Smooth Jazz Therapy

Brian Bromberg - It Is What It Is

Since 1985, acclaimed bassist and producer Brian Bromberg has been confounding the music industry with an ever increasing catalogue of straight ahead and contemporary jazz offerings that are often driven by specific sounds and themes. His 2002 ‘Wood’ was built around acoustic bass, ‘Metal’ had electric bass as its centrepiece and with ‘Jaco’ Bromberg celebrated the artistry of fretless bass pioneer Jaco Pastorius. He last tickled the sound buds with his 2007 Grammy nominated ‘Downright Upright’ and is now back with the entirely different ‘It Is What It Is’.

In fact part of Bromberg’s magic is his totally predictable unpredictability and with this decidedly funky 13 track collection he not only features what turns out to be an absolutely killer horn section but also calls upon fellow A-listers George Duke, Patrice Rushen, Jeff Lorber, Eric Marienthal, Gerald Albright, Richard Elliot and Rick Braun to lend a hand.

Kenny G On Blu-Ray - An Evening Of Rhythm & Romance

With global album sales in excess of 50 million copies, Grammy-Award winning saxophonist Kenny G is all set to break new ground. ‘An Evening Of Rhythm & Romance’, his first ever performance to be released in the Blu-ray format, is due out early next month when, simultaneously, it will also be available on DVD.

‘An Evening of Rhythm & Romance’ was filmed late in 2008 at the wonderfully atmospheric Humphreys By The Bay in San Diego when Kenny was in town as part of an extensive tour to promote his most recent studio album, ‘Rhythm & Romance’. Among the sixteen choice cuts are the Kenny G classics ‘Havana’ and ‘G-Bop’ while unsurprisingly there is also a place for his signature number ‘Songbird’. Cover versions of James Blunt’s ‘You’re Beautiful’, Louis Armstrong’s ‘What A Wonderful World’ and the Average White Band’s ‘Pick Up The Pieces’ are included as part of a collection that for G’s plethora of fans will instantly attain ‘must have’ status.

Bonus features for this release include a revealing interview with Kenny and a trio of seasonal tracks. Exclusive to the Blu-ray product are rehearsal takes of two of these Christmas tunes.

‘An Evening Of Rhythm & Romance’ is due for release on October 6 from Eagle Rock Entertainment.

Mark Harper With Wayman Tisdale - Dedication

Currently being serviced to radio is the sublimely smooth ‘Dedication’ by guitarist Mark Harper and the late Wayman Tisdale. This sumptuous duet has been released in advance of Harper’s forthcoming solo album ‘The Mark Harper Project’ and is a significant milestone for an artist whose career to date has been notable on many counts. As well as touring and recording with the likes of Dave Koz, Paul Jackson Jr, Jonathon Butler, Phyllis Hyman, Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Joe McBride and Ronnie Laws, Mark has been a member of the legendary Tower of Power since October 2007. His guitar skills and soulful backing vocals have quickly added another dimension to what is the most potent horn and rhythm section on the planet yet before joining ToP Mark was a long time member of Tisdale’s touring band. Harper and Tisdale enjoyed a special musical bond that was based on their mutual love of ‘old school’ soul and as Harper began to write and co-write the music that would culminate in his own project it was the track ‘Dedication’ that quickly caught Tisdale’s attention. He expressed an interest in being part of it and Harper, together with keyboard player Tony Blaine, spent four days at Wayman’s ranch completing the recording process. The result, ‘Dedication’, is a fitting tribute to the humanity of Tisdale and an early indication of the promise that, for Harper, the future might hold. For more on Mark Harper go to www.markharpermusic.com

Galaxy Lounge - Welcome To The Party

Despite the fact that writer, arranger and producer Jon Grindstaff has spent the last twenty years creating music for commercials on radio and television, he has now emerged with his first solo project delivered under the apt guise of Galaxy Lounge. The result, ‘Welcome To The Party’, is a delicious blend of smooth jazz and lounge music with tracks that have already caught the attention of the syndicated radio show ‘Chill With Mindi Abair’ as well as smooth jazz stations across the USA.

Nick Colionne And Jim Peterik - The Journey Of A Song

While Nick Colionne’s current album ‘No Limits’ continues to garner critical acclaim it is worth reflecting on the sensational collaboration it includes between Nick and Grammy-award winning writer Jim Peterik. In fact the Peterik - Colionne compositions ‘Melting Into You’ and ‘Hard Line’ prove to be ideal vehicles for Nick to show off both his vocal prowess and bluesy guitar. Now Peterik (pictured here with Lisa McClowry and whose credits include the theme from the film Rocky, ‘The Eye of The Tiger’) has called upon Nick to play a part in an exciting new documentary film titled ‘When It Comes From The Heart – The Journey Of A Song’.

Featuring Peterik, Colionne, singer songwriter Lisa McClowry and Nick’s manager Carol Ray, this 40 minute music documentary is directed by Terry Becker and describes the journey of the making of a song from the seed of an idea, to the writing session, on to the recording process and then finally to the live performance. It is a must see event for all music enthusiasts, a chance to witness the intimate process of a song coming to fruition and an opportunity to observe some of Chicago’s best musicians at work.

The film will premier this coming Wednesday at the Naperville Independent Film Fest where it will be shown at Ogden 6 Movie Theater, 1227 E Ogden Avenue, Naperville, IL 60563. Show time is from 7-00 PM and after the screening Jim, Nick, Carol, Lisa and Terry will be on hand to answer questions and share stories about the making of the film.

Tickets are priced at just $3 and for more information contact the theater on 630 357 5050

Check back here soon for more news on ‘When It Comes From The Heart – The Journey Of A Song’

Don Diego - A New Beginning

Blue Canoe Records is an independent label based outside of Atlanta GA with a mission to bridge the gap between creativity and commerce. With dedication, vision and determination Blue Canoe strives to endow the artists for which it is responsible with unparalleled marketing, distribution and licensing opportunities. The latest recipient of this hands on approach is contemporary jazz sax player Don Diego whose latest CD ‘A New Beginning’ is as soulful as it is smooth. For this, his fifth solo recording, Diego has fashioned eleven original compositions and is joined by vocalist and co-writer Wayne Stalling plus Al James and Tyrone Smith on keys. The result is a slice of smooth R & B the like of which a whole generation of disenfranchised soul lovers has long been searching for.

Darren Rahn Tops The Billboard Chart With Talk Of The Town

Hot news is that the horn driven title cut from Darren Rahn’s current album ‘Talk Of The Town’ is now sitting pretty at the top of the Billboard charts. Replete with Rahn’s fabulous playing on sax, the track finds him in the company of his brother Jason on trumpet and flugelhorn. Indeed this deliciously in your face number is everything edgy contemporary jazz should be and is a standout in a collection crammed full of them. Out on nuGroove Records, the CD is Rahn’s third solo project after ‘Once In A Lifetime’ and ‘Soulful’. It features nine original compositions and three of the best covers you will hear this year. Check it out; you will not be disappointed.

For more go to www.darrenrahn.com

Jessy J - True Love

When in 2008 sax player Jessica Spinella, aka Jessy J, released her debut CD ‘Tequila Moon’ a range of factors combined to make it one of the most hyped events of the year. Produced by Paul Brown, who also provided a significant writing input, the album merged smooth jazz with Latin sensibilities in a way that had rarely been done before. When her good, some would say stunning, looks are taken into consideration it is hardly surprising that within the genre the project quickly elevated her to star status. Now little more than a year later she is back with her sophomore effort ‘True Love’. It moves Jessy J closer yet to her Latin heritage while again drawing heavily on Paul Brown’s talents as a writer, producer and performer. With stellar contributions from bass player Roberto Vally, keyboard maestro Gregg Karukas and drummer Sergio Gonzalez, ‘True Love’ is already well on the way to emulating the success of ‘Tequila Moon’.

Elan Trotman - This Time Around

Those who enjoy their smooth jazz exceptionally smooth should look no further than ‘This Time Around’, the brand new release from Barbadian sax-man Elan Trotman. It is Trotman’s fourth CD and the first that majors specifically on contemporary jazz yet, given his previous efforts were built around themes of Caribbean music, gospel and jazz; one wonders what took him so long to find a smooth groove. However, found it he has and with thirteen original tunes plus two covers there is more than enough on offer for Trotman to show that this is where he belongs.

