Chucho Valdés and The Afro-Cuban Messengers -][- Chucho’s Steps [Four Quarters]

Tags

Afro-Cuban Music, Chucho Valdes, Jazz, Piano

Chucho Valdés - Chucho's Steps

Chucho Valdés and The Afro-Cuban Messengers -][- Chucho’s Steps – [Four Quarters, 2010]

Born in Quivicán, Cuba in 1941, Chucho Valdés is one of Cuba’s most famous pianists, bandleaders, composers and arrangers. Perhaps best known for founding the famous Latin jazz band Irakere in 1972, Chucho’s illustrious career has also garnered him 6 Grammy wins and 16 nominations over the past three decades. His most recent win, a 2009 Latin Grammy for the record Juntos para Siempre, saw him collaborate with his father, Bebo Valdés, a major player on the Cuban jazz scene in his own right. Chucho Valdés has recorded over eighty CD’s and performed with everybody who is anybody in the world of jazz; from Herbie Hancock and Dizzy Gillespie, to Wynton Marsalis and Chick Corea.

His reputation as one of the greatest living Cuban jazz pianists has earned him appearances on the great stages in music, including Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center and The Hollywood Bowl. Chucho’s new album with the Afro-Cuban Messengers, which will extensively tour the USA in October 2010, marks Chucho’s return to the US for the first time in 7 years.

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

Terri Lyne Carrington’s The Mosaic Project It’s a Woman’s World

Tags

Drums, Jazz, Terri Lyne Carrington

Terri Lyne Carrington - The Mosaic Project

Hebert-Carrington Media (HCM) co-founder Terri Lyne Carrington continues her visionary musical odyssey by way of The Mosaic Project (GrooveJazz Media/Video Arts Music), her ambitious cross genre production featuring some of the world’s top musicians. The album will debut in Japan on September 1st in support of performances at Blue Note Tokyo, September 4th and Tokyo Jazz Festival, September 5th.

“These are my friends, mostly old friends, and some new friends … and this is a mosaic of colors, shapes and textures, making a picture that I hope is informative and enjoyable to our fans.” – Terri Lyne Carrington

The veteran producer and composer is joined by Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Nona Hendryx, Cassandra Wilson, Esperanza Spalding, Helen Sung, Tineke Postma, Geri Allen, Patrice Rushen, Ingrid Jensen, Sheila E. and Gretchen Parlato. Additionally HCM artist, Patricia Romania is on The Mosaic Project. The Sao Paulo, Brazil-based singer recently won the Troféu Louvemos o Senhor 2010 award: “REVELAÇÃO BRASILEIRA FEMININA” (Best New Female); and, her HCM debut album, Sou Brasileira, (Groove Jazz Media/Pony Canyon Records) is being released exclusively in Japan on September 1.

New Releases [Jazz] … for the week of 8/30/2010

Tags

Chucho Valdes, Danilo Pérez, Jazz, Kirk Whalum, New Releases, Piano, Saxophone, Vijay Iyer

Greeting’s jazz enthusiasts, it’s great to be back this week with the stunning new project “Solo” by modern jazz pianist Vijay Iyer as our featured “Album of the Week.”

As always, there’s another intricate canvas of what’s -cool – and maybe not so -cool- from a optimistic perspective we don’t usually find in the diet of the chromatic pop music culture. The origin of new music featured each week encompasses various branches of jazz, which exudes a wealth of complex and distinctive styles, insinuating textures, immaculate melodies, and relentless rhythms exalted by the definitive voices of creative artists serves up sounds to quench our immutable thirst for quality music.

Featured Album of the Week

Vijay Iyer - Solo (ACT Music, 2010)

Vijay Iyer -][- Solo – [ACT Music, 2010]

ACT Music presents Vijay’s most personal statement yet: a kaleidoscopic solo piano album, his first, presents bold originals alongside works by Ellington and Monk, as well as a reverent take on Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature.” Release date: August 31, 2010. —ACT Music

“Bursting with both emotion and intelligence, this album is a dispatch from the vibrant forefront of jazz”
—The Utne Reader

“even more compelling than its predecessor… Iyer dives deep to find new twists and turns and harmonic surprises; all of them, however radical, sounding ineffably right, all of them glistening with a sense of revealed mystery… magic, from start to finish.” —All About Jazz

2010 MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR – Jazz Journalists Association Annual Jazz Awards

Do you want more music by progressive jazz pianist Vijay Iyer then go here: http://www.vijay-iyer.com/albums.html for more details.

