Passing of a Legend Ralph McDonald (March 15, 1944-December 18.2011)

Ralph McDonald was a percussionist, song-writer, musical arranger, record producer, steelpan (drum) virtuoso and philanthropist. Ralph McDonald grew up in Harlem New York, his father was a calypsonian and bandleader who was from Trinidad and Tobago who went by the stage name was “Macbeth the Great”. Ralph McDonald’s musical talent in the steelpan drums landed him a job playing on the Harry Belafonte outfit when he was seventeen. Ralph McDonald left the Harry Belafonte after ten years that was in 1967. Ralph McDonald, Bill Eaton and William Salter formed the Antisia Music Inc. Ralph’s McDonalds big break came when he and William Slater wrote “Where Is The Love” recorded by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway in 1971. This song is a classic and one of my all-time favorites. It won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. It also sold a million copies and was awarded gold status. Ralph McDonald played on this song. Ralph McDonald was best known for is song “Just the Two of Us” a mega hit by sung Bill Withers and Mr. Magic also done by saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. The story behind “Just the Two of Us” (came to Ralph MacDonald after a glossy brochure in the showcase of a Trinidad and Tobago Tourist Board New York office caught his eye (The Tourist Board is the precursor to the Trinidad and Tobago Tourism Development Company). On the cover of the brochure was a picture of a girl on a warm sunny Tobago beach inviting the US tourist to come to the twin-isle tropical state to "discover the both of us". It must have at once brought back a yearning for home, as Ralph immediately began humming a melody built upon lyrics centered around the catchy phrase :)

I see the crystal raindrops fall And the beauty of it all Is when the sun comes shining through To make those rainbows in my mind And I think of you sometime And I want to spend sometime with you

Just the two of us...

This is in my opinion one of the prettiest lyrical songs and another one of my favorites. Ralph McDonald recorded with hundreds of artist I’m going to list a few Burt Bacharach, George Benson, David Bowie, Aretha Franklin, Art Garfunkel, Billy Joel, Quincy Jones, Carole King, Miriam Makeba, David Sanborn, Paul Simon, Steely Dan, James Taylor, Luther Vandross, Amy Winehouse, Bob James, Ashford and Simpson, Nana Mouskouri, The Average White Band, Hall and Oates, The Brothers Johnson, and Jimmy Buffett. Ralph McDonald was featured percussionists on George Benson’s “Breezin” album in 1976, Carole King’s “Thoroughbred” album 1975 and Looking Glass’s “Subway Serenade” album in 1973. I’m writing this blog on Ralph McDonald because of my husband Bryant Mills who is a drummer. He always talked to me about his two idols Ralph McDonald and Harvey Mason ever since we met back in 1984. He would say his playing style came from Ralph McDonald and Harvey Mason. People need to know the history behind songs who wrote them and why they were written. Ralph McDonald was great musician, he will be missed.

LM

Wayman Tisdale

Wayman Lawrence Tisdale born June 9, 1964 Wayman grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma he was a preacher’s kid, he had two older brothers. Wayman was a professional basketball player in the NBA and a smooth jazz bass guitarist. Wayman’s first love was music where he played bass at his father’s church. When he was in the eighth grade he learned how to dunk he became a great player. His freshman and sophomore year at Tulsa High School he won award for the most points scored in a game his record still stands to this day. Wayman was three times Big Eight Conference Player of the Year and the first collegiate player to be named first team All American by the Associated Press his freshman, sophomore and junior year. Wayman Tisdale was drafted to the NBA as second pick by the Indiana Pacers in 1985; he also played Sacramento Kings and the Phoenix Suns. Wayman Tisdale played in the NBA from 1985 through 1996; he retired in 1997 to focus on his music career. In 1995 Wayman Tisdale came out with his is first album called “Power Forward”. In 2001 “Face to Face” is second album went to No. 1 on Billboards contemporary jazz chart. Wayman’s album “Rebound” was released after his cancer diagnoses in 2007. Wayman Tisdale musical influences were the funk bands of the 1970’s. I had the pleasure to see Wayman Tisdale live at the Oakland Arts & Wine festival he put on a great show; he had the crowd on their feet. When he was done the crowd was shouting more, he was a great musician and showman. Wayman Tisdale has a new album that was released on November 21, 2011 called “The Wayman Tisdale Story”; this album is jazzy, funky and soulful. I really like this album, the songs “Tell It Like It Tis”, “It’s Alright”, “Ready To Hang”, “Let’s Ride”, “Gabrielle”, “Glory Glory” and “Cryin For Me” is my favorites. This album has a little something for the jazz heads and the funksters. You can listen to Wayman Tisdale on Streetwise Radio.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayman_Tisdale

