Category Archives: News

WorldMusicMix: Billie Davies(USA)-Thinking of Marie Laveau

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Billie Davies-Thinking of Marie Laveau

Billie Davies to release a single, recorded in 2016 in New Orleans at her Terrytown studio, scheduled for release on September 27, 2024.

“Thinking of Marie Laveau”
Closing of a series of original albums and mostly freely improvised music that was created in New Orleans: “Hand In Hand In The Hand Of The Moon”, “On Hollywood Boulevard”, “Perspectives”, “Whadeva” and “On Hollywood Boulevard (Live at The Mint in New Orleans), there was one that still had to be published and preserved for the future.
A piece of music, a work of art, created very spontaneously in 2016. It was created there with her very favorite musicians living in New Orleans and with whom she recorded many beautiful works of art and performed with many times as a trio/quartet/quintet. She wanted it published, she wanted it preserved for eternity.
Billie Davies decided to close of her time in New Orleans and the music that was created there with her magical trio with “Thinking of Marie Laveau”, one of the very first original works she recorded on her electronic drumset, they played and recorded it so very well in 2016. The same trio she later recorded “On Hollywood Boulevard” and “Perspectives” with, the same trio she performed with all over New Orleans.
While Billie and Evan were waiting for Oliver to get ready, Billie just suddenly started this play on her toms in a certain kind of a rhythmic/melodic way and a few beats later Evan got inspired and started playing the trombone and the keys… and a little bit later in the music you can hear Oliver joining in… as if everything was meant to be this way.
A totally spontaneous and freely improvised creation in the moment.
Billie was thinking and expressing her momentary feelings on the drums and as if Evan could read her thoughts he expressed an atmosphere and melodic accents as if it were meant to be, poetry. When one lets this music in, when one surrenders to it, one can see people dancing around a fire at midnight, one feels the secret inner belly of spiritual New Orleans, one feels the primeval and tribal spirits and energies that are still present today, it makes one think of Halloween and Mardi Gras… brought to your ears and fantasies by these very talented musicians in a very sultry, sensuous, rhythmic and magical way.

That is also why Billie ended up calling it “Thinking of Marie Laveau”, she felt her then, it made her think about her and about New Orleans and it still does.
She has finaly come around to publishing it to a larger audience as a single… Thank you.

—
Title: “Thinking Of Marie Laveau”
Release Artist: Billie Davies.
Release Date: 09/02/2024
Free Improvisation from the studio.
Genre: Jazz, Fusion.
Mood: Sultry, Sensuous, Tribal, Rhythmic, Spiritual.
Musicians & Composers: Billie Davies on electronic drums, Evan Oberla on keys and trombone, Oliver Watkinson on electric bass.
Recording: Mike Davies
Mixing: Mike Davies & Billie Davies
Mastering: Mike Davies
Label: Independent
Distributed in the US and Canada with ReverbNation
Published at ReverbNation, Bandcamp

09/02/2024
Billie Davies PR
http://www.billiedaviesmusic.com

WorldMusicMix

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2024: PETER XIFARAS: New Album “FUSION”

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PETER XIFARAS “FUSION”
Genre-crossing Peter Xifaras is a musical wizard who is an inventive, guitarist, keyboardist, composer, and recording producer. Fusion features Xifaras’ infectious electronic rhythms, solos from trumpeter Shunzo Ohno and electric violinist Xander Nichting, and ensembles that are funky and catchy.

MUSICIANS:
Peter Xifaras – Guitar & Keys, Shunzo Ohno– Trumpet, Xander Nichting – Violin, Max Gerl – Bass, Scott Jackson – Drums & Percussion,
Czech National Symphony Orchestra

In his career, the innovative Peter Xifaras has consistently created music that has made Billboard’s classical and crossover charts, frequently featuring mixtures of genres including spoken word, symphonic music, and jazz fusion. His latest recording, Fusion, blends together Xifaras’ guitar and electronic keyboards with the great Japanese jazz trumpeter Shunzo Ohno, the versatile violinist Xander Nichting, bassist Max Gerl, and drummer-percussionist Scott Jackson, with contributions from the Czech National Symphony Orchestra.

The opener, “Chaos,” has music that is anything but chaotic. The rhythmic vamp sets an ominous atmosphere that is accentuated by Ohno’s wa-wa electrified trumpet which hints at Miles Davis circa 1973. He takes a blazing solo on “Shunzo” over the stirring ensembles and Nichting also has a rewarding
spot. The ensemble-oriented “Wild And Free” finds Xifaras and the rhythm section setting patterns with backing by the Czech National Symphony.

“B Blues” is not actually a blues but a bluesy original with a funky vamp that is one of the release’s highlights, featuring colorful trumpet, violin, guitar and bass solos. “Think Quick” is also particularly memorable including its infectious theme and the melodic solos. “While My Guitar Weeps For Mehdi Rajabian” is a showcase for Xifaras’ guitar. Joined by strings on the medium-tempo dirge, he makes a personal, warm, and emotional statement. This unique outing concludes with more wa-wa trumpet from Ohno on the warm and nostalgic “Till We Meet Again.”

Peter Xifaras has had as wide-ranging a career as his music. He began having guitar lessons when he was nine, played with a rock band as a teenager, and studied classical guitar in college. After graduating, he opened a recording studio and started his record label, Music With No Expiration®. He has since
recorded as the leader of his own symphoneX orchestra®, welcoming guest artists to many of his releases. Xifaras’ music ranges from classical and fusion to cinematic and spoken word with his playing, particularly on guitar, being strikingly original. He is most proud of Children Of Conflict, an award-winning release that focuses on the need for social justice.
Fusion is Peter Xifaras’ latest accomplishment, a continually intriguing and invigorating set that is both creative and quite accessible. For listeners not familiar with his previous work, Fusion serves as the perfect introduction to his innovative music.

Web sites:
http://www.PeterXifaras.com
http://www.Symphony-X.com
http://www.MusicWithNoExpiration.com

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2024

WorldMusicMix: Peyman Yazdanian(Iran) – New Album: Just About Cinema

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Peyman Yazdanian
Nouvel album
Just About Cinema
Disponible chez Melmax Music
Quelques mois après la réédition de son Live In Lecce, l’artiste iranien Peyman Yazdanian sort Just About Cinema, un album sur lequel on retrouve onze de ses meilleures musiques de films.
Avec Just About Cinema, on savoure toute la diversité musicale, et l’intense poésie qui se dégage de son métier de compositeur, à la croisée de la musique classique, de la musique contemporaine et de la musique traditionnelle persane.
Qu’est ce qui relie Le vent nous emportera d’Abbas Kiarostrami (Grand Prix du Jury à Venise en 1999), Nuit d’Ivresse Printanière de Ye Lou (Palme d’or à Cannes en 2009), Un homme intègre de Mohammad Rasoulof (Prix Un Certain Regard en 2017) ou Climbing Iran de Francesca Borghetti (Prix du Public Trento Film Festival 2021), sinon l’immense talent de Peyman Yazdanian qui a composé la musique de plus de 70 films ?
“Ce projet  Just about Cinéma a émergélors de ma récente installation à Paris. En rassemblant des extraits de musique de films pour présenter mon travail à des réalisateurs français, dans le but d’amorcer de potentielles collaborations. J’ai eu l’idée d’en faire une compilation pour y inclure une sélection de musiques originales de films, parfois jamais commercialisées, complétée de titres déjà disponibles afin d’afficher les différentes facettes de mon écriture pour l’image” a expliqué Peyman Yazdanian pour présenter l’album déjà disponible en digital sur toutes les plateformes.
 Pour écouter le titre Wind Will Carry Us :https://youtu.be/NTskdryR-48?si=6iEqZz6pYwhyvEYq
La découverte de l’album Just About Cinema prouve que la palette musicale de Peyman Yazdanian est riche et variée, reflètant sa capacité à s’adapter à une multitude de genres cinématographiques et surtout aux attentes du compositeur, en voici quelques aspects.

Émotion et Sensibilité : Peyman Yazdanian excelle dans la création de compositions émotionnelles et sensibles qui capturent les nuances des personnages et des situations. Sa musique peut être poignante, mélancolique ou inspirante selon les besoins du film.

Atmosphères évocatrices : il est capable de créer des mélodies qui transportent le spectateur dans l’univers du film. Que ce soit un drame intense, une romance subtile ou un suspense palpitant, sa musique contribue à établir l’ambiance et à renforcer l’immersion du public.

Mélange de traditions musicales : en tant que compositeur iranien, Peyman Yazdanian incorpore souvent des éléments de la musique traditionnelle persane dans ses compositions, ajoutant une dimension culturelle et une identité distincte à sa musique.

Innovation et expérimentation : bien qu’il puisse rester fidèle à des conventions musicales éprouvées, il n’hésite pas à expérimenter avec de nouveaux sons, instruments et techniques pour créer des scores uniques et originaux.La pochette de l’album Just About Cinema est un hommage à celui qui fut un des premiers à lui accorder sa confiance : Abbas Kiarostrami, l’un des plus grands réalisateurs iraniens. Peyman Yazdanian a demandé au photographe Didier Robcis de projeter le film The Wind will carry us sur un mur, puis il s’est glissé vers l’écran comme pour ne faire qu’un avec le film, sa musique et le réalisateur. Les œuvres survivent à leurs créateurs.
 Lien digital  Bandcamp  Spotify

WorldMusicMix

France: Abaji – Nouvel EP Carnet de Voyages Part 1

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Abaji
Nouvel EP Carnet de Voyages Part 1
Sortie digitale le 04/10/2024 chez Absilone
En concert au Pan Piper le dimanche 13/10/2024 à 17h
Musicien, chanteur, compositeur et grand voyageur, Abaji est de retour avec Carnet de Voyages, un EP cinq titres nourri de ses rencontres musicales de par le monde.
Après l’album Blue Shamansorti en 2021, le virtuose et multi-instrumentiste poursuit ses explorations musicales. “J’ai eu la chance et le bonheur de faire le tour du monde grâce à la musique et surtout de rencontrer des musiciens ET des instruments de musique ! Tout au long de ces voyages, je note dans ma mémoire des paysages, des sourires, des larmes et des sons, puis, en studio d’enregistrement, avec tous mes instruments rassemblés, je transforme ces souvenirs en mélodies, en rythmes et en chansons” a-t-il déclaré.
Sur Carnet de Voyages, on distingue un hulusi de Chine, une flûte bansuri d’Inde, une lyra kemence de la Mer Noire, un çura de Turquie, un charango de Bolivie, un bouzouki de Grèce, un oud-guitar de son imagination, des percussions d’un peu partout et la voix enveloppante d’Abaji.
Premier extrait du Carnet de Voyages, Abaji nous emmène au Mali pour Tango In Bamako, un titre qui relie le blues et la musique malienne. 
Auteur/compositeur/multi-instrumentiste/chanteur d’origine arménienne (né au Liban) mais vivant depuis longtemps en France, l’artiste Abaji est en fait un véritable globe-trotter, musicien virtuose, nomade mais aussi polyglotte sachant nous faire voyager à travers sa musique de l’Orient à l’Asie en passant par l’Afrique, l’Amérique et l’Europe.
Ethno-musicologue, spécialiste dans les médecines chinoises et les arts martiaux et humaniste devant l’éternel, Abaji chante en arménien, français, arabe, turc, grec pour honorer ses racines et lancer des passerelles entre les peuples.
Avec son nouvel EP Carnet de Voyages Part 1, Abaji nous entraîne au Mali (Tango In Bamako), en Arménie (Armenian Mountains) où il avait enregistré l’album Route & Roots, puis traverse l’Atlantique pour atteindre le Chili (El Cielo de Atacama). Le voyage se poursuit en Turquie avec Tuurkish Mood, pays qui lui est cher car sa mère est née à Istanbul et son père à Smyrne. Carnet de Voyages se clôt avec Zikrayat qui veut dire souvenirs en arabe, une chanson leitmotiv qui poursuit l’auditeur pendant longtemps.
A son Carnet de Voyages, Abaji a apposé les mots Organic World Music comme pour rappeler qu’à l’heure des réseaux sociaux et de l’IA incontournable, le rôle du musicien dans la société est de partager les émotions non artificielles.
Abaji présentera son Carnet de Voyages le dimanche 13 octobre 2024 à 17h sur la scène du Pan Piper à Paris, et le disque sera disponible dès le 04 octobre sur toutes les plateformes digitales via le label Absilone 

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WorldMusicMix

USA: New Digital album Release. BILLIE DAVIES “On Hollywood Boulevard – Live at The Mint in New Orleans”

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“On Hollywood Boulevard – Live at The Mint in New Orleans”
Performed at Music At The Mint in 2017 – brought by The New Orleans Jazz Museum
To be released through ReverbNation and Bandcamp on 08/08/2024.

Album: On Hollywood Boulevard
Album sub title: Live At The Mint in New Orleans
Album Artist: Billie Davies
Lyrics: Billie Davies
Lead sheet melodies: Billie Davies
Musicians: Billie Davies – electronic drums, Evan Oberla – piano/electric keys/synth, Oliver Watkinson – electric bass, Iris P. – vocals.
Genre: Jazz, Nu-jazz, World Jazz Fusion
Recording date: 05/19/2017
Recording place: The Mint at the New Orleans Jazz Museum
Recording engineer: Danny Kadar
Mixing/Mastering: Mike Davies
Author URL: http://www.billiedaviesmusic.com

About “On Hollywood Boulevard – Live at The Mint in New Orleans”

“On Hollywood Boulevard” came about while Billie Davies still lived at 6533 Hollywood Blvd. at The Historic Hillview Hollywood in Hollywood, Los Angeles. She lived there for several years and her many experiences in and impressions of Hollywood Boulevard needed recording. It took from 2012 in Hollywood, the initial conception, to September of 2016 in New Orleans to result in a recorded album of 5 songs that Billie Davies wrote melodies and lyrics for, 1 instrumental improvisation and 1 improvisation with improvised lyrics by IRIS P.

Billie and her husband/recording engineer Mike Davies chose Evan Oberla, with whom she recorded and performed since February of 2015, on keys/synth and trombone and Oliver Watkinson, who became her bass player in the summer of 2015, on electric bass. Billie Davies met Iris P through an introduction by Evan Oberla, during one of their performances at The Dragon’s Den in New Orleans, and was rejoiced to find the perfect vocalist, the perfect chemistry, to record and perform the electric “On Hollywood Boulevard” lyrics and experience.

The Live at The Mint in New Orleans version in 2017 was the third time they performed On Hollywood Boulevard live and according to Billie Davies tradition sounds different from the original recording as nothing can ever be exactly the same every time and needs to be different as it has a different environment, a different audience, a different mood of the day… In Billie’s opinion the best recording and performance of the “On Hollywood Boulevard” album.
This Live recording shows the evolution of the music since the original recording in 2016 … and the music was performed live first at “The Prime Example” in New Orleans during the CD Release Party in December of 2016.

“It is all about life, and my life, on Hollywood Boulevard, and what that boulevard and Hollywood represents to the world, to America. But then again it is also very much about life in general, and how the media has such a big influence on our lives today through the web, TV, movies, magazines, music and its stars.

Whether you call it prostitution or the seduction (touch me, squeeze me, love me) of millions of people every year into the fantasies that are responsible for maintaining one of the biggest brainwash schemes that are basically controlled by Wall Street and Industry & Enterprise, it all lives on Hollywood Boulevard, in Hollywood.
It is a world of Drugs, murder, con artists and thieves.
It is a world of selling the american dream.
It is a world of high end entertainment that most Hollywood Boulevard locals cannot afford or get into, but maybe they work or perform in it.
It is the world of the dream, a last stand of bohemia where poetry is very much alive and where punk rock and rap and hip hop and DJ’s rule.
It is the world where we smell the crack in the hall ways and where thugs and hookers and homeless and hopefuls meet at night…
It is a world of selling the American Dream, selling that fantasy of Disney and Oscars and Grammys. Selling the brainwash of the world.” (Billie Davies)


“All of my music is improvisational… I just evolve into it and with every project comes something different, depending on the subject of the project or album. I do not think of myself playing avant-garde, or avant-jazz or free jazz or nu jazz, I just play what comes naturally to me, in the case of “On Hollywood Boulevard” for example I needed it to sound very electric, almost commercial like because Hollywood Boulevard is a commercial, is very electric and full of neon lights. I wrote lead sheet music and lyrics for that album. It’s all jazz to me.” (Billie Davies).


