San Jose Winterfest

Sly 5th Ave

Out 2nd June, new signing Sly5thAve’s drops his debut EP “Composite” on Tru Thoughts. The culmination of six orchestral versions of influential pop, hip-hop and R&B tracks from the last decade, Sly5thAve arranges the music of Rihanna, Drake, Frank Ocean, Lil Wayne and Gabriel Garzón-Montano, performed with the Brooklyn-based ClubCassa Chamber Orchestra.

Sly5thAve is the project of multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and producer Sylvester Uzoma Onyejiaka II, whose sophisticated compositions are shaped by his faith in hip-hop, and deep understanding of soul and jazz. Sly5thAve’s projects and accomplishments over the last few years include; the inception of the first orchestral concert dedicated to Dr. Dre, playing saxophone with Prince, leading the ClubCassa Chamber Orchestra, and his revered co-reworking of Herbie Hancock’s classic ‘Headhunters’ LP with Jesse Fischer which was debuted on Tru Thoughts in 2015.

“Composite” ties together 6 tracks from Sly5thAve’s early experimental phase on one release for the first time. “It’s a milestone” Sly5thAve explains, “It shows the journey towards calling myself an arranger today”. Four years in the making, “Composite” was initially recorded by Sly5thAve and two members of the ClubCassa Chamber Orchestra’s thirty musicians: Jay Jennings and Joey Rayfield, in the basement of the ClubCassa Chamber Club House – a Victorian mansion a stone’s throw from Ditmas Park. On “Composite”, Sly5thAve arranges popular R&B, pop and hip-hop tracks and repurposes them with music and musicianship at the fore by replacing synthesised sounds and samples with live musicians and organic textures.

“Super Rich Kids” opens the EP with an expansive drumbeat and jazz flute, substituting Frank Ocean’s vocals for bright piano notes - akin to those used by legendary composer, arranger and producer David Axelrod whom many of hip-hop’s greats (Dr. Dre, Wu-Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest) sampled. The warm buzz of reverb underneath the soulful ooh’s take the hook, before the flutes and horn section carry the bridge and reconstruct the iconic tension of the original. “I was really into ‘Channel Orange’ when it came out it. I really liked that kind of R&B sound that wasn’t so neo-soul, it wasn’t so pop. The chord progression really stuck out to me.” Sly5thAve explains. The brilliant “Everything Is Everything” fills out the cool syncopation of Gabriel Garzón-Montano’s original into a tight jam, retaining the head-nodding drum patterns and breaks, and swapping in a sound that oozes with New York’s contemporary jazz vibrations, before dropping into a spacious drum breakdown that harks back to rhythms on his first solo album ‘Akuma’ inspired by his Nigerian descent.

On unmistakable trap number “Love Me”, Sly5thAve softens the high-energy beat by replacing it with beautiful horns, and omits Drake’s feature for dramatic flute bars. “I grew up listening to Lil Wayne” Sly5thAve explains “When he was 16 he came out on Cash Money Records and in the southern United States that whole contemporary trap sound had been going on for 20 years before it hit anywhere else”. On Rihanna’s monumental “Pour It Up”, the triumphant flugelhorns take control before launching into a powerful crescendo of trumpet, trombone and bass clarinet notes. On love groove “Stay”, staccato strings and woodwind impart a new agency and transform Rihanna’s anathema of showing the vulnerability of true love into a beautiful and empowering arrangement. Closing the EP, Sly5thAve’s take of “Hold On, We’re Going Home” focusses on the famous 1-6-2-5 jazz turnaround and replaces the jacked beat with intensifying string swells to create an unmistakably honest composition that stands tall next Drake’s notorious pop classic.

credits

released June 2, 2017

Masego – 2016 San Jose Summer Jazz Festival Report by: Carol Ealey

When my husband, Michael asked me which artists I wanted to see at the 2016 San Jose Jazz Summer Festival, I had no idea except for Bobby Caldwell and Goapele two of the headline artist, so I searched the line-up to see who I could fit into our busy event schedule.

                                        Masego

The artist that I selected was Masego (real name Micah Davis) after listening to his song “Girls That Dance” on YouTube. As we headed over to the Post Street Stage one of the many stages at the San Jose Jazz Fest you could hear that thump of trap, hip hop and jazz mix of music that made you want to dance. I loved it.

Masego is a 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist – he plays the saxophone, piano, drums guitar, cello and many other instruments and he’s a singer. On stage he showed his talents by playing several instruments much like a one man band and he showed his comedic style as well as an impromptu rap about two cute girls in the audience. Masego has real talent and I love his style of music which he calls TrapHouseJazz. It merges traditional jazz sounds – saxophone, scatting with the thump of trap music and house.

Masego was born in Kingston, Jamaica, to an American mother and Jamaican father. His father is a pastor in the military so they moved around a lot when Masego was little settling in Newport News, Virginia. His mother is also a pastor, specifically the minister of music at their church. Church was a strong presence in Masego’s life, as was playing in the church band; music came naturally to him. As he said in a recent article that he listened to a lot of gospel (Jmoss, William Murphy, Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin) since that’s all he was allowed to play in the house. But Cab Calloway influenced his style and his love of jazz swing and the dances that go with it. This blend of styles is clearly evident in his music.

Masego has talent and his energetic show at the 2016 SJ Jazz Summer Festival was one of the highlights this year. If you want to hear this new style of Trap House Jazz I would encourage you to check out a sample of his music at www.masegomusic.com. You won’t be disappointed.

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San Jose Summer Jazz Fest 2016 Report: DENISE DONATELLI

Finally at the end of my day; Denise Donatelli. I made my way over to Cafe Stritch and was greeted by an impatient, hungry line of over 70 people clamoring to see this 4 time Grammy nominee vocalist. Hey, with a line like this, how am I going to get into this place? But wait. Mike gave me a Streetwise press pass. With a sticker. I walked right up to the door and flashed the pass.

"OK," she said, "and uhh...oh yeah, you got that sticker."

I went into an empty room with the stage lights set up just right and the band was doing their mic checks. I snapped off a few shots to get my exposures down and after I burned enough frames I notice a cat tuning the piano. I was floored. I've never seen that before. I mean they always tune of for Yuja Wang and Daniel Barinboim but I've never seen a tuner for jazz or pop music. So when he was done I go over and talk this spritely Japanese dude dressed in ninja black.

"So you tune before every gig?"

"Naaa", he says, "I just hang out here cus' I love the jazz. I tune because I really want them to sound good. But a lot of guys don't appreciate it...and some guys; even really good musicians, can't even tell the difference,".

"I know man, it's sick !".

"But I just tune cus' I love it", he said, "and I want to give something back to them. So if they can't enjoy it to hell with them man." We laughed our guts out like long lost brothers.

Then I said, "So you tune ... that means you play."

"Yeah, I play", he said, "but I'm a really bad player."

"We're on the same page", I said, "It takes me two years to learn something that my 16 year old son can learn in two weeks. So if you still want to listen to me, to hell with you!!" Our laughter was broken by a KCSM dj putting in a big plug for the station and introducing, let's say it right here, the amazing Denise Donetelli.

Then Denise comes on stage and immediately has the audience in her back pocket. She's like that smooth cocktail you reward yourself with at the end of a hard day's work. The clarity of voice, the effortless sustains, the inviting warm embrace of this wonderful singer. She uses her insturment to bring new life to standards such as Green Dolphin Street and fresh interpretations of comtemporary tunes like Soul Shadows , No Better, and A Promise. I especially enjoy her rendition of the bossa nova style tune Ange where she combines latin rythms with minor discordant harmonies, not unlike the great jazz vocalist Kurt Elling, all with comfortably pure tonality and an effortlessly clear voice.

According to Wikipedia, Denise Donatelli started as a classical pianist at the age of three and studied for 15 years. For three consecutive years she won first place in competitions held by the National Federation of Music Clubs. After college, she married and had sons. To remain with her family, she did not begin to sing professionally until the boys reached their teenage years.

She has recorded studio spots for episodes of The Simpsons and television promos for Frasier, Card Sharks and Turner Classic Movies as well as national and international commercials for CNN, Hyundai, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and many more.

She has performed with Bill Mays, Roger Kellaway, Tamir Hendelmen, Bob Sheppard, Joe LaBarbara, the Stan Kenton Alumni Band. She tours extensively, performing at jazz festivals; like the San Jose Jazz Festival, jazz clubs, performing art centers, and with university jazz bands where she conducts master clinics.

