JazzHQ: July 2023

What is improvisation in the 21^st century? That is the question that guitarist Jake Hertzog and media artist Adam Hogan seek to answer on their new album a turn of events. The pair combine guitars and cutting-edge electronics on a turn of events to completely redefine how “free” free jazz can get. “We really wanted to understand the interaction between the performer and the instrument” Hertzog said, “and that interaction begins with conceptualizing the ambisonic diffusion technology as an instrument”. The album was created over the course of an entire year that included extensive experimentation, testing, technology development and nearly a hundred hours of trial recordings. “I was drawn to the immersive holistic sound field that can be rendered using ambisonics, and how as both a composer and improviser, we can think about space just as we would pitch, melody, or rhythm. Now with Dolby ATMOS, we can deliver that experience to the listener” said Hogan. Their work is pioneering enough that the duo was recently featured at the International Network for Artistic Research in Jazz Conference in a presentation on how technological research influences improvisation.

Adam and Jake met in their early years as professors at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, with Adam heading up the School of Art’s Experimental Media Program and Jake directing that institution’s new jazz program. Hertzog, whose eclectic career so far has included a collaborations with artists as diverse as Ivan Neville, Barry Alschul, Randy Brecker, and Cory Glover, in addition to long association with Victor Jones and Harvie S, as well as experimental solo and duo guitar recordings, stated: “I’ve always sought out people who inspire me and Adam is that rare artist who elevates his art form by imagining sounds that have never been heard”. Hogan’s diverse career has included work in cinematography, spatial audio, and extensive collaborations with musicians, film makers, and artists. His work and collaborations have been featured in numerous national and international festivals, exhibitions and collections including: Ars Electronica, ISEA, Cyfest13, Smithsonian Institution, Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, Berlinale, Athens Digital Arts Festival, DOC NYC, and BioBAT NYC among others.

The new album a turn of events blend arts, improvisation, and technology, drawing inspiration from jazz pioneers such as Ornette Coleman and Cecil Taylor who elevated “free” jazz in both acoustic and electric settings for their generation and current practitioners, such as Dan Tepfer. The project’s lineage and influences include electroacoustic composers such Juan Pampin, and Joseph Anderson, and acousmatic pioneers Bernard Parmegiani and the Birmingham ElectroAcoustic Sound Theater. Utilizing free jazz improvisational techniques, a turn of events’ music conceptualizes the ambisonic soundfield and granular synthesis as live instruments capable of advanced spatial, musical, and timbral improvisation. “I think both of us really had to learn how to play all over again on this project”, said Hertzog, “and we want to carry the listener with us through that journey."

BIOS:

Jake Hertzog

Dr. Jake Hertzog is a critically acclaimed guitarist, composer and educator whose career to-date has spanned ten albums as bandleader across jazz, rock and classical new music styles. He has toured throughout the U.S., Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and India and performed and recorded with a diverse cadre of artists including Randy Brecker, Ivan Neville, Mike Clarke, Blondie Chaplin, Anton Fig, Corey Glover, Barry Altschul, Dave Leibman, Ingrid Jensen and many others.

Hertzog's many projects have included the Jake Hertzog Trio with Harvie S and Victor Jones — a jazz/rock group that has released five albums to wide acclaim and radio success and headlined venues such as The Blue Note in New York and Salo Jazz Festival in Finland. Hertzog's rock group "The Young Presidents" has been featured on Vh1 and MTV as well as radio stations around the world. He also produced a documentary film about the making of their album "Coalition," in collaboration with Grammy-winning producer Rob Fraboni (Rolling Stones, The Band).

Most recently, Hertzog released “Stringscapes: A Portrait of the World in Nylon and Steel” (2018) on Fretmonkey Records. This 12 movement through-composed work for two guitars co-features classical guitarist Yishai Fisher and is a unique blend of classical and jazz. He was awarded a fellowship from the Arkansas Arts Council in 2018 for music composition for this project. His classical work also includes a solo guitar album, "Well Lit Shadow" (2016), a classical suite for solo electric guitar celebrating themes and images in particle physics.

