Artist: Laila Biali
Song title: Woodstock
CD title: Laila Biali Live In Concert
Label: Laila Biali
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Laila Biali

Laila Biali is fast becoming the new face of contemporary jazz. From touring with Suzanne Vega, Chris Botti and Paula Cole to recording with and supporting Sting on his If On a Winter’s Night DVD and tour, her resume precedes her. The past two years has seen a renewed focus on her skills as composer, arranger, singer and pianist. Her reputation for challenging the boundaries of music is unparallelled. She takes the best of pop, rock, classical and soul, informs it with her knowledge of Jazz and weaves it all into her musical arrangements seamlessly. Laila’s music has been presented at prestigious venues spanning four continents including the North Sea Jazz Festival, Tokyo’s Cotton Club, Peru’s El Festival Internacional de Lima, and Carnegie Hall in New York City. Her latest studio recording Tracing Light received a JUNO nomination for “2011 Best Vocal Jazz Album of the Year” and her most recent release Live in Concert, recorded live in February 2012 in front of a gracious audience at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, Canada, captures the spirit of live performance so essential to Jazz. Her accolades include “SOCAN Composer of the Year” and “Keyboardist of the Year” at Canada’s National Jazz Awards. She currently splits her time between New York City and Toronto.

For more information visit:  Laila Biali 

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Hard copy CD  

Artist:Carole Turcotte
Song title: The Cool Side
CD Title: Here’s to Life
Record label: Carole Turcotte
Buy CD: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/heres-to-life/id495265024

Carole Turcotte

Carole Turcotte currently resides in Salt Lake City and is a multi-talented, local artist, band leader, composer, flute player, vocalist and freelancer, in the community scene.  Carole has always been interested and active as a writer of words and music for a variety of endeavors but this particular project, Here’s To Life, backed by Salt Lake’s ever so talented group of jazz musicians is her very first solo project.

This CD album is about music that is fresh, new and innovative, expressed in a manner in keeping with the finest traditions of vocal jazz and flute playing in American Music.  Her love of Latin music from Brazil and Puerto Rico coupled with her fondness for the music of Europe’s great artists adds to her performances, a cosmopolitan aura, appealing and above all entertaining.

Carole makes absolutely no apologies for the very evident influences that radiate from this music.  Robert Farnon and Michel LeGrand are significant composers in her world of creative music but as a singer and a flute player, inspiration transpired over the years from a great range of artists including Bobbi Humphrey, Lew Tabackin, Hubert Laws, Flora Purim, Nancy King, Betty Carter, Carmen McRae and two of Carole’s Canadian compatriots, Kathryn Moses and Moe Koffman of the Swinging Shepherd Blues fame!

Carole grew up in the mining town of Sudbury, about 250 miles north of Toronto in Canada, was part of a musical family,  active in Jazz and Classical music. Although she studied the flute (doubled on sax and piccolo) in High School and University, she is self taught as a vocalist and a composer with an upbringing and education not entirely centered on music education. A scholarship awarded athlete, for a number of years, she played basketball for the University of Toronto, The College of Southern Idaho and Jackson State Univeristy in Mississippi where she graduated with a degree in Science/Journalism. While at Jackson State, on an orchestra scholarship as well, side projects with fellow colleagues eventually led to the recommendation that she continue to pursue her vocal talents.

As a teenager and a developing musician, Carole forever attended Jazz Camps, Jazz Festivals and musical happenings of every imaginable description.  She remembers with fondness being impressed by the level of performances and great experiences possible at camps like the great Interlochen Music Camp in Traverse City Michigan.  She and her family were regulars at such notable and amazing events as the Newport Jazz Festivals in New York City and the many National Conferences of the International Association for Jazz Education in New York City, Chicago, Kansas City, Columbus and Los Angeles where she met and learned from a variety of distinguished artists and educators.  As a high school musician, Carole performed in a Canadian All Star Band that toured the US and Europe playing concerts at music festivals and other international venues. Experiences as these, to name only a few, have contributed to the very eclectic world music and jazz stylings that permeate Carole’s playing, singing and her composing. She is truly an international artist creating bridges between cultures and differing musical styles that are edifying and stimulating to the musical ear and the musical soul.  Here’s To Life is an entirely appropriate title for this first ever solo project by Carole Turcotte and it is one which will resonate with all that she has done and will do in the future. Relax and enjoy!

