PIANIST-COMPOSER EZRA WEISS RELEASES NEW CD THE SHIRLEY HORN SUITE

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Ezra Weiss, Jazz, Piano

“Don’t be fooled. He’s only playing a few notes, but boy are they the right ones.” – Neil Tesser, Listen Here!

Ezra Weiss (Album Cover Coming Soon)

With his new album, Ezra Weiss reaffirms his status as one of the premier young jazz pianists and composers. The Shirley Horn Suite, an admirable addition to the 21st century jazz piano canon, finds the Portland-based musician heightening his sense of elevation and refinement in a trio format with up-and-coming string bassist Corcoran Holt and veteran drummer Steve Williams (who served as Shirley Horn’s drummer for 23 years). The special guest vocalist is Shirley Nanette, a Pacific Northwest jazz legend.

The Shirley Horn Suite, set for release on April 5, 2011 on the Roark Records label, is Weiss’ fifth album. He’s earned wide critical acclaim for his previous CDs: 5 A. M. Strut (2003), Persephone (2005), Get Happy (2007), and Alice in Wonderland (2009).

SAXOPHONIST STEVE COLE DEBUTS ON MACK AVENUE RECORDS/ARTISTRY MUSIC

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Jazz, Saxophone, Steve Cole

RELEASES MOONLIGHT ON FEBRUARY 1,
HIS DEBUT ON MACK AVENUE RECORDS/ARTISTRY MUSIC

STEVE COLE - MOONLIGHT

Saxophonist Steve Cole is one of the most celebrated players in contemporary jazz, having sold hundreds of thousands of albums worldwide and scored four #1 R&R Smooth Jazz hits. With five CDs in his catalog for Atlantic, Warner Brothers and Narada Jazz, Cole kicks off a new multiple-album deal with Mack Avenue Records/Artistry Music by releasing Moonlight, a collection of classic pop songs and standards set against an orchestral backdrop. The project includes such iconic songs as Burt Bacharach’s The Look of Love, the classic torch song Cry Me a River, Lennon/McCartney’s The Long and Winding Road, the Guess Who’s Undun and James Taylor’s Close Your Eyes.

With his gorgeous, classically trained tone and an ear for lyrical melody, Cole most closely resembles a vocalist, emphasizing interpretive phrasing and direct emotion. On Moonlight, he has found the perfect setting for this bel canto technique-a symphonic orchestra playing inspired arrangements by Michael Cunningham, making his splashy major-label debut as an orchestral arranger. In addition to the strings, the arrangements include tastefully placed harp, woodwinds and tempered brass. The supporting rhythm section is composed of Mike Logan (Will Downing) on keyboards, Russell Ferrante (Yellowjackets) on piano and Steve Rodby (Pat Metheny Group) on bass.

Carl Bartlett Jr. -][- HOPEFUL [Carl Bartlett, Jr.]

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African American, Carl Bartlett Jr., Jazz, Saxophone

Carl Bartlett Jr. - HOPEFUL

Carl Bartlett Jr. -][- HOPEFUL – [Carl Bartlett, Jr., 2011]

Carl Bartlett Jr.’s Hopeful is a treat for anyone who enjoys the smoke-filled, traditional, and contemporary style of Jazz. Although the first six tracks on Hopeful are original works, they resonate with the eloquence and spirit of John Coltrane. With the assistance of his band, including Sharp Radway on piano, Eric Lemon on bass, Emanuel Harrold on drums, Charles Bartlett on trumpet, and Ron Jackson on guitar, Bartlett, Jr. and crew deliver a well-balanced blueprint for success.

The first and arguably finest track of the group, “Hopeful,” touts Carl’s exuberant yet original alto saxophone play. Reminiscent of a backdrop to a film-noir soundtrack, “Hopeful” displays the strength and confidence of an accomplished artist. The song is complete, as a tour-de-force alto saxophone solo highlights Carl’s skilled range and sensitivity in his approach to Jazz. Next, “Fidgety Season” begins as an upbeat and well-orchestrated track complete with an apt piano introduction that embraces the depth of Carl’s jazz ensemble. “Fidgety Season” showcases a traditional jazz tune filled with lively piano and drum solos culminated by Carl’s vibrant alto leads throughout.