Tony Saunders Romancing the Bass.

Tony Saunders the son of the late great keyboardist Merl Saunders was destine to be a musician. Merl Saunders got his son Tony started at an early age, by the time he was five he was singing. At the age of eight was playing the piano and his teachers were Herbie Hancock and Sly Stone, when he was ten Sly gave him an organ. Tony was awarded a prestigious fellowship to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music for the piano. Tony started playing the bass at the age of fourteen. Tony his brother Merl Jr., and Sister Susan known as The Man Child Singers wrote a jingle for the San Francisco Giants in 1969. When Tony was eighteen he began playing with Merl Saunders & the Rainforest Band as a featured musician. Other musicians who had an influence in Tony’s love of the bass were Chuck Rainey, Jack Cassidy and John Kahn. Tony was turned on to James Jamerson by John Kahn and Tony modeled his playing after all of his teachers. Tony was also influenced by other great bass players like Stanley Clarke, Alphonso Johnson, Rufus Reid, Ralphe Armstrong and Marcus Miller. Tony Saunders also has a love for Gospel music, when he has at the age of fourteen he met the Hawkins they inspired him to play the bass. Tony has played with some of Gospels greats like Andrae Crouch, the Clark Sisters, Reverend James Moore, Daryl Coley, James Cleveland and the Williams Brothers. Tony Saunders also gives back to his community and charities he has performed on behalf of Seva Foundation, the Rex Foundation, Rock for Hope, the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic, and the Rainforest Action Network. Tony Saunders Tony Saunders has a new CD that is to be released October 26, 2011, called “Romancing The Bass” this album has an piano solo by Merl Saunders on the song “Song for my Dad” this is a beautiful song. I also like “Heart Song” and “Melody In My Heart”. Tony Saunders CD release party is at Yoshi’s in San Francisco on October 26. 2011 if your in San Francisco stop by you will have a great time. You can listen to Tony Saunders “Romancing The Bass” on Streetwise Radio.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Saunders_%28bassist%29

Trombone Shorty

Troy Andrews (Trombone Shorty) born January 2, 1986 has music in his blood. Trombone Shorty grew up in the Treme neighborhood of New Orleans’;he played in brass bands as a child and was a bandleader at the age of six. Trombone Shorty is the younger brother of James Andrews’s trumpeter and bandleader and he is the grandson of singer/songwriter Jessie Hill. In 2005, Trombone Shorty went on tour with Lenny Kravitz’s horn section. When the levees broke in New Orleans on August 29, 2005 Trombone Shorty along with other musicians from New Orleans got together in Austin Texas to do a benefit CD called “Sing Me Back Home”. I first heard Trombone Shorty’s music last year while I was riding in the car with my husband; I like the songs “Show Me Something Beautiful.” This young brother has played with various artists of different genres of music like U2, Green Day, Dave Mathews Band, Eric Clapton, Lenny Kravitz, Dr John and Wynton Marsalis one of my favorite trumpets players. Trombone Shorty performed in my hometown of San Jose California at the 2011 San Jose Jazz Festival I did not get to see him. I think this young brother is going to be around for sometime bringing that Trombone Shorty New Orleans jazz funk sound. 




