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Recording

A New Recording By Guitarist/Composer Wolfgang Schalk

Source: Wolfgang Schalk
April 7, 2012

Wolfgang Schalk's latest release Word of Ear further showcases his talent as a consummate guitarist, playing with deep soulfulness and feeling. He delivers hard swinging and emotive compositions in the vein of the patriarchal jazz guitarist lineage while highlighting his membership in the elite club of today's creative voices. With the follow up to his critically acclaimed release Wanted (Frame Up Music, 2008)  the bi-coastal (NY/LA) jazz guitarist presents new music with an exciting band that includes the tremendous rhythm ...

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Recording

"Saxophonist To The Stars" Lakecia Benjamin Steps Into The Spotlight With Debut CD, "Retox"

Source: Cary Goldberg
April 6, 2012

Irresistible Set of Original Jazz-Tinged Funk and R&B Coming June 12 on Motéma Music Charismatic and dynamic saxophonist/bandleader Lakecia Benjamin, who has played with Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, The Roots and Macy Gray, will take center stage in her own right with the June 12 release of her unconventional soul/funk album, Retox, on Motéma Music. While she’s made quite an impact with her impressive sax work on stage and on record, Benjamin opted to take a slightly different tack on ...

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Recording

Jerry Granelli Trio’s Debut CD, "Let Go," Is The Latest Gem In Percussion Master’s Multi-faceted Career

Source: Cary Goldberg
April 6, 2012

“Let go of what you want it to be. let go of how you think it too should be. even let go of your vision.and so we began by bringing in compositions and tearing them apart to find out what worked. This recording is a crystallization of that process.” In the middle of 2011, after releasing the first ever solo recording of his extensive career (2010’s 1313 on Divorce Records), critically acclaimed drummer Jerry Granelli opted to explore the trio ...

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Education

Creating Original Music Project Rewards Student Composers From Across Missouri

Source: Dean Minderman
April 6, 2012

Columbia, MO: From “Windswept Dreams” to “Madness,” the winning entries in the seventh annual Creating Original Music Project (C.O.M.P.) competition demonstrate the passion and commitment of the young composers who brought them to life. For 2012, a total of 22 elementary, middle school and high school students from across Missouri have been awarded prizes in the competition. As a reward for their work, they’ll get a chance to perform their winning compositions at the 2012 Creating Original Music Project Festival. ...

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Recording

Rippingtons Bassist Rico Belled To Release Sophomore Album "XR7" On May 9th 2012

Source: Rico Belled
April 6, 2012

Multi-instrumentalist Rico Belled will release his follow-up to “The Pursuit Of Comfort", called XR7, on May 9th 2012. Consisting of ten brand new originals, the record is an homage to his beloved 1973 Mercury Cougar XR7 and machines in general, featuring musical adventures in many different genres; from Funk to Electronica, from Latin to Pop, but Jazz is the heart and soul of it all. Enlisting a who's who of Los Angeles session guys, Rico has created a truly innovative ...

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Festival

Eastern European Piano Phenom Dejan Ilijic & His Post-Cobain Fusion Ensemble EYOT Invited to Vicenza Jazz Fest

Source: Chris M. Slawecki
April 5, 2012

Serbian jazz quartet EYOT will join Ron Carter, Dominic Miller, Stefano Battaglia, Kenny Barron and other acclaimed international jazz bands in Italy at the 17th annual Vicenza Jazz Fest in May 2012. The four brilliant young Eastern European musicians will perform their jazz fusion on May 5 and May 6, 2012. EYOT is supporting their 2011 album Horizon with an international tour that has already stretched across Europe, and to the United States. The haunts of John Coltrane and the ...

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Radio

AccuJazz Internet Radio Launches New Orleans Jazz Fest Channel

Source: Lucas Gillan
April 5, 2012

The onset of warmer weather can mean only one thing: music festival season is nigh! There may be other joys that Summer brings, but for the folks at AccuJazz Internet Radio it's all about savoring great music in the great outdoors. AccuJazz has a tradition of creating channels dedicated to the jazz festivals they’re most excited about, from Montréal to Monterey, and they're getting ready to offer up updated playlists based on all of this year's big fests, too. The ...

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Recording

Congo Sanchez to Release "Vol. 1" EP April 17 on ESL Music

Source: Press Junkie PR
April 5, 2012

Introducing Congo Sanchez, the backbeat of the Washington DC party scene. As one of the city’s most adept instrumentalists, he is the favored sideman and producer for dance bands and world music ensembles alike. His contributions to The Empresarios' Bestia EP, Funk Ark's From the Rooftops and Thievery Corporation's Culture of Fear stand out with distinct character. He finally steps out on his own with his solo debut, Congo Sanchez, Vol. 1, out April 17, 2012 on ESL Music. Musician ...

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