NEW RELEASES: BLUEY - LIFE BETWEEN THE NOTES; THE NOTATIONS – STILL HERE 1967-1973; JERZY MILIAN – SEMIRAMIDA: TRIO IN CONCERT FROM 1966 TO 1969

BLUEY - LIFE BETWEEN THE NOTES

Having waited more than 30 years to record his debut solo album – 2013’s “Leap of Faith” – INCOGNITO’s driving force Jean-Paul ‘BLUEY’ Maunick enjoyed the experience so much that he returns with an impressive second solo set “Life Between The Notes” Bluey displays an assured vocal performance on a wide range of songs from the disco flavour of “Hold On” and the dancefloor-friendly title track (Says Bluey: “I quote my record collection…the songs that have fanned the flame of this long musical journey”) to the funky falsetto of “I’ve Got A Weakness For Your Love” and the jazzy “Saints and Sinners” and “Columbus Avenue”. The album shows a real development for Bluey, especially as he ventures into more jazz-leaning vocal material. He feels the album has “a jazz undertow that sweeps the whole thing along”. Of the album’s closing track “Sunships On The Shores Of Mars”, he calls it “the deepest adventure I’ve allowed myself to take into the world of jazz. It allows me to croon like I’ve never crooned before.” ~ Amazon

THE NOTATIONS – STILL HERE 1967-1973

From the dawn of doo-wop to the death of disco, the Notations saw-and sang-it all. Persisting through changing trends and technologies, on major labels and minor ones, produced by both Syl Johnson and Curtis Mayfield, nothing could stop the Notations from representing Chicago’s Southside for decades. The first overview of their indie label golden age, Still Here 1967-1973 finds the Notations at a musical crossroads, turning from simmering R&B ballads to socially-conscious soul. Offering up a platter of golden-dipped harmonies, inventive arrangements, and super-powered soul, the Notations survived as unheralded legends in their own time. Includes: A New Day; I’m Still Here; Trying My Best To Find Her; Just You And Me; This Time I’m For Real; What More Can I Say; I Can’t Stop; That Girl; At The Crossroads; Leading Lady; Now I Know How It Feels; Gonna Get Ready; I’ve Been Trying; and I Don’t Want To Be Late.

JERZY MILIAN – SEMIRAMIDA: TRIO IN CONCERT FROM 1966 TO 1969

Seminal sounds from one of the hippest vibists of the 60s – the great Jerzy Milian, who was easily Europe's answer to Bobby Hutcherson at the time! The material here comes from a few key performances by the Milian trio at the Jazz Jamboree festival in Poland – sort of the Eastern European version of Newport or Montreux – and the sound is very open and freewheeling, with this equal balance between the vibes, bass, and drums that show a lot of "new thing" tendencies in Jerzy's music at the time! Milian made plenty of great studio records over the years, but these live sides may well be some of his most revolutionary – a rare glimpse at a musician who should have had a much bigger impact globally at the time, had it not been for the politics of the Cold War. Titles include "Semiramida", "Ballada", "Monument", "Summer Nights", "My Favorite Band", "Serpent's Tooth", "Vales Ex Cathedra", and "Program". (One thing – note that the title track "Semiramida" has some technical issues – the recording quality ebbs and flows a bit, although the music is great.) ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: TIM WARFIELD – SPHERICAL; LA BATTERIA; RAN BLAKE – COCKTAILS AT DUSK: A NOIR TRIBUTE TO CHRIS CONNOR

TIM WARFIELD – SPHERICAL

A tribute to the music of Thelonious Monk, but one that's got plenty of Tim Warfield's own spirit as well! Orrin Evans handles the piano here, and while he's certainly equipped to bring out the angularity of Monk's music, he's got his own way of approaching the tunes that are nicely fresh – that blocky, chunky style we love in Evans' playing – which seems to grab melody and rhythm together in a single handful, and cast out these bold sounds that really inspire the rest of the group. Warfield's right at home in the setting – stretching out especially well on tenor, but also playing soprano sax as well too – and the rest of the group includes excellent trumpet from Eddie Henderson, plus bass from Ben Wolfe and drums from Clarence Penn. Titles include "Blue Hawk", "Off Minor", "Ugly Beauty", "Oska T", "Coming On The Hudson", "Gallop's Gallop", and "That Old Man". ~ Dusty Groove

LA BATTERIA – LA BATTERIA

A contemporary combo, but one who hit the style of classic sound library funk right on the money – with a killer approach that makes the album bristle like a vintage set all the way through! And trust us on this – these guys aren't "retro" or going for some sort of easy 60s modes – and instead, they really find the best way to turn out the sort of small combo funk that you'd hear from one of the small Italian sound library labels of the 70s – from the sharp instrumentation, right down to the production – and especially the best sense of economy and focus when turning out a groove. The music is heavy on keyboards – Hammond, Fender Rhodes, clavinet, and more – but also isn't just one of these copycat keyboard affairs, like the flurry of 80s styled work on the market. We're darn hard to please, and naturally suspicious of material like this – to take our word that when we say it's great, it's plenty darn great! Titles include "Espresso", "Dilemma", "Manifesto", "Vice Versa", "Chimera", "Scenario", "Formula", and "Vigilante". ~ Dusty Groove

RAN BLAKE – COCKTAILS AT DUSK: A NOIR TRIBUTE TO CHRIS CONNOR

A really unique little album from pianist Ran Blake – and that's saying a lot, given that all of his music is pretty darn unique! The album features Blake at his warmest – serving up a tribute to the vocalist Chris Connor, but at a level that's mostly instrumental – as a good number of the tracks just feature Ran on solo piano – creating dark, moody shapes from the bare bones of songs that were a big part of Connor's famous 50s recordings for Bethlehem Records – really blue, melancholy numbers that sound completely different in Blake's hands, but which have the same sort of haunting feel as Chris' vocal versions. Laika Fatien sings on 3 of the album's 13 tracks – with a very mellow, almost icy style that we've never heard from her before – and 2 more tracks feature Ricky Ford on tenor, playing with an approach that's surprisingly well-suited to Ran's piano. Titles include "All About Ronnie", "Why Can't I", "Where Are You", "Moon Ride", "Driftwood", "Speak Low", and "Go Way From My Window". ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: LES FRERES SMITH – FREE TO GO; JACK DEJOHNETTE – MADE IN CHICAGO; BAAST – DIMENSIONS

