KEVIN EUBANKS - THE MESSENGER

With his second Mack Avenue Records release, The Messenger, acclaimed guitarist Kevin Eubanks continues to explore his own unique musical vision. This vision offers the listener an opportunity to share a musical journey that truly exemplifies where Eubanks is at this stage of his illustrious career; one that, for over three decades, has seen him incorporate into his creative process a willingness to embrace the broad spectrum of his musical experience, while continuing to seek out new vistas.

The Messenger is a project that reflects not only the guitarist's virtuosity on his instrument, but also his impressive compositional skills-writing all but two tracks. Best described simply as a "Kevin Eubanks" recording-without specific categorization-as his intent with The Messenger is to communicate the breadth of his artistic influences. "I wanted to branch out a little bit more on this recording," Eubanks states. "I didn't want to be as concerned with the 'jazz sound' as much; I wanted to let out a little bit more of what I've been musically exposed to." Eubanks compares this philosophy to sports: "It's like with professional athletes; most of those guys can play three or four sports. Society makes you choose one or the other. But that doesn't change who you are inside," or in Eubanks' case, preventing him from showcasing his versatility on this album.

From the infectious groove of the title track that begins the program, the guitarist gives notice that a unique listening experience is on the way. This album is: reflective-"Sister Veil," "Queen Of Hearts," "Loved Ones," "The Gloaming"; funky-"JB," a nod to James Brown; "Led Boots," a Jeff Beck tune; and John Coltrane's "Resolution," from A Love Supreme; and bluesy-"Ghost Dog Blues." One of the funkier tracks on this recording is Eubanks' arrangement of "Resolution" (with a vocal bass line sung by Alvin Chea of Take 6). "With 'Resolution,' I didn't want to be blasphemous, with people saying 'Oh, no, he didn't'," Eubanks laughs. "But I'm thinking, you know, that maybe Trane might dig it!" As for the blues: "I like playing the blues; I like to sit in and jam with Buddy Guy at his blues club in Chicago. If I had the opportunity, I'd play a lot more blues." These particular tracks provide Eubanks and his band with an opportunity to stretch out and essentially just jam. Eubanks ultimately reflects, "We wanted the groove to take over; also, those tunes will be fun to do live, and people will be able to sit in."

Eubanks is joined on most tracks by his sterling fellow quartet members: Billy Pierce on reeds, Rene Camacho on bass, Marvin "Smitty" Smith on drums and Joey De Leon, Jr. on percussion. This project also has a family flavor, featuring younger brother Duane on trumpet ("Sister Veil," "JB," "420"), and older brother Robin on trombone ("JB," "Queen Of Hearts"). For Eubanks, in addition to his brothers making valuable contributions to this recording, their involvement is representative of something more. "Their participation came about through some conversations that we've had, and I asked them if they'd like to be a part of the record. We've actually been talking about doing a family project for years, so their participation is really an entry to that."

Perhaps The Messenger's most distinctive element is its broad sense of musicality. This is certainly, in part, attributable to

Eubanks' experience with leading The Tonight Show with Jay Leno band for so many years. But it is much more than that. Eubanks' prestigious tenure there is probably more indicative of a situation that was a perfect fit for his musical personality. As Eubanks views it, ''to me, it's all just music."

For this album, it was important for Eubanks not only to embrace his musical philosophies, but also to reflect the common thread that exists throughout all of contemporary music; for example, the aforementioned rhythmic, funky, groove-oriented nature of several tracks on the project. "I love playing funk; I grew up playing it. The 'Motown Sound'? They were jazz musicians! If I had played '420' for some cats who are real 'funkateers,' they'd say, 'Whoa, I hear some Sly [Stone] in there, and I'm thinking, 'Ok, it looks like I'm good to go.' It felt good and very natural to me. As jazz musicians, we can play anything."

The Messenger is Eubanks' testament to being musically honest. It's a realization of what he feels is particularly important at this point of career and his life. "I feel that I'm at the point where I just have to be me," he says. "I want to do what has the most immediate honesty, and just lay it out." Throughout the album there is a feeling of exploration and revelation that invites the listener in. The guitarist never ceases to surprise, creating a program reflecting that honesty-offering a full range of moods, textures and tempos.

With this album, Kevin Eubanks takes another step in his evolution not only as a guitarist and composer, but also as a musical communicator. It's his way of making a statement about his personal view regarding the musical spectrum and its place in our lives, with sincere ideas of spreading the word to others. Arriving at the name of the title tune, Eubanks explains, "There is an urgency about it; it has the energy of a message that really should get across. The Messenger, I feel, is in everyone. We're at the point [in our lives], that whatever it is that you feel strongly about, that can help a person or persons that you love, or a situation that affects your life...you should let that message out".

By adding another sterling recording to his outstanding repertoire, Eubanks has done just that-let his message out. The Messenger is a project that not only showcases the outstanding technical facility from the guitarist and his bandmates, but also is full of music that is soulful and energetic, as well as emotive, earthy, with a touch of the blues. And for Kevin Eubanks, it represents a message successfully delivered.

Upcoming Kevin Eubanks Appearances:
February 22 & 23 / The Smith Center Cabaret Jazz / Las Vegas, NV
March 3 / Tower Theatre (double bill w/ Stanley Jordan) / Bend, OR
March 5 / Kirkland Performance Center (double bill w/ Stanley Jordan) / Kirkland, WA
March 9 / The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center / Huntingdon, TN
March 21 - 24 / Blues Alley / Washington, D.C.
April 6 / Cypress Creek Foundation / Spring, TX
April 9 - 13 / Birdland / New York, NY
May 17 / The Carolina Theatre (double bill w/ Stanley Jordan) / Durham, NC
May 18 / High Point Theatre (double bill w/ Stanley Jordan) / High Point, NC
June 12 / Pearson Lakes Art Center / Okoboji, IA

The Messenger - Track Listing/Personnel
1. The Messenger - 5:39
2. Sister Veil - 5:46
3. Resolution (John Coltrane) - 5:41
4. JB - 4:23
5. 420 - 4:20
6. Led Boots (Max Middleton) - 5:34
7. M.I.N.D. - 5:59
8. Queen Of Hearts - 3:49
9. The Gloaming - 5:28
10. Loved Ones - 4:07
11. Ghost Dog Blues - 5:24

All tracks composed by Kevin Eubanks (unless otherwise noted) // Produced by Kevin Eubanks // Kevin Eubanks / acoustic and electric guitar // Bill Pierce / tenor and soprano saxophone (all tracks except #6,#10) // Rene Camacho / bass (all tracks except #6,#10) // Marvin "Smitty" Smith drums / (all tracks except #8,#9,#10) // Special Guests: Robin Eubanks / trombone (#4 JB, #8 Queen Of Hearts) // Duane Eubanks / trumpet (#2 Sister, #4 JB, #420) // Alvin Chea / vocals (#3 Resolution, #6 Led Boots) // Joey De Leon / congas and percussion (#1 The Messenger, #5 420).

PEDRITO MARTÍNEZ RUMBA DE LA ISLA

Sony Masterworks in partnership with Calle 54 Records will release Cuban musician, Pedrito Martínez's new album Rumba de la Isla on March 12th, 2013. Featuring songs once interpreted by Camarón de la Isla, the legendary flamenco icon, Rumba de la Isla is produced by Fernando Trueba and Nat Chediak. The album celebrates the convergence of both the Cuban and Flamenco rumbas. The great rumbero Pedrito Martínez manages to integrate, in his own personal way, classic songs by Camarón de la Isla in a unique tribute to the greatest flamenco artist of all times.

Alongside Pedrito Martínez (vocals, conga drums, chekeré, cowbell and harmonies), Rumba de la Isla features many important musicians, who are "essential figures of Cuban music and flamenco." On the Spanish side, collaborators include Niño Josele, playing the guitar and Piraña (the cajon flamenco) and John Benítez, a double bass and bass player from New York. Adding to the list are Alfredo de la Fé - the legendary violin player born in La Habana and current resident of New York, and Román Díaz (cajón, batás, spoon and vocals). Xiomara Laugart and Abraham Rodriguez are included to contribute to the harmonizing vocals.

