WASHINGTON CITY PAPER REVIEW: Saltman Knowles, Yesterday's Man

Review by Michal J. West
January 27,2010


LINK: http://tinyurl.com/yd2lqgz

Yesterday’s Man is the third album by D.C.’s Saltman Knowles,the latest stop on the group’s neverending quest for melody and hooks. This time, pianist William Knowles and bassist Mark Saltman lead an unusual octet that features a steel pan drummer (Victor Provost). Adventures in instrumentation aside, Yesterday’s Man is the slickest Saltman Knowles production yet. More importantly, though, it’s a tour de force for singer Lori Williams-Chisholm, the band’s only constant besides its namesakes. As always, her joy in singing is unshakable, even on less-than-joyful tunes like “They Don’t Really Care for Us,” but her silken delivery and exceptional timing make up a lot of that ground and help convey the darker moods. Better still are her scatting and improvisations on “Blues for Sale” and “08 Bossa,” among others, where a remarkable talent for rhythmic sounds and melodic variation come through. Yesterday’s Man is a worthy document of one of the District’s most consistently high-quality ensembles.

Also: Nothing official yet, but if history is an indicator, you can expect a CD release gig or two at HR-57 in the very near future.

SALTMAN KNOWLES OFFICIAL RELEASE OF YESTERDAY'S MAN CD TODAY!

SALTMAN KNOWLES RELEASES
YESTERDAY'S MAN

TODAY!
January 26, 2010




Read official press release at: http://prlog.org/10504432


San Diego, CA – January 26, 2010 –. Bassist Mark Saltman and pianist Mark Knowles present their new CD release, Yesterday’s Man, hitting the streets on January 26th with a complimentary mix of jazz and world music. What makes this release most uniquely distinctive is Victor Provost’s soprano steel pan instrumentation laced throughout the compositions, combining elements of the traditional music of Trinidad with the intricate and melodic song craftsmanship that represents the musical style of Saltman Knowles. Vocalist Lori Williams-Chisholm returns to provide what JazzTimes calls “her exquisite wordless vocals” encased in a sultry, smooth sound. Saltman Knowles describes the story behind the new project, “Yesterday's man dressed well, and was articulate, well-educated, and less medicated. He had sophisticated tastes, integrity, and a much longer attention span, and most of all he listened to good melodic music. Yesterday’s man possessed a lot of qualities that the man of today should be striving for and some of those qualities are on this recording.”
This is their sixth CD on the heels of their critically admired release, Return Of the Composer, on the Pacific Coast Jazz Label. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to represent Saltman Knowles once again after the success of the last CD,” says Donna Nichols, founder and president of Pacific Coast Jazz. “This new disc blends the tradition of jazz, world and contemporary sounds while maintaining a high compositional level of musicianship.” Nichols’ label has teamed up with SV Media Relations for publicity and radio promoter Neal Sapper of New World ‘N Jazz for access to international media buying and radio promotion. Pacific Coast Jazz, founded in 2003, is an independent jazz label that also offers artist management services. All PCJ artists are distributed worldwide by MVD Audio/Big Daddy Music. For information on Pacific Coast Jazz, visit: www.pacificcoastjazz.com. For more information about Saltman Knowles visit: http://www.SaltmanKnowles.com. For a review copy, interviews or other media issues contact: Joy Foster, svmediarelations@gmail.com.

BLOGCRITICS REVIEW OF YESTERDAY'S MAN - SALTMAN KNOWLES

REVIEW - Saltman Knowles
Yesterday's Man
Release date - January 26, 2010

Reviewed by Kit O'Toole
Blogcritics.com

Saltman Knowles review is published and can be found at http://blogcritics.org/music/article/music-review-saltman-knowles-yesterdays-man/


Jazz combo Saltman Knowles has proven themselves a sophisticated, cohesive group that straddles the line between traditional and contemporary jazz. Their sixth release, Yesterday’s Man, further blends these genres by adding a seemingly unlikely jazz instrument: the steel drum. The result is an immensely likeable album combining world influences, vocals, and elements of traditional and modern jazz styles.

