TOUR: Squirrel Nut Zippers and Ozomatli Team Up for the United Together Tour

Gary Graff for BILLBOARD –

Squirrel Nut Zippers and Ozomatli will be uniting to rage against the machine, in their own distinctive ways, when they hit the road together this spring.

The two groups will play six United Together Tour dates starting March 28 in Tucson, Ariz., with more shows to be announced. They figure that the example of an idiosyncratic Americana group from Mississippi joining forces with an outspoken troupe of Latin American descent from Los Angeles will be a blow against the separatist agenda they feel is being forwarded by President Donald Trump and his administration.

“The conversation about this started in the political season leading up to the election, so I think that’ll play a big part in this,” SNZ frontman and leader Jimbo Mathus tells Billboard. “The Zippers love satire, black humor, parody. Ozo’s been more straightforward in their political thing, but I can almost certainly say that we stand politically together and socially together in bringing people together, bringing cultures together and hopefully spreading a positive energy and positive energy of unity, togetherness, music and joy. I think we can do something really positive, and really fun, and we just have to activate that creative force and then see how the audience responds to our combined message.”

Ozomatli’s Poree adds that, “We definitely come from two different worlds, but what we’ve always tried to do through music is bring people together. I’m sure (SNZ) are trying to do the same thing. I think putting us together really makes a statement.”

Take a look at the first set of United Together Tour dates below.

Mar. 28 — Tucson, AZ @ The Rialto Theatre
Mar. 29 — Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
Mar. 30 — Las Vegas, NV @ House Of Blues
Apr. 19 — Ridgefield, CT @ Ridgefield Playhouse
Apr. 20 — Concord, NH @ Capitol Center For The Arts
Apr. 21 — Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel

Read the full article at Billboard

Squirrel Nut Zippers on TKA

LIVE: Melissa Aldana & Ravi Coltrane on Billboard’s 7 Must-See Performances at 2017’s Winter Jazzfest

Billboard has included Melissa Aldana & Ravi Coltrane on their list of must-see performances for 2017’s Winter Jazz Fest in New York City!

Natalie Weiner for Billboard writes: “Aldana proves that there’s no reason swing needs to sound vintage, offering original compositions and standards that show her distinctive melodic sensibilities just as clearly as they do her ability to straight-up shred. The Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition winner (the first woman to receive that award) will be joined by a sextet — she typically performs with a trio — so there’s a chance she’ll be testing out some new material.”

On Coltrane, Weiner writes: “One of jazz’s most reliable and compelling soloists, Coltrane (yes, as in John’s son) will offer a rare duo performance with pianist David Virelles — one-offs like this are a major part of what makes the festival so special. Also, it’s a taste of what Grammy voters were considering when they nominated Coltrane for a 2017 best improvised jazz solo award.”

If you are in New York this weekend, catch Melissa Aldana playing the New School 12th Street Auditorium at 9:20 PM on 1/6/17 and Ravi Coltrane with David Virelles at the New School Tishman Auditorium at 8:40 PM on 1/7/17.

Find the rest of the list at Billboard

Melissa Aldana on TKA

Ravi Coltrane on TKA

KUDOS: TKA Artists in The New York City Jazz Record’s Best of 2016 Lists

We are proud to recognize TKA artists who have been included in The New York City Jazz Record‘s Best of 2016 lists. Please find the winners below.

2016 Best Vocal Releases

Catherine Russell
Harlem on My Mind

Best Concerts of the Year

Charles Lloyd & The Marvels
The Appel Room, January 30th

Sangam with Charles Lloyd, Zakir Hussain, Eric Harland
Town Hall, June 11th

Chick Corea / John McLaughlin
Blue Note, December 7th

(1/3/17)

Find the full lists at The New York City Jazz Record

ALBUM RELEASE: Joey DeFrancesco Readies “Project Freedom” for 2017 Release

Sean Dennis for JAZZTIMES –

Organist Joey DeFrancesco’s upcoming release on Mack Avenue Records, Project Freedom, is his first in a quartet setting and features his stellar work on the Hammond B-3—plus contributions on trumpet and as a vocalist.

Accompanying DeFrancesco on this genre-jumping album are drummer Jason Brown, guitarist Dan Wilson and saxophonist Troy Roberts—collectively billed as the People—who comprise his new touring band for 2017.

Inspired by his experiences playing for audiences around the globe, DeFrancesco explores themes of peace and spirituality on self-penned compositions “Karma,” “The Unifier” and “Peace Bridge,” in addition to covers including “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “So Near, So Far.”

In a press release, DeFrancesco notes, “I always thought that as touring musicians, we were spreading peace. No matter what happens in the world, we keep playing. In a lot of the so-called forbidden places too. When we’re there, through war and conflict, problems melt away through music. We’re playing for these people, hanging out with them, and we all come together and we’re grooving with each other because of the music. That is true freedom. Music is true freedom.”

Project Freedom will be available March 2017. For more information, visit the official websites of Joey DeFrancesco and Mack Avenue Records.

2017 Tour Dates

Jan. 12: Scullers Jazz Club, Boston, MA
Jan. 13–14: Chris’ Jazz Café, Philadelphia, PA
Jan. 17–21: Birdland, New York City, NY
March 17–18: Catalina Jazz Club, Los Angeles, CA
March 19: The Nash, Phoenix, AZ
March 21–22: DazzleJazz, Denver, CO
March 29: Savannah Music Festival, Savannah, GA
March 30–31: The Velvet Note, Atlanta, GA
April 1: The Tin Pan, Richmond, VA

VIDEO: Davina & the Vagabonds Perform on WGN Morning News

Davina & the Vagabonds have created a stir on the national music scene with their high-energy live shows, level A musicianship, sharp-dressed professionalism, and Sowers’ commanding stage presence. With influences ranging from Fats Domino and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Aretha Franklin and Tom Waits, the band is converting audiences one show at a time, from Vancouver to Miami and across Europe.

