NEW RELEASES: MILES BONNY - LET IT OUT; PAT MARTINO - FORMIDABLE; BRIAN BLADE &THE FELLOWSHIP BAND – BODY AND SHADOW

MILES BONNY - LET IT OUT

Beautifully layered vocals, trumpet, and beats from Miles Bonny – a set that reminds us that he's still one of the freshest talents in the contemporary underground! All the tracks here were recorded in KC, but have a future soul sound that can easily rival work on either side of the Atlantic – as Bonny blows his horn over these laidback grooves that are all sweet and spacey around the edges, and cosmically deep in the middle – topped with vocals that are surprisingly soulful, in a way that never tries to do too much – which is really one of their greatest strengths! Beats are by Ta-Ku – and titles include "As You Sleep In My Lap", "The Future's Today", "I'll Be Here For You", "People Going Crazy", and "Welcome To My Arms". ~ Dusty Groove

PAT MARTINO - FORMIDABLE

Formidable is the title of Pat Martino's first studio recording as a bandleader in 11 years and it is an excellent metaphor for the guitarist's fearless and virtuosic playing. Martino grew up in Philadelphia, PA, a musical melting pot where many jazz greats began their journey, so perhaps it's of little surprise that he emerged as one of the most exciting guitar players in the 1960s, having already developed a mature style by the age of 20. Today, the guitarist still plays his instrument with the same fiery enthusiasm that he had as a young player first making his name, having lost none of his talent for furious, daring improvisations, or hard-swinging grooves. Martino's core trio featuring Pat Bianchi and Carmen Intorre, Jr., is here augmented by the fiery saxophone of Adam Niewood and the forceful trumpet of Alex Norris. Martino's excellent choice of sidemen was made evident by the thoughtful communication and sense of fun shared between Martino and his colleagues. 

BRIAN BLADE &THE FELLOWSHIP BAND – BODY AND SHADOW

Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band celebrates a 20-year musical bond with the November 10 release of their sublime fifth album, Body and Shadow, a meditation on lightness/darkness that arrives like a balm for the soul, ebbing and flowing with grace, subtlety and no shortness of beauty. The lead track "Broken Leg Days" is available to stream or download. The Fellowship features Brian Blade (drums), Jon Cowherd (piano), Chris Thomas (bass), Myron Walden (alto saxophone), and Melvin Butler (tenor saxophone), and the album also features the contributes of Dave Devine (guitar).

Drum Legend Simon Phillips To Release “Protocol 4”

Drum legend & producer extraordinaire Simon Phillips will be releasing “Protocol 4” on October 27th on Phantom Recordings, distributed by AMPED™. Simon Phillips is by far one of the world's most renowned and respected drummers, whose style not only reflects his technical gift but also his distinct musical sensibility. Whether it is Rock, Fusion, Jazz or World, Simon applies the same precision and intensity to his drumming, which is never lacking in emotion and feel.

Simon has upped the ante with his newest instrumental recording “Protocol 4.” Building on his past Protocol projects, Simon has again enlisted the highly talented bassist Ernest Tibbs along with Protocol newcomers, the superb veteran guitar shredder Greg Howe and keyboard virtuoso Dennis Hamm. All compositions were written by Simon while on tour.

“The first time I've really been able to concentrate on writing material on the road. Lots of creativity on airplanes and in hotel and backstage dressing rooms,” says Phillips. Perhaps the vibe and energy of touring accounts for the slightly more “metallic edge” to this new album. But, as is always the case, Simon's music defies specific labels as he fuses elements of rock, jazz, funk, classical and even world music into the mix. A case in point being the track “Celtic Run” combining a Celtic rhythmic motif with blazing guitar and synthesizer leads all held together with Phillips signature ultra-tight drumming and Tibbs ever solid bass work. “Passage to Agra” is a rhythmic musical excursion to an exotic foreign land. The tracks “Pentangle” and “Solitaire” both contain some super funky grooves underlying jaw dropping metallic jazz/rock soloing. Greg Howe's guitar work shines throughout the recording, perhaps no more so than the plaintive and anthem-like track “Phantom Voyage.” Dennis Hamm's keyboard work is stunning on each and every track, whether he's soloing or adding lush orchestration. The album concludes with the monster high energy fusion track “Azorez.”

In addition to awesome musicianship, Simon's impeccable production and recording technique shine once more on this album. “Protocol 4” is certain to please longstanding Simon Phillips aficionados and is certain to also bring new Protocol fans into the fold.

Simon Phillips (Drums) - To date Simon Phillips has toured and recorded with many bands and artists, including: Mick Jagger, The Who, Jeff Beck, Jack Bruce, Peter Gabriel, Joe Satriani, Tears for Fears, Judas Priest, Roxy Music, Michael Schenker, Nik Kershaw, Al DiMeola, 801, Pete Townshend, Robert Palmer, Mike Oldfield, Stanley Clarke, The Pretenders, Whitesnake and Dave Gilmore... to name but a few. Expanding his career from drumming to composing, Simon recorded his first solo album “Protocol” in 1988, followed by a live album, “Force Majeure,” in 1992. During that year he joined Toto on their Kingdom Of Desire tour of the World, the start of a 21 year collaboration. He recorded his third solo album, “Symbiosis,” in 1995 and “Another Lifetime” in 1997. “Out of the Blue,” a live album, followed in 1998 and in 1999 he released “Vantage Point,” which is a pure, straight ahead jazz album in collaboration with pianist Jeff Babko. Yet another expansion to Simon's musical career is producing and engineering, which he first started back in England with British composer Mike Oldfield, working on three albums with him. Aside from his solo projects, Simon also co-produced several albums by Toto. In 2009 he formed PSP with Philippe Saisse and Pino Palladino. A live CD and an EP was produced and tours of Europe and Japan in 2011 & 2012.  In 2010 he joined Michael Schenker for a short tour of Japan and performed with Trilok Gurtu and the NDR Big Band for an amazing project resulting in the “21 Spices” CD. That year Simon was approached by Japanese virtuoso pianist Hiromi to form “The Trio Project” together with bass legend Anthony Jackson. The trio has recorded four CDs: “Voice,” “Move,” “Alive” and “Spark” and has been touring throughout the World the past 6 years. 25 years after his first solo recording, Simon released “Protocol II” featuring Andy Timmons (Guitar), Steve Weingart (Keys) and Ernest Tibbs (Bass). The band, under the name of “Protocol II,” toured in Europe, the US and Japan. At the beginning of 2014 “Protocol III” was recorded and tours of Europe, Japan and the US followed. And now much to the excitement of Simon Phillips fans worldwide, the new CD, “Protocol 4,” will be released on October 27th!

