Studio City, CA – Lightyear Entertainment announces that it will release a commemorative double vinyl of beloved artist Grover Washington, Jr. on Black Friday for Record Store Day.
This release marks 20 years since the passing of the immensely popular artist who was largely responsible for creating a bridge between jazz and R&B.
Grover was well loved by his fans but also by the many musicians who worked with him over the years. He was a contemporary jazz artist whose music topped the “Smooth Jazz” charts, but his sound was funky, and his music was respected in all jazz and R&B circles. His live performances and worldwide success prove that he was a timeless gem of an artist who entertained his audiences with a powerhouse band of some of the best players in the business.
This superb live recording – cut in June 1997 at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Peekskill, upstate New York – captures the essence of Grover’s greatness. With a coterie of ‘A’ class musicians in support, the legendary sax man’s work on this album demonstrates why he was not only a leader in his field but a pioneer capable of blending the subtleties of jazz with the funk and sweat of soul music.
In addition to Grover himself on tenor, soprano, alto, and baritone sax, the album features Donald Robinson on keyboards, Gerald Veasley on bass, Richard Lee Steacker on guitars, Steven Wolf on drums, and Pablo Batista on congas and percussion. It was produced by Grammy winner Jason Miles, and Executive Produced by Christine Washington, Jason Miles and Tim Ryan.
“We released a CD of these recordings in 2010, which has sold well for 10 years,” said Lightyear President Arnie Holland. “But when Grover’s family suggested we do a vinyl, we were thrilled to do it. The album was lovingly remastered for vinyl by Peter Humphreys at Masterwork, and lacquers cut by Joe Nino-Hernes at Sterling Sound. The result sounds amazing and feels like you are at the show.”
The Double Vinyl with download card is in a gatefold jacket with satin coating and metallic gold highlights. The vinyl itself is 180 Grams audiophile quality and gold metallic opaque colored vinyl was utilized, to match the gold on the cover of the album.
The album will be released on November 27 to Record Store Day retailers on an exclusive basis for 90 days, after which it will be available generally.
Mister Magic" was the successful single and title track from the fifth album of one of jazz music's more well-known figures. Grover Washington, Jr. (December 12, 1943 -- December 17, 1999) was an American jazz-funk / soul-jazz saxophonist.
Along with George Benson, John Klemmer, David Sanborn, Bob James, Chuck Mangione, Herb Alpert, and Spyro Gyra, he is considered by many to be one of the founders of the smooth jazz genre. He wrote some of his material and later became an arranger and producer.
Washington was born in Buffalo, New York on December 12, 1943. His mother was a church chorister, and his father was a collector of old jazz gramophone records and a saxophonist as well, so music was everywhere in the home. He grew up with the great jazzmen and big band leaders like Benny Goodman, Fletcher Henderson, and others like them.
At the age of 8, with the desire for him to be more than he could be, Grover Sr. gave Jr. a saxophone. He practiced and would sneak into clubs to see famous Buffalo blues musicians. Washington left Buffalo and played with a Midwest group called the Four Clefs. He was drafted into the U.S. Army shortly thereafter, but this was to be to his advantage, as he met drummer Billy Cobham there.
Cobham, a mainstay in New York City, introduced Washington to many New York musicians. After leaving the Army, Washington freelanced his talents around New York City, eventually landing in Philadelphia in 1967. In 1970 and 1971, he appeared on Leon Spencer's first two albums on Prestige Records, together with Idris Muhammad and Melvin Sparks. Washington's big break came at the expense of another artist.
Yesterday, Grammy-Winning Saxophonist David Sánchez released his new album Carib via Ropeadope / Stretch Music. Sánchez is celebrating the album's release this weekend with performances at Jazz Standard in New York on June 7th, 8th & 9th.
WBGO's Nate Chinen recently praised Sanchez's song "Morning Mist" as a "thrilling overture," and described it as "Beginning with an unaccompanied tenor line that sets the groove, it’s a composition built on folkloric polyrhythm but suffused with silvery modern harmonies."
