AL DI MEOLA

Al Di Meola, a guitar legend inducted into the Gallery of Greats, is one of the top guitarists of our time. His career spans four decades, during which he’s earned critical acclaim, sold millions of records, received numerous awards, and even an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Berklee College of Music. A prolific composer, he has over 30 albums as a leader and collaborations with renowned musicians. His music blends world influences with jazz, and he’s known for his soulful and lyrical guitar expression. Al’s journey began as a young guitarist, inspired by artists like Larry Coryell. He joined Chick Corea’s Return to Forever in 1974, followed by a successful solo career with landmark albums like “Land of the Midnight Sun.” His acoustic guitar trio with Paco De Lucia and John McLaughlin gained immense popularity, and they released iconic albums like “Friday Night in San Francisco.” Al continued to innovate and explore new musical territories.

In recent years, he revisited his love for The Beatles with an acoustic album and released “OPUS” in 2018, showcasing his evolving compositional skills. His latest work, “ACROSS THE UNIVERSE,” is a creative interpretation of Beatles songs with lush arrangements and electric guitar.Looking ahead, Al is working on an autobiography and a new solo guitar record. He’s also excited about the upcoming release of “Saturday Night in San Francisco” from the 1980 Guitar Trio tour with John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucia in April 2022.

More Posts: adventure,club,genius,guitar,jazz,music,preserving,travel

JULIE DEXTER

Julie Dexter, a British singer-songwriter and producer celebrated as one of our generation’s most influential female vocalists. With a career spanning diverse genres like jazz, reggae, soul, and beyond, Julie’s acclaimed albums and collaborations with artists like Omar and Sade showcase her unparalleled talent. Honored with the Afro Caribbean Soul of Jazz Award, Julie’s latest album “Deja Vu” seamlessly navigates through Bossa, reggae, and more, demonstrating her unique artistry and independent spirit from her base in Atlanta, Georgia.

More Posts: adventure,club,genius,jazz,music,preserving,travel,vocal

Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Otis Johnson was born on January 13, 1908 in Richmond, Virginia. He began his career in the late 1920s, working with Gene Rodgers, Henri Saparo, Eugene Kennedy, and Charlie Skeete. In 1929 he joined Luis Russell’s band, and rejoined Kennedy’s group before working with Benny Carter in 1934. He played with Charlie Turner and Willie Bryant in the mid-1930s. 

Toward the end of the decade he performed with Louis Armstrong and Don Redman. On December 30, 1940 Otis enlisted in the 369th Coast Artillery of the New York Army National Guard. He was discharged on October 13, 1945.

Trumpeter Otis Johnson, who never returned to active performance after leaving the military, died on February 28, 1994.

More Posts: history,instrumental,jazz,music,trumpet

RACHEL THERRIEN LATIN JAZZ PROJECT

Trumpeter Rachel Therrien has established herself as one of the most innovative voices working at the crossroads of jazz and world music. This Latin Jazz Project is the fruit of her graduate studies at the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana, her numerous musical experiences in Latin America and the Caribbean, and her 20 years of collaboration with the Latin jazz community in Montreal, New York and Toronto. As part of this exceptional group, she offers a refined repertoire that includes original pieces and her arrangements of the great Afro-Latin jazz classics. From salsa to danzón, from rumba to chachachá, Rachel and her virtuoso accomplices will bring you to dance with their unique and original music tinged with influences from Cuba, New York and Colombia, among others. A show full of color… and heat!

The French-Canadian trumpeter, composer and producer boasts an enviable curriculum known for her very personal signature with influences from Jazz to Afro-Latin and Global Music. Rachel works between New York and Montreal.

More Posts: adventure,club,flugelhorn,genius,jazz,music,preserving,travel,trumpet

TAL YAHALOM TRIO

Tal Yahalom is an award-winning guitarist, composer and bandleader based in Brooklyn, New York since 2014. Drawing from a wide range of influences – spanning jazz and impressionistic classical music to Brazilian repertoire and South-American guitar traditions – Tal aims to create engaging storytelling, adventurous interplay and a deep sense of groove while expanding on the traditional roles and textural capabilities of the guitar.

As a leader, he performs regularly with diverse solo programs, a chamber-jazz quintet (set to release its debut album later this year), a collective post-rock trio KADAWA, and various trios which have featured Caroline Davis, Dan Weiss, Eivind Opsvik and Rogerio Boccato.

More Posts: adventure,club,genius,guitar,jazz,music,preserving,travel