Emma Smith new album ‘Hat-trick!’ Out on Oct 25th (pre-ordered copies are sent out 3 weeks before official release!)
Emma Smith returns with 'Hat-trick!', her third studio album following the success of 2022’s ‘Meshuga Baby’, which received a plethora of praise from fans and critics alike.
'Hat-trick!' will be introduced to the world by a triple show album launch by Emma and her swinging trio and is an amalgamation of music from three very diverse EP’s, but is much is much more than a celebration of all things thrice, as Emma explains:
"Being an independent artist in this day and age is a roller coaster, to say the least. But whilst the music industry landscape remains totally unpredictable, there is one thing that can be relied upon; one must be capable of wearing an abundance of hats. We must be able to write the theme tune, sing the theme tune, design the front cover of the theme tune, register the theme tune for royalties collection services...etc. So this album is simultaneously a tip of the hat (whoops!) to all the incredible, brave and resilient independent artists out there following their dreams, and also to the supportive, loving and culture-curious music fans who buy the music, come to the shows, and roar with joy when we succeed. I see you, I respect you and I am you!"
It is this outlook that has helped Emma Smith achieve a whole range of diverse and extensive experiences throughout her career to date, performing everywhere from the 02 Arena to the leading jazz clubs of New York City, collaborating and recording with the likes of Michael Buble, The Quincy Jones Orchestra, Jeff Goldblum, Georgie Fame and Seal along the way. Emma Smith has created a formidable reputation as a powerful and expressive artist in UK jazz and will continue to augment this with Hat Trick, as its concept can extend beyond the music word.
Emma remarks that “As a society we so used to wearing so many hats; mother, daughter, sister, wife, employee, friend, career, student, boss, explorer, creator... it’s sometimes a challenge to get in touch with the truest, purest part of who we are. Music helps me to do that, the intangible, heartfelt, joyfulness of it. And so my wish is that this record allows you, even if for a few minutes. to get close to that pure, magical true, YOU.”
Some of the music on Hat-Trick will remain off streaming platforms for sometime to give exclusivity for those who purchase the album. To honour you, my loyal fans.
Beyond its many meanings, Hat-trick is quite simply a showcase of Emma Smith’s unique and uniquely exhilarating vocal ability – a slice of inspiration in musical form for the world to enjoy.
KRISTIN KORB BRINGS NEW LIFE TO EURYTHMICS CLASSICS! "SWEET DREAMS" ALBUM DROPS OCTOBER 25.
“She has a way of taking anything and making it sound cool!" - London Jazz News
Step back into the iconic sounds of the 80s with American jazz vocalist/bassist Kristin Korb's eagerly anticipated Eurythmics tribute album Sweet Dreams, set to drop on October 25, 2024.
REIGNITING THE 80s
MTV and the innovative sounds of Eurythmics provided the soundtrack to Kristin Korb's teen years. Annie Lennox’s powerhouse vocals and striking imagery were impossible to ignore and left a lasting impact. Now, Kristin brings her unique artistry to these timeless hits, blending her skills as a bassist and vocalist to create spellbinding renditions that honor the originals while showcasing her personal connection to Annie and the band’s music.
A JAZZ JOURNEY THROUGH EURYTHMIC'S GREATEST HITS
Sweet Dreams is more than just a cover album. Kristin Korb reimagines Eurythmics' classics through her jazz-infused lens, weaving vibrant new arrangements and interpretations.
The project began with a sensational live debut at the legendary Jazzhus Montmartre in Copenhagen, Denmark, in September 2023. The crowd went crazy, and the enthusiastic response spurred Kristin and her band to capture this magic in the studio, resulting in twelve carefully curated tracks that embody the essence of Eurythmics with a jazz twist.
FEATURING A-LIST COLLABORATORS
Kristin's bass grooves swing deep and hard with her long-time co-conspirators Magnus Hjorth on piano and Snorre Kirk on drums. Their familial connection is clear from the first beat, and you can really hear the trust and friendship that comes only with years of making music together!
The album also features the multi-awarded young Danish harmonica virtuoso Mathias Heise, who masterfully extends Stevie Wonder’s original solo on "There Must Be An Angel", transforming it into an outstanding lead part with a catchy Brazilian twist.
Joining in is also Swedish saxophonist titan Karl-Martin Almqvist,adding a dynamic layer to the songs, e.g. to the up-tempo version of the iconic anthem "Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves". Additionally, the project includes Danish trombone master Steen Nikolaj Hansen, and the vibrant rhythms of Cuban percussionist Yohan Ramon.
