Smooth Jazz Therapy

Wine, Jazz And Kenny G

Platinum selling recording artist Kenny G is the latest in a growing line of contemporary jazz stars to associate themselves with Wine and Jazz. This new marketing initiative, which is all about lifestyle combinations, enables participants to sample a range of ‘mail order’ wines shipped, as a package, with a top contemporary jazz CD. Not only is it proving to be a cool way to sell wine but is also raising awareness of what is currently hot in smooth jazz. The September package, eloquently titled the Wine and Jazz Serenity Experience, finds Brassfield Estate Winery's 2006 ‘Serenity’ (a lush blend of estate grown Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Gewurztraminer) matched with a 2004 ‘Monte Sereno’ Zinfandel and Kenny G’s latest release ‘Rhythm & Romance’.

Smooth Jazz Cruise Clouded By Tisdale Setback

The unfortunate news that Wayman Tisdale has undergone leg surgery is sure to place a cloud of uncertainty over the 2009 Smooth Jazz Cruise. The event, which Tisdale is set to host, departs from Fort Lauderdale on January 18 and, despite the positive vibes being transmitted by its organizers Jazz Cruises LLC, there seems little doubt that the recent decision to draft in Marcus Miller has been made as a hedge against the possibility of Tisdale not being available. In fact Miller hosted last year's North Sea Jazz Cruise and is lined up to do the same for the inaugural Playboy Jazz Cruise that sails from Fort Lauderdale on January 25.

Amy LaCour - Bitter Suite

‘Bitter Suite’ is the debut EP from singer-songwriter Amy LaCour and, although it has been around for almost a year, is at last grabbing the attention it so richly deserves. Her rich amalgam of R&B and jazz blends deliciously with traces of country rock and each of the five choice tracks demonstrates to perfection how LaCour’s writing comes straight from the heart. In addition her soulful tones, which combine raw emotion with refreshing elegance, have a ‘wow factor’ that extends to most everything that she does.

Airborne - Winds Of Change

The brand new album from New Haven, CT based Airborne is entitled ‘Winds Of Change’ and much of the publicity surrounding it makes clear that the title, compositions, and even the emotion of the project was inspired by the bands concern for world events. The implicit assertion, irrespective of faith, race, color or wealth, that together we can make this earth a better place is beyond dispute and in articulating this harmonious message Airborne has delivered nine wonderfully uplifting tunes which can be fairly described as some of the best smooth jazz to be heard this year.

Brian Culbertson Headlines The Gatsby Jazz Festival

On Saturday, August 30, 2008, at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, Barbecue Club Entertainment will present the Gatsby Jazz Festival. Inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s immortal classic, this inaugural “white linen & lawn” event features a dazzling array of contemporary jazz talent that includes Brian Culbertson, Gerald Albright and keyboard player extraordinaire Marcus Johnson. Culbertson is having quite a year with his brand new CD ‘Bringing Back The Funk’ while Albright is doing similarly well with ‘Sax For Stax’. The lineup will be completed by eight piece Latin jazz band The LA Mambo Combo and the excellent Himalaya whose first album, ‘Friend to Friend’, has recently been re-released. Word is that a second CD is in the works for later in 2008.

Horace Alexander Young - Acoustic Contemporary Jazz

Saxophone and flute player Horace Alexander Young (who is equally adept with woodwinds, keyboards and percussion) has, not surprisingly carved out a successful career as a multi talented sideman. Having toured or recorded with the likes of Sam “Lightnin” Hopkins, B.B. King, Bill Withers, The Manhattans, Regina Belle, Toots Thielemans, Jonathan Butler, McCoy Tyner, Nancy Wilson, Norman Brown and Kim Waters he is now sampling some limelight of his own with the solo CD, ‘Acoustic Contemporary Jazz’. With stellar contributions from Andre Hayward, platinum selling recording artist Johnny Kemp, guitarist Dwight Sills, keyboard player Onaje Allan Gumbs and former lead singer with Tower of Power, Brent Carter it’s a collection that promises much and is yet another coup for the rapidly emerging Pacific Coast Jazz which has of late added some outstanding performers to its roster.

Vibes Alive - After Hours

Vibes Alive is the collaboration of Dirk Richter and Randall Crissman. Deliciously onomatopoeic, it’s a title that not only describes the bands intoxicating sound but also the fact that at its heart is the vibraphone of Dirk Richter. The bands latest album ‘After Hours’ is a sophisticated amalgam of contemporary jazz ‘vibes’ that comes eleven years after its eponymous debut for which, at the time, Richter received solo credits. Consequently and unusually the album predated the band. Only after it was initially released did Richter and Crissman decide to become Vibes Alive and formalize an arrangement that simply started out as an opportunity to write together and enjoy music. In common with the original CD, ‘After Hours’ features smooth jazz heavyweights Jeff Lorber, Luis Conte and Jimmy Johnson. They are joined by Gary Meek, Bob Summers and Vinnie Colaiuta for what is likely to become one of the most innovative recordings of the year.

Curtis Haywood

Amid a stupendous crop of new albums from emerging contemporary jazz musicians, one more than holding its own is that from saxophonist Curtis Haywood. This silky smooth self titled collection of three covers and eight original compositions is as good a debut as will be heard all year. It places Haywood in the sophisticated company of players such as Paul Taylor and Marion Meadows who invariably inject a seductive edge into much of what they do.

Evan Knight - Reminiscence

Saxophonist Evan Knight may only be aged 22 but his debut CD ‘Reminiscence’ provides an exciting glimpse of a talent that belies his years. This independently produced collection of nine original compositions is a superb showcase for his writing, arranging and performing skills and has already elicited positive comment from none other than Kirk Whalum. Even though Knight is at the beginning of what promises to be an outstanding career the album speaks volumes for the dedication he has for his music and, in part, is a commentary on the distance he has come since, at age 11, he first picked up a saxophone.

Shilts - Jigsaw Life

Up until now the music of high octane sax player Shilts has, in the most part, been characterized by the big funky sound of Down To The Bone. His long association with the band has resulted in numerous tours, six DTTB albums and the platform from which to launch his own solo career. His 2001 debut ‘See What Happens’ and the 2006 follow up ‘Head Boppin’ were both generously populated with examples of the immensely forceful sound for which DTTB is famous but now things are set to change. His latest CD, ‘Jigsaw Life’, that hit record stores across the USA on July 22, is his first for the rapidly emerging nuGroove label and, although traces of his funk roots linger, this choice gathering of ten original compositions shows a new and diverse side to his considerable talents. Shilts produces, writes or co-writes throughout and additionally calls upon some of the best musicians around to collaborate with him. Bill Steinway, Randy Jacobs and Nate Phillips all lend a hand and the fact that Shilts has previously shared the DTTB stage with both Steinway and Jacobs simply adds to the cohesion of the entire collection.

Al Williams III - Heart Song

‘Heart Song’ is the latest offering from sax and flute man Al Williams III. Released on the Pacific Coast Jazz label, the album is produced by the multi talented John Stoddart and features eleven soulful tracks all underpinned by the some of the finest session payers around. This is Williams third solo project and follows his 1997 debut ‘Never Too Late’ and ‘See For Yourself’ which followed six years later. It signposts a continuation of what is now a decade long collaboration with Stoddart and is indicative of the depth of tone and a freshness of sound that Williams has cultivated during his many years of playing with greats like Stanley Clarke and Mongo Santamaria.

Joey Sommerville - Like You Mean It

The latest album from trumpet player Joey Sommerville is ‘Like You Mean It’. Described by Sommerville as a labor of love that is both passionate and fun it includes a notable collaboration with Phil Perry who uses his considerable range to take ‘Reflections’ to places lesser gifted vocalists would it find impossible to go. Elsewhere Sommerville delivers a cool version of the Jackson 5 smash ‘I Want You Back’ and makes fine use of South African backing musicians for the evocative ‘Johannesburg’ which, in part, was recorded in the city of its name. ‘Follow Me’ is embellished with the signature sax sound of Marion Meadows while Wayman Tisdale adds his considerable bass appeal to the fabulous Average White Band classic ‘School Boy Crush’.

Although the spicily Latin title cut is currently garnering the most reaction, personal favorites include the quiet storm instrumental version of Floetry's ‘Say Yes’ which features Mike Phillips on sax and ‘Cape Coast’ where the contribution of Phil Davis on piano is immense.

Lin Rountree - Sumthin Good

Great grooves with great melodies played by great musicians would have been an apt way to sum up Lin Rountree’s 2005 debut release ‘Groovetree’. At the time I described it as the kind of album to restore faith in smooth jazz as an instrumental medium and now, not before time, this magnificent trumpet and flugelhorn player, the latest artist to emerge from the 'new' Detroit music factory, is back with the follow-up, ‘Sumthin Good’. Despite the fact that the thirteen exquisite tracks do not, in the main, stray too far from what made ‘Groovetree’ great, the collection is nevertheless an indication of Rountree’s growing maturity. With a little more punch on the mid temp songs and a touch more soul on the mellow grooves this seriously good anthology of top notch urban jazz should not be missed.

Patrick Charles - Cite Soleil

‘Cite Soleil’ is the debut CD from drummer, composer and producer Patrick Charles. It threatens to redefine the accepted boundaries of contemporary jazz yet, with seven of his own compositions, another from the multi talented Johnny Britt, plus a strong interpretation of the Seal mega hit ‘Crazy’, this hip nine track collection is always compelling and totally enthralling. Charles was raised in East Orange, NJ and became hooked on jazz after discovering Miles Davis’s ‘Tutu’. Now, well established as a freelance drummer in the LA area, he has gathered together an impressive array of fellow session players and established artists to collaborate with him on the album. In doing so he has delivered some of the strongest and diverse tunes of the year. For example ‘When The Love Is Gone’ finds sax from both Everette Harp and Bobby English that sends shivers down the spine. Kevin Toney provides exceptionally good piano and the entire piece is masterfully anchored by the distinct bass of Alex Al. Toney returns again to lend a hand with Charles’s delightfully understated ‘Charlene’ but, that said, the killer cut is without doubt the sumptuous ‘Breathe’. With more outstanding keyboards from Kevin Toney and wonderful nylon string guitar from Ricky Z this one is sure to become one of the Smooth Jazz Therapy top tracks of 2008.

nuGroove Unplugged - Darren Rahn

University of Northern Colorado and at the age of 36 has already achieved more than most musicians ever dream of. Although Rahn had been producing and programming tracks for other artists since the mid nineties it was his work on Wayman Tisdale’s 2004 #1 single, ‘Ain’t No Stopping Us Now’ that really brought him to the forefront of the music industry. The relationships that Rahn established while working with Tisdale and an assortment of other smooth jazz heavy hitters proved pivotal in launching his solo career. In fact his move from the console to the stage was seamless and in 2006 Rahn shared top billing in Catalina along-side Brian Culbertson. Since then he has toured with Tim Bowman and played with headlining acts such as Wayman Tisdale, Eric Darius, Kim Waters and Greg Karukus. In 2007, Rahn signed with nu-Groove Records and released his debut CD, ‘Once in a Lifetime.