FRANK SINATRA: SINATRA DUETS - TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY

What was referred to as “The Recording Event of the Decade,” Frank Sinatra’s groundbreaking and highly successful album ‘Duets’ was originally released in November 1993, bringing together an array of global superstars, including Charles Aznavour, Anita Baker, Tony Bennett, Bono,   Natalie Cole, Gloria Estefan, Aretha Franklin, Kenny G, Julio Iglesias, Liza Minnelli, Carly Simon, Barbra Streisand, and Luther Vandross for an album of standards that included many songs instantly associated with the Chairman of the Board.

To commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the groundbreaking, multi-platinum selling album, Capitol/UMe will release ‘Frank Sinatra: Sinatra Duets - Twentieth Anniversary’, on November 19, 2013, bringing together the original ‘Duets’ and the follow-up ‘Duets II’, together in one deluxe package. ‘Frank Sinatra: Sinatra Duets - Twentieth Anniversary’ will be available in three editions:

Super Deluxe Box Set featuring ‘Duets’ and ‘Duets II’ 180-gram vinyl records in a gatefold LP jacket, two CDs including ‘Duets’ and ‘Duets II’ with bonus and unreleased tracks, a standard DVD featuring interviews, the official EPK and a promo video of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” duet with Bono, plus a 20-page LP sized booklet with rare photos and new liner notes, an embossed lithograph with envelope, all housed in an elegant 12”x12” box complete with a gold foil-stamped title.

Two-CD Deluxe Edition with bonus and unreleased tracks and a 32-page booklet with rare photos and new liner notes.

Two-LP vinyl version of the original ‘Duets’ and ‘Duets II’ releases on 180-gram vinyl, gatefold jacket.

The Super Deluxe Edition and 2-CD Deluxe Edition releases will include two never-before-released recordings, “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)” featuring Tom Scott and “Embraceable You” with Tanya Tucker, plus the rare bonus tracks “Fly Me to the Moon” with   George Strait, and two versions of “My Way,” one recorded with Luciano Pavarotti and the other with Willie Nelson.

In addition to these three anniversary editions, Capitol/Ume will also release Best Of Duets, a 14-song, single-disc collection featuring key tracks from both ‘Duets’ and ‘Duets II’ and the bonus track “My Way” featuring Luciano Pavarotti.

Sinatra recorded his tracks “live” with a 54-piece orchestra at the Capitol studios, the way he originally recorded his classic Capitol albums. In a pioneering move for the recording industry, at various locations using digital technology, Sinatra’s ‘duet’ partners recorded their own vocal tracks to his recordings, allowing them to virtually ‘duet’ with one of the greatest entertainers of all time. ‘Duets’ made history, not only for its cutting edge recording techniques, and having a renowned contemporary artist, LeRoy Neiman, specially commissioned for album artwork, but for being one of the most successful selling albums of the year, with the album shipping more than 1.3 million units and putting the 77-year-old Sinatra at the No. 2 spot on the Billboard charts, between Pearl Jam’s Vs. and Meatloaf’s Bat Out Of Hell II.

The highly successful follow-up, ‘Duets II’, was released the following year and included Jimmy Buffett, Neil Diamond, Lena Horne, Chrissie Hynde, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Patti LaBelle, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Luis Miguel, Lorrie Morgan, Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, Jon Secada, Frank Sinatra Jr.,   Stevie Wonder & Gladys Knight. Once again, Sinatra enjoyed a multiplatinum Top 10 record on the charts with ‘Duets II’ at No. 9 on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart.

Even after 50 years of recording, Sinatra continued to blaze a trail for artists and once again cut across all musical genres. These unique recordings are tributes to his legacy and to the immeasurable impact and influence he continues to have on music today.

CONFIGURATIONS:

2-LP VINYL

2-CD DELUXE EDITION

2-LP, 2-CD, DVD SUPER DELUXE

1 CD BEST OF JEWEL CASE

2-LP TRACKLISTING:

 LP 1 (DUETS)

1. The Lady Is A Tramp - duet with Luther Vandross

2. What Now My Love - duet with Aretha Franklin

3. I’ve Got A Crush On You - duet with Barbra Streisand

4. Summer Wind - duet with Julio Iglesias

5. Come Rain Or Come Shine - duet with Gloria Estefan

6. New York, New York - duet with Tony Bennett

7. They Can’t Take That Away From Me - duet with Natalie Cole

8. You Make Me Feel So Young - duet with Charles Aznavour

9. Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out To Dry/In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning - duet with Carly Simon

10. I’ve Got The World On A String - duet with Liza Minnelli

11. Witchcraft - duet with Anita Baker

12. I’ve Got You Under My Skin - duet with Bono

13. All The Way / One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) - duet with Kenny G

LP 2 (DUETS II)

1. For Once In My Life - duet with Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder

2. Come Fly With Me - duet with Luis Miguel

3. Bewitched - duet with Patti LaBelle

4. The Best Is Yet To Come - duet with Jon Secada

5. Moonlight In Vermont - duet with Linda Ronstadt

6. Fly Me To The Moon - duet with Antonio Carlos Jobim

7. Luck Be A Lady - duet with Chrissie Hynde

8. A Foggy Day - duet with Willie Nelson

9. Where Or When - duet with Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme

10. Embraceable You - duet with Lena Horne

11. Mack The Knife - duet with Jimmy Buffett

12. How Do You Keep The Music Playing? / My Funny Valentine - duet with Lorrie Morgan

13. My Kind Of Town - duet with Frank Sinatra, Jr.

14. The House I Live In (That’s America To Me) - duet with Neil Diamond

 2-CD TRACKLISTING:

 DISC 1 (DUETS)

1. The Lady Is A Tramp - duet with Luther Vandross

2. What Now My Love - duet with Aretha Franklin

3. I’ve Got A Crush On You - duet with Barbra Streisand

4. Summer Wind - duet with Julio Iglesias

5. Come Rain Or Come Shine - duet with Gloria Estefan

6. New York, New York - duet with Tony Bennett

7. They Can’t Take That Away From Me - duet with Natalie Cole

8. You Make Me Feel So Young - duet with Charles Aznavour

9. Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out To Dry / In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning - duet with Carly Simon

10. I’ve Got The World On A String - duet with Liza Minnelli

11. Witchcraft - duet with Anita Baker

12. I’ve Got You Under My Skin - duet with Bono

13. All The Way / One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) - duet with Kenny G

BONUS TRACKS

14. My Way - duet with Luciano Pavarotti

15. *One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) - duet with Tom Scott

*previously unreleased

DISC 2 (DUETS II)

