Branford Marsalis Quartet | Metamorphosen

Branford Marsalis Quartet | Metamorphosen [Jazz/Marsalis Music/2009] Modern Jazz

Brandford Marsalis Quartet

METAMORPHOSEN marks a decade of shared creativity by the Branford Marsalis Quartet, and is another milestone in the history of one of the most compelling and complete ensembles in jazz. Saxophonist Branford Marsalis, pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis and drummer Jeff Tain Watts reveal even greater refinements in virtuosity, vision and telepathic response in a program featuring original compositions by all four members plus a Thelonious Monk classic, Marsalis return to the alto sax in addition to features for his more familiar tenor and soprano, and an unrivalled sense of collective purpose. The album title, which is German for metamorphoses, reflects the growth of both the quartet and of each member, an evolution that has generated music of even greater clarity without any sacrifice in intensity. ~ Source: Amazon.com

Release Date: 3/17/2009

Tony Williams | Spring

Tony Williams

Tony Williams | Spring [Jazz/Blue Note/1965] Classic

Tony Williams was truly a phenomenom. When he made this album, he was 19 and had already put in more than two years with Miles Davis, participated in a dozen classic Blue Note recordings, cut his first album as a leader and revolutionized the way drums were played. This album features tenormen Wayne Shorter and Sam Rivers, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Gary Peacock, and Williams in a variety of combinations. The core of this music is empathy — listening to each other and maintaining the highest level of creativity. It is the last album Williams would make before forming his fusion group Lifetime. Remastered by Rudy Van Gelder from the original analog tapes. ~ Source: Amazon.com

Stefon Harris Signs Exclusive Recording Agreement with Concord Jazz

Stefon Harris

Concord Jazz is proud to announce that vibraphonist-composer, Stefon Harris, has signed an exclusive recording contract with the label. The GRAMMY nominated has been hailed as one of the most important young artists in jazz (Los Angeles Times), and is widely recognized by both peers and critics alike for his innovative compositions, blazing new paths on the vibraphone and marimba. Harris Concord debut is scheduled to be released in late 2009.

Harris passion, talent and energetic stage presence have propelled him into the forefront of the contemporary jazz scene. He has received three GRAMMY nominations, is a recipient of the prestigious Martin E. Segal Award from Lincoln Center, was voted the Debut Artist of the Year by Jazz Times and has been named Downbeat’s Critics Poll Winner for Vibraphone and Rising Star, among receiving numerous other accolades.

Accountable: Making America as Good as Its Promise

Tavis Smiley and Stephanie Robinson are co-authors the third and final edition of “State of The Black Union.“

ACCOUNTABLE

Accountable provides real-life examples of how crucial issues — including health care, education, the economy, unequal justice, and the environment — manifest themselves in our communities. The book demonstrates the urgent need to hold politicians and ourselves responsible, because the stakes have never been higher. Accountable examines present-day conditions and the consequences for America. At its core, this book is a tool with which the community can evaluate the successes or failures of its political leaders and of itself. This insightful book acknowledges the mistakes of the past while offering hope and inspiration for a better future.

Tavis Smiley is a nationally known intellectual, activist, political commentator, entrepreneur, and radio and television personality.  He founded the ground-breaking and historic State of the Black Union series.  Mr. Smiley has authored several best-selling books, including The Covenant and The Covenant in Action.

Stephanie Robinson, Esq. is the President and CEO of the Jamestown Project a national think tank that focuses on democracy.  She is a Lecturer on Law at the Harvard Law School, and formerly served as the Chief Counsel for Senator Edward M. Kennedy.  Ms. Robinson is a nationally recognized expert on issues related to social policy, family, and electoral politics.

Accountable is now available to purchase at Amazon.com

~ Source: Amazon.com

Dave Milne | Present Tense

Dave Milne

Dave Milne | Present Tense [Jazz/Fusion]

Eight years ago, Dave Milne wasn’t even sure he’d be playing music at all, let alone putting the finishing touches on his debut as a jazz saxophonist and composer. Through a life changing journey that has taken many twists, turns and unexpected detours the 30 year-old Portland, OR- based artist has arrived- with a Steely Dan, Soulive and OutKast meets Stan Getz and David Sanborn style that is leaving jazz and industry heads bobbing in his wake. ~ Source: CDBaby.com

KJ Denhert | Dal Vivo a Umbria Jazz

KJ Denhert

KJ Denhert | Dal Vivo a Umbria Jazz

With a genre-transcending sound that she calls urban, folk & jazz, award-winning singer-songwriter KJ Denhert has been making audiences laugh, dance and cry for over three decades. She’s self-produced eight records, appeared at scores of festivals and, since 1998, held ongoing residencies at The 55 Bar in NYC and The Baz Bar in St. Barth’s. Since 2006, KJ has also been a six time artist-in- residence at the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy.

