International Jazz Day April 30!

International Jazz Day 10th Anniversary Celebration to Take Place Worldwide, April 30, 2021

All-Star Global Concert Global Concert will be hosted by Michael Douglas and feature dozens of world-renowned artists including Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Andra Day, Dee Dee Bridgewater, John McLaughlin, Dianne Reeves and Joe Lovano

Concert followed by two-hour retrospective PBS Special airing nationwide at 9/8c

The 10th Anniversary of International Jazz Day, the world’s largest annual celebration of jazz, will take place on April 30th, with thousands of worldwide programs culminating in a spectacular All-Star Global Concert from New York, Los Angeles, UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, Cape Town, Moscow, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and other cities around the globe. Hosted by multi-Academy Award winner Michael Douglas from United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Global Concert will feature performances from an array of jazz icons representing more than 20 countries. Following this historic program, viewers across the United States can tune in to the International Jazz Day 10th Anniversary Celebration on PBS for an unforgettable look back at the past decade of International Jazz Day celebrations, made possible by Toyota, the 2021 Lead Partner.

Premiering nationally at 9/8c on Friday evening, April 30th (check local PBS listings), the International Jazz Day 10th Anniversary Celebration is a two-hour retrospective that highlights performances by an extraordinary array of music icons over the last 10 years. The special takes a poignant look back at unforgettable moments from Jazz Day concerts at the United Nations, Istanbul, Osaka, Paris, Washington, D.C., Havana, St. Petersburg, New Orleans, and Melbourne. Viewers will enjoy legendary artists such as Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Chaka Khan, Annie Lennox, Sting, Christian McBride, Wynton Marsalis, and Hugh Masekela, along with hosts Morgan Freeman, Will Smith and Helen Mirren, among many others, paying heartfelt tribute to the treasured values and unifying heritage of jazz.

Earlier in the day, at 5 pm EDT/2 pm PDT, the 2021 All-Star Global Concert will thrill audiences with an historic lineup of performances by some of the world’s greatest jazz masters. Herbie Hancock will serve as Artistic Director, and John Beasley will serve as Musical Director. In New York, artists including Melissa Aldana (Chile), Massimo Biolcati (Italy), A Bu (China), Cyrus Chestnut, Amina Figarova (Azerbaijan), Roberta Gambarini (Italy), Kenny Garrett, James Genus, Stefon Harris, Ingrid Jensen (Canada), Joe Lovano, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Antonio Sánchez (Mexico) and Veronica Swift will deliver a rousing series of performances. In Los Angeles, Herbie Hancock will be joined by Alex Acuña (Peru), Justo Almario (Colombia), Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jonathan Butler (South Africa), Mahmoud Chouki (Morocco), Gerald Clayton, Andra Day, Romero Lubambo (Brazil), Marcus Miller, Dianne Reeves, Francisco Torres (Mexico), Justin Tyson and Ben Williams.

Leading performances from their home countries will be Igor Butman in Moscow (Russia), Jacob Collier in London (United Kingdom), Mandisi Dyantyis in Cape Town (South Africa), Ivan Lins in Rio De Janeiro (Brazil), John McLaughlin in Monaco, James Morrison in Mt. Gambier (Australia) and Junko Onishi in Tokyo (Japan), among others. Renowned Beninese vocalist Angélique Kidjo will contribute a special performance from UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The concert will be presented as a live webcast via YouTube, Facebook, jazzday.com, UN Web TV, UNESCO and U.S. State Department outlets.

“Our International Jazz Day community has displayed incredible resilience, creativity, ingenuity and compassion throughout the immense challenges of the past year,” said Herbie Hancock. “While the global pandemic continues to make life difficult for so many around the world, the example of organizers from Nepal to Mexico to Cameroon inspires us to greet this historic 10th Anniversary milestone with joy, courage and hope for the future of jazz.”

The All-Star Global Concert serves as the official culmination of International Jazz Day, capping a program of performances, educational workshops, community service projects, panel discussions, jam sessions, radio and television broadcasts, virtual gatherings and more – all following recommended public health guidelines – taking place in all 50 U.S. states and more than 190 countries on all seven continents. A complete listing of events planned for International Jazz Day 2021 can be found at jazzday.com/events. As part of the lead-up to the concert, the Institute and UNESCO will offer a series of free virtual educational programs, including master classes with renowned jazz musicians such as Antonio Sánchez, Linda Oh and Lionel Loueke; a children’s workshop with vocalist and Institute Trustee Dee Dee Bridgewater; and illuminating panel discussions featuring UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, Institute Chairman Herbie Hancock, drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, pianist and composer Kris Bowers, hip-hop producer DJ Khalil and others. The 2021 virtual education program will be streamed on jazzday.com.

“UNESCO created International Jazz Day to share the values of a deeply meaningful musical genre,” explained UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. “Today we need jazz more than ever. We need its values, based on human dignity and the fight against racism and all forms of oppression. It is so much more than music, jazz is the kind of bridge builder we need in the world today.”

Established by the General Conference of UNESCO in 2011 at the initiative of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock, and recognized by the United Nations General Assembly, International Jazz Day brings together countries and communities worldwide every April 30th to celebrate jazz and highlight the music’s important role in encouraging dialogue, combating discrimination and promoting human dignity. International Jazz Day has become a global movement reaching more than two billion people annually on all seven continents, including Antarctica, through education and community outreach, performances, radio, television and streaming, along with electronic, print and social media. The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz is UNESCO’s official partner in the organization and promotion of International Jazz Day.

