Showing posts with label BLUJAZZ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BLUJAZZ. Show all posts

Monday, August 13, 2018

BLUJAZZ New Releases - Joey Morant "Forever Sanctified", Ernest McCarty Jr and Theresa Davis "I Remember Love", Western Michigan Univ Jazz Orchestra "Turkish Delight", Two Quintets - Roger Neumann and Doug MacDonald



Joey Morant “Forever Sanctified”

with

Joey Morant, Horns & Congos/ Mike LeDonne, Organ/ Mark Whitfield, Guitar/ Amadeus Morant, Drums

“Where Have You Been All My Life”  Frank Foster

One of the most exciting and dynamic trumpeters on the current New York City scene Joey Morant has worked at every major venue. Joey has had a regular spot at both the Blue Note and BB King’s Lucille’s with his packed house brunch gigs as well as being featured at the Blue Note Jazz Festival. Joey Morant works as a soloist, in duet and trio settings, and as a part of larger bands and orchestras. He electrifies audiences with his dazzling horn technique, skillful scat singing, and humorous dialogue. His Louis Armstrong interpretations, both playing and singing, are perfect, and his admiration for Louis is deep and genuine.



Ernest McCarty Jr and Theresa Davis “I Remember Love”

Ernest McCarty, piano and composer & Theresa Davis, vocals

Ernest McCarty Jr has achieved excellence in the fields of writing, composing, orchestration, and producing. His experience includes performing as bassist with noted jazz pianist Erroll Garner (1970-75) appearing on Garner’s “Gemini” recording for London Records. He has recorded with Sonny Stitt, Dakota Staton, Eddie Harris, Oscar Brown Jr., and Richard Otto to name a few.  Ernest travelled extensively as music director Gloria Gaynor, Odetta, and Noel Harrison, and has written 10 musicals and many songs, including “It’s Been Raining” for Buddy Greco.  His score for the “Martin Luther King Suite” won NBC TV an Emmy.

Theresa Davis, “Tee” to all in the business – is a former member of the Emotions.  Her other recordings on Stax show her diversity of style, as does her last CD, “Love Take A Walk”, commercial jingles, and vocals on motion picture tracks. Tee sang the theme song of NBC-TV’s Chicago talk show Black Life.  It has been said Tee is the quintessential singer’s singer and a songwriter’s dream. Smooth and tender, Tee’s voice has been likened to “water, for its purity, clarity, and tranquilizing effect”.  Tee’s extensive performance experience includes touring the US, Canada, Europe, and Japan with Otis Clay, Ramsey Lewis, Percy Sledge, Dennis Edwards (Temptations).  She also toured Sue Conway and the famed gospel group, The Victory Singers.  Tee is also currently performing with the West Coast group “Tour de 4Force”.



Western Michigan University Jazz Orchestra “Turkish Delight”

Western Michigan University’s award-winning  Jazz Orchestra is directed by Scott Cowan. This ensemble has received  international acclaim for its high performance standards and creative approach to big band jazz. Recognitions include four-time winners in the college big band category of the Down Beat Magazine annual DB student music awards, a heralded performance in New York City’s Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center-Allen Room, Midwest Clinic in Chicago, The Detroit International Jazz Festival, Over 30 Outstanding Band recognitions at the Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival, featured performances for the International Association for Jazz Education Conferences in Los Angeles and Atlanta and the JEN Conference in St. Louis, Missouri.

The ensemble’s CDs, Spritely Overdue, Disposable Income, Blue Miles, Sweet Tango, Cosmosis, Boogaloo Land, and Travel Notes have received rave reviews in DownBeat magazine, JazzTimes Magazine, the IAJE Journal, Cadence Magazine and numerous other noted publications. There recordings are found on Sea Breeze Vista Recordings and Blujazz Records and are available online and through the jazz studies program. The band has performed with Joe Lovano, Tim Hagans, New York Voices, Tom Harrell, Bob Brookmeyer,  Bob Berg,  Rob McConnell, Billy Hart, John Clayton, Randy Brecker, Kenny Werner, Conrad Herwig, Bob Mintzer, Miguel Zenon, Michael Philip Mossman, George Garzone, Billy Drewes, Peter Erskine, John Fedchock, Stefon Harris, Kurt Elling and many others.



Jazz Marathon 3 - Two Quintets

The Roger Neumann Quintet and The Doug MacDonald Quintet

Produced by Doug MacDonald Co-Produced by Don Thompson

The “Jazz Marathon” is the concept of university professor, professor emeritus and jazz aficionado Don Thomson. A resident of Hawaii, he enjoyed hiring two rhythm sections and several horn players for performances that had continuous music for hours. In Los Angeles in 2014, Thomson asked guitarist Doug MacDonald to be the musical director for a recording (Just For Fun ) that would feature some of Southern California’s finest jazz musicians. The success of that double-CD led to a follow-up (Salute To The Jazz Composers – Jazz Marathon 2) and now the current package. 

