ITALIAN RAPPER RELEASES NEW MUSIC VIDEO ON YOUTUBE

Il Guerrioro (The Warrior)

WHEN: The music video will be released on Saturday, May 7, 2021
WHERE: Youtube

After a 15-year hiatus, Jaemes Dean, Italian rapper, returns with the release of his new music video.

Sebastian Bellofiore Gubser, aka Jaemes Dean, was born in Switzerland from Italian and Dominican parents. He has lived in Zurich, Switzerland, Milan and in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Jaemes is fluent  in 4 languages, can rap it at least 2  and has written songs in 3 languages. 

Currently living in New York City, he has decided to go back to his main love of composing music. As a teenager, he listened to metal music, Megadeth, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Korn, and Limp Bizkit. He then later moved on to death and black metal and thanks to metal he started playing guitar, and formed his first musical group, which allowed him to move in another direction several years later.

He knew of Eminem, and other rappers, from his debut album "Slim Shady LP", but it wasn't before listening to Kaos's "Precious Things" in 2003 that he really understood the potential of rap. The way Kaos wrote and the vibe that his songs had, made him see a side of rap that he didn't know and fascinated him alot.

Like so many other times in his life and after so many years in music, he was hungry for something different and new. He wanted to learn how to do something else, So he started coding, designing landed a job working for Google as a Product Designer.

Jaemes wrote Il Guerriero (The Warrior) in 2008, when his high school friend, Giuseppe, passed away and Jaemes never got to say goodbye. It's a tribute to Giuseppe, who's father called him "The Warrior."  The song turned into a story, where a warrior who says goodbye to friends and family before going to war.  His war was the struggle against (or for) life, which in the end he loses.  Since we don't always have the chance to say goodbye, he ends the song by greeting him with "un abbracio, una firma con tanto affetto, Seba," which means "A hug, a signature, truly yours, Seba."  

Please follow Jaemes Dean on Spotify: jaemes.co/spotify 

https://linktr.ee/jaemesdean

Unique Mother's Day Gift @ ORIGINAL VINYL RECORDS, OPEN DAILY NOON TO 5 PM

 

This is my Mother's Day
Retrospective RTR4160 CD
(imported from the UK)

A unique musical gift for Mother's Day

Trawling our compilers’ 78 collections has resulted in a huge cache of songs inspired by love for one's mother and, with This Is My Mother’s Day, the best 26 can now be presented. 

Typical is the heartfelt offering of Vera Lynn with the title track. Many of the greatest singing stars present their tributes (everyone has a mother, after all): top tenors John McCormack (Little Mother Of Mine) and Beniamino Gigli (Mamma), Bing Crosby (My Mother's Waltz) and, walking a million miles, Al Jolson (My Mammy—of course).

In all, 20 widely ranging artists are represented, from Brazilian bombshell Carmen Miranda (Mama yo quiero), R&B great Nellie Lutcher (My Mother’s Eyes), through boy singers Bobby Breen (M-O-T-H-E-R) and Joe Petersen (actually a girl!) (A Boy's Best Friend), to “The Street Singer” Arthur Tracy, singing—as are they all—To Mother With Love.

Available In The Store and Online

Purchase It Here

OPEN DAILY

NOON TO 5PM

Please support independent record retailers. 

Jersey City Songwriter/Musician Releases First Full-length Album, Life's Not Fair, Kid

Michael Shofi,  a professional songwriter/studio musician living in Jersey City,  has released his first full-length album entitled Life’s Not Fair, Kid. With COVID eliminating most live music from the picture, he began working at Trader Joe’s in Hoboken and focusing in on studio work/music production. After shifts until midnight, he  would come home and record (hopefully not disturbing his neighbors too much), and a year after he started the process, the album is finally done.

Michael says, "I have so many feelings wrapped up in this work.  Feelings of happiness, hopelessness, love, nostalgia, and fatigue. Life’s Not Fair, Kid is an homage to March/April of 2020.  An emotional timestamp that encapsulates so many of the strong feelings I had during the early pandemic.  I sincerely hope that you can find relatability, comfort, and perspective in the album."

LISTEN ON APPLE MUSIC, SPOTIFY, ETC.

This Sunday: John Fedchock's NY Sextet Livestream

March 21, 4:00 p.m.

John Fedchock's New York Sextet

Livestream and CD Release Event

Recorded Live in the Shea Center at 

William Paterson University 

BUY TICKETS 

John Fedchock is one of the veteran stars of the jazz trombone world. He spent several years with the Woody Herman Orchestra, not only as one of the band’s main soloists but also as one of its most widely known arrangers. An Eastman School of Music graduate and student of the great Rayburn Wright, he went on to tour with Gerry Mulligan, Louis Bellson, and Rosemary Clooney. His New York Big Band, featuring his great arrangements, is well known in Manhattan’s jazz clubs. Today’s concert features a six-piece group that includes such wonderful performers as saxophonist and Steely Dan veteran Walt Weiskopf, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra trumpeter Scott Wendholt, pianist Allen Farnham, first-call bassist David Finck, and drummer Eric Halvorson. This concert is a CD release event of the sextet's new album, Into the Shadows, released on Summit Records. 

