Emerson, Lake & Palmer "40th Anniversary Reunion Concert" Available on DVD and Blu-ray on August 23

EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER (ELP) reformed for the first time since 1998 for their final show to headline the HIGH VOLTAGE FESTIVAL on Sunday, July 25th 2010. And what a show it was! 

2010/2011 marks the 40th anniversary of the creation of Emerson Lake and Palmer. ELP was a predominant force that laid the foundation for all progressive rock. The band consists of Keith Emerson, the explosive keyboard who came from the Nice, the sultry vocals and extraordinary bass of Greg Lake from King Crimson and the theatrical and extraordinary drumming of Carl Palmer, who emerged from Atomic Rooster.

ELP became the first true prog-rock Super Group and defined an era.

This is a show that brings back the same theatrics that the highly creative and unsurpassable combination of Keith Emerson's legendary keyboards, Greg Lake's extraordinary voice, and the dramatic drumming of Carl Palmer to their core fan base and to the new generation that hails the musical and technical virtuosity that ELP delivered at every performance, and recorded in every album.

SONGS INCLUDE THEIR GREATEST HITS

- Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression - Part 2

- The Barbarian

- Bitches Crystal

- Knife Edge

- From The Beginning

- Touch and Go

- Take A Pebble/Tarkus

- Farewell to Arms

- Lucky Man

- Pictures At An Exhibition

- Fanfare for the Common Man/Drum Solo/Rondo

 

What the fans are saying...

"Seeing ELP together for only the 5th time in nearly 40 years of being a fan was just beyond my wildest dreams."

"It was an amazing show. Part of me wants them to tour so I can see them again, another part doesn't so I can gloat."

"Thanks for uploading this precious and unique material, 500 characters in this box are not enough to describe, admire and appreciate this performance, living legends, masters of the stage, real professionals, a dream come true ..."

"Great show!!!!! I wish they make a world tour once again for us!"

"It was a great gig and I really, really, really hope they are here to stay (at least for a while). Great music, great band and High Voltage was, for me, a well organised and brilliant event."

"The final band to perform were EMERSON LAKE PALMER. Reunited for the first show in 15 years, the three piece supergroup brought High Voltage to a close with a performance to remember. Many will consider ELP as a band for fellow musicians to enjoy, but as a non-musician myself, I'd say anyone can enjoy a band with such talent."

"ELP were the highlight, a brilliantly constructed show, excellent choice of songs. Stage pyrotechnics, knives in Keith's keyboards, revolving stage for drum solo, cannons - the whole works. Carl Palmer has lost none of skill, an absolute powerhouse, breathtaking to observe."

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Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - July 25, 2011 #jazz

LW - TW - Artist - Album - (Label)
2 - 1 - Jackiem Joyner - "Jackiem Joyner" - (Artistry/Mack Ave)
4 - 2 - Cindy Bradley - "Unscripted" - (Trippin 'n Rhythm)
5 - 3 - Boney James - "Contact" - (Verve)
3 - 4 - Euge Groove - "S7ven Large" - (Shanachie)
1 - 5 - Dave Koz - "Hello Tomorrow" - (Concord)
6 - 6 - Nils - "What The Funk?" - (Baja/TSR)
8 - 7 - Andy Snitzer - "Traveler" - (Native Language)
12 - 8 - Paul Hardcastle - "Hardcastle VI" - (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
10 - 9 - Michael Franks - "Time Together" (Shanachie)
7 - 10 - Paul Taylor - "Prime Time" - (Peak)
9 - 11 - Matt Marshak - "Urban Folktales" - (mattmarshak.com)
13 - 12 - Down To The Bone - "The Main Ingredients" - (Trippin 'n Rhythm)
18 - 13 - The Rippingtons - "Cote d'Azur - (Peak/Concord)
11 - 14 - Jeff Lorber Fusion - "Now Is The Time" - (Heads Up)
20 - 15 - Brian Hughes - "Fast Train To A Quiet Place" - (Sylvan House)
21 - 16 - Jonathan Butler - "So Strong" - (Rendezvous/Mack Avenue)
16 - 17 - Elan Trotman - "Love and Sax" - (elantrotman.com)
29 - 18 - Bob Baldwin - "NewUrbanJazz.com 2/Revibe (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
23 - 19 - Nate Harasim - "Rush" - (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
15 - 20 - Walter Beasley - "Backatcha!" - (Shanachie)

Our thanks to smoothjazz.com

Visit smoothjazz.com to view the latest complete top 50 chart.
Visit smoothjazz.com to view the latest weekly chart recap.

