James Ingram, Grammy-Winning & Chart-Topping R&B Singer, Dies at 66

R&B singer James Ingram, who collected two Grammy Awards and a pair of No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits over his decades-long career, has died at age 66. The news was shared via Twitter by Ingram's friend and creative partner Debbie Allen on Tuesday (Jan. 29).

There are no details yet about when or how Ingram died.

"I have lost my dearest friend and creative partner James Ingram to the Celestial Choir," Allen tweeted. "He will always be cherished, loved and remembered for his genius, his love of family and his humanity. I am blessed to have been so close. We will forever speak his name."

The singer collected two Grammys during his career: His song "One Hundred Ways" won best male R&B performance in 1981 and his duet with Michael McDonald on "Yah Mo B There" won best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals in 1984. He was also nominated for back-to-back best original song Oscars in 1993 and 1994, for co-writing "The Day I Fall in Love" from Beethoven's 2nd and "Look What Love Has Done" from Junior.

Ingram charted nine hits on the Hot 100, including a pair of No. 1s: "Baby Come to Me," with Patti Austin, in 1983, and "I Don't Have the Heart" in 1990. Other top 20-charting Hot 100 hits included "Just Once" (No. 17 in 1981, Quincy Jones featuring Ingram), "Yah Mo Be There" (No. 19 in 1984, with Michael McDonald) and "Somewhere Out There" (No. 2 in 1987, with Linda Ronstadt). He also logged 19 hits on the Adult Contemporary airplay chart and 18 entries on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

He also tallied hits as a songwriter, co-penning Michael Jackson's top 10 Hot 100 hit "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)," from the Thriller album, as well as songs recorded by Pointer Sisters, George Benson, Ray Charles, Shalamar and others.

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Lisa Hilton - "Oasis" Released on Ruby Slippers Productions - #jazz

Laced with a pulsating West Coast cool energy, the award-winning composer & acclaimed jazz pianist Lisa K. Hilton creates music imbued with subtle historical references from a wide variety of genres and eras, sounding distinctly twenty-first century.




A safe haven is what the acclaimed pianist and award-winning composer Lisa Hilton has created with her new release, OASIS. Along with her smart and talented trio mates, bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Mark Whitfield Jr., they have delivered on that promise with a new album that is at times upbeat, tender, emotionally intelligent, and all around well-conceived. On OASIS, Hilton notes that the album title refers to a place of refuge, and relief and knew, while she herself needed an antidote during these tumultuous times, others were seeking their own safe haven as well. The opening track, Twists of Fate surprises the senses with its cool laid back vibe laced with an energy related to the electricity of Thelonious Monk and Count Basie’s best excursions in bop with Hilton leaving plenty of aural room and Curtis and Whitfield laying down some incredibly arresting rhythms. Then the trio segues into the Horace Silver influenced, Adventure Lands. Compositions like the title track, Oasis, Watercolor World and Sunday Morning showcase the trio’s collective ability to coalesce around an ethereal or, conversely, ecstatic moods; at times with washes of free jazz and cascading notes fluttering with joy. The classic George Gershwin tune, Fascinating Rhythm now travels in some new directions with the supple grooves of Curtis and Whitfield as well as yielding the melody under Hilton’s supple touch, and is a good companion to Hilton’s Vapors & Shadows as well as the lively Just for Fun. Lazy Daisy is a slow blues for a sunny afternoon, though here with an impish “twist” mixing bluesy tones against the baby-steps of innocent melodic ideas. Latin rhythms weave in and out of Hilton’s compositions, and here are showcased on the fast paced Sunshine States. Warm Summer Night ends the album in a solo piano version awash in Americana. 



Hilton continues to produce an album a year with what has been described as a “throbbing undercurrent of West Coast Cool.” This year she’s joined with Mark Whitfield, Jr. who made his first concert appearance at age two as a guest drummer with his father, guitarist Mark Whitfield, and clarinet legend Alvin Batiste, then two years later appeared with them on Good Morning America. Whitfield, Jr. later attended Berklee college on a full scholarship. Luques Curtis on bass, is a recent recipient of the Down Beat Magazine Critics Poll Rising Star Bassist. He has performed on several Grammy nominated releases. 
"'Oasis' is freedom and lyrical art. It overflows with Hilton’s somersaulting narrative, lyricism in every note, turning and churning in on itself — expressed with thought, clarity, and the fusion of movement and texture. Hilton slips in a whirlwind of feeling in “Watercolor World,” as a painter would to her canvas — in splashes and spurts, behind your back. The composition unravels in ever-shifting threads, which she seems to brush and stroke back into a semblance of orderly life. Her aerial lifts bank up against contrasting, darker chords for that subtle textural context she’s known for.” Festival Peak/ CarolBanksWebber

“Because of her serene manner, glorious stylings and superb leadership skills, this award winner has gained the respect of an array of living legends, and she has worked alongside MANY. It all translates into extraordinary music that is compared to jazz and classical icons. Lisa Hilton is RARE.” Hybrid Jazz

“Reliably exceptional – that is how I would describe Lisa Hilton. … Her composing and performance could be described as existing between impressionism and expressionism, but the one thing all her performances have is a heartbeat. Swinging-ly grounded in the beat she establishes is where Hilton’s charm shines the brightest.” C. Michael Bailey/All About Jazz

“Lisa Hilton shows her impressive composing skills as well as ability to create a sonic mood. She’s able to mix classical impressionistic moods a la Debussy, but with a swinging pulse.” Jazz Weekly/George Harris

“Hilton takes it old school with a cool school set…the vibe is low key and the notes get your head bobbing. Mighty chops and good taste…another winner from a winner herself.” Midwest Record

“Hilton shows off her left-handed dexterity, while her right hand improvises brightly. Mark Whitfield Jr., keeps the trap drums strong beneath her up-tempo prowess. Luques Curtis, on bass, locks into the production to bring solid support.” Musical Memoirs/Dee Dee McNeil


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Blue Note Records Presents The Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series #jazz

In honor of Blue Note Records' 80th Anniversary, the legendary Jazz label is launching the Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series. Blue Note President Don Was brought in "Tone Poet" Joe Harley—co-founder and co-producer of the acclaimed Music Matters audiophile vinyl series—to produce this new series of all-analog, mastered-from-the-original-master-tape 180g audiophile vinyl reissues in deluxe gatefold packaging. Mastering is by Kevin Gray (Cohearent Audio) and vinyl is being manufactured at Record Technology Incorporated (RTI).

The titles were handpicked by Harley and cover lesser-known Blue Note classics, modern era standouts, and albums from other labels under the Blue Note catalog. The first two albums in the series—Wayne Shorter Etcetera and Chick Corea Now He Sings, Now He Sobs—will be released on February 8, with Sam Rivers Contours and Cassandra Wilson Glamoured to follow on March 15. See below for a full list of 2019 releases for the Tone Poet Series.

Read Harley's essay Blue Note, Tone Poetry and Audiophilia about his history with Blue Note, Music Matters, and his "quest to capture the sound of those master tapes on vinyl and to allow listeners to know what it would sound like to actually be in Rudy [Van Gelder]'s living room in Hackensack or later in Rudy's studio in Englewood Cliffs, NJ."

Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series:

February 8
Wayne Shorter - Etcetera (Blue Note, 1965)
Chick Corea - Now He Sings, Now He Sobs (Solid State, 1968)

March 15
Sam Rivers - Contours (Blue Note, 1965)
Cassandra Wilson - Glamoured (Blue Note, 2003)

April 26
Gil Evans - New Bottle Old Wine (World Pacific, 1958)
Joe Henderson - The State of the Tenor: Live at the Village Vanguard, Volume 2 (Blue Note, 1985)

May 31
Lou Donaldson - Shing-A-Ling (Blue Note, 1967)
Lee Morgan - Cornbread (Blue Note, 1965)

June 28
Baby Face Willette - Face To Face (Blue Note, 1961)
Dexter Gordon - Clubhouse (Blue Note, 1965)

July 26
Kenny Burrell - Introducing Kenny Burrell (Blue Note, 1956)
Andrew Hill - Black Fire (Blue Note, 1963)

September 6
Donald Byrd - Chant (Blue Note, 1961)
Stanley Turrentine - Hustlin' (Blue Note, 1964)

October 25
Grant Green - Born to Be Blue (Blue Note, 1962)
Tina Brooks - Minor Move (Blue Note, 1958)

November 15
Hank Mobley - Poppin' (Blue Note, 1957)
Stanley Turrentine - Comin' Your Way (Blue Note, 1961)

Other highlights of Blue Note's 80th Anniversary celebrations will include:
Blue Note Review: The 2nd edition of our vinyl boxset subscription series Blue Note Review: Volume Two - Spirit & Time is currently available at bluenotereview.com. Curated by Don Was, the set encapsulates the past, present, and future of Blue Note by celebrating the brilliant late-career albums of the legendary Tony Williams with a tribute album by current drummers, as well as audiophile reissues of Africaine by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers and Patterns by Bobby Hutcherson, the book Spirit & Time: Jazz Drummers On Their Art, the zine Out of the Blue, a set of Topps Blue Note Trading Cards, and a Blue Note carbon fiber anti-static record brush. The 3rd edition of the Blue Note Review will focus on the legacy of the label in honor of the 80th anniversary.