Ernest Tibbs (Bass) – Ernest has worked with Natalie Cole, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight (musical Madam Lilly), James Ingram, Melba Moore, Eloise Laws, and Debra Laws. Ernest has also toured and/or performed with Allan Holdsworth, Simon Phillips, Dean Brown, Harvey Mason, Scott Henderson, Andy Summers, Jeff Richman, Thom Rotella, David Benoit, David Garfield, Phil Upchurch, Dan Segal, Tom Scott, Eric Marienthal, Brian Auger, Ronnie Laws, Jeff Lorber, Gregg Karukas, Kevin Toney, Pat Kelley, Lee Ritenour, John Pisano, Brian Bromberg, Brandon Fields, Norman Brown, Russian Pop Star Alsou, as well as symphony orchestras in San Francisco, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.

Greg Howe (Guitar) - Greg has collaborated with artists such as Dennis Chambers, Victor Wooten, Richie Kotzen, Jason Becker, Billy Sheehan, Stu Hamm, Simon Phillips, Marco Minneman, John Wetton, Dave Weckl, Bernie Worrell, Gregg Rolie, Eddie Jobson, and many others. He's also made a name for himself as a stellar sideman and session musician with artists like Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, Enrique Iglesias, and many more. Greg Howe endorses: DV Mark Amps, Kiesel Guitars, D'Addario Strings, Seymour Duncan Pickups, and Carl Martin Pedals.

Dennis Hamm (Keyboards) - Currently he can be seen on tour around the world performing with Thundercat (Stephen Bruner), Flying Lotus (Captain Murphy), Larry Carlton, Jonathan Butler, and Virgil Donati. Recent past tours and performances include Allan Holdsworth, Chris Cornell, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Ryan Leslie, John Densmore (The Doors), Bilal, and Judith Hill (Michael Jackson). Other artists he has performed or recorded with are Kenny Loggins, Pete Escovedo, Will Kennedy & Jimmy Haslip (The Yellowjackets), Walter Smith III, Jojo Mayer, Ronald Bruner Jr., Cliff Almond, Frank Gambale, Hadrien Feraud, Jimmy Johnson, Janek Gwizdala, Bob Reynolds, Marcus Belgrave, Tony Macalpine, Mike Miller, Thomas Pridgen, Sheila E, Justo Almario, Tony Royster Jr., Melvin Davis, Jimmy Branly, Brian Bromberg, Renee Olstead, Carlitos del Puerto, Sandro Albert, Buck Owens' “Buckaroos”, Monty Byrom, The Smokin' Armadillos, and his own original projects including funk/jazz group Mother Funk Conspiracy featuring L.A. saxophonist Zane Musa.

Protocol European & US Tour 2017

Simon's new band will be on tour promoting “Protocol 4” starting October 26th.

October 26, 2017 Zug CH Theatrer Casino Zug

October 27, 2017 Verona IT Theatro Ristori

October 28, 2017 San Dona Di Piave IT Revolver Club

October 29, 2017 Rome IT Crossroads

October 30, 2017 Bologna IT Bravo Caffe

October 31, 2017 Bologna IT Bravo Caffe

November 2, 2017 Waidhoen AD Ybbs AT Plenkersaal

November 3, 2017 Katovice PL NOP SR

November 4, 2017 Krakow PL Club TBA

November 6, 2017 Vienna AT Porgy & Bess

November 8, 2017 Buhl DE Jazztival

November 9, 2017 Ravensburg DE Trans4Jazz

November 10, 2017 Reichenburg DE Bergkeller

November 11, 2017 Munster DE Jovel

November 13, 2017 Hobro DK Bil Forretningen

November 14, 2017 Kolding DK Godset

November 15, 2017 Copenhagen DK Amager Bio

November 16, 2017 Oslo NO Cosmopolite

November 17, 2017 Larvik NO Bolgen Kulturhus

November 18, 2017 Gothenburg SE Nefertiti

November 19, 2017 Stockholm SE Fasching

November 20, 2017 London UK Ronnie Scott's

November 21, 2017 London UK Ronnie Scott's

November 23, 2017 Hasbergen DE Masterclass

November 24, 2017 Hasbergen DE Gaste Garage

November 25, 2017 Hasbergen DE Gaste Garage

November 26, 2017 Zoetermeer NL De Boerderij

November 27, 2017 Hengelo NL Metropol

November 28, 2017 Verviers BE Spirit Of 66

November 29, 2017 Aschaffenburg DE Colos-Saal

November 30, 2017 Tallinn EE Russian Cultural Cnt

December 1, 2017 Rorschach CH Jazzclub Rorschach

December 2, 2017 Lichtenstein LI Little Big Beat Studios

December 4, 2017 New York City NY Iridium

December 5, 2017 New York City NY Iridium

December 6, 2017 New Hope PA Havana

December 8, 2017 Chicago IL Reggie's

December 9, 2017 Chicago IL Reggie's

December 10, 2017 Detroit MI Jazz Café @ Music Hall

December 12, 2017 Hollywood CA Catalina's Bar & Grill

December 13, 2017 Hollywood CA Catalina's Bar & Grill

December 14, 2017 Santa Cruz CA Kuumbwa Jazz Center

December 18, 2017 Oakland CA Yoshi's

Three Multiplatinum Lionel Richie Solo Albums To Be Released On Vinyl Worldwide December 8 By Motown/UMe

On December 8, Motown/UMe will release three historic albums on vinyl from one of the most successful solo artists in Pop/R&B crossover history, Lionel Richie. This mega-platinum album triple-play — 1982's Lionel Richie, 1983's Can't Slow Down, and 1985's Dancing On The Ceiling — sealed the recent Kennedy Center Honoree's legacy as one of the most popular singer/songwriters of the modern era, in the wake of his 1982 departure from the lineup of one of Motown's biggest artists of the Seventies, the Commodores. 

Lionel Richie's singular blend of songwriting artistry and catchy, singalong hooks has long defied genre-labeling, propelling his mass appeal to fans of R&B, soul, pop and country alike, and leading to his amassing more than 100 million album sales to date. Over the course of these three albums, Richie garnered four No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 ("Truly," "All Night Long (All Night)," "Hello," "Say You, Say Me") and a dozen Top 10 singles overall on the Pop, R&B, and Adult Contemporary charts alike.

Lionel Richie (1982) is the quadruple-platinum release that announced Richie was more than capable of connecting with millions of fans both new and old with his name appearing alone on the marquee. Alongside co-producer James Anthony Carmichael, whom he had previously worked with while in the Commodores, Richie crafted the template for his Eighties success via the emotional weight behind the chart-topping ballad "Truly," the upbeat horn-driven accents on the chorus of "You Are," and the overall vocal panache on "My Love," which also featured background vocals from a favored collaborator, Kenny Rogers. (Richie wrote Rogers's massive 1980 #1 crossover hit, "Lady.")

Can't Slow Down (1983) continued the Richie juggernaut, ultimately achieving Diamond status by selling more than 10 million copies. Again co-produced with Carmichael, Can't Slow Down's first #1 single, "All Night Long (All Night)," broadened Richie's appeal with an undeniable Caribbean-flavored hook, while the heartfelt chart-topping piano ballad "Hello" also benefitted from an iconic video directed by Bob Giraldi. The infectiously grooving "Running With The Night" also sported an electrifying guitar solo by Toto's Steve Lukather. Meanwhile, "Stuck On You" spotlighted the artist's emerging country leanings that eventually peaked with his platinum-selling 2012 offering, Tuskegee. That album, named after the town in Alabama Richie was born in, featured 14 down-home reworkings of his hits as highlighted by collaborations with contemporary country artists including Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, and Kenny Chesney.

