The Manhattan Transfer announce brand-new album Fifty. #jazz

The Manhattan Transfer announce brand-new album Fifty.

Collectively ten-time GRAMMY® Award-winning vocal group The Manhattan Transfer celebrates its 50th anniversary with a new studio album, aptly titled Fifty, which is set for release on September 23 digitally and October 21 on CD, via Craft Recordings. The group have announced they will embark on their final worldwide tour with the new album, available for pre-order today. The 10-track set finds the best-selling act partnering with Germany’s renowned WDR Funkhausorchester Köln (WDR Radio Orchestra Cologne), plus symphony arrangers including GRAMMY® Award winners Jorge Callandreli and Vince Mendoza, as well as vocal arrangers including Amanda Taylor of säje, to revisit their biggest hits from throughout the decades, including new arrangements of “Chanson D’Amour,” “Twilight Zone / Twilight Tone” and “The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul.” Fifty also features two timeless classics: George and Ira Gershwin’s “The Man I Love” (recorded for the first time by the group) and The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows,” which is available to stream now. Rounding out the album are brand-new liner notes from co-founder Alan Paul, who reflects on The Manhattan Transfer’s enduring career and matchless accomplishments.

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JOHN LEGEND ANNOUNCES HIGHLY ANTICIPATED 8TH STUDIO ALBUM, LEGEND OUT SEPTEMBER 9TH VIA REPUBLIC RECORDS

JOHN LEGEND ANNOUNCES HIGHLY ANTICIPATED  8TH STUDIO ALBUM, LEGEND OUT SEPTEMBER 9TH VIA REPUBLIC RECORDS  STREAM THE THIRD SINGLE OFF THE LP, “ALL SHE WANNA DO” FEATURING SAWEETIE HERE DOUBLE ALBUM TO FEATURE RICK ROSS, MUNI LONG, JAZMINE SULLIVAN, JADA KINGDOM, RAPSODY, LEDISI, JHENE AIKO, TY DOLLA $IGN AND MORE Legend Kicks off the Second Leg of his Critically Acclaimed Las Vegas Residency, “Love In Las Vegas” Today     Today, Multiplatinum, 12-time Grammy Award-winner John Legend announced his highly anticipated eighth studio album, LEGEND, out September 9th via Republic Records.  Executive produced by Legend and prolific producer-writer Ryan Tedder (Beyoncé, Adele, et al), the forthcoming project is a vibrant double album suffused with an unapologetic spirit of sensuality and joy, informed by the full vulnerability of pain, praise and healing.  LEGEND is available to pre-order HERE. The full track list for LEGEND is below.   LEGEND marks the first time the musician has officially embraced the iconic meaning of his name throughout his illustrious career. “Until this point, I’ve never used an aspect of my name as the title of an album,” Legend explains. “I had to earn that, to live up to it by delivering in the performance and the music. And this is me saying, I’m proud of who I am, I’m confident in the work I’ve done, and I’m just going to declare it.”    In conjunction with the announcement, Legend released the latest single from the project titled “All She Wanna Do” featuring Grammy Award-nominated rapper Saweetie. Immediately addictive and utterly uplifting, the track was co-written and produced by Ryan Tedder, Monsters and Strangerz, Zach Sketon, Andrew DeRoberts, and Halatrax. Stream “All She Wanna Do” HERE.  Watch Legend describe the meaning "Behind the Song"  HERE.   Legend previously shared the first two singles from the album including “Honey,” “a sultry, jazz-inspired” R&B track featuring Muni Long (Billboard), and “Dope,” a “summery, feel-good track” featuring rapper JID (Rolling Stone).    In addition, today Legend kicked off the second leg of his critically acclaimed residency, “Love in Las Vegas.” The residency will run from August 5th - October 20th and October 14th - October 29th.  Billboard previously raved about the show, saying “…Legend held the full house in his hands as they danced, screamed and aah-ed their way through a generous set encompassing the multiple Grammy winner’s eight-album catalog of hits and fan faves.” Tickets are available HERE.    LEGEND Track List:   ACT I 1 Rounds ft. Rick Ross 2 Waterslide 3 Dope ft JID 4 Strawberry Blush 5 Guy Like Me 6 All She Wanna Do 7 Splash ft Jhene Aiko, Ty Dolla $ign 8 You 9 Fate ft Amber Mark 10 Love ft Jazmine Sullivan 11 One Last Dance 12 All She Wanna Do ft. Saweetie ACT 2 1 Memories 2 Nervous 3 Wonder Woman 4 Honey ft. Muni Long 5 I Want You to Know 6 Speak in Tongues ft Jada Kingdom 7 The Other Ones ft Rapsody 8 Stardust 9 Pieces 10 Good ft Ledisi 11 I Don't Love U Like I Used To 12 Home   About John Legend  Multiplatinum artist John Legend has garnered twelve Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Tony Award, and an Emmy Award, making Legend the first African American man to earn an EGOT.  Legend has released seven celebrated albums over the course of his career, including, Get Lifted (2004), Once Again (2006), Evolver (2008), Love in the Future (2013), Darkness and Light (2016), A Legendary Christmas Deluxe (2019), and most recently, Bigger Love (2020).  He will release his highly anticipated 8th studio album, LEGEND on September 9th.   Recently, Legend launched his critically acclaimed Las Vegas Residency entitled, “Love In Las Vegas” which began on April 22, 2022, at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.  Legend starred in NBC's "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert" in 2018, winning an Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special and was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor (Limited Series). Legend joined the Emmy-nominated show, The Voice, for Season 16 (2019) and most recently wrapped Season 21 as a coach. John is also a partner in Get Lifted Film Co., serving as an Executive Producer for Giving Voice, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, Atlanta’s Missing And Murdered: The Lost Children, Sherman’s Showcase, And Sherman’s Showcase: Black History Month Spectacular, Rhythm + Flow And La La Land.  As a philanthropist, Legend initiated the #FREEAMERICA campaign in 2015 and most recently, founded the initiative, HUMANLEVEL, which is igniting systematic change and building racial equity across American cities and communities. ### Connect with John Legend: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music # # # About Republic Records A division of Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company, Republic Records is home to an all-star roster of multi-platinum, award-winning legends and superstar artists such as Ariana Grande, Bastille, Billy Porter, Bo Burnham, Clairo, Conan Gray, Daddy Yankee, Drake, Eddie Vedder, G Herbo, Glass Animals, Florence + the Machine, Greta Van Fleet, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack Johnson, James Blake, James Bay, Jessie J, Jimmy Fallon, John Legend, John Mellencamp, Jonas Brothers, Julia Michaels, Kid Cudi, Kim Petras, Lil Wayne, Lorde, Metro Boomin, NAV, Nicki Minaj, Of Monsters and Men, Pearl Jam, Post Malone, Seth MacFarlane, Stevie Wonder, Swedish House Mafia, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, Twice, Victor Victor and more. Founded by brothers and chief executives Monte and Avery Lipman, it is also comprised of innovative business ventures, including American Recordings, Boominati Worldwide, Brushfire, Casablanca Records, Cash Money, HYBE, Imperial, JYP, Lava Records, Universal Arabic Music, Victor Victor, XO, Young Money, among others. In addition, Republic has expanded to release high-profile soundtracks for Universal Pictures (Sing and Sing 2), Sony Pictures (Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse), and NBC TV (The Voice), as well as other notable film and television franchises. Extending further into the worlds of film, television, and content, Republic launched Federal Films in order to produce movies and series powered by the label's catalog and artists. With projects that align with Republic’s artists and brand, Federal Films is building a diverse slate that will bring compelling stories to audiences around the world. Initial documentary releases include Jonas Brothers’ Chasing Happiness,  Ariana Grande: Excuse Me, I Love You and The Velvet Underground. Upcoming theatrical films include They Cloned Tyrone, The Hating Game and Marlowe.

