As the VizzTone label group aptly
noted to Mathias Lattin, "Welcome to the family," as they
released Mathias Lattin - Up
Next.
All songs on the release were written by Mathias Lattin and coupled with his
exceptional guitar work and vocals, the result is a release that crosses genres
from Blues, Jazz, Rock, Funk, and Swing.
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Barcelona-born
pianist, composer, and music director Olivia
Pérez-Collellmir now makes her home in Boston, Massachusetts and is on
the faculty at Berklee Music. Her self-titled debut release, Olivia,
hit the streets on September 15, 2023, and if you love Latin jazz piano,
you really need to give this album a listen. Joining Olivia Perez-Collellmir on piano is a
multi-talented ensemble of international musicians that make it such an
engaging and sensational release.
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For those who like
to jam and enjoy listening to "Road Trip" jamming music, the Popa Chubby and the
Beast Band - Live at G. Bluey's Juke Joint NYC double-CD set has to be added to the music
collection. The double-CD set contains 19-tracks with 11 original tracks
performed by Popa's all-star "Beast Band," consisting of Popa Chubby
on guitar, Mike Merrit on bass, Mike Dimeo on
keyboards, and Stefano Giudici on drums. With 12 tracks running
6:30+ minutes or longer, you are in for a sound barrage of heavy Blues and hard
driving Rock.
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The latest
release from Bluesman pianist Mitch Woods - Friends Along The Way, features a stellar cast of Blues friends that have
been a part of his life "along the way" namely Van Morrison, Taj
Mahal, Ruthie Foster, Charlie Musselwhite, Elvin
Bishop, John Hammond, Joe Louis Walker, Maria
Muldaur, Kenny Neal, Cyril Neville, Marcia
Ball, John Lee Hooker, and James Cotton.
With friends like that, I thought this release was going to be good before I
even gave it a listen; after listening to it, I knew it was great! Released on
the Club 88 Records label, this Double CD Deluxe Edition is a
must for Blues collectors.
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Neal Richardson's
latest release Neal Richardson -
The Maximalist is a musical journey of life and love. The story
is told through Neal's deft melding of jazz classics, with his skillful
interpretations, and five original tracks. A star-studded band with each lending their
unique talent and perception to the tracks resulting in a must have release.
Neal's vocal prowess and piano playing has never been better, I am now looking
forward to his next release.
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Blues Rock
guitarist, singer, songwriter Eric Johanson has a new
album out that totally rocks entitled, The Deep And The Dirty.
Joining Eric on this stellar release are Terrence Higgins on
drums, Eric Vogel on bass, Jesse Dayton on shaker
and tambourine, and Patrick Herzog on shaker and tambourine. The
12-track album was released on the Ruf Records label, hit the streets on July 28, 2023, and is well worth giving it many a
listen.
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Fans of live Blues
will flock to the latest release from Backtrack Blues
Band - A Day By The Bay, which was recorded live at the Tampa Bay Blues
Festival. Backtrack Blues Band has been performing for over
40-years and have performed with a Who's Who of artists such as Stevie Ray
Vaughan, BB King, Gregg Allman, and the list goes on. The nine-track live release
will find its way on many a Blues fans play list and is the perfect release to
play at a party.
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Instrumental
jazz piano fans are in for a treat with the stunningly
gorgeous new 15-track album from the Danny Fox Trio - Time Took Care of It
released on the Adhyâropa Records label. Since
2008, the Danny Fox Trio comprised of Danny Fox on
piano, Chris van Voorst van Beest on bass, and Max Goldman on drums, has been
exciting audiences with their version of jazz that "cooks." For their fourth
album, Time Took Care of It, Danny proves his talent in the kitchen as
well as on the piano, with Time Took Care of It: A Cookbook Companion
to the album. If you love instrumental jazz, this latest album from the Danny
Fox Trip is well worth a listen. The release hits the streets in April 2023.
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The Wood Brothers - Heart Is The Hero is the band's eighth studio album and is downright fabulous from start
to finish. Joining band members Chris Wood, Oliver Wood,
and Jano Rix, are special guest musicians Matt Glassmeyer
on saxophone and Roy Agee on trombone. The 10-track Heart Is The Hero album is worth
giving many a listen to and hits the streets on April 14, 2023.
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The latest release from
Ally Venable, Ally Venable - Real Gone, is the fifth in a string
of outstanding releases from the 23-year old guitar afficionado. With special
guest contributors, Buddy Guy and Joe Bonamassa,
you know she is running with the right crowd. Ally writes "..about what goes on
in my life, or....what others can relate to," and with Real Gone, you feel
the down home, relentless, and passionate Ally Venable.