Air transportation and support for artists and educators is provided by United Airlines, the airline partner of International Jazz Day.

Latin duo “Calle Sur”: Anniversary Celebration and Album Release will take place in the form of a Hybrid Concert on May 23, 2021 at 2pm CT (Chicago)

In the midst of the Covid pandemic, Latin duo “Calle Sur” celebrates its 20th year with a dose of resilience and the release of “Cancún,” a fresh mix of jazz piano added to their original and traditional Latin repertoire

Anniversary Celebration and Album Release will take place in the form of a Hybrid Concert on May 23, 2021 at 2pm CT (Chicago)

Sometimes a concert is much more than music.  Sometimes it’s a celebration of a special milestone, in this case the 20-year trajectory of Calle Sur, a Latin duo based in the Midwest, comprised of Panamanian Edgar East (vocals, Latin percussion, guitar, flute, trumpet, Venezuelan quitiplás bamboo tubes) and Colombian Karin Stein (vocals, guitar, Andean zampoña pan flutes, Colombian gaita flutes, Venezuelan cuatro). The COVID-19 pandemic nearly halted their 20th anniversary celebration plans, but Karin and Ed decided to start 2021 with renewed hope and the release of a 20th anniversary album, “Cancún,” an exciting variation on their usual repertoire of Latin folk and popular music infused with jazz piano. 

Home studios and an appetite for collaborative musical adventure led Ed and Karin to invite four jazz piano talents – Bob Washut, Steve Shanley, and Yazmin Bowers based in Iowa and Wisconsin, and Gianny Laredo, a Cuban living in Cancún, Mexico – to add their individual touches to a collection of original tunes written by Karin, including the title track “Cancún”; traditional music such as the “Alabao de San Antonio” from the Pacific coast of Colombia; and some of the duo’s favorite covers, such as the classic “Alfonsina y el Mar,” by Argentinean luminaries Ariel Ramirez and Felix Luna (1969), and “Smaragdos margara,” by Nicaragua’s duo Guardabarranco (1995).   These new arrangements were complemented on bass by Alex Pershounin and Dartanyan Brown, the latter an Iowa jazz-hall-of-famer.  The result is, as the cover art of the “Cancún” album suggests, a musically exciting and colorful reflection of the multi-layered backgrounds of the two musicians who comprise Calle Sur.

There will be special guests in attendance at the hybrid 20th anniversary concert on May 23 to help Ed and Karin celebrate and say hello to the virtual audience:   members of Chile’s legendary ensemble Inti-Illimani; singer/songwriter-turned-YouTube-phenom Katie James from Colombia; legendary harpist Alfredo Rolando Ortiz from Cuba and the U.S.A.; Costa Rican singer-songwriter Juan Carlos Ureña; and others.  All of these artists created arrangements and music videos of some of Karin’s compositions, and those music videos will be premiered at the celebration, along with six official music videos from the “Cancún” album.  Karin and Ed will also perform a couple of songs live and interact with the audience.

Concert Information

What

Hybrid concert: album release and 20th anniversary celebration

When

Sunday, May 23rd, 2021 – 2 p.m. Central (Chicago, U.S.A.) Time

Where

Zoom (if interaction with artists is desired) and Facebook Livestream

Request to be in the Zoom audience at www.callesur.com or via email to music@artes-latinas.com

Violinist/vocalist Yilian Cañizares releases "Yemayá" for UN World Oceans Day on June 8

Violinist/vocalist Yilian Cañizares announces the release of her new single "Yemayá"

The tribute to the West African Goddess of the Sea was specially conceived for United Nations World Oceans Day on June 8, 2021

Cuban violinist/vocalist Yilian Cañizares has been invited to perform during the United Nations World Oceans Day on June 8, 2021. For this very special occasion she will perform "Yemayá," her tribute to the West African Goddess of the Sea. She will also release a gorgeous video of the song on June 8.

Yemayá symbolizes Mother Earth and is represented by the colors blue and white: blue for placid waters of the sea and white for the tips of the waves that can bring the force of the ocean. Ylilian has projected the image of the Yoruba Goddess of the Sea as a healing force that will unite humanity.

A deep relationship with sound, music and the sea have been central in Yilian's life since her early years in Cuba. The strong symbolism and the sacred dimension of water are part of the daily life of any Cuban. That is why she has naturally felt inspired to be the "voice of the ocean" asking herself this question: if the sea could send a message to humanity, what would it be? Through "Yemayá," Yilian hopes to contribute in raising awareness about the challenges faced by the oceans, as well as the cultural heritages of all cultures on the planet which rely on healthy and prosperous oceans.

Yilian Cañizares composed this song combining Afro-Cuban futurist rhythms to draw awareness of the danger that the world's oceans are facing and to celebrate the spiritual dimension of the work to preserve the world's oceans. The song and the dance evoke the movement of the waves and the fundamental role that our positive interaction with the environment has for the survival of humanity. She calls on Yemayá to help humanity heal the pollution of the oceans and to respect Mother Earth.

More than just a musician, Cañizares is a global Cuban artist with a social conscience. She forms part of the diaspora of talented Cuban artists who have spread across the world sharing their music, social conscience and spiritual sensibilities through their work. Her Afro-Cuban futurist style blends her classical virtuosity and jazz sensibilities with her Havana life experience. She toured with Cuban jazz legends Chucho Valdes and Omar Sosa and played in many classical concert halls and conservatories as well. As a soloist, she embraces a women's perspective of Afro-Cuban music, absorbing the strength and rhythms of the sea and the nurturing warmth of Mother Earth.

Join the @yemayachallenge: a dance challenge to Yilian's song to heal the planet's oceans

"Yilian is one of the most incredible talents of the new generation of Cuban musicians. She is a virtuoso, she is expressive, spontaneous and with a grace that makes her the favorite of all of us." - Chucho Valdés

Yilian Cañizares is one of the most intriguing contemporary violinists, singers and composers. Always staying true to her origins, she skillfully blends jazz, classical and Afro- Cuban rhythms with her otherworldly voice. Whether on stage or in a recording studio, there are few talented artists like Yilian – who was born in Havana and settled in Switzerland – with such great respect for the past and sensitivity towards the future, accompanied by a smile to die for.

Two acclaimed albums, the self-produced “Ochumare” released in 2013 and its 2015 follow-up “Invocación,” under the guidance of Alê Siqueira (Roberto Fonseca, Omara Portuondo), have strengthened her reputation as an innovative artist who is capable of transcending musical boundaries. French weekly Le Nouvel Observateur called her the “revelation of the year” due to her charisma, influences and the ease with which Yilian sings and plays the violin.

When she was just 14 years old, Yilian Cañizares was offered a scholarship to study in Caracas. In 2000, she moved to Switzerland to study at a conservatory. After a few years, major orchestras began to request her and, after moving to Lausanne, she collaborated with several ensembles for six years. During this period, the artist created a quartet of musicians from Germany, Venezuela and Switzerland (and later Cuba) and named it “Ochumare”. Six months later, in 2008, she won the Montreux Jazz Festival Competition with this group. Since then, her career has crescendoed. In recent years, she has shared a stage with Ibrahim Maalouf, Omar Sosa, Youn Sun Nah, Richard Bona, Chucho Valdés, Roberto Fonseca, Dhafer Youssef, the Chamber Orchestra of Lausanne and El Comité. “My sound reflects the richness and mixture of cultures that I carry with me today. It reflects what I am: a woman, Cuban, musician and citizen of the world", explains the artist.“Invocación”, her second album, topped last year’s Qobuz world music ranking and has been reissued in a deluxe edition.

“Aguas”, the album produced in collaboration with Omar Sosa, was released on 5th October 2018. Together with their compatriot Inor Sotolongo on percussion, the duo created an intimate, personal record that reflects the perspectives of two generations of Cuban artists who live a long way from their homeland. The album is a mix of moving songs and energetic ballads, a symbol of the incomparable musical chemistry between the two artists. A unique fusion between Afro-Cuban music, classical music and jazz.

The new album, “Erzulie”, named after the Haitian goddess of love and freedom, was released on 15th November 2019 with her new format Yilian & The Maroons. Recorded in New Orleans, the album features the participation of several guests including Christian Scott (trumpet), Michael League (double bass), Bill Laurance (piano), Bobby Sparks (organ) and Justin Stanton (keyboards).

Yilian Cañizares Website

Joe Ascione / Brian Ogilvie / Billy Mitchell - The Return (April 2021 nagel heyer records)

"...a nice, relaxed, swing style blowing session." Jazz Improv

Drummer Joe Ascione's love for drummer Buddy Rich is no secret as he goes to town with the 12 tracks on this CD. He fronts an octet through these standards like a hot knife through butter, and the group could not be more en fuego. Veterans Randy Sandke, trumpet, Dan Barrett, trombone, the legendary tenor saxophonist Billy Mitchell, Bob Haggart, bass (since passed on) join multi-instrumentalist Brian Ogilvie, pianist Mark Shane, and guitarist James Chirillo for a hard driving, soulfully swinging tribute to Rich. 

Throughout the date, Ascione, 35 at the time of this recording, acquits himself well. He's not as brash as Rich (who could be?) but pushes the band without being pushy. Everyone in the combo contributes arrangements, most noticeable is Barrett's bouncy, sprightly "Limehouse Blues," ultra cool "Soft Winds," and Ogilvie's uppity chart on "I Want to Be Happy" where he takes an extroverted alto sax lead. Sandke's duet with Ascione on "Nica's Dream" is quite stripped down and daring, and the 14:19 "Blues #5 (Blues for Kurtchen)" is a downtrodden finale where everyone in the band gets blue for Rich. Mitchell's feature on "J & B's Bag" is the CD's highlight, and it's great to hear this icon still very much in the game, his original, bluesy legato sound intact and vibrant. Rich was short and snappy, and so are these tunes for the most part.

