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January 31, 2004
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Highlights !
On this edition of the radio program that's always distinctive & fresh, we check out some great sounds from Marc Antoine. Mediterraneo is his new one and we're spotlighting a few tracks as part of our showcase cd feature. Then in hour 2 it's time again for Fresh Trax. We're including something from the brand new release by Brian Bromberg, one of the top bassists in contemporary music, and we'll also have something from Lee Ritenour & his Twist of Motown cd. As well, we're introducing some great new artists. Terry Disley, keyboardist extraordinaire & former long time member of Acoustic Alchemy just released his debut. We've selected a tune from that one and we'll also have a track from guitarist Anthony James Baker & his self-titled debut. (Be sure to check out "after hours" on our site for more great new music plus a surprise or two.) Now in addition to that we have loads more great music; including lesser known selections from Joseph Diamond & Will Sumner, classic tracks from Boney James, Gabriela Anders, and Pieces of a Dream among others. But the musical magic begins at midnight so to speak with Joe McBride, Louie Shelton, & Bob Mamet and our opening set.

Showcase CD
Mediterraneo - Marc Antoine:
Parisian born & classically trained, Antoine was first exposed to the guitar through a neighbor who could play but a single song. Nevertheless, Antoine fell in love with the sound of the instrument and bought his first guitar with prize money from winning a scooter race. He practiced incessantly and at 16, he earned a scholarship to the Paris Conservatory of Music. He spent the next few years learning technique and studying composing by day while by night he jammed in clubs until the wee hours of the morning.

At around the age of 19, however, Marc met with a serious injury when nerves and tendons in his left wrist were severed to the bone. In spite of a five-hour operation, he was told that he would never be able to play again. Refusing to accept this fate, Antoine worked hard at rehabilitation.


He persevered for 3 very long years so that by the time he was 22 Marc was back on the circuit in Paris. After various experiences in Pop, Jazz, Latin and African music, Marc formed a band and recorded his first album in 1994. The project brought instant recognition and launched a career that now includes hundreds of performances, dozens of guest spots and six excellent solo releases. All of these have contributed to Antoine's hard earned & well-deserved position as one of the premiere artists in the SJ genre. Mediterraneo is his latest and perhaps finest release to date and the one that we're showcasing on this occasion. Featured tracks include Mediterraneo, Lady, & Senor Groove.

CD: Mediterraneo (2003)
Label: Rendezvous Entertainment
Site: Marc Antoine

Fresh Trax: Part One
Never Can Say Goodbye - Lee Ritenour:
Long regarded as one of the consummate players in contemporary music, Ritenour's career has assumed almost legendary status. Growing up in L.A. in the 60's, Ritenour was exposed to all of the greats of the day in the worlds of jazz & rock. His fascination with musical expression however, went well beyond that and led to a genuine love for the rich diversity of styles that flourished all around him. Lee toured briefly with Sergio Mendes & Brazil '77 in 1973 and released his solo debut in 1976 before becoming immersed in the LA music scene as a first call session player. The 70s also saw him jamming regularly at Hollywood's famed Baked Potato.

Now, almost 30 years after the release of his first cd, Ritenour is celebrating his latest project, the third in a series of all-star "Twist of " projects which pay homage to the music of his youth. (That, to go along with several collaborations with Dave Grusin, four cds in 1990s with the supergroup Fourplay, a co-release with fellow guitar great Larry Carlton and many more releases under his own name.) This latest chapter in Ritenour's fabled career, is titled A Twist of Motown. From that effort, we've chosen Never Can Say Goodbye a tune on which Lee himself is featured as he explores the subtle nuances of this familiar melody. Rewarding listening on this one.

CD: A Twist of Motown (2003)
Label: GRP
Site: Lee Ritenour
Bobblehead - Brian Bromberg:
Bromberg's first big break in music came in 1979 when Stan Getz was looking for a new bass player. Brian auditioned, won the spot and joined Getz & his famed quintet in December of 1979. Bromberg had just turned 19. He spent nearly a year touring the world with Stan and his band before moving on to other projects including a solo career. Since then, Brian has toured, performed and/or recorded with some of the greatest artists of our time. In the process he's earned a reputation not only as a masterful bassist but also as a highly innovative player & producer in the worlds of both straight-ahead and smooth jazz. Choices is his first cd in the latter genre since 1998.

CD: Choices (2004)
Label: A440 Music Group
Site: Brian Bromberg

Fresh Trax: Part Two
Sax On Line - Amedeo:
The classically trained saxplayer has established an enviable reputation throughout Europe. He began on clarinet at the Conservatory of Milan at the age of 12, studied experimental composition, and then moved into concert and session work. Through the course of events Amedeo developed into a versatile performer as he toured with a long list of both Italian & international stars. He's written and published three books on playing the sax and has also recorded a pair of projects under his own name. Coming Home is the most recent of these and from that recording the alluring Sax On Line is the tune that we've selected.

CD: Coming Home (2003)
Label: Nonchalance Records

Sueli - Anthony James Baker:
The British-born Baker first developed his musical skills playing in local pubs and clubs. In the 1980s, he moved to London and soon landed a gig performing and recording with members of Tears for Fears and Big Country. He relocated to Los Angeles in the 90s and spent some time studying with a few guitar greats such as Norman Brown and Frank Gambale. A few years later, Baker packed his bags and moved again, this time to Denver, Colorado. In addition to becoming well established in that city's music scene, Anthony has continued to mature as a musician as evidenced by his passionate playing and melodic compositions. Now set to embark on a solo career with the release of his self-titled debut, Baker combines Jazz, Rock, Latin Rhythms and the Blues into an intriguing fusion of flavors. From that effort we have the full bodied warmth of his playing on Sueli.

CD: Anthony James Baker (2002)
Label: Independent Release

Slam Dunk - Terry Disley:
Perhaps best known in Smooth Jazz circles through his association with Acoustic Alchemy, Disley wrote 2 compositions for the Grammy nominated Back on the Case album. He toured and recorded with the group for six years, and he also co-wrote both Tete a Tete and the title track for Alchemy's The Beautiful Game. That however is just of a tiny sampling of Disley's accomplishments. As a player and performer Terry has appeared as featured soloist with London's Metropolitan Orchestra. He's a highly acclaimed jazz pianist and has appeared many times at London's prestigious Ronnie Scott's club. He was also Dave (Eurythmics) Stewart's musical director for 5 years.

Since 1997 Disley has resided in San Francisco where he records and performs on a variety of projects and operates as a much in demand session player. (In 2002 Terry was featured alongside Yellow Jackets players Will Kennedy and Marc Russo on J Thompson's debut cd - Romantic Night.) Through it all though there is one word that rings true and that word is experience. Disley has loads of it and now that experience is ours to share & enjoy as Terry has just released Experience his suitably titled solo debut, which showcases Terry's incredible talent and diversity as an artist. From that effort, we will experience the moody energy of Slam Dunk.

CD: Experience (2003)/ Available at: CD Baby
Label: Disley World Music
Site:Terry Disley

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