Blue Note 80 Vinyl Reissue Series: A series of vinyl releases in standard packaging curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman with albums grouped by themes: Blue Note Debuts, Blue Grooves, Great Reid Miles Covers, Blue Note Live, and Blue Note Drummer Leaders. Releases will begin in May.

Vinyl Me, Please x Blue Note 80 Series: A special partnership with the record club Vinyl Me, Please who will offer an exclusive Blue Note vinyl reissue series featuring six titles curated by Don Was that span the many eras of Blue Note history. Pre-order will begin in early 2019.

Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes Documentary: Director Sophie Huber's insightful documentary Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes, which premiered at last year's Tribeca Film Festival, will see wider distribution this year with theatrical runs and festival showings thru the Spring, TV broadcasts and streaming premieres from the Summer, and a DVD release in the Fall. More info at bluenoterecords-film.com.

Canvas Art Prints of Classic Blue Note Album Covers: A new series of limited-edition wall art that celebrates the iconic imagery of Blue Note's classic era. Blue Note is offering archival-quality, framed canvas prints in dynamic scale (22"x22", 32"x32", 42"x42") that present the legendary album cover designs of Reid Miles and photography of Francis Wolff. 12 album covers are currently available in the Blue Note Store with additional prints to be made available later this year.

Blue Note X G-SHOCK G-STEEL Timepiece: G-SHOCK and Blue Note are teaming up for the release of a Blue Note branded G-STEEL watch.

Blue Note 80th Anniversary Tour: This Fall, a triple-bill of current Blue Note artists—Kandace Springs, James Francies, and the newly-signed James Carter—will embark on a U.S. tour of performing arts centers around the country.

Blue Note at Sea: The sold-out 2019 Blue Note at Sea cruise will set sail to the Caribbean January 26-February 2 with hosts Don Was, Robert Glasper, and Marcus Miller. Among the many performers are Terence Blanchard, José James, Kandace Springs, R+R=NOW, Jason Moran, Kurt Elling, Cecile McLorin Salvant, and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. The cruise will also feature conversations on the history of Blue Note, screenings of Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes, and special performances celebrating the legacy of the label.

PDX Jazz Festival - Blue Note @ 80: The 2019 Biamp PDX Jazz Festival (February 20-March 3) in Portland, Oregon celebrates Blue Note @ 80 with tributes to Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Donald Byrd Steppin' Into Tomorrow, Joe Henderson Mode for Joe, Hank Mobley Soul Station, Wayne Shorter Speak No Evil, Lou Donaldson Alligator Bogaloo, Eric Dolphy Out to Lunch, and more.

Blue Note Tent at Monterey Jazz Festival: The return of the popular Blue Note Tent at the venerable Monterey Jazz Festival in September will feature anniversary programming including special artist conversations and performances, a screening of Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes, and more.

Jazz Classics Blue Note Edition on Spotify: Spotify's dedicated Blue Note Records playlist Jazz Classics Blue Note Edition, which has amassed more than 100, 000 followers, has expanded to 80 tracks in honor of our 80th anniversary.

Blue Note 80: The Finest In Jazz Since 1939 on Apple Music: Apple Music is featuring Blue Note 80: The Finest In Jazz Since 1939, a new 80-track tour of Blue Note history in honour of our 80th anniversary.

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Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - January 28, 2019 #jazz

TW - LW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 2 - Vincent Ingala - "Personal Touch" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
2 - 1 - Paul Hardcastle - "Hardcastle VIII" - (Trippin 'N' Rhythem)
3 - 4 - Lindsey Webster - "Love Inside" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
4 - 3 - Boney James - "Honestly" - (Concord Music Group)
5 - 6 - Michael Lington - "Silver Lining" - (Copenhagen)
6 - 5 - Gerald Albright - "30" - (Bright)
7 - 7 - Byron Miller - "Psychobass 2" - (Byron Lee Miller Studios)
8 - 18 - Nick Colionne - "Just Being Me" - (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
9 - 8 - Bob James - "Espresso" - (Evosound)
11 - 10 - Jazz Holdouts - "Summer Nights" - (Palm Beach Jazz)
12 - 16 - John Novello - "Good To Go" - (529 Music)
13 - 14 - The JT Project - "Backyard Brew" - (JT Project Records)
14 - 12 - Kayla Waters - "Zephyr" - (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
15 - 17 - Patrick Bradley - "Intangible" - (Patrick's Song Factory)
16 - 20 - Dave Koz & Friends - "Summer Horns II: From A to Z - (Concord)
17 - 13 - Jeff Lorber Fusion - "Impact" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
18 - 25 - Ragan Whiteside - "Treblemaker" - (Randis Music)
19 - 26 - Acoustic Alchemy - "33-1/3" - (OnSide Records)
20 - 29 - Brian Bromberg - "Thicker Than Water" - (Mack Avenue Records)

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"Dark Matter: Music For Film" - Lawson Rollins - Release February 15th on Infinita Records - #jazz

"Dark Matter: Music For Film offers 25 tracks of atmospheric instrumental music designed to engender cinematic imaginings in the mind's eye of the Listener. Lawson Rollins crafts a mysterious soundscape of lush acoustic and electric guitars, synthesizers, violins, and flute that transcends conventional song structure in favor of free-form musical impressionism ripe with emotional intensity. The music ranges from the lightness and wonderment of tracks like "Innocence" and "Memories" to the mournful, plaintive sounds of "Endless" to the darker depths of the Soul laid bare in "Never Forget" and "Loss".


Supporting Lawson's electric, acoustic and slide guitars are Grammy-winning violinist Mads Tolling, acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Stephen Duros, and Native American flute master Guillermo Martinez.

Few artists inhabit their music as seamlessly as multiple award-winning, Billboard Top 10 ranked guitarist and composer Lawson Rollins. He plays his instrument with a soulful intensity that combines the stimulating rhythmic drive of rumba, salsa, and samba with graceful melodic finesse and free-flowing improvisational flair. Over the past few years, Lawson has developed a worldwide following as one of the best-known jazz/world/fusion guitarists. His albums have landed in the Billboard Top 10 World Music Chart and spawned several Billboard Top 30 contemporary jazz hits, winning him a growing fan base attracted by his melodic, exhilarating solos and exotic, cross-genre instrumentation performed by internationally renowned musicians. Most recently, "World of Wonder (featuring 3rd Force)" off Airwaves: The Greatest Hits is a Billboard Top 10 radio chart hit. Sensational videos like "Locomotion," a jaw dropping display of his electrifying speed and gift for merging rhythm and melody, have attracted millions of broadcast television and internet viewers, including 10 million hits alone on YouTube from multiple postings of his videos by avid fans worldwide. Acoustic Guitar Magazine describes his playing as 'impeccable' and 'dazzling', while the prestigious Guitar Player Magazine ranks Lawson as one of the “50 Transcendent Acoustic Guitarists” in the world and writes, "Lawson Rollins is a bona fide star...The key to Rollins' mass appeal is his signature artistic balance between classically influenced compositional refinement, infectious exotic rhythms, and the unbridled intensity of full-on shred."

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Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - January 21, 2019 #jazz

TW - LW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 2 - Paul Hardcastle - "Hardcastle VIII" - (Trippin 'N' Rhythem)
2 - 1 - Vincent Ingala - "Personal Touch" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
3 - 3 - Boney James - "Honestly" - (Concord Music Group)
4 - 4 - Lindsey Webster - "Love Inside" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
5 - 5 - Gerald Albright - "30" - (Bright)
6 - 9 - Michael Lington - "Silver Lining" - (Copenhagen)
7 - 22 - Byron Miller - "Psychobass 2" - (Byron Lee Miller Studios)
8 - 8 - Bob James - "Espresso" - (Evosound)
9 - 11 - Jeff Ryan - "Up And Up" - (Woodward Avenue)
10 - 10 - Jazz Holdouts - "Summer Nights" - (Palm Beach Jazz)
11 - 14 - Walter Beasley - "The Best Of Walter Beasley" - (Affable)
12 - 6 - Kayla Waters - "Zephyr" - (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
13 - 7 - Jeff Lorber Fusion - "Impact" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
14 - 12 - The JT Project - "Backyard Brew" - (JT Project Records)
15 - 13 - Peabo Bryson - "Stand For Love" - (Perspective)
16 - 155 - John Novello - "Good To Go" - (529 Music)
17 - 24 - Patrick Bradley - "Intangible" - (Patrick's Song Factory)
18 - 34 - Nick Colionne - "Just Being Me" - (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
19 - 15 - Blake Aaron - "Color And Passion" - (Innervision)
20 - 19 - Dave Koz & Friends - "Summer Horns II: From A to Z - (Concord)