At times you think their lamps are trimmed and burning, as if there's a prescribed cut-off point. There's a variance in tempo from up to down and back up, an interesting contrast in a tribute to a person who was generally pretty fiery. Kudos to Ascione and crew for a fine offering of pure, authentic, professional, mainstream jazz. Highly recommended for lovers of traditional, classic sounds. AllMusic Review by Michael G. Nastos

1. Cottontail 05:59

2. My Buddy 05:34

3. J & B's Bag 04:57

4. Here's That Rainy Day 05:06

5. Sing That 04:52

6. Limehouse Blues 04:58

7. Hi Fly 06:28

8. Nica's Dream 04:11

9. Funny How 05:24

10. Goodbye Yesterday (Blues #5) 14:20

11. Straight No Chaser 05:01

12. Soft Winds 05:53

13. I Want to Be Happy 04:16

14. The Return 05:21

15. Love for Sale 07:19

Remastered & Extended Version of NHCD 036

Joe Ascione - drums

Randy Sandke - trumpet

Dan Barrett - trombone

Brian Ogilvie – clarinet, saxes

Billy Mitchell – tenor sax

Mark Shane - piano

James Chirillo - guitar

Bob Haggart - bass

plus

Frank Vignola - guitar (#5, 9, 14)

Recorded on November 3, 1996 at Blue Noise Studio, Hamburg, Germany.

Track #5, 9 and 14 recorded at Nola Studios, New York City.

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Francisco Mora Catlett - Mora! I&II (April 2021 Far Out Recordings)

Far Out Recordings is delighted to present Mora, and for the first time ever on vinyl Mora II. Mexican-American percussionist and former member of the Sun Ra Arkestra, Francisco Mora Catlett originally recorded and released his debut solo LP as a private press in 1987, but the sequel he recorded over the course of the next few years with an expanded Detroit jazz brass section was shelved for decades to follow. A pan-American melting pot of hypnotic afro-cuban rhythms, frenetic batucadas and fiery sambas, Mora I & II are holy grails of latin jazz, masterminded by an unsung hero of the genre.

Born in Washington DC, 1947, Francisco Mora Jr is the eldest child of two highly prominent Mexican artists, Francisco Mora Sr and Elizabeth Catlett, to whom this project was dedicated. Being born into a mixed heritage bohemian family provided Mora Jr with what he called a “creative, progressive, and healthy arts environment”, building the foundations for a fascinating career journey ahead. Mora grew up in Mexico City where he began working as a session musician for Capitol Records in 1968, before moving to study at Berklee Music College in Boston, MA in 1970.

Once he’d completed his studies in 1973, he very briefly returned to Mexico City with the best intentions of cultivating an avant-garde movement in the city, but when the Sun Ra Arkestra came to perform, Mora ended up leaving with the band to tour the world for the next seven years, a decent innings within a group famous for its constantly evolving line up.

Settling in Detroit after his years with the Arkestra, Francisco set to work on his self-titled debut, gathering an ensemble of musicians that included keyboardist Kenny Cox, founder of the legendary Strata Records, esteemed bassist Rodney Whitaker of the Roy Hargrove Quintet and percussionists Jerome Le Duff, Alberto Nacif, and Emile Borde. The album openly embraces and unites the broad spectrum of improvisation, rhythm, and jazz that has thrived throughout the American continents for centuries. In Mora’s own words the album intended to “manifest the African heritage presence in the American continent.” Epitomising this outlook, album opener ‘Afra Jum’ deploys a melody based on Haitian, African and Native American motifs, which is expanded upon by the soulful excellence of the Detroit veterans Cox and Whitaker, amidst a backdrop of afro-cuban inspired percussion.

The sequel Mora II was recorded shortly after with an expanded line up that included trumpet legend Marcus Belgrave, famed for his work with Ray Charles, Charles Mingus, Hank Crawford, Eddie Russ and Wendell Harrison. Continuing the concept of the first album, the follow up moves deeper into South America with the samba jazz dance belter ‘Amazona’, led by the rich vocals of Francisco’s wife Teresa Mora. The ‘Afra Jum’ concept is further explored, with the original motifs beefed up by the additional horns, and interspersions of Sun Ra inspired rumbling free improvisations. This follow up album remained shelved until 2005, when Mora put it out as a now obscure CD titled River Drum, but only now has it been given the high quality vinyl treatment it so deserves, presented as the sequel to Mora! as originally intended.

Through the 90s and into the the 21st century Mora would continue his Pan-American explorations, moving toward a more electronic afro-futurist direction as part of Detroit techno pioneer Carl Craig’s Innerzone Orchestra. Mora also worked with Carl Craig, moog synth wizard Craig Taborn, and his former Arkestra colleague, the legendary Marshall Allen, to form the Innerzone Orchestra spin-off Outerzone, released in 2007 on Premier Cru Records.

Mora I & II will be out as two vinyl LPs, CD and digitally

CD / Digital

MORA I

1 Prelude Welcome

2 Afra Jum

3 Rumba Morena

4 Five Am

5 Samba De Amor

6 Cultural Warrior

7 Epilogue Conga Hasta La Vista

MORA II

8 Afra Jum

9 Amazona Prelude / Dawn

10 Amazona

11 Samba / Conga Do Amor

12 El Moro

13 Old Man Joe

14 Por Que Paro

15 Afra Jum

Vinyl LP - Mora! I

Side A

1 Prelude “Welcome”

2 Afra Jum

3 Rumba Morena

4 Five A.M.

Side B

1 Samba De Amor

2 Cultural Warrior

3 Epilogue - Conga “Hasta La Vista”

Vinyl LP - Mora! II

Side A

1 Afra Jum

2 Amazona

3 Amazona Prelude / Dawn

4 Samba Conga Do Amor

Side B

1 Por Que Paro

2 Afra Jum

3 Old Man Joe

4 El Morro

All tunes composed and arranged by: Francisco Mora, Jr.

