THE JAZZ CHILL CORNER BASSIST AND COMPOSER NEDDY SMITH RELEASES - MOOD SWING |  |
- BASSIST AND COMPOSER NEDDY SMITH RELEASES - MOOD SWING
- MORE FUNK AND SOUL SOUNDS COMING FROM NICK PRIDE AND THE PIMP TONES - REJUICED PHAT SHAKE
- JASON ANICK - TIPPING POINT
- NEW RELEASES: CHRIS STANDRING - DON'T TALK, DANCE!; DOMINIC MILLER - AD-HOC; TONY GREY - ELEVATION
- ERNIE ISLEY (OF THE ISLEY BROTHERS) RECEIVES RECORDING ACADEMY 2014 SPECIAL MERIT AWARD
- ANGELIQUE KIDJO RELEASES EVE; SETS U.S TOUR DATES
- LIVE FROM DARYL'S HOUSE RETURNS AFTER YEAR-LONG HIATUS
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Posted: 13 Jan 2014 12:13 PM PST
Norwalk CT-based jazz bassist, composer, recording artist and producer, Neddy Smith, announces the release of his CD: Mood Swing. As with his prior recordings such as, Give It Up and Liberated Woman or leading his own groups such as TransWave, his Jazz Duo or Trio and his other ensembles or, the Neddy Smith and Friends group, or even performing/playing and recording on albums with the Eric Gail band and others, producing Jazz festivals where he led seminars while educating audiences on Jazz or, on to one of his performances in the US, Europe, or travelling extensively to other parts of the world doing what he loves, Neddy is all about the music.
For his newest CD effort, Neddy Smith's, Mood Swing, gives voice to a new generation of music lovers. His up-lifting and subtle melodies filled with energy and power invigorates like the wind that flows musically through the air directed by the gravitational interest towards discriminating ears of music lovers from various cultures, class or creed. Thus keeping his fans reminded of his trademarks funky rhythmic and melodic style as an artist.
Neddy's early approaches to musical innovation comes from influences deep within the cultures of his native Jamaica which he has entwined into his music development and compositions even now; some from folk and world-music, Afro-Caribbean, Latin, Asian, European, and American classical music from Blues to Jazz. Neddy's inspiration for this new project is from a spiritual source and also from one of his favorite composers, Thelonious Monk and a simple poem he wrote called, The Little House. This CD strives on the dynamic rhythmic driving forces of Neddy's ancestral roots known and/or unknown that helped to shape his cultural awareness and energized him to express what he feels so deeply rooted in his soul both poetic and musical as he composed freely.
Musicians on the CD with Connecticut connections are: Andrew DeNicola (Flute, Alto, Soprano, and Tenor Sax), Marcel Blanchet (drum kit on Mood Swing). Thomas Ice (keyboard: on Pretty Little Flower and The Little House), Michiro Nigishi (multi-Keyboards on Wildebeest and Mood Swing). From New Jersey, Willy Dalton (multi guitars played on 'Am in Love with You) and from New York, Deborah Hawkins (keyboard on 'Am in Love with You").
The CD was recorded in Norwalk, CT at NedGJean International Inc., Studio. The mixing engineering was solely the work of Ben (Benjamin. J Arrindell) at Sound Clash Studios, New York City. The mastering by Sound Lab at Disc Makers, New Jersey.
Upcoming Performances:
January 12 - Barcelona, Norwalk CT
January 22 - The Quick Center, Fairfield CT
~ Visit THE JAZZ NETWORK WORLDWIDE "A GREAT PLACE TO HANG" at: http://www.thejazznetworkworldwide.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network
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Posted: 13 Jan 2014 12:04 PM PST
Newcastle's finest funk and soul outfit Nick Pride & The Pimptones return with their second full length album "Rejuiced Phat Shake", a collection of 14 smart grooves and a fearless blend of soul, jazz & funk tinged with rhythm & blues, disco, Latin, New Orleans Brass and Northern Soul.
After the strong impact of their debut album "Midnight Feast Of Jazz" (released in 2011 on Record Kicks from Milan/Italy) guitarist, composer, arranger and producer Nick Pride was determined to take his vision a step further towards connecting the grit and power of original soul music with the immediacy and joy of a cool, modern pop song. "I was always a fan of amazing pop songwriters like Burt Bacharach and Holland-Dozier-Holland, but on the other hand, being a dedicated musician, I love the raw energy of being on stage with a funk band." With the Pimptones' regular rhythm combo, a tight horns section and the additional presence of a soaring string quartet, the new album "Rejuiced Phat Shake" is a well-crafted studio work, while Nick Pride was able to focus on his skills as a songwriter: "I am happy to have a rock solid foundation with my guys, it means we can try all this funky and diverse stuff in the studio, while also being a tight unit on stage."
"Rejuiced Phat Shake" presents a host of guest vocalists, each one chosen to bring in a different flavour. Like a Stax or Motown compilation of 7inch singles, the Pimptones "house band" remains the solid backbone while passing the microphone around in the studio. "Take Care Of My Love" with Susan Hamilton's voice and it's irresistible uptempo Northern meets Motown beat and a cool hook is backed by the soulful pop of "Everything's Better In The Summertime" sung by Karen Harding on the first single from the album.
With guests like Jess Roberts, one of the UK's upcoming R&B singers on "Second Hand Wife", the mighty blues voice and harmonica of Lyndon Anderson on "Walkin' Out The Door" or Sheffield big sounding 12-piece Renegade Brass Band, "Rejuiced Phat Shake" goes all the way when it comes down to diversity. "This is exactly where I see The Pimptones," Nick Pride explains. "I love to write songs with a certain voice or sound in mind. So it makes perfect sense that we record with many different singers. Rather than being limited to one style we love to explore the whole range our genre offers us and that is what keeps us buzzing."
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Posted: 13 Jan 2014 11:54 AM PST
One of the youngest instructors at Boston's Berklee College of Music, Anick is rapidly making a name for himself in the world of jazz violin and mandolin. In addition to leading his own ensemble and performing with the Rhythm Future Quartet, Anick has been touring and recording with Grammy award-winning Nashville guitar virtuoso John Jorgenson since 2008 when he was recruited while still a senior at Hartt Conservatory
Talk to the abundantly gifted violinist and mandolin player Jason Anick and the phrase " jazz without borders" will invariably come up. What the axiom means to Anick is a contemporary jazz that is stylistically inclusive in nature, a jazz that brings whatever it can to the party, unwilling to cut something out of the mix for fear of it not fitting prescribed boundaries. An inviting demonstration of the maxim in action can be found on Anick's second album as a leader, Tipping Point (February 18, 2014). Utilizing both acoustic and electric mandolins in addition to his customary violin, Anick expands his musical horizons; those who associate his name with acoustic Gypsy jazz -- as heard so convincingly on his debut album, Sleepless, in his work with the Rhythm Future Quartet and with Grammy-award winning guitar virtuoso John Jorgenson -- will now find that pigeonholing Anick is fruitless. The album's title spells things out loud and clear: from this moment forward Anick's own music is rooted in the here and now, a time when possibilities reign.
Blending Anick originals that openly incorporate the influences of mainstream jazz, classical, new acoustic music, Gypsy jazz, swing, and hard bop with a wide-ranging swath of jazz classics from the likes of Django Reinhardt, Horace Silver, Hank Mobley and Ornette Coleman (along with a well-chosen standard, "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes"), Tipping Point declares that for open-eared members of the 27-year-old string master's generation, musical exclusion is a dead end. What tie together the various strains of Anick's vision are his extraordinary command of his chosen instruments and the spirited contributions of the like-minded players that accompany him on this musical journey.
To accommodate his concept, Anick uses two distinct ensembles throughout Tipping Point. For his five original compositions, Anick teams up with like-minded pianist Jason Yeager and pairs his violin and mandolins with the alto saxophone of Clay Lyons to achieve an atypical yet thoroughly appealing frontline sound. On the majority of the tunes by others, Anick sticks to violin and surrounds himself with a trio featuring the hard-swinging pianist Matt DeChamplain. (Coleman's blues "Turnaround" unites Anick's electric mandolin with the electric guitar of Lee Dynes.) The differing bands lend the album variety and suggest the unrestricted nature of Anick's current music making.
"There's a home in jazz for everything," Anick states. "I admire the embracing stance that contemporary musicians like Brad Mehldau and Joshua Redman take, allowing other musics to join with jazz. On Tipping Point I'm moving in new directions, trying different musical settings and types of composition. I wanted to show different sides of my playing and my writing. I see all the diverse musical influences as being interconnected. And there's beauty in interconnections."
The album also points to the Anick's new interest in using imagery to paint his musical pictures. "I try to visualize different aspects of songs," he explains. "Songs can become like musical movies; stories can come from the music and take a listener on a journey."