About Billie Davies

Billie Davies is a drummer and a composer best known for her free, instinctively avant-garde compositions since the mid nineties, and her improvisational drumming techniques she has performed in Europe and in the US. All of her music is improvisational … reminding us sometimes of, as Jerome Wilson put it on AAJ, “the spiritual jazz tradition, as exemplified by John Coltrane, Alice Coltrane and Pharaoh Sanders. Billie Davies’ work reminds you of many different things but in the end, it is its own original beast, as powerful as anything more well-known musicians have created.. Her Music Is It’s Own Original Beast”.

By 1977, when she was 22, Billie was working in the Private Night Club sector as a DJ in Cologne, Germany. That set the stage for a successful DJ career in Belgium a few years later, she remembers “Les Cinq Anneaux” in Knokke, coastal Belgium, where she packed the house every weekend.
Aged 25 Davies started the transition to become a professional musician.
She played and performed in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece for the next 7 years.


At a crossroads in her musical career, in 1984, while living and performing in the South of France (Montpellier, Toulouse, Biarritz, La Rochelle), Billie ended up receiving a grant from Max Roach to study at Berklee College of Music, this was after he heard one of her tapes she laid down with a bass player she met in Montpellier, France. Billie was however having too much fun in the south of France, living the life of a gypsy jazz musician and therefore decided not to take the offer. In Max Roach’s words: “Hearing from your tape, you could learn more fundamental drumming techniques, but I also hear the natural drummer, so my advice is for you not to worry too much about your technical skill, you will develop your own, I can definitely hear that, but just in case that you might want to study in a good program, please accept my invitation in the form of a talent grant to come study at the Berklee College of Music, all you need to worry about is finding a place to live and some money to survive”.


A move to the United States at 32 gave her an opportunity to play all over the west coast. In 1987 in Oregon, she met and played a few times with Leroy Vinegar, and then later in early 1988 she moved to California, San Francisco where she was mostly active in North Beach and in the Lower-Haight district, where she met and ended up playing a few times with John Handy and played frequently with local jazz notables at their unforgiving jams, in her words: the best learning school she ever had.
In the mid-nineties she recorded “Cobra Basemento”, that included “The Man From Tollund”, and “Dreams”, the infamous boombox recordings, with Saul Kaye and Mike Goodwin. They were preserved for the future in 2004 & 2005.


In 2009 she moved to Hollywood, California and released “all about Love.” with Tom Bone Ralls and Oliver Steinberg and “12 VOLT” with Daniel Coffeng and Adam Levy and the 23rd Los Angeles Music Awards awarded her best Jazz Artist in 2013.
In March of 2014 she moved to New Orleans where she released “Hand In Hand In The Hand Of The Moon”, with Evan Oberla, Alex Blaine, Branden Lewis and Ed Strohsahl, “On Hollywood Boulevard” with Evan Oberla, Oliver Watkinson and Iris P and “PERSPECTIVES II” re-distributed as “PERSPECTIVES” with Evan Oberla, Oliver Watkinson, Ari Kohn, Iris P and Allie Porter.
She was nominated “Best Contemporary Jazz Artist” by the 2017 Best Of The Beat Awards, AND in 2019 they nominated her “Best Drummer”.


In 2020 she recorded “Whadeva” with Damani Butler and Maude Caillat
In 2022 she left New Orleans and made a permanent move to West Palm Beach, Florida.

Discography As leader:
2004: “Cobra Basemento”
2005: “Dreams”
2012: “all about Love.”
2013: “12 VOLT”
2015: “Hand In Hand In The Hand Of The Moon”
2016: “On Hollywood Boulevard”
2018: “PERSPECTIVES II”
2024: “On Hollywood Boulevard (Live at The Mint in New Orleans)”

Discography As A Contributor:
2020: “Whadeva” (Live at Dangerous Art Studios, New Orleans, LA, 2/13/2020), a Damani Butler project.

WorldMusicMix

WorldMusicMix: Two Giants of Smooth Jazz Release Their New Single “Wake Up”

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Two Giants of Smooth Jazz Release Their New Single “Wake Up”

The upcoming June 7th will see the world of Smooth Jazz and Funk eagerly welcoming the release of “Wake Up,” the new single from two prominent European guitarists: the international artists David Margam (Spain) and Horst Lippitsch (Austria)

“Wake Up” symbolizes a rebirth, an awakening to life after difficult times, offering a message of hope and
renewal. This single stands out for its elegant sound that masterfully fuses the genres of Funk, Smooth
Jazz, and RnB, reflecting the mastery and distinctive style of both artists.

