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| Lao Tizer's New Album Young keyboardist-composer Lao Tizer unveiled his second full-band album, Diversify, Tuesday April 3 with his sights set on obliterating boundaries while forging his own path in popular music. The collection was released nationally by his Yse Records label, which is distributed by the ARTizen Music Group. With the urban-charged “Uptown” presently garnering radio spins from coast to coast and a bevy of follow-up singles to come, Tizer bodes to achieve great heights while bringing an invigorating new energy to contemporary jazz. He possesses the innate ability to gracefully balance his expansive artistic muse and commercial instincts by providing widely accessible melodies in radio-friendly packages alongside challenging and intricate pieces displaying musicianship and production values of the highest magnitude. While his previous collections - three of which were self-produced and released by the time he was 17 years-old - showcased his gifts of composition and improvisation, Tizer uncompromisingly elevates his craft on Diversify by sculpting with tools of contemporary jazz, World Music, R&B-funk, fusion, classical, Latin and instrumental pop resulting in majestic amalgams. Tizer penned fourteen compositions for the 77-minute opus that was produced by his long-time guitarist Jeff Kollman. Special guests on the CD include Tizer's mentor, guitarist Chieli Minucci (Special EFX), violinist Karen Briggs (Yanni, Chaka Khan), percussionist D. Munyungo Jackson (Sting, Stevie Wonder) and saxophonist Andy Suzuki (Michael Franks, David Benoit). The album is rich with musical treats that will make you dance (”A Night In The City,” “Uptown,” “Up A Notch”), sing joyously (”Diversify,” “Summer Dayz”), reflect intimately (”A Hui Hou,” “Autumn Sky,” “Improvisation,” “November,” “Ella's First Light”), cuddle up romantically (”Flow,” “Rapture”) and embark upon an adventure (”Olivas Adobe,” “Namaste”). Album reviews are starting to appear and they have been enthusiastic. A dynamic and engaging performer, Tizer will lead his band out on the road to support the album release. They'll kick things off by opening for legends George Benson and Al Jarreau at the popular Jacksonville Jazz Festival on April 13th. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |