Dave Koz Cruise - Featured Performers Line Up

ARTIST BIO

In a career that spans more than three decades, saxophonist Dave Koz has racked up an astoundingly impressive array of honors and achievements: nine GRAMMY® nominations, nine No. 1 albums on Billboards Current Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, numerous world tours, playing for multiple presidents, a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and more. A platinum-selling artist, Koz is also known as a humanitarian, entrepreneur, radio host, instrumental music advocate and restaurateur.

Now, Dave Koz has released one of the most exciting recordings of his long career. Five years after recording their initial tribute to the great horn sections of soul, jazz and pop, Dave Koz and Friends Summer Horns II From A To Z reprises the all-star, crowd-pleasing format of that smash hit outing. The album features Koz on soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxesalong with alto saxophonist Gerald Albright, tenor saxophonist Richard Elliot, Rick Braun (trumpet) and Aubrey Logan (trombone and vocals), plus guest vocalists Jonathan Butler, Kenny Lattimore and Sheléaputting their own spin on classics by Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Michael Jackson, Natalie Cole, Earth, Wind & Fire and more. Plus a guest spot from Gloria Estefan on an inspired recreation of her classic Conga.

Summer Horns II From A To Z takes the original concept further by changing up the lineup and tossing in some unexpected surprises, including a medley that miraculously blends a Duke Ellington swing classic with a more contemporary hit by hip-hop star Jay-Z. The album includes arrangements by Greg Adams (Tower of Power), Tom Scott (Michael Jackson, Steely Dan) and Gordon Goodwin. We looked at this as a completely new project because it was different personnel, says Koz. We said, if we want to do another version of Summer Horns, we can absolutely change the concept and get a little more adventurous-the music deserves it.

Since the beginning of his career, Dave Koz has been all about shaking things up, dodging expectations and traditions. Summer Horns II From A To Z follows another milestone anniversary recording, 2017s Dave Koz and Friends 20th Anniversary Christmas, which celebrated the saxophonists annual holiday tours and reunited him with pianist David Benoit, Braun and acoustic guitarist Peter White. Also on hand were a cadre of talented vocalists and the Portugal-based West European Symphony Orchestra.

The lineup on Summer Horns II From A To Z and the 2017 Christmas project marked just the latest in a long list of artists with whom Koz has collaborated over the years, including Burt Bacharach, Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, Luther Vandross, Shelby Lynne, Kenny Loggins, U2, Michael McDonald, Rod Stewart and The Foo Fighters.

Koz has also recently begun digging into the hidden corners of his catalog, treating his fans to a series he calls Lost Koz: previously unreleased gems recorded over the years that, for one reason or another, never made it to his albums. The music business has changed so much over the years, Koz says. Theres really nothing holding you back from doing whatever you want to do.

Late in 2017 Koz also appeared as himself in a Hallmark movie called Sharing Christmas, which also used some of the music from the 20th Anniversary Christmas album.

Then of course there is the Dave Koz Friends at Sea Cruise. We had two back-to-back sailings last year for our Venice and Beyond cruise, he says. This year we have sold-out back-to-back cruises for Scandinavia and the Baltic, and next year weve already sold out back-to-back for two weeks in Australia.

But wait, as they say in the late-night commercials, theres more! Koz also co-owns a restaurant in Los Angeles called Citizen. Its been around for the last couple of years and its co-owned by the same people who own Spaghettini, which is a very famous grill and jazz club in Seal Beach, in Southern California, he says.

Andnot one, but two radio programs: The Dave Koz Radio Show, on the air uninterrupted for close to 25 years and The Dave Koz Lounge which can be heard on SiriusXM.

I love hospitality and giving to people, Koz says. As a cruise host and when youre coming to see a show or on the radio, its all about an inviting environment for people to come hang out in. Thats the same whether its on the radio or in a concert, on a cruise or at a restaurant. Ive also done a lot of work with the Starlight Childrens Foundation, which is my familys favorite charity, which helps kids who are hospitalized for long periods of time and their families. Weve also made a wine for close to 10 years called Koz Wine that raises money specifically for Starlight and with our silent auctions that we do on the cruises every year, through the generosity of our fans, we've raised well over a half a million dollars for Starlight.

If that all sounds like the work of ten people rather than one, its just business as usual for Dave Koz. Since his emergence as a young rising star in the 80s, hes always looked to try new things, both in his music and in his other pursuits.

Born and raised in Los Angeles San Fernando Valley, Koz initially saw the saxophone as a way to gain entry into his big brothers band. What began as a ploy became a lifelong obsession. After graduating from UCLA with a degree in mass communications, Koz decided to become a professional musician. Within weeks of that decision, he was recruited as a touring member of singer Bobby Caldwells (What You Wont Do For Love) band. It was during this time that Koz befriended keyboardist Jeff Lorber, who invited Koz to play on one of his tours. That stint was followed by a 14-month tour with pop singer Richard Marx.

Signed to Capitol Records by Bruce Lundvall in 1987, Koz released his self-titled solo debut album in the fall of 1990. This was the first installment in a large body of best-selling work, which includes the gold-certified Lucky Man (1993), Off the Beaten Path (1996) and the holiday-themed albums December Makes Me Feel This Way (1997) and Dave Koz & Friends: A Smooth Jazz Christmas (2001). His gold-certified fifth album, The Dance (1999), spawned no less than five Top 5 contemporary jazz hits. Saxophonic (2003) produced another four Top 5 singles and garnered two GRAMMY® nominations in two consecutive years.

In 2007, Koz released two chart-topping collections of standards. At the Movies, his lush, romantic celebration of timeless melodies from cinema, spent 12 weeks atop Billboards Top Contemporary Jazz chart. Produced by the legendary Phil Ramone, it was nominated for a GRAMMY® in the Best Pop Instrumental Album category. Memories of a Winters Night, a festive collection of holiday standards, hit No. 1 on Billboards Top Contemporary Jazz chart in December 2007. Dave Koz at the Movies Double Feature CD + DVD followed in early 2008, which featured the At the Movies CD with two previously unreleased bonus audio tracks, a new DVD and a track-by-track commentary.

Capitol Records released Dave Koz: Greatest Hits, his first-ever retrospective album, in the fall of 2008 and it debuted at No. 1 on both Billboards Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and iTunes Jazz Album chart. The collection featured many of Kozs smash singles, including Castle of Dreams, Cant Let You Go (featuring Luther Vandross), Together Again, Honey-Dipped and All I See Is You, plus four brand new songs. The lead single, Life in the Fast Lane, which Koz co-wrote with writer/producer Darren Rahn, spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the R&R Monitored Smooth Jazz chart. It was followed by the Top 5 single, Bada Bing.

Hello Tomorrow, Daves first album for Concord Records, debuted at No. 1 on both Billboards Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and iTunes Jazz Album chart, and was named Best Smooth Jazz Album of 2010 by iTunes. The CD was nominated for a GRAMMY® Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album. Hailed as an event record by The New York Times, its lead single, Put the Top Down, spent 18 weeks at No. 1 on the Mediabase Smooth A/C chartthe longest stint at No. 1 of any of Kozs chart-topping hits. Ultimate Christmas, featuring 18 perennial holiday classics performed by Koz, bowed in 2011 on Capitol/EMI. Live at the Blue Note Tokyo, Kozs first live CD, was released by Concord Records in 2012 and received a GRAMMY® nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Album.

Koz and his friends Gerald Albright, Richard Elliot and Mindi Abair turned to producer Paul Brown (Al Jarreau, George Benson, Boney James) to help them realize the vision for 2013s first outing of Summer Horns (Concord Records), which paid tribute to the high-octane, richly arranged horn sections that fueled so many hits in the 60s and 70s. The album also features trumpeter/flugelhornist Rick Braun, trombonist Brian Culbertson, vocalists Michael McDonald, Jeffrey Osborne and Jonathan Butler, plus arrangements by Greg Adams (Tower of Power) and Tom Scott (Michael Jackson, Steely Dan). Topping it off is a sax-only rendition of Take Five with Gordon Goodwin offering his arrangement to the quartet and a new original composition, Summer Horns. The album was honored with a GRAMMY® nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Album and an NAACP Image Awards nomination for Outstanding Jazz Album.

Kozs 2014 holiday recording, The 25th of December (Concord Records), was his eighth album to top Billboards Current Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. Produced by Rickey Minor, it featured collaborations with India.Arie, Eric Benet, Jonathan Butler, Gloria Estefan, Fantasia, Kenny G, Heather Headley, Richard Marx, Johnny Mathis, Trombone Shorty, BeBe Winans and Stevie Wonder. The first single, an all-star rendition of The Beatles All You Need Is Love, beautifully captured the spirit of the season and was a Top 5 hit on Billboards Smooth Jazz Songs chart. Collaborations: 25th Anniversary Collection debuted at No. 1 on Billboards Current Contemporary Jazz Albums chart in August 2015 while the lead single, (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher with Kenny Lattimore and Rick Braun, entered the Top 5 at Smooth A/C and Jazz Radio.