"Sweet Dreams" is available on CD and on all major digital platforms from October 25, 2024.
Singer-Songwriter Courtney Cutchins Re-Imagines Potent Songs from her ‘90s Youth in Seattle on Genre-Bending Debut. Grunge to Grace includes jazz interpretations of tunes by Soundgarden and Nirvana
MUSIC AVAILABLE ON OCTOBER 18, 2024 ON ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS.
A singer with an uncommon command of her luminous voice and an organic, soulful and dramatic sense of phrasing a lyric, Seattle native Courtney Cutchins is also a vivid storyteller and prolific songwriter. All of those qualities come to bear on her auspicious debut as a leader, Grunge to Grace (Laseryn Music***)***. Backed by a stellar crew of rising stars on the New York jazz scene — pianist-producer David Cook (Taylor Swift, Mark Guiliana, Lizz Wright, Nicole Zuraitis), guitarist Nir Felder (Keyon Harrold, Terri Lyne Carrington), bassist Matt Clohesy (Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, Maria Schneider Orchestra) and drummer Obed Calvaire (Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Dave Holland, Cécile McLorin Salvant) — Cutchins deals in purely authentic terms on six stirring originals and three re-imagined anthems from her ‘90s youth in Seattle by grunge rock luminaries Nirvana and Soundgarden.
“These deep, introspective grunge rock songs make sense to me,” said the singer who spent three years in New York City and currently splits her time between the Big Apple and the Greater Savannah Area. “They fit the theme of this album, which is about living in your authentic truth. It’s about the journey to become who you are and who you want to be.”
Recorded at Bunker Studio in Brooklyn, Grunge to Grace is the culmination of an idea that was sparked nine years ago and picked up momentum through the years. As Cutchins wrote in the liner notes: “In 2015, while navigating difficult times, I found my way to a supportive music therapy exercise: ‘rediscover songs from early childhood that bring you joy.‘ After combing through dozens of Disney soundtracks, folk songs and Muppets movies, an unexpected memory hit me from when I was growing up in the Seattle area — hearing Soundgarden’s mystical, soaring ‘Black Hole Sun’ on the radio. With this song as my muse, I created a variety of reinventions of grunge tunes from my youth and had some of the most fun ever performing them in NYC.”
Performing her new jazzgrunge repertoire at venues like Rockwood Music Hall, Cornelia Street Cafe, Silvana and the 55 Bar was a liberating experience for Cutchins, allowing her to live her own authentic truth through song. “Grunge emerged from a need for musical rebellion and rawness, and it sits in an introspective space which speaks to me deeply,” she said. “This album includes three of my favorite arrangements from that time. It’s my intention to encourage and inspire the listener to be free and live as who they are, and then shine that out into the world.”
That theme of struggle for self-identity is apparent from the opening track, a daring interpretation of Soundgarden’s “Boot Camp” from the group’s fifth studio album, 1996’s Down on the Upside. Against an urgently swinging undercurrent provided by Felder, Cook, Clohesy and Calvaire, Cutchins sings about the oppressed resigning to the authority of the oppressors, conforming to the status quo while still fantasizing about how there must be something good/there must be something else/far away from here. Courtney’s vocals are resounding and cathartic while Felder unleashes with signature fluency on his guitar solo against Calvaire’s unrelenting pulse, putting a new and decidedly ‘jazzy’ suit of clothes on this grunge classic.
Her own moody ballad “Star on the Sea,” underscored by Calvaire’s brushwork and Cook’s gentle piano accompaniment, is as intimate and poignant as Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life” or Sarah Vaughan’s rendition of “Midnight Sun.” As Courtney explained, “This song is about a place where femininity is safe and celebrated and imagines a galaxy where women are free to live in a place of peace and power.”
“Passenger” is Cutchins’ catchy, R&B flavored ode to the New York City subway system. Paced by Calvaire’s insistent backbeat, the tune features a striking, warm-toned guitar solo from Felder. As the kinetic piece builds to a dramatic crescendo, Calvaire is turned loose to wail on the kit.
Perhaps the most intimate and revealing song on Grunge to Grace is Cutchins’ duet (with Felder on steel string acoustic guitar) on a version of Soundgarden’s “The Day I Tried to Live” from their 1994 album, Superunknown. A droning bit of introspection written by Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, it addresses the introverted singer’s frustration at trying to “be normal” by going out and living with people. And while it may be tinged with melancholy, Cutchins also sees a sense of hope in the lyric: One more time around (might do it)/One more time around (might make it). As she offered, “We can have the best of intentions, but for one reason or another we feel a sense of failure — or we’re living a lie and get caught up in something that isn’t actually true to who we are. It’s about identifying these aspects of ourselves and growing as human beings.”
