CD Reissue of the Month - "Briamonte Orchestra"

CD Reissue of the Month

José Briamonte: "Briamonte Orchestra" (Elenco/Think! Records Japan) 1970/2014

A long-forgotten album by Brazilian composer, arranger and conductor José Briamonte, has just been rediscovered in Japan. The highlights are Briamonte's originals "O Embalo do Pato," "Zip", "Rota Sul," "Caos," "Atmosfera" and the delightful opening track, "Tema de Cristina," a radio hit due to its inclusion in the soundtrack of the soap opera "Pigmalião 70".

But there are also nice renditions of such international pop hits as Burt Bacharach's "What The World Needs Now," Alfred Newman's sensual & sumptous "Airport Love Theme," and Fred Neil's "Everybody's Talkin'" that became a global hit thanks to singer Harry Nilsson. 

Pop Songs Needed TODAY for Female Artist on a Major Label

If you've got youthful, CONTEMPORARY POP SONGS with Female vocals, don't forget this opportunity that ends TODAY. This artist is already a star, but we think she's going to be huge. If you've got the right songs, we need to hear them!

They are are needed by the Director of A&R at a Major Record Label for a talented young artist who's already reached "star" status and is working on a new album. They're on the hunt for hit worthy Songs that would appeal to people who love, "What Now" by Rihanna, "Chandelier" by Sia, "I Luh Ya Papi" by Jennifer Lopez, etc. Quoting the source: "She's pretty young, so be sure songs aren't overly sexualized or suggestive. Songs need to have a bit of an edge, with a sound that's fresh and full of swagger."

Submit Songs with instantly memorable hooks, melodies, and lyrics. Your chorus needs to be equally impressive, with a big Top 40 sound that screams "hit!" Your production needs to be really competitive for this pitch. Please submit one to three Songs online or per CD, include lyrics. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI and must be received no later than Wednesday, April 30, 2014. TAXI # S140430PO. For additional infos, please contact: www.taxi.com

TAXI, 5010 N. Parkway Calabasas, Suite 200, Calabasas, CA 91302, USA

Austin Jazz Festival 2014 featuring Jessy J

SmoothJazz.com is excited to sponsor this year's Austin Jazz Festival in Austin, Texas at the Backyard, May 25th (Memorial Day weekend) starring Kirk Whalum, Jessy J (pictured below), Larry Braggs and more!

The Austin Jazz Fest 2014 benefits the East Austin Music Academy, a program focused on empowerment and learning while teaching intensive music instruction for K-6 children.
Tix & Info : www.austinjazzfest.com

DVD of the Month - "Diana Krall: Live in Buenos Aires with João Bosco & Luis Salinas"

DVD of the Month
Diana Krall, João Bosco & Luis Salinas: "Live in Buenos Aires" (Monotone)

Filmed at Teatro Gran Rex (Buenos Aires, Argentina) on September 9, 2000.
Total Time: 70 minutes
Tracklist:
1. Love Being Here With You
2. All Or Nothing At All
3. Let's Fall In Love
4. I've Got You Under My Skin
5. I Don't Know Enough About You
6. Devil May Care
7. East Of The Sun
8. A Case Of You
9. Sometimes I'm Happy
10. Girl From Ipanema (with Joao Bosco)
11. Frim Fram Sauce

Singer/Songwriters Needed by Industry Giant’s New Label

CONTEMPORARY SINGER/SONGWRITERS are needed by a very influential, former CEO and Chairman of a Major Music Group who's starting a brand new Record Label! This guy is an industry giant who knows the business inside and out.

He's currently is in roster building mode, and this is a killer opportunity to get in on the ground floor of what promises to be a powerhouse company. They've already got distribution through a Major Label, and they're on the hunt for promising Male and Female artists who would be on the same radio station playlists as artists like Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Colby Calliat, Lorde, etc.

He'll listen to songs in ALL Tempos with Male OR Female vocals. You can submit stripped-down demos OR fully produced songs, but your song-craft and recording quality should showcase your talent and marketability. Give him instantly catchy songs with memorable lyrics and infectious melodies. Your vocal performance should be unique, distinctive, and compelling enough to grab the ears of this Industry Titan. Please include a bio, photos, and any other pertinent information (downloads/CD sales, touring experience, internet presence, videos, etc.) along with your submission.

Your recording quality (even for stripped-down demos) needs to be clear, well balanced, and good enough to represent your song well. All Songs will be screened on a Yes/No basis by a person hand-picked by the owner of this Label. No full critiques. Please submit 1-3 Songs online or Per CD no later than TUESDAY, May 6th, by 10am (PDT). TAXI #U140506SS. For more info, please contact www.taxi.com

Mindi Abair live in Florida, tonight!

Don't miss Mindi Abair live, tonight, April 29th, at Jazziz Nightlife (201 Plaza Real in Mizner Park) in Boca Raton, Florida.
Go to http://www.jazziz.com/event/mindi-abair/ for tickets!

Mindi Abair was playing in the band on American Idol when Steven Tyler stopped the show to ask the contestant "Who is your sax player?" But that's not entirely surprising: Abair is the kind of artist who commands instant attention. A triple-threat singer, saxophonist and songwriter, she's recorded no less than 10 No. 1 singles, sold a half million records and repeatedly topped the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts. After catching Tyler's attention, she wound up touring with Aerosmith for two years, while also making time to play with Bruce Springsteen and jam with Paul Shaffer and the Late Show with David Letterman band. Now she comes to JAZZIZ Nightlife for a memorable and intimate concert.

She will be performing songs from her upcoming CD release, "Wild Heart," as well as tunes from her previous albums.

JSR - Arnaldo DeSouteiro Bio

"People are going to talk about you, especially when they envy you and the life you live. Let them. You affected their lives, they didn't affect yours... you will eventually lose someone you love & love someone you never thought you'd find..."

Arnaldo DeSouteiro - Short Bio

Music Producer (with over 380 albums to his credit according to the All Music Guide), Voting Member of NARAS-GRAMMY and Jazz Journalists Association (NY), Member of LAJS (Los Angeles Jazz Society), Musical Philosopher, Journalist, Jazz & Brazilian Music Historian, Publicist, Public Relations, Composer (having written successful jazz & pop songs, some dance hits like "O Passarinho" for the Italian TV reality show "La Pupa e Il Secchione", and "Samba da Copa" for the "2006 World Cup" in Germany, plus many other soundtracks for movies, soap operas & TV series in the USA -- PBS, BET, Universal Cable etc --, Europe and Asia), Lyricist (he wrote lyrics to Dave Brubeck's "Broadway Bossa Nova" at the invitation of Brubeck himself, among other songs), Arranger, Percussionist, Keyboardist, Programmer, Educator (conducting clinics and panel sessions worldwide as the first Brazilian member of IAJE-International Association of Jazz Educators during its existence). He has also acted as consultant for several companies and jazz festivals all over the world.

Founder and CEO of JSR (Jazz Station Records), a Division of Jazz Station Marketing & Consulting - LA, Calif. Most recently, founded LaCalifUSA Pictures and JSR Casting in 2007 for movie & TV productions featuring music & fashion.

Produced the acclaimed CD compilation series "A Trip To Brazil," "CTI Acid Jazz Grooves," "Brazilian Horizons," "Focus on Bossa Nova," "Focus on Brazilian Music Grooves", "Bossa Nova Singers," "Bossa Nova Guitar","Jazz Rock" etc.

Produced special compilations for Quincy Jones ("Summer in the City - The Soul Jazz Grooves of Quincy Jones"), Chick Corea ("Electric Chick") and Deodato ("Do It Again - The Fantastic Jazz-Funk of Eumir Deodato"), all released by Verve/Universal. His latest CD for Verve is "Bossa Nova USA," released last May, featuring Dave Brubeck's title track performed by Quincy Jones.

Supervised and/or Directed TV specials featuring João Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Dizzy Gillespie, Chuck Mangione, Flora Purim & Airto Moreira, Miles Davis, Dom Um Romão, Eliane Elias, Diana Krall, Eumir Deodato, Bjork et al. Worked with producers Creed Taylor, Yoichi Nakao, Susumu Morikawa, Matthias Kunnecke, and photographers Pete Turner, Victor Skrebneski, Robert Mappelthorpe, Duane Michals.

Mr. DeSouteiro has also worked in his native Brazil for TUPI-FM radio station (as musical programmer-DJ as well as hosting his own show, "Jazz Espetacular"), Manchete TV network (anchoring & supervising the "Terça Especial" series for which he interviewed such jazz giants as Dizzy Gillespie, Tony Bennett, Chuck Mangione, Airto Moreira, Flora Purim etc), Globo TV network (screenplay, coordination and mix for the TV special "João Gilberto & Antonio Carlos Jobim - O Grande Encontro" in 1992, the last time these 2 geniuses performed together, plus the texts and screenplay for the "Minuto da Bossa" series), and as the jazz columnist for the "Tribuna da Imprensa" (Press Tribune) daily newspaper during 29 years (from 1979 to 2008). Before moving to the USA, he also worked as Brazilian correspondent of "Keyboard" magazine (from 1985 to 1994), as free-lancer to Billboard, Cuadernos de Jazz, Swing Journal and International Music Magazine, and as entertainment-in-flight programmer for several airline companies like Varig Brazilian Airlines (from 1983 to 1998).

Produced over 380 albums and sessions featuring: Luiz Bonfa, João Gilberto, Dom Um Romão, Ithamara Koorax, Thiago de Mello, Dexter Payne, João Donato, Palmyra & Levita, Mario Castro-Neves, Jorge Pescara, Paula Faour, Fabio Fonseca, Claudio Roditi, Hermeto Pascoal, Anna Ly, Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Pascoal Meirelles, Yana Purim, Pingarilho, Nelson Angelo, Marcelo Salazar, Ron Carter, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Steve Swallow, Herbie Hancock, Hugo Fattoruso, Larry Coryell, Sadao Watanabe, Jurgen Friedrich, Eloir de Moraes, Gazzara, Deodato, Jadir de Castro, Azymuth, Marcio Montarroyos, Sivuca, Laudir de Oliveira, Marcos Valle, Jay Berliner, George Young, David Matthews, Lew Soloff, Alphonso Johnson, Gene Bertoncini, John McLaughlin, Claus Ogerman, Raul de Souza, Gonzalo Rubalcaba and many others.

Produced and supervised CD reissues of albums by Ron Carter, Hank Crawford, Johnny Hammond, Sergio Mendes, Hubert Laws, Grant Green, Idris Muhammad, Joe Beck, Esther Phillips, Lonnie Smith, David Matthews & Whirlwind, Phil Upchurch, Tennyson Stephens, Miucha, Flora Purim, Carlos Lyra, Tamba Trio, Ivan Lins, Raul de Souza, Trio 3-D and many others. As annotator, he wrote liner notes and press releases for albums by Toots Thielemans, Hank Crawford, Stan Getz, Ella Fitzgerald, Pat Metheny, Eliane Elias, Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Jeff Linsky and dozens of others for labels like RCA, CTI, Kudu, Milestone, Fantasy, Verve, Columbia, Irma, Alfa, JVC, Caju, Sonet, Paddle Wheel, JHO, Mercury, Imagem etc.

Mr. DeSouteiro also had the honor to be associated with some of the world's greatest photographers like Pete Turner (who did the cover photo for Jorge Pescara's CD "Grooves in the Temple" released on his own JSR label and featured on Turner's new book "The Color of Jazz"), Victor Skrebneski (the CD reissue of "Upchurch/Tennyson"), Bruce Weber (Esther Phillips' "For All We Know"), Robert Mappelthorpe ("Brazilian Horizons"), Alen MacWeeney, William Cadge, and Duane Michals (many of the CTI CDs) and so on. He has appeared in several movies and TV series as the Award Winning documentary movie "Beyond Ipanema," for which he was interviewed alongside Creed Taylor, Lalo Schifrin, Wayne Shorter, Gene Lees and Norman Gimbel.

Jazz Station Marketing & Consulting, JSR Casting, LaCalifUSA Pictures
CEO & Founder: Arnaldo DeSouteiro
JSR - LA
9930 Liebe Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90210

JSR - NY
PO Box 1338
Radio City Station
New York, NY 10003

Jazz Station Records (JSR), a division of Jazz Station Enterprises
CEO & Founder · Los Angeles ·
Jazz Station Records - LA
1545 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
JSR - NY
PO Box 1338
Radio City Station

(PLEASE, DO NOT SEND UNSOLICITED MATERIAL; any unsolicited CD or promo packets will be returned. If you wish to submit material, please contact us through comments on this post or through Facebook. Thx!)
https://www.facebook.com/arnie.gilberto

People are going to talk about you, especially when they envy you and the life you live. Let them. You affected their lives, they didn't affect yours... you will eventually lose someone you love & love someone you never thought you'd find...

Arnaldo DeSouteiro – Biografia ultra-resumida 

Produtor de discos, com cerca de 380 álbuns em sua discografia (incluindo novos CDs, reedições, coletâneas, trilhas sonoras, projetos especiais), conforme consta no All Music Guide, principal e mais acessado website sobre música no mundo. Jornalista e publicitário (formado em Comunicação pela PUC-RJ), tendo escrito para os jornais Tribuna da Imprensa (de 1979 até sua extinção em 2009, com 3.200 artigos publicados), Última Hora, O Globo e O Estado do Paraná, revistas Billboard, Keyboard (USA), Cuadernos de Jazz (Espanha), Swing Journal (Japão), Revista do CD (Brasil) etc. 

Roteirista de shows (João Gilberto, Diana Krall, Ithamara Koorax, Marcos Valle, Eumir Deodato, Bjork etc) e de especiais de TV para as emissoras Globo (Antonio Carlos Jobim & João Gilberto) e Manchete (Dizzy Gillespie, Tony Bennett, Chuck Mangione, Airto Moreira & Flora Purim etc) no Brasil, BET e PBS nos EUA, NHK no Japão (Diana Krall, João Gilberto, CTI All Stars, Dave Brubeck etc).

Nascido no Rio de Janeiro (Brasil) em 1963, radicado em Los Angeles (EUA) desde 1999. Estudou piano clássico e harmonia com sua mãe, a pianista e maestrina Delza Agricola. É membro da Associação Brasileira de Imprensa (ABI) desde 1979, membro catedrático titular efetivo da Academia Internacional de Música desde 1985, membro votante do Grammy-Naras (National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences) desde 2006, membro votante da Los Angeles Jazz Society (único brasileiro) desde 2007, e também único brasileiro que é membro votante da Jazz Journalists Association (sediada em Nova Iorque) desde 2002. Atua como consultor e parecerista para diversas empresas, centros culturais e festivais de música no Brasil e no exterior.

Também foi membro honorário e primeiro membro brasileiro da Associação Internacional de Educadores de Jazz (IAJE – International Association of Jazz Educators) durante 12 anos, até sua extinção em 2008, tendo realizado palestras e panel sessions nas convenções anuais realizadas nos EUA. Fundador e Presidente da gravadora JSR (Jazz Station Records), sediada em Los Angeles – EUA desde 2001, uma divisão da Jazz Station Marketing & Consulting. Dirige também a LaCalifUSA Pictures, empresa de cinema que produz conteúdo e trilhas sonoras (composição, produção, seleção) para filmes e séries de TV. 

Produziu discos e sessões de gravação com artistas como Luiz Bonfá, João Gilberto, Dom Um Romão, João Donato, Palmyra & Levita, Mario Castro-Neves, Claudio Roditi, Gaudencio Thiago de Mello, Dexter Payne, Fabio Fonseca, Marcos Ozzellin, Herbie Hancock, Jorge Pescara, Paula Faour, Anna Ly, Pascoal Meirelles, Yana Purim, Carlos Pingarilho, Nelson Angelo, Marcelo Salazar, Ithamara Koorax, Ron Carter, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Steve Swallow, Herbie Hancock, Hugo Fattoruso, Larry Coryell, Sadao Watanabe, Jurgen Friedrich, Gazzara, Eumir Deodato, Azymuth, Marcio Montarroyos, Sivuca, Laudir de Oliveira, Marcos Valle, David Matthews, Gene Bertoncini, John McLaughlin, Raul de Souza, Hermeto Pascoal, Gonzalo Rubalcaba e muitos outros. 

Como compositor e letrista, tem parcerias com Dave Brubeck (“Broadway Bossa Nova”), Francesco Gazzara (“O Passarinho”), Mamoru Morishita (“Hotaru”) e Fabio Fonseca (“Samba da Copa”, executado na cerimônia de abertura da Copa do Mundo de 2006). 

Produziu reedições de discos de Sergio Mendes, Flora Purim, Tamba Trio, Ivan Lins, Carlos Lyra, Miucha, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Ron Carter, Idris Muhammad, Hank Crawford, Lonnie Smith, Johnny Hammond, Luiz Bonfá, Phil Upchurch, Tennyson Stephens, Eumir Deodato, Grant Green, Mario Castro-Neves, João Donato, Claus Ogerman, David Matthews, Esther Phillips, Joe Beck, Eric Gale e muitos outros.

Produziu as séries “A Trip To Brazil” (cujo Volume 1 chegou ao primeiro-lugar na parada de world-music na Europa em 1998, superando “Buena Vista Social Club”), “Brazilian Horizons”, “CTI: Acid Jazz Grooves”, “Jazz Club”, e retrospectivas - lançadas mundialmente entre 2006 e 2010 pelo selo Verve – das carreiras de Quincy Jones (“Summer In The City: The Soul-Jazz Groves of Quincy Jones”), Eumir Deodato (“Do It Again: The Fantastic Jazz Funk of Eumir Deodato”) e Chick Corea (“Electric Chick”).

Desde 1981, tem realizado, como free lancer, produção musical para diversas gravadoras, como RCA/BMG, Sony, Verve/PolyGram/Universal, CTI, King, Paddle Wheel, Pausa, Milestone/Fantasy, Warner/WEA, Motor Music, JVC/Victor, Sanyo, Movieplay, Imagem, Eldorado, CID, Alfa, RGE, Mr. Bongo, Terra Música, Blue Moon, Bomba, Cedar Tree, Treasure Trove, Irma, Vivid Sound, Motéma, e Huks Music, no Brasil, Europa, Estados Unidos, Japão e Coréia. 

Entre 1982 e 1984, atuou como assessor cultural do Serviço de Comunicação Social da Petrobras. Em 1983, criou, produziu e apresentou o programa "Jazz espetacular", transmitido pela Rádio Tupi FM. Em 1984, assumiu a responsabilidade da programação de bordo (musical e audiovisual) transmitida nos vôos internacionais da Varig, função que exerceu durante 14 anos. Também nesse período (1985 a 1987), participou da comissão de seleção do Free Jazz Festival. 

Escreveu textos de contracapa para discos de diversos artistas, como Toots Thielemans, Ella Fitzgerald, Eliane Elias, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Jeff Kinsky, Paulo Bellinati e Carlos Barbosa Lima, entre outros. Assinou textos para divulgação ("press releases") de artistas como João Gilberto, Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, Pat Metheny, Bill Evans, Jimmy Smith, Elvin Jones, Stanley Turrentine e Tony Bennett.

Atuou como entrevistador em depoimentos prestados para o Museu da Imagem e do Som (Rio de Janeiro e São Paulo) por João Donato, Stellinha Egg, Maestro Gaya, Eumir Deodato, Airto Moreira, Flora Purim e Carlos Barbosa Lima. Em 2001, recebeu o prêmio de International Man of The Year, concedido pelo International Biographical Centre, de Londres. Foi o primeiro brasileiro a receber essa premiação, oferecida anteriormente a apenas quatro outros produtores: Arif Mardin, Tommy LiPuma, Quincy Jones e Phil Ramone. Ainda nesse ano, a JSR (Jazz Station Records), de sua propriedade, foi considerada uma das cinco melhores gravadoras de jazz do mundo, em relação publicada na edição de dezembro da revista especializada norte-americana "Down Beat", premiação que se repetiu por quatro anos (7º lugar em 2003, 9º lugar em 2004, 5º lugar em 2005 e 6º lugar em 2006).

SHM-CD of the Month - "Quincy Jones: You've Got It Bad Girl"

SHM-CD of the Month
Quincy Jones: "You've Got It Bad Girl" (A&M) 

Produced by Quincy Jones & Ray Brown
Arranged & Conducted by Quincy Jones
Recording Engineer: Phil Schier with Phil Ramone & Larry Levine
Assisted by Gary Ladinski & John Henning
Mixed by Phil Schier, Quincy Jones & Ray Brown
Recorded @ A&M Records, Sun West Studios, The Record Plant (all in Hollywood, California), and A&R Studios (New York, NY, USA)

Art Direction: Roland Young
Photos by Al Kramer
Liner Notes: Roberta Flack

Featuring: Dave Grusin, George Duke & Bob James (Fender Rhodes electric piano), Eddie Louis (organ), Ray Brown (acoustic bass), Carol Kaye & Chuck Rainey (electric piano), Grady Tate (drums), Milt Holland & Bobby Porter (congas & percussion), Dennis Budimir (electric guitar), Hubert Laws (flute), Cat Anderson (trumpet), Jerome Richardson (soprano sax), Phil Woods (alto sax), Ernie Watts (electric tenor sax), Toots Thielemans (electric guitar, whistle & harmonica), Tom Morgan (harmonica), Quincy Jones & Valerie Thompson (vocals)

News from Quincy Jones' documentary movie about Clark Terry, "Keep On Keepin' On"

Q: "I could not be more excited to announce that The Weinstein Company / RadiusTWC have acquired our documentary "Keep On Keepin' On." Harvey and I have been friends for many years and we have been waiting for the right opportunity to join forces. Harvey has always been a champion of the arts and the fact that he recognized the importance of Clark Terry's contributions to American culture warms my heart.

There's nothing better than the right people coming together at the right time - something I should thank my longtime family Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro, and the Tribeca Film Festival team for. To know that a film about my first teacher Clark Terry – the man who put me on his shoulders more than seventy years ago – will get the chance to be seen by a wider audience makes my soul smile."

