Friday, November 30, 2018

USA: Ancient Future 40th Anniversary & Bandleader Birthday Party at the Freight and Salvage, Berkeley, Feb. 12, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                     10/1/2018
Contact: Ancient-Future.Com Records
1-415-459-1892
info@ancient-future.com

Ancient Future 40th Anniversary & Bandleader Birthday Party at the Freight and Salvage, Berkeley, Feb. 12, 2019 

View Press Release Online with Photos and Video:
http://www.ancient-future.com/pr_2_12_19.html

Hi-Res Photo of Ancient Future Circa 1979 (1.3 MB):
http://www.ancient-future.com/images/af1979photo300dpi6x4.jpg
Shown: Benjy Wertheimer, Phil Fong, Mindia Devi Klein, Matthew Montfort

Celebrating 40 Years of World Fusion

Ancient Future's first concert took place on February 11, 1979, at the Sleeping Lady Cafe in Fairfax, California, a vegetarian cafe and music club co-op that was the center of a vibrant local music scene. It was the day before Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort's birthday, who was not yet of nightclub age. This concert on Montfort's birthday celebrates Ancient Future's 40 years at the forefront of the world fusion music movement.

The exact lineup for the show has not yet been announced, but it will include musicians from Ancient Future's long history of cross cultural music collaborations. It will feature top master musicians from around the world along with band members from the original and historic Ancient Future lineups. Stay tuned for surprise announcements of featured musicians.

Tuesday, February 12, 2019 8 PM
Freight and Salvage
2020 Addison Street
Berkeley, CA 94704
Tix: $20 in advance at the F&S, $24 at the door. All tickets are subject to an additional $4 per ticket facility fee.
Purchase Tix:
https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1764222
Box Office Phone: 510-644-2020, open 12:30 PM–7 PM (excluding holidays) and during all performances.
Email: info@freightandsalvage.org 
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1882577728505388/

Poster (246k .pdf):
http://www.ancient-future.com/pdf/2-12-19_freight.pdf 

Ancient Future History: Reunion Concerts of Yore
Original Lineup Reunion

Hi-Res Photo of Ancient Future Circa 1981 (1.2 MB):
http://www.ancient-future.com/images/af2front300dpi6x4.jpg
Shown: Mindia Devi Klein, Benjy Wertheimer, Matthew Montfort

Ancient Future was formed in late 1978 by students at the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, California, including Mindia Devi Klein (who went by Mindy in those days), Matthew Montfort, Benjy Wertheimer, and Phil Fong. Ancient Future's first concert took place to a packed house on February 11, 1979, at the Sleeping Lady Cafe in Fairfax, California, a vegetarian cafe and music club co-op that was the center of a vibrant local music scene.

This lineup of Ancient Future made two recordings that are now considered world fusion classics. In December, 1978, the band went into Tres Virgos Studio in Mill Valley to record Montfort's song Moonbath. The song became the springboard for the first Ancient Future record, Visions of a Peaceful Planet. The concept for Natural Rhythms, the band's second record, grew out of a spontaneous recording session at a friend's recording studio near a frog pond. The sound of croaking frogs was leaking into the studio, so Montfort went out to the pond with a zither and began to play, and found that certain rhythms produced musical responses from the frogs. Several months later, Montfort and Klein went to Bali to study gamelan music. They were amazed to find paintings all over the island portraying Balinese rice paddy frogs playing gamelan instruments, so they ventured out into the rice paddies where a frog jam session ensued that became part of the Natural Rhythms release. 

On April 19, 2015, three members of the original lineup of Ancient Future performed together for the first time this century to a full house at the Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley. Sadly, Phil Fong was unable to attend the reunion as he was battling ALS. He passed away on July 18, 2016.

