This week I Have more new releases for you and I have a new Smooth Jazz artist to introduce to you. While previously unknown to fans of this format, it would appear saxophonist Dr. Randal Clark is well known to many of the artists of this genre. For two decades as a public high school educator, Clark has been honored with numerous teaching awards. Currently he is a member of the jazz faculty at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City teaching saxophone. April 30th he released his debut album Imaginary World. Some of the artists he became acquainted with playing jazz festivals and at other venues, were only too happy to contribute to this debut album. Smooth Jazz pioneer, keyboardist, and Grammy Award winner Jeff Lorber, a man responsible for bringing Kenny G and Dave Koz to prominance, co wrote two songs and performed on four songs for this album. Bassist Jimmy Haslip from the Yellow Jackets, trumpeter Randy Brecker, and Gerald Albright playing the bass instead of his normal sax all are a part of this Randal Clark debut album. You will be hearing songs from this album in coming weeks but our first listen from Imaginary World features the keys of Jeff Lorber accompanying the sax of Randal Clark on the song Daybreak.
Bassist Brian Bromberg after a tryout found himself at the age of 19 touring internationally with jazz great Stan Getz. Releasing great albums since 1986, he has become an important artist in Smooth Jazz. May 21st Bromberg will be releasing his latest album titled A Little Driving Music. I have an early release from that album, a song titled Walking On Sunshine and featuring the saxophone of Dave Koz.
Continuing with the most recent Smooth Jazz releases we find on April 23nd two major albums were released by saxophonists. A mainstay of Smooth Jazz since 1990 has been veteran saxophonist and composer Marion Meadows. His new album is titled Twice As Nice. This week’s selection is Don’t Wait Up.
Jeff Kashiwa has been a very successful Smooth Jazz saxophonist for many years. From 1989 to 1999 he played sax with Russ Freeman and his group The Rippingtons. At the same time he also had great success with his solo career and playing with other artists. He has also been a member of the supergroup Sax Pak of all saxophonists with Kim Waters and Steve Cole. His most recent release on April 23rd is the album Sunrise. From that album you will hear Brazilian Wind.
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