USA/GERMANY: Jim McNeely and the Frankfurt Radio Big Band Barefoot Dances and Other Visions Best Large Jazz Ensemble

For Your Consideration: Jim McNeely and the Frankfurt Radio Big Band Barefoot Dances and Other Visions Best Large Jazz Ensemble Listen On

“Stunning Visionary Jazz” Dick Metcalf – Contemporary Fusion  “A provocative and engaging album at a time when recording original scores with a top-notch jazz orchestra is becoming increasingly rare.” Marc Meyers – Jazz Wax “Jim McNeely is among the most celebrated big band composers of this generation…Barefoot Dances and Other Visions, is a showcase for McNeely’s work, featuring seven original compositions meant to evoke imaginary scenes sprung from the composer’s mind… it’s all but impossible to keep your limbs from shaking and your shoes from staying put.” Brian Zimmerman – JAZZIZ “If you have predisposed ideas of what a big band jazz ensemble should be accomplishing, I challenge you to listen to this new album and bask in completely new visions of sound.” The Vinyl Anachronist “McNeely fortifies his position in the upper echelon of jazz arrangers in this set of new pieces for the formidable Frankfurt Radio Big Band.” Doug Ramsey – Rifftides “With the Frankfurt Radio Big Band at his side, McNeely's big band visions with a progressive edge are given full tilt in the right direction. A singular kind of angular, muscular jazz gets melded with a fastball down the middle, sitting down jazz gets a new high water mark here. Solidly pro stuff that’s tough to beat.” Midwest Record Jim McNeely and the Frankfurt Radio Big Band Barefoot Dances and Other Visions (Planet Arts 301721)    FRANKFURT RADIO BIG BAND (HR-BIGBAND) JIM McNEELY conductor, HEINZ-DIETER SAUERBORN soprano and alto saxophones,  flute, alto and bass  flutes, clarinet, OLIVER LEICHT soprano and alto saxophones,  flute, alto  flute, B  flat and alto clarinets, TONY LAKATOS tenor saxophone,  flute, alto  flute, STEFFEN WEBER tenor saxophone, flute, bass  flute, clarinet, RAINER HEUTE baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, alto  flute, FRANK WELLERT trumpet,  flügelhorn THOMAS VOGEL trumpet,  flügelhorn, MARTIN AUER trumpet,  flügelhorn, AXEL SCHLOSSER trumpet,  flügelhorn, GÜNTER BOLLMANN trombone, PETER FEIL trombone, CHRISTIAN JAKSØ trombone, euphonium, valve trombone, MANFRED HONETSCHLÄGER bass trombone, PETER REITER piano, MARTIN SCALES guitar, THOMAS HEIDEPRIEM bass, JEAN PAUL HÖCHSTÄDTER drums Olaf Stötzler, Orchestra Manager/Producer Axel Gutzler: Recording/Editing/Mixing/Mastering Michael Wayszak: Recording Engineer:   Barefoot Dances and Other Visions is a seven-part suite composed in 2014 for the Frankfurt Radio Big Band. Each piece expresses a different kind of fantasy. We performed it live in two concerts in Frankfurt February ’14, then recorded it in the studio in September of that year. When I wrote this music I had been working with the Frankfurt Radio Big Band for about six years, so I knew the players quite well. The suite was written so that every one of the band’s soloists is placed in a framework that would be both familiar and challenging. Each piece features a pair of soloists, playing individually, sometimes together. Several of the pieces begin with a chamber-sized group, “in front of the curtain”. Then the curtain rises to reveal the whole band, having assumed yet another formation. ​Bob’s Here imagines the return of composer/trombonist Bob Brookmeyer, who died in 2011. Black Snow conjures up the vision of a normally tranquil scene, still tranquil but rendered improbably dark. Barefoot Dances are just that, something I’ve never actually done in my life. A Glimmer of Hope tries its best to be optimistic, a difficult task these days. Redman Rides Again imagines the return of the arranger/reedman Don Redman. Among other things he was known for writing fantastic clarinet trios. This piece features a real clarinet trio, and a second “trio” formed by Oliver Leicht and his harmonized clarinet. Falling Upwards: try as I may, I still find it impossible. The Cosmic Hodge-Podge offers a vision of the cosmos where galaxies are replaced by blocks of sound; super novas become solo explosions; and a single black hole emerges at the end, emitting just a smidgen of light.     Jim McNeely​ Now available on iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby  store.cdbaby.com/cd/jimmcneelythefrankfurtra www.planetarts.org www.jim-mcneely.com www.hr-bigband.de

