Gregory Porter Receives Grammy Nomination!

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African American, Gregory Porter, Motéma Music, Vocalist

Phenomenal soul/jazz singer Gregory Porter’s “Real Good Hands” off his dynamite Motéma Music release Be Good, has received a Best Traditional R&B Performance nomination for the 55th Annual Grammy® Awards, broadcasting live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 10, 2013. This marks Porter’s second Grammy nomination. His first was in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category for Water, his breakthrough debut album (a rare feat), which was released in 2010 and featured the international hit “1960 What?“.

“Porter fuses jazz and soul better than anybody working these days…
Very Highly Recommended.” –Soul Tracks

“Gregory Porter is…not only a powerful new voice in jazz, but…undoubtedly the real deal with unbridled staying power in the realm of pop, soul and gospel as well.” –The Urban Flux

Gregory Porter, Real Good Hands

The heavily buzzed Be Good has surpassed expectations of fans and critics alike, many of who hail it as even better than the critically acclaimed Water. Writes All About Jazz, “If Water heralded the arrival of the next big name in vocal jazz, then Be Good makes it clear that Porter still has plenty to say”. On “Real Good Hands” Porter speaks from the heart as the soulful spirit of the ’70s, epitomized by such artists as Lou Rawls and the Chi Lights, echoes forth in style.

Hurricane Sandy Jazz Benefit Concert Sponsored by Truth Revolution Records, Revive Music Group, Motema Music, and DL Media – Thursday, November 8 at Le Poisson Rouge

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and DL Media, Hurricane Sandy Jazz Benefit Concert, Motéma Music, Revive Music Group, Truth Revolution Records

Truth Revolution Records, Revive Music Group, Motéma Music and DL Media are proud to join forces to bring the jazz community together for one night to raise much needed funds for the victims of Hurricane Sandy in the outer boroughs. The concert is being sponsored by the Jazz Foundation of America to offer support to the many jazz musicians that have been directly affected. Please join us at Le Poisson Rouge (158 Bleeker St., between Sullivan & 5th Ave.) this Thursday, November 8, 2012 from 9PM to 2AM where a number of musicians from the New York community and beyond, including David Weiss & Point of Departure, Julian Lage, Gregory Hutchinson, Jesse Fischer, Philip Dizack, Manner Effect, Richie Barshay and many others, will come together in an evening filled with music that will inspire and touch many to give generously for Hurricane Sandy victims.

Critics Sign Off On Joe Locke

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Composer, Geoffrey Keezer, Joe Locke, Mike Pope, Motéma Music, Pianist, Terreon Gully, Vibraphonist

THE JOE LOCKE/GEOFFREY KEEZER GROUP’S SIGNING SOARS

Joe Locke.Geoffrey Keezer Group, SIGNING

“lush and hot-blooded” –JazzTimes

* * * * * “here’s one of those albums that stays in the mind for all the right reasons: great melodic content, interesting time signatures and a sense of real connection between the musicians concerned.” – Jazz Journal

Jazz Historian, Producer & Wine Expert Gary Carner Journeys Forth with PEPPER ADAMS’ JOY ROAD

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Alexis Cole, Baritone Sax, DL Media, Eric Alexander, FRANK BASILE, Motéma Music, Pepper Adams

2 CDs, Digital Box Set, and New Book Honoring

The Compositional Genius of Baritone Sax Legend Pepper Adams

National Book & Music Tour with Wine Tastings, August 20 to November 3

Joy Road Sampler

Available September 11 from Motéma Music:

JOY ROAD: SAMPLER (CD)
Features 11 Highlight Tracks from The Complete Works of Pepper Adams Five Volume Set

I CARRY YOUR HEART: ALEXIS COLE SINGS PEPPER ADAMS (CD)
The World Premiere Recordings of Pepper Adams Music Paired with Lyrics