LM http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trombone_Shortyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u2btTS9FL4

BRANFORD MARSALIS Performs at YOSHI'S San Fransisco

An Evening With BRANFORD MARSALIS

Sep 21-Sep 25, 2011

An evening with one of the most innovative and forward-thinking jazz ensembles today

Phone: 415.655.5600Phone: 415.655.5600

• Wednesday: 8pm $30, 10pm $20 
• Thursday & Friday: 8pm $40, 10pm $30
• Saturday: 8pm & 10pm $40
• Sunday: 7pm $40, 9pm $30

       

Branford Marsalis

NEA Jazz Master, renowned Grammy Award®-winning saxophonist and Tony Award® nominee composer Branford Marsalis is one of the most revered instrumentalists of his time. The three-time Grammy Award® winner has continued to exercise and expand his skills as an instrumentalist, a composer, and the head of Marsalis Music, the label he founded in 2002 that has allowed him to produce both his own projects and those of the jazz world’s most promising new and established artists.

Marsalis made his Broadway debut as the composer of original music for the Tony Award® winning Broadway revival of August Wilson’s play “Fences”. Marsalis received a Tony nomination in the category of “Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre” and a 2010 Drama Desk Award® for “Outstanding Music in a Play” for his participation.

Leader of one of the finest jazz Quartets today, and a frequent soloist with classical ensembles, Branford has become increasingly sought after as a featured soloist with such acclaimed orchestras as the Chicago, Detroit, Düsseldorf, and North Carolina Symphonies and the Boston Pops, with a growing repertoire that includes compositions by Copland, Debussy, Glazunov, Ibert, Mahler, Milhaud, Rorem and Vaughn Williams. His propensity for innovative and forward-thinking compels him to seek new and challenging works by modern classical composers such as modern Scottish composer Sally Beamish who, after hearing Branford perform her composition “The Imagined Sound of Sun on Stone” at the 2006 North Sea Jazz Festival, was inspired to re-conceive a piece in progress, “Under the Wing of the Rock,” which he premiered as part of the Celtic Connections festival Beamish’s home country of Scotland in January 2009.

Making his first appearance with the New York Philharmonic in the summer of 2010, Marsalis was again invited to join them as soloist in their 2010-2011 concert series where he unequivocally demonstrated his versatility and prowess, bringing “a gracious poise and supple tone… and an insouciant swagger” (New York Times) to the repertoire.

In 2011, the National Endowment for the Arts conferred the prestigious Jazz Masters Fellowship on the Marsalis Family, a celebration and acknowledgement of a family described by the New York Times as “jazz’s most storied living dynasty”, who have made an indelible mark, collectively and individually, on the history and the future of jazz, America’s art form.

Songs of Mirth and Melancholy

On Songs, the mutual admiration between Marsalis and Calderazzo is expressed through music that is the result of close listening, cooperation, and continuous adjustment to one another’s musical ideas. Branford says,“The duo is more like classical chamber music. You have to listen to each other or it doesn’t work.” Joey adds that they challenge each other to step up their playing; “I put myself out there now, painting myself into corners to see if I can figure out the puzzle.” The musicians both treat the duo performance as an opportunity for something completely unique from their performances together in the Branford Marsalis Quartet.“… the object is not to play in the same way that you play in other situations. You have to change the conversation as well as the setting. Once you know the form, you can just react to each other, which you can’t do when a group gets larger.”

Songs includes three original compositions from Marsalis, four from Calderazzo, a cover of a Wayne Shorter’s “Face on the Barroom Floor,” and Brahms’s “Die Trauernde,” which Marsalis identifies as “the inspiration for how we approach everything as a duo.” Marsalis and Calderazzo recorded Songsclose to home at Durham, North Carolina’s Hayti Center. Marsalis describes the room as having qualities that “studios and concert halls pay millions to achieve. The sound is incredibly intimate,and very naked.”

The same could be said of the sounds that Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo have brought forth on Songs of Mirth and Melancholy. Neighbors, golf buddies,teaching colleagues, longtime band members and friends, Marsalis and Calderazzo share with their listeners a passionate and profound duo collection.