Courtney’s affecting ballad “Hold Up the Moon” opens with some ethereal wordless vocals against a drone, setting an atmospheric mood. The song was based on a dream and describes a sense of devotion despite disaster.
Tackling Kurt Cobain’s “All Apologies,” which appeared on Nirvana’s third and final studio album, In Utero, was daunting. But Cutchins rose to the occasion with the most moving and dynamic performance of the album, full of soaring wordless improvisations and nuanced interpretation of the tortured lyrics. “That song was definitely a big part of that soundtrack from the ‘90s, for me,” she said. “The melody is beautiful, so I really wanted to play with it and put it on a different musical planet. But the message remains the same. I interpret it as such a great statement on vulnerability and equality, while also being a defiant proclamation of living unapologetically.”
Courtney’s “Prison in Your Mind” is a lilting, confessional number with universal appeal about her struggle with perfectionism, while “Grunge to Grace” is the album’s soul-stirring hymn. “That one is my personal favorite,” said Courtney. “It came about soon after Chris Cornell had passed in 2017. That was a shock.
Between that tragic event and the general weight of the world at that time, everything felt painful. So, I wrote a song acknowledging the pain that we can all feel and experience, while staying hopeful at the same time. Those two feelings can exist together and that’s okay.”
“Illuminate,” is the big power-chording, distortion-laced guitar closer that gradually builds to a throbbing crescendo with Obed bashing forcefully over a band ostinato. “It’s got a little bit of Radiohead in there, some Soundgarden, a little David Bowie, just a mix of things that we also felt,” said Cutchins. “This song was inspired by the pandemic, my experience with chronic fatigue, my love of the ocean and the process of soul- searching. I felt it would be like an exclamation point at the end of the album.”
These songs of self-discovery reveal a singer-songwriter who was deeply immersed in jazz through her college years (she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Vocal Performance from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle and a Master of Music degree in Jazz Vocal Performance from prestigious Manhattan School of Music in New York City) but still felt a symbolic connection to the music of an earlier time in her life. Both sides represent the full picture of this sensational, risk-taking singer who is coming into her own with Grunge to Grace.
All compositions and arrangements by Courtney Cutchins except The Day I Tried to Live (Chris Cornell), All Apologies (Kurt Cobain) and Boot Camp (Chris Cornell, Arr. by Cutchins/Cook).
Produced by David Cook
Recorded by Aaron Nevezie at The Bunker Studio, Brooklyn, NY, September 12 & 13, 2023 Mixed by Christian Paschall
Mastered by Fred Kevorkian at Kevorkian Mastering
Photography by Mackensey Alexander Photography, Savannah, GA and Anna Yatskevich, Brooklyn, NY Design by Miriam Castillo
Samara Joy Returns With New Studio Album PORTRAIT – Out Now On Verve
October 11, 2024: 3x GRAMMY-winning vocalist Samara Joy has released her new studio album* Portrait* today via Verve Records. Emerging after a busy year of touring all over the world, the album finds the 24-year-old Bronx native channeling her success into the pursuit of musical exploration. Portrait, the follow up to her 2022 breakout album Linger Awhile,offers a snapshot of Joy’s growth not only as a once-in-a-generation vocalist but also as songwriter, arranger and band leader. VIBE Magazine called the collection “eight tracks guaranteed to not only impress, but change the way we listen to modern vocal jazz,” while Forbes named it “a monumental step forward as an artist for Joy, who co-produced the record, as well as was responsible in some way for arrangements, writing, even the artwork, on the genius work."
Co-produced by Joy and veteran trumpeter/bandleader and multi-Grammy winner Brian Lynch, the 8-song collection showcases a synergistic approach to arranging and the intimate, soulful chemistry Joy has developed with her touring band, an egalitarian octet featuring trumpeter Jason Charos, trombonist Donavan Austin, saxophonists David Mason and Kendric McCallister, pianist Connor Rohrer, bassist Felix Moseholm and drummer Evan Sherman. Joy’s role in the ensemble is multifaceted, balancing her prominence as a vocalist with her contributions as a musical collaborator. “I’m often the fifth voice, the fifth horn,” she explains. “I hope listeners will see that I’m a musician too.”
