Pioneering composer, producer and contemporary Jazz keyboard legend Jeff Lorber makes his Peak Records debut this week with his new album Heard That.
Over three decades after breaking ground as leader of the pioneering Jeff Lorber Fusion, the Philly-born and bred musician keeps the soulful momentum going, collaborating brilliantly on pop, jazz, R&B and blues-influenced tracks – and even harkening back a bit to his early Fusion heyday – with one of urban jazz’s top hit makers and sonic architects, Rex Rideout.
Highlighted by the first single, a swinging, bluesy-brass twist on Amy Winehouse’s Grammy winning “Rehab,” Heard That features a typically vibrant Lorber all-star guest list, including trumpet great Rick Braun, guitarist Paul Jackson Jr., saxman Gary Meek, bassist Alex Al, trumpeter Ron King, guitarist Darrell Crooks and Peak label mate and sax icon Gerald Albright.
Lorber has been touring all throughout 2008 as part of ‘Guitars & Saxes’ with the likes of Gerald Albright, Peak label mate Jessy J, Jeff Golub and Peter White.
It’s all smiles as a happy Kim Pensyl returns with a new contemporary jazz album
When Katie Smiles due October 28th, “Slap Happy” leading the way at radio
Blessed with a bountiful life of jazz, music, love, family and education, pianist Kim Pensyl united his passions in a celebration of intimately inspired melodies and robust rhythm tracks on his fourteenth album, When Katie Smiles, scheduled for release October 28th from Penton Music Productions. The eleven new compositions written, arranged and produced by Pensyl mark his return to contemporary jazz where he previously charted four top 10 Billboard contemporary jazz albums. Powered by a deep bass and thick drum beats, the first single that was just serviced to radio, “Slap Happy” boasts Pensyl’s nimble contra piano melodies in the foreground while he peppers the background with haunting keyboard fills.
A labor of love like his previous releases, When Katie Smiles finds Pensyl poignantly relishing mundane pleasures sparked from the simple give and take exchanges between people. He infuses his music with the same outlook by allowing his talented quartet to interact and improvise spawning moments of spontaneous splendor. His melodies are joyous, contemplative, heartfelt and eloquent, thoughtfully yet organically given space to breathe, unfold and flow in uncluttered arrangements. The production sounds live and warm as Pensyl’s piano and keyboards are enriched yet never out-muscled by the bass (Andy Woodson), drums (Reggie Jackson), electric and acoustic guitars (Kevin Turner) or percussion (Jim Ed Cobbs). In addition to the single, spotlight selections include the snappy title track that opens the collection, the beautiful and audaciously arranged “Where’d Love Go?,” the exquisite and expansive “Grand Lake,” the inviting and homey “Gentlewind Dr.,” and “Love Comes First,” which closes the album in a cinematically sweet mood.
“As on all my albums, When Katie Smiles is about communicating feelings born of my life experiences. This makes each album something very personal, emotional and expressive, but it also makes me a bit apprehensive since I put myself in such a vulnerable position by sharing my feelings so openly. However, the chance to communicate deeply with listeners is certainly worth the risk. It creates a bond of understanding that I treasure,” explained Pensyl. “My music is a positive light, deeply committed, and is offered with sincerity in the hope it will bring joy to others by sharing part of my life.”
Pensyl’s lust for music was born in the heart of the Columbus, Ohio native during the musical heyday of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. He first picked up the trumpet and extensively studied composition, arranging, production, engineering and performing. He explored genres of music with fervor from jazz, big band, chamber and orchestral to rock, R&B and pop. After graduating The Ohio State University School of Music with honors, Pensyl moved to Southern California where he earned a Master’s degree in composition. He returned to Columbus after gaining valuable experience on the road performing and writing arrangements for various touring groups. Pensyl captained his own band at local gigs and also played solo piano dates. This led to the recording of his debut album, Pensyl Sketches #1, which was released twenty years ago. In 1989, ASCAP named him Best New Jazz Writer and two years later, NARM selected Pensyl Sketches #3 as Jazz Album of the Year. Twice Pensyl made Billboard’s top 20 Contemporary Jazz Artists of the Year. The dedicated family man who still wields the trumpet and piano has recorded with Toots Thielemans, Joey Calderazzo, Steve Rodby, Chieli Minucci, Alex Acuna, Adam Nussbaum, Andy Narell, Chuck Bergeron and Will Kennedy among others. He’s toured extensively throughout the world and has performed with his band on PBS, BET Jazz and Mexico TV. His albums have been diverse collections of modern acoustic jazz, contemporary jazz, solo piano renderings and even Christmas music.
