Ray Blanchard

Terence Blanchard is in top form throughout this highly enjoyable outing. The trumpeter is most memorable on "Dear Old Stockholm" (a song from the 1950's that he helped revive), an emotional "When It's Sleepy Time Down South" and a medley of his "Glass J," the theme from "Mo' Better Blues" and Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman." Blanchard, who also plays "Detour Ahead" and four of his originals, is joined by tenor-saxophonist Sam Newsome, pianist Bruce Barth, bassist Rodney Whitaker, either Troy Davis or Billy Kilson on drums and (on "Dear Old Stockholm") the up-and-coming altoist Antonio Hart. The music is tied to the hard bop tradition yet is quite fresh and open to more modern influences.

Terence Blanchard has composed the original music for the comedy drama „The Comedian“. The film is directed by Taylor Hackford (Ray, An Officer and a Gentleman, The Devil’s Advocate, Dolores Claiborne) and stars Robert De Niro, Leslie Mann, Danny DeVito, Edie Falco, Veronica Ferres, Charles Grodin, Patti LuPone, Cloris Leachman, Lois Smith and Harvey Keitel. The movie revolves around a comic icon trying to reinvent himself with the audience only wanting to know him as the former TV character he once played.

Back in 1985, drummer Alvin Queen put together a band of American musicians to record Jammin' Uptown for his Nilva Records label. Queen, who was living in Europe, visited the United States to play live concerts and to record. This band reflected his vision as he brought together young musicians Terence Blanchard (trumpet) and Robin Eubanks (trombone) along with veterans John Hicks (piano) and Manny Boyd (tenor, alto and soprano sax) with Ray Drummond (bass) as the bridge. All of the music here is original, with contributions from Blanchard, Boyd, Eubanks, Hicks and Queen. Queen's singular composition is the previously unreleased "Hear Me Drummin," which was recorded in 2001 at the BP Jazz Club in Zagreb.

The spirit of Basie lives on in the swingin'-est, most surprising musical collaboration this side of late-night featuring Terence Blanchard, Talib Kweli, Larkin Poe, Lettuce & others. Late Night Basie captures the essence of the man and his music. For both the longtime fan and the new listener, surprise and delights await in this timely, important recording. Every track sings and swings, and the entire project is very cool. Just like Basie!

Cedar Walton - Roots (1999) {Astor Place TCD 4010}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 412 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 139 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 20 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1999 Astor Place Recordings | TCD 4010
Jazz / Hard Bop / Post Bop / Piano

For the second straight time (and for his second Astor Place release), pianist Cedar Walton sticks to his own compositions for this recording. What is different from his debut on the label is that, in this case, many of the songs have been around awhile, including his classic, "Boliva," "When Love Is New" and "Mode for Joe." Walton and his trio (bassist Ron Carter and drummer Lewis Nash) are joined by a five-man horn section (which includes trumpeter Don Sickler), percussionist Ray Mantilla and, on three songs apiece, a featured guest: tenor saxophonist Joshua Redman, trumpeter Terence Blanchard and/or guitarist Mark Whitfield. Everyone plays up to par (Redman, in particular, is in fine form), and overall, this is a solid, modern hard bop date that reaches its potential.

As one of the leading lights of New Orleans music, Dr. John deserves a splashy, star-studded celebration – which is precisely what producer Don Was assembled on May 3, 2014 at New Orleans' Saenger Theatre. Was led a house band featuring drummer Kenny Aronoff, trombonist Sarah Morrow, keyboardist Chuck Leavell, guitarist Brian Stoltz, and pianist John Gros, then invited a host of rockers, blues musicians, and Big Easy legends to the party…