Dancing On The Ceiling (1985) completed Richie's 1980s chart-success trifecta with Carmichael by his side in the co-producer's chair, achieving quadruple-platinum status while also supplying another slew of major hits. The title track's colorful, kinetic video contains an homage to Fred Astaire's iconic ceiling-dancing moves in 1951's Royal Wedding. "Love Will Conquer All" marked Richie's tenth appearance at the top of the Adult Contemporary chart. And the #1 ballad "Say You, Say Me," originally written for White Nights, a Cold War thriller starring Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines, won Richie a well-deserved Academy Award® for Best Original Song.

International superstar Lionel Richie has a discography of albums and singles that are second to none. His music is part of the fabric of pop music; in fact, Richie is one of only two songwriters in history to achieve the honor of having #1 records for nine consecutive years. With more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, an Oscar®, a Golden Globe®, four Grammy Awards®, the distinction of MusicCares person of the year in 2016, and Kennedy Center Honoree in 2017, the Tuskegee, Alabama native is a true music icon.  Lionel recently joined the judges' panel for the 2017/2018 season of American Idol.

Lionel Richie is known for his mega-hits such as "Endless Love," "Lady," "Truly," "All Night Long," "Penny Lover," "Stuck on You," "Hello," "Say You, Say Me," "Dancing on the Ceiling," and one of the most important pop songs in history, "We Are the World," written with Michael Jackson for USA for Africa. His song catalog also includes his early work with The Commodores, where he developed a groundbreaking style that defied genre categories, penning smashes such as "Three Times a Lady," "Still," and "Easy."

Richie launched his Las Vegas headlining residency show, Lionel Richie—All the Hits, at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in April 2016. In an unforgettable evening featuring his brightest and best anthems which have defined the music icon's unparalleled career, Richie takes his fans on a spectacular musical journey, performing a variety of his seminal hits.

With his most recent All the Hits, All Night Long Tour, Richie sold out arenas worldwide with a set list of his brightest and best anthems. In recent years, he also headlined festivals including Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, and Glastonbury, drawing the festival's biggest crowd ever with more than 200,000 attendees.

Celebrating Minnie Riperton's 70th birthday, 'Perfect Angel: Deluxe Edition,' the definitive two-CD version of her breakthrough album co-produced by Stevie Wonder

Minnie Riperton, the singer with a distinctively high upper vocal range, topped the charts around the world in 1975 with "Lovin' You," one of the period's most distinctive and iconic hits. But the song only scratches the surface of Riperton's remarkable musical career, which began in her teens and ended prematurely with her untimely passing in 1979, at the age of 31. And it's only one facet of the extraordinary album from which it emerged, Perfect Angel.

 Minnie's many facets are explored on Perfect Angel: Deluxe Edition, to be released as a 2-CD set, and in standard digital and 96k/24-bit high-resolution audio formats, by UMe on December 1, in celebration of the singer's 70th birthday. This set brings home the fact that, though not known at the time for contractual reasons, the original album is essentially a collaboration with Stevie Wonder, who: co-produced the album with Minnie's husband Richard Rudolph; arranged the tracks with his band, Wonderlove; played keyboards, harmonica and drums; and wrote two songs. The set offers an excellent representation of Riperton's interpretive gifts and remarkable talent, all the more extraordinary for Wonder's contributions, which were made while he was winning GRAMMY® awards for Talking Book and Innervisions, and working on another LP, Fulfillingness' First Finale, which featured Minnie as a background vocalist on that album's "Creepin'" and was eventually issued just weeks after Perfect Angel in the summer of 1974. Wonder, a Taurean, was credited on Perfect Angel as "El Toro Negro"—the Black Bull.

"Minnie was my dear friend," said Stevie Wonder. "She was an extraordinary, vibrant person with an extra-special voice. I was a big fan of hers before we met and it was my honor to produce the album with Minnie and her husband Richard. Minnie had a positive energy that radiated throughout these sessions and throughout the rest of her life. When Minnie lived, she lived. She continues to live through this release."

"The whole experience was a total surreal experience and a pure joy from start to finish," Richard Rudolph now says of the making of Perfect Angel.  "Working with Stevie Wonder in that intimate setting really was more that just a dream come true. And you can feel the 'wonder' throughout the entire album," Rudolph continues. "Minnie would be overjoyed to know that her music continues to touch people's lives."

Perfect Angel: Deluxe Edition includes 11 bonus tracks to the remastered original album, making in essence an alternate, extended version of Perfect Angel. Included is a duet version of "Take A Little Trip" with Stevie Wonder; an acoustic version of "Seeing You This Way;" and an alternate take of "Lovin' You," notable for its backing by the Wonderlove band, as the hit single version only used Rudolph on guitar and Wonder on keyboards. The seven-inch single version, with a synth overdub, plus a countdown by Rudolph not on the original, is also included. A bonus to the alternate LP is a 'Perfect Angel version' of "Don't Let Anyone Bring You Down," with Wonder playing most of the instruments, along with Hubert Laws on flute. The song was re-recorded with a different producer and band for Minnie's follow-up album, Adventures In Paradise.

Other cuts extend well past the LP's original fadeouts. They feature extraordinary solos and jams by Wonder and his band members, who were 20-year-old Michael Sembello and Marlo Henderson on guitars, Reggie McBride on bass and Ollie Brown on drums, with guests Sneaky Pete Kleinow on pedal steel guitar and percussionist Rocky Dzidzornu. On background vocals with Minnie are Wonderlove vocalists Deniece Williams, a future solo star, Lani Groves and Shirley Brewer, and the songwriter Yvonne Wright.

Also included is a 24-page booket with rare photos and extensive liner notes by Richard Rudolph that take the listener inside the album-making experience. Rudolph also comments on the story behind the album's "ice cream and coveralls" cover shot by Barry Feinstein, who was known for his Bob Dylan images and the LP covers for Janis Joplin's Pearl, Eric Clapton's solo debut and George Harrison's All Things Must Pass, among others.

Minnie Riperton began her musical career as a teenager at the legendary Chess Records, where she worked as a receptionist, sang on sessions by Etta James and the Dells, and made her own records with The Gems and under the pseudonym Andrea Davis. She later achieved wider recognition with the eclectic psychedelic-soul combo Rotary Connection. Before going solo in 1970, Minnie met Richard Rudolph, with whom she not only wrote songs but produced two children, Marc, an independent entrepeneur, and Maya, an actress renowned for her work on Saturday Night Live, Bridesmaids, Away We Go, The Maya and Marty Show on NBC and much, much more. "Lovin' You," in fact, was originally written as a lullaby to the children and at the end of the LP version, you can hear Minnie softly singing "Maya, Maya."

