This Week at CafeJazz.ca:
... in the spotlight
is Andy Snitzer. The latest from the globe-trotting saxplayer is
aptly titled Traveler and par for the course we've selected a real
nice trio of tracks, all as part of the showcase segment. In the
second half of the show we're back with our chill-out feature and
some of the best laid back grooves on today's downtempo scene. Appearing
on this installment are Billy Paul Williams and Briza with David
Arkenstone & Nicholas Gunn, while also slotted are Konstantin's
Kool&Klean, Michael e and Candy Dulfer. But helping fill the void
are the likes of Joyce Cooling, Nils, and David Benoit plus there's
Rocco and Rahj, Nicholas Cole, and Greg Anderson as well as David
King who debuted on our show just a couple of weeks ago!
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Showcase CD
Traveler - Andy Snitzer:
Philadelphia's
Andy Snitzer turned to the sax when he was 15 and after a year
of classical studies at Northwestern in Chicago, he moved over
to the University of Miami. In his senior year, Snitzer was discovered
by Bob James and he went on to tour with James while also appearing
on a series of his albums. At the same time, Andy earned an MBA
from the School of Business at NYU which led to him joining the
JP Morgan investment firm. While also emerging as a first call
sessionist, Snitzer debuted in 1994 with Ties That Bind - the
success of that release confirmed that music would be his full-time
calling. While issuing about a half-dozen critically acclaimed
cds under his own name, those solo efforts have to a certain extent
been overshadowed by some of Snitzer's high-profile sideman gigs.
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Andy Snitzer
photo by: Bodo Malo
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In
addition to touring with the Rolling Stones, Snitzer has recorded
with Bette Midler, Aretha Franklin and others, while he's also backed
Paul Simon, a position that he currently enjoys. With a break in
the action, Andy recorded Traveler, a project inspired by his wayfaring
adventures and one that to quote Andy, nicely 'resonates in our
sphere'. On the aptly-titled disc, Snitzer reflects on some of these
junkets while exploring many of the avenues on today's jazz scene.
The excursion begins in France with Marseille the lead single, a
tune that combines diverse influences with an ethereal ambiance.
The journey continues with the title tune Traveler providing a perfect
soundtrack to just chill relax, and watch the world go by; while
the city of Lausanne situated on the shores of Lake Geneva and nestled
in the Swiss Alps is our final destination. Accessible yet avant-garde,
on Traveler Andy Snitzer shows all the polish of a performer who
has played the world stage several times over!
CD: Traveler (2011)
Label: Native Language
Links: 
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| Chill-Out Feature:
Part One |
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Ocean Eyes - Konstantin:
Kool&Klean
is a concept that we introduced on Café Jazz a few weeks back and at that
time it was Volume II in the series that premiered on the show. The project
was conceived by saxman Konstantin, who has continued to make inroads
on the smooth scene since his 2004 debut. Inspired by Paul Hardcastle's
Jazzmasters, Konstantin has hit upon a groove that shows brilliance in
its mere simplicity. From the first in what we hope will be a multi-disc
venture, we have the sinuous Ocean Eyes!
CD: Kool&Klean Volume I (2010)
Label: KVK Music
Links:
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Café Tranquillo - Michael e:
With
8 projects to his credit since his 2006 debut, British producer and keyboardist
Michael e has proven time and again, that he's easily the most prolific,
imaginative, and consistent player on today's downtempo scene. Now in
late breaking news, there happens to be yet another album in the works
that we will have on the next Fresh Trax feature; even so, the plan now
being to give you a healthy double dose from Michael, both this show and
next. This time we have the chillout vibe of 2009's Café Tranquillo and
the title track!
CD: Café Tranquillo
(2008)
Label: Chillball Music
Links:
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| Chill-Out Feature:
Part Two |
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Midnight Moon - Briza:
The
2006 project entitled Briza saw the pairing of David Arkenstone and Nicholas
Gunn, two of the top names in new age music. Arkenstone played keys and
guitar in a variety of bands and crisscrossed the country playing pop
sounds of the day. As the synergy between computers and instruments increased,
he turned to creating his own sound and has recorded about 20 albums.
For his part, British-born Gunn studied at the prestigious Royal School
of Music. His family relocated to So-Cal when Gunn was in his teens and
it was there that he took to playing flute in concert bands and wind ensembles.
His debut proved a bestseller and he's since gone on to become one of
the world's most commercially successful flautists. From their one-off
issue as Briza, we present the atmospheric Midnight Moon!
CD: Ambient Café (2006)
Label: Gemini Sun Records
Links:
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Anything
You Need - Candy Dulfer:
Candy
Dulfer's 2009 deluxe double cd entitled Funked Up & Chilled Out, was a
project whose title well encapsulated the saxlady's dichotomous approach
to the record. Long known for the energy of her live show, Dulfer had
often delved into the ambient - and over the years, it's here that we've
been drawn. From the downtempo/lounge-oriented half of that project, we
have the lo-fi Everything You Need!
CD: Funked Up & Chilled
Out (2009)
Label: Heads Up / Concord Music Group
Links: 
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Miles To Go - Billy Paul Williams:
Billy
Paul Williams was born in Jamaica and grew up in a home filled with music.
When Williams just six, his father who was a musician turned minister,
left the island with his family in the hope of making a better life. After
several moves, the Williams clan landed in Miami where Billy Paul received
a university scholarship and majored in studio music and jazz. After stops
in Germany and Switzerland, Williams joined friends on a two-year Asian
tour before returning to the 'Magic City'. In addition to playing guitar,
bass and keys, Williams has done background vocals for Latin stars Shakira
and Chayanne. Additionally, the composer/producer scored #1 on Billboard
in 2002 with the up tempo club hit called "Sex". In comparison, 2003's
Miles to Go was a downtempo/chillout affair with jazz overtones. From
that effort and an obvious nod to the great Miles Davis, we have the laidback
groove of the title track featuring the trumpet of Jason Carder!
CD: Miles To Go (2003)
Label: Kriztal Entertainment
Links:
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| After Hours ~ Exclusive to our
Site and Select Affiliates : |
… front and centre is another installment in the connections
series. The operative concept for inclusion on this show is the phrase
Play Time and that's the moniker we adopted for the feature after a track
by electric violinist Evan Garr. Yes-sir-ee we're feeling a little frisky
with this 13 track set, all the selections being linked with "play" as
part of the song title or band name. Now I will admit we've cut ourselves
a fair bit of slack with tracks such Paul Hanmer's Playola or Pineapple
Getaway from Fourplay. Even so, with the likes of Brian Culbertson, Marc
Antoine, and Kirk Whalum there is little if any doubt, this set is destined
to be the life the party!  |
