SONY MUSIC ACQUIRES DEAN MARTIN REPRISE RECORDS CATALOG

Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, in partnership with the Dean Martin Family Trust, has acquired the singer's legendary Reprise Records catalog and begun remastering titles for a major ongoing reissue project.

The Dean Martin Reprise catalog acquisition includes all the recordings Dino made during his extraordinary creative tenure (1962-1974) at Rat Pack chairman Frank Sinatra's Reprise Records label. The Nashville Sessions, the album Martin cut for Warner Bros in 1983, is also included.

The Dean Martin reissue project began with the first digital releases of The Dean Martin Christmas Album, 1966's #1 Christmas album and perennial holiday classic, and Dean Martin: The Reprise Years, a 2-disc anthology of the crooner's high points at the label.

Legacy Recordings is remastering all the tracks in Dean Martin's Reprise catalog with an eye toward releasing the catalog digitally and physically over the course of the next year.

On January 20, Legacy released The Very Best of Dean Martin as part of the label's popular Playlist series.  The Dean Martin Playlist contains:

1.Everybody Loves Somebody

2.Every Minute, Every Hour

3.The Door Is Still Open to My Heart

4.You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You

5.Send Me the Pillow You Dream On

6.In the Chapel in the Moonlight

7.I Can't Help Remembering You

8.Houston

9.Bumming Around

10.I Will

11.Little Ole Wine Drinker, Me

12.Ain't Gonna Try Anymore

13.Kiss the World Goodbye

14.Drinking Champagne

 The next wave of titles in the Dean Martin Reprise Records reissue project, coming February 4, will include digital releases of ten albums:

1.The Door Is Still Open To My Heart

2.Everybody Loves Somebody

3.Dream With Dean

4.Dean Martin Hits Again

5.Welcome To My World

6.(Remember Me) I'm The One That Loves You

7.Dino Latino

8.French Style

9.The Dean Martin TV Show

10.Houston

 "We're so pleased to be working with the Dean Martin Family Trust in bringing Dean's Reprise Records legacy to new generations," said Adam Block, President, Legacy Recordings.  "Dean's music and style embody the very essence of 'cool' and now is the perfect time to introduce this timeless pop music to future fans."

One of the great lounge singers of the pre-rock era, Dean Martin hit his stride as a cultural icon during his years with Reprise, knocking the Beatles off the top of the charts in August 1964 with a dreamy contemporary take on "Everybody Loves Somebody (Sometime)," a standard he'd sung on Bob Hope's radio show in 1948 that became one of his theme songs, a sentiment so universal it's on his gravestone.

A multi-faceted artist whose talents crossed media boundaries, Dean Martin has three stars on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame: one for recording, one for movies, and one for television, where he introduced Americans to Celebrity Roasts in the 1970s.

The genius of Dean Martin is that he made everything sound easy and classy and fun. Relaxed and comfortable, with a beatific self-assurance that transcended confidence, Dino's one of the greatest singers who ever cut records. On his Reprise Recordings, the King of Cool is also his most soulful.

THE DEAN MARTIN CHRISTMAS ALBUM

1.White Christmas

2.Jingle Bells

3.I'll Be Home For Christmas

4.Blue Christmas

5.Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

6.A Marshmallow World

7.Silver Bells

8.Winter Wonderland

9.The Things We Did Last Summer

10.Silent Night

DEAN MARTIN: THE REPRISE YEARS

Disc One: The Greatest Hits

1.Everybody Loves Somebody

2.The Door Is Still Open To My Heart

3.You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You

4.You'll Always Be The One I Love

5.Send Me The Pillow You Dream On

6.(Remember Me) I'm The One Who Loves You

7.Houston

8.I Will

9.Somewhere There's A Someone

10.Come Running Back

11.A Million And One

12.Nobody's Baby Again

13.(Open Up The Door) Let The Good Times In

14.Lay Some Happiness On Me

15.In The Chapel In The Moonlight

16.Little Ole Wine Drinker, Me

17.In The Misty Moonlight

18.You've Still Got A Place In My Heart

19.Not Enough Indians

20.I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am

Disc Two: The Best Of The Rest

1.Who's Got The Action

2.The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else

3.I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face

4.Baby-O

5.Things

6.Corrine Corrina

7.Bumming Around

8.Welcome To My World

9.My Heart Cries For You

10.Gentle On My Mind

11.Tik-A-Tee, Tik-A-Tay

12.Senza Fine

13.Tangerine

14.Besame Mucho

15.Blue Moon

16.I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)

17.Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup

18.C'est Si Bon

19.My Melancholy Baby

20.Everybody Loves Somebody (original version)

DEAN MARTIN: REPRISE ALBUM DISCOGRAPHY

French Style (1962)

Dino Latino (1962; #99)

Country Style (1963; #109)

Dean Tex Martin Rides Again (1963)

Dream With Dean (1964; #15*)

Everybody Loves Somebody (1964; #2*)

The Door Is Still Open To My Heart (1964)

Dean Martin Hits Again (1965; #13*)

(Remember Me) I'm The One Who Loves You (1965; #12*)

Houston (1965; #11*)

Somewhere There's Someone (1966; 40*)

Dean Martin Sings Songs From "The Silencers" (1966; #108)

The Hit Sound Of Dean Martin (1966; #50)

The Dean Martin Christmas Album (1966; #1 Xmas*)

The Dean Martin TV Show (1966; #34)

Happiness Is Dean Martin (1967; #46)

Welcome To My World (1967; #20*)

Dean Martin's Greatest Hits! (1968; #26*)

Dean Martin's Greatest Hits! Vol. 2 (1968; #83*)

Gentle On My Mind (1968; #14*)

I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am (1969; #90)

My Woman, My Woman, My Wife (1970; #97)

For The Good Times (1971; #113, #41 Country)

Dino (1972; #117)

Sittin' On Top Of The World (1973)

You're The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me (1973)

Once In Awhile (1978)

The Nashville Sessions (1983; #49 Country)

* certified gold album (most of which sold over 1,000,000 units--there was no platinum certification at the time)

~ Legacy Recordings

  

NEW RELEASES: SHARKY'S MACHINE - THE SOUNDTRACK MUSIC; EDDIE KENDRICKS - LOVE KEYS; PETER BERNSTEIN - SOLO GUITAR: LIVE AT SMALLS