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The latest release,
and sadly the final release, from Savoy Brown, Savoy Brown - Blues All Around, is a blues-based
rock release that sums up over 50-years of blues influenced music from the
vocals and fingers of Kim Simmonds. The British based band has
been a mainstay in the blues music genre, and they continue to add to the blues
music songbook with their twelve original tracks on Savoy Brown - Blues
All Around.
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Blue Moon Marquee -
Scream, Holler & Howl marks the sixth release from the duo of A.
W. Cardinal and Jasmine Colette. Their unique way of
blending blues, jump, jazz, soul, rock-n-roll, and country creates a sound
which is captivating, and with Blue
Moon Marquee - Scream, Holler & Howl it may be their
best release to date. The release contains 11 original tracks and 2 covers from
the legendary Lonnie Johnson.
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Mike Zito and Albert
Castiglia each have an extensive
discography, so for the release of Mike Zito &
Albert Castiglia - Blood Brothers, they united to
craft a sensational release that draws together their unique energy and styles.
The release contains 11 original tracks written by Mike Zito or Albert
Castiglia, and as co-producer Josh Smith states, "With this release, they have
both found their musical confidante." In addition to this release, look for Mike Zito &
Albert Castiglia - Blood Brothers coming to a venue in your town.
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Cincinnati-based bluesman Ben Levin has another great release out entitled, Take
Your Time, which is something he clearly does not do, as this is his
fifth stellar release, and while a seasoned Blues veteran with a trail of Blues
award nominations to his credit, he is only in his 20s. Released on the
VizzTone Label Group, the 12-track Ben Levin: Take Your Time release features Ben
Levin on piano, joined by Blues master Bob Stroger,
Lil' Ed Williams, Lil' Jimmy Reed, Johnny
Burgin, Noah Wotherspoon, Aron Levin, Walter
Cash, Ricky Nye, Shorty Starr, and Kris
Butler. Lovers of the Blues are going to love Ben Levin: Take
Your Time; I sure did!
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The latest live
release from Too Slim and the
Taildraggers - Brace Yourself keeps the bar moving upwards. With over 30-years
of playing together, the trio, of Tim "Too Slim" Langford, Zach
Kasik, and Jeff "Shakey" Fowlkes, shows that nothing can
slow them down. An evening of Blues, Rock, and a nod to the many Americana
influences on this creative trio results in a hard charging, blazing must-have
release.
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The debut release Eric Demmer - So Fine is truly "SO
FINE." After over 30 years playing with a Who's Who of musicians and bands (i.e.
Eric Clapton B. B. King, Carlos Santana, The Allman Brothers,...), Eric Demmer finally
lets loose with this exceptional release featuring 12 original tracks that
brings together an All-Star list of musicians. A long-awaited release that was
well worth the wait; so, take some time and enjoy a special musical
moment.
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Get ready to let
yourself go as you reset your heart rhythms with the third installment of the
percussion forward Drumology series - Drumology Volume
III.
The creative minds of Rob Silverman, Michael Silverman
and Jay Oliver have hatched another sensational release that
features some of the best drummers in the world as they bring their unique
flavor to each track. Accompanied by a Who's Who of musicians, this is a release
that will continue the musical groundswell started by Drumology Volume I and Drumology Volume II.
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Multi-Grammy
award-winning Latin Jazz pianist, composer, and singer, Eliane Elias has another stellar album with Quietude, recorded
in São Paulo, Brazil, and released on the Candid Records label.
With two Grammy wins and four nominations under her belt, Eliane Elias continues
to deliver a magical performance on the 11-track, Quietude. Joining Eliane
Elias are guitarists, Marcus Teixeira, Lula Galvâo,
Oscar Castro-Neves, and Marc Johnson, with Celso de
Almeida on drums, Paulo Braga on drums and percussion, and Emilio
Martins on percussion. The release hits the streets on October 14, 2022
and should be a "must" for collectors.
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The Pat Petrillo Big Rhythm Band - The Power
Station Sessions is an assortment of music that crosses genres,
changes up traditional tempos, and restates how and why tracks are set down in
an order on a release, but in the end - IT JUST WORKS! Featuring a Who's Who of
artists such as Nile Rodgers, John Popper, Oz
Noy, Lenny Pickett, Felicia Collins, Glen
Burtnik, David Cook, Scott Ambush, Steve
Jankowski and of course the heart and soul of the release, Pat
Petrillo.
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American
jazz pianist Bill Evans was a legend who
created a plethora of iconic, award-winning music. Remastered and released in
June 2022, Bill Evans: You Must Believe In Spring, is a genius of a release of exceptional jazz piano and will be a
welcome addition to any jazz collection. Joining Bill Evans on
piano are Eddie Gomez on bass, and Eliot Zigmund on
drums. Recorded at Capitol Studios in 1977, this compilation is
on Craft Recordings and manufactured and distributed
by Concord.
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The second release
from the band Bywater Call -
Remain
is like finding the elusive pearl when you're out for an evening of fresh
oysters. No way was I ready for a release like this with a powerful Southern
soul blues/rock mix that had me mesmerized from the opening track and did not
let up while leaving me wanting more (for their next release). This is a
release that will have listeners searching the internet for additional music
from this captivating band. You will run out of accolades when talking about Bywater Call -
Remain.
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Following the
success of Drumology in 2020, Rob Silverman and his brother Michael Silverman
were inundated by world renowned drummers wanting to participate on future
Drumology releases, and thus Rob
Silverman - Drumology Volume II was born kicking, screaming and begging to be
listened to. This release is a tour-de-force in music that melds various genres
centered around the baseline formed from creative and powerful drummers.
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Award-Winning
Blues Rock Guitarist Songwriter Albert Castiglia lays down another
exciting and fabulous release with I Got Love, which hit the
street on July 17, 2022. Joining Albert Castiglia are his band
comprised of Justine Tompkins, Ephraim Lowell, and Lewis
Stephens, on this oh-so memorable 11-track album released on the Gulf Coast
Records label. I highly recommend that you give this one a listen!
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Big Daddy: It's A Mad Mad Bad Dad World is 10
tracks of Chicago Blues Rock wonderful. Singer, songwriter,
guitarist Paul Waring, together with guitarist Pete Galanis,
Elton Jaan on Hammond organ, Ari Seder on bass, Jason
"JROC" Edwards on drums, and Andrea Miiologos and Bree
Gordon lending their backing vocals on three of the tracks, makes this
release one you want to pick up and give many a listen.
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The wait is over as Micki Free releases Turquoise Blue
featuring 13 original tracks with a Who's Who of Guest Star Appearances from
greats such as Andy Vargas, Steve Stevens, Karl
Perazzo, Gary Clark, Jr., "Kingfish Ingraha",
and Cindy Blackman-Santana. Written during extensive downtime
when Covid first broke out, and as Micki stated, "The songs are a direct testament
to how I felt during that crazy time." That crazy time lent itself to sensational
Blues, Rock, and a bit of psychedelic all wrapped around great lyrics and
vocals by Micki.
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The latest
live release from Mike Zito - Blues For The Southside is a tour-de-force 15-track release. When you think of live Blues
music, Mike Zito should come to the forefront as he is not only a master
guitarist, a master playing the Blues, but he is a master performing live. The
release features guitarist Tony Campanella, Eric Gales,
and Dave Kalz along with a band of Blues greats, Matthew
Johnson, Lewis Stephens, and Doug Byrkit. So,
grab a drink and sit back for an evening of spellbinding live Blues where no
reservations are required.
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Singer,
songwriter Dana Fuchs proves
once again why she is the reigning "Queen of Blues Rock" with her
latest CD, Borrowed Time, released on the Ruf
Records label. Great storytelling lyrics, masterful instrumentals, and Dana
Fuchs' powerhouse of a voice on this 12-track release with its strong Southern
Rock focus is truly sensational and hits the streets on April 29, 2022.
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Jazz
collectors are in for a rare treat with the April
2022 release of two important Bill Evans albums,
Bill Evans - Morning Glory, his 1973 concert at the Teatro
Gran Rex, in Buenos Aires, Argentina playing with Eddie
Gomez on bass and Marty Morell on drums, and Bill
Evans - Inner Spirit, his 1979 concert at the Teatro General San
Martin, in Buenos Aires, playing with Marc Johnson on
bass and Joe Labarbera on drums. These double-disc releases on
the Resonance Records label are jazz
treasures that show the genius of the great Bill Evans.
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Blues
guitarist, singer, songwriter Bernard Allison
continues to prove his mettle with his latest album,
Highs & Lows, released on the Ruf
Records label, which hit the streets on February 25, 2022, and debuted in the
number one spot on Billboard on March 12, 2022. This 11-track
release is 45 minutes of pure Blues magic.
