Mindi Abair - New CD

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By: Melissa Berry GRAMMY MUSEUM IN-PERSON

Saxophonist/vocalist Mindi Abair discussed her new album & During a recent evening at the Grammy Museum's Clive Davie Theatre, Mindi incredible career working with Abair more than exemplified the title of her newly released CD "Forever." This A e r o s m i t h , G r e g g A l l m a n , evening and then a conversation later in the week provided a multi-faceted Smokey Robinson, and more, view of Ms. Abair's 100% commitment to all she does - whether creating mufollowed by a performance. sic, supporting Women's History Month, or encouraging Music Education in our schools. And lastly, her invitation for all of us to relax with her and her husband Eric at WINE and JAZZ.com, their lifestyle company that combines - what else? Wine, Jazz, and musical adventures in various locations. Although the purpose of the evening was to celebrate Ms. Abair's first release of new material in nearly two years, the evening also brought out some facts that are clearly supporting details in Ms. Abair's career. Ms. Abair's ability as a skilled raconteur made the stories

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that are clearly supporting details in Ms. Abair's career. Ms. Abair's ability as a skilled raconteur made the stories surprising and mesmerizing. "I've lived so much life since my last solo album "Wild Heart." That album gave me my first GRAMMY nomination, and it was a coming together of forces that changed my life." With Women's History Month coming to an end, Ms. Abair recalled being "the only girl" in a field that used to be primarily "guys" - including in school. After studying a year at the University of North Florida on a full scholarship, she transferred to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, graduating magna cum laude in 1991. As Ms. Abair mentioned that evening, "At that time Berklee's student body was only 3% female - it is now 43%." Recognizing that music education should be for all genders in all schools, Ms. Abair has continued her involvement in education while successfully pursuing her career that involves all aspects of performance. In 2009, Abair was elected as a Governor on the Board of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, serving for three years until 2012, with election to Secretary. May/Jun Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 39

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She spent one year serving as Secretary. In 2013, Abair spent a two-year term as the President of the Los Angeles Chapter. Lastly, the election to a two-year term as National Trustee of the Recording Academy in 2015. This diversity in her career has now also included navigating the pandemic lifestyle, resulting in the release of "Forever." The content of "Forever" has been in the works for a very long time. Ms. Abair's explanation covered her touring days with "Mindi Abair and The Boneshakers" and their four albums. During that time, she was constantly writing music that was more personal and melodic. Because of its introspective content, the release required waiting for just the right time. And now is the right time. As Ms. Abair revealed, "I've come back to me… a more reflective place… to make new music that represents all that I've learned along my musical journey. I hope you feel the emotion I felt recording it." evening proved they were feeling it! Marking a return to her contemporary jazz roots and released on her own Pretty Good For A Girl Records, "Forever" is a 10-Song album that features the single "Alive" and marks her 11th solo release. The musicians include Raul Malo and Kenny Wayne Shepherd, with special appearances by Steve Perry, Eric Bazilian, and Rick Braun.

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Some of the standouts for the evening were her sax "songs" - songs without words but notes instead. "Alive" introduced this musical lyricism opening with that simple, traditional count out from the drum setting the rhythm and then the guitar unexpectedly oozing in - and then Abair starts with her song - her voice through her sax. What is captivating is about halfway through; what sounds like a gospel choir joins in to provide an unexpected expansiveness to complete the power of the song. Forever" opens with that teasing beat that pulls you in before hearing the melody. Then Abair joins in, and this cut takes off with its initial deceptive simplicity and slow vibrato at times. It evolves from a simple melody with a traditional bridge in the middle that goes back to the original tune. Everyone joins in being featured individually with expanding rhythms. Finally, Abair jumps right back in to take over and lead the way out. "April" is as soft and smooth and moist as April showers. Again, although a song without words…the words are there through Abair's melodic playing. "What About Love" closed the evening by bringing the audience to their feet. Blasting open with a throbbing, relentless, inescapable, and utterly addictive beat - Abair cuts directly to the lyrics mentioning what's in our news but demanding at the end of each mention, "What about love???" May/Jun Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 41

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An outstanding guitar solo increased the intensity of the song's message, with everyone on their feet echoing, "What about love?" Mindi Abair provided an evening reminding us we're all alive forever as long as there's music. The Grammy Museum was lit up with her articulate yet down-to-earth, genuine spoken and musical message: "What about love?". After two long years of silence, an evening with Ms. Abair was truly a gift of providing light at the end of the musical tunnel - especially considering April is Jazz Appreciation Month.

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