For more information visit:   Carole Turcotte 

Additional buy links:

CD Baby     http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/caroleturcotte

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CD Universe 

Artist: Brenda Lewis

Song title: I Just Got Back

CD Title: Jazzlike
Label: Brenda Lewis
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Brenda Lewis

Originally from eastern Ontario, BRENDA LEWIS is what is known as a “natural singer”. For two decades, since moving “west” (near Toronto!) she has been singing professionally – 17 of those as a jazz vocalist, performing with some of Canada’s finest jazz musicians, including long-time music partners: guitarist MARGARET STOWE, guitarist and Juno Award-winning producer TONY QUARRINGTON, and, JOHN ZADRO (pianist).

In 2010, she released her new CD: “JAZZLIKE, a collection of cover songs by some of her favourite musicians whose compositions fit within the jazz idiom. Four of these songs are penned by celebrated CANADIAN songwriters: COLLEEN PETERSON, RICK FINES (the track featured on this sampler was written by Rick!), CHRIS WHITELEY, and, NEIL YOUNG. Jazz guitarist extraordinaire MARGARET STOWE (http://www.margaretstowe.com ) joins Lewis on this recording – a recording which displays the versatility of both musicians and evidences their sheer joy of performing together. Lewis and Stowe (who have co-produced it together) have striven for a sound on the CD that represents well what you will hear at a LIVE concert with them.

Previous to jazz, Lewis’ background was in the folk/Americana/country blues genres – in acclaimed Guelph, Ontario eclectic duo: “LEWIS & MOLESWORTH” (aka “HURT & RUN”), along with R&B/funk/gospel/blues. She is also an adept harmony/backing vocalist and began her career singing in A CAPELLA trios (similar to “Sweet Honey in the Rock”). She still enjoys success performing in these genres – and their influences add diversity to her jazz standards repertoire. Soulful, bluesy Etta, Ray Charles or Patsy Cline renditions spice up the setlists in any of her shows, alongside swinging classics, caliente grooves, and, lesser known torch gems – all sung in the spare yet emotive traditions of Ella, Julie London and Marlene Dietrich. This versatile mix captivates both the jazz audience and her long-time folk/ R&B fans.

Lewis’ CDs have received radio airplay on the CBC, BBC and JAZZ-FM 91.1 TORONTO. Prior to her first jazz CD: “LEWIS, WILSON & SHAW: TRIO SESSIONS”, Brenda recorded three folk/roots CDs (with Lewis & Molesworth, and, with NONIE CRETE). As well, she has guested on many other artists’ CDs as a harmony/backing vocalist, and been a feature artist on two compilation tribute albums (Including the “One Voice” tribute to Norm Hacking, in duo with Tony Quarrington).

In live shows, she performs from duo, trio to full band or orchestra – in concert, or for “atmosphere”, or, dance band. She has been featured in numerous concert series (including Halton’s Jazz at the Museum, Flying Beaver Pubaret Cabaret Series (Toronto), Kitchener’s Jazz at the Registry, Uptown Waterloo Concert Series, Waterloo Regional Arts Centre Jazz Series, Arkell Schoolhouse Gallery), and, festivals (including Guelph Jazz Festival, Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival, Uptown Oakville Jazz Festival, Hillside Festival, Festival of Friends), dinner/nightclubs, prestigious hotels (including the The Millcroft Inn, where she led their New Year’s Eve houseband for 6 years), and corporate/private events across Ontario.

Brenda is currently working on cross-Canada touring and is available to perform anywhere in the world!

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Brenda feels especially honoured to have been asked to sing in tribute concerts for two stellar Canadian artists who have deeply influenced her musically : “FESTIVAL OF FRIENDS” 2009′s “MEMORIES OF JACKIE WASHINGTON” and, the COLLEEN PETERSON MEMORIAL CONCERT (in vocal harmony quartet with Suzie Vinnick, Katherine Wheatley & Rebecca Campbell; alongside “Quartette”) at HUGH’S ROOM, Toronto.

Reviews:
“The album title understates the music. It isn’t just jazzlike, it’s jazz. Brenda mixes some classic tunes with a couple of new songs from Canadian composers and ends up with a jumping jazz album that should satisfy anyone who’s been missing Rosemary Clooney. Margaret Stowe provides virtually all of the backing with her fine jazz guitar stylings. One track (“Falling in Love Again”) features guest guitar by Tony Quarrington, but other than that it’s Marg and Brenda alone. They work together like a finely tuned machine. The guitar sets the tempo, the voice provides the melody, then Ms. Stowe blows for a verse or two, and Brenda takes it home. This is torch singing of the highest standard.” (David Kidney, SLEEPING HEDGEHOG REVIEWS – February 2011)

