BOSSACUCANOVA - OUR KIND OF BOSSA

Brazil has long conjured blissful imagery. Ever since Gilberto and Getz released ‘The Girl From Ipanema’ in 1964, bossa nova’s elegant smoothness has been thought to be indicative of the world’s fifth largest nation. While financial disaster nearly destroyed the land just a few years ago, recent reforms have made it one of the planet’s fastest growing economies. “As goes the culture, so the music,” says BossaCucaNova’s DJ Marcelinho DaLua.

“We are living through a new economic freedom,” he says, “which is causing people to feel confident and enjoy new opportunities. Today the music scene is not limited to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Recife. Other spots and rhythms are being exposed via the media and unwrapped to the public, which is certainly going to get even better during the World Cup.”

Celebrating fifteen years together, the boys of Grammy-nominated BossaCucaNova—founded by Márcio Menescal (son of bossa nova pioneer Roberto Menescal),DaLua and record producer/sound engineer Alex Moreira—utilize this optimistic nationalism as the foundation of their latest album, Our Kind Of Bossa (Six Degrees Records). The upbeat eleven-track record features numerous guests, focusing equally on Brazil’s other homegrown concoction: samba.

The vibe kicks right off with a tribute to a northern neighbor. ‘Adeus America’ features legendary MPB band Os Cariocas, a vocal outfit formed in 1942 by Ismael Neto, alongside singer Wilson Simoninha. Longtime friend Marlon Sette lays down a sinuous trombone line, while the recently deceased guitarist Oscar Castro Nevescontributes a classic performance.

Maria Rita, one of the country’s most recognizable vocalists, joins the David Feldman Trio on a cover of Chico Baurque’s ‘Deixa a Menina.’ The piano-driven groove provides the perfect bedrock for Rita’s seductive and playful vocals. The keys return front and center on the Ray Charles-inspired ‘Balança,’ featuring vocalist Cris Delanno. This original track is one of their most danceable in recent memory.

“While dreaming up a variety of possibilities, instruments, musicians and singers, we tried to sense what would be the most suitable for every song,” says Márcio Menescal. “We let our minds fly freely—even if they go too far away—and are very happy with who we’ve collaborated with. There are also cases where we invite people we meet on the road or in the studio that we know would shine on this or that song.”

Singer Emílio Santiago, who cut his teeth on Polydor Records in 1973 and was a force in Brazilian music until his passing in March 2013, certainly shines above the shimmering string section on ‘E Preciso Perdoar.’ The João Gilberto classic is given a psychedelic treatment by conductor Flávio Mendes—Dado Brother fittingly cites famed Motown producer Norman Whitfield, who was responsible for smash hits by Marvin Gaye, the Temptations and Gladys Knight, as an influence.

From melodies to rhythms, samba helps to define this new step forward by BossaCucaNova. Cris Delanno returns to croon side-by-side with Carnaval masterMartinho da Vila on ‘Segure Tudo.’ An advocate for Afro-Brazilian issues and an outspoken member of the Brazilian Communist Party, da Vila’s gruff vocals pair well with Delanno’s effervescent lightness.

The band keeps it upbeat on ‘Waldomiro Pena,’ a Jorge Ben composition sung by São Paulo native Wilson Simoninha. DJ scratches, Leo Gandelman’s funky horns and a cavalcade of percussion roll through on this upbeat steamer. The band aptly describes it as “Stones + Tower of Power + Rio de Janerio.” Rounding out the covers, the sexy samba “Deixa pra lá” features Teresa Cristina delivering a beautiful vocal performance, while Mendes’s guitar and horn contributions by Dirceu Leite andRodrigo Sha complete this exceptional take on a national classic.

“We conduct research on a daily basis,” says Alex Moreira, discussing the cover songs they’ve chosen on this album. “DJ DaLua spends hours visiting second hand music shops around the world in search of old vinyl LPs. Every one of us makes suggestions, presenting rare MPB tracks and adding them to our playlist. During the recording sessions we opt for the coolest ones. We also talk to our master, Roberto Menescal, who offers tips and advice.”

The album closes on a funky note: Maurício Tapajós and Paulo César Pinheiroturn up the heat on “Tô voltando,” a celebration of Brazilian identity and culture. Roberto Menescal adds strings while Zé Carlos adds the best guitar line on the album, reminiscent of old Jorge Ben soccer anthems the nation so loves. Beginning with a tribute and returning home to end succinctly describes Brazil’s cultural plight over the last decade, with an energy and vibe BossaCucaNova captures and delivers exquisitely.

“After 15 years on the road, we are more than a big band—we are a large family!” says an excited Menescal. The current line-up has been together over a decade now: DJ DaLua, Moreira on keyboards, and Menescal on bass, along with percussionistDado Brother and vocalist Cris Delanno. The band also rotates in Flávio Mendes on guitars and vocals and Rodrigo Sha on vocals, sax and flute.

“Somehow we keep doing it our own way, with our own beat, in a unique studio process and production that makes this band so special and timeless,” he concludes. “We play and produce wholeheartedly, and the albums are consistent. Above all we end up learning a lot and getting better in the studio, as well as growing personally, which gives us a more solid result at work.”

Upcoming appearace: BossaCucaNova w/sp. guests Cris Delanno & DadoBrother Sunday, September 7, 2014 /Highline Ballroom • 431 W 16th St. New York, NY 

~ Six Degrees Records

 

ACCLAIMED SONGSTRESS MICHELLE CARR TEAMS WITH REVERED GUITARIST MARK WHITFIELD FOR NEW CD‏ - MUTUAL MODULATIONS

The two had known each other for 15 years and were performing together at Manhattan’s famed Blue Note Jazz Club when the vision for a collaborative album struck. They’d recorded before, with Whitfield playing guitar on Carr’s debut album, Change, but they’d never written songs together, and it seemed like the right time.

The two sat down to begin writing in mid-August 2012, not knowing what to expect—within 10 minutes, they had the track, “The Game,” started. Just three months later, they were finished writing the entire album.