Her next gig is in La Jolla, CA with Geoffrey Keezer and Friends who she records with. Donatelli has released five albums; three have been nominated for Grammy's. Although this singer's voice is truly a reward in itself, no one will be surprised if Denise Donatelli's next album finally wins the recognition this fine singer deserves.

TWW

Tom Wing Wo

San Jose Summer Jazz Fest 2016 Report: LEGALLY BLUE ByTom Wing Wo

After Kenny Washington at the Jade Leaf Lounge I had three hours to kill before singer Denise Donatelli. I headed over to the Gordon Biersch stage cus' it was only a block and a half away.

                        Legally Blue was the surprise of the Jazz Festival for me.

                                       Joanne Wegener is backed 
                      by four excellent blues musicians

John Keating on keyboards, Mike West on drums.

                                               Chris Wilder on bass.

       And the rock solid, articulate and inventive Aart de Gon                                               guitars.

All the cats in Legally Blue are excellent muscians and they'll have their first CD release party this Saturday, August 20 in Sunnyvale. Singer Joanne is dramatic and expressive with a mellow and gut wrenching interpretations of blues standards and orginal blues tunes written by each of the intermentalist in this goup. She has an inviting, relaxed rapport with her audience that makes you feel like you're at home with your family and a part of the band. She's so comfortable on stage that at one point she turned her back to the audience to shoot a selfie with the crowd in the background. The audience totally cracked up and band the blew the roof off the top of this outdoor stage.

Back in the 70's I played drums and sang vocals in a garage band called Karma Co. in Sacramento. It was founded by two brothers from Georgia who wrote blues and rock tunes. I played my share of blues but I've almost forgotten it. That all changed when I heard Legally Blue today.

Legally Blue has gotten me back into the Blues and I can't wait to hear them again.

Legally Blue Facebook Site 

Tom Wing Wo

8/18/16

San Jose JazzFest 2016 Report:Legends and Emerging Artists Triumph By Shelah Moody

Closing day of the 27^th Annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, Sunday Aug. 14 was a celebration of world music and a joyous weekend for Streetwise Radio.

The streets of downtown San Jose, as well hotels, cafes and restaurants hosted legendary musicians and emerging artists, attracting thousands of fans to the largest city in the Bay Area.

Our first stop on a warm south bay afternoon was the Jade Leaf Lounge, where Cuban pianist Harold Lopez Nussa, joined by Ruy Adrián López-Nussa, (drums/percussion) and Alune Wade (bass/vocals) were creating elegant, tropical soundscapes.

               
                         Harold Lopez Nussa
While children in swim suits danced through the fountains at Cezar Chavez Plaza in the heart of downtown San Jose, 

2015 Grammy nominee--saxophonist Miguel Zenon, and his band --Alex Brown (piano), Hans Glawischnig (bass) and Henry Cole (drums)-- showcased rhythms and melodies inspired by Zenon’s native Puerto Rico. The quartet played original compositions and arrangements from Zenon’s albums, “Esta Plena” and “Alma Adentro: The Puerto Rican Songbook.”

“It feels great to be here,” said Zenon, who was nominated for a 2015 Grammy in the Best Latin Jazz Album category for “Identities Are Changeable.”

“This is our second time here. The first time was maybe, five years ago. Last time, we played in a theater, so it’s nice to play outside; it’s so pretty here and people are enjoying themselves. “It’s a really nice vibe.”

                    Saxophonist Miguel Zenon
Zenon comes from a fine tradition of Puerto Rican jazz greats including trombonist/composer Juan Tizol, who played with Duke Ellington’s orchestra. Incidentally, as a member of the SFJAZZ Collective, Zenon cop-produced and arranged the album “The Music of Michael Jackson & Original Compositions,” recorded live at SFJAZZ Center in 2015.

                             Rick & Russ Show

The World Famous Rick & Russ Show spun classic R&B on the main stage as Grammy winning vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant, currently one of the hottest performers on the touring circuit, prepared for her set the main stage. Accompanied by pianist Aaron Diehl, bassist Paul Sikivie and drummer Lawrence Leathers, the bespectacled jazz goddess opened with her original ballad, “Fog.”