“Wake Up” is not just a musical composition, but a statement of resilience and positivity. Every note and chord is designed to inspire and motivate those who listen to this masterpiece.

“Wake Up” will be available on June 7th on all streaming platforms and for digital download.

David Margam, renowned for his virtuosity and his ability to convey emotions through his guitar, has been a central figure in the Smooth Jazz scene in Spain. Horst Lippitsch, on the other hand, is acclaimed in Austria and internationally for his impeccable technique and musical versatility.
Together, they create a unique synergy that promises to captivate listeners worldwide.

Fans of both artists and lovers of Smooth Jazz & Grooves are invited to join this musical journey
celebrating life and rebirth.

Available on all digital platforms on June 7, 2024

www.drfunkproducciones.com

WorldMusicMix

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2024: EYM Trio: Nouvel album Casablanca

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EYM Trio
Nouvel album Casablanca
Disponible chez Kollision Records
Un an après l’album Bangalore avec la chanteuse indienne Varijashree Venugopal, EYM Trio poursuit ses explorations nomades avec Casablanca, un disque disponible sur le label Kollision Records. Pour ce cinquième album, EYM Trio se recentre sur une création à trois, comme une nécessité de retour aux sources après s’être nourrit de tant d’aventures et de collaborations.

Composé d’Elie Dufour au piano, Marc Michel à la batterie, et Yann Phayphet à la contrebasse, le EYM Trio s’amuse avec des éléments de langage de musiques venant des quatre coins du monde, le tout dans des métriques innovantes laissant place à une grande liberté d’interprétation. A eux trois, ils créent un univers captivant, amusant et surprenant qui invite avec légèreté au voyage et au lâcher prise.

EYM Trio a choisi Casablanca comme nom d’album car c’est dans cette ville que les trois musiciens ont rencontré le dessinateur Simon Lamouret qui illustre tout l’album. 

Pour regarder et diffuser la vidéo de Casablanca (Nomad’ Session) :https://youtu.be/MdhIUL0gLbM?si=cvzRdIG14ZRh8J_8

Ce cinquième album Casablanca reflète l’état d’esprit nomade du EYM trio et nous embarque dans un jazz mélodique qui se joue des frontières. Il se veut dans la continuité du projet Nomad’ Sessions initié en 2019.

Elie Dufour écrit au piano la musique spécialement pour le groupe, sans directives précises. Elle est faite pour être remodelée en permanence en toute confiance par la sensibilité de chacun. On y retrouve certaines influences qui lui sont chères : les musiques bulgares, tziganes et orientales au sens large…

Cet album est l’occasion de dévoiler en avant première une innovation pianistique. Elie Dufour a profité du confinement avec Robert Kieffer, pour créer une pédale mécanique, acoustique, ayant pour but de muter la partie centrale du piano et ainsi de pouvoir avoir accès à des modes de jeu inédits. Elle est omniprésente sur l’album Casablanca, donnant au piano la capacité de sonner comme un nouvel instrument, proche du oud et des instruments à cordes pincées.

Considérons cet album comme un voyage sonore accompagné avec justesse par le dessin, laissant place à un rêve de concert dessiné.

 Site officiel  Facebook  Instagram

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2024

WorldMusicMix: Meet Manuela Sánchez Goubert: Redefining Latin American Folklore With Heartfelt New Single “Mamá”

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New York City, May 2024 — Manuela Sánchez Goubert, a fresh and compelling voice in the
music world, is thrilled to announce the release of her new single, “Mamá,” released on May
25th on all major streaming platforms ahead of her debut album release this August. This track
exemplifies Manuela’s reinvention of Latin American folklore, blending traditional sounds with
modern influences.

“Mamá” is a heartfelt and evocative song that pays tribute to all mothers and nurturers, including
Manuela’s mother, who instilled in her the belief in the healing power of music.

“This song is a testament to how music can heal, and is a tribute to mothers everywhere,” says
Manuela. “Everything I am, I owe to my mom.”

“Mamá” showcases a fusion of cumbia rhythm with contemporary elements, creating a sound
that is both timeless and contemporary. Manuela’s voice, rich with emotion and authenticity,
leads the listener on a journey through the heart of Latin American folklore.

