Exquisite New Book of Jazz Photos and Verse By
Gloria Krolak & Ed Berger
"Free Verse and Photos in the Key of Jazz"
About the Verses: All the verses and their titles are constructed solely of jazz tunes with two exceptions. The title exception is "Jazz Haiku." The content exception is "Vibraphonissimo," a chronological block of vibraphone players whose music I've come to know, resting upon the two pioneers of the instrument. Commas separate titles within the verses, but interior commas from song titles have been removed to prevent confusion. The few words I've added are in italics. There are 1049 tunes and none are repeated. The shortest verse, "When Lights Are Low," has just four titles and the longest "My Little Brown Book," has 73. The final index,"Suprisingly Jazz," lists 31 tunes not thought of as jazz (e.g. "Shenandoah") but given jazz cred by the musicians who arranged and recorded them. ÷÷÷÷÷ About the Photos: After four decades of picture-making, Ed Berger has amassed thousands of images of jazz up-and-comers, legends and all those on the journey from one to the other. It's an understatement that choosing 36 for this book was difficult. What these images all have in common is they are all high priests and priestesses of jazz, caught in mid-inspiration. Consider the joyfulness of Louis Armstrong and Winard Harper, the reverence of Lee Konitz and Bill Kirchner, the connection of Catherine Russell and Carol Fredette, the meditation of Eddie Bert and Ron Carter. I couldn't ask for better images to accompany my humble verses.
Gloria Krolak is the host of Good Vibes, the first and only broadcast radio program to feature the vibraphone, a percussion instrument which found its jazz voice in the 1930s with Red Norvo and Lionel Hampton. It is represented on Facebook as Good Vibes on the Radio. She also contributes a monthly column, “On the Road,” to Jersey Jazz, the journal of the New Jersey Jazz Society, which reviews venues around the state and eastern Pennsylvania. Her column, “The Club Car,” appears at the All About Jazz website. She is a member of vibesworkshop.com and is on the board of directors of the Junior Jazz Foundation based on Hilton Head Island.
Ed Berger is a freelance writer and photographer who took his first jazz photographs in 1966 at the age of 16 at a Louis Armstrong concert. He has been associated with the Rutgers University Institute of Jazz Studies for some forty years, currently as Special Projects Consultant. He is the author or co-author of several books, most recently, Softly With Feeling: Joe Wilder and the Breaking of Barriers in American Music (Temple University Press, 2014). His photographs have appeared in many publications and on many album covers. He is on staff at Jazz Times, and he regularly shoots for organizations as Jazz House Kids, The Jazz Museum in Harlem, and the Jazz Education Network.
A new tabletop book, Free Verse and Photos in the Key of Jazz, is offered on Amazon. This may be just the present for collectors of jazz poetry and/or black and white photographs, or people just getting into the genre. The Princeton jazz historian and photographer, Edward Berger, is better known than the Flemington, NJ poet, columnist (“On the Road” in Jersey Jazz), and broadcaster, Gloria Krolak. But the 84-page, 13 by 11-inch hardback is her baby, and she took the initiative in producing and getting it to market. Ed Berger’s magnificent photos have been exhibited across the country, recently at the Institute for Jazz Studies in Newark. Louis Armstrong beams across the cover, and inside are page after page of Pops’s contemporaries: Wynton Marsalis, Lee Konitz, Christian McBride, Winard Harper, Joe Lovano, many others. Each verse is creatively constructed of song titles around a given theme: “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” “Cookin’ at the Continental,” “Sweet Jazz o’ Mine,” to cite three. Hard to believe there could be so many tunes — 1,049 in these poems, and none are repeated. The longest — “My Little Brown Book” — has 73, the shortest only four. You can look them all up in the index, and learn who wrote them.
The new book price from Amazon, excluding delivery, is $112. —from "Noteworthy" in JERSEY JAZZ, December, 2015.
THE NATIONAL JAZZ ENSEMBLE FEATURING GERRY MULLIGAN
Dot Time Records is pleased to announce the second release in its 'Legends' series entitledNational Jazz Ensemble featuring Gerry Mulligan. The album is scheduled for worldwide release on February 20th, 2016. This release is the first of a series of recordings by Chuck Israels and the National Jazz Ensemble (NJE) in the 'Legends' Series.
This album documents the NJE's performance of the February 2nd, 1977 concert at the New School in NYC. In its third year of existence at the time, the NJE usually sold out on the road and had good crowds at the New School, however the NJE never sold out in New York until Gerry Mulligan was the guest soloist. Gerry had made himself scarce over the previous decade and everyone in attendance understood the importance of the event. There were lines around the block. There were enough people on line to fill a second show.
This release has Mulligan playing some amazing Baritone solos while also adding some humor and warmth with his introductions. Mulligan plays on six of the nine tracks. The NJE was an impressive ensemble under Israels' baton and the recording demonstrates the power and versatility of their collective. The release also features beautifully written liner notes by David Berger, trumpeter, archivist and ensemble witness to that majestic night nearly 40 years ago.
It seems to be no coincidence that 10 years after this concert, Wynton Marsalis and David Berger formed the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra using the NJE as their prototype.
"It is exciting as these Italian musicians, led by Salvo Russo, manage to
successfully merge genres and rhythms so different - flamenco, tango, folklore and an additive Neapolitan jazz - any melody running" - Luis Raul Montell, jazzglobalbeat.blogspot.com
Tracks: 1. Buleria Napulitana/Lo Guarracino; 2. A Mi Abuelo/Passione; 3. Rumba Marenara/Tres Notas para Decir Te Quiero; 4. Femmena; 5. Voce e Notte/Bahia Blanca; 6. Alegria por Airis/Era de Maggio; 7. Viento/Cerasella; 8. Arrassusia; 9. Solealma/Mandulinata a Napule; 10. A voce e na Bruna/Mandulinata a Napule
VIENTO is the title of the new album Flamenco Tango Neapolis: a "traveling music" that departs from Naples to the discovery of an "other" South, of its traditions, of its energy and of its emotions.
The music (original compositions and arrangements of Salvo Russo) represent the essence of a contamination that browses ancient pages with a new look, creating original sounds, fine sounds and respecting tradition always.
And 'so that "Femmena" becomes the muse that inspires Pasion flamenco, that "Viento" recreates the atmosphere of the Argentine milongas and that "Buleria napulitana" bursts with all the energy of a true "juerga flamenco".
The colors of Naples, therefore, mixed with those of Andalusia and South America explode musically creating intense atmospheres enriched on staged by the magic of baile flamenco and Argentine tango.
VIENTO is a picture colorful, romantic and suggestive that is revealed through art and music that captures the mind and heart of the listener on a journey to be experienced!
Flamenco Tango Neapolis is an exciting art project, founded in 2009 and directed by Salvo Russo (Neapolitan musician and composer), joining Italy, Spain and Argentina in a fascinating "musical trip."
The identity of the project is the Neapolitan Song, cradle of history, culture and traditions, that meeting the Flamenco and the Argentine tango, integrates them into an original contamination of styles that recognize Naples as "the Soul" that welcomes them, that blends them and with boldness sublimates them.
The ensemble consists of an acoustic quartet of multi-instrumentalists and musicians that includes: piano, percussion, cello, two guitars, violin, oud Arabic and two voices.
Notes of Salvo Russo:
In 1998 he graduated in piano at the Conservatory "S. Pietro a Majella "of Naples under the guidance of Marisa Carretta. He attended the course of preparation for the concert scene with Aldo Ciccolini and performed in concerts as a soloist and in chamber ensembles. He has participated in important national piano competitions, winning numerous awards and gaining critical acclaim and audience. He studied piano with David Peña Dorantes flamenco the "Escuela International de Musica Clasica y Flamenco" Utrera. E 'founder and artistic director of TANGO FLAMENCO NEAPOLIS (FTN), a project that, through music, dance and theater, combining the sounds of classic Neapolitan tradition with those of' Andalusia and South America in an original contamination styles.
He collaborated with Samuel Peron, Samanta Togni, Mvula Sungani Company, Mariano Manzella, Ricardo Diaz, Carmen Gamero, Maite Olivares, Rosa Garcia Angeles Clavijo, Caterina Lucia Costa, Sergio Javier Alejandro Villaescusa, Camerata Instrumental Bell, William Walton Foundation, Ondanueve String Quartet, Trio Harmonius, SOS, Raffaella De Simone and many others. He has participated in several festivals and national and international including: Ankara Flamenko Festival (Turkey), Tango Flamenco Jazz (Rome), Capristo Day in Sundern (Germany), La Mama Open Spoleto (Spoleto), Itali @ rte Aventine ( Rome), Music & Arena Duels Harmonics (Milan), MusicalmentEstate (Chieti), Festival of Ethnic Music (Civitavecchia), Tropea Music Festival (Tropea) and many others.
In 2010 he created the show with FTN "Encanto" which is staged in several Italian opera houses including the Teatro Sannazzaro of Naples, the Teatro del Giglio in Lucca, the Auditorium GGFF dell 'Aquila, the Cassia Theatre and Teatro Argot in Rome, the Theatre of Ricomposti of Anghiari. The album of the same title "Encanto" is presented and disseminated by various radio stations in Italy, Holland and America. In 2013 began the promotion of the new show "Viento" (which he wrote) that debuted in May at the Teatro Sannazzaro of Naples.
He was trained in music therapy at year course of CEP Assisi and at the SFOM Aosta. He attended a training course in Teaching Method Orff Schulwerk music and many other workshops, seminars and training courses on music education and music therapy. Enchanted by the sounds and rhythms of the natural body, he specialized in techniques of Body Percussion, researching the various modes of production / rhythmic sound. He writes music pieces for the body and keeps Internships and Body Percussion Workshops and Theater of Rhythm throughout Italy, working with various schools, associations and academies of music, art and entertainment Italian. He has been teaching for over 15 years and is the author of many pieces of music for children.
Recently its collaboration with Alma Edizioni teachers' education through the Body percussion and with the Italian Cultural Institute of Athens. He has designed and implemented SOUND AND SENSE, a cultural association which manages and coordinates the activities, initiatives and projects related to teaching, music and the show
FLAMENCO TANGO NEAPOLIS - Encanto (Auditorium Parco della Musica)
2016 Dates: January 7 - NYC - CD Release Party January 26 - Washington D.C. January 28 - Boston January 30 - Teaneck, NJ
Hadar Noiberg
Dot Time Records recently signed the exciting flutist Hadar Noiberg
to their growing roster of world-class artists. Most recently, Noiberg was asked to perform at the prestigious 2016 JazzAhead Festival in Bremen, Germany this coming April as part of her European tour.
You can make your reservation now for her upcoming regional January 2016 performance dates:
Hadar Noiberg (ASCAP award winner) has made a name for herself as one of the most innovative, passionate and groundbreaking flutists-composers in the Jazz and World Music scene worldwide. "From the Ground Up" is Hadar Noiberg's 2nd album as a band leader and features drummer Allison Miller, (Ani DiFranco, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Natalie Merchant), bassist Haggai Cohen Milo and guest artists, clarinetist Anat Cohen and guitarist Yotam Silberstein.
"The magical flutist, Hadar Noiberg, and her trio captivated the audience... She formed her own original style through distinctive rhythms and melodies".
-Das Nuue Musikzietung magazine.
IN THE WORDS OF THE ARTIST:
"From the Ground Up" is my second album as a band leader, but in a way I feel like it's my first.
What I connect to most in music are touching melodies that captivate me, a lot of groove that will make me move, passion and sincerity in the playing and the freedom to make the music different each time its being played. I'm proud to say that this album and this band have all of the above.
Some might consider the flute to be an instrument that's been looked down upon by the jazz world. I believe the flute is a very powerful instrument. It is a spiritual leader in the Middle Eastern and Far Eastern cultures and I believe I bring forth that energy in this album and in this trio.
The special instrumentation of flute, bass and drums, allows me to have lots of space and freedom to express myself and also create layers of flutes with the help of effects and loops. In that way the flute can be everything - playing the melody, emphasizing the groove and rhythm of the song and creating its harmony!
JOSEPH DALEY "THE TUBA TRIO CHRONICLES" (JoDa Locust Street Music) Street Date: January 1, 2016 JOSEPH DALEY-tuba WARREN SMITH-percussion SCOTT ROBINSON-saxes
In its most perfect form, the essence of tribute is not to simply recreate or even re-interpret its subject’s music, but rather to use it as an inspiration to make one’s own contribution within that same spirit. With his new album The Tuba Trio Chronicles (JoDa Music), the brilliant composer/arranger/low brass specialist Joseph Daley has accomplished that in ideal fashion, with a stunning dedication to the visionary composer, saxophonist, flautist, pianist Sam Rivers.
Before releasing three heavily-acclaimed orchestral albums of his own compositions (The Seven Deadly Sins, The Seven Heavenly Virtues and Portraits: Wind, Thunder and Love) that have brought him into the company of the most revered jazz composers, Joseph Daley had earned a well-deserved reputation as a consummate sideman. His impeccable low-brass artistry has enhanced the music of heavyweights like Gil Evans, Carla Bley, Charlie Haden, Taj Mahal and so many others. But his first international prominence came about through his work with Rivers’ ensembles, particularly Sam’s groundbreaking Tuba Trio. It is this experience and his time spent at Sam’s legendary center of NYC’s ‘70s loft scene Studio RivBea that has inspired The Tuba Trio Chronicles.
The third member of Sam’s Tuba Trio was the outstanding percussion master Warren Smith, whose presence on this album not only adds to the authenticity of the homage, but also powerfully displays the radiant musicianship that Warren has brought to so many jazz, classical and popular artists in his 60+ years in music. Rounding out the trio is the outstanding reedman/multi-instrumentalist Scott Robinson, whose inspired and imaginative playing does enormous justice to the artistry of the man who led the original Tuba Trio.
Unlike most tribute attempts, this album does not focus upon Sam’s splendid compositions (with one very notable exception), nor does it attempt to recreate that classic music. Instead it aims for the realization of that most special substance of transcendence and spiritual force that was at the core of Sam’s music, utilizing the basic structure that Sam, Joseph and Warren explored so luminously some 30 to 40 years ago. And in that pursuit, these three gentlemen have succeeded in spectacular form – with the passion, urgency, virtuosity, majesty, boldness and unfettered imagination that were the hallmarks of Sam Rivers – all infused with the synergy and unity of spirit essential to music at this level.
A significant variation on the original Tuba Trio approach – which essentially featured Sam on tenor, soprano, flute and piano, Joseph on tuba and euphonium, and Warren on drums – is that this trio employs a battery of instruments that calls to mind the stage setting for the Art Ensemble of Chicago, and at various times also displays the musical approach that marked some of their finest efforts.
While Joseph stays primarily with open and muted tuba and euphonium (along with some highly effective and evocative electronically processed sounds on one piece), Warren employs more than a dozen instruments beside his standard drum set, including vibraphone, bass and standard marimba, gongs, chinese cymbals, crotales, tympani and a variety of small percussion. Scott performs on tenor and bass saxophones, bass flute, contrabass sarrusophone, contra alto clarinet, jazzophone, theremins, waterphone and various percussion. All of these instruments are used purely within the contexts of the music, with no contrivance or affectation, but simply because they suit the needs of the music in the best possible way.
Improvisation and immediacy of creativity were always central to Sam’s music, even at the orchestral level. As marvelous as his compositions are, they were still designed as launching pads for exploration and development. The six Daley originals on this album provide the perfect setting for that same level of individual and collective creativity and spontaneity.
The album is bookended by two pieces that are explorations of the intervallic, melodic and rhythmic concepts of Sam Rivers, as launching vehicles for improvisational segments. The opening piece Interplay features euphonium and tenor sax, while the closer, Proclamation is for tuba and bass sax. Episodic through written unison lines, fanfares, marches and long-toned themes within each piece, and fueled by Warren’s richly musical drums, the horns improvise individually and in tandem, shifting moods and textures with exhilarating freedom and disciplined musicality. The one Rivers composition is his best known and most often recorded work, Beatrice, his exquisite dedication to his beautiful partner-in-everything, Bea. With an extended vibraphone cadenza to introduce the gorgeous melody stated by tuba and bass flute, this is a somewhat straightforward and heartfelt exposition of a beautiful ballad that tells its own story, lovingly embellished by the trio. Beauty in a more darkly lustrous mood is on display on Daley’s Modality, with its deep blue modal line orchestrated into an improvisational vehicle for the dulcet sonorities of bass marimba, tuba and bass sax.
Emergence, featuring euphonium, contrabass sarrusophone, jazzophone, tympani, bass drum, gongs and chinese cymbals is a thick, atmospheric improvisational tale that evokes an evolutionary pond where sonic elements emerge from the brew to declare their own individuality before diving back into the simmering pool – all building in intensity stoked by slashing cymbal and gongs. Joseph’s muted and open tuba growls, roars, rumbles sings, hums and hollers on Sonorous, launching a collective improvisation in the purest sense of the concept, as Scott’s jazzophone evokes everything from mellow sax to high brass and even a jaw harp.
The sweeping 20+ minute Terrarium is the centerpiece of the album. Powerfully evocative, warmly lyrical, deeply emotive and utterly captivating, it’s a soundtrack of the minds of the artists who have created it. Abstract, yet sumptuously musical and – to use one of Sam’s favorite words – mellifluous, it unfolds again and again to reveal new treasures with each unfolding. With Joseph on both horns and Warren and Scott on multiple instruments painting upon the canvas of Joseph’s processed soundscape, it’s so vividly conceived that it could be a through-composed work.
Throughout this superb album the three musicians color/shade, reflect/deflect, echo/contradict, call/respond, parry/thrust and swirl about in a pastiche of joyous abandon and transcendent expression. With sensational cover and interior artwork by Jeff Schlanger/music Witness, longtime visual art historian of the New York scene, The Tuba Trio Chronicles is a glorious tribute to the spirit of a most special man, and another sparkling jewel in the treasure that is Joseph Daley.
As every year we have reached the invitation of Gail Boyd for Showcase earlier this year, thank you very much, and we want to share, as always, with you:
Saturday, January 16, Yamaha Artist Services, 689 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Fl. NYC (times listed below)
Sunday, January 17, Hilton Hotel, Regent Parlor (2nd Fl) (the times for each artist are listed below).
JOHN CLAYTON
John Clayton has been with Gail Boyd Artist Management for 20 years. John released Volume Two of his Parlor Series (Artistshare), a gospel album featuring Hank Jones. This was a labor of love for John and it represented one of the last recordings made by Hank. John also arranged and conducted the Orchestra at the Kennedy Center Gala. He continued his duties as Artistic Director for the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, the Vail Jazz Festival, and the Port Townsend Jazz Camp.
The 10 time Grammy nominee and winner, John is known for his excellent musicianship, composing and arranging. It will be great fun to see John improvise a 30 minute segment during the showcase with dancer, Jade Solomon Curtis (www.jadesolomon.com), violinist Scott Tixier, and tenor saxophonist JD Allen.
SHOWCASE
Saturday, Jan. 16 - 1:00- Yamaha Artist Services
DON BRADEN
Don has been on the Gail Boyd Artist Management roster for 21 years! He has recorded 21 CDs as a leader. His latest CD "Luminosity" garnered 4 stars in Downbeat Magazine and topped the radio chart at #6. Now the CD has made several lists for the 10 best CDs of 2015. He served as Assistant Band leader for the Harvard College band and continued to tour as a leader as well as a sideman nationally and internationally. Next year he will release his CD entitled "Earth, Wind and Wonder" combing through the songbooks of Earth, Wind and Fire and Stevie Wonder.
SOMI
Somi is a new addition to the Gail Boyd roster, although I witnessed her very first showcase in New York several years ago. I have always been a huge fan of her artistry. Often referred to as a modern-day Miriam Makeba, JazzTimes magazine describes her live performance as “the earthy gutsiness of Nina Simone blended with the vocal beauty of Dianne Reeves,” while Billboard exclaims that she’s “all elegance and awe…utterly captivating.” Somi will perform twice during APAP; at Globalfest 2016 with her extended "Lagos Music Salon" a scripted project with her quintet supplemented by spoken word and strings" and at Yamaha with her quintet.
SHOWCASE
Saturday, Jan. 16 - 6:30 - Yamaha Artist Services
Sunday, Jan. 17 - Globalfest 2016 - Webster Hall
ANDY MILNE
The highlight of Andy's year was his marriage to the lovely and talented LaTanya Hall. We wish them all the best. Andy premiered his "Dapp Theory: Seasons of Being" this year made possible by Chamber Music America through the generosity of the Doris Duke Foundation. On Saturday, he will showcase another project: Strings and Serpents, featuring two pianists, two koto players and a video component. On Sunday, he will perform a duo with his wife, LaTanya Hall in a tribute to Sarah Vaughan
Best known as the Grammy Award winning musical director for Kurt Elling for nearly 20 years, Laurence has spread his wings this year. In January, he will release "Honor Thy Fathers" (Circumstantial) featuring John Patitucci and Kendrick Scott. He also co-produced a CD with Barb Jungr, "Shelter From the Storm" which will also be released in 2016. On Saturday, Laurence will showcase his compositions together the String Quartet ETHEL. On Sunday, he will showcase his trio playing tunes from the new CD, about which Howard Reich of the Chicago Tribune said "together they conjured power without noise, energy without haste, drama without overstatement".
Showing very little signs of slowing down, 94 year old NEA Jazz Master Jon Hendricks completed writing lyrics for Miles Davis' Jazz Ahead. The Father of Vocalese celebrated his birthday with shows at the Iridium, Mintons and Birdland. Plans now are underway for a concert honoring Jon during his 95th birthday year. Jon will attend the showcase on Saturday, but will not perform.
BARB JUNGR
UK native, Barb has been busy on both sides of the Atlantic this year. Continuing her critically acclaimed show "Hard Rain", she came back to New York to record her new CD "Shelter From the Storm" which was co-produced with Laurence Hobgood. Barb will showcase that show on Saturday and Sunday with Laurence. She also taped a PBS special at the "Kate" in Connecticut which will be aired in spring 2016. She also premiered a show with Emmy Award winning pianist/composer John McDaniel called "Come Together" a reimagining of the Beatles Songbook. Barb will showcase Come Together on Wednesday, January 13 at 7:00 and 9:00. There is a limited guest list available to presenters.
Multi Grammy nominated CHJO is co-led by John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton and Jeff Clayton. The band will celebrate 30 years in 2016! They have performed and recorded with atists such as Diana Krall, Queen Latifah (for which John won a Grammy), Gladys Knight, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Nancy Wilson, Charles Aznavour, John Pizzarelli and many others. Once noted by JazzTimes Magazine as "the best big band in America" the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra toured the country performing, among other places, at the Tri C Jazz Festival, SF Jazz, and Walnut Creek. Plans are underway for a European tour in 2016 and a tour in Australia in 2017.
HELEN SUNG
Helen Sung once said, "Art civilizes humanity. Hold onto as much of it as you can." We couldn't agree more. An extremely gifted pianist, Helen just completed sold out shows of her project "Sung With Words" in collaboration with Dana Gioia, the former Executive Director of the National Endowment of the Arts. She continued to tour throughout the US, Asia and Europe to support the release of her critically acclaimed CD "Anthem for a New Day" (Concord). Helen will record and continue to tour in 2016.