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Visionary Japanese Instrumentalist Keiko Matsui Debuts Music Video For The Title Track From Her Album The Road... #jazz

Second Leg Of U.S. Tour Runs August Through October With A Special Guest Performance Aboard The Dave Koz Alaskan Cruise


Watch "The Road..." video JazzHQ Facebook

With over a million and a half albums sold and sold out concerts around the globe, keyboardist Keiko Matsui is a citizen of the world and one of the brightest stars in instrumental music.

Earlier this year, Shanachie Entertainment released Keiko Matsui’s The Road…, her 22nd album and a follow-up to her acclaimed 2007 South African inspired Moyo. Building on the success of the album’s first single “Affirmation,” featuring Kirk Whalum on saxophone, Ms. Matsui recently filmed a sublime music video for the majestic title track which features another preeminent sax player, Jackiem Joyner. Directed by Phil Lee, the video showcases breathtaking aerial views of Keiko playing a white grand piano in the Mojave desert along the outskirts of Palmdale, CA.

The lush impressionistic choreography in the video for The Road... echoes Keiko’s visionary musical ability throughout the album of the same name as she exhibits a natural affinity for melody while effortlessly transcending boundaries; borrowing from such diverse idioms as jazz, classical, rock, blues, traditional music of the world and beyond. From the elegant opener “Secret Pond” to the evocative free-form flight of “Falcon’s Wing,” which shines light on the pianist’s classical influences, to the lilting cool of “Embrace & Surrender,” featuring veteran drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, to her co-writing collaborations with revered Cameroonian bassist/guitarist/vocalist/producer Richard Bona (Pat Metheny, Bobby McFerrin, Zawinul Syndicate) on both the spirited dance-inducing “Nguea Wonja” (which means to ‘take pride in the road you are traveling on your journey’) and the divine ballad “Touching Peace,” this self-produced opus stands tall as another exquisite achievement in Keiko’s masterful career.

Over the course of three decades, her free spirit and creative genius have afforded her the luxury to share the stage with everyone from Stevie Wonder and Miles Davis to Hugh Masakela and Bob James. Keiko will soon be gracing stages once again, beginning with a four-day stint at the world-famous Yoshi’s in San Francisco, CA on August 3rd. From there, she will commence on the second leg of her U.S. tour with shows at clubs, theaters and wineries throughout California before embarking on a seven-day cruise as a performing artist aboard the Dave Koz and Friends At Sea excursion from August 26 – September 2nd. More info about the Dave Koz Alaskan Cruise is available at http://www.davekozcruise.com/alaska. Matsui’s Road... continues again in mid-October with gigs on both coasts.

Aside from performing worldwide, Keiko (pronounced Kay-Koe means ‘happy celebratory child’ in Japanese) is an activist by nature, using her music to speak to the world while also lending her voice to causes championed by organizations like The United Nations World Food Programme, Be The Match Marrow Registry and The National Donor Program and Marrow Foundation.

“Simply breathtaking.” Jazz Review

“Keiko is a brilliant performer, arranger and composer.” Bob James

“Her road, is laced with melodies and imagination that make for quite the splendid journey.” The Smooth Jazz Ride

KEIKO MATSUI
TOUR DATES
Aug 03 - San Francisco, CA, Yoshi’s
Aug 04 - San Francisco, CA, Yoshi’s
Aug 05 - San Francisco, CA, Yoshi’s
Aug 06 - San Francisco, CA, Yoshi’s
Aug 07 - Temecula, CA, Thornton Winery
Aug 10 - Livermore, CA, Bankhead Theatre
Aug 11 - Santa Cruz, CA, Kuumbwa Jazz Club
Aug 12 - Cerritos, CA, Cerritos Center for the Arts
Aug 13 - Modesto, CA, State Theater
Aug 26 - Dave Koz and Friends At Sea (7-day Alaskan Cruise)
Oct 14 – La Quinta, CA, La Quinta Spa and Resort
Oct 16 – Annapolis, MD, Ram’s Head Tavern
Oct 17 – Alexandria, VA, Birchmere
Oct 20 – Scottsdale, AZ, The Compound
Oct 21 – San Diego, CA, Anthology
Oct 22 – Catalina Island, CA, Jazztrax Festival

KEIKO MATSUI
THE ROAD...
1) Secret Pond (ft. Vinnie Colaiuta)
2) Falcon’s Wing (ft. Richard Bona)
3) Nguea Wonja (ft. Richard Bona)
4) Bohemian Concerto (ft. MB Gordy)
5) Embrace & Surrender (ft. Vinnie Colaiuta)
6) Awakening (ft. Kirk Whalum)
7) Touching Peace (ft. Richard Bona)
8) Affirmation (ft. Kirk Whalum & Vinnie Colaiuta)
9) The Road... (ft. Jackiem Joyner)

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Upcoming New Jazz Releases - August 2, 2011 #jazz

