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Posted: 13 Mar 2014 10:24 AM PDT
C elebrated and world-renowned independent record label Shanachie Entertainment is pleased to announce their exclusive partnership with leading YouTube multi-channel network INDMUSIC. INDMUSIC will be focused on enhancing Shanachie's existing YouTube channel and content while capitalizing on Shanachie's eclectic and diverse catalog of music. "We've been searching for the right YouTube partner for some time" says Rick Rosenberg, Shanachie's SR. VP, Sales & Marketing/Digital. "After meeting with INDMUSIC executives Brandon Martinez and Arshan Shadri, I knew that INDMUSIC had the independent spirit to match Shanachie, while also possessing the skills and knowledge to make sure we are maximized in the growing and changing space that is YouTube. We are excited to be working with INDMUSIC."
"YouTube is a difficult platform to navigate for so many labels especially as they work with such robust catalogs of artists. As experts in monetization and the proper asset management, labels we've been working with find tremendous value in our approach to YouTube strategy," states INDMUSIC CEO Brandon Martinez. "Shanachie has a tremendous history and an excellent roster of talent and we're looking forward to teaming with them on engaging those best practices to collectively take both of our businesses to the next level."
From an upstart purveyor of traditional Irish music, Shanachie Entertainment has evolved to become one the of the most respected and diverse record labels in the music industry. Shanachie's recordings have covered virtually every corner of the globe, unearthing gifts from many of the world's greatest artists who may never have been heard by the masses were it not for their recordings. On the verge of celebrating its 40th Anniversary, Shanachie continues to flourish bringing a unique combination of musical quality, marketing and promotion expertise and personal attention to an ever-growing roster of special artists. Their eclectic roster and rich catalog spans every genre from R&B, Jazz, Reggae, Rock and Blues to Folk, World Music, Country, Gospel and beyond. Their artists have been featured on esteemed programs as "The Today Show," "Good Morning America," "The Tonight Show," "The View" and NPR among numerous other national outlets. With a string of commercial Radio hits, numerous Grammy wins and other prestigious industry recognition, Shanachie also has a video division, with over 150 titles including acclaimed documentaries and concert performances.
INDMUSIC is YouTube's largest independent music network with over 3.5B video views to date across its 1300 artists and labels including Mad Decent Records, Stones Throw Records, Robbins Entertainment, Okayplayer, Brendan Benson, Major Lazer and Soul Khan. Music on YouTube currently has poor monetization due to fractured rights' issues - INDMUSIC solves this problem by specializing in optimization, monetization and analysis of YouTube distribution strategies for independent music content creators. INDMUSIC helps its partners monetize YouTube views without sacrificing creative control or rights to their content. The company was instrumental in claiming thousands of User Generated videos using Harlem Shake, which translated directly into increased digital download sales and generated valuable demographic, geographic and viewer watch habit insights for the artist, label (Mad Decent) and INDMUSIC. Founded in 2011 by Brandon Martinez and Jon Baltz, INDMUSIC is headquartered in Brooklyn, NY.
 
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Posted: 13 Mar 2014 10:02 AM PDT
ELLA FITZGERALD - ICON 2
Dubbed "The First Lady of Song," Ella Fitzgerald was the most popular female jazz singer in America for more than half a century, earning 13 GRAMMY® Awards and selling more than 40 million albums. Known for her flexible, broad range and scatting ability, Fitzgerald could sing a sultry ballad or sweet jazz with an uncanny skill of being able to imitate every instrument in an orchestra. This 2-CD ICON collection includes some of her greatest hits, including "A-Tisket A-Tasket," the playful version of the nursery rhyme she recorded in 1938 when she was just 21. That album sold a million copies and went to No. 1 on the charts, making Fitzgerald a household name. Also included are collaborations with Louis Armstrong ("You Won't Be Satisfied [Until You Break My Heart]" and "Summertime") and Louis Jordan ("Baby It's Cold Outside"), as well as two tracks recorded live in Berlin. Tracklisting: A-Tisket A-Tasket; Undecided; Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall (with the Ink Spots); It's Only a Paper Moon; You Won't Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart) (with Louis Armstrong); That's My Desire; My Happiness; Baby It's Cold Outside (with Louis Jordan);. Dream a Little Dream of Me; Smooth Sailing; Airmail Special; You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini), Parts 1 & 2; Lullaby of Birdland; Take the "A" Train; Summertime (with Louis Armstrong); Someone to Watch Over Me; Love Is Here to Stay; Mack the Knife (Live in Berlin); How High the Moon (Live in Berlin); Blues in the Night; Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home; and A Fine Romance.