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Drummer Pat Petrillo's 'Power Station Sessions,' due Oct. 7, features special guest Nile Rodgers

POWERHOUSE DRUMMER PAT PETRILLO LEADS HIS BIG RHYTHM BAND THROUGH A WIDE RANGE OF AMERICANA GROOVES ON THEIR NEW ALBUM The Power Station Sessions, due out October 7 on Autumn Hill Records, invites special guests Nile Rodgers, John Popper, Oz Noy, Glen Burtnik and more to the iconic NYC studio World-renowned drummer Pat Petrillo showcases the vast spectrum of contemporary groove music on the second album by his explosive Big Rhythm Band. Due out October 7, 2022 via Autumn Hill Records, Petrillo’s jubilant The Power Station Sessions runs the gamut from New Orleans R&B, to blues, and funk– though this Jersey boy inevitably lends a distinctive East Coast swagger to the whole affair.   Pat Petrillo has long been recognized as one of the most versatile and prolific drummers on the scene. He has worked with a wide array of artists from diverse genres, including Patti LaBelle, Gloria Gaynor, Chieli Minucci, and Ed Hamilton as well as numerous Broadway shows, from A Chorus Line, to Newsies, to the national tour of Dreamgirls.   As keeper of the groove, Pat draws on the full range of those experiences on the eclectic but always propulsive The Power Station Sessions. His visceral, instinctive, and deep-rooted style of drumming is infectious on this outing. It also features an all-star collection of guest artists who bring their own unique authenticity to the proceedings: guitarists Nile Rodgers (Chic), Felicia Collins (Late Show with David Letterman) and Oz Noy (Chris Botti, Mike Stern); Blues Traveler frontman John Popper; saxophonist and Saturday Night Live bandleader Lenny Pickett; and famed singer-songwriter Glen Burtnik (Styx). The band also features versatile keyboardist David Cook, bassist Scott Ambush (Spyro Gyra), trumpeter Steve Jankowski (who also did wind arrangements), Tom Timko on saxes, and Plinky Giglio with additional production, B3 Organ, and mixing.   “Although it’s a Contemporary Instrumental record, I would almost call this an Americana record,” says Petrillo. Although that term is usually associated with country and folk music traditions, the drummer has a more continent-spanning definition of the genre.   “The Power Station Sessions is a potpourri of truly American groove styles. These songs are built on rhythms from around the country, from New Orleans Mardi Gras to R&B, funk, blues, rock, and soul. I have a lot of influences, and they are reflected on each track. But it's also got a real distinctive New York/New Jersey edge. For drummers especially, it’s a real treat. It smacks you in face with flavor from the start. It sort of defies categories.”   The follow-up to the Big Rhythm Band’s widely acclaimed debut, The Abbey Road Sessions, Petrillo’s latest was captured in another iconic recording studio, the Power Station. Where its predecessor collected funky, horn-driven arrangements of classic Beatles songs, recorded in the famed Studio 2 at Abbey Road, The Power Station Sessions stays closer to home at the converted Hell’s Kitchen power plant synonymous with 1970s hitmakers.   Everyone from Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and Bon Jovi, to Madonna, Paul Simon, Steps Ahead, Chic, David Bowie and Lady Gaga (the list could go on) has recorded at the Power Station – including the supergroup that borrowed its name. While the space changed hands in the late ’90s and was rechristened as Avatar Studios, it recently reopened as the Power Station under the auspices of Berklee College of Music.   “Some of my favorite records over the years were cut there,” Petrillo says. “The studio has a lot to do with the vibe of a record. It’s the incubator of the sound. The wood that it’s built with, the flooring, the soaring ceilings, the sound absorption all come together to create the quality of that sound. The room is everything…and this studio has some serious mojo!”   Add to the mix veteran engineer Roy Hendrickson, who has his own history with the Power Station, and you have a session that bristles with vintage NYC attitude while sounding utterly contemporary. Witness the bravado shuffle of Petrillo’s arrangement on Billy Joel’s “Big Man on Mulberry Street,” boasting a groove so wide it would fill that Manhattan thoroughfare. He learned from longtime Billy Joel drummer Liberty DeVitto that the original song was laid down at the Power Station – and Hendrickson was an assistant on the session. “I loved Liberty’s playing on that record, and I just wanted to do it justice, and in the same room!”.   The album opens with Petrillo’s funky “48th Street,” the perfect vehicle for Chic mastermind and guitar wizard Nile Rodgers. It’s the debut single that is sure to light up the airwaves. “Between the music stores, record shops and the recording studios, 48th Street was where music lived,” the drummer explains. “It’s an homage to that old school 70’s New York City vibe that I wanted to recapture, and I had Nile Rodgers in mind from the minute I wrote this track.” Long time keyboard veteran Chris Fischer also helped arrange the track.   Oz Noy’s virtuoso guitar work weaves elegantly through a revamped, swing funk version of the iconic “Black Cow” by Steely Dan, while Petrillo also takes the spotlight with a one take drum solo on a great arrangement of Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Runnin’.” Stevie Wonder’s classic “Knocks Me Off My Feet” is given a gorgeous ballad treatment, graced by Tom Timko’s wistful soprano saxophone.   Petrillo’s other original compositions for the album reflect some of his greatest passions. The tense “Global Warming” confronts the accelerating climate crisis by way of reworked compositions by the drummer’s longtime collaborator, late Philadelphia keyboardist Dave Falciani. “Asbury Daze” takes it a bit easier, capturing the sun-drenched whirl of the Jersey Shore, with its powerful horn riffs reminiscent of The Asbury Jukes, with the help of Felicia Collins’ breezy, melodic fretwork and Jersey native John Popper’s thrilling harmonica solo. “I wanted to take the listeners down the shore, smell the boards, the sausage and peppers, and have fun,” he quipped.   “I have to include a Beatles song on any record that I do,” Petrillo insists. “I’m a huge Beatles aficionado and a Ringo fan since I was young.” The Big Rhythm Band’s pugilistic and rockin’ rendition of “It Won’t Be Long” features regular Petrillo collaborator Glen Burtnik on vocals, as well as Popper. The album ends where American music begins, in New Orleans with the Mardi Gras Indian chant “Hey, Pocky Way,” best known for The Meters’ immortal version (explicitly referenced during B.D. Lenz’s slide guitar solo).   At the root of it all is Pat Petrillo’s trademark groove, electrifying enough to light up the Power Station itself. In addition to being an in-demand live and session drummer, he’s also an esteemed educator who has created popular instructional videos for Hudson Music, and the Drumeo website. Petrillo endorses Ludwig Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Evans Drumheads, Vic Firth Drumsticks, and Earthworks Microphones.   The Power Station Sessions record release show is scheduled for Sunday, October 9th at 3:00 PM at The Cutting Room, 44 East 32nd St, New York, NY. Tickets are available at www.thecuttingroomnyc.com or call 212-691-1900.   The Power Station Sessions is available for pre-order here:  http://www.patpdrummer.com