SHARKY'S MACHINE - THE SOUNDTRACK MUSIC

One of the coolest soundtracks ever for a Burt Reynolds film – an a hip mix of soul and jazz tracks that's gone onto become a classic over the years! The album's a compilation of sorts, but most of the material was recorded fresh for the film – and the different artists really work together here to forge some great backdrops for the action on the screen! Al Capps handled the larger charts, but most numbers really spotlight an individual artist – and highlights include Randy Crawford singing a new version of "Street Life" – different than the one with The Crusaders – Sarah Vaughan singing "Love Theme From Sharky's Machine", Peggy Lee vocals on "Let's Keep Dancing", and Julie London singing "My Funny Valentine" – as one of the first recordings after many years of retirement. Other great numbers include "Dope Bust" by Flora Purim & Buddy DeFranco, "Sharky's Theme" by Eddie Harris, "Before You" by Sarah Vaughan & Joe Williams, "8 To 5 I Lose" by Joe Williams, and the instrumental cuts "Sexercise" and "High Energy" by Doc Severinsen. ~ Dusty Groove

EDDIE KENDRICKS - LOVE KEYS

Having recently released a quartet of albums by David Ruffin, Real Gone Music now turns its attention to Ruffin’s former running mate in the Temptations, Eddie Kendricks, whose mellifluous tenor and falsetto were such an integral part of the group’s sound. Kendricks began his solo journey in 1971, leaving Motown in 1977 for a two-album, two-year stint at Arista Records.  In 1981, Eddie signed with Atlantic Records for the one-off LP, Love Keys, which would be his last major label album (aside from a 1987 collaboration with fellow ex-Temptation, David Ruffin). Produced in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama by the team of Johnny Sandlin (best known for his work with Southern rock artists like the Allman Brothers, Bonnie Bramlett, Elvin Bishop, and Wet Willie) and Randy Roberts, Love Keys featured backing from the Muscle Shoals Horns and the Southern soul group the Controllers on songs written by Lou Courtney ("I'm In Need Of Love"), David Pomeranz ("Old Home Town") and Eddie's former Motown colleagues, Brian & Eddie Holland (for the track, "(Oh I) Need Your Lovin,'" a Billboard Top 50 R&B single). The album represented Eddie Kendricks’ first venture into Southern soul, and was the last charting solo set for the great soul singer, who passed away in 1992. It makes its worldwide CD debut here, with notes and added photos. A must for fans of Kendricks and the Temps, brought to you by Real Gone and SoulMusic Records! Tracks: (Oh I) Need Your Lovin’; I’m in Need of Love; I Don’t Need Nobody Else; Bernadette; You Can’t Stop My Loving; Never Alone; Hot; Looking for Love; and In Love We’re the One. ~ Real Gone

PETER BERNSTEIN - SOLO GUITAR: LIVE AT SMALLS

Sublime solo guitar from Peter Bernstein – an artist who's already had a group outing in the Smalls Live series, but who sounds completely different here on his own! Bernstein's always got these chromatic qualities that make his work with other players so wonderful – and that aspect of his music comes even more to the forefront in this stripped-down setting – an amazing ear for tones and colors that easily mark him as one of the most compelling guitarists in mainstream jazz – with a style that's sensitive, yet quite strong too – but never overdone. Most tunes are familiar numbers, really recast anew in the hands of Bernstein – and tracks include "Pannonica", "Django", "Crepuscule With Nellie", "Giant Steps", "The Tender Trap", "Wise One", "Yesterdays", and "Put Your Dreams Away".~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: BERNIE WORRELL - ELEVATION: THE UPPER AIR; NOEL GOURDIN - CITY HEART, SOUTHERN SOUL; DAVID BERKMAN - LIVE AT SMALLS

BERNIE WORRELL - ELEVATION: THE UPPER AIR

Bernie Worrell, keyboard legend, founding member and essential collaborator, composer, and arranger in George Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic, has worked with an extremely diverse array of artists - Talking Heads, Bootsy Collins, The Rolling Stones, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Black Uhuru, Fela Kuti, Burning Spear, Pharoah Sanders, Buddy Guy, Sly & The Family Stone, Mos Def, Albert King, Sly & Robbie, etc. He is among the most influential and emulated electronic keyboardists in modern music. His synthesizer work defined 80's and 90's West Coast Hip Hop and is still recognized in the pop hits of today. Elevation is his first solo acoustic creation. Intimate, personal, atmospheric and touching, a humble statement which is both vulnerable and child-like. Songs and themes appear as flashbacks and memories, some accessible, some subconscious; they are based on motifs by John Coltrane, Joe Zawinul, Bob Marley, Carlos Santana, Charles Mingus and others. Featured are delicate impressions of classic soul music from his own history and three original ambient soundscapes - all delivered with his signature hand. Produced by legendary iconoclast, Bill Laswell, with original artwork by Japan's modern master Shinro Ohtake.Tracks include: In a Silent Way; I'd Rather Be With You; Alabama; Goodbye Pork Pie Hat; Light On Water; Ooh Child; Samba Pa Ti; Realm of Site; I Wanna Go Outside In the Rain; Wings; and Redemption Song

NOEL GOURDIN - CITY HEART, SOUTHERN SOUL

They definitely got the title right on this one –as Noel Gourdin sings in a contemporary urban mode, but with lots of the deeper inflections we remember from classic southern soul – a wonderful blend that really makes the record his best so far! Production is nice and lean – stripped-down, and with a good focus on the kind of slightly snapping rhythms that really help deliver the edge in Noel's lyrics – an approach that's right on the money, and really lets Gourdin stretch out and inflect the tunes with plenty of his own personal warmth. Production is by Marcellus Dawson, and the team of Ty Macklin and Taylor Pace – and titles include "No Worries", "Heaven Knows", "Foxxxy", "Spotlight Lovin", "Come Over", "Patience", "Photography", and "I Want You". ~ Dusty Groove

DAVID BERKMAN - LIVE AT SMALLS

A great live date in the excellent Smalls series – and a wonderful group outing not just for pianist David Berkman, but for trumpeter Tom Harrell as well! Tom gets a lot of room to really open up and solo beautifully on the record – in ways that are quite different than his own studio work in recent years, and which really take us back to the qualities in Harrell's music we first fell in love with years ago! Berkman's got an inventive touch on the piano – sometimes angular but tight, sometimes more spacious – and the group also features Ed Howard on bass and Jonathan Blake on drums. All tracks are nice and long, and the Berkman originals are especially great for both his piano and Harrell's trumpet – titles that include "Ghost Wife", "Small Wooden Housekeeper", and "For Kenny" – nestled alongside versions of "Body & Soul" and "Sweet & Lovely". ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - THE SOULJAZZ ORCHESTRA - INNER FIRE; SHIRLEY NANETTE - NEVER COMING BACK; AFRO CUBAN BLUE: BLUE NOTE PERCUSSION COMPILATION

