Peter Slavov

Jazz Performer Robin McKelle performs with her band: Alain Mallet - Piano, Peter Slavov - Bass and Jeremy Clemons - Drums. Her influences are Ella, Sarah, Frank Sinatra, Donny Hathaway, Chaka Khan,Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Miles, Coltrane, Dianne Reeves, Nina Simone, Pat Metheny, Jaco, Ledisi, Jill Scott, and so on and so forth…. Sounds Like Robin has her own unique sound influenced by many different musicians in many different styles. Her soul infused alto voice is compared to jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald. Robin's fresh approach to the vintage sound of the american songbook have sparked audiences around the world.

Vocalist Bob Mundy has a rich tenor voice that charms you over with a team of Dan Kaufman/p, Peter Slavov/b, Sam Dadigursky-Joel Frahm/sax, Dominick Faronacci/tp, Lage Lund/g, Yves Dharamraf/cel and Mark Ferber/dr. The horns supply hip support as Faranacci delivers lyrical solos on the peppy and upbeat “You Wanna Bet” while sounding late night gasping on the heartfelt “But Beautiful.” Frahm wails as Mundy loosens his tie and collar on the bluesy “Getting Beyond Goodbye” while flexing his muscles as he swaggers on “Loads of Love.” Most attractive are the sonatas with Dharamraf’s cello, which adds soothing drapery to the dramatic “Carpe Diem” and the wondrous title track. A guy with boy-next-door charm.

…his compositions combine modern jazz and classical elements with the influence of Bulgarian folk music, and his multifaceted arrangements move becomingly from refined lyricism to spirited exaltation…This is a must hear project.
SCOTT ALBIN, AMAZON

Joe Lovano's third album featuring his Us Five quintet, 2012's Cross Culture, furthers the adventurous collective aesthetic the saxophonist developed on 2009's Folk Art and 2011's Bird Songs. Once again working with drummers Francisco Mela and Otis Brown III, pianist James Weidman, and bassist Esperanza Spalding, Lovano also employs bassist Peter Slavov on a few tracks here, as well as West African guitarist Lionel Loueke. The result is an album of exploratory jazz that is often more about group interplay on various musical themes rather than straightforward improvisation on melodic compositions – though there is that, too.

Cascading vibes from Behn Gillece – easily one of our favorite contemporary players on his instrument, and a musician who always seems to find a great way to resonate with his bandmates on a session! This date has Gillece mixing his warmly chromatic sound with great contributions from Art Hirahara on piano and Fender Rhodes, Diego Rivera on tenor, Altin Sencalar on trombone, and Patrick Cornelius on alto, soprano, and bass clarinet – musicians who don't all crowd in at once, but are nicely spaced in ways that really help shape the sound of the record when they appear.

Cascading vibes from Behn Gillece – easily one of our favorite contemporary players on his instrument, and a musician who always seems to find a great way to resonate with his bandmates on a session!

Trombonist Nick Vayenas has been a mainstay on the music scene for the past 17 years. Based in New York City, Nick has worked in a variety of settings both as a sideman and leader. From creative jazz to pop, classical, and big band, Nick is comfortable in almost any musical setting. 'Lineage' is Nick's 7th album as a leader, and his first consisting of all standard repertoire. "I wanted to choose some of my favorite tunes from the American Songbook, as well as a few classic jazz standards, get a swinging band, and just have some fun", says Nick. "I grew up listening to my idols play standards and I have always wanted to make an album like this. I felt I was up to the challenge, and this album was in the "Lineage" of the jazz tradition."