CLASSICS REVISITED - EDDIE HARRIS, FREDDIE HUBBARD, ARTHUR BLYTHE

EDDIE HARRIS – PLUG ME IN

Killer stuff – and an amazing album that not only showcases the varitone sax talents of Eddie Harris, but also features some fantastic arrangements by Chicago soul genius Charles Stepney! Harris plugs in right from the start – blowing an electric sax that comes up with some groovy groovy sounds – perfect for Stepney to work with on the backdrops – mixing together funky orchestrations, off-kilter strings, and even some prepared piano, ala John Cage – similar to the mode he used with Ramsey Lewis at Cadet! Tunes are wonderful – offbeat, funky, and plenty darn soulful – and titles include "Live Right Now", "It's Crazy", "Winter Meeting", and "Theme In Search Of A TV Commercial". ~ Dusty Groove

FREDDIE HUBBARD – BLACK ANGEL

A totally fantastic set from the turn of the 70s, and one of Freddie Hubbard's most soulful, spiritual albums ever – a seminal chapter in the evolution of soul jazz – and a record that was a keen inspiration for changes to come on labels like Strata East and Black Jazz! The group here features Kenny Barron on both electric and acoustic piano – really stretching out with a hip, open sort of sound – possibly his first of this type on record – and other players include James Spaulding on alto and flute, Reggie Workman on bass, Louis Hayes on drums, and Patato Valdes on added percussion – giving a more complicated groove to the best numbers. Tunes are all long and well-penned – three by Freddie himself ("Eclipse", "Spacetrack", "Gittin' Down"), one by Kenny Barron ("Black Angel"), and one by Walter Bishop (the original recording of his classic "Coral Keys"!) ~ Dusty Groove

ARTHUR BLYTHE – LENOX AVENUE BREAKDOWN

A stunning Columbia Records debut from Arthur Blythe – recorded at a time when the label was really sinking its teeth back into quality jazz, and helping artists like Arthur get some great new exposure! At the time of the date, Blythe had already spent years working in the jazz undergrounds on both coasts – developing a searing sound on alto sax that's perfect for the focused structure of this album – almost a tone poem of sorts, offering up a portrait of the Harlem scene that was a key part of Arthur's life at the time. The sounds are sharp, but also have a sense of energy that really holds them together – guiding the players through long readings of well-penned tunes by Blythe that are filled with loads of energy and life! Players include James Newton on flute, James Blood Ulmer on guitar, Bob Stewart on tuba, Cecil McBee on bass, Jack DeJohnette on drums, and Guillermo Franco on percussion – and titles include "Odessa", "Slidin Through", "Down San Diego Way", and "Lenox Avenue Breakdown". ~ Dusty Groove

JOE COCKER, K.D. LANG & THE DUKES OF SEPTEMBER TO HEADLINE JAZZ ASPEN SNOWMASS JUNE FESTIVAL

Chris Botti

The Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) June Festival returns to the Benedict Music Tent with a line-up including new faces and old favorites, an expanded JAS Café Downstairs at the Nell series, and the addition of a nightly pre-concert Lawn Party prior to the headline concerts.

The Festival kicks off on Friday, June 22 with three of the biggest names in jazz-rock and soul, The Dukes of September, featuring Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs. Saturday, June 23 brings the iconic blues-rocker, Joe Cocker, to the stage, who last played JAS in June 2003. The first weekend concludes on Sunday, June 24 with pop/country singer/songwriter k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang in her first ever JAS appearance.



The Dukes of September: Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs





The following two weeks will feature an array of eclectic performances at the JAS Café Downstairs at the Little Nell: on Friday, June 29 the French/Brazilian magic of vocalist Cyrille Aimee and guitar virtuoso Diego Figueiredo returns after wowing audiences with their January performances; Saturday, June 30 will feature the Gypsy Jazz of the Hot Club of Detroit; Thursday, July 5 the 14-piece Cuban Band Wil Campa Y su Gran Union takes the stage; and on Friday, July 6 New Orleans trombonist, and 21-year head horn playing in Harry Connick's Big Band, Lucien Barbarin and the New Orleans Rhythm Revue will close out the Nell shows. On August 10-11 singer/songwriter/guitarist Raul Midon will be featured at the JAS Café with more summer acts still to be announced. Each evening will feature performances at 7:30 and 9:15pm. Tickets are $32/each in advance, $40 at the door.

Joe Cocker

The June Festival concludes with jazz trumpeter Chris Botti and special guest Caroline Campbell on violin, Saturday July 7 at the Benedict Music Tent, presented in association with the Aspen Music Festival and School. Botti tickets are available now at 970-925-9042 or aspenmusicfestival.com.

New this year is a nightly JAS pre-concert Lawn Party on the Benedict Music Tent grounds (June 22-24). Live music and multiple food and beverage vendors will be available from 6pm nightly for the public to enjoy.

June Festival Host Sponsors include The Town of Snowmass Village and The Denver Post. Other sponsors include CME, Coors Light, Alpine Bank, Patron Tequila, KSPN, The Myers Roberts Collective and Aspen Sojourner.

Tickets for the June 22-24 shows are on sale now. They can be purchased at 866-JAS-TIXX (527-8499), jazzaspensnowmass.org, or the Belly Up Box Office (544-9800). For information on festival patron (VIP) tickets please contact the JAS office at 970-920-4996 or visit jazzaspensnowmass.org.

JAS Café tickets are available at 866-JAS-TIXX or jazzaspensnowmass.org In addition to the June Festival Café shows, additional Café performances will take place July 27-28 (acts tba) and August 10-11 (featuring singer/songwriter/guitarist Raul Midon & an additional act tba).

PIANIST & COMPOSER LEO BLANCO TO APPEAR AT THE JAZZ CARAVAN @ MIRELLE'S

The Jazz Caravan @ Mirelle's is presenting Leo Blanco with a perfomance on Friday, May 11.

Leo Blanco is a Venezuelan pianist, arranger and composer. Leo grew up in Mérida-Venezuela, where from early age he was surrounded by Venezuelan folklore – a blend of African and European musical traditions– as well as jazz, classical music and pop. At the age of 11 he already was a member of the Mérida Youth Symphony Orchestra.

After moving to Caracas at the age of 16 he performed and recorded with his own Jazz trio, while studying Improvisation, jazz harmony and piano at the musical Institute “Ars Nova” and University of Musical Studies. Soon he started working with very well known jazz and Latin pop national artists. During his eight year in Caracas, Leo obtained vast experience as a composer, arranger, and musical producer while working as musical director at the city’s oldest and most important jazz venue, Juan Sebastian Bar. There, with the Leo Blanco Trio, he shared the stage with major international jazz artist such as Terence Blanchard, Danilo Perez, Pat Metheny, Chucho Valdez (Irakere), Joao Bosco, and Gonzalo Rubalcaba.

His interest in world music and jazz brought him to Boston in 1996, where he immediately obtained a full scholarship to study composition and improvisation in both Berklee and then New England Conservatory. His talent and dedication to music was very quickly recognized in the US. In March 1996, Leo was the first Latin American to win to a prestigious Jazz awards: the “Boston Jazz Society Award”, and in May of the same year, he received the Billboard Grant Award for his “talent, commitment, achievement and other attributes indicating that he is likely to make a significant contribution to society through music. Comissioned to write a new piece “End of the Amazonia” for the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra

Leo continued to be very active in the international music scene. He has participated in a number of musical projects, adding his creativity and talents to other genres such as North American folk, Afro Latin, classical. He has played with highly acclaimed artists such as Dave Liebman, George Garzone, Luciana Souza, Bob Moses, Dave Samuels, Jamey Haddad, Antonio Sanchez, Giovanni Hidalgo, Jane Bunnett.

In the international arena, Leo has been a guest of renowned World Music and Jazz Festivals, such as Newport Jazz Festival (USA), Monterey Jazz Festival (USA), North Sea Jazz Festival (Holland), Edinburgh’s International Festival (Scotland), Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland), Kobe Jazz Festival (Japan), Festival de Música (Brazil), Festival Latino Americano (Italy), Festival Latino (Italy), Festival Tentarera (Germany), Music Festival de Paleo (Switzerland). He was invited to perform and record a T.V Broadcast by the Cultural Ministry of Yugoslavia. He has played as guest soloist with several Venezuelan orchestras, including Symphonic Orchestra of Funda Ayacucho, Symphonic Orchestra of Mérida and the Symphonic Orchestra of Lara.