To Read the Entire Review Go To: http://blogcritics.org/music/article/music-review-saltman-knowles-yesterdays-man/

NO TREBLE WELCOMES MARK SALTMAN!

No Treble Magazine welcomes their newest columnist, bassist and composer, Mark Saltman.

Bottoms Up: Melodies in Bass
By Mark Saltman
Jaunary 17, 2010

I’m here to discuss melodies in the bass: bass lines as part of tunes and great melodies written by bass players, and maybe a few surprises thrown in. In this column I’ll be discussing one of the all time great bass players in history who also penned more than a few tunes that we should be familiar with.

To Read the Article: http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2010/01/18/bottoms-up-melodies-in-bass/

SALTMAN KNOWLES REVIEW: Yesterday's Man

NoSoloSmoothJazz.com: in Spanish
English translation through Google:
January 12, 2010
by JAVIER GARCIA ESCAMEZ

The bassist Mark Saltman and pianist William Knowles jazz up the duo known as Saltman Knowles, who also have, as usual, with the vocal contributions of singer Lori Williams-Chisholm. On the 26th of January, is now selling recording their new material which will be entitled "Yesterday's Man" and can be heard on all radio stations from 11 January. The album is released by the label Pacific Coast Jazz Records and contains a total of 10 unreleased tracks. Saltman Knowles is the leading exponent of Jazz. Without leaving the genre classic format try to upgrade to today's time and certainly will not disappoint, nor to the purist, and we like the more contemporary jazz. It should be noted that the album is very well balanced, instrumental music and vocals are practically hand in hand. A new feature to highlight in this new album of Saltman Knowles is the presence of the musician Victor Provost, an expert in handling the instrument called "Soprano Steel Pan". The first theme that opens the album bears the title "Theme In Search Of A Film" and represents the interests of the duo performing music for soundtracks. The vocalist Lori Williams-Chisholm adds a voice to songs like "Cry," "What Was I To You", "Blues For Sale", "Folk Song," "They Do not Really Care For Us," "Yesterday's Man "and" 08 Bossa ". As regards the participation musical is remarkable the presence of saxophonist Brian Settles and Antonio Parker, trumpeter Doug Pierce and drummer Jimmy "Junebug" Jackson. We can not fail to note the excellent musical contribution of the musicians invited to the album, and underlines the trumpet Doug Pierce on tracks like "Cry" or "Shesh" and Antonio Parker saxophone and Brian Settles on "What Was I To You" and "08 Bossa", respectively. As regards the composition of the themes, Mark Saltman composed "Shesh", "Blues For Sale", "Folk Song," "They Do not Really Care For Us" and "Yesterday's Man", while William Knowles is responsible for writing songs like "Theme In Search Of A Film", "Cry," "What Was I To You", "08 Bossa" and "East Orange Blues". Clearly this album up to fifty percent, a proportion that also occurs in the interpretation of the instruments they play. The album is produced by Mark Saltman and William Knowles, both musicians taking charge of the executive production of it. "Yesterday's Man" was recorded, mixed and mastered by Bob Dawson at Bias Studios in Springfield city in the U.S. state of Virginia. Ultimately, Contemporary Jazz at the highest level.