Koz is constantly touring, with annual summer and holiday tours. Another Summer Horns tour in conjunction with the new release kicks off June 2018.

Koz completed a four-year term on the GRAMMY® Foundation Artists Committee and has served as National Trustee for the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS).

Always front and center is the music. Its humbling, this many years in such a fickle business, to still have a career, still be able to go out and tour and make records, he says. Music has been such a blessing to me, and we need it more than ever today.

TOWER OF POWER

Special Melbourne in port Performance on the ms Noordam

ARTIST BIO

Oakland, California music legends Tower of Power - the most dynamic and distinctive band of survivors in Soul Music is roaring into its unprecedented 50th anniversary with a dynamic new disc of all new material that finds them as energized and inspired as ever. A labor of love, definitively titled Soul Side of Town, this package is charged with 14 filler-free songs. In the spirit of their enduring theme song Oakland Stroke the bookending intro and outro East Bay shine a light on elemental instrumental ingredients within the bands signature sound. This astounding and historical release (available June 1, 2018 in digital, vinyl, streaming & CD configurations) inaugurates Tower of Powers fresh affiliation with Mack Avenue Records, a Detroit-based company renowned for its award-winning dedication to top-tier Jazz that is now extending its support to Soul and Funk giants, Tower of Power: a band so one-of-a-kind, its an institution.

As always, the songs on Tower of Powers Soul Side of Town were primarily composed by the hitmaking team of founding members Emilio Castillo (Detroit-born on 2nd tenor sax) and Stephen Doc Kupka (Los Angeles-born on baritone sax) who also hold down the world famous 5-man Tower of Power Horns. For the special occasion of Tower of Powers 50th anniversary, leader Emilio Castillo brought in a most-astute choice in co-producer, Joe Vannelli: an all-around production/engineering/keyboard master best known for the jazz-tinged Soul-Rock Grammy-winning work he performed behind the scenes with his international superstar brother, Gino Vannelli. Also insuring that the sound blasts powerful and clear from your speakers is the presence of mastering engineer Bernie Grundman in the mix. Along with the legendary rhythm section drums and bass lock of David Garibaldi and Francis Rocco Prestia, respectively, these decorated veterans have custom-crafted a hair-raising audio experience that longtime fans, music connoisseurs and a new generation of listeners will groove to for years to come.

In keeping with Tower of Powers golden canon of classics, the new material picks up the torch in all of the time-tested styles fans respect and love. In line with hiply intricate, cranial-crushing funk classics such as Down to the Nightclub and Soul Vaccination are new jams Do You Like That and On the Soul Side of Town. In the tradition of heart-stopping balladry like their biggest chart hits Youre Still a Young Man and So Very Hard to Go are new love songs like Let it Go (Bruno Mars will want to cover this one) and Cant Stop Thinking About You. Along the firing-on-all-cylinders line of instrumental anomalies such as Squib Cakes, Walking Up Hip Street and Ebony Jam are burnin offerings Butter-Fried and After Hours. Following up positivity primers such as Knock Yourself Out, Youve Got to Funkifize and Credit are new spirit lifters Selah, Love Must Be Patient and Kind and Do it With Soul, along with T.O.P.s singular approach to Pop-Rock on When Love Takes Control.

Along with veteran members Castillo, Kupka, Garibaldi and Prestia, T.O.P. consists of guitarist Jerry Cortez, Hammond B3 organist/keyboardist Roger Smith, 1st tenor saxophonist Tom Politzer, and trumpeters Adolfo Acosta and Sal Cracchiolo. Soul Side of Town is also blessed with not one but two lead singers: outgoing Ray Greene (now in Santana) and incoming Marcus Scott (boldly introduced on several selections, including Hanging with My Baby). The 10-piece Tower of Power band is prepared to throw down next year with a celebratory tour that will include sweet spots around the globe.

Since its formation in Oakland, California in 1968, Tower of Power has forged a reputation as a crack band of high achieving musicians fluent in all realms of Soul, Rock and Pop music with a sophistication and punch like that of a Jazz big band. From their first album East Bay Grease (1970) on Rock impresario Bill Grahams San Francisco Records label (distributed by Atlantic), the interracial band became pillars and signatures of The Bay Area Music Scene that included pioneering like-minded bands such as Sly & The Family Stone, Cold Blood, Graham Central Station, The Pointer Sisters and The Sons of Champlin plus rock-oriented outfits such as Santana, Betty Davis and Journey. Beginning with their sophomore release, Tower of Power came to prominence with a string of acclaimed albums on Warner Bros. Records: Bump City (1972), Tower of Power (1973), Back to Oakland (1974), Urban Renewal (1974), In the Slot (1975) and Live and in Living Color (1976). A move to Columbia Records resulted in three more major label releases and their last top-charting hit, You Ought To Be Havin Fun. Including all studio albums, live albums and rarities anthologies, T.O.P. has 24 previous releases in its burgeoning catalog.

Along with T.O.P.s classic recordings, the 5-piece Tower of Power Horns known for its power packed punch and fullness with two trumpets, two tenor saxophones plus a baritone sax on the bottom became much in demand for studio sessions and live gigs. Among the hundreds of artists they have blessed with their presence are Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, Graham Central Station, Elton John, Little Feat, Billy Preston, John Lee Hooker, Coke Escovedo, Jose Feliciano, Al Kooper, Sammy Hagar, Rod Stewart, Peter Frampton, Jermaine Jackson, Harvey Mason, Lenny White, The Brothers Johnson, The Meters, Lee Oskar, Dionne Warwick, Melissa Manchester, Bobby Caldwell, Heart, Rick James, Santana, Smokey Robinson, Huey Lewis & The News, Toto, Paul Shaffer, Bonnie Raitt, Aaron Neville, Spyro Gyra, Terence Trent DArby, Luther Vandross, Candy Dulfer, Aerosmith, Phish, John Hiatt, Neil Diamond, P.Diddy, Bill Wyman, Eiko Shuriand TVs The Simpsons (Sing The Blues).

Most importantly, when almost all other R&B bands abandoned their horn sections as the sound of Soul music morphed into more stripped-down techno and synthesizer strains in the `80s, Tower of Power near single-handedly carried the torch for full-on 10-piece bands, often even including a conguero/percussionist. Faithful fans flocked to their concerts and purchased their new albums that kept the real soul vibe alive for decades. Indeed, the horn section is so pivotal to Tower of Power that unlike most band stage setups that have horns in the back, T.O.P.s renowned and respected horn section is right up-front with the lead singer.

Soul Side of Town is the centerpiece of a celebratory 50th Anniversary campaign for Tower of Power that will also see the re-release via Mack Avenue Records of four hard to find independent productions: The East Bay Archive Vol. 1 (a 1973 live recording from Boston), Oakland Zone (a 2008 release celebrated for the return of drummer David Garibaldi after several years away), Great American Soulbook (an all-star affair of soul classics featuring guests such as Joss Stone, Tom Jones, Sam Moore and Huey Lewis), and 40th Anniversary: Live at The Fillmore in San Francisco (a deluxe multi-disc CD/DVD collectors item loaded with great new live renditions of hits plus interviews with alumni past and present).

Anticipation is so high for Tower of Powers 50th Anniversary milestone that the first show on their home turf of Oakland swiftly sold out with a second one right on its heels, and an appearance at this years Playboy Jazz Festival also has tongues wagging!

This year promises to be a BLAST for Tower of Power and all its fans as they celebrate their 50th anniversary with a motherload of electrifying new sounds guaranteed to funkifize, energize and provide the soundtrack for new American movements of Love, Peace, Soul Power, Mind Power and People Power to rise!

BEBE WINANS

Gospel Legend

ARTIST BIO

Benjamin, "BeBe" Winans, the six-time Grammy Award winner, is the seventh child and youngest male of the the Detroit based first family of gospel music. BeBe is known as an inspirational, R&B, and popular vocalist, songwriter, and producer as well as Executive Music Producer for the OWN Networks latest scripted series, Greenleaf, host of his own radio show on the Heart & Soul Channel (68) on Sirius/XM Radio Networks on Sunday Mornings 9am ET/7am PT), renowned as the breakthrough artist to bridge the language of his roots in the church with a chart-topping, Award-winning career spanning audiences universally throughout all genres, author, Actor in friend Denzel Washingtons 2003s Motion Picture, The Manchurian Candidate and star of Broadways Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple with Chaka Khan amongst his credits. Teaming with his younger sister, Priscilla CeCe, the duo first began crossing lines as adopted children of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker on the PTL television show. Their first tour, on which Whitney Houston proclaimed herself their sister and sang background for the siblings, set the tone for a very special career. BeBe & CeCe Winans are the first true Christian crossover artists to hit the mainstream-- from The Arsenio Hall Show to Good Morning America to The Oprah Winfrey Show, they had taken their message and presented it in a way that touched, moved and inspired wide audiences. BeBe and CeCe are the first brother and sister to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. BeBe & CeCe moved forward to pursue their own solo endeavors in 1995 and together have nine successful gold and platinum recordings. Along with his seven solo albums with guest appearances from friends as disparate as Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, David Foster, Anita Baker, best friend Whitney Houston and members of the Winans family, BeBe is known for his jaw dropping performances on some of the most important and star-studded musical specials of the past decades. BeBe, with his sisters, brothers, and on his own, has achieved an iconic status with the audiences he has moved and encouraged through the Winans brand of popular inspirational song. For an artist with his message and core based in the church and its word, BeBe Winans has faced an exciting and unique career which in 2016, comes to life as a musical of his life, co-written and Directed by Motown:The Musical Director, Charles Randolph-Wright with book, music and lyrics by BeBe -- Born For This: The BeBe Winans Story is set for regional openings in Atlanta and Washington, DC..

TOMMY DAVIDSON

Comedian

YouTube

ARTIST BIO

Tommy Davidsons exceptional range from stand-up comedy and acting to versatile music accomplishments have earned him a reputation as an extraordinary performer. Best known as one of the stars of the hit television show In Living Color, his visibility has allowed him to become a household name known for his innovative talent.

Davidson started his career as a standup comedian in Washington DC, earning an ardent following with relentless work in the leading comedy clubs. As one of the cutting-edge, young stand-ups, he was spotted by major concert promoters who booked him as the opening act for A-list tours including Patti LaBelle, Kenny G and Luther Vandross. It wasnt long before he came to Hollywood and was headlining at a number of clubs, including the Comedy Act Theatre, where he met Robert Townsend. This led to his first national television appearance with a starring role in Partners in Crime and was the conduit to Keenan Ivory Wayans, who proved instrumental in Davidsons career by offering him an opportunity to audition.

Tommy and Jamie Foxx, Jim Carrey, Damon Wayans and David Alan Grier the uniquely talented cast of the most adventurous primetime variety show on television, In Living Color (1990), made TV history. The iconic sketch show was recently honored with the Groundbreaking Award by TV Land in a star-studded salute guided by Whoopi Goldberg and this year celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Tommys film debut started opposite Halle Berry in Strictly Business. A range of feature film roles from Spike Lees Bamboozled, where he received acclaim and praise for his turn as Womack/Sleep N Eats, to Juwanna Mann (Morgan Creek Productions) and the pivotal cameo in Jim Carreys Ace Ventura II: When Nature Calls, followed. He starred in 2011s landmark, award-winning documentary, I Am Comic, opposite Tim Allen, Lewis Black, Sarah Silverman, Carlos Mencia, Jeff Foxworthy and Kathy Griffin.

Davidsons hilarious impressions of Sammy Davis Jr., Michael Jackson and other icons have become infamous. His visibility on In Living Color led to three Showtime specials: On Strength of New York, Illin in Philly and Takin it to DC. Tommy is the host and star of Showtimes 2013 Chocolate Sundaes special (eOne) which garnered rave reviews upon premiere and remains one of eOne Films best sellers.

He has just been cast in a starring role in Frat Pack, an unapologetic comedy shooting in Toronto in April due late 2015 release. The indie feature centers on a shy late 20s British bachelor who is dragged on a wild road trip to a fraternity party as his mother marries into a larger than life American family. Think Road Trip meets Bridesmaids meets Project X with a bit of American Pie thrown in.

His elasticity as a performer who delivers on the small screen ranges from his guest starring role in season 4 of the hot BET show, Real Husbands of Hollywood, opposite Kevin Hart and Nick Cannon and as the star of Will Smiths animated series, Youngins and Disneys animated series, The Proud Family

Tommy stars opposite Michael Jai White in the critically-lauded spoof comedy, Black Dynamite (Sony Pictures) as the character Cream Corn. The cult hit was adapted as an animated series for the Cartoon Network, becoming a breakout hit. It continues to garner the highest ratings the Turner imprint has ever experienced setting the precedent for all Adult Swim series.

GERALD ALBRIGHT

Featured Performer

ARTIST BIO

Gerald Albright is currently putting the finishing touches on the forthcoming CD project, 30. This pivotal number represents 30 years since the release of his debut CD, Just Between Us.

This self-produced anniversary project is a reflection of some of Albrights favorite music that he has written over the past three decades! All of the songs are action-packed with new and unique arrangements, spear-headed by Albright, Chris Big Dog Davis, and James JRob Roberson. This CD will prove to be one of Gerald Albrights finest efforts to date.

It will be released later in 2018.

If you thought the mixture of deep funk and simmering sensuality of Slam Dunk (which Albright released in 2014) was on fire, he wowed us with the high-octane sequel, G. G gives you that in-your-face horn-section-magic, of classic bands like Earth, Wind & Fire and Tower of Power.

What makes G and the upcoming project 30 so special is that these two projects are stemmed from Albrights own record label Bright Music Records. Early in his career, the versatile saxophonist was often told by his labels to be funky, but not too funky but after 30 years at the top of his game as one of contemporary urban jazzs core artists and sonic innovators, the eight-time Grammy nominee is letting loose like never before.

When Albright titled his 2006 album New Beginnings, he was referring to the move he and his family made to Colorado after a lifetime in Southern California. Ten years later, hes in a similar mode, blazing into the next phase of his storied career releasing his own projects as an indie artist, after decades on major and major affiliated labels. Like a lot of his peers in the genre, he realized that the business models of those big companies dont fit into the current economic structures of urban jazz. Inspired by a loyal fan base of thousands throughout the world, he knew it was time to leverage his hard won success, step out on faith, and create a company that could not only release his music but also serve as a legacy for his family. Choosing the name Bright Music Records is reflective of his great optimism in embarking on an endeavor that uniquely defines who he is.

What we got from G is nothing less than Genuine Gerald. 30 and all projects to follow will place a stamp on the Albright name as one to deliver nothing but the best.

Albright gets right down to business, celebrating his fresh start of 30 with a new rendition of Sooki Sooki. He creates all the horn sections himself, texturing alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, with the funkiness of an up and coming hit maker, James JRob Roberson on keyboards. Robersons off-the-chain talent on keyboards will also keep you jumping on Chips and Salsa and 4 On the Floor.

With Chris Big Dog Davis (one of urban jazzs top hit makers, who has worked with everyone from Najee to Maysa, Phil Perry, and Kim Waters) creating an array of keyboard sounds on Bermuda Nights, Road to Peace, New Beginnings, Come Back to Me, Boss of Nova and Just Between Us, Albright infuses a mixture of horns and other instruments.

The emotional up-tempo ballad Come Back to Me features the saxophonist on alto, tenor and bari, in addition to C flutes, alto flutes and bass guitar. It also features his daughter Selina a solo artist in her own right on background vocals.

Another highlight of 30 would be a bonus track, 4 On the Floor featuring the dynamic Ricky Watford on guitar.

Albright says that the big, multi-faceted sound of the album, particularly his use of multiple flutes, is a throwback to the way he came up in music. Ive been implementing them over the past few projects, using flute seasonings strategically with certain songs, and it was exciting to take those sounds to the next level, he adds. I come from that orchestral big band sound that defined my high school years playing in the 70s, and had great teachers who believed that musicians should never take shortcuts. In those jazz band days, I doubled on other instruments besides sax, and coming from that world, its always been hard to neglect those instincts. I like having a lot of sonic options. I use everything as a facility to bring my music to another level. When I think of those EWF and TOP horns, they were so in your face, present and clear.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Albright was already an accomplished saxophonist by the time he enrolled at the University of Redlands, but he switched to bass after he saw Louis Johnson in concert. A few months after graduating from college, he joined jazz pianist/R&B singer Patrice Rushen, who was in the process of forming her own band. Later, when the bassist left in the middle of a tour, Albright replaced him and finished the tour on bass guitar. Playing both sax and bass, he became the consummate session and touring musician in the 80s, working with everyone from Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Jr., Atlantic Starr, The Temptations and Maurice White to Les McCann, Teena Marie, the Winans and Whitney Houston.

He launched his solo career in the infancy of what became the smooth jazz format, with Just Between Us in 1987 and has been a core part of the genre with chart-topping albums, countless radio hits and as a member of many all star tours, including Guitars & Saxes and Groovin For Grover. In the late 90s, he fronted a big band for and toured with pop star Phil Collins and did a dual recording with vocal great Will Downing called Pleasures of the Night. Between his last two Grammy-nominated solo albums Pushing The Envelope (2010) and Slam Dunk (2014), he enjoyed hit collaborations with two huge hits 24/7 with guitarist Norman Brown and Summer Horns by Dave Koz and Friends (including Mindi Abair and Richard Elliot), which were also Grammy-nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Albums. He toured with Brown and Summer Horns, and most recently has been on the road with South Africa gospel/jazz singer and guitarist Jonathan Butler. Albrights other albums whose titles perfectly reflect their flow include Smooth (1994), Groovology (2002), Kickin It Up (2004) and Sax for Stax (2008).

Because Albrights musical muse has taken him to so many fascinating locales along the contemporary R&B/urban jazz spectrum, hes joyfully defied easy categorizations.

Top to bottom, Albright says, Whether in concert, listening to my music over the radio or CD player, I always want my listeners to be taken on a musical journey with different textures, rhythms, chord progressions and moods. I want people to know where Ive been and where Im going, and to let them hear that Im in a really good place in my life.

MARCUS ANDERSON

Featured Performer

ARTIST BIO

One of the premiere saxophonists in the world, Marcus Anderson is not only a sought after solo artist, with eight albums to date, who performs to audiences all over the world, and who accompanies other great artists such as CeeLo Green and Judith Hill, but he is also known as being a featured saxophonist with the late Prince's New Power Generation. In addition to being a sax maestro, Marcus plays the flute, sings, writes, dances, produces and arranges music; his talent is undeniable to most audiences and to his peers. As if that wasn't enough, his recent accomplishments include ranking #1 on Billboard Smooth Jazz and SirusXM Radio Watercolors.

Marcus recently became a key contributor to CeeLo Green's tour band, traveling internationally with the Love Train Tour. Marcus is no stranger to notoriety touring often with his own band both as a recording artist and performer. Marcus' eight albums to date include his three produced in the past two years. The "Marcus Anderson Xperience... M.A.X. Live in Concert" is a limited edition CD celebrating Marcus's tenth anniversary performing and recording as a solo act. The CD, AND Coffee, is an ode to and for coffee lovers, celebrating the launch of Marcus's recent coffee brand of the same name www.ANDproducts.net. The single, "A Cup of Joe," received the highest honors as #1 on Billboard Smooth Jazz and #1 on SirusXM Radio Watercolors. Recently, Marcus released, My Inspiration, his first solo inspirational CD.

Marcus has played with several headliners during guest appearances on well-noted shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Arsenio Hall Show, Jimmy Fallon and The Tonight Show. He is a veteran and audience favorite at such notable festivals as the Essence Music Festival, Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival, Seabreeze Jazz Festival, Capital Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival, and more.

Marcus has a strong international presence and his 2015 MAX Tour - London performances were received to rave reviews. The package Marcus brings on stage, with his showmanship and sheer jubilance, electrifies audiences everywhere. In a note, Marcus has taken his traditional smooth jazz roots and infused his music with R&B, Pop, Rock, Latin and funky grooves.

Marcus studied with Branford Marsalis, Dr. Ira Wiggins and Gospel saxophonist Donald Hayes for several years. He achieved many accolades along the way, including a North Carolina Gospel Announcers' Prestige Award for Gospel Jazz Artist of the Year, thus displaying his musical diversity. He has performed for President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Jesse Jackson, amongst other dignitaries. He has also toured with Judith Hill, Sheila E, Liv Warfield and Anthony Hamilton.

As a solo artist, Marcus has been honored to open for and join on stage artists such as Ledisi, Lalah Hathaway, Brian Culbertson, Esperanza Spaulding, Peter White, Boney James, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, George Duke, Wynton Marsalis, Alex Bugnon, Nnenna Freelon, Jeff Lorber, Bob Baldwin, Jennifer Holiday and The Sax Pack.

RICK BRAUN

Featured Performer

ARTIST BIO

I just want to continue to explore the boundaries of what I am capable of as a musician, declares acclaimed chart-topping trumpeter, composer and producer Rick Braun. Known for his impeccable technical chops, melodic wizardry and keen compositional prowess, the consummate Los Angeles based musician has been thrilling audiences for decades. Braun has made a mark staying true to his own musical voice and eclectic influences that have allowed him to collaborate across genre with some of the biggest names in music including Rod Stewart, Tom Petty, Sade, Natalie Cole and REO Speedwagon. Having clenched over 20 #1 Smooth Jazz hits, Braun has collaborated with all of the brightest stars in contemporary jazz from Kirk Whalum, Norman Brown and Peter White, to Dave Koz, Boney James and Brian Culbertson. February 24, 2017 Shanachie Entertainment will release Rick Brauns 17th recording as a leader, Around The Horn. The dynamic trumpeters label debut is an adventurous mix of originals as well as exhilarating reinventions of hits by Coldplay, Alicia Keys and Charlie Puth and Selena Gomez. Shanachie VP of A&R, Danny Weiss states, Rick's tone, chops and phrasing link him to the jazz giants of the past. He can hold his own in any setting. Yet he communicates to a vast audience far beyond the jazz aficionado. His warmth, wit and musical spirit make him a great communicator - a hit maker!

Rick Braun arrived at the title Around The Horn as a way to convey his ambition to fully explore his diverse influences. It is kind of a play on words using the saying around the horn. In the old days before the Panama Canal people had to travel around Cape Horn in South America to get from New York to California and it was a very dangerous journey. This record is all about the trumpet. I wanted to push myself to explore the horn more deeply. On the albums title track Braun invites fellow trumpeter Till Bro?nner from Germany for a splendid trumpet expedition as the two challenge one another to reach new heights. Around The Horn opens with the intoxicating and alluring "So Strong." Braun's warm trumpet and valve trombone soar above a hypnotic and exotic groove that is underscored by pulsating global rhythms and sultry voices. To me So Strong has a real Brazilian feel and the rhythmic guitar part is very South African, explains Braun. On this record, I wanted to take you on a musical journey and around the world. Braun transports us to Portugal with his scintillating composition Vila Vita featuring acoustic guitarist Peter White. I love Peter White! exclaims Braun. The duo has scored several hits through the years including Club Harlem and Missing In Venice. Vila Vita was inspired by a trip Braun spent with his family at a jazz festival in Portugal. It was one of the most amazing experiences, recalls Braun. I was working on the record and played some of the songs on a rooftop balcony that we had. I felt like there needed to be a song for the beautiful experience that I had in Portugal and Vila Vita is it.

Braun shows off his versatility on Around The Horn with a few surprising and imaginative re-workings of notable pop tunes. He explains, This album is a bit different for me in that it reflects some of what is going on in R&B and pop music now. I really tried to pull from those influences and sounds as opposed to making a retro inspired record. I am hoping the music will bring some of my fans into this new generation of music as well. Braun takes on Charlie Puths Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 duet with Selena Gomez, We Dont Talk Anymore. This is a song that Braun was introduced to by his 16-year-old daughter Emma. Everyday my daughter goes outside in back of the house and listens to and dances to all of this wonderful pop music and the music just takes over her, explains Braun. This is not my music or the music of my generation but I was listening and started hearing some incredible tunes and so I decided to use some for inspiration. Its a new journey into the realm of contemporary pop music both sonically and content wise. I use a lot of sequenced sounds and samples that hopefully will sound fresh and interesting to my fans. Brauns tender trumpet and flugelhorn lines along with Peter Whites sailing guitar transform this number into a delightful rhapsodic version. Around The Horn also showcases Alicia Keys In Common, which Braun turns into a haunting trip-hoppy, tropical house inspired elixir that promises to have you dancing. Braun also draws inspiration from British alt-rock sensation Coldplay and their first true American hit, Yellow. Braun enlists help from multi-instrumentalist and vocalist John Stoddart, who also co-wrote a number of the songs on Around The Horn.

John Stoddart is an amazingly talented singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and producer. He is just an awesome human being. We toured together with BWB (a group that included Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown), and we were label mates way back in the day on Warner Brothers. I have been a fan of his for the past 20 years, shares Braun.

John actually suggested we record In Common and he came up with the beautiful re-harmonization and incredible arrangement on Yellow. This record would not be what it is without Johns help. I am grateful for his contribution and I love him. Braun and Stoddart let loose and have some fun with a funky and bluesy original they penned together Everything Is Alright. This song is another example of the genius of John. It has a Ramsey Lewis or Eddie Harris Cold Duck Time feel. At the same time sonically, I wanted to pull from Bruno Mars in terms of the sonic palette with the horn section sound and the big kick drum that you hear. The snappy and electrifying "Pool Dancer," opens the door to Braun's creative fancy as he stretches out and gets down to the nitty- gritty and concocts soulful flights of fancy trading off with himself on trumpet and flugelhorn. The dazzling "Love Take Me" features the chart-topping soul jazz diva and Shanachie label-mate, Lindsey Webster. Working with Lindsey was absolutely fantastic shares Braun. I have to thank my dear friend and co-manager Bud Harner for his input on this one because it was initially an instrumental cut. There arent a lot of people in the world that can write lyrics and sing like Lindsey Webster does. She is an amazing talent and I have nothing but great things to say about her. Also included on Around The Horn are two more songs that John Stoddart and Rick Braun co-wrote; the vibey, R&B flavored ballad I Love You More and the free-flowing cool swing of One South Beach Night.

Every time I sit down to play my horn, I realize the shortcomings and the amount of information that I do not have. It is a humbling experience, says Rick Braun. For me it is important that I continue to keep my horizons open and keep looking forward and try to improve on what I do. Braun was blessed to discover music at an early age. When I started playing as an eight year old boy, I loved it right away. I loved the smell of the horn, the sound that it made and everything about it and I continue to love it. There was a time when Braun was contemplating pursuing medical school but luckily for us music won out. Still a student of the music, of late Braun has been intently listening to Freddie Hubbard, Clifford Brown and Chet Baker. In fact he is working on a tribute concert featuring Chet Bakers music. Compositionally Braun says, My influences are all over the map. But a few of my favorites are Earth, Wind and Fire, The Brecker Brothers, Quincy Jones, The Crusaders and Ramsey Lewis. Coming of age in Allentown, PA (about an hour outside of Philadelphia), Braun was acutely aware of the volume of jazz musicians who developed in his area. The Brecker Brothers were a huge influence. My dear friend Jeff Lorber is also from Philadelphia and Keith Jarrett is from Allentown. There is a rumor in my family that Jarrett is actually my third cousin! Rick Braun has enjoyed a career longevity that is rare in this business. He has crafted his own distinctive sound and become a staple on contemporary jazz radio. He has produced No. 1 hits for David Benoit, Marc Antoine and former Rod Stewart band sidekick Jeff Golub. Braun achieved collaborative success on massive hits with Boney James, as a member of RnR with saxophonist Richard Elliot and with BWB, a powerhouse trio completed by Grammy® winners Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown. Braun has hosted an annual New Years Eve event for almost a decade that benefits autism. His daughter is autistic and Braun has made it a mission to bring awareness to autism. One of my passions is just trying to help people who are affected by autism. It is really important for me to just reach out and help wherever I can, shares the inspiring musician. Around The Horn follows Brauns 2014 CD Can You Feel It and further ensconces the trumpeter as among one of the greatest of his generation. Braun concludes, For me music is not just about going out touring and making a living. Music has always been a source of joy, almost a therapy. When things are not going right or when I am not feeling right about myself, if I can get into my studio and make some music and dig into that world, it always makes me feel better. It is an absolute pleasure seeing the joy that it brings to others. I love every moment of it!

JAVIER COLON

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ARTIST BIO

Javier Colon has a lot of heart.

In fact, that heart is precisely why he captivated America as winner of the inaugural season of NBC's hit television show, The Voice. It's why he never gave up on his dream of a career in music even in the face of numerous setbacks and what seemed like endless adversity. It's why every time he writes a song, it strikes a chord. It's also why when the world hears his forthcoming 2011 debut album, Come Through For You, on Universal Republic Records, they will feel it.

Colon is no stranger to the music business. After touring with The Derek Trucks Band for two years, he released two major label albums via Capital RecordsâJavier in 2003 and Left of Center in 2006. Both releases illustrated a daring creativity that expanded beyond the confines of pop music, while still retaining an undeniable sense of melody. He already began to stand out as he carved the foundation for his self-dubbed, "acoustic soul" style.

Colon eventually split with Capitol and released The Truth â Acoustic EP on his own label, Javier Colon Music, in 2010. After a decade, he'd already experienced the road, dealt with the struggles of trying to excel on a competitive and crowded major label roster, and faced the challenges of promoting his music independently. In a sense, he'd seen it all and could've thrown in the towel. He wasn't going to stop though.

Notified of the chance to audition for The Voice in early 2011, Colon took the opportunity. He'd been fighting for another record deal for five years to no avail and wasn't sure about what the next step would be. Almost canceling the audition due to other show commitments, he decided to go anyway.

"I'm glad I went because The Voice was the best thing that's happened up to this point in my career," smiles Colon. "I really try to put everything I am into my songs and performances. I never expect anything, and winning was a shock. I was one-hundred percent happy that I'd simply gotten to the final four contestants. When Carson Daly announced I was the winner, I was elated and I couldn't believe it. I'm very thankful."

Colon's humility is just as spellbinding as his voice is. Both of those elements charmed America and consequentially led to his victory on the show including a recording contract with Universal Republic Records. Whether he was performing "Landslide" with Stevie Nicks, or his fan favorite acoustic rendition of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time," the performer captured the hearts of millions.

Original song and debut single "Stitch By Stitch" not only clenched the top prize on The Voice for Colon, but it also became something of a phenomenon. During the first week of its digital release, the song exceeded sales of 145,000 and peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Colon even performed "Stitch By Stitch" on the Tonight Show With Jay Leno. With its lilting acoustic guitar and Colon's palpable, powerful delivery, it's an honest and heartfelt ballad.

"Stitch By Stitch" is only one thread of Colon's debut. He began writing songs for the record in July 2011, and he dove deep inside himself. The next single, "As Long As We Got Love" featuring Natasha Bedingfield, sees Colon expanding even further as a songwriter. On this irresistible duet, the singers' voices intertwine in a hypnotic harmony that's simply unforgettable.

Colon's been up for it since he first discovered music as a kid growing up in Connecticut. His father was a DJ at a local radio station, so there was always music playing at home. "From an early age, I'd start mimicking the singers I'd hear on the radio," he recalls. "With encouragement from my mom and a few teachers, I started performing at school. After that, I wanted to be all over anything that had to do with music."

In addition, Colon writes his own music, constantly keeping himself open to inspiration. A family man, he keeps his wife and daughters close to his heart at all times often writing about them. He continues, "I connect emotionally to the songs I write, especially if they have anything to do with my wife or my little girls. As a result, music can happen at any time. I've had instances where I'll wake up in the middle of the night with two full verses of lyrics that I hardly even have to think about. I hope people connect to that.

"When they get a chance to hear Come Through For You, they'll undoubtedly connect. Colon isn't simply following anyone else's path either; he's making his own way. "My influences range from James Taylor to James Brown," Colon adds. "I approach pop from a singer-songwriter's perspective, and I try to infuse soul into that style.

"With a fresh take on pop, soul, and acoustic music, Javier's journey starts with the release of Come Through For You. He concludes, "I hope the album takes people on my journey through all of the trials and tribulations we've made it through together. It's definitely important that the songs move people."

CANDY DULFER

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ARTIST BIO

Dutch saxophonist CANDY DULFER continues to push boundaries with the release of her new album 'Together'.

The album was inspired by all thats great in jazz, disco, soul, dance and r&b, but is also a contemporary interpretation of whats happening in music and the world today. Candy created a deeply personal and unique blend of musical genres & influences, bound together by her trademark sound, showcasing her extreme versatility.

Its hard to believe that its been over 26 years since Candy Dulfer rose to fame with her high-profile collaborations with Dave Stewart (the worldwide number 1 smash Lily was here) and of course the legendary Prince, whose tongue-in-cheek recommendation (When I want sax, I call Candy) in the "Partyman" video made the world sit up and notice the young, glamorous and talented sax player at his side. Their collaboration continued over the years with many studio sessions, TV show appearances, award show performances (including the Grammy Awards), and concert tours around the globe, including Candy joining Princes NPG band as a permanent member for his record-shattering Musicology tour & album.

Candy has been fortunate to work - both in the studio and on stage - with some of the biggest names in music, including Van Morrison, Maceo Parker, Sheila E., Mavis Staples, Lionel Richie, Beyoncé, Pink Floyd, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, and many others.

Despite these high-profile collaborations, Candy mainly focused on her solo career, starting her own band at age 13 and touring the world ever since.

Her first solo album Saxuality earned her a Grammy Award nomination, the combined world-wide sales of her solo albums top 2.5 million copies, and she has had several number 1 hits in the USA.

In between her many concert tours around the globe, she still manages to join Dutch female supergroup the Ladies of Soul for their annual sold-out concerts at the massive Amsterdam Ziggo Dome, is a headline performer on Jazz Cruises in the USA and Europe, is an ambassador for the Dutch ALS Foundation, and is working on her autobiograpy scheduled for release in Fall 2017.

Whether she and her band play the biggest festival stages around the world, or an intimate jazz club around the corner in Amsterdam, her fans know that her concert is always the hottest ticket in town. Catch her and her renewed band on tour in Europe, Asia and the USA!

RICHARD ELLIOT

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ARTIST BIO

When tenor saxophonist Richard Elliot began preparing Summer Madness, his follow-up to 2014s critically acclaimed Lip Service, he knew exactly what he wanted to do. First and foremost, it had to be funky. When I was growing up in the 70s and first learning to play the saxophone, he says, I was mostly attracted to instrumentally based R&B and to jazz that had R&B roots. This record definitely goes down that path, leaning more on the funk side.

