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December 7th, 2008 Edition #505 Previously 
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This Week at CafeJazz.ca ... … entering the spotlight on today's edition, we have David Benoit and his Heroes release. We've chosen a trio of selections and have those cued & ready as part of the showcase feature. Our second hour brings another batch of Fresh Trax with all the latest and best in new music. Headlining the segment is Jeff Lorber, while debuting we have The JWB, Mark Rossi, Russ Hewitt, and the saxman calling himself Plunky. That's followed later in the hour, with a set of retro classics, which include Greg Adams, our good friend Allon Sams out of the Tampa Bay area, bassman Michael Manson, and Russ Freeman & The Rippingtons - while the remainder of the show is a dazzle of excitement with Warren Hill, the band Fourplay and Dave Koz. But as the moment to begin is at hand, we set things in motion with Chuck Loeb! |
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| Fresh Trax: Part One | |
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Lydia - Russ Hewitt: Dallas native, Russ Hewitt is known locally as a "rock shredder" as his promo literature puts it with plenty of credentials to back up the statement. Even so, the graduate of North Texas State has also performed classically and is seasoned as a studio veteran. After backpacking thruout Europe and with travels in Turkey and other exotic locals such as China and Egypt, Hewitt's exposure enabled him to jam with many of the authentic players in each region. Upon his return, Hewitt was inspired to create Bajo el Sol, or Under the Sun, as his solo debut. With influences from rumba & flamenco and Arabic & Indian textures, Hewitt terms the fusion of flavours as "Latin world." From that effort, we've selected one of his best! CD: Bajo el Sol (2008) Label: Saulito Music Site: Russ Hewitt ; Hewitt/Space |
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Come
On Up - Jeff Lorber: One of the pioneers in the contemporary movement, Jeff Lorber's love of jazz began while attending Berklee in Boston. In the late 70s, he formed The Jeff Lorber Fusion, a group that combined funk, R&B, rock, and electric jazz. The unit became one of the most successful acts of the day, but was disbanded at the height of their popularity by Lorber, who chose instead to focus on production and session work. In the course of events, Jeff returned to recording his own music in the early 90s and quickly resumed his position as one of the most influential players on the scene. Now many cds into this latest phase of his career, Lorber recently released Heard That and from that effort we have the opening track! CD: Heard That (2008) Label: Peak Records Site: Jeff Lorber ; JL/Space(1) ; JL/Space(2) |
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| Fresh Trax: Part Two | |
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Midday
- The JWB: The JWB is The James Ward Band and is led by bassist James Ward. A native of Kansas City Missouri, JW attended Florida A&M where he studied tuba, while playing in a variety of groups. Thru the years, Ward has appeared with Mark Whitfield, Oleta Adams, Patti Austin, and Russell Malone, as well as many others. Finally, after gigging back in the Kansas City area as The JWB since 1997, Ward chose to release his debut album. Entitled In Perspective the project presents an appealing blend of styles from Latin and R&B to Fusion, Funk, Jazz, and Gospel - from that effort we've selected the lead single in Midday! CD: In Perspective (2007) Label: GroovWard Site: JWB/Space ; JWB/Sonic Bids |
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Giovanni
et Paulo - Mark Rossi: Hailing from the Boston region, keyboardist Mark Rossi played in a variety of jazz and R&B bands before relocating to the West Coast. Setting up shop in San Francisco, Rossi was inspired by the eclectic sounds of the bay area, and sought to reflect his love for contrasting musical concepts. Released just last year is the aptly entitled Contrasts, Rossi's debut and from that effort we have what could well be a study in contrasts in the tune Giovanni et Paulo! CD: Contrasts (2007) Label: Independent Site: Rossi/cdbaby |
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Drive
It - Plunky: Revving it up is saxman J. Plunky Branch, a veteran of over 35 years in the music business.. A one-time studio musician for The Cosby Show, Plunky also scored a top-10 soul hit in England. He's appeared on albums by Pharaoh Sanders and others while playing festivals and touring various regions of the globe. Additionally, on his own and as leader of the band Plunky & Oneness, he's released over 25 albums of original funk-soul, avant-garde jazz, fusion, gospel and African music. Pictured as sort of a modern day musical version of 'the terminator' on the cover of his latest release, Plunky leaves little if any doubt as to what he's all about. From the cd Drive It we have the kinetic title track! CD: Drive It (2008) Label: N.A.M.E. Brand Records Site: Plunky ; Plunky/Space ; Plunky/Sonic Bids |
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| After Hours ~ Exclusive to our Site and Select Affiliates : |
| Follow Your Dream ...it's the third installment in our four-part series, wherein each & every selection we spin has 'dream' in its title. This time we're calling it Follow Your Dream adopting that name from a track by 3rd Force that will be coming up a bit later in the show - additionally, it's nothing but dreams with the likes of Pieceful Dreams, Dream Date, and Dreaming of You. The opening set has music by Jay Soto, Pieces of a Dream, Al Turner, and Chieli Minucci. We continue in set #2 with Freddie Fox - that's followed by Brian Culbertson, Craig Chaquico, Spyro Gyra, and Daryl Hall. While in the end, it's Richard Chadwick, the aforementioned track from 3rd Force, J. Thompson, and David Longoria! |
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