Austin’s Debut CD -- Songs in the Key of Wonder
Salutes Motown Superstar |
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(New York, NY) Pianist James Austin Jr. is proud to announce his upcoming venue debut on Thursday, June 6th, at Club Bonafide – the New York jazz room run by international jazz bass star Richard Bona. Austin will be accompanied by a sextet featuring Joe Magnarelli on trumpet, Justin Robinson on sax, Ben Rubens on bass, Jeremy Warrenon drums and Daniel Sadownick on percussion. Additionally, Alexis Morrast will be the special guest vocalist. The group will perform two sets at 6pm and 8pm.
Austin recently released his debut CD, Songs in the Key of Wonder, that features 10 of his unique arrangements of Stevie Wonder songs. Styles run the gamut from the swing of “Isn’t She Lovely” and “Part-Time Lover,” “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” in 7/8, “Tuesday Heartbreak” in a laidback guitar-led quartet gait, and “Lately” caressed as a piano/bass duet. The mood-drenched Wonder love songs “You’ve Got it Bad Girl,” “Golden Lady” and “Overjoyed” are massaged with tender loving radio-friendly care. And “Another Star” gets its Latin roots excavated by a fiery sextet with percussion and horns. Magnarelli, Harris and Reubens all participated on the recording and many of its selections will comprise Austin’s set at Club Bonafide.
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“An auspicious debut from this fine pianist…”
--- All About Jazz |
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| A 2006 Theolonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition Semi-Finalist Austin has worked with Russell Malone,Don Braden, Frank Morgan, Winard Harper and Mark Gross, among others. He is also the proud MD for up-and-coming vocalist Alexis Morrast, and curates a series of monthly jazz jam sessions meshing legends with newcomers for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. A meeting with stellar musical director Ray Chew resulted in a plethora of premiere concert hall performances, television shows, and private gigs including Chew’s annual all-star “Night of Inspiration” concerts at Carnegie Hall. On these occasions James has accompanied superstar vocalists from Lalah Hathaway and Brian McKnight to BeBe Winans and Yolanda Adams. |
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“A most welcome breath of fresh, swinging air across today’s musical landscape…
This CD is a triumph!” --- Wayne Winborne
Institute of Jazz Studies –
Rutgers University – Newark |
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UPCOMING MAY | JUNE PERFORMANCES
THURSDAY, MAY 30TH | 8PM
Performing with Alexis Morrast
The New Brunswick Jazz Project
Hyatt Regency Hotel
2 Albany Street - New Brunswick, NJ 08901
FRIDAY, MAY 31ST | 7PM
Performing with Alexis Morrast
The Institute of Jazz Studies @ Rutgers University
Clement’s Place – 15 Washington Street
Newark, NJ 07102
FRIDAY, JUNE 14TH & SATURDAY, JUNE 15TH | 7:30PM & 9PM
Performing with the Neal Smith Quartet
Smalls Jazz Club – 183 West 10th Street
New York City 10014
THURSDAY, JUNE 20TH | 7:30PM
NJPAC Jazz Jam Session - Led By James Austin, Jr.
Clement’s Place – 15 Washington Street - Newark, NJ 07102
Featuring: David Williams, Alvester Garnett and Justin Jones
FRIDAY, JUNE 21ST | 7PM
James Austin, Jr. Quintet
Clement’s Place – 15 Washington Street - Newark, NJ 07102
Featuring: Willie Jones III, Ben Rubens, Alex Norris and
Daniel Sadownick
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