THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. MAGAZINE Issue 2 April 2013 by Wright Touch Designs

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NAMM WELCOMES M.E.E. Believe In The Music

Marion Meadows

Whisper JET SET

WITH M.E.E. TO

JEFF LORBER IN THE JAZZY LIMELIGHT

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Contents Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Notes of Jazz

Jet Set With M.E.E. to Spain

Believe in the Music

Jeffrey Osborne A Time For Love

The 55th Jazz Grammy Award Winners

Mallorca Smooth Jazz Festival NAMM 2013 Welcomes M.E.E. Houston Spotlight: Jacqui Sutton -Welcome To Frontier Jazz _page 24 Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Melody Warren Contributing Writers Carolyn Beverly Angela P. Mooreâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Thorpe Contributing Photographers Vallerie Hancock Vena Ashley Hassan Kareem Yolanda Bell Wayne Norman Michael Douglas Micheal Osborne Jeff Fasano Robert Seale Grant Foto Cover Image Hassan Kareem Design & Layout TD Wright Copy Editor Valerie McCarley THE JAZZ IN M.E.E.. P.O. Box 683184 Houston, Texas 77268 281-260-8469 info@thejazzinmee.com www.thejazzinmee.com THE JAZZ IN M.E.E.. is published 4 times a year quarterly The publisher assumes no responsibility for claims or actions of its advertisers. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher, advertisers or staff. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher

COVER STORY

In The Jazzy Limelight Jeff Lorber

Under The Sign With M.E.E.

Jazz & Hollywood Sparkle

Jazz Watch Artists That Are Creating a Buzz

Houston Spotlight:

THE MELODY IN M.E.E.

Tip Jar & Marketing Corner

Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM)

THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. MAGAZNE

Swag M.E.E

Jazz Call

Advertising Opportunities

Featuring Lin Rountree

Jacqui Sutton: Welcome to Frontier Jazz

a blog of musical expression

The Spirit and Rhythms of Jazz

Nominated for EOTM Award

Magazine design and layout by WrightTouchDesigns.com

www.thejazzinmee.com

Whisper

Marion Meadows

photo by Micheal Osborne

e would like to thank you so much for embracing THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. magazine. We are overwhelmed and humbled by the outpour of support, encouragement and feedback regarding our inaugural issue. We are very pleased with the magazine that we have created to support and advocate for the jazz genre and we are ecstatic that you are as well. It is wonderful to have such supportive fans who are there for us. We appreciate your support immensely. I would also like to send a special thanks to my family for their continued support and love. We will continue on our mission to keep jazz and its artists present. —Musically yours,

CEO, THE JAZZ IN M.E.E.

K e e p a n e y e ou t f or M . E . E . the jazz in mee magazine APRIL 2013

To know more about us visit our websites:

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photo by Melody Warren

Editor’s Notes of Jazz

Leon Robinson

Thank you for the wonderful feedback: “At first glance, this magazine stands out. Very impressive layout and diverse content. Readers are sure to enjoy this debut edition and I personally look forward to the April issue. Well done Melody!” — Phil Denny “Melody, Congratulations on your new baby, THE JAZZ IN M.E.E!!! You did an excellent job, and I can’t wait to read it from page-to-page. Thank you for featuring my client, International Soul Singer, Heston.” — Angela P. Moore-Thorpe, APM Public Relations “Melody: The new magazine is stellar! Beautifully written, photographed and designed! Thank you SO much for including me in your write-up about the San Antonio festival and jazz scene. I appreciate the recognition so much. It was wonderful to meet you while you were here in San Antonio. Congratulations and here’s wishing much success with your magazine and all your ventures!” — Ken Slavin “Most people will see the vibrant colors and wonderful layout of the magazine. People will comment about the artists and the jazz community having an extremely well put together publication. However, my comment is about vision, determination zeal, drive all of the qualities it took to birth THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. Magazine. Your brand is consistent, and I appreciate that in you!!! I salute you my sister, for you make us PROUD!!!” — Rozzy Shorter “Melody, From the top to the bottom. From the front to the back you have definitely created another star, with the release of The

photo by Melody Warren

photo by Micheal Osborne

Kyle Turner and Marion Meadows

“Stellar job! The creative aspects of the magazine drew me in immediately! I appreciate the diversity that was captured! Thanks for sharing Ana with the world…we won’t forget our little angels of Sandy Hook! Who wouldn’t love to read more of what the talented Mr. Hank Stewart and the awesome Heston has going on?! We are anxiously awaiting those new projects! You opened my eyes more to the world of Jazz! I will be looking out for each edition of THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. Magazine! You brought forth your vision beautifully in print! CONGRATS, Ms. Melody!” —K. Moody

“Congratulations Melody Warren on your inaugural issue. I’m very proud of you and your success. You work very hard and it continues to pay off, keep pushing. Thanks for representing Jazz in a wonderful light and for giving unknown artist a platform.” — Stephen Richard

“Melody, your inaugural issue of THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. for 2013 is nothing less than stellar. The essence of your magazine brings out the jazz in us. Why do I say that ? Because you carry us on an intellectual journey of sight through the many fastidiously beautiful photos you share. Our travel continues through sound as you introduce us to each artist and give us a glimpse of their creative achievements. Your articles make us want to hear them perform. I think THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. is doing just what you want, emotionally and intellectually informing and pleasingly entertaining your readers. Too, thanks for your articles on the jazz saxophonist Stephen Richard. He is something special.” —Bronx Boy

Christian McBride

www.thejazzinmee.com

“Wow! The magazine looks fantastic! You have obviously worked your butt off!! VERY nice product, congratulations on the launch! Very cool and stylish new Jazz magazine out of Houston.” —Christopher Alpiar

“Congratulations! Well done, Melody! Very informative and very classy! So exciting for you and for your readers! Wonderful!” —Sher Lindsey, Owner, RedStilettoJazz Radio

photo by Vena Ashley

Jazz in M.E.E. Magazine! As with everything you do it clearly shows that you have put a lot of thought, hard work and, that signature Melody passion on every page! You are giving Extra Value to Jazz artists and their fans by giving them an outlet to be and stay connected to what’s going on in the wonderful world of Jazz. I am excited and equally as proud while Thanking God for Blessing us with you and your talent He has given you. Oh, did I say the cover is AWESOME?!!! If not, it is all of that and MORE… May God continue his Blessings of success in all that you do!” — Carolyn Beverly

Robert Glasper

photo by Melody Warren

“Melody Warren!!!! Congratulations. I know how much focus, vision and hard work you put into making this magazine become a reality. You should feel very proud! Number one . . . as is the case with all you do, this is a ‘FIRST CLASS’ product offering for your customers and general consumers. It also provides a very beneficial marketing Marion Meadows opportunity for artists, such as myself, to gain more exposure for their respective brands and products. What else can I say . . . ‘Excellent job Mrs. Warren!’” — Herb Partlow “Once again you have done something amazing with your talents, the magazine is great. The colors, print, people and stories… wow. Great job once again. I look forward to more and thank you for believing in me and allowing me to be a part of your GREATNESS…. 2 thumbs and 8 fingers up Melody lol!” — PunkinfromPluto “Dear Melody, What an impressive site with plenty of detail and information. I love what you have done here. Keep up the great work, it’s appreciated. Wishing you all the very best in your endeavours. Norrie x” — Norrie Lynch, Smooth Jazz IN THE MIX

the jazz in mee magazine APRIL 2013

“What a wonderful magazine Melody, I enjoyed reading the articles almost as much as I enjoy good jazz. Jazz in Pink was informative and on point. Being the cousin of jazz great Donald T. Bryd he always talked about good jazz and the need to have a good magazine, he would be proud. I’d love to send him a copy! Good Job and Good Luck … i’ll be reading!” — NJERI NANTAMBU-BELL

“My dearest Melody, Stunning publication! Thorough coverage, beautiful images, sexy layout and design . . .it hits hard! Thanks for modeling for me, as I’ll steal a little ideas here and there for Eh Toi! God bless you in your passionate journey with The Jazz in M.E.E.” —Guy Michael's

MULTIFACETED

EXQUISITE EVENTS INC. EVENTS CREATED AS A WORK OF ART

THE

GLAM ·

IN M.E.E.

GIRLS & GUYS LOVE ARTS & MUSIC

IN M.E.E.

THE MAGAZINE

MALLORCA SMOOTH JAZZ FESTIVAL 3. – 5. May 2013

www.thejazzinmee.com 7

Believe In The Music photo by Yolanda Bell

photo by Melody Warren

The Jazzy Saxes: Brian Lenair, Art Sherrod Jr., Adrian Crutchfield, Marcus Anderson, Jackiem Joyner, Eddie Baccus Jr, Craig Alston and Zdany Chisholm.

NAMM’s musical display did not end in the convention center, but it exploded into other venues in the area and M.E.E. was there! An Evening with Aysha Webb at Vitello’s Jazz & Supper Club

was divine on January 24, 2013. Saxophonist Marcus Anderson was her special guest. Aysha and her band (Kerry Griffin - Drums,

Keith Eaddy - Bass, Joel Scott - Keys, Norman Merten - Guitar and Tony Exum Jr – Saxophone) put on a sexy, sultry and entertaining show that attracted the likes of two time Super Bowl winner Rod Martin of the Oakland Raiders. Robin Bramlett and the Bass Bash was a killer show. The NAMM Bash at JT Schmid's Restaurant and Brewery in Anaheim, California was a hot ticket. Robin and her band was on point Chris Pottinger on bass guitar and auxiliary keyboards, Benita Lewis on drums, Kat Dyson on guitar, Lynette Williams on keyboards, and Darren Gholston on saxophone. The Bass Bash was founded by Peter Decuir and they were celebrating a 10-year anniversary. They partied in musical style. Robin played a couple of tunes from her upcoming CD, This Is My Life, and jammed a couple of covers. Robin is a proud endorser of Aguilar Amplification, a sponsor for the event. Cannonball’s Jam session at Spaghettini in Seal Beach California

was priceless. Gerald Albright, Art Sherrod Jr., Marion Meadows, Keith Anderson and Elan Trotman performances were stellar. The energy level was high and the entertainment gauge was off the chart. This was wonderful surprise for the jazz fans.

www.thejazzinmee.com

by Melody Warren HE JAZZ IN M.E.E. attended NAMM 2013 in Anaheim, California and it was magical. NAMM is the mecca of music trade shows and the best the world has to offer. This musical exhibit occupied 815,000 square feet of space in the Anaheim Convention Center and attracted over 95,000 music industry people over 4 days. The National Association of Music Merchants, commonly called NAMM in reference to the organization's popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that promotes the pleasures and benefits of making music and strengthens the $17 billion global music products industry. NAMM serves as a hub for people wanting to seek out the newest innovations in musical products, recording technology, sound and lighting. NAMM's activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages.

Robin Bramlett

photo by Yolanda Bell

Aysha Webb

photo by Michael Douglas

Saxaphone Unleashed hosted by Theo Wanne was so potent that they had to create a two part series of sax perfection by many gifted artists. This release of sax talent included: (Part -1) Eddie Baccus, Mike Parlett, Brad Rambur, Keyan Williams and Elan Trotman; (Part -2): Mike MacArthur, Keith McKelley, Tim Price, Jack Prybylski and Brian Bromberg. Theo Wanne Jazz Jam was exceptional and it kept everyone up out of their seats. We were really extremely impressed with Brian Bromberg who performed phenomenally, even with a severe back injury.

Norman Brown

photo by Yolanda Bell

Elan Trotman and Gail Jhonson

the jazz in mee magazine APRIL 2013

photo by Yolanda Bell

Tony Exum Jr. debut performance at Spaghettini Jazz Club was well worth the wait; the house was packed and he gave all of the jazz lovers their moneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth and then some. We didn't want it to end! He received such a great reception that he was booked again for August 2013. Get ready for the encore!

As we ventured out to mingle during all of these wonderful events, we were overwhelmed by the love and support of our magazine and our brand. We met so many individuals that applauded our efforts advocating and reporting on jazz. We are very appreciative of the global support. Thank you. We enjoyed connecting with our national jazz family... George Benson, Marion Meadow, Elan Trotman, Ryan Kilgore, Charley Langer, Deon Yates, Kyna Hubbard, Dominic Amato, Kim Horn, Eldon Jones, Tamara Yates, Keyan Williams, Brent Birckhead, Quinton Robinson, Rod Williams, Greg Thomas, Antoine Knight, Marcus Anderson, Art Sherrod Jr., Jackiem Joyner, Eddie Baccus Jr, Eric Darius, Brian Lenair, Aysha Webb, Michael Brotten, Jeanette Harris, Jack Prybylski, Keith McKelley, Mike MacArthur, Brian Bromberg, Reggie Jackson, Tom Price, Mike Reynolds, JJ Sansaverino and many more. We look forward to the NAMM experience next year. www.namm.org

Jack Prybylski

George Benson & Melody Warren

Tony Exum, Scott Buggs Allen, Marcus Anderson, KT Tyler, Deon Yates, Brian Lenair

photos by Melody Warren

www.thejazzinmee.com 11

J EFFRE Y

Osborne A Time for Love

By Carolyn Beverly et ready to hear Jeffrey Osborne like you have never heard him before with the release of his first album in almost thirteen years, titled A Time for Love. There is no surprise that the CD hit the no. 1 spot on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart in the first week of its release. The CD was released January 29, 2013. This album is not the usual Jeffery Osborne CD that fans are accustomed to with sultry R&B ballads, but it is Jeffery Osborne and that is just what you get from beginning to end. On A Time for Love, he steps out on a jazzy groove of musicial maddness. Jeffery Osborne has added his special rendition of smooth jazz layered with his signature R&B style giving A Time for Love that special jazzy flavor with a special R&B mix of soul only he can deliver. Osborne’s signature of smooth Jazz standards from the first track “When I Fall in Love” to the very last track “A Time for Love” (featuring Kamas Washington) has his imprint of smooth jazzy soul all the way through, and… everything in between is musically, extra value added for your pure listening pleasure.

Jeffery Osborne began his professional music career with Love Men Ltd, which later became LTD, as a drummer and sharing vocals with his brother Billy in early 70s. In 1978, he became the leader of the group which led to a string of hits to his credit. In 1980, both he and his brother left LTD to start a solo career. From his solo career he had five gold and platinum albums. And, with the success already with the release of A Time for Love, it wouldn’t be a surprise if it too became gold and/or platinum. Jeffery Osborne’s A Time for Love is available now.

photo by Jeff Fasano

the jazz in mee magazine APRIL 2013

Jeffrey Osborne teams up with some of the best jazz artists around on this project like Everette Harp and Kamas on Saxophone, Rick Braun and Walt Fowler on trumpet, Paul Jackson, Jr. on guitar along with good friend George Duke featured on keyboard on “Smile.” Duke also produced the album. There is just no way you can lose with this CD with all that talent. Oh, I forget to tell you that he does a duet with Chaka Khan. They team up on the track “Baby its Cold Outside.” If you are planning an evening with special intentions or just needing a little time to unwind, A Time for Love is just what you need.

A Time For Love Jeffrey Osborne 2013 Jay-Oz, Inc., under exclusive license to Saguaro Road Records, Inc.

THE JAZZ IN M.E.E.

CONGRATULATES

THE 55TH JAZZ GRAMMY AWARD WINNERS! Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album Dear Diz (Every Day I Think Of You) Arturo Sandoval Label: Concord Jazz

Best Jazz Vocal Album Radio Music Society Esperanza Spalding Label: Heads Up International

Best Latin Jazz Album ยกRitmo! The Clare Fischer Latin Jazz Big Band Label: Clare Fischer Productions/Clavo records

Best Jazz Instrumental Album Unity Brand Pat Metheny Unity Band Label: Nonesuch

Best R&B Album Black Radio Robert Glasper Experiment Label: Blue Note

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Best Improvised Jazz Solo Hot House Gary Burton & Chick Corea, soloists Track From: Hot House Label: Concord Jazz

NEWS FROM MARION Dear JAZZ IN M.E.E. Readers: Thank you for supporting my music and THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. magazine. This Houston based magazine targets devotees to jazz and the arts. Be prepared to receive dynamic cover stories, trendy “Jazz Watch” music reviews, boldly stylish CD releases, trendsetting blog updates, enchantingly cool featured festival insights, informative “Inside M.E.E.” reports and other consequential jazz information. I’m very honored to be featured in THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. magazine. I’m excited about all the great things that we have accomplished and what’s on the horizon for us. I’m happy to say the very successful tour “SAX AND THE CITY” will continue in 2013 with Paul Taylor and our new newest member Vincent Ingala! Look for us in a city a near you. My new CD Whisper will be released March 2013 and it’s my label debut with Shanachie Entertainment in conjunction with Listen 2 Entertainment Group. This CD will feature mostly originals, but I dance a balance between soul and fire, intellect and emotion, and sensitivity and brawn, making Whisper. You will enjoy it! We look forward to a successful year.

the jazz in mee magazine APRIL 2013

Support Live Music!

Marion

photo by Vallerie Hancock

lbert Einstein once said, “We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible piper.” For multi-talented saxophonist and consummate creative spirit Marion Meadows, the allure of music was never too far. The charismatic, strikingly handsome, eloquent and debonair musician, who happens to moonlight as a brilliant digital designer/photographer and semi-professional cyclist, originally had aspirations to become a veterinarian. “Reaching people through music has always been rewarding for me. Expressing yourself through an instrument and having listeners run through so many emotions is an artistic impression like no other,” says Marion.

Whisper, an exhilarating musical foray into one of contemporary jazz’s most brilliant minds and recognized soprano saxophonists. A musician unafraid to boldly fuse diverse influences, Marion Meadows sculpts a borderless musical tapestry on Whisper. “I came up listening to Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Duke Ellington but at the same time musicians like Earth Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, Chicago and Parliament Funkadelic,” confesses Meadows who early on cut his teeth playing in Avant-Garde jazz groups alongside heavyweights Rashied Ali and James Blood Ulmer. Whisper, Marion Meadows’ first new recording in four years, features the saxophonist’s agile and ethereal soprano styling and some robust tenor work. It opens with the majestic, intoxicating and rhythmic driven “The Visitor,” which segues into the melodious and scintillating title track, co-written by keyboardist and long-time collaborator Michael Broening. Meadows produced Whisper along with Carlos Pennisi, Bob Baldwin,

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With a clear trajectory in sight, the stars aligned for Meadows one evening at Grand Central Station, when his saxophone was mysteriously overheard reverberating through the Big Apple’s oldest railway. Emmy-winning TV composer Jay Chattaway (Star Trek fame) was so enchanted that he introduced Marion Meadows to Grammy-winning pianist, producer and label owner Bob James, who helped Meadows to launch his career as a solo artist. Close to 25 years later, scores of sold out shows, twelve critically heralded albums, a string of radio hits and collaborations with luminaries like Stevie Wonder, Eartha Kitt, The Temptations, George Benson and Norman

Connors, Meadows is not through yet. “I have immersed myself in so many styles, from old school funk, jazz, rock and pop that a great tune is a great tune and I draw inspirations from all styles of music, but it is also from the outdoors and the beauty the world has to offer that inspire me each day,” states Marion.

Rahni Song and Broening. The album’s first single is the enticing, funky and hypnotic “Black Pearl.” Just like its namesake and gemstone, Meadows’ pearl is multi-layered, producing a beautiful interior within each shimmering chorus. Keyboardist Carlos Pennisi co-authored the song and helped Marion to compose five songs on the album. “Carlos helped me really try different musical ideas on Whisper. He is an amazing composer and multi-instrumentalist born in Italy with a great sense of using colors in his productions. As an artist I’m searching to try new ideas, and he definitely brought that to the table.” “Timeless” is an evocative and tender impressionistic ballad, co-written with keyboardist Rahni Song, who joins Meadow on the track along with Pennisi and harmonica player Julian Davis. “Curves” is an uplifting get-on-the-dance-floor anthem that serves up the right combination of grit and soul, while “Magic Life” and “Golden Curtain” showcase Marion Meadows’ knack for crafting unforgettable melodies that magically have a way of transporting you. Meadows breathes new life into two jazz classics on Whisper, borrowing from the Freddie Hubbard and Dave Grusin songbooks. Freddie Hubbard’s 1970s landmark CTI classic “Sky Dive” soars with Meadows’ own buttery soul rendition, featuring his tenor and soprano alongside trumpeter Joey Sommerville. Dave Grusin’s 1980’s chestnut “Marcosinho” gets revitalized with Meadows’ sparkling new take. Recording Whisper for Meadows was truly a labor of love and part of that process was the joy of collaborating with friends. Longtime associate and keyboardist Bob Baldwin joins Marion on two of the album’s tracks, “Bottoms Up” and “Turn Up The Quiet.” Meadows says of his friend, “Bob always delivers!” “Turn Up The Quiet” marks one of the high points on the project, as the duo score a home run. Marion’s tender soprano gracefully teases and caresses the seductive melody as Baldwin finds all the accents to drive the song home. Flautist Ragan Whiteside joins Meadows on the show-stopping number “Bottoms Up.” Marion calls Whiteside and Althea Rene (who is featured on “Golden Curtain,”) “two of the greatest flautists I know.” Not afraid to get loose and turn up the heat, Marion Meadows serves up a scorcher on “Wild Thing,” a James Brown inspired romp that escalates things to a sweat inducing fevered pitch.

the jazz in mee magazine APRIL 2013

photo byVallerie Hancock

Whisper Marion Meadows March 2013 2013 Shanachie Ent. Corp http://www.marionmeadows.com

The maestro Duke Ellington once said, “My attitude is never to be satisfied, never enough, never!” Like the maestro, Marion Meadows, is never content to rest on his laurels. With a fouryear intermission between recordings, Marion Meadows is back with Whisper and ready to share his gift with the world. “Shhhhhhhhh, the show is about to begin.”

www.mindiabair.com

photo by Chapman Management

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IN THE JAZZY LIMELIGHT: JEFF LORBER

In The Jazzy Limelight:

Jeff Lorber

Past+Future+Fusion=Galaxy by Melody Warren

the jazz in mee magazine APRIL 2013

photo by Champman Management

irst lesson learned by Jeff Lorber, the artist that danced knows Notorious B.I.G., but in actuality it was vice-versa! to the beat of his own drum and created music that he Notorious B.I.G. had the pleasure of knowing Jeff Lorber! If wanted. During our interview, Jeff mentioned Thelonious you would like to experience a similar hip hop vibe from Monk as one of his instrumental musical Jeff Lorber, the track “Big Brother” on his influences, but it was not until after the I say, play your own Galaxy CD moves into hip hop territory, interview that I ran into this quote. This similar to Jeff ’s grooving “Rain Dance.” way. Don’t play what the is very accurate because it has taken M.E.E. 15 years to discover Jeff’s ties into public wants. You play THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. had the opportunity to spend the morning interviewing and the hip hop arena. what you want and let the evening being thoroughly entertained by the spectacular Grammy nominated I have a love of discovery in the moment, the public pick up on jazz legend, keyboardist, composer, and so I tend not to over research an artist what you’re doing. Even producer Jeff Lorber. He is well recognized before interviewing them to actually be if it does take them for the cutting edge movement known surprised by the stories they tell and the as jazz fusion – a marriage of traditional questions they answer. I was truly surprised fifteen, twenty years. with elements of rock, R&B, funk and to find out many interesting things about —Thelonious Monk jazz other electrified sounds. We were truly Jeff’s musical journey, but to learn that hip impressed with him and his musical gift, hop stars Notorious B.I.G. and Lil’ Kim which he discovered at the early age of 4. sampled Jeff ’s song “Rain Dance” from He had not played in Houston since 1982, so this was a real his Grammy Nominated CD Now Is The Time which treat for his many fan hat have awaited his return to the Lone became a huge hit for Notorious B.I.G. known as “Crush Star State. After being away for so long we had tons to discuss. on You” was a revelation. During his show he played the song and people gasped because they thought Jeff Lorber

What is the story behind the creation of your new CD Galaxy? For about the last 5 or 6 years I have been touring in Europe quite a bit, usually in the fall. Over there, they have been using the name Jeff Lorber Fusion because that’s how people know me in Europe. In the process of doing these tours, we sort of came up with the idea of why don't we bring back the name Jeff Lorber Fusion and make some real fusion jazz records again and we sort of threw that around to the record company, my manager, and some musicians. The reaction was really positive and everybody said, “Yeah, that sounds great; I want to hear what that sounds like,” so we did the Now Is The Time album, which came out maybe about 3 years ago and that one really got good reviews. It got nominated for a Grammy and everybody was excited about that and we had a really good time making it. We put this band together of some of the top session musicians in Los Angeles: Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Eric Marienthal on sax, and Jimmy Haslip who was involved production wise and he plays bass with the Yellowjackets. He’s one of the founding members of the group the Yellowjackets. That was basically the concept we called the Jeff Lorber Fusion, it was a little more like the band concept sort of like I used to record back in the early days of my group Jeff Lorber Fusion back in the late 70’s and early 80’s where the band would just basically go in and play and that was mostly what you heard, there were a few over dubs. Records are not made that way so much anymore; a lot of times people do it one instrument at a time, it is less of an ensemble expression. Now Is The Time record did very well, it seemed a natural idea to want to do a follow up in part two, so it is pretty much almost the exact line up and we had some great guitar players to join us, Michael Thompson who is one of LA’s top session guys and a guy named Larry Koonse who is a wonderful soloist, sort of like a secret weapon a lot of people did not know about him, an amazing player and Lenny Castro on percussion, who is another great musician. Making use of some of the incredible talent that’s in the Los Angeles area and revisiting some of my early tunes also we re-cut and covered some of my earlier material in addition to writing new material that’s sort of in the fusion jazz band.