Remaining a wide-eyed student of music himself, Pensyl took on the role of teacher in 2000 when he accepted a faculty position at The Ohio State University. Four years later, he joined the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati where he is an integral part of the Jazz Studies program. Pensyl writes for and performs with guest artists at the university such as Arturo Sandoval, Bob Mintzer and Terri Lyne Carrington. He enjoys sharing his immense knowledge, vast experience and great love of music with his students. Enthused and committed to challenging himself in his writing and performance, Pensyl plays concerts regularly in Ohio and is anxious to take the band out on the national circuit in support of When Katie Smiles. Additional information is available at www.kimpensyl.com.
The songs contained on Pensyl’s When Katie Smiles are:
“When Katie Smiles” “Slap Happy” “Where’d Love Go?” “Here Comes The Rain” “Grand Lake” “Beside The Shallow Pond” “Gentlewind Dr.” “Summer Days” “Once Again” “On This Day” “Love Comes First”
Simply Red announces the release of Simply Red, ‘The Greatest Hits 25’.
November 17th sees the ultimate album release by Simply Red; their definitive ‘Greatest Hits' on their own simplyred.com label. The release comprises 25 tracks on a double CD including a brand new single, ‘Go Now’, a cover of The Moody Blues heart-rending classic, also to be released as a single this November. A Limited Edition 3 disc set with a 25 track DVD will also be available.
Simply Red's shimmering pop soul and elegantly heartworn balladry have provided a glistening, emotional soundtrack to our turbulent times. Their phenomenal career has spanned three decades; they’ve released 10 studio albums racking up over fifty million global sales, notched up over 30 top 40 UK singles, won countless awards including 3 Brits, 2 Ivor Novellos and a Mobo Special Achievement. They gained the rarest prize for a British artist with not just one, but TWO number one hits in the USA; the album ‘Stars’ was the biggest selling album in the UK for two consecutive years and they have played over 1000 live shows to over 10 million people.
Early in 2009 they embark on a massive Greatest Hits World tour, coinciding with the 25th Anniversary of the band forming. They will play to over a million people by the end of the tour in 2010, starting out in Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, Chile and the USA before heading back to the UK and Europe. Full details will be announced here first very soon, including 10 UK Arena shows next April. The tour will be previewed at the O2 Arena December 3rd. which is already sold out.
Quite simply, this is one greatest hits collection that lives up to its name.
Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten each a powerful force of nature in his own right have done more in recent decades to redefine the electric bass and push the limits of its potential than any other musician alive today. When these three titans collectively known as S.M.V. converge on the low frequencies, the results are no less than earth shaking. Thunder, their debut collaboration set for release on August 12, 2008, is a high-energy phenomenon whose impact is guaranteed to resonate throughout every corner of the jazz world.
To read an earlier post at JazzHQ on this release click here
Last month internationally renowned pianist, composer and smooth jazz artist Kevin Toney released his first-ever solo piano project, “A Grateful Heart.”
The album features 10 new original compositions performed solo on the acoustic piano. In describing this project Kevin shares that “I’m at my highest musical and spiritual expression…bearing all my soul with divine passion, and rendering my most commanding, inspirational performances.”
For a limited time, you will receive an autographed copy of the album if you buy it through Kevin’s website.
As an ever-evolving pianist and composer Kevin Toney has consistently been known to explore and develop his own musical horizons. As a world-renowned contemporary instrumental recording artist and musician, Kevin’s music covers a broad range of styles.
He describes his music as being cosmopolitan in scope, a jazz style that embraces traditional, urban, gospel, classical and contemporary elements all wrapped up in a sophisticated package.
Urban Network declares “Kevin Toney has proven himself to be among the most masterful and versatile keyboardist of his generation, playing with a technical proficiency that is at the absolute peak of the contemporary jazz game.”
Billboard Magazine notes “Toney’s piano skills and ear for melody set him apart from the pack and make him enjoyable and engaging.”
For more information you can visit his website, kevintoney.com.
Dave Koz – Greatest Hits, the first-ever retrospective album from the world renowned instrumentalist, composer and Smooth Jazz Network radio personality debuted at No. 1 on both Billboard’s Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and iTunes’ Jazz Album chart.
Meanwhile, the lead single of the album, “Life In The Fast Lane” claims the No. 1 spot on the influential publication Radio & Records Smooth Jazz Indicator chart.
The album, which was completely re-mastered by the legendary Bernie Grundman, contains 11 Koz classics and four brand new tracks.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce recently announced that Koz will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009, thus making it an even more fitting time for the release of his Greatest Hits collection.
Over the summer, Koz went into the studio with Barry Manilow, who asked him to play sax on three tracks for his upcoming album, and he also taped a performance for the upcoming PBS special “Lights – a Hanukkah Celebration.”
In the past week, Dave appeared on “Entertainment Tonight,” performed at a fundraising concert for Barack Obama, at the ET-People Magazine Emmy party, and picked up the Radio & Records “Personality of the Year” award for his show on Broadcast Architecture’s Smooth Jazz Network.
He’ll wrap up his summer tour this Saturday, September 27th, with an appearance at KTWV Wave Fest at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre. He then travels to Asia for concert dates in Japan, Korea and Thailand, returning home in time to embark on the fourth annual “Dave Koz & Friends At Sea” cruise on November 2nd.
For more information on Dave Koz you can visit his website, davekoz.com.
Nikka Costa’s Pebble To A Pearl will be released on October 14, 2008 on Nikka’s own Go Funk Yourself Records in conjunction with the newly re-launched Stax Records
Nikka Costa has always seemed to thrive on a certain sense of freedom. It’s no wonder, that when Nikka set out to create a record on her own terms and as an independent artist finally free of major label confines, she has made her boldest and most passionate record yet. Over 14 days at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles, Nikka created Pebble to a Pearl- a quintessential collection of soul, blues, funk & pop infused tracks which marks Nikka's triumphant return onto the scene this Fall. On October 14, 2008 Nikka’s own Go Funk Yourself Records will release the album in conjunction with Stax Records.
Growing up as legendary producer, Don Costa’s (Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra) daughter, she broke on the scene in the early 2000’s with an intuitive sensibility for the soulful sound that has kept her place as a forerunner among the new breed of soul singers. During this time, she toured with Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Coldplay and Beck, recorded with Mark Ronson, was nominated for an MTV Music Award and had hit singles in Europe. Known for her dynamic and energetic live performance's Nikka's voice and presence has often been compared with Janis Joplin, Chaka Khan and Sly Stone.
Pebble to a Pearl may be perhaps the most honest of these albums to date, blending sounds and textures in an undefined concoction that speaks as profoundly to a discriminating musician’s ear as it does to the casual listener.
The album was produced by Justin Mitchell Stanley (Jamie Lidell, Beck) as an analog recording on two inch tape and Nikka and the band recorded the songs live in the studio, giving it a truly organic feel. Joining Nikka on the record is legendary drummer James Gadson (Al Green, Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder), Grammy Award winning songwriter, and keyboardist James Poyser (Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Al Green), extraordinary guitarists Jason Falkner (Beck, Air, Paul McCartney) and Chris Bruce (George Clinton/Parliament, Me'Shell Ndege'Ocello, Betty Lavette).
