Urban Flux Presents: featured artist of the week Rawn McCloud

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African American, Artist, Avisca Fine Art.com, Rawn McCloud

Rawn McCloud -][- MS 20, 2007 -[Acrylic on Rag Paper]-

Rawn McCloud, MS 20, 2007

::: SOURCE: aviscafineart.com :::

Just in case you missed it …. trumpeter Darren Barrett

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African American, Composer, Darren Barrett, Educator, J Curve Records, nagel heyer records, Trumpet

Darren Barrett, FIRST ONE UP

Darren Barrett -][- FIRST ONE UP –Mp3– [J Curve Records, 2011]

Darren Barrett was the 1997 Winner of the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition and is widely heralded as the next important trumpeter/composer to come on the scene. He is currently a member of the Jackie McLean Quintet as well as leader of his own quintet. Darren has also performed and or recorded with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton and Antonio Hart. First One Up is Darren Barrett’s debut recording as a leader. The album was produced by the legendary Donald Byrd who is Darren’s mentor and one of his primary influences.

The members of his quintet are pianist Aaron Goldberg, tenor saxophonist Jimmy Greene, bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer John Lamkin who are regarded as among the finest of the new generation of jazz musicians. Alto sax great, Kenny Garrett is featured on several tracks including two takes of the memorable title track First One Up. It is recommended that the listener fasten their seat belt before listening to this recording as it smokes from start to finish. -[Jacarre | Customer Review | Amazon.com]-

Stanley Cowell -][- IT’S TIME – [SteepleChase, 2012] –

Tags

African American, Bandleader, Composer, Pianist, Stanley Cowell, SteepleChase

Stanley Cowell, IT’S TIME

Stanley Cowell -][- IT’S TIME –Mp3– [SteepleChase, 2012]

An excellent modern, mainstream pianist who is adaptable to many acoustic jazz settings, Stanley Cowell has long been underrated except among knowing musicians. He studied the piano from the time he was four, and Art Tatum made an early impact. After attending Oberlin College Conservatory and the University of Michigan, Cowell (who had played with Rahsaan Roland Kirk while at Oberlin) moved to New York in 1966. He played regularly with Marion Brown (1966-1967), Max Roach (1967-1970), and the Bobby Hutcherson-Harold Land quintet (1968-1971).

In the early ’70s, Cowell worked in Music Inc. with Charles Tolliver, and they co-founded the label Strata East. He played regularly with the Heath Brothers during 1974-1983, and since 1981 has been a busy jazz educator. Cowell has recorded as a leader for Arista-Freedom (1969), ECM (1972), Strata East, Galaxy, Unisson, DIW, Concord, and SteepleChase. –[::: iTunes.apple.com | Biography :::]–

Jeremy Pelt -][- WATER & EARTH – [High Note Records, 2013] –

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African American, Bandleader, Composer, Highnote Records, Jeremy Pelt, Trumpet

Jeremy Pelt, WATER & EARTH

Jeremy Pelt -][- WATER & EARTH – [High Note Records, 2013]

From his first professional gig with the Mingus band through his 10 CDs as a leader, Pelt has maintained remarkable forward momentum. His bands have been lauded for their intense interplay which calls to mind Wayne Shorter and Tony Williams.

It is the spirit 1969-70 Miles Davis that is conjured with this, Jeremy’s 2013 ensemble recording. Using some electronics – including Rhodes, Prophet and trumpet effects – the band defies categorization and, in Jeremy’s words, “isn’t about a change in direction as much as it’s about strengthening my commitment to my art at present.” -[::: Editorial Review | Amazon.com :::]-

Track Listings
1. Reimagine the World
2. Mystique
3. In Dreams
4. Boom Bishop
5. Meditations on a Conversation We Had
6. Stay
7. Pieces of a Dream
8. Prior Convictions
9. Butterfly Dreams

Kendrick Scott ORACLE -][- CONVICTION – [Concord Jazz, 2013] –

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African American, Alan Hampton, Bandleader, Composer, Concord Jazz, Derrick Hodge, Drummer, Joe Sanders, John Ellis, Kendrick Scott, Mike Moreno, Taylor Eigsti

KENDRICK SCOTT ORACLE – CONVICTION

Kendrick Scott ORACLE -][- CONVICTION – [Concord Jazz, 2013]

With the 2007 release of The Source – his debut recording as a leader – drummer and composer Kendrick Scott established a reputation right out of the gate as an explorer, someone with a generous measure of wisdom and insight to counterbalance his youth and newcomer status.

Nearly six years later, Scott and his band continue to dig beneath the surface to find the deeper truths in Conviction, their new CD scheduled for release on Concord Jazz on March 26, 2013 (international release dates may vary). As the title suggests, Conviction is the vehicle by which Kendrick and company look past the mundane and examine the motivating forces that propel us through life, even in those times when the greater truths are obscured by the tedium of the everyday.

