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Smo Jazz SmoothJazz Magazine
A LOOK AT NAMM 2017 JAZZ 2016 YEAR IN PICTURES
Weekend
GRAMMY
CHUCK LOEB
MAGAZINE
50 YEARS SERGIO MENDES & BRAZIL 66 CHICK COREA 75TH BIRTHDAY
NOMINATE D
46 52 Features
46 Theo Wanne New @ NAMM 2017 52 Chuck Loeb - Grammy Chat for “Unspoken”
07 57
11
52 19 Lifestyle
08 Grammy Nominees 11 Don Alias - Book Review
Tours Legendary Percussionist 57 Dave Koz - Christmas Show Photos 60 Kirk Whalum Christmas Concerts Show Photos 62 Peter White—Christmas Show Photos 14 Chick Corea - 75th B-Day @ Blue Note - New York 14 19 Sergio Mendes Celebrating 50 Years Brazil ‘66
24 Year in Pictures 2016
CD Reviews 65 Brian Simpson Persuasion 67 Chuck Loeb Unspoken 70 Steven Anthony Cook You Make Me Feel 72 Kay-Ta - Arrival
WWW.SMOOTHJAZZMAG.COM
SmoothJazz Jazz Art Jackson— Publisher/CEO May / June 2015 Doris Gee- - Research Manager Mann—Graphic Artist
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Contributing Writers Avzal Ismail Keivu G. Knox Eryn K. Bozeman Daniel Tommasino Lisa Summer John H. Turner Rhonda L.A. Terry
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Contributing Photographers Erika Allen David Johnson Natalie Dorris Kt Jones Tyree McLemore Darnell Wade Mann Lisa Jay Melanie Futorian Ron Hancox Lexi Lewis
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Smooth Jazz
Magazine
Lifestyle - Music Adele — 25
he nominees for the 59th Grammy Awards were announced (Dec. 6), with 84 categories in all for music's biggest night, to take place on February 12, 2017. Smooth Jazz Magazine would like to congratulate the following artists that have allowed us Best Traditional R&B Performance:
Album Of The Year: Record Of The Year: Song Of The Year: Best Pop Vocal Album: Best Pop Solo Performance:
Best R&B Album the honor in working with them this year from review- Best World Music Album: ing their Cd’s to concerts or Best Music Film: showcasing their new releases on our website. www.smoothjazzmag.com Best Contemporary Instrumental Album:
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Best Large Jazz Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media:
Best Jazz Vocal Album:
Ensemble Album:
Best Improvised Jazz Solo:
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Lifestyle - Book Review Review Avril By: AvzalBy: Ismail When my editor first asked me to review a book, I must admit I was reluctant initially as the last thing I wanted to do was to tie myself up with a book no matter how good over the holidays. When he told me it was an autobiography of a great percussionist, I was intrigued nonetheless, especially as I enjoy dabbling with percussion when I am not working seriously at the piano. When I found out it was an autobiography of the late great Don Alias, I was delighted and my initial reluctance turned to great enthusiasm especially as I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Alias albeit briefly many years ago in South Africa. That meeting was pretty much a milestone as he was touring with my idol, the great Chick Corea, with Chick's initial “Touchstone” band featuring, Tom Brechtlein, Steven Kujala, Carlos Benavent, and of course Mr. Alias on percussion. At that encounter, Mr. Alias struck me as an enormously talented man, humble and approachable. He also struck me as a man who was completely comfortable with himself, bearing a powerful intellect and musicianship that was second to none. “Legendary Percussionist” in the title is an apt description. Ms. Futorian was Mr Alias' neighbor and eventually his companion for 8 years Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 11
