EMP Project Releases Best of EMP Project — A Remastered Collection of Modern Jazz Trio Recordings5/2/2026  Blue Canoe Records proudly announces the release of Best of EMP Project, a newly remastered compilation album from the Southern-based jazz trio EMP Project, available worldwide on May 1, 2026. Bringing together a powerful blend of modern jazz, fusion, groove, and improvisational interplay, Best of EMP Project revisits standout recordings originally captured between 2002 and 2005. These selections, drawn from the group’s debut EMP Project and sophomore release Wherever We Go, have been carefully remastered to introduce the trio’s music to a new generation of listeners. At the core of EMP Project is a deeply rooted musical connection between three longtime collaborators:
The trio’s origins trace back to their time studying at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1989–1994), where they developed a shared musical language under the guidance of renowned educators including Jerry Coker, Donald Brown, Rusty Holloway, Keith Brown, Mark Boling and others. After years pursuing individual careers across the country, the musicians reunited—capturing lightning in a bottle during a series of live studio recordings in Atlanta, Georgia. Recorded on August 6–7, 2002, with no rehearsals, the sessions document the trio’s raw chemistry, spontaneity, and collective musical intuition. Each member contributed original compositions, resulting in a truly collaborative artistic statement. Track highlights include: Warrior, Wherever We Go, Elise, Just Visiting, Ba Dump, Birdy, Quickly and Quietly, Night, and Synergy. The original recordings were produced by EMP Project alongside Vic Stafford and Anita Walls, who also handled mixing and mastering. For this release, the material has been newly remastered by Joseph Patrick Moore at Abstract Truth Recording Studio (Henderson, NV), offering enhanced clarity while preserving the organic energy of the original performances. Artist Quote “This music captures a moment before life pulled us in different directions—three musicians reconnecting with no expectations, just trust and instinct. Remastering these recordings gave me the chance to hear that honesty again, and I’m excited to share it with listeners who may be discovering EMP Project for the first time.” — Joseph Patrick Moore About the Release Best of EMP Project serves as both a retrospective and a reintroduction—highlighting a trio whose musical roots run deep, and whose sound remains timeless, exploratory, and deeply connected. Availability Best of EMP Project is available on all major streaming platforms beginning May 1, 2026. 🔗 More info: Blue Canoe Records 🔗 Streaming: https://orcd.co/60y0e5b   Blue Canoe Records proudly announces the highly anticipated return of the Dave Pope Trio with their new album “Skyline,” available July 18, 2025. This release reunites drummer Dave Pope, pianist and bassist Mike Pope, and world-renowned bassist John Patitucci in a soulful, spontaneous, and deeply expressive collection of originals and jazz standards.
After a 14-year hiatus following their acclaimed debut You and The Night and The Music (2012), the trio reconnected in August 2024 at Vatican City Sound in Marriottsville, MD. Despite having no live performances together in the interim—and with minimal rehearsal—what emerged was a session overflowing with chemistry, creativity, and courage. “Skyline” features two original compositions—Dave Pope’s title track “Skyline” and “Country Nocturne” by Mike Pope—alongside a curated selection of jazz classics including:
Of special note is the unique interpretation of “Falling Grace,” which features both Mike and John on 6-string electric bass, transforming the trio into a piano/guitar-style ensemble for this track. The recording nearly faced a setback when Mike Pope suffered a detached retina just one week prior to the session—his second eye surgery in recent months. Despite limited vision, he pressed forward with determination and humor, even jokingly suggesting the album be titled Flying Blind. Thankfully, Mike has since fully recovered, and his performances on this recording are nothing short of remarkable. Reflecting on the experience, Dave Pope shares: “We covered a lot of musical ground in just two days. Although we hadn’t played live as a group, the session flowed naturally. I’m proud of what we captured and grateful to have had this opportunity with Mike and John.” About Dave Pope: An Atlanta-based multi-instrumentalist (drums, guitar, bass), Dave Pope has spent decades cultivating a diverse musical career spanning the Midwest, East Tennessee, and the Southeast. From garage bands at 14 to sessions with jazz luminaries like Randy Brecker, Joe Gransden, and Louis Heriveaux, Dave brings a deep well of experience and artistic sensitivity to every project. About Mike Pope: An acclaimed bassist, pianist, composer, and educator, Mike Pope is a faculty member at Berklee College of Music. He’s known for his extensive solo work and collaborations with artists like Chick Corea, Al Di Meola, and David Sanborn. About John Patitucci: A multiple Grammy Award-winning bassist, John Patitucci has played with legends including Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Esperanza Spalding. His unmistakable sound and virtuosity are on full display throughout Skyline. “Skyline” by the Dave Pope Trio is a testament to resilience, chemistry, and timeless artistry. Available on all major digital platforms July 18, 2025, via Blue Canoe Records. Drum extraordinaire and composer Sinclair Lott delivers a thoughtful straight-ahead jazz album with a modern twist. Featuring Bob Sheppard (saxophones), Tigran Hamasyan (piano), Danny McKay (bass), and Sinclair Lott (drums). This ten song album titled, "Long Story Short" features seven original compositions and three cover tunes by Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Brubeck and Ornette Coleman. Fans of traditional jazz will enjoy listening to Sinclair's Story of music with this uplifting collection of compositions and performances.  We are excited to announce the launch of Blue Canoe Records Radio - streaming live 24 . x 7 x 365 days a year. Click to listen to the live stream. Blue Canoe Radio currently has 29 programs and shows - click here to see the weekly schedule and speciality programs.
