Manuel Valera -][- NEW CUBAN EXPRESS – [Mavo Records, 2012 | Review] –

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Composer, Eric Doob, John Benítez, Keyboardist, Manual Valera, Mauricio Herrera, Pianist, Tom Guarna, Yosvany Terry

Manuel Valera, New Cuban Express

Manuel Valera -][- NEW CUBAN EXPRESS – [Mavo Records, 2012 | Review] –

Over the years it’s been commonplace for me to spent endless hours listening to inventive and prolific jazz musicians. In this case, Cuban pianist and composer Manual Valera comes to mind. He is undoubtedly one that I frequent his body of work on any given opportunity. His latest project, “NEW CUBAN EXPRESS” is comprised of modern post-bop, adventurous and compelling compositions are embedded with these essential ingredients to seize and retain the attention of discriminating jazz and Latin Jazz aficionados globally.

Arturo Sandoval -][- Dear Diz (Every Day I Think Of You) – [Concord Jazz, 2012] –

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Arturo Sandoval, Bob Mintzer, Ed Calle, Eddie Daniels, Gary Burton, Gregg Field, Joey DeFrancesco, Trumpet

Arturo Sandoval, Dear Diz (Every I Think of You)

Arturo Sandoval -][- Dear Diz (Every Day I Think Of You) –MP3– [Concord Jazz, 2012] –

Arturo Sandoval releases his second album on Concord Jazz, Dear Diz (Every Day I Think of You). The album is Sandoval’s tribute to Dizzy Gillespie, the mentor and friend who literally rescued him and his family from an oppressive existence and gave them a chance at an entirely new and better life. The album is a collection of classics from Gillespie’s massive body of work, each framed in big-band arrangements that throw the spotlight squarely on the elements of bebop that underscore so much of the iconic trumpeter’s work and set the tone for the music of his era.

fo/mo/deep -][- A BEAUTIFUL BANG – [Rhmedia LLC – Fo/Mo/Deep, 2012 | Review] –

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African American, Andre Scott, Bass, fo/mo/deep, Keith Newton, Kenneth Pouncey, Kevin Jones, Ron "FatKat" Holmes

fomodeep, A BEAUTIFUL BANG

fo/mo/deep -][- A BEAUTIFUL BANG – [Rhmedia LLC – fo/mo/deep, 2012 | Review] –

If haven’t heard, the word is out Columbus, OH native bassist and composer Ron “FatKat” Holmes the regional ambassador of eclectic grooves, soul and funk jazz is back to serve up another tasty dish in the sphere of eclecticism titled “A Beautiful Bang.” With great anticipation, I’m sure fans of fo/ mo/deep the regions heavy weight champ of jazz and funk have waited patiently and now they’re ready to celebrate the group’s upcoming sophomore release!

“A Beautiful Bang” embodies an assorted boutique of thirteen jams for the discerning ears of contemporary, urban, soul and smooth jazz lovers to taste, stir and savor with each spin. Out of the box, the groove begins with a tune pen by the dynamic duo Holmes and Newton on the uniquely titled “Jawjacka’.” This chart poppin’ groove opens with funky bass licks supplied by the versatile Ron Holmes, accompanied by the ensemble they pound away relentlessly too reinforce the upbeat rhythms accentuate their accessible and distinct sound.

Hailey Niswanger -][- THE KEEPER -[Calmit Productions, 2012] –

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entertainment, Hailey Niswanger, Music, Saxophone

Hailey Niswanger, THE KEEPER

Hailey Niswanger -][- THE KEEPER -[Calmit Productions, 2012] –

Hailey Niswanger created an indelible impression in the jazz world with the release of her 2009 debut, Confeddie. Then 19, the saxophonist was even the subject of an enthusiastic Wall Street Journal profile by veteran jazz critic Nat Hentoff. The headline read: This Teenager Has Got It. Now 22, freshly graduated from the Berklee College of Music and newly residing in New York City, the alto and soprano saxophone dynamo is preparing to release her second CD, The Keeper, on April 24.

Bill Carrothers -][- FAMILY LIFE – [Pirouet Records, 2012] –

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Bill Carrothers, Composer, Piano

Bill Carrothers, FAMILY LIFE

Bill Carrothers -][- FAMILY LIFE –MP3– [Pirouet Records, 2012] –

He speaks to us pensively, with a dreamy intimacy. Pianist Bill Carrothers begins his new CD with beautiful, heartfelt tones—and this feeling is sustained throughout the fifteen pieces. His music is exciting and wide-ranging, replete with sounds that exude a private tenderness. It is music of unusual lyrical beauty—poignant piano pieces that act as musical embraces. It’s as if it is a collection of favorite melodies that have been collected for some special reason. Carrothers plays the pieces on this CD in solo—as statements of a great inner peace. This accomplished, critically-acclaimed American pianist never indulges in pyrotechnics; instead, there are introverted melodies and voicings filled with a quiet strength. And the title is programmatic: Family Life; hidden behind this is an homage—as will be explained in the next pages.

