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| Contemporary Keyboardist, Al Degregoris Is Back With His Latest Project "Time Sensitive" Contemporary keyboardist, Al DeGregoris is back with his latest project – this time with legendary producer/composer/keyboardist Jeff Lorber at the helm! Tight, brassy and retro cool beyond any of his four previous releases, DeGregoris' new album Time Sensitive – his first since 2016's Time and a Half – showcases the dynamic chemistry he's created with fellow keyboardist – and fusion legend more than ever before. The two began collaborating musically years ago, and Lorber began producing tracks for DeGregoris on All in Good Time (2014), but this is the first time that every track on a DeGregoris collection was co-written and produced by Lorber. The result is pure melodic magic, non-stop energetic funk exuberance, driven by the wild, adventurous intertwining of their keyboards, starting with the opening track and lead single "Cookie Jar." True to its whimsical title, "Cookie Jar" is relentlessly playful, a punchy, groove-stomping jam that rolls with super-melodic retro riffs, a tight, bouncy bass bottom and a simmering horn section created by David Mann. Lorber has clearly imparted his passion for old school keyboard sounds to DeGregoris, who jams brilliantly on them before exploring the deeper, jazzier soul of the track with a dancing and dazzling, highly improvisational acoustic piano section. A truly uplifting tune set for release a time when our collective spirits most need it, "Cookie Jar" is a non-stop retro funkfest performed by two masterful keyboard talents. REVIEW "More than simply a wondrously melodic funkified keyboard extravaganza, Al DeGregoris' highly anticipated new album Time Sensitive is a celebration of the unique and exhilarating creative partnership of two like-minded musicians. Lorber may be the legendary veteran, with a 30-year head start on DeGregoris' as a recording artist, and the credited producer of these irrepressible tracks, yet they are true creative equals, crafting vibrant melodies and tight yet free flowing harmonies for their respective retro keyboards. With David Mann providing simmering and often explosive horn arrangements for texture and mood-setting which helps to create a much more inspired foundational concept. In the end, Time Sensitive is DeGregoris' solo baby, but his decision to work purely with Lorber this time has resulted in an album that grooves and flows, equally showcasing their individual and collective talents. May their empowering symbiosis lead to a splendid future for contemporary jazz in the coming years." – Jonathan Widran, The JW Vibe ABOUT AL DEGREGORIS No matter how talented he is and how high profile the company he keeps, Al DeGregoris knows that stardom as an indie artist in the contemporary urban jazz world takes time. Judging from the clever and creative time-oriented titles of his albums, including his latest Time Sensitive, he's finding unique ways of measuring his development as an artist and resulting success each time out. The multi-talented composer, pianist and keyboardist launched his recording career in 2008 with Three Before Midnight, followed up with Times and Travels (2012). On his release in 2014, he reminded his fans that everything promising will be fulfilled All in Good Time, and on his fourth release in 2016, followed up with Time and a Half. The album All in Good Time, featuring key contributions from contemporary jazz greats Chuck Loeb, Jimmy Haslip and Eric Marienthal featured the single "Sunnyside". This track earned DeGregoris his highest Billboard airplay chart position, rising to #28 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz National Airplay chart. While showcasing more of his melodic composing style, and talents as a skilled jazz keyboardist and improviser, All In Good Time also launched two powerful collaborations, with artist/producers Nils and Jeff Lorber, which have taken DeGregoris to new levels of his artistry both musically and sonically. On Time and a Half, Nils' and Lorber's collaborations with the keyboardist once again resulted in a powerhouse recording that runs the stylistic gamut between full of cool, free-flowing R&B/jazz, punchy, adventurous jazz fusion and high-octane funk jams. Time and a Half yielded DeGregoris four top 20 Billboard charting singles, with "Abacaba" peaking at #11. ON STAGE Since the release of All in Good Time, and driven by the popularity of its single "Sunnyside", and the four top 20 hits from Time and a Half, DeGregoris has had some exciting new opportunities to open for some of the genre's most elite artists. He opened for Jazz Funk Soul (the trio of Lorber, Everette Harp and Chuck Loeb), at the Madison Theatre in NY, and later opened there for Loeb and Eric Marienthal; he has also opened at the Garden City Hotel for Chieli Minucci and Special EFX. Al appeared at the iconic Stephen Talkhouse, joined by Ron Jenkins, and will appear at the Chapin Rainbow Stage in Huntington NY, joined by Joel Rosenblatt. He was set to appear at the Berks Jazz Festival at Gerald Veasley's Midnight Jam, but the show was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The keyboardist has a long history of live