Carib is released via Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah's Stretch Music label (an imprint of Ropeadope). Adjuah says of the album:
"Carib finds David at the height of his powers. Its no question whether he is one of the preeminent saxophonists of the last few decades, that's a given. He's as killer as anyone who has ever touched the horn. This document, however, speaks to me as a testament to the prowess of his compositional voice, to his mastery of the interplay and relationships found in creative improvised music's vernacular and rhythmic spaces."
Featuring original compositions inspired by melodies and rhythms coming from the Afro Puerto Rican and Haitian tradition, Carib both reflects Sánchez's musical heritage as well as his commitment to humanitarian and economic justice efforts in the region. "I believe some of the greatest contributions to contemporary music and culture have come from the African diaspora throughout the Americas," writes Sánchez.
"Unfortunately, there seems to be too little awareness of their influence, especially the vital stories told by the music. So, I wanted to approach this album as a means to pay tribute to all Afro-descendent communities who have helped define my music and the culture’s broad-ranging beauty and idiosyncrasies.
Sánchez also seeks to honor his family who played a pivotal role in his life and artistic development. "This album is in memory of my Father, Dimas and especially, my late wife Karla," he writes. "After a great deal of research and listening to Haitian music, Karla encouraged and helped me take a trip to Haiti. It was an incredible and intense experience, seeing the everyday people's struggles"
Sánchez's unique musical sensibility can be traced to his home, Puerto Rico, where he began playing percussion and drums at age 8. He migrated to tenor saxophone a few years later. While a scholar at the prestigious La Escuela Libre de Música in San Juan, he took up the flute, clarinet as well as soprano saxophone with teachers Angel Marrero and Leslie López.
The Bomba and Plena rhythms of his homeland, along with Cuban, Caribbean and Brazilian traditions, were among the biggest influence on Sanchez's early taste in music.
But soon jazz masters such as Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, and John Coltrane would command his ear and his imagination. Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Wayne Shorter, and Joe Henderson all have been also major influences.
David Sánchez is also "Maestro Sánchez" to students at the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico. After a decade of teaching, he has proven to be a compelling presence with students and is in demand for workshops and master classes in Puerto Rico and beyond. In 2017 he helped form a new program at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, The RJAM (Roots, Jazz, and American Music).
In addition to his collaboration with the Conservatory of Puerto Rico and The Conservatory of San Francisco, Sánchez has taught master classes in Brazil, at the Peabody Conservatory, Manhattan School of Music, Indiana University's School of Music, Stanford University, University of Memphis, Emory University Berklee Global Institute and completed a year-long residency at Georgia State University.
Two pieces songs from Carib, "Canto" and "Fernando's Theme", are featured in the soundtrack of the film Windows on The World by Robert Mailer Anderson. The film includes performances by Ryan Guzman and Edward James Olmos, and made its premiere in February 2019 at the Sedona Film Festival.
Jann Klose To Release New Single “Love High” In Support Of New Album “In Tandem”
New album features duet with Renaissance vocal legend Annie Haslam!
Award-winning pop singer-songwriter Jann Klose will be releasing the second single titled “Love High” from his latest album “In Tandem” on September 28, 2018! A video of the song is currently being filmed and plans for its premiere in NYC on October 14th at The Cutting Room are currently underway. The song Features top South American musicians: Sakhile Nkosi (AKA) on bass, Ezra Erasmus (Idols SA, John Legend) on keys, Leagan Breda (Lira, Trevor Noah) on drums and Raymond Green (Idols SA) on featured electric guitar. Produced by RJ Benjamin and mixed my Rici Martins (aka SEVVEN) and mastered in Nashville by Ben Kesler.
Says Jann, “'Love High' is about that moment in a relationship where you realize the physical aspect will most likely outweigh the emotional! You reach a point in the relationship where you have to let go because it can only go so far...”
