South Africa's Bala Brothers To Release Self-Titled CD/DVD On Warner Classics In March 2015

The Bala Brothers – Loyiso, Zwai and Phelo – are a household name in South Africa, thrilling audiences with their fusion of operatically-trained voices, rich harmonies and traditional South African melodies and rhythms. Overcoming apartheid, the trio rose out of poverty on the strength of their musical talent and broke the color barrier of the famous Drakensberg Boys' Choir, becoming its first black members. For their self-titled debut album on Warner Classics, the Brothers perform an inspiring live program of music ranging from The Lion King to Paul Simon (with special guests The Drakensberg Boys' Choir), in their hometown Johannesburg's Lyric Theatre. 

Bala Brothers will be released on CD and for download on March 3, 2015, with the DVD and Blu-Ray following on March 24. The program will be part of a national PBS special beginning on February 28.

Songs on the album include the anthemic 'Circle of Life' from Elton John's score for The Lion King, the Paul Simon hit 'Under African Skies,' from his seminal album Graceland, their own Xhosa-language love song 'Masibuyelane,' and the album's centerpiece: the anti-apartheid anthem '(Something Inside) So Strong,' a performance made all the more powerful by the presence of Winnie Mandela in the audience.

The Bala Brothers were born in the Kwa-Nobuhle township under the rule of apartheid. In 1988, eldest brother Zwai became the first black member to join the then-segregated Drakensberg Boys' Choir at the age of 12. Overcoming the resistance of many of the white children and their parents, he persevered, and later on the choir also welcomed his brothers, Loyiso and Phelo. Ultimately the three gained acceptance through their strength of character and singing talents, and their careers grew from there to the point where the Bala Brothers thrilled an audience of 55,000 when they headlined a spectacular concert tribute to Nelson Mandela in December 2013.

The Bala Brothers will tour the U.S. in May 2015.

TRACKLISTING:

1. CIRCLE OF LIFE (Elton John, Tim Rice)        

2. WEEPING (Dan Heymann)                                                  

3. GOING HOME (traditional, arr. Michael Whalen)

4. HE LIVES IN YOU (Lebohang Morake, Jay Rifkin, Mark Mancina)

5. UNDER AFRICAN SKIES (Paul Simon)

6. MASIBUYELANE (Loyiso & Zwai Bala)           

7. NDIZE (Mavo Solomon, Zwai Bala)                              

8. SOMETHING INSIDE SO STRONG (Labi Siffre)

9. THE CROSSING (Johnny Clegg)                    

10. GIRL WITHOUT A NAME (Loyiso Bala)     

11. AND SO IT GOES (Billy Joel)                       

12. PATA PATA (Jerry Ragovoy, Miriam Makeba)                       

13. MEGURU (traditional, arr. Michael Whalen)

DVD EXTRAS: YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE (R. Rodgers and O. Hammerstein II) and MARIA (L. Bernstein / S. Sondheim)

www.BalaBrothers.com   |   facebook.com/BalaBrothersMusic   |   twitter.com/BalaBrothers

Harold Mabern Assembles All Star Lineup for Afro Blue - Album Features Special Guests Gregory Porter, Norah Jones, Jane Monheit, Kurt Elling, Alexis Cole, Among Others

With Afro Blue, his second album for Smoke Sessions Records, Harold Mabern has taken a compelling new angle on his exceptionally creative musical vision. But for those who are truly familiar with this extraordinary pianist's talents, it is a project that is long overdue. While he may be best known for his powerful playing while soloing or driving so many of jazz' finest hornmen to spectacular heights of fire and thunder, Mabern has enjoyed a reputation among vocalists as one of the music's most sensitive and stimulating accompanists for more than 50 years - ever since his early days playing with the unparalleled Betty Carter.

On this album, Mabern has selected five of his favorite vocalists -- who also just happen to be some of the most popular and respected singers on today's scene -- and is featuring them as special guests in the company of his own outstanding ensemble. Gregory Porter, Norah Jones, Jane Monheit, Kurt Elling and Alexis Cole perform individually alongside Mabern's regular ensemble of Eric Alexander on tenor sax and the bass/drums tandem of John Webber and Joe Farnsworth; plus additional guests, trombonist Steve Turre and trumpeter Jeremy Pelt on four and six tracks respectively. Eminent guitarist Peter Bernstein is featured on one track as well.

"I love to play for singers," explains the pianist. "I feel honored and flattered that these wonderful vocalists would want to be part of my little project. I feel good when singers say they love the way you play. That's a very special compliment."

Despite the wide variety of personnel, the album is fully cohesive and artfully conceived, with Mabern's soulful, blues-rooted style of piano expression as its radiant nucleus. The repertoire of 14 pieces is a fascinating assemblage of standards, jazz classics, Mabern originals and a couple of unexpected contemporary hit songs - all performed in captivating fashion and constructed upon marvelous arrangements. Of the four Mabern originals, three are dedications to jazz immortals.

The album opens and closes with two of the homages - both instrumentals. "The Chief" (for John Coltrane) is for quintet, appropriately modal and fiery; and the trio piece "Bobby, Benny, Jymie, Lee, Bu" closes with a tribute to that edition of Blakey's Jazz Messengers in the funky hard bop flavor those five giants brought to their classic version of Bobby Timmons' "Moanin'". The trio is also featured on a sizzling rendition of John 'Moz' Farnsworth's "Mozzin'" fired up by his brother's drumming. The other instrumental, Steely Dan's biggest hit "Do It Again," is a feature for Bernstein's guitar wizardry. A third Mabern original, "Such Is Life," features Alexis Cole deftly handling Mabern's lyrics and infectious melody, with the three horns providing a backdrop somewhere between calypso and highlife.

