DJ Michael Ealey said I would like The Fusion Syndicate CD. Listening to the first two tunes “Random Acts of Science” and “Stone Cold Infusion” had me a little suspect about this CD. It did not have enough jazz for my liking. The guitar playing was too over powering. It sounded more like, rock musicians trying to play jazz. It seem to me they were just jamming. There is no cohesiveness between the players. As I continued listening to this CD I started to like it more. Specially the tunes “In The Spirit Of...” and “Molecular Breakdown” the sax work is great. The tune “At The Edge Of The Middle” was another tune that had all the musicians feeding off of each other. That is what I like to hear when I’m listening to Jazz fusion. This CD is real live musicians doing what they do best. Some of the featured musicians on this CD are Rick Wakeman, Billy Sherwood, Billy Cobham, Steve Morse and a host of others. Well, over all “The Fusion Syndicate” CD gets 4 out of 5 stars, because this CD is real music not all that synthesized crap. You can listen to songs from “The Fusion Syndicate” on Streetwise Radio. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on iTunes, Live365, MyGen365 and Athena365.

Joe Blessett Jazz Man of Mystery

Who is Joe Blessett? What does he look like? That is the one million dollar question. I know his music is composed, effortlessness, genuine and methodical. Joe Blessett says he’s not a musician and that music is his vice. Well, I must say if he not a musician, then what are these music stars of today called. It is puzzling to me, because his music features acoustic instruments, electronic instruments which blend well with his writing skills. Joe Blessett’s touch of funk and a lot of sax is very pleasing to the smooth jazz and the modern jazz fan. I love his sound. Joe Blessett is a true composer and writer. Joe Blessett’s 2011 album “Chillin Out In Dark Places” is a compilation of him sitting back in dark places and observing life. Like he says in his bio “What I see composed into musical composition. Music is life moving at different speeds heading two different directions moving along separately, but in unison creating a fluid motion and providing peace to those who will listen.” Joe Blessett is a guy of mystery. His music is in my opinion jazzy, funky and mellow. The songs Better Days, East Shore, Rainy Season, Chillin out in Dark Places, Friends, Wine & Good Times Warm Summer Night are my favorites. I like these songs because of the bluesy, jazzy sax playing. I know I’m a Joe Blessett fan now. If you have never heard of Joe Blessett you can listen to some of his music on Streetwise Radio. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on ITunes, Athena365, MyGen365 and Live365. 

LM

http://www.joeblessett.com/index.html

Incognito "Surreal"

Hey Incognito fans! Their 15 album “Surreal” is just what I expected from this Acid jazz, jazz funk, soul jazz, soul, nu jazz, pop British band. I have been listening to Incognito since their debut album “Jazz Funk”, which was released in 1981. They never stop making wonderful music. The band consists of frontman, composer, record producer, guitarist and singer is Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick. Other notable members that make up this amazing band are singers Jocelyn Brown, Carleen Anderson, Tony Momrelle, Imaani, Maysa Leak, Kelli Sae and Joy Malcom. 

The “Surreal” album has many great songs highlighting these amazing singers. Maysa Leak on the song "The Less You Know" sounds invigorating. Mo Brandis "Goodbye To Yesterday" is an up tempo pop song that makes you want to get up and move. Natalie Williams’s vocals on "Above The Night" is exceptional. Vanessa Haynes is sounding splendidly smooth on "Don't Break Me Down." My favorite songs on this album are “The Less You Know”, “Goodbye To Yesterday”,   “Above The Night”, “Restless As We Are”,  “Rivers On The Sun”, “Don't Break Me Down”, “To Be With You”, “ This Must Be Love”, “The Way You Love” and “Thoughtful Fantasies”. I am an Incognito fan for life. If they keep bringing the music I will continue to enjoying them for years to come. You can listen to songs from Incognito’s “Surreal” album on Streetwise Radio. Also listen to Streetwise Radio on MyGen365, ITunes, Athena365 and Live365.

LM  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incognito_(band)

Tatiana Mayfield A Portrait of LadyMay

Tatiana Mayfield is a twenty something, jazz singer with a unique, amazing and invigorating voice. She grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. In her senior year of high school, she appeared of Showtime at The Apollo in 2004 singing “Good Morning Heart Ache”. This was the beginning of a fantastic jazz singer with incredible talent. Tatiana went on to pursue her musical studies at the University of North Texas and was a member of the Jazz Singers ensemble. While Tatiana was in college she received several awards for “Outstanding Performance” in the “Jazz Vocal Soloist” category in DownBeat magazine’s June 2009. Also she received the award for “Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Jazz Studies” from the University of North Texas jazz department in 2009. Tatiana was chosen on October 2010 as one of the twelve semi-finalists to compete in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition that was held in Washington, D.C. at the Smithsonian Museum. Tatiana has pure confidence in her ability. She has performed before a panel of legendary jazz vocalists that included Al Jarreau, Dianne Reeves, Patti Austin, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Kurt Elling. Tatiana released her debut album in the fall of 2009 called “From All Directions”. This album was collaboration with pianist Erskine Hawkins III. On this album she has spiritual songs and jazz songs that show her versatility as a singer. Two of my favorite songs off this album are “Speak To My Heart” and “A Little Acapella For Ya For Fun”. Tatiana released her second album in July 2012 “A Portrait Of LadyMay”. My favorite songs off this album are, “Real”, “Softly As In A Morning Sunrise”, “Judgment Day”, “Zone”, “Sequins”, “Love” and “Olha Pro Ceu (Look to the Sky)”. "A Portrait Of LadyMay" is a forceful and original work that covers Tatiana's writing talent and flexibility. If you like jazz artists that sing Tatiana “LadyMay” Mayfield is one to put in your collection. She definitely has the skills. Listen to songs from Tatiana Mayfield’s album “A Portrait of LadyMay” on Streetwise Radio. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on MyGen365, Athena365, live365 and ITunes.

LM

http://www.tatianamayfield.com/Home_Page.php

Ravi Coltrane “Spirit Fiction”

Ravi Coltrane’s destiny was written in the stars. Being that he is the son of the legendary tenor saxophonist John Coltrane and jazz pianist Alice Coltrane. Ravi was born in Long Island, New York but grew up in Los Angeles, California. He was two years old in 1967 when his father John Coltrane died. Ravi didn't make it easy on himself, 21 years after the passing of his father Ravi Coltrane studied music at the California Institute of the Arts. Ravi concentrated on the soprano and tenor saxophone, the same instruments his father played.

Ravi Coltrane has pull from his father's sound and made it his own. He's a musician of his own time. “Spirit Fiction” is Ravi’s newest album which was released on July 19, 2012. It has the tune “Cross Roads” on it. A lot of musicians have recorded this tune. I like the way soprano sax is feature on it, gives it another sound. On the tune "Yellow Cat," the horns play straight through a two-minute piano solo, which is odd but sounds great. Other tunes from this album I like are "Roads Cross", "Klepto", "The Change, My Girl", "Who Wants Ice Cream", "Spring & Hudson" and "Check Out Time".

Ravi Coltrane may look just like his father. You can hear some of John Coltrane in Ravi Coltrane’s playing, but I think Ravi Coltrane has his own sound. He is a great musician who has lived up to his legendary parents. Tune in to Streetwise Radio and listen to some tunes off of Ravi Coltrane’s “Spirit Fiction” album. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on ITunes, Live365, Athena365 and MyGen365.

LM

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

Kenny Wellington
CD title: In Retrospect
Genre:  Soul Jazz

CD album ‘In Retrospect’

Trumpet player Kenny Wellington was an original founder member of the groups Light Of The World and Beggar & Co. As well as performing and recording with those groups
he has recorded, arranged and played live dates with many artists from the different genres of soul, jazzfunk, rock and pop. These artists include fine artists such as Tina Turner, Spandau Ballet, Gabrielle, Paul Weller, Incognito, Tom Browne, Jean Carn, The Jones Girls, Gwen Mc Rae, Alexander O’Neal and many others.
;Bahia’ is from the CD album ‘In Retrospect’, the follow up to the first solo recording ‘Kind Of Black’ which featured the popular recording ‘The Big Apple’ which received much airplay in the UK and USA on stations favouring the jazz, soul and jazzfunk genres. The influence and style of the music of the early Seventies classic jazzfunk albums is evident throughout.
The CD pays homage to the tradition of the great works of musicians like Donald Byrd and his work with the Mizell Brothers with tracks like ‘Free Your Mind’ and ‘Dream Land’ being set firmly in this direction. There is a great reworking of the track ‘Bahia’ which was originally co produced by Kenny and Richard Bull well known for his fine work with Incognito. ‘Rain Dance’ is more akin to the work of the great Woody Shaw. There is also the influence in the playing of Nat Adderley, with a definite nod in the direction of some of the great work that Marcus Miller produced for the great Miles Davis. ‘In Retro Spect’ sits well with the great work of the modern day trumpet players with some wonderful melodic playing over some very soulful and jazzy grooves.

http://myspace.com/kennywellington
kennywellington@hotmail.com

Jazz Vocalist Gregory Porter “Be Good”