In Spanish:
El bajista Mark Saltman y el pianista William Knowles conforman el dúo jazzístico conocido como Saltman Knowles, que además cuentan, como ya viene siendo habitual, con la aportación vocal de la cantante Lori Williams-Chisholm. El día 26 de Enero se pone a la venta su nuevo material discográfico que lleva por titulo “Yesterday´s Man” y que ya se puede escuchar en todas las emisoras de radio a partir del 11 de Enero. El álbum está publicado por el sello discográfico Pacific Coast Jazz Records y contiene un total de 10 temas inéditos. Saltman Knowles son el máximo exponente del Jazz actual. Sin alejarse del formato clásico del género tratan de actualizarlo a los tiempos de hoy y desde luego no van a decepcionar, ni a los más puristas, ni a los que nos gusta el Jazz más contemporáneo. Hay que señalar que el álbum está muy bien equilibrado, música instrumental y voz van prácticamente de la mano. Una de las novedades a destacar en este nuevo trabajo discográfico de Saltman Knowles es la presencia del músico Victor Provost, un experto en el manejo del instrumento llamado “Soprano Steel Pan“. El primer tema que abre el álbum lleva por titulo “Theme In Search Of A Film” y representa el interés del dúo de realizar música para bandas sonoras. La vocalista Lori Williams-Chisholm le pone voz a temas como “Cry”, “What Was I To You”, “Blues For Sale”, “Folk Song”, “They Don´t Really Care For Us”, “Yesterday´s Man” y “08 Bossa”. Por lo que se refiere a la participación musical hay que destacar la presencia de los saxofonistas Brian Settles y Antonio Parker, el trompetista Doug Pierce y el batería Jimmy “Junebug” Jackson. No podemos dejar de señalar la excelente aportación musical de los músicos invitados al álbum, así destaca la trompeta de Doug Pierce en temas como “Cry” o “Shesh” y los saxos de Antonio Parker y Brian Settles en “What Was I To You” y “08 Bossa”, respectivamente. Por lo que respecta a la composición de los temas, Mark Saltman compone “Shesh”, “Blues For Sale”, “Folk Song”, “They Don´t Really Care For Us” y “Yesterday´s Man”, mientras que William Knowles se encarga de escribir temas como “Theme In Search Of A Film”, “Cry”, “What Was I To You”, “08 Bossa” y “East Orange Blues”. Claramente componen el álbum al cincuenta por ciento, proporción que igualmente se da en la interpretación de los intrumentos que tocan. El disco está producido por Mark Saltman y William Knowles, encargándose ambos músicos de la producción ejecutiva del mismo. “Yesterday´s Man” fue grabado, mezclado y masterizado por Bob Dawson en los Blas Studios de la ciudad de Springfield, en el norteamericano estado de Virginia. En definitiva, Jazz Contemporáneo al más alto nivel.

SALTMAN KNOWLES REVIEW: Yesterday's Man

IMPROVIJAZZATION NATION

http://zzaj.freehostia.com/Z98Reviews.htm

Saltman-Knowles - YESTERDAY'S MAN: Music from these folks is always welcomed here at IMPROVIJAZZATION NATION... we reviewed their "Return of the Composer" CD in issue #94. Knowles keyboards and Saltman's bass are just as vibrant on this new 10-song album... there are a whole host of other players here, but their other regular player is vocalist Lori Williams-Chisolm, whose vocals shine again this time. That's particularly true of her singing on tracks like "Cry"... at about 6:11 into the 7:10 piece, she rolls into a scat that's among the best I've ever heard... will bring a tear of joy (or more) to your eye, for sure. The funk-poppin' beat of the bass helps a great deal on the lead-in to "Shesh", but as always, they bring it right back to the jazz that's at the core of all their musical adventures... great piece, to be sure. Their music is all original, so there's no chance that you'll be challenged with tired covers of someone else's jazz vision... the energy is high and the talent just flows from these folks! My favorite cut was "Blues For Sale" an original from Saltman that puts that bass right out there where it belongs - driving this kickin' tune that they said (in the liner notes) has "a bit of bug juice in the percussion solo"... not sure exactly what they meant there, but this tune is superb jazz that will get your spirit movin'! Actually, though, the whole production is a winner, & I give it a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, to be sure. "EQ" (energy quotient) rating is 4.93. Get more information at www.saltmanknowles.com Rotcod Zzaj

Mark Saltman: Yesterday's Man Finds Inspriation in Socially Relevant Events

Mark Saltman Interview at Jazzreview.com: http://www.jazzreview.com/article/review-7504.html

Finding Inspiration in Socially Relevant Events Article by: Susan Frances

The duo of bassist Mark Saltman and keyboardist William Knowles makes music that finds optimism through the crackles made by life’s sorrow and despair. Saltman draws inspiration for his compositions from such tragedies as the devastation of New Orleans after being hit by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the scars left by The Holocaust which prompted the title track for the duo’s latest CD, Yesterday’s Man. Accompanied by vocalist Lori Williams-Chisholm, Yesterday’s Man is club-room jazz with music that is warm and intimate massaging an upward slant etched into every track. Yesterday’s Man is the follow up to the group’s debut disc and features the crisp rattling beats of pan-steel player Victor Provost and drummer Jimmy “Junebug” Jackson. Saltman describes how the recording of Yesterday’s Man came together and the group’s aspirations for their music.

