Listen to Checkout Studio Session: Stefon Harris and Blackout

Tags

African American, Concord Jazz, Jazz, Stefon Harris, Vibes, WBGO

Stefon Harris & Blackout

Checkout the interview and hip jazz sounds from the distinctive voices in modern jazz vibraphonist and marimba player Stefon Harris and his group Blackout plays three jams at America’s favorite jazz station WBGO Studios recorded July 17, 2009. Producer and host of the interview is – Josh Jackson.

Stefon Harris and Blackout’s blazin’ new record “Urbanus” is now available on Concord Records.

Source: WBGO/Checkout Studio Session

Fahir Atakoglu | Faces and Places

Tags

Contemporary Jazz, Jazz Fusion, Keyboards, Piano, World Fusion

Listen up, contemporary jazz and fusion jazz lovers I’ve just discovered and awesome keyboardist from Turkey named Fahir Atakoglu. You’re gonna want to feast your ears on this gem, I believe you’ll love it! Also check out, “Istanbul In Blue” from 2008. Don’t you dig music with an international flavor??

Fahir Atakoglu

Fahir Atakoglu | Faces and Places [Far&Here LLC, 2009]

As a follow up to his hard-hitting fusion offering, 2008’s Istanbul in Blue (a guitar-intensive project that featured the dazzling six-string work of Mike Stern and Wayne Krantz), the accomplished Turkish-born pianist-composer-arranger Fahir Atakoglu casts a wide stylistic net on Faces and Places, deftly incorporating musical elements from Spain, Brazil, the Middle East and New York City into the compelling mix. On board for this dynamic outing are such world-class players as trumpeter Randy Brecker, guitarists Wayne Krantz and Romero Lubambo, Yellowjackets saxophonist Bob Mintzer and the outstanding rhythm tandem of bassist John Patitucci (a longstanding member of the Wayne Shorter Quartet and a composer-band leader in his own right) and the great Cuban drummer Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez. Together, with the addition of some challenging and highly interactive string arrangements, they make a potent statement on what stands as Fahir’s most impressive and ambitious outing to date.

..:: Source: CDBaby.com ::..

Robby Ameen | Days in The Life

Tags

Afro-Cuban, Drums, Jazz, Robby Ameen

What a week for great music this has been, it’s an honor to present to you on today the Afro-Latin Jazz and modern-funk flavors of drummer Robby Ameen …

Robby Ameen

Robby Ameen | Days in The Life [TWO AND FOUR RECORDS, 2009]

This is new burning creative jazz which has afro-Cuban, straight-ahead, and post- modern funk influences played by musicians with a lifetime rapport.

BIO: During the time that Robby Ameen has spent living in New York City since the early eighties he has compiled a recording career stretching from Dizzy Gillespie to Paul Simon, while maintaining a more than twenty year relationship with Latin icon Ruben Blades as a member of Seis del Solar. Although he is of Lebanese origin, Robby is best known for the unique and powerful Afro-Cuban jazz style he has developed. Growing up in New Haven, Connecticut, Robby was able to take advantage of his proximity to New York City by going to clubs and hearing many of the great jazz masters at a very young age. At the same time, he was involved in the local jazz and Latin scene, as well as later attending Yale University, where he received a BA in literature. His jazz roots were strongly influenced by his studies with the great Ed Blackwell in high school, while in college he studied classical percussion with the renowned Fred Hinger.

Source: CDBaby.com/RobbyAmeen.com

Ledisi | Turn Me Loose

Tags

African American, Female Vocalist, Ledisi, Neo Soul, Soul Music

Considering all the hot jazz releases out this week [ Terence Blanchard, Robert Glasper, Hargrove, Brian Bromberg, Najee, Stefon Harris, James Carter, Bela Fleck etc] music enthusiast must be in awe because this is possibly the biggest new music week to this year. With that said, after hearing this lady live on the Tom Joyner Morning Show earlier this week I couldn’t resist posting this little diamond in the ruff … her name is Ledisi. “Turn Me Loose,” is her second major label recording. Now, for those of you who are looking for “real” soul music, killer vocals, rockin’ yet funky music then Ledisi without a doubt has got the juice … she’s what’s up!