JOY ROAD: THE COMPLETE WORKS OF PEPPER ADAMS (DIGITAL BOX SET)
Five Volume, 51 Song Set with Detailed Historical Notes

Stream Tracks from the JOY ROAD SAMPLER

Five Motéma Artists Among Nominees Of The 11th Independent Music Awards

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JC Stylles, Malika Zarra, Monty Alexander, Motéma Music, Randy Weston, Rene Marie

Independent Music Awards Nominee

Recordings by Motéma artists Monty Alexander, Randy Weston, Malika Zarra, René Marie, and JC Stylles are among the nominees named by Music Resource Group (MRG) for The 11th Independent Music Awards (The IMAs), the influential awards program for independent bands and fans.

Two Motéma projects were nominated in the “Live Performance Album” category, both of which were recorded live at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola: Monty Alexander’s Harlem-Kingston Express Live! , and NEA Jazz Master Randy Weston & his African Rhythms Sextet’s The Storyteller . Nominated in the “Jazz Album” category is vocalist René Marie’s outrageous emancipation proclamation, Black Lace Freudian Slip and Australian guitar ace JC Stylles’ album Exhilaration & Other States . In the “World Beat Album” category, Moroccan artist Malika Zarra is honored for her outstanding CD Berber Taxi .

Gregory Porter -[|]- Be Good – [Motéma Music, 2012 | Review]

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African American, Brian Bacchus, Gregory Porter, Jazz, Male Vocalist, Motéma Music

Gregory Porter, BE GOOD

Gregory Porter -[|]- Be Good -(MP3)- [Motéma Music, 2012 | Review]

From the beginning, vocalist Gregory Porter emerged on the music scene in 2010 with one of the most talked about debut recordings in recent memory to eventually land at the number position on both iTunes and Amazon in the U.K. with his soulful and inspiring debut titled “Water” on Motéma Music. In the present tense, songwriter and vocalist extraordinaire Gregory Porter promptly returns with his incomparable lyrical bravado to masterfully uncover another brilliant and tasteful portrait of great songs on “Be Good” produced by the Brian Bacchus.

With his sophomore effort in the works, Porter summon veteran producer Brian Bacchus to the studio to add his touch to eleven of the twelve songs on “Be Good.” Bacchus has many successes to his credit including Norah Jones, Cassandra Wilson, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, and Lizz Wright along with a host of others. Accompanying Porter on this project is his working band featuring: the incredible Chip Crawford [piano], Aaron James on [bass], Emanuel Harrold plays drums along with Kamau Kenyatta and Yosuke Sato on saxophones. Also guest appearances by Keyon Harrold on trumpet and Tivon Pennicott on tenor horn.

Dennis Rollins Velocity Trio -][- The 11th Gate [Motéma Music, 2011]

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Arranger, Composer, Dennis Rollins, Jazz, Motéma Music, Producer, Trombone

At the end of 2011, there where some exception jazz recordings released. Case in point, this remarkable funk laced gem by trombonist Dennis Rollins Velocity Trio debuts with his extraordinary album on Motéma Music titled “The 11th Gate.” I’m sure that most listener’s that encounter “The 11th Gate” is stunned by the power, finesse, dexterity, and energy released throughout these electrifying voices on this dynamic new recording by Dennis Rollins. As music aficionados, you simply don’t want to miss out on this jewel!–Rob Young | The Urban Flux

Dennis Rollins Velocity Trio, The 11th Gate

Dennis Rollins Velocity Trio -][- The 11th Gate (MP3) – [Motéma Music, 2011]

On his Motéma debut, the torrentially talented multi-award winning British-Jamaican jazz and funk star, Dennis Rollins (of Maceo Parker band fame), and his Velocity Trio, unleash their imaginations on The 11th Gate , with compositions ranging from terra- firma straight-ahead jazz, funk and ‘choral gospel’ horns.