Media Contact Jim Eigo Jazz Promo Services 272 State Route 94 South #1 Warwick, NY 10990-3363 Ph: 845-986-1677 Cell / text: 917-755-8960 Skype: jazzpromo jim@jazzpromoservices.com www.jazzpromoservices.com "Specializing in Media Campaigns for the music community, artists, labels, venues and events.”

USA: Chris M. Slawecki music review on Tony Adamo's Was Out Jazz Zone Mad CD.Allaboutjazz

 

Chris M. Slawecki music review on Tony Adamo's Was Out Jazz Zone Mad CD.Allaboutjazz

Some African cultures preserved their history not by the written but by the spoken word, kept by oral cultural historians known as griots. On Was Out Jazz Zone Mad, vocalist Tony Adamo aspires to serve in this same role, as a verbal historian of both official and unofficial African- American jazz and blues culture. This type of jazz jive might wear quickly thin but Adamo writes about jazz and jazz musicians with such detailed intimacy and vision that his words snap, crackle and pop. More often than not, the heart, mind, and soul of Was Out Jazz Zone Mad prove genuine. 

It helps immeasurably that Adamo regales such tales in the company of musicians expert in organ-guitar combo, small-club, greasy instrumental funk, led by drummer Mike Clark of (Herbie Hancock and) the Headhunters and featuring drummer Lenny White, organist Mike LeDonne, percussionist Bill Summers, guitarists Elias Lucero and Jack Wilkins, and saxophonist Donald Harrison. Their grooves are low-down and for real funky in the best possible way. 

Thus inspired, Adamo's lyrical material is often magisterial. His description of saxophonist Joe "Sonic Henderson" cuts as sharp and bright and quick as lightning, and crosses from writing about jazz into writing that IS jazz: "Always diggin' into the hot-cool vocabulary of jazz to come up with notes that aren't always obvious but always fit...floating, thought-provoking sounds that were at times hard liquor jazz mixed with mad sex music..." All the while, this set's core trio—drummer Clark, LeDonne on organ, and guitarist Wilkins—twist up the accompaniment in thick rhythmic knots, with Wilkins playing Melvin Sparks to LeDonne's Charles Earland in their respective solos. 

"Gale Blowin' High" honors jazz activist and trumpeter Eddie Gale. Saxophone and trumpet help create a fuller, larger ensemble sound very much like late-1960s recordings by Sun Ra and his Arkestra, Pharoah Sanders or like-minded wayfarers. Exploratory solos by Harrison (suggesting Sanders on alto), Wolff (suggesting Ra on piano) and White (suggesting no one but himself) pull and poke at the edges of this tune alongside Adamo's restless vocal. 

In "Too Funky to Flush," Adamo unravels the best jazz tale of them all—the story of the city of New Orleans. Standing hip deep awash in a trio groove that's as deep and broad and powerful as the mighty Mississippi River, he sings the praises of Dr. John, Professor Longhair, Irving Mayfield and other denizens of the Crescent City's musical pantheon. (A local soul food kitchen's lunch and dinner menu specials make surprisingly good lyrics, too.)

USA: MoonJune announces STEPHAN THELEN's solo album Fractal Guitar featuring MARKUS REUTER & DAVID TORN

STEPHAN THELEN visionary Swiss guitarist extraordinaire, fractal sonic architect and man behind the forward-heading avant-rock band SONAR  lands on the Planet MoonJune with his brand new studio album Fractal Guitar featuring guitar innovators MARKUS REUTER and DAVID TORN