1. Prelude "Welcome" 01:33

2. Afra Jum 11:54

3. Rumba Morena 04:51

4. Five AM 05:34

5. Samba De Amor 07:04

6. Cultural Warrior 09:28

7. Epilogue-Conga "Hasta La Vista" 01:35

8. Afra Jum Pt. 2 06:27

9. Amazona Prelude "Dawn" 06:52

10. Amazona 04:01

11. Samba "Conga Do Amor" 05:19

12. El Moro 05:53

13. Old Man Joe 04:49

14. Por Que Paro 00:46

15. Afra Jum Pt. 3 02:30

Francisco Mora: Drums and Percussion

Emile Borde: Steel Drums and Percussion

Vincent Bowens: Soprano/Tenor Saxophones & Flute

Ken Cox: Piano

Jerome Le Duff: Berimbau and Percussion

Teresa Mora: Vocal and Percussion

Alberto Nacif: Quinto, Congas and Percussion

Rodney Whitaker: Contrabass

Additional Musicians on Mora II:

Sherman Mitchell: Trombone

Marcus Belgrave - Trumpet

John Douglass - Trumpet and Flugel Horn

Alex Harding - Baritone Sax and Bass Clarinet

‘Amazona Prelude’ String Quartet:

Michele May - 1st Violin

Pat Moore - 2nd Violin

Nina White - Viola

Tanya Bennett - Cello

Produced by: Francisco Mora

Recorded at: Studio A, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Engineer: John Jaszcz

Mixed: John Jaszcz and Francisco Mora

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Bryan McCune & Brian Kooken - Spiral​.​.​.​let’s go out West (April 2021)

North Carolina Cornetist/composer Bryan McCune, and Baltimore guitarist/composer Brian Kooken released this adventurous album of free improvisations, original compositions, and the odd traditional song originally in 1998. North Carolina percussionist Francis Dyer also contributed to a number of the tracks

1. Joe D. 06:25

2. Malaig 07:55

3. On again, Off again 03:28

4. Wildwood Flower 08:19

5. Malaga 08:41

6. Free thing 08:02

7. Give Me Liberty Waltz 05:36

8. Chant 04:20

9. The Nice Song 02:52

10. Spiral...let's go out West 08:01

11. frere jacques 01:07

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Giovanni Di Domenico - Musica Per Insiemi (April 2021)

If it were possible to relate images with Giovanni Di Domenico's music, the most plausible would be those of forms painted with perfect balance and purity. Absolutely versatile and eclectic, the Italian composer has long accustomed us to sounds full of ecstatic tension, but pervaded with a refined and cyclical harmony of the parts. Musica Per Insiemi is the result of three recordings with three different ensembles, two more varied in terms of orchestral tones, one for organ only and female voices. In their different physiognomy, the tracks retain a common denominator of beauty. Di Domenico has firmly established the frame of reference in his compositions, the spine of ethereal movements of the piano and fender rhodes.

The mood of the other instruments are attached by subtle stratifications, like a river from which its tributaries wind. In this way, the sound matter advances with the solemn calm and brilliance of the individual fragments. The variety of influences remains in the perennial expectation of minimalist whiteness, of contemporary arias with a Nordic flavor or scents of cosmic drones, but always results in a personal and mysterious overview.

1. Kyu-u-ri 15:22

2. Go-Bo 17:03

3. Slides 09:33

All music composed by Giovanni Di Domenico.

Mixing by Giovanni Di Domenico at The Nest Cellar, Brussels.

Master & lacquer cut by Frederic Alstadt at Angtrom Mastering, Brussels.

Kyu-u-ri was commissioned by Bruno Letort for Ars Musica Festival 2018 and premiered at BOZAR (Brussels) in November 2018.

Played by Giovanni Di Domenico (Fender Rhodes & electronics) and Ensemble Musiques Nouvelles: Jean Paul Dessy (conductor), Berten D’Hollander (alto flute), Charles Michiels (clarinet), Adrien Lambinet (trombone), André Ristic (piano), Pierre Quiriny (vibraphone/crotales), Hughes Kolp (electric guitar), Claire Bourdet (1st violin), Laurent Hoque (2nd violin), Karel Koninx (viola), Jean-Pol Zanutel (cello).

Recorded by Jarek Frankowski.

Go-bo was recorded by Giovanni Di Domenico during a residency at Theatre 140, Brussels, in April 2018.

Is played by: Ananta Roosens (viola stringed violin), Benoît Leseure (violin), Jean Philippe Feiss (cello), Manolo Cabras (double bass) and Giovanni Di Domenico (piano, Fender Rhodes, electronics).

Slides was also recorded by Giovanni Di Domenico during the same residency at Theatre 140, Brussels, in April 2018.

Is played by Giovanni Di Domenico (organs) and Patshiva CIE (voices): Charlotte Couturier, Dorothée Dassy, Céline De Vos, Dounia Depoorter, Manuela de Tervarent, Amélie Dieudonné, Bérengère Dupuis, Mathilde Henkinbrant, Roxane Lefebvre, Virginie Pierre, Fatou Traoré.