                         Cecile McLorin Salvant
In February, I watched Salvant accept her Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album, “For One to Love” at the Premiere Ceremony at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles. Salvant is a pure, articulate singer whose voice can emulate everything from an elegant violin refrain to the sassy wa-wa of a trombone. Salvant delighted the audience with a string of jazz standards and Broadway show tunes including “The Trolly Song,” made popular by Judy Garland, “Wives and Lovers,” by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, “Something’s Coming” by Leonard Bernstein, “What a Little Moonlight Can Do,” made popular by Billie Holiday and the whimsical “Sam Jones Blues” by Bessie Smith.

“I was lucky to have been raised in a household where music was a very important part of our upbringing,” said Salvant, in an interview after the show. “We listened to music from all over the world including, but not only jazz. We listened to folk music from South America, from Africa, from Europe and all kinds of American popular music and folk music from Appalachian to funk and R&B to disco and classical music. When I moved to France and met my jazz teacher, I started perusing jazz as an option for a career. I never really thought I would do it professionally.”

Salvant said she has not read her extensive Wikipedia page and said she hates to google herself. The artistically inclined singer wore a colorful patterned Issey Miyake dress that fluttered in the wind and complemented the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest mural on the main stage. Miyake is Salvant’s favorite designer; she loves his vivid colors and his clothes are light weight and are easy to travel with, she said.

“I don’t like to look at myself or watch myself or be in that spirit, because I don’t think it is very enriching as a musician,” said Salvant. “It’s not very enriching to be constantly scrutinizing yourself in that way or looking at what other people think of you. Something people may not know about me is that I really love visual art and I draw a lot. I’m actually preparing a show in New York at a gallery in November. Mostly water colors and ink drawings. It’s really a fun thing to do when I’m on tour. We have a lot of moments where we wait. You know, people come to the shows and they see us perform and they think that’s what it is. But a lot of it is traveling to the performance and waiting for the plane or the train or being in a car for a long time. There are a lot of hours like that where we can’t really work on music. I can read, I guess, but I feel like drawing is a wonderful activity that’s also creative. I started doing it about five years ago and it’s been enriching to me. I’ve done a few of my album covers.”

I asked Salvant how it felt to perform at the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest.

“It feels great,” said Salvant. “The audience was warm and wonderful. I’m having a wonderful time, and I’m actually seeing a line form at the CD table.

As Salvant graciously signed CDs for fans, a New Orleans style parade made its way around the main stage, warming up the for the evening’s headliner, Sergio Mendes and Brasil 2016.

        
Shelah Moody, Sergio Mendes and Radio host Safi Wa Narobi of KPFA FM 

The 75-year-old, Grammy-winning Bossa Nova singer/songwriter/composer and his multicultural band performed “A Celebration of 50 Years of Brasil ’66.”

My father was a jazz pianist who was heavily influence by Samba and Bossa Nova. As a child, Mendes’ iconic “Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66” and other albums were constantly played in our home, and songs such as “Fool On the Hill,” “One Note Samba” and “Look of Love” became the soundtrack of my life.

Oakland rapper H20 led the intro to Mendes’ signature tune, “Mas, que Nada,” and oh, how we danced and sang along to the “O, o-o-o-oh ari-ah, rayoh...Obah, obah, obah!” chorus!

                                Greg Bridges of KCSM FM  and Albert “Tootie” Heath
In a late Sunday night set at downtown San Jose’s Café Stritch, radio host Greg Bridges of KCSM FM San Francisco introduced the legendary drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath, joined by Richard Sears on piano and Martin Nevin on bass https://youtu.be/M5OFxodGLUQ.

                                   Albert “Tootie” Heath

“This cat has been a big part of my life through listening for many, many years,” said Bridges said of Heath. “I learned rhythm from him and cats like him. So many musicians have learned from him; he is a part of the foundation of this music that we call jazz.”

Hailing from one of the first families of jazz, Heath and his musical siblings—Jimmy Heath (saxophone), and the late Percy Heath (bass) formed the Heath Brothers in Philadelphia, PA in 1975 and produced modern jazz recordings such as “Marchin’ On,” “Brothers and Others” and “In Motion. At 81, the gracious Heath packed Café Stritch, and captivated the audience with his stamina and his polyrhythmic drumming technique.

