JAZZ HARMONICA VIRTUOSO ENRICO GRANAFEI RELEASES SECOND ALBUM ALONE (AND) TOGETHER

Enrico Granafei, jazz harmonica player, guitarist, singer and owner of Trumpets Jazz Club,  has released his second album Alone (and) Together. Granafei, who studied with Toots Thielemans, has distinguished himself for his solo playing with Hands-Free Chromatic Harmonica and guitar, something that nobody had ever done before in jazz. As guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli said: "What he does playing two instruments at the same time is truly amazing."

Alone (and) Together showcases Granafei's solo playing alone and with special guests: trumpeter Wallace Roney, guitar wizards Vic Juris and Dave Stryker, percussionist Diego Lopez (who played with Gato Barbieri), and drummer Gordon Lane.  

The CD also features Granafei in quartet/quintet settings with legendary drummer Billy Hart, bassist Rick Crane, pianist Amina Figarova, and violin virtuoso Vitali Imereli. Enrico's multilingual singing is also showcased on two songs, the Italian standard Estate and Que reste-t il de nos amour, the well- known French song also known as I Wish You Love.

Granafei's first solo CD, In Search of The Third Dimension on Miles High Records, earned wide acclaim. The CD was done without any overdubbing using the HFC (Hands-Free Chromatic harmonica) and a nylon string guitar. The HFC, invented by Vern Smith, is a simple and ingenious device that allows Granafei to play two instruments at the same time by pressing the mouthpiece down with his lips instead of pushing the slide with his finger.

Alone (and) Together takes Granafei's unusual technique a step further through the use of the DB guitar. The instrument - a combination of bass and guitar invented by Italian guitarist Nico Di Battista - makes Granafei sound like a small combo playing 3 instruments at the same time.  The title of the CD Alone (and) Together also refers to the famous standard Alone Together.

Enrico Granafei has a long history of musical experience that encompasses both classical music and jazz. He received his degree in classical guitar from the Conservatory of l'Aquila in Italy in 1976 and his artistic career started in Rome where he soon became known in the musical community.  In 1978 Granafei moved to Germany where he began to perform and to teach in two different music schools. In the early 1980s, after returning to Italy, he started to broaden his horizons by discovering jazz through the harmonica. Following in the tradition of the legendary Toots Thielemans, he began to explore new possibilities for the harmonica, an instrument too often associated solely with rock and blues. In addition to playing in the best jazz clubs in Italy during that period, Granafei performed regularly on national television where he was a member of the Pippo Caruso Orchestra.

His love for jazz led him to New York City, where he soon started to perform in local jazz clubs including The Blue Note, Birdland, Visiones, Angry Squire, and the Bottom Line. He has performed extensively on the chromatic harmonica in the United States and continued to be a featured musician in major European Festivals, including Pori Jazz Festival (Finland), Euromeet Jazz Festival (Italy), other jazz festivals throughout Italy and France, and major clubs throughout Europe. In 1992 Granafei received his master's degree in Jazz Performance from the Manhattan School of Music where he was the only student of Toots Thielemans.

Granafei has been the owner and musical director of the prestigious Trumpets Jazz Club in Montclair, New Jersey since 1999. He continues to perform at that venue and at other jazz venues throughout the United States and Europe, as well as to record as a leader and sideman on CDs with Marc Johnson, Eliot Zigmund, Eddie Gomez and Ted Curson, among others, and is featured on Nnenna Freelon's CD "Tales of Wonder" (Concord Records).  One of the most respected players of the Chromatic Harmonica in the world today, Granafei continues to cultivate an audience for the instrument through his international performances.  As jazz pianist/historian Lewis Porter says: "This could be the start of something big for harmonica players everywhere."

http://www.enricogranafei.com/

 

MARCUS CORBETT - STRUNG DEEP

Much to the excitement of music enthusiasts worldwide, Folk-World music artist Marcus Corbett has released his highly anticipated debut album Strung Deep. Based between Marlborough and Oxford in the UK and Pune in India, and having gigged the length and breadth of the UK and on the western coast of India, Marcus has quietly been gaining an esteemed reputation for his esoteric, unique blend of Indian classical music and British folk. Says Marcus, “I have studied Indian Classical Music because it is (for me) an undeniably beautiful and compelling musical genre. In my composition, I do not try to play it directly as my music is mine and mine alone.”

Marcus started to travel to India in the mid ‘70s and has since spent the following decades continuing to cultivate an ongoing relationship with Tabla and Indian Classical Music. As Corbett puts it – “I traveled first to India as a wide eyed 18 year old and I heard a Tabla solo by the river Ganga. All I can say is my world changed; but it was the vocal that really hooked me – the voice in the music found an echo in me.”

On the subject of his musical influences, aside from his times in India, Marcus states, “I've been affected by John Martyn, Nick Drake, Roy Harper – anybody that makes the guitar sing or speak. John McLaughlin with the 'Mahavishnu Orchestra' and early 'Shakti' was a revelation as has been Jerry Garcia's soulful musicality.”

