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2004 Archived Notes
& News!
This page is archived news ...
find current, up-to-date info on Notes & News!
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News & Reviews!
Al Jarreau is back with a vengeance!
... (did he go somewhere?) |
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Accentuate
the Positive, new from
Al Jarreau |
08.04
by Shannon West
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News & Reviews articles stay around
for awhile, so read 'em at your leisure!
Check out Orlando music venues and
dates on the Calendar! |
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News & Reviews!
Mindi Abair is all that jazz!
... and Pop, and Rock, and Funk! |
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~by Brandon Keller |
With saxophonist Mindi Abair on tour, and headed
our way soon, now seems the perfect time for another look, and a little insight, into her
life, experiences,
and music.
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Jazzy, Pop, Rock, and Funky, are just a few words
that describe music by Mindi Abair
… the newest, and now well-known, saxophone sensation to hit the smooth jazz airwaves.
She's a remarkable talent, and one of the biggest breakout artists in
recent years. |
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But,
just as you always hear, her success wasn’t something that happened over
night.
Abair traveled on the road with her father, a professional musician, until
she was four years old. Then, the family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida.
It was there, at the age of eight, that she started playing the saxophone.
Still, she didn’t really decide that it was what she wanted to do until
her senior year of high school when tried out for the jazz band and made
first chair.
That was it, Abair was bitten by the jazz bug.
She enrolled in the University of North Florida (UNF) to study jazz performance,
but transferred after one year. Although UNF gave her a great foundation,
Abair says,
it was a purest jazz school where there wasn’t much room to explore the
many different genres of music. |
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Mindi Abair
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From UNF, Abair moved on to the prestigious Berkeley School of Music where she
studied with sax guru Joe Vola. She studied technique, tone, improvisation,
and composition before graduating Magna Cum Laude. (You go girl … brains,
beauty, and talent!)
After graduation, she headed to Los Angeles to pursue a music career. Her career
there began with getting involved in the local jazz scene. She played in
local jam sessions. Knowing
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the old stand-by, a secretarial job, wasn’t for
her, she started playing on the 3rd Street promenade for four
months for tip money.
It wasn’t long before she started getting noticed and one of her first
touring gigs, with composer/pianist John Tesh, came about as a result.
Abair says she learned a lot while on the road, and she was good enough
that Tesh offered her a record deal. But, rather than jump on the
opportunity, Abair declined. She explained that, at that time in her life,
she felt an album wouldn’t be the best reflection of who she really was.
Later, she toured with guitarist Jonathan Butler on-and-off for six years.
Over time, and with lots of touring experience behind her, she learned the
ins and outs of being a great performer. One lesson learned was to give
the audience your all because they’re an essential part of the
music. Giving it her all is something Abair’s great at doing, both on and
off the stage.
One of the biggest names Abair toured with is the Backstreet Boys. During the
tour, she played sax, percussion, and keyboards. Although the call for the
gig seemingly came out of the blue, she says she’s convinced the spot was
offered because of her versatility as a musician.
The list of impressive credentials goes on.
Abair has also worked with Mandy Moore and Adam Sandler; she put together
a band for Moore’s TV performances and tour, and also toured with comedian
Adam Sandler. That tour took some extra practice though … seems Sandler
is so hilarious that the band would crack up during the gig, so they had
to get in some extra practice to make sure they didn’t mess up
from laughing so hard at his jokes.
Obviously, Abair eventually recorded and released her own CD on the GRP
label. The deal with GRP was a result
of Abair’s work with Bud Harner, the vice president of A&R.
Some of Abair’s songs caught Harner’s attention while she was touring with the
Backstreet Boys. When he approached her about signing a contract, Abair
considered it long enough to realize that the life experience of touring
was just as important as a record deal. She told Harner she’d wait until
she finished the tour.
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It Just Happens That Way
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Finally, the timing and circumstances were right.
When Abair’s debut album, It just Happens That Way, was released on
GRP, the single Lucy’s shot to the top of the charts and stayed
number one for eight weeks.