Nicholas Urie -][- MY GARDEN [Red Piano Records]

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Charles Bukowski, Composer, Jazz, Nicholas Urie

“Urie does not simply blow off the dust of the large jazz ensemble, he sandblasts it off with Uranium.” Ø C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz

Nicholas Urie - MY GARDEN

Nicholas Urie -][- MY GARDEN – [Red Piano Records, 2011]

Composer Nicholas Urie is back! In his new CD “My Garden” Urie honors Charles Bukowski’s postmodern American poetry by wedding it to some of the most intriguing, scintillating and innovative big band music in the contemporary jazz landscape.

The CD features Jeremy Udden, soprano saxophone; Douglas Yates, alto and clarinet; Kenny Pexton, tenor; and Brian Landrus, bass clarinet; Albert Leusink, Ben Holmes, and the amazing John Carlson on trumpets; trombonists Alan Ferber and Max Seigel; Frank Carlberg, piano; Michael Sarin, drums, John Hebert on the contrabass; and vocals by the incomparable Christine Correa.

Bukowski is best known for his “fratboyesque” musings on love and life that have branded him as a kind of chauvinistic literary bad boy. The poems in this cycle highlight a more personal and less veiled side of a very complicated and diverse figure in American literature. These works are more introspective and touch on the author’s feelings of abandonment, depression, isolation and insecurities in the world as both a man and a writer.

For more info, please visit http://www.nicholasurie.com/bio/bio.html

..:: SOURCE: BKMusic PR ::..

Hermann Lara -][- NEW MISSION [Hermann Lara]

Tags

Hermann Lara, Jazz, Saxophone

Hermann Lara - NEW MISSION

Hermann Lara -][- NEW MISSION – [Hermann Lara, 2011]

Saxophonist and composer Hermann Lara is a product of the San Francisco’s jazz sound and tradition. Born and raised in the City’s vibrant Mission District, his musical credits range from performances with the local funk group Stymie & the Pimp Jones Luv Orchestra and stints with the Ray of Light Theatre Company to engagements with salsa legends Paquito Guzman and Lalo Rodriguez during salsa’s hey day. A 20 year veteran of the casual and weekend circuit, he breaks out on his own as leader and solo artist with his debut CD New Mission featuring 6 time Grammy nominee guitarist, Mike Stern. New Mission weaves together musical stories and themes which serve as tributes to the City’s iconic entertainment past & presents melodic commentaries based on the composer’s experiences as a musician and worker in America today.

Approaching his second full decade in music, the 38 year old offers his keen sense for musical styling and a full offering of improvisation filled jazz compositions with rhythmic settings based in Brazilian rhythms such as the Partido Alto to a New Orleans second line. The album covers fusion and groove based jazz and more traditional post bop tunes to a playfully, quirky ballad which are sure to impress. New Mission is a strong freshman outing from an experienced musician. –CDBaby

..:: SOURCE: CDBaby.com ::..

Lisa Hilton -][- UNDERGROUND [Ruby Slippers Productions]

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Jazz, Lisa Hilton, Piano

Lisa Hilton - UNDERGROUND

Lisa Hilton -][- UNDERGROUND – [Ruby Slippers Productions, 2011]

For the highly acclaimed pianist/composer/band leader Lisa Hilton’s thirteenth stateside release she is, once again, working with a stellar line –up of top flight jazz musicians: Larry Grenadier/bass, (known for his work with Brad Mehldau and Fly Trio), Naheet Waits/drums, (Jason Moran, John Escreet, Fred Hersch, Kurt Rosenwinkel), and J.D. Allen/tenor sax , (Cindy Blackman, Dave Douglas, Ron Carter) imbuing “Underground”, and Hilton’s compositions with straight ahead jazz that has warmth, beauty and soul. “I’m a fan of traditional jazz, but I am not a traditionalist – if that makes sense”, Hilton explains, “ I don’t aspire to sound like Miles Davis, Jelly Roll Morton, or Muddy Waters, but I do reference them in a style that I think represents our desire today to embrace the past but be moving forward as a jazz audience. Plus, this music is uplifting and fun!” The result is a fresh new sound that is familiar and appealing to listeners of all ages, while showcasing the extraordinary talents of the band members.

Called a “Lioness of Jazz” by JazzReivew and noted in the book, “The New Face of Jazz,” by Cicly Janus: “Hilton has been compared to some of the best pianists in history, such as Bill Evans, and Brad Mehldau”, Hilton has also been favorable compared to Dave Brubeck, and Oscar Peterson as well as composers Erik Satie and even Debussy, but Hilton’s sound and touch are all her own. “Underground” is infiltrated with what DownBeat Magazine has described as “A deeply expressive style of coaxing sounds from keys and offering rich melodies and improvisations.” Alternately bluesy, evocative and rollicking, “Underground” covers a lot of ground – a must for jazz fans as well as newbies.