Over the last decade Corbett has been on yearly travels to Pune and Gadag in western India to work with renowned Tabla players Nitin Gaikwad and Sharanappa Gutteragi. The most recent in a series of recordings to come out of these sessions is Strung Deep.Mostly recorded with engineer Abhijit Saraf of Musical Stars Studios in Pune, Strung Deep perfectly encapsulates the beauty, grace and dexterity of Corbett’s extraordinary talent and unique vision to fuse UK and European folk musics with India classical tradition. Aided and abetted by the majestic Bansuri (Indian flute) playing of Milind Date and exquisite violin talents of Sanjay Upadhye, Strung Deep is a joyous meeting of musical worlds.ade)

NEW RELEASES - SOIL & PIMP SESSIONS, ALIFIC, ALEXIS CUADRADO

SOIL & PIMP SESSIONS - CIRCLES

Beautiful grooves from Soil & Pimp Sessions – a sweet jazzy combo who are already plenty great on their own, but who get some help here from Jose James, DJ Kentaro, Rhymester, and a few other guests! Different singers grace each new number – helping to give even more shape to that great Soil & Pimp sound – a tight groove of acoustic bass, drums, piano, and horns – the epitome of all that's great about the Japanese club jazz scene in recent years! And yes, there name is terrible, but their sound is sublime – a really universal groove that's helped transform the role of jazz in the clubs in recent years. Titles include "Light Blue Soldier", "Bon Bon Villa", "Summer Love", "Frog In The Wrold", "Ananta", and "Iceburn". ~ Dusty Groove 

ALIFIC - ECHOES FROM THE SOUL

The man behind Alific is artist and producer Brendan Dane.  Dane lived in San Diego for six years where he played in a local reggae band called Stick Figure.  In early 2011, he relocated to Washington, D.C. where he became exposed to the DJ and electronic downtempo scene, at which time his reggae-dub sound began to evolve.  The result of which is Echoes From The Soul - a 14-song downtempo reggae album, written and produced by Dane along with a number of collaborators, including Scott Woodruff and Kevin Bong of Stick Fugure, and Frank Mitchell, Jr. of Thievery Corporation.  Tracks include: Echoes From The Soul, Up To Me, Live Up, Fat Drops, The Cost, Feet To The Breeze, and Madness featuring Frank Mitchell, Jr.

ALEXIS CUADRADO - A LORCA SOUNDSCAPE

Bassist and composer Alexis Cuadrado has released A Lorca Soundscape, a brand new cycle of original jazz protest songs drawn from Lorca's poetry, to be released on Sunnyside Records on September 24. With an exceptional band, featuring Claudia Acuña, Miguel Zenón, Dan Tepfer, Mark Ferber and Gilmar Gomes, Cuadrado creates a groundbreaking dialogue across time utilizing a unique marriage of jazz, flamenco and new music.  Barcelona-born Cuadrado has become one of the most sought-after musicians on the New York jazz scene. Cuadrado's compositions show a unique voice that draws from the crossover of jazz, flamenco and new music. His output as a composer has peaked in recent years, with new works such as Noneto Ibérico, A Lorca Soundscape, Jazz Miniatures for Double Quartet and Hispalis. Cuadrado has published four CDs as a leader: Noneto Ibérico (BJURecords, 2011), his most recent recording, and a seminal work that has received massive critical acclaim. His previous albums, Puzzles (BJURecords, 2008), Visual (Fresh Sound New Talent, 2004) and Metro (FSNT, 2001), document his compositions and have received excellent reactions from critics, presenters and fans alike.

GREGORY PORTER RELEASES VIDEO TO LIQUID SPIRIT + TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

GRAMMY-nominated jazz and soul singer Gregory Porter has just released the music video for “Liquid Spirit,” the title track of his impressive Blue Note debut, which will be released in the U.S. on September 17. Porter has also announced Fall tour dates in support of the new album including appearances in Los Angeles at the El Rey Theatre on September 25 and two New York City shows at Le Poisson Rouge in Manhattan on October 24 and Littlefield in Brooklyn on October 26.

Liquid Spirit  features 3 covers and 11 new originals which showcase Porter’s innate gift for writing poignant songs based upon personal experiences with a relatable and emotional immediacy. Porter sees the album as a logical progression in his burgeoning discography as it touches on some of the same themes, particularly the highs and lows of romance, his childhood, and socio-political observations. More pointedly, he views the title track, a rousing, hand-clapping gospel-jazz romp, dealing with replenishing “thirsty” listeners with more substantial music, as the flipside to last year’s “Bling Bling,” a blistering song on his previous album Be Good on which the protagonist had so many artistic gifts to give but no one to give them to. Similar sentiments occur on “Musical Genocide,” on which Porter declares his refusal of accepting the insistent squashing of quality, diverse music and culture by a mainstream in favor of disposable, homogenized pap.

In part, these songs are based upon Porter’s reflections on new fans, worldwide, who come to him saying, “Where have you been?” or “How come I’ve never heard you before.” “Not saying that I am ‘what is,’ Porter says, “But I think maybe what I’m doing is what people actually want to hear. There are some people who want that liquid spirit – a soulful, thoughtful sound – and they haven’t been getting it.”

 GREGORY PORTER – FALL TOUR DATES

 Sept. 5 – Blue Note Nagoya – Nagoya, Japan

 Sept. 6 – Blue Note Tokyo – Tokyo, Japan

 Sept. 11 – Cabaret Sauvage – Paris, France

 Sept. 12 – Espace Ligeria – Montlouis-sur-Loire, France

 Sept. 13 – Grande Halle de La Villette – Paris, France

 Sept. 14 – Blue Note Milan – Milan, Italy

 Sept. 16 – Kulturfestival Kunstflecken – Neumunster, Germany

 Sept. 20 – Monterey Jazz Festival – Monterey, CA

 Sept. 21 – Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival – Guerneville, CA

