Ralph Alessi- Baida (ecm 2013)

There are magic moments when an artist can be said to have well and truly arrived. For Ralph Alessi, the release of Baida his ECM debut as a bandleader is just such a moment, despite his already extensive resume. Among those in the know, Alessi is renowned as a musicians musician, a first-call New York trumpeter who can play virtually anything on sight and has excelled as an improviser in groups led by Steve Coleman, Uri Caine, Ravi Coltrane, Fred Hersch and Don Byron, as well as leading his own bands. But Alessi has created something breath-taking with Baida, an album sure to beguile a wider audience with its atmospheric depth and melodic allure. To voice his suite of compositions, the trumpeter has convened a powerhouse New York band with pianist Jason Moran, bassist Drew Gress and drummer Nasheet Waits. As a vessel for the album s seemingly bottomless lyricism, this quartet of virtuosos plays with extraordinary finesse; but there is also a tensile strength emanating from the performances, a muscularity that one can feel. Then there is the silver of Alessis trumpet tone; as The New York Times has said, it has a rounded luminescence, like the moon in full phase.
http://www.ralphalessi.com

FRANCE: Bruno Tocanne News

Le 5 OCTOBRE à VITROLLES ouverture saison du Moulin à Jazz de Vitrolles
Bruno Tocanne "In a suggestive way" en 4tet
Bruno Tocanne (dms) Sophia Domancich (piano) Daniel Erdman (sax) Rémi Gaudillat (tpt)

http://brunotocanne.com/Inasuggestiveway.html

Le 18 OCTOBRE à CHAMONIX / Festival JazzContreband - Chamonix
Bruno Tocanne "In a suggestive way" en trio
Bruno Tocanne (dms), Bänz Oester (cbasse - CH) et Rémi Gaudillat (tpt)

Le 29 OCTOBRE à LYON (LS Jazz) un trio inédit dans le cadre de Jazz au Collège
Michel Bénita (cb), Fred Roudet (tpt) Bruno Tocanne (dms)

Du 4 au 7 NOVEMBRE au Creusot, le Libre ensemble attaque son travail d'une relecture de "Escalator Over the Hill" avec l'autorisation et les encouragements de Carla Bley et l'aide précieuse de Steve Swallow.
Titre "Over The Hill"
Bernard Santacruz, Perrine Mansuy, Bruno Tocanne, rémi Gaudillat, Fred Roudet, Alain Blesing, Jean Aussanaire, Olivier Thémines, Pasquale d'Inca

http://www.imuzzic.net/Over%20the%20hill.html

Tigran Hamasyan - Shadow Theater (Verve 2013)

01 The Poet 4:17
02 Erishta 4:38
03 Lament 3:46
04 Drip 4:11
05 The Year Is Gone 2:39
06 Seafarer 4:27
07 The Court Jester 5:45
08 Pagan Lullaby 3:18
09 Pt1 Collapse 5:04
10 Pt2 Alternative Universe 6:36
11 Holy 5:22
12 Road Song 6:43


Tigran Hamasyan : piano
Areni : chant
Ben Wendel : sax
Sam Minaie : basse
Nate Wood : batterie

 http://www.tigranhamasyan.com

Sep 05    Tigran - Shadow Theater     Paris, France   
Oct 02    Sopot Jazz Festival    Sopot, Poland   
Oct 03    Bimhuis    Amsterdam, Netherlands   
Oct 04    De Oosterpoort    Groningen, Netherlands   
Oct 05    LantarenVenster    Rotterdam, Netherlands   
Oct 08    Treibhaus    Innsbruck, Austria   
Oct 09    Philharmonie    Luxembourg, Luxembourg   
Oct 10    Enjoy Jazz    Mannheim, Germany   
Oct 12    ODYSSUD    Blagnac, France   
Oct 17    Sala Radio    Bucharest, Romania   
Nov 19    London Jazz Festival    London, United Kingdom   
Nov 28    Gallia Théâtre    Saintes, France   
Nov 30    Aix-en-Provence    Aix-En-Provence, France   
Dec 03    Salle des Fêtes    Schiltigheim, France   
Dec 06    Porgy and Bess    Vienna, Austria   
Dec 07    Théâtre Simone Signoret    Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, France   
Dec 11    Victoria National Jazzscene    Oslo, Norway   
Jan 31    Auditorium de Lyon    Lyon, France   
Feb 06    Cinéma Le Parc    Liege, Belgium   
Feb 07    Auditorio Nacional    Madrid, Spain   
Feb 11    L'Avant Seine    Colombes, France   
Feb 12    Centre Culturel    Soissons, France   
Feb 14    Théâtre Lino Ventura    Nice, France   
Feb 24    JazzDock    Prague, Czech Republic   
Feb 25    Brno Piano Jazz Series

the 18 Annual KoSA Drum & Percussion Camp Drums up Happiness to All Attendees!