“Brenda Lewis possesses one of those voices that never becomes tiresome. Her eclectic repertoire spans the Big Band era as well as the many differing segments of jazz. Each piece is given a personality and never becomes a tribute version to whoever made the composition a standard. Even her ‘Danny Boy’ paean to St. Patrick’s Day (and this humble scribe!) was presented without melodrama or pathos. No wonder her newest CD was scooped up by last night’s departing guests.” (Danny Gaisin, ONTARIO ARTS REVIEW – March 2011)

“Her rich full-bodied voice is an elastic instrument, especially in songs that speak to the heart. Whether choosing a jazz standard or a song by a contemporary songwriter, Lewis has impeccable taste.” (ROBERT REID, ARTS, WATERLOO RECORD)

“She softly intoned a realm of yesterday’s duets with greats that are now on The Big Gig in The Sky and I was inspired.” (GRANGE “LADY HAIG” RUTAN”, AUTHOR: “DEATH OF A BEBOP WIFE”)

For more information please visit the following websites:

Performance Schedule

FACEBOOK Fan Page

Pre-purchase Brenda’s Upcoming CD (2013)

TWITTER

YOUTUBE

Contact: brendalewis@rogers.com

Artist: Donna Greenberg
Song title: Song in the Wind/A Cancao No Vento
CD title: Song in the Wind
Label: Donna Greenberg
Buy CD iTunes

Donna Greenberg

Donna Greenberg is a unique and stylistically versatile vocalist and songwriter. Her warm voice, musicality and dramatic flair are always evident in her heartfelt performances. Whether singing her own extraordinary original songs or the great popular standards, Donna’s deep love of music is always evident.

A vocalist, songwriter, lyricist, choreographer, dance teacher and dance filmmaker, Donna’s eclectic musical influences include studies in jazz, opera, musical theatre, and liturgical music. After graduating in English Lit from U of T, Donna completed extensive studies in voice, piano, harmony, and counterpoint, and performed solo classical recitals in French, Italian, Spanish, and German. She also composed and wrote lyrics for a number of vocal and choral compositions.

Donna’s first serious foray into jazz began with her one-woman show, A Tribute to Gershwin, Porter and Rodgers, which she wrote, sang, and danced. Her decision to study and perform jazz began with an introduction to jazz/cabaret performer Adi Braun in 2008.

Donna has been collaborating with music director Jordan Klapman since her debut release, Stranger in 2009. Stranger hit the Top 30 chart on Toronto’ s CIUT and continues to be played on-air worldwide.

Since then, Donna has worked with Jordan Klapman on more than two dozen of her original songs, culminating in the 2011 release of their first multi-language song album, Mav’rik. Donna has received rave reviews from Europe to North America, for Mav’rik, an eclectic mix, boasting of 12 original songs composed by the chanteuse herself.

Mav’rik crosses boundaries by boldly jumping genres — jazz, swing bossa nova, tango, salsa, lullaby, and Celtic folk, all in one album…and the radio industry is responding. Latin, jazz, country and gospel stations are playing her songs and singing her praises! Greenberg’s accolades include being named Jazz Vocalist of the Month on Bob Birch Radio in England and Montreal radio station, Planète Jazz’ s Discovery of the Week. Diana Broomfield compared her to singer Julie Andrews on WDGP Radio Maryland in America. Chicago blues and gospel legenOtis Clay, calls her soulful…and he knows soulful!

Mav’rik showcases Greenberg’s heartfelt, yet powerful lyrics in four languages with haunting melodies, brought to richness with consummate musicians, producer and musical director, Jordan Klapman’s arrangements and the orchestrations of Tony Quarrington.

In the tradition of the 20th century popular songwriters, Greenberg, the songwriter brings this musical craft full-circle for the new millennium.

Singer/Songwriter Donna Greenberg is a quickly gaining notoriety as a singer’s singer, who is much-in-demand since launching her third CD, Song In The Wind, weeks ago.

CD  Song in the Wind is her second album of originals .In collaboration with pianist/producer Jordan Klapman and an ensemble of some of Canada’s finest musicians Song in the Wind is passionate, soulful, romantic – Greenberg’s newest songs of life, love, joy and sorrow. The songs are definitely eclectic: jazz, Latin, swing, ballads, and romantic duets (featuring Canadian singer Warren James in Garden at Midnight and Brazilian singer, Marcelo Neves in the title track, Song in the Wind). The lyrics are multilingual with texts in Spanish, French, Brazilian, Portuguese, Italian, as well as English.

Donna along with Toronto pianist/producer Jordan Klapman and a stellar cast of Canada’s finest musicians are thrilling music fans with her original songs that offer maturity and depth with lyrics that speak to all.  The songs on the album are passionate, soulful, romantic…reflecting a life filled with love, joy and sorrow. Donna doesn’t hesitate to jump genres incorporating jazz, Latin and ballads to both her solo renderings and romantic duets. Her lyrics are multilingual with texts in Spanish, French, Brazilian Portuguese, Italian and English.