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 1929-1968

Tone Rogue Records Presents Christian Li & Mike Bono's "Visitors" #jazz

Tone Rogue Records is proud to release Visitors, the debut co-led album from piano/guitar duo Christian Li and Mike Bono. After almost a decade of working together - a period which included a collaboration on Bono's 2013 From Where You Are - the pair are now excited to release this joint album as a souvenir of the past and a blueprint for the future. Li and Bono bring this nine-track collection of originals to life with the help of Alex Hargreaves on violin, Chris Marion on strings, Dayna Stephens on saxophone, Jared Henderson on bass and Jimmy Macbride and Lee Fish on drums.


Recording an album of improvised music, in which communication and connection are vital to success, can be difficult in the artificial environment of a recording studio. Pran Bandi, who engineered the record, worked to make the musicians on this album feel as comfortable and natural as possible. The professionalism and profound musicality of the people involved, coupled with a rapport cultivated from years of working together, overrode these obstacles. The resulting product is a recording session that truly replicates the scintillating energy of a live performance.

The album opens with "Puddles" - a tune written by Bono, during a time in which he was exploring fast right hand finger style patterns. "I was trying to create fluid, cascading sounds with some unconventional harmonies and previously undiscovered finger-picking patterns. When I finally arrived at it, the melody I was hearing in my head made very clear where the harmony needed to go, thus paving the way for the rest of the song." The album moves on to "Little Rascals" - a true testament to the close musical rapport that has developed between this acclaimed pair. As Mike explains, "the free improvisation works because of how well we know each other as people, and how vivid and clear the imagery is when playing the song." Although Li and Bono have contrasting styles of writing, both have always felt at home on each other's compositions. Li explains how Bono's "Tango", with its thorny harmonies and serpentine melody, feels somehow familiar to him even though it represents his musical world - "There is a tremendous comfort in knowing, when playing Mike's compositions, that I am free to explore my own ideas and values as a musician without fear of causing (undue) harm." Li's "Space Invaders", another stand-out track from the album, was an ill-advised compositional experiment that the composer didn't expect to work. With the help of Bono and this talented ensemble, through their skilled improvisation, the imagery of the piece was brought into clearer focus than Li could have ever imagined.

Visitors displays the fortified musical bond between Li and Bono, and simultaneously presents a teaser to what's to come from this esteemed duo.

MORE ABOUT MIKE BONO
Mike Bono is a guitarist currently based in NYC. He has performed at venues in the city such as Carnegie Hall, Town Hall Theater, Birdland, The Blue Note, and many other clubs around town. Aside from playing in New York, Mike has played at several clubs and festivals throughout Europe and Africa. Over the last few years, Mike has had several opportunities to play with artists like Erykah Badu, Chris Cheek, Andra Day, Dayna Stephens, Julian Lage, Rich Perry, Natalie Cressman, and Michael Blume, amongst many others. He has one album out as a leader called " From Where You Are", a co-led album with Natalie Cressman called "Etchings in Amber", and is about to release a co-led album with pianist Christian Li. His latest endeavor in NYC has been subbing for the broadway musicals Dear Evan Hansen, Frozen, and Spongebob. In addition to playing and recording, Mike is on faculty at The Calhoun School, Trevor Day School, and teaches private lessons around the city, and over Skype. Mike is endorsed by ZT Amplifiers, Wire World Pro Audio Instrument Cables, Master Strap, and Source Audio.

