Sunday, July 28, 2013

Pete Escovedo - Live From Stern Grove Festival (2013)

A new release from legendary timbales player and bandleader Pete Escovedo that captures a live show he played last year at Stern Grove Festival, the legendary 75-year-old San Francisco cultural venue and institution. Special guests include trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, guitarist Ray Obiedo, saxophonist Dave Koz, and conga player/vocalist Sheila E.
http://peteescovedo.com/





New Release: Albare "The Road Ahead" (ENJA RECORDS)

New Release
Albare
"The Road Ahead" (ENJA-9598) Street Date June 11, 2013 Special Reservice July 2013
Albare-guitar
Phil Turcio-piano
Yunior Terry-bass
Pablo Bencid-drums 
Allan Harris vocals (#12)


Allan Harris vocals (#12)

"Albare is the most active jazz guitarist and composer in Australia today. Albare’s recordings and world tours spread the passion of jazz to the fans everywhere." 
-- Con Gallin, CEO Gibson Australia

“Guitarist Albare fronts an impressive team through music that mixes energy with lyricism… a strong statement for the value of modern contemporary jazz.” JAZZ WEEKLY

 
American audiences may just be getting to know the original music and extraordinary musicianship of the gifted guitarist/composer Albare (the nom de guerre of Albert Dadon), but in Australia he’s already a prominent member of Australia’s ever-growing and excellent jazz scene.  Born in Morocco, raised in France and Israel and immigrating to Australia at the age of 27, he has since become a jazz legend down under, not just as a player, but also as director of the Melbourne Jazz Festival and founder of the Australian Jazz Awards.

The Road Ahead fuses Albare’s Moroccan roots effortlessly with six-string influences ranging from Wes Montgomery to George Benson, fueled by grooves established by his extraordinary rhythm section: Phil Turcio on piano (Phil is also one of Australia’s foremost record producers), Cuban bassist Yunior Terry and Venezuelan drummer Pablo Bencid.

All of the tunes on the current CD are originals, with the exception of Stevie Wonder's Overjoyed, which features the warm voice of guest vocalist Allan Harris, whom Tony Bennett has called “my favorite singer.”

 
Official website: www.albaremusic.com
Official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ALBAREMUSIC.GROUP
Enja is distributed by Allegro Media Group, Portland, OR.

National Publicity Campaign
Jim Eigo Jazz Promo Services
Ph: 845-986-1677 /
jim@jazzpromoservices.com
"Specializing in Media Campaigns for the music community, artists, labels, venues and events.
 





ALSO AVAILABLE ON
ENJA RECORDS

 





NEW RELEASE Global Noize "SLY Reimagined" The Music of Sly and The Family Stone (Zoho Roots ZM201308)


LISTEN
WATCH

           When Sly and The Family Stone hit the scene back in the late ‘60s, the world – socially, culturally and politically – was in a state of upheaval.  And their music perfectly evangelized the moment.  Today, we stand dangerously at the edge of a similar precipice – and that message of celebratory potential and jubilant clarity is sorely needed.  With that concept squarely implanted in his mind’s eye, visionary conceptualist, producer, arranger, composer and keyboard wizard Jason Miles has created the extraordinary Sly Reimagined on the Zoho Roots label.  With his groundbreaking, genre-defying borderless mothership Global Noize providing the vehicle, Miles takes on eight classic Sly Stone journeys into the wilds of a reality nearly half a century beyond their point of inception.

            Nobody is more capable or qualified to take on a project like this than the Grammy-winning Miles.  His groundbreaking synth programming for Miles Davis’ ‘80s masterpieces Tutu, Music from Siesta and Amandla; along with his contributions to a genre-crossing array of artists - including Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Ruben Blades, David Sanborn, Whitney Houston, Grover Washington Jr., The Crusaders, Chaka Khan and so many others - have led to a variety of legacy-based dedications to Marvin Gaye, Ivan Lins, Vandross, Grover…and now Sly.