Hi-Res Photo of Ancient Future Circa 1981 by Sherry Freeman (1.1 MB):
http://www.ancient-future.com/images/af1981boulder300dpi4x6.jpg
Shown: Benjy Wertheimer, Mindia Devi Klein, Matthew Montfort

Archaeological Discovery of First Ancient Future Video

YouTube Video of Ancient Future Circa 1978:
https://youtu.be/Xp5et9Qfgo4
Shown: Matthew Montfort, Yusef Ali, Mindia Devi Klein, Phil Fong, Benjy Wertheimer

This video is an amazing archaeological find: the very first video of Ancient Future, recorded in late 1978, months before Ancient Future's first concert! Thanks to Jonah and Mariposa at Marin Artists International who, after learning of this reunion concert, were able to rescue parts of Ancient Future's first video recording session from archival oblivion. This short teaser from 'Eternal Embrace' by Phil Fong from Visions of a Peaceful Planet is the first release from this archeological expedition. Performances of two complete pieces have been recovered, and will be released after some audio restoration work is completed.

'World Without Walls' Reunion

Hi-Res Photo by Irene Young of Ancient Future Circa 1990 (14.7" x 9.7" jpg, 7.2 MB):
http://www.ancient-future.com/images/1990ancientfuture300dpi15x10sepia.jpg
Shown: Matthew Montfort, Jim Hurley, Doug McKeehan, Ian Dogole

YouTube Video of Ancient Future at their 'World Without Walls' Reunion:
http://youtu.be/IlYfQ50MGDw
Shown: Doug McKeehan (keyboards, piano), Kash Killion (bass), Ian Dogole (percussion), Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar), Jim Hurley (violin), and Mariah Parker (santur) 

This lineup of Ancient Future that performed on the band's influential World Without Walls and Asian Fusion recordings played over a hundred concerts together from 1988 to 1995. In 2011, they reunited for the first time in 15 years to perform concerts at Todos Santos Plaza in Concord and Yoshi's in San Francisco. In honor of the reunion concerts, World Without Walls was released digitally by Capitol Records for the first time ever at major digital retailers such as iTunes. Twenty two years after its initial release in 1990, broadcasters worldwide voted the record as one of the top 5 world music releases of 2012, after which Ancient Future continued to perform reunion concerts at venues such as the Frick Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Berkeley's Freight and Salvage. 

"Ancient Future is a rare kind of band that might simultaneously aggravate purists, confound New Age dilettantes, seduce skeptics, and dazzle just about everybody else. Delicious compositions, intricate arrangements, crisp playing and impeccable production put these ambitious voyagers in a league of their own." - Derk Richardson, SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN

Bandleader and Birthday Boy

Matthew Montfort (band leader, scalloped fretboard guitar)

Matthew Montfort is the leader of the world fusion music ensemble Ancient Future. He is a pioneer of the scalloped fretboard guitar (an instrument combining qualities of the South Indian vina and the steel string guitar). Montfort spent three months in intensive study with vina master K.S. Subramanian in order to fully apply the South Indian gamaka (note-bending) techniques to the guitar. In 2009, he released his first solo guitar recording, Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar, which reached #8 on Zone Music Reporter's World Radio Chart. He is recognized as one of the world's 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists by DigitalDreamDoor.com, a curated "best of" site, along with such luminaries as Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke, Chet Atkins, John Fahey, Merle Travis, John Renbourn, Tommy Emmanuel, and Doc Watson. The December 2009 Les Paul issue of Guitar Player Magazine includes a full page feature on Matthew Montfort with a corresponding GuitarPlayer.Com video and lesson entitled "The Music of Jimi Hendrix Applied to Indian Raga." He has performed concerts world wide, including at the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain near Barcelona and the Mumbai Festival at the Gateway of India in Bombay. He has performed live on national radio and TV shows such as the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC. Montfort wrote the book Ancient Traditions - Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India, which has been used by many musicians to improve their rhythm skills. 

Coconspirators and Likely Guest Artists

Georges Lammam (Arabic violin and vocals)

Georges Lammam, of Palestinian descent, was born in Beirut, Lebanon. He is a solo violinist exemplifying the Arab style of instrumental improvisation. Mr. Lammam toured in Bolivia with renowned artists Eddie and Gabriel Navia, and joined stellar performers hosted by JoinedHands (USA NP), organized by Marcus Lovett (Phantom of the Opera), to support refugee families and humanitarians in the refugee camp in Chalkida, Greece, hosting thousands of people from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. His compositions and performance excerpts are included in scores for two award-winning documentaries:  Occupation 101 and Tea on the Axis of Evil, and he recorded a well-known folkloric dabke (an Arab folk dance) in a 2016 feature film, Wrestling Jerusalem by Aaron Davidman. His newest CD, Opus Omnia, was released in 2017. 

