Half Note Announces The Release Of Three New Recordings By Kenny Werner
With The Brussels Jazz Orchestra, Donald Harrison With Ron Carter, Billy Cobham And Francisco Mela & Cuban Safari With Special Guest Esperanza Spalding
Kenny Werner & BJO, Institute of Higher Learning
AVAILABLE IN STORES AND ONLINE AUGUST 26, 2011
Brussels Jazz Orchestra
Brussels Jazz Orchestra
(BJO), led by founder and Artistic Director Frank Vaganée, once again reinforces its reputation as one of Europe's premier big bands, a group that “manifests love," according to Grammy-winning arranger Maria Schneider. Kenny Werner
Kenny Werner
b.1951
piano
and the BJO have joined forces to create the perfect canvas for Wernerʼs lush compositions and arrangements. The Institute of Higher Learning features 5 tracks, among them the opening “Cantabile," a three-movement suite showcasing Wernerʼs progressive touch. It was inspired by and dedicated to Bob Brookmeyer. Liner notes by Maria Schneider.
Donald Harrison, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, This Is Jazz
AVAILABLE IN STORES AND ONLINE SEPTEMBER 6, 2011
For its second Half Note issue, the power trio of Donald Harrison
Donald Harrison
b.1960
sax, alto
, Ron Carter
Ron Carter
b.1937
bass
and Billy Cobham
Billy Cobham
b.1944
drums
declare themselves spokesmen for a kind of exploratory improvisation and interplay known only to seasoned jazz professionals. Staunch individualists all, they come together with a unified voice of alto, bass and drums—at once steeped in jazz's richly variegated traditions yet forward-thinking in the cause of new creative expression. The group play here is all about a stylized call and response, featuring guys with excellent listening skills and the means to keep the conversation going. Recorded Live at the Blue Note.
Francisco Mela & Cuban Safari with Special Guest Esperanza Spalding, Tree of Life
AVAILABLE IN STORES AND ONLINE SEPTEMBER 6, 2011
Drummer Francisco Mela
Francisco Mela
drums
presents his second release on Half Note, a tour-de-force featuring 10 newly conceived compositions. With the help of his band, Cuban Safari, Mela offers a passionate fusion of Cuban polyrhythms and propulsive modernism. Renown for his play with Joe Lovanoʼs Us Five, Mela and the full scope of his musicianship take center stage with an unexpected turn as a vocalist, duetting with pianist Elio Villafranca, and trading improvs with Special Guest Esperanza Spalding
Esperanza Spalding
b.1984
bass, acoustic
. Tree Of Life is spirited evidence of Melaʼs distinguished place among young group leaders.
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