To purchase Jann Klose's “Love High” single click here
Jann Klose is elated to have his brand-new studio album “In Tandem” released worldwide. Fans can download and stream the album, which features a selection of top South African artists such as Karen Zoid and Tamara Dey, on their favorite digital platform. “In Tandem” also features a duet between Jann and legendary Renaissance vocalist Annie Haslam on a cover version of Peter Gabriel's “Don't Give Up,” which has also been released as a single.
The wait is finally over after almost a year's worth of work going into the writing and recording of the album, and Jann is ready for people to hear all the songs on “In Tandem”! “I am so excited to release 'In Tandem' to the world!
Making this album has been the most beautiful creative experience of my life and career thus far. Working with all these great guest artists from three continents has opened my mind in ways I never expected. I think this is my most honest work to date and I hope everyone enjoys listening to it as much as we did making it.”
Jann spent time in SA last year recording his 6th studio album in partnership with the Academy of Sound Engineering, in addition to lending his time and supporting the work of Desmond Tutu's TutuDesk foundation.
The album features a selection of SA's finest with RJ Benjamin as producer, songwriting contributions from James Stewart (The Usual), Ziyon (Liquideep), Karen Zoid (who also features on the song she co-wrote), and collab feature from Tamara Dey.
There’s never been a better time to experience CHICAGO, Broadway’s razzle-dazzle smash. This triumphant hit musical is the recipient of six Tony Awards®, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy®, thousands of standing ovations and now the #1 longest-running American Musical in Broadway history
CHICAGO has everything that makes Broadway great: a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz; one show-stopping song after another; and the most astonishing dancing you've ever seen. It’s no surprise that CHICAGO has wowed audiences from Mexico City to Moscow, from Sao Paulo to South Africa. And now it’s coming to your town!
Whether you're looking for your first Broadway musical, whether you've seen the Academy Award®-winning film and want to experience the show live on stage or whether you've seen it before and want to recapture the magic, CHICAGO always delivers!
Soft Machine Announce New Album Hidden Details & World Tour Dates, with First North American Dates Since 1974!
NYC - In support of their forthcoming new album, British music legends Soft Machine will embark on their first North American tour since 1974 in October 2018, followed by the second North-American leg of the tour in January/February 2019. In concert, their set list will include material from all parts of the band's repertoire from 1970 onwards, but this is emphatically not a nostalgia act resting on its laurels.
Last weekend Soft Machine played their first two shows in North America since 1974 (it was in 1974 they toured USA and Canada during the Bundles/Allan Holdsworth era). Both shows, at the Montreal Jazz Festival and Quebec City, were exceptionally well received by the enthusiastic audience and local press.
Hidden Details is a new studio album of Soft Machine, recorded at the late great Jon Hiseman's Temple Studio in Surrey, England, last December 2017, and it will be released in September 2018 on MoonJune Records (North America; on CD and HD Download), on John Etheridge's Dyan Records (UK/Europe on CD, and iTunes), and on Vivid Records (Japan), exactly 50 years since the release of the band's 1968 debut album The Soft Machine. Limited and highly collectible vinyl edition of only 200 coloured vinyl (orange, blue and tour edition orange & blue marbled) will be released on the Dutch label Tonefloat, on September 8, 2018.
“'Hidden Details' is very much the product of an active, contemporary sounding outfit striking out with its own agenda. Though informed by the past, the music here is neither weighed down nor beholden to it. Animated with the same ineffable and inquisitive spirit that has always made this group throughout its fifty years such a compelling experience, it’' good to have a new Soft Machine with us in 2018.
The yearning tenderness of 'Heart Off Guard' and the come-down reveries of 'Broken Hill' and 'Drifting White' showcase the more intimate aspects of Soft Machine's personality while in contrast, 'One Glove' gives the more pugilistic side of John Etheridge's playing an outing.
The terse angularities of the title track and 'Life on Bridges' highlight a fearless disposition, as does the buzzsaw interplay heard during 'Ground Lift' and 'Flight of the Jett,' both featuring Roy Babbington's decisive interventions. The surging lyricism of 'Fourteen Hour Dream' flirts with an almost popish sensibility, underscoring the sense that this is a quartet that is fundamentally at ease with itself.