ADMISSION: Pay What You Choose (Starting at $10); $8 for Non-William Paterson students and WP Community; Free for WP students.
Students can send requests for free access to jazzroom@wpunj.edu. 

Sittin’ In Meet-the-Artist interview with John Fedchock is free and open to the public one hour prior to the concert (3:00 p.m.) and available for viewing anytime thereafter on the WP Presents! YouTube channel. Subscribe to the channel here. Submit questions in advance to: jazzroom@wpunj.edu. 

Released Today: 6 Grammy Winning Artists—My Earth Songs—Benefits UNICEF Covid Relief for Children

LONNIE PARK AND THE EARTH BAND

MY EARTH SONGS

WITH GRAMMY® WINNER & UN GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN ARTIST RICKY KEJ

Joined by an All-Star, International Cast of Grammy Winners: Baaba Maal, Mariachi Divas, Lucy Kalantari, Jon Samson & Wouter Kellerman 

TO BENEFIT UNICEF COVID-19 RELIEF FOR CHILDREN

"Ricky Kej and an amazing group of musicians are joining us to inspire. They're calling on us all to imagine a better world for every child." – Henrietta H. Fore, Executive Director, UNICEF

In June of this year, more than 25 million viewers in 75 countries watched the My Earth Songs Virtual Live Concert, a global initiative with Vivendi in support of UNICEF COVID-19 relief for children. This remarkable family concert was spearheaded by Lonnie Park and the Earth Band and Grammy® winner Ricky Kej, featuring an all-star cast of Grammy winners.

The My Earth Songs album is out now, with all proceeds going to UNICEF.

Sample the music HERE. Download links and bamboo thumb drives are available upon request.

Artists represented on My Earth Songs include six Grammy winners from around the world: 

• United Nations Global Humanitarian Artist Ricky Kej from India
• legendary Senegalese singer Baaba Maal (voice of the Wakandan soundtrack for the Black Panther movie)
• U.S. family musicians Lucy Kalantari and Jon Samson
• South African flutist Wouter Kellerman
• two-time Grammy winner Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea. 
• Also featured are the Earth Band’s primary artist/frontman, Grammy-nominated American singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lonnie Park; Grammy-nominated Canadian flutist Ron Korb; and Global Music Award winning Indian bassist and composer Dominic D'Cruz.

My Earth Songs delivers complex topics in bite-sized chunks packed with meaning that children can effortlessly assimilate. Every one of these fun, positive, and super singalong-able songs has a catchy tune with simple, memorable lyrics. Focusing on what’s needed to ensure a clean, green world for generations to come, each track was inspired by one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

“My work with Ricky Kej has seen us performing at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and Geneva, the WHO headquarters, and at UNICEF and UNESCO events,” explains My Earth Songs’ co-creator, Lonnie Park. “As we witnessed complicated issues playing out on the world stage, it became apparent that getting adults to adopt new practices is difficult, but if we could teach the children early about taking care of each other and the planet, it could literally change the world. The best way we knew how to make that happen was through music.”

“Ever since I won my Grammy Award in 2015, I have dedicated my life and music to creating environmental consciousness and climate change awareness,” says Ricky Kej. “My Earth Songs aims at enlightening children through music, igniting in them a spark to spread consciousness among everyone with whom they interact. This young movement will spur a revolution to restore our planet and help it breathe easy again!”

My Earth Songs is available at all major online outlets.

Visit the My Earth Songs website HERE.

My Earth Songs on Facebook.

Rick Kej on Facebook.

Lonnie Park on Facebook.

To donate to UNICEF's Coronavirus Children's Crisis Appeal, please visit this page.

Rena Strober, Jason Alexander "Imagine That! The Sesame Street Music of Joe Raposo & Jeff Moss"

A MAGICAL ALBUM LIKE NO OTHER!

RENA STROBER & FRIENDS

IMAGINE THAT!

THE SESAME STREET MUSIC

OF JOE RAPOSO & JEFF MOSS

WHEN: Release date August 28
AGES: All ages
PRICE: $14.99 CD (with braille cover) or $9.99 digital download
Run time: 39 minutes
Sample the music HERE.
Imagine That! The Sesame Street Music of Joe Raposo & Jeff Moss will be available at renastrober.com and at all major online outlets.

Rena Strober & special guests Jason Alexander, French Stewart, Michael-Leon Wooley, Cristina Jones (the "Blind Soprano") and DOTZ, The Blind Children's Choir

”My family and I were thrilled to work with Rena Strober to bring this wonderful album to life. My father dedicated his life to respecting and nurturing all children, of every ability and heritage, everywhere." —Nick Raposo

Award-winning Broadway, film, and television actor and advocate for the blind, Rena Strober, is thrilled to announce the August 28 release of her new family album, Imagine That! The Sesame Street Music of Joe Raposo & Jeff Moss.