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Àlex Cassanyes - Composició II (April 2021 UnderPool)

Composició II is a concept album that revolves around the idea of art as a refuge. Cassanyes has drawn inspiration from different art forms such as painting, literature and sculpture and each of the new compositions that make up the album, many of which were composed during the lockdown, have been inspired by works by artists such as Alfred Sisley, Enrique Vila Matas, Ernest Hemingway or Jaume Plensa, all of whom Cassanyes deeply admires.

The delicate melodies and the carefully constructed arrangements, written for a nonet made up of some of the most highly regarded local musicians, confirm that we are in the presence of one of the composers with greatest potential on the current scene.

Àlex Cassanyes describes life through music, using his art as a means of communication to transmit the emotions that are essential for our well being.

1. Organic John 07:23

2. La débacle de la Seine à Port-Marly 10:04

3. El Realismo Visceral 08:26

4. Shakespare & Company 04:55

5. D'ailleurs, c'est tojours les autres qui meurent 10:20

6. Els primers freds 08:38

7. Paisatge 06:35

8. Spiegel 03:25

9. Olhar nos meus sonhos, Awilda 08:07

Alba Careta – Trumpet

Alba Pujals – Trombone

Marcel·lí Bayer -Alto Sax, Clarinet

Sergi Felipe -Tenor Sax, Flute

Jordi Santanach – Tenor Sax, Bass Clarinet

Leo Tejedor – Guitar

Néstor Giménez – Piano

Manel Fortià – Bass

Ramon Prats – Drums

All music composed and arranged by Àlex Cassanyes

Recorded Live at Teatre de L’Aurora, Igualada 9 November 2020

Recorded by Adrià Serrano and Sergi Felipe

Mixed by Sergi Felipe. Master joan Hernàndez

Cover Draw by Àlex Cassanyes. Design Pepon Meneses

Produced by Estival de Jazz d’Igualada and UnderPool

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Jonathan Butler Performs in South African Freedom Day Celebration

South African Singer Songwriter Jonathan Butler

Performs in Special Freedom Day Celebration

South African Embassy and

America's Voices Against Apartheid

Commemorate 27 Years of Freedom and Democracy

April 27 at 12:00PM ET

Join us for a virtual celebration, April 27 at 12:00PM ET/6:00PM SAST, in honor of Freedom Day in South Africa. This year we will pay special tribute to South African activist and advocate Charlotte Maxeke for her unwavering commitment to educate, inform and mobilize Americans and South Africans around the anti-apartheid movement.

Event highlights include civil rights activist and journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault as the moderator, panelist Elfred Anthony Pinkard, President of Wilberforce University, and a heartfelt tribute from South African singer-songwriter and guitarist Jonathan Butler.

Visit here for more information on America's Voices Against Apartheid Project.

For more information on Jonathan Butler, please visit: JonathanButler.com

ZmoodFellaZ - ZmoodFellaZ play Bud Powell (April 27, 2021)

This is the Debut album of the ZmoodFellaZ. This group was formed in late 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. It consist of Jonah Cabral on Alto Saxophone, Mattia Matranga on Bass, Dmitri Tsvetkov on Drums and Kumar Roozen on Piano. The album is dedicated to one of the masters of bebop and the jazz tradition, Bud Powell. The tunes played on this album have a little twist that engages listeners but still salutes the genius mind of Bud and his creative compositions.

1. Glass Enclosure 05:53

2. The Fruit 05:16

3. Oblivion 05:11

4. Time Waits/Dusk in Sandi 06:05

5. Willow Grove 05:59

6. Tempus Fugit (Tempus Fugue-It) 03:18

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Jerome Jennings - The Beast (2021)

Drummer Jerome Jennings, takes the lead in this swinging, soulful sextet. The brass is heavy with trumpet/flugelhorn player Sean Jones, trombonist Dion Tucker, and tenor saxophonist Howard Wiley. McBride is present on his bass as well as fellow Trio pianist Christian Sands. Four of the nine tracks are composed by Jennings himself, with the others from the pens of Ben Webster, Freddie Hubbard, Don Ray & Gene de Paul, Vincent Brantley & Rick Timas, and Jon Burr. Scatting vocalist Jazzmeia Horn appears on You Don't Know What Love Is.

The title track, The Beast, stems from his incident of "driving while being Black" and the photography and text on the album packaging support his outrage. The music of the album, however, is full of love and respect of his craft. Educated at Rutgers and Julliard, Jennings further developed his skills with many esteemed jazz artists; he worked with Sonny Rollins for three years, and his schedule is filled with educational and diverse performance gigs. Jennings drum work is evident in Cool It Now, with Vernel Fournier's Poinciana beats.

The album is cheerful with nice grooves and shuffles, but there is also some side excursions: McBride's solo is the entry to Hubbard's hot and furious piece, The Core; Cammy's Smile is a slow, sweet ballad for the daughter of Jennings' late friend drummer Tony Reedus that has wah-wah muted trumpet; and then there is The Beast, a drama with snare drum introduction, driving, trombone siren, jittery and staggering solos. The final track, New Beginnings, begins with waving chime percussion and harmonious brass; it includes a spoken sampling of a #blacklivesmatter protest speech, which reminds me of Gil Scott-Heron and his early 1970s releases. This debut album is thoroughly satisfying in arrangements and compositions, balance, sonority, and grooves. 

