Smooth Jazz Chart
This chart from smoothjazz.com generally updates every Monday.
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Monday, April 28, 2025
Friday, April 25, 2025
Saxophonist Joshua Redman Releases “Words Fall Short” on June 20 #jazz #music
Joshua Redman has announced the June 20 release of his second Blue Note album, Words Fall Short, a collection of original compositions that serves as the introduction of his new quartet featuring pianist Paul Cornish, bassist Philip Norris, and drummer Nazir Ebo, which was formed as a working band for the world tour behind the saxophonist’s 2023 label debut where are we. As the quartet performed steadily on the road, Redman felt a vibe developing and was inspired to bring them into the studio to record a set of music he had composed during the pandemic that embraced the shifting moods of wistfulness, sadness, and resolve, including the stunning opening track “A Message To Unsend.” The album also features special guest appearances by vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa, saxophonist Melissa Aldana, and trumpeter Skylar Tang.
Redman acknowledges that the album title could be viewed ironically—his previous project was his first to feature a vocalist (Cavassa)—yet Words Fall Short is anything but a comment on the saxophonist’s last triumph. More accurately, his latest offering is an organic next step, a collection of previously unheard originals brought to life by inspiring new collaborators. “It’s impossible for me to will a project into being,” he says of the wide-ranging adventures he has embarked upon in what is now his fourth decade as a recording artist. “This album came out of a working environment that inspired me to dig into compositions that hadn’t found a home yet.”
In building a new rhythm section, Redman found himself drawn to younger players he had recently encountered. Norris and Ebo came aboard first, and Redman quickly knew he had made the right moves. “Not since Christian McBride can I recall experiencing an acoustic jazz bassist who seemingly has it all together at such a young age,” he says of Norris, “and Nazir has groove in spades, a groove that is super-flexible, in the flow of the moment, and with an innate sense of architecture that always serves the song.” By the summer of 2023, Cornish had completed the quartet’s transformation. “Paul is the perfect balance of empath and contrarian, challenging everyone to break away from established patterns, while still always making the music feel good and natural in the moment.”
Cornish, Norris, and Ebo impress on each of the album’s eight tracks. While they have moments to emerge and take the spotlight, they also provide a distinctive ensemble personality, one in which spontaneity and sensitivity keep the music fluid yet coherent. They are a rhythm section with character, one in sync with the priorities of their leader. “My approach to bandleading is unchanged,” Redman says. “Play with the best musicians I can find, virtuosos who have mastered all the different jazz vocabularies, but who are also great listeners and collaborators — who know how to express their individual brilliance through group improvisation and collective interaction.”
Redman will be celebrating the album release with shows at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City from June 20-22, with additional tour dates across the U.S. and Europe this summer. Visit joshuaredman.com for more information.
Follow Joshua Redman:
Website • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram
Blue Note Records
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New Single From Saxophonist Nelson Rangell “Giants” #jazz #music
Saxophonist Nelson Rangell Releases New Single “Giants”
Nelson: “I grew up musically during the 70’s and 80’s. It was a wonderful time for young aspiring jazz musicians and one of the richest creative periods in contemporary and contemporary pop jazz. So many of my heroes from that time have become the most iconic and enduring figures in contemporary and smooth jazz today. My heroes from when I was growing up remain so, even stronger today. They were Giants.”
Written by Nelson Rangell and Ken Miller
Produced by Nelson Rangell and Alex Nekrasov
Nelson Rangell – Alto Saxophone
Alex Nekrasov – Keyboards and Drum programming
Brian Monroney – Guitar
Mixed and Mastered by Alex Nekrasov
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Wednesday, April 23, 2025
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Tuesday, April 22, 2025
R&B/jazz vocalist Kimberly Brewer honors Quincy Jones on "If I Ever Lose This Heaven" #jazz #R&B #music
A heavenly tribute befitting a legend: R&B/jazz vocalist Kimberly Brewer honors Quincy Jones on “If I Ever Lose This Heaven”
The single produced by two-time GRAMMY® nominee Chris “Big Dog” Davis features Billboard chart-topping flutist Ragan Whiteside.
Late last fall, R&B/jazz vocalist Kimberly Brewer was presented a track from her longtime collaborator, jazz-funk bassist Byron Miller, that was created by two-time GRAMMY® nominated producer Chris “Big Dog” Davis reimagining Quincy Jones’ romantic classic “If I Ever Lose This Heaven.” Shortly after, Jones passed away and Brewer felt compelled to record her version of the song to pay tribute to the legendary producer-composer-arranger. The inspired Kimberlily Records single presently garnering radio spins and playlist adds features Billboard hitmaker Ragan Whiteside on flute.
Like Jones’s own milestone catalogue, Brewer’s music is an alchemistic blend of R&B, jazz, soul, and pop. Davis knows her style well from previous collaborations thus the track that he crafted for Brewer’s interpretation of “If I Ever Lose This Heaven” is an intricately layered and cleverly arranged amorous overture constructed of jazzy horns, funky beats, and a rhythmically gyrating groove. Brewer’s dreamy lead and backing vocals mesh divinely with Whiteside’s impassioned flute to make the new single a celestial homage to the late music master who recorded the song for his 1974 “Body Heat” album.