1. For Once In My Life - duet with Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder

2. Come Fly With Me - duet with Luis Miguel

3. Bewitched - duet with Patti LaBelle

4. The Best Is Yet To Come - duet with Jon Secada

5. Moonlight In Vermont - duet with Linda Ronstadt

6. Fly Me To The Moon - duet with Antonio Carlos Jobim

7. Luck Be A Lady - duet with Chrissie Hynde

8. A Foggy Day - duet with Willie Nelson

9. Where Or When - duet with Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme

10. Embraceable You - duet with Lena Horne

11. Mack The Knife - duet with Jimmy Buffett

12. How Do You Keep The Music Playing? / My Funny Valentine - duet with Lorrie Morgan

13. My Kind Of Town - duet with Frank Sinatra, Jr.

14. The House I Live In (That’s America To Me) - duet with Neil Diamond

BONUS TRACKS

15. My Way - duet with Willie Nelson

16. *Embraceable You - duet with Tanya Tucker

17. Fly Me To The Moon - duet with George Strait

*previously unreleased

DVD TRACKLISTING:

 DUETS DVD – 51:08

1. Sinatra: Duets (Electronic Press Kit, 1993)

2. I've Got You Under My Skin -duet with Bono (Music Video)

3. Bonus Interviews

~ sinatrafamily.com

TONY BENNETT CELEBRATES THE RELEASE OF TONY BENNETT LIVE AT THE SAHARA: LAS VEGAS 1964 & COMPLETE COLUMBIA RECORD ALBUM CATALOG ON iTUNES

Tony Bennett invites his fans to join him online for an all-day series of interactive events celebrating the long-awaited release of Tony Bennett Live At The Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964 on Tuesday, October 8.

With his entire Columbia Records catalog--including Tony Bennett Live At The Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964--available digitally for the first time, Tony will video chat with fans in real-time on HuffPost Live, participate in an open forum Q&A on Twitter, answer Facebook questions and more during an epic day in the online world.

The kick off begins at 11:45am ET with a live interview on The Huffington Post's live-streaming network, HuffPost Live (www.HuffPostLive.com), where fans from around the world can engage with Tony in real-time via Google+Hangout or Skype, or leave text or video comments on the HuffPost Live platform that will be incorporated into the live conversation. Follow the event of the day and live stream of comments and questions on Digital.TonyBennett.com.

The 17-time Grammy winner is asking fans to submit their questions now through Facebook and Twitter using hashtag #AskTony and #TonyDigitalDay.

Tony Bennett's online celebration coincides with the long-awaited first-time stand-alone release of Tony Bennett Live At The Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964, an era-defining concert recording, on Tuesday, October 8, 2013. Tony will also be performing on The Today Show and Rachael Ray in support of the album and iTunes catalog launch.

Tony Bennett's fabled Tony Bennett Live At The Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964 performance was originally recorded on April 8, 1964, by Tony's longtime recording engineer Frank Laico, for a Columbia Records concert album.  Shelved for decades, Bennett's epochal '64 Vegas concert recording first materialized as part of the monumental Tony Bennett - The Complete Collection released in celebration of the artist's 85th birthday in 2011 and has never been available on its own.   The New York Times recently commented on Bennett's illustrious career stating, "We aren't likely to see a recording career like this again."

Tony Bennett Live At The Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964 puts the listener ringside for an extraordinary concert at the Sahara's legendary Congo Room in Vegas during the swinging 1960s, where a master performer is laying down an epic set for both the room and the ages.  "Tony was in a dark suit and black bow tie, standing before a shimmering gold curtain with backing by his forever pianist and arranger, Ralph Sharon; Ralph's bassist Hal Gaylord; Ralph's drummer Billy Exiner; and the Louis Basil orchestra," wrote Bob Sullivan in new liner notes for Tony Bennett Live At The Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964. "If you were anywhere else in Las Vegas that night, you were missing it."

The Sahara marquee promised "The Moment of Truth" and Bennett bookended his concert with performances of a song by that name, but it's the show itself that delivers electrifying non-stop entertainment across the album's 24 tracks, which include the classics "Chicago (That Toddlin' Town)," "One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)," "Ain't Misbehavin'," "Lullaby Of Broadway," "From This Moment On," "This Could Be The Start Of Something Big" and, an emotional interpretation of Tony's signature "I Left My Heart In San Francisco."

Tony Bennett returns to Radio City Music Hall on Friday, October 11 for his first concert at the fabled New York venue since 2007.                                            

Tony Bennett - Live at the Sahara - Las Vegas 1964

1.Overture: The Moment of Truth

2.This Could Be The Start of Something Big

3.It's a Sin to Tell a Lie

4.Ain't Misbehavin'

5.Parody: Rags to Riches

6.Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble's A Bubble)

7.Time After Time

8.Sing You Sinners

9.One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)

10.The Rules of the Road

11.One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) (reprise)

12.Mam'selle

13. From This Moment On

14.Interlude

15.I'm Way Ahead of the Game

16.Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)

17.Firefly

18.Once Upon a Time

19.Lullaby of Broadway

20.Chicago (That Toddlin' Town)

21.I Left My Heart In San Francisco

22.I Wanna Be Around

23.I Left My Heart In San Francisco (reprise)

24.Finale: The Moment Of Truth (reprise)

HAITI DIRECT: BIG BAND, MINI JAZZ & TWOUBADOU SOUNDS, 1960-1978

Strut Records is in the process of putting together a new project due in 2014, which is an essential guide to Haitian music of the 1960s and '70s, compiled by Hugo Mendez of Sofrito. Hugo has previously included Haitian nuggets on Sofrito's International Soundclash and Tropical Discotheque collections - on Haiti Direct , he documents original Compas, Mini Jazz and Twoubadou styles on a definitive compilation for the first time. The package features detailed historical information on the selections, artist interviews and plenty of rare photos and album covers.

In a press release, Strut explain that Haiti Direct celebrates the overlooked musical legacy of Haiti, going beyond Ra-ra and voodoo stereotypes to trace the development of a unique sound that echoed across the Caribbean. The exploratory package also includes in-depth liner notes and interviews with some of the musicians of the era, with part of the release’s profits donated to the Partners In Health charity.

For fans of Caribbean music, it's an absolute must. Here is the complete tracklisting

CD1

1. Ibo Combo – Ti Garçon

2. Les Vikings – Choc Vikings

3. Les Animateurs – Ti Machine

4. Les Loups Noirs – Pile Ou Face

5. Rodrigue Milien Et Son Groupe Combite Creole – 6ème Leçon

6. Zotobre Feat. Webert Sicot – Lagen

7. Les Fantaisistes De Carrefour – Panno Caye Nan Bwa D’chenn

8. Bossa Combo – Line

9. Les Pachas Du Canapé Vert – Désordre Musical

10. Ti Paris Et Sa Guitare – Cochon St. Antoine

11. Groupe Les Chleu-chleu – Compas X

12. Ra Ra De Léogane – Gade Moune Yo

13. Tabou Combo – Ce Pas

14. Les Difficiles De Pétion-ville – An Septième

15. Les Frères Dejean – Packard

16. Trio Select – Ensemble Select En Action

CD2

1. Raoul Guillaume – Mal Élevé

2. Super Jazz Des Jeunes – Cote Moune Yo

3. Pierre Blain Et Orchestre Murat Pierre – Jouc Li Jou

4. Ensemble Meridional Des Cayes – Calma Pèlerin

5. Ensemble Etoile Du Soir – Messe Quatre Heures

6. Nemours Jean-baptiste – Ti Carole

7. Orchestre Septentrional – Baptême Ratt

8. Les Ambassadeurs – Homenaje A Los Ambajadores

9. Caribbean Sextet – Suspan’n

10. Djet-x – Jive Turkey

11. Les Shleu Shleu – Crapaud

12. Scorpio Universel – Ti Lu Lu Pe

13. Orchestre Tropicana D’haiti – Pran Pasyans

Haiti Direct will be available on 2XCD, 2XLP and digital formats.

THE JOSHUA SHNEIDER LOVE SPEAKS ORCHESTRA FEATURING LUCY WOODWARD AND DAVE STRYKER

Music has always been the main attraction in Shneider's life. Born in Stamford, CT in 1954, raised in the greater Boston area, and residing in New York since 1974, Shneider is the product of a childhood spent falling in love with his parent's records (sides by Al Hibbler, Cozy Cole, Count Basie, and a record his dad played everyday, A Jazz Salute to Freedom, which featured Bird, Dizzy, Miles, Stan Getz, Ellington, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughn and many others), and AM radio, where he heard an incredible variety of music. Shneider elaborated, "Just on 'Hit' radio you could hear Louis Armstrong, Sly Stone, Hugh Masekela, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, The Beatles, Motown, John Coltrane, James Brown, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, Cannonball Adderley, Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery and more; just on one station in the space of a couple of hours - it seems crazy now. The music grabbed me and shaped me before I had a reason to think about it; before I even knew about style or influence."

Shneider went on to enjoy a career that has included writing for and playing with some of the most inspiring artists of our time. His compositions and arrangements have been performed and/or recorded by the likes of Donald Brown, James Williams, Bill Pierce, John Abercrombie, George Bohanon, Howard Johnson, John McNeil, Mark Feldman, Christian Howes, Lucy Woodward, The Bill Mobley Jazz Orchestra, The BMI Jazz Orchestra and many others. He has also collaborated on music for the theater with playwrights Eve Ensler and Rosemary Moore, and is a founding member of Pulse, a chamber ensemble of composers and performers dedicated to presenting contemporary music without boundaries. As a saxophonist Shneider has enjoyed associations with a variety of artists from across the musical spectrum, such as Felix Cavaliere, John Sebastian, Geoff Muldaur, Tom Rush, Robbie Dupree, John Hall, Matt Guitar Murphy and The Mighty Sparrow among others. He has also been featured with an array of theater and film artists, which include director Lee Breuer and composer Bob Telson (The Gospel at Colonus, The Warrior Ant, and the recording "Calling You"), and filmmaker Percy Adlon ("Bagdad Cafe", "Hawaiian Gardens"). He has been quoted extensively in the book "Thinking in Jazz-The Infinite Art of Improvisation", by Paul F. Berliner (pub. 1994, Univ. of Chicago Press).

Shneider's extensive experience, which includes early studies with George Coleman, and the influence of his esteemed friend and neighbor, the late, legendary jazz pianist, James Williams ("I was already familiar with James' playing, but hearing him practice through the floor was a whole other story-thrilling and disconcerting as well. Being exposed to that level of musicianship every day inspired me to go back to school and get my writing together), has led him to the release of his first recording under his own name, The Joshua Shneider Love Speaks Orchestra. The artist explains, "I have been working in an acoustic, large ensemble setting for the pieces that I have been writing for quite a few years now. This setting is based on a combination of the traditional big band and studio orchestra instrumentations. Rather than 'bigger and louder', I am drawn to the rich harmonic possibilities as well as the available tonal colors of this ensemble. I also prize the 'chance' and 'human elements' of the ensemble; from the improvised solo to the interactions of the various personalities that shape the music and combine to create a unique hybrid of it's parts.

The Joshua Shneider Love Speaks Orchestra, Shneider's working band for the past five years, features an array of some of the New York scene's finest musicians, including Dave Stryker, John O'Gallagher, David Smith, Alex Norris, Dan Pratt, Lucy Woodward and others. "I am continually grateful for the caliber of the players that choose to play my music; it is not easy to play and I am proud and more than satisfied with the recorded result! This project represents the culmination of years of work written specifically for the individual members of the ensemble", said Shneider.

The album tracks:

"Big Whup" - Shneider wrote this composition after listening to the soundtrack of the film, "Black Orpheus". He explains, "There is a wonderful tune by Jobim called 'Frevo' performed by a marching band, which was the inspiration. I tried to invoke the Samba School vibe and get my own thing in there as well. Dig the way John O'Gallagher dialogues with the band before he boldly sets out for parts unknown."

"Dark Energy" - Shneider envisioned for this tune a kind of stretched out, floating melody juxtaposed on top of a background that would feel like it was sinking. Seems like some Herbie Hancock and Al Jackson snuck in there somehow, as well.

"When Love Speaks" - This tune was inspired by the title. Shneider explains, "I had gone to hear the incredible Jeveeta Steele sing one night in NYC-I had worked with her and The J.D. Steele Singers doing "The Gospel at Colonus". We were chatting after the show and Jeveeta's sister said something along the lines of, "that's love talkin' to ya". A light went off in my head and that stuck with me. I wrote the tune and handed it off to Finian McKean who wove his own evocative narrative through it. In fact, I liked his lyric so much I named the band after it. I was hearing Lucy's voice in my head as I wrote the melody.

"Blue To You" - "I think of this as a blues in sheep's clothing, as it were. The high point for me is Dan Pratt's intrepid tenor solo, he has an amazing sound, and it helps that he also plays all the right notes!"

"Lover's Leap" - "This is one of the only tunes I've written over the chord changes of a standard, namely 'Lover' (get it?) by Rogers and Hart. I wore out Sonny Rollins' beyond-breakneck version of it, titled 'B Swift'. I set the melody in an Afro-Cuban groove as a feature for David Smith on trumpet and Frank Basile on baritone saxophone."

"Lost In The Stars" - David Berger, the bandleader and Ellington scholar, and a teacher of Shneider's suggested he write a small group version of this tune when he was in school. Alex Norris spins out a beautiful personal solo.

"Twinsville" - "This tune made itself known to me as a melody first. The counter lines I was hearing dictated the harmonic direction of the piece. That's a real Wurlitzer that Bennett Paster is so ably playing. The title refers to the town I live in; if only in my mind."

"The Hurting Kind" - An unabashed homage to Shneider's favorite pop divas of the 1960s, particularly Dionne Warwick and Dusty Springfield, as well as great songwriters like Burt Bacharach and Hal David. "I wrote this after one of my frequent periods of listening to 'Anyone Who Had a Heart' about 20 times in a row."

"One Flight Down" - The title refers to pianist James Williams who lived in the apartment below Shneider and his family for many years and, in particular, "his laugh, which was formidable", said Shneider. "When James was home he spent a lot of time on the phone keeping in touch with his legions of friends, and every so often a laugh would erupt through the floorboards that would shake the house. When I put the piece together I was thinking of the groove that Elvin Jones plays on Gil Evans' 'Time of the Barracudas'. I love the way John O'Gallagher builds his solo, from his wry comments at the beginning to the blazing fireworks at the end".

"Cute Little Nightmare" - "The origin of the title to this tune was an off-the-cuff quip my wife made a while back. Someone had remarked that one of our kids was 'so cute', to which she replied, 'yeah, a cute little nightmare. Must have been the sleep deprivation talking . . . When I started putting together this recording I knew I had to include guitarist Dave Stryker. Dave was one of the first musicians I met and played with when I came to NYC, and I immediately knew he was a very special player.

"Friction" - "The genesis of this tune was an idea I had to write an ostinato bass figure and then vary the harmonic structure above it. I also wanted to keep the feeling of the tune a bit unsettled, so I wrote the melody in a different tonality from the bass line. The way Stryker develops his solo reminds me of a hang glider stepping off into the void and catching an updraft into the clouds. We also hear from Justin Mullens on trumpet, a wonderful soloist with a very individual sound and conception; he takes the road less traveled."

"Completing this project has been a milestone and an incredible experience for me. Although I have been a working musician for many years, this is the first recording I'll have out under my own name. I feel that I've been able to draw on my various experiences as a sideman, writer and arranger, and fly on the wall to present a musical snapshot of where I've been and an inkling of where I hope to continue to go. For the future, I hope to expand on the areas that I feel are bearing fruit for me now and to explore new directions and concepts that are important to me as an artist", Joshua Shneider.

www.JoshuaShneider.com

www.BJURecords.com

GRAMMY-NOMINATED PIANIST/COMPOSER DAVID LANZ RELEASES NEW CD - MOVEMENTS OF THE HEART

Some musicians have the ability to transform your very being with the gifts of their artistry. Master pianist and composer, David Lanz, is that kind of force.  A wizard at painting a lush tapestry of cascading melodies that simmer into graceful refrains, and meld rhythmically fueled dancing harmonies that climax into wistful variations, Lanz has made a career of permeating the hearts, minds and souls of audiences around the globe for over three decades.

Ahead of his time, the visionary Grammy-nominated and chart-topping pianist has remained a pioneer in the genre of New Age music. The witty pianist has coined his own phrase for his music, ‘Heavy Mellow,’ a cute play on the term Heavy Metal. “I always like to point out in my performances that the term New Age is not really a musical term so for fun I coined the term ‘Heavy Mellow.’ If you happen to like this style of music then I guess you would have to be referred to as a ‘Heavy Mellow-head!’” An all-around journeyman with roots in rock, jazz and classical, Lanz’s music is a delicate balance between technical prowess and passionate grace that serves a higher purpose. “My spiritual path is all about creating music, communicating with sound, and allowing beauty to be expressed in my work,” declared the pianist.

October 8, 2013, Shanachie Entertainment will release David Lanz’s 41st recording, Movements Of The Heart, a sublime collection of original compositions that transport you on a glorious and emotive journey. “I draw from my source, the same source we all have access to...God if you will...and this source has an inexhaustible supply of inspiration just waiting for each of us to tap into it. This and my life experience is where I go for my inspiration.” Shanachie Entertainment’s VP of Jazz A&R Danny Weiss states, “Though tranquil and restful on the surface, the spirituality that lies within is the reason that David Lanz’s music resonates worldwide. He’s the real thing.”

Movements Of the Heart is David Lanz’s first recording of all new original piano works since 2008’s Painting the Sun. Each note that emanates from Lanz’s majestic and commanding touch on Movements Of The Heart, marries thirteen sublime compositions that unfold like an epic romantic drama. This new recording beautifully captures the spontaneity of a live performance and the pristine polish of a studio session. “Most of the music was written and then recorded during a major change in my personal life and reflects the relationship and the new love I have found,” confides Lanz. “The title refers to the romantic notions of the heart as well as to the movements found in music.” David Lanz is a master at sculpting unforgettable melodies that etch themselves into one’s memory. His mission is simple, “I really try and focus on the melody as I develop each piece. The melody is the heart of the song and my goal is to connect with the listener heart to heart-so to speak.”

Highlights on Movements Of The Heart include the dreamy “Love’s Return,” which Lanz hails as the most romantic love song he has ever written. He was even inspired to pen lyrics for the song which he hopes to share in the future. His compositions “Midnight Adagio” and  “La Luna dell' Amante” (The Lover’s Moon) were both composed during a full moon either at or near midnight. He explains, “These pieces represent the passion and the spiritual feelings wrapped up in the reflections of love and longing felt when you are apart from your true love.”

Movements Of The Heart also showcases “In Moonlight,” which pays homage to Ludwig Van Beethoven and references his seminal work “Moonlight Sonata.” “I never studied classically, but have grown to appreciate the master’s work,” says Lanz. He continues with a smile, “When I wrote ‘In Moonlight,’ I imagine it were played by Ludwig himself as if he was very relaxed and meditating.”

David Lanz is a consummate artist, and the intention of his art and every aspect of how it is delivered to the listener is well thought out. In fact, the piano tuning heard on Movements Of The Heart has been slightly altered from the standard A-440 tuning. A-440 refers to the cycles per second of the note ‘A’ below middle ‘C’ on the piano and is the standard by which all western instruments are tuned. Lanz explains, “In a twist of psycho-acoustics, sacred geometry, and a quest for an enhanced sonic experience, the piano heard on the CD is tuned and recorded in A-444, just a little bit higher than the traditional  A-440.  A subtle difference, but none the less a positive result!” Lanz was encouraged to explore this idea by his brother and co-producer, Gary Lanz, and their friend, mathematician, New York Times best selling author, and an ex-monk, Gary Hardin. They looked at the numbers and came to the conclusion that A- 444 would have very positive effects on the listener. Lanz adds, "444 is sometimes referred to as an angelic number. I have to admit it does sound much better than in the original A-440 tuning."

Hailing from Seattle, WA, and recently relocated to the east coast, David Lanz has enjoyed a career longevity that is rare in the music business. For over thirty years, the visionary recordings and live performances of David Lanz have served to heal, to inspire, to provide spiritual nourishment to diverse audiences around the globe. “My music has been used for years by traditional and alternative healers,” states Lanz. “I would never claim that it had healing effects, however, I do believe that music can set the stage and create the atmosphere and the inner feeling and attitude needed for the listener to tap into their own healing abilities, which I believe we all possess.” Early on inspired by the roots of Rock and Roll, Lanz’s vast cauldron of musician influences include some of jazz’s most revered pianists like Dave Brubeck, Bill Evans and McCoy Tyner, as well as classical icons Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Ravel, Rachmaninoff, and Debussy. 


Many have tried to define David Lanz style, but that would be too simple. David Lanz plays David Lanz music. As both composer and interpreter, his approach to music is often larger than life, breathtaking in its breadth, yet accessible and down-to-earth as well. Through his music, Lanz connects in an intimate manner with his audience by tapping into emotions, thoughts and dreams like an old friend.

Early in Lanz’s career, he took gigs playing rock, funk and disco. Then he had an epiphany: “I had been doing yoga and meditating and getting into Eastern philosophy,” says Lanz, “and slowly I started thinking about how music could help. With music, you could get people to dance or you could get people to meditate or to march off to war. I was aware of a few other musicians who were doing light, ambient music and I was always into what the classical East Indian musicians were doing, creating trance states. By the early ‘80s I was really into the idea that this kind of music would be an interesting path to take.”

In 1983, Lanz made his recording debut, Heartsounds, on Narada. It was received favorably and Lanz was off, pursuing his new direction and exploring the various ways he might touch an emerging listenership. During the next five years he released six new albums and landed a major commercial breakthough with 1988’s Cristofori’s Dream. The album consisted of six originals, including the opening title track, which has become a classic, and a cover of Procol Harum’s 1967 rock hit “A Whiter Shade of Pale.” Cristofori’s Dream topped Billboard Magazine’s first Adult Alternative/New Age chart and remained for an impressive 27 weeks.

1990 brought about the release of Skyline Firedance, which joined Lanz with an 80-piece orchestra. He continued to record for Narada, issuing several more titles including 1998’s Songs From an English Garden, his first to tap into the British Invasion repertoire of the ’60s. In 2000, he changed recording homes to Decca Records where he scored a Grammy nomination for East Of the Moon. Lanz continued to record and tour relentlessly, releasing eleven titles between 2001 and 2007. In 2008, he made his Shanachie debut, Painting In the Sun, and in 2012 he paid homage to The Beatles with Here Comes The Sun and Liverpool Re-Imagining The Beatles.

Beginning in 2012, David Lanz celebrated the 25th anniversary of his landmark release Cristofori's Dream Re-Envisioned, marking a return to the music that launched him as an international phenomenon a quarter-century ago. Cristofori’s Dream was a million-selling musical thank you note to Bartolomeo Cristofori, the man who invented the piano in the 18th century. The title track remains hugely popular today—countless piano students have purchased the sheet music to learn how to play the piece. In addition, Lanz’s interpretation of Procol Harum’s classic, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” on the original album is considered one of the most popular of the countless covers of the song.

Truly a renaissance man, David Lanz is always heading into the unknown in order to expand his artistry and share what he’s found with the world. His musical offering is a welcomed retreat back into music with heart, soul, courage, adventure, humanity and purpose. With the release of Movements Of The Heart, the journey continues and David Lanz concludes, “I always want my listeners to really enjoy the music, but if it connects to their deeper levels of emotion and allows them to really feel the stirrings in their own hearts...all the better!”

David Lanz Tour Dates

10/12 - Pittsford, NY (House Concert)

10/19 - Aranda de Duero, Spain @ Auditorio Caja Burgos

11/02 - Pittsford, NY (House Concert)

11/07-11/10 - East Vancouver, WA @ David Lanz Workshop

David Lanz - Movements of the Heart

1. Love's Return

2. La Luna dell' Amante

3. On Rainbow Way

4. To Touch The Sky

5. Rainlight

6. I Hear You In A Song

7. The Way Home

8. Movements of the Heart

9. White Horse

10. In Moonlight

11. Midnight Adagio

12. Here And Now

13. I See You In The Stars

http://www.davidlanz.com

http://twitter.com/TheDavidLanz

http://www.facebook.com/TheDavidLanz

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheDavidLanz

 

NEW RELEASES - THE POETS OF RHYTHM, MAYLEE TODD, HELEN MERRILL / PIERO UMILIANI

THE POETS OF RHYTHM

Before Daptone, there was Desco. Before Desco, there were The Poets of Rhythm. Back in the ’90s, a time when most of our ears were filled with the alternating din of angsty grunge and synthesized pseudo-soul, a couple of German kids unearthed a raw sound from our own back yard that we hadn’t even remembered burying. Though for a time they reveled in the borrowed nostalgia of bell-bottoms and fur coats, their style was always in spite of fashion, not because of it. They drew from the sound of old funk records, not as a mold, but as inspiration, understanding that sound would always be an origin of their music, but unlike many ‘soul revivalists’ to follow, they never settled for it as a destination. As homage to the undeniably funky frontrunners of the modern soul movement, we are proud to present the definitive collection of Poets tunes, respectfully curated by Daptone staff and the band themselves. It’s been twenty years since their first recording session, and this anthology celebrates their decade-long journey from the raw exuberant rebellion of ‘Funky Train’, to the moody hypnotic explorations of ‘Discern and Define’, and for the first time EVER on wax, the eerie, relaxed groover ‘Path of Life’ – a journey that truly earns them their name: The Poets of Rhythm. ~ grooveattack

MAYLEE TODD - ESCAPOLOGY

The second set from Maylee Todd – and one that we like even better than the first! Maylee sounds even more soulful and focused than ever before – playing Fender Rhodes alongside her vocals, and really using the keys to shape the grooves in a great way – soulful and slinky, with these classic tones we never would have expected – and which make the album one of the best we've heard from the Do Right label in awhile! As with some of the company's great releases from a decade or so ago, there's an understanding of older soul modes fused with 21st Century freshness – all handled by Maylee with her own words and music, which really gives the set a strong personality of its own. Additional strings and horns slide in at just the right moments to flesh out the sound – and titles include "Baby's Got It", "Did Everything I Could", "First & Last", "Successive Mutations", "I Tried", and "I Can't Stand It". ~ Dusty Groove

HELEN MERRILL / PIERO UMILIANI - PAROLE E MUSICA

A strange and obscure session that has the cool jazz vocals of American singer Helen Merrill backed by a small Italian combo led by soundtrack composer Piero Umiliani – a wonderful mix that really makes the album an unusual one for Helen! The music was originally recorded for a TV program in Italy, and each track is preceded by an Italian voice, reciting Italian versions of the lyrics over spare musical backing – then Merrill's voice comes in with a bigger jazz group, singing each track in English – a very nice level of presentation! And although the whole thing sounds crazy, it actually works well – and gives the album a compelling edge and kind of a sexy late-night quality. Tracks include "Solitude", "Everything Happens To Me", "Night & Day", "Why Don't You Do Right", and "Willow Weep For Me". (Blue Spec CD.) ~ Dusty Groove

MATT WILSON TEAMS WITH JOHN MEDESKI TO DELIVER "GATHERING CALL"

Gathering Call - to be released Jan. 21, 2014, via Palmetto Records - is the follow-up to Wilson's widely acclaimed 2012 album Attitude for Gratitude with his band Arts & Crafts.

Matt Wilson is renowned for his virtuosic flair as a drummer and his good-vibes positivity as a bandleader, not to mention his facility for collaborating with top musicians across the spectrum of jazz - from the mainstream to the avant-garde and virtually everything in between. Wilson scored glowing reviews for last year's release with his band Arts & Crafts, Attitude for Gratitude, an album that DownBeat called "fun, thoughtful, beautiful" and Vanity Fair dubbed "the essence of jazz." 

For his next offering, the Matt Wilson Quartet is joined by a special guest - keyboard star John Medeski - for the album Gathering Call, to be released Jan. 21, 2014, via Palmetto Records. Wilson and company - with his Quartet featuring reedman Jeff Lederer, cornetist Kirk Knuffke and bassist Chris Lightcap, plus Medeski on piano - have created an irresistibly tune-rich, hard-grooving album steeped in the vintage virtues even as it sounds utterly fresh. Gathering Call rocks and it rolls, it sings and swings, brimming with brilliant musicianship and sly brio.

Gathering Call - the Grammy-nominated drummer's 11th album as a leader - features a brace of Wilson originals that range from the raucous, drum-driven title track and Ornette-accented "How Ya Going?" to the atmospheric "Dancing Waters" and elliptically lyrical "Hope (for the Cause)." The interpretive numbers include versions of two Duke Ellington compositions ("Main Stem," the rarely covered "You Dirty Dog") and uncommon tunes by Charlie Rouse ("Pumpkin's Delight"), Butch Warren ("Barack Obama") and Hugh Lawson ("Get Over, Get Off and Get On"), plus the Beyoncé hit ("If I Were a Boy") and a folk traditional ("Juanita"). No matter the material, what DownBeat publisher Frank Alkyer said about the playing on Attitude for Gratitude holds fully true for Wilson and crew on Gathering Call: "You can hear them all smiling behind their instruments."

Wilson - a native of Knoxville, Illinois, born in 1964 - is famous for his big ears and big heart, a gregarious Midwesterner to his bones and never jaded even though he has played on hundreds of recording sessions and on top stages the world over, from historic jazz dives to the White House, from Lincoln Center to festivals and concerts around the globe. About the new album, Wilson enthuses: "The recording really swings-I love 4/4 time, the lift of the beat. But I also love open, atmospheric and expansive environments. My songs welcome collective interpretation, with a piece's character coming about naturally. In my world, there's no separation between swinging and free: no categories. The most important aspect of the music is the common ground, where the sounds and personalities of the cats merge."

The core "cats" on Gathering Call - longtime Wilson confreres Lederer and Lightcap joined by new Quartet member Knuffke - bring "a world of music to what they do," says Wilson. "When it comes to musicians, what I always look for are players who have a great sound and great feel to their playing, which all these guys have in abundance. But I also want players whose default setting is 'yes.' I like musicians who are game - and who bring out the same attitude in me. What makes this quartet special is the quality of trust - we can be game and open and adventurous with each other, so the music flows naturally. We recorded the whole album at Maggie's Farm in one seven-hour day, without much rehearsal, really - we just played the music. It was fun, and I think you can hear that on the record."

As for the Quartet's guest musical foil, the keyboardist of Medeski, Martin & Wood fame is an old friend of Wilson, the two having met in late-'80s Boston while playing in the ace Either/Orchestra. "We always had a nice feel together, John Medeski and I," Wilson explains. "But along with his feel, energy and deep roots in such a wide range of music, John has these incredible instincts that just blew the band away. The leader of the Either/Orchestra, Russ Gershon, used to say, 'Give Medeski a sheet of music, and he'll not only get the notes right away, he'll get the vibe, too.' It's more true than ever - he got the music immediately and played his ass off, really inspiring the band with his sound and spirit."

Reflecting on the chemistry that resulted in Gathering Call, Wilson adds: "It was a union and a reunion, a magical day, really. It's very mysterious how a band gels and how good music happens. The more I do this, the more I realize that you can't bottle the intangible, in-the-moment aspect of welcoming and allowing music. But that's why it's so cool. The mystery of it is the appeal of it for me."

The latest incarnation of the Matt Wilson Quartet joins Arts & Crafts, the Carl Sandberg Project, Trio M (with pianist Myra Melford and bassist Mark Dresser) and the new trio Sifter (with Knuffke and guitarist Mary Halvorson) as the drummer's prime group preoccupations, added to his myriad sideman gigs, education initiatives and broadcast projects. Wilson has been featured on the covers of both DownBeat and JazzTimes magazines. In 2003 and 2011, he was voted Drummer of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association. Wilson has been an integral part of bands led by Joe Lovano, John Scofield, Charlie Haden, Lee Konitz, Bob Stewart, Denny Zeitlin, Ron Miles, Marty Ehrlich, Ted Nash, Jane Ira Bloom and Dena DeRose, among others. He has performed with legends of music, including Herbie Hancock, Dewey Redman, Andrew Hill, Bobby Hutcherson, Elvis Costello, Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron, John Zorn, Marshall Allen, Wynton Marsalis, Michael Brecker, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell and Hank Jones.

Popmatters observed about this very special drummer-leader: "Wilson sees his music as a way to reach out, to communicate. Uninterested in some kind of hip disdain for his audience, he reaches fully across the table to get this music heard by anyone who wants to enjoy it. This kind of playful seriousness about art is a perfect model for a modern mindset: informed but original, daring but joyous."

NICOLE HENRY NOMINATED FOR BEST TRADITIONAL JAZZ PERFORMANCE FOR BEAUTIFUL RENDITION OF BOB MARLEY'S "WAITING IN VAIN"

Fresh off a hugely successful, sold-out US summer tour, internationally-acclaimed jazz/soul chanteuse Nicole Henry has earned a 2013 Centric Soul Train Award nomination for Best Traditional Jazz Performance for her stellar performance of “Waiting in Vain,” off her latest album ‘So Good, So Right: Nicole Henry Live.’    Henry is the only solo female artist in a male-dominated category, placing her in great company with fellow nominees including George Benson (featuring Wynton Marsalis), Jeffrey Osborne (featuring Chaka Khan) and Tony Bennett (featuring Marc Anthony), and Terence Blanchard.  Tune in on Sunday Dec. 1 to watch the broadcast and fans can vote for their favorite online here:

http://www.centrictv.com/shows/soul-train-awards/soul-train-awards-2013-voting.html

The celebrated ‘So Good, So Right’ debuted at #16 on Billboard’s Current Traditional Jazz chart.  The album showcases her soulful, inspired interpretations of some of her favorite classic hits of the 1970s from iconic artists including Bill Withers, Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, The Commodores and Gladys Knight.   Henry’s trademark dynamic live performances have earned her praise from the New York Times as “a jazz singer of pop instinct and cabaret sophistication.” (1/24/13)

Upcoming tour dates:

Oct 4 - Nicole Henry sings for S.T.E.P. - Kingston, Jamaica

Oct 8 - Private Event - New York, NY

Oct 11- Arts Garage - Delray Beach, FL

Oct 23- Vibrato Grill Jazz - Los Angeles, CA

Oct 23 -Vibrato Grill Jazz - Los Angeles, CA

Oct 25 - Spaghettini - Seal Beach, CA

Nov 1- Jazz Roots: Pink Panther 50: Tribute to Henry Mancini Show - Miami, FL

Nov 3 - Blue Note Sunday Brunch Residency - New York, NY

Nov 3 - Blue Note Sunday Brunch Residency - New York

Nov 10 - Blue Note Sunday Brunch Residency - New York

ART PEPPER - UNRELEASED ART VOL. VIII: LIVE AT THE WINERY SEPTEMBER 6, 1976

Art Pepper Vol. VIIILive at the Winery, the eighth consecutive release in a series of critically acclaimed, previously unheard Art Pepper recordings on the Widow's Taste label, will be released on November 5. Laurie Pepper began her company in 2006 in order, she said, to unearth previously unreleased Art and share it with his loyal and very grateful fans.

  

This 1976 concert dates from the exhilarating early days of the alto saxophonist's last comeback. "I thought it was time to focus on the music Art made with some of his alternate sidemen," says Laurie. "I also chose it because I listened to the first track, 'Caravan,' and it knocked me out. I knew it had to be heard."

Recorded (anonymously) from the soundboard during a Labor Day jazz festival at the Paul Masson Winery, in Saratoga, California, this set features Art's Northern California band. He'd first encountered them in 1974 at Pete Douglas's Beach House -- aka Bach Dancing and Dynamite -- up in Half Moon Bay. He fell in love at once with pianist Smith Dobson (pictured below), a jazz educator and local performer who had worked with almost every jazz star who came through The Reunion in San Francisco and other Northern California venues. Art worked with him quite a few times and talked about taking him on the road. (Listen to Art's heartfelt little speech right after they play "Rainy Day.") The other band members were regulars Smith worked with: Jim Nichols on bass and young Brad Bilhorn on drums.

Smith Dobson This recording was made on the last day of a three-day gig, so the band was tight and relaxed. Art began the set with the aforementioned "Caravan," which seems, despite its quaintly Oriental or Saharan references, absolutely hurtling through a Latin landscape. That's followed by one of Art's most beautiful and idiosyncratic originals, "Ophelia." Written for Art's drug addicted second wife, it's a tune that is, by turns, tender, swinging, wildly raging, and finally as fresh and pretty as the morning after a storm. The third tune, "Here's That Rainy Day," is a classic ballad Art played frequently in those days -- during which he was still earning part of his living working "casuals," Bar Mitzvahs, and weddings. It was a regularly included standard at those functions, and Art loved to play it. Ballads were his forte, after all, and this time it moves him more than usual. You can hear his voice break as he singles out Smith Dobson's solo.

If "Rainy Day" is heavenly, the next track is earthy. At casuals Art played "Ode to Billie Joe" and "Watermelon Man" for dancing and enjoyed that tremendously. "What Laurie Likes," his own original, reflects the joy he got from playing funk. But as his jazz comeback accelerated, he succumbed to his public's perception of "jazz rock" as too simple and passé and dropped that kind of thing from his repertoire, so we only get to hear this funky stuff in concerts like this one, from the '70s.

Art usually ended his sets with "Straight Life," his original, which had become his signature. This one is as breakneck and exciting as can be. And then, as an encore we get another Pepper signature, a slow, sweet blues ("Saratoga Blues").

Widow's Taste Records is doing well, and Laurie hasn't come to the end of what she thinks the public needs to hear. Her next CD release will not be entirely "unheard." She'll respond to the pressure of the fans and put out the complete blues and ballads set released in by Omnivore in 2011 on vinyl as "Neon Art." She says she also wants to release a DVD of a rare Pepper performance in Norway, but she'll have to go to a public funding source to pay for the expensive sync licensing she'd have to deal with. At that point, she threatens to also release on DVD her own Art Pepper Movie which, for the past eight years, has had to take a backseat to the record company.

Web Site: www.artpepper.net

Blog: www.artpeppermusic.blogspot.com

LAWSON ROLLINS COMES "FULL CIRCLE" ON NEW ALBUM

A culture-rich cornucopia of exotic global sounds and masterful guitarwork, Lawson Rollins’ (www.LawsonRollins.com) fourth album, “Full Circle,” continues to earn the favor of listeners, praise from reviewers and radio spins across the nation. Rollins and multi-platinum producer Dominic Camardella (Ottmar Liebert, Flora Purim, 3rd Force) composed and produced the 12-song set dispensing highbrow sonicscapes constructed of borderless world music, jazz, Latin, Middle Eastern, African and Japanese instrumentation counterbalanced with irresistibly inviting melodies for the masses.