Smooth Jazz musician and Grammy-nominated artist Jim Brickman has returned with an album of instrumental solo piano compositions titled, “Unspoken.”
It may be said that Jim Brickman revolutionized the sound of Adult Contemporary music with a remarkable series of piano-based recordings that were distinctively evocative in their unique blend of pop and romanticism.
“Unspoken” is available now and the fourteen tracks on the album call back to Brickman’s reputation as an unparalleled composer of pop instrumental songs. To support this release Brickman will embark on his annual Fall/Winter tour beginning this month.
Jim Brickman’s career includes six Gold and Platinum selling albums, three #1 and twelve Top 10 Adult Contemporary radio hits, consistent debuts at #1 on Billboard Magazine’s New Age chart, a Grammy nomination, SESAC “Songwriter of the Year” award, a Canadian Country Music Award, a Dove Award and his position as the all time chart leader on Radio & Records Adult Contemporary chart.
For more information you can visit Brickman’s website, jimbrickman.com
On Jan. 13, Blue Note Records will commemorate the label's 70th anniversary with the release of "Mosaic: A Celebration of Blue Note Records," an eight-song collection of classic Blue Note repertoire re-envisioned by The Blue Note Seven: an all-star septet comprising pianist, musical director, and current Blue Note recording artist Bill Charlap with trumpeter Nicholas Payton, tenor saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, alto saxophonist/flutist Steve Wilson, guitarist Peter Bernstein, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Lewis Nash. The album is produced by Charlap, Michael Cuscuna and Eli Wolf, and executive produced by Danny Melnick, founder of the event production company Absolutely Live Entertainment, which will be producing The Blue Note 7's extensive 51-city North American tour launching Jan. 7.
Charlap says, "The music that Blue Note recorded is so vast and historically important that there was no way we could be comprehensive in covering the contributions of so many major musicians. We chose to record compositions that would honor the label and its key players, whittling it down to eight of our favorites from Blue Note's wide-ranging and extensive catalog." Charlap hails the wisdom of Blue Note founder Alfred Lion, who launched the label in 1939, for "creating a forum for composers to write music. He trusted them to go ahead and do what they do best."
"The Blue Note 7 is a true collaboration, an all-star band comprised of the next generation of major players, all leaders in their own right," says Bruce Lundvall, president of Blue Note Records, who is also celebrating 25 years since he relaunched the label in 1984 after a hiatus. "They are also the A-list of accomplished arrangers and composers, steeped in the Blue Note tradition, re-imagining this time-honored repertoire in a fresh way."
Blue Note 2009 tour dates:
1/7 Yakima, WA Seasons Performance Hall
1/8 Seattle, WA Paramount Theater
1/10 Eugene, OR The Shedd
1/11 Klamath Falls, OR Ross Ragland Theatre
1/13 Davis, CA UC Davis/Mondavi Center/Jackson Hall
1/14 Napa, CA Napa Valley Opera House
1/15 Berkeley, CA UC Berkeley/Zellerbach Hall
1/16 Beaver Creek, CO Vilar Center for the Arts
1/17 Boulder, CO Boulder Theater
1/19 Santa Cruz, CA Kuumbwa Jazz
1/21 Santa Barbara, CA UCSB/Campbell Hall
1/22 Los Angeles, CA UCLA/Royce Hall
1/23-24 Costa Mesa, CA Orange Co. Performing Arts Center
1/27 San Diego, CA Anthology Club
1/28 Mesa, AZ Mesa Arts Center
1/29 Wickenburg, AZ Del E. Webb Center
1/30 Tucson, AZ University of Arizona/Centennial Hall
2/17 Boone, NC Appalachian State Univ./Farthing Auditorium
2/18 Nashville, TN Vanderbilt University/Langford Auditorium
2/20 Kansas City, MO The Gem Theater
2/21 Omaha, NE Holland Performing Arts Center/Kiewit Hall
2/22 St Louis, MO Sheldon Concert Hall
