40 of the world’s finest musicians come together to cross genres: jazz, funk, blues, fusion. Respecting history while paving the future in grand Fischer style.

Featuring: Bob Sheppard, Don Shelton, Alex Budman, Carl Saunders, Ron Stout, Steve Huffsteter, Scott Whitfield, Francisco Torres, Andy Martin

Track listing:

1. Cherokee (Noble Arr. C. Fischer Orch. B. Fischer/K. Horn);
2. Jumping Jacks (Clare Fischer Arr. C. Fischer/B. Fischer);
3. Cotton Tail (Ellington Arr. C. Fischer);
4. New Thing (Brent Fischer);
5. Passion (Clare Fischer);
6. Sad About Nothing Blues (Brent Fischer/Darlene Koldenhoven);
7. Mood Indigo (Ellington/Bigard Arr. C. Fischer);
8. Eleanor Rigby (Lennon/McCartney Arr. C. Fischer/B. Fischer);
9. Blues Parisien (Clare Fischer);… Continue reading →

On September 9, 2014, Stretch Records/Concord Jazz will release Trilogy a recording to rank with the landmarks of Corea’s career. Trilogy is a triple-CD set recorded live around the world with his spectacularly virtuosic trio featuring bassist Christian McBride and drummer Brian Blade, both star leaders in their own right (and previously the rhythmic backbone in Corea’s Five Piece Band).

A marvel of live recorded sound, particularly for having been captured in multiple stops on the road, Trilogy sees the trio reinvent classic Corea compositions (such as ‘Spain’), as well as previously unreleased originals (‘Piano Sonata: The Moon’). The group… Continue reading →

On his new Whaling City Sound disc, Motif, hornman Greg Abate presents Exhibit A to prove he belongs near the top of the list when the subject is todays top saxophonists. On alto, soprano and baritone, Abate demonstrates scorching flair as notes flow organically, with immense personality and passion. It helps to have a sublime trio watching his back – Tim Ray (piano), John Lockwood (bass) and Mark Walker (drums) – to keep Greg moving ever forward. With a finger-snapping, toe-tapping propensity for up-tempo, almost athletic rhythms, Abate gives his all on Motif.

THE VANGUARD JAZZ ORCHESTRA is not your father s Mel Lewis-Thad Jones Jazz Orchestra on OVER TIME MUSIC OF BOB BROOKMEYER [Planet Arts 101413]. By that I mean the Jones-Lewis big band had a certain personality, due in large part from Thad Jones arrangements. The music, on this current issue, really draws all its personality from Bob Brookmeyer s writing and arrangements (7 Brookmeyer originals plus Skylark ).

And it s wonderful music very orcherstrational, impressionistic and controlled in its setting and presentation, there is room for improvising [Dick Oatts, Scott Wendholt, John Riley, Billy Drews, Rich Perry, Terell Stafford,… Continue reading →

You may know Adam Schroeder from his associations with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band or any number of sessions he’s recorded with such stars as Ray Charles, Diana Krall, Clark Terry, Bob Mintzer or Chris Botti. Either way, there is no mistaking his expressive baritone saxophonics whenever there’s a fitting solo or through composed section for his instrument of choice.

Adam Schroeder’s latest release is simply called Let’s (Capri Records, 2014) and as far as I am concerned, it works and works very well. His accompaniment includes the great bassist John Clayton, drummer Jeff Hamilton and… Continue reading →

Trumpet Story – the new album from The Bill Warfield Big Band – celebrates the instrument’s versatility with a suite of 10 big-band compositions for trumpet soloist. Randy Brecker is the featured trumpeter on 8 songs that are artfully arranged by Bill Warfield. Warfield, a fine trumpeter in his own right, decided that rather than taking the lead himself he would write for Brecker.While originally a four-movement suite, the current album grew into something a bit different, celebrating not only the trumpet but a whole range of Warfield’s musical influences.  

While the focus is still on the trumpet, the… Continue reading →

Born and raised in Dallas, TX, Kenny Lavender began playing the trumpet at the age of 13. He studied music at Indiana University and the University of North Florida. While still in school, Kenny began working with such major jazz artists as Manhattan Transfer, Clark Terry, Jimmy and Percy Heath, Jon Faddis, Dave Holland, Slide Hampton, Nicholas Payton, and Dave Brubeck. <iframe width=”480″ height=”300″ src=”//www.youtube.com/embed/qGBBbHwrtIo” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>

His resume as a leader, sideman and Broadway pit musician is extensive. Besides working with his big band orchestras, he has worked with The Chico O’Farrill Orchestra, The Birdland Big Band and the… Continue reading →

Essential is Jean Michel Pilc’s first Live in concert solo album and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Recorded at the Fazioli Piano Loft at Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway, New Jersey, this debut release on Motema Music is an enhanced CD with video content with an audio portion that captures the amazing pianist performing 18 songs from a variety of genres – all purely improvised! Sixteen of the compositions are originals written by Pilc including six “Etudes-Tableaus” that are positioned between such great songs as his title track “Essential” and the Schertzinger/Mercer classic “I Remember… Continue reading →

Acclaimed Canadian soul-jazz singer Elizabeth Shepherd has released her fourth recording titled The Signal (True North Records, 2014). The 10 compositions illustrate her growth as a singer and conceptualist as well as her strengths as a woman with something to say. Accompanied by guitarist Lionel Loueke, Shepherd manages to make her odd-meter grooves feel fluid and funky, while her sensual, breathy voice is as direct and haunting as ever.

Shepherd plays the electric Rhodes piano, and incorporated the Moog keyboard, ngoni, steel pans and kalimba as well as a range of samples that include Blues legend Lead Belly and Mother… Continue reading →

The Blue Canoe Records release “Jimi Jazz” from jazz wonder Ron Westray is a fresh solo take on Jimi Hendrix classics that blends bop with contemporary horn and makes it accessible to all listeners. “Jimi Jazz”, opens with the hypnotizing groove of “Purple Haze”.  The first track opens with the familiar theme and gives to raucous horn and key solos that make a listener’s feet move and ears hear this classic from a new perspective.  The the time “Purple Haze” hands off to “Hey Joe”, the… Continue reading →