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Andre

The title of Andre Cavor’s 2017 debut album Road Trip turned out to be an inspiring, self-fulfilling prophecy, setting the multi-talented Cleveland based saxophonist on an incredible journey that has established him as one of contemporary urban jazz’s most acclaimed and innovative independent artists.

Produced by Darren Rahn, fellow saxophonist and renowned artist who has worked his studio magic for genre greats like Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, Dave Koz, Eric Darius, Jeff Lorber and the late Wayman Tisdale, Road Trip is that rare visionary project that achieved transcendent success while defying the conventional industry wisdom that tells artists they must limit themselves stylistically. The collection finds Andre unabashedly sharing his lifelong love for pop, jazz, R&B and gospel music, drawing from a lifetime of musical influences and experiences to create a passionate, high-energy masterwork that truly comes from the soul.

Fans across the U.S. and beyond agree, as the first single, the Andre-penned title track “Road Trip,” has received substantial airplay everywhere from Las Vegas, Panama City, Cleveland and Houston to Birmingham, Seattle, Boston and over in the UK. The track hit #13 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs chart – an incredible achievement for an indie artist with his first commercial release – and #4 on the Smooth Jazz Network Top 20 chart. It was also received substantial spins on XM Sirus Radio’s Watercolors channel. In addition, famed Cleveland dance instructor Robert Johnson, Jr. created a “Road Trip” line dance that became a sensation in numerous cities. When Andre attended a line dance convention in Las Vegas, he witnessed 1000 people performing the dance simultaneously. Road Trip’s second single “Ready or Not” was released in April 2018.

Andre received major critical acclaim as well, making the 2017 Top 10 Critic’s Picks Year End list in Jazziz Magazine and earning the praise of Ronald Jackson of the influential taste-making website The Smooth Jazz Ride. Jackson wrote: “(Andre’s) emotional power, his drive and the substance of his strong material is not only satisfying to the ear but most inspirational. Few express their passion via their instrument better than he does. The album, a very melodic gem, does a wonderful job of bringing the two genres together with love and insight. There are grooves meant to move the feet and head and there are tracks to move the spirit…and there are tracks that do both simultaneously.”

Andre laid the foundation for Road Trip with hundreds of performances as leader of The Cavor Project, which has been a mainstay on the Cleveland music scene since 2007. The band is known for infusing fresh, explosive energy into vocal and instrumental classics from the 80’s through 2017 and spicing up their set list with dynamic originals. Featuring 11 of the most acclaimed musical talents in the city – five band members, five vocalists and a hip-hop artist – The Cavor Project performs a grooving mix of R&B, smooth jazz, hip-hop, reggae, pop, blues, rock and gospel. Since the release of Road Trip, Andre has headlined gigs featuring his own material with several members of The Cavor Project at Cleveland hotspots like Nighttown and the Take 5 Jazz Lounge, Blu Jazz in Akron, OH, Margaritaville in Hollywood, FL and Martini Blue in Houston, where he sold out four show over two nights in February 2018. Andre has also opened shows for top R&B vocalists Will Downing, Glenn Jones and Regina Belle (in Miramar, FL).

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Performance / Tour

Harlem Stage Presents Eternal Spirit: Vijay Iyer & Friends Celebrate the Music of Andrew Hill on March 1-2, 2024

Harlem Stage Presents Eternal Spirit: Vijay Iyer & Friends Celebrate the Music of Andrew Hill on March 1-2, 2024

Source: Michael Ricci

Friday, March 1, 2024 7:30 PM 9:30 PM Additional Performances March 2, 2024—7:30PM Harlem Stage 150 Convent Avenue New York, NY 10031 (212) 281-9240 Seating: Reserved Seating Described by The New York Times as a “social conscience, multimedia collaborator, system builder, rhapsodist, historical thinker, and multicultural gateway,” composer and pianist Vijay Iyer is one of the leading music-makers of his generation. Iyer returns, following his Harlem Stage commissioned work, Holding It Down, to guest curate and perform in ...

1

Recording

Bassist Andrea Veneziani Compounds His Expansive Musical Vision On 'The Lighthouse,' Set For October 6 Release

Bassist Andrea Veneziani Compounds His Expansive Musical Vision On 'The Lighthouse,' Set For October 6 Release

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity

Acclaimed bassist and composer Andrea Veneziani returns to leadership with his long-awaited second album, The Lighthouse, which will be available on October 6. The album features the Italian-born artist leading an all-star quartet comprising cornetist Kirk Knuffke, guitarist Charlie Sigler, and drummer Allan Mednard performing a gorgeous set of eight Veneziani originals. This sophomore effort from the bassist comes eleven years after his highly praised debut, 2012’s Oltreoceano. The lengthy gap is partly due to the first album’s success, which ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Andrew Hill

Jazz Musician of the Day: Andrew Hill

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Andrew Hill's birthday today!

Over nearly half a century, composer-pianist-ensemble leader Andrew Hill gained international jazz renown for his uniquely original music and recorded ouevre, which is by turns dark, fragile, funny, stark, unforgettably tuneful, percussive, insightful, oblique, transparent and mysterious. With the release of Dusk (Palmetto Records), his first album in ten years, Hill reaches another peak, equaling high points of composition and collaboration he achieved in the 1960s with such innovators as Eric ...

3

Recording

Montreal-Based Pianist-Composer Andrés Vial Explores A Lyrical Vision On Juno-Nominated 'When Is Ancient?,' Set For Physical Release On September 30

Montreal-Based Pianist-Composer Andrés Vial Explores A Lyrical Vision On Juno-Nominated 'When Is Ancient?,' Set For Physical Release On September 30

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity

Lyricism is the order of the day on When Is Ancient?, the sixth album by Montreal pianist-composer Andrés Vial, releasing in the U.S. September 30 on his own Chromatic Audio label. Recorded with a trio featuring bassist Martin Heslop and drummer Tommy Crane, the album is an expressive affair packed with rumination, sensitive interplay, and stunning melody. Initially released as a streaming-only album on December 31, 2020, When Is Ancient? has already garnered considerable acclaim, including a 2022 Juno Award ...

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Event

Andrew Dixon's Mind Noise - Special Album Release Party And Shows Set For August 31 and September 3!

Andrew Dixon's Mind Noise - Special Album Release Party And Shows Set For August 31 and September 3!

Source: Hope Insite Publicity

Mind Noise, the fourth album by composer and musician Andrew Dixon was just released, and is even more avant-garde than his previous works. He is celebrating this new creation with two more big Album Release Parties in August & September. The first one, on August 31st, happens at The Black Cat in San Francisco, with the second show at the beautiful Stow Lake Boat House on September 3rd. Go to here for tickets and information. Mind Noise is lean, raw, ...

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Performance / Tour

Andrew Dixon Releases 'Mind Noise' — Album Release Concerts Scheduled In Berkeley And Oakland

Andrew Dixon Releases 'Mind Noise'  — Album Release Concerts Scheduled In Berkeley And Oakland

Source: Hope Insite Publicity

Mind Noise, the much anticipated fourth album by Andrew Dixon is here, and is even more avant-garde than his previous works. He is going to celebrate this new creation with two big album release concerts! The fun begins at the The Back Room in Berkeley on July 23rd at 8pm, and then there will be an even larger event at the beautiful Temescal Art Center in Oakland on July 24th at 2pm. Join us for one or both events! Mind ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Andrew Hill

Jazz Musician of the Day: Andrew Hill

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Andrew Hill's birthday today!

Over nearly half a century, composer-pianist-ensemble leader Andrew Hill gained international jazz renown for his uniquely original music and recorded ouevre, which is by turns dark, fragile, funny, stark, unforgettably tuneful, percussive, insightful, oblique, transparent and mysterious. With the release of Dusk (Palmetto Records), his first album in ten years, Hill reaches another peak, equaling high points of composition and collaboration he achieved in the 1960s with such innovators as Eric ...

1

Interview

Andrea Brachfeld & Insight: 'Evolution'

Andrea Brachfeld & Insight: 'Evolution'

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

One of the finest jazz flutists around today is Andrea Brachfeld. She studied with Hubert Laws, Jimmy Heath and George Coleman, among others, and has released 10 CDs as a leader. Andrea's latest, with her trio, Insight, is Evolution (Origin). And what a trio: pianist Bill O'Connell, bassist Harvie S and drummer Jason Tiemann. After hearing Andrea on Evolution and becoming smitten by her playing, I reached out for an email interview. To fully understand Andrea's grace, spiritual energy and ...

5

Recording

Andrea Brachfeld & Insight with Bill O'Connell, Harvie S, and Jason Tiemann release 'Evolution' on May 20

Andrea Brachfeld & Insight with Bill O'Connell, Harvie S, and Jason Tiemann release 'Evolution' on May 20

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

A central figure of jny: New York City’s jazz & Afro-Cuban scenes over the last five decades, flutist Andrea Brachfeld, like most artists over the last two years, found a great amount of time to reflect on their art, community and humanity. For Evolution, Brachfeld’s writing was affected by her dive into children’s issues and the ongoing need of basic necessities even in the best of times. The added pandemic led her to a wide-range of musical sources, each reflecting ...

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Obituary

Ernie Andrews: (1927-2022)

Ernie Andrews: (1927-2022)

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

Ernie Andrews, one of the last Black male blues and pop crooners from the 1950s who was a frequent performer at Central Avenue clubs in Los Angeles and whose dry, romantic style was a favorite of jazz fans and musicians, died on February 24. He was 94. Born in Philadelphia in 1927, Ernie's mother sent him to live with her mother in Jeanerette, La., when he was 11. His mother and father had split up and his mother couldn’t look ...

Gerald Albright
saxophone
Kirk Whalum
saxophone

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