JazzWorldQuest 2023: Robin McKelle – Impressions of Ella

Robin McKelle
Nouvel album Impressions of Ella
Sortie le 02/06/2023 chez naïve / Believe
Robin McKelle revient au jazz avec le disque Impressions of Ella, qui comprend onze standards immortalisés par Ella Fitzgerald. Accompagnée de Kenny Baron au piano, Peter Washington à la basse et Kenny Washington à la batterie, la chanteuse Robin McKelle est de retour au sommet avec cet album dédié à sa plus grande influence musicale, Ella.

Prévu pour le 02 juin 2023 sur le label naïve, l’album Impressions of Ella est un hommage aussi inspiré que personnel à la First Lady of Swing. D’Embraceable You en passant par April in Paris, How High is the Moon, My One and Only ou Taking a Chance on Love, on retrouve sur Impressions of Ella la chanteuse Robin McKelle très inspirée et qui parvient à donner souffle à ces classiques intemporels. L’album révèle une Robin McKelle plus expérimentée et avisée que jamais. Plus de 15 ans après son premier album, elle est enfin prête à affronter la charge émotionnelle de ces standards du jazz.“

Ma voix a mûri, et moi aussi. J’ai senti qu’à ce moment de ma vie, ces paroles avaient un sens pour moi. Impressions of Ella est comme un retour à la maison pour moi. Comme une réunion familiale après des années de séparation. Une reconnexion avec la musique qui m’a nourrie pendant toutes mes années de formation musicale, et qui furent largement influencées par Ella Fitzgerald” a-t-elle expliqué.

Pour regarder et diffuser Embraceable You :https://youtu.be/MP1jZ0m-8zA

De la country au R&B, Robin McKelle a consacré toute sa carrière à explorer l’immensité de la musique américaine. Avec Impressions of Ella, l’artiste chevronnée renoue avec son premier amour : le jazz.

En 2006, son premier album éponyme Introducing Robin McKelle explorait une douzaine de standards intemporels des années swing (“Come Rain or Come Shine”, “Night and Day”, “On the Sunny Side of the Street”). Pour son dernier album, McKelle s’inspire de sa plus grande influence artistique : Ella Fitzgerald. “Cette idée m’est venue parce qu’Ella a été ma première introduction au jazz vocal. J’ai tant appris de sa façon de chanter. Son swing et son interprétation résonnent en moi.”  

Pour donner vie à cette idée, Robin fait appel à un tout nouveau trio de musiciens de jazz renommés : le batteur Kenny Washington, le bassiste Peter Washington, et le grand Kenny Barron au piano. “Je n’étais pas intimidée à l’idée de jouer avec eux, bien que leurs CV soient vraiment impressionnants. Je me demandais simplement si j’allais être au niveau, et si nous allions nous entendre. C’était une chance inouïe de pouvoir chanter à leurs côtés”.

La rencontre entre un chanteur et un musicien est peut-être l’une des unions les plus profondes et extraordinaires de la musique. Kenny Barron, virtuose du piano jazz, le sait mieux que quiconque. Ayant fait ses armes en tant que sideman pour Philly Joe Jones et Dizzy Gillespie, il a enregistré plus de 50 albums, sur plus de cinq décennies.

Avec Impressions of Ella, Robin McKelle ne tente pas de tout réinventer ni de limiter son potentiel d’expression créative. Tout en faisant l’éloge de notre “First Lady of Song”, l’album marque pour Robin un inéluctable passage à l’âge adulte, à un moment de sa carrière où son travail acharné porte enfin ses fruits.

En tournée :

04 Mai 2023 – Bruxelles (BE)

06 Mai 2023 – Courtrai (BE)

17 Mai 2023 – Deauville (FR)
15 Juin 2023 – Chatellerault (FR)
28 Juin 2023 – Ajaccio (FR)
11 Juil. 2023 – Chambery (FR)
14 Juil. 2023 – Maspalomas (FR)
21 Juil. 2023 – Narbonne (FR)
02 Aout 2023 – Marciac (FR)
13 Aout 2023 – Annecy (FR)
12 October 2023 – Reims (FR)
04 Nov 2023 – Bordeaux (FR)
10 Nov 2023 – Rouen (FR)
11 Nov 2023 – Conilhac-Corbières (FR)

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JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2023

JazzWorldQuest 2023: Ilya Dynov (USA)-Album: Bridges

Ilya Dynov-Bridges

Featuring: Alex Norris: trumpet, Jihee Heo: piano, Lonnie Plaxico: bass, Ilya Dynov: drums

Constellation

With his debut album “Bridges”, New York-based jazz drummer Ilya Dynov reveals himself as an outstanding contender on the jazz scene, boasting credits as a formidable performer, composer, and bandleader. The music, ranging in various jazz styles, combines tradition with virtuosity and maintains a high level of creative freedom while displaying a mature sense of harmony.

The record consists of all original compositions by Dynov and features an array of world class talent out of New York. Joining Ilya Dynov on drums are the legendary bassist Lonnie Plaxico, known for his work with Art Blakey, Jack Dejohnette and Cassandra Wilson, extraordinary trumpeter Alex Norris who regularly performs with the Vanguard and Mingus Big Bands, and the exceptional pianist Jihee Heo, a rising star in the NYC jazz scene.

“Bridges” comprises 9 tracks: four in a piano trio setting, three as a quartet with trumpet, and two flavorful drum solos provide the “Intro” and “Finale” statements.

Some of the greatest highlights can be found in the song entitled “Constellation”. This intense modern jazz tune shines through the virtuosity of Alex Norris and Jihee Heo; as soloists they display an amazingly creative and rhythmically strong character undergirded by Ilya Dynov and Lonnie Plaxico.

Website

JazzWorldQuest 2023

USA: Alex Coke Carl Michel Sextet CD Release


Alex Coke -Carl Michel Sextet CD Release”EMERGENCE”

 THURSDAY April 20, 2023 8:30pm Soundspace at Captain Quack’s 5326 Menchaca Austin TX 78745

(512)-453-3399

 Tickets:

Join the Alex Coke & Carl Michel Sextet in a concert at Quack’s SOUNDSPACE rolling out the welcome mat for their second CD, Emergence. A journey of musical colours and textures from many genres of music, Emergence showcases this Austin supergroup’s creative and dynamic talents,  exploring a unique combination of instruments, exciting original compositions,  and new arrangements from a broad palette of influences.

 The Alex Coke Carl Michel Sextet Features:

Alex Coke (Sax/Flutes)

Carl Michel (Guitar) 

 Elaine Barber (Concert Harp) 

Bob Hoffnar (Pedal Steel) 

Carolyn Trowbridge (Vibes) 

 Dr. James Suter (Bass) 

World Music Mix: Strunz and Farah (USA)-Album: Syncretic Strings

Strunz and Farah-Syncretic Strings

Syncretic Strings
AVAILABLE MARCH 2023
Grammy-nominated acoustic guitar greats Strunz & Farah are releasing their 21st album, Syncretic Strings, in March 2023. Their blend of Latin, Middle Eastern, jazz fusion, and acoustic rock elements has been highly influential among guitarists worldwide.

Recognized for their astounding technical brilliance, melodic eloquence, and colorful and sophisticated compositions, Strunz & Farah have created a new collection of ten studio tracks full of energy and beauty. One cut, “This Could Only Be”, features surprise special guest Al Di Meola on percussion.

As the title suggests, the music offers an exuberant diversity, blending many elements into their unique guitar vision, transcending categories, and further expanding the possibilities of contemporary guitar. A new refreshing feast of color, melody, and driving rhythm from these guitar masters, among their very best yet.

“Jorge Strunz and Ardeshir Farah play with the swiftness of a desert wind and the burning passion of a Gypsy campfire…In addition to being talented arrangers and composers, their technical mastery of the instrument – especially in terms of speed – tests the boundaries of the human capability.” – Guitar Player

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World Music Mix

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2023: The Steve Fidyk Live Wire Broad Band (USA)- Album: Red Beats

The Steve Fidyk Live Wire Broad Band-Red Beats

The Steve Fidyk Live Wire Broad Band (USA)- Album: Red Beats

Integrating rhythmic power with musical taste, drummer Steve Fidyk returns to his big band roots, distinctly showcasing his dominant performance skills on this unique collection of original music.

His fourth date as a leader features an all-star band of musicians who hail from the ranks of The Buddy Rich Big Band, The Count Basie Orchestra, The Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, Maynard Ferguson’s Big Bop Nouveau, The Army Blues, The Navy Commodores, and The Airmen of Note.

Featured soloists include some of New York’s finest — guitar legend Jack Wilkins, tenor saxophone titan Walt Weiskopf and contemporary organist Brian Charette. Each soloist is an engaged participant that pushes Fidyk’s polyrhythmic message direct to the battleground.

Release Date:
February 20, 2023

Blue Canteen Music CD Store

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2023

World Music Mix: Clint Bahr(USA) – Puzzlebox (Moonjune Records, 2022)

clint-bahr-puzzlebox

Inextricably linked to the label, the 2003 self-titled debut of Clint Barr‘s seminal NYC-based power trio, Tripod, was MoonJune Record’s fourth release. Harkening back to the same “reaching beyond” mentality which defined the work, Puzzlebox – bassist / vocalist / composer / multi-instrumentalist Barr’s long-awaited epic – is a fitting way to document this most special of occasions: seeing both artist and label going full circle, and in grandiose style!

Delightfully blurring both stylistic and structural approaches, the tight-knit unit Barr has assembled proves as unpredictable as they are adept, articulate and convicted. Described as “a genre-defying global collaboration of artists; a cross-pollination of diverse instruments and talents,” Puzzlebox recalls prog in its early heydays: when albums as uninhibited and offscript as King Crimson’s Lizard and Beefheart’s Trout Mask Replica were celebrated, and the Canterbury renaissance was in full swing. Brilliantly arranged and produced, Clint Barr has delivered a multi-faceted, timeless epic … at such a time as this.

CLINT BAHR’s PUZZLEBOX’s release culminates a 20-year relationship between Clint Bahr and Leonardo Pavkovic, as TriPod’s eponymous CD was the fourth album released on MoonJune Records in 2003.

PUZZLEBOX is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Clint Bahr (former member of TriPod, Andromeda & Flash).

PUZZLEBOX is a rock band, a multidimensional “Tabula Rasa” in both compositional and improvisational formats.

PUZZLEBOX is a genre-defying global collaboration of artists, a cross-pollination of diverse instruments and talents.

Featuring:
Clint Bahr – basses & vocals (TriPod)
Peter Banks – guitar (Yes)
Colin Carter – vocals (Flash)
Marilyn Crispell – piano (Pharoah Sanders, Anthony Braxton)
David Cross- violins (King Crimson)
Stephanie Feyne – dialogue (The Dotes)
Billy Ficca – drums (Television)
Dick Griffin – trombone (Sun Ra, Roland Kirk)
Mike Hough – drums (Flash)
David Jackson – woodwinds (Van der Graaf Generator)
Dan Parkington – sitar & violin (Andromeda)
Jeff Schiller – woodwinds (The Roots)

www.puzzlebox.band

bandcamp

World Music Mix

World Music Mix: The Motet -“Draccus” (single, 2023)

The Motet unveil “Draccus,” the existential second single off their forthcoming instrumental album All Day

Marking the funk-jazz-soul quintet’s 10th studio LP, All Day will release on Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Out now across platforms“The verses in Draccus paint a dark picture of our socio-political landscape. In contrast, the ascending chords on the instrumental choruses hint at optimism for the future.” – Garrett Sayers, bassist for The Motet
For a little over two decades, The Motet have cultivated a fervent fanbase through immaculate live performances and a seamless blend of funk, jazz, soul, and rock. This unique style and cohesive musical chemistry have led to sold-out shows across the nation – including six headlining slots at Red Rocks and sets at festivals such as BonnarooBottlerockElectric ForestBumbershootSummer Camp, and High Sierra.

But even after their 20+ years of accolades and recognition, the legendary outfit – composed of Dave Watts (drums), Joey Porter (keys), Garrett Sayers (bass), Drew Sayers (keys and saxophone), and Ryan Jalbert (guitar) – are still exploring new sonic and thematic ideas.

Now, the band is revving up towards their 10th studio album, All Day, which will release on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. All Day marks The Motet’s first primarily instrumental project since 2009’s electronica-fueled Dig Deep.
Fans got their first taste of All Day with the album’s lead single, “‘79,” a lavish funk and soul epic. With a retro-futurist style, the track takes you into the funky past of the 70s and 80s while fortifying its pastiche with decidedly modern elements.

Today, The Motet release “Draccus,” a hazy, funk-fueled experience. Filled to the brim with lush sonic details and powerful lyricism, “Draccus” juxtaposes grim verses with cathartic, hopeful choruses.



Draccus” embodies what The Motet have concocted with All Day, an album that will retain the infectious grooves and immaculate, layered arrangements that The Motet have become known for. But by recentering the listening experience around the playing and composition, All Day emphasizes the band’s instrumental mastery molded by two decades of shared musical chemistry. As a result, the new LP promises to showcase a world-class band at the peak of their powers while simultaneously adding potent social themes that address modern political strife.

Draccus” kicks off with a growling, deep bass and guitar groove that underlie the dystopian vocoder-synth vocals. The verse then transitions into the song’s cacophonous chorus, which imbues the track with synth and organ chords on top of ascending guitar melodies.

Oscillating between politically-charged verses and optimistic instrumental hooks, “Draccus” speaks to the current social reality while offering a tone of hope and resilience in the face of existential doubt.

“First eat up all the trees, look out I spit fire/The keeper of the keys, flames are getting higher/Draccus does what he wants,” the band sings, a gloomy, poetic message on the state of the world.

But “Draccus” isn’t mere despair. It relates to the socio-political upheaval of the past several years, and uses its arrangements and instrumentation to bring focus to the importance of music and art. For The Motet, society can prosper through community, and music can be that bridging catalyst.

Fans can hear “Draccus” and other All Day cuts on The Motet’s upcoming nationwide tour, kicking off with a two-night New Years run at Crystal Bay Casino in Lake Tahoe and stopping through cities like Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Columbus, and Honolulu. In addition to performing at Tucson’s Gem & Jam Festival, the band will also play a special, hometown doubleheader at Denver’s Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, to celebrate both the LP release and the iconic venue’s 20th anniversary.

The Motet tour dates
12/30/22 Crystal Bay, NV | Crystal Bay Casino
12/31/22 Crystal Bay, NV | Crystal Bay Casino
1/13/23 Telluride, CO | Sheridan Opera House
1/14/23 Crested Butte, CO | Center for the Arts
1/20/23 Denver, CO | Cervantes
1/21/23 Denver, CO | Cervantes
2/3/23 Tucson, AZ | Gem + Jam
2/17/23 Bend, OR | Volcanic Theatre Pub
2/18/23 Bend, OR | Volcanic Theatre Pub
2/24/23 Bozeman, MT | ELM
2/25/23 Missoula, MT | Top Hat
2/26/23 Whitefish, MT | Great Northern Bar
3/1/23 Victor, ID | Knotty Pine
3/2/23 Boise, ID | Olympic Lounge
3/3/23 Salt Lake City, UT | Commonwealth
3/4/23 Salt Lake City, UT | Commonwealth
3/10/23 Buena Vista, CO | Ivy Ballroom
3/11/23 Buena Vista, CO | Ivy Ballroom
3/15/23 Indianapolis, IN | Vogue
3/16/23 St Louis, MO | Delmar Hall
3/17/23 Columbus, OH | St. Fatty’s Daze @ The Woodlands
3/18/23 Columbus, OH | St. Fatty’s Daze @ The Woodlands
3/19/23 Cleveland, OH | Beachland Ballroom
3/24/23 Honolulu, HI | Blue Note
3/25/23 Honolulu, HI | Blue Note

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World Music Mix

USA, New Album: Giacomo Gates Recording Vocals on a Song Written By Tony Adamo

Giacomo Gates Recording Vocals on a Song Written By Tony Adamo

 Terminal hipster Giacomo Gates just keeps getting better and better. Gates is one of the top male jazz singers around today. It is what it is. Giacomo Gates is talented, skillful, and a rock-solid professional. With his vocalese and bebop attitude, he sings, scats, dropping his swinging baritone voice into every lyric he sings. A few years ago, singer, spoken word recording artist Tony Adamo asked Gates to stop by and dig Adamo’s recording session for his CD, TONY ADAMO AND THE NEW YORK CREW.

