"I couldn't be more thrilled to be nominated. It's a
great feeling to be recognized by your peers and I'm really looking forward to attending the 60th Grammy Awards in New York. I'd really like to thank Jimmy (Haslip), Andy (Snitzer), Gary (Novak) and everybody else who took part in the production of the album." - JEFF
LORBER
Trailblazing pianist, composer, producer and bandleader Jeff
Lorber is a consummate artist who continues to push himself to new plateaus. A
groundbreaking Fender Rhodes pioneer along with the likes of Herbie Hancock,
Joe Sample and Bob James, Lorber has triumphed as one of the most innovative
musical minds in contemporary jazz. Lorber's newest CD Prototype, is a sterling
example of his expansive musical roots, masterfully crafted harmonic and
melodic sophistication, irresistible finger-poppin' grooves and intricate
rhythmic sense. "I came up with the name Prototype because we are always
trying to up our game and come up with new exciting music that could be a
prototype or innovative harbinger for the future of our musical style,"
says the LA based pianist. Lorber, a Berklee College of Music alum who formerly
majored in Chemistry at Boston College, goes full throttle on Prototype,
orchestrating like an alchemist in the lab and concocting a majestic elixir of
jazz, soul, funk, pop, R&B and gospel.
Prototype features longtime collaborators - bassist Jimmy
Haslip (founding member of The Yellowjackets) and drummer Gary Novak.
"From a production standpoint Jimmy adds a 'big picture' element. He
contributes a lot with his warm bass sound and on the road he is without a
doubt one of the finest soloists out there on his instrument." Lorber
adds, "Gary's very versatile, imaginative, super solid and gets a great
sound. He really shines playing over the funky polyrhythmic grooves we
record." The newest member to the
all-star unit is saxophonist Andy Snitzer, who like Lorber (and the Brecker
Brothers) hails from Cheltenham, PA.
Lorber states, "Andy's got a perfect approach. It's soulful and
melodic and he is not afraid of taking the music outside a bit." Prototype
also features special guests bassist Nathan East, guitarists Chuck Loeb, Larry
Koonse and Paul Jackson, Jr. and saxophonist Dave Mann, among others.
Jeff Lorber's Fusion came to life in the 70s when the
pianist attended Berklee College of Music. "I was listening to Miles Davis
and Bitches Brew and the beginning of great fusion bands like Mahavishnu
Orchestra, Weather Report and Return to Forever," reflects Lorber.
"There were also artists like
Herbie Hancock, The Crusaders and
Grover Washington, who pioneered a more melodic and funky type of sound. Not to mention the fantastic music being made
in R&B and pop music like Earth Wind and Fire and Tower of Power."
Lorber envisioned Jeff Lorber Fusion a
second generation to these fusion bands that were more R&B and melody
oriented. A true clinician, Lorber has made it a point to study the long line
of modern jazz pianists since 1945.
"Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea have been major influences but I
had to go back and try to figure out who they listened to and were inspired
by," says Lorber. "Some of
these icons that come to mind are Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner and
Bud Powell." He adds, "I also can't forget all of the pianists who
played with Miles Davis such as Red Garland, Wynton Kelly, Tommy Flanagan and
Horace Silver." Growing up in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania offered great
inspiration for Jeff Lorber. "There were a lot of home grown record labels
like Cameo Parkway and Philadelphia International (Gamble and Huff) not to
mention tons of home grown talent. And the Dick Clark show originally came from
there."
In 1977 Jeff Lorber Fusion released their self-titled debut.
Their 1980 album Wizard Island made the introduction of a then little known
Kenny G. The ensemble quickly gained traction and became one of the most
popular jazz acts, touring nonstop. In 1982 Lorber made his solo debut with
It's A Fact. He first Grammy
nomination in 1986 for his radio hit
"Pacific Coast Highway" from his album Step By Step. In the 90s
Lorber released a successful string of projects including West Side Stories
(1994), State of Grace (1996) and Midnight (1998). During this time Lorber also
stayed busy producing for the likes of Michael Franks, Richard Elliot, Gerald
Albright and Rick Braun, among others. The prolific pianist continued to add to
his accolades with his shining recordings Kickin' It (2001), Philly Style
(2003), Flipside (2005), He Had A Hat (2007, Grammy nominated) and Heard That
(2008), Now Is The Time (2010, Grammy nominated), Galaxy (2012, Grammy nominated)
Hacienda (2013, Grammy nominated) and Step It Up (2015). Lorber made his first
recordings for Shanchie as a member of Jazz Funk Soul with Chuck Loeb and
Everette Harp on the albums Jazz Funk Soul and the Grammy nominated More
Serious Business.
Jeff Lorber has endured his own battle with Polycystic
Kidney Disease (PKD) and has made it a mission to work with the PKD Foundation
to raise awareness. "I was very lucky that my wife donated her
kidney," shares the pianist. "I'm going on 11+ years and I'm very grateful
for that. My sister had a transplant a couple years ago and she is doing well
also. There are some solutions that are being worked on but like many genetic
based diseases it could be a long time before there is significant progress. People should know that there are 800,000
people in the US with PKD and two million worldwide. It's a huge problem that
unfortunately doesn't get a lot of publicity."
Loeber, a self-professed enthusiast of podcasts, audio
books, Spotify, YouTube and Apple Music concludes, "Since I had the
transplant I focus on doing things that I enjoy and that are meaningful. I try
to make the most of each day and to be productive and make great
music." There lies the Prototype
for a beautiful life.
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