Jazz vocalist Sherine Wong shares her love of the Great American songbook on "3 & More" #jazz #music

A distinctly American art form, jazz has a rich history in Asia. Hong Kong’s lively jazz scene has launched the career of jazz vocalist Sherine Wong, who recently released her first album for American audiences, “3 & More,” via Universal Music Hong Kong.

 

Wong is enamored by the Great American songbook. On her third album, “3 & More,” she interprets ten standards taken from the timeless catalogue. At the core of the collection is Wong accompanied by an acoustic jazz trio. However, on some tracks, her accompaniment swells instrument by instrument, maxing out at ten pieces.

 

Launching the album with a concert performance at Hong Kong’s Fringe Club, Wong employed the same concept in her performance as exhibited on the album, starting with tunes on which a trio backed her. As she went deeper into her setlist, one by one she brought out an additional musician that added another instrumental voice until her ensemble grew to ten players illuminating her renditions of songs penned by iconic composers George & Ira Gershwin, Richard Rogers, and Bill Evans while reimagining songs made famous by such legendary jazz figures as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Chet Baker, Tony Bennett, Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Nancy Wilson, Fred Astaire, Mel Tormé, Bucky Pizzarelli, and Julie London.

 

Choosing the Fringe Club was strategic as the venue’s mission aligns with Wong’s own mission to win the hearts of American jazz fans. The Fringe Club’s mission is “to help emergent artists, promote Hong Kong artists abroad through cultural exchange and overseas touring, and conserve and develop Hong Kong cultural heritage.”

 

Expanding her reach after delivering two albums for the Hong Kong market to targeting the global audience, Wong surrounded herself with world-class producers, musicians, arrangers, and engineers to fulfill her vision for “3 & More.” Thelonious Monk International Jazz Guitar Competition winner Jesse van Ruller, Japanese vocalist and flugelhornist TOKU, trombonist Dree Peremans, guitarist Eugene Pao, trumpeter, flugelhornist, and drummer Stéphane Belmondo; and Paul Pouwer (Power Sound Studios) were part of Wong’s team to craft the new album that was mastered by three-time GRAMMY® winner Bernie Grundman. The results are exquisite. Each track is arranged to be warm, open, and airy, even as the orchestrated layers of instrumentation thicken. The production is masterful, embellishing Wong’s urbane yet impassioned singing, marked by poised delivery, dexterous control, and genuine emotion.       

 

Three singles, “On Green Dolphin Street,” “Tenderly,” and “Moonglow,” previewed the arrival of “3 & More.” In conjunction with the album’s release date in Hong Kong, Wong performed at the Hong Kong West Kowloon Jazz Festival on a festival marquee topped by  GRAMMY-winning pianist Herbie Hancock. She participated on an extensive Hong Kong media tour, appearing on various television and radio programs in addition to being featured in multiple print and online publications. Now, her sights are set on cracking the US market and getting the opportunity to sing in American clubs, theaters, concert halls, and performing arts centers.  

 

Wong studied, trained, and learned the art of jazz singing from top musician mentors in Hong Kong, Japan, Europe, and New York City, leading to the release of her self-titled debut album in 2018. Three years later, she returned with her sophomore set, “Two For The Road (Duo Concept Album),” a project primarily composed of duets. Upping the focus to trios and beyond, “3 & More” showcases Wong’s evolution as an artist.

 

The Hong Kong-based Wong is from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and is a former Miss Malaysia Universe winner. A model and an actor, she has been the face in print and television ads for such global brands as HSBC, Vidal Sassoon, Levi’s, Samsung, Shiseido, and the Malaysian Tourist Board.

 

For more information: https://www.sherinewong.com https://umhk.lnk.to/3andMoreOD?lf_source=qr

https://lnk.bio/umhkinternational. 

 

 

Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 100 - December 23, 2024 #jazz #music

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Brazilian pianist Ricardo Bacelar and cellist Jaques Morelenbaum explore the beauty of "Aracati" #jazz #music

The Brazilian music album drops January 31. Videos for the first two singles are out now.

             

 

Eager to explore and expand upon the chemistry they discovered while collaborating on multiple recordings over the last couple of years, pianist Ricardo Bacelar and cellist Jaques Morelenbaum packed up their instruments and set off on holiday together in the peaceful and exquisite coastal enclave of Aracati, Ceará in the Northeast corner of Brazil. There, the two musicians, composers, arrangers, and producers immersed themselves in the culture of their surroundings in order to craft a ten-song set titled for the cliffside oceanfront locale, “Aracati.” The Jasmin Music album comprised of nine instrumentals and one vocal track drops on January 31.

 

Bacelar and Morelenbaum enjoyed a week in Aracati before returning to Jasmin Studio, a trailblazing immersive audio production facility in Fortaleza where they spent eight days tracking the collection of Brazilian rhythms and melodies that swirl jazz and classical elements. The pair wrote three songs together while in Aracati, including the first single, “Fogueira,” which is available now accompanied by a video that captures the spirit and ethos of the recording project (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-evlk9hwado). The rest of the compositions were penned individually by Morelenbaum or Bacelar with two new tunes cowritten by the pianist.

 

“I set up a small studio in a room in the house where we were staying. I brought the electric piano, Jaques brought the cello, and we immersed ourselves in that environment. We spent a week amidst the dunes, the sea, and the natural beauty of Aracati. We talked and played a lot, and all of this inspired us to create this album,” said Bacelar.

 

The focal point of “Aracati” is the interplay between Bacelar’s agile, poetic, and lyrical piano expressions and Morelenbaum’s colorful cello that ranges from dramatic and impassioned to playful and celebratory illustrations. On the album, Bacelar plays acoustic piano, keyboards, vocals, accordion, Hammond organ, and percussion while Morelenbaum adds cello, acoustic piano, and keyboards. Embellishing the lavish melodies and rich harmonies are rhythmic beats and grooves skillfully constructed by percussionist Hoto Júnior and drummer Luiz Orssano.

 

The album opens with Morelenbaum’s “Correios,” which was the theme of the Academy Award nominated film “Central Station,” a best international film contender in 1999. While it is a piece from the artist’s catalogue, the track perfectly sets the tone for “Aracati” and the collaborative collection.

 

After lighting a bonfire on the beach in Aracati, the duo was inspired to write the spirited and festive “Fogueira” as a tribute to the impact made by iconic Brazilian composer Egberto Gismonti.

 

Bacelar emotes vocally on “Quando a Noite Vem,” a sultry romancer that he wrote with Giuliano Eriston set to a subtle bolero. Morelenbaum’s cello adds a comforting caress.

 

Morelenbaum conjured up a bird named Firu and wrote a song to the imagined bird’s song, which can be heard in the background throughout “Fi_Ru_Hay_Kay.” One can hear the bird’s careful, tentative, and deliberate emerging and exploring prior to taking flight.

 

The second single from “Aracati” that was released on Friday (December 13) along with a video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGolvV0mT2U), “Caminhos de Areia” is a contemplative Bacelar song about a cowboy’s spiritual journey.

 

It wasn’t all sun and fun in Aracati. One day, Morelenbaum’s belongings were carried out to sea by a mischievous wave and were later retrieved after a local fisherman dove in after them. The unlikely and miraculous adventure was set to music as “Milagres.”

 

“We went to watch the sunset on a little corner of the beach, and I left my belongings on top of a high rock. We went into the sea and when I looked back, the tide had risen and taken my things, including my cell phone. I was devastated until a native fisher who knows the region well pulled my cell phone out of the sea. The song was inspired by these unlikely events,” explained Morelenbaum.

 

Bacelar’s “Sargaço” is a sprawling seaweed inspired tale that tosses, turns, and churns into a cascading swoon through the tropical region.

 

Another Bacelar and Morelenbaum cowrite, “Voo da Graúna” is a piece inspired by the native graúna birds that proliferate Aracati and the Northeastern region of Brazil.

 

Mesmerized by the sand formations of the region that were sculpted by the ocean, wind, and rain, Bacelar wrote “Falésias” with Luciano Raulino, a song as exquisitely beautiful as the vibrant setting that inspired it.

 

Morelenbaum’s “Ar Livre” closes the set on a melancholy note of reflection interspersed with melodic rays of sunny gratitude for the time the musicians spent together in Aracati.

 

Bacelar and Morelenbaum met in 2022 while the cellist was recording a track with Gilberto Gil that was produced by the pianist. A year ago, Morelenbaum guested on a Bacelar single, “O Meio do Mundo.” More recently, Morelenbaum performed on an album by Bacelar and Leila Pinheiro titled “Donato.”

 

The Rio de Janeiro-based Morelenbaum has assembled a remarkable resume that boasts playing with seminal artists such as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Sting, and David Byrne. Bacelar got his start thirty years ago as a member of Brazilian rock band Hanoi Hanoi. A copyright lawyer who helms Jasmin Music and Jasmin Studio, he’s played a role in cultivating a catalogue of Brazilian music consisting of albums and singles by Gil, Flávio Ventunini, Toninho Horta, Roberto Menescal, Flora Purim and Airto Moreira, and Delia Fischer. His prolific production slate includes an upcoming February video release with Megan Nicole titled “Love Like This” followed by album that he produced paying homage to Brazilian singer-songwriter Rita Lee, a rock project releasing in March on which he sings, plays piano, and keyboards.  

 

Bacelar is proud of “Aracati,” the unique vibe and energy of the record capturing the time he shared with Morelenbaum in the city.   

 

“This album was made with great care and carries a grand personality. The songs tell stories, coexistence and collaboration, which we celebrate through the construction of this work. I really like the end result. ‘Aracati’ is a beautiful album of new partnerships and songs that we gathered for the project,” concludes Bacelar.

 

“Aracati” contains the following songs:

 

“Correios”

“Fogueira”

“Quando a Noite Vem”

“FI_RU_HAY_KAY”

“Caminhos de Areia”

“Milagres”

“Sargaço”

“Voo da Graúna”

“Falésias”

“Ar Livre”

 

 

For more information:

https://ricardobacelar.com.br

https://ffm.to/jasmin_aracati

 

 

 

#  #  #

 

 

ABOUT JASMIN STUDIO

Ricardo Bacelar’s Jasmin Studio, located in Fortaleza, Brazil, is considered one of the most advanced Dolby Atmos certified residential facilities in the world. Opened in 2016, the world-class studio is an audio lab equipped with state-of-the-art gear and technology that combines analog and digital production capabilities - from stereo to immersive 7.1.4. For more information, visit https://jasminmus.com/jasmin-studio.

 

 

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R&B/Jazz saxophonist Mekiel Reuben pays homage to two sax legends on "Boney Kirk" #jazz #music

                                 

The new single previews the “Something Like That” album.

 

 

While working on his milestone tenth album, saxophonist Mekiel Reuben reflected back on the seminal saxmen who inspired and influenced his own artistic muse. Grabbing his tenor sax and channeling the soulful R&B and cool contemporary jazz crafted by four-time GRAMMY® nominee Boney James and GRAMMY® winner Kirk Whalum, Reuben’s new single, “Boney Kirk,” has been garnering playlist adds since its MekMuse Records release last month.

 

The US Virgin Islands-based Reuben composed “Boney Kirk,” which was produced by David Vasquez who handled keyboards, synth bass, and percussion. They were flanked by guitarist Mauricio Guerrero Jr. and drummer Phil Martin. Reuben’s longtime team of collaborators features on his forthcoming ten-song project, “Something Like That,” which is tentatively slated for release in March 2025.

 

“I wrote ‘Boney Kirk’ as part of a group of melodies I was working on for the new album. It's a joy thinking about all the musicians and entertainers who had an impact and influence on my music as well as my songwriting, which is a passion of mine. When writing this specific tune, I kept thinking about the style of two great saxophonists, Boney James and Kirk Whalum, and their music, which is always innovative and fresh. I wanted to combine the essence of these two musicians who have always caught my ear. They are legends of jazz, the artists who set the standard, and who always inspire me,” said Reuben who added percussion to the funky midtempo groove filled with the kind of swagger that the song’s namesakes emote.

