THE JAZZ CHILL CORNER ARIZONA JAZZ FESTIVAL TO FEATURE TOP JAZZ AND SOUL ARTISTS |  |
- ARIZONA JAZZ FESTIVAL TO FEATURE TOP JAZZ AND SOUL ARTISTS
- NEW RELEASES - ETIENNE CHARLES, WES MONTGOMERY, KARL JENKINS
- NEW RELEASES - RAHEEM DEVAUGHN, JIMMY WEBB, WAYMAN TISDALE
- THE DETROIT JAZZ FESTIVAL TO FEATURE AHMAD JAMAL QUARTET, JOSHUA REDMAN, MCCOY TYNER, MACY GRAY, JOHN SCOFIELD AND OTHER...
- TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND - MADE UP MIND - DEBUTS AT #1 ON BILLBOARD CHARTS; ANNOUNCES NEW TOUR DATES
- NEW RELEASES - TREMOR, RAS G & THE AFRIKAN SPACE PLANET, BOSQ Y ORQUESTA DE MADERA
- JONATHAN BUTLER - MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU
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Posted: 29 Aug 2013 12:22 PM PDT
 The endless Arizona sky will be filled with a galaxy of stars day and night during the Arizona Jazz Festival slated for October 25-27, 2013 at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. More than 13,000 contemporary jazz and soul fans from across the nation are expected to flock to the lavish desert resort to enjoy performances by a stellar slate of Grammy-winners and chart-toppers along with a weekend of revelry.
The Arizona Jazz Festival opens with an evening of seduction starting with the tantalizing pairing of saxophonist Eric Darius and R&B vocalist-producer Lyfe Jennings, who will set the mood for marquee-topper Maxwell, a Grammy-winning soul balladeer. Stick around for the official after-party at the resort.
Live music begins Saturday when nattily-attired guitarist Nick Colionne and new jazz swagger sax player J. White hit the stage followed by a trio set by saxophonists Warren Hill and Tom Braxton with blues-based guitar slinger Jeff Golub. Powerhouse tenors Gerald Albright, Richard Elliot and Euge Groove will blow a fierce sax storm in the desert before ten-time Grammy winner Chaka Khan belts out a song list filled with her massive crossover hits. The Queen of Neo Soul Erykah Badu will reign over majestic grooves and Baduizms preceding a set by "Uncle" Charlie Wilson, a 2013 BET lifetime achievement award winner, crooning cuts from his Grammy-nominated R&B songbook. After the concert, a number of the festival artists will head into the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa for an all-star jam.
It's going to be a great-looking Sunday when saxophonists Jessy J and Michael Lington link with keyboardist Jonathan Fritzen to open the final day followed by a neo soul session from vocalist Eric Benet. Emerging saxmen Elan Trotman and Dominic Amato will accompany R&B chanteuse Melanie Fiona for an outing. Captivating multi-instrumentalist Brian Culbertson will inject a potent dose of funk-jazz into the mix during a high-octane performance before fellow blue-eyed soul man Robin Thicke blurs the lines during a set list certain to include the #1 summer smash "Blurred Lines." Closing the festival is edgy multiplatinum R&B personality and reality television star Keyshia Cole.
"We pulled out all the stops for the Arizona Jazz Festival, which is perhaps the most spectacular lineup we have ever presented. While every festival that BTWconcerts.com produces and promotes is special, this is our hometown festival. We look forward to hosting guests from all over the U.S. that are passionate about jazz and R&B. It's going to be an unforgettable weekend of live music and partying," said Brad Laughlin of BTWconcerts.com, which also produces the Las Vegas Jazz Festival and the San Diego Jazz Festival.
The Arizona Jazz Festival offers reserved seating with ticket prices starting at $240.00 for the entire weekend or $65.00 for a single-day seat. For the enthusiast, tickets can be upgraded to include the Rock Star Experience that provides VIP tent access, a complimentary meal and drinks, artist meet & greets, Arizona Jazz Festival commemorative bag, t-shirt, poster and laminate, and entry to the Friday night after-party and Saturday night all-star jam.
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Posted: 29 Aug 2013 11:48 AM PDT
 Creole Soul is an exploration of Charles musical roots featuring sounds from the French, Spanish and English speaking Caribbean as well as North America, Creole Soul highlights myriad inspirations from Haitian Creole chants and blues to bebop and R&B while drawing on an array of rhythms including Rocksteady, Reggae, Bel Air, Kongo and Calypso.Charles has been hailed as a daring improviser by Jazz Times while Ben Ratliff of The New York Times called him one of the more ambitious soloists and composers. A musician and professor at Michigan State University, Charles studied under piano virtuoso Marcus Roberts at Florida State University and Mark Gould, former principal trumpeter of the Metropolitan Opera, at Juilliard. He was also mentored by Jamaican reggae and jazz luminary Monty Alexander and the late multiple Grammy Award-winning Trinidadian-American percussionist/songwriter Ralph MacDonald. ~ amazon  Wes Montgomery appeared as leader or co-leader on a dozen Riverside albums, in a wide variety of formats ranging from organ trios to one with full string orchestra. Some of the most rewarding simply placed him in a studio with a superior rhythm section and let him deal with the mixture of ballads, blues, and swingers. So Much Guitar!, his fourth album for the label, is a notable example of this straightforward approach. Recorded in 1961, it features the flawless support of Ron Carter (in one of his very first sessions) and Hank Jones, and includes Montgomery s only entirely unaccompanied recording While We re Young. An added bonus in this Original Jazz Classics Remasters edition are eight selections recorded that same year during a Montgomery Brothers tour. ~ amazon  Since his self-penned debut album, Adiemus Songs of Sanctuary, Jenkins s albums have sold over two million copies around the world. His distinct signature sound has reached mainstream audiences around the globe through its use in scores of TV and cinema commercials in over 20 different countries. Levi Strauss, Delta Airlines, Cheltenham and Gloucester, Lexus, Japanese Airlines, Lux Soap, Hewlett Packard, De Beers, Johnnie Walker, Renault, BMW, Audi and Chanel No. 5 are just some of the brands to use his music to help sell their products and brand messages. Adiemus Colores is his first work of its kind for ten years, and employs the rhythms, sounds, colors and textures of Latin American music to create a distinctly unique and exotic sound-world expect the unexpected! Scored for choir (The Adiemus Singers), instrumental forces and a super-tight rhythm section, as well as solo guitar, trumpet and voice this world premiere recording features Fado sensation Cuca Roseta, star guitarist Milos, new trumpeter on the block Pacho Flores and the worlds favorite tenor, Rolando Villazon. ~ amazon   |
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Posted: 29 Aug 2013 11:39 AM PDT
 4th studio release from the Grammy nominated R&B crooner.It's often said that love makes the world go 'round and three-time Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Raheem DeVaughn knows that to be the truth. With the release of his fourth studio album, A Place Called Loveland Raheem embraces the global theme while bringing his heart and soul into all tracks of his latest work of aural art. With songwriting collaborations with Ne-Yo and production via talents like Mario Winans,Carvin & Ivan, and Ne-Yo, Raheem proves why he is the Love King. Reflecting on this new phase of his career, RAHEEM recognizes that his process of creating music is definitely getting more defined as I grow as an artist and songwriter. A Place Called Loveland reflects the growth of Raheem DeVaughn vocally, mentally, spiritually and professionally. His quest for love is woven throughout each song, which he has crafted over the last year and states: This album represents a voyage, an eclectic ride where melody meets passion, a dimension of desire and orgasmic rescue in pleasure paradise. I am sure you will agree. ~ amazon  Still Within The Sound Of My Own Voice again unites Jimmy Webb with some of todays biggest selling and enduring artists for once in a lifetime performances, including the iconic MacArthur Park. In celebration of its 45th Anniversary, Jimmy reached out to Brian Wilson for his inspirational vocal harmonies which take this American Classic soaring to new heights. The Album is full of inspirational