Monday, July 31, 2017

Dayramir Gonzales – The Grand Concourse EP (2017)


THE VISION

Dayramir Gonzalez's latest album The Grand Concourse is defined by the voyage of a young artist from Havana, whose creation of musical works shines a light on the gems of traditional Cuban sentiments, contemporary Afro-Cuban jazz and the vanguard sounds of New York City. In his through-composed song "Situaciones en 12/8", the compulsive bass motif is the engine that drives the layering melodies, while "Sencillez" is a modern commentary on Cuban musical history of the late 19th century. A Tribute to Buena Vista Social Club, Mozart, and John Coltrane mixed with Dayramir's spices.

“This is an ambitious project that presents me not only as a pianist or improviser, but also as a composer, arranger, orchestrator, and bandleader. For me, making an album is always about creating a full and complete piece of art, where I have a palette of different colors to choose from and can paint all those sounds that float in my head."

Dayramir Gonzalez


Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, pianist Dayramir (DY-ruh-meer) Gonzalez has come into his own as a New York City based artist and bold musical force with his bountiful U.S. debut The Grand Concourse EP released on Machat Music/Orchard.

The 5-track EP dazzles as an expressive showcase of the energetic Dayramir’s immense talent and sweeping musical vision. An internationally praised pianist and composer, (“Gonzalez’s bravado-infused pianism naturally extends the brilliant legacy of Cuban jazz pianists..,” — LA Weekly) he’s been hailed for his “monster technique” and prolific creative range which melds rock, pop, jazz and Afro-Cuban stylings.

The gifted artist dons multiple hats on The Grand Concourse EP, enthusiastically succeeding as composer, arranger, orchestrator, bandleader, and more leading a dynamic array of musical assemblages, including string quartet, full orchestra, solo piano and Afro Cuban jazz septet. Whether it’s the appealing textures of the jazz-flecked “Smiling,” which Dayramir says “is a harmonious blend of a lot of the sonic elements of the album,” or the more hypnotic “Situaciones en 12/8,” with its fundamental groove evolving from West African musical tradition, or “Iyesa Con Miel,” dedicated to Oshun, one of the most powerful deities’ of the Yoruba pantheon, Dayramir sets his compass for a modern and timeless confluence of sound.

Dayramir’s journey may have begun in Cuba, but there’s been no shortage of mileposts lighting his diverse path. He was accepted into Cuba’s famed National High School For the Arts (ENA) and while still in school, was recruited by Cuban legend Giraldo Piloto to join Klimax, helping to shape the sound of that renowned group. In 2005 he won first place in Havana’s JoJazz festival in the composition category, winning a record deal with Cuba’s national label Colibri. He recorded his first album, released in Cuba in 2007, titled Habana enTRANCE, displaying his skills as artist, bandleader, and composer. The album would go on to win three Cubadisco awards, considered the Grammys of Cuba.

Dayramir was accepted into Havana’s prestigious Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA) where he strengthened his burgeoning composition skills under the tutelage of master Juan Pinera. Next, he was awarded a musical scholarship to Boston’s revered Berklee College of Music in the U.S., becoming the first Cuban national to receive Berklee’s coveted full Presidential Scholarship. In 2012, he was called “a rising star in the Latin jazz world,” by Carnegie Hall and personally selected by Chucho Valdes to represent the young generation of Cuban Jazz at Carnegie Hall’s “Voices of Latin America.”

Dayramir graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2013 and received the Wayne Shorter award for Most Outstanding Composer of the Year upon graduation

The vibrant The Grand Concourse EP embraces the pulse and mystique of New York City, as well as the allure of early 20th century Cuban sonic leanings and the cultural roots and myths of sensually fused Yoruba religious elements (Cuban-centric Yoruba beliefs identify both natural and spiritual characteristics as part of its foundation) elevated by Dayramir’s 21st century precision.

