Introducing vocalist Lori Williams -][- HEALING WITHIN [Pacific Coast Jazz]

Tags

African American, Female Vocalist, Jazz, Lori Williams

Last year I stumbled into vocalist Lori Williams featured on a project by The Saltman Knowles Group titled “RETURN OF THE COMPOSER” on Pacific Coast Jazz. Meanwhile, back in October of this year I discovered she had a solo debut album appropriately called “HEALING WITHIN.” Nonetheless, it wasn’t until I received a giftcard for Christmas I finally was able to get up close and personal to listen this fabulous new record by the remarkable and talented LORI WILLIAMS. Now back to the drawing board, I need to rush over to Amazon and purchase “RETURN OF THE COMPOSER” by The Saltman Knowles Group to cap my appetite for off this mesmerizing, beautiful and amazing vocalist from DC! —Rob Young | The Urban Flux

**HEALING WITHIN is soulful, eloquent and refreshing LORI WILLIAMS scores a superb album that is simply flawless! It definitely goes on my list of top jazz albums for 2010**

Lori Williams - Healing Within

Lori Williams -][- HEALING WITHIN – [Pacific Coast Jazz, 2010]

Daughter of Robert Williams and (the late) Myrtle W. Williams, Lori Anne Williams is the lead vocalist for two Washington-based jazz ensembles (Collaboration and Lori Williams and Friends), and featured vocalist on The Saltman Knowles Group and Sherry Winston’s CDs.

She graduated from Hampton Institute University where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Media Arts. She is currently attending The University of the District of Columbia (Jazz Studies Major).

She is the proud mother of two talented and gifted children – daughter, Lauren Vanessa and son Yusef Khalil. She has two sisters, Robyn W. Carlin (Educator and Math Specialist) and Vanessa Williams (Gospel Recording Singer and Artist).

Lori was the former Director of Programs for the Best Friends Foundation. She also taught Music at Thomson Elementary School in Washington, DC. Currently, Lori is the General Music Teacher, Director of Choirs, and former Music Department Chairperson at Woodrow Wilson Senior High School (also in the District).

Paul Hardcastle -][- DESIRE [TRIPPIN & RHYTHM]

Tags

Keyboards, Paul Hardcastle

Paul Hardcastle - DESIRE

Paul Hardcastle -][- DESIRE – [TRIPPIN & RHYTHM, 2011]

The timing could not be more perfect for the release of ‘Desire’- in time for the Valentine’s holiday. Long considered the purveyor of sexy and sensual sides, Hardcastle gathers many of his most intimate soundscapes from the past 20 years, complimented by three brand new tracks, ‘Valentines,’ featuring the vocals of daughter Maxine, ‘Ready or Not,’ and ‘Dont You Know (Ibiza Chill Mix),’ the sum of which is, as the title suggest, the ultimate album of seduction.

Named after one of the most popular hits, ‘Desire’ seems the apt title for the assemblage of songs rife with feeling and emotion that will surely provide the perfect soundtrack for any holiday or occasion that speaks of feelings for a loved one. A must have for Hardcastle fans and lovers alike. –TRIPPIN & RHYTHM | Amazon

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

Brian Lynch and Spheres of Influence ]|[ CONCLAVE VOL. 2 [Criss Cross]

Tags

Brian Lynch, Jazz, Manuel Valera, Trumpet, Yosvany Terry

Alright Latin jazz aficionados, if you didn’t know now you no trumpet sensation Brian Lynch can certainly navigate his way through his sphere of influence to engrave his gifted signature into another fascinating body of work titled “CONCLAVE VOL. 2.” Not surprisingly, to make it happen this is what’s up Lynch called in a talented cast of musicians to do what they do best mix up a gumbo of potent Latin and jazz music to satisfy a diverse audience of music lovers! —Rob Young | The Urban Flux

Brian Lynch and Spheres of Influence - CONCLAVE VOL2

Brian Lynch and Spheres of Influence ]|[ CONCLAVE VOL. 2 [Criss Cross]

A versatile trumpeter able to navigate in both the Jazz and Latin music fields, Grammy Award winner Brian Lynch returns to the Criss Cross fold with ‘ConClave Volume 2‘, a tour-de-force for his revamped Spheres of Influence ensemble. Up-and-comers Yosvany Terry on alto, Manuel Valera on piano, with bassist Luques Curtis, drummer Justin Brown, and percussionist Pedro Martinez make the scene for a diverse set of mainly Lynch originals.

