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Guitarist and composer Chris Taylor's debut album Nocturnal (Abstract Logix) is easily one of the most compelling modern jazz recordings of the year thus far (read my review here). I caught up with Taylor recently to ask about the origins of the album, his writing style, his gear, and much more.
The Guitar Channel Interview: Chris Taylor
Oz Noy will be releasing a new live album this September entitled Twisted Blues. Recorded in New York and Austin, the album includes two distinct line-ups. The New York performances feature Anton Fig and Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Will Lee on bass, Jerry Z. and John Medeski on organ, Ralph McDonald on percussion, and Allen Toussaint on piano. For the Austin performances, Noy is joined by Chris Layton played drums, Roscoe Beck played bass, Reese Wynans played organ, and Eric Johnson on guitar.
Noy also has two instructional DVDs planned for release this year. The first will include a lesson with Noy, plus perfomances by his band. In the second DVD, Noy will demonstrate how to play 4 songs from each of his albums, and discuss his approach to writing.
For more information, see Noy's official website.
Ian Patterson has posted an interview with Chris Taylor, and a review of Taylor's debut album Nocturnal, at All About Jazz.
All About Jazz Review: Chris Taylor - Nocturnal
All About Jazz Interview: Chris Taylor: Never Make Your Move Too Soon
Gannin Arnold's new DVD 5 World Class Drummers has just been released. The 2 disc set, recorded in associated with the Drum Channel, features drummers Taylor Hawkins, Jimmy Chamberlain, Simon Phillips, Terry Bozzio and Gary Novak, all of whom performed on Arnold's Not From Here album. The DVD, which also features Billy Mohler on Guitar & Bass and Tim Landers on Bass, contains 19 songs in all, plus interviews with all of the drummers. See order link below.
Gannin Arnold - 5 World Class Drummers DVD
Syracuse.com has a review and pics of last night's Return to Forever IV performance at the M&T Jazz Fest.
Syracuse.com: Stars of Return to Forever IV close M&T Jazz Fest with shining set
Prog Rock legend John Wetton (King Crimson, UK, Asia) will soon release his sixth solo album Raised In Captivity through Frontier Records. The disc features an impressive line-up of special guests including Steve Morse, Alex Machacek, Robert Fripp, and others. The announced release dates are July 1st for Europe, July 12th for North America, and August 24th for Japan (via King Records). The opening track “Lost For Words” featuring Steve Morse can be streamed in full on the Frontiers Records web radio. Check Wetton's official website for more info and samples. See below for the full tracklisting.
John Wetton - Raised In Captivity (Frontier Records)
1. Lost For Words (featuring Steve Morse)
2. Raised In Captivity (featuring Robert Fripp)
3. Goodbye Elsinore (featuring Steve Hackett)
4. The Last Night Of My Life (featuring Alex Machacek)
5. We Stay Together (bonus track)
6. The Human Condition (featuring Tony Kaye)
7. Steffi’s Ring (featuring Geoff Downes)
8. The Devil And The Opera House (featuring Eddie Jobson)
9. New Star Rising (featuring Mick Box)
10.Don’t Misunderstand Me (featuring Tony Kaye)
11.Mighty Rivers (featuring Anneke Van Giersbergen)
PRESS RELEASE
EIGHT-TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNER
JEFF BECK
ANNOUNCES CANADIAN TOUR DATES
WILL ALSO INCLUDE FOUR WEST COAST U.S. DATES
LOS ANGELES – Jeff Beck, guitarist extraordinaire and rock icon, who recently captured three more Grammy® Awards at the 2011 ceremony in Los Angeles, announces the launch of a fall Canadian tour starting on October 12th in Halifax, Nova Scotia and finishing on October 27th in Vancouver. In addition, four U.S. dates are scheduled for the great Northwest immediately following the Canadian portion, starting in Seattle on October 28th and wrapping up in the wine country of Napa on November 1st.
It has been quite a remarkable two years for the legendary artist, starting with his second induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2009 where Beck joined a very elite group of double inductees. Following in January 2010, Beck made a jaw-dropping Grammy appearance with the Irish singing sensation, Imelda May, in a duet of the Les Paul classic, “How High the Moon”, a tribute to Beck’s hero. In early February 2010, Beck joined Eric Clapton for an exclusive, limited string of co-headlining dates in the UK, New York and Canada.
In what is easily one of the most anticipated reunions of the current decade, Beck and Rod Stewart are currently working towards what hopes to become a new album.