THE SOULJAZZ ORCHESTRA - INNER FIRE

Inner Fire continues the Souljazz Orchestra's expansive musical journey as the group fuses intricate Eastern influences, Afro beats, Latin styles and Spiritual Jazz elements into a unique melting pot, creating a fiery soundscape, both far-reaching and highly rhythmic, for the body, the mind and the spirit. The Souljazz Orchestra are one of the tightest outfits on the planet and are proficient in just about any style of roots music imaginable. The new album, Inner Fire, is due out on February 24 and it's a scorcher all the way through. Upcoming tour dates include: Feb 21 - Québec, QC - Le Cercle; Feb 22 - Montréal, QC - La Sala Rossa; Mar 01 - Kingston, ON - The Mansion; Mar 07 - Toronto, ON - The Garrison; Mar 08 - Hamilton, ON - This Ain't Hollywood; and Mar 15 - Ottawa, ON - Babylon NightclubS

SHIRLEY NANETTE - NEVER COMING BACK

A gem of a female soul album from the 70s – recorded in Texas by singer Shirley Nanette, but issued on a tiny label and never circulated at the time! The music here is all handled by guitarist Hanc Swarn – who'd worked with Earl Grant, and helped create that cool syncopated groove that made Grant a favorite with the steppers – a style that's expanded here into some funkier 70s modes, which really let's Nanette's vocals soar! Shirley's hardly the rootsy singer you'd expect from the Texas scene – as she's sometimes got this poise and class that almost rivals Nancy Wilson or Marlena Shaw, but can also hit these badass modes when the tunes get funkier too. The set's great – way more than just another rarity, and the kind of overlooked 70s gem we'd rank right up there with lost indie soul treasures by Mike James Kirkland or Penny Goodwin. Titles include "Give & Take", "Limelight", "Tropic Of Love", "I'm So Glad", "Heaven On Earth", "People Are Thinking", and "Yours Truly Love". ~ Dusty Groove

AFRO CUBAN BLUE: BLUE NOTE PERCUSSION COMPILATION

Heavy percussion on Blue Note Records – but a set that moves way past the familiar modes of the genre! The styles here are a mix of early hardbop, electric funk, and later fusion – all of which feature lots of raw, live percussion added to the usual rhythmic elements of bass and drums – to really help create some complexity in the grooves! Previous Blue Note sets of this nature have only focused on Latin-tinged jazz from the acoustic years, but this one does a great job of showing the strength of the styles well through Blue Note in the electric 70s – as you'll hear on the cool range of cuts that include "Amanda" by John Patton, "Montara" by Bobby Hutcherson, "Traveling To Get To Doc" by Grant Green, "Tom's Thumb" by Reuben Wilson, "Big Farm Boy Goes To A Latin City" by Ronnie Foster, "Cookoo & Fungi" by Art Taylor, "Sweet Dreams" by Chico Hamilton, "Dracula" by Grant Green, "Suitcase Full Of Dreams" by Willie Bobo, "Funky Business" by Gene Harris, "RK Bossa" by Dom Minasi, and "Herman's Mambo" by Lou Donaldson. 17 tracks, and almost 80 minutes of music!  ~ Dusty Groove

SONY MUSIC SECURES GLOBAL RIGHTS TO ENTIRE PHILADELPHIA INT'L RECORDS CATALOG

NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Music Entertainment has completed a historic deal with Philadelphia International Records, securing global ownership of all recordings made for PIR, the groundbreaking hit-making label founded by music icons Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff in 1971.

The landmark deal adds all post-1975 PIR recordings to the PIR titles already owned by SME, reuniting the entirety of the Philadelphia International Recordings catalog under a single global licensing and reissue entity.

In late 2013, Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of SME, made a number of PIR titles available in the digital realm, including Essentials collections by The O'Jays, Teddy Pendergrass and Lou Rawls as well as various artists anthologies—Golden Gate Groove: The Sound of Philadelphia in San Francisco and The Sound of Philadelphia: Gamble & Huff's Greatest Hits—mapping the breadth of the Sound of Philadelphia, one of the most influential and abiding catalogs of soul/pop music ever recorded.

In 2014, Legacy will be offering a series of new physical and digital releases created from the PIR catalog including a definitive Philadelphia International Records box, budget single artist anthology titles, 12" and 7" vinyl replica collectibles and more.

The first round of these new PIR titles will be released in the UK on April 21, 2014 and will include single CD best-of collections from Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls, The Three Degrees, The Intruders, The O'Jays, Billy Paul and Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes to be issued on the Camden line.

The UK PIR spring launch will center on the release of a 20 CD Philadelphia International Records box set containing:

1.Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes

2.Back Stabbers – The O'Jays

3.360 Degrees of Billy Paul – Billy Paul

4.Save The Children – The Intruders

5.The Three Degrees - The Three Degrees

6.Ship Ahoy – The O'Jays

7.Love Is The Message – MFSB

8.Keep Smilin' - Bunny Sigler

9.Wake Up Everybody – Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes

10.All Things In Time – Lou Rawls

11.Life On Mars - Dexter Wansel

12.The Jacksons – the Jacksons

13.Teddy Pendergrass – Teddy Pendergrass

14.Jean Carn – Jean Carn

15.The Jones Girls - Jones Girls 

16.Edwin Birdsong - Edwin Birdsong 

17.McFadden and Whitehead – McFadden and Whitehead

18.When You Hear Lou You've Heard It All – Lou Rawls

19.I'm In Love Again – Patti LaBelle

20.Life is A Song Worth Singing – Teddy Pendergrass

Each title in the lift-top box comes in a sleeve replicating the original album artwork.

About Philadelphia International Records and Gamble and Huff:

Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International Records became birthplace, incubator and launching pad for the Philly Soul sound aka " The Sound of Philadelphia (TSOP)", which was a unique blend of R&B rhythms, sweet soul vocals, deep funk grooves, pulsing horn charts and lush string arrangements with melodic structures combining elements of pop, jazz and world music.

