SACHAL VASANDANI " BEST LIFE NOW "

Sachal Vasandani è uno dei cantanti più affascinanti della scena musicale improvvisata odierna. Prendiamo ad esempio il suo splendido album "Best Life Now", uscito all'inizio dell'anno per la sua etichetta Patron Saint Records. Ora, ha pubblicato una splendida versione ridotta dei brani di quell'album, intitolata "Best Life Now—Acoustic Sessions EP", con la sassofonista Dayna Stephens e il chitarrista Charles Altura."Ho avuto la fortuna di trovare questa formazione con Dayna e Charles. Abbiamo fatto uno spettacolo in trio e abbiamo avvolto la sala in un silenzio che sembrava magico. Ho pensato che avremmo dovuto farlo di nuovo e portarlo in tour. Siamo stati fortunati a entrare in studio durante il tour e a catturare la dolcezza delle canzoni originali. In questa versione "unplugged", siamo al centro dello spirito essenziale delle canzoni di Best Life Now, e non vedo l'ora che tutti la ascoltino. La sua è un'arte che attraversa i confini dei generi musicali, cancellando silenziosamente le linee con un'ondata della sua morbida voce tenorile. "Don't Give Up On Me" arriva come una supplica silenziosa e meditata da un narratore imperfetto ma ben intenzionato. La sua interpretazione di "Lover's Rock" di Sade colpisce dritto al cuore, implorando un caldo abbraccio. Le sei canzoni di Best Life Now–Acoustic Sessions EP durano poco più di 20 minuti, come un lato di un album per placare l'anima dopo una lunga giornata. La musica è semplice e sobria, ma con una profondità e una bellezza che rimangono impresse nell'ascoltatore. SACHAL VASANDANI

sachalsings · Best Life Now- Acoustic Sessions

RACHAEL & VILRAY " I LOVE A LOVE SONG "

Combinando la singolare voce di Rachael Price con l'abilità di Vilray per la scrittura di canzoni, I Love a Love Song! mette in mostra l'evoluzione di Rachael e Vilray, spingendoli a un nuovo livello mentre saltano avanti nella visione e nella guida. Il duo ha profondamente assorbito il lavoro dai loro predecessori jazz, prendendo il meglio del passato e creando qualcosa di nuovo. Registrato alla United Recording a Los Angeles, CA, l'album di dodici tracce è stato prodotto, ingegnerizzato e mixato da Dan Knobler (Judy Collins , Allison Russell) e include arrangiamenti di Jacob Zimmerman. Tutte le canzoni sono state scritte da Vilray ad eccezione del classico degli anni '30 "Goodnight My Love", che è stato scritto da Mack Gordon e Harry Revel. di musica. Vilray formò un paio di band con i futuri compagni di band di Price nei Lake Street Dive—Price ricorda che aveva una mente agile e un'arguzia quando si trattava di testi. È stato più di un decennio dopo che Price e Vilray hanno iniziato a collaborare. RACHAEL VILRAY

MELISSA STYLIANOU " DREAM DANCING "

Dream Dancing documenta il rapporto disinvolto del trio mentre esplorano standard molto amati e un commovente originale di Bertoncini, "For Chet" (un omaggio all'ex datore di lavoro del chitarrista, Chet Baker).È stato Sturm a facilitare il primo incontro di Stylianou e Bertoncini, all'incirca nel 2008. "Quando ho incontrato Gene per la prima volta, abbiamo suonato 'My One and Only Love', era la cosa successiva a 'hello'", ricorda il cantante. “Quel momento ha cambiato la mia vita. Non sapevo ancora che Gene accompagnasse i miei eroi vocali come Nancy Wilson, o registrasse con Wayne Shorter, o suonasse con Benny Goodman. Sapevo solo che ero nel bel mezzo di qualcosa di speciale. Sapevo quel giorno di aver trovato un maestro generoso da cui imparare, uno spirito affine nella melodia, qualcuno che ora chiamo famiglia. “Gene si è formato come architetto al college, quindi è davvero un architetto di questi arrangiamenti e della completa libertà che accade in questo momento, permettendoci di riunirci in questo modo nuovo ogni volta. È una libertà possibile solo dopo che Gene ha fatto tutti questi compiti e... altro ancora. MELISSA STYLIANOU