First Annual International Jazz Day [4-27-2012]

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Barbara Hendricks, Bireli Lagrene, Chaka Khan, Danilo Pérez, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves, Eli Degibri, Esperanza Spalding, Gerald Clayton, Herbie Hancock, Hugh Masekela, Jimmy Heath, John Beasley, LIONEL LOUEKE, Marcus Miller, Terri Lyne Carrington, Wayne Shorter

International Jazz Day to be Celebrated with All-Star Concerts in Paris, New Orleans and New York Video Streams of all 3 Concerts Live on Jazz Day and Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz

Herbie Hancock

On Friday, April 27, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock will kick-off the first annual International Jazz Day with a full day of events including live performances, Master Classes, and discussions featuring Marcus Miller, Barbara Hendricks, Hugh Masekela, Dee Dee Bridgewater, plus much more. Please visit http://unesco.org for complete details.

The day will conclude in a concert of jazz luminaries including: Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Swan Berger, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Igor Butman, Terri Lyne Carrington, Gerald Clayton, Klaus Doldinger, Dominique Fillon, Antonio Hart, Barbara Hendricks, Nicole Slack Jones, Manu Katché, Eric Lagnini, Bireli Lagrene, Jean Felix Lalanne, Nguyen Le, Lionel Loueke, Michel El Malem, Tania Maria, Hugh Masekela, Marcus Miller, China Moses, Michael Rodriguez, Isphar Sarabski, Ben Williams, and many others. John Beasley will serve as Musical Director.

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band -][- TWENTY DOZEN – [Savoy Jazz, 2012] –

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The Dirty Dozen Brass Band

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, TWENTY DOZEN

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band -][- TWENTY DOZEN –MP3– [Savoy Jazz, 2012] –

Credited with revitalizing the brass band tradition in New Orleans, Dirty Dozen Brass Band has spread their music to the world – in more than 30 countries on five continents.

Timed with their 35th Anniversary, 20 Dozen contains the first new original music from the band since 1999 and is their first release in over 5 years. Among the tracks included is a cover of Rihanna’s global #1 smash, Don’t Stop The Music. -[Savoy Jazz]-

..:: SOURCE: Savoyjazz.com ::..

“A GREAT NIGHT IN HARLEM” Apollo Theater May 17th 7:00 PM

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Christian McBride, Geri Allen, Paquito D'Rivera, Quincy Jones, Stanley Jordan, Steven Bernstein, Victor Lewis

Join Quincy Jones and 40 other legends for an unforgettable night that will help save the music…

Jazz Foundation of America presents its 11th Annual
“A GREAT NIGHT IN HARLEM”

APOLLO THEATER
MAY 17th

7PM

PERFORMANCES BY

Over 40 legends of jazz, R&B, blues, and Rock ‘n’ Roll including

Marcus Lewis -][- FACING EAST – [Sharp 11 Records, 2012] –

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African American, Marcus Lewis, Trombone

Marcus Lewis, FACING EAST

Marcus Lewis -][- FACING EAST –MP3– [Sharp 11 Records, 2012] –

Marcus Lewis is a musician creating Jazz/Improvised music in the now with integrity and passion that resonates with the human experience. His melodies are lyrical, expressive and will have you singing after hearing them. Described as soulful, fiery and intuitive, Marcus focuses on the musical journey and conversational aspects of the jazz/improvised music genre.

Marcus is currently celebrating the April release of “Facing East” which features a world class line-up including Logan Richardson on Alto Sax, Adam Larson on Tenor Sax, Pablo Masis on Trumpet, Andrea Kester on Vocals, Sam Harris on Piano, Aidan Carroll on Bass, and Tommy Crane on Drums. Aside from touring with the Marcus Lewis Band, Marcus is currently touring with Janelle Monae and Sugarfoot’s Ohio Players.

This Friday, April 27 – Pianist/Composer ARUÁN ORTIZ & Camerata Urbana Ensemble CD Release Party @ IBeam

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Anthony Morris, Aruán Ortiz, Brian Sanders, Francisco Salazar, Katya Mihailova, Luis Casals, Machiko Ozawa, Mauricio Herrera, Pedro Giraudo, Piano, Samuel Marchan, Zoe Hillengas

Pianist/Composer ARUÁN ORTIZ & CAMERATA URBANA ENSEMBLE CD RELEASE PARTY

“This record by a very special artist will go down as one of the most significant works of music. Its power, significance and beauty will forever linger in the soul, where all musical art is enjoyed to the fullest.“- Latin Jazz Corner

Aruán-Ortiz, Santiarican Blues Suite

Presenting Music From Their New CD
“SANTIARICAN BLUES SUITE”
(Sunnyside Records)
IBEAM MUSIC This Friday, April 27th @ 8:30PM

Aruán Ortiz, piano, compositions
Zoe Hillengas, flute
Machiko Ozawa, violin
Lynn Bechtold, violin
Edmundo Ramirez, viola
Brian Sanders, cello
Pedro Giraudo, bass
Enildo Rasúa, percussion
Fransua Sayas, percussion
Paulo Stagnaro, percussion

“The world premier, Pagano y No (Pagan or Not), is choreographed to the music of Aruán Ortiz, which is a compelling combination of the modernistic classical and Afro-Cuban jazz genres.” – World Music Boston