessly straddles both the commercial music industry and the creative jazz world, having worked comfortably with international pop superstars like Michael Bubl‚ and Josh Groban, and respected New York jazz artists like Kendrick Scott, Dayna Stephens, and Patrick Cornelius. He is equally at home performing in intimate New York jazz clubs such as The Jazz Gallery and The Blue Note as well as in huge arenas around the world. All of these diverse music experiences that make up Vayenas' colourful history have found their way into the music on 'Some Other Time'. ~ cduniverse.com


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