Wednesday, May 26, 2021

"La Mar" è il nuovo progetto discografico del trio pugliese La Cantiga de la Serena (Dodicilune / Ird) - Giovedì 27 maggio il tour parte da Napoli

"LA MAR" È IL NUOVO PROGETTO DISCOGRAFICO DELL'ENSEMBLE PUGLIESE LA CANTIGA DE LA SERENA IN USCITA MARTEDÌ 1 GIUGNO PER L’ETICHETTA DODICILUNE.

GIOVEDÌ 27 MAGGIO LA CANTIGA DE LA SERENA APRE A NAPOLI LA SECONDA EDIZIONE DELLA RASSEGNA "I ZIMBRA MUSIC FEST". 

DURANTE IL LIVE - CHE APRE IL TOUR A CURA DI ZERO NOVE NOVE E RIENTRA NELLA PROGRAMMAZIONE PUGLIA SOUNDS TOUR ITALIA – IL TRIO PUGLIESE PROPORRÀ IN ANTEPRIMA I BRANI DI LA MAR, NUOVO PROGETTO DISCOGRAFICO IN USCITA MARTEDÌ 1 GIUGNO PER L’ETICHETTA DODICILUNE

Giovedì 27 maggio (ore 19 - ingresso 10 euro – info e prenotazioni 3392558773) nel Domus Ars – Centro di Cultura (Chiesa di San Francesco delle Monache) in Via Santa Chiara a Napoli, la seconda edizione della rassegna "I Zimbra Music Fest" si aprirà con la musica del trio pugliese La Cantiga de la Serena

Durante il live, che apre il tour a cura di Zero Nove Nove e rientra nella Programmazione Puglia Sounds Tour Italia 2020/2021 della Regione Puglia FSC 2014/2020 Patto per la Puglia - Investiamo nel vostro futuro, saranno presentati in anteprima i brani di “La Mar”, nuovo progetto discografico dell’ensemble in uscita martedì 1 giugno per Dodicilune nella collana Fonosfere, e distribuito in Italia e all’estero da Ird e nei migliori store on line da Believe Digital
L’ensemble, composto da musicisti e ricercatori pugliesi, da anni si dedica al recupero e alla rielaborazione della musica antica e tradizionale del bacino del Mediterraneo, promuovendo il dialogo culturale tra Occidente e Oriente. Nel disco Fabrizio Piepoli (voce, chitarra battente, daff), Giorgia Santoro (flauto, ottavino, flauto basso, flauto contrabbasso, bansuri, tin whistle, arpa celtica, banjo indiano, cimbali), Adolfo La Volpe (oud, chitarra classica, chitarra portoghese, bouzouki irlandese) affiancati in alcuni brani da Francesco D’Orazio (violino) e Roberto Chiga (riqq, pandeiro quadrado e tamburello) propongono una raccolta di dieci canti appartenenti a diverse tradizioni musicali che hanno come motivo conduttore il mare, “la mar” in ladino. 

Il tour proseguirà sabato 5 giugno (ore 20:30 - ingresso gratuito con prenotazione obbligatoria WApp 0832373576) nel Chiostro del Convitto Palmieri di Lecce, per la rassegna “Extra Convitto. Più Lib(e)ri in Piazza”, e domenica 13 giugno (ore 21 - ingresso gratuito - info e prenotazioni 3348655865 - prenotazioni@evergreenfest.it), per l’Evergreen Fest nel Parco della Tesoreria a Torino.

Questo terzo lavoro discografico insieme ai precedenti - “La serena” (Workin’ Label – 2016) e “La Fortuna” (Dodicilune – 2019) - forma una trilogia del mare e delinea un viaggio immaginario lungo il quale antiche cantighe sefardite (espressione della cultura degli ebrei spagnoli) si intrecciano a canti tradizionali pugliesi (canti narrativi, tarantelle), un syrto greco si fonde con un canto della Grecìa salentina, le sonorità ammalianti di una melodia siriana incrociano il vigore solenne di una villanella napoletana, fino a sciogliersi nel ritmo travolgente di un horo macedone. Un dialogo d’amore sospirato tra il mare e il femminile, il canto della sirena che continua ad ammaliare i viandanti di ogni tempo. La Cantiga de la Serena esegue questo repertorio utilizzando strumenti che appartengono a diverse culture musicali, lasciando ampio spazio alla libera espressione del proprio modo di sentire e filtrare questi antichi canti di amore, preghiera e gioia.
Prodotto da Zero Nove Nove nella Programmazione Puglia Sounds Producers 2020/2021 della Regione Puglia (FSC 2014/2020 Patto per la Puglia - Investiamo nel vostro futuro), su YouTube è ancora disponibile il breve documentario, diretto dal videomaker Giuseppe Rutigliano e girato a Lecce, tra il Fondo Verri e alcune vie del centro storico, che racconta la genesi di questo nuovo progetto discografico. Nel video la musica del trio (con la presenza del percussionista Roberto Chiga) è arricchita dalle coreografie del danzatore Andrea De Siena.

L’etichetta Dodicilune, fondata da Gabriele Rampino e Maurizio Bizzochetti è attiva dal 1996 e dispone di un catalogo di quasi 300 produzioni di artisti italiani e stranieri. Distribuiti nei negozi in Italia e all'estero da IRD, i dischi Dodicilune possono essere acquistati anche online, ascoltati e scaricati sulle maggiori piattaforme del mondo grazie a Believe Digital.

Randy Sandke - Uptown Lowdown / A Jazz Salute to the Big Apple (May 2021 nagel heyer records)

"The solos ring true; the band warms the room. Uptown Lowdon is jazz music of the highest quality. Why can't all dream bands sound like this?"
- Cadence

It took a German recording team to enable trumpeter/arranger Randy Sandke to assemble this all-American, 12-piece ensemble for a panorama of New York-inspired tunes, recorded in the Big Apple in the Sylvia and Danny Kaye Playhouse as part of the 1999 JVC Jazz Festival. In doing so, he raided the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, as well as several independent history-minded players in the area, and emerged with a band that fires off the numbers with crisp virtuosity in any idiom called for. Thankfully, there is also more than enough gusto in the playing, due in no small part to the live festival recording situation.

"The Harlem Medley," a lengthy leadoff stream of delicacies from the land of Ellingtonia, gets close enough to the Ellington sound to convey the idea without being slavishly imitative or ghostly. The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra boys know their Ellington craft well and apply the plunger mutes accordingly. From there, the band doubles back to Dixieland, works its way up to swing, and slides without a glitch into bebop ("Scrapple From the Apple"), a Mingus shuffle blues ("Nostalgia in Times Square"), transitional Coltrane ("Grand Central"), and some Monk ("52nd Street Theme"), before being deposited back in Harlem by -- naturally -- the "'A' Train."

In between the main tour stops, Concord Jazz teammates guitarist Howard Alden and clarinetist Ken Peplowski serve up another of their fluid duets on Irving Berlin's "Slumming on Park Avenue." Other high points include clarinetist Allan Vaché wailing in the trad flagwaver "Chinatown" and trumpeters Sandke and Warren Vaché duking it out on "42nd Street." In all, a well-recorded souvenir of what sounds like a heartwarming local celebration. AllMusic Review by Richard S. Ginell

1. Echoes of Harlem / Drop Me Off in Harlem 03:07
2. Jungle Nights in Harlem 03:37
3. Boys from Harlem 03:33
4. Sugar Hill Penthouse 02:31
5. Blue Belles of Harlem 03:07
6. Harlem Speaks 05:28
7. Chinatown, My Chinatown 03:09
8. Rose of Washington Square / Broadway Rose 06:43
9. Slumming on Park Avenue 05:13
10. 42nd Street 05:59
11. Scrapple from the Apple 05:48
12. Nostalgia in Times Square 08:14
13. Grand Central 08:31
14. Grand Central 04:42
15. Take the "A" Train 07:46
16. What's New * 05:09

* Bonus Track

Randy Sandke - trumpet
Warren Vaché - trumpet
Wycliffe Gordon - trombone
Ken Peplowski - clarinet, tenor sax
Allan Vaché - clarinet
Scott Robinson - alto sax, tenor sax, flute
Joe Temperley - baritone sax
Howard Alden - guitar
Eric Reed - piano
Mark Shane - piano
Rodney Whitaker - bass
Joe Ascione - drums

Recorded live at the 1999 JVC Jazz Festival New York.
Directed by Randy Sandke.

Roy Mor - After The Real Thing (May 2021 Ubuntu Music)

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of the exceptional Israeli pianist/composer/arranger Roy Mor, for the worldwide release of his debut album, After The Real Thing.

Roy’s music has been described as “modern and daring yet remains firmly rooted in the jazz tradition, cutting seamlessly across many moods” (La Repubblica). His playing has been referred to as both “melodic” and “energetic”, and his compositions as having “a genuine quality that flows seamlessly from his inner voice as a player - strong, evocative, harmonically complex and rhythmically alive”.

Roy’s artistic journey illustrates his varied facets and interests: after a stint studying acting, serving as a military paratrooper, and earning a university degree in Philosophy with honours,  he left a career as a software engineer with Microsoft to move to New York and pursue his true passion: music. 

While in NYC, Roy performed as both a leader and sideman at many of the city’s best jazz venues and collaborated with some of New York’s most acclaimed and up-and-coming artists, including Francisco Mela, Tyshawn Sorey, Stacy Dillard, Anat Cohen and Jazzmeia Horn, among others.

