Stefon Harris Signs Exclusive Recording Agreement with Concord Jazz

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African American, Jazz, Stefon Harris, Vibes

Stefon Harris

Stefon Harris and Blackout

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

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African American, Books, Politics

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

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Dave Milne, Jazz Fusion, Saxophonist

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

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African American, Female Vocalist, Jazz, KJ Denhart

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

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African American, Contemporary Jazz, Soul Music

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

Tags

African American, Art, C'babi Bayoc

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]

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DVD, Smoothjazz

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

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African American, Bassist, Charnett Moffett, Jazz

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.”

Kevin Eubanks | FACE TO FACE

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African American, Contemporary Jazz, Guitar, Kevin Eubanks

Kevin Eubanks

Kevin Eubanks | FACE TO FACE [Contemporary Jazz/GRP Records/1986]

The beauty about listening to jazz is you can always go back and reflect on a particular recording and bring it into forefront of your current space and enjoy it as if it were the first time you heard it. Ironically, today I revisited one of my all-time records by guitarist Kevin Eubanks and his wonderful recording titled “FACE TO FACE,” recorded in 1986 on GRP Records produced by Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen.

David Sanborn | Live at Montreux 1984 (2009)

Tags

Contemporary Jazz, David Sanborn, Saxophone

David Sanborn | Live at Montreux 1984 (2009) Classic Contemporary Jazz [DVD]

David Sanborn

David Sanborn has been a frequent visitor to the Montreux Jazz Festival, either headlining in his own right, as a sideman or as part of nineties “super group” Legends. This DVD focuses on his second headlining appearance in 1984 when he was touring in support of his “Straight To The Heart” album, which would see him win the second of his six Grammy Awards to date. The set combines tracks from that album with others from across his career. It features a special guest appearance by Rickie Lee Jones on piano and vocals on the track “Autumn Leaves”. In 2008 David Sanborn released his 23rd album and his diverse career continues to thrive both on stage and in the studio.