Gregory Porter is featured on two pieces, a vividly smoking take on the Mongo Santamaria/Oscar Brown Jr. title cut, with Mabern stoking in classic Afro-Cuban piano mode; and in a delightful easy groove on the fourth Mabern original "The Man from Hyde Park" - a dedication to Herbie Hancock. Norah Jones brings her highly personal style to Bloom & Mercer's "Fools Rush In," smoothly swinging over Blakey-ish horns; and in an enchanting, intimate duet with Mabern on Gordon Parks' lovely "Don't Misunderstand." Jane Monheit is buoyantly spirited on Oakland & Hammerstein's "I'll Take Romance," and mesmerizing on Wood & Mellin's gorgeous "My One and Only Love." Bird's bop icon "Billie's Bounce" is a rip-roaring sojourn in scat by the remarkable Kurt Elling, while the acclaimed vocalist aptly demonstrates his ballad mastery with a most poignant take on Robinson & Burdge's exquisite "Portrait of Jennie." A fortunate serendipity on the Anne Murray mega-hit, Randy Goodrum's "You Needed Me" - which was slated to be an instrumental feature for Alexander's robust tenor - caused Mabern to call an audible when he heard Elling sing the first few words as he was about to depart the studio. The deeply moving results show how magic can be born by chance.

Mabern is unequivocally enthusiastic about this new album: "Wow! I can't believe we pulled all of it off. Everybody involved did a ten-star job. Simply beautiful!"

Dazzling vocal artistry, impeccable musicianship, imaginative soloing, and that elusive substance of true synergy focused by the singular vision of a brilliant artist make Afro Blue a truly special experience. For Harold Mabern, whose enormous accomplishments as a leader are sometimes eclipsed by his reputation for helping so many Jazz heavyweights realize their own musical visions, Afro Blue is further testimony to his own legend.

Harold Mabern · Afro Blue

Smoke Sessions Records  ·  Release Date: April 14, 2015

HaroldMabern.JazzGiants.net

HERB ALPERT TO KICK OFF 2015 "IN THE MOOD" 11 CITY CONCERT TOUR

After winning his ninth Grammy in 2014 and being honored by President Obama with the National Medal of Arts in 2013, “trumpet legend” (Wall Street Journal) Herb Alpert’s new album entitled ‘In The Mood’, sees Alpert playing a diverse array of standards and originals. Accompanying the album release is an extensive American tour and spring concerts in Tokyo, Japan, with his wife, Grammy® Award–winning singer Lani Hall.

Lani Hall rose to fame in 1966 as the lead singer of Sergio Mendes’ group, Brasil ’66. Brasil ’66 was signed to A&M Records by the co–founder of the label (and Lani’s future husband), Herb Alpert. Lani has the distinction of recording more than 22 albums in three different languages, four alongside her husband, and in 1983, she sang the title song for the James Bond film, Never Say Never Again. In 1986 Hall earned her first Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Performance for her album, Es Facil Amar. Born in Chicago, Lani also started writing at a young age and Emotional Memoirs & Short Stories is her first book. The intensely personal narrative is an intimate collection of short stories that features fiction and non–fiction from Lani’s personal history.

“The festive sound of Herb Alpert’s trumpet is instantly recognizable and always welcome” wrote Stephen Holden in The New York Times about the Alperts sold out performances at the Café Carlyle. This return engagement at the Carlyle presents 12 concerts, five nights a week with two shows on Saturday nights from March 10 — 21st with Herb and Lani and their accomplished band of three musicians that have been together for 8 years . “We have such a good time playing at the Carlyle, Lani and I look forward to our return engagement and to perform our new songs in the program” says Herb Alpert.

When talking about his recent success, Alpert remains humble. “Making music is a natural thing for me to do,” he says. “I love melodies from standards and I try to present them in a different way that hasn’t been heard before.” ‘In The Mood’ is a pop jazz album which opens with Glen Miller’s classic, Chatanooga Choo Choo, and closes with ‘America The Beautiful,’ where Alpert employs percussion from all seven continents to “reflect the melting pot” of the United States.

“Few people can claim to be a Renaissance man in this complex age, but Herb Alpert might be one of them,” says The New York Times. And few can rival Alpert’s staggering resume: as a solo artist and as the leader of the Tijuana Brass, he has sold over 72 million records, and placed 28 albums in the Billboard 200, including five #1s. He has scored 14 platinum and 15 gold albums, and is the only artist ever to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as both a vocalist and instrumentalist. At one point Alpert and the Tijuana Brass simultaneously had four albums in the Top 10.

Aside from his impressive career as a musician, he and his partner, Jerry Moss, founded A&M Records, which was the largest independent record company in the world, and in 2006 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. An acclaimed painter and sculptor with work in the permanent collection at MOCA in Los Angeles, with gallery shows and public art that has been shown around the US and Europe. Alpert is also a Tony Award–winning producer (‘Angels in America’), and a philanthropist who has donated over $130 million towards arts education through his Herb Alpert Foundation.

‘In The Mood’ Tour Dates:

March 10–14 — New York, NY @ Cafe Carlyle (2 shows on 14th)

March 17–21 — New York, NY @ Cafe Carlyle (2 shows on 21st)

March 25 — Englewood, NJ @ Bergen Performing Arts Center

March 26 — Morristown, NJ @ Mayo Performing Arts Center

March 27 — Wilmington, DE @ The Grand Opera House

March 28 — Rockville, MD @ The Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center

Match 29 — Lancaster, PA @ American Music Theater

April 17–20 — Tokyo, Japan @ Blue Note

May 7 — Solano Beach (San Diego), CA @ Belly Up Tavern

May 8 — Ventura, CA @ Ventura Music Festival Ventura High School Auditorium

May 9 — Carmel, CA @ Sunset Center

June 4–6 — Costa Mesa, CA @ Segerstrom Center for the Arts/ Pacific Symphony

Oct 2 — Rochester, MN @ Mayo Civic Presentation Hall

NEW RELEASES: CIAO BELLA!: ITALIAN GIRL SINGERS OF THE 60s; PETER BROTZMANN / JOHN EDWARDS / STEVE NOBLE – SOULFOOD AVAILABLE; SOCIAL LOVERS - ENJOY THE RIDE

