KEVIN EUBANKS - THE MESSENGER

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With his second Mack Avenue Records release, The Messenger, acclaimed guitarist Kevin Eubanks continues to explore his own unique musical vision. This vision offers the listener an opportunity to share a musical journey that truly exemplifies where Eubanks is at this stage of his illustrious career; one that, for over three decades, has seen him incorporate into his creative process a willingness to embrace the broad spectrum of his musical experience, while continuing to seek out new vistas.

The Messenger is a project that reflects not only the guitarist's virtuosity on his instrument, but also his impressive compositional skills-writing all but two tracks. Best described simply as a "Kevin Eubanks" recording-without specific categorization-as his intent with The Messenger is to communicate the breadth of his artistic influences. "I wanted to branch out a little bit more on this recording," Eubanks states. "I didn't want to be as concerned with the 'jazz sound' as much; I wanted to let out a little bit more of what I've been musically exposed to." Eubanks compares this philosophy to sports: "It's like with professional athletes; most of those guys can play three or four sports. Society makes you choose one or the other. But that doesn't change who you are inside," or in Eubanks' case, preventing him from showcasing his versatility on this album.

From the infectious groove of the title track that begins the program, the guitarist gives notice that a unique listening experience is on the way. This album is: reflective-"Sister Veil," "Queen Of Hearts," "Loved Ones," "The Gloaming"; funky-"JB," a nod to James Brown; "Led Boots," a Jeff Beck tune; and John Coltrane's "Resolution," from A Love Supreme; and bluesy-"Ghost Dog Blues." One of the funkier tracks on this recording is Eubanks' arrangement of "Resolution" (with a vocal bass line sung by Alvin Chea of Take 6). "With 'Resolution,' I didn't want to be blasphemous, with people saying 'Oh, no, he didn't'," Eubanks laughs. "But I'm thinking, you know, that maybe Trane might dig it!" As for the blues: "I like playing the blues; I like to sit in and jam with Buddy Guy at his blues club in Chicago. If I had the opportunity, I'd play a lot more blues." These particular tracks provide Eubanks and his band with an opportunity to stretch out and essentially just jam. Eubanks ultimately reflects, "We wanted the groove to take over; also, those tunes will be fun to do live, and people will be able to sit in."

Eubanks is joined on most tracks by his sterling fellow quartet members: Billy Pierce on reeds, Rene Camacho on bass, Marvin "Smitty" Smith on drums and Joey De Leon, Jr. on percussion. This project also has a family flavor, featuring younger brother Duane on trumpet ("Sister Veil," "JB," "420"), and older brother Robin on trombone ("JB," "Queen Of Hearts"). For Eubanks, in addition to his brothers making valuable contributions to this recording, their involvement is representative of something more. "Their participation came about through some conversations that we've had, and I asked them if they'd like to be a part of the record. We've actually been talking about doing a family project for years, so their participation is really an entry to that."

Perhaps The Messenger's most distinctive element is its broad sense of musicality. This is certainly, in part, attributable to

Eubanks' experience with leading The Tonight Show with Jay Leno band for so many years. But it is much more than that. Eubanks' prestigious tenure there is probably more indicative of a situation that was a perfect fit for his musical personality. As Eubanks views it, ''to me, it's all just music."

For this album, it was important for Eubanks not only to embrace his musical philosophies, but also to reflect the common thread that exists throughout all of contemporary music; for example, the aforementioned rhythmic, funky, groove-oriented nature of several tracks on the project. "I love playing funk; I grew up playing it. The 'Motown Sound'? They were jazz musicians! If I had played '420' for some cats who are real 'funkateers,' they'd say, 'Whoa, I hear some Sly [Stone] in there, and I'm thinking, 'Ok, it looks like I'm good to go.' It felt good and very natural to me. As jazz musicians, we can play anything."

The Messenger is Eubanks' testament to being musically honest. It's a realization of what he feels is particularly important at this point of career and his life. "I feel that I'm at the point where I just have to be me," he says. "I want to do what has the most immediate honesty, and just lay it out." Throughout the album there is a feeling of exploration and revelation that invites the listener in. The guitarist never ceases to surprise, creating a program reflecting that honesty-offering a full range of moods, textures and tempos.

With this album, Kevin Eubanks takes another step in his evolution not only as a guitarist and composer, but also as a musical communicator. It's his way of making a statement about his personal view regarding the musical spectrum and its place in our lives, with sincere ideas of spreading the word to others. Arriving at the name of the title tune, Eubanks explains, "There is an urgency about it; it has the energy of a message that really should get across. The Messenger, I feel, is in everyone. We're at the point [in our lives], that whatever it is that you feel strongly about, that can help a person or persons that you love, or a situation that affects your life...you should let that message out".

By adding another sterling recording to his outstanding repertoire, Eubanks has done just that-let his message out. The Messenger is a project that not only showcases the outstanding technical facility from the guitarist and his bandmates, but also is full of music that is soulful and energetic, as well as emotive, earthy, with a touch of the blues. And for Kevin Eubanks, it represents a message successfully delivered.

Upcoming Kevin Eubanks Appearances:
February 22 & 23 / The Smith Center Cabaret Jazz / Las Vegas, NV
March 3 / Tower Theatre (double bill w/ Stanley Jordan) / Bend, OR
March 5 / Kirkland Performance Center (double bill w/ Stanley Jordan) / Kirkland, WA
March 9 / The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center / Huntingdon, TN
March 21 - 24 / Blues Alley / Washington, D.C.
April 6 / Cypress Creek Foundation / Spring, TX
April 9 - 13 / Birdland / New York, NY
May 17 / The Carolina Theatre (double bill w/ Stanley Jordan) / Durham, NC
May 18 / High Point Theatre (double bill w/ Stanley Jordan) / High Point, NC
June 12 / Pearson Lakes Art Center / Okoboji, IA

The Messenger - Track Listing/Personnel
1. The Messenger - 5:39
2. Sister Veil - 5:46
3. Resolution (John Coltrane) - 5:41
4. JB - 4:23
5. 420 - 4:20
6. Led Boots (Max Middleton) - 5:34
7. M.I.N.D. - 5:59
8. Queen Of Hearts - 3:49
9. The Gloaming - 5:28
10. Loved Ones - 4:07
11. Ghost Dog Blues - 5:24

All tracks composed by Kevin Eubanks (unless otherwise noted) // Produced by Kevin Eubanks // Kevin Eubanks / acoustic and electric guitar // Bill Pierce / tenor and soprano saxophone (all tracks except #6,#10) // Rene Camacho / bass (all tracks except #6,#10) // Marvin "Smitty" Smith drums / (all tracks except #8,#9,#10) // Special Guests: Robin Eubanks / trombone (#4 JB, #8 Queen Of Hearts) // Duane Eubanks / trumpet (#2 Sister, #4 JB, #420) // Alvin Chea / vocals (#3 Resolution, #6 Led Boots) // Joey De Leon / congas and percussion (#1 The Messenger, #5 420).

NEW RELEASES - GIACOMO GATES, JIM ROTONDI AND THE LOOP, PHILIP CATHERINE

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GIACOMO GATES - MILES TONES: GIACOMO GATES SINGS THE SONGS OF MILES DAVIS

Here, performing music written by and associated with Miles Davis, vocalist Giacomo Gates proves, as he did with his historic Gil Scott-Heron recording, that great music is not bound to the instrument on which it was created. Though there are notable contributions from pianist John di Martino , laying down some tasty changes, and Freddie Hendrix sounding quite Miles-like in his muted utterances this disc is all about Giacomo Gates joyously creating music both carefully rehearsed and on the spot while all the time spreading that joy to his audience. ~ Amazon.com


JIM ROTONDI AND THE LOOP - HARD HITTIN' AT THE BIRD'S EYE

Sharp Nine Records is pleased to present the debut recording of a hot new organ quartet, The Loop, led by hard bop trumpet master Jim Rotondi and assisted on the front line by his longtime partner in jazz pyrotechnics, Eric Alexander. This live date was recorded at the Bird's Eye Jazz Club in Basel, Switzerland during the band's initial European tour in early 2012 and features the same hard-hitting, hard-swinging vibe jazz fans have come to expect from these two horn masters' domestic exploits. Ably assisted by Renato Chicco on organ and up-and-coming drummer Bernd Reiter, this CD is a 50/50 mix of great standards and originals. The tracks are long and the blowing is intense, so sit back and enjoy some heavy hittin' from across the pond. ~ Amazon.com

PHILIP CATHERINE - COTE JARDIN

Philip Catherine, who recently turned 70, shows that he is as strong and original as ever and a big inspiration to younger generation musicians! Has worked with Chet Baker, Niels Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Larry Coryell, Stéphane Grappelli, Charles Mingus, Dexter Gordon, and more. CD covers a wide scope of moods, colors, grooves, and emotions. Repertoire consists of original compositions as well as standards and works by Nicola Andrioli. ~ Amazon.com

