EDDIE HENDERSON PAINTS CHILDHOOD MEMORIES ON HIS FURTHERMORE RECORDINGS DEBUT, FOR ALL WE KNOW

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African American, Eddie Henderson, Jazz, Trumpet

Eddie Henderson - For All We Know

Charlie Parker said that “if you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn,” and on Eddie Henderson’s soulful, sublime and swingin’ new CD For All We Know (Furthermore Recordings, October 12) you can hear all of the inventions, dimensions, places and spaces of his artistry, which, like fine wine gets better as time goes by. Joining Henderson on this dynamic pianoless date are guitarist John Scofield, bassist Doug Weiss, and drummer Billy Drummond, moving and grooving on eight tracks of standards and original compositions.

“I didn’t use a piano this time, because John Scofield hired me a couple of years ago,” Henderson says, “and just the way he comps … you know he’s such a talented accompanist – it felt like a symphony orchestra. So I had no qualms about not using a piano. And then there’s Billy Drummond – he teaches at Julliard with me – I’ve known him for years. And he’s on a couple of my CD’s. He’s a wonderful player. And Doug Weiss, the bassist; I worked with him for many years. He was a staple in the Al Foster Quartet, and I worked with Al for three tours. I knew that the chemistry of John Scofield, Doug Weiss, and Billy Drummond would work. I learned this kind of awareness from Miles Davis: You listen before they even get together – whether one person plays ahead or behind the beat.”

the weekend spin … with Clarke, Carlton, Cobham, Johnson & Najee -][- Live at the Greek

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African American, Carlton, Clarke, Cobham, Jazz, Johnson

... the weekend spin

Greetings jazz enthusiast, as Friday arrives in all its splendor I hope you have safe and prosperous weekend. Today, I’m featuring one of the finest collaborations to emerge from the nineties by the phenomenal composer-bassist and producer Stanley Clarke. He joins forces with his friends Larry Carlton, Billy Cobham, Deron Johnson and Najee to record one of the most memorable albums from this decade titled Live at the Greek! –Rob Young | The Urban Flux

Clarke, Carlton, Cobham, Johnson & Najee - Live at the Greek

Clarke, Carlton, Cobham, Johnson & Najee -][- Live at the Greek – [Epic, 1994]

“Live At The Greek” is Stanley Clarke’s best music in almost twenty years; however this disc isn’t only for Stanley fans. With the incredible drumming of Cobham, Stanley is brought to a level that he hasn’t displayed on disc since live 76-77. The ability for these two men to have borderline telepathic interplay is well worth the price of the disc alone. However Carlton, Najee and Johnson all make a generous contribution to the band. There are versions of favorite tunes by all except for Johnson whom I believe didn’t have any original material at the time.

The highlight has to be the marathon version of “School Days” which features a Clarke/Cobham intro and then it is taken to places the other versions didn’t go to.If you are familiar with any of the members of this band buy this disc or if you don’t have any Jazz/Fusion discs this is a great place to start.

This recording has rock (“Minute by Minute“) jazz (Miles Davis’ “All Blues“) smooth jazz (Najee’s “Buenos Aires“) and all out fusion (“Stratus” and “School Days“) all performed flawlessly and in an engaging manner. There is something for everyone. Highly Recommended. —Jeff Arenson | Amazon.com

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

Jason Robinson -][- Two Faces of Janus [CUNEIFORM, 2010]

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Jason Robinson, Jazz, Saxophone

Jason Robinson - Two Faces of Janus

Jason Robinson -][- Two Faces of Janus – [CUNEIFORM, 2010]

The Two Faces of Janus – one face looking at the past, one face looking towards the future. Borrowed from Greek mythology, Janus is an apt metaphor for the latest project by critically acclaimed reedist and composer Jason Robinson. The album features a stellar cast, all of whom are distinguished figures in jazz and improvised music as well as bandleaders in their own right. The music is angular, expressive, emotional and virtuosic and seam lessly moves from hard swinging grooves to beautiful ab straction.

Robinson’s playing and composing embodies the duality of the Janus metaphor–his music draws from the rich historical and modern traditions of jazz to forge a decidedly modern and unique musical vision. The Two Faces of Janus also positions Robinson–a West Coast transplant–within New York’s most innovative community of creative and visionary jazz musicians. Robinson has arrived.

At your leisure please visit, www.jasonrobinson.com for more details.

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

Angie Wells -][- Well Swung! [Manhattan Avenue Jazz]

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African American, Angie Wells, Female Vocalist, Jazz

Manhattan Avenue Jazz Initial Release is Indeed Well Swung!

Angie Wells - Well Swung!

Angie Wells -][- Well Swung! – [Manhattan Avenue Jazz, 2010]

Hollywood, CA (PRWE September 15, 2010) The newly formed record label Manhattan Avenue Jazz (a division of Robo Records, now partnered by Rocket Science Inc. & Sony Distribution) is proud to announce Angie Wells – Well Swung! as its debut release.

“Jazz fans of all ages will delight in the mix of big band and jazz combo standards on Well Swung!” according to Rob Christie, Grammy winning producer & president of Manhattan Avenue Jazz. “Fans of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and even The Rat Pack, will enjoy Angie’s fresh take on some of the greatest jazz standards of all time”.

Born to a Mom who sang gospel and standards and a Dad who only listened to the legends of Jazz and blues, Angie Wells grew up surrounded by great music. According to her mother, the first song Angie ever danced to was a B.B. King song. Angie’s love of singing started in her teens, when she sang in talent contests at school and won first place as a jazz singer in college. “The seeds of my professional singing career were planted in a wonderful little supper club called Chez Papa in Paris’ St. Germain Des Pres, where I was first invited to sing with a pro jazz band” said Angie. She has recorded and performed with various world-class musicians, including Grammy winning pianist, composer and arranger, Bill Cunliffe (credits include Frank Sinatra, Buddy Rick, Ray Brown and Joshua Redman, etc.), the much sought after bassist Tom Warrington ( Peggy Lee, Freddie Hubbard, Arturo Sandoval, etc.) and talented drummer Joe La Barbera (Bill Evans, Chuck Mangione, Art Farmer and Tony Bennett, etc).