1. Love The Drums - Jon Burr 5:15

2. Cool It Now - Vincent Brantley, Rick Timas 8:48

3. Ice Cream Dreams - Jerome Jennings 5:16

4. You Don’t Know What Love Is - Don Raye (lyrics) and Gene de Paul 6:31

5. Did You Call Her Today - Ben Webster 7:43

6. The Core - Freddie Hubbard 10:09

7. Cammy’s Smile - Jerome Jennings 7:10

8. The Beast - Jerome Jennings 4:58

9. New Beginnings - Jerome Jennings 6:44

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE TUNES

LOVE THE DRUMS - Props to my friend, bassist and composer Jon Burr, for writing this tune with me in mind. The title says it all. Not only do I love the drums, I also love to play shuffle grooves.

COOL IT NOW - "Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, and Mike..." one of the most important influential R&B vocal groups: New Edition! Actually, this was the first musical group my parents took my brother and me to see at a very popular music hall in northeast Ohio called The Front Row (it no longer exists). Side note: respect to Johnny Gill (who wasn't in the group yet when we saw NE).

ICE CREAM DREAMS - Between the months of May and August there is one tune that puts a smile on every kid's face on most every block in this country. "The Ice Cream Man is coming!!!" The Mister Softee theme is the most ubiquitous tunes I heard while living in Brooklyn, NY. It has a catchy and infectious ring, but most importantly it makes kids happy and laugh. I would see kids joyfully running to the ice cream truck outside of my window.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS- This is a classic standard by Don Raye/Gene de Paul. We are all in search of affirmation and love. This arrangement is by Curtis Fuller. I replaced the top trumpet voice with the fantastic vocalist, Jazzmeia Horn.

DID YOU CALL HER TODAY - This swinger is from the pen of Ben Webster. My mom and I have always been really close. Once I moved to the east coast we became even tighter. I suspect it was because of the distance. I tried my best to call her everyday to let her know I was alive and well. This tune is dedicated to her and her constant support.

THE CORE - This is one of my favorite tunes. Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers recorded this on one of my all time favorite records "Free For All." Freddie Hubbard wrote this tune commemorating the Congress Of Racial Equality (CORE). The CORE organization played a pivotal role for African Americans during our struggle for Civil Rights during the 1950s and 60s. Its stated mission was "to bring about equality for all people regardless of race, creed, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or ethnic background." Many jazz musicians performed at CORE benefits during the 1960's.

CAMMY'S SMILE - When I moved to the east coast in fall of 2002 I was blessed to befriend drum great Tony Reedus. The next year he invited me to his place for Thanksgiving. His then fiancée (they later married in 2006), Niecy Grice, treated me like family from day one. They soon had a child, a beautiful girl named Cameron. In November of 2008, Tony unexpectedly passed away. Needless to say this was a very sad time for the family, and our music community was hit hard by the loss of one of the great ones. The year that Cameron Reedus lost her father, she was only five years old. Little Cammy's consistent upbeat attitude and smile was a great source of encouragement. This entire tune represents a conversation between Cammy (the muted trombone) and Reedus (the tenor saxophone).

THE BEAST - This tune was inspired by a troubling encounter with a Mercer County (NJ) police officer. Mom advised me to "put the emotion you felt in a song." Everything that happens in this piece is significant. The drum roll at the beginning represents me driving. It slows down as I pull over to the side of the road. The horns represent me and the rhythm section represents the officers cutting me off as I try to explain what I'm doing in that particular neighborhood at 2am.

NEW BEGINNINGS - This is a piece that I composed with the encouragement of my friend and mentor, Victor Lewis. The title represents a dual meaning: the beginning melody is stated by all of the horns while at the 'B section' each band member passes each phrase around creating a new sound or new beginning before we all unite for the climactic last 8 bars before the last 'A section.' I only hope to show that as individuals we can accomplish amazing things, but together we can do even more. Educator, activist, and actor Jesse Williams gave a courageous speech this year at the 2016 BET Awards. I've included excerpts of it at the end of the piece. I believe that it’s time for a new beginning in our country as well.

Jerome Jenning - drums, percussion on track 9

Sean Jones - trumpet, flugelhorn on track 2

Howard Wiley - tenor sax

Dion Tucker - trombone

Christian Sands - piano

Christian McBride - bass

Jazzmela Horn - vocals on track 4

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Ariel Bart - In Between (May 20, 2021 Ropeadope Records)

We are excited to present to you new music from rising chromatic harmonica player, Ariel Bart.

Yes, we said harmonica. here’s the scoop:

Working to extend the harmonica’s boundaries by creating original music, Ariel Bart is bringing a fresh sound to Jazz. The Jazz influences from her mentors are evident on her debut album, In Between, set for release on May 20, 2021, yet she stretches into unknown territory with the unique sound of the harmonica. Hints of Jonathan Levy and Tin Hat Trio are there in her solos, backed by a free flowing composition and playing from Mayu Shviro (Cello), Moshe Elmakias (Piano), David Michaeli (Double Bass), and Amir Bar Akiva (drums). The interplay with the band highlights the unique feelings evoked by a lead harmonica - always longing with a touch of sadness but punctuated with moments of pure joy.

'Storytelling in any form of music always grabs my attention; and my response to Ariel's style was instant. In Between feels like a soundtrack to my own journey; a remarkable connection between artist and listener is immediately evident' (Louis H. Marks, Ropeadope)

1. Spiritual Wars

2. Colors Palette

3. Stranger on the Hill

4. Memory of a Child

5. Deep Down

6. The Year After

7. Intro (feat. Mayu Shviro)

8. In Between

All compositions composed and produced by Ariel Bart

Mayu Shviro - Cello

Moshe Elmakias - Piano

David Michaeli - Double bass

Amir Bar Akiva - Drums

Ariel Bart - Harmonica

Mix - Yaron Mohar

Mastering - Yoram Vazan

Recording engineer: Arik Finkelberg

Recorded and mixed at the "Yellow Submarine JLM”

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The Philadelphia Experiment (Uri Caine / Ahmir Thompson / Christian McBride with special guest Pat Martino) - The Philadelphia Experiment (April 2021 Ropeadope Records)

At a time of deep reflection on the 21st Century; of our very lives, of our values, and of the art that is of value, Ropeadope takes a step back to the beginning. While the label began in 1999, it is clear that the 600 albums released in the last 20 years mark a reflection of the times; a chronicle of musical evolution from a centralized marketing machine to a wide field of independent artistic creation. The Philadelphia Experiment stands as the definitive Ropeadope album; three titans of the scene in the studio with producer Aaron Levinson making music on the fly, answering only to their muse and the subject; Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Experiment was met with wonder and acclaim, fusing influences with respect for the legacy and an adventurous spirit. Young artists would look to this album as a starting point, a realization of what is possible. And yet it also stands as a historic document that defines a method of independent creation that defines Ropeadope to this day, and inspires musicians to simply create.

It is with this sense of history that Ropeadope celebrates 20 years since the June 2, 2001, release of The Philadelphia Experiment. A limited run of 1000 Double Vinyl LP’s will be pressed (plus 10 test pressings). With original 2 inch tape lost to time, the audio has been gently remastered from digital files for optimal Vinyl sound by G & J Audio. The lacquer will be etched with a blockchain transaction id, and each copy will carry a unique QR code entitling the buyer to a non-fungible token (NFT) specifically minted for the project as a permanent certificate of ownership. This will be the first time that NFT’s are directly linked to physical Vinyl LP’s. 

1. Philadelphia Experiment 04:15

2. Grover 04:57

3. Lesson #4 02:52

4. Call For All Demons 05:26

5. Trouble Man Theme 04:31

6. Ain’t It The Truth 06:10

7. Ile Ife 05:04

8. The Miles Hit 05:45

9. (Re) Moved 02:06

10. Philadelphia Freedom 03:09

11. Mister Magic 03:33

12. Just The Two Of Us 03:58

Uri Caine / Fender Rhodes Electric Piano, Steinway Grand Piano and Hammond B-3 Organ

Ahmir Thompson / Drums

Christian McBride / Electric and Acoustic Bass

with

Pat Martino / Electric Guitar on (1) (2) and (4)

Jon Swana / Trumpet on (1) and (5)

Larry Gold / Cello & Arranger on (10)

Aaron Luis Levinson / Handclaps and SFX on (2) and (9)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Andy Blackman Hurwitz

PRODUCED BY: Aaron Luis Levinson

ENGINEERED BY: Jon “Iron Man” Smeltz and Jim Bottari

SECOND ENGINEER: Carlos “Storm” Martinez

ASSISTANT ENGINEERS: Gordon Goss & Jim Bottari

RECORDED & MIXED at The Studio, Philadelphia, PA. from September 25-27, 2000

All songs mixed by Aaron Luis Levinson and Jon Smeltz except: “Philadelphia Experiment” and “Grover” mixed by Uri Caine, Aaron Luis Levinson and Jon Smeltz, and “Philadelphia Freedom” mixed by Jim Bottari

ASSISTANT MIX ENGINEERS: Krystof Zizka and Gordon Goss

This entire jawn was recorded and mixed within the analog universe by the Iron Man. This entire jawn was mastered and tweakified into the digital universe by Mike “The Wizard” Fossenkemper.

REMASTERED BY: G&J Audio, Union City, NJ.

DESIGN: David Bias

PHOTOS: Candice DiCarlo

Ahmir Thompson appears courtesy of MCA Records

Christian McBride appears courtesy of The Verve Music Group

Uri Caine appears courtesy of Winter & Winter Music

Pat Martino appears courtesy of Blue Note Records

Jon Swana appears courtesy of Criss Cross

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Daniel Carter / Brad Farberman / Kid Millions - Forever Is an Infinite Always (2021 Ropeadope Records)

One of the joys of being a musician is hopping onstage with people you’ve never played with before. I’d been a fan of Kid Millions since checking out his band Oneida in 2015, but I hadn’t had the right project to pitch him. Daniel had never played with Kid either before this night. I think we hit on a sort of mellow chaos, which is sometimes the best kind of chaos. It’s beautiful when things are both what they are and what they aren’t.

1. Recorded 07:57

2. Live 06:34

3. At 08:24

4. Nublu 06:31

Daniel Carter // flute + trumpet + tenor saxophone

Brad Farberman // guitar

Kid Millions // drums

All songs created right then and there by Daniel Carter, Brad Farberman, and Kid Millions Recorded live at Nublu on August 20, 2019

Mixed by Jonah Rosenberg

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