Blanco’s most recent Album CD is Africa Latina on the European label Ayva with notable musicians like saxophonist Donny McCaslin, drummer Antonio Sánchez and guitarist Lionel Louke, among others. This new recording is “an excursion through the music hinterland of African music influenced on Venezuela, Colombia and Peru.”

Blanco will be performing at The Jazz Caravan at Mireilles at 170 Post Avenue, Westbury, NY on Friday, May 11.

mirelles.com

LEE RITENOUR - OVERTIME

Grammy Award-winning multi-genre guitarist Lee Ritenour’s debut Blu-Ray, Overtime, is set for release on June 19. Recorded over two days in a Burbank, California studio, almost three hours in length,

Overtime is a tour-de-force of jam-happy proportions as the guitarist is placed in a variety of environments that show off his extraordinary skill of adapting to each and every genre-specific moment. From the soulful funk of The Temptations’ “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” to a stunning set of Brazilian samba to the jazz-rock fusion of his early days, Rit rocks, swings, and rolls in a progressive mélange of satisfying chops and intelligence.

There’s an innate feel in these grooves that one cannot only respond to intellectually but viscerally…in the gut. The songs are culled from 1977’s Captain Fingers, 1978’s Captain’s Journey, 1981’s Rit, 1988’s Festival, 1992’s Wes Bound (a tribute to the legendary guitarist Wes Montgomery) and 2003’s Twist Of Motown.

And The Cast! Luminaries include the Grammy Award-winning vocalist/pianist Patrice Rushen; trumpeter Chris Botti (who has had four #1 jazz albums); flute/sax man Ernie Watts (from Charlie Haden’s Quartet West and the 1981 Rolling Stones tour); multi-instrumentalist Eric Marienthal (sax, flute, piccolo) from The Chick Corea Elektric Band; Peruvian percussionist Alex Acuna; acclaimed soul singer Kenya Hathaway (daughter of the late Donny Hathaway); drummer Harvey Mason (from Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters) and many others. Composer/arranger/pianist Dave Grusin (with whom Ritenour won a 1985 Grammy Award for Harlequin) shares the bill with the band on a four-track 2011 Montreux Jazz Festival bonus: “Wes Bound” “Stolen Moments” “The Firm” and “Lay It Down.”

Lee Ritenour has spiced up sessions and stages for everyone from Tony Bennett, Lena Horne and Steely Dan to Pink Floyd and Dizzy Gillespie. He’s been at the forefront of fusion, has crafted cool improvisations in the mode of Miles Davis, contributed to super-group Fourplay and has made pop inroads into Brazilian music. Throughout Ritenour’s 30-album career, his individuality and resourcefulness always shines through.

TRACK LISTING:
1) Party Time
2) Blue In Green
3) Mizrab
4) Sugarloaf Express
5) Harlequin
6) Beyond The Storm
7) Dinorah Dinorah
8) P.A.L.S.
9) Captain Fingers
10) Morning Glory
11) Captain Caribe
12) Night Rhythms
13) A Little Bumpin’
14) Water To Drink (Agua de Beber)
15) Possibilities
16) Papa Was A Rolling Stone
17) Is It You?
18) Thirteen
19) She Walks This Earth

BRIAN CULBERTSON - DREAMS

This summer, prolific R&B/Jazz musician Brian Culbertson invites you to close your eyes, open your ears, and fall deep into a lush world of musical fantasy with his breathtaking thirteenth album Dreams (Verve/Universal). With the help of lauded guest vocalists Vivian Green, Noel Gourdin and Stokley Williams of Mint Condition, Dreams masterfully melds jazz sensibility with an R&B flair in a wondrous mélange of enchanting grooves.

The result is a stunning collection of 10 mesmerizing tunes, including the poignant lead single "Still Here" -- featuring the soulful rapture of Vivian Green, telling the passionate tale of how taking a risk on love can have a happy ending. "Your Smile," the album's lead jazz single, is an exquisite rhythmic excursion underscored with an undeniable buoyant groove. Brian recruited the R&B vocal prowess of singer Stokley Williams to enhance the melodic elegance of "No Limits," whose romantic lyrics accentuate the thrill of actualizing an altruistic union. On "You're My Music," Boston-based singer Noel Gourdin pours his thick, soulful vocals over both Brian's shimmering piano chords and bass guitar licks.

Dreams was arranged by esteemed R&B producer and longtime collaborator Rex Rideout (Angie Stone, Ledisi, Luther Vandross, Lalah Hathaway, Will Downing, Kem) while also calling on four of R&B's top session players to help round out the sound: bassist Alex Al (Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones) and guitarists Michael Thompson (Babyface, Toni Braxton), Rob Bacon (Beyoncé, Raphael Saadiq), and John "Jubu" Smith (Frankie Beverly & Maze, Whitney Houston).

Brian has released his 4-track EP Dreams featuring several of the album's stellar tracks, "Your Smile," "Later Tonight," "Still Here" f/ Vivian Green and "No Limits" f/ Stokley Williams. The EP serves as a delectable audio appetizer for Brian's full length album due out this Summer 2012.

With the concept of dreams, Brian felt enraptured in a vivid sequence of thoughts, images, and sensations -- a lifelike realm where radiant colors, sounds, and illusions intersect, creating the most vibrant experience.

"Last summer, I just started having these really vivid dreams, I was waking up inspired to get into the studio and write songs. Songs that made me feel like those dreams. On this whole record, I really concentrated on piano melodies that were really catchy and emotional. Melodies that tried to take you somewhere. On a little musical journey, if you will."

Having worked with an array of stellar R&B artists such as Faith Evans, Ledisi, Brian McKnight, Kenny Lattimore, Musiq Soulchild and Avant on his past albums -- in total, Brian has produced or performed on over 25 No. 1 records, topping the Billboard Charts, regularly appearing as the opening act for Barry Manilow, lauded by Prince, and received six Oasis Jazz Awards.

Upcoming events and tours include the already sold-out Brian Culbertson's Napa Valley Jazz Getaway, taking place between June 7-10th. Celebrating the finest in wine, food, art, and music in the heart of California's rich viticultural Napa valley, guests of the festival will be entertained by Brian and a host of special guests and fellow recording artists including comedian Sinbad, pianist David Benoit, saxophonists Eric Marienthal and Eric Darius, and vocalists Kenny Lattimore and Oleta Adams. Brian will also head out on tour with legendary jazz saxophonist David Sanborn during a 30-date stop appropriately titled The Dream Tour which will take place at an array of venues including wineries, cruises, casinos and festivals between June 17th and September 22nd.

2012 is certain to be a pivotal turning point in Brian's illustrious career. Dreams holds the key to a new dimension of the jazz listening experience by effortlessly combining elements of R&B and soul with spellbinding melodies and the marvel of inner visions. With Dreams, as with his previous efforts, Brian proceeds to keep the genre of jazz alive and viable by consistently injecting a fresh approach into his own unique sensibility. Dreams definitely proves that jazz and groove fit hand-in-glove.

NEW RELEASES - SKII HARVEY, SUNNIE PAXSON, CYNTHIA BASINET

SKII HARVEY – BOUND BY HISTORY

Australian singer/songwriter Skii with her sultry, sassy voice has been likened to a cross between Tina Turner and Ella Fitzgerald. Skii is a life long singer/songwriter. She began her career huddled over an old upright piano squeezed into her mother’s small semi in Redfern where their tiny porch had been converted into a makeshift bedroom. Like many artists she worked a couple of jobs by day and the gig circuit by night.

Her voice has stopped the likes of Sting and Ricky May but it is her song writing that has brought her to the attention of the Billboard music awards, the UK songwriting awards, Australian Songwriter’s Association, Song of the Year and as a producer’s choice in the LA music awards. Bound By History is Skii’s 3rd album. Her first Album “Uncompromising” and her critically acclaimed second album “Foolish Girl” can also be found on iTunes.