LES FRERES SMITH – FREE TO GO

This killer combo starts a fire right from the very first note on the set – then continues to burn strongly all the way through – with a vibe that's even sharper and tighter than their first set of Afro Funk a few years back! Les Freres Smith travel in familiar territory, but have a way of making their sound come out at a very personal, unique sort of level – one that's often rawer on the percussion tip than most other contemporary groups, and which layers the keyboards in with the horns, so that there's a sense of counterpoint that pushes both instruments away from their usual comfort zone! There's some slight psych touches on the production – but never in a way that gets away from the core funk of the combo – and the balance of the music is really hard to peg in words, but comes through right away with the very first listen. One of the freshest Afro Funk sets we've heard in years – with tracks that include "Supermandingue", "Liar", "Better Thing", "Djilan", "Koni", "Nia Mangolo", "AK 54", and "Crisis". ~ Dusty Groove

JACK DEJOHNETTE – MADE IN CHICAGO

A brilliant reunion of some key members of the AACM in Chicago – recorded at the Chicago Jazz Festival in a stunning performance that features drummer Jack DeJohnette in the lead, plus Muhal Richard Abrams on piano, Henry Threadgill on alto and flute, and Roscoe Mitchell on a variety of reeds! Bassist Larry Gray completes the group, and also plays a bit of cello – and the music has this wonderfully freewheeling, organic quality that really takes us back to the early years of the avant scene in Chicago – that very special sense of improvisation that the players forged back in the day – with an especially sonic-sensitive ear tuned towards the musicianship. The album is neither the usual ECM mode, nor even what we'd expect from DeJohnette – and instead takes us back to the earliest utterings from Chicago on labels like Delmark or Nessa. Titles include "Chant", "Jack 5", "Leave Don't Go Away", "Ten Minutes", and "Museum Of Time".  ~ Dusty Groove

BAAST – DIMENSIONS

A surprising new project from the same Cali underground assemblage that gave us some of the Heru Avenger records from years back – done in a style that's even more jazz-based and spiritual than before! All tracks are long and spiraling – with heavy bass at the bottom from Heru Avenger, plus trumpet, saxes, keyboards, and lots of percussion – and a bit of voice on two tracks. Titles include the side-long "Dimension Beyond" – plus "Ascend Rising", "Terra Earthen", and "Suspension Aloft".  ~ Dusty Groove

Guitarist MICHAEL VALENAU Blends Timeless Organ Trios with Compelling Blend of Love Songs, Groove Anthems and Short Acoustic Poems on HARD TO COOK

From Paul Bocuse to Julia Child, France has been known to spawn many of the world's culinary greats over the years. However, Parisian guitarist Michael Valeanu gives new meaning to the word gourmet with Hard To Cook, his sophomore effort as composer and bandleader. A wordplay on French expression Dur á Cuire, meaning tough cookie, Hard To Cook is meant to please the most demanding musical tastemakers. The ingredients of the feast come from everywhere: a pinch of folk, a sprinkle of impressionism, a generous spoonful of groove, and a minute knowledge of jazz guitar tradition. 

Following in the footsteps of Wes Montgomery and Jimmy Smith, John Scofield and Larry Goldings, and fed by the eclecticism of the New York scene, Valeanu chose the Hammond organ, guitar and drums trio to present the music on this record. Purists will admire the matchless mastery of this trio featuring Jake Sherman on organ and Jake Goldbas on drums, while curious music lovers will savor a compelling blend of love songs, groove anthems and short acoustic poems. 

Hard To Cook is a dream come true for Valeanu who learned jazz listening to Wes Montgomery records. "I fell in love with the Hammond, it has the sonic breath of a whole orchestra, and complements the guitar most beautifully." To realize his idea, Valeanu led a triumphant Kickstarter campaign that allowed him to have complete artistic independence.

Much like Valeanu himself, both members of his trio are also jacks-of-all-trades, masters of many, with groove as the common denominator. On the organ, Sherman's playing can resemble Ellington's sax section on the gripping "Blood Count,"  or the fiercest of bass players on "Norwegian Omelette." Goldbas is another force to be heard: with hard driving swing on "Firm Roots," irresistible groove on "Hard to Cook," and subtle percussion work on "Floating Island." 

The icing on the proverbial the cake is none other than France's freshest diva, vocalist Cyrille Aimée, for whom Valeanu plays guitar and collaborates. She is a featured vocalist and lyricist on the savory "20 Years," which manages to appear as a simple bucolic folk song despite its rhythmic complexity, and continues to dazzle with a virtuosic scat lesson on the odd metered "How Deep Is the Ocean." We also owe Aimée the blossoming of Valeanu as a producer, which gives Hard To Cook its unique flavor in contemporary jazz. 

The originals that Valeanu brings to the table are true to his eclecticism: a thoughtful introduction calling classical composer Leo Brouwer to mind, an exuberant groove of the title track, and the country scene conjured by Aimée's lyrics on the purely melodic "20 Years." Like the best of chefs, Valeanu aims to please, and with Hard To Cook, leaves listeners craving for more. 

Born in Paris, France in 1985, Valeanu began playing guitar when he was 14-years-old. While in Paris, he studied at the Nadia & Lili Boulanger Conservatory as well as at the Edim/National School of Music of Bourg-La-Reine.  During this time, Valeanu was affirming his spot in the local Parisian music scene as both a sideman and a studio musician. 

He moved to New York City in 2008 to attend the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in order to branch out into the jazz scene even further. Since moving to New York, Valeanu has played a myriad of clubs such as Smalls, Birdland, Jazz Standard, and Smoke, as well as various festivals throughout the United States. Since becoming a mainstay in the New York jazz scene, he released his debut album Tea Time in 2012. 

Michael Valeanu · Hard To Cook

Release Date: April 28, 2015

www.MichaelValeanu.com

SANTANA 2015 CONCERT TOUR - NEW HOUSE OF BLUES LAS VEGAS AND EUROPEAN DATES ANNOUNCED

Santana is gearing up for a very busy year with new tour dates announced.  See below and check back here often for updates.

Santana Tour Dates for 2015:

• March 10 - Charleston, SC @ N. Charleston Performing Arts
• March 11 - Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
•  March 13 - Biloxi, MS @ Beau Rivage Theatre
• March 14 - Memphis, TN @ Orpheum Theatre
• March 15 - Birmingham, AL @ BJCC Concert Hall
• March 17 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Civic Center Music Hall
• March 18 - Grand Prairie, TX @ Verizon Theatre
• March 19 - Corpus Christi, TX @ Selena Auditorium 
• March 21 – Monterrey, MX @ Arena Monterrey
• March 23 – Vera Cruz, MX @ Cumbre Tajin Festival
• March 26 – Guadalajara, MX @ Arena VFG
• March 27 – Mexico City, MX @ Sports Palace
• May 20 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• May 23 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• May 23 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• May 24 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• May 27 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• May 29 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• May 30 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• May 31 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues 
• June 30 - Amsterdam,  NL @ Ziggo   
• July 1 - Brussels, BE @ Palais 12 - Brussels Expo
• July 2 - Hamburg, DE @ Stadtpark     
• July 4 - Slupsk, PL @ Dolina Charlotty Resort Spa
• July 5 - Berlin, DE @ O2 World         
• July 7 -  Luxembourg, LU @ Rockhal
• July 8 - Oberhausen, DE @ Konig Pilsener Arena
• July 10 - Juan Les Pins, FR @ Juan Les Pins Festival 
• July 11 - Monte-Carlo, MC @ Monte-Carlo Sporting Summer Festival
• July 12 - Locarno, Switzerland @ Moon and Stars Festival
• July 16 - Nimes, FR @ Nimes Festival
• July 17 - Argeles-sur-Mer, FR @ Parc De Valmy, Les Deferlantes
• July 19 - Klam, AT @ Castle Clam     
• July 20 - Verona, IT @ Arena di Verona
• July 21 - Pistoia, IT @ Piazza del duomo
• July 23 - Vienne, FR @ Theatre Antique De Vienne
• July 25 - London, UK @ The O2       
• August 14 - Forest Hills, NY @ Forest Hills Stadium
• August 15 - Canandaigua, NY @ CMAC        
• August 16 - Scranton, PA @ Peach Festival
• August 18 - Boston, MA @ Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
• August 19 - Uncaseville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
• August 21 - Atlantic City, NJ @ Borgata        
• August 22 - Atlantic City, NJ @ Borgata        
• August 23 - Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arena
• August 25 - Vienna, VA @ Wolf Trap
• August 26 - Baltimore, MD @ Pier Six Concert Pavilion        
• August 28 - Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre      
• August 29 - Chicago, IL @ Ravinia TBA
• August 30 - Chicago, IL @ Ravinia TBA
• September 16 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• September 18 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• September 19 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• September 20 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• September 23 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• September 25 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• September 26 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• September 27 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• November 4 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• November 6 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• November 7 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• November 8 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• November 11 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• November 13 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• November 14 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
• November 15 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues

NEW RELEASES: GREGORY PORTER, MELODY GARDOT & OTHERS – ROUND NINA: A TRIBUTE TO NINA SIMONE; BLUE MODE – SPACE RACE; FRAMEWORK - TIDES

GREGORY PORTER, MELODY GARDOT & OTHERS – ROUND NINA: A TRIBUTE TO NINA SIMONE

A compelling tribute to the great Nina Simone – featuring a host of contemporary singers performing their own versions of classics from Nina's recordings of the 60s and 70s! The project was put together in France, with orchestrations by Clement Ducol – but it features a fair bit of singers from a wider scene, including the great Gregory Porter, who makes a key appearance here! Instrumentation is often a mix of contemporary and classic modes – almost a remix of the original ideals of Simone's recordings, although the vocal delivery is very straight, and never played with – which is a good thing. Performances include "Black Is The Color" by Gregory Porter, "Baltimore" by Lianne Le Havas, "Sinnerman" by Keziah Jones, "Just Say I Love Him" by Hindi Zara, "Lilac Wine" by Camille, "Four Women" by Melody Gardot, "Feeling Good" by Ben L'Oncle Soul, "My Baby Just Cares For Me" by Oliva Ruiz, and "Plain Gold Ring" by Youn Sun Nah.  ~ Dusty Groove

BLUE MODE – SPACE RACE

A really great groover, and a set that's way more than just another retro funk outing – given that these guys have plenty of tight jazz skills too! The group works here with a few key differences than other organ combos of late – the first of which is the strong use of flute by lead reedman Chip Wickham, who also plays a mean tenor – but uses the flute to create these wonderfully cool, snakey solos that take us right back to 60s giants like Jerome Richardson or Frank Wess! Another standout is the keyboard work of Gabriel Casanova, which also includes Wurlitzer Piano and clavinet in addition to Hammond – a blend of keys that make for a richer sense of spectrum throughout the album, even though all three instruments are handled with the deep soul of a classic organ jazz player from years back. The group also features drums, guitar, and a bit of congas – and titles include a surprisingly groovy remake of "Smells Like Teen Spirit", plus great originals that include "Tortilla Chip", "Rice Beans & Bugaloo", "Dr Shrip", "Space Race", "When The Rope Failed", and "Colt's Run".  ~ Dusty Groove

