Results for "Gerald Albright"

Gerald Albright

A native Californian, Gerald Albright grew up in South Central Los Angeles. After high school, he attended the University of Redlands where he received a B.S. degree in Business Management, minoring in Music. Immediately after college, Albright began to master his talent by working extensively in the studio with such artists as Patrice Rushen, Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Jr., Lola Folana, Atlantic Starr, The Winans, Olivia Newton-John, The Temptations, and Maurice White. He also toured with Les McCann, Rodney Franklin, Jeff Lorber, Teena Marie, Marlene Shaw, Debra and Eloise Laws, Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston, Phil Collins, and many others

Ronny Jordan: A pioneer of Acid Jazz, a Staple of Smooth Jazz

by Alan Bryson
November 16, 2017

This month marks guitarist Ronny Jordan's 55th birthday. A trailblazer in acid jazz, his debut album The Antidote foreshadowed Miles Davis' embrace of hip hop with the album Doo-Bop by six months. Moreover, Jordan's track “After Hours" also had a profound impact on smooth jazz as you will read in the following interview. This interview was ...

Tribute to Art Porter Jr.: Reflections of a Grateful Art

by Liz Goodwin
June 11, 2017

During the early to mid '90s, soprano and alto saxophonist-composer Art Porter, Jr. was charting a blazing course on the contemporary jazz soundscape. The 35-year-old Little Rock, Arkansas native had recorded and released four albums for Verve Records. He had been a guest on the albums of such titans as keyboardists Ramsey Lewis; Jeff Lorber (who ...

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Spotlight on Gerald Albright

June 10, 2017

This week, StLJN's video spotlight shines on saxophonist Gerald Albright, who will be back in St. Louis to perform on Friday, June 16 at the Sheldon Concert Hall as part of “A Salute to Fathers and Mentors," also featuring singer Denise Thimes, saxophonist Tim Cunningham, and comedian James Stephens III. A native of Los Angeles, Albright ...

Walter Smith III: Jazz Explorer

by R.J. DeLuke
April 19, 2017

Walter Smith stands straight when he raises his tenor sax to his mouth to embark on a solo, or play enthralling, serpentine, contrapuntal lines in unison with band mates like Ambrose Akinmusire. [Check out “Confessions To My Unborn Daughter" from Akinmusire's When the Heart Emerges Glistening.] It's a muscular sound that emerged from his horn. Authoritative. ...

MCG Jazz does Christmas: New Holiday Releases From Ann Hampton Callaway and the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra

by Dan Bilawsky
December 18, 2015

The inevitability of new Christmas albums often fills jazz journalists with dread. And while some may assume it's because we're a cynical breed with unreasonable standards and upturned noses, that couldn't be further from the truth (in most cases). The reason jazz journalists approach new Christmas albums with caution is simple: the number of slipshod, hastily-produced, ...

Jazz Royalty “Open Up” “The Vault” To Help Departed Friend’s Family

April 1, 2015

New single from the late guitarist Jeff Golub debuts in the Billboard Top 20 ahead of Tuesday’s album release with sales benefitting The Golub family. New York, NY: A few days prior to New Year’s Day, the day guitarist Jeff Golub passed away at age 59, his frequent collaborators Steven Miller, Rick Braun and Bud Harner ...

Stevie Wonder at Pepsi Center

by Geoff Anderson
March 25, 2015

Stevie Wonder Pepsi Center Denver, CO March 17, 2015 Is there anybody that doesn't like Stevie Wonder? Go ahead, I dare you, tell me how you don't like Stevie Wonder. Then go chase those kids off your lawn. For the legion of Stevie Wonder fans, it's fortunate that he ...

DW3 Pays “Tribute” To Their Late Drummer-Mentor Ricky Lawson

February 14, 2015

R&B vocal band goes retro on their sophomore album, Vintage Truth, due March 17, with assistance from contemporary jazz luminaries Dave Koz, Brian Culbertson, Paul Brown, Greg Adams and Elan Trotman. Los Angeles, CA: At the untimely passing of the drummer Steely Dan’s Walter Becker described as having perfect timing, Ricky Lawson was only four songs ...

A Constellation Of Friends Helps Keyboardist Patrick Bradley Get Heard

August 12, 2014

“Can You Hear Me,” due September 23, features guest stars Dave Koz, Rick Braun and Eric Marienthal on the contemporary jazz fusion set produced by Jeff Lorber. Aliso Viejo, CA: To bolster his effort to be heard above the incessant din cluttering our world, keyboardist Patrick Bradley called upon a few high-profile friends on his third ...