2/24 Meridian, MS Mississippi State University/Riley Center
2/26 Baton Rouge, LA Shaw Center for the Arts/Manship Theatre
2/27 Lafayette, LA Heymann Performing Arts Center
2/28 Birmingham, AL Alys Stevens Center/Jemison Concert Hall
3/1 Germantown, TN Germantown Performing Arts Centre
3/13 Detroit, MI Orchestra Hall/ Max M. Fisher Music Center
3/14 Lexington, KY Singletary Center for the Arts
3/15 Louisville, KY Kentucky Center for Performing Arts
3/16 Chicago, IL Columbia College Chicago (Private Event)
3/18 Norman, OK Sooner Theatre
3/19 Columbia, MO Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts
3/20 Chicago, IL Chicago Symphony Center/Orchestra Hall
3/21 Appleton, WI Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
3/23 Sheboygan, WI Lakeland College/ Bradley Fine Arts Building
3/25 Sioux Falls, SD Orpheum Theater
3/26 Lincoln, NE University of Nebraska/Lied Center
3/27 Ames, IA Iowa State University/ Stephens Auditorium
3/28 Milwaukee, WI Wilson Center for the Arts
3/29 Minneapolis, MN Orchestra Hall
4/1 Worcester, MA Mechanics Hall
4/2 Hanover, NH Dartmouth College/Spaulding Auditorium
4/3 Philadelphia, PA Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
4/4 Pittsburgh, PA Manchester Craftmen's Guild
4/5 Washington, DC Kennedy Center/ Terrace Theater
4/6 Princeton, NJ McCarter Theatre Center/ Matthews Theatre
4/8 University Park, PA Penn State University/Eisenhower Auditorium
4/9 Schenectady, NY Proctor's Theatre
4/14-19 New York, NY Birdland
Shattered EP To Be Released October 21 On Epic Records New Full Length Album "Light" Out Early 2009
On October 18, Grammy-nominated artist Matisyahu will begin an extensive fall tour across North America, including stops in Los Angeles and Philadelphia. The tour coincides with the release of his upcoming EP, Shattered (Epic Records, October 21). The four-song EP features tracks from his new full-length album, Light (due out in early 2009). Matisyahu will guide fans through songs from this forthcoming album during listening parties after each show on the fall tour.
Produced by David Kahne (Paul McCartney, Regina Spektor, Sublime), Shattered features songs from Matisyahu’s forthcoming album recorded and mixed in Jamaica, New York, Los Angeles and Virginia. Several guest artists contribute to the four-song EP: ground-breaking Jamaican reggae rhythm section Sly & Robbie (drums and bass, “Two Child One Drop” and “I Will Be Light”) Stephen McGregor (co-producer, keyboards, drum-programming, “Smash Lies”) son of legendary reggae artist Freddie McGregor and among Jamaica’s youngest and most innovative young producers, Fish (drums, “So Hi So Lo”) and Norwood Fisher (bass, “So Hi So Lo”) of the legendary L.A. alt-punk-ska band Fishbone and experimental turntablist Ooah from the Glitch Mob (co-producer, co-writer, drum programming on “Two Child One Drop”).
Matisyahu emerged in 2004 with his debut album Shake Off the Dust…Rise. With the release of Live at Stubb’s (2005), which reached #1 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart, and Youth (2006), which debuted at #4 on Billboard’s Top 200 and reached #1 Reggae Albums chart, Matisyahu gained considerable critical acclaim. Both albums subsequently went Gold and Youth was nominated for a Grammy for Best Reggae Album. His most recent release, the EP No Place To Be (2007), reached #1 on the Reggae Album charts as well.
On September 8, 2008, in Washington, DC, the Postal Service™ issued a 42–cent, Latin Jazz commemorative stamp.
With the issuance of the Latin Jazz stamp, the United States Postal Service® celebrates the rich musical heritage of the United States of America. The stamp features a bold, graphic design by San Francisco–based artist and Latin jazz fan Michael Bartalos of San Francisco, California. The design conveys the multicultural aspects of the music, its percussive and improvisational nature, and its rhythmic complexity.
