NY CONNECTION "URBAN GRIOT"

NYConnection
The always imaginative saxophonist Jussi Kannaste accompanies the quartet as if he is the piano player. Pianist Roy Assaf often doesn’t play chords, but instead uses his melodic gift to create a dialogue with drummer Jaska Lukkarinen, who adds multiple colors in addition to his already extraordinary rhythmic approach. The band courageously explores this instrumentation, playing solo, duos, trios and full quartet with bassist Antti Lötjönen, who brings it all together in a unison sound full of melodies, dialogues and stories. Never having experienced this kind of natural freedom of music in any other group, the members of NYConnection decided to start a fresh concept that benefits the music and brings a new sound to the audience. When the new songs were first played in public, some people referred to their music as “folk jazz.” The compositions have the intellectuality, harmonies, and swing flavors that originate from the jazz tradition, combined with the simplicity and lyricism of the folk world. Picture four artists who work on the same canvas and paint the most simple and beautiful Finnish landscape in its midsummer peace. Each one of the painters has a slightly different artistic view of colors, lights and landscape. NYConnection paints this picture with compositions, in which interplay and listening connects the worlds and visions together.The origins of NYConnection, as the band’s name implies, date back to New York City in 2007, where Roy and Jaska shared some of their most influential moments as young musicians. The foundation for the group is drummer Jaska Lukkarinen's Finnish trio, which includes Jussi Kannaste and Antti Lötjönen. This is a trio that has worked together since 2005 and has created a personal band sound without a harmonic instrument.Their new album Urban Griot introduces the band members as composers and instrumentalists, today's jazz-griots. Griots were West African poets and storytellers and were known for their ability to picture current events and improvise based on traditional songs. The original songs on Urban Griot are based on experiences and stories that the four share together. The songs are mixed with a menu-like concept. The original music serves as main courses, and it is mixed with great jazz standards that serve as the tasty appetizers.The bond between Roy and Jaska, both on and off the stage, keeps NYConnection evolving as a true band, not just another music project. Having the four of them together is meant to be. Urban Griot is the start of a life long journey to be explored, developed and shared with the audience. NY CONNECTION
 

MIGHTY MIGHTY "SEE THE LIGHT"

The British band Mighty Mighty developed a larger following in Japan than they did in their native country. However, the group's Japanese fan base evolved posthumously; the band was actually only active for a few years. Mighty Mighty was formed in Birmingham, England, in 1986 by Hugh Harkin (vocals, harmonica), Mick Geoghegan (guitar), Peter Geoghegan (organ, guitar), Russell Burton (bass), and David Hennessey (drums). They made their debut at the NME/ICA Rock Week concerts and were even included on a C-86 cassette compilation. Mighty Mighty released their first single, "Everybody Knows the Monkey," in 1986. Often compared to Orange Juice, Mighty Mighty only recorded one LP, 1988's Sharks, before splitting up. The band's jangly singles and B-sides were collected on The Girlie Years, the title referring to the name of the group's own label. Vinyl Japan also released Mighty Mighty's BBC sessions in 2001. The band's popularity in Japan resulted from a keen interest in U.K. guitar pop among indie collectors. MIGHTY MIGHTY
 

ALEX PUDDU "THE GOLDEN AGE OF DANISH PORNOGRAPHY VOL.2"

Alex Puddu, was born in Rome, Italy, in 1967 but moved to Denmark at the age of 19 and quickly established his reputation as a musician in a number of indie rock bands. he Recorded he's first E.P with the band Excess Bleeding Heart" followed with The album "Libido".In the early 1995 he formed the Band "Nerve" with he's mate Morten Varano and 3 members of the band Sandman .They got sign with EMI and release one EP and the Album Speeed Freak Jive. Nerve got along by touring in DK and even a opening support show for David Bowie i Valby Hall.In 1997, The Band spilt up ,Alex Puddu and Morten Varano founded the groundbreaking electronica duo Puddu Varano and released three albums and a number of singles before splitting up in 2002.Today Alex puddu is one of the most direct and creative artist and composer of our days, truly devoted to the italian vintage sound of the giallo/horror movies from the early seventies. Alex take inspiration for his writing from the soundtracks music maestro Piccioni,umiliani,morricone,ferrio,demasi.Alex puddu release is first solo album 'Chasing The Scorpions Tail' with his cinematik band Alex Puddu and the Butterfly Collectors on the danish label April records followed later on with fouralbums.During the latest years 2010/11 Alex is been very productive working on new sounds and composotions for soundtracks writing arranging and producing no more less then 4 soundtrack.The Eastern Army,Mosaic,Hell is other people and the latest The Golden Age of Danish Pornography. ALEX PUDDU

