Smooth Jazz Therapy has long been impressed with the excellent San Diego based Pacific Coast Jazz. By providing a coherent voice to musicians of many jazz persuasions it is providing a wonderful shop window for some of the best talent around. Not only that, with PCJ recording artists Tom Braxton and Art Sherrod Jr both about to launch major releases, the star of this rapidly emerging boutique label is clearly in the ascendancy. Now, in connection with its none jazz outlet, the cutely titled That Other Label, no less that five of its artists are being strongly tipped for nominations for the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.
Pianist Danny Green is listed in one eligible category. He recently picked up the ‘Best Jazz Album of the Year’ award from the San Diego Music Foundation for the outstanding ‘With You In Mind’ which continues to garner critical acclaim. Similarly, Washington DC based jazz collective Saltman Knowles is listed in one eligible category for its album, ‘Return of the Composer’.
Rob Thorsen, whose album, ‘Lasting Impression’ was featured in these pages earlier this year, is also listed in one category while Ramana Vieira, with her CD ‘Lágrimas De Rainha’ (that translates simply to ‘Tears Of A Queen’) brings her images of ‘old world’ Portugal to two categories. Finally the exceptionally gifted Sara Wasserman, together with her producer Randy Emata and her splendid new record, ‘Solid Ground’ is listed in six eligible categories. It’s a recording that showcases her skills as a pop, jazz and rock vocalist and is one to watch.
For more on all these artists and to get the latest on what is hot at PCJ go to www.pacificcoastjazz.com