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Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Kim Waters - "Rhythm and Romance" - Release on Shanachie June 3, 2016 #jazz

 
Saxophonist Kim Waters has made a career of writing timeless anthems with insatiable grooves, undeniable hooks and memorable melodies that combine the best of jazz, R&B, funk and soul. This formula has catapulted him to the top of the charts time and time again and prompted JazzTimes Magazine to declare, “Waters is simply one of the planet’s best saxophonists.” Instantly recognizable for his keen melodic sensibilities and soulful approach to his saxophone, The Washington Post has likened Waters to “A romantic pied piper out on a long evening stroll.” The prolific saxophonist, composer and producer has enjoyed a career longevity that is rare. Waters’ Zen-like approach to his life and artistry is simple. “My motto is to try and live in a way where I am not stressing about anything. What's going to be is going to be. I strive to be happy because life is short.” It is with this pointed and in the moment approach that Waters’ delivers his most enjoyable solo effort yet, Rhythm and Romance. The album is dedicated to his inspirations - Kayla and Kimberly. “My daughters are my everything,” beams Waters. “They are smart, talented and focused. I am proud that they see me as a role model.” Rhythm and Romance showcases Waters’ compositional prowess and features seven dynamic originals and three re-workings of hits by Janet Jackson, Sam Smith and DeBarge.

Through the years Kim Waters has proven he knows a thing or two about romance. Just take a look at the titles of his hit Shanachie albums over the last decade and half and you can see that love is a reoccurring theme: Love’s Melody (1998), One Special Moment (1999), From The Heart (2001), Someone To Love You (2002), In the Name of Love (2004), All For Love (2005), You Are My Lady (2007), I Want You: Love in the Spirit of Marvin (2008), Love Stories (2010) and This Heart of Mine (2011). Kim Waters’ 22nd recording as a leader and twelfth CD for Shanachie, Rhythm and Romance, finds the saxophonist doing what he does best -- creating dreamy melodies, crafting funky dance-inspired originals, immortalizing sultry ballads, and putting his own indelible imprint on timeless R&B hits. The charming and spiritually grounded saxophonist has proven through the years to be a master composer. “I usually start at the piano and write the song and melody and then I go in the studio and bring the song to life,” he shares. “Sometimes it all comes together immediately while other times it slowly evolves.”

In typical fashion, Waters is like a one-man band playing virtually all the instruments on Rhythm and Romance. However, he does get a little help from some friends including guitarist Dave Manley. Waters shares, “Dave is a great guitarist who can play any style. He has toured with Jill Scott and a host of other great artists and he brings the flavor every time I call him.” Waters is also joined by his long-time friend and collaborator, Chris “Big Dog” Davis (Kim Burrell, George Clinton, Maysa). “He is a super talented keyboard player and a master producer,” exclaims Waters. “Everything he touches turns to gold. He is truly a superstar.” Rhythm and Romance also unites Waters with up and coming vocalist Christi Jones who Waters says we will definitely be hearing more from in the future.

Rhythm and Romance opens with the jubilant, inviting and swinging ditty “Bring It” and that Waters does, as he serves up a soulful dose of his sweet alto, impeccable phrasing and a swooning dance groove. The Janet Jackson hit “No Sleeep,” penned by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis follows. Waters superbly conjures up Janet’s sensual soft cooing vocals on his sultry saxophone as he winds his way through this winning slow jam. The track features the keyboards of Chris “Big Dog” Davis and vocals from Christi Jones. The album’s first single and title track beckons you to get on the dance floor as Waters lets loose and proves why he is the master of the groove. The longing and devotional “Forever Yours” is a beautiful R&B ballad, while “Morning Star” is a free flowing number that builds in intensity and mood and displays the beautiful nuances of Waters’ soulful alto. 

A special moment on Rhythm and Romance is Kim Waters’ stunning and emotive reinvention of DeBarge’s 1983 hit “Time Will Reveal,” which landed at #1 on the Billboard charts. Waters confesses, “I am a huge DeBarge fan! This is one of my favorite songs. The melody is perfect for a saxophone.” Vocalist James Robinson joins Waters on the song and together they create one of the album’s most beautiful moments. Waters puts a little blues and funk in the mix with “Smoothness” and the dramatic “Can’t Let You Go” delivers another high point on Rhythm and Romance.” “Heaven’s Gate,” is a percussive and ethereal number featuring Waters’ sublime soprano. Rhythm and Romance triumphantly closes with Sam Smith’s smash hit and soul ballad “I’m Not the Only One,” which Waters says he selected for its ‘simplicity but yet soulful feel.’

Originally from Maryland, in recent years Kim Waters has resided on the West Coast but is about to make a return to the East Coast and will relocate to Atlanta, Georgia, where he is part owner of the Kim Waters Jazztones CafĂ©. The venue features live jazz Thursday through Sundays. The Renaissance man was inspired early on in his career by such jazz luminaries as Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock, George Duke, George Benson, Grover Washington Jr., and Cannonball Adderley. Waters was born into a musical family and picked up his first instrument, the violin, at the age of eight. "That didn't go over well with the fellas," says Waters, who later found his calling on the alto and soprano saxophones at 13. Shortly afterwards he began playing in a band with his brothers, James (who he still performs with) and Eric, and his old friend, pianist Cyrus Chestnut. Over the years, Kim Waters has been called on to perform with or open shows for the best including Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Phyllis Hyman, Teddy Riley and Guy, and Gerald Albright to name a few. 

Never one to rest on his laurels, the evolution of Kim Waters’ artistry continues to flourish on Rhythm and Romance. “When my fans hear the new music, I hope they have a musical journey that brings them joy and happiness and leaves them wanting to play it over and over again.”

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Thursday, May 26, 2016

Culbertson readying to take “Funk!” to the stage - #jazz


 
“Been Around The World” to precede new album and extensive concert tour
 
Message to funk received from the Mothership: hit-maker Brian Culbertson is in the studio conspiring with his cosmic group of musical soul brothers on his second funk collection, “Funk!,” which will be released September 16 on his BCM Entertainment label. Less than a week after his seventeenth album streets, the award-winning multi-instrumentalist will launch a coast-to-coast concert tour on a scale unlike any trek ever mounted by the vivacious showman who will be flanked by the same band showcased on the album. To help set the stage for the 11-song set plus three playful interlude sketches, all produced by Culbertson, radio stations will be serviced “Been Around The World” in early July.    
 
Those who have caught a Culbertson show over the last year might have had a premonition that the R&B-jazzman was about to again morph into an emissary of funk, a mission that began with his 2008 recording “Bringing Back The Funk,” which he co-produced with the late Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire and featured legendary funksters Bootsy Collins and Larry Graham. His set list at recent gigs included a pair of funk classics, “Got To Give It Up” and “Play That Funky Music,” which made it onto the new album. The Chicago-bred musician who plays piano, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, clavinet, Hammond B3 organ, synths, trombone, bass, drums, percussion and sings on the entire record wrote or co-wrote nine new songs for “Funk!” that showcases his live band – Marqueal Jordan (vocals & sax), Tyrone Chase (guitars), Eddie Miller (keyboards, organ & vocals), Rodney Jones, Jr. (bass, guitar & vocals), Chris Miskel (drums) and Michael Stever (trumpeter & horn arrangements) - along with Chance Howard, a nasty R&B keyboardist, bassist and vocalist who has toured and recorded with fellow Minnesota native Prince. Noted trumpeter Patches Stewart will replace Stever for the Funk! Tour.
 
Next month, Howard will join Culbertson on stage to premiere a few choice cuts from “Funk!,” including the first single, at Culbertson’s fifth anniversary Napa Valley Jazz Getaway, a wine and jazz lifestyle experience in the heart of California Wine Country taking place June 8-12.
 
“The concept for ‘Funk!’ was to make an old-school, throwback funkadelic record in the style of P-Funk meets Prince and to tour with the same band that appears on the album - my band plus Chance (Howard). We finished tracking and are mixing this week. The show we will be taking out on the road is unlike anything anyone has ever seen from me before. It’s on an entirely different level. Yes, we’re taking it there! I’m also very excited about capturing the magic by shooting a Blu-ray to be taped on tour this fall,” said Culbertson, who as an imaginative and trend-setting artist, producer and songwriter has architected 28 Billboard No. 1 singles along with a library of chart-topping albums.
 
Once again, Culbertson has opened the doors to the recording studio by posting a series of video blogs from the “Funk!” sessions on his website (http://www.brianculbertson.com/funk) as well as engaging his followers through Facebook Live. And like his most recent studio release, he’s offering fans the opportunity to get involved with the process by launching an Indiegogo campaign (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/brian-culbertson-s-funk--2#/) that provides a menu of unique options, including VIP concert tickets, tickets for the Blu-ray filming, autographed CD, limited edition vinyl album, a private personalized video message, sheet music and a bobble head Funk! doll.
   
