Monterey Jazz Festival 2016 Brings the Late Thomas Chapin Full Circle Through Documentary Film from 'Olena Media, Chapin Finally "Plays" 20 Years after Canceling Due to Illness

The significance of performing at the Monterey Jazz Festival can not be understated. The longest-running jazz festival in the world features the best of jazz through performance and education. It hosts unparalleled world talent and legends and stands as a legacy to this musical genre, and  impacts future generations of jazz musicians and afficionados alike.

Thomas Chapin Film at the Monterey Jazz Festival

It would have been a momentous milestone for the career of saxophonist-flutist and composer Thomas Chapin and an unforgettable, exhilarating ride for the audience if he had been able to play with his Trio back in 1997. At the peak of his form, he was booked to play for the festival's 40th anniversary.

After standout appearances on other big world jazz stages in New York, Newport, Europe, Japan, and Canada, the Thomas Chapin Trio was ready to play Monterey in the fall of 1997. Regrettably Chapin was forced to cancel after he was diagnosed with leukemia. Thomas Chapin died months later on February 13, 1998 after he cancelled the booking. He was about to turn 41. His star was gaining altitude, rising to the pinnacle of the Monterey Jazz Festival, which would have skyrocketed him into a household name in jazz. Now, 20 years later and through the award-winning film, THOMAS CHAPIN, NIGHT BIRD SONG, this unknown jazz virtuoso will finally come full circle and "play" Monterey.

For his two decades of performing, Chapin was a force, a player with "massive chops," whose sound was sui generis. He had an uncanny gift of melding all forms of jazz into a single body of music. His pathway of moving sound was so multi-directional, yet singular, so original, yet steeped in tradition, that the jazz community struggled to categorize him.   

Peter Watrous of the New York Times captured his extraordinary power and versatility when he described Chapin's performance in 1995: "Chapin … is a virtuoso … also one of the more schooled musicians in jazz, both technically and historically, and for his set he dug into the styles of everyone from Benny Carter to the 60's avant-gardists, screeching and howling and huffing as if this were 1964 and he was breaking the rules of jazz into pieces." 

Aidan Levy, who knew of Chapin and reviewed the film this year for JazzTimes Magazine, wrote that Chapin was "considered by some to have fundamentally expanded the boundaries of the jazz discourse."

Dan Melnick, a concert producer in the 90's with George Wein's Festival Productions and its Newport Jazz Festival spinoffs that the Thomas Chapin Trio performed for, said, "For me and many others, Thomas stood at the center of numerous disparate worlds of jazz at that time. He was a master of all forms of jazz and maybe proved that these 'schools' or 'styles' weren't so different at all."

MONTEREY FILM SCREENING

THOMAS CAPIN, NIGHT BIRD SONG, a 150-minute epic tale of this brilliant and extraordinary jazz master, will be screened at the Monterey Jazz Festival on September 18, 2016, at 4:30 pm in the Jazz Theater.

Emmy-winning filmmaker Stephanie J. Castillo's documentary tells Chapin's story using the intimate details and captivating storytelling of 45 featured musicians, promoters, music critics, friends and family. The film, which has received high acclaim from reviewers and viewers, reveals Chapin's music formation, including his six-year stint as Lionel Hampton's music director and lead alto sax. It goes on to detail Chapin's emergence as a musical force in the late 1980s in the New York downtown jazz scene. Using archival performance film and video footage, the film shows how Chapin's distinct and inimitable style helped move the music forward in the 1990s. 

The film also clearly establishes Chapin as one of the few artists of his generation to exist in both the New York City's downtown experimentalist scene and in the uptown world of traditional jazz. Fearless in his pursuit of creating an edgy, engaging, cutting-edge sound that pushed jazz forward, he was also tireless and passionate in showing his classical and mainstream influences.

Thomas Chapin was an artist who "was his own man," a "free musician," but whose music resonated loudly with the work of reed giants from an earlier age. He met his life's end way too soon, while his dreams still burned bright and his audiences yearned for more. Today, new listeners and young players seeking inspiration are discovering and playing his music. Thanks to the film, Chapin will no longer be a footnote in jazz. His indelible mark will be known for all time. 

In May 2016 in Nice, France, NIGHT BIRD SONG received the Nice International Filmmakers Festival award for Best Story. It was also nominated for Best Director of a Feature Documentary and Best Documentary at the New York City International Film Festival.

