Carol Robbins “Moraga” Jazzcats-108 Street Date: August 7, 2012

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Billy Childs, Carol Robbins, Darek Oles, Gary Novak, Harp, Larry Koonse

It’s not often we have an opportunity to listen to the harp played in this context, superbly unveiled by composer and harpist Carol Robbins these For many of you I’m sure that you’re aware of this gifted musician, with her latest journey she takes jazz into a new dimension artistically with mesmerizing originals are engulfed in a sea of melodic-ism like you’ve never heard before on “MORAGA.” On this outing, she enlists some of the best in the business to perform on this project. When pianist Billy Childs name appeared, this reminded me that Carol played with Childs on his Grammy Award-winning recording “Lyric” (Jazz – Chamber Music, Vol. 1) back in 2005. Robbins adorable collection here is absolutely contagious and genuinely alluring. If you dig tightly-knitted interplay and incredible arrangements then I’m sure you’ll love this sublime offering by harpist Carol Robbins. —Rob Young | Urban Flux Media

Carol Robbins: Harp | Billy Childs: Piano | Larry Koonse: Guitar | Darek Oles: bass | Gary Novak: Drums

Carol Robbins, MORAGA

Jazz harpist Carol Robbins beautifully demonstrates her growing stature as a musician and composer on her latest CD Moraga. Her experience as a member of the Billy Childs’ Jazz Chamber Ensemble is vividly reflected in this sophisticated and distinctive project. A new freedom of expression and bold approach in her work is evident throughout. As her skill grows she continues to reveal the warmth and lyricism which has always been an integral part of her playing.

Pianist/Composer Billy Childs wins a Grammy for The Path Among the Trees!

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African American, Billy Childs, Jazz, Piano

Congratulations to pianist and composer Billy Childs for winning his second Grammy Award, and kudos my brother for another stunning album!

Billy Childs Ensemble - Autumn - In Moving Pictures

“A huge victory for fan-funded music!”

On February 13th at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards Billy Childs won the Grammy for “Best Instrumental Composition” for The Path Among the Trees. The composition was the first track on his latest ArtistShare Fan-Funded recording Autumn – In Moving Pictures.

A HUGE thanks goes out to all of the ArtistShare participants that made this project happen. We did it!

..:: SOURCE: ArtistShare.com ::..

What are Your ‘FAVORITE JAZZ ALBUMS’ for 2010?

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Billy Childs, Esperanza Spalding, Gregory Porter, Jason Moran, Kenneth Whalum III, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Tia Fuller, Vijay Iyer

Cheers and seasons’ greetings my fellow jazz aficionados, “Happy Holidays“! As you know, this year end is rapidly coming to and end. Some may argue, but I must say this has been a very good year musically. With that said, I usually don’t put much thought into what album is the best or not. However, after receiving a few e-mails in reference to what I considered the “Top Jazz Albums for 2010?” I decided to scroll through the pages and withdraw some info from what’s been posted here and see what I can come up with.

Keep in mind, this list of albums are just some of my favorite recordings which by the way they’re not in a particular order. Just for the fun of it, be sure and post your favorite jazz albums in the comments section of this post.

-))- Esperanza Spalding, CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
-))- Billy Childs Ensemble, IN MOVING PICTURES
-))- Tia Fuller, DECISIVE STEPS
-))- Maurice Brown, THE CYCLE OF LOVE
-))- Kurt Rosenwinkel and OJM, OUR SECRET WORLD
-))- Kenneth Whalum III, To Those Who Believe (Added: 2/3/11)
-))- Jason Moran, TEN
-))- Christian Scott, YESTERDAY YOU SAID TOMORROW
-))- Chucho Valdes and Afro Cuban Messengers, Chucho’s Steps (Added: 2/3/11)
-))- Gregory Porter, WATER
-))- Myron Walden In This World, WHAT WE SHARE
-))- Danilo Perez, Providencia (Added: 2/3/11)
-))- Suresh Singaratnam, LOST IN NEW YORK
-))- Buselli & Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, Mezzanine (Added: 2/3/11)
-))- Howard Wiley, 12 GATES TO THE CITY
-))- Kevin Eubanks, ZEN FOOD
-))- Brad Mehldau, HIGHWAY RIDER
-))- Manu Katché, THIRD ROUND
-))- Justin Janer, FOLLOWING THE SIGNS
-))- Stanley Clarke, THE STANLEY CLARKE BAND
-))- Vijay Iyer, SOLO

Check out these valuable resources below for their perspective of what the TOP JAZZ RECORDS for 2010 are …

Flux Music Essentials … [Childs, Coltrane, Hiromi, e.s.t. & Ritenour]

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Billy Childs, e.s.t., Hiromi, Jazz, Lee Ritenour, Ravi Coltrane

Flux Music Essentials

Whass up jazzy people, it’s great to be back in the groove with a few more titles from the shelves of Flux Music Essentials … on today, I’ve got one of my favorite pianist Billy Childs and his Grammy Winning masterpiece titled “Lyric.” As you know, fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree, saxophonist Ravi Coltrane stirs up the pot with the infallible “In Flux” his 2005 project. A fascinating pianist/keyboardist from Japan named Hiromi rips the eighty-eights like nobodies business on her mind numbing release “Time Control.” Europeans jazz enthusiast sorely misses one of the finest innovative pianist in the world named Esbjörn Svensson and his Trio release “Viaticum.” Finally, a gentleman who’s synonymous when it comes to modern guitar Lee Ritenour and his 1993 tribute – “We Bound” on GRP Records to the most influential guitarist in the world Wes Montgomery.

Billy Childs Ensemble - Lyric

Billy Childs Ensemble | Lyric (Jazz Chamber Music Vol-1) – [Lunacy Music/ArtistShare, 2002]

After about two decades of releases as a leader, Billy Childs continues to produce cutting edge performances of his compositions and arrangements at the highest level of musicianship. This latest recording is his most solid work as a leader. It is worth a listen for anyone who is interested in serious music with lyric qualities.

For the past several years, Billy has not released any CDs with himself as a leader that primarily feature his own compositions, but “In Carson’s Eyes” gets things off to a hypnotically beautiful start by telling a musical story that is full of brilliant intricacies. “Goodbye, Friend” and “Prelude in Bb Major” both demonstrate his uncanny ability to move effortlessly between classical music and jazz while at times seeming to give a nod of acknowledgement to Pat Metheny. “Into the Light” is a Grammy Award winning composition that demonstrates a torrent of virtuosity and unpredictable intensity that would be worthy of an artist whose skill reminds the listener of Chick Corea without sounding like Chick Corea in any way.

Billy Childs Ensemble | Autumn: In Moving Pictures

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African American, Billy Childs, Jazz, Piano

Billy Childs Ensemble - Autumn In Moving Pictures

Billy Childs Ensemble .:|:. Autumn: In Moving Pictures – [ArtistShare, 2010]

Billy Childs had falling leaves on his mind when he began to think about the music for his new ArtistShare CD, “Autumn: In Moving Pictures.” The GRAMMY-winning pianist composer was driving in upstate New York in October. “And I kept watching the trees as they rushed by the window, ” he recalls. ‘Just beautiful. It was the source of why this whole album exists. Being from Los Angeles, you hardly ever see colors like that. So when you do, it makes a real profound impression.”

Billy Childs | Take For Example This

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African American, Billy Childs, Jazz, Piano

Extraordinary is the word when it comes to describing pianist Billy Childs … his 1988 debut on Windham Jill Jazz titled “Take for Example This” by the Grammy winner is still within and arms reach in my music collection. Without hesitation, I boldly say this remarkable talent and a gifted artist voice should be heard and embraced by music enthusiast. The versatile Childs has recently worked as the music director for smooth jazz trumpet player Chris Botti. Stay tuned, for the follow up to his award winning “Lyric.” His forthcoming record is appropriately titled, “Jazz Chamber Music Vol II” which is due out early 2010″ via ArtistShare. Word has it, Childs shaped this jewel with the same intense innovative spirit as he brilliantly executed on “Lyric.” ~ Rob Young | The Urban Flux

Billy Childs | Take For Example This – [Windham Hill Jazz, 1988]

Billy Childs

This early effort from Los Angeles-based pianist and composer Billy Childs starts out on a decent level and gets stronger as it goes along. Childs is a versatile writer whose compositions are creative and complex post-bop. His piano playing on this set sometimes recalls Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea, but already shows strong signs of his emerging musical personality. With excellent playing from Bob Sheppard on tenor, flute, and soprano on six of the eight selections (all Childs originals) and a couple tight rhythm sections, Billy Childs’ early set is well worth searching for. – Scott Yanno

Source: AllMusic.com also, please visit www.billychilds.com.

Freddie Hubbard -||- SKAGLY – [Columbia Records, 1980 | Review]

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African American, Billy Childs, Carl Burnett, Columbia Records, Freddie Hubbard, George Duke, Hadley Caliman, Jazz, Larry Klein, Trumpet

Freddie Hubbard, SKAGLY

Freddie Hubbard -||- SKAGLY –Mp3– [Columbia Records, 1980 | Review]

Perhaps, like a lot of you, the eighties were a transition point musically and thankfully, my taste matured significantly and began to evolve beyond the dreadful late seventies “disco” era.

On this occasion, I have the pleasure to review the esteemed and legendary trumpeter Freddie Hubbard who began his career in the late fifties and early sixties with brothers Wes and Monk Montgomery. One of the most distinguish moments of his career are based around his Blue Note recording days. They’re probably his best, they say, at least from a jazz purists perspective. However, for those of us who aren’t as deep have a diverse platter and believes that some of Freddie’s contemporary recordings are of importance as well.