Bob Mundy - Award Winning Vocalist - Actor and Jazz Freak?? What?? (KitoLiscious Records, October 2, 2017)


Bob Mundy
"Love To Me"
KitoLiscious Records
Actor, Jazz Freak and Vocalist
Release Date: October 2, 1027


“Love To Me” is Bob Mundy's much anticipated follow up to his hit 1st album "Something Beautiful". It's a smart & alluring look at the kaleidoscopic and contradictory allure of Love!


Album Launch Concert
Sept 28 & Oct 2, 2017
The Laurie Beechman Theater
407 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036 (At 9th Ave)
7PM (Doors open at 6PM for dinner)
For Reservations: www.lauriebeechmantheatre.com or call (212) 695-6909

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Summersale from Nakama Records





We are celebrating August by cutting prices on all items in stock!
It's simple – just use one or more of the following codes at the checkout screen on our online store and you'll get the following:

BASICSALE – 15% off on your purchase
SHIPOHOI – Free shipping on orders exceeding €100

Also, if you share this Facebook post we will send you an additional code which gives you another 10% off on your total (don't make the order before you get it!). The sale ends on the the 31st of August.

All the best from us
Christian, Andreas, Ayumi, Adrian, Agnes

Even Chick Corea endorsed this album: Dave Kline Band - Shifting Borders (September 1, 2017)


Dave Kline Band
Street Date: September 1, 2017



Dave Kline Band CD Release Party at Blues Alley (8pm Show)

On Monday, September 18th, 2017, the Dave Kline Band will return to Blues Alley for their CD release party. The new CD is titled Shifting Borders. It looks and sounds fabulous and the band is thrilled to be releasing it at this venue. The band sold out the 8 pm show in March and the audience was blown away. (We apologize to those fans who were unable to get into the 8pm show! Please grab your tickets once they are on sale so you will not be disappointed  this time around.) 

They will be playing a 10pm show also and, if you're able, we'd love to see you at that show!

We really want to make a statement at this CD release party, bring your balloons and party favors, we are going to rock out!!

Shows at 8PM & 10PM
Tickets: TBA


de beren gieren - dug out skyscrapers (SDBAN RECORDS 29 September, 2017)






In the space between expectation and surprise, you will find Dutch-Belgian acoustic-electronic piano trio de beren gieren (The Bear Vultures), providing robust evidence that gold can still be mined from the union of piano, bass and drums. Based on the compositions of pianist Fulco Ottervanger, the trio use the power of improvisation on the quest for a new form and create a multi-layered, kaleidoscopic work of art.

de beren gieren has been hailed as one of the hottest acts on the Belgian jazz scene and this September, the band will release their fourth studio album, the highly anticipated ‘dug out skyscrapers’, via Sdban Ultra. Raw energy, impressionist melodies and complex structures are generated via piano, bass and drums provoking polyrhythmic soundscapes with unexpected twists and sudden turns.

With ‘dug out skyscrapers’, the trio trace back the essence of what characterizes their sound. An electro-acoustic approach weaves a spherical world of sound with added dynamism, humour and more than a touch of melancholy, projecting us forward into the future.

de beren gieren hold the unique ability to change mood suddenly in a way that constantly holds the listener’s attention. This is a sound full of joy and vitality and confirms their reputation as one of the most adventurous jazz trios of the Benelux.

Formed in 2009, the band were in-house residents at the prestigious Vooruit Arts' Centre in Ghent for four years and have received three awards at the distinguished International Jazz Hoeilaart competition which promotes young jazz musicians across Europe and the rest of the world.

‘A Raveling’ (2013), the band’s second album, was widely praised and resulted in de beren gieren’s international breakthrough. The follow-up a year later, ‘The Detour Fish’, captured the band’s live sound at the Ljubljana Jazz Festival in Slovenia and featured burgeoning Portuguese trumpeter and improviser, Susana Santos Silva. 2015’s ‘One Mirrors Many’ received widespread recognition with influential jazz magazine Jazzism describing the release as the “most influential album of 2015-16”.

de beren gieren have performed across numerous jazz stages throughout Europe and have collaborated with numerous musicians including Marc Ribot, Louis Sclavis, Joachim Badenhorst, Jan Klare and trumpeter Susana Santos Silva.

de beren gieren are Fulco Ottervanger (piano), Lieven Van Pée (bass) and Simon Segers (drums)

Sdban Records is an independent record label, obsessed with sixties and seventies grooves. It is the youngest member of the N.E.W.S. Records family, based in Ghent, Belgium. The label has recently expanded, focusing on contemporary talent. SDBAN Ultra is the sister label focusing on today’s lively jazz and funk scene, which is simply too exciting not to be explored.