Tickets go on sale for the Funk! Tour for fan club members beginning June 1 and to the general public starting June 3. For more information, please visit www.BrianCulbertson.com.
        
The songs that comprise “Funk!” are:
 
“Get Ready”
“The Call”
“Been Around The World”
“Take It Up”
“Let’s Take A Ride”
“We Got What You Want”
“Sunshine” (interlude)
“Hey Girl”
“Damn, I’m Hungry” (interlude)
“Got To Give It Up”
“Mile Sauce”
“Play That Funky Music”
“Spend A Little Time”
“To Be Continued…” (interlude)
 
 
The Funk! Tour itinerary is listed below (additional dates will be added):
 
September 22-25             Seattle, WA                                        Jazz Alley (two shows Sept. 23 & 24)
September 26                   Portland, OR                                      The Aladdin
September 27                   Bend, OR                                             Tower Theater
October 5                            Fresno, CA                                          Tower Theater
October 6                            Santa Barbara, CA                            Lobero Theater
*October 7                         Newport Beach, CA                        Hyatt Newporter
*October 8                         Temecula, CA                                    Thornton Winery
October 9                            Scottsdale, AZ                                   Livewire
October 11-12                   Denver, CO                                         Soiled Dove (two shows per night)
October 13                          Salt Lake City, UT                              The State Room
October 14-15                   Las Vegas, NV                                    Aliante Casino
*October 16                       Catalina Island, CA                           Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival
October 20                          Indianapolis, IN                                 Murat Theater
October 21                          Cincinnati, OH                                    Ludlow Garage
October 23                          New Albany, OH                               Schottenstein Theatre
October 25                          Pittsburgh, PA                                   MCG Jazz (two shows)
October 26-27                   New York, NY                                    B.B. King’s
October 28                          Cranston, RI                                       Park Theatre
October 29                          New Haven, CT                                 John Lyman Center
October 30                          Boston, MA                                        Scullers Jazz Club (two shows)
November 4                       Collingswood, NJ                              Scottish Rite Auditorium
*November 5                    Mount Pocono, PA                          Mt. Airy Casino Resort
November 11                    Minneapolis, MN                             Dakota (two shows)
November 13                    Detroit, MI                                          Royal Oak Music Theatre
Nov. 28-Dec. 2                   London, England                              Pizza Express
 
 
*denotes tickets are already on sale

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Monday, May 23, 2016

Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - May 23, 2016 #jazz


TW - LW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 2 - Nils - "Alley Cat" - (Baja/TSR)
2 - 1 - Boney James - "Futuresoul" - (Concord)
3 - 9 - Adam Hawley - "Just The Beginning" - (Kalimba)
4 - 3 - Najee - "You Me And Forever" - (Shanachie)
5 - 5 - Fourplay - "Silver - (Concord Music Group)
6 - 6 - Paolo Rustichelli - "Don't Stop (Soul Italiano)" - (Next Age Music)
7 - 7 - BWB - "BWB" - (Artistry/Mack Avenue)
8 - 12 - Marcus Anderson - "And Coffee" - (Anderson Music-LLC)
9 - 4 - 3rd Force - "Glocal Force" - (Baja/TSR)
10 - 15 - Michael Lington - "Second Nature" - (Copenhagen Music)
11 - 14 - Andy Snitzer - "American Beauty" - (Goose Song Music)
12 - 16 - Vincent Ingala - "Coast To Coast" - (Independent)
13 - 13 - Philippe Saisse Trio - "And So But Then" - (www.philippesaisse.com)
14 - 10 - Darren Rahn - "Sonic Boom" - (Woodward Avenue Records)
15 - 8 - Threestyle feat. Magdalena Chovancova - "A Little Longer" - (WeLoveMusicRecords)
16 - 17 - Brian Simpson - "Out Of A Dream" - (Shanachie)
17 - 18 - Brian Bromberg - "Full Circle" - (Artistry/Mack Avenue)
18 - 26 - Jeff Lorber Fusion - "Step It Up" - (Heads Up)
19 - 40 - Gregg Adams & Easy Bay Soul - "That's Life" - (Ripa Records)
20 - 23 - Kenya - "My Own Skin" - (Kenya MJ Music)


Our thanks to smoothjazz.comVisit smoothjazz.com to view the latest complete top 50 chart. Visit smoothjazz.com to view the latest weekly chart recap.
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Monday, May 16, 2016

Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - May 16, 2016 #jazz


TW - LW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 1 - Boney James - "Futuresoul" - (Concord)
2 - 2 - Nils - "Alley Cat" - (Baja/TSR)
3 - 3 - Najee - "You Me And Forever" - (Shanachie)
4 - 4 - 3rd Force - "Glocal Force" - (Baja/TSR)
5 - 5 - Fourplay - "Silver - (Concord Music Group)
6 - 6 - BWB - "BWB" - (Artistry/Mack Avenue)
7 - 7 - Paolo Rustichelli - "Don't Stop (Soul Italiano)" - (Next Age Music)
8 - 9 - Threestyle feat. Magdalena Chovancova - "A Little Longer" - (WeLoveMusicRecords)
9 - 11 - Darren Rahn - "Sonic Boom" - (Woodward Avenue Records)
10 - 13 - Adam Hawley - "Just The Beginning" - (Kalimba)
11 - 8 - Lawson Rollins - "Infinite Chill" - (Infinita Records/Baja TSR)
12 - 16 - Marcus Anderson - "And Coffee" - (Anderson Music-LLC)
13 - 14 - Philippe Saisse Trio - "And So But Then" - (www.philippesaisse.com)
14 - 10 - Andy Snitzer - "American Beauty" - (Goose Song Music)
15 - 12 - Michael Lington - "Second Nature" - (Copenhagen Music)
16 - 38 - Vincent Ingala - "Coast To Coast" - (Independent)
17 - 17 - Brian Simpson - "Out Of A Dream" - (Shanachie)
18 - 18 - Brian Bromberg - "Full Circle" - (Artistry/Mack Avenue)
19 - 19 - Bill McGee - "Still Bill" - (804Jazz)
20 - 21 - Grace Kelly - "Trying Top Figure It Out" - (Pazz)


Our thanks to smoothjazz.comVisit smoothjazz.com to view the latest complete top 50 chart. Visit smoothjazz.com to view the latest weekly chart recap.
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Thursday, May 12, 2016

Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - May 9, 2016 #jazz


TW - LW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 1 - Boney James - "Futuresoul" - (Concord)
2 - 2 - Nils - "Alley Cat" - (Baja/TSR)
3 - 3 - Najee - "You Me And Forever" - (Shanachie)
4 - 4 - 3rd Force - "Glocal Force" - (Baja/TSR)
5 - 5 - Fourplay - "Silver - (Concord Music Group)
6 - 9 - BWB - "BWB" - (Artistry/Mack Avenue)
7 - 7 - Paolo Rustichelli - "Don't Stop (Soul Italiano)" - (Next Age Music)
8 - 10 - Lawson Rollins - "Infinite Chill" - (Infinita Records/Baja TSR)
9 - 13 - Threestyle feat. Magdalena Chovancova - "A Little Longer" - (WeLoveMusicRecords)
10 - 8 - Andy Snitzer - "American Beauty" - (Goose Song Music)
11 - 6 - Darren Rahn - "Sonic Boom" - (Woodward Avenue Records)
12 - 18 - Michael Lington - "Second Nature" - (Copenhagen Music)
13 - 15 - Adam Hawley - "Just The Beginning" - (Kalimba)
14 - 14 - Philippe Saisse Trio - "And So But Then" - (www.philippesaisse.com)
15 - 11 - Jazz Funk Soul - "More Serious Business" - (Shanachie)
16 - 16 - Marcus Anderson - "And Coffee" - (Anderson Music-LLC)
17 - 17 - Brian Simpson - "Out Of A Dream" - (Shanachie)
18 - 20 - Brian Bromberg - "Full Circle" - (Artistry/Mack Avenue)
19 - 12 - Bill McGee - "Still Bill" - (804Jazz)
20 - 19 - Mark Etheredge - "Connected" - (Vipaka Records)


Our thanks to smoothjazz.comVisit smoothjazz.com to view the latest complete top 50 chart. Visit smoothjazz.com to view the latest weekly chart recap.
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Friday, May 06, 2016

Bringing "Hero's Journey To Life" - Matt Von Roderick - #jazz

The dozen songs that experimental jazz trumpeter-rapper Matt Von Roderick released sans fanfare as “Hero’s Journey” in mid-December on Bandcamp (https://mattvonroderick.bandcamp.com) are about a protagonist in pursuit of burning dreams of love, acceptance, desire, fun, fame and fortune. Now it’s time for the fanfare. For two nights only, Von Roderick will bring his heroic tales to life in an elaborately-staged concert production at The Sayers Club in Hollywood, Calif. on consecutive Thursdays – March 10 and 17. The 90-minute performance, a sensual feast of music, sound, light and dance conceived by Von Roderick and Creating Arts Studios, will run through the entire album that is available now from Invention Records at major digital retail outlets (iTunes, Amazon, etc.) and will be available exclusively at the venue on CD the night of the shows. Tickets are on sale now from http://www.cacstudios.com/hero.