FRAMEWORK – TIDES

'Tides' is the debut album from Manchester-based producer Matt Brewer aka Frameworks. Since the release of his first EP 'Vanish' back in 2012, Frameworks has been building a loyal following for his atmospheric and haunting compositions. 'Tides' sees him joining the dots between instrumental hip hop heroes Aim and RJD2, the epic soundscapes of Cinematic Orchestra and the deft songwriting of Bonobo. Previous collaborators Rioghnach  Connolly and JP Cooperreturn for the album with two tracks apiece. Rioghnach gives a captivating vocal performance on lead single 'Calm The Still Night' and the brooding 'Dawn', whilst JP (recently signed to Island Records) brings raw soul to 'Old Friend' and 'No Place To Hide Away'. The bedrock of the album is instrumental with Frameworks' trademark string-laden productions taking in cinematic jazz ('Patience'), folk ('End') and more uptempo fare in the shape of 'Breathing Light' and 'A New Sun'. Tides' shows just how accomplished Frameworks is as a producer and composer, showing a lightness of touch and genuine song-writing talent that few can emulate. 

Pianist / Trombonist KEVIN CLINE'S new album MAKE UP YOUR MIND features an Chicago all-star lineup‏

Pianist/trombonist Kevin Cline usually keeps a low profile, so much so that even his neighbors on Chicago’s northwest side probably don’t realize the depth of his talent. He’s been a strong, if understated, presence in a myriad of bands for more than 30 years, but is just now releasing his debut. This disc, Make Up Your Mind, promises that Cline won’t be a secret for much longer.

Being such a humble guy has its advantages. Rather than spending time hyping himself, Cline focuses on his writing, and the results are his 14 original compositions on this disc. While the buoyant tone throughout Make Up Your Mind is anything but workmanlike, Cline’s patience and determination are what made this disc happen.

Cline’s life in music reflects that perseverance. He started playing organ as a child, picked up the trombone a few years later added piano to the mix. Playing in high school ensembles made him focus on trombone, primarily when Cline joined Rich Daniel’s Big Band Machine. Along with Daniels, Cline attended DePaul University in the early ’80s and graduated with a degree in music theory. More work followed— ranging from the Glenn Miller Orchestra to the backing band for popular Chicago radio d.j. Jonathan Brandmeier, Johnny and the Leisure Suits. But he wanted to express his own self, which meant the piano playing a more vital role.

As Cline started to dig deeper, he studied with Chicago jazz pianist Peter Polzak during the late ’90s. Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett records became a bigger part of his musical diet. He built up his sense of harmony and theory and turned those ideas into his compositions, including this disc’s title piece. The end results pack Make Up Your Mind.

“I tend to hear bass lines and/or chord changes first and melody comes after that,” Cline said. “I then play the changes over and over as I sing melodies in my head until I find the melody that works best. I’m meticulous about chord changes in my writing. Often when the melody repeats, I like to throw in an alternate chord change or two, just to keep it interesting.”

This strategy is heard in “Make Up Your Mind,” with its shifts from minor to major keys. Cline’s technique is also a part of the opener, “After The Rain,” where Cline doubles on piano and Fender Rhodes.

“None of my tunes are named until I’ve written them,” Cline said. “I named it ‘After The Rain’ because as the ending approaches, the tonality changes quickly. It’s basically in the key of C major at that point and takes a turn to end in B-major. That sound reminded me of the sun or a rainbow appearing after a storm.”

But Cline turned to a different early inspiration for “Umbrella, Sunglasses & Gloves”: the horn bands of jazz-inspired 1970s rock, primarily Earth, Wind and Fire and Chicago. The sunny tone and Paul Zimmerman’s vocals here (and on “You Tend To”) echo the time when, as a teenager, Cline played his trombone along with Chicago records.

Other key sources include the musicians who Cline brings on to the recording, such as guitarist Dale Prasco who joins in on the Latin-tinged “Beware The Snake” and in a duo with Gailloreto on “April In June.”

Trumpeter Victor Garcia also mixes it up with Gailloreto (on tenor) on “A Shot Of J&V” and the quasi-bossa nova, “Shirley Not Forgotten.” Cline also built “Neighborhood Trolley” from its origins as a piano ostinato while he observed how the horns interacted. Another guest trumpeter, Bobby Shew, shines on the brass- heavy-but-breezy “Happy-Go-Lucky” and while he’s name checked on the title of “Song For Bobby,” that song also echoes another of Cline’s heroes, Bill Evans.

“That song combines Bill Evans-like chord changes played in a George Shearing style,” Cline said. “It’s in the key of E-flat, going to minor ii-V to relative minor C. Bill Evans did that often and was very unique in his use of minor ii-V chord progressions."

Most of the disc conveys an optimistic vibe, with “Santorini By Motorbike” a reflection of Cline’s visit to Greece and “Mistletoe, Me & You” a romantic Christmas-time song that he wrote for his girlfriend. But even within this upbeat sentiment, Make Up Your Mind offers an array of textures. The disc’s sole cover—an interpretation of “My Funny Valentine” that serves as a showcase for vocalist Isha Marie Lewis—Cline layers on the horns for a funk vibe with extra harmony. The disc closes with “Till Next Time,” a not-too-somber sparse ballad with just Gailloreto and Cline giving each other just the right amount of space.

No question that Make Up Your Mind is an opening statement, not a point of departure. Cline is already planning his next project, a pop/R&B disc that will show that will show an entirely different side of his musical personality. This man is in it for the long haul.