Rollins travels lighter on “Full Circle” than on his past recordings. He puts his classical guitar melodies upfront backed with less layering although the tapestries do sound lush and textured. As on his previous releases, Rollins is surrounded by the same supporting musicians including Camardella (keyboards, piano), Grammy-winning violinist Charlie Bisharat, bassist Randy Tico, percussionist Dave Bryant and saxophonist/flutist Richard Hardy.

Respected national magazines Guitar Player and Jazziz have gushed about “Full Circle,” a record that reflects the artist’s return to the sound and style of recordings he made as a member of the eclectic Latin jazz duo Young & Rollins. Below is a sampling of the reviews:  

“On his latest, he (Rollins) still displays the lilting melodies, strong compositions, and otherworldly chops that characterize all of his work. He plays beautiful, hummable lines on “The Offering” and exotic, harmonized parts on “Serpent’s Tale.” Then there are the blazing solo flights he embarks on on every tune. These are simply dazzling—all played fingerstyle, with precision and passion.” – Guitar Player

“Rollins’ pristine and masterful picking on acoustic and electric guitars is the common thread running through all his work…Flamenco, Latin jazz and Middle Eastern music reverberate through the North Carolina native’s mesmerizing string work, as well as through the expert backing of a group of Rollins regulars.” - Jazziz

“While there is a delightful ebb and flow, it is the prodigious talent of Rollins’ guitar work that serves as the golden thread to bind this amazing sonic tapestry together…‘Full Circle’ cuts a wide path for world music fans, classical aficionados and jazz lovers of any genre. An amazing release and proof that when the stars are in perfect alignment, magic is indeed possible. 5 stars.” – Critical Jazz

“One of the most accomplished and creative World Fusion guitarists on the planet today…on ‘Full Circle’ Lawson arrives at something that borders on sublime, instrumental, pan-global guitar-centric jazz that is truly colorful and invigorating. Surely Lawson’s most well-rounded album yet.” – Music Web Express 3000

“…one of the most creative world music fusion guitarists in the world.” – Keys & Chords

“…this may be Lawson Rollins’ finest creation to date…you are in for one incredible audio delight.” – Mainly Piano

“…music created with passion and talent…an even dozen high-spirited tunes full of soul & groove that will haunt your playlists for a long time to come.” – Improvijazzation Nation

“Expect the unexpected as Rollins mixes Middle Eastern exotica, tango, reggae, classical, world beats and more with his trademark Latin flavours.” – Soul and Jazz and Funk

“Nimble-fingered with lightning speed and possessing a full grasp of the cultures of the world as voiced through his guitar, Lawson Rollins wears his captivating music like a second skin.” – The Smooth Jazz Ride

“The scintillating melodies are timeless and free-flowing. Anyone with an interest in acoustic guitars and instrumental music will find happiness in Lawson's latest release.” - Inside World Music

“…what you get here are twelve originals that have cooking little Mediterranean and Iberian moods, and his chops are as good as you can find on anything by (Larry) Coryell.” – Jazz Weekly

“His sound is clear, his fingerstyle is precise and his runs are dizzying.” – Smooth Jazz Daily

“…a tour around the globe with stops in Brazil, Europe and the US reaching out to contemporary world jazz lovers with a pleasant sound.” – O’s Place Jazz

Rollins’ dazzling videos on YouTube showcasing his extraordinary speed and precision are closing in on 8 million views, an impressive number for an independent instrumentalist.

STEVE COLE'S "PULSE" CONTINUES TO RISE ON THE BILLBOARD CHARTS

“Pulse” is Cole’s seventh album, this one produced and written by the artist with fellow saxman David Mann. Cole spent the summer playing concerts in the U.S. and Germany to set the stage for the disc’s American and European release while introducing his fan base to the new tunes that come equipped with strapping horns. The promotional push continues with album release gigs lined up in the coming months in New York City (October 12), South Florida (November 2), Southern California (November 8 & 9) and Minneapolis, Minnesota (November 16), the Chicago native’s adopted hometown. This October 17-20, Cole will be featured as the Artist of the Year at the 24th Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival taking place in Delaware.       

Cole's “Pulse” beats to soul-singed contemporary jazz, R&B, gospel, blues and hip hop grooves. Cole’s creative muse has come full circle in the fifteen years since the release of his award-winning debut disc that delivered a pair of radio hits. “With You All The Way,” the first single from “Pulse,” which was released last week, is already #7 on Billboard’s chart and ticketed for the top. 

Here is a snapshot of what several of your colleagues had to write about “Pulse”:

“A dynamic package that keeps Steve Cole at the very top of the food chain when it comes to contemporary instrumental music…It doesn’t get much better than this.” – Critical Jazz

“Filled with the sounds of blues, funk, soul, gospel, R&B, and hip hop jams...Cole has generously ‘returned to the basics’ on his new 10-song album with renewed vigor and creative force.” – Hill Rag

“With yet another smooth and dead-on album, saxman Steve Cole gives it his all on Pulse, a truly satisfying endeavor pulsating with lots of soul and appeal.” – The Smooth Jazz Ride

“A ten track set that’s heavy on infectious melodies and soulful grooves.” – Soul and Jazz and Funk

“This is really an album with a muscular horn section and with soul-powered grooves. Honest, natural and with a quick pulse!” – Smooth Jazz Europe

“It will get your head nodding and your feet tapping” – Smooth Jazz Daily

MICHEL CAMILO'S "WHAT'S UP?" EARNS 2013 BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM NOMINATION

What's Up? marks Camilo's third Latin Grammy® Award nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album

"I am thrilled to be nominated for the Latin Grammy® for Best Latin Jazz Album for What's Up?," says Camilo. "It truly feels like a dream come true since it was my wish to perform and record an album full of contrasts of color and rhythm as a contribution to the rich tradition of Solo Piano styles. I had lots of fun making this one. I am grateful to Wulf Müller and Chuck Mitchell at OKeh for supporting me in this very special project."

  

Produced by Camilo and recorded by Grammy® Award winning engineer Phil Magnotti, the 11 tracks on What's Up? provide a stunning demonstration of the pianist's originality, spotlighting seven original compositions and four uniquely re-arranged jazz and Latin standards. While What's Up? is Camilo's first OKeh release, it does signify his return to the Sony Music Entertainment family, having recorded for Portrait, Epic and Columbia at various points throughout his career that has spanned over three decades (including his 1988 self-titled project on Portrait, which peaked at #1 on the Billboard Jazz Chart).

Camilo will also be performing two solo piano engagements at the SFJazz Center in San Francisco on Saturday, October 19, at 7:30PM and Sunday, October 20, at 4:00PM. The Michel Camilo Big Band is set to perform at The Blue Note in New York from Tuesday, November 5 through Sunday, November 10, with sets at 8:00PM and 10:30PM.