Bill Evans - At Town Hall 1 (Phantom )
Bill Evans / Stan Getz - Stan Getz ( )
Charlie Parker - Bird & Diz ( )
Charlie Parker - Swedish Schnapps ( )
Chick Corea - Expressions (Universal Japan )
Chick Corea - Friends ( )
Chick Corea - Standards & More (Universal Japan )
Chick Corea & Akoustic Band - Standards & More ( )
Clifford Brown - Clifford Brown & Max Roach (Jazz Plaza Music )
Clifford Brown / Max Roach - Clifford Brown & Max Roach ( )
Crusaders - Rhapsody & Blues ( )
Crusaders - Rhapsody And Blues (Universal Japan )
Dizzy Gillespie - Bird And Diz (Universal Japan )
Ella Fitzgerald - Songs In A Mellow Mood (Verve Japan )
Ella Fitzgerald - Ella And Louis (Universal Distribution ) - SACD
GRP All Star Big Band - GRP All Star Big Band ( )
GRP All-Star Big Band - GRP All-Star Big Band (Universal Japan )
Helen Merrill - Nearness Of You (Universal )
Helen Merrill - Helen Merrill (Universal Japan )
Jacques Loussier - Loussier,Jacques Vol. 1-Play Bach (Phantom )
John Coltrane - Crescent (Universal Japan )
Junior Mance - Junior (Universal Japan )
Keith Jarrett - Koln Concert (Pid )
Keith Jarrett - Death & Flower ( )
Keith Jarrett - Standards: Live (Universal Japan )
Keith Jarrett - Standards (Universal Japan )
Keith Jarrett - Death And The Flower (Universal Japan )
Keith Jarrett - Standards, Vol. 2 (Universal Japan )
Keith Jarrett Trio - Standards Live ( )
Keith Jarrett Trio - Standards 1 ( )
Keith Jarrett Trio - Standards 2 ( )
Kenny Barron - People Time (Universal Japan )
Kenny Barron / Stan Getz - People Time ( )
Lionel Hampton - Stardust (Universal )
Louis Armstrong - What Wonderful World ( )
Louis Armstrong / Ella Fitzgerald - Ella & Louis (Phantom )
Mance Trio, Junior - Junior (Fresh Sound/Traditions Alive )
Matt Dennis - Plays & Sings ( )
Matt Dennis - Plays And Sings Matt Dennis (Universal Japan )
Ornette Coleman - Dancing In Your Head ( )
Oscar Peterson - We Get Requests (Universal )
Oscar Peterson - Trio: Live From Chicago (Universal Japan )
Oscar Peterson Trio - We Get Requests (Lim )
Oscar Peterson Trio - Night Train ( )
Oscar Peterson Trio - Trio: Live From Chicago ( )
Pat Metheny - Bright Size Life (Pid )
Quincy Jones - Dude (Universal Japan )
Rehab - Man Under Train Situation (+3dB )
Singers Unlimited - Capella ( )
Wes Montgomery - Day In Life ( )
Wynton Kelly - Its All Right ( )
Wynton Kelly - It's All Right! (Universal Japan )
Wynton Kelly / Wes Montgomery - Smokin At Half Note ( )

Reissues
Bill Evans - At Town Hall (Pid )
Bill Evans - From Left To Right (Pid )
Count Basie - Straight Ahead (Pid )
Dizzy Gillespie - At Newport (Verve (Japan))
Eric Dolphy - Last Date (Universal Japan )
Jimmy Smith - Cat (Pid )
Joao Gilberto - Joao Gilberto (Universal)
Kenny Burrell - Guitar Forms (Verve (Japan))
Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World (Pid )
Oscar Peterson - Night Train (Verve (Japan))
Stan Getz - Plays (Pid )
Stan Getz - Stan Getz & Bill Evans (Pid )
Wes Montgomery - California Dreaming (Universal)
Wes Montgomery - Day In The Life (Pid )
Wes Montgomery - Smokin' At The Half Note (Sundazed Records )

Our thanks to:

New release information provided by allaboutjazz.com
The Upcoming Release Center at allaboutjazz.com is the most comprehensive new release listing for jazz music on the internet.
The information is updated biweekly by John Kelman

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Red Sea Jazz Festival 2011, Sunday-Wednesday 21/8 - 24/8 #jazz

The Red Sea Jazz Festival (RSJF) established in 1987 as a four day international jazz festival with 8 to 9 concerts per evening, 6 clinics with guest artists and nightly Jam sessions. The festival is held yearly in the last week of August.

RSJF strives to introduce to the public the broadest possible musical spectrum, from New Orleans jazz to the contemporary, including Latin and World music. The festival presents guest groups from all around the globe plus Israeli top groups. RSJF is also active in the jazz education field in Israel, promoting original jazz compositions and youth jazz bands.

