Highlights
Hour One
She's the One - Rick Braun:
The slick trumpeter
has it all going on - a tone second to none that's delivered with charismatic
flair! He's racked up numerous accolades, including many heaped upon him
by yours truly, whilst almost single-handedly making the trumpet safe
again for mass consumption! After several timely collaborations, first
with Boney James for Shake It Up, then with Norman Brown and Kirk Whalum
as BWB, and most recently with Richard Elliot as RnR, Braun now connects
with a longtime friend, in Parisian-born keyboardist Philippe Saisse.
From the cd All It Takes, the 15th wherein his name appears on the marquee,
there's the melodic and up-tempo She's the One the latest masterpiece
in Braun's musical legacy that debuts on our hip but humble show! 
CD: All It Takes (2009)
Label: Artistry Music/Mack Avenue Records
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Exotica - George Benson:
"…a jazz guitarist
of unparalleled chops, a vocalist with great emotional range and sophistication,
or a combination of both," … George Benson has been heralded as one of
the true greats in contemporary jazz! On his latest release, Benson's
delivery is cool and comforting and as unhurried and uber-polished as
ever! Produced by John Burk and bassist Marcus Miller, the core unit for
the project includes Benson and Miller as well as keyboardist Greg Phillinganes,
guitarist Jubu, and drummer John Robinson. From this newest collection
of 10 Songs and Stories, many penned by some of the most familiar names
in music, we've opted for a Miller original!
CD: Songs and Stories (2009)
Label: Concord Records / Monster Music
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Cherish the Journey - Marcus Johnson:
Marcus Johnson began
on piano at six but he didn't really consider a career path in music until
he saw an Earth, Wind & Fire concert when he was nine. Inspired by musical
forms from rap, hip-hop, & R&B, to contemporary jazz, be-bop, & classical,
Johnson began to get more serious about his craft in his early teens.
After six months as a music engineer and tech major, he simultaneously
began to pursue a law degree and an MBA. In due course, this gave him
all the requisite tools to establish his own production company a couple
of years later. Now some time and several business moves later, Johnson's
career continues to evolve with the release of Poetically Justified, somewhere
around his 12th release over-all. From that effort, we present Cherish
the Journey, and a track whose title & vibe nicely reflect Johnson's attitude
towards his journey in life and in music!
CD: Poetically Justified (2009)
Label: Three Keys Music/Marimelj Entertainment Group
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| Highlights
Hour Two |
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Survival of the Hippest - East Bay Soul:
Greg Adams, founding
member of Tower of Power and the man who made their horn arrangements
legendary, has a brand new project on his hands. Having reconnected with
some of his own musical past, Adams jettisons that sound squarely into
the present in the form of a nine-man combo that begs to be heard! Presenting
a robust blend of soul and funk with rhythm and blues, Adams is ably aided
in his mission by some familiar names. Among them are the likes of Michael
Paulo (an established soloist in his own right), TOP alumnus Lee Thornburg,
and James Wirrick (co-producer on 3 of Greg's solo releases). East Bay
Soul is both the name of the band and the album with Survival of the Hippest
as the lead single to radio - a philosophy that quite nicely messes with
our own thank you! Now if there's a grain of truth to the sentiment expressed
by that title - then the ultra-hip Mr. Adams & EBS should be soulful concerns
for many years to come!
CD: East Bay Soul (2009)
Label: Ripa Records
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So May It Secretly Begin - Anne Walsh:
Born in Worcester,
Massachusetts, vocalist Anne Walsh recalls, "At age seven, I wanted to
be Shirley Jones". She went on to attend Anna Maria College studying voice
and music therapy. Upon graduating, she relocated to LA and, after some
time with a classic rock band, enrolled at Orange Coast College, where
she developed an interest in jazz. Furthering her education by pursuing
a Master's in music at Cal State Long Beach, Walsh strengthened her voice
by singing opera and, after receiving her master's she joined a quintet
where met pianist Tom Zink, her future husband. Having gained a wealth
of experience and knowledge, Walsh then turned to teaching other aspiring
singers and joined the faculty at the American Music and Dramatic Academy.
Additionally, she's continued to sing a variety of gigs while also recording
a pair of concept albums of lullabies and sacred music. The recently issued
Pretty World sees forays into a jazzier vein with the music of luminaries
as Keith Jarrett, Sergio Mendez, and Jobim. From that effort, we've selected
the beautifully interpreted So May It Secretly Begin, a Pat Metheny composition
with original lyrics by Joe DeRenzo and Ms Walsh!
CD: Pretty World (2009)
Label: AtoZink Music
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Channel
Nineteen - DF Michael:
DF Michael (Damiano
Fusco) is a guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer who toured
Italy as a sideman when he was 17. For several years, he played tenor
sax with the Modern Big Band and the Contemporary Saxophone Quartet before
moving over to guitar, which has become his main instrument. In addition
to work as a sessionist, DF taught at Domani Musica in Rome for a period
in the 90s while additionally he's started his own label. Dances and Walks
is now his second release - from that fine effort, we've selected the
fiery Channel Nineteen, coming in at a raucous 116 BPM with DF featured
on sax!
CD: Dances and Walks (2009)
Label: Shallow Waters Group Records
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| After Hours ~ Exclusive
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As we continue sending out our
"S.O.S.", all of today's music is brand new to the show. Brian
Bromberg opens and we continue with Jessy J, HP Hoeger, Clarence McDonald,
and Four80East. Set #2 has Les Sabler and Drew Davidson with something
new from Paul Taylor in the middle. Then in the final set…there's music
from a few new names in Dominic Amato and Dean Grech, as well as from
Linny Nance and Larry Lagerberg; then it's Swedish saxman Jakob Elvstrøm
with a scorching finishing selection!
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