For three years, Hertzog was musical director and lead guitarist for Nickelodeon's The Naked Brothers Band stars, Nat and Alex Wolff. They headlined two major national tours and performed on national television shows including Good Morning America, The View, Nickelodeon's Kids Choice Awards and The Today Show.

As an educator, Hertzog has been an artist-in-residence and guest clinician in colleges and conservatories in the U.S., Europe, Latin America and India. He created the instructional series "Hey Jazz Guy" for Guitar Player magazine and contributed over 30 articles to the publication. He currently serves as Jazz Area Coordinator as Assistant Professor of Guitar at the University of Arkansas.

Hertzog is a grand prize winner of the Montreux Jazz Guitar Competition, holds a performance degree from Berklee College of Music and a master's degree from The Manhattan School of Music in New York. In additional to his musical work, Hertzog also holds a Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Arkansas. His research focuses on how higher music education is adapting to the digital music industry. Other research includes data use in the music industry, the role of higher education in arts ecosystems, and entrepreneurial pedagogy. Hertzog’s research has been published in Artivate, and Jazz Education in Research and Practice.

Adam Hogan

Dr. Adam Hogan is a media artist, cinematographer, composer, researcher, and advocate for film and media preservation. His work engages experimental approaches to moving image and sound by using the mediums themselves through production and development to explore how media technologies shape our perception and relationships to spaces and histories.

As a cinematographer and director of photography, he has been all over the country and to many parts of the world to create images. This work spans traditional production, but also includes experimental collaborations with artists, choreographers, musicians and composers. His work and collaborations have been featured in numerous national and international festivals, exhibitions and collections including Ars Electronica, ISEA (International Symposium on Electronic Art), Cyfest13, Smithsonian Institution, Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, Berlinale, Athens Digital Arts Festival, DOC NYC, BioBAT NYC, and more.

His work with spatial and immersive audio began as an extension of surround sound formats in a cinematic and expanded cinema context and evolved during his time at DXARTS in Seattle.

Along with Laura Stayton, he developed a collaborative project that strives to save media works, experimental films, and rare cinematic treasures through preservation, digital restoration and migration; publication/exhibitions of these restored works include Criterion Collection, Anthology Film Archives, Fridman Gallery, Il Cinema Ritrovato, and others.

Hogan holds a Ph.D. from University of Washington, Seattle in Digital Arts and Experimental Media and a MFA from Washington University in St. Louis.

For more information visit:

www.jakehertzog.com

www.adam-hogan.com

"a turn of events" is available September 8th, 2023 on all major streaming platforms in Stereo and on Apple Music as

DOLBY ATMOS Ambisonic Release.

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Tuesday, July 18, 2023

BT ALC Big Band's "Hearing The Truth" #jazz

Powered by soul, stars and the unvarnished truth

BT ALC Big Band’s “Hearing The Truth” features G. Love, John Medeski, Alan Evans, Adam Deitch, Karl Denson, Eric Krasno, Nigel Hall and Eric “Benny’ Bloom

It’s a powerful sight seldom seen on stage anymore and the sound is larger than life. Thirteen horn players and a five-piece rhythm section fill up the bandstand when BT ALC Big Band takes the stage. Stirring up a soul-powered force of get-down-tonight funk, improvisational jazz, deep-fried R&B grooves and a splash of hip-hop, the mighty and muscular outfit rips through their meticulous charts with passion and precision. Capturing that awesome firepower, mesmerizing magic and imaginative vision on their newly released fifth album, “Hearing The Truth,” is a triumphant accomplishment bolstered by a bevy of guest stars that illumined the nine-track set written, produced and arranged by band leaders Brian Thomas (trombone) and Alex Lee-Clark (trumpet).

BT ALC Big Band’s lineup includes Grammy-winning trumpeter Bijon Watson, tenor saxophonist Mike Tucker (Arturo Sandoval), guitarist Jeffrey Lockhart (Berklee College of Music), and drummer Dean Johnston (Neighbor, Club D'elf).

It was a packed house when the Boston-based big band recently played their album release concert at SoundCheck Studios. The crowd was on their feet dancing the entire time to the retro soul sounds of vintage jazz-funk that mimicked the swinging 1940s, sounded like the 1970s, and felt like the present day by confronting the societal and political issues of today head on – from media misinformation to civil unrest, from national division to out-of-control inflation and rising homelessness.

