THE JAZZ CHILL CORNER PAUL TAYLOR live @ Germany's greatest Soul, Funk & Jazz - Smooth Jazz Festival Augsburg, Germany, Sept. 11, 2014

---

1. PAUL TAYLOR live @ Germany's greatest Soul, Funk & Jazz - Smooth Jazz Festival Augsburg, Germany, Sept. 11, 2014
2. Natalie Cole, David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Boney James, Brian Culbertson & Others Headline Unforgettable All-Star Smooth Jazz Cruises
3. Trumpeter Sean Jones Releases Im.pro.vise Never Before Seen

PAUL TAYLOR live @ Germany's greatest Soul, Funk & Jazz - Smooth Jazz Festival Augsburg, Germany, Sept. 11, 2014 Posted: 23 Jul 2014 11:17 AM PDT Paul Taylor took up the saxophone at the age of seven. Though the Denver native has lived and worked primarily in Las Vegas since graduating as a music performance major from University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the proximity of his adopted hometown to Los Angeles gave him many opportunities to vibe with R&B and contemporary jazz producers and artists. In 1994, Jeff Lorber asked Taylor 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 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 his debut album "On The Horn" (1995), which spawned the #1 radio hit "Till We Meet Again." 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.  He later toured as a featured performer with the all-star "Groovin' For Grover" lineup (including Lorber, Richard Elliot and Gerald Albright). 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). 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, "Push To Start" from "Prime Time" (2011) and "Supernova" from his latest release "Tenacity" (2014) hit the pole position on the Smooth Jazz Songs chart. The albums itself respectively reached the Top Ten on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart.

Natalie Cole, David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Boney James, Brian Culbertson & Others Headline Unforgettable All-Star Smooth Jazz Cruises Posted: 23 Jul 2014 10:50 AM PDT While sailing into placid blue-green Caribbean waters last January, The Smooth Jazz Cruise encountered a tidal wave of demand for cabins for the 2015 sailing. On just the second day of the 2014 venture, next year's cruise sailing January 11-18, 2015 showcasing more than twenty of the brightest stars in contemporary jazz and R&B sold out. To make sure that no one would be left stranded ashore, cruise producer Entertainment Cruise Productions, working with cruise line Holland America and the enthusiastic cooperation of the artists and musicians, swiftly put together a solution to rescue the lengthy waiting list of enthusiasts from all over the world eager to be part of the luxurious musical vacation adventure. Six days later, The Smooth Jazz Cruise 15.2 sailing March 1-8, 2015 was conceived.  Spending a week at sea performing, meeting and hanging out with fans aboard Holland America's m/s Eurodam while visiting exotic Caribbean ports during the traditional January time slot fits nicely into the musicians' schedules because most don't tour or release new albums immediately after the holiday season, but rounding up everyone six weeks later in March, including such Grammy winners, legends and chart-toppers as Natalie Cole, David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Candy Dulfer, Rick Braun, Jonathan Butler, Joe Sample, Peter White and many others, could have been difficult.  "We called all the artists' agents and managers and they were happy to hear about the unprecedented demand so everyone was ready and willing to sign up immediately," said Entertainment Cruise Productions' Executive Director Michael Lazaroff of the cruise that will depart Fort Lauderdale and visit Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Croix and the private island Half Moon Cay. "The Smooth Jazz Cruise is simply the best entertainment in the world of smooth jazz. No other festival or event can boast this level and depth of talent, fun and excitement. As it's affectionately known, it is 'The Greatest Party at Sea.'"  Capturing the unique spirit of the perennially sold-out cruise that many guests embark upon year after year has been a bit of a challenge as well. Offering live music plus DJ Biz Markie in six different venues large and intimate on top of informative panels, theme parties and autograph sessions with the artists, it is more than a music festival and more than backstage experiences with fan favorites. It is more than a vacation in the Caribbean with a dazzling array of amenities and delectable dining. It is more than a week of pampering during which everyone is treated first class by the Holland America staff. For the past twelve years on 17 full-ship charters, The Smooth Jazz Cruise has delivered unforgettable music and lifestyle experiences. Something special happens when passionate guests devote the entire week to being immersed in the music. A new video clip that provides a glimpse into the magic that occurs on every sailing is as close as one can get without leaving shore. It can be viewed at http://www.thesmoothjazzcruise.com/Videos/PreCruise2015.  www.TheSmoothJazzCruise.com

Trumpeter Sean Jones Releases Im.pro.vise Never Before Seen Posted: 23 Jul 2014 07:52 AM PDT Celebrating his 10th anniversary with Mack Avenue Records, internationally acclaimed composer/trumpeter Sean Jones views his seventh album, im.pro.vise never before seen, as "a reintroduction of who I am." Although he has clearly established himself as a formidable leader through recordings and live performances, this album reflects his "conscious decision to approach this latest step in my artistic evolution as a trumpet player, a composer and a leader."    A major event in that evolution occurred when he chose to step down from his longtime position as Lead Trumpeter of the Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra in 2010. But touring with Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock's Tribute To Miles the following year made a truly profound impact on his personal journey. "I have so much respect for those men, so I asked them how I could best contribute to this music. Without hesitation and in one voice they said: 'Lead. That's what we hired you to do.' That brought it all together for me."    Through that epiphany, Jones set out with a new motivation firmly in place, and im.pro.vise never before seen began to take form. Paring his artistic viewpoint down to the basics, he decided to make his first quartet recording with his longtime bandmates, the dynamic pianist Orrin Evans, and the seamless bass/drum tandem of Luques Curtis and Obed Calvaire. Furthermore, he chose to do it old school.    "All of my previous albums were 'productions' with overdubs, etc," says Jones. "This time it was just the four of us in one room, no barriers between us, playing live." The sense of immediacy and urgency that has always been a key element of the jazz art at its highest level is front and center throughout this entire album. Another essential tradition of looking back to look forward is also omnipresent here, and that includes the full scope of that legacy from its blues roots to its freer explorations.    Powerfully committed to his art and clearly focused upon where he wants to take it, Jones has developed one of the most impressive and compelling ensembles on today's scene, all of whom are committed to performing together and taking their place alongside the most affecting and important ensembles in jazz.  Together this quartet generates the consummate energy to which all truly dedicated jazz artists should aspire. The musicians bring everything they have to the table, making the music their own, yet always understanding that the purpose is to fulfill the vision of the leader. "I want to reflect the tradition of what jazz is," says Jones, "and my voice is a voice that needs to be part of it." Upcoming Sean Jones Performances: July 31 / Chicken Bone Beach Jazz Festival / Atlantic City, NJ August 8 & 9 / Richmond Jazz Festival / Richmond, VA August 12 - 13 / Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola (featured guest artist) / New York, NY August 21 / SFJAZZ Center / San Francisco, CA September 1 / Detroit Jazz Festival / Detroit, MI September 5 / The Frick / Pittsburgh, PA September 25 - 28 / Jazz Showcase / Chicago, IL November 3 - 8 / SF Performances Residency / San Francisco, CA November 10 - 15 / Jazz Bistro / St. Louis, MO www.SeanJonesMusic.com