The song was actually written about a local hangout named Lucy's that |
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Abair still goes to when she’s
home in the L.A. area.
Abair says the song is the one that best represents her, and while she was
composing music for the album she focused on saying something musically
rather then just playing technically difficult licks. (But watch out now,
this girl’s got chops!).
Working with Abair on the CD was Matthew Hager, a producer and friend from
Berkeley. Hager, who produced the album, also produced Mandy Moore’s
album. Besides, it was convenient for Abair to work with Hager … he lives across the
street from her!
So, when Abair’s home from touring, she and Hager get
together to work on writing songs. Lots of songs … Abair says she
actually wrote about 30 songs for It Just Happens That Way. Only
twelve made the final cut and got on the CD. Even with all those other tunes
left aside, Abair’s in the process of writing more for her next CD … the
current count is six … and, hopefully, we’ll get to hear them sometime
this year.
Meanwhile, Abair continues to tour behind It Just Happens That Way,
as well as writing Christmas music for Christmas season tours with
guitarist Peter White.
But, there’s no need to wait for her Christmas tour … you can catch Abair,
along with guitarist Craig Chiquico, on a tour stop at the King Center for
the Performing Arts next month.
Abair’s music is a fabulous infusion of Pop, Rock, Jazz and Funk … so check
her out at this gig, you’ll be glad you did.
Check the Abair/Chaquico date on the
Calendar! |
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Just the facts, the Abair facts ... |
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We asked Abair what she listens to when she’s not playing, and here’s what’s
spinning in her CD player now …
Cold Play, OutKast, Cannonball Adderly and Nancy Wilson “The masquerade is
over”, Coltrane “My Favorite Things”, and Verb Remix 2. |
 Another
interesting, and possibly little known fact about Abair … her voice is the
voice of
juicycouture.com, and she loves
the clothing line! |
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Mindi Abair saxophone equipment:
Selmer Super Action 80 alto saxophone
Yamaha 62R curved neck soprano saxophone
Gary Sugal custom alto mouthpiece
Rico metalite soprano mouthpiece
Oleg ligature on alto
Rovner ligature on soprano
Hemke 2½ reeds on both alto and soprano
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July,
2004 |
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Concert
Review!
Jacksonville Jazz Festival
... highlights from a few of the had-da see shows!
See photos from the shows in
Pics! |
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In order of appearance ...
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Joe Sample
Okay, it's cliché ... but it's oh, so true. Joe Sample is
amazing, awesome, a legend, fabulous ... you get the idea.
Can a word be written here that hasn't been written before? Um, probably
not. |
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As
always, Sample pulled the audience into that place where eyes close and ears
open to the sound that's familiar and new all at once. It's the place where
listeners recall the roots of the sound we now call smooth jazz.
The dichotomy of this experience is that, far from feeling prickly in any
way (there are the jazz police after all), going to that place, and
remembering those roots felt fine. In fact, it felt like a mini-seminar ...
something like a small lesson in jazz history and how it evolved, and
continues to evolve into the music so many listeners love today.
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Patti Austin
& The Count Basie Orchestra
What beats seeing and hearing the incredible Patti Austin
live for the first time? Seeing and hearing her with the Count Basie
Orchestra!
For her current tour, Austin is performing the songs of another fabulous
singer, Ella Fitzgerald. "These are Ella's notes I'm singing tonight," she
announced. |
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Although she may ordinarily add her own style to the delivery, on this
night, and for this tour, she sung the songs just as Fitzgerald had. We
think Ella would approve.
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Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band
Another first-time opportunity presented itself in the
form of seeing and hearing percussionist Poncho Sanchez.
Sanchez delivered his Latin flavored sound with an energy usually reserved
for much younger guys. In fact, a couple of his sidemen could've taken a cue
from the legendary player. |
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Only a song or two into the set it became apparent that a couple of the band
members were horribly bored ... and that just kind of takes something out of
the show.
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Lizz Wright
Listening to Lizz Wright was another in a bunch of
first-time experiences during the festival ... and what a find!
