The Nielsen Co. on Wednesday announced that it was ending publication of Radio & Records, known in the radio business for the past 36 years as R&R. Publication of the music industry trade paper ceases immediately.
In a specially called "Town Hall Meeting" for R&R staff across the country, publisher Howard Appelbaum told employees that it was a "tough decision" but that the magazine's "macro did not work" in this economic climate. He said that "all jobs are eliminated" and that some parts of R&R, such as airplay charts, would be included in Billboard magazine, another Nielsen publication.
Appelbaum, who took over Nielsen's business media division in January, said the company had made several attempts to "salvage" the publication and had spoken with "some prospective buyers," but he declined to discuss specifics with the staff, instead inviting "off-line" questions.
It was Appelbaum's third such Town Hall teleconference. In the first, he introduced himself on news of the departure of longtime publisher and president Erica Farber in early January. On February 25, Applebaum announced steep staff cutbacks at the magazine.
The Nielsen Co. is also parent company of The Hollywood Reporter.
Long admired for its rollicking jazz-funk grooves and sweaty solos, Soulive originated in late-'90s New England — first as a jam-band rhythm section (with the likes of Moon Boot Lover and Greyboy Allstars) and then as an unlikely hip-hop act. But in recent years, Soulive has settled smartly into more traditional organ-driven jazz. Click the link above to hear the group perform live in concert from WXPN and the TLA in Philadelphia.
During a stint with the legendary Blue Note label, Soulive attracted fervent devotees through collaborations with legendary James Brown trombonist Fred Wesley, guest vocalists Dave Matthews and Amel Larrieux, rappers Talib Kweli and Black Thought, and a broad assortment of remixers. Since leaving Blue Note in 2005 — and hooking up with a revitalized Stax label — Soulive has continued to hone its funky, horn-infused jazz sound. Its new album, Up Here, is due out next month.
Special guests include Kenny G, Rick Braun, Bob James, Jeff Lorber, Chieli Minucci, Maysa Leak and more
Flutist Alexander Zonjic may be Canadian by birth and by citizenship, but Detroit – just across the river from his hometown of Windsor, Ontario – has been his second home for the better part of three decades. Regardless of the numerous roles he may be playing in the Motor City’s music and entertainment scene on any given day – recording artist and performer of international stature, morning drive-time jazz radio personality, concert promoter, restaurateur and more – Detroit has adopted Zonjic as one of their own and has supported every aspect of his multi-faceted career.
Aided and accompanied by a variety of songwriters, performers and friends, Zonjic tips his hat to his adopted city on Doin’ The D (HUCD 3126) on Heads Up International, a division of Concord Music Group. The album features guest appearances by saxophonist Kenny G, trumpeter Rick Braun, Special EFX guitarist Chieli Minucci, vocalist Maysa Leak and many others. In addition to the many new faces, longtime collaborators Jeff Lorber and Bob James make substantial contributions to Doin’ The D.
“It’s always interesting when a new record starts coming together,” says Zonjic. “I basically throw an invitation out to all my music buddies and wonder how many of them will come to the party. I was completely surprised and pleased with the number of people who participated in this record, including some people with whom I’d never recorded with before. While they are all friends of mine, I’m still also a huge fan of these great artists, and I’d like to think that they took part in this project because they respect and admire my music.”
Doin’ The D takes its title from a catchphrase that’s common to residents of the greater Detroit area. To “do the D” is to spend an evening or a weekend checking out the various cultural attractions offered by a city rich with musical history and cultural diversity.
“Detroit and its people embraced me on a profound level many, many years ago, and they’re the main reason that I’ve had such a great career,” says Zonjic. “It’s one of the greatest music cities in the world. All you need to do is consider that Aretha Franklin still lives here after so many years. Eminem is here, Bob Seger is here, Mitch Ryder is here, Anita Baker, Kid Rock, and the list goes on. Obviously, the city is going through its share of tough times right now – like so many other cities. But I continue to appreciate everything “The D” has done for my career, and I will always support it.”
Doin’ the D is more than just a star-studded nod to Zonjic’s adopted hometown. In a larger sense, it’s part of his ongoing effort to carry the torch passed on to him by figures like Canadian jazz flutist Moe Kaufmann and jazz innovator Herbie Mann – and to perhaps even be the messenger who takes the flute to a place of higher prominence as a voice in the smooth & pop-jazz idiom. “In the classical world, the flute has a huge stature, but it has struggled in recent years to be considered a solo jazz instrument on the same level as the saxophone or guitar and piano,” Zonjic says. “The instrument suffers from this weird stereotype that it’s somehow lightweight – something relegated to playing bird sounds in an orchestra setting. But anyone who hears this record will know that the flute is capable of delivering strong melodies and strong solos. In the right hands, the flute is a musical force to be reckoned with.”
Review by Woodrow Wilkins, allaboutjazz.com When two jazz guitarists of different styles, George Benson and Earl Klugh, came together, it was hailed as a success. The formula also worked for Lee Ritenour and Larry Carlton. Now, Paul Brown and Marc Antoine attempt to capture that flair with Foreign Exchange.
California native Brown is, perhaps, one of the most established influences in smooth jazz. A producer who has contributed a lot of the cookie-cutter programming for such artists as Boney James, Carlton, and Kirk Whalum, he is also an accomplished guitarist, playing electric guitar on this date. French-born Antoine, who performs on nylon-string guitar here, has performed for such diverse acts as Celine Dion, Sting, Rod Stewart, Queen Latifah, and Benson. He has also composed and performed for several movie soundtracks, including Get Shorty (1995), Demolition Man (1993), and The Fan (1996).
”Flight of the Conchords” has a mild samba flavor. With Brown doubling on percussion and Antoine on drums, this song is part peaceful flight and part relaxing with a drink. Roberto Vally complements on bass and Phillip Saisse has keyboard duty. Antoine leads to start things off, with an uncredited flute enhancing the flavor. After a brief solo by Saisse and another by Antoine, Brown comes forth before trading lines with Antoine to set up the song's ending.
The title song is moderately paced, with Brown and Antoine, who also adds bass duty, harmonizing on the melody. With Saisse again on keys, the leaders are supplemented by the three-piece horn section of Jerry Hey, Bill Reichenbach, and Dan Higgins. The drums and percussion are a bit underwhelming, but the leads and soft horns more than make up for that. Trumpet, trombone, and sax are in perfect sync, while the guitars complement each other well.
”Brother Earl” is a tribute to Klugh. Percussionist Lenny Castro joins Vally, Saisse, and the horn section on this all-too-short piece. Brown leads and Antoine answers on the melody. On the second pass, Brown adds a little spice while the horns lay down a not-so-subtle underscore. Vally's bass adds a little funk to this otherwise chill-out song, with Brown establishing a Carlton-esque groove during his middle solo.
Throughout most of Foreign Exchange, Brown and Antoine are accompanied by a variable lineup of bassists and keyboardists in addition to the horn section and it works out. While safely within the confines of the smooth jazz format, the songs aren't weighed down by catchy phrasing or handicapped by bland programming.
Track Listing: Feel the Love; Wine Night; Flight of the Conchords; Foreign Exchange; Brother Earl; On the Down Low; French Connection; What About Bob; Sweetness; Bridges of Paris.
Eagle Vision, released the legendary king of the blues, B.B. King, Live At Montreux 1993, on Blu-Ray disc and DVD on June 2.
The 17-song 99-minute set features the then 68-year old Mississippi Blues Boy in rare form, feeding off the palpable crowd love, singing his heart out and bending those notes on ol’ Lucille, making her cry and moan. With his smokin’-hot bigband behind him punctuating every wiggle of his ample torso with staccato horn blasts, B.B. spans the gamut of blues from jump-blues and barrelhouse boogie to the kind of dramatic balladry that wrings out every last teardrop of emotion.
A special Blu-Ray exclusive features three tracks from King’s triumphant 2006 Montreux appearance: “Why I Sing The Blues,” “When Love Comes To Town” and “Guess Who.” Live at Montreux 1993 [Blu-ray]
B.B. King has, since 1949, recorded some of the greatest blues ever put to wax. With over 50 albums to his credit, he’s come from busking on the streets to being one of the most internationally beloved names in all of entertainment. He hitchhiked to Memphis as a teenager where he was tutored by his cousin, blues legend Bukka White. After Sonny Boy Williamson gave him his start on the radio, B.B. toured the south, naming his guitar Lucille after a woman who was the cause of a fight and an arson in Twist, Arkansas (where B.B. went running into the burning building to save his beloved guitar).
His first #1 hit was the “Three O’Clock Blues” and he toured to support it by playing 342 one-night stands in 1956! He has since honed his guitar style to incorporate elements of Blind Lemon Jefferson and T-Bone Walker, and has influenced every generation of axmen since including Clapton, Beck, Page, Perry and more.
B.B. King has performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival a record 19 times and is scheduled there again this summer.
Track Listing 1) Fanfare 2) Six Pack 3) Two I Shoot Blues 4) BB King intro 5) Let The Good Times Role 6) When It All Comes Down (I’ll Still Be Around) 7) Chains of Love 8) Caldonia 9) All Over Again 10) Since I Met You Baby 11) Playing With My Friends 12) Ain’t Nobody Home 13) Why I Sing The Blues 14) Blues Man 15) Rock Me Baby 16) Please Accept My Love 17) The Thrill Is Gone
Akiko Tsuruga - Oriental Express (18V ) AlasNoAxis / Jim Black - Houseplant (Winter & Winter ) Allan Browne / Margie Lou Dyer - Allfrey Street (Newmarket Music ) Ambrose - 1929-1930: The Hottest Of The Decca M Series (Retieval ) Ambrose & His Orchestra - 1929-1930: The Hottest Of The Decca M Series (Challenge ) Andy Milne - Where Is Pannonica? (Songlines Recordings ) - SACD Art Lillard - It's Time (Summit ) Arthur Kell - Victoria - Live in Germany (Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records) Babatunde Olatunjii - Drums Of Passion (Sony Legacy ) Ben Webster - 100 Years (Storyville ) Ben Webster - The Brute and the Beautiful (Storyville ) Benny Bailey - Mirrors (Rearward ) Benoit Delbecq / Andy Milne - Where Is Pannonica? (Songlines ) Bill Banfield - Spring Forward (Innova ) Billie Holiday - Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You (Phantom ) Boris Vian - Hommage : Chanson Humour Jazz & Poesie (Phantom ) Cab Calloway - Hi-De-Ho Man: 1930-1933 (Rev-Ola ) Charlie Byrd / Herb Ellis - Guitar / Guitar (Wounded Bird ) Count Basie - Basie Land (Verve ) Crusaders - Images (GRP ) Curtis Haywood - Curtis Haywood (Megawave ) Daniel Kelly - Emerge (Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records) Dorothy Ashby - Hip Harp (Diverse ) Eddi Harris / Ellis Marsalis - Homecoming (Elm ) Eddie Erickson - I'm Old Fashioned (Arbors ) Eddie Harris - Homecoming (Elm ) Esquivel - Infinity In Sound 1 & 2 (Wounded Bird ) Fernando Benadon - Intuitivo (Innova ) Frank Chacksfield - Love Themes From Great Operas / My Gypsy Love (Dutton Vocalion Uk ) Freddie Hubbard - High Energy (Wounded Bird ) Future Jazz - Future Jazz (Wagram Music S.A. ) Gary Burton - Turn Of The Century (Wounded Bird ) Gary Peacock - Voices (Sony Japan ) Gato Barbieri - Chapter Three Viva Emiliano Zapata (GRP ) Gerry Mulligan - Blues In Time (Universal Music Group ) Gianni Basso - Quartetto Gianni Basso (Rearward ) Greta Matassa - I Wanna Be Loved (Res ) Groovematist - Grooveology (Megawave ) Grover J Washington - Secret Place (Universal Music Group ) Guilherme Monteiro - Air (Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records) Herb Ellis - Midnight Roll (Wounded Bird ) Irvin Mayfield / New Orleans Jazz Orchestra - Book One (World Village ) Jacques Pelzer Quartet - Jacques Pelzer Quartet Featuring Dino Piana (Rearward ) Jazz For A Rainy Day - Jazz For A Rainy Day (Phantom ) Jerry Granelli / V16 - Vancouver '08 (Songlines ) Jim Black's Alas No Axis - Houseplant (Winter & Winter ) Jim Ketch - Next Set (Summit ) Joe Farrell - Catedral Y El Toro (Wounded Bird ) Joe Farrell - Night Dancing (Wounded Bird ) John Allred - Abc's Of Jazz (Arbors ) Kenny Clarke & Francy Boland Big Band - Jazz Is Universal (Rearward ) Kenny Clarke & Francy Boland Big Band - Handle With Care (Rearward ) Kimiko Kasai - Satin Doll (Sony Japan ) Louis Armstrong - Great Reunion (Classic ) Louis Armstrong - Recorded Together For The First Time (Classic ) Louis Hayes - Tone Keeper (18th & Vine ) Lynda Carter - At Last (Potomac Productions ) Mark Lambert - Under My Skin (Challenge ) Max Roach - Quiet As It's Kept (Universal Music Group ) Mel Holder - Music Book Vol. 1 (Psalmist Music Group ) Michael Farley - Grain (Innova ) Modern