From the daring first track, "Que a mí me vió de nacer"to the last, "Homenaje a Camarón"(written by Pedrito Martínez and Román Díaz), Rumba de la Isla boasts originality and moves away from well-trodden musical paths while providing a creative merge of Cuban and flamenco music. The record does not include any trite "rumbita-con-son" tracks-instead, it has a percussion basis which along with delightful guitar and violin arrangements, enrich the songs musically and dive directly into the essence of Cuban music.

Pedrito Martínez was born in La Habana in 1973, but has lived in New York since 2000. He has recorded and toured with Paquito D'Rivera, Brian Lynch, Steve Turre, Me'shell Ndege'Ocello, Eddie Palmieri, Bill Summers and Los Hombres Calientes, Arturo "Chico" O'Farrill, Stefon Harris, Bebo Valdés, Cassandra Wilson, Joe Lovano, Isaac Delgado, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Edie Brickell, Eliane Elias, and Sting. He also took part in the film Calle 54, directed by Fernando Trueba in 2000. Pedrito Martínez has received six Grammy® nominations, winning for Simpático, on which he collaborated with Eddie Palmieri and Bryan Lynch. Martínez was also a member of Yerba Buena, a band he recorded and toured with worldwide, accompanying artists like Dave Matthews, Willie Nelson and Ray Charles.

TOMMY FLANAGAN / JAKI BYARD - THE MAGIC OF 2

Two titans of jazz piano are captured in flight on the new Resonance Records album, Tommy Flanagan/Jaki Byard: The Magic of 2. Scheduled for April 9 release as a CD with 24-page booklet, a digital download with digital booklet, and a deluxe limited edition 2-LP set, The Magic of 2 presents a 1980 concert recorded at San Francisco's celebrated Keystone Korner and the second entry in Resonance's Keystone Discoveries series.

"It's a revelation, how well they played together," says Keystone's owner Todd Barkan, who co-produced the CD with Resonance Records' Executive Vice President and General Manager Zev Feldman. "They had quite disparate styles, but they share such an incredibly large vocabulary and frame of reference that it makes their language coherent. They're both referring to the same knowledge and experience of the history of jazz piano."

The music is a "gift [from the past that] is both unique and stupendous," says jazz historian Dan Morgenstern, one of seven annotators in the CD package's 24-page illustrated booklet. " . . . Alone and especially together, Tommy and Jaki show us what spontaneous creation is all about."

When Resonance started working with Barkan, says Feldman, on the lauded 2011 release of Pinnacle, a magnificent 1980 performance by Freddie Hubbard and the first Keystone Discoveries title, "We became aware that the Flanagan-Byard session was something Todd was absolutely passionate about."

Over the past few years, Resonance has established itself as a home for such notable rediscoveries through acclaimed releases like Hubbard's Pinnacle, Bill Evans's Live at Art D'Lugoff's Top of the Gate, and Wes Montgomery's Echoes of Indiana Avenue. Each of these releases has boasted vivid sound quality and an attention to detail that attests to the label's respect and admiration for the musicians.

"Resonance is trying to become a leader in historical jazz recordings and this totally fits the bill," Feldman says. "We're putting out this music because we really believe in it -- we believe in Jaki Byard, we believe in Tommy Flanagan, and we want to celebrate both of these artists for their contributions to this music. And we also want to celebrate Todd Barkan's vision."

Five of the eleven tracks find Flanagan and Byard melding their encyclopedic knowledge of jazz piano history in festive fashion: "Scrapple from the Apple," "Just One of Those Things," "Satin Doll," "Our Delight," and "The Theme." The disc also features six solo pieces, split evenly between the two pianists. All three of Flanagan's three unaccompanied contributions come from the pen of Billy Strayhorn ("Something to Live For," "Chelsea Bridge," "All Day Long"). Byard leads with Stevie Wonder's "Send One Your Love," and also places his stamp on the Jule Styne standard "Sunday" and Chuck Mangione's "Land of Make Believe."

The Magic of 2 brings the listener back to that night through the loving sound restoration of label president George Klabin and Resonance's engineer Fran Gala (from cassette tapes, no less). The CD comes with a 24-page booklet annotated by Barkan, Feldman, and Morgenstern as well as jazz critic Howard Mandel, pianists Renee Rosnes and Bill Charlap, and Jaki's daughter Diane Byard. Iconic images from the archive of Keystone staff photographer Tom Copi, some being published for the first time, illustrate the booklet, along with work by photographers Brian McMillen and Kathy Sloane.

The new album is also available as a digital download with digital booklet (where available), and as a limited edition 2-LP set pressed on 180-gram vinyl at 45-RPM by audiophile leaders R.T.I., with a deluxe gatefold, hard-stock jacket by Stoughton Press. Art direction and design was handled by industry veteran Burton Yount (Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall; Wes Montgomery/Echoes of Indiana Avenue).

Additionally, in the LP edition only is a special commemorative set of Keystone Korner postcards by Tom Copi, along with a retro reproduction of a Keystone Korner punch card (which regular patrons used when attending the club). The LP edition was mastered by Bernie Grundman (Sonny Rollins/Way Out West; Michael Jackson's Thriller).

JOHN LEE HOOKER, JOHN MAYALL, BIG MAMA THORNTON, LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS FEATURED IN ELECTRO BLUES REMIX COLLECTION

ELECTRO BLUES VOLUME ONE (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Freshly Squeezed, the UKs leading electro-swing label and debonairs of all things vintage, proudly present the hotly anticipated release of Electro Blues.

Freshly Squeezed Music is the birthplace of the Electro Swing phenomenon that took the world by the hand and lead it wholeheartedly into the world of vintage and vintage revival.

This two-disc Electro Blues album is pioneering the most vibrant, captivating and down-right electrical musical genre that Freshly Squeezed label boss and DJ Nick Hollywood states "will become a massive global sound within a few years".

It has a sweaty, earthy, rugged, but hard-hitting and totally contemporary sound. Set for a phenomenal reception in 2013 it will soon be the hottest new genre around and its home is with Freshly Squeezed Music. Mixing the styles of the 1930s Mississippi delta, 1940s Jump Blues and 21st century earth-rattling synth bass lines, Electro Blues is a musical gem that has lay all-but undiscovered... until now.

ELECTRO BLUES CD1 comprises an array of some of the finest vintage blues remixes around. It can't get better than this! The passion and grit of the blues not only lives, breathes and thrives within this astounding compilation but it also embodies something bigger and more prominant than ever before. Featured on this album is the genre defining Moby, France's illustrious Lazlo, and the suave sounds of Cabbie Hat Recordings' 4Peace.

ELECTRO BLUES CD2 can be considered the quintessential guide to 'jump & jive blues' featuring artists such as Big Mama Thornton, Amos Milburn and the ever elusive B.K. Anderson. Fear not, this is not another slap-dash assorment of dreary blues songs that leave you crying into your beer. These tracks are BIG, bold and unashamably in your face with the gusto that many artists still strive for today!

