Contemporary jazz feat.
Nastazio Gkoumas guitar
Alberto Portocarrero drums
Manuel D Rodriguez trumpet
Eleni Anastasiou piano
Antony Tsangaras bass
COMPOSITIONS BY NASTAZIO GKOUMAS
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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Plena Libre celebrates 30 years of bringing the iconic sounds of their Puerto Rican homeland to stages worldwide w/the release of new album Cuatro Esquinas (Four Corners) and worldwide tour dates
Puerto Rico’s multi-Grammy–nominated musical masters, Plena Libre have consistently been enthralling audiences around the globe over the course of their storied 30-year, 16-album career with their original sound — one that infuses the traditional plena and bomba rhythms of Puerto Rico with a fresh spring mix of Afro-Caribbean and jazz styles to create groove-laden dance music that honors their deep sense of the unique indigenous musical traditions, while embracing modern trends.
Now, Plena Libre are celebrating their 30th anniversary in style, unleashing a new wave of awe-inspiring hand drumming, vivacious horns, and soul-soaring three-part vocal harmonies with the release of their new album Cuatro Esquinas (Four Corners), to be released March 31, 2023. The fine-tuned, original band of 12 versatile virtuoso musicians will also be captivating audiences across the map in 2023 with live performances scheduled at festivals in Puerto Rico, the United States, and Europe, including an appearance at the prestigious New Orleans Jazz Festival.
Founder, bandleader, and bassist Gary Nuñez stress the appropriateness of the title, since the group’s music, and especially that of this new album, reflects personal, universal situations, accompanied by the unique sounds of the Puerto Rican rhythms of the bomba and the plena. The album title was inspired by Nuñez’s youth, growing up in a Puerto Rican neighborhood where “Four Corners”, alluded to a local meeting point that sometimes even carried an unfairly bad reputation.
Says Nuñez, “Cuatro Esquinas”, in my adolescence, used to be a meeting point in my neighborhood, with some ‘bad reputation’. It was known as ‘4 Esquinas’ because in each corner there was a bar or bodega. It was the place where people met and all sorts of characters gathered there and replaced their sorrows with some joy, romance, adventure, or consolation. It is the part of our history that does not appear in the “stories” that we were told about who Puerto Ricans are”
Cuatro Esquinas is a representation of some of those experiences, captured in a mix of “traditional” and original songs. Featuring four vocalists singing in lush three-part harmonies – with an aggressive, tight, yet sensitive style, which balances the traditional with the contemporary, the global, and the local – Plena Libre creates a brand of music and live performance that captivates the multicultural audience, invites to dance and to listen to their sound.
The track, “Tu cintura con la mía” was arranged by Luisga Núñez, son of Gary Nuñez who shares with his father a passion for parranda, bajo, and vocal harmonies — bringing a taste of the next generation to the distinctive elements of the group.
“We dedicate this recording to the public and to all those people who have supported Plena Libre, through those 30 years. To all the musicians who are and who have been part of this experience, we are GRATEFUL”, enthused Núñez, who took the opportunity to particularly thank his wife Valerie Cox “for the unconditional, necessary and total support for three decades and to all the musicians that were part of this album, making it possible”.
Apart from Gary Núñez as director and bassist, Plena Libre is made up of: Víctor Vélez (vocals/percussion), Luisga Núñez (vocals/percussion), Rafi Falú (requinto), Miguel A. de Jesús (vocals/percussion), Alex “Callejero” López (vocals/percussion), Rafy Torres, Randy Román and Kevin Ortiz on trombones, Pedro Dominicci (timbales), Manuel Rivera (congas), Karla Martínez on piano and Yarina Torres in charge of choirs.
Cuatro Esquina will be available on all major streaming platforms on March 31, 2023.
Check here for tour updates: https://www.plenalibre.com/tour-dates
Giulio Scaramella – Piano
Marco Trabucco – Doublebass / Compositions
Luca Colussi – Drums
Maddalena Calamai – Flute
Costanza Pennucci – Horn
Emanuele Andreatta – Violin
Alessandro Dalla Libera – Viola
Federico Motta – Cello
CREDITS
Mixed and mastered by Stefano Amerio at Artesuono Studio, Cavalicco (UD), produced by Marco Trabucco for Abeat records.
X [ics] is the new album by doublebass player Marco Trabucco.
Innovator in his area, Marco Trabucco embraces experimenting with contemporary music’s new sounds.
