Gregory Porter -][- Water – [Motéma Music, 2010] –

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African American, Gregory Porter, Jazz, Jazz Vocalists, Motéma Music

Gregory Potter - Water

Gregory Porter ::|:: Water – [Motéma Music, 2010]

::BIO:: Gregory Porter discovered the music of Nat King Cole through his mother. At the age of five he wrote a song called “Once Upon A Time, I Had A Dreamboat” and recorded it onto a tape. When his mother returned home from work and heard it, she exclaimed in amazement “Boy, you sound like Nat King Cole.” From that moment on, Gregory had a desire to know more about this man and his music, and spent hours playing his mother’s old Cole records on his plastic Playskool record player. Since then, Gregory’s passion and commitment to expressing himself through music has remained strong, and he has developed a distinct style that ranges from jazz, funk, R&B, blues and gospel – one that is soulful while still maintaining the elegance he learned from his earlier influences.

Resonance Records to Release Angela Hagenbach’s Label Debut

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African American, Angela Hagenbach, Female Vocalist, Jazz, Jazz Vocalists

The Way They Make Me Feel, A Collection of Tunes from the Songbooks of Michel Legrand, Henry Mancini and Johnny Mandel!

Angela Hagenbach

For Angela Hagenbach’s debut album on Resonance Records, The Way They Make Me Feel, producer George Klabin devised a unique approach: most contemporary jazz vocal albums are a hodge podge of various songs by different writers, while others are songbooks devoted to a single composer or lyricist. The Way They Make Me Feel, contrastingly, combines the best songs of three venerated musical giants whose work collectively defines a key era of American music: Michel Legrand, Henry Mancini, and Johnny Mandel. Hagenbach reports that Klabin thought of the album title – a play on the Legrand classic “The Way He Makes Me Feel” (from Yentl) even before the two of them had finished selecting the songs. Pre-selecting the title was a new approach for the Kansas City-based singer who served as producer and AR director on each of her five previous albums for her own label, Amazon Records® “My methods are quite different,” she says, “yet each of my projects has its own uniqueness. I’m certainly pleased with the results of this debut.”

Nu Voices [Soundcheck, Generet & Janzen]

Tags

Fusion, Jazz, Jazz Vocalists, World Music

Hi everyone, it’s been awhile since we shared with you a few “nu-voices.” It’s certainly our delight to spring on you from within the essence of jazz in all it’s splendor are three fresh and unique artists. Enjoy!

Soundcheck | II

Soundcheck II

Second album of the band- Four musically educated individual-each with their own unique style brought together,paying close attention to the quality of the sound, creativeness with good taste, critics’ appreciation, international rewards and respect.

Soundcheck was founded in 2002, but current members have been playing together since the end of 2003. The group is formed by young, but expierienced musicians. The band’s repertoire contains not only the compositions written by the leader – Maciej “Kocin” Kocinski, but also by the remaining members, as well as new arrangments of the jazz standards. – CDBaby.com

Johnny Hartman | For Trane [Classic Jazz]

Tags

African American, Jazz Vocalists

Johnny Hartman

The baritone achieved his greatest fame with John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman, an all-ballad album from 1962 that set Hartman’s richly sonorous voice amid Coltrane‘s quartet in some of its quietest moments. Most of Hartman’s sparse recorded output puts the same emphasis on his warmly lyrical work at slower tempos, but this CD is different. It’s a selection from two LPs recorded in Japan in 1972, with the first five tracks from a tribute to Trane and the final seven from Hartman’s meeting with trumpeter Terumasa Hino.

Arnold McCuller – Sabor [New Music]

Tags

African American, Jazz, Jazz Vocalists, Latin Jazz

Arnold McCuller, "Sabor"

Arnold says: “This is a Latin Jazz flavored (Sabor meaning flavored or tasty) collection of original compositions. My first of all original words.”

At some point in your life you have heard Arnold McCuller’s rich and distinctive vocals that have captured the hearts and ears of many well-respected musicians and fans alike. Long time featured vocalist with some of the best recording artist around, including Phil Collins and James Taylor.