~ Aaron Cohen (Senior contributor to DownBeat)

Saxophonist Russ Nolan to Release "Call It What You Want," His 5th Rhinoceruss Music Album in 10 Years

Russ Nolan Call It What You Want A dexterous improviser with an abiding passion for Latin American rhythms, Russ Nolan delivers a deeply satisfying program of original tunes on his new CD Call It What You Want. The prolific tenor saxophonist, composer, and arranger will release the disc, his 5th as a leader in 10 years, on his Rhinoceruss Music label March 31. 

Reflecting his fluency in the post-bop vocabulary and Latin rhythmic idioms, it's an approach quite distinct from what used to be called Latin jazz, like a good deal of the most stimulating jazz coming out of New York in recent years. Not surprisingly, Nolan has collaborated with some of the Latin musicians in the vanguard of this movement, like the brilliant Cuban pianist Manuel Valera (who played on Nolan's previous release, 2013's critically hailed Relentless). 

"I hope I'm part of this larger conversation," Nolan says. "I didn't grow up in Cuba or with this music, but I've really connected with these rhythms through a lot of study. You can't throw out all the rules, but you take the tradition and honor it by being rebels in your own time. You take what you've absorbed and make it your own." 

Nolan's striking arrangement of "My Ship," for instance, is set to an Afro-Peruvian Lando rhythm and finished in a Coltrane-style modal vamp. His varied originals include "Mi Remedio," a cha-cha written for his wife Luz; "Canción Sabrosa," a mambo in rhumba clave; and "Las Teclas Negras," an E-flat minor blues played as a medium-tempo mambo in 7/4. "This recording is another chapter in my study of Latin rhythms and their application to the modern jazz harmony I enjoy writing," says the leader. 

 Russ Nolan One reason that Nolan has continued to evolve is that he takes pains to surround himself with superior players. Pianist Mike Eckroth attracted widespread attention while touring with John Scofield (2010- 2012), though he's also obviously delved deeply into Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Brazilian waters. 

Brian Fishler, who's played on Nolan's last three albums, is "one of the most versatile drummers in town," says the saxophonist. Bassist Daniel Foose, a more recent member of the fold, is a highly assured player who lives across the street from Nolan in Sunnyside, Queens, and shares his University of North Texas affiliation. Far more than a master percussionist, Victor Rendon is also an essential mentor for Nolan who has helped inculcate his deep knowledge of Cuban rhythms. "He and Yasuyo [Kimura] are an amazing team," Nolan says. "I met them on a salsa gig, and she played on three tracks on Relentless." 

Nolan's concern with rhythm began coming into clear focus in the late 1990s, when he was living in Chicago. Saxophonist Chris Potter came through town with Dave Holland's band and gave Nolan the first of what would become many lessons. "He could have talked to me about scales and harmony and all this other stuff," Nolan recalls, "but he really impressed upon me that the horn player has to have the same mastery of time as the rhythm section and can't rely on them to carry him along." 

Nolan had moved to Chicago after graduating from North Texas State and studied with local saxophonist Rich Corpolongo as well as with visiting New Yorkers Dave Liebman and Kenny Werner. In 2000, pianist Werner convinced Nolan to move to New York City -- and would play on the saxophonist's 2008 CD With You in Mind (Nolan's debut recording was 2004's Two Colors). 

Introduced to clave by his interest in dance (he's an accomplished salsa dancer), Nolan has connected with the burgeoning pan-American scene in New York. For the past two years he's led a salsa band that performs for dancers. 

"There are all the different nationalities in New York -- Peruvian, Panamanian, Cuban -- and the deeper I got the more I liked it," Nolan says. "There's so much information here. For the past year I've been studying percussion with Victor Rendon, so I can take these Cuban rhythms and apply them to jazz harmonies I studied with Kenny Werner. It's just another chapter in my rhythmic exploration."

CD release shows for Call It What You Want: 

4/2 Jazz Estate, Milwaukee

4/3-4 Green Mill, Chicago

4/16 Terraza 7, Elmhurst, Queens, NY

4/17 Jazz at the Kitano, NYC

4/29-30 Rex Hotel, Toronto

5/1 Musideum, Toronto

5/8 Firehouse 12, New Haven, CT

www.russnolan.com

Featured this week on The Jazz Network Worldwide: Vocalist, Victor Fields with a sneak peek of his current single “Let Me Be Good To You” from his upcoming CD “The Lou Rawls Project”

Featured this week on The Jazz Network Worldwide: Vocalist, Victor Fields with a sneak peek of his current single “Let Me Be Good To You” from his upcoming CD “The Lou Rawls Project”.

Victor Fields is a silky soul jazz singer with a rich gauzy tenor known for seamlessly integrating the blues, jazz, R&B and Pop and his new single is no exception.

The Jazz Network Worldwide has been an avid supporter of Fields' projects throughout the years and is excited about sharing with its community and beyond his new single “Let Me Be Good To You”.  Giving homage to a music legend has shown to be a very successful quest for Victor, for it is one that is close to his heart.

"My intent is to capture the essence of Lou Rawls not copy him. There’s only one Lou Rawls.  I wanted it to feel like each song was being recorded for the very first time for today’s audience".  One night in Oakland, CA he called Victor “the man with the golden voice". As Fields recounts, "Our encounter was brief, but his presence that night and those words he uttered inspired me to change my life, to fulfill a dream”.

On February 14, 2015 Fields gave a concert at the Bijou Theatre in Bridgeport, CT to preview and celebrate the expected release in late March of his fifth studio CD “The Lou Rawls Project".  Joining him on stage was his Special Guest and Musical Director Gail Jhonson backed by Connecticut’s own Steve Clarke (bass), Asher Delerme (percussion), Dave Davis (sax), Pat Williams (guitar). Victor has also shared the stage with Isaac Hayes, Cameo, Dee Dee Bridgewater, James Ingram, Patti Austin, Regina Belle, Atlantic Starr, Maysa and Marion Meadows.