CIAO BELLA!: ITALIAN GIRL SINGERS OF THE 60s (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Great groovy pop from the Italian scene of the 60s – a wealth of rare singles from female singers, almost all of whom we've never heard before! We'll confess to a long love and deep knowledge of female French singers from the time – but also admit a strong ignorance about most Italian pop, which always seems a bit harder to find – especially collected together in sets like this for the English-speaking world. And while we totally love the French sets from Ace Records, we almost dig this one even more – as the whole thing's so fresh, so groovy that each new tune is a real delight – as bold orchestrations mix with mod rhythms, rockish instrumentation, and some totally cool Italian lyrics sung by a batch of female singers who've definitely got us already digging for more. Titles include "Baluba Shake" by Brunetta E I Suoi Balubas, "Il Mio Posto Quale" by Ornella Vanoni, "Sono Qui Con Voi by Caterina Caselli, "Un Amore Inutile" by Isabella Ianetti, "La Notte E Fatta Per Rubare" by Catherine Spaak, "Il Geghege" by Rita Pavone, "Ragazzo Triste" by Patty Pravo, "Se Telefonando" by Mina, and "Questa Sinfona" by Carmen Villani. ~ Dusty Groove

PETER BROTZMANN / JOHN EDWARDS / STEVE NOBLE – SOULFOOD AVAILABLE

The title's a very apt one – as saxophonist Peter Brotzmann somehow sounds even more soulful than ever – almost at a level that evokes John Coltrane and Albert Ayler with his searing, searching tones on the album's very long title track! "Soulful Available" is worth the price of admission alone – as Brotzmann blows this very spiritual tenor over bass from John Edwards and drums from Steve Noble – as all three players build intensity and resonate together, almost with a 60s ESP sort of vibe – quite different than usual for Peter, but really appreciated as well! Some of the more familiar Brotzmann sense of tone and timing come through on the album's two shorter tracks, both of which are great too – "Nail Dogs By Ears" and "Don't Fly Away". ~ Dusty Groove

SOCIAL LOVERS – ENJOY THE RIDE

Sweet 80s grooves from Social Lovers – a contemporary group, but one who work in a style that's somewhere between the best keyboard styles of the underground artists of the post-disco years, mixed with some of the darker elements of the European scene as well! Had these guys been alive back in the day, there's no doubt they would have played big in the post-disco, post-punk scene in New York – but it's almost even cooler that they're contemporary, as it makes their commitment to the right sort of sounds so fresh – especially given how understated they can be in their approach! Most numbers have a sweet midtempo groove that's balanced equally between basslines and keyboards, and run through with these easygoing female vocals – and titles include "Baby Tonight", "Cosmic Love", "Love Sick Eyes", "Love's True", and "Lover's Theme".  ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: WALTER BISHOP JR. TRIO – SPEAK LOW; GORAN KAJFES SUBTROPIC ARKESTRA - THE REASON WHY VOL. 2; ROSCOE MITCHELL TRIO - ANGEL CITY

WALTER BISHOP JR. TRIO – SPEAK LOW

A rare early date as a leader from pianist Walter Bishop Jr – cut for a tiny east coast label that folded almost as soon as the record was issued – but a date that's gone onto great fame over the years, thanks to circulation in a few different formats! Bishop's got a really maturing approach here – as sharp as his work from the bop years, but with a deeper sense of tone and color too – occasional lyrical moments that get great shading from the bass of Jimmy Garrison and drums of GT Hogan – both players who make the album really something special – a real cut above the usual trio session. In that manner, the record features two tunes that run for nearly 10 minutes each – opening up in that reflectively soulful mode that Bish would be known much more for in later years – and titles include "Speak Low", "Milestones", "Green Dolphin Street", and "Blues In The Closet". CD features three bonus alternate takes too! (HQ – Hi Quality CD pressing!)  ~ Dusty Groove

GORAN KAJFES SUBTROPIC ARKESTRA - THE REASON WHY VOL. 2

A stunner of a record from trumpeter Goran Kajfes – an artist we've loved for years, but who really blows us away even more with this set! The first album with his Subtropic Arkestra was a real revelation – a bold step into funkier, more globally-conscious territory – but this second effort is even more powerful and righteous, and this amazing album that ties together so many different strands of music! Kajfes' vision is broad enough to encompass roots from Africa, the Middle East, and even some of the 70s cross-cultural experiments on the European scene – as well as the collaborative efforts of larger ensembles like the Sun Ra Arkestra or Fela's Afrika 70s – both of whom would be a good comparison tot he lively energy of this great group. Players include Jonas Kullhammar and Per Rusktrask Johansson on reeds, Jesper Nordenstrom on organ and keyboards, and a number of other key underground players on the Scandinavian scene – and the record features versions of work by Milton Nascimento, Okay Temiz, Francis Bebey, and even Grizzly Bear – but all given a unique twist by the group. Tremendous stuff – with titles that include "Tamzara", "A Lua Girou", "New Track", "Dokuz Seki/Esmerim", and "Yet Again".  ~ Dusty Groove

ROSCOE MITCHELL TRIO - ANGEL CITY

Roscoe Mitchell is in some great territory here – almost returning to the most sensitive sonic moments of the Art Ensemble Of Chicago – that very different side of the group that often used silence as much as it did sound! The album features one long performance that runs for almost an hour – with a very AEC-like approach to instrumentation, which has the three players each trading along through a whole host of different percussion and woodwind instruments – the latter of which are played by Mitchell and James Fei, who also handle percussion too – with William Winant on a range of percussion the whole performance. The sounds are sometimes at the farthest range of hearing, then move into the light in compelling ways as the piece goes on – and the whole thing is a great reminder of the really sophisticated side that we've always loved in Mitchell's music.  ~ Dusty Groove

DAVE KOZ 2015 TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED...

With seven No.1 Contemporary Jazz Albums, and host of the award-winning Dave Koz Radio Show (now in its 20th year), Davde Koz will present a broad range of repertoire to his signature smooth Jazz style, which includes such smash singles as "You Make Me Smile," "Got To Get You Into My Life," "Together Again," "Faces of the Heart," and "Honey-Dipped."  

Over the decades, the saxophone has opened numerous doors for LA born Dave Koz. He's played with such artists as, Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Celine Dion, U2, Michael McDonald, Luther Vandross and Rod Stewart. Quite the superstar list. One more door opened today as Barry Manilow announced that the GRAMMY® nominated Koz will be a special guest on his ONE LAST TIME! Tour in 2015.

Koz is no stranger to the touring stage or to Manilow. The two recently shared stages across the UK during Manilow's tour this past May. As a solo performer, Koz sells out over 60 concerts a year in North America and he's also a platinum-selling artist with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

"I am a big fan of Dave and his music, and am thrilled to have this chance to share his talents with my friends," said Manilow.