Riperton was diagnosed with breast cancer a little more than a year after the worldwide success of "Lovin' You" and Perfect Angel. In addition to treatments, she completed three more well-received albums—Adventures In Paradise, Stay In Love and Minnie—before succumbing to the illness on July 12, 1979; Capitol Records, which acquired her catalog, issued Love Lives Forever, featuring duets with Michael Jackson, George Benson, Roberta Flack, et al, posthumously in 1980.

Upon Minnie's untimely passing, Richard Rudolph created The Minnie Riperton Fund for breast and woman's cancers at the Los Angeles based Concern Foundation for cancer research to continue the battle against this tragic illness that took her from us at such an early age. Donations in support of The Minnie Riperton Fund, provides essential funding to the early stage of discovery within the laboratory of the most promising cancer immunotherapies for patients. This work has laid the foundation for nearly every major cancer immunotherapy breakthrough over the past half-century.  For more information on The Minnie Riperton Fund, go here.

Minnie would have been 70 years old on November 8, 2017, and there's no better way to celebrate this milestone than with this special edition of her most beloved album.

New Film on Grammy Award-Winning Jazz Legend Arturo Sandoval in Production

A new documentary on legendary jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval is currently in production. Filmmaker Francisco J. Ricardo, director of F For Franco, is directing the film, inspired by Arturo's energy and dedication to his craft.

  

Few musicians flee their country to follow their passion. With the help of his great friend Dizzy Gillespie, jazz trumpeter and composer Arturo Sandoval made a daring escape from Cuba with his family to the US to continue his dream of being a musician, free from the jailable "offense" that was jazz. Sandoval has won multiple Grammys, scored films, and is a recipient of the 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom. Since his defection, Arturo has gone on to carve his unique path of performance – playing trumpet, piano, composing, and teaching. Through conversations, concerts, and memories, Ricardo explores the music in the man through his history, philosophy, and dedication.

Arturo Sandoval: Heart and Music features Arturo Sandoval (Keep On Keepin' On), with special appearances by Andy Garcia (Ocean's Eleven, The Godfather Part III), Quincy Jones (Keep On Keepin On, The Color Purple), Frank Mancuso, Sr. ( Former CEO of Paramount and MGM), Tim Wilkins (Jazz Historian), Rob Simon (President, Windsor Jewelers, Past conductor, Piedmont Wind Symphony).

Francisco J. Ricardo is a musician, philosopher, author, and art theorist. He holds two degrees from Harvard and a Ph.D. from Boston University (Ph.D Humanities Computing). Dr. Ricardo met Sandoval in late 2012.

Arturo Sandoval: Heart and Music is produced by Adrienne Chamberlin, and edited by Nina Hasin, Adam Greenberg, and R.J. Placko.

The Lewis Porter and Phil Scarff Group escort listeners to exotic music destination on Three Minutes To Four

Home base is contemporary jazz, but after that, who knows where it goes?  With a lineup like this one – Lewis Porter (piano); Phil Scarff (saxophones); John Funkhouser (string bass) and Bertram Lehmann (drums) – all bets are off.  Chances are good that the music on Three Minutes to Four will take listeners to destinations unknown.  And that’s a very good thing.

Pianist, composer, educator, and author Lewis Porter; long known as a jazz educator at Rutgers-Newark, formerly Tufts and Brandeis, and as the author of books including the celebrated volume of John Coltrane, is active as a pianist and composer.  He has performed or recorded across the USA and Europe with Dave Liebman, Wycliffe Gordon, Ravi Coltrane, Marc Ribot, and many others.  Saxophonist and composer Phill Scarff peforms Indian classical music and jazz, and leads the acclaimed world-jazz ensemble, Natrzj, which has performed domestically and in India, Ghana, and elsewhere.  He has shared the spotlight with icons of Indian classical music including saxophone great Kadri Gopalnath, Chitravina Ravikiran, Shashank, and Trichy Sankaran, as well as African master drummers Godwin Agbeli and Abrubakari Lunna.

Bertram Lehmann’s supple drumming makes him highly sought after in a variety of idioms.  He has worked with Paquito D’Rivera, Liebman, Randy Brecker, Danilo Perez, and Claudio Roditi, among others.  John Funkhouser has performed with Grammy nominees Luciana Souza and Tierney Sutton, Steve Gadd, Abe Laboriel Sr., Max Weinberg and many others.  Clearly, the quartet comprises an illustrious bunch, and they have a chance to earn further laurels on Three Minutes to Four.

“The core of our music is contemporary jazz but we also incorporate a diverse range of influences from other sources, most notably Indian classical music, modern Western classical music, and Ghanaian music,” says Phil Scarff, helping to explain the band’s general direction.  “Several of the pieces have their basis in ragas; in some we have employed contemporary Western classical compositional techniques, such as 12-tone rows and fractals.”

What helps the most is hearing those explorations on CD and live.  Together, literally and figuratively, Scarff and pianist Lewis Porter venture to many places.  They have performed and recorded around the world, as have their accompanists.  In return, and as an immense favor to all of those who hear it, they’ve created music that takes listerners to almost as many unique destinations.  The Lewis Porter-Phil Scarff Group is fresh, east-meets-west jazz, where rage merges with western classical, where Ghanaian traditional fuses with improvisational, and where organic neets studied.  Three Minutes to Four is where stunning performance creates pure jazz excitement.  It is at once deeply felt and eminently accessible, a glorious celebration of musical multiculturalism filtered through a prism of real jazz.

NEW RELEASES: ERIC ROBERSON – FIRE; ANCESTRAL ALLIANCES – IN THE TRADITION; IKEBE SHAKEDOWN – WAY HOME

ERIC ROBERSON – FIRE

Elemental genius from Eric Roberson – an artist who's already touched on Earth and Wind with previous records, but who's really on fire with this sweet little set! As with the others in the series, the album's an EP – but the 8 tracks here are even deeper than most longer albums you'd get from any other artist – and continue as proof that Roberson is easily one of the greatest soul singers of the 21st Century – even though his genius comes without any help from anyone else! By that, we mean that when the record companies turned their backs on Eric two decades ago, he went on to make incredible soul records that were better than anything else they were putting out – a legacy that's continued well into the present, as Roberson just keeps on getting better and better as both a singer and songwriter, and works here with a sense of presentation that's simply stunning. Wonderful throughout – uplifting, positive, and downright soulful – with tracks that include "Slave Owners", "Tamir", "Everything", "Show That", "Love Is All That Matters", "Leave The Door Open", and "More Than Stars".  ~ Dusty Groove