Announcement via Deadline Hollywood here:
http://www.deadline.com/2014/04/hot-tribeca-deal-radius-twc-acquires-touching-jazz-docu-keep-on-keepin-on/

Instrumental Jazz CD of the Month - "Mark Little Trio: Kindred Spirits"

Instrumental Jazz CD of the Month
Mark Little Trio: "Kindred Spirits" (Caralittle Music) 2014

Rating:
***** (musical performance)
**** (sonic quality)

Produced & Arranged by Mark Little
Co-Produced by Robert De La Garza
Recorded @ Windmill Valley Recording (Bulverde, Texas)
Recorded & Mixed by Robert De La Garza
Mastered by Jerry Tubb @ Terra Nova Digital Audio, Inc. (Austin, TX)

A phenomenal session led by pianist Mark Little, with superlative contributions by Mike Porter (acoustic bass) and Daniel Dowling (drums). Top-class repertoire, alternating inspired renditions of jazz standards with mesmerizing originals ("Rrose Amarillo," "Anthem Jazz," "Sturdy Man" and the title track "Kindred Spirits") plus some classical pieces. The famous Adagio from Beethoven's "Pathetique Sonata" and J.S. Bach's "Air On The G String" (also a favorite of Milcho Leviev, who had recorded it as "Air On A Blue String," a track I gave lots of airplay when working for TUPI-FM radio station ages ago) are both played as jazz ballads.

A third classical work, Chopin's "Prelude In E Minor, Op. 28, No.4" appears mixed with Antonio Carlos Jobim's "How Insensitive," the bossa nova classic inspired by the Prelude. There's another gorgeous bossa, "Caminhos Cruzados," co-written by Jobim and Newton Mendonça, and made internationally famous through João Gilberto's masterpiece album with Claus Ogerman, "Amoroso."

Nevertheless, the CD highlights are the audacious, daring and highly creative treatments provided by the Mark Little Trio to Bill Evans' gem "Time Remembered" (btw, he studied with Evans and combines the master's lyricism with a powerful touch a la McCoy Tyner), an 8-minute version of "Come Rain Or Come Shine" (excellent bass solo, astonishing drumwork), "You Don't Know What Love Is" (simply superb!), "Tenderly" and Charlie Parker's bop anthem "Relaxin' At Camarillo". The musicians' interplay is impeccable throughout the album; the dense and intense approach provided by the leader is impressive. His "inner voice" speaks eloquently and clear. What else could we ask for? So far, one of the best releases of the year.

*********
Mark was born August 28, 1951 in Amarillo, Texas. He began piano lessons at four, and played his first professional gig at six. He joined an R & B group “The Undertakers” at 14, touring with them for four years. Mark moved to Austin in 1970, and played with numerous groups including Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Willis Allen Ramsey & Jerry Jeff Walker. He received a scholarship from Berklee School of Music where he got the chance to study with Bill Evans. Little adds that studying with Bill Evans was a “once in a lifetime incredible experience”. He (Bill Evans) talked extensively about developing the “inner voice’s” of the piano and sited Mozart as an example of this technique. By 1975, Mark was teaching at Berklee.

In 1980, Mark moved to California and got the job playing piano for Cleo Lane and John Dankworth, performing with them at many venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center in New York City, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles and Royal Albert Hall in London.

He composed and arranged for Bobby McFerrin, as well as performing with him at the Playboy Jazz Festival in Los Angeles. He toured the United States and Europe with Maria Muldaur, working at Fat Tuesday’s in New York City and Ronnie Scott’s in London, among other places. On tour with Art Farmer and Clifford Jordan, Mark played the hottest clubs on the West Coast including Yoshi’s in San Francisco.

He “tenured” as the musical director and pianist for E.W. Wainwrights African Roots of Jazz. During which time he did special “command performances” for Nelson Mandela , Danny Glover and Louis Farrakhan .

Mark has worked with many great jazz artists, including Joe Henderson, Pharaoh Sanders, Grady Tate, Eddie Henderson, Morgana King, Joe Lovano, Ted Curson, Shorty Rogers, Chico Freeman , Bobby Hutcherson, Steve Allen, Ryo Kawasaki, Don Moye, Morganna King, Bud Shank, and Melba Moore.

He recorded his first album as a leader, “Dreamwalk’n” in 1993 on the Monarch label and received his first Grammy nomination. Little’s second CD, “The Tribe” was recorded in 1995 again for Monarch, and gave Little his second Grammy nomination. His third CD, “Birthright,” was a solo live performance at the famous Maybeck Recital Hall released in 1999.

Little’s 2003 CD, “Isn’t Art It!” released on his own label “Caralittle Music” is all original compositions dedicated to the life and work of his brother Ken Little which demonstrates Mark’s versatility of styles and creativity.

Mark moved to San Antonio in 2004 and has played with numerous groups including his brother Ken Little’s band, Richie Cole’s Alto Madness orchestra and  Kyle Kyner’s Small World with Polly Harrison and Richard Oppenheim. A new chapter starts now with "Kindred Spirits".

In the words of Mark’s old friend the late, great, John Dankworth, “Mark Little’s spirited playing amply demonstrates his total immersion in the music he loves, not to mention his wholehearted commitment to it. His fluent improvisations explore ever-changing routes with a surprise around nearly every corner; they sometimes display extraordinary virtuosity and sometimes almost disarming simplicity, yet are never devoid of interest. He shows himself to be an exciting performer whose work is still developing; this bodes well for the future of this highly individual artiste.”

R.I.P.: Armando Peraza

One of the greatest percussionists in the history of music. A GIANT! From George Shearing to Carlos Santana, from jazz to rock, pop & beyond.

His performances on Santana's most-oriented fusion albums like "Borboletta", "Illuminations" (alongside Alice Coltrane, Dave Holland & Jack DeJohnette), "Welcome!" and "Lotus" are simply extraordinary. Not to mention several videos, LaserDiscs and DVDs like "Viva Santana!", full of several haunting moments from live concerts with Santana.

Despite such a monumental body of work, it's easy for me to say that my very favorite Peraza track is "Promisses Of A Fisherman," the celestial Dorival Caymmi tune that Carlos picked up for his 1974 "Borboletta" album (5 stars on page 16 of the December 5, 1974 issue of DownBeat magazine). Alongside Carlos on guitar, Tom Coster (Hammond & Fender Rhodes), Stanley Clarke (bass), Airto (drums) and Flora Purim (vocals), Armando Peraza does the best bongos performance I've ever heard on a jazz-rock/fusion recording. Rest in Peace.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/armando-peraza-world-recognized-drummer-dies-at-89/2014/04/16/44ff6fe0-c5b1-11e3-8b9a-8e0977a24aeb_story.html

Armando Peraza, world-recognized drummer, dies at 89
By David Colker, Published: April 16

Cuban-born drummer Armando Peraza, a self-taught musician who transformed himself from a homeless orphan in Havana to a world-recognized bongo and conga expert and who performed with Carlos Santana for nearly two decades, died April 14 in a South San Francisco hospital.

The cause was pneumonia, said his wife, Josephine Peraza. Mr. Peraza had also battled diabetes for many years.

(Larry Hulst/Getty Images) - Armando Peraza circa 1970.

Officially, Mr. Peraza was 89, but he admitted that he made up a birth date to give to authorities when he came to the United States in the late 1940s and was never sure of his exact age.

Mr. Peraza, who also played with pianist George Shearing and other jazz greats, was known for combining a blindingly fast drumming technique with a flamboyant style that audiences loved.

Mr. Peraza was born, according to public records, in Havana on May 30, 1924, although his wife said it could have been as early as 1919. When Mr. Peraza was 3, his father died of pneumonia, and at the age of 7 he lost his mother to liver failure, according to a 2004 account in Latin Beat magazine. He stayed with relatives until he was 12 and then was out on his own, selling fruit and vegetables on the street.

