THE JAZZ NETWORK WORLDWIDE
With four CDs and four Vinyl albums behind him, with record companies such as SB Records, Pleasure records, M Records and Prestige Records. Ed’s Big Band, Quintet, Quartet and Trio has also played places like Ronnie Scotts, Pizza Express Dean Street, The 100 Club Oxford Street, The Jazz Café Camden Town, The Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Halls to mention just a few of his regular venues in London. Jazz Festivals and Tours in the UK and Europe include top venues like The Fabrik, Uncle Po and Dennis Swing Club in Hamburg. The Quarter Latin, Eierschalle, Joe’s Beer Salon and the Talk Of The Town in Berlin were among his gig list. Top venues in Italy, France and Holland have been regular in his diary. Ed has also worked with top artists including a World Tour with Deniece Williams, Irene Reed (Count Basie Band), Percy Sledge, Guitar Legend Al Casey, Bobby Watson, Michael Hashim and the late George Williams (Tymes) with whom he had a commercial hit which Ed wrote “Never Again” which stayed in the National Charts Top Twenty for ten weeks, to mention a few artists in the USA . Ed has also worked with top artists in the UK, Europe, Australia, the Far Eastand Africa, including playing Piano for Huge Masekela at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival recently. From his first in 1979 to his latest 2010 “Magic Night”Ed has released some fine albums. His “Bolla, Keyboard Blues” Album was reviewed by the late Billy Higgins and his “Metropolis” Album was reviewed by Cedar Walton both on Prestige Records. Ed’s admirers have included the late Jimmy Smith who inspired Ed to take up the Hammond Organ, Sir Paul McCartney, Joe Sample and Tony Bennet to mention just a few.
 Upcoming event September 21, 2015: In LONDON THE 13TH AFRICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL 2015 – THE VORTEX JAZZ CLUB THE ED BENTLEY QUINTET with special guest KOFI AYIVOR: Percussion and DAVE LEWIS: Tenor, ROD YOUNGS: Drums, MARK RIDOUT: Guitar    Management: BILL JACKSON JAZZ ARTISTS MANAGEMENT
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GRAMMY-WINNING DRUMMER/COMPOSER/PRODUCER TERRI LYNE CARRINGTON RELEASES HOTLY ANTICIPATED MOSAIC PROJECT: LOVE AND SOUL August 7, 2015 release spotlights vocalists Oleta Adams, Natalie Cole, Paula Cole, Lalah Hathaway, Chaka Khan, Ledisi, Chanté Moore, Valerie Simpson, Nancy Wilson, Jaguar Wright and Lizz Wright After receiving worldwide praise and a GRAMMY for Best Jazz Vocal Album for her 2011 disc, The Mosaic Project, drummer extraordinaire Terri Lyne Carrington releases its hotly anticipated follow-up, The Mosaic Project: LOVE and SOUL, on August 7, 2015 via Concord Records. (International release dates may vary)
On The Mosaic Project: LOVE and SOUL, Carrington juxtaposes her salute to female artists by paying homage to various male artists who have either influenced her professionally and/or informed her musicality, such as Nick Ashford, George Duke, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Luther Vandross and Bill Withers. “Whenever I do something that celebrates women, I never want it to feel like it’s something that excludes men,” she explains. “On this record, I consciously wanted to celebrate the various relationships women have with men either through original songs of mine or cover songs by male composers and song writers.” The male presence and perspective on The Mosaic Project: LOVE and SOUL is even more realized by Billy Dee Williams, who contributes insightful spoken-word interludes through the disc. Carrington’s musicianship has already catapulted her into the upper echelon of jazz artists of her generation. But on The Mosaic Project: LOVE and SOUL, her gifts as a producer, songwriter, and arranger emerge more to the fore with a collection of tunes that places a greater emphasis on her love for R&B. “When I grew up I wanted to be Diana Ross,” she says as she explains her wide musical influences that range from classic music and straight-ahead jazz to R&B and hip-hop. “I loved all forms of Black music and eventually started listening from a production standpoint, finding Missy Elliot, Q-Tip and Questlove to be some of my favorites.” While she never sacrifices the intricacies of jazz, Carrington’s knack for crafting R&B recalls that of the late keyboardist and composer George Duke because the results are at once adventurous and accessible. Carrington also expands her talents as an instrumentalist by playing guitar, bass and keyboards on several tunes. The Official Terri Lyne Carrington Website
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‘Straight on Red’ Band
Journeying from Funk to Soul to Jazz and back again – Straight on Red are either diverse or just indecisive. This hot new eight-piece band, whose members hail from Birmingham and London in the UK, have just emerged on the scene with their own unique fusion-style compositions.
Influenced by an eclectic mix of Funk, Prog Rock, Jazz and a smattering of Latino combined with sardonic lyrics, (inspired by the plight of the modern male’s quest for love or its avoidance) – it is an album not to be missed. Think Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder, Led Zeppelin, The Brand New Heavies and Santana all in the same band.
They have recorded 2 albums to date, ‘Straight On Red’ (2012) and ‘Round 2’(2014), and a number of songs from both albums have had considerable success in various Songwriting competitions in the last 2 years. Across 5 separate competitions (including Indie International, the Hollywood, American and UK Songwriting Contests) they have received a total of 22 placements across 13 original songs. This comprises 4 Category Winners, 5 Finalists, 7 Semi-finalists and 6 Nominations.
The eight members of the band are all talented and professional musicians in their own rights, each with their own, often wildly differing, musical genre preferences, but with a collective love of playing live and creating original material.
“The band has bizarre a mix of musical experience. Between us we’ve done West End musical theatre, taught school music, led choirs, gigged as Jazz musicians, toured in rock bands and recorded as session musicians” says Phil Danter, the band’s founder and main songwriter. “Like a good Whisky, it’s all in the blend – all the influences from our different backgrounds combine to form our unique ‘Straight on Red’ sound.”
Phil Danter adds: “As far as the process allowed, we record live as a group in the studio to keep as much of our live sound as we could. We’re keen to get on the festival / support act circuit so we can play the new material live. Our on-stage interaction with each other and with the audience is as much part of our act as the music!”
The album is available now from the band’s website and via iTunes and Amazon. The albums were recorded at Univibe Studios in Birmingham, produced by Bert Smorenburg/Straight On Red and engineered by Joel Spencer. Tracks were mixed at Smoor Studios in Rotterdam and mastered at Wisselord Mastering.
 Featured This Week On The Jazz Network Worldwide: American Songbook Vocalist, Ken Greves with his new CD “Night People”. Ken Greve’s third recording,“Night People” embodies the language of love in an American Songbook style of performance that personifies the journey of the high’s and low’s of finding joy on the other side of disappointment. “Ken Greves has been a friend to The Jazz Network Worldwide for years and has shared his last two recordings with us. We are excited to jump on his bandwagon once again featuring his latest recording of “Night People”. The high caliber camaraderie of musicianship was beautifully executed on these timeless classics. Musical director Frank Ponzio on piano, Peter Donovan on bass and drummer Vito Lesczak are a cohesive force, giving Ken the perfect backdrop to sit comfortably in the artistic seat of driving the deep reflection of the aspects of love and all its sides” says Jaijai Jackson of The Jazz Network Worldwide.
For Ken, the lyrics are the jewel for which the music provides the beautiful setting. This is not to say that sheer musicality does not play a major part in this music. Ken’s approach in both the arrangements and the manner in which he blends his superb vocal artistry with his musicians is of the highest order, fully conceived within the concept of synergy that is essential to the greatest tradition of jazz. – Marty Khan, OutVisions “Night People” “The performance of the ensemble is first rate, responsive in every way and, if anything even more remarkable is the work of the vocalist, Ken Greves, displaying an exceptional expressive range of tone and dynamic.” ~ Raul da Gama “Night People” To compliment the release of “Night People”, Ken launches a brand new website that encompasses his musical journey as well as the different business and entertainment services he offers the marketplace. He is an avid supporter of those in the industry and has made his expertise available to those artists that are looking for defined systems and structures for their careers both financially and production-wise. In addition, he is seeking non-exclusive worldwide agents for representation, Greves is looking to tour globally in venues that present the American Songbook style performances. On Monday, July 2nd, 2015 Ken will be hosting a CD release party presenting “Night People” to his friends and fans at Cafe Noctambulo in New York City undoubtably to a full house! Be sure to check out Ken’s feature on The Jazz Network Worldwide at www.thejazznetworkworldwide.com as well as his new website www.kengreves.com. ##     CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE OFFICIAL KEN GREVES WEBSITE
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 Featured This Week On The Jazz Network Worldwide: Contemporary Jazz and R&B band E-Life7 debut CD “Miked Up” featuring Michael Pennick. E-Life 7 has united some of the finest musicians for their debut CD project entitled “Miked Up”, released on Three 2 Go Music Records.  E-Life7 is the brainchild of Ron Walker and Mike Pennick, who are long standing members of Buffalo Music Hall of Fame’s recording artists ‘The Exoutics’. Both decided it was time to explore their ‘jazz alter egos’ and discover what was hidden underneath the style of music they were so familiar composing throughout the years.E-Life7 (short for “Enjoy Life 7 days a week) is a sophisticated combination of musicians spanning many musical genres. “Miked Up” is a unique compilation of collaborations of funk-pop-bass driven grooves embellished with rhythm and blues stitched with soulful dance grooves that is ideal for getting their audiences on their feet. Mike Pennick (for whom the project is named) exudes his artistry with grace as he walks up and down his bass guitar with his natural flow of spirited-musicianship. Also shining brilliantly on “Miked Up” are local legends Rodney Spears, Charlie Crymes, Jr., Walter Kemp III and Van Taylor (keys), Ron Walker (guitar), Tim Webb (drums and percussion), Ken Whitman (tenor sax), Joey Diggs, and Dee Osbourne (vocals). Each player’s performance is a thing of great beauty, art and skill, magnificently laudable, perfect in pitch, timing, and taste. In short, E-Life7 makes fusing genres with contemporary jazz flavors seem effortless. “Music lovers around the globe will appreciate the sheer musical expertise of E-Life7. Not only do they tap into the genres of music that we all know and love but its the way that they execute its fusion of the arrangements, it truly is ‘feel good’ music” says Jaijai Jackson of The Jazz Network Worldwide social network. Mike Pennick and Ron Walker not only have a great band that is looking to be booked for festivals and special events worldwide for 2015/2016 calendar, they have been on the lookout for aspiring musical talent seeking to conquer the music business and its live stages. As partners with Three 2 Go Music label, they have embarked upon two rising stars who they will be showcasing at the upcoming Midem conference this coming June. “Three 2 Go Music Alliance has a mission of “delivering musical excellenence with independence”. As a partner I’m very much anticipating the global introduction of Omeri’s debut CD ‘Day Dream’n’ in July. With the Midem conference happening in June this year the timing could not be better. Melissa Kate and Omeri are enthusiastically looking forward to performing live, entertaining fans and making new friends while having a great Midem conference. ~ Ron Walker, E-Life7 & Three 2 Go Music Alliance, RW Music Video Production Three 2 Go Music Alliance will present Buffalo, NY recording artists Omeri Monroe (pop/indie artist) and Melissa Kate(international jazz and blues singer), performance in Cannes France. We are pleased that our 2015 featured artists will attend the MIDEM music conference. Monroe and Kate will each deliver 30 minute performances at Plaga La Mandala on Saturday June 6th. In addition to delivering outstanding musical performances, E-Life7 lends its philanthropic arm and charitable support to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Sickle Cell Disease Association and Western NY Food Bank. Be sure to come by and check out their feature on The Jazz Network Worldwide atwww.thejazznetworkworldwide.com. To purchase and learn more, go to http://www.elife7.com. ###  CLICK THE IMAGE TO ENJOY THE VIDEO PRESENTATION.     |
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Featured This Week On The Jazz Network Worldwide: Vocalist, Amanda Cohen Premiere’s her new CD “A New Standard”. Amanda Cohen’s impressive array of jazz standards are going to be a resounding hit on jazz airwaves worldwide as her new CD “A New Standard” is released worldwide through The Jazz Network Worldwide platform.
“I hope I have created a warm spot in the music that reaches inside and takes you to your own very special place.” states Amanda. Cohen pays homage to the Great Legends in music history. The project features signature songs by: Frank Sinatra, (Birth of the Blues & That’s Life) Tony Bennett, (I Left My Heart in San Francisco) Sophie Tucker, (Some Of These Days / After You’ve Gone) Judy Garland & Al Jolson, (Rock A Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody) Patti Page (Tennessee Waltz) Jane Froman, (With A Song In My Heart and I Believe) Al Jolson & Jimmy Roselli, (Let Me Sing and I’m Happy). “A New Standard” was recorded at the Tracking Room recording studio in Nashville where artists such as: Barbra Streisand, Willie Nelson, U2, Kenny Chesney, Amy Grant, Gretchen Wilson, Faith Hill, Taylor Swift and hundreds of others have also recorded. The world-class masterful ensemble of musicians that backed her quest are noted as some of the best first-call musicians in Nashville, TN. creating a wonderful synergy that combined Amanda’s lifetime work as a recording artist and entertainer. Producer Buddy Hyatt, offered his original song “When Does The Hurtin’ Stop” which was an inevitable collaboration that resulted in an emotionally charged recording that is sure to touch the hearts of many. “You are the real deal and I know people will love this album as much as I do.” says Producer Buddy Hyatt “With A Song In My Heart” a personal favorite for Amanda, was a request of her late mother who had asked her to record one day. Amanda delivers the poignant and touching lyrics with a heartfelt dedication honoring the love she has for her mother. The talented team who shared their artistry with “A New Standard” are: Executive Producer ~ Paul Cohen, Producer / Music Director/Orchestra Arranger/Piano and Organ ~ Buddy Hyatt, toured withTOTO, as well as produced or played with such artists as: George Jones, Lee Greenwood and many others. Horn Arranger ~ Jim Hoke, Horn Arranger for such artists as: Burt Bacharach, Boz Scaggs, Kenny Chesney, Harry Connick, Jr., Sheryl Crow, John Legend and Stevie Nicks. Electric Guitar ~ James Mitchell, Acoustic & Nylon String Guitar ~ Bobby Terry, Bass Guitar ~ Jim Hyatt, Percussion & Drums ~ Garth Justice, Backup Vocals for “I Believe” ~ Renee Martin & Micah Roberts, toured with Faith Hill, Engineers ~ Buddy Hyatt, Kelly Schoenfeld, Owen Lindaman, Jared Clement, & Zach Allen, Mastering ~ Duncan Stanbury, Groove Mastering, New York. “Amanda Cohen is a wonderful singer, this album is terrific, you’ve got to hear this.” ~ Dick Robinson, American Standards by the Sea, Legends Radio, 100.3 FM, Palm Beach, Florida “Your CD is a fine piece of work. You really have a great way with these songs and a lot of style. Good luck with getting the record out there where it deserves to be.” ~ Jim Hoke, Horn Arranger Prior to the recording of “A New Standard”, Amanda learned her craft with a lifetime of recording and performing in many genres of music. She has come full circle back to the standards that was chosen for her to sing by her music mentor and vocal couch in the beginning of her career . “Amanda is a well seasoned vocalist who has a rich texture that echoes the essence of the American Songbook with a fresh interpretation of some of the greatest songs of all time” says Jaijai Jackson of The Jazz Network Worldwide. Amanda Cohen’s Standards Show is currently booking the 2015 – 2016 calendar for festivals, charitable events, big stage, intimate stages, and galas with accompaniment from a trio to a full orchestra. Be sure to capture Amanda’s feature on The Jazz Network Worldwide at www.thejazznetworkworldwide.com. For bookings and purchasing be sure to visit Amanda Cohen’s official website at www.amandacohenmusic.com. ###      |
