Ninety Miles performing City Sunrise from Live At Cubadisco

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Christian Scott, Concord Music Group, David Sanchez, Harold Lopez-Nussa, Ninety Miles, Rember Duharte, Stefon Harris

Harris, Sanchez & Scott, NINETY MILES Live at Cubadisco

Heralded as one of the “Best Jazz Albums of 2011” by NPR’s A Blog Supreme, the critically acclaimed Ninety Miles cast: vibraphonist Stefon Harris, saxophonist David Sánchez, trumpeter Christian Scott along with Rember Duharte and Harold López-Nussa, are captured for their first & only live performance on the release that inspired the original cross-cultural project: Ninety Miles Live at Cubadisco.

Perhaps better than any politician or diplomat, musicians — especially jazz musicians, whose craft is in many ways an improvised form of communication — understand inherently that when we look at each other as individuals and focus on the similarities, the divide between us is actually very short — less than a hundred miles.

Ninety Miles performing City Sunrise from Live At Cubadisco
Link: to the Live Performance!

Clayton Brothers Team Up With Wycliffe Gordon and Stefon Harris on New ArtistShare Release, The Gathering, Available November 6

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Acoustic Bass, African American, Alto Saxophone, ArtistShare, Clayton Brothers, Flute, Gerald Clayton, Jeff Clayton, John Clayton, Obed Calvaire, Stefon Harris, Terrell Stafford, Wycliffe Gordon

“John Clayton is one of the most technically imposing bassists in jazz… Jeff maintains a sweet, preaching delivery; the Adderley influence runs deep in him.” – The New York Times

Clayton Brothers, THE GATHERING

“John and Jeff Clayton are two of the most soulful, swinging siblings on the planet.” – NPR “JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater”

Stream Tracks From The Gathering

A new Clayton Brothers release is always a family affair – not only due to the actual blood ties of siblings John and Jeff Clayton and son/nephew Gerald, but in the sense that quintet-mates Terell Stafford and Obed Calvaire have become part of the Claytons’ extended musical family through years of touring and recording.

Harris, Sánchez and Scott -][- Ninety Miles Live At Cubadisco – [Concord Picante, 2012] –

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African American, Christian Scott, Concord Music Group, Concord Picante, David Sanchez, Harold Lopez-Nussa, Latin Culture, Rember Duharte, Saxophonist, Stefon Harris, trumpeter, Vibraphonist

Harris, Sánchez & Scott, NINETY MILES Live at Cubadisco

Harris, Sánchez and Scott -][- Ninety Miles Live At Cubadisco –Mp3– [Concord Picante, 2012] –

Perhaps better than any politician or diplomat, musicians – especially jazz musicians, whose craft is in many ways an improvised form of communication – understand inherently that when we look at each other as individuals and focus on the similarities, the divide between us is actually very short – less than a hundred miles.

Vibraphonist Stefon Harris, saxophonist David Sánchez and trumpeter Christian Scott first crossed that divide on their acclaimed two-disc CD/DVD package, Ninety Miles, released June 21, 2011. Recorded during the same trip, their first and only live performance, Ninety Miles Live At Cubadisco, is set for special U.S. digital release September 25, 2012 (international release dates may vary) on Concord Picante.

Flux Jazz Essentials for 2011?

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African American, Ambrose Akinmusire, Bass, Ben Williams, Christian Scott, David Binney, David Sanchez, Drums, Eric Harland, Fabian Almazan, Female Vocalist, Flux Jazz Essentials 2011, Flux Music Essentials, Gerald Clayton, Gretchen Parlato, Hiromi, Itai Kriss, Joshua Redman, Miguel Zenón, Miles Español, Piano, Rez Abbasi, Saxophone, Sean Jones, Stefon Harris, Terri Lyne Carrington, Trumpet, Yellowjackets

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to my fellow jazz enthusiasts, as always it’s great to be with you. Although, it’s been an extremely stressful year economically and politically for so many globally I’m thankful regardless for those of us who are still here despite the mayhem that’s currently causing all this strife and pain. With that said, as a optimist times like this has a tendency to draw us closer to our love ones, make new friends and on the entertainment side of the spectrum expand our music collection to give us a positive outlet to delve into. In this case, as music goes so far this has been an exceptional year jazz wise. Therefore, this among many reasons led me to return and share with you a few of my favorite jazz albums that I stumbled into this year. If you haven’t, I hope that you find time to listen some of these titles (their well worth your effort). If not, please share with us some of your favorite recordings you’ve embraced this year. Thanks in advance, I’ll be delighted to hear from you!