“I was sleeping on the street,” Mr. Peraza told Latin Beat. “I grew up with a lot of violence.”

As he grew older, he played semipro baseball and taught himself to play drums. “I never had a chance to learn everything,” Mr. Perez told the San Francisco Chronicle in 2009. “In the streets, nobody showed us nothing.”

His break came when a baseball teammate’s brother, a singer with a pivotal group called Conjunto Kubavana, was in sudden need of a conga player and gave Mr. Peraza the chance to perform. He later played alongside percussionist Mongo Santamaria for a dance troupe known as the Black Diamonds. “A big specialty number would be a dance solo with Armando’s playing following the moves of the dancer,” said John Santos, a San Francisco bandleader who organized concerts in tribute to Mr. Peraza in recent years.

In the late 1940s, Mr. Peraza made his way to New York, but his flamboyant playing didn’t fit with Latin dance orchestras of the period. “The attention was supposed to be on the lead singers,” Santos said. “What he did overshadowed them.”

Instead, Mr. Peraza gravitated to jazz ensembles, joining groups headed by Shearing and multi-
instrumentalist Cal Tjader. Over the years, he also performed with trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, pianists Dave Brubeck and Art Tatum, and saxophonist Charlie Parker, and eventually with pop music stars such as Aretha Franklin, Linda Ronstadt and Eric Clapton.

His relationship with Santana began in the early 1970s. “He knew Carlos’ father before he knew Carlos,” Josephine Peraza said. Santana’s father, Jose, was a mariachi musician in San Francisco.

Among the Santana recordings on which Mr. Peraza played are “Caravanserai,” “Blues for Salvador” and “Freedom.” Mr. Peraza traveled extensively with Santana’s band until about 1990, when his diabetes made life on the road too difficult. He continued to perform on recordings, including Linda Ronstadt’s 1992 “Frenesi” Spanish-language album, and at occasional concerts.

Besides his wife, Mr. Peraza is survived by a daughter and three grandchildren.

— Los Angeles Times

Single of the Month - "Astrud Gilberto: Love Story"

7" Single of the Month
Astrud Gilberto: "Love Story" (CTI Records)

Produced by Creed Taylor
Arranged & Conducted by Eumir Deodato
Engineered by Rudy Van Gelder @ Van Gelder Studio (Englewood Cliffs, NJ)
Featuring: Astrud Gilberto, Eumir Deodato, Ron Carter, Russell George, João Palma, Dennis Seiwell, Gene Bertoncini, Bob Mann, Sam Brown, Hubert Laws, George Marge, Romeo Penque, Jerome Richardson et al.

Charles Mingus says it all...

R.I.P.: Ralph Penland

(born February 15, 1953 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; died on March 14, 2014 in Los Angeles, California, USA) 

I first listened to drummer Ralph Penland on Freddie Hubbard's "Keep Your Soul Together" album, recorded for CTI in 1973. It was the last of Hubbard's "official" studio LPs for Creed Taylor during their association in the early 70s (another album, "Polar AC," consisting of out-takes from previous sessions, was released after Freddie had already left CTI to sign with Columbia) and, ironically, the first that the trumpeter was allowed to record with his touring band, then consisting of George Cables, Kent Brinkley, Ralph Penland, Aurell Ray and Junior Cook.

Penland and Hubbard kept a prolific collaboration during three decades, as documented on such albums as "High Energy" (recorded in 1974, reissued on CD in 2009) as well on the DVD "Live at the Warsaw Jamboree Jazz Festival," filmed in Poland (back in 1991) and released in 2004.

I also saw Penland as a member of Hubert Laws' group, and during the filming of Bruce Weber's haunting film about Chet Baker, "Let's Get Lost," when I met Lisa Marie, btw. Penland's work with singers like Dianne Reeves, Nancy Wilson, Carmen Lundy, Etta James and k.d. lang is also noteworthy. Rest in Peace!

http://www.pasadenanow.com/main/jazz-great-pcc-educator-ralph-penland-reported-dead-at-61

Jazz Great, PCC Educator Ralph Penland Reported Dead at 61

Pasadena’s Prolific Penland Leaves Legacy, Mournful Fans

Prolific jazz drummer and Pasadena City College faculty member Ralph Penland died in Los Angeles on March 14 at age 61, according to media and social media reports.
The cause of his death has not been reported.

Penland’s performance credits is a “Who’s Who” list of jazz superstars: Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Wilson, Freddie Hubbard, Hubert Laws, George Benson, Stan Getz and dozens more top artists in the genre.

Penland was a faculty member in the Jazz Department at Pasadena City College and previously taught at the New England Conservatory, where he had studied originally.

Between 1973 and 2013, Penland performed in 100 recording sessions and most recently, led his own band, The Penland Polygon.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Penland purchased his first drum set at the age of 15 and just two years later was performing with renowned Jazz-Pop guitarist Wilbert Longmire and was a featured percussionist with The Cincinnati Symphony. Not long after, he moved to Boston where, still in his early twenties, he began teaching at The New England Conservatory of Music.

It was during this time, while commuting to New York, that Penland met and joined up with Freddie Hubbard, and the pair recorded five albums, two of which, “Keep Your Soul Together” and “High Energy” are considered ground-breaking works of jazz.

Upon news of his death, social media exploded with comments of both sadness and respect.
“Traveling mercies to our beautiful friend, drummer Ralph Penland who returned home to the great Creator,” fan Mary Bogue posted on Penland’s Facebook page. “You kept perfect time, such a gift to every singer; such a sweet, sweet gift. Peace be with you, our dear friend Ralph.”

Penlands commercial, pop, R&B and rock credits include performances with The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Jeffrey Osborne, Grover Washington, Jr., Benard Ighner, Eric Gale, Ali Woodson, Patrice Rushen, George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Kirk Whalum, Everette Harp, Steve Vai, Brian Auger, Robben Ford, George Benson and Frank Sinatra.

Penlands’ film work and musical movie soundtracks include “Throw Momma From The Train”, “When Harry Met Sally”, “Cool World”, “The Russia House”, “Midnight In The Garden Of Good & Evil” and the HBO series “Politically Incorrect.”
***********

Here's the link for a very fine tribute to him:
http://dothemath.typepad.com/dtm/2014/03/rip-ralph-penland.html

Quincy Jones on Alfredo Rodriguez's performances in Los Angeles, last week

Quincy Jones reports: "My brother Alfredo Rodriguez had his album release party at the Blue Whale on Tuesday night and he and his trio absolutely KILLED it! So incredibly proud of where he has taken his music. Their performance is on another level. Congratulations my friend, my hat's off to you and your talent... xoxox - Q"

And we strongly recommend the 3D Blu-ray "Experince Montreux" (total time: 206 minutes), filmed in High Definition 3D and released last November. This 2-disc set brings together the award-winning "Experience Montreux" film plus concert performances by Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones (with Alfredo Rodriguez shining on an all-star band recruited by Q), all filmed at the 44th Montreux Jazz Festival in 2010.

The first disc contains full live tracks by a range of artists that reflects the breadth and eclecticism of the Montreux Fest, featuring Massive Attack, Joe Bonamassa, Elvis Costello, Angelique Kidjo and many others. Their performances are interspersed with interviews with festival founder Claude Nobs and many of the artists involved and are accompanied by stunning footage of the festival setting, the town of Montreux, Lake Geneva and the Swiss Alps.

