RESONANCE RECORDS TO RELEASE ANOTHER NIGHT IN LONDON BY THE LATE KEYBOARD WONDER GENE HARRIS

Tags

African American, Blues, Gene Harris, Jazz, Keyboards, Piano

Recorded Live at Pizza Express, A Follow Up to 2008’s Live In London

Gene Harris Quartet

“One of the churchiest pianists in jazz, [Harris] turns the keyboard into an altar for preaching the blues and rocking the pews.”
– People Magazine

For five decades, Michigan-born, self-taught pianist/composer/bandleader Gene Harris (1933-2000) beautifully blended blues, bop, soul, and gospel into his signature sound. As the leader of the legendary trio The Three Sounds – with bassist Bill Dowdy and drummer Andy Simpkins – to his final, productive years in Idaho, Harris was always swinging: in the pocket, on the one, and in the groove; with a logic and lyricism that drank deeply from the well of the blues.

Harris’ artistry is in full effect on the forthcoming Resonance Records CD, Another Night in London (release date: January 12, 2010), a cool and combustive live quartet, recorded at Pizza Express in May 1996 with an all-British rhythm section featuring bassist Andrew Cleyndert, guitarist Jim Mullen, and Oscar Peterson’s former drummer, Martin Drew. Another Night in London is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed Live in London CD, released in 2008 on the same label. Both recordings are rare in that they are the only two available that feature Harris’ European quartet.

The New 5 | Introducing the New Five

Tags

Jazz, Piano, Saxophone, The New 5

The New 5 | Introducing the New Five – [Blue Canoe Records, 2009]

The New 5 - Introducing the New Five

The New 5 is a cohesive group based in Austin, TX whose sound is rooted in the post-bop tradition but with a forward-leaning edge. Four of the five members of the group have or are working on their doctorates in music from the University of Texas. Thomas Heflin and Chris Budhan have their doctorates in Performance. Michael Arthurs is finishing his doctorate in Jazz Composition. Peter Stoltzman is completing his doctorate in Music and Human Learning. David Colvin has completed his masters in music from UT as well. While the group shares an interest in education, they also have shared the time with some of the jazz world’s greatest. Thomas recorded his first album with James Williams and has another one one the way with trombonist Ron Westray. Michael has studied with Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano and George Cole. Chris Budhan, as a festival producer in Eastern Canada, presents more than 1,000 performances each summer as part of the City Stages and Always On Stage festivals. Peter Stoltzman has performed with Eddie Gomez and Steve Gadd and is an instructor at the Stanford Jazz Workshop. David Colvin has performed on the David Letterman Show and Austin City Limits as a member of the rock outfit Heartless Bastards.

Bebel Gilberto | All in One

Tags

Bebel Gilberto, Brazilian Music, Female Vocalist

Bebel Gilberto | All in One – [Verve, 2009]

Bebel Gilberto - All in One

I suspected that when Bebel joined the Verve label it would be a notable change for her. After listening to “All in One” this was confirmed. Bebel is my favorite female artist and although this release moves in a new direction it is very good, and easily worthy of five stars. Bebel’s three previous releases differ each in their own way, yet retain a Brazilian/world music feel and sound I prefer. That sound is not just a matter of how often she sings in Portuguese. It is also the way the music and her voice are recorded. “All in One” targets the American ear. The Verve label may be the big factor here. I don’t know. The overall production is of high quality and full sounding, but the tonal emphasis moves away from her previous works. Not a bad thing, just different.

I really like “Sun is shinning” and “The real thing” the more I hear them. Bebel does a great job expanding herself. “Port Antonio” and “Forever” are simply beautiful. “All in one” and “Chica chica boom chic” are instant hits. The rest of the songs are solid. My one complaint is the songs are generally too short. A few of the songs could have been extended with no danger of fatigue. Thanks Bebel for all the clean, beautiful music. —Reggie King

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