18th Annual KoSA Drum & Percussion Camp Drums up Happiness to All Attendees!

Castleton, Vermont, USA – The 18th KoSA International Percussion Workshop, Drum Camp and Festival celebrated its annual week of intensive learning, living and sharing with world-renown drum & percussion masters this past July 2013.

Held in the breath-taking setting of the majestic mountains of Vermont, participants ranging in age from as young as 7 to experienced players of 70 years of age came from all over the USA and Canada to soak up a one-of–a kind musical experience. KoSA’s theme this year, “Drumming Up Happiness!” is a timely sentiment in this current time.

The entire KoSA team, lead by KoSA Co-Founders and Directors, Aldo Mazza and Dr. Jolán Kovács transmitted a clear message. With their nearly two-decade long mission of using music as a conduit of peace, with a commitment to music and music study that ultimately affects lives by making
participants learn to make better decisions and grow an optimistic, happier perspective by mastering the drum, and the entire percussion family.

Tim Duch, a first-time attendee from New Jersey, was clearly blown away from his experience as he stated: “This collaboration of percussionists all playing and learning together was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had!” Robert Blumofe from Massachusetts echoed this sentiment as he witnessed how the participants had the unique opportunity to have “casual conversations with musicians and music legends over lunch and dinner.”

This borderless atmosphere is but one part of the unique KoSA experience and the Faculty certainly appreciated this experience as well. According to Boston Symphony Orchestra percussionist Frank Epstein (a first-time Faculty member at KoSA 18): “I have not had a similar experience anywhere.

 The experience here was uplifting, energizing and comfortable. The mix of students and faculty is so inclusive that it creates a feeling of openness and freedom of expression enjoyed by all the participants.”

The nightly concerts of the KoSA Music Fesitval were streamed live in collaboration with Drum Channel (www.drumchannel.com). Approximately 20,000+ viewers from around the world witnessed the mind-blowing performances of KoSA’s stellar faculty which included: Memo Acevedo (Tito Puente),Sergio Bellotti (Berklee College), Gregg Bissonette (Ringo Starr), Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall), Eriko Daimo (international marimba artist), Mario DeCiutiis (KAT electronics founder), Frank Epstein (Boston Symphony Orchestra), Dom Famularo (drumming's Global Ambassador), Daniel Glass (Royal Crown Review), Aldo Mazza (Repercussion/KoSA Artistic Director & Founder), Allan Molnar (Nelly Furtado), Jeff Queen (DCI Drum Corps Champion), Ron Reid (steel drum specialist-Berklee College), Marcus Santos (Brazilian master- Berklee College, Grooversity founder), Jeff Salisbury (University of Vermont), Michael Taylor (West African drumming), Chester Thompson (Frank Zappa, Weather Report, Genesis, Phil Collins), Ed Uribe (Ray Barretto), and Glen Velez (four-time Grammy winner/Paul Winter consort), The nightly performances also featured smoking hot performances from KoSA’s talented rhythm section: Irio O‘Farrill on bass, and Bob
Quaranta on piano. Special highlights of the week included Shadow’s Fall drummer Jason Bittner who suprised everyone by stepping out of his traditional musical style - speed metal drumming - and dazzling the audience with an incredible funk number. Chester Thompson played an unforgettable evening of jazz and original compositions and Ron Reid, this year's steel pan instructor, adapted the pan to some wild jazz scales with impeccable timing and feel.
Continuing the long-standing tradition, KoSA awarded “Lifetime Achievement” awards this year to two very deserving KoSA Faculty members: the talented and ever-so-humble Frank Epstein, as well as legendary and versatile drummer Gregg Bissonette who was visibly moved and completely surprised to receive such an accolade. Two newly established awards, KoSA’s “Recognition Award“ were also presented to Marcus Santos and Allan Molnar in acknowledgement of their tireless efforts in promoting music education and for being dedicated ambassadors towards the KoSA mission.
The KoSA world is continuously in expansion with programs not only in USA, but in Cuba ,Europe and in China. For more information on all things KoSA, visit us at www.kosamusic.com and at facebook.com/kosamusic 

Contact: Dr.Jolán Kovács
Phone: (514) 482-5554
info@kosamusic.com
For Immediate Release
August 2nd, 2013

Warren Wolf - Wolfgang (Mack Avenue 2013)