To view the film's trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvWHsVSoPME 

Guitarist & Composer Marcus Corbett To Release New Album “Every Little Spirit” October 2016

Much to the anticipation of music aficionados worldwide, music artist Marcus Corbett will be releasing his new album “Every Little Spirit” in October 2016! Marcus is an acoustic guitarist, singer and composer based between Marlborough, UK and Pune, Maharashtra, India. Gradually, during repeated expeditions in India over the last decade or more, having immersed himself in the fundaments of North Indian classical music Marcus has begun to reap the rewards of his involvement in the musical life of Pune, Maharashtra and Gadag in North Karnataka.

The result is a generous spirited cultural collaboration that allows his music to come to life while paying homage to the tradition he loves. Here there is ambition as two violins are at work, and as he says, “One violin may be a line drawing but two become cinema – and with the risk associated with such potential drama no one performance is the same as the last. The beautiful challenge in this search is to keep the individual cultural charm, to make the bell ring true. And to maintain the power and integrity of the music.”

“With his deep affinity with Indian classical music and his expertise in soulfully conveying its essence on the humble acoustic guitar. …where other guitar maestros have dipped their toes…. he's taken the integration a stage further and his collaboration with tabla virtuosos Nitin Gaikwad and Sharanappa Guttaragi on this disc is both fiery and rewarding.” - Fatea

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

Acclaimed producer and composer Sam Williams (Supergrass/The Go Team!) has co-produced the first track on the album, “Strung Deep” – a remix of Castanets from Marcus' previous EP release of the same name. Marcus explains how this unlikely-seeming collaboration came about:

“While mixing 'Castanets' for the last record (Strung Deep) I discovered a heartbeat in the rhythmic cycle that expressed something quintessential and more about the track. It has a breezy optimism that continues from where the album 'Strung Deep' left off. I needed a different approach, someone outside of the Indian classical world who could the sense the potential and produce it. A chance meeting with Sam Williams during which I heard some of his recent work was the catalyst to our working together. Sam has created a great rhythm led track to fit the varying time signatures and give the looping swirl a kick. He also found some words to go with the emerging vibe while keeping some essential ingredients of the original. It is a remix which contemporizes the song in a way which keeps the flavour of the original and casts new light on what I do”.

Recorded with Abhijit Saraf at Musical Stars Studio in Pune, Maharashtra; and in Gadag, Karnataka and in Oxford (UK), Corbett is accompanied for “Every Little Spirit” by tabla players Nitin Gaikwad and Sharanappa Guttaragi. The seductive vocal of renowned classical singer Saylee Talwalkar takes us into his world. The storyline unfolds amidst the masterful weave of bansuri flute player Milind Date, and is carried further by the cinematic violins of Anjali Singde-Rao, Sanjay Upadhye and Sachin Ingale with a cameo appearance by celebrated Oxford-based virtuoso Bruno Guastalla on cello.

Comprised of eight tracks spread across 59 minutes, “Every Little Spirit” is lyrically themed and is a reflection upon how our roots entwine with all life; how our joy and sorrow is shared; that while life is a gift, for which acknowledgment and thanks are due, no one said the living of it was easy and how we instinctively seek release, to “get set free” from the emotional and physical turmoil of existence. “This could be you, this could be me….”.

“Perfect Sunday morning music... I really enjoyed listening through it - it is a very well paced and interesting listen” - Nigel House at Rough Trade

Having toured successfully in Germany and Holland, played around the UK, and gained press attention from all over the world for his previous releases, Marcus' reputation for his skillful combining of the worlds of Indian Classical and British folk music, while being ambitious and yet aware of the limitations, will inevitably continue to grow and grow, and his status as one of the great explorers of these musical borderlands will continue to be celebrated.

www.marcuscorbett.com

www.facebook.com/marcus.corbett.music

@marcuscorbettji

SCOTT BRADLEE’S POSTMODERN JUKEBOX RECORDS PARTNERS WITH CONCORD RECORDS TO PRESENT THE BEST OF ITS WILDLY POPULAR VINTAGE-POP MASH-UPS

Imagine wandering into a nightclub somewhere on the outskirts of time. A classic jukebox in the corner plays timeless music with oddly familiar modern lyrics, incongruously marrying the 21st-century party vibe of Miley Cyrus or the minimalist angst of Radiohead with the crackly warmth of a vintage 78 or the plunger-muted barrelhouse howl of a forgotten Kansas City jazzman. The dance floor is full of revelers twerking in poodle skirts, while at the bar, well-heeled hipsters balance a martini in one hand with a smartphone in the other.

If such a place actually exists, no doubt the soundtrack is Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox. Founded by pianist and arranger Scott Bradlee in 2009, the ensemble reimagines contemporary pop, rock and R&B hits in the style of various yesteryears, from swing to doo-wop, ragtime to Motown – or, as Bradlee himself puts it, “pop music in a time machine.” The band parlayed a series of YouTube videos shot in Bradlee’s Queens living room into massive success, accruing more than 450 million YouTube views and over 2 million subscribers, an appearance on Good Morning America, and performances at packed houses across the globe.

The Essentials, set for release on September 30 via Concord Records and Postmodern Jukebox Records, collects 18 favorites from Postmodern Jukebox’s weekly postings. Both the songs and the styles span decades – it just happens that the decades in question are separated by about half a century. Bradlee’s choice of material ranges from the ’80s hard rock of Guns N’ Roses to hits as recent as last year’s Justin Bieber plea “Sorry.” They’re rendered by a rotating cast of musicians and singers in fashions that date back to a time when Axl, Slash and Bieber’s parents had yet to be born – a time of street corner harmonies and torch singers, blues belters and golden-voiced crooners.

In his liner notes Bradlee writes, “It’s my hope that this collection will lead you to discover a world of nostalgia for the music of the past ─ regardless of when you were born ─ and welcome you warmly into our community of amazing live performers, creative artists, and music lovers that are dedicated to keeping #RealMusic alive.”

If that hashtag denotes a modern-day mission statement, that’s no accident. Bradlee conceived Postmodern Jukebox as a tonic for the auto-tuned vocals and programmed beats that populate today’s radio soundscape. Postmodern Jukebox combines a genuine appreciation for the melodies and songcraft of these recent hits with a passion for talented musicians playing real instruments.

“I just wanted to make music in the classic styles of ragtime, blues, swing, doo wop, and Motown that I loved as a kid,” Bradlee writes. The album, he continues, includes “breathtaking vocal performances, raucous horn solos, infectious dance rhythms, and nostalgic melodies – all captured the way music was recorded in the Golden Age of the record industry: with everyone together, in the same room.”

In the early days, that room was in the rather cramped confines of Bradlee’s small apartment in Queens, NY, at a time when he was one of countless struggling musicians in the city. The backdrop has grown along with the ensemble’s success, but the spirit remains the same – a collective of musicians dedicated to the timelessness of music, performing songs vibrantly and without a trace of irony. And the media has taken notice: Entertainment Weekly wrote, “Scott Bradlee’s group is known for retro-fying modern hit songs into viral success,” while Yahoo! Music added, “if you’ve been on YouTube in the last couple of years, then you’re familiar with the everything-new-is-old-again brilliance of the viral phenomenon known as Postmodern Jukebox.”

In its seven years of existence, Postmodern Jukebox has recorded literally hundreds of songs, but this release compiles the best of them, the tunes that Bradlee himself calls “most essential to the PMJ universe.” That includes the song that put the band on the map, a vaudevillian distressing of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop” fronted by Robyn Adele Anderson that garnered more than a million views within a week of being posted. The pin-up styled singer returned for the album’s opener, their ’50s doo-wop version of Miley Cyrus’ celebration of an inhibition-shedding spree “We Can’t Stop,” which garnered more than 19.5 million views and was named one of the “9 Best Viral Cover Videos of 2015” by People magazine.

Maroon 5’s “Maps” flashes forward a couple of decades for a horn-laden ’70s soul sound featuring the powerhouse voice of Morgan James, while American Idol alum Haley Reinhart wrings the emotion from Radiohead’s breakthrough hit “Creep” as a torch singer worthy of Julie London. And while Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass” referred to the singer’s curves, Kate Davis takes it to another level with a smoking upright bass performance to augment a coy vocal redolent of Billie Holiday.

Heavy metal and New Orleans jazz may seem to have little in common, but Bradlee finds the thread connecting the two, rendering both “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses and the Darkness’ “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” as gutbucket Bourbon Street blues numbers featuring the stirring voices of Maiya Sykes and Miche Braden. Mykal Kilgore, meanwhile, rescues “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic schmaltz to Jackie Wilson-style R&B.

Similarly revelatory transformations mark every song on the album, which also includes favorites by Beyoncé, the White Stripes, OutKast and Lorde, who praised PMJ’s cover of her hit “Royals” as a favorite. That’s not even the most notable thing about the song, which is sung in the gorgeous baritone of Puddles, the “Sad Clown with the Golden Voice,” a performer in full face paint and ruffles that Bradlee describes as a cross between Andy Kaufman and Tom Jones.