NEW RELEASES - HEIDI VOGEL, THE RELATIVES, NILSON MATTA

HEIDI VOGEL - TURN UP THE QUIET

A great solo set from Heidi Vogel – a vocalist you may know from previous work with the Cinematic Orchestra – stepping out here in a bossa-heavy set that's a perfect fit for the Far Out label! Heidi's style is deeper and more expressive than before – not a voice as part of larger instrumental backdrops, but a lyrical presence first and foremost – often supported with lighter instrumentation that echoes an older bossa era – with strong use of acoustic guitar, light percussion, piano, bass, and cello – all with very melancholy shades of sound. There's a light glow to the record that's really beautiful – mellow, yet soulful enough to have some subtle power – and the set also features guest vocals on two tracks by Cleveland Watkiss, and guest piano on two other numbers by Austin Peralta. Titles include a nice version of Joao Donato's "The Frog" – plus "Inutil Paisagem", "Chelsea Bridge", ""Bonita", "Juazeiro", "Black Narcissus", "Copacabana", "Love Dance", and "Modinha". CD also fatures three remix numbers – "Black Narcissus (Cinematic Orchestra rmx)", "Black Narcissus (Emanative rmx)", and "Turn Up The Quiet (IG Culture rmx)". ~ Dusty Groove

THE RELATIVES - ELECTRIC WORD

The magnificent return of The Relatives – the group's first new recording since the 70s – hot on the heels of their rediscovery on the Don't Let Me Fail compilation! The lineup features some younger members alongside leader Reverend Gean West – but the sound here is very much in the spirit of the early recordings – with a strong emphasis on vocal harmonies, served up in the righteous blend of soul and gospel roots that made the group so great in the first place! Other instrumentation is mostly funky, and pretty darn respectful – some sharp-edged guitar and tight drums that often sit out and let the vocals take center stage. Titles include "Revelations", "We Need Love", "Say It Loud", "Trouble In My Way", "Things Are Changing", and "Bad Trip". (Heavy vinyl and cover – with a bonus CD of the whole album, and an MP3 of the album as well!) ~ Dusty Groove

NILSON MATTA - BLACK ORPHEUS

Maybe the greatest album we've ever heard from bassist Nilson Matta – a set that mixes Brazilian jazz modes with a much more complex approach – all in a style that offers up a really rich reworking of the famous soundtrack to the film Black Orpheus! The original score by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Luiz Bonfa is augmented by key passages from Matta himself – and other moments feature just spare percussion and cuica, in ways that recall the almost-ethnographic quality of the the original film recording. Yet together, these elements are all interwoven into a rich musical tapestry with a shimmering sense of sound – pulled together from diverse contributions by artists who include Kenny Barron on piano, Randy Brecker on trumpet, Anat Cohen on clarinet, Guilherme Monteiro on guitar, Anne Drummond on flute, and Leny Andrade on vocals. Titles include "Batucada", "A Felicidade", "Samba De Orfeu", "Repinique Interlude", "Ascend My Love", "Violao Interlude", "Hugs & Kisses", "Um Nome De Milher", and "Frevo De Orfeu". ~ Dusty Groove

THE EGO RECORDINGS OF LESZEK ZADLO AND ALAN SKIDMORE

A treasure trove of rare work from the obscure German Ego label – four different albums, all of them great – packaged here in tiny LP-styled covers too! The set's especially noteworthy for the work of British saxophonist Alan Skidmore – working here on some of his best material of the late 70s – records that easily rival the best sides cut back home in the UK, but which also have a very different feel and flavor!

On Morning Rise, Skidmore plays tenor and soprano sax, alongside Gerd Dudek, who also plays both horns too – in these long, textural lines that merge and diverge nicely with Skidmore's – creating these majestic shapes in sound, before then taking off towards much more powerful solos. Rhythm is from Adelhard Rodiginger on bass and Lala Kovacev on drums – and titles include "Morning Rise", "Macedonian Market", "Dr Les Mosses", and "Nakemiin".

SOH is a trio outing from Alan Skidmore, drummer Tony Oxley, and bassist Ali Haurand – hence the title – and the set really allows Skidmore to expand on some of his most open, expressive lines on tenor and soprano sax! Tracks are quite long, and build with this almost late-Coltrane sort of energy – almost glowing with a sense of spirituality that's pushed along strongly by the reed lines. Titles include "One Two Free", "Das Ist Alice", "Lost In WG", and "Trio Nr 10".

European Jazz Quintet features tremendous reeds from the trio of Alan Skidmore, Gerd Dudek, and Leszek Zadlo – all of whom play both tenor and soprano sax – and work alongside the bass of Ali Haurand and drums of Pierr Courbois! The set features two long tracks – "Das Ist Alice" and "Miss B" – both of them balanced nicely on the cusp between European free jazz and some stronger spiritual jazz structures, in a very nice way.

Last up is Thoughts, from Leszek Zadlo – a record that has Zadlo on both flute and tenor, working with the excellent Ego Records rhythm trio of Joe Haider on piano, Isla Eckinger on bass, and Joe Nay on drums! The sound is quite different than other Ego sessions with the trio – as the tracks here build very slowly, often through the initial utterings of Zadlo on his reeds – kind of growing into a spiritually expressive style that gets increasingly focused as the set goes on – in ways that are a nice change from European free jazz. Titles include "Two Friends", "Some Body", "Struggle", and "Thoughts". ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - THE CINEMATIC ORCHESTRA, UKITUSA QUINTET, FABRIZIO BOSSO & JAVIER GIROTTO LATIN MOOD

THE CINEMATIC ORCHESTRA - LATE NIGHT TALES

This classic late night tales release is now finally available on heavy weight double vinyl, released back in 2010 this edition has gone on to become one of the most successful albums in the series 12 year history, cut using the unique "half speed" mastering technique's and pressed on virgin 180 gram vinyl this is the ultimate audiophile format, each beautifully pressed disc is housed in a special anti static inner sleeve and comes with a special 30cm cover art print and the package also includes the original CD mixed disc and 12 page booklet. ~ Amazon.com

ANTONIO FGURA / CLEVELAND WATKISS / WILLIAM LENIHAN / MILKO AMBROGINI / ETTORE FIORAVANTI - UKITUSA QUINTET

Starring the multi-awarded vocalist Cleveland Watkiss and pianist Antonio Figura, UKITUSA was recorded in July 2011 in an open, mountainous region of Northern Italy in a peaceful town in the vicinity of Udine. Five musicians from three different countries came together with open ears and hearts to create a special collection of music. The genesis of the band was interesting. Through Antonio Figura, the nuclear member of the group, each of the musicians had some prior contact with at least one other member of the band. The music recorded in those two days demonstrates a shared experience with various improvised and composed music, European, American, African or otherwise. It will be interesting to see how the sound of this band expands in concept and depth as it concertizes. The chemistry among the musicians in the sessions was exciting and full of potential. UKITUSA begins to tell a story of common experience, differing expressions, and all through the desires of five men to communicate their stories. ~ Ishtar.it

FABRIZIO BOSS & JAVIER GIROTTO LATIN MOOD - VAMOS

Founded by trumpetist Fabrizio Bosso and saxophonist Javier Girotto, Latin Mood features a bunch of great artists. Tango, milonga, chacarera, candombe - everything springs and sparkles under the jazz banner. Launched for the 2006 edition of the Brianza Open Jazz Festival, the quintet has two leaders: Turin native Fabrizio Bosso and Argentinian Javier Girotto (Italian by adoption). Bosso’s hard bop meets Girotto’s latin world on the fruitful soil of improvisation. Featuring original tracks by Javier Girotto, Natalio Mangalavite, and Fabrizio Bosso. At electric bass we have Luca Bulgarelli; Tucci’s drums and Marcozzi’s percussions complete the ensemble. Latin jazz has been influencing jazz and other music genres since years. Think of ‘Spanish Tinge’ by Jelly Roll Morton or Tito Puente’s orchestras or Stan Getz’s great commercial success with bossanova. Boppers also, from Charlie Parker and Bud Powell – with his classic ‘Un Poco Loco’ – to other great musicians (like Mingus, Dorham, Joe Henderson, just to name a few) approached with love, curiosity and respect latin world and its themes. Ishtar.it

MADELEINE PEYROUX - THE BLUE ROOM

The Blue Room features Madeleine reinterpreting songs from Ray Charles seminal album Modern Sounds In Country & Western Music, as well as others from legendary artists such as Randy Newman and Leonard Cohen, whose legacies are herein enveloped into a similar melting pot of the variety of American popular song. Released in the summer of 1962, Modern Sounds was a daring album for Charles as it broke the mold of what was expected from him, and in turn, truly represented artistic freedom something that clearly inspires Peyrouxs album The Blue Room.