Photo Credit: Carly Vena Pat Petrillo on the web: Official Site: https://patpdrummer.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pat.petrillo.9 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patpdrummer/

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Canelita Sabrosa growing community through music #jazz

The world music-jazz band’s debut album that emerged from the coronavirus shutdown and racial tension continues the multicultural group’s mission to unite.

 

Chris Nettuno has enjoyed success building a lot of things, but the community that the serial entrepreneur built by forming a multicultural band, Canelita Sabrosa, during 2020’s COVID-19 quarantine and civil unrest is the most enjoyable success he’s had during his decades-long career. A conga player, Nettuno kept an Atlanta-based collective of multiple Grammy winners and first-call musicians working – and receiving a paycheck - during the shutdown through a series of porch concerts. Two years later, Canelita Sabrosa’s recently released self-titled debut album is receiving airplay in multiple radio formats, garnering nearly 32,000 monthly listens on Spotify, and generating unanimously favorable record reviews.

 

Those outdoor concerts brought together a community of working musicians as well as people tired of being cooped up at home and starving for live entertainment. The group’s name, Canelita Sabrosa, tasty cinnamon in Spanish, reflects their diverse ethnic mix. They are a brotherhood of Black, brown, red and white-skinned musicians harmoniously playing together, united by beats, rhythms and melodies.   

 

Anchored by irresistible Latin rhythms that blend salsa, samba and bossa nova, Canelita Sabrosa plays an amalgam of funk and fusion, rock god guitar, improvisational jazz, and melodic pop. Much of the music on “Canelita Sabrosa” was part of those unifying jam sessions, including five originals written by several of the eight band members along with an eclectic selection of multigenerational remakes by The Beatles (“Come Together”), Bill Withers (“Use Me”), The Cure (“Lovesong”) and Camila Cabello (“Señorita” and “Havana”).   

 

While Canelita Sabrosa is still considered a new band, team members collectively have won eleven Grammys. The album is produced by five-time Grammy winner Dru Castro (India.Aire, Usher, Childish Gambino) along with the band’s two-time Grammy-winning guitarist Julio Miranda and drummer Chunky Sounds. Four-time Grammy winner Ralph Cacciurri (Coldplay, OutKast, P!nk) engineered the sessions.

 

Tracks from the album are receiving airplay at world music and jazz radio stations as Canelita Sabrosa’s Spotify listeners continue to multiply exponentially since the album dropped. While busy playing concerts in the Atlanta area, the band is plotting to return to the studio to start work on their sophomore outing.

 

One hundred percent, Canelita Sabrosa is a passion project – for Nettuno and for the full-time professional musicians in the band. The infectious joy of the spirited players comes through on the debut album to dance to, to party to, and, yes, to bring people together.

 

Below is a sampling of the album reviews:

 

“Canelita Sabrosa (tasty cinnamon) performs a pleasurable mix of smooth Latin Jazz and Cuban rhythms with engaging Santana-style Latin rock, funk grooves, pop and R&B elements. The band’s sound is characterized by a superb rhythm section, excellent electric guitar work.” – World Music Central 

 

“This exuberantly charged and vibrantly spirited new album opens on the free flowing majesties within the shimmering cover of Camila Cabello’s ‘Señorita’ and the sultry, sensually-imbibed Latin jazz guitar groove of ‘Te Espere’ before they bring forth the rhythmical sashays and shimmies of ‘Si Se Puede,’ the atmospheric ‘Morning,’ the captivatingly exotic ‘Breath of Rio,’ the intricate guitar work of Cabello’s mesmerizing ‘Havana,’ and then come both the anthemic ‘Vamos’ and the newly-veined hipsway of Bill Withers’ ‘Use Me.’” – Exclusive Magazine

 

“Here you’ll hear Santana-flavoured guitar, soulful sax solos, classic Latin Tito Puente vibes alongside hints of Ruben Blades and the more contemporary flavours of Camila Cabello…a varied, vibrant Latin fest that offers a measure of optimism after what we’ve all been through.” – Soul and Jazz and Funk

 

“Sounding kind of like Santana really indulging his fusion side…This set gets the good times rolling, Latin jazz style.” – Midwest Record

 

“The debut album of the group Canelita Sabrosa is refreshingly varied, innovative and entertaining.” – Smooth Jazz Daily

 

“Colorful and beautiful!” – Cultuurmania            

 

 

For more information, please visit https://canelitasabrosa.com.

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Lindsey Webster - "Reasons" - Release on Shanachie September 9, 2022 #jazz

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Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 100 - August 1, 2022 #jazz

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ROBERT GLASPER NEW SINGLE “ALL MASKS” FEAT. MASEGO OUT NOW #jazz

ROBERT GLASPER NEW SINGLE “ALL MASKS” FEAT. MASEGO OUT NOW; DELUXE VERSION OF BLACK RADIO III COMING THIS FALL

"ALL MASKS" LISTEN / DOWNLOAD NOW

Robert Glasper has left an indelible impression in music history and 2022 is already proving to be a highlight year in his career, looking forward today as the multi-Grammy and Emmy winning artist and producer teases “Robtober”. In addition to commemorating the 10 year anniversary of Glasper’s history-shaping album Black Radio, Glasper celebrates the critically lauded release of his 2022 album Black Radio III with the new track “All Masks” featuring Masego, out today and included in the deluxe album this fall!   "The song is simple and speaks to the fact that because of COVID smiles were taken away. The very simple thing of looking at someone and smiling or smirking was gone. Who knew that at some point in the world smiles could be taken away. That's how so many relationships were started because of a smile or smirk. A simple smile was a gift that would brighten someone's day and would change someone's day and those small little gestures were wiped away because we all had to wear masks. So I wrote that in the height of when people were wearing masks." – Robert   Socials: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

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'Drumology, Vol. II,' due out August 12 from Autumn Hill Records #jazz

