Contemporary Jazz on Twitter in July

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I’ve posted over 500 tweets of contemporary jazz news, release dates, and site information on Twitter in the last few months. It’s how I communicate quick contemporary jazz items of interest. In today’s quick-moving world, this is how I get most of my information – through brief, one-sentence notifications. Later, I can go back and read more about something or compose a blog post. Follow my tomorrowjazz tweets on Twitter!

I keep a list of my most recent tweets here on the site, but here are some items you might have missed.

  • Smooth jazz takes another blow as The Weather Channel replaces it with classic rock for Weather on the 8’s.
  • Miroslav Vitous’ new CD honors Weather Report http://is.gd/1oYMf
  • New release from jazz pianist Eldar coming August 25. Called Virtue, it has guests Nicholas Payton and Joshua Redman.
  • Pandora and three others might be ok but that doesn’t mean it’s smooth sailing Internet radio. http://is.gd/1sYhv
  • Mike Stern’s Big Neighborhood out 8/11 w/ Dave Weckl, MMW, Steve Vai, Esperanza Spalding, Eric Johnson, Terri Lyne Carrington, and more.
  • B.B. King calls George Benson “the best guitarist in the world in all kinds of music.” http://is.gd/1yQhp
  • One of today’s greatest jazz composers, Terence Blanchard, releases Choices on August 18th. Recorded in New Orleans. http://is.gd/1zHt7
  • Chuck Owen & The Jazz Surge release The Comet’s Tail: Playing The Compositions of Michael Brecker on 8/11 w/guest stars. http://is.gd/1AYmC
  • Pat Metheny writes about his upcoming “orchestrionics” recording. It’s going to be interesting. http://is.gd/1L7tI
  • Far Out Recordings-Brazilian Music Sampler Free at Amazon MP3 Store. With Marcos Valle, Joyce, Azymuth, Sabrina Malheiros. http://bacn.me/9ja
  • Didn’t know Larry Carlton was joining Steely Dan on six dates during their current tour.

Try It Out Trekkers – New Cool Collective

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Big from New Cool CollectiveTry It Out Trekkers is a one-time variation of Try It Out Tuesdays in celebration of the opening of the new Star Trek movie. TIOT offers a free full MP3 of an artist. This New Cool Collective cut is from their big-band/acid jazz recording released about nine years ago called Big. The release also features other Trek-themed song titles like “For The World Is Hollow And I Have Touched The Sky” and “SPKJ (Four Captains At Warpspeed)”.

Click the play button to hear “NCC 1701.” If you like what you hear, click the Shopping Cart icon to buy it from Amazon.com.

Current from Jack BroadNew Cool Collective – NCC 1701

Paul Brown & Marc Antoine Tickets and CDs Giveaway

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ForeignXchange from Paul Brown and Marc AntoineContemporary jazz guitar collaborations between label mates have resulted in some memorable recordings over the history of the genre. The first ones that pop in my head are George Benson and Earl Klugh (Collaboration on Warner Bros.) and Lee Ritenour and Larry Carlton (Larry & Lee on GRP). Peak Records joins in on the tradition with Paul Brown and Marc Antoine. Their new release is ForeignXchange. Brown was the go-to producer for smooth jazz for a long time before starting a solo career. Antoine has had a notable smooth jazz career for over 15 years. I’ve heard his beautiful “Storytime” (from Urban Gypsy, one of his first releases) on a PBS Kids sponsor message a number of times.

The recording has guest performances from Philippe Saisse, Gregg Karukas, and Jessy J. The more noteworthy tracks I heard had the horn section of Jerry Hey, “Bill Richenback” (though I think the liner notes mean Bill Reichenbach), and Dan Higgins. If I programmed a Sunday Brunch show, I’d be playing “Foreign Exchange.” Worth mentioning is that Brown and Antoine are both listed as writers of each of the ten songs on ForeignXchange.

You can experience Brown and Antoine live. They’ll be on tour and I’m happy to be able to give away to one lucky person a pair of tickets to the KIFM festival in San Diego on May 23 where Marc and Paul will be performing. The winner will also get a signed copy of ForeignXchange. I’m also giving away a couple of copies of the CD.

To win the ticket and autographed CD, just respond to this post with your favorite Paul Brown or Marc Antoine (or other smooth jazz) song, concert experience, etc. Make sure you include a valid email address so I can contact you with details.

To win a copy of the CD, follow me on Twitter! I’ll direct message two random winners to ask for a mailing address. I love Twitter because I can convey quick information much faster than blogging. That’s my primary method for announcing contemporary jazz news.

This contest ended on Friday, May 1. The winner was notified on Sunday.

Hear “Foreign Exchange” – Quicktime | Windows Media

Try It Out Tuesdays – Jack Broad

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Current by Jack BroadTry It Out Tuesdays offers a free full MP3 of an artist. Today’s track is from guitarist Jack Broad. Drumolator at The Forum recently asked if there are any fusion fans. It’s been a popular post. There are a number of jazz fans who miss that rock-jazz sound. Fusion fans, as well as fans of jazztronica, will find something they like on Jack’s recording, Current. This track, “Emanations,” spotlights Broad’s electric guitar playing and has a bit of drum ‘n’ bass. Like every track on the CD, it was composed, programmed, recorded, and mixed by Broad.

Click the play button to hear “Emanations.” If you like what you hear, click the Shopping Cart icon to buy it from Amazon.com.

Current from Jack BroadJack Broad – Emanations