Category: music

Trumpet/flugelhorn player Claudio Roditi releases “Simpatico” on Feb. 9

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date January 20, 2010

Grammy-nominated trumpet/flugelhorn player Claudio Roditi is set to offer his latest release “Simpatico” on the Resonance record label in February.
According to a news release, “Simpatico” showcases Roditi’s playing and composing talents. Accompanying him on several songs are drummer Duduka Da Fonseca, pianist Helio Alves, electric bass guitarist John Lee, trombonist Michael Dease and guitarist Romero Lubambo.
“To me,” Roditi says in the release, “the main difference of this album from everything else I have done is that for the very first time these are all my compositions, all twelve of them. There are some new pieces, some a little older, but these are mostly things I haven’t recorded, and some of them I haven’t played live.”
Roditi is best known for his patented blend of Brazilian samba and bossa nova with straight-ahead jazz. In 1989, Roditi became a member of Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nation Orchestra, and since then he has toured and recorded with The JazzMasters and The Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, Gillespie tribute groups led by musical director Slide Hampton. He has received a Grammy nomination for his 2009 release “Brazilliance x 4.”

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Contemporary gospel group Greg Roberts and Soulful Celebration to record live CD in Washington D.C.

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date January 15, 2010

Gospel recording artist Greg Roberts and Soul Celebration prepare to record the upcoming CD/DVD project “Go Forth” at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23 at Temple of Praise, 700 Southern Ave., SE, in Washington D.C.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.gregandsoulfulonline.com. General admission is $10 and $15 for V.I.P. Seating. General seating admission will be available at the door for $12.
The recording will include guest artists Melonie Daniels, Nakita Clegg-Foxx of the Kurt Carr Singers, and Angela White of Tye Tribett & GA.
According to a news release, Greg Roberts and Soulful Celebration began in 2000 while Roberts was enrolled at Hampton University in Hampton, Va. Since then, the group has relocated to the Washington, D.C. area where it has cultivated a strong and loyal underground following. The group’s previous projects include “All Things: The Soulful Experience LIVE” and “Soulful Worship.”

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Pianist/Composer Greg Burk takes fans to “Many Worlds” on Jan. 26

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date January 10, 2010

Pianist/composer Greg Burk returns to the spotlight on Jan. 26 with his fourth release “Many Worlds” on 428 Music.
The project marks the first recording of a quartet featuring Burk, Henry Cook on woodwinds, bassist Ron Seguin and drummer Michel Lambert. According to a news release, Burk and Cook’s collaborations date back to their time with Boston’s Either/Orchestra, and Burk, Cook and Seguin have a performing history in Rome, Burk’s home since 2004.
Nevertheless, to Burk, “Many Worlds was inspired by the mysterious lives and folk dances of electrons, quarks, neutrinos, protons, neurons and the like.” His diverse interests which include the innovations of John Coltrane, studies with Yusef Lateef, Archie Shepp and Paul Bley help conjure his involvement in the rhythmically flexible group concept which pervades much of the quartet interplay on “Many Worlds.”

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Pianist Marian McPartland receives order by Queen Elizabeth II

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date January 9, 2010

Legendary jazz pianist and National Public Radio host Marian McPartland, 91, was awarded the prestigious “Officer of the Order of the British Empire” honor by Queen Elizabeth II.

McPartland, one of two honorees with New York ties, received the citation (the highest honor other than “Dame”) for services to jazz and for aspiring young musicians in the United States.

“I am thrilled and proud to have received this great honor bestowed on me by Queen Elizabeth,” said McPartland in a news release. “I am truly grateful.”

The Order of the British Empire recognizes distinguished service to the arts and sciences, public services outside the Civil Service and work with charitable and welfare organizations of all kinds.

McPartland continues to showcase the world’s top musicians on NPR’s longest-running and most widely carried jazz program, “Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz,” which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary on-air.

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Vocalist/Pianist Justin Echols headlines BLAC Inc.’s Soul Food Dinner Theater January event

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date December 30, 2009

Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC) Inc. announced that the 2010 opener will be “An Evening of Jazz” featuring Justin Echols, as part of its Soul Food Dinner Theater series at the Petroleum Club, 34^th Floor, in Oklahoma City. The Soul Food buffet begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, and the show starts at 8 p.m.
Echols, who is a vocalist/pianist, has appeared in many venues and is a favorite on the Oklahoma City jazz scene. He performs on a regular basis at the Skirvin Hotel Lounge.
“We are pleased to present Mr. Echols in performance for this series,” BLAC Inc. Executive Director Anita Arnold said. “What better way to begin our 40^th anniversary year than to have a wonderfully delicious meal with great artistry in a superb environment. Justin opens the first of three Soul Food Dinner shows. The remaining two will be Feb. 6 and April 17.”
The show is sponsored in part by the Oklahoma Arts Council. Tickets are $45 and are on sale now and may be purchased through BLAC Inc., Capital Square Station, Charlie’s Jazz Rhythm and Blues Store, KM66, and Learning Tree Toy Store. Mastercard and Visa may be used by calling BLAC Inc. at (405) 524-3800.

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Mitch’s Reflection: Bil Carpenter Presents “An Uncloudy Christmas”

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date December 13, 2009

If you’ve enjoyed the book “Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia” by Bil Carpenter, music journalist and co-founder of Capital Entertainment, then you will enjoy the compilation “An Uncloudy Christmas.”

The 12-track compact disc features artists Bryan Wilson, Pookie Hudson and the Spaniels, Ann McCrary, Candi Staton, Richard Hartley, Markas Nair and Carpenter ending things country style with title single “Uncloudy Christmas.”