The album was tracked in streamlined sessions — just two or three takes of each tune — at one of jazz’s most hallowed sites, Van Gelder Studio. Portrait highlights Joy’s prowess as a lyricist, with new arrangements that meld her thoughtful lyrics with music by Charles Mingus, Barry Harris and more. The album also features vibrant interpretations of standards, including new arrangements “You Stepped Out of a Dream” (out now) and “Autumn Nocturne.” The tracklist ultimately proves that the vocal-jazz repertoire can still break new ground while nodding to jazz history.
“A well of inspiration that never runs dry because of the different streams that flow in, constantly pouring into the main source. That’s what comes to mind when I think of this project and the musicians who created it with me,” says Joy of the project. “Eight musicians, eight fresh perspectives and musical backgrounds - all joined together in a context designed for growth and exploration. Designed to put our pens and minds to work creating music inspired by many but still uniquely our own. Because of the incredible depth of musicianship and creativity infused into the sound of this band, I’m honored to be able to present Portrait, shaped after a year of development and revision on the road.”
A native of the Bronx, Samara Joy became entranced by classic R&B as a child and cut her teeth as a singer in her church’s gospel choir. And while her family history is deeply musical — her grandparents helmed the Philadelphia gospel group the Savettes, and her father, the musician and songwriter Antonio McLendon, has produced, composed and arranged his own astounding original work — she didn’t delve into the jazz tradition until college at SUNY Purchase. During her studies there she won the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, which introduced her to the larger jazz scene as a rising star to watch. She was heard, by audiences and critics alike, as a masterful interpreter of jazz standards and a rightful heiress of the sound, technique and charisma that defined her jazz heroines — including Vaughan, Betty Carter, Abbey Lincoln and Carmen McRae.
Joy released her self-titled debut on the Whirlwind label in 2021, followed a year later by Linger Awhile, her breakout Verve debut, of which DownBeat said, “With this beautiful recording, a silky-voiced star is born.” The album earned her a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album in addition to a headline-making win for Best New Artist. A deluxe edition of the album was released, as well as the EP A Joyful Holiday. Her new Verve album, Portrait, which Joy co-produced with the veteran trumpeter/bandleader and multi-Grammy winner Brian Lynch, showcases the intimate, soulful chemistry she’s developed with her touring band. Portrait also spotlights her burgeoning gifts as a lyricist, in ingenious arrangements that meld her thoughtful words with music by Charles Mingus, Sun Ra and her late mentor Barry Harris.
Elsden Music is proud to present Above The Clouds, the new album from The Ilario Ferrari Trio.
On the cusp of releasing his fourth studio album, pianist and singer Ilario Ferrari has developed a distinctive compositional style that blends contemporary instrumental jazz with vocal harmonies, incorporating classical nuances and influences from both Indian culture and his South Italian heritage. Ilario’s unique style is perfectly complemented by his two well-known collaborators and rising jazz stars: drummer Katie Patterson and bassist Charlie Pyne, who recently released her album "Nature Is A Mother," (featuring Patterson on drums), which has received high accolades from both the media and fans alike.
Formed in 2020 during the global lockdown, the trio found solace in their musical synergy, quickly developing their unique sound.Their debut performance in 2021 at Lauderdale House in London, live-streamed across Europe, served as a catalyst for their rise to public attention. The trio’s 2021 debut album, "Childhood Memories," was widely praised and received international radio support, helping them secure high-profile live shows.
These live performances include headlining the Watford Jazz Festival in 2022 and collaborating with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra on a world premiere composition by Ilario.They have also performed at the London Jazz Festival, Pizza Express Jazz Club, Ecosuoni Festival in Italy, and Jazzahead in Germany, among others. Additionally, Ilario’s duo with renowned Cuban violinist Omar Puente has garnered positive attention in a range of alternative circles.
Above The Clouds will be released via Elsden Music, a jazz label based in the heart of East London, run by recording and mixing engineer Greg Dowling. At the heart of this new record lies the theme of relationships: our connection to the planet andthe musical and personal bonds between Ilario, Charlie, Katie and their relationships with loved ones. It is also about elevation and observation, from ‘Above The Clouds’ and from the grounded embrace of Mother Earth, impressions of love, loss, and of home are expressed through a beguiling blend of vocal-led songs and instrumentals.
This recording is more than just a simple jazz trio album, with the trio expanding and contracting as each song requires.The Ilario Ferrari Trio’s innovative approach combined with their indisputable skill promises to be a breath of fresh air in the jazz world and beyond.