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The Nashville-based blues
rock band, The Twangtown Paramours have a great third
album with the release of The Twangtown Paramours - Double
Down On A Bad Thing, which hits the streets on February 4,
2022. Joining Marybeth Zamer and Mike T. Lewis are Shawn
Pelton, Dave Keyes, Steve Conn, Ed
Alstrom, Will Barrow, Mark Deffenbaugh, Gary
DiBenedetto, Dan Nigro, and Vinnie Cutro.
Hold on to your hats as Marybeth Zamer belts out the numbers that will have you
cheering and singing along to the catchy Mike T. Lewis lyrics.
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After a whirlwind of holiday
preparations and travel, I am delighted to be back at my desk and sliding into
the new year with the album Soul Café: Step Aside featuring Ed Starrett on guitar, Jerry
Scruggs on keyboard/organ, Jason Swagler on saxophone/flute/keys,
Tim Quarells on drums, Bud Quarells on bass, and
Donald Williams on percussion. This 8-track instrumental
jazz album hits all the right notes for a perfect Soul Café infused
2022.
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The
release of Samantha
Fish - Faster marks the eleventh release, on the Rounder Records label,
by this remarkable singer, songwriter, guitarist, and overall outstanding musician.
The creativity continues to roll from Samantha with 12 new tracks that encompass
many different formats (genres). But with Samantha, the term genre is amiss
when referring to her work, as creativity like Samantha's does not fit a single
format or category, it fits being listened to over-and-over again.
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Blues singer,
songwriter, and pianist Ben Levin is
already making headway in the world of the Blues at age 22. His
album, Ben Levin - Still Here is 12-tracks of the vintage Blues
sound that he loves; it is a Blues release for Blues aficionados. Based in
Cincinnati, Ohio, Ben Levin clearly lets his passion fly on his
newest release that hit the streets on October 22, 2021, on the Vizztone
label. Joining Ben Levin on the release are Aron Levin on guitar,
Chris Douglas on bass, and Oscar Bernal on drums.
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Hiromi - The Piano Quintet:: Silver Lining Suite is a stunning 9-track piano jazz album
composed and arranged by pianist Hiromi and released in late
September 2021 on the Telarc International label, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc. Hiromi - The Piano Quintet is comprised of Hiromi on piano, Tatsua
Nishie (1st violin), Sohei Birmann (2nd violin), Meguna
Naka (viola), and Wataru Mukai (cello).
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Chick Corea Akoustic
Band LIVE includes tracks from the Akoustic Band's song book starting
with the 1980s and moving forward, as well as the band pays tribute to some of
the greats in the jazz world such as Thelonious Monk, Chet
Baker, and Duke Ellington. This is the Akoustic Band's first release
in over two decades, but the sound feels like it was just a few minutes break
between sets. This is the last LIVE session by the legendary Chick Corea which
says it all, this a must have release.
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Danish blues singer,
songwriter, guitarist Thorbjorn
Risager and his band The Black Tornado have been
thrilling audiences for just shy of two decades. The band formed in 2003,
released their first CD in 2004, and their career has skyrocketed since then
due in part to the smoked honeyed whiskey voice of front man Thorbjorn Risager,
and the talented band is par excellence as well. The new double-CD release, Thorbjorn
Risager & The Black Tornado: Best Of, features 25 fabulous songs crafted
to perfection over the years as well as some new music. Released on September
24, 2021, on the Ruf
Records label, this is a blues album for collectors.
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Sensational is the word that
immediately came to mind as I listened to Contemporary Jazz keyboardist David
Garfield - Stretchin' Outside The Box release that hit the street
on September 27, 2021. The sixth, and last, in David Garfield's Outside
The Box series, the double CD release has 24 fabulous tracks totaling
over 137 minutes of listening pleasure and features an amazing roster of top
musicians. Joining David Garfield are Chuck Loeb, Rick Braun, Randy
Brecker, Michael Brecker, Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Eric
Marienthal, and that is just the tip of the iceberg of the talent. I highly
recommend giving this stellar release many a listen.
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Longtime singer, songwriter,
multi-talented musician, and Bluesman Al Basile scores
another hit with B's Testimony comprised of lucky 13 song tracks.
Joining Al Basile are Kid Anderson on guitars, Mark
Teixeira on drums, Bruce Bears on keyboards, Doug
James on tenor sax, Jeff "Doc" Chanonhouse on trumpet,
and Shy Perry lends her stunning vocals to one of Al's songs. Released
on Al Basile's Sweetspot Records label, the release
hits the street on September 17, 2021. Al Basile fans will definitely want to
add this latest release to their collections.
