Jean Laughlin is an originator, poised to slide into any musical setting. Complimented by the best Chicago jazz musicians in a full orchestra setting, Jean collaborates with tasteful, inventive nuances complimenting many of the songs enriched improvisational solos. Bringing her dynamic relationship with Jim Martin to its full expression once again creating an album of warmth and love with her latest CD project Miracle of Life. Jim’s superb charts brings Jean’s music to life with the masterfully assembled string section and big band horns completing the orchestra.Laughlin presents a full range of ballads from jazz, to Broadway, to cabaret. The story-lines of each tune exudes the challenges of our daily lives, bringing humor and whimsy to life’s absurdities throughout her big band arrangements. “I’ve always thought that music is a form of communicating with others, a way of connecting with each other. Through music we can share our thoughts and feelings and even heal broken hearts” says Laughlin.
Jean’s solid vocal and musical command underlie each composition’s appeal. She began singing at age five and studying classical piano at seven. At the age of eleven, she performed on the nationally televised ‘Bob Crosby’ Show.
After settling in Chicago, Jean became a fixture in recording studios, recording television commercials, voice-overs and radio spots for large advertising agencies like Leo Burnett, J. Walter Thompson and Foote, Cone & Belding. She worked with Chicago legend Shelley Long by performing in many corporate industrial shows.
Currently many of Jean’s big band charts are being performed around the globe. She offers her arrangements and lead sheets to other singers with the hope that her songs will reach a larger audience.
“Jean is a seasoned professional, bringing her uplifting life’s perception not only through her lyrics but through the melodic flow and rhythmic musical backdrop. There is not a person that couldn’t relate to the message of her inspired offerings of song” says Jaijai Jackson, creator of The Jazz Network Worldwide.
Jean released her first album I'm Glad There Is You in 1992. She wrote and produced Confessions of a Woman released in 1996, Who Am I? in 1998, What Am I Looking For? in 2001, No Easy Way in 2007. Her latest CD Miracle of Life was released in 2012 receiving international radio airplay.
“I want to thank Jaijai Jackson for giving me the opportunity to be featured on The Jazz Network Worldwide, I am truly honored!
I've always thought that music is a form of communicating with others, a way of connecting with each other. Through music we can share our thoughts and feelings and even heal broken hearts.
For a long time it has been very difficult for Independent artists to get their music out there, but now Jaijai Jackson has created The Jazz Network Worldwide, an incredible vehicle that allows jazz musicians to share their music and drink in the wonderful work of the many talented artists on this site. Thanks again, Jaijai! May I wish all of you a very Happy Holiday Season!” ~ Jean Laughlin
Visit THE JAZZ NETWORK WORLDWIDE "A GREAT PLACE TO HANG" at: http://www.thejazznetworkworldwide.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network
Featuring acclaimed NY Trumpeter Tatum Greenblatt, cited by Wynton Marsalis as "one of his favorite young trumpet players," the Verve Jazz Ensemble projects a wide array of richly developed voices on this compelling compilation of music. From reinterpreted Bebop standards (Lady Bird, Boplicity, and Jordu), to a dynamic big band reduction (Big Swing Face, originally made famous by Buddy Rich), to two distinct treatments of well-loved jazz classics (Henry Mancini's The Days of Wine and Roses, and Oscar Hammerstein's Softly as in a Morning Sunrise), listeners will immediately hear a deeply integrated group that delivers its musical art with great style and passion.
Legendary work from a crucial component of Brazilian culture in the late 60s and early 70s – the International Song Festivals of the time – a very important way of presenting both new talent and new compositions as well! The events were really unique, and often quite striking – from both a cultural and political perspective – as artists used the festivals as a key platform for taking steps forward in their words and music – sometimes steps that were even bolder than their studio work on record! Performances are unique to the records, and usually represent some key non-album tracks from the artists involved. This second volume brings together work from the 1969 to 1972 versions of the Festivals – a really crucial time in Brazilian music, represented here by performances from Clara Nunes, Marcos Valle, Quarteto Forma, Beth Carvalho, Golden Boys, Tiaguara, Evinha, Antonio Adolfo & Brazuca, Maria Odette, Oz Brazoes, Hermes Aquinho, Alceu Valenca, O Grupo, Vox Populi, Martinho Da Vila, Luiza, Som Okey 5, Jards Macale, Os Tres Morais, Tribo, Toni Tornado, Agostinho Dos Santos, Trio Esperanca, Wilson Simonal, O Terco, Som Imaginario, Wanderlea, Silvo Cesar, Osmar Milito, Ze Rodrix, Claudia, Alaide Costa, and many others! Box features the full albums IV Festival Internacional Da Cancao Popular Vols 1, 2, & 3 (1969), V Festival Internacional Da Cancao Popular Vols 1 & 2 (1970), VI Festival Internacional Da Cancao Popular (1971), and VII Festival Internacional Da Cancao Popular (1972) – and most albums have bonus tracks too! ~ Dusty Groove
Dave Tofani's, Manhattan Carnival, was released nationally and received wide critical acclaim & made the Radio and Record Charts at #7 for 8 weeks, which led to a Grammy nomination. A blend of jazz/fusion and traditional jazz Dave performs here on tenor and soprano saxophones backed by New York City's most stellar rhythm section players, all stars in their own right: Warren Bernhardt (Piano,) Cliff Carter (Piano,) Dave Charles (Percussion,) Mark Egan (Bass,) Anthony Jackson (Bass,) Jimmy Madison (Drums) and Ross Traut (Guitar). The album was recorded in the top studios in NY, the Power Station and A & R Recording.
CHESTER THOMPSON - MIXOLOGY Earthy, energetic & exciting - The musical style of organist / keyboardist Chester Thompson will take you for a ride! "Medallion" & "Sista Strut" display infectious dance rhythms and patented bottom end prowess. "Miracle", featuring Tower Of Power bandmate Ron E. Beck, pulls the heartstrings & his interpretation of the classic "You Leave Me Breathless" shows that emotion reigns supreme in the contemporary world of Chester Thompson. With Howard Wiley on saxophone, Barry Finnerty & Chris Cain on guitar, Mike Clark & Brian Collier on drums, Joel Behrman on brass and Kenneth Nash on percussion. 
AUBREY DAYLE - MY ID/JEWEL This CD is Aubrey Dayle's third recording. It is truly a pivotal effort in that it represents a second chance at life for Mr. Dayle. Aubrey will receive a healthy kidney with a transplant from his wife Julie. The CD is called "Jewel". it represents the magnificent gift that the new organ will be for him and the person that it will come from. The current lineup of his band called "My id" includes bassist Rich Brown ( Steve Coman, Andy Milns), saxophonists Michael Stuart (Elvin Jones) and Richard Underhill (The shuffle Demons, Taj Mahal, Blue Rodeo) the 2004 first prize and public prize winner at the international Montreux Jazz Festival Jazz solo piano competition, Robi Botos (Pat LaBarbra, Brandford Marsalis), and drummer/composer and band leader Aubrey Dayle. Vernon Reid The famous guitarist from the band "Living Colour" also makes a guest appearance on the first track called "The Right Move". His signature sound and explosive soloing technique is articulated beautifully on the track. This CD represents perseverance at a high level. despite kidney failure Aubrey and his band managed to produce an exciting contemporary jazz recording that has the feel and excitement of instrumental music from the 1970s and 80s. ~ CD Universe
THE ROBERT BOSSCHER QUARTET - PLAYS SINTER JAZZ
EDDIE GOMEZ - PER SEMPRE
MELISSA ALDANA - SECOND CYCLE Second Cycle"Second Cycle" is Melissa Aldana's new album. Following the success of "Free Fall" and the positive reviews of this talented sax player by New York as well as international critics, Melissa went on to write new compositions. New York is where Melissa currently lives and where she has entered this "Second Cycle" showing her passionate, rushing life. Melissa has developed a new way of dealing with her inner music; she has created a new environment where she feels comfortable, a new unpredictable journey that immerses us in a new world of emotions, intricate harmonies that are transformed into evocative melodies through Melissa's delicate hands. In this new record we can find a new Melissa full of vitality. Her improvisations show once again her great technical mastery of the sax, and her ideas are developed fluently, showcasing her great personality. Her voice on the tenor saxophone arouses the curiosity to continue listening to the rest of the jazz pieces she has composed. Gordon Au - trumpet, Joseph Lepore - bass, Ross Pederson - drums support each and every single note blown by Melissa. Recorded under Greg Osby's label Inner Circle Music (like Free Fall, her 2010 debut album), Melissa is "actually one of my favorite saxophones on the planet because of her single voice, her special quality and characteristics", Greg affirms."Second Cycle" inspires math, conception, truth, and authenticity to this new cycle in Melissa's musical and personal life. ~ CD Universe
Put this CD in the jazz bin! It includes tunes written by Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael, Sammy Cahn, and Louis Jordan, as well as songs by Steve Winwood of Blind Faith, Jack White of the White Stripes, and Jimmy Page and Robert Plant of Led Zepplin. All are given inspired jazz interpretations by pianist Mike Ewbank, bassist/vocalist Tommy Dean and percussionist Colin Agnew. From the traditional to the contemporary, this album creates a musical mosaic that is easy to listen to and full of surprises.