This year same as previous years – we are following the tradition of hosting world top jazz performers and also headlining young jazz artists and Israeli groups.

Every evening at 19:00 we welcome you to an open concert featuring the best Israeli young jazz groups. During 4 days, the festival will feature 3 different concerts in each of the halls, performed by international and Israeli artists – participating in the festival.

The concerts will be held in three venues: The CLUB with the capacity of 1,000 seats around tables serving food and beverage, the HALL with 2,000 regular seats and the ARENA with 3,000 seats, some arranged gradually overlooking the Red Sea.
Tickets

Wide PASS, allowing 4-day admission to the two big halls and to the club on an availability basis. Daily PASS and single tickets for each concert will be available as well. The youngsters, honor guests of the festival, remain with their young PASS allowing free admission to all concerts on availability basis.

The Eilat Port is waiting you again, music aficionado, to celebrate the end of the summer vacation with lots of good music and pleasant ambiance complemented by encounters with friends and top musicians from Israel and abroad.
The Red Sea during the day and the Eilat Port at night – what could be better?
Every night till dawn, the traditional jam session around the pool at Isrotel Yam Suf.

See you in Eilat,
Festival management
For more information: Red Sea Jazz Festival


** RSJF keeps the right to make changes in the program.

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Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - July 18, 2011 #jazz

LW - TW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 1 - Dave Koz - "Hello Tomorrow" - (Concord)
2 - 2 - Jackiem Joyner - "Jackiem Joyner" - (Artistry/Mack Ave)
3 - 3 - Euge Groove - "S7ven Large" - (Shanachie)
5 - 4 - Cindy Bradley - "Unscripted" - (Trippin 'n Rhythm)
4 - 5 - Boney James - "Contact" - (Verve)
6 - 6 - Nils - "What The Funk?" - (Baja/TSR)
8 - 7 - Paul Taylor - "Prime Time" - (Peak)
7 - 8 - Andy Snitzer - "Traveler" - (Native Language)
9 - 9 - Matt Marshak - "Urban Folktales" - (mattmarshak.com)
12 - 10 - Michael Franks - "Time Together" (Shanachie)
11 - 11 - Jeff Lorber Fusion - "Now Is The Time" - (Heads Up)
25 - 12 - Paul Hardcastle - "Hardcastle VI" - (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
14 - 13 - Down To The Bone - "The Main Ingredients" - (Trippin 'n Rhythm)
10 - 14 - Norman Brown - "Sending My Love" - (Peak/Concord)
17 - 15 - Walter Beasley - "Backatcha!" - (Shanachie)
15 - 16 - Elan Trotman - "Love and Sax" - (elantrotman.com)
13 - 17 - Drew Davidsen - "Spin Cycle" - (Creative Soul Jazz)
18 - 18 - The Rippingtons - "Cote d'Azur - (Peak/Concord)
23 - 19 - Nick Colionne - "Feel the Heat - (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
26 - 20 - Brian Hughes - "Fast Train To A Quiet Place" - (Sylvan House)

Our thanks to smoothjazz.com

Visit smoothjazz.com to view the latest complete top 50 chart.
Visit smoothjazz.com to view the latest weekly chart recap.

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Sax Sensation/Singer Jessy J Set To Release "Hot Sauce" September 6th, 2011 #jazz

Featuring GRAMMY® hitmaker Paul Brown, guitarist Ray Parker Jr, keyboardists Joe Sample and Gregg Karukas, and drummer Harvey Mason

A rich, delicious blend of ten fiery tunes including ‘Eg’ White’s “Leave Right Now” and Duke Ellington’s “In a Sentimental Mood”

Nothing wakes up food like hot sauce – and nothing will wake up your ears like Jessy J’s new album. A special blend of ten fiery tunes, this Hot Sauce is seasoned with authentic Latin zing and packed with real jazz flavor.

Set for release on September 6, 2011, on Heads Up International, a division of Concord Music Group, the accomplished saxophonist/singer/composer’s third album spotlights her collaborations with some of today’s most prominent contemporary jazz musicians, including guitarists Paul Brown and Ray Parker Jr, keyboardists Joe Sample and Gregg Karukas, and drummer Harvey Mason of Fourplay. Hot Sauce showcases eight originals – from mild to wild – along with adventurous new arrangements of Francis Anthony ‘Eg’ White’s pop hit “Leave Right Now” and Duke Ellington’s jazz classic “In a Sentimental Mood.”

Jessy returns to the studio with mentor and GRAMMY®-winning hitmaker Paul Brown, who produced her acclaimed 2009 release, True Love. In addition to handling production duties, Brown co-writes and performs on the album. “I first met Paul in 2006, and we have a strong friendship,” says Jessy. “Paul brings the best out in me. Our collaborations are highly productive, and they always sound amazing.”