“Bound By History is the next chapter” says Skii, “It is about being strengthened and encouraged by your past as well as cautioned. We are all made up of our history both singularly and collectively but it is how we step into the future that truly counts.” ~ skiiharvey.com

SUNNIE PAXSON - BOHEMIAN SUN
Innovative songwriter, producer, arranger and performer Sunnie Paxson has already proven herself as a talented jazz pianist and recording artist. Paxson has toured with Grammy award winning bassist Stanley Clarke and has recorded and/or shared the stage with many including Justo Almario, Larry Carlton, Danny Gottlieb and Michael Paulo to name a few. Her compositions and performances can be heard in feature films and television including the smash hit “Desperate Housewives.”

A native of Philadelphia, Sunnie was a child piano prodigy from amusical family. Her skills were honed by studies with world-renowned pianists Bernard Peiffer, Jimmy Amadie and Ray Santisi. Paxson attended Berklee College of Music and the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts.

Paxson was voted one of “Los Angeles’ Best Jazz Performers” in Los Angeles Magazine. In the world of radio, Sunnie is known on stations throughout the US as well as internationally. This was due to her successful debut solo album, Groove Suite, which contained the ultimate feel-good single “Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied),” featuring longtime friend Clarke on bass. Jazz Week listed Sunnie as one of the top 100 artists with the most spins for two years during the peak run of this CD. On Sunnie’s newest album, Bohemian Sun, her first release on the Roxboro Entertainment Group label, she returns to her solid jazz roots with this straight-ahead jazz trio record which consists of herself Stanley Clarke/bass and Ronald Bruner, Jr. /drums) featuring some of her own compositions, some standards and one song written by Clarke.
~ roxboroentertainment.com

CYNTHIA BASINET - IT'S ONLY A PAPER MOON

Actress, humanitarian, and Great American Songbook aficionada Cynthia Basinet follows up her stunning holiday release, “The Christmas Song” with one of our most beloved musical chestnuts… It's Only A Paper Moon. Ms. Basinet absolutely nails her unique read on a song that was penned by Harold Arlen, Billy Rose and E.Y. “Yip” Harburg, and first published in 1933. The lyrics play on our perceptions of reality vs. fantasy, and Cynthia’s compelling version ingeniously captures that quirky vibe perfectly. Adding to Ms. Basinet’s luscious vocal talent is pianist, composer, musical director Lee Musiker, whose extensive resume includes working with superstar names like Mr. Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, and Paul McCartney. This is a performance not to be missed, so my advice to you is to download your copy of Cynthia Basinet’s amazing version of It's Only A Paper Moon. Then you can decide if your life is real or make believe! " ~ Scott O’Brien (SmoothJazz.com)

CHRIS GODBER - MY OFFERING

Chris Godber (Pronounced God - brrr) born July 13, 1985 is a saxophonist, producer and multi instrumentalist from Panama City, Florida. He plays soprano, alto and tenor saxophones in addition to the piano, keyboards, and acoustic guitar. He can be heard playing most of the background instruments and drum programming on his first three albums. His music is heavily influenced by Contemporary Jazz, R&B and Gospel and by elites such as Grover Washington Jr., Boney James, Kenny G, Kirk Whalum, Brian Culbertson, Chris Tomlin and the likes of Michael W. Smith’s piano work and composition.

Chris's latest album My Offering is his 4th album to date garnering praise and reviews the world over. Scott O'Brien from SmoothJazz.com says "If you’ve ever wondered what Kenny G would sound like if he kicked it up a notch, then you need to listen to this guy play. Patrick Van de Wiele of SmoothJazz.eu says, “Sometimes he makes me think of Kenny G…you can easily situate him between those other more famous smooth jazz sax players!"

Unlike those “other more famous sax players”, however, Chris suffers from asthma. When starting middle school in Charleston, SC he aspired to start playing the saxophone, but his doctors told him he wouldn’t be able to because it may aggravate his symptoms. Chris didn’t take no for an answer and took to the sax anyway! Though he struggled with it more so than other students at the time, he soon overcame the hurdle that was holding him back and used the saxophone as a form of self treatment for his asthma symptoms. Chris gives God all of the credit for allowing him to play and saying, “That’s why I play for Him. He’s the one that allows me to do so in the first place.”

Though Chris still has asthma, God has allowed him to overcome it. It's only one of many miracles God has blessed Chris and his family with. His sister, Sarah was born 3 months premature in Bonn Germany back in 1990. Because of the complications with delivery and her stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the doctors didn't give much hope of survival to Chris's family. However, through much faith and prayer God blessed them with Sarah and after 4 months she was able to come home from the hospital! Today she is a huge asset to Chris's ministry helping in various areas of marketing and web updates!

In early 2011 Chris signed with L.A. Sax to endorse their saxophones and has nothing but great things to say about them. "From the first note I was in awe at how well they played and capturing my voice in the sax. I like them so much I recorded the new album with them, and the songs I had already recorded with my other horns I then re-recorded!" -Chris Godber. As an artist endorser Chris has access to these wonderful instruments so if you'd like to buy a horn through Chris at a you can do so here. (Discounts available for students)

Chris has worked with various other musicians both in the studio and on the stage. He was a National Finalist in GMA’s (Gospel Music Association) 2005 Music in The Rockies, Estes Park, CO. He’s performed with T. Graham Brown and has also been an opening act for various Gospel Artists such as, “Seventh Day Slumber”, “KJ 52” and has performed for “Dancing With The Stars” on two occasions. Chris also recently caught the attention of saxophone legends Kirk Whalum and Gerald Albright during the 2011 Seabreeze Jazz Festival in Pier Park, Panama City Beach, FL where they came by after one of Chris’s performances telling him how much they enjoyed his music and his inspirational message! Chris continues to travel and perform leaving audiences breathless and inspired wherever he goes!

http://www.chrisgodber.com/

NEW RELEASES - KERKKO KOSKINEN ORCHESTRA, JOE LOCKE / GEOFFREY KEEZER GROUP, HAWTHORNE HEADHUNTERS

KERKKO KOSKINEN ORCHESTRA – TRAINS & LETTERS

A brilliant set from Finnish arranger Kerkko Koskinen – one with loads of deep jazzy textures, and a feel that's almost like some lost European soundtrack of the late 50s! The arrangements are tight, but never overwhelming – so that the ensemble's soloists have plenty of room to stretch out in creative patterns of their own – mixing in some great modern jazz modes that really deepen the feeling of the whole record – with elements that remind us of the best Swedish or French jazz experiments of the 50s! Players include Jukka Eskola on trumpet, Timo Lassy on tenor and flute, and Kerkko Koskinen himself on cembalo – and the record's got some especially evocative vibes from Penu Savolainen, who handles his instrument with these sharp chromatic tones that are mighty nice. Titles include "Day Train", "The Answer", "Night Train", "Calling Mrs Aagaard", "Taipan March", and "Modern Single Man". ~ Dusty Groove

JOE LOCKE / GEOFFREY KEEZER GROUP - SIGNING

Joe Locke's vibes, and some great work on Fender Rhodes and piano from Geoffrey Keezer – wrapped up beautifully in a mode that makes for one of the best records from either player in a number of years! From the notes, it's clear that the album's definitely a co-led session – with different arrangements and compositions contributed from each player – a nice sense of depth that really allows for some complex tones from the piano and vibes – styles that go way past the obvious! Rhythms are a part of this too – thanks to simple, effective touches from Mike Pop on electric and acoustic bass, and Terreon Gully on drums – and titles include "Hide & Seek", "Naima", "Darth Alexis", "The Lost Lenore", and "Signing". ~ Dusty Groove.

