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June 21, 2003 Edition #293 Previously 
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Highlights ! If you're looking for music to relax and energize you for the week ahead, you've come to the right place. In addition to our usual Showcase CD and Fresh Trax features, we have a show that is packed with terrific music from beginning to end. On the Canadian front, we present selections from Rik Emmett & The Ron Paley Big Band. Current favourites on the show include tracks from Pieces of a Dream, Spyro Gyra, Steve Briody, & Daryl Hall, among others. We also have some classic smooth jazz from Peter Horvath, Acoustic Alchemy, & Euge Groove, as well one from the recently released and appropriately titled The Very Best of Marc Antoine. As a bit of a bonus we have the new single from Michael Lington; all of this in addition to our customary surprise or two. So, why not catch the show and make Café Jazz, your weekend getaway! |
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Showcase CD Night Grooves - Chieli Minucci : Minucci readily acknowledges that he was pretty well born with music already running through his veins; his father was a composer and arranger who regularly worked with artists such as Nat "King" Cole. Minucci's own training included the piano and guitar both by the age of 8. Chieli furthered his musical education by attending Ithaca College where he developed his unique approach to playing the guitar. Upon graduation, Minucci played in a variety of rock and pop groups.Then in 1982, he teamed up with Hungarian-born percussionist, the late George Jinda, forming Special EFX and developing an interest in contemporary jazz. The pair recorded extensively and by the mid 1990s were riding an ever increasing wave of creativity and popularity when Minucci chose to launch his solo career. Since then, Chieli has developed into one of the most respected artist in contemporary instrumental music. He has not only resurrected the Special EFX name with 2 releases, but has done numerous session work as well writing and producing for various artists. In addition he won an Emmy for his efforts on the TV show, Guiding Light; not to mention the continuation of his own career with what is now a total of five releases. Night Grooves is the most recent of these and the one that finds itself in our musical spotlight on this occasion. So as we showcase Night Grooves, we feature Foolin' Around Again, the title track, as well as Kickin' it Hard. CD: Night Grooves Label: Shanachie |
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| Fresh Trax: Part One | |
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Cantina - Paul Taylor :
Taylor grew up in Denver and first picked up the
sax at age seven. He developed his distinctive style while listening to
players such as Grover Washington Jr. and David Sanborn, and first considered
a career in music while still in high school. After receiving a scholarship
in music at the University of Nevada, Paul often commuted to Los Angeles
in an effort to build his resume. In the course of things, he took part
in a session with Jeff Lorber and a few years later was asked to accompany
Lorber at the Catalina Island Jazz Trax Festival. As he performed, Taylor
was spotted by keyboardist Keiko Matsui and her producer/husband Kazu,
who both enjoyed his playing and stage presence. He was offered an audition
and ended up recording and touring with Keiko for two years and in fact
it was Kazu who produced the saxman’s debut release in 1995. Now, after
a brief stint touring with the Rippingtons a couple of years ago, Taylor
has resumed his solo career and has just released Steppin’ Out, his 5th
project overall. From that effort we have a very pretty track titled Cantina.
CD: Steppin' Out Label: Peak Records Site: PaulTaylorSax.com |
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Jazz Is - The Ron Paley Big Band :
A native of Winnipeg, Paley spent some time at Berklee in Boston. For a
period he toured first with Buddy Rich and then Woody Herman, and as well
enjoyed a month-long stint backing Frank Sinatra. In 1976, upon his return
to Winnipeg, Paley formed the Big Band. The ensemble has toured throughout
Canada, including a week of performances at Expo 86, and has also appeared
with various guest artists such as Louis Bellson, Rob McConnell, Billy
Cobham, and Rosemary Clooney. Adept at performing a wide variety of styles
including jazz and pop, Paley & his group have recorded 2 albums and
as well, several performances have also been recorded for radio and television.
Recently Paley played a concert of new music including the track that we’ll be hearing. It’s titled Jazz Is. Considering his extensive list of credential, Paley may well be regarded as somewhat of an authority on the subject. This one features Paley on keys and vocals with some excellent soloing by Michel Pare on both sax and flute. CD: Bring 'Em Back |
| Fresh Trax: Part Two | |
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Athens Park - Paul Jackson Jr. :
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composer, arranger, producer and guitarist, Jackson is a highly respected
musician. He attended the University of Southern California, majoring
in music and after graduating, Paul became well known as a skilled and
versatile session player. Over the years Jackson has recorded with most
of the biggest names in entertainment and as well has worked at establishing
his own solo career. Although previous releases have not quite paralleled
Jackson’s studio successes as a supporting musician, this may all change
with his latest offering. Titled Still Small Voice, (the title being an
allusion to a passage in the Bible), the release is Jackson’s 6th overall.