Drawing on a wealth of influences, Hot Sauce combines jazz with Latin rhythms and spotlights Jessy’s stylish vocals and lush, sultry saxophone playing. “My previous recording, True Love, was an instrumental pop album,” she says. “This time I had a chance to work with some legendary musicians, and I believe I was able to show my growth as an artist.”

“Remember the Night” kicks off the album with its seductive melody floating over a softly percolating beat. “I’ve always loved the music of D’Angelo (the neo soul singer, songwriter and record producer), and he inspired me to try something with an after party or club vibe. I wanted this track to sound like a late night jam session. That’s why I call it ‘Remember the Night.’”

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Spyro Gyra - "A Foreign Affair" Set For Worldwide Release On September 13, 2011

Sometimes when you fall in love, you know it from the first embrace. A Foreign Affair is the story of five guys and their love affair with the music of the world. This album from the venerable jazz group Spyro Gyra takes you on a journey to the music closest to them from some places in some cases farthest from them. A Foreign Affair draws from the experiences of an enduring international career, one that has taken them to the far reaches of the globe. It's no secret that Spyro Gyra started out their career with the rhythms of the world. From the samba rhythms and Caribbean feel of their early hits to the latest album, these musicians have made it a point to embrace the music wherever they go. For instance, not long ago they played shows in New Jersey and Rochester NY but then left the U.S. to perform in Turkey, Germany, Netherlands, Israel, India, Martinique and South Africa. That's in less than one month. That tour is something of what this new album sounds like if you just add in a few more places.

It's a sign of how enduring this band's career is that, thirty-five years after their first album, their four most recent albums were each nominated for a Grammy®.

"One of the benefits of being in this band is that our music is popular all over the planet. Inevitably, we experience the local culture and inevitably we absorb some of those influences," explains leader and saxophonist Jay Beckenstein. "The guys and I were talking about what we wanted to do with this record before we started. We decided to make it all about that. We've actually been talking about making this record for years."

So, is A Foreign Affair, drawing liberally from the music of the world, a world music album? Beckenstein says not really. "It's more Spyro Gyra being influenced by the world. We're not trying to emulate any musical style in its pure native form. We're not trying to play 'perfect' salsa or traditional Indian music, for instance. Sometimes it means borrowing directly from another style, particularly in the rhythms, but mainly we're flavoring our music with these influences."

You can begin your journey with "Caribe" as it takes you on a leisurely stroll set to a reggae beat. This opening gem can already be added to the collection of Jay Beckenstein's most memorable melodies. This is followed by "Khuda" which announces itself immediately as the most obvious departure on the record with its intro. It's probably the first time a Western group has released a song with lyrics entirely in Hindi, the native language to about 200 million people in the world. Beckenstein explains, "Tom Schuman had worked with Sandeep Chowta, a Mumbai producer and composer, long distance over the net and then I did some work for Sandeep. We were very impressed with what he was doing, so when we decided to take the record in this direction, Sandeep was a perfect gateway into Indian music for us. It was a natural to ask Sandeep to contribute to A Foreign Affair."

On "Sweet Ole Thang," drummer Bonny Bonaparte takes you back to his native Trinidad for a Calypso flavored, steel pan band party rave-up. It's ironic that with "Sweet Ole Thang" Bonny, being the band's newest member at five years, has delivered the song most reminiscent of the Spyro Gyra "classic" sound. Beckenstein offers, "When I wrote 'Morning Dance' and 'Shaker Song,' that influence came from music I heard on the radio in New York. With Bonny, it's right from the source. He was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad."

The next couple of songs are showcases for Julio Fernandez, who describes his "Falling Walls" as "world music funk." It's set apart from Spyro Gyra's other high-energy funk romps by its clever though subtle use of Middle Eastern scales. This sets up Julio's vocal rendition of "Chileno Boys," a song written by Israeli star David Broza, adapted from a poem by Mexican American author Alberto Rios. In a way, these songs capture the theme of A Foreign Affair with the title "Falling Walls" segueing into a song whose chorus proudly proclaims from its protagonists, "Not different from you."

Our itinerary takes us next to "Shinjuku," a famous nightlife area of Tokyo, but this is not the Japan of temples and the koto and shakuhachi. Beckenstein explains, "When you go to Shinjuku, the contradiction is built right in. It's very Japanese, but it's also very New York, very urban, a very happening place. It's not surprising that it would sound Japanese but also very familiar."

"Samba For Two" and "Canção de Ninar," take us to Brazil, a familiar presence in Spyro Gyra's music. "Brazil is one of those places that has a thousand flavors," Beckenstein says. "From my earliest days listening to Stan Getz, I was deeply attracted to Brazilian music. It's sexy and complex and sophisticated and beautiful, like Brazil itself."

