Linda Oh Trio -][- ENTRY [Linda Oh Trio]

Tags

Bassist, Jazz, Linda Oh, Piano

Linda Oh Trio - ENTRY

Linda Oh Trio -][- ENTRY – [Linda Oh Trio, 2009]

Innovative, powerful musical statement using this unique trio – never lacking in energy or emotion . This is a concept album featuring clever compositions that include a blend of mixed meters, modern jazz, free improv and elements of rock.

The title of Linda Oh’s debut CD, Entry, describes not only her emergence as a leader, but her arrival amongst the ranks of bassists
who step out of the sidelines into the spotlight with a strong, cohesive vision. Alongside Ambrose Akinmusire on trumpet and drummer Obed Calvaire, Oh offers a compelling three-way conversation in which she serves as both equal voice and steely anchor.

“So many musicians want to do everything with their first album,” Oh says. “Especially bass players who play upright and electric – Here’s me doing a funk tune, here’s me doing a swing tune… I wanted to steer completely clear of that and have something kind of raw as well as challenging. Basically, I knew I wanted to do something different.”

Though she achieves that goal musically throughout Entry, Oh’s backstory alone ensures her uniqueness, even on the globally-oriented New York scene. Born in Malaysia to Chinese parents and raised in Western Australia, she arrived in NYC three years ago having followed a circuitous route, culturally and musically. —CDBaby

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

Larry Young -][- UNITY [BLUE NOTE, The Rudy Van Gelder Edition]

Tags

African American, Jazz, Larry Young, Organ

Greeting jazz enthusiasts, are you ready to check out some smokin’ jazz featuring organist Larry Young from his UNITY album recored in 1965 on Blue Note Records?

Larry Young - UNITY

Larry Young -][- UNITY – [BLUE NOTE, The Rudy Van Gelder Edition, 1965]

Move over Jimmy Smith. This one really cooks. I did not know much about Larry Young when I ordered this CD sight unseen from Amazon recently – I came across it in the Penguin. The other musicians on the CD need no introduction. It features a masterful Joe Henderson on tenor sax, Elvin Jones’s intense drumming, and an effortless Woody Shaw on trumpet. And then of course Larry Young on the Hammond B3 organ. And it is Young who does it for me on this CD. There aren’t a lot of jazz organists who have made it to the top, and unfortunately Larry Young died young – like too many jazz musicians (including Woody Shaw).

Young never had any formal organ training, and he modeled his style on John Coltrane. That is apparent in the flurry of notes and key changes the listener is presented with. But the sound never gets as intense as for example Coltrane’s Ascension. It is a more laid-back sound, but with plenty of captivating audio interest. Young complements the other players and never overpowers them.

RARENOISERECORDS COLLABORATES WITH MUSIC RENEGADES BOB BELDEN, TIM HAGANS & ANIMATION ON ASIENTO, A RE-IMAGINATION OF BITCHES BREW, SET FOR APRIL 26 RELEASE IN U.S.

Tags

Animation, Bob Belden, Jazz, Matt Garrison, Scott Kinsey, Tim Hagans

FEATURES SCOTT KINSEY, MATT GARRISON, GUY LICATA, DJ LOGIC

LIVE 2006 BBC RECORDING AT NEW YORK’S MERKIN HALL

REVISITS BAND’S GROUNDBREAKING CONCEPTS FROM

THEIR GRAMMY NOMINATED BLUE NOTE ALBUMS

Animation - Asiento

Unconventional. Unheard of. Some might add unreal. Upon first listen, you’ll be struck by the startling freshness and flat-out nerve that have become hallmark sounds of Animation, the best rock & jazz mélange you’ve never heard of.

With two Grammy nominated Blue Note CDs, animation * imagination (1999) and re*animation LIVE! (2000), the group has raised the bar for experimental music, carrying with it infectious tinges of hip-hop, trip-hop, drum ‘n’ bass, fusion and whatever your own imagination might add with each new listen.

The journey continues with Asiento, the group’s long-overdue album to be released on the UK-based RareNoiseRecords. Spearheaded by music visionaries Bob Belden (producer/saxophone), Tim Hagans (trumpet) and Scott Kinsey (keyboard/synthesizer), as well as Matt Garrison (bass), Guy Licata (drums) and DJ Logic (turntables), Animation re-imagines the landmark 1969 Miles Davis release Bitches Brew.

ACCLAIMED COMPOSER/PIANIST/SCHOLAR GERI ALLEN NOMINATED FOR A 2011 NAACP IMAGE AWARD – GERI ALLEN & TIMELINE – LIVE – “OUTSTANDING JAZZ ALBUM”

Tags

African American, Geri Allen, Jazz, NAACP Image Awards, Piano

GERI ALLEN & TIMELINE

Composer/pianist Geri Allen has been nominated for a 2011 NAACP Image Award in the category of “Outstanding Jazz Album” for her most recent Motéma Music release, Geri Allen & Timeline – Live.

The NAACP Image Awards, currently celebrating its 42nd anniversary, are presented each year to honor outstanding people of color in film, television, music and literature. In conjunction, the ceremony offers awards to individuals or groups who help promote social injustice through creative efforts. Members of the NAACP vote on the awards and the process is similar to that of the Grammys and Oscars.

For Allen, the nomination comes after a banner year in 2010, with two debut releases for Motéma Music: Flying Toward The Sound, a solo piano work inspired by Cecil Taylor, McCoy Tyner and Herbie Hancock, as well as Geri Allen & Timeline – Live. The releases collectively have garnered critical acclaim from the media, selected on the “Best Jazz CDs of 2010” lists from outlets such as the Village Voice, Detroit Free Press, JazzTimes and National Public Radio’s “50 Favorite Albums of 2010,” among others.

The first “live” recording of Allen’s 30-year career, Timeline Live as recorded at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio, and Reed College, in Portland, Oregon. These two exciting live performances feature Allen’s working quartet nimbly and ferociously interacting with each other, reinventing the dialog between the dance and the drums. Timeline celebrates the dance and the music together as one, and can best be described as a radical jazz and tap dance quartet album.

Doug Johns -][- STANK [Doug Johns]

Tags

Bass, Doug Johns, Jazz

You dig jazz funk? Then check out bassist DOUG JOHNS!

Doug Johns - STANK

Doug Johns -][- STANK – [ Doug Johns, 2010]

Doug’s raw presence, energy, and all-around crowd-wowing prowess can be heard on numerous recordings and stages. Believing that a good musician surrounds himself with great musicians, Doug has had the privilege of working with such icons as Victor Wooten, Buddy Miles, Chuck Rainey, Dana Rasch, The LA Mass Choir, Grammy winning producer Aaron Lindsey, Steve Smith, and many others.

The culmination of these musical experiences led him to his first critically acclaimed solo CD, Doug Johns, released in 2006. Doug followed up his very well-received solo debut with his 2008 release, “Pocket Fulla Nasty,” and received an outstanding reaction from the bass community, as well as catching the ear of the general public very quickly. Bass Player Magazine on Johns: “One of the most credit–deserving bass virtuosos in America…it’s his inventiveness that’s consistently compelling.”

Kino Haitsma -][- MY TOUCH [Kino Haitsma]

Tags

Jazz, Kino Haitsma, Piano

Kino Haitsma - MY TOUCH

Kino Haitsma -][- MY TOUCH – [Kino Haitsma, 2011]

Kino Haitsma touches the piano (and rhodes) in his own, highly personal way: innovative and groovy, thoughtful and deep. Not to be missed!

My Touch features nine original compositions by Dutch pianist Kino Haitsma, performed by some of Holland’s most outstanding musicians, i.e. Jeroen Vierdag (bass, Ploctones) and Hans van Oosterhout (drums, Toots Thielemans). All songs were recorded with just piano (or Rhodes), bass and drums and have a fresh approach to the traditional piano trio. Intentionally avoiding (seemingly) endless displays of improvised virtuosity, Kino chooses to put the piano in a different perspective, using compact, tight ensemble-work (highlighting his fantastic rhythm section) and often quite catchy themes, while at the same time showing a profound and emotional, thoughtful quality. Stylistically the songs range from danceable jazz-house to odd-measure experiments while remaining very listenable. Something for the mind ánd the soul…

“What I really like about Kino’s playing is he doesn’t overplay, he’s not concerned with how fast he can play a scale or displaying how technically proficient he is. This is refreshing in todays marketplace of pianists, many who seem to be only interested in the technical aspects of a performance. It’s obvious that Kino feels the groove is important and that technique is merely a means to an end and not the end in itself. This album is a nice mix of piano and Rhodes led tunes that are very well played. The material is well suited for his musical vision and I commend him in this effort.” —GEORGE DUKE

– Released: 1/24/2011 –

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

David Binney -][- GRAYLEN EPICENTER [Mythology Records]

Tags

Ambrose Akinmusire, Chris Potter, David Binney, Gretchen Parlato, Jazz, Saxophone, Wayne Krantz

David Binney - GRAYLEN EPICENTER

David Binney -][- GRAYLEN EPICENTER (MP3) – [Mythology Records, 2011] – MUSIC REVIEW –

It was only a few years ago I had the pleasure of being introduced to an album titled “FREE TO DREAM,” (1999) by this exceptional composer and saxophonist from Miami (via Southern California) named David Binney. Since then, I’ve regrettably fallen off course and haven’t seriously pursued the opportunity to become more familiar with the music of this amazing artist with any frequency … that’s until I finally come to my senses and decided to dive head first into his phenomenal new project “GRAYLEN EPICENTER.”

At first glance, while listening I skimmed through the superb line-up summoned by Binney to record this outstanding album I knew immediately that I was in for an impeccable journey! As I embrace this new frontier I dare not deny myself a chance to embellish what might very well be one of the top jazz recordings of 2011?

“All of Time” the opener takes the art of innovation into a new dimension on this extensive palette of groundbreaking music. From the onset, as the compositional architect of this project Binney shapes this gem by flexing his improvisational skills as an inexhaustible player by hurling inferno of abstract notes and rigorous tones from the core to eventually become envelope sonically by the lively interplay of this persistent ensemble features the gifted Gretchen Parlato vocally.

SAXOPHONIST & COMPOSER CHRISTINE JENSEN, SET TO RELEASE HER JUSTIN TIME RECORDS DEBUT, TREELINES, ON MARCH 8

Tags

Christine Jensen, Jazz, Saxophone

“Jensen writes in three dimensions, with a quiet kind of authority that makes the many elements cohere. Wayne Shorter, Maria Schneider and Kenny Wheeler come to mind.” –Downbeat Magazine

Christine Jensen · TIMELINES

For the past ten years, saxophonist and composer Christine Jensen has cemented herself as one of Canada’s most acclaimed female composers. Thus far, her career includes a catalog of compositions as a leader for small ensembles, and a role as a co-leader in the more recent configuration of Nordic Connect– a group formed with her sister Ingrid Jensen and Swedish pianist Maggi Olin. However, it was in the ’90’s, while Jensen was still an undergrad, which she really started to establish herself as a composer. During this time, she found prominent success after composing the title-track for her sister’s debut album, Vernal Fields. The effort went on to win Jensen a Juno Award (the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy) and it was this early recognition that compelled her to keep writing.

Fast forward to 2011, and Jensen is presenting her debut effort for Justin Time Records, Treelines, a collection of works performed by her 18-piece jazz orchestra, featuring some of Canada’s most progressive improvising musicians. Treelines adds another layer to Jensen’s progression as an artist and composer, who is well known for writing specifically for the musicians she plays and records with. Her ability to create intimate dialogues amongst the players within the context of her compositions makes her work a pleasure for musicians to play. During the Treelines recording sessions, she collaborated with special guests on the repertoire, including her sister and acclaimed trumpeter Ingrid Jensen and saxophonist and composer Joel Miller. The textures and orchestrations throughout the album are representative of the strong influence of artists like Maria Schneider and Jim McNeely. The comparison to Schneider’s music, specifically, is apparent while listening to Jensen’s entire catalog of music. However, Jensen has retained a unique style over the years and Treelines is no exception.

Art by the incomparable Charles Bibbs ]|[ THE BAREFOOT PLAYER

Tags

African American, Art, Charles Bibbs

As always, I’m delighted to feature the finest in “African American Art” (AAA) available by some of the prolific and upcoming artists. Today, I’m honored to share “THE BAREFOOT PLAYER” by Charles Bibbs. —Rob Young

Charles Bibbs – THE BAREFOOT PLAYER – [Giclée -Limited Edition]

Charles Bibbs - THE BAREFOOT PLAYER

..:: SOURCE: TheWorldart.com ::..

Chris Ward -][- BRIDGING THE GAP [CDBY]

Tags

Chris Ward, Jazz, Saxophone

Chris Ward - BRIDGING THE GAP

Chris Ward -][- BRIDGING THE GAP – [CDBY, 2008] -MUSIC REVIEW –

As we know, during these times the music industry (or any business) for jazz musicians is a very difficult barrier to penetrate. On the other hand, regardless of these complexities there are lots young, gifted, talented and restless jazz musicians that are hungry and eagerly willing to make their imprint on the music scene. Visionaries like composer and tenor saxophonist Chris Ward is undoubtedly one who is paying his dues in order to be a player in this infinite pool of recording artists.

Inspired by the masters of tenor horn Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins and Michael Brecker it’s no wonder Ward’s debut “BRIDGING THE GAP,” emulates the tonality of these legendary influences through his insight, ability and maturity in the body of seven unyielding original compositions. Out of the box, Ward’s resilience, writing, leadership, arranging and playing skills radiates with the fervor of a seasoned artist.