Thursday, October 31, 2013

New addition to JazzWorldQuest Proposals Section: Ubaldo Schiavi - Italian funky / jazz composer and bass player.

My name is Ubaldo Schiavi and I should like to be considered for a collaboration with your agency to organize live concerts in your country.
I am an italian funky / jazz composer and bass player.
As you can see from the show Live Promo Clip my music is a powerful fusion of funky rhythms and melodic atmospheres with a strong impact and involvement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDx637wA5oQ

You can find on my website, bio , discography, press review and a list of national and international radio who have submitted my music and my interviews .
www.ubaldoschiavi.com
On the bottom of the home page you will find links to all the social in which they are present and the web sites where my music is for sale.
My telephone number is +39-328-6461588
I look forward to your feedback.



Musicians & Labels:
Publish your proposals for shows, tours, collaborations, and services on JazzWorldQuest
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Jahviva Concerts & Promotion announces EME ALFONSO Europe Tour

Eme Alfonso is a renown Cuban singer and composer who mixes her Cuban roots with Soul and Jazz. American National Public Radio described her as a promise of Latin music. Eme currentlx settled in Madrid "I always try to find art in everything I do, because I believe in music as a way of life".

"Eme" ,her second album was awarded for Cubadisco best Pop-Fusion album 2013. "Buscando inspiración" was awarded for Lucas best Cuban music video of the year. In her new album, Eme shows an innovative genre by mixing the Cuban and Latin music with Soul and Jazz. the artist recreates in "Eme" the Golden Age of Cuban music from the 50's. Acoocrding to NPR, "the album's compositions hinge on (Eme) Alfonso's warm and moving vocals".


"It is difficult not to be drawn to Eme (M)'s music, which can be described as a fusion of her strongest influences - R & B, Jazz, experimental Pop plus the more Cuban folkloric, son and filin styles. The fact that she looks absolutely gorgeous doesn't hurt" Cuba Absolutely

TRAVELPARTY : 5 - 8
 TOURPERIOD : May - September 2014
 LISTEN TO EME ALFONSO

Dear Concert Promoters, dear Colleagues,

in collaboration with "Doubly Music" (Spain) and "One World" (Denmark) we are working on the EME ALFONSO Europe Tour 2014.

Here you can check out her latest video !

Thanks for your attention....

Sincerely yours,
Jahviva Concerts & Promotion Team

Jahviva Concerts & Promotion
Danziger Str. 26
D- 76437 Rastatt
Ust-IDNr : DE267774537
booking@jahviva.de
www.jahviva.com
phone +49(0)7222 2 71 18

NEXT DATES


31.10.2013

KARA SYLLA KA CH- Lausanne, Unil

01.11.2013

BI.BA BINGY BAND F- Nantes, Le Dynamo Café

03.11.2013

BOMBORO KOSSO F- Chadrac, MPT

08.11.2013

ASSOH BABYLAS F- Saint-Étienne, Le Fil

09.11.2013

CLAPTONMANIA D- Hannover, Tante Minchen's

16.11.2013

RAS DUMISANI & AFRIKHAYA BAND F- Paris, Le Cafe de Paris

21.11.2013

RAS DUMISANI & AFRIKHAYA BAND UK- Brixton, Hootananny

23.11.2013

HIF & AFRO SOLEIL D- Kassel, Hotel zum Steinernen Schweinchen

03.12.2013

UNITED KLEZMER ENSEMBLE D- Gasteig, Carl Orff Saal

01.01.2014

Luciano / Suga Roy & Conrad Crystal Tour 2014 Europe Tour 2014

New Release: Todd Londagin "Look Out For Love"


Todd Londagin
"Look Out For Love"
(Self Produced)
Street Date January 29, 2013
Todd Londagin-vocals, trombone, PETE SMITH-guitar, DAVID BERGER-drums,
MATT RAY-piano, JENNIFER VINCENT-bass