The return of what some older fans of the band have called 'cosmic tinkles’'– the appearance of layers of cyclical electric piano motifs – is especially welcome. Their brief manifestation on 'The Man Who Waved at Trains' and Third-era, 'Out-Bloody-Rageous,' both stone-cold Mike Ratledge-composed classics, adds an extra spacey dimension to the overall sound.
Travis' use of looping technology with his flutes creates its own beguiling world and can be heard to powerful effect on the beautiful and enigmatic 'Breathe,' where his hovering notes are underpinned by Marshall's oblique yet atmospheric percussion.” - Sid Smith
Soft Machine:
JOHN ETHERIDGE - guitar
THEO TRAVIS - sax, flute, Fender Rhodes
ROY BABBINGTON - bass guitar
JOHN MARSHALL - drums
with special guest GARY HUSBAND drums on selected dates
2018 North American East Tour Dates:
October 6 - Orion Studios - Baltimore, MD, USA [John Marshall on drums]
October 7 - Theater Of Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA, USA
October 9 - Roxy's & Duke - Dunellen, NJ, USA
October 10 - Darryl's House - Pawling, NY, USA
October 12 - 14The Iridium - NYC, NY, USA
October 16 - Mod's Club - Toronto, ON, Canada [Gary Husband on drums]
October 17 - The Tralf - Buffalo, NY, USA [Gary Husband on drums]
October 18 - Beachland Music Hall - Cleveland, OH, USA [Gary Husband on drums]
October 19 - The Irving Theater - Indianapolis, IN, USA [Gary Husband on drums]
October 21 - Progtober Festival - Reggie's - Chicago, IL, USA [Gary Husband on drums]
October 22 - Shank Hall - Milwaukee, WI, USA [Gary Husband on drums]
Soft Machine is a legend and an institution of British music, a band who included Robert Wyatt, Daevid Allen, Mike Ratledge, Kevin Ayers, Andy Summers (later of The Police), Hugh Hopper, Elton Dean, Roy Babbington, John Marshall, Karl Jenkins, Allan Holdsworth, John Etheridge, Percy Jones, Rick Sanders, Dave McRae and Jack Bruce among others (Jimi Hendrix briefly jammed with the band in 1968!).
Since its creation in 1966, this band pioneered Psychedelic and Progressive Rock, led the 'Canterbury' trend, pioneered jazz-rock, and then guitar-led fusion (launching the guitar god Allan Holdsworth in 1974), influenced generations of musicians. Disbanded in 1978, recreated in few occasions in 1981 and 1984, the band resurfaces in 1999 under the name of Soft Ware.
Much was said about this band with a very complex intriguing history of constant personal changes during the 1966-1978 period. The band resurrected in 1999 under the name of Soft Ware, then as Soft Works 2002-2004 and Soft Machine Legacy 2004-2015. In December 2015, it was confirmed that the band had dropped the “Legacy” tag from their name, as the band featured three of the group's 1970s era members – guitarist John Etheridge, drummer John Marshall and bassist Roy Babbington (from the seminal 1976's album Softs), in addition to flute and sax player Theo Travis – returning to the original name from 2015, and performing numerous concerts all around Europe, South America and Japan.
LOS ANGELES – AUGUST 4, 2017 – In celebration of the late, great Louis Armstrong’s 116th birthday today, Verve Records/UMe have released the digital collection, The Complete Decca Singles 1935-1946.
Bringing together every single and B-side Pops released during his first decade on Decca Records. Totaling 136 tracks – with many available digitally for the first time – the comprehensive collection is now on all digital retailers and streaming services just as the annual music extravaganza Satchmo SummerFest gets underway in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter for three days and nights of contemporary and traditional jazz in honor of the legendary trumpet player and singer.