To that end, Anick never allows his obvious virtuosity to overpower the music's intent. "It's not about displaying technique," he states. "It's about creating a soundscape, an atmosphere for listeners to enter into." The shifting landscapes of Anick's own "Maryandra" and "Inspiration Point" are convincing examples of the leader's ambitions in action.
One of the youngest instructors at Boston's Berklee College of Music, Anick is rapidly making a name for himself in the world of jazz violin and mandolin. In addition to leading his own ensemble and performing with the Rhythm Future Quartet, Anick has been touring and recording with Grammy award-winning Nashville guitar virtuoso John Jorgenson since 2008 when he was recruited while still a senior at Hartt Conservatory.
Anick celebrates the CD with concerts in Boston, Portland, ME; Old Lyme, CT and NYC:
Thursday, February 6 - One Longfellow Square - Portland, ME
Saturday, February 22 - The Side Door- Old Lyme, CT
Tuesday, February 25 - Regattabar - Cambridge, MA
Tuesday, March 18 - Cornelia Street Café - New York, NY
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Posted: 13 Jan 2014 11:48 AM PST
CHRIS STANDRING - DON'T TALK, DANCE!
Chris Standring returns in 2014 with another musical left turn with Don't Talk, Dance!, a deep European progressive soul-jazz-dance influenced project featuring the best funk and soul studio musicians in Los Angeles. This 13-track set features Chris as arranger, orchestrator and producer, along with his signature solo jazz and fusion guitar sounds. Drawing on 70's style funk and soul inspiration, Chris raises the bar once again with an album that is impossible to sit still to. The first radio single "Sneakin' Out The Front Door," features Chris on guitar talkbox, and harks back to a time reminiscent of early Jeff Beck or Herbie Hancock, with a hook that is clearly all Chris Standring. . Sky High. Includes Inside Outside; Sneakin' Out The Front Door; Voices In My Head; Soul Symphony; Another Fine Mess; Crazy Bom Baizy; Ride; Absolute Madness; Yesterday's Heaven; Imagine That; Scatterfunk; and Nothing Lasts Forever.
DOMINIC MILLER -AD HOC
Ad Hoc is the new album by Sting s long time collaborator and guitarist Dominic Miller.A musician that Sting has long called his right and left hand. Dominic will be on tour with Sting & Paul Simon in February and March 2014.Ad Hoc , recorded in Germany and featuring special guest the inspirational Eda Zari, is Dominic Miller s most impressive work to date.Zari s contribution to the anthemic Exiting Purgatory is a perfect compliment to the searing cello solos by Sweden s Lars Daniellson and forms the climax sound to an album whose textures and ambiences are as eclectic as Miller s life itself. Miller, who is considered to one of the worlds most versatile and accomplished guitarists, has reached in deep and pulled out a gem of an album that will excite, please and intrigue new listeners and fans everywhere.
TONY GREY - ELEVATION
Besides being some of the greatest musicians ever known, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Hiromi, John McLaughlin, Branford Marsalis, Zakir Hussain, Mike Stern and Steve Lukather all have something else in common. At one time or another, these legendary artists have counted on the supportive, melodic and propulsive bass playing of the amazing Tony Grey. Artists of such stature and virtuosity do not trust just anybody to hold down the foundations of their music. They seek out the best for live performances and recordings. Time and time again they have turned toward the expertise and artistry of Tony Grey. Now, Tony Grey releases his fourth solo album, Elevation, through Abstract Logix Records. Elevation is a beautiful, multi-track showcase of collaboration with a who's who of guitar and musical greats; featuring the amazing Mike Stern, fretless guitar legend David Fiuczynski, Whitesnake's Reb Beach, Japanese star Hotei Tomoyasu, and finally, Tony's illustrious uncle and guitar legend John McLaughlin, who contributes a new and never-before-released composition that he penned for Chick Corea. Tony is responsible for all the music on Elevation, also arranging his own version of Some Day My Prince Will Come featuring Fabrizio Sotti, along with the funky Chick's Chums, the aforementioned song from Mahavishnu John McLaughlin. Nir Felder, Romain Collin, and Mino Cinelu all lend their musical mastery to Tony's tracks. Tony stands out as not only an immensely talented bassist, but one of most formidable writers of the next generation, whose music transcends genres, appealing not only to the attentive, longtime fan, but also creating a musical bridge for those new listeners about to enter the rhythmically-addictive world of Tony Grey.
