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Recording

Sung Jo - Dream (2011)

Source: Something Else!
November 7, 2011

Sung Jo leads a quartet on Dream that walks a fine line—pushing at the edges of the jazz envelope, yet still swinging like crazy. The result is an album that has both narrative logic and these splashes of new sounds. The Houston, Texas-based guitarist begins working in perfect tandem with tenor saxophonist Woody Witt, performing as if joined at the hip on “Remember," the first of eight originals. Drummer Hayden Hamilton and bassist Bill Vonderhaar provide only the lightest, most ...

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Recording

Anna Mjoll's "Christmas Jazzmaz" CD Now Available

Source: Michael Ricci
November 7, 2011

Icelandic jazz diva Anna Mjll has finally released her much anticipated second solo CD—this time an incredible jazz Christmas CD Christmas Jazzmaz with Tnaljn Records. In its second week, Christmas Jazzmaz is already receiving rave reviews for its originality, freshness and quirkiness both due to the amazing arrangements by lafur Gaukur and also due to the phenomenal performances by Anna Mjll, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Carpenter, Don Grusin, Luis Conte Charlie Bisharat and lafur Gaukur. Christmas Jazzmaz is truly a must ...

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Recording

John Escreet - Exception to the Rule (Criss Cross, 2011)

Source: Music and More by Tim Niland
November 5, 2011

British expatriate pianist and composer John Escreet has made quite a name for himself as a leader and a sideman, recording for Davis Binney's Mythology Records and also the Dutch Criss Cross label. On this album he takes a shifting approach to the jazz paradigm, adding spots of electronics and breaking up his longer improvisations with small vignettes. On this session of original compositions recorded on January 19, 2011 in Brooklyn, Escreet is accompanied by David Binney on saxophone and ...

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Recording

Greg Ward - Greg Ward's Phonic Juggernaut (2011)

Source: Something Else!
November 5, 2011

About a year ago saxophonist Greg Ward was leading a quartet that was preparing to do a recording session for a jazz radio station when the pianist was unable to make it. The remaining three decided to go on preparing for and performing the session as a trio. The experience was stimulating to the remaining three, who found communion and freedom from performing without that chordal safety net. And Greg Ward's Phonic Juggernaut was born. Greg Ward works in NYC ...

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Recording

Yes Legends Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman To Release "Anderson / Wakeman -The Living Tree In Concert Part One"

Source: Glass Onyon PR - Keith James
November 5, 2011

London, UK—As a follow-up to their critically acclaimed CD 'The Living Tree' from 2010, YES legends Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman prepare to release 'Anderson / Wakeman—The Living Tree In Concert Part One' on Gonzo Multimedia on November 28th. The CD was recorded during the duo's British tour in 2010 and comes housed in a sleeve design by Mark Wilkinson who was also responsible for the design of the artwork for 'The Living Tree.' Having worked together on and off ...

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Recording

"David Ian Vintage Christmas" Might Be the Best Holiday Jazz Album of 2011

Source: Michael Bloom Media Relations
November 4, 2011

How does an ear-splitting, note-shredding rock guitarist who leaps off amps in concert end up releasing an album of mellow, jazz-oriented Christmas songs? While most people would think such a scenario improbable, to say the least, David Ian views it as a natural progression in a multifaceted music career. Born in Toronto, Canada to Armenian immigrant parents, Ian came early to music, beginning classical piano study at age five. A few years later, he experienced a moment of epiphany: “After ...

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Recording

Rudresh Mahanthappa - Samdhi (Act, 2011)

Source: Music and More by Tim Niland
November 4, 2011

Alto saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa has become an important force on the modern jazz scene, leading his own groups and touring with legends like drummer Jack DeJohnette. This is Mathanthappa's most experimental recording to date, combining music from the Indian sub-continent, jazz and fusion to create a potent and heady brew. Accompanying him are David Gilmore on guitar, Rich Brown on bass, Damion Reid on drums and “Anand" Anantha Krishnan on percussion. There are also electronics and loops that add to ...

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Recording

Rez Abbasi's Invocation -- Suno Suno (2011)

Source: Something Else!
November 4, 2011

There's a trance-like euphoria surrounding this emotional, at times indescribably spiritual endeavor. Rez Abbasi, leading a group that also includes Rudresh Mahanthappa and Vijay Iyer, found inspiration for Suno Suno from Pakistani Qawwali, a devotional Sufi music that was popularized in the West by singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. As with traditional gospel music, Qawwali is often populated with heart-filling themes of uplift, but it also includes these thrillingly circular, repeated melodies—something that gives the music passion and joy, but ...

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