The long-awaited debut album from master percussionist, scholar, composer and living repository of Afro-Cuban music, Roman Diaz, is out now.
‘L’ó dá fún Bàtá’ – a spiritually transcendent gem in the Afro-Cuban tradition – features profound drumming conversations, a Yoruba/Gospel crossover choir, and evocative spoken word pieces that reveal the soul-feeding vibrancy of Diaz. Joining Roman is his GRAMMY-nominated mentor Pedrito Martinez, who produces the album and features as a performer!
Find out more about the album here!
The Royal Bopsters’ five-night run at Birdland featured five vocal jazz legends—Jon Hendricks, Annie Ross, Sheila Jordan, Bob Dorough and Andy Bey—alongside the younger jazz quartet consisting of Amy London, Darmon Meader, Holli Ross and Dylan Pramuk. JazzTimes highlighted this historical vocal event with a robust photo gallery capturing the live performance.
“The event reunited the surviving two-thirds of the iconic vocal trio Lambert, Hendricks and Ross for the first time in years.” – JazzTimes
Click here for pictures!
An era ended October 23rd with the passing of Mark H.Murphy, one of the most influential jazz singers of the 20th Century. Motema is proud to have released a collaboration with Mark – The Royal Bopster’s Project – this past September. The album features four outstanding tracks sung by the legend. Producer Amy London comments: “I am so honored to have known Mark, to be able to call him my dear friend, to have had the amazing opportunity to perform and record with him, and most of all, to laugh with him. There was and there will never be anybody else like him.” Murphy’s arresting version of Red Clay on The Royal Bopsters Project has gained mighty praise at press and radio.
Click here to listen to the recording.
The Associated Press published a review of the new release, Many A New Day: Karrin Allyson Sings Rodgers & Hammerstein, syndicated here by ABC News. The review specifically highlights Allyson’s “dramatic story-telling skills,” and the “intimate atmosphere” she creates with the accompaniment of Kenny Barron and John Patitucci.
“a superb jazz singer… [Allyson] once again delivers a masterful concept album.”- Associated Press
Click here for the full review!
JazzTimes featured Charenee Wade with a review of her latest release, Offering: The Music of Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson. The article praises Wade’s voice as a great fit for the material, while highlighting producer Mark Ruffin’s strong connection with the music of Gil-Scott Heron.
“…her vocal style melding the suppleness of Dianne Reeves with the spirit of Abbey Lincoln.”- JazzTimes
Click here for the full article!
Vocal star Karrin Allyson celebrates the release of her new album ‘Many A New Day: Karrin Allyson Sings Rodgers & Hammerstein’ with a 5-Night run at Birdland Jazz Club! Sets will be at 8:30 and 11pm, October 6-10.
Grab your tickets here! http://ticketf.ly/1OWmtZR