DRUM VIRTUOSO ROB SILVERMAN GATHERS ANOTHER ROSTER OF MASTER DRUMMERS FOR THE FIRST OF TWO SEQUELS TO HIS ACCLAIMED DRUMOLOGY PROJECT Drumology, Volume II, due out Aug. 12 from Autumn Hill Records, features drum greats from jazz, fusion, prog and rock including Billy Cobham, Mike Mangini and Todd Sucherman, along with an all-star band including keyboardists Michael Silverman and Jay Oliver, guitarist Dweezil Zappa and bassist John Patitucci When Rob Silverman enlisted a who’s who of fellow drum masters for 2020’s critically acclaimed summit meeting Drumology, it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Fortunately, this lifetime has turned out to be big enough – and the community of virtuoso drum greats large and tightknit enough – that Silverman is back this year with not one but two sequels.   Due out August 12, 2022 via Autumn Hill Records, the exhilarating Drumology, Volume II not only features an astounding roster of drummers and other special guests, but it also expands its predecessor’s purview beyond the realm of jazz and fusion into progressive rock. Drumology, Volume III will follow later this year. As with the original album, all proceeds will benefit the Neil Peart Fund for brain cancer research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.   A notoriously competitive bunch, drummers from across the musical spectrum reached out to Silverman after the release of Drumology, each seeking to challenge their own formidable chops. “For volume one we had to chase drummers down,” Silverman recalls. “This time out, drummers were coming to me. Before we knew it we ended up with enough material for two albums.”   The line-up for Volume II rivals the jaw-dropping talents of the debut installment: drummers Billy Cobham (Mahavishnu Orchestra), Mike Mangini (Dream Theater), Todd Sucherman (Styx), Casey Grillo (Queensrÿche), Glen Sobel (Alice Cooper), John Spinelli (founder of Spinelli drums), renowned music technologist David Frangioni, and veteran studio drummer Kenny Aronoff, whose exhaustive resume ranges from John Mellencamp to Smashing Pumpkins to John Fogerty to Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi.   While the drum duels are clearly the main attraction here, they’re placed in the context of dazzling new compositions by Rob Silverman, his brother and collaborator Michael Silverman, and keyboardist/producer Jay Oliver (Eagles, Sheryl Crow). Pianist/keyboardist Michael Silverman and bassist Larry Kornfeld (Randy Brecker, Jeff Lorber) fill out the core band for the project, joined by special guests including Oliver, guitarists Dweezil Zappa and Michael Angelo Batio, saxophonist Eric Marienthal, bassists John Patitucci and John Myung, and violinist Jerry Goodman.   The songwriting on Volume II benefited from the brothers’ earlier experience, according to Michael. “We got much better at tailoring the music to the personalities of the various drummers. We wrote these songs to give the guest artists plenty of latitude to interject their own personalities by crafting the kinds of tempos, grooves and feels that the different drummers prefer.”   That tailoring is evident from the outset, as the soaring, anthemic “Victory” kicks the album off at full throttle. Pairing Silverman with Mike Mangini and his Dream Theater bandmate John Myung on bass, the tune revels in the odd time signatures and complex but propulsive rock sound associated with the modern prog-masters – and with everyone’s mutual influence, Rush.   The mesmerizing “Sea Spray” then veers into fusion territory with a very Mahavishnu-esque sound achieved by the drummer and violinist of the iconic John McLaughlin-led ensemble, Billy Cobham and Jerry Goodman. They’re joined by fellow fusion veteran John Patitucci, charter member of both Chick Corea’s Elektric and Akoustic Bands.   