	Dear Friends In Music It's my immense pleasure to welcome to the MoonJune World another guitarist extraordinaire, sound conceptualist and fractal sonic architect STEPHAN THELEN (of the Swiss band SONAR). Stephan brings to the Planet MoonJune his brand new solo projectFRACTAL GUITAR. His band SONAR is one of the most brutally adventurous, forward-heading, futuristic and innovative beyond-rock and beyond-jazz and beyond-anything bands in the modern music. FRACTAL GUITAR albums also features two among the greatest guitar innovators of our times: MARKUS REUTER (on all tracks) and the legendary DAVID TORN (on two very lengthy tracks).  Direct link for the new album: https://stephanthelen-moonjune.bandcamp.com This is the first MoonJune release in 2019. HD 24bit download and the CD are available now at: https://stephanthelen-moonjune.bandcamp.com Yours truly LEONARDO PAVKOVIC one-man-army-soldier at MoonJune Music & MoonJune Records 3rd placement as Record Labels Of The Year 2018 in DownBeat Magazine Reader's Poll. 1/3 of the year touring the world with artist ion the MoonJune Music Booking Roster. Message to the press: Promo CDs will be sent to a carefully selected list of reviewers and radio stations around the globe, MoonJune encourages media to accept HD Download (24bit high definition files)..  *************************** Guitarist and composer Stephan Thelen releases his debut album for Moonjune Records worldwide on January 18, 2019. It's an instrumental, post-progressive album co-produced by Markus Reuter (Stick Men), featuring guest appearances of many leading electric guitarists including David Torn, Markus Reuter, Henry Kaiser, Jon Durant, Bill Walker, Barry Cleveland and Matt Tate, as well as drummers/percussionists Benno Kaiser, Manuel Pasquinelli and Andi Pupato. Stephan Thelen is American born Swiss who composes, produces and performs music at the fringes of rock, jazz, experimental and classical music. His current main project as a leader, guitarist and composer is the minimal groove band Sonar, who have quickly gained international reputation for creating a unique blend of music that fuses a rigorous minimal concept with the power of a rock band and the sensitivity of a jazz combo.  Former projects include playing guitar and electronics with Swiss ensembles Radio Osaka, License To Chill, Broken Symmetry and Root Down, producing albums (for example Andy Brugger’s No No Diet Bang and Peter Schärli Sextet), as well as composing music for many theater and film productions. The celebrated Kronos Quartet recently recorded and frequently performed Stephan's string quartet Circular Lines, a piece commissioned by the Kronos Arts Association and Carnegie Hall for a visionary project called "Fifty for the Future". The Mannheimer Schlagwerk, a percussion ensemble from Germany, also recently premiered his composition Parallel Motion.  Fractal Guitar features the atmospherically dense, polyrhythmic tapestry for which is Sonar is well known, but focuses much more on the sonic and ambient possibilities of the electric guitar. In the liner notes, Stephan Thelen says: “After a few years of playing without effects apart from reverb in Sonar, I felt the urge to compose and record some pieces in which effects were an integral part of the music. I especially wanted to use an effect I worked with before Sonar, which I call “Fractal Guitar” — a rhythmic delay with a very high feedback level that creates cascading delay patterns in odd time signatures such as 3/8, 5/8 or 7/8. The other desire I had was to work with and to have some serious fun with a few of the many great guitarists I've met over the years to create an album that features some of the more forward-looking possibilities of the most mysterious, compelling and eclectic of all instruments, the electric guitar. ”

HD Download 24bit • $10

CD • $15 +shipping

	The five tracks on this album grew out of a mind-boggling amount of activity and crystallized out of myriad soundfiles, recorded across the Western hemisphere during the last 3 years. Thanks to all my great friends who helped me pull it off, especially to Markus Reuter, who shared his exceptional talents and endless creativity with me on every step of the way. Thanks also to Grace, Devin and Anil Prasad for their generous hospitality, to Brandy Gale and Henry Kaiser for inspiration and to Leonardo "MoonJune" Pavkovic for inviting me into the illustrious MoonJune Club.      – Stephan Thelen, Zürich, August 2018