 Sept. 22 – Yoshi’s – Oakland, CA

 Sept. 25 – El Rey Theatre – Los Angeles, CA

 Sept. 28 – Robert Ferst Center for the Arts – Atlanta, CA

 Oct. 9 – Centro Cultural de Belem – Lisbon, Portugal

 Oct. 11 – Casa Da Musica – Porto, Portugal

 Oct. 12 – So What’s Next Festival – Eindhoven, Holland

 Oct. 13 – Main Hall De Doelen – Rotterdam, Holland

 Oct. 14 – Concertgebouw – Amsterdam, Holland

 Oct. 15 – De Oosterpoort – Groningen, Holland

 Oct. 16 – Concert De Vereeniging – Nijmegen, Holland

 Oct. 18 – El Mediator / Theatre De L’archipel – Perignan, France

 Oct. 19 – Theatre Ollioules – Chateau Vallon, France

 Oct. 20 – Salle du Vigean A Eysines – Eysines, France

 Oct. 21 – Cave Cooperative de Bouillargues – Nimes, France

 Oct. 24 – Le Poisson Rouge – New York, NY

 Oct. 25 – Miami Nice Jazz Festival – Miami, FL

 Oct. 26 – Littlefield – Brooklyn, NY

 Oct. 27 – Shea Center for the Performing Arts – Wayne, NJ

 Oct. 30 – Royal Albert Hall – London, England

 Nov. 1 – Art Across Campus Legends of Jazz Series – Syracuse, NY

 Nov. 14 – Kulturzentrum Kammgarn – Kaiserslautern, Germany

 Nov. 15 – Circus Krone – Munich, Germany

 Nov. 16 – Konzerthaus Dortmund – Dortmund, Germany

 Nov. 18 – Stadthalle – Heidelberg, Germany

 Nov. 19 – Alte Oper – Frankfurt, Germany

 Nov. 20 – Theater Am Aegi – Hannover, Germany

 Nov. 21 – Kammermusiksaal – Berlin, Germany

 Nov. 23 – Laeiszhalle – Hamburg, Germany

 Nov. 24 – Die Glocke – Bremen, Germany

 Nov. 25 – Tonhalle Dusseldorf – Dusseldorf, Germany

~ Blue Note Records

ROBERT GLASPER EXPERIMENT ANNOUNCE DELUXE EDITION OF BLACK RADIO 2

Robert Glasper Experiment have announced the forthcoming release of Black Radio 2, both a standard as well as an expanded Deluxe Edition of Black Radio 2 that will also be available October 29 digitally and on CD and will include 4 additional tracks featuring special guests Macy Gray, Jean Grae, Bilal, Jazmine Sullivan, and Eric Roberson, as well as a cover of the Bill Withers classic “Lovely Day” that includes a spoken intro from Mr. Withers himself.

On their 2012 breakout Black Radio, Robert Glasper Experiment laid out a new paradigm for creative music, reaching beyond entrenched genre boundaries to create a singular vision that drew from all reaches of contemporary black music and beyond. Black Radio drew unanimous praise from critics across the board and earned Glasper the highest chart positions of his career when the album debuted at #10 on Billboard's Top Current Albums chart. The album kept earning accolades (a BET Centric Award nomination, a Soul Train Award win) all the way to the 2013 GRAMMY Awards where Black Radio was awarded Best R&B Album.

Robert Glasper Experiment ups the ante with the release of Black Radio 2, another genre-defying effort that takes the Black Radio blueprint and builds to even greater heights. The core remains the Experiment, as astoundingly versatile a band as has ever existed, featuring Robert Glasper on keyboards, Derrick Hodge on bass, Mark Colenburg on drums, and Casey Benjamin on vocoder and saxophone. Providing the vocals on the album’s standard edition is another jaw-dropping roll call of vocalists including Common, Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy, Brandy, Jill Scott, Dwele, Marsha Ambrosius, Anthony Hamilton, Faith Evans, Norah Jones, Snoop Dogg, Lupe Fiasco, Luke James, Emeli Sandé, Lalah Hathaway, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

The track listing for Black Radio 2 (Deluxe Edition) is as follows:

1.Baby Tonight (Black Radio 2 Theme) / Mic Check 2

2.I Stand Alone featuring Common and Patrick Stump

3.What Are We Doing featuring Brandy

4.Calls featuring Jill Scott

5.Worries featuring Dwele

6.Trust featuring Marsha Ambrosius

7.Yet To Find featuring Anthony Hamilton

8.You Own Me featuring Faith Evans

9.Let It Ride featuring Norah Jones

10.Persevere featuring Snoop Dogg, Lupe Fiasco and Luke James

11.Somebody Else featuring Emeli Sandé

12.Jesus Children of America featuring Lalah Hathaway and Malcolm-Jamal Warner

[BONUS TRACKS] 

1.Big Girl Body featuring Eric Roberson

2.You’re My Everything featuring Bilal and Jazmine Sullivan

3.I Don’t Even Care featuring  Jean Grae and Macy Gray4.Lovely Day (Intro by Bill Withers)

~ Blue Note Records

NEW RELEASES - SPRINGDALE QUARTET, KIM ARRINGTON, FRANCY BOLAND

SPRINGDALE QUARTET - HEIST

The sophomore album from Boulder, CO based Springdale Quartet, "Heist" was produced and mixed by widely-respected producer/engineer Alan Evans (Soulive, Alan Evans Trio) and represents a decided step forward in the band's sound and style. Composed of eight original tracks and one cover (an instrumental rendition of Weezer's 'Say It Ain't So'), the album was recorded over a week in January 2013 at Evergroove Studio in Evergreen, Colorado where the band secluded themselves, along with Alan Evans and session engineer/studio owner Brad Smalling, to cut the record. The result is a big, modern, and live sounding instrumental record with elements of funk, jazz, prog, blues, and more... All of this done with classic instrumentation and a touch of studio flair showcases a young band at an exciting developmental point in their creative career. Listen, and enjoy! ~ cduniverse.com

KIM ARRINGTON - GETTING II YES

Getting II Yes is the highly anticipated, jazzy follow-up to soul singer Kim Arrington's debut CD, First Love Note of Kim Arrington (2008). Described as a "genre-bending, musical conversation through loss and liberation," Getting II Yes boasts original songs penned and produced by Arrington and pianist Victor Moore. Rounding out Getting II Yes are punchy covers of Tears for Fear's Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Janet Jackson's Control, and Morris Albert's Feelings. Complete with warm, unassuming vocals and dynamic backgrounds, Arrington is accompanied by 25 instruments ranging from Hammond B3 organ to trumpet to viola to the African Kora on Getting II Yes. Kim Arrington has been described by the Indy Week as "a singer boasting an appropriately smooth and sultry voice![Kim Arrington's songwriting] relishes turns of phrase and unexpected details, subtle character development and sung dialog." ~ cduniverse.com

FRANCY BOLAND - PLAYING WITH THE TRIO

One of the few small group recordings ever cut by pianist Francy Boland – and a set that cooks every bit as much as his work with the larger Clarke Boland Big Band on MPS! The reason for the cooking is clear – Francy's got key rhythmic help from group members Jimmy Woode on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums – players who are way more than just partners with Boland on the session – more musical soulmates, especially from a rhythmic perspective – and able to work at that unique Clarke Boland level that's both lyrical and swinging, soulful and modern! The tunes are played in this way that really shows off Boland's skills on the keys – but never in a style that's flashy, just fresh and filled with surprising tones and twists – backed superbly by Woode and Clarke. Titles include "The Girl & The Turk", "Gamal Sady'N'Em", "Night Lady", "Myriam Doll", "I'm All Smiles", "Lonely Girl", and "Nights In Warsaw".  ~ Dusty Groove

NIVO DEUX - OPEN BETA

Saxophonist Shannon Kennedy and guitarist U-Nam have recently released Open Beta (Skytown Records), their first EP as Nivo Deux. Open Beta includes five original tracks written and produced by U-Nam from their upcoming album 2 the Next Level, a refreshing collection of original music and popular 80s hits featuring Kennedy on sax and vocals and U-Nam on guitar. Nivo Deux (pronounced nee-voh doo) is a French-American duo based in Los Angeles, California comprised of up and coming sax player and vocalist Shannon Kennedy and Chart-Topping guitarist/producer U-Nam, each well-established artists in their own right. 

Their music is a blend of smooth jazz, funk, electropop and new wave, continuing in the tradition of diverse artists such as Blondie, Chic, New Order, Duran Duran, Level 42, and even David Sanborn. Their origins and style may seem eclectic but the clever ways in which they bring together these diverse influences is what makes their music interesting and even addictive. 

Kennedy and U-Nam met and fell in love during while performing together as part of the One Soul Jazz Series U-Nam hosted in Southern California. They got married and combined forces to become Nivo Deux in 2013, creating music that blends the 80s pop and smooth jazz styles. Nivo Deux made it's debut with "Love's No Distance" on July 15, 2013. The song made it onto the US Billboard's Most Added Charts its first day. Their first full album, 2 the Next Level, will be released later this year on Skytown Records.

NEW RELEASES - YOUNGLOOD BRASS BAND, LUIS LOPES, MASTER PLAN INC.

YOUNGBLOOD BRASS BAND - PAX VOLUMI

Wonderful work from this combo who really live up to the "young blood" in their name – way more than just a standard brass band, as they draw on styles from a range of genres that include funk and hip hop, plus a slight touch of punk as well! There's an edge to the performance that shakes the genre free of any old time cliches – and although the instrumentation is heavy on brass, there's some pretty fierce rhythms too – especially on cuts that show more of a hip hop influence, and which feature lyrics. The blend of beats and brass is really unique, and makes the record way different than even any of the other contemporary attempts to reinvent the genre. Titles include "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot", "Cite The Line", "20 Questions", "The Plank Will Nod & You Will Go", "E La E", "A Gust Inside The God", "Erik Owen", "Wrestlevania", and "Third Half".  ~ Dusty Groove

LUIS LOPES - NOISE SOLO AT ZDB LISON

set – as the album uses guitar noise as much as it does musical sound – but in a way that's quite revelatory overall! Lopes plays live here in a solo performance – and often uses feedback tones in this spare and striking way that rings out with brash tones – almost more of a improvised reed solo than a regular electric guitar piece – given the way that feedbacked notes cascade together in these sheets of sound! This approach is especially true once Luis hits some of the higher registers of sound, too – as the whole thing's got a feel that's different than some of the more familiar guitar noise modes of yore. Lopes uses some nice vintage elements to craft his sound – including a valve Fender Blues De Ville amp, and a Big Muff pedal too!  ~ Dusty Groove

MASTER PLAN INC. - MASTER PLAN INC.

Previously unreleased work from an excellent Chicago soul group – Master Plan Inc, a group with deep roots in the Windy City scene, but hardly ever any presence in the record racks! The combo worked together heavily throughout the 70s – and you can really hear that in their grooves on this set – tunes that are better-crafted than most of their contemporaries' work, and played with this sharp edge that really belies the indie status of the act. The ensemble's got a punch that's past the usual smaller group sound of the funky 45 generation – yet they still have all the rawness of that era too, and none of the disco or boogie modes you might guess from the date of these recordings. Drums are especially nice, and really kick strongly on most numbers – and the set's got some especially nice notes, which feature personal reflections from grup leader Frederick Douglas Shorts. Titles include "Bright Lights Big City", "Heartbreaker", "Bag Up", "Try It You'll Like It", "Younger Generation", "You", "Something To Be Done", and "Special Love".  ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - THE INVENTIONS TRIO, JONAS KULLHAMMER, WEBSTER WRAIGHT ENSEMBLE

THE INVENTIONS TRIO - LIFE'S A MOVIE

Life's a Movie is the third project by Bill Mays' highly imaginative Inventions Trio, and his first recording for Chiaroscuro. Featuring the versatile and impeccable Marvin Stamm on trumpet, and the excellent young classically-trained and vividly swinging cellist, Alisa Horn, the Inventions Trio embodies the essence of synergy and masterful interplay that is so important to successful "chamber" jazz. The album is centered around an imaginary soundtrack - the title suite - that beautifully displays Mays' compositional and conceptual skills. There is also a heartfelt tribute to the immortal Bill Evans with a medley of four Evans' originals; a tour of Spain with the trio's version of Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez" (which earned a permanent place in jazz history through Miles' Sketches of Spain) and Chick Corea's own classic "Spain," inspired by the same piece; and a three-piece medley from the utterly unique Thelonious Monk.

