New on Palmetto

“Two bubbles found they had rainbows on their curves. They flickered out saying: “It was worth being a bubble, just to have held that rainbow thirty seconds,” recites drummer and bandleader Matt Wilson recites in his composition “Bubbles”. Inspired by the poem by Carl Sandburg, the song reflects the message of his 10th album as a leader for Palmetto Records.

An Attitude for Gratitude (February 14th / Palmetto) is the 4th album by the award-winning ensemble Matt Wilson’s Arts & Crafts, an extraordinary collective of musical personalities featuring Wilson, Terell Stafford (trumpet), Gary Versace (piano, organ and accordion) and Martin Wind (bass). “This album celebrates having a loving family, a fabulous band and a remarkable community of people who surround and inspire me. Most important, I am most grateful that my wife Felicia is healthy again. She received a stem cell transplant after being diagnosed with leukemia and is doing great!”

Matt Wilson is beloved worldwide for being one of jazz music’s most imaginative, entertaining and fun-loving spirits. National Public Radio says, “Drummer Matt Wilson is one of the friendliest guys in jazz, and his music, even at its most complex, reflects that.” He was voted the 2011 Drummer of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association, an honor he was also awarded in 2003, and was featured on the covers of both Downbeat and Jazz Times magazines in November of 2009. In addition to maintaining an active schedule as a performer, bandleader and recording artist, Wilson is a dedicated teaching artist. His outreach work and reputation as a community builder has helped establish him as an treasured ambassador for jazz music.

2011 GRAMMYˆ nominated composer and trumpeter Tim Hagans is one of the most unique and influential modern voices in jazz. His debut recording for Palmetto, The Moon Is Waiting features Tim (trumpet), Vic Juris (guitar), Rufus Reid (bass) and Jukkis Uotila (drums, piano) and was recorded at Maggie’s Farm by Matt Balitsaris.

What do you get when a former Los Angeles studio guitarist collaborates with his “favorite” drummer -- who just happens to be a founding member of one of the most iconic rock bands of all-time -- and creates a refreshingly innovative style of smooth jazz?

The answer is WATSON’S RIDDLE, a dynamic new instrumental group formed in Upstate South Carolina by veteran guitarist Steve Watson and original Marshall Tucker Band drummer Paul T. Riddle and also featuring legendary pianist Chuck Leavell (Allman Brothers Band, Sea Level, Rolling Stones) and top-notch bassist Tim Lawter (MTB).

WATSON'S RIDDLE was conceived when cardiothoracic surgeon Douglas Appleby, M.D., encouraged his friend and guitar instructor Steve to write music that was “emotionally engaging, relaxing and transforming to the human soul.” Watson wrote some of the album’s material during the good doctor’s weekly lessons and eventually took the project to Riddle who brought in Leavell and Lawter.

Leavell's powerful presence is felt throughout the album with his brilliant piano work giving the project an extra dose of aural magic.

Riddle served as producer for the album and Watson composed all 10 tracks. The music of WATSON’S RIDDLE is a blend of jazz, R&B and pop or, as Paul likes to call it, “melodic freak.” It offers moments of introspection, moments of playful funkiness and even laidback moments where everything seems right with the world. There are numerous solos, and the collective interaction among the musicians is sure to appeal not only to a jazz audience but to rock and pop fans as well.

After Bill Mays joined the Phil Woods Quintet a few years back Phil started sounding Bill out about doing a duo recording. The two came together at Maggie’s Farm on September 7, 2010 and spent all of 3 hours recording this joyful music. The warmth and excitement of the session was captured perfectly by producer Matt Balitsaris. The connection between the two musicians is evident upon the very first listen. They decided to record seven off-the-beaten-path standards and two Phil Woods originals for the session. As Phil puts it so well.... “I am on a perpetual tune hunt as is Bill, as are most musicians. When the rhythm section starts to sing your choruses along with you it is time to get some new tunes. Take note Berkeley grads”.

With nine critically acclaimed albums as a bandleader to his credit (the last six reaching #1 on the CMJ National Jazz radio chart), Allison has solidified his rep as a cutting edge composer. To celebrate his 10th, Ben has turned his ear towards the music of some of his favorite artists, creating an inspired, atmospheric, and at times, art-rock mixtape featuring the music of PJ Harvey, Donny Hathaway, Thelonious Monk, Neil Young, Samuel Barber and Roger Nichols.

The idea was sparked when Ben wondered how it would sound “to refract some of my favorite tunes through the prism of an electro-acoustic orchestra featuring two electric guitars, bass clarinet, saxophone, analog synthesizer, piano, acoustic bass and drums.” The album is full of “happy accidents” – unplanned moments that capture a musical conversation in flux.