"I'm truly honored that Barry has invited me to join him on this special tour. He's such a brilliant entertainer and the idea of performing with him again in arenas across North America is extremely exciting," said Koz. "We always have a blast together and I know that audiences will too."

Manilow recently announced that he is going to "hit the road" and perform concerts across North America ONE LAST TIME!  Manilow will launch his multiple-city ONE LAST TIME! Tour beginning in Omaha, NE on February 11, 2015 and travel to Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Seattle and more before performing for the first time at Barclays Center in his native Brooklyn on the superstar's June 17th birthday. 

Tour Dates:
Feb. 11 - Omaha, NE @ CenturyLink Center

Feb. 12 - Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center

Feb. 14 - Chicago, IL @ United Center

Feb. 15 - Detroit, MI @ The Palace of Auburn Hills

Feb. 24 - Milwaukee, WI @ BMO Harris Bradley Center

Feb. 26 - Cleveland, OH @ Wolstein Center

Feb. 27 - Washington, D.C. @ Verizon Center

Mar. 1 - Columbus, OH @ Nationwide Arena

Mar. 26 - Pittsburgh, PA @ CONSOL Energy Center

Mar. 27 - Long Island, NY @ Nassau Coliseum

Mar. 28 - Mashantucket, CT @ The Grand Theater at Foxwoods

Apr. 10 - Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Grand Garden Arena

Apr. 17 - Sacramento, CA @ Sleep Train Arena

Apr. 20 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Maverik Center

May 26 - Vancouver, B.C. @ Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena

May 27 - Seattle, WA @ KeyArena at Seattle Center

May 28 - Portland, OR @ Moda Center

June 4 - Atlanta, GA @ The Arena at Gwinnett Center

June 5 - Louisville, KY @ KFC Yum! Center

June 6 - Charlotte, NC @ Time Warner Cable Arena

June 13 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Wells Fargo Center

June 14 - Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center

June 16 - Boston, MA @ TD Garden

June 17 - Brooklyn, NY  @ Barclays Center

NEW RELEASES: ROY BURROWES SEXTET FEATURING MAL WALDRON - LIVE AT THE DREHER; CASEY GOLDEN TRIO – OUTLIERS; JESSE JAMES - I LOST MY BABY ON FACEBOOK

ROY BURROWES SEXTET FEATURING MAL WALDRON - LIVE AT THE DREHER

A tremendous set from Jamaican trumpeter Roy Burrowes – a musician who's never been as recorded as often as he should, which is what makes this lost live set so special! The set was recorded live in Paris at the start of the 80s – with Burrowes on trumpeter, in a group that also features Mal Waldron on piano – at a time when he was doing some really wonderful work on the European scene, at a level that's almost a new wave of spiritualism in his music – which really seems to bring out the best in Roy! Also great is reedman Richard Raux – who plays some soulful tenor and soprano sax that works wonderfully alongside Burrowes – on long titles that include "Old Compton Street", "Seagulls", "Jamaica", "Searching", Going Back Home", "Symphony In Blues", and "Hard Talk".  ~ Dusty Groove

CASEY GOLDEN TRIO – OUTLIERS

The long-awaited new album from Sydney’s Casey Golden Trio, Outliers is the first album featuring the current line-up of Bill Williams (bass) and Ed Rodrigues (drums/percussion), all in their mid-late twenties. They are all working freelance musicians around Sydney and have done a lot of playing around the country over the past few years. The follow-up to 2010’s Clarity, Outliers comes after five years of working closely as a trio and represents the first true artistic statement from these three young musicians. Outliers  features all original compositions from Casey Golden and original cover art by Ron Frenz (Marvel/DC Comics).  Available January 20 on iTunes/Bandca.

JESSE JAMES - I LOST MY BABY ON FACEBOOK

The great Jesse James keeps on going – with a sound that's every bit as the old days, even though he's updated his lyrics to include the world of Facebook! James is part of a great deep soul underground – an artist who was a soul singer back in the 60s, but who's moved into more of a bluesy vibe over the decades – but in a style that still has plenty of southern soul in the mix, like some of the excellent 80s material on the Malaco label. The album's issued on the tiny Gunsmoke label, but has a great sound that rivals the bigger indies – as well as a hell of a lot of charm, as you might guess from the cover. Titles include "Can I Still Be Your Friend", "You're All In My Dreams", "Hate Will Destroy The World", "Why Do U Have 2 Lie", "It Doesn't Seem Like Xmas 2 Me", and "I Lost My Baby On Facebook". ~ Dusty Groove

Multi-instrumentalist Urban Blu hits #1 on Reverbnation's jazz charts with single "Electric Winter”

Musician/Producer and Multi-instrumentalist Fernandez Billingslea, aka Urban Blu, has recently released his new digital release “Electric Winter” with a rave response. The Jazz Network Worldwide jumps on the bandwagon of this artist's new found glory as he propels to #1 on the Jazz charts in Atlanta on Reverbnation.

  

The Jazz Network Worldwide is proud to support Urban Blu’s expertise as an accomplished producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist creating a non-traditional approach to jazz compositions as he climbs the Reverberation charts with his current single digital release of “Electric Winter”.

“After closely listening to “Electric Winter” I heard different conversations, cohesively gathered with different musical flavors comprised of Miles Davis-type trumpet riffs, against funk/jazz foundations showered with some rock guitar, laid into the maze of musical flavors. I sensed emotional stories, all wrapped in one thrust, showing changes that brings the listener to different realms of thought. Sounds like the perfect foundation for a love-scene in a motion picture where love takes you many places of heart” says Jaijai Jackson, creator of The Jazz Network Worldwide.

  

Urban Blu comes from one of the most music rich southern cities, Macon Georgia. Over decades, Macon has produced several known musical artists, i.e. James Brown, The Allman Brothers Band, Little Richard, Sea Level, and Otis Redding to name a few. Blu demonstrated his musical spirit and God-given talent at a very early age, with his first instrument being the Clarinet, then moved onto the saxophone where his improvisation skills began to develop. It was when he discovered the drums that he accepted his fate and focused on being a drummer. By the time he entered the 12th grade he was one of the youngest most sought after professional drummers around Macon. This positioned him to gain valuable knowledge from seasoned musicians with several local bands like the ”“Reddings” and “Shabazz”. 