Postmodern Jukebox is certainly a rebuke to the contention that “they don’t make ’em like they used to.” The Essentials is an engaging and vivacious album that bridges generations with a unique spin of its own. To echo Bradlee’s own invitation, “Dust off the turntable, fix yourself a stiff drink, and get comfy. Welcome to the world of Postmodern Jukebox.”

TRACK LIST:

1.         We Can’t Stop starring Robyn Adele Anderson & The Tee Tones (3:59)

2.         Maps starring Morgan James (3:43)

3.         Creep starring Haley Reinhart (4:43)

4.         All About That Bass starring Kate Davis (3:38)

5.         No Diggity starring Ariana Savalas (3:16)

6.         I Believe in a Thing Called Love starring Maiya Sykes (3:36)

7.         My Heart Will Go On starring Mykal Kilgore (3:22)

8.         Royals starring Puddles Pity Party (3:37)

9.         Stacy’s Mom starring Casey Abrams (2:59)

10.       Rude starring Von Smith (4:06)

11.       Sweet Child O’Mine starring Miche Braden (4:10)

12.       Thrift Shop starring Robyn Adele Anderson (3:00)

13.       Burn starring Cristina Gatti, Robyn Adele Anderson and Ashley Stroud (3:53)

14.       Seven Nation Army starring Haley Reinhart (4:06)

15.       Sorry starring Shoshana Bean (3:56)

16.       Halo starring LaVance Colley (4:08)

17.       Hey Ya! starring Sara Niemietz (3:23)

18.       Such Great Heights starring Kiah Victoria (4:03)

POSTMODERN JUKEBOX TOUR DATES

2016 AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND DATES

Aug 29 - Christchurch, New Zealand; Isaac Theatre Royal

Aug 30 - Dunedin, New Zealand; Dunedin Town Hall

Sep 1 - Invercargill, New Zealand; Civic Theatre

Sep 2 - Wellington, New Zealand; Shed 6

Sep 3 - Palmerston North, New Zealand; Palmerston North

Sep 4 - Napier, New Zealand; Civic Theatre

Sep 5 - Auckland, New Zealand; ASB Theatre

Sep 8 - Sydney, Australia; Enmore Theatre

Sep 9 - Wollongong, Australia; Anitas

Sep 10 - Canberra, Australia; Llewlyn Centre

Sep 11 - Melbourne, Australia; Palais Theatre

Sep 12 - Bendigo, Australia; Capital Theatre

Sep 15 - Hobart, Australia; Wrest Point

Sep 16 - Brisbane, Australia; Plaza Ballroom

Sep 17 - Adelaide, Australia; The Barton

Sep 20 - Perth, Australia; Concert Hall

2016 NORTH AMERICAN DATES

Sep 29 - Providence, RI; The VETS

Sep 30 - Albany, NY; Palace Theatre

Oct 01 - Hartford, CT; The Bushnell

Oct 03 - Glenside, PA; Keswick Theatre

Oct 04 - Baltimore, MD; The Lyric

Oct 05 - Redbank, NJ; Count Basie Theatre

Oct 06 - Boston, MA; Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre

Oct 07 - New York, NY; Radio City Music Hall

Oct 08 - Montreal, QC; Place Des Arts

Oct 11 - Toronto, ON; Sony Centre for the Performing Arts

Oct 12 - Buffalo, NY; UB Center For The Arts

Oct 13 - Washington, DC; DAR Constitution Hall

Oct 14 - Raleigh, NC; Duke Energy Center

Oct 15 - Atlanta, GA; Fox Theatre

Oct 16 - Jacksonville, FL: Florida Theatre

Oct 18 - Orlando, FL; Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

Oct 21 - Clearwater, FL; Ruth Eckerd Hall

Oct 22 - Birmingham, AL; Alabama Theatre

Oct 23 - New Orleans, LA; Orpheum Theater

Oct 25 - Nashville, TN; Andrew Jackson Hall

Oct 26 - Louisville, KY; Louisville Palace Theatre

Oct 27 - Detroit, MI: Masonic Temple Theatre

Oct 28 - Indianapolis, IN; Clowes Memorial Hall

Oct 29 - Rosemont, IL; Rosemont Theatre

Oct 30 - Milwaukee, WI; Riverside Theater

Nov 01 - Minneapolis, MN; Northrop Auditorium

Nov 02 - Kansas City, MO; Arvest Bank Theatre - at The Midland

Nov 03 - St. Louis, MO; Peabody Opera House

Nov 05 - Grand Prairie, TX; Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie

Nov 06 - Austin, TX; Austin City Limits Live at Moody Theater

Nov 07 - Austin, TX; Austin City Limits Live at Moody Theater

Nov 08 - San Antonio, TX; Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

Nov 09 - Houston, TX; Sarofim Hall

Nov 12 - Broomfield, CO; 1STBANK Center

Nov 15 - Boise, ID; Morrison Center for the Performing Arts

Nov 16 - Spokane, WA; Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox

Nov 17 - Portland, OR; Theatre of The Clouds

Nov 18 - Seattle, WA; Paramount Theatre

Nov 19 - Redding, CA; Redding Civic Auditorium

Nov 20 - Sacramento, CA; Community Center Theater

Nov 22 - Santa Rosa, CA; Luther Burbank Center for the Arts

Nov 23 - San Jose, CA; Event Center at San Jose State University

Nov 25 - Los Angeles, CA; Microsoft Theater

Nov 26 - Las Vegas, NV; The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Nov 27 - Mesa, AZ; Mesa Arts Center

NEW RELEASES: MAGNUS BAKKEN QUARTET – CYCLES FEATURING GEORGE GARZONE; ANTHONY JOSEPH – CARIBBEAN ROOTS; FEDERICO BONIFAZI – YOU’LL SEE

MAGNUS BAKKEN QUARTET – CYCLES FEATURING GEORGE GARZONE

Brilliant twin saxophones here – the tenor of George Garzone, and tenor and soprano of leader Magnus Bakken – who really grabs our ears with his music on the set! The tunes are all originals penned and arranged by Mangus – and have this beautifully flowing vibe – angular and leaping forward on the upbeat numbers, sinuously moving at mellower points – all given these great shapes and structures by the work of Jorn Oien on piano, Christian Meaas Svendsen on bass, and Jon Audun Baar on drums! We've never heard Bakken as a leader before, but the record really moves us – and it's the kind that you'd overhear, then finding yourself sitting up to take notice to find out who it is. Titles include "Cycles", "The Composer", "Through The Snow", "The Charles", "Titanomachy", and "Straight Forward". ~ Dusty Groove

ANTHONY JOSEPH – CARIBBEAN ROOTS

Anthony Joseph just keeps on getting better and better, and even more interesting with each new record – to a point where the already-hip singer is really blowing our mind with music like this! The songs are longer, richer, and more deeply put together than some of Joseph's earlier work – in a spirit that definitely lives up to the promise of the title, but which also shows a lot of post-colonial diaspora elements, too – the kind of qualities you might expect from Anthony's role in the contemporary Parisian scene! Joseph has an even more majestic quality than before – and stands perfectly at the helm of a diverse group of musicians who provide shifting currents of jazz and percussion in support of his vocal passages – which are both spoken and sung. Titles include "The Kora", "Mano A Mano", "Brother Davis", "Neckbone", "Drum Song", "Our History", "Powerful Peace", "Caribbean Roots", and "Jimmy Upon That Bridge". ~ Dusty Groove

FEDERICO BONIFAZI – YOU’LL SEE

A fantastic record from Italian pianist Federico Bonifazi – one that comes out of time recently spent in New York city, where he developed a fast friendship with bassist John Webber – whose work on the set really sounds tremendous! At some level, the record might be thought of as one of Webber's records with tenorist Eric Alexander – as Alexander makes a wonderful presence here, alongside drummer Jimmy Cobb, who completes the group – but there's also a very special relationship between Webber and Bonifazi, one that has the bassist's strong lines finding a new sense of color and life amidst Federico's great piano lines and original compositions – music that flows beautifully, and seems to give Alexander a different sort of voice as well. That's not to say that the American players aren't every bit as compelling as ever – because they are – just to say that Bonifazi's leadership helps the group flower into something new, and very special. Titles include "Steps House", "Sadness For You", "Suspended In The Air", "Escape", and "The Chicken".  ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: KRISTEN LEE SERGEANT – INSIDE/OUT; FELIX CAVAIERE – CASTLES IN THE AIR; LAURIN TALESE – GORGEOUS CHAOS