Lifestyle - Book Review and she covers his story with humor, detail and entertaining anecdotes and encounters, from his humble beginnings to his meteoric rise as one of the great musicians of his epoch resulting in his collaborations with a who's who of the music world. From Diz and Miles, to Nina Simone, Jaco, Joni Mitchell, Chick Corea, David Sanborn, Chuck Mangione and more and in the process setting a new standard for others to emulate whilst covering every genre from jazz to pop to Afro Cuban music. He was indeed a consummate and complete musician of the highest standing. The book interestingly enough is written in the first person narrative as if Mr. Alias himself is telling us his story starting from his birth on Christmas day and how his grandmother became the backbone and strongest influence in his life to how his grandparents actually met, to the early days. Some cultural insight is also covered which is helpful in understanding how all of this shaped him as a musician and as a person. Each chapter goes on to cover a particular aspect of his life. His college days, his time starting out his professional career with Eartha Kit after starting out on the streets of New York, his Boston days with the likes of Chick Corea, Bill Fitch, Gene Perla and Dick Meza, the days with Miles. In fact every chapter covers a different period with a prominent musician or gig. Even though he was enrolled for an academic degree, the 12| SmoothJazz Magazine
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Lifestyle - Book Review music eventually won out and became the very core of his being. Personal relationships and the dynamics abound and one feels as if one is right there in the present moment observing the relationships as they are developing and eavesdropping on some of the dialogue that took place. For me one of the most insightful moments was when Mr. Alias speaks about his time with Miles, and especially the relationship between Miles and Tony Williams and his own relationship with the late Mr. Williams. The book continues on with each chapter recalling a different period with a different artist and only in reading it does one begin to appreciate the enormous body of work that is the ongoing legacy Mr. Alias. The book contains in addition, many excellent photographs of Mr. Alias at various stages and situations giving the reader a visual treat in addition to insight into the life of one of the greatest and most influential musicians of our time.
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Concert
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
By: Art Jackson
Review By: Tonya Edwards Knox
Chick Corea
June 12,
CHICK COREA LEGENDARY JAZZ MASTER 22-time GRAMMY® Winner CELEBRATES 75TH BIRTHDAY The greatest jazz birthday party ever: an unprecedented two-month residency at New York's Blue Note Jazz Club this fall, where Chick has assembled an unprecedented lineup of giants to do what they do best: create music magic, two shows a night, for eight straight weeks. Photos By: Melanie Futorian
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Concert November 30, 2016
Photos By: David Johnson
L to R: Hubert Laws, Victor Wooten, Ravi Coltrane, and Lenny White
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Concert Back in his musical home, New York City, the Blue Note residency (Oct. 19 - Dec. 11) is the kind of honor and celebration befitting a career like Corea's: 22 GRAMMYÂŽ wins. An artistic voice that has influenced and been inspired by countless musical traditions: modern jazz to traditional flamenco, western classical to electric jazz-fusion, acclaimed solo performances to many high-profile collaborations. All the facets of his restless creativity was on display at the Blue Note, in 80 shows with 60 iconic musicians playing in 15 bands. Gary Burton and Harlem Strings Quartet Tuesday 11/22
Photos By: Ron Hancox
Gary Burton
Harlem String Harlem QuartetStrings Quartet 16 | SmoothJazz Magazine
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The final two weeks of the run featured the music of Return to Forever and more in two different contexts: the acoustic lineup (Nov. 30 - Dec. 4) includes Ravi Coltrane (sax), Hubert Laws (flute), Avishai Cohen (bass) and RTF drummer Lenny White; an electric band (Dec. 8-11) dubbed Return to Forever Meets Mahavishnu, featuring fellow legend John McLaughlin on guitar, bassist Victor Wooten and drummer White, that also delve into some classic Mahavishnu Orchestra material.