Whether on the stage, in the recording studio, in the classroom or in the community, Branford Marsalis embodies a commitment to musical excellence and a determination to keep music at the forefront.

For More Info, Visit Branford Marsalis' Website!

Yoshi's San Francisco is located at 1330 Fillmore at Eddy on the ground floor of the Fillmore Heritage Center. Yoshi's is on the ground floor on the front side of the building. Valet parking or self parking is available in the garage directly beneath the building. Garage entrance is on Eddy 

Phone: 415.655.5600

Q&A with Saxophonist Ranzel Merritt, Jr. By Shelah Moody

Q&A with Saxophonist Ranzel Merritt, Jr.

By Shelah Moody

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            Saxophonist Ranzel Merritt, Jr. epitomizes the word “prodigy.” Watching him perform Charlie Parker’s “Billie’s Bounce” on YouTube, you can see that this 18-year-old is already an accomplished musician, giving artists such as Branford Marsalis and Kenny Garrett a run for their money. Merritt comes by his talent honest; his father, Ranzel Merritt, Sr., is a renowned jazz drummer who has played and toured with Pharaoh Saunders, the David Murray, Last Poets and Ed Kelly among others.

            The Ranzel Merritt, Jr., recently graduated from the Oakland School for the Arts. During this year’s AfroSolo performance, Merritt will lead his own band of talented young musicians, including Omree Gal-Oz (piano) Chris Jefferies (standing bass) and Malachi Whitson (drums). This summer, Merritt performed at an outdoor concert for peace as part of the 2011 AfroSolo Arts Festival. 

 

Q: Where did your amazing talent come from? Did you demonstrate a natural ability to play before you studied music in school?

 

A: First of all, my dad is the one who inspired me to start music. Since I was a baby, I was going to his gigs and I grew up around the cats. He inspired me to pick up an instrument and start making music, but he never forced it on me, which was a good thing. I fell in love with music. I started in the fourth grade at Peralta Elementary School in Oakland. I started off on drums, but they didn’t really work for me, so I started playing the saxophone in the elementary school band. From there, in the sixth grade, I got into the Young Musicians Program at U.C. Berkeley.  That’s when I started really getting serious about my music and taking everything to another level, because I saw kids my same age who were playing really well and kicking my butt.

 

Q: My father was also a jazz musicians, and I know that we musician’s kids, grow up under unique set of circumstances.

 

A: It is definitely different than what everybody else goes through. As a musician’s kid, you learn things a lot faster. You mature a lot faster, too, because you are around the club scene a lot. You experience things that most people experience when they are adults. It’s a wonderful experience. I’m glad I have two parents in the house.

 

Q: Describe your past experience working with AfroSolo.

 

A: When I first worked with AfroSolo, I was young; I was in the ninth grade, I was young, and I had only been playing the tenor saxophone for two years. I was still getting used to the instruments. I had my brother on drums and my dad’s friend on bass. I really don’t remember who I had on piano, but it was a good gig. I enjoyed it, it was a lot of fun, the crowd was great and they had a lot of great bands that day. It was really cool, it was a wonderful experience just being on the show and having the opportunity to work with Thomas and AfroSolo. It was a big deal.

 

Q: What players do you listen to nowadays?

 

A: In terms of jazz, Kenny Garrett has definitely influenced me. I had the opportunity to play with Kenny at Yoshi’s nightclub when I was in the tenth grade. That was a great opportunity. Also James Carter, Joshua Redman-- all of the cats who came up in the 1980s and 1990s have influenced me. Definitely, the older cats like Dexter Gordon, Charlie Parker and John Coltrane. I’m definitely loving Branford Marsalis right now.

 

Q: As a young person, how do you feel that music can promote peace and unity?

 

A: Music can promote a lot of things nowadays, to tell the truth. So many people are into music such as hip hop, rap. There are so many ways that artists such as Jay-Z and Beyonce put out their music and influence a lot of people. The Last Poets are a really good example of artists who promote peace and power. Also, Common and Lupe Fiasco.  They promote some good things. People like John Coltrane promoted positive energy and good vibes, not negative stuff. As long as you are putting out positive thoughts and energy, people are definitely going to love you and pass it on.

 

Q: What are your current goals in terms of music?

 

A: First, I want to finish college. I also want to continue with my own band, doing my own pieces. I want to get my master’s degree either in New York or in L.A. at the Thelonius Monk Institute.  I want to travel around the world. I want to get signed.  I want to play other types of music. I started out playing gospel music in church. I’ve played everything, I’ve played rock, show tunes; I’ve done R&B gigs. If I can express myself like I do with jazz, I will definitely play it.   

Daniel D. Amazing Violist

The only thing that came to me when I first heard Daniel D was Wow! This young musician is truly amazing; he plays the violin so beautifully.Daniel D is a young 22 year old talent from Charleston South Carolina.Daniel D discovered his gift at the age of 12 year old; he grew up in the church. When he graduated from the School of Arts in 2007, he went on a world tour with the T-bone Ministries. In 2009 he released his first album ‘Play For Me’ soon after that he was opening for Jamie Foxx and Kayne West on B.E.T’s 106 & Park. Daniel D has performed for celebrities like President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, T.V. host Larry King and for Michael Jackson at Jessie Jackson’s birthday party. Daniel D released his

second album ‘Serenade’ in 2010.

Daniel D’s first album “Play For Me” is an Urban Jazz at its finest. The song “Play For Me” in which the album is titled is one of my favorites. Daniel D has two hot singles on this album “I Want You” and “That Guy”. On this album Daniel D has two classics like Quiet Storm, Sweet Thang. I think you urban jazz lovers will enjoy this album it is easy listening. Daniel D’s went another direction on his second album ‘Serenade’, this album has a Hip Hop R&B fill. Daniel D is Serenading you with his brilliant playing of his violin on the Serenade song. I really like the song ‘Symphony’ it is a catchy tune. Daniel D other hot single on this the song ‘Fly Away featuring Faith Lyn’ it is an inspirational song. Daniel D is a talent that we will be hearing a lot more of, he is truly has a gift.

LM

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http://www.danieldmusic.com/

.usic.com/

De Phazz Hits Streetwise Radio

This group is one of my favorites. The combination of modern jazzy grooves and hip beats is refreshing when you can hear them on radio. Because we are changing the way you listen to music, you can hear them here on Streetwise Radio.


Bio:
M. Ealey


De Phazz is a downtempo jazz ensemble integrating modern turntablism and elements of soul, latin,trip hop and drum and bass into a lounge music sound. De Phazz is led by Pit Baumgartner, a German producer who changes his crew for every new album. Some of the more permanent members are Karl Frierson and Pat Appleton. Since the release of Detunized Gravity and Godsdog, De Phazz have appeared on the radar of listeners of equally innovative and sample-driven jazz by the likes of Amon Tobin and The Cinematic Orchestra. The band has released records on Mole Listening Pearls and Universal Jazz Germany along with single releases on Edel Records and United Recordings, and also remixes existing material.

Clarence Clemons (The Big Man) January 11, 1942-June 18, 2011

The Big Man Clarence Anicholas Clemons Jr. the tenor saxophone player in Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band passed away from complications of a stroke he had suffered on June 12, 2011. Clarence Clemons played on various musicians albums. Clarence did a vocal duet with Jackson Browne ’You’re a Friend of Mine’ and “Freeway of Love’ Arethea Franklin’s hit single. He also collaborated on Lady Gaga songs “Hair and ’The Edge of Glory’ from her Born This Way album. Clarence Clemons was not only a musician he was also an actor as well. Clarence Clemons made his screen debut in Martin Scorsese’s musical New York, New York in 1977, where he played a Trumpet Player. Clarence also played one of the ’Three Most Important People In The World’ in the film Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure in 1985. Clarence Clemons guest stared on Diff’rent Strokes where he helped Arnold Jackson (Gary Coleman) to play the Sax. Clarence Clemons appeared twice on the episode The Wire, as a youth-program organizer. Clarence Clemons was a great Saxophone player who will be part of history in the music world. I never got to see Clarence Clemons in person, but seeing him on videos was a treat. Clarence Clemons Saxophone playing will be missed.