WOW, just discovered Mr. Porter, DJ Michael Ealey told me we have to write about Gregory Porter he’s an underrated talent. Thanks Mike for the introduction to Gregory Porter. The way I can describe Gregory Porter is beautiful, excellent, brilliant and superb. Gregory Porter was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Bakersfield, California. He is a jazz vocalist, songwriter, and actor. Gregory Porter attended San Diego State University on a football scholarship until a shoulder injury sidelined him permanently. I guess everything happens for a reason. If not then we would not have this wonderful jazz vocalist. Gregory’s career path and professional development started when he met saxophonist, pianist, and composer Kamau Kenyatta. Who introduced Gregory to flautist Hubert Laws? Hubert Laws heard Gregory singing along to Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile” song. Hubert added in a bonus track with Gregory on vocals singing “Smile”, on his “Remembers the Unforgettable Nat King Cole” album in 1998. While visiting the studio Eloise Laws, Hubert's sister helped get Porter cast in one of the leading roles in a new musical, “It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues.” This stage play was performed at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Then it moved to Off-Broadway and then on to the big time Broadway. That is how his acting career came about. Gregory currently lives in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. Smoke Jazz is where he performs regularly. Gregory Porter has performed frequently at the Jazz at Lincoln Center, the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland and the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta. Gregory has recorded with Nicola Conte. He also appeared on Later... with Jools Holland on BBC2 (notably on Jools' 2011 New Year show, Hootenanny). In 2011, Gregory appeared on the TV show Carole King and Friends at Christmas. Gregory Porter is a jazz singer, who got his roots from Soul, Jazz, R&B and Gospel music. His mother was a minister, she told him to sing with an understanding and Gregory does just that. Gregory Porters first album “Water” is outstanding. The songs I really like from that album are, “Skylark”, “1960 What?”, “Illusion”, “Water”, and “Pretty”. Gregory’s second album came out on February 14, 2012. All I can say is, WOW! This whole album is fantastic. This man can sing the way he delivers a song is truly amazing. I like every songs off of the “Be Good” album it is hard to choose my favorite. If I were asked it probably would be, "Be Good (Lion's Song), "Real Good Hands", "When Did You Learn”, “Painted On Canvas” and "On My Way To Harlem". Gregory Porter wears this brown hat that covers his head, neck, ears and throat. All you see is his face and beard, which is not a bad looking face to look at. If you enjoy jazz singers like I do. Then check out Gregory Porter on Streetwise radio. Trust me you will enjoy his sound. It reminds me two of my favorite singers the late great Nat King Cole and Lou Rawls. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on MyGen365, live365, Athena365 and I-Tunes.

LM

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

HULON
CD title: After Hours
Genre:  Smooth Jazz

HULON After Hours Truly living up to its provocative title, Hulon’s 2010 independently released debut First Impressions spent 15 weeks on the Billboard Jazz Chart (peaking at #25). Its debut single “Sax on the Beach” reached #16 on the SmoothJazz.com Top 50 Indie Chart and was featured on the noted jazz website AllAboutJazz.com, in addition to receiving national and international airplay at terrestrial and online radio.
Collaborating once again with mentor, composer, producer and fellow saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa, the Panama City, Florida based tenor saxman gets even more personal and intimate with his growing audience on his highly anticipated, musically eclectic follow-up After Hours. World renowned for his years with The Rippingtons, The Sax Pack and numerous hit solo albums over the past 20 years, Kashiwa again brought in some of contemporary jazz’s most powerful and dynamic players to take Hulon’s musical game on the new collection to the next level; Dave Hooper (drums), Allen Hinds (guitar), Melvin Davis (bass) and Bill Heller (keyboards) all played key roles as well on First Impressions. The new 11 track set includes a vocal and instrumental version of the Heatwave classic “Always and Forever” and eight originals penned by Kashiwa that play to Hulon’s strengths as a soulful balladeer and a grooving R&B/funk player, with a few dashes of cool and swinging traditional jazz in the mix. Highlights include the sensual late night romance “You’re Beautiful,” the whimsical mid tempo light funk tune “Takin’ My Time,” the tropical chill of “Sticky Trickuation,” the sly, “Pink Panther”-esque “Speak Easy” (featuring shuffling drum, bass and finger snap rhythm) and the high octane horn-driven jam and first single from the new release,“Do You Feel Me.” Yet there’s lot more to Hulon’s dynamic emergence onto the urban jazz scene than simple chart stats and the support of some of the genre’s best players. At its heart, it’s the story of a musical dream long deferred and unique connections between the spiritual and emotional healing power of music and the physical healing that Dr. Hulon E. Crayton does as a rheumatologist and founder of The Arthritis and Infusion Center, which specializes in the treatment of Rheumatological diseases as well as sports related injuries. The title of one of the tracks on After Hours, the tropical flavored groove tune, “Second Opinion” is a playful ode to his longtime profession. Over the past few years, Hulon has experienced the unique double blessing of performing for some of his patients, feeling joy and fulfillment as those who once could not even walk actually got up and danced and sang along—all thanks to him! Hulon has been practicing since 1986 and is a diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine and of the American Board of Rheumatology. He has a Master’s in Hospital Administration and has served in the U.S. Army and the Army Reserve, obtaining the rank of Captain. In an effort to give back to the community, Hulon and his wife Dinah created the Crayton Foundation to assist in providing minorities with a feasible way to attain the funding needed to attend college; they have given numerous scholarships to students interested in pursuing a career in healthcare related fields. The foundation gave the first ever scholarship at Florida State University for African American students. The Milwaukee born and raised Hulon was originally inspired to play the alto sax by his college roommate when he was an undergrad at Lincoln University in Missouri. He taught himself the instrument and it became a favorite hobby for a time, used as recreation and stress relief as Hulon played along to his favorite recordings. He put the horn aside for years as he went to medical school at the University of Wisconsin, started his first practice, got married and began raising a family. Hulon’s interest was rekindled when all three of his children showed an interest in music and served as first chair on their respective instruments in middle school. He had loaned his daughter his old sax and she wouldn’t give it back, so he bought a tenor at a local pawn shop (after moving to Florida) and that became his main voice as he began to pursue music professionally. He started playing informally with some local musicians (enjoying cigars and martinis along the way) and then was hired to play at a festival by a promoter who heard him performing one Sunday at church; this prompted Hulon to start a band with a fellow doctor friend. Cleverly dubbing themselves On Call, the band began performing at numerous private functions, local Panama City jazz hotspots like the Boatyard, Firefly, Bonefish and large scale affairs at the Grand Panama Hotel. His incredible friendship and musical association with Jeff Kashiwa began when Hulon was in the audience at the Seabreeze Jazz Festival one year when the famed saxman was onstage playing the EWI, or Electronic Woodwind Instrument. “He started introducing this cool looking instrument and I shouted out from the crowd that I’ve gotta get me one of those,” says Hulon. “Jeff responded from the stage, ‘Not only will I sell this to you, I will also teach you how to play it!’ After the show I met him and asked if he was serious. He gave me his address, I sent him a check and he sold me his EWI. He was down in Orlando with the Rippingtons two months later and I went to see him. He took me up to his hotel room and taught me how to play EWI. At a later gig in Atlanta, he invited me backstage to meet the Rippingtons. We started doing lessons on Skype, and about a year later, Jeff was playing at a fundraiser for the Anchorage Children’s Home, which takes care of disadvantaged youth, and my band opened for him. I was nervous at first but later in the show, when he invited me to play onstage with him and we traded solos while walking parallel up the aisle in the audience, I felt like this was a musical high I could get used to!” Hulon’s later idea to hire the veteran saxman to compose a jingle for his practice inspired Kashiwa to write an extended version called “Dr. Goodfoot,” which ultimately became the first track they recorded on First Impressions. The title is a nod to James Brown’s classic “Get on the Good Foot.” Once Hulon received the blessing of his wife Dinah and the encouragement of his children, he enlisted Kashiwa to help him develop a full length album project—beginning with four demos that Kashiwa had sent him after “Dr. Goodfoot.” “The experience was surreal,” Hulon says, “as if I were suddenly on this fast track. A few years earlier, I wasn’t even playing the horn, and here I was in a studio recording with a world renowned saxophonist who believed in my potential as an artist. He saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. “Even as he was producing me,” he adds, “he was my teacher and mentor, telling me what I needed to do, helping make me a better player. The cool thing about Jeff is that he always has a goal for me inside his mind. He won’t always tell me what it is, but when I hit it, he tells me and then raising the bar. With constructive criticism, he knows how to get the best out of me. The experience became even more intense as we worked on After Hours. I am feeling more confident about myself as a player and artist than ever and am able to nail a song much faster. The first time we ever recorded, it took me eight hours to do the first song and four days to do three songs. This time we got almost the whole album done in three days—all thanks to Jeff’s encouragement and gentle push at the right times.” Believing that “versatility is survivability,” Hulon (with Kashiwa’s guidance) breaks the mold of the typical urban jazz output these days by offering a wide variety of styles and grooves behind his rich emotional tenor melodies. That’s not surprising considering the wide variety of genres he listens to on his iPod—from hip hop and country to orchestral and classical music. Yet beyond simply providing musical pleasure to the genre’s adult audiences, he says, “I want to be inspiring to children and a good role model to them the way I have strived to be with my own kids. I’m really enjoying this journey every step of the way. As with medicine, I get great personal joy and satisfaction having people appreciate what I do. My time in the office is devoted to physical healing. But when I’m recording or playing live onstage, that’s when the spiritual healing begins.”