The following selections in no particular order are some of my favorite Jazz albums for 2011!

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In my absence, I appreciate those of you who drop by and followed me on Twitter at your convince. One thing for sure, I plan to return in the near future to continue sharing with you some of the finest jazz, news, and reviews available.

Until then, take care and God bless.

Rob Young |The Urban Flux [… is jazz with abstract xpressions shaped by vibrant and unique voices!]

New JAZZ Releases for the Week of 6/21/2011

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Christian Scott, David Sanchez, Jazz, Stefon Harris

Greeting’s jazz aficionados, as always I’m delighted to present the latest jazz releases this week. With each visit, you’ll discover a montage of new jazz recordings featured at Amazon.com that encompasses a generous diet of nuances which includes a wealth of complex and distinctive styles, textures, melodies, and rhythms exalted by a host of definitive and creative voices in the world of jazz.

For more details, please visit Amazon.com for a complete list of jazz releases for Tuesday (6/21/2011)!

..:: SOURCE: Amazon.com ::..

Harris, Sanchez & Scott -]|[- NINETY MILES [Concord Picante]

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African American, Christian Scott, David Sanchez, Jazz, Latin Culture, Stefon Harris

Harris, Sanchez & Scott - NINETY MILES

Harris, Sanchez & Scott -]|[- NINETY MILES – [Concord Picante, 2011]

All distance is relative, especially where geopolitical borders and ideologies are involved. We speak one language, they speak another. We follow our system, they follow theirs. When we focus on the differences, a relatively short stretch of land or water starts to look like a yawning chasm. But when we look at each other as individuals and focus on the similarities, that “chasm” is actually a very short distance. Less than a hundred miles. Musicians – especially jazz musicians, whose craft is in many ways an improvised form of communication – understand this principle inherently, perhaps better than any politician or diplomat could ever hope to. Vibraphonist Stefon Harris, saxophonist David Sánchez and trumpeter Christian Scott cross that divide in their new recording, Ninety Miles.

Recorded entirely in Havana, Cuba, with the help of some highly talented Cuban players – pianists Rember Duharte and Harold López-Nussa, each leading their own quartets – the nine-song set is an experiment that examines the fascinating chemical reaction that takes place when musicians from different cultures come together and converse in a common language that transcends mere words. The set also includes a DVD that is a sneak peek of the forthcoming documentary of the same name that chronicles the recording process of the album in Cuba. It will also include two bonus live performances of “City Sunrise” and “La Fiesta Va.”

The Ninety Miles Project [Christian Scott, David Sanchez, Stefon Harris, Rember Duharte and Harold Lopez-Nussa]

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Christian Scott, David Sanchez, Harold Lopez-Nussa, Rember Duharte, Stefon Harris, The Ninety Miles Project

Greetings jazz enthusiasts, mark your calendar for June 21st because new music in on the way titled The Ninety Miles Project by critically acclaimed Christian Scott, David Sanchez, and Stefon Harris collaborated with two distinctive young Cuban musicians named Rember Duharte and Harold Lopez-Nussa to record possibly one of the best and most exciting recordings of 2011 on Concord Records.

..:: SOURCE: YouTube.com ::..

Flux Music [Jazz] Essentials … [Harris, Steps Ahead, Wilson & Sample]

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African American, Cassandra Wilson, Jazz, Joe Sample, Stefon Harris, Steps Ahead

Flux Music Essentials

Greeting’s jazz connoisseurs, I’m back with yet another intriguing palette of creative music from some of today’s most unique, adventurous and inspiring voices known and unknown artists alike in the world of jazz.

