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smooth jazz - jazzboCR - 15-12-2014
Peter White Smooth jazz/fusion guitarist. Al Stewart's collaborator for 2 decades. 14 albums in 24 years. A review of his newest: http://www.allmusic.com/album/smile-mw0002703276 His Site: http://www.peterwhite.com/ << Opens with music--turn it off to the right of his name
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnVIyRJVHww
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u2ApuLPIoE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QESvvA7qY0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vpDl630020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nbu__-i-CjU
smooth jazz - jazzboCR - 16-12-2014
Kirk Whalum A complex man--Head of a Memphis museum celebrating Black music, led the recording of the '05 Babyface tribute album, just generally a project leader if it involves melody. Not thought of as energetic or adventurous but he will surprise you on occasion--loves John Coltrane, e.g. The usual stuff which most ignore: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirk_Whalum and http://www.allmusic.com/artist/kirk-whalum-mn0000101795/discography << Had a few flops since '85 but this is a good guide to the better (I want him to make a real Memphis album--he'd kill). http://www.kirkwhalum.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz7pR_qjslU << the uploader's got it right << all-star concert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_7Rutkm7xE <<...and then there's this... << weird sound undulations << withal, please point me to a better rendition of this Latin jazz classic << Steps up for his solo then respectfully takes his place back in the horn/reed line while other blow. Such a man.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlLbCMx7y-c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNICl8RuxLI << with the late George Duke. Magic...and then Mr. Whalum steps up and makes it more so...and then Mr. Duke finishes... The song title says it all. For that Exceptional Chicago Woman...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTRRMT1NQOc << Nice Gospel piece on a Christian show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9zR56N1q4A << he played that brilliant solo on the original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK20pp1ypbc << It's true, BJN. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mybX8LeEUHs
smooth jazz - jazzboCR - 30-12-2014
Fourplay The only music group ever to be officially honored by the U.S. Congress. 4 consummate musicians though the guitarist has changed. I like them because they sneak authentic jazz into their playing (I know how snobbish that sounds--no apologies--the Wiki says it too).:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourplay 11 fresh albums and 3 concert DVDs (2 available on YouTube) in 23 years-- all well-thought -of by critics and they inspire ecstatic fandom: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/fourplay-mn0000741525/discography Their Site: http://www.fourplayjazz.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXNK2refwpY << The ultimate backing band?--Chaka Khan seems to think so << Lee Ritenour on guitar; Phil Perry and Philip Bailey as backing vocalists (!). I'm burning up here, folks...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUb_TaUOTaA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INowlo9-6vE << from Montreux with some serious players sitting in << Bob James turned 75 this week--a bunch of years giving pleasure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP9ZRiKxzvI << Same session as the piece w/ Ms. Khan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip0LmL6ueVk << with David Sanborn...Oh, Daddy, does it get much better?
BONUS: 1-1/2 hour concert in Tokyo in '13: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJi0PhJVk7k
NB: This post is especially for that Exceptional Chicago Woman and hoping everybody has a better 2015.
smooth jazz - jazzboCR - 24-01-2015
...And now we bid fond farewell to a good man...and exceptional musician. Jeff Golub perished from a rare neuro condition on 1 Jan. The very definition of "hail fellow, well-met". Known to the wider world as a smooth jazz artist but he was everything Popular music--played with Billy Squier (7 albums, 3 world tours), was with Rod Stewart for 8 years and his last disc was a bluesy affair with Brian Auger (q.v.). In addition to Mr. Squier and Mr. Stewart, he was a frequent sideman, always bringing taste, style and chops to any project but with a bluesy edge. His Wiki is unenlightening but here's the AMG bio and discog: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jeff-golub-mn0000225178/biography and http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jeff-golub-mn0000225178/discography << all stellar outings--hard to imagine a "Best of" because he played in so many styles with so many different people. Here's a nice obit from the NYTimes:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/10/arts/music/jeff-golub-59-smooth-jazz-guitarist-is-dead.html And a review of a remembrance/ charitable concert held this week (it goes near 4-hours and I'll stand in line for any eventual DVD): http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/23/arts/music/a-concert-tribute-for-the-guitarist-jeff-golub.html << I'm told it sold out in mere hours. His Site: http://www.jeffgolub.com/ << not ghoulish or macabre--the money spent on stuff here goes directly to his family.