Mixing the Afro-Cuban beat with touches of samba and funk, Lynch comes up with his best concoction to date of spicy Latin sounds.

Release date: February 15th, 2011.

For more info about the Grammy Winning artist, please visit http://www.brianlynchjazz.com/biography/.

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

Heinrich Kobberling -][- KOBBERLING, HEINRICH: SONNENSCHIRN

Tags

European Jazz, Heinrich Kobberling, Jazz, Piano, Saxophone

Heinrich Köbberling - Köbberling, HEINRICH, SONNENSCHIRM

Heinrich Köbberling -][- Köbberling, HEINRICH: SONNENSCHIRN – [Jazzwerkstatt, 2010]

Heinrich Köbberling plays drums and ownes a piano. He tries to survive as muscian, for already 22 years (which didn’t help). He is teaching at the Hochschule für Musik “FMB” in Leipzig and works mainly whith the following bands: “Julia Hülsmann Trio” / “Ernie Watts Quartet Europe” / “Lyambiko” / “Aki Takase and the Good Boys”. Also he is writing songs for 8 doogymoto (on break for already 3 years) and his own band, which hopefully will record some time this year.

His album “Pisces” has been released in 1997 and features Ben Monder, Matt Renzi and Marc Johnson. He is a member of 8doogymoto, which whom he released two albums (2000 and 2003) for the great label “soundslike accidental records”. As a sideman he appeared on more than 45 recordings with great musicians like: Ernie Watts, Jan Delay, Julia Hülsmann + Rebekka Bakken, Aki Takase, Lyambiko, Günther Adler and many more. At the moment Heinrich Koebberling lives with his family in Berlin/Germany…..realeditorbest profile tools..realeditorbest profile tools. –-BIOGRAPHY

Original Release Date: September 1, 2010

..:: Source: MySpace.com ::..

Vincent Herring & Earth Jazz ]|[ Morning Star [Challenge Records]

Tags

African American, Jazz, Saxophone, Vincent Herring & Earth Jazz

Greetings everyone, it seems like good music is almost unavoidable these days because of and not surprisingly jazz enthusiast like Veronica from Atlanta recommends this soul/jazz inspired album titled “Morning Star,” by this incredible alto saxophonist named Vincent Herring. If you dig soulful jazz influence by the spirit of Cannonball Adderley with a touch of the Crusaders as a rhythmic backdrop shaded with classic fusion and funk textures throughout then I’m sure “Morning Star” by Vincent Herring will definitely satisfy your taste for quality music as well. —Rob Young | The Urban Flux

Vincent Herring, Earth Jazz - MORNING STAR

Vincent Herring & Earth Jazz ]|[ Morning Star – [Challenge Records, 2010]

We call ourselves a “Real Band”, a spirited unit that has been playing together for many years, developing an original and contemporary sound that bridges tradition with our times. This band is invigorating, dynamic and energetic. Our growing fan base attracts new, young listeners and satisfies the long-established jazz fan.

Recent appearances: 2009: Ronnie Scott’s Jazzclub, London[3x]. 2008: Amazone Jazzfestival, Brasil; Jazz & Wine Festival, Montclair, CA; Linköping Jazzfestival, Sweden. 2007: Ronnie Scott’s Jazzclub, London; Smoke Jazzclub, New York. 2006: Guiness Jazzfestival, Cork, Ireland.

New release February 2010: “Morning Star“ on Challenge Records International

Dr. Billy Taylor, Washington Jazz Legend, Dies At 89 [RIP]

Tags

African American, Dr. Billy Taylor, Jazz, Piano

Dr. Billy Taylor

Dr. Billy Taylor, a Washington music legend who performed with legends such as Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie and earned 23 honorary doctoral degrees, two Peabody Awards, an Emmy, a Grammy and the National Medal of the Arts in his 60-plus-year career, died last night after suffering a heart attack in New York. Taylor was 89.

Taylor, a piano prodigy, grew up in Washington, graduating from Dunbar High School before moving to New York in the 1940s to go pro. His career included stints hosting shows on both CBS and NPR, and he was named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1988. In his later days, after retiring from actively touring and performing, Taylor worked as the Artistic Director for the Kennedy Center’s jazz series, where he focused on presenting unique programming and up-and-coming artists who were deserving of wider recognition, but weren’t necessarily getting it. —dcist daily.com

..:: Source: DCIST Daily ::..

Neon Quartet -][- CATCH ME [Edition Records]

Tags

Jazz, Neon Quartet

Neon Quartet - CATCH ME

Neon Quartet -][- CATCH ME – [Edition Records, 2010]

Forget the dull metaphors and puns on their name. Neon are a four-piece contemporary jazz group and Catch Me is their first release on Edition Records. Neon are a savvy bunch of guys.

They know that jazz is a syncretic music that feeds off and feeds other forms and that understanding leaves them free to explore all of the colors and textures that 20th and 21st century music has to offer.

Neon mix the values of experience with the freshness and vitality of youth. Hearing Neon’s Catch Me and you might not be able to stop to yourself saying it, Neon burn with a light so intense, it’s positively fluorescent.

Original Release Date: October 18, 2010

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

Iridium & Fully Altered Media Present: An Elixir For Your Winter JazzFest Hangover

Tags

David Weiss, Jazz, Michael Formanek, Peter Apfelbaum, Todd Sickafoose

(Iridium’s Sunday APAP Jazz Showcase)
Sunday, January 9th

Four Cutting Edge Must-See Bands:
~ Todd Sickafoose’s Tiny Resistors ~
~ Peter Apfelbaum/Marcus Rojas/Dafnis Prieto ~
~ Michael Formanek’s Cautious Optimism ~
~ David Weiss & Point of Departure ~

Iridium’s APAP Jazz Showcase on January 9th

Nate Harasim ]|[ RUSH [TRIPPIN & RHYTHM]

Tags

Keyboards, Nate Harasim

Nate Harasim - RUSH

Nate Harasim ]|[ RUSH – [TRIPPIN & RHYTHM, 2011]

Not one to be quiet about making an entrance, producer/keyboardist Nate Harasim’s Trippin N’ Rhythm label debut, is one sure to place him firmly in the new class and crop of emerging talent, highlighted by a cameo vocal performance from young Maxine Hardcastle daughter of mega-hit maker Paul Hardcastle.

With Harasim’s recent 30 minute performance showcase on Fox news Detroit, writing and producing the theme song for the 2010 American Smooth Jazz Awards and coming off an 8 week run at #1 on the National radio charts with ‘Fun In The Sun,’ a track he produced for guitarist Steve Oliver, the media and radio in unison, have taken notice of his burgeoning talent. Rush highlights the many sides of a young man with a keen ear, serious chops, strong pop sensibilities and displays his break out of the box mentality and his willingness to the push the envelope.

With assists from label mates Cindy Bradley and Darren Rahn and a payback from Steve Oliver, Rush is a soulful, fresh and funky ride through 11 sparkling sides, yet one that as the title suggests, you won’t want to rush through but take your time to savor the journey.

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

Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet -][- TO HEAR FROM THERE [Patois Records]

Tags

Jazz, Wayne-Wallace-Latin-Quintet

Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet - TO HEAR FROM THERE

Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet -][- TO HEAR FROM THERE – [Patois Records, 2010]

The moment of creation can induce trance and give glimpses of the previously unseen. One can feel the echoes of the ancestors, learn to hear the silence between the words and notes so we can embrace the rhythm of the unknown in life. Improvisation is a pathway in the transformation of abstract thought to reality via the creative process. In even the smallest aspects of the day to day, it constantly reminds of us of where we have been and who we are.

Music, dance and myth give comfort to the vital parts of the artistic being and can take us beyond paradox to communing with the divine. To Hear From There is a musical celebration of the freedom that improvisation allows us in the modern cultural landscape. The songs and performances draw deeply from the history of the musical nexus of Africa and the Americas with an ear to the potential the future holds. It is an honor to share our joy, creativity and enthusiasm with you. We hope the music inspires your heart and moves your soul to express it’s artistic spirit. ¡Bienvenida! –Amazon.com

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