Hailing from Austin, Texas, Venson further proves her endurance on her
latest set, The Light In Me, which bursts with traditional blues
aesthetics but upholds melodic soul for a rich blend that is tailor-fit
for her spunky and witty style. As a fellow South Texan myself, she's
pretty much kinfolk as she's knows that everything is in fact bigger
here, and her sound reflects it in pounds as numbers such as the pew-stomping "Always Free," horn-peppered sway of "Best For Last" and
her single "The Love I Give," are bold and infallible entries. And if
it's subdued that you want, then Venson can whisper loving poetics this
side of "Beauty Of Your Love" and the cushy acoustic title track to
place you in the calm of her storm. Though there are many vibrant voices
that come our way daily, a lot don't get to stand on a table and shout
out loud, but Venson, on the other hand, has the boisterous attitude as
well as the creative drive to create tunes her way without bending to
any so-called rules, and those elements will spark and have her elbow
her way to the front of the line without a misstep. JACKIE VENSON
Discerning urban jazz fans searching for something new to get jazzed and
groove about don’t need to have A Vicarious Experience to make it
happen—they just need to get hip to the melodic and cool old school soul
meets contemporary funk of veteran saxophonist Reggie Codrington. While
the Fayetteville, North Carolina native is new on many people’s radars,
he’s actually been performing and recording since the early 90s and has
eight previous CDs, several under the name Reggie C; the most recent of
these are Sunny Days (2008), Vision of Dreams (2010), Christmas With
Pops (2009) and Journey Back Home (2005), which was produced by Phil
Davis, who has worked with Stanley Clarke, George Duke and Al Jarreau,
among many others.Produced by and featuring the tenacious bass playing of Brian Morgan
(whose many credits include George Benson), A Vicarious Experience finds
Codrington—whose primary voice is the curved soprano sax--in a
romantic, optimistic mood, using the changing vibes of the songs (and
the listener’s imagination) to chronicle the ups, downs, excitement and
challenges of a romantic relationship from track to track. While many
artists cite their parents as prime influences on their careers,
Codrington takes that one step further, inviting his father Ray—who
helped Codrington develop his skills and learn improvisation—to play
trumpet throughout the recording.“When I make a record, I always want to have a warm sound with
harmonies,” he says, “and in this case that means having dad play a lot
of horn parts and percussion. When we were making the album, I found
myself in a 70s and 80s type groove, inspired by everyone from De La
Soul funk rhythms to Sade and Parliament. I grew up listening to old
school R&B/funk so that’s a pretty natural influence for me. The
process began with Brian sending me some great tracks and me putting
melodies to them, then arranging harmonies and atmospheres around my
lead sax. The romantic story thread emerged from the emotions I was
experiencing at the time with the lady I was dating. I thought it might
be fun to invite people into my musical heart this way.” REGGIE CODRINGTON
Carmen Lundy began her professional career in Miami, FL as a jazz
vocalist and composer when there were very few young, gifted and
aspiring jazz vocalists on the horizon. Over four decades later, Ms.
Lundy is celebrated throughout the world for her vocal artistry and is
highly regarded for her jazz innovation.Currently on the Afrasia
Productions label, Carmen is releasing her 14th album in the Fall of
2014. Almost two years in the making, “Soul To Soul” consists of new
original songs by Lundy, and a few very special collaborations. The
album features legendary artists - specialists on their respective
instruments - including Patrice Rushen, Geri Allen, Randy Brecker, Ada
Rovatti, Warren Wolf, Bennie Maupin, harpist Carol Robbins, and Simphiwe
Dana, a stunning South African vocalist and composer, among others.The
highly regarded 2012 release “Changes” (Afrasia Productions) is on
several ‘Top 10 Albums of 2012’ lists, and continues to garner both
critical and popular acclaim. Said James Nadal of All About Jazz, “With
her release of Changes, veteran singer Carmen Lundy rises to that
proverbial summit to enjoy the rarefied air of the chosen few.” Terri
Lyne Carrington’s Mosaic Project - Grammy Winner for Best Jazz Vocal
Album of 2011- features the Carmen Lundy composition “Show Me A Sign”,
with Ms. Lundy’s original performance from the album “Solamente”
reinvented on the arrangement. CARMEN LUNDY