With a stable core of artists led by the O'Jays, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Billy Paul, MFSB and the Three Degrees, Gamble & Huff co-founded Philadelphia International Records and began creating monster hits from nearly the first day of its inception in 1971 and continued to record,collaborate and produce major hits with a galaxy of stars from the pop, rock, soul and jazz universes, including Michael Jackson and the Jacksons, Elton John, Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, the Spinners, the Stylistics, the Delfonics, Dusty Springfield, Jerry Butler, Wilson Pickett, LaBelle, Archie Bell & the Drells, the Soul Survivors, Laura Nyro, the Trammps, McFadden & Whitehead, Phyllis Hyman and Grover Washington Jr and many more.

The label produced some of the world's greatest hit songs such as " Love Train", "If You Don't Know Me by Now", "For The Love Of Money,""Don't Leave Me This Way," "Me and Mrs Jones", "Enjoy Yourself," "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me," "Only the Strong Survive" "You'll Never Find a Love Like Mine" "Ain't No Stoppin Us Now" and "TSOP" (better known as the "Soul Train" theme) and many other Top ten Billboard hits over the past 50 years. The PIR Catalog has some of the most sampled R&B catalogue in the world, appearing on recordings by artists such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, Mary J Bli. Blige, Destiny Child, Usher, T.I., Chrisette Michele, Cam'ron, Ja Rule, Jaheim, Avant and many more.

Legendary producers and songwriters Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff (Gamble & Huff) are among the most prolific professional songwriters of all time, having written and produced over 3,500 songs within 50 years, an output rivaling such famed songwriting teams as Lennon-McCartney, Jagger-Richards and Holland-Dozier-Holland. They are enshrined in American "fabric of music" with a massive catalogue that includes numerous pop #1 hits, R&B #1 hits, 100 gold and platinum records that have resulted in Grammy and BMI Songwriter Awards.

As one of the most requested Sync Licensing Catalogues, the PIR/Gamble Huff recordings and songs have been featured prominently in television programs ("The Apprentice," "Cold Case"), films ("American Hustle," "The Nutty Professor") and advertising spots (Verizon, Chevrolet, Coors Light, Old Navy, The Gap, Office Max) for more than 30 years, Gamble & Huff's songs have entered the musical DNA of contemporary culture. In fact, one of their songs is played on the radio somewhere in the world every 13.5 minutes.

Gamble & Huff  have been prestigiously inducted and honored by several Music Halls of Fame including the Grammy-National Academy of  Recording Arts and Sciences Trustees, Songwriters Hall of Fame, Producers Hall of Fame, Dance Music Hall of Fame, R & B Hall of Fame, Dance Music Hall of Fame . In 2008, Gamble & Huff were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as the first recipients of the newly created Ahmet Ertegun Award. These music icons are recognized around the world for their contribution to the entire fabric of popular music, joining luminaries like Berry Gordy, Quincy Jones, George Gershwin & Ira Gershwin, The Beatles, and Frank Sinatra.

In 2005, Gamble & Huff appeared on American Idol in a show devoted entirely to their music and in 2010 were presented honorary doctor of music degrees from Berklee College of Music.

Their songs also have been covered by a myriad of artists including Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, Bette Midler, Michael Buble, Martina McBride, Seal, Simply Red, Johnny Mathis, Lesley Gore, Donny & Marie, Thelma Houston, the Brand New Heavies and recently, Rod Stewart, who sings four Gamble & Huff classics on his 2009 album, Soulbook.

Gamble & Huff  created and are credited for launching one of the most celebrated and historic songwriting partnerships that spawned into a sophisticated sound lovingly crafted in the studio by some of the 20th century's most influential producers and studio teams -- including Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, Thom Bell, Linda Creed, Gene McFadden and John Whitehead, Bunny Sigler, Dexter Wansel, Bobby Martin, MFSB Orchestra, Baker, Harris and Young, Joe Tarsia (Sigma Sound) and others -- Philly Soul set the stage for disco, smooth jazz, adult contemporary music and more.

Gamble and Huff will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary starting in the fall of 2014 with their projected release of their Autobiographical Book and the 2015 launch of their Theatrical Play on their historic Life Story and creation of one of America's great music catalogues  known as "The Sound of Philadelphia".

www.legacyrecordings.com

www.gamble-huffmusic.com

www.tsopsoulradio.com

 ~ Legacy Recordings

GUITARIST OSCAR PEÑAS DISPLAYS DIVERSE CULTURAL INFLUENCES ON NEW CD - MUSIC OF DEPARTURES AND RETURNS

Catalan guitarist, composer and bandleader Oscar Peñas´ fourth album and second release in the United States, Music of Departures and Returns, includes a Brazilian choro and a tribute to flamenco master Paco de Lucia; a jazz standard and a classic from the Cuban Nueva Trova songbook; and music by the great Catalonian composer Frederic Mompou. Yet this is neither a music sampler nor a showcase of Peñas´ talents in different settings and styles.

"This is more or less who I am. I'm not trying to push boundaries, prove anything or show off in any way," explains Peñas. "It's a collection of pieces, some mine, some by other composers that I have always admired, that I felt had a common mood, a certain sound that reflects my personality and where I come from."

  

Music of Departures and Returns features his quartet, comprised of his long-standing rhythm section featuring six-string electric bassist Moto Fukushima, drummer Richie Barshay, and violinist Sara Caswell. The band is augmented by special guests such as bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding, reedman Paquito D'Rivera and pianist, producer and arranger Gil Goldstein who appears on accordion.

  

Born in Barcelona, Peñas began his career in music studying classical guitar as a child. He graduated with honors from Berklee College of Music and later earned a Masters Degree in Jazz Performance from New England Conservatory before settling Brooklyn. He arrived at his musical discoveries step by step.

"I started to explore jazz a bit out of boredom. As a teenager (and still is the case) it was more appealing to me to pick up my own melodies within a style and interact with other musicians than spend hours of solitude trying to perfect a technical dexterity and devote my youth to learn a repertoire by others. Discoveries and interests come sometimes erratically... listening to Pat Metheny's Letter from Home or Wayne Shorter's Native Dancer you end up coming across Toninho Horta, Gismonti or Milton [Nascimento] and their music opens doors to a sea of possibilities, that's how I learned about chore.

 "I didn't study choro, but listened to a lot of them and love Pixinguinha and Guinga. If you ask a purist, maybe he won't approve of the form or the harmonies of  'Paquito's Choro,' but this is my unpretentious take on it."

As for the recording of the track, which demands a virtuoso performance by the clarinetist, Peñas recalls that at the end of the recording, the irrepressible D´Rivera, a superior player and an excellent reader, quipped, "I don´t know if you wrote this for me or against me."

