THE JAZZ CHILL CORNER THE JOURNEY SO FAR: THE BEST OF LOREENA MCKENNITT |  |
- THE JOURNEY SO FAR: THE BEST OF LOREENA MCKENNITT
- RUFUS WAINWRIGHT LIVE FROM THE ARTISTS DEN & VIBRATE: THE BEST OF RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
- NAJEE RECEIVES NAACP NOMINATION FOR "OUTSTANDING JAZZ ALBUM" FOR THE MORNING AFTER - A MUSICAL LOVE JOURNEY
- JON IRABAGON TRIO WITH MARK HELIAS / BARRY ALTSCHUL - IT TAKES ALL KINDS
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Posted: 24 Jan 2014 01:16 PM PST
With 14 million albums sold, a pair of Juno Awards and two Grammy nominations, Loreena McKennitt is celebrating the 30th anniversary of her singular career as an artist known for her groundbreaking blend of Celtic sounds and World Beat. This career is now documented on Universal Music Enterprises' The Journey So Far—The Best of Loreena McKennitt. Out March 4, the comprehensive set comes in CD, digital and vinyl versions, with a deluxe edition including a second disc, A Midsummer Night's Tour. This disc features highlights from the live performance recorded at the Zitadelle in Mainz, Germany, in July of 2012—a return to the city in which the 2013 Grammy nominated Troubadours on the Rhine was recorded.
"When I look back on the road from where I have come, the people I've met, the places and experiences which have informed the music, or even where we created or recorded the music, I marvel at how rich my journey has been"
"When I look back on the road from where I have come, the people I've met, the places and experiences which have informed the music, or even where we created or recorded the music, I marvel at how rich my journey has been," says McKennitt. "I recognize that many people will be hoping for a new recording and I am delighted to say that the process of researching a new recording has begun. At the same time we've learned that for one reason or another, certain parts of the world have only had limited access to my catalogue and this 30th Anniversary is an opportunity for us to introduce them to some of the musical highlights over these 30 years."
A successful self-managed maverick since her early days busking on the streets of Toronto, McKennitt established her own Quinlan Road label and publishing company and has produced albums in various locales—including a barn in Southern Ontario, a Benedictine monastery in Ireland and Peter Gabriel's Real World Studio in England, where she recorded four of her albums. Her releases include seven studio recordings, three seasonal recordings, and a live in-concert DVD from the Alhambra in Spain. She garnered double-platinum honors for 1997's The Book of Secrets and its Top 20 crossover radio hit, "The Mummers' Dance."
Ms. McKennitt's extensive traveling in pursuit of the history of the Celts, from Mongolia and China to Turkey and Siberia, has shaped her distinctive eclectic Celtic sound, which marries Eastern, Middle Eastern and Celtic musical traditions with her own lyrics and those by great poets like Shakespeare, W.B. Yeats and Alfred Lord Tennyson.
The Journey So Far—The Best of Loreena McKennitt features a selection of 12 fan favorites curated by McKennitt herself, including "The Mummers' Dance" and "Bonny Portmore," a traditional Irish folk song included on the soundtrack to Highlander III—The Sorcerer, as well as "Dante's Prayer," which led to her citation in Dan Brown's best-selling Inferno. The set also includes "The Mystic's Dream," which was used extensively in The Mists of Avalon, a critically acclaimed mini-series starring Anjelica Huston.
Her appearances have taken McKennitt to concert halls and historical venues around the world, and have included performances for dignitaries including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, heads of state, as well as at the 2013 fantastical wedding of Sean Parker and Alexandra Lenas in Big Sur, California.
In addition to her musical career, McKennitt has been recognized for a number of noteworthy philanthropic initiatives. In 1998 she founded the Cook-Rees Memorial Fund for Water Search and Safety and she was instrumental in the transformation of a 1929 neo-Gothic school into the Falstaff Family Centre, a charitable organization focused on families and children.
In 2004 she was awarded the Order of Canada, the highest individual civilian honor that can be bestowed in her country, was appointed Knight of the National Order of Arts and Letters of the Republic of France in 2013, and she was also made an Honorary Colonel the Royal Canadian Air Force in 2006. As a privacy advocate she won a landmark privacy case in the UK. She has been awarded four honorary degrees for her non-musical endeavors.
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Posted: 24 Jan 2014 01:13 PM PST
Rufus Wainwright recorded a private concert in an historic Greenwich Village church. On March 4, Wainwright's inspired performance, which was filmed and recorded for PBS' "Live from the Artists Den," will be released on CD, digital album, and Blu-ray video by Artists Den Records/UMe. The 69-minute Rufus Wainwright: Live from the Artists Den concert release includes five songs that were not included in the broadcast, and the Blu-ray features an additional 50 minutes of behind-the-scenes bonus material.
"Candles" is the closing song on Wainwright's acclaimed 2012 album, Out of the Game, but it was the perfect a cappella opener for his "Live from the Artists Den" performance at the magnificent Church of the Ascension, on Manhattan's lower Fifth Avenue. Built in 1841, the National Historic Landmark church was a breathtaking backdrop for the gorgeous tale of searching for a place to light a memorial for his late mother, singer Kate McGarrigle.
Resplendent in tails and gold sequined pants, Wainwright performed 16 songs, paying tribute to Kate during the set with an emotional, solo piano rendition of her "On My Way to Town," before bringing out super-producer Mark Ronson, who worked with Wainwright on Out of the Game. Wainwright and his band, with Ronson on guitar, close the show with the rousing, disco-flavored "Bitter Tears."
The Blu-ray's bonus materials include an exclusive, extended interview with Wainwright, an additional interview with the Church of Ascension's since-retired rector, Father Andrew, "Inside the Den," a behind-the-scenes look at the concert shoot and location, and a "Night in Pictures" slideshow.
"I've found that the venue essentially dictates everything," Wainwright says in the filmed program. "For someone who is pretty focused on the capabilities of the voice, as I am, churches are our friends."
Mark Lieberman, "Live from the Artists Den" creator and executive producer, says, "Rufus Wainwright is amongst the finest performers of our time. His 'Artists Den' secret show at the Church of the Ascension is still one of my favorite nights, a rare moment in the illustrious career of this incredible musician."
Vibrate: The Best of Rufus Wainwright will also be released on March 4 by Universal Music Enterprises (UMe). The new collection's single-disc and digital edition features 17 standout songs that define one of modern music's most innovative talents, as well as a brand new recording, "Me and Liza." A 2CD and digital deluxe edition adds 16 rare live and studio tracks.
Wainwright will tour Europe in March, and he has confirmed five U.S. theater concerts in April to support the release of Vibrate: The Best of Rufus Wainwright. Tickets for the U.S. concerts are on-sale now at www.rufuswainwright.com:
April 15 - New York, NY / Town Hall
April 16 - Washington, DC / Lincoln Theatre
April 18 - Los Angeles, CA / Orpheum Theatre
April 19 - San Francisco, CA / Palace of Fine Arts
April 20 - San Francisco, CA / Palace of Fine Arts
Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of his generation's great male vocalists and songwriters. The New York-born, Montreal-bred singer/songwriter has released seven acclaimed studio albums and two live albums, including his acclaimed GRAMMY® nominated Rufus Does Judy At Carnegie Hall.
Wainwright has also collaborated with many artists, including, most recently, Robbie Williams, co-writing and dueting on the title track of his Swing Both Ways album. He has also worked with the Pet Shop Boys, Shirley Bassey, Elton John, Antony, David Byrne, Joni Mitchell, Robert Wilson, Lou Reed, Boy George, and Mark Ronson.
In 2009 his first opera, "Prima Donna," premiered at the Manchester International Festival, followed by a run at Sadler's Wells in 2010 and an American premiere for New York City Opera in February 2012 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Wainwright has just been commissioned by the Canadian Opera Company to write his second opera, based on the story of the Roman Emperor Hadrian and Antinoos. The new opera will premiere in Toronto in October 2018.
Wainwright's tours with and without a band are equally acclaimed. From Glastonbury to the Royal Opera House via Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, and the Hollywood Bowl, Rufus Wainwright has proven himself to be quite the showman. He has also performed many notable shows with some of the world's best orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, playing a selection of his own songs and his Shakespearean Sonnets.