Later in his career, he established his own recording company in Atlanta and formed his own band ‘Urban Blu’. Not long after their first album “Out Of The Blu” was released, they were catapulted as the best local band in that region. This positioning created opportunities to share stages with national artists like Najee, Herbie Hancock, TS Monk, Eric Benet, Cassandra Wilson, Tuck & Patti, Steve Turre & Sanctified Shells, Regina Carter, Claudia Villella, Cyrus Chestnut, Papo Vazquez, David S. Ware, Amel, Dr. Billy Taylor, Soul To Soul, and Gonzalo Rubalcaba. 

The start of 2015 began on a high note for Urban Blu, for “Electric Winter” rapidly rocketed up the Reverbnation local jazz charts to #1 and continues to make leaps and bound across national, global, and “all genres” category charts. Reverrbnation is interested in submitting his music for major motion picture productions and online gaming opportunities. 

There’s a tremendous music buzz lurking over the social media communities that includes FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat and major online Digital Music Distribution sites like Itunes and CDBaby. There’s no wonder that the foundation of his website (www.urbanbluemusic.com) a social network itself, is the perfect platform for his fans to become viral marketers supporting the growth of his musical expertise and upcoming releases. Urban Blu contributes a portion of each download of “Electric Winter” to the Love Hope Strength Foundation (LHS) which is the world’s leading rock-and-roll cancer foundation dedicated to saving lives, one concert at a time. (www.lovehopestrength.org)

  

Visit THE JAZZ NETWORK WORLDWIDE "A GREAT PLACE TO HANG" at: http://www.thejazznetworkworldwide.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

SMOOTH JAZZ HITS: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION BRINGS TOGETHER HOTTEST STARS & CHART-TOPPING TRACKS FROM CONTEMPORARY JAZZ WORLD

Concord Music Group has announced the forthcoming release of Smooth Jazz Hits: The Ultimate Collection. Due out March 30th, the Collection is loaded with 17 of the hottest Smooth Jazz hits, straight from the top of recent Mediabase Smooth AC and Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs charts. 

Featured in the collection are some of today’s most exciting artists in contemporary jazz music, including Mindi Abair, whose star-studded album Wild Heart was praised for its “sophistication…gritty, raucous spirit, and exceptional creative imagination” by AllMusic.com. Saxophonist and fan favorite Dave Koz is at the helm on two chart-topping selections off his GRAMMY-nominated, collaborative 2013 effort, Summer Horns (including a grooving cover of the Beatles’ “Got to Get You Into My Life”). Also in the mix are such icons as Boney James, George Benson, and Al Jarreau, whose cover of “Bring me Joy” pays tribute to his longtime friend George Duke (off 2014’s My Old Friend). And no smooth jazz collection would be complete without a track from superstar Kenny G, who is featured in his number one hit “Heart and Soul.”

  

Featuring original hit songs, plus grooving covers of favorites—such as BWB’s take on Michael Jackson's “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground),” Gerald Albright & Norman Brown’s fresh spin on Ne-Yo's “Champagne Life” and Dave Koz & Friends’ celebratory performance of Sly and the Family Stone’s “Hot Fun in the Summertime”—Smooth Jazz Hits: The Ultimate Collection will become a fast favorite for any fan of contemporary jazz.

Track Listing:

1. Boney James: Batucada (The Beat) (4:03)

2. Dave Koz and Friends: Got to Get You into My Life (5:37)

3. Mindi Abair: Haute Sauce (3:18)

4. George Benson: The Lady in My Life (4:30)

5. BWB: Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground) (5:13)

6. Gerald Albright / Norman Brown: Champagne Life (5:22)

7. Fourplay: Sonnymoon (4:13)

8. Kenny G: Heart and Soul (4:35)

9. David Benoit: Feelin’ It (3:57)

10. Richard Elliot: Givin’ It Up (4:01)

11. Jeff Lorber Fusion: Hacienda (5:31)

12. Al Jarreau: Bring Me Joy (4:36)

13. Peter White: Head over Heels (5:13)

14. Dave Koz and Friends: Hot Fun in the Summertime (4:26)

15. Boney James: Powerhouse (4:00)

16. BWB: Man in the Mirror (4:27)

17. Jeff Lorber Fusion: City (4:29)

NEW RELEASES: THE BAKER BROTHERS - HEAR NO EVIL; STREETWIZE - DOES THE DIVAS!; WILLIE WEST – LOST SOUL

THE BAKER BROTHERS - HEAR NO EVIL

Full of renewed attitude, The Baker Brothers are back with a new album for 2014. The band has spent the past year working on this latest project, which features the same line-up as the 2011 release Time to Testify. Hear No Evil is a fine collection of Soul Music infused with elements of Jazz, Rock, Hip-Hop and R&B. The group road tested this material on their latest tour of Japan earlier this year and received an overwhelmingly great response. The Album grew from a creative collaboration between the 5 members of the group. Ideas were worked through, refined, rehearsed and sometimes discarded. With spirit and excitement about the music, it took a year of working Individually and collaboratively to produce this final collection of songs. The result shows us that once again The Baker Brothers can creatively and successfully weave their signature horn hooks through heavy disco bass lines, classy synths, boogallo guitars, and intricate driving grooves. With one critic comparing this to "Average White Band at their best" Hear No Evil offers danceable classics, lyrical melodies and poignant lyrics.

STREETWIZE - DOES THE DIVAS!