vocal performances from the breathless seduction of Carly Simon on Easy For Yoy To Say to the joyful contemporary styling of Keith Urban on Where's The Playground, Susie. In celebration of Jimmy Webb's Career as a singer, songwriter and performer it is easy to see why so many Artists have joined together for this amazing collection of duets from the Jimmy Webb Great American Songbook. Besides the Artists already mentioned other Special Guests featured include Lyle Lovett, David Crosby & Graham Nash, Marc Cohn, Amy Grant, Joe Cocker, Kris Kristofferson, Art Garfunkel and Rumer. ~ amazon  2013 compilation of the finest recordings from the late Smooth Jazz bassist Wayman Tisdale, featuring George Duke and Toby Keith. Wayman Tisdale was an All-American at The University of Oklahoma, gold-medal winner in the 1984 Olympic games and NBA star for the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. A self-taught musician, Tisdale began playing the bass guitar during his father's Sunday services. As his basketball career was ending, he turned his focus to his self-described "first love" with the release of his debut jazz album 'Power Forward', which climbed to number four on the Billboard charts. In his short musical career he released nine eclectic jazz albums - four of which hit #1 on the US jazz charts. ~ amazon   |
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Posted: 29 Aug 2013 08:10 AM PDT
World-class jazz musicians will once again descend on downtown Detroit Labor Day weekend – Aug. 30 through Sept. 2 – for the 34th annual Detroit Jazz Festival, presented by the Chrysler brand.
The world's largest free jazz festival kicks off Friday, Aug. 30 providing music lovers with one-of-a-kind performances from a variety of artists and ensembles throughout the weekend. This year's headliners include David Murray Big Band with Macy Gray, the Ahmad Jamal Quartet, Joshua Redman, Charles Lloyd, McCoy Tyner, John Scofield Uberjam Band, the Alan Broadbent Trio and 2013 Artist in Residence Danilo Perez.
"Each year we work harder than the last to make the Detroit Jazz Festival an experience that adds to the cultural fabric of this region and this music. Our lineup features incredible artists, free of charge, who will once again make this a can't-miss event," said Gretchen Valade, chair of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation. "The rich culture of jazz history in Detroit lives on through the Festival this Labor Day weekend and all year with the many activities we do to keep this spirit alive. This is really about what Detroit and this music have to offer the world."
More than 100 performances will take place on four stages located throughout Hart Plaza and Campus Martius. Artist in Residence and Grammy-winning pianist, Danilo Perez, and the Panama 500 Band will open the Festival on Friday at 7:15 p.m. followed by the David Murray Big Band featuring Macy Gray at 8:45 p.m., both on the JP Morgan Chase Main Stage. Saturday through Monday the music will start as early as noon and end at approximately 10:45 p.m. For those wanting more, there will be fireworks Saturday and Sunday night on the Detroit River after the last performance and late night jam sessions from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the Volt Bar & Lounge in the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, the Festival's official hotel.
One unique element to this year's Festival is the amazing tributes that will take place throughout the weekend including a Teddy Harris, Jr. Tribute by the New Breed Be Bop Society; Tribute to Stan Kenton featuring The Four Freshmen and the Toledo Jazz Orchestra; Three Baris Tribute to Pepper Adams, featuring Gary Smulyan, Howard Johnson and Frank Basile; Tribute to Brad Felt featuring Steve Wood, Cary Schunk, Pat Prouty, Bill Higgins and Terry Kimura; Tribute to Don Byas featuring James Carter; and the four-performance Detroit Jazz Festival Tribute to the late Dave Brubeck featuring the Brubeck Brothers.
"Year after year we are honored to present this incredible opportunity to see some of jazz music's best artists perform live in the heart of Detroit," said Chris Collins, artistic director for the Detroit Jazz Festival. "Our goal this year was to select an eclectic lineup that embodies all genres of jazz music and spanning across different generations. We want to highlight the best that jazz has to offer, and I believe this year's lineup definitely accomplishes that."
In addition to the performances throughout the weekend, attendees will have the opportunity to see artists up-close and unplugged in the Chrysler Jazz Talk Tent, which offers a deeper dive into the artists and history with interviews, panel discussions, presentations and performances. One key Talk Tent segment not to miss is the DownBeat blindfold test, Sunday, Sept. 1 at 3:45 p.m., where Geri Allen will test her jazz music recognition skills. For more information on the Chrysler Jazz Talk Tent, hosted by jazz historians Jim Gallert and Lars Bjorn, visit http://www.detroitmusichistory.com/upcoming.html.
The weekend also provides fans of local musicians the opportunity to see performances from accomplished Detroit-native artists, such as Geri Allen and the 2013 Homecoming Band, the Sean Dobbins Organ Trio, the Scott Gwinell Ensemble and numerous other musicians featured in the Marcus Belgrave "Trumpet Call."
The Detroit Jazz Festival gives back to the region not only by featuring Detroit- and Michigan-based artists during the Festival weekend, but also through year-round initiatives that work to promote the history and development of jazz music in Detroit and help maintain the city's legacy as a music hub. For example, as part of its mission to educate students about the importance of music, the Festival puts on a variety of concerts, workshops and competitions to foster young talent from the region. For the seventh year in a row, the Wayne State University Department of Music and the Detroit Jazz Festival teamed up to bring promising high school musicians the J.C. Heard Jazz Week@Wayne program, a week-long, audition-based jazz workshop that provides students with an intensive and rewarding jazz education. Eight exceptional students who stood out during the program earned a spot in the J.C. Heard All-Star Youth Ensemble, which will be performing at the Festival on Monday at 12:15 p.m on the Carhartt Amphitheater Stage.
In addition to performances by the J.C. Heard All-Star Youth Ensemble and several other high school jazz ensembles, the Michigan State University Big Band I, the University of Michigan Jazz Ensemble with special guest Lee Konitz and ensembles from Central Michigan, Oakland and Wayne State Universities also will be performing over the weekend.
The Festival also is extending its support for national artists for the second year in a row by staging national performance and arranging competitions. This year the Festival welcomed submissions from up-and-coming trumpet artists and composers from all around of the country. Upon judging from a panel of prominent jazz artists and educators, including Marcus Belgrave and Chris Collins, Theo Croker from New York City won the trumpet competition and Scott Nimmer, also from New York City, won the arranging competition. Both winners received a cash prize and Croker will perform at the Festival.
Every year people from all over the world travel to Detroit on Labor Day weekend to see some of the industry's top musicians perform at this premier music event. As the world's largest free jazz festival, it brings in tens of millions of dollars to the city center annually, helping to boost the local economy. With help from the DTE Energy Foundation, the Festival also is making a positive impact by continuing its efforts to promote a green atmosphere through recycling, reducing paper waste and more to minimize its carbon footprint.
About the Detroit Jazz Festival
The Detroit Jazz Festival is an independent, non-profit organization that presents jazz and educational workshops throughout the year. Recently voted number two in North America in a JazzTimes reader's poll, the Detroit Jazz Festival is the largest free jazz festival in the world and a major tourist attraction for the City of Detroit, with 23 percent of its audience coming from out of state.
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Posted: 29 Aug 2013 07:55 AM PDT
Tedeschi Trucks Band's new album, Made Up Mind - released by Sony Masterworks on August 20th - has debuted at #11 on Billboard's Top 200 Album chart, #1 on the Blues chart, #2 on the Rock chart, #2 on the FMQB AAA non-comm chart, #5 on the BDS AAA Indicator chart, #4 on the Americana chart and #1 on the Roots Music Blues Chart with 26,466 units sold - Tedeschi Trucks Band's highest unit debut to date.
Made Up Mind is nothing less than a quantum leap forward for TTB. If Revelator and Everybody's Talkin' were all about finding their way, this new effort is where they emerge as a fully formed band for the ages.
Rolling Stone magazine raves: "The album combines funk, greasy blues and Memphis soul; beefier horn lines, snappier interplay between two drummers, and Tedeschi's rugged vocals."
Throughout the course of the album it becomes increasingly apparent that Susan Tedeschi has evolved into one of the most dauntingly commanding vocalists in contemporary music, her serious lung power exploding on standout tracks such as the uber-funky "Misunderstood" and just as convincingly digging into the core of poignant, tender acoustic ballads like "Calling Out to You" and "Idle Wind".
Derek Trucks has indisputably matured into one of the monster guitarists of our time, tearing up barnburners like the title track "Made Up Mind" with his masterful slide and lead licks while showcasing his easier, more subtle touch on the bluesy "Do I Look Worried".
Premier Guitar Magazine praises: "When Trucks cuts loose, the gloves come off. And that's what makes this album essential listening for anyone who plays slide guitar."
Tedeschi Trucks Band's fall tour kicks off at Lockn' Festival and includes a residency at the legendary Beacon Theater in New York City. Here are the tour dates:
08-Sep / Arrington, VA - Lockn' Festival
13-Sep / Cleveland, OH - Jacobs Pavilion
14-Sep / Cincinnati, OH - PNC Pavilion
16-Sep / Las Vegas, NV- Sin City Soul & Blues Revival
19-Sep / Allentown, PA - Miller Symphony Hall
20-Sep / New York, NY - Beacon Theatre
21-Sep / New York, NY - Beacon Theatre
26-Sep / Richmond, VA - Carpenter Theatre
27-Sep / New York, NY - Beacon Theatre
28-Sep / Wilmington, NC- Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
15-Oct / Madison, WI - Overture Center for the Arts
16-Oct / Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theater
18-Oct / Ozark, AR - Harvest Music Festival
19-Oct / New Orleans, LA - Joy Center
23-Oct / Charleston, WV - Clay Center
24-Oct / Columbia, MO - Jesse Auditorium
25-Oct / Bowling Green, KY - Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center
29-Oct / London, ENG - Royal Albert Hall
01-Nov / Boone, NC - Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts
28-Apr / Paris, FR - L'Olympia
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Posted: 29 Aug 2013 07:46 AM PDT
TREMOR – PROA
Buenos Aires based digital folklore trio Tremor return to the forefront of modern South American music with a brand new album on Nickodemus' Brooklyn based Wonderwheel Recordings that fuses traditional sounds with contemporary electronic elements. After playing some of the most important festivals and venues worldwide including Roskilde Festival in Denmark, Fusion Festival in Germany, and an official showcases at SXSW and Womex, Argentina's Tremor advances the digital folk genre with their upcoming release Proa. Tremor uses South American folklore traditions and regional instruments to bridge unexpected genres such as Argentine chacarera and glitch electronica. Digging deeper into their folkloric roots and adding a new element of vocals for the first time, Proa is Tremor evolved: the most organic and visceral release of the trio to date. Lead by Leonardo Martinelli (composer and producer), the power trio features Camillo Carbajal (bombo leguero) and Gerardo Farez (synthesizers, melodica and bombo leguero).