Lyrics by Ilario Ferrari except Summer Lullaby by Charlie Pyne Arrangements by Ilario Ferrari, Charlie Pyne & Katie Patterson
Drums and Vocals - Katie Patterson Double Bass and Vocals - Charlie Pyne Piano, Piano FX and Vocals - Ilario Ferrari
All sounds are produced by either acoustic piano, double bass, drums or human voices. Sound effects are generated using pedal effects on the instruments.
Recorded at Curtis Schwartz studio on November 21st and 22nd 2023 and on January the 11th 2024
Strings recorded by Michael John McGlone at Middlesex University Studio Children Choir recorded at St. Johns Church in Watford by Joe Jackson
Mixed by Joe Jackson
Mastered by Nick Watson at Fluid Mastering in Bristol. Album cover picture by Ciprian Turutea
Trio Pictures by Robert Crowley
Strings on the track “Above The Clouds” recorded by Soli Strings Quartet Violin - Abbie Davis
Violin - Annalise Lam Viola - Jules Dos-Reis
Cello - Miranda Lewis-Brown Release date: 11th October 2024
Camille Thurman and the Darrell Green Quartet: Confluence: Vol. 1 Alhambra
4th October 2024
“Imagine if Sarah Vaughan played saxophone like Dexter Gordon. That’s approximately the effect when singer and tenor saxophonist Camille Thurman performs.” Downbeat Magazine
“You’re hard-pressed to find rising talents more exciting than Camille Thurman.” The New York Times
The new album Confluence: Vol. 1 Alhambra, a thrilling collaboration featuring the incredible Camille Thurman and the Darrell Green Quartet, releases on October 4, 2024. Pre Order Here
'Confluence is a collection of songs recorded during our Fall 2023 tour of Spain. Each city was special and unique in history, culture, and people. The acoustics in each concert hall we performed were simply breathtaking. We wanted to create an album that sonically captured the spirit of the audience and the live magic of the band made on stage. On this album, you will hear each band member shine brightly, purely in their element, unedited, displaying a dynamic sense of virtuosic and creative expression. We hope you enjoy this album!'
Remember the name Camille Thurman. As an accomplished composer, esteemed saxophonist, vocalist, and unique interpreter of the jazz tradition, she is quickly becoming one of the leading standard bearers of the art form. Her distinct musical approach to classic and original repertoire, which highlights her craft as a powerhouse singer and instrumentalist, is a captivating blend of tradition and innovation. She makes a considerable and dynamic contribution to the legacy of jazz while paying tribute to its heroes through her music.
The New York City native has amassed several distinctive honors for her musicianship: NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding Jazz Album, recipient of the SOUTH Arts Creative Jazz Road Artistic Residency, Downbeat Magazine’s Critics Poll Nominee for Rising Star Tenor Saxophonist and Vocalist and Rising New Artist (2023, 2022, 2021 & 2020), two-time winner of the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award, a recipient of the Fulbright Scholars Cultural Ambassador Grant and Chamber Music of America Performance Plus Grant (Sponsored by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation) among others. Thurman also has five full-length recordings as a leader to her credit. Her most recent project, “Confluence: Vol 1,” is a collaboration with master drummer Darrell Green and his quartet.
Thurman made history, becoming the first woman in 30 years to tour, record, and perform full-time internationally with the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra as a saxophonist/woodwind doubler (2018-2020 season). A respected bandleader, she has headlined numerous notable concert venues and jazz festivals worldwide, including the Kennedy Center, The Library of Congress, and the Rose Theater. Her international recognition is a testament to the universal appeal of her music and the profound impact she has made on the global jazz community.
Thurman was chosen by the U.S. State Department under the Fulbright Scholarship grant to tour and perform in Paraguay and Nicaragua as a bandleader. She was recently selected by American Music Abroad and the U.S. State Department to tour and perform in Africa as a U.S. Cultural Ambassador in Cameroon, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, and Mauritania. In May 2020, Camille founded “The Haven Hang: Young Lioness Musician Q&A/ Virtual Mentorship Series.” The Haven Hang serves as a virtual and in-person mentorship series for young women musicians, with an initiative to mentor, aid, and support young women pursuing music careers in the performing arts. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor of Jazz Performance at McGill University.
The dynamic musician is endorsed by D’Addario Woodwinds & Co. for reeds, Henri-Selmer Paris /Conn-Selmer Inc. for saxophones, and Key Leaves for saxophone products.