60’s, more like Joan Baez and Bob Dylan. We would go over there and some kids would go in one room with their guitars and play the Bob Dylan music and I would head down to the basement with my cousin Stewart and we would listen to BlueNote records like Miles Davis and Horace Silver and those kind of records. We would listen to those kinds of records. I would love the sound of that. Stewart also gave me a few albums when I was young; one in particular was Monk Stream by Thelonious Monk and that is still one of my favorite records. For a kid, I think Thelonious Monk is a great artist to listen to because his music has a real since of humor to it and it is very simple with kind of angular melody lines, and is easy to grab on to and he is one of the great composers and great piano players, so you can’t do any better than listen to Thelonious Monk. What do you contribute to you're jazz staying power? I am always trying to find things to be excited about and to be inspired by. I am always listening to music. I have to admit that a lot of the music that I listen to is older music. I love listening to the early Miles Davis records and a lot of Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett and Chick Corea records, especially a lot of stuff those guys recorded in the 70’s and 80’s. I just love that music. I like all kinds of good music, I am a big fan of R&B music also and especially I love the R&B music from the 80’s. I am a big

www.thejazzinmee.com

What is your fondest childhood memory? We were just talking a little bit earlier how I would go and visit my cousin Stewart and he had his drums set up in the basement, he was a jazz drummer. That was when I first got turned on to jazz and he let me play the drums, which is the most fun thing when you are a little kid, being a very young child and getting exposed to jazz music. That was fun and I looked forward to going over to my Aunt Sylvia’s house. Had some other cousins who were more into folk music at the time because folk music was really big in the

photo by Vena Ashley

fan of that. I was involved quite a bit as session player from the mid 80’s to the early 90’s working on a lot of R&B records. I worked with quite a spectrum of artists: René & Angela is one of my favorites, New Edition. El Debarge’s music is incredible; I still love listening to his stuff. We worked on a lot of stuff out of Minneapolis, I was part of a little remix group who use to get all these records from the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who were working on like Alexander O’Neal, Cherrelle and Jessie Johnson, so I still like listening to that music too.

the jazz in mee magazine APRIL 2013

Do you prefer fusion or contemporary jazz? Either of those are fine, I kind of call what I am doing now fusion because it is a term that was coined in the late 60’s/early 70’s and it represented the fact that jazz musicians, instead of playing that same straight ahead stuff that they had been playing for so long, were experimenting with different rhythms, Latin rhythms and funk rhythms, and different groups like Weather Report were really turning things around with their overall sounds, the way they would use synthesizers and studio technology and Jocko on the bass would play melodies on the bass and we never heard anything like that before, so did Wayne Shorter. There are just so many innovations that happened in early fusion music. The kind of music that I made was a little different because it was melodically based even though it had quite a bit of bebop vocabulary as far as cord changes and the approach to soloing. Fusion is a good term in terms of what we are doing lately because basically what it represents to me is we are trying to do things that are more energetic and musically ambitious than a lot of the stuff that is around right now.

What is your opinion on the future of jazz music? It is tough, the whole industry as far as recorded music is concerned has taken a huge hit in recent years because of technology and just the fact that everything is changing. Just like newspapers, people don’t read newspapers any more, they are in trouble. There are a lot of things changing very rapidly and I do not have a exact answer except to say that for myself, as an artist, that I just hope that if I work hard and try to be really creative and inventive and imaginative when it comes to the music that I write and the music that I produce, I hope that people are going to get a chance to hear it and that they will support it. I think that there were some very bad decisions made in terms of the so called smooth jazz radio format, which was unfortunately named. I think contemporary jazz or something else might have been better. I think they made a mistake by not bringing the younger generation into it and trying to reinvent it and bringing more young people into it; for something to stay alive, that is what it takes. Anybody that is out there listening right now, if you sort of introduce your kids to jazz and bring them to concerts and play the music for them, I would encourage you to do that. I think this music is wonderful and the more people who get educated to appreciate it the better it is going to be.

How would you like your musical legacy to be defined? I hope people appreciate my writing and my production and the records that I have made and I hope it holds up. It is interesting, you got a guy, Vincent van Gogh, he never sold a painting in his whole life after he is dead; I think they just sold one of his painting for $50 million or something like that, if you can find one they go for a lot of money. It is interesting how succeeding generations will value art, even Bach during his time was not really appreciated as much. About a hundred years after he died people discovered him; you know Bach is a composer in Germany. I am proud of the work that I have done, there is so much great music out there I hope that it holds up over time and that people get a chance to continue listening to it as time goes on. The Grammy nominated Jeff Lorber played two packed shows in Houston with some incredible musicians backing him up: Musical Director, Vernon Barbary, on bass, Patrick Williams on drums, Kelly Dean on saxophones and John Calderon on guitar. I sat mesmerized at the musical flamboyancy that came from the stage, by the man that seemed very low key and conservative during our interview earlier that day. He took the audience on a musical tour of his new CD Galaxy that was released January 31, 2012, on Heads Up International, a division of Concord Music Group. On this CD he revisits a sound he helped pioneer. Galaxy features Lorber on keyboards, Jimmy Haslip on bass, and Eric Marienthal on saxophones, along with guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. and Larry Koonse, drummers Vinnie Colaiuta and Dave Weckl, percussionist Lenny Castro and trumpeter Randy Brecker. Since 1977, Jeff Lorber has major staying power and we look forward to his future musical creations. To keep up with Jeff Lorber, visit: www.lorber.com Listen to “Rain Dance” by Jeff Lorber: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5GEUbntv5c? Listen to “Crush on You” by Notorious B.I.G. and Lil’ Kim: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDoQ2wGT6-k Galaxy Jeff Lorber 2012 Heads Up International, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.

Under the Sign With M.E.E.

Rick Braun, Mindi Abair, Peter White

Tom Braxton

Aaron Prado, George Prado,Ken Slavin, Kevin Hess

www.thejazzinmee.com

Jeff Lorber

Robert Glasper

Keiko Matsui

the jazz in mee magazine APRIL 2013 22

SPARKLE

Lin Rountree photo by Wayne Norman

Jazz & Hollywood Sparkle Featuring Lin Rountree

by Melody Warren ollywood called and Lin Rountree answered. Hollywood hosted a casting call in Detroit to find musicians for the movie Sparkle. In the movie, musical prodigy, Sparkle (Jordin Sparks) struggles to become a star while overcoming issues are tearing her family apart. From an affluent Detroit area and daughter to a single mother (Whitney Houston), she tries to balance a new romance with music manager, Stix (Derek Luke), while dealing with the unexpected challenges her new life brings as she and her two sisters (Carmen Ejogo and Tika Sumpter) strive to become a dynamic singing group during the Motown-era.

Tryouts were conducted in early October 2011 to find “real” musicians to play roles in the music scenes in the movie Sparkle. The film was based in the 1960's in Detroit during the heyday of Motown and the Director wanted to cast live musicians to bring a certain energy and authenticity to the scenes. Lin Rountree was up for the challenge and graced the set with his trumpet. "When we started with our routines the entire set was energized," said Rountree. “The director immediately told the casting director to move us from ‘extra’ status to non-credited actors. It was a lot of work but the most exciting experiences

I've had in my professional career thus far. We were in about five scenes which took about 12 hours a day to film.” Lin was joined by a talented cast of musicians: Isaiah Davis - Barritone Sax, Vincent Chandler - Trombone, Marcus Elliot - Alto Sax, Robert Lowe - Guitar, Ibrahim Jones - Bass, and Butter Hawkins - Drums Soul Trumpeter Lin Rountree, an accomplished performer and recording artist, is a pioneer helping to frame the new sound of Soul-Jazz. Direct from the “new” Detroit music factory, his playing has been described as soulful, funky, and sensual. Be it R&B/Soul or Groove Jazz, he has an innate ability to connect his music to his listener’s soul. His charm, intelligence and wit make him a great entertainer on and off of the stage. www.linrountreemusic.com You Rock My World Lin Rountree Released: Nov 21, 2010 Copyright 2010 BDK

photos by Wayne Norman

www.thejazzinmee.com 23

1. David Boswell - Windows A guitar innovator, David Boswell recently recorded his fourth and most adventurous CD, Windows, for the My Quiet Moon label. A brilliant virtuoso who is heard on electric and acoustic guitars, guitar synthesizer, mandolin and the guitaralele, David wrote all 11 selections for his CD. He uses pianist John Boswell, bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer-percussionist MB Gordy as his colorful group. 2. Marion Meadows - Whisper Featuring mostly originals, Meadows dances a delicate balance between soul and fire, intellect and emotion, and sensitivity and brawn, making Whisper an exhilarating musical foray into one of contemporary jazz’s most brilliant minds and recognized soprano saxophonists. A musician unafraid to boldly fuse diverse influences, Marion Meadows sculpts a borderless musical tapestry on Whisper.

the jazz in mee magazine JAPRIL 2013

3. Boney James - The Beat Three-time GRAMMY nominee Boney James has returned to former label Concord Records with a dynamic, genre-busting album The Beat. One of the most successful instrumental artists of our time with sales totaling over 3 million records, James’ new project fuses his R&B/Jazz roots with Latin rhythm and percussion. “This record was born of my love for both Latin and R&B music and became a mash-up of the two genres.