The Complete Decca Singles 1935-1946 is available here:
A prequel to The Complete Decca Singles 1949-1958 issued at the end of 2016, the new collection is comprised of six digital volumes with the tracks (A-side/B-side) in chronological order by original release date. Representing an overview of Armstrong’s highly prolific period recording for Decca Records, The Complete Decca Singles illuminates a time when Satchmo was developing a clear vocal and scatting style and and his trumpet playing was second to none.
Of note, three-quarters of this collection has been properly pitch-corrected for the first time ever, a cause for joy for practicing trumpet players (and singers) all over the world.
Upon signing to the recently formed U.S. Decca label in 1935, Armstrong quickly scored a hit with “I’m in the Mood for Love” and it’s that song that appropriately begins the sprawling set. Many of his other hits are represented throughout including, “When The Saints Go Marching In,” “Public Melody Number One,” “Swing That Music,” and “Struttin’ With Some Barbecue,” as well as several notable collaborations like Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald’s first-ever duets, “You Won't Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart)” and “The Frim Fram Sauce,” and his duet with Bing Crosby, “Pennies From Heaven,” the title track of the 1936 film they starred in together.
During this fertile decade, Armstrong recorded in a wide variety of settings, including big bands, small ensembles and pairings with the likes of Jimmy Dorsey and the Mills Brothers, and the material here encapsulates this creative wanderlust and evolution. The songs range from early jazz, big band swing, ragtime and Dixieland, to the novelty Polynesian sounds of the day and even spoken word. Regardless of genre, it’s Armstrong’s remarkable trumpet playing and trademark gravelly tenor that are always front and center, making these songs unmistakably the work of the one and only, Louis Armstrong.
Louis Armstrong - The Complete Decca Singles 1935-1946
Chick Corea first laid eyes on New York’s Greenwich Village in 1959, fresh from high school, with a head full of music that only he could have imagined. With this new release The Musician, recorded in the epicenter of Chick’s original NYC haunts and more than 50 years later, Corea finally brings all that music together at once.
The new live 3-CD and Blu-ray set captures Corea’s 70th birthday celebration at the famed Blue Note Jazz Club in 2011, where he assembled a staggering lineup of musical friends and fellow-travelers – among them Herbie Hancock, Bobby McFerrin, Wynton Marsalis, John McLaughlin and Stanley Clarke – for a month-long residency featuring 10 different bands, including triumphal sets by his own Chick Corea Elektric Band and Return to Forever.
All of it is captured brilliantly in the first feature-length documentary on Corea’s life, music and genius musical partners. The film takes you inside the heads and “hangs” of some of the greatest artists of our time – backstage and personal – and the CDs capture almost four hours of live recordings of every band.
The deluxe hardcover edition, including the film on Blu-ray, in addition to the 3 CDs, an essay by Robin D. G. Kelley and exclusive photos, will be available from Concord Jazz on April 21, 2017, as well as a 3-CD edition. A 3-LP edition on 180-gram vinyl is planned for June 2.
The CDs capture the music with Corea’s characteristic thrilling live sound, and the documentary goes even further: with total access to Chick’s creative process, the film features live footage, but also rehearsals, backstage hangs and candid interviews with the musicians.
Everything that goes into making music at this level – the hours of practice, rehearsals, gear moving in and out – is in full view.
The Musician shows Corea welcoming his 70th year with friends and thousands of fans. Now, five years later, he shows no sign of slowing down. He continues to look forward to more tours, more gigs, and more sessions.
Looking back on the month-long celebration that is now remembered on The Musician, Corea calls it motivation “to keep on experimenting and researching and putting new bands together and playing music. It’s that simple.”
After 60 years, Erroll Garner is now being recognized as not only a pioneer within the jazz community but an important composer whose brilliance influenced music history.
Iconic Jazz artist Erroll Garner's greatest concert album was already one of the best selling jazz albums of all time. The newly expanded album, The Complete Concert By The Sea, released jointly by Sony Legacy and Octave Music Publishing Corporation on September 18, 2015 - in celebration of the concert's 60th anniversary, debuts at #1 on Billboard's Jazz chart and #93 on the Top 20.