Being from Barcelona, many would expect a strong flamenco influence and some sort of flamenco-jazz fusion in Peñas' music. He did include a flamenco-tinged piece in his previous album, but he says, while he "grew up with the sound of flamenco around, I never sat down to analyze it or study it. Mine is not an academic approach. I'm no expert. I just let it seduce me and wash over me."

In "Paco," his tribute to guitarist Paco de Lucia, who has marked a before and after in modern flamenco, Peñas features violin and electric guitar, and the 6/8 rhythm evokes the feel of flamenco but again, from a personal perspective, never attempting to mimic or make an explicit reference to De Lucia´s playing. 

But in Music of Departures and Returns Peñas features other composer´s songs for the first time in his recorded work and the choices often speak to personal experiences. Such is the case for "Rabo de Nube," a standard from the Cuban Nueva Trova songbook. At home, as a child, Peñas remembers hearing singer/songwriters "more than anything else including classical music, jazz or pop -- and that's how I'm familiar with [Cuban singer songwriter] Silvio Rodríguez," he explains. "I love 'Rabo de Nube,' and it's a tune that has been played in jazz by Charles Lloyd, Charlie Haden and Danilo Pérez among others." Featuring Spalding's delicate but expressive singing, Peñas approaches the song with a driving energy and at a faster pace than usual.

"The Everyday Struggle," showcasing Caswell's violin and Goldstein's accordion, speaks to his fascination with tango, hinting at the genre´s Vieja Guardia (Old Guard) sound and the old European take, adding jazz-style improvisation, still something unusual in tango. Peñas knew the music of Argentine New Tango master Astor Piazzolla, but while at Berklee he met a bandoneón player who taught him a lot about the music's history and other players. 

As for "Canço No 6," by Frederic Mompou, a Catalonian 20th century composer, not only does Peñas know his music well but he remembers being a little kid and "hearing a bit of a piece by Mompou as a theme for the TV news." But approaching Mompou (1893-1987) was no easy decision. "I was a bit hesitant because not long ago there was big celebration of Mompou and there were a lot of things done with and about his music. But finally I decided to close the album with it -- but without any soloing. We discussed opening [the piece] up for improvisations and finally we decided it was just beautiful as is and we just had to play the melody as it's written. So we tweaked a few things but I believe we respected Mompou's spirit."

As for incorporating all these influences, "there was never a grand plan," he says. "I've been finding music and what I liked, I researched it and add it to my music. I was not born here and I did not grow up here. I like these different styles as much or more than bebop. Settling in NYC was a kind of wake-up call as I realized that in order to break through in the most vibrant scene on the planet I had to be honest and that meant digging into my own culture to find a personal voice."

Upcoming Oscar Peñas Tour Dates:

March 28 / The Side Door / Old Lyme, CT

April 18 / BAMcafé / Brooklyn, NY

November 7 / Strathmore / Bethesda, MD

Oscar Peñas ·  Music of Departures and Returns ·  Release Date: April 15, 2014

oscarpenas.com

NEW RELEASES: TARRUS RILEY - LOVE SITUATION; BOBBY WOMACK - FACTS OF LIFE; INTERNET - FEEL GOOD

TARRUS RILEY - LOVE SITUATION

Love Situation, the latest album from reggae superstar Tarrus Riley, has debuted at #1 on the Billboard Reggae chart this week. The album was released independently on February 4th in a partnership between JukeBoxx Records, Cannon Productions, BSMG and Zojak World Wide. Along with its debut on the #1 spot on Billboard's reggae chart, the album has also been steady at #1 on the iTunes reggae chart for the last week. Reviews of the album have been excellent, and Riley and his band are currently on tour in the United States performing to enthusiastic crowds in the western states. Pat Meschino of Billboard Magazine stated, "Tarrus Riley's Love Situation is a stunning tribute to Jamaican rock steady as well as a landmark career recording. The use of classic Jamaican rhythms, which are given renewed luster through the immaculate production of Dean Fraser and Shane Brown, as well as the artist's superb, deeply affecting singing and songwriting yields an irresistible album that may finally bring Tarrus and by extension, contemporary Jamaican reggae, a much deserved, widespread audience throughout North America." The overwhelming response to Love Situation is a testament to the power of high-quality, professionally produced reggae music.

BOBBY WOMACK - FACTS OF LIFE

Bobby Womack at the height of his powers – perfectly balancing southern soul roots and 70s soul polish – with an amazing sound that was unlike anyone else at the time! The set was recorded at Muscle Shoals, but has a quality that goes way beyond any of the standard modes from the studio – almost as if Bobby brought a special sort of magic to the sessions that made everyone rise above the sometimes too-familiar work they were giving to the bigger names who were traipsing through the studio. Of course, a big part of the success of the album comes from Womack's amazing vocal delivery – that style that's raspy, yet warm – and which is a perfect fit for the well-penned tunes on the set. Titles include "I'm Through Trying To Prove My Love To You", "Nobody", "If You Can't Give Her Love Give Her Up", and a very cool version of "The Look Of Love". ~, Dusty Groove

INTERNET - FEEL GOOD

Bubbling avant soul from The Internet – aka Syd The Kid & Matt Martian – who really step up their game on Feel Good! Syd has developed strongly as a singer – with a light, breathy touch that's a warmly welcoming foil to some of the more abstract production touches. That said, it's never too loose or abstract on the production tip– with a focus on tighter songcraft, and featuring solid guest appearances by singers Yuna Zanai, Tay Walker, Jesse Boykins III and more. They're now recording for Columbia, but The Internet is working in a very strong indie soul mode here – and like Frank Ocean, they're at the top of the line of Odd Future alums we feel best about. Includes "Sunset" feat Yuna Zarai, "Dontcha", "You Don't Even Know" with Tay Walker, "Pupil I The Patience", "Red Balloon", "Cloud Of Our Own", "Runnin'" feat Tay Walker, "Shadow Dance", "Wanders Of The Mind" feat Mac Miller, "Higher Times" with Jesse Boykins III and more. ~ Dusty Groove 

DOM LA NENA - ELA POR ELES REMIXES

Brazilian born cellist/vocalist Dom La Nena's diverse musical background comes in part from having roots in Brazil, Argentina and France. Her self-produced Golondrina EP, released last fall, featured an eclectic collection of cover songs from The National, Lhasa de Sela and Stephan Eicher, giving listeners a glimpse into the range of her musical influences.

Now, in the wake of Golondrina and her acclaimed debut album Ela, on February 11th Six Degrees Records will release a collection of remixes titled Ela por Eles ("Ela by them"), featuring 7 tracks from Ela remixed by Kassin, Arturo en el Barco, Jeremy Sole, Joey Altruda, Mario Caldato and more. 

Her latest project turned out to be a challenge in terms of letting go of artistic control and handing the reins to someone else. Dom says of the experience,  "The idea of having my songs remixed by other producers/musicians, playing them in their way, turned out to be quite an interesting excercise... to not have any control over the arrangements, to allow the songs to ‘live and grow' without me, this was something so unfamiliar to what I am accustomed to, it made me want to try it."

Inspired by Dom La Nena's creative curiosity, Ela por Eles is an exercise in seeing what would happen if her songs were remixed and approached from other artists' perspectives. The opening track, "Menina Dos Olhos Azuis" as remixed by Piers Faccini (who co-produced Dom's debut album Ela) is a perfect reflection of his own work as a singer songwriter who draws inspiration from West African and Mediterranean music. 

The EP also features remixes by fellow Brazilians Mario Caldato and Kassin. Kassin, who is best known for his groundbreaking trio, Kassin +2, re-imagines a darker, more electronic vision of "Ela", while producer and engineer Mario Caldato (known for his work engineering the Beastie Boys classic Pauls Boutique album, and co-producing Check Your Head, Ill Communication and Hello Nasty) brings a dreamy, rhythmic, pop sensibility to "No Meu Pais".

NEW RELEASES: FRANK LACY & THE SMALLS LEGACY BAND - LIVE AT SMALLS; GEORGIA SOUL COUNCIL - THICKENS UPON STANDING; RODNEY GREEN QUARTET - LIVE AT SMALLS

FRANK LACY & THE SMALLS LEGACY BAND - LIVE AT SMALLS

One of the greatest albums we've ever heard from trombonist Frank Lacy – an artist who hardly ever takes the spotlight as a leader, but who really shines at the helm of this amazing set! The group has a depth of feeling that takes us back to some of Lacy's more spiritual projects of previous years – but they also swing with the solid, soulful groove of the best of the Smalls Live series – a perfect balance between Frank's arrangements and larger musical ideas, and all the spontaneous energy of the musicians in the venue! Players include Josh Evans on trumpet, Stacy Dilalrd on tenor, Theo Hill on piano, Rashaan Carter on bass, and Kush Abadey on drums – and tracks are all nice and long, in the best Smalls spirit. Titles include the Lacy originals "Stranded", "Carolyn's Dance", and "The Spirit Monitor" – plus versions of Freddie Hubbard's "Intrepid Fox", Joe Bonner's "Sunbath", and George Cables' "Think On Me".  © 1996-2014, Dusty Groove, Inc.

GEORGIA SOUL COUNCIL - THICKENS UPON STANDING

A fierce funky combo from Georgia – as you might guess from their name – one of the hardest-hitting soul acts we've heard from the contemporary Atlanta scene, and a group with a razor-sharp approach to their music all the way through! These guys hit right on the money right from the start – monstrous drums mixed with bass, guitar, and lots of Hammond and Fender Rhodes – topped with tight horns, in a groove that's mostly instrumental, but features the occasional chorus vocal from time to time. The vibe runs from late 60s small combo funk to a bit of early 70s as well – and the record's a raw treat that serves as a perfect introduction to the group. Titles include "Dutch Oven", "Snaggletooth", "Gatur Bait", "Hutchins", "Hip Shot", "Sauce", and "Soul Syrum". ~ Dusty Groove.

  

RODNEY GREEN QUARTET - LIVE AT SMALLS

Drummer Rodney Green leads a super-sharp combo here – a crack quartet with bold tenor from Seamus Blake, sensitive piano from Luis Perdomo, and warm work on bass from Joe Sanders. Blake really gets plenty of room to roam around on the album's long tracks – which are a perfect showcase for his dark-toned solo lines – blown here in a very personal, spontaneous way, which often fits the energy of Green's drums. As with other Smalls Live sets, there's a quality here that goes way beyond studio recordings by the players – and titles include "The Citadel", "Believer", "Camden", "Percy's Delight", "Ludus Tonalis", and "Painting In The Dark". ~ Dusty Groove

LOVE SUPREME JAZZ FESTIVAL ADDS JAMIE CULLUM, GREGORY PORTER, SOUL II SOUL, LAURA MVULA, ALICE RUSSELL

There will be over 50 acts at Love Supreme from July 4 – 6, 2014. The first main stage headliner is Jamie Cullum. With a Grammy, two Golden Globe, two BRIT, GQ Music Man of the Year, Sony Radio Award and numerous other award nominations under his belt, Jamie Cullum is the most successful UK jazz artist ever.the most successful UK jazz artist ever.

Also appearing will be double Brit-nominated breakthrough star of 2013 Laura Mvula and the legendary Soul II Soul (featuring a full live band and original vocalist Caron Wheeler) who will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the legendary Club Classics Vol. 1.

Making his triumphant return to Love Supreme after his unforgettable set in 2013 is the magnificent Gregory Porter performing songs from his Grammy-winning Liquid Spirit album.

Making their Love Supreme debut are some of the finest players in modern Jazz. There‘s the new electric project Dave Holland’s Prism, from the award winning bass player. Plus the breath-taking Christian McBride Trio which sees McBride lead a trio for the first time. Joining these jazz heavyweights is Curtis Stigers who has transformed from a pop-rock arena headliner to full-blooded jazz singer.

Returning with his House of Legends tour, complete with a few surprises just for us, is the champion of UK Jazz, Courtney Pine and continuing their Grammy victory lap is the electrifying Brooklyn-based Snarky Puppy.

Also confirmed are some of the most exciting artists mixing up jazz with soul, R'n'B and hip hop. Brighton native Alice Russell has taken her staggering voice across the Atlantic and back with great success; Jose James has been blending jazz & hip-hop since his debut album in 2008 and Derrick Hodge has stepped out from his time in the Robert Glasper Experiment and forged his own path culminating in last year's 'Live Today' album.

Completing the line-up are the ambient Hidden Orchestra, the Mercury nominated Polar Bear, garage-soul types The Computers and the wonderful vocalists Cecilia Stalin and Chloe Charles. 

CURTIS STIGERS TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM HOORAY FOR LOVE, APRIL 29, 2014, ON CONCORD RECORDS

Curtis Stigers is set to release his eleventh album “Hooray For Love,” April 29, 2014, his eighth for Concord Records. The album includes classics from the Great American Songbook including such gems from the repertoire as George and Ira Gershwin’s “Love is Here to Stay,” Jerome Kern’s “The Way You Look Tonight,” and “If I Were A Bell,” from Guys and Dolls, as well as three songs written or co-written by Stigers, including the title track, “Hooray For Love,” “Give Your Heart to Me,” and “A Matter of Time.” Of his new album, Stigers comments, “On almost all of my Concord records, I’ve done a standard or two and lot of songs by modern songwriters.  This time around, I’ve flipped it and recorded mostly standards with a few modern songs.”

A seamless combination of old and new songs, a classic pop album recorded with jazz musicians and a jazz sensibility, Hooray for Love is a celebration of this universal human condition. “I set out for this album to be like an old Nat King Cole record from the 50’s. I’ve had a lot of people ask me to do more standards, not critics or record companies, but friends. So, I had a running list of songs that I love and have always wanted to record. This time it really made sense.”

As with most of Stigers’ recordings, he is very comfortable juxtaposing standards with modern songs. In addition to the songs penned by Stigers, Hooray for Love also includes a Steve Earle song called “Valentine’s Day,” included because, as Stigers notes, “I like songs with stories that are told from a point of view of someone that is flawed, and this narrator is, although he ultimately redeems himself with some very romantic wordplay.  I think that, while it’s important to keep the Great American Songbook alive, it’s equally important to be open to adding to it.”

One of the tracks on the album, “You Make Me Feel So Young,” made famous by Frank Sinatra features the up and coming French chanteuse, Cyrille Aimée. “Cyrille is a wonderful singer who’s in her 20s and I’m in my late 40s so it really works – throughout the track she laughs and pokes fun of me for being old and it’s kind of like an old movie, like a Spencer Tracy / Kate Hepburn kind of thing.”  Another track on the album, “You Don’t Know What Love Is,” which Stigers learned from a recording by Tony Bennett and jazz pianist Bill Evans, reveals a different perspective on love.

“The guy in this song clearly has been in love and knows what love is, and perhaps he’s still in love, but he’s lost her. That’s what makes it so heartbreaking. My favorite line is: ‘You don’t know how hearts burn for love that cannot live but never dies.’ It takes my breath away.” 

Recorded at Brooklyn Recording studio Hooray for Love was produced by Stigers and John “Scrapper” Sneider, and features musicians Matthew Fries (piano), Keith Hall (drums), Cliff Schmitt (bass), Matt Munisteri (guitar), and Sneider (trumpet).

Hooray For Love Tracklisting:

Love Is Here to Stay (George Gershwin/Ira Gershwin)

Valentine’s Day (Steve Earle)

You Make Me Feel So Young featuring Cyrille Aimée (Josef Myrow/Mack Gordon)

Hooray for Love (Curtis Stigers/John Sneider)

The Way You Look Tonight (Jerome Kern/Dorothy Fields)

Give Your Heart to Me (Curtis Stigers)

That’s All (Alan Brandt/Bob Haymes)

A Matter of Time (Matthew Fries/Curtis Stigers/David Poe)

If I Were A Bell (Frank Loesser)

You Don’t Know What Love Is (Don Raye/Gene de Paul)

~ Concord Records 

2014 NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL TO BE BROADCAST ON AXS TV

AXS TV continues its commitment to being TV's home for live music festivals, announcing today that it will be the official broadcaster of the 2014 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell. The network has acquired the rights to air the Festival live, for the second consecutive year with StubHub returning as the Official Broadcast Partner. The 2014 four-day live broadcast will feature performances from a Powerhouse Line Up of Musicians Including Christina Aguilera, Santana, Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend, Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, The String Cheese Incident, John Fogerty and many more...

Presenting its 45th annual Festival, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival—or Jazz Fest—is a wildly popular event that attracts over 400,000 visitors each year, as some of music's biggest names come together to celebrate the culture and passion of the Big Easy. AXS TV will be on-site at Jazz Fest, with plans to telecast over 24 hours of live coverage from Thursday, May 1 through Sunday, May 4. This is an historic undertaking for both the network and the Festival, as it will be the first four-day live music broadcast in television history. The complete dates of the 2014 Jazz Fest are April 25 – May 4.

Much like Jazz Fest itself, the 2014 AXS TV broadcast will feature performances by a wide array of the most popular names in music.  The schedule of the entire broadcast will be released in the coming weeks, but the musical stars already confirmed to take part in the TV telecast include: Christina Aguilera, Santana, Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend, Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters,

The String Cheese Incident, John Fogerty, Alabama Shakes, Boz Scaggs, The Avett Brothers, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, and John Hiatt

"At Jazz Fest 2013, we brought together a fantastic lineup of artists. Many of their memorable performances at the Festival live on even now through the AXS TV 'Best of the Fest' special," said Quint Davis, Jazz Fest producer and director. "This year, our 45th Anniversary Festival, the stars really aligned, and an historic moment awaits us all in presenting to the world, both live and over AXS TV, the deepest and most exciting Festival line up ever. Truly a wish list come true. Extending the unique Jazz Fest festival atmosphere to anyone who can't be there in person, makes all of us extremely proud that these once-in-a-lifetime performances, and the unique total experience of the Festival itself, will reach across the nation through AXS TV's 24 hours of live broadcasts."

"As the home for music festivals on TV, we are thrilled to be the official broadcaster of Jazz Fest for the second consecutive year. To be able to bring Jazz Fest's unbelievable musical performances into the homes of our 42 million TV household audience is truly an honor and exceptional experience," said Mark Cuban, AXS TV founder.

The 2013 Festival was a major success for AXS TV, with over five million households tuning in to the broadcast. The network delivered over 30 hours of live Jazz Fest coverage, giving viewers the best seat in the house for the groundbreaking event. AXS TV gives viewers the chance to relive the defining moments from the 44th Annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT when it airs BEST OF NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL 2013. The special features a diverse group of artists spanning a variety of musical genres and eras, boasting award-winning headliners such as Billy Joel, Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, Maroon 5, Willie Nelson, Allen Toussaint, Cowboy Mouth, and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.

~ AXS TV

BLUES FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2014 BLUES HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

During the first 34 years of the Blues Hall of Fame balloting, only one saxophonist, Louis Jordan, was elected. The Year of the Saxophonist has come, however, in 2014, as three sax men--Big Jay McNeely, Eddie Shaw, and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson--blow their way into the Blues Hall.  Two other performers--Mississippi hill country patriarch R.L. Burnside and the intense and inimitable Robert Pete Williams—will also be inducted in May.