The last time Von Roderick mounted an extravagant production in Los Angeles, The Huffington Post proclaimed “Matt Von Roderick makes jazz dangerous again.” The dates at The Sayers Club are a bit of a coming out party after a cross-country move from his longtime home in New York City and reinventing his sound and himself – including a name change (his earlier critically-hailed collection was issued under Matt Shulman, his birth name). Tucked away in the studio, Von Roderick spent years crafting his new style. Throughout the process, he’d emerge sporadically to release videos for new songs that are included on “Hero’s Journey” with the resultant clips spreading virally to generate over 4.5 million YouTube views. To support the album release, he recently shot a new clip for the daring instrumental exploration “Coexistence” (http://bit.ly/1PBuinx).

Presented on “Hero’s Journey” as sonic collages constructed of expansive jazz forays, electronic hip hop and clubby dance beats, grinding alternative rock grooves and vibrant pop harmonies, Von Roderick spits playful raps and biting rhymes and croons yearningly on “Hero’s Journey.” His lyricism are quests for intoxicating love, spiritual understanding, overcoming life’s challenges and other affirming mantras laced with the occasional sting of disappointment, despair and disillusionment. In concert, the record will be vividly recreated from top to bottom by Von Roderick’s trio, which includes a keyboardist/piano player and DJ accompanied by tantalizing dancers. The set list will be completed by a couple of reimagined classics from jazz icons Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong.

Regarded as a trumpet prodigy once named Jazz Artist of the Year at the Independent Music Awards and described by DownBeat as “Taking jazz into the future,” Von Roderick has shared his talent on stage or on record with an eclectic array of artists that includes Neil Diamond, Music Soulchild, Brad Mehldau, Dionne Warwick, Tenacious D, John Medeski, Nnenna Freelon and the Saturday Night Live Band as well as in prestigious locales such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. But that was then and this is now. Von Roderick plans to take the “Hero’s Journey” show on the road (cities and dates will be announced). On record and in concert, “Hero’s Journey” is an empowering experience and a revolutionary exhibition of jazz to behold.

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Tuesday, May 03, 2016

Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - May 2, 2016 #jazz


TW - LW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 1 - Boney James - "Futuresoul" - (Concord)
2 - 2 - Nils - "Alley Cat" - (Baja/TSR)
3 - 4 - Najee - "You Me And Forever" - (Shanachie)
4 - 3 - 3rd Force - "Glocal Force" - (Baja/TSR)
5 - 6 - Fourplay - "Silver - (Concord Music Group)
6 - 5 - Darren Rahn - "Sonic Boom" - (Woodward Avenue Records)
7 - 8 - Paolo Rustichelli - "Don't Stop (Soul Italiano)" - (Next Age Music)
8 - 9 - Andy Snitzer - "American Beauty" - (Goose Song Music)
9 - 11 - BWB - "BWB" - (Artistry/Mack Avenue)
10 - 10 - Lawson Rollins - "Infinite Chill" - (Infinita Records/Baja TSR)
11 - 17 - Jazz Funk Soul - "More Serious Business" - (Shanachie)
12 - 16 - Bill McGee - "Still Bill" - (804Jazz)
13 - 7 - Threestyle feat. Magdalena Chovancova - "A Little Longer" - (WeLoveMusicRecords)
14 - 13 - Philippe Saisse Trio - "And So But Then" - (www.philippesaisse.com)
15 - 12 - Adam Hawley - "Just The Beginning" - (Kalimba)
16 - 25 - Marcus Anderson - "And Coffee" - (Anderson Music-LLC)
17 - 14 - Brian Simpson - "Out Of A Dream" - (Shanachie)
18 - 18 - Michael Lington - "Second Nature" - (Copenhagen Music)
19 - 15 - Mark Etheredge - "Connected" - (Vipaka Records)
20 - 33 - Brian Bromberg - "Full Circle" - (Artistry/Mack Avenue)


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