“It’s rare for two musicians from two different worlds to come together and have such chemistry,” Whitfield says. He studied jazz at Berklee; she was classically trained at Juilliard. His instrument is the guitar; her’s is her voice. He plays a hundred shows a year with his hard bob quartet, Whifield Extended; her frequent appearances showcase a wide range of vocals complemented by her extensive background in theater. But it was their commonalities more than their differences that shown though during the song-writing process. They’re both educators with a passion for sharing their talents. They’re both humble and open minded. And they both stepped out of their comfort zones to achieve a new sound.

Carr asked Whitfield to set aside his electric guitar and play his nylon-string acoustic. In turn, she abandoned her usual intricate harmonies in favor of a voice laid bare. Both were challenged by the feeling of being exposed, but the risk helped them plumb an extraordinary emotional depth and create soulful, honest songs that are accessible to a wide variety of listeners—a sound the two call “sophisticated blues.”

Combining the richness of the jazz, the melodies of classical music, and the raw emotion of the blues resulted in songs like “The End of My Parade,” in which the desperation of the singer is palpable—and painfully real. This isn’t an album of catchy pop tunes or cotton candy love songs. Each piece was written to capture elements of the human condition as diverse as suffering the depths of depression, musing on the afterlife, and striving to achieve one’s dreams.

Carr and Whitfield are joined on the album by renowned bassist James Genus and drummer Mark Whitfield, Jr. Genus has played with an impressive list of artists including Branford Marsalis, Chick Corea, and Herbie Hancock, and he’s currently in his twelfth season with the Saturday Night Live band.

Twenty-three-year-old Whitfield, Jr.’s prodigious musical journey started when he was just two years old and has taken him to famous venues and festivals both stateside and abroad.

Perhaps the best part of this initial star-crossed collaboration is that it’s likely to happen again. Both Carr and Whitfield were so pleased with the ease and bounty of the process, that it’s likely they’ll join forces again to “grab the ears and hearts” of their listeners. But let’s not get too ahead of ourselves just yet—first let the songs of Mutual Modulations fill your soul. 

~ Elizabeth Skladany

OutBeat: America's First Queer Jazz Festival Announces Two Powerful Tributes to Billy Strayhorn on Friday, September 19 in Partnership with The Philadelphia Jazz Project

Billy Strayhorn & Duke Ellington circa 1948

Duke Ellington might be a more recognizable name than that of Billy Strayhorn, but Strayhorn's influence and genius cannot be discounted. The esteemed pianist, arranger, composer and lyricist was known for writing jazz classic's for Duke Ellington and his Orchestra, with credits on monumental standards such as "Lush Life," "Chelsea Bridge," and "Take the A Train," as well as multiple others. Having met Ellington in 1938, Strayhorn (who was 23 at the time) became one his main musical influences and collaborators - even leading Ellington to state, "Strayhorn does a lot of the work but I get to take the bows." He brought a sense of cohesiveness to Duke Ellington's playing as well as his own style and sound to the band.

However, Strayhorn's acclaim did not come without some struggle. Born in Ohio, Strayhorn's mother moved him to Pittsburgh where they could avoid the alcoholic nature of his father. The pianist's mother and grandparents raised him, and they would become his main source of musical inspiration. This eventually led him to begin compositions of his own. Originally, Strayhorn wanted to write classical compositions but soon realized that the prejudices at the time would not allow him to enter a genre primarily dominated by white musicians. He gave up on classical dreams but not soon after joined Duke Ellington for one of the most prolific collaborations in jazz. Strayhorn, over his 29-year-musical career, was not only known for his pioneering works but also for his forward thinking on human rights. Strayhorn was openly gay during a time when race and sexual orientation in America were highly delicate political and social subjects. Strayhorn's experiences and courage laid the groundwork for future LGBT artists in the jazz community to be out and proud of their identity.

"From Strayhorn to Cecil: Jazz Innovation in America" is a noteworthy roundtable discussion designed to delve further into the lasting and remarkable influence that both Billy Strayhorn and Cecil Taylor have had on modern music, particularly throughout America's less tolerant days. The panel will feature David Hajdu (Lush Life: A Biography of Billy Strayhorn), John Szwed (Space is the Place: The Lives and Times of Sun Ra), Philadelphia pianist and Pew Fellow Orrin Evans, and will be moderated by JazzTimes' John Murph. It will take place on Friday, September 19 at 3:00pm at University of the Arts Bank. Admission will be free for this event.

"Lush Life: Philadelphia Celebrates Billy Strayhorn," produced by the Philadelphia Jazz Project in collaboration with OutBeat organizers, will honor the musical pioneer. Featuring a group of diverse, multi-dimensional musicians, vocalists and poets from the Philadelphia area, the event will embody exactly what Strayhorn stood for throughout his musical career and personal life. The event will include performances from big bands, a cappella groups, solo acts and ensemble groups as they recreate some of the most important compositions known to jazz, in honor of Strayhorn. The arrangements, prepared by bassist and composer Keith DeStefano, will feature not only Strayhorn's brilliant works but also many other original compositions that his work influenced such as pieces by Thelonious Monk and Charles Mingus. Additional pieces throughout the night will include a piano duet featuring Dena Underwood and Andy Khan, and dueling piano performances; trumpeter Terell Stafford and saxophonist Tim Warfield in a quintet setting; a solo piano performance with Raymond A. King; a trio a cappella poetry suite; and much more. The event will be held on September 19 at 8:30pm at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. Tickets are $25 for General Admission and $35 for VIP.

www.OutBeatJazzFest.com

www.WayGay.org

FIRST-EVER COMPILATION OF MADELEINE PEYROUX’S CAREER: KEEP ME IN YOUR HEART FOR A WHILE: THE BEST OF MADELEINE PEYROUX, FEATURING NEVER-BEFORE-RELEASED TRACK "KEEP ME IN YOUR HEART" TO STREET OCTOBER 14

Rounder Records has announced the release of Keep Me in Your Heart for a While: The Best of Madeleine Peyroux, the debut anthology of the critically acclaimed, singer-songwriter’s nearly 20-year career. The album includes favorites not only from Peyroux’s releases with Rounder, but also tracks from her Atlantic and Decca/Emarcy catalogs. Additionally, the compilation includes one previously unreleased recording—the collection’s title track and Warren Zevon cover, “Keep Me in Your Heart”—which appeared in 2011’s independent film Union Square. Liner notes by former Atlantic Records A&R man, Yves Beauvais, who discovered Peyroux, complete the package.

