Smooth Jazz Therapy

Oasis Contemporary Jazz Awards - Keiko Matsui Added To Line-Up

Big news on this New Years Eve is that the wonderful Keiko Matsui has been added to the roster of those scheduled to appear at the 2011 Oasis Contemporary Jazz Awards which will take place in San Diego over the four days of March 10th to 13th 2011.

Yes, this is in addition to the forty six already named artists and, remember, you can be there, in San Diego, as a friend of Smooth Jazz Therapy. This is the very last day on which you can take advantage of the opportunity to purchase VIP packages for this incredible four day event at the special price of $300 per person.

When compared to the regular VIP ticket price this represents a saving of $45. To book now simply visit the ‘Friends of Sponsors Page’ at,

www.oasisjazzawards.com/sponsorgroup.php

Smooth Jazz Therapy - Top Ten Covers Of 2010

The smooth jazz cover has, in recent years, become something of an art form. Far removed from a straight forward copy of another artists work, these re-imaginings have breathed new life into music that, typically, originated in the classic soul era of the 60’s and 70’s. Even these boundaries have, of late, been frayed so, by way of paying homage to the very best that this sub genre has to offer, here is my very personal top ten Smooth Jazz Therapy covers of 2010.

‘Love TKO’ by Fourplay from their brand new release ‘Let’s Touch The Sky’. This notable collaboration between Fourplay and former American Idol winner Ruben Studdard came about after he appeared with Nathan East at an event in Washington DC. The result is Studdard’s stunning rendition of this Teddy Pendergrass smash.

‘Shaft’, by Alan Hewitt (pictured here), that can be found on his hot new recording, ‘Retroactive’. Blessed by the silky input of Steve Madaio, Will Donato and Steve Clark (who here masquerade under the name of the Desert Storm Horns) Hewitt’s feisty cover of the Isaac Hayes blockbuster checks all the right boxes.

Read on for the remainder of this year’s top ten covers. If you have your own list of favorite covers from 2010 why not e-mail it to me at [email protected]. Happy New Year!!

The Rippingtons Return With New Album For 2011

Inspired by Russ Freeman’s passion for the French people and the storied region of the French Riviera from which the CD takes its name, ‘Cote D’Azur’ by The Rippingtons is set for release on February 1, 2011.

All of the songs on ‘Cote D’Azur’ tell stories of Freeman’s extensive travels in France while in the company of his wife Yaredt Leon who is a hit songwriter in her own right. In fact she contributed tracks to the Rippingtons 2005 Latin-themed project ‘Wild Card’ and the album ‘Modern Art’ that was released in 2009.

After so many excursions to the country, and train trips from Paris to the Cote D’Azur, Freeman felt music stirring inside him that was exotic, deeper and more heartfelt than any he had ever written or produced before. He feels that both musically and technically, ‘Cote D’Azur’ takes the evolution of The Rippingtons to another level and with both the high energy title track and the closing number ‘Mesmerized’ being co-written by Freeman and Leon the band appear, despite its new found French connection, to be very much on familiar ground.

Smooth Jazz Therapy - Top Twenty Tracks Of 2010

In what turned out to be another wonderful year for Smooth Jazz Therapy we reviewed seventy two CD’s, reported on thirteen gigs and, along the way, picked up a nomination in the category Journalist of the Year at the American Smooth Jazz Awards. The way my readers keep coming back in ever increasing numbers never ceases to amaze me and it is totally down to all of you that the site remains the hottest place for contemporary jazz on the web. Thanks a million! Thanks also to the publicists, the record companies and of course the artists, both established and up and coming, who have all played a part by making their music so generously available. Therefore, accepting the self indulgence of it all, but by way of celebrating what has gone before, here are my own personal highlights of the year. In other words and in no particular order, my Smooth Jazz Therapy Top Twenty Tracks of 2010.

‘Another Love’ by Brian Culbertson from his sensational ‘XII’. With a thumping old school vibe and silkily soulful vocals from the always admirable Kenny Lattimore, smooth R & B doesn’t come better than this.

‘Fast Train To Anywhere’ by Chris Standring from his groundbreaking collection ‘Blue Bolero’. Clever production plus superb playing from Standring and violinist Barbra Porter make this unusual but completely accessible cut a real winner.

Read on for the remainder of this year’s top twenty and if you have your own list of favorites from 2010 why not e-mail it to me at [email protected]. Happy New Year!!

Oasis Contemporary Jazz Awards - And Then There Was 46

Hot news from the 2011 Oasis Contemporary Jazz Awards which will take place in San Diego over the four days of March 10th to 13th 2011 is that the number of performing artists has just been increased to an incredible forty six!

Remember you can be there as a friend of Smooth Jazz Therapy. For a limited time only we are offering readers the opportunity to purchase VIP packages for this incredible four day event at the special price of $300 per person.

When compared to the regular VIP ticket price this represents a saving of $45. To book now simply visit the ‘Friends of Sponsors Page’ at,

www.oasisjazzawards.com/sponsorgroup.php

Wayman Tisdale - The Fonk Record

Inspired by great funk artists like Bootsy Collins and Robert Wilson of the Gap Band, Wayman Tisdale had always wanted to create his own funky moniker. Sadly he passed away in 2009 but now the result of this ambition, ‘The Fonk Record Featuring Tiz & The Fonkie Planetarians’, has been posthumously released on Mack Avenue Records. Comprising eleven all-original songs, Tisdale’s own funky vocals, a crew of funky musicians and guest contributions from George Clinton, George Duke and Ali Woodson, this is a collection that confirms his scarcely hidden passion for high octane funk.