About Manuela and her band
Manuela and her band belong to a new generation, who–inspired by the folkloric traditions of the
50’s–propose new compositions with a modern touch, nourished by jazz reharmonizations.
Manuela is a Colombian artist who combines jazz with Latin American folklore, creating a
cosmopolitan sound. She studies at the Berklee Global Jazz Institute led by Maestro Danilo
Pérez and Patricia Zárate, where she hones her social activism skills by engaging in community
outreach programs, participating in social justice initiatives, and collaborating on projects that
use music as a tool for social change. Furthermore, she is an ambassador for the Latin Grammy
Cultural Foundation and participates in the Foundation’s 2024 “Leading Ladies of
Entertainment” Program.

Born and raised in the Colombian Andes, Manuela moved to New York City as a teenager, where
she was introduced to the jazz scene by mentors like Lucía Pulido and Lauren Kinhan. She has
performed in major venues around the world, including the Panamá Jazz Festival, Jazz at Lincoln
Center, and Radio City Valencia alongside world-renowned artists such as Andrés Cepeda,
Luciana Souza, Olga Román, and New York Voices.

These are her band members:
Juan Diego Panadero is a Colombian clarinetist sponsored by Légère, a two-time Latin Grammy
winner, and a star of the Disney+ series “The Low Tone Club,” currently completing his studies
at Berklee College of Music.

Sebastián Guerrero, a bassist from Medellín, graduated from Longy School of Music and EAFIT,
contributing to diverse musical projects across genres like jazz, tropical, and hip hop as a bassist,
arranger, and producer.

Juan Sebastián Ramírez Cubides is a versatile Colombian percussionist in both symphonic and
popular percussion. He graduated from the Universidad Nacional in Bogotá, Colombia, and is
currently studying world percussion and music production at Berklee College of Music.

Federico Aristizábal is a Colombian drummer, percussionist, and guitarist from Medellín,
recognized for his versatility and musicality, having won multiple music competitions and
performed with notable musicians.

Luana Brazzán, a young drummer and percussionist from Arequipa, Peru, fuses Afro-Peruvian
and Andean rhythms with jazz, and founded the all-women Afro-Peruvian jazz band Magenta
Jazz, active in festivals and concerts.

Simón Martínez is an Ecuadorian pianist, composer, producer, and arranger focused on Latin
American alternative music, who studied at Universidad San Francisco de Quito and Berklee
College of Music, and is the music director of the Latin American Student Association at
Berklee.

Felipe Álvarez is a Chilean music producer and guitarist, a Berklee graduate, who has performed
with Latin Grammy winners and currently teaches music and music production at the Mattapan
Teen Center.

What’s Next for Manuela?
On May 25th, “Mamá” was released as the lead single, with the full album of original songs set
to drop in August. Manuela and her band will embark on an international tour in mid-August,
performing on the East Coast, as well as in Colombia (Bogotá, Medellín), Ecuador (Quito), and
Peru (Lima). If you’d like to support Manuela and her band, check out her fundraising page.

“Manuela’s profound understanding of Latin American rhythms and her innovative jazz
interpretations set her apart as a truly remarkable artist,” says Danilo Pérez, Grammy
Award-winning pianist and composer, “Her work is both a homage to her heritage and a bold
step into the future of music.”
“She has a creative vision that is mature and steeped in merging her traditional background with
what interests her in the colorful world she is surrounded by,” says Lauren Kinhan of New York
Voices.

For interviews, guest list, and further information, please contact MSG Management at msg.management.co@gmail.com


Website
Support Manuela
Instagram
Facebook
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JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2024: Scott Murphy(UK/Hong Kong)-“a dream of form”

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“a dream of form” is an idea conceived while the inspirational music of legendary pianist Fred Hersch performing solo in Hong Kong washed over Scott Murphy which got out of hand very quickly! Before Scott even had a chance to work out what music he wanted to record musicians, engineers and a studio were booked.

A frantic period of creativity took place wherein Scott composed the music for the LP over a short couple of weeks in which he also had performances in China, multiple shows at Hong Kong’s largest Jazz festival and attempted to renew his passport against the clock.Thankfully for this project Scott had booked musicians the musical skill and excellence of whom was beyond reproach.