MORE ABOUT CHRISTIAN LI

Christian Li is a pianist, composer, and arranger based in New York City. Born in Montreal, Quebec and raised in the small town of Horseheads, NY, he began performing regularly at the age of twelve. He has since been mentored by a colorful cast of musicians, including Danilo Perez, Ben Street, Greg Osby, Hal Crook, Joe Lovano, Joanne Brackeen, John Patitucci, and Alain Mallet. Christian has appeared in such notable venues as The Newport Jazz Festival, The Panama Jazz Festival, Jazz En Comminges, The Monterey Jazz Festival, The Blue Note, Birdland, and the Detroit Jazz Festival. He has performed with several renowned artists, including Greg Osby, Dave Liebman, Chris Cheek, Rich Perry, Adam Cruz, Jason Palmer, and Chad Lefkowitz-Brown. Christian has also given workshops in Panama as a part of the Fundacion Danilo Perez as well as at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. He is also a visiting artist at the Calhoun School.

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Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - January 14, 2019 #jazz

TW - LW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 1 - Vincent Ingala - "Personal Touch" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
2 - 2 - Paul Hardcastle - "Hardcastle VIII" - (Trippin 'N' Rhythem)
3 - 3 - Boney James - "Honestly" - (Concord Music Group)
4 - 4 - Lindsey Webster - "Love Inside" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
5 - 5 - Gerald Albright - "30" - (Bright)
6 - 7 - Kayla Waters - "Zephyr" - (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
7 - 6 - Jeff Lorber Fusion - "Impact" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
8 - 8 - Bob James - "Espresso" - (Evosound)
9 - 12 - Michael Lington - "Silver Lining" - (Copenhagen)
10 - 9 - Jazz Holdouts - "Summer Nights" - (Palm Beach Jazz)
11 - 19 - Jeff Ryan - "Up And Up" - (Woodward Avenue)
12 - 11 - The JT Project - "Backyard Brew" - (JT Project Records)
13 - 15 - Peabo Bryson - "Stand For Love" - (Perspective)
14 - 13 - Walter Beasley - "The Best Of Walter Beasley" - (Affable)
15 - 16 - Blake Aaron - "Color And Passion" - (Innervision)
16 - 14 - Phillip Saisse - "On The Level" - (Bandar Log Music)
17 - 17 - Greg Adams & East Bay Soul - "Conversation" - (Ripa Records)
18 - 22 - Ragan Whiteside - "Treblemaker" - (Randis Music)
19 - 18 - Dave Koz & Friends - "Summer Horns II: From A to Z - (Concord)
20 - 19 - Bob Baldwin - "Abbey Road & The Beatles - (City Sketches)

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From the Darkness Into the Light: On "Bright Idea" Greg Murphy has arrived #jazz

The jazz world is littered with the stories of brilliant but ultimately discarded geniuses. Greg Murphy pianist, swore his will not be among them. Though it easily could have been. And almost was.

Rewind. After several months of study with Ellis Marsalis in Chicago in the early '80s, and a couple years of performances under his belt, Murphy moved to New York to find his way as a performer. He hit the ground running, proving he could play with the best of them. But it didn't take long for the reality of a hardscrabble life in jazz to sink in. The city ground him down, sweeping him up in an underworld of homelessness and addiction. Years of struggle ensued.



Fast forward, now, to the resurrection.

Today, with his too-human episodes behind him, he is back and so is his brilliance. The promise he showed in Chicago and in his early years in New York has re-emerged. His new music, Bright Idea, is the sound of a major talent, a resilient, defiant iconoclast, finally ready for his time in the spotlight.

An epic trio recording made with Jeff "Tain" Watts and Eric Wheeler, Bright Idea comes together in a way that embraces all of the places Murphy has been, from his grinding, intensive study in New York, his time in New Orleans with Ellis Marsalis, his pop-funk days in Chicago, and his Latin jazz work with Raphael Cruz. It is a well and fully rounded musical adventure, rife with dimension and color, and his most fully realized recording yet. At this point in his career, we are happy to expect no less.

Recorded, produced and arranged by Murphy, Bright Idea features mainly originals, with a few exceptions including the opening Pharrell Williams tune "Happy." With Watts and Wheeler alongside, Murphy achieves an energetic vitality on the session, especially on tracks like the newly discovered Coltrane composition, "Untitled Original 11383, " a twelve-bar blues, and Joe Ford's "Earthlings." But throughout the album there is generosity, reciprocity and the desire to make memorable and triumphant music.

Bright Idea, Greg Murphy's second Whaling City Sound project and fifth overall, is pure and beautiful, his strongest statement as a leader and his most beautifully played collection of stories. Fully back and in complete command, Murphy can now swing with the best. He has come out from the dark side and into the light, now destined, even determined, to find his proper place in the pantheon of jazz piano.

