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“AFTER HOURS” CREATES NEW PAGES IN THE AMERICAN SONGBOOK From the opening track to the final melodic flourish, “After Hours”, the new album from Blind Lemon Jazz, featuring the songs of James Byfield, delivers an exotic and creatively unique ride through the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s era of the great American Songbook, in a set of stylistically diverse, and thematically rich, original jazz compositions. Known primarily for his award winning career as a Blues and Americana singer/ songwriter/ producer, James Byfield (aka Blind Lemon Pledge) has gained a reputation for his ability to write in a variety of genres with skill, creativity and authenticity. Working from his Bay Area studio, Blind Lemon Pledge fronts an eponymously named performing band, while maintaining a separate branch of his career with a string of solo album releases featuring a variety of side musicians. Along the way he has garnered international critical recognition and airplay, a batch of Best Song and Producer awards, and 7 slots on the first round Grammy ballots. His original compositions have earned acclaim for their musicality and stylistic diversity. Several of his previous albums have included songs that clearly demonstrate the influence of composers like Hoagy Carmichael, The Gershwins, Cole Porter, Mose Allison and other jazz influenced composers. With “After Hours” Byfield dons his composer/producer/arranger hats to present a sparsely sophisticated set of his original jazz tunes, performed by a group of musicians he has assembled for the project and has dubbed Blind Lemon Jazz. Helmed by the keyboard and arrangement skills of Ben Flint and beautifully voiced by alto Marisa Malvino, the quartet is completed with drummer Joe and bassist Peter Grenell. “I decided that this project needed a whole new approach to best present the songs, ” says Byfield. “I already knew what I would sound like performing the tunes; I wanted to hear what other musicians would bring to the lyrics, melody and feel. Since this is a jazz album, I was intrigued with the idea of putting together a ‘session’…old school. I have really enjoyed the process and the results.” The album kicks off with the title track, and the mood and themes of the album are immediately established: we are in an after hours club where a jazz combo is jamming on some favorite tunes. The spare piano/bass/drum instrumentation echoes the feel of the Mose Allison or Oscar Peterson trios while the soulful alto voice of Marisa Malvino bathes the lyrics in a warm glow. Next, we jump into the “heavy” blues of “If Beale Street Was a Woman”, a song one could easily picture Allison performing. This stylistic leap promises diversity throughout the album. And indeed that promise is kept with the third tune “Rich People in Love” a humorous and sophisticated romp that Cole Porter would be proud of. Through the course of the album we are able to sense Byfield’s love for the diverse styles of American Jazz. From bluesy swings to upbeat humor to a New Orleans stomp the album is brimming with ideas and skillful musical diversity. Pianist Ben Flint handles these stylistic challenges with mastery. The album officially finishes with the lush, jazz pop song “Lights Out.” However, in a nod to his own musicality, Byfield includes a bonus track with just himself, the guitar and bass. A gentle goodnight to another achievement from a unique American artist. Blind Lemon Jazz “After Hours“ (Ofeh) Street Date: July 1, 2019 James Byfield / Blind Lemon Pledge - Composition, Arrangements, Production, Guitar, Vocal; Marisa Malvino – Vocals; Ben Flint - Keyboards, Arrangements; Peter Grenell – Bass; Joe Kelner – Drums |
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