New Music Monday — Ron Blake, Shorter Moments, Chris Botti

Join Arturo Gómez on Monday, October 16 at noon for New Music Monday. He will debut music from Ron Blake, Shorter Moments, and Chris Botti.

Ron Blake: “Mistaken Identity”
One of the current jazz scene’s most accomplished saxophonists is Ron Blake, born in the US Virgin Islands where the Legislature has honored him for his education and musical achievements. Blake has also won 4 Grammy® awards and 4 Emmy® awards. Since 2005, Ron has been a member of the Saturday Night Live Band and is on the faculty of the Julliard School since 2007. For his fifth recording as a leader and first in 8 years, Blake composed 2 songs and debuted a composition by his fellow Virgin Islander, the renowned pan player, Victor Provost. The Virgin Islands brotherhood continues for this album as Reuben Rogers is the bassist, Bobby Broom on guitar, and drummer Kobie Watkins both claim Chicago as their hometown. A solid lineup for an outstanding release!

Shorter Moments; “Citizen Wayne”
Originally slated as a tribute to Wayne Shorter’s 90th birthday, it has now been issued as a posthumous tribute to the legendary saxophonist, composer, and NEA Jazz Master. All 11 songs are from the pen of Mister Shorter and are performed by seven different groups from the Posi-Tone Records roster, a few artists have multiple entries. Many of the selected tunes are the lesser known Shorter compositions however, there are more well-known songs included as well, e.g., “Pinocchio”, “Infant “Eyes” and “Tom Thumb”. The performers are Art Hirahara, Willie Morris, Wayne Escoffery, Behn Gillece, Alex Sipiagin, Ed Cherry, and Blue Moods. A most heartfelt homage!

Chris Botti: “Vol. 1”
Best known as a pop-jazz trumpeter, Grammy® winner Chris Botti decided to return to his hard jazz roots for his debut recording for Blue Note Records. Six of the ten tracks feature strings, and one song is with guest vocalist John Splithoff. Who performs his own song: “Paris”. All tracks feature the swingin’ pianist, Taylor Eigsti and Vinnie Colaiuita on drums!  Two of the highlights IMO are: the Henry Mancini classic, “Two for The Road” and Miles Davis’ “Blue in Green” As the album title, “Vol. 1” suggests, this is Chris’ first step back into the mainstream jazz world and his roots.

Now in its 21st year of debuting the latest arrivals to the KUVO Jazz library, many of them are played ahead of their official release date. In addition to the music comments, I’ll provide a few tidbits about the artist, if it’s a new or an up-and-coming artist. It all begins at Noon every Monday.

Stay connected to KUVO’s programs and our community! Sign up for the Oasis E-News today!