Kurt Rosenwinkel and OJM -][- Our Secret World [Wommusic]

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Guitar, Jazz, Kurt Rosenwinkel

Kurt Rosenwinkle and OJM - Our Secret World

Kurt Rosenwinkel and OJM (Orchestra Jazz de Matosinhos) -][- Our Secret World – [Wommusic, 2010]

Kurt Rosenwinkel has always given us music that has conveyed a sense of masterful storytelling & breathtaking imaginative reach. His significance to the ever-evolving jazz tradition in fact transcends the oft-cited lineage of jazz guitar in much the same way that Thelonious Monk and Wayne Shorter both impacted colleagues much beyond the scope of their respective instruments. In 2007 Rosenwinkel got a call from the Orquestra Jazz de Matosinhos (OJM), a Portugal-based big band with an impressive track record of collaborative projects, ranging from “Portology” with Lee Konitz and Ohad Talmor, to performances with Maria Rita – the highly successful and critically acclaimed daughter of Elis Regina. The intention of OJM was to arrange a number of Rosenwinkel’s original songs for big band and perform these live.

Following a series of successful concerts in Portugal in 2008, Rosenwinkel and OJM decided to pursue this as a recording project. They subsequently recorded in Porto, Portugal in September 2009. What has perhaps distinguished Kurt Rosenwinkel more than anything is his one-of-a-kind compositional voice – full of mystery and power, marked by an effortless marriage of high complexity and simple, undeniable emotional appeal. These qualities, hallmarks of Kurt’s output from the beginning, are apparent perhaps as never before on this new big band release, Kurt Rosenwinkel & OJM: Our Secret World.

Visit, iTunes to listen too samples by the extraordinary Kurt Rosenwinkel.

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

Nashville Rescue Mission Benefit Concert on Jan 9

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African American, Jazz, Kirk Whalum, Saxophone

Event Name: Benefit Concert featuring Kirk Whalum & Friends – Proceeds will be donated to the Nashville Rescue Mission

Nashville Rescue Mission Benefit Concert on Jan 9

..:: Source: Kirk Whalum.com ::..

Kurt Elling -][- The Gate [Concord Jazz]

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Jazz, Kurt Elling, Male Jazz Vocalist

Kurt Elling - THE GATE

Kurt Elling -][- THE GATE – [Concord Jazz, 2011]

The New York Times is one of numerous publications to declare that Kurt Elling is the “standout male vocalist of our time,” and The Gate, Elling’s follow-up to his Grammy-winning Dedicated to You, is among his strongest albums—and perhaps the finest of his career.

Produced by Don Was (Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan), The Gate is a musical collection in which boundaries cease to exist, a sensibility enhanced by producer Don Was, who had expressed the desire to work with Elling—an opportunity which Elling found irresistible.

“I first heard Kurt on the local jazz station and was knocked out by his exotic blend of soul, technique, intelligence and charismatic hipness,” Was recalls. “He made this diverse collection of songs his own—and we had a blast.”

Hank Crawford -][- More Soul [Atlantic]

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African American, HANK CRAWFORD, Jazz, Saxophone

Actually in my opinion few players can wail like the blues influenced Memphis born saxophonist Hank Crawford. In reality, I’m not the one who gets all sentimental about listening to vintage music. Perhaps, more then anything I’m just a sucker for good music that’s generously displayed throughout his debut “More Soul.” Or maybe, it’s the cold weather calling me to snuggle up to the fireplace and reflect on the beauty and authenticity of classic jazz at it’s finest by Hank Crawford! —Rob Young | The Urban Flux

Hank Crawford - More Soul

Hank Crawford -][- More Soul – [Atlantic, 1960]

More Soul is Hank Crawford’s first album as a leader, issued in 1960 after he left the Ray Charles band. Leading a septet on a debut is am ambitious feat, but in Crawford’s case, it is also an impressive one. The material is sweet, signing and deftly played by an ensemble that includes David “Fathead” Newman on tenor, Leroy “Hog” Cooper on baritone, and a brass section that features John Hunt and Philip Guilbeau. Edgar Willis plays bass and drummer Milt Turner rounds out the proceedings. The material is swinging, front-ended, soul-inflected hard bop with tunes arranged by Crawford — the lone exception being James Moody’s “The Story” (one of two selections by him here) charted by Charles. The union of blues, soul and swing as evidenced by the group’s read of the nugget “Angel Eyes,” or Bobby Timmons’ and Oscar Brown’s “Dat Dere,” or Crawford’s own “Four Five Six” established a signature for the saxophonist, one that he has kept at the forefront of his sound for over 40 years.

Crawford’s tone as a soloist is sweet yet edgy and raw, full of emotion and warmth. If the material is basic, it nonetheless is timeless and More Soul sounds as true and blue in the 21st century as it did when it was released.. —Thom Jurek | AllMusic.com

..:: Source: All Music.com ::..