Lonnie Plaxico's new CD

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The April 24, 2006 release of Lonnie Plaxico's Westside Stories is a collage from jazz, funk, and beyond. An eclectic stew of contemporary jazz that modern music listeners crave, this compact disc features special guests Cassandra Wilson, Carla Cook, Ravi Coltrane, Steve Coleman, and The Lonnie Plaxico Group. Lonnie Plaxico brings honest musical passion to the forefront of the international jazz music scene. Westside Stories is Plaxico's eleventh CD release, and his second release on his independent record label Plaxmusic

Plaxico's illustrious musical career has spanned over 20 years. He first emerged as Art Blakey's bassist in the early 1980s. He went on to work with Jack DeJohnette, Don Byron, Branford Marsalis, Robin Eubanks, Freddie Hubbard, David Murray, Greg Osby, M-Base, Michelle Rosewoman, Bud Shank, Jackie Terrasson, John Hendricks, and Cassandra Wilson. Plaxico maintains an extensive discography, has been featured with an array of live bands, and was Cassandra Wilson's musical director and performed on her Grammy Award winning CD, New Moon Daughter

Westside Stories is a reflection of the music Plaxico absorbed from growing up in the projects of Westside Chicago. "Music was the only thing that straightened me out and opened doors for me as a young boy in the ghetto, " Plaxico says about growing up in the Ogden Court housing projects. On his eleventh album, the bassist/composer/producer displays his unique vision of 21st century contemporary jazz by transforming cover songs and creating original compositions.

Of the CD's eleven compositions, the power-packed title track "Westside Stories" is representative of the way Plaxico mixes his original music with highly syncopated modern rhythms and intricate melodies steeped in neo-classicism. Trumpeter Alex Norris, a revelation on Plaxico's last album, Live At The Jazz Standard, continues to shine as bright as a rising star on this tune. Another memorable track, "Longer, " featuring Ravi Coltrane and Cassandra Wilson, beautifully integrates Coltrane's eloquent technique, Wilson's deep, supple voice and moody vocal phrasing with Plaxico's crystal-clear musical production.

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