RICHARD GALLIANO QUINTET - Live Jazzaldia, Donostia, San Sebastian - Spain 2007

Accordionist Richard Galliano did for European folk -- specifically, the early-20th-century French ballroom dance form known as musette -- what his mentor Astor Piazzolla did for the Argentinean tango. Galliano re-imagined and revitalized a musical tradition, expanding its emotional range to reflect modern sensibilities, and opening it up to improvisation learned through American jazz. In fact, Galliano was more of a jazz musician than a folk one, although he blurred the lines so much that distinctions were often difficult to make. Born in France of Italian stock, Galliano began playing accordion (as his father did) at a young age. He later picked up the trombone, and studied composition at the Academy in Nice; he also fell in love with jazz as a teenager, particularly cool-era Miles Davis and Clifford Brown, and made it his primary focus by the late '60s. Making a living as a jazz accordionist naturally proved difficult; fortunately, after moving to Paris in 1973, he landed a position as conductor, arranger, and composer for Claude Nougaro's orchestra. He remained there until 1976, and went on to work with numerous American and European jazz luminaries, including Chet Baker, Joe Zawinul, Toots Thielemans, Ron Carter, Michel Petrucciani, and Jan Garbarek. After meeting Astor Piazzolla, Galliano refocused on his European heritage, and set about reviving and updating musette, widely considered antiquated at the time. He signed with Dreyfus in 1993, and the label gave him enough exposure to cause a stir first in his home country, then among international jazz and world music fans. Regular recordings followed, some with clarinetist/soprano saxophonist Michel Portal, some with guitarist Jean Marie Ecay, some with his favorite rhythm section of bassist Jean-François Jenny-Clark and drummer Daniel Humair (after Jenny-Clark's untimely death, Rémi Vignolo took his place). In 2001, Dreyfus released Gallianissimo, a compilation drawing from his seven albums for the label.

Watching this live dvd concert held in Spain is magnificently brilliant. Astonishly clever! Richard Galliano's stagerring flawless style will surely amaze everybody. 1 hour of mainstream jazz...

Patti Austin Trio - AVO Session - Live at Basel, Switzerland - 2007

It takes an immense amount of courage to pay tribute to a legend, universally acknowledged as one of the greatest vocalists in contemporary music. And when we’re talking jazz and the singer is the late and much-loved Ella Fitzgerald, it takes a special kind of artist, one who has the instinct, the timing and the talent. Patti Austin has this…and so much more. A milestone in a career filled with accomplishment and achievement, Patti’s superb testament to the first lady of song – is even more amazing in that it was recorded live. No studio tricks or gimmicks but rather in the tradition of Ella herself, a complete performance in front of a live audience. Patti spent two months listening intently to Ella’s catalog and was instantly reminded of the singer’s sheer artistry.

Given her early foundation – as the goddaughter of musical legends Quincy Jones and Dinah Washington – it’s no surprise that Patti has been able to explore almost every genre of music through a career that spans over three decades. The New York-born singer first hit the stage with Washington at the tender age of four, debuting at the world-famous Apollo Theater in Harlem and she vividly recalls seeing Ella and other legendary performers such as Sarah Vaughan and Lena Horne at the famous venue.

A recording artist in her teens, Patti recorded for labels like Decca/Coral, RCA and United Artists and her hard-to-find recordings remain much revered by soul music collectors, particularly in Europe and Japan. After numerous television appearances, more solo recordings and a three-year international tour as a headlining club singer, Patti returned to New York and began applying her vocal skills to the lucrative studio world by doing background vocal sessions and jingles. It wasn’t long before Patti became known as the undisputed “queen” of the New York jingle and session scene. Her voice has been heard on literally hundreds of commercials, behind everyone from Paul Simon, Cat Stevens and Joe Cocker to Bette Midler, Roberta Flack, Luther Vandross and Diana Ross.

With this live DVD performances in AVO Session , Patti Austin can look at her latest accomplishment with much justifiable pride – it is a remarkable achievement, a landmark in an incredible career, a further testament to Patti’s status as a member of that rare breed: a true artist whose creativity knows no limits. An hour of standard jazz music from her latest Trio.

Electric Proms Presents - BURT BACHARACH - 22nd of October 2008 - The Roundhouse, London, England

Burt Bacharach is quite simply, one of the most accomplished popular composers of the 20th Century. In the 1960s and 70s, he was a dominant figure in popular music, writing more than fifty Top 40 hits. In terms of compositional sophistication, his songs stood apart from much of the pop music of the era. Bacharach songs typically boasted memorable melodies, unconventional time signatures and striking chord changes and combined elements of jazz, bossa nova, traditional pop and rock into a sound that was undeniably contemporary.

Bacharach's primary collaborator Hal David provided his music with Tin Pan Alley craft and melodrama. David's unsentimental, bittersweet lyrics offered a striking contrast to Bacharach's soaring melodies. While Bacharach's name in the 1970s became synonymous with elevator music, due in large part to the sheer familiarity of it, a closer listening suggests that his meticulously crafted, technically sophisticated music is anything but easy listening.

Whether or not Hal David and Burt Bacharach will ever collaborate again, the contribution they have already made to popular music cannot be underestimated. Their work was rooted in the tradition of great songwriting teams like Rodgers and Hart, as well as contemporaries like Goffin and King. Yet they took that tradition and carried it forward, their songs charting numerous times in the '60s and continuing to be covered in the '70s, '80s and '90s.

The current interest in their work far transcends any Easy Listening revival and that term seems an inappropriate categorisation for most of the Bacharach/David catalogue. The reason for the enduring success of their material is that they are great songs, both simple and sophisticated, from basic love songs to thoughtful philosophical reflections, pushing the boundaries of pop music while remaining commercial.


You should not miss to watch this DVD concert of Burt Bacharach. Singing all his popular hits during the 60's,70's and the 80's. Almost 1 hour of Bacharach's beautiful love medleys...

SAXOPHONE LEGEND DAVID SANBORN TO PARTICIPATE IN A SPECIAL eBAY AUCTION TO BENEFIT THE VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION

(NEW YORK, NY) – Maverick saxophonist David Sanborn, who has performed alongside such heavyweights as James Brown, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, and innumerable others is stepping up in support of young musicians across the country and participating in an exclusive auction to benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, which donates instruments for public school music programs.

Beginning on October 14th and closing on October 24th on eBay.com. The auction boasts two tickets to any one of Sanborn’s upcoming tour dates (listed below), a meet and greet with Sanborn, and an autographed copy of Sanborn’s acclaimed new CD Here and Gone (Decca).

A tribute to saxophonists Hank Crawford and David “Fathead” Newman, two musicians who helped define soul music as part of Ray Charles’ band, Here and Gone was released by Decca Records on August 12, 2008, and has already received a stream of illustrious reviews. The album features the rhythm section of Steve Gadd (drums) and Christian McBride (bass), special guests Eric Clapton, Joss Stone, Sam Moore, Derek Trucks, and Anthony Wilson, and was produced by the legendary Phil Ramone. One of the most identifiable sounds in popular music, Sanborn’s sax work is featured throughout, with Sanborn throwing down some of his rawest, most thrilling playing yet heard on record.

Now in its eleventh year, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation has donated $43 million worth of musical instruments for 1,600 public schools in over 100 cities around the country, enriching the lives of over 1.2 million public school students. For more information on the auction go to universalmusicstore.com.

Upcoming David Sanborn tour dates include:12/28/08

12/28/08 Stuart, FL Lyric Theatre
12/29/08 Naples, FL Philharmonic Center for the Arts
2/17/09 New York, NY Blue Note
2/18/09 New York, NY Blue Note
2/19/09 New York, NY Blue Note
2/20/09 New York, NY Blue Note
2/21/09 New York, NY Blue Note
2/22/09 New York, NY Blue Note
3/6/09 Newberry, SC Newberry Opera House
3/7/09 Atlanta, GA Ferst Center for the Arts

David Sanborn, the six time Grammy winner, smooth jazz saxophonist, is releasing his 23rd solo album - Here and Gone on August 12th!

(New York, NY) -- HERE AND GONE - the new record from the legendary David Sanborn - is set for release on Decca Records in the US, Tuesday, August 12, 2008.

HERE AND GONE is a tribute to the sound of Hank Crawford, David "Fathead" Newman, Ray Charles, etc. Backing Sanborn are Steve Gadd (drums) and Christian McBride (bass). Guests include Eric Clapton, Joss Stone, Sam Moore, Derek Trucks and Anthony Wilson. HERE AND GONE was produced by yet another legend and longtime friend: Phil Ramone.

"Joss is a real phenomenon," Sanborn says. "It takes a forceful talent to take a song ["I Believe It to My Soul"] that Ray Charles not only wrote but really defined and put your own identity on it."

Sanborn, who has been friends with Eric Clapton for many years and a collaborator with him on several previous projects, asked Eric to play on Percy Mayfield's "I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town."

"Fortunately he agreed not only to sing on it but play on it! But he's got such a great understanding of what the music is about and the way it should be presented."

Sanborn's song selection - like "I've Got News For You" which features Sam Moore of Sam & Dave fame - gives the listener a glimpse to his sense of humor.

Sanborn, an unrivaled player who straddles the pop and jazz worlds while commanding respect in both, has worked with Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder and The Rolling Stones to name just a few. Remember David Bowie's "Young Americans" or the Saturday Night Live theme - that's Sanborn.

Night Music - his groundbreaking music television show on NBC - was produced by SNL's creator Lorne Michaels and featured a remarkably diverse guest artist list including Lou Reed, Sonic Youth, Sonny Rollins, the Pixies, Leonard Cohen and Al Green. Many of these episodes are on YouTube.

As a child, David had polio. His doctor suggested he play a wind instrument to improve his lung strength. His father took him to a basketball game in his hometown of St. Louis. Hank Crawford performed during halftime, Sanborn was inspired and immediately took up the sax - the rest is history.

Sanborn will tour later this summer in support of HERE AND GONE. Bio and photos are at bighassle.com. Set this date to your diary, August 12, 2008. Be the first one to have his 23rd album from the legendary David Sanborn!

Quincy Jones: 50 Years in Music - Live at Montreux 1996 (2008)

Quincy Jones is an American music legend and one of the most successful black American artists of all time. He has excelled as a performer, arranger, composer and producer (he produced Michael Jackson's "Thriller", the best selling album of all time worldwide). Having previously received an astonishing 27 Grammy Awards, Quincy Jones will be specially honored at the 2008 Awards in February just prior to his 75th birthday in March. This Montreux concert from 1996 was put together by Quincy to celebrate 50 years of making music and features guest appearances by many of the artists that he has worked with over the years.

TRACK LISTING:

1) Kingfish 2) Stockholm Sweetnin' (with David Sanborn) 3) Perdido (with Patti Austin) 4) The Midnight Sun Will Never Set (with David Sanborn) 5) Tickle Toe (with James Morrison) 6) Moanin' (with James Morrison) 7) Shiny Stockings (with Patti Austin) 8) Airmail Special (with Gerald Albright, James Morrison & David Sanborn) 9) In The Heat Of The Night (with Mick Hucknall) 10) Everything Must Change (with Mick Hucknall & Chaka Khan) 11) Grace Notes (with Toots Thielemans) 12) Walking In Space (with Patti Austin, Gerald Albright, James Morrison & David Sanborn) 13) After You've Gone (with Phil Collins) 14) Miss Celie's Blues (with Brody Buster & Chaka Khan) 15) Dirty Dozens (with Patti Austin & Chaka Khan) 16) Setembro (Brazilian Wedding Song) (with Patti Austin & Toots Thielemans) 17) Angel (with Mick Hucknall) 18) Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me (with Gerald Albright & Phil Collins) 19) Brown Ballad (with Toots Thielemans) 20) Let The Good Times Roll (with Gerald Albright, Brody Buster, Phil Collins, Mick Hucknall, Chaka Khan & Claude Nobs) BONUS FEATURES Quincy Jones in Conversation at Montreux in 2007.

Dave Koz - At the Movies - 2008

Lush, heartfelt, and elegant, At the Movies finds smooth jazz saxophonist Dave Koz celebrating his favorite movie themes. Featured here are such classic movie melodies as "Over the Rainbow," "The Shadow of Your Smile," and "The Pink Panther," as well as more contemporary songs like "A Whole New World" and the main theme from "Schindler's List." Showcased beautifully throughout At the Movies is Koz's deftly melodic and supple saxophone sound, which truly evinces his obvious love of film and film music. It also doesn't hurt that he's often backed by a full orchestra and a big band here: they add to the widescreen, cinematic sound he's going for. Also engaging are Koz's guest artist choices, including trumpeter Chris Botti, vocalists Johnny Mathis, Barry Manilow, Donna Summer, Vanessa Williams, and others. A year after the original album produced by Phil Ramone appeared, and then appended and re-released with a coupe of bonus cuts (including "Alfie," and "Love Theme from the Godfather") This DVD contains ten of the performances with singers Vanessa Williams, Johnny Mathis, Peter White, and Barry Manilow reprising their performances in front of the camera.