Ralph Peterson Set to Release New Album, Outer Reaches, on April 5

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African American, Drums, Jazz, Ralph Peterson

Drummer Accompanied By “Unity Project”
On His First Release Since 2004

CLICK HERE TO STREAM THE TITLE TRACK FROM OUTER REACHES

Ralph Peterson's Unity Project - OUTER REACHES

Master drummer, respected composer-bandleader and talent scout extraordinaire Ralph Peterson has carried on in the tradition of his mentor and idol Art Blakey, who was renowned for his hard-driving approach to the kit and his uncanny knack for discovering new talent. The list of jazz greats who passed through the ranks of Blakey’s Jazz Messengers reads like a Who’s Who in Jazz. Similarly, Peterson helped launch the careers of several promising young players in his various bands over the years, including trumpeters Sean Jones and Jeremy Pelt, saxophonists Steve Wilson, Ralph Bowen and Tia Fuller, vibist Bryan Carrot and pianist Orrin Evans. With his Unity Project, Peterson adds three new names to the list – trumpeter Josh Evans, tenor saxophonist Jovan Alexandre and Hammond B-3 organist Pat Bianchi. Together with their fearless leader, they collectively push the envelope to extremes on Outer Reaches, an exhilarating homage to Larry Young’s classic 1965 Blue Note recording Unity. Peterson’s 15th album as a leader overall is also the inaugural release on his Onyx Music label and will be available on April 5.

BARITONE SAXOPHONIST BRIAN LANDRUS RELEASES POWERFUL NEW CD TRAVERSE

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Baritone Saxophone, Brian Landrus, Jazz

“A poet who has a mastery of tone, something he explores with gravity and a very gentle swingŠ Landrus is a voice to watch out for as he charts a creative course in music.” – Raul d’Gama Rose, All About Jazz

Brian Landrus Quartet - TRAVERSE

Brian Landrus is quickly becoming recognized as one of his generation’s most unique, passionate, and powerful voices on baritone saxophone and bass clarinet. After receiving wide critical acclaim for his debut CD Forward (Cadence Jazz Records), he decided to take the bold move of launching his own record label: BlueLand Records, and begin building a catalog of his music. He has recorded two CDs for this new label: Traverse (Available March 1, 2011) with the Brian Landrus Quartet, and Capsule (July 1, 2011) featuring the Landrus Kaleidoscope.

On Traverse Landrus’ powerful voice is fused with three exceptional musicians: Michael Cain (piano and co-producer), Lonnie Plaxico (acoustic bass), and Billy Hart (drums). This quartet plays beautiful, heartfelt traditional jazz with a fresh new vibe. Traverse features Landrus’ original compositions, as well as a gorgeous rendition of the standard, “Body And Soul”. Landrus, who has already been recognized as “Rising Star” in Downbeat’s 2010 Critics Poll, not only makes a strong stance as the next major voice on baritone, but also delights with the rare uniqueness of his sound, approach, and compositions.

Omar Sosa -][- CALMA [Ota Records]

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Jazz, Omar Sosa, Piano

“Sosa s pianisms evoke distant echoes of McCoy Tyner’s power, Keith Jarrett s improvisational flights of fancy, and Thelonious Monk’s angular harmonies, transforming the piano into 88 well-tuned drums.” —The Village Voice

Omar Sosa - CALMA

Omar Sosa -][- CALMA – [Ota Records, 2011]

Calma is Omar Sosa’s fifth solo piano recording. It is a work of singular artistry, featuring Omar s unique and original approach to the genre. The CD is comprised of 13 solo piano improvisations, fusing stylistic elements of jazz, classical new music, ambient and electronica. As the title implies, the overall feeling is relaxed and introspective, the intent being to evoke a mood of reflection and contemplation. The recording features a rarely heard combination of acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano and various electronic effects and sampled sounds.

