Music Scene

The Jazz group, Fourplay: Bob James, Nathan East, Chuck Loeb, and Harvey Mason, with special guests and ex-Fourplay members Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour, celebrate their 25th anniversary with their aptly titled CD, Silver, released on the Heads Up International label, a division of Concord Music Group.  Fourplay – Silver is a mix of Funk, Fusion, Pop, Jazz, Blues, and that all so familiar tight melodies and the Fourplay exactness from talented musicians at the highest level.

Jazz vocalist Luciana Souza is at her most daring with her latest release, Luciana Souza – Speaking in Tongues on the Sunnyside Records label. She deftly explores and melds musical heritages, cultures, and genres with her ensemble of Lionel Loueke, Gregoire Maret, Massimo Biolcati, and Kendrick Scott, and the listener is enriched by the journey that leads to new discoveries.

Grammy® winning Jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour (aka Captain Fingers) celebrates his 40th anniversary since his debut album release in 1976. His latest release, a TWIST of RIT, is not a "best of" rehash of old tunes; it consists of 12 tracks of new and old favorites with a "twist and flip" released on the Concord Music Group label.

Love the Big Band Jazz sound? Look no further than Sasha’s Bloc – Heart On Fire Featuring Jane Monheit, an 11-track release of original music by bassist, songwriter  Alex Gershman that pays tribute to the Jazz of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to dance and romance as you listen to this gorgeous release.

Samantha Fish – Wild Heart is a blend of polished guitar work and engaging vocals that crosses genres from Rock, to Country, to Blues, and more. Her guitar riffs are like flint on steel as they ignite a musical flame which burns brightly throughout the release. Accompanied by Luther Dickerson, Brady Blade, Lightin’ Malcolm, Sharde Thomas, and Dominic Davis, Samantha Fish stakes her claim as a musical force to be reckoned with for many years.

Blues Rock fans get ready to rejoice; Royal Southern Brotherhood – Don’t Look Back: The Muscle Shoals Sessions the band’s third release on the Ruf Records label, is 14-tracks of listening pleasure. In addition to “the usual RSB suspects” – Cyril Neville, Charlie Wooten, Yonrico Scott, and Bart Walker, joining the band on the release are the talented Ivan Neville, Tyrone Vaughan, Jimmy Hill, Max Abrams, and Paul Armstrong.

Tommaso Starace’s latest release, Tommaso Starace Quartet – Italian Short Stores, is the melding of music and photography that touches all your senses. The photography of renowned photographer Gianni Berengo Gardin is the driving force and the muse to the creative genius of Tommaso Starace and the Tommaso Starace Quartet. 

Grammy® nominated Jazz pianist, composer David Benoit brings on the romance with his latest release, David Benoit 2 in Love Featuring Jane Monheit on the Concord Music Group label. Long known for his instrumental Jazz releases, David takes a different approach on his latest release featuring new original love songs and the lovely vocals of Grammy® nominated Jane Monheit.

Kermit Ruffins and The Barbecue Swingers latest CD, #imsoneworleans, released on the Basin Street Records label is pure New Orleans Jazz from a proud native son. Joining the talented singer, songwriter, trumpet player Kermit Ruffins and The Barbecue Swingers: Kevin Morris on bass, Jerry Barbarin Anderson on drums, and Yoshitaka "ZZ" Tsuji on piano and keyboards, are featured vocalists Nayo Jones and Kermit’s daughter, Kaylin Orleans Ruffins, along with special guests June Yamagishi, Haruka Kikuchi, Britney Chauntae, Percy  Williams, and …

The stunning 11-track Rubén Blades – Tangos released on the Sunnyside Records label earned the multi-talented Panamanian singer, songwriter, guitarist another well-deserved Latin Grammy award for Best Latin Pop Album at the 2015 Grammy® awards, one in a long line of musical successes for Rubén Blades. Sung in Spanish, the release is richly poetic and captures the essence of the storytelling Tango tradition.