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Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - January 7, 2019 #jazz

TW - LW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 2 - Vincent Ingala - "Personal Touch" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
2 - 3 - Paul Hardcastle - "Hardcastle VIII" - (Trippin 'N' Rhythem)
3 - 5 - Boney James - "Honestly" - (Concord Music Group)
4 - 8 - Lindsey Webster - "Love Inside" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
5 - 11 - Gerald Albright - "30" - (Bright)
6 - 4 - Jeff Lorber Fusion - "Impact" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
7 - 7 - Kayla Waters - "Zephyr" - (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
8 - 1 - Bob James - "Espresso" - (Evosound)
9 - 9 - Jazz Holdouts - "Summer Nights" - (Palm Beach Jazz)
10 - 19 - Jeff Ryan - "Up And Up" - (Woodward Avenue)
11 - 21 - The JT Project - "Backyard Brew" - (JT Project Records)
12 - 12 - Michael Lington - "Silver Lining" - (Copenhagen)
13 - 15 - Walter Beasley - "The Best Of Walter Beasley" - (Affable)
14 - 13 - Phillip Saisse - "On The Level" - (Bandar Log Music)
15 - 17 - Peabo Bryson - "Stand For Love" - (Perspective)
16 - 14 - Blake Aaron - "Color And Passion" - (Innervision)
17 - 20 - Greg Adams & East Bay Soul - "Conversation" - (Ripa Records)
18 - 6 - Dave Koz & Friends - "Summer Horns II: From A to Z - (Concord)
19 - 18 - Bob Baldwin - "Abbey Road & The Beatles - (City Sketches)
20 - 23 - Nate White - "Up Close" - (Phat Bass)

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Saxophonist Isaac Edwards is inspired to “Begin Again” #jazz

The pop instrumental album mixing jazz, R&B, rock and gospel drops February 22 following the zesty

Latin-jazz single, “Christina Christina,” which goes to radio on January 14.

Isaac Edwards finally reached a point in his life when he decided that he simply had to overcome past regrets in order to pursue his dream. A newly married lawyer who litigated hundreds of cases by day during the four years he spent his nights and weekends writing, producing and recording his new album, the saxophonist will take a major step towards realizing his dream when “Begin Again” drops on February 22 on the Songs In My Pocket Music label. The disc mixed by hit saxman Darren Rahn will be preceded by the radio single, “Christina Christina,” an exotic Latin-tinged seduction that goes for radio adds on January 14.

Armed with a bachelor’s degree in saxophone and a master’s degree in jazz after studying alongside widely-accomplished saxophonists Eric Marienthal and Jeff Clayton, Edwards has flirted with being a jazz musician by releasing a couple of albums in the early 2000s. The gospel-jazz outing “Here” (2002) was nominated for a Vibe Award, the Canadian equivalent to the Dove Awards. Two years later, his sophomore release, “I’m On My Way,” featured a collaboration with Grammy-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum. Neither sets were promoted at radio as Edwards’ focus was on holding down his high-stress law position. But the fire inside never dimmed and in 2014, he wrote, recorded and released the new album’s title track as a single, earning most added honors at Billboard when it was serviced to radio. The theme of the song began Edwards’ creative journey that will only be complete when the album drops.            

“This album is about starting over and second chances. Being a jazz artist is something I've dreamed about ever since I was a teenager. I've had some successes along the way and had some regrets as well. With this record, I'm finally putting those regrets in the rear-view mirror. My hope is that listeners will feel inspired to leave the past in the past and renew their hope for a brighter future. Just like the dawn of a new day, each moment in our lives is another chance to do that thing we've been dreaming of doing. The thing that keeps us up at night, that we spend our days dreaming about while we are at work. The fire that can't be quenched; the drive we have deep inside. I believe that is what we need to be pursuing. That's what this record is for me: it's evidence that it's never too late to start over, try something new or become more today than we were yesterday,” said the San Diego-based Edwards, who has opened for multiple Grammy-winning Christian pop icons Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith.     