For anyone who loves joyful, unpretentious, but highly creative and spontaneous jazz, Todd Londagin’s new album Look Out For Love will be a delightful discovery. The vocalist/trombonist’s music is a vivid reflection of his personal roots.  Growing up playing music and street busking in an itinerant, alternative-lifestyle family, he lived in buses, cars, homemade boats or tents, traveling throughout the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Europe. Home-schooled and with no formal musical training, Todd honed his skills the old-style way through influences like Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, early Sinatra and New Orleans traditional jazz, especially Jack Teagarden (one of the few other trombonist/vocalists in jazz) and later, J.J. Johnson.
            All of these diverse elements of musical experience have been brought together in a most refreshing, unfettered manner, and are fully evident on Look Out For Love.  In the company of four longstanding musical cohorts, Todd has assembled a repertoire of 10 songs, culled from the Great American Songbook and popular songs, each developed in a most organic fashion by the musicians involved. In testimony to the great jazz tradition of spontaneous creativity, each song sounds as if it was deftly arranged to deliver its story in a planned fashion.  But in truth, the songs were developed by the musicians in the studio in the best “home-cooking” style.
            Part of this is due to the longevity of the musical relationships involved.  Bassist Jennifer Vincent and drummer David Berger have been playing with Todd since the early 1990s (all three were original members of the successful ‘90s band, The Flying Neutrinos); while pianist Matt Ray and guitarist Pete Smith have been performing with Todd since 2000.  Together, they artfully and lovingly developed each piece like an assortment of delicious dishes combined together for a cohesive feast.  As Todd explains, “each tune is an exercise in doing things in a different way.”
            Reflecting the joyous abandon of the leader’s freewheeling upbringing, a full palette of styles is employed on the album, from the 1920s style of the bouncily up-tempo Some of These Days (a tune Londagin has played since boyhood) to the samba of Brazil.  With Matt adding glockenspiel and in the company of special guest Ms. Toby Williams joining in on the vocals, Brazil is a playfully romping item that surges in a controlled frenzy and is highlighted by Toby and Todd’s interwoven vocals on the way out.
            Two tracks are guitar-less.  Pennies From Heaven is a smoothly mid-tempo swinger with Todd’s vocals sandwiched between two trombone solos and a two-fisted piano solo, all cushioned by Vincent’s brightly walking bass and Berger’s dynamic drumming.  You Go to My Head is a tender ballad featuring Todd’s clear, smooth vocals, perfectly ensconced in the setting fashioned by a most sympathetic rhythm section.
            Beautiful balladry is also on tap with Cole Porter’s classic I Concentrate on You – a version known among singers as the “Sinatra changes.”  A lush piano intro sets the stage for Londagin’s sultry, evocative vocal, and the piece flirts with a delicious bossa nova groove in most organic fashion, nicely supported by the warm wood of Vincent’s bass.
            Unabashed swing is definitely a consistent mood throughout the CD.  The title track Look Out For Love opens the album in jaunty style with nicely syncopated rhythms and a sparkling guitar solo.  A playful guitar/piano descending patterned vamp sets off Long Ago & Far Away, a brightly swinging piece with fine solos by Ray and Smith, and a vividly burning trombone solo.  Bye Bye Baby’s easy groove is nicely colored by tasteful trombone overdubs in the intro to Todd’s vocal.  An emphatic trombone solo, a vibrant bass turn and a short trading of fours between guitar and drums are highlights before the piece is ushered out on the wings of a trombone choir.
            Additional subtle overdubs are used brilliantly in the production, only occasionally, and always to great effect.  The two closing tracks are perfect examples – and also take the album into a new and provocative territory. Stevie Wonder’s I Can’t Help It is a powerfully swinging, highly infectious piece built on nicely syncopated suspended rhythms.  Overdubbed vocals are most effective, and the song has a markedly modern feel that is both compelling and exciting. The album’s closer, Bust Your Windows, offers the greatest departure from the rest of the album.  The rubato opening sets the tone for a moody, dramatic journey - artfully constructed and filled with angular modality and emotional gravity.  The piece builds in intensity, slowly burning its way forward to its climax and going out in a gentle denouement. (The highly respected vocal contractor and back-up singer Gregory Clark provided significant influence on these last two pieces, but sadly passed away shortly after this album was recorded.)
            Not enough can be said about the tremendous musicianship that went into this album.  The empathy and commitment of everyone to the overall vision is extraordinary and has truly produced a labor of love that not only has resulted in a very special album, but portends great things to come.









Media Requests
For Interviews, photos and preview copies for review contact
Jim Eigo
Jazz Promo Services
272 State Route 94 South #1
Warwick, NY 10990-3363
Ph: 845-986-1677 / Fax: 845-986-1699
Cell / text: 917-755-8960
Skype: jazzpromo

jim@jazzpromoservices.com
www.jazzpromoservices.com

VIDEO: BJC JAM SESSION Benito, Hodek, Tariška, Baroš. 2013 10 22




http://dorgejazz.blogspot.hu/
Benito Gonzalez - piano
Radovan Tariška - alt sax
Tomáš Baroš - doblebass
Dávid Hodek - drums
YouTube

Mary Halvorson Septet - Illusionary Sea (Firehouse 12 Records 2013)


Illusionary Sea follows Halvorson’s much-lauded Firehouse 12 recordings Bending Bridges (2012), Saturn Sings (2010), and Dragon’s Head (2008). This body of work as a leader demonstrates why Halvorson has been described as "the most original jazz guitarist in a generation" (Michael J. West, Washington City Paper), and "one of today’s most formidable bandleaders" (Francis Davis, Village Voice).

At the end of 2011, Halvorson had finished writing two albums’ worth of quintet music and decided she was ready for a new challenge. Thinking of the constant encouragement of her mentor Anthony Braxton to “write for larger ensembles,” Halvorson decided to expand her core ensemble (which already included trio and quintet versions), creating a mini-big band that maintains the trust and rapport of her smaller groups. She says, “Adding to an existing band piece-by-piece feels like completing a puzzle, rather than starting from scratch.”

The album features six Halvorson originals, where the four-horn blend brings deeper sonority, orchestral possibility, and an increased level of intricacy to Halvorson’s distinctive compositional voice. The seven musicians are both masterful soloists and sensitive ensemble players, as individual spotlights seamlessly blend with collective energy. Halvorson closes the recording with a surprise, paying tribute to one of her musical heroes, Robert Wyatt. Her exquisite arrangement of "Nairam" - penned by Belgian guitarist Philip Catherine and recorded under the title "Maryan" on Wyatt's album Shleep - is the first cover to appear of any of Halvorson's albums as leader.
credits
released 10 September 2013
Jonathan Finlayson - trumpet
Jon Irabagon - alto saxophone
Ingrid Laubrock - tenor saxophone
Jacob Garchik - trombone
Mary Halvorson - guitar
John Hébert - bass
Ches Smith - drums

TARANA: The Laden Soul Desires the Sun EP (Plasmatorus 2013)

Tarana is an exciting and ground-breaking Trombone/synth (Rick Parker) & Drums/electronics (Ravish Momin) DUO that blurs the boundaries between the electronic and the acoustic, while blending a vast array of influences, ranging from Jazz to Juke to Disco to Bollywood. Using digital and analog electronics, they layer live loops, melodies, textures and sounds on top of their tight-knit acoustic instruments to create a symphonic sound that also explores deep-grooving rhythms from across the world.