~ amazon
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Posted: 13 Jan 2014 11:24 AM PST
Legendary guitarist and Reunion Blues Artist Ernie Isley of the Isley Brothers has been officially announced by The Recording Academy as a 2014 Special Merit Award recipient. In addition to the Isley Brothers, this year's recipients include The Beatles, Kraftwerk, Kris Kristofferson, and others. "This astoundingly unique and gifted group have created some of the most distinguished and influential work in our musical history," says Recording Academy President/CEO about this year's recipients. "Their legacies are timeless and legendary, and their creativity will continue to influence and inspire future generations." A formal acknowledgment will be made during the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards® telecast, which will be held at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014, and broadcast live at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the CBS Television Network.
The Isley Brothers have enjoyed one of the longest, most diverse, and most influential legacies in pop music. The group's esteemed history spans two generations of siblings and significant cultural shifts in music. Born and raised in Cincinnati, the brothers got their professional start in New York with their first hit single "Shout – Part 1," which has gone on to become a frequently covered classic. Throughout their career, they never stopped reinventing themselves, scoring hits in R&B, Motown soul, funk, disco, and rock. Their 1969 single, "It's Your Thing," earned a GRAMMY for Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo Or Group, and in 1992 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Brothers Ronald and Ernie Isley have continued to perform together.
Founded in 1976, Reunion Blues is the music industry's premier gig bag and case company. Reunion Blues offers an extensive product selection including over 70 models of cases and bags for fretted, brass, woodwind, strings and percussion instruments. Reunion Blues is dedicated to maintaining exceptional quality, and is committed to product innovation, superior design and distinguished style.
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Posted: 13 Jan 2014 11:18 AM PST
Angelique Kidjo, the Benin born, Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter has signed with 429 Records and is gearing up for an incredible 2014. She's preparing for the release of Eve, a vibrant new collection of songs dedicated to the power of African womanhood, particularly those women she grew up with in her native Benin; as well as planning a tour of the United States and promoting the release of her autobiography, Spirit Rising: My Life, My Music. NPR will host a "First Listen" full album stream of "Eve" beginning January 20th until the release date, January 28th. In addition, CBC Radio Canada and The Daily Telegraph sites will simultaneously stream the album. The singer is releasing Eve in conjunction with the release January 7th of Spirit Rising: My Life, My Music, an autobiography written with Rachel Wenrick and published by Harper Collins. Angelique Kidjo's Eve will be released on 429 Records January 28th. Kidjo will embark on a U.S. tour in February—dates below.
Produced by Patrick Dillett (David Byrne, Fatboy Slim), Eve, named after her mother, is a joyous musical ode to the pride, beauty and strength of African women and their worldwide socio-cultural influence. The recording showcases Kidjo's extraordinary musical vision as realized by remarkable players as well as women's choirs from several African villages in Benin and Kenya singing in a wide array of native Beninese languages including Fon, Yoruba, Goun and Mina. Joining Kidjo is an exciting mix of new and well-known musicians including Dr. John, Rostamm Btmanglij (Vampire Weekend), The Kronos Quartet and the Orchestra Philharmonique du Luxumbourg. Anchoring the album are guitarist Lionel Loueke, drummer Steve Jordan, bass great Christian McBride and Senegalese percussionist Magatte Sow. Kidjo's accolades include a 20 year discography, thousands of concerts around the world and being named "Africa's premier diva" (Time Magazine) and "the undisputed Queen of African Music" (Daily Telegraph). Kidjo's 2008 recording Djin Djin won a Grammy for Best Contemporary World Music Album and her last studio recording Oyo was nominated in the same category. She has enjoyed a long history of notable collaborations with greats from the jazz and pop worlds—including Carlos Santana, Bono, John Legend, Josh Groban, Peter Gabriel, Branford Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Roy Hargrove and Alicia Keys. In an expansive career marked as much by extraordinary musical achievement as passionate advocacy and philanthropy for her homeland of Africa, Angelique Kidjo has found many ways to celebrate the rich, enlightening truth about the continent's women beyond the media spotlight.