Jazz Quartet - Art Of The Modern Jazz Quartet (Wounded Bird ) N. Glenn Davis Quintet - Come Right In (JMD ) Oscar Peterson - Plays The Jerome Kern Songbook (Universal Music Group ) Oster-Welker Jazz Alliance - Shining Hour (JMD ) Paul Desmond Quartet / Mulligan, Gerry - Blues In Time (Verve ) Ploctones - 050 (Challenge ) Quincy Jones - Explores The Music Of Henry Mancini (Universal Music Group ) Randy Scott - Breathe (Megawave Records) Randy Weston - African Cookbook (Collectables) Ray Gaskins - Night In The Life (Phantom ) Rick Germanson - Off The Cuff (OWL Studios ) Roy Ayers - Virgo Red (Phantom ) Ruby Braff - Ruby Braff Goes Girl Crazy (Wounded Bird ) Sadao Watanabe - Sadao Watanabe (Sony Japan ) Sergio Mendes - Mais Que Nadabest (Phantom ) Shelean Newman - Anything Goes (Hi Five ) Slowdown - Retrospectives (Nu Groove ) Spunk - Kantarell (Rune Grammofon ) Stade - Freewheel (Sub Rosa ) Steve Lehman Octet - Travail, Transformation & Flow (PI ) Sun Ra - Live In Paris At The Gibus (Universe ) Teddy Wilson - Jumpin' For Joy (Membran ) Terumasa Hino - Trans Blue (Sony Japan ) Tuck & Patti - Dream (Valley Entertainment ) Una Mas Trio - Ritmo Del Futura (Phantom ) Vanessa Daou - Dear John Coltrane (Oxygen Music Works ) Weekend Nu-Jazz - Weekend Nu-Jazz Vol. 3-Weekend Nu-Jazz (Phantom ) Wes Montgomery - Down Here On The Ground (Pid ) Wirtz - Prologue (Challenge ) WMU Advanced Jazz Combo - Rhythm Spirit (Sea Breeze ) Yoshio Suzuki - Friends (Sony Japan )
Reissues Ella Fitzgerald - Ella Fitzgerald (Masters Of) Kimiko Kasai - What's New (Sony) Lester Young - Lester Young (Centurion) Sadao Watanabe - Paysages (Sony)
Recorded at Pizza Express Jazz Club. Featuring Nick Colionne (Guitar), Brian Simpson (Keyboards), Tony Mason (Drums) & Frank Felix (Bass). For details of upcoming gigs at Pizza Express visit Sky.fm Events
A mix of sometimes swinging, sometimes sensitive (sometimes both at once) in-the-moment, heart-felt interpretations of beautiful and/or hip standards plus some more esoteric gems in or not in the jazz repertoire: you'll have to see for yourself. You can order Songs Spun of Gold at CD Baby
Originally from Manhattan, Elli Fordyce is a highly accomplished vocalist and actor. She has performed all over the New York Metro area, other US and North American cities and nearby islands, including an appearance at the New York Cabaret Convention and in festivals. Elli also has numerous acting credits, among them: Film -- September 12th, TV -- Cappelle's Show, and Off-Off-Broadway Theatre -- Guys & Dolls.
Prior to returning to New York in 1979, Elli left her musical journey several times. The first to devote time to family; unexpectedly, the next followed a devastating accident on a snowy highway en route to a gig when the car carrying her quartet and equipment crashed into a disabled truck in 1976. A successful year-long tour of "Elli Fordyce And Her Favorite Things" ended abruptly and left several kinds of scars. Soon after, Elli stopped singing for 15 years ("Not even ‘Happy Birthday,’ not even in the shower," she'll say) and focused firmly on much needed physical, emotional and spiritual healing.
But for Elli, music was not over. A ginger-colored Yorkie puppy named Dindi (pronounced Gingy, meaning "little jewel" in Portuguese as well as the title of Elli's favorite Jobim bossa nova) brought her back. She discovered that Dindi loved hearing Elli sing the song. Inspiration renewed, Elli joined a cabaret workshop taught by the brilliant MAC-Award-winning singer/songwriter Lina Koutrakos and, soon after, came under the spell of Barry Harris, renowned jazz pianist and educator, to whom she gives much of the credit for putting her squarely back on the path meant for her, making comeback inevitable.
