Paul Brown | Love You Found Me
By Peggy Oliver
For the past fifteen years, many in the contemporary jazz community turned to Paul Brown for his production, sound engineering and composer. From Al Jarreau, to Boney James, to his major guitar hero, George Benson, Brown brought his very keen ear behind the boards.
Walter Beasley | Backatcha!
By George Strand
Something can be said about this guy.
Contemporary Jazz has something in music that can stand envy to all musical genre’s. A legacy of true heart and soul musicians from over the years, who stood the test of time perfecting their talents on any particular instrument: Sax, Trumpet, Bass, Drums, Harmonica, Piano, Keyboards, Trombone, etc…etc..etc…You name it. And dropped some of the most heartwarming, stimulating tracks on vinyl from over the decades.
Gail Pettis | Here in the Moment
by Peggy Oliver
When a jazz singer revisits a standard that has been tackled time and again, it is quite the task to express their musical personality without having to alter the integrity of the original. The experienced jazz vocalist should set the tone for his or her self and their accompanists to create a colorful musical canvas for their audiences.
Wayman Tisdale | The Fonk Record
by Brent Faulkner
Wayman Tisdale was another ‘shining star’ who was ‘gone too soon.’ Although an extremely talented former professional basketball player, Tisdale was equally talented as a multi-instrumentalist, who focused on the bass for the most part. Sadly, in May 2009, Wayman died after a stint with cancer. What did not die was Tisdale’s legacy. Experimental project The Fonk Record (featuring Tiz & The Fonkie Planetarians) is an album that showcases Tisdale’s restless creativity as a musician.
Oli Silk | All We Need
by Brent Faulkner
Pianist Oli Silk continues to keep the ‘art’ of jazz alive through his recent 2010 Trippin N Rhythm Records release All We Need. On the fine All We Need, Silk bridges old and new with creative instrumental orchestrations that keep the prime aspects of jazz alive while blending them with urban sensibilities.
Fourplay | Let’s Touch The Sky
by Peggy Oliver
A band can get into a period of complacency after long establishing their stake in the musical game. But the jazz quartet Fourplay on the heels of their new project, Let’s Touch The Sky, would not have any of that; inviting new Chuck Loeb in the guitar spot replacing long time member Larry Carlton. Bob James first discovered a musical connection with the other Fourplay personnel while still a solo recording artist.
Jackiem Joyner | Self-Titled Album
by Susan Mutharia
I have often wondered why many artist’ first album is self titled. Is it because they are formally introducing themselves to the world? Is it an industry standard or is it an attempt to strip down the layers that define who they are?
Esperanza Spalding | Chamber Music Society
By Peggy Oliver
In just one decade, Esperanza Spalding has achieved so much in her musical quest and persevered even more along the way to find her own special star. Go figure that this singer/songwriter/musician who survived some challenging circumstances in her childhood would make teachers marvel, thrill audiences and teach elementary school students about the power of jazz.
Mike Phillips | M.P.3.
Hidden Beach Recordings | 2010
By George Strand
Consider the new album from soulful saxophonist Mike Phillips for just one second. Bridging worlds of R&B and contemporary jazz together isn’t a tall order from a gentleman who often engages himself into taking anything to the next level. Would he be considered special? Perhaps.
Brian Culbertson | XII
By Terrill Hanna
For many of you who are well aware of the various capabilities great keyboardist Brian Culbertson is able to conduct, whether it be on a jazz tip, on a smooth jazz tip, or on the trombone tip, Mr. Culbertson’s diverse reach for soul music isn’t much of a big surprise here. In fact, we shouldn’t be too startled to hear most of the R&B connections dished up for serving from the new project, “XII“.