CARMEN LUNDY "SOUL TO SOUL"

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
 

FINI BEARMAN "PORGY & BESS"

Fini Bearman’s music melds influences as diverse as Brazilian and other South American styles, Western Classical traditions, modern jazz and contemporary popular music into and arresting and unique personal sound. Sometimes dealing with settings of poetry and other pre-existing texts, other times with original lyrics or open, wordless evocations, this music is honest yet witty, mixing lush harmony and orchestration with contemporary grooves.Fini has performed across Europe in a variety of musical constellations. Venues include Ronnie Scotts, the 606 Jazz Club, the Vortex, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, and the Barbican Center. She has also sung with her own band and as part of other ensembles at numerous music festivals including the London Jazz Festival, City of London festival and Howden Jazz Singers Festival. FINI BEARMAN
 

JOELLE LURIE "TAKE ME HERE"

Joelle Lurie’s bright voice and talented band has made her a first pick for high-profile events including the recent James Beard Awards at Lincoln Center. Originally from Boston, the New Yorker studied jazz and opera and brings that training to her distinctive “jazzed up pop/popped up jazz” modern style on Take Me There (September 30), her debut self-release of standards, originals and pop covers.Produced and arranged by longtime bassist and bandmate, Ben Gallina (Amy Lynn and the Gunshow, Anthony D’Amato, Honey Honey), Take Me There showcases Joelle’s tight band of five years, The Pinehurst Trio. The trio is named for the quaint street in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood. All millennial kids, the trio is influenced by many musical styles including pop, Motown, folk and jazz and have performed around the world.Recorded at The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn, the CD engages from the opening track, the jazz standard “All or Nothing At All” done with a hip hop feel. Joelle calls on her contemporary pop influences with the Tears for Fears song that follows, “Head Over Heels.” She welcomes special guest vocalist and pianist Matt Kanelos on the next two moving songs, “Should We” and the title track. Kanelos has been featured on the ABC TV show “Private Practice”, on Nickelodeon’s “Degrassi” and on NPR’s Song of the Day. Joelle returns on a sauntering version of Ric Ocasek’s “Just What I Needed.”  She, Gallina and Anna Marquardt wrote the next track, “What We Have Is Better,” featuring a funky throwback soul sound.  The haunting 17 century secular folk song “Hares On The Mountain” is given a jazz waltz treatment. Acknowledging her musical theater roots, Joelle includes the Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim song, “Somewhere,” which is followed by the standard “Almost Like Being in Love,” which marries an uptempo swing with the groove from “Can’t Hurry Love.” Next is “Three States Away,” a Burt Bacharach inspired original with lyrics from a poem by Craig Crist-Evans entitled “What The Heart Thinks.” “The Man I Love” by the Gershwins is reimagined as an upbeat homage to Stevie Wonder. The closing song, the classic “Detour Ahead,” is approached with a lush, orchestral studio sound. JOELLE LURIE
 

TAMUZ NISSIM "THE MUSIC STAYS IN A DREAM"

Jazz singer, songwriter and pianist Tamuz Nissim from Tel Aviv in Israel has spent the last six years in Europe performing with the most talented musicians in festivals and music venues, leading her own projects as well as singing in different bands, theatre shows and movie soundtracks.Her debut CD “The Music Stays in a Dream” (2013) featuring her original compositions was presented in radio shows in Israel, the Netherlands and Greece and in several festivals such as the Athens Technopolis Jazz Festival, the Preveza Jazz Festival, the Montofoli Festival and the Tinos Jazz Festival. Her performances won warm reactions from the audience and the press, describing Tamuz as a “very charismatic artist” (BHMagazino), “a voice that caresses your soul” and “a proof that jazz is a living art and that stars are still being born” (Athens Digital).Tamuz grew up in an artistic family; her mother is a dancer and a choreographer and her father is a writer. Both of them play an instrument and have a great love for classical and jazz music. She started playing classical piano at the age of 6. She started to sing when she was 14 and she was accepted to the Jazz music department of the Ironi Alef High School of the Arts. Her high school band appeared twice at an open stage at the Tel Aviv Jazz Festival. At this time she won twice a scholarship from the American Israeli Art Foundation. By the age of 16, Israeli jazz giants such as Ofer Ganor, Amos Hoffman and Shay Zelman had recognized her potential and performed with her. In 2005 she sang in the soundtrack of Ilan Heitner’s movie ‘Bruno in Love’. At this time she also worked with a group of dancers and composed the music to a dance show, her mother’s adaptation of ‘A Street Car Named Desire’.She moved to the Netherlands in 2007 to study at the prestigious Royal Conservatoire of Den Haag; from there she received a Bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts. In the Netherlands she met musicians from around the world and started collaborating with the guitarist Giorgos Nazos, the bassist Vassilis Stefanopoulos and the pianist Francesca Tandoi, with whom she recorded her debut CD. In 2012 she played the main role in a Jazz Musical “One doubt Arose in the mind of a noble Vigilante” The performances ware fully booked and well accepted.Tamuz spends her time travelling between Greece, Israel and Holland, performing with her band and as a guest artist in music venues and festivals. She leads two versions of her quartet, one in Greece and one in Israel, both with the guitarist Giorgos Nazos, with whom she has been playing for the last 6 years. She also performs with other influential artists such as the Greek singer Martha Mavroidi; their project of voice improvisations was presented in 2013 at Women’s Festival in Israel. TAMUZ NISSIM
 

TAMARA OBROVAC QUARTET "ULIKA REVIVAL

The composer, singer and flutist Tamara Obrovac is one of the most impressive artists on the Croatian music scene. Her unique musical expression which blends contemporary jazz with particular musical and dialectal tradition from her homeland Istria, North Adriatic peninsula, brought here international recognition. She published 7 author CD-s and through her albums, Tamara profiles her own auctorial approach and creates a unique artistic form; her music, completely original and autochthonous, goes beyond time and geographical boundaries, thus becoming a universal artistic message, establishing Tamara Obrovac as an exceptional artist who managed to create her own unique musical expression. In addition to her international concert activities she composes music for theater and film, and she has received many awards for her work; among the others 9 Porin awards (Croatian's Grammy), and she was nominated for BBC Radio 3 World Music awards  (European music and Audience Award). With her distinctive musical expression, excellent bands and passionate live performances suffused with spontaneity, inventive improvisation, freedom, humor and the ability to communicate with the audience, she has become increasingly more present and recognized on the International musical stage.  She writes here own lyrics and sings on endangered Slavic and Romanic Istrian dialects, and her passionate voice is equally impressive both when she sings lyrics and performs a vocalize, thus turning it into an additional instrument.  With the release of her second CD „ULIKA" in 1998, named afterTamara’s grandmother, quartet presented for the first time Tamara's fresh way of thinking and composing which combines inspiration by the local Istrian music and dialect with the universal jazz expression.  The reunion of the quartet at summer 2011 gave life to new/old project (ULIKA revival”), establishing new creativity with re-interpretations of old composition from a more mature artistic prospective. The re-found joy of making music together, expressed through virtuoso playing, unlimited freedom of expression, humor and improvisation, characteristic of all members of the quartet,  and their latest performances proved again that music of Tamara Obrovac quartet reaches further then the constricted borders of musical classification, spreading the spirit and passion of the Mediterranean region over geographic and musical boundaries. The project started with successful Croatian/Slovenian concert tour in February 2012. folowed by further concert promotion in Luneburg (DE) Novi Sad (SRB) and Labin (CRO), Jazzahead Bremen, (DE) Jazz au Chellah (MAR) and CD  „ULIKA revival" will be released in June 2013. for  Swiss label “Unit records”. International recognition came also through the nomination for the BBC Radio 3 World  musicAwards 2004 (European Music and Audience Award).TAMARA OBROVAC
 

JOHANNA GRAHAM QUARTET "DON'T LET ME BE LONELY"

Recently signed by the 33 Jazz label, the Johanna Graham Quartet comprises the elegant and hugely accomplished guitar phrasing of Martin Bowie, an exciting and vital drumming talent in Damian Rodd, brilliant and sensitive double bass from Tim Greenhalgh and Johanna herself on vocals. The journey began in 2005 when Johanna discovered Martin as he was completing his jazz degree and the pair began to work together as a duo. In 2008 Johanna incorporated Tim Greenhalgh on bass, with Damian Rodd completing the quartet two years ago, forming a tight and enthusiastic team. The band are extremely popular in Cornwall having entertained audiences in the south west for many years, and with the release of their new album, they have been venturing further afield. Johanna's captivating stage presence and emotive style puts a fresh spin on jazz standards, with original compositions and modern classics arranged in her own unique way, and together the group produce a passionate and exciting sound. The quartet won the ‘This Is Cornwall Best Jazz Act’ in 2012, and were nominated for Best Jazz Act in the South West Music Awards.Johanna Graham is an emotive and accomplished singer and a dynamic performer. Originally training and working as an actress, her passion for jazz started with a love of old movies whilst growing up. Her Thespian background lends sincerity and a sense of drama to her live shows. Her sweet and mellow voice is Influenced by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O’Day and Julie London, and her vocal interpretation makes every performance special and very personal.Martin Bowie is a Bachelor of the Arts in Contemporary World Jazz. An accomplished guitarist with roots in blues, funk and acid-jazz and over 20 years experience, his influences include Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Tal Farlow and George Benson. Martin has worked with artists including New Orleans jazz ambassador Lillian Boutte, trumpet player Damon Brown and saxophonist Raphael Ravenscroft, flamenco guitarist Esteban Antonio and Marty Wilson-Piper (guitarist in The Church and All About Eve).Tim Greenhalgh, At age 17 Tim discovered the music of Joni Mitchell and Jaco Pastorius, which inspired him to the fretless bass, During his 20’s he performed in a wide genre of music and worked extensively in both the festival and club scene. Tim has 25 years experience as a bassist, performing with renowned jazz artists including Damon Brown and Brandon Allen. He is strongly influenced by the work of John Taylor, Palle Danielsson, Dave Holland, Charlie Haden and Scott LaFaro.Damian Rodd is son of pianist Viv Rodd. His musical career started at 14. Whilst a member of trip hop band Lowpass, Damian toured with Lamb and Tricky, refuelling his love for electronic music and crossover styles. Since moving to Cornwall, Damian has set up a production studio (Big Milk) and teaches jazz to degree level. He produced the album 8am (named album of the week in the London Evening Standard) with his father and vocalist Kris Gayle. Damian’s influences include Vinnie Colaiuta, Buddy Rich, Tony Williams & Jojo Mayer.The Johanna Graham Quartet have performed at the Barbican International Jazz & Blues Festival, Birmingham International Jazz & Blues Festival, Bude Jazz Festival, Teignmouth Jazz Festival, St Ives Jazz Club, the Groucho Club, London, The National Trust, RNAS Culdrose - HMS Seahawk, the Headland Hotel, Newquay and the Daphne Du Maurier Festival as well as extensively across the South West of England. JOHANNA GRAHAM QUARTET
 

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