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Posted: 13 Sep 2013 01:39 PM PDT
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, trumpeter Randy Brecker and his younger, sax-playing brother Michael helped define a sub-genre by blending sophisticated jazz harmonies and searing solos with slamming funk grooves and a visceral energy that grabbed rock ears. The Philly-born Brecker Brothers set the tone for a generation of aspiring musicians who followed.
"When the band started back in the day, the original intent was to do a Randy Brecker record," Randy explains. "We were rehearsing tunes every week with Michael, Don Grolnick, David Sanborn, Steve Khan, Chris Parker and Will Lee. Somehow, producer Steve Backer had gotten wind of the rehearsals. He knew of us - Michael and I had played together in Dreams, Billy Cobhamʼs band and Horace Silverʼs quintet. He rang me and said, ʻIf you call this band The Brecker Brothers, Iʼll sign you tomorrow to Clive Davisʼ new label, Arista Records.ʼ" Randy recalls his first inclination was to say no, because "I wanted to do my own record," but he ultimately relented. "And thatʼs how this whole thing started."
Sadly, in 2005 Michael Brecker was diagnosed with the blood disorder myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and died from complications of leukemia on January 13, 2007.
During the process of assembling a band for a week-long engagement at New York Cityʼs Blue Note jazz club last year for a solo record, Randy realized that all the musicians he has contacted have played in various editions of The Brecker Brothers Band: bassist Will Lee (who served the earliest incarnation of the group in the mid-ʻ70s), along with guitarist Mike Stern, keyboardist George Whitty and drummer Dave Weckl (veterans of the early ʻ90s edition). Filling in for his late brother is saxophonist Ada Rovatti, an accomplished improviser and bandleader, also known as Randyʼs wife and the mother of their four-year- old daughter, Stella. "Here it is 30-some years later, Iʼm getting set to do another solo record, and the Brecker Brothers thing creeps in again," Randy says. "In fact," he continues, "the club billed it as 'Brecker Brothers Band Reunion'. At first I wasnʼt crazy about the idea. But the week was sold out, it became an event, and fans loved hearing the old tunes along with the new ones. I realized this band was my legacy."
This set of original compositions, among them tunes like "Some Skunk Funk" and "Straphangin", brings back the excitement of the 70s with the technological advances of the 21st century. Add to the mix, the appearance of Randroid, a vocalist fans of Randy Brecker will recognize.
Randy Brecker and former members of the studio and touring bands have reconvened to make new, exciting music. The story continues.
 
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Posted: 13 Sep 2013 12:10 PM PDT
STING - THE LAST SHIP
New album from the 16-time Grammy® Award winner set for release on September 24, 2013. The album is inspired by Sting's forthcoming play of the same name and explores the central themes of homecoming and self-discovery, drawing upon his memories of growing up in the shadow of the Swan Hunters Shipyard in Wallsend. His personal reminiscences illuminate universal truths – the complexity of relationships, the passage of time and the importance of family and community – to form an affecting, complex parable for our modern times. The play, in which Sting has been creatively immersed for nearly three years, debuts on Broadway in 2014 and is a collaboration with Tony Award winners Joe Mantello (director; Wicked, Other Desert Cities), John Logan (writer; Red, Skyfall) and Brian Yorkey (writer; Next to Normal)."The Last Ship" tells the story of the demise of the shipbuilding industry in 1980s Newcastle which had, for so long, shaped and overshadowed the city, its development, and its community. "The Last Ship" album is produced by Rob Mathes (Sting, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Lou Reed, Carly Simon) and engineered and mixed by Donal Hodgson. "The Last Ship" will be available as both a digital and physical release in two configurations - a 12-song version and a 2-disc deluxe version featuring 5 additional tracks. (The 12-song version will also be available on vinyl.) A super deluxe edition, containing 2-discs comprised of 20 tracks within special packaging, will also be sold as a physical product exclusively at Amazon.com. AmazonMP3 will be the exclusive retailer for the 20-track, super deluxe digital edition.
LOU PRIDE – AIN'T NO MORE LOVE
Severn Records is proud to release the final recording by late soul-great Lou Pride. Ain't No More Love In This House, which showcases Lou's work in the final years of his life, features 4 originals and 7 covers including Ann Peebles (I Didn't Take Your Woman), Peter Hunnigale's Never, the standard Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast, and a beautiful version of the Simply Red classic, Holding Back the Years. Lou's subtle but powerful vocal style is complemented by strong grooves and elegant production. Packaged in Digipak format. Features Ain't No More Love In This House, I Didn't Take Your Woman, Take It Slow, Never, She Boom Boom Me, We Can Do What We Want, Love Come Got Me, Key to the World, I Gotta Move On Up, Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast, and Holding Back the Years.
LAURA NYRO - LIVE AT CARNEGIE HALL: THE CLASSIC 1976 RADIO BROADCAST
This superb 1976 concert recording showcases the extraordinary talents of the late singer-songwriter Laura Nyro. Her performance this particular evening also received the accolade of being the first live radio broadcast by a ""Pop"" artist from Carnegie Hall, New York City's most prestigious music venue. Laura had come a long way since her 1966 residency in San Francisco's 'Hungry i' coffee house. Born in 1947, a native New Yorker from the Bronx, Laura Nyro released nine studio albums during her lifetime - a tenth, 'Angel In The Dark', although recorded in the mid-1990's, was issued posthumously in 2000, after her untimely death from ovarian cancer in April 1997. In March 1976, when this broadcast was made, Laura was amidst a four-month tour in support of her sixth record, 'Smile', which is consequently very well represented with live versions of six tracks (the title track, Stormy Love, Money, I Am The Blues, The Cat Song and Midnight Blue). The tour was a substantial undertaking, complete with an eight-piece backing band including such consummate professionals as John Tropea on guitar (a highly regarded session musician, he also played with Van Morrison, Eric Clapton and Paul Simon) and Andy Newmark on drums (previously with Sly and the Family Stone). 1968's 'Eli and the Thirteenth Confession' is clearly a favourite of its author as well as her audience, and contributes four songs to proceedings: The Confession, Sweet Blindness, Timer and Emmie. Of the remaining quartet, And When I Die comes from Laura's 1967 debut, 'More Than A New Discovery', Sweet Lovin' Baby from 1969's 'New York Tendaberry' and two from 1970's 'Christmas and the Beads of Sweat' (Upstairs By A Chinese Lamp and When I Was A Freeport and You Were The Main Drag). Fate may have robbed the world of Laura Nyro, but this broadcast stands as a fitting testament to her prodigious talents as a songwriter, musician and performer. ~ amazon.com
 
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Posted: 13 Sep 2013 11:47 AM PDT
IVAN LINS – AMORAGIO
Quintessential Brazilian songwriter, vocalist and keyboardist Ivan Lins returns with his first solo studio album released in the U.S. in almost twenty years. JazzTimes Magazine writes that &ldquo:Amoragio is steeped in Brazilian rhythms that recycles the romanticism that punctuates much of the composer's songbook." Sure to be an instant classic, the album brings together several special guest vocalists in Maria Gad£ ("Quem Me Dera"), Ant"nio Zambujo ("Fado Saramago"), ATEN€AO ("X No Calendario"), Fioravante e Guimaraes ("Atras Poeira"), and Tatiana Parra ("Amoragio"). ` amazon.com
URSULA RICKS – MY STREET
Severn Records is proud to release My Street, the debut recording of longtime Baltimore based soul-blues artist Ursula Ricks. Produced by David Earl and Steve Gomes with horns by Chicago legend Willie Henderson, My Street showcases Ursula's astounding vocals and fresh approach to song writing. She's backed by the label's studio house band, with special guests Kim Wilson (harmonica) and Johnny Moeller (rhythm guitar) of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, plus Sugar Ray & the Bluestones' guitarist 'Monster' Mike Welch featured. In addition to 8 originals penned by Ricks, My Street highlights the Bobby Rush classic Mary Jane, and Curtis Mayfield's Just a Little Bit Of Love all delivered by the big-voiced singer who's star is clearly on the rise. ~ amazon.com
ERIC REED – REFLECTIONS OF A GRATEFUL HEART
Reflectons Of A Grateful Heart is the latest CD release from Eric Reed, one of the most innovative pianists in modern jazz. This CD features Reed in a rare solo piano setting, performing jazz and gospel selections and celebrating the music that has been this critically-renown artist's greatest influences. The CD includes the gospel standards I Love The Lord by Richard Smallwood, Changed by Walter Hawkins, and solo piano renditions of Reed's own compositions Prayer, and New Morning. Reed, whose first performances were in his father's storefront Baptist church, was bitten by the jazz bug after hearing recordings by Art Blakey, Ramsey Lewis and Dave Brubeck. Reflections Of A Grateful Heart is the continuation of Reed artistically blending his jazz and gospel influences in a unique fashion. ~ amazon.com
 
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Posted: 13 Sep 2013 11:40 AM PDT
SPYRO GYRA – THE RHINEBECK SESSIONS
2013 album from contemporary Jazz supergroup Spyro Gyra. Founded in 1974 by saxophonist Jay Beckenstein, Spyro Gyra have consistently been one of the commercially successfully Pop Jazz groups of the past 30 years. The band became a full-time venture in 1976 and has been touring ever since. Critics love to attack this band's music, which combines R&B and elements of Pop and Caribbean music with Jazz, but its live performances are often stimulating -- unlike many of its records, which emphasize the danceable melodies. ~ amazon.com
JOE COCKER - LIVE AT MONTREUX 1987
Joe Cocker has enjoyed a hugely successful career around the world since the late sixties when he topped the charts with his version of the Beatles With A Little Help From My Friends, a song that he managed to make completely on his own. A string of hugely successful albums and singles followed and he continues to record and to perform to huge audiences wherever he goes. Cocker's impassioned delivery and instantly recognizable voice are immediately in evidence on this Montreux concert from 1987, the first of several appearances that he has made at the festival. The tracklisting features hit songs from across his career and is now being made available on CD for the first time. Includes Dear Landlord, You Can Leave Your Hat On, Feeling Alright, Civilized Man, Inner City Blues, Just Like Always, Up Where We Belong, Seven Days, Shelter Me, With A Little Help From My Friends, You Are So Beautiful, Watching The River Flow, and Guilty. ` amazon.com
HAROLD LOPEZ-NUSSA - NEW DAY
With roots in both Cuba and Europe, the thrilling young jazz pianist Harold Lopez-Nussa displays an impressive maturity, which at merely thirty years of age will no doubt guarantee him a place amongst the greats. His latest album, New Day, clearly represents an watershed moment - the rising star refines his style and adds color to his artistic palette (listen for the Fender Rhodes keyboard), all to further charm his ever-growing audience across the globe. Lopez-Nussa's music is an intoxicating blend of lush melodies and quicksilver rhythms that owes as much to the distinguished school of Cuban piano as to the pianist's innate virtuosity, which has been cultivated under the influence of such great jazzmen as Keith Jarrett and Wayne Shorter.~ amazon.com
 
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Posted: 13 Sep 2013 11:21 AM PDT
STANLEY CLARKE / GEORGE DUKE - THE CLARKE / DUKE PROJECT
2013 Japanese pressing BLU-SPECCD2. Audiophile BSCD2 uses phase transition mastering, the technology developed for mastering of Blu-ray discs. Playable on standard CD player. Sony A big hit among The Fusion/Quiet Storm crowd. ~ Ron Wynn Recorded at Fantasy Studios, Studio D, Berkeley, California. Personnel includes: Stanley Clarke (vocals, cello, guitar, sitar, bass); George Duke (vocals, keyboards, synthesizer); Jerry Hey (trumpet); Gary Foster (alto & tenor recorders); Michael Boddicker (synthesizer); John Robinson (drums).Features Wild Dog, Louie Louie, Sweet Baby, I Just Want To Love You, Never Judge A Cover By It's Book, and others.
THE ANTHONY SMITH VIBRAPHONE QUARTET - CONNECTIONS VOLUME ONE
Connections Volume One is an ambitious, fresh collection of both originals and imaginatively re-arranged standards by jazz vibraphonist/pianist Anthony Smith, a mainstay of the Southern California music scene. Anthony has enjoyed a varied, well-traveled career as both a keyboardist and vibist, and this new two-volume recording represents his arrival on the international jazz scene as a master of jazz vibraphone. The band includes a "who's who" of Southern California's greatest jazz musiciains, including legendary pianist Mike Wofford, guitar virtuoso Peter Sprague, and flute master Holly Hofmann. With this new double album, Smith firmly establishes himself as both a world class improviser and also composer.
DAVID SANBORN - SANBORN
This album is one of David Sanborn's better early recordings. Although the record is perhaps best known for the altoist's version of Paul Simon's "I Do It For Your Love," Sanborn's playing on some of the other cuts (most notably "Mamacita" and "7th Avenue") finds him really stretching within the R&B/crossover genre. Only "Smile" (which has some mundane vocalizing) is a minus, and it is more than compensated for by Sanborn's passionate improvising elsewhere. ~ Scott Yanow 2013 limited edition Japanese pressing 24 bit remastering. Warner Recorded at A & R Studios, New York, New York. Personnel: David Sanborn (soprano & alto saxophones, flute); Paul Simon, Phoebe Snow, Patti Austin, Lani Groves (vocals); Rosalinda de Leon, Richard Tee (keyboards); Hiram Bullock (guitar, background vocals); Herb Bushler (bass); Victor Lewis (drums, background vocals); Jumma Santos (percussion).
