Talking House Records has announced the release of ‘Blueprints of Jazz’ on November 4, 2008. The CD highlights a series of recordings by some of jazz’s remaining influential artists of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. The first set of releases focus upon the talents of drummer Mike Clark, saxophonist Billy Harper and drummer Donald Bailey, which by any stretch provides some of the most creative and innovative music in jazz. Although these artists may not be widely known, Blueprints of Jazz gives the casual jazz fan a chance to discover significant jazz artists they weren't aware of before.
Guitarist Pascal Bokar has released 'Savanna Jazz Club' on the City Hall Record Label. As always, Pascal combines the nuances of West African music with traditional jazz, of which comes forth a beautifully crafted extra sensory perspective on the dynamics of jazz in a variety of flavors.
A cappella vocalists Take 6 come out swinging with their debut effort for Heads Up International entitled 'The Standard' on September 30th. As winners of 10 GRAMMY Awards, 10 Dove Awards, one Soul Train Award and two NAACP Image Awards, Take 6 has been at the forefront of jazz, R&B, pop and gospel music for more than twenty years. Their latest release highlights a number of jazz-induced standards augmented by the skills of George Benson, Al Jarreau, Jon Hendricks, Roy Hargrove, Aaron Neville and Brian McKnight.
Taj Mahal a two-time GRAMMY award winning multi-instrumentalist makes his debut with Heads Up International with the release of 'Maestro' on September 30th. Considered by many to be one of the most significant blues and roots artists of his generation, Mahal's twelve-track set marks forty years of excellence and is his first album in five years. Included on 'Maestro' are the talents of Angelique Kidjo, Los Lobos, Ziggy Marley and a host of other notable musicians.
One of jazz's most dynamic super groups of the last 17 years can be found in Fourplay. Collectively they have recorded some of the most memorable jazz in recent times. With a new label and a newly recorded album, Fourplay will release 'Energy' for Heads Up Records on September 23rd. The CD melds the influences of R&B, pop, African and other styles of music together under the guise of Fourplay's irrepresible style. Also featured on the release is bassist Esperanza, who in her own way has had a tremendous impact on jazz with her own debut release simply titled 'Esperanza.' In addition, listen for the guitar licks of former Fourplay member Lee Ritenour and a hefty display of vocalese from El Debarge, Babyface, Shanice and Kevyn Lettau.
Vocalist Amy LaCour has released one of the most compellingly soulful albums of its time entitled 'Bitter Sweet.' Recorded live in the studio, the essence of Amy's release is driven by her acoustical skills on piano, as well as those of bassist Reggie Hamilton and drummer Curt Bisquera. Also in the mix are percussionist Debra Dobkin, guitarists Randy Jacob and James Harrah and in their own way provide a unique perspective to the overall set.
In recent years there has been somewhat of a resurgence in vinyl recordings, especially as it relates to jazz music in all of its wonderful flavors. One of the biggest proponents of this resurgence has been the Concord Music Group. As quiet as has been kept, the company has been acquiring some of the greatest catalogs in music history. Labels such as Fantasy, Specialty, Prestige and Stax have all come under the Concord Music Group. In recent months, Concord has launched a website devoted to the resurgence of vunyl records. Rare long-playing recordings and hard-to-get box sets will be readily available to the listening public. Aptly titled "The Collector's Corner," Concord re-introduces Sonny Rollins' 'Saxophone Colossus,' 'Bill Evans' Waltz For Debby,' Yusef Lateef's 'Eastern Sounds,' 'Soultrane' by John Coltrane and 'Thelonius Monk With John Coltrane,' all of which have been hard to find or out of print.
Look for Geoge Duke's debut CD entitled 'Dukey Treats' on August 26, 2008 for the Heads Up Record Label. For George, the album represents a time when funk was a vibrant force not only in music, but also across cultural and social lines. The release also reflects upon the influences of James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone and funk icons of the '60s and '70s.
Pianist Aaron Parks makes his debut on Blue Note Records with a CD entitled "Invisible Cinema" on August 19th. Considered by many to be one of jazz's emerging stars, Aaron Parks' acoustical jazz piano pushes the envelope of inventitive rhythmic jazz. His style of play is melodically correct with classically influenced bop-based dynamics.
Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten are slated to release 'Thunder' on August 12th. Not only does the album feature three of the most prolific bassist in jazz, the recording highlights the skills of guest artists Butterscotch, Chick Corea, George Duke and Patches Stewart.
