GUITARIST JULIAN LAGE – SPECIAL WORLD PREMIERE WEBCAST OF “GLADWELL” AT CLUB PASSIM ON CONCERT WINDOW, SATURDAY

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Guitar, Jazz, Julian Lage, WEBCAST

Visit, http://www.julianlage.com/ for more details about this artist!

..:: SOURCE: DL Media ::..

GERALD WILSON’S NEW MACK AVENUE RECORDS – ALBUM AVAILABLE JUNE 21 –

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African America, Composer, Gerald Wilson, Jazz

JAZZ ICON CARRIES ON HIS JAZZ LEGACY THROUGH TWO GENERATIONS OF FAMILY MEMBERS

GERALD WILSON ORCHESTRA - LEGACY

NEWLY COMMISSIONED SUITE, “YES CHICAGO IS…” PAYS TRIBUTE TO ONE OF WILSON’S FAVORITE CITIES

CLICK HERE TO STREAM EXCLUSIVE TRACKS FROM LEGACY

Gerald Wilson, jazz’s reigning composer/orchestrator pays homage to his adopted hometown, Chicago on his fifth Mack Avenue Records release, Legacy. Composers Igor Stravinsky and Giacomo Puccini also receive Wilson’s musical tips of the hat. Wilson’s son, guitarist/composer Anthony Wilson, and grandson Eric Otis are also represented by a composition/orchestration apiece, thus extending Gerald’s musical legacy.

The Gerald Wilson Orchestra assembled for Legacy comprises many of the great jazz artists who’ve been Gerald’s collaborators for the lion’s share of his Mack Avenue canon. A first-class rhythm section of pianist Renee Rosnes, guitarist Anthony Wilson, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Lewis Nash anchors the group. Trumpeters Sean Jones, Jeremy Pelt, Tony Lujan, Freddy Hendrix, Frank Greene and Mike Rodriguez and trombonists Dennis Wilson, Douglas Purviance, Luis Bonilla and Alan Ferber stud the brass section. Antonio Hart, Dick Oatts, Kamasi Washington, Ron Blake, Jay Brandford and Gary Smulyan comprise the reeds. Al Pryor continues as Wilson’s producer for this collection of tributes and portraits.

Alex Hoffman [|] DARK LIGHTS (Smalls Records)

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Alex Hoffman, DWAYNE CLEMONS, FRANK BASILE, Jazz, KEITH BALLA, NED GOOLD, PAUL SIKIVIE, PETER REARDON-ANDERSON, SACHA PERRY, Tenor Sax, WILL REARDON-ANDERSON

Alex Hoffman [|] DARK LIGHTS -(MP3)- (Smalls Records, 2011) -|- Album Review

Alex Hoffman, DARK LIGHTS

Tenor saxophonist Alex Hoffman serves up a rich tapestry of jazz which contains a satisfying blend of engaging and sophisticated straight ahead jazz sounds titled “DARK LIGHTS” on Small Records.

For those of you who love jazz that swings, buoyant and grooves with impeccable swagger then I’ll boldly say that Washington DC native Alex Hoffman has the perfect ingredient to satisfy your hunger for music that lives up to being an integral piece of the puzzle that fits neatly onto the fabric of America’s original art form we love call jazz.

Out the gate is “Night Jaunt,” the first of nine selections resonates with exquisite tones shaped by this incomparable ensemble swings purposely to the point. Wearing many hats on this project, Hoffman gives a new meaning to multitasking as composer, arranger and producer. You’ll hear his love to play and passion to swing with authority penetrates through the barriers with the maturity of a veteran musician to sustain his voice in this immeasurable musical landscape.

Irvin Mayfield ]|[ LOVE LETTER TO NEW ORLEANS [Basin Street]

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African American, Irvin Mayfield, Jazz, Trumpet

Irvin Mayfield, LOVE LETTER TO NEW ORLEANS

Irvin Mayfield ]|[ LOVE LETTER TO NEW ORLEANS -(MP3)- [Basin Street, 2011]

‘A brilliant, poignant and deep look at the extraordinary life and music of Irvin Mayfield. This is a wonderful love letter to the great city of New Orleans, but it is also a rare peek at the influences that have shaped one of America’s great artists.’ –Anderson Cooper, CNN Anchor

With ‘A Love Letter to New Orleans,’ Grammy Award winning trumpeter Irvin Mayfield reflects and reports on the people and places his music has brought into his life thus far. From rowdy New Orleans recording session to late night introspection with mentors like Wynton Marsalis and the late Herman Leonard, ‘A Love Letter to New Orleans’ is a poignant chronicling of Mayfield’s resilient love affair with his city’s legacy-Jazz.

