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“written by Bill Milkowski”. This Press Release/Liner Notes originally appeared on the inside of the Physical CD packaging.  It was 30 years ago that South Florida guitarist Randy Bernsen burst onto the national scene with Music For Planets, People and Washing Machines, his auspicious debut for MCA Records that featured a lineup of such all-world players as Jaco Pastorius, Peter Erskine, Bob James, Bobby Thomas Jr., Othello Molineaux, Michael Urbaniak and Herbie Hancock. The proverbial hard act to follow, it was succeeded in 1986 by Bernsen’s acclaimed sophomore outing, Mo’ Wasabi, which had Jaco, Erskine and Hancock returning and also featured contributions from the likes of Michael Brecker, Toots Thielemans, Marcus Miller, Steve Gadd and Wayne Shorter. The guitarist completed his MCA trifecta with 1988’s similarly star-studded Paradise Citizens. From 1990 to 1992, Bernsen was a member of the Zawinul Syndicate, replacing fellow Florida native Scott Henderson in Joe Zawinul’s exotic world music-meets-jazz ensemble and playing on the album Lost Tribes. More recently, he has toured and recorded with the Jaco Pastorius Big Band, appearing on the Jaco tribute albums Word Of Mouth Revisited in 2003 and The Word Is Out in 2006. Over the years, the longtime Fort Lauderdale resident has further showcased his six-string skills and composer-arranger prowess on a series of self-produced small group recordings (most recently 2012’s funky organ trio outing, App Teaser with guest artist John Medeski) while also earning his commercial pilot’s license, writing music for TV and touring through Japan and South East Asia. GRACE NOTES marks Bernsen’s return to working on a bigger canvas with another all-star cast, including Yellowjackets co-founders Jimmy Haslip and Russell Ferrante, drummers Erskine, Gary Novak and Virgil Donati, keyboardists Scott Kinsey, Mac Chew and Colin James, saxophonist Steve Tavaglione, percussionists Luis Conte, Archie Pena and blues harmonica ace Rockin’ Jake. Florida homeboys Othello Molineaux, Bobby Thomas Jr. and Julius Pastorius (Jaco’s son) also make special guest appearances on his 12th album as a leader.  Co-produced by bassist Haslip, GRACE NOTES travels from a Miles Davis Tutu-era flavored jam to a crackling big band chart with some detours into soul-jazz, smooth jazz, funk, blues and N’awlins second line along the way. “It’s a collection of different musical elements that I’ve explored all coming together into one project,” says the guitarist, whose first road work was with Blood, Sweat & Tears back in 1977. “With Jimmy’s guidance and handpicking some of his L.A. bros for the project, Kinsey, Novak, Russell Ferrante, Virgil Donati and engineer Rich Breen, it all came together. I couldn’t be more pleased!” Bernsen comes out stinging on the opener, a remake of the Yellowjackets’ slow grooving “Black Top” (from 2009’s Dreamland). While Steve Tavaglione conjures up an ominous Miles muted trumpet vibe on EWI, Novak powers the track with his slamming backbeat alongside Haslip’s slap basslines. Co-composer Ferrante provides some funky clarinet work on the bridge and comps in classic soul-jazz fashion on piano throughout. Randy’s slinky guitar solo pushes the envelope bot in his note and timbre choices, and Tavaglione takes the piece out with some sinuous soprano sax lines at the tag. An ambitious re-imagining of Freddie Hubbard’s 1970 classic “Red Clay” features some dynamic big band flourishes courtesy of Bernsen’s guitar synth and Tavaglione’s synth horn work. Newcomer Max Boiko also contributes some tasty nuggets on trumpet. Randy shows some facile whammy bar articulation on his solo midway through the piece and also experiments with touches of harmonizer before drummer Erskine engages in a percussive breakdown with Conte’s congas to elevate the proceedings. Easily his most impressive and personal project since the ‘80s, Bernsen’s star-studded GRACE NOTES has the veteran guitarist-composer covering a myriad of musical bases with confidence, swag and the chops to back it up.  