KRISTEN LEE SERGEANT – INSIDE/OUT

With Inside/Out, Kristen Lee Sergeant emerges onto the crowded scene of jazz vocalists with a fresh, distinctive voice full of soul, authenticity and the gift of great storytelling.  The title reflects the uality of each song’s lyrics and placement, creating a cycle of emotions ranging from rapture to introspection to reality, bringing what is inside, out. Fun and fearlessness pervade this debut release as Kristen also turns 80s pop classics into adventurous jazz romps with the promise of even more exciting things to come.  The restless, creative spirit that inspires her is evident on this recording and deeply impacts the music and her listeners. Radio host, Jay Edwards of WCLK-FM’s “Jazz Tones,” calls her “an effervescent spirit whose superb vocals and phrasing inject the lyrics with new life.”  Illustrating how influences from early on-stage work palpably serve this recording.  Inspired by Carmen McRae, Shirley Horn and Rosemary Clooney, Sergeant finds the swing and intimacy of each tine in every context.  This release is a portrait of an artist coalescing all her influences, and those of her musicians, to a nuanced reinvention of standards and pop classics under the jazz canopy of swing and contemporary music.

FELIX CAVALIERE – CASTLES IN THE AIR

Felix Cavaliere may be best known to some for his work in the Rascals – but years later, he stepped out as a solo act on his own – with a sound that nicely drew from all of his early work on Atlantic Records! The sound here is kind of a late 70s update of the blue-eyed mode that Felix had with his earlier group – given a bit more of an AOR spin in the production, through use of a top-shelf array of jazz fusion players in the backings. Despite the pianos on the cover, Cavaliere mostly plays Fender Rhodes and organ next to his vocals – on titles that include "Only A Lonely Heart Sees", "All Or Nothing", "People Got To Be Free", "Outside Your Window", "Love Is The First Day Of Spring", "You Turned Me Around", and "Good To Have Love Back". (Part of the great AOR City series from Japan!) ~ Dusty Groove

LAURIN TALESE – GORGEOUS CHAOS

A jazz vocalist with a great blend of classic roots and contemporary soul – working here in a mix of her own original tunes and some well-chosen standards! Laurin's sense of lyric is very personal – spun out with a richness that's immediately apparent, and underscored by some warm acoustic jazz currents – but with energy that's very electric in the way the instrumentation comes together! Some tunes have a gentle glow, others have a more contemporary crackle – but the instrumentation throughout is very classic – and includes some especially nice tones and colors from the horns. Robert Glasper guests on one track, singer Vivian Green is on another, and Christan McBride plays bass on a few more tracks. Titles include "This Love", "My Husband", "Trenchcoat", "Love Poems", "Same Mistakes", "Forgive & Forget", "Kissing A Fool", and "Tick Tock". ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: CHUCK LOEB - UNSPOKEN; THE FRIGHTNRS – NOTHING MORE TO SAY; TIM RAY TRIO – WINDOWS

CHUCK LOEB - UNSPOKEN

Loeb's new CD "Unspoken" is coming out September 30th and the 1st single "Cotton Club" is out and climbing the charts quickly. The CD of 10 new original compositions features some of the finest musicians in the world, and I am blessed to call them some of my dearest friends & family: Nathan East, Will Lee, Brian Culbertson, Everette Harp, Jeff Lorber, Eric Marienthal, Andy Snitzer, Till Brönner, Carmen Cuesta, Lizzy Cuesta & Christina Loeb, Mitchel Forman, Michael Thompson, Ron 'Buttercup' Jenkins, Tom Kennedy, Pat Bianchi, Brian Dunne, Gary Novak, Joel Rosenblatt, David Mann, Mike Davis, Tony Kadleck and mixed by the amazing Phil Magnotti. The CD will be premiered on www.smoothjazz.com a week or so before the release date.

T

THE FRIGHTNRS – NOTHING MORE TO SAY

The Frightnrs have plenty more to say here – and they say it in a really sharp-edged approximation of older rocksteady modes! The group are contemporary, but like the best acts on Daptone, they've got an instantly classic feel – thanks to instrumentation and production that take us right back to late 60s Kingston, but with some of the sharper funky currents we've come to expect from the label! And while The Frightnrs may pitch themselves as an old school reggae act, they're also one that have a heavy dose of soul – almost a late night New Jersey current to their music at times – as if the All Platinum/Stang label put out their own version of Jamaican soul. The approach is great, and very unique – and titles include "Hey Brother", "Gotta Find A Way", "What Have I Done", "Nothing More To Say", "All My Tears", "Purple", "Dispute", and "Till Then". ~ Dusty Groove