Alex Skolnick is a true guitar hero. At sixteen years old, he joined a group of twenty- somethings who’d formed a thrash metal band called Testament. Alex stayed with the band through five critically acclaimed albums and countless tours with, among others, Slayer, Megadeth, Judas Priest, and White Zombie. After hearing and seeing one of Miles Davis’ electric bands on TV, Alex relocated to New York City to play and study jazz.

Alex Skolnick Trio (AST) was formed while Alex was earning his BfA in jazz from New School University in Manhattan. AST has been lauded by critics, fans and musical heroes alike ranging from Downbeat to Jazziz to the Village Voice to Kirk Hammet of Metallica. Veritas is the trio’s 4th album and their first for Palmetto Records.

AST’s newest release, Veritas, continues Alex’s passion to trail-blaze through the landscape of pop, jazz, rock and metal to find common ground and push boundaries all in the name of great music. Veritas (Latin for “Truth”) has 10 original tunes (all penned by Alex) and a 11th track that transforms a classic metal tune by Metallica, “Fade to Black,” into a post-modern Jazz composition. Other standout tracks include Bollywood Jam – a humorous mash-up of Bollywood soundtrack grooves and sophisticated improvisation, and the hard-hitting funk of 99/09, in which Alex imagines a collaboration between pop superstar Prince and jazz guitarist John Scofield.

The Village Vanguard has been open since 1935 and up until a few years ago they had never invited a pianist to perform solo at the club. Fred Hersch holds the unique distinction of being the first pianist in the long history of the Vanguard to do just that....twice - so far.

Alone at the Vanguard documents Mr. Hersch’s second solo piano engagement (Nov 30 – Dec 5, 2010) at the renowned club. All 6 nights and 12 sets were recorded and there was much to choose from, but in the end it was the last set of the last night that Fred chose to go with. Some say that since Fred recovered from his much-documented coma, his playing is deeper and more emotional. Although all of the sets had great performances, this last set from the last night is a true testament to his mastery.

Peter Eldridge has been called “perennially classy” (JazzTimes) and ranks “in the celebrated tradition of melodic poets, most famously represented by such disparate voices as Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison and Steely Dan – singer/songwriters who create catchy, beautiful tunes with insightful lyrics that are both personal and universal” (allmusicguide.com).
Downbeat said of his 2005 release Decorum, “If musical intelligence and artistry were prompters to marketplace success, Decorum would grant him stardom. . . .strong, far-ranging voice . . .hauntingly wistful”.

The Latin-inspired Mad Heaven, Peter’s first venture on Palmetto Records, lives up to all the kudos he’s received in the past. Peter’s original compositions on Mad Heaven are thought provoking both musically and lyrically. One might described it as sophisticated pop meets Brazil with arrangements reminiscent of Becker and Fagan. The instrumentation and background vocals support the compositions perfectly.

On Before the Rain, tenor saxophonist-composer Noah Preminger makes it clear that his widely praised debut album, Dry Bridge Road, was no fluke. His new album, his first for Palmetto Records, is marked by the same sense of adventure and exploration, but even greater lyricism, compositional depth, and group interplay. Working with familiar associates, pianist Frank Kimbrough, bassist John Hebert, and drummer Matt Wilson, Preminger opts for an album of mostly ballad-tempo performances that give everyone in the band the opportunity to delve into some highly nuanced solo and ensemble playing. An album of ballads is not what one usually expects from a young player on his second release. But by defying expectations, Preminger has created one of the most powerfully beautiful discs of the year.

Larry Goldings and Harry Allen form a stylish partnership in this new record that features some gem-like standard interpretations alongside beautiful, melodic, new compositions.
Harry Allen's effortless phrasing meets Larry Goldings' impeccable piano playing, with a gorgeous Vince Mendoza string arrangement of Goldings' composition "Benny's Dream" performed by the Metropole Orkest.
Best known as a leading jazz organist, this is Goldings' first record to predominantly feature him as a pianist since 2006's "Quartet." Drummer Andy Watson (from Jon Hendricks' band) joins the fun. Bassists Doug Weiss (Chris Potter/Al Foster) and Neal Miner (Jane Monheit/Stacey Kent) trade duties on various tracks.

Good groove is good groove and the Doctor proves this yet again on his new release, Spiral. His 4th recording for Palmetto Records features his touring band of late, Jonathan Kreisberg (guitar) and Jamire Williams (drums). Spiral was produced by Matt Balitsaris and recorded at Maggie’s Farm on January 12-13, 2010.