Peyroux, whose voice has often been compared to that of Billie Holiday’s, was discovered while in her early twenties, when Beauvais spotted her at a New York club. He recalls the worldly singer’s set to be “some of the most exciting, viscerally moving minutes of my music-listening life.” Beauvais subsequently signed Peyroux to Atlantic and co-produced her 1996 debut Dreamland.

Prior to this life-changing performance, the American-born Peyroux was a musician on the streets of Paris.  A precocious teenager, living abroad with her mother, Madeleine quickly became entranced with local buskers, spending much of her time accompanying a regular band on the sidewalks of the Latin Quarter with her distinctive voice, and, by 15, had dropped out of school to join a touring blues and jazz band. 

Following the whirlwind release and promotion of the critically acclaimed Dreamland, the 22-year old Peyroux disappeared from the limelight, just as the buzz surrounding the singer was at its peak. Health issues were partly to blame, but the pressures of a quick rise to stardom in the jazz world became overwhelming. Peyroux took time to find herself, and, in doing so, returned to her first love of busking.

When she finally felt ready to return to the studio, Madeleine was paired with renowned producer Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Tracy Chapman, Herbie Hancock)—a match that would prove to be a successful one, stretching over several, subsequent albums. The result was 2004’s Careless Love (Rounder)—a diverse collection of covers penned by everyone from Elliott Smith to Hank Williams. Breakout track “Don’t Wait Too Long” helped push Madeleine into the mainstream by topping the jazz charts and appearing in national commercial spots and film soundtracks.

Peyroux followed the success of Careless Love with 2006’s highly anticipated Half the Perfect World (Rounder).  The singer-songwriter once again paired original material (“I’m All Right,” among them) with an eclectic selection of covers (paying homage to the likes of Joni Mitchell, Tom Waits and Serge Gainsbourg). 2009’s Bare Bones (Rounder) shook up the prototype, and featured all original compositions by Peyroux, including the likes of the upbeat and twangy “Instead.” Continuing her artistic growth, Madeleine released Standing on the Rooftop—her debut with Decca Records—with a new producer, GRAMMY® Award-winning Craig Street (John Legend, k.d. lang, Norah Jones).

Peyroux’s most recent recording project, 2013’s The Blue Room (Decca), found the singer-songwriter once again teaming up with Larry Klein, and paying homage to Ray Charles’ classic 1962 LP, Modern Sounds in Country Western Music. Covering a handful of Charles’ songs from the album, and adding such fitting tracks as Randy Newman’s “Guilty” and Warren Zevon’s “Desperadoes Under the Eaves”, Peyroux melded multiple genres, creating an album that floated in the ether between jazz, country, blues and pop.

A living document of her artistic metamorphoses, Keep Me in Your Heart for a While… combines the poignant with the charming, the old with the new, and the standard favorites with the original compositions. Beauvais writes of his protégé, “Whether she sings Leonard Cohen ("Dance Me to the End of Love"), Bob Dylan ("You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go") Charlie Chaplin ("Smile"), Edith Piaf ("La Vie en Rose"), or post-punk songster Elliott Smith ("Between the Bars"), [Madeleine] brings to this most diverse material the same beguilingly cautious, respectful, and crystal clear way with the melody, the same revelatory focus to the lyric's delivery.”

Track Listing

1.Don't Wait Too Long  3:11

2.You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go  3:25

3.Between The Bars  3:43

4.(Getting Some) Fun Out Of Life  3:13

5.Dance Me To The End Of Love  3:57

6.Smile  4:00

7.La Vie En Rose  3:20

8.Half The Perfect World  4:22

9.Guilty   3:54

10.I'm All Right  3:29

11.Desperadoes Under The Eaves [Extended Version]  5:23

12.The Kind You Can't Afford  3:59

13.Instead  5:15

14.Keep Me In Your Heart  [First Audio Release] 3:35

15.This Is Heaven To Me  3:10

HENRY MANCINI BOX SET INCLUDES 18 CLASSIC FILM SOUNDTRACKS PLUS BONUS TRACKS

Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, is proud to announce the release of Henry Mancini's The Classic Soundtrack Collection on Tuesday, November 18th.  In a career that spanned nearly half a century, Henry Mancini (1924-1994) became synonymous with catchy, jazzy, romantic music for film and television soundtracks. The Classic Soundtrack Collection, showcases all of Mancini's soundtrack albums for the RCA, Epic and Columbia labels, including several of his most iconic and beloved scores.

The Classic Soundtrack Collection features 18 original Mancini soundtrack albums on nine discs plus rare bonus tracks, including a never-before-heard version of "Nothing To Lose" from writer-director Blake Edwards' 1968 comedy The Party performed by Julie Andrews. Taken together, the albums in this collection underline the enduring popularity of Henry Mancini and his unique ability to create movie music that pop audiences could also embrace.

The son of Italian immigrants, Mancini studied at New York's prestigious Juilliard School of Music before joining the Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1946 as a pianist/arranger. From 1952 to 1958, Mancini was contracted to create soundtracks for films for Universal-International Studios, including the Oscar-nominated The Glenn Miller Story and the brassy, suspenseful score to Orson Welles' Touch Of Evil. From there, Mancini gained widespread acclaim as an independent composer and arranger, winning four Oscars and 20 Grammy Awards during his career.

Mancini's greatest collaboration may have been with Blake Edwards; they first worked together on Edwards' 1959 television series Peter Gunn. The iconic jazz theme was an international hit and winner of two Grammy Awards and an Emmy Award. The duo would collaborate on such films as Breakfast At Tiffany's (featuring the immortal pop standard "Moon River," written by Mancini with lyricist Johnny Mercer) and the Pink Panther series of comedies (the slinky, saxophone-driven instrumental theme remains one of cinema's most recognizable standards).

Elsewhere in Hollywood, Mancini earned critical and commercial acclaim with scores to films like Hatari! starring John Wayne and featuring the playful "Baby Elephant Walk"; the Cary Grant/Audrey Hepburn mystery Charade, and the comedy-drama Two For The Road, Mancini's personal favorite of the many themes he composed.