Read the entire review at link above.

Four Star Review for Saltman Knowles New CD Yesterday's Man

Nathaniel Rolnick – MuzikReviews.com

November 10, 2009

Read entire review at: http://www.muzikreviews.com/reviews.php?ID=836

Bassist Mark Saltman and pianist William Knowles previous album was titled It’s All About the Melody and clearly they still believe that. Yesterday’s Man boasts ten original songs (five by each partner) chock full of warm, satisfying melodious craft. Yesterday’s Man boasts ten original songs (five by each partner) chock full of warm, satisfying melodious craft. The duo bandleaders revere traditional melody, the musical choice of a bygone type of man who, according to their press release, “dressed well, was articulate…had sophisticated tastes, integrity, a much longer attention span, and most of all…listened to good melodic music.” Ok, so maybe they have a slight case of nostalgia. Melody and substance are timeless and they show it.

REVIEW: SALTMAN KNOWLES - "RETURN OF THE COMPOSER"

JAZZ IMPROV MAGAZINE – NEW YORK


By Nick Mondello

PERSONNEL: Mark Saltman, double bass/composer; William Knowles, piano/composer; Lori Williams- Chisholm, vocals; Jimmy “Junebug” Jackson, drums; Alvin Trask, trumpet; Robert Landham, saxes

Pacific Coast Jazz Label


What is it about bass player-composers? While predominantly dwelling in the harmonic-rhythmic foundation of the jazz composition, bassists such as Charlie Haden, and of course, the Dali Lama of bassist composers, Charles Mingus, have given the jazz world some of its most intriguing, memorable compositions. In this highly engaging CD, Return of the Composer, Mark Saltman continues and lives up to that basso profundo compositional tradition – but he’s not alone.

Saltman’s compositional colleague on this date, pianist William Knowles, also steps up to the plate here with a fine foursome of neat originals seemingly steeped in the best Horace Silver tradition. The result of this compositional collaboration, combined with the talents of the rest of this ensemble, is a terrific array of intelligent, involving music. With ten original selections, each with a driving, catchy rhythmic undercurrent, Saltman, Knowles and cohorts make the most of the composed platform they are provided.

Not surprisingly, the rhythmic ribbons on many of the selections are engaging from the bottom up, but, are never clichéd. Bassist Saltman, the savvy composer that he is, knows what will drive and what might turn rhythmically stale and melodically non-supportive. Knowles knows this all too well, too. Pianist William Knowles‘s playing is outstanding, never stepping on either vocal or ensemble toes. Vocalist Lori Williams-Chisholm has a beautiful, soprano voice that is pitch-pure. Since all the selections here with the exception of the closer “Pain Management”, have no verbal lyrics, Williams-Chisholm’s intonation, sense of swing and ensemble “playing” need to be perfect – and they are. Horn input from the exciting Robert Landham on saxes and the very talented Alvin Trask on trumpet are noteworthy. Both solo con brio y alma throughout. Drummer Jimmy “Junebug” Jackson pushes and prods nicely throughout the session.

The rhythmic mix here is extremely good. There is a high degree of esprit evident. Although each selection is highly listenable and involving, of particular interest are the hustling “Bellport,” the triple-metered “It’s Been a Mad Spring,” and the stealthy “Creepin’ Up”. The production and recording values are excellent. With such expertise in their respective comp skills, I wondered as to why there is not a ballad selection included. With what Saltman and Knowles have in their compositional knapsack and with the wonderful vocal talent displayed by Williams-Chisholm and ensemble excellence displayed, I’d wager it would be another stellar performance, as is this effort.

I hope the composers’ return again – very soon.

SALTMAN KNOWLES CD RELEASE PARTY FOR "RETURN OF THE COMPOSER"

This Weekend! Don't miss this...
“a brilliant example of all that is good in contemporary jazz”


Friday, April 3rd and Saturday, April 4th from 9 PM to 1 AM ($12 cover)
At: HR57 located at 1610 14th St. NW, Washington, DC.

CHARTS AT #8 on JAZZ WORLD WEEK

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. 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.

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.

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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' 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 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.

Saltman Knowles Review: Blogcritics.org

Music Review: SaltmanKnowles - Return of the Composer

Written by Kit O'Toole
Published December 22, 2008

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/12/22/024553.php
Blogcritics.org - published by Eric Olsen
Blogcritics is an online magazine, a community of writers and readers from around the globe.

Fans of modern jazz should seek out SaltmanKnowles’ newest release, Return of the Composer. The Washington, D.C.-based jazz group includes Mark Saltman (bass), William A. Knowles (piano), Lori Williams Chisholm (vocals), Jimmy “Junebug” Jackson (drums), Rob Landham (alto saxophone), and Alvin Trask (trumpet). The band cites Billy Strayhorn, Horace Silver, and Charles Mingus as major influences. This somewhat free-form type of jazz pervades their fourth release.

The group makes heavy use of vocalese throughout the album, with Williams Chisholm’s voice becoming another instrument on such cuts as “Bellport,” where she trades lines with the saxophonist. During the Brazilian-tinged “A Study in Purple,” her voice complements the elaborate percussion. Her soulful vocals add a touch of soul on “Seeds and Deeds,” while Jackson’s drums and Saltman’s bass provide a driving, almost funky beat.

While vocalese is prominently featured, the deft instrumental skills of the band still impress. “Homeland” features an extended (and blazing fast) saxophone solo by Landham, and “Shalom and Salaam” works due to the tight syncopation of Knowles, Landham, Trask, and Saltman. Once again the saxophone and piano solos are the true standouts, their improvisation accompanying but never dominating the driving beat and melody. Trask occupies the spotlight on the midtempo “Disfavor,” his muted trumpet skillfully navigating the frequent tempo fluctuations. Landham and Trask trade lines, never overshadowing the other’s playing.

The lone track featuring actual lyrics, “Pain Management” serves as a welcome respite from the scatting and instrumental songs. The tune begins as a lament, suddenly launching into a ripping saxophone solo. The real star of “Pain Management,” though, remains Jackson’s intricate percussion. He consistently impresses with his ability to smoothly change the tempo throughout the song without any abrupt transitions.

SaltmanKnowles enjoys performing as a “cohesive unit,” and Return of the Composer exemplifies this statement. The musicians complements one another, letting a player solo while the others play an accompanying melody or beat. Williams Chisholm appears very comfortable with singing vocalese, her scatting providing the perfect instrumentation or flourish for various songs. It’s refreshing to hear straightforward modern jazz performed by some excellent artists, encapsulating traditional improvisation while occasionally injecting some soul and funk into the music. Any fan of modern jazz will enjoy Return of the Composer, and it will be interesting to see how SaltmanKnowles continuously evolves in the jazz genre.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Wishing all of you a very Happy Holiday season.

Thanks for all your support of our artists and for keeping the music alive!

From all of us at SV Media Relations



Look for our future releases coming in 2009:
Danny Green, "With You In Mind" - Release date January 20th
Saltman Knowles, "Return of the Composer" - Release date February 10th
Brasil Brazil, "Brazil Brasil 3" - Release date February 27th
Ramana Vieira, "Lagrimas De Rainha (Tears of a Queen)" - Release date March 24th
(Christmas tree image from: http://www.freefoto.com)

REVIEW POINT BLOG features Saltman Knowles

Saltman Knowles: "Return of the Composer"

Review by Dennis Brotz, guest author at:

Review Point (Blogcritics.org) site of Paul Jordan

http://reviewpoint.blogspot.com/2008/12/saltman-knowles-return-of-composer.html

Sunday, December 14
The legendary author of Slaughterhouse Five, and many other books, Kurt Vonnegut, used to be fond of saying

"The United States of America has come up with only two good new things: Alcoholics Anonymous and jazz."