The group Mosaic has released a new effort entitled 'Unsaid, Undone' on the Snack Record Label. The CD features 7 delightful tracks of beautifully crafted jazz music. The album was created over the course of a year with all but one of the associated tracks written speciffically for the album.
Shan Arsenault has released 'Below Sea Level', a CD featuring 10 tracks of original compositions for jazz guitar and quartet. This is Shan's second full-length recording, which for some has been described as refreshingly sophisticated.
Look for the Yellowjackets' latest release entitled 'Lifecycle' on May 20th. The group's new recording features guitarist Mike Stern and is the group's first release in 15 years featuring a guitarist. The album is a collaborative effort that highlights "the kind of energy and creative brilliance that results when five talented players pool their individual talents as songwriters and musicians." What is even more profound are the artists themselves, having merged into an "entity that is far greater than the sum of its parts."
Bassist Esperanza Spalding releases her self-titled debut release on the Heads Up International Record Label May 20th. Not only does the CD feature Esperanza's quintessential skills as an acoustical bassist, the album also highlights her abilities as a vocalist. This effort provides a renewed sense of tradition and will also open your perceptions of jazz as a presence in American culture.
Vocalist Irene Nachreiner and Her Latin Band has released 'Summer Samba,' the group's debut CD. Described as music that feels like a free ticket to the Caribbean, Central or South America, the album is the end result of Irene's many experiences that has defined her as one of Latin music's most passionate vocalists.
World-class guitarist Lawson Rollins is set to release an expansive multicultural solo debut album entitled 'Infinita' on May 20th on the Infinita Record Label. According to Rick Scott, the new recording is a richly decorated tapestry of jazz and World Music featuring a renowned group of musicians. The CD features two of Latin jazz's most renowned musicians in the name of Flora Purim and Airto Moreira, all of which is augmented by the influences of Latin, Indian, Persian, Arabic, South American, European and American music.
Grammy nominated jazz pianist Taylor Eigsti comes forth with a new release entitled 'Let It Come To You' on the Concord Jazz Record Label on May 6th. This is Taylor's sixth release as a leader and features an impressive array of eleven tracks of highly affectual jazz standards and interpretations of newer works of art. Feature on the album are Joshua Redman, Reuben Rogers, Eric Harland and Edmar Castaneda.
After 5 years of operation, Houston, Texas’ KHJZ 95.7 “The Wave” has flipped to “Hot 95.7.” This change along with numerous other format changes throughout the United States and Canada puts commercial jazz radio in jeopardy. Since 2004, there have been approximately eleven smooth jazz radio flips to other alternative musical formats. As has been noted in other cities, the smooth jazz format has failed miserably in Houston; historically, the city has attempted three commercial jazz radio stations since 1985.
On April 29, 2008, another generation of talent will be releasing her debut solo album nation wide on the High Priestess/Koch Record Label. Her name is Simone and she is the daughter of the legendary musical icon Nina Simone. She is her own woman, a singer, songwriter and performer whose ability to transcend genres echoes the tradition of her mother. Simply titled ‘Simone On Simone,’ the CD was produced by Bob Belden and is a big band tribute to one of the most dynamic vocalists of the 20th century.
Chris Standring releases 'Love & Paragraph's' Aprill 22nd on the ARTizen Label. Based upon preliminary radio vibes, the title track is burning up the radio waves and is at present in the Top 20.
Telarc International announces the release of Raya Yarbrough’s self-titled debut CD. Produced by Steve Bartek (formerly of Oingo Boingo), ‘Raya Yarbrough’ is an individualized story and offers everyone a glimpse of Raya’s unique songwriting style, which is quite multi-faceted.
Bassist Victor Wooten will release his new CD, ‘PALMYSTERY,’ on April 1st. In keeping with the ongoing philosophy of genre-bending eclecticism that has driven all of his solo work, Wooten’s Heads Up debut embraces a range of styles – jazz, funk, pop, soul, gospel, world music and more – and boasts a diverse guest list that includes Mike Stern, Richard Bona, Keb’ Mo’ and others. Wooten is a four-time Grammy Award-winner, an original member of Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, and the only three-time winner of ‘Bass Player Magazine’s Bass Player of the Year.’
Heads Up International is set to release the ‘Caribbean Jazz Project - Afro Bop Alliance’ on March 25, a recording recasting nine CJP signature pieces. Led by vibraphonist and master of modern Latin jazz Dave Samuels and a host of others, the CD features big band arrangements of classic Caribbean Jazz Project tracks. Highlighted by the works of John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk and other jazz luminaries, this new effort provides full-bodied arrangements by the Maryland-based Afro Bop Alliance, one of the most exciting new bands on the Latin jazz scene today.
Bass guitarist Marcus Miller has released a new album entitled ‘Marcus’ on the Concord Peak Record Label. This latest release features a cornucopia of talent, including singers Corinne Bailey Rae, Lalah Hathaway, guitarist Keb’ Mo and a host of other stellar talent. As a two-time Grammy® winner, Marcus Miller has produced eight critically acclaimed genre-defying albums during his career. Check out Latin-inspired saxophonist Jessy J on her latest release entitled ‘Tequilla Moon.’ Released on the Peak Record Label, this CD is backed by guitarist Paul Brown, keyboardist Gregg Karukas, bassist Roberto Vally as well as drummers Oscar Seaton, Dave Beyer and Sergio Gonzalez. During a performance in Fresno, California on Valentine’s Day 2006, Jessy J blew the crowd away with an impressive array of Latin-infused jazz.
Saxophonist Paul Carr has released a new CD entitled ‘Musically Yours’ on the PCJ Music Label. This latest recording finds Carr pushing the envelope of Bop-induced jazz with pianist Mulgrew Miller, trumpeter Terell Stafford, bassist Michael Bowie and Lewis Nash on drums. As one of a new generation of tenor saxmen, Paul Carr is considered by many to be a proud upholder of the so-called Texas Tenor tradition.
The Chicago Jazz Ensemble, under artistic direction of legendary trumpeter Jon Faddis, pays tribute to Nat, Diz, Ella, & Monk at MCG Jazz February 28 through March 2, 2008. Four of the most creative geniuses in jazz to include vocalist Nat King Cole, vocalist Ella Fitzgerald, trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and pianist Thelonious Monk were all born in 1917, making 2007 the 90th anniversary of their births. Join Jon Faddis and the Chicago Jazz Ensemble in celebrating the musical legacy of these four exceptional musicians. The concert features classic Dizzy Gillespie big band arrangements, plus Monk’s music as arranged by Michael Philip Mossman. The CJE™ own vocalist, Bobbi Wilsyn, highlights the music of Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald.
The Tangria Jazz Group has released a self-titled CD that focuses upon straight ahead and fusion influenced jazz. The multifaceted release features seven tracks of original and uniquely arranged standards, which also captures the very essence of each member's talent.
Jacob Koller releases 'Music for Bowlers' on the Ropeadope Record Label. Hitting the stores on March 4th, the recording features a trio of highly energized jazz musicians. The CD is best described as an avant-garde splicing of vastly different musical experiences with one common purpose.
Heads Up International, one of the world’s premier crossover jazz labels has signed an exclusive recording agreement with acoustic bassist, singer and composer Esperanza Spalding. The international debut recording for the label will be released in late spring 2008. Over the years, Spalding has worked with many notable artists, including pianist Michel Camilo, vibraphonist Dave Samuels, bassist Stanley Clarke, saxophonist Joe Lovano, violinist Regina Carter, guitarist Pat Metheny and singer Patti Austin, just to name a few.
One of the most enduring artists of our time was vocalist Ray Charles. His contributions to music are too numerous to mention; however, his influence on jazz, C&W, blues, popular and R&B music is a mainstay beyond any shadow of a doubt. Former James Brown saxophonist Maceo Parker and the WDR Band celebrate the music of Ray Charles with the release of ‘Roots & Grooves’ for Heads Up International on February 12th. The 2-disc is a tribute as well as a highlight that focuses on Parker’s exceptional horn skills and Charles’ phenomenal influence on musical lore.
Expect the release of 'In Two Minds' by drummer Bill Buford and keyboardist Michiel Borstlap on the Summerfold Record Label on February 4th. The CD is the second effort by the dynamic duo and features eleven tracks of original material as well as a reading of the Miles Davis classic "All Blues."
The Matt Savage Trio released 'Hot Ticket: Live In Boston' on the Palmetto Record Label January 22nd. 'Hot Ticket' is highlighted by new compositions and a host of previously released tunes. Also featured is Miles Davis' "Seven Steps to Heaven," which by most standards is a stunning tribute to the legendary trumpeter.
Take 6, one of the most influential a cappella groups around today has signed an exclusive recording contract with Heads Up International, considered by most to be the world’s premier crossover jazz label. The group is set to release their first CD in August 2008.
Take 6, one of the most influential a cappella groups around today has signed an exclusive recording contract with Heads Up International, considered by most to be the world’s premier crossover jazz label. The group is set to release their first CD in August 2008.
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