For more information visit:   Donna Greenberg  

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EJN Sampler # 41 features straight-ahead original jazz from Joel Miller’s Swim. Ragtime jazz and blues from Bill King’s Gloryland- Tales From the Old South, and a wonderful blend of reggae and Afro-Cuban rhythms from Everton ‘Pablo’ Paul’s debut CD Remembrance. Enjoy~

Artist: Bill King
Song title: The Gambler & the Riverboat Queen
CD title: Gloryland
Record label: 7Arts Music
Buy CD iTunes

Gloryland (Tales from the Old South)

Early on the soundtrack to my life came from the 1,500 miles of mountain range called Appalachia. It was the blues, the hymns, the folk ballads and spirituals that haunted the region like ghosts hidden in the night wind – traveling along unseen currents and carrying with it a mix of English, Scottish, Irish and African-American influence and history.

Every year we’d pack up the station wagon and head further south to visit aunts and uncles and at times search for a long lost relative rumoured to be among the living deep in the Tennessee woods. All of these excursions connected to father’s upbringing in the minute border town Hazel, Kentucky.

The Great Depression wiped them out. Tobacco farming was the family business – the other- survival. The crash of ’29 left every family in peril. The farm was lost – the kids barely had enough food on the table to encourage physical growth and decisions had to be made about who would attend school and who would work the fields.

Gloryland (Tales from the Old South) is my pastoral portrait of family – the family that tilled the land and for better or worse endured the history and conditions in a region where thousands of lives were spent, racism institutionalized, a genuine mistrust of government prevailed and a belief problems should be solved through resourcefulness. Beyond the hardships it was a place where song and sound illuminated people’s lives with joy, humility, inspiration and situations.

Along the rivers there were baptisms and picnics – lover’s quarrels the occasional burial. The devil was everywhere – at least that’s what the preacher saw and ranted about Sunday morning. Further south was gator land – places you never sink a foot into a pool of mud. Farthest south, the smell of burning cane fields sweetened the midnight air.

There were coal miner’s strikes that would burst into to all out war. Near the rails hobos rode boxcars through lush countryside seeking the occasional meal and handyman work. Along the way there were the juke joints, chicken shacks, forgotten plantations, overgrown antebellum castles and more churches than countable.

The piano was the centerpiece – the recorder of history – the spokesman – the outlandish showman rarely contained. You boogied, you ragged, you waltzed and you embraced. It was a music born deep in the hills, languid small town streets and bustling seaports of the old south.

For more information visit: http://www.7artsmusic.com/home.cfm

Artist: Joel Miller
Song titles: Honeycomb and Nos étoiles
CD title: Swim

Record label: Origin Records
Buy CD iTunes
Video Link YouTube

Joel Miller

Ever since he first picked up the saxophone at the age of 10, Joel Miller knew he wanted to be a jazz musician. His father was a classical composer and professor at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, and Miller grew up in a house filled of music.

At the age of 13, Joel Miller’s parents deposited him at the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Summer Workshop at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia. Miller was the youngest participant, and he caught the eye of trumpeter Kevin Dean, one of the founders of the Jazz programs at both St. Francis Xavier, and McGill Universities. Dean would remember Miller, later teaching him at McGill University.

“Joel has always had a very valuable kind of creative thinking, which he combines with hard work and tenacity. He is what jazz musicians are supposed to be – unique, creative and prolific.”

Miller’s career really began to take shape in 1996 when he produced his 1st album Find a Way (Page Music). The project also received critical acclaim:

“…His solos are supremely melodic – Think of Stan Getz, or of John Coltrane at his most wistful… a terrific debut CD” (Mark Miller, The Globe and Mail).

Following on the heels of the Find a Way release, Joel Miller was awarded the coveted Grand Prix Jazz Award at the 1997 Montreal International Jazz Festival.

Since then, Miller has had numerous concert appearances as a leader all across North America, Mexico, Europe, Japan and India and proved to be an important voice on the international jazz scene. His saxophone playing and compositions have been featured on National broadcasts in Canada and Sweden.

An unusually versatile musician, Joel Miller has lead a wide range of ensembles, from numerous traditional Jazz groups, to the electronic infused Latin funk project Honeycomb, to a unique choral collaboration with noted conductor Iwan Edwards’ and his choir Concerto Della Donna.