ELIAS HASLANGER "LIVE AT THE GALLERY"

Cherrywood Records is proud to announce the release of LIVE at the Gallery the latest recording from critically acclaimed jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger Elias Haslanger. A follow up to the Elias’s successful 2012 release Church on Monday, LIVE at the Gallery captures 2 nights in front of a packed house at Austin’s famous Continental Club Gallery on S Congress. Featuring long-time musical director for Ray Charles, Dr. James Polk on Hammond B3 organ as well as former Joey DeFrancesco band-mate Jake Langley on guitar, the band delivers a classic live jazz recording with an energy and enthusiasm that electrifies the audience. Building on their 17 month weekly residency at the club, where the crowds have grown as has the band’s intensity, Elias and company play inspired, no doubt driven by their passionate listeners, many of whom show up week after week to get recharged by the music. Church on Monday, as the band and the Monday night residency is now called in Austin, started off 2014 by playing Alejandro Escovedo’s acclaimed United Sounds of Austin show produced at the ACL Moody Theater. The band shared the bill with Joe Ely, Lucinda Williams and others and “brought down the house” says Rolling Stone in their review of the show. Elias was profiled in the June 2013 issue of Downbeat for Church on Monday and the band’s first CD spent 11 weeks on the JazzWeek radio charts, climbing to #14 at its peak. Elias Haslanger has played and recorded with Ellis Marsalis, Maynard Ferguson, The Temptations, Asleep at the Wheel, Alejandro Escovedo and countless others. He has released 5 critically-acclaimed recordings as a leader which have been played on radio stations around the world and reviewed favorably in DownBeat, JazzTimes, Billboard, Cadence, Texas Monthly and the Austin Chronicle. He is an active performer performing over 150 shows a year at venues across the United States. “Haslanger is now a major talent, both as a composer and instrumentalist whose future has almost unlimited potential and should be regarded in national terms.” -Michael Point, DownBeat. ELIAS HASLANGER
 

LOIDE "IN TIME"

Washington DC-based jazz vocalist LOIDE (pronounced "loy-deh') has roots in Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau though born in France and raised in California. Serving up a mix of contemporary jazz and warm afro-lusophone rhythms, Loide's music is reflective of her own eclectic roots. She has spent the last 10 years honing her musical craft in some of the nation's hippest speakeasies and jazz clubs at night.Within the last few years alone Loide has had the privilege to perform in Hollywood for a star-studded televised event, open for the legendary Hugh Masekela and Oliver Mtukudzi, and perform at a Miriam Makeba tribute in New York on the same stage as Paul Simon, release the self titled album "Loide, Live at Bohemian Caverns" and most recently be taped for an one hour live special on The Africa Channel.Loide cites Sarah Vaughn, Cesaria Evora and Miriam Makeba as some of her greatest musical influences, but believes it is her African heritage that has provided her with a fresh musical perspective, a unique sound, and her native tongue. LOIDE

HIDEAKI AOMORI "GLUE"

