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Timely announcements covering new album releases, tours, concert series, special events, job postings, crowdfunding campaigns and more. You can find more news by searching our website, viewing our news stream, seeing what's trending or reading our blog posts. Subscribe to our news RSS feed and/or embed AAJ news content on your website or blog. Learn about our news service here. Submit news here.

Recording

Saxophone Giants Azar Lawrence & Al McLean Kick Off "Conduit"

Source: Randy Cole
January 22, 2015

Cinematographer Randy Cole and saxophonist Al McLean deliver Conduit, an iconic Jazz recording, captured in a former church in Montreal. Cole and McLean invited American saxophonist Azar Lawrence, to the session (McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, Miles Davis), and the resulting tracks are mesmerizing. Digitally released on major music download sites (iTunes, Amazon, etc.), Conduit will be officially launched on March 7th in Montreal at Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill by Azar Lawrence and Al McLean. Together, Lawrence and McLean cast ...

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Music Industry

Montreal Jazz Community Gives Us "Conduit"

Source: Randy Cole
August 8, 2014

Montreal's storied Jazz community gives us Conduit, a risky live recording set in a former church. American sax legend Azar Lawrence (McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, Miles Davis) teams up with Canadian tenor-man Al McLean. The pair is recorded in one take, within a strikingly beautiful museum - La Musée des Maîtres et Artisans du Québec. The master craftsmen fit well in the reclaimed church, surrounded by exquisite artifacts. The chemistry that ensues is magic. Conduit sounds downright iconic, and remains ...

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TV / Film

New Short Film Launched On Noted Montreal Jazz Drummer Jim Doxas

Source: Randy Cole
February 11, 2014

A film by Randy Cole Noted jazz drummer Jim Doxas speaks eloquently about color and texture, and how they define his musical ideas. Set in Montreal landmark club Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill and in the studio of artist Fung Sou, this short film puts you in the drummer's seat, and before the painter's canvas, conceptually blending the two art forms in an unexpected duet of ideas and spirit. Fung Sou's brush strokes are curiously musical, and Doxas' myriad choices ...

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TV / Film

New 'Jazz, Period.' Film Takes a Stirring Look at Musical Mentorship and Loss

Source: Randy Cole
November 7, 2011

Montreal filmmaker Randy Cole adds another unique film to his growing public collection of short films on Jazz, with 'Pops,' a touching look at the bond between father and son musicians. Respected Montreal trumpeter Kevin Dean tells the story of his ballad 'Pops,' which he composed for his father in Mason City Iowa. Dean wrote the song at the request of his father, and practiced it with the elder Dean, just months before his father's sudden passing. Montreal's best musicians ...

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