Richard Elliott - Found his voice on the tenor through the likes of King Curtis, David Sanborn, Tom Scott, Average White Band, The Bar-Kays, Sly Stone, every singer on the Motown roster and even Tower of Power, the legendary Bay Area band the saxman toured and recorded with from 1982-87.
Where do you go from #1? If you're veteran saxophonist Richard Elliott, long known as the "James Brown of Contemporary Jazz" for the intense soul inspirations of his recordings, a relentless tour schedule and joyfully exhausting onstage performances, you dig deep into your R&B/jazz roots. You keep the infectious melodies and funky grooves flowing and follow a two word mantra that says it all about where you've been and the places you're headed: Rock Steady-the name of his highly anticipated debut on Artistry Music. This funky former "Tower of Power" tenor knows how to Rock Steady on the stage. Elliott has one of the most loyal fan base and sell-out crowds in contemporary urban jazz. When he's on stage....we're there!
Performs Sunday, October 3, 2010 - 5:00pm
David
Benoit - Since launching his
recording career in 1977, David Benoit’s
expansive career as a contemporary jazz
pianist has included over 25 solo
recordings. His ‘80s releases This Side
Up, Freedom at Midnight and the GRAMMY
nominated Every Step of the Way are
considered influential genre classics.
Among his other Grammy nominations are
those for Best Instrumental Composition
(for “Dad’s Room,” from 1999’s
Professional Dreamer) and Best Large
Jazz Ensemble Performance (for the GRP
All-Star Big Band). His prolific output
since 2000 includes several prominent
Charlie Brown related projects
(including Here’s To You, Charlie Brown:
50 Great Years and the star-studded 40
Years: A Charlie Brown Christmas) that
reflect his lifelong passion for the
music of original Peanuts composer Vince
Guaraldi and solidify Benoit’s role as
his musical heir. Benoit has also
released the Billboard Contemporary Jazz
charting albums Fuzzy Logic, Right Here,
Right Now, Full Circle and Heroes, which
paid homage to the pianist’s top jazz
and pop influences. Through 2010,
Benoit will head on the road to perform
his latest inspiration from the April
2010 release, Earthglow. And on October
29, 2010, the Pianist will be honored
with the Lifetime Achievement Award at
The American Smooth Jazz Awards in
Michigan City, Indiana. In
addition to his many credits, Benoit is also music
director for the Asian American Symphony
Orchestra. Can't miss this one!
Gerald
Albright - Contemporary and
Straight-ahead collections have
established the Los Angeles-based
musician as one of the most prominent
artists. Indeed, Albright was one of the
ten featured saxophonists who performed
at President Clinton’s inauguration. He
was also featured at the Presidential
Summit, as well as several private
functions for the President.
Albright had sold over 1,000,000 albums in the U.S. alone. His self-produced music features him on bass guitar, keyboards, flutes, drum programming, and background vocals. Gerald has definitely earned the reputation as the “musician’s musician.” Albright has also toured with Les McCann, Rodney Franklin, Jeff Lorber, Teena Marie, Marlene Shaw, Debra and Eloise Laws, Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston, Phil Collins, and many others. In addition to numerous appearances at clubs and jazz festivals, Albright had also been a part of the popular Jazz Explosion tours, which saw him teaming up with contemporary jazz stars like Will Downing, Jonathan Butler, Hugh Masekela, Chaka Khan, and Rachelle Ferrell, to name a few. With 9 CDs under his belt and one collaboration CD, Albright has definitely gained his place in the music world as a player, songwriter and producer. He's currently released his new CD "Pushing The Envelope" on June 15, 2010. This is one stage performer!