Bob James Trio with Randy Brecker at the Blue Note
by Veritas on Sep.02, 2017, under News, Press &Reviews
By TYRAN GRILLO
August 21, 2017
Bob James Trio with Randy Brecker
Blue Note
New York, NY
August 16, 2017
As part of a week-long residency at the Blue Note, legendary keyboardist-composer Bob James broke sonic bread with up-and-coming bassist Michael Palazzolo and faithful drummer Billy Kilson. The result of this communion was a head-nodding dive into one of jazz’s most hallowed oeuvres. As was clear throughout this performance, central to the bandleader’s commercial success—not counting the many times his music has been thrown into the genre blender of hip-hop—is his ability to forge bone-deep melodies and shine them through the lenses of simpatico musicians who care about everything they interpret.
The first three tunes of their second set put theory into practice, and then some. Two pianistic originals, “Avalabop” and “Night Crawler,” sandwiched the Fender Rhodes romance of “Feel Like Making Love.” Whether jumping headfirst into jaunty grooves or turning the lights down low, James approached even his best-known motifs with sheer enjoyment. Despite the distance of these classic tunes, he brought them to an immediate and intimate level of exchange that allowed freshness to flourish.
Bob James at Blue Note NYC
by Veritas on Aug.27, 2017, under Event, Videos
Bob James’ Blue Note NYC Show a Mastery of Improvisation
by Veritas on Aug.26, 2017, under News, Press &Reviews
Bob James, an American original wrapped up a six nights gig at the Blue Note Jazz Club, New York City (August 15-20, 2017); and like Thelonious Monk, found ways of rummaging amongst his limitations and came up with a highly personal perspective in musical improvisation. (Photo by John R. Williams)
By Danny R. Johnson – Jazz and Pop Music Critic
BLUE NOTE CLUB – NEW YORK CITY – Bob James, the extraordinary jazz pianist, composer, and music producer, wrapped up a busy week at the Blue Note-New York City, from August 15-20, 2017, with special guest performers Randy Brecker (Trumpeter/Flugelhornist), Michael Palazzolo (Acoustic Bass), and Billy Kilson (Drums) sharing as headliners. The 10:30 p.m., August 20 show featured an enthralling 90-minutes cool jazz session with bassist Palazzolo and drummer Kilson.
It should be noted that Kilson has played with Ahmad Jamal (1989), Dianne Reeves (1989–95), Greg Osby (1991), George Duke (1991–98), Steps Ahead (1993), Tim Hagans (1993 and subsequently), Terumasa Hino (1994–98), Bob James (1995 and subsequently), Dave Holland (since 1997), Bob Belden (1997) and Kevin Mahogany (1998). Other associations include Kirk Whalum, Freddie Jackson, Chris Botti, Donald Brown and Paula Cole.
If James had one single mission, it was to stir the greatest possible emotion through the most advanced harmonic movement. From the onset of one of the eight selections performed that evening, the sold-out Blue Note Club patrons were caught in the sheer ecstasy of the Bob James phenomenon. The bass line, from the opening moment, reflected a mirrored image of the melody, at times staggering the rhythm of the theme mostly tracking it note-for-note. On the last phrase of the first verse of one piece, James hits a pedal tone, one of his favorite anchoring devices after a harmonic exploration, but then dissolves it into a transition into another key, where an even more probing examination of the song’s harmonic and rhythmic implications begins. As the beauty of the sound stirred the heart, the symmetry of the internal movement, with the notes in one chord each leading to those in the next, touched the intellect. Here, in first blossom, is the genius of James.
Throughout the entire evening, what the audience was witnessing was anything but remarkable and tantalizing. All of the selections captured the pianist in his earliest stages of development and transformation. The trio sticks to the conventions of the time by keeping the pulse steady and responding only minimally to cues from James; by the same token, during bass and drummer solos, James withdrew, playing occasional fills rather than interacting with the improvisation.
When Kilson took the spotlight, both James and Palazzolo stop playing altogether, in the old swing tradition of unaccompanied drum solos.
Two-time Grammy Award winning James had his musical roots honed from his humble beginnings in Marshal, Missouri. The minute he was discovered by Quincy Jones at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival in 1963, James recorded his first solo album, “Bold Conceptions,” that year for Mercury Records and never looked back. 58 albums and numerous of awards followed for the next five decades, and this cat ain’t letting up yet!
As demonstrated at the Blue Note, James displayed enormous versatility of musical idioms such as jazz, the Blues, R&B, and classical. James is known to have developed a unique relationship in finding common ground between classical music and jazz, conducted as part of his release of “J. S. Bach: Concertos for 2 & 3 Keyboards (1989).”
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Remembering Chuck Loeb
by Veritas on Aug.07, 2017, under News
My thoughts and prayers are with Chuck’s family, and what a wonderful blessing it was for to know him and to be able to hear his music and have others hear it as well. He blessed WLOQ with so many of his songs.
– Bob Kelley
The passing of guitarist CHUCK LOEB hit me pretty hard this morning. I 1st met Chuck the summer of ’10 in NYC. He joined forces with BOB JAMES, NATHAN EAST and HARVEY MASON to become FOURPLAY’S 3rd guitarist. I drove the band to various locations in the city during their photo shoot for their 11th album (and Chuck’s 1st with Fourplay) “LET’S TOUCH THE SKY”. Chuck wrote the 1st single from that album titled “3rd DEGREE”, which was a #1 hit. He went on to record 2 more albums with my favorite jazz band: “Espirit de Four” and “Silver”, which marked the 25th anniversary of this super band’s existence. May the peace of God be with Chuck’s family, friends, bandmates and those of us that were touched by this man’s spirit.
