#SundaySlowJam - Jesus Children of America

#SundaySlowJam
February 1, 2015
by:  Dawn Pemberton
twitter:  @dawnpemberton

This week's Sunday Slow Jam is a fresh take on a Stevie Wonder classic and can be found on pianist Robert Glasper’s last release ‘Black Radio’.

Stevie’s music and message are so potent and meaningful, even 40 years later. How is it that a man who has never experienced the world visually could be such a visionary and capture the human experience so profoundly?  Stevie's perceptiveness and wisdom know no boundaries.

Jesus Children of America - Robert Glasper feat. Lalah Hathaway & Malcolm Jamal Warner

This latest version of this tune takes it a step further and is calling out to those same "children" Stevie was speaking to years ago. This time, I think they are being called to claim their rightful places in the world.

#SundaySlowJam - Before the Dawn

#SundaySlowJam
January 25, 2015
by:  Dawn Pemberton
twitter:  @dawnpemberton

Patrice Rushen is my hero. She has an outstanding musical mind. This is the title track off of her 2nd album called "Before The Dawn", which she released when she was 20 years old (um yeah, she's a bad mutha…shut your mouth). As a young musician, her style and sensibilities were often compared to those of Herbie Hancock. Check out this track and you might agree.

Before The Dawn, Patrice Rushen

For an extra aural delight listen to "Haw-Right Now" off of the same album, Patrice takes no prisoners beginning at the 4:30 mark.

#SundaySlowJam - Simply Soul

#SundaySlowJam
January 18, 2015
by:  Dawn Pemberton
twitter:  @dawnpemberton

I heard this song last week while I was running errands and could not get it out of my head. So, I immediately went home, pressed play and it has been on repeat ever since.

There's so much to appreciate about this tune:  The chord progression (8 bars of heaven), the overall production and instrumentation, the organ that sighs in the background, the tasty groove, the warm, round tone of the bass and guitar, the kick drum that hits "the spot" every time, Al Green sharing his heart... This is soul music in its purest form. It's deliciously simple, sparse and simmers the whole time. No matter how many times I've heard this tune I always lose it at the 3:18 minute mark when the drummer lays down the 16th's on the hi hats. No joke. It hurts so good.

Simply Beautiful, Al Green

NEW Program - The Sunday Slow Jam

NEW Coastal Jazz Program - #SundaySlowJam
January 11, 2015
by: Dawn Pemberton
twitter:  @dawnpemberton

Sunday is often considered a day of rest, the Sabbath, a moment during the week to reflect on the all that has been done and created and an opportunity to prepare for the week ahead. I like to think that a slow jam, is a slow to mid-tempo type of tune, from any musical genre, that invokes deep thought, arouses the senses, creates intense emotional responses, inspires and helps to shift the mood when necessary.

Allow me to introduce the….Sunday Slow Jam. Consider this an invitation to check out some new music and revisit well known favourites, to take a break and encourage a little more space in your life. Check back each Sunday for my pick of the week!

This series kicks off with two great tracks (or a “2 fer” as I like to call it) by tenor saxophonist, Eddie Harris. With a discography that spans almost 40 years, Harris proved himself to be a seeker and shape shifter, an explorer and an innovator who approached his musical creativity with humour, lots of flavour and groove. Harris began as a hard bop player, but really branched out into soul, r&b, bossa nova and funk, as well as incorporating those sounds with his jazz sensibilities. He composed, created and modified his own instruments, was a band leader and a sideman and worked closely with notable players such as Cedar Walton, Ron Carter and Les McCann.

Check out his hauntingly soulful version of the ballad “Born to be blue”. From The In Sound (1965) feat. Cedar Walton (piano), Ron Carter (bass) and Billy Higgins (drums).

Now follow that up with one of Eddie’s funkier originals called “Carry on Brother”. From Live at Newport (1971) feat. Jodie Christian (piano, electric piano), Louis Spears (bass) and Robert Crowder (drums)

If you’re curious about Eddie Harris’ musical legacy, I would highly recommend that you check out the next Coastal Jazz show, “Eh! Seamus Blake Plays the music of Eddie Harris feat. Geoffrey Keezer”  on January 31st at the PAL Studio Theatre in Vancouver.

Seamus Blake - saxophones

André Lachance - bass

Jesse Cahill - drums

Geoffrey Keezer - piano and fender rhodes