HAWTHORNE HEADHUNTERS – MYRIAD OF NOW

Electro funk, boogie soul and spacey hip hop from Hawthorne Headhunters – completely delivering on the promising earlier EP and rivaling the best of their similarly-traveling peers – particularly Plug Research labelmate Shafiq Husayn, along with leftfield funk leaders Dam Funk and Georgia Anne Muldrow – and we do not take those comparisons lightly! The Hawthorne Headhunters started as more of a freewheeling collective, though here as more of a partnership between Coultrain and Black Spade. 70s jazz funk, 80s synth soul and otherwise spacey sounds and the insistent underlying bounce of the best hip hop continue to inform the sound. Titles include "Sum People Don't Change", "Collage" feat Rockwell Knuckles & Tef Po, "Luv Galactic" feat I Am, "Teleport", "Yellow Cougar", "Whirlwind", "Ghostfields", "Fairweather" feat Von Pea & Haz Solo, "Hole In The World", "Tribute" and more. ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - JAZZ COURIERS, TY CAUSEY, STEVE KUHN

JAZZ COURIERS LIVE IN MORCOMBE 1959 – TIPPIN’

Primo work by one of the greatest Brit jazz groups of the 50s – the legendary Jazz Couriers, and their smoking frontline of Tubby Hayes and Ronnie Scott on tenor sax! The pair have a way of coming together that's simply beautiful – not the kind of "battle" you might have gotten from American tenorists a few years before – and instead, a way of collaborating on long-spun, beautifully-blown tracks that really expand under the two voices of the tenors – in ways that other hardbop groups might with just a sax and trumpet. Part of the group's success is their great rhythm section too – Terry Shannon on piano, Jeff Clyne on bass, and Billy Eyden on drums – a trio who really kick things into gear wonderfully on this previously-unissued live date! The material was recorded at a restaurant gig – nice and intimate, but with very good sound – so much so that the record is very much on a par with the group's famous studio sides of the time. Tubby Hayes also plays a bit of vibes on the record – and titles include "For All We Know", "Embers", "Tippin", and "Cherokee/The Theme". ~ Dusty Groove

TY CAUSEY – FALSE FACES

Strongly emotional and slowly simmering craft from Ty Causey – a veteran of the midwestern smooth, jazzy soul scene – and his efforts are as strong as ever here! There's an easygoing confidence in Ty's approach that he's carried for a while – and that continues in full effect here. His songs speak to straight forward, soulful truth, with a relaxed style and emotional and spiritual depth. The production is just as sweet – with a smooth soul pace, and subtly dexterous musicianship. Some guitar, a bit of flute or sax come into play with nice keys and percolating percussion. Includes "Must Be Magic", "Too Much Baggage", "Tap Into This Chemistry", "I'll Wait For You", "I'll Wait For You", "You'll Never Be Lonely", "False Faces", "Love Call", "A Reason Why", "Hot 2 Night", "The Limit of Love", "Bold And Beautiful". ~ Dusty Groove

STEVE KUHN - WISTERIA

Steve Kuhn's a player who's always got our ears – a pianist we've loved from the late 60s onwards, still sounding great on this lovely set for ECM! There's a warmth here we haven't heard from Kuhn in a while – almost a return to those lyrical modes we loved in his 70s work for the label, particularly his acoustic lines – which always seemed to have this open flow that was definitely informed by work on Fender Rhodes, yet still in a very classic style overall! Kuhn's amazing here – and the album's one that definitely lives up to all of our love for his older records – and the trio is perfectly subtle, too – with gentle work on bass from Steve Swallow and quietly evocative drums from Joey Baron. Titles include "Chalet", "Romance", "Pastorale", "Wisteria", "Promises Kept", "Dark Glasses", "A Likely Story", and "Permanent Wave". ~ Dusty Groove

KIRK WHALUM 2012 ROMANCE LANGUAGE TOUR DATES

Houston, TX - Sunday, April 29th, 2012
Arena Theater - with Jonathan Butler

Durham, NC - Friday, May 4th, 2012
The Carolina Theater Box Office 919.560.3030
w/Kevin Whalum wsg Nicole Henry. Fundraiser to benefit the DNS Scholarship Fund

Charlotte, NC - Saturday, May 5th, 2012
Halton Theater - 4th Annual Carolina Jazz Concert Series (Central Piedmont Community College)
Romance Language Tour w/Kevin Whalum wsg Nicole Henry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TrdqWBFkO0@jazzdiva @cpcc

Temecula, CA - Saturday, May 19th, 2012
South Coast Winery
Romance Langauge Tour

Pasadena, CA - Saturday, May 26th, 2012
Central Park
Romance Language Tour

Columbia, MD - Saturday, June 2nd, 2012
Capital Jazz Festival Merriweather Post Pavilion
Romance Language Tour

Hoover, AL - Sunday, June 3rd, 2012
Preserve Jazz Festival
Romance Language Tour w/Kevin Whalum wsg Nicole Henry

St. Louis, MO - Sunday, June 10th, 2012
Saxquest Saxophone Shop
Sax workshop Kirk Only 2 PM
http://www.saxquest.com/
Cincinnati, OH - Friday, June 15th, 2012
Kingsgate Marriott Hotel
Romance Language Tour w/Kevin Whalum wsg Nicole Henry

Chicago, IL - Sunday, June 17th, 2012
Ray and Joan Kroc Comm. Center
Real Men Cook Event
http://www.realmencook.com/

Johannesburg, SA - Thursday, June 21st, 2012
Carnival City
Romance Language Tour

Cape Town, SA - Friday, June 22nd, 2012
His People Church
Romance Language Tour

Kwazulu Natal, SA - Saturday, June 23rd, 2012
Port Shepstone - Ugu Jazz Festival
Romance Language Tour

Houston, TX - Friday, July 6th, 2012
Miller Outdoor Theatre
Romance Language Tour w/Kevin Whalum wsg Nicole Henry

Austin, TX - Saturday, July 7th, 2012
One World Theatre
Romance Language Tour w/Kevin Whalum wsg Nicole Henry

Accra, Ghana - Friday, July 27th, 2012
International Conference Center
Romance Language Tour

Long Beach, CA - Saturday, August 11th, 2012
Rainbow Lagoon
Romance Language Tour

St. Louis, MO - Sunday, September 16th, 2012
Sheldon Concert Hall
Romance Language Tour

San Antonio, TX - Saturday, September 22nd, 2012
Travis Park
Jazz'SAlive Festival Romance Language Tour
http://www.saparksfoundation.org/jazzsalive.html

Italy, Greece , Sicily - Sunday, September 22nd, 2013
Dave Koz and Friends Cruise
http://www.davekozcruise.com/

CAROLE KING - THE LEGENDARY DEMOS

Carole King’s The Legendary Demos is being released via Hear Music/Concord Music Group. A previously unreleased collection of 13 history-making Carole King recordings of some of her most celebrated songs, The Legendary Demos traces King's journey from her days as an Aldon staff writer in the 1960's, where she crafted hit after hit for other artists, to the dawn of her own triumphant solo career in the 1970's, and contains her original recordings of future standards like "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," "It's Too Late," and "You've Got A Friend." Featuring liner notes by acclaimed author and Rolling Stone contributing editor David Browne, the collection brings to light a heretofore missing link in the chain of King's career. Fittingly, The Legendary Demos serves as a companion to King’s long-awaited memoir, A Natural Woman, which is being released April 10th, 2012 via Grand Central Publishing.

Aldon Music used these demos—short for “demonstration records”—to pitch King's material to other artists, from Gene Pitney and Bobby Vee to Aretha Franklin and the Monkees. While the recordings have long been coveted and collected within the industry, they have never before been released to the public.

Whether it was a potential single for the Monkees or a solo performer like Pitney, King’s demos were remarkable in their completeness. “When she sat down to the piano and played a demo of one of her songs, the whole arrangement appeared right in front of your eyes magically,” recalls Brooks Arthur, who engineered a number of these efficient sessions for King at one of several midtown Manhattan studios. “A lot of the smarter producers would adhere to Carole’s demos. If you stuck to that, you’d come home a winner.”

King and then-husband/songwriting partner Gerry Goffin signed with Aldon Music in 1959, and anyone who listened to the radio during the first half of the ‘60s will recognize the songs of teen passion and devastating heartbreak heard in King’s original recordings. “Take Good Care of My Baby” was a No. 1 hit for Bobby Vee in 1961. Goffin’s gift for tapping into teen anguish—in this case, hiding behind a stoic public face—was never conveyed better than in “Crying in the Rain,” which the Everly Brothers took into the top 10 in early 1962. “Just Once in My Life” was the Righteous Brothers’ follow-up to their still-spine-tingling “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” and King’s demo reveals how she and Goffin were instantly able to tap into the duo’s (and producer Phil Spector’s) dramatic, impassioned sound.

