All Your Jazz

Award winning smooth jazz instrumentalist Brian Culbertson releases Dreams album

drumminfabe — Wed, 02 May 2012 05:26:04 +0000

This summer, prolific R&B/Jazz musician Brian Culbertson invites you to close your eyes, open your ears, and fall deep into a lush world of musical fantasy with his breathtaking thirteenth album Dreams (Verve/Universal). With the help of lauded guest vocalists Vivian Green, Noel Gourdin and Stokley Williams of Mint Condition, Dreams masterfully melds jazz sensibility with an R&B flair in a wondrous melange of enchanting grooves.

On Dreams, Brian shared production duties with esteemed R&B producer and longtime collaborator Rex Rideout (Angie Stone, Ledisi, Luther Vandross, Lalah Hathaway, Will Downing, Kem) while calling on three of R&B’s top session players to help round out the sound: bassist Alex Al (Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones) and guitarists Michael Thompson (Babyface, Toni Braxton), Rob Bacon (Beyonce, Raphael Saadiq), and John “Jubu” Smith (Frankie Beverly & Maze, Whitney Houston).

Today Brian releases his 4-track EP Dreams featuring several of the album’s stellar tracks, “Your Smile,” “Later Tonight,” “Still Here” f/ Vivian Green and “No Limits” f/ Stokley Williams. The EP serves as a delectable audio appetizer for Brian’s full length album due out this Summer 2012.

Purchase Album (iTunes)
Tour Info

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Esperanza Spalding performs on The Tonight Show

drumminfabe — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:36:09 +0000

Don’t miss Esperanza Spalding perform “Black Gold” on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno! Proceeds from her tour go toward a worthy organization, Free The Slaves.

More Performances:
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart this Thursday (April 12th)
Tour Info

Artist Info:
Radio Music Society

Christina Morrison debuts album “I Love”

jazzman — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:55:43 +0000

Christina comes out with her new song “I Love”. Morrison is down with the concept of old school dames, but she has a pomo sensibility all the way. Probably hiding a resltess artist gehind a coll facade, Morrison diches her last persona but doesn’t leave it too far behind as crime jazz mixes with after hours mixes with just about everything else that could be smoky.

Artist Background

An accomplished actress, a graduate of the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Ms. Morison’s talent has been hailed as “chameleonic and versatile ” and she brings these same qualities to her music on an album that melds jazz, blues, folk and pop sensibilities of the U.S. with samba, bossa nova and other South American influences, in a unique mélange that is all her own.

Born of mixed American and Ecuadorian parentage in Miami, Morrison has resided in Rome, Quito, the Galapagos Islands, Los Angeles and now New York City, resulting in a multicultural world view that is reflected in her music, which is informed by her myriad life experiences and keen observations into the nature of the human character.

Joining Morrison is a roster of first class New York players, headed by the singer’s “partner in crime” saxophonist/composer Christian Hidrobo, a longtime colleague from her jazz band The Baroness & Her Lovers, who contributed the appealing melodies that accompany the singer’s own engaging lyrics, which are utterly cinematic in their vivid imagery.

Accompanied by pianist Steve Einerson, bassists Marcus McLaurine (acoustic) and Alex Alvear (electric), drummer Willard Dyson and percussionist Sammy Torres in the stellar rhythm section, with saxist Hidrobo, trumpeter Walter Szymanski, guitarist Vinny Valentino and harmonica virtuoso Gregoire Maret supplying multihued backgrounds and compelling solos, Morrison embarks on an episodic musical journey that runs the gamut of emotions, joyous, sorrowful, exuberant and meditative. Pristinely recorded, the nine songs on I Love reach out and touch listeners’ minds, hearts and souls with messages that are simultaneously personal and universal.

More Info

Pianist Hiromi Uehara To Play Benefit For Disaster Relief in Japan

drumminfabe — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:28:33 +0000

Wednesday, March 30th world renowned pianist Hiromi Uehara will be the featured artist for a benefit concert in honor of the disaster relief in Japan. The show will take place at The Falcon in Marlboro, NY.

Her performance at the Falcon will be a very specail night with all proceeds going to the Japanese Red Cross to help the disaster relief effort. Suggested donations $50. Call (845) 236-7970 to make a dinner reservation.

Since the beginning of the decade, pianist-composer Hiromi Uehara has supported her impressive body of work with an ambitious tour schedule that has electrified audiences throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia with performances that have pushed the limits of piano jazz to new frontiers of compositional and technical skills.

Heralded as one of the brightest lights on the piano jazz landscape, the Japanese prodigy has not only lived up to the initial praise for her early efforts but surpassed it entirely. And now to celebrate her “travel journal” and the youth of her 20’s, the Pianist embarks on her first solo piano recording.

More About Hiromi

Details:

The Falcon
1348 Rte 9w
Marlboro, NY 12542

Suggested donation $50. All proceeds from the benefit will go to the Japan Civic Force & the Japanese Red Cross. Doors will open at 6:00 pm for dinner – reservations suggested (call 845-236-7970).

Opening the show will be a set of music by the soulful Akie Bermiss at 7:00 pm.

Hiromi will perform at 8:00 pm.

More Info

New Release: MATTHEWDAVID “OUTMIND” (Brainfeeder)

drumminfabe — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 21:26:29 +0000

Outmind pulsates with a sense of constant discovery. It is a mosaic sparkling with mystic, radiant matter. As you listen to Outmind set your ears to slow dissolve.

Let yourself be wrapped in warmth and levitate skyward to an elegant high. This is the place Matthewdavid resides and if you want to get into the mindset you must get far far out out.

MATTHEWDAVID
“OUTMIND”
(Brainfeeder)
Release Date: April 19, 2011

Listen:

04 International (feat. Dogbite) (download)

Track List:

1. Los Angeles is Beautiful
2. Noche y Dia / San Raphael
3. Prayers at Bedtime
4. International (feat. Dogbite)
5. Group Tea (feat. Flying Lotus)
6. Like You Mean It
7. Epic Swan
8. Floor Music (feat. Niki Randa)
9. Cucumber-Lime
10. Today, Same Way
11. Being Without You
12. No Need To Worry / Mean Too Much (Suite)

Description:
The songs unveiled on Outmind are destined for infinite replay. Light, gauzy moments blend with those densely layered. The biggest swing gives way to the slowest sway. These are classic jams obscured in fuzz and fog. Nostalgic jeeps bump invisibly to thumping bass.

Outmind is lovingly crafted and resonates with Matthewdavid’s heartfelt glow. His music’s mysterious simplicity sparks senses. These songs come from far out to resonate within. Rotate your dial to a space between frequencies. Catch these ghost channels of golden pop. Outmind blends familiar rhythms with those lost long ago and others yet to come.

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Performance Review: Chick Corea & Gary Burton In Orange County

drumminfabe — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:44:38 +0000

Friday, March 4th, the famous duo of Chick Corea and Gary Burton entertained hundreds at the Segerstrom Center For The Arts in Orange County, CA. Having performed together since 1972, these guys not only know there way around the music, they make it seem like one seamless 4-handed performance. Previewing tunes that will appear on their next album, while still referencing some of the great standards, they wowed the crowd, eventually returning to the stage for an encore.

Like the 2 have done together for nearly 40 years, pianist Chick Corea & vibraphonist Gary Burton put on a show! This one-night, one-time set was a special treat for jazz fans in L.A. and Orange County, having the opportunity to get a small preview of what is to come on their next album while enjoying some of the stuff that made them jazz greats over the years.

The Set List

The set list was very interesting – as one could expect from these two – featuring standards from some of the greatest jazz legends as well as some original works and even some avant garde pieces. Some of the tunes that really stood out include a rendition of the Beatles’ infamous “Eleanor Rigby”, Thelonious Monk’s often overlooked work “Light Blue”, and a Chick Corea original tribute to late pianist Bud Powell, entitled “Bud Powell”.

Also on the list were some interesting works, featuring a piece called “Allegria” (soon to be released on their next album). This piece begins with hand tapping on the piano, enters into a battery of altered-time sections, and when all seems to be chaotic and lost, the two reunite at the end as if it were the most simple of songs. Another favorite of mine was an original based on the inspiration of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Yes, a classical composer! Switching from swing to straight-time, meshing dominants and tonal chords with embellished jazz sounds, it was amazing to hear how a piece could borrow from two completely different styles of music, traditionally never mixed.