Eve track listing:
1.M'Baamba (Kenyan Song)
2.Shango Wa
3.Eva (featuring ASA)
4.Interlude: Agbade
5.Bomba (featuring Rostam Batmanglij)
6.Hello (featuring Trio Teriba)
7.Blewu
8.Kamoushou
9.Kulumbu (featuring Dr. John)
10.Interlude: Kletedjan
11.Ebile (featuring Kronos Quartet)
12.Awalole (featuring the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg)
13.Bana (featuring Yvonne Kidjo)
14.Orisha
15.Interlude: Wayi
16.Coari
U.S. Tour Dates:
Feb 5 - Durham, NC - Carolina Theater
Feb 7 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
Feb 8 - Louisville, KY - Bomhard Theater
Feb 9 - Charleston, WV - Mountain Stage
Feb 11 - Evanston, IL - Space
Feb 13 - Oberlin, OH - Oberlin College-Finney Chapel
Feb 14 - Buffalo, NY - Buffalo State College PAC
Feb 15 - New York, NY - Town Hall
Feb 16 - Washington, DC - GWU Lisner Auditorium
Feb 18 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Smalls Theater
Feb 19 - Bethlehem, PA - Arts Quest Café
Feb 20 - Ridgefield, CT - Ridgefield Playhouse
Feb 21 - Philadelphia, PA - The Prince Theatre
Feb 23 - Boston, MA - Somerville Theater
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Posted: 13 Jan 2014 11:11 AM PST
Live from Daryl's House is back from a year-long hiatus and better than ever! The first new episode begins the new year with a meeting of two genuine legends and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, as newly inducted member Daryl Hall joins iconic ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons for the 63rd and latest edition of the critically acclaimed, award-winning, web-to-cable series. The opening episode of what promises to be a jam-packed 2014 premieres on Daryl's dedicated LFDH.com website on Wednesday, January 15, followed by its cable debut on Viacom's high-definition music channel Palladia on Thursday, February 6 at 11 PM ET.
Billy Gibbons is a founding member and guitarist for the famed Texas blues-rock band ZZ Top with bassist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard, who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. The band, formed in Houston in 1969, boasts seven platinum and 11 gold records, selling more than 25 million in U.S. album sales alone.
Daryl and Billy launch into a remarkably diverse seven-song set of Daryl Hall and John Oates and ZZ Top chestnuts along with a vintage cover of Hammond B-3 jazz-blues organist Jimmy McGriff's 1963 instrumental, "Kiko." The pair also perform such deep Daryl Hall tunes as "Bank on Your Love," a song from Daryl Hall and John Oates' hit album, Big Bam Boom and "Love You Like a Brother," recorded in 1973, but unreleased until 1977's Atlantic Records hits compilation, No Goodbyes. The twosome lean into four ZZ Top nuggets, the band's cover of Sam & Dave's "I Thank You," from the 1979 album Deguello; the classic "La Grange," included on 1973's Tres Hombres; "Sharp Dressed Man" from 1983's 10-million-selling Eliminator, and the group's version of the Nightcaps' '50s rave-up, "Thunderbird."
"Playing Live from Daryl's House is a regular, down-to-earth, big bash," said Gibbons about the experience. "Good groovin' to the core."
"Being in a room with Billy Gibbons is like dipping your toe into the deep wellspring of Texas rock, blues and soul," says Daryl.
The past seven years have marked a steady stream of superlatives and recognition for Live from Daryl's House, with Hall receiving a Webby Award for Best Variety series from more than 10,000 entries at the 14th annual ceremony at N.Y.'s Cipriani Wall Street before garnering an O Music Award from MTV.
Live from Daryl's House is executive produced Hall and his manager, Jonathan Wolfson.
The 62 previous episodes of Live From Daryl's House have featured a mix of well-known performers like Jason Mraz, Cee Lo Green, Shelby Lynne, Joe Walsh, Booker T and the MGs, Blind Boys of Alabama, Rob Thomas, Train, Smokey Robinson, The Doors' Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek, Toots Hibbert, Nick Lowe, K.T. Tunstall, Todd Rundgren, Keb Mo, Dave Stewart, Goo Goo Dolls' John Rzeznik and Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump along with newcomers such as Minus The Bear, Rumer, Chiddy Bang, Allen Stone, Nikki Jean, The Dirty Heads, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Mayer Hawthorne, Eric Hutchinson, Chromeo, Matt Nathanson, Parachute, Plain White T's, soul diva Sharon Jones, Diane Birch, Fitz & the Tantrums, Neon Trees and Guster.
Palladia, Viacom Media Networks' high-definition music channel, launched in January 2006 and features original music-based programming for a variety of music genres, including hip hop, rock, country, pop, contemporary, classic rock, alternative rock, soul and more, as well as HDTV acquisitions and original content from Viacom Music Group's MTV, VH1, and CMT family of services. The channel has grown to 32 million households and is available on major U.S. carriers including Comcast, Cox, Verizon FiOS, Time Warner, Dish, DIRECTV, Charter, AT&T u-Verse, Cablevision and Insight.
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