"Antigua," which sounds like it came from the island in the Caribbean, was actually named after the city of the same name in the central highlands of Guatemala. Jay named it after this Central American World Heritage site due to a particularly memorable show the group once played there.

"Last Call" is sung by Grammy® winning blues great Keb Mo'. It's a song that at first may not seem to belong in the stated theme, but Beckenstein insists it does. "The United States, the birthplace of jazz and the blues, is part of the world. Our manager Phil Brennan had been working with Danny O'Keefe, who co-wrote this really beautiful song, and he suggested that we do it. Phil also suggested that we ask Keb' Mo' to sing it. We had worked with Keb' Mo' when he was first starting out and we're big admirers. So when he said yes, we leapt at it."

Our trip then takes us to South Africa with "Dancing On Table Mountain" named after the Cape Town landmark. "South Africa is a complicated place but it's a country with a great spirit. I think that Scott (Ambush) captured that. It's not particularly South African in style, but it is in spirit," Beckenstein opines.

It's notable that despite the many twists and turns the musical styles do take on the album, it always sounds like Spyro Gyra. "It's always going to sound like our musical voice," explains Beckenstein. "Whatever we do, we're always going to put our signature on it. It's so rewarding as a musician to be able to work with other musicians who can do so many things well."

Have A Foreign Affair and fall in love with the world all over again. While you're at it, you just might fall in love with Spyro Gyra all over again.

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Upcoming New Jazz Releases - July 19, 2011 #jazz

Aj Kluth - Anvils & Broken Bells (OA2 )
Alexey Kruglov - Seal Of Time (Phantom )
Alexey Kruglov - Russian Metaphor (Phantom )
Alexey Kruglov & Jaak Sooaar Trio - Karate (Leo Records -- City Hall -- )
Andre Kostelanetz Orchestra - On The Air (Sounds Of Yesteryear )
Art Rhythm Section Hodes - Accompanies Carrie Smith With Doc Cheatham (Jazzology )
Charlie Christian - Electric (Uptown )
Doc Cheatham & Sammy Price - In New Orleans With Lars Edegran's Jazz Band (GHB )
East Bay City Jazz Band - East Bay City Jazz Band (Vintage Music Prod. )
Erskine New Trio, Peter - Joy Luck (FUZZY MUSIC )
Fess Manetta - Whorehouse Piano (American Music )
Gigi Gryce - Doin' The Gigi (Uptown )
House That Mambo Built - House That Mambo Built (Phantom )
Ivo Perelman - Hour Of The Star (Leo Records -- City Hall -- )
Saskia Laroo - Two Of A Kind-A Tribute To Miles & Monk (Laroo )
Scenes - Silent Photographer (Origin )
Stan Kenton - Stan Kenton Conducts The Berlin Dream Band (Sounds Of Yesteryear )
Standards 2-Movie Music - Standards 2-Movie Music (Fuzzy Music )
Terri Lyne Carrington - Mosaic Project (Concord Jazz )
Tony Pastor & His Orchestra - My Dreams Are Getting Better All The Time (Circle )
Trance 100 2011 - Trance 100 2011 Vol. 2-Trance 100 2011 (Phantom )

Our thanks to:

New release information provided by allaboutjazz.com
The Upcoming Release Center at allaboutjazz.com is the most comprehensive new release listing for jazz music on the internet.
The information is updated biweekly by John Kelman

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Tony Bennett - "The Best Of The Improv Recordings" In Stores #jazz

In the decade between the end of World War II and the advent of rock 'n' roll, Tony Bennett emerged as one of the premier pop singers of his generation - the heir apparent to figures like Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and other iconic balladeers whose versatile and engaging vocal styles had already translated to huge successes in the 1930s and 1940s.

Despite his popularity in the postwar era, though, Bennett had grown restless by the 1970s. The time had come for him to explore something new, preferably on his own terms, and in an environment of his own making. After more than 15 years on Columbia and a short stint at MGM Records, Bennett struck out on his own and launched Improv Records, a label that lasted only a couple years but generated several fine recordings during the mid-1970s.

Concord Records gathers 16 tracks from his brief period on Improv into a single collection, Tony Bennett: The Best of the Improv Recordings. The compilation, is culled from the four-CD boxed set, Tony Bennett: The Complete Improv Recordings.

"These tracks capture the moment in Tony Bennett's career when he had complete artistic freedom," says Nick Phillips, Vice President of Catalog and Jazz A&R at Concord Music Group. "As the head of his own label, he was the person who was calling all the shots and running the show. He was free to record what he wanted to record - music that was really important to him and resonated with him . . . I think the results are nothing short of stellar."