Their Style

As was mentioned by Gary Burton, their next album features more of an artist-led approach, rather than a song-based approach. They will be featuring a lot of the most popular standards, but most of the tunes will be the lesser-known or often overlooked ones. In addition, the references, inspirations, and tributes to musicians and composers of various genres really does justice to music as a whole, tying everything together in one unique and mind-blowing package.

The way that Corea and Burton capture the essence of so many styles, artists, and time periods really has to do with their unique perspective on music as a whole. While so many artists tend to think within the boundaries of the already-existing groundwork, the two feed off the ways in which the music can be of multiple domains.

The best way that they do this is by embracing the natural function of the two instruments (piano and vibraphone) and taking it to the next level. In fact, one of the most difficult things they do is change from lead to accompaniment – in an instant. Both are skilled regarding melody, harmony, and rhythm, allowing them to utilize their instruments in multiple ways. Through this, they continue to expand upon the forms that can be created, the genres that can be melded together, and the sounds that captivate.

Overview

To say that these two guys are on the same page would be an understatement. They perform as if they were one person – with 4 hands – going in and out of time, changing roles from lead to accompaniment, and feeding off each other’s ideas the whole time. The most amazing thing is that while the audience knows they are concentrating – and believe me they have to in order to play like they do – it’s entertaining to watch because it seems so fun and effortless.

These two are always fun to watch, challenging the audience, amazing them with their talent, and making it look easy the whole time. Our recommendation is to see these guy whenever you get the chance – you won’t regret it!

Thanks to Heather Cho and the Segerstrom Center For The Arts for the chance to see this concert and write a review.

Clayton Brothers Nominated For Grammy

drumminfabe — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 01:53:10 +0000

The Clayton Brothers (John and Jeff) were recently nominated for a Grammy in the category of “Best Instrumental Composition” at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. Their newest project, an album entitled The New Song and Dance, is the Clayton Brothers Quintet’s second fan-funded recording from ArtistShare featuring Terell Stafford – trumpet, Jeff Clayton – saxophone, Gerald Clayton – piano, John Clayton – bass, and Obed Calviare – drums. A very talented group in many respects, keep an eye on these guys, as we believe their best is still yet to come.

Whether it has been listening to dance music, playing dance music or just plain-old dancing, the Clayton Brothers have done it all. In their newest project, John and Jeff Clayton are giving music fans a new “twist” to the dance music they’ve come to love and recognize.

Preview a tune from the album and video from the project here! In this second ArtistShare fan-funded project, The Clayton Brothers will be allowing fans to watch the recording come to life with exclusive rehearsal pictures, videos, interviews, sheet music and much more.

Artist Background

The Clayton Brothers is the brain child of saxophonist Jefferey (Jeff) Clayton. According to Jeff, some 30 years ago he and brother, Grammy Award winning bassist John Clayton agreed to support each other’s preferred formats. Jeff’s love of small groups lead to formation of the Clayton Brothers Quintet. John’s love for big bands led to formation of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra with legendary drummer Jeff Hamilton, of which brother Jeffery is a part. The current roster of the Clayton Bothers Quintet includes brothers Jeff and John, along with John’s son Gerald Clayton (piano), Obed Calvaire (drums) and Terell Stafford (trumpet). The band’s latest album Brother to Brother was released in November 2008.

Billy Childs Wins Grammy for “Best Instrumental Composition”

drumminfabe — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 01:34:32 +0000

We are very pleased to announce that Billy Childs has won his second Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition – “The Path Among the Trees” which is part of his latest ArtistShare fan-funded release Autumn: In Moving Pictures

Acceptance Speech

Artist Background

Solo Recordings:
William Edward Childs (best known as Billy Childs) is a composer and jazz pianist from Los Angeles. Childs’ solo jazz recording career began in 1988, when he released Take for Example, This…, the first of four critically acclaimed albums on the Windham Hill Jazz label. He followed that album with Twilight Is Upon Us (1989), His April Touch (1992), and Portrait of a Player (1993). A long friendship with Chick Corea resulted in Chick’s asking Billy to join his new (at the time) label, Stretch Records, upon Childs’ departure from Windham Hill Jazz. His next album, I’ve Known Rivers on Stretch/GRP (now Stretch/Concord) was released in 1995. Childs then followed withThe Child Within, released on the Shanachie record label in 1996.