Miss'n You From DeNate Headed To Radio

The album ‘Reminisce’ by DeNate (Dee-Nah-Tay) was arguably one of the best contemporary jazz releases of 2008. Not only did it herald the then brand new pairing of keyboard player Nate Harasim and vocalist Deborah Connors but also revealed a knack the duo have for coming up with songs that are sometimes catchy, often hypnotic and invariably memorable. The jewel in the crown was their own composition ‘Miss’n You’ which I immediately inserted into my listing of top twenty smooth jazz tracks for that year. This incredibly turned down gem finds Connors in typically sultry mode, Harasim picture perfect on keys and Michael Powell making an understated, yet colossal, contribution on guitar.

Now, over twelve months after the initial release date nuGroove Records has slated ‘Miss’n You’ for radio play. It is sure to do well.

Rick Braun - All It Takes

Not only is Rick Braun the leading smooth jazz trumpeter of his era, his pre-eminent position in the genre has, over the years, led to the formation of some stunning partnerships. After ushering in the millennium with Boney James and their ‘Shake It Up’ project he went on to perform with Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown under the collective name of BWB. Perhaps his most significant pairing has been with Richard Elliot with whom he founded the independent ARTizen label and recorded the critically acclaimed ‘R & R’. Now, by combining with writer, producer and keyboard player Philippe Saisse for his brand new CD ‘All It Takes’, he has done it again. In reality 2009 has already been quite a year for Saisse. His own hit album ‘At World’s Edge’ put him right back in the contemporary jazz spotlight and his extensive input to ‘Good Day’ by Peter White can only serve to elevate his reputation even further. In fact for ‘All It Takes’ Braun and Saisse together write a total of six songs and co-produce throughout. The ten track tour de force is further enhanced by a solo composition from Saisse and even at this stage it seems certain that ‘All It Takes’ will cement Braun’s position as number one in his field.

Marcin Nowakowski - Better Days

Although contemporary jazz saxophonist Marcin Nowakowski is a well known performer in his native Poland, his brand new album ‘Better Days’ is a direct result of a visit he recently made to Los Angeles. It afforded him the opportunity to work with some of the genres A-list musicians including bass player Alex Al, drummer Tony Moore and the great percussionist Lenny Castro. In so doing he has conjured up a collection of the highest quality which adds substantially to a discography that was last impacted in 2005 with the release of his superb ‘Smooth Night’. At the time I commented he was staking a serious claim to be considered as a solo artist and on the evidence of ‘Better Days’ he has achieved that and then some.

Peter White - Good Day

As well as being the United Kingdom’s most illustrious contemporary jazz export Peter White has created his own special place in the genre with a distinctive sound built entirely around rhythm and melody that is often embellished with touches of exciting production. Indeed, for almost twenty years White’s music has defined the essence of smooth jazz. However, although his previous releases, the 2006 ‘Playin Favorites’ and ‘Peter White Christmas’ that followed a year later, proved to be significant successes, his last all original CD was ‘Confidential’ in 2004. At the time I commented that it was his finest work to date but now he is back with the outstanding ‘Good Day’. Set for worldwide release on September 8 the album features ten all new self penned compositions plus significant production and performing input from the exceptional Philippe Saisse.

Joe McBride - Lookin' For A Change

‘Lookin' For A Change’ is the aptly titled and brand new release from smooth jazz pioneer Joe McBride. A departure from own special brand of piano led contemporary jazz, the album provides interesting reinterpretations of nine familiar pop tunes (plus three McBride originals) that he frames within ‘straight ahead’ jazz arrangements and delivers in classic jazz quartet format. It is his eighth recording for Heads Up International and his first since ‘Texas Hold Em’ in 2005 which at the time I described as being the classic Joe McBride blend of contemporary jazz and R&B. He is an artist who for the past twenty five years has helped shape a genre and he brings all this experience and more to the delightful ‘Lookin' For A Change’.

Najee - Mind Over Matter

Well known for his classy virtuosity, sax and flute player Najee has been one of the most influential figures in contemporary jazz for the past twenty five years. He enjoyed his first big break in 1983 when, with his brother Fareed, he toured with Chaka Khan. This in turn brought him to the attention of producer Charles Huggins and it was through Huggins that Najee cut his debut long player for EMI, ‘Najees Theme’, in 1986. The album went platinum and two years later this success was repeated with the follow up ‘Day By Day’. Since then Najee has added seven more releases plus one ‘best of’ collection and has garnered four ‘gold discs’ along the way. Now he is back with his latest offering on the Heads Up International label, the charming ‘Mind Over Matter’.