Among the other individuals to be recognized by The Blues Foundation for their behind-the-scenes contributions: The Rosebud Agency's manager and booking agent par excellence Mike Kappus, Houston music mogul and label owner Don Robey, and prolific Chicago record producer and writer Dick Shurman.

The book Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke by Peter Guralnick is the literature entry into the Blues Hall of Fame this year. This is Peter's fourth book inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.

These albums are being honored: Hawk Squat (Delmark, 1969) by J.B. Hutto and Moanin' in the Moonlight (Chess, 1959) by Howlin' Wolf.

The following singles will be inducted during the ceremony: "After Hours"  by Erskine Hawkins and His Orchestra (Bluebird, 1940); "Catfish Blues" by Robert Petway (Bluebird, 1941); "High Water Everywhere, Parts I & II" by Charley Patton (Paramount, 1930); "It's Tight Like That" by Tampa Red & Georgia Tom (Vocalion, 1928); and "Milk Cow Blues" by Kokomo Arnold (Decca, 1934).

Inductees' official biographies and descriptions are available, as well as all Hall of Fame inductees, at http://www.blues.org/halloffame/index.php.

The induction ceremony will be held Wednesday, May 7, at the Sheraton Memphis Downtown in Memphis, Tennessee, the night before the 35th Blues Music Awards. With living musicians like B.B. King and Buddy Guy, and legends like Muddy Waters and Koko Taylor, the Blues Hall of Fame consists of blues music's best and brightest stars.

The Blues Foundation is now in the final stages of raising the capital needed to showcase these legendary performers and their work with Blues Hall of Fame exhibits at its 421 S. Main headquarters in downtown Memphis. The Blues Hall of Fame will honor inductees year round, provide interactive and educational exhibits, and create a place for serious blues fans, casual visitors, and students to congregate, celebrate and learn more about the Blues. The Raise the Roof! campaign hopes to raise the remaining funds necessary to commence construction in June of this year.

On May 9, the night after the Blues Hall of Fame inductions, The Blues Foundation will present the Blues Music Awards for the 35th time. Performers, industry representatives and fans from around the world will celebrate the best in Blues recording, songwriting and performance from the previous year at the Memphis Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis.

For tickets and more information, visit www.blues.org.

Major funding is provided by ArtsMemphis and the Tennessee Arts Commission. The 35th Blues Music Awards and Blues Hall of Fame events are also sponsored by BMI, Catfood Records, Eagle Rock Entertainment, First Tennessee Foundation, Jontaar Creative Studios, Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and Sony/Legacy Records.

The Blues Foundation is Memphis-based, but world-renown as THE organization dedicated to preserving our blues music history, celebrating recording and performance excellence, supporting blues education and ensuring the future of this uniquely American art form. Founded in 1980, The Blues Foundation has 4000 individual members and 200 affiliated local blues societies representing another 50,000 fans and professionals around the world. Its signature honors and events--the Blues Music Awards, Blues Hall of Fame, International Blues Challenge and Keeping the Blues Alive Awards--make it the international center of blues music. Its HART Fund provides the blues community with medical assistance while its Sound Healthcare program offers musicians health insurance access. Blues in the Schools programs and Generation Blues scholarships expose new generations to blues music. Throughout the year, the Foundation staff serves the worldwide Blues community with answers, contact information and news.

Source: The Blues Foundation

CHUCK LOEB SIGNS WITH ARTISTWORKS FOR ONLINE JAZZ GUITAR SCHOOL

ArtistWorks, the leading interactive lifestyle social learning platform, today announced the signing of world renowned guitarist Chuck Loeb to teach jazz guitar utilizing ArtistWorks’ patent-pending Video Exchange™ Feedback platform.

Set to launch Spring 2014, the new Online Jazz Guitar School with Chuck Loeb will crack the code of jazz improvisation, making it easy for anyone to become the jazz player they always wanted to be. The new school will also be the first ArtistWorks school to offer the next level of education game-ification, making the learning experience even more immersive by adding another level of interactivity. Participation is voluntary and each member who successfully completes the fun “Ear Loeb” ear training quizzes will receive a badge that will be displayed on their profile.

The new online venture combines hundreds of high definition video lessons from all star guitarist Chuck Loeb with a thriving community of guitar players. Each player can submit their own practice videos and get personalized video feedback from Loeb. These Video Exchange interactions are paired together on the site and become new lessons unto themselves. All students can learn from these lessons as they form a constantly growing and evolving curriculum reflecting the interests of the community.

The combination of step-by-step lesson videos, Video Exchange feedback from Loeb himself and an ever growing library of Video Exchange lessons from the community is a remarkable new way to learn. Loeb’s approach to teaching jazz improvisation cuts through the complexity and breaks it down for players of all levels and experience to comprehend.

Chuck Loeb is one of the most musical guitarists in jazz. He studied early on with the legendary Jim Hall and graduated from the Berklee School of Music. Loeb boasts an impressive discography of solo releases, including six weeks at number one with his song “The Music Inside.” He spent time as the musical director for the Stan Getz group and toured with Metro featuring Michael Brecker Michael Mainieri, Peter Erskine and Victor Bailey. He is currently a member of Fourplay with Nathan East, Bob James, and Harvey Mason.

The new Online Jazz Guitar School with Chuck Loeb will cost $90 for three months, $150 for six months or $240 for six months unlimited access. For more information, visit ChuckLoebGuitar.com.

ArtistWorks currently offers schools from such world-class artists as: Paul Gilbert (rock guitar lessons), Martin Taylor (fingerstyle guitar lessons), Jason Vieaux (classical guitar lessons), Nathan East (electric bass lessons), John Patitucci (jazz bass lessons), Andreas Oberg (jazz guitar lessons), Jeannie Deva (singing lessons), Nathan Cole (violin lessons), Jeffrey Khaner (flute lessons), William Caballero (French horn lessons), David Bilger (trumpet lessons), Ricardo Morales (clarinet lessons), Howard Levy (harmonica lessons), DJ Qbert (DJ lessons), Christie Peery (piano lessons), Luis Conte (percussion lessons), as well as the ArtistWorks Academy of Bluegrass with Tony Trischka (banjo lessons), Missy Raines (double bass lessons), Bryan Sutton (flatpick guitar lessons), Andy Hall (Dobro lessons), Mike Marshall (mandolin lessons), Darol Anger (fiddle lessons), Free Acoustic Guitar Lessons with Scott Law, and Justin BUA (art lessons). For more information, visit ArtistWorks.com.