THE JAZZ CHILL CORNER CHRIS BOTTI TO CELEBRATE 10TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY 3-WEEK RESIDENCY AT BLUE NOTE JAZZ CLUB, DECEMBER 15, 2014 THROUGH JANUARY 4, 2015 |  |
- CHRIS BOTTI TO CELEBRATE 10TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY 3-WEEK RESIDENCY AT BLUE NOTE JAZZ CLUB, DECEMBER 15, 2014 THROUGH JANUARY 4, 2015
- MARCEL CAMARGO - THE BRAZIL YOU NEVER HEARD - FEATURING GRETCHEN PARLATO
- Trumpeter, Composer & Arranger Matthew Halsall & The Gondwana Orchestra Release "When The World Was One”
- New Releases: Frankie Valli - Selected Solo Works; Real Side Records Presents Soul On The Real Side #2; Michel Legrand - The Thomas Crown Affair
- New Releases: Javon Jackson - Expression; Louis Hayes - Return Of The Jazz Communicators; Vincent Herring - The Uptown Shuffle
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Posted: 15 Jul 2014 01:19 PM PDT
Blue Note Jazz Club, one of the world's most iconic jazz and blues venues based in Greenwich Village, is proud to announce world renowned trumpeter Chris Botti's milestone 10th Annual Holiday Residency. The three-week engagement at the club will run Monday, December 15, 2014 through Sunday, January 4, 2015, with two shows each evening (including Christmas Eve and New Years Eve performances).
Botti, described by The Wall Street Journal as "a December institution in the Big Apple," has called the Blue Note his home every December since 2005. Over the years the residency has featured special impromptu musical guests, such as Sting and John Mayer (2011). Celebrities from all walks of the entertainment business have attended Botti's Blue Note performances, ranging from Mary J Blige to Paul Haggis.
"Coming to the Blue Note for as many years as I've been is like coming home," says Botti. "The best city, the best club, the greatest people."
Reflecting on Botti's ten-year run, Blue Note Entertainment Group President Steven Bensusan says, "Chris' annual holiday residency has become one of the highlights of our venue's story, with a prime focus on loyalty. This is an engagement that fans regularly look forward to and support each year. It's also a testament to our relationship and history with Chris. He is truly part of the Blue Note family. We look forward to celebrating ten great years this December."
Tickets for Botti's upcoming 10th Annual Holiday Residency at Blue Note Jazz Club will be available for American Express® Cardmembers during an exclusive presale window beginning Wednesday, July 23, 12:00PM EDT at www.bluenotejazz.com. Tickets will be available to the general public beginning Wednesday, August 6, 12:00PM EDT at www.bluenotejazz.com.
Botti's personnel for the engagement will be announced in the coming weeks.
Since the release of his 2004 critically acclaimed CD When I Fall In Love, Chris Botti has become the largest-selling American instrumental artist. His success has crossed over to audiences usually reserved for pop muisc and his ongoing association with PBS has led to four #1 jazz albums, as well as multiple Gold, Platinum and Grammy Awards. Most recently, his latest album Impressions won the GRAMMY® for Best Pop Instrumental Album at the 2013 55th GRAMMY® Awards. Performing worldwide and selling more than four million albums, he has found a form of creative expression that begins in jazz and expands beyond the limits of any single genre.
Over the past three decades, Botti has recorded and performed with the best in music, including Sting, Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban, Yo-Yo Ma, Michael Bublé, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, John Mayer, Andrea Bocelli, Joshua Bell, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and even Frank Sinatra. Hitting the road for as many as 300 days per year, the trumpeter has also performed with many of the finest symphonies and at some of the world's most prestigious venues from Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House and the Real Teatro di San Carlo in Italy.
Impressions, Botti's 2012 Columbia Records and Grammy winning release, is the latest in a stellar parade of albums - including When I Fall In Love (2004), To Love Again: The Duets (2005), Italia (2007), and the CD/DVD Chris Botti in Boston (2009) - that has firmly established him as a clarion voice in the American contemporary music scene. Playing with his uniquely expressive sound and soaring musical imagination, Botti is joined on the disc by featured artists Andrea Bocelli, Vince Gill, Herbie Hancock, Mark Knopfler, and David Foster in a warm, intimate celebration of melodic balladry.
With Impressions and the albums that preceded it, Chris Botti has thoroughly established himself as one of the important, innovative figures of the contemporary music world.
WHEN: Monday, December 15, 2014 through Sunday, January 4, 2015
Two shows nightly at 8:00PM & 10:30PM
*Note: New Year's Eve Shows are scheduled for 7pm & 10pm.*
WHERE: Blue Note Jazz Club
131 W. 3rd Street (between 6th Ave and MacDougal St.), New York City
COST: $75 - Table, $40 - Bar
New Year's Eve Pricing: 7pm Show: $145 - Table, $85 - Bar / 10pm Show: $175 - Table, $95 - Bar
*New Year's Eve will include a champagne toast, hats, noisemakers, a countdown and balloon drop.*
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Posted: 15 Jul 2014 01:13 PM PDT
Marcel Camargo has made his living as a professional musician in different locations all over the world, working as a sideman to legendary Brazilian, jazz, and pop musicians such as Michael Bublé, Sérgio Mendes, Bebel Gilberto, and Gretchen Parlato. Stepping into the spotlight as a leader with The Brazil You Never Heard, Camargo has created a project to showcase his many musical facets - guitarist, vocalist, composer, arranger and producer.
The São Paulo musician set out to produce an ongoing series of live concerts with companion studio records that feature his arrangements and compositions in the context of a chamber orchestra. While the focus is on Brazilian music, the repertoire embraces music from all over the world, illustrating how Brazil is both influenced by and influential to the international music scene.
Behind Jobim, the first in the series of EPs, aims to take an abridged look into the mind of Antônio Carlos Jobim, arguably Brazil's most internationally renowned composer/songwriter. "When I put together the repertoire, I designed it to mostly feature music that I knew was influential to Jobim," says Camargo. "When I did include his compositions in the set, the idea was to tie those to other pieces by composers that were his heroes." The result is a historical narrative, pointing back to Jobim's favorite classical composers - Debussy, Chopin and Villa Lobos - as well as his predecessors in the legacy of great Brazilian composers - Pixinguinha, Garoto and Radamés Gnattali.
When it came to recording the album, producing duties were split between drummer Leo Costa and Camargo. "For this EP, we chose to record pieces from the Behind Jobim concert that we felt made the biggest statements about what we wanted to accomplish musically and in terms of creating narratives," reflects Camargo. Those narratives are reinforced by the presence of vocalist Gretchen Parlato, who is no stranger to collaborations with Camargo. "Marcel Camargo is one of my favorite musicians, I love singing with him. He beautifully honors the classic sound we all adore in Brazilian music, but also allows his own voice to shine through...he's doing something very special and necessary with this project," says Parlato.
The first historical connection is presented on "Lamentos do Morro," which Camargo imagined had a strong connection to Jobim's "Samba do Avião." The composition was re-orchestrated from a solo guitar arrangement by Brazilian guitarist Garoto to bring it closer to the hearts of non-guitar players. "I know Jobim loved Garoto as well and thought perhaps the song might have been of special importance to Jobim," reflects Camargo.
"A big part of the success of the series lies in the caliber and uniqueness of the groups that I've been lucky to assemble to present the material," says Camargo. Often including string and horn sections with a core rhythm section as well as the harp and mandolin, these large chamber groups have the capability of bringing all the details of a given piece to life while opening the listener to musical moments that might have otherwise passed by unnoticed.
Since the music of Jobim draws from many sources - mainly classical music, Brazilian popular and folk music, and jazz - Camargo creates a set that is very eclectic, yet conceptually cohesive.
Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil to a "musical extended family," Camargo learned to play guitar, percussion and sing with his uncle. At 16, he moved to the United States where he later earned his degree in Ethnomusicology from UCLA while studying under some of jazz' most significant musicians - Kenny Burrell, Billy Higgins, Harold Land, Gerald and Anthony Wilson as well as studying traditional Ghanaian music under master drummer Kobla Ladzekpo. His interests in school were varied but he was particularly attracted to folk music from different parts of the world. Taking full advantage of being in the United States, Camargo focused his studies on America's great folk idiom, jazz.
Currently residing in Los Angeles, working both as a sideman and leading his own group, his main gig has been playing guitar and singing back-up vocals for international pop star Michael Bublé. His other side work has been diverse, ranging from working with Sérgio Mendes, Bebel Gilberto, Tom Harrell and Gretchen Parlato - to performing with R&B/Hip-Hop icons such as Seu Jorge, Flying Lotus, Talib Kweli and Pharoahe Monch as well as touring and recording with artists like Macy Gray, Quadron, and Missy Higgins.
As an educator, Camargo has lectured on a variety of musical subjects while teaching at institutions such as the California State University Northridge, Shepherd University, the Larchmont Music Academy in New York, the French-American Lyceum Kennedy, and the South Pasadena Music Conservatory in California.
Marcel Camargo Album Release Performance:
** August 30 / The Sayers Club / Los Angeles, CA
** featuring Gretchen Parlato
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Posted: 15 Jul 2014 09:12 AM PDT
Over the course of four albums, Manchester based trumpeter, composer, arranger and band-leader Matthew Halsall has carved out a niche for himself on the UK music scene as one of it's brightest talents. His languid, soulful music has won friends from Jamie Cullum and Gilles Peterson to Jazz FM and Mojo as well as an ever-growing international following. His label Gondwana Records is home to GoGo Penguin and his own albums have found Halsall exploring the modal jazz of John and Alice Coltrane, paying tribute to the hard bop of the late '50s and early '60s or most recently on Fletcher Moss Park drawing on Eastern influences in his most personal statement yet. His latest album When The World Was One is something of a companion piece to Fletcher Moss Park (much of the music was written at the same time) but draws more explicitly on Halsall's love of spiritual jazz and Eastern music as well as his own studies in meditation and travels in Japan. Beautifully recorded at Hasall's favourite studio, 80 Hertz in Manchester, and engineered by Brendan Williams and George Atkins it features the recording debut of Halsall's large ensemble, The Gondwana Orchestra, which utilises the exotic flavours of harp, koto and bansuri flute and Eastern scales to create a global palate for Halsall's life-affirming sounds.
The Gondwana Orchestra features long time collaborators Nat Birchall, saxophone, Gavin Barras, bass and Rachael Gladwin, harp as well as Taz Modi on piano. Modi who also plays with Halsall in their more electronic trio shares his passion for spiritual jazz and plays the music with real feeling while the role of the harp here is to bring a touch of 'magical reality' a floating dreaminess that is a vital part of Halsall's elegiac and beautiful music. The drummer Luke Flowers is perhaps best known as part of Cinematic Orchestra, and Halsall describes him as 'one of the best drummers in the world' and hails him for 'playing the music exactly as I heard it in my head', Keiko Kitamura is a Japanese Koto player who is becoming an increasingly important part of the Gondwana Orchestra, her role is similar to Gladwin's in that the koto helps free up the music while also bringing a real sound of the East. Finally, flautist Lisa Mallett brings a love of Indian music to the orchestra, much travelled on the continent she brings all of her knowledge and experience to play offering a unique texture to Halsall's dreamy melodies.
The album opens with the title track, When The World Was One, an expansive ascending tune that nods to Art Blakey and McCoy Tyner and draws the listener in before giving way to the dreamy, meditative A Far Away Place which features great work from Gladwin on harp and draws on Eastern influences alongside the music of Alice Coltrane and Yusef Lateef. Falling Water which features the beautiful soprano of Nat Birchall nods to classic spiritual jazz as well, but mixes in the more contemporary influences of Nostalgia 77 and Cinematic Orchestra, while the hard-driving Patterns conjures an up-lifting celebratory vibe with fine work from pianist Modi to set the mood. The beautiful Kiyomizu-Dera is inspired by Halsall's travels in Japan and in particular his visit to the Buddhist temple of the same name. Likewise Sagano Bamboo Forest is named for another place that left a deep imprint on Halsall and aims to capture his feelings as he worked through the vast maze of bamboo trees. Finally the album closes with the self-explanatory Tribute To Alice Coltrane a grooving tribute to one of Halsall's key influences. Driven by a powerful bass line and featuring wonderful work from Mallet on bansuri flute and harpist Gladwin, the band all really find their way into Halsall's groove before the leader plays a beautiful wistful solo of his own and it is the oneness of the Gondwana Orchestra that makes it such a powerful vehicle for Halsall's music as the leader takes you on his very own journey through his musical and spiritual world.
Tracklisting: 01. When The World Was One / 02. A Far Away Place / 03. Falling Water / 04. Patterns / 05. Kiyomizu-Dera / 06. Sagano Bamboo Forest / 07. Tribute To Alice Coltrane
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Posted: 15 Jul 2014 06:24 AM PDT
FRANKIE VALLI – SELECTED SOLO WORKS
Frankie Valli – Selected Solo Works, which features all of his studio LPs with the exception of the Motown release Inside You (1975) and his most recent release, Romancing The Sixties (2007). Selected Workds consists of eight albums released by Valli under his own name between 1967 and 1980, and the are as follows: The 4 Seasons Present Frankie Valli Solo (1967); Timeless (1968); Closeup (1975); Our Day Will Come (1975); Valli (1976); Lady Put The Light Out (1977); Frankie Valli...Is The Word (1978); and Heaven Above Me (1980).
REAL SIDE RECORDS PRESENTS
SOUL ON THE REAL SIDE #2
A sweet range of classic soul, mixed with a few contemporary cuts as well – all with a great sort of modern soul glow overall! Most numbers here are gentle groovers – in a midtempo or two step mode, although a few get a bit more upbeat – and although the tracks were chosen by the Real Side dancefloor team, they've also got a richness that we really appreciate – great vocals that draw from older traditions, and sometimes introduce deep soul modes to modern soul production! Titles include "Everytime It Rains" by Na Allen, "She Needs Love" by Oscar Perry, "Break Out The Tears" by Angel, "Looking For A Lover" by Patterson Twins, "I've Got Your Love" by Charlie Brown, "Dreams" by Lonne Givens, "Until It's Time For You To Go" by The New Birth, "Baby I'm Coming At You (2014 re-edit)" by Jesse Gomez, "Born To Break My Heart (Carolina rmx)" by Roy G Hemmings, and "Make It Last" by Barbara Mason & The Futures. ~ Dusty Groove
MICHEL LEGRAND – THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR
One of the greatest soundtracks of the 60s – and a crowning moment of international fame for French composer Michel Legrand! Legrand already had plenty of records under his belt by the time he scored this great film – a heist movie with Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway – and he brings all that experience to bear in his music here – with sounds that run from jazzy groovers to bossa instrumentals to a few vocal numbers that are completely sublime, and which show his music works equally well in English as it does in French! Noel Harrison sings the landmark "Windmills Of Your Mind", and Legrand himself sings on the killer "His Eyes Her Eyes" – both of which get instrumental versions as well – and other instrumental tracks include "The Chess Game", "Playing The Field", "The Boston Wrangler", "Doubting Thomas", "The Crowning Touch", and "Room Service". Plus, this CD features loads of unheard bonus tracks – and includes not just the 13 track album, but also 19 more titles from the original film score! (Limited edition of 1000 copies.) ~ Dusty Groove
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Posted: 15 Jul 2014 06:14 AM PDT
JAVON JACKSON – EXPRESSION
One of the best Javon Jackson albums we've heard in years – a great live session that really gets back to basics, and reminds what a hell of a soloist Jackson is on tenor! The group's got a sharp, soulful feel right from the start – thanks to wonderful piano from Orrin Evans, who manages to bring all these creative touches to the music, but all without ever losing his swing – a swing that's driven strongly by Corcoran Holt on bass and McClenty Hunter on drums. Jackson's tenor is the real star of the show, but clearly gets great inspiration from the creative phrasing of Evans – and the pair soar together wonderfully on tunes that include "Richards RAP", "Lelia", "88 Strong", "Think On Me", "TJ", "Mr Taylor", and a great version of Wayne Shorter's "One By One". ~ Dusty Groove
LOUIS HAYES – RETURN OF THE JAZZ COMMUNICATORS
Drummer Louis Hayes always finds a way of working with great groups – and here he's got an especially well-chosen lineup with Abraham Burton on tenor and Steve Nelson on vibes! Both players ring out with this strongly soulful vibe that's clearly inspired by the leader – Burton's very deep tones a perfect complement to some of the sharper, more modern lines from Nelson – driven strongly by the work of David Bryant on piano and the excellent Dezron Douglas on bass. Hayes' power can be felt strongly, even in mellower moments – and Nelson's oft-percussive approach to his tones makes for an excellent choice for the group. Titles include "Shape Shifting", "Groovin For Nat", "Soul Leo", "Simple Pleasures", "Vagabond Ron", and "Lou's Idea". ~ Dusty Groove
VINCENT HERRING – THE UPTOWN SHUFFLE
A strong, soulful set from alto saxophonist Vincent Herring – of the sort he always seemed to get on earlier recordings, but which he hardly ever hits this well these days! The album's got a no-nonsense quality that really brings out the best in Vincent's horn – with a rock-solid rhythm section that features Cyrus Chestnut on piano, with Brandi Disterheft on bass and Joe Farnsworth on drums – all driving things with a nicely romping sensibility, in ways that push the richest, most soulful elements from Herring's horn – those almost tenor-like bits of phrasing we love so much when he's at his best. Tracks are relatively long – as befits the well-recorded live setting of these Smoke Sessions albums – and titles include "Elation", "Uptown Shuffle", "The Atholete", "Don't Let It Go", "Big Bertha", and "Tenderly". ~ Dusty Groove
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