            Reimagined is the ideal description as the music on this CD doesn’t simply pay homage, but also defines the timelessness of the music by translating it to the forefront of musical thinking here in 2013.  Global Noize – with its triumvirate of Miles, turntable master DJ Logic and vocalist Falu – is accompanied on this recording by an astonishing array of nearly two dozen musical powerhouses, including Nona Hendryx, Roberta Flack, Jay Rodriguez, Amanda Ruzza and the original Family Stone drummer Greg Errico.

            The nine vocalists and seventeen instrumentalists are woven masterfully into the musical context of each piece – no contrivance, no excess, no aural gymnastics, just extraordinary musicianship, impeccable tastefulness and a relentless sense of groove.  The musicians weave in and out, emerging at the always appropriate moment and then sinking back into the perfect mix.  There is a visceral sense of ensemble playing, as live and cohesive as the 1968 concert performance at the Fillmore East where Jason first experienced Sly and The Family Stone, becoming forever connected to its unique musical expression.  But while that group never could have existed without the foundation of James Brown, vocal groups from the Orioles through the Temptations, jubilant jazz of Louis Jordan through Mingus and Sun Ra, and all strains of Gospel and Blues, Sly Reimagined shows the influences of the post-Sly environment of P-Funk, Prince and the many explorers stimulated by Sly and The Family Stone.  All cross-bred with the borderless context of the here and now at its richest.

            Two songs are given dual treatments.  It’s a Family Affair – both with Roberta Flack on lead vocals – receives a Groove Vibe Version and the Falu Mumbai Mix.  The former a deeply grooved percussive blend with horns, voices, rhythm and DJ Logic all circling around in an infectious round-robin; the latter sparer, leaner, meaner and tinged with Eastern harmonic and rhythmic flavors that offer testimony to the sub-title.  Nona Hendryx sings lead on both versions of The Same Thing. The straight-up version is an extremely funky excursion with a dark gurgle of baritone sax (courtesy Jay Rodriguez) all swaggering, staggering and lurching forward like a super-hip drunk on a fervent mission for The Funk.  The Mulholland Drive Mix plows similar ground, but coupling a deep bass groove with a strong spicing of the classic tenor/organ combo tradition.

            The Big Horn tenor style – this time in the hands of Ron Holloway - is also featured on Fun with a raucous solo that evokes the irresistible sound of Gene Ammons and Arnett Cobb.  Surrounding it is a vividly syncopated groove kick, a passionately soulful vocal by Maya Azucena, DJ Logic’s turntable magic, a chanting chorus and lots of undiluted fun.

            Maya’s vocals also take the lead on two other pieces.  You Can Make It If You Try, a richly layered celebration with a distinct P-Funk feel, the funky trumpet of Ingrid Jensen, and Rodriguez updating Jr. Walker into the 21st Century.  On Stand, a proudly upright and emphatic take on the anthem, Maya soars over a chorus of vocalists chanting it out in Funkadelicized Gospel jubilation.  She also provides playful and expressive support for Nona Hendryx’s lead on In Time, an easy-grooved percussive jaunt stoked by rich synthesizer textures.

            Global Noize regular Falu is up front on the brilliant Thank You For Talking To Me Africa – with a side trip to India via her Carnatic vocal approach.  An ultra-thick body built on a saxophone choir (arrangement and all saxes by Jeff Coffin), sets a tantalizing groove that oozes like a lava flow and just keeps digging deeper and deeper and deeper into the darkest lustre of pure funk. Falu’s exotic, sinuous style is also ideal for Dreams, an appropriately ethereal and evocative soundscape built upon a pastiche of electronica that closes out this remarkable album in a most palpably emotional manner.

            The presence of Jason Miles is at the core of every element of this truly remarkable album.  Not only does the concept flow stem from the heart and soul of his remarkable musical vision; but also the keyboards, synthesizer and programming that comprise his instruments of aural expression permeate every moment of this music, holding it together and binding all of the parts into a most singular sensibility.  Sly Reimagined is an album that can be experienced for its sheer joy, or dug into more deeply for in unlimited depth of artistic expression.

 
For more information about Jason Miles and this album
visit
http://www.jasonmilesmusic.com and
http://www.zohomusic.com/

ZOHO ®  is distributed by Allegro Media Group, Portland, OR.


Personnel
Jason Miles keyboards and programming, organ, synthesizers, synth bass
DJ Logic turntables on 2 -4, 9, 10
Nona Hendryx lead vocals on 1, 4, 9
Falu lead vocals on 7, 8, 10
Roberta Flack lead vocals on 2 & 8
Maya Azucena vocals on 3, 5, 6; background vocals on 1
Amy Hanaialii vocals and vocal adlibs on 7
Malika Zarra World vocals on 1
James D Train Williams vocals on 2, 5
Butterscotch Beat Box on 1; scratching, vocals on 5
Porter Carrol vocals on 6
Nick Moroch guitar on 1, 10;
Will Bernard guitar on 2, 6, 8, 9;
Dean Brown guitar on 5, 7;
Ingrid Jensen trumpet on 2, 5;
Barry Danielian trumpet on 3, 7;
Gottfried Stoger tenor sax on 1;
Jeff Coffin all saxes, horn arrangement on 7;
Ron Holloway tenor sax on 3;
Jay Rodriguez tenor sax on 2, 5, 8, 9 baritone sax on 4, flute and bass clarinet on 10;
Amanda Ruzza bass on 2, 6 – 9;
Greg Errico drums on 1, 5, 6,;
Mocean Worker (Adam Dorn) bass on 5, EFX and beats on 10;
Adrian Harpham drums on 2, 8;
Brian Dunne drums on 7, 9;
Bashiri Johnson percussion on 7


Track Listing:
  1. IN TIME 6:41  
  2. IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR Groove Vibe Version 4:52  
  3. FUN 5:08  
  4. THE SAME THING 5:06  
  5. YOU CAN MAKE IT IF YOU TRY 4:04  
  6. STAND! 4:48  
  7. THANK YOU FOR TALKING TO ME AFRICA 6:56  
  8. IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR Falu Mumbai Mix 5:00  
  9. THE SAME THING 67 Mulholland Drive Mix 4:53 
  10.  DREAMS 5:42








For Interviews and Promos Contact:
Jim Eigo
Jazz Promo Services
T: 845-986-1677
E-Mail:
jim@jazzpromoservices.com
http://www.jazzpromoservices.com/

Miho Hazama- Journey to Journey(sunnyside 2013)


Music has an uncanny ability to transmit emotion unlike any other art form. Ups and downs. Failures and achievements. In this particular instance, the music on composer/arranger Miho Hazama’s new record captures the joy of completing one stage in her musical development, namely graduation from the Manhattan School of Music, and the beginning of her new journey as a professional musician.

The expressive new recording Journey to Journey (Sunnyside, Mar. 26, 2013) showcases the fantastic workmanship of this young Japanese composer, arranger and pianist. Originally from Tokyo, but now based in New York City, Hazama has studied music since she was five years old, beginning with piano and electric organ. When she was thirteen, she began to study composition in earnest, which led her to studies at Kunitachi College of Music and then to the Manhattan School, where she completed her master’s degree in jazz composition.

For Journey to Journey, Hazama has assembled a large ensemble that she calls the m_unit, a versatile large jazz ensemble that also features vibraphone and a string section. The ensemble performs a collection of inspired pieces Hazama wrote and arranged along with an intriguing arrangement of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi.”

The record begins with the ebullient “Mr. O,” which unleashes a torrent of musical ideas like yarns from an exuberant storyteller. “Tokyo Confidential” is a charging yet mysterious, noir-ish tune featuring the superb vibraphone playing of special guest Stefon Harris. The lush “Blue Forest” presents an expertly wrought arrangement led by strings followed by a lilting flugelhorn feature. “Journey to Journey” relates directly to the sentiment of moving forward from one path to the next with an upbeat composition with an occasionally tentative but ultimately uplifting theme. The track also features the sublime tones of Steve Wilson’s alto saxophone.