His latest album, “X [ics]”, is a demonstration of his commitment to pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz and breaking away from the homogeneity that has become prevalent in recent years.
The title of the album, which references the ten performers featured on the album as well as the unique blend of classical chamber music and jazz, serves as a fitting representation of Trabucco’s willingness to challenge conventions and explore the unknown. The new album is a must-listen for aficionados of forward-thinking jazz, as it showcases Trabucco’s ability to seamlessly integrate disparate styles, and his openness to new musical stimuli.
Indeed, the structure of the band combines a classical ensemble (flute, horn, piano and strings, joined by marimba and balafon) with the typical jazz quartet.
The album showcases several nods to jazz greats, such as Chick Corea’s “Temple of Isfahan” on the opening track “One for Max”, and the beginning of the theme of Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” which is reworked as an evocative variation on the last track “Otranto”.
Think, for example, of Schoenberg’s chamber music for strings, where intervallic tensions from the classical music are sometimes used to achieve the desired timbral and harmonic results. As far as orchestration choices are concerned, the solutions adopted propose sound refractions aimed at broadening the harmonic spectrum of the thematic cells used. From the perspective of a jazz musician like Trabucco, there is a seamless succession of traditional elements, sounds from the classical zone, and areas of improvisational themes that combine into a potential infinite.
TRACK LIST
Marco Trabucco Bio
Double bass and electric bass player gifted with a delicate and melodic touch, Marco Trabucco is graduated in first cycle degree in Jazz at Tartini Conservatoire (TS), MA Degree in Jazz at the Steffani Conservatoire in Castelfranco (TV), MA Degree in instrument teaching and at the same time he graduated at Ca’ Foscari (University Institute – Venice), in Artistic and Entertainment Techniques.
He deepened his studies by attending high-level masterclasses and seminars such as:
– “Development of the rhythmic sense” (Bjorn Meyer – 2010);
– “Masterclass of percussion instruments” (Jarrod Cagwin – 2010);
– “Techniques and strategies for a complex rhythmic control” (Jarrod Cagwin – 2011);
– “Jazz piano masterclass” (Keith Tippett – 2010);– “Advanced improvisation masterclass” (Stefano Battaglia, Salvatore Maiore, Roberto Dani – 2017)
And he has participated in numerous lectures by internationally renowned musicians (Klaus Gesing, Norma Winstone, Giovanni Maier, Paolino Dalla Porta, Stefano Battaglia, Roberto Dani, Curtis Lunday, Dennis Chambers, Salvatore Maiore, etc.).
In 2010 he won the first prize in the jazz section at the international competition “Young Musicians” and staryed with his brother Max the project “Trabucco Bros” which will see them produce the first album entitled “Open / Close” (Blue Serge Records). and a second publication for Caligola Records: “Orchestra”. In 2012 he won the “Blow in to the nightfly” jazz contest in Lignano Sabbiadoro recording for “Ultra Sound Records” the album “Ma.Mi.Ma. Quartet” which allows him to open the concert to the English band Incognito. In 2013 he was selected for the “Berklee Award Group” (ensemble composed by the best students selected for the Berklee / Umbria Jazz courses) and signed a new recording contract with “Abeat Records” that will allow him to publish the album “Making Friends” with the special participation of Klaus Gesing on soprano sax and bass clarinet. In 2015 he published “Oirquartett” with which he won the prize for “best first album” in the National competition “Chicco Bettinardi” of Piacenza. Later, thanks to Stefano Amerio he was recommended to record with the Oirquintet project at “La fabrique studio” (FR) with the legendary AL Schmitt as sound engineer (Michel Jakson, Sinatra, Diana Krall …) giving to the press “…E penso a te” , jazz album dedicated to Italian song. In 2016 he is selected by Veneto Jazz as ” young Jazz Italian talent” to open the concert by Stefano Bollani and publishes the first album as a leader entitled “A Long Trip / With You” obtaining excellent reviews. In 2019 he published “Meraki”, his second personal work produced by Stefano Amerio for Artesuono.
The biography of Marco Trabucco is part of the book by Flavio Caprera: “Dictionary of Italian jazz” published by Feltrinelli.
