R.I.P. Smooth Jazz, 1985-2008?

Tags

Radio, Smoothjazz

Greeting’s everyone! The article below was written back in April of this year, but for some reason are another it’s just now creating a little more attention from smoothjazz fans. Agree or not, for what it’s worth check it out.

Excerpt: Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. I come to bury smooth jazz, not to praise it. The evil that radio formats do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their gimmicky call letters. So let it be with smooth jazz.

In recent months, the continual format shuffle that is inevitable in corporate-controlled radio cast a shadow over a previously successful corner of the “jazz” world. In February and March of 2008, “smooth jazz” stations in New York and Washington, DC shifted formats to rock, leaving two of the nation’s largest radio markets free of Kenny G, Chris Botti, Dave Koz, and Spyro Gyra.- Will Layman | “PopMatters.com”

Go here, for the complete article written by jazz critic Will Layman.

Ted Nash | The Mancini Project

Tags

Jazz, New Music, Saxophone, Ted Nash

Ted Nash | The Mancini Project – [Palmetto Records, 2008]

Ted Nash - The Mancini Project

Best known for his associations with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, The Jazz Composers Collective, and his own inventive groups, composer and multi-instrumentalist Ted Nash enjoys an extraordinary career as a performer, conductor, composer, arranger, and educator, receiving high praise from both critics and audiences worldwide. DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE recognized Nash as a Rising Star in the Alto Saxophone category in 2004, 2005, and 2006 as well as a rising star in the Tenor Saxophone category in 2003, 2004, and 2005. –

Release Date: 8/5/2008 – The Mancini Project.

..:: Source: Amazon.com ::..

Basically Speaking – [Tisdale, Bunch & Palmer]

Tags

Bass, Funk, Gospel, Jazz, Smoothjazz, Tisdale

With the masterful new collaboration by S.M.W. [Clarke, Miller & Wooten]  “Thunder,” just around the corner we can assume this record could be the top instrumental album of the year. However, until S.M.W. is released, on [8/12/08] we decided to draw from our resources and complied three of the top smooth jazz bass players and their latest projects for you to check out for your self. Enjoy!

Wayman Tisdale – Rebound

Wayman Tisdale, Rebound

“Sometimes a word can mean one thing your entire life, and then circumstances alter to provide a totally different interpretation.”

Wayman Tisdale is on the Rebound with his special 2008 deluxe edition. A dozen tunes to bounce around on your player of Wayman singing and sharing the mic on one song with guest Toby Keith. Wayman Lawrence Tisdale of Tulsa, Oklahoma is a former professional basketball player in the NBA and a jazz bass guitarist.- Amazon.com

Sekou Bunch – The Next Level

Sekuo Bunch, The Next Level

Master Bassist and first call player to the stars, Sekou Bunch ‘finally’ emerges from the shadows and takes his rightful place in the spotlight with his auspicious Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm records debut. Thirty plus years in the trenches providing the rock solid backbone for some of the brightest stars in the business; Michael Jackson, Anita Baker, Luther Vandross, George Benson, Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie, Roger Daltrey and Marc Anthony to name a few has provided Bunch rich opportunity to draw influence from rock, jazz and R&B all of which he stirs into an intoxicating and satisfying brew on Level. Bunch’s feel and complete mastery of his instrument become readily apparent in the opening strains as he takes the receiver on a vibrant and scintillating ride. One you’ll surely not want to get off. – Amazon.com

Terrance Palmer – Love Letters

Terrance Palmer, Love Letters

His musical journey began with his mother first noticing her only child’s keen sense of music at the age of three.  Years later his pianist uncle would share his gift of music with him.  Several instruments later and after transforming an acoustic guitar into a bass, Palmer proclaimed the bass to be a good fit for him at 17 years of age.He initially honed his skills during a short stint of formal training in the latter part of his high school reign. – CDBaby.com

Leonard Patton | Love, Life, & Song [Nu Jazz]

Tags

African American, Jazz, Male Vocalist, New Music

Leonard Patton, Love, Life & Song. If you haven’t heard this remarkable talent from San Diego, CA you’re missing out on a refreshing treat.

Leonard Patton

Some people are born to sing. Leonard Patton was just born singing. From his elementary school days when he requested hall passes in order to test the acoustics of the school’s hallways, to his college days of choir and ensembles, Leonard Patton was born singing and he has yet to stop.