Web: www.mileshighproductions.com

Chip chip@mileshighproductions.com

Terence Blanchard

Born Terencee Oliver Blanchard on March 13, 1962, in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, arranger, and film score composer. At an early age Terance was destine to be a musician. When he was five he began playing the piano. At the age of eight he started playing the trumpet after hearing Alvin Alcom play. Terance played alongside his childhood friend Wynton Marsalis in summer music camps. When he was in high school, he started studying at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) under Roger Dickerson and Ellis Marsalis, Jr... Terance studied under jazz saxophonist Paul Jeffrey and trumpeter Bill Fielder, at Rutgers University from 1980 to 1982 while touring with Lionel Hampton. Wynton Marsalis recommended Terance to replace him in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in 1982. Terance was the band’s trumpeter and musical director. The quintet consisted of Blakey as co-leader, saxophonist Donald Harrison and pianist Mulgrew Miller. In the 1980’s Terance became a provident figure in the Jazz Resurgence movement. Terance went solo in 1990 and he recorded his self-titled debut for Columbia Records. This album reached number three on the Billboard Jazz Charts. Terance also composes film scores. He has worked a lot with Spike Lee. His music has been on some of Spike Lee’s classic movies, Do the Right Thing, Mo' Better Blues, Jungle Fever, Malcolm X, Clockers, Summer of Sam, 25th Hour and Inside Man. Spike Lee is not the only director Terance has composed for. He has composed for Leon Ichaso, Ron Shelton and Kasi Lemmons. Entertainment Weekly proclaimed Blanchard "central to a general resurgence of jazz composition for film." Blanchard was quoted as saying in a 1994 interview, "Writing for film is fun, but nothing can beat being a jazz musician, playing a club, playing a concert". I really started listening to Terance Blanchard in 1994. When he came out with the album “In My Solitude: The Billie Holiday Songbook”. Since then I have been a fan. Some of the songs I really like are, Harvesting Dance, Child's Play, Dos Sperm, Avgo, Bounce/Let's Go Off, Sleeping Is Naturelle and Footprints, Levees. Terance Blanchard is going to be playing the San Jose Jazz Festival in August 12, 2012 at 2pm on the main stage. The San Jose Jazz Festival is going on August 10^th to 12^th. If you have no plans the second of August come week out to the San Jose Jazz Festival. You can listen to songs from Terance Blanchard on Streetwise Radio. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on ITunes, live365.com, Athena365.com and MyGen365.com.