 
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Posted: 13 Sep 2013 07:35 AM PDT
State Theatre in New Brunswick, NJ presents the New Jersey Blues & Jazz Festival, October 3-27, 2013. This year's performances include Herbie Hancock (10/3/13), Rutgers Jazz Ensemble featuring Randy Brecker (10/8/13), Béla Fleck's Banjo Summit (10/13/13), B.B. King with special guest The Robert Cray Band (10/18/13), and Bob James and David Sanborn (10/27/13). Festival Line-up
Herbie Hancock
Thurs., October 3, 2013 at 8 p.m.
A true icon of modern music, there are few artists in the music industry who have had more influence on acoustic and electronic jazz and R&B than Herbie Hancock. As a member of the Miles Davis Second Great Quintet, he became one of the pioneers of the 60s avant garde jazz sound. Over the years, Hancock has won 14 Grammy® Awards and an Academy Award® for his film score for Round Midnight. His songs include "Canteloupe Island," "Maiden Voyage," "Watermelon Man," "Chameleon," "I Thought It Was You," and "Rockit."
The Fifth Annual 'Prof' Fielder Memorial Concert featuring Randy Brecker
Tue., October 8, 2013 at 8 p.m.
The Rutgers Jazz Ensemble joins this year's New Jersey Blues & Jazz Festival line-up! The Rutgers Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Conrad Herwig, is the top student jazz ensemble at Mason Gross School of the Arts. Joining the ensemble is Grammy® Award-winning trumpeter Randy Brecker, best known for his work with Blood, Sweat and Tears; The Brecker Brothers; and Larry Coryell's Eleventh House.
Béla Fleck's Banjo Summit
Sun., October 13, 2013 at 7 p.m.
Generally considered the most accomplished master of the banjo, Béla Fleck began making waves with a series of progressive banjo-centric recordings in the 1970s and as a member of the Newgrass Revival in the 1980s. As the leader of the genre-busting Béla Fleck and the Flecktones since 1989, he has used the banjo to define the band's one of a kind fusion of jazz, rock, bluegrass, and world music. Fleck will be joined by fellow pickers Tony Trischka, Bill Keith, Richie Sterns, Eric Weissberg, and Noam Pikelny. In performances ranging from solos and duets to full-tilt banjo blowouts, the concert stage will range from the traditional backdrop of bluegrass and old-time country music to the more unconventional banjo genres including jazz, classical, and rock music.
 B.B. King with special guest The Robert Cray Band
Fri., October 18, 2013 at 8 p.m.
Hailed as the King of Blues, B.B. King is considered one of the most accomplished jazz musicians of all time. King has released over 60 albums, including the definitive live blues album Live At The Regal (1965), and his iconic collaboration with Bobby "Blue" Bland, Together For The First Time (1976). His hits include "The Thrill Is Gone," "Three O'Clock Blues," "You Don't Know Me," "Please Love Me," "You Upset Me Baby," "Sweet Sixteen, Part I," and "Don't Answer The Door, Part I." Joining B.B. King on tour is special guest, The Robert Cray Band. Five-time Grammy® Award-winning Blues guitarist and singer Robert Cray is a consummate performer. He has written and played with blues luminaries ranging from Eric Clapton to Stevie Ray Vaughn, from Bonnie Raitt to John Lee Hooker. Recently inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame at the age of 57, he is one of the youngest living legends to receive the prestigious honor.
Bob James and David Sanborn featuring Steve Gadd and Scott Colley
Sun., October 27, 2013 at 8 p.m.
Modern jazz titans Bob James and David Sanborn share the stage in what will surely be an amazing night of jazz at its best. In 1986, alto saxophonist David Sanborn and keyboardist Bob James released their collaborative hit album Double Vision, which sold over 1 million copies and won a Grammy® Award for "Best Jazz Fusion Performance." The album included the hits "Maputo," "Since I Fell For You," "Moon Tune," and "You Don't Know Me." Now, they join forces again for their second album, Quartette Humaine. James and Sanborn will be joined by drummer Steve Gadd and bassist Scott Colley.
 
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