ANCESTRAL ALLIANCES – IN THE TRADITION

Fantastic sounds from this ultra-hip Detroit ensemble – a contemporary group, but one whose musical message takes us back to the sounds of older acts like Fertile Ground or Oneness Of Juju! As with both of those groups, the style here mixes jazz with a wider sense of message and purpose – music that soars out to the skies with pride and positive energy, while also offering a deeper, more introspective conception of its role and power in culture. Tracks are instrumental and vocal – and the double-length album has nary a slow moment at all – as the group burst forth in a warm array of percussion and horns – sometimes a bit funky, always quite spiritual throughout. Olujimi Tafataona arranged, produced, and provided creative vision – and titles include his own "We Cry Freedom", "Stephen", "Brother Chokwe Lumumba", "War Is Here", "Assata", and "Fantasy For Violin & Four Winds" – plus versions of Lee Morgan's "Caramba", Jimmy Heath's "Gemini", John Coltrane's "The Sleeper", Wayne Shorter's "Footprints", and the Kool & The Gang classic "Chocolate Buttermilk". ~ Dusty Groove

IKEBE SHAKEDOWN – WAY HOME

A fantastic album from this increasingly hip combo – a group who were already pretty darn funky at their start, but who've just kept on moving into really amazing territory over the years! The sound here is maybe the equivalent of the depth and shifts that El Michels brought to the deep funk underground – a new fusion of elements, and a way of playing the sonic field that helps the group divorce their style from its roots, and make it very much their own sound in the process! Sure, there's elements of 70s styles – Afro Funk, funky jazz, and instrumental soul – but the overall presentation is inflected with all these really unusual sounds and colors, and cool currents of darkness that show an increasing understanding of the sonic possibilities of familiar instrumentation. Don't worry, things are still plenty funky throughout, but also very individual too – on titles that include "She's Knocking", "Assassin", "Brushfire", "Penny The Switch", "Blue Giant", "Supermoon", "Shifting Sands", and "Where The Day Breaks". ~ Dusty Groove

Smooth Jazz Artist Delyn Releases EP Now Or Never‏

For musical artist, Delyn, the quote, "Stand for something or fall for anything," is more than just a quote passed down from generations past. It is reflective of who she is as an artist and as a person. From her inspiring lyrics and music to her charitable giving and acts of kindness, Delyn aspires to make a difference anyway that she can.

Born De Anna Lyn, Delyn grew up listening to a variety of musical artists spanning many genres, including Stevie Nicks, Journey and Prince. She says, "It is the duty of any musical artist to widen their musical spectrum by listening to artists outside of their preferred genre. Inspiration comes from many places."

A native from Baltimore, Maryland, Delyn began singing and writing songs in her early teens. In regards to her songwriting process, she says that a melody is usually how her songs are born. Next, she works out the chords on acoustic guitar and then collaborates with a producer. She also collaborates with other producers via topline writing. Delyn’s sound is smooth and soulful with an added measure of funk. Her low range lends itself to funk-inspired tunes, while her high range demonstrates a proclivity toward pop and jazz-inspired songs.

Although Delyn is known to write and record songs that have a jazzy, r&b vibe, she is known to color outside of the lines, musically speaking. For example, she has recorded background vocals for indie artists, Beyond Atlantic, a jazz/rock/pop band, as well as, Melba, a jazz/funk-inspired group.

Delyn has achieved the above collaborations, as well as numerous others, via the Internet. Many artists she has met via SoundCloud and similar websites. She is an avid fan of global music collaboration and through this process has had the opportunity to be involved with musical projects and exemplary musicians that she would have otherwise never been exposed.

In terms of inspirations, Delyn names Sade. She says of the artist, "I love the class and style that Sade brings to the music game. I also love her distinctive and timeless sound that only she possesses." Additionally, Delyn names Adele, Alicia Keys and Lauryn Hill as artists she adores.

Delyn’s first EP, Now or Never, via Symphonic Distribution. Written and produced by Delyn and German-born producer, Burnt Will, the EP is a brief collection of lyrically-inspiring tunes, fused with smooth jazz and funk overtones.

At the end of the day, Delyn strives to write songs that touch and inspire the souls of those who listen. Her aim in this world is to “do good and be good.” If music is one way that she can achieve this, all the better. Currently, Delyn is creating new music and seeking licensing opportunities.

Nashville Jazz Crusader Rahsaan Barber's New CD "The Music in the Night"

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Rahsaan Barber The Music in the Night Saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Rahsaan Barber's years of activity as a performer, producer, presenter, educator, and most recently DJ in his native Nashville have established him as an integral part of the city's vibrant jazz scene. In fact, Barber named his record label and concert production company Jazz Music City to make the point that there's more to America's "Music City" than the Grand Ole Opry.

With the release on November 3 of The Music in the Night, he also reveals there's more to Rahsaan Barber than his reputation as composer of the cutting-edge modern jazz works that were the primary focus of his two previous albums, 2005's Trio Soul and 2011's Everyday Magic. Only glimpsed there were his gentle side and his skills as a gifted interpreter of standards that, in his hands, are transformed in fresh and highly original ways.

Barber writes in his liner notes that recording an album of standards was his mother Stella's idea. She told him "how much she missed hearing my approach to standards, and how much she felt my ability to interpret familiar songs sets me apart from my peers." He also followed the advice of his grandmother, the late Zepher Selby, who told him to "play pretty" and "make sure you put a blues in every set."

Every track on The Music in the Night is notable, ranging from the swinging opener "Isn't She Lovely" to the gorgeous treatment of the Michael Jackson hit "She's Out of My Life"; from a reggae-tinged rendition of Rodgers and Hart's "My Funny Valentine" to the Ray Charles classic "Georgia on My Mind" treated as a slow blues with a backbeat. Then there are versions of Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer's "Skylark," the lyrics of which inspired the album title, and Antonio Carlos Jobim's "The Girl from Ipanema."

While it never achieved the popularity to qualify as a standard, "The Backbone" (composed by bassist Butch Warren for a 1964 Dexter Gordon album) is a tour de force showcasing the chops of Barber's rhythm section: pianist Matt Endahl, drummer Derrek Phillips, and 20-year-old bassist Jack Aylor.

Family played a huge role in Rahsaan Barber's musical development. Stella and Robert Barber Sr. named their twin sons, Rahsaan and Roland, born in Nashville on April 2, 1980, after the late multi-reed master Rahsaan Roland Kirk.

The twins grew up listening to hymns at Nashville's St. Luke CME Church, which their great-great uncles and aunts had helped to found in 1915 and where their grandmother later served as pianist and choir director. At home, they heard records by Luther Vandross, Stephanie Mills, and other soul singers favored by their mother, a singer herself. Their father, a blues fan originally from Memphis, began taking saxophonist Rahsaan and trombonist Roland to sit in at blues clubs when they were as young as 14. And his grandmother introduced Rahsaan to the music of such early tenor saxophone giants as Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, and Don Byas.

After graduating high school, the brothers enrolled at Indiana University (IU) and studied with onetime George Russell trombonist David Baker, who, Rahsaan says, "redefined what jazz education could look like and sound like. He was a trailblazer culturally." Barber also credits Tom Walsh, his saxophone teacher at IU, "with the grand majority of what I can do with the saxophone. He was a godsend-the right person at the right time at the right place."