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Jazz composer, musician, band
leader Gary
Meek debuts his new band comprised of Gary Meek, Michael
Lent, Skylar Campbell, and Robert Wider and
their new Jazz album, Monterey Groove. Joining the
band on this stellar release include special guests Flora Purim, Airto
Moreira, Dave Weckl, Dave Marotta, Dan Robbins, Robert Papacica, Anthony
Paolini, Akili Bradley, Janice Perl, John Nava, and Dennis
Murphy. Released on the Autumn Hill Records label, Monterey
Groove, hits the streets on August 27, 2021.
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Tito Jackson's debut
11-track Blues release, Under Your Spell, released
on the Gulf
Coast Records/Hillside Global label is forty captivating minutes of
Blues magic. Joining the legendary singer / songwriter / guitarist
Tito Jackson
are George Benson, Stevie Wonder, Marlon
Jackson, Joe Bonamassa, and Claudette King,
to name but a few of his stellar guests. The release hit the streets on August
6, 2021.
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Instrumental Jazz composer
musician Tom
Kennedy has some new tales to tell with his latest release, Tom
Kennedy Stories featuring Dave Weckl released
on the instrumental label, Autumn Hill
Records, that hits the street on June 11, 2021. Tom Kennedy
is joined by a musical "who's who" of talent including Dave Weckl, Jay
Oliver, Gary Meek, Roger Squitero, Nick Marchione, Mike Stern, Ada Rovatti,
Rand Brecker, Roger Guth, and Bill Evans. Instrumental
Jazz fans are in for a real treat with this release as the 8-composition
release runs 55-minutes and is pure musical inspiration.
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Mike Zito's latest release, Mike Zito - Resurrection,
shows another side and depth from this extraordinary musician. Mike's mastery
of the guitar is legendary, but Resurrection shows a depth in the
lyrics, melodies, and order of tracks to tell a story and create a musical
journey. Sharing in his journey are Zach Zito, Matthew
Johnson, Doug Byrkit, Lewis Stephens, Eric
Demmer, Fernando Castillo, and Lisa Leuschner
Andersen.
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Need some happy music in your
life? Put on your New Orleans Blues dancing shoes and give Maria Muldaur's
latest release with the band Tuba Skinny entitled Let's Get Happy
Together a listen as this is one album that will have you dancing along
to the 12-tracks with a smile on your face. Released on the Stony Plain
Records label, the album hit the street on May 7, 2021.
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Singer-songwriter guitarist Randy Lee Riviere
has a new 13-track release entitled Wyoming that is Country
accented Blues. Together with Kenneth Blevins, David
Santos, Kevin McKendree, James Pennebaker,
and Yates McKendree, Randy Lee Riviere: Wyoming is
a release that will have you sitting up, taking notice, and giving it many a
listen to Randy's engaging, storytelling lyrics complemented by some exceptionally
fine instrumental work. The album hit the street on February 26, 2021 on the Wilderness
Records label.
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The latest release from Tommaso
Starace is Tommaso
Starace - The Power of Three
and it is one of Tommaso's best. The release was recorded in a large open venue
without the use of headphones, which allowed the band to hear and feel the raw
energy they were crafting. The 'a cappella' type setting created a big resonant
sound that cascades throughout the release. The band takes the baseline of 7
covers and then projects their own feel and music sense to create renditions
that will have you touting the release with other music aficionados.
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The once up-and-coming
star, Ally Venable,
has not only arrived, but she raised the bar across the Blues-Rock genre with
her latest release Heart of Fire.
The release features 10 new songs and a rhythmic cover of Use Me by Bill
Withers. Heart of Fire features guitar legends Kenny
Wayne Shepherd and Devon Allman complementing the guitar
wizardry of Ally Venable.
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Leonard Bernstein
(1918 - 1990) was a highly acclaimed and celebrated American composer,
conductor, pianist, and educator, whose
music thrilled audiences throughout the world. His music has had a profound
influence on the world of Jazz, and Smithsonian Jazz
Masterworks Orchestra - Bernstein Reimagined released on the MCG Jazz label, celebrates his musical style,
achievement, and genius. The album hits the streets on January 29, 2021.
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Rhythm City the
self-titled debut album of Jazz trio Ptah Williams on
piano and keyboards, Larry Kornfeld on bass, and Rob
Silverman on drums, with special guests Eric
Marienthal on saxophone, Randy Brecker on trumpet, and
Michael Silverman on synthesizer, runs over 74 minutes of
instrumental eclectic Jazz pleasure. Released on the Autumn Hill Records label in December 2020,
this 8-track album deserves many a listen. If you love instrumental piano
Jazz, you are going to love Rhythm City.
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