As an 8-time Grammy Award winner, Jeff Beck is one of the UK’s leading artists and one of the most influential lead guitarists in rock history. His playing style continues to break new ground and
reflects the eclectic musical mix that is his trademark. His live shows and virtuoso solos have become something of legend and the list of musicians he plays with similarly reflects his commitment to the best of the best.
Throughout his career, Beck has been credited with finding and launching the careers of some of the most exciting new artists on the musical landscape. Adding to his early find of Rod Stewart as singer of the Jeff Beck Group in the 70’s, his recent multiple performances with Imelda May at The Grammy’s and the Tribute to Les Paul at the Iridium, with subsequent U.S. tour, have brought the singer to the U.S. public’s attention, front and center. He has collaborated with Grammy-Award winning singer Imogen Heap and UK sensation Joss Stone on various albums. Over the last few years he has performed alongside singers Kelly Clarkson and Joss Stone on the most-watched U.S. television series to date, American Idol. In an exciting recent development, Beck’s eye for new talent has brought him together in collaboration with New Orleans jazz-sensation Trombone Shorty, combining their talents for a roof raising performance at this year’s Jazz Festival and on a track to be featured on Shorty’s new album.
His latest studio album, Emotion & Commotion, was nominated for five Grammy awards last year, making him the most nominated rock artist of 2010. Beck went on to win Best Rock Instrumental Performance for “Hammerhead” and Best Pop Instrumental performance for “Nessun Dorma”, both from Emotion & Commotion, marking only the second time an artist has won Grammys in both of these categories in the same year. The first time was in 2006 by guitar legend and Beck mentor Les Paul. Beck also won for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for “Imagine,” his collaboration with Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No. 1 & Oumou Sangare.
In June 2010, Beck paid fitting tribute to his mentor, the great Les Paul, celebrating what would have been the pioneering guitarist’s 95th birthday, by playing his friend’s music, along with classic tunes from the era, in the same Times Square nightclub that Paul played every Monday for 14 years before his death in August 2009. During the celebration, Beck was joined on-stage at the Iridium Jazz Club by The Imelda May Band, along with other guest performers Brian Setzer, Gary “U.S.” Bonds, and Trombone Shorty.
In the Fall 2011, Jeff Beck and his band of Jason Rebello, Rhonda Smith and Narada Michael Walden will embark on a 15-date tour, with the first 11 shows in Canada.
October 12 Halifax, NS Halifax Metro Centre
October 13 Moncton, NB The Centre
October 15 Montreal, QC Place des Arts
October 16 Ottawa, ON National Arts Centre
October 18 Toronto, ON Massey Hall
October 19 Kitchener, ON Centre in the Square
October 21 Thunder Bay, ON PAC
October 22 Winnipeg, MB Pantages Playhouse Theatre
October 24 Calgary, AB EPCOR CENTRE’s Jack Singer Concert Hall
October 25 Edmonton, AB Winspear Centre
October 27 Vancouver, BC The Centre
October 28 Seattle, WA Moore Theatre
October 29 Portland, OR Schnitzer Theatre
October 31 Santa Rosa, CA Wells Fargo
November 1 Napa, CA Uptown Theatre
For more information on Jeff Beck, please visit http://www.jeffbeck.com
Here is an updated list of Mike Stern tour dates for 2011.
w/ Didier Lockwood - Violin, Dave Weckl - Drums, Tom Kennedy - Bass
June 30th Strasbourg France
July 1st Duisburg Germany Duisburg Jazz Fest
July 2nd Vienne France Jazz à Vienne Fest
July 4th Alès France
July 5th Grugliasco Italy Gruvillage
July 6th Firenze Italy
July 7th Roedrove Denmark Kulturhuset Viften
July 8th Nice France Nice Jazz Festival
July 9th Paris France New Morning
July 10th Riva del Garda Italy Palazzo dei congressi
July 11th Wien Austria Porgy & Bess
July 13th Kiev Ukraine October Palace
July 15th-16th Stockholm Sweden Fasching Jazz Club
July 18th Dinant Belgium Dinant Jazz Nights
July 20th Cecina, PI Italy Villa la Cinquantina
July 22nd Alicante Spain Alicante Jazz Festival
July 24th San Marino Italy San Marino Jazz Fest
August 8th Vancouver, BC Canada Guitar Workshop Plus Clinic
w/ Dave Weckl - Drums, Tom Kennedy - Bass, Bob Franceschini - Sax
August 19th Burnsville, MN USA Art and All That Jazz Festival
There's a new interview with Alex Machacek over at The Guitar Column. Alex discusses his amazing album 24 Tales and other topics.
The Guitar Column: An Interview with Fusion Jazz Guitarist Alex Machacek