Taking an ostentatious leap of faith, Scott reached out to Janek Gwizdala; a bassist and composer he had admired since he’d first heard Janek’s “Live at the 55 Bar” album as a teenager. Gwizdala is one of the preeminent bassists of contemporary times with a back-catalogue of genuine world quality. He’s also an exceptionally versatile musician with the artistry to come into the studio one day after arriving in Hong Kong (and without meeting any of the band) and lift the music effortlessly to another level.

Scott turned to two of his favourite local collaborators to complete the group featuring Hong Kong’s most creative and adroit keyboardist Daniel Chu and arguably Asia’s number one drummer in
Padget “Fresh Kid” Nanton III. Daniel is a sound explorer who’s creativity can be heard throughout “a dream of form” and, indeed, any project he is involved with.While Fresh is quite simply the most in- demand drummer in Asia and the absolute engine room of this LP.

The session for “a dream of form” took place in just four hours live without rehearsal or time to attempt multiple takes.This recording is an animated example of four musicians in a room with a common goal and level of respect for improvised music as well as one another.The sheer quality of Janek, Daniel and Padget shines through with every second of this LP and cements it as a unique work featuring musicians at the top of their profession.

Recorded at Avon Studios with Thomas Lo (4231 Music), mixed in Scotland by Gus Stirrat (Solas Studios) and mastered by Peter Beckmann (Technologyworks) in London, this LP is an international collaboration of some of contemporary Jazz music’s most well regarded and exciting young talents.

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JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2024

WorldMusicMix: Gavin Harrison / Antoine Fafard(UK)-Perpetual Mutations (2024)

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Perpetual Mutations is an original album project released in July 2024, following the first collaboration between Gavin Harrison and Antoine Fafard, entitled Chemical Reactions, which debuted four years prior. Perpetual Mutations showcases an eclectic blend of musical arrangements and includes contributions from nine collaborators representing various nationalities and continents.

As it was in the first effort, all the music on this album is entirely performed and excludes any programmed instruments. The joint instrumental musical effort was put together with the clear intention of not repeating the exact same sonic textures featured in the first album and keep looking for different and original musical possibilities. For instance, Perpetual Mutations introduces classical guitar and piano, instruments absent in the 2020 album. In addition, some of the pieces feature the Rhodes piano, the soprano saxophone (performed by Jean-Pierre Zanella), as well as handpans and log drum instruments. The song Objective Reality is a piece which is led by Rodrigo Escalona on the oboe in an unusual trio format.

Some strings are also featured as lead instruments on the album, with two pieces – Deadpan Euphoria and Pentalogic Structure – where the cello has a dominant presence (performed by Joasia Cieslak and Isodora Filipovic) and on Viral Information 101 where violinist Ally Storch takes the lead. To conclude the list of contributors,

Dale Devoe – an alumni from the Stan Kenton Orchestra – provided some brass ensembles on three tracks, performing all the trombone and trumpet parts.

The pacing of Perpetual Mutations on all nine pieces takes the listener into various moods and atmospheres. Directly related to the eclectic and ever changing instrumentations used from one piece to the next, the album can’t be easily summarized as one identifiable entity. However, the playing of Harrison and Fafard on every piece is the common thread that unifies all the music on the album.

Harrison’s unmistakable sound and personal approach to the drums are evident throughout, while Fafard’s composition and playing style on the bass and guitar contribute to unify the project. Perpetual Mutations offers a fusion of musical styles and sonic textures that complements the first effort Harrison and Fafard put out four years previously.

The intention of this project is to stretch out artistic possibilities and contribute to expanding the musical spectrum. Gavin Harrison’s work with Porcupine Tree, King Crimson and The Pineapple Thief is well known to progressive fans around the world. Harrison has authored several instructional drum books and DVDs and has received multiple awards from various publications.

Fafard has been releasing his music for over 20 years. He has collaborated with some of the world’s most respected and influential players, including Vinnie Colaiuta, Jerry Goodman, Gary Husband, Simon Phillips and Todd Sucherman. Fafard’s music has been praised for its intricacy and originality by his peers.

Released in 2024, Perpetual Mutations is distributed by Amplified Distribution in the US and Code 7 in the UK.

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