LM


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_Clemons

Alvin Batiste

Alvin Batiste was a New Orleans clarinetist often referred to as a "Legendary Pioneer of Jazz.  He was a true Renaissance man- considered a music pioneer, master teacher, outstanding composer, arranger, an inspiring mentor, as well as a stellar performer. He was also an explorative, avant-garde player who wrote countless musical arraignments but remained under-recognized and under-recorded throughout his career.

Batiste, who was a childhood friend of Ed Blackwell and spent time in Los Angeles in 1956 playing with Ornette Coleman, could have “made it big” as a performer and recording artist. Instead, he chose the life of an educator in Louisiana.

He was the first African-American student to perform as a guest soloist playing with the New Orleans Philharmonic on Mozart’s Concerto.  He also played with the Ray Charles Orchestra and the American Jazz Quintet and recorded with AFO Records, the company credited with New Orleans Modern Jazz. He was a member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity, performed on two Julian Cannonball Adderly recordings, and made three albums with Clarinet Summit in the 1980s (a quartet also including John Carter, David Murray, and Jimmy Hamilton). He was later commissioned by the National Endowment for the Arts to compose a concerto for African instruments and orchestra. He went on to record only a handful of albums/CD’s between the 1980’s and his death in 2007; his last release- Marsalis Music Honors Series- Alvin Batiste, in which he played with Branford Marsalis and many other notable jazz musicians.   

Alvin’s career spanned more than five decades during which he received countless awards and honors. These include:

• The National Association of Jazz Educators’ National Humanitarian Award
• The International Association of Jazz Educators’ Lifetime Achievement Award
• Offbeat Magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Art Education
• Governor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Art Education
• The Southern University Distinguished Service Award
• Southern University’s Jazz Institute (founded by Batiste) renamed the Alvin Batiste Jazz Institute
• The Louis Armstrong Award
• National Black Music Caucus Outstanding Achievement Award
• Big Easy Awards- 1995 Jazz Artist of the Year
• The Jay Hay Fellows Award
• The Artist Fellowship Award by the Louisiana Division of the Arts

Through out his career, Alvin played and explored in several musical streams; jazz, classical, gospel, blues, diasporan (Cuba, Brazil, and African) and computer-based music. He performed regularly at a variety of local venues between New Orleans and Baton Rouge including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, He hosted the radio show Jazz Sessions at WBRH and conducted workshops/seminars at various universities including Harvard http://www.myspace.com/alvinbatiste/music 
http://www.alvinbatiste.net/University, Yale University, University of Michigan, Michigan State, UCLA, University of Paris, and University of Bamako (Mali). He appeared in concert throughout West Africa, Europe, and the United States including Carnegie Hall.

Ray Piper

Born in Melbourne, Australia in 1950 he began playing and studying guitar at age 15. He played professionally in Melbourne for 5 years before going to L.A. to study with jazz great Joe Pass in 1973-74. He immigrated to Canada in 1975 performing in various bands while studying jazz, composition and arranging at Vancouver Community College and Capilano College. He then went on to study composition, electronic music and music for dance and theatre for three years at Simon Fraser University.


Ray has travelled to Brazil many times, concentrating on exploring different areas of the country and their unique musical styles. He studied there with great Brazilian guitarists Marco Pereira, Cristina Azuma and Paulinho Noguera as well as Celso Machado in vancouver. In 2007 he returned to Brazil and attended the choro festival in Sao Pedro and then went and studied at Escola Portatil in Rio for three months with Mauricio Carrilho, Rogerio Caetano, Luis Flavio and other teachers at the school. He also worked on composition with Marcilio Lopes and Rogerio Souza and wrote choro works as well as attending regular choro circles playing 7 string guitar. His compositions draw on the many different styles of music found all over Brazil and the many musicians he performed with and who inspired him there especially the choro players.

