Coming June 14th on Nonesuch Records Pat Metheny’s WHAT’S THAT ALL ABOUT

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Grammy Award Winner, Guitar, Jazz, Pat Metheny

Pat Metheny - WHAT'S THAT ALL ABOUT

Nonesuch Records releases What’s It All About—a solo acoustic album from guitarist and composer Pat Metheny—on June 14, 2011. After nearly 40 recordings under his name, this marks the first time there is not a single Metheny composition represented. Rather, What’s It All About comprises 10 classic songs, some very well known, that hold personal meanings for the guitarist. What’s It All About is available for pre-order now; all pre-orders come with a limited-edition, 9×12 photographic print, a number of which will be signed, and a free instant download of the album track “Alfie,” by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

Following the Grammy–winning 2001 solo acoustic record One Quiet Night, Metheny began regularly playing the specially tuned baritone guitar he used on that album in the breaks between sound check and the show when he was on the road. “Almost every day as I worked through one well-known tune or another, various visitors or local crew people would come up to me and ask which record it was on, and I would have to say that I had never made a record like that,” Metheny says. “And over the years, I have had it in the back of my mind that I should do an album of some of those tunes at some point.”

NEA JAZZ MASTER RANDY WESTON TO RECEIVE HIS MAJESTY KING MOHAMMED VI’S HONOR FOR HIS LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO MOROCCO’S GNAOUA MUSIC TRADITION ON MAY 11

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African American, Jazz, Piano, Randy Weston

“…a lifelong scholar of Africa, (Randy Weston’s) playing has always had a ring of the ancient in it; his percussive, resounding bass-clef chords are among the great pleasures in jazz piano.” – Ben Ratliff, The New York Times

Randy Weston

The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF), New York’s premiere French cultural center, welcomes leading Moroccan cultural and intellectual figures for a series of talks from May 1-21 on the occasion of the fourth edition of its annual World Nomads Festival, which this year celebrates the arts and culture of Morocco. On May 11, Randy Weston will receive His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s honor for his lifelong engagement with Morocco and deep commitment to bringing Morocco’s Gnaoua music tradition to the attention of the Western world. His collaborator of over 50 years, Gnaoua maestro Maleem Abdellah El Gourd will be present for the occasion and will also be honored. Mr. Azoulay will represent His Majesty the King for this occasion.

The great NEA Jazz Master, Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship winner, and Chevalier in France’s Order of Arts and Letters Randy Weston has contributed six decades of musical direction and genius to the world. He remains one of the world’s foremost pianists and composers today, a true innovator and visionary. Encompassing the vast rhythmic heritage of Africa, his global creations musically continue to inform and inspire. He has had a deep commitment to Morocco and the Gnaoua culture since the 1960s when he was introduced to the world of the Gnaoua by maestro Maleem Abdellah El Gourd who represents the Tangiers Gnaoua tradition. Maleem Abdellah El Gourd and Mr. Weston have collaborated together in concert presentations throughout the world including at an unprecedented concert at the Canterbury Cathedral in England.

Steve Hudson Chamber Ensemble -[-]- GALACTIC DIAMONDS [Groovaholic Music]

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Jazz, Progressive Classical, Steve Hudson Chamber Ensemble

Steve Hudson Chamber Ensemble -[-]- GALACTIC DIAMONDS -(MP3)- [Groovaholic Music, 2010] –Album Review–

Steve Hudson Chamber Ensemble - GALACTIC DIAMONDS

There are exquisite pearls of music generously revealed through this intriguing tableau of music on “GALATIC DIAMONDS.” These gems contain poignant yet unexpected streams of melodies, rhythms, mysterious shapes and provocative voicings. In this care, they are uncorked to unveil an integral pool of sounds orchestrated by composer/pianist Steve Hudson. Hudson opts to draw from these layers of unparalleled sounds to lure listeners into an attractive, irresistible, creative and inviting body of work expressed by him.

He is accompanied by a marvelous ensemble that features the gifted Zach Brock – violin, Jody Redhage – cello & voice, Martin Urbach – drums & cajan percussion and of course Steve Hudson – piano & melodica.

Are you ready to experience musicality by extraordinary musicians that dances creatively beyond the rim of normality? Composer Steve Hudson ingeniously embarks on a journey to in essence frame a spacious soundscape by infusing the quenchable elements of jazz and classical to shape these jewels into a wonderful pool of sounds appropriately titled “GALATIC DIAMONDS.”

Euge Groove -[]- S7VEN LARGE [Shanachie]

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Euge Groove, Jazz, Saxophone

Euge Groove - S7VEN LARGE

Euge Groove -[]- S7VEN LARGE -(MP3)- [Shanachie, 2011]

The recording of S7VEN LARGE was a monumental undertaking in Eugene Grove’s life, befitting of this stage in the artist Euge Groove’s career. The number seven is a very powerful and significant number. God rested on the seventh day, there are seven wonders of the ancient world, seven celestial bodies visible to the naked eye, and many other miraculous instances of the number seven throughout history. “On my 7th, I’m hoping that listeners will hear the evolution and growth in my music,” says Euge. “My last recording SUNDAY MORNING had more of an old school sound, and this time out I wanted something more modern. I locked myself in my studio for five months and made this album. Once my head opens up to the process, I’m afraid to back off for even a second in fear I’ll lose the momentum!”

S7VEN LARGE eases into things with an enticing and sweet number simply called “Track 1,” featuring Euge’s soulful and free flowing soprano saxophone. Then Euge picks up his tenor for “The Funky Bunch,” an escalating, greasy and funky groove that keeps the feel-good vibe going strong. The poppin’ horn section and nasty minor 13 chords remind us that Euge graduated from the University of Tower of Power! Euge Groove is a master at crafting great feeling grooves with singable melodies. S7VEN LARGE seamlessly moves from one track to the next making it a joy to listen to in its entirety. The album’s title track is an uplifting number reminiscent of the title track of Euge’s 2004 recording LIVIN’ LARGE. The counterpointal interplay between guitarist and labelmate Paul Brown and Euge is infectious. Bassist Corney Mims adds to the mix with an ultra funky slap bass solo in the breakdown that leads to a sexy and jazzy acoustic piano solo. At 5 1/2 minutes long, you really get a chance to hear Euge and the band stretch out. —Euge Groove.com

..:: SOURCE: Euge Groove.com ::..