The twins spent five years at IU, both receiving bachelor's degrees and Artist Diplomas in jazz and instrumental studies. After recording Twinnovation, their only album together, in 2001, they spent two years at the Manhattan School of Music, earning master's degrees in jazz performance in 2005. Roland today teaches at Vanderbilt University, where his parents had met years earlier. Rahsaan taught at Belmont College for six years and at Tennessee State University for two and a half years before recently retiring from academia.

Barber presently performs with several of his own groups: his quartet and quintet, as well as the septet El Movimiento, which blends jazz, Latin, and world music with hip-hop and rock; The Megaphones, which combines New Orleans brass band music and hip-hop; and the 12-piece Nashville Salsa Machine. He has produced CDs by trumpeter Imer Santiago, vocalist Stephanie Ablington, and El Movimiento. His extensive recording and/or performing credits include work with such diverse artists as Big Smo, Kelly Clarkson, Gladys Knight, Delfeayo Marsalis, Kirk Franklin, Hunter Hayes, Kid Rock, Martina McBride, Idina Menzel, Lionel Richie, and Darius Rucker. He serves as vice president of the Tennessee Blues and Jazz Society, where he designs live re-creations of classic jazz and blues albums and hosts the weekly one-hour radio show "Generations of Jazz" Mondays at 7 p.m. on KFSK-FM at Fisk University. 

 

STACEY KENT RELEASES "I KNOW I DREAM" THE ORCHESTRAL SESSIONS

With over 2 million albums sold, a Grammy nomination and international recognition as one of the most successful and prolific jazz vocalist of her time, Stacey Kent stands strong among the artists that don’t have much left to prove. She surprises us once more with her brand new album, I Know I Dream. Recorded inside the famous Angel Studios in London with an orchestra of around 60 musicians, this is her first orchestral album in a career that spans two decades and more than 15 albums. 

Stacey thought a long time about making such a record, but was waiting for the right time, as she states: “I’m very patient. This was something I knew I needed to do one day or another, but I didn’t want to make it at any cost or rush it in any way”. So when Sony and OKeh asked her about making an album with a big orchestra, she felt this was the moment: “It’s not every day that you get a call about a project with 58 musicians! Nowadays everyone tries to be reasonable but Sony had a real artistic vision”.

Meticulously produced by Tommy Lawrence and Stacey’s longtime collaborator (and husband!) Jim Tomlinson, the songs are arranged in a way that they are transporting the listeners instead of the size of the orchestra, which brings harmony and depth to the record and to the stories it tells. The most important thing for Stacey Kent was “to keep our sensibility and, at the center of everything, our sense of intimacy”. I Know I Dream revisits in fact the quintessence of her repertoire and soul with three songs in French (Juliette Greco’s Les Amours Perdues, originally written by Serge Gainsbourg, Nino Ferrer’s La Rua Madureira and Léo Ferré’s Avec le temps), four new compositions and five covers of Brazilian timeless classics including, for example, Carlos Jobim’s Photograph. I Know I Dream is a majestic and smooth delight, both panoramic and intimate at the same time: a self-portrait with a big orchestra, like a confidence whispered with 58 accomplices.

2018 Lineup Set for BIAMP PDX Jazz Festival

Kurt Elling & Dr. Lonnie Smith

Headliners Terri Lyne Carrington, Ravi Coltrane, Esperanza Spalding; Lovingly Remembering Geri Allen; Snarky Puppy; Dr. Lonnie Smith; Miles Electric Band;

Jazz By 5: Javon Jackson, Randy Brecker, Joanne Brackeen, Eddie Gomez, Jimmy Cobb; West Coasting with Portland Jazz Master Art Abrams; Featuring Ernie Andrews & Barbara Morrison; Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya, Kurt Elling, Nancy King, Darrell Grant, Julian Lage; David Sanchez Caribe, Scott Amendola, Charles Tolliver & New Music Inc.,Ben Allison, Tigran Hamasyan, Charles Gayle, David Friesen; Charnett Moffett, Rachel Flowers, and Amina Figarova Compliment Tributes to Jon Hendricks, Eddie Jefferson, Al Jarreau, Miles Davis,; Cole Porter, Jazz Crusaders, and Sonny Rollins

Abdullah Ibrahim & Esperanza Spalding

The 15th anniversary edition will acknowledge the originally hip and wonderfully wacky world of jazz vocalese, highlighted by Grammy® Award-winner Kurt Elling and his homage to mentor, 95-years-young Jon Hendricks with daughters Michele and Aria Hendricks performing along with Portland stalwarts Randy Porter and Nancy King, and a performance by the Portland State University Jazz Vocal Ensemble under the direction of Sherry Alves.

A nod to hipsterism will be penultimate when Richie Cole, the last living link to Eddie Jefferson's pioneering legacy, makes a rare PDX appearance joining Harlem-based Allan Harris to fete the deceased singer on his 100th birthday. Keeping it local and very real on the subject of scat is the Bobby Torres Ensemble with vocalist Sean Holmes paying respect to the legacy of Al "Breakin' Away" Jarreau. Always a great hang at Al's Den, the annual themed residency curated by Mary Sue Tobin of free nightly programs by Portland based artists will spotlight singers, scatters and swingers.

Russell Malone & Luciana Souza

The loss of pianist Geri Allen this summer was emotionally hard and sent shock waves through the jazz community as she touched so many of us in a myriad of meaningful ways. She also left an indelible mark on the festival with her stirring performance in tribute to Alice Coltrane in 2015 and as the centrifugal force in the trio collective, ACS which made their west coast debut here in 2013. It was the pioneering pianist's wish that Ravi Coltrane play for her in Portland and we are humbled by this auspicious occasion. States Esperanza Spalding, "Geri was and is a divine prism of pure heart and artistry." Terri Lyne Carrington recalls, "You are an inspiring maverick an exemplary creator that I'm proud to have been able to call my friend and bandmate. You've positively touched so many and my life and art will always reflect your vision and influence." Darrell Grant, who worked with her a decade ago at Reed College, speaks of Allen in reverential terms as his singular most important influence.

States Executive Artistic Director, Don Lucoff, "Frankly from a programming standpoint, it's seamless to bring back a bevy of perennial headliners who graced our stages these past 15 years, but we chose rather to focus and blend on who has not appeared and should be here with select returnees that speaks to the emerging, established and legacy careers of Charles Tolliver and New Music Inc., Miles Electric Band, Ben Allison, Scott Amendola, Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jazz By 5, Charles Gayle, Mostly Other People Do the Killing, Dave King, Russell Malone, Rachel Flowers, Tigran Hamasyan, Marcus Roberts, and Lisa Fischer, Yotam Silberstein, among others.

Lisa Fischer & Regina Carter

"Many of our esteemed resident artists will appear in a variety of special situations including the David Friesen Reunion Trio, Randy Porter with Nancy King, Trio Subtonic featuring Dan Balmer, Devin Phillips Trio, Domo Branch Quintet, Portland Jazz Master Art Abrams, Tahirah Memory, Bobby Torres, UP Jazz Ensemble, PSU Vocal Jazz Ensemble, George Colligan with Buster Williams and Lenny White and Dan Gaynor and Gordon Lee.

