AVAILABLE NOW:
MICHEL CAMILO RELEASES ADVENTUROUS
SOLO PIANO ALBUM, WHAT'S UP?, ON OKeh
11-Track Project Spotlights a Collection of
Originals, Latin and Jazz Standards
"Camilo has put together a varied
collection of seven original compositions as well as four Latin and jazz
standards that highlight the breadth of his range on the instrument." -
Blogcritics
"Terrific solo piano disc..." - Buffalo News
"What's Up? is a commanding performance by a truly masterful, wildly creative jazz pianist and composer" - All Music Guide
OKeh is proud to release GRAMMY®, Emmy®, and Latin GRAMMY® Award winning pianist and composer Michel Camilo's new album, What's Up? (available now - May 21, 2013). The project is the Dominican Republic-born musician's debut for the label and is OKeh's
second overall release as part of the new re-launch initiative via Sony
Classical, which focuses on documenting "Global Expressions in Jazz."
Produced by Camilo and
recorded by GRAMMY® Award winning engineer Phil Magnotti at The Carriage
House Studios in Stamford, Connecticut on February 14-15, 2013, the 11
tracks on What's Up? provide a stunning
demonstration of the pianist's originality, spotlighting seven original
compositions and four uniquely re-arranged jazz and Latin standards.
Compositions include an intimate rendition of the quintessential "Alone
Together", an exploration of Cole Porter's "Love For Sale" and a deep
soulful re-discovery of Compay Segundo's "Chan Chan"; as well as in
Camilo's own words, "my take on the perpetual polyrhythmic intricacies
of 'Take Five' - as a personal nod of admiration and awe to the legacy
of legendary master Dave Brubeck."
"I had lots of fun making
this new album but it also has been quite an endeavor to take, since one
of the biggest challenges for any jazz pianist is to be able to
contribute to the rich tradition of solo piano styles," reflects Camilo,
whose last solo piano project was released in 2005. "This recording
expresses my desire to explore the contrasts of color, harmonic texture,
rhythm and nuances in jazz piano playing. Here is my love for the many
musical influences I have been exposed to over the years."
While What's Up? is Camilo's first OKeh
release, it does signify his return to the Sony Music Entertainment
family, having recorded for Portrait, Epic and Columbia at various
points throughout his career that has spanned over three decades
(including his 1988 self-titled project on Portrait, which peaked at #1
on the Billboard Jazz Chart).
"I am delighted to come back
to the Sony Music family where I feel we have done so many wonderful
projects together," says Camilo. "And now with this solo piano album we
are adding a new chapter from my 'open book of possibilities' to our
long time creative collaboration."
A pianist with a brilliant technique and a composer that flavors his tunes with Afro-Caribbean rhythms, Michel Camilo's
musical language is an expressive combination of his Dominican Republic
musical heritage and a rich, intelligent use of jazz harmonies and
textures. His compositions have been performed by some of the top jazz
and Latin jazz artists ranging from Dizzy Gillespie to The Manhattan
Transfer, from Paquito D'Rivera and flamenco guitarist Tomatito to
Classical pianists Katia and Marielle Labèque, having performed with
many of these artists as well. He was featured in the award winning
Latin jazz documentary film Calle 54 and has recorded for
various film soundtracks. Additionally, he has developed a reputation as
one who enjoys breaking barriers, as evidenced by his extensive
discography featuring albums in Duo, Trio, Sextet, Big Band, and as
guest soloist with some of the world's leading symphony orchestras.
| Michel Camilo - What's Up? - EPK |
Upcoming Michel Camilo Appearances
*= Michel Camilo Trio ! = Michel Camilo Solo
^=Michel Camilo & Tomatito **=Michel Camilo Sextet
***=Michel Camilo Big Band
! May 25 / International Bern Jazz Festival / Bern, Switzerland
* June 20 / National Philharmonic Hall / Vilnius, Lithuania
! June 22 / Klavier Festival Ruhr / Hattingen, Germany
^ July 11 / Umbria Jazz Festival / Perugia, Italy
^ July 13 / North Sea Jazz Festival / Rotterdam, The Netherlands
^ July 14 / Centre de Rencontre Abbye de Neumünste / Luxembourg, Germany
* July 17 / XVI Festival Internacional de Jazz de Alicante - FIJAZZ 2013 / Alicante, Spain
* July 20 / 23rd Malta Jazz Festival / Valletta, Malta
** August 3 / Newport Jazz Festival / Newport, RI
! October 20-21 / Miner Auditorium - SFJAZZ / San Francisco, CA
*** November 5-10 / Blue Note / New York, NY
What's Up? Tracklisting:
1. What's Up? (Michel Camilo)
2. A Place In Time (Michel Camilo)
3. Take Five (Paul Desmond)
4. Sandra's Serenade (Michel Camilo)
5. Island Beat (Michel Camilo)
6. Alone Together (Howard Dietz & Arthur Schwartz)
7. Paprika (Michel Camilo)
8. Love For Sale (Cole Porter)
9. Chan Chan (Compay Segundo)
10. On Fire (Michel Camilo)
11. At Dawn (Michel Camilo)
Michel Camilo · What's Up?
OKeh · Release Date: May 21, 2013
For more information on Michel Camilo, please visit: michelcamilo.com
Sony
Masterworks comprises Masterworks Broadway, Masterworks, Okeh,
Portrait, RCA Red Seal and Sony Classical imprints. For email updates
and information please visit www.SonyMasterworks.com.
###
For more information, please contact:
DL Media · 610-667-0501
Jordy Freed · jordy@dlmediamusic.com
Don Lucoff · don@dlmediamusic.com
Sony Masterworks
Angela Barkan: Angela.Barkan@sonymusic.com , 212-833-8575
Larissa Slezak: Larissa.Slezak@