..:: SOURCE: Aamzon.com ::..

THE COOKERS Celebrate The Release Of CAST THE FIRST STONE (Plus Loin)

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Azar Lawrence, Billy Harper, Billy Hart, Cecil McBee, Craig Handy, David Weiss, Eddie Henderson, George Cables, Jazz, The Cookers

THE COOKERS Celebrate The Release Of
CAST THE FIRST STONE (Plus Loin), Hard-Hitting Follow-Up to Acclaimed WARRIORS On April 12, 2011

@ The Iridum – May 14 & 15!
1650 Broadway, NYC (at 51st Street), Tel 212 582 2121, Showtime is 9:00 PM, tkts are $30
http://www.iridiumjazzclub.com

The Cookers - Cast The First Stone

Billy Harper (Tenor Sax), Eddie Henderson (Trumpet), David Weiss (Trumpet), Craig Handy (Alto Sax), George Cables (Piano), Cecil McBee (Bass), Billy Hart (Drums) & Special guest Azar Lawrence (Tenor & Soprano Sax)

Experience counts, especially in jazz. The more time musicians spend interpreting tunes and interacting with others, the more articulation an audience can expect. You can hear the fruits of such work in the expressive language the Cookers bring to the material on Cast the First Stone. Here’s a group of veteran improvisers approaching their current songbook with both ardor and eloquence.

Billy Harper, Cecil McBee, George Cables, Eddie Henderson, and Billy Hart all came up in the heady era of the mid ’60s. It was a period that found the dimensions of hard bop morphing from their original designs, and each these guys helped facilitate the process. David Weiss and Craig Handy, from a more recent generation and the youngest members of the band, are experts in this forthright lingo as well. Their feisty solos parallel those of their elders. Together, the septet throws a mighty punch.

Dianne Reeves ]|[ MUSIC FOR LOVERS [Blue Note Records]

Tags

African American, Dianne Reeves, Female Vocalist, Jazz

Dianne Reeves - MUSIC FOR LOVERS

Dianne Reeves ]|[ MUSIC FOR LOVERS -(MP3)- [Blue Note Records, 2007] -|- Album Review

Depending on personal taste it may or not be difficult to access but there’s about a dozen notable female vocalist on the jazz scene that knows their craft and how to work a song and audience effortlessly and Dianne Reeves is absolutely one of them.

Unfortunately without liner-notes or album description on my MP3 album I have no earthly idea who initially produced, composed, played, or compiled these wonderful pieces. “MUSIC FOR LOVERS” in essence captures the splendor of the stunning and mesmerizing vocal style of songstress Dianne Reeves. This amazing album is one in a series of compilations released on Blue Note Records. Generally these types of recordings is great introduction to an artists body of work if you haven’t had the opportunity to listen to their music other then radio, Internet or at a friends house.

As the title suggests, this recording is particularly marketed for couples to embellish these gorgeous gems on a quite evening for two as they partake in a bottle of their favorite wine, conversation, and exquisite gourmet dinner. Eventually they will snuggle up near the fireplace on a cold winter night to enjoy this comforting palette of songs which includes “My Funny Valentine, That Day, You Taught My Heart to Sing, Speak Low, and In Your Eyes.” If these jewels arouse your curiosity and appetite for good music then I’m quite sure you’ll appreciate the quality of lyricism, arrangements and terrific interplay that could possibly establish just the right mood and atmosphere for you. —Rob Young | The Urban Flux

Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences eliminates the Latin Jazz Category

Tags

Grammy Awards, Jazz, Latinjazznet.com

By Tomas Peña
April 18, 2011
“Adding further fuel to the fire, NARAS announced late last night that the use of “Minor Chords or any chord that would be a ‘breach of the peace’ is prohibited in any song or arrangement submitted for Grammy Consideration”. Bob Belden

“It’s like the old conquer and divide scenario. Except here it’s eliminate and conquer.” Bobby Sanabria

On Wednesday, April 6, 2011 the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) announced the restructuring of the Grammy Award categories in order to “tighten and create a parallel structure among the various fields.” According to Ben Sisario of the New York Times, “The restructuring was a response to longstanding criticism in the music industry that too many categories were diluting the Grammy’s impact.”

A thorough review of the awards process began two years ago however, after the most recent Grammy telecast, Stephen Stoute, an industry insider, ran a full-page ad in the New York Times, reproaching NARAS for “being out of touch with pop tastes.” Stoute’s comments were a reaction to bassist/vocalist Esperanza Spalding’s surprising win over teen idol, Justin Bieber for Best New Artist.