For info on the 2017 San Jose Jazz Winter Fest, go to sanjosejazz.org.

Adrian Younge Written by: Rajada Ealey

Mark your calendars everyone because the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest is approaching soon and guess who’s performing, Adrian Younge! Some of you may know him for producing the brilliant Black Dynamite soundtrack or some of you may know him for his latest collaboration with Wu-Tang Clan member, in Twelve Reasons to die II. But those of you who don’t know him, this may be your perfect chance to see this amazing composer live in action.   

When I first listened to Adrian Younge, I instantly found myself placed in a time machine headed back to the 60s and 70s. He’s usage of smooth jazzy, soul-funk rhythms reminded me a lot of music my mom loves to play. Artists like Slave, Chic, and Larry Young immediately came to mind. It was a blast from the past, but I had to realize that this music wasn’t from the past. It was from the present! Very excited to come to that realization, I became excited for future soul-funk works from this man. Starting out strong with the production of the Black Dynamite soundtrack in 2009, Adrian Younge has had many other successes the following years after. Songs like La Ballade and Silently definitely established a friendship with my ears. His musical style is a unique one. Influenced by the upbeat aroma in which soul-funk brings, but also the chill atmosphere in which the style of Jazz oozes, is a great combination and I have yet to hear anyone who does it better than Adrian Younge. He has the skills to put his best work first and it definitely shows in his works. Having been skilled in a wide range of instruments, such as bass, keyboards, flute, synthesizes, and the viola just to name a few, has paid off because Adrian Young not only holds one but three titles to his name: a musical arranger, producer, and composer. I most certainly would jump at the chance to see Adrian Younge live. So check him out, you may find something you were just looking for. 

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!

Uptown Yardie: The Monty Alexander Trio Live at Yoshi’s By Shelah Moody

Following their stint at the 2015 Monterey Jazz Festival, the Monty Alexander Trio, featuring Jeff Hamilton (drums) and John Clayton (bass), played to a sold out house at Yoshi’s Oakland on Sept. 23.

Alexander, a Grammy-nominated, Jamaica-born pianist/composer, told the story of his illustrious career on the black and white keys of a Steinway & Sons grand piano. The trio celebrated the music of Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Nat “King” Cole, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder and Bob Marley.

Alexander, 71, is perhaps the only artist to maintain careers concurrently in the genres of jazz and reggae, collaborating with the likes of Dizzie Gillespie, Milt Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ernest Ranglin and Sly and Robbie to name a few. As a trio, Alexander, Clayton and Hamilton have been playing together since 1975. In 2006, Alexander recorded one of his finest reggae albums, “Concrete Jungle: The Music of Bob Marley,” recorded at Tuff Gong studios in Kingston and featuring some of the hottest players in contemporary reggae and jazz-- Delfeayo Marsalis (trombone), Dean Fraser (saxophone) Glen Browne (bass), Junior Jazz (guitar) Herlin Riley and Rolando Alphanso Wilson (drums) and Luciano (vocals) and more .

At Yoshi’s, the room became silent as Alexander played the first chords of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” and segued into a tribute to the reggae icon with one of his most popular ballads, “No Woman, No Cry.”

“Yardie!” a man called out from the audience.

“Yeah mon, yuh hear what me a seh; that gentleman is acknowledging the fact that we come from yard, and the yard is the nexus of the house; it’s better than the kitchen,” said Alexander, in a regal, uptown Jamaican accent. “Jamaica gave us riddim.”

Alexander performed one of his original compositions, the one drop-infused “Think Twice,” which is based on Cole Porter’s “Love for Sale.” Alexander added a distinct Caribbean flavor to Charlie Chaplin’s somber ballad “Smile,” featuring an ethereal bass solo by Clayton. Alexander showed off his R&B chops with a lively version of Stevie Wonder’s 1976 hit, “Isn’t She Lovely.”

At age 18, while Alexander was performing at a bar in Florida, Frank Sinatra happened to walk in and change the course of his life by taking him from saloons to “high class joints.” Impressed by the young man’s style on the piano, Sinatra flew Alexander to New York, and he went on to play with Ole Blue Eyes for two-three years on and off. Alexander honored Sinatra’s centennial birthday with hits such as “Mack the Knife,” “Night and Day” and “Strangers in the Night.” For more on Monty Alexander concert dates, go towww.montyalexander.com, Yoshi’s line up, www.yoshis.com. Hear the music of Monty Alexander on Streetwise Radio’s Jazz Café.