On the heels of a successful CD launch on the east coast, it was only apropos for Fields to seek to tour the eastern seaboard targeting such cities as New Haven and Hartford, CT, Springfield and Worcester, MA, as well as Fayetteville, NC, Columbia and Charleston, SC and New York.

Mr. Fields’ has recorded and released four studio CDs on his label, Regina Records, that feature smooth jazz luminaries Chris Botti, Gerald Albright, Kashif, Chris Camozzi, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun, Nelson Braxton, and Jeff Lorber. His CD "52nd Street" reached #12 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart and he continues to receive international radio airplay within the following three formats: Urban Adult Contemporary, Smooth Jazz and Straight Ahead Jazz. In addition, Victor is the owner and founder of Regina Records Radio which has been on the airwaves for four years now.

"Victor's melodic vocal interpretations of Lou's songs are original, unique and soul stirring. He is a special artist with a voice so pure and real.  His depth is an undiscovered greatness, you owe it to yourself to listen to what I consider one of the great smooth soul singers of all time. ~ Chris Camozzi, Producer and Featured Artist, "The Lou Rawls Project".

International and domestic stages and concerts are the goal with this new project and worldwide radio airplay has already begun with stations contacting Regina Records for the new single “Let Me Be Good To You”.  The beat goes on with interviews from stations like Magic 107.3, Charleston, SC, WPKN, WHUH, and WYBC, in Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven, CT respectively.

"His charismatic musical spirit offers such a smooth, soulful delivery in his interpretation of Lou Rawl’s tune “Let Me Be Good To You”. He shows how one can be influenced by a musical icon yet embellishes its thread with his own signature, offering a masterful fresh contemporary arrangement.  Victor expresses his gift with invested love and conviction in every note sharing the enduring magic of a timeless song with soulful precision and care” says Jaijai Jackson, creator of The Jazz Network Worldwide.

www.thejazznetworkworldwide.com

CONCORD MUSIC GROUP CELEBRATES 40th ANNIVERSARY OF LEGENDARY TONY BENNETT/BILL EVANS SESSIONS WITH FOUR-LP BOX SET: THE COMPLETE TONY BENNETT/BILL EVANS RECORDINGS

Forty years ago, renowned entertainer Tony Bennett joined together with legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans for their first of two duet albums. The result was 1975’s The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album, followed by Together Again the following year. To celebrate this incredible coupling of talents, Fantasy Records, a unit of Concord Music Group, will release a deluxe, 180-gram vinyl box set. Venerated as a special moment in the history of jazz, the two albums, plus two discs’ worth of alternate takes and bonus tracks, are combined in this four-LP, 180-gram vinyl collection, The Complete Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Recordings. Included is a collectible 12x12 photograph of the two musicians, as well as a deluxe 12-page booklet featuring rare images and extensive liner notes by Will Friedwald (co-author of Tony Bennett’s autobiography, The Good Life).

This unique pairing began with 1975’s The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, recorded during an intimate session at Fantasy Studios (producer Helen Keane and an engineer were the only other people present). At work in equal partnership, Bennett and Evans selected the tunes, worked out the arrangements semi-spontaneously, and, later, picked the final takes to be used. Bennett recalls that the pair didn't even discuss song choices before the session: “I would name a tune, and Bill would say, ‘That's good, let’s do that.’ We'd find a key and then the two of us would work it out.”

The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album features a selection of classics from the Great American Songbook (“The Days of Wine and Roses,” “Young and Foolish,” “The Touch of Your Lips”), as well as a moving rendition of the Evans’ classic tune "Waltz for Debby" (with lyrics written by Gene Lees). A consistently enthusiastic and balanced musical team, Bennett and Evans shine both individually and in tandem.

Following the recording, the pair performed live on a number of occasions and made several television appearances, including a stop on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show.

In 1976, Bennett and Evans returned to the studio for Together Again. Another low-lights, high-improv date of standards that opens with an Evans solo rendition of “The Bad and the Beautiful” and continues with such moving renditions of “Lucky to Be Me,” “You’re Nearer,” and “You Don't Know What Love Is.” Another Evans original, “The Two Lonely People” (with lyrics by Carol Hall), also graces the playlist.

Both sessions — in which Bennett and Evans recorded together in the same room, not in isolation booths (a recording preference that Bennett has practiced throughout his recording career)— yielded several fine alternate takes that are included, as well as bonus tracks from the second date.

With such palpable energy and nearly telepathic interplay, these recordings have garnered critical awe over the years since their release. London’s The Guardian noted in 2009, “The outcome of this intimate duet highlighted the sublime creative accompanist in Evans, and the deep jazz sensitivities of the vocal legend … the two sound as if they’re having the time of their lives.” The BBC mused, “It seems impossible that these two giants of understated musical sophistication went into the studio with no idea of what they would record … They plucked one definitive performance after another out of thin air to produce a nine-track album — called, with straightforward simplicity, The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album — that was bettered only by its solitary follow-up, the following year’s Together Again.” AllMusic simply called the collaboration an “excellent jazz-pop hybrid in which both musicians were shown off to advantage.”

The Complete Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Recordings joins several recent and forthcoming releases, celebrating the career of Bill Evans. Aside from a handful of reissued albums on vinyl, fans can also look forward to CD box set reissues The Complete Riverside Recordings and The Complete Fantasy Recordings this spring and fall, respectively. Also available is the highly acclaimed deluxe LP box set The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961, which hit store shelves in the fall of 2014.

The album is scheduled for release on April 28, 2015.