Atlanta's jazz guitar master Trey Wright has released his latest solo effort, "Begin Again". Mr. Wright puts together a moving group of songs inspired by his recovery from a depressive episode in 2016 and dedicated to ex-bandmate the late Carl Lindberg (Squat, Grogus, Old School Trio). ”Begin Again" also features Marc Miller (bass - The Atlanta Pops Orchestra), Marlon Patton (drums - John Patitucci, Randy Brecker, Rufus Reid, Wycliffe Gordon), Laura Coyle (vocals - twice featured performer at the Atlanta Jazz Festival) plus Sam Skelton (Matchbox 20, Train, Edwin McCain, The Gap Band, and The Ohio Players) and Grammy winner Mace Hibbard (Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, and Tommy Dorsey Orchestra) on sax. In 1994, Mr. Wright co-founded the Athens/Atlanta based jazz band Squat. The group is a six-time winner of Best Jazz Band at the Flagpole Athens Music Awards and has been a featured artist at the Atlanta Jazz Festival. Several of Trey’s compositions with the group have received international airplay and have been featured on Sirius/XM radio and NPR’s All Things Considered. Mr. Wright also performs freelance in the Athens and Atlanta area and has performed with John Patitucci, Joe Lovano among others. Trey has performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival and in early 2008, he began playing with the Georgia Symphony Jazz Orchestra. In 2006, Trey released his first CD "Where I’m Calling From", receiving rave reviews and airplay throughout the United States, New Zealand, England, Australia, Germany, Italy, Canada, Luxembourg, Scotland, and The Netherlands. The Trey Wright Trio released "Thinking Out Loud" in 2009 on Blue Canoe Records. In 2010, the CD was included in the first round of Grammy Nominations/Entries for Best Jazz Instrumental Album. Trey’s long-awaited collaboration with Grammy-winning saxophonist Mace Hibbard "The Hibbard/Wright Project" was released in May 2013. In 2015, Mr. Wright released his Blue Canoe follow up titled, "Songs From Oak Avenue". Since 2017 Trey has been working with vocalist Laura Coyle as a duo and she is featured on three songs from “Begin Again”.  Trey Wright Live. Photo credit Brian Weaver "Begin Again" leads off with a moving tribute to Carl Lindberg entitled "From Now On". Mr. Wright says of this work, “...it was inspired by Carl’s passing but over time the song began to represent all of the life changes I experienced in my early 40's”. Trey starts off with a sweet-toned arpeggiated bounce that sets the song's theme. He is quickly joined by expert rhythm section Marc Miller on bass and Marlon Patton on drums. Mr. Wright lets it breathe with a spacious solo as the rhythmic dynamics drive the bus. As the solo fades, Mace Hibbard really brings some energy with a soaring saxophone melody. Unique ideas, sympathetic solos and melodic mastery mark this stellar opening track. Also of note, Laura Coyle knocks out the Joni Mitchell classic "Hissing of Summer Lawns". Ms. Coyle really nails Mitchell's unique phrasing and, while distinctly marking her territory, brings an immediately recognizable feel to the melody. The collaboration is not to be missed and, as Mr. Wright puts it, “Laura and I collaborated on a concert of Joni Mitchell’s music at Kennesaw State University and I thought it would be fun to record one of the songs. The song references suburban ennui which, although the album is overtly hopeful, I think fits the tone of the album”. Wright concludes, “For me, recording this album was cathartic and a reminder that you can always begin again.” Past Press Quotes:"Wright’s playing serves to accentuate the rich harmonic ambiance of the compositions. It is sparse and floating, at times almost minimalist, but tastefully captivating." - Mike Reynolds, muzikreciews.com "Trey Wright knows how to arrange and build a track to tell a story, merging music and drama into a seductive mix that maintains a strong grip on your attention. With its mainstream accessibility and distinctive sound world, Wright's music is truly original." -AllAboutJazz.com
 Trey Wright Live - Photo by Brian Weaver Virtuosic guitarist, composer, arranger, and educator Trey Wright delivers a beautiful new uplifting jazz album titled, "Begin Again". Listen | Learn More | Stream
Atlanta, GA (April 29th, 2016) - Blue Canoe Records has released “Marbles From A Drawer”, from versatile keyboard player David Ellington. “Marbles From A Drawer”, produced by Coy Bowles of Zac Brown Band, features many acclaimed guests and focuses on smoky, keyboard-based blues that is contemporary while still maintaining an old school presence.  David Ellington grew up in Connecticut learning in as many musical situations as possible. From garage bands to church and school bands, he viewed all of these musical experiences as ways to learn. After high school, Mr. Ellington continued his education in Boston at Berklee College of Music. He moved to New Orleans, Louisiana in 1983 where he played and recorded with many local legends including Walter “Wolfman” Washington and Troi Bechet among others. Mr. Ellington also created afro- cuban jazz group Chevere during his time in New Orleans. Cheer recording “Baila Mi Ritmo” was chosen by Times Picayune music critic Keith Spera as one of the Top 20 recordings of 2001. During this time, he continued learning as he studied under Ellis Marsalis. “Marbles From A Drawer” begins in sultry fashion with “Goin’ To Church”. Mr. Ellington captures the listener’s ear with an expanding groove that gets deeper and funkier as the track breathes. It fills senses while remaining simple at heart. As the keyboard foundation gives way to a sizzling guitar solo, the interplay between players gets bigger while maintaining its simplicity and catchy feel. At the end, the audience is left wanting more while their feet are still tapping. On “98 Bottles”, Mr. Ellington features Clay Cook on vocals. Mr. Cook is famous for co- writing hits with John Mayer including “No Such Thing” which won the 2003 ASCAP award for Most Performed Song. “98 Bottles” is a melancholy song about waiting remorsefully for a lost love. The haunting keyboard textures add to the wistful regret as the vocals build and fade. Ellington and Cook combine to move the listener as the track ends in a dream-like fade. “Fool” is another notable track that features Oliver Wood (The Wood Brothers) on vocals. Mr. Ellington leads on a journey of honesty and regret that can be tasted in Wood’s voice. In admitting shortcomings and questioning self-worth, David Ellington exposes our human existence with these universal themes while Olive Wood brings those emotions to heart. “Marbles From A Drawer” is a masterful compilation that brings together brilliant songwriting with traditional blues, modern Americana and classic could all while exploring common themes of our human experience. David Ellington does all of this and packages it in a very accessible way that demands use of the replay button. “Marbles From A Drawer” is a stirring and impassioned release that will have the listener looking to hear more from David Ellington.   “Touch Of Blue”, the fifth album from epic guitar man Bill Hart. This bold, current effort fuses rock and bits of blues and jam-band to form a unique blend of Satriani-like soul. Bill Hart was born and raised in Ontario, Canada and began playing guitar at the young age of nine years old. Influenced by the diverse guitar style of Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, and Jimmy Page, he came up playing non-traditional places like theaters where he performed “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Little Shop of Horrors”. Mr Hart has studied under master guitarists such as Mike Stern, Wayne Krantz and Scott Henderson and has been the head of the guitar department at the Atlanta Institute of Music & Media for over 25 years. He has opened for jazz greats Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Lou Rawls, Yellow Jackets, Acoustic Alchemy, Joey Defrancesco, Norman Brown, Rippingtons and Mike Stern among others. Touring all over Latin America, Mr. Hart was awarded a letter from the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela for his contribution to the students in South America. “Touch Of Blue” opens with a haunting guitar melody that is answered by Pat Strawser’s chiming piano calls. Soon, Mr. Hart and Enrico Galetta’s singing bass are engaged in a back and forth conversation and “Deep Skies” is off to the races. Set on the frame of Jaungui Aguayo’s driving rock back-beat, “Deep Skies” is a five minute onslaught of non-stop energy. “That’s Purdy” is a sassy number melting the established rock beat with pure funk overtones. Jazzy piano interjections, a funky rhythmic feel and Mr. Hart’s patented rock guitar are the perfect follow up to “Deep Skies”. The middle of the song opens up and the keyboard takes a solo that matches Hart’s intensity and the melody soars as piano and guitar trade reflective musings. “Touch of Blue” is an intelligent, no nonsense adventure that cuts to the quick and gives a modern perspective on rock fusion. Bill Hart releases the hounds and the listener is guaranteed a wild ride through a kaleidoscope of sound, texture and pulse. Take a ride with Bill Hart’s “Touch Of Blue” today...this one is not to be missed.  Photo by Dawn Brewer Spotify Playlists from Blue Canoe Records. Adding and updating frequently: https://open.spotify.com/user/bluecanoerecords  |
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