Nathan Borton - Each Step (January 21, 2022 Origin Records)

With a fat, warm tone threading through the jazz cymbal groove with poetic patience, guitarist Nathan Borton celebrates his Midwest musical inspirations - particularly Grant Green & Wes Montgomery - with blues-drenched lines & rhythms on this, his debut recording. Along with jazz masters Xavier Davis on piano, bassist Rodney Whitaker, drummer Keith Hall, and the front line of saxophonist Diego Rivera & bass trombonist Chris Glassman, we don't just hear a tribute to evergreen jazz guitar purism, but rather a complete, satisfying journey through the rich tradition of straight-ahead jazz. From the hard swinging "Milestones," or Tin Pan Alley classics such as "Just One of Those Things," through five originals from Borton and his mentor/producer Randy Napoleon, we discover a young talent with a deep wellspring of ideas and a penchant for surprising musical moments.

1 Each Step (Nathan Borton) 5:48

2 Just One of Those Things (Cole Porter) 5:34

3 The More I See You (Harry Warren and Mack Gordon) 5:24

4 Milestones (Miles Davis) 4:37

5 What Now? (Nathan Borton) 4:37

6 These Are the Things We Throw Away (Randy Napoleon) 5:10

7 Change (Nathan Borton) 6:56

8 Grantstand (Grant Green) 3:51

9 Grant's Groove (Nathan Borton) 4:22

Nathan Borton - Guitar

Xavier Davis - Piano

Rodney Whitaker - Bass

Keith Hall - Drums

Diego Rivera - Tenor Saxophone

Chris Glassman - Bass Trombone

Produced by Randy Napoleon

Recorded by Corey DeRushia at

Troubadour Recording Studios, Lansing, MI

Recorded on June 2-3 2021

Assistant Engineer: Jim Alfredson

Mixed by Nathan Borton, Lansing, MI

Mastered by JJ Golden Mastering, Ventura, CA

Photos by Jessica D. Cowels

Cover design & layout by John Bishop

Origin Records

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Black Art Jazz Collective - Armor of Pride (HIGHNOTE RECORDS 2018)

The Black Art Jazz Collective's mission statement celebrates African-American cultural and political icons. At the core is a modernism that conjures up the classic bands of Art Blakey and acoustic Miles Davis. But with the contemporary soul-fuelled solos and locked-in rhythm the band is more likely to launch into a counterpoint riff or the spacious funk of hip-hop than the svelte lines of a classic walking bass. The Black Art Jazz Collective delivers strong original tunes and purposeful, form-hugging improvisation that keeps things looking forward rather than back. And with trumpeter Jeremy Pelt on ebullient form, and saxophonist Wayne Escoffery's muscularity contrasting with the tenderness of James Burton III's trombone, the focus never becomes diffuse or wavers.

Miller Time

Armor of Pride

Awuraa Amma

The Spin Doctor

And There She Was Lovely as Ever

Pretty

When Will We Learn

Black Art

Wayne Escoffery, tenor saxophone

Jeremy Pelt, trumpet

James Burton III, trombone

Xavier Davis, piano

Vicente Archer, bass

Johnathan Blake, drums

Chris Rogers - Voyage Home (2016) ART OF LIFE RECORDS

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Chris Rogers - Voyage Home (2016)

About the Music

Art of Life Records is proud to present the debut release by trumpeter and composer Chris Rogers. "Voyage Home" features the late saxophonist Michael Brecker, guitarist Steve Khan, saxophonist Ted Nash, pianist Xavier Davis, bassist Jay Anderson, drummer Steve Johns, saxophonist Roger Rosenberg, trombonist Art Baron, keyboardist Mark Falchook, percussionist Willie Martinez and a digital sample of the late trombonist, Barry Rogers. Recorded at Sound on Sound Studios in New York City, New York on February 2nd & 4th, 2001. All songs were composed and arranged by Chris Rogers.

Liner Notes 

About "Voyage Home":

At its heart this music truly IS a voyage. Surely the songs here represent my debut as a solo performer and composer, but they also can be viewed as the spiritual and sonic offspring of some of the incredible musicians whom I have personally known my entire life. I am speaking specifically of Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Don Grolnick, Eddie Palmieri, Tom Harrell, Lew Soloff, Mike Lawrence, James Taylor and Barry Rogers. These unique artists - plus others like Hal Galper, Chick Corea, Woody Shaw, John Coltrane, Stevie Wonder, Igor Stravinksy, The Beatles, David Sanborn, Freddie Hubbard and Miles Davis - make up much of my musical palette. The incredibly accomplished musicians on "Voyage Home" were handpicked for their value to me both as musicians and friends. Finally, in the true Jazz tradition ALL solos were tracked live.

In Honor of Michael Brecker:

Michael Brecker is commonly referred to as "the most influential tenor saxophonist since John Coltrane". His recorded legacy as a bandleader, co-leader (with brother Randy) and sideman, as well as his 15 Grammys tell only part of the story. Mike was a gifted human being who has profoundly touched peoples lives all across the globe. I am deeply grateful to Mike for his friendship and presence on this album. He is dearly missed but never forgotten.

Selected Quotations

This highly anticipated CD by Chris Rogers has finally hit the shelves! I've known Chris since he was 6 years old. His father, the great trombonist Barry Rogers, was a close friend and mentor to me and my brother Mike. I've watched his progress through the years and can categorically state that Chris is AT THE TOP OF HIS GAME on this CD, and it's so great to hear previously unreleased solos of Mike's (and Barry too!). So check this CD out: Just a heart-felt first-rate endeavor that is sure to bring Chris Rogers the critical and fan-based attention he deserves! ~ Randy Brecker

Chris Rogers: trumpet, keyboards

Michael Brecker: tenor saxophone

Ted Nash: tenor & alto saxophone

Steve Khan: guitar

Xavier Davis: piano

Jay Anderson: bass

Steve Johns: drums

Roger Rosenberg: baritone saxophone

Art Baron: trombone

Barry Rogers: trombone

Mark Falchook: synthesizer, keyboards

Willie Martinez: congas, percussion

Counter Change

Voyage Home

Whit's End

The Mask

Ballad for B.R.

Rebecca

Ever After

Six Degrees

The 12-Year Itch

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