ALBUMS INCLUDED IN THE CLASSIC SOUNDTRACK COLLECTION:

High Time (1960)

Breakfast At Tiffany's (1961)

Experiment In Terror (1962)

Hatari! (1962)

Charade (1963)

The Pink Panther (1964)

The Great Race (1965)

Arabesque (1966)

What Did You Do In The War, Daddy? (1966)

Two For The Road (1967)

Gunn (1967)

The Party (1968)

Me, Natalie (1969)

Darling Lili (1970)

Visions Of Eight (1973)

Oklahoma Crude (1973)

The Return Of The Pink Panther (1975)
Who Is Killing The Great Chefs Of Europe? (1978)

Homage to Laura Nyro From Billy Childs and Friends Including Renee Fleming, Esperanza Spalding, Yo-Yo Ma, Alison Krauss, Ledisi and Wayne Shorter

When the Grammy-winning musician Billy Childs was 11 years old, his older sisters introduced him to the work of Hall Of Fame singer-songwriter Laura Nyro. Her blend of Broadway-inspired melodies, jazz improvisation and socially conscious lyrics have stayed with him.Now he has returned to this early source of inspiration, conceiving and orchestrating Map To The Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro, to be released by Masterworks on September 9, 2014.

"I related to her more than the other singer-songwriters of that era because the piano was the engine that was driving a lot of her music," Childssaid. "It was easy for me to escape into the world of the music because of its theatricality. The way she used silence, dynamics, going from extreme changes from very loud to very soft or vice versa-or heavily orchestrated to minimal. All of these were used to tell whatever story she was telling. Also, her words were not literal, more metaphorical and allegorical, so you could imagine what she was talking about and made it easier for me to conjure up images in my mind."

Childs is not alone in his enthusiasm. An incredible range of musicians are on board to interpret Nyro's narratives. Classical soprano Renée Fleming and cellist Yo-Yo Ma add new meaning to her hometown ode, "New York Tendaberry." Jazz stars Esperanza Spalding and Wayne Shorter collaborate on Nyro's pictorial "Upstairs By A Chinese Lamp." R&B chanteuse Ledisi updates the hit "Stoned Soul Picnic." Other prominent voices include Alison Krauss, Rickie Lee Jones, Shawn Colvin, Dianne Reeves, Susan Tedeschi, Lisa Fischer, and Becca Stevens, with featured instrumental soloists Chris Botti, Jerry Douglas, Chris Potter, and Steve Wilson also on board.

"It's incredible," Childs said. "Between myself and [producer] Larry Klein, there have been a lot of people who we've worked with, particularly Larry in terms of vocalists. And there are a hell of a lot of Laura Nyro fans out there. Combined with the novelty and timeliness of it, people just said, ‘Yeah!' And Masterworks is a really credible label."

While Childs had been thinking about a Nyro project for several years, it was a conversation two years ago between his agent Myles Weinstein and record executive Chuck Mitchell that set the process in motion. Mitchell, who has been a Nyro fanatic since her debut in the mid-‘60s, would not let this project slip past him. When Mitchell arrived at Sony Music Masterworks, Childs said, "all of a sudden it turned into this thing that we could not only do, but do it in a way we had not even thought of." That included reconnecting Childs with Larry Klein. The two musicians studied theory together as teenagers and had worked as sidemen for Freddie Hubbard.

Childs' own experiences in leading jazz chamber groups proved invaluable to creating the widescreen scope of Map To The Treasure. On this disc, his focus is on arranging the ensemble and guests to best present Nyro's imagery, rather than draw attention to himself as an improviser.

"My chamber group is all about getting the most out of the fewest instruments, which helped from the standpoint of orchestration," Childssaid. "To tell the stories the right way, orchestration is key to the success of telling those stories. Laura was so full of dramatic symbolism and poetry, the ensemble plays a big role in conjuring up such vivid images. And when it was time for a piano solo, I wasn't worried about setting myself up to look good. It was, ‘What do I need to tell the story?'"

Even after Childs' decades of considering Nyro's music, at the heart of it all is his unyielding devotion to her art. That love is the heart of the re-imagination of Map To The Treasure. 

"The way she hit me, and way she continues to hit me is on an emotional level other than the intellect," Childs said. "If you love somebody, does that change? If you love your son, daughter, or mother does that change? I don't think so. Her music is such that it's so open for interpretation-you can spend your life interpreting it and make the music mean certain things to you. It may mean different things as time goes on, but my relation to it has not."

THE BAD PLUS LIFT CURTAIN ON INEVITABLE WESTERN

The Bad Plus - bassist Reid Anderson, pianist EthanIverson, and drummer David King - have a well-earned reputation for pushing the limits on what is expected of a piano-bass-drums trio. The past 15 years have seen the genre-smashing band create a distinctive and original repertoire of inventive and exciting original music, along with iconoclastic covers of artists as divergent as Nirvana and Neil Young, Aphex Twin and Ornette Coleman. Earlier this year, the acclaimed trio took on one of the most influential works of the 20th Century, Igor Stravinsky's The Rite ofSpring (Sony Music Masterworks).

 The Bad Plus' tenth studio recording, Inevitable Western, is comprised entirely of originals and continues the band's committed belief in what Nate Chinen of The New York Times dubbed 'avant-garde populism' - the idea that serious music can be as engaging and accessible as it is forward-thinking and provocative. Inevitable Western sees the group exploring the same set of aesthetic principles that fired their inception: an exploration of myriad musical forms born of jazz and advanced using any sonic source that forwards music that is uniquely The Bad Plus. The spark continues on tracks like Anderson's lyrical "Do It Again" and the post-rock twists and turns of King's "Gold Prisms Incorporated." This is an album where pop, blues and folk meld with classic melodies and rhythmic innovation into that rarest of hybrids: intelligent music for themasses. 

A genuinely leaderless trio, The Bad Plus is equal in every respect, from composition to performance to production. The interplay between these collaborators has marked the group's work from the jump, infusing it with carefully considered spontaneity, subtlety, style, and depth. An intense emotional twang permeates pieces like King's "Adopted Highway" and the Iverson composition which gives Inevitable Western its title, evokes a spacious milieu redolent of WimWenders' Paris, Texas and theAmerican West of Richard Avedon, dusty and open, weathered but free. Rich withmystery, Inevitable Western is The Bad Plus at their best, affirming them as one of the most audacious and imaginative musical collectives of this or any other era.

  

Inevitable Western was produced by The Bad Plus in January 2014 at The Terrarium in Minneapolis alongside engineer/mixer Jason Orris; the Executive Producers are Darryl Pitt and Chris Hinderaker. 

The Bad Plus came together at the end of the 20th century and has avoided easy categorization ever since, garnering critical acclaim and a legion of fans worldwide with their creativity, idiosyncratic personality and flair for live performance. Based in New York City, the deeply collaborative trio constantly searches for rules to break and boundaries to cross, bridging genres and techniques while exploring infinite possibilities of three exceptional musicians working in perfect sync. 

Known for their hard touring schedule, The Bad Plus has slated an array of US and European live dates through October and beyond. Highlights include a series of August dates alongside Joshua Redman, beginning August 7th at Rockport, Massachusetts' Shalin Liu Performance Center, as well as a fall headline tour set to get underway with a two night stand at Seattle's The Triple Door on September22nd and 23rd. 

The Bad Plus is: bassist Reid Anderson, pianist Ethan Iverson, and drummer David King. 

www.thebadplus.com 

www.okeh-records.com

BRIAN CULBERTSON 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR LIVE CD

Contemporary jazz luminary Brian Culbertson continues to commemorate his 20th anniversary as a recording artist in a prolific way with two vastly different projects: his first live album, which will be recorded during a four-night stand (September 11-14) at Yoshi’s Oakland, and the release of a 31-minute solo piano piece entitled “Breathe,” created as therapeutic accompaniment for relaxation, massage, yoga and meditation. 

Last February, Culbertson kicked off the celebration with the release of “Another Long Night Out,” an outing on which the hitmaker was joined by an all-star ensemble on a revamped version of his 20 year-old debut disc, “Long Night Out.” The first release on his new BCM Entertainment label became his sixth session to debut at No.1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and spawned “Fullerton Ave.,” his 27th No. 1 single as an artist, producer and songwriter. Backed by his six-piece band, he then launched the “Brian Culbertson Live: 20th Anniversary Tour,” which will be preserved for posterity when all eight shows at Yoshi’s are recorded with the best moments culled for the live collection. The set list will be comprised of fan favorites from Culbertson’s chart-topping catalogue consisting of 14 studio albums plus one new track that he wrote with long-time writing partner guitarist Sheldon Reynolds. 

“I really wanted to capture this moment in time because it is such a milestone,” said Culbertson about the live album slated for release on his next birthday, January 12, 2015. Tickets for the Yoshi’s engagement are expected to sell out and anyone who preorders the album at the show will have their name included in the album’s liner notes. 

A lifestyle curator who founded and serves as artistic director of the annual wine and jazz festival the Napa Valley Jazz Getaway, Culbertson explores an entirely new dimension of his creative muse on “Breathe,” his first foray into music for healing, contemplation and the spa & massage market. Recorded at 60 beats per minute – the tempo that stimulates relaxation and lulls the mind into the alpha state - he simply sat down at the piano and started to play. 

“Believe it or not, I didn’t write anything in advance. It was completely improvised with nothing preconceived. If you listen closely, you’ll hear certain phrases that keep coming back, but that happened organically and there is no melody. It is floating themes and meandering motifs. That was on purpose, too. If it’s too ‘interesting’ then it provokes thought.

NEW RELEASES: BRIAN CULBERTSON - BREATHE; DOUBLE DOWN - MAKE YOUR MOVE; ALFONSO GUGLIUCCI - THROUGH DISTANCES

BRIAN CULBERTSON – BREATHE: PIANO FOR RELAXATION, MASSAGE, YOGA AND MEDITATION

Brian Culbertson has released a new piece of music entitled "Breathe." This is a continuous 31-minute piano track designed to calm your mind and help you relax. Recorded at exactly 60 beats per minute, it will bring your brain into an alpha state keeping you still conscious but very relaxed. You will be more focused and refreshed after listening. It will also help calm the nerves and aid in sleep as well.  Brian Culbertson - Piano & Keyboards;  Written, Produced, Arranged, Performed, Engineered, Mixed & Mastered by Brian Culbertson at BCM Studios, Los Angeles, CA.

DOUBLE DOWN – MAKE YOUR MOVE

Double Down gives the Rat Pack a rocking, swinging update for a new generation. Their electrifying performance, tight sound and musical expertise allow them to entertain groups of all ages. Double Down brings down the house with their own swing-inspired originals, while paying tribute to the great figures of the glory days of Vegas. They also dive into the songbook of today, bringing a unique twist to contemporary classics. Their 3rd album, Make Your Move features brand new original songs, and arrangements of songs by Tears for Fears, The Doors, Hall & Oates and more! ~ CD Universe

ALFONSO GUGLIUCCI – THROUGH DISTANCES

With the name of Pianistaitaliano Alfonso has received over 13 million views on his Youtube channel. His piano interpretations have also been used by some famous movie directors, to embellish certain specific scenes in their films. The original compositions of Alfonso Gugliucci are defined by the listeners a deep atmosphere of musical emotions, expressions, through jazz tunes to soundtrack. All the songs on the album "Through Distances" are composed and arranged by Alfonso Gugliucci, with the participation of interpretations by Jake Reichbart (Guitars), Florian Brandl (Flugelhorn / Trumpet) and Alberto Esposito (Drum / Percussion). ~ CD Universe

New Releases: SHAFTON THOMAS GROUP - Get Start!; DIMITRIHE VASILJEVIC - Metaphor; MARTIN KERN BAND - Now Is The Music

SHAFTON THOMAS GROUP – GET START!