“Hearing The Truth” was several years in the making. The inherent difficulties of gathering a big band during a pandemic should be obvious, what with social distancing mandates and all those wind instruments. Yet Thomas and Lee-Clark found a way to lay tracks, first remotely and then in small groups. Eventually, when restrictions eased and the full big band was permitted to get together to unleash their vim and vigor, guest stars were added to the tracks. G. Love (G. Love & Special Sauce), John Medeski (Medeski Martin & Wood), Alan Evans (Soulive), Adam Deitch (Lettuce), Karl Denson (The Rolling Stones, Lenny Kravitz, The Greyboy Allstars), two-time Grammy winner Eric Krasno, Nigel Hall (Lettuce) and Eric "Benny" Bloom guest on the project.

It is rare to hear a band capable of channeling James Brown & The J.B.’s, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Wu-Tang Clan on one record while infusing their own distinctive brand of jazz-funk. BT ALC Big Band pulls it off with aplomb on “Hearing The Truth.”

Cuts from the collection were quickly added to Spotify and radio playlists at home and abroad – from the BBC Radio 6 Music to Takoma, Maryland’s WOWD. Locally, the Boston Globe selected the track “What Will You Do?,” featuring Medeski’s dazzling keyboard artistry, as one of the 50 standout songs of 2023.

An album like “Hearing The Truth” begs to be released on vinyl and that’s coming in November from Vintage League Music.

BT ALC Big Band consistently maintains a busy concert calendar throughout New England. Audiences are treated to the full throttle, high-voltage experience, a taste of which can be gleaned from these videos from the “Hearing The Truth” album release concert for the songs “Egyptian Secrets” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFe7nzJ-iFo) and “That Sound” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gguIztzGSUc). At over eight minutes per cut, BT ALC Big Band takes full advantage of the opportunity to take their time, improvise and vibe off each other like a seasoned jam band.

The truth is that there’s nothing like experiencing a big band live or on record. They’ll be back at SoundCheck Studios on September 29 to play a show with special guest trombonist Fred Wesley (James Brown, Parliament-Funkadelic) sitting in with the band. BT ALC Big Band reignites the grandeur of the artform, making it relevant in the technological age while fostering dynamic new possibilities for its evolution. If you’re ready to hear the truth, visit https://www.btalc.com for more information.

“A nice soul jazz album, big band in a funky jacket, that will certainly appeal to funkateers and other music lovers!” - Cultuurmania

“The BT ALC Big Band swings out the soul on the collection of originals…Dancing shoes are a must for this one.” – Jazz Weekly

“This vibrantly-hued, heartfelt and organically-woven new recording…could so easily have been the soundtrack to Super Fly.” – Exclusive Magazine

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Monday, July 17, 2023

Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 100 - July 17, 2023 #jazz

Smooth Jazz Chart

This chart from smoothjazz.com generally updates every Monday.

When it updates, this post will be repeated with the most recent link.

Click here to view the smoothjazz.com chart for this week

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Friday, July 14, 2023

Trombonist/Composer Yonathan Peled to release new recording "Everything's For The Best" #jazz

Yonathan Peled - Trombone/ Alexander Levin - Tenor Saxophone Dotan Bergman – Electric Guitar/Edo Gur - Trumpet

Elam Friedlander – Double Bass Eviatar Slivnik - Drums

Julia Chen - Keyboard/Nir Graff - Electric Bass

Yonatan Guedj - Alto Saxophone

Special Guests:

Omer Avital - Double Bass /Sam Yahel - Organ

Release Date: September 22rd, 2023

About The Recording

New York-based trombonist, composer, arranger, and band leader Yonathan Peled has announced the upcoming release of his album "Everything's for the Best", set to release on September 22nd, 2023. The album features a collection of original compositions that reflect his journey as an artist, from his roots in Tel-Aviv to his experiences in New York City. He collaborates with world-class jazz musicians such as Omer Avital, Sam Yahel, Elam Friedlander, Julia Chen, Eviatar Slivnik, Yonatan Guedj, and many more.

Yonathan left his hometown Tel-Aviv to achieve his dream of performing internationally and sharing his love for music with as many people as he could. His love for New York's energy and his longing for his hometown have created a constant conflict of identity, inspiring him to create music that celebrates the complex emotions of conflict, joy, and longing. The album features a collection of original compositions that reflect his journey as an artist, from his roots in Tel-Aviv to his experiences in New York City.

The album is also a product of Yonathan's experiences during the pandemic where he became a part of the great community called Wilson Live, which inspired him to write his new original music. The positive response and energy he received from the audience inspired him to go to the studio and record his music. The last song of the show, "Everything's for the Best", created one of the greatest moments in his life where the audience stood up, danced, and sang to the music.

About Yonathan Peled

Yonathan is a trombonist, composer, arranger, and band leader based in New York. He grew up in Tel-Aviv and was driven by a deep desire to share his love for music with the world. This led him to pursue his dream of performing internationally, leaving behind his hometown to embark on a journey of self-discovery.

However, Yonathan's love for New York City and his longing for his hometown created a constant conflict of identity. Nevertheless, he found inspiration in this duality, using it to create music that celebrated the complex emotions of conflict, joy, and longing. Through his music, Yonathan seeks to create meaningful experiences for his audiences, celebrating the current moment with community, love, and happiness.

Over the years, Yonathan has performed in music venues and jazz festivals around the world, collaborating with renowned artists and bands such as Yemen Blues, The Eyal Vilner Big Band, Ravid Kahalani, Omer Avital, and David Broza. His talent and versatility have taken him to world-renowned music festivals and venues such as Festival Jazz à Séte (France), Red Sea Jazz Festival (Israel), Bern Jazz Festival (Switzerland), and Music in Pflegidach (Switzerland).

His dedication to his craft and his ability to collaborate with other musicians have earned him widespread recognition, with music critic Raz Israeli describing his project co-led with the renowned singer Tamir Grinberg as "One of the biggest gifts that came out of Israel in recent years".

For more information, please visit:

www.yonathanpeled.com

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Wednesday, July 12, 2023

R&B/jazz saxophonist Jason Jackson continues his remarkable journey “Through The Night” #jazz

Billboard hitmaker Adam Hawley produced and cowrote the second single from the “All In” album.

It’s been a whirlwind from the U.S. Navy to the Billboard top twenty for R&B/jazz saxophonist Jason Jackson. When it comes to music, he’s been all in from the go, inspiring the title of his first album, “All In,” which was released last fall. The second single from the set produced by twelve-time Billboard chart-topper Adam Hawley, “Through The Night,” began collecting playlist adds on Monday.

Jackson spent ten years performing all over the world as a member of the Navy’s band, playing prestigious venues in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Australia and Japan. Just prior to completing his service in 2021, he reached out to Hawley, sending him a demo. Upon hearing it, Hawley agreed to produce and write with the sax player who had opened for Brian McKnight, Morris Day and the Time, KC and the Sunshine Band, and Michael McDonald while he was a teenager under the tutelage of longtime James Brown saxophonist Leroy Harper Jr.

Hawley produced Jackson’s 2021 debut EP, “Movin’ On,” that showcased the saxman alongside prominent duet partners Julian Vaughn and Tim Bowman. Last November, Jackson realized a dream when he released his first full-length album, “All In.” “Through The Night” is the latest offering from the Hawley-produced collection.

A soulful midtempo groove written by Jackson, Hawley and keyboardist Caleb Middleton, “Through The Night” is a sophisticated urban-jazz track lit by Jackson’s yearning saxes that portray a fiery sense of urgency and desire.

“When Adam and I set out to write ‘Through The Night,’ we were looking to create something with a sultry R&B groove that would really help the tone of the sax melodies shine. Imagine sitting outside, perhaps by a fire or on the beach, on a warm but crisp summer night. You’ve got a glass of wine in your hand and the love of your life sitting beside you. What would be the perfect soundtrack for that night? How could we put into music what you were feeling in that moment as well as the possibilities of the moments to come? That’s a snapshot of the vibe we were trying to capture,” said Jackson, a Wilmington, NC native who now calls Chesapeake, VA home.

