In an innovative marriage of ancient and modern, driving grooves intersect with cinematic atmospheres and soaring melodies, creating a fresh sonic experience. The music is inspired by the deep musical traditions of India, Africa and Brazil, and is rooted within the framework of modern jazz. Put that alongside soulful and reflective grooves and you’ve got a smorgasbord of musical favour AvataarĪvataar is an award-winning world-jazz group featuring a cohort of some of Toronto’s finest jazz, world, funk, and pop musicians. Their fourth full-length album, Stir Crazy, features the high intensity New Orleans-style brass playing and virtuosity that has been a staple of the band since its inception. For his latest recording, Luz, Rodriguez is heard on six-string E-bass, his fretless E-bass and the standard string bass, contributing four of the ten selections, and arranging all of the music. Rodriguez has spent important periods living and playing music in Cuba, Venezuela and (since 2001) the United States. Sardiñas Trumpet: Richie Viruet Violoncello: José Pradas Drums: Reinier Guerra and Lucio Vieira Udú, Afro-Percussion, Timbal, and Cuban Percussion: Orlando “Landy” Mosqueda Batá Drums: Tomasito Cruz Cajón: Andy FornetĪ major composer and bassist, Mauricio J.
Hernández Cadenas Guitar: Ahmed Barroso Saxophones: Zachary Bornheimer and Jorge Pinelo Clarinet: José M. Rodriguez Vocals: Adrianna Foster, Jorge Quintero, Big Johnny Boffa Pianos: Gabriel M. Musicians: All Arrangements, Six Strings E. Mike Christianson, Jim Messbauer, Ben Herrington (tracks 1,13)ĭave Phillips – electric and acoustic bassĪnd Hugh Ragin (track 8) Manny Kellough And Friendsįor Speaking Of Jazz, drummer Kellough gathered together some of his favorite instrumentalists and singers For the first eight numbers, he is joined by pianist William Knowles, bassist Wes “Suga” Biles, and (on most selections) altoist Antonio Parker and trumpeter-flugelhornist Michael Thomas. du Maine, Thomas Bergeron and Hugh Ragin – trumpets Ted Levine and Kelley Hart-Jenkins – alto saxophonesĪnna Webber (tracks 1, 13), Marc Phaneuf (track 13) and Geoff Vidal – tenor saxophonesīrad Goode (track 1), Tony Kadleck (track 13), Tim Leopold, Wayne J. There’s music from David Sanford, Manny Kellough, Mauricio J Rodriguez, The Heavyweights Brass Band, Avataar, Barry Deister and i’m closing with some great improvisation from Tim Green and Massimo Magee. This week a selection of new releases with some classic live sounds from Sun Ra. Tim Green and Massimo Magee “Abeyance (Edit) ” from Abeyance (Orbit 577) 1:48:10.Mauricio J Rodriguez “Claudia” from Luz (Self Released) 1:41:49.Manny Kellough And Friends “Happy Swing In F” from Speaking Of Jazz East To West (MKJ “So De Kie” Music) 1:37:44.David Sanford “V Reel” from A Prayer For Lester Bowie (Greenleaf) 1:29:05.The Heavyweights Brass Band “Stir Crazy” from Stir Crazy (Slammin’ Media) 1:25:37.Avataar “Ekkriis Spirito (reclaimed spirit)” from Worldview (Insound Records) 1:17:07.Sun Ra and his Intergalactic Cosmo Arkestra “The House Of Eternal Being” from Live At Montreux (P Vine Records) 1:07:13.Mauricio J Rodriguez “Monday” from Luz (Self Released) 1:00:44.Manny Kellough And Friends “Katrina Ballerina (Cute And Pretty Ballerina)” from Speaking Of Jazz East To West (MKJ “So De Kie” Music) 55:39.David Sanford “A Prayer For Lester Bowie” from A Prayer For Lester Bowie (Greenleaf) 42:07.The Barry Deister Quintet “Ripples” from The Barry Deister Quintet – Music for Jazz Quintet & Strings (Self Released) 35:25.Avataar “Song Song” from Worldview (Insound Records) 28:49.The Heavyweights Brass Band “Sweet Pauly’s Boogaloo” from Stir Crazy (Slammin’ Media) 24:58.Mauricio J Rodriguez “Casualty” from Luz (Self Released) 19:52.Manny Kellough And Friends “Generosity” from Speaking Of Jazz East To West (MKJ “So De Kie” Music) 14:12.David Sanford “Immersion” from A Prayer For Lester Bowie (Greenleaf) 00:00.