Live at Jazz Standard Vol 1

Product Description Russell Malone is one of the most commanding and versatile guitarists performing today. He can move from jazz to blues to gospel to pop and R&B without hesitation, a rare facility that has prompted some of the highest profile artists in the world to call upon him: Shirley Horn, Diana Krall, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Christina Aguilera, B.B. King, David Sanborn, Harry Connick, Jr. to name a few. On his new MAXJAZZ release, Live at Jazz Standard (Volume One), Malone captivates from the opener and displays why he is one of the most in-demand guitarists today. Live at Jazz Standard features his working band of Martin Bejerano, piano; Tassili Bond, bass; and Johnathan Blake, drums. All arrangements are by Malone, who also produced the CD and wrote five of the seven tracks. MaloneÂ?s crisp original and opener, He Said What?, begins with a driving groove by Bejerano and shows MaloneÂ?s clean tone and dazzling guitar work. The group follows with another Malone original titled I Saw You Do It. With Bejerano sitting this one out, Bond and Blake keep driving the rhythm while Malone displays his ability to fuse distinct musical elements into an instantly appealing tune. On the smooth original Flirt, Malone showcases the fluid and lyrical movement that has distinguished him from his peers. The Frank Rosolino standard, Blue Daniel, swings with great energy. BejeranoÂ?s piano and BlakeÂ?s drums push the rhythm before Bond lays down a nice solo. Mean Streak is a blistering track written by Malone that features impressive solos by Malone, Bejerano and Blake. The pace slows with a hauntingly powerful version of the Milt Jackson ballad Heartstrings. Malone was further compelled to Â"dig a little deeperÂ" that night by the presence of JacksonÂ?s widow, Sandy, and daughter Chyrise. Malone and crew close with a bang on his blues-infused original Malone Blues. The composition clearly showcases MaloneÂ?s extraordinary versatility. Review "MaloneÂs great strength is his ability to synthesize influences from a variety of sources." -- Los Angeles Times "This show was the right place for Mr. Malone's considerable dexterity and control." -- New York Times From the Artist Â"I usually don't like to write about my recordings. I prefer to let the music speak for itself. However, there are some things about this recording that are worth mentioning. For instance, getting a chance to finally do a live recording with my working band. I've been working with Martin, Tassili, and Johnathan for quite some time now and they are some of the finest musicians you will find anywhere. Another thing worth mentioning is getting to make this recording at Jazz Standard, one of the finest venues in New York. During the course of those three nights we played some new pieces and we revisited some things that were previously recorded.Â" About the Artist In his late teens, Malone started making his way to the music clubs in Albany, Georgia, to get some playing time and begin honing his guitar and performance skills. He started making a name for himself as he moved to Houston, Atlanta and ultimately to New York City. One of his most pivotal career-shaping experiences was sitting in with the late, great organist Jimmy Smith in Atlanta and eventually joining his band in the late 1980s. After hearing Malone play in ConnickÂ?s band, former Sony head, Tommy Mottola, brought Malone over to Columbia. MaloneÂ?s self-titled debut in 1992 quickly went to #1 on the radio charts and was followed by Black Butterfly. Verve Records came calling next and released three albums by Malone: Sweet Georgia Peach, Look WhoÂ?s Here and Heartstrings. Malone launched the strings series for MAXJAZZ with his label debut Playground (April, 2004), Other career and musical influences include fellow guitarists Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian, Bucky Pizzarelli, and John Collins and vocal artists Sam Cooke, the Dixie Hummingbirds and Freddy Cole. Malone has played with a