 

Reuben grew up in Chicago, moved to the Virgin Islands as a teenager, and lived for decades in Los Angeles before returning to reside in the islands in recent years. His 1993 album debut, “Miles Away,” saluted Miles Davis. Reuben’s latest outing was 2023’s “Just Like The Radio,” a setlist composed of tunes influenced by the vintage R&B, funk, jazz, and soul music he listened to on the radio during his formative years from the likes of Sly & The Family Stone, The Jazz Crusaders, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire; Frankie Beverly & Maze, Grover Washington Jr., Archie Bell, Kool & The Gang, and War.

 

A veteran touring musician, Reuben has performed extensively throughout the U.S. and abroad at jazz, blues, and reggae festivals. As a sideman, he performed with Eek-A-Mouse, Ike Turner, The Itals, and Barbara Morrison while as a frontman, he opened for Lenny Williams, Phil Perry, Vesta Williams, Ronnie Laws, The Jazz Crusaders, and Les McCann.  

 

For more information, visit https://www.mekielreuben.com.

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Kurt Elling Releases Rendition of “Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring” #music

  

Kurt Elling Releases Rendition of Holiday Season Classic “Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring” Featuring Celebrated Vocal Group The Swingles Elling’s Recently Released Album Wildflowers, Vol. 1 Nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album at 2025 GRAMMY Awards

Photo Credit: Cory Dewald

Today, multi-GRAMMY award-winning vocalist Kurt Elling released an a cappella interpretation of Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring,” featuring celebrated vocal group The Swingles. Released via Kurt’s newly launched label Big Shoulders, the song pairs Elling's original lyrics with intricate harmonies, showcasing the intersection of classical composition and modern vocal artistry. The single follows the recent release of Kurt’s two-part Wildflowers project — the first installment, Wildflowers Vol. 1, is currently nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 2025 GRAMMY Awards.

Listen to Kurt Elling ft. The Swingles “Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring”

“This rendition of ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’ had been sitting in the archives for some time, and we were holding on to it until the right moment’” says Kurt Elling. “It feels like we all need a bit more love right now, so here it is. Collaborating with The Swingles is always a thrill. I am grateful to them for lending me their voices and to Clare Wheeler for the stupendous arrangement.” Described as a "Sinatra with superpowers" by The New York Times, Elling’s rich baritone effortlessly marries jazz tradition with modern innovation. His fearless improvisational style allows him to tap into the emotional core of each song, showcasing his extraordinary range and virtuosity. In late August, Elling released Wildflowers, Vol. 1, which was conceived, recorded, mixed, mastered and released in a week’s time. Following that unexpected release, Vol. 2 continues this exciting journey. Partnering with long-time friend and pianist Joey Calderazzo, known for his work with legends such as Michael Brecker, Dave Holland, and Branford Marsalis, Elling cultivates a dynamic synergy that embraces a raw, stripped-down sound, both vibrant and deeply resonant. This latest release marks a shift from his GRAMMY-nominated, funk-infused SuperBlue project co-led by Charlie Hunter, as Elling seeks to explore a more intimate musical landscape. Last month’s release Wildflowers, Vol. 2 offers listeners a window into Elling’s evolving artistry, highlighting how modern technology can amplify creativity without sacrificing artistic control. The result is a collection that feels both familiar and distinctly Kurt Elling—always pushing boundaries and inviting listeners into exhilarating sonic experiences. This spontaneous, multifaceted day perfectly captures the essence of Wildflowers, Vol. 2, reflecting Elling's ability to weave moments of connection and creativity into a stunning musical tapestry. Wildflowers, Vol. 1 CD pre-order is available HERE.

Follow Kurt Elling: Facebook - Twitter - Instagram - Website

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Christmas miracles abound as jazz vocalist Penni Layne warms up December #jazz #music

The newly released straight-ahead jazz album of holiday standards, “Warm in December,” will be feted this Friday at a Boston concert date at Regattabar.

 

In the oppressive midsummer heat of New York City last July, jazz vocalist Penni Layne and her quartet entered iconic Sear Sound to record “Warm in December,” the just released Upside ten-track set of seasonal standards and an original tune that she wrote with her coproducer Larry Jackson. Despite the stifling temperatures and humidity outside, Layne and her ensemble summoned memories of Christmases past to bring to life this cozy collection of classics presented as acoustic jazz rhythms and melodies.      

 

The seeds for “Warm in December” were sown last Christmas as Layne and Jackson began rifling through holiday songbooks to select material to record. Her mission was to record “a holiday album that is the product of childhood memories and magic, and traditions passed onto our children. The album is a love letter to my husband, my family, past and present, and to anyone who believes in miracles.” 

 

Many of the selection on “Warm in December” are timeless perennials - “Winter Wonderland,” “The Christmas Song,” “Let It Snow,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” and “Sleigh Ride” – shared in imaginative new arrangements. A few cuts – the title track, “I Love The Winter Weather,” and “A Christmas Love Song” – are lesser-known gems given a fresh sheen rendered with the hope that they become new favorites of the album’s listeners.

 

Then there is the tender original, “At The First Snowfall.” Layne and Jackson composed it during Christmas in the pandemic, penning a song to conjure family connectedness despite the prevalent feelings of isolation and loneliness. The married partners tapped into fond memories and gratitude in order to tell a story to evoke happiness during the sacred season, a season that was hard pressed not to be impacted by the worry, sadness, and fear that gripped the globe at the time. The heartfelt number plays like a gift to be opened each Christmas, like the entire album.

 

Throughout “Warm in December,” Layne plies her soothing voice, beaming joy, grace, and elegance along with fervor and gentility. Her cohorts – pianist Michael Kanan, bassist Neal Miner, guitarist Greg Ruggiero, and drummer Keith Balla – astutely construct swinging jazz cadences and romantic ballad backdrops, settings from which Layne’s inviting vocals leap to the fore, taking powerful command of the spotlight. 

 

The Boston-based Layne will celebrate the season and the album release with a concert at Regattabar in Boston this Friday (December 13). Performing a setlist featuring songs from “Warm in December,” Layne will be accompanied by Jackson on bass, GRAMMY-winning trumpeter Bijon Watson, keyboardist Ryan Claunch, and drummer Steve Bankuti.

 

Layne and Jackson are a prolific pair that create a wide array of music projects – from jazz to R&B and electronic dance music. 2025 will see them issuing a jazz album comprised of standards and originals titled “Every Day I Fall in Love” (release date TBA). Their busy release slate includes an album, “The Art of Love and Poetry,” from their eight-piece R&B band, Penni Layne & The Wonder Boys. They plan to release six singles – one every six weeks – with the first to arrive at a soon-to-be-announced date. Teaming with producer Andrija Gavrilovic to create high-energy remixes under the PLM moniker, Layne eyes dropping six to eight singles from a yet-to-be titled album beginning in February or March. 

 

For more information, visit https://pennilayne.com.

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Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 100 - December 9, 2024 #jazz #music

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Prolific New Orleans jazz pianist and vocalist Matt Lemmler drops two new albums simultaneously #jazz #music

                                   

               

 

“Powerhouse: New Orleans in Stride Volume III (Trios, Quartets & Quintets)” and “The Book of Psalms Volume I” celebrate culture, history, and faith.

             

 

A music professor of academia, New Orleans jazz pianist and vocalist Matt Lemmler has normalized overachieving. Creating and releasing recording projects at a prodigious pace, his latest two collections, “Powerhouse: New Orleans in Stride Volume III (Trios, Quartets & Quintets)” and “The Book of Psalms Volume I” are out now on vinyl, CD, and digitally via his New Orleans Jazz Revival label with another album slated to release in January.

 

Lemmler is every bit a proud New Orleans jazz artist, tapping into the rich heritage of The Big Easy in the effort to preserve and promulgate the distinct spirit, multicultural makeup, and storied history through his masterful recordings, captivating live productions, and serving the community via educational efforts and outreach. As a unique vocal and instrumental voice, he embodies the birthplace of jazz and the city’s seminal figures - from Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Allen Toussaint, and Dr. John to Harry Connick, Jr., Fats Domino, James Booker, and his late mentor, Ellis Marsalis, Jr.

 

Lemmler conceived the “New Orleans in Stride” series before the pandemic, issuing two volumes of solo piano and voice recordings in 2019. He describes the series as “based on everything I do as an artist: from solo pianist and vocalist to carrying on the tradition of being a New Orleans piano professor, and from sharing the history of New Orleans culture, music, and stories, to sharing the piano skills of the New Orleans piano masters.”

 

On “Powerhouse: New Orleans in Stride Volume III (Trios, Quartets & Quintets),” Lemmler and his co-producer Misha Kachkachishvili add instrumental layers and multiple dimensions by tapping into the might and muscle of his collaborators: drummer Brian Blade, tenor and soprano saxophonist Joel Frahm, acoustic bassist Nathan Lambertson, and trumpeter Ashlin Parker. Together in trio, quartet, and quintet pairings, they bring to life five songs arranged by Lemmler.

 

The set opens with “Powerhouse (Theme from Looney Tunes),” a swinging and sprawling straight-ahead joint.

 

“I used to hear this kind of music from the great Bugs Bunny cartoons when I was a kid. The  song is dedicated to the comedian/actor Robin Williams and also to a dear friend, Colette Buis, who passed away earlier this year. Colette hosted me for many years when I would travel annually to Hawaii to music direct/compose St. Michael and All Saints Episcopal Church Annual Jazz Festival/Mass on Kauai. She was an angel, a powerhouse, and not a Looney Tune. She would definitely find the humor and laugh in her song dedication,” said Lemmler with a smile.

 

Lemmler takes the mic to croon an impassioned version of “The City of New Orleans,” a classic made famous by Arlo Guthrie. Guitarist Shane Theriot sits in to contribute subtle melodic shading to the track. 

 

“This song was written by Steve Goodson and as the lyrics go, is about ‘the train they call the City of New Orleans.’ I consider myself the train they call the City of New Orleans, sharing the music and history of New Orleans in my piano playing, my singing voice, and by sharing stories of New Orleans history and the music greats of New Orleans,” said Lemmler.     

 

Powerful and poignant, Lemmler’s dramatic reading of “I Am A Poor Wayfaring Stranger” incorporates Igor Stravinsky’s “Serenata” into the African American Spiritual. The result is an arresting amalgam spanning hundreds of years that cleverly intertwines diverse cultural references.

 

“It’s dedicated to Stravinsky and Dr. Jordan and Tammy Peterson who have been helping millions of people find their path. Jordan and his wife have helped me tremendously as an artist, person, father, husband, and on my spiritual and creative journey. There’s even a lyric in this song, ‘I’m justa going over Jordan, I’m justa going home.’ My hope for this track is that it’s able to reach Dr. Jordan and Tammy Peterson’s ears and hearts to hopefully bring them comfort and healing, and in some way close to how they have healed me, my family, and the world,” shared a grateful Lemmler.

 

Dedicating “Nature Boy” to Nat King Cole, Lemmler said, “Nat King Cole and the story behind this song is incredible. He was an incredible jazz pianist and also an incredible vocalist.”

 

There’s a bit of funk plied to the deliberate traditional jazz tempo on “Bye Bye Blackbird,” which is backboned by a shuffling drum cadence. Lemmler’s version of the song referencing Miles Davis and John Coltrane sprang from a Miles Davis tribute that he put together with the musicians featured on the album.

 

“This arrangement was premiered at our local showing of ‘Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool’ documentary. Before the screening, I produced a Miles Davis music tribute concert featuring the band on this album. We all went into the recording studio the next morning to record this track and the ‘Powerhouse’ album. I also dedicated my version of this song to a great New Orleans musician/artist/bassist/vocalist, George French, who passed away this year. George was one of the featured vocalists on my first album, ‘Portraits of Wonder: A Tribute to the music of Stevie Wonder’ (2001). He always sang ‘Bye Bye Blackbird’ beautifully,” remembered Lemmler.

 

A digital bonus track, Lemmler’s own composition, “Come Sing Your Song To Me,” closes the album with an amorous bouquet of beauty and grace on this gentle lullaby. Next month, Lemmler plans to drop “Homecoming: New Orleans in Stride Volume Four,” which he recorded with his New Orleans Jazz Revival Band.

 

For two years, Lemmler has been composing music to the sacred Book of Psalms, performing them live every Sunday morning on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram on a program he calls “Psalm Sundays: Live From New Orleans.” It’s a ritual that began in the wake of his 18-year-old stepdaughter’s leukemia diagnosis. Now that she is in remission, Lemmler bundled 21 Psalms and three canticles to form “The Book of Psalms Volume I,” a solo piano and vocal album that was recorded live. Lemmler composed the soulful music, and his inspired lyrics came directly from sacred scripture. He is in the process of recording 52 Psalms to comprise second and third volumes.

 

Lemmler is a jazz piano professor at the Loyola University College of Music and Media in New Orleans, his undergraduate alma mater. He continued his education, earning a master’s degree from Manhattan School of Music in New York City before touring with Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” for four years. After, he returned home to play alongside some of New Orleans’ finest bandleaders, including Bob French’s Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, Herb Tassin and the Blue Room Orchestra, and clarinet legend Pete Fountain. Lemmler has toured extensively nationally and globally, performing at jazz festivals and masses, and sharing his passion for New Orleans jazz and piano at clinics and workshops. He’s also adept at film scoring and crafting large-scale arrangements.      

 

For more information, visit https://www.mattlemmler.com.

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Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 100 - December 2,, 2024 #jazz #music

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Drummer Julen Rodriguez to Release Debut Album “Nomad” on Nov. 29th, 2024 | LISTEN! #jazz #music

Julen Rodriguez releases debut album “Nomad”, out November 29th

Born in Madrid and raised between Barcelona and New York City, Julen Rodriguez is a drummer and composer who strives to fuse the musical traditions of the cultures he was raised by. Being half-Puerto Rican, and half-Basque, Julen’s music combines the intensity of New York’s Jazz Fusion scene with elements of Spain’s delicate flamenco-infused Jazz. Having played with Spain’s widely-acclaimed Proyecto Jazz for Kids for over 8 years and now solidifying himself as an in-demand drummer in New York’s Jazz and Underground Rock scenes, Julen has had the opportunity to collaborate with such prominent names as Martin Wind, Mike Rodriguez, Ryoma Takenaga, and famed Spanish pianist Marco Mezquida. Beyond that, he has had the opportunity to perform at such prestigious venues as Rotterdam’s North Sea Jazz Festival, Spain’s historic Rock N’ Blues Bar, and often can be found in New York City mainstays such as NuBlu and Mercury Lounge.

Currently studying at New York University and having previously spent 2 years at Barcelona’s Liceo Conservatory, Julen has honed his craft under the tutelage of Ari Hoenig, Tony Moreno, and Michael Wolff, among others. These prestigious mentors have helped Julen center in on his unique sound, while enabling him to stay true to the Jazz tradition and lineage.

Now stepping out into the limelight, inspired by Louis Cole, Snarky Puppy, and Robert Glasper, Julen’s upcoming debut album, ‘Nomad’ is a fun, and energetic introduction to his musical world. Forming a quintet of some of his closest friends and collaborators, the group embarked on an extended tour across Spain, establishing a true camaraderie and established group sound before ending their trip by recording the album. Featuring NYC rising stars Ryoma Takenaga (Chief Adjuah, Ulysses Owens, etc.), pianist Archish Arun, saxophonist Connor Sobieri, and trumpeter Tyler Prosch, Julen’s music explores and celebrates the diversity of his upbringing. The product of such is a bright, percussive, and grooving sound, that while is energetic and fun, still maintains the complexities of contemporary Jazz and the many cultures he is immersed in.

This winter, Julen can be found touring across Europe with Proyecto Jazz For Kids, and soon will be celebrating the release of his upcoming album, ‘Nomad’ slated for November 29th.

Nomad Records

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