Like many of their fellow songwriters at the time, King and Goffin wrote songs for Don Kirshner’s TV show about a fictional, Beatles-derived pop band that debuted in September 1966. The Monkees turned out to be more credible singers (and musicians) than anyone initially expected, as their high-charting 1967 version of King and Goffin's “Pleasant Valley Sunday” revealed. The Monkees also cut “So Goes Love,” a dreamier ballad heard here, but the track didn’t make their first album and wasn’t released until long after they’d disbanded.

The Legendary Demos includes early takes of six tracks that formed the basis for King’s world-wide solo breakthrough Tapestry. King and lyricist Toni Stern’s ever-poignant “It’s Too Late” is here, along with King’s own “Way Over Yonder,” “Beautiful” and “Tapestry,” all three bursting with the artistic and spiritual renewal infusing King’s life during this period.

Among the collection’s numerous gems is the original 1967 demo for Goffin, King, and producer Jerry Wexler’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” a song that would later appear on Tapestry and of course be famously cut by Aretha Franklin later that same year. King’s version offers several different takes from the Franklin and Tapestry versions. Her delivery in the opening lines is looser (check out the way she stretches out “Lord” in “Lord, it made me feel so tired”), and the bridge is even more imbued with palpable romantic and sexual heat.

And finally, there’s King’s initial take on “You’ve Got a Friend,” a classic entry in the Great American Rock Songbook. Milling around in the Troubadour balcony during soundcheck, her friend James Taylor heard King perform the song on a bare stage and was immediately taken with it; his own version, a massive hit, would arrive the following year.

The Legendary Demos Tracklisting:
1. Pleasant Valley Sunday (Goffin/King)
(Carole King: vocal; other musicians unknown) circa 1966
Covered by The Monkees (1967) - #3 on the U.S. Pop Charts

2. So Goes Love (Goffin/King)
(Carole King: vocal; other musicians unknown) circa 1966
Covered by The Turtles (1967)

3. Take Good Care of My Baby (Goffin/King)
(Carole King: vocal, piano) circa 1961
Covered by Bobby Vee (1961) - #1 on the U.S. Pop Charts

4. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (Goffin/King/Wexler)
(Carole King: vocal, piano) circa 1967
Covered by Aretha Franklin (1967) - #8 on the U.S. Pop Charts

5. Like Little Children (Goffin/King)
(Carole King: vocal; other musicians unknown) circa 1966
Covered by The Knickerbockers (1966)

6. Beautiful (King)
(Carole King: vocal, piano) circa 1970

7. Crying In The Rain (Greenfield/King)
(Carole King: vocal; other musicians unknown) circa 1962
Covered by The Everly Brothers (1962) - #6 on the U.S. Pop Charts

8. Way Over Yonder (King)
(Carole King: vocal, piano) circa 1970

9. Yours Until Tomorrow (Goffin/King)
(Carole King: vocal; other musicians unknown) circa 1966
Covered by Paul Wayne (1966)

10. It’s Too Late (King)
(Carole King: vocal, piano) circa 1970

11. Tapestry (King)
(Carole King: vocal, piano) circa 1970

12. Just Once In My Life (Goffin/King/Spector)
(Carole King: vocal, piano) circa 1965
Covered by The Righteous Brothers (1965) - #9 on the U.S. Pop Charts

13. You’ve Got A Friend (King)
(Carole King: vocal, piano) circa 1970
Covered by James Taylor (1971) - #1 on the Billboard Top 100 Charts

Carole King is arguably the most successful and revered female songwriter in pop music history. To date, more than 400 Carole King compositions have been recorded by more than 1000 artists, resulting in 100 hit singles - many of them reaching #1. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, King was the first woman to win four GRAMMY® Awards in one year, and her landmark 1971 album Tapestry received a Diamond Award from the RIAA for sales of more than 10 million units in the U.S., with more than 25 million units sold worldwide.
 
~ Concord Records

JACKSONVILLE JAZZ FESTIVAL FULL LINEUP

Mayor Alvin Brown and the City of Jacksonville are proud to announce the latest additions and full lineup of performances for the 2012 Jacksonville Jazz Festival. The annual tradition will be held Thursday, May 24 through Sunday, May 27 in the heart of downtown Jacksonville. The festival is free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

“The Jacksonville Jazz Festival promises world-class performances for families and friends throughout Memorial Day weekend,” said Mayor Alvin Brown. “Come join us for the music and take some time to explore Downtown at its best.”

Additions to the lineup include: Béla Fleck and the Marcus Roberts Trio; Najee; Jonathan Butler; Pop/Jazz featuring Karen Briggs; Grace Kelly Quintet; Firecracker Jazz Band; Navy Band Southeast TGIF; Doc Handy; Tropic of Cancer; Pierre & Co.; BK Jackson; Elisha Parris; Noel Freidline Quintet; St. Johns River City Band; Ya’ Gozo’ The Latin Jazz Band; Longineu Parsons; Von Barlow’s Jazz Journey featuring Tina Fabrique; BERT Quartet featuring Claire Heusinger; John Ricci Quartet; The Fusion Band; Isaac Byrd Jr. and Tribe Judah; BayStreet; Aaron Bing; Sacred Jazz featuring the Noel Freidline Quintet with the Jacksonville Mass Choir; and The Kelly/Scott Quintet.

Artists previously announced: Sonny Rollins; Corea, Clarke and White; Patti Austin with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra; Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue; Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band featuring Terence Blanchard; Karrin Allyson Quartet; Brian Culbertson; Michael Mossman and Antonio Hart with the University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble 1; Jazz Crusaders; The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman; Soul Rebels; Raul Mídon; Cindy Blackman Santana & Another Lifetime; Madeleine Peyroux; Linda Cole & the Joshua Bowlus Trio; Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Jazz Ensemble 1; JB Scott’s Swingin’ Allstars; and Just Jazz Quartet.

Other activities held as part of the Jazz Festival: Art in the Heart Downtown, a juried art show and craft sale, the Wine Down/Brew Town Tasting Experience, Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition presented by Keyboard Connection Pianos & Organs, ‘Round Midnight Jazz Jams, Generation Next Youth Talent Competition, and a jazz brunch.

The 2012 Jacksonville Jazz Festival is proudly produced by the City of Jacksonville Office of Special Events with support from these sponsors: Jacksonville Aviation Authority; Verizon; Duval County Tourist Development Council; Shands Jacksonville; the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, the official host hotel; the Omni Jacksonville Hotel, the official co-host hotel; Keyboard Connection Pianos & Organs; CBS47 Action News; V101.5; JAZZIZ; Beringer; Coca-Cola; Champion Brands; Farah & Farah and Jax River Cruises.

For more information on the 2012 Jacksonville Jazz Festival, call the Office of Special Events at (904) 630-3690 or visit the official Jacksonville Jazz Festival website and social pages.

JaxJazzFest.com
Facebook.com/JacksonvilleJazzFestival
Twitter.com/JaxJazzFest or @JaxJazzFest #JaxJazzFest

NEW RELEASES - MICHAEL KIWANUKA, NORTHERN SOUL COLLECTOR, NICK WATERHOUSE

MICHAEL KIWANUKA - HOME AGAIN

"Life-affirming...accomplished work of depth and distinction." - Q Magazine

Available now exclusively on iTunes, Michael Kiwanuka's debut album, Home Again, was produced by Paul Butler from The Bees in his home studio on the Isle of Wight. A top 5 best seller in the UK, it takes Michael's effortless melodies, observant lyrics and smooth voice and builds them into timeless and rootsy folk-inflected modern soul. The title single "Home Again" is the iTunes free Single Of The Week. The US release features an additional song, the Dan Auerbach-produced "Lasan."