DEBRA DEBS - LIFE CYCLES
A brilliant batch of new millenium soul from Debra Debs! Debra is a London-based, Cameroon-born singer, and Life Cycles is the first full length effort we've heard from her, but it leaves us with little doubt that she'll be around for years to come. This is some of the nicest indie soul we've heard in a while! Her voice is warm and inviting, and she's get a deft hand for memorable songwriting, too – bearing the influence of some of the finer voices of the neo soul generation, as well as the jazzy soul voices of the classic era. The production is flavored by timeless keys and beats, and lots of lightly jazzy instrumental touches. Excellent stuff! Includes "Caught Up", "Clear My Name", "Love Galore", "Fizzy Lemonade" (plus a Felo Le Tee remix) "Daddy", "Blew Your Mind", "Sometimes", "Chasing Dreams", "Blending Colours", "Awake With You", "Africa 'Higher Higher'" feat P. Jericho and "Speeches". ~ Dusty Groove
LOCKSMITH - UNLOCK THE FUNK
The only album ever from Locksmith – a group you might also know for their classic backing work on a few Grover Washington albums of the 70s! This set's got the lineup grooving strongly on their own – in an upbeat blend of jazz, funk, and soul that often has the group's deft instrumentation taking center stage instead of their vocals! Things are mighty sharp throughout – with loads of great bass at the bottom, plus live percussion, tight guitars, sweet keyboards, and some especially great electric violin and snyth from John Blake. Harvey Mason produced the record, with the same tight sound as his own gems for Arista at the time – and Stephanie Spruill sings guest vocals on the sweet stepper "It's You", alongside more upbeat tracks that include "Groove Town", "TMI", "Don't Hurt Yourself", and the especially nice "Blackjack" and "Cinnamon", both of which have a totally sweet jazzy groove. ~ Dusty Groove
 
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Posted: 13 Mar 2014 10:32 AM PDT
From Steve Tyrell and Patti Austin to Michael Buble and Rod Stewart, contemporary vocal greats love to mine the enduring magic of the Great American Songbook. As brilliant as their choices often are, it's very possible that if they ever chose to explore other horizons, they just might see that …well, in the words of famed lyricist Carolyn Leigh, "The Best Is Yet To Come."
If those singers are looking for new songs that embody the exquisite combination of smart, sophisticated, contemporary and classic, they've got a fascinating "one stop shop" waiting for them with the fast growing catalog of Al Hammerman. No longer one of St. Louis' best kept musical secrets, he is one of today's most versatile and prolific composers. Bringing the lyrical cleverness and melodic infectiousness of songs from those previous times to the contemporary musical landscape, he is renowned as a "songwriter for the ages."
With innovative, pop/jazz/swing styled songs that evoke both story and emotion, Hammerman's music captures the style and imagination of legendary composers such as Gershwin, Porter, Berlin and Jobim. Over the past few years, numerous film and TV music supervisors have taken note, placing Hammerman songs in the films "Becoming Santa," "Demoted" and "The Entitled," in addition to the shows "The Good Guys" (FOX) and "The Defenders" (CBS). Most recently, the composer's whimsical "Rather Be Lucky" appeared in "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone," starring Steve Carell and Jim Carrey.
Adele's massive success with her breakup oriented 21 and Taylor Swift's pantheon of ex boyfriend hits notwithstanding, Hammerman says, "I've been inspired to write songs by both happy and sad times in my life – but life sure is a lot more fun when you're happy. I essentially write songs that I would want to listen to and truly love it when people say that my music makes them smile. At the core for me is always a catchy melody and lyrics that are relatable, but perhaps say something that's been said a million times before, in a fresh new way."
Creatively speaking, one of the biggest boons to the more cheerful, playful and optimistic side of Hammerman' songwriting has been his very supportive wife Julia, whom he immortalizes with his charming gentle bossa-flavored song, "Only Julia." Other titles reflecting the generally positive spirit where Hammerman's musical heart dreams these days include "Something About Her," "Road To Happy," "Sweet Dreams," "A Kiss Could Happen," "Mr. Moon," "Kiss My Jazz," "Nothing But Time," "Falling All Over" and "New Kind of Cool."
Hammerman has been a powerful musical force and impresario in his native St. Louis since 2006, when as a virtual unknown he gathered some of the city's best local singers and produced "All New Songs." This showcase performance of his all-original songs was held at the 700 seat Sheldon Concert Hall, to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a charitable organization near and dear to the songwriter's heart. Make-A-Wish, founded in 1980, grants the wishes of children diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition in the United States and its territories. Their mission is to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
"I have seen firsthand what the power of a granted wish has on these kids's emotional well being, says Hammerman. "I really wanted to find a way to contribute, besides just giving money, and remembered that I had previously and coincidentally written a song called 'Make A Wish.' I had not been in the habit of presenting my songs publically, but decided why not send this one to the Make A Wish Foundation for any potential use. Unknowingly at that same time they were seeking music for a new promotional video, loved my song and thought it would fit perfectly. I was thrilled and with that positive feedback and encouragement, I decided to record a CD of original songs to benefit Make A Wish. Somehow though, as one thing always leads to another, I not only ended up producing a CD but also a full blown live benefit concert of my original songs".
Hammerman's first show was so successful that he was invited by the organization in 2006 to co-chair Make-A-Wish's next gala at the Ritz Carlton, which again featured performances of his original songs. This was followed by a second major benefit concert called "Just Lucky" in 2008 and a third called "I Got A Song" in 2011." In conjunction with each of these three shows, Hammerman released (both digitally and on CD) recordings featuring studio versions of the songs featured in the show. The CD I Got A Song includes a live version of "Guys Like Us," performed as a duet on stage by Hammerman and the very talented Alan Ox.
Recently, Hammerman was asked to participate on the advisory board of a wonderful new St. Louis based children's charitable organization called "Kids Rock Cancer" – which uses his "I Got A Song" as their promotional theme. Sponsored by Maryville University, Kids Rock Cancer is an innovative music therapy program that helps children successfully cope with the challenges that accompany a cancer diagnosis. Using a portable recording studio, a songwriter assists the hospitalized children as they write and record their very own special song based on their real time emotions, hopes and dreams. Hammerman is currently working on a new live show titled, "My Kind of Music," to help raise money for the organization. The concert will include many brand new songs from his upcoming fourth CD, which is expected to be released early next year.
Much of Hammerman's love of "The Standards" stems from the passion of his parents, who played great artist like Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Nat King Cole, as well as musical theater soundtracks, throughout the house during his childhood. He wrote his first piano piece at age eight and took lessons at a conservatory known as the St. Louis Institute of Music through his early adolescence. During his teens, he recalls his Sunday school teacher wanting the class to put on a musical to celebrate the end of confirmation classes; she wanted Hammerman to sing "Luck Be A Lady," which he did – with lyrics he had completely rewritten!
As he continues to emerge as a songwriter, Hammerman also teaches at the university level and expresses his love and appreciation for musical history in a unique way: collecting antique musical instruments dating back to the 16th Century. Among his historical treasures—which inspire musings about who originally played them—are a harpsichord from the 1500s, a piano from the 1800s and harps from the 1700s.
Hammerman ,who is currently also contemplating writing a stage musical, sums up his passion with the following; "To me, the most exciting aspect of being a songwriter is truly that moment when I finish a song and realized I've created something special. At that point no one has heard it and whether it is ultimately successful or not, there's a great feeling of creativity, originality and accomplishment."
Al Hammerman is a Composer & Lyricist based in St. Louis, MO.
 
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Posted: 13 Mar 2014 07:41 AM PDT
In the 19 years since Paul Taylor first got On The Horn with his hit debut album, he's enjoyed an extraordinary journey in the contemporary urban jazz world. The key to the charismatic saxophonist's success? Beyond those instantly identifiable sax tones, infectious melodies, cutting edge production, and dynamic live performances, it's one thing: Tenacity–the perfect title for his latest recording on Peak Records (and 10th overall).
From the start of his recording career, Taylor has created his ever cool deeply soulful and rhythmic trip-hop influenced sound by working with some of urban jazz and R&B's top producers, including Rex Rideout, Barry J. Eastmond and The Heavyweights. But one of the most important architects of the saxman's core flow has been Dino Esposito, who helped Taylor establish his vibe with On The Horn and Pleasure Seeker (1997), and has played a powerful role in the saxophonist's evolution by helming tracks on his subsequent recordings Undercover (2000), his Peak Records debut Hypnotic (2001), Nightlife (2005) and Prime Time (2011).
Tenacity marks the first time ever that Taylor has recorded an entire project with a single producer – and his longtime friendship and incredible chemistry with Esposito made him the perfect choice for the varied rhythms and progressive sonics that the saxophonist wanted. "I've always had this special bond with Dino and it was really exciting to focus on doing an entire project with my great friend, rather than just a few tracks here and there like in the past," says Taylor. "I'm always trying to grow as an artist, so there were ideas going all the time as we developed these tracks," he adds. "I definitely have an established sound, so the key was having an open mind and being honest when we hit on a certain vibe, groove or lick I had done before – and taking the tune in another direction. "
Taylor has a long history of bringing his favorite urban jazz artists to the mix, and he continues that inspiring tradition by inviting keyboardist Jonathan Fritzen to add his lush piano harmonies to the whimsical, easy flowing soprano-driven opening track "Supernova" – which pairs Taylor's horn with some snazzy "vocalese." He textures four alto sax tracks behind a colorful lead melody to create the spirited optimism that rolls through the mid-tempo funk of the title track, then shifts from a balmy, tropical feeling to a more urban, trip-hop pocket on the rhythmically diverse "Awakening." Taylor says, "This one is magical in that it has three distinct melodic parts.""Spur of the Moment" isn't just a clever title – it actually conveys the emotion of Taylor's spontaneous alto lines and they burst forth and dance over a thick, edgy funk-rock groove and dynamic horn texturing. He named "Luxe," featuring special guest Jeff Lorber on electric piano and guitar, for the luxurious ambiences surrounding his easy swaying soprano, while the tenor-led "Peace of Mind" taps into a coolly rhythmic Paul Hardcastle style as it moves towards a playful, clapping crunch-funk groove behind a swirl of sax and wordless vocals. Esposito turned Taylor onto the recent alternative R&B hit "Wicked Games" by Canadian artist The Weeknd, and he immediately loved it. The saxophonist's version features a thoughtful alto melody over a hypnotic piano riff and gentle percussion, then a trippy distant "banging" sound; it also features whispery computer generated vocals.
Taylor envisions "Open Road" as the album's perfect "road trip with a friend, with no traffic and the horizon straight ahead tune:" his alto romps easily over Esposito's moody old school keyboard sounds, hypnotic grooves and bright brass flourishes. Promising "More To Come," Taylor's gentle soprano winds through a serpentine melody and a double time groove that creates a true club flavor a la the popular Swedish DJ/producer Avicii. Tenacity wraps with Taylor looking out over the "Empire" he's created, forging a unique tension between his alto lead and backing spirited horn textures with Esposito's dark and moody piano textures. "It's a tune that makes you think about things," says Taylor, "looking out at everything you've done and savoring the moment."
Long a mainstay among the most popular and elite artists, Taylor has been on one of the most exhilarating upswings of his career over the past seven years, starting with Ladies' Choice (2007), which marked his first ever #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz. "Burnin'," the title track from his 2009 album, hit #1 on the airplay charts, and "Push To Start" from Prime Time (2011), hit the pole position on the Smooth Jazz Songs chart. Prime Time further lived up to its colorful name by reaching the Top Ten on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart.
Over the past few years, Taylor has also been part of two of the genre's biggest summer tours, Gentlemen of the Night (with Marion Meadows and Warren Hill) and Sax and the City (with Meadows and Vincent Ingala). In December 2012, the longtime basketball enthusiast achieved another longtime dream, performing the National Anthem in Madison Square Garden at a New York Knicks game; their coach Mike Woodson is a longtime fan.
Though the Denver native has lived and worked primarily in Las Vegas since graduating as a music performance major from UNLV, the proximity of his adopted hometown to Los Angeles gave him many opportunities to vibe with R&B and contemporary jazz producers and artists, including Esposito, whom he first met in the late 80s. Taylor played one of Esposito's sessions at Jeff Lorber's home studio; a few years later, in 1994, the keyboardist remembered Taylor and asked him to play with him at the Catalina Island Jazz Trax Festival.
Another popular keyboard player, Keiko Matsui, and her producer/husband Kazu liked Taylor's charismatic performance and soon offered him an audition with their band. He recorded and toured with the Matsuis for two years (appearing on Sapphire and Dream Walk), and Kazu Matsui eventually co-produced On The Horn, which spawned the #1 radio hit "Till We Meet Again." Taylor's mix of funk and sensuality were a natural fit for the emerging urban jazz genre, and he soon became one of its core artists. Although Taylor has since been one of the genre's most popular live attractions as a solo artist, he eagerly accepted Russ Freeman's invitation to tour with The Rippingtons as a special guest artist in 2000—the year he released his third album Undercover–after Jeff Kashiwa left the group. He later toured as a featured performer with the all-star "Groovin' For Grover" lineup (including Lorber, Richard Elliot and Gerald Albright) and performed and made his acting debut on the legendary ABC soap opera "One Life To Live."
With the 20th anniversary of his recording debut coming up next year, Taylor remains a fresh and vital, forward thinking force in contemporary urban jazz. Talent and vision are a given, but sometimes those things fade. It's his Tenacity that's made the difference.