JONAS KULLHAMMAR - LAT DET VARA

An incredible step forward for reedman Jonas Kullhammar – an album that's put together as a summation of his feelings after taking a brief break from the recording business – but which also stands as one of his greatest moments to date! We've always loved Jonas' music, but there's a sense of power and majesty here that we've never heard before – at least not this clearly – an unbridled love of jazz-based expression, served up with longtime partners Torbjorn Gulz on piano, Torbjorn Zetterberg on bass, and Jonas Hongersson on drums. The vibrancy of these players has been documented before on other recordings by the quartet, but there's really something special going on here – possibly because the album's slated to be the group's last (as might be guessed by the Let It Be cover image), but also just because Kullhammar's tenor work is so expressive, so personal, and at the same time, so much more straightforward than ever before – a sound that will definitely get him the attention we've been saying he deserves for years – one of the greatest voices on his instrument of the past few decades. All material is played by the quartet – save for the title track, which features a larger group with guests who include Goran Kajfes on cornet, Per Rusktrask Johansson on alto, and Janne Kullhammar on drums – and titles include "Alvsalavals", "KBT", "Fodelsedagen", "Julaftonsfan", "Domedagen", and "Lat Det Vara".  ~ Dusty Groove

WEBSTER WRAIGHT ENSEMBLE - NO LUCKY DAYS

A really stunning collaboration between Charles Webster and Peter Wraight – the former mostly known for his house music, the latter an arranger for the Herbert big band sessions – coming together here in a lush new sound that's totally their own! There's an expansive feel to the record that definitely lives up to the cover – a rich landscape of sound, but also a bit misty at times too – never just a straight representation of Wraight's jazz and soundtrack modes, and instead this very textured, painter-like approach to music – one that's shimmering with beautiful tones and soulful vocals from Emilie Chick and Paul Randolph. Webster handles the keyboards and samples, and Wraight conducts a large group with reeds, brass, and even a bit of harp – and the record's got a far-reaching sound that's very unique, but which might sit nicely next to projects by Cinematic Orchestra or Chris Bowden. Titles include "A World Of Fire", "Rise", "Storm Clouds", "Unexpected News", "Nature & Light", and "The Ruins Of Britain".  ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - PHIL WOODS & THE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA, CARLA BEY / ANDY SHEPPARD / STEVE SWALLOW, WILL PRESTON

PHIL WOODS & THE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA - NEW CELEBRATION

Phil Woods' New Celebration is the long-awaited follow-up to his 1997 Grammy® Award-nominated release Celebration, and features many of the same players, along with a number of other world-class musicians from Woods' Poconos home region comprising the 18-piece Festival Orchestra. All but two of the compositions - Johnny Mandel's "Here's to Alvy" and Al Cohn's arrangement of Raye & de Paul's gorgeous "You Don't Know What Love Is" (featuring vocalist Najwa Parkins) - were specially written and arranged by Woods for this recording, which was done in April of 2012. Woods' extraordinary writing creates an ideal setting for his solo virtuosity, as well as some excellent contributions by other members of the orchestra. But more than being a launching pad for solos, the arrangements display a mastery of context that makes each piece a fully conceived and compelling musical story. Woods' longtime friend Quincy Jones contributes liner notes for the CD, Woods' second album as a leader on Chiaroscuro.

CARLA BEY / ANDY SHEPPARD / STEVE SWALLOW - TRIOS

Sublime trio recordings from Carla Bley on piano, Steve Swallow on bass, and Andy Sheppard on tenor and soprano sax – musicians who've been working together in different ways for many years, and who really come together here in a very special way! Although all three players were once known to enforce the more modern sides of their identities, that tendency seems left behind and replaced by a more confident maturity – one that still allows for knowledge of all the dark corners and sharp edges of sound, but worked out into a mode that's beautifully lyrical, poetic, and surprisingly rich in feeling. There's nothing cold or academic about the set at all – and although the presentation is definitely in an ECM mode, there's this sense of deeper heart that recalls some of the recordings that Swallow made with Jimmy Giuffre decades back – or even Giuffre's trio before Swallow joined in. Sheppard is wonderfully expressive – very vivid in his solos – and Bley's doing so much with so little, her sense of tone and texture are mindblowing. Titles include "Vashkar", "Utviklingssang", "The Girl Who Cried Champagne", and "Wildlife".  ~ Dusty Groove

WILL PRESTON - #REACQUAINTED

We're getting reacquainted with the music of Will Preston all over again – thanks to this sweet little set and its really fresh sound! Will's vocals are very much at the level of his previous two sets – but the groove here is even greater, and bristles with lots of nice crackle right from the outset – a renewed sort of energy that sets the record on fire right from the start, then keeps things burning with a steady flame that really works great for Preston's vocals. Will sings with a sense of personality that keeps the set far from any overdone cliches – and there's an upfront feel to the whole record that we really love. Titles include "Bring Back The Days", "I Gave My All", "Emotions In It", "Falling In Love", "My Book", "Painful Times", and "Candy Coated Raindrops". ~  Dusty Groove

JESSY J - SECOND CHANCES

Jessy J burst onto the contemporary jazz scene in 2008, blending her love for Latin rhythms and jazz on her chart-topping, award-winning debut album Tequila Moon. Jessy earned the Radio & Records’ ‘Debut Artist of The Year’ Award and Contemporary Jazz ‘Song of the Year’ by both R&R and Billboard for the title track, which held the #1 spot on the chart for eight weeks. The talented saxophonist, pianist, singer and songwriter who has worked with everyone from The Temptations to Michael Bublé, has been developing her musical voice since she was very young, when she could be found practicing the saxophone, instead of heading out to play with friends.

