Since the inception of the group, Diverse’s musical intent has always
been to connect with all types of audiences. Diverse plays a brand of
jazz that is heavily influenced by other modern day genres yet keeps a
firm grasp on the tradition. The core members of this Kansas City based
group are Hermon Mehari (trumpet), Ryan Lee (drums), and Ben Leifer (bass). Parisian pianist Tony Tixier has recently joined thegroup.Diverse released its sophomore album, "Our Journey" in 2014 featuring Tony Tixier and alto saxophonist Logan Richardson.
This documents the musical results of the group’s growth as a result of
their individual and collectives travels and experiences. In 2009,
Diverse released their self-titled debut album on Origin Records as a
result of winning the 2008 Gene Harris Jazz Competition in Boise, Idaho.
This album of twelve original compositions reached the Top 50 of the
JazzWeek charts and stayed in the Top 120 for more than six months.Diverse has also taken initiatives to collaborate with many artists
and play in a variety of musical settings. The group has performed with
jazz greats Bobby Watson, Jaleel Shaw and Logan Richardson in a series
of concerts designed to promote these respective artists’ music to a new
audience. Diverse has also collaborated with many Kansas City based
artists of other genres to perform shows in tribute to Michael Jackson,
Common’s “Like Water For Chocolate” and A Tribe Called Quest’s “Low End
Theory”. The Diverse Trio, consisting of Mehari, Leifer and Lee, has
conducted both stateside and European tours in the past two years. DIVERSE
Leeann Atherton is
sometimes known as the "Queen of South Austin". She eschews the title
but it is given to her because she is the heart of a vibrant musical
community in the "Live Music Capitol of the World". In Heart Traveled
Road she shares the journey of that heart. Whether rocking a
hot "Kiss" , admitting poison love in "Change of Heart", the Jazzy
goodbye in "Remember Me", or the soulful affirmation of "Looking for a
Rainbow", this CD speaks to the many paths the heart takes. Her
delivery of Mike Stevenson's road song "Ode to Nowhere" comes through
like a James Taylor traveling tune. "Ride Out the Blues" Leeann
highlights her considerable harmonica chops along with some tasty guitar
licks. Rich Brotherton's innovative string arrangement pulls the
listener into the somber mood of "Soul Song" "Bougainville Sunset",
my personal favorite, is a romantic memory set to a soft Latin Beat.
Lush Lyrics painted on a canvas of Spanish guitar and solid rhythm.Every
song on this CD is a pleasant surprise. It is a tour de force of
Atherton's songwriting, her vocal delivery, and Rich Brotherton's
artistry as a producer. Heart Traveled Road is a wonderful musical
trip with the Queen of Hearts, Leeann Atherton. LEEANN ATHERTON
When you’ve been around on this earth for a while, that thought does come to you once in a
while. It could hit you when you see a nice old car, a music instrument, a real ”old school”personality being interviewed on the TV…. and if you’re into the blues, this thought definitelycomes more often as the years keep passing by. Our heroes pass away, and many of the young
musicians who try to pick up this heritage will sound like scholars for a long time before they
might come out as a full-fledged blues musician.But here’s a guy that startles you as soon as you hear the sound of his guitar, his voice and the way he deals with the tradition. Raw and direct, well not ”too raw” but just sounding like himself.A straight-forward approach, with that special ”bite” that we associate with some of the greatbluesmen.Where does he find it? Maybe in the deep forests of Värmland, a sparsely populated region inSweden, near the Norwegian border. But mostly in his deep long-term love story with the blues,with heroes like Albert Collins, Albert and Freddie King, Luther Allison and other greatrepresentatives of modern electric blues with a twist of funk. And one thing he has in common with these musicians is that he will never play a set with only shuffles, but keeps varying his tempos and beats. Not only is he a natural talent on the guitar, but his expressive and direct voiceand his creative songwriting contribute to his sound, raw and mature at the same time.The band T-Bear and the Dukes of Rhythm was started by Torbjörn Solberg in his hometown Arvika, Sweden, in 2004, and they have released two CD’s with their previous lineup, including a horn section: ”Let The Sweet Talk Flow” and ”Broadway Twist”.The new band is a quartet, featuring Hammond wizard Paul ”Palle” Wagnberg, a professionalmusician since 1985, including 20 years in soul jazz group ”The Real Thing”. Bass player JanLillsäter has been supporting T-Bear for more than 20 years, steady as a rock, no matter if he’splaying electric bass or upright. The new drummer Henrik ”Henke” Berg was carefully chosenfor his good beat and good spirit, and the new band made a great impact during their first tour in Benelux May 2013. T-BEAR & THE DUKES
La Duke.The lights go down, the band strikes the opening notes of
the first song and for the next two hours Yolanda Duke mesmerizes the
crowd with her mastery of Latin jazz, Merengue, Ballads, Bossanova,
Salsa and Bolero.While that is a very real scenario today, it was
but a recurring dream for young Yolanda growing up in New York City. She
was the gifted little girl with the big voice, who––after taking
singing lessons––began to take command of her talent and gain confidence
in her ability to entertain.In her early teens she entered singing
contests and eventually won a local competition. Soon after she began
her singing career, performing in local clubs in NYC and Toronto. This
