News

VIDEO: Billboard Premieres John Pizzarelli’s Celebration of Sinatra and Jobim in ‘Baubles, Bangles and Beads’

Judy Cantor-Navas for BILLBOARD:

“In one of the classiest acts in musical history, Frank Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim came together to record the 1967 album Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim. Fifty years later, John Pizzarelli is celebrating that summit of romance and swing with his upcoming album, Sinatra & Jobim @ 50.

Daniel Jobim, the grandson of the great Brazilian bossa nova composer, joins Pizzarelli in duet on this summer night’s dream of an album.

Sinatra & Jobim @ 50 is due July 28 on Concord Jazz. Pizzarelli and his band have already started a summer tour. The prolific guitarist and singer, who has toasted both Sinatra and Jobim on previous albums, is already on a North American tour that will have the band playing on starry nights through September, with Jobim, Brazilian drummer Duduka Fonseca and pianist Helio Alves as featured guests.

Today, exclusively on Billboard, watch Pizzarelli and his line-up of black-tie musicians perform the bossa version of ‘Baubles, Bangles and Beads.'”

Check out the video below!

John Pizzarelli on TKA

VIDEO: The Dustbowl Revival Preview New Album with “Honey I Love You – feat. Keb’ Mo”

 

 

On June 16th,  The Dustbowl Revival will release their new, self-titled album and we are thrilled to showcase the music video for the first single, “Honey I Love You” which features the expert stylings of Keb’ Mo. Discussing the recording process, Liz Beebe (lead singer, ukulele, washboard) had this to say:

 

 

“Honey I Love You’ took a new shape when we were in the studio rehearsing for this album. In working with Ted Hutt (our producer), we changed the groove and made it a lot more soulful, both in feel and execution. The change took my performance of the track to another level, allowing me to present a deeper emotional response. Zach’s an exceptional songwriter and the song has always been great to sing, but the band’s collaboration on the track really kicked it up a notch for me. Between Keb’ Mo’s guitar playing on this track and the changes we made internally, it makes it an exciting introduction to our new album!”

Check out the music video below!

The Dustbowl Revival on TKA

 

IN MEMORIUM: James Cotton, 81

TKA is saddened to recognize the passing of our friend and client James “Mr. Superharp” Cotton, world renowned harmonica player and iconic bluesman. Throughout his career, Cotton regaled the blues world with his powerful mastery of the harmonica, the dynamic energy of his live performances, and his distinguished presence as a commanding band leader. He collaborated with such luminaries as Muddy Waters, Steve Miller, and Dr. John, and shared the stage with the likes of Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, and B.B. King. As NPR says, “Conjure up a list of all-time great blues harmonica players, and high up on it you’ll see the name James Cotton.”

Cotton passed away on March 16, 2017 in Austin, TX. Cotton is survived by his wife Jacklyn Hairston Cotton, daughters Teresa Hampton of Seattle, Washington and Marshall Ann Cotton of Peoria, Illinois and son James Patrick Cotton of Chicago, Illinois, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A statement from Jacklyn Cotton can be found below.

Statement from Jacklyn Cotton, James Cotton’s wife:

“Dear Friends and Fans of James Cotton,

Many of you have been contacting me about when James’ funeral is to be held. We are still in the process of making the arrangements. I’ll let you know as soon as the date is firm. Thank you for your kindness and your notes of sympathy. Cotton loved you all. The outpouring of condolences affirms that you all loved him too.

Jacklyn Cotton”

 

FEATURE: Christian Sands Reaches For The Past With “Gangstalude”

Sharonne Cohen for NOISEY –

At only 27, New York-based jazz pianist & composer Christian Sands is already a five-time Grammy® Award nominee . On April 12th he releases REACH, his debut for Mack Avenue Records, drawing from the past while looking to the future. With a range of styles and a distinct mix of influences from Afro-Cuban rhythms to hip-hop beats, Sands says the album is “really all about finding myself.” Raised in New Haven, Connecticut, Sands found himself drawn to music at a very early age.

 

His mother listened to everything from gospel to country to Ray Charles, his father explored jazz. Tackling the piano at four, he composed his first piece of music at five and was playing professionally by the age of ten. Attending prestigious New Haven art schools, Sands went on to earn Bachelor of Arts and Masters degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, where he received his first Grammy® nomination (Best Latin Piano Solo) for Kenya Revisited.

While still in high school, Sands met legendary jazz pianist, composer, and educator Dr. Billy Taylor (1921-2010) and became his protégé, while listening to the Roots, A Tribe Called Quest, John Legend, Outkast and Nas. At 20, he caught the attention of renowned jazz bassist Christian McBride, who asked Sands to sit in with his band at New York’s famed Village Vanguard; this performance led to a permanent spot in McBride’s Inside Straight Trio. Sands went on to share the stage with giants such as Wynton Marsalis, Diane Reeves, Shelia E, and Randy Brecker, playing festivals and venues around the world. Both Marsalis and Vanity Fair named him a rising jazz star.

REACH features a potent core trio with bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Marcus Baylor, and guest appearances by Gilad Hekselman (guitar), Marcus Strickland (tenor saxophone and bass clarinet), and Cristian Rivera (percussion). McBride, who co-produced the album, makes a cameo at the end of Bill Withers’ 1972 soul classic “Use Me” (one of two covers; all other tracks are Sands originals). Sands is skilled, soulful and melodic throughout, his energy and spirit altering with each tune.

Read the full article and interview at Noisey

Christian Sands on TKA

VIDEO: Red Baraat Returns to NPR’s Tiny Desk!

 

 

 

This week, Red Baraat returned to the Tiny Desk Concert series to perform for the NPR office in celebration of Holi, the Hindu festival of color.

 

Here’s what Bob Boilen had to say:

“Red Baraat’s fusion of bhangra, go-go, hip-hop and jazz is driven by frontman Sunny Jain’s percolating playing of the dhol, a double-sided drum which forms the rhythmic lattice of support for their boisterous horns and guitar. And though Red Baraat graced the Tiny Desk five years ago, we had to have Jain’s band back to celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of color, of good over evil, and the coming of spring…their uplifting spirits lingered on, giving us a chance to shake off the final days of winter and demonstrating why music is so essential to the soul.”

Check out the performance at NPR Music

Red Baraat on TKA 

TOUR: Squirrel Nut Zippers and Ozomatli Team Up for the United Together Tour

Gary Graff for BILLBOARD –

Squirrel Nut Zippers and Ozomatli will be uniting to rage against the machine, in their own distinctive ways, when they hit the road together this spring.

 

 

 

The two groups will play six United Together Tour dates starting March 28 in Tucson, Ariz., with more shows to be announced. They figure that the example of an idiosyncratic Americana group from Mississippi joining forces with an outspoken troupe of Latin American descent from Los Angeles will be a blow against the separatist agenda they feel is being forwarded by President Donald Trump and his administration.

“The conversation about this started in the political season leading up to the election, so I think that’ll play a big part in this,” SNZ frontman and leader Jimbo Mathus tells Billboard. “The Zippers love satire, black humor, parody. Ozo’s been more straightforward in their political thing, but I can almost certainly say that we stand politically together and socially together in bringing people together, bringing cultures together and hopefully spreading a positive energy and positive energy of unity, togetherness, music and joy. I think we can do something really positive, and really fun, and we just have to activate that creative force and then see how the audience responds to our combined message.”

Ozomatli’s Poree adds that, “We definitely come from two different worlds, but what we’ve always tried to do through music is bring people together. I’m sure (SNZ) are trying to do the same thing. I think putting us together really makes a statement.”

Take a look at the first set of United Together Tour dates below.

Mar. 28 — Tucson, AZ @ The Rialto Theatre
Mar. 29 — Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
Mar. 30 — Las Vegas, NV @ House Of Blues
Apr. 19 — Ridgefield, CT @ Ridgefield Playhouse
Apr. 20 — Concord, NH @ Capitol Center For The Arts
Apr. 21 — Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel

Read the full article at Billboard

Squirrel Nut Zippers on TKA

LIVE: Melissa Aldana & Ravi Coltrane on Billboard’s 7 Must-See Performances at 2017’s Winter Jazzfest

 

 

Billboard has included Melissa Aldana & Ravi Coltrane on their list of must-see performances for 2017’s Winter Jazz Fest in New York City!

 

Natalie Weiner for Billboard writes: “Aldana proves that there’s no reason swing needs to sound vintage, offering original compositions and standards that show her distinctive melodic sensibilities just as clearly as they do her ability to straight-up shred. The Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition winner (the first woman to receive that award) will be joined by a sextet — she typically performs with a trio — so there’s a chance she’ll be testing out some new material.”

On Coltrane, Weiner writes: “One of jazz’s most reliable and compelling soloists, Coltrane (yes, as in John’s son) will offer a rare duo performance with pianist David Virelles — one-offs like this are a major part of what makes the festival so special. Also, it’s a taste of what Grammy voters were considering when they nominated Coltrane for a 2017 best improvised jazz solo award.”

If you are in New York this weekend, catch Melissa Aldana playing the New School 12th Street Auditorium at 9:20 PM on 1/6/17 and Ravi Coltrane with David Virelles at the New School Tishman Auditorium at 8:40 PM on 1/7/17.

Find the rest of the list at Billboard

Melissa Aldana on TKA

Ravi Coltrane on TKA

KUDOS: TKA Artists in The New York City Jazz Record’s Best of 2016 Lists

 

 

We are proud to recognize TKA artists who have been included in The New York City Jazz Record‘s Best of 2016 lists. Please find the winners below.

 

 

2016 Best Vocal Releases

Catherine Russell
Harlem on My Mind

Best Concerts of the Year

Charles Lloyd & The Marvels
The Appel Room, January 30th

Sangam with Charles Lloyd, Zakir Hussain, Eric Harland
Town Hall, June 11th

Chick Corea / John McLaughlin
Blue Note, December 7th

(1/3/17)

Find the full lists at The New York City Jazz Record

ALBUM RELEASE: Joey DeFrancesco Readies “Project Freedom” for 2017 Release

Sean Dennis for JAZZTIMES –

Organist Joey DeFrancesco’s upcoming release on Mack Avenue Records, Project Freedom, is his first in a quartet setting and features his stellar work on the Hammond B-3—plus contributions on trumpet and as a vocalist.

Accompanying DeFrancesco on this genre-jumping album are drummer Jason Brown, guitarist Dan Wilson and saxophonist Troy Roberts—collectively billed as the People—who comprise his new touring band for 2017.

Inspired by his experiences playing for audiences around the globe, DeFrancesco explores themes of peace and spirituality on self-penned compositions “Karma,” “The Unifier” and “Peace Bridge,” in addition to covers including “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “So Near, So Far.”

In a press release, DeFrancesco notes, “I always thought that as touring musicians, we were spreading peace. No matter what happens in the world, we keep playing. In a lot of the so-called forbidden places too. When we’re there, through war and conflict, problems melt away through music. We’re playing for these people, hanging out with them, and we all come together and we’re grooving with each other because of the music. That is true freedom. Music is true freedom.”

Project Freedom will be available March 2017. For more information, visit the official websites of Joey DeFrancesco and Mack Avenue Records.

2017 Tour Dates

Jan. 12: Scullers Jazz Club, Boston, MA
Jan. 13–14: Chris’ Jazz Café, Philadelphia, PA
Jan. 17–21: Birdland, New York City, NY
March 17–18: Catalina Jazz Club, Los Angeles, CA
March 19: The Nash, Phoenix, AZ
March 21–22: DazzleJazz, Denver, CO
March 29: Savannah Music Festival, Savannah, GA
March 30–31: The Velvet Note, Atlanta, GA
April 1: The Tin Pan, Richmond, VA

Read more at JazzTimes

Joey DeFrancesco on TKA