Recently released on Sdban: René Costy ‘Expectancy’, ‘Let’s Get Swinging (Modern Jazz in Belgium)’, ‘Funky Chimes: Belgian Grooves from the 70’s’. Recently released on Sdban Ultra: Black Flower ‘Artifacts’, STUFF. ‘old dreams new planets’. Coming soon on Sdban: V/A – ‘Discophilia Belgica (Belgian Private Press Disco, Synthpop & Oddballs)’ + Jack Sels ‘Retrospective’. Coming soon on Sdban Ultra: BRZZVLL – Waiho.

 

Friday, July 28, 2017

Cuneiform Artists on Tour - August 2017

August 2017

New Releases: Spring-Summer 2017


UPCOMING SHOWS

September 7-10 - Hopscotch Festival - Raleigh, NC
August 15 - Sunset Tavern - Seattle, WA


August 1 - Analog Cafe - Portland, OR
August 2 - Volcanic Theatre Pub - Bend, OR
August 4 - Cafe Du Nord - San Francisco, CA
August 5 - Bootleg Theater - Los Angeles, CA
August 7 - Soda Bar - San Diego, CA

Listen to Say So:

August 12 - Homiefest - Mt. Hood Forest - Portland, OR
August 20 - Montavilla Jazz Festival  - Portland, OR

Listen to Swim:

Raoul Björkenheim will release a new album in October 2017

August 4 - with Tatu Rönkkö - Norpas Festival - Taalintehdas, Finland
September - tour of Finland with the eCsTaSy band. Details TBA

Listen to Out Of The Blue and eCsTaSy:

Celebrating their new release on Cuneiform: Edit Peptide!

September 2-3 - ProgDay - Storybook Farm - Chapel Hill, NC

Listen to Edit Peptide:

August 1 - Three's Brewing -  Brooklyn, NY

Listen to Ambit:

European Tour: Spring 2018. Details TBA


Celebrating their new release on Cuneiform: Putting Off Death

August 1 - Radio Radio - Indianapolis, IN
September 15 - Rock In Opposition Festival - Cap D'ecouverte, France
September 16 - TBA - Lyon, France
September 17 -  Une Figue dans le Poirier - Girmont Val'D'Ajol, France
September 19 - Mora Mora -  Orleans, France
September 20 - TBA - Metz, France
September 22 - Freakshow Art Rock Festival - Würzburg, Germany
September 23 - OFF -  Basel, Switzerland

Listen to Putting Off Death:

Empirical's radical musical experiment - bringing jazz directly to the public via Pop-Up Jazz Lounges - goes nationwide!

September 18-23 - 'Pop-up Jazz Lounge' - Liverpool, UK
October 4 - Symphony Hall - Birmingham, UK

Listen to Connection:

Celebrating his 80th birthday with a tour of big band performances!

September 22 - TBA - Hamburg, Germany
September 24 - with the Hans Koller Big Band - Scarborough Jazz Festival - Scarbourough, North Yorkshire, UK
September 25 & 27 - Vortex Jazz Club - London, UK
September 26 - Watermill Jazz Club - Dorking, Surrey, UK
September 28 - CBSO Centre - Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
September 29 - Turner Sims Concert Hall - Southhampton, Hampshire, UK
October 19 - with Bill Frisell and Gary Burton, Berklee School of Music - Boston, MA 

[w/ Bill Frisell & NDR BigBand] &
In My View [w/ NDR BigBand]: