"Worlds Wide" is the follow-up to trumpeter/composer Matt White's debut album, The Super Villain Jazz Band. In "Worlds Wide", Matt reconvenes his Nashville-based group to perform music inspired by places real and imaginary, from waterfalls and valleys to desolate planets, a desperate trip to rescue lost luggage, and music inspired by the Gullah music of St. Helena Island.
"MATT WHITE/Worlds Wide: The Nashville trumpet jazzbo turns in a second set that shows his debut was no fluke. Top shelf sitting down/listening jazz, White isn't confined by being in Nashville or blowing jazz and lets his observations on the world around us come out in his playing. Solid stuff that can easily take control of your mind and take you away from the humdrum, this is some seriously creative stuff that's done for more than just being creative to say you are. Killer stuff for the serious listener."
Personnel: Matt White - trumpet Evan Cobb - tenor saxophone Don Aliquo - alto saxophone Roy Agee - trombone Joe Davidian - piano Jonathan Wires - bass Jim White - drums Steve Bailey - electric bass Victor Wooten - electric bass
Tracks: 1. Departure 2. Godafass/Lunar Landscape 3. The Black Valley 4. The Copenhagen Garment Bad Incident 5. Adam in the Garden 6. Ride on Jesus 7. Wade in the Water 8. Spectra 9. Area X 10. aMUSEing
Praise for The Super Villain Jazz Band:
"4 Stars" - Downbeat Magazine
"It heralds the arrival of a new major voice in jazz, one whose name belongs in the pantheon of its true heroes."
- Russ Musto, New York Jazz Record
"In The Super Villain Jazz Band, Matt White validates himself as a legitimate jazz composer assisted by a group of outstanding jazz sidemen in an exceptional collection of jazz compositions."
- Jeffrey Uhrich, Allaboutjazz.com
Matt White
Matt White Notes:
Trumpeter, Composer, and Educator Dr. Matthew White is currently Professor of Trumpet, Coordinator of Jazz and Commercial Music, and Director of Ensembles at Coastal Carolina University (Conway, SC) and was previously a first call freelance and session musician in Nashville and Miami. He holds degrees from the University of North Florida and The University of Miami and has appeared on numerous albums, radio broadcasts, and television shows, performing with: Bob Mintzer, Jeff Coffin, Arturo Sandoval, Dave Liebman, Rihanna, Oscar DeLeon, Brian Setzer, the Mavericks, Steve Bailey and Victor Wooten, Howard Levy, and various other artists, ensembles, symphonies, and big bands.
The opening overture to Matt's new album Worlds Wide. Available June 30, 2017 on Ear Up Records.
Turning Pain Into Music and Love, Guitarist Rotem Sivan Paints With New Hues in Jazz
“Antidote”
Due Out July 11, 2017
The Rotem Sivan Trio featuring Haggai Cohen Milo & Colin Stranahan
“Rotem Sivan has carved a place for himself in the New York jazz scene through his daring improvisation, astute band leading and technical ability but above all his lyricism and musicality. Antidote is a smartly crafted combination of all these qualities in a beautiful package. The album never gets boring as the trio keeps moving throughout a wide variety of moods and soundscapes with musicality always being the prevalent force. Rotem has been one of the guitar players to watch for sometime now. This album establishes him as a force on the scene.”
- Antonio Sanchez
"Rotem Sivan is one of the most creative and adventurous guitarists on the scene today. He has a great imagination and the technical abilities to communicate what is inside that imagination. More importantly, he has the courage and confidence to follow his musical ideas and impulses through to create something that is all his own." - Peter Bernstein
"When a statement is achieved with such precision, what's captured attains an importance that shall last. Antidote is a special recording, and it shall fulfill many guitar aficionados without question.” - Pat Martino
Israeli jazz master guitarist, Rotem Sivan, has announced the July 11th release of his fourth and highly-anticipated album, “Antidote”. This is the sophomore album released by Sivan’s trio, on which, alongside musical titans, Haggai Cohen Milo on bass and Colin Stranahan on drums, Rotem Sivan “emerges as a guitarist of great imagination and ferocious brilliance” (Raul Da Gama). With Jazz Times Magazine regarding Sivan as a guitarist who, through his style and sound, brings a fresh flair and “a remarkable sophistication to jazz, which transcends audiences” from around the globe, “Antidote” is sure to provide its listeners with an innovative musical experience where meaning and class ooze from each note.
“Rotem Sivan's playing has a rare class to it, one where each note has meaning, each note has a depth of soul, with each note revealing a different part of the performer's character; laid bare and open right in front of us.”
- Mike Gates (UK Vibe)
Originally from Israel, Rotem Sivan has created a strong presence worldwide (and at an alarming rate at that!) evidenced by his ever-growing social media presence of over 12k fans on Facebook, 28k followers on Instagram and 5k followers on Twitter. Not only has he established himself as a respected and prestigious jazz musician in the New York jazz circle, he has successfully toured across Europe and South America, with his talented and tightly-knit trio.
On “Antidote”, this ensemble skillfully and purposely decided to use separation during the recording process; a technique that they had not used on their previous, debut album. As Rotem himself explains, this allowed him as a guitarist “to mix in a range of elements from other music genres”, which when one listens to this recording can immediately detect that this was a core feature of the album. Many also regard this album as having a huge and significant connection between particular elements of the music and Sivan’s personal emotions; and they are certainly not wrong to think so! As Rotem explains:
“The music for this album is a product of the shock and heartbreak I experienced when my girlfriend of more than seven years unexpectedly ended our relationship. These are some of the songs I wrote over the years as I coped and learned how to love again, and they represent different points on my journey.”
With knowing the heartfelt story behind the writing process of this album, it is hard to avoid noticing the expressive relationship between emotion and music, so strongly existent throughout the record. Each track has its own distinct musical character, empathetic to the specific emotion that Rotem presents on said track. For example, “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”, with silky vocals by Gracie Terzian, may be the jazziest rendition of this standard you will ever hear, whereas the title track off the album has a certain sense of anguish attached to its performance. Then, in contrast to both of those tracks, “Reconstruction” is an instrumental odyssey with a dramatically abrupt, question mark ending. The trio provides a delicate jazz lullaby-esque cover of Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love” and “For Emotional Use Only”—perhaps the most tangibly personal track on the album, is melancholy, meditative, and utterly transfixing.
This continuous connection between emotion and sound gilds the record with a beautiful, artistic depth. However, even without factoring in the album’s deep personal significance to the artist, “Antidote” is an intensely rewarding listening experience from beginning to end. The classic jazz foundation is present throughout this genre-straddling album and that’s it. That’s the significant musical facet of this record; although jazz is at the core, each track veers boldly from one genre to the next, and Sivan’s brilliantly idiosyncratic and simply spellbinding guitar work provides the unifying force which easily carries the listener from song to song.
NOTES ROTEM SIVAN:
Rotem Sivan completed his studies in both classical composition and jazz with honors in Tel Aviv & NYC. Sivan tours with his trio most of the year playing in world-renowned festivals and clubs in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Poland, UK, Slovenia, Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Israel, USA, and Canada, among others, and has given workshops around the world in top universities and schools. Rotem has developed a strong online presence with over 28k followers on Instagram alone. Upon graduation Sivan moved to NYC to pursue his passion for jazz. While making his first steps in the local scene he was also studying at The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music. Since his relocation, Sivan has performed with many prominent musicians, including Peter Bernstein, Ari Hoenig, Ben Street and Ferenc Nemeth. Sivan can be seen regularly at the city’s top venues such as Smalls, Birdland, The Jazz Gallery, The Bar Next Door and The Blue Note. He has performed at many international festivals such as Polanco Jazz Festival, Chutzpah Jazz Festival, Marseille Jazz Festival, Venice Jazz Festival, Fara Jazz Festival, Exposure Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, Utopia Music Festival, Bern Jazz Festival and Sonora Jazz Festival to name a few. In 2013 he released his debut album “Enchanted Sun” on SteepleChase Records, followed by his second album “For Emotional Use Only” on Fresh Sound New Talent Records. Jazz critics and magazines around the world praised both albums, receiving 4.5 stars from Downbeat Magazine. Sivan released his third album "A New Dance" in 2015 with bassist Haggai Cohen-Milo and drummer Colin Stranahan, which was again met with critical acclaim.
From left to right: Diego Arnal, Pablo Marcovsky and Gabriel Senanes
SenaneS 3 is not one trio but several. In fact, its members (Gabriel Senanes on sax, guitar and bansuri, Pablo Marcovsky on piano and melodica, and Diego Arnal on bass and guitar), exchanging instruments, create different groups, even during the same piece. Different trios and different duos, solos, and even different silences.
The repertoire consists of Senanes’ compositions, in a language that uniquely combines argentine folk music, tango, jazz, contemporary chamber music, and probably much more, who knows. He calls this combination “ArgenTangLore” or“Argentangloric music”.
Therefore, the complete formula is: SenaneS 3 = Pablo + Diego + Gabriel = Argentinean Folk + Tango + Jazz + Contemporary + who knows.
Workshop, Arranging for strings, at IBEAM on Friday June 23rd. from 11-3pm and Saturday 24th, 3-7pm.
Gabriel Senanes will be Artist in Residence at CUNY from June 19th to 30th.
Gabriel Senanes is an Argentine composer and conductor, and a sax, guitar and piano player. His works have been recorded extensively and have received numerous awards. He has written for film, TV and theater. He was awarded a Latin Grammy in 2005 for his recording with Paquito D’Rivera and Cuarteto Buenos Aires, “Riberas”. He is the recipient of the prestigious Konex Prize (Argentina) for his work as a music journalist. He has received commissions from the Organization of American States, The Commission Project, Interamerican Music Friends, Simon Blech, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.), Fundacion Encuentros, Ministry of Culture of Argentina, Camerata Bariloche and several international festivals. He served as Music Director for the City of Buenos Aires, Artistic and General Director of the Teatro Colon (Buenos Aires) and as jury in several competitions in Argentina and around the world.
T.K. Blue's latest release "Amour" (Dot Time Records) is a musical homage to the time he spent in Paris. "Amour" is Blue's 11th album as a leader and features a selection of original material mixed with arrangements of jazz classics, including Wayne Shorter's "Infant Eyes" and John Coltrane's "Resolution". The album offers a stellar line-up including: Etienne Charles, Warren Wolf, Zaccai Curtis, Winard Harper, Roland Guerrero, Gregoire Maret, Essiet Essiet, Jeff Reed & Eric Kennedy!
"Amour" is my humble recognition and remembrance of a wonderful epoch in my life. Residing in Paris for close to a decade afforded many opportunities to grow and travel across the globe. I was extremely blessed to have many friends and extended family that reached out with arms of generosity. Acquiring a new language fostered growth beyond barriers of communication and permitted me to touch ground steep in the fecundity of love. I pray my musical offerings will reflect bonds of optimism and build bridges of mutual exchange, for we are ONE and LOVE is all! - T.K. Blue
Soulful. Melodic. Authentic. Jazz music. THE BAYLOR PROJECT
Be A Light proudly announces the February 10 release of “The Journey”, the debut album from visionary duo The Baylor Project. Steeped in the heart and soul of jazz, Marcus and Jean Baylor’s highly anticipated collaboration showcases the grace and glory, versatility and virtuosity of a truly extraordinary musical.
Joining Marcus and Jean on their self-produced debut is an expansive assemblage of top-notch collaborators including pianists AllynJohnson and ShedrickMitchell, guitarists Rayfield “RayRay” Holloman and MarvinSewell, bassists DezronDouglas, ChrisSmith, David“DJ” Ginyard and CorcoranHolt, percussionists PabloBatista and AaronDraper, tenor saxophonists Keith Loftis and BobMintzer, trumpeters FreddieHendrix and KeyonHarrold, trombonist StaffordHunter and harpist BrandeeYounger.
As the children of Pastors, Marcus and Jean's musical roots were planted deep within the church, and it was there that the road was paved for the influence of gospel, blues, soul, and jazz to make it’s mark. On ”The Journey”, listeners are taken on a comprehensive musical journey that showcases as much versatility as it does virtuosity. A world-class drummer, Marcus’ creativity and innovative storytelling ability expose his seasoned improvisation and musicianship. Jean, with her agile mezzo-soprano range, combines a fresh, whimsical, approach to phrasing with clever musicality resulting in soul-hugging vocal purity. Released around Valentine’s Day in February, “The Journey” has as much to do with the The Baylor’s 15 years of loving one another as it does with Black History Month. Their first feature recording together embodies the true spirit of love while also paying homage to their musical roots and those of the African American experience.
“The Journey is a true reflection of our childhood, the musical and cultural influence of the African American Church, and all the things that have become a part of our creative fabric from then until now,” says Jean. As co-creators of their label Be A Light, Marcus and Jean served as the sole producers of “The Journey”. “As producers, we were involved in every aspect of the project from inception to completion,” says Marcus, adding, “...from songwriting, arranging and collaborating with great musicians to cultivate the sound we heard in our heads, we loved having the autonomy to create music from the inside out.”
Anchored by their exceptional band, The Baylor Project made their live debut in 2013 at Smoke Jazz Club to critical acclaim. Such a success, they were extended an invitation to remain in residency at Smoke for the coming year. “Performing on a regular basis not only gave us the opportunity to evolve as a band, but to build a buzz and anticipation for The Baylor Project,” says Marcus. The buzz was certainly built; word-of-mouth brought packed houses at the famed Blue Note, Apollo Music Café, and DC’s Blues Alley, leading to performances in premiere jazz festivals across the United States and Europe—a glamorous arrival for two people from humble beginnings. Marcus is a native of Ferguson, MO and Jean, a native of Moorestown, New Jersey. Both grew up in a tradition that imprinted itself upon their craft.
It is apropo that it was their craft that brought them together back in 2000. It was then that Jean was set to perform at a showcase and found herself in need of a new drummer. On a fellow musician’s referral, Marcus and Jean were connected for the first time through music. As a close friend tells the story, Marcus fell in love with her that night on stage.
With “The Journey,” the Baylor Project showcases their outstanding versatility with a dynamic collection of original compositions, newly arranged standards and reimagined hymns. Upon pressing play, listeners are transported into the heart of the black experience: inside a little church in the mountains of West Virginia built by Jean’s ancestors, hands are clapping, feet are stomping on time tested hardwood floors, and voices testify to the power of prayer in song. “Block Party” is the joyful introduction to the Baylor Project rife with the church blues and jazz improvisation.
What follows is the Baylor’s signature arrangement of the stalwart hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” and their lush arrangement of the Herbie Hancock classic “Tell Me A Story”, which is enhanced by original lyrics penned by Jean.
A restorative hymn for healing and forgiveness begins the original composition “Again” which then gives way to a full swing orchestration with horns and strings featuring explosive solos. On the following track, the Baylors present a beautifully moody arrangement of the Gershwin classic “Summertime” with the lush stylings of harpist Brandee Younger, thus providing a remarkable remedy for the familiar. On “Afro Blue”, listeners are filled with an open palette of sound that brings forth a sincere spiritual offering of faith, strength and resolve. Afro Blue is a journey in and of itself through the collage of solos that express a deep connection to their cultural roots.
An interesting surprise, penultimate tune “Laugh and Move On” is a tribute to a simpler time in music.
“This song reminds me of an era in music that focused on telling a story with a lot of soul and some good ole’ fashioned singing about letting the tough times roll off your back,” says Jean.
Likened to an aria, Jean’s beautiful and sometimes haunting vocal arrangement is sung over Marcus’ dramatic drum solo on the final track “Journey”. Vacillating in and out of tempo and bound only to the rhythm of the soul, the two dance together telling their stories. Intertwined with voices of their personal lineage that give audible accounts of the discovery of their musical gifts, it is the perfect ending to the story and cleverly circles listeners right back to the beginning.
“We want to inspire, foster hope and ultimately, bridge the gap between generations in our culture,” says Marcus. With “The Journey’’, The Baylor project does just that. They are relatable, they are virtuosic, and for these reasons they captivate listeners and packed houses alike. "The Journey” pays homage to their wide-ranging musical influences, and in so doing; they generate an eclectic sound whose overall effect is spiritual, buoyant, and feel good music.
To celebrate the release of “The Journey”, The Baylor Project will be embarking on a tour:
February 9-11: South in Philadelphia
February 13: The Blue Note in New York City
February 15: Blues Alley in Washington, DC
April 29: Art of the Cool Festival, Durham North Carolina
MORE ABOUT THE BAYLOR PROJECT:
"The Baylor Project"is an innovative collaboration merging the talents and creativity of this dynamic husband and wife duo, Marcus and Jean Baylor. Both artists have established themselves in the music community, Marcus as a jazz musician having toured and recorded with Kenny Garrett, John Scofield, Cassandra Wilson, Joshua Redman, Christian McBride and as a long-time member of the Grammy Award Winning, Yellowjackets. Jean first established herself in R&B as a platinum selling recording artist and later emerged in jazz having recorded and toured with Kenny Garrett, Marcus Miller, Yellowjackets, Jimmy Greene and legends, Harold Mabern and Buster Williams. The Baylor Project was founded in 2013.