Hazama’s interpretation of Lady Gaga’s hit “Paparazzi” shows the young arranger’s ability to transform a well-known theme into something entirely new. “Believing in Myself” is a tricky composition challenging performers and listeners alike but culminating in an intense, beautiful ending. The mingling of woodwinds and strings make “Ballad” a short and stunning harmonic study. The music of “What Will You See When You Turn the Next Corner?” asks many questions and gives an intriguing answer with a nuanced and diverse performance. “Hidamari” closes the record with an introspective, beautiful tone poem.

Journey to Journey introduces a new and exceptionally talented voice into the jazz world. Miho Hazama has studied and molded herself into an artist of great value. This recording is a perfect introduction to her musical identity as she begins her next journey.

Fabrizio Sotti - Right Now (2013)

"Right Now is the complete opposite of bombastic, but its resounding brilliance rings quite loudly. In "One" (U2), the sharp if not acrid edge of Isabella Lundgren's voice combines with her languid phrasing to legitimately suggest Billie Holiday, as Sotti's soft, liquid guitar adorns her sound in jazz and blues. In addition, Zucchero gives sadly beautiful voice to Bono's lyric for "Someone Else's Tears." This genuine and profound reminder of all the terrible beauty and glorious pain in creation may be a difficult song for your ears to leave behind. "In Europe, Zucchero is like Bruce Springsteen," Sotti explains. "The duet he did with Miles, 'Dune Mosse,' blew me away. Seeing an Italian singer with my jazz idol always stayed on my mind. I reached out to Zucchero when I was doing this album and he suggested we do 'Someone Else's Tears.' It was a huge honor to say the least." CHRIS M. SLAWECKI, allaboutjazz.com

One; Waiting in Vain; Paradis; Someone Else's Tears; The Wind Cries Mary; While the Sun is Rising; Prancing Horse; Fidjo Maguado; Fall with Me; Once in a Blue Moon; Right Now; The Wall (digital only).

Personnel: Fabrizio Sotti: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, classical guitar, nylon string guitar; Isabella Lundgren: vocals; Tony Grey: bass; Mino Cinelu: drums, percussion, vocals; Shaggy: vocals; Res: vocals; Zucchero: vocals; Melanie Fiona: vocals; Claudia Acunia: vocals; Algebra Blessett: vocals.
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Saturday, July 27, 2013

Morocco: The Tangier's Jazz Festival September 18 to 22, 2013

http://www.tanjazz.org/

PJ Rasmussen Adventures in Flight CD Release Party Sunday, July 28th 9:30 PM @ The Metropolitan Room

PJ Rasmussen
Adventures in Flight CD Release Party
Sunday, July 28th 9:30 PM
@ The Metropolitan Room
34 West 22nd St. 
between 5th and 6th Avs
New York, NY 10010
$20; 2 drink minimum
Featuring
Guitar: PJ Rasmussen
Piano: James Weidman
Bass: Adrian Moring
Drums: Jon Difiore
Sax: Nate Giroux
Trumpet: Ben Hankle 

Upcoming Live Appearances

Every Wed. through August
PJ Rasmussen
Jazzy Jammin' at the Boardwalk (Open Jam)
7-10 PM
1000 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, NJ
 
Featuring
Guitar: PJ Rasmussen Trio
Drums: Ryan Palermo
Bass: Daseul Kim

 Aug 17 & Sep. 21
April Webb/PJ Rasmussen Duo
April Webb, Vocals
PJ Rasmussen: Guitar
 
16 Prospect Street, Westfield, NJ

Wed., August 28th
The PJ Rasmussen Quartet
Set Times: 6-7 PM; 7:20-8 PM; 8:20-9 PM; 9:20-10 PM
99 7th Ave south between Christopher St &Grove St.
NYC
 
