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Spotify Playlists from Blue Canoe Records. Adding and updating frequently: https://open.spotify.com/user/bluecanoerecords 
Trombonist Ron Westray releases an all original funky jazz CD titled, “Magisteria”. Produced, composed and performed from this Wynton Marsalis alumni.
 Today Blue Canoe Records releases “Jimi Jazz” from jazz wonder Ron Westray. Westray’s fresh solo take on Jimi Hendrix classics blend bop with contemporary horn and makes it accessible to all listeners. Professor Ron Westary’s professional contributions encompass a stunning list of achievements in the areas of performance, composition, recording and publishing. Since the early nineties he has performed in hundreds of performances around the globe as trombonist or lead trombonist with the most prestigious jazz ensembles in the world, including The Wynton Marsalis Septet, New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, The Mingus Big Band, Irving Mayfield, The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and the Marcus Roberts Ensemble. Mr. Westray has received critical acclaim in numerous publications including Ebony, Essence, Downbeat, JazzTimes, Life Magazine and The New Yorker. Josep Pedro, in an All About Jazz article, said of Ron, “…takes another step ahead while showing strong vocality and rich tone”. “Jimi Jazz”, opens with the hypnotizing groove of “Purple Haze”. The first track opens with the familiar theme and gives to raucous horn and key solos that make a listener’s feet move and ears hear this classic from a new perspective. The the time “Purple Haze” hands off to “Hey Joe”, the listener is fully committed; bound by newborn harmonization of the standard that has permanent residency in many listener’s DNA. Mr. Westray finishes this stellar compilation with a fluid version of the lesser-known classic “Third Stone From The Sun”. While Hendrix used the original to showcase his rock, jazz and blues influences, the final track to “Jimi Jazz” unwinds the collection and equips the audience for another trip around the sun.  “Jimi Jazz” is a cerebral venture that explores a classic catalog in an entirely original and contemporary way. Ron Westray is a wizard on the trombone and solos this instrument in ways that any fan will be challenged to recall. Ron Westray’s “Jimi Jazz” is requisite listening for fans of Jimi Hendrix as well as those passionate about music that pushes boundaries and genres. Musical exploration was a common theme for Mr. Hendrix just as it is for Ron Westray.
Available: * iTunes * Amazon * EMusic * Spotify Featuring: Ron Westray (trombone), Matt Rait (guitar), Ross MacIntyre (bass), Anthony Mitchelli (drums), Richard Whiteman & Dave Restivo (fender rhodes). We are pleased to release Ron Westray's - Jimi Jazz (a tribute to Jimi Hendrix). Available today! iTunes Amazon Emusic Listen on Spotify   Live From Austin, the latest album from trombonist Ron Westray and trumpeter Thomas Heflin. The album features internationally known artists such as Neal Caine, regular bassist with Harry Connick Jr., Eric Revis, featured bass player with the Branford Marsalis quartet, and drummer Adonis Rose, who toured extensively with Nicholas Payton. The group also features three of the top jazz musicians in Austin Texas: Elias Haslanger, Peter Stoltzman and David Sierra. Heflin and Westray recorded the album in 2009 while living in Austin, TX. At the time Heflin was completing his doctorate in music and Westray was serving as professor of jazz at the University of Texas. The recording project was conceived as a way to capture the energy of live jazz in Austin, a city known as the “live music capital of the world.” It felt appropriate to make the recording at the jazz club, The Elephant Room, which was selected as one of the top ten jazz venues in the United States by Wynton Marsalis in USA TODAY. The recording features all original compositions from the pens of Westray, Heflin and Austin jazz star Elias Haslanger. Ron Westray is already one of the most highly regarded trombonists of his generation. In addition to serving as lead trombonist with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, he is known for his collaborative album with Wycliffe Gordon on the Atlantic label entitled Bone Structure. In past years, he also toured as a member of the Marcus Roberts