Tracklisting
1) Azeem O Shaan (Composed by AR Rahman, Arranged by Ravish Momin)
2) Disposable (Composed by Ravish Momin)

Ravish Momin, Drummer, Percussionist, Composer
Born in Mumbai, India, now residing in Brooklyn, NY, Momin is the leader of
acclaimed World/Jazz ensemble Trio Tarana. They have performed at major
festivals and venues in The US, Canada, Mexico, Taiwan, France, Portugal,
Norway, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Lebanon
and India. They have also toured in China and the UK. His unique ‘worldpercussion’
approach has led him to also work as a sideman with a diverse
range of musicians. He has toured and recorded with legendary saxophonists
Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, Sabir Mateen and Peter Epstein, guitarist
Brad Shepik, bassists Wilber Morris and William Parker, violinists Billy Bang,
Sam Bardfeld, Jason Kao Hwang, and Skye Steele, percussionists Susie
Ibarra, trumpeters Roy Campbell and Raphe Malik, and Pianist Ursel
Schlicht's Ex Tempore Project. He also performed with pop-star Shakira on
televised appearances on "The View" (ABC), "Rockefeller Tree Lighting"
(NBC) and the "Rachael Ray Show" (ABC). He worked with Hip-Hop artist
Alap Momin (from Dalek.) He has recorded for the CleanFeed, Delmark,
NuBop, CIMP, Entropy Stereo, BlueRegard Records and Plasma Torus
Record Labels. He has also received prestigious grants from Meet The
Composer, The Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, US Artists International and Arts
International.
Rick Parker, Trombonist, Composer
"Sleek and Modernistic" (David Adler, Philly Weekly) aptly describes the music
of trombonist/composer Rick Parker. He has released 4 CD's as a leader/coleader
including 2 with his quintet, the Rick Parker Collective on Fresh Sound
New Talent Records and WJF Records; His breakthrough CD “Finding Space,”
was named by All About Jazz editor Michael Ricci as a "Top Pick CD for 2006."
An adventurous composer and bandleader, Parker is a 2 time winner of the
ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award. The Rick Parker Collective has performed
at venues including the Williamsburg Jazz Festival, Somers Point Jazz
Festival, 55 Bar and Blues Alley. Parker also co-lead a quartet, 4Limones,
which featured Tim Berne on saxophone and toured Mexico and the northeast
USA extensively.

Label : Plasmatorus
Release Date : Nov 4 2013
Format : EPCD / Digital
On tour in Europe in November 2013.

Videoclip: Italian accordionist Marco Lo Russo performing live in Montreal during his Eclectic Accordion World Tour 2013



Italian accordionist Marco Lo Russo performing live during his Eclectic Accordion World Tour 2013 in a show organized at "L'Association Sarde du Quebec" in Montreal, Canada October 26th 2013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AoJQthAxDg

 
https://www.facebook.com/LoRussoMarco

Mario Biondi - Sun (Sony Music 2013)

1
Intro - Ladies and Gentlemen Introducing Mario Biondi
2
Shine On
3
Come To Me
4
What Have You Done To Me
5
Woman Woman Mario Biondi
6
Never Stop (feat. Omar)
7
Deep Space (feat. James Taylor)
8
Catch the Sunshine (feat. Leon Ware)
9
La Voglia La Pazzia L'idea
10
Light To the World (feat. Al Jarreau)
11
Girl Blue
I Can't Read Your Mind
13
There's No One Like You
14
Lowdown (feat. Chaka Khan)
15
Outro Mario Biondi

John McLaughlin - Now Here This (Abstract Logix 2013)

It has been nearly two years since world-renowned guitarist John McLaughlin released To the One, his highly acclaimed, first studio recording, with The 4th Dimension. The veteran guitar aficionado celebrates his 70th birthday year in 2012 with the release of Now Here This (Abstract Logix), as he ups the ante even further with greater fire, finesse and freewheeling interplay.
McLaughlin's musical influences carry over to many of the musical elite, with Jeff Beck declaring him in 2010 to be ''the best guitarist alive.'' In 2003, McLaughlin was ranked 49th in Rolling Stone magazine list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time and in the summer of 2007, McLaughlin performed at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in Bridgeview, Illinois. Chick Corea remarked to DownBeat Magazine that ''...what John McLaughlin did with the electric guitar set the world on its ear. No one ever heard an electric guitar played like that before, and it certainly inspired me. John's band, more than my experience with Miles, led me to want to turn the volume up and write music that was more dramatic and made your hair stand on end.''
McLaughlin's latest creative venture with The 4th Dimension reflects a slight, yet significant, alteration of the dynamic, specifically the recruitment of powerhouse Indian drummer Ranjit Barot. Cameroon-born/Paris-resident bassist Etienne M'Bappe is back from To the One, as is keyboardist/drummer Gary Husband. This eight track set of McLaughlin originals, recorded at Studio 26 in Antibes, France, testifies to the guitarist's decades-long fascination with Indian music, through his effortless virtuosity, and relentless lyricism, even when the guitarist is shredding at near-light speed. As John himself simply states, ''Now Here This is the culmination of my life's work till now.''
The critical praise for McLaughlin's previous musical venture cascaded forth immediately; John Fordham of The Guardian declared, ''...this tight 40-minute document hums with a collaborative energy.'' There is little doubt that McLaughlin's return to the electrified fusion he first innovated more than 40 years ago in groups led by trumpet icon Miles Davis and drum legend Tony Williams - and, of course, with his own earth-shattering Mahavishnu Orchestra - is as electrifying and exhilarating as ever. And for those new to the genre, Now Here This is the perfect introduction - one that will surely encourage them to also dive, head-first, into this legendary guitarist's lengthy and groundbreaking discography.
Abstract Logix

