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Contemporary Jazz, Page 8

George Benson | Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole

George Benson - Inspiration A Tribute to Nat King Cole
 
George Benson | Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole
Concord Records
By Peggy Oliver
 
I fully appreciate it when recording artists occasionally devote a cover song made famous by one of their favorite artists or better yet an influential figure who has stood the test the time. That stated, the way over abundance and over the top tribute projects, such as anything entitled Smooth Sax Tributes, are frankly opportunities to simply cheapen the legacy of musical icons.

Anthony Crawford | Urban Jazz – My Story

Anthony Crawford - Urban Jazz My Story
 
Anthony Crawford | Urban Jazz – My Story
Hydro 6 Records
by Brent Faulkner
 
Jazz bassist Anthony Crawford hails from a preeminent family of
musicians including his father Hubert, a drummer who’s played for James
Brown and Cyndi Lauper among others, and his uncle, legendary jazz
saxophonist Hank Crawford. Originally a drummer himself, Anthony
Crawford fell in love with the bass, influenced by numerous rock bassists
and bands and later jazz bassists including Victor Wooten, Stanley
Clarke, Marcus Miller, and the legendary Jaco Pastorius.

Jeanette Harris | Summer Rain

Jeanette Harris Summer Rain CD cover
 
Jeanette Harris | Summer Rain
J&M Records
By Susan Mutharia
 
The talented saxtress of contemporary jazz, Jeanette Harris is back in the spotlight with an alluring fourth album Summer Rain. Harris has displayed her skill as a saxophonist in the past with tunes such as “Saxy” and “All I Do,” a Stevie Wonder cover, both from the album ‘Saxified’. Slowly but surely becoming a force to be reckoned with in the jazz industry, Ms. Harris is no stranger to the game.

Paul Hardcastle | VII

Paul Hardcastle - VII
 
Paul Hardcastle | VII
By Peggy Oliver
 
Paul Hardcastle has unashamedly flown the banner for electronic music since 1984 while encompassing a kaleidoscope of soundscapes from hip-hop, R&B, funk and dance to numerous contemporary jazz recordings under the Jazzmasters, Kiss the Sky and under his own name. One of Hardcastle’s first endeavors was “You’re the One for Me” by underground soul man, D-Train. Pop music culture is most familiar with his early hits such as the techno-thumping, “19,” an emotional tale about the injustices of the Vietnam War.

David P. Stevens | Epiphany

David P Stevens - Epiphany
 
David P. Stevens | Epiphany
Sanctifly Music Group
by Brent Faulkner
 
Philadelphia guitarist, singer, composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist David P. Stevens released his fourth independent jazz offering, Epiphany via Sanctifly Music Group March 1st, 2013. While ‘jazz’ may be the most appropriate label attached to Stevens’s music, it is not indicative of ‘the complete package’.

Kris Brownlee | Sincerely Yours

Kris Brownlee
 
Kris Brownlee | Sincerely Yours
Megawave Records
By George Strand
 
Widely acclaimed saxophonist Kris Brownlee sets the bar higher one more time with his new album “Sincerely Yours”. Contemporary grooves meet timeless melodies, creating a unique jazz blend that will blow you away. The album features thirteen tracks that have been described as “purely irresistible”. Perhaps the album’s stronger piece is “Halo”, the first single to come out of Kris’s new musical adventure.

Marion Meadows | Whisper

Marion Meadows - Whisper
 
Marion Meadows | Whisper
Shanachie Records
By Peggy Oliver
 
Once a musician has established their fan base, their confidence is even more solidified as they build a particular signature sound and boost the artistic integrity. Marion Meadows has not only built a solid reputation in the industry alongside Will Downing, Norman Connors and the like, he has become a staunch advocate for the cause of contemporary and smooth jazz
and is unafraid of tooting his own horn (pun somewhat intended).

Elan Trotman | Tropicality

Elan Trotman - Tropicality II
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Elan Trotman | Tropicality
Woodward Avenue Records
by Brent Faulkner
 
Barbadian born and bred saxophonist Elan Trotman returns with sixth
album, 2013’s Tropicality via Woodward Avenue Records. Trotman’s
saxophone playing, influenced by late, pre-eminent contemporary jazz saxist
Grover Washington, Jr., also contains Caribbean/tropical elements and
fresh improvisatory ideas, eliminating predictability. His esteemed
musicianship has allowed him to collaborate with heavyweights including
Roberta Flack, Will Downing, and Rick Braun amongst them.

José James | No Beginning No End

José James - NoBeginningNoEnd_cover
 
Jose James | No Beginning No End
Blue Note Records
By Peggy Oliver
 
As the independent music market is growing leaps and bounds amongst the mainstream industry, more singer/songwriters are daring to think further outside the mainstream. With a voice that transcends numerous genres, no one could or should pigeonhole Jose James’ intentions as an artist. His uncanny ability and mellow flair in guiding pop and R&B melodies
into unexpected territory has made Jose James a respected figure in the underground music circles.

Jonathan Butler | Grace and Mercy

Jonathan Butler - Grace and Mercy
 
Grace and Mercy
Jonathan Butler
(Rendezvous)
by Darnell Meyers-Johnson
 
Jonathan Butler signed his first recording contract at twelve years old.  By the time he was fifteen, he was already an established recording artist in his native South Africa.  By his own admission, he was also a drug addict whose soul was seeking salvation.  Guidance would come through a friendship with a fan who introduced him to the Christian faith.  That fan would later become his brother in law.

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