What a difference an “e” makes, especially in jazz. Remove the last one from Elliot Levine’s name and you get Elliot Levin, a free jazztenor saxophone and poet from hell with whom Levine is frequently confused. Even with the “e” back in place, this talented keyboardist and composer from the Baltimore/Washington area sometimes gets calls inquiring about hiring a Hebrew cantor. Levine just directs these to the proper place, the New York cantor, choir director and composer Ellliot Levine, and then goes back about his business of getting funky.

Levine’s background includes plenty of that, including an especially noteworthy stint… Continue reading →

Having traversed the world in search of intriguing sounds from virtually every corner of the globe with his beloved Spanish guitar en tow, Lawson Rollins has come full circle on his aptly titled fourth solo album, “Full Circle,” which will be released July 16th by his Infinita Records.

Adopting a “less can be more” philosophy on the twelve new songs that he composed allows the focus to be on Rollins’ captivating melodies and dexterous fretwork that unfold over worldbeat rhythms and multicultural instrumentation. Radio listeners will be introduced to the collection Rollins produced with multi-platinum producer Dominic Camardella (Ottmar Liebert,… Continue reading →

Snappy Too is the sequel to James Morrison’s recording of twenty years ago titled Snappy Doo and features Morrison playing four trumpets, four trombones, five saxophones, flugel horn, bass-trumpet and piano! Now that’s what you’d normally call a “one-man-big-band” but Morrision partnered with drummer Jeff Hamilton for this very large over-dubbing project.

The result is stellar and you’re going to be amazed at the professional sound that engineer Tod Deeley has given this recording by putting down one instrument at a time. This creative odyssey features James playing such great songs as “All Of Me,” on solo trumpet, “Up… Continue reading →

Wing Sing is the follow- up to the highly successful Grammy Nominated Jazz Album Heaven Bound. Wing Sing is a wonderful change to the Smooth Jazz and R&B sound. Once again Lyn shows off his stylized lyrical piano technique with some beautiful original melodies.

Vincent Lyn (piano, keyboards) Curtis Long (bass) Gil Hawkins Jr. (drums) Urbano Sanchez, Jr. (percussion) John Gerardi (guitar) Michelle Bradshaw (background vocals)

Red Sun (feat. Gil Hawkins, Urbano Sanchez & Curtis Long) 3:48 Walk On By (feat. Michelle Bradshaw) 4:08 Don’t Say Goodbye (feat. Michelle Bradshaw) 5:59 Cote D’azur (feat. Gil Hawkins, Urbano Sanchez & Curtis… Continue reading →

NEXT Collective is an exciting ensemble of experienced jazz artists. The collective includes alto saxophonist Logan Richardson, tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III, guitarist Matthew Stevens, keyboardists Gerald Clayton and Kris Bowers, bassist Ben Williams, drummer Jamire Williams, trumpeter Christian Scott and producer Chris Dunn.Cover Art is their debut recording for Concord Music Group.

The record was concieved by Concord Senior Director of A&R, producer Chris Dunn as a vehicle to feature these musicians on a project of covers from their generation. Each member of the collective chose to interpret and arrange songs by Jay Z and… Continue reading →

Benji’s 2nd creative endeavor, a solo album of guitar music inspired by many great composers from Brazil and around the world. All titles are original compositions comprised of. choros, sambas, Baiaoes, Waltzes and other styles of his own making. 1. In Memory of Luke (4:33)- I began writing this piece very spontaneously in November of 2010 not knowing it was the foreshadowing of a very unfortunate event that took place: a dear friend of mine had committed suicide, I had found out a few days into the composition process and it was then that it dawned on me that this… Continue reading →

Pianist Sunnie Paxson gives a stellar performance on her latest CD titled Bohemian Sun. The recording features her performing in a variety of formats (from solo to septet) accompanied by an array of highly talented musicians. Among them is the multiple GRAMMY Award-winning executive producer/bassist/composer Stanley Clarke who also signed Ms. Paxson to his Roxboro Entertainment label. Ronald Bruner, Jr. plays drums, while such respected musicians as percussionist Munyungo Jackson, drummer Michael White, vocalist Rod Maurice and a four-member string quartet make guest appearances on selected tracks.  Ms. Paxson wrote 7 of the 13 compositions on the… Continue reading →

Still on the shy side of 30, Ulysses Owens Jr. has garnered an international reputation as drummer of choice for Christian McBride, Nicholas Payton, and Kurt Elling, three very different personalities who are very particular in what they want to hear from the kit.

On his Criss Cross leader debut, Owens Jr. convenes Christian McBride and Nicholas Payton, as well as pianist Christian Sands(even more visible for his work in McBride’s trio), rising star alto saxophonist Jaleel Shaw (Roy Haynes’ main sax voice for the last five years), and trombonist Mike Dease.

The leader finds fresh approaches to various flavors… Continue reading →