NEW YORK (Top40 Charts/ HhubTone PR) The Brussels Jazz Orchestra (BJO), led by founder and Artistic
Director Frank Vaganee, once again reinforces its reputation as one of Europe's premier big bands, a group that "manifests love," according to Grammy-winning arranger
Maria Schneider. Kenny Werner and the BJO have joined forces to create the perfect canvas for Werner's lush compositions and arrangements. The
Institute of Higher Learning features 5 tracks, among them the opening "Cantabile," a three-movement suite showcasing Wernerʼs progressive touch. It was inspired by and dedicated to Bob Brookmeyer. Liner notes by
Maria Schneider.
For further information on Kenny Werner, please visit his website.
For further information on the Brussels Jazz Orchestra, please visit their website.
TRACK TITLES
1. Cantabile
(Ist Movement)
(2nd Movement)
(3rd Movement)
2. Second Love Song
3. House of the Rising Sun
4. Compensation
5. Institute of Higher Learning
Donald Harrison, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, This Is Jazz
AVAILABLE IN STORES AND ONLINE SEPTEMBER 6, 2011
For its second Half Note issue, the power trio of Donald Harrison, Ron Carter and Billy Cobham declare themselves spokesmen for a kind of exploratory improvisation and interplay known only to seasoned jazz professionals. Staunch individualists all, they come together with a unified voice of alto, bass and drums - at once steeped in jazz's richly variegated traditions yet forward-thinking in the cause of new creative expression. The group play here is all about a stylized call and response, featuring guys with excellent listening skills and the means to keep the conversation going.
Recorded Live at the Blue Note.
For further information on Donald Harrison, please visit his website.
TRACK TITLES
1. Cut & Paste
2. MSRP
3. You Are My Sunshine
4. Seven Steps to Heaven
5. I Can't Get Started
6. Treme Swagger
Francisco Mela & Cuban Safari with Special Guest Esperanza Spalding, Tree of Life
AVAILABLE IN STORES AND ONLINE SEPTEMBER 6, 2011
Drummer Francisco Mela presents his second release on Half Note, a tour-de-force featuring 10 newly conceived compositions. With the help of his band, Cuban Safari, Mela offers a passionate fusion of Cuban polyrhythms and propulsive modernism. Renown for his play with Joe Lovanoʼs Us Five, Mela and the full scope of his musicianship take center stage with an unexpected turn as a vocalist, duetting with pianist Elio Villafranca, and trading improvs with Special Guest Esperanza Spalding. Tree Of Life is spirited evidence of Mela's distinguished place among young group leaders.
TRACK TITLES
1. Retrograde
2. Africa en mis Venas
3. Toma del Poder
4. Yadan Mela
5. Classico Mela
6. The Nearness of You
7. Yo Me
8. Just Now
9. Fiesta Conga
10. Gracias a la Vida
