jazz2love

Album:  Quartet Vol 1 Artist:  Takeshi Asai Label:  Fono Bono Records Websites:  http://www.takeshiasai.com http://epk.takeshiasai.com/ Pianist-composer Takeshi Asai puts modern day sagas to music.  His latest release Quartet Vol 1 from Fono Bono Records parlays a string of stories into emotionally stirring compositions that incite audiences to reflect, to escape, and to daydream.  A savant at creating atmospheric soundscapes, Asai encapsulates decades of experiences into 9 original tracks, each expressive and each a log taken from a memoir. Upbeat and sublime, "Minor Holiday" brandishes a bopping groove tailored by bass player Bob Gingery and drummer Brian Woodruff, as Hashem Assadullahi's alto sax dazzles with improvised chord patterns.  Asai's keys joins in the cheerful mood with a pulsating vamp, culminatiing into a gamut of pyrotechnics.  The recording slows to a daydreamy atmosphere through "On-Hold Music." as Assadullahi's sax weaves loung...

Album:  IRA The Tribute Album Artist:  The Blue Road Records Band Label:  Blue Road Records Websites: www.blueroadrecordsstudio.com www.brevsullivanguitar.com The house band for Blue Road Records, which includes guitarist Brev Sullivan, the son of the late saxophonist Ira Sullivan, celebrate the works of Ira Sullivan on their new release IRA The Tribute Album .  The bebop artisan Ira Sullivan has performed with jazz luminaries like Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Roland Kirk, and Art Blakey, scoring himself solos that resonated with artists of his class.  As time passed, Sullivan chose to focus on teaching at the esteemed Frost School of Music, becoming one of the leading jazz educators in the U.S., mentoring several generations of up-and-coming musicians. Sullivan's music reflects the complex nature of jazz fusion, partnering elements of blues, pop, bebop jazz, swing, and soft rock.  Part smooth jazz and part adult contemporary, the music of Ira Sullivan is ...