Stefon Harris - African Tarantella

Stefon Harris -//- African Tarantella – [BLUE NOTE, 2006]

Prior to buying this album, I was fortunate enough to hear Stefon Harris and his mallet play the music live. It was one of the best live jazz performances that I have heard lately, and the album is as good or better!

Several things stand out. First is Harris’ obvious virtuosity. I have seen Milt Jackson live and Harris doesn’t take a back seat. He plays the vibes and marimba simultaneously, and at amazing tempo. He isn’t just a virtuoso though, but a very creative arranger and improviser.

The instrumentation is very interesting: viola and cello, trombone, flute, clarinet, drums, bass and piano. This gives the album a wonderful tonal palette. The musicians are wonderful too; Terreon Gully on drums may be the best drummer that I have heard live, and I’ve been lucky enough to hear Buddy Rich, Jeff Hamilton and some of the other top drummers in jazz. Also outstanding is pianist Xavier Davis and trombonist Steve Turre.

My favorite tracks are adaptations of Duke Ellington creations: three numbers from the New Orleans Suite and two from the Queen’s Suite. I am less enamored of Harris’ compositions.

Harris is terrific as an improviser, arranger and performer. He, along with some other young jazz titans, give me comfort that jazz is still alive and vital for years to come. —Rick Loves Jazz | Amazon.com

Flux Music [Jazz] Essentials … features music by [Harris, Evans, Adderley, Katché & Brown]

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Cannonball Adderley, Jazz, Manu Katche, Maurice Brown, Orrin Evans, Stefon Harris

Flux Music Essentials

Greeting’s jazz enthusiasts, I’m back with five more invigorating selections featuring Orrin Evans, Stefon Harris, Cannonball Adderley, Manu Katché, and Maurice Brown from the sea of infinite treasures in music to expand the provocative and youthful voices as we encounter them on this wonderful musical exodus of tantalizing yet satisfying blend of original jazz that’s shaken and stirred to perfection from the shelves of “Flux Music Essentials.”

Stefon Harris - The Grand Unification Theory (Blue Note, 2003)

Stefon Harris -\\- The Grand Unification Theory – [Blue Note Records, 2003]

Stefon Harris pulls off a stunning record for Blue Note Records here with his musical epic “The Grand Unification Theory”, a theme-based album observing the cycle of life (both physical and metaphysical). This music is easily accessible on every track, and would have to be viewed as an interaction between freedom and structure. Every selection on this album will one day be viewed as a classic.

Personnel: Stefon Harris (vibraphone, marimba, percussion and voice), Xavier Davis (piano), Tarus Mateen (bass and vocals), Terreon Gully (drums), Kahlil Kwame Bell (African percussion, concert bass drum), Anne Drummond (flute and alto flute), Douglas Purviance (bass trombone), Steve Turre (trombone and shells), Derrick Gardner (trumpet and flugelhorn), Tim Warfield (tenor sax), Mark Vinci (clarinet) and Myles Weinstein (tympani). —Amazon.com

Flux Music Essentials – [Garrett, Yellowjackets, Wright & Harris … 5/10/2010]

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African American, Jazz, Kenny Garrett, Lizz Wright, Stefon Harris, Yellowjackets

Flux Music Essentials

Greeting’s fellow jazz enthusiasts, as usual thanks so much for dropping by The Urban Flux! As you see, today I’ve added four fabulous recordings from the shelves of “Flux Music Essentials” … peace and blessings, Rob

Kenny Garrett - Songbook

Kenny Garrett | Songbook – [Warner Jazz, 1997]

Although I am merely a 19-year-old, I have spent the last 9 years living, learning, and breathing jazz. About a year ago, I had known who Kenny Garrett was but had not heard any of his music. It was at this point that a friend of mine played me “Songbook”. About a week later, I had this album in my possession.

Ever since I have had this album, I have not been able to stop listening to it.

Each track provides a different ambiance, in such away that alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett, along with fellow performers Nat Reeves on bass, Jeff “Tain” Watts on drums, and the late Kenny Kirkland on piano, is trying to tell a story or perhaps bring the listener on a journey.