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| Jack DeJohnette Launches a New Label — Golden Beams Jack DeJohnette, one of jazz music's greatest drummers and, bandleaders, will open his musical world up to his fans through the launch of his new imprint, Golden Beams Productions. On April 26th 2005, he will simultaneously release two singular projects: a stunning duet with the revered Gambian Kora player Foday Musa Suso called Music From The Hearts of the Masters; and a sublime recording for relaxation and meditation entitled Music in the Key of Om. Last weekRecently on New York’s WKCR, DeJohnette explained to host Ted Panken: “For so long, the record companies were dictating what direction the artists should go in... That worked for a little bit, but it was the artists who always were making the real changes in the music –- Miles, Coltrane, Sonny Rollins. That got turned around.” “People seem to be more supportive of artist labels now because they’re hearing what the artist wants to put out –- what direction the artist is going in. They hear firsthand how the artist is viewing the concept. It hasn’t been filtered or guided by an A&R person or a record executive.” Jack DeJohnette has good reason to embrace such a concept. While his illustrious career has been marked by great recordings and collaborations for a variety of labels, many facets of his musical life have never been represented on disc. A jazz master with a background rich in diversity, DeJohnette often looks outside the borders of jazz when selecting a collaborator, composing a piece or beginning a recording. Golden Beams will highlight the artist’s work in a broad range of areas – African, Brazilian, electronic, drum & bass, and meditation music – all informed by the creativity and superb musicianship of what the New York Times’ Ben Ratliff calls “one of the most important musicians in the last 40 years of jazz.” Golden Beams will be managed by Now Forward Music, who also manages domestic operations for jazz/electronic label Dreyfus Records. Now Forward Music will release the titles through their new label division, Kindred Rhythm Music Group, which is distributed by Koch Entertainment Distribution. Kindred Rhythm’s pPresident, Doug Yoel: “I’ve always admired artist-run labels such as Acoustic Disc and Righteous Babe, and how they’ve been able to celebrate every nuance of the principal artist’s work. I think Jack DeJohnette’s label will be every bit as exciting, and we’re thrilled thrilled to be a part of it.” From The Hearts of the Masters is a scintillating thrilling collaboration with Foday Musa Suso, the innovative Mandingo Griot and master of the Gambian Kora. Suso is a tireless ambassador of African culture whose work with his own Mandingo Griot Society, as well as his collaborations with the likes of Philip Glass and Herbie Hancock, are now considered classics. Jack was inspired by Foday Aafter first hearing the Hancock/Suso duo album Village Life in the 80’s. From The Hearts of the Masters is the first of DeJohnette’s “Art of the Duo” projects on Golden Beams. Future duo collaborations will feature long-time friend and collaborator Don Alias, the Brazilian Indian vocalist Marlui Miranda, and a electro-world remix project with Ben Surman. Music In The Key of Om is a seamless, one-hour piece created for relaxation and meditation. It features Jack DeJohnette on synthesizer and resonating bells, a new line of instruments that Jack developed with the Sabian cymbal company. “My wife, Lydia, is a healer, and she wanted to have some music to work on her client’s with. She asked me to make something for her, so I went to my studio, went into an altered meditative state, and came up with this Music In The Key of Om.” It was so well received, people were asking for copies and that’s where the idea to put it out came from.” write your comments about the article :: © 2005 Jazz News :: home page |