 
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Posted: 13 Mar 2014 06:04 AM PDT
A superficial artist clings to the whims of fashion; a genuine artist follows his heart. By staying true to and growing from his original inspirations, the bandleader, composer, arranger, trombonist and vocalist Pete McGuinness has produced a present day masterwork of large ensemble jazz. On Strength In Numbers, the second release from the Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra (fourth as a leader for Pete), the leader channels the swinging big bands and iconic modern arrangers that loom large in both the jazz tradition and in his personal pantheon, molding his influences into vibrant, highly personal musical statements. Reconvening a large ensemble that he has led since 2006, McGuinness (a 2008 Grammy finalist for his arrangement of Charlie Chapin's immortal "Smile") enlists a full contingent of top tier NYC players including saxophonist Dave Pietro, trumpeter Bill Mobley and pianist Mike Holober to bring to life original charts whose echoes of Basie, Ellington, Bob Brookmeyer and Gil Evans reinforce McGuinness' inventive spins on what continues to be a vital musical idiom.
"I think of Strength In Numbers as both a next step as well as a return to my roots, " McGuinness says. "I'm a melodist who grew up loving the great post-swing era big bands onward. With a great band of highly experienced and seasoned NYC jazz players, I can now straddle the old and the new, keeping one foot in what I've always loved of genre and one foot striding forward. As long as a composer can write from their own experience, draw confidence from their past while looking forward, and never get so caught up in new effects as to have an agenda, then work that is truly honest-sounding, engaging, and personal can come through. That's at least what I strive for."
In contrast to McGuinness's third album as a leader, the 2013 release, Voice Like a Horn (which featured a compact small group and focused on his award-winning skills as a jazz vocalist), Strength In Numbers highlights a full force big band, while also finding room for two spotlighted McGuinness vocal features on the tender standards "What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?" and "You Don't Know What Love Is," the latter also featuring his expert scatting and demonstrating Pete's admiration for the vocal style of the late Chet Baker, whom he has often been compared with. Swinging charts ("The Send-Off," a sparkling tribute to the acclaimed arranger Bob Brookmeyer, with whom McGuinness studied; "The Swagger," and "Nasty Blues," a tasty nod to Count Basie and Thad Jones) sidle up to more introspective works ("Spellbound," a more latin style number inspired by the rich harmonies of Debussy and Billy Strayhorn; "Trixie's Little Girl," a loving tribute to McGuinness' late mother, and "Bittersweet," the latter two featuring the leader's exquisite trombone statements.) Of special interest is "Beautiful Dreamer" - Stephen Foster's archetypal gem of 19th century Americana. This McGuinness arrangement originally commissioned by the Westchester Jazz Orchestra recasts the timeless song as a high-energy samba with gleaming solos by Dave Pietro on soprano sax and Mike Holober on piano, ending in a charming duet by the two featured soloists based on Foster's original 1865 piano arrangement. Bolstered by Pete's two vocal and trombone features, as well as all of his original arrangements presented, the album's variety provides a first rate display of McGuinness as a polymath talent, as well as showcasing the skill of his outstanding band, an ensemble that shares the leader's wholehearted embrace of the joys of big band music.
"With only some minor changes, the members of the PMJO have been with me since the beginning," McGuinness says. "The band is made up of musical associates who have paid dues with me in many of the same bands together, several of who have been friends for decades. For example, I've known and played with our drummer Scott Neumann, whose playing I always think about whenever I compose or arrange for the band, for some 26 years now. You can hear that familiarity in the entire ensemble sound too. We've also been playing the charts that ended up on this album for several years now as well. When the time was right to record, we were ready."
Pete McGuinness has appeared on over forty recordings, including three previous releases as a leader: First Flight (Summit) with the Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra which earned 4-stars in DownBeat, Voice Like a Horn (Summit) and Sliding In (Kokopelli). He earned a 2008 Grammy nomination for his arrangement of "Smile" (which appeared on First Flight) and was the first prizewinner of the 2010 Jazzmobile Vocal Competition (judged by the late Dr. Billy Taylor and Barry Harris). A New York resident since 1987, McGuinness studied with Bob Brookmeyer and Manny Albam at the prestigious BMI Jazz Composers Workshop and has performed in the big bands of such acclaimed leaders as Lionel Hampton, Jimmy Heath (featured as a vocalist as well) and Maria Schneider, appearing on her Grammy-winning album, Concert In the Garden. Actively involved in music education both throughout the United States and Europe, McGuinness is currently the Assistant Professor of Jazz Arranging at William Paterson University.
 
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