On Along The Silk Road Tomoko Sugawara plays an ancient harp invented nearly 4000 years ago in Mesopotamia. Variously named “angular harp,” “chang,” “kunghou,” and “kugo,” the instrument on which she performs can be seen in centuries-old Buddhist cave paintings and in artists’ depictions from countries along the trade route known as the Silk Road. She brings the enchanting music of this historically revered instrument to life once again for the world to hear.

Free download: Qawl

More info on Tomoko Sugawara

“His work is a virtual catalog of modern bass technique, tempered by his infallible musicianship.  The man has taste…he consistently offers up an earthy tone, flawless intonation, and fluid fingerwork.  Plus, you can set the clock by his impeccable time.” – DownBeat

His new recording on Motema Music, Out Front (available March 9, 2010), is further confirmation that there is nothing typical about Rufus Reid, his music or his bands.  The title of the recording, and the special camaraderie and chemistry the bassist shares with pianist Steve Allee (Buddy Rich, John Clayton, The Randy Brecker Quartet, David “Fathead” Newman) and drummer Duduka Da Fonseca (Trio Da Paz, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Astrud Gilberto, John Scofield, Lee Konitz, Joe Henderson, Nancy Wilson, Slide Hampton, Kenny Barron, Tom Harrell, amongst many others), is explained here by Reid: Out Front suggests several connotations.  “In addition to being ‘out front’ as the leader, my playing in this setting is somewhat atypical in that this music stretches far beyond the bebop boundaries for which I have received recognition in the past.  The interaction with these uniquely talented gentlemen and the outcome of this music is a direct result of my dedication to my own continuing compositional and harmonic growth and adventurous spirit.  It is fueled by my desire to continue to stretch and grow artistically with every original piece I conceive and with every recording I make.”  With Out Front, Reid, Allee and Da Fonseca have succeeded in a sonic experience that is likely to leave you with the desire to make repeated visits until the music reveals all the little things that combine to make it so very special.

Download MP3: Dry Land

More info on Rufus Reid

Kugo harpist Tomoko Sugawara performs “A Night In Shiraz.” This is taken from her forthcoming Motema album Along The Silk Road. Find out more about the album at her Motema artist page. The album will be released on March 9th.

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The APAP (The Association of Performing Arts Presenters) Conference, held annually in the heart of NYC, is the biggest marketplace for the performing arts in the world. With nearly 400 exhibitors, representing disciplines ranging from all forms of dance, music, theater and family programming to puppetry, circus, magic, attractions and performance art, it is the top destination for experiencing what’s next, and learning who’s doing it.

The Motéma staff has just returned from our 3rd and most fulfilling APAP Conference to date. We had several promising discussions with other presenters, planting the seeds for future collaboration, and held two showcases in Bridges Bar and in Beekman Parlor.

On Saturday evening, Motéma showcased our Groove Jazz Visionary Series, In The Pocket Series, and Without Borders Vocal Series. We kicked off the show with a superior straight ahead set from Antonio Ciacca Trio and finished in the wee hours of the morning with Charnett Moffett, featuring Oran Etkin on sax. Inbetween, we had incendiary performances from Amy London, Roni Ben Hur, Tessa Souter, Babatunde Lea, Jana Herzen & Charnett Moffett, Group Kelenia, Geri Allen and a rousing, riveting introduction to label newcomer Gregory Porter.

On Sunday, Jana Herzen, Geri Allen, Charnett Moffett, and Tomoko Sugawara performed their intimate, unique, and virtuosic compositions for the afternoon crowd as a part of our Museum Series. The audience response was very positive and several presenters stopped by Booth #508 to discuss performance opportunities for these artists.

Overall, we are excited about the outcome and feel that our footprint in the jazz community has expanded due to our participation.

Painted on Water’s self titled debut, which All Music Guide calls “A Turkish Delight,” has been generating fans internationally. The band will be digitally releasing an English version of their song, “Ask” with Motéma in January. Writing the English lyrics will be Ken Williams, a writer on the Alicia Keys’ Grammy® winning single “You Don’t Know My Name,” with previous hits including “Everybody Plays the Fool” and “Just Don’t Want To be Lonely.” Following the release, POW will be doing a national TV tour on network morning shows. To learn more, please visit their artist page at Motéma.

Antonio Ciacca and his Quartet performed at Berlin, Germany’s White Trash Club in November 2009. Watch live footage and interviews with the band. Antonio’s new album Lagos Blues is out January 12th on Motema Music. More info on Antonio Ciacca

“At the heart of any true jazzman is the ability to tell his own musical stories in his own way, and hopefully touch a few hearts along the way. Down in his heart, there’s a song he can feel, something that no one can steal. It’s his own tune, all and in part. Pianist Antonio Ciacca dances to the unique songs in his heart.”
- Todd Barkan, Jazz at Lincoln Center

More than an exceptional album, Antonio Ciacca’s Lagos Blues is a mirror that reflects the broader story of jazz, its international reach as well as its inclination to come back and nourish at its American wellspring.

Ciacca’s new album, Lagos Blues, released on Motéma Music, features his regular quartet - saxophonist Stacy Dillard, bassist Kengo Nakamura and drummer Ulysses Owens - supplemented by saxophonist Steve Grossman,an artist whose impact on jazz has been profound and on Ciacca directly has been transformative.

Download MP3: Lagos Blues

More info on Antonio Ciacca

N.E.D. recently rocked the house at Portland, OR’s Crystal Ballroom. Below are a sampling of the pictures from the evening - courtesy of photographer Joseph Boggess. We have posted the full set at our Facebook Page. Stay tuned for live video from this weekend’s GCF Race to End Women’s Cancer.

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Help N.E.D. save lives and see them perform live at the GCF Race to End Women’s Cancer!

Committed runners and a Surgeons Team consisting of over 100 gynecologic oncologists will run a half marathon through the streets of downtown Washington with the start/finish line on historic Pennsylvania Avenue, two blocks from the White House. They will be joined by patients, survivors, advocates, leaders and others committed to the cause.

N.E.D., who recently released No Evidence Of Disease to benefit the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, will be performing at the post-race party on Sunday at 10:30am. Other celebrity appearances at the event include singer/actress Mandy Moore.

Sunday, November 8, 2009
Half Marathon/5K/1 Mile Walk
7:00 am – 11:30 am
Historic Pennsylvania Avenue Between 13th St, and 14th St. NW

More info on the race
More info on N.E.D.

Take a look at the new video from Painted on Water - “Mad Love” which features footage from their recent US tour.

All Music Guide had this to say about their self-titled debut:

“Demirkan’s own superb guitar skills are displayed across the set, and the musicianship throughout is extraordinary, as is Erener, whose vocals give every track just a whiff of exotica, and make this album a true Turkish delight.” -Dave Thompson, ALL MUSIC GUIDE

And here’s a little something extra for you…An ‘unplugged’ performance  of “ASHK” (which means “love” in Turkish). Look out for a digital release of this song in the Spring. In the meanwhile, watch this video: