Blue Canoe Records proudly announces the release of Live At Alvas, the powerful new live album from renowned guitarist, composer, improviser, and film scorer Lyle Workman, arriving worldwide on June 12th, 2026 via digital streaming platforms through The Orchard.

Recorded live at the intimate and artist-driven Alvas Showroom in San Pedro, California on November 22nd, 2025, Live At Alvas captures Workman in his purest musical environment — leading his own ensemble through an evening of adventurous, emotionally charged progressive jazz rock fusion.

Best known to many for his work as a celebrated film composer, session guitarist, and touring musician with artists including Sting, Beck, and more recently Sarah McLachlan, Workman steps fully into the spotlight on Live At Alvas, showcasing not only his virtuosic guitar work, but also his identity as a composer, improviser, and band leader.

The recording features an exceptional ensemble of musicians:

• Lyle Workman — Guitar
• Matt Rohde — Keys
• Stan Cotey — Keys/Guitar
• Jorgen Carlsson — Bass
• Ezequiel Ghilardi — Drums

Together, the group delivers a dynamic and deeply musical performance that blends cinematic textures, progressive improvisation, modern fusion, and expressive interplay.

The album features all original compositions by Workman, with the exception of “What If,” written by legendary Steve Morse of Dixie Dregs and Deep Purple fame.

Far from a polished studio construct, Live At Alvas intentionally embraces the energy and spontaneity of a real live performance. The recording highlights Workman’s commanding live guitar voice while offering listeners a rare glimpse into the musical chemistry and artistic freedom of his touring ensemble.

Recording engineering for the project was handled by Jairo Camacho, with additional engineering by Art Valdez. Mixing and mastering were completed by Workman himself, further reflecting the personal and hands-on nature of the project. Art direction and layout were created by Lyle’s son Wyatt Workman, adding another deeply personal layer to the release.

With Live At Alvas, Lyle Workman delivers more than a live album — he delivers a document of musicianship, connection, improvisation, and artistic honesty from one of contemporary music’s most versatile and respected guitarists.
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Live At Alvas will be available June 12th, 2026 on all major digital and streaming platforms.

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:

• William Ellis (drums) — a Nashville-based, in-demand drummer known for his versatility across genres, with touring and recording credits including Montgomery Gentry, Travis Tritt, Martina McBride, and Hunter Hayes.


• Joseph Patrick Moore (double, electric & fretless bass) — a recording artist, composer, and producer with a career spanning over three decades, currently serving as bassist and back-up-band leader for Cirque du Soleil’s Mystère in Las Vegas.


• Shawn Perkinson (acoustic & electric guitar) — a respected educator and performer, serving as Commercial/Jazz Guitar instructor at Lee University, with a career that bridges jazz, rock, and contemporary styles.

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 presents The Trouble With Dogma, the highly anticipated sophomore release from multi-instrumentalist and composer Neal Bowen. Officially dropping July 11th, 2025, the album is a dynamic journey through instrumental jazz and progressive rock, showcasing Bowen’s visionary approach to genre-blending and sonic storytelling.

Following the success of his debut, Neal Bowen returns with a bold, exploratory statement that expands his musical palette. On The Trouble With Dogma, Bowen commands bass, keys, guitar, and oversees the mixing and mastering process, underlining his deep creative control and artistic range. The project also features a powerful lineup of collaborators:

• Jason Cooper (drums, co-producer)
• Patrick Register (flute)
• Tom Clary (trumpet)
• Jim Spake (saxophone)
• Andrew Cook (trombone)

From complex rhythmic interplay to lush harmonic layers, The Trouble With Dogma challenges convention while remaining accessible and emotionally resonant. It’s a vivid instrumental experience that invites listeners to explore themes of structure, belief, and liberation — all without a single lyric.

Released via Blue Canoe Records, the album continues the label’s mission to spotlight original, forward-thinking artists in the world of jazz, fusion, and beyond.
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The Trouble With Dogma will be available on all major streaming platforms on July 11th, 2025. 

TriTone Asylum is based in Southern California. Spear-headed by Peter Sepsis (bass) and Philip Topping. Through their unique instrumentation, they have masterfully developed an electro acoustic sound that melds Jazz, funk, and music from around the world. TriTone Asylum’s music reflects the varied musical landscape of the sounds and street rhythms of Los Angeles. Their original songs are influenced by a variety of artists including Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Pat Metheny, as well as artists from the ECM Label.

Keyboard phenom and composer, Cody Carpenter releases his latest effort titled, "Balance Of Extremes". Now available in the Blue Canoe Store and wherever you get your music!

Featuring:
Keys: Cody Carpenter
Guitar: Marco Sfogli
Bass: Jimmy Haslip
Drums: Gergo Borlai
Mixing/Mastering: John Spiker
​Album Art Design: Mizoguchi "Mizo" Nobukatsu
Produced: Cody Carpenter & Jimmy Haslip

Blue Canoe welcomes The JVM Collective with their debut release titled, "Frontiers".

The JVM Collective features: Denny Jiosa (guitar), Roy Vogt (bass), and Tom Moller (drums).

​This Nashville Jazz trio delivers a creative and powerful album of beautiful original compositions, deep grooves, and inspiring improvisations titled, "Frontiers". Fans of instrumental, eclectic music will surely love The JVM Collective and their 8 song album titled, "Frontiers".