Wolfgang opens with the vibraphonist leading his own home-base band (Fun and Williams with Goldberg sitting in as a guest) into “Sunrise,” with Goldberg and Williams making predawn statements, then develops into the relaxed aurora with Wolf joining the group. The piece develops into a swinging gem with lyrical vibes lines. With the same band, Wolf speeds into the hard-burning swinger “Grand Central,” which takes a frenetic pace with mad dashes of movement: a wild chase, a crushing push. “Actually, this originally had another title which we decided not to use,” says Wolf. “But I was performing it at Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, and a guy came up after and said that reminded him of being at Grand Central Station at rush hour. So, that’s the perfect title.”
Mack Avenue 

 

New Release: Sachal Studios Presents "JAZZ AND ALL THAT" In Memory of Dave Brubeck

New Release
Sachal Studios Presents
"JAZZ AND ALL THAT"
In Memory of Dave Brubeck
Live Appearance with
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis collaborates with the Sachal Jazz Ensemble Friday, November 22nd 8PM Rose Theater
Official YouTube Video

Everybody Hurts (Ya Rab) - Sachal Studios' Orchestra 

Watch It HERE

“Listening to this exotic version of “Take Five” brings back wonderful memories of Pakistan where my Quartet played in 1958. East is East, and West is West, but through music the twain meet. Congratulations!” “This is most interesting and different recording of “Take Five” I’ve ever heard. —Dave Brubeck Live Appearance New York, NY – November 22nd, 2013 The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis collaborates with the Sachal Jazz Ensemble, master musicians from Pakistan who incorporate ancient instruments, such as sitar, sarod, tabla, and dholak into the sounds and rhythms of iconic jazz repertoire. This collaboration is JALC’s latest installment in a string of cross-cultural investigations, which have paired the JLCO with musicians from Ghana and Spain, among others, as the organization actualizes its mission to make jazz available globally by interfacing the sounds of jazz, grounded firmly in American values of blues and swing expression, with an international array of musical languages and configurations. 2012 Oscar-winning director Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy is currently filming this remarkable ensemble for a documentary that will be released in 2014, which will conclude with the Sachal Jazz Ensemble’s highly anticipated collaboration with the JLCO.   Artist: Sachal Studios Orchestra Title: JAZZ AND ALL THAT Label: Imagine Music Catalog Number: SM026 Release Date: September 10, 2013 Track Listing 1. You’ve Got It Bad Girl (Wonder) 4;49 2. If You Go Away (Brel) 4:39 3. Moonlight In Vermont (Suessdorf/Blackburn) 4:40 4. Monsoon (Afzal) 5:14 5. The Pink Panther (Mancini) 5:07 6. Ponteio (Lobo) 6:02 7. Eleanor Rigby (Lennon/McCartney) 3:41 8. Blue Rondo A la Turk (Brubeck) 4:12 9. Kafi Jazz (Five Rivers) (Abbas) 4:36 10. Everybody Hurts (R.E.M.) 5:50 11. Wave (Jobim) 5:26 12. To The End Of The World (Metheny/Mays) 6:29 13. Morning Has Broken (Traditional) 5:33 Musicians: Sachal Studios Orchestra Sitar: Nafees Ahmed Khan Tabla: Ballu Khan Dholaks & Percussion: Rafiq Ahmed and Najaf Ali Cello: Umar Draz, Ghulam Abbas and Waqas Ali Violin: Saleem Khan, Altaf Hydar, Javaid Ali, Akbar Noushad, Kaleen Khan, Mukhtar Hussain, Mohammed Ilyas, Kahwar Hussain, Akbar Abbas, Sakhawat Ali, Babar Baila, Nadeen Ahmad, Fazal Hussain, Aqeel Anwar, Chand, Ghulam Hussain, Ghulam Ali, Riasat Hussain, Mubarak Ali, Abid Ali, Akram Farooqi, Amjad Ali, Basharat Ali and Nijat Ali. UK Musicians: Trumpet/Flugel: Derek Watkins Percussion: Chris Wells Piano: Steve Lodder Bass/Harmonica: Philip Achile Harp: Sally Price Sarod: Soumik Datta Guitar: John Parracelli Ghatam: Bangalore Prakash Moorsing (jewsharp): Kandiah Sithaparanatha Chorus: Abbie Osman, Alice Fearn, Claire Henry, Joanna Forbes, Mary Carewe, Rachel Weston, Sarah Ryen, Soophia Foroughi, Yona Dunsford. Metro Voices- Choir Master Jenny O’Grady Studio Credits: Original Recording by Munir Kokab Assisted by Samuel(Pinku) Suleimen-Waheed Sachal Studios, Lahore, July 2011-Feb 2013 Additional Recording ‘Monsoon’ Sam Okell, Abbey Road Studios- London 2010 Additional recording by Christoph Bracher Assisted by Sameer Khan & Drew Smith, Assault & Battery Studios, London. March-April 2013 Final Mixing by Christoph Bracher Assisted by Sameer Khan, Assault & Battery Studios, London. May 2013 Mastering by Sam Okel, Abbey Road Studios, London May 2013 All tracks arranged by Izzat Majeed, Assisted by Nijat Ali UK session & studio work coordinated by Jay Visvadeva Artwork Concept by Izzat Majeed, Artwork & Graphics Kikuchi This album carries lasting memories of the late maestro Riaz Hussain Track Listing Info: 01   You’ve Got It Bad Girl (Stevie Wonder) The track is intended as homage to the genius of Stevie Wonder.  