All of these instruments were recorded live together in the studio, without overdubs the artist interacting spontaneously, in real-time, with the various sonic elements. Rhythmically, the feeling of the CD is unhurried and meditative. Sensations of floating and suspension of time prevail. We can imagine the melodic sensibilities of Erik Satie meeting those of Pierre Boulez. –Product Description | Amazon

Scheduled Release: 3/8/2011

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

New Jazz Releases for the Week of 3/1/2011

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David Chesky, Harry Connick Jr., Jazz, Jimmy Haslip, New Releases

New Jazz Releases for 3/1/2011

Greeting’s jazz enthusiasts, as always it’s a pleasure to return with more new music releases. With each visit, you’ll discover a montage of new jazz recordings featured at Amazon.com that encompasses a generous diet of nuances which includes a wealth of complex and distinctive styles, textures, melodies, and rhythms exalted by a host of definitive and creative voices in the world of jazz.

For more details, please visit Amazon.com for a complete list of this week latest jazz releases!

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

BIANCA ROSSINI’S “KISS OF BRASIL” IS DESTINED TO BECOME ONE OF BOSSA NOVA’S NEW CLASSICS

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Bianca Rossini, Brazilian Music, Female Vocalist, Jazz

Multi-talented singer/songwriter Bianca Rossini will seduce you with the pulse of Brazil.

Bianca Rossini - KISS OF BRASIL

Los Angeles, CA – Producer Peter Roberts of BDM Records announced today the release of multi-talented, singer and songwriter Bianca Rossini’s debut album, Kiss of Brasil. The evocative original songs of Kiss of Brasil are destined to become Bossa Nova classics alongside of those written by João Giberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim; the “fathers” of Bossa Nova. Kiss of Brasil’s intoxicating beat is the new extended genre of Brazilian music that’s taking over the cool jazz movement.

Kiss of Brasil offers mesmerizing songs, like: Ipanema Paraiso, Nós Dois, and Corazón de Oro, that are destined to become hits. The album contains songs which were co-written with Marilyn Berglas, Harvey Mason, Peter Roberts, Ken Hirsch, Steve Rawlins and Patrick Lockwood. The album also includes performances by Grant Geissman, Grecco Buratto, Roberto Montero, Marco Tulio, and Sandro Feliciano.

Taking a cue from her friend and co-writer, music critic Don Heckman, Bianca created an album that is sure to fan the flames of romance. Bianca grew up with international musical influences, and has always had a gift for composing lyrics and music. She has co-written with Brazil’s leading composer and singer Sergio Santos, Claudio Nucci and Andre Mehmari. In the LA area, Bianca has also written with Dana Kaproff, Jon Gilutin, Don Heckman and Glenn Scott Lacey. Bianca has stopped counting after writing more than 350 songs in less than 2 years! –Press Release | Bianca Rossini.com

..:: SOURCE: Bianca Rossini.com ::..

Sean Jones – “Transitions” live at the 2009 Detroit Jazz Festival [Video]

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African American, Jazz, Sean Jones, Trumpet

Sean Jones – “Transitions” live at the 2009 Detroit Jazz Fest from Mack Avenue on Vimeo.

..:: SOURCE: Mack Avenue & Vimeo.com ::..

Chico Freeman -][- TRADITION in TRANSITION [Elektra/Musician-Wounded Bird]

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Chico Freeman, Jazz, Saxophone

Chico Freeman - TRADITION in TRANSITION

Chico Freeman -][- TRADITION in TRANSITION – [Elektra/Musician-Wounded Bird, 1982]

A well-titled set from Chico Freeman – as the reedman definitely takes older modern modes into new territory here – moving in almost Monk-ish space, but with some sharper, bolder tones overall! The album’s a surprising one for an early 80s major label release – a great reminder that some companies were still willing to take a chance on jazz at the time – and Chico’s got a key assortment of players working with him on the date.

