His current release “Dance To This" brought listeners to the dance floor and his approach for his next project is to bring listeners the sophistication, style, class and fire that comes from the freedom that has embodied his music for 15 years now. The multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire reclines in his black leather console chair in his state-of-the-art digital recording studio and takes a brief moment to reflect on his studio recording process. Alfonzo says, “I'm working day in and day out to capture all parts of me, all parts of my essence and all parts of my soul. It's almost like a 24/7 music reality show...me in the studio. I'm living in my studio now." So far, Alfonzo has already recorded an astounding thirty-one tracks and has no intensions on slowing down or putting a cap on that total.
Alfonzo Blackwell's 8th CD project is appropriately titled, “Quintet: Portrait of Alfonzo Blackwell". He displays the many gifts of his musical genius while ushering a new era of jazz excellence with his new project in the works. Alfonzo is not only a superb saxophonist...mastering the alto, soprano and tenor saxophones; he is an accomplished pianist, guitarist, bassist and drummer. He is not only prolific on these 5 instruments; hence the CD title “Quintet..." he is a seasoned songwriter and producer. He is also a bebop jazz master performer and on the flip side, a soulful R&B instrumental entertainer. His live performances are infamous with fusing contemporary jazz, funk, classic soul, R&B, hip-hop, pop and burning traditional straight-ahead jazz. Put all of the many sides of Alfonzo Blackwell, the Artist, Musician, Songwriter, Producer, Performer and Entertainer and you are witnessing and listening to history in the making with this ground-breaking project (Quintet: Portrait of Alfonzo Blackwell). The pioneer of the 21st century modern contemporary jazz renaissance, Alfonzo Blackwell introduces the “Re-rebirth of Cool" with a soulful twist of rhythm.
“This is a concept project that must embody my entire body of soul. Music, notes, chord progressions and melodies are organically flowing through me throughout this process and I must capture it all and then go back and decipher the final song picks for the album." he says about the huge undertaking of writing, performing and executive producing this new project. The album is scheduled for release in mid 2010. Utopia Records is celebrating Alfonzo's fifteenth year in the recording industry this year and Mr. Blackwell has much to be grateful for. His new project will be the 4th CD recorded on his founded label, Utopia Records. Mr. Blackwell says, “It's humbling to look back on all the many years that I've been recording, writing, producing, performing and delivering my brand of music. I played with just about all the best of the best in the business and traveled over the world with my music. My music is my passion and I will continue to evolve with it and always keep it fresh, new, exciting and hot!"
Listening to a few pre-selected tracks that were graciously revealed would undoubtedly be the highlight of all music listeners' pleasures. There's a certain purity and haunting beauty that gives off a sense of vulnerability which breaks through all of the complexities of Mr. Blackwell's progressive music. “This project is the concept album that I've waited a long time to do. It is finally the right time for me to embark on this musical path..." Alfonzo explains with a focused but free spirited tone. The rhythm sections in every tune come out in full force from the heart and soul of this electrifying musical virtuoso. All of the instrumentation showcased on each track resonates as the sleek and sophistication evolution of the founder of 'Rhythm & Cool'. When asked what his inspiration for this project is, Alfonzo leans over the side of his chair and says, “Simply, the love of music is all the inspiration that I need to create but this project is especially dear to me because I finally get a chance to pull from every instrument that I play and give a “live concert" performance approach inside of each and every groove."
Alfonzo Blackwell is sure to please with writing, performing and producing the instant-classic and soulful soundtrack for the new decade 2010 that's here upon us now. Which cuts will make it on the final pressed CD? You can rest assure that the final selected tracks will be jam-packed new modern contemporary soul from Alfonzo Blackwell's heart to all the hearts around the world. “Quintet: Portrait of Alfonzo Blackwell" will be an artistic and beautiful portrait of a music renaissance man and a jazz master.
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