Smooth Jazz Therapy

Now Catch Bob Baldwin On DVD

When I reviewed Bob Baldwin’s 2002 CD ‘Standing Tall’ I described his music as is simply great to listen to. The 2005 follow up, ‘All In A Days Work’ only served to confirm this opinion yet Bob has been delighting smooth jazz audiences with his edgy keys since 1990 and the release of his Atlantic debut ‘Rejoice’. Having gone on to work with a veritable ‘who’s who’ of contemporary jazz notables, including Will Downing, Grover Washington, Jr., Marion Meadows, George Benson, Lenny White, Jeff Kashiwa, Chieli Minucci, Gerald Albright and Chuck Loeb, Baldwin has become equally famous for the quality of his collaborations and now this prolific performer has chosen to record his musical diary on DVD. The result, ‘Memoirs of the Hudson’, is available now.

25th Street Band - The Key Of H

The 25th Street Band is, in every respect, the creation of Russ Klinger and Dave Radnor. They write, arrange and produce all the songs and, as well as providing the instrument programming, play both keyboards and guitars. The bands new CD, ‘The Key Of H’, was recorded in London and Los Angeles. It’s a wonderful collection of edgy contemporary jazz and features some of the world’s top session players including Tom Brechtlein, Hussain Jiffry, Mornington Locket, David Bitelli, Henry Armburg Jennings and, for one outstanding track, the vocalist Jandira Silva.

Peter White Christmas

Now for something that originally appeared in my column at ABYSSJazz. Subscriptions for this excellent smooth jazz magazine, to include nine issues plus a free CD, can be had for as little as $24-95. For more information send an e-mail to mailbox@abyssjazz.com.

The long running love affair that popular music continues to pursue with the festive season has never been stronger or more enduring than the infatuation contemporary jazz has with Christmas. The discographies of many smooth jazz artists now include the almost obligatory ‘holiday album’ and this has led to a wide range of individualistic interpretations of how music of the season should sound when played in a jazz groove. Last year it was Brian Culbertson who brought his special brand of musical magic to ‘A Soulful Christmas’. In previous years the likes of Kenny G, Ken Navarro and Nelson Rangell have all delivered what were sometimes fresh and often traditional takes on yuletide classics yet, in this respect, there has been no finer exponent of the art than Peter White. In fact White cut his first Christmas album, ‘Songs Of The Season’, in 1997 and has since made his now annual Christmas tour a feature of the smooth jazz calendar. Consequently its fitting that the ‘must have’ Christmas release for 2007 is ‘Peter White Christmas’. Not only does it mark White’s debut on the excellent ARTizen label but also provides a delightful opportunity for him to collaborate with Rick Braun and Mindi Abair. With picture perfect backing from Ron Reinhardt on keyboards, Nate Phillips on bass and Rayford Griffin on drums, the result is an evocation of Christmas the way it’s meant to be.

Gordon James - In Joy

On both trumpet and flugelhorn Gordon James has a tone that is brim full of sensuous warmth. His first CD, ‘Candlelight’, was released in 1995 and since then, with his own band and as a solo artist, he has opened for Roy Ayres, Angela Bofill, Bobby Caldwell, Alex Bugnon, Pieces of A Dream, Chuck Loeb and Cassandra Wilson. His brand new album is ‘In Joy’ and it’s a measure of the esteem in which James is held that some of the greatest talents in contemporary jazz have clamored to collaborate with him on it.

Anthology Hosts Soulful Christmas

Anthology is one of San Diego’s hottest new music venues and on December 11 it will play host to Brian Culbertson and his ‘A Soulful Christmas’ tour. This is just one of the nineteen dates that Culbertson’s show will play between November 23 and December 22 and with an all star cast of saxman Gerald Albright, vocalist Howard Hewitt, guitarist Nick Colionne and newcomer Victoria White it promises to be an exciting end to the smooth jazz year. Featuring uplifting renditions of seasonal favorites, plus tunes from Brian's holiday album ‘A Soulful Christmas’, the ensemble will also find time to play hits from their respective catalogues.