In addition to his own tenor, flute, and bass clarinet, the record features Wallace Roney on trumpet, Clyde Criner on piano, Cecil McBee on bass, Billy Hart on drums, and Jack DeJohnette on either drums or piano – shifting about a bit from track to track. Titles include “Mys-Story”, “At A Glance”, “In Spirit”, “The Trespasser”, “A Prayer”, and “Each One Teach One”. –Dusty Groove.com

..:: SOURCE: Dusty Groove.com ::..

Eddie Palmieri -][- LISTEN HERE [Concord Records]

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Eddie Palmieri, Jazz, John Scofield, Michael Brecker, Piano, Regina Carter

Nuyorican composer, arranger and pianist Eddie Palmieri’s recording “Listen Here” absolutely smokes! If you don’t have this gem in your collection … get it today it’s definitely worth your time, money and effort!

Eddie Palmieri - LISTEN HERE (2005)

Eddie Palmieri -][- LISTEN HERE – [Concord Records, 2005]

With “Listen Here” the “latin monk” Eddie Palmieri explores his jazzier roots with guests soloists and his excellent working band with great sucess. It’s fun and upbeat [like Eddie] but it is NOT big band latin jazz. For that turn to Eddie’s cd’s “La Perfecta” and “Obra Maestra”. This cd has more of a small unit jazz flavor with several jazz standards [Monk,Silver] and Eddie originals. Frankly to my ears the originals work better.

Regina Carter [violin] burns on “In Flight” and sax player Michael Brecker [who is very ill by the way] cooks on “Listen Here”. Listen Here seems to work best with the pared down units in the several formats presented here. Eddie’s percussive Monk-like piano playing is particually interesting on La Gitano with great subtle accoustic guitar work by John Scofield. Fans of Eddie’s big band latin jazz may be dissapointed or surprised [I was pleasently] but this is Eddie reaching and stretching his art. I hope he cotinues to evolve. Heck he’s only 68 years old! Recommended. —M. Murphy | Customer Review Amazon.com

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

Charlie Mariano -][- MIRROR [Atlantic/Wounded Bird]

Tags

Charlie Mariano, Jazz, Saxophone

Charlie Mariano - MIRROR

Charlie Mariano -][- MIRROR – [Atlantic/Wounded Bird, 1970]

A seminal electric session from Charlie Mariano – one recorded after his shift from bop-based work into trippier, more psychedelic influences – and one of his few American dates from the time!

The record has Charlie working on soprano and alto sax, with a group that includes Pat Rebillot on electric piano and organ, Tony Levine on bass, and David Spinozza on guitar – all grooving along with the reeds in a stretched-out, tripped-out kind of way – a mixture of jazz and some Eastern influences, but always held together nicely – without some of the overindulgence of some other Mariano records from the period.

Charlie’s solos are still icy as ever, but much freer than on his classic work, and with definite post-Coltrane influences – and titles include “Madras”, “Himalaya”, “Vasi Bindu”, and “Mirror”, which has vocals by Asha Pulthi! –Dusty Groove.com

..:: SOURCE: Dusty Groove.com ::..

Portland, Oregon-based Indie Jazz Group, Blue Cranes Embark on April 2011 National Tour Via Amtrak

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Blue Cranes, Jazz

Blue Cranes Photo credit- Jen Downer She Saw Things Photography

Before paved highways were common, and a vast network of frequent passenger trains served the country, performing ensembles of all stripes toured the country by train. Nowadays, most musical groups pile themselves, their instruments and equipment into a van or truck and go on the road. The Blue Cranes—an indie jazz quintet that has made a name for itself in Portland, Oregon—will prove this April that it’s still possible to turn a road tour into a rail tour when they tour the East Coast via Amtrak.

The Blue Cranes have toured extensively up and down the West Coast, but April 2011 marks the band’s first foray East. To help fund this tour, the group launched a successful Kickstarter fundraising campaign, surpassing their goal and raising over $6500 towards tour expenses.