contemporary jazz
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Spyro Gyra Celebrates 50th Anniversary with New Compilation “Jubilee”
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Spyro Gyra has announced the release of a special compilation, titled “Jubilee,” in celebration of their 50th anniversary. The collection, set to be released in November, highlights the band’s evolving sound from their first decade of recording (1977-87). About the Release “Jubilee” will be available in two formats: a 2-LP gold and purple colored vinyl…
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Driving Beverly Hills – Mark Portmann goes solo in 1994
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Before he became a nine-time Grammy nominee, a baby-faced Mark Portmann was a part of the contemporary jazz scene. Here’s a review of his Driving Beverly Hills release that I originally wrote 30 years ago (with some updates). Playing with one of top groups in contemporary jazz was bound to have an effect. Mark Portmann…
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David Sanborn has died
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David Sanborn, a true contemporary jazz legend, passed Sunday afternoon, May 12th, after an extended battle with prostate cancer with complications. This is such a sad loss. Sanborn was an influence and inspiration to a lot of contemporary jazz musicians. He would be one of the four in a contemporary jazz version of Mt. Rushmore. He…
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Top Contemporary Jazz April 17, 1994: Incognito, Bob James and more
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The top ten contemporary jazz recordings, ranked by ContemporaryJazz.com, from the week of April 17, 1994! David Benoit and Russ Freeman, The Benoit/Freeman Project Paul Hardcastle, Hardcastle Dave Weckl, Hard-Wired The Solsonics, Jazz in the Present Tense Mark Johnson, Mark Johnson Incognito, Positivity Bob James, Restless John Scofield and Pat Metheny, I Can See Your…
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Mark Johnson Contemporary Jazz Review
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I wrote this review in 1994, when Mark Johnson’s debut self-titled solo recording was released: With so many saxophonists trying to copy the funky Sanborn sound, it’s difficult for new artists not to get lost in the shuffle. A new release has to really have a good, strong sound and great songs to stand out…