Highlights!
This time another powerhouse line-up, with some of the finest sounds you'll hear anytime, anywhere!! In addition to our regular features, be sure to catch these incredible artists: Turning Point, Paul Taylor, Swing Out Sister, William Woods, Greg Lowe, Shakatak, Vince Mai, Bob Baldwin, Paul Brown, Sam Riney, Wilton Felder and more including Jay Soto, Down to the Bone, Armi Grano, and Kat Hendrix!! They're all in a fun-filled action-packed two-hour extravaganza!!

Showcase CD
Groovosphere - Matt Marshak:
Although Matt Marshak may not yet be a household name, he should be. Marshak is an exciting young artist who's determined to bring contemporary jazz to a new generation of listener while taking it to the next level !! Within five short years the Long Island native has laid the groundwork for a highly promising career and with the release of Groovosphere, he appears poised for stardom, all the more surprising given the fact he didn't take up guitar until the age of 17.

Initially Marshak was drawn to blues and rock greats such as Hendrix, BB King, and Satriani but upon discovering the contemporary scene, the sounds of Larry Carlton and George Benson provided a new source of inspiration. In fact, after meeting Carlton, Marshak realized guitar and instrumental jazz would be his life and his passion. Then, as if to "make up for lost time", he would practice 10 hours a day and take up to three lessons per week !!

Marshak became involved in the NYC scene and soon was performing regularly as a sideman with some of the city's greatest players. In short order, he recorded his own debut, did oodles of gigs, and most importantly honed his chops to razor sharpness. Matt was in the process of completing his sophomore project, when he submitted some finished tracks to an artist search cosponsored by radio station CD101.9. After entering as one of about a thousand contestants, Marshak appeared among the 12 finalists, eventually winning and earning the Best New Smooth Jazz Artist in New York City Award.

Subsequently, he released This Time Around, an album which frankly floored us here at The Café and which received airplay around the world. Several of the tracks on the disc became immediate favourites and by year-end, the cd was among our top ten most played albums for 2004. At the time, we described Marshak's style as fresh & creative; that he exemplified a fantastic new breed of player emerging in contemporary music; and that if this was where the contemporary scene was headed then we could hardly wait until we got there.

Flash forward to the present and Marshak has issued Groovosphere. Judging from the tracks contained therein, the man has indeed arrived. This one has it all, funky rhythms, hip jazzy melodies, and unadulterated energy and passion!! They're all here and to illustrate the point we've selected three prime examples!!

First up is Montauk Moon featuring the saxwork of David Mann. Big Skye Dream opens hour two while the get down and get funky sounds of Summerfunk bring things to a heady climax. Mark the summer of '06 on your events calendar! We're betting it will be the summer when Matt Marshak breaks thru and becomes a standard-bearer for a new era in smooth jazz !!

CD: Groovosphere
Label: Nuance Music Group
Site: Matt Marshak ; Nuance

City Lights - Nelson Rangell : The Denver based saxplayer was the fourth born in a musical family. Brother Andrew is a Boston concert pianist, his other brother Bobby is a Parisian jazz woodwind player, while his sister Paula, based in New Orleans, sings professionally. For his part, Nelson didn't begin in music until the late age of 15 when he took up the flute. He discovered he had a passion for music and within six months, he was studying classical music and jazz at the Interlochen Arts Academy. Shortly thereafter, he started playing the sax. He went on to The New England Conservatory, and twice won Down Beat's best jazz and best pop/rock instrumental soloist. He moved to New York in 1984 and spent the next four years paying his dues and gigging with some of the world's greatest contemporary musicians. His 1987 solo debut was well received and with it's success and the critical acclaim his following projects received, Rangell quickly became known as one of the most exciting and diverse performers in the genre. He's now released 14 cds in all with Soul To Souls as his latest. From that effort, we have the urban groove of City Lights, funky and heartfelt !!

CD: Soul to Souls
Label: Koch Records
Site: Nelson Rangell ; Koch

Feeling Good - Steve Oliver: Although he'd been involved in music for many years, things didn't really start coming together for Steve Oliver until about 1995. The San Francisco born and bred guitarist attended a Rippingtons show, and afterwards went up to Steve Reid, percussionist for the band, introduced himself and made a contact. The paths of the two Steves crossed again about a year later when Oliver opened for Reid and Bamboo Forest. Reid really enjoyed Oliver's performance and three or so months later Reid phoned saying, he needed a guitarist for his new cd. Oliver appeared on that and the next Bamboo Forest project; he penned many of the tunes on both cds and ended up touring with Reid for three years. In the course of things, this led to a record deal & the release of First View, Oliver's solo debut in 1999. The effort was an unqualified success and resulted in Oliver's selection as Debut Artist of The Year by the Smooth Jazz News. Excellence has become the norm as subsequent releases have helped make Steve a star attraction in the Smooth Jazz arena. With Radiant his latest release Oliver appears poised to continue that upward spiral and from that effort we have Feeling Good, the opening track and an instant favourite !!

CD: Radiant
Label: Koch Records
Site: Steve Oliver ; Koch

You With Me - Adrian Conington: The UK pianist trained classically from the age of seven, but discovered jazz in his early twenties. After working primarily in a supporting role for a good portion of his early career, Conington released his solo debut entitled Sacred Roots in 2004. With the warm reception enjoyed by that album, Solsonata is now the follow up project with which Conington continues to expand upon and refine his inviting and fluid approach to smooth jazz. The confidence gained in the time between releases is apparent from the opening track. As with the previous album, Solsonata consists of original compositions, yet the influence of styles that inspire Conington are evident thruout. The project captures the essence of smooth, while melting elements of blues, Latin, soul, and R&B into a welcoming mélange. Nonetheless, it's Conington's gentle touch, his stylish presentation; his self-assurance and his artistic merit that make this project a winner. From that release, we have one of its most delicate and romantic tracks !!

CD: Solsonata
Label: Independent Release
Site: Conington

Just My Style - Marion Meadows: Now this guy's on a roll !! Although Marion Meadows has been a part of the contemporary scene for many years, it's only on his last few albums that he's really begun to swing with the heavy hitters. Meadows has always had a sound entirely his own. Armed either with the soprano, his primary instrument, or with the tenor or alto, Meadows has charmed many a listener with his savoury sax work. However, sometimes it just takes time for a style to develop fully or for key factors to properly align. In retrospect, a shift to the Heads Up record label in the late 90s may have signalled the start of a new era. Then enter keyboardist/producer Michael Broening on the 2002 In Deep project. Instantly Meadows music entered a new realm. The follow up release served only to ripen the fruits of their collaboration. And now with the latest release entitled Dressed to Chill, it's apparent that Messrs Meadows and Broenig share the sort of creative compatibility may come along just once in a lifetime if at all !! Regardless, Marion Meadows is fully within the prime of his career !!

CD: Dressed to Chill
Label: Heads Up
Site: Meadows ; Heads Up