Gary Husband , Alex Machacek - Now (Abstract Logix 2013)

Now brings together two maverick voices of contemporary improvisation in an engaging, open-hearted conversation. Collaborating as a duo for the first time, pianist Gary Husband and guitarist Alex Machacek opt for a spare, stripped-down approach that highlights their intuitive, borderline-telepathic interplay across a program of original compositions. Whether locked in dazzling unison runs or gracefully yielding to evocative, sparse passages, Husband and Machacek prove to be both formidable performers and remarkably attuned listeners - making their collaboration a vibrant exchange in which one voice supports, enhances, and enriches the other. ''Before this session,'' Husband explains, ''we had performed and recorded together just a few times - and it's been predominantly an electric situation that involved me as a drummer.''
With multi-instrumentalist Husband sticking to piano and Machacek on tastefully toned electric guitar and acoustic guitar, Now's nine resonant, exploratory tracks find immense common ground between the two players. ''Once we started playing,'' Husband continues, ''it became clear to me that we were going to be on the same page somewhat, with a quintessential European quality to the writing and playing, along with references to classical, folk, and even bluegrass idioms.'' The result is a profound, stirring experience that is eminently accessible on the surface - but that also rewards deep listening.
''Gary Husband and Alex Machacek have co-created an amazing piece of modern music which goes beyond categories with Now. The compositions and forms that they have made to expand and improvise with are adventurous and magical. The duet is an orchestra unto itself and the players are obviously very comfortable within each others' universes. They have taken good care of the sonics of the recording as well with a wonderfully rich sound and perfect mix. Congratulations my friends!'' -- Chick Corea, 2013.
Among the most renowned musical minds of Britain's fertile post-fusion instrumental improv scene, Gary Husband has won equal acclaim as a drummer, composer, and pianist - having performed and recorded alongside such visionaries as Allan Holdsworth, Jeff Beck, Robin Trower, Jack Bruce, Billy Cobham, Andy Summers, Mike Stern, and many more. Since 2005, he has been seen on keyboards and second drum kit with John McLaughlin's band, the 4th Dimension. Hailing from Austria and now based in Los Angeles, guitarist Alex Machacek has rapidly emerged as a vital force in contemporary fusion circles as both a quick-witted improviser and a startlingly original composer. No less than John McLaughlin remarked that ''Alex Machacek's music starts where other music ends.'' Working as a sideman and bandleader, he has been heard in the company of Terry Bozzio, Eddie Jobson, Jeff Sipe, John Wetton, Virgil Donati and others.
 Abstract Logix

New Release: Clarence Johnson III “Watch Him Work”

Johnson’s previous recordings focused on straight-ahead jazz. “Watch Him Work” favors jazz fusion and smooth jazz, with Johnson blowing both tenor and soprano saxophones on mostly instrumental, mostly original compositions. “This is the other side of my musical personality that has always been there, bubbling up,” he said. “I finally got a chance to explore it.”

“The direction of the music exhibits the things that I’ve gone through, the things that have made me mature and grow up,” he said. “At 22, you’re one way. When you’re in your late 30s, you’re a seasoned veteran, looking at things from a mature perspective. I think all of that is reflected in the music and the life choices that I’ve made.”

“On the homefront, New Orleans saxophonist Clarence Johnson III has become a forceful bandleader and really took charge during his Sunday afternoon (New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival) set. Clarence also displayed his power as a vocalist, singing and chanting during part of his new suite, John 14:6.” It was a surprisingly electric set……….Yet while the band was plugged in, it never failed to swing….” Gambit Magazine (Geraldine Wycoffe-now at Offbeat Magazine)
Artist: Clarence Johnson III
Title: Watc h Him Work
Label: Like Fat her Like Son Music
UPC Code: 884501951975
Release Date: November 5, 2013
Musicians:
CLARENCE JOHNSON III-Tenor & Soprano Saxophones, Background
Vocals Track 4 & 7, Tambourine Track 6
KEYBOARDS:
Mike Esneault: Sound design-All Tracks except #9, Orchestration-
Track 10, David Ellington: Tracks 9 & 10, Tyrone Jackson: Track 5
BASS:
Chris Severin: Tracks 3, 6, &8, Donald Ramsey: Tracks 2, 4, & 5, Moffet Morris: Tracks 9 & 10, Maurius Tilton Track 1
DRUMS:
Henry Conery III Tracks 1, 5, 9, & 10, Jamison Ross: Tracks 3, 6, & 8, John Jones Tracks 2, & 4
GUITAR:
Steve Masakowski: Tracks 2, 5, 7, & 10, Bill Solley: Tracks 3, 4, & 8
BRASS:
Bobby Campo-Trumpets/Flugal: Tracks 1, 2, 5, 8, William “B.J.” McGibney-Trombone Tracks 2 & 8, Jeff Albert-Trombone: Tracks 1, & 5

Track listing, track times and composer:
1. Watch Him Work (4:17)
2. MAMMA’S PRAYER (4:47)
3. Like Father Like Son (5:18)
4. Cornerstone (6:08)
5. Joy (4:52)
6. Grazin’ In The Grass (3:51) (Philemon Hou-Arr Clarence Johnson III)
7. The Way You Look Tonight (5:39) (Fields/Kern Arr Clarence Johnson III)
8. Brian’s Journey (4:46)
9. Struttin’ (4:19)
10. Beyond Words (5:09)



CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher 
LIKE FATHER LIKE SON
CLARENCE JOHNSON III/Watch Him Work:  Now in his late 30s, the Nawlins sax ace is changing course to be more in line with what he feels.  Going for more fusion and smooth jazz, he’s right in the pocket.  His originals cook and his take on “Grazin in the Grass” gives it the zest Grover Washington would have had he not turned his attention to “Soulful Strut”.  Playing for his own account rather than a record company’s, Johnson gets to push the buttons he wants to and he hits them with just the right amount of torque each time.  Fun stuff that goes the distance with loads of good vibes for all.
By Grady Harp Amazon.com
First some words from the artist: `The direction of the music exhibits the things that I've gone through, the things that have made me mature and grow up. At 22, you're one way. When you're in your late 30s, you're a seasoned veteran, looking at things from a mature perspective. I think all of that is reflected in the music and the life choices that I've made." He named his record company, as well as a track on the new record, "Like Father Like Son." "It's a tribute to the way my dad raised me in Godly instruction, and the way I'm trying to do the same thing with my son. Looking at my father, the way he carried himself with such dignity and class, I learned how to be a man. The "Him" of the "Watch Him Work" title track is a reflection of Johnson's deep-seated, non-denominational Christianity. "That's exactly what this record represents. The `h' will always be capitalized to signify that I'm talking about God. No matter how tough things become, just offer it up in prayer. Once you let God deal with it, just step back and watch Him work."

Known for his fierce and often sultry saxophone sound and astounding virtuosity, New Orleanean Clarence Johnson III enjoys a successful career as a recording and performing artist, an educator, and also appears in films and television. Currently, Clarence is preparing for the upcoming release of his latest recording, "Watch Him Work", his first release in nearly 15 years. The new original material, which features himself and his latest creation, Cornerstone, can best be described as a fresh take on jazz fusion, which is reminiscent of the compositional styles of Stanley Clarke, George Duke, the Brecker Bros., and the Yellow Jackets.

After too long a recorded absence, Clarence Johnson III is back, even better, so Watch Him Work.








Media Requests
For Interviews, photos and preview copies for review contact
Jim Eigo
Jazz Promo Services
272 State Route 94 South #1
Warwick, NY 10990-3363
Ph: 845-986-1677 / Fax: 845-986-1699
Cell / text: 917-755-8960
Skype: jazzpromo

jim@jazzpromoservices.com
www.jazzpromoservices.com

Roswitha's DESTINY CD Release Party at the Metropolitan Room

Roswitha's DESTINY CD Release Party at the Metropolitan Room to Benefit New York City Youth Leadership Organization Rock Ur Heart Out, November 18th 2013, 9:30 pm 

Austrian born singer-songwriter, violinist, Building Bridges founder and former Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar Roswitha celebrates world premiere of her DESTINY album, which made it into several categories of the 56th Grammy ballots: CD Release Party at the Metropolitan Room to benefit New York City youth leadership organization Rock Ur Heart Out, November 18th 2013, 9.30pm. 

Roswitha - "A Global Citizen Building Bridges to your DESTINY and shifting systems" - premiers her DESTINY album to benefit New York City youth leadership organization Rock Ur Heart Out at the renowned Metropolitan Room. "Provocative soul and burning lyrics meet sensual driving violins," the album got listed in several Grammy categories for consideration for a nomination.
The Metropolitan Room in association with Rose Petal Entertainment Media and Queen Rose Music are proud to announce the official CD release party and world premiere of DESTINY, the latest album from music producer, singer-songwriter and violinist, Roswitha.
Known as a renowned jazz and classical artist, Roswitha made a bold step out into the world as a singer-songwriter. Her new album DESTINY has garnered favorable comparisons to such diverse artists as Björk, Sia, Sade, Florence and the Machine, Amy Winehouse, Adele, Tracy Chapman, Stevie Nicks, Les Nubians, and Zap Mama. DESTINY combines all facets of her creativity—her brilliant violin playing, smoldering vocals, uplifting songs, and her refined production aesthetic. It is an elegant blend of jazz, classical, R&B, hip-hop, rock and pop that showcases her gorgeous compositions and soulfully angelic vocals. DESTINY made it onto the 56th GRAMMY ballots for Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album & Best Engineered Album, Non-classical. Several songs made it into Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance & Best Contemporary Christian Music Song.
Selections of the album will be performed with live band at The Metropolitan Room on Monday, November 18, 2013 at 9.30pm. Tickets should be pre-purchased here.
Roswitha organically inhabits a broad array of styles, tying them together with her euphoric and liberating message. “The general theme is to live your dreams; free yourself from any external influences and seek answers from within,” explains Roswitha - an artist who continues to dream and speaks to the responsibilities of musical creativity, entrepreneurship, personal integrity, and making a social impact which extends beyond her music. She wrote the song “One of Us”, her anthem against guns, after Trayvon Martin was killed.
Roswitha has had an esteemed career as “Queen Rose.” She was featured on MTV’s Unplugged with Trey Songz, and as a member of the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, she performed with the likes of John Legend, Santana, Gloria Estefan and Patti LaBelle. Under the name “Rose Bartu,” she built a highly respected jazz profile and issued the delightfully exotic Cherchez la Verité, a silky jazz album with violin, sensual vocals, and limber Afro Cuban grooves. Roswitha has lead her own bands, performing at celebrated venues like The Blue Note, Knitting Factory and touring Europe. She has notched over 50 production, arrangement, composition, and performance credits on over 19 released albums, videos and film soundtracks.
Roswitha is a mission-driven artist. $1 from all DESTINY sales and a portion of all proceeds from her Metropolitan Room appearance will be donated through her own organization, Building Bridges, to Rock Your Heart Out, a youth music leadership program administered by Windows of Opportunity. These contributions will support an on-site music studio for at-risk and under-served youth in New York City. The show date incidentally coincides with what would have been the 60th birthday of Barbara Harmon, the aunt of Windows of Opportunity founder Hal Eisenberg, who named his organization “The Barbara Harmon Institute”. She was a nurse who dedicated herself to the 9/11 relief efforts and died of health issues as a result of that commitment.
More info:
http://www.queenrosemusic.com