Melody and mood are key ingredients as they are skilfully combined with
Jackson’s always superb playing resulting in what may very well represent
this spiritual artist’s finest project to date. From that endeavour, Athens
Park is the track that we've chosen, a nice piece which takes a fond and
reflective look at the times Jackson enjoyed frequenting that park as
a youth growing up in LA.
***Café Jazz Pick of the Week*** CD: Still Small Voice |
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Detroit to Cali - Dave McMurray :
Although his first instrument was the clarinet,
McMurray switched to the saxophone shortly after seeing Cannonball Adderley
perform. He now plays several different saxes and indeed has developed
into a well versed multi-instrumentalist having also added the flute and
various keyboards to the list of instruments that he’s mastered. For a
time the Detroit native performed as a member of the funk group, Was (Not
Was). He’s played & toured with Bob James on several occasions and
as well has worked on developing his own solo career. Nu Life Stories
is now his latest and 4th project under his own name. On the release McMurray
not only weaves his usual blend of intoxicating melodies but he also continues
to explore new musical territory, all seamlessly connected by his wonderful
playing.
CD: Nu-Life Stories |
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17 Mile Drive - The Rippingtons :
The
concept for The Rippingtons can be traced back to about 1987 or so, when
a small record label in Japan contacted Russ Freeman. Following the success
of Nocturnal Playground, his solo project, the company was interested
in having the guitarist and synthesizer whiz produce an album for them.
Freeman called up a few friends, including David Benoit, Gregg Karukas,
Kenny G, Steve Reid, Dave Koz, and Brandon Fields and asked if they would
be interested in playing on the record. The result was Moonlighting, one
of the most successful projects ever in the SJ format and one which gave
birth to the band. Over the years since that time, the sound and style
of the group has continued to evolve as new personnel make their way into
the line-up every few years or so. Yet the one constant is Freeman himself,
who writes all the songs and is largely responsible for the production
duties. This has all resulted in a musical library that is now over a
dozen cds deep with Let it Ripp being their latest.
CD: Let it Ripp |
| New Releases to watch for | Artist Links added this week |
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| News |
| Cool
Stuff on the Net Check out TheJazzNation.com . This is a very attractive site that has loads of feature including interviews with many of today's top smooth jazz artists. A recent addition to The Rippingtons site is the "Timeline". This is a great feature which allows you to trace their many career highlights, from 1986 right up to the present. If you're a fan or just enjoy cool sites you'll definitely want to check it out. Rippingtons.com Gigs |
| More About Your Smooth Jazz Connection |
| Where
to Hear the Show Cafe Jazz is heard in Toronto on it's originating station, 88.5 Saturday midnight until 2 am Sunday morning . It's available on Rogers cable on the following frequencies: As well we are on Cogeco Cable in: And don't forget that after you enjoy the show on the air, you can savour the flavour of Café Jazz again anytime you want, from wherever you want and as often as you want, on our web site! Please note, we try to upload the new program by Saturday, the date that the show airs. So you can hear nine hours of exceptional music, available on demand in the Cafe Jazz Archives: CafeJazzRadio. Available in the Archives May 24: The showcase cd was Sunny Nights by Fortune Vinson Cruse. May 31: We presented Bob James with Morning, Noon, & Night as the showcase cd. June 7: Marion Meadows' In Deep was showcased. Café Jazz, After Hours Exclusive to our website! A regular After Hours special presentation is one that we call Then & Now. The title of the segment is somewhat self-explanatory as we hit some of the musical highlights in the career of a top SJ artist . It's a full hour of almost non-stop music so if you prefer music with very little talk, be sure to check this out. |
| Thanks! |
| Thanks for your interest
and fabulous support, it is very much appreciated, and be sure to spread
the word about Jazz Lynx & Café Jazz, Canada's Smooth Jazz Connection.
All for now, Ted P.S. Now Heard Everywhere (on the world wide web) & Read On Four Continents! Although this newsletter goes out primarily to readers in Canada, it is now also read in the U.S. as well as in South America, Australia, and Europe. So, if you know of anyone who might like to be on our mailing list, just let me know and I'll add their name. Now, if by chance, you had this message forwarded to you, and you would like to receive the newsletter on a regular basis, simply hit: Shownotes to register. It's that easy. Alternatively, if you no longer wish to receive our updates, please send an email by using this link: Remove and include remove in the subject. That's all you have to do for quick and reliable removal from our list. |
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