Hubert Laws
Ravi Coltrane
Victor Wooten
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Concert Concert
SERGIO MENDES
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Concert Concert For one special night, the Brazilian and Redondo Beach communities gathered at The Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center for, “A Celebration of 50 Years of Brazil 66. The Brazilian spirit came alive through food, dance, music and the Brazilian culture. The evening was comprised of the headliner, three time Grammy Award Winner, multi -platinum artist, producer and composer, Sergio Mendes, his band Brazil 66, and Rapper H20. Violinist and vocalist Valerie Mason was the opening act. DJ Potira, Samba da Mudança Drummers and the Samba Soul Dancers were the special pre VIP entertainment for this special occasion. The celebration blasts off with a perfect blend of hip hop meets samba rhythms by DJ Potira. Next, the Samba Soul Dance Company and the Samba da Mudança drummers bump the energy up a notch in the room with the drummer’s erotic and pulsating beats. The beautiful exotic dancers stole everyone’s attention with their pulsating rhythms, bronze and golden embroidered bikinis and large ornate head dresses. The main show began with Valerie Mason, a talented vocalist and violinist born in Mexico singing a set of her best songs in Spanish with her solid trio. 20| SmoothJazz Magazine
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Review By: Lisa Summer
Concert Next up, Sergio Mendez and his incredibly talented band Brazil 66 took the stage with rapper H2O and they did not disappoint. They sang some of their greatest hits like “The Look of Love,” to “Scarborough Fair” and added a rapper "H2O" to a couple of songs as well. The voices of Gracinha Leporasi and Katie Hampton were in perfect harmony and the musicianship was off the chain, as percussionist Gibi Dessantos showcased his talents on various instruments during his solo on "Misturada."
Sergio and the band received two standing ovations and we all fell in love with Sergio and Brazil 66 all over again. Leo Costa - drums, Gibi Dossantos - percussion, Alphonso Johnson - bass, Kleber Jorge - guitar, Scott Mayo - sax, Katie Hampton and, Gracinha Leporasi on vocals. On a scale of 1-10, Sergio Mendez’s 50th Anniversary of music with his band Brazil 66 received a 10. The show brought back a lot of good memories. Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 21
Ginna Hargins
Vanessa Gomez
Gisela Ferreira 22| SmoothJazz Magazine
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Feature
by Danny Moloshok 62 | SmoothJazz Magazine
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Concert Photos By: Lisa Jay
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Concert Concert
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Photos By: Ron Hancox
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Photos By: Lexi Lewis
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Photos By Erika Allen
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Photos By: Ron Hancox
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Photos By: Ron Hancox
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EXHIBITS EXHIBITS
New NewYork—Miami York—Miami Coming ComingSoon Soon
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Photos By: Tyree McLemore
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DAVID SANBORN
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Photos By: David Johnson
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Photos By: Darnell Wade
IN MY MIND
Release Date
August 22, 2016
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Feature
By: Art Jackson Making a name for himself since 2006, Theo Wanne mouthpieces has rapidly become the voice of some of the most noticeable stars in Smooth Jazz. With one of it newest signature lines featuring Mindi Abair made the NAMM booth one of the most highly traffic exhibits at last year NAMM Expo. Theo and Mindi worked together since 2012 on this mouthpiece and three years later the Mindi Abair Custom Alto Mouthpiece was born! Completely new A.R.T (Advanced Resonance Technology) features have been developed for this mouthpiece, including a new 'swept-step' baffle with roll-over, a newly designed flat-side-wall chamber, and unique duck-bill beak. The result is the most screaming alto mouthpiece ever made, yet amazingly, when you want to step back and relax you can do that too, making this mouthpiece incredibly expressive! We included the Theo Wanne™ LIBERTY Ligature and, at Mindi’s request to make the best alto mouthpiece in the world also accessible to all, it’s priced very affordably. As Mindi says, this mouthpiece allows one and all to "Give Yourself to the Music!" 46| SmoothJazz Magazine
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"Theo is a master craftsman and creative genius. His mouthpieces have allowed me to take my music to the next level." - Mindi Abair This year should also be a year of notoriety as the company is coming out with five new lines. But first, I was curious to know just how his process of mouthpiece designing started. SJM: What got you started doing mouthpieces and what year did you start the business?
lecting. I spend my life savings on vintage mouthpieces and had thousands. I slowly learned the design concepts through this trial and error method. I was doing mouthpiece re-facing for many people and the demand for my work took off. Soon I was years behind with work. So in 2006 I started manufacturing. I met a brilliant machinist Matt Ambrose, and he figured out how to make my complex models. Since then I've learned how CAD software 'thinks' so I can visualize all the changes I want in sound, in 3D modeling terminology. This has allowed the company to constantly improve our product in leaps and bounds in both quality and sound.
Theo: When in high school I wanted to sound like Dexter Gordon. So I played a 10* Otto Link. It was too big for me, but it was the only way I could get the sound I wanted. In College I bought and sold vintage saxophones and also became a saxophone repair technician. During this time I found vintage mouthpieces, which got me closer to Dexter's sound, but responded poorly do to being banged up over the years. A gem of a guy, Bob Carpenter, taught me mouthpiece re-facing and I started fixing bad SJM: How long does it take to make a playing vintage mouthpieces to sound mouthpiece once you have created the better than the best ones I was then col- concept? Theo: Once I design a new concept by hand, I sit down with my CAD designer and we model it. This took a long time to perfect. We needed to create models that worked the same way I hear. This means, when I make a change by
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same exact change in the CAD without changing anything else in the model. It is pretty amazing that now, many years later, my CAD designer and I can immediately make changes in the model that reflect what I hear when a musician wants a sound change. We can do in an hour now what used to take months. I then test this concept by making a 3D printed rapid prototype. The technology in 3D printing is not ready for production yet. The resolution is just not accurate enough and there are too many limitations with materials, but it works to get a temporary idea of the model. Once the 3D printed mouthpiece is approved by me, the NC programming must be done. This chooses the tools, and tool paths, to machine the mouthpiece. The machine creates the sample, which tells us exactly what the new mouthpiece will sound like, and if I did my job correctly it sounds better than my handmade prototype:. SJM: Do artists give you input on designs and what they might like? Theo: Yes, I tour around the world giving clinics and working with endorsers. They all give me feedback when they try my mouthpieces. All feedback is great, as even if a musicians has a vintage mouthpiece or other mouthpiece they like better (which doesn't happen often anymore, but sometimes:)) I can see the design features on their other mouthpiece and know how to improve my own product. This is the benefit of having studied mouthpiece design for so many years. Not every musician plays the same though, so sometimes designs that work for one person wouldn't work 'for most people'. So I have to balance the feedback I get by testing the feedback ideas myself. SJM: Who are some of your most famous users of your product over the years? Theo: Over the years I have either done hand work, or made mouthpieces for: Gerald Albright, Boney James, Mindi Abair, Joshua Redman, Chris Potter, Terri Herrington (Lisa Simpson's Sax), Tim Izo (Black Eyed Peas), Adrian Crutchfield and Marcus Anderson (Prince), George Young (The Beatles, Rolling Stones), etc. It's a long list;) 48| SmoothJazz Magazine Let the music take you‌
Feature SJM: What are some of the unique advances in the product that has taken place since you first got into the business? Theo: There was no good knowledge base on saxophone mouthpiece design when I got started. So I documented the design histories of the major brands, and standardized a lot of the terminology used out there now. This has allowed me to stand on the shoulders of the greats, and move forward the evolution of the design of saxophone mouthpieces. We created the 'Power Ring™, Inverted Power Ring™, Shark Gill Chamber™, Reticulated Chamber™, Screw on Liberty Ligature™, Four-Point-Bell-to-Body Brace™, Dimpled Tenon, and countless other features we never bothered to name or really talk about. AMBIKA 2: Our darkest model, updated for an even bigger yet still 'dark' sound. Pat Rizzo (War, Frank Sinatra, Sly and the Family Stone) had this to say, "The AMBIKA 2 is WAY beyond any of the vintage mouthpieces. I was AMBIKA 2 playing an Otto Link the past 20 years, but no more!"
SLANT 2: Theo's perfect vintage 'slant signature'. Since Theo is an expert on vintage Otto Links, he was able to take the best features of the various vinSLANT 2 tages of Slant Signature Otto Links and combine them for the best possible vintage sound. GAIA 2: The GAIA is Theo's top of the line traditional mouthpiece. It has even more presence GAIA 2 and body to the sound now in its newest update. It gets the vintage big 'Otto Link' type sound, but can be much more versatile. Hit pop songs, 'Uptown Funk' by Mark Ronson, and 'Problem' by Ariana were both played on the GAIA.
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Feature DURGA 3 DURGA Wanne™ mouth it just got better. You can it in the new movie, starring "Justin Timberlake and the Tennessee Kids."
Tenor: The Is the Theo best selling piece, and even see
SHIVA 2 Tenor: Theo’s most bad-ass mouthpiece just got turbo charged. Its currently being played by: Gerald Albright (3 Grammy Nominations); Harold Todd (Lenny Starr); Najee (Stevie Wonder; Prince).
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Theo Wanne & Eric Darius Kravitz); Warren Ham (Ringo
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Feature
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SJM: What were you doing when you got word on this nomination, and what was your reaction? CHUCK: I was just waking up, and I got a text message from my good friend Eric Marienthal. It's simply said "congratulations man! " I texted back "is it what I think it is?!? "
Magazine
Needless to say - It was a very nice way to wake up that morning. SJM: How many nominations have you received and won in the past? CHUCK: This is my third. The first was for best instrumental composition for the song I wrote for Fourplay called "December Dream." The 2nd one was for Jazz Funk Soul's -"Serious Business" CD with my buddies Everette Harp & Jeff Lorber.
Eric Marienthal
SJM: Will you be attending or participating in the show? CHUCK: We are planning to, but as we live in New York, we have to make sure it all works out schedule wise. If not, our two daughters live in LA so they can go pick up Everette Harp the statuette if I should be so fortunate to Jeff Lorber win. Let the music take you‌ SmoothJazz Magazine | 53
Feature SJM: What is the meaning behind the title? CHUCK: To me the power of instrumental music is awesome. And that is “Unspoken,” so it was a way for me to show my appreciation and love for that power that Music has to move people. In the liner notes, I also said that sometimes my appreciation of the great musicians and people around me such as family and friends goes unspoken. And this was a chance for me to speak my appreciation through music to them SJM: Does this CD have any special meaning to you? CHUCK: I think the answer above shows the special meaning of this CD. The other thing about it that makes it special, is that I had some of the best musicians on the planet - that I am also very fortunate to be able to call my friends contribute in their inimitable way. SJM: Which song was the easiest to write? CHUCK: I would say that the opening song was a case where it's just "happened " I worked on the production quite a bit with the composition sort of played itself. SJM: How long did it take to make the compete CD? CHUCK: More or less about six months. SJM: What's next for Chuck Loeb, will you be on anyone's else CD in 2017? 54 | SmoothJazz Magazine
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Joyce Mateo
CHUCK: I am actually working on music for several different artist right now. I don't like to jump the gun and say that any of this will for sure be out in 2017, because it's really going to be up to them. But I know I will be working on a new CD with Fourplay, Jazz Funk Soul, and we are just about finishing up a new CD for my wife - the vocalist, composer and guitarist Carmen Cuesta - which I produced and played on. She wrote 10 beautiful original songs and I think it will be a masterpiece. I'm very proud of her.
win this Grammy? CHUCK: To have that kind of recognition from all the professionals that vote in the Grammys is a very special thing. And I do feel, that this CD represents my very best. And for this to be recognized would be just a great thing to share with all the great artists that collaborate with me on it.
Also, just to be nominated is very very important to me. Especially because the other artists that are nominated in this category are such monster musicians. To be in their company is quite an honSJM: What would it mean to you if you or.
"Just to be nominated is very very important to me. Especially because the other artists that are nominated in this category are such monster musicians."
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PROMO CODE: LIONEL
ENTER NOW 56| SmoothJazz Magazine
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Photos By: Lisa Jay
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Tour
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By: Daniel Tommasino Kirk Whalum stopped by Madison Theatre on his A Gospel According to Jazz Christmas tour on Nov. 26 and brought in the holiday season with a healthy dose of soulful jazz. The 12-time Grammy nominee wore a festive suit along with his trusty saxophone. Grammy Award winning guitarist and world-class pianist Keiko Matsui accompanied him on the tour.
Whalum has had a long and storied career in jazz, and toured with singer Whitney Houston for many years. His music is classified as American smooth jazz with some gospel and soul elements.
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His group has visited the Madison Theatre for the last two years, and the concert is becoming a tradition for the Molloy venue. “The phenomenal musicians that play with him makes it one of the most exciting concerts at the Madison theatre,” said Artistic Director Angelo Fraboni. That also included Grammy winner Norman Brown, Shelea Music, Kevin Whalum , John Stoddart, Braylon Lacy and Kevin Turner.,
Shelea Music & Kevin Whalum
Photos By: Kt Jones
Keiko Matsui
Norman Brown
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Tour Photos By: Lisa Jay
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CD Review uptempo cut. Brian “Wonderland” Simpson is the second has trans- song on the formed album, and it himself in- raises the bar even higher. I love how to a regu- this song is driven by timely percussion lar smooth and it keeps the song moving at a nice jazz hit pace. maker in I can tell if I’m really going to like an alrecent years, and bum when there’s a song that becomes with his latest offering, “Persuasion,” it difficult to skip, but easy to repeat. This album has three songs that fall into this is easy to see why. His infectious grooves, along with his effortless nature category for me! “One and Only,” is a mellow groove that has great sax work on the piano, results in a tremendous by Steve Alaniz. “Lost in Love” features combo that grabs us at every moPeter White on guitar and may have my ment. At 43 minutes in length, Brian stays efficient, yet effective on this pro- favorite melody out of all ten tracks of the album. “Surreal Theme” is a track ject. I just wished that it was longer! that has multiple layers to it that grew Things get cooking very quickly on the me in. It moves from a Go-Go influopening track of the album, which is al- enced beat on the chorus to lush roso the title track. Boney James is also mantic music in the matter of moments. featured on this song. One thing was I found it to be unique and engaging at clear to me after the first listen, he and the same time. Brian show us their ability to easily do Little did I think as a teenage that the what the title of the song says. It writer behind the Pop/R&B hit “The doesn’t take much to get into this First Time” by Surface, would craft out a
Review By: Keivu Knox
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successful career in Smooth Jazz 20+ years later. It speaks to the versatility that Brian has, and this album is the perfect example of that. Persuasion is a project that will be on all the Smooth Jazz charts. Brian gave us the gift of 10 tracks that keeps you interested, soothes your ears, mind and soul, and leave you wanting more.
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CD Review Review By: John Turner
Jazz lovers unite...Your palette is about to be satisfied by brilliance of the genius work of the one and only Chuck Loeb. The guitar playing of this world renown artist is guaranteed to put you in the mood for wanting to relax in a calm state while the music speaks to you. Upbeat at the start with the sexy "Cotton Club" I wanted to ride to the beat of the horns as Chuck mellowed the groove with the artistry of his guitar. Followed by the intrinsic "Natural Light" and it's hypnotic groove... it's Loeb at his best. The title cut "Unspoken" is the third cut on a CD that is guaranteed to have the listener wanting to add this CD to his or her collection. Listen to the sexy "Happy Hour" as it will have you ready to fill your glass with vintage smooth jazz by this guitar virtuoso. Coming in at number five..."Affinity" will make even the casual jazz listener a believer in the brilliance of talent in Loeb's ensemble. Jazz lovers coming from perLet the music take you‌ SmoothJazz Magazine | 67
sonal experience "Treetops" reminded this listener of some of the outstanding work Chuck did with the multi Grammy winning group FourPlay. And then there's "Si Se Pude" as Chuck Loeb convinces his audience with the fact..."Yes it's possible" to get into this groove. "Way Up High" with it's sensual vocals is one of many highlights you're sure to enjoy. "Cut And Run" is another fast paced cut that will command your ear to do none of that, as you enjoy this CD and wanting more. "Voramar" with the sexiness of a warm Caribbean night...pure enjoyment for the listener. As I listened to the soft and smooth "Via Verde" as my musical Unspoken" journey was about to end. Enjoyment was had from beginning to end.
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This is a 12 track cd by a jazz guitarist unfamiliar to me and a surprising treat indeed. Steven Anthony Cook is, in my opinion, a easy listening dream. I find his tunes soothing after a long stressful work week, or great for pampering spa style weekend. It’s that cd you pop in with the fireplace burning, your favorite bottle of wine, and your feet up as you chill with your honey. It’s an intimate combination of love to music. I felt that personally, on track number 2, “When We’re Together,” and track number 7 “Showing All.” They kept me all cuddled up and happy, in a smooth utopia. As you continue to enjoy the cd it takes you on another musical experience. Track number 5 “Summer Fun,” is a great tune for a convertible ride on a beach shore line, where “Stone Cold” may take you on a vacation to the mountains. Both tunes have their own unique upbeat excitement, but their feel is quite different. I enjoyed the fun, playful, free and easy spirit the tunes expressed. My personal favorite track on the cd is “Dance In the Sun.” This song has a tranquil grace to it, the guitar flows and it seems to make me smile when it’s played. “Simple As It Is,” is another cd favorite. Its melody glides along and translates into music magic. The songs seem to make you feel good, and you can definitely enjoy them on repeat during a relaxing bubble bath. Well, maybe that happened, but I will never tell. 70 | SmoothJazz Magazine
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Like all my reviews, I have to reach back and learn something to share with readers. Steven Anthony Cook is no newbie to the music world. He has performed with orchestras on Broadway shows, like Lion King, Grease, and Pippin. He’s written music for television commercials and as well short films, and an international traveler with jazz bands. The “You Make Me Feel,” cd has unique styling and sound from all these diverse backgrounds, and it rounds out to be a very smooth extraordinary treat. Take the time to listen and enjoy for yourself.
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CD Reviews Review By: Rhonda L.A. Terry Kay-Ta Matsuno, simply recognized as “Kay-Ta”, is one of the most innovative jazz guitar artists of our time! Creating a masterful blend of smooth jazz, funk and a even a touch of Photos By: David Johnson Latin flair on his new debut solo album, “Arrival”, Kay-Ta is bringing new flavor to the jazz scene! This Osaka, Japan native and Boston, Ma educated young artist has quite the colorful way of combining contemporary jazz with other genres for people of all ages and musical tastes to enjoy! On the Arrival project, you will find the soft and soothing sounds of the easy listening guitar, rhythmic R&B sounds, hand clapping gospel as well as the upbeat, electrifying and energetic sound of rock riffs! It is the perfect piece of music to enjoy – no matter what mood you are in and is perfect to keep in rotation while entertaining guest! Seeing Kay-Ta perform on stage is a true testament that he enjoys performing for live audiences and puts on a great show interacting with his other 5-piece band members! 72 | SmoothJazz Magazine
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Kay-Ta may be debuting his first solo project, but this talented artist is no baby to the music scene! He has performed with other performing artists such as Jackiem Joyner, Keiko Matsui, Natalie Cole, Kenny Lattimore, Lala Hathaway, Japan’s infamous vocalist, Marlene, Tony Macalpine , the leg-
endary Neal Levang and renowned producers such as Babyface and David Foster! Arrival is a must-have for your music collection! For more information on how to book this great guitarist, you may reach out to Kayta.info@gmail.com.
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