lead to her being booked as the headliner of a Vegas-style show at the
number-one showplace in the Caribbean, La Fuente Nightclub, at the
prestigious Hotel Jaragua, where she refined her performing skills and
stage presence, beginning her transformation into ‘La Duke.’ She
followed the success of that appearance by recording a hit tropical
album for RMM/SONY Music. Yolanda then recorded a tribute to the
famous Latin songstress La Lupe, who gained international fame
performing with the Tito Puente Orchestra. A copy of the cd made its way
to Tito, who was so impressed that he invited young Yolanda to appear
as a guest vocalist at several concerts over the next few years. Then he
made her an offer she couldn’t refuse––becoming a permanent singer in
the band from 1994 -97, thrilling audiences all over the world. La Duke
had the privilege of sharing stage with the likes of Ray Charles, BB
King, Arturo Sandoval, Dianne Reeves and Al Jarreau.As her fans
will attest, what sets Yolanda apart is that she doesn’t just interpret a
song, she takes it and makes it her own. Her voice is a wondrous
instrument that yells with exuberance, cries with soul and whispers with
intimacy. In the course of one song, she can inspire your mind, touch
your heart and move your feet like no other singer. YOLANDA DUKE
Dexter Payne went to Latin America for a year and stayed for almost 3. But Brazil, he never left. Ranking in Downbeat
Readers Poll
twice and member of International Blues Challenge winners Lionel Young
Band, he finds his muse in a variety of genres. But Brazil is where he
hangs his hat. Check out the group with his name on it. WIth Bill
Kopper, Dave Willey, Victor Mestas Pérez, Raoul Rossiter.It's like a fever when you start listening to this album—the way summer
gets in the brain. By the time you get to the final song, "Lembrei do
Ceara," you'll be contemplating a plane ticket to the Southern
hemisphere.
Downbeat Readers Poll Finalist ‘04 & ‘06, NBC Today Show, 9 yrs with
the Big Sky Mudflaps, partnered with the late Judy Roderick 16 yrs,
toured 3 yrs with BarBQ Bob. Lived and performed 2 1/2 yrs in Latin
America (12 countries), playing with Thiago de Mello, Ruben Gonzales,
Cachaito, recorded with Beth Carvalho. Performed with Thiago de Mello
& Sharon Isbin at 92nd St Y, Hamptons Music Festival, and Mostra
Internacional de Musica em Olinda (MIMO) Pernambuco, Brazil. World
premier of Brazilian composer Thiago de Mello's A Flame in the Dark in
NYC celebration of the International Declaration of Human Rights.
Co-released two CDs with de Mello. DONT MISS: 25 yr old sessions of Judy
Roderick with Dr John. Latest on Dexofon Records: Lionel Young Band "On
Our Way To Memphis" Dexter currently tours internationally with Lionel
Young Band, 2011 IBC champs. DEXTER PAYNE
Heralding from the suburbs of Bristol, Rich comes from a family of
musicians that draw influences from an array of differing musical
styles, ranging from Jazz, Funk and Soul, to Rock/Pop, Blues and
Hip-hop. Aside from being an active member in a number of projects such
as Mango Factory, Trip The Switch, Murrumbidgee, In Extremis and The
Trish Brown band, his latest solo project, self-titled, The Rich O'Brien
Project, merges grooves reminiscent of a Marcus Miller or Soulive
record with ambient melodies that explore a range of musical styles.he
Rich O'Brien Project are a formidable 5/6 piece Nu-soul/Jazz/Funk
outfit heralding from the cultural hub of Bristol. Fronted by bass
player, Rich O'Brien, who's playing merits also include working with the
likes of Roni Size, Joker, Robert Brian (Suissiex siex), James Morton,
Jay Wilcox, William Cartwright and Celestine (from BBC's "The Voice"),
the project features Rich's beautifully rich and succinct original
compositions. Merging grooves reminiscent of a Marcus Miller or Soulive
record with soul-drenched melodies, The Rich O'Brien Project’s modern
blend of Funk, Nu-Soul, Jazz, and R’n’B styles appeals to both astute
listeners and dance floor goers alike. With the rich ‘grooves for moves’
and soulful melodies characteristic of smoke-filled jazz clubs seen in
their acclaimed award winning début album, "Hot Potato", their new
album, "Horizons" is not to be missed. "This is unquestionably music
that is destined to fill, and captivate, jazz and soul clubs the length
and breadth of the country and beyond." (John Toolan, 2012).THE RICH O'BRIEN PROJECT
Charlie Dennard has arranged a collection of Brazilian songs for an
eclectic band of New Orleans jazz musicians to create a unique sound — a
blend of New Orleans and Brazilian jazz that defies category. New
Orleans second-line rhythms mix with boogaloo. Vibrant brass band horns
mix with Latin percussion. Mellifluous contemporary jazz piano mixes
with cello. And ambient electronica mixes with an improvisational jazz
quartet and an angelic, classic female Brazilian voice. The result is
truly an album – a diverse set of Brazilian folk songs and contemporary
Brazilian compositions crafted into a coherent whole thanks to Dennard’s
vision and a stellar group of players from the New Orleans jazz scene.Although truly unique, the recording is hardly contrived. Dennard’s arrangements and versatility on the keyboard give the album a natural
and organic feel. “From Brazil to New Orleans” takes the listener on a
journey that pays tribute to several lesser-known Brazilian composers
and places them firmly on the map in multi-cultural New Orleans. The
album underscores the Crescent City’s essential character as an
Afro-Caribbean port city. And the album does something exceedingly
rare: It creates, in some cases, something akin to a new genre. CHARLIE DENNARD
Born: April 16t, 1958 in Halmstad, Sweden. Ulf Wakenius. A jazz
guitarist extraordinaire acclaimed and celebrated all over the world.
Between 1997 and 2007 Ulf held what may have been the most prestigious
spot in jazz for a guitarist: a chair in the Oscar Peterson Quartet.This
was the coronation of a career which included many record-breaking
moments.Wakenius guitar duo Guitars Unlimited rocked Scandinavia in the
early 80s, culminating in the 1985 Melody Grand Prix, which was seen by
600 million viewers, probably the largest audience a jazz guitar duo
ever had. Shortly after that Wakenius started a extremely successful and
long-lasting collaboration with the legendary bass player
Niels-Henning Örsted Pedersen.( NHOP), and both of his duo albums with
bass icon Ray Brown, topped the US Jazz Charts.The last few years he's
been touriing the world with the amazing Korean singer Youn Sun Nah.Oscar Peterson has publicly described Ulf as one of
the greatest guitarists alive in the world today and many of today’s
most acclaimed jazz guitarists are among Ulf’s fans, including Pat
Metheny, John McLaughlin, John Scofield and Mike Stern. Great Rhythmic
feel combines with a extraordinary lyrical touch- his emphasis is always
on melodies and groove. He has been filmed by Clint Eastwood. His next
release on ACT will be Ulf Wakenius-Solo "Momento Magico" ULF WAKENIUS
For The Revelations, their latest offering, The Cost Of Living
(Decision/Sony RED), is a labor of love years in the making. Since they
first came on the scene in 2008 with their Deep Soul EP(Decision),
Brooklyn, NY’s The Revelations have represented a twenty-first-century
take on classic soul—one which shows reverence for the masters, but with
a uniquely modern sensibility—a sound The New York Times’ Jon Pareles
calls “revivalism without poses or quotation marks”.
On The Cost Of Living, Rell Gaddis assumes the lead vocal duties
previously provided by Tre Williams. This is by no means Rell’s debut
with The Revelations, however. Rell has been part of the group’s writing
team from their onset, and performed with the band for years, even
contributing lead vocals to “It’s Too Late” from their 2009 album The
Bleeding Edge (Decision). Since being signed to Jay-Z’s Roc-a-fella
Records back in 1997, Rell has had a prolific singing and writing
career, creating his own records, as well as penning and lending vocals
to songs featuring artists Usher (Rell wrote Usher's #1 RnB Hit "Here I
Stand"), Jay-Z, Kanye West, Mary J Blige, and many more.
This workman-like mentality is pervasive throughout the band as well.
The Revelations feature Wes Mingus on guitar, Gintas Janusonis on drums,
and newcomer Ben Zwerin on bass. Each accomplished performing and
session musicians in their own right, The Revelations have combined to
provide music for icons such as the Wu-Tang Clan and Lee “Scratch”
Perry, as well as soul royalty Otis Clay, Willie Clayton, Benny
Latimore, and Swamp Dogg.
The distinctive blues/rock/soul sound of The Cost Of Living was recorded
at soul mecca Royal Studios in Memphis, TN, produced by Bob Perry with
Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, as well as The Revelations themselves. For this
project, the band is joined by Stax and Hi Records session legends
Bobby Manuel (guitar), Lester Snell (keyboards), and Charles Hodges
(organ). Lyrically, The Cost Of Living weaves tales of perseverance
despite hardship. From the opening track, “Mama”, about a single mother
scrounging to raise her children, to the jaded optimism of “It’s Ok”,
the pragmatism of “Money Makes The World Go ‘Round”, and the
heart-broken disillusionment of the soul classic “Got To Use My
Imagination”, The Revelations continue their tradition of presenting
blues topics with soul music's urgency.
The Revelations’ engaging and energetic live performances continue to
win over audiences from Brooklyn to the Mississippi Delta to California
and beyond, creating fans such as A-listers B.B. King, Bobby Womack and
Stevie Wonder in the process. This is new, true soul music with a sharp,
modern edge. THE REVELATIONS