LM

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

http://jazzfest.sanjosejazz.org/

28th Annual Fillmore Jazz Festival – The West Coast’s Largest Free Jazz Festival Returns July 7 & 8, 2012 from 10am – 6pm

Featuring Kim Nalley in a Special Tribute to Etta James,

Jai Uttal, The King Brothers, and Many More for Two Days of Music, Food and Art

(San Francisco, CA--June 21, 2012)…The West Coast’s largest free jazz festival returns this summer with a weekend of live music, gourmet food and local arts and crafts.  On Saturday and Sunday, July 7 & 8, the 28^th Annual Fillmore Jazz Festival, on Fillmore Street between Jackson and Eddy, will showcase the Bay Area’s most talented musicians across the full spectrum of jazz music accompanied by a festival infused with the local flavors and culture of San Francisco’s historic Fillmore District.

This year’s festival will feature more than two dozen bands performing on three different stages, including a heartfelt tribute to Etta James performed each afternoon on the California Street Stage by Kim Nalley, one of the Bay Area’s most acclaimed jazz and blues vocalists. Other performers on the California Street Stage include Radio Jazz, Foxtails Brigade, the Mark Rapp Group, the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, Venissa Santi, and the Michael Orenstein Group presented by The Jazzschool.

The Sutter Street – Beyond Stage will feature the best of Bay Area’s world music performers. Saturday’s line-up will feature Dana Leong, the West Africa Hi Life Band, and Locura; while Sunday will focus on Latin-infused jazz music featuring Homengem Brasileira Feminina, Jai Uttal and the Queen of Hearts Orchestra, Yaelisa Y Caminos Flamencos, and the Hip Spanic Allstars.

The Eddy Street Stage will feature a wide variety of the Bay Area’s favorite Blues and R&B performers, including Carlos Zalcito, Dwight Carrier, Bobbie Webb and the Smooth Blues Band Show featuring Vinnie Florres and Paul Palizzola (a.k.a. Paul from the Streets), The King Brothers, Consonance, Jaye & Friends, Scary Larry 8 Piece Band, Coltrain and Sister Monica.

From sunup to sundown, the Fillmore Jazz Festival is a celebration of art and soul right in the heart of San Francisco.  Each year, the Fillmore Jazz Festival attracts more than 90,000 jazz aficionados and music lovers from all over the Bay Area to celebrate and enjoy a rich musical tradition of live jazz, rhythm and blues, and gospel while taking in the diverse local culture and cuisine of the storied Fillmore area. 

The Fillmore Jazz Festival offers twelve blocks of music, fine arts and crafts, gourmet food and beverages. Art and crafts include photography, painting, woodwork, metalwork, jewelry, pottery, clothing, hats, and children’s toys – over 200 artists and craftsmen.  Delicious “street food” includes oysters, calamari, fish & chips, grilled chicken, BBQ pork, jambalaya, tri-tip and organic fruits and veggies accompanied by fine wine and beer.

The Fillmore Jazz Festival is hosted by the Fillmore Street Merchants and Improvement Association and produced by Steven Restivo Event Services. Special thanks to our sponsors, including Armstrong Installation Service, ZipCar, TANG Newspaper Marketing Group/San Francisco Chronicle, Xfinity-Comcast, Provident Credit Union, AT&T Advertising Solutions, Summerwinds Resorts/Midvest Equities/Hot Springs Resort & Spa, Stage Active Brand Marketing/Jadot, Renewal by Andersen Bay Area, Polk Audio inc, Bath Fitter, San Francisco Giants, RMD Group, Bay Home & Window, American Laser Skin Care, KBLX, Ellis Eye, Getaround, Ride the Ducks, Inspira Marketing Group/Maille Mustard, Alcone/Wonka, RedPeg Marketing/GEICO, On the Avenue Marketing- NY Times, San Francisco magazine.

                                                    

28^th Annual Fillmore Jazz Festival –

The West Coast’s Largest Free Jazz Festival Returns

July 7 & 8, 2012 from 10am – 6pm

Featuring Kim Nalley in a Special Tribute to Etta James,

Jai Uttal, The King Brothers, and Many More for Two Days of Music, Food and Art

WHAT:          28th Annual Fillmore Jazz Festival –

The West Coast’s Largest Free Jazz Festival Returns

Twelve blocks of music, fine arts and crafts, gourmet food and beverages.

WHERE:        Fillmore Street, between Jackson and Eddy, San Francisco

WHEN:          Saturday, July 7 and Sunday, July 8

                        10am to 6pm

LINE-UP:      

           

SATURDAY, JULY 7 

California Street Stage:

10:00 - 11:00:  Radio Jazz

11:35 - 12:45: Foxtails Brigade

1:15 - 2:25:      TSP: The Song Project

2:55 - 4:00:      Contemporary Jazz Orchestra

4:30 - 6PM:     Kim Nalley - Dedicated to Etta James

Sutter Street Stage - Beyond Stage    

10:00 - 11:30:  Dana Leong

12:00 - 1:30:    West African Hi Life Band

2:10 - 3:40:      Locura

4:15 - 6:00:      Jai Uttal and the Queen of Hearts Orchestra

Eddy Street Stage    

10:00 - 11:00:  Carlos Zalcito - (R & B)

12:00 - 1:30:    Dwight Carrier - (Blues Zydeco)

2:00 - 4:00:      Bobbie Webb & The Smooth Blues Band Show (Featuring) Vinnie Florres and Paul Palizzola a.k.a Paul From The Streets

4:30 - 6:00:      The King Brothers

O'Farrell Street Stage Dance Floor

12:00 - 12:30: Lesson by Swing U (no partner & no experience needed)

12:30 - 2:30:    Dance floor with DJ's by Swing U

2:30 - 3:00:      Lesson by Swing U (no partner & no experience needed)

3:00 - 6:00:      Dancing continues with guest DJ's and bands to be added by Swing U at SFSwingFest.com

SUNDAY, JULY 8

California Street Stage    

10:00 - 11:15:  Jazzschool Presents Michael Orenstein Group

11:45 - 1:15:    Venissa Santi

1:45 - 3:30:      Norbert Stachel and Electric Forecast featuring Ray Obiedo

4:00 - 6:00:      Kim Nalley - Dedicated to Etta James

   

Sutter Street Stage - Beyond Stage    

10:00 - 11:15:  Homenagem Brasileira Feminina

11:50 - 1:30:    Jai Uttal and the Queen of Hearts Orchestra

2:10 - 3:40:      Yaelisa Y Caminos Flamencos

4:15 - 6:00:      Hip Spanic Allstars

   

Eddy Street Stage    

10:00 - 11:00:  Consonance - (Gospel)

11:30 - 12:30:  Jaye & Friends From The Fillmore- (R & B)

1:00 - 2:00:      Scary Larry & The Monster- (R & B)

2:30 - 3:30:      Coltrane- (Jazz)

4:00 - 6:00:      Sista Monica

O'Farrell Street Stage Dance Floor

12:00 - 12:30: Lesson by Swing U (no partner & no experience needed)

12:30 - 2:30:    Dance floor with DJ's by Swing U

2:30 - 3:00:      Pin-up, Lindy & any-swing-goes Jack & Jill contest by Swing U

3:00 - 6:00:      Dancing continues with guest DJ's and bands to be added by Swing U at SFSwingFest.com

TICKETS:     The Fillmore Jazz Festival is FREE and open to the public

INFO:             Call 800-310-6563 or visit FillmoreJazzFestival.com

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Eric Stanley “Violinist”

Eric Stanley was born on April 19, 1991 in Chesapeake, Virginia. Eric grew up in a house full of musicians. Eric’s mother played the piano, his sister and brother sang. Eric’s older brother played the viola. When he was in middle school he took the violin as an elective. While in high school he received professional training and joined the Richmond Youth Symphony Orchestra. Eric started playing along with recorded songs, in the beginning of 2010. Eric’s first YouTube video post was a violin cover of “Say Ahh” by Trey Songz. Eric got 100,000 views in a day. This motivated him to continue to post other covers. Eric’s most popular ones are B.o.B's “Airplanes,” Eminem “Love The Way You Lie” and Eminem “Lighters ft. Bruno Mars & Royce Da 5'9”. Some other artist Eric has covered are Lady Gaga, Wiz Khalifa, Drake, The Wanted, OneRepublic, Usher's and lil Wayne. Eric does not limit his self to specific style of music. Some of Eric’s musical influences are Jean-Luc Ponty and Japhia Life. Eric wants to change the way the world perceives the violin, in mainstream music. Eric is currently studying Music Performance in Classical Violin at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia and is learning to play the guitar. He already knows how to play the piano. Eric Stanley has broken all stereo types that only white people can play great violin. I like this young 21 year old brother, he can play the violin. Eric is an incredible musician. Look out for Eric Stanley. He is going to be one of those musicians, which everyone is going to want on their album. Eric will be performing at the Richmond Jazz festival on Aug 11^th. Eric can also be heard Aug 13th as he plays the National anthem for the Cleveland Browns. Streetwise Radio is going to feature some of Eric’s covers. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on iTunes, live365, MyGen365 and Athena365.

LM

http://www.facebook.com/ericlstanley/info

Brian Culbertson “Dreams”

Born on January 12, 1973 Brian Culbertson is a musician and instrumentalist from Decatur, Illinois. He is the son of jazz band director and trumpeter Jim Culbertson. Brian plays the keyboard and trombone. Brian’s music is heavily influenced by funk. He has been putting more vocals in his music. Some of the vocalist he has used is Trey Lorenz, Marc Nelson, Kenny Lattimore and Avant. Brian has worked as a composer and arranger for some well-known jazz artist like Dave Koz, Peter White, Richard Elliot, Jeff Lorber, Michael Lington and legendary A&M Record’s composer and producer Herb Alpert. The cast of musicians he has on this album are Alex Al, John "Jubu" Smith, Eric Marienthal, Michael Stever, Ray Parker, Jr., Rex Rideout, and Rob "Fonksta" Bacon. The songs I really enjoy on this album are “Later Tonight”, “No Limits”, and “Still Here”, “You’re My Music”, “Dream”, “Lights Off and The Journey. Brian has blended adult-oriented R&B with contemporary jazz on the “Dreams” album. On vocals he has Staley Williams (Mint Condition), Vivian Green, and Noel Gourd in. This album is worth buying, it is smooth jazz and R&B at its best.

LM

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

Lakecia Benjamin “RETOX”

Lakecia Benjamin is a jazzy, soul, funky, sultry alto saxophone playing lady that can blow the saxophone. Lakecia is a native of New York City, raised in Washington Heights. Lakecia picked up the saxophone while attending Fiorello LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. Lakecia joined the renowned jazz program at New York's New School University. While attending the university she was playing with known jazz musicians Clark Terry and Reggie Workman. While playing with them she gained notoriety. She got to tour and arrange the horn section for a variety of artists. Some of them are Rashied Ali, the David Murray Big Band, Vanessa Rubin and James "Blood" Ulmer, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Macy Gray, The Roots, and Anita Baker, Santigold, Maurice Brown, the Clark Terry Big Band, Krystle Warren and Talib Kweli, among others. Lakecia debut album “Retox” will be released on June 12, 2012. This album has a different kind of soul/funk sound. Lakecia has Chinah Blac featured on the single “Jump and Shout” she has that Chaka Khan vibe. Lakecia is also singing on some of the songs on the album. Lakecia says "This album is really a fruition of years of songwriting as much as it is a showcase for my sax playing and horn arrangements and I was more concerned with doing justice to my compositions than putting a sax solo in every song." If the album is anything like the song “Jump and Shout” I can’t wait to hear it. Streetwise Radio will be playing her single “Jump and Shout”. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on iTunes, live365, Athena365 and MyGen365.

LM

http://www.lakeciabenjamin.com/bio

Roy Ayers

Growing up in the 1960s and 1970s I was exposed to all types of music. My parents had a reel to reel tape player. I remember my father sitting in the living at night and transfer his albums to the reel to reel tape player. One of his favorite artist was Roy Ayers, I remember my dad playing the “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” album. My favorite song was and still is “Everybody Loves the Sunshine”, that song is a song that is still inspiring today.

Roy Ayers grew up in Los Angeles, California in "South Central", back then it was called "South Park". This was where the black music scene for musicians’ in Los Angeles back then. When Roy was five years old Lionel Hampton gave him his first pair of vibraphone mallets for the xylophone. Roy Ayers over the decades have put out some amazing albums. Another one I remember is the “Mystic Voyage” album it had an R&B vibe not like “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” jazz sound. Another one of my favorite songs was "Evolution" from the “Mystic Voyage”. I can always tell when I hear a Roy Ayers song; his signature xylophone sound takes me back to my childhood days. The Roy Ayers Project featuring Ayers and many Hip Hop producers is a documentary that is supposed to be released sometime in 2012.

Tune into the Jazz Café 12-1pm Monday through Friday on Streetwise Radio and catch one of Roy Ayers songs. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on iTunes, MyGen365, Athena365 and live.365.

LM

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

Ahmad Jamal Blue Moon

The first time I heard Ahmad Jamal I was ten years old sitting on the floor in my Aunt Pat’s living room playing jacks that was 1970. My Aunt was playing “The Awakening” album I remember sitting there thinking I’ve never heard anything like this, this man can play. I asked my Aunt who is this she said “one of my favorite jazz pianists Ahmad Jamal”. Ahmad Jamal has been around for five decades he is 81 year young and is still putting out some amazing music. Ahmad Jamal new CD “Blue Moon” swings it and the improvising is Ahmad Jamal at his best. He is truly a piano genius. The songs I really like are “Invitation”, “This is the Life”, “03 Gypsy” and “Blue Moon”. In 2011 he was an inductee to the Downbeat Jazz Hall of Fame. Ahmad Jamal innovator, composer and jazz pianist is still doing his thing on the ivory keys and “Blue Moon” proves it. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. You csan listen to some ongs off of “Blue Moon” on Streetwise Radio. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on MyGen365, Athena365, live365 or I-Tunes.

LM

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

Jazz Saxophonist Grace Kelly

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Grace Kelly was born Grace Chung on May 15, 1992 in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Grace is of Korean descent. In 1997 her mother remarried Robert Kelly. He legally adopted grace a couple of years later that is how she got the name Grace Kelly. Grace was fortunate to grow up in a family that appreciated music and the arts. Grace’s parents would play Stan Getz while having brunch. Grace fell in love with the saxophone and wanted to play, but was too young. At the age of six Grace started taking classical piano, but she preferred jazz because she could make up her own melodies. When Grace was seven she wrote a song titled “On My Way Home”. While in the 4^th grade Grace tried the clarinet, but switch to the saxophone in the 5^th grade. The saxophone was the instrument she always wanted to play. Grace left High School at 16, got her G.E.D and went to Berklee College of Music where she got her degree in Professional Music in December 2011. Grace was the youngest musician ever to be voted by Down Beat Magazine’s Critics Poll in 2009, 2010 and 2011 as Alto Saxophone Rising Stars. Grace Kelly’s talents don’t stop at jazz saxophonist. Her other talents are vocalist, songwriter, arranger, and bandleader. This young lady does it all. Grace Kelly is truly an jazz saxophone prodigy she has been around the world and played with the likes of some of the greats Wynton Marsalis, Dave Brubeck, Phil Woods, Lee Konitz, Esperanza Spalding, Dianne Reeves, Phil Collins, Harry Connick Jr., Dee Dee Bridgewater, Geri Allen, Ann Hampton Callaway, Cedar Walton Hank Jones, Keith Lockhart, Frank Morgan, Kenny Barron, Cedar Walton, Terri Lynne Carrington Chris Potter and the list goes on.  Her debut CD “Dreaming” was released in 2004. She was only 12 years old. Seven CD’s later Grace Kelly released the self-titled CD “Grace” in 2011.She is 19 years old and still blowing the saxophone like she has been doing it for 30 years or more. I like Grace Kelly she is a talented musician that we’re going to hear from for a long time to come. You can listen to Grace Kelly on Streetwise Radio Jazz Café 12-1pm or on live365, Athena365, MyGen365 and iTunes.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Kelly_%28musician%29

Saxophonist Jafar Idris

Jafar Idris is from Gary Indiana the birthplace of the late great Michael Jackson. Jafar Idris and his twin brother are the youngest of nine siblings. When Jafar Idris was ten years old he picked up the Saxophone. I know I’m glad he did and a lot of people are too, this young brother can blow! Jafar Idris his not only a talent on the Saxophone he is also a smart educated brother. While he was in high school he earned all A’s and became the first African American Valedictorian at Merrilville Senior High School in 90 years. Jafar Idris takes the covers of a variety of music artists like Chris Brown, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keyes, India Arie, Pleasure P, Keyisha Cole, Luther Vandross, Miguel, Usher, and Michael Jackson. Jafar Idris plays the saxophone to his interpretation of the song and it is truly wonderful. Jafar Idris plays the sax on some of the covers, I feel better than the artists singing them. I have listened to a lot of great saxophone players and I must say Jafar Idris is up there with them, he may be young but I know we will be well know real soon. Jafar is an unsigned independent artist, who needs to be signed. I can listen to Jafar Idris all day, the saxophone is one of my favorite instruments it’s so sexy! If you have never heard of Jafar Idris you need to tune into Streetwise Radio Jazz Café 12-1pm, you’re in for a treat. You can also tune into Streetwise Radio on iTunes, live365, Athena365, MyGen365.

LM

http://www.myspace.com/jafaridris

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jafar+idris+saxophone&oq=jafar+idri&aq=1&aqi=g4&aql=&gs_sm=1&gs_upl=1014524l1021821l0l1026322l10l10l0l3l3l0l314l1192l0.5.1.1l7l0

Etta James (January 25, 1938 – January 20, 2012)

Etta James born Jamesetta Hawkins she lost her battle with leukemia five days before her 74^th birthday. Etta James mother Dorothy Hawkins had Etta when she was fourteen years old in Los Angeles California. Etta James never knew who her father was, but she thought he was Rudolf “Minnesota Fat” Wanderone the pool player. Etta James had a turbulent childhood; her mother was not in the picture so Etta lived with caregivers, Sarge and Mama Lu. When Etta was five years old Sarge would get drunk during his poker games and beat Etta into sing for him and his poker buddies. This was very traumatic for Etta James she always had a reluctance to sing on demand. Mama Lu died in 1950, so Etta’s mother took her to San Francisco she was 12 years old. While living in San Francisco she sang with doo-woop group the Creolettes. When Etta was 14 years old she met Johnny Otis who signed the group to Modern Records and changed the name of the group to the Peaches. The Peaches released “Dance with Me, Henry” which Etta co-authored. The song reached number one on the Hot Rhythm & Blues chart. This song gave the Peaches an opening spot on Little Richards national tour. When Etta left the Peaches she released “Good Rockin’ Daddy” which was an R&B hit. It is said by Bobby Murray aka “Taters” who toured with Etta for 20 years, that at age 16 Etta went steady with B.B King and Etta believed the B.B. King’s song “Sweet Sixteen” was about her. From 1960 through 1978 Etta James had a string of hits, “If I Can’t Have You”, “Spoonful”, “All I Could Do Was Cry”, “My Dearest Darling”, “The Fool That I Am’, “Don’t Cry Baby”, Something’s Got a Hold on Me”, “Pushover”, “ Tell Mama”, “I’d Rather Go Blind”, “Losers Weepers”, “I Found a Love” and her signature song “At Last”. The song “At Last” I my opinion should have been sung at the Presidential Inauguration ball by the one and only Etta James instead of Beyoncé. That was Etta’s song she was still alive she had a hard life and paid her paid her dues. Etta James musical style throughout her career was blues, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, gospel and jazz. I never had the pleasure of seeing Etta James perform in person, but my husband did, when he was playing with Maria Mulduar and John Lee Hooker back in the late 90s and early 2000s. Etta James will be missed, but her songs will live on.

LM

http://news.yahoo.com/legendary-blues-singer-etta-james-dies-calif-163709371.html