SFJAZZ COLLECTIVE: NEW ALBUM!

NEW LIMITED EDITION ALBUM
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 4

Music of Michael Jackson and New Compositions
Live at SFJAZZ Center

The SFJAZZ Collective is an all-star ensemble comprising eight of the finest performers/composers at work in jazz today. The group’s new limited edition two-disc live CD, which was recorded live at the SFJAZZ Center this past October, features new arrangements of Michael Jackson classics like "Thriller", "Smooth Criminal", "Human Nature", "This Place Hotel" and more, as well as eight new original compositions by the band. The 22-page booklet contains exclusive photos, interviews and commentary from the band. 

SFJAZZ COLLECTIVE
Miguel Zenón: alto saxophone
David Sánchez: tenor saxophone 
Sean Jones: trumpet 
Robin Eubanks: trombone 
Warren Wolf: vibraphone 
Edward Simon: piano 
Matt Penman: bass 
Obed Calvaire: drums

Pre-Order the CD Today!

Gary Fuston

Two words to describe Gary Fuston’s sound melodic and unique. What I like about Gary’s guitar playing, he keeps it simple. Gary has cool melodies that are influenced by R&B, Hip Hop, and Jazz. His catching grooves are what you hear when you listen to of Gary’s music. Gary Fuston is based out of the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area. He is a multi-talented artist that is a music composer producer, internet radio DJ host and music promoter. Some of my favorite tunes are “To Know You”, “Tears Away”, “Smooth Cruise”, and “On the Radio”. Gary Fuston is so underrated. I’m so glad DJ Michael Ealey turned me on to this remarkable artist. He is definitely going on my playlist. Tune into Streetwise Radio Jazz Café and listen to Gary Fuston’s music. You Can also listen to Streetwise Radio on MyGen365, iTunes, Athena365, Live365 and Pandora.

LM

http://www.reverbnation.com/garyfuston#

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI5Ii8PDRiY&list=PLBBC41B40047C8B73

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1aUppuiJGE&list=PLBBC41B40047C8B73

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0cPAvKB9mA&list=PLBBC41B40047C8B73

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1RvgtR0cko&list=PLBBC41B40047C8B73

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.

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 .