Jazz Marathon 3 changes the concept a bit in that it puts the spotlight on two separate and equally exciting all-star groups that alternated sets at Upstairs at Vitello's in Studio City.

Sunday, May 6, 2018

Vin Venezia - Fifth and Adams (2018)


Guitarist Vincent Venezia is a talent on today’s contemporary music scene. He began playing guitar at age eight, studying with various instructors from his hometown of CliffsidePark, New Jersey.  Accomplished in several styles of music, he is a veteran of Broadway and European tours and works steadily in the tri-state area as a leader, sideman and composer since graduating William Paterson College with a degree in Jazz Studies and Performance.  Vincent was instructed by the best performers of our time: jazz guitarists Bob DeVos, Harry Leahey and classical guitarist Leonid Bolotin. The National Endowment for the Arts awarded Vincent two consecutive fellowships to study with modern jazz star Mike Stern. Some of the greats he has performed with include: Kermit Driscoll, Lincoln Goines, Tommy Igoe, Marvin Stamm, Cameron Brown, Steve Marcus, Steve Johns, Lew Soloff, Steve LaSpina, Gerry Niewood and Doug Weiss.


1. Watch Your Step (feat. Bob Magnuson, David Budway, Harvie S & Richie Morales) 5:16
2. The Longliner (feat. David Budway, Harvie S & Richie Morales) 6:49
3. Fifth and Adams (feat. Kermit Driscoll) 5:05
4. Song for Deb (feat. David Budway, Kermit Driscoll, Richie Morales & Manolo Badrena) 5:09
5. Ella (feat. David Budway, Harvie S & Richie Morales) 6:00
6. Odd Ogg (feat. Mike Stern) 3:48
7. Blues for Remus (feat. Bob Magnuson, David Budway, Harvie S & Richie Morales) 5:11
8. Didn't Want To 3:47
9. Coronation (feat. Manolo Badrena) 1:39
10. Two Squirrels (feat. David Budway, Kermit Driscoll, Richie Morales & Manolo Badrena) 3:22


Fifth and Adams is presented with an all-star line-up including:
Mike Stern - Guitar
Harvie S and Kermit Driscoll - Bass
Richie Morales - Drums
David Budway - Piano/Hammond Organ
Bob Magnuson - Tenor Sax
Manolo Badrena - Percussion

Nuance Crusaders - Reflections


MARK R. BALDRIDGE has created the ensemble NUANCE CRUSADERS  to realize his compositions, a unique fusion of jazz ranging from pop to World music.  He has  studied with legendary educator James Dutton, Willie Pickens, Frank Dawson, Mark O’Connor, and Chris  Madsen, and Steve Hashimoto refining and arranging his growing body of compositions. In 2016, with Hashimoto co-producing, he released his first CD of original works, “Beginnings.” This was also the début of his project/group The Nuance Crusaders, a floating ensemble consisting of some of the finest players in Chicago, including Michael Levin, Leandro Lopez- Varady, Heath Chappell, Neal Alger, Diane Delin, Barry Winograd, Steve Koerner, Amy Yassinger and Darryl Boggs. This is the second CD “Reflections” released on the Blujazz label.


1 Soon We Will Be Together (feat. Michael Levin, Leandro Lopez-Varady, Heath Chappell & Steven Hashimoto) 4:00
2 Our Love (feat. Michael Levin, Heath Chappell, Leandro Lopez-Varady, Steven Hashimoto, Neal Alger, Steve Koerner & Barry Winograd) 5:30
3 Jelly (feat. Steven Hashimoto, Heath Chappell, Michael Levin, Neal Alger & Diane Delin) 4:37
4 Swinging in the Wind (feat. Heath Chappell, Steven Hashimoto, Steve Koerner, Barry Winograd, Michael Levin & Leandro Lopez-Varady) 3:38
5 Parents' grace (feat. Michael Levin, Heath Chappell, Steven Hashimoto & Leandro Lopez-Varady) 4:50
6 It Does Not Matter (feat. Diane Delin, Neal Alger, Leandro Lopez-Varady, Steven Hashimoto & Heath Chappell) 4:38
7 I Know It Will Be Better (feat. Michael Levin, Heath Chappell, Leandro Lopez-Varady & Steven Hashimoto) 7:18
8 Reflections in a Mirror (feat. Michael Levin, Steven Hashimoto, Heath Chappell & Leandro Lopez-Varady) 4:04
9 Brazilian Fantasy (feat. Darryl Boggs, Steven Hashimoto, Heath Chappell, Michael Levin & Leandro Lopez-Varady) 3:50
10 Giving (feat. Leandro Lopez-Varady, Steven Hashimoto, Michael Levin & Heath Chappell) 9:03
11 I Know It Will Be Better / Big Band Version (feat. Swing City Express Big Band) 3:05