HD Download 24bit • $10

CD • $15 +shipping

	Tracklisting and musicians: 01 BRIEFING FOR A DESCENT INTO HELL (18:37)  David Torn: electric guitar, live looping Markus Reuter: U8 touch guitar, soundscapes Jon Durant: cloud guitar Matt Tate: U8 touch guitar (bass) Manuel Pasquinelli: drums Stephan Thelen: fractal and tritone guitar 02 ROAD MOVIE (13:23)  Markus Reuter: U8 touch guitar, soundscapes Bill Walker: electric guitar, live looping Henry Kaiser: electric guitar Matt Tate: U8 touch guitar (bass) Manuel Pasquinelli: drums Stephan Thelen: fractal and blue sky guitar, granular loops 03 FRACTAL GUITAR (9:21)  Markus Reuter: U8 touch guitar, soundscapes Barry Cleveland: guitar atmospheres Matt Tate: U8 touch guitar (bass) Andi Pupato: percussion Benno Kaiser: drums Stephan Thelen: fractal guitar, granular loops 04 RADIANT DAY (8:42) Markus Reuter: U8 touch guitar, soundscapes Barry Cleveland: guitar atmospheres, bowhammer Matt Tate: U8 touch guitar (bass) Manuel Pasquinelli: drums Stephan Thelen: fractal and blue sky guitar 05 URBAN NIGHTSCAPE (17:38)  David Torn: electric guitar, live looping Markus Reuter: U8 touch guitar, soundscapes Matt Tate: U8 touch guitar (bass) Benno Kaiser: drums Stephan Thelen: fractal guitar, organ, samples Produced by Markus Reuter & Stephan Thelen Executive Producer: Leonardo Pavkovic for Moonjune Records ℗ © Stephan Thelen/Moonjune Music, 2019 All tracks written by Stephan Thelen except "Briefing for a Descent into Hell" by Stephan Thelen and David Torn (title taken from Doris Lessing's book), “Radiant Day” by Stephan Thelen and Markus Reuter, and "Urban Nightscape" by Stephan Thelen, David Torn and Markus Reuter. Recorded at various locations across Europe and North America between August 2015 and April 2018. Recording engineer at Gadget Box, Santa Cruz, California, where Bill's and Henry's tracks were recorded on April 27, 2016: Patrick Brede. Recording engineer at Powerplay, Maur, Switzerland, where David's tracks were recorded on January 30, 2018: Alex Mularkey, assisted by Bernhard Wagner. Recording engineer in Chicago, Illinois, where Matt's tracks were recorded on March 30, 2018: Gabriel Lucas Gitin Riccio. Drums recorded by Benno Kaiser at his rehearsal room in Aarau, Switzerland. Post-production and mix by Benjamin Schäfer and Markus Reuter for Unsung Productions, Berlin, Germany, April/May 2018. Mastered by Alexander Vatagin in Vienna, Austria, August 2018. David Torn appears courtesy of ECM Records.

USA: Saxophonist Isaac Edwards is inspired to “Begin Again”

Contact: Rick Scott 310.306.0375
rick@greatscottpr.com

The pop instrumental album mixing jazz, R&B, rock and gospel drops February 22 following the zesty

Latin-jazz single, “Christina Christina,” which goes to radio on January 14.


SAN DIEGO (3 January 2019): Isaac Edwards finally reached a point in his life when he decided that he simply had to overcome past regrets in order pursue his dream. A newly married lawyer who litigated hundreds of cases by day during the four years he spent his nights and weekends writing, producing and recording his new album, the saxophonist will take a major step towards realizing his dream when “Begin Again” drops on February 22 on the Songs In My Pocket Music label. The disc mixed by hit saxman Darren Rahn will be preceded by the radio single, “Christina Christina,” an exotic Latin-singed seduction that goes for radio adds on January 14.

Armed with a bachelor’s degree in saxophone and a master’s degree in jazz after studying alongside widely-accomplished saxophonists Eric Marienthal and Jeff Clayton, Edwards has flirted with being a jazz musician by releasing a couple of albums in the early 2000s. The gospel-jazz outing “Here” (2002) was nominated for a Vibe Award, the Canadian equivalent to the Dove Awards. Two years later, his sophomore release, “I’m On My Way,” featured a collaboration with Grammy-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum. Neither sets were promoted at radio as Edwards’ focus was on holding down his high-stress law position. But the fire inside never dimmed and in 2014, he wrote, recorded and released the new album’s title track as a single, earning most added honors at Billboard when it was serviced to radio. The theme of the song began Edwards’ creative journey that will only be complete when the album drops.

