This Week at CafeJazz.ca:
… now Vegas
based, Darren Motamedy's latest is Gruv' Horn and we'll have 3 great
tunes, all as part of the showcase segment. In the second half of
the show, it's another time traveling adventure on the Vintage Collection
- in the spotlight are the band Metro plus there's classic soul
from Junior Walker and the All Stars. Alto Reed is on the show,
while also appearing are the Bobby Blackston Band and Abe Laboriel.
Then right after Vintage Collection it's time to kick it new skool
- lined up are Phillip Brooks and Special EFX - also in the set
is Steve Cole while Brian Simpson closes the frame. But before we
get too far ahead of ourselves, Chris Standring opens with a real
nice read on the John Mayer track Stop This Train - all tracks 'approved
by the smooth jazz brass'! |
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Showcase CD
Gruv' Horn - Darren Motamedy:
Darren
Motamedy was born in Los Angeles but his family moved around quite
a bit in his youth. It was while they were living in Taiwan that
Darren first realized that he held a strong fascination for music
and so, upon moving to Seattle, Motamedy felt moved to join the
grade 5 band and learn the clarinet. Soon, school lessons expanded
to private lessons. When he hit high school, Darren auditioned
for the jazz band but was given the choice to try the sax or to
forget about jazz band. He chose the former and in this way he
was able to continue studying clarinet thru the symphonic band
while simultaneously starting his ventures into jazz. Music soon
became his life as Darren also joined a funk-rock band that opened
many doors to a new world of music.
After high school, Motamedy attended Central Washington University
where he channeled his energies into exploring the possibilities
of the sax, clarinet, and flute. He took part in every musical
ensemble that he could, from orchestra to pep band, from symphonic
wind ensemble to jazz band, super sax ensembles, private lessons,
orchestra pit shows, basketball band, and chamber music. In the
end he received the music department's prestigious Presser Scholarship!
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| Since
the late 80s, Motamedy has been a mover & shaker on the Sea-Tac
music scene. He had a pair of releases in collaboration with Bela
Havasreti as Mottoretti before issuing a 1994 solo debut. In the
time since, he's worked with John Raymond, Tony Gable & 206, and
other notables in the region, while a few years back he also took
part in the pH7 project fronted by Dean Krippaehne and Erik Hall.
Additionally, Motamedy has played countless gigs with loads of session
work as well as recording several more well-received cds. After
years of tearing up the Emerald City and its surrounding area, Darren
recently relocated to Las Vegas, The City of Lights. |
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Darren Motamedy
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Now
it appears Motamedy is none the worse for wear from this change
in venue - at least judging by Gruv' Horn, his just issued 10th
cd overall. So now as a tip of our sombrero, it's a pleasure and
privilege to feature Darren Motamedy and Gruv' Horn as the spotlight
cd for showcase segment! First up is The Trumpet Song; a great groove
plus a series of intriguing shifts in mood and tempo, make this
an excellent struttin' song - and featured is Gabriel Burbano on
trumpet! The wistful This Love sets a blissful mood at the top of
hour 2, while the upscale sounds of Candleglow batten down the set!
Many Seattle jazzers are still reeling from Motamedy's move to LV,
but as Gruv' Horn continues its steady assault on the charts, Darren
may find his well-deserved day in the sun!
CD: Gruv' Horn (2010)
Label: Mashhad Music
Links: 
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| Vintage Collection: Part One |
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Cool Breeze - Alto Reed:
Born
in Detroit Michigan, Alto Reed has for over two decades been a key to
the success of the multi million-selling Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet
Band. During his years with Seger, Alto gained a deserved reputation for
flamboyance and daredevil showmanship. He's soloed hanging over the side
of a hot air balloon and soared over audiences suspended by piano wires.
In addition, Reed's signature style has made him integral to the sound
of the Grammy winning, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and star on the Hollywood
Walk of Fame ensemble! Nonetheless, amidst all this Rock & Roll ballyhoo,
Reed showed a more refined side to his style with an all-instrumental
album called Cool Breeze released in 2001. In spite of a great response
from the smooth community and being hailed as a 21st century sax player,
the project unfortunately remains Alto's one and only venture into the
realm. Even so, laden with a few sweet hooks and some velvety improvisations,
we have Alto with the cool & refreshing the title track!
CD: Cool Breeze (2001)
Label: Motor City Records
Links: 
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Fly into the Rainbow - Bobby Blackston Band:
Reminiscent
of many British albums from the 90s, the story of Elevations not surprisingly
goes back to 1997. At that time, American keyboardist, composer and bassist
Mike McEvoy hooked up with guitarist Bobby Blackston for a few London
sessions. For his part, Blackston was a Philadelphia PA native who had
honed his chops in US covers bands in the 70s and 80s. In 1991 Blackston
hopped across the pond to Europe where for 10 years he busked and jammed
while also cutting the disc. The project was in transit back to the USA
when the tapes mysteriously disappeared and went missing for nearly 10
years. Just as mysteriously, they re-appeared in a basement in New York
City. Subsequently the cd was issued in 2006 as the Bobby Blackston Band.
With touches of jazz funk, smooth & acid jazz styles, we have the opening
track and a melody that quite literally stands the test of time!
CD: Elevations (2006)
Label: Rezzonator Music
Links: Bobby Blackston
Band:
Mike McEvoy:
CD:
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| Vintage Collection:
Part Two |
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Azul
- Metro:
The
band Metro was formed in 1994 by Chuck Loeb and Mitchel Forman, who had
dreamed of a group project since they worked together for Stan Getz in
the early 80s. Recruiting drummer Wolfgang Haffner, the quartet was complete
with the addition of bassist Anthony Jackson. Following a tour, Metro
recorded their self-titled debut in Bonn Germany. The members continued
to record on their own, but for a time they would reform annually to tour
in Europe and explore avenues of fusion that lay outside the parameters
of their normal careers. Victor Bailey replaced Jackson as bassist in
1995, and by the time the ensemble recorded Grapevine in 2002, their 5th
offering, Bailey had been succeeded by Mel Brown. Metro has continued
to push the envelope with innovative concepts while maintaining a funky
edge. Their latest configuration features bassman Will Lee, but for now
we're checking out Grapevine, their next to most recent cd, for the pretty
Azul meaning 'blue' in Portuguese and Spanish.
CD: Grapevine (2002)
Label: Hip Bop Records
Links:
Loeb:
Forman: 
Haffner:
Lee:
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What
Does It Take (To Win Your Love)? - Jr. Walker:
Junior
Walker was born in 1931 in Blytheville Arkansas, but there are differing
accounts as to his birth name. Some sources list it as Autry DeWalt Jr.
or as Autry De Walt Mixon, the name that actually appears on the marker
for his final resting place. Others yet still give his name as Oscar G.
Mixon. Regardless, Walker learned the sax by playing along with records
while he was in high school in South Bend Indiana. It wasn't too long
afterward that he started to perform in the local clubs and venues whereupon
he adopted his stage name. By the late 50s, he was fronting his own combo
billed as Jr. Walker & The All Stars and, after lining up a gig at a nightclub
called the El Grotto, the entire band moved to Battle Creek Michigan.
After being 'discovered', Walker signed his first record deal in 1961
and released three singles prior to the label folding due to money problems.
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proved a blessing in disguise as, in 1963, the company was purchased
by Berry Gordy's Motown Records, with Walker's contract going along
as part of the sale. Junior's Motown debut failed to make an impact
but it was back at the El Grotto that Walker found the inspiration
for the single Shotgun that proved to be his breakout track! Shotgun
topped the R&B charts, went Top Five on the pop charts, and signaled
Walker's arrival. Subsequently he appeared on Shindig, Hullabaloo,
and American Bandstand with a steady stream of hits following. However,
it was in 1969 that Walker arguably reached the peak of his career
with What Does It Take (To Win Your Love), his second # 1 R&B single
and his biggest on the pop charts since Shotgun. However, it was
in 1969 that Jr. Walker arguably reached the peak of his career
with What Does It Take (To Win Your Love), his second # 1 R&B single
and his biggest on the pop charts since Shotgun. The track originally
appeared on 1969's Homecookin' LP and has since been included in
every Jr. Walker compilation of note. Additionally, it remains Walker's
most covered recording! |
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Jr. Walker continued to record into the early mid 80s and toured
right up until the time of his death due to cancer in 1995. The
following is taken directly from the Michigan Rock And Roll Legends
page devoted to him. "Despite being an inspiration to legions of
sax players, charting 26 R&B hits, and placing 21 singles in the
Hot 100, Junior Walker & The All Stars have yet to be inducted into
the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame." Recognition that many agree is
long overdue!
LP: Home Cookin' (1969)
Label: Motown
Links: 
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Millennium Collection
Motown
2000 |
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Holidays
- Abe Laboriel:
With
a resume that includes over 4000 credits, Abe Laboriel Sr. is one of the
most widely used session bassist of our time. Originally a classically
trained guitarist, Laboriel was born and raised in Mexico City where he
received his earliest musical training from his father. His first recording
was at age 10 and after performing in Mexico thru his teen years, he moved
to Boston where transitioned to four strings at the Berklee School of
Music. During his time at Berklee, he recorded with faculty member and
famed vibraphonist Gary Burton. While working with Henry Mancini, Abe
was convinced to move to Los Angeles in 1976 and since then, his career
blossomed. He has performed and recorded with many of the legends including
Stevie Wonder, Joe Zawinul, George Benson, Barbara Streisand, Elton John,
Joe Sample, Dori Caymmi, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, The Crusaders,
Ella Fitzgerald, Herbie Hancock, John Klemmer, Joe Pass, Sara Vaughan,
and countless others. Additionally he was also a founding member of the
internationally acclaimed fusion groups Friendship and Koinonia while
his solo albums gathered many of the top talents from across the music
industry. From 1993 and the Dear Friends release, we take a bit of time
off to party with a piece called Holidays!
CD: Dear Friends (1993)
Label: Rhino / Wea
Links: 
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| After Hours ~ Exclusive to our
Site and Select Affiliates : |
| It's chapter 3 in a 7-part feature! We've selected just over 80
tunes - each use the word night as part of their title - so be it the
likes of London Nights or Stockholm Nights you'll likely find them as
part of this series. And included on this 3rd installment are Dancing
Fantasy and Dancing on a Summernight with You as well as Don't let Me
Be Lonely Tonight by David Benoit. We have 13 such selections all as part
of a show subtitled Nightride after a tune by The VIP Club. And as we
get ready for lift-off we start with Fly by Night from George Benson!
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