EDUCATION
• Second-cycle degree in JAZZ (equivalent to master) Conservatory of music Steffani of Castelfranco Veneto (Italy)
• Second-cycle degree in MUSIC IN EDUCATION (equivalent to master) Conservatory of music Steffani of Castelfranco Veneto (Italy)
• First-cycle degree in JAZZ (equivalent to bachelor) Conservatoriy of music Giuseppe Tartini of Trieste
• First-cycle degree in Artistic and Entertainment Techniques (equivalent to bachelor) Ca’ Foscari University of Venezia (Italy)
AWARDS:
• First prize in the jazz section at the international competition “young musicians”. First prize at the “Blow in to the nightfly” jazz contest
• First prize in the “best first jazz album” section in the National competition “Chicco Bettinardi” with the album “Oirquartett”
• Berklee Umbria Jazz Award
The biography of Marco Trabucco is part of the book by Flavio Caprera: “Dictionary of Italian jazz” published by Feltrinelli.
http://marcotrabucco.com/
https://www.instagram.com/marcotrabucco_bass/
https://www.facebook.com/marcotrabuccomusic
https://www.youtube.com/@TheTrambust
Florin Raducanu (Romania)- Fugue Fantasia for Piano
Classical-Jazz Fugue Fanstasia #2” is the second Piano Fugue addressed to both classical and jazz pianists.
In any case, the elements of Bachian Instrumental Counterpoint, jazz harmony, or compositional techniques from the developmental work serve as educational elements that show how jazz and classical music share an improvisational language (present in both Bach and Gershwin).
Like the previous “Jazz Fugue #1”, the new “Fuga Fantasia #2” follows the aesthetic path started by George Gershwin, very correctly understood by Maurice Ravel (see Sonata in G for violin and piano), Leonard Bernstein or John Williams in the creation of classical-jazz symbiosis.
| 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 Bonnaroo, Bottlerock, Electric Forest, Bumbershoot, Summer 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 |
Örjan Hultén Orion(Sweden) – Shifting Ground (Prophone Records)
Örjan Hultén Orion‘s latest album is a collection of eight skillfully crafted tracks that showcase the musical and compositional talents of each band member. Despite the fact that the material has several “parents”, the album maintains a consistent stylistic cohesion that reflects an unifying artistic vision where melodicity embraces improvisation in such a fresh way .
Each track bears the personal touch of the musicians, making the album particularly noteworthy. The title track, composed by Filip Augustson, features an engaging interplay between Hultén’s saxophone and Torbjorn Gulz’s piano, with the melodic dialogue exploring contrasts and harmonies. “Mystique No. 12,” a ballad by drummer Peter Danemo, sees the saxophone moving gracefully over percussion and spacious piano accompaniment. Augustson’s composing skills are also on display in “Bellatrix,” which begins with a textural intro featuring drums, piano, and bass, before giving way to Hultén’s melancholic soprano theme, which is supported by the piano in the second part before transitioning to the next saxophone section.
The album’s only composition by the bandleader, “Las Tres Marias,” is a joyous, tango-inspired track that evokes Nino Rota and his work for Fellini films. “Philomelos” is a unique ballad in which Hultén’s captivating saxophone weaves a narrative through the piano melody, complemented by Augustson’s seamless bowing. Danemo’s “Even in the odds” follows in a playful vein, providing a lively backdrop for the drums, bass, piano, and saxophone to perform with exceptional passion and delicacy. “Rigel” opens with Augustson’s bass line and features the piano setting the stage for the saxophone’s melodic entrance, resulting in a virtuosic piece with entertaining blues accents.
The album concludes with “Nosebleed,” a track rich in rhythmic complexity that allows Hultén to fully show his musicianship.
“Shifting Ground” offers new discoveries with each listen and is well worth multiple plays; it is a deserving reward for the listener.