Ledisi, Turn Me Loose

Ledisi | Turn Me Loose [Verve Forecast, 2009]

Ledisi wanted to make a few bold artistic changes this time out. But just before she started work on her sophomore Verve release, Turn Me Loose, she hit a wall. The singer-songwriter had a bad case of writer’s block that stretched for six months. Ledisi was petrified as she tried to figure out how to follow up her 2007 Verve debut, Lost & Found. The album garnered strong reviews and two Grammy® nominations, including one for best new artist.

She also reunited with producer Rex Rideout, who contributed greatly to the sound of Lost & Found. But for Turn Me Loose, Ledisi didn’t want to play it safe. With help from the four other producers (Ivan & Carvin, Chief Xcel, Chucky Thompson & Fyre Dept), the artist braided brilliant strains of the different sounds she loved while growing up in Oakland, Calif. Rock, blues, classic soul, funk and hip-hop are all fused together throughout Turn Me Loose. Ledisi often merges the old with the new.

Source: Amazon.com

Andrei Matorin -|- Opus

Tags

Brazilian, Contemporary Jazz, Jazz, Violin

Andrei Matorin - Opus

Andrei Matorin -|- Opus [Armored Records, 2009]

Opus, the debut album by emerging jazz violinist and composer Andrei Matorin, seamlessly blends the harmonic and rhythmic intensity of modern jazz with the emotion and sensitivity of classical music while alluding to soaring melodies of his native Brazil.

he Boston Globe calls Brazilian-born Andrei Matorin an “emerging jazz violinist” and featured him in their Critic’s Picks column three times since 2008 next to the likes of jazz greats such as Bill Charlap, Jim Hobbs, and John Patitucci. As a composer, Andrei’s music seamlessly blends the harmonic and rhythmic intensity of jazz with the emotion and sensitivity of classical music while alluding to the soaring melodies of his native Brazil. As a student at Berklee College of Music, he was honored with Berklee’s Achievement Award on two separate occasions.

..:: Source: CDBaby.com ::..

E.J. Strickland | In This Day

Tags

African American, Drums, Jazz

Good day music lovers, I was blessed to bump into another intriguing yet new independent artist. At your leisure, check him out and let me know what you think about him.

E.J. Strickland

E.J. Strickland | In This Day [Strick Muzik, 2009]

This debut recording features a brand-new, stellar quintet plus several guests exploring intriguing original compositions derived from contemporary jazz influenced by poetry, and world music.

Drummer E.J. Strickland is currently a member of the long-lived quartet of Ravi Coltrane (along with Luis Perdomo & Drew Gress), and his brother Marcus Strickland’s celebrated electric/acoustic quartets & trio. He also leads his own bands, The E.J. Strickland Quintet & The E.J. Strickland Project. His playing has been described as emitting “fields of cumulative energy, clouds of feather-touch and heavy-handed syncopations, latent with power like an oncoming storm” (Thomas Conrad, Downbeat Magazine). Amongst his discography of over 25 album titles with various recording artists, his long-anticipated debut album “In This Day” (Strick Muzik) will soon be released in 2009.

Source: CDBaby.com

Dianne Reeves | I Remember [On The Flipside]

Tags

African American, Dianne Reeves, Female Jazz vocalist

The beauty of jazz is captured within the art of improvisation, henceforth each artist interprets each song with a stroke of sensitivity, passion, adventure and the desire of creating a fresh rendition for music lovers to embody their lyrical spirit through sound. As you know, there’s a joy in collecting and listening to music. If you haven’t check out Dianne Reeves’s – “I Remember” …. listen to and embrace this timeless masterpiece by her!

