ContemporaryJazz.com » fusion

Contemporary Jazz on Twitter in July

John Hilderbrand — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 16:31:07 +0000

I’ve posted over 500 tweets of contemporary jazz news, release dates, and site information on Twitter in the last few months. It’s how I communicate quick contemporary jazz items of interest. In today’s quick-moving world, this is how I get most of my information – through brief, one-sentence notifications. Later, I can go back and read more about something or compose a blog post. Follow my tomorrowjazz tweets on Twitter!

I keep a list of my most recent tweets here on the site, but here are some items you might have missed.

Smooth jazz takes another blow as The Weather Channel replaces it with classic rock for Weather on the 8′s.
Miroslav Vitous’ new CD honors Weather Report http://is.gd/1oYMf
New release from jazz pianist Eldar coming August 25. Called Virtue, it has guests Nicholas Payton and Joshua Redman.
Pandora and three others might be ok but that doesn’t mean it’s smooth sailing Internet radio. http://is.gd/1sYhv
Mike Stern’s Big Neighborhood out 8/11 w/ Dave Weckl, MMW, Steve Vai, Esperanza Spalding, Eric Johnson, Terri Lyne Carrington, and more.
B.B. King calls George Benson “the best guitarist in the world in all kinds of music.” http://is.gd/1yQhp
One of today’s greatest jazz composers, Terence Blanchard, releases Choices on August 18th. Recorded in New Orleans. http://is.gd/1zHt7
Chuck Owen & The Jazz Surge release The Comet’s Tail: Playing The Compositions of Michael Brecker on 8/11 w/guest stars. http://is.gd/1AYmC
Pat Metheny writes about his upcoming “orchestrionics” recording. It’s going to be interesting. http://is.gd/1L7tI
Far Out Recordings-Brazilian Music Sampler Free at Amazon MP3 Store. With Marcos Valle, Joyce, Azymuth, Sabrina Malheiros. http://bacn.me/9ja
Didn’t know Larry Carlton was joining Steely Dan on six dates during their current tour.

Summer DVDs

John Hilderbrand — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:37:10 +0000

There’s a handful of DVD and Blu-ray releases coming out this summer that jazz fans might be interested in. A Blu-ray version of Jamiroquai’s excellent 2003 Live at Montreux is on its way. New Morning concerts by Yellowjackets and Mike Stern are coming out on both DVD and Blu-ray. Go through the carousel below to see what else you can expect!

New CDs and DVDs In May

John Hilderbrand — Mon, 04 May 2009 01:50:09 +0000

Here is a list of new CDs and DVDs coming in May that I’m aware of. Click to order the CD from Amazon.com, or to download MP3s. Your purchases through these links help the site!

May 5
Poogie Bell Band – Get on the Kit |
Jim Beard w/ Vince Mendoza – Revolutions
Incognito – Live in Jakarta DVD

May 12
Return To Forever – Live at Montreux 2008 DVD / Blu-ray
Stanley Clarke Trio w/ Hiromi and Lenny White – Jazz in the Garden |
Candy Dulfer – Funked Up! |
Charnett Moffett (feat. Will Calhoun) – The Art of Improvisation

May 19
Richard Elliot – Rock Steady |
Nicola Conte – Rituals |
Terri Lyne Carrington – More To Say… (Real Life Story: NextGen) |

May 26
Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, Steve Swallow & Antonio Sanchez – Quartet Live!
Diana Krall – Live In Rio DVD / Blu-ray

Try It Out Tuesdays – Jack Broad

John Hilderbrand — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:00:56 +0000

Try It Out Tuesdays offers a free full MP3 of an artist. Today’s track is from guitarist Jack Broad. Drumolator at The Forum recently asked if there are any fusion fans. It’s been a popular post. There are a number of jazz fans who miss that rock-jazz sound. Fusion fans, as well as fans of jazztronica, will find something they like on Jack’s recording, Current. This track, “Emanations,” spotlights Broad’s electric guitar playing and has a bit of drum ‘n’ bass. Like every track on the CD, it was composed, programmed, recorded, and mixed by Broad.

Click the play button to hear “Emanations.” If you like what you hear, click the Shopping Cart icon to buy it from Amazon.com.

Jack Broad – Emanations

New Music in March

John Hilderbrand — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:37:06 +0000

Earlier this month, I posted some of the new contemporary jazz and jazz-related videos that have come out this year. Below are some of the new CDs that came out this month. On the carousel to order the latest from Diana Krall, Gregg Karukas, Chris Botti, the Rippingtons, Sean Jones, Chuck Loeb, Return To Forever, Nils, and Philippe Saisse.

MOJALand Is Live! Russ and Michelle Are Back

John Hilderbrand — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 01:11:37 +0000

The most talked about topic in the last few months here is the end of XM channel 72 – Beyond Jazz. I’m happy to inform you that the duo behind the station, Russ Davis and Michelle Sammartino, are back! The MOJARadio site is now live. The music is coming soon but you can settle in now in MOJALand. MOJALand looks like a nice place to hang out with your fellow modern jazz fans. When you check it out, friend me up! I’m tomorrowjazz.

Try It Out Tuesdays – Bobbi Humphrey

John Hilderbrand — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 06:00:30 +0000

It’s Black History Month. It’s Motown’s 50th Anniversary. It’s Blue Note’s 70th Anniversary. Here’s one track to acknowledge all three. From the Blue Note Salutes Motown compilation (originally on her Dig This! release), here’s Bobbi Humphrey covering the Norman Whitfield/Barrett Strong composition “Smiling Faces Sometimes.” Bobbi had success during her recording tenure with Blue Note in the 1970s. I’ve been buying some of those memorable recordings recently.

Click the play button below to hear Ms. Humphrey’s rendition of the song made famous by The Undisputed Truth.

Blue Note Salutes Motown

Freddie Hubbard Has Died

John Hilderbrand — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:07:18 +0000

It seems like a musician that had an impact on the style I enjoy listening to today always dies around the Christmas holiday. This year, it’s Freddie Hubbard. He passed away today after suffering a heart attack in late November. He played with legends John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, and Art Blakey. He was a star on the CTI label in the early 70s – Red Clay was the first recording he did for the label. He jammed with the VSOP (Very Special One-Time Performance) band of Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams, and Ron Carter in 1977.

Freddie from the 1987 Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival – with James Spaulding, alto sax; Renee Rosnes, piano; Kenny Davis, bass; Ralph Peterson, drums:

Bounce with Bodega!

John Hilderbrand — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:35:38 +0000

I’m always seeking fresh sounds that keep my attention. Bodega has my ear. The band cites influences ranging from Herbie Hancock, Fela Kuti, Weather Report, Talking Heads, Stereolab, Kurt Rosenwinkel, MMW, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, livetronica and beyond. Ropeadope’s site says “Bodega has always blended elements of funk, philly soul, jazz, breakbeat, and afrobeat to make their infectious grooves.” Those infectious grooves are in full force on their new recording Bounce! Bodega had a goal of capturing the live experience with Bounce! “The People have a craving for live music, music created in the moment, music created by the musicians from audience inspiration, music in which they are a part of the creation and experience, REAL music,” the band says. “Bounce! is our vision to unite those people, whether they are hip hop heads, beat freaks, jazz heads, ravers, old heads, rockers, festival travelers, and music lovers of every shape and background.”

Here’s a live clip of Bodega playing the composition that I’m downloading from Amazon right now, “Smirk.” Learn more about Bodega on their MySpace page.

Christian Scott – Live At Newport

John Hilderbrand — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:16:14 +0000

Grammy-nominated 24-year old trumpeter Christian Scott has his first live CD and DVD out in stores now. Live at Newport includes five new compositions that echo his musical hero Miles Davis. Click the play button for the song “Died In Love” from the release. If you like what you hear, hit the Shopping Cart icon to buy it.

Christian Scott – “Died In Love”