“Through The Night” follows “Workin’ It Out,” the first single from “All In” featuring keyboardist Gino Rosaria that hit Billboard/Mediabase’s top forty. Other noteworthy musicians who play alongside Jackson on the album are Jonathan Fritzén, Chieli Minucci and Mr. Talkbox. However, the sentimental favorite is a special guest appearance by six-time Grammy nominated saxophonist Eric Marienthal, one of Jackson’s mentors.

“I studied with Eric for many years before making my own records. It was so cool to finally get to collaborate with him on ‘On The Move,’ one of the songs from the ‘All In’ project. It was a really cool student-teacher moment,” shared Jackson who is excited about what he’s accomplished in two short years since transitioning from military life to life as a civilian musician.

“My last month in the Navy was May of 2021. I got out of the military and around two months later, I was breaking into the top twenty on the Billboard chart with the single ‘All The Way’ featuring Julian Vaughn, which came out a month before I left the Navy. Pretty cool transition. No looking back since then!”

Catch Jackson on the following concert dates:

July 13 Pittsburgh Black Music Fest Pittsburgh, PA

July 14 BLU Jazz+ Akron, OH

July 27 & 29MAJACE Durham, NC

Oct. 5 The Tin Pan Richmond, VA

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

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Monday, July 10, 2023

Soul-Jazz saxophonist Merlon Devine teams with Grammy nominated hitmaker Darren Rahn for an inspiring new single #jazz

Positively Shimmering: Soul-Jazz saxophonist Merlon Devine teams with Grammy nominated hitmaker Darren Rahn for an inspiring new single

After stirring the urban-contemporary jazz scene last fall, saxophonist Merlon Devine is back this summer with the rousing single “Shimmer,” which he wrote with his multiple Grammy nominated producer Darren Rahn (Dave Koz, Najee, Blake Aaron). The newly released single constructed of a glistening melody, an R&B groove, a jazzy soprano sax lead and a mission-driven message from the Devine Music Group has begun collecting playlist adds.

From its celestial opener through to its funky soul-powered conclusion, “Shimmer” is an inspirational soul-jazz instrumental skillfully architected by Rahn, who has crafted twenty-seven number one singles to date. Both Devine and Rahn share the bond of being spiritual, devout men and that inspired and impassioned connection permeates the new recording.

“‘Shimmer’ is about the positive force that lives in each of us to help others. That force acts like a light shining out of us. That light can bring warmth, direction, hope, calm fears and give peace. Hopefully, this song will encourage those who hear it to do and be something positive in the life of someone else,” said Devine, who issued the new single as the follow up to the single “Stirred,” which dropped last October.

The harmonies on “Shimmer” lushly drape the glistening track constructed by Rahn, who layered keyboards, synths, synth bass and programming around Devine’s soprano and tenor saxes. Randy Jacobs adds his nimble and nuanced guitar artistry and drummer Tarell Martin sets the tempo.

A native of Little Rock, Arkansas who grew up in a household filled with gospel music before discovering jazz, Devine now calls the Washington, DC area home. He has worked with Ben Tankard and performed with Kirk Whalum, Paul Jackson Jr., Tom Braxton and Michael Manson. Devine will launch “Shimmer” by playing a pair of shows locally at Blues Alley Jazz on Monday night before heading out on the road for a mixed itinerary of jazz and gospel concert dates booked into October.

July 10 Blues Alley Jazz Washington, DC

July 16 Bates Memorial BC Louisville, KY

July 23-26 Gospel Industry Network Norfolk, VA

July 29 Jazz & Gospel Fest Merrillville, IN

July 30 Eastern Star Church Indianapolis, IN

Aug. 6 Mt. Zion Assemblies Fresno, CA

Aug. 31 Johnnie Alberta Scholarship Washington, DC

Sept. 3 Full Counsel Metro N. Little Rock, AR

Sept. 15 New Birth Com. Church Manassas, VA

Sept. 16 Restoration Place Charlotte, NC

Sept. 24 Lighthouse Fam Church Lafayette, LA

Sept. 30 New Covenant WC Ft. Wayne, IN

Oct. 1 New Covenant WC Ft. Wayne, IN

Oct. 5-7 International Gospel Summit London, EN

Oct. 11 Hamstead Jazz Club London, EN

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

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