As a classical clarinetist, Hideaki Aomori has recorded two classical albums as the Pierce-Aomori duo,is a member of y Music, and has worked with the Philip Glass Ensemble, Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra, The Knights, choreographer Benjamin Millepied, and ACME (American Contemporary Music Ensemble). As a multi-instrumentalist, Hideaki mostly works in jazz, indie, theater, and film music.  Some of his recent activities include recording his jazz album, Glue (tenor sax, clarinet) , a tour with Gabriel Kahane (clarinets), playing Ghost the Musical (saxes, clarinets, flute, piccolo) and performing Schonberg's Pierrot Lunaire and Messiaen's End of Time Quartet with ACME. Hideaki has conducted masterclasses and individual lessons at universities and schools in the US and abroad.When he is not touring, Hideaki can be heard playing Matilda on broadway. Hideaki did his bachelor's and doctoral degrees in clarinet performance and his master's degree in jazz saxophone. HIDEAKI AOMORI

 

FRANK HARRISON TRIO "LUNARIS"

Frank Harrison took up the piano at 11, and began playing gigs when he was 15. After taking up a scholarship at Berklee School Of Music, Boston, he returned to the UK and joined Gilad Atzmon’s band. In 2000 they started the Orient House Ensemble, with whom Frank has recorded seven albums, including BBC Jazz Album Of The Year 2003, Exile. The band regularly tours Europe, playing at major Jazz and World music festivals. Frank has also performed with Peter King, Julian Arguelles, Julian Siegel, Don Weller, Alan Barnes, John Etheridge, Louis Stewart and Iain Ballamy.In 2006 Frank formed a trio with drummer Stephen Keogh and bassist Aidan O’Donnell. Their debut album, First Light, launched to critical acclaim and they have since toured regularly in Europe and the Far East, as well as collaborating with special guests such as Louis Stewart and Tina May. Frank's new trio features Dave Whitford on bass and Enzo Zirilli on drums. FRANK HARRISON TRIO
 

PHIL CODY "CODY SINGS ZEVON"

Cincinnati-born Phil Cody, a longtime California resident, produces a smart, raw folk-rock blend that calls to mind Peter Case and Pete Droge. He released his debut album, The Sons of Intemperance Offering, in 1996 on Interscope Records. Most of the project was recorded live in the studio. In the years after its release, he hit the road, sharing the stage with artists such as Steve Earle, Golden Smog, Warren Zevon, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Cody was still on Interscope when he made 2000's Big Slow Mover, a compelling folk-rock/country amalgam full of sonic touches such as funk grooves and loops. It was co-produced by Ethan Johns and the Wallflowers' Rami Jaffe and featured guest appearances by Joe Henry and Emmylou Harris (on a great version of Townes Van Zandt's "If I Needed You"). However, the growing, changing label passed on it; so armed with a new Mac computer and a strong unreleased album, Cody went D.I.Y., starting his own label, Tiny Head Records.  PHIL CODY
 

CHRIS CARROLL "CURRENT SHIFTS"

Chris Carroll is a New York City-based drummer, who has amassed a vast musical vocabulary. Stylistically, his drumming pulses with cross-cultural rhythms. With roots deep in rock music and a love for jazz & improvised music, Chris is known for performing music that is simple in form to extremely complex. His awareness of musical dynamics supports the artist’s ability; he or she can be reticent, or, in the alternative, explosive and an all-out powerhouse.  Drawing from a diverse pool of musical and spiritual influences, Chris blends his curiosity for different cultures with an eye (and ear) towards the future.Recently, Chris released, “Current Shifts,”  which is his second CD as a leader. This jazz-based project is driven by influences ranging from South American traditional music to music originating from Mid-Eastern cultures. “Current Shifts” is a bold followup to Chris’ first album, “Facing Away,” which features his own idiosyncratic arrangements of the music of a number of jazz icons, such as Ornette Coleman, Thelonious Monk and Charles Mingus.Chris’ is also in demand as a sideman, having recorded with  Nat Janoff,  Bryan Murray and Justin Flynn . He plays regularly with many of New York’s finest musicians, including Rez Abbasi, Donny McCaslin, Francois Moutin, Ben Monder, Brad Shepik, Ron Affif, Paul Bollenback, Hans Glawischnig, Alex Blake, Pedro Giraudo, Jay Azzolina, Matt Penman, George Colligan, Felix Pastorius, Ben Street, Drew Gress, Vic Juris and Sam Blais, while touring internationally. CHRIS CARROLL