Conceived and produced by the legendary GRAMMY-Award winner Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Tracy Chapman, Herbie Hancock), he says, Rays cultural landmark of an album has always been a part of me. I have loved this album ever since I can remember and I knew that Madeleine would be the perfect voice to bring it to the forefront again.

Reexamining this album is an ideal project for the multi-talented Madeleine Peyroux, because she comes from that same rare place as Ray Charles the junction of jazz, country and blues. The Brooklyn and Paris-bred artist, with a New Orleans pedigree, Peyrouxs soulfully piercing voice and eclectic musical mix makes for magnificent story-telling. And that is exactly what each of the songs on The Blue Room does tell a story but from her own perspective. Infusing her own vision and reinterpretation of the songs with modern sensibility, Peyroux brings elements of jazz, country and blues into each song, while evoking a depth of emotion and sound of such legends as Billie Holiday, Patsy Cline, Edith Piaf, and Bob Dylan.

Featuring sparse arrangements, each of the 11 tracks on the album sets a tone and mood that respects where the originals came from, but offers a modern reinterpretation of each song. Truly an inspired record, The Blue Room features five other tracks that Madeleine felt could accompany Charles seminal album. ~ Amazon.com

ERIC CLAPTON - OLD SOCK

On the heels of a sold-out Crossroads Guitar Festival and the announcement of a major world tour, Eric Clapton announced the release of his 21st studio album and his first album since 2010. The album, Old Sock produced by Eric Clapton, Doyle Bramhall II, Justin Stanley and Simon Climie, features two original songs "Every Little Thing" and "Gotta Get Over. " Old Sock is released on Clapton s Bushbranch label, distributed through a collaboration with Surfdog Records in the USA and Canada.

The album is a collection of some of Clapton s favorite songs spanning from his childhood to present day that highlights his vast appreciation and knowledge of music. From Leadbelly to J.J. Cale; Peter Tosh to George Gershwin; Hank Snow to Gary Moore and Taj Mahal, this record is a celebration of so many who have inspired Clapton s rich musical life. Clapton has always had a remarkable ability to recognize great songs and a gift for knowing how to uniquely interpret them, as he does on Old Sock. The album explores romantic standards of the 30's, reggae, soul, rock, and includes a stand out playful collaboration with Paul McCartney, to create an experience that is quintessential Clapton.

Clapton assembled a band for the recordings consisting of longtime collaborators Steve Gadd (drums), Willie Weeks (bass) and Chris Stainton (keyboards) along with some surprise guest additions. JJ Cale joins the song "Angel" for backing vocals and guitar, Chaka Khan joins as backing vocalist for "Get On Over, " Steve Winwood on the Hammond B3 Organ on "Still Got The Blues, " Paul McCartney on bass/vocals on "All of Me, " Jim Keltner on drums for "Our Love is Here To Stay. " ~ Amazon.com

NEW RELEASES - OMAR SOSA, RON CARTER, VICTOR WOOTEN

OMAR SOSA - EGGUN: THE AFRIC LECTRIC EXPERIENCE

Eggun, in the West African spiritual practice of Ifa and its various expressions throughout the African Diaspora, are the spirits of those who have gone before us, both in our personal families and those who serve as our spiritual guides. Omar Sosa's album Eggun: The Afri-Lectric Experience began as a commission from the Barcelona Jazz Festival in 2009 to create a tribute performance to Miles Davis's classic Kind Of Blue on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. Inspired by the album's various musical elements and motifs, Sosa wrote a suite of music honoring the spirit of freedom in Davis's seminal work, with jazz textures enriched by the subtle and expressive use of electronic elements. Special guests on the project include guitarist Lionel Loueke and percussionists Pedro Martinez and Gustavo Ovalles. ~ Amazon.com

RON CARTER &  GOLDEN STRIKER TRIO - SAN SEBASTIAN

Grammy® Winner Ron Carter was recently inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame by one of America s most respected jazz publications, DownBeat. Here, the true king of the contrabass presents his 70th birthday celebration: a masterpiece of timeless beauty! With more than 2,000 albums to his credit, Carter has recorded with many of music s greats: Tommy Flanagan, Gil Evans, Lena Horne, Bill Evans, B.B. King, Kronos Quartet, and more Named Outstanding Bassist of the Decade by Detroit News, Jazz Bassist of the Year by DownBeat, and Most Valuable Player by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.  ~ Amazon.com

VICTOR WOOTEN - A SHOW OF HANDS 15

A Show of Hands, Victor Wooten's solo debut, was originally released in 1996 on Compass Records and stands as one of the most critically acclaimed debut solo albums of all time. The release was groundbreaking in that it was recorded with 'two hands, four strings, and no overdubs' establishing Wooten as the new major talent to watch on electric bass. Last year marked the fifteenth anniversary of that album's release and A
Show Of Hands 15 was released to celebrate this milestone. A Show of Hands 15 is re-mastered and includes three previously unreleased bonus tracks making this version a must-have for all Wooten fans. The mastering of the original tracks was meticulously done, giving the music even greater clarity and sonic depth than the original album. The three bonus tracks include an enhanced version of 'U Can't Hold No Groove' with JD Blair on drums and percussion, 'Flip Flop', a new song also featuring Blair, and 'Live Solo #2', an unedited live solo performance recorded at a 2003 Flecktones' concert showcasing Wooten with just a bass and looping pedal. Wooten is a mad scientist on the electric bass and his unbelievable talent has made him one of the most critically recognized bassists in recent memory. In the pantheon of the world's greatest bassists, Wooten would undoubtedly have a seat reserved in the front row, right between Stanley Clarke and Les Claypool. The re-issue of his groundbreaking solo debut is set to open the eyes and ears of a whole new generation to what one man can do with just one bass guitar. ~ Amazon.com

NEW RELEASES - DOUG MACLEOD, DAVE KOZ, SHOSHANA BEAN

DOUG MACLEOD - THERE'S A TIME

Doug MacLeod is a unique, powerful guitarist with a rich and soulful voice, singing original songs based on his life and experiences. This is genuine original acoustic music at its very best! Thirteen new Doug MacLeod originals highlight this richly detailed trio recording by Grammy®-winning engineer Keith Johnson, done at Skywalker Sound in Marin County, CA. Doug uses four strikingly different guitars: three National Reso-Phonic instruments, including a 12-string, and his old Gibson C-100, the guitar he calls Lil Bit because each time he plays her a little bit more of her falls off. Over 29 years, 19 studio albums, several live records, compilations, a blues guitar instructional DVD, and a live performance DVD, Doug has consistently earned raves. His songs have been covered by many artists including Albert King, Albert Collins, Joe Louis Walker, and Eva Cassidy. ~ Amazon.com

DAVE KOZ - LIVE AT THE BLUE NOTE TOKYO

Originally independently released on September 25, 2012, Concord Records will give Live at the Blue Note Tokyo Koz's first-ever live album its wide distribution physical release on February 12, 2013. Recorded in Japan in 2011, the disc features a dozen songs, including such hits as "You Make Me Smile," "Faces Of The Heart," "Honeydipped" and "Put The Top Down." Live at the Blue Note Tokyo has also been nominated for a GRAMMY® award in the category of Best Pop Instrumental Album. "I feel so fortunate to have spent my professional life on the road, touring all over the world, doing shows for almost 25 years now," Koz says. "I love it. I ve gotten to see many amazing places, learned so much, and met so many truly wonderful people. A lifetime on the road...it s been a real blessing. This CD, my very first live record, captures one magical night of that lifetime and I wanted to share it with you."  ~ Amazon.com

SHOSHANA BEAN - O'FARRELL STREET   Shoshana Bean is singing in her own lane. In a day when dance-pop music is shredded by the likes of Adele's 21, Shoshana's album is a beautiful nod to a beloved era. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, and Sam Cooke, her take on soul music of the late 60's has created a sound that is refreshingly nostalgic and familiar. The album delivers smooth, grooving bass lines, hard hitting drums, rich horns and moves seamlessly from gritty blues and gospel to a sexy 007-esque ballad. The lyrics speak from a resilient heart through melodies your brain can't shake, and the vocal performances have you hitting repeat! Recorded in just seven days, with as much attention paid to the engineering techniques used in the late 60's as to the style of music itself, this project is her sophomore release to the Pop/R&B focused Superhero (released 2008). ~ Amazon.com

