JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2023: Igor Willcox Quartet (Brazil) – Live at Bansko Jazz Festival 2022 (Bulgaria)

Igor Willcox Quartet - Live at Bansko Jazz Festival 2022 - Bulgaria


THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF THIS ALBUM…

This album has a special meaning for us. It’s the result of 3 concerts that we did in Eastern Europe. We visited fantastic countries including Bulgaria, Slovenia, and Serbia. The people were friendly and accommodating. We were well received and celebrated!!! Bansko Jazz Festival was our first concert. A
grand festival with an impressive setup allround. A picturesque, cozy, and mountainous city with polite and attentive people, rich in culture.
It was so exciting! Certainly, one of the best shows we’ve ever done, and the memories will last
a lifetime! To everyone from Bansko, thank you for the kindness, we hope to be back soon!

Special Thanks to:
Iliana Ivanova, Nikolina Mihailova and all of Bansko Jazz Festival staff, Branislav and all of Nisville Jazz Festival staff, Primoz and Imago Sloveniae.

To my dear brothers, wonderful musicians and human beings: Erik Escobar, Wagner Barbosa,
and Glecio Nascimento. Thanks for always delivering your best! Love you, my brothers!

To my beloved wife, Audrey Willcox, for giving me love and all the support for this tour. To my
mom, Sonia Willcox, and my sister Kika Willcox.

To my friends Ze Cintra, and Vanessa Tonetto for the press kit photos. To my English teacher Myrtle! Your lessons were essential for my self-confidence and they assisted me during the tour.

To my great friend and drum master Giba Favery, who kindly provided the IP&T space for our open rehearsal.


Recorded at Bansko Jazz Festival 2022, Bansko, Bulgaria. This record was made thanks to www.banskojazzfest.bg
Credits:
Wagner Barbosa: Saxophone, Aerophone
Erik Escobar – keys
Glecio Nascimento – bass
Igor Willcox – drums

Mixing and Mastering: Igor Willcox
Cover Photos: Dimitar Aleksov
Text Review: Myrtle Fourie

Sponsors:
Igor Willcox uses Nagano Drums, Domene Cymbals, Datalink Cables, Williams DrumHeads and
DrumSticks, and Power Click.
Wagner Barbosa uses Roland.

Track List:
1- 2020 (Igor Willcox)
2- U.F.O (Igor Willcox)
3- Brotherhood (Igor Willcox)
4- Message From Another Dimension (Igor Willcox)
5- North City (Igor Willcox)
6- The Scare (Igor Willcox)
7- Thankful (Igor Willcox)
8- Room 73 (Igor Willcox)
Label: Room 73 Records
Release Date: Mach/15/2023

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JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2023

Jazz World Quest Showcase 2022: Örjan Hultén Orion(Sweden) – Shifting Ground

orjan hulten orion - shifting ground

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

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Jazz World Quest Showcase 2022

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2021: Roberto Magris(Italy)-Match Point

Roberto Magris(Italy)-Match Point
Composer: Roberto Magris
Album: Roberto Magris-Match Point
Label: JMood Records

Roberto Magris(Italy)-Match Point


On Match Point, his latest album, Italian pianist and composer Roberto Magris gathered together a brilliant line-up of accomplished musicians: Alfredo Chacon – Vibraphone And Percussion, Dion Kerr – Bass, Rodolfo Zuniga – Drums on what can be described as a festival of rhythms and styles from bebop, to blues, and Latin.
His signature style and imaginative arrangements put a new spin on compositions by Richard Kermode, McCoy Tyner, Thelonious Monk and Randy Weston along with four originals that blend into the mix like a charm.
One of the special beauties of the album lies in the delicate balance and fusion between piano and vibraphone radiating a warm melodic atmosphere filled with generous spaces to improvise. 
Plenty of surprises, the album takes off with Yours is The Light, made famous by Santana on his Welcome album. Of course, there’s no guitar here, nevertheless, Roberto Magris takes it to new jazz heights while maintaining its Latin edge and beauty. It is a pity that Kermode died young; he would have been so proud to hear his composition wearing these new clothes. Searching for Peace is a 15-minute long rendition of McCoy Tyner’s ballad, an opportunity for subtle improvising and rhythm changes. The sunny Samba for Jade is another showcase of the virtuosic piano-vibes pair based on a memorable melodic theme signed by Magris. Magic Blues, is exactly what the title promises: blues made magic by a combination of extended solos of vibes and piano. On Thelonious Monk’s Reflections, the pianist takes the liberty to surprise us with an imaginative version that maintains a beautiful fluidity through the fast-changing harmonies. Caban Bamboo Highlife retains the festive mood and alert rhythms of the original piece, bringing forward the outstanding art of Rodolfo Zuniga. Without the horn section blowing on the original, the sound is smoother and graceful yet not losing its playfulness. Match Point the title track, another original, goes vibrant and swinging, the band is going over the top in a frenetic ride. To use just one keyword to describe this album: splendid! 
Roberto Magris @ JMood Records  

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2021

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2021: Sinclair Lott(USA)-Album: Long Story Short

Sinclair Lott-Long Story Short

Sinclair Lott(USA)-Checkered Past
Album: Long Story Short
Label: Blue Canoe Records
Drum extraordinaire and composer Sinclair Lott delivers a thoughtful straight-ahead jazz album with a modern twist. Featuring Bob Sheppard (saxophones), Tigran Hamasyan (piano), Danny McKay (bass), and Sinclair Lott (drums). This ten song album titled, “Long Story Short” features seven original compositions and three cover tunes by Dizzy Gileespie, Dave Brubeck and Ornette Coleman. Fans of traditional jazz will enjoy listening to Sinclair’s Story of music with this uplifting collection of compositions and performances.
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JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2021

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2021: Medeljazz Quartet(France)-Sevenot

medeljazz-versature



Medeljazz Quartet(France)-Sevenot
Composer: Laurent Medelgi
Album: Versature
Label: Zorojazz

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