Brooklyn, NY (PRWEB) October 29, 2013 

 

 

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Keith Jarrett - Concerts: Bregenz Munich (ECM 2013)

The Bregenz/Munich concerts were Jarretts most brilliant live solo recordings to date; his level of inspiration is quite extraordinary, and the music covers a wider musical and emotional range than ever. --Jarrett biographer Ian Carr
After Bremen/Lausanne after The Koln Concert, after the epic Sun Bear Concerts, the next development in Jarretts solo concerts was the all-embracing music captured here. Two 1981 improvised concerts from Austria and Germany are featured, recorded respectively at the Festspielhaus Bregenz and the Herkulessaal Munich, venues noted for outstanding acoustics. While the Bregenz concert has hitherto been available as a single CD, this set marks the first appearance of the complete Munich performance on compact disc. The 3-CD set includes an extensive text booklet with liner notes by Keith Jarrett, an essay by Swiss critic Peter Ruedi, and poetry by Michael Kruger.
http://www.keithjarrett.org/2013/05/04/concerts-bregenz-munchen-to-be-re-released-as-a-3-cd-set/

Chucho Dedicates Rumba to his Father, Bebo Valdes

Havana, Cuba, Oct 29.- Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes will pay tribute on October 29, at the Barts Hall of Barcelona, to his father Bebo Valdes, with a concert entitled Rumba for Bebo.

The homage has been taking place since October 19, as part of the Jazz Festival of Barcelona, which dedicates its 45th edition to the figure of the late master of piano, the Cubadebate Web site reported on Monday.

Accompanying Chucho Valdes and his Afro-Cuban Messengers will be Cuban rumba performers, a corps de ballet, pianists Mauricio Vallina and Paloma Manfugas and special guests, among which we find Javier Masso Caramelo, Omar Sosa, Lazara Cachao, Jerry Gonzalez, Javier Colina and Bebo’s youngest daughter, Mayra Caridad.

This autumn, the Cuban musician will tour Spain to present his last album, Border-Free, released in July by the Jazz Village label.

After his participation in the Barcelona Jazz Festival, Chucho will perform in stages of Girona (October 31, Auditori), Manresa (November 1st, Kursaal), Cartagena (November 8, Jazz Festival), Zaragoza (November 9, Jazz Festival), A Coruña (November 13, Jazzatlantica) and Seville (November 15, Teatro de la Maestranza).

Border-Free is nominated to a Latin Grammy this year in the Best Jazz Album category. Awards will be given in November.(ACN)

Radio Cadena Agramonte http://www.cadenagramonte.cu

Baku Jazz Festival 2013

During the Festival at the Palace named after Heydar Aliyev, the International Mugham Center and at the Baku Jazz Center expected performances by the world-renowned musicians - Joshua Redman, Kenny Garrett, Avishai Cohen, Marcus Miller, Christoph Cech and others.
With the solo program will perform Azerbaijani musicians - Salman Gambarov, Emil Afrasiyab, Mirjavad Jafarov and others.
All admirers of jazz music will have great music holiday.
http://jazzcenter.jazz.az

Myra Melford - "Life Carries Me This Way" (Firehouse12 2013)

"Life Carries Me This Way" is pianist/composer Myra Melford's first solo piano recording. It features original compositions inspired by the artwork of her friend, the late Sacramento-based artist Don Reich (1931-2010). The project was entirely recorded, mixed, and mastered at Firehouse 12 Studios in New Haven, CT by owner and chief engineer Nick Lloyd. The CD package contains a 16-page booklet that includes full color photographs of Don Reich's artwork as well as notes by Melford and Charles Johnson.

Her work has earned Melford some of the highest accolades in her field. In 2013 alone, she was named a Guggenheim Fellow and received the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation's Performing Artist Award and a Doris Duke Residency to Build Demand for the Arts for her efforts to re-imagine the jazz program at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. She was also the winner of the 2012 Alpert Award in the Arts for Music. She has been honored numerous times in DownBeat's Critics Poll since 1991 and was nominated by the Jazz Journalists Association as Pianist of the Year in 2008 and 2009 and Composer of the Year in 2004.

Ivo Perelman , Matthew Shipp , Whit Dickey , Gerald Cleaver - Enigma(Leo 2013)

Tenor saxophonist Ivo Perelman has been issuing albums at a furious rate recently. Over the last three years he recorded no less than 15 new albums. Like John Coltrane, Perelman's albums are continually questioning the musical orthodoxy and looking for new parts of the musical map to explore. To record Enigma he needed to create denser music. That's why apart from his musical blood-brother Matthew Shipp he invites two drummers - Whit Dickey and Gerald Cleaver. Ivo Perelman boldly goes where no tenor player has gone before.
LEO Records


Monday, October 28, 2013

JMQ Jazz Dectet-The Little Big Horn Project (Wazoo Records 2013)


Following upon the JMQ's prior album and numerous live gigs, John Montesante expanded his quintet to six horns and four rhythm players, or 'Dectet' with guest singers - to breathe life into his arrangements of an eclectic selection of favorite jazz tunes.
http://www.johnmontesantejazz.com/john-montesante-quintet.html

On the last track of the prior album of Australian horn-led modern jazz combo, 'John Montesante Quintet', (JMQ-Live @ Atlantis), bandleader Montesante engaged an 'augmented' horn line-up, expanding the band to nine instruments. A reviewer described that track as 'a brassy blaster that inspires the desire to catch the band at one of its live gigs around the traps' .
He later decided to create an entire new album in that vein, so he set about arranging and orchestrating some of his chosen tunes for ten instruments, thereby doubling the quintet to a dectet. 'The LITTLE BIG HORN Project' was born.

