Jawanza Kobie’s Weekly Wednesday Jazz Playlist April 12, 2023
Walter Smith III
Walter Smith III is an American jazz saxophonist and composer. He is the current Chair of the Woodwind Department at the Berklee College of Music. In addition to performing with his own group, Smith is a member of the Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet and Eric Harland's Voyager. Smith began playing the saxophone at the age of seven in his hometown of Houston, Texas. Smith's debut recording as a leader was released in March 2006 on the Fresh Sound New Talent label and features Ambrose Akinmusire, Aaron Parks, Reuben Rogers, Eric Harland, and Kendrick Scott, and others. Smith has performed in numerous national and international festivals and on stages in the U.S. such as Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. He has shared the stage and recorded with many jazz notables, including Terence Blanchard, Roy Haynes, Christian McBride, Eric Reed, Mulgrew Miller, Joe Lovano, Bob Hurst, Myron Walden, Walter Beasley, Lewis Nash, Terri Lyne Carrington, and others. This is his latest release ‘Mother Stands For Comfort’
Avishai Cohen
Avishai Cohen is an Israeli jazz double bassist, composer, singer, and arranger. Avishai was born in Kabri, a kibbutz in northern Israel. At age 22, after having served for two years in an army band, Avishai moved to New York City, where he initially performed on the streets while working in construction. While studying at the New School in New York he became part of Panamanian pianists Danilo Perez’ Trio, which led him to experiment with Latin sounds. In 1997, Avishai Cohen became a member of “Chick Corea’s New Trio” and co-founder of Corea’s ensemble, “Origin”. During the six years of musical collaboration with Chick Corea, Avishai fine-tuned his skills as a performer and composer. In 2005 he released the album At Home, described as one of his most striking records, featuring the composition “Remembering”, a highly evocative trio ballad which became his most beloved and demanded encore at live performances, as well as being highly demanded for use in film and TV. ‘The Healer’ with Abraham Rodriquez is his latest release.
Ludovica Burtone
Ludovica Burtone is an Experienced Musician, Composer, and Educator with a demonstrated history of working in the consumer services industry. Skilled in Music Education, Music Composition, Violin, and String Quartet. Strong education, Master of Arts in violin performance from an Italian Conservatory, and Diploma in Jazz Composition from Berklee College of Music. Experienced in Orchestral, Chamber, recordings settings. Not much more info found on this artist. ‘Awakening’ is the track heard here and latest release.
The Bad Plus
The Bad Plus is an American jazz quartet, formerly a trio, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, consisting of founding bassist Reid Anderson and drummer David King, as well as guitarist Ben Monder and tenor saxophonist Chris Speed. Ethan Iverson, Reid Anderson and David King first played together in 1989 but established The Bad Plus in 2000. The band recorded their first album, a self-titled effort released on Fresh Sound, after playing only three gigs together. A live performance at the Village Vanguard was heard by Columbia Records representative Yves Beauvais, and the band was signed to Columbia in 2002. Their major label debut album, These Are the Vistas, was released in 2003. The trio's music combines elements of modern avant-garde jazz with rock and pop influences. This track from this ever changing line up group is ‘Electric Face’
Ingrid Laubrock
Ingrid Laubrock is a German jazz saxophonist, who primarily plays tenor saxophone but also performs and records on soprano, alto, and baritone saxophones. She studied with Jean Toussaint (who started out in my big band at Berklee), Dave Liebman and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. n 1998, she released her first solo album Who Is It?and was nominated for the 'Rising Star of the Year' award at the 1999 BT Jazz Awards. She was also nominated for the BBC Award 'Rising Star' in 2005 and in 2009 won the SWR Jazz Award for her recording Sleepthief, featuring pianist Liam Noble and drummer Tom Rainey (her husband). They recorded a 2011 album called The Madness of Crowds. ‘Anticipation’ is the latest track release from this young musician.
Vince Mendoza
Vince Mendoza is an American composer, music arranger and conductor. He debuted as a solo artist in 1989, and is known for his work conducting the Metropole Orkest and WDR Big Band Köln, as well as arranging music for musicians such as John Scofield, Joni Mitchell, Michael Brecker and Björk. He began studying music on the piano and classical guitar at an early age, before changing his focus to playing the trumpet and composing in high school, due to his love of jazz and soul music. Mendoza moved to Los Angeles in 1983, where he completed a master's degree in composition at USC Thornton School of Music. In Los Angeles, Mendoza began to make connections in the music industry, arranging music for television and recordings, and for artists such as Peter Erskine, Charlie Haden and Rickie Lee Jones. His compositions can be heard on recordings by Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, Sean Jones, Michael Brecker, John Abercrombie and Charlie Haden. Mendoza provided arrangements for Björk's Vespertine (2001) and Lars von Trier's score to Dancer in the Dark (2000). His arrangements are also heard on recordings by Gregory Porter, Chaka Khan, Elvis Costello, Robbie Williams, Robert Glasper, Bobby McFerrin, Sting, as well as Herbie Hancock and Al Jarreau. ‘Partido Alto’ is the latest from this artist.
I hope you enjoy
JK