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Matt’s young bass career is grounded in Philadelphia, PA. He had the blessing, in his late teens and early twenties, of performing with Shirley Scott, Mickey Roker, Bobby Durham, Cecil Payne, Johnny Coles, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, Sylvia Simms, Danny Turner, and fellow young musicians, Orrin Evans and Byron Landham. Matthew went on to have the unforgettable experience of touring with legendary trombonist, Al Grey. This era also included performing with Clark Terry, Marion McPartland, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lou Donaldson, Joe Cohn, Savion Glover, and Bill Charlap. After the sad passing of Al, an important mentor and friend, Matthew continued to tour with the bands of Greg Osby, Jon Jang, James Newton, Stefon Harris, and Regina Carter. Matt came to be relied upon as a gifted composer and arranger in addition to his steady performing. His own works, as played by Matt on bass, are on his debut CD, ‘Circles’ (Hipnotic Records), as well as on recordings from Regina Carter and Dave Leonhardt, Denise Montana, and Ben Schachter. Since Matthew has always believed that recording music is paramount to his career as it is timeless and marks musical milestones, he is grateful to have recorded with the above musicians. Matthew also has recorded with Wynton Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Paquito D’Rivera, Clark Terry, Etta Jones, James Williams, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, James Newton, Miri Ben-Ari, Gary Thomas, Vana Gierig, and Orrin Evans, to name a few. Currently, Matt continues to tour throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America with bands of the legendary Freddy Cole, Houston Person, and Vana Gierig. For over three years and counting, Matt has also presented his own popular showcase concerts in the Philadelphia area, with everything from an old-school, Philly-tinted ‘tenor sax battle’ with Larry McKenna, Bootsie Barnes, Houston Person, and Tim Warfield, to a Brazilian ‘jungle jazz’ concert featuring Amazonian performers Karine Aguiar, Ygor Saunier, and Vinicius Barros, with Vana on piano, and Marcello Pellitteri on drums. No stranger to the New York City jazz scene, Matt frequents the Jazz Standard, the Blue Note, Dizzy’s ‘Coca Cola’ Club at Lincoln Center, Smalls, Birdland, and the Iridium. He is also no stranger to Washington, D.C. and Boston, MA jazz clubs and, of course, he is a devoted Philadelphia, PA performer. With decades of his life devoted to the art of jazz bass, Matthew shares his experience by teaching and mentoring young children through adults in assemblies, master classes, and lectures throughout the United States. “Bassist Chubby Jackson brought power and depth to his playing during a golden era of jazz from the 1940’s-1960’s. Chubby’s charismatic, genuine, and larger than life character sings through his every played note. As a modern jazz bassist with a heart and soul that hearkens back more to Chubby’s era, I feel a strong pull toward wanting to know more of his legacy and of his love for musicand entertaining. I seek a creative collaboration with this strong bass personality from the past through those who knew him, performance footage, recorded works, and records of his life. Chubby’s legacy will, in part, channel through my own fingers cruising up and down that upright bass in brave, true,heartfelt Chubby style.” ~ Matthew Parrish, Bassist     |
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 ELIANE ELIAS’ MADE IN BRAZIL MARKS A MUSICAL HOMECOMING FOR MULTI-GRAMMY®-NOMINATED PIANIST/KEYBOARDIST/SINGER/COMPOSER/ARRANGER March 31st release features Take 6, guitarist/vocalist Roberto Menescal and vocalists Mark Kibble and Ed Motta, with seven orchestral arrangements by Rob Mathes recorded at Abbey Road Studios For Immediate Release – Eliane Elias’ Made in Brazil, scheduled for release on March 31, 2015 on Concord Jazz, marks a musical homecoming for the multi-GRAMMY®-nominated pianist/keyboardist/singer/composer. In her three-decade long career as a solo artist, Made in Brazil results from the first time she’s recorded a disc in her native Brazil since moving to the United States in 1981. (International release dates may vary) Elias wears many hats on this project as producer, composer, lyricist, arranger, pianist and vocalist. “I am completely immersed and involved in every single detail of the music and the recording process, from the birth of an idea until its completion through every aspect of the production until it reaches the public,” she explains. Along with co-producers, Steve Rodby and Marc Johnson, her bass playing musical partner, Elias ventured ‘home’ and recruited a splendid cast of Brazilian musicians that include electric bassist Marcelo Mariano; guitarists Marcus Teixeira and Roberto Menescal; drummers Edu Ribeiro and Rafael Barata; and percussionists Mauro Refosco and Marivaldo dos Santos.