To date, the saxophonist’s recording career spans 14 years, beginning with his debut album, Find a Way (1996), followed by Playgrounds (1998), Sky Beneath My Feet (1999), …and then everything started to look different… (2001), Mandala (2004) and Tantramar (2008). Miller recently released his critically acclaimed album Swim (Origin Records), featuring Geoffrey Keezer, Greg Ritchie and Fraser Hollins.

Along with winning the Opus award in 2005 for concert of the year, Miller’s fourth album Mandala made the All About Jazz Publisher Picks, and was chosen by La Presse critic Alain Brunet as one of the top five jazz albums of the year. Miller has also been nominated for the ADISQ Awards (jazz album of the year), National Jazz Awards (best acoustic group) and the Canadian Independent Music Awards.

Joel Miller has performed and recorded with Ingrid Jensen, Geoffrey Keezer, Matt Wilson, Ben Monder, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Denzal Sinclare, Gary Versace and Henry Hey.

Recently his composing and solo features on his wife Christine Jensen’s 2010 release, Treelines, helped propel the Jazz orchestra to a Juno award for the best contemporary Jazz album of 2011, and an Opus Prize for the best Jazz album of 2011.

For more information visit: http://www.joelmillermusic.com/Joel_Miller/Home.html

Welcome to EJN Sampler # 40. Here’s this week’s line-up
Straight No Chaser Band w/Alexis Valk – Straight No Chaser
Livia Devereux – I Don’t Hurt Anymore
Ralf Buschmeyer – Tragic Chromatic
Karin Plato – Falling In Love WIth Love
Karl Schwonik – Calm, with Resolve
Melissa Gordon Rhine – Moonlight Sonata – It Had to be You
Reg Schwager Trio – Chromology
Enjoy~

Alexis Valk – Straightup No chaser Band

EJN Sampler MP3
EJN Sampler Artist Bio 

Livia Devereux – I Don’t Hurt Anymore

EJN Sampler MP3
EJN Sampler Artist Bio 

Ralf Buschmeyer – Tragic Chromatic

EJN Sampler MP3
EJN Sampler Artist Bio    

Karin Plato – Falling In Love WIth Love

EJN Sampler MP3
EJN Sampler Artist Bio

Karl Schwonik – Calm, with Resolve

EJN Sampler MP3  
EJN Sampler Artist Bio 

Melissa Gordon Rhine – Moonlight Sonata – It Had to be You

EJN Sampler MP3
EJN Sampler Artist Bio 

Reg Schwager Trio – Chromology

EJN Sampler MP3
EJN Sampler Artist bio

Artist: Straight No Chaser Band
Song title: Straight No Chaser
CD title: 200 Mondays
Record label: DeTalma Records
Buy @ CD Baby

Straight No Chaser Band

Bassist Alexis Valk is a versatile performer equally at home playing jazz, classical music, or broadway shows. He has studied with classical bassists such as soloist Gary Karr, Chicago Symphony bassist Warren Benfield and also with Homer Mensch, who taught at Yale and Juilliard. He has also studied with noted jazz bassists Ron Carter and Richard Davis.

Bassist Valk is a graduate of The New England Conservatory and Ball State University, where he obtained his master’s and doctorate degrees. His versatility was also a hallmark of his college teaching career, where as a classical performer he competed in an international bass competition in 1978 and took jazz combos under his direction to the Wichita Jazz Festival, where they took first place in 1977 and ’78. He has taught at Southern Illinois University (1976-82), West Texas State (1983-85), and Houston Community College (1987-94), where he was also music department head.

During this time Dr. Valk was also a clinician at college jazz festivals, performed as principal bass of the Memphis and Amarillo Symphonies, wrote articles for the International Society of Bassists Journal, gave papers in medieval musicology for the Medieval Association of the Midwest and at the International Congress on Medieval Studies and founded a scholarly society, in addition to performing teaching duties including private string and electric bass, jazz bands, classes in jazz and rock history, string class, music business, music appreciation, and music theory. While department head at Houston Community College, he was also involved in developing commercial music degree programs in jazz performance and arranging/composition.

Since moving to Houston in 1985, bassist Valk has been an active freelancer, performing as principal bass with Houston Grand Opera, and also with The Houston Ballet and The Houston Symphony. He also plays national touring versions of Broadway shows that come to Houston and is also active as a jazz performer, and has played with local artists Clayton Dyess and Marsha Frazier, (see jazz alliance) as well as a number of local big bands. His playing can be found on a number of CD’s, including Noches Asturianas (Green Planet Records), and the Tom Borling BeBop Band release The TBBB Plays the Music of Eddie Lewis.

For more information visit: http://www.lexvalk.com/index.html