[Classic Jazz Revisited] … features saxophonist Stanley Turrentine

Tags

African American, Jazz, Saxophone, Stanley Turrentine

Stanely Turrentine - Look Out - (Blue Note, 1960)

Stanley Turrentine – ]|[- Look Out – [Blue Note, 1960]

This CD has been out of print on CD domestically for nearly twenty years, but with this RVG reissue, collectors no longer have to keep a lookout for “Look Out!” Recorded in June 1960, this session features the phenomenal rhythm trio of Horace Parlan on piano, George Tucker on bass and Al Harewood on drums. This trio had previously worked together on the Dexter Gordon classic Doin’ Allright (see my review) and Lou Donaldson’s “Midnight Sun” (one I’ve been waiting for years to get reissued — come on RVG), and they would make magic again on Turrentine’s “Comin’ Your Way” and “Up At Minton’s” (two more, Rudy!) and several fine Parlan titles. The material here is mostly original with three by Turrentine (the hard-bop gems “Look Out,” “Little Sheri” and “Minor Chant”), one by Parlan (“Return Engagement”), and Clifford Brown’s “Tiny Capers.” The remaining track, “Journey Into Melody,” is a ballad by a British composer named Robert Farnon.

All brought together it makes for another classic straight-ahead swinging affair from the folks at Blue Note. It is unfortunate that too many of Turrentine’s finest albums have had to die a painful death by the deletion axe. Most of his classic Blue Note albums from the early 60s are still out of print, but maybe the reissue of “Look Out” will start a Mr. T revival! —Michael B. Richman | Amazon.com

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

Flux Music [Jazz] Essentials … [Hargrove, Redman, Goldings, Crusaders & Valentin]

Tags

African American, Crusaders, Jazz, Joshua Redman, Larry Goldings, Roy Hargrove

Greeting’s jazz connoisseurs, I’m back to showcase another tasty review of who’s who in the world of jazz from the shelves of “Flux Music Essentials.”

Flux Music Essentials

Roy Hargrove - Nothing Serious (Verve, 2006)

Roy Hargrove -][- Nothing Serious – [Verve, 2006]

… releases by Hargrove out now is another stellar turn at just how remarkable and inventive and vibrant a band leader he is. DISTRACTIONS is a great fun record, this is a powerhouse of intricate turns on jazz standard style music, with a subtlety and a dynamism that often gets buried by those attempting to preserve the “purity of jazz.” Whatever that is.

In Hargrove’s case, the point is shut up and play. And does he ever! In so doing he has assembled a group of colleagues who still have something to prove within a given context – i.e. that this context can still matter vitally to how you consider your life. And while it is ironically titled, his irony underscores the accomplishments he has effected with this terrific release. You’ll like everything about this: it was recorded nearly perfectly – the definition among the players is clear. The music reaches over and pulls you into its confidence, and you will find yourself coming away from the experience beaming with ideas. This is a truly inspirational effort and without making any more of it, let’s just say that God help us all if Roy gets real serious. —o dubhthaigh | Amazon.com

Roy Haynes Trio -][- Roy Haynes [Verve]

Tags

Afro American, Drums, Jazz, Roy Haynes

- Roy Haynes Trio, Roy Haynes -

Roy Haynes Trio -][- Roy Haynes – [Verve, 2000]

My introduction to Roy came with Pat Metheny’s trio record _Question and Answer_. I was immediately taken with his drumming on that record, and knew I had to seek out some more. This one gathered dust on my Wish List for way too long before I finally got around to picking it up, which is too bad. Here, the incredible dynamic tension of Roy’s drumming is matched up with the Latin-tinged piano stylings of Danilo Perez, and virtuoso bass god John Patitucci. The results are absolutely ELECTRIC.

Part of what’s great about this CD is that the songs represent kind of a sampling of the different artists Roy has played with over the years, starting with Bud Powell, through Birth of the Cool era Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Sarah Vaughn and Chick Corea, to name a few. Roy has played with just about everybody, and at 70+ years, he’s still tearing it up with the best of them.

I just have to shake my head in disbelief at the review a few reviews down that calls this album “really boring”, because that’s precisely the LAST thing I would call it. Just the playing itself is utterly fantastic, and the arrangements are very exciting too. Perez’s interpretations of Monk tunes are particularly invigorating. What jazz pianist, no matter what persuasion, hasn’t covered Monk tunes, if not done an entire tribute album to him? These guys know their roots and pay tribute to them with energy, vigor, and incomparable musicianship. You just can’t pass up this CD. —Micah Newman | Amazon.com

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

On November 7 Catch The NYC Premiere of Saxophonist/Composer GREG WARD’S FITTED SHARDS – SOUTH SIDE STORY