Featuring
PJ Rasmussen—Guitar 
Adrian Moring-Bass 
Jon Difiore— Drums 
Piano-- Chris Pattishall

Tue., Sept 3rd
The Daseul Kim Quartet
Set Times: 8-9:15 PM; 9:45-11 PM
239 East 53rd Street, Lower Level
(Between 2nd-3rd Avenue)
NYC
$5 Minimum
 
Featuring
Daseul Kim-Bass 
PJ Rasmussen-Guitar
Anthony Pocetti-Piano
Drums: Arthur Vint
Sep 13 w/ April Webb Hat City Kitchen
Sep 25th Cassandra Kubinski/PJ Rasmussen Duo
Set Times: 7, 8, 9 PM
205 W 54th St.
 
NEW CD
PJ Rasmussen "Adventures In Flight"
(Third Freedom Music 1001)
Street Date June 4, 2013

PJ Rasmussen-guitar
Steve Johns-drums
Adrian Moring-bass
Chris Pattishall-piano
Nate Giroux-tenor saxophone
Danny Reyes-trumpet & flugelhorn
Kelly Green-vocals

 Chartbound On Jazz Week
 


PJ Rasmussen
"Adventures In Flight"
(Third Freedom Music 1001)
Street Date June 4, 2013
PJ Rasmussen-guitar
Steve Johns-drums
Adrian Moring-bass
Chris Pattishall-piano 

Nate Giroux-tenor saxophone
Danny Reyes-trumpet & flugelhorn
Kelly Green-vocals

            A debut album is a daunting experience for any artist regardless of age.  But guitarist/composer PJ Rasmussen’s first CD – Adventures in Flight on Third Freedom Music – shows a young man brimming with  musical confidence and leadership qualities of a seasoned professional.  A truly outstanding composer, PJ has assembled a remarkable sextet for a highly diverse, but totally cohesive set of Rasmussen originals.

            Over the past 25 years, many artists have tried to re-create the substance of the classic 1960’s Blue Note era.  But what is usually missed is that the music of that era was utterly entrenched in the times it was created – an essential component of the Jazz tradition.  While PJ and his cohorts have feet solidly planted in that legacy, the music on this CD is vividly contemporary.

            Born in 1990, PJ cut his musical teeth on the rock and blues spirit of men like Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and has brought his love of those forms to his serious commitment to Jazz.  Combining these elements into a unified musical vision has resulted in carrying that timeless Blue Note recipe of funky hard-bop, soulful lyricism, passionate swing and innovative exploration smack dab into 2013.
            With one exception, all of the musicians are contemporaries of the guitarist; and that is the remarkable drummer Steve Johns, whose experience and mastery of a wide variety of styles contributes heavily to the unified thrust of this album.  All of the other musicians – tenor saxophonist Nate Giroux, Danny Reyes on trumpet and flugelhorn, Chris Pattishall on piano and Adrian Moring on bass – are superb, performing with youthful vigor and with a sense of urgency that has become increasingly rare. A most surprising element is that this group, after only a few rehearsals, sounds like an ensemble that has been performing together for years, particularly highlighted by the seamless interplay and nearly telepathic interaction between Moring and Johns, who anchor each track emphatically.

A major element of the success of this album is the extraordinary compositional skill of Rasmussen.  Eschewing the complex harmonics and rapidly jagged unison lines that young composers often employ to demonstrate compositional and performing virtuosity, PJ strives for lyricism, rhythmic variety and depth of mood, offering both the opportunity for rich musical exploration and the adventurousness of innovative excitement. Each composition is fully thought out and the music is well-planned, but still open enough for the elements of surprise and spontaneity that are essential to the best Jazz expositions.  The arrangements are finely crafted to fit both the compositional structure and the musicians who play them.  And two of the pieces, Waxing and Wayne-ing and At Long Last have the added spice of the lovely voice of Kelly Green wordlessly enhancing the melodic line.