The album sparkles with contributions from such luminaries as Jason Alexander (Seinfeld), French Stewart (Mom, 3rd Rock from the Sun), Michael-Leon Wooley (The Princess and the Frog), Deborah Grausman (“Smartie” on Sesame Street), acclaimed opera singer Cristina Jones (the “Blind Soprano”), and DOTZ, The Blind Children’s Choir.

These iconic songs inspire decades of fond memories, yet are as engaging as ever for new little ears. They deserve the luxury treatment they get from this wildly talented, top-of-their-game team coming together to put on a classy show filled with a cheerful Broadway sense of style.

The many facets of this project coalesced via the trio of Fred Mollin, William “Chip” Beaman of Knighthawk Digital Entertainment Group, and the extraordinary vision of Broadway singer/producer Rena Strober, who says, “What the world needs now, more than ever, is the music of Sesame Street. We need to be reminded that being kind is simple and being ‘different’ is beautiful. No matter what your abilities or disabilities, if you ‘Believe in Yourself,’ you can do anything!”

Producer Fred Mollin (Rita Wilson, Linda Ronstadt, Lyle Lovett, Billy Joel, Steve Webb, and many others) has shaped Imagine That! The Sesame Street Music of Joe Raposo and Jeff Moss with sensitivity and skill to create an overall powerful unity of sound, style, and concept.

Highlights include Rena Strober’s exquisite vocals on “Imagine That!,” “I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon,” “Being Green,” “Sing,” “To Love a Child,” and “Imagination,” which show off her delightful storytelling charm. French Stewart and Jason Alexander bring their adorable humor to “I’m Pretty/I’m an Aardvark,” while Rena Strober and Jason Alexander make a perfect boy/girl duet of “Candy Hearts and Paper Flowers.” DOTZ, The Blind Children’s Choir shines on “Sing,” “Believe in Yourself,” “What Makes Music?,” “One Small Voice,” and “To Love a Child,” and Cristina Jones, Rena Strober, and Michael-Leon Wooley offer a rousing rendition of “High Middle Low,” enhanced in this version by musical saw, washboard, plectrum banjo, and tuba!

Imagine That! The Sesame Street Music of Joe Raposo & Jeff Moss is being released in celebration of National Guide Dog Month in September. A portion of the proceeds from all digital and hard copy sales of the album will go to Guide Dogs of America and the Gavin R. Stevens Foundation, whose mission is to find a treatment and cure for blindness, focusing on Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA).

Visit Rena Strober's website HERE.

Rena Strober on Facebook.

Rena Strober on Twitter.

Watch a "behind-the-scenes" Imagine That! video HERE.

Holy Guacamole! Rolie Polie Guacamole's "Avocado"

If you want GUACAMOLE, you gotta have AVOCADO! AVOCADO by ROLIE POLIE GUACAMOLE "Much like guacamole itself, Rolie Polie Guacamole's music comprises crowd-pleasing ingredients: upbeat, positive messages, interactive sets, and undeniably catchy tunes." – The New York Times "The bestest kindie rock band in town." – New York Parenting

Holy Guacamole! Brooklyn’s award-winning titans of kindie music are back! Rolie Polie Guacamole is set to dish out a cool treat for families everywhere with the June 19 release of their seventh studio album, Avocado. Stream the music HERE. Download links and CDs are available upon request. Frank Gallo and Andrew Tuzhilin created Rolie Polie Guacamole in 2006 and since then have laid claim to being one of the hardest working bands in kindie music, with a kid-smart, parent-friendly style that dresses up original tunes and classic covers with vibrant harmonies and deft instrumental layers, plugging in a sizzling electric current of rhythm that lights up lyrics humming with relevance and humor. Since hitting the boards with their first performance, Rolie Polie Guacamole has earned its place on the national scene with thousands of shows coast to coast, while receiving praise from The New York Times, earning top picks from Boston.com, Time Out NY Kids, and Time Out Chicago, and winning the prestigious Parents’ Choice® and NAPPA Awards. Produced by the acknowledged wizard of the kindie mixing board, Dean Jones, with significant contributions from recording legend Steve Albini (Nirvana, Pixies, PJ Harvey), Avocado continues the Rolie Polie Guacamole tradition of fun, high-energy songs all done up in folk, funk, rap and rock styles that hit on just about all the favorite kid topics: sports, foods, adventuring, and animals, and even a look ahead to the holidays thrown in for good measure. Avocado kicks off with the album’s title track, an irrepressible, Beatles-like anthem that compels one to sing along. Next out of the dugout is a prog rock baseball song, “Ay Batta Batta,” followed by “Basketball Jane,” a snappy and sassy rap-delivered tale of a super-talented girl who just happens to be the best basketball player on her block. In revisiting a Rolie Polie Guacamole fan favorite, “Fire Truck” by the late Ivan Ulz, the band managed to dial it up to eleven with the help of producer Steve Albini. Listeners are then launched around the solar system in “Dancing on the Sun,” returning to earth to be greeted by the serenely evocative lullaby, “A Very Quiet Song.” The Spanish “Aguacate” replaces the English “Avocado,” recapitulating itself as a relaxed, folk/country appetizer for “Pizza Pie,” a riotous, swallowed-a-fly kind of memory game that's fun for the whole family. Next on the menu is “iScream,” a raucous rock anthem celebrating the universal love of ice cream. Beginning with a deftly executed finger-picking intro, “Sammi the Cat” tells the story of a Brooklyn stray cat who, in searching for her life’s purpose, discovers massive popularity singing in the subway. Avocado comes to a joyful close with the beloved “Jingle Bells." Avocado will be available on Amazon, Bandcamp, and Apple Music. Pre-orders may be placed now. Album Details: Avocado Release date:June 19, 2020 For ages 2 - 5 Label: RPG Records SRP: $15.00 download or CD Run time: 47 minutes # # # Visit Rolie Polie Guacamole's website HERE. Rolie Polie Guacamole on Facebook. Rolie Polie Guacamole on Instagram. Rolie Polie Guacamole on Twitter. Rolie Polie Guacamole on YouTube.