From Marley to Metheny, from Sting to Stevie – Leonard’s influences have been vast and varied; thus encouraging a unique style all his own. With an extensive collection of jazz standards and samba tunes at his command, Leonard has been singin’, stylin’ and scattin’ his way into the hearts of jazz and music lovers everywhere – born singin’ and yet to stop.- Bio

Love, Life, & Song was released on June 17, 08. Go here, to listen to this wonderful new talent.

Why the FCC’s treatment of the XM-Sirius merger is an abomination

Tags

Merger, Radio, XM-Sirius

After a process that took more than a year and officially set the record for the most ridiculous merger mulling in the history of the United States, the FCC finally approved the XM-Sirius merger by a 3-2 vote down party lines.

And although its treatment of this deal was bad enough over the past year and a half, the final outcome is even worse. It not only solidifies my belief that NAB has the ear of the FCC, but that both organizations are extremely concerned that satellite radio will finally become a major force in radio. – C|Net News.com

Go here, for more details about this merger.

Have you listen to these lately?

Tags

African American, Benson, Harris, Jazz, Nnenna Freelon, Redman, South African Jazz

Yes, we’ve just returned from the vaults of “The Urban Flux” music collective with a few tasty gems in hand. On this outing, we have the liquid smooth sounds of George Benson, and the jam packed organic funk session by saxophonist Joshua Redman anchored to the lovely and talented Ms. Freelon. And finally, we take a trip globally to South Africa to unleash the best of the best in “jazz” available.

What have you been spinning lately?

George Benson – Absolute Benson

George Benson, Absolute Benson

George Benson has been threatening to record a serious guitar album for years, and he’s finally done it. Absolute Benson is 99.9 percent pure jazz guitar as only this master of the instrument can produce. Recalling Benson’s CTI output of the 1970s, Absolute Benson features his lyrical, logical, and often emotional playing in mellow, groove-a-licious arrangements. Taking a cue from Santana and Louie Vega (who produced a couple of tracks here), Benson starts off AB with the percolating Latin bump of Donny Hathaway’s “The Ghetto” and its companion piece, “El Barrio.” Benson does scat and sing here, but after his smooth crooning and Joe Sample’s funky electric piano, Benson’s nimble fingers take flight and never touch down. AB includes the blistering burn of “El Barrio,” the burnished tones and smooth Brazilian swing of “Jazzenco,” the Wes Montgomery-style chordal work of “Deeper Than You.” -Ken Micallef [Amazon.com]

Joshua Redman Elastic Band – Momentum

Joshua Redman, Momentum

Since the release of his chart-topping, self-titled debut in 1993, which heralded the arrival of perhaps the most prodigiously gifted and charismatic young jazz talent of the decade, saxophonist Joshua Redman has always tried to capture “the spirit of the moment” in his live and recorded work. No project better illustrates this guiding ethos than the Elastic Band, his ongoing collaboration with organist Sam Yahel. – Amazon.com

A stunning collection by one of the premier young saxophonist in today’s jazz who draws from the tradition of Rollins but colors his sound pure Redman.

Nnenna Freelon – Shaking Free

Nnenna Freelon, Shaking Free

Freelon isn’t much of a lyricist (a typically stiff couplet is “We have come to find/ Intimate connection of heart and mind”), but she has a sure instinct for the way melody flows. Her soprano isn’t overpowering, but it is extremely graceful and thus perfectly fits the easy-going songs she writes and chooses. Her road band of pianist/arranger Bill Anschell, bassist John Brown and drummer Woody Williams are also well attuned to this approach; after two-plus years together, the four musicians seem to glide as one. The album does include standards by Harold Arlen, Jimmy Van Heusen and the like, but the highlights are a leisurely treatment of Dizzy Gillespie’s “Birk’s Works” and a dreamy version of the old folk tune “Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair.” – Geoffrey Himes [Amazon.com]

Various Artists – Tales of South African Jazz [Styles and Influences]

VA, Tales of South African Jazz

South Africa’s current jazz scene is alive & kicking – it did not end with Masekela, Ibrahim, Makeba and McGregor! This 15-track overview of the contemporary jazz scene, featuring the biggest selling artists with their best tracks reveals how optimistic the music and cultural scene of the new, free and democratic South Africa is. Features Sipho Gumede, Big Voice Jack, Zim Ngqawana, Winston Mankuku and many more. – SheerSound: World & Jazz

Esperanza Spalding | Interview [Concord Records]

Tags

African American, Female Jazz vocalist, Interview, Jazz, Video, Vimeo

Here’s an interview with one of the most intriguing new voices in jazz I’ve heard in a long time, ladies and gentlemen we introduce you to Esperanza Spalding!

