What does this mean? Take advantage of the great deals and increase your savings. If you have a list of tracks or albums on a wish list, this could be time to cash in and enjoy listening to your favorites. This kind of savings happens once in a while, and with Amazon’s offer on most of the jazz selections, we thought we would pass the info along to you guys.

Some Selections We Recommend

25% Off

Dexter Gordon:
Ballads: Dexter Gordon, Go!, Our Man in Paris

Cannonball Adderley:
Somethin’ Else, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! Live at ‘The Club’, Them Dirty Blues

27% Off

Stan Getz:
Serenity, Focus, Ultimate Stan Getz, Getz Au Go Go

31% Off

Cannonball Adderley:
The Best of Cannonball Adderley: The Capitol Years

StanleyTurrentine:
A Bluish Bag, The Best of Stanley Turrentine

Benny Goodman:
The Best of Benny Goodman: The Capitol Years, The Complete Capitol Trios

Dexter Gordon:
The Best of Dexter Gordon: The Blue Note Years

Jimmy Smith:
The Best of Jimmy Smith: The Blue Note Years

And there are many more to choose from. Have a look for yourself at Amazon.com and see the selection of saving they have.

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2. Orange County Performing Arts Center Welcomes New York Voices: A night of favorite yuletide tunes as well as jazz classics
3. Want To Know What A Lounge Version Of Your Favorite Song Would Sound Like: Well, you have to take a listen to Richard Cheese!

This article represents some names that often fall under the radar but should definitely be given a listen. Those that like to always stay up on the most current artists and releases should like this article.

Also be sure to check out what’s coming out in November (coming soon)

October 1st, 2009

Brian Groder
Groder & Greene

Trumpeter Brian Groder and multi-genrist pianist Burton Greene completed two days of recording with bassist Adam Lane, alto saxophonist Rob Brown and drummer Ray Sage, on Oct 11th and 12th, 2007 at The Studio on Greene Street in New York City. These are the results of those sessions, and if the joy of new discovery you felt the first time you heard great jazz still exists in your body, you’re already listening to this disc. It is the product of decades of work by the two leaders, and several lifetimes of influences.

As a “free” session, almost everything recorded here was a spontaneous creation. Groder explains, “We would discuss the possible form, order of instruments entering and exiting, moods, dynamics and tempos … but there weren’t any melodies/lines, chord or specific structures we were reading down.” Like Brian Groder, Burton Greene, Adam Lane, Rob Brown and Ray Sage, the best way to experience this project is to simply listen.

More Info

October 5th, 2009

Mon David
Coming True

In 2006 Mon David, an acclaimed Filipino musician and longtime drummer in a popular Philippines pop group, entered the London International Jazz Vocal competition, where jazz singers from dozens of nations attempted to wow the judges and put their country on the musical map. After listening to hundreds of performances, the decision was unanimous: the champion was the unheralded Filipino, Mon David.

With his debut American recording, Coming True, a tribute to where he’s been and where he’s at, Mon David joins the ranks of the world’s finest male vocalists. Featuring a blazing trio led by Filipino piano virtuoso Tateng Katindig and special guests Justo Almario and David’s “jazzipino” sister Charmaine Clamor, this swinging and heartfelt recording demonstrates that, despite all odds, Mon David’s musical dreams are Coming True.

More Info

October 6th, 2009

(1) The Aggregation – under the direction of Eddie Allen
Groove’s Mood

Trumpeter/composer/arranger/author Eddie Allen is one of the more versatile musicians on the New York scene. He’s called upon to play everything from jazz (big band as well as small ensembles) to R&B/Pop to latin to symphonic to Broadway, and everything in between. The Aggregation’s new Groove’s Mood CD (DBCD), has plenty of verve, soul, and swinging energy. The program has a few jazz standards, like Hubbard’s “Sky Dive,” a rearrangement of “Wade in the Water,” two Stevie Wonder classics, and a triad of nice compositions by leader Allen.

This is a tight, well rehearsed ensemble and the charts stand out as good examples of today’s big band mainstream. Eddie Allen plays some nice horn too. The most ambitious number, Allen’s “The Black Coming,” holds the most interest for me. It is serious stuff and well played. The rest cooks, boils, and gives notice that Eddie Allen’s The Aggregation is a big band to be reckoned with.

More Info

(2) Charito & Michel Legrand
Watch What Happens: Charito meets Michel Legrand

The Japan-based jazz diva Charito is now a presence on the global scene. Her recent albums, featuring powerful collaborations with Ivan Lins and the Manhattan Jazz Orchestra, have shown the world just how talented she is. This eagerly-awaited new release is a collection of songs by the great French composer, Michel Legrand. Legrand himself plays the piano, scats and performs with Charito on four songs. Michel Legrand is a true maestro, a world-famous composer who has won three Academy Awards, and five Grammys. Charito was able to meet Legrand during such a busy time was purely due to his sheer fascination with her talent as a singer.

With Charito, Legrand plays the piano as part of the jazz combo and performs three duets with her: “Summer Me, Winter Me”, “Pieces of Dreams” and “Quand On S’Aime.” Charito embraces Legrand’s world and what she draws out from these melodies is totally fascinating. Charito sings each song very expressively, cherishing not only the beauty of the melody but also the elegant atmosphere that Legrand’s works evoke.

More Info

October 13th, 2009

The Dom Minasi String Quartet
Dissonance Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

New York City native Dom Minasi is a leader and innovater of the improvisational Jazz style known as “taking it out” and a performer and educator of all styles of Jazz. His career includes being a musician, composer, arranger and owner of an independent record label CDM Records. Dissonance Makes The Heart Grow Fonder is again another musical direction and a totally different sound. This group is a real combination of contemporary 21st century composition coupled with modern improvisation.

More Info

October 15th, 2009

Kristina
Offshore Echoes

The album sounds like a combination of well known pop and jazz songs filtered through a multicultural musical kaleidiscope. Borrowing rhythms and cadences from Brazil, Latin and Africa, Latin jazz vocalist Kristina gives ethnic interpretations to tunes like Sting’s “Tea in the Sahara” and the jazz classic “Tenderly.” And it all works in a joyous, breezy fashion. Joined by a group of some of San Francisco’s most celebrated musicans that includes trombonist Wayne Wallace an Pianist Frank Martin, Kristina shows a lot of promise on her debut album “Offshore Echoes.”

More Info

See What’s Coming Out In November

(coming soon)

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1. James Moody and Hank Jones Collaboration Is Big Success: Their album, “Our Delight,” was released in October
2. Grammy Award Winning Jazz Trumpeter Terence Blanchard Released “Choices”
3. Ambitious New Album From Wynton Marsalis: “He and She” to be released March 24th

For each ’session’ with a jazz legend, O’Neal has supplemented the interview and portraits with many of his other photographs, historical photographs and memorabilia. From the archives of Chiaroscuro Records, O’Neal has produced a CD that accompanies the book, which features sixteen of the ‘ghosts’ playing at the ends of their careers, between 1972 and 1996, including Cab Calloway, Milt Hinton, Doc Cheatham, Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Tate, Eddie Barefield, Earl Hines, and Illinois Jacquet.

Hank O’Neal has plenty of experiences from which to draw inspiration. It would be easy to assume that it was O’Neal’s stint as a spy that gave him the ability to walk into Harlem homes of jazz legends and come out with amazing stories and photographs. However, it is more likely that it was O’Neal’s love of jazz, knowledge of music and easy-going personality that made 42 musicians pour out personal tales that became The Ghosts of Harlem: Sessions with Jazz Legends (Vanderbilt University Press, July 2009).

The “ghost” stories are personal reminiscences of some of the jazz world’s leading musicians. As comfortable with O’Neal as with any insider, the performers talk openly about their life in Harlem, music in general, the people they knew, the places they played and what made Harlem a city within a city.

Reviews:

“This is a must read for all those interested in Harlem’s role in the development
of jazz, whether they are aficionados or new fans.”
-Arthur H. Barnes, Chairman, The National Jazz Museum in Harlem

“Hank O’Neal’s loving portraits, visual and verbal, capture the spirit and soul of the Harlem
that once was.”
-Dan Morgenstern, Director, Institute of Jazz Studies, Rutgers University

“The Ghosts of Harlem is a definitive work because at long last we’re hearing
forty-three important musicians tell us about their work in their own words.
The illustrative photographs are amazing and Hank O’Neal’s large format portraits
are extraordinary. This is a book of historic significance and I recommend it to
anyone interested in the development of jazz in America.”
-Bruce Lundvall, President & CEO, EMI Jazz & Classics

Related posts:

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2. “Legends Tour” Artists To Release New Recording: Sanborn, Clarke, Miller, and Wooten Featured
3. “Jazz Saxophone Duets”: Great book for jazz saxophonists

Crescendo & Jazz Music
This magazine features articles on famous crescendo and jazz artists, album reviews, video reviews, information on jazz festivals, band competitions, tributes, saxophones, pictures, and even some music to read and play.
($45/year – 4 issues)

Down Beat

In the 1930s, before any important book on jazz had yet been written, Down Beat collected the first important body of pre-1935 jazz history. It became a monthly, then semi-monthly, a diary of the swing era as it happened, then tracked the progression of bop, pop, rock, freedom, fusion, and nineties neoclassicism, all from the perspective of the musician. This magazine is edicated to jazz and blues musicians, fans, and audiophiles. Focuses on roots-oriented music and includes artists profiles, record reviews, and arranging tips.
($27/year – 12 issues)

JAZZIZ Magazine

This award-winning magazine gives you the lowdown each month on what’s hot (and what’s not) in jazz with insightful editorial, CD reviews, and inspired photography, art and design. Each issue of this magazine comes with Ttwo limited edition CDs, called “Jazziz on Disc”, that let you listen to music featured in the magazine at home, in the car, at work or on the go. “Jazziz on Disc” is a beautifully packaged 2 CD set filled with classic, new and exclusive music not available anywhere else. A subscription includes a quarterly print magazine, a monthly “page-flip” interactive magazine, daily and weekly updates, 10 CDs, news, events, videos, radio and more.
($60/year – 4 issues)

Jazz Review

An information site for Jazz Review Magazine, Britain’s most informative, indispensable, stylish and authoritative jazz magazine, packed with exclusive interviews with the leading figures in the music, compelling historical overviews which will enlighten beginners and experts alike, and a massive and up-to-the-minute reviews section where our team of critics audition everything that’s new on CD and give readers the definitive lowdown on what’s worth hearing – and what isn’t.
(Online – FREE)

Jazz Times

This one provides comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the international jazz scene. In addition to insightful profiles of emerging and established stars, every issue contains over 100 reviews of the latest CDs, books, videos and performances. Reviews and promotes jazz in all its varieties. Each subscription also includes their Annual Jazz Education Guide, which gives you listings of the top college jazz and music industry programs around the world
($24/year – 10 issues)

Have we left one out? Let us know!

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Then once Susie was exposed to the genius of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and Rogers and Hart, she immediately became infatuated with their work. That respect and adoration reaches its fruition on a beautiful tribute to honor her inspirations on her new album I’ll Remember April.

Susie effortlessly makes her way through standards such as “How Deep Is The Ocean” (Irving Berlin), “Little Girl Blue” (Rodgers & Hart), and “What A Wonderful World” (George David Weiss and Bob Thiele). With the help of some seasoned veterans such as special guest and Grammy Award winner Brian Lynch (trumpet), the jazz diva makes all the songs her own.

I’ll Remember April is a debut to remember and jazz aficionados everywhere will be talking about this release for some time to come. This is the kind of recording that hits the jazz purist’s sweet spot and Susie and her band are bound to reap the benefits.

For more information, be sure to visit Susie’s website.

Samples from her new album I’ll Remember April:

Related posts:

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Album: The Very Best Of Prestige Records
Label: Concord Music Group
Release Date: March 24th, 2009

On March 24th Concord Music Group launched a yearlong 60th anniversary celebration of Prestige Records, with a full slate of assorted CD releases and other special bonuses, including the new album The Very Best Of Prestige Records.

The Very Best of Prestige Records is a 2-CD set of classic tracks from the legendary label’s catalog featuring the iconic Jazz artists of the ‘50s and ‘60s; John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Eric Dolphy, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, and more. The new ‘must have’ collection features 25 essential Prestige tracks, and is packed with classic photographs covering a 20-year span from 1949-1969, truly representing Prestige’s golden era.

Background:

Founded by producer Bob Weinstock in 1949, Prestige Records became iconic in documenting the golden age of jazz, known as the label that stood for high-premium jazz throughout its active history. Its legacy continued firstas a reissue imprint with Fantasy Records and today with the Concord Music Group.

The 60th anniversary celebration continues withthree series of Ryan Van Gelder remasters (March 3rd, June 2nd, and September 8th), as well as audio podcasts with the legendary engineer. In addition, Concord will issue two new sets of vital music from the Prestige catalog:

(1) Sidesteps
- A 5-CD boxed set of John Coltane’s appearnaces as a sideman on Prestige recordings (to be released on September 8th, 2009)
(2) Miles Davis & Sonny Rollins: The Classic Prestige Session 1951-1956
- A 2-CD collections to beissued in later summer or early fall, 2009)

Also planned for later this year is Prestige Records: The Collected Album Covers. This is a coffee table book, published by notes music historian Geoff Gans.

Streaming Media:

Quicktime:
(1) Sonny Rollins/John Coltrane (Tenor Madness)
(2) Eric Dolphy (Les)
(3) Red Garland Trio (Hey Now)
(4) Pat Martino (Waltz For Geri)

- Check out the entire album, available through streaming media at music.aol.com.
- See more information about the album at On Target Media Group.
- Concord Music Group’s Official Site.

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2. The Rippingtons Release New Album “Modern Art”: A fine collection of smooth jazz
3. Legendary Blue Note Records Celebrate 70th Anniversary: Releasing album from The Blue Note 7

Time is very much at the heart of He and She: the swift passage of time over the course of one’s life, the mood-altering shifts of time in the duration of a song. It’s an ambitious effort, combining spoken word and music, and Marsalis has given his quintet some formidable charts. The album is tempered with flashes of humor and plenty of swing. There’s ease and elegance and more than a little wisdom in these grooves.

The new album draws its greatest power from telling a familiar story in such a compelling and richly entertaining manner, a uniue variation on a theme that everyone, in some way, knows. Listening at the album track by track, or as one large work, one can detect the sound of all our love stories and experiences.

Artist: Wynton Marsalis
Album: He and She
Label: Blue Note
Release Date: March 24th, 2009

- Artist information at www.wyntonmarsalis.org.
- Listening samples at On Target Media Group.

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Smooth Jazz pioneers, The Rippingtons released their latest album, Modern Art, March 10th 2009 via Peak Records (Concord Music Group). With a legacy firmly rooted in smooth Jazz, The Rippingtons’ 18th release features an explosive lineup lead by founder Russ Freeman alongside Dave Karasony, Bill Heller, as well as new bassist Rico Belled and special guest, returning saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa.

Modern Art breaks new stylistic ground, incorporating exotic world music elements on the sensuously romantic, acoustic guitar driven “Paris Groove” and adds an Eastern authenticity to the hypnotic “Black Book” with an electric sitar. With the sizzling interaction between Freeman’s slow burning electric guitar and Kashiwa’s wild sax improvisations, the easy grooving “One Step Closer” and bluesy “Body Art” will remind longtime fans of the band’s glory days of the ’90s, but with a souped up twist!

The Rippingtons, whose first lineup included future contemporary Jazz superstars Dave Koz, Kenny G and David Benoit, dominated the instrumental and urban Jazz landscape from the late ‘80s on with their often exotically titled hit recordings, including Kilimanjaro, Tourist in Paradise and Welcome to the St. James Club.

Streaming Audio:

“Paris Groove”
- Windows Media
- Quick Time

Related posts:

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3. Press Release: Jazz vocalist Paulette Dozier returns to play her role in “Thoroughly Modern Millie”

Sinan Bakir, born and raised in Turkey, came to the United States to study guitar after completing his college studies in engineering. His studies brought him to Hartford and he has slowly but steadily begun to make a name on the Connecticut jazz scene. Bakir plays in many different settings, including solo, duo, trio and quartet.

In late November of 2008, he recorded his debut CD, On My Way, at Rotary Records in West Springfield, Massachusetts. For the recording,Thomson Kneeland plays acoustic bass and Mark Ferber provides the fine drumming. Both are young musicians based in New York City with excellent credentials.

These pieces are not just vamps waiting for long solos; instead, many of the songs have strong melodic lines that open up logically for the various solos. “Oddity” displays a Middle-Eastern feel in the rhythms and ringing guitar chords; Bakir’s stinging phrases gallop atop Ferber’s exciting drum work and Kneeland’s rich bass tones.

“Stop & Go” has a “rockish” feel, thanks to the pounding drums and thumping bass lines. Bakir digs in on this track and one can hear the influence of Allan Holdsworth, not so much for blazing fast riffs but in the textures of the guitar sound. Without a second lead instrument, Bakir alternates between single-note lines and chordal strumming. “Steps” is a good example of how he allows the melody to dictate the pace, giving room to Kneeland for a short, melodic, solo before digging in to a thoughtful guitar spot.

Other highlights include the title track that opens the program. The guitarist’s sound is quite clear allowing the trills and little circular riffs to stand out on a piece that is somewhat introspective. “Play!” is another “hot” track, with a rhythm line that, at times, sounds like Juan Tizol’s “Caravan.” Kneeland’s bouncing bass phrases atop Ferber’s strutting drums gives the guitarist the impetus to “let rip.”

On My Way is a solid debut. It’s easy to put this music on and just let it play. One can hear the influences of Holdsworth, John Scofield and Bill Frisell but Bakir is no imitator. The voice of the guitar one hears on the opening cut never wavers or falters throughout. The rhythm section is impressive in their support and creativity. Sinan Bakir is a good young composer and player worth your attention.

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In her upcoming CD, Krazy Love, jazz vocalist Luba Mason executes a “cool, Brazilian mood” with an intimate acoustic sound. Enhanced by well-known Brazilian musician Renato Neto on piano & keyboards (also pianist for the legendary musician, Prince), Luba is joined by top-notch bassist Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets), percussionist Cassio Duarte, Sandro Albert on guitar and Marco Costa on drums, with guest performances by the world renowned Hubert Laws as well as her husband, Latin great Ruben Blades.

In addition to co-producing the album, Luba’s blossoming writing talents are premiered in 8 original songs alongside two covers, creating a distinctive yet personal sound and style to this unique blend of melodies.

From the title track, “Krazy Love,” which sets the tone for the CD to Luba’s childhood memories of growing up in her parent’s home on “This House”; from the flirtatious vibes of romance on the duet (with Ruben) “And It Is with You I Go” to the feelings of betrayal on the songs “From Me To You” and “A Summer Night”; from the fantasies expressed on “Lovely” to the celebratory mode of “Christmas In July,” Luba’s CD is a personal and heartfelt exploration of love in all its various stages.

—–
Look for it in stores January 27th or reserve your copy at Amazon.
—–

Album Track List:

1. Krazy Love – Luba Mason, Renato, Ze
2. From Me to You – Luba Mason, Neto, Renato
3. Lovely – Luba Mason, Mason, Luba
4. A Summer Night – Luba Mason, Mason, Luba
5. E Com Esse Que Eu Vou [and It Is with You That I Go] – Luba Mason, Caetano, Pedro
6. Olhos Nos Olhos – Luba Mason, Buarque, Chico
7. This House – Luba Mason, Neto, Renato
8. Gorgeous Fool – Luba Mason, Neto, Renato
9. Reunion – Luba Mason, Neto, Renato
10. Xmas in July – Luba Mason, Mason, Luba

Video: The Making Of The Album

For more information, please be sure to visit her website at www.lubamason.com.

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1. Jazz Vocalist Luba Mason To Release Her Album “Krazy Love”: Will hit the stores January 27th, 2009
2. All Your Jazz Interview With Jazz Vocalist Luba Mason
3. Rob Batie Releases New Album “Love X 3″