The set contains the complete live concert recording including 11 previously unreleased tracks, the original edited Columbia release from 1956 (digitally restored and remastered at The Magic Shop, NYC using the Plangent Process) and bonus material including announcer Jimmy Lyons and interviews with the Erroll Garner trio: Denzil DaCosta Best, Eddie Calhoun, and Garner himself, recorded directly after the concert.
The complete live concert recording – newly uncovered by the Erroll Garner Jazz Project and digitally remastered in its entirety after six decades – is produced by Guggenheim® Award-winning jazz pianist and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Pittsburgh Geri Allen and 4-time GRAMMY®Award-winning producer Steve Rosenthal.
Guitar Virtuoso Scott Henderson To Release Instrumental Album For Guitar Trio “Vibe Station” on May 1, 2015!
“Henderson's guitar soars high, sometimes tender. Sophisticated, technical and soulful, his playing bristles with intelligence, never crossing the line into excess.”
Los Angeles, CA – Guitar virtuoso Scott Henderson has finished his new album “Vibe Station”, the most ambitious project of his career! The highly anticipated instrumental album for guitar trio will be released on May 1, 2015.
Says Scott, “I'm really excited about this record because our trio has been touring a lot and that energy came through on all the performances. The music is still blues-based, but also has a lot of harmonic content. The big change is no vocals, which challenged me as a guitarist to write material which can be played in a vocal way on the guitar, while incorporating my own chord-melody style. I think fans will enjoy the scope of this record because it has elements of blues, rock, jazz and funk. There's something for everyone here.”
Scott also said that the majority of the songs are layered with multi guitar tracks, utilizing many different guitars, pedals, amps and speaker combinations, making it the most textural and versatile sounding album he's ever done. Travis Carlton on bass and Alan Hertz on drums make this project and live show very much groove-based.
Says Scott, “I need to see people moving in their seats. I'm not interested on putting on an intellectual show for musicians only. I don't believe I need to dumb down the music to appeal to people who aren't musicians, because when Travis and Alan play together, the groove is going to attack you whether you're a musician or not”.
Scott Henderson's impressive work over the years as co-leader of the group TRIBAL TECH, leader of his own ground breaking trio, and sideman to some of the best jazz artists of their generation, including the great Joe Zawinul, has elevated him to the front ranks of both Jazz and Blues. Besides being a world class player and premier composer, Scott's trademark is his beautiful tone and striking ability to blend Blues, Rock, Funk, and Jazz, creating a soulful and unique voice on the guitar.
Expect to hear Scott on the top of his game on his April 2015 Europe tour.
Audio Fidelity To Release Jazz Legend Grover Washington, Jr.'s Double-Grammy Award Winning Album “Winelight” on 5.1 Hybrid SACD
“Among the most beautiful jazz albums ever made.. from one of the smooth jazz pioneers!”
Camarillo, CA – Jazz aficionados and high end audio enthusiasts alike are excited about the forthcoming release of jazz legend Grover Washington, Jr.'s “Winelight” album on 5.1 Hybrid SACD from Audio Fidelity in association with ETrain Records. With “Winelight”, Grover Washington, Jr. produced a magical collection of jazz and soul with a touch of pop. He set the standard for the smooth jazz genre - the band is tight, the solos terrific and the arrangements understated and tasteful. The 1980 double-Grammy award winning album was Washington's most successful album and remains one of the smooth jazz masterpieces.
Top to bottom “Winelight” is superb, masterfully recorded and perhaps best-known for the hit “Just the Two of Us” sung by Bill Withers, but it is the five instrumental tracks that find Grover Washington, Jr. (on soprano, alto, and tenor) really stretching out. He was joined by percussionist (and producer) Ralph MacDonald and also the incomparable Steve Gadd (drums) and Eric Gale (guitar).