SHOWCASE
Saturday, Jan. 16 - 2:30 - Yamaha Artist Services
SCOTT TIXIER
Another new addition to the Gail Boyd Roster, Jean Luc Ponty said of Scott, "I think he stands above the crowd of current jazz musicians around the world". Scott has just completed performing with Stevie Wonder on his "Songs in the Key of Life" tour. Shortly thereafter, he went into the studio to record a new CD for Sunnyside Records. The CD, produced by Donald Brown, features Glenn Zaleski(piano), Luques Curtis (bass), Justin Brown (drums), Yvonnick Prene (harmonica), Pedrito Martinez (percussion) with special guest Stevie Wonder on harmonica.
SHOWCASE
Saturday, Jan. 16 - 1:00 Yamaha (with John Clayton)
Saturday, Jan. 16 - 4:30 - Yamaha Artist Services
CLAYTON BROTHERS QUINTET
The Three time Grammy Nominated Clayton Brothers Quintet features brothers John and Jeff Clayton, Gerald Clayton, Terell Stafford, and Obed Calvaire. The band recorded their latest CD "Soul Brothers" (ArtistShare) which will be released in January. As a result of the band members schedules as leaders of their own ensembles, the band took a hiatus for most of 2015, but will be touring again in late 2016 and 2017.
JD ALLEN
Hailed by the New York Times as a "tenor with an enignmatic, elegant and hard driving style", JD's most recent CD "Graffiti" featuring Rudy Royston and Gregg August, garnered 4 1/2 stars in Downbeat Magazine and made several lists for top ten CDs in 2015. JD Allen is a bright rising light on the international jazz scene. In 2015, JD toured the US, Europe and Israel with the trio.
I was really pleased that I convinced Skip Norris to join Gail Boyd Artist Management as Director of Booking. Skip has many years experience as a presenter in the Detroit area and is known to hundreds of musicians and venues. Some of our artists who are not affiliated with a booking agency will be able to take advantage of Skip's experience to obtain performance opportunities. Skip will attend APAP and I hope that you will have a chance to meet him and say hello (and book some gigs).
In 2015. Gail Boyd Artist Management created a Management Consulting Division. In this division, Gail will provide short term, temporary, consulting services to a few clients to assist them in their stated goals.
JEN SHYU
David Hajdu of the Nation Magazine says "Jen Shyu is one of the most creative vocalist in contemporary improvised music." Her latest CD "Sounds and Cries of the World" (Pi Recording) has placed in the top ten list of several media outlets including Number 3 in the New York Times. She has just completed an international tour in support of the CD.
Showcase:
Saturday, January 16 - Yamaha Artist Services 5:30 p.m.
CATERINA ZAPPONI & MONTY ALEXANDER
Grammy nominated pianist Monty Alexander certainly needs no introduction having recorded more than 70 CDs in the course of his professional life. His wife, Caterina Zapponi, an extraordinarily talented vocalist who sings in three languages, was a critics delight with her debut release "Romantica" (Motema). It is a pleasure to work with them both. Caterina will perform selections from her CD at the showcase.
Showcase:
Saturday, January 16 - Yamaha Artist Services, 4:00 p.m.
BILL O'CONNELL
Pianist Bill O'Connell received the "Jazz Writer of the Year" award from SESAC on four occasions. Early in his career he performed in a variety of salsa and jazz settings which set the tone for his musical style. He will release his new CD "Heartbeat" (Savant) with Bill O'Connell and the Latin Jazz All Stars including Steve Slagel (sax and flute), Conrad Herwig (trombone) Luques Curtis (bass) and Roman Diaz (percussion) and Richie Flores (percussion).
Showcase:
Saturday, January 16 - Yamaha Artist Services - 3:00
JOSEPH DALEY
