This charity recording project, named “Jazz For Japan,” was conceived by Larry Robinson, a former jazz drummer and now CEO of Avatar Records.

“I told them that many of the American Jazz musicians tour Japan numerous times a year,” he explained. “It was at that moment the seeds of Jazz For Japan were born. Within five days we called all our jazz friends and put together this truly amazing line up of musicians to record at Hollywood’s famous Capitol Recording Studio who all donated their time.”, says Robinson.

Everybody worked for free on this project, including the musicians, recording engineeer John Van Nest, several assistant engineers at Capitol Studios, Bruce Monical who volunteered his vintage mics and amps, the staff at Avatar Records, a filming crew with HD cameras, and even the caterer who provided snacks.

Every musician they called said “yes” except these who were out of town. The legendary musicians came and went, and groupings were decided on the spot. They picked a song from the list prepared by the producer, talked among themselves about how to go about it, and rehearsed for 10 to 15 minutes, and boom! The level of musicianship was so high that most tunes were recorded in just one take.

The musicians who came on the first day (March 23) included Steve Gadd, Tom Scott, Billy Childs, Nathan East, George Duke, Marcus Miller, Everette Harp, David T Walker, Clarence McDonald, Ricky Minor and the Tonight Show Band.

On the second day, March 24, a quartet of Deron Johnson (piano), Larry Goldings (Hammond B-3), Chuck Berghofer (bass) and Peter Erskine (drums) recorded an uptempo and swinging “Mr. PC.” Then, Billy Childs took over the piano and Larry Goldings switched to Suzuki Melodion (aka melodica or pianica) to play the role of a horn player, and the group recorded a beautiful version of “Body and Soul.” It was then followed by a piano trio version of the same song by Childs, Berghofer and Erskine.

Then, bassist Christian McBride arrived. He joined Childs and Erskine for a trio rendition of “Invitation” and recoreded “Sophisticated Lady” in a sublime duo with Childs.

A group consisting of Herman Jackson on piano, Clarence McDonald on Fender Rhodes, Alfonso Johnson on electric bass, and Alex Acuna on drums played a funky, fiery and Latin-infused version of Herbie Hancock’s “Cantaloupe Island.”

The music recorded was FANTASTIC! It was a creation of beautiful music by the greatest jazz musicians, all volunteering their time to help support the Japanese people.

According to Robinson, the music is available for download on iTunes worldwide. He is also trying to release it on CD in Japan. They are also seeking to release the video contents (shot on HD) on DVD (Blu-ray?) and through broadcast in Japan and in the US through PBS. All proceeds will be donated to a Japanese relief organization. If and when the CD edition is released, Eastwind Import will surely try to distribute it worldwide!

Classics for Japan – Music for Healing  features names from the classical world who are either Japanese or have a link with the country, including Daniel Barenboim, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Mitsuko Uchida, Seiji Ozawa.

The two classical labels will work together to promote the release, with all proceeds going towards relief efforts in Japan.

Songs For Japan, a charity released by the four majors for the Japanese Red Cross, sold 200,000 copies in its first three days of release, topping iTunes charts in 18 countries.

The majors are set to give a cheque for $2m to the Red Cross this week, reflecting sales of Songs For Japan.

Meanwhile, a number of jazz artists, including George Duke, Rickey Minor and Bob James, have joined the benefit album, Jazz For Japan.

The album features jazz standards such as Maiden Voyage, Body & Soul and Watermelon Man and was released by Avatar Records yesterday via iTunes, with profits going towards the International Red Cross in Japan.

To support the Japanese victims of the recent disaster, please support the “Jazz For Japan” project by buying their products and spreading the word.

Larry Goldings, “I hope the power of music can have even a small positive effect on the tragedy that has taken place in Japan. Peace and Love!”