He also knew precisely who he wanted to accompany him on the new music. I wanted to involve my band, Elliot says. A lot of artists tour with a group of musicians, and then when its time to make a record they hook up with a producer and go into the studio and use completely different people that maybe theyve never even met before. I feel that if youre lucky enough to have a regular group of musicians that you work with, and you dont draw on their talent and their inspirations, youre short-changing yourself.

Summer Madness, set for release on September 9, 2016 via Heads Up, a division of Concord Music Group, is a new kind of Richard Elliot recording. For one thing, the cast includes two other horn men augmenting Elliots signature sax work: trumpeter/trombonist Rick Braun, who also produced the album and, on several tracks, baritone saxophonist Curt Waylee. Most importantly though, the music was created from scratch as Elliot and his handpicked musicians formulated and honed their ideas in the studio, with Brauns ultra-capable guidance. For Elliot, recruiting the additional players and having the entire bandplus a well-respected veteran producer help him shape the musicwas integral to the projects success.

I didnt want to direct them, he says. I wanted to bring them in and let them be part of the processthe writing, the arrangingand to do it all together. I had a lot of confidence that these guys are mature enough musically. Everybody brought what they do to the table and we all put our heads together. We didnt have rehearsals first, we didnt have writing sessions first. We booked some days in the studio and the music just poured out. The result of these impromptu jamsseven new originals and three classic interpretationsis unquestionably one of the most electrifying and gratifying recordings of Richard Elliots three- plus-decade solo career. From the opening salvo, a super-funkified take on Spyro Gyras

Cachaca, through the closing Mr. Nates Wild Ride, spotlighting bassist Nathaniel Phillips, who wrote the track along with Elliot and Braun, Summer Madness is one of those albums that simply takes hold the moment you press play and never lets go. Along the way it touches down on a variety of moods and styles, from Latin- and African-inspired funk to soul jazz, even flirting with fusion on the hard-driving, appropriately titled Ludicrous Speed.

A couple of sparkling ballads pay tribute to heroes of Elliots going back to his earliest days of musical discovery: Europa, on which he honors one of his saxophone inspirations, the late Gato Barbieriwho famously remade the Carlos Santana-penned track in his own image, and the title track Summer Madness, a mid-70s hit for funk titans Kool & the Gang.

Among the original compositions, Harry the Hipster, says Elliot, is reminiscent of songs that had cool, recurring melodies and a funky pulsethe idea was not to wrap yourself up in how much complexity you could put into the song, but how much feeling and groove can you put into the song? Another highlight, the band-written West Coast Jam, is Elliots nod to yet another influence, the late leader of funk trailblazers Zapp, Roger Troutman, while Breakin It Down, which arrives early on Summer Madness, is designed, he says, to bridge the genres of funk and contemporary jazz, with which Elliot has long been associated. I sort of formulated that theory later though, he confesses. When we were making the music we were just making it.

It should come as no surprise to Elliots longtime fans that he would, at some point in his career, choose to celebrate funk in such a dedicated, decisive way. It was, after all, with the legendary Tower of Power that many first heard the saxophone virtuosity of Richard Elliot. Although he was born in Scotland and grew up in Los Angeles, where he started playing saxophone while in middle school, his five-year run with the Bay Area institution ToP during the 1980s was when Richard Elliot first came to prominence.

I learned more about being a musician, about being a performer, about being a team player in a horn section, about how to make a statement when you step out and do a solo, from being with Tower of Power than from any other group or artist I ever worked with, Elliot says, adding that it was initially terrifying to find himself among some of the most accomplished and highly respected musicians on the funk/R&B scene. In fact, he learned enough from working with them, Elliot says now, to know that he was ready to go off on his own when he did.

Leaving Tower of Power was the hardest decision I ever made, he says now, but great things were to follow almost immediately. By the late 80s, Elliot had launched his solo career and was signed to Blue Note Records, where he worked with the legendary record executive Bruce Lundvall, an early champion of Elliots work. Since then, Elliot has released more than 20 albums as a leader, and has also polished his chops serving as a sideman for a considerable list of diverse giants, including Motown hitmakers Smokey Robinson and the Temptations. One of Elliots favorite projects was the collaborative 2013 release Summer Horns, which found him teaming up with fellow sax-slingers Dave Koz, Gerald Albright and Mindi Abairthe album was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Pop Instrumental Album.

Throughout all of his music, Richard Elliot has always strived to achieve one certain goal. Miles Davis said, The hardest thing for a musician to do is sound like himself. That stuck with me, Elliot says. If you fixate on a single influence, you tend to sound like someone whos trying to sound like that person. I never know if Ive achieved that goal but on occasion Ive had someone come up to me and say, I heard a song on the radio and I knew it was you. Summer Madness puts a bit of a new twist on the classic Richard Elliot sound, but you wont doubt for a single second who you are hearing.

EVERETTE HARP

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ARTIST BIO

As the 90's progressed and smooth jazz artists began incorporating more hip-hop and classic R&B grooves into the music which came to define the genre, Everette Harp found himself ahead of the curve. Raised in church and weaned on gospel and soul music, the Houston born saxman on his first two Blue Note recordings, Everette Harp (1992) and Common Ground (1994), was already leaning this way, combining dynamic funk edges and urban textures into the mix. His popular 1997 tribute to Marvin Gaye's 1971 watershed album What's Going On combined the best of his two worlds, modern day contemporary jazz and the classic soul he grew up with. 1998's Better Days further solidified his place among the chart-toppers of smooth jazz. While on his previous albums, Harp sought to push the envelope stylistically and show off all of his abilities as writer, arranger, producer and player (even of straight ahead jazz), For the Love strips away the diversions and focuses purely on Harp's ability to convey powerful emotions via lyrical playing, beautiful melodies and sensuous rhythms.

While high ambition has always been Harp's trademark as an artist and performer, on For the Love, the saxman looked forward to the challenge of letting go of pretension, focusing on the love of song and above all, keeping things simple. "I've always looked upon each album as a learning experience, and for me that used to mean trying to fill each song with huge arrangements and every sonic idea that came to mind, scattering styles on the other songs once the radio tunes were recorded, and playing a lot of notes. But like George Duke has long told me, there is an art form to being simple and communicating honestly. The result, I believe is my most focused project to date."

Keeping with that sensibility, the album title For the Love is not simply a reflection of the very romantic vibe found in many of the collection's titles. Rather, it refers to his overall intention to play from the heart for the love of the music. "The title encompasses the whole feeling of the project and the personal place I'm in right now. There's less riffing, less eclecticism and more real feeling. I stepped back a bit and took a more laid back approach. That was a bit of a struggle at first, but I absolutely love the results."

To help him find that crucial balance, Harp brought in veteran producer Steve Dubin (George Benson, Al Jarreau, Richard Elliot) to co-write (with Harp) and produce six of the tracks -- the bubbly retro-funk opener So Automatic, the soulful hip-hop flavored romance I Just Can't Let Go, the edgy, throbbing alto showcase Right Back Atcha (featuring Ricky Peterson's lively electric piano), the bluesy and atmospheric Love Conditionally, the snappy and percussive jam Dancin' With You (with Doc Powell's crisp electric guitar harmonies and solo) and Put It Where You Want It, a rollicking, brassy and blues-drenched cover of a Crusaders classic conceived as a duet between Harp and electric guitarist Jeff Cobb. "Steve knew my reputation as a guy who loved big and beautiful productions, and I knew he would bring a centered approach and a sensibility to the tunes which radio would respond to," says Harp. "His objective point of view added so much to the recording process."

Harp produced the moody, eloquent soprano piece I Miss Me With You, which he co-wrote with popular smooth jazz keyboardist Brian Culbertson; and a lush, dreamy soprano-driven cover of the Stevie Wonder chestnut, Where Were You When I Needed You. For the Love also features two magnificent vocal tracks -- the R&B/pop flavored I Can't Take it Anymore, featuring the up and coming group 20/20 and produced by Buster and Shivani, and We Don't Have To Say Goodbye, on which Harp shows his own strong vocal abilities; the track was co-produced by co-writer Shaun LaBelle.

As with his previous recordings, For the Love features some of smooth jazz and R&B's most dynamic and acclaimed musicians. Aside from those previously mentioned, Harp is joined by keyboardist George Duke (on I Can't Take It Anymore and Where Were You When I Needed You), guitarists Ray Fuller, Tony Maiden and Paul Jackson, Jr.; bassists Larry Kimpel and Alex Al; drummer Li'l John Roberts and percussionist Lenny Castro.

Most musicians can reach back and find a turning point moment when they realized exactly what their lives would be about. But as with his lifelong, ever powerful faith in God, Everette Harp only remembers that he always played music. He started playing piano at two, sax at four and says, "It was just like breathing for me." Born and raised in Houston the youngest of eight children, Harp's most profound early influences were the gospel music he heard at the church where his dad was the minister and the great jazz performers he began listening to in high school -- Grover Washington, Jr., Hank Crawford and Stanley Turrentine. After graduating from North Texas State as a music major, he worked for a brief time as an accountant before playing in a handful of local bands and picking up studio jingle work.

