Russell Malone is one of the most commanding and versatile guitarist performing today. He can move from Blues to Gospel to pop to R&B and Jazz without hesitation, a rare facility that has prompted some of the highest profile artists in the world to call up him: Diana Krall, Aretha Franklin, Christina Aguilera, B.B. King, David Sanborn, Harry Connick, Jr. to name a few. On his Maxijazz release, LIVE AT JAZZ STANDARD (VOLUME TWO), Malone captivates from the opener and displays why he is one of the most in-demand guitarists today.
MaxJazz is pleased to present trumpeter Jeremy Pelt in NOVEMBER, his fourth recording for the label as part of it's horn series. Pelt wrote and arranged all of the compositions on this acoustic, straight-ahead release. NOVEMBER features Pelt's working quintet including tenor saxophonist J.D. Allen, pianist Danny Grissett, bassist Dwayne Burno and drummer Gerald Cleaver (special guest percussionist Jeff Haynes). Pelt was named Rising Star on Trumpet for the 5th year in a row by DownBeat. This recording follows his critically acclaimed 2007 release SHOCK VALUE - LIVE AT SMOKE, which featured all original compositions by the versatile trumpeter with his electric band WiRED.
Over the last fifteen years, pianist Eric Reed has been a mainstay on the jazz scene. Having toured the world with his group and recorded as both a leader and sideman on numerous projects, he constantly demonstrates the creativity that distinguishes him as one of the leading pianists of his generation.
Russell Malone's Playground features his working band of Martin Bejerano, piano; Tassili Bond, bass; E.J. Strickland, drums and guests Gary Bartz, saxophone; and Joe Locke, vibes. All arrangements are by Malone, who also produced the CD and wrote six of the ten tracks.
Russell Malone is one of the most commanding and versatile guitarist performing today. His newest release LIVE AT JAZZ STANDARD features Martin Bejerano, Tassili Bond and Jonathan Blake. The lineup for LIVE AT JAZZ STANDARD includes a number of original compositions and several classics including "Blue Daniel" and "Heartstrings". Malone's blues-infused encore highlights the exceptional set of music.
Having played with some of the greatest names in jazz including, the Ellinton Orchestra, David Sanborn, Freddie Hubbard, Cassandra Wilson and others, Mulgrew Miller has made a name for himself. His greatest accomplishment though was forming Wingspan 15 years, a collective group of stunning musicians!! the Sequel is comprised primarily of original Melgrew Miller compositions and is a must for fans of piano jazz!
Miller takes it to the next level now by recording his first live album. Recorded July 22-23, 2003, at Yoshi's at Jack London Square - one of the world's premiere jazz clubs - Live At Yoshi's (Volume One) is Miller's second release on MAXJAZZ. Unlike The Sequel, where he presented eight original tunes, on Live At Yoshi's, Miller puts his stamp on ageless standards in an intimate trio format. Miller's trio is comprised of Derrick Hodge on bass and Karriem Riggins, who played on The Sequel, on drums.
LIVE AT THE KENNEDY CENTER (Volume 2) features a sumptuous selection of songs from a trio that shifts seamlessly from hard-driving grooves to soft ballads, all with a distinct sound that has made Mulgrew Miller one of the most in-demand pianists in jazz. Similar to his critically acclaimed Maxjazz releases, Live At Yoshi's, LIVE AT THE KENNEDY CENTER Volume Two offers exciting jazz in a live setting.
In the fall of 2002, the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts opened an intimate venue, the KC Jazz Club, on the roof level of it's facility. The Club celelbrated it's two weekend of selected MaxJazz artists. The hihgly acclaimed pianist, Mulgrew Miller, and his trio featuring Derrick Hodge (bass), and Rodney Green (drums)were the featured performers on the Club's opening night in 2002. LIVE AT THE KENNEDY CENTER VOL 1 features a sumptuous selection of songs from a trio that shifts seamlessly from hard-dirving grooves to soft ballads, all with a distinct sound that has made Mulgrew Miller one of the most in-demand pianist in jazz.
Mulgrew Miller thrives as one of the premiere jazz pianists of today. He returns with the second volume of Live at Yoshi's, his third recording as a leader since joining MAXJAZZ in 2002. That year he reassembled his famed group Wingspan and released the critically acclaimed album The Sequel.