Silverman and Kenny Aronoff provide the invigorating pulse for the epic “Timber Falls,” which conjures the image of towering evergreens and rushing waterfalls via Eric Marienthal’s majestic melodies and Dweezil Zappa’s sublime guitar solo, channeling the layered harmonies of Queen’s Brian May.   “Avalanche” ups the ante with a THREE-drummer collision featuring Silverman, Casey Grillo and John Spinelli. If that wasn’t enough, their interwoven rhythms fuel a master class in neoclassical shredding from the incredible Michael Angelo Batio. The maniacal laugh that erupts just before the one-minute mark perfectly captures the mood of glorious excess.   Michael Silverman’s keyboard intro is reminiscent enough of classic Styx to make Todd Sucherman feel right at home on the glittering prog track, highlighted by a joyously funky Marienthal solo. The evocative “Moving Mountains” follows, with Silverman switching to percussion alongside Glen Sobel’s drumming for a track that scales the heights of an exotic mountaintop landscape.   The bracing “Drum Dreams” ends the album on a hard-charging high note with Silverman and David Frangioni accompanied by both Silverman and Oliver on keys. The piece was inspired by a visit to the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame Museum, during which Silverman and Frangioni test-drove a number of iconic drum kits. (The experience inspired a contest in which the magazine asked readers to name each of the drummers represented in the “Drum Dreams” video.)   The stunning Drumology, Volume II is a drum aficionado’s dream come true (for a second time!) and best of all, it benefits a good cause in the name of one of the instrument’s Mount Rushmore figureheads. Legendary Rush drummer Neil Peart died in January 2020 of glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.   “I first heard Neil Peart in 1976 when I was taking drum lessons as a kid,” Silverman recounts, still marveling at the occasion. “I heard his live drum solo on ‘Working Man’ from the album All the World’s a Stage, and it completely changed my whole perception of what is possible on the drums. I decided then and there, that’s what I want to do when I grow up. This is my chance to give back for that life-changing influence.” Rob Silverman on the web: Official Site: https://www.robsilvermandrums.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robsilvermandrums/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3hA2N_XBB_bIj3sfdBgbBA

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Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 100 - July 25, 2022 #jazz

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New Boney James "Bring It Back [featuring Dontae Winslow]" on Concord Records/Concord #jazz

NEW BONEY JAMES

JAZZ AND R&B ICON BONEY JAMES ANNOUNCES 18TH STUDIO ALBUM DETOUR OUT SEPTEMBER 23RD VIA CONCORD RECORDS FIRST SINGLE “BRING IT BACK” OUT NOW FEATURES ACCLAIMED COMPOSER AND TRUMPETER DONTAE WINSLOW  IMPACTING NOW Chart-topping jazz/R&B sax player Boney James released his new single “Bring It Back” today, featuring critically acclaimed composer, conductor, orchestrator, arranger, and trumpeter, Dontae Winslow.  The track is available today via all streaming services and marks the first release from James’ forthcoming 18th studio album, Detour, out September 23rd on Concord Records.  The new 10-song collection is a subtle stylistic turn that builds on the commercial success of 2020’s Solid, James’ highest charting release ever on the pop charts, peaking in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200.   "It was such fun co-writing and co-producing this track with the awesome J-Mo. The old school vibe inspired the title. Also featuring a great trumpet solo by Dontae Winslow (from Kamasi Washington’s band)!" - Boney James LISTEN/DOWNLOAD "BRING IT BACK"

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Soul-jazz vocalist Ricky Alan Draughn delivers a timely tribute to women #jazz

His reimagined “When You Love A Woman” is currently collecting playlist adds.

 

Advocating systemic change when civil unrest erupted in the midst of a pandemic and economic uncertainty two years ago, R&B-jazz balladeer Ricky Alan Draughn teamed with two-time Grammy nominated produced Chris “Big Dog” Davis (Norman Brown, Will Downing, Najee) and urban-jazz saxophonist Kim Waters to record a timely version of Sam Cooke’s poignant “A Change Is Gonna Come.” On the heels of the recent Supreme Court decision that impedes women’s rights, Draughn dropped another aptly timed musical statement, this one celebrating women in the form of the new single “When You Love A Woman,” produced by Billboard hitmaker Adam Hawley.

 

The 1988 power pop ballad written and recorded by Journey serves as Draughn’s source material. Anchored by the crooner’s emotive tenor vocals, Draughn belts out an impassioned salute amidst a throwback adult contemporary track featuring a grandiose gospel choir (Kevin Monroe & Devotion), sweeping strings and Hawley’s piercing electric guitar solo. The cinematic single illumined by cascading melodies and Draughn’s emotional fervor was one of the most added new singles last week on the Billboard BDS chart.        

 

“I wanted the song to celebrate women and to be played as a backdrop to honor that special female. I wanted to bring back a memory of simpler days with a refreshing reboot of a classic tune. I’ve always loved that 1980’s soft rock era, when a song had a lyrical composition that was just as impactful as the melody. ‘When You Love a Woman’ was such a song. We arranged the background vocals specifically to allow for general interpretation and not just for a romantic relationship. My hope is that the single becomes an anthem in the wake of women’s rights currently being threatened,” said Draughn, who released an accompanying video for the single directed by Edwin Escobar (https://bit.ly/3uR5lyU).

While the single is brand new, Draughn has been performing the song in concert with his twelve-piece band for years. He usually closes his sets with it, bringing down the house with his captivating performance, making it one of his most requested songs.

Tapping Hawley to bring his vision for “When You Love A Woman” to life proved to be a perfect match for Draughn. 

 

“Adam and I got together, and he was almost completing my thoughts. It was like we’ve known each other forever. He is an incredible musician and a pleasure to work with. As a result, the song came together very quickly. He understood the assignment, maintained the song's integrity and left the song intact, ready for my signature vocal arrangements. Adam brought in Carnell Harrell on synths and Dan Needham on drums, and it was magical - that timeless 80's sound was successfully captured,” said Draughn about the first single from his forthcoming debut album, “Genesis 8:5,” which he aims to release first quarter next year.  

 

Hawley is producing the majority of “Genesis 8:5,” including what Draughn expects will be his next single, “Relentless,” an upbeat original written by the singer that he describes as having “sort of a neo soul vibe, very danceable.” The album will be eclectic in terms of variety, reflecting Draughn’s stylistic range and sphere of influence. He’s composing most of the music although he anticipates there will also be several collaborations.

 

Mixing jazz, R&B, pop and gospel, Draughn emerged from singing with prominent gospel groups such as Mighty Clouds of Joy and Mississippi Mass Choir. He’s performed at marquee venues, from the Blue Note to the Apollo Theater, and has shared the stage with R&B, funk and jazz stars, including George Clinton, Chaka Khan, Shirley Murdock, Jodeci, The Whispers, Macy Gray, War, Nancy Wilson, Lou Rawls, Wilson Pickett, Marion Meadows and Alex Bugnon, among others.

 

For more information, please visit https://rickyalandraughn.com.

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