NOAKI KENJI

NOAKI KENJI (BIOGRAPHY)

Half German, half Japanese, Naoki spent his early years in Tokyo and Osaka. It is customary in the Land of the Rising Sun to push children at a tender age, which meant that by the age of five he was already taking classical piano lessons and penning his first compositions. 

By the time he was 13, in 1982, his parents sent him to boarding school in Germany to improve his educationFar from his homeland, Naoki discovered the electric guitar and became a member of the school band. The band’s concerts proved a washout, but his first gig convinced Naoki that music would determine his life. As he turned 18 he left school without his parents consent to dedicate himself to his dream. And his interest in electronic music began to grow under the influence of Japanese culture: he felt no less inspired by Helden Szene than by Yellow Magic Orchestra and Ryuichi Sakamoto.

With his first album Tozai from 1999 he already landed a US release, such as few European artists manage. This was followed by further discs in Japan, Europe and the USA on labels like Sony or Universal/US. In 2000 Naoki released the album Shogun on Neuton under the pseudonym “JP Juice”, followed in 2001 by the album Electric Bolero on ICM by his project “Planet Lounge” - a style mix of jazz, world percussion and electronics created together with Christoph Spendel and Hakim Ludin.

Steadily the visual component has gained increasing importance for his productions. From gifted producer Kenji has moved on to become a go-getting video artist, as highlighted by his contributions to the cult TV series “Flowmotion”. In 2002 his album Denshi Ongaku was published by Elektrolux for the first time simultaneously as a CD and a DVD, a milestone for the renowned downbeat label. The album Ecoustic (Elektrolux) followed on in Spring 2004 with a small concert tour.

The CD and DVD Fukai (under the moniker JP Juice) and the video Leben for the band “Schiller” in 2003 on Universal gained Naoki Kenji lasting respect in the scene as a video artist and director. With his series “Man vs. Machine”, the club-oriented version of his established “Flowmotion” format, Naoki together with Tomio Tremmel (The Sushi Club) were given their own TV programme by Hessischer Rundfunk in 2004. Parallel to this Fukai Remixed was released on Blue Flame, featuring remixes by famed producers such as Gabriel le Mar, Pascal Feos, Andreas Kauffelt and Lemongrass. Acclaimed chill-out compilations such as Cafe del Mar or Erotic Lounge have licensed numerous of his tracks.

Doubtless the high point to date in Naoki’s visual-musical output has been the music documentary Brahmand. During the two years in which he shot the film between 2002 and 2004, he travelled to such counties as Laos, Thailand, Burma, Namibia and India. Impressed by the enormous diversity of this planet, he has created in a kind of one-man-show a film without words, in which not only positive but also negative visual impressions and experiences are captured on celluloid. In spring 2005 he and his partner of many years, Tomio Tremel, founded their own label and music publishing house, 4mpo, which aims at presenting a safe platform for their projects even when times get hard. After the Planet Lounge album Nazim and other pearls of the lounge genre, further sounds are planned for the label in the coming years, including the album Versatile, Naoki’s latest long player.

Naoki Kenji feels music is a way of conveying his inner feelings, is a mirror of his soul. He is not one of those musicians who enjoys sitting in bars or partying till dawn. His creative work is so fulfilling that he has no need of any other leisure pursuits. For this he draws intuitively on his outstanding abilities as composer and producer, doing things “in one go”, rather than working for weeks on end toying with one short sequence. Whatever Naoki Kenjii is doing at the moment, whether music, film, video or remix, his work is always distinguished by the high demands he places on himself and by great technical perfectionism - and with that he serves up time and again true delicacies that delight even the most jaded eyes and ears.

