smooth jazz
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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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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…
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The Benoit/Freeman Project Review
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On 2.22.22 (Feb. 22, 2022), I was thinking about duets and some of my favorites. One that immediately came to mind was the first Benoit/Freeman Project. Here’s the review I wrote for a newsletter I wrote and designed for KBIA, the NPR station I worked at this time in 1994: A few years ago, Russ…
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Joe Sample Week!
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This week at ContemporaryJazz.com, we’re celebrating the music of contemporary jazz legend Joe Sample. Joe was born on Feb. 1, 1939 and passed on Sept. 12, 2014. He will not be forgotten as so much of his music will be with us always. Tomorrow night, Tuesday, his music will be celebrated in his hometown of…
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Animated Contemporary Jazz
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Looks like Dave Koz published the 2020 livestream of The Greatest Hits of Christmas on Christmas Day 2021. This COVID-affected smooth jazz show has a segment with fun, animated versions of David Benoit, Peter White, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun, Jonathan Butler and Koz.