This will be the first of three smooth jazz Christmas shows in San Diego this December. The Dave Koz and Friends Smooth Jazz Christmas tour hits town on December 14 and The Peter White Christmas will be at the Spreckels Theatre a week later.

For more information go to www.brianculbertson.com

Kenny Babyface Edmonds - Playlist

Given the writing credentials of Grammy winner Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds, it’s maybe surprising that his latest CD, ‘Playlist’, is for the most part a selection of classic covers from some of the best pop singer-songwriters ever. The current single from the album, James Taylor’s ‘Fire And Rain’, is tearing up the chart of most played on smooth jazz radio yet, totally typical of Edmonds, he has also made space for two original compositions. After putting his own special mark on songs like ‘Knocking On Heaven's Door’, ‘Time In A Bottle’ and ‘Shower The People’, the thought of coming up with new tunes of equal caliber was initially daunting. However, unsurprisingly, his genius came shining through. ‘Not Going Nowhere’, which was written for his sons, and ‘The Soldier Song’, that examines the mindset of young people going to war, both stand tall among the albums more familiar gems. Overall they contribute hugely to a collection that is a worthy addition to the Babyface discography.

Smooth Jazz Aids San Diego Recovery

Despite the devastating fires that recently engulfed much of Southern California, the people of San Diego are being aided in their gradual return to normality by two top notch smooth jazz events. Both come courtesy of the excellent 98.1 KIFM with the first, on November 14, seeing Ryan Shaw top the bill for the release party of KIFM’s own 2008 smooth jazz sampler. The happening, in support of the latest in a long line of ‘best in class’ compilations, is sure to pack out 4th & B which is one of San Diego’s premier music venues. If that wasn’t enough, two nights later Bobby Caldwell comes to town. Anyone who has ever seen Caldwell will know that he is without question one of the best live acts around and the show, originally cancelled due to the threat of fire, is at the Spreckels Theatre with a start time of 8-00 PM. Be sure to get there early as opening for Bobby will be none other than keyboard maestro Alan Hewitt who himself will be releasing a brand new album early in 2008.

For further details and information how to obtain tickets go to www.kifm.com

Keith Andrew - Contemplation

With his brand new CD ‘Contemplation’ guitarist Keith Andrew has hit the scene with a sound that is uniquely his own. Revolving around some of the most compelling rhythms you will find anywhere, Andrew’s music is a rarified blend of smooth jazz, world beats and a distinctly chill vibe. A native of Baltimore, MD, who now calls San Francisco his home, Andrew has been playing guitar since age 10 and the opportunities that came his way to study with guitar notables including Robin Ford, Joe Pass and Scott Henderson served to lay a foundation that was later built on through his own LA based jazz fusion band Himalaya. ‘Contemplation’ represents a coming of age for Andrew who, with nine original compositions and one innovative cover, is stepping center stage with music that will ignite the club scene and fuel radio play lists.

Boney James - Christmas Present

Boney James released his first holiday album, ‘Boney’s Funky Christmas’, in 1996. Now, with his latest yuletide offering, the excellent ‘Christmas Present’, he is again embracing the natural fit that contemporary jazz has with seasonal music. Of course James is arguably the most soulful sax player on the smooth jazz circuit so it is hardly surprising that both with the tunes he selects and the artists with whom he collaborates he delivers a collection with an appeal wider than that confined to the time of year for which it is primarily intended. In fact the ten choice tracks run the whole gamut of emotions and provide a few delightful surprises along the way.

Curtis Stigers - Real Emotional

Since 1991, and the release of his self titled debut album, Curtis Stigers has been effortlessly bridging the void between jazz and pop. A distinctive singing voice combined with his skill on sax has ensured a string of successful CD’s and the latest, his ninth in all, ‘Real Emotional’’ is out now. Part Great American Songbook and part trademark Stigers this twelve track collection is variously playful, romantic, soothing and poignant but, throughout, always entirely compelling. Co-produced by Stigers and longtime collaborator Larry Goldings, whose own contribution on keyboards is huge, ‘Real Emotional’’ is a modern day masterpiece of immense sensitivity.