Rufus Wainwright: Live from the Artists Den [CD; digital; Blu-ray]
* song not included in broadcast
1. Candles
2. Rashida
3. Song of You
4. Barbara *
5. Welcome to the Ball *
6. The One You Love
7. Respectable Dive
8. Jericho
9. Out of the Game
10. One Man Guy*
11. Going to a Town
12. Montauk
13. 14th Street*
15. On My Way to Town
16. Bitter Tears
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Posted: 24 Jan 2014 08:48 AM PST
Two-time Grammy Award Nominee and international renowned jazz saxophonist, flautist, composer and arranger, Najee, received his nomination by the NAACP Image Awards for "Outstanding Jazz Album" for his new album The Morning After – A Musical Love Journey released by Shanachie Entertainment on October 22, 2013, which debuted #1 Contemporary Jazz Album on the Billboard charts. The album is produced by Demonte Posey and features special appearances by R&B vocalist Meli'sa Morgan and jazz bassist Brian Bromberg. Considered a diverse contemporary jazz project by the legendary saxophonist, "The Morning After" has given fans an insight into Najee's journey and global experiences in music. The 45th Annual NAACP Image awards celebrates the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors.
As one of the top-selling jazz saxophonist of our generation, Najee continues to demonstrate his consistency to connect with various audiences throughout the world. Creating music at this level in his career is still exhilarating, as he states, "I am always evolving. As a musician the love of performing for people whether in-studio or live, is still a gratifying experience." These experiences is what has catapulted him to craft an album that represents a traditional jazz impression along with encompassing the standard "smooth jazz" feel. The full title, The Morning After - A Musical Love Journey (in short "The Morning After") showcases an array of compositions including the hit single Champs Élysées, which is currently in heavy radio rotation around the world. This song is an up-tempo composition with a mixture of harmonic phrases that creates a storyline for his admiration for Paris. Another popular tune from the album is R&B hit In The Mood To Take It Slow, a sultry duet with vocalist Meli'sa Morgan. Najee along with his brother Fareed first worked with Meli'sa on tour with Chaka Khan. Najee later recorded the duet "Do You Still Love Me" with Meli'sa on her debut album in 1985. Najee declares, "I believe Meli'sa is one of our R&B treasures and I am grateful for our reunion on this project." In addition, the album would be remiss without Najee paying homage to colleague and friend, the late George Duke. Najee wrote Shinjuku (a popular area in Tokyo) in honor of his friend; which tells the story of their previous tours in Asia together. "The Morning After" features musicians: Bill Sharpe on bass, Ray Fuller on guitar, Daniel Powell on drums, Brian Bromberg on acoustic bass and producer Demonte Posey on piano. The album is currently available on Najee's website: www.najeemusic.com, iTunes and Amazon.com.
Winners for this year's 45th Annual NAACP Image Awards will be voted by NAACP members and announced when the envelopes are opened on Friday, February 21st, during the Awards Ceremony for non-televised categories. The remaining categories will be announced live on stage during the two-hour show and will be nationally televised on TV One, Saturday, February 22nd, (9:00 p.m. ET/PT tape-delayed). For more information about the award show, please visit: www.naacpimageawards.net
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Posted: 24 Jan 2014 05:30 AM PST
Jon Irabagon and Barry Altschul continue their musical partnership, this time behind eight of Irabagon's brand new originals, featuring Altschul's longtime rhythm teammate and bass virtuoso Mark Helias. It Takes All Kinds was recorded live at the Peitz Festival in Germany in June 2013 and will be released via a partnership between Irabagon's new Irabbagast Records and Germany's Jazzwerkstatt label.
Irabagon and Altschul's recorded work started with one of 2010's most celebrated recordings, Foxy (Hot Cup), and recently continued with Altschul's TUM Records release The 3Dom Factor. Altschul states, "The Foxy project was about keeping up an constant energy flow, in and out of defined time. With this new project, I'm freer and able to be more conceptual, catapulted by the directions of the compositions. I feel I use the entirety of my musical vocabulary, as do Jon and Mark. It's very liberating."
"Barry has been an inspiration to me ever since I bought Dave Holland's Conference of the Birds back in high school," Irabagon says. "His complete integration of the drum set and percussion instruments was a revelation, and for this record I wanted to make sure that some of his percussion options were available." The quicksilver interaction between that percussion and saxophone is on full display on tunes like Wherewithal and Vestiges, while the trio's ability to move like-mindedly and shift gears between uptempo swing and open, free time can be found on songs like Quintessential Kitten and Cutting Corners. All of these new compositions were written with Altschul and Helias in mind and provide open-ended jumping off points for group improvisation. Both the opener, Wherewithal, and the closer, Pause and Flip, feature compositional sections that blend seamlessly into open improvisations. Wherewithal draws from 20th century minimalism-the main improvisation section features an open Altschul solo over minutely shifting repeated lines from sax and bass.