Streetwize is famous for delivering sophisticated Smooth Urban Jazz versions of today s hottest grooves from the world of R&B and Hip Hop, delighting a loyal audience that wants their Urban hits smoothed out for that chill-time vibe. Streetwize Does the Divas continues the tradition by paying tribute to today s hottest female R&B stars. Sexy, smooth interpretations of recent smashes from Beyoncè (Blow), Mary J. Blige (Whole Damn Year), Rihanna (Loveeeeeee Song), Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Jessie J (Bang Bang) and an old school tribute to Mariah (Dream Lover) and more all reimagined in the Smooth Urban Jazz style made famous by Streetwize.  Smooth Jazz superstar saxophonist/producer Kim Waters and the Streetwize all-stars make all the right moves, creating a non-stop listening experience. ~ Amazon

WILLIE WEST – LOST SOUL

A new album from the great Willie West – an artist we love for his rare vintage New Orleans work of the 60s and 70s – still sounding surprisingly wonderful all these many years later! Willie's vocals have this raspy, honest charm that's totally great – and like Lee Fields during his revival years, West gets superb backing from a small combo of younger players who really appreciate the best roots of the music – tight but unpretentious grooves that feel just like a vintage 45, and suit Willie West to a T! The style is less New Orleans than it is a more righteous, sophisticated version of funky soul – one with some nice dark corners that really raise our opinion of Willie's talents – again with the sort of deeper vibe we love in the recent work by Lee Fields. Titles include "Slow & Easy", "Cold In The Storm", "She's So Wise", "The Devil Gives Me Everything", "Getting Down", and "I'm Aware Of What You Want".  ~ Dusty Groove

 

ALBERT TOOTIE HEATH / ETHAN IVERSON / BEN STREET - PHILADELPHIA BEAT

There have been pivotal locales which were the nurturing ground for the vanguard in many art forms. Jazz music has had a number of these spots, from New Orleans up to Chicago, then to New York and outward. It would not be hard to argue that the great city of Philadelphia should be recognized with these others as a wellspring of talented musicians.

One of Philadelphia s prominent sons is the fantastic drummer Albert Tootie Heath. He, like so many other Philly natives including his brothers Jimmy and Percy, grew up in the music, as the city was ripe with musicians of the first order and an important stop for many of the progenitors of the music. On his new recording Philadelphia Beat - Heath returns to his native ground to catch the spirit and preserve it.

Heath s story begins in the City of Brotherly Love, where he was born in 1935 into a community that not only supported the music, but truly helped it thrive. Heath began his career early, forming the Bee Boppers with saxophonist Sam Reed and trumpeter Ted Curson, soon adding pianist Bobby Timmons and bassist Jimmy Garrison. Another group Heath belonged to was Bill Carney s Hi-Tones featuring a young John Coltrane and Shirley Scott. His sideman work with musicians like Lester Young and Thelonious Monk helped to solidify his reputation as a drummer, allowing him to find success soon after leaving Philadelphia.

Joining Heath, on their third recording as a trio, are pianist Ethan Iverson and bassist Ben Street. Iverson is best known for his work with the lauded collaborative trio The Bad Plus but has also been an invaluable member of groups led by Billy Hart and Lee Konitz, among others. Street has long been a first call bassist for many of the leading lights in the music, including David Sanchez, Danilo Pérez and Kurt Rosenwinkel, and always joins Iverson in the Billy Hart quartet.

In the midst of the trio s stay in Philadelphia and recording sessions at Turtle Studios, they were able to meet up with a handful of Heath s friends and peers at the Clef Club, the headquarters of the city s first black musician s union, located near Heath s childhood home. The guests included fellow Philadelphians Sam Reed, Billy Bonner, bassist Buster Williams, drummer Mickey Roker and Bill Carney. The meeting provided an opportunity for story telling, risqué jokes and a bit of inspiration for the musicians.

For the recording, the trio brought a diverse program of standards and a couple of not so standards. The performances show the ensemble s ability to draw new concepts from well-loved pieces, being contemporary without ignoring the past. ~ Amazon

Surf Roots Radio Launches Reggae Music’s Biggest Online Radio Expansion in 2015

The #1 online reggae radio station*, SURF ROOTS RADIO, has landed aggressive industry partnerships in 2015 allowing the station to exponentially increase it's distribution, media, and market presence creating the first online reggae radio network and breaking ground on a new era for the Reggae Rock industry.

The new Surf Roots Radio Network will launch 4 new music streams (Reggae Nation, Island Mix, 420 Radio, and On The Rise), introduce the new and anticipated Surf Roots Television Channel, and launch it's new Surf Roots App set for release March 1, 2015. This comes as no surprise as Surf Roots Radio is a crucial player in the growth of U.S. based reggae music, supporting the explosion of artists such as Rebelution, SOJA, Slightly Stoopid, Dirty Heads, Pepper, Iration and many more onto the mainstream.

Establishing the first “Pandora-like” Reggae Radio Network, the addition of new streams will allow listeners to experience 5 different styles of the reggae music genre in one location 24/7. REGGAE NATION will be streaming traditional Jamaican reggae and authentic roots; Surf Roots ISLAND MIX will feature the best of Hawaiian and Island Reggae; Surf Roots 420 will feature programming focused strictly on reggae herb tracks, playing tribute to cannabis culture; Surf Roots ON THE RISE will feature a unique opportunity for up and coming and developing artists to be heard. The Surf Roots downloadable app (available on Android and IOS) has also received an upgrade to match Surf Roots’ increased market position. In addition to the four new radio streams, the app has improved streaming quality, smoother buffering and listener customization including sleep timer & alarm clock, more social media connectivity, and renovated design to support all the latest operating systems.

With new distribution partner TuneIn® Radio, the Surf Roots Radio Network has expanded their listeners from an organic 300k+ per month to potentially reaching 50 MILLION active listeners per month in over 230 countries who listen on average to 2.3hrs of radio per day. Surf Roots stations will also be featured in all the new connected cars, as well as computers and hand held devices. TuneIn® will be featuring Surf Roots as one of their featured stations throughout 2015, with co-branded marketing and promotions.

Surf Roots Television is an audio visual augmentation that will bring together an award winning production team to deliver cutting edge programming spanning live performances, music videos, artist interviews, and behind the scenes views of reggae's growing global culture. Featured on YouTube, Apple TV, SurfRoots.com and more, the distribution network reaches the best in surf culture through it's featured distribution partner GrindTV.com. GrindTV.com is the largest extreme sports website, and through GrindTV.com Surf Roots Television will reach 14 MILLION unique, and a total of 41 MILLION users per month. With the third highest distribution rates of any sports site next to ESPN and FOX Sports, GrindTV.com will assure a solid and well honed footprint for these musical productions, bringing high quality audio video programming to your device.

