Soprano Saxophonist MARION MEADOWS Returns On February 26 With WHISPER, His First New Album In Four Years
Label
Debut For Shanachie Features Special Guest Bob Baldwin And Includes
Soulful Renditions Of Jazz Classics By Freddie Hubbard And Dave Grusin -
Lead Single Is “Black Pearl”
Albert Einstein once said “We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in
the distance by an invisible piper.” For multi-talented saxophonist and
consummate creative spirit Marion Meadows, the allure of music was
never too far. The charismatic, strikingly handsome, eloquent and
debonair musician, who happens to moonlight as a brilliant digital
designer/photographer, and semi-professional cyclist originally had
aspirations to become a veterinarian. “Reaching people through music has
always been rewarding for me. Expressing yourself through an instrument
and having listeners run through so many emotions is an artistic
impression like no other,” says Marion. With a clear trajectory in
sight, the stars aligned for Meadows one evening at Grand Central
Station, when his saxophone was mysteriously overheard reverberating
through the Big Apple’s oldest railway. Emmy-winning TV composer Jay
Chattaway (Star Trek fame) was so enchanted that he
introduced Marion Meadows to Grammy-winning pianist, producer and label
owner Bob James, who helped Meadows to launch his career as a solo
artist.
Close to 25 years later, scores of sold out shows, twelve critically
heralded albums, a string of radio hits and collaborations with
luminaries like Stevie Wonder, Eartha Kitt, The Temptations, George
Benson and Norman Connors, Meadows is not through yet. “I have immersed
myself in so many styles, from old school funk, jazz, rock and pop that a
great tune is a great tune and I draw inspirations from all styles of
music, but it is also from the outdoors and the beauty the world has to
offer that inspire me each day” states Marion.
February 26, 2013, Shanachie Entertainment in conjunction with Listen 2 Entertainment Group will release Whisper,
Marion Meadows’ label debut. Featuring mostly originals, Meadows dances
a delicate balance between soul and fire, intellect and emotion, and
sensitivity and brawn, making Whisper, an exhilarating musical foray into one of contemporary jazz’s most brilliant minds and recognized soprano saxophonists.
A musician unafraid to boldly fuse diverse influences, Marion Meadows sculpts a borderless musical tapestry on Whisper.
“I came up listening to Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Duke Ellington
but at the same time musicians like Earth Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan,
Chicago and Parliament Funkadelic,” confesses Meadows who early on cut
his teeth playing in Avant-Garde jazz groups alongside heavyweights
Rashied Ali and James Blood Ulmer. Whisper, Marion
Meadows’ first new recording in four years, features the saxophonist’s
agile and ethereal soprano styling’s and some robust tenor work. It
opens with the majestic, intoxicating and rhythmic driven “The Visitor,”
which segues into the melodious and scintillating title track,
co-written by keyboardist and long-time collaborator Michael Broening.
Meadows produced Whisper along with Carlos Pennisi, Bob
Baldwin, Rahni Song and Broening. The album’s first single is the
enticing, funky and hypnotic “Black Pearl.” Just like its namesake and
gemstone, Meadows’ pearl is multi-layered, producing a beautiful
interior within each shimmering chorus. Keyboardist Carlos Pennisi
co-authored the song and helped Marion to compose five songs on the
album. “Carlos helped me really try different musical ideas on Whisper. He
is an amazing composer and multi-instrumentalist born in Italy with a
great sense of using colors in his productions. As an artist I’m
searching to try new ideas, and he definitely brought that to the
table.” “Timeless,” is an evocative and tender impressionistic ballad,
co-written with keyboardist Rahni Song, who joins Meadow on the track
along with Pennisi and harmonica player Julian Davis. “Curves,” is an
uplifting get-on-the-dance-floor anthem that serves up the right
combination of grit and soul, while “Magic Life” and “Golden Curtin,”
showcase Marion Meadows’ knack for crafting unforgettable melodies that
magically have a way of transporting you. Meadows breathes new life into
two jazz classics on Whisper, borrowing from the Freddie
Hubbard and Dave Grusin songbooks. Freddie Hubbard’s 1970s landmark CTI
classic “Sky Dive,” soars with Meadows’ own buttery soul rendition
featuring his tenor and soprano alongside trumpeter Joey Sommerville.
Dave Grusin’s 1980’s chestnut “Marcosinho,” gets revitalized with
Meadows’ sparkling new take.
Recording Whisper for Meadows was truly a labor of love
and part of that process was the joy of collaborating with friends.
Longtime associate and keyboardist Bob Baldwin joins Marion on two of
the album’s tracks, “Bottoms Up” and “Turn Up The Quiet.” Meadows says
of his friend, “Bob always delivers!” Turn Up The Quiet” marks one of
the high points on the project, as the duo score a home run.