Michael e

.As I’m sitting here on this cold breezy 62 degrees “sunny” day in San Jose, CA, I’m  thinking about cooking something very comforting and warm while listening to Michael e. I’m imagining floating downward through the clouds, moving softly down with the warm sun shining and land gently in a field of flowers. The power of his music puts me there instantly! Very relaxing. Michael e is from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. His music is considered smooth chill jazz and I must say, this Brit is very smooth. Michael e’s music takes the stress and worry from my body. This pianist composes his own music and plays all the parts. He started out in 2006 with his debut album “Beautiful World.” His songs “Ship to America,”  “Rainy Thursday,”  “Beautiful World” and “The Things They Say” are personal favorites. If you enjoy smooth chill jazz, you will love Michael e. Check out his music on Streetwise Radio.
LM
Http://michaelemusic.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af15Q4uODJE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0XKr7KtsG4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4l3RHVcwgc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkdUUgfiFcQ
http://artistecard.com/MichaelE

RENOWNED MUSICIAN DELFEAYO MARSALIS BRINGS THE SOUNDS OF NEW ORLEANS TO BRAZIL

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NEW ORLEANS, LA— Grammy winning trombonist and New Orleans native Delfeayo Marsalis will bring the sounds of New Orleans jazz to Sao Paulo’s Bourbon Street Music Club, Mangaratiba Jazz and Blues Festival, as well as venues in Natal, Brazil from October 21-25. Marsalis will travel with his sextet, vocalist Sharon Martin, saxophonist David Caceres, pianist Kyle Roussell, bassist David Pulphus, and drummer Peter Varnado. These performances will promote exchange experiences between Brazilian music and New Orleans jazz. 
“It’s inspiring to bring the beauty of one city to another on such a grand scale,” says Marsalis. “It’s an honor to continue showcasing New Orleans jazz internationally through various initiatives.” 
Modeled after New Orleans restaurants and jazz venues, Sao Paulo’s famous Bourbon Street Music Club brings Louisiana heritage to Sao Paulo through food and music. The Marsalis’ sextet will perform on October 21, at 10 p.m. BRT (Brazilian Time). 
The inaugural Mangaratiba Jazz & Blues Festival will take place on the Green Coast from October 23-October 25 with Marsalis’ group performing on October 23 at 8 p.m. 
The Brazilian tour will close in Natal, Brazil with the band performing at the 5º MPB Jazz Fest. This festival begins on October 21 and Marsalis’ sextet will perform on the festival’s final day, October 25 at 5 p.m. 
For more information, visit delfeayomarsalis.com, like him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DelfeayoMarsalis, follow him on Twitter: @delfeayo
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About Delfeayo Marsalis 
Delfeayo Marsalis is one of the top trombonists, composers, and producers in jazz today. He is also a member of the famed “first family of jazz,” which includes Marsalis’ father and pianist Ellis Marsalis, and brothers, saxophonist Branford Marsalis, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, and percussionist Jason Marsalis. Marsalis also showcases his talent through literature and drama. He is author of the award-winning children’s book No Cell Phone Day and founder of Uptown Music Theatre (UMT). Since 2000, UMT has provided professional dramatic arts training to New Orleans youth, encouraging them to explore the world from different perspectives. 

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Trumpet Star Joins the SFJAZZ Collective
Group will perform new arrangements of music by Michael Jackson
Sean Jones joins the SFJAZZ Collective, replacing long-time member and trumpeter Avishai Cohen, as the group prepares for its 2015 Fall Tour which will feature new arrangements of the music of Michael Jackson and new original compositions.

For the remarkable composer, trumpeter, and educator Sean Jones, the pursuit of jazz is a most serious endeavor. Deeply influenced by his immersion in Gospel music in the church as a youth, Sean had an epiphany at the age of 19 while he was a student at Youngstown State University. The awakening was his first hearing of the magnificent John Coltrane’s masterpiece A Love Supreme. After receiving his Master’s Degree from Rutgers University, Sean performed with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for six years, participating in two recordings. During that time, Sean started touring and performing regularly with his own ensembles and began his longtime relationship with Mack Avenue Records, for whom he has just released his seventh recording.