TIM RAY TRIO – WINDOWS

McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Duke Ellington and Horace Silver are but a handful of the geniuses that pianist Tim Ray (Lyle Lovett, Gary Burton) pays loving tribute to on Windows, a marvelous collection of trio music featuring John Lockwood (bass) and Mark Walker (drums).  And the list goes on: Monk, Jarrett, Hancock…Ray is clearly beholden to his heroes, but also brave enough to step outside he homage to make his own way, as evidenced by a couple of originals he includes here, written with Lockwood.  Ray handles all the arrangements, and all are beautifully improvised and artfully interplayed, as you would expect from such a talented bunch.  Ray, Lockwood, and Walker have logged some miles together, not to mention ample studio sessions.  Most recently, the trio can be heard on Greg Abate’s Motif and Kindred Spirits, by Abate and featuring the late Phil Woods.  A tip of the fedora to these inimitable artists.  Windows is a fitting tribute to transcendent, piano-forged material.  Ray knows the way well enough to drive around a bit, test the roads, and open it up on a straightaway.  All we can do then is enjoy the ride.

'World On A String' Captures Frank Sinatra In Full Splendor On International Stages Throughout His Legendary Career

Frank Sinatra never had a problem with language barriers, he spoke to the heart. His songs served as the soundtrack to people's lives around the world. Set for worldwide release on October 21 by UMe and Frank Sinatra Enterprises, World On A String is a portrait of the iconic American entertainer in his prime on international stages. As a time capsule of Sinatra's enduring appeal across the globe, the 4CD/DVD box set (also available in digital audio) is a treasure trove of live recordings from 1953 to 1982, totaling more than four hours of previously unissued audio and video footage.

Many of the performances were benefits for local children in each country, highlighting a lesser-known fact that throughout his life Sinatra raised more than one billion dollars for charity.

  

Set for worldwide release on October 21 by UMe and Frank Sinatra Enterprises, 'World On A String' is a portrait of the iconic American entertainer in his prime on international stages. As a time capsule of Sinatra's enduring appeal across the globe, the 4CD/DVD box set (also available in digital audio) is a treasure trove of live recordings from 1953 to 1982, totaling more than four hours of previously unissued audio and video footage.

Set for worldwide release on October 21 by UMe and Frank Sinatra Enterprises, 'World On A String' is a portrait of the iconic American entertainer in his prime on international stages. As a time capsule of Sinatra's enduring appeal across the globe, the 4CD/DVD box set (also available in digital audio) is a treasure trove of live recordings from 1953 to 1982, totaling more than four hours of previously unissued audio and video footage.   

More than 90 live performances are collected on the collection's four CDs, most of them officially available for the first time, including classics such as "I've Got You Under My Skin," "Strangers In The Night," "Moonlight In Vermont," and "I've Got The World On A String." A DVD of entirely unreleased footage features Sinatra on a whirlwind 1962 good-will tour meant to raise money for underprivileged children.

"I really don't know what jet lag is — I don't understand it!" Sinatra once said. "Luckily, it never bothered me."

The globe-trotting performances showcase Sinatra in eight different countries (Monaco, Australia, Egypt, Dominican Republic, Japan, Israel, Greece, and Italy), from cozy supper clubs to cavernous stadiums to one of the seven wonders of the world. But a familiar refrain threads through these recordings: The innate warmth and ease with which Sinatra imbued his concerts. As always, his backing musicians were impeccable, and the arrangements – by Nelson Riddle, Don Costa, Quincy Jones, Gordon Jenkins, and Billy May, among others – simply sumptuous.

Listening to the nearly 30-year span of performances, it's remarkable to realize how the passage of time never diminished Sinatra's way with a song; if anything, it deepened his understanding of his material. Comparing renditions of "Bewitched" from 1958 and 1979 reveals a more pronounced resonance in Sinatra's delivery.

"It was always obvious that Frank enjoyed touring abroad," longtime production manager Hank Cattaneo notes in the accompanying booklet, which also includes reflections from Frank Sinatra, Jr., beloved sidemen Al Viola and Bill Miller, and more. "You could see it in his gait, hear it in his voice, and see the smile upon his face."

