Music Notes, June 2012
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT #1! You spoke…and we listened. Many of you have been asking for the opportunity to view entire episodes of Studio Jams here on the site. Well, starting now, we will begin streaming a different entire Studio Jams episode in our STUDIO JAMS MUSIC CLUB each and every month! This “members-only” content is only available to STUDIO JAMS MUSIC CLUB members. Our hope – and goal – is to one day be able to provide all of this unique content to Music Club members. So, as we diligently continue to move in this direction, we do appreciate your patience! And for anyone who has never seen an actual episode, we have made our very first session, Episode #1, available to everyone in its entirety. Once you see it, we hope you too will be hooked – and encouraged to join the club! Enjoy!
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT #2! Studio Jams has just secured a multi-year distribution deal DJAZZ.TV! Based in the Netherlands,DJAZZ.TV is the first and only television channel in the world fully dedicated to jazz. They broadcast an attractive mix of festival and venue concerts, jazz movies, specials, musician profiles, club recordings, historic clips and festival highlights from all over the globe. “We’re thrilled to partner with DJAZZ.TV” says producer Tom Emmi. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to further expand our international distribution and reach a fresh, new worldwide audience.”
THIS MONTH: Our Featured Artist is this month is one of finest bassists on the planet – Nathan East. He has recorded with a virtual “who’s who” in the industry – from Madonna to Michael Jackson and everyone in between. Besides being a solo artist in his own right, Nathan tours and records regularly with Eric Clapton, Phil Collins and Fourplay. We’ll also spend a little time with jazz guitarist/composer/producer Grant Geissman…plus interesting segments with blues rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd and innovative banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck.
Our Featured Festival this month takes us to Baltimore, MD (USA)…site of the annual American Accordionist’ Association Festival (AAA). This important 4-day festival in mid-July features workshops, exhibits, seminars, competitions and concerts – from accordionists of all ages. Be sure to also check out our brief profile on the Norfolk Jazz Festival on our Festivals page. Now in its 30th year, the 2-day Norfolk Jazz Festival takes place in beautiful Town Point Park on the Norfolk waterfront. This too is an outstanding festival – on many different levels.
STUDIO JAMS MUSIC CLUB: Make sure you become a member of this hip, new music community. There is a FREE PREVIEW from the STUDIO JAMS MUSIC CLUB page on this site. This month in the Club: an intimate 30-minute MUSICLAB session with the soulful singer and master songwriter Michael McDonald…and a feature on the innovative and always inventive guitar virtuoso Stanley Jordan. As we mentioned, Episode #30 – in its entirety – is being streamed in the Music Club. This episode features world-class fingerstyle guitar master Peppino D’Agostino, along with fellow guitarists Stef Burns (Huey Lewis, Vasco, etc.) and Jackie King, bassist David Ewell, drummer Billy Johnson and saxophonist Marc Russo (The Doobie Brothers, The Yellowjackets, etc.). Then, another look at the International music scene with drummer James Bradley, Jr. Now living in Stockholm, Sweden, James is perhaps best known for his outstanding work for years with jazz trumpeter Chuck Mangione. The STUDIO JAMS MUSIC CLUB is a “members only” club, with an annual membership fee of just $24. Don’t miss out – join the club…TODAY!
COMING SOON: Features on drummers Carter Beauford (The Dave Matthews Band) and Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson (The Roots), guitarist Dominic Miller (Sting) and country hitmakers Big & Rich…all this – and much more – coming up on StudioJams.com.
