Jawanza Kobie’s Weekly Wednesday Jazz Playlist June 1, 2022

 Gerald Veasley is an American jazz bass guitarist. Veasley was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he played in R&B groups as a teenager. He worked with Joe Zawinul from 1988 to 1995, and began releasing his own records in 1992. He has also done extensive work as a studio musician. Gerald was also the bassist in the last band of saxophone great Grover Washington Jr. He has become an impresario of sorts bringing major established mostly smooth jazz acts to Philadelphia along with local Jazz acts at South Kitchen Jazz Parlor in Philadelphia through his Unscripted Jazz Series. He was a DJ on the Sooth Jazz station WJJZ in Philadelphia as well as very instrumental in the Berks Jazz Festival. This is ‘Blue Cee’ from his current latest release (2011)

I have a personal connection with Kevin Eubanks being classmates at Berklee College of Music during the same time. We who witnessed his talent back then knew or felt he would be make a big splash in the music world. He has released several albums since graduating on major jazz labels and also was the Tonight Show Band Leader with Jay Leno for twenty plus years. Orin Evans a Philadelphia based pianist and also a Thelonius Monk Jazz Piano Competition 1stclass winner is one of my most local favorite pianist. He is also the leader and creator of the Grammy nominated big band Captain Black Big Band. You can catch this rising artist around the country and elsewhere playing with a who’s who in jazz music delivering his unique robust creative style. Kevin and Orin released a CD together on Orin’s self label Imani Records and this is a track from that CD ‘I Don’t Know’

Bassist and composer Nicholas Krolak is a young veteran of the Philadelphia jazz scene. A graduate of Temple University Music, He has spent the last decade working as a side-man, experiencing new styles, and studying with the masters. Now, he has taken all he has learned and is applying it to his own artistic adventures. I have played with Nick once or twice at jazz musicians jam sessions. Here is ‘Interlude 2’ from his latest most current release.

V. Shayne Frederick's work as a recording artist, composer, educator, and scintillating performer spans well over two decades. He has been featured by TEDx, NPR, music festivals, museums, and jazz clubs throughout the country. His recent work includes weekly musical series he's curated for South Jazz Kitchen in Phildelphia and JG Skyhigh at the Four Seasons in Philadelphia's Comcast Technology Center.  Outside of his busy performance schedule he's an adjunct professor at The University of the Arts and a private music coach. Here is ‘Black Nile’ from his most recent release in 2021

John Colianni is a virtuoso on the piano. So much so, I am using his published piano instruction book to help better my own playing. Long before John Colianni was acclaimed as the “consummate piano virtuoso,” he was a budding musician growing up in Silver Spring, MD. The nearby Washington D.C. area was instrumental—no pun intended—in shaping the youngster’s love of jazz. For more than four years in the early 1990s, Colianni worked as Mel Torme’s pianist. He has either recorded or played with a host of who’s who which included Lionel Hampton. John is also an awesome arranger and big band leader whom I had the pleasure of connecting with him as well as sit in as the pianist for his rehearsals. This is his rendition of the Dione Warwick hit ‘Déjà vu’ from his latest release (2021)

Local pianist/composer Tim Brey is becoming the pianist that jazz artist are recognizing as a awesome player with a style all his own. A graduate of Temple University Music and now an Adjunct Professor at the University of The Arts in Philadelphia. He has had the privilege of performing in small groups led by artists such as Terell Stafford, Dick Oatts, Eric Alexander, and Joanna Pascale; featured in ensembles with Branford Marsalis, Wycliffe Gordon, Houston Person, Karrin Allyson, and more. This is ‘Strange Meadowlark/On A Mist Night’ from is latest release (2021)

Jonathan Blake is becoming a much in demand drummer for many established Jazz artist as well as being an established artist himself being signed to Blue Note Records. He is the son of the late jazz violinist Johnathan Blake (Sr.). I first met Johnathan when he was about 12 or 13 when he was playing the trumpet (which he was very good on that instrument) at the Mill Creek Community Center in West Philly. He and another future Jazz star Jaleel Shaw were best friends whose parents would bring them to this center for music instruction on Saturdays. He has gone onto great heights in the Jazz music world. This is ‘Homeward Bound’ from his most recent release.

Jaleel Shaw is an alto sax phenom originating from Philadelphia. A Berklee College of Music alum, Jaleel has traveled the world delivering symposiums, workshops on Jazz improvisation as well as playing and recording with many Jazz artist. He is also the leader of his own groups. As stated in the above bio, Jaleel was getting music lessons from fellow Berklee Alumni Lawrence Jones at the Mill Creek Community Center who was instrumental for getting him into Berklee. This is ‘Flight Energy’ from his most recent release.

Duane Eubanks is the younger brother of Kevin and Robin (trombone) Eubanks ,leading his own group. Duane is a trumpet player making a name for himself as an emerging artist traveling mostly the U.S. and elsewhere displaying his prowess on his chosen instrument. Here is ‘Dance With Aleta’ written for his wife from his most recent release.

Philadelphia based singer Carol Riddick is no stranger to the music industry. She has been featured with R&B artists such as Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton, Kindred, Norman Brown, and Jeff Bradshaw. Her unique vocal delivery was evident on the platinum selling cd title song “Soulstar” which she was featured with Musiq Soulchild. Carol was one of the background singers for Jill Scott along with Vivian Green before stepping out on her own. Her unique vocal delivery was evident on the platinum selling title song ”Soulstar” which she was featured with Musiq Soulchild.
Now moving from the background to the forefront, Carol has made some artistic strides with some of the best producers in the game such as James Poyser, Anthony Bell, and other heavy hitters which comes through each track. Here is ‘The Way You Say My Name’ from her most recent release.

My track Caillou’s Buddy’

i hope You Enjoy

JK