NEW RELEASES - BLUEY, MICKY BAKER, THE JAZZFAKERS

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BLUEY - LEAP OF FAITH

After 15 albums with Incognito, the band’s driving force Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick has recorded his debut solo album. Very rarely featured as a vocalist on any of the band’s albums, Bluey impresses in handling all the vocals on “Leap of Faith”. Co-produced and co-written with one of his long standing collaborators Richard Bull, the album ranges from dance anthems to funk to modern soul classics such as lead single “Got To Let My Feelings Show”. His solo debut is both a surprise and a delight, featuring as it does both lead and backing vocals from this most reluctant of singers. “I have always felt comfortable leading from the back – guiding others and bringing out the best of their artistry,” he says. “This past year was the first time I felt a compelling desire to bare my soul in this way with what one of my friends called my musical autobiography.” Bluey has fashioned a truly impressive, soulful album, with stunning falsetto performances and stand-out house tracks “Ain’t Nobody’s Business” and “Why Did I Let You Go?”, as well as the laid back jazzy soul of “Take A Chance On Me and “Stronger”.

MICKY BAKER - JAZZ ROCK GUITAR [ENHANCED]

Born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1925, Mickey Baker first noticed music via youthful street jug bands. He lived for 87 years. Mickey recorded and wrote the perennial hit Love Is Strange with Mickey & Sylvia. In his later years Mickey went back to his roots of blues, jazz and rock. His solo blues playing took him around Europe and Africa. On his last tour of Africa he was joined by the bass player Alex Sanders and Mickey's show was able to expand to the full gambit of his musical experiences - from country blues to jazz. During this tour Alex and Mickey started to compose together and decided to try and record an album that would highlight their sounds and explorations. This is in fact the first solo jazz rock guitar album that Mickey ever recorded and it is full of intriguing and wonderful sounds from a rendition of Rachmaninoff's Prelude In C# Minor to the disco sound of Alexander's Funk Time to the 7/4 of Ouagadougou. Mickey has combined his skills of being one of the finest jazz guitarists with those of a guitar teacher and prepared a tab/music booklet for this project. This booklet is included on the enhanced CD as a PDF file. ~ Amazon.com


THE JAZZFAKERS - HERE IS NOW

Confused, driven, and curious, the JazzFakers come alive from eons of pulsing sound waves. the JazzFakers quartet emerged from the chaotic New York music scene in 2008. The idea originated from saxophonist/keyboardist David Tamura who runs the New York City Experimental Music Meet-Ups, (former projects of David s are Charles K.Noyes, Von LMO). During this time, David teamed up with drummer Steve Orbach, and multi-instrumentalist Robert L. Pepper of avant garde experimentalists PAS, later to add bassist Raphael Zwyer to complete the project. (In 2013, Matt Luczak has taken the role of drums/percussion). The JazzFakers incorporate various forms of music including jazz, avant garde, noise, improv, and minimalism, along with a few mainstream hooks, to develop a new cutting edge sound which can only be described as beautifully schizophrenic and original. Over the past few years the JazzFakers have coordinated various events in the New York area including the New York City Experi-MENTAL Festival and have played numerous gigs trying to network and develop a community of like minded individuals to resurrect the New York City music scene. the JazzFakers sound matured and in 2010 they released their first self-titled album (at that time still with their former bassist Isaac Taylor) recorded and mixed by Martin Bisi, legendary producer of artists such as John Zorn, Bill Laswell, and Jim Thirlwell. ~ Amazon.com

NEW RELEASES - NICOLE WILLIS AND THE SOUL INVESTIGATORS, NEW COOL COLLECTIVE, LIONEL BELMONDO TRIO

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NICOLE WILLIS AND THE SOUL INVESTIGATORS - TORTURED SOUL

The shining stars of contemporary soul music, Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators, re-emerge with their much anticipated album Tortured Soul on the Timmion Records label. The new album presents a new personal sound for the group, that was first heard in 2005 with their debut album Keep Reachin' Up. Keep Reachin' Up drew praise from the media and audiences around the globe. The first single, If This Ain't Love, became a dance floor hit from New York clubs to the UK's northern soul circles. The second hit single, Feeling Free, was chosen as the Track Of The Year by the renowed music connoisseur Gilles Peterson in his Worldwide Awards in 2006. Keep Reachin' Up was also listed among the Urban Albums Of The Year by Mojo magazine. Naturally, this new album has all the qualities that made their cardinal album a worldwide smash; the raw production techniques of Didier Selin, Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators' unique songwriting and self-styled musicianship, and the sultry stylings of Pekka Kuusisto's string arrangements. Several tracks also feature horn arrangements and playing by the multi-talented jazz musician, Jimi Tenor. An equally new turn is the dusky sound of these raw tracks, which could be compared to the era when Motown stepped from their 1960s pop sound to more progressive times.
NEW COOL COLLECTIVE - OUT OF OFFICE

The guys that once brought jazz to the dance floor have now arrived at their seventh album. Out of Office is a record with a whole new groove: the sound, though still jazzy and dance-able, has become deeper and darker. This new record takes unexpected turns and fresh brass-sounds create an atmosphere that's bigger and darker, "nearly cinematic". Out of Office sounds unrestricted, more nonchalant, and is sturdier than their previous work, even rock influences are clearly audible. ~ Amazon.com


LIONEL BELMONDO TRIO - PLAYS EUROPEAN STANDARDS
After the success of the Hymne au Soleil trilogy, which earned him several Victoires du Jazz, Lionel Belmondo has opted for the more intimate trio format for his latest project, entitled European Standards. On it, Belmondo reimagines classical music - European ''standards'' - much like American jazz musicians did in the past with popular music. A storyteller born with sturdy lungs and the most charming of Southern French accents, Belmondo gives us Schubert's ''Serenade,'' Chopin's ''Prelude'' and Wagner's ''Song to the Evening Star,'' as well as several of his own compositions. This is an organic album from an extraordinarily talented saxophonist, one who favors realistic, natural and totally acoustic sounds and jazz without a safety net: no frills, no effects. ~ Amazon.com

NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL ADDS MARCUS MILLER TO LINE-UP

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Marcus Miller, the stellar composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist best known as a bassist, has been added to the Saturday, August 3, line-up of the Newport Jazz Festival® presented by Natixis Global Asset Management, which takes place August 2 - 4 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Fort Adams State Park. Miller, who by the age of 15 was already playing bass and writing songs for flutist Bobbi Humphrey and keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith, is the personification of the Newport Festivals Foundation's mission of presenting the best of emerging and established artists.

Raised in a musical family that includes his father William Miller (a church organist and choir director), the jazz pianist Wynton Kelly and rapper Foxy Brown, Miller has put his stamp on hundreds of jazz, R & B, fusion and rock recordings for more than 30 years. His credits as a sideman on albums cross the spectrum of musical styles: rock (Donald Fagen and Eric Clapton), Jazz (George Benson, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Sample, Wayne Shorter and Grover Washington, Jr.), pop (Roberta Flack, Paul Simon and Mariah Carey), R&B (Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan), hip hop (Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg), blues (Z.Z. Hill), new wave (Billy Idol), smooth jazz (Al Jarreau and Dave Koz) and opera (collaborations with tenor Kenn Hicks and soprano Kathleen Battle).

As a producer, writer and player, Miller was the last primary collaborator of Miles Davis, contributing the composition and album "Tutu" to the catalog of contemporary jazz music. His collaborative talents have been showcased in his work with Luther Vandross, contributing to more than half of the singer's albums as a producer, composer and/or player on a string of hits including "Power of Love/Love Power" for which Marcus won his first Grammy, 1991's R&B Song of the Year. He also left an unforgettable mark on David Sanborn's distinctive sound.

In 2008, Marcus co-led the all-star bass trio S.M.V. with Stanley Clarke and Victor Wooten for an album (entitled "Thunder") followed by an extensive world tour. The following year, he put together a new band of young musicians for "Tutu Revisited" - a project that started as a special one night only event that culminated with the CD/DVD "Tutu Revisited" featuring Christian Scott. In 2011, he co-led the trio DMS, a funk-jazz collaboration with George Duke and David Sanborn. Last summer, Marcus conceived of and produced "Tribute to Miles," a 9-city tour of Europe with fellow Davis alumni Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, in which they presented their unique vision of every era of Miles' music. (Shorter celebrates his 80th birthday with Hancock as special guest at the Newport Jazz Festival also on Saturday, August 3.)

Miller's 2012 album, "Renaissance," is his eighth studio project since his 1983 debut, "Suddenly." The compilation includes special guests Gretchen Parlato, Ruben Blades and Dr. John and covers of hits by The Jackson Five, WAR, Ivan Lins and Janelle Monae.

The bassist, who started his career as a young sideman, now finds himself as an elder to many of today's younger artists. He tells ebony.com, "Well, I was always the youngest guy in the group, by far. All of a sudden, one day, man, I looked up, and I've got these guys who are like, in the same position that I was. I'll tell a story about somebody like Miles Davis or Dizzy Gillespie, who they only read about ... and they're all looking at me with really big eyes. And I realize, oh wow: I'm that guy, now. I'm the connection for these guys to the history of this music."

The Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Global Asset Management features Natalie Cole and the Bill Charlap Trio with special guest Freddy Cole, at the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino (194 Bellevue Avenue) on Friday, August 2, at 8:00 pm. The festival continues on Saturday, August 3, on three unique stages from 10:30 am - 7:00 pm at Fort Adams State Park (90 Fort Adams Drive). The roster includes Wayne Shorter's 80th Birthday Celebration: Wayne Shorter Quartet featuring special guest Herbie Hancock and Danilo Perez, John Patitucci & Brian Blade; Marcus Miller; Esperanza Spalding - Radio Music Society; Michel Camilo Sextet; Terence Blanchard Quintet; Robert Glasper Experiment; Gregory Porter; Edmar Castañeda; Ray Anderson Pocket Brass Band; Amir El Saffar Two Rivers; Bill Charlap Trio with guests Bob Wilber and Anat Cohen; Mary Halvorson Quintet; Rez Abbasi Trio, among others.

On Sunday, August 4, the music continues at Fort Adams at 10:30 am with Chick Corea & The Vigil with Christian McBride, Tim Garland, Marcus Gilmore and Charles Altura; Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra; Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band featuring Jaleel Shaw, Martin Bejerano and David Wong; Dizzy Gillespie™ Big Band under the direction of Paquito D'Rivera; Hiromi: The Trio Project with Anthony Jackson and Steve Smith; Joshua Redman Quartet; Jim Hall Quartet featuring Julian Lage; Jon Batiste & Stay Human; Dee Alexander: Songs That My Mother Loved; The Dirty Dozen Brass Band; Lew Tabackin Quartet with Randy Brecker, Peter Washington and Lewis Nash; Donny McCaslin Group; Steve Coleman Projects: Five Elements, Talea Ensemble and Duo with Tyshawn Sorey; David Gilmore & Numerology featuring Claudia Acuña, Miguel Zenón, Luis Perdomo, Christian McBride, Jeff "Tain" Watts and Mino Cinelu; and others.

Currently: Saturday Evening Version

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C  U  R  R  E  N  T  L  Y(as written on Saturday evening)

Listening:  to The Tenors! I just got their new CD this week. Awesome awesome stuff. I showed you Forever Young last time, so here's another:
. 


and lest you think I'm all about the calm smooth guys lately, here's an old song I'm newly taken with by some guys who are known more for their hard rock stuff, but wow, I LOVE this mellow song:



AND because I also discovered a NEW song this week too, I want to share THAT:
(or is this really and old song too and I'm just clueless?)




Eating: not much. Nothing really. Sandwiches this week. A lot of sandwiches. 

Loving: that I managed to go to so much of LTUE this weekend. It was so crazy. And so exhausting, but I had a blast. I will l write up a summary of the experience this week, and maybe even a few other posts on things that sparked my interest while lecture listening.

Reading: I haven't read for three or four days straight. Like nothing. Today, though, I finally picked up Vanity Fair and read one chapter! Before the dry spell, I was muddling through Tris and Izzie. The reviews are right, not a good one. I added a ton of books on my Kindle that I hope to read someday, plus I accepted an TLC Book Tour review copy, and I need to re-read The Scarlet Pimpernel for book club this week! And then there's my science fiction experience that I'm still want to have! I am DROWNING! So fun!

Feeling: hmmmm... TIRED!

Watching: Survivor started! I'm happy to watch more Malcolm! And also Cochran and Dawn. It's going to be a fun season I think. Also, tomorrow night a new Amazing Race starts. Cool. I even watched a couple American Idol things this week. Meh. It seems like I watched a movie since the last report... oh yeah, Pitch Perfect. DUMB dumb movie. Nice music though.

Wanting: to watch another episode of Revenge online before it disappears. In fact, I hope it has not already done so.


Thinking: that I really should just go to bed and sleep. And it's not even very late yet. 

Exercising: not lately. Ugh.

I'm really thinking there's more to report on, but that's it for now I guess! 

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Characters in YA Contemporary

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This week for our top ten lists we get to choose a genre and list our favorite characters in that genre. I could pick so many different ones! But I've chosen to go with:

Top Ten Characters in YA Contemporary

1. Joe Fontaine in The Sky is Everywhere Jandy Nelson
2. Antsy in Antsy Does Time by Neal Shusterman
3. Cricket in Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
4. Ed Kennedy in I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
5. Michael in The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
6. Owen Armstrong from Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
7. Stargirl in Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
8. Gideon in My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters by Sydney Salter
9. Hazel in The Fault in our Stars by John Green
10. Sean Griswold in Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt

Wow, this has made me realize how many characters I love in YA are actually in fantasy books! Whew. Harder than I thought it would be to come up with this list! How'd you do with your list?

Come join the fun over at The Broke and the Bookish!