MJO Brothers - Hip Devotions


Hip Devotions is the dream record of two brothers, Saxophonist Curt Hanrahan and Drummer Warren Hanrahan.  Both are the founders of the Milwaukee Jazz Orchestra (501c3 org) with Curt also the creator of the Peck School of Music Jazz Dept at the Univ of Wisconsin Milwaukee and Warren a graduate from North Texas State and alumni of the Woody Herman Band. This record is a tribute to their spiritual faith and belief in the power of music. With the addition of Curt’s son on bass Tim Hanrahan it is truly family affair.  This recording portrays a historical and spiritual journey embracing jazz standards and sacred hymns in the effort to evoke the story of the human/divine struggle. By infusing meditations/prayers, we hope to aid in achieving a soulful victory! The eternal warfare between good and evil is answered victoriously through musical manifestations of Mercy. The storyline has the potential to change hearts, transform lives and impact souls for eternity!!!

1 Resolution 3:55
2 Footprints / Equinox 9:47
3 Come Sunday 7:07
4 Hail Mary / Gentle Woman 5:12
5 Jesus Christ Is Risen Today 7:21
6 Our Lady of Fatima 7:38


Curt Hanrahan - tenor saxophone
Warren Hanrahan – drums
Tim Hanrahan – bass
Jay Mollerskov – guitar
Mitch Shiner – vibraphone

Bill Hart Band - Live at Red Clay Theatre (2018)


Atlanta based Guitarist Bill Hart, attended the Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood,. Bill studied under master guitarists, Gary Starling, Mike Stern, Don Mock, Steve Khan, Wayne Krantz and Scott Henderson. Bill's true joy comes from playing his original compositions. Bill Hart has   shared the stage with Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Lou Rawls, Yellow Jackets, Acoustic Alchemy, Joey Defrancesco, Norman Brown, Rippingtons and Mike Stern. Hart has been the head of the guitar department at the Atlanta Institute of Music & Media for over twenty-five years, teaching and mentoring over 4000 students. Bill Hart has participated in numerous music clinics with seminar partners such as Scott Ambush and Joel Rosenblatt (Spy Alfredo Golino, an exceptional session man, worldly renowned (Mina, Eros Ramazzotti, Laura Pausini, Renato Zero, Samuele Bersani ro Gyra), Mike Stern (Miles Davis Band), Adam Nitti (Steven Curtis Chapman), Shane Theriot (Neville Brothers, Hall, and Oates) and Jimmy Herring (The Grateful Dead and Widespread Panic). Bill Hart has released five albums: "Watch the Sky", "Think About It", "Subject To Change," "This Is Why" and his most recent 2016 release “Touch Of Blue.”


Pat Strawser – Keyboards
Dwayne Wallace – Bass
Steven Walker – Drums
Alex McGuiess – Saxophone
Emrah Kotan Percussion

Saturday, May 5, 2018

Ron Di Salvio & Bart Platteau - The Puglia Suite (2018)



Born in Brooklyn, New York Ron Di Salvio at age sixteen, after hearing Dave Brubeck play live at Carnegie Hall, discovered his passion for jazz piano. He studied improvisation with the legendary Lennie Tristano. A self-taught composer, Ron formed a trio and played jazz clubs in New York’s Greenwich Village in the late sixties. During this period he performed with Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, Enrico Rava, Renee McClean, Roland Kirk and Art Farmer. Ron currently serves on the adjunct faculty of Kalamazoo College teaching jazz piano, composition and theory.   Ron continues to tour and give clinics. Rons previous two CDs charted on the Jazz Week Chart and received top reviews in trades like Jazz Times.
Bart Platteau studied classical percussion, harmony, chambermusic and flute at the Brussels Conservatory, and jazz at the Rotterdam Conservatory, where he pursued his master in Jazz Performance in 1993. During his studies at the Rotterdam Conservatory he went for one semester as an exchange student to the Berklee College of Music in 1992. Recorded together with his wife Amina Figarova their first CD “ Attraction” in 1995. Bart is a member of the Amina Figarova Sextet, and also doing the business management for the sextet. Bart Platteau moved to New York at the beginning of 2012  and has continued to play concerts all over Europe, the USA, Canada, Mexico, Brasil, Dutch Antilles, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, Azerbaijan, Tunesia, United Arabs Emirates.