Tags

Greg Ward, Jazz, Saxophonist

Greg Ward's Fitted Shards - South Side Story

Chicago saxophonist/composer Greg Ward (now based in NYC) is an integral player in a number of distinct coteries of the contemporary music scene. In addition to leading his bands, Fitted Shards and The Greg Ward Sextet, Ward recently recorded with electronica artist Prefuse 73, arranged and conducted orchestra for Lupe Fiasco, received a commission from the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra (for a concerto for jazz quartet and string orchestra), and will be recording and performing with renowned rock group Tortoise. In 2002, the late saxophone legend Fred Anderson hand-picked Ward to curate the Wednesday night jam sessions at his club The Velvet Lounge. Ward has also worked with artists such as Von Freeman, Frank Wess, Al Jarreau, Carl Allen, Rufus Reid, Jeff Parker, Brian McNight and Hamid Drake, performing extensively at major venues and festivals in the States and abroad. He is currently a member of the Occidental Brothers Dance Band International, Mike Reed’s People, Places, and Things, Blink, Loose Assembly, The Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble, Hamid Drake’s Bindu, and Ted Sirota’s Rebel Souls. He has recorded for the Roguart, 482 Music, Thirsty Ear, Clean Feed, and Delmark labels.

the weekend spin … with pianist Cyrus Chestnut’s -‘Soul Food’

Tags

African American, Cyrus Chestnut, Jazz, Piano

Pianist Cyrus Chestnut is certainly the genuine article when it comes to playing jazz. Undoubtedly his unique and refreshing approach to composition brilliantly captures the virtuosity, spirit and soul of this truly gifted artist. If you haven’t hear Soul Food, his musical identity is unleashed through various imprints of his career with this amazing project. —Rob Young | The Urban Flux

Cyrus Chestnut - Soul Food (Warner Bros. 2001)

Cyrus Chestnut -][- Soul Food – [Warner Bros., 2001]

One just has to look at the line up of this album to know that this will be an enjoyable listening experience.

Soul Food finds Cyrus Chestnut in four different settings, in a large group with the trio of Chestnut, Christian McBride on bass, and Lewis Nash on drums augmented by Marcus Printup on trumpet, Wycliffe Gordon on trombone, and James Carter on tenor sax. Also there is the trio plus vibraphonist Stefon Harris, just the trio, and two songs where Chestnut is solo. All of the players are extremely virtuosic and play with effortless grace and soul. Chestnut shines on every song and plays with a refreshing lack of ego. He is always playing a solo totally conducive to the feel of the song. The rhythm section, as suspected is superb. There is also an appearance by Gary Bartz, the alto player at the end of the album in a sort of epilogue.

Spanish Harlem Orchestra -][- Viva la Tradición (CONCORD PICANTE)

Tags

Latin, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, World Music

Spanish Harlem Orchestra -][- Viva la Tradición – [CONCORD PICANTE, 2010]

Spanish Harlem Orchestra - Viva la Tradición

Concord Picante is proud to announce the release of Viva la Tradicón, the newest album from the Grammy winning 13-piece collective Spanish Harlem Orchestra. The 12-track collection marks the orchestra’s debut album for Concord Picante and overall fourth outing. Viva la Tradicón takes up where its three predecessors left off – stirring the pot of mid-20th century influences and keeping the salsa simmering for current and future generations.

Now in its tenth year, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra is one of the most formidable and authentic Latin jazz combos of today. Yet for all of its appeal with contemporary audiences, the group’s success is actually rooted in the past. A lively and energetic affair, Viva la Tradición draws on inspiration from the music’s history and enduring traditions. The collection is comprised largely of original compositions and arrangements of classic salsa tunes by bandleader/founder Oscar Hernandez. Hernández is one of the most respected musicians in Latin & Latin Jazz music.His track record & discography are extensive. On the new CD he enlists the support of veteran composer and arranger Gil Lopez on three of Lopez’s compositions (“Son De Corazon,” “Nuestra Cancion,” and “Regala De Dios).

New music by supergroup Fourplay titled ‘Let’s Touch The Sky’ on Heads Up

Tags

Bob James, Chuck Loeb, Harvey Mason, Jazz, Keyboards, Nathan East, Piano

Fourplay (Album Cover not Available)

Sometimes you have to shake things up, push a little farther, reach a little higher – even when you’re a contemporary jazz foursome that’s been operating at the top of its collective game for two decades.

After twenty years and a dozen albums, in an industry that has undergone sweeping transformations in the past decade, Fourplay knows that the only thing that’s certain, in music or any other business, is change. The latest proof of that axiom is the new face in their lineup – that of guitarist Chuck Loeb, who makes his compelling debut with the quartet on Let’s Touch The Sky, the band’s new recording on Heads Up International, a division of Concord Music Group.

Loeb completes the four-man crew that also includes the band’s founding members: keyboardist Bob James, bassist/vocalist Nathan East and drummer/percussionist Harvey Mason. Let’s Touch The Sky also includes stirring performances by guest vocalists Anita Baker and Ruben Studdard.