Some smooth jazz tunes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpQ9ECPBg0I << 2 years before the neuro thing struck. Forget his talent--I'd kill for his hair.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o7Ei63Cjtw << Smooth jazz? Soul-jazz? Don't make a choice--just dig it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ogii67kOig << an homage to Wes Montgomery (q.v.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F2-xZs46Bw << to me, this is the essence of smooth jazz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf1LWuqR4ak << with his long-time group, Avenue Blue
...And now JazzboCR goes out to play...: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dkj8LXNmLKI << AWB played at his tribute concert...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1KWksu2pMU << BB King was a particular fan of Mr. Golub
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yaNFa1A45g << Play this through good speakers and fill the whole house with joy. No joke.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3WKEDlTUHA << W/Christopher Cross on vocals This song is not at all about sexual relationships--it's about a bandmate being seduced away by a bigger band--just thought you should know.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI2DPhEXGFU << promo vid for his last disc--nice insights from especially Brian Auger
smooth jazz - jazzboCR - 30-01-2015
Mindi Abair is a true smooth jazz player (Candy Dulfer frequents funk quite often, thus is a "hybrid player"). Ms Abair has toured and/or recorded with all manner of jazz, blues and R&B players but her discs are of a type *. She's had a varied and entrepreneurial career: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindi_Abair Her Site: http://mindiabair.com/ Her discog: http://mindiabair.com/ << 7 discs in 14 years, all sterling.
Some tunes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5oZ2iaqIjc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUauHXpTyvo << There must be something about this John Lennon classic I don't get, 'cuz there are sure a lot of jazz versions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCnMklgR0k0 << She and Dave Koz bumpin'...saxes...and she sings a bit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbJrbRU0ULA << Those 2 + Gerald Albright and a 4th guy--find me a more Fearsome Foursome...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4jFPS6dC4A << W/Dave Koz but more importantly, also with Peter White
BONUS: on "Smooth Jazz" Cruise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYRcj_rFvjI << what is it about these cruise perfs?...'cuz there sure ain't nothing smooth about these straight-up funk excursions (somebody's been lyin' to me...and these players are seriously letting their hair down).
* As these clips show, there's quite a difference between the discs and the perfs. Even when it's the same song, there's a bunch of pith and grit in the perfs not evident on the discs. Seeing her live can come as a shock to those expecting the recorded perfs.
smooth jazz - jazzboCR - 01-02-2015
A pianist/keyboard player par excellence, Dave Grusin was there at the start of the smooth jazz movement (he's the "G" in GRP records) and has done a wide variety of things in American pop music including a distinguished filmography. Here's a Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Grusin His Discog:
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/dave-grusin-mn0000684920/discography << Many, many are 4/4+-stars. Also has had fruitful CDs and concert appearances with guitarist Lee Ritenour.
Some tunes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2or5RqfyIc << from 35 years ago--the start of it all
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=takOVYOOucA << w/ Mr. Ritenour on a famous tune
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyZl0kyvN88 << another early piece
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDnPtjQnumQ << an all-star big band doing a Leonard Bernstein piece
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b5PP-9UuUc << luscious and lovely << for that Exceptional Chicago Woman << From the Henry Mancini score from that witty film
BONUS: Full hour concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUt_pnutRtI << Mr. Grusin and Mr. Ritenour in 2013 << quite a few concerts available on YT
SEMI-BONUS: 1/2 hour with the LA Dream Band in Japan w/ Steve Gadd * : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsZLEj36ifY
* Possibly the best drummer the U.S. Army Band's ever had: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFWSYFX4J8
smooth jazz - jazzboCR - 05-02-2015
From a British source, here's a 4-hour smooth jazz program--includes some newer artists yet to make a splash. 1 each year from 2013-2015 (though there are plenty more available from YT or directly [see below]):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNaxAA8XtrE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YqNUpPpnws
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trJCAAa8AAs
Want to get in sync with the show or in touch with the host, Rod Lucas? http://bestsmoothjazz.com/
smooth jazz - jazzboCR - 06-02-2015
I include [SIZE=2]the guitarist/composer/educator Nick Colionne[/SIZE] here purely as a convenience--his CDs and his performances mix many different elements--Urban Contemporary, "polite" jazz, a touch of the blues, a funk basis every now and then--frequently in the same song. Been a long time in the trenches tho' he has 8 albums in 16 years, mostly reviewed well. He was a touring pro at 15 but now stays close to home so he can stay an educator. Instructs online as well via a 6-part series on YT about the playability of the guitar. Stay in touch w/him: http://www.nickcolionne.com/
His AMG bio and discog: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/nick-colionne-mn0000398136/biography and http://www.allmusic.com/artist/nick-colionne-mn0000398136/discography << he kinda broke out in '99--no comp."Best-of" CDs yet but someone on YT surely has something similar.
Some tunes:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6ZQUCUmkds << some amazing, impassioned guitar playing. OH MY!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adGEh6bqx9E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRBgTaDmbCY << sorry about the annoying ads--turn the screen around and get with somebody close...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_P-dYlfouc << now this one is straight-up smooth jazz.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtttVOGxb2A <<...this one too.
I delight in presenting discoveries--this tops a good week ((right, SteveO?).