“This album is about starting over and second chances. Being a jazz artist is something I've dreamed about ever since I was a teenager. I've had some successes along the way and had some regrets as well. With this record, I'm finally putting those regrets in the rear-view mirror. My hope is that listeners will feel inspired to leave the past in the past and renew their hope for a brighter future. Just like the dawn of a new day, each moment in our lives is another chance to do that thing we've been dreaming of doing. The thing that keeps us up at night, that we spend our days dreaming about while we are at work. The fire that can't be quenched; the drive we have deep inside. I believe that is what we need to be pursuing. That's what this record is for me: it's evidence that it's never too late to start over, try something new or become more today than we were yesterday,” said the San Diego-based Edwards, who has opened for multiple Grammy-winning Christian pop icons Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith.

“Begin Again” is an amalgam of sounds and contemporary styles. With jazz and pop instrumentals serving as the foundation of the ten tracker, Edwards’ palette offers vibrant shades of R&B, Latin, gospel and rock. The sessions were tracked with live drums, bass, guitar, piano, violin, trumpet, trombone, clarinet and flute. In addition to showcasing his lyrical sax work and gift for crafting infectious melodies, Edwards added keyboards, synth and drum programming. A ten-time Grammy winner as a member of Take 6, Joel Kibble graces the outing with his voice in a supporting role on “Love Will Find A Way” and as the lovestruck protagonist on the urban adult contemporary romancer “Just Like the First Time.” In the company of nine Edwards originals is an instrumental reading of Monica’s hit, “Angel Of Mine,” that bodes to be a chart-topper again in its new form. While most of the album is soulful midtempo grooves and energizing exercises, “Qui Vivra Verra” stands out in striking contrast for its stark beauty and poignant simplicity - a melancholy sax, piano and violin selection about the moment you realize a relationship has no future.

“This record is the most honest work I've created and recorded. I drew a lot from my own personal experiences. I wrote from what was within my heart. And I've long been acutely aware of the burning drive I've had to get this record out,” Edwards said.


That day finally arrives next month. For more information, please visit https://isaacedwardsmusic.com.


“Begin Again” contains the following songs:



“Christina Christina”

“Begin Again”

“Lucky Day”

“Angel of Mine”

“Qui Vivra Verra”

“L’Dub”

“Love Will Find A Way”

“Rise”

“Off A Riff”

“Just Like the First Time”

JWQ Playlist Update : DeNeille Thompson-Sit Down and Talk to Me

USA: Avant-Jazz Group The Oddyssey Quartet To Release Sophomore Album “We Are All Branches of the Same Tree” - January 19, 2019

 For Immediate Release

 

Avant-Jazz Group The Oddyssey Quartet To Release Sophomore Album “We Are All Branches of the Same Tree” - January 19, 2019 


 Following up their debut of composed music “Suite for the End of the Earth,” “We Are All Branches of the Same Tree” is the second release from avant-jazz group the Oddyssey Quartet, featuring twelve improvised pieces from four musicians who have only played together a handful of times but who share the common ancient language of music, bringing them together in a cohesion of intuitive conversation, and demonstrating in real time that we all really are branches of the same tree.

Featuring former Albert Ayler Quintet bassist Bill Folwell, and former Sam Rivers Rivbea Orchestra saxophonist David Pate, with Jose Cochez on drums, and Rex Shepherd on guitar and prepared guitar. “After recording 'Suite for the End of the Earth,' which consisted of composed music, and having only played together as a group a few times, we wanted to see what we would get playing totally free. There was such a good vibe in the room with the four of us that it made playing so easy, the ideas flowed, I could respond to the sounds around me and the natural ebb and flow of conversational music happened. For me it is a spiritual thing, experiencing a wordless connection to others, when the music comes together and reveals the common thread in all of us.” - Rex Shepherd


 Tracks 1. Surculus 2. Osier 3. Telgo 4. Spray 5. Switch 6. Ramus 7. Seten 8. Bough 9. Vimen 10. Shrag 11. Stofn 12. Withie Release Date January 19, 2019


 To purchase: https://rexshepherd.bandcamp.com/album/we-are-all-branches-of-the-same-tree


