Category: Jazz | Page 8 | TheUrbanMusicScene.com

Brian Culbertson | Another Long Night Out

Brian Culbertson | Another Long Night Out
BCM Entertainment, Inc.
by Brent Faulkner

In 1994 – then a 21 year-old DePaul student – Brian Culbertson recorded his smooth-jazz debut album, Long Night Out. A talented multi-instrumentalist and composer, Long Night Out would mark the beginning of an incredible career for Culbertson. Now twenty years later, rather than recording a completely new album, Culbertson returns with Another Long Night Out, a re-recording of Long Night Out that finds the seasoned musician adding a “lil somethin’ somethin’” extra.

Robert Glasper Experiment | Black Radio 2

Robert Glasper Experiment | Black Radio 2
Blue Note
By Peggy Oliver

When an artist commits to a sequel that rides on the extremely successful
previous work, the expectations to top its predecessor are exceedingly
high, certainly when the predecessor was recognized with a Grammy Award.
With a wealth of musical co-horts at his disposal and a tight band
under his leadership, Robert Glasper was ready to meet the needs of fans
and critics to follow-up the R&B Grammy Awarded 2012 release, Black Radio.

Jazz Vocal Magic Under The Stars in The Dominican Republic

Jazz Singer Anthony Jefferson and Friends Treat Fans to Presidential CD Release Concert Under The Stars in Sosua (Dominican Republic)

Event Reflections by A. Scott Galloway
Concert Photographs by Will Alfredo

With an album titled after the luscious vocal standard “But Beautiful” and his home base/fan base being the breathtaking ocean side town of Sosua, Dominican Republic, dashing vocal gentleman Anthony Jefferson made clear his musical mission as sharing romance and style in abundance with the people that have grown to adore him over the last seven years. The night was a miraculously rain-free Saturday in typically drenched October, the audience Sosua’s wealthy and well-heeled, and the event the locally long-anticipated CD release for Jefferson’s new project, But Beautiful – a first class soiree of music wine, canapés and cigars coordinated by Linda Love, and additionally showcasing singer Tracy Hamlin, trumpeter Mark Rapp and singer/guitarist Peter Novelli.

Najee | The Morning After: A Musical Love Journey

Najee | The Morning After: A Musical Love Journey
Shanachie Records
by Susan Mutharia

If the achievements, accolades and millions of fans fail to give one enough insight into Najee’s musical journey, then the new album by this 3x Grammy- Nominee will set you straight. Get your passport ready and prepare to depart on Najee’s The Morning After: A Musical Love Journey.

Jonathan Butler | Merry Christmas To You

Jonathan Butler | Merry Christmas To You
Artistry Music
By Peggy Oliver

Just like the department stores who prepare in advance to entice shoppers
for Christmas, so do the music marketers who are just as attuned to
sharing good cheer for the year end fanfare. That season of Christmas
offers one of its first major releases with Jonathan Butler, the latest
to join others with their inspirations centered around the most
celebrated commercial time of the year.

Gregory Porter | Liquid Spirit

Gregory Porter | Liquid Spirit
Blue Note Records
By Peggy Oliver

In recent years, Motema Music emerged into a respected independent label
with a solid commitment to their artists’ improvisational gifts and
musical diversity. From Caribbean-born pianist Monty Alexander to former
Living Colour drummer Will Calhoun, the New York-based company has
drawn comparisons to jazz giant Blue Note Records in its heyday, swiftly
integrating soul, blues, gospel and avant garde flavors into its be-bop
jazz mix.

George Duke | DreamWeaver

George Duke | DreamWeaver
Concord Records
by Peggy Oliver

Those who make a living creating off the cuff are entitled with an occasional moment of writer’s block. And in their strong devotion to the art, they usually find their way back to fill up their creative cup. Jazz icon George Duke recently faced that dreaded drought. In 2012, his compositional well temporarily ran dry as he was experiencing deep grief from the loss of his wife, Corine. The death was undoubtedly bittersweet, but in an almost blink of an eye, Duke returned to his musical refuge that he has embraced since childhood.

B.W.B. | Human Nature

B.W.B. | Human Nature
Heads Up International via Concord Music Group
Written by Brent Faulkner

What happens when three jazz heavyweights, loaded with credentials,
recognitions, and upmost musicianship come together as ‘one’? The answer
is B.W.B.! Rick Braun (trumpet and flugelhorn), Kirk Whalum
(saxophone), and Norman Brown (guitar) reunite as a group after an
11-year hiatus. Assisted by a talented supporting cast in John
Stoddard, Braylon Lacey, Khari Parker, Lenny Castro, and Ralph Lofton,
B.W.B. don’t return with any original material.

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
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.

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