NEW RELEASES - ANA MOURA, MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ, TIM WARFIELD

ANA MOURA  - DESFADO

On her new album titled Desfado, Ana Moura stretches her extraordinary talent beyond the limitations of traditional Fado in every area. For the first time she is singing in English as well as her native Portuguese, as well as performing songs that are written in traditional fado form, as well as songs such as Joni Mitchells A Case Of You, which embody the spirit of Fado, while not being Fado in the traditional sense of the genre. It is an adventurous step for this phenomenal vocalist towards being becoming a truly international artist. ~ Amazon.com

MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ - REVERENCE

For his Criss Cross debut, 33-year-old trumpet virtuoso Michael Rodriguez assembles a world-class New York quintet of generational peers (pianist Gerald Clayton and drummer Rodney Green) and mid-career masters (tenor saxophonist Chris Cheek and bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa) to perform six kinetic originals and a single standard, Portrait Of Jennie. Known for his creative melodic approach and pellucid tone via consequential engagementsover the last decade with, among others, Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Bobby Watson, and Eddie Palmieri, Rodriguez blends youthfulfire with a veteran's focus and mature intention, setting the tone for an immensely satisfying session. ~ Amazon.com

TIM WARFIELD - EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

On Eye Of The Beholder, his seventh recording leader recording for Criss Cross (and 12th label appearance overall), tenor and soprano saxophonist Tim Warfield draws on musical relationships that have shaped his artistry from the very start. Pianist Cyrus Chestnut and drummer Clarence Penn, both of whom appeared on Warfield's 1994 debut and several other sessions, bring their powerful and sensitive presence to this new quinter date. Rodney Whitaker provides an unshakable yet flexible foundation on bass. Trumpet great Nicholas Payton, who featured Warfield in his own incendiary quintet of the mid to late '90, comes on board and contributes brilliant playing as well as original music. ~ Amazon.com

TIM GREEN - SONGS FROM THIS SEASON

Whether your source is the Bible or the Byrds, the notion is the same: “To everything there is a season.” On his debut as a leader, Songs From This Season, alto saxophonist and composer Tim Green recounts the many seasons of his own life on a stylistically diverse set featuring a host of established and rising jazz stars.

Released via Green’s own True Melody Music label, Songs From This Season surveys a broad swath of the jazz landscape, from deftly swinging hard bop to fluid modernity to soulful gospel. The impressive list of sidemen on the session includes pianist Orrin Evans, vibraphonist Warren Wolf, guitarist Gilad Hekselman, drummers Rodney Green and Obed Calvaire, and several of Green’s collaborators in the thriving Baltimore/Washington D.C. jazz scene.

The disc marks not only the emergence of a strong new voice on the saxophone, already established by Green’s second-place showing in the 2008 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition, but of a confident and versatile composer. Each piece on the album, Green says, reflects a certain period in his life and the emotion attached to it.

“I can never force a piece of music,” he explains. “It has to be inspired by a mood or emotion I’m feeling at that moment.”

While his compositions display the influence of many different genres, the common thread among them is a direct emotionality, a vivid communication with the listener. This quality was inspired by some of Green’s mentors, most prominently Dick Oatts, with whom he studied at the Manhattan School of Music, and Terence Blanchard, one of the guiding lights of the Monk Institute.

“Dick Oatts really introduced me to writing,” Green says, “and Terence Blanchard encouraged me to not just write music but to write an actual song. So many jazz records are just about the solos, but I wanted mine to be more about the songs and the melodies.”


That determination is evident from the outset, beginning with the lyrically spiritual opener “Psalm 1,” which Green describes as “a prayer or a blessing over the whole album.” The Biblical theme continues into “Siloam,” a steely 12-bar blues in 10/4 featuring an inspired solo by Hekselman. Another reference to the Good Book can be found in “Philippians 4:13,” a resolute ballad inspired by a particularly challenging period in Green’s life, one in which the titular scripture provided solace.

While Green was raised in the church, gospel was not a significant aspect of his musical upbringing. He grew up in Baltimore surrounded by music; his father and uncle are singers and his older brother was a trumpet player who Green emulated. “My brother was one of my first influences because I just wanted to be around him and do whatever he was doing.”

Still, a song like “Shift” shows a distinct gospel influence, albeit one that entered Green’s vocabulary later in his career. Upon moving to New York to study at the Manhattan School, he was enlisted by fellow Baltimorean Marvin Thompson for his Mo’Horns brass section, which backed gospel stars like Fred Hammond and Richard Smallwood. “I never planned on playing gospel music,” Green admits. “But all of a sudden I was playing with all of these gospel artists and it started having an influence on my music.”

“Shift” takes the most traditional approach to that influence, with New York gospel organist Loren Dawson, Baltimore electric bassist Adam Jonson and vocalists Micah Smith and Iyana Wakefield joining in.

On “Dedication,” Green pays homage to two more of his influences, pianists Mulgrew Miller (one of Green’s mentors) and Kenny Kirkland. Miller has called Green “a talented, committed, and accomplished young artist. And most importantly to me, he has a song in his heart.” The endorsement of such elders spotlights Green’s role as a torchbearer for the modern jazz tradition.

Through Miller, Green has recently come under the wing of one of his idols, saxophonist Kenny Garrett. On the phone with Miller one day, Green was shocked when the pianist handed the phone over to Garrett out of the blue. “I was really blown away because he’s a big hero of mine,” Green recalls. “Since then he’s been really supportive and just lets me know he’s on my side. He wants me to go all the way, and that’s really encouraging to me.”

More recently, Green has also gotten bandstand endorsements with several heavy hitters who have called upon him as a sideman. The list includes Miller, but also bassist Christian McBride, pianist Eric Reed, and the Carl Allen/Rodney Whitaker group.

While his own compositions are the focus of the album, Green also revisits seasons connected to songs by his forebears. He tackles Wayne Shorter’s burning “Pinocchio” in a trio format with Kris Funn and Rodney Green, and shows his more tender side on Billie Holiday’s classic “Don’t Explain.” As Green explains, “I wanted to put one standard on the album, and that was one that I could really relate to in terms of the words and the melody at the time.”

From the chilled-out haze of “ChiTown,” dedicated to Green’s wife, to the intense, rock-influenced “Time For Liberation,” inspired by director Spike Lee, to the elegiac “Lost Souls,” Songs From This Season explores the many moods and emotions of a lifetime, ending with the aptly-named “Hope.” There couldn’t be a more appropriate note on which to conclude this promising and artful debut.

ALICE RUSSELL - TO DUST

Alice Russell is natural, pure natural talent, a natural presence, a force of nature. Whether on a big stage with her 16 piece band, charming a crowd of 4000 into staying out dancing in the rain (as she did at Montreal Jazz Festival) or rocking out an intimate club set with a stripped down 6 piece band, she’s a singer who demands attention. Unfazed by taking to the spotlight after a sober Amy Winehouse or joining Roy Ayers live for “Everybody Loves The Sunshine”, there’s no wonder her powerful soul voice has attracted rave reviews from numerous national and international publications and praise from fans as diverse as Gilles Peterson, David Byrne, Dennis Coffey, Massive Attack’s Daddy G, and Groove Armada.


Alice has also won over a whole brace of producers – lending her strong, emotional tones to releases by Mr Scruff, Quantic and Nostalgia 77, the latter pairing producing the “Seven Nation Army” cover that demolished clubs for years. But following her first release “Under The Munka Moon” it’s her records with longtime producer and bandleader TM Juke that she’s best known for. From their debut album “My Favourite Letters” through to 2008′s live-tinged “Pot Of Gold”, they have made some of the most arresting blues soul since the glory days of Aretha.