Surf Roots Radio Network’s mission is to deliver the highest quality reggae music programming to it's global listener base. Supporting the reggae industry since 1999 out of a deep rooted love for the artists and music, station owners Dave Resin & Tim Gray launched Surf Roots Radio in 2011 establishing the station as one of the first reggae stations to pay publishing royalties for every spin through full licensing via Sound Exchange, ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. "The expanded formats for Surf Roots Radio and TV give us the ability to showcase the world of reggae in a whole new way. This is true multimedia for our audience," says Resin. They are currently accepting new strategic sponsors and partnerships that are looking to capitalize on Surf Roots’ large audience with opportunities for title positions on all radio streams and television programming.

NEW RELEASES: CASSANDRA WILSON - COMING FORTH BY DAY; FAE SIMON - OUTROSPECTIVE; JEREMY PELT - TALES, MUSINGS & OTHER REVERIES

CASSANDRA WILSON - COMING FORTH BY DAY

An otherworldly musical homage to legendary jazz vocalist Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan on April 7, 1915) on the 100th anniversary of the singer's birth, Coming Forth By Day is Cassandra Wilson's moody, soulful showcase for contemporary yet timeless interpretations of standards associated with Lady Day. Coming Forth By Day was produced by Nick Launay, known as Nick Cave's producer for the last decade among many other adventurous credits. Cassandra Wilson has drawn inspiration from Billie Holiday for her entire life and chose the title as a way to honor the iconic singer: "Coming Forth By Day" is an English translation of the title of the ancient Egyptian "Book of the Dead," a collection of magic spells intended to assist the journey of those that have passed on through the afterlife. The album features 11 re-interpretations of standards associated with Lady Day plus an original penned by Cassandra Wilson - the dream-like new "Last Song (For Lester)," imagined as a heartbreaking final message from Billie to her lover, Lester Young. (Upon getting the news that Young had passed away, Billie flew straight from overseas to his funeral but was denied the opportunity to sing by Young's family and was distraught.) Wilson recorded Coming Forth By Day in Los Angeles at Seedy Underbelly studios with an A list musical team including producer Launay (Nick Cave, Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, Arcade Fire), guitarists T Bone Burnett and Nick Zinner of the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, string arranger Van Dyke Parks and rhythm section The Bad Seeds (drummer Thomas Wydler and bassist Martyn P. Casey). "A dream of mine is happening," said Cassandra Wilson, "I've been in love with Billie Holiday's voice since the moment I heard it, and she has inspired me throughout my career." ~ Amazon

FAE SIMON - OUTROSPECTIVE

Fae Simon is a soulful Jazz singer, a gifted song-writer and a vocal performance instructor with over 20 years of on-stage experience. Formally trained in Opera and Jazz, Fae’s performance style fuses these traditional genres with Hip-hop, Rare Groove, Soul and Dub – a unique sound that electrifies audiences when she performs with her live band. Fae is no stranger to the art of the hustle. Over the years she has supported, collaborated, performed and toured with a broad range of successful artists across the UK and Europe - including N'Dambi , Yarah Bravo, Jehst, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Pharoah Monche, MF Doom & Madlib and The legendary Beatnuts. Her second album ‘Outrospective’ moves on from the theme of intensive relationships and personal reflection - and instead projects outwards to a critique on the tensions between art and industry, communities and authorities, past and present, balance and imbalance. It is scheduled for release in March 2015.  

JEREMY PELT - TALES, MUSINGS AND OTHER REVERIES

Sophisticated sounds from trumpeter Jeremy Pelt – a player who seems to find more and more of his own space with each new recording! This time around, Pelt plays with a mostly-compressed vibe that's both very focused in its phrasing, yet also open to new explorations as well – a sense of tone that's almost what you'd hear from a flugelhorn, but expressed in more open, soaring sort of ways – with accompaniment from a unique two-drum group that has Victor Lewis in one channel and Billy Drummond in the other – plus Simona Premazzi on piano and Ben Allison on drums. The leader's tone and vision shape each song strongly – and titles include "Everything You Can Imagine Is Real", "Ruminations On Eric Garner", "Glass Bead Games", "Vonetta", and "Nephthys". ~ Dusty Groove

Allan Harris Releases Black Bar Jukebox, New Album Inspired by Music Emanating from Jukeboxes in African-American Culture in the '70s

Ever since he burst on the jazz scene in the latter part of the twentieth century, The Brooklyn-born, Harlem-based vocalist, guitarist, bandleader, and composer Allan Harris has reigned supreme as one of the most accomplished and exceptional singers of his generation. Aptly described by the Miami Herald as an artist blessed with, "the warmth of Tony Bennett, the bite and rhythmic sense of Sinatra, and the sly elegance of Nat 'King' Cole," the ample and aural evidence of Harris' multifaceted talent can be heard on his ten recordings as a leader; his far-flung and critically-acclaimed concerts around the world, from Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, and Washington DC's Kennedy Center, to the 2012 London Olympics, and a number of prestigious bookings in Europe, The Middle East and Asia, and his numerous awards, which include the New York Nightlife Award for "Outstanding Jazz Vocalist" - which he won three times - the Backstage Bistro Award for "Ongoing Achievement in Jazz," and the Harlem Speaks "Jazz Museum of Harlem Award."

Harris' new album, Black Bar Jukebox, produced by Grammy® Award-winning producer Brian Bacchus (Norah Jones, Gregory Porter), is his most compelling and comprehensive recording to date. "Believe me, what Brian brought to the table was wonderful," Harris says, "not only because of his music, but also because of the vision, and the way he hears things. I'm enamored with the sound I got." Inspired by the jazz, R&B, soul, country and Latin sounds that emanated from jukeboxes in African-American barbershops, clubs, bars, and restaurants, from the mid to late twentieth century, the album - which features Harris' accomplished band of three years: drummer Jake Goldbas, bassist Leon Boykins, and pianist/keyboardist Pascal Le Boeuf; with special guests, percussionist Samuel Torres and guitarist Yotam Silberstein - also marks his moving and momentous return to his jazz-centered, Harlem roots, where he heard all those aforementioned styles, genres and grooves in the Golden Age of the seventies. "Growing up, I heard the sound of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, and Nat King Cole," Harris says, "I was always cognizant of jazz."

In this soulful setting, Harris would meet many jazz and R&B stars who worked at the Apollo and came by the restaurant to eat and hang out. Another aunt, Theodosia Ingram, won the Apollo Theater's Amateur Night Competition and performed at a number of Manhattan clubs, including The Lenox Lounge under her stage name, "Phoebe." It was through her, that Harris would meet and be mentored by a seminal jazz figure, Clarence Williams. "We used to go to his record store, and he'd come into our house on Lincoln Avenue," explains Harris. "At the time I was a child ... I just thought that was just a part of my life. And later, I understood the gravity of the depth of his history. Yes: Clarence Williams opened up a lot of doors for me, to really get me into this genre called jazz." It was Williams who brought Louis Armstrong to the Harris home, and babysat the future crooner, who was frightened by Satchmo's gravelly, "frog like voice."

Harris is a first call vocalist (especially back in Harlem), as evidenced by his potpourri of engagements, including an impressive run as a featured soloist and producer of Sotheby's three-year jazz series. His commitment to education is as equally impressive as his recordings and engagements. A Gibson guitarist, Harris is a long-time supporter of the St. Mary's Children's Hospital and donates a performance every year to Challenge Aspen/America, along with Vince Gill and Amy Grant.

All of which brings us to Black Bar Jukebox: a diverse and dynamic disc that showcases Allan Harris at the zenith of his all-encompassing artistry. "I'm a storyteller through the genre of jazz," concludes Harris. 

Upcoming Allan Harris Performances:

January 25 / Tucson Jazz Festival / Tucson, AZ

February 9 / Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola / New York, NY

February 14 / Mid Atlantic Jazz Festival / Rockport, MD

February 27 / Scullers / Boston, MA

www.AllanHarris.com

NEW RELEASES: PRAISE POEMS: A JOURNEY INTO DEEP, SOULFUL JAZZ & FUNK FROM THE 1970s & FALLIN' OFF THE REEL VOLUME 3 & 4

PRAISE POEMS: A JOURNEY INTO DEEP, SOULFUL JAZZ & FUNK FROM THE 1970s (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Be prepared to listen to this album in tranquility. If you do not do so you will most likely rate this release one out of five stars. And this is something which it certainly does not deserve. This album needs time and patience to be fully understood. And if you do so you will be enlightened by the true beauty of this selection. Not only for Don McCaslin's project Warmth the time has come for representation and appreciation. All the songs on this disc are well worth to be discovered. No matter if you skip to Jorge Darden's jazzy-soulful "Alone Again" or to Seeds of Fulfillment's stunning "Solemn Solitude". Each and every song is a masterpiece in its own right. Funky soul music fans will be pleased to get a chance to listen to Cookie Thomas and Bold Breed, two cuts which are hard to find in its original format. Rarity is one thing, quality is another. The songs to be found here are both rare and good. Better yet, until now, all of these tracks had not yet been compiled. After Movements and Feeling Nice, two already well-established compilation series on Tramp, Praise Poems could be the start of a new successful one. It was solely the title track which lead us to release this album. Don't ask if there will be a Volume 2. We don't know yet. What we do know is that if we ever come across a similar tour de force as Don McCaslin's compostion, then there will certainly be one.

FALLIN' OFF THE REEL VOLUME 3 & 4 (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Music so great, it's falling off the reels – spinning out of the archives of the Truth & Soul label as they continue to put out some of the freshest funky work around! These guys have their roots way back in the deep funk underground, and they approach the music with a level of maturity that other labels can't even touch – always willing to try new things, expand their sound, and find ways of making the old resonate with the new – but all without any simple tricks or easy gimmicks! The work here is a real testament to the lasting strength of Truth & Soul – and really shows why we continue to love them so much – and the package features long-gone singles, rare mixes, and other unusual tracks. 2LP set features mostly tracks from Volume 4 CD, plus some more from Vol 3 – and titles include"You're The Kind Of Girl" by Lee Fields & The Expressions, "The Rain Song" by The Olympians, "Pimp" by Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, "One Hundred Years From Now" by Quenstine Strong, "I'll Be Home Soon" by Beau Williams, "Nightbird" by The Fabulous Three, "Blackout" by The Original Brothers, "Please Love Me" by Liam Bailey, "Money" by lady, "Girl From The Mountain" by The Ghetto Brothers, "How Can I Love" by The Olympians, "Sunday Kind Of Love" by JDs & The Evil Dynamite Band, "Run Fay Run" by El Michels Affair, "Faithful Man (bare bones version)" by Lee Fields, "Laventille Road March" by Bacao Rhythm & Steel, "All Of Your Life" by Shirley Nanette, "King Masuru" by Zafari, and "Stand Tall" by The Olympians. (Includes download!) ~ Dusty Groove

FALLIN' OFF THE REEL VOLUME 4 (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Music so great, it's falling off the reels – spinning out of the archives of the Truth & Soul label as they continue to put out some of the freshest funky work around! These guys have their roots way back in the deep funk underground, and they approach the music with a level of maturity that other labels can't even touch – always willing to try new things, expand their sound, and find ways of making the old resonate with the new – but all without any simple tricks or easy gimmicks! The work here is a real testament to the lasting strength of Truth & Soul – and really shows why we continue to love them so much – and the package features long-gone singles, rare mixes, and other unusual tracks – with a set list that includes "You're The Kind Of Girl" by Lee Fields & The Expressions, "The Rain Song" by The Olympians, "Pimp" by Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, "One Hundred Years From Now" by Quenstine Strong, "I'll Be Home Soon" by Beau Williams, "Nightbird" by The Fabulous Three, "Blackout" by The Original Brothers, "Please Love Me" by Liam Bailey, "Money" by lady, "Girl From The Mountain" by The Ghetto Brothers, "Blind Love" by El Michels Affair, "Get Ready (Ticklah rmx inst)" by Lady, "Sunday Kind Of Love" by JD & The Evil's Dynamite Band, "Faithful Man (bare bones version)" by Lee Fields, "Laventille Road March" by Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, "All Of Your Life" by Shirley Nanette, and "King Masuru" by Zafari. 22 tracks in all!  ~ Dusty Groove