RAS & THE AFRIKAN SPACE PROGRAM - BACK ON THE PLANET
Ras G may be back on the planet, but the sound here is still very much in keeping with the excellent mode on his Ghetto Sci Fi set – a really weird and wonderful blend of cosmic influences from the heyday of spiritual jazz, including lots of Sun Ra-inspired touches, mixed with some very unusual beats and electronics! There's a sense of analogue electricity that crackles through the set, and really sets an edge right from the start – potent and powerful right at the start, then laying back a bit for awhile as things get somewhat warmer – but still stepping in at all the right points to shock the system! The whole thing is really a great move forward in the legacy of sci-fi sounds from the jazz and funk world – a definite heady part of the Sun Ra Legacy too. Titles include "Been Cosmic", "Find Ya Self", "Asteroid Storm", "Back On The Planet", "All Is Well", "Cosmic Lounge Kisses", "One 4 Kutman", "Culture Riddim", and "Natural Melanin Being". ~ Dusty Groove
BOSQ Y ORQUESTA DE MADERA - BOSQ OF WHISKEY BARONS
A really wonderful set of grooves – much richer, jazzier, and more soulful than we would have expected – and a great full length introduction to the work of Bosq! Bosq's a name that's been brimming around on singles recently – but on this full album, he really opens up with a wonderfully deep groove – one that's inspired by older styles of jazz, Latin, Brazilian, and even Afro Funk modes – but put together in ways that often mix organic and live instrumentation with some studio production too – yet always at a level that still retains all the warmth of the elements at the core! These are some of the best sounds we've heard from Ubiquity in awhile, and the record's a real return to the mix of classic and contemporary that first made us fall in love with the label. The set features guest work from Kon, Tita Lima, Kaleta, and others – and titles include "More Heavy", "Up & Down (NYC 91 mix)", "Tear It Out", "Getting There", "Movin On", "Pura Candela", "Paciencia De Jo", "Never Feel Cold", and "Get Involved". ~ Dusty Groove
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Posted: 29 Aug 2013 07:36 AM PDT
Santa Claus has a special treat to stuff in the stockings of all the good Jonathan Butler fans this Christmas: the first Christmas album by the two-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter-guitarist. Butler produced and arranged "Merry Christmas To You," which will be released October 1 by Artistry Music. Two singles will be shipped to multiple radio formats this holiday season: an instrumental take on "Sleigh Ride" decorated with hallmarks from the South African native's homeland, and the album's title track, which is a retro-flavored R&B/adult contemporary ballad penned by Butler.
Butler recorded eight Christmas chestnuts for the collection and penned a pair of new songs, including "Happy Holidays," an ardent urban groove ornamented with riffs of cool jazz guitar. High-profile hornmen Dave Koz, Rick Braun and Paul "Shilts" Weimer contribute to the festivities on a couple of tracks as does Butler's daughter, vocalist Jodie Butler, and bassist Dan Lutz, who plays upright on a tune, but the heart of the intimate recording is Butler solo pouring his impassioned voice and acoustic guitar into the seasonal songs. His arresting performances and sparse production captivates, fostering an air of freshness to the evergreen material.
"These songs are beautiful on their own so I felt they didn't need a lot of instrumentation. Plus I wanted my fans to have a personal Christmas message from me. That is why the CD has very little production and plenty of voice and guitar. It's a very proud moment for me to finally have a Christmas record, which has been a long time coming. I hope fans feel blessed and uplifted when they play it at home or in their car or wherever they may be. I truly thank God for giving me the strength and the opportunity to make this album," said Butler, who lives in California's San Fernando Valley with his family.
The "Merry Christmas To You" album opens with an energizing version of the Donny Hathaway soul classic "This Christmas." Butler applies South African vocalization, chanting and rhythmic percussion to "Little Drummer Boy." "I'll Be Home For Christmas," "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "The First Noel," "O Holy Night" and the lesser known "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" are presented starkly featuring show-stopping performances by the devoutly inspired man with his guitar.
Beginning November 30, Butler will venture out on a three-week U.S. concert swing performing on the Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour during which he will share the stage with the charismatic sax star as well as keyboardist Keiko Matsui and vocalist Oleta Adams.
A former child star, Butler was the first black artist played on radio stations in South Africa. The hint of grit in his expressive voice reflects the pain he endured growing up under Apartheid, the youngest of 17 children. A true artist who refuses to segregate his music, Butler's recordings consist of vocal and instrumental hits and enduring fan favorites spanning R&B, contemporary jazz, gospel, adult contemporary, pop and world beat stylings. The natural-born performer's radiant spirit shines brightly through his beaming smile and twinkling eyes.
The songs comprising Butler's "Merry Christmas To You" are:
"This Christmas"
"Sleigh Ride"
"Merry Christmas To You"
"Happy Holidays"
"Little Drummer Boy"
"I'll Be Home For Christmas"
"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
"Sweet Little Jesus Boy"
"The First Noel"
"O Holy Night"
www.JonathanButler.com  |
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