Shafton Thomas Group (STG) is an original, Toronto-based modern jazz group whose melodic agility and powerful grooves bends minds and bobs heads. Comprised of Shafton Thomas on bass and compositions, Kristjan Bergey on tenor sax, Paul Morrison on keys, and Mackenzie Longpre on drums, they are breaking down the walls between challenging improvised performances and fun-loving audiences. Defined by a penchant for percolating, ever-shifting odd meters, catchy melodies, deep grooves and stimulating solos, their unrelenting group interplay bridges the gaps between bebop, breakbeat-tinged drum 'n' bass, soul/R'n'B and aggressive indie rock. Difficult to truly categorize, they affectionately refer to their eclectic yet unified sound as "arena jazz". ~ CD Universe

DIMITRIJE VASILJEVIC - METAPHOR

Dimitrije Vasiljevic's jazz album "Metaphor" brings a fresh treatment of solo piano as a device of compositional expression. Through the clear presentation of somewhat dreamy yet confident celebration of piano sound, "Metaphor" successfully blends modern jazz language, impressionistic harmonies and Balkan rhythms. Through a wide palette of moods and colors, "Metaphor" depicts a lyrical story about a search for inner worlds and their emotional vigor using the power of jazz in a very personal way. ~ CD Universe

MARTIN KERN BAND – NOW IS THE MUSIC

Music should make you feel more alive - not yesterday, not tomorrow, not next year when the time is right, but now. This was the idea behind Martin Kern's latest album. For this new effort the saxophonist and composer wanted to combine the traditional playing he admires in the greats with the very relevant influences of his own time to create a music at once immediate and timeless. All the songs were composed in a relatively short time frame giving the whole album a cohesive flow whereby each subsequent song complements and further fulfills the purpose of the one before it. To produce a more organic sound the session was recorded completely on analogue equipment over the course of just two days. Often the most fulfilling moments in a performance are those that have not been carefully premeditated and mapped out. In this case the musical arrangement is used as a vehicle to facilitate inspiration rather than dictate to it or take centre stage. Instead the focus here is on improvisation and playing the moment, hence the title. He had the great pleasure and opportunity to work with a very solid band of passionate musicians capable of executing his vision. Pianist Michelangelo Mazzari came to Berlin in 2008 and quickly drew attention with his very unique, imaginative and generous style. Bassist Ed Schuller from New York can be heard in countless clubs around the world playing with the greats of jazz. He complements his steady groove while comping with some excellent and imaginative solo work. Drummer Kenny Martin, originally from New York as well and a Berliner by choice since a long time, pushes the band with his well-rounded and dynamic style, and keeps the tension high. He, like Ed, also played on the last CD "Visions". Trumpeter Christian Grabandt shines with a melodic and full tone as well as some very clear lines. He blends in perfectly with the sound of the tenor.  Martin Kern received his musical education in Bern, Paris and in real life club situations in New York, Zi¼rich and of course his former home of 10 years, Berlin. He now lives and works in Vienna where he continues on his musical journey benefiting particularly from the cultural and musical legacy there.  ~ CD Universe

 

New Releases: THE TOM DRURY QUARTET - By George; DENNIS ANGEL - On Track; THE RANDY WEBER REF-U-GEE PROJECT - Under The Radar

THE TOM DRURY QUARTET – BY GEORGE

The Tom Drury Quartet consists of four seasoned musicians whose passion for the genre and for performing have been reignited by the Quartet. Tom Drury (piano), Erick Scales (sax), Mike Rodenberg (bass), and Pat Moore (drums) are the members of the quartet. Of the 10 tunes on 'By George', 7 are original compositions by Tom Drury. Tom is an Instructor of Music at the University of Southern Indiana (USI) and plays with just about everyone around, as do the rest of the group. Each one has been in the music business all their lives. Erick Scales is a composer and arranger and is the current head of the USI Jazz Band. Mike Rodenberg has played with everyone and in every type of band. Mike comes from a family well known for its musical prowess. Pat Moore has played with big bands since he was 17 and owned a local music store for 35 years. Tom Drury was asked by Harry and Linda George if he would put together a band and play at one of their house concerts. The Georges have been putting on these salon-like event at their home since 2007. Tom ask the other musician if they would play that event and the rest is history. This CD is dedicated to Harry and Linda for their passion and support of jazz and musicians who play it. Tom's style is reminiscent of one of his heroes, Thelonious Monk. The Quartet's debut CD, entitled 'By George', is a testimony to the passion that is jazz and renaissance of that straight ahead style. The 3 cover tunes anchor this project and give the music the spice and smoke that reminds the listener of what it may have been like to hear this music when it was fresh and new. ~ CD Universe

DENNIS ANGEL – ON TRACK

A contemporary jazz album with elements of funk, latin and the traditional acoustic five piece jazz combo. This album brings the best of the 60's and 70's with a current vibe that embraces different aspects of jazz and popular music with catchy melodies Recording information: Systems Two Recording Studios, Ltd., Brooklyn, NY; The Clubhouse, Orange County, NY. Photographer: Eleonora Alberto. Arrangers: Gottfried Stoger; Jason Miles . Personnel: Dennis Angel (flugelhorn); Rebecca Angel, James "D-Train" Williams , Pamela Driggs, Maya Azucena (vocals); Nick Moroch (guitar); Romero Lubambo (acoustic guitar); Jason Miles (strings, piano, keyboards, synthesizer, percussion); Gottfried Stoger (flute, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Tom "Bones" Malone (trombone); Kenny Barron (piano); James Genus (acoustic bass); George Porter, Jr., Amanda Ruzza, Will Lee (electric bass); Adrian Harpham, J.T. Lewis, Brian Dunne (drums); Bashiri Johnson , Cyro Baptista (percussion). Audio Mixers: Jason Miles ; Jimmy Bralower. ~ CD Universe

THE RANDY WEBER REF-U-GEE PROJECT – UNDER THE RADAR

The Randy Weber Ref-U-Gee Project "Under The Radar" is a slick Jazz/funk endeavor that comprises some of the most talented musicians out of New Orleans. Strangely, during the 2006 hurricane Katrina storm that ripped through Louisiana, our government and national media labeled the people of Louisiana "Refugees", hence the name The Randy Weber Ref-U-Gee Project. While each song tells a story, it's the music that delivers with strong backbeats and playful melodies. "Under The Radar" has an organic vibe with fluid rhythms that compliments the artistry of the players while at the same time accenting the music to a climaxing pulsating aura. Unlike "Smooth Jazz", it's Jazz with an edge.....a musical journey from start to finish. The musician-ship is some of the finest in the "Crescent City" that have either performed or recorded with such artist as George Duke, Kool and the Gang, Jimmy Cliff, Allen Toussaint, the Fugees, WAR, Diane Reeves to name a few. RWRP "Under The Radar" sets out on a journey and wants you to groove along! ~ CD Universe