CELEBRATE DAVE STYKER’S BIRTHDAY & CD PR-RELEASE IN MONTCLAIR

Roger Davidson at Trumpets Jazz Club October 12!

Roger Davidson Quartet
featuring Hendrik Meurkens

WHERE: Trumpets Jazz Club, Montclair NJ
WHEN: Friday, October 12th- 8 & 10 PM 

Roger's new album "Music from the Heart."
Available NOW

"Roger Davidson is a thoughtful pianist who plays with sensitivity"
Audiophile Audition Aug 2018

"I give Roger and his bandmates a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. This is, quite simply, the best jazz I've ever heard Roger perform." Contemporary Fusion Reviews, June 2018

Indie-Soul Songstress Drops Contagious Rock Single “Always”

Rachel Ana Dobken: When It Happens to You

WHEN: Saturday, September 8th, 8 PM
WHERE: Asbury Lanes, 209 4th Ave., Asbury Park
TICKETS: $12
MORE INFO

Dobken blends an intoxicating concoction of jazzy soulfulness and indie rock janglyness…. It's the sound of someone who doesn't just have a pretty, vibrato-filled voice, but actual soul behind it." —Heavy Blog is Heavy

Asbury Park Indie-Soul goddess Rachel Ana Dobken releases new single, “Always,” from her upcoming album, When It Happens to You, out this fall. The first single, “Understand,” premiered exclusively on Relix.com, which they hailed as “smoky” and “shimmering”. Dobken played drums, guitar and sang on this latest track. She also wrote, arranged and produced it, as well as the entire album. Listen to "Always"

The multi-talented artist has a knack for blending indie-rock, soul and jazz throughout her music, describing herself as “My Morning Jacket meets Lake Street Dive.” She’s been featured by The Aquarian Weekly, The Deli Magazine, NJ Arts, Relix Magazine, New York Times, Asbury Park Press, Travel+Leisure and more. All photographs for the record were taken by famed rock photographer, Danny Clinch, who has worked with Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, My Morning Jacket, Ryan Adams and many more. Rachel works closely with Clinch as his Music Director at his Transparent Gallery in Asbury Park.

Dobken is a quadruple threat (drums, guitar, vocals and piano) and studied jazz at Bard College. Her music is raw and honest with a stage presence so emotionally captivating it's been compared to the likes of Janis Joplin and Jeff Buckley. Catch her live at her pre-release show at Asbury Lanes with The Mercury Brothers on September 8th, and stay tuned for more music from her impending album!

Dobken has a knack for blending  jazz, rock and soul throughout her music, describing herself as “Amy Winehouse meets My Morning Jacket.”

All photos and album art for the record were taken by Danny Clinch, who has photographed Springsteen, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks, Foo Fighters, My Morning Jacket, Ryan Adams and so many more. He is also the creator of Sea.Hear.Now festival, taking place in Asbury Park next month. Dobken has been featured by The Aquarian Weekly, The Deli Magazine, NJ Arts, Relix Magazine, New York Times, Asbury Park Press, Travel+Leisure and more.

Photo by Danny Clinch

JARED GOLD TO DEBUT NEW ALBURM IN NEW BRUNSWICK

Jared Gold: Reemergence
CD Release

Jared Gold – organ
Dave Stryker – guitar
Darrell Green – drums

WHEN: Wednesday, June 20th, 8:00pm-11:00pm
WHERE: Tavern on George, 361 George St, New Brunswick
www.tavernongeorge.com

What The Press Is Saying About Jared Gold's “Reemergence”

DownBeat Magazine Editor's Pick

Bobby Reed
Most jazz fans have encountered the unfortunate scenario of being thrilled by the names on an album cover but then being disappointed by the music. That is definitely not the case with the new leader project from Jared Gold, which showcases the versatile organist and his all-star band: guitarist Dave Stryker, drummer Billy Hart and trumpeter Jeremy Pelt. Stryker, who also produced the album, has a 14-year history with Gold, and his simpatico rapport with the organist spices up the proceedings, as each musician frequently adds clever coloration when the other is unleashing a sturdy solo. Hart—whose subtle brushwork is just as mesmerizing as his powerful stick-work in this program—demonstrates the mastery that has made him a legend. Pelt, who adds potent brass to three tracks, elevates this disc: Without him, these sessions might have yielded a memorable trio disc, but with him on board, the result is one of the strongest straightahead discs of the year thus far.

This band certainly can burn, as evidenced by the title track (which was penned by the leader), but a poignant reading of The Beatles’ “She’s Leaving Home” reflects Gold’s ability to tug at the listener’s heartstrings with a melancholy mood. Gold has curated a wonderful, eclectic program that features two Gershwin tunes (“It Ain’t Necessarily So,” “How Long Has This Been Going On”), Ornette Coleman’s “Blues Connotation,” Stevie Wonder’s “Lookin’ For Another Pure Love” (from 1972’s Talking Book) and “One For John A,” a swinging, original tribute to the late guitar icon John Abercrombie, with whom the organist worked for years. Gold and Stryker can ignite fireworks at will, but on this rendition of “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” both musicians coax a vocal timbre out of their respective axes. Nicely done, gentlemen.

...one of the year’s strongest titles to date and upon repeated listening  gets so much more enjoyable. - CJ Shearn Jazz Views

Jeff Know-Audiophile Audition
...this is a CD that will be loved by Hammond fans, and highlights Gold’s talents as both a creative organist as well as arranger. His talents have matured and hopefully we’ll see more exploratory efforts from Jared well into the future.

Dick Metcalf  contemporaryfusionreviews.com
Jared Gold hoppin’ Hammond B3 jazz Jared Gold – REEMERGENCE:  Without doubt, Jared is one of THE best Hammond B3 jazz players .

DIANE MARINO "SOUL SERENADE-the Gloria Lynne Project" CD Release Show Friday, June 15th @ Trumpets

DIANE MARINO: SOUL SERENADE—the Gloria Lynne Project
CD Release Show

WHEN: Friday, June 15th, Sets 8 & 10pm
WHERE: Trumpets, 6 Depot Square, Montclair
973-744-2600
www.trumpetsjazz.com
Read more about the CD at www.dianemarino.com

featuring
Diane Marino: Piano/Vocals
Sax: Charlie Lagond
Bass: Frank Marino
Drums: Vince Ector

“Soul Serenade” "is the title of my newest CD project. Although not exactly a “tribute” album, it is more of a celebration of the music made popular by the great vocalist, Gloria Lynne.

While performing on a recent gig with drummer Vince Ector (Gloria’s drummer for 15 years), I sang “I’m Glad There Is You,” and he reminded me it was one of Gloria’s signature songs. So, I began to research more of Gloria’s work and was instantly mesmerized by her voice, style and emotion. Additionally, her choice of material was instantly appealing to me. I tend to look for songs that are “beyond the norm” of the Great American Songbook repertoire. The songs Gloria Lynne recorded during her career stand alone in their originality and uniqueness. Her performances of these particular tunes move me every time I hear them.

As with my previous CD’s, I always learn a tune and then work with it at the piano, making it an extension of what I’m hearing and feeling from the lyric and melody. I should note that I had never heard any of these 14 tunes before I was introduced to them by the wonderful Gloria Lynne recordings. My “concepts” for these 14 tunes came about after much study, deliberation and changes!

I wanted to step away from the piano for this project in order to collaborate with someone else’s ideas that could influence the way I might want to sing a particular song. I feel that when you accompany yourself on piano the two elements are inseparable and it was time to do a project in a different way.

I asked my dear friend Brad Cole to take my concepts and write the arrangements and orchestrations as well as to play piano/keyboards on this project. He seemed to know exactly what I wanted to do with each of these songs. I think we’ve come up with a fresh approach to this material that Gloria Lynne’s recordings influenced me to explore and ultimately record!”

"Diane Marino is an unusually unique talent… great pianist, vocalist and arranger” —Les Davis, Real jazz-Sirius/XM Radio

“Marino plays swinging piano, is an accomplished arranger and sings up a storm, – she’s one of the best I’ve heard in the past several years!” Ric Bang, JazzScan

“Diane Marino is a most worthwhile singer/pianist/arranger. Some of the most delicate and carefully laid back singing you’ll ever hear —Ms. Marino’s piano/vocal just can’t be bettered”  —Dan Singer, Singer’s Singers

CD RELEASE SHOW @ TRUMPETS, AUGUST 7, 2 SETS

Bryant/Fabian/Marsalis: Do For You?
CD Release Show

WHEN: Monday, August 7th, 7:30pm and 9:30pm
WHERE: Trumpets, 6 Depot Square, Montclair, NJ 07042
 (973) 744-2600
www.trumpetsjazz.com

Lance Bryant and Christian Fabian met in the Lionel Hampton Big Band, and were brought up like Jason Marsalis in old school jazz roots. And they religiously practice the first commandment of the old school:

“Thou shalt give the audience a great show!”

do for you? is proof that jazz roots grow into exciting new tunes, thrive in new times, and produce new jazz masters.

The album showcases new compositions by Bryant and Fabian, with a tune by Marsalis, and the Trio’s collective mastery and virtuosity is consistently front and center. These artists have not only mastered every corner of the tradition—they can do anything. The virtuostic Bryant on saxophone, a groovy solo by Fabian mixing funk and hip-hop flavor, expert punctuation by Marsalis on drums, lightning speed as quick and exciting as it is clean—they can do anything. Of A Certain Age by Bryant, with its nostalgic ballad feel and an artful performance by the Trio, could easily pass for a jazz standard.

The Band never loses its tightness...through impressive solo fills from Marsalis, Fabian’s gloriously clear pizzicato, pitch bends and grooves...Marsalis’ skillful Brazilian rhythms and timbres...unrelenting and funky drum and bass grooves, blazing saxophone melodies...the Band keeps surprising and amazing, and leaves us wowed.

From the liner notes by — Kabir Sehgal & Latin Grammy Award® winner New York City, June 2017

JAZZ CD RELEASE THIS SATURDAY IN MONTCLAIR

Dave Stryker Strykin' Ahead
(Strikezone 8815)

WHEN: Saturday, July 29 – 8:00pm and 10:00pm
WHERE: Trumpet’s Jazz Club, 6 Depot Square, Montclair, NJ
www.davestryker.com

DAVE STRYKER guitar
STEVE NELSON vibraphone
JARED GOLD organ
McCLENTY HUNTER drums

The notion of moving forward by triangulating a space between creative and pragmatic imperatives is a consistent thread throughout Dave Stryker’s four decades in the jazz business, not least on Strykin’ Ahead, his 28th CD as a leader. Stryker augments his working trio of Jared Gold on organ and McClenty Hunter on drums with vibraphone player Steve Nelson, all on-board for a second go-round after their stellar contri- butions to last year’s Eight-Track II. Like the leader, Nelson is a preternaturally flexible and in-the-moment improviser with deep roots in the tradition who knows how to push the envelope without damaging the contents. Stryker internalized those imperatives on a 1984-1986 run with Brother Jack McDuff, and he received further invaluable training in the art of musical communication during a decade on the road with Stanley Turrentine, to whom he paid homage on the 2015 release Don’t Mess With Mister T.

In contrast to his Eight Track II conception of putting his spin on pop hits of his formative years, Stryker returns to his long-standing practice of presenting originals and reharmonized standards from the jazz and show music songbooks. "Shadowboxing" is a burning 14-bar minor blues; his well-considered chordal variations on Wayne Shorter's "Footprints" proceed to a simmering 5/4 figure. Next is "New You" (a stimulating Stryker contrafact of the oft-played "There Will Never Be Another You"). He personalizes Billy Strayhorn's "Passion Flower," set to Hunter's insinuating bossa-funk groove. The title track “Strykin’ Ahead” has a Cadillac-racing-down-the-freeway-feel; he imbues the lovely melody of "Who Can I Turn To" with the full measure of his plush, inviting tone.

That Stryker knows his Albert King is evident on the slow-drag “Blues Down Deep,” which evokes wee-hours third sets in the inner city grills and lounges of Stryker’s apprentice years. He knows his bebop, too. On Clifford Brown’s “Joy Spring,” the solo flights over Stryker’s “modernized” progressions transpire over Hunter’s drum-bass beats and crisp, medium-up four-on-the cymbal; on the chopbusting “Donna Lee,” all members springboard off a churchy vamp and Hunter’s funk-infused swing.