NEW RELEASES: GEORGE BENSON - THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION; IAN SIEGAL – ONE NIGHT IN AMSTERDAM; ANN PEEBLES - THE ESSENTIAL ANN PEEBLES

GEORGE BENSON - THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION

Song listing: Disc: 1 Give Me The Night (12" Long Version) – The orginal full mix as released on 12” single before the LP ermix replaced it; Lady Love Me (One More Time); Never Give Up On A Good Thing; Love X Love (Album Version); Love Ballad (Album Version); Nature Boy (International Single Version); This Masquerade (Single Version); On Broadway (Single Version); White Rabbit; Breezin'; Welcome Into My World; What's On Your Mind; Mimosa; Off Broadway; Gonna Love You More (Single Version); Unchained Melody (Single Version); The Greatest Love Of All (Single Version). Disc: 2: Turn Your Love Around; In Your Eyes; Shiver (Single Version); Inside Love (So Personal) (Single Mix) previously unavailable on CD; 20/20; Love All The Hurt Away - With Aretha Franklin; Feel Like Makin’ Love; Let's Do It Again (Single Version); The One For Me (Single Version); Kisses In The Moonlight (Single Version); Love Will Come Again (12" Long Version) - 6.32 version as released on cassette edition of In Your Eyes album and UK 12” single previously unavailable on CD; Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You; Being With You; Moody's Mood - With Patti Austin; God Bless The Child - With Al Jarreau and Jill Scott;  I Only Have Eyes For You - with Count Basie Orchestra; Beyond The Sea (La Mer); When I Fall In Love - With Idina Menzel; When Love Comes Calling.

IAN SIEGAL – ONE NIGHT IN AMSTERDAM

This is multiple award-winner Ian Siegal s first full-band live album, so chalk up another first for the man that Mojo called: 'One of the most innovative, gifted and engaging blues performers on the planet today'. One Night in Amsterdam is the sound of chemistry, as Siegal steers his group of talented young musicians around a set of his finest originals and challenges them with four songs that they had never previously performed. The adrenaline is palpable and the recording perfectly captures the super-charged atmosphere. 2LP Gatefold. ~ Amazon

ANN PEEBLES - THE ESSENTIAL ANN PEEBLES

A delicate, slinky figure with a powerhouse voice, Ann Peebles occupied a special place among the many great talents that roamed the halls of Memphis' iconic R&B label Hi Records in the 1960s and 1970s. While producer Willie Mitchell was the company's heart, musicians the Hodges Brothers its soul, and Al Green its top star, it was Peebles who gave the label its first national success, and a lasting female identity. Over the course of seven albums and dozens of singles for Hi, Peebles expressed a complex range of moods and emotions in her music. Her songs were alternately pleading ("I Needed Somebody") and defiant ("I Pity the Fool"), seductive ("Being Here With You") and destructive ("I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down") - but, always, utterly soulful. ~ Amazon

Frank Sinatra’s Timeless Music Celebrated Worldwide with New, Career-Spanning ‘Ultimate Sinatra’ Centennial Collections from Capitol/UMe ‘Ultimate Sinatra’ CD, Digital, 2LP and 4CD/Digital Deluxe Editions Present Key Recordings Spanning Sinatra’s Years with Columbia, Capitol and Reprise, Together for the First Time

“I adore making records. I’d rather do that than almost anything else.” – Frank Sinatra

In celebration of Frank Sinatra’s centennial year, new, career-spanning collections of the entertainment icon’s timeless music have been compiled for worldwide CD and digital release on April 21 by Capitol/UMe. Available in 25-track CD, 26-track digital, 24-track 180-gram 2LP, and deluxe, 101-track 4CD and digital editions, Ultimate Sinatra presents key recordings spanning the Chairman of the Board’s recordings for Columbia, Capitol and Reprise, together for the first time. Both CD and digital editions also feature previously unreleased Sinatra recordings. Beginning today, Ultimate Sinatra’s CD, deluxe 4CD, 2LP vinyl and standard digital editions are available for preorder from Amazon, iTunes and Google Play.

“In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning”

The defining voice of the 20th century, Frank Sinatra enjoyed a legendary recording career that spanned six decades, beginning with his earliest session in 1939 and culminating with his last in 1993, for his world-renowned, multi-platinum Duets and Duets II albums. All of Ultimate Sinatra’s configurations open with “All Or Nothing At All,” recorded with Harry James and his Orchestra on August 31, 1939 during Sinatra’s first studio session. With that star-making session, Sinatra embarked on a three-year run of nearly 100 big band recordings with the Harry James and Tommy Dorsey Orchestras, followed by more than 50 years of sessions for Columbia (1943-1952), Capitol (1953-1962; 1993-1994), and his own Reprise label (1960-1988).

Ultimate Sinatra’s single-disc CD brims with 25 stellar recordings representing a cross-section of Sinatra’s unparalleled recording career. Led by “All Or Nothing At All” and closed with a previously unreleased alternate version of “Just In Time,” the collection is stacked with standouts, including “I’ll Never Smile Again” (1940), “I’ve Got The World On A String” (1953), “In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning” (1955), “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” (1956), “Come Fly With Me” (1957), “The Way You Look Tonight” (1964), “Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)” (1964), “Strangers In The Night” (1966), “My Way” (1968), and “Theme From New York, New York” (1979), among many more. The standard digital edition adds a 26th track, the boisterous “Chicago.”

Ultimate Sinatra’s 4CD and digital deluxe edition boasts 100 tracks celebrating 100 years (plus a never before released bonus track), including many more luminous recordings that reinforce Sinatra’s well-deserved moniker, The Voice. The chronological collection dives deeper into Sinatra’s musical world of iconic recordings, before closing with a previously unreleased rehearsal version of “The Surrey With The Fringe On Top” recorded in 1979. The deluxe edition also features an 80-page booklet with a new essay by Sinatra historian and author Charles Pignone, as well as rare photos and quotes from Frank Sinatra and his children, Nancy, Tina and Frank Jr., as well as Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Quincy Jones, and others.