He returned to Brazil in 2009 to record the CD “Ray Piper Sabor Do Rio” which was a culmination of the previous trip and was recorded in Rio and completed in Vancouver. He wrote additional material for the CD which was recorded with Ronaldo do Bandolim, Marcilio Lopes, Rogerio Souza, Eduardo Neves, Jorge Helder, Erivelton Silva, Jorginho Silva, Durval Pereira , Kiko Horta, Jaimie Vignoli, Tom Keenlyside, Michael Creber, Joao Hermeto and Fernanda Cunha who wrote the lyrics to the Bossa Novas. The tunes he composed reflect a jazz player's love of the music and people of Brazil.


Ray has performed throughout North, Central and South America and Australia at concerts, clubs and festivals, He has performed regularly at the Vancouver International Jazz festival, Victoria International Jazz festival has appeared at the Film Festival, Sea Fest, Harrison festival of the Arts. Has been featured on CBC's Hot Air with Neil Ritchie and West Coast Groove. His first CD Ray Piper and Fantazea was nominated for a West Coast music award.

Curtis Mcdonald's New Song "Manhattan" Now Playing On The Jazz Cafe.

We have been playing a number of songs from this brilliant artist on streetwise radio for a few months now. 

Curtis is about to release a new CD "Manhattan"

and what I have heard it is another great jazz  master peace. Listen to the Jazz Cafe and the song "Manhattan". He really captures the ambient sounds of New York.

Michael K. Ealey  

Biography

Curtis Macdonald creates reflective, passionate and emotional instrumental compositions that weave a tapestry of Downtempo, Chill, New Age and Smooth Acid Jazz into a sound uniquely its own: An effervescent and transparent wash of modern electronica with lyrical piano melodies and improvised solos. Memorable elements that compliment each piece with a romantic and soulful approach that has become a signature of his artistic style.

Signed to the independent label EverSound with Allegro distribution in 2002, Curtis has had two major releases, “Shadow Crossing” [EVM-3515] and “Everlasting” [EVM-3524] and is featured on many compilations as well as the newly released “EverSound 10th Anniversary” [EVM-3527].
His music is available at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Walmart, iTunes, Amazon.com and many internet retailers.

His music has considerable airplay on Sirius Satellite Radio’s SPA 73, as well as many radio streaming websites. He charted in the New Age Reporter’s Top 100 artist of 2007, received Grammy nomination consideration for “Everlasting”, has won a variety of accolades and has a global fan base that continues to anticipate more new music from this emerging artist.

A self taught artist that became a graduate composer from California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California, Curtis continues to create image inspiring music. As well as an artist with his own “brand” of music, he has been a contributor to the entertainment industry for over 20 years as a composer for film, television, and new media.

http://www.myspace.com/curtismacdonald AVALIBLE April 5, 2011 .

RUSH HOUR with Jerry Grant and the L.A. NuJazz Alternative

BIOGRAPHY

Having had a career in film composition since 1978, Composer/Conductor Jerry J. Grant has scored and supervised or conducted nearly 500 episodes of television film and features.

Jerry began his career as a jazz/studio musician in Detroit, contributing to MOTOWN tracks, while composing and performing in the concert medium. He attended WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY where he received a first degree in music and subsequently attended the DETROIT INSTITUTE OF MUSICAL ARTS. While serving in the U.S. Army, Jerry was chosen for the faculty at the band training school. Entering the All Army entertainment contest, he became a finalist with his co-led jazz group. From there he was chosen to be musical director and arranger for the ROLLING ALONG SHOW (a 25 member variety review) which toured the world entertaining military personnel. Relocating to Los Angeles and continuing an advanced degree in composition at USC, he became a studio performing musician on saxophone and flute and began vocal, string and horn arranging for records as well as songwriting, landing a contract at ABC records.

The year 1999 signalled a return to his roots with a new alternative jazz/rock orchestra, the music being an eclectic blend of dramatic music, jazz, rock and symphonic techniques. The NUJAZZ ALTERNATIVE was born with a CD being released in 2001.

Studying conducting while receiving a master's degree in composition from CAL STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE led to conducting the musicals HELLO DOLLY, MAME and CABARET. Jerry was also the guest conductor at the Sun Valley Idaho Summer Symphony, conducted the premiere of his composition, ALCHEMY, with the UCLA Wind Ensemble in 2000 and conducted the premiere of his work, CLASSICAL SERENADE with the Music in the Mountains Chamber Orchestra in 2006. He also performs with the Nevada County Composer's Cooperative.

His experience includes conducting many motion pictures and television shows for other composers in Los Angeles. As an orchestrator, he has created glittering sounds for DISNEY ON ICE for years as a well as contributing to feature films.

Jerry taught Composing and Conducting for Film at UCLA for 12 years and currently is a visiting professor at CSU CHICO in composition and orchestration. As a member of the SCL (Society of Composers and Lyricists) he served on the board of directors, headed the SCL's seminar program as well as their representative to BMI. He is a member of BMI. 

All original compositions, the project is a challenging blend of pre-programmed digital audio (synths, percussion, strings and keyboards) and 13 live musicians. The CD RUSH HOUR with Jerry Grant and the L.A. NuJazz Alternative, features L.A.'s finest studio artists. They include:

  Jerry Grant - Composer/Conductor and programming

  Phil Feather - Alto Sax, flute, piccolo, English horn

  Glen Garrett - Soprano and tenor sax, flute

  Jay Mason - Baritone sax, flute

  John Mitchell - Baritone sax, flute, bassoon

  Wayne Bergeron - Trumpet, flugelhorn

  John Fumo - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

  Alan Kaplan - Trombone

  Jim Atkinson - French horn

  Greg Williams - French horn

  Jim Self - Tuba, bass trombone, fluba

  Ross DeRoche - Tuba, bass trombone, fluba

  Alan Steinberger - Keyboards

  John Goux - Electric guitar

  Mitch Holder - Electric guitar

  Karl Vincent - Electric bass

  Willie Ornelas - Drums

  Brad Dutz – Percussion

ESPERANZA SPALDING

Esperanza Spalding won a Grammy award for Best New Artist. She grew up in the King neighborhood of Portland Oregon that she describes as the “ghetto” and “pretty scary”.Esperanza and her brother were raised by their mother. When Esperanza was four years old she was inspired to pursue a life in music while watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and classical cellist YoYo Ma. 

At the age of five Esperanza taught herself to play the violin and she started playing with the Chamber Music Society of Oregon. Esperanza stayed with the Chamber Music Society until she was fifteen and left as a concertmaster. Esperanza is a self taught musician, she also plays the oboe and the clarinet, but her love is the bass. Esperanza says discovering the bass was like "waking up one day and realizing you’re in love with a co-worker."

At the age of 15 or 16 Esperanza wrote lyrics for a local rock/pop band Noise for Pretend and started doing vocals for them. Esperanza’s vocal style is jazzy with a scanting quality about it.

Esperanza attended Berklee College of Music, but found it hard to meet living expenses even though she had a full scholarship. Esperanza started to give up music and go into political science; but jazz guitarist and composer Pat Metheny told Esperanza she had “the X Factor” and that she could make it if she applied herself. Esperanza toured with Patti Austin for three years and saxophonist Joe Lovano while attending Berklee. Esperanza was awarded the Boston Jazz Society scholarship for outstanding musicianship in 2005. That same year she was the first ever youngest professor in the institutions history, at the age of 20.

 I had not heard of Esperanza Spalding until she won the Grammy for Best New Artist. It is great that she won beating out the other artist in that category, Justin Beiber. To have a real musician who can play an instrument and sing in my opinion is great.

I hope the people who vote for the nominees realize that it’s not always about popularity. Esperanza Spalding is a great Jazz musician and singer and we will be hearing a lot more from her for years to come.


LM

http://wiki.ask.com/Esperanza_Spalding

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-rWNAQx1ZE

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