Pamela Williams -][- CHRISTMAS WITH THE SAXTRESS – [Saxtress Entertainment, 2012]-

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African American, Pamela Williams, Saxophonist, Saxtress Entertainment

Pamela Williams, Christmas With The Saxstress

Pamela Williams -][- CHRISTMAS WITH THE SAXTRESS –Mp3– [Saxtress Entertainment, 2012]

Pamela Williams music and saxophone style has enchanted many listeners for years. Since she debuted her first CD in 1996, she has had Billboard-charting success with several of her nine CDs. Pamela Williams is undoubtedly, one of the most popular performers on today’s smooth jazz scene. And now she has recorded a long-awaited Christmas CD. She adds her distinct sound and jazzy flavor to some of the most popular Christmas songs ever recorded.

Pamela Williams is not only an incredible saxophonist, she plays flute, piano, as is a very well-respected producer, which definitely contributes to her unique style. Her fans have requested a CD like this from her for years and it is finally here! “Christmas With The Saxtress” is a must have in your music collection.

::: SOURCE: CDBaby.com :::

Saxophonist KENNY GARRETT Receives Critical Acclaim on Latest Album, Seeds From The Underground

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African American, Composer, DL Media, Kenny Garrett, Mack Avenue Records, NAACP Image Award Nomination, Saxophonist

Project Receives a Wide Range of Award Nominations and Press Accolades

Kenny Garrett on the Cover of DownBeat Magazine

2013 GRAMMY® Awards Nominations:
Best Improvised Jazz Solo: “J. Mac”

Best Jazz Instrumental Album

2013 ECHO Jazz Awards Nomination:
International Instrumentalist of the Year

2013 NAACP Image Award Nomination:
Outstanding Jazz Album

2012 Soul Train Award Nomination:
Best Traditional Jazz Artist

2012 DownBeat Readers Poll Winner:
Best Alto Saxophonist

Lori Williams -][- Eclipse of the Soul – [Pacific Coast Jazz, 2012] –

Tags

African American, Lori Williams, Pacific Coast Jazz

Greeting’s everyone, I can’t believe that I almost missed out on this beautiful record by one of the best in the business vocalist Lori Williams. Nonetheless, it’s better late then never! I’m elated to invite you to feast your ears on her amazing, soulful and jazz influenced album appropriately titled “Eclipse of the Soul.” –Rob Young | Urban Flux Media

Lori Williams, Eclipse of the Soul

Lori Williams -][- Eclipse of the Soul –Mp3– [Pacific Coast Jazz, 2012]

“Lori Williams is a lot more than just a singer, songwriter, and performer. If you were to judge her on these things alone, you would have to conclude you where dealing with one of the finest artists of our era, an eventual legend and, I have no doubt, time will prove me right. I think music aficionados who listen to this project will agree that these tracks step her toward this destiny. Let me add a little fuel to this fire. Lori’s lead vocal recording is all original – no vocal overdubs, no re-tracking, and almost no vocal fixes (come on… no one is perfect). When we recorded the material, I had her record “scratch vocals” with the intent of throwing them out and recording the REAL lead vocals later (as is customary). Well, that’s NOT what happened… you are listening to the unaltered scratch vocal.

Stephen Scott -][- SOMETHING TO CONSIDER – [Verve REcords, 2013] –

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African American, Composer, Pianist, Stephen Scott, Verve Records

Stephen Scott, SOMETHING TO CONSIDER [2013]

Stephen Scott -][- SOMETHING TO CONSIDER –Mp3– [Verve Records, 2013] –

“When I play, I’m told I’m very intense,” Verve pianist Stephen Scott said recently. “That’s because I’m not out there to gimmick or show off technique. I’m playing to get to the meat of the music. To be honest. That’s what Betty Carter always told me, ‘be honest’.”

Clear acknowledgement of his promise, his honesty, his awakening genius, Aminah’s Dream continues the brilliance. As with Something to Consider, released in ’91, Scott wrote the majority of the compositions for this recording. Eventually a trio date (augmented by horns) Aminah’s Dream features the eternal duo, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Elvin Jones. Called upon to lend their knowledge, power and support, Scott admits, “In writing the music for this date, I had them in mind.” The admiration is mutual – when they finished the session, Jones was so impressed he said, “I’d love to take him (Scott) home with me!”

Lynne Fiddmont -][- SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS – [Midlife Records, 2012 ] –

Tags

African American, Lynne Fiddmont, Midlife Records, Songwriter, Vocalist

Lynne Fiddmont, SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

Lynne Fiddmont -][- SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS –Mp3– [Midlife Records, 2012 ]

A delightfully cozy companion that pairs perfectly with brandy and eggnog while trimming the tree. Spirit of Christmas is a combination of classics and a few original compositions. A great follow up to Lynne Fiddmont’s, Lady!