"It's a
thrill to finally get a Grammy award. I've been nominated six other times,
the first one in 1986, but I guess this
was our year.
Being able
to make music for a living is it's own reward but getting a Grammy is a great
feelingI that I won't forget. Of course it would not have been possible without
the efforts of the other band members and people that support our creative
endeavors." - 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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