New Releases: ROD McGAHA - The Black Flower Project; GUYMON ENSLEY - This Comes With It; GREG JOHNSON - City People

ROD McGAHA – THE BLACK FLOWER PROJECT

Rod McGaha's "The Black Flower Project" counts on this fact. And, why shouldn't it?. McGaha took a racially diverse, multi-generational group of musical artists and formed this project. If they could not only grasp the universality of the subject, but also build upon it, certainly it would be comprehensible for the listening masses. "The Black Flower Project" is an example of Identity Art going aural. McGaha launches into it with a rigorous, raw energy at the very beginning on the fiery tune, "The Challenge". You may not be sure if McGaha meant the challenge of self-examination or the challenge of viewing someone undergoing such an examination. However it is meant, we are both provoked and thrilled by the music. As always, Rod is a gentleman and sometime chooses to put us at ease with compositions like Lullaby and the titular, sublimely lovely, yet wonderfully soulful Black Flower.  Rod is also true to form by introducing tunes for your amusement like Bleep Blop and Cookout. And, if you were wondering, yes, he is aware of the melodic allusion to Bobby Timmon's Moanin'. Miles said it best, "Bad musicians borrow, the good musicians steal!" Songs like Inner Courage and Unexpected Soul make us consider the lush richness of the "African American experience". Certainly not to be missed is McGaha's attempt at a sort of mental slight of hand, causing us to look back so acutely that we somehow see the future. Rod does this on the tune When I Was Growin' Up by utilizing the heralded and surprising lyricist (XXL and NPR have already agreed), who goes under the moniker of "OpenMic". Apparently, the maxim is correct, the apple does not fall very far.  Altogether, this is a 12-track exhibit of the inner-world and history of an African American musical artist. If Freud was right and there are at least two of you in actuality, Rod McGaha hopes that at least one of those yous will appreciate "The Black Flower Project." ~ CD Universe

GUYMON ENSLEY – THIS COMES WITH IT

"This Comes With It" - is the melding of thoughts, experiences, sounds and melodies that complement the musical journey of Guymon Ensley. This project, Ensley's fourth, is a slight departure from his straight ahead, classic jazz offerings. The title, "This Comes With It," lets you know that, musically, this is a gift from a power greater than the writer or performers. When you listen to this project, feel and understand how intricately the music is created and presented with you, the listener, in mind. There is a musical synergy that will move you and may cause some sporadic head bobbing and finger snapping. Ensley is keeping with the industry trend by independent artists of releasing EPs of 6 to 7 tunes instead of a full 10 to 12 song project. This enables him to delve into other genres of music to reach an eclectic audience of listeners. As I participated and then listened to this project, I experienced the professionalism, integrity and the hours of musical sweat equity that it takes to go from thoughts to sessions to music ! All of that and more comes with it. ~ CD Universe

GREG JOHNSON – CITY PEOPLE

What if one day we were all picked up by an invisible force and gently dropped on a different continent? New cultures would be instantly created, with the opportunity to define themselves. Certain things would have to change if everyone in a city came from a different ethnic background. The architecture would represent buildings from around the world. The food would combine meats, vegetables and spices from different cultures. What would the music sound like? This album attempts to answer that question. When we truly celebrate diversity and support each others contributions to the world, beautiful things are bound to happen! Greg Johnson has established himself as a luminary figure in the young Jazz community. He has appeared in concert and on mainstream recordings with Jazz greats Curtis Fuller, Billy Taylor, Dick Oatts, Jay Anderson, Alan Pasqua, Peter Erskine, Bob Mintzer and many more. Currently teaching in the Jazz Studies department at the University of Southern California, Greg has worked steadily in Los Angeles as a saxophonist, composer and conductor. Greg has released two recordings "Invisible" and "Way Back When" under his name and has contributed to dozens more. ~ CD Universe

New Releases - AQUARIUM ORCHESTRA - Le ciel au dessus de...; SENA EHRHARDT - Live My Life; JEFF GAETH - Portrait

AQUARIUM ORCHESTRA - LE CIEL AU DESSUS DE...

Aquarium Orchestra is an improvisational jazz band formed in 2008. They are a six-piece group consisting of musicians Fanny Ménégoz (flutes/vocals); Léo Jeannet (trumpet); Pierre Horckmans (clarinets and bass); Romain Baret (guitar); Romain Nassini (piano and keyboards); and Corentin Quemener (drums). Aquarium Orchestra pairs the 6 musicians with photographer Youri Picart, who is a full-fledged member of the group. The musicians, all composers, each pose their eyes on the images to write pieces - tables. Here the photographs play an integral part with the orchestra and plunge the viewer into a cinematic atmosphere, poetic and mesmerizing. This digipack contains a 20-page booklet with photographs by Yuri Picart.Tracks include Wings on the market, Objets lumineux, Compagnues inconnues, N.O.R., La revanche d’un home mort, plus others for a total of 8 songs.

SENA EHRHARDT – LIVE MY LIFE

Sena Ehrhardt has emerged as one of the freshest and most dynamic young voices on the blues scene today. As the buzz about her incendiary performances at clubs and festivals spreads, heavyweight acts have begun to take notice. She s been invited to open concerts for B.B. King, ZZ Top, Robert Cray, Dickey Betts, Johnny Winter and Gregg Allman. Her latest release, Live My Life, further confirms Sena s ascendance to blues elite status.  'Working in the studio with producer David Z. at the helm was a dream come true. His catalog of work has been, in some ways, a soundtrack of my life - ranging from Prince to Jonny Lang. In the studio he brought inspired and emotional performances out of myself, my band and the guest musicians on my album. It was truly an honor to work with a creative and contemporary living legend in music. The carefully selected covers are songs that I have held dear to my heart for years, with my own spin on their classic stories and appeal. The process of writing the original compositions for this album, along with my guitarist, Cole Allen, was incredibly rewarding...”