 Adamo was recording at Raw Recording Studio in Patterson NY owned by Jean-C. Santalis. The music was produced by drummer Mike Clark who assembled a whole gang of very talented musicians for this recording date to include: Lenny White – Drums, Tim Ouimette – Trumpet, Michael Wolff – Piano, Donald Harrison – Alto Sax, Richie Goods – Bass, Bill Summers – Percussion, JC Santalis – Recording Engineer and Guitar. Adamo and Gates became hip jazz friends after that recording scene.

Recently Adamo asked Gates to write lyrics to a song that he wrote several years ago. He could not feel the groove for the words to this cut and knew Gates could come up with a very hip storyline of lyrics that are cool and new jazz swingin’. Adamo added Michael Ray and Dave Davis on horns. They are of the Sun RA Arkestra under the direction of Marshall Allen. Gates will record lyrics to this song in February 2023 at Raw Recording Studio, Patterson, NY. That song will be on Adamo’s new release on Saint Jaz Records later in 2023. Jack Jones Fly High Jazz Scene

Tony Adamo on Facebook

Netherlands: R11 vs the A.I. Robot Tour 2023

R11 vs the A.I. Robot -Rob Verdurmen

SCHEDULE
1-13-2023 Middleburg 20:00 De Spot
1-14-2023 Nijmegan 20:30 Lux Cultuur and Media
1-15-2023 Den Haag 20:15 The Grey Space
1-20-2023 Roermond 20:00 ECI Cultuurfabriek
1-22-2023 Castricum 20:00 Theatre Koningsduyn
1-27-2023 Bodegraven 20:30 Evertshuis
1-29-2023 Amsterdam 15:00 Bimhuis

Composer / arranger Bob Zimmerman (you know him from De Nieuwe Wildernis, Süskind, his arrangements for the Metropole Orkest and the popular TV program Maestro) and percussionist / composer Rob Verdurmen (drummer of the internationally renowned Willem Breuker Kollektief for 38 years) join their musical forces and ideas to realize the R11 performance about the use of digital technology in film music.

Based on Bob’s arrangements of well-known and lesser-known film music for science fiction films from the period 1968 to the present, supplemented with soundtracks specially composed by Rob for the performance, R11 will musically translate technological developments in image and sound into a dazzling musical spectacle. Video artist Martijn Grootendorst supports the whole in his characteristic style with unexpected and unknown film material.

Bob Zimmerman – arrangements | Rob Verdurmen – compositions & percussion|
Tatiana Koleva – marimba, vibraphone & percussion |
Susanne Rosmolen – cello |
David Kweksilber – reeds Rutger van Otterloo – reeds | Alex Coke – flute & piccolo | Quirijn van Regteren Altena – bass |
Martijn Grootendorst – VJ | Wout Bremer – Aimée|
Guido Nieuwdorp – sound | Saskia Bonarius – directing advice

Promo video:

World Music Mix: Andrew Dow(USA) – In Motian (ears&eyes Records (2022)

Andrew Dow - In Motian

Andrew Dow is a multidisciplinary artist living in New York City. Bass player, composer, photographer and videographer, Andrew has long been developing his personal sound and vision on the electric bass guitar. Inspired by jazz musicians, classical composers, rock music and songwriters alike, he has been following a singular vision, one that he hopes is felt throughout his first recording as a leader, In Motian

From our very first breath to our last, we’re faced each and every day with navigating an ever changing world. In Motian is an attempt to acknowledge those every day changes; changes that we sometimes accept with grace, and sometimes we meet kicking and screaming. Andrew has composed a beautiful album of personal reflections on time; both lived and lost, personal and collective. A musically poetic weaving of  memories, of hopes and dreams, of our shared human experiences. 
Time is at the heart of the album; time and motion. In Motian is a play on words, giving a nod to the great drummer/composer Paul Motian, whose own sense of time, and artistic vision, has long been an inspiration of mine. However, In Motian is my own story, the story of my life. It’s the people that I’ve met, and the music that I’ve lived, learned and played. Singing classical music through college, my time playing with great songwriters, and later, all of my experience playing jazz and avant-garde music, both around Boston and then in New York City. Simply put, this is the debut presentation of my artistic DNA.

  • Andrew Dow – electric bass guitar, compositions, poetry, spoken word
  • Michaël Attias – alto sax 
  • Matt Hull – trumpet
  • Sumner Thompson – voice
  • Santiago Leibson – piano
  • Max Goldman – drums

ears&eyes Records

World Music Mix