Elias also invited Rob Mathes to handle orchestral arrangements on seven of the 12 tracks, which were recorded in London at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. “It’s so touching to hear the music unfold,” she says of the orchestral arrangements after they were overdubbed onto the São Paulo sessions. “You can see the musical notes on paper, but it’s something else to hear them realized and performed by members of the London Symphonic Orchestra.” In terms of material, Made in Brazil contains six Elias originals plus two Ary Barroso standards, two Roberto Menescal chestnuts, and two Antônio Carlos Jobim world-renowned gems. Elias, who did all the arrangements for the basic tracks, said that she purposely wanted Made in Brazil to incorporate three generations of Brazilian composers. “But it’s not a retro record,” she clarifies. “It’s very contemporary yet with the tradition and authenticity of Brazil; it’s music of the world with Brazilian DNA.” Indeed, Made in Brazil’s pulsating bossa nova and samba rhythms, transfixing harmonies and sensual lyrics, accentuated by Elias’ own captivating vocals and incredible pianistic acumen, will surely become a 21st-century Brazilian classic. Elias frames the disc with two Barroso gems – “Brasil (Aquarela do Brasil)” and “No Tabuleiro da Baiana.” “Brasil,” penned in 1939, “is a Brazilian anthem,” enthuses Elias. “It’s reported to be the most preferred Brazilian song of the last 100 years. It’s about the beautiful things of our country, the Brazilian Brazil; its natural beauty, mixed ethnic cultures and the samba.” Here she accentuates the composition with a suspenseful diaphanous string arrangement, whereas Elias and the band concoct an intoxicating, lithe groove. Atop of the infectious samba rhythm, Elias graces the proceeding with a glowing Fender Rhodes accompaniment, which later unfolds into a joyous and rhythmic solo. Barroso wrote “No Tabuleiro da Baiana,” in 1936, which was made famous by singer Carmen Miranda. Through the song’s theme about a tabuleiro, a tray filled with edible treats typical of Bahia, Elias says that her rendition allows her to share her affection for that particular Brazilian state. “I love the culture; I love the people; I love the music; and I love the food,” Elias says.” I’ve been in love with Bahia all my life.” On her delightful rendition, Elias hammers the samba with harder, percussive accents via her vivacious piano playing inside some hip-swerving inducing accompaniment while her dexterous vocal rides and swings on top. On “Você” and “Rio,” Elias invites the songs’ composer, Roberto Menescal, to accompany on guitar. On “Você,” the two sound like lovebirds on the 1963 bossa nova hit as they croon the romantic lyrics while the string arrangement sweeps them afloat. Elias’ impeccable piano accompaniment and sparkling improvisation provide the perfect musical trimming. On “Rio,” which also dates back to 1963, Elias retains the same lineup as she sings the song’s elegant lyrics about the beauty of a seaside landscape while creating beautiful modulations and colors through her harmonies. “It was special to have the composer be a guest,” Elias says of her collaboration with Menescal. “We shared some very tender moments.” As a bonus track, Elias delivers a rapturous makeover of Menescal’s most beloved composition, “Little Boat (O Barquinho),” yet another aquatic-themed showcase for Elias’ incredible musical rapport with Johnson and Barata. Elias’ ingenious arrangement at times evokes the motion of a boat floating and moving through waves.