“Irresistible: take The 11th Gate at the first opportunity” – Jazzwise

[Biography] – Born in Birmingham, England in 1964 of Jamaican parents, Dennis cut his teeth at the age of 14 studying and performing with The Doncaster Youth Jazz Association. After years of concentrated study Dennis moved to London where his unique approach to the instrument was immediately and appreciatively recognized resulting in numerous offers of work.

On May 10, 2011 | Motéma Music Releases MOJAVE from NILSON MATTA & RONI BEN-HUR

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Bass, Guitar, Jazz, Motéma Music, Nilson Matta, Roni Ben-Hur

CD Release Celebrations For Mojave:

Nilson Matta & Roni Ben-Hur - MOJAVE

May 25 @ 7:00 PM – SOKA University – Roni Ben-Hur (guitar), Nilson Matta (bass), Peter Sarik (piano), Juli Fabian (vocals, debut American performance!), David Hodek (drums)
Campus Green Stage, http://www.Soka.edu

May 27 @ 7:00 PM – Dizzy’s @ The San Diego Wine & Culinary Center – Roni Ben-Hur (guitar), Nilson Matta (bass), Peter Sarik (piano), Juli Fabian (vocals), David Hodek (drums)
Harbor Club Towers @ 2nd Avenue & J Street, San Diego, CA, http://www.Dizzysjazz.com

Motéma Music will release RUFUS REID’S – HUES OF A DIFFERENT BLUE

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African American, Bobby Watson, Duduka Da Fonseca, Freddie Hendrix, J.D. Allen, Jazz, Motéma Music, Rufus Reid, Steve Allee, Toninho Horta

On April 12, 2011 – Motéma Music will release
RUFUS REID’S – HUES OF A DIFFERENT BLUE
The Brilliant Follow Up to Out Front (2010, Motéma Music)

Rufus Reid & Out Front - Hues of a Different Blue

Featuring the Out Front Trio of Reid, Steve Allee (piano) & Duduka Da Fonseca (drums), with very special guests, legendary saxophonist Bobby Watson, trumpeter Freddie Hendrix, saxophonist J.D. Allen & master Brazilian composer/guitarist Toninho Horta

***To view a special, behind-the-scenes video on the making of Hues of a Different Blue (produced by Suzi Reynolds)
please visit http://www.Redcatpublicity.com and click on the “what’s new” page***

“Reid is the man to call for any musical situation that demands both the utmost skill and impeccable taste…his luscious sound and buoyant swing can levitate an ensemble clear off the bandstand.” – The New Yorker

“His work is a virtual catalog of modern bass technique, tempered by his infallible musicianship. The man has taste…he consistently offers up an earthy tone, flawless intonation, and fluid fingerwork. Plus, you can set the clock by his impeccable time.” – DownBeat

“Reid and his colleagues managed an impressive feat: expressing a hard-core blues sensibility while retaining the high tonal sheen that defines this ensemble. The combined eloquence of Reid’s imperturbable bass lines, Allee’s harmonically advanced pianism and Da Fonseca’s multi-layered rhythms on drums made this the high point. The musicians cohered as a trio functioning as a single unit rather than three distinct sources of sound. Reid stands as one of the most versatile bassists in mainstream jazz.” – The Chicago Tribune

Gregory Porter -][- WATER – [Motéma Music, 2010 | Review] –

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African American, Gregory Porter, Jazz, Male Vocalist, Motéma Music

Gregory Porter - Water

Gregory Porter -][- “Water” – [Motéma Music, 2010 | Review]

Born in LA, and raised in Bakersfield, CA and currently residing in Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn, NY. Vocal artist extraordinaire Gregory Porter has found a new dwelling place to call home and execute his unyielding talent on the New York and global music scene.

Porter’s debut “Water,” is on the internationally independent record label Motéma Music. It’s produced by the multi-facet saxophonist, pianist and composer Kamau Kenyatta. Grammy winning jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis says Porter is “a fantastic young singer.”