“We’ve both got a very open approach to writing songs,” she explains of the prolific relationship. “And we both like so many different types of music whereas some people are more purist. Our influences run from Sarah Vaughan to Bach, Kate Bush to Arvo Part, and J Dilla to Alice Coltrane. We love everything from dirty, squelchy dubstep to old school soul. We nudge each other in the right directions.”

As much as she loves being in the studio there’s something special about Alice let loose on an audience. From performing with a full band and horn section, to pared down and more intimate sets, Alice Rusell takes no prisoners!

"Being on stage is more instant,” she admits. “I like things when they’re quite free. In the studio it can be like when you know someone’s taking your photo. Writing in the studio is amazing but when you’re doing takes it can be a bit daunting, but also really exciting. Live you can’t take it back – you’ve got to go all out there.”

It has led to some great experiences, like when she stayed on in Japan to visit the village where the promoter was from: almost like a 50s teen movie, a deal was struck where Alice would have free reign of the hotel for her stay if she did a gig.

“Of course we said yes,” Alice says with delight. “Babies and grandmas all turned up and there we were with a makeshift sound system thrown together out of amps and speakers. It was one of the most heart warming gigs I’ve ever done.”

Other live highlights include singing with The Roots in Philadelphia, while recording has seen her sing on Talking Heads leader David Byrne’s recent LP. Surely belting out the intensely emotional songs must get a bit tiring. Apparently not.

“It’s a great emotional release,” Alice smiles. “And sometimes makes you feel really high, especially when you’re singing the high notes. If you’re feeling rubbish and everything else feels like it’s going wrong you feel better if you have a good singsong. I’ve sung my way through panic attacks before – singing through the whole of Stevie Wonder’s “Songs In The Key Of Life”. They should put singing on the NHS.”

2012′s joint release with Quantic, “Look Around The Corner” was greeted with much enthusiasm around the world. The sound of this intoxicating record mixes sweet soul and blues with overtones of folk and gospel, and the inimitable swing of Quantic’s world-renowned outfit the Combo Bárbaro, who form the core band. Recorded at Quantic’s Sonido del Valle studio in his adopted home city of Cali, Colombia, the album shows Alice’s versatility and adventurousness as well as her amazing vocals and songwriting. The resulting tour was met with a rapturous reception from sell-out crowds.

So to the next stage of Alice Russell’s remarkable career. Back again with long time production partner TM Juke, there is a brand new album entitled “To Dust” in the can and ready for early 2013 release. First single from the forthcoming album is entitled “Heartbreaker” and sees Alice Russell back to her soulful best. “It is a broken hearted love song about the end of a relationship” explains Alice. “its about that time when your just emotionally exhausted by it all and you are at the stage where you know you just have to let it go and you are resigned to it all being over.” The video to “Heartbreaker” features Hollywood actor Harry Shearer, known for his many acting roles but also as one of the main voices in The Simpsons and for his long running radio show on cult LA station KCRW.

Tracklisting: 01. A to Z //  02. Heartbreaker Pt 2 // 03. For a while // 04. Heartbreaker // 05. I loved You Interlude // 06. Hard and Strong // 07. To Dust // 08. I loved You // 09. Twin Peaks // 10. Heartbreaker
Interlude // 11. Let Go (Breakdown) // 12. Drinking Song Interlude // 13. Citizens // 14. Different (Bonus Track)

The album Alice Russell “To Dust” (Differ-Ant) is going to be released February 22, 2013.

www.alicerussell.com
www.grooveattack.com

NEW RELEASES - BARRY ALTSCHUL, TED CURSON, KEITH TIPPETT

BARRY ALTSCHUL - THE 3DOM FACTOR

The 3dom Factor features Barry Altschul's new trio with saxophonist Jon Irabagon and bassist Joe Fonda in a program of Altschul compositions. The 3dom Factor features compositions that span almost the entirety of Barry Altschul's career. Carla Bley's "Ictus" is the only borrowed tune and was performed by Altschul with Paul Bley already in the 1960s whereas "Natal Chart" was included in Altschul's first recording as a leader.  "Martin's Stew," "Be Out S'Cool," "Papa's Funkish Dance" and "Irina" were on his subsequent recordings as a leader in the late 1970s and the 1980s, and "Just A Simple Song" was composed for the FAB Trio in 2008.  "The 3dom Factor," "Oops" and " A Drummer's Song" are introduced for the first time with this recording and bring the whole to the current day.

TED CURSON - POP WINE

Ted Curson at his finest – an incredible album that has him blowing hard, and with a wonderfully soulful style on the Paris scene of the early 70s! Curson's always been a hell of a trumpeter – but he's all-out, over-the-top on this amazing session from 1971 – working alongside the legendary trio of pianist George Arvanitas – who themselves really seem to hit a special sort of sound for the record! The tracks have a long, open-ended quality that offers a mix of modal grooving and hard spiritual soloing – perfect territory for Curson to show his stuff, over a groove that you'd hardly expect from Georges' group. Arvanitas' bassist Jacky Samson has this warm, round, wonderful tone that's a perfect foil for Curson's spirited blowing – and titles include "Quartier Latin", "Pop Wine", "LSD Takes A Holiday", and "Flip Top". ~ Dusty Groove

KEITH TIPPETT - YOU ARE HER I AM THERE

An early stunner from keyboardist Keith Tippett – served up with a punch and power that's missing from a lot of his later work! The music's a perfect blend of free-thinking jazz and some of the more progressive rock ideas of the time – not exactly jazz rock, not exactly avant jazz – but a really unique blend that flourished briefly in the UK for a handful years, under the guidance of Tippett and some of his key contemporaries! Deeper ideas are given a great sense of shape on the set – as Keith plays both acoustic and electric piano – in a cool combo that also includes Elton Dean on alto, Nick Evans on trombone, Mark Charig on cornet, and Alan Jackson on drums. The tracks have a nice little groove at the best moments – not really funky, but not that far off too – almost an echo of some of the MPS or other European styles. Titles include "This Evening Was Like Last Year", "I Wish There Was A Nowhere", "Violence", "Three Minutes From An Afternoon In July", and "Stately Dance For Miss Primm". ~ Dusty Groove

JOE BONAMASSA - AN ACOUSTIC EVENING AT THE VIENNA OPERA HOUSE

Hailed worldwide as one of the greatest guitar players of his generation, Joe Bonamassa has almost single-handedly redefined the blues-rock genre and brought it into the mainstream. He continues this role with his first-ever entirely acoustic concert, recorded at the venerable Vienna Opera House with a global ensemble put together by longtime creative partner Kevin Shirley . The 2CD/2DVD/Blu-ray, An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House, comes out March 26, 2013 on Bonamassa's label J&R Adventures.

Viacom Media Networks' high-definition music channel Palladia HD will premiere it on Saturday, March 23 and Public Television will begin airing it as part of its special programming in March.

Bonamassa – a predominantly electric guitar player – was ready for a complete departure from his usual projects. For years, he had been wowing audiences with his flagship acoustic song "Woke Up Dreaming," which has become an iconic staple of his world tour and a fan favorite. Building on the popularity of this song, Bonamassa and producer Shirley set out to design an entirely new and intimate "unplugged" concert experience that they would then bring to seven lucky cities in Europe during summer 2012. They recorded the performance in Vienna— the "City of Music" — at the Vienna Opera House, a culturally iconic venue steeped in history and heritage, making it the perfect backdrop for this unprecedented show.

"To say this was a challenge is an understatement," said Bonamassa. "To say this was a departure from anything I had ever done before is an even bigger understatement. I can say with full certainty that it was the most enjoyable tour I have ever done. On this tour I really learned the virtues of my singing lessons over the years. Take away those long guitar solos, all that sustain and that big Gibson sound and what is left leaves you no option but to dig deep and sing until you can't sing anymore."

An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House features gorgeously textured music – 20 songs, filmed in HD and recorded in Dolby 5.1 – made with a wealth of rare, vintage, organic and "oddball" instruments. The DVD and Blu-ray will feature 90 minutes of extra footage, interviews and a making-of documentary. Highlights among the 20 songs include favorites that span Bonamassa's career—"The Ballad of John Henry ," "Woke Up Dreaming," "Ball Peen Hammer," "Sloe Gin," and "Mountain Time"—including many he doesn't normally perform live, such as "Athens to Athens," "Black Lung Heartache," "Jelly Roll," "Around The Bend," "Jockey Full of Bourbon," "Seagull," and "Richmond." Accompanying Bonamassa on the same stage once graced by Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Mahler, and Haydn are: traditional Irish fiddler Gerry O'Connor, who also plays mandolin and banjo; Swedish multi-instrumentalist Mats Wester on the nyckelharpa, a keyed fiddle; Los Angeles-based keyboardist Arlan Schierbaum texturing the mix with celeste, accordions, toy pianos, and assorted "organic" instruments; and renowned Puerto Rican percussionist Lenny Castro , whose works spans genres and reads like a who's who of artists, including the Rolling Stones, Sir Elton John , Eric Clapton , Boz Scaggs , Toto, Steely Dan, Christopher Cross, Stevie Wonder , David Sanborn , Avenged Sevenfold, Little Feat, Tom Petty , the Red Hot Chili Peppers and many more.

Bonamassa and Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Black Crowes, Iron Maiden, John Hiatt , Journey, Aerosmith) have collaborated on thirteen projects in the last seven years, including Bonamassa's previous two live CD/DVD/Blu-ray projects, Live From The Royal Albert Hall (2010) and Beacon Theatre: Live From New York (2012), his last six studio albums and albums with Beth Hart and Black Country Communion.

Guitar Center recently partnered with Bonamassa to launch Guitar Center's Blues Masters Featuring Joe Bonamassa. Together they will offer ten musicians the chance to win the grand prize which includes an opening slot at Joe Bonamassa's headlining show in Los Angeles this fall, $10,000 cash, gear from Gibson, Ernie Ball , Marshall Amplification Shure and Dunlop as well as a mentor session in studio with Joe Bonamassa and producer Kevin Shirley .

Bonamassa is driving sales for the guitar industry and keeping the guitar alive, helping great companies like Guitar Center, Gibson, Epiphone, Ernie Ball , Dunlop, Seymour Duncan , Clear Sonic and Klotz Cables , all of whom have signature products with the guitar phenom. Bonamassa's style of guitar has breathed new life and excitement back into the instrument as legions of new fans are becoming familiar again with the great sound of guitar-based rock music.

Joe will kick off his North American Spring Tour on April 10 in Vancouver, BC and will finish with three nights at New York's Beacon Theatre on May 16, 17 and 18. He'll open each show with a short acoustic set before diving into his signature electric show.

MEGAN HILTY - IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME

Megan Hilty's debut album, It Happens All The Time will be available March 12, 2013 from Portrait, Sony Masterworks' new adult contemporary imprint, in partnership with Columbia Records. The album is produced by Grammy-winners Andy Zulla and Jimmy Hogarth and showcases a different side of Hilty, the beloved star of the hit musical TV drama series Smash.

Songs featured on It Happens All The Time include Hilty's fresh interpretations of compositions by stellar contemporary songwriters as Aimee Mann , Sara Bareilles , Bruno Mars and Damien Rice . Also noteworthy are new songs by writers such as Hogarth (Amy Winehouse, Duffy), Wayne Hector ( James Morrison , One Direction), Glen Ballard ( Alanis Morissette , Wilson Phillips ), Ne-Yo and Carrie Underwood .

The repertoire is a significant step outside of both the musical theater world in which Hilty initially found fame - via Broadway roles as Glinda in Wicked and Doralee Rhodes in 9 To 5: The Musical - as well as her TV character Ivy Lynn in Smash, in which she's sung such noteworthy songs as the Grammy-nominated "Let Me Be Your Star," Carrie Underwood 's "Crazy Dreams" and the Rose Royce (and Mary J. Blige ) soul hit "I'm Going Down."

With It Happens All The Time, Hilty was determined to display a side of herself that even her fans have yet to see. "I want to show a different side of me because it's the first thing I've ever done that's just me and not attached to any character or story line," says Hilty. "Coming from a musical theater background, everyone expects that I'd do a Broadway album or pop standards. Smash changed all that. We did a completely different arrangement of 'Crazy Dreams,' and it resonated with a lot of people."

For Hilty, the key to her debut album was finding songs that she could identify with. "Stylistically these aren't the type of songs that I'm used to singing. It was exciting and challenging, for example, to take a song written by Ne-Yo and make it my own," says Hilty.

"I was looking for lyrics I could connect with," she explains, "which comes from another part of my theatrical background: I always feel that there has to be a point to what I'm singing, instead of it just being a pretty sound. The lyrics reflect the year I've had in breaking up and finding new love, whereas the music shows my eclectic tastes. Andy [Zulla] tied it all together with his arrangements." While it wasn't intentional, the album took on a break-up theme, "not a sad one so much as the end of a chapter and wondering what comes next," she says.

Of the original songs on It Happens All The Time, Hilty cites "Be A Man" as "one of the ultimate breakup songs. It begs someone to tell you how they really feel and that the relationship is over." She also points to "Walk Away" (co-written by Ne-Yo, Carrie Underwood and Luke Laird ) for its message of empowerment in the face of a painful breakup. Keeping with the theme of new beginnings, "No Cure" is unique to the rest of the album in that co-writer Hogarth joined her on vocals, giving it the feel of a duet, which Hilty loved.

The title track on the album drew Hilty in the first time she heard it. "'It Happens All The Time' is about the frustration of trying to find true love. If it happens all the time then why hasn't it happened to me?"

When taken together, the songs on It Happens All The Time instill great pride in Hilty as "the first recording that's just me. It's really thrilling to hear and I can't wait to share it with my fans."

Tracklisting: 1.It Happens All the Time // 2.Be a Man // 3.No Cure // 4.Walk Away // 5.Safe and Sound // 6.The Blower's Daughter // 7.Hopin'// 8.Wise Up // 9.The Heart of the Matter // 10.Dare You To Move

~ Sony Masterworks

SPIRIT IN THE ROOM, THE LATEST FROM TOM JONES GET U.S. RELEASE

Tom Jones has signed with Rounder Records and on April 23, the label will release Spirit In The Room, Tom’s latest recording.

Tom Jones possesses one of the most memorable and distinctive voices in pop music, and has one of the most storied careers in entertainment. We’re
thrilled that he’s chosen to make his home with us at Rounder, and we look forward to working with him on this wonderful project,” said John Virant, President of Rounder.

The album is a “potent collection” (Mojo) of songs by an eclectic group of composers that includes Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Blind Willie Johnson, Paul McCartney, Odetta, Paul Simon, Richard Thompson, and Tom Waits, as well an original composition penned by Jones and producer Ethan Johns.

Spirit in the Room has drawn raves from critics: Mojo proclaimed “The grain and gravitas of Jones’ voice is perfectly suited to the diverse material,” while the Sunday Times called it “simply stunning.” The Telegraph praised the “beautiful album of great songs performed with taste and sung with tender resonance by one of the most distinctive voices of British popular music,” and the Daily Mail enthused “Jones raises his game and lowers his guard…magnificent.”

For those of you who don’t know, the album reunites Jones with producer Ethan Johns, who was at the helm for Jones’ acclaimed Praise & Blame. The album was recorded live at Real World Studios in Bath, and beautifully captures the intimacy and immediacy of the live performances. In addition to producer/multi-instrumentalist Johns, the band features Richard Causon on piano and vintage keyboards, Ian Jennings and Sam Dixon on bass, and drummer Stella Mozgawa.

Tom is planning to tour the United States in April and May. Dates will be announced shortly.

Spirit In The Room Track Listing:
1. Tower of Song (Leonard Cohen)
2. Bad As Me (Kathleen Brennan/Tom Waits)
3. Travelling Blues (Ethan Johns/Tom Jones)
4. All Blues Hail Mary (Joe Henry)
5. Lone Pilgrim (Adger M. Pace/B.F. White)
6. Hit Or Miss (Odetta Felious Gordon)
7. Dimming Of The Day (Richard Thompson)
8. (I Want To) Come Home (Paul McCartney)
9. Love And Blessings (Paul Simon)
10. Soul Of A Man (Blind Willie Johnson)
11. Just Dropped In (Mickey Newbury)
12. Charlie Darwin (The Low Anthem)
13. When The Deal Goes Down (Bob Dylan)

www.rounder.com

LOVE SUPREME JAZZ FESTIVAL CONFIRMS MORE ACTS

This past week the UK's Jazz FM announced three new acts for the Love Supreme Jazz Festival festival - Gregory Porter, Courtney Pine and Portico Quartet - and now we have new of more acts to reveal even more artists for July's bill. The big news is that the legendary Bryan Ferry, disco originals Chic feat. Nile Rodgers and the critically acclaimed, Mercury Prize nominated Michael Kiwanuka will all be heading to Love Supreme this summer. And that's not all. We've also have confiirmation of the cutting edge sounds of thrash-jazzers Roller Trio, young Mancunians GoGo Penguin and stunning acapella group Naturally 7.

As part of their set, Bryan Ferry & The Bryan Ferry Orchestra will treat the lucky Love Supreme audience to the UK premiere of their recently released 'The Jazz Age' album, a collection that features swinging re-works of songs made famous by Bryan in Roxy Music and throughout his glittering solo career. 'Virginia Plain', 'Love Is The Drug' and more get the 1920s big band treatment on this revelatory record. Ferry will follow this with a full band set of classic hits. So whether you're a fan of Ferry's music or a cotton club aficionado this is one set you don't want to miss.

The Love Supreme Jazz Festival is scheduled for July 5 to 7 and will also feature Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, Marcus Miller, Robert Glasper Experiment, and the Branford Marsalis Quintet.

JEANETTE HARRIS - SUMMER RAIN

The way Jeanette Harris sees it, summer rain is sensual, an ideal backdrop for love at first sight. Oozing saxuality, she wrote and produced her fourth album, Summer Rain, as the soul-jazz soundtrack for romance. To enhance the experience, she created a Summer Rain perfume that will be available soon after the record is released April 2nd on J&M Records. A mid-tempo R&B sax and guitar groove, “Just Keep Holding On” will arrive at radio ahead of the storm forecasters expect to generate steadily growing showers of airplay accompanied by warm winds of critical praise.

Summer Rain features Harris, who was classically trained on both saxophone and piano, playing alto sax, flute, keyboards and drum programming. She wrote or co-wrote eleven new songs and recorded a moving rendition of Luther Vandross’ classic “Here & Now.” Her rainmakers are producer-songwriter-keyboardist Chuck Cymone, guitarist Darrell Crooks, keyboardists and drum programmers George Freeman and Andrew Dorsette, saxophonist Marcus Anderson, soul crooner Joel Bowers, and Harris’ brother, Michael, who contributed as a producer and songwriting partner. Harris has an amiable relationship with melodies and is capable of crafting compelling cosmopolitan grooves, instantly appealing hooks, sultry, cuddle-up close urban ballads, funky rhythm tracks, throbbing electronic dance floor fillers, and gospel-tinged inspirationals. She sagely lets her sax emote in the service of the song with the horn moving the narrative along free from grandstand theatrics.

“The music of Summer Rain is all about a positive vibe. It’s about staying in love - never falling out of love, feeling good, being faithful and always following a positive route. Great things have happened for me in the last year. I’ve learned what’s really important in life – my family and my music,” shared Harris, who already has a dozen concert dates booked this spring to support the album release with more to be added.

As for the “Summer Rain” fragrance, she said, “I've been working on this project for a few months and finally came up with a scent that I'm digging. I love perfume and I think people of all ages will enjoy my smooth, sensual perfume, which adds another dimension to the love story."

Harris spent a year playing in Teena Marie’s band in the final year before the legendary R&B vocalist passed away. She credits her stint with Marie for teaching her how to be “a strong, professional female leader.” The Fresno, CA-born and based musician earned a scholarship to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Harris landed on the Billboard charts with her version of Stevie Wonder’s “All I Do,” which appeared on her third album, Saxified (2010). Last year, she co-penned a track, “The Best Is Yet To Come,” with Grammy-winning guitarist Norman Brown for his Grammy-nominated collection of duets, “24/7,” with saxophonist Gerald Albright. On stage, Harris has impressed on U.S. shores and at festivals in Europe and Japan - whether she was backing R&B vocalists Howard Hewett and Deniece Williams or playing her own set opening for Babyface, KEM, Phil Perry, Kirk Whalum, Najee and The Rippingtons.

www.jeanetteharrisband.com.

RYAN TRUESDELL PRESENTS CENTENNIAL: NEWLY DISCOVERED WORKS OF GIL EVANS WINS GRAMMY AWARD

Renowned composer, producer, and conductor Ryan Truesdell's highly acclaimed CD Centennial: Newly Discovered Works of Gil Evans (ArtistShare) has won a posthumous Grammy Award for Gil Evans in the category of Best Instrumental Arrangement (How About You) in the 55th annual GRAMMY Awards. This arrangement of How About You was written in 1947 for the Claude Thornhill Orchestra and is Gil Evans' first GRAMMY win for arranging. Evans had 11 prior nominations and two wins.

Truesdell, who accepted the award on behalf of Evans, says: "I'm so thrilled for Gil's music to receive this great honor. Thanks to everyone who made it possible to bring this never-before recorded music into the spotlight: the Evans family - Anita, Miles and Noah - who gave me access to his archives, the amazing musicians, engineer James Farber, and of course the many ArtistShare participants who helped to make this project a reality. Mainly, I'd like to thank Gil for creating this unique sound and voice that he had in his music."

Centennial, which brings to light new music from jazz luminary Gil Evans, has been widely heralded as one of the most important CDs of the year. It earned one of France's highest honors: LES COUPS DE COEUR from the Académie Charles Cros, and accolades as "one of the most significant releases of 2012." - JazzTimes. "An extraordinary album." - Nate Chinen, New York Times. "Truesdell deserves our gratitude for throwing light on scores unearthed from the archivesŠ One of the jazz releases of the year." - Clive Davis, Sunday Times of London. "Editor's Pick: Recording of the Month: 5-stars." - Tom Conrad, Stereophile. "As majestic and richly textured as you would expect." - Patrick Jarenwattananon, NPR A Blog Supreme. "Record of the Month" - Jazz Magazine (France). "10 out of 10 stars. If you don't like this, you don't like music." - Liam McManus, PopMatters.

Released by ArtistShare® on May 13, 2012 (www.GilEvansProject.com) and recorded by the Grammy award-winning engineer James Farber, Centennial features thirty-five top musicians, including Lewis Nash, Donny McCaslin, Steve Wilson, Frank Kimbrough, Greg Gisbert, and Marshall Gilkes performing previously unheard works written by Evans throughout his decades-long career.

Prior to Centennial, Truesdell was best known for co-producing Maria Schneider's Sky Blue in 2007 and her 2004 Grammy award-winning Concert in the Garden. He is the first person outside of the Evans family to be granted full access to the musical archives. "I saw thousands of pages of manuscript, and each new box offered up a score or sketch of one of Gil's pieces that I've admired for years."

Truesdell, one of the foremost Evans scholars, began to grasp the significance of the material he was uncovering when he realized many of the manuscripts were unfamiliar to him. Schneider, former assistant and protégé of Evans', says of Truesdell's discovery, "It's like finding the impossible: imagine you buy an old house and discover a box of lost Beethoven manuscripts in the attic-scores that have never been heard before. That's exactly what's happened here. It's been something that I've wished for, for decades now-something that so many of us have wanted and it's here, it's incredible; it's an amazing opportunity to hear this music uncovered."

www.RyanTruesdell.com