Check out the performance on WGN TV

Davina & the Vagabonds on TKA

FEATURE: GQ Style Profiles Chick Corea, Charles Lloyd, & Roy Haynes

This week, GQ Style reporter Nick Marino and photographer Christian Weber interviewed ten jazz masters on the relationship between their music and their style. Check out snippets from the profiles of TKA artist Chick Corea, Charles Lloyd, & Roy Haynes below!

Charles Lloyd on his modeling career: ““Yohji Yamamoto has made a lot of clothes for me and invited me to model in Paris and in Tokyo. We share an aesthetic sensibility.”

Chick Corea on living healthy: “About ﬁve years ago I went on a plant-based diet…I came down from a 44 waist to a 33 waist. None of my clothes ﬁt me anymore; I had to get rid of them all. It felt so good.”

Roy Haynes on dressing well from an early age: ““Even before I had a good gig, I was having stuff made. Some people would come to my gig to see what I was wearing.”

Check out the full article and more photos at GQ Style

KUDOS: TKA Artists Nominated for 2017 Grammy Awards!

TKA is proud to recognize our artists who have been nominated for this year’s Grammy Awards!

2017 BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM

“Harlem On My Mind” — Catherine Russell

“Sound of Red” — René Marie

“Upward Spiral” — Branford Marsalis Quartet With Special Guest Kurt Elling

“Take Me to the Alley” — Gregory Porter

“The Sting Variations” — The Tierney Sutton Band

——

2017 BEST IMPROVISED JAZZ SOLO

“Countdown” — Joey Alexander, soloist

“In Movement” — Ravi Coltrane, soloist

“We See” — Fred Hersch, soloist

“I Concentrate On You” — Brad Mehldau, soloist

“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” — John Scofield, soloist

Tune in to the award ceremony airing on CBS on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. ET. James Corden will host the event, which will take place at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Find the full list of nominees and awards at the Los Angeles Times

KUDOS: Catherine Russell on NPR’s “Best 50 Albums of 2016” List!

Gary Walker for NPR –

Catherine Russell is a rarity. She can sing a story like no one else. Her song explorations on her sixth album capture the history and excitement of Harlem’s Apollo Theater, from her full-throated take on “Swing! Brother, Swing!” to the hushed affection of “The Very Thought Of You.” There’s a gin joint joy in Clarence Williams’ “You’ve Got the Right Key, but the Wrong Keyhole,” missing none of the spirit of Louis Armstrong or Virginia Liston. Alongside saxophonist Fred Staton, Russell makes the plaintive “Don’t Take Your Love From Me” her own.

Find the full list on NPR

Catherine Russell on TKA

REVIEW: Organist Joey DeFrancesco at Full Throttle at Jazz Showcase

Howard Reich for the CHICAGO TRIBUNE –

Leonine organist Joey DeFrancesco packed about three programs worth of music into his first set Thursday night at the Jazz Showcase — not in terms of duration but of content.

Had he played just the organ, or only the trumpet, or if he simply had sung, he would have given the crowded house a great deal to ponder. But he did all of that, his repertoire proving comparably wide ranging, from edgy new music to vigorous transformations of jazz standards.

One hastens to note, though, that DeFrancesco’s sovereignty at the organ is the reason music lovers queue up to hear him. At 45, he has dominated the instrument and the field as no one of his generation has.

But the innate musicality of his trumpet playing and the increasing finesse of his vocals were enhancements to the main attraction, rather than the minor distractions of years ago.

Still, it was DeFrancesco’s hyper-virtuosity and musical imagination at the organ that drove the proceedings, much of the music drawn from his newest release, “Trip Mode.”

(12/6/16)

Read the full review at the Chicago Tribune

Joey DeFrancesco on TKA

FEATURE: Harold López-Nussa Discusses Fidel Castro’s Legacy with NPR

Betto Arcos for NPR –

You can hear Harold Lopez-Nussa’s training when he plays. The 33-year-old pianist is reluctant to admit the classical influence on his jazz playing, but he’s quick to acknowledge that he, like many other great Cuban pianists, was classically trained. “This is the school that we have to learn music in Cuba; it’s classical,” he says. “I did all my stuff there from 8 years old to 25.”

Ned Sublette, author of the book Cuba and Its Music, From the First Drums to the Mambo, says the education Lopez-Nussa received in Cuban conservatories was unique. “He had a level of training that it’s really hard to get anywhere else,” he says.

Sublette explains that the Cuban Revolution in 1959 led to more investment in music education. “The new revolutionary government made culture a priority,” he says. He also points out that this robust system of conservatories is still operating. “You will meet Cuban musicians who have been trained from childhood to be competitive professional musicians — and most of them have a conservatory background,” he says.

But music school isn’t the only part of a musician’s education. Sublette, quoting British musicologist Geoff Baker, says Cuban musicians have four main streams of influence: “family, conservatory, street and religion.”

Harold Lopez-Nussa certainly draws on the first two. His grandparents were musicians, his father is a respected drummer and music educator and his mother was a piano teacher. “I have the music in my body and my blood,” Lopez-Nussa says. “Eighty percent of what I’m doing today and why I’m a musician is because of my family.”

(12/1/16)

Read the full article at NPR

Harold López-Nussa on TKA

Author: TKA