 For more information: https://rexshep.com https://www.facebook.com/musicpagerexshepherd/Contact: jazzman465@yahoo.com Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

USA: Carla Campopiano Trio Two Chicago Appearances 1/11 Tango and Folklore Night 1/12 @ Milonga + New CD

Carla Campopiano Trio Two Chicago Appearances Friday, January 11th 8pm @ Tango and Folklore Night Growing Together Performing Arts 5419 N Lincoln Avenue 60625 872 2083398 INFO Carla Campopiano-Flute Christian Fresno-Guitar Alba Guerra-Vocals Saturday, January 12th 7pm  @ Milonga 1441 Morse Ave Chicago IL 60626 Tickets & Info Carla Campopiano-Flute Gustavo Cortiñas-Drum guests Christian Fresno-Guitar Alba Guerra-Vocals Performing Music From Their New CD “Chicago/Buenos Aires Connections” Classic tango and jazz are blended together by the talented flutist Carla Campopiano.

Chicago/Buenos Aires Connection is s delightful set of beautiful melodies and melodic improvising, performed by her trio with acoustic guitarist Angel Collacilli  and percussionist Gustavo Cortiñas Fouilloux The Argentinian-born Carla Campopiano has been an important part of the Chicago tango scene since 2015. The flutist has also been exposed to jazz and blues, resulting in her leaving her tango performances open to the improvising and chance taking spirit of jazz. Her blending of the two rich musical heritages of Buenos Aires and Chicago results in delightful music Chicago-Buenos Aires Connections matches Ms. Campopiano with two kindred spirits. Percussionist Gustavo Cortiñas Fouilloux  and guitarist Angel Collacilli are brilliant musicians who follow and react quickly to her flute flights. The six songs in her collection are filled with warm and often-joyful melodies. The flutist states the themes with guitarist Collacilli  providing stimulating accompaniment and solos that will make some think of Django Reinhardt. The interplay between flute and guitar is often magical, particularly on “Don Agustin Bardi.” A tango rhythm is always felt in the music with Cortiñas Fouilloux contributing color and drive. The selections include the infectious “Sacachispas,” “Melancolico” (which is anything but melancholy), the rhythmically complex “Don Agustin Bardi,” and Cortiñas “Balada de León.” The set concludes with a pair of Astor Piazzolla’s compositions. “Zita” has Colacilli switching to bass and Julián el “Piojo” López displaying a powerful sound of his own on guitar. The musicians stretch during the episodic work which, in addition to a haunting ballad section, generates plenty of excitement. The closer is the dramatic “Triunfal” which has a prominent role for Cortiñas Fouilloux Born and raised in Argentina, Carla Campopiano grew up surrounded by the melodies and rhythms of candombe, chacarera, milonga and tango. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Empa Escuela De Música Popular de Avellaneda in Argentina before moving to Chicago four years ago. Since then, she has led the Yuyo Verde Tango ensemble, been artistic director of Bajo’l Puente Productions, and performed in different settings. Years of research into the history of tango along with her enthusiastic soaking up of the jazz scene has led to her desire to blend it all together. Carla Campopiano says of her new release, “Chicago-Buenos Aires Connections is the outcome of the coming together of these two contrasting musical worlds into a new concept, always respecting their traditions, binding them through their common elements and celebrating the differences between them.”   Carla Campopiano Trio – “Chicago/Buenos Aires Connections” (Self Produced)  MUSICIANS: Carla Campopiano – Flute and arrangements, Gustavo Cortiñas – drums & percussion, and arrangements, Ángel Colacilli - guitar on all tracks, bass on Zita, and arrangements. Julián el “Piojo” López – guitar on “Zita” Street Date: 12/07/2018  UPC Code: 8 88295 80754 8  AVAILABLE FROM: CDBaby, Amazon, iTunes  www.carlacampopiano.com

Media Contacts Press Jim Eigo Jazz Promo Services 272 State Route 94 South #1 Warwick, NY 10990-3363 Ph: 845-986-1677  Cell / text: 917-755-8960 Skype: jazzpromo jim@jazzpromoservices.com www.jazzpromoservices.com "Specializing in Media Campaigns for the music community, artists, labels, venues and events.

Radio info@benjaminscholz.com 940.206.8045