MICHAEL PAULO

www.michaelpaulo.net



Michael Paulo was one of the artists that performed on the Smooth Jazz Cruise that I went on last week and wow! I couldn't wait to get home to find out a little more about him. He was so good I just knew he had to have CD's out but I had never heard of him before. So, I had to spread the word. If you haven't heard of Michael Paulo either, check him out. I have another clip I'll be adding when I get a chance to organize all of the photos and videos that I took on this cruise.

I hope you enjoy him as much as I did. I'm sure you will.

GERALD ALBRIGHT

http://www.geraldalbright.com



I've been a fan of Gerald Albright for a very long time. He's smooth and mellow and his style is just what I like - sultry, a little funky and soulful. And I'm NOT prejudiced by the fact that he was born in L.A. I've had the pleasure of seeing him a couple of times in person.

I love this video below of Gerald doing Georgia on my Mind. Check it out:



This is worth a second video, don't you think?

AHMAD ALAADEEN

http://www.myspace.com/alaadeen
http://www.alaadeen.com



I can't tell you how much of a learning experience this has been for me and how many great saxophonists I've been introduced to since starting this blog.

I just "discovered" Ahmad Alaadeen this morning and though this isn't my usual preference in style of jazz this man definitely has sax appeal. The sad thing is I could only find one video clip of him so after you view the clip please hit a couple of the links to sample his saxiness. The MySpace link will pull you in with instant music so I suggest that link first.

From a biography on AllAboutJazz.com:

Alaadeen, who is equally skilled and original on tenor and soprano saxophones, has made a major impact on the Kansas City jazz scene ever since he settled in K.C. in the early 1970s. He has the ability to caress melodies with a great deal of warmth, yet is never shy to stretch himself and take chances, pushing the music forward. He is heard at his very best on his recent 'ASR release And The Beauty Of It All.

CHARLIE PARKER

(August 29, 1920 - March 12, 1955)

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters
Wikipedia



Charlie "Bird" Parker showed no signs of talent as a child, was so bad he got kicked out of band in high school, and in later years had a cymbal thrown at him by a frustrated drummer. Goes to show you that when you're determined you can do anything you want to because he became one of the best.



While we sit and listen to our favorite musicians, tap our feet as they play, close our eyes and willingly drown in their music, there are sometimes tragic stories and sad truths. We lose so much wonderful talent because beneath that talent is a real human being and we really don't know them or what their story is. This clips reminds me of the some of the sadness there is to lose someone who was only 34. Charlie Parker was only 34 when he died.

STAN GETZ

(February 2, 1927 - June 6, 1991)

Wikipedia
http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/stangetz



Stanley "Stan" Getz is another well know saxophonist and played with some of the biggest names in jazz. I found this quote from him on Wikipedia:

I never consciously tried to conceive of what my sound should be...I never tried to imitate anybody, but when you love somebody’s music, you’re influenced...I really don’t know how I developed my sound, but it comes from a combination of my musical conception and no doubt the basic shape of the oral cavity... ”

— Stan Getz

There is a great interview of him here.

CANNONBALL ADDERLEY

(September 15, 1928 - August 8, 1975)

www.cannonball-adderley.com
Wikipedia



Born Julian Edward Adderley, the nickname Cannonball was a childhood name he received from a corruption the name "cannibal". He was a music teacher before he began his jazz career and was one of the more widely know jazz saxophonists. The biographies on either of the links above can provide you with a detailed biography of Cannonball's jazz career.

Cannonball Adderley - Work Song
Uploaded by dow30

The video below is of the Cannonball Adderley Sextet. Now this is classic old jazz!

GROVER WASHINGTON, JR.

(December 12, 1943 - December 17, 1999)

http://www.groverwashingtonjr.com
www.sonymusic.com



Grover Washington, Jr. is a name I've known for a long time. I knew of Grover Washington, Jr. before he became a part of one of my favorite Jazz groups Urban Knights and before he became instrumental in helping the group Pieces of A Dream become internationally known.

We lose many great artists for one reason or another. Grover Washington Jr had just finished taping four sessions for The Early Show for CBS in New York, he collapsed in the green room. He suffered a massive heart attack.

If you think you don't know who he is or have never heard him, just listen to some of his music that I'm sure you've heard and I'm sure you'll say, "Is that him!!?"

Grover will be missed.

JACKIEM JOYNER

http://www.jackiemjoyner.com
http://www.myspace.com/jackiemsoul



Jackiem Joyner is another artist I found while browsing around on MySpace. Soft, sexy and mellow - I instantly took a liking to him. I can't find a video but if you click on his MySpace link above you can get a sample of his music. His debut album is called Babysoul through Artizen Music Group.

A portion of his bio on Artizenmusic.com reads:

After several years of playing with keyboard greats Marcus Johnson and Bobby Lyle and saxophonist Jaared, co-headlining a 30 city tour in 2004 with Ronnie Laws and jazz and soul singers Angela Bofill and Jean Carne, and opening gigs for everyone from India Arie to Boney James, Spyro Gyra and George Benson, Joyner took a full year off to focus on writing and recording an album that marks his status as “a baby coming into the world, a new soul emerging into the music business.” Babysoul is more than just a title- it is a true description of his professional re-birthing.

Check him out. Hope you enjoy him as much as I do.

MARCUS MITCHELL

http://www.myspace.com/marcushmitchell


Image from: http://www.jazzreview.com

Portion of an article from http://smoothjazztherapy.typepad.com

Marcus H Mitchell is not only a rising saxophone star but is also CEO and President of 24th Music, a division of MHM Entertainment Group based in Maryland. The youngest independent executive to be on the voting committee for the Grammy Awards he is about to release his latest CD, the excellent ‘R & R – Rest & Relaxation’. It follows on from his 2005 debut ‘Jumpin’ and is a classy eleven track collection of fresh urban jazz sounds that is epitomized by the tune ‘Just Groovin’. With a title that pretty much sums up what Mitchell does throughout the album it is replete with his own brand of edgy smooth jazz and, although rest and relaxation may not entirely be what Mitchell is all about, the smoky title track, the chilled out ‘Deep Concentration’ and finally ‘Summer Breeze’ all demonstrate that he knows mellow urban jazz.