Will Friedwald, who wrote the liner notes for the collection, admits that Improv was short-lived and not a commercial success, releasing about ten albums before shutting its doors after only two years. However, the period was an artistic high mark in Bennett's overall career.

"Tony Bennett's own recordings for his label would fall roughly into three categories," says Friedwald. "Orchestral sessions with his regular musical director at the time, Torrie Zito; quartet sessions with the Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet; and most famously, duet sessions with pianist Bill Evans." Each of these categories is well represented in this collection.

Despite the label's less than stellar commercial performance during its short existence, says Friedwald, "the Improv sessions would result in some of the most amazing music of Bennett's career."

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Take a “fun and funky” trip with Patrick Cooper back to The Way It Used To Be #jazz

Critics, radio and record buyers already aboard the keyboardist’s jazz-funk train

People are feeling the new album from keyboardist Patrick Cooper, who today released The Way It Used To Be, a modern collection of vintage jazz-funk and melodic R&B grooves that he wrote and produced to pay homage to the halcyon days of the 1970’s when free-form jazz mingled with R&B, soul and funk.  Enthusiastic reviews, radio play and pre-release record sales are positive indicators that Cooper’s mission to capture the best hallmark qualities of music from “back in the day” is “Struttn’” on the path to success. 

 

The first single serviced to radio from The Way It Used To Be, which was released on Cooper’s Depth In Sound record label and distributed by Allegro Distribution, “Struttn’” is a feel-good, shake your rump jazz-funk tune prancing with pride to an irresistible piano cadence.  The track has been collecting airplay at stations across the nation and was amongst the most added singles the past two weeks according to Billboard’s BDSradio.    

The Way It Used To Be has received only favorable reviews from music critics while demand for the album, Cooper’s sophomore offering, has placed the CD in the top 100 at CD Universe ahead of today’s official release date. 

A regular performer on the Washington , DC - Baltimore area club scene, Cooper recently played a pair of jam-packed album release gigs to help launch The Way It Used To Be.  Although he can be found on stage in the vicinity virtually every week, he is determined to make a big splash at his September 7^th show at Blues Alley, reputed as DC’s finest jazz supper club.

Below are excerpts from a handful of early album reviews:

All Music: “The real focuses in the music remain with the headliner, first because of the strength of his compositions.  Cooper has come up with strong melodies for his tunes, which often sound like songs that ought to have words…The second major mark of the lead artist, however, is his inventive acoustic piano soloing, which bobs in and out of the music.  Whenever Cooper is spraying notes on his un-electrified keyboards (and even when he takes to a Rhodes on ‘The Way It Used To Be’), he provides the jazz content that was always a major element in the music of the ‘70s artists he reveres and evokes here.”

Jazz Weekly: “Keyboardist Patrick Cooper has no qualms about the danceable grooves on his disc, as he simply brings the infectious vibe from the church into the street.  Songs like ‘Struttn’’ and ‘Side Steppn’’ fill up a disc that has more hooks than the Ali-Frazier fight, with [a] collection of sanctified soul getting you ready to put some Afro Sheen back in your hair.  The team of David Dyson/b, Dwayne Thomas/g, Stanley Cooper/g, Phillip Martin/sax and Nehemiah Booker/voc make up just part of the team that rotates like the stage on Soul Train.  Fun and funky!”

Smooth & Soul: “Patrick Cooper's The Way It Used To Be is a magic collection of songs. Not just a pure retrospective to jazz and funk of the past, but a modern variation of contemporary jazz made-to-measure for all music aficionados.”

Sounds of Timeless Jazz: “The Way It Used To Be is funky, jazzy and soulful and just in time for your smooth summer groove.”

Smooth Vibes: “Although achieving his goal of capturing the sound and spirit of music produced decades ago, Cooper has also used the project to show off his considerable skills as a performer, composer and producer…he has delivered a quality body of work that effortlessly builds a bridge between the present and what has gone before.”

Smooth & Soul: “The only thing to do when this CD ends is press ‘play’ again and let the combination of the soulful, the groovy and the classy wash over you again.  Patrick Cooper, in these eight original compositions, has taken the best of the 70’s soul and funk vibe and brought it bang up to date with a punchy and purposeful production.”

Further information about Cooper is available at www.pcoopjazz.com. 