This fall marks the release of her new CD, a live recording titled KJ Denhert Dal Vivo a Umbria Jazz “The title translates to ‘Live at Umbria Jazz’ but it sounds so much sexier spoken  in Italian,  I call it “Dal Vivo” for short,”  KJ remarks in her notably precise Italian accent.

For more details about this gifted artist please visit Motema.com

~ Source: Motema.com

Quincy Jones | You’ve Got It Bad Girl

Quincy Jones | You’ve Got It Bad Girl [A&M/Verve, 1973] Classic Contemporary Jazz

Quincy Jones

Sweet funky Q for the 70s — easily one of the coolest albums ever from Quincy Jones! The album’s got a very heavy electric vibe — one that’s kind of a laidback take on the styles that Jones was forging in some of his 70s soundtrack work — served up with massive work on the keyboards from Dave Grusin and Bob James, the latter of whom brings some of his own CTI vibe strongly into play! The basslines are great too — often dipping, stepping, and turning wonderfully — keeping things laidback and mellow, but always making for some sort of a groove, even on the slower tracks too.

There’s just a bit of vocals on the record — handled by Valerie Simpson on two tracks, and Quincy on another — but the main focus here is on the instrumentation, which is completely sublime. Titles include Quincy’s great remake of “Summer In The City“, an oft-sought sample track — plus versions of “Superstition“, “Daydreaming”, and “You’ve Got It Bad Girl” — and the great originals “Chump Change“, “Love Theme From The Getaway“, “Eyes Of Love“, and “Sanford & Son Theme.“

~ Source: Dusty Groove.com

C’babi Bayoc | Mother and Child

The Bayoc studio is comprised of two individuals: Cbabi (pronounced KUH-BOBBY) and Reine (pronounced RAIN) Bayoc. Just as their logo implies, they’ve got each other’s back. But who are they.

His name, which is an acronym for Creative Black Artist Battling Ignorance and Blessed African Youth of Creativity, allows others to realize his mission and blessing in life. Through his artwork, he is able to show the beauty in black faces and black life to all faces and all walks of life. ~ Source: Grandpasart.com

C’babi Bayoc | Mother and Child (Bayoc) | Archival Giclee Limited Edition

Fourplay | Live in Capetown [DVD]

Fourplay | Live in Capetown [DVD]

FourPlay, Live

Consummate your relationship with the DVD-Audio release of the album that launched Smooth Jazz an NAC power house Fourplay. In 1991, Fourplay’s self-tittled debut reached #1 on Billboard’s jazz chart and remained there for a record 33 weeks.Currently gold-certified but nearing platinum, Fourplay established the quartet of Bob James, Lee Ritenour, Nathan East and Harvey Mason as a contemporary jazz superground. Features guest vocalists El DeBarge, Patti LaBelle and Philip Bailey. Tracks: Bali Run, 101 Eastbound, Foreplay, Moonjogger, Max-O-Man, After the Dance, Quadrille, Midnight Stroll, October Morning, Wish You Were Here, Rain Forest.

Release Date: 3/3/2009

~ Source: Amazon.com

Charnett Moffett | The Art Of Improvisation

MOTEMA MUSIC TO RELEASE THE ART OF IMPROVISATION, BY VIRTUOSIC BASSIST-COMPOSER

CHARNETT MOFFETT

Charnett Moffett

On May 12, the innovative, multi-directional bassist and prolific composer Charnett Moffett will release The Art Of Improvisation, his 10th solo outing, and his debut as a leader on Motéma Music imprint, also home to jazz leaders Marc Cary, Lynne Arriale, Rufus Reid and Geri Allen. On The Art Of Improvisation, Moffett showcases his extraordinary virtuosity on the upright bass – creating his own universe of singular sounds through innovative bowing techniques and electronic manipulation – while seamlessly switch hitting to fretless electric bass and electric piccolo bass, both of which he plays to beautiful melodic and rhythmic effect.

“The bass is a machine and it has its limitations,” Moffett states. “Believe me, I’ve tried to get things out of it that the instrument won’t give. I guess that’s why I got into the whole effects thing, because I’m always reaching for something else.”