Quintet and the Mingus Big Band, as well as performed with a roster of jazz notables too long to list. In 2008, Westray released Medical Cures for the Chromatic Commands of the Inner City. Ron is currently an Associate Professor at York University (Toronto, CA) and also serves as the Oscar Peterson Chair in Jazz Performance. Rising star Thomas Heflin has already gained a fan base internationally with his style and command of the trumpet. In 2005, he placed second in the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition in Seattle, Washington. Two years later, he released his debut album, Symmetry. Marco Maimeri's of Italy’s “Jazz Magazine,” described the CD as "… the extension of a charismatic leader with an innovative style, who has the heritage of Clifford Brown and Lee Morgan, but who does not forget the lessons of Freddie Hubbard…" In 2009, Heflin released his follow-up recording with the jazz collective “The New Five.” “Live from Austin” marks his third release on Blue Canoe Records. He currently lives in New York City where he works as the Program Manager of the Precollege Division at the Manhattan School of Music.  "Look What the Cats Drug In" opens with ripping guitar work from Dan Baraszu on "Neutron Star", a song inspired by Stevie Wonder's "Too High". There is no slowing down with the complex harmonies by Eugene Maslov on "Last Ray". Blue Canoe's stable of talented artists is further exposed in "Symmetry 1" with the fluid, highly polished lines of virtuoso trumpeter Thomas Heflin. The album continues with unimaginable horn players Bryan Lopes and Ron Westray as well as the stellar compositional and orchestral arranging of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra. The compilation brings it home rhythmically with percussionists Philip Smith and Jimmy "Junebug" Jackson. Listen for the famous Jimmy Smith on the B3 on the final tune by Junebug, "Save Your Love For Me (live)".
"Look What the Cats Drug In" is a vibrant exploration of the post-bop gems in Blue Canoe Records' vast and ever-growing catalog. Quite literally, "Look What the Cats Drug In" displays the finest musicianship of modern jazz.  One of the most highly regarded trombonist of his generation, Ron Westray continues to expand upon the legacy set before him with his CD release, "Medical Cures For The Chromatic Commands Of The Inner City". Ron's work as an instructor, mentor, recording artist and leader, has earned him world-wide recognition. Ron is perhaps best known for his work as lead trombonist in the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra conducted by Wynton Marsalis, as well as his collaborative effort with Wycliffe Gordon, Marcus Roberts and the Charles Mingus Big Band. Now Ron Westray brings his compositional vision and improvisational skills to his latest CD effort, "Medical Cures For The Chromatic Commands Of The Inner City". Featuring Ryan Kisor on trumpet, Walter Blanding Jr. on tenor saxophone, Eric Revis on Double Bass, Montez Coleman on drums and Tony Suggs on keyboards.  While "Medical Cures..." is a groove based recording, its steeped in a rich traditional jazz history, yet with a modern contemporary appeal. "The idea behind the recording" states Ron, "was to compose a jazz/hip hop score and live iteration of the evolution of hip hop and jazz. I became a jazz musician, but I searched on the concept of why jazz couldn't be as popular as funk. Medical Cures is that answer" sites Ron. Song's like "Fuzzy Dice", "The Jiggy" and "Bumpsie's Got it" will have the listener dancing to the vibe while enjoying lush, rich harmonies from this stellar ensemble of players. Mr. Westray's compositional achievements allow him a notable position among jazz composers, additionally his accomplishments on the trombone showcase him as a virtuoso instrumentalist.
Ron has recorded as a sideman on labels such as Columbia, Sony Classical, and RCA Novus and his accomplishments in the field have gained him exposure in publications such as Ebony, Essence, Downbeat, JazzTimes, Life Magazine and The New Yorker. Fan's of Ron Westray's earlier works and collaborations won't leave the listener disappointed. If "Medical Cures For The Chromatic Commands Of The Inner City" is any indication into Ron's vision, courage and longevity; Mr. Westray has a bright future indeed. |
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