He invited musician friends and singers to join the project and breathe life into his new, always handwritten, charts. Over an extended period, involving four whole band studio sessions, with further horn and vocal pick ups, nineteen stellar artists dedicated considerable time, talent and energy to bring this album to completion. As well as the ten piece lineuo, four singers added their voices to the project. The album comprises four instrumental tracks and nine vocal tracks.


The 'JMQ Jazz Dectet' gave a live performance of the tracks on the new album
at a prominent Melbourne Jazz club, prior to the launch. The reception was enthusiastic
and the band will be introducing more new arrangements at live gigs and may also
produce a follow up album down track.

Meanwhile, we hope you will find the JMQ-Jazz Dectet's project interesting, with its particular
arrangements and soloists and that the more it is listened to the more it will grow upon you.

As for the album title, Montesante is an American Civil War history enthusiast
and selected the name with a dual purpose - to indicate the larger horn line up, while also referencing
his other passion.

Enjoy!

 

Jimmy Kansau - Swinging The Latin American Songbook, Vol. 1 (2013)

Caribbean songs of the mid-twentieth century reinterpreted through the language of the American jazz
http://jimmykansau.com 
CDBABY

1.Dama Antañona (Francisco de Paula Aguirre, Venezuela)
The Original song is a Venezuelan Waltz that dates back from the early 20th century. Perhaps the most difficult piece to translate into the big band style
because the original form (three distinct sections with an instrumental middle section) is not
typical in the jazz idiom. I therefore decided to "go for it"and create
an epic sounding arrangement with multiple themes. I started with a
modern sounding intro and put the melody in the bass and bari sax. The
horn melody that follows is meant to set a dark and haunting mood before
introducing the minor verse. The B section of the original which sounds
very classical is translated into a bop-sounding horn soli section with
dense harmony and rhythmic syncopation (this had to also be converted from
3/4 to 4/4). The C section then introduces a new bright major theme. The
horn parts are meant to sound a little edgy in order to ease the dramatic
shift in tone from the verse.


2.Anhelante (José Sifontes, Venezuela)
Also originally in 3/4, this minor waltz translated very beautifully into
a modern straight eighths jazz ballad in 4/4. It has the pristine, airy
quality of the music from ECM records and a modern reharmonization that
further deepens the sense of melancholy. Jimmy's creative string
arrangements enhances and compliments the mood of the piece beautifully.
There's a lot of space used in the arrangement with strings swelling,
trailing off, fading in and out, an open bass, solo etc. It feels like
the music is gliding effortlessly along.
In order to not repeat the same vocal verse, an instrumental verse is
introduced with melody in the piano and then played by the horns. There
is a modern reinterpretation of the melody followed by an alto solo on the
changes of the A section. The B section then returns with a slightly
different presentation. This time two trumpets play the theme and the
rest of the horn section provides the commentary. Finally the piece
returns to the major theme of the C section and ends in classic big band
style.


3.Haz lo que tu quieras (Concha Valdez Miranda, Cuba)
Another difficult piece to translate. The sexually suggestive theme lends
itself nicely to swampy, dirty slow swing feel, but the original has very
classic bolero changes that an opposition to that sentiment. Therefore,
we tried to compensate by suggesting blues harmonies throughout to give it
a sense of earthiness.


4.Ingenua (Dumbi, dumbi) (Luis Cruz, Venezuela)
This fun silly song with a calypso feel is given a big band treatment with
much humor. I wrote an intro that is hard driving, yet joyful and
spirited. The chorus maintains the calypso feel in the bass, but the band
style swings in a jazz style with conga ornamentation. The verse is
presented in a classic swing two-feel with some harmonization recalling
the songs of Rodgers and Hart (the original is only four chords, so it
needed some movement to sound like a jazz tune). It modulates in the
middle of the verse to give it a sense of upward mobility. The chorus and
verse a separated by a short whimsical theme with the flute as the top
voice lending a sense of lightness. Following the verses and chorus is a
humorous interlude that is a nod to the arranger Russ Garcia. The congas
play an afro feel against the stiff, jerky rhythm of the horns. The
faux-classical melody of the flute evokes images of toy soldiers. It's
very tongue and cheek, momentarily dabbling in the absurd. The song
returns to solos and a double chorus that keeps the spirit lively to the
end.


5.Como fué (Ernesto Duarte Brito, Cuba)
This popular ballad (one of the few originally pieces in 4/4) is presented
as a classic jazz waltz with gorgeous string accompaniment. This piece
also features modern reharmonizations and interesting string commentary
throughout. The introductory theme played by flute gives the piece a
wistful feeling.

6. Vereda Tropical (Gonzalo Curiel, Mexico)
Vereda Tropical was an attempt to capture the elegance of Alfredo Sadel’s version with a piano trio. I love it's sparse beauty.


7. What a difference a day makes / Cuando vuelva a tu lado (with Norma Kansau who is my sister)
(María Grever, Mexico)

8. Mi propio yo (Chelique Sarabia, Venezuela)
Mi Propio Yo attempted to embody the melancholy of the lyrics despite the challenge of a chorus in a major key. The harmonic devices and rhythmic sparsity in the A section add an edge to a very sweet sounding melody.