Michael will be heading to the US for a run of tour dates this June, kicking off at the Bonnaroo festival in Manchester, TN, followed by shows in New York City, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Chicago for Lollapalooza, and San Francisco for Outside Lands Festival. ~ Giant Step

NORTHERN SOUL COLLECTOR VOL 2 - THE ULTIMATE SOUL MEETING: 26 WINNERS FROM THE RARE SOUL CLAN

The title gets it right – as this is definitely a great meeting of soulful talents – including some of the best of the late 60s underground scene! The package is filled with singles that range from upbeat deep soul to deeper Northern Soul – a mix of styles that comes from labels from the mid-south on up north – put together with a great ear for a swinging, socking soul tune! There's plenty here we haven't seen on CD for years – if at all – and titles include "Empty Arms & Bitter Tears" by Gerri Taylor, "Big Bad World" by Cathy Saint, "Cross My Heart" by Joe Haywood, "Welcome To My Heart" by The Bouquets, "My Little Plaything" by Glenn Watts, "Lover Come Back" by Jackey Beavers, "Just Call On Me" by Eddie Wilson, "My Baby Changes" by The Victones, "You Got To Pay The Price" by Gloria Taylor, "Salvation" by The Men From Macon, "I Find No Fault" by Johnny Jones, "I Can't Be A Fool For You" by Danny Owens, and "When I'm Ready" by Mill Evans. ~ Dusty Groove

NICK WATERHOUSE - TIME'S ALL GONE

A stone smoking album from Nick Waterhouse – the first full-length we've ever heard from the singer, and a killer set all the way through! The backings are funky, but the sound is nice and gritty too – much more in an R&B mode than other contemporary albums of this nature – which is a perfect fit for Nick's sharp-edged way of handling the lyrics! Production is wonderful – very classic overall, but with a fresh feel that's all its own – a perfect illustration of the way that Waterhouse gets past easy generic classifications, or any sort of soul music cliches – and manages to come up with something fresh, unique, and all his own! Most instrumentation is vamping small combo soul, with occasional backup vocals – and titles include "Times All Gone (parts 1 & 2)", "Indian Love Call", "Is That Clear", "Raina", "If You Want Trouble", "Say I Wanna", "Some Place", and "Teardrop Will Follow You". (Nice heavy pressing – with a cool tip-on cover!) ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - JESSICA LAUREN FOUR, CLARICE ASSAD, LEE HAZLEWOOD

JESSICA LAUREN - JESSICA LAURA FOUR

A wonderful full album from keyboardist Jessica Lauren – a London talent we've loved for years, and have watched mature deeply over the past few decades! Jessica's keyboards have graced a number of key recordings from the past 20 years or so on the British scene – but she's issued woefully few albums under her own name, which makes this jazzy session an even greater treat! Jessica plays acoustic piano and organ on the record – the latter of which still brings in some of the more electric modes we know from her roots – while the piano tones ring out with a beautifully earthy feel – alongside bass, drums, and a heck of a lot of percussion – more than enough to bring in plenty of Latin and other global elements to the music! Most tunes are instrumentals, but the set does feature guest vocals from Jocelyn Brown on the track "Happiness Train" – and instrumental cuts include "The Name Of Fela Will Always Stand For Freedom", "White Mountain", "Vaya Con Dios", "Gangaman", and "Mel Benson". ~ Dusty Groove

CLARICE ASSAD - HOME
Brazilian vocals, with plenty of jazz – a smoker of a set from singer Clarice Assad – with a feel that takes us back to rare indie albums of the 70s and 80s! The instrumentation is great – lots of hard-grooving piano from Clarice, played in these inventive ways that often infuse odd melodic touches with a key sense of rhythm – one that's augmented by lots of additional percussion, including djembe, pandeiro, tamborim, ocean drum, and more – used sparely, but with great effect to drive along the piano and vocals! And Assad has his great way of singing and scatting too – a style that's rooted a bit in 70s modes from Tania Maria or Flora Purim – but which takes off with its own sort of earthy experimentalism as well. Titles include "20 Anos Blues"," Dora", "The Last Song", "Cajuina", "Ad Lib", and "For Elis" – a great medley that's a tribute to Elis Regina! ~ Dusty Groove

LEE HAZLEWOOD - LHI Years: SINGLES, NUDES & BACKSIDE 1968 TO 1971

Amazing sounds from Lee Hazlewood – some of his most offbeat, unbridled recordings ever – and that's saying a lot if you've already heard his classics for Mercury, MGM, and Reprise! The package here brings together rare work from Lee's own LHI label – packaged beautifully with a rich set of notes, session details, and some amazing photos that follow in the spirit of the nutty-looking cover image! Hazlewood's voice is sublime throughout – that deeper-than-deep quality that always leaves us breathless – perfect for the sly wit and and "aw shucks" sensibility of the tunes – and also for unlocking the growing adult sensuality that Lee was letting into his work at the time. A few female singers step forth in that great Hazlweood duet mode – Nina Lizell, Suzi Jane Hokom, and Ann Margret – who each sing on a few tracks – but Lee's in the lead on most numbers, and titles include the previously unreleased "I Just Learned To Run" – plus "The Bed", "Sleep In The Grass", "The Night Before", "If It's Monday Morning", "Won't You Tell Your Dreams", "Hey Cowboy", "No Train To Stockholm", "What's More I Don't Need Her", "Trouble Maker", and "Nobody Like You". ~ Dusty Groove

SANTANA & ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND ANNOUNCE TOUR

Two legendary groups join forces as Carlos Santana and the Santana Band announce six special co-headlining concerts with The Allman Brothers Band during July 2012. The dates kick off July 22 at the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center in Darien Lake, NY, and wrap July 30 at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD. Highlights also include shows at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater on July 24, and the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ on July 25. Tickets for the six dates begin going on-sale May 4.

"It is a delight and an honor to finally share the stage, and the music, with Gregg Allman, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes and The Allman Brothers Band," says Carlos Santana. "This is something that we've hoped to make happen for many years." These special concerts follow the first leg of U.S. dates on Santana's Shape Shifter Tour 2012.

Previously, Santana and The Allman Brothers have only intersected at major festivals. On touring together, Gregg Allman says, "We've all looked forward to doing this for a very long time." The Allman Brothers Band line-up includes Gregg Allman (vocals and keyboards), Butch Trucks (drums, tympani), Jaimoe (drums), Warren Haynes (vocals, lead and slide guitar), Derek Trucks (slide and lead guitar), Oteil Burbridge (bass), and Marc Quinones (congas and percussion). Earlier this year, the group was honored with a special GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award.

Santana's tour dates with The Allman Brothers follow the May 15, 2012 release of Shape Shifter, their latest album—and the first for Carlos Santana's new label Starfaith Records. The 13-song set is an instrumental tour de force long awaited by fans (one song features vocals by Santana's lead vocalists Andy Vargas and Tony Lindsay). The album also features Chester Thompson on keyboards, Dennis Chambers on drums, Benny Rietveld on bass, Salvador Santana on keyboards, Raul Rekow on congas and Karl Perazzo on percussion.

Since Santana emerged from the San Francisco Bay Area music scene in the 1960s, the group has sold more than 100 million records, reached more than 100 million fans at concerts worldwide, and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Santana has won 10 GRAMMYs, including a record-tying nine for a single project, 1999's Supernatural (including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for "Smooth"). With the 2010 release of Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time­, Santana joined the Rolling Stones as one of only two music acts in Billboard history to score at least one Top Ten album in each decade from the 1960s on. Among other honors, Carlos Santana is #20 on Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time"—"Santana's crystalline tone and clean arcing sustain make him the rare instrumentalist who can be identified in just one note."

http://www.santana.com/

Shape Shifter tour dates (* = Santana closes show):
July 22 - Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Darien Lake, NY
July 24 - Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NY
July 25 - PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ*
July 27 - Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga, NY*
July 28 - The Comcast Theatre, Hartford, CT
July 30 - Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD*

BRIAN HUGHES - FAST TRAIN TO A QUIET PLACE

True to the title of his eighth and latest solo recording Fast Train To A Quiet Place, Brian Hughes at last carved enough time away from his whirlwind live performance schedule to dedicate himself to his first studio recording since 2003’s Along The Way. The benefits of recording and traveling the world with his fellow Canadian Loreena McKennitt for 24 years – the last 20 while also developing his own career as a chart topping contemporary jazz guitarist – are clear from the get go on the explosive ten track collection. Driven by the multiple award winning composer and guitarist’s trademark electric guitar contemporary jazz vibe, the set also incorporates elements of blues, gospel, Latin, Brazilian, flamenco, tropical and Eastern Indian Music.