This marriage of composition and improvisation is a top priority in this trio. "If Conference of the Birds was a catalyst for the open-minded music I would gravitate towards starting in high school, Mark Helias' record New School really keyed me in on the level of subtle interaction a consistently working trio can achieve. Seeing this growth in my own music on gigs and tours has been incredible." The group's empathetic interaction is evident in the opening solo of Vestiges, where Irabagon and Altschul dovetail in and out of short solo phrases. On Quintessential Kitten, bass wizard Helias and Irabagon trade open-ended phrases before Irabagon takes off on a stunning, spur-of-the-moment circular-breathing sixteenth note barrage.
Altschul and Helias have been a solid rhythm team since the late '70s, when they released several records as part of the Barry Altschul Trio. "Though I came to their music separately, I knew Barry and Mark have played together a lot, and I wanted to be in the middle of that interaction," Irabagon says. Altschul adds, "Playing with Mark is easy for me. We are able to move and change directions easily due to Mark being very flexible with a very large musical vocabulary and musical taste, as well as having the technique to play whatever he hears. Most importantly, whatever style of music is being played, Mark swings." This swagger is found in the Arabic-fueled Unconditional (where Altschul takes an open drum intro that references the entire history of the drums' role in jazz and improvised music), the medium bounce of Cutting Corners, the odd-metered Elusive and the understated, wide interval and chord extension-utilizing accompaniment of Sunrise.
Helias has plenty of room to showcase his diverse array of expression-various articulations, wide range slides, high and low extended techniques, masterful bow work and in-depth 20th century classical music and counterpoint knowledge-throughout the record, but nowhere more than on his two features, Elusive and Sunrise. On Cutting Corners, Helias gracefully pulls the kinetic energy that Irabagon leaves at the end of his solo down, while he prods both Irabagon and Altschul on the program closer Pause and Flip during the extended solo sections, drawing unique group improvisations from them. Irabagon states, "Many of the magical moments here were completely unplanned and have never happened before or since." The impromptu jump swing section in Wherewithal, the simultaneous high harmonics in the bass and melodic sax multiphonics in Elusive and the use of almost four octaves on sax on Cutting Corners are all unique moments from this concert from an 800 year old castle in rural Germany.
On this record, the third release on Irabbagast Records and the first collaboration with Jazzwerkstatt, Irabagon continues his search for all-inclusive, boundary-stretching improvisation, bringing together this coveted rhythm team for the first time on record in over twenty years.
Winner of the Thelonious Monk Saxophone Competition and recently named Rising Star Tenor Saxophonist in DownBeat Magazine, Jon Irabagon launched his own record label, Irabbagast Records, in November 2012, releasing Outright! Unhinged and I Don't Hear Nothin' but the Blues Volume 2 simultaneously to rave reviews. He was recently named one of New York City's 25 Jazz Icons by Time Out NY, and has recently been touring with the Dave Douglas Quintet, the Mary Halvorson Quintet and Mostly Other People Do the Killing.
Mark Helias is a renowned bassist and composer who has performed throughout the world for more than three decades. A prolific composer, Helias has written music for two feature films as well as chamber pieces and works for large ensemble and big band. He has over 12 albums as a leader to his credit. His trio, Open Loose with Tony Malaby and Tom Rainey, has become an archetypal improvising ensemble on the New York scene. He continues performing and recording with BassDrumBone, a three-decade-long collaboration with Gerry Hemingway and Ray Anderson. Mr. Helias performs solo bass concerts and can also be heard in the innovative bass duo, "The Marks Brothers," with fellow bassist Mark Dresser.
Barry Altschul has been a force in the creative music scene for over five decades. His initial work with the Paul Bley Trio led to his involvement with Chick Corea, Anthony Braxton and Dave Holland in the legendary group Circle, which released several albums on ECM. Also a part of the ARC trio, the Dave Holland Quartet, Anthony Braxton Quartet and the Sam Rivers Trio, Altschul effortlessly draws from all genres of the creative music spectrum, calling to mind Beaver Harris' phrase "from ragtime to no time." Altschul released his first album as a leader last year on TUM Records, with two more on the way.
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