Quincy Jones and Herbie Hancock have both been frequent visitors to Montreux over the years and it's fitting that their performances form a part of this 3D celebration of the magic of the Montreux Jazz Festival. The highlights on Quincy's set are provided by the young Cuban piano virtuoso Alfredo Rodriguez (a splendid musician who became Quincy's protégé and shines even playing Happy Birthday!!!) and veteran Brazilian percussion master Paulinho da Costa, a longtime associate of Quincy who has performed in 99% of his productions since the late 70s, including all his solo albums and the Michael Jackson classic trilogy "Off The Wall," "Triology" and "Bad." Hancock's band features bassist Tal Winkenfeld, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, and an astonishingly beautiful vocalist named Kristina Train, who sings a creative rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine."

R.I.P.: Dr. Herb Wong

Herb Wong who had long been thought of as the resident jazz expert in the San Francisco Bay area. During his productive career, he has hosted radio shows, taught jazz in schools, and been an important early supporter of the Monterey Jazz Festival. In addition, Wong has held high positions with the International Association of Jazz Educators (he used to write the CD Reviews column for the IAJE Journal), been the main producer for the Black-Hawk and Palo Alto labels, and written countless liner notes, articles and reviews. Dr. Wong was 88

Tonight: Brazilian Music Festival in Hollywood

BRAZILIAN MUSIC FESTIVAL IN HOLLYWOOD - FREE ADMISSION!
"Celebrating Ariel Del Mundo's Birthday Bash!"
SATURDAY, APRIL 26
8pm - 2am / 21 & Over

FREE ADMISSION - Before Midnight!
VALET PARKING - $10 all night!
***********
Live Brazilian Music (on Area 1) and electronic music on Area 2 with:
DJ MARK LEWIS and DJ STEVE LORIA
(House Music / EDM)

General Admission: FREE before Midnight!
VIP Table $30 - per person
(For groups of 4 or more - Best Views!)

VIP Table $40 - per person
(For groups of less than 4 people - Best Views!)

To buy your VIP table online, go to: http://www.arieldelmundo.com/
For Dinner Reservations: - 323 461 1700

TO CONTACT US:
arieldelmundo@hotmail.com or call 323 788 5699

EVENT LOCATION:
LEXINGTON SOCIAL HOUSE
1718 Vine St. Hollywood, CA 9002

Crossover CD of the Month - "Brad Hoyt: Far Away From Everyday"

Crossover CD of the Month
Brad Hoyt: "Far Away From Everyday" (Harp Guitar Music) 2014

Brad Hoyt's new release features a new collection of original music that combines the talents of top-tier harp guitarists (9 this time, including Brad) and acoustic guitarists such as Phil Keaggy, Don Alder and Trevor Gordon Hall with jazz virtuosos Howard Levy (harmonica), Jeff Coffin (sax and flute), Joscho Stephan (gypsy jazz guitar prodigy), Tomas Mach (violin), Michael Manring (fretless & EBow bass) and a wide variety of excellent players on cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, bass, guitar, nyckelharpa and percussion.

A mind-blowing mix -- recorded in 19 studios in such countries as Canada, Germany and Czech Republic, besides USA of course, with final mastering by John Elleson-Hartley in England --, co-produced by Hoyt (heard also on piano, lute, ukelele, wrenchenspiel and even the rare "Sedgwick arpa viola caipira," a 30-string harp guitar made specially for him by Stephen Sedgwick) & Gregg Miner (who also plays 7-string bass zither banjo & Knutsen harp mandolin). Ryo Ishido's beautiful cover art fits perfectly with the unusual musical content.

Blues Artists Needed By Record Label

There aren't too many Blues Labels left, but this is one of the best! If you're a traditional blues artist, and you'd like to get heard by the Head of A&R at this Record Label, this opportunity has your name written all over it! The deadline to get your music in our hands is MONDAY, so don't pass this up!

Male, Traditional Blues artists are needed by the Head of A&R at a prominent Independent Record Label that needs some exciting new acts for their roster. They're on the hunt for career-driven acts in the stylistic ballpark of artists like Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Albert King, etc. Give them Songs that showcase your incredible guitar chops and skillfully soulful vocals. Authentic sounding instrumentation only, please. Solo Acoustic Blues performances are welcome.

Be sure your original songs are true to the Blues genre, with musicianship that's at the highest level. No Covers, original songs only! Please submit one to three Songs online or per CD, include lyrics, photo, and bio. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI and must be received no later than next Monday, April 28. TAXI # S140428BL. For more info, please visit: www.taxi.com

CD/DVD Set of the Month - "Orquestra À Base de Sopro de Curitiba: Nossos Compositores"

CD/DVD Set of the Month
Orquestra À Base de Sopro de Curitiba: "Nossos Compositores" (Na Catêga) 2014

Another brilliant release by the OABS (Orquestra À Base de Sopro de Curitiba -- here under the direction of conductor Sergio Albach, a virtuoso clarinetist -- this amazing 2-disc set includes a CD (recorded "live" in a theater, but with no audience) and a DVD (this one, a real concert in another venue) with different tracklists, although most of the tunes appear in both discs. The title "Nossos Compositores" (Our Composers) refers to the fact that all tracks are striking originals, written specially for this project by the main composers from Curitiba's contemporary music scene, an extremely fascinating one.

It's the follow-up to "OABS & André Mehmari," a set that led these great musicians to be voted one of the four best Jazz Big Bands/Orchestras in the Jazz Station 2013 Poll. Due to the splendid performances, compositions and arrangements, it's almost impossible to elect the highlights, but my personal favorite tracks are: the flamboyant "Divertimento" and an infectious 7/4 samba titled "Brasis" (both composed & arranged by Osiel Fonseca), "Roubando Cachecóis" (dedicated by Mr. Albach to flutist Lea Freire), "Anatilde" (composed & arranged by woodwind player Gabriel Schwartz), Oliver Pellet's "Tempo Bom" (ingeniously scored by Glauco Solter, who is not a member of the OABS but develops a succesfull solo career), and Davi Sartori's "Seu Pascoal" (an hommage to my dear friend and guru Hermeto Pascoal).

Credits:
Alto Sax – Victor Gabriel Castro
Alto Sax, Sopranino Sax, Tenor Sax – Gabriel Schwartz
Arranged By – Ale Age, Davi Sartori, Gabriel Schwartz, Glauco Solter, Luis Otávio Almeida, Marcelo Pereira, Osiel Fonseca
Bass Clarinet, Clarinet, Conductor, Liner Notes – Sergio Albach
Clarinets – Jacson Vieira, João William
Creative Director – Sergio Albach
Drums – Graciliano Zambonin
Electric Bass – Marcelo Pereira
Electric Guitar – Oliver Pellet
Flute – Maiara Moraes
Flute, Piccolo Flute – Sebastião Interlandi Junior
Mixed By, Mastered By – Diogo Poppi (CD), Dirceu Saggin (CD), Victor França (DVD)
Percussion – Denis Mariano, Iê Dos Santos
Piano, Keyboards – Davi Sartori
Tenor Sax – Douglas Soares, Sergio Freire
Trombone – Alexandre Santos, Osmário Estevam Júnior, Raule Alves, Rodrigo Vicaria Brasão
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Douglas Chiullo, Ozéias Veiga Da Costa
Video Editor, Film Director – João Marcelo Gomes
Graphics, Art Direction – Adriana Alegria
Recorded By – Beto Japa (CD), Dirceu Saggin (CD), Victor França (DVD)
Mixed By, Mastered By – Diogo Poppi (CD), Dirceu Saggin (CD), Victor França (DVD)
Photography By – Everson Zardo, Gabriel Schwartz

CD recorded @ Teatro da FEP (Curitiba, Paraná) on July 7, 8 & 9, 2008
DVD filmed @ UTFPR (Curitiba, Paraná) on August 24, 2009      

Anna Mjöll live @ Vibrato, tonight!

Anna Mjöll, "Iceland's First Lady of Jazz," returns from her European tour directly to Herb Alpert's Vibrato in Bel Air, California, where she will be performing tonight, April 26th.

This event is a near-guaranteed sellout, timely reservations are strongly recommended. She will be backed by Pat Senatore (acoustic bass) and Tom Ranier (piano). 

Vibrato Grill Jazz
2930 Beverly Glen Circle
Bel Air, CA 90077

Call (310) 474-9400 for reservations.

https://vibrato.herbalpertpresents.com/entries/anna-mjoll-live-vibrato/

The brainchild of seven-time Grammy winner Herb Albert, Vibrato Grill Jazz blends the rich elements of world-renowned jazz, art and gourmet cuisine for an evening to remember. The restaurant is owned by Pasadena’s Smith Brothers Restaurant group (Parkway Grill, Arroyo Chop House and Smitty’s Grill) and serves an exquisite menu of American contemporary dishes. Must tries include the dessert menu’s warm bittersweet chocolate truffle cake, chocolate glazed butterscotch pudding, caramel apple pie and Meyer lemon tart. Located at the top of Mulholland Drive and Beverly Glen Circle, Vibrato’s sophisticated jazz sounds and the deliciously fragrant food will lure you in from all over the city.

Robert Hurst live in NY, March 25 & 26

Tomorrow, March 25, and also this Wednesday, March 26, at Jazz Standard (116 East 27th Street, NY), don't miss bassist extraordinaire Robert Hurst - with Marcus Strickland (sax), David Virelles (piano), Jeff "Tain" Watts (drums) & PePe Espinosa (percussion) - playing tunes from the acclaimed CD "Bob, A Palindrome," that led Hurst to place high (#3 in the acoustic bass category) in the 35th Annual Jazz Station Poll. Btw, to check the complete results: http://jazzstation-oblogdearnaldodesouteiros.blogspot.com.br/2013/12/the-best-jazz-of-2013.html

Blu-spec CD of the Month - "Gabor Szabo: Macho"

Blu-spec CD of the Month
Gabor Szabo: "Macho" (Salvation/King Records)

Produced, Arranged & Conducted by Bob James
Featuring: Gabor Szabo, Bob James, Louis Johnson, Harvey Mason, Ralph MacDonald, Idris Muhammad, Eric Gale, Tom Scott, Jon Faddis, George Bohanon

For the first time on Blu-spec CD, this was the third and last album that Hungarian guitar wiz Gabor Szabo recorded for Creed Taylor, and the only one that Creed didn't produce, thus being released on CTI's subsidiary Salvation label. Even Liszt goes funky!

SHM-CD of the Month: "Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw & Benny Golson: Time Speaks"

SHM-CD of the Month
Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw & Benny Golson: "Time Speaks" (BMG Japan)

Produced by Makoto Kimata
Reissue of a great session from 1985, dedicated to Clifford Brown and recorded at Van Gelder Studio.
Featuring: Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, Benny Golson, Kenny Barron, Cecil McBee and Ben Riley.

Blu-ray Audio of the Month - "Quincy Jones: Big Band Bossa Nova"

Blu-ray Audio of the Month

Quincy Jones: "Big Band Bossa Nova" (Mercury)

Produced by Quincy Jones

Arranged by Lalo Schifrin

Conducted by Quincy Jones
Recorded August and September, 1962 @ A&R Studios, New York City, NY
Engineer: Phil Ramone

Featuring: Quincy Jones, Lalo Schifrin, Jim Hall, Chris White, Rudy Collins, José Paulo, Jack Del Rio, Carlos Gomez, Phil Woods, Jerome Richardson, Roland Kirk, Paul Gonsalves, Clark Terry et al. 

Beyond CD of the Month - "Dusan Jevtovic: Am I Walking Wrong?"

Beyond CD of the Month
Dusan Jevtovic: "Am I Walking Wrong?" (MoonJune)

Featuring: Dusan Jevtovic (electric guitar), Bernat Hernandez (fretless electric bass) & Marko Djordjevic (drums)
Recorded in Banyeres del Penedes, Barcelona, and Aranys del Mar (Spain)
Mixed & mastered in Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 2013
Produced by Dusan Jevtovic
Executive Producer: Leonardo Pavkovic

During my two visits to Serbia (the latest one for a Diana Krall concert in 2010) I fall in love with the country (specially cities like Belgrade and Indija) as well as with its musicians.

This international debut of Serbian guitarist, Dusan Jevtovic, is an edge-of-your-seat thrill ride: full of twists and turns that you never see coming. Am I Walking Wrong? showcases moments of immense raw, explosive power, interspersed with swatches of playful dissonance, contemplative ambiance, riveting r'n'b-tinged grooves, authoritative rock vamps, and more. The tight, abundantly-capable trio confidently stride through an engaging set of original barn-burners that are as catchy and accessible as they are spellbinding and unpredictable. Dusan wastes no time in making it clear that he is a vastly accomplished player, with a host of brilliant tones in his arsenal. (.. to go a long with a big bag of tasty chops, no less!) Armed with a style and vocabulary most players would kill for (Oz Noy meets Robert Fripp, maybe?), he propels a session that continuously cooks on high heat, providing fans of stellar guitar work -- especially satisfying to any die-hard "tone freaks" -- plenty of choice morsels into which to sink their respective teeth. Continually pushing the envelope throughout a set which features a stream of unique, intriguing compositions, Jevtovic delivers the sonic goods with a style and flair that is mesmerizing. With the dexterity of a master technician and the soul of a gypsy, his axe work is anything other than what you might expect, but always brilliantly-conceived and -executed. There are a ton of surprises lurking -- and they're all good! Despite the songs' innate complexities and genre-blurring proclivities, his backup never fails to perfectly compliment affairs (and in terms of musical stylings, they cover a lot of ground here.) Clearly, this is Dusan's show, but wherever he ventures – and venture he does! – his band is always right there, in perfect lock-step with him. The structures and themes featured on this album are refreshingly unorthodox, subtly sophisticated, and compelling. The trio handles tight corners effortlessly, and maneuvers assuredly around whatever obstacles get thrown into their path. (...and, in that regard, there never seems to be a shortage: these guys just don't sit still for very long!) Odd time signatures, sudden mood swings and radical changes of direction abound, but all are handled with an unshakeable grace and radiant poise. Without question, this is a group of highly-skilled musicians with tremendous chemistry who aren't afraid to frolic anywhere; nor are they even the slightest bit hesitant or intimidated by any such prospects. Beyond meeting the rigorous demands of building off of such an aggressive, ambitious set of musical blueprints, Dusan and company genuinely sound like they are having a blast. Even in their most tense, suspenseful moments, there is still a sense of joy and inhibition that manages to seep through. This is progressive music at its most creative, and its most artfully- and skillfully-conveyed ... it just doesn't get any fresher or any more fun! With this fabulous release, Dusan Jevtovic has immediately cast himself as a vital, articulate new voice on guitar -- undeniably world-class, but nearly impossible to categorize or pigeonhole. His style and voicings are not confined by genre, or even hampered by preconception, but wreak of a level of excellence and an insatiable creative genius that many of his contemporaries can only hope to one day attain. Guitarists this profoundly original, spontaneous and gifted don't show up too often. On this album, Dusan Jevtovic is accompanied by Catalian fretless bass guitarist Bernat Hernandez (a well known on the local jazz and pop scene in Barcelona), and the NY-based Serbian drummer Marko Djordjevic (“world class drummer” and “a true innovator”, as quoted by Modern Drummer Magazine), who has played on over 40 albums and has thousands of live performances to his credit -- having played with modern progressive icons such as Matt Garrison, Wayne Krantz, Jonah Smith, Gary Willis, Bill Frisell, Lionel Loueke, Aaron Goldberg, and others. The results of such mergence of these three huge talents smacks as much of originality and finesse as it does enchantment and stylistic diversity. Am I Walking Wrong?, Dusan's initial MoonJune Records release, is an advanced-level class in "Organic Chemistry" -- signaling even more new directions for the label (and progressive music!), and documenting another "coming out party" for yet more great emerging talent. This music is simply too good to be ignored. Fans of smokin' axe work will have plenty to savor here ... dig in, while it's hot!!