4. Brian Lenair - Eye of the Storm A brilliant collection of classic R&B jams combined with heartfelt originals with special guest vocalist Alyson Williams. Expect the unexpected! This is not your run of the mill smooth jazz CD. It brings the funk and is guaranteed to make your head bob! 5. Jeffery Osborne - A Time for Love Over 30 years after creating some of the biggest hits in R&B together, Jeffrey Osborne and George Duke have reunited, taking on classic love songs and pop standards in A Time For Love. Released for Valentine’s Day 2013, the CD pairs the Grammy-nominated and platinum-selling artist with

George Duke, one of the greatest jazz and R&B producers of all time, to create a collection of beloved songs updated with incredible arrangements and Osborne’s signature baritone. 6. Vandell Andrew - Years Later... This album is a collection of original songs that has been written since Vandell has relocated to Texas. The Years Later... album has been getting amazing reviews from smooth jazz fans and critics across the globe. This is only the beginning for this young man. 7. Deon Yates - Spotlight Spotlight is a collection of music that puts the listener in a relaxing place and has that certain cool swagger to it. Even the parts where he addresses his listening audience in a swift monologue have personality. The melodies and energy of the songs will sooth as well as exhilarate! It will be hard to choose just one favorite. With guest appearances by the big windy Chicago cat, guitarist Nick Colionne, the renowned nightingale Maysa, and the sweet trumpet of Lin Rountree, Yates aims for the stars with this one. 8 Jeanne Arland Plays Harlod Arlen - Dare to Dream Do you want to know what 75 years in the business sounds like? Dare to Dream: Jeanne Arland Plays Harlod Arlen is beautiful & enchanting. It made M.E.E happy! Jeanne Arland, pianist extraordinaire and child prodigy, is one of two women inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, an honor she shares with Judy Garland. Dare to Dream: Jeanne Arland Plays Harlod Arlen celebrates the music and career of this quintessential ageless woman blessed with remarkable talent. 9. Matt Marshak - Colors of Me Contemporary jazz guitarist Matt Marshak taps into the wonderful diversity of music in Colors of Me (Nuance Music Group), shading his classic and fluid style with jazz, blues, rock, pop and even down-home boogie. “The feel is more colorful and diverse here,” says Marshak, a favorite performer around his native New York. “I think my fans will enjoy the change of pace.”

10 Pete Gitlin - Amplify Coming Together Records proudly announces Amplify, the second release from Phoenix-based guitarist and composer Pete Gitlin. Following up on Full Circle and the Great Temptation, and its #1 hit “Sunshine Days,” Amplify stakes out new ground in the alternative jazz genre. Far from playing it safe, Gitlin and his producer, John Herrera, from the legendary Arizona fusion band Turning Point, have crafted a dizzying array of styles and songs. 11. Christopher Alpiar Quartet - The Jazz Expression The Christopher Alpiar Quartet is a modern Jazz and free-Jazz group playing original music by, Christopher Alpiar. They are mostly of the NYC area musicians and started playing together in in the mid-1990s featuring Pete Rende - Piano, Matt Pavolka - Bass and Bob Meyer - Drums. 12. Yolanda Rabun - So Real Singing soulfully with power and a natural story-telling instinct, Yolanda Rabun’s fans, old and new, have been pleased with the release of her debut jazz project, So Real. So Real enhanced CD features songs newly-written, produced or arranged by Yolanda and her band. All of the instrumentalists on the So Real project shine as superlative and sensitive accompanists that contribute character to the music through imaginative solos. 13. Luis Muñoz - LUZ On January 15, 2013, Luis Muñoz released a new album, entitled LUZ, featuring vocalists Magos Herrera from México and Téka Penteriche from Brazil. With this new project, Luis Muñoz will confirm his place as a music visionary, and as one of the today’s most sensitive, melodic and talented Jazz composers.

16. Jack Prybylski - Out of the Box What do you get when you combine elements of trance, steeped in generous portions of rhythm with a heat-infused saxophone that is masterfully caressed by one very bad cat? You get a pass on a very trippy vibe that some might say is Out of the Box. Produced by Four 80 East (one of the hottest bands that has existed to defy all the rules), Out of the Box (Innervision Records) is the third solo release by saxophonist Jack Prybylski. 17. JJ Sansaverino - Gravy Train Guitarist JJ Sansaverino has reached millions with his music, touring the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, the South Pacific and the Caribbean. JJ continues to perform with reggae legend Maxi Priest. His latest single, “Gravy Train,” shows his natural grasp of guitar and is quickly climbing the charts. 18. Robin Bramlett’s – This is My Life Robin Bramlett’s debut solo project, This Is My Life, is an instrumental autobiography of her musical influences and experiences. It includes a strong but timeless influence of rhythm and blues, neo-soul, and jazz. Longtime collaborators; keyboardist Gail Jhonson, virtuoso violinist Karen Briggs, as well as many others lent their talents to this project. Jazz Watch highlights artists that are creating a buzz in the industry and THE JAZZ IN M.E.E is keeping watch. To listen to sample tracks from some of these amazing artists visit THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. listening party: www.thejazzinmee.com/listening-party

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14. Frank Piombo - Sleepwalk Sleepwalk is a combination of jazz, smooth jazz, and easy listening with some easy listening vocals tune. The original tune “Our Love” is included in the compilation album Smooth Jazz Time Project, #1 on the New Jersey Reverbnation Jazz Charts. Sleepwalk is available at cdbaby.com, iTunes.com, and Amazonmp3.com.

15. Ava Lemert - 12welve Ava Lemert, the Singing Saxstress of Soul™, is making noise in the soul, jazz and R&B community. Why? Ava is simply... different. Ava Lemert is a many-faceted talent, blessed with an immense, soulful voice to deliver her own lyrics and compositions. Ava is also an accomplished saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist, who enjoys bringing her music right into the audience.

Houston

Spotlight

Jacqui Sutton: Welcome to Frontier Jazz! “THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. has found another jewel located in our backyard here in Houston. Her CD remained in the player for 3 days straight. We cannot stop singing “Blue Mountain” and we are smitten with “One and Only” —Melody Warren

photo by Robert Seale

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acqui Sutton is a mesh of many types of music which ultimately equates to Frontier Jazz and we love it. You have to know her! Welcome to the Frontier! Turning 50 and starting a garage band is not the usual vocalist’s narrative, but that’s what happened with Jacqui Sutton. It’s not just any band, but an orchestra that she calls the Frontier Jazz Orchestra.

With the 2010 release of her debut CD Billie & Dolly, Jacqui Sutton has achieved critical acclaim for deftly blending jazz, bluegrass, classical, musical theater and folk music into her signature sound which she has coined “Frontier Jazz.” Essentially, this is jazz as it meets the American frontier. Billie & Dolly (so named in honor of her two female vocal heroines Billie

photo by Robert Seale

Holiday and Dolly Parton), rode the CMJ jazz charts for six weeks, reaching its peak as the #7 jazz CD in the country during its promotional campaign. Not bad for a first time indie producer and bandleader.

Turk;” a straight-up bluegrass gospel tune with a testifying plungered trumpet; a tango “Nature Boy;” a bluegrass ballad full of regret; and a sparkling sip of champagne in the jazz waltz “Better Than Anything.”

Frontier Jazz is a sound that Jacqui believes could have only been created in Texas. It’s not what she expected when she and her husband moved from New York (by way of Madison, Wisconsin) four years ago, but much to her surprise and joy the Houston-based musicians who make up the Frontier Jazz Orchestra turned out to be the perfect band-mates to help her interweave the predominantly jazz/bluegrass sound with the musical influences that she has been attracted to most of her life.

Not content to sit still, Jacqui is already working on her third CD American Anthem which will be her first CD of original songs. She has teamed up with composer Danny Ashkenasi to reframe the nature of an anthem to ask, “What does it mean to be American, and whose anthem anyway?” The lives of a cross-section of Americans will be explored: poor southern Black girls with powerful, rescuing imaginations, coal miners in Appalachia, believers, atheists, and everybody in between.

Jacqui draws on over 20 years of musical and stage experience to leave her personal stamp on her favorite songs. She got her start as a singer as a member of a vocal jazz ensemble called Jazzmouth, founded by Bay Area vocalist and composer Molly Holm in the early 1980s. At the time, heavyweights like Bobby McFerrin and Tuck & Patti were ascendant, and these, among many other Bay Area musicians, were her influences as she sought to master the jazz idiom. When she moved to Portland, Oregon four years later, she was exposed to bluegrass music while learning how to contra dance. The sound of the banjo, mandolin and fiddle would continually intermingle with jazz in her ears and, over the ensuing 20 years, this melding coalesced into the Frontier Jazz sound.

While Jacqui may have found her voice at middle age, her journey is well ahead of her. She brings intimacy, power and a sense of curiosity and possibility to the jazz idiom in her self-defined Frontier Jazz style.

Sutton and the Frontier Jazz Orchestra continue to top the charts becoming #15 on the CMJ Jazz Chart issue #1274 and #20 on the CMJ Jazz Chart issue #1279. After a successful debut album, Billie & Dolly, Sutton was excited to return last year with this heady combination of pastoral and urban music. www.jacquisutton.com Notes from the Frontier Jacqui Sutton 2012 Jacqui Sutton

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A continuation of the Frontier Jazz experiment can be heard on Jacqui’s second CD Notes From the Frontier (September 2012) and the range of songs is as varied as American music itself: classical songs by Lee Hoiby converted to jazz or rock-influenced tunes; a Neo-Soul remake of “Summertime;” an acid-inspired interpretation of “Dear Friend,” a song from the musical She Loves Me!, normally done very sad and sweet turned 3:00 in the morning jaded; the bluegrass tune “Hummingbird” converted to a mixed-meter homage to Dave Brubeck’s “Blue Rondo a la

Their sophomore album, Notes From the Frontier, has been received well, in the most unexpected markets like the Canadian Province, Brooklyn, New York, and Northern Ohio, and it even landed in the #1 spot on the Jazz Add Charts CMJ when it was released last fall.

THE

. E . E M.

THE MELODY IN M.E.E. is a blog of musical expression that will take you on a journey of exploration into the world of jazz.

Kirk Whalum's

the jazz in mee magazine APRIL 2013

“A Gospel According To Jazz Christmas” Featuring Keiko Matsui, Amber Bullock and John Stoddart

photo by Melody Warren

On Friday, December 7, 2012 at 7 p.m. in Sawyer Auditorium, GRAMMY award-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum returned to his alma mater Texas Southern University to share his much-celebrated live recording series “The Gospel According to Jazz.” Kirk brought his inaugural Christmas concert tour, “A Gospel According To Jazz Christmas,” to Houston, Texas and it was a smash hit. Kirk shared the stage with world

photo by Melody Warren

renowned pianist Keiko Matsui and gospel phenom vocalist Amber Bullock, the season four winner of BET’s Sunday Best. Also featured was Kirk’s brother, vocalist Kevin Whalum, keyboardist and vocalist John Stoddart and special guest Bobby Lyle. "The joy of the Christmas season is contagious! And the one thing it must include is music,” said Whalum. “Keiko Matsui, Amber Bullock, and I will invite the presence of the Spirit in a fresh new way." This was the most creative, imaginative, entertaining, interactive and JOYFUL Christmas celebration ever! Keiko was a perfect addition to this superbly talented cast. Her music is celestial, like a spiritual light beckoning for you to come in and find solace from the world. The crowd stood to their feet in amazement after she played “The Road...,” her title track to her new CD. It was a powerful, dramatic and unforgettable! The most heartfelt moment in the concert was Kirk giving tribute to the late Whitney Houston. Kirk Whalum toured

maybe I should say like a surprise Christmas present - providing a good time and a sense of the joy. I was really impressed with the exceptional talent that all three displayed and their vocal ability was uncanny. It was a creative and unique mini musical that made you light up like a kid on Christmas morning! with Whitney for years and he played that amazing sax solo in “I Will Always Love You.” Whitney Houston recorded this song for the 1992 film The Bodyguard which was one of the best selling singles of all time by a female artist. Please support this Christmas show when it comes to your city, you will be impressed. www.kirkwhalum.com www.keikomatsui.com www.musicworldent.com/artists/amberbullock www.johnstoddart.com

PETER WHITE “A Peter White Christmas” Featuring Rick Braun & Mindi Abair

“A Peter White Christmas” started back in 2005 as a duo featuring Peter and Mindi touring all over the country. Rick Braun joined the dynamic duo, adding his own stylish trumpeting flair to the magic. Peter, Mindi, and Rick toured through 2008, took a break in 2009, and then picked up were they left off in 2010. They are in their remarkable ninth year and they have mastered this upbeat fun and entertaining show! They have each separately sold millions of records and their combined fans surely appreciate this special performance of Christmas chestnuts!

Peter White:

Peter recalls, “My earliest memories of Christmas were probably not much different from many other people: snowflakes, tinsel, Santa Claus, reindeer and the opening of presents surrounded by family. As a child, my father taught me to play Christmas music on my first instrument, the recorder, and my love for Christmas music has endured throughout the years.” For nearly two decades, Peter White has maintained a reputation as one of the most versatile and prolific acoustic guitarists on the contemporary jazz landscape. Armed with an unparalleled combination of lyricism and energy, he combines elements of jazz, pop, and classical guitar to create a sound that is singular and at the same time accessible to a broad audience. www.peterwhite.com

photo by Melody Warren

I really enjoyed the outrageously funky medley, "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town/Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." As odd as that combination of tunes might sound, it worked like a charm - or

Mindi Abair:

Mindi is a self-confessed Christmas "dork" and loves the holidays. She graduated from Berklee College of Music and headed to Los Angeles where she played on 3rd Street Promenade and local clubs to get attention. Bobby Lyle hired her off the street for his tour, and she soon became a sought after sideman. She signed as a solo artist to Verve Records in 2002 and never looked back. She is currently touring the US and abroad with her band. The list of artists she has toured or recorded with are a testament to her talent. They include: Aerosmith, Keb’ Mo’, Lalah Hathaway, Duran Duran, Lee Ritenour, the Backstreet Boys, Mandy Moore, Max Weinberg, Bill Champlin, David

www.thejazzinmee.com

I made my list and I checked it twice! This holiday concert was a fun filled gift to cherish. “A Peter White Christmas,” featuring Rick Braun and Mindi Abair, had the audience rocking in the Christmas spirit. Fans packed Dosey Doe's great listening room (www.doseydoescoffeeshop.com) to enjoy a festive musical Christmas celebration. What a perfect way to welcome in the holiday season!

Pack, Mocean Worker, Adam Sandler, Rick Braun, Teena Marie, Bobby Lyle, Jonathan Butler, and Peter White. www.mindiabair.com

Rick Braun

Rick Braun says, “Christmas reminds me of the cold weather in Pennsylvania where I grew up and long car trips with my family with the windows all steamy and rolled up, seeing lights in the windows of houses and then being with my dad and the whole family for turkey and football.” Rick Braun’s been playing trumpet since he was a kid; no news there for the legions of fans his richly melodic playing style has attracted since the release of his first album, Intimate Secrets, in 1993. Less known is the fact that he’s been a singer, and a good one (backing Rod Stewart and Sade among others, with vocals as well as his stellar trumpet), for most of his life as well. www.rickbraun.com

Dana Jackson & Kerry Wilkins

the jazz in mee magazine JANUARY 2013

Acoustic Soul Night with Houston’s Shining Stars Dana Jackson and Kerry Wilkins

THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. met Dana Jackson and Kerry Wilkins at Fedora Lounge for M&M Thursdays (Martinis & Margaritas with acoustic soul in the upper Kirby area) Dana and Kerry gave the perfect performance in this new quaint and swanky Houston music spot. It was an enjoyable night with amazing entertainment and cool people. Since the 90’s, Dana Jackson has been setting trails ablaze on the Houston music scene. Many know Dana as “Houston’s Only Singing DJ” for Houston’s #1 Urban AC radio station, KMJQ-Majic 102.1. Others know her as the voice of the four time world champion WNBA Houston Comets, but Dana is most known as being one of the most popular and sought after artists in the Houston area. photos by Melody Warren

Kerry Wilkins is one of Houston’s hottest guitarists. He has completed his sophomore solo project which contains eleven smooth and/or contemporary jazz cuts. His sophomore jazz CD is called Follow My Lead. Kerry has also electrified audiences on-stage with Kim Waters, Marion Meadows, Kirk Whalum, Bobby Lyle, Billy Paul, Ronnie Laws, Melba Moore, Howard Hewitt, Gerald Alston and many others. To learn more about Dana Jackson, Kerry Wilkins, and Fedora Lounge visit: www.reverbnation.com/danajackson www.fedorabarlounge.com www.facebook.com/kerry.wilkins.31

Christian McBride It’s A Family Thing

THE JAZZ IN M.E.E was tipped off about Christian McBride during the Martha's Vineyard Jazz Festival in August of 2012 by the talented and emerging jazz force Christian Sands (christiansandsjazz.com) and began to follow him. We were ecstatic to hear that he was coming to Houston with his band Inside Straight to celebrate 25 years of music with Da Camera chamber photo by Vena Ashley of music and jazz. We quickly reached out to the McBride camp to request an interview and they graciously accepted. On February 8, we set out to the Wortham Theater in Houston to meet the GRAMMY award winning bassist extraordinaire, composer, arranger, educator, curator and administrator. Christian McBride’s father, Lee Smith, and his great uncle, Howard Cooper, are also well known Philadelphia bassists who served as McBride's early mentors. Christian McBride, has been one of the most important and most omnipresent figures in the jazz world for 20 years. As a sideman in the jazz world alone, he's worked with the best of the very best: Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Rollins, J.J. Johnson, Ray Brown, Milt Jackson, McCoy Tyner, Roy Haynes, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and Pat Metheny. In the R&B world, he's not only played with, but also arranged for Isaac Hayes, Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole, Lalah Hathaway, and the one and only Godfather of Soul himself, James Brown. In the pop/rock world, he's extensively collaborated with Sting, Carly Simon, Don Henley, and Bruce Hornsby. In the hip-hop/neo-soul world, he's

photo by Vena Ashley

collaborated with the Roots, D'Angelo, and Queen Latifah. In many other specialty projects, he's worked closely with opera legend Kathleen Battle, bass virtuoso Edgar Meyer, the Shanghai Quartet and the Sonus Quartet. He invited us into his musical territory with open arms and allowed us to engage him and the band during rehearsal and sound check. We had fun with them and enjoyed our creative freedom. We positioned and repositioned our signage around him to get the perfect picture and he rolled with the punches. He even joked by asking, “Do you carry that sign everywhere?” My answer was, “Yes…It’s our trademark,” and he chuckled. As he read through the magazine, he asked, “I’m going to be in this magazine?” I said, “Yes, you are.” “Wow!!! It is awesome,” he replied. “I love what you are doing for jazz.” I felt very proud and grateful of his compliment and confidence in M.E.E.

After the interview, he prepared for his performance with his fabulous band members: saxophonist Steve Wilson, vibraphonist Warren Wolf, pianist Peter Martin and drummer Carl Allen. These guys put on a dynamic show and Christian got down to business making the bass do things I had never witnessed. His performance was breathtaking. I found myself holding my breath at times to endure the beauty of it. They charmed us with "Theme for Kareem" (Freddie Hubbard),"Sophisticated Lady" (Duke Ellington),"Stick & Move" (McBride) and "Brother Mister (excerpt)" (McBride). This talented GRAMMY award winner was incredible! Christian, his management team, his band, and the venue treated M.E.E. like royalty. They were totally open, gracious and supportive. We appreciate and value what Christian McBride has and will continue to contribute to the jazz journey. Look for more about this charismatic artist from M.E.E. soon. To get to know Christian McBride and to purchase his new CD visit: www.christianmcbride.com

www.thejazzinmee.com

We experienced quite a bit about him hanging with him for the day. His personality was magnetic, he loved to laugh, his smile brightened the room and everyone enjoyed being in his presence. He is mega talented, but very humble. His view of jazz and how to attract new fans was eclectic and he adored the mystery of not knowing where jazz was headed in the future. He would rather bask in the moment. He also believed that a key element in being a successful bass player is taking on a supportive role. "We are the brick layers and we have to support the entire band,” he implied. Meeting him was like family; he wanted to show us the life of jazz from his eyes. He gave us an up-close and personal view of high and heavy art verbally and musically. He revealed insight regarding his fascination with

big band writers, arranging, and scoop on his upcoming book. He shared great details with us, and vowed to have our back in jazz. At one point, he had a M.E.E. t-shirt on his chest, a magazine in his hand, posed under the M.E.E. sign, taking photos vowing his support. It was hilarious. He has a great story to share and we cannot wait to share it with you in a future THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. issue. Our journey continues to get better.

THE

TIP JAR IN M.E.E.

PR, Marketing and Branding Tips by Angela P. Moore-Thorpe & Melody Warren

THE JAZZ IN M.E.E and APM Public Relations partner to bring you “Tip Jar,” a column that will provide valuable information to help you navigate different paths of your musical journey.

the jazz in mee magazine APRIL 2013

f you are an artist that has spent immeasurable, incalculable, infinite, and countless hours creating your music and/ or CD, your marketing, imaging, and branding efforts/ strategy should match or exceed it. If you don’t develop and spend time on a plan to get your music heard by the masses and develop your fan base, it will be a huge uphill battle for you. Record companies and investors like to see that an artist has an established and substantial fan base to spark interest. If you don’t have the time to do this on your own, invest in a company to help you. If you are serious about making an impact in this industry, take this seriously. Your customers will see you before they hear you, so make your marketing and image powerful. If you have invested the time in making the music, take the time to determine how your brand voice and your musical voice will be heard.

Here are 10 tips that will help you get started with building your brand and put you on the road to success. Image is Everything

Image is everything, so update your wardrobe and go shopping for some stylish outfits (suits, jackets, dresses, shirts, jeans, shoes and accessories). Also, hire a professional photographer and schedule a professional photo shoot. Make sure the photographer captures a variety of shots: casual, formal, outside, inside, fun, and headshots. Make sure your personality shines through and that all of your pictures are professionally edited before you distribute them. Don’t forget to hire a professional graphic designer to create professional marketing materials for your press kit, shows, posters, social media, website, and mail outs to send to promoters.

Utilize Social Media Networks

Sign up for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram accounts to build your fan base and to stay connected to those fans. Social networking is free promotion and exposure and an excellent way to help brand your company. When used properly, social media networks are excellent promotional tools that can introduce you to the world, increase CD sales, and help you meet people you wouldn’t have otherwise met. If you do not have time to maintain accounts, hire someone to manage them. Avoid controversial topics and arguing with your fans on your page. Instead, post photos from your concerts, tours, and family and post fun and motivating material. Remember, your main purpose is to promote and grow your music business, keep your fans updated, and sell CDs. Don’t become too available and be on Facebook and Twitter 24 hours per day. Fans like the ‘mystique’ that comes along with an artist. Your main focus should be creating music and constantly coming up with more ways to take your talent to the next level… Professional Representation

Hire a reputable public relations firm that can represent you and prepare professional, well-written documents. If you cannot work that in your budget, be prepared to do-it-yourself. The media kit should contain at least 2-8x10 glossy color photos of you and your band, a one-page bio, one sheet, your latest CD, your publicist’s business card, and press clippings. You can also include a CD with electronic photos. The media kit can be used for numerous things such as: obtaining publicity in the media (magazines, TV, newspapers, online publications, etc.), getting booked at venues, sponsorship opportunities, and other opportunities. Also, make sure you have an electronic press kit (EPK) created with dynamic and clear videos. You should also have mp3s prepared of your top singles to submit to include in emails to radio, business letters, etc.

Join a Union

Ensure that you register yourself with ASCAP or BMI. You should register your songs and obtain copyrights to make sure you receive your proper royalties. Do your Homework

If you are running your own music company and producing your own CD, you need to do your research and find out what is involved. Independent artists should be prepared to play multiple roles. There are plenty of books available for you to reference to outline the information that you need to know. Utilize Digital Distribution

Make sure your music is available to purchase on several digital distribution sites such as www.cdbaby.com and www.itunes.com. There are hundreds of sites available and you should register your music on several. Stage Performance

Create your own style, make sure you are original, and have a creative and powerful stage presence. Entertain and talk to your audience. Your show should tell a story. Make sure your show is hot! Radio Promotion

Hire someone to shop your music to radio stations. If you cannot put radio marketing in your budget, write a plan and target the appropriate markets. Make sure you send a one sheet bio and promotional CD to program directors. If sending by email, send one sheet and 2-3 mp3s of your latest singles. Online stations are popular and some have hundreds, if not thousands, of followers. Do not forget the college stations. Building Relationships

Developing and maintaining good relationships is key. Make this your number one priority if you want to be successful. Keep in mind that you are one of many performers calling; building key relationships can set you apart and extend your longevity on the circuit. Self Marketing

Have a professional website created. It is mandatory to have a great website that has a sample of your music, photos, bio, contact information, etc. Make sure you keep the website updated with your performance dates and new photos. If you would like to suggest future topics, please email us: info@thejazzinmee.com Angela P. Moore-Thorpe APM Public Relations. www.apmpublicrelations.com Melody Warren THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. www.thejazzinmee.com

Branding 101 by TD Wright

With your tips in hand, you are now ready to explore marketing and branding for yourself. What is Branding? You are a brand! Branding is all about creating an emotional connection that will develop recognition. Branding is the same process a musician uses to create the distinct sound that identifies them to their listeners after the first few notes of a song are played. Consider the way you dress, the locations you play, the musicians you perform with; all of this establishes and builds your brand. How does it work? Let’s take it step by step.You get dressed, grab your beloved instrument and head to your performance. The lineup is incredible; you have been anxiously waiting to play alongside your fellow musicians. You have practiced and are ready to give the next best performances of your career. The place is packed, they are screaming your name and feeling your music. All of your hard work has paid off and now your fans want to follow you and support your career. What do you have to offer? Your fans want to relive the same ambiance you created for them at your performance. If your look and sound is soulful and contemporary, then your brand identity (logo), web presence, and print collateral should portray the same. A soulful and contemporary vibe can be communicated visually through your color scheme, font choice and graphic design, thus creating a polished and professional brand presence. The Payoff Of course, there is a price to develop your brand professionally, but the payoff is much greater. You wouldn’t buy an instrument that was flawed and had poor tonal quality – this would affect your performance. The same is true with marketing and branding; don’t go for the cheapest when you are looking to partner with a firm to establish your brand, think of quality! Why spend countless amounts of money on top name equipment and clothing, only to go flat with the follow-up of your web presence and print collateral. Brand identity and brand management is a strategic process. Selecting a firm should be just as strategic. Partner yourself with a firm that has a proven record of developing and managing brands.

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“SPOTLIGHT delivers big-time on talent and performance, as Deon’s playing sparkles

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The JAZZ IN M.E.E. supports fashion, the arts and music!

Saxophonist Deon Yates’ latest project entitled Spotlight has that certain cool swagger to it. Ronald Jackson ~ SmoothJazzRide.com

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April is Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) Let's Celebrate! The Spirit and Rhythms of Jazz is the 2013 Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) theme highlighting jazz cultural history, musical performance and stories, programs and productions this April. JAM and UNESCO’s International Jazz Day April 30 provide rich platforms for individuals and communities to explore jazz principles of freedom, inclusion and creativity to learn how jazz has transformed America and inspired the world. The Smithsonian will present stories, images, and music highlighting various

jazz artists and people who helped shape America’s original art form – jazz – over several decades; three jazz legends to be featured are: Lionel Hampton,Randy Weston and John Levy. Lionel Hampton’s Smithsonian story has an unmistakable vibe. His image on the 2013 JAM poster is created from artwork by Frederick J. Brown on permanent display at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.

born in america. enjoyed worldwide.

JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH

APRIL 2013

TWELFTH ANNUAL CELEBRATION

Presented by the National Museum of American History and a distinguished roster of partners.

Lionel Hampton (detail) by Frederick J. Brown, oil on canvas, 1997. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani on behalf of the People of New York © 1997, Frederick J. Brown.

Scan to check upcoming jazz events and online educational activities

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Gift of Music Foundation The Coffee Talk Jazz Network and the Edward B. Bass Gift of Music Foundation takes Jazz back to school. Through our foundation we are fully committed to arts education in schools. Our mission and passion is to bring the transformative power of the arts education back to schools.

We have created strategic partnerships with the Beyond the Bell Organization who has also has a strong commitment to the visual and performing arts needs of students, before schools, during school and after school and this all take place in the Los Angeles Unified School District. These programs are there to augment in school programs and provide students with additional experiences in the arts.

The Dr. Edward B. Bass Foundation is a non-profit scholarships organization committed to inspiring and assisting with the growth and appreciation of music through-out seven local schools. Our goal for the 2013-2014 school years is to raise $100,000.00 and spilt the contribution equally among each school. Join us and pledge your support today by donating to Dr. Edward B. Bass Gift of Music Scholarships Foundation vision, you'll have a front row seat into jazz's future by pouring your resources into our children. Donate today! With music joy, Ms. Bridgette Lewis

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Congratulations! THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. has been nominated for Entertainment Magazine of the Year by EOTM

the jazz in mee magazine APRIL 2013

Melody Warren has been nominated for Editor of the Year.

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CALL FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS Please email THE JAZZ IN M.E.E./Multifaceted Exquisite Events Inc. at: info@thejazzinmee.com. CALL FOR WRITERS THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. is looking for guest contributors, so if there’s a story, tip, or feature you’d like to share, e-mail us. Our key areas of interest include content that showcases, supports, advocates, educates, markets and promotes the love of jazz and its artists. We can only consider posts that are your own writing, haven’t been published elsewhere, and which you allow THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. to publish exclusively.

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What We Need In your pitch, please provide the topic or title of your article, outline briefly what the post would explain or deliver to the readers, and list any inclusions you would like to use to accompany your post (i.e. images, videos, etc.).

How To Apply Please send clips and/or writing samples to: info@jazzinmee.com. www.thejazzinmee.com/in-the-jazzy-limelight-call-to-action CALL FOR ARTISTS THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. will be attending major jazz festivals and events this year and we would like to take you with us in song! If you are interested in being a featured artist on our JAZZ IN M.E.E. music CD sampler, we would be happy to hear from you. We will use our CD to market our brand and yours. If you would like the opportunity to be exposed to over 100,000 additional jazz lovers, email us at info@thejazzinmee.com. This is an exceptional marketing opportunity to reach different markets and share your music creatively. Reserve your space today.

CALL FOR RADIO & JAZZ FESTIVAL PARTNERS THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. is seeking radio and festival partners to join us on our journey to ignite jazz passion and support our mission to keep jazz and its artists present. Join us as we embark on a tour of melodic pleasures of all things jazz! www.thejazzinmee.com/radio Please email us info@thejazzinmee for additional information. E-BLAST SERVICES THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. is proud to roll out its E-Blast service to its customers. Our email blast service affords you the luxury of having leads, new clients, and fans driven directly to you. We can E-Blast your brand, event, product or service to our active subscribers. Take advantage of this marketing opportunity! Email us at info@thejazzinmee or give us a call at 281-260-8469. www.thejazzinmee.com/let-m-e-e-e-blast-you VENUES THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. is looking for hot, new, swanky, trendy venues to partner with for jazz events! Let us know if you have a hot new venue that’s looking for M.E.E. CD SUBMISSIONS THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. is accepting CD submissions for our music showcase and for editorial consideration. Please send your CD’s to: THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. P.O. Box 683184 Houston, Texas 77268 Attn: Melody Warren SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL youtube.multifacetedevents.com

THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. Magazine Advertising Opportunities THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. is an affiliate of Multifaceted Exquisite Events Inc. News and Media division. THE JAZZ IN M.E.E., based in Houston, hosts and reports on jazz, literary, and art events nationally.

THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. aims to be an informative, inspiring and entertaining jazz lifestyle magazine where readers can find in-depth feature articles and columns pertaining to everything jazz with an artistic flair.

THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. is the newest addition to the M.E.E. network, targeting devotees to jazz and the arts. This magazine includes dynamic cover stories, trendy “Jazz Watch” music reviews, boldly stylish CD releases, trend setting blog updates, enchantingly cool featured festival insights, informative “Inside M.E.E.” reports and other consequential jazz information. The magazine was developed after the success of “In the Jazzy Limelight,” an online article profiling various jazz artists. “In the Jazzy Limelight” has reached over 180,000 readers in 25 countries, with highest international views in Japan, Canada, Russia, Ukraine, France, and the United Kingdom. Readers of the online feature have a passion for jazz vacations, explorations and getaways. These topics will continue to be explored and expanded upon with the launch of THE JAZZ IN M.E.E.

Advertise with M.E.E. and let us help you find your target market! This is an excellent opportunity for maximum exposure for artists, musicians, festivals, radio/internet stations, jazz business supporters and enthusiasts within the national jazz community.

THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. was created to be a platform to showcase, support, advocate, market, and promote the love of jazz, the artists, musicians, enthusiasts, and supporters of this magnificent genre of music and the events that are a springboard for its success. M.E.E. is on a mission to keep jazz and its artists in the forefront.

“I like your commitment, knowledge, and dedication to keeping the jazz genre alive. Your site and ‘Jazzy Limelight’ features reflects what it is current and gives us information on the current jazz scene, as it references the past. Also, you allow your members to be interactive, i.e. posting their favorite videos and sharing their knowledge of jazz with each other. Lastly, the word PROFESSIONALISM comes to mind...you give us personal insight...into the jazz artist(s) you spotlight and showcase them as regular people. Melody, your site is user friendly and you create a down home atmosphere on your site. Mel the Social NET-WORKER from San Antonio, Texas is glad to be a part of THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. family. LET¹S NETWORK SAN ANTONIO and the WORLD!” —Melvin David Limpkins, the Social Net-Worker Please email us at: info@thejazzinmee.com for more information regarding our introductory offer rates.

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This non-profit organization’s goals include: - Advancing education and exposure to innovative art forms - Promoting musical and artistic performances - Sculpting new audiences and developing a new fan base for jazz If you are interested in partnering with us, please email us at info@glammee.org

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Girls & Guys Love Arts and Music (GLAM) is an organization for young girls and boys that is dedicated to the jazz and arts community.

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BRAND MANAGEMENT Identity Design Brand Strategy & Management Website Design & Development Marketing (Strategy & Consulting) Social Networking ARTIST/MUSIC SERVICES Talent Booking Talent Developement Mixing, Mastering & Digital Distribution Recording Studio PUBLICITY DEVELOPMENT Program Design Press Kits (EPK’s) Media Relations Media Tours Feature Stories News Stories Biography Creation Personal Appearances Press Releases – Distribution Press Releases – Writing Contributed Articles Sponsorship

PROMOTIONS Program Execution Creative Development Advertising PUBLICATIONS Brochures Newsletters THE JAZZ IN M.E.E. Magazine SPECIAL EVENTS Press Conferences/Briefings Meetings and Seminars Parties/Receptions/Fundraisers Book signings/Artist signings/CD signings Grand Openings Event Bookings Celebrity Events On-site Event Support Jazz Events and Festivals IMAGE/ADVERTISING DEVELOPMENT Print Radio Television Ad production Media buying

IMAGE MANAGEMENT Image Consulting Photo Shoots Issue Analysis Community Relations Crisis Management Client Media Training PROFESSIONAL WRITING Feature Stories and Columns Celebrity Profiles Ghost Writing Original Online Content Marketing and Promotional Materials THE MELODY IN M.E.E. Blog The Jazzy Limelight Feature