Esperanza Spalding | Interview from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

Esperanza Spalding

Blue Note Records Presents: Aaron Parks – Invisible Cinema [Nu-Jazz]

Tags

Blue Note Records, Jazz, Piano

Aaron Parks, Invisible Cinema

At its core, Invisible Cinema is an acoustic jazz record, yet it evokes other sonic and rhythmic frontiers through the use of subtly added keyboards, meticulously varied guitar sounds and unorthodox beats. “I’d sometimes give Eric a very specific drum part to learn,” Parks explains. “But as soon as he’d get what I wanted, I’d tell him to forget it, let it go.” In this way, Parks coaxed free interaction and discovery from all involved. “The music that I write has a lot of structure, a lot that’s written into the pieces, but there’s also room for new things to happen at the same time. I like writing songs that are simple on some level, letting the musicians work their magic in those little nebulous cracks, the spaces I leave open.”- by David Adler: MySpace.com

Released date: August 19th at Amazon.com and other fine music outlets.

Nu-Voices – “Foster, Garcia & Rideau”

Tags

African American, Foster, Independent Artists, New Music, Rideau, Voro Garcia

Good day everyone! While in our search for “nu-voices,” we bumped into a trio of enticing new artist that you might be interested in today.

Reggie Foster Jr. – Different Level

Reggie Foster Jr., Different Level

A native of Gary, Indiana, Reggie Jr. is the oldest of seven siblings. He was raised in a Pentecostal church family background, and born into a musical family where his parents, brothers and sisters all began as exceptional musicians and vocalists. Reggie embarked on a musical voyage as a very young child. His talents are truly a gift from God. Reggie began playing professionally at the age of 20, and over the next 10 years has provided his different flava to numerous gospel professional recordings, such as Ricky Dillard, Carlis Moody, SWV (Saints With A Vision), Tyrone Block/LSD, Ty Tribbet, Doug Williams of the Williams Brothers, James Greer, Karen Clark Sheard, and various other artists. – CDBaby.com [Independent Music]

Voro Garcia – Vorocity

Voro Garcia, Vorocity

Voro Garcia was born in Valencia, Spain in August 5th 1978. At age of 8, he started his first private lessons in trumpet. In 1996, he finished his classical studies in performance at the Luis Milan Conservatorium of Valencia, Spain. In the years that followed, he actively performed with several groups and big bands, touring around Spain and other European countries. He played with M.P. Mossman, Perico Sambeat, Mario Rossy, Albert Sanz, Ze Eduardo, Leo Genovese and Bob Gullotti among others. In Spring 2005 he was granted with a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music where he graduated in 2007. Some of the teachers he studied with include Joe Lovano, Hal Crook, George Garzone, Dave Santoro, Dave Douglas, Mark Whitfield and Greg Hopkins among others. – CDBaby.com [Independent Music]

Breggett Rideau – More

Breggett Rideau, More

For New Orleans native, Breggett Rideau, her first CD Release “the opportune tune…” afforded her the chance to do something she loves to do, which is sing and tell the story of her life through her phenomenal voice to appease the appetite of jazz enthusiasts and lovers of real, live music. “How many times can one heart break? As many times as it searches for love. But, when love is found it was worth every attempt. ” Join Breggett in her quest for love. In this soulful jazz presentation of her latest CD. – CDBaby.com [Independent Music]

Most Bank Sites Insecure, says recent study

Tags

Online Banking, Security, Technology

Online banking makes life easier, at least for those of us comfortable with the idea of transacting money from the home or office. Like most people, I assume that my bank’s web site is an extremely secure site, rigorously monitored to protect my money. Along with many other people, I may have been wrong. – Infopackets.com

Go here, for the rest of the article.