"PDX Jazz partners with a variety of selected venues: Revolution Hall, Newmark and Winningstad Theatres, Classic Piano, The Mission Theatre, The Old Church, Mississippi Studios, Jack London Revue, University of Portland, PSU, Al's Den and White Eagle Tavern," continues Lucoff. "Free music will also be heard in over a dozen hotels and restaurants throughout Portland. We welcome the continued year-round partnership with Soul'D Out Music Productions and their special programs of Snarky Puppy and Lettuce, the enduring support from KMHD Radio and our many sponsors, members and supporters."

The 15th annual Biamp PDX Jazz Festival Presented by Cascades Sotheby's International Realty was co-founded in 2004 with Travel Portland to establish a cultural tourism initiative in the metro Portland area, and to celebrate Black History Month through education and outreach programming.

15th Annual Panama Jazz Festival Led By Artistic Director Danilo Pérez Announces 2018 Lineup

Uniting internationally acclaimed jazz artists, renowned educators and jazz fans from around the globe, the 15th Annual Panama Jazz Festival will be held January 15-20, 2018 at The City of Knowledge in Panama City, ATLAPA Convention Center and the Old Quarter of Panama City. The festival will celebrate its 15th anniversary, the establishment of the jazz festival as a decree of the country, and the building of a new space to expand the social programs of the Danilo Pérez Foundation.

Among the headliners for this year's festival is the Wayne Shorter Quartet featuring Pérez on piano, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Brian Blade; Afro-Cuban jazz legend Chucho Valdés; legendary pianist Ran Blake and Brazilian singer Luciana Souza. Additional headliners include Danilo Pérez special guest pop icon Miguel Bosé and The Global Jazz Big Band directed by Bill Dobbins.

Other groups featured include Panamanian jazz bassist Santi Debriano featuring Craig Handy, Bill O'Connell, and Will Calhoun, Danilo Pérez's Panamonk Revisited trio featuring Terri Lyne Carrington and Ben Street, Italian saxophonist Marco Pignataro, Panamanian saxophonist Luis Carlos Perez, and the Pan-African Jazz Project featuring Chilean saxophonist Patricia Zarate Pérez, Panamanian musicians Graciela Nuñez, Luz Acosta and Egyptian musicians Hesham Galal and Balqueis.

Danilo Perez

Bands from all over the world will be featured at the Global Stage and other venues including, Josean Jacobo & Tumbao (Dominican Republic), Yogev Shetrit Trio - New Path (Israel), Bosquejo en Riesgo (Costa Rica), Four on a Swing (India), Shea Welsh (USA), Paulina Perez y Luna Meztiza (Chile), Shuffle Demons (Canada), Ruben Amador and Yahuba (Puerto Rico), Quinteto de Orion Lion (Chile), and the Panamanian groups La Colectiva, Digger Descendants, Tambo Jazz Collective, German Pinzon Jimenez, Carlos Agrazal, among many others.

Furthermore, the festival will host the 6th Latin American Music Therapy Symposium, bringing music therapists from Chile, Argentina, Panama, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Colombia, USA, Canada, among other countries to present on the therapeutic effects of music; and the 2nd Symposium of the cultural, artistic and musical expressions of the Afro-descendants of Panama.

Since its inception in 2003, the Panama Jazz Festival has attracted over 300,000 jazz fans worldwide and announced over 4.5 million dollars in scholarships on an international level. Its educational component brings 5,000 music students from all over the world every year and in 2018 the festival expects over 30,000 people from all over the world to attend.

Participating educational institutions include Boston-based institutions, Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory, which will be holding auditions for admission and scholarships. Other institutions include the Thelonious Monk Institute, Crossroads High School, and New York Jazz Academy. The Berklee Global Jazz Institute will hold master classes, perform social work with Panamanian youth and perform in various settings throughout the festival. Berklee will repeat last year's innovative program where students will earn college performance credit for the college.

The festival is produced by Panama Jazz Productions to benefit the social programs of the

Danilo Pérez Foundation with the help of Panama's National Institute of Culture (INAC), National Tourism Authority (ATP), BAC Credomatic, Panama City Mayor Office, City of Knowledge, Copa Airlines, Alamo Rent a Car, Cable and Wireless, Embassy of India in Panama, Embassy of Israel in Panama, Embassy of Panama in Egypt, and many others.

NEW RELEASES: DAVID GARFIELD – GO HOME; KATHY KOSKINS - UNREOVERED SOUL; MICHAEL TOWNSEND - WARM FEELINGS

DAVID GARFIELD – GO HOME

Keeping the spirit of old school R&B fresh and alive, David Garfield has a longstanding tradition of creating dynamic re-imaginings of classic songs. Following his Top 10 radio hit “Let’s Stay Together,” which featured Michael McDonald, the veteran keyboardist and arranger digs deep into the great Stevie Wonder’s songbook for “Go Home,” featuring the freewheeling saxophone of Kirk Whalum, Paul Jackson Jr. on Guitar and Garfield, who anchors the vibe on Fender Rhodes. This new project, two years in the making, includes “Go Home” as the first single release from this all-star expansive work that will feature numerous genre superstar collaborators: George Benson, Chuck Loeb, David Sanborn, Randy Brecker, Smokey Robinson, Oleta Adams, Ray Parker Jr., Phil Perry, Eric Marienthal, Marcus Miller, and Larry Coryell. Including a beautiful new cover of Adele’s “Chasing Pavements,” featuring Rick Braun and John Klemmer, and a lush orchestral rendition of Sting’s “Fragile” reprising Michael McDonald on vocals.

KATHY KOSKINS - UNREOVERED SOUL

Former first call session singer Kathy Kosins enters her third decade as a recording artist with Unrecovered Soul, a fascinating concept album driven by the sounds of the musical landscape of her hometown of Detroit in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Working with producer Kamau Kenyatta, who won a Grammy for his work with Gregory Porter, the sultry-voiced Kosins mines deep emotional territory as she shares rarely heard tunes by songwriting legends Curtis Mayfield, Gene McDaniels, Bill Withers, The Neville Brothers, Burt Bacharach and contemporary great Amos Lee. There are also three original songs that carry on the great R&B legacy of that time. The perfect balance of jazz and soul, from one of the most creative souls on the planet. Full album due out in early 2018. ~ smoothjazz.com

MICHAEL TOWNSEND - WARM FEELINGS

After years of being the opening act for R&B greats like Johnny Gill and The Manhattans, Memphis native and longtime Beale Street performer, Michael Townsend shares the full range of his smooth urban jazz and pop/soul blend and artistry on his sophomore album WARM FEELINGS. While the powerhouse saxophonist and vocalist generally keeps the flow sexy and romantic with silky originals and familiar covers, he also hits some inspired highs with some funky grooves. Turn up WARM FEELINGS, and heat up the vibe with this sophisticated collection! ~ smoothjazz.com

Ella Fitzgerald And Louis Armstrong's Beloved Musical Partnership Celebrated In New 4CD Set, "Cheek To Cheek: The Complete Duet Recordings"

By the time Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong collaborated on their first duet together, they were each already jazz giants. Fitzgerald was an acclaimed solo artist for Decca with many hits and more than 200 songs under her young belt, first with the Chick Webb Orchestra and then as leader of her own big band. Armstrong, known affectionately as Pops, was one of the leading singers, trumpet players and entertainers of the day; a star of both sound and screen. Together their talent knew no bounds and propelled them further to stardom, and today are some of the biggest highlights of both of their extraordinary careers.

For the first time, all of Fitzgerald and Armstrong's classic duets are in one place: Cheek To Cheek: The Complete Duet Recordings, a new 4CD and digital set will be available November 10. Part of Ella 100, Verve Records/UMe's yearlong celebration of Fitzgerald's centennial, the 75-track collection gathers their three timeless Verve albums – newly remastered versions of Ella and Louis, Ella and Louis Again and Porgy and Bess – along with all of their Decca singles, live recordings from Jazz at the Hollywood Bowl, recorded as a warmup for Ella and Louis, plus several alternates and false starts from the Decca and Verve eras, illuminating their craft and good humor. Cheek To Cheek also includes unreleased material: "The Memphis Blues," with Bing Crosby, from his radio show; several takes of Armstrong's solo showcase, "Bess, Oh Where's My Bess;" and an instrumental mix of "Red-Headed Woman." The comprehensive collection is rounded out with extensive essay by Ricky Riccardi, the world's leading authority on Armstrong, plus detailed annotations and rare images from the archives.

Armstrong and Fitzgerald were first paired together by Decca label head Milt Gabler when they were both recording for the label. For the inaugural session in January 1946, Gabler had them cut the new song "You Won't Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart)" and a recent Nat King Cole hit, "The Frim Fram Sauce." The former became a jukebox hit and hinted at the magic they could create together. Over the next few years they would reunite for a string of singles – all eight are presented here in order of release – before recording their first album together. Fitzgerald's manager Norman Granz, on the heels of founding Verve Records with his highly successful first release, Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Cole Porter Song Book, put Fitzgerald and Armstrong in the studio on August 16, 1956 to record the entire eleven-song Ella and Louis album in a day. The record was a critical and commercial success when released in the fall of 1956. Down Beat gave it five stars and, in November, the album hit No. 1 on Billboard's Jazz charts. The night before recording the album, Fitzgerald and Armstrong performed together at the Hollywood Bowl, and these rare, impromptu performances of "You Won't Be Satisfied," along with "Undecided," marking their earliest collaborative recordings for Granz, are included on the fourth disc.

Knowing he needed to get them back in the studio as soon as possible, Granz recorded them in several ambitious sessions from July 23 to August 19, resulting in the follow up album Ella and Louis Again as well as Porgy and Bess, the folk opera with music and lyrics by George & Ira Gershwin. Ella and Louis Again once again captured their chemistry and resulted in the irresistible "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off," the joyful "Stompin' At The Savoy," and "Autumn In New York," one of their finest ballad performances. They also each turned in separate solo features, notably extended interpretations of "These Foolish Things" by Fitzgerald and "Let's Do It" by Armstrong. The sessions for Porgy and Bess included their final four duets. The recordings capture their teamwork at the peak of its powers, exemplified in the way they seamlessly traded roles of singing and scatting on "Summertime" and "Bess, You Is My Woman Now." Granz held the album until 1959, when the big-budget film version was in theaters, and it was another success.

In addition to gathering all of Fitzgerald and Armstrong's duets, Cheek To Cheek also gives a unique opportunity to hear what it was like to be in the studio with these two titans. The closing disc is rife with a bevy of alternate takes and false starts, displaying their camaraderie, with many previously unreleased, until now.

Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

Cheek To Cheek: The Complete Duet Recordings

Disc 1

The Decca Singles

1.   You Won't Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart)

2.   The Frim Fram Sauce

3.   Dream A Little Dream Of Me

4.   Can Anyone Explain? (No, No, No!)

5.   Necessary Evil

6.   Oops!

7.   Who Walks in When I Walk Out

8.   Would You Like to Take a Walk (Sump'n Good'll Come From That)

Ella and Louis

9.   Can't We Be Friends

10. Isn't This A Lovely Day

11. Moonlight In Vermont

12. They Can't Take That Away From Me

13. Under A Blanket Of Blue

14. Tenderly

15. A Foggy Day

16. Stars Fell On Alabama

17. Cheek to Cheek

18. The Nearness of You

19. April In Paris

Disc 2

Ella and Louis Again

1.   Don't Be That Way

2.   Makin' Whoopee

3.   They All Laughed

4.   Comes Love

5.   Autumn In New York

6.   Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love)

7.   Stompin' At The Savoy

8.   I Won't Dance

9.   Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You

10. Let's Call The Whole Thing Off

11. These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)

12. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

13. Willow Weep For Me

14. I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket

15. A Fine Romance

16. Ill Wind

17. Love Is Here To Stay

Disc 3

Ella and Louis Again (cont'd.)

1.   I Get A Kick Out Of You

2.   Learnin' The Blues

Porgy And Bess

3.   Overture

4.   Summertime

5.   I Wants To Stay Here

6.   My Man's Gone Now

7.   I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'

8.   The Buzzard Song

9.   Bess, You Is My Woman Now

10. It Ain't Necessarily So

11. What You Want Wid Bess?

12. A Woman Is A Sometime Thing

13. Oh, Doctor Jesus

14. Medley: Here Come Da Honey Man/Crab Man/Oh, Dey's So Fresh And Fine

15. There's A Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon For New York

16. Bess, Oh Where's My Bess?

17. Oh Lawd, I'm On My Way

Disc 4: Bonus Tracks

Ella and Louis Live

1.   The Memphis Blues (Live from The Chesterfield Show) with Bing Crosby *

2.   You Won't Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart) (Live at the Hollywood Bowl)

3.   Undecided (Live at the Hollywood Bowl)

Decca Extras

4.   You Won't Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart) false start and breakdown

5.   The Frim Fram Sauce false starts/takes 1 and 2 *

6.   The Frim Fram Sauce alternate take

Ella and Louis Again Extras

7.   Makin' Whoopee take 1

8.   Makin' Whoopee take 2

9.   I Get A Kick Out Of You take 2 (run-through) and take 3 (breakdown)

10. I Get A Kick Out Of You take 4

11. I Get A Kick Out Of You take 13

12. Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love) take 3

13. Willow Weep For Me take 4

Porgy And Bess Extras

14. I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' (mono master)

15. A Woman Is A Sometime Thing (mono master)

16. Bess, Oh Where's My Bess?  takes 5 and 6

17. Bess, Oh Where's My Bess? take 7

18. Bess, Oh Where's My Bess?  take 8 *

19. Bess, Oh Where's My Bess?  take 9 *

20. Bess, Oh Where's My Bess?  insert for take 9 *

21. Bess, Oh Where's My Bess?  take 10 *

22. Red-Headed Woman instrumental *

* Previously unreleased