Asked late in his career to name a favorite song or album, Sinatra said, “I’ve sung and recorded so many wonderful songs over the years, it would be impossible to name one in particular as my favorite. Many of them are special to me for one reason or another. It’s difficult to pick a favorite album. The ones that stick in my mind are Only The Lonely, Wee Small Hours, and Come Fly With Me because I think the orchestrator’s work and my work came together so well.”

Throughout 2015, the 100th anniversary of Frank Sinatra’s birth (December 12, 1915) will be commemorated around the world with a new stage show, prestigious exhibitions, music, video and book releases, special partnerships, major television and film events along with a host of independent tributes and concerts.

The definitive FRANK SINATRA 100 App will provide fans with continuous updates on official Frank Sinatra centennial activities. The free to download app, available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and Android tablets, will continue to evolve with exclusive Sinatra 100 content and other updates.

An icon who forever epitomizes the American dream, Frank Sinatra continues to have an immeasurable influence on popular culture: music, film, art, theatre, fashion and beyond. Sinatra was a true one-of-a-kind personality whose incredible achievements continue to inspire greatness in others.

Throughout his six-decade career, 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. He 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.

  

Frank Sinatra: Ultimate Sinatra [CD, digital]

1. All Or Nothing At All

2. I’ll Never Smile Again

3. Saturday Night (Is The Loneliest Night Of The Week)

4. Nancy (With The Laughing Face)

5. I’ve Got The World On A String

6. Young At Heart

7. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning

8. Learnin’ The Blues

9. Love And Marriage

10. I’ve Got You Under My Skin

11. Witchcraft

12. All The Way

13. Come Fly With Me

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

15. The Way You Look Tonight

16. My Kind Of Town

17. Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)

18. It Was A Very Good Year

19. Strangers In The Night

20. Summer Wind

21. That’s Life

22. My Way

23. Theme From New York, New York

24. Put Your Dreams Away

25. Just In Time (Alternate Version) – previously unreleased

Digital-only bonus track:

26. Chicago

Frank Sinatra: Ultimate Sinatra [2LP vinyl]

Side A

1. All Or Nothing At All

2. I’ll Never Smile Again

3. Saturday Night (Is The Loneliest Night Of The Week)

4. Nancy (With The Laughing Face)

5. I’ve Got The World On A String

6. Young At Heart

7. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning

Side B

1. Learnin’ The Blues

2. Love And Marriage

3. I’ve Got You Under My Skin

4. Witchcraft

5. All The Way

Side C

1. Come Fly With Me

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

3. The Way You Look Tonight

4. My Kind Of Town

5. Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)

6. It Was A Very Good Year

Side D

1. Strangers In The Night

2. Summer Wind

3. That’s Life

4. My Way

5. Theme From New York, New York

6. Put Your Dreams Away

Frank Sinatra: Ultimate Sinatra [4CD, digital Deluxe Edition]

Disc 1

1. All Or Nothing At All

2. I’ll Never Smile Again

3. Street of Dreams

4. You’ll Never Know

5. If You Are But A Dream

6. Saturday Night (Is The Loneliest Night Of The Week)

7. Nancy (With The Laughing Face)

8. Oh! What It Seemed To Be

9. Five Minutes More

10. Time After Time

11. Night And Day

12. The Song Is You

13. I’m A Fool To Want You

14. The Birth Of The Blues

15. Why Try To Change Me Now

16. I’ve Got The World On A String

17. Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me

18. My Funny Valentine

19. They Can’t Take That Away From Me

20. I Get A Kick Out Of You

21. Young At Heart

22. Last Night When We Were Young

23. Three Coins In The Fountain

24. Just One Of Those Things

25. All Of Me

26. Someone To Watch Over Me

27. I Get Along Without You Very Well

Disc 2

1. This Love Of Mine

2. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning

3. Learnin’ The Blues

4. Love And Marriage

5. (Love Is) The Tender Trap

6. Love Is Here To Stay

7. You Make Me Feel So Young

8. Memories Of You

9. I’ve Got You Under My Skin

10. Too Marvelous For Words

11. (How Little It Matters) How Little We Know

12. I Couldn’t Sleep A Wink Last Night

13. I Wish I Were In Love Again

14. The Lady Is A Tramp

15. From This Moment On

16. Laura

17. Where Are You?

18. Witchcraft

19. Bewitched

20. All The Way

21. Moonlight In Vermont

22. Come Fly With Me

23. Put Your Dreams Away

24. Angel Eyes

25. Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out To Dry

Disc 3

1. Only The Lonely

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

3. Something’s Gotta Give

4. Come Dance With Me

5. Here’s That Rainy Day

6. A Cottage For Sale

7. High Hopes

8. The Nearness Of You

9. I’ve Got A Crush On You

10. Nice ‘N’ Easy

11. When The World Was Young

12. In The Still Of The Night

13. The Second Time Around

14. Without A Song

15. Loved Walked In

16. Stardust

17. Come Rain Or Come Shine

18. The Girl Next Door

19. At Long Last Love

20. The Very Thought Of You

21. Pennies From Heaven

22. Ol’ Man River

23. I Have Dreamed

24. Luck Be A Lady

Disc 4

1. The Way You Look Tonight

2. My Kind Of Town

3. The Best Is Yet To Come

4. Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)

5. Softly, As I Leave You

6. It Was A Very Good Year

7. September Of My Years

8. Moonlight Serenade

9. Strangers In The Night

10. Summer Wind

11. That’s Life

12. I Concentrate On You

13. The Girl From Ipanema

14. Drinking Again

15. Somethin’ Stupid (with Nancy Sinatra)

16. The World We Knew (Over And Over)

17. Cycles

18. My Way

19. Wave

20. All My Tomorrows

21. Forget To Remember

22. It Had To Be You

23. All Of You

24. Theme From New York, New York

25. The Surrey With The Fringe On Top (Rehearsal) – previously unreleased