“I’ve always wanted to write vehicles that are fun and interesting to blow over,” Stryker says. “Trying to come up with a beautiful melody that lasts is very fulfilling. Writing is a big part of my voice in this music.” Stryker is too modest to say that his voice is also a big part of jazz, to which he’s devoted a career marked by consistent application of the values that he espouses. But that’s all right—I’ll say it for him. (edited liner notes from Ted Panken)

COMING UP @ THE WHITE EAGLE HALL IN JERSEY CITY THIS SATURDAY

Frank Iero and the Patience The Homeless Gospel Choir WHEN: Saturday, July 22, 2017 Doors: 7:00 PM / Show: 8:00 PM WHERE: White Eagle Hall, 7 Newark Ave., Jersey City TICKETS: $20.00 - $25.00 Tickets FRANK IERO and the PATIENCE are set to release their second album Parachutes on 28th October via Vagrant Records. The record was produced by Ross Robinson & Steve Evetts, in California, earlier this year. "It's a team that had been on my mind for a while. I heard stories about Ross that scared me to death... but honestly nothing could have prepared me for the reality of what it is like to work with him" says singer Frank Iero. "It was the most heartbreaking yet uplifting, depleting yet inspiring experience I have ever had. I found out things about myself and the songs I was writing that changed me forever. I am so proud of this record, it really took everything I had, and I know I could not have made it with anyone else." As with any new album, the band has a chance to grow and evolve into something else, to challenge all perceptions and become a new version of what it once was, and as such comes a name change—FRANK IERO and the PATIENCE. "When I first started this journey I brought a band along that filled in the gaps of what I lacked. I was uncomfortable in my position so I brought a celebration or a cellabration to distract from my awkwardness. Now in my life I need to learn how to slow down and love where I am. I need the patience to appreciate the now." says Frank Iero. The album Parachute' is 12 songs of controlled chaos which shows FRANK IERO and the PATIENCE at their absolute best. A message from Frank Iero: Parachutes are life-saving devices. We rely on them to bring us back from the brink of death. Whether we fall or jump, they are the only things keeping us alive. Such as with life, we are all just falling or plunging to an eventual end, but the love of my family and my ability to create art and music has always been my parachute. The act of living can be random and strange, beautiful and ugly at the same time and the only thing that is undeniably certain is eventually we are all gonna hit the ground. Some of us plummet at an incredible rate, and it's over in a flash, but some of us get saved and are able to enjoy the view for a little while.... This album is one of my parachutes. xo frnk."

DOUG MUNRO PLAYS THE HARRY WARREN SONGBOOK @ CD RELEASE PARTY IN MONTCLAIR

DOUG MUNRO AND LA POMPE ATTACK
CD Release Party
Plays The Harry Warren Songbook

WHEN: Saturday, July 8th, 8pm
WHERE: Trumpet's Jazz Club, 6 Depot Square, Montclair, NJ 07042
Click Here for more info

Featuring:

• Doug Munro
• Vinny Raniolo
• Ted Gottsegen and Ernesto Pugliese
• Matt Dwonszyk and Michael Goetz and Violinist Andrei Matorin

Harry Warren was the first major American song composer to write primarily for film. Every song on this CD is from a movie (except for the two songs Doug wrote). All of this music (except Nagasaki 1928) is from the 1930’s and 40’s. The songs are arranged in the hot swing style made popular by the great guitarist Django Reinhardt with violinist Stephane Grappelli and the Hot Club de Paris. The main body of work from Django Reinhardt is from the same time period. It was an easy marriage of styles taken from the same point in history on two different continents.

Harry Warren also happens to be Doug's great uncle!

TENOR SAXOPHONIST MICHAEL PEDICIN CELEBRATES THE RELEASE OF HIS NEW CD

AS IT SHOULD BE: BALLADS 2

WHEN: May 12, 8 – 11 PM; 2 sets: 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
WHERE: Trumpets, 6 Depot Square, MOntclair
ADMISSION: $20 pp music charge $12 pp minimum  (food/drink)
Click HERE for upcoming shows and more information

With the April 21 release of As It Should Be – Ballads 2, tenor and soprano saxophonist Michael Pedicin continues to spread the message of acceptance and justice he eloquently shared on his critically acclaimed 2011 album Ballads … searching for peace. “I’m one of those diehard ’60s kids that grew up concerned about peace and togetherness,” Pedicin explains. “I think about that every day of my life. We’re all one.”

In addition to covers of John Coltrane’s “Crescent” and Paul Simon’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” the album, his 14th as a leader, features eight ballads by longtime collaborator guitarist Johnnie Valentino. Pedicin and Valentino are joined on the recording by Frank Strauss on keyboards, bassist Mike Boone, drummer Justin Faulkner (of Branford Marsalis’s band), and percussionist Alex Acuña. With the exception of Acuña, all are either from, still live in, or have roots in Philadelphia.
Ballads showcasing the exquisitely lyrical aspects of Pedicin’s playing are the focus of the album, but several songs were treated to somewhat brighter grooves than had been originally intended after the musicians got to the recording studio, particularly “From Afar,” which was double-timed at a bossa-nova-like clip by Faulkner and Acuña.

Pedicin also continued his non-musical education, earning a Ph.D in Psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine/International University for Graduate Studies in 2002. The shingle above his office in Linwood, NJ, reads “Dr. Michael Pedicino” as he recently changed his last name back to the one immigration gave his grandfather in 1906 when he arrived at Ellis Island from Foggia, Italy. While he has no plans to change his name in the world of music, he is in the process of obtaining dual American-Italian citizenship.