Opening with “The Savior Has Come,” Wilson presents such a feel-good house of prayer shout band style that it’s hard not to clap your hands a few times. Pookie Hudson and the Spaniels presents traditional gospel style tracks “The Angels Watching Over Me” and “I Just Want to Thank Him.” McCrary brings a modern touch to the compilation with the jazzy “Remember Not to Forget Jesus.”

In “An Uncloudy Christmas,” there is a song to fit any fan’s musical taste or holiday mood, and each artist does a fine job of presenting the true meaning of the holiday season.

Editor’s Note: Review CD was provided by Capitol Entertainment.

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It’s “Sax to the Max” at Tulsa’s Jazz Depot for New Year’s Eve

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date December 12, 2009

The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame will present its New Year’s Eve Celebration on Friday, Dec. 31 at The Jazz Depot, 1st and Cincinnati in Tulsa. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Longtime Tulsa saxophonist and 2002 Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Earl Clark and his Spectrum Band will present a fusion of jazz, blues, R&B and country from 8 to 10 p.m.
The evening will conclude with 2004 Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame inductee and Tulsa saxophonist Grady Nichols, featuring “American Idol” vocalist Krista Branch from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are $70 per person and are available online at www.okjazz.org and www.MyTicketOffice.com by calling (918) 281-8600. The ticket price includes buffet dining, desserts, entertainment, complimentary champagne toast and party favors to bring in the New Year. Only 350 seats are available at event.

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Just a touch of “Lagos Blues” with pianist Antonio Ciacca and saxophonist Steve Grossman on Jan. 12

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date December 7, 2009

Internationally acclaimed jazz pianist Antonio Ciacca teams with renowned saxophonist Steve Grossman in a new project “Lagos Blues,” to be released by Motéma Music in the U.S. on Jan. 12. Joining them is Ciacca’s regular quartet – saxophonist Stacy Dillard, bassist Kengo Nakamura and drummer Ulysses Owens – who contribute a picturesque image on the broader story of jazz.

Born in Germany, raised in Italy, Ciacca plays with a rare blend of earthiness, fire and intellect, with elements of Wynton Kelly, Red Garland and Bobby Timmons. He is the director of Programming for Jazz at Lincoln Center.

According to a news release, Ciacca began his studies at the Bologna Conservatory. At the time, he played only classical repertoire, the effects of which led him to consider switching his energies to sports and becoming a professional soccer player. This all changed when his future Lincoln Center compatriot Wynton Marsalis came to Bologna give a concert.

“What impressed me was the relationships between the musicians,” Ciacca says. “They were all proud and accomplished and dignified. They were just perfect.”

Speaking with Marsalis after the concert, Ciacca took to heart the trumpeter’s advice: “Try to swing as hard as you can and you’re going to be good.” That mission began when he sought out Grossman, whose lessons laid a solid foundation for the young pianist. After three years, at Grossman’s suggestion, he left for the States in 1993 to immerse himself fully in jazz culture, working first in Detroit and then in New York.

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Fahir Atakoglu set to release “Faces & Places” on Jan. 5

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date December 6, 2009

World-jazz pianist-composer-arranger Fahir Atakoglu enlists a host of friends for his upcoming Jan.5 release, “Faces & Places.” Joining him are trumpeter Randy Brecker, guitarist Wayne Krantz,Yellowjackets’ saxophonist Bob Mintzer, Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo, bassist John Patitucci and Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez on drums.

According to a news release, “Faces & Places” is a follow-up to the 2008 fusion project “Istanbul in Blue,” which reached #1 on the JazzWeek World Music Albums chart and featured guitarists Mike Stern and Wayne Krantz, tenor saxophonist Bob Franchesini, bassist Anthony Jackson, and Hernandez on drums.

Atakoglu dedicates “Faces & Places” project “to all musicians who have come to the United States from all corners of the world: Those who follow their dreams and touch people’s hearts, lives and souls with their music.” A native of Istanbul, Turkey, Atakoglu has recorded 18 albums that have sold more than two million copies in 17 countries including the United States. Atakoglu continues to compose film scores, ballet music, operas and other symphonic works while also performing solo and trio concerts around the world.

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Bluesman Bryan Lee releases “My Lady Don’t Love My Lady” this week

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date October 27, 2009

Justin Times Records recently announced the release of Blues guitarist Bryan Lee. Titled “My Lady Don’t Love My Lady,” the compilation features a star-studded blues affair, featuring top tier, special guest performances by the legendary Buddy Guy; Kenny Wayne Shepherd, who was mentored by Bryan early in his career; pianist David Maxwell, who intuitive playing blends seamlessly with Bryan’s; and guitarist Duke Robillard, who also expertly produced the session at his studio in Rhode Island.
According to Lee’s bio, he was born in Two Rivers, Wis., and he completely lost his eyesight by the age of eight. His avid interest in early rock and blues was fostered through the 1950s by late night listening sessions via the Nashville-based radio station WLAC AM, where he first encountered the sounds of Elmore James, Albert King and Albert Collins. By his late teens, Lee was playing rhythm guitar in a regional band called The Glaciers that covered Elvis Presley, Little Richard and Chuck Berry material. In January 1982, Lee headed south to New Orleans and eventually landing a steady gig at the Old Absinthe House, where he became a favorite of tourists in the city’s French Quarter.
Lee’s been a regular at the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal (FIJM) since signing with the Montreal-based label in the early 1990s, and also performs regularly throughout Europe and North America.