Having performed in Paquito D'Rivera's group since 2007, Alex Brown (The Pianist, as his album title declares) appropriately records his first album under the aegis of The Clarinetist/The Saxophonist. Indeed, Brown records on D'Rivera's label, Paquito Records, thereby receiving a no-doubt much appreciated boost from his mentor. Though top-notch jazz musicians from Jane Bunnett to Jon Faddis have worked with Brown, not to mention Brown's involvement with D'Rivera's Grammy-Award-winning album, he has escaped wide-spread public awareness. He shouldn't remain under-recognized much longer.

The music on Chico & Rita is absolutely superb. The soundtrack is captured in a perfect way and performed by Cuban pianist, bandleader and composer Bebo Valdes. It features music by Thelonious Monk, Cole Porter, Dizzy Gillespie and Freddy Cole. Chico & Rita was nominated for a 2012 academy award in the category of Best Animated Feature Film, including Premio Goya in 2011 for Best Animated Movie and an EFA from the European Film Academy among others.

Wow! This is a really great CD with which to set a mood. You might want to put it on as as background music for an intimate meal, when you are giving or receiving a massage, or when you've had a hard day and are soaking in a steaming tub.

If you like Caribbean-infused Jazz, with lots of percussion, then you might want to check out The Pedrito Martinez Trio (Pedrito Martinez on percussion, Axel Tosca on piano, and Jhon Benites on bass.)  

I was concerned when I saw the front of the CD, "Paquito D'Rivera Presents Alex Brown, Pianist." It's nice for a big-name musician to help out the new kid, but does he really need an endorsement? Is he that bad? Fortunately, I was dead wrong. Brown is one of the finest young pianists I've come across, and this debut album is nothing short of outstanding.

 Award-winning local jazz vocalist, Chris Williams has been nominated in the category of Best Jazz for the Orange County Music Awards, to be held March 3 at The Grove in Anaheim.

Beppe Di Benedetto is a trombone player, composer and arranger born in Italy. Beppe's passion for music began at the age of 12 when one day his father came home with a strange black suitcase in his hand. Inside was a shiny instrument. His constant curiosity in capturing the secret language of music has accorded Beppe many opportunities in sharing the stage with such famous musicians as Eumir Deotado, Solomon Burke, Bob Mintzer, Paul Anka, Burt Bacharach, Mario Biondi, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Hengel Gualdi, Jovanotti, Antonella Ruggero, Fabrizio Bosso, Lorenzo Tucci, Daniele Scannapieco, Giovanni Amato, Claudio Filippini, Andrea Tofanelli, Massimo Manzi, Ellade Bandini, Christian Meyer, Michael Rosen, Ernesstico, Mark Harris, Luca Mannutza, Tullio De Piscopo and many more.  

The newly released music video for the sultry Latin number “Just A Kiss” written by Perth jazz singer Nicola Milan is a hypnotic mix of smooth Bossa rhythms blended with an emotive visual set awash in candlelight. The poignant playfulness of this clip surrounds the story line of a girl’s daydream fantasy about a timeless moment spent with a mysterious man plucked from her imagination.

Toronto-based Laura Fernandez writes music from the heart, a natural expression of her highly artistic nature and obvious compassionate feeling for music that emanates through each of her songs. As a singer, songwriter and pianist, Laura paints her emotions with colorful notes, lyrical hues and artful dimensions, a medium that comes naturally to this talented and gifted artist.

The newly released Rae Ann Perez CD "Midnight In Paris" has hit the scene. A fresh take, it showcases Rae Ann Perez abilities as a fluent songwriter, pianist and vocalist. The eight originals and four expertly arranged favorites are " world jazz" music with touches of classic standards, funk, and highly influenced Latin sounds and grooves.  

Although she didn’t play Newport or London, multiplatinum chanteuse Basia delighted American audiences from coast to coast during a successful 20-city concert tour that concluded in Seattle last week (October 5) with a sold-out show in support of her newly released From Newport to London: Greatest Hits Live…And More album. The month-long trek that visited major U.S. cities also registered sell-outs in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Sacramento and San Juan Capistrano.

Time for something new. The new Rae Ann Perez CD "Midnight In Paris" has its official release date on October 7th and will be available on CD baby, Amazon, iTunes and more. A new term "World Jazz", is what best describes the 12 song release of Rae Ann's 8 originals compositions and 4 modernized jazz classics. The style is a multi genre mix that includes unique blends of latin, jazz standards, modern cool jazz, funk, and world music with exciting rhythms. Rae Ann leads the way with creative piano melody improvs accompanied by sweet and cool vocals.

Los Angeles, CA September 21, 2011 – Chart topping jazz guitarist Richard Smith and internationally awarded, classical guitarist Francesco Buzzurro announced today their  first West Coast tour to support their new recording, Un Mondo, Due Chitarre. 

A life long musical journey began when Dave picked up his first guitar at age five. The journey continued in earnest when he began his professional music studies at Berklee College Of Music where he received double Bachelor of Arts degrees in Jazz Composition and Music Production & Engineering. As a master guitarist and composer his original compositions embody a unique blend of rhythms, harmonies and musical textures. His music transcends traditional Latin music by combining jazz elements with acoustic and electric instruments, while introducing new Latin Fusion grooves.  

Wataru Uchida is a saxophonist originally from Japan, who studied jazz performance as an apprentice of Chico Freeman. He succeeds Freeman's fat tenor sound, which is the Chicago tradition. Uchida's first album, Blue Morpho, is dedicated to Baden Powell, the legendary guitarist of Brazil.

Kiawah Island, SC (August 25, 2011) – Since 2004, GRAMMY®-winning guitarist Earl Klugh has been bringing world-renowned artists together with jazz enthusiasts for his one-of-a-kind weekend getaways at 2 Five-Star, Five-Diamond properties; The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, and The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. The 2nd annual Weekend of Jazz at Kiawah Island will be held November 10-12, 2011 and features 3 incredible nights of music from 10-Time GRAMMY®-Winner CHAKA KHAN in a Rare and Special Jazz Performance, Multi-Instrumentalist BRIAN CULBERTSON, Saxophonist, Vocalist and Composer MINDI ABAIR, Jazz/R&B Saxophonist ERIC DARIUS, Singer, Songwriter and Pianist SPENCER DAY, Lowcountry Favorites The EAST COAST PARTY BAND, PGA Tour Champion & Golf Commentator JOHN MAHAFFEY, Your Host and GRAMMY®-Winning Guitarist EARL KLUGH, and more!

The leader of the Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars and radio personality Jose Rizo pays tribute here to one of his heroes, conguero Mongo Santamaria. Combining Santamaria classics with some newer compositions, Rizo has assembled a ten-piece group to produced a fine album of Afro-Cuban jazz with a retro sound that still feels fresh and fun.  

Dave Flippo's FLIPPOMUSIC explores the role of "musical shamans" as they present "Tao Tunes", a musical jazz setting of the ancient Chinese text Tao Te Ching.  The original music by Flippo explores over 10 different musical styles and presents some extensive arrangements.  Guest Artists: Larry Gray-cello, Neal Alger-guitar, Hamid Drake-percussion.

2011 Tanglewood Labor Day Weekend Jazz Festival, September 2-4 Judy Carmichael's Jazz Inspired with actress Blythe Danner and special guests from the worlds of Jazz, Broadway, and Hollywood to take place September 3 at 2pm Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves, and Lizz Wright Featured in Sing the Truth with all-star band Geri Allen, Terri Lyne Carrington, James Genus, Munyungo Jackson, and Romero Lubambo on September 4 at 8pm A Latin Jazz Tribute to Cachao with Federico Britos Sextet and John Santos Sextet to take place September 3 at 8pm Coast to Coast Septet featuring NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Cobb with vocalist Mary Stalings and the Mingues Orchestra with conductor NEA Jazz Master Gunther Schuller to Perform September 4, at 2pm Festival Opens with Ulysses Quartet (6:30 pm) and the Robin McKelle Quartet and Michael Kaeshammer Sextet (8pm) on September 2 2011 NEA Jazz Masters Life award provides additional Festival Activities including Interviews with Jimmy Cobb and Gunther Schuller (9/3. At 4:15pm), Screening of Charles Mingus "Epitaph" (9/3, at 4:15pm), and Master Class with Jimmy Cobb and Coast to Coast Septet (9/4, at 12:30pm) Taking place in conjunction with the annual Labor Day Weekend Jazz Festival, the Wine and Food Classic returns to Tanglewood September 1-4

Nine years ago, I coined him as “The Impeccable Michel Camilo.” Impeccable still holds true today, but with the release of his 2011 Decca/EmArcy (Universal Music Group) CD, Mano a Mano, I hear so much more. There is a maturity of a road well-traveled, an elegance of soul, and majesty of spirit within Camilo’s music and performance. When you listen, you understand this is a man who has reached the pinnacle of musical excellence.

San Jose, Calif., — Mike Portnoy, considered one of the most powerful players in the world, has garnered his first “Drummer” Of The Year” award in Enter Music Publishing’s 16th Annual Drummies reader’s poll awards. Definitely a dream come true for Portnoy, he also took “Best Metal Drummer” and came in second place in the “Progressive Drummer” category. Addditionally, Stanton Moore won "Best Funk Drummer" for a second straight time.    

Louise Clare Marshall Returns to Delight the Stompin' Crowds   Jools Holland singer, Louise Clare Marshall, is making a return visit to Stompin on the Quomps, Christchurch's popular, al fresco, smooth jazz event. Louise will be performing with local band Not Just Sax. The live event takes place on Christchurch Quay on Saturday 6 August from 12 noon until 10pm and has five professional bands performing throughout the day along with other entertainment. Internationally renowned, Louise Clare Marshall has worked with many of the most famous names in the music business, including: Robbie Williams, Bryan Ferry, Ronnie Wood, Lulu, Van Morrison, Madeline Bell, Sheila Ferguson, Ruby Turner, Sam Brown, and many more. Following her Stompin' performance, Louise will dash to join Jools Holland and his Rhythm Orchestra for an evening concert. Organisers have again been able to keep free entry to this community event, thanks to generous support from local businesses, though donations are sought throughout the day. The music begins at noon and the line up will include Lemon Grove, Dutch band, Bazar Bazaar, The Baddest Blues Band Ever plus Not Just Sax with Louise Clare Marshall As ever, the popular Taverners Big Band will complete the line up. Between acts entertainment will be provided by members of the Swish of the Curtain Theatre School and the Funky Little Choir. Event organiser, Adrian Dwyer, said: "We know that Louise thoroughly enjoyed performing at Stompin last year and are thrilled that she wants to once again join an impressive line up of professional jazz musicians. Our event offers the best in professional jazz music and we are proud that we can do this without an entry charge, though we do ask for donations on the day. Last year's event was one of the best ever and we estimate that up to 5,000 enjoyed the music and atmosphere. We hope to see as many people as possible, from families to nonagenarian grandparents picnicking, dancing and soaking up the Stompin' atmosphere." A souvenir programme is being produced and will be available from the Christchurch Information Centre, The Regent Centre, and the Captain's Club Hotel and at the event itself. Details can also be found on the website: www.stompin.org or by calling Christchurch Information Centre on 01202 471780. END CONTACT: Julie Ratcliffe, Julie Ratcliffe Public Relations - 01202 471097 or 07936 554222 IMAGES There are excellent images of Stompin' available at www.stompin.org; however if these are used please acknowledge Andy Cahill. Please contact if higher resolution required. Images of Louise Claire Marshall : http://www.louiseclaremarshall.com/

Puerto Rican saxophonist Abdiel Flores is premiering his first soloist production titled "El cuida de mí". The album, available this March, is a compilation of traditional hymns with musical arrangements based on jazz rhythms and harmonies with Latin influences. This new release involves the collaboration of a select group of local and international veteran jazz players. Among them, the bassist Ramón Vázquez, pianist Yan Carlos Artime, guitarist Isaac Lausell, bassist Elías Santos, and drummer Leobadis González.

Drummer/percussionist/composer/arranger and musical director Fidel Morales re-releasing of his 2005 masterpiece album Salsa Son Timba is a good news for all salsa and cuban music fans. Fidel recorded this album in Cuba with some of the best musicians from this caribbean island, including timbal player legend Amadito Valdes.Besides being a master drummer and percussionist, Fidel is a creative arranger and composer. Fidel wrote or co-wrote five of the eight songs on this album, each one with inven

This album, by Issac Delgado, is the recreation of the sounds of Nat King Cole in Spanish. The majority of the songs are also on Latin albums of Nat King Cole. The rest are “Cole classics” mixed with Delgado’s own style and elements of Latin Jazz. For the first time ever Freddy Cole does a special contribution for his brother Nat King Cole and along with Delgado. this album is full of “twelve sultry and sexy Spanish recordings originally sung by crooner Nat King Cole.”Words of Fernando Gonzalez,

Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Pedro Bermudez is a pianist with lot of experience playing with salsa legends like Willie Rosario, Roberto Roena and the Puerto Rican Latin Jazz group Batacumbele.The opening track "Yuba a Santurce" is an homage to Pedro's town, Santurce. This is a piece with Bomba and Jazz fusion, reminiscent of the music of another great Jazz musician from Puerto Rico, trmbonist William Cepeda. Good improvisations by Ivan Renta on sax and Oscar Stagnaro on drums.Pedro plays the f

Queens College Professor Neil K. Friedman Ph.D. was the host to a neighborhood jazz outing for nephew Adam Kassell Hoffman of Londonderry, New Hampshire and college gal friend at Cleopatra’s Needle, 2485 Broadway between 92nd and 93rd Street, New York, NY on March 18, 2005 to introduce The Spirit of Life Ensemble’s world-beat to the youthful neophytes.

Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Pedro Bermudez is a pianist with lot of experience playing with salsa legends like Willie Rosario, Roberto Roena and the Puerto Rican Lati…

Harvie S is a master bass player, composer, arranger, producer and educator. His experience includes recordings with jazz greats like Chick Corea, Anat Cohen, Mike Stern…

Harvie S is a master bass player, composer, arranger, producer and educator. His experience includes recordings with jazz greats like Chick Corea, Anat Cohen, Mike Stern an…

There is no greater challenge for an established artist than to keep growing and exploring. At the height of his powers, Harvie S, is doing just that.An ambassado…

The vibrant fresh release from composer/arranger/keyboard artist Klay Dumas-Copas (Klay D-C) is entitled Ritmo, and contains a vastly entertaining fusion of Latin…

Mega-talented, Columbia reared percussionist Samuel Torres extends his superior percussion faculties by transmitting an impressive compositional pen on his second outing…

I recently reviewed an outstanding album of boleros sung by Raquel Bitton. Irene Nachreiner reminds me of Bitton because she takes an entirely opposite approach vibratol…

Raquel Bitton's voice immediately brings Edith Piaf to mind, and that's no coincidence. Henri Contet, who wrote many of Piaf's most popular songs, has said, ".... your t…

This album is a mixture of influences: Columbian, Latin American, and the United States (mainly New York City where Castaneda now resides). The rhythmic sounds on the CD…

If you are going to give Bobby Sanabria’s Kenya Revisited "Live" a listen, be prepared to move your body because the tracks are suffused in high-energy rhythms st…

Hailing from Cuba, and touted as the "first authentic all-Cuban timba band in the United States," the players have since relocated to Miami, Fla. Recently signing with S…

Enclave Diaspora is the second energetic release by the quartet known as Enclave. The group consists of Rebecca Cline and Hilary Noble along with Fernando Huerg…

Harmony singers, Sonia Santos and Ana Gazzola live up to the idyllic expectations of Brazilian-jazz music on their third release appropriately titled Brasil Brazil 3

The Best of Cal Tjader: Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival 1958-1980 is compiled of spirited Tjader performances from four separate appearances at the Monterey …

The dual rhythm model of dreaming states that, under high sensory thresholds, heightened general cortical activation common to both REM/NREM and circadian-driven activation…

Into the world: A Musical Offering is a great piece and full of surprises in meter! It sounds like Brachfeld takes the tune, that Latin feel and turns into some…

Infinity, the new CD from the Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet is a picture of Brazilian sunsets and Latin-dance splendor put into music and fringed with a spla…

Sebastian Cruz moved from Columbia to New York City in 1997. He has since performed in Los Angeles, Madrid, Berlin, among other cities, and a host of venues in New York.…

New York City’s 3D Ritmo de Vida create a mane of Caribbean-salsa-swing moving to the rhythmic pulsations of a river of Latin-flavored beats on the group’s latest CD …

Some people say the Paul Carlon Octet is possessed by Duke Ellington and America’s Afro-Latin Roots.Releasing his second album Roots Propaganda with his …

Latin American singer and music producer, Anna (Acevedo) Lyman has released Sway-Quien Sera, an album in which she traces well seasoned Latin jazz rhythms. Anna i…

The eleven top-flight New York musicians who make up Los Guachos are basically led by the main composer of the group, Argentine pianist and vocalist Guillermo Klein. A B…

Spicy composition and complex arrangements make this year’s entry to the Latin jazz scene In These Shoes, of Claudia Acuna and Arturo O’Farrill’s, a push-n-play…