VERTICAL VOICES: THE MUSIC OF MARIA SCHNEIDER JULIA DOLLISON AND KERRY MARSH

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Jazz, Maria Schneider

DLMedia

AVAILABLE NOW ON ARTISTSHARE®

“What these two stellar musicians have done here is nothing short of amazing. What an extraordinary combination of talent, ambition and heart! I’m most impressed.” – Maria Schneider

Maria Schneider - Vertical Voices

When vocalists Julia Dollison and Kerry Marsh first proposed the concept of their new ArtistShare® CD Vertical Voices: The Music of Maria Schneider to the multi-Grammy Award-winning composer herself, she immediately thought they were “absolutely insane.” Using their two voices via studio multi-tracking, the duo would create a virtual vocal orchestra by wordlessly singing the brass and woodwind parts in Schneider’s lush, harmonically deep and rhythmically complex compositions. After listening to a sample portion of “Journey Home” that the pair had quickly recorded in their home studio, Maria generously endorsed the project and even pitched the idea to her own orchestra’s rhythm section: Ben Monder, guitar; Frank Kimbrough, piano; Jay Anderson, bass; Clarence Penn, drums.

Damian Erskine | So to Speak

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Bass, Damian Erskine, Jazz

Damian Erskine | So to Speak – [DE-02, 2010]

Damian Erskine - So to Speak

Bassist/composer Damian Erskine is the nephew of legendary jazz drummer Peter Erskine. Damian arrives from the West Coast this spring with a distinctively seasoned debut appropriately titled “So to Speak.” According to the press release, Damian’s debut “promises to be one of the most exciting recordings of 2010.”

I’m always elated to hear an artist’s of Damian Erskine’s caliber. On his debut, he attracts equivalent talent with the proper chemistry to achieve the quality of music found on his momentous recording. Therefore, he called on the following talented ensemble of musicians which is comprised of … Reinhardt Melz on drums, Ramsey Embick on piano, Chris Mosley plays guitar and Rafeal Trujillo is the percussionist. Also on hand is John Nastos on tenor horn, Jason Dumars on soprano saxophone, Paul Mazzio plays the trumpet and Derek Rieth working out on percussion.

AVAILABLE TODAY ON MACK AVENUE, DECISIVE STEPS THE NEW CD BY SAXOPHONIST TIA FULLER

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African American, Flute, Jazz, Saxophone, Tia Fuller

Alright jazz fans, do your ears a favor … be sure and pick up “Decisive Steps“ the fascinating new release by the extraordinary and multifaceted reed player Tia Fuller … immediately, you want regret it! —Rob Young

Tia Fuller - Decisive Steps

Today, Mack Avenue Records releases Decisive Steps, the sophomore CD by alto/soprano saxophonist-flautist Tia Fuller. It features drummer Kim Thompson; bassist Miriam Sullivan; Fuller’s sister, Shamie Royston on piano and Fender Rhodes; with special guests, trumpeter Sean Jones and bassist Christian McBride (both Mack Avenue label mates); vibraphonist Warren Wolf; and tap dancer Maurice Chestnut.

“It’s a continuation of Healing Space (her 2007 debut for the label), evolving from a stationary place of healing to steps of action,” Fuller says. “I’ve been in the mindset of really moving forward to the next level in my life, constantly being in the mindset of greatness, relentless in my pursuit and progressing with purpose by embracing my talents, recognizing my strengths and improving upon my weaknesses…but also in not being afraid of change; stepping forward in faith and not in fear.”