The first, with it's 12-Step Program now adapted to over 200 different addictions and problems, spiritually awakens even atheists to taste Heaven - and sometimes Beyond - Now. Great art similarly can take even absolute misery and make us experience it as sublime. Or Better. Such is the jazz CD Return of the Composer by Saltman Knowles.

Jazz is quite sophisticated music. So much so that it's usually beyond me. But then I'm lucky if I like one or two new songs a year from any genre. And for me melody is the key. If the melody's not immediately compelling, forget it, I can't pay attention. Occasionally a song can grow on me beyond how it originally strikes me. For example, a first listen to Jewel's Pieces of You album bounced off me almost completely, as did Losing my Religion by R.E.M. and Imagine by John Lennon. Now I more than love them. Songs like Time of the Season by the Zombies and Let's Live for Today by the Grass Roots bowled me over immediately. Now you get my range...

Saltman Knowles members seem to be among some of the most highly credentialed in their genre. Reading their bios is the only way to fully appreciate this. Of relevance to me is the fact that one of Mark Saltman's most striking major influences was Dr. Yusef Lateef, the great American multi-instrumentalist, composer and educator whom Mark met while attending the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Discussions, according to Mark, would involve

"all kinds of things, including music, religion, and politics. He is Muslim and I am Jewish, so we really went into the whole religious thing. It was totally respectful and totally enlightening."

And - more than coincidentally? - at the heart of the Middle East conflict and terrorism today. Lateef also encouraged Mark to find his "own sound within." Wherein the Divine resides. Or, as Christ put it to the Pharisees, who didn't believe in him, "The Kingdom of God comes not with observation. You can't say, 'Look! There it is!' Or, 'Behold! It is there!' For the Kingdom of God is within you." Or, as the old saying goes: "We don't see the world as it is, but as we are." The Greeks claimed the influence of the goddess Muses. Their art then helping us tap into our own Divine Spark within!

Mark is also an educator in the Washington, D.C. schools and likes exploring the relationship between sound and color in the study of Synaesthesia. Cutting-edge stuff at a time when it's being demonstrated that we humans actually have at least 53 senses, and not just the 5 Aristotle named a long long time ago. He also said that a fly had eight legs. And almost no one bothered to check otherwise - to discover they only had 6 - until centuries later... And then, natch, there's the possibility we have a 6th or 7th Sense or Senses. Further information about all this can be found at ecopsych.com, describing Project NatureConnect, whose founder Dr. Cohen, claims it's the Grand Unified Field Theory most science claims is as yet undiscovered. William Knowles and the soulful vocalist Lori Williams-Chisholm's qualifications also bear deeper investigation and are very relevant, but the main point I'm getting at here is that - whatever the credentials - very little impresses me musically.

Great melody being an absolute requirement to open my Inner Door. And - with the help of other very skilled musicians - that very requirement seems the central bond of the two core members of Saltman Knowles in their

"mutual hunger for melodic content woven within a tapestry of harmonic emotional patterns. It all starts with a singable melody, because without that there is no glue. Then we like to do something that sounds harmonically unique...to write things that evoke very strong feelings."

Residing in a lively, culturally rich area of Washington D.C., their last release, It's About the Melody received excellent reviews and won the Best International Jazz song from Toronto Exclusive Magazine in 2007.

Some of the melodies on this album were - how to put it? - Beyond Infinitely Sweet! Far more significant was that within days of just listening to the album once, I experienced a feeling of love or Love in a Divine - or Beyond? - Sense, stronger than any I've felt in my 55 years. Coincidence? The themes on this possible masterpiece very much cut to the very spiritual heart of not only the new millennium, but the timeless. Homeland, for example, is about a longing for a place to call your own where you feel like you belong and can feel comfortable. The concept is more of a spiritual home than a physical one.