Listen Live Now “Reflections from Dave Pope”  This project, which is my first commercial recording, has come to fruition much too late in life in life but better late than never. Juggling family life, a career in banking, and a music career on multiple instruments has been quite an endeavor but one I would not trade for anything. I made a conscious decision in my early twenties to choose a dual career path, knowing the challenge would be to do justice to both. Since then, I have committed to being the best musician I can be under the circumstances and have worked very, very hard at being able to “hang” with musicians at the level on this record. There are several special aspects of this record worth mentioning. It is the debut recording of my brother Mike on piano, which is actually his “second”instrument. Primarily known as a virtuoso bass player, this record gives Mike the opportunity to make a musical contribution as a pianist and as you will hear, the contribution is remarkable. Also, it joins Mike with his mento on bass, John Patitucci of whom I have always been a big fan and am honored to have on the record.  This recording was tracked in two half-day sessions at Mike’s studio with virtually no pre-session planning. It was also mixed and mastered by Mike with the kind assistance of our brother Peter during tracking. The project was intentionally loose, spontaneous, and not overly produced. My objective was to have fun and document what was happening musically in our lives in the moment. More importantly, I hope you will have fun listening. - DAVE POPE
 After enjoying accolades while singing, performing and touring with icons in numerous genres as a support artist, La Tanya Hall re-emerges as a multi-faceted jazz vocalist and interpreter extraordinaire with her first full-length album in a decade. Though her gorgeous, emotionally intuitive vocals take center stage, the expansive collection is, at heart, a collaborative effort with Unison, a newly formed NYC trio led by Hall’s husband Andy Milne on piano, featuring John Hebert on bass and Clarence Penn on drums. Say Yes was produced and arranged by Milne, a distinct and respected voice at the heart of NYC’s creative jazz scene for over 20 years. While Say Yes is technically a follow-up to La Tanya’s 2009 recording, It’s About Time, she sees Say Yes as the first project that is a true reflection of her artistic spirit. Fans wondering why it took her so many years to return to the studio can look to her busy schedule touring these past seven years with Steely Dan – and her 10-year career as an instructor, passing along her experience and expertise to the next generation of singers as Associate Professor of Jazz Voice at Oberlin Conservatory and at The New School in NYC.  Over the years, La Tanya’s versatility in a multitude of genres has made her a first-call vocalist for some of music’s most celebrated artists, including Diana Ross, Bobby McFerrin, Harry Belafonte, Michael McDonald, Burt Bacharach, Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin, Rob Thomas, Patti Labelle, Michael Feinstein and Steve Tyrell. Developing her solo artistry, she has performed in recent years at some of New York’s most renowned venues, including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland, Symphony Space, Iridium, and Feinstein’s/54 Below. In addition, she has appeared as a soloist with the American Composer’s Orchestra, The Colorado Symphony, the Jefferson Symphony and the St. Louis Symphony. “I have been busy singing with everybody else,” La Tanya says, “and even though my first album received critical acclaim, it featured arrangements that I couldn’t fully immerse myself in vocally and as an artist. So, with Say Yes, I was eager to present material that would support and showcase my disposition and broad range of musical tastes. Working so closely with my husband afforded me a trusting, collaborative dynamic that allowed me to sing as fully and as freely as I could." Besides her exquisite vocal tone and Milne’s elegant arrangements and piano work, the most remarkable aspect of Say Yes is La Tanya’s unique choices of material – a set list that truly reflects her deep musical curiosity, spanning generations and many genres. She reaches outside the jazz realm with lush re-imaginings of folk-rocker Jonatha Brookes’ “Because I Told You So” (which the singer calls “the most personal song on the album to me”) and Joni Mitchell’s “The Fiddle and the Drum” – a Vietnam era tune whose poetry resonates perfectly in response to today’s intense socio-political climate. Another remarkable theme that La Tanya develops with this recording is the decision to re-interpret classic jazz pieces that originated as instrumentals before lyrics were added later. These include “All You Need To Say,” which first appeared as the instrumental “Never Say Yes” on Cannonball Adderley’s 1961 album with Nancy Wilson; Benny Golson’s “Whisper Not,” whose lyrics were added later by Leonard Feather; “Pannonica,” Thelonious Monk’s tribute to elusive “patron saint of jazz” Pannonica de Koenigswarter, with lyrics added later by Jon Hendricks; another Monk-Hendricks classic, “Well You Needn’t”; and Clare Fischer’s “Pensativa,” whose lyrics were later penned by Norma Winstone. In addition, La Tanya reaches back to 1944 and revamps Cole Porter’s classic, “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye,” incorporating a Pablo Neruda poem which adds new life to the already powerful lyrics, to 1942 for a fresh, bourbon-soaked spin on Fats Waller’s “Jitterbug Waltz,” and to 1916 for the Raymond Hubbell tune “Poor Butterfly,” – the latter of which is a part of La Tanya’s Sarah Vaughan tribute show.  |
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTISTS
|
RELEASES
|
SOCIAL
|
BCR
|
© 2003-2026 Blue Canoe Records & Blue Canoe Digital LLC.
All Rights Reserved