Vishal Nagar (Indian tabla)

"He has magic in his hands" - HINDUSTANI TIMES

Considered one of the most gifted tabla players of his generation, Vishal was born into a family of musicians and had his initial training for a very brief period with the late Ustad Latif Ahmed Khan of the Delhi Gharana. After his Ustad's untimely demise, Vishal continued his training under the guidance of Ustad Shamim Ahmed Khan of the same Gharana (school), and he also has had intense rhythmic training from his mother, the renowned and highly respected Kathak dancer and vocalist, Urmila Nagar. Vishal has been praised in the Indian press for his unique combination of melodic tabla sound production with masterful command of rhythm. Vishal has had the privilege of performing with many renowned artists: Ustad Shujaat Khan, Guru Urmila Nagar, Vidhwan Trichur Ramachandran, Pandit Ramesh Misra, and Kala Ramnath, to name a few. Vishal has also expanded his cultural boundaries and collaborated with musicians from around the world. Some of his memorable works have been with the Ghanaian Guitarist Koo Nimo with whom he also appeared in WOMAD USA (a leading world dance and music festival started by Peter Gabriel). 

Shenshen Zhang (Chinese pipa)

A native of Wenzhou, China, Shenshen Zhang began playing the pipa at the age of nine. At thirteen, she auditioned and was accepted into the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, where in 1992, she was awarded a Bachelor's Degree. In 2005, Ms. Zhang received Master's Degree in Musicology from Xiamen University. As an award-​​winning concert soloist, she performed and toured extensively throughout Asia and the U.S. Since making her home in SF Bay Area in 2006, Ms. Zhang has combined her lengthy performance career and her vast experience as an educator, preserving the musical heritage of China while also exploring other world cultures. Ms. Zhang taught music at Stanford University from 2015 to 2017, and she has her own pipa studio in Silicon Valley where she teaches classical Chinese music to a diverse student population. 

Pandit Habib Khan (sitar)

Pandit Habib Khan is regarded as one of the best sitar players in the country today. He was born into a family of musicians and can trace his lineage back several generations to when classical music enjoyed the patronage of the nobility and royalty of India. He began his training at the tender age of five under the strict eye of his accomplished father, Ustad Hameed Jaffer Khan. The Jaffer Khan family was from Indore and were well known for their unique style of playing the sitar, melding the effect of the human voice and the instrumental tone into a harmonious whole. Habib Khan has carved out a distinct style of his own which is a blend of his father's traditional techniques and his own imaginative inventions. He is as much at ease with light classical and religious music as he is with pure classical renderings of ragas. 

Mindia Devi Klein (Indian bansuri & silver flutes, Balinese gamelan)

Mindia Devi Klein is a founding member of Ancient Future and an award winning musician, composer and educator. Known primarily for her rare and haunting Indian bansuri flute music, she was actually born in Brooklyn, New York, where she began her formal music training at the tender age of two with African American folk singer Charity Bailey. Early exposure to the jazz greats and the vast diversity of the world's music left her hungering for a doorway into the mystic heart and roots of music. She followed her muse to California and the Ali Akbar College of Music where she met and began training with Ustad Ali Akbar Khan for over 40 years at Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, California. She also trained under bansuri maestro G.S. Sachdev and then learned in India under guidance of world renown bansuri flutist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia. A recipient of the American Institute for Indian Studies Smithsonian Fellowship, the Fulbright Scholarship in Balinese gamelan and numerous community arts and composition awards, Mindia's playing and compositions blend together the sounds and ideas of many worlds in a subtle and unique way. 

Benjy Wertheimer (tabla, percussion, and esraj)

Benjy Wertheimer is a founding member of Ancient Future. An award-winning musician, composer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist equally accomplished on tabla, congas, percussion, esraj, guitar, and keyboards, he has performed and recorded with such artists as Krishna Das, Deva Premal and Miten, Jai Uttal, Walter Becker of Steely Dan, tabla master Zakir Hussain, and bamboo flute master G. S. Sachdev. He began his musical studies at age five, starting with piano and later violin, flamenco guitar, and Afro-Cuban percussion. Benjy has been a student of Indian classical music for over 40 years, sitting with some of the greatest masters of that tradition, including Alla Rakha, Zakir Hussain, Ali Akbar Khan and Z. M. Dagar. Along with the Grateful Dead's Mickey Hart, he was a contributing composer and member of the Zakir Hussain Rhythm Experience. For over five years, Benjy scored music for the internationally syndicated NBC series Santa Barbara, and his CD Circle of Fire went to #1 on the international New Age radio charts in 2002. Making his home in Portland, Oregon, he now tours internationally with his wife Heather in the kirtan group Shantala. 

Jim Hurley (violin)

Jim Hurley, multi-instrumental performer, composer and educator, began playing violin in the Livermore public schools, and later explored rock guitar and bass, jazz and world music, improvisation and composition. Influenced profoundly by South Indian violinist L. Shankar, he incorporates styles from bebop to zydeco, European classical to Zairean soukous. He studied violin with Dr. Madeline Schatz, protege of Jascha Heifetz and Josef Gingold, at Humboldt State University, where he earned his B.A. in Music. Jim's professional credits include performances and recordings with Queen Ida's Grammy-winning Bon Temps Zydeco Band, Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, all-China gu zheng virtuoso Zhao Hui, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (with Jon Anderson from Yes), Kenneth Nash (Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Dizzie Gillespie alumnus), Dan Hicks, Al Stewart, Josh Groban, Smokey Robinson, Stanley Jordan, the Waybacks, Tempest, and many other artists. He has performed on NBC's Saturday Night Live, NPR's A Prairie Home Companion, and at numerous festivals including New Orleans Jazz and Heritage, Monterey Jazz, Winnipeg Folk, and Strawberry Music.

Doug McKeehan (keys)

Doug McKeehan started his piano studies at age five, and began his first professional work at the age of twelve. He studied music at the Oberlin Conservatory, Kent State University, and the University of Otago (New Zealand). He has toured Europe twice and spent considerable time in India studying with notable Indian music teachers such as Pandit Ram Narayan, Ustad Kursheed Khan and Pandit A.G. Bhattacharya. He has composed original music for stage and T.V. productions in San Francisco and Los Angeles and has been musical director of two original musical comedy productions. In 2008 he was commissioned to compose and perform live music for the Diablo Ballet's production Jazz Fever. He cofounded Air Craft with violinist Bruce Bowers, which released a highly acclaimed jazz fusion album, So Near, So Far. He is a first call jazz pianist in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Ian Dogole (percussion)

Ian Dogole has articulated his vision of global fusion music as a multi percussionist, bandleader, educator, recording artist, composer and producer. He has released seven records and a DVD as a leader – Along the Route, Dangerous Ground, Ionospheres, Night Harvest, Convergence, Crossroads, Outside the Box – Jazz Journeys & Worlds Beyond and Ian Dogole & Hemispheres In Concert (DVD). Ian has recorded and performed with artists such as Hamza el Din, Tito La Rosa, Richie Cole, Paul McCandless and Alex de Grassi. He performs on a wide variety of percussion instruments, including udu, cajon, hang, African talking drum, kalimbas, cymbals and dumbek. 

111 Word Radio Announcement

Ancient Future will perform a 40th Anniversary & Bandleader Birthday Party February 12, 2019, at 8 PM at the Freight and Salvage, located at 2020 Addison Street in Berkeley. Ancient Future's first concert took place on February 11, 1979, at the Sleeping Lady Cafe in Fairfax, the day before Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort's birthday. The exact lineup for the show has not yet been announced, but will include musicians from Ancient Future's long history of cross cultural music collaborations. Call (510) 644-2020 for more information. Tickets are $20 in advance at the F&S, and $24 at the door. All tickets are subject to an additional $4 per ticket facility fee. 

Thursday, November 29, 2018

ITALY: Giovanni Falzone-Far East Trip (2018)

 Giovanni Falzone, one of the most interesting and creative European trumpeter, reinterprets the Far East Suite by Duke Ellington In 1966/67 Duke Ellington undertook a long journey through the Middle and Far East. When he came back he wrote a very successful suite with which he won the Grammy for Jazz in 1968. A real mixed jungle of notes that Giovanni Falzone reinterprets and combines with original tracks of a different journey, a real psychedelic trip between Far East and nu Jazz. Giovanni Falzone, one of the most interesting and creative European trumpeter, reinterprets the Far East Suite by Duke Ellington, combining four tracks of the original suite (A tourist point of view – Blue Bird of Delhi (Mynah) – Blue Pepper (Far east of the Blues) – Amad) with original pieces conceived and written as a tribute to the musical thought of the Duke. The project was born as a special concert for Focus India / Lugano LAC. 50 years after the publication of the album (Far East Suite, 1967) which won also the Grammy as the best jazz 1968’s performance. Far East Trip has been recorded live on November 2nd 2017 at Palestra Visconti in Milan.


 Giovanni Falzone trumpet, arrangements, conduction Massimo Marcer trumpet Massimiliano Millesi tenor sax and baritone Andrea Baronchelli trombone and tuba Alessandro Rossi drums

Giovanni Falzone | Far East Trip

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

USA: Steve Kuhn-To and from the Heart (Sunnyside 2018)


To and from the Heart

Having just celebrated his 80th birthday, pianist Steve Kuhn has continued to get to the heart of things with his long-standing trio of bass guitarist Steve Swallow and drummer Joey Baron. The ensemble's deeply resonant relationship can be heard on their new recording, To and From The Heart, a poignant collection of pieces that showcases these masters' highly wrought abilities in wringing emotion from the ether.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

PORTUGAL: RICARDO TOSCANO QUARTET FEAT. JOÃO PEDRO COELHO, ROMEU TRISTÃO E JOÃO LOPES PEREIRA(CleanFeed2018)

RICARDO TOSCANO QUARTET FEAT. JOÃO PEDRO COELHO, ROMEU TRISTÃO E JOÃO LOPES PEREIRA


Ricardo Toscano Quartet
Ricardo Toscano saxofone | João Pedro Coelho piano | Romeu Tristão contrabaixo | João Lopes Pereira bateria


cleanfeed

Monday, November 26, 2018

USA: Harriet Tubman- The Terror End of Beauty (Sunnyside 2018)


The Terror End of Beauty

he runner dashes toward the cliff's edge, his hang glider's wings rattling above. He has reached the crest and, before he can think to stop, he is falling. For those few seconds before the wind mercifully sweeps him away, he is in a freefall, in a state of exhilaration, heightened awareness and, perhaps, terror. Yet, he has committed himself and had to push through the fear in order to soar. // The members of Harriet Tubman find this an apt analogy for their musical approach. For over two decades, guitarist Brandon Ross, bassist Melvin Gibbs and drummer JT Lewis have thrown themselves into making music that is sans genre, infective and overpowering. Their years of experience playing alongside and driving many of the improvised music, jazz and rock's most celebrated ensembles have prepared them to run this gauntlet, The Terror End of Beauty.

Sunday, November 25, 2018

ITALY: Fiv5- Winter Wonderland (2018)

Fiv5 | Winter Wonderland

This project is dedicated to traditional Christmas songs which originate from Boccafoglia's imagination and it's arranged by the whole band, which captures sounds from jazz, soul, blues and many influences. Every song has it's own identity and texture, in terms of style and so forth. On some of the tracks there's even an orchestral string section and harp, with original arrangements by Caniato, which give a lush sound to the songs. This exciting session, is wide and spacious to the instrumental improvisations. Hence, Winter Winterland becomes a very enjoyable record throughout the year.

Saturday, November 24, 2018

USA:Ingrid Jensen & Steve Tresler - Invisible Sounds: For Kenny Wheeler (Whirlwind Recordings 2018)


Invisible Sounds: For Kenny Wheeler

For trumpeter Ingrid Jensen and saxophonist/ clarinetist Steve Treseler, paying tribute to the late Kenny Wheeler was a calling. 'Ingrid and I are both devoted Kenny fans and we both had the opportunity to work with him in person,'says Treseler. 'Invisible Sounds' reinterprets works from his prolific catalog. Ingrid s band - Geoffrey Keezer (piano), Martin Wind (bass) and Jon Wikan (drums) - was playing at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Idaho, so they booked two nights at Seattle's Royal Room, as well as the studio session. Between the shows they recorded the album (with guest saxophonist Christine Jensen and vocalist Katie Jacobson). The energy of those performances is brought together here.



