Upcoming Doug Carn Organ Trio concert!!

 

Press play on the audio player above to enjoy classic organ jazz by Doug Carn while you read!

Three artists all famous for their association with the 1970's Black Jazz record label - Doug Carn, Michael Carvin & Calvin Keys, will be reuniting for a sizzling summer concert of blissful organ trio jazz, Sunday June 3rd at the Daytona Museum of Arts & Sciences in a concert presented by NEFJA. 

A familiar name here in Northeast Florida; the exceptional talents of Doug Carn are known all over the world - not just for playing with artists like Lou Donaldson, Stanley Turrentine, Shirley Horn, Earth, Wind & Fire, Nat Adderley and more recently featured on albums by Cindy Blackman and Wallace Roney; but also for his own releases. Several of these are part of an important jazz movement in the early 70's presented on the Black Jazz record label.

Doug Carn's 1971 release "Infant Eyes" on Black Jazz label.

Not only have these recordings reached cult status among jazz aficionados and collectors alike, but are also acknowledged as an important watershed in jazz music, "combining a  looser feel with a political mood that emphasized peace, love and independence...alive—and free of restraint and compromise." (jazzwax.com). The Black Jazz catalog forms a stunning chronicling of the African-American urban experience and outlook of the era. This purity and emotion was in stark contrast to the note-y, noodle-y fusion music then dominating the market.

Doug's 1973 release featuring Jean Carn - "Revelation"

As a surge of appreciation for these albums now dominates the internet on jazz & soul-jazz blogs & forums, and as the Black Jazz catalog has recently been purchased and the label re-booted, Doug Carn has been making appearances all over the world with several of his label mates from back in the day. This is essentially the jazz equivalent of a rock band like Cream's recent reunion & tour, and not to be missed if you take your jazz seriously. 

L-R: Michael Carvin, Calvin Keys, Doug Carn

Shows have already hit Yoshi's in Oakland and Dizzy's Coca Cola Club in NYC, and upcoming gigs include a weekend at world-renowned Ronnie Scott's club in London with Jean Carn. Floridians will have their chance on Sunday June 3rd 2012 at 2:30 pm to experience these three legends bringing their message of strength and love on into the new millennium and beyond. Get your tickets over at the NEFJA website (phone and mailed check options available). - PCJ

Sammy Figueroa's Top 10 Jazz Albums

photo by Lisa Lindhardt

Master percussionist and South Florida resident Sammy Figueroa needs no introduction to those familiar with jazz percussion or latin jazz. His resumé lists the creme de la creme in modern music: Miles Davis, the Brecker Brothers, Sonny Rollins, Michel Camilo, David Bowie, Mariah Carey, Chaka Khan, Blondie, Quincey Jones, Chet Baker, Mick Jagger, Al Jarreau, Lena Horne, Joe Williams, and it does go on. You hear his skills nearly every day on songs like "Solid (As a Rock)", "We Are Family" and pretty much anything by the band Chic. His own albums have recently garnered him 2 Grammy nominations.

A host of a popular radio show on Miami's WDNA, Sammy is also known for his sense of humor and friendly personality. He kindly took time out of his incredible schedule to send us a list of his top 10 favorite jazz albums, as part of our recent poll among Florida musicians - The Top 50 Jazz Albums of All Time. His list also reveals a man of varied and exquisite taste!

Photo by "Mr. B" - http://mrbsdomain.com

1. Miles Davis - Four and More (Live At The Fillmore) "I love this because of Tony Williams.  He was 17 years old and the most creative drummer in history.  Tony drove that band into the future."
2. Freddy Hubbard - Red Clay


3.  Herbie Hancock - Empyrean Isles
   


4. Cannonball Adderly - Mercy Mercy Mercy
    
5.  Cal Tjader - Son a Libre  "Cal Tjader brought a new style and a totally fresh new sound to latin jazz."


6. Clare Fischer - Thesaurus
    
7. John Coltrane and Johnny Hartmann
    
8. Wes Montgomery - Live at Tzubo's
    
9. Mel Torme - Swings At Schubert Alley
    
10.  Stan Getz - Sweet Rain  "This was a magical quartet of gifted players -- every solo of every musician was great."

photo by Jaime Rivera

Boy, if you wanted to start a well-rounded jazz library from scratch - this might be the perfect place to start! Thanks to Mr. Figueroa for the thrilling list and also the insights.


Check out Sammy Figueroa's website here, where you can listen to and order his latest album "Urban Nature"  - which sports this intense, latin jazz line-up: Sammy Figueroa – percussion, Silvano Monasterios – piano, Gabriel Vivas – bass, John Michalak – saxophones, Alexander Pope Norris – trumpet, and Nomar Negroni – drums. That's a fever you want to catch! - PCJ