-New Urban SOUNDS- Great New Year's Party Jazz from 2017's Grammy Nominees for Best Jazz Album
At 28 years old, Florida native and critical music darling Cécile McLorin Salvant has been taking the jazz world by storm for the past 7 years, beginning with her outstanding debut CD, "Cécile & The Jean-Francois Bonnel Paris Quintet" in 2010, and now, with her latest Grammy nominated outing, "Dreams and Daggers" . Born in Miami to a Haitian father and French mother, the classically trained Salvant credits the multi-cultural tapestry of her tropical Miami childhood for opening up her musical world- being exposed to music running the gamut from traditional Haitian songs to Cuban music and traditional American jazz & soul. Known almost as much for her witty, avant-garde visual aesthetic as her clear, careful approach to vocal pitch, and slowly enunciated singing style, through "Dreams and Daggers" Salvant offers an emotionally expressive outing that manages to capture the bygone era of traditional jazz, all while encompassing a strong sense of wry, modernist storytelling - resulting in a sound McLorin often describes as jazz & blues with elements of folk and musical theatre. For the musically adventurous and jazz intellectual crowd, "Dreams and Daggers" can serve as a wonderful centerpiece for conversation during a cozy, intimate New Year's Eve, and can be purchased via: amazon.de , iTunes, and Google Play.
When it comes to recognizing some of America's most celebrated musicians and vocalists, most sonic connoisseurs are apt to be familiar with Juilliard and the Berklee School of Music as producing some of the most famous musical geniuses of our time. But as quiet as it's kept, sunny Florida has own its' quiet, but mighty secret weapon by way of University of Miami - which has helped nurture and produce a virtual arsenal of some of the most acclaimed and successful heavyweights in modern American jazz and popular music history; including but not limited to Jaco Pastorius, Pat Metheny, Gloria Estefan, Bruce Hornsby, Ben Folds, Enrique Iglesias, Grace Slick, today's blog co-feature Cécile McLorin Salvant, and the musical wonder that is Raul Midón- with his 2017 Grammy nominated album, "Bad Ass and Blind". Born in New Mexico to an Argentine father and African-American mother, Raul and his twin brother became blind as a result of inadequate eye protection while in an incubator as prematurely born infants. His father was a folkloric dancer from Argentina who introduced him to the drum at aged four, and Raul continued to study music by way of his education at a school for the blind, then later an academy in New Mexico. He attended the University of Miami and graduated in 1990, and into the 90s began his career in South Florida playing local gigs around the city of Miami Beach (where we are happy to say we had the chance to see him in local venues countless times). Midón began building industry recognition as a session singer for Latin artists; recording with Julio Iglesias, José Feliciano, and Shakira, the latter who he also toured with as a side-man. After his touring stint with Shakira, Midón moved to New York and was signed by super-producer Arif Mardin (Aretha Franklin, The Bee Gees, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, Chaka Kahn, Roberta Flack, Norah Jones, George Benson, David Bowie) - and released the album, " State of Mind", garnering critical acclaim and featuring an appearance by Stevie Wonder. "Bad Ass and Blind" marks his ninth CD release and features Midòn's trademark honey-drenched vocals and virtuoso guitar playing, leaning heavily into percussive latin-jazz influences after opening with the funk-tinged title piece, and includes a sultry slow-tempo offering or two- something that always suits Midón beautifully, as he is inherently a master balladeer comparable to a young Donny Hathaway with just a hint of Peabo Bryson. For an evening with a little latin jazz, a little funk, a little Miami pop and some soul in your life, "Bad Ass and Blind" is available via: amazon.de, and Google Play
Our youngest feature on this post and and one of the most dynamic jazz vocalists we've heard in a long while: Jazzmeia Horn is a force of nature on record with a sass and playful mastery that belies her mere 26 years: the young Dallas born, New York based vocalist born to African parents released her debut album this year in the form of "A Social Call", drawing critical comparisons to jazz pantheons like Betty Carter and Dianne Reeves. Our personal favorites from this dazzling freshman effort? "Up Above My Head", and the quick-stepping Betty Carter trademark tune, "Tight"- with an honorable mention for Horn's swingin' rendition of the classic Rose Royce R&B ballad (made most famous by Mary J. Blige), "I'm Going Down". This is simply one of these records that has to be heard to be appreciated, and we promise you'll fall in ears first, then all in, for many, many plays to come. "A Social Call" is available on amazon.de, and Google Play.