            As a guitarist, Rasmussen is a musician of exceptional skills and has full command of a variety of genres.  His solos roar, rock, blaze and swing, as the music demands.  He shares the solo space primarily with tenorman Giroux and pianist Pattishall.  Giroux is a muscular, passionate saxophonist with chops to burn; Pattishall is also an excellent musician whose accompaniment and solos are always ideally suited to the circumstances.  Their versatility matches Rasmussen’s as they are fully comfortable with the full palette of styles.

            The album opens with a brief poem – an effective idea that is used twice more to further clarify the message of the album – introducing Avionics, a syncopated driver with a light airy theme in the classic hard bop mode, featuring a fluid, articulate single note guitar solo, a fiery tenor solo in the early Joe Henderson urgency mode, exciting piano and a riff-driven drum solo – all over propulsive bass.  Similar territory is explored in Waxing and Wayne-ing, but in an edgier groove.  Dedicated to Wayne Shorter, there is considerable homage to the Classic Quartet of the magnificent John Coltrane as well.  Opening with a McCoy Tyner-ish vamp, the piece is powered by the pianist’s forceful left hand, both in his solo and driving the rhythm section.  PJ offers a swirling solo, sometimes sailing over the rhythm, sometimes in rhythmic counterpoint; while Nate’s tenor is in an appropriate Shorter mode - lyrical and masterful.

            The funk groove is embraced in three distinct variations.  Baden Hill is a punchy hip-hoppish affair built on a fractured backbeat rhythm with vocal-burst tenor, a highly percussive piano solo and a soulful guitar turn that evokes that delicious Grant Green aura – all stoked by a richly chugging Soul Train motion of the bass and drums.  Sunday Driver features a jagged upwardly spiraling melody over a lurching, staggering funk bottom that generates a palpable tension, launching a funkily wailing tenor; exciting, sardonically witty guitar that shows off PJ’s rock chops; and a  brilliant drum solo – all mightily charged by amazing support from Pattishall.   A complex, adventurous and always smoking piece, Kickin’ the Can drives on a straightforward rocking funk groove.  PJ works that soul Jazz thing with tantalizing bent chords and smears of sound.  Pattishall funks out in Bobby Timmons-like Gospel mode and some two-handed chords a la Red Garland.  Extremely acid Jazz tenor - punchy, dancing and crying – pushes the intensity meter, all making this a joyous celebration.

            Jubilation is also the theme of Stolen Miracles. An up-and-down-the-ladder theme is built on a succession of Cuban-style piano rhythms, suspended swing and driving hard bop.  Fiercely intense biting solos by guitar, tenor and piano dance around the suspended groove of the rhythm section, concluding in a joyful collective improvisation.

            Two beautiful ballads complete this delightful package.  Are You the One is a lovely medium tempo piece that gives Danny Reyes an opportunity to showcase his warm and fluidly beautiful flugelhorn.  The album concludes on a most appropriate note with At Long Last, a delicately constructed piece that’s like a Spring shower – warm and welcoming, from softly falling rain to fine cloudbursts.  A perfect denouement to an album crafted with love and joy.

 
Adventures in Flight portends great things to come from PJ Rasmussen and his splendid ensemble.

Artists Website:
www.pjrasmussen.com

National Publicity Campaign
Jim Eigo Jazz Promo Services
Ph: 845-986-1677 /
jim@jazzpromoservices.com
"Specializing in Media Campaigns for the music community, artists, labels, venues and events.”

National Radio Campaign Mike Hurzon Tracking Station (954) 463.3518 trackst@bellsouth.net


CD Available on CDBABY HERE

A
nd iTunes







For Interviews and Promos Contact:
Jim Eigo
Jazz Promo Services
T: 845-986-1677
E-Mail:
jim@jazzpromoservices.com
http://www.jazzpromoservices.com/