Hughes complements the unique sounds of his three main guitars – the Gibson ES 175 hollow body jazz guitar, Fender Telecaster and nylon string – with fascinating excursions on the electric sitar and Celtic Bouzouki. Working with longtime band mates, drummer Tal Bergman (Joe Bonamassa, Rod Stewart), percussionist Ron Powell (Kenny G, Madonna) and bassist Rufus Philpot (Al DiMeola, Jeff Golub) as well as new keyboardist Matt Rodhe (Prince, Christina Aguilera, “American Idol”), Hughes succeeds in capturing with a live in the studio recording the spirited, improvisational energy of his live performances.

He’s chronicled these for his fans on two recent live performance projects, Live (2007) and the DVD No Reservations (2010). The train gets rolling with the bustling and percussive, stop and start motion that drives the opening track and first single “Fast Train,” which builds slowly towards a blistering, hypnotic crescendo. The sensual and dreamy “Blanket of Stars” was inspired by Hughes walking out of the studio looking up at the sky on a perfect night in his hometown of Altadena, California. The quirky working title of “Would You Like Fries With That My Dear?” somehow stuck to a sizzling track that spins bossa nova into such frenzy that Hughes began to call the vibe “Rockanova.” After the blues tinged tropical romance of “You & I,” Hughes ventures into spy movie territory with the cool and bluesy, samba/boogaloo piece “Gotcha.” Rodhe brings out the classic soul-jazz via the Hammond B-3 on the funked out “Super Tight,” which features Hughes’ bright, blistering electric guitar.

The inspiration for the title of the acoustic driven flamenco jam “Café Sin Nombre” is the place in Sevilla where flamenco is supposed to have originated. Fast Train To A Quiet Place wraps with a three songs with roots in very different places. Following an exotic venture to India via a romp on the electric sitar on the moody, atmospheric “The Gift,” Hughes goes “To A Quiet Place” with a graceful interlude on the bouzouki. He then heads back home—down home—for a fiery, anthemic electric guitar driven gospel explosion appropriately named “Hallelujah.”

While concurrently building a following via his work as a co-producer and musical director for fellow Canadian Loreena McKennitt, Brian Hughes has carved out an impressive career in the contemporary jazz arena. His first two albums, Between Dusk and Dreaming (1991) and Under One Sky (1992), established him as one of the rhythmically progressive guitarists and composers in the genre, perfectly blending his fluid and emotive guitar style into an exciting, melodic mix of Latin, Jazz and World Music compositions.

After being chosen as a winner in JAZZIZ Magazine’s “Guitars On Fire” competition in the early 90s, his subsequent recordings Straight To You (1996), One 2 One (1998), Shakinʼ Not Stirred, Along the Way, Live and the concert DVD No Reservations have received critical acclaim and major radio air play in the U.S. and Canada. His sizzling fretwork and infectious compositions have received great critical acclaim that is perfectly reflected in one journalist’s assessment that Hughes is “both a great artist and an accessible one. His passion is so obvious, intense and contagious, that his audience shares it.”

Hughes has received the SOCAN / BMI “Jazz & Instrumental Composer of the Year” award seven times from 1997 to 2011, and the title track from Shakinʼ Not Stirred was featured on an episode of HBOʼs “Sex and the City.” He has performed over the years at numerous international festivals and concerts, including: The Providencia Jazz Festival (Santiago, Chile), The Montreal International Jazz Festival, The Edinburgh International Jazz Festival, The Vancouver International Jazz Festival and The Catalina Island Jazz Festival.

“I chose the title Fast Train To A Quiet Place,” he says, “because the new album is another journey oriented recording for me, drawing influences from many different cultures and featuring songs that I’ve written over the past few years. It’s a very personal project and all the songs have a specific meaning — each one a snapshot of a moment in time and which collectively represent where I am in my life now personally and creatively.”

BOBBY BROOM - UPPER WEST SIDE STORY

Bobby Broom's new CD, Upper West Side Story, is the guitarist's tenth album in as many years -- the culmination of a golden period of prolific creativity and steady artistic growth. Five of those recordings have featured his jazz trio with bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer Kobie Watkins, who've worked as a unit since 1997. Origin Records, Broom's longtime label, will release the CD on May 15.

Providing an intimate look at Broom's musical personality and the trio's fully developed group chemistry, the original compositions on Upper West Side Story are described by Broom as "an ode to where I'm from." They reflect a wide range of influences across a spectrum of genres while always remaining deep in the tradition of the modern jazz guitarist. Included is the first studio recording of Broom's "D's Blues," a live video of which has been a fan favorite online for several years.

"I purposely waited to make a record of all originals," says Broom. "I feel that can be sort of a run-of-the-mill thing to do -- that everyone is doing it. But, you know, I've been out here 30 years now and people need to know who I am beyond my guitar sound and style. This album reveals more of me."

"In my twenty years of playing with Bobby," says bassist Carroll, "I've always felt that his style of playing melds the feelings of all-American blues with an urban hip soulfulness that really speaks to the progression of jazz."

"B is one of the great guitarists and musicians of this generation," adds drummer Watkins. "Playing with him and this trio has meant so much for my development and prepared me to have intelligent musical conversations."

For the last two years, Broom has also been working with the young drummer Makaya McCraven, who is heard on three tracks of the new CD. Playing with Bobby, says McCraven, "you always have to dig deeper. His depth in vocabulary allows the music to go anywhere with ease."

The CD cover photo was shot on 95th Street and West End Avenue, a very short walk from Broom's childhood home at 95th and Columbus. Though Broom, 51, has now lived over half his life as a Chicagoan, he was born in Harlem and raised on the Upper West Side. He attended the High School of Music and Art, made his Carnegie Hall debut at 16 with Sonny Rollins, and debuted as a leader on record at 21 with Clean Sweep (GRP). Broom remains a New Yorker at heart.

The move to Chicago came in 1984, after which he continued to tour with Rollins (1982-1987, 2005-2010), joined forces with Kenny Burrell & the Jazz Guitar Band, played briefly with Miles Davis, and performed and recorded with local leading lights such as Charles Earland.

"Broom has one of the few truly recognizable styles among modern guitarists, and one of the most satisfying solo concepts in mainstream jazz," critic Neil Tesser has written in the Chicago Examiner.

After recording the all-star blowing session Modern Man in 2001, Broom commenced his series of trio albums with Stand followed by Song and Dance (which Pat Metheny called "one of the best jazz guitar trio records I've ever heard"), The Way I Play, and 2009's Plays for Monk. He also remained busy with the Deep Blue Organ Trio, the group he has co-led with Chris Foreman and Greg Rockingham since 2000. Their fourth album Wonderful!, a Stevie Wonder tribute, was a #1 JazzWeek album shortly after its summer 2011 release. Deep Blue has toured as Steely Dan's opening act on several occasions in recent years.

As jazz finds itself in a more academic period ushered in by programming and institutions, Bobby Broom and his trio(s) continue to operate from jazz's natural standpoint -- the black music aesthetic in rhythm and the blues, and the distinctly urban-American-influenced jazz strain that continues to thrive and evolve from each generation to the next via recordings and tutelage on the stage. Broom and his bandmates have come by their perspective having worked with many of jazz's Golden Era legends, who taught that listeners will respond to music they can understand and feel.

http://www.bobbybroom.com/

MIKE STERN - ALL OVER THE PLACE

Since his days with Blood Sweat & Tears in the mid-1970s, followed by stints with Billy Cobham and Miles Davis’ band in the ‘80s, and a solo career that now spans more than 25 years, guitarist Mike Stern has used his jazz roots as a starting point for exploring a range of alternate territories that include R&B, rock, swing, funk, world music and numerous other regions along the musical topography. The recipient of Guitar Player magazine’s Certified Legend Award for 2012, he’s an artist who’s not afraid to bring numerous styles and ideas – however diverse – into the same place just to see what happens.