Dianne Reeves

Dianne Reeves | I Remember [Blue Note Records, 1991]

Dianne Reeves must like a challenge. for 1991’s “I Remember” she selects songs associated with several members of the jazz pantheon: Abbey Lincoln, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Miles Davis. Reeves uses her total musicality to build upon, consolidate, and re-imagine the songs of her predecessors.

Added to this mix are Sondheim’s poetic “I Remember Sky”, the Brazilian standard “Like a Lover,” and McCoy Tyner’s beautiful ballad “You Taught My Heart to Sing.” These songs (with the holiday “In Satin” warhorse “for all we know”) show the gentle yet direct ballad style reeves employs. on “like a lover,” her sonorous voice glides through the verses and then rollicks off Kevin Eubanks’s’ guitar in an ecstatic ad-lib duet. “You taught my heart to sing” is stated with simplicity; the lyrics, so aptly fitted to Tyner’s mood and melody, are sung without the excess drama that would cheapen their sentiment. on “i remember sky” reeves conjures the crispness of paper, sharpness of thumb tacks, and the enigmatic blue quality of the sky. Reeves’s artistry, expertly supported and enhanced by pianist Billy Childs, is on full display here.

Source: Amazon.com [Unknown Reviewer]

Poncho Sanchez -][- Psychedelic Blues – [Concord Picante, 2009] –

Tags

Concord Picante, Congas, Latin Music, Latin Soul, Percussion, Poncho Sanchez

Poncho Sanchez, Psychedelic Blues

Poncho Sanchez -][- Psychedelic Blues –Mp3– [Concord Picante, 2009]

Poncho Sanchez returns with Psychedelic Blues. The world’s top Latin jazz ensemble comes roaring back with this exciting new release, which finds them going back to their roots with excellent new treatments of jazz and Latin jazz classics, such as Herbie Hancock’s “Cantaloupe Island,” Freddie Hubbard’s “Crisis” and a medley of classics from Willie Bobo. The album also features a pair of original songs written especially for this album.

Along with Synowiec is the same lineup that has backed Sanchez on several records and countless live shows: keyboardist/arranger David Torres; saxophonist Javíer Vergara; trumpeter/flugelhornist Ron Blake; trombonist/arranger Francisco Torres; bassist/vocalist Tony Banda; timbalero George Ortiz; and percussionist/vocalist Joey De León. Even a couple alumni from earlier configurations of Sanchez’s band baritone saxophonist Scott Martin and percussionist Alfredo Ortiz step back into lend a hand on Psychedelic Blues.

A few of these seasoned players go back more than 30 years with Sanchez, back to some of his earliest gigs as a local fixture in the Los Angeles club circuit.

Release Date: September 29, 2009

Source: Amazon.com

Bessie Smith Heritage Festival | Review

Tags

African American, Angela Winbush, Blues, Jazz, Jazz Funk, Joe Johnson, Neo Soul, Roy Ayers, Tom Browne

What’s up everyone … as you can see I’m a tad bit late with the review from this weekend music festival in Chattanooga. Here you go …

Once I arrived at the second annual festival on this lovely unseasonably cool fall like Saturday evening I heard this powerful yet unfamiliar voice singing from a distance with swagger normally displayed by veterans. As I approached the stage area I immediately notice this stunning young lady working the crowd with her bubbly charm and colorful personality I couldn’t help but notice her red dress with these huge white polka dots worked the audience as her band jam even with the seasoned vets yet to come. Her name, get this Algebra from Atlanta, GA. Unfortunately, for me I was only able to catch one song yet and extended version by her. However, the performance I caught was a twenty minute jam session well worth everyone’s time to engage in the music of this super talented young performer.

Bessie Smith Heritage Festival

Tags

African American, Blues, Jazz, Neo Soul, Rhythm and Blues

Join me along with a couple thousand music lovers this Saturday [August 22, 2009] at 3:30PM for the 2nd Annual Bessie Smith Heritage Festival in Chattanooga, TN.

Bessie Smith Heritage Festival