JEFF GAETH - PORTRAIT

'Portrait' features an incredible list of performers featuring the tasty guitars of Joe Calderon and Ryan Teanio from Los Angeles, and Trever Veilleux from Hawaii. Additionally, the project also features Hawaii Bassist Gonzo and Percussionist Bill Heideman. Since mid 2013, Jeff has been busy writing and recording the music for the upcoming release. "It has been a wonderful process and the band has grown tighter through that process." Jeff's third CD "Shoestrings" enjoyed wonderful success both in the US and abroad earning a Hawaii Na Hoku Hanohano nomination in 2012. Critics and listeners alike agreed that there was something very unique about that project. "Portrait" picks up right where "Shoestrings" left off. "Portrait is a reflection of the influences and changes that I've experienced recently in my life."The collaboration of talent on this project is really a big coming of age for Jeff. The inter-twining of artists from different genres has resulted in an album that is like no other.  "My music is the true essence of what I am about...I sincerely hope the listener will be moved".  "Portrait" was recorded and produced n both CD & Vinyl) of the music they loved listening to when they were kids - the 'cool jazz' of the 1950s. Tony's cello and bass share the lead voice with Pete's organ and piano, and they're joined by notable players on drums (Steve Gadd - 2 tracks, Jeff Siegel), guitar (David Spinozza) and sax (Erik Lawrence). Don't expect abstruse songs or long-winded solos - this album is all about great, melodic songs with high level performances by all the players. ~ Amazon

New Releases: DAVID P. STEVENS - MR. Guitar; JJ SANSAVERINO - Waiting For You; CHINGARI - Bombay Makoss

DAVID P. STEVENS – MR. GUITAR

David P Stevens delivers his fourth album, Mr Guitar! You've bopped your head to David's "Timeless" first album, You gave your partner extra hugs, kisses, dances and laughs to "The Shedd"! You got excited with David when he had his "Epiphany" in 2013, to release his 3rd and most acclaimed album to date! Sit back now, and get ready to dance, laugh, pray and rock out to the highly anticipated, MR Guitar!! Mr. Guitar features Gail Jhonson, Jeanette Harris, Elan Trotman, Andrew Neu, Jaguar Wright and more!! Put your headphones on and turn up!!!! ~ Cd Universe

JJ SANSAVERINO – WAITING FOR YOU

JJ Sansaverino's sophomore CD release, 'Waiting For You," on Innervision Records is a collection of thirteen Contemporary Jazz selections reminiscent of the guitar work of George Benson, Wes Montgomery and Carlos Santana, Sansaverino's release is cutting edge, straying from the norm by incorporating the Urban Club sounds of NYC, as well as Caribbean, Latin, Brazilian, and even Italian influences.  Tracks include: Back Talk, Strive, Desert Heat, Montego Bay, Looking For Love, Gravy Train (Remix), For Everything, Sweet Baby, and The Struggle. ~ Amazon

CHINGARI – BOMBAY MAKOSSA

Stunning new release Bombay Makossa by the group Chingari showcases virtuoso ensemble of U. Shrinivas (electric mandolin), Ranjit Barot (drums, vocals), and Etienne Mbappe (bass, vocals). Each a giant in their respective spheres, the three members of Chingari have joined forces to explore an unprecedented synthesis of international traditions on their debut album Bombay Makossa. Bombay Makossa fuses the rhythmic intricacy and improvisational fervor of South Indian Carnatic music with the infectious buoyancy of Cameroonian sounds, bridged by a shared love of jazz, second-line funk, and the shimmering textures and grooves of modern pop. ~ Amazon

New Releases: JASON MORAN / MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO - All Rise: A Joyful Elegy For Fats Waller; MEDESKI SCOFIELD MARTIN & WOOD - Juice; LEVIN BROTHERS

JASON MORAN / MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO – ALL RISE: A JOYFUL ELEGY FOR FATS WALLER

All Rise: A Joyful Elegy for Fats Waller, is a collaboration with the vocalist Meshell Ndegeocello that recasts the music of the legendary jazz entertainer Fats Waller as a modern dance party. The album which was produced by Ndegeocello and Blue Note Records president Don Was is the ninth in a formidable catalog that Moran has been building on Blue Note since 1999. 'Fats Waller is a special kind of provocateur,' says Moran. 'It stems mainly from the fact that he was a singer as well as a pianist. Sometimes he was like an MC. It has always amazed me that a pianist whose playing was so deep could sing and keep a running commentary of what was going on around him all at the same time.' All Rise features Moran hosting a changeable cast of musicians that includes vocalists Ndegeocello and Lisa E. Harris, his longtime trio The Bandwagon featuring bassist Tarus Mateen and drummer Nasheet Waits, and a funky horn-inflected ensemble anchored by drummer Charles Haynes that features trumpeter Leron Thomas and trombonist Josh Roseman, as well as guest saxophonist Steve Lehman. The album was recorded and mixed by Bob Power, known for honing the sound on classic hip hop records by A Tribe Called Quest, Common and The Roots. ~ Amazon

MEDESKI SCOFIELD MARTIN & WOOD - JUICE

The ever-evolving, genre-defying collaboration between Medeski Martin & Wood and John Scofield continues to flourish. Since first convening almost 17 years ago, Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood's kinship both onstage and off has fostered an escalating degree of musical interplay, exquisitely captured on Juice their third studio album available September 16, 2014, via Medeski Martin & Wood's Indirecto imprint. Juice combines the group's signature grooves with a newfound lyrical melodicism over a program of original compositions and four covers including a powerful hymn-like version of Bob Dylan's The Times They Are A-Changin' and a dizzying dub deconstruction of Cream's Sunshine of Your Love. Throughout, Juice showcases the quartet's dynamic interplay and razor-sharp improvisational acumen. Reacting to each other is really what it's about, says Scofield, and that's what makes this music work. We've gotten to the point where we can come together and make something that is identifiable and organic, yet it's growing and changing all the time. ~ Amazon

LEVIN BROTHERS - LEVIN BROTHERS

Tony Levin, (bassist with Peter Gabriel, King Crimson), has for the first time, joined up with his brother, keyboardist Pete Levin (Miles Davis, Gil Evans, Jaco Pastorius, Wayne Shorter) to make an album (in both CD & Vinyl) of the music they loved listening to when they were kids - the 'cool jazz' of the 1950s. Tony's cello and bass share the lead voice with Pete's organ and piano, and they're joined by notable players on drums (Steve Gadd - 2 tracks, Jeff Siegel), guitar (David Spinozza) and sax (Erik Lawrence). Don't expect abstruse songs or long-winded solos - this album is all about great, melodic songs with high level performances by all the players. ~ Amazon