Showing posts with label All About Jazz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label All About Jazz. Show all posts

Sunday, October 3, 2010

If Time Stood Still Review from All About Jazz


By Jerry D'Souza Read entire review here: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=37638

Norman Johnson was in high school in Jamaica when he heard George Benson and became interested in the guitar. He says that he was mesmerized by Benson, and though he figured that he was too old at 16 to begin playing an instrument he went ahead. Later studying at the Hartt School of Music with Jackie McLean and Brian Keane, his influences grew to include Wes Montgomery, Earl Klugh, and Andres Segovia. Segovia fostered his love for classical music and, along with Klugh, the nylon-string guitar.

Johnson is comfortable in several styles. He realizes them through different lineups, with the underlying factor being his enunciation. He is a clean and nimble player who imbues a lyrical sonority to his textures.

Johnson balances themes and tempos well enough through his playing and arrangements. It certainly augurs well for the future which, hopefully, will produce more fine music.

For more about Norman Johnson go to: http://www.NormanJohnsonGuitar.com

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Jaki Mathews Interviews Bradley Leighton on Jazz Workshop


Bradley Leighton can be heard today talking with Jaki Mathews on her Jazz Workshop radio show at www.fmbdmsradio.net.


Jazz Workshop regular programming airs Monday through Friday from 12 pm to 3 pm and Saturdays from 2 -5 pm EST.


Friday, April 9, 2010

All About Jazz Grand Opening Specialty Store

AllAboutJazz has partnered with Mosaic Records to launch a Jazz specialty store: shop.allaboutjazz.com.

While you have choices about where to purchase music, we do hope that you support sites that specialize in jazz. AAJ intends to earn your support at Shop.AllAboutJazz through their dedication and service to Jazz fans.

They have combed through the tens of thousands of jazz products and have picked the best available material focused on jazz. While they do have much on the site to choose from, they will be adding different labels, musicians and various products as the site evolves.

They intend to send regular updates on new product offerings, sales and other opportunities from their store, and will also highlight activities at the AllAboutJazz.com including download of the day, featured interviews and other Jazz related news.

We support and send them our congratulations!


Wednesday, September 16, 2009

TOM BRAXTON HIGHLY ANTICIPATED CD "ENDLESS HIGHWAY" TO RELEASE ON OCTOBER 6, 2009


Saxophonist and composer Tom Braxton's latest release, Endless Highway, takes you on the ride of your life.

Joined by an outstanding array of instrumentalists and vocalists, this recording is a toe-tapping, colorful, groove- oriented excursion with a sophisticated urban flavor that will make you feel like dancing and singing all day long. Endless Highway, his second release on the San Diego-based Pacific Coast Jazz label, lifts Braxton to a new level of artistry as he pays homage to his friend and mentor, professional basketball player and bass guitarist, Wayman Tisdale, who recently lost his battle with cancer. The highly anticipated new recording is scheduled for national release on October 6, 2009.

"We're excited to have the opportunity to represent Tom Braxton's most impressive CD to date. This new disc highlights Braxton as a composer, producer and arranger along with six of his original compositions that feature his effortless transition from soprano, alto and tenor saxophones to showcasing his versatility on piano, keyboards and flute," said Donna Nichols, founder and president of Pacific Coast Jazz.

Nichols' label has teamed up with publicist Joy Foster of SV Media Relations and radio promoter Cliff Gorov at All That Jazz for access to international media buying and radio promotion.

Braxton has shared the stage with renowned artists including Dave Koz, Rick Braun, George Duke, Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, Jeff Golub, Marcus Miller and Luther Vandross along with opening concerts for Norman Brown, Boney James, Dave Brubeck, Cab Calloway, David Benoit and The Crusaders. He has been featured in media and publications such as JAZZIZ, Smooth Jazz News, CBS's The Saturday Early Show, BET's Jazz Central, CNN, NBC's Inside Stuff and many others.

Without a doubt, Endless Highway will drive Tom Braxton to the top of the charts while we take a trip with his inspiring tunes at home or on the road. So get ready to pack your bags, roll down the windows and crank up the volume in the “Braxton tradition," says Tom. “Creating music that brings people joy is my mission in life." Looks like he has accomplished his mission on “Endless Highway."

Friday, July 31, 2009

Ellen Johnson & Scott Hilzik Special Blend of Jazz


Ellen Johnson, vocals
&
Scott Hiltzik, piano


Jazz Duo


At the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa
Saturday, August 1st


"Johnson raises the standard of modern jazz singing by at least one notch." - George Harris, All About Jazz

Thursday, May 7, 2009

A Unique Way To Honor Your Mother This Mother's Day


Just in time for Mother's Day, introducing a special, one of a kind compilation download CD, "From A Mother's Heart," to honor women, motherhood, family and mother earth.

Available at: iTunes, CDBaby, and Sound Visions Media

"From A Mother's Heart" is a musical tribute featuring mostly original compositions written by the artists who perform them and each one is dedicated to their own mother. In an effort to be Eco-friendly and keep this project kind to "mother earth" the CD is available exclusively as a download through digital media sources like iTunes, CDBaby.com and Sound Visions Media.

"We want this CD to honor our mothers and mother earth" spoke recording artist and producer Ellen Johnson, "so we have to start making the necessary changes for ourselves and our planet by doing all we can to be environmentally conscious." Sound Visions Media is encouraging the media to embrace this concept by offering review copies as mp3's. It's clear that the public is more than ready to accept the idea of downloading music and getting the information about the project online instead of in a CD case.