Musicians: Örjan Hultén – saxophones, Torbjorn Gulz – piano, Filip Augustson – bass, Peter Danemo– drums
| David Linx, Guillaume de Chassy, Matteo Pastorino Nouvel album On Shoulders We Stand Disponible chez Enja/Yellowbird Records |
| David Linx, Guillaume de Chassy and Matteo Pastorino ont sorti en trio l’album On Shoulders We Stand chez Enja/Yellowbird Records. Sur cet album, le pianiste Guillaume de Chassy, le chanteur David Linx et le clarinettiste Matteo Pastorino s’inspirent d’oeuvres de Bach, Chopin, Rachmaninov, et Ravel. David Linx leur a écrit des paroles, Guillaume de Chassy s’est occupé des adaptations, pour cette osmose entre jazz et musique classique. Après Drown Out The Noise, un titre adapté de Sergueï Rachmaninov, David Linx, Guillaume de Chassy et Matteo Pastorino nous offrent Souls Astray, un titre inspiré par la Sonate pour piano D.537 de Schubert. “Souls Astray est une composition de Franz Schubert qui a déclenché tout notre projet d’album. Quand nous avons entendu la transcription de Guillaume de Chassy, nous avons tout de suite senti que les parties instrumentales pourraient devenir un nouveau répertoire pour le chant, autant jazz et classique. Ce projet a été une libération artistique puisqu’il fallait construire depuis un nouvel endroit et les mélodies me dictaient les textes en quelques sorte. Souls Astray est une ode à la compassion et la beauté de la patience en amour et amitié” a expliqué David Linx. David Linx : site officiel Facebook Instagram Guillaume de Chassy : site officiel Facebook et Instagram Matteo Pasterino : site officiel Facebook et Instagram  |
David Linx au chant, Guillaume de Chassy au piano et Matteo Pastorino aux clarinettes nous offrent l’album On Shoulders We Stand, un disque en trio, inspiré des musiques de Bach, Ravel, Scriabine, Schubert, Chopin, Mompou, Rachmaninov et Chostakovitch.
Les textes sont signés David Linx et les transcriptions assurées par Guillaume de Chassy.”Nous n’inventons rien totalement ; nous nous tenons sur les épaules des grands créateurs qui nous ont précédés ou de ceux que nous côtoyons aujourd’hui : musiciens, peintres, écrivains … ces géants nous soutiennent et nous inspirent chaque jour.”
C’est ainsi que David Linx et Guillaume de Chassy, initiateurs de ce projet, définissent leur démarche commune. Avec On Shoulders We Stand, les trois musiciens se sont lancés un défi de taille, assumant joyeusement une prise de risque devenue rare dans le conformisme ambiant.
David Linx on vocals, Guillaume de Chassy on piano and Matteo Pastorino on clarinets released the album On Shoulders We Stand, a trio album inspired by the music of Bach, Ravel, Scriabin, Schubert, Chopin, Mompou, Rachmaninov and Shostakovich.
The texts are written by David Linx and the transcriptions by Guillaume de Chassy.
“We don’t invent anything totally; we stand on the shoulders of the great creators who have preceded us or those we rub shoulders with today: musicians, painters, writers … these giants support us and inspire us every day.”
This is how David Linx and Guillaume de Chassy, initiators of this project, define their common approach. With On Shoulders We Stand, the three musicians have taken on a major challenge, joyfully assuming a risk-taking that has become rare in the current conformism.
Luisvi Jiménez composer and guitarist presents his new album titled Caminos Cruzados. The album includes compositions by Luisvi Jiménez, accompanied by Javier Rodriguez on Electric Bass, Adal Fernández on Drums and Percussion, Adrián Royo on Piano and Melodica and Luisvi Jiménez on Guitars.
It is worth noting the collaboration of Jesús Carbonell on the flamenco guitar in the song Caminos Cruzados.
The album has been Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Pottoko (Beasain) studios. The album cover is the work of cartoonist and illustrator Pedro Espinosa.
An album featuring subtle soundscapes in which Flamenco, Samba, Latin, Swing, Blues touches come together in a wide spectrum of sonorities divided into eight tracks.
Luisvi Jiménez compositor y guitarrista riojano nos presenta su nuevo trabajo discográfico titulado Caminos Cruzados. Son composiciones de Luisvi Jiménez, acompañado de Javier Rodriguez en el Bajo eléctrico, Adal Fernández a la Batería y Percusiones, Adrián Royo al Piano y Melódica y Luisvi Jiménez a las Guitarras. Es de destacar la colaboración de Jesús Carbonell a la guitarra Flamenca en el tema Caminos Cruzados. El disco ha sido Grabado, Mezclado y Masterizado en los estudios Pottoko (Beasain). La portada del disco es obra del dibujante e ilustrador Pedro Espinosa. Un disco que nos ofrece sutiles paletas sonoras en las que confluyen pinceladas Flamencas, Samba, Latin, Swing, Blues, y un largo abanico de campos sonoros repartidos en ocho composiciones.
Igor Willcox feat. Daniel Santiago, Erik Escobar(Brazil) – Message From Another Dimension (Single)
Composer/Drums/Synth Bass/Keys: Igor Willcox
Daniel Santiago-guitar
Erik Escobar-rhodes
Label: Room 73 Records
Igor Willcox’s latest composition, a beautiful, lush jazz-rock song with a new age edge, written in the trio format.