9.Moliendo Café (Hugo Blanco, Venezuela)
Moliendo Cafe was arranged (in the bass lines) with clave in mind to pay respect to the song becoming a salsa staple, but its the swing that connects it to the jazz tradition.

10.Tu Mi Delirio (César Portillo De La Cruz, Cuba)
Tu Mi Delirio used a Bill Evans harmonic concept to interprets the moodiness if this bolero.

11. Alma Llanera (Pedro Elias Gutierrez, Rafael Bolívar Coronado, Venezuela)
The idea was to create a big band swing version of this unofficial
Venezuelan anthem. The original is a joropo in 3/4, so there was great
care in making it swing in 4/4 while maintaining the feeling of the
original. The intro instrumental theme of Alma Llanera sounded very
similar to Thelonious Monk's "Rhythm-a-ning" when put into 4/4, so I
contrasted those themes in the intro of the arrangement. The verses of
the original are very folky and triadic, so the harmony throughout was
reinterpreted in a jazz fashion recalling the Great American songbook.
The horn parts in this section were written as a conversation/response to
the vocal melody. At the B section, we were able to maintain the rhythmic
breaks of the original which provided a nice contrast to the straighter
hard driving verses. Following the solos, a classic horn soli section was
created based loosely on the melody of the verse. This helped to further
ground the connection of the original with the new big band swing feel.


 

New Release: Phill Fest "Projeto B.F.C." with special guest Hendrik Meurkens

Infectious Brazilian rhythms fused with jazz harmony and form, samba-jazz is an exciting and fresh sound in the modern jazz vernacular. Guitarist Phill Fest, son of piano bossa pioneer Manfredo Fest, presents us with "Projeto B.F.C.", a spectacular example of the genre and all of its nuances. From high energy samba and baiao rhythms, to subtle bossa gentleness, each selection displays passion and focus. Guest harmonica virtuoso, Hendrik Meurkens,
gives this fantastic outing a special touch that can only be described as "exhilarating!". An excellent selection of material, including originals by Phill and pianist Robert Prester, to genre defying compositions by Manfredo, each track flows seamlessly into the next. The rhythm section of Brazilian drummer Ronie Martinez and bassist Russ Howard, rounds out this stellar ensemble. A listening experience that will have you smiling and coming back for more.
 

“The apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Phill Fest has certainly inherited his father’s musical genius. Toss in an amazing artist like Hendrik Meurkens and you have a delicious Feijoada of music!
THIS... is good stuff!” - Gina Martell, Sunny 107.9 Miami, FL
 
“This project has the sound of a dream come true, and it’s a sound that is fresh and rewarding for the listener every time.” - Bob Seymour, WUSF 89.7 Tampa, FL
 
Phill Fest GUITARS AND VOCALS
Robert Prester PIANO
Russ Howard BASS
Ronie Martinez DRUMS AND
PERCUSSION
and very special guest
Hendrik Meurkens HARMONICA

Tracks
1. B.F.C. is Coming (:33)
2. Florianopolis (3:42)
3. Samba de Cayo Hueso (6:53)
4. Baiao da Amizade (4:18)
5. Islands of Guizar (5:52)
6. Clearwater Sunset (6:56)
7. Commonwealth Ave (7:05)
8. Bossa Blues #2 (7:14)
9. Dig This Samba (5:36)
10. Ate Mais (:42)

CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher 
PHIL FEST/Projeto B.F.C.:  Successfully entering the family’s Brazilian jazz business, fille Phil brings his guitar, his love of jazz and his Brazilian bloodlined chops and serves up a date that should make his both his mom and pop proud to pass the torch when the time comes.  Innovation also seem to run in the family line as there‘s plenty of that here.  Tasty, summer jazz you can enjoy anytime, this is a prime example of a contemporary take on the real deal. Well done.

 
5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting Brazilian Jazz, properly rooted, with memorable melodies and infectious rhythms!, October 4, 2013
By Grady Harp Amazon.com
 
This review is from: Projeto B.F.C. (Audio CD)
If you're wondering what the `B.F.C.' stands for it is Brazil-Florida Connection and it is creation of the very fine Phill Fest, guitarist and composer extraordinaire! His background and training give his musicality a unique twist uncommon for his generation. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota (he now resides in Florida) Phill grew up in a musical family. His father is a recording artist and his mother a composer and music instructor. Phill was exposed to Brazilian and American Jazz right from the start. "I remember hangin' with Sergio Mendez backstage many times as a kid." His father, Manfredo Fest, was the Keyboardist and Music Director for Bossa Rio, the opening act for Brasil '66 for three years. Phill started guitar at age 16. Having already studied clarinet and violin, the 'six string' came easy. Phill studied at Music Tech of Minneapolis in '89. "My training is a combination of school and self-taught techniques."

So much for biographical data. The real magic is the unusual and very creative sounds that pour forth form this collection of Brazilian flavored jazz. The recording opens and closes with a pure percussive bit called batucada and then flows through the seductive melodies of perfect arrangements and combination of instruments that offer a sound we've not heard before. It takes real musical sophistication to combine Brazilian music and American jazz and, as we've known for decades, it's magic when it works. As Gina Martelll has stated, `There is music that I love, and then there is music that reaches into my soul and gives me Goosebumps! "Projeto B.F.C." does that. The apple didn't fall far from the tree. Phill Fest has certainly inherited his father's( Manfredo Fest) musical genius, but Phill adds his own style and charm with a Brazilian sex appeal that is irresistible. A delicious feijoada of music, THIS....is good stuff!'

This CD is about as perfect as Brazilian jazz gets. Highly Recommended!








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