The composition Shalom and Salaam, comes from the word "peace" in Hebrew and Arabic. It uses elements from both cultures and almost all of our wishes to find a peaceful settlement to the seemingly unsolvable and extremely dangerous Middle East Conflict. Seeds and Deeds is about the deeds we do today being the seeds for things tomorrow. The Nichiren Buddhist chant "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" means "Devotion to the mystic law of instantaneous simultaneous cause and effect through sound vibration" wherein Awakening and Enlightenment can occur as the Experience of The Heaven Beyond Heaven. Here. Now. In this lifetime. Instant karma gonna get you!

A Pillar of Saltman was written for Mark's dad, Kopi Saltman, who passed away, and while very quiet, always tried to hold firm to his ethics and beliefs. A State of Being wherein - as described by Bill Wilson, entails very special almost immediate Rewards: "When I follow the dictates of a Higher Power, I presently live in a new and wonderful world - that gets increasingly wonderful as time goes on - no matter what my present circumstances". Pain Management is a song for the broken hearted. She ran off with another man. Saltman Knowles renders this so the listener gets a sublime experience, though not necessarily immediately. The smiles of almost outrageous joy on the CD cover reflect a genuine condition of being that the music inside actually creates or elicits in the listener. Sometimes with a delayed-effect.

As our spiritual, emotional, psychological, artistic, and political landscapes unfold and develop - with always some initial growing pain - very painful in many circumstances - into a potential New Golden Age such as humanity has never seen before, perhaps even ushering in a New Heaven and a new Earth, God knows we can use all the Help we can get. Enlightening some of our suffering. And in that sort of suffering, the Buddha informs us, the sufferer leaves. Saltman Knowles' "Return of the Composer" gives Precisely That State of Being - and in this humble listener's opinion - beyond sublimely more, just opens New Eden's door. Nothing more is a chore.

Saltman Knowles Joins Pacific Coast Jazz Label; “Return of the Composer” slated for February 10

San Diego, CA – November 30, 2008 - San Diego-based independent record label, Pacific Coast Jazz (PCJ), announces the signing of Washington, DC-based jazz ensemble, Saltman Knowles. The agreement anticipates the release of their new CD, Return of the Composer, slated for a street date of February 10, 2009.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to represent Saltman Knowles’ fifth and most impressive CD to date,” says Donna Nichols, founder and president of Pacific Coast Jazz. “This album truly confirms the compositional strength of Mark Saltman and William Knowles with a track list of sophisticated yet soulful original music.” Nichols’ label has teamed up with publicist Joy Foster of SV Media Relations and radio promoter Neal Sapper at New World N’Jazz for access to international media buying and radio promotion.

Bassist Mark Saltman and pianist William Knowles, the leaders of this seamless blending of sounds, met while attending the composition program at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and created a musical bond with similar affections for the music of Billy Strayhorn, Horace Silver, Cedar Walton and Charles Mingus, among others. “They are a true find for our artist roster,” added Nichols.

Their latest CD project, Return of the Composer, emphasizes their commitment to original music with a deep love for melodic color, texture, and groove. The group continues their journey into the creative musical exploration by including vocalist Lori Williams-Chisholm as an instrumental effect doing vocalease on many of the songs.

Pacific Coast Jazz, founded in 2003, is a boutique jazz label that also offers artist management services. All PCJ artists are distributed worldwide by MVD Audio/Big Daddy Music. For information on Pacific Coast Jazz, visit: www.pacificcoastjazz.com. For more information and interviews with Saltman Knowles, visit www.saltmanknowles.com or contact Joy Foster at SVMediaRelations@gmail.com.

PACIFIC COAST JAZZ LABEL NEW RELEASES

PACIFIC COST JAZZ (PCJ) Label presents:

Danny Green "With You In Mind"
Release Date: January 20, 2009
www.DannyGreen.net

Saltman Knowles "Return of the Composer"
Release Date: February 10, 2009
www.SaltmanKnowles.com

For press review copies or interviews contact:
SV Media Relations
SVMediaRelations@gmail.com

Radio Promotion:
Neal Sapper, New World N' Jazz