Dawan Muhammad celebrated the launch of new CD "Gatekeepers Blues" (LifeForce Jazz)

This studio recording focuses on re-birth of the “Cool,” post bop, medium-swing sounds from the 1950’s and 60’s with contemporary approaches to melodic and harmonic exploration.

The music CD:

1. Gatekeepers Blues 4:41 Dawan Muhammad contemporary approach to blues form with a haunting melody and pseudo-funky feeling Flugelhorm - Oscar Williams, Tenor Sax - Dawan Muhammad, Piano - Mathew Clark, Bass - John Shifflett, Drums - Leon Joyce

2. L’ear 6:27 James Leary features improvisations on a gospel theme that grooves through many moods Trumpet - Modesto Briseno, Tenor Sax - Dawan Muhammad, Trombone - Clifford Adams, Piano - Elmer Gibson, Bass - James Leary, Drums - Leon Joyce

3. Darshan’s Love 8:24 Clifford Adams whoa, drummer is smokin’ (solo) Trumpet - Modesto Briseno, Tenor Sax - Dawan Muhammad, Trombone - Clifford Adams, Piano - Elmer Gibson, Bass - James Leary, Drums - Leon Joyce

4. Place On High 6:46 Elmer Gibson piano/flute duet in recognition and respect of religious scriptures Flute - Dawan Muhammad, Piano - Elmer Gibson

5. Timbuktu 8:14 Dawan Muhammad a salute to the place of higher knowledge and spiritual awareness, once known as a great learning center in the desert of 12th century West Africa. Trumpet - Modesto Briseno, Tenor Sax - Dawan Muhammad, Alto Sax - Hafez Modirzadeh Piano - Mathew Clark, Bass - John Shifflett, Drums - Leon Joyce

6. Like It Used To Feel 4:16 Elmer Gibson is an appropriate reflection for this final Open Path recording session. Flugelhorn - Modesto Briseno, Tenor Sax - Dawan Muhammad, Piano - Elmer Gibson, Bass - John Shifflett, Drums - Leon Joyce

7. Quiet Now 6:48 Denny Zeitlan from a 2005 session engineered by Scott Sorkin and showcases the up and coming talents of Richard Sears (piano) and Ryan York (Bass) who at that time were high school seniors, participating in LifeForce Jazz workshops. Soprano Sax - Dawan Muhammad, Flugelhorns - Bill Resch, Oscar Williams (solo), Trombone - Wayne Wallace, Piano - Richard Sears, Bass - Ryan York, Drums - Terrell Otis

8. That’s Cool 5:17 Elmer Gibson is a soundscape depicting the jovial personality of Billy Higgins Trumpet - Modesto Briseno, Tenor Sax - Dawan Muhammad (solo), Hafez Modirzadeh, Piano - Elmer Gibson, Bass - John Shifflett, Drums - Leon Joyce

9. Dahomey Dance 8:21 John Coltrane bass solo, drum solo which maintains the spiritual aura and direction conveyed throughout this CD Trumpet - Modesto Briseno, Tenor Sax - Dawan Muhammad, Trombone - Clifford Adams, Piano - Elmer Gibson, Bass - James Leary, Drums - Leon Joyce

10. Let’s Do This 8:28 Dawan Muhammad an original written with flugelhorn master Art Farmer in mind. Flugelhorn - Modesto Briseno, Tenor Sax - Dawan Muhammad, Piano - Mathew Clark, Bass - John Shifflett, Drums - Leon Joyce

 As LifeForce Jazz Artist Collective continues to build an impressive roster and music catalog, Dawan Muhammad looks for opportunities to pay tribute to legendary jazz masters and artists deserving of wider recognition. By commissioning and showcasing original compositions and/or arrangements from members of the collective, musicians and even artists in other disciplines who are affiliated with the organization, often collaborate and perform together as the LifeForce Jazz All-Stars. Primarily based in the San Francisco Bay Area, I have been honored to witness, participate and produce several of these events, billed as BAJABA (Bay Area Jazz and Blues Artists) ShowCases, and usually recorded for radio and television broadcast. In January and February of 2013, the musicians appearing on this CD premiered several original compositions in concerts celebrating African American History. Some compositions were also recorded live in studio. Although a variety of jazz styles were presented in the live concerts, the studio recordings focused on re-birth of the “Cool,” post bop, medium-swing sounds from the 1950’s and 60’s with contemporary approaches to melodic and harmonic exploration. Jazz traditions influence the orientation, interpretation and conceptual approach of each artist. Yet, “true” jazz remains a spontaneous art form and listeners with more than casual interests in jazz music, tend to appreciate fresh approaches to jazz styles from different eras. Dawan Muhammad is among many committed to studying and passing on jazz traditions and one listen to the tracks on this disc, will reveal why I have dubbed him a “GATEKEEPER.” He exemplifies all that the "African American Musical Diaspora" stands for and takes GIANT STEPS!

I have been Blessed to come in contact with many great artists and musicians throughout my journey and I’m convinced that witnessing artists embark upon an idea and develop it to full fruition is a spiritual enrichment everyone should experience. For this homegrown project, Dawan assembled some of Silicon Valley’s finest jazz musicians along with a few special guest artists from out of the area. With encouragement from engineer Lee Ray, Dawan decided to produce the last memorial recording session at Open Path Studios, a state-ofthe art facility located in the Willow Glen area of San Jose, California. Studio founder, Gordon Stevens (another Gatekeeper) was retiring and selling the historical building owned by his family, who were pioneers in music education and merchandising businesses for over 50 years in the South Bay area. Gordon continues to support many important music endeavors in the area including LifeForce Jazz, founded in 1994 by legendary jazz drummer Billy Higgins and Dawan Muhammad. Now, with a catalog of over sixty titles, LifeForce Jazz is recognized world wide as one of the most prolific independent jazz labels to emerge since Blue Note Records in the 1960’s.

Dawan starts this ceremonial compilation of tracks with his ‘Gatekeepers Blues,’ a contemporary approach to blues form with a haunting melody and pseudo-funky feeling. James Leary’s ‘L’ear ‘features improvisations on a gospel theme that grooves through many moods and swings into ‘Darshan’s Love,’ composed by Clifford Adams. ‘Place On High’ a piano/flute duet composed by Elmer Gibson in recognition and respect of religious scriptures, provides a nice segue into Dawan’s ‘Timbuktu,’ a salute to the place of higher knowledge and spiritual awareness, once known as a great learning center in the desert of 12th century West Africa. Elmer composes music for any occasion and his ‘Like It Used To Feel’ is an appropriate reflection for this final Open Path recording session. The rarely recorded, yet beautiful ‘Quiet Now’ by Denny Zeitlan is from a 2005 session engineered by Scott Sorkin and showcases the up and coming talents of Richard Sears (piano) and Ryan York (Bass) who at that time were high school seniors, participating in LifeForceJazz workshops. Elmer’s ‘That’s Cool’ is a soundscape depicting the jovial personality of Billy Higgins and leads into a rendition of John Coltrane’s ‘Dahomey Dance,’ which maintains the spiritual aura and direction conveyed throughout this CD. Dawan closes out with ‘Let’s Do This,’ an original written with flugelhorn master Art Farmer in mind. Well, this is a brief outline of the journey, now all you have to do is keep your ears open and enjoy the trip!

Afrikahn Jahmal Dayvs

Recorded @ Open Path Studios January 29th and February 6th, 2013 San Jose, CA Releasing August 2015

Executive Producers: T.Y. Wilson and Dawan Muhammad

Associate producer: Gordon Stevens

Recording & Mixing Engineer: Lee Ray and Scott Sorkin Mastering: Reiner Gembalczyk@Sienna Digital Photography: Oscar Williams

Layout Design: Isaac Cheung and Dawan Muhammad

Special Acknowledgment: To renowned composer and trombonist Clifford Adams (Kool and the Gang), who passed away January 12, 2015 and to South Bay musician/educator Bill Resch performing his final jazz recording on this CD. May these great artists be granted high stations in Paradise….Amen!

Dawan Muhammad plays King “Super 20” and custom Gary Sugal tenor saxophones. Yanagasawa Soprano Saxophone and Custom Samperi Harmonic flute.

LIFEFORCE JAZZ: lifeforcejazz.com/

Global Radio Campaign

 KATE SMITH PROMOTIONS of CHICAGO

                  katesmithpromotions.kate@gmail.com      www.katesmithpromotions.com

jazzglobalbeat@gmail.com