Marion’s tender soprano gracefully teases and caresses the seductive
melody as Baldwin finds all the accents to drive the song home. Flautist
Ragan Whiteside joins Meadows on the show-stopping number, “Bottoms
Up.” Marion calls Whiteside and Althea Rene (who is featured on “Golden
Curtain,”) “two of the greatest flautists I know.” Not afraid to get
loose and turn up the heat Marion Meadows serves up a scorcher on “Wild
Thing,” a James Brown inspired romp that escalates things to a sweat
inducing fevered pitch.
Hailing from West Virginia and raised in Stamford, CT, Marion Meadows
began his musical endeavors at age eight, studying clarinet. At age 15,
after hearing iconic saxophone masters like Sidney Bechet, Coleman
Hawkins, Johnny Hodges and Stanley Turrentine, Marion Meadows’ switch to
saxophone was imminent. During high school, he earned a coveted spot in
the All-State Orchestra and Jazz Band and was afforded the opportunity
to travel throughout Europe. His experiences during this time made him
reconsider his ambitions for medical school and a career as a
veterinarian. Upon graduation, Meadows attended the renowned Berklee
School of Music in Boston, later transferring to SUNY Purchase School of
the Arts. While still a student, the ambitious saxophonist worked
steadily as a sideman. He jokes that he “got a graduate degree playing
clubs.” He was also fortunate to study with the best including Joe
Henderson, Dave Liebman and Eddie Daniels.
While at Berklee, Marion Meadows had another serendipitous encounter,
this time with drummer producer extraordinaire Norman Connors, who was
then playing with legendary saxophonist Pharaoh Sanders. Meadows says,
“Norman Connors was really the guy who discovered me as an artist. The
man who gave me my first shot.” Connors’ recorded Marion’s song
“Invitation” and later extended an invitation to Marion to join his
band. Connors, who collaborated with many of R&B and jazz’s greatest
singers, afforded Marion the opportunity to work alongside such dynamic
voices as Jean Carne, Phyllis Hyman, Glenn Jones, Angela Bofill, and
many others. “That was a nice graduate school, sort of speak”, laughs
Meadows. After graduating with honors from Connors’ University, the
well-rounded saxophonist spent time honing his chops on the avant-garde
circuit in the ensemble "Aboriginal Music Society," which featured
guitarist James Blood Ulmur, percussionist Juma Sutan and pianist Kasa
Allah.
In 1990 Marion Meadows made his recording debut, For Lover's Only
featuring Eliot Lewis, Porter Carroll, Brian Keane and Average White
Band alumnus Alan Gorrie. Two years later he joined forces with Will
Downing, Bob Baldwin, Angela Bofill and Norman Connors for his sophomore
recording Keep It Right There. Further solidifying his rightful place in the pantheon of great saxophonists, Meadows released Forbidden Fruit in 1994. He was joined by an eclectic all-star cast that included Eric Benet, SWV, Don Grusin and Dori Caymmi, among others. Body Rhythm came in 1996 and Pleasure, the
following year. Around this time Marion Meadows relocated from
Connecticut to the Valley of the Sun - Phoenix, AZ. He also settled at a
new recording home, Heads Up International, where he released his sixth
album, Another Side of Midnight in 1999, calling on a little help from some friends Bob Baldwin, Omar Hakim and Norman Brown followed by Next To You in 2000 and In Deep in 2002. Player’s Club in 2004 spawned two hit singles “Suede” and “Sweet Grapes,” and have gone on to be Marion’s signature songs. Dressed To Chill
(2006) included memorable renditions of hits by R Kelly and Luther
Vandross and joined Meadows with Chuck Loeb and his longtime touring
keyboardist and vocalist Will Brock, among others. Secrets
and its title track in 2009 advanced to the top of smooth jazz radio
charts. During this time Meadows also relocated to Hawaii and has spent
the past several years living in both locations. In addition to touring
steadily on his own, Marion Meadows is also a member of the highly
sought after Sax And the City Tour fronting the band with fellow
reedman Paul Taylor, with additional guests Jessy J, young saxophone
sensation Vincent Ingala and pianist vocalist extraordinaire Joe
McBride.
The Maestro Duke Ellington once said “My attitude is never to be
satisfied, never enough, never!” Like the maestro, Marion Meadows, is
never content to rest on his laurels. With a four-year intermission
between recordings, Marion Meadows is back with Whisper and ready to share his gift with the world. “Shhhhhhhhh, the show is about to begin.”
MARION MEADOWS
WHISPER
1. The Visitor
2. Whisper
3. Black Pearl
4. Timeless
5. Curves
6. Magic Life
7. Bottoms Up (ft. Bob Baldwin)
8. Golden Curtain
9. Marcosinho
10. Sky Dive
11. Wild Thing
12. Turn Up The Quiet (ft. Bob Baldwin)
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