"I was a child when Q's (Jones) version came out but always recognized the emotions behind this love song and how beautifully it was written. Chris (Davis) sent me the track and I loved his arrangement and the impeccable background vocals of Devin Tiana. It was an honor to sing my version of ‘If I Ever Lose This Heaven’ to honor Q. My only regret is that he never got to hear it,” said Brewer who met Jones at a recording studio years ago.
It was Davis’s idea to replicate Jones’s original opening that features a flute. So, he invited Whiteside to contribute, knowing the magic that she would bring to the recording. Whiteside was eager to oblige. Combining her skillfully expressive flute voice with Brewer’s angelic vocal caress formed a sensual and soothing sonic swoon, a warm aural embrace of sweet melody and lush harmony.
The influential soul music site Soul Tracks celebrated Brewer’s new single, showcasing it in their First Listen feature. They wrote “Lo and behold, we have a slick cover of ‘If I Ever Lose This Heaven’ from Stevie Wonder backing vocalist Kimberly Brewer…Now a new generation of smooth jazz listeners will embrace the cool, vivacious sounds of this enduring gem coming from the hands and lips of Kimberly Brewer…Having Brewer embrace this Quincy Jones masterpiece is the moment that today’s jazz and adult R&B lovers have long waited for.”
Despite the lofty precedence set by Jones and company, Brewer and Davis weren’t the least bit intimidated about revamping a “masterpiece.” The song written by Leon Ware and Pamela Sawyer was brought to life by a chorus of singers on the original including Ware, Minnie Ripperton, and Al Jarreau. Perhaps Brewer’s comfort level came from having met Ware.
“I met Leon Ware at a concert after being introduced by Lynne Fiddmont. We had a great conversation about music. He invited me to his studio where he played some music for me that he was working on. It was amazing,” recalled Brewer about the late singer-songwriter who penned hits for Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, The Isely Brothers, and Maxwell.
Brewer frequently keeps the company of legends and icons. She toursed extensively and recorded with Wonder, appearing on his soundtrack album for Spike Lee’s “Jungle Fever” among other projects. She’s also recorded with Elton John, Teena Marie, Rick James, k.d. lang, Vanessa Williams, Regina Belle, Will Downing, and Boney James, and has toured with Marie, Earth, Wind & Fire and Julio Iglesias. As a solo artist, Brewer issued a handful of singles and a 2020 EP titled “Just That Sweet To Me.” The EP includes guest appearances by Wonder, JOE, Walter Beasley, and her “bestie since college,” Maysa Leak. Brewer plans to release a new EP executive produced by Miller this summer. “Tasting Sunshine” will feature collaborations with 8-time GRAMMY® winner Mark Kibble of Take 6 and 9-time GRAMMY® nominated saxophonist Gerald Albright.
For more information, please visit https://kimberlybrewer.com.
Monday, April 21, 2025
Omnivore Recordings Announces Reissue of Vince Guaraldi’s 'Oh, Good Grief!' out on May 30 #jazz #music
 Omnivore Recordings Announces Reissue of |
Omnivore Recordings has announced Vince Guaraldi’s Oh, Good Grief! will be getting a reissued released on CD and yellow vinyl on May 30.
Many people got to know Vince Guaraldi through his 1963 Grammy®-winning song, “Cast Your Fate To The Wind,” or via Sounds Orchestral’s Top-10 cover of it two years later. Lee Mendelson heard Guaraldi’s version when working on a Peanuts documentary, and contacted Guaraldi asking him to score it. Although the documentary never aired, that’s when Guaraldi composed “Linus and Lucy” and all the other songs included on his 1964 album, Jazz Impressions of A Boy Named Charlie Brown. A year later in 1965, Mendelson once again tapped Guaraldi to score the upcoming Peanuts Christmas special.
It was a match made in television and musical history. With songs like “Linus And Lucy,” the special was a hit and for over five decades, not a holiday season went by without a network airing of the television classic. So potent and successful was the Peanuts/Guaraldi combination that Guaraldi went on to score a total of 15 Peanuts television specials and the first feature film.
In 1968, Vince made a label switch from his long-time home, Fantasy Records, to his new label, Warner Bros. Records. For his inaugural album, he decided to re-interpret his Peanuts classics on Oh, Good Grief! In addition to the instantly recognizable Guaraldi sound of piano, bass, and drums, this time he added electric guitar and electric harpsichord to the mix. The record was a smash hit.
Omnivore Recordings is proud to once again present the album the way the world first heard it—as stated on the original album’s back cover, “on shiny black vinyl.” Well, actually, this special pressing is “on shiny yellow vinyl!” Mastered by multi-Grammy winner Michael Graves, this timeless album has never sounded better. In addition to this special vinyl pressing, we now have this classic album available on CD for all shiny disc lovers.
Join Charlie Brown and his friends on this classic release, once again on vinyl—Oh, Good Grief!
Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/qSNHkGznSIQ
Pre-order: www.omnivorerecordings.com/shop/oh-good-grief
Oh, Good Grief! Tracklist: SIDE ONE: 1. Linus And Lucy 2. You’re In Love, Charlie Brown 3. Peppermint Patty 4. Great Pumpkin Waltz
SIDE TWO: 1. It’s Your Dog, Charlie Brown 2. Oh, Good Grief! 3. Red Baron 4. Rain, Rain Go Away |
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