Friday, November 23, 2018

UK: Allan Holdsworth-Live In Japan 1984(Manifesto 2018)

Live In Japan 1984
Deluxe CD/DVD edition. Manifesto has partnered with the Holdsworth Family Estate to release a series of archival live recordings from the various eras of Allan's long and esteemed career and Allan Holdsworth, I.O.U. - Live In Japan 1984 will be the first of the recordings from this series. Live In Japan 1984 is the final live set by Allan Holdsworth's I.O.U band, featuring live versions of material from his first three solo albums; I.O.U., the Grammy nominated Road Games and Metal Fatigue. The first 1,000 copies of this release will come with a bonus DVD of this historic concert. This is an obvious "must have" for Allan Holdsworth fans all over the world!




Thursday, November 22, 2018

CROATIA/GERMANY: Lada Obradovic Project-The Portrait of a Pregnant Bumblebee (2018)

The Portrait of a Pregnant Bumblebee

Lada Obradovic - drums, percussion; Maxime Berton - tenor/ soprano saxophones; Matthias Legner - vibraphone, marimba; David Tixier - piano Miha Koren - double bass, electric bass
http://www.ladaobradovic.com

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

USA: KosI- Stranger in Every Town 2018)



She's more than just a drama queen. She's got piercing eyes and a voice that's larger than her body. But, small as she is, she won't fit in a box. She switches styles more quickly than you can follow. First she's jazz, then she's blues, then she's rock, but always powerful. You definitely want to hear this girl sing... if you can handle it.

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

USA/FRANCE: Paris Combo's Winter 2018 US Tour:

61389 pariscombo portrait c2 a9jorge 20fidel 20alvarez

Every time Paris Combo sets foot in the US, it's cause for celebration. Not just any swing revival kinda band, these clever Parisians mix it up with influences straight from the cosmopolitan attitude of their hometown, throwing in everything from North Africa to the B52s and of course, a healthy dose of Django.

Paris Combo's Winter 2018 US Tour:

01/06/2019, Washington, DC, City Winery Washington, 8:00 pm
01/07/2019, New York, NY, Joe's Pub, 9:30 PM
01/09/2019 & 01/10/2019 (2 shows!), Seattle, WA, The Triple Door, 7:30 pm
01/12/2019, Berkeley, CA, Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, 8:00 pm
01/13/2019, Folsom, CA, Harris Center, 1:00 pm
01/15/2019 & 01/16/2019 (4 shows!), Minneapolis, MN, Dakota, 7:00 pm
01/17/2019, Chicago, IL, City Winery Chicago, 8:00 pm
01/19/2019, Boston, MA, Berklee Performance Center, 8:00 pm

USA: ESU and The Al Cohn Memorial Jazz Collection Present The 2nd Annual Duke Ellington Nutcracker Suite Saturday December 08 7:00 PM

 
ESU and The Al Cohn Memorial Jazz Collection Present The 2nd Annual Duke Ellington Nutcracker Suite Saturday December 08 7:00 PM
Tickets & Info

Monday, November 19, 2018

FRANCE: New EP Release From Jazzy Sky - 'Breakfast'

New EP Release From Jazzy Sky - 'Breakfast' 


The “Jazzy Sky” band is very pleased to announce the release of their first EP, composed of four Jazzy songs, on December 7, 2018 (pre-order available on the November 9th 2018). This project started in 2016 with the recording of their first single “Breakfast”, performed by Elizabeth, and was finished in 2018 to include three other songs performed by guest singer: Camille Van Niekerk.

  A presentation video is also available at this address: https://youtu.be/nCq-tlO93EU .


 Camille is a singer and vocal instructor. She loves sharing the beauty and joy of music with others, whether through performance or teaching. Camille began studying voice and performing in musicals at age seven. In 2010, Camille began working at University, where she studied classical voice and jazz voice. Camille graduated Summa cum laude with a 3.98 GPA. After graduating, she earned her teaching credential and taught classroom choral and instrumental music. Shortly after moving, Camille began her private vocal studio, providing vocal coaching, ear training, and recording for students of all ages.


When she is not teaching, she also sings with chorales and a Gospel Choir. The music was composed by Stephane Querry, as were the lyrics (with the help of his brother Olivier). Stephane Querry is a pianist and composer who began piano at age eleven. After studying in different music schools, he received a classical piano scholarship to study with Michel Prady, and he has been luckily enough to be selected inside the prestigious professional classroom of France Clidat (at the “Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris”) for 4 years (1999-2003), where he developed his technique in classical music. He studies Jazz (Harmony, Piano improvisation, band formation and rhythm) in the David Patrois Classroom in the musical conservatory of the 5th district of Paris and also in other various classrooms (Jean-Christophe Dorchies for example).


 Very attracted to music composition, Stephane wrote a post romantic piano concerto and several classical transcriptions for the trio as well as several Jazz songs. The subject of this EP mainly concerns the first steps of a love story with the song “Tonight” which is about the first meeting between a man and a woman, “Breakfast” - a stay in a hotel far away from a love; “All or Nothing” which describes the wish to share a love story happiness with a deceased family member, and finally “In love” which is about the feeling of being in love, with a message of hope. For more information, please, do not hesitate to visit our website
http://www.jazzysky.com.

USA: Steve McQuarry — Aire(2018)

Steve McQuarry | Aire
This is an improvised solo piano session, recorded in the moment. Enjoy!

Composer, Arranger, Orchestrator and Keyboardist, McQuarry has performed with distinguished artists such as the late Dizzy Gillespie, Clare Fischer, Louie Bellson, Red Rodney (Charlie Parker), Tom Scott, the late John Cage, Laurie Anderson, Vinnie Colaiuta (Sting, Herbie Hancock, Frank Zappa), Nathan East (Eric Clapton, Herbie Hancock, Bob James), Bill Rich (Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Miles, Taj Mahal) and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.
http://www.mcquarry.org/

USA: Matt Panayides: Field Theory NYC Cornelia Street CafeSunday, November 25th 8PM


Matt Panayides: Field Theory NYC
Matt Panayides-guitar/comp
Matt Vashlishan-EWI (wind synth)
Robert Sabin-bass
Mark Ferber-drums

Appearing at

Cornelia Street Cafe
Sunday, November 25th 8pm
$10 cover $10 minimum
Reservations recommended:
Formed in the Spring of 2018 Field Theory has been performing and creating new music in venues throughout the New York area. Created by composer and guitarist Matt Panayides, it features Matt Vashlishan on wind synth (EWI), Bob Sabin on bass and Mark Ferber on drums. This quartet has been playing together in a variety of configurations and settings for more then a decade. In this project the band explores a more electrified space, with a unique texture formed between the wind synth and the electric guitar. Grounded by the supportive upright bass and enveloped within a cushion of rhythm, this music is alive. The group is excited to be returning once again to Cornelia Street Cafe to debut the project in this unique and beloved space. Over this past summer, Panayides took the compositions and spirit of the group to Asia. He performed this music to packed houses in both Seoul and Shanghai collaborating with a variety of well known local musicians.

Matt Panayides is a modern guitarist and composer. His compelling melodies, compositions and improvisations remain in the listener’s mind long after the gig, employing modern harmonies, free and structured improvisations, mixed-meter rhythms and straight-ahead swing. Matt has released two albums featuring his original compositions for quartet, Conduits (2015) and Tapestries of Song (2011).

More info and videos at: www.mattpanayides.com

"Panayides entertains and impresses in equal measure.  A major new talent for new times.”
-Chris Spector, Midwest Record

Sunday, November 18, 2018

USA: Pat Bianchi - In The Moment (2018) (Savant 2018)