Brazilian CD of the Month - "Glauco Solter: Dois Em Um / Coletânea + Novidade"

Brazilian CD of the Month (2-CD Set)
Glauco Solter: "Dois Em Um / Coletânea + Novidade" (Gramofone)

A stunning release by one of Brazil's top electric bassists, this 2-disc set includes an eight-track compilation with Solter's personal favorite tunes from previous albums reunited on CD1, and a brand-new session on CD2, with 11 tracks recorded in 2013 in his native city, Curitiba, in the State of Paraná. Famous for his work with trombone genius Raul de Souza for the past ten years (including a 2014 tour with Ron Carter), Solter currently leads a sextet that features bandolim virtuoso Daniel Migliavacca, woodwind player Paulo Siqueira, and trombonist Sérgio Coelho, very influenced by Raul de Souza; a very positive influence, indeed. Cheers!

Featuring:
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass, Composed By – Glauco Solter
Acoustic Guitar – Joel Mueller, Michelangelo Pagnano
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Mário Conde
Clarinet – Jairo Wilkens
Coordinator – Alvaro Ramos, Mara Fontoura
Drums – Endrigo Bettega, Graciliano Zambonin
Drums – Edu Sallum, Murilo Lunardon, Uccio Gaeta
Electric Guitar – Gerson China
Engineers – Fred Teixeira, Luis Piazzetta, Rogério Naressi, Victor França, Virgilio Milleo, Beto Japa
Flute, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Paulo Siqueira
Graphics – Lumen Design
Keyboards – Davi Sartori, Jeff Sabbag
Bandolim – Daniel Migliavacca
Mastered By – Fred Teixeira
Percussion – Jorginho Do Trompete, Márcio Rosa, Ricardo Ô Rosinha
Piano – Hermeto Pascoal
Soprano Saxophone – Hélio Brandão, Raul Valente
Trombone – Sergio Coelho
Voice – Glauco Solter, Ravi Solter, Jade Solter

Jazz CD of the Month - "Shirazette Tinnin: Humility, Purity of My Soul"

Jazz CD of the Month

Shirazette Tinnin: "Humility, Purity of My Soul" (Hot Tone Music) 

The simultaneous release, last month, of new Hot Tone Music CDs by Mimi Jones (Balance), saxophonist Camille Thurman (Origins), and drummer Shirazette Tinnin (Humility: Purity of My Soul) places the label at the forefront of bringing recognition to the increasing prominence of world-class female musicians in the jazz arena.

Drummer Shirazette Tinnin debuts on Humility: Purity of My Soul, working with her band, the Shirazette Experiment: pianists Willerm Delisfort and Rachel Eckroth, guitarist Seth Johnson, bassist Tom DiCarlo, and singing tenor saxophonist Camille Thurman. Seven of her compositions are included, along with arrangements of songs by Eddie Harris ("Freedom Jazz Dance") and McCoy Tyner ("Passion Dance"). Tia Fuller, in whose band Shirazette has played for the past three years, and the Angolan vocalist Afrikkanitha make guest appearances on the new disc.

Shirazette was born in Chapel Hill, NC in 1979, the daughter of gospel singers who performed up and down the East Coast. After getting her B.A. in Music Industry Studies at Appalachian State University, she studied at Northern Illinois University, earning her master's in music. Tinnin worked and recorded with flutist Nicole Mitchell and, at a jazz festival, met trumpeter Gabriel Alegría, who invited her to come to New York (in 2009) and join his Afro-Peruvian Sextet, with whom she has recorded and regularly toured in the U.S. and Peru. Tinnin also reconnected in New York with Mimi Jones, whom she had met a decade earlier in North Carolina. She has organized several bands over the years, including Imani 7. When she's not playing music, Shirazette works as a personal trainer.

Mimi Jones, Camille Thurman, and Shirazette Tinnin performed together at APAP, New York in January, and with their respective bands at the Hot Tone Music CD release show @ Le Poisson Rouge (also in NY) in February.

The Shirazette Tinnin Experiment EPK

Brazilian Carnival 2014 in Hollywood!

30th Annual BRAZILIAN CARNAVAL 2014 IN HOLLYWOOD @ Lure Nightclub (1439 Ivar Ave, Los Angeles). Celebrating the World Cup in Brazil!

OVER 1,300 CAPACITY CLUB!
Saturday, March 1
9pm to 2am / 21 & over
For online tickets, VIP tables, more info, go to: http://www.ARIELDELMUNDO.com/

MAIN AREA: 4 BANDS!
UNIDOS DA BAHIA with legendary members of OLODUM & ILE AIYE
SAMBA'DA - # 1 Brazilian band in the USA from the San Francisco area
BATUKAXE - Legendary L.A. based Bahia band.
RIO SAMBA SCHOOL - Samba Enredo, Batucada
ANDREA FERRAZ - Marchinhas
SOL ROMERO - Electro Carnaval
Plus: Electrifying Samba Dancers from Rio and Flying Cirque Capoeira Artists!
DJ IZAEL

AREA 2:
DJ MANO KUERTEN
Electronic Dance Music DJs with Brazilian percussion!

GENERAL ADMISSION: $25 in advance
VIP tables: $60 per person
GENERAL TICKET LOCATIONS:
Supermercado Brazil in Culver City - 310 837 4291
El Camaguey Market in Culver City - 310 839 4037
Brasil Mania Market in Torrance - 310 212 6040
Brasilian Blowdry Bar in W. Hollywood - 310 858 8136
Affirmative Insurance in N. Hollywood - 818 997 7879
El Gaucho Market II in Anaheim - 714 776 6400
Puerto Madero in Santa Ana - 714 547 5900

For online tickets, VIP tables, more info, go to: http://www.ARIELDELMUNDO.com/

LURE
1439 Ivar Ave, Los Angeles 90028

Anne Sajdera live in Berkeley, this Sunday

A concert featuring brilliant pianist/composer Anne Sajdera's newest ensemble project will be presented this Sunday, March 2, @ the Jazzschool (2087 Addison St, Berkeley) in California. The program includes beautiful contemporary arrangements of American and Brazilian jazz with compositions by Herbie Hancock, Stefon Harris, Chico Pinheiro, McCoy Tyner, Egberto Gismonti as well as Anne's originals and originally arranged standards.

Featuring: Peter Barshay (bass), Greg German (drums) & Harvey Wainapel (sax) plus special guests:

Erik Jekabson, trumpet; John Douglas, sax; Adam Theis, trombone; Joyce Lee, violin; Christina Simpson, viola; and Ariella Hyman, cello.