Elias’ other revisit of Jobim’s music on Made in Brazil illustrates her capricious yet musical ingenuity. She delivers a sublime mashup of Jobim’s “Este Seu Olhar” and “Promessas.” Accompanied by Johnson, Teixeira and Ribeiro, this elegant rendition works splendidly as Elias delivers a heartfelt interpretation of the songs. Elias notes that the chord sequence of both compositions is the same and both melodies can be sung together simultaneously. Whereas the aforementioned compositions display Elias’ mastery at arranging and interpreting Brazilian standards, other songs on Made in Brazil show her deft musicianship as a composer and lyricist. Draped with a gorgeous string arrangement, the yearning “Searching” puts Elias’ enchanting singing and piano playing squarely in the center as she coos the romantic lyrics about the affairs of the heart. This song evokes the timeless quality of a Frank Sinatra standard. Elias picks up the tempo slightly on the effervescent “Some Enchanted Place,” which contains poetic, optimistic lyrics and features guest vocals from her daughter Amanda Brecker. Vocalist Mark Kibble, Take 6’s main arranger, sings with Elias on “Incendiando” and “Driving Ambition.” On “Incendiando” the stellar performances of Elias and Kibble heighten the romantic and sexual tension revealed in the song. “Driving Ambition” equally simmers with an erotic charge, thanks to the song’s titillating automobile metaphors and the sauntering bossa nova/Latin blend of rhythms. Kibble’s background vocals are sonic brush strokes of imagery perfectly complementing the seductive vocals by Elias. The poetic pop/R&B ballad “Vida” features the prominent Brazilian R&B singer Ed Motta. Elias and Motta portray characters in a musical drama. Elias’ character describes what a woman wants in a romantic partner and Motta responds to her as the man she is looking for. Amidst a magnificent string arrangement, Elias’ gorgeous composition “A Sorte do Amor (The Luck of Love)” is a comely piano and bass duet between her and Johnson that belies an empathic relationship built upon years spent together. Elias explains, “The lyrics are a bit ironic. They describe a love so incredibly intense, it takes away one’s sleep and peace of mind.” Elias’ songs and lyrics on Made in Brazil reveal the skills of a great songwriter. The intelligent, sensitive lyrics, beautiful melodies and rich, touching harmonies evoke some of the great songs of the 20th century and give continuity to the line of famous Brazilian composers. This album establishes Elias once and for all as one of Brazil’s most eminent musical artists. “When I write lyrics, I am inclined to talk about feelings, wishes of the heart and life situations,” Elias says. “Aspects of love – being in a relationship; the search for the right person; the search for happiness; romance; and the desires of our hearts, while I amplify these ideas and bring another depth to the message with the melodies and harmonies.” Listening to Made in Brazil and diving into Elias’ originals and fetching interpretations of Brazilian classics will surely delight and fill your heart and ears with soul-stirring joy.
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Featured this week on The Jazz Network Worldwide: Vocalist, Victor Fields with a sneak peek of his current single “Let Me Be Good To You” from his upcoming CD “The Lou Rawls Project”. Victor Fields is a silky soul jazz singer with a rich gauzy tenor known for seamlessly integrating the blues, jazz, R&B and Pop and his new single is no exception. The Jazz Network Worldwide has been an avid supporter of Fields’ projects throughout the years and is excited about sharing with its community and beyond his new single “Let Me Be Good To You”. Giving homage to a music legend has shown to be a very successful quest for Victor, for it is one that is close to his heart.
On February 14, 2015 Fields gave a concert at the Bijou Theatre in Bridgeport, CT to preview and celebrate the expected release in late March of his fifth studio CD “The Lou Rawls Project”. Joining him on stage was his Special Guest and Musical Director Gail Jhonson backed by Connecticut’s own Steve Clarke (bass), Asher Delerme (percussion), Dave Davis (sax), Pat Williams (guitar). Victor has also shared the stage with Isaac Hayes, Cameo, Dee Dee Bridgewater, James Ingram, Patti Austin, Regina Belle, Atlantic Starr, Maysa and Marion Meadows. On the heels of a successful CD launch on the east coast, it was only apropos for Fields to seek to tour the eastern seaboard targeting such cities as New Haven and Hartford, CT, Springfield and Worcester, MA, as well as Fayetteville, NC, Columbia and Charleston, SC and New York. Mr. Fields’ has recorded and released four studio CDs on his label, Regina Records, that feature smooth jazz luminaries Chris Botti, Gerald Albright, Kashif, Chris Camozzi, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun, Nelson Braxton, and Jeff Lorber. His CD “52nd Street” reached #12 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart and he continues to receive international radio airplay within the following three formats: Urban Adult Contemporary, Smooth Jazz and Straight Ahead Jazz. In addition, Victor is the owner and founder of Regina Records Radio which has been on the airwaves for four years now. “Victor’s melodic vocal interpretations of Lou’s songs are original, unique and soul stirring. He is a special artist with a voice so pure and real. His depth is an undiscovered greatness, you owe it to yourself to listen to what I consider one of the great smooth soul singers of all time. ~ Chris Camozzi, Producer and Featured Artist, “The Lou Rawls Project”. International and domestic stages and concerts are the goal with this new project and worldwide radio airplay has already begun with stations contacting Regina Records for the new single “Let Me Be Good To You”. The beat goes on with interviews from stations like Magic 107.3, Charleston, SC, WPKN, WHUH, and WYBC, in Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven, CT respectively. “His charismatic musical spirit offers such a smooth, soulful delivery in his interpretation of Lou Rawl’s tune “Let Me Be Good To You”. He shows how one can be influenced by a musical icon yet embellishes its thread with his own signature, offering a masterful fresh contemporary arrangement. Victor expresses his gift with invested love and conviction in every note sharing the enduring magic of a timeless song with soulful precision and care” says Jaijai Jackson, creator of The Jazz Network Worldwide. For booking and radio inquiries go to info@reginarecords.com. To purchase, visit Victor Fields official website at www.victorfields.com and be sure to tune into The Jazz Network Worldwide this week to enjoy his feature at www.thejazznetworkworldwide.com.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT VICTOR FIELDS OFFICIAL WEBSITE
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 GRAMMY WINNING VOCALIST STEVE TYRELL INVITES HIS LEGENDARY SONGWRITER AND ARTIST FRIENDS TO A HEARTFELT CELEBRATION OF ‘THAT LOVIN’ FEELING’
The Renowned Singer’s Ode To What He Calls “The Great American Songbook 2” Features Classics By Carole King, Leiber and Stoller, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, Burt Bacharach and Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich – And Guest Appearances By Dave Koz, Neil Sedaka, B.J. Thomas, Bill Medley, Chuck Leavell and Judith Hill Album Set for Release February 10, 2015
While sharing the enduring magic of timeless songs by the songwriting teams of Carole King and Gerry Goffin, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil and Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich as well as Burt Bacharach, Neil Sedaka, Toni Wine and Carole Bayer Sager, That Lovin’ Feeling sets itself apart from most tribute recordings with spirited guest vocal appearances by Mann, B.J. Thomas, Neil Sedaka and Bill Medley in addition to renowned backup singer Judith Hill (featured in the Oscar winning documentary “20 Feet From Stardom”) and Tyrell’s daughter Lauryn Tyrell. The set also includes key instrumental contributions by Stoller, keyboardist Chuck Leavell, saxophonist Dave Koz and even playful hand claps by Jeff Barry. Though the singer has ventured beyond the classic Sinatra era at times to bring his charismatic gravelly charm to projects celebrating the music of Disney and Burt Bacharach, That Lovin’ Feeling is a unique, highly personal project. The generous 15-track set is an intimate, decidedly jazzy, window into Tyrell’s storied roots in the music business, dating back to the 60’s when the Houston native, still in his late teens, moved to New York and began working in multiple capacities (A&R, promotions man, artist producer) at Florence Greenberg’s Scepter Records. During that era, Tyrell worked with and/or became close friends with the already established hit-making team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, as well as upstarts cramped in tight Brill Building spaces whose songs came to define a generation: Carole King/Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich and Neil Sedaka. Putting his own natural, charismatic flair on some of their best loved works, Tyrell – who produced the collection with Jon Allen, with stunning arrangements by co-producer Bob Mann – pays homage to all of them in fresh ways, including, on certain tracks, asking them to participate in the recording itself. The initial concept of That Lovin’ Feeling emerged from Mike Stoller’s 80th birthday concert in New York last year. The singer was asked to provide the band and sing, and he was joined by many of the original artists in performing Leiber and Stoller classics to pay tribute to the songwriter. The amazing night of musical celebration was capped by the whole company of the show coming out to join Ben E. King’s performance of “Stand By Me.” Stoller and his wife, musician and vocalist Corky Hale, were invited to join in. “It was a real thrill to sing that song with my childhood idol that night,” says Tyrell. Tyrell was also inspired to explore this era of his musical life and record this album by the immediate Broadway success of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.” He taps into King’s heart-spun magic via the vibrant opening track “Jazzman” (featuring Grammy nominated saxman Dave Koz), and an easy-swinging romp through “Up on the Roof.” Reflecting the depth of Leiber and Stoller’s enduring catalog, the singer creates infectious twists on The Drifters’ “There Goes My Baby,” “Hound Dog” (featuring keyboardist Chuck Leavell and some of the original lyrics from the pre-Elvis Big Mama Thornton version) and an intimate reading of “Stand By Me” featuring Stoller himself on Hammond B-3 and a cool new piano chord figure the songwriter introduced on the 2011 Grammy Nominations Concert, when he played the song with Usher. “Steve’s a good friend and my favorite singer of popular songs, and that goes from rock and roll and R&B to Cole Porter and Gershwin,” says Stoller. “It was a thrill to be asked to play on ‘Stand By Me’ and it was just great fun to listen to him talk about this project and listen to him recording in the studio. This whole project has that sense of fun sprinkled all over it.” Tyrell’s rich history with Barry Mann includes being the singer/songwriter’s artist manager, producing a solo recording for Scepter and later forming a company that included publishing and music supervising services. Tyrell’s joyful immersion into the Mann & Weil catalog includes the lush Dusty Springfield originated ballad “Just A Little Lovin’” featuring Judith Hill; “Rock & Roll Lullaby,” a poignant story song about a child growing up with a teenage mother, performed as a duet with its original artist, B.J. Thomas; “On Broadway” (co-written by Mann & Weil and Leiber and Stoller), performed as a conversational, strutting pop-blues duet with Barry Mann; and “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” ranked by BMI as the most played song of the 20th Century, in soul stirring tandem with Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers. “Cynthia and I have known Steve for 50 years and he’s like a brother to me,” says Mann. “With this album, I feel like he’s saying, these are the contemporary standards, the Songbook of a different generation. I particularly love his take on ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’, doing it half pop, half jazz.” Jeff Barry comments that he loves the way Tyrell turns “Be My Baby” and “Chapel of Love,” the girl group classics he wrote with his wife Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector, into pieces that make sense from the perspective of a mature male. “Steve gives them a whole new slant,” he says, “which makes me feel good as a writer. He definitely made them his own.” These infectious gems are also lovely showcases for the vocal talents of his daughter Lauryn Tyrell, who does backgrounds on both. Tyrell rounds out the set with the Burt Bacharach-Bob Hilliard tune “Any Day Now” (whose original version was recorded by Scepter artist Chuck Jackson) and a simmering, horn-fired version of Neil Sedaka’s “Laughter in the Rain” that Sedaka, who duets on the track, emphatically calls “a new jazz standard.” Tyrell has enjoyed a multi-faceted five decade career that has included producing everyone from B.J. Thomas, Rod Stewart, Diana Ross and Bonnie Raitt to Linda Ronstadt, Aaron Neville, James Ingram, Dolly Parton, Chris Botti, Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles; working as a music supervisor for films by Steven Spielberg, Steven Soderbergh, Nancy Meyers and Charles Shyer; penning the #1 pop hit “How Do You Talk To An Angel”; and performing with symphony orchestras all across America. Most of his previous solo albums have gone Top Five on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. But as he says in his colorful liner notes to That Lovin’ Feeling, “This is the most fun album I have recorded to date…and it’s the closest to the real me.” “It’s a thrill to work on the arrangement of a song I’ve always loved and suddenly the headphones are on and I’m in the moment, actually singing it,” Tyrell says. “Yes, it’s fun, but it’s also a privilege. I view my career like that of a visual artist who gets to make paintings. Recording my own albums is always been something I’ve wanted to do, and I would probably keep doing it even if people didn’t think I was any good! When I make an album, it represents a moment in my life and all the things I was thinking about. It was wonderful to work intimately with the songwriters, who I knew could bring fresh insight to me as I recorded their songs. These sessions took me back to a lot of special moments in my life. ‘Rock and Roll Lullaby’ was the last record I made for Florence Greenberg at Scepter. B.J. and I are brothers, friends, we’ve fought wars together…and when I heard his voice come in, it broke me up and I started to cry. I’ve been around a long time, and that never happened before.”    |
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Visit THE JAZZ NETWORK WORLDWIDE “A GREAT PLACE TO HANG” at:http://www.thejazznetworkworldwide.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network
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  Two years after the death of his six-year-old daughter, Ana Grace Marquez-Greene, in the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, saxophonist Jimmy Greene returns with 2014’s Beautiful Life. Both a direct response to Ana’s death and a celebration of her life, Beautiful Life is a gorgeous, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting album. Backed by a stellar rhythm section featuring pianist Renee Rosnes, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Lewis Nash, as well as a handful of guests and many close friends, including NBC’s The Voice season one winner (and fellow Hartt School graduate) Javier Colon, pianist Cyrus Chestnut, and singer Kurt Elling, Greene has crafted an album of deep spiritual grace, imbued throughout with Ana’s exuberant personality and wide-eyed joy in life. With his warm, burnished saxophone tone and swinging improvisational lines, one might expect Greene to stick to a straight-ahead jazz approach here. Certainly, while his concept is grounded in soulful post-bop jazz, he displays an open-hearted, cross-genre love of music, reworking a contemporary Christian worship song into a small-group jazz number, as he does on “Your Great Name,” and setting “The Lord’s Prayer” to music, as he does on the orchestral “Prayer” with vocalist Latanya Farrell. Whether it’s his lyrical duet with pianist Kenny Barron on “Where Is Love?” from the musical Annie or the spoken word soliloquy set against a children’s choir in “Little Voices,” delivered here by The Princess and the Frog actress Anika Noni Rose, Greene incorporates songs and artists Ana loved. And it’s not just Ana’s spirit that’s present on all of Beautiful Life; working with guitarist Pat Metheny, Greene begins the album in poignant fashion, weaving together recordings he made of Ana singing both the traditional Puerto Rican holiday song “Saludos” and the hymn “Come Thou Almighty King.” Although born out of tragedy, Beautiful Life is surprisingly never sad or, as one might understand, angry. On the contrary, by celebrating his daughter’s unconditional love for her family, music, and life, Greene transforms his personal anguish into something that’s as inspirational to the soul as it is beautiful to the ears. |
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