– Dorsey Sky Parker
I am saddened by the loss of our friend Chuck Loeb…First and foremost, he was a beautiful human being…He loved music yes, but he loved people first, and that really set him apart from many…And he had a great sense of humor that many didn’t get a chance to see. I had the great pleasure to work with him many times with Fourplay and Jazz Funk Soul, and of course 2 wonderful years for our Hilton Head event. I will miss you Chuck! My thoughts and prayers are with Carmen, Christina and Lizzy, as well as Sonny and all the guys with Fourplay as well.
– Tony Lype
… Os acompaño en el sentimiento… DEP Chuck Loeb.
– Francisco José Tébar Moreno
To all of 4Play members: I regret to the death of the brilliant guitar player and friend of you, the genius Chuck Loeb. We, here in Rio de Janeiro are very sad, and I hope that may God comfort our hearts. Condolences to all.
– Marlon Esteves
Hey guys, I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of Chuck Loeb, a great guitarist, and, I’m sure, a great band mate! My condolences and prayers out to you and his family!
– Paul Cameron
I am shocked and saddened by the horrible news I’ve just heard! Chuck was a phenomenal musician and a very nice Guy…The ONLY guitarist who had the right “Everything”, to replace great talents like Lee and Larry! I am deeply saddened! My thoughts go out to Chuck’s family and to the Fourplay family.
– Frank Rotondo
So incredibly saddened to hear of Chuck’s passing. Our condolences to all of you, his friends, and his family.
– Lee Steed Kabilyo
Triste perda para a música instrumental. Grande guitarrista que em seus solos nos emocionava com suas frases cheia de sentimentos e técnica singular. Meus sentimentos à toda família Chuck Loeb.
– Ailton Yabeta Yabeta
So sorry to learn about Chuck Loeb’s passing..Sincerest condolences to the band, to his friends and especially to his loved ones…Love you guys always man!!
– Avzal MJ Ismail
Condolences on the loss of Chuck Loeb. He will be sorely missed. A great musician. RIP.
– Sherry Woods
Sorry for your loss of Chuck Loeb, he’s In God’s Hands.
– Freddy Pichardo
Rest In Peace Mr. Loeb.
– Peter Pelachy
I have autographed guitars memorabilia and more from him. He had a prs electric guitar strap suede leather I have from him in buffalo NY Buffalo State University performance last year. Bob James, Harvey Mason, and Nathan East, all of Fourplay witnessed this kind gesture as they autographed my gold Paul Reed Smith electric guitar 25th anniversary. Chuck Loeb was wonderful person!
– Tony Newcomb Erie Pennsylvania USA
I’m so sorry to learn of Chuck’s passing. My heart breaks for us all especially Chuck’s family and friends. May they find peace.
– Sandi Otte
Sorry to hear about Chuck’s health issues. Prayers sent his way. Enjoyed seeing him perform at the Montrose Room in Chicago as well as many other locations.
– Pam
Good evening sir many condolences on the passing of Cuck Loeb a great guitarist.
– LS Campbell
Special Concert In Philadelphia
by Veritas on Aug.02, 2017, under News
Join fOURPLAY on August 4 at Philadelphia’s Penn’s Landing for a special performance celebrating band mate Chuck Loeb.
This is sure to be an emotional, and heartfelt show celebrating Chuck, and the enormous impact he has had on all of us. A supremely talented musician, he was much more than that as a human being. So join the fOURPLAY family, as we celebrate our own, Chuck Loeb.
Honoring Chuck Loeb
by Veritas on Aug.01, 2017, under News
We, The Fourplay family, salute our fallen hero Chuck Loeb … Our band member, our dear friend, our soulmate, our musical composer, an incredible human being, husband and father.
Thank you for sharing your love, life and music with us.
This may be your final curtain call on earth, but your musical spirit lives on forever. Our deepest condolences, respect and love goes out to Carmen, Christina and Lizzy.
fOURPLAY rehearses in Macedonia
by Veritas on Jul.12, 2017, under News, Photos
fOURPLAY rehearsals with the Macedonia philharmonic orchestra, under the guidance of Maestro conductor Dzijan Emin.
Loeb Summer Hiatus
by Veritas on Jun.20, 2017, under News
Dear Friends and Fans,
Subbing for Chuck, will be the renown saxophonist, Kirk Whalum, who performed on our recent release “SILVER”.
We look forward to seeing you at our shows. Please continue to view our website, www.fourplayjazz.com for current tour info and Fourplay news!
Get well wishes and notes to Chuck can be posted to matt@fourplayjazz.com or sonny@fourplayjazz.com.
Harvey Mason awarded Honorary Doctorate
by Veritas on Jun.13, 2017, under News
Congratulations to Harvey Mason, who received his second Honorary Doctorate of Letters by the University of West London. The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter John, awarded the Hon DLit to Mason, at a ceremony which took place at the university’s own award-winning Pillars Restaurant.
The Best Smooth Jazz Bands and Artists of All Time
by Veritas on May.27, 2017, under News
Combining elements of funk, R&B, funk, rock, pop, and yes, jazz – smooth jazz was wildly popular as a commercial subgenre of jazz. Smooth jazz artists also could be found adult contemporary radio and is called smooth because of its downtempo melody that carries the song. First emerging in the 1960s, smooth jazz works well as background music and wasn’t necessarily as complex or innovative as traditional jazz music. Nevertheless, top jazz artists rose to prominence in the late 1980s before peaking in the 1990s and early 2000s. Though smooth, contemporary jazz isn’t as big as it once was, it’s impact can’t be disputed and many famous jazz artists are considered to be some of the best musicians of modern time.
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