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ILLUMINATIONS - Vocal Visions Media Group Compilation
This is the first CD that features the Vocal Visions Media Group roster of Artists including, Don Braden, Brasil Brazil (Ana Gazzola and Sonia Santos), Peggy Duquesnel, Dave Ferris, Bill Harrison, Rick Helzer, Ellen Johnson, Daryl Kojak, Laurie Krauz, Peter Polzak, Barbara Sfraga and Center Search Quest and Nolan Shaheed. Also featured will be the first member of our selected talented from our Emerging Artists Program, Laura Mayo.
The CD features a wide range of quality music from hard hitting NY swing, impressionistic contemporary jazz, Brazilian rhythms, sultry vocals, orchestral arrangements and creative vocalizations from mostly original compositions. Other artists featured are James Newton, Bob Sheppard, Darek Oles, Larry Koonse, Roy McCurdy and arrangements by Alan Broadbent.
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| THE NEW HANG (Download Exclusive) - Don Braden
"The New Hang" is a track from a performance with Don Braden and the Organic Trio that was recorded LIVE at Cecil's Jazz Club in the summer of 2005 produced by Don Braden and Creative Perspective Music. It was from the same session as his latest release, "Workin'" on HighNote Records and this burning original song features Kyle Koehler on Hammond Organ, Cecil Brooks III on drums and the soulful saxophone work of Don Braden. Check out the CD for more swinging contemporary standards like, "Can't Hide Love" and "Feel Like Makin' Love", along with two luscious ballads and an array of smokin' original material.
(Downloads Only - no physical CD available)
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OLD FRIENDS - Peggy Duquesnel
An exquiste and unique collection of original jazz compositions by pianist/composer Peggy Duquesnel performed by a stellar jazz quartet featuring John Patitucci/Bass, Bob Harsen/Drums and Albert Wing/Sax.
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| WHERE IS LOVE? - Peggy Duquesnel
A first class production of jazz standards and originals featuring pianist/vocalist Peggy Duquesnel with her trio and a 47-piece orchestra arranged and conducted by Grammy Award winning, Alan Broadbent at Capitol Studios with Grammy Award winning.
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| THE QUIET ONE - Dave Ferris
The debut CD of jazz pianist, Dave Ferris that serves as a solid calling card to document eleven original compositions. Featuring West Coast jazz greats, Bob Sheppard (tenor saxophone), Kendall Kay (drums), Howie Shear (trumpet), and Eric Von Essen (bass).
"The Road To Boston" is the first of three selections inspired by Ferris' avocaton of marathon running while "A Midwest Moment" takes Ferris back to his home town, St. Louis. "This One's For Bud", a tribute to Bud Powell and "Rhythm 8" recall the late Thelonious Monk. Dave has a knack for writing bluesy yet modern compositions like "Mr Midnight" and closes his vibrant collection with a tender ballad, "Ballade" certainly a highlight of his pianistic skills.
This CD has personality and a love for the tradition of jazz.
(Downloads Only - no physical CD available)
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| FACE IN THE MIRROR - Rick Helzer
One of his most recent recordings. "Face in the Mirror," is a CD of his compositions featuring flutist James Newton and saxophonist Kim Richmond. In the May 2005 issue of All About Jazz, reviewer James Taylor said of "Face in the Mirror," “For an introduction to an incredible yet unknown artist it is a must.” Eleven original tracks that highlight the best of improvised music with some of the finest musicians on the West Coast.
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| FANCY MEETING YOU HERE - Rick Helzer / Vinny Golia
Fancy Meeting You Here," is an album of duets with woodwind artist and composer, Vinny Golia. Both "Face In the Mirror " and "Fancy Meeting You Here" were released in November of 2004 on the Nine Winds label. In the summer 2005 edition of Signal to Noise, reviewer Larry Nai said of Rick Helzer, “Helzer’s luxurious pianisms and quick thinking make him a great duo partner for (Vinny) Golia.
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| NOTES FROM THE PILGRIMAGE - Daryl Kojak
“Like the famed Windham Hill cache of albums, this debut CD by Daryl Kojak is, at once, bucolic and intensly musical. It’s clearly and “easy listen” album. With extended passages of fine jazz tuned with classical overtones, the album seemingly marks the start of an artist who will make a serious solo mark. Listening to the introspective and melodious “Prayer” takes the listener on a journey that is haunting and mystical. “Notes From The Pilgrimage” is a magical fusion of gentle moods and hypnotic nuances that are subtle and reflective from a composer of virtuosic merit. The album evokes into a series of poetic panoramas that emote a sensuality that is a combination of New Age Jazz and spontaneous improvisations placing Kojak in a league with the likes of Vangelis and George Winston.”
--Backstage.
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| LAMENTATIONS FROM THE MIDDLE PASSAGE - Nolan Shaheed
And now a work of art that he can call his own. Nolan has crafted a delightful collection of original songs that, to me, evoke the memory of the masters during the old Blue Note days of Donald Byrd, Lee Morgan, Booker Little, etcetera. All of the players on this effort are from in and around the Los Angeles area and are as fine a group of old and young professional as you'll ever find. They are leaders in their own right and are all veterans of the recording studio. It sounds as if they've been playing together as a unit for sometime. It's a tribute to the leader who has honed this aggregation to a fine edge.
The first of six compositions on this album, it must be noted, that it is eerily reminiscent of Lee Morgan's "Search for the New Land." Indeed, Lamentation from the Middle Passage is a potent reminder of the power of song to resurrect memories of how songs were composed during a time when jazz was enjoying immense popularity in the 60's. Nolan's trumpet work is exceptional, and the alto saxophone of Zane Musa stands tall against a backdrop of solid rhythm laid down by guitarist Ronald Muldrow, pianist Danny Grissett, bassist Trevor Ware and drummer Quentin Dennard.
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| SWAN TONES - VOLUME 1 - John Stowell
John is a unique jazz guitarist influenced as much by pianists and horn players as he is by guitarists. His inventive take on harmony, chords and improvisation sets him apart from other guitar players and musicians. "Swan Tones, Volume 1" was recorded as a special project by Jim Soloway for Soloway Guitars . The CD title was based on the definition of a swan as a stately heavy-bottomed aquatic bird with very long neck with large and strong beaks and noted for their graceful movements. In literature the swan was fabled to sing a melodious song so it's fitting this set of 13 original compositions is entitled "Swan Tones". John adds his personal take on harmony, chords and improvisation in this all original set while played on a Soloway Swan LN6 No-Hole with a Bolivian Rosewood Top.
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