This version creates fresh sounds of the flute, sitar, harmonica and piano. Balu Khan’s tabla and rhythm further enhance the uniqueness of the arrangement with the string section bringing a swing to the track.  Ever since I heard this song in the early 19702, I remained glued to Stevie Wonder’s heart aching melody and Quincy Jones’ arrangement soon after.  I have arranged it with both masters in mind. 02   If You Go Away/ Ne Me Quitte Pas (Jacques Brel) The arrangement is based on the flute that carries the sadness of the song.  Yet as the sarangi swells along with the orchestra there comes the promise of hope.  I always remember when I first heard Shirley Horn’s version and she has inspired me to make this track. 03   Moonlight In Vermont (Karl Suessdorf/ John Blackburn) The origins of this track may well be inspired by the U.S. State of Vermont, but in the arrangement of this well loved song I call it the Moonlight in Lahore! 04   Monsoon (Wazir Afzal) Monsoon is based on the classical music of South Asia.  It is inspired by raga Shankara.  All of us who made this album are deeply saddened at the death of Derek Watkins who was a great musician (trumpet, flugel) and a mentor to me.  Sachal Studios dedicates this composition in his memory. 05   The Pink Panther Theme (Henry Mancini) Need on say more?  At the first notes of this track the audience cheered when the Sachal Studios Orchestra played it at the Alchemy Festival (Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, April 2012. 06   Ponteio (Edu Lobo) Ponteio’s structure sounds close to the traditional music and songs of the Punjab.  The harmonica plays a wonderful reminiscence of Toots Thielemans in his collaboration with Edu Lobo. 07   Eleanor Rigby (Lennon-McCartney) An ode to loneliness.  The beauty of the arrangement is the minimal instrumentation.  It is a new take on an evergreen classic.  I was thrilled with the vigour with which the Sachal Orchestra played the original song.  The chorus is singing the ‘sargam’ known in the West as solfège (sol-fa in English). 08   Blue Rondo à La Turk (Dave Brubeck) A masterpiece of music.  Dave Brubeck went round the world to listen to all forms of music in different cultures and come back with global rhythms which he used uniquely to give jazz a new world.  His compositions will be eternal jazz.  Dave Brubeck was pleased with Sachal Studios’ ‘Take Five’ and sent his congratulations when it topped the charts globally. 09   Five Rivers (Kafi Thaat) It is composed in Kafi Thaat and carries a mix of ragas just like the five rivers of the Punjab (which translates as “Five” and “Rivers”).  A Thaat is a musical scale, conceived of as a Western musical scale might be, with the seven notes presented in their order of ascent (arohan). 10   Everybody Hurts (REM) Sad, full of pathos, about us, not always able to deal with hurt.  The chant “Ya Rab” means O Lord. 11   Wave (Antonio Carlos Jobim) The arrangement of this track combines the subtle beauty of Bossa Nova with an eastern interpretation that is fresh and unique.  The flute balanced with the guitar, harmonica and piano provide a sensuousness and charm that is enhanced by the string section and the Brazilian-tinged percussion accompaniment. Antonio Carlos Jobim’s most successful album brought global success to his Bossa Nova.  Oscar Peterson’s mesmerizing interpretation and Frank Sinatra’s rendition is amazing. 12   To The End of the World (Pat Metheny) The sitar is a magical tribute to Pat Metheny’s guitar.  The strings of Sachal Studios are full of life. 13   Morning Has Broken (Traditional) A tune composed in the Scottish Highlands became a hymn and Cat Stevens helped it to become popular.  The sarangi, sarod and the flute make it a universal hymn. -       Izzat Majeed

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

France, Paris: "Steve Shehan & friends"

A l'occasion de la sortie de "Hang with you" prévue le 14 octobre 2013 (chez Naïve), retrouvez-moi sur la scène de l'Alhambra le 12/12/2013 en concert autour de cette famille d'instruments magiques, les Spacedrum et les Hang Pan drums avec de merveilleux invités, amis pour un moment unique de partage et de création musicale.
Charles Lucas, Mathilde Chevrel, Christian Belhomme, Antonin Volson, Vladiswar Nadishana, Ugo Rabec, Peter Herbert, Nabil Othmani et et et...

Billets en vente sur :
-site de l’Alhambra
-fnacspectacles.com
-ticketnet.fr
-digitick.com