Saxophonist/Vocalist GRACE KELLY Showcases Versatility on Debut Live Album, “Live at Scullers,” Available February 5

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Berklee College of Music, Chantale Sterling, Eric Law, Grace Kelly, Jaime Woods, Jason Palmer, Mark Walker, Paquito D'Rivera, Pete McCann, Saxophonist, Scullers Jazz Club, Vocals, Zach Brown

Album Focuses on Original Compositions and Features Jason Palmer and Zach Brown … among others

Grace Kelly, Live at Scullers

“It’s a blessing from the gods, this kind of talent, and when we see it in someone young, we marvel at the contrast…” – Todd Leopold, CNN

::: Stream Tracks From Live at Scullers :::

There are snapshots in the family photo album of Grace Kelly at Scullers Jazz Club at the age of six, falling asleep in her father’s arms. When she began studying saxophone at the tender age of ten, she dreamed of one day performing on that very same stage. In those childhood visions, it was a much older Grace Kelly that she envisioned on the bandstand, but she made her Scullers debut at thirteen and held a CD release concert there the following year.

Vocalist KATHY KOSINS To Make RESONANCE RECORDS DEBUT With TO THE LADIES OF COOL – Available MARCH 13

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Jazz, Kathy Kosins, Vocals

NEW ALBUM “TOASTS” ICONS ANITA O’DAY, JUNE CHRISTY,
CHRIS CONNOR AND JULIE LONDON

Kathy Kosins, To The Ladies of Cool

Kathy Kosins doesn’t take anything for granted; for instance, she has been one of the very few jazz singers to question the absolute necessity of long-playing albums. Since 2010, she has adapted to the changing needs of the music industry, and specifically her fans, by releasing a regular series of digital singles. So, when she announces a new album, it’s abundantly clear that this won’t be just an arbitrary assemblage of random tunes, but a very special collection of specific songs that have a darned good reason for being connected to each other in the album format.

LISTEN TO EXCLUSIVE STREAMING TRACKS FROM TO THE LADIES OF COOL

The new album, her fifth, is titled To the Ladies of Cool, and the songs all derive from the repertoires of four canonical female singers of the 1950s: Anita O’Day, June Christy, Chris Connor, and Julie London. This is her first album for Resonance Records, owned and operated by George Klabin, whom she describes as, “this generation’s Bob Thiele, Norman Granz, and Creed Taylor.”

ESPERANZA SPALDING RELEASES RADIO MUSIC SOCIETY ON MARCH 20

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Bass, Esperanza Spalding, Female Vocals, Jazz, Vocals

Esperanza Spalding, RADIO MUSIC SOCIETY

Esperanza Spalding -][- Radio Music Society [Heads Up International, 2012]

On March 20th, 2012, Heads Up International, a division of Concord Music Group, gives us Esperanza Spalding’s latest release, Radio Music Society, her most diverse, ambitious and masterful recital yet. Each of the 12 songs are accompanied by conceptual music videos, which further express Esperanza’s inspiration and story behind each track. Shot in various locations including New York City; Barcelona, Spain; and Portland, Oregon; all videos will be available to purchasers of Radio Music Society as a digital download or a DVD on the deluxe version.

Soul Cycle -||- FLIPPED ‘EP’ [Soul Cycle] – Review

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Jesse Fischer, Soul Cycle, Vocals

Soul Cycle - Flipped

– Soul Cycle -//- Flipped – [Soul Cycle, 2010] –

While searching for some new sounds I stumbled onto the music of Soul Cycle’s “Self-titled“ debut album back in 2005. From the onset, I was amazed to hear their encompassing voice throb with confidence and therefore amplified through their impressive tone that contained fresh, resilient and inspiring sounds executed superbly by their poignant dexterity.

In the present tense, keyboardist/producer Jesse Fischer and company returns from Brooklyn, NY in 2010 with another tasty collection of gems on their fourth outing titled “Flipped.” In fact, after revisiting their previous efforts “Urban Organics” (2007) and “Mosaic” in 2009 … I was perhaps, a bit surprised when “Flipped” arrived with what appeared to be a more listener friendly approach in context.

Out of the box “Flipped” incorporates seven unique, enjoyable and soulful songs which features five gifted vocalists on a variety of familiar songs along with the bands imposing interplay to unleash their understated voices with authority. Perhaps, it seems, Soul Cycle’s mission here is to explore audibly and inclusive soundscape. One that essentially embodies a tapestry of fresh, vibrant and intimate flavors similar to groups like Incognito and Brand New Heavies to unveil their signature blend of soulful music with satisfying results.

Guitarist, Vocalist, and Composer Clay Ross Celebrates the Release of His New Album Matuto

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Guitar, Poetry, Vocals

Guitarist Clay Ross not only celebrates the coming of his latest album “Matuto” but he also takes the blending musical genres into a place many of us might not traveled before. Perhaps, it’s time to explore a unique and distinctive new voice in music! Be sure and check out the video and be blown away!~ The Urban Flux

Celebrates the Release of His New Album Matuto With Two Evenings of Brazilian Carnaval Meets Appalachia in NYC at NUBLU on October 15th and at RODEO BAR on October 20th.

Clay Ross

“Clay Ross thinks like a poet, writes like a novelist, and plays the guitar like a master.” – Jambase

Matuto (ma-two-toe) is Brazilian slang for country bumpkin. Imagine the sound of a Brazilian Carnaval in the Appalachian Mountains. A sound where exotic percussion instruments rumble beneath blues drenched vocals, Telecaster twangs, and folksy fiddle tunes. Now, imagine these sounds in the hands of some of NYC’s finest young improvisers as they light up club and festival stages world wide.

On his Ropeadope debut, Matuto, Clay Ross offers us a peek into his diverse and dynamic musical world. Composer, singer-songwriter, and producer, this South Carolina native has become an in-demand guitarist on the NYC jazz, world, and roots music scenes. In the last four years, Ross has submerged himself in Brazilian music as a member of Cyro Baptista’s world-renowned percussion ensemble “Beat the Donkey.” He has completed four international tours as a U.S. Jazz Ambassador and currently performs at bluegrass festivals across North America with rising folk star April Verch.

Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson | Winter in America

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African American, Gil Scot-Heron, Jazz, Keyboards, Poetry, Vocals

Gil Scott & Brian Jackson

Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson | Winter in America [Jazz-Vocals/Tvt/1973]

One of Gil Scott-Heron’s finest 1970s albums, WINTER IN AMERICA finds the ever-provocative vocalist/poet playing off the surprisingly gentle piano arrangements of Brian Jackson. Whereas other records (particularly SMALL TALK AT 125th AND LENOX) …    Full Descriptionfocus more on Scott-Heron’s spoken-word missives, WINTER highlights the influential African-American performer’s abilities as a singer, particularly on the soulful “Back Home” and the smooth, lyrically pointed title track, which superficially evokes a contemporaneous Barry White tune.

While the first part of WINTER IN AMERICA consists of studio sessions, the final four numbers feature Scott-Heron playing live in Washington, D.C., with the concert recordings easily on a par with the more polished earlier tracks, as exemplified by his stirring medley of “The Bottle,” a funky cautionary tale, and the percussive, chanted “Guan Guanco.” Second only to PIECES OF A MAN as an intriguing mix of melody and rhetoric, WINTER IN AMERICA is required listening for anyone interested in Scott-Heron. ~ CDUniverse.com

George Duke | Faces In Reflection

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African American, Funk, Jazz Fusion, Vocals

Which artists would you consider the funkiest in regards to jazz? Hmmm … I’ll step out on a limb and say it’s keyboardist George Duke! His record “Faces In Reflection,” is a prime example of his passion to step out of the box to explore the not so ordinary elements of jazz, funk, rock and mess them together into once appetizing blend of music .

Pissed, please don’t tell anyone but somehow I over looked this gem back in 1974. Forgive me, this one escaped my finger tips … it’s never to late to rediscover music you’ve missed along the way! J. Desmond/The Urban Flux

George Duke | Faces in Reflection [Fusion/1974]

George Duke, Faces

Although pianist George Duke later became known for his crossover and pop work, his jazz albums from the 1970s are all worthy entries as well. A fiery excursion into fusion, funk, and soul-jazz, 1974’s FACES IN REFLECTION is a case in point. …    Full DescriptionPrior to this session, Duke had been playing regularly with both Cannonball Adderley and Frank Zappa, and the influence of those artists can be heard in Duke’s hard-swinging blues and wild, wooly experimentation. Even though synthesizers play a prominent role on these tracks, FACES IN REFLECTION rarely sounds dated; Duke uses electric and acoustic keys to push his Latin, soul, and jazz grooves to new heights. Bassist John Heard and drummer Leon Ndugu Chancellor make up the first-rate rhythm section. – CDUniverse.com

Andy Bey | Tuesdays in Chinatown

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African American, Jazz, Vocals

We’ve been meaning for some time now to drop this cat’s music in the mix of things at The Flux. We’re enthralled by the music and smoothness of baritone vocalist/pianist Andy Bey and his 2001 release “on Encoded Music titled “Tuesdays in Chinatown!” Perhaps you haven’t heard this dude croon before, yes I did say croon this is definitely your opportunity to experience and envelope his riveting vocal style!

Andy Bey, Tuesdays

Andy Bey’s hypnotic vocals have enriched the music of Horace Silver, Stanley Clarke, and McCoy Tyner, and made him one the premiere jazz stylists today. On this CD, the Newark-born pianist-vocalist is supported by a quicksilver rhythm section featuring bassist Ron Carter, drummer Victor Lewis, and percussionist Mino Cinelu. Augmented by strings and horns, the deep-voiced Bey drapes his songs in a sophisticated azure aura that is simultaneously ethereal and earthy. Bey’s stylistic range is broad, stretching from the slinky, slow-tempoed title track written by Herb Jordan to the down-home number, “Feelin’ Lowdown,” by blues legend Big Bill Broonzy. Bey’s love of Brazilian music is evident on his impassioned takes of Milton Nascimento’s “Saidas e Bandeiras” and “Bridges.” – Amazon.com/Eugene Holley Jr.

While you’re here, check out Andy captured live as he sings “Like a Lover.”

Inside look at the making of “Loverly”

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Female Vocalist, Jazz, Video, Vocals

Jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson gives us the low down on the making of her new album “Loverly.”

Source: YouTube.com

Have You Heard? [Music]

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African American, Instrumentalist, Jazz, Music, Piano, Saxophone, Vocals

Greetings everyone, we’re back with a slightly different idea for today. We want to know, have you heard these recordings by the following recording artists listed below. Now, about 50% of the time the artist posted will be from older albums. However, there will also be new titles posted with these at least once a week.

Please, if you will your input is appreciated. Tell us what you’re listening too on your iPod, disc player etc in the comments section, thanks in advance.

Stefon Harris & Blackout – Evolution

Stefon Harris, Evolution

Ron Blake – Shayari

Ron Blake, Shayari

Kendra Ross – New Voice

Kendra Ross, New Voice

Joe Sample – Old Places, Old Faces

Joe Samples, Old Places, Old Faces