Before moving to New York, Roy led his own trio and quartet, wrote music for theatrical productions, played as a pianist with The Israeli Big Band and performed at major festivals in Israel. He also had the privilege of studying and performing with saxophonist and educator Arnie Lawrence at the International Center for Creative Music in Jerusalem.
In New York he had the chance to complete his musical studies at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music under a generous merit scholarship, during which he was placed on the Dean’s List, and had the opportunity to study under the mentorship of renowned jazz masters and some of his personal musical heroes. His recordings received regular airplay on Jazz FM Radio and BBC radio, and he won the Eubie Blake Foundation award two years in a row, and has performed his music internationally in Italy, Denmark, Canada, Spain and Cuba.  

Since his return to Israel Roy has led several groups of musicians playing his compositions which draw from many influences - from hard-bop through classical music to West African styles - and fuses them into what he calls a “biblical sound”, inspired by Israeli multiculturalism and his own Middle Eastern roots. In addition to original music, Roy’s bands continue to explore new interpretations of Israeli classics and fresh renditions of standards. He leads a trio, quartet and sextet that plays regularly in Israel and internationally. 

In the last few years Roy has recorded and performed with celebrated oud and guitar player Amos Hoffman (winner of the Landau Prize for the Arts) and with renowned flutist, Avichai Ornoy, and collaborated on special projects with artists such as Avishai Cohen (trumpet), Ofer Ganor, Alon Oleartchik, Anat Cohen, Ehud Ettun, Noam David, Gregory Rivkin, Yuval Cohen and Gilad Ronen. He has also performed with Esperanza Spalding, Roberto Gatto, Dave Douglas, Ben Wendel, Eli Degibri, Greg Tardy, Tivon Pennicott, Deantoni Parks and others.

Together with renowned saxophonist and vocalist Abate Berihun, Roy formed the “Addis Ken Project” in 2018, a unique world music and Ethio-jazz ensemble that plays deeply spiritual soul music inspired by age-old Jewish-Ethiopian prayers, afrobeat and the blues. The project’s music was recently described as "an encounter between ancient Jewish Ethiopian traditions and the spirit of a modern jazz ensemble, employing musical adventurousness, rich harmonies, and heartfelt blues" and has received acclaim in the press. The group has performed internationally in jazz festivals in Panama, Denmark, Canada and Israel and won the Israeli Ministry of Culture’s highest artistic grant in 2020.
Roy is a recipient of the Eubie Blake Foundation award for 2013 and 2014, and of the Dodge Foundation Grant for 2012, 2013 and 2014. He is a recipient of the Rabinovich Foundation for The Arts award for 2015, and an Outstanding Artist Grant from the Israeli Ministry of Culture in 2016. In 2019, he received an artistic award from Mifal HaPais Council for the Culture and Arts.

In terms of his newly formed relationship with Ubuntu Music, Roy continues, “I am delighted and thankful for having Ubuntu Music as a home for this album and my music. I first came to know Martin Hummel a few years ago when we met to discuss a collaboration on a different project, and I was struck by his passion for the music and his professionalism. Since then, I have been following the amazing growth of Ubuntu Music and the way Martin has been realizing an ambitious vision of building a unique label like Ubuntu, which is both admirable and inspiring. Martin’s dedication, enthusiasm, and attention for the musicians is very evident, and this creates a relationship of trust, where I feel the Label understands my needs and goals as an artist. And I really relate to the idea behind the Label’s roster, which is selective and yet at the same time so diverse, representing such incredible talent from around the globe and across many genres and styles in Jazz. I’m honoured to be part of the Ubuntu Family and I’m excited about things to come.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, shared his thoughts: “I was first introduced to Roy and his music through Jazz FM’s Ruth Fisher, and I subsequently embarked on a journey of Roy, his music, his collaborations and the essence of the man as a dedicated artist to his trade. He’s a tireless, consummate professional who is now ready to share his music with the world, and I am certain the world is ready to embrace ‘After The Real Thing’ in a very big way.”

1. The Echo Song 06:26
2. After The Real Thing 04:30
3. Jerusalem Mezcla 07:27
4. Nikanor 06:12
5. Daybreak 00:50
6. Solar Reimagined 05:13
7. Speak Low 06:05
8. Do You Know The Way 04:05
9. The Follower 05:06
10. Playground 04:31
11. The Nearness of You - Live 07:28

Roy Mor - piano on all tracks, Fender rhodes and piano on (4).
Amos Hoffman - oud (1), (3), (8). Guitar (6), (9).
Myles Sloniker - bass on all tracks except (2), (5), (7), (11).
Itay Morchi - drums on all tracks except (2), (5), (7), (11).
Davy Lazar - flugelhorn (4).

Also with:
Marty Kenney - bass (2), (7).
Peter Traunmueller - drums (2), (7).
Joel Kruzic - bass (11).
Jeremy Dutton - drums (11).

All compositions by Roy Mor except 1 ,7 ,8 ,11.
All arrangements by Roy Mor.

Produced by Roy Mor
Executive Producer: Martin Hummel

Rodrigo Amado This Is Our Language Quartet (Joe McPhee / Kent Kessler / Chris Corsano) - Let The Free Be Men (May 2021)

1. Resist! 10:14
2. Let The Free Be Men 13:17
3. Men Is Woman Is Man 07:42
4. Never Surrender 13:06

Let
The
Men
Be
Free

Let
The
Man
Be
Free

Let The Free Be Men
LET THE FREE BE MEN

Rodrigo Amado – tenor saxophone
Joe McPhee - pocket trumpet, soprano saxophone, pvc pipe
Kent Kessler – double bass
Chris Corsano - drums

All compositions by Amado / McPhee / Kessler / Corsano

Recorded by Klaus Hedegaard Nielsen at Jazzhouse, Copenhagen, March 2nd, 2017
Mixed by Joaquim Monte and Rodrigo Amado
CD Master by Simon Wadsworth / LP Master by Martin Siewert
Produced by Rodrigo Amado
Executive production by Konstantin Drobil
Cover painting by Eduardo Batarda – “Morse Segundo Braille” (1987), acrylic on canvas
Inlay photos by Cristina Marx (Amado/Kessler) and Dawid Laskowski (McPhee/Corsano)
Graphic poem taken from “Ideogramas” by E. M. de Melo e Castro
Design by Rodrigo Amado and Travassos

Alban Claret & Evan Clegg - The Collection (May 2021)

Guitarist Alban Claret and trumpeter Evan Clegg deliver original, powerful, snappy tunes and confident improvisational passages on debut album The Collection.

1. The Collection 05:05
2. Al A Parker 03:02
3. Unprescribed Playfulness 04:43
4. Mind Block 03:59
5. Stella By Artois 03:47
6. Winter Pace 06:17
7. Get Al In Town 03:01

Alban Claret: Guitar
Evan Clegg: Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Duncan Eagles: Tenor Sax
Luke Fowler: Double Bass
Kuba Miazga: Drums

Recorded and Mixed by Greg Dowling (music.gregdowling.com)
Mastered by Russ Hepworth-Sawyer (www.mottosound.com)
Recorded live at Noatune Studios (www.noatune.com) on the 3rd December 2019

Cover and CD photos (c)2020 Amy Haynes (fieldsphotographylondon.co.uk)
Studio photos (c)2019 Raymi Uscata
CD Design Amanda Chapman-Bruce

Daniel Bennett Group - New York Nerve (2021)

New York saxophonist Daniel Bennett has been hailed as one of the most original and unpredictable musical voices of his generation. Timeout New York chronicled Daniel Bennett's pioneering spirit during COVID-19, highlighting Bennett's leadership during the global pandemic. Sammy Stein (international editor for the Jazz Journalists Association) called Bennett, "an outspoken voice of hope." The Daniel Bennett Group performed over 100 outdoor concerts during the pandemic, playing regularly at the Canary Club, Gertrude NYC, and Tomi Jazz. 

Daniel Bennett's 2021 album release, "New York Nerve," was conceived outside under snow-covered heat lamps at New York City jazz clubs. "Outdoor music was our thing this year. The earth was our stage," says Daniel Bennett. The album features Bennett on saxophone, flute and clarinet. The bandleader is joined by bassist Kevin Hailey, guitarist Assaf Kehati, and Koko Bermejo on drums. The quartet was the first jazz group to record in Manhattan after the studios re-opened in 2020. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette described Bennett's new music as, "Modern Jazz, Surf Rock and Avant-Pop." 

The Daniel Bennett Group performs regularly at the Blue Note (NYC), Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club (London) and Herb Alpert's Vibrato Club (LA). Bennett is a touring clinician and associate director of the New York Jazz Academy in Times Square. Daniel Bennett recently played woodwinds in 'Blank! The Musical,' the first fully improvised musical to launch on a national stage. The New York Times called the show, "Witty, Likable and Ludicrous!" Daniel Bennett's theatrical works have strongly influenced his eclectic sound and musical storytelling abilities as a bandleader. 

1. Television 03:49
2. The Town Supervisor 03:37
3. Gold Star Mufflers 04:39
4. Human Playback 05:00
5. Rattlesnake 03:48
6. The County Clerk 04:12

Daniel Bennett: Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Keyboard
Assaf Kehati: Electric Guitar
Kevin Hailey: Electric Bass
Koko Bermejo: Drums

Manhattan Daylight Media
Eastside Sound (150 Forsyth St, NYC)
All songs composed by Daniel Bennett
Photography: MP Kuo
Executive producer: MP Kuo