Work As Arranger:
In 2000 Childs arranged, orchestrated and conducted for Dianne Reeves’ project The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan, helping that recording to a 2002 Grammy award for “best jazz vocal CD.” Other artists and producers for whom Childs has arranged include Sting, Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Botti, Gladys Knight, Michael Bublé, David Foster, Phil Ramone, and Claudia Acuña.

Jazz Chamber Ensemble:
Around 2001 Billy had an idea for a group which would have, at its nucleus, piano, acoustic guitar, and harp. It was a sound partly influenced by Laura Nyro’s collaborations with Alice Coltrane (on “Christmas and the Beads of Sweat”) and partly influenced by a desire to merge the classical and jazz music genres. The Jazz-Chamber Ensemble was the result and the group consists of: piano, bass, drums, acoustic guitar, harp and woodwinds. Sometimes the core group is augmented by string quartet, woodwind quintet, or both. In 2005, the ensemble released its first CD, Lyric, Jazz-Chamber Music, Vol. 1. The CD was nominated for three 2006 Grammy awards (best jazz CD, best instrumental composition, and best instrumental arrangement), winning for best instrumental composition, “Into the Light”.

More Info

Chick Corea & Gary Burton Perform For Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ Jazz Series

drumminfabe — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 05:40:21 +0000

Legendary jazz pianist and composer Chick Corea and vibraphonist extraordinaire Gary Burton are set to combine their virtuosity on stage at Segerstrom Center for the Arts on March 4th, 2011 at 8 p.m.

See Review

An Evening with Chick Corea & Gary Burton Duets will display one of the greatest collaborations in the history of jazz. For this special one-night-only show, the Grammy-winning duo will explore jazz standards featuring fresh new arrangements by Corea.

Corea and Burton first paired in 1972 with their album Crystal Silence, which has been called “one of the seminal recordings of that decade” by NPR. Tickets to see An Evening with Chick Corea & Gary Burton Duets start at $25 and are available now.

Press Release

Concert Details

Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Friday, March 4, 2011 at 8 p.m.

615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Tickets: Start at $25
In person – The Box Office
600 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
Online – SCFTA.org
Phone – (714) 556-2787
Open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily
TTY number – (714) 556-2746
Group Sales – (714) 755-0236

Biography: Bassist Matthew Garrison

drumminfabe — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 04:13:58 +0000

Matthew Garrison was born June 2nd, 1970 in New York. Here he spent the first eight years of his life immersed in a community of musicians, dances, visual artists, and poets. After the death of his father Jimmy Garrison (John Coltrane’s bassist), his family relocated to Rome, Italy where he began to study piano and bass guitar.

In 1988 Garrison returened to the United States and lived with both Djohnette and bassits Dave Holland. In 1989 Matthew received a full scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston. Here he began his professional career with the likes of Gary Burton, Bob Moses, Betty Carter, Mike Gibbs, and Lyle Mays to mention a few.

Garrison moved to Brooklyn, New York in 1994 and ince then has performed, toured and recorded with artists such as Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, Chaka Khan, Pino Daniele, Meshell Ndege Ocello, Joni Mitchell, Whitney Houston, Wayne Shorter, Jack Dejohnette, Steve Coleman, Rita Marcotulli, Bill Cosby, Paul Simon, Cassandra Wilson, Wallace Roney, Geri Allen, Gary Thomas, John Mclaughlin, The Gil Evans Orchestra, Tito Punte, Mike Gibbs, John Scofield, The Saturday Night Live Band, Michael Brecker, Mike Stern, Pat Metheny and many others.

In 1998 Garrison founded GarrisonJazz Productions through which he currently produces, promotes, and markets his music. The latest projects releasted in 2010 are “SHAPESHIFTER LIVE 2010 – PART 1 – MATT GARRISON SOLO” and the new website: http://musiccenter.garrisonjazz.com.

More About “SHAPESHIFTER”