ARNOLD MCCULLER SABOR WGR   RELEASE MAY 2008   I have been recording solo since 1984, first on AVI Records and then an album on the Virgin label.  But everything subsequent has been comfortably independent.  My label is What’s Good Records. Distributed by Sumthing Distribution.  Previous titles:  The Part of Me That’s You, Exception to the Rule, Can’t Go Back, Back to Front, Live at The Baked Potato, and Circa 1990. – Arnold McCuller – CDBaby.com

Heads Up International Signs A Cappella Jazz Legends Take 6

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African American, Gospel, Heads Up, Jazz Vocalists

New Album Includes Guests Aaron Neville, And Others; Set For Release In August 2008

Take 6

Heads Up International, one of the world’s premier crossover jazz labels, today announced the signing of an exclusive recording agreement with the a cappella jazz group Take 6. Heirs to the rich tradition of the doo-wop and gospel groups of 1950s, and leaders in the second wave of jazz and pop vocal groups that emerged in the 1990s, Take 6 will make their Heads Up debut with a yet-to-be-titled album of jazz standards and originals scheduled for release in August 2008.

“Take 6 is arguably the greatest a cappella jazz group of all time,” says Dave Love, President of Heads Up International. “For the past twenty years, they’ve proven their vocal mastery in a variety of genres and they’ve worked with some of the biggest names in jazz and R&B. Musically and spiritually, they’ve enriched the lives of every person they’ve come in contact with. We are excited and very proud to count them among the Heads Up ranks.” – Heads Up International

Go here, for further information about one of today’s most exciting vocal groups Take 6.

Vocalist and pianist Rachelle Ferrell captured live [Video]

Tags

African American, Jazz, Jazz Vocalists, Piano, Soul, Video

Ladies and gents, if you haven’t heard Rachelle Ferrell sing, perform and play then you’ve missed a true talent. Nonetheless, thanks to YouTube for giving us the opportunity to share magical moments like this with you.

Cassandra Wilson -|- Loverly [Review]

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African American, Blue Note Records, Cassandra Wilson, Female Vocalist, Jazz, Jazz Vocalists

Cassandra Wilson, Loverly

Cassandra Wilson -|- Loverly [Blue Note, 2008] Review

The enormity of vocalist Cassandra Wilson songbook has grown considerably since her debut on Blue Note Records. Now, as the summer arrives she blesses us with another stunning recording titled “Loverly.” As jazz enthusiast, we know the competition is steep within the ranks of jazz vocalist. Nonetheless, Cassandra continues to out rival her peers as one of the premier female vocalists in jazz.

Great songs, style and strong vocal presence are the foundation of what has always captivated me about Ms. Wilson as a vocalist. With her new album, she still amazes even the doubters and haters as she croons poetically within the context of fluent organic nuances and visionary interpretations on these compelling classic songs.

Kool Jazz for The Summer

Tags

African American, Instrumentalist, Jazz Vocalists, New Music

Hello music lovers! If you’re like me, your thirst for quality music is never ending. Here’s three extremely hot jazz recordings to cool out with and savor this summer season.

Cassandra Wilson, Loverly

“Long considered one of the finest singers in the jazz world, Cassandra Wilson’s new album “Loverly” is a tour de force of emotion, technique, interpretation and style as she brings her considerable powers to this collection of classic songs.” – Amazon.com

The Yellowjackets - Lifecycle

“Lifecycle” is, in some respects, two albums in one. Seven of the ten tracks are quintet pieces featuring guitarist Mike Stern and the YellowJackets, while the remaining three are quartet pieces that showcase the individual and collective talents of the current Yellowjackets lineup: keyboardist Russell Ferrante, saxophonist Bob Mintzer, bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer Marcus Baylor. Whatever the combinations and permutations, it’s all good.” – Amazon.com

Esperanza Spalding

“Esperanza,” bassist/vocalist/composer Esperanza Spalding’s debut on Heads Up International, is set for worldwide release on May 20, 2008. Armed with uncanny instrumental chops, a siren voice that spans three languages, and composing and arranging skills that weave together the best elements of the old-school with the progressive, this 23-year-old has crafted a debut album that takes a completely fresh and refreshing approach to jazz by borrowing from the rich traditions of soul, pop, world music and so much more.” – Amazon.com