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Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - July 11, 2011 #jazz

LW - TW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 1 - Dave Koz - "Hello Tomorrow" - (Concord)
3 - 2 - Jackiem Joyner - "Jackiem Joyner" - (Artistry/Mack Ave)
2 - 3 - Euge Groove - "S7ven Large" - (Shanachie)
4 - 4 - Boney James - "Contact" - (Verve)
5 - 5 - Cindy Bradley - "Unscripted" - (Trippin 'n Rhythm)
15 - 6 - Nils - "What The Funk?" - (Baja/TSR)
10 - 7 - Andy Snitzer - "Traveler" - (Native Language)
6 - 8 - Paul Taylor - "Prime Time" - (Peak)
7 - 9 - Matt Marshak - "Urban Folktales" - (mattmarshak.com)
9 - 10 - Norman Brown - "Sending My Love" - (Peak/Concord)
12 - 11 - Jeff Lorber Fusion - "Now Is The Time" - (Heads Up)
13 - 12 - Michael Franks - "Time Together" (Shanachie)
11 - 13 - Drew Davidsen - "Spin Cycle" - (Creative Soul Jazz)
17 - 14 - Down To The Bone - "The Main Ingredients" - (Trippin 'n Rhythm)
14 - 15 - Elan Trotman - "Love and Sax" - (elantrotman.com)
23 - 16 - Jonathan Butler - "So Strong" - (Rendezvous/Mack Avenue)
16 - 17 - Walter Beasley - "Backatcha!" - (Shanachie)
21 - 18 - The Rippingtons - "Cote d'Azur - (Peak/Concord)
8 - 19 - David Benoit - "Earthglow" - (Heads Up)
20 - 20 - Shilts - "Going Underground" - (Blanket)

Our thanks to smoothjazz.com

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Jeff Logan - "Black Tie Affair" Release Aug 9th #jazz

Although he appears on the album cover wearing a tuxedo with a bowtie, keyboardist Jeff Logan’s forthcoming Black Tie Affair is far from a stuffy, extravagant and exclusive soirée. Everyone is invited to enjoy the irresistibly charming, jazzy R&B collection that humbly serves an endless feast of soul-nourishing melodies. Literally “the host with the most,” Logan wrote ten of the twelve songs, produced the whole shebang, and played all the instruments on the record, which, yes, he will release on his own BASS-mint Records label on August 9th.

Believing that artists come and go, but well-crafted songs stand the test of time, Logan is passionately committed to composing meaningful, memorable melodies that convey moods, communicate feelings, and emote about emotions with or without words. His gift as a songwriter lies in his innate ability to construct songs of simplicity and pristine beauty. While making the piano and keyboard melodies prominent, Logan adorned the tracks with guitar, bass, percussion, drums and drum programming.

His DC-area roots are clearly in evidence from the shuffling go-go beat that underscores “Black Tie Affair,” the first single recently serviced to radio stations where the infectious cut is already receiving airplay. On “Smoothology 101” and “Stratosphere,” the multi-instrumentalist breaks the silence by crooning lead and background vocals that vacillate between sensual falsetto seductions and soulful, gritty growls. Logan tips his chapeau to Rodgers & Hammerstein with a classy piano and organ duet on “Favorite Things.” Vibrant and festive, he converted The Ohio Players’ hit “Sweet Sticky Thing” into a danceable instrumental because no affair would be complete without a bit of funky business.
Logan said, “Black Tie Affair personifies my undying passion for developing melodic vignettes into full-blossomed compositions. The album is an eclectic blend of musical bliss with a twist where each song feeds off of the energy of another. Discerning contemporary jazz enthusiasts will appreciate it because my aesthetic expression is simple yet serenely soothing and sublime as a hybrid organism born out of complex melodies.”

A native Washingtonian who grew up and still resides in nearby Maryland, Logan is a self-taught musician who began playing as a teenager. He was in a high school band that opened shows at DC’s Warner Theatre for Motown legends Martha & The Vandellas and Junior Walker & The All-Stars. Music continued to be part of his life through college, after earning a Master’s degree, and while working as an administrator in the Prince George’s County detention center where he has served for over 21 years. A prolific songwriter, Logan launched BASS-mint Records in 2002 to release his albums. Previous recording projects include Soulitude (2002), Mello-Fabulous (2003), Radio-Active (2005) and Gratitude (2007) as well as two 2009 releases: a gospel offering, Destiny, and a collection of neo-soul songs, Love’s Compass. Black Tie Affair, Logan’s first release supported by comprehensive radio promotions, marketing and publicity campaigns, is part of a concerted effort to reach a wider audience.

Black Tie Affair now available at CDBaby.

Additional information is available at www.bassmintrecordsmusic.com and www.bssmntrcrds.com.

Logan’s Black Tie Affair contains the following songs:
“Sunbreeze”
“Black Tie Affair”
“Smile”
“Smoothology 101”
“Favorite Things”
“Water To Wine”
“Improvise”
“Sweet Sticky Thing”
“Noteworthy”
“Sand ‘N Between”
“Stratosphere”
“Elevator Up”
Source:  Great Scott Productions

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