Wright's pure voice and elegant style shone through, even on a cloudy
afternoon. Her voice and sound belong to her, but there's a subtle reminder
... this is what it's all about, a feeling and flavor from another era when
audiences could loose |
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themselves in the clarity and beauty of a singer's voice.
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In this case, simplicity made more of an impact than any performance with
any amount of showy flare, or any amount of the hottest gear with the latest
effects.
Keep it cool Lizz, keep it cool ...!
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Branford Marsalis
Yet another in a series of first-time listening
experience's ... this was the first time for seeing and hearing
Branford Marsalis too. And what an experience!
The Marsalis family name always places a high expectation on his show, and
he came through at this one, as did his band. In fact, at times Marsalis
stepped back to let them take the lead. |
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Sometimes he did this for a lengthy period, while he
clearly enjoyed listening to them himself ... and the audience enjoyed it
right along with him!
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Michael Buble
Yep, another first listen ... and a new perspective on
this crooner and his music.
Buble was out signing autographs for fans before the show, a nice
touch ... something new and different. |
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Plus, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, he gave the usually obligatory era
attire usually worn by singers in this genre a rest ... another little
something that set him apart and made for a nice surprise.
A deluge of rain started just about the same time as Buble's set, and
listeners situated on the lawn began moving up toward the stage ... and to
the gates leading to a canopy covering the stage and an area for media and
VIP seating.
Looking directly at security and show organizers Buble said, "I'm probably
gonna get in trouble for this, but how about letting those guys up here.
They'll be good, they promise ...". With that, the gates opened and Buble's
fans flooded up front under the canopy to enjoy the show.
And, right along with that gesture too, as well as an enjoyable show, Buble
put himself on the list of jazzinorlando.com favorites!
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Guitars & Saxes
... featuring Warren
Hill, Marc Antoine, Jeff Golub, Euge Groove
Hey ... there aren't any photos of the show!
Ah, the weather ... sometimes it cooperates, sometimes it doesn't. This time
it didn't, and this set had to be canceled.
When the guys got the call about the cancellation, most gathered downstairs
at their hotel where their conversation said it all ... they'd rather be
playing. A night off held no appeal for them and the band. They'd rather be
on stage, under hot lights on a soaking-wet-with-Florida-humidity night
playing their set. Ya gotta love 'em!
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Other great
groups ... including Keiko Matsui, Groovin' for Grover (... featuring Paul
Taylor, Richard Elliot, Gerald Albright, and Jeff Lorber), Ladies of Concord Jazz
(... featuring Karrin Allyson, Oleta Adams, Sarah Gazarek. Diane Shuur
became ill early in the tour and was unable to perform, she'll rejoin the
tour when she recovers), and George Benson also played the festival.
But, with weather announcers proclaiming a 70% chance of rain that day ...
well, half of the jazzinorlando.com staff bailed. The truly sad part is that
it didn't rain and all of the shows went on! (Keep that in mind next time
you hear it's supposed to be soaky wet ...). |
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May, 2004 |
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Concert
Review!
Eric Marienthal at the WP Art Festival
... an outstanding solo artist and sideman too! |
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Eric Marienthal is well into a busy
year. He is planning a spring tour with Joyce Cooling, hitting the
road with Chick Corea Elektric band to support the release of their new
CD, To The Stars, and doing some backup dates with Lee Ritenour the
Rippingtons.
Plus, you know at some point he will spend some time in the studio with a
few smooth jazz superstars. |
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Marienthal starts at sunset
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In the midst of all this ... and all
while surrounded by good friends, enthusiastic fans, and flowering trees
... it was a thrill to see his slammin’ performance at the Winter Park
Sidewalk Arts Festival.
When Marienthal hit the stage at sunset, the crowd was ready ... packed
close together on lawn chairs and blankets, and enjoying picnic dinners
complete with candlelight and, in many cases, fine wine. |
Street Dance was the perfect
opener. This up tempo hit from the early 90s had people standing and
shakin’ it if they could find room.
From there Marienthal took us through a set that featured songs from his
ten solo CDs as well as some fascinating side trips. The set never got
stuck in a mood or a groove but moved seamlessly from smooth, to
traditional and quiet, to over the top. There were lots of extended solos
showing off the musicianship of his stellar backup band: Hans Zermuehlen
on keyboards, Joel Taylor on drums, and Melvin Davis on bass.
After One For James from 1993’s One Touch, he launched into
the crowd pleasing Mercy, Mercy, Me with some unexpected
accompaniment: the 7:00p.m. train goes right past the park and Marienthal
actually began play along with the train whistle. In tune!
He then showed off his straight ahead jazz chops on Sonny Rollins classic
St. Thomas. The radio hits Easy Street and One Day in
Venice followed, as well as two songs from his latest CD, Sweet
Talk (the title track, which was co-written with his 13-year-old son
and featured Melvin Davis on vocals) and Uptown.
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Marienthal teases the crowd
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By the end of his set the stage area was
so packed with people, tables, and chairs that it was impossible to move.
So the fact that people made the effort to push aside the clutter and give
him a rousing standing ovation shows that he had the crowd fired up.
He came back and took it a notch higher with his version of Come
Together and left everyone standing and yelling for more. |
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Marienthal has developed such a
reputation as a sideman over the years that his stage presence, charisma,
and technical skills as a solo artist have been on the backburner when it
comes to creating a media buzz. Obviously, fusion babies drool at the
thought of seeing him with Elektric band ... and he shines as a sideman
with Benoit, Ritenour, and the Rippingtons. But, if you get a chance to
see him solo don’t miss him!
He's one of the finest sax players in contemporary jazz and, outside of
the circle of fans who know, he is still extremely underrated. Hit his
website for tour dates and become one of the ones who is in on the buzz! www.ericmarienthal.com
~Shannon West
March, 2004 |
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CD Review!
Along the Way, Brian Hughes
... returns to the style and mood of his early work! |
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Sometimes, the more you love a CD the harder it is to write about it. I
have been living with Along the Way, the latest CD from Brian Hughes,
for several months and put off writing about it because listening to it is
an experience that is hard to put into words. Perhaps procrastination has
its merits though, because it seems appropriate to review my favorite CD
from 2003 as the year comes to a close.
I have been a huge Brian Hughes fan since Between Dusk and Dreaming,
his first release in 1990, and I still constantly listen to Dusk
and Under One Sky, his second CD. His three Higher Octave projects
were excellent, but in comparison they seemed toned down and made more
concessions to the smooth jazz formula. |
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Along the Way
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With a new label that was willing to let him open it up again Along the
Way returns to the style and mood of his early work, with
the evolution that comes with over a decade of playing, touring, and
continuing to grow as an artist. The result is totally original and
absolutely captivating. |
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The title cut, Along the Way,
is open, spacious, uplifting and completely different from anything else
out there in both style and mood.
That holds true for the
rest of the CD too.
Yes, the first notes are reminiscent of Pat Metheny Group’s Slip Away
but the song is not an imitation, the melody and guitar work are pure
Brian Hughes, and what a way to start! Picture This and Cruisin’
Route 66 feature John Nau on Hammond B3 giving them some bluesy
undercurrents without bringing in a retro feel.
On Picture This Eric Marienthal’s sax follows Hughes’ guitar leads
through a bouncy piece with a catchy hook. Cruisin' reminds me of
an energized version of Stringbean from One2One and features some
fast soloing from Brian and cool trumpet shadings from Chris Botti.
Omaha Unbound steps into serenity: melodic, peaceful and every note
seems emotionally charged.
A lot of smooth jazz songs aspire to create this mood but this one
actually does it with complete authenticity. Brighter Day expands
on the sound that originated with May Dance, Deux Cafe, Nueve Puertas
and several other songs on his early CDs and Thinking of You
features some jammin’ Latin flavored percussion breaks.
If my pop ears ruled the world Wherever You Are would be in "A"
rotation on every smooth jazz station in the country. With Eric Marienthal
on sax, this song is unbearably catchy. It’s as tight and structured as a
pop song, with a hook that gets stuck in your head.
In a genre dominated by shuffles it has a sway instead, a true feel good
song that would pull anyone who hears it out of that 4:00pm workday slump.
Endless Road, an acoustic ballad, wraps up the CD with a meditative
sense of longing, leaving you ready to hit track #1 and take this journey
again.
I can’t recall a recent release that sounds like Along The Way. It
is timeless, no gimmicks, faddish tricks or bells and whistles, just
excellent musicians playing their hearts out. Years from now it will sound
as strong and as fresh as it does today.
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Hughes
guitar work shows influences ranging from Montgomery/Benson to Pat Metheny,
but he isn’t imitative. His solos are clean, precise and never self
indulgent, played with a spirit of joy that is tangible throughout this
project and boy, can he play fast!
There is a lot of improvisation within, around, and beyond the melodic
structure of the songs but the arrangements keep the songs on course. |
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Brian Hughes
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Les Portelli has some piano solos that will grab your attention and make you
want to hear more from him and Jason Hann and Neil
Wilkinson give you almost an hour of powerful percussion and real drums.
Tim Landers rounds out the lineup on bass.
Hughes wrote these songs during his travels over the last few years and
wanted it to have the feel of the open road, he did that perfectly and
with headphones on or speakers turned up he has given you an escape you
can expand with your imagination and take at any time.
~December, 2003
Author Shannon
West works in radio and
writes for various industry web sites and other
publications. jazzinorlando.com appreciates her contribution.
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Special Notes!
Anatomy of Success
... as seen and experienced by Orlando's own Plan 9! |
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One of Orlando’s best kept secrets, Plan 9, continues to grow and gain
popularity across the nation. If you’ve ever wondered how it happens,
check it out from the band’s perspective in this article. |
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Here's a look at the timeline for November ... |
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November 8th
finds Orlando's own Plan 9 getting great national reviews on their
Christmas CD, The Nine Days of Christmas. The Associated Press
Radio played two cuts from the CD on the Morning Edition, and music editor
Van Williamson calls the CD "delightful with an edge".
November 10th and Plan 9 is
back in the news. Janine Coveney, head writer and smooth jazz editor for
Launch Radio Networks, Los Angeles, includes a piece on band in her
monthly newsletter. The newsletter enjoys wide distribution in the music
industry, and Plan 9 is in good company with Candy Dulfer, Down To The
Bone, Nnenna Freelon, and Najee mentioned in the same newsletter.
Coveney's piece on Plan 9 reads like this. |
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Smooth jazz ensemble Plan
9 is once again offering the holiday album The 9 Days Of Christmas,
featuring unique versions of perennial holiday tunes. The CD is available
at the group's website plan9theband.com.
Included on the set are versions of "Away In A Manger," "Silent Night,"
"We Three Kings," and the fan favorite, "God Rest Ye." The group
specializes in giving these traditional tunes modern twists, such as a
mambo arrangement for "O Come Emmanuel," an '80s pop treatment of "We
Three Kings," and a Manhattan Transfer-type vocal opening for bonus track
"Fa La La (Deck The Halls)."
The seven-member band includes Charles DeChant on saxophones and flute,
Larry Jacoby on bass, Charlie Morgan on drums, Steve Walters on trumpet
and flugelhorn, Drew Bentley on guitar, and musical director John Marsden
on keyboards. The band members each have credentials from the pop/jazz
world, with credits on other albums by an array of artists. The band's
collective credits include work with Paul McCartney, the Drifters, Peabo
Bryson, Hall & Oates, Aretha Franklin, and more.
One track included here, "God Rest Ye," proved a surprise hit for Plan 9
during the last holiday season. According to their website,
plan9theband.com, the single received more than 950,000 downloads in a
six-week period preceding Christmas 2001.
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November 13th
starts with confirmation of the information that UNI Radio, formerly known
as United Press International Radio, has added two cuts for the Plan 9
Christmas CD, The Nine Days of Christmas, to their rotation
beginning December 1st. This means the station’s four million listeners
will hear the songs regularly throughout the holiday season. In addition,
morning host Dennis Crowley calls the CD "a breath of fresh air".
November 14th, word comes
that ESPN Cold Pizza wants the band in New York City in December …
dates are to be determined.
November 17th
brings news of a trip the NYC for an appearance on the Joey Reynolds Radio
Show. It’s set for the morning of Tuesday, November 25th. Tom Estey, Plan
9’s publicist, and the radio show producer scramble to work out travel and
press logistics.
November 20th brings more good news. Reuter's TV (with 300 million
plus viewers worldwide) has chosen the Plan 9 Christmas CD, The Nine
Days of Christmas, as one of their top three CD's of the holiday
season. A profile piece on Christmas music, featuring the CD, will break
worldwide December 8th.
November 22nd, band publicist Tom Estey hears rumors that
Sirius Radio is beginning
to vibe on Plan 9. He checks it out and learns it's true.
Sirius and Estey will
communicate again in a few days.
November 24th, Plan 9 bandleader, Drew Bentley, sends
email … “We're
in Jersey now filming a CN8 segment.” Next, it’s on to NYC for the Joey
Reynolds Show in the morning, then on to tape with Barry Z the following
day.
November 26th arrives with news that Plan 9 is being considered for
a Sirius Session concert after the first of the new year. In the
meanwhile, Sirius
Radio will be playing
Plan 9 on their Christmas channel (airing Christmas music 24/7) and on the
Jazz Cafe.
Later in the day, bandleader Drew Bentley learns that Plan 9 is
getting heavy response to The Nine Days of Christmas …
it’s also on the “Most Added” list under “Charts and News” at
smoothjazz.com.
And it’s tied for first on the most added chart for this week.
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Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes
includes a write-up about Plan 9
and The Nine Days of Christmas.
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November 29th brings round two of success on the charts … The
Nine Days of Christmas was once again the most added album
(non-seasonal and seasonal) on the smoothjazz.com chart.
The band also receives a pre-press copy of a Los Angeles Features
Syndicate publication in which writer |
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Alice O'Neil includes a
write-up about Plan 9. Once again, they're in good company with the likes
of Tom Cruise, Nick Cannon, Eve, and Vin Diesel.
November 30th the band begins receiving requests for information
and availability for performances in the Central Florida area. Seems that
a couple of top-notch events in the area are taking notice of the success
and want to be a part of it by bringing them to the stage … right here at
home!
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December 2nd bandleader Drew Bentley sends email
sincerely thanking supporters ... (including all you
guys who are fans ...!) |
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Hi All,
Just wanted to write a quick note to update you on the wonderful things
that have been happening - and none of it would have happened without your
support!
The 9 Days of Christmas was called "the best jazz Christmas album of the
year" and "awesome" by the L.A. Times. Reuters has named the album one of
the top three albums of the year and will be featuring it worldwide in a
special on Reuters TV. The Associated Press said "THE next
generation of Christmas music has arrived!".
We have taped several TV shows, have guested on the Joey Reynolds Show and
will be going back to New York to tape segments of ESPN Cold Pizza, Maury
Povich and are scheduled to do a live hit on CNN Headline News on 12/23.
Again, none of this would have happened without your support and input. We
owe you and all our friends in radio a great deal.
Our hopes for a healthy and happy holiday season.
Drew Bentley
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Archived Newz! |
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Richard
Elliot |
Richard Elliot is well connected
... and that’s
not just being polite!
When sax-man Richard Elliot came to town he brought a groove, lots
of energy, a little romance, and his own special brand of R&B and
funk.
Read the entire archived story in the
Newz! |
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Rico Monaco |
Rico Monaco & Sol Sons
... sweeping nominations!
Countless loyal fans of
Rico Monaco & Sol Sons helped the group
sweep the 2002 JINO Awards.
Read the
entire archived
story in the
Newz! |
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