Harp moved to Los Angeles in 1988, and his career as a sideman took off; after a brief tour with Teena Marie, he traveled internationally with Anita Baker (an association that went on and off until 1995), performed with Sheena Easton and Kenny Loggins and began developing his studio chops behind such artists as Patti LaBelle. Harp signed a solo deal with Manhattan/Blue Note in 1992 and recorded his self-titled debut between tours with George Duke and Marcus Miller.

That album's popularity led to further developments which established Harp as one of smooth jazz's greatest ambassadors -- a date at the Montreaux Jazz Festival; a tour with labelmate Rachelle Ferrell; playing alongside President Clinton, performing Your Mama Don't Dance at the 1993 Inaugural ball (Clinton borrowed one of Harp's saxes for the occasion!); and appearing weekly with The Posse on The Arsenio Hall Show. In the later Nineties, his sax was heard performing the theme song for Entertainment Tonight, as well as the Soul Train theme (Produced by George Duke), which is still being heard over the main titles. He also played the main title theme to Roger Ebert at the Movies. Over the years, Harp has also performed and/or recorded with a wide variety of pop, R&B and jazz superstars -- Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, Jeffrey Osborne, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Billy Joel, Neil Diamond, Al Jarreau, After 7, Phil Perry, Go West, Natalie Cole, Chante Moore, Will Downing, John Tesh, Branford Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams, Wayne Shorter, Chaka Khan, Stanley Clarke, Michael McDonald and Larry Carlton among others.

While Harp has cut back on his side gigs over the past few years to focus more on his solo career and other musical endeavors, the one superstar association he has continued is with Kenny Loggins. Over the past two years, Harp has opened for Loggins' concerts with his own band, then joined the singer/songwriter as keyboardist, saxophonist and backing vocalist. "I love playing for other artists because I can show up, have a good time and not have to worry about anything beyond doing a great performance," Harp says. "I've learned so much from working with different artists. Anita Baker taught me all about stage presence and audience rapport, while studying Kenny's amazing musicianship has helped build my own musicality. Also, production Zen-master George Duke taught me musical maturity and an amazing amount about how to produce great records."

Two of Harp's brothers followed in their father's footsteps by becoming Baptist ministers, and the saxman feels that playing music is his way of bringing the love of God to his own audience. "I see my music and career as a gift from God, as though I am simply a conduit with a force working through me to entertain people and make them happy," he says. "My spiritual side helps me get in touch with my emotional side, and together, they create the feeling that comes from my horns. Before every performance, my band and I pray that God help us fill our audience with the love of music He has given us. My focus is always on God and influencing my listeners in a positive way."

PAUL JACKSON JR

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ARTIST BIO

In The Beginning

Born and based in Los Angeles and a member of numerous local bands from his early teens, including a band composed of himself and his siblings, Paul Jackson, Jr. very quickly established his skill and sensitivity and was soon called upon to do many R&B and pop sessions, as well as jazz dates. Jackson began his own solo recording career in the late 80s. However, it was not until a decade later that his musical maturity, much imitated distinctive style, and significant musical and technical skills made him a favorite among live audiences and his becoming recognized by many as one of the most recorded guitarists in the world.

Influences:

Though Jackson never got to meet or work with one of his chief guitar/musical influences, Wes Montgomery, he has forged professional relationships with all the others who touched his formative years, including Gary Bell, Earl Klugh, George Benson, Ray Parker Jr., George Duke, Al McKay , and Lee Ritenour, along with his mentor, Patrice Rushen, Paul has appeared on the recordings of other superstars such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Elton John, Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, Quincy Jones, Luther Vandross, Ella Fitzgerald, Natelie Cole, B.B. King, Selina, Jennifer Lopez, Luis Miguel, Jewel, Amy Grant, Bebe & CeCe Winans, Boney James, Kenny Rogers, Al Jarreau, Stanley Clarke, George Duke, Joe Sample, Barry White, Chicago, and many others. Also on the underscore of many motion pictures such as Get On Up, Zootopia, and The Color Purple. More recently, Paul contributed his playing styles and composing chops to the Daft Punk CD, which garnered 5 Grammy Awards, was the #1 album in 104 countries and garnered Paul Grammy recognition for his contribution to the Album

Recordings:

Seven previous successful albums, containing several top ten releases include: I Came To Play (Grammy Nominated), Out of The Shadows, and River in The Desert under the Atlantic Label. Never Alone Duets under the Pony Canyon/ Blue Note Labels, Power of the String and Still Small Voice under the Blue Note Label, and Lay it Back, under the Branch Records, Inc. Label. Paul has recently released his new CD, Stories From Stompin Willie, also on the Branch Records, Inc. Label.

Appearances:

In addition to live solo performances Paul has appeared on many television shows and specials: The American Cinema Awards Show, which honored Bob Hope (Music Director). Sitcoms Martin and Townsend Television (Music Director); The Movie, Undercover Brother.( co-composer), and The 2008 Grammy after party (Music Director) featuring many notable artists including Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Jill Scott, Ne-Yo and Lionel Ritchie. Paul was a band regular of the highly regarded television shows: Dont Forget The Lyrics NBCs Tonight Show With Jay Leno, and Foxs The American Idol .

Paul has taught at worship conferences in Korea, Italy, Guatemala and Honduras, as well as authored the curriculum for these conferences. He believes his trip with Whitney Houston to South Africa in 1995 was his most spiritual, powerful and soul-energizing project.

STORIES FROM STOMPIN WILLIE

The new project, Stories from StompinWillie is a CD about musical friendships garnered over several years. Specifically Jacksons long time relationship with keyboard legend George Duke, who nicknamed Jackson, Stompin Willie. This project features many of Pauls old friends like Jeff Lorber, Jimmy Haslip, Karen Briggs, Michael Lington, Tom Scott, Ndugu Chancler, Byron Miller, and John Beasley not to forget Jacksons longtime boss Patrice Rushen, and the entire Rickey Minor Band of American Idol and Tonight Show fame. Also helping on the project are new friends like violin sensation Nicole Neely and recoding engineers, Erik Zobler, who worked with George Duke for over two decades and Craig Burbidge, who mixed Jacksons first #1 radio single Its a Shame.

Paul Jackson, Jr. states, I wanted to do a first class tribute to George (Duke). He was my mentor, my coach, and my friend. Featured on the CD is the re-recorded Duke classic Geneva, Hip Pockets and Thats What She Said. Songs that true George Duke fans will know and love.

JEFF LORBER

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Im a science fan and like to watch youtube from videos from different lectures about various scientific subjects especially physics, confesses Jeff Lorber. Those who know Lorbers music are probably not surprised, as he is a force of nature. His pressure-cooked grooves are kinetic energy at work. The velocities of his virtuosic solos hitting the right momentum create an electric field of pure joy. Trailblazing pianist, composer, producer and bandleader Jeff Lorber has hit a career stride and shows no signs of slowing down. A groundbreaking Fender Rhodes pioneer along with Herbie Hancock, Joe Sample and Bob James, Lorber has triumphed as one of the most innovative musical minds in contemporary jazz. Last year Lorber marked his 40th recording anniversary and in January 2018, he scored his first Grammy win for his Jeff Lorber Fusion recording Prototype in the category of Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. The whole thing was a bit surreal, recalls the Cheltenham, PA born and LA based pianist. Winning a Grammy was a thrill, especially after not winning after the last six nominations. It felt very different to hear my name rather than somebody elses after the winner is! The experience left Lorber and longtime collaborator and bassist Jimmy Haslip (founding member of The Yellow Jackets) recharged and ready to start work on their next album. Lorber shares, Im always giving Jimmy a hard time about moguling because hes always on the phone talking to clients hes producing. Lorber and Haslips plan was simple. We were committed to try to make a record that was even funkier, more focused and musically compelling than the last one, states Lorber. At this point the chemistry we have works so well together that its really about having fun in the studio. We enlisted many of our brilliant collaborators that we like to work with of course Andy Snitzer and Gary Novak, as well as Dave Mann, Paul Jackson Jr., Peter Mokran and Michael Thompson, among others. August 17, 2018 Shanachie Entertainment will release Impact, Jeff Lorbers third recording for Shanachie Entertainment.

There is an energy and excitement that permeates every note on Impact. The music is the perfect nexus of jazz and funk two ingredients that have long been at the heart of Jeff Lorbers music. Its really been what my music has been about since my first album, he explains. At that time, I had been studying how to play be-bop (which I still love) and I was really influenced by Herbie Hancocks first album in a more funky R&B style, a TV soundtrack called Fat Albert Rotunda. Of course I loved all of his records that followed that like Headhunters and Thrust and other fusion bands at that time like Weather Report, Return to Forever and the Mahavishnu Orchestra. I was also influenced by R&B music of that time, groups like Tower of Power and EWF especially. Today we just keep that approach alive. I always listen to New Music Friday on Spotify and try to hear what new exciting sounds are being made and try to reflect where music is now and where its going in my writing. With one foot planted in the rich history of the music and another leaping towards the uncharted territory of the future, Jeff Lorber remains one of the most exciting and thoroughly enjoyable pianists/composers and bandleaders on the scene.

There is a palpable energy when Lorber talks about his creative process. I really love writing, recording and performing. I dont look at this as work, confides the pianist. Id much rather have some playing that has a vibe over something that doesnt but is more technically perfect. We just keep the process moving. We dont get bogged down and we just have a good time recording. The feel and instantaneous joy that is so prevalent on Impact is what makes this occasion such a memorable excursion. Jeff Lorber Fusion serves up ten delectable tracks that snap and crackle with combustible grooves, finger-poppin melodies, jet-fueled funk riffs and joyous free-wielding improvisations.

Impact opens with the propelling funky groove of Sport Coat Makes Good, a title that comes from Jimmy Haslips tenure with Bruce Hornsby and is inspired by a certain guitarist in the band who always wore a sport coat. To me this song has some magic that started when Gary (Novak) came up with his angular New Orleans inspired groove, shares Lorber. It has a goofy charm thats unusual, and all the ingredients came together just right. Take note of saxophonist Andy Snitzers blues-strutting solo, which adds just the right touch. Dave Mann also offers superb horn arrangements on the R&B inflected Sunny Sounds which features some funky commentary from Paul Jackson, Jr. The band leaves nothing on the table with this opening number, setting the tone for the spirited affair ahead. They stretch out and displays magnetic interplay as they dive into the jam Pasadena City, which kicks off with a blistering bass solo from Jimmy Haslip. Jeff Lorber Fusion pays homage to Horace Silver with Citizenship, a Latin-tinged blues bop. Its a chromatic turnaround that you dont hear as much of these days. The song sounds modern but the basic compositional elements would also be at home in a late 1950s jazz ensemble.

Lorber and company testify and serve up a sanctified feel on Highline, which draws inspiration from the pianists first Jeff Lorber Fusion vinyl album, Funky Gospel. When I was listening to a test CD in my car this one stood out as my favorite, I think the song makes great driving music, shares Lorber. Gary Novaks high octane drumming kicks from beginning to end and Lorber adds, Theres a tasty horn arrangement from Dave Mann and the bridge section sort of takes it out of the blues vibe for a minute and adds some more modern harmonies. Impact also features the pop inflected, breezy and stop-rhythms of Opt In, showcasing the soprano saxophone of Andy Snitzer. Another high point is the sweeping and emotive ballad Quest, which highlights the sailing piano lines of Lorber along with guitarist Michael Thompson (Quincy Jones, Babyface, Madonna and beyond) and saxophonist Snitzer, who has toured with Paul Simon and the Rolling Stones.

Lorber shares, Andy and I have a lot in common because we both grew up in the same Philly suburb and went to the same high school. The Brecker Brothers were also CHS alumni. When we talk about his approach to a song its usually on a continuum from Joe Henderson to Jr. Walker. Lorber hopes that the song Companion will be a musicians favorite. It has very syncopated chordal shifts, which I came up with on guitar. I almost always write on the piano, says Lorber. This is the most fusion style song on the record. It is also the only song with another drummer besides Gary Novak Lil John Roberts. Roberts credits include a cross-pollination of genres as hes worked with everyone from Christian McBride and Wynton Marsalis to DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince to Sinéad OConnor. Lorbers says of his longtime comrade Gary Novak, Gary grew up in Chicago and played professionally from his youth with his dad who was a respected jazz piano player who backed up all of the top names who would come through town. Garys a proficient piano player himself and also plays bass. Gary is one of the top session drummers in L.A. and has accompanied everyone from George Benson to the Pussycat Dolls. The sunny swinger Arda uplifts with its sweet melody and cool back and forth exchange between Lorber and guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. Impact closes out with the memorable Valinor. Lorber says, This is definitely one of my favorites songs. Its based on an Eb major F to G minor nine chord sequence. Its another example of where I think all of the ingredients fell in place. You may recognize that the albums last two tracks Arda and Valinor, both take their titles from J.R.R. Tolkiens fictional geography. Lorber states, I started writing both of these songs on a trip to China, where I was inspired and I think well be visiting there more often.

Jeff Lorber Fusion came to life in the 70s when the pianist attended Berklee College of Music. A true clinician, Lorber has made it a point to study the long line of modern jazz pianists since 1945. Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea have been major influences but I had to go back and try to figure out who they listened to and were inspired by, says Lorber. Some of these icons that come to mind are Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner and Bud Powell. He adds, I also cant forget all of the pianists who played with Miles Davis such as Red Garland, Wynton Kelly, Tommy Flanagan and Horace Silver. Growing up in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania offered great inspiration for Jeff Lorber. There were a lot of home grown record labels like Cameo Parkway and Philadelphia International (Gamble and Huff) not to mention tons of home grown talent and the Dick Clark show originated from there too.

In 1977 Jeff Lorber Fusion released their self-titled debut. Their 1980 album Wizard Island made the introduction of a then little known Kenny G. The ensemble quickly gained traction and became one of the most popular jazz acts, touring nonstop. In 1982 Lorber made his solo debut with Its A Fact. He scored his first Grammy nomination in 1985 for his radio hit Pacific Coast Highway from his album Step By Step. In the 90s Lorber released a successful string of projects including West Side Stories (1994), State of Grace (1996) and Midnight (1998). During this time Lorber also stayed busy producing Michael Franks, Richard Elliot, Gerald Albright and Rick Braun, among others. The prolific pianist continued to add to his accolades with his shining recordings Kickin It (2001), Philly Style (2003), Flipside (2005), He Had A Hat (2007, Grammy nominated) and Heard That (2008), Now Is The Time (2010, Grammy nominated), Galaxy (2012, Grammy nominated) Hacienda (2013, Grammy nominated) and Step It Up (2015). Lorber made his first recordings for Shanachie as a member of Jazz Funk Soul with Chuck Loeb and Everette Harp on the albums Jazz Funk Soul and the Grammy nominated More Serious Business. Lorber scored his first Grammy win for his critically heralded Prototype in 2018.

Jeff Lorber has endured his own battle with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and has made it a mission to work with the PKD Foundation to raise awareness. I was very lucky that my wife donated her kidney, shares the pianist. Im going on 14 years and Im very grateful for that. My sister had a transplant a couple years ago and she is doing well also. There are some solutions that are being worked on but like many genetic based diseases it could be a long time before there is significant progress. People should know that there are 800,000 people in the US with PKD and two million worldwide. Its a huge problem that unfortunately doesnt get a lot of publicity.

I hope people listening to Impact will enjoy it as much as we did making it. The real completion of the album is when the fans get their hands on it and hopefully really dig it. Were also looking forward to playing this material on the road, which will be a lot of fun, concludes Lorber.

CHRIS WALKER

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Born and raised in Houston TX, Chris Walker began singing before he began speaking. He got his start in the church as a member of his family gospel group, The Walker Brothers. Chris plays the bass upside down like one of his early heros Jimi Hendrix. The Walkers raised their children with a strong hand, and once Chris graduated from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, he was all too happy to high-tail it to New York, with only forty dollars, in pursuit of his dreams of doing his own music. With aspirations of attending the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, he sold his bass amp and bought a one-way ticket to New York; despite being denied due to inability to pay the tuition. Fate, however, would intervene as Walker was walking the halls and happened to come upon a jam session in need of a bass player. When he took the stage the school dean just so happened to hear him and offered him a full scholarship on the spot and so begun another chapter in his musical journey. In his tenor at the school, Chris was afforded the opportunity to play with such Jazz greats as Ornette Coleman, Art Blakey, Bob James, Jimmy Heath, Cassandra Wilson and countless others. His musicianship garnered him a position as the musical director for R&B songstress Regina Belle as well as touring with Ornette Coleman. For the next two years he juggled between the two tours until forced to have to choose between conflicting schedules; and with his own desire to sing and do music burgeoning, he chose to stay with Ms. Belle, which ultimately led to a successful solo debut project on Pendulum Records. Chris Walkers first release First Time produced two top five singles; Giving You All My Love and Take Time, which crossed over to become top 30 on the pop charts. His second release entitled Sincerely Yours, included the classic song, How Do You Heal A Broken Heart, written by Chris and Carole Bayer Sager. As a student and lover of jazz music it was an opportunity that came via a former teacher, Gil Goldstein, that would bring to fruition a longtime dream of Walker to work with seven-time Grammy Award winner Al Jarreau. Chris was the Executive Producer for Bossa Nova Noites, which produced shows for the USOC, French, German and Japanese Houses during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, featuring Daniel Jobim and Alexandra Jackson. In 2014 Chris created DocFest, a non-profit organization that raises scholarship funds for deserving High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA - Houston) students going to The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in NY.

PETER WHITE

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