The new album is just the latest chapter in this master musician’s ongoing quest to help make Philadelphia’s sobriquet as the City of Brotherly Love a reality for human beings of all races, ethnicities, and nationalities through sweet melodies and gentle improvisations. “My goal with this CD,” Pedicin explains, “was to create some pretty and accessible jazz in ballad form. This is not about revolutionizing the art form we so love, but providing a soft and relaxing platform on which to enjoy it.”

Michael Pedicin will celebrate the release of As It Should Be: Ballads 2 at the following engagements: 4/16 Smalls, NYC; 4/22 Exit Zero Jazz Festival, Cape May, NJ (for which Pedicin is Artist in Residence); 5/12 Trumpets, Montclair, NJ; and 5/13 Chris’ Jazz Café, Philadelphia. Personnel is the same as on the new CD, minus Alex Acuña and with drummer Anwar Marshall subbing for Justin Faulkner.

BILLY JONES’ EAST COAST CD RELEASE SHOW IN COLLINGSWOOD

Drummer Billy Jones
3’s A Crowd
East Coast CD Release Show

WHEN: Thursday, April 6th, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
WHERE: Collingswood Community Center, 30 W. Collings Ave., Collingswood, NJ 08108
TICKETS: $10
Tickets & Info

BILLY JONES, DRUMS with:

EAST COAST MUSICIANS

• George Young, alto sax
• John Vanore, trumpet
• Mick Rossi, piano
• Tony Micelli, vibraphone
• George Genna, piano
• Tyrone Brown, bass

WEST COAST MUSICIANS

• Scotty Wright, vocal
• Kenny Stahl, ute
• TStu Reynolds, bass clarinet
• Gary Meek, tenor sax

The concept of a duo recording is not a new one. This project, that I have been conceptualizing for years, places the drums in constant dialogue with one other instrumentalist. The challenge now—to raise the drums from its traditional role of accompaniment, to that of partner to that other voice.

Excitement through spontaneity... and with the freedom of this environment comes the responsibility to shape the form of the composition. Communication and empathy create the thread from track to track that is the essence of the project. Empathy supported by the presence of longtime friends and musical colleagues... now collaborators.—Billy Jones, 2017

CYNTHIA HILTS & LYRIC FURY, HER ADVENTUROUS JAZZ OCTET CELEBRATE CD RELEASE

CYNTHIA HILTS & LYRIC FURY
CELEBRATE CD RELEASE
WHEN: MARCH 25TH, Sets at 8 & 10pm
WHERE: TRUMPETS JAZZ CLUB, 6 DEPOT SQUARE, MONTCLAIR NJ
ADMISSION:  $20 cover
973-744-2600
http://www.trumpetsjazz.com
Tickets are also available online at http://www.trumpetsjazz.com/shop/
https://www.facebook.com/events/376542756064981/

Cynthia Hilts - composer/piano/voice
Jack Walrath - trumpet
Lisa Parrott - soprano & bari sax
Lily White - tenor & alto sax
Stafford Hunter - trombone & conch
Leigh Stuart - cello,
Rene Hart - bass
Scott Neumann – drums

Twenty years ago, Brooklyn-based pianist/composer Cynthia Hilts was seeking to form a band as a vehicle for her brisk, striking originals. Her avant-meets-mainstream writing, as the band name Lyric Fury suggests, is demanding and defined by powerful contrasts.

Hilts and her octet have been honing a sound and a vision ever since, and their brilliant efforts are captured on their first recording together—the eponymous Lyric Fury—released on January 13th by Hilts’s Blond Coyote Records. Lyric Fury boasts a lineup of top-drawer players with highly distinctive “A” games of their own. They include trumpet great and onetime Mingusite Jack Walrath, saxophonists Lisa Parrott and Lily White, trombonist Deborah Weisz, cellist Marika Hughes, bassist Ratzo Harris, and drummer Scott Neumann.

The infectious opening track, “Those Basinites,” was inspired by the quirky residents of Basin, Montana, where Hilts did several residencies. But much of Hilts’s music, for which she writes her own poetic lyrics, responds to situations and events. “Previously a Thing,” a brash invocation that turns Horace Silver-style hard bop on its ear (dig White’s passionate tenor solo), was written after a breakup. The free-gliding “Blues for the Bronchs,” featuring out-of-sorts voicings and a ripping, hard-edged solo by Walrath, had its genesis in an unshakable case of bronchitis.

A seasoned peace activist, Hilts composed the album’s most lyrical and deeply affecting work, “Peace Now,” following the outbreak of the Iraq War. Her vocal—part scat, part chant, part heartfelt plea—is framed by the dark tones of Parrott’s baritone and Hughes’s cello and carried by bright rhythms. “Teacher,” with its delicate piano introduction and South African lilt, is a prayer for a spiritual leader.