Frank Sinatra: World On A String [4CD/DVD; digital audio]

CD 1

SPORTING CLUB, MONTE CARLO - JUNE 14, 1958

1. Introduction by Noel Coward

2. Clarke Street (Play On)

3. Come Fly With Me

4. I Get A Kick Out Of You

5. I've Got You Under My Skin

6. Where Or When

7. Moonlight In Vermont

8. On The Road To Mandalay

9. When Your Lover Has Gone

10. April In Paris

11. All The Way

12. Monique

13. Bewitched

14. The Lady Is A Tramp

15. (Love Is) The Tender Trap (Play Off)

16. You Make Me Feel So Young

17. (Love Is) The Tender Trap (Bows)

Bonus Tracks (RAI Radio Club, May 20, 1953)

18. Radio Club Introduction

19. Welcome and Greetings

20. September Song - Frank Sinatra

21. Presentation and Announcements

22. Laura - Frank Sinatra

23. Baseball segment

24. Ninna Nanna - Domenico Modugno

25. Night And Day - Frank Sinatra

26. Closing Remarks 

CD 2

SYDNEY STADIUM, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 2, 1961

1. Introduction By Tommy Hanlon Jr.

2. I've Got The World On A String

3. I Concentrate On You

4. Night And Day

5. Moonlight In Vermont

6. In The Still Of The Night

7. I'll Be Seeing You

8. Day In, Day Out

9. The Moon Was Yellow (And The Night Was Young)

10. You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You

11. Monologue

12. Come Fly With Me

13. April In Paris

14. A Foggy Day

15. Without A Song

16. Imagination

17. The Second Time Around

18. Young At Heart

19. Witchcraft

20. Embraceable You

21. The One I Love (Belongs To Somebody Else)

22. My Funny Valentine

23. My Blue Heaven

24. Angel Eyes

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

26. The Lady Is A Tramp

CD 3

THE PYRAMIDS, EGYPT - SEPTEMBER 27, 1979

1. Mrs. Sadat's Comments

2. The Song Is You

3. Where Or When

4. The Lady Is A Tramp

5. Someone To Watch Over Me

6. Something

7. My Kind Of Town

8. All The Way

9. Bewitched

10. I've Got You Under My Skin

11. The Gal That Got Away /It Never Entered My Mind (Medley)

12. Monologue

13. Try A Little Tenderness

14. Strangers In The Night

15. Street of Dreams

16. April In Paris

17. Theme From New York, New York

18. My Way

19. Bows (My Way)

20. Closing Comments by Frank Sinatra

CD 4

ALTOS DE CHEVON, LA ROMANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - AUGUST 20, 1982

1. I've Got The World On A String

2. I Get A Kick Out Of You

3. Come Rain Or Come Shine

4. When Your Lover Has Gone

5. The Lady Is A Tramp (with Reprise)

6. The House I Live In

7. Searching

8. My Kind Of Town

9. Something

10. The Best Is Yet To Come

11. Strangers In The Night

12. All Or Nothing At All

13. Introduction of Musicians

14. The Gal That Got Away/It Never Entered My Mind (Medley)

15. I've Got You Under My Skin

16. Send In The Clowns

17. Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)

18. I Won't Dance

19. Buddy Rich Band Introduction

20. Theme From New York, New York

21. Bows (Theme From New York, New York)

  

DVD

HIBYA PARK, JAPAN – APRIL 21, 1962

1. Introduction

2. Too Marvelous For Words

3. Imagination

4. Moonlight In Vermont

5. Day In, Day Out

6. Without A Song

7. The Moon Was Yellow (And The Night Was Young)

8. I've Got You Under My Skin

9. I Get A Kick Out Of You

10. At Long Last Love

11. My Funny Valentine

12. In The Still Of The Night

13. Embraceable You

14. Night And Day

15. April In Paris

16. The Lady Is A Tramp

17. Bows

18. Monologue and Band Introductions

19. All The Way

20. Chicago

21. I Could Have Danced All Night

22. Bows (Closing)

FRANK SINATRA WITH ALL GOD'S CHILDREN, 1962

SINATRA IN ISRAEL, 1962

PERUGINA COMMERCIALS, 1962

1. Night And Day

2. My Funny Valentine

3. I've Got You Under My Skin

4. Moonlight In Vermont

5. I Love Paris

6. Come Fly With Me

7. My Blue Heaven

8. Chicago

9. Imagination

10. Witchcraft

11. A Foggy Day

12. The Lady Is A Tramp

Throughout his six-decade career, Frank Sinatra performed on more than 1,400 recordings and was awarded 31 gold, nine platinum, three double platinum, and one triple platinum album by the Recording Industry Association of America. Sinatra demonstrated a remarkable ability to appeal to every generation and continues to do so; his artistry still influences many of today's music superstars. The Oscar® winner also appeared in more than 60 films and produced eight motion pictures.

Sinatra was awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards from The Recording Academy, The Screen Actors Guild and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), as well as the Kennedy Center Honors, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. Today, he remains a legend and an inspiration around the world for his contributions to culture and the arts.

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