All Over the Place is Stern’s new recording on Heads Up International, a division of Concord Music Group. Set for release on June 19, 2012, the 11-song set aligns the characteristically diverse and adventurous guitarist with a cadre of brilliant guests, including trumpeter Randy Brecker; saxophonist Kenny Garrett; and drummers Dave Weckl, Keith Carlock and Lionel Cordew. Also on hand is a delegation of high-caliber electric and acoustic bass players: Esperanza Spalding, Richard Bona, Victor Wooten, Anthony Jackson, Dave Holland, Tom Kennedy, Will Lee and Victor Bailey.

“I’ve been playing a lot of different kinds of great music with a lot of different musicians on some of my more recent records,” says Stern, whose Big Neighborhood – released on Heads Up in 2009 – followed a similarly eclectic vibe. “I love bebop, swing, rock, all the stuff that a lot of guitar players – especially jazz players – tend to include in their music. It’s the nature of the instrument, but very much a part of my nature as well. There’s a lot of music that really inspires me, and it usually covers quite a few territories.”

It’s all here, starting with the mysterious funk groove of the leadoff track, “AJ,” which Stern wrote specifically for contrabass guitarist Anthony Jackson. Other personnel on board for the opener are saxophonist Chris Potter, keyboardist Jim Beard, rhythm guitarist Leni Stern (Mike’s wife), drummer Keith Carlock and percussionist Tim Keiper.

Leni returns a couple tracks later on “Out of the Blue,” this time playing an exotic three-stringed Malian instrument called a n’goni. Her opening riffs segue into the high-powered free-for-all featuring Brecker, Beard, Kennedy, Keiper and drummer Kim Thompson.

A tempo changeup comes in the form of the much leaner and quieter “As Far As We Know,” featuring Spalding on bass and vocals. “I like drama,” says Stern. “I like a lot of dynamics. I like music that has a lot of heart, and I hope this priority comes through in my playing and in my writing, especially on this tune.”

Stern is joined by drummer Al Foster on three engaging songs that land squarely in the center of the album: the funky and swinging “Blues for Al,” the energetic and colorful “OCD,” a song loaded with solo work by Stern and Garrett; and the much more understated and reflective acoustic piece, “You Never Told Me.”

“Halfway Home” is a gritty blues piece that showcases Stern’s slide guitar chops and deftly juxtaposes them against Wooten’s funky bass work and Cordew’s relentless backbeat.

The mellow groove of “Flipside” throws the spotlight on saxophonist Bob Malach, who joins Stern in some solid solo work. Malach is back for the title track, which closes the set on a fiery note as Stern leads a groove that’s reminiscent of his high-energy collaborations with the Brecker Brothers in the early ‘90s.

“The guitar tends to keep you open-minded, because you hear it in so many places,” says Stern, listing many places he himself has ventured along the way – not just on All Over the Place, but in earlier work as well. “You hear it in rock, in country, in pop, in funk, in classical, you hear it in jazz, you hear it in so many kinds of music that you can immediately identify it on one level or another.”

Stern is ready at a moment’s notice to go to all of these places and more, and he’s ready and willing to bring anyone along for the ride. “Music, to me, is a language of the heart,” he says. “I hope people will get some emotional payoff from what I’ve done on this recording. That’s the vibe that I continue to go for with all of my music.”

PETER CINCOTTI - METROPOLIS

With its hard-driving beats, funky rhythms and stellar pop-centric sensibility, vocalist, pianist and composer Peter Cincotti’s fourth album, Metropolis, might be perceived as a sharp left turn from the jazz-focused, boy-crooner sound that established his career in America a decade ago. But Cincotti has been living something of a musical double life, as his last record of all original pop songs went gold in Europe, reaching the top of radio charts alongside the likes of Rihanna and Coldplay. Cincotti sees his latest release, Metropolis, as more evolutionary than revolutionary, marking his continuance along a musical path that he started mapping as early as age three.

Cincotti was just 18 when, in 2003, his eponymous debut album for Concord catapulted him to international fame. Endless comparisons were made to the singing and playing style of Harry Connick Jr. (one of Cincotti’s early mentors and strongest boosters) and Cincotti was often hailed as the post-millennial answer to Frank Sinatra. Looking back a decade, Peter recalls, “I was surrounded by a lot of people who want you to repeat things—to make the same record over and over again. [Back then] I did have a lot of idols in the Sinatra mold, and still do, but that was always just one room in the house for me. Even with the first album, my goal was to find a personal approach to the [jazz] genre. Music for me is about creating something, not repeating something.”

His second album, On The Moon, marked the very beginnings of Cincotti’s expansion beyond the jazz genre, and became a kind of bridge that lead from his first album to his third album East Of Angel Town, released by Warner Brothers Records in 2007. Produced by the legendary David Foster, East Of Angel Town redefined Cincotti overseas and yielded his last hit single “Goodbye Philadelphia”, which reached #1 on pop radio charts throughout Europe, leading to sold out tours, primetime TV performances, and unique collaborations with artists like David Guetta.

For Cincotti, Metropolis is just another step forward. Produced by John Fields (Switchfoot, Jonas Brothers) Cincotti’s fourth album examines the joys and ills of the contemporary urban experience from multiple perspectives. “The album is,” says Cincotti, “meant to be representative of how we live today. It’s not about one particular city, but the urban landscape in general. I wanted each song to feel like a neighborhood within Metropolis, and for the storylines of the songs to somehow seem as if they were occurring simultaneously.”

The album opens with its set piece, the title track, strongly reminiscent of the Pet Shop Boys’ infectiously propulsive electronica. Later tracks “Graffiti Wall,” partially inspired by the twentieth anniversary of the Berlin Wall’s demolition, and “World Gone Crazy,” with its condemnation of society’s tech-fueled ferocity, further speak to the overarching theme.

The remaining tracks focus more on personal tales within this urban jungle. “There are,” says, Cincotti, “a few songs on the album about commitment, beginning with “My Religion.” It’s polar opposite is “Forever and Always.” Both are about becoming someone else for the sake of a relationship, but the first comes from the dark side of commitment and the second from the light.”

Romantic upheaval is also prevalent. “Take a Good Look” traces a disintegrating relationship. As Cincotti explains, “The beginning of the song is a question, the middle a feeling, and the end an undeniable belief that the relationship is over.” The closing track, “Before I Go,” is also about departures but, he says, “has a sort of cockeyed optimism in it. It’s about trying to freeze that moment in time before you have to say goodbye, honestly believing you can fight the inevitable.”

But, proof that Cincotti has not entirely lost heart, there are also several songs that suggest a more upbeat attitude towards love and its possibilities. “Do or Die” tells of a guy infatuated with a workmate who is finally given his chance when he finds himself alone with her in an elevator. “It is,” says Cincotti, “all about making the first move — that ‘fight or flight’ response that sometimes goes through your head when you’re interested in someone.” Irresistible attraction is also central to “Magnetic.” “In this case,” says Cincotti with a laugh, “the guy’s excuse is that it’s pure physics: ‘don’t blame me,’ he’s saying, ‘I have no control over this.’” And “Fit You Better” is a clever tale of, as the lyric suggests, ‘perfect opposites’ whose marked differences are what make the romance work.

Though all 12 tracks demonstrate Cincotti’s skill and maturity as a songwriter, two are particular standouts. “Madeline” again concerns commitment, but with an intriguing twist. The guy in the piece is unswerving in his long-term dedication to one woman, yet realizes that a former lover will always cloud his memory. “I was interested,” says Cincotti, “in the idea of someone from the past forever tainting the present. What it may be like to move forward while accepting the fact that the rest of your life will be haunted by someone you will never have again.” And, dovetailing the through themes of modern urban life and romantic entanglements is “Nothing’s Enough.” Cincotti sees the song as “a big question mark. It concerns [societal] excess; how people my age have become accustomed to quick changes and immediate gratification on every level. The question is: How does that mindset affect modern day relationships?”

Ultimately, Cincotti would like listeners, who nowadays often approach music in terms of individual track downloads rather than complete albums, to “listen to the album as an album. I’m hoping people will press ‘pause’ on the craziness of their daily lives and actually experience the entire record. It’s a lot to ask in this day and age, but this album is all about creating another world—the [quasi-mythical] world of Metropolis — and I want them to feel like they’ve actually been there.”