SFJAZZ Collective will perform new arrangements of Michael Jackson music and original compositions at the SFJAZZ Center from October 22-25 and will be recording that material for a future release.
"...I know in the end, my body of work is going to show a progression of who Sean Jones is in its most honest form. What I’m hearing, what I believe and what I have to say." — Sean Jones

The Music of Michael Jackson & Original Compositions SFJAZZ Collective THU-SUN, OCT 22-25 Miguel Zenón alto sax · David Sánchez tenor sax Sean Jones trumpet · Robin Eubanks trombone Warren Wolf vibraphone · Edward Simon piano Matt Penman bass · Obed Calvaire drums SFJAZZ’s resident all-star ensemble presents new arrangements of music by the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, and new compositions by the band. Much like the approach took with Stevie Wonder’s material a few years ago, the Collective brings the same probing intelligence, incisive lyricism, harmonic insight and rhythmic energy to well-crafted pop tunes as to material conceived for jazz settings. Buy Tickets

SFJAZZ’s resident all-star ensemble presents new arrangements of music by the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, and new compositions by the band. Much like the approach took with Stevie Wonder’s material a few years ago, the Collective brings the same probing intelligence, incisive lyricism, harmonic insight and rhythmic energy to well-crafted pop tunes as to material conceived for jazz settings.
 

Ron Scott Plays The San Jose Jazz Festival August 7th through 9th

San Jose, California as well as the Bay Area, has a lot of talented musicians and bands that are so underrated. My husband says it’s because San Jose Jazz Festival committee, don’t promote its local talent. For several years my husband and the bands he played with would send in CD’s and get turned down. Yet instead play festivals in other cities like San Francisco, Berkeley and Sacramento and get on the main stage opening for artist or head lining. One artist that is playing the San Jose Jazz Festival has deep roots in San Jose. I’m talking about Ron Scott, he was born in San Jose and raised here in the Sunnyhills section of Milpitas. He is a self-taught jazz keyboardist, songwriter and director. Ron as well as his band, The 650 Connection is a mix of urban, smooth, funky, R&B jazz, with fiery Latin rhythms. Ron Scott and his band The 650 Connection has opened for and played with some vary notable recording artist like Chaka Khan, Raheem Devaughn, The O’Jays , Lenny Williams, Whispers, Regina Belle, The DeBarges, Billy Preston and Rose Royce, El Chicano, Lakeside and Bryon Miller. Ron Scott’s latest album ‘In the Keys of Love’ was released in 2014. This album has several songs that are going on my play list like, “Funkin' for Luv (feat. Rasheed Wedlow)”, “My Sweet Diary (feat. Juan Escovedo & Rasheed Wedlow)”, “Last Night Was Amazing (feat. Frank Threadgill Sr.)”, “n the Keys of Love”, “Afro Cuban Blues (feat. Tony Lindsay, Juan Escovedo, Ric Feliciano & Federico Zuniga)” and “Midnight Strut (feat. Rick Warren, Jivoni Jordan, Lucien La Motte, Larry Refu Sanders & Clay Bandy)”. Ron Scott may not be playing on the main stage, in my opinion he should be. He is playing on the YP Gordon Biersch Stage on August 7, 2015 at 8pm. Go check out Ron Scott, you will be happily amazed at his talent and become a fan. Listen to songs from Ron Scott on Streetwise Radio. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on Pandora, iTunes, Live365, Athena365 and MyGen365.

LM

http://www.ronscottjazz.com/bio/

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ronscott22?SourceCode=widgetbaby

Billy Cobham's "Spectrum 40"

      

 

Billy Cobham's "Spectrum 40"

      Tuesday April 28th & 29th  2015

      Yoshi's 

      510 Embarcadero West, Oakland, CA 94607

Call For Info and Tickets (510) 238-9200 

Robert “Dubwise” Browne

Robert “Dubwise” Browne is thrilled to announce the release of his latest album “Groovy Love Thing”. The album became available on iTunes Tuesday April 7 2015.

“Groovy Love Thing” is a Smooth Jazz cover album on Electrifying Grooves Records (distributed digitally by Zojak). The album comprises songs that were originally written and performed by Jamaican Artistes. The ten-track album features titles from artistes such as Tessanne Chin, Maxi Priest, Wayne Wonder and Beres Hammond to name a few.

The first official single “No Letting Go” – the Wayne Wonder original, was

released on February 24th and since then it has been added to the play lists of several Smooth Jazz radio stations in the US and UK.

“I’m really excited about the release of this project. A lot of energy and focus was put into it and I’m happy now that the time has come to share it with the world.”

“The album is only available online (digital downloads) at the moment, but I am working on doing physicals (CDs) later this year”