“Begin Again” is an amalgam of sounds and contemporary styles. With jazz and pop instrumentals serving as the foundation of the ten tracker, Edwards’ palette offers vibrant shades of R&B, Latin, gospel and rock. The sessions were tracked with live drums, bass, guitar, piano, violin, trumpet, trombone, clarinet and flute. In addition to showcasing his lyrical sax work and gift for crafting infectious melodies, Edwards added keyboards, synth and drum programming. A ten-time Grammy winner as a member of Take 6, Joel Kibble graces the outing with his voice in a supporting role on “Love Will Find A Way” and as the lovestruck protagonist on the urban adult contemporary romancer “Just Like the First Time.” In the company of nine Edwards originals is an instrumental reading of Monica’s hit, “Angel Of Mine,” that bodes to be a chart-topper again in its new form. While most of the album is soulful midtempo grooves and energizing exercises, “Qui Vivra Verra” stands out in striking contrast for its stark beauty and poignant simplicity - a melancholy sax, piano and violin selection about the moment you realize a relationship has no future. 

     

“This record is the most honest work I've created and recorded. I drew a lot from my own personal experiences. I wrote from what was within my heart. And I've long been acutely aware of the burning drive I've had to get this record out,” Edwards said.

That day finally arrives next month. For more information, please visit https://isaacedwardsmusic.com.

“Begin Again” contains the following songs:

“Christina Christina”

“Begin Again”

“Lucky Day”

“Angel of Mine”

“Qui Vivra Verra”

“L’Dub”

“Love Will Find A Way”

“Rise”

“Off A Riff”

“Just Like the First Time”

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THE GLOBAL RECORDED MUSIC BUSINESS IS ON COURSE TO TOP $20BN IN ANNUAL REVENUES IN 2019 – BUT IT CAN’T OVER-RELY ON THE USA #jazz

The global recorded music industry will turn over $18.9bn in 2018, with streaming making up 50.8% ($9.6bn) of the total.

That’s according to Midia Research, which today (December 18) published its projected 2018 figures, based on a combination of major label revenue reports to date, plus stats from industry organizations and confidential data from DIY distribution platforms.

According to these numbers, the recorded music business’s $18.9bn turnover this year will represent $1.4bn annual growth across all formats – the same monetary increase seen in the prior year.

The driver for that growth, easily offsetting download and physical declines, is, of course, streaming; according to Midia, the $9.6bn contribution from the likes of Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube this year is up $2.2bn on last year – which is, again, up by the same annual figure (+$2.2bn) as 2017 was on 2016.

“IN ORDER TO ENSURE [$2BN STREAMING GROWTH IN 2019] IS DELIVERED, NEWER STREAMING MARKETS – ESPECIALLY GERMANY, JAPAN, BRAZIL AND MEXICO – WILL NEED TO DELIVER.”

MARK MULLIGAN, MIDIA

Midia Managing Director Mark Mulligan told MBW that he expected streaming to once again add $2bn to global recorded music revenues in 2019, but that the industry should prepare for streaming income growth in its biggest market, the United States, to decelerate.

“In order to ensure this [$2bn] level of growth is delivered, newer streaming markets – especially Germany, Japan, Brazil and Mexico – will need to deliver, picking up the slack as big mature markets like the US and UK begin to slow,” he said.

“Lower tier emerging markets like India, Indonesia and MENA will take a lot longer to deliver, and it won’t be until midway through the next decade that we really begin to feel the revenue contribution from these markets – though free user numbers will come more easily.”

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Mulligan’s comments come after Spotify’s Q3 performance showed the company enjoying healthy growth in Europe, the United States and Latin America, but struggling to keep up this pace in other markets where it is active, including Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam and South Africa.

In the six months to end of September this year, Spotify added just 2.3m users and 1.1m subscribers in all regions outside the EU, US and Latin America.

Across Europe, North America and Latin America, in the same period, Spotify added 18.7m users and 10.9m subscribers.

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Midia’s data today shows that revenue booked by directly-distributed independent artists in 2018 is set to rise 35% on 2017.

The company qualifies: ‘It’s worth noting that only a portion of Artists Direct revenue is measured by the IFPI. Categories such as at-gig CD sales aren’t captured by either the labels or measurement companies that national trade associations depend upon to measure the market. So, expect the IFPI’s global recorded music total to come in closer to $18.6 billion.’

Major labels, according to Midia, will claim 69% of 2018’s $18.9bn haul, though this number includes revenue derived from copyrights owned by independent entities and distributed by Universal, Sony or Warner.

Gods Plan by Drake (pictured) is the biggest streaming hit released on Spotify this year, according to Kworb, with more than 1.1bn streams since arriving in January.Music Business Worldwide

Source: musicbusiness worldwide
https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/

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