When purchased through SoundVisionsMedia.com there is a pdf about the project, each artist's dedication to their mother and a download where you can print out the CD cover to give as a gift to your mother. The songs on this compilation are from the genres of jazz, world music, singer/songwriter, pop and even poetry. Each one has an individual message; some using lyrics while others capture the essence of their mothers through pure instrumental tones. From the joyous composition, "Ellie." to the intimate poem of ancient ancestors in dedication to the earth in "For My Chacoan Ancestors" the CD begins and ends with a deep understanding of the spirit of each mother's heart. Intimate ballads with tender lyrics as in "Song For My Mother", "With Every Kiss", and "You Know Me By Heart" intertwined with the humor of a mother's little girl in "Dat Dere" amidst the orchestrated and full arrangements of haunting messages in "Children's Playgrounds", Bougainvillea", I Do Remember You, and the wordless "Song For Mother (She Is Made Of Love)." There are even distant friends with a journey to the shores of Brazil and the beautiful Portuguese lyrics about the goddess of the sea.

"From A Mother's Heart" includes a respected roster of musical artists like jazz icon Sheila Jordan whose musical relationship with Charlie Parker helped her to innovate jazz vocals and saxophone great Don Braden who worked with legendary greats like Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard and Roy Haynes. Other artists that contributed to the project are guitarist John Stowell, vocalists Judi Silvano, Barbara Sfraga and Ellen Johnson along with pianists and vocalists Mala Waldron (daughter of the late great Mal Waldron), Peggy Duquesnel (adding a pop style original), world music group Brazil Brasil featuring Ana Gazzola and Sonia Santos, and singer/songwriter Ann Belmont. Every song is delicately dedicated to each musical artist's mother or mother earth.

"This is truly a one of a kind, unique project that is much needed in our changing times to honor the feminine spirit of our planet. We hope these songs will be shared with your own mother or we hope it will help in some way to heal your heart with your mother," remarked Ms. Johnson. Available at: www.iTunes.com, www.CDBaby.com or http://www.soundvisionsmedia.com.

Ellen Johnson and pianist Scott Hiltzik Duo on May 15th

Sunday, March 1, 2009

SALTMAN KNOWLES - CD RELEASE PARTY


WASHINGTON DC JAZZ QUINTET, SALTMAN KNOWLES, CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF “RETURN OF THE COMPOSER” CD
A Musical Voyage with a Unique Approach

(Washington, DC – February 24, 2009) Called “a brilliant example of all that is good in contemporary jazz” the Saltman Knowles Quintet, a Washington DC based band on the Pacific Coast Jazz label, will celebrate the release of their fifth CD, “Return Of The Composer” on Friday, April 3rd and Saturday, April 4th from 9 PM to 1 AM ($12 cover) at the venue HR57 located at 1610 14th St. NW, Washington, DC. The Saltman Knowles Quintet, known for their long-term artist collaborations that serve up melodically alluring and rhythmically infectious music, will feature Mark Saltman (bass), William Knowles (piano), Jimmy “Junebug” Jackson (drums), Antonio Parker (saxophone) and the soulful and unique instrumental sounds of vocalist Lori Williams-Chisholm.

According to Saltman Knowles: "What makes this record different from other jazz recordings is the use of “vocalese” (using the voice as another instrument) and our color sensory system of composition. We're lucky that we can have both an instrumental sound, like a straight swinging quintet, as well as a vocal sound. The music we write is melodic, harmonically dense, and swinging. Often our music is a sketch of personal situations in our lives or of those friends who are close to us. Music is our way of commenting about life." On “Return Of The Composer” Mark Saltman and William Knowles uniquely use the voice of Lori Williams-Chisholm as an instrumental texture. Her voice executes complex melodies while avoiding the cliché of standard vocal presentations to create the icing on the cake of this delicious voyage of musical expression.

For more information about the CD release event go to http://www.HR57.org or call 202-667-3700. For information on purchasing the CD or more about Saltman Knowles go to http://www.SaltmanKnowles.com or http://www.PacificCoastJazz.com.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

SALTMAN KNOWLES - CD DISCOVERY OF THE WEEK

JAZZ WAX

by Marc Myers

(Marc Myers is a New York journalist and historian)

http://www.jazzwax.com/


CD discovery of the week. Take a listen to Saltman Knowles' 4uuy61 new album, Return of the Composer. I wasn't familiar with this Washington, D.C. group—formed by bassist Mark Saltman and pianist William Knowles. And as readers know, I don't tend to go for too many current releases, mainly because so much sounds the same today, and passion and emotion seem to be in short supply.

But this CD is different. There's a special depth and poetry Newpic08 here, especially with the penetrating voice and vocalese of Lori Williams Chisholm [pictured]. Think Jean Carne, Flora Purim and Miriam Makeba. Chisholm's wordless vocals manage to be carefree and urgent. Throughout the album, Chisholm uses her voice like a clarinet and flute, surfing the tricky melodies written by Saltman and Knowles, delivering a rich, soulful energy.

There's a fusion feel to this album, but with samba overtones, which is probably why I like it so much. And the other musicians—Alvin Trask (trumpet), Rob Landham (alto sax) and Jimmy Junebug Jackson (drums)—are solid. Every note has meaning.

I actually came upon the album by accident and fell in love with it—and Chisholm's voice—immediately. Listen to tracks here and learn more about Chisholm here. I see that Return of the Composer is now available as a download at iTunes.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Danny Green Charts at #18 First Week of Radio

Pacific Coast Jazz Artist:

Danny Green Debut CD, "With You In Mind" Charts at #18 on Jazz Week for first week of radio airplay. The CD was #1 most added to play lists.


New World 'N Jazz Radio Promotion

See list in All About Jazz:

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=28799