PAT BIANCHI - In the Moment Savant Records SCD 2173 Pat Bianchi, organ Paul Bollenback, guitar • Byron Landham, drums TRACK LINTING & GUEST ARTISTS 1. Humpty Dumpty 3:41 w/ Joe Locke & Carmen Intorre, Jr 2. Blue Gardenia 7:20 w/ Peter Bernstein 3. Don't You Worry ‘Bout a Thing 7:31 4. Mr. PM 3:45 w/ Pat Martino & Carmen Intorre, Jr 5. Barracudas 7:47 6. Crazy 5:24 7. No Expectations 6:52 8. I Want to Talk About You 5:42 w/ Kevin Mahogany 9. Fall 7:10 w/ Joe Locke & Carmen Intorre, Jr 10. Four in One 4:28 w/ Joe Locke & Carmen Intorre, Jr Capable of everything from vibrato-laden intimate murmurings to sermonizing at a roaring volume, the jazz organ can sometimes be strangely dispiriting - like being stuck at a bar with a non-stop talker. PAT BIANCHI will have none of that, eschewing all the clichés and displaying the instrument’s versatility with a setlist that ranges from Chick Corea to Patsy Cline to Monk and Billy Eckstine. For this, Bianchi’s first recording on Savant, the leader has brought along a number of friends and colleagues including PAT MARTINO, JOE LOCKE, CARMEN INTORRE, JR. the late, lamented KEVIN MAHOGANY and others making for an extra-special debut recording.

Saturday, November 17, 2018

SWEDEN: Oskar Lindström Trio-Fugue (Nilento Records 2018)



  Oskar Lindström is one of Sweden´s most captivating young pianists and composers. Being nominated by Swedish national radio as "newcomer of the year" in 2017 he now releases his debut album as a leader. "Fugue" exclusively features Lindström´s distinctly lyrical original compositions, drawing inspiration from the strong tradition of Nordic pianotrios as well as folk music and chorales. Alongside Lindström´s personal and precise touch on the piano, fellow Swedish musicians Eirik Lund and Filip Olofsson, having backgrounds in various styles of music apart from jazz, offer an intriguing addition to the musical discourse. The album is recorded at the renowned Nilento studio outside Gothenburg in the early spring of 2018.
Nilento Records

Friday, November 16, 2018

USA: Maria Schafer - New Album "Christmas in the City" now available!

 

It's here!

My new duo holiday album with guitarist Shane Savala is now available for purchase in digital or physical CD form on most major platforms! We recorded swing and bossa versions of some of our favourite holiday tunes like "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" and "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" and are also debuting our first songwriting endeavours together in two sweet and lilting originals entitled "Shape Your Light" and "Brings Me Back".

I'm so excited to share this beautiful music with you and I know that many of you will enjoy playing this music around the holidays!

If you're more of a purchaser (which I absolutely appreciate, of course!) it's on BandCamp, CDBaby, and iTunes currently (Amazon will be coming shortly). If you're a streamer, it's available on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Pandora, you name it.

If you give the music a listen and enjoy it, I would really appreciate you sharing with your friends or other people who might enjoy the music too! And keep your eyes peeled for a few promo videos we have coming out soon.

And to my friends in Japan, I just learned that Tower Records is selling my quartet album, "To Know Love", on their Japanese website, so if you're looking for some stocking stuffers...that link is here!
Upcoming Performances
11/20, 6:15-7:15PM - Argyros Plaza, Segerstrom Center, Costa Mesa, CA
11/24, 7:30-9:30PM - The Townsend, Austin, TX (with trumpet player Brad Black), Tix: $10

USA: Ernie Watts Quartet -Home Light (2018)


Home Light

New and original music from Grammy winning saxophonist Ernie Watts. His latest Flying Dolphin release is 'Home Light,' just-pressed and filled with a variety of powerful and lyrical pieces, and also some humor, such as the irresistible, Ornette-like energy of 'Frequie Flyiers,' a tribute to bebop, and 'I Forgot August,' built on the harmonic structure of the standard 'I Remember April. ' 'Horizon' is a lovely meditative ballad, and the title tune, 'Home Light,' a nod towards gospel.

Thursday, November 15, 2018

USA: Joshua Breakstone Trio -Children Of Art (Capri 2018)


Children Of Art
Joshua Breakstone's latest recording, Children of Art is a tribute to Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and is made up of compositions written by members of that hallowed band. Hundreds of great young musicians were a part of this group over the 60 year tenure of the band, all with youthful energy and enthusiasm under Blakey's mentorship. The compositions Breakstone selected were written and recorded by the musicians while they were with the band. They include Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Horace Silver, Hank Mobley, Benny Golson, Cedar Walton and Walter Davis Jr. The title track is an original composition by Breakstone.