And she back she IS! Her first CD, "Something STILL Cool" (after an 8-year birthing period), was an overnight sensation, getting rave reviews. "Whatever the term means ... you know it when you hear it. And Elli Fordyce is cool! ... as implied in the title, once cool, always cool, vintage cool ... Ms. Fordyce has the spirit and voice of one of the blessed, the spirit and stamina of eternal song." (Bob Gish, Jazz Improv-New York); "Fordyce's voice is lovely with strong command, a natural rhythmic touch and just a touch of a rough edge ... scatting with aplomb, she also shows a knack for the south-of-the-border sound .... a true showcase for a singer whom one wishes would have never had to give up singing for so long ... better late than never ... heartfelt version of "Something Cool" ... doesn't sing by rote, and her vocal ideas are full of imagination and personality, but neither does she detract from the beauty of the melody ... it is clear that Elli Fordyce knows ... the real meaning of 'cool.'" (Brad Walseth, www.jazzchicago.net) "I am enjoying your music so much! Your CD was a great surprise for me. I always [love] discovering great talent for our audience ... very lucky to have your new tracks for their enjoyment at radioIO." (drmike, www.radioIO.com). A wonderful review by Rob Lester may also be read at http://www.talkinbroadway.com/sound/march2708.html and Rob also named the CD one of his Top-Ten-Vocal picks for 2008. The CD has been nominated as well for a MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs) Award, the winner of which will be announced on May 18th at BB King’s in MAC's Award Ceremony.
With the release of "Songs Spun Of Gold," many of Elli's dreams since she was 3 years old are unfolding and she’s frequently heard to say, "It's never too late!"
"In the light, she dances to silent music. Songs that are spun of gold somehow in her own little head." Those lyrics by Gene Lees on the bridge of "Waltz for Debby" are the inspiration for the title of this CD, and for it's title tune by the genius Bill Evans.
Grammy nominated and critically-acclaimed vocalist Kurt Elling will release Dedicated to You: Kurt Elling Sings the Music of Coltrane and Hartman, his eighth overall album and second release on Concord Jazz. The live collection was recorded in January 2009 in Manhattan as part of Lincoln Center's American Songbook series. The 12-track release features an all-star cast of musicians including saxophonist Ernie Watts, the Laurence Hobgood Trio and the string quartet, ETHEL.
Throughout his eclectic career, Kurt Elling has roved freely across vocalese, transformed instrumental music, tunes from the Great American Songbook, poetry, theatre, dance and more. His new project began in his home town "as an idea suggested by my friends at the Chicago Jazz Festival," recalls Elling. "They gave me a call and asked me essentially to reiterate the John Coltrane/Johnny Hartman material for a bill they were planning. I'm always happy to have an idea like that. But it didn't interest me quite as much to simply reiterate the material. So I asked if I could do it my own way."
As the program morphed through various phases, one aspect was consistent - Elling's desire to place the music in the setting of a string quartet, first with acoustic bass, and later with a complete jazz trio led by Laurence Hobgood, his long-time musical companion, pianist, who also provided most of the arrangements. Kurt recruited Ernie Watts on saxophone and ETHEL, and the group began touring with the project. The response to the program was wonderful and Kurt decided to record the set live in New York at the Allen Room in Lincoln Center.
Dedicated to You: Kurt Elling Sings the Music of Coltrane and Hartman is a stunning spectrum of music, both vocal and instrumental. The album opens with an introductory interpretation of the American Songbook classic, "All or Nothing At All," in which the interconnectedness between Elling's vocal and Watt's tenor saxophone calls up immediate references to the Coltrane/Hartman source. The transformative interpretations of songs such as "Autumn Serenade," "Nancy With the Laughing Face" and "You Are Too Beautiful" are definitive examples of how to remain true to the inner essence of a song.
"When you hear any of those great masters - like Coltrane - and realize the incredible gift from God that is given to those people, you can't overstate their importance to the jazz world, to the world in general. And we were very much aware of that fact as we put all this together," remarked Elling.
Since Elling has been touring with Dedicated To You, the project has received critical praise. The Chicago Tribune called it "...some of the best ballad singing being performed today." The New York Times said, "Mr. Elling has proved his finesse as a Hartman-like melodist...accessing both Coltrane and Hartman, he sounded like no one but himself." Throughout his career Elling has earned eight Grammy nominations, top spot placement in the Down Beat Critics' and Jazz
Times Readers' polls, four Jazz Journalists Association wins for Best Male Vocalist and the Prix Billie Holiday from the Academe du Jazz in Paris.