Grover Washington, Jr., had long been one of the leaders in what could be called rhythm & jazz, essentially R&B-influenced jazz. The music world lost a great musician when the late Grover Washington Jr. passed away in 1999. Fortunately, he left so many classic albums to cherish and “Winelight” is one of those time-honored works that must be included in any worthy music collection.
Tracks:
Winelight
Let It Flow (For “Dr. J”)
In the Name of Love
Take Me There
Just the Two of Us
Make Me a Memory (Sad Samba)
Album and Surround Sound Remix Produced by Ralph MacDonald
Surround Sound Remix Engineered & Mixed by Elliot Scheiner
Stereo mix mastered for this release by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio
A different kind of musical dawn is coming with flashes of rowdy big band, simmering soul and swaggering rock 'n' roll as Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses prepare to ignite a new legacy with their second full-length album, Blow out June 10 on Warrior Records/Universal Music Distribution.
With Blow, Prima and the Witnesses revive a boogie woogie spirit for the modern generation. "The message is to have a good time and enjoy life," explains Prima. "Get up and move. This album is hyper. It makes you want to dance.” Not content to sit on the legacy they so passionately protect, LPJ and the band are taking a page from his father’s playbook, by wailing “Prima-Style” like its 2014.
Originally formed in 2007, Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses began to hit full stride at their breakout performance at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. They’ve toured from Los Angeles to Sicily and shared the stage with everyone from Aretha Franklin to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. Impatiently waiting to show the world what mayhem could come from the collective talents and years of diverse musical experience that make up the whole of its members. If you’ve seen them in concert, you’ll know a bit about what to expect from the musical minds of the Witnesses.
As energetic and over-the-top as their live shows, BLOW continues the ever-changing musical journey that Prima Sr. began in the 30’s.
Building off of the success of their critically acclaimed debut CD Return of the Wildest!, Prima and the Witnesses immersed themselves in writing original music for the first time together and headed into the studio with co-producer and Warrior Records C.E.O. Jim Ervin. Recorded at Capitol Records in Studio B, where Prima Sr. recorded his hits of the 50’s and 60’s, the seriousness of this music is masked only by the obvious fun that was had making it. The outcome is a host of superb innovative new material as eclectic and unique as each member of this powerhouse band, plus revved-up versions of Adam Ant's Goody Two Shoes and Louis Prima Sr.'s Robin Hood.
Prima also sneaks in a vocal and trumpet duet with his father on That's My Home, utilizing Sr.’s original vocal/trumpet solo from the 1959 recording combined with a new music track created by LP Jr. and the Witnesses. The Louis Armstrong cover bridges the gap between family generations as it rises into a heartfelt and hypnotic tribute to his father and is a loving homage to the city they both adore.
But it’s on songs like first single Go Let's Go, the musical party I Just Wanna Have Fun and the soulfully explosive Fame And Glory that the band's uniqueness shines through. The result of blending the skills of these musicians is a blistering assault on your senses that will make you shout out loud and get up and move.
Of course Prima has a lot to live up to--sharing a name with his celebrated father--but a new legend is being born, and it’s about to BLOW you away.
Return to Forever is a jazz fusion group founded and led by keyboardist Chick Corea. Through its existence, the band has cycled through a number of different members, with the only consistent band mate of Corea's being bassist Stanley Clarke (Stanley Clarke is my favorite Bass man of all time).
Along with Weather Report and Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return to Forever is often cited as one of the core groups of the jazz-fusion movement of the 1970s. Several musicians, including Clarke, Flora Purim, Airto Moreira and Al Di Meola, first came to prominence through their performances on Return to Forever's albums.
After playing on Miles Davis's groundbreaking jazz-fusion albums In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew, Corea formed an avant-garde jazz band called Circle with Dave Holland, Anthony Braxton and Barry Altschul.
However in 1972, after having become a disciple of Scientology, Corea decided that he wanted to better "communicate" with the audience. This essentially translated into his performing a more popularly accessible style of music, since avant-garde jazz enjoyed a relatively small audience.
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