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Leena Conquest

American singer Leena Conquest is a recording artist steeped in the jazz tradition and full of all things soulful. Her ability to bridge that eternal divide, moving from the classic to the modern; fusing music genres along with a captivating presence puts her in a class with the best. This Texas- born chanteuse has been heralded for her work on several recordings including Raining on the Moon (thirstyear.com), Cornmeal Dance and I Plan to Stay a Believer (aumfidelity.com), selected for this year's 2011 DOWNBEAT Critics Poll TOP 10 Albums. She has worked with a host of jazz luminaries including trumpeter Doc Cheatham, pianist Mal Waldron and vibesman Roy Ayers who is featured on her Come Fly Away CD. In addition, her duo CD, Dave Burrell Plays His Songs featuring Leena Conquest (Tracce), revisits Burrells's classic compositions while Leena Conquest gives them fresh life, says Washington DC Radio WPFW's Bobby Hill. Leena has toured worldwide including London, Spain, Finland, Italy, Tunisia, the Chicago Jazz Festival and more.

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Album Review

Steve Swell: Astonishments

Read "Astonishments" reviewed by John Pietaro


Among the trombonists of New York's downtown scene, or uptown for that matter, no one even comes close to Steve Swell. His level of artistry, ability to create within any sonic cloud, compositional strengths and sheer fortitude set a new standard decades ago. Deemed a veteran of the new music that tore up the 1970s and '80s, Swell has, too, been a tireless voice within new millennial jazz and free circles. The music industry has never acknowledged the music of ...

362
Album Review

William Parker: Corn Meal Dance

Read "Corn Meal Dance" reviewed by Michael McCaw


Steeped in the bedrock of the blues, hearkening back to sounds of Charles Mingus' Blues and Roots jazz, and featuring one of the more compelling and soulful voices in music today, Corn Meal Dance by bassist William Parker, is a complete package even if it takes a few listens to hear.With a few exceptions, lyrics in jazz are often straight forward and leave little to interpretation. And upon first listen here one might feel that the lyrics are ...

536
Album Review

William Parker: Corn Meal Dance

Read "Corn Meal Dance" reviewed by James Taylor


William Parker's Corn Meal Dance showcases the enigmatic figure's best attributes--not as bassist but, instead, as band leader and poet. The release finds Parker again working with his Raining On The Moon Quintet, first featured on Raining On The Moon (Thirsty Ear, 2002). An overall more pop and blues-oriented record than some of Parker's more eclectic excursions, Corn Meal Dance is refreshing and Parker's words thought provoking.Joining Parker is Rob Brown (alto sax), Hamid Drake (drums), Lewis Barnes ...

327
Album Review

William Parker / Raining On The Moon: Corn Meal Dance

Read "Corn Meal Dance" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


New York bassist/composer/poet and bandleader William Parker stands tall among the crème de la crème of great musical minds and instrumentalists. Corn Meal Dance, featuring his group Raining On The Moon, further instills a mystical framework that seems to yield notions of a sense of oneness, regardless of ensemble size or musical direction. These qualities ring loud and clear on this downright beautiful jazz recording, designed with lyrical content that touches upon existentialism, spirituality and sociopolitical musings.

Vocalist ...

367
Album Review

William Parker / Raining On The Moon: Corn Meal Dance

Read "Corn Meal Dance" reviewed by Troy Collins


Bassist, composer, Vision Festival organizer and all-around Renaissance man William Parker is a man of many talents, from solo bass recitalist to big band leader. Raining On The Moon, his lyrical group, features the vocal talents of Leena Conquest, singing Parker's words like they were her own. Based on the same line-up as his long-standing quartet (altoist Rob Brown, trumpeter Lewis Barnes and drummer Hamid Drake), this variation featured on Corn Meal Dance adds a new voice, pianist Eri Yamamoto. ...

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Performance / Tour

Dave Burrell Plays His Songs Featuring Leena Conquest (Rai Trade, 2010)

Dave Burrell Plays His Songs Featuring Leena Conquest (Rai Trade, 2010)

Source: Music and More by Tim Niland

Pianist Dave Burrell and vocalist Leena Conquest have both been associated with the jazz avant-garde, Burrell on the basis of some very influential records as a leader and a sideman since the 1960's, and Conquest for her wonderful singing on various projects by bassist William Parker. On this album they defy any easy pigeon holing or categorization, performing a set of Burrell's original compositions and lyrics. Collaborating with poet and lyricist Monika Larsson, Burrell develops a set of lyrics that ...

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Interview

Under Your Skin / Rockyoumentally Interviews: Terence Blanchard, Eric Mingus, Marshall Allen, Leena Conquest & Wu Fei

Under Your Skin / Rockyoumentally Interviews: Terence Blanchard, Eric Mingus, Marshall Allen, Leena Conquest & Wu Fei

Source: All About Jazz

“Under Your Skin" is a cultural mosaic on the art of music and its creators. Terence Blanchard Interview - Working with Spike Lee / Katrina Eric Mingus Interview Leena Conquest Interview Wu Fei Interview ...

Leena will be appearing at New York's Jazz At Lincoln Center on Oct. 28 and 29 as a part of the African American Legacy Project produced by bassist-composer Reggie Workman. This production includes arrangements by bandleader Charles Tolliver of works such as Africa and Underground Railroad from Jazz masters like saxophonist, John Coltrane.

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