LONDON CALLING TO AR RAHMAN
We’re set to be back on the stage. After the terrible accident in Detroit with the stage and the cancellation of our European tour, we’re putting our karma in the next and last three concerts for the summer. If you are in the UK, come for a musical and visual feast. If not, we’ll be rescheduling the U.S. and European dates in the Fall/Winter.
A.R. Rahman Jai Ho Concert - The Journey Home World Tour
The Los Angeles Times describes the concert as “Combining Bollywood, Broadway and a rock circus, "Jai Ho Concert" is intended as a gateway into the American mainstream. Steeped in spectacle and exerting a high-tech razzle-dazzle mo
re in step with, say, Lady Gaga than a composer dubbed "the Mozart of Madras, Rahman – who was named to Time magazine’s list of the world’s most influential people last year – in his quest to connect with Western audiences like no South Asian pop star before him while still relatively hot off his "Slumdog" success.”
Rahman is collaborating with Music Director John Beasley who has directed tours for Queen Latifah and Steely Dan and was keyboard player for Miles Davis, Chaka Khan, and James Brown’s final concert in LA, to name a few artists. Amy Tinkman, who is known for her shows with Madonna, Britney Spears, Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, is the Artistic Director.
Tour Schedule – UK
NEW CD RELEASES
From hyper electronic jazz, to Afro-Cuban, to straight ahead with these new Cds that I’m playing on: Simplexity, Days In The Life (Robby Ameen), and Elaine’s Song (Chris Colangelo)
Simplexity
A couple of years ago, when Dave Carpenter was still with us, John von Seggern, Steve Taviglone, Walt Flower, Dave Carpenter, Gary Novak, Judd Miller got together and jammed for a couple of days at Gary Novak’s studio with the intention of creating a completely ‘free’ experience. We did overdubs and the sax, drums, keyboards, and bass were mixed and combined with computer beats and grooves in live session, then later edited and remixed into compositions by John von Seggern, nicknamed John von Badass us.
We called the group Simplexity – a West Coast electronic jazz group and named the album “Extreme Measures”
Check it out at http://www.myspace.com/simplexitymusic or John von Badass’
Vibration Institute, the home of electronic experimental future music: http://vibrationinstitutemusic.com/music/.
Simplexity - Extreme Measures - $5.99 MP3 or $9.99 CD
Steve Tavaglione: tenor and soprano sax, EWI, electronics and effects
John von Seggern: computer beats and loops, electronic textures and effects
Walt Fowler: trumpet and whistling
John Beasley: keyboards
Dave Carpenter: bass
Gary Novak: drums
Judd Miller: additional EVI trumpet and electronics
http://vibrationinstitutemusic.com/music/
Robby Ameen - Days in Our Lives
This is new burning creative jazz which has afro-cuban, straight-ahead, and post- modern funk influences played by musicians with a lifetime rapport.
Robby Ameen – Drums, Percussion
John Beasley – Piano, Hammond B3, Fender Rhodes
Lincoln Goines Acoustic and Electric Basses
Wayne Krantz – Guitar (1,2,4,6,8)
Richie Flores – Congas (3,4,5,7,9)
Conrad Herwig - Trombone (2,3,5,7)
Brian Lynch – Trumpet (2,3,5,7)
Review – Jazz Times
Ameen’s originals veer from a pronounced rock/funk edge on electric quartet pieces like the fusiony “Swiftboating” and heavy-metal bashing “Skateboard Intifada” to horn-led tracks with a Latin jazz-soul feel such as “Una Muy Anita,” which resembles a standard on the album, Lee Morgan’s “Ceora.” That and the other jazz standard, Joe Farrell’s “Sound Down,” have the most memorable melodic lines, although Ameen’s pieces make up in atmosphere and action what they lack in tunefulness. “Stagger,” a medium to slow blues, finds Ameen creating distinctive rhythms with bundles rather than sticks or brushes; also on that track, Krantz’s distorted, whammy-bar-inflected phrases contrast the down-home acoustic bass and piano. “Baakline,” the only track with guitar and horns, creates a dense ensemble sound with added organ plus synth strings over a chugging backbeat and horn solos that overlap. The final track is a sizzling duet by Ameen and conguero Flores.
Artist's Website: http://www.robbyameen.com/
Chris Colangelo - Elaine's Song
Musicians: Chris Colangelo (bass), John Beasley (piano), Steve Hass (drums), Bob Sheppard, (tenor sax, tracks 1,3,9, soprano sax track 8)) Benn Clatworthy (tenor sax 2,6, flute track 4) Zane Musa (alto sax track2)
Jazz Review http://www.jazzreview.com/cd/review-21099.html
This young man, Chris Colangelo, has firmly established his position as one of the premier bassists in the jazz milieu. When he solos, it's dexterity plus rhythmic perfection. His sound is big, but sensitivity is inherent in every note.
"Like Kenny" opens with the plaintive, but powerful sound of Benn Clattworthy, who then takes the tenor to another level with a solilioquy that has a message that bespeaks of a master player. I have long admired Clatworthy for his ability to swing and his unafraid style. Clatworthy plays whatever he wants to. The transference of ideas from mind to horn is incredible. John Beasley's piano solo is a bop inspired tour de force that adds much to the tune.
All of the tunes on this album were composed by Chris Colangelo except tracks seven and eight. This recording demonstrates this bassist's ability to compose, arrange, and then transport it all into orbit in the rarified air where few dare to venture.
FALL CONCERTS
Duo Concerts with Dwight Tribble at Red Cat and Mimis and BROAD concert with Iranian artist Susaan Deyhem, who blends music from Persian Sufi masters with cutting-edge techno and hip-hop. .
Then the AR RAHMAN U.S. and European concert tour resumes. More details check my website.
A bientot! Until soon…
So, go ahead and listen to NEW music this Summer while having precious moments with your family and friends.
Always glad to hear from you from the road. Back in LA around August 15.
www.beasleymusic.com
manager@beasleymusic.com