Indeed, those who were lucky enough to catch Tisdale in a live setting often gained small glimpses of his alter ego during those brief funk-filled interludes that were always part of his performances. Some of Tisdale’s biggest radio hits, songs that included ‘Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now’, ‘Get Down On It’ and ‘Can’t Hide Love’, were unique interpretations of funk and R&B classics. When he played his renditions of these songs in concert, it was then that the party really started.

Ronald Isley - Mr I

‘Mr I’ is the stunning new release from the legendary Ronald Isley. Not only is it his first foray into solo recording but also celebrates an incredible milestone of 50 years in the music business. The album continues the Isley tradition of working with some of the industry’s hottest young producers and in addition to Fuego (who co-produces the first single to go to radio) Greg Curtis, Tricky Stewart, Kajun, and Song Dynasty all provide an input. Not only that, for all those who recognize the Isley’s as bridge builders between sensuous smooth soul and what is now known as urban jazz, this is a CD not to be missed.

Lisa McClowry In Holiday Mood

One particularly pleasing facet of this year’s new music has been the contribution of Chicago based vocalist Lisa McClowry. Her highly anticipated solo CD ‘Time Signatures’ included delightful collaborations with the Grammy-award winning Jim Peterik and featured some outstanding tracks. The smoky Peterik composition ‘Waiting For You’, and the easy grooving title cut were both cases in point whilst even better (and Smooth Jazz Therapy top track) was the hauntingly beautiful ‘Come Dancing’.

Now, available for download and ready for Christmas, comes Lisa’s seasonal offering ‘It Wouldn’t Feel Like Christmas’. It confirms the star quality of this superb singer and is sure to get you into the festive spirit.

Oasis Contemporary Jazz Awards - Be There As A Friend Of Smooth Jazz Therapy

Now for a fantastic chance to be part of the 2011 Oasis Contemporary Jazz Awards. For a limited time only Smooth Jazz Therapy is offering its readers the opportunity to purchase VIP packages for this incredible four day event at the special price of $300 per person.

When compared to the regular VIP ticket price this represents a saving of $45. To book now simply visit the ‘Friends of Sponsors Page’ at,

www.oasisjazzawards.com/sponsorgroup.php

The Oasis Contemporary Jazz Awards take place in San Diego over the four days of March 10th to 13th 2011 when forty contemporary jazz artists will perform at five different venues. In fact over sixteen incredible events are scheduled at locations right across the downtown area. Included will be a concert on the flight deck of the historic USS Midway while the Saturday evening awards ceremony will take place at the San Diego Civic Center.

This special price only applies until December 31, 2010 so reserve your place now. We look forward to seeing you there!

Jimmy Sommers Has A Holiday Wish

One festive album that has been around for quite a while but remains well worth seeking out is ‘A Holiday Wish’ by sax-man and musical chameleon Jimmy Sommers. His back to back releases ‘Sunset Collective’ and ‘Time Stands Still’ showed off very different sides of his musical persona while ‘A Holiday Wish’ (which was originally released back in 2004 on his own Gemini record label) finds him putting his inimitable stamp on twelve genuine Christmas classics.

It remains available on iTunes so check it out.

Dennis Angel Band - My Favorite Time Of The Year

Jazz collective the Dennis Angel Band has recorded an all original seasonal composition that is already being tipped to become a modern classic. ‘My Favorite Time Of The Year’ features the warm, soulful vocals of Chantele DiBrava and has already charted as #1 most added radio single on the Groove Jazz Music indicator. Written by trumpeter and bandleader Dennis Angel, the track has been produced by bass player David Shaich and arranged by pianist Joel Mofsenson. It is available digitally at all the usual outlets and a percentage of all sales will benefit the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation.

Spotlight On Zachary Breaux

Guitarist Zachary Breaux died in 1997, just a few months after recording the CD ‘Uptown Groove’. He was thirty six. Breaux had been vacationing in Miami Beach with his family when he went to the rescue of another swimmer who was in difficulties. The woman he tried to save, Eugenia Poleyeff, aged 66, of New York City, also died.

This potentially great artist had a style that was rooted in the music of George Benson. The funk-influenced ‘Uptown Groove’ climbed to #14 on Billboard's contemporary jazz chart with the radio single ‘Never Can Say Goodbye’ being especially popular. His earlier releases, the 1992 ‘Groovin’ and the even better 1994 follow up ‘Laid Back’ remain collectors items and the title track from ‘Laid Back’ can also be found on the 1995 compilation ‘Jazz Fusions Three’.

Bradley Leighton - Holiday of Lights

Smooth Jazz Therapy has been feeling in the Christmas spirit for some weeks and its latest musical stocking stuffer comes in the form of a brand new holiday album from San Diego based flautist Bradley Leighton. ‘Holiday of Lights’ finds him in combination with the Emmy award winning Allan Phillips and together they deliver a tranche of Christmas favourites that are re-imagined in a stylish fusion of modern Latin and Brazilian rhythms. These innovative and jazzy interpretations certainly provide a welcome addition to this years crop of seasonal offerings and as Venezuelan born Phillips creates an authentic Latin flavour it is Leighton who, in his own beautifully pure and heartfelt manner, adds some sumptuously timeless melodies.

Jim Adkins With New Single For Christmas

With Christmas right around the corner, the best seasonal smooth jazz cut so far is the fine new mix by guitarist Jim Adkins of the classic ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’. Released digitally, it not only captures the festive spirit but also taps into that distinctive Adkins sound that was so prevalent on his splendid 2008 album ‘City Streets’. Not only that, you can hear it right here at ‘Listen Here’. Simply select the track from the listing in the right hand side bar and enjoy.