Words like dedicated, focused and hard-working all describe her drive and motivation to succeed and make music a life-long career. With her fourth release, Second Chances, due out on Shanachie Entertainment on September 10, 2013, Jessy reaches a major milestone as she takes over the reigns as the producer of the new album. The set features collaborations with Grammy Award-nominated keyboardist-producer Jeff Lorber, Grammy Award-winning guitarist Norman Brown, renowned bassist Jimmy Haslip (formerly with The Yellowjackets) and legendary pianist Joe Sample. 

Second Chances represents a new direction for Jessy as she purposely set out to meld her love for jazz and Latin rhythms with R&B grooves. The album title, Second Chances, developed out of the theme that it's never too late to try again and “getting a second chance to do something that you messed up on the first time.” She shares, “In this case, for me it was with something that happened the previous year. I realized that this year I had a second chance and every day is new, is fresh. The title track is really an inspirational song about doing something you really want to do.” Not coincidentally, several of the songs on the album include "two" in the title including the first single "Listen 2 The Groove," co-written by Lorber, "Tango for Two," "Dos," "Twice" and "Double Trouble." The ten song set features eight originals and two beautiful covers including the Roberta Flack hit “Feel Like Makin’ Love” and the Sérgio Mendes classic “Magalenha.”

Jessy shares, “I like to play music that people will recognize and connect to and be familiar with and also play music that’s original, that really inspires them and creates new memories.” She teamed with the talented trumpeter, singer, songwriter Johnny Britt (Josh Groban, The Temptations, Impromp2) to write “Second Chances” and the final track on the album “Twice.” She credits her manager, Stewart Coxhead, with the idea to include the ‘two’ theme throughout the album and is thankful for his encouragement as she turned over this new leaf in her career saying, “he really encouraged me to be myself.”

Second Chances opens with the single “Listen 2 The Groove” featuring Jeff Lorber on keyboards and Jimmy Haslip on the bass. Jessy states, “Jeff Lorber and I first worked together in 2008 for the Guitars and Saxes Tour. I really enjoy his musical style. He’s such a legend in the business and has his own sound. To me he’s a genius. So, when I had the opportunity to produce my own album, I really wanted to work with him. I remembered we wrote and co-produced “Listen 2 The Groove” and I just asked him if he wanted to work together. I was so excited he said yes!” The sultry groove sets the tone for the album with its catchy hook and unique song structure. 

The title track “Second Chances” features Grammy-Award winning guitarist Norman Brown. “Norman Brown and I worked together for the Summer Storm tour 2010...  I really love his style of playing. He’s very unique in his guitar and I think he plays the guitar so fluidly. Johnny Britt and I were working on “Second Chances” and I really wanted Norman to play on it. His guitar sounds beautiful on the track.” Jessy chose to include the Roberta Flack hit “Feel Like Makin’ Love” because, “I’m a big fan of 60s and 70s music. Roberta is a gorgeous singer. We felt that we could redo it in a way that would make it special again and also make it more current. I always thought of it kind of in a Robin Thicke mode with the recurring guitar theme. It also has a Brazilian vibe, the vocals are laid back and almost in a hushed tone. And it’s completely re-harmonized. I like arranging music and harmonizing it.” Jessy’s longtime friend and bandmate Tim Stewart (who also tours and plays with Lady Gaga) offers a beautiful guitar accompaniment on the track.

Her passion for Latin music shines through on the Sérgio Mendes classic “Magalenha,” one of her all-time favorite Brazilian tunes. Jessy says it was real a “jam session vibe” in the studio with Jeff and Jimmy helping to re-create the song as a “funk samba” and their joy in recording it shines through.  In addition to her excellent work on the baritone saxophone and her sweet vocals on the tune, Jessy adds some tasty flute flourishes. She explains, “The World Cup is coming up next year in Brazil and it’s an homage to that and to my Latin heritage. Football is so popular in the Latin community.” The set takes a sophisticated, jazzy turn with the third song she wrote with Jeff and Jimmy, called “Tango For Two.” Jessy describes it as “a romantic type of tango not an exact tango.” The dance beat features her sax intertwining and twirling with the piano, as if someone is dancing, reaching a climactic point and then it fizzles down again. Jessy was pleased to have Jimmy work with her on the album as he brought a “very interesting knowledge of Latin rhythms and a world music view. He recommended different beats, rhythm and percussion” elements for the project.

On “Dos” a lovely guitar intro gives way to Jessy on both flute and soprano saxophone. She shares, “That song is a really sexy song. It’s about two things: the good and the bad. Sections of the music had a reflective feeling that were dark and then other parts of the music were light. We wanted to have the alter ego - two things. One of my heroes is Grover Washington, Jr. He’s my favorite soprano saxophonist and I always think of him when I’m playing that instrument.”

“La Luna Feliz” features Jessy on tenor sax and flute while singing in Spanish. It opens with a funky bass line from Bryant Siono to get you into the groove right way. “I like to say that this is the prequel to “Tequila Moon,” explains Jessy.

“Tequila Moon” was my first radio single and also my first CD in 2008. I like to look at the moon at night, I don’t know why. It’s a thing I would do with my dad when I was little. I was looking at the moon and it had a smiley face on it and it made me laugh. I said ‘that’s a happy moon, it’s la luna feliz.’ And then the melody popped into my head. It’s really the only Latin song, with no percussion, on the album.”

Jessy says for this project she was “really open to the idea of doing something different” and on “Double Trouble” she definitely lets her hair down and jams! “I really got into the whole Jeff vibe on this track and so the melody came out on my tenor saxophone and he doubled it on the mini-moog, which made it sound really deep and thick. The melody really flows and being the producer I could interpret the music however I wanted to,” she shares. She originally wanted to name the song “Doppelgänger” in honor of her German Shepard, Mini. When the two of them go for walks together they often see another German Shepard on the block that looks just like Mini and Jessy likes to joke it’s Mini’s doppelgänger! They settled on “Double Trouble” (which Jessy co-produced with Lorber and Jimmy Haslip) since Jeff and Jimmy are such good friends and bring their own version of double trouble to the studio and this song.

Legendary keyboardist Joe Sample is a friend and mentor to Jessy. The two first worked together on her last album Hot Sauce. Joe helped her write the funky tune “Mambo Gumbo,” her ode to New Orleans featuring Johnny Britt on vocals and trumpet. She shares, “I love Joe Sample! I’ve been listening to him my whole life... I told him about this song about New Orleans. We wrote parts of the song together at the NAMM convention earlier this year. It’s a great track about people and how they’re different but also the same.” “Twice” is a bright, upbeat tune to close out the set, co-written with Johnny Britt. It features Jessy on Tenor sax along with her touring bandmates Frank Abraham on bass, Michael Angel on guitar and Richie “Gajate” Garcia on percussion. The song is about how when you have the chance to do something the second time – twice – it’s so much more beautiful. “It’s a positive feeling about reaching your goal and doing it the way you wanted to.” The tune offers a great backbeat, sweet percussion elements and backing vocals from Johnny.

Jessy’s connection to her Latin heritage runs deep, as her father is originally from Mexico and her mom hails from Texas. Born in Oregon and raised in southern California, Jessy grew up in a home full of big family get-togethers, Mexican feasts and lots of Latin, jazz and pop music. Her musical influences include Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Grover Washington, Jr., Sergio Mendes, Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and she admires current artists Norah Jones, Diana Krall and Alicia Keys. She credits her parents as her biggest influences as she watched them “work so hard to come to the U.S., have careers and enjoy the beautiful things this country has to offer. I knew I was going to work hard from the beginning,” she shares.

While she was studying at USC, she set her sights on becoming a studio musician, recording music for movies, commercials and television shows but quickly learned she needed to spend time getting more experience. She spent two years touring with the off-Broadway, EMMY Award winning show Blast! While on that tour she started focusing on performing with her own band, so she began writing her own music.

She returned to Los Angeles and put together her first group featuring Bryant Siono on bass and Norman Jackson on keyboards. In addition, she toured with Jessica Simpson, did studio work with Michael Bublé and The Temptations, and was invited to tour with Michael Bolton.

Jessy’s diligence paid off when she met Grammy Award-winning smooth jazz producer Paul Brown at the Newport Jazz Festival and he agreed to work on her debut album, Tequila Moon in 2008. She followed that CD with True Love in 2009 and Hot Sauce in 2011. Last year Jessy was able to achieve her dream of becoming a studio musician in Los Angeles, working on the hit television shows American Idol and The Voice. Her work on American Idol impressed Steven Tyler, who invited Jessy to record on the latest Aerosmith album.

Second Chances may be all about getting the chance to do something over again, but for Jessy this album is a celebration of firsts as well. She marks a major milestone in her career taking on the role of producer of the album, plus she was able to work with two new artists on her “wish list” via her collaborations with Jeff Lorber and Norman Brown. Jessy has a lot to look forward to as she continues to enjoy the success of her hard work and dedication. As she says, “It’s a great life and I’m grateful for it. It’s going to be a good year!”

JESSY J - Tour Dates

09/01 - Albuquerque, NM @ Crowne Plaza

09/07 - Austin, TX @ Riverbend Centre*

09/08 - San Diego, CA @ Valley View Casino (KPRI Lites Out)

09/10 - Beverly Hills, CA @ H.O.M.E. (CD Release Show)

09/14 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia @ KL Jazz Fest

09/22 - Temecula, CA @ Thorton Winery**

09/28 - Las Vegas, NV @ Las Vegas Jazz Fest

10/05 - San Jacinto, CA @ Esplanade Arts Center

10/26 - Riverside, CA @ Fox Perf Arts Center***

10/27 - Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Jazz Fest

11/06 - Seal Beach, CA @ Spaghettini

11/30 - Seal Beach, CA @ Spaghettini

12/06 - Bari, Italy @ Italian Jazz Fest

01/04 - Chicago, IL @ The Montrose Room

* w/ Marion Meadows & Paul Taylor (Sax and the City)

** w/ George Benson

*** w/ Sheila E

JESSY J - Second Chances

1. Listen 2 The Groove (ft. Jeff Lorber)

2. Second Chances (ft. Norman Brown)

3. Feel Like Makin' Love

4. Magalenha

5. Tango For Two

6. Dos

7. La Luna Feliz

8. Double Trouble (ft. Jeff Lorber & Jimmy Haslip)

9. Mambo Gumbo (ft. Johnny Britt)

10. Twice

ONLINE

http://jessyj.com

http://twitter.com/jessyjsax

http://instagram.com/jessyjsax

http://www.facebook.com/Jessyjsax

DARRON "COOKIE" MOORE FEATURED THIS WEEK ON THE JAZZ NETWORK WORLDWIDE

Featured this week on The Jazz Network Worldwide: Bassist Darron “Cookie” Moore with his new sngle “In Your Presence”. Darron “Cookie” Moore is an instrumentalist, songwriter, producer and performer who is an accomplished contemporary jazz, gospel, R&B-funk bassist. Having penned his new single “In Your Presence” Moore utilizes the targeted demographic of The Jazz Network Worldwide to support its launch to the musical marketplace.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Darron "Cookie" began his musical journey at the early age of twelve being reared listening to and being influenced by some of the greatest blues, R&B and gospel artists in Motown and music. A significant part of his musical background stems from his studies at Grambling State University and Wayne State University.  He considered himself a self-taught musician until he garnered the generous help of his bass teachers/mentors, Kerry Lacey and Lamont Johnson, who taught him music articulation inspiring Darron "Cookie" to produce and release his first solo project entitled "Nothing Else To Say".

  

“It feels awesome living my dream. I love being in a position to share my music with jazz and music lovers worldwide. I'm honored, to share this platform with such great artists. Looking forward to our future together, thanks to Jaijai and "The Jazz Network Worldwide" says Moore. "Cookie" has released four albums in his music catalogue to date:  "Nothing Else to Say" (2002), "Bass-is Loaded" (2003), "At Peace" (2005) and "A New Love" (2010).  All music from the aforementioned projects were written and arranged by Darron "Cookie". His latest release “In Your Presence” is the first single and the title track off of his upcoming CD project.  Moore claims that "In Your Presence" is bound to take his fans on a gratifying musical journey within.

 “The Jazz Network Worldwide is pleased to share in the promotion of Darron’s new release “In Your Presence”. He has a signature sound and heart for the music he pours into the music world. You can feel it in his playing and in the fervor and excitement he shares to have it be heard worldwide” says Jaijai Jackson, creator and owner of The Jazz Network Worldwide social network.

  

Bassist Victor Wooten’s encouraging words to “Cookie” was “Keep doin’ what you ‘re doin’, you are on the right track” which inspired him to do just that. Darron "Cookie" has played for numerous concerts and churches in the Detroit Metropolitan and Indiana area.  He is currently the bassist for Summit Ministries International and served as their Music Director from (2006-2007). His recent recordings were heard on Marvin Jordan's “Future X” project entitled "Higher Ground" (2012) and Summit Ministries International's Praise and Worship project, "Going In", slated for release in the fall of 2013.

  

Moore credits his unique sound to his sponsors/endorsers C. Henry Steel http://www.chenrysteel.com, Cookie Cottage http://www.cookiecottage.com and YAMAHA, Gallien Kruger, U.S. Music Corp., S.I.T Strings and Sound Technologies. Darron "Cookie" is a husband and father currently working on projects and playing locally in Fort Wayne, Indiana and regionally around the Indianapolis and Detroit area.

  

Visit THE JAZZ NETWORK WORLDWIDE "A GREAT PLACE TO HANG"

NEW RELEASES - INOBE, JUKKA ESKOLA, LINDA OH

INOBE - INOBE

Damn great work from Inobe – a singer who's waited more than a few years before giving us this sweet little record, but who's definitely used all that time to really deepen her game! Inobe's got a vocal range here that's really wonderful – very old school in its sense of richness, at a level that takes us back to older female soul from the 70s – yet set here to some fresh arrangements that really have a great sense of personality – complex, yet simple – using bits of acoustic guitar, vocal overdubs, and a few elegant elements to bring a range to the songs that really makes the album sparkle. And speaking of "Sparkle", some of the best cuts have a laidback electric vibe that almost reminds us of the mellow Aretha Franklin work from the early 70s – those great album tracks that we often love more than the singles. Titles include "Take A Drive", "One More Day", "Bah Dah Dah", "Lovin You", "Find Me", "Change", and "Who You Are". ~ Dusty Groove

JUKKA ESKOLA - ORQUESTA BOSSA

 A killer set from Finnish trumpet genius Jukka Eskola – a bossa-styled outing with a sweet 60s groove – but one that's quite different from his earlier hardbop recordings! The "orquesta" in the group is mostly just a string quartet – but they shade in spaces wonderfully between the tightly rhythmic lines, and the bold solos from Jukka's own trumpet, and the sax and flute of Petri Puolitaival – a player we don't know at all, but who proves to be a very wonderful partner for Eskola on the set! All the vintage trappings of Jukka's recordings for Ricky Tick are still in place – but the flavor here is nicely different, and real proof that Eskola's one of the most creative players in the contemporary Scandia scene. Titles include "Chester Le Street", "From The Hot Afternoon", "Wien", "Bolly Beat", "Tensions", "Ricky Tick", and "Martha's Moment".  ~ Dusty Groove

LINDA OH - SUN PICTURES

Beautiful sounds from bassist Linda Oh – a very vivid set that definitely lives up to the pictures promised in the title! Oh's got this way of painting in sound that we really love – sometimes in a straighter jazz formation, sometimes with a more lyrical, open brush that really makes for magic in the music – an approach that few others could handle this way without falling into older cliches or overly-sentimental passages – but which Linda makes come across with the same sort of edge as her music with others. The group maintains the right sort of feel to realize Oh's vision – with Ben Wendel on trumpet, James Muller on guitar, and Ted Poor on drums – all very versatile players, especially Muller – whose tones really do a lot for the record. Titles include "Blue Over Gold", "Footfall", "Polyphonic HMI", "Shutterspeed Dreams", and "10 Minutes Till Closing".  ~ Dusty Groove

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