Watch the “Underground” video on YouTube/LisaHIltonMusic or at: http://www.LisaHiltonMusic.com

..:: SOURCE: CDBaby.com ::..

Jay Phelps -][- JAY WALKIN’ [Specific Jazz]

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Jay Phelps, Jazz, Trumpet

Jay Phelps - JAY WALKIN'

Jay Phelps -][- JAY WALKIN’ – [Specific Jazz, 2010]

I first came across Jay Phelps playing for a band called ‘Skatronics’as I’m a massive reggae lover, this is the music genre I was raised on having a Jamaican family. After a friend told me he is a Jazz musician I decided to check him out more and more catching him playing live at a couple of regular spots around London.

As someone who has now gotten into Jazz, Jay Phelp’s live performance is astounding; from his and his bands level of musicianship, to the warm presence he brings to the audience. However his CD is what’s to be reviewed…

..:: SOURCE: Amazon.com ::..

Michael Eckroth Group -][- Sombrío [Michael Eckroth]

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Jazz, Michael Eckroth, Piano

Michael Eckroth Group - SOMBRIO

Michael Eckroth Group -][- Sombrío – [Michael Eckroth, 2010]

This album was composed, recorded and produced over an almost two year period. I brought together some of my friends from New York City to get some of my original compositions on tape. I was inspired by the classic modern jazz recordings of the 60s and wanted to hear that dark piano sound, so I chose Peter Karl’s studio in Brooklyn.

The compositions themselves are not particularly of that era, as I feel that music shouldn’t really look back purposely, though in the end I was using some conventions and instrumentation of those classic recordings. Not enough room here to break down too much information about the players but suffice to say they are some of the best I have had the pleasure to be associated with. Of the three cover tunes on the album, one was composed by drummer Jukubu’s father Dick Griffin, an important jazz artist in his own right (the ballad My Fantasy).

The other two were 1970s works by composers I respect greatly, Hermeto Pascoal and Phil Markowitz. My originals, the first six pieces on the album, all reflect sounds/musicians that I have admired throughout the years, or were inspired by events and feelings I have experienced in the city since I arrived in 2006. Thanks for listening. —Mike Eckroth

For more information, please visit pianist Michael Eckroth site … http://www.mikeeckroth.com/

..:: SOURCE: CDBaby.com ::..

Moncef Genoud -][- Métissage [Rollin’ Dice Productions]

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Jazz, Moncef Genoud, Piano

Moncef Genoud - Métissage

MONCEF GENOUD -][- Métissage – [Rollin’ Dice Productions, 2011]

“Métissage” (French for “crossbreeding” or “miscegenation”) is Moncef Genoud’s 11th studio album as a leader. It was recorded in Switzerland with his Swiss trio comprised of long-time friends Antoine Ogay (bass) and Philippe Staehli (drums). A genuine crossing of various moods, styles, and even instrumentations, the record features a cover of Serge Gainsbourg’s “La Javanaise,” a singular arrangement in 11/4 of Miles Davis’ “Blue In Green,” on which a ubiquitous Moncef plays the piano, drums, and Minimoog parts (!!), as well as other surprising tunes, intertwined with his own melancholic compositions (“Métissage,” “Chermignon”).

The album closes with “Diabaram,” the famed Youssou N’Dour/Ryuichi Sakamoto collaboration, recorded in Senegal and arranged by Moncef for the musicians of the acclaimed road movie “Return to Gorée” (N’Dour, Grégoire Maret, Idris Muhammad, and James Cammack). The title track, “Métissage,” has inspired award-winning Los Angeles-based, Swiss director Reto Caduff to create a music video that accompanies the album release. —CDBaby

..:: SOURCE: CDBaby.com ::..

Ron Westray & Thomas Heflin -][- LIVE FROM AUSTIN [Blue Canoe]

Tags

Jazz, Ron Westray, Thomas Hefli, Trombone, Trumpet

Ron Westray & Thomas Heflin - LIVE FROM AUSTIN

Ron Westray & Thomas Heflin -][- LIVE FROM AUSTIN (MP3) – [Blue Canoe, 2011]

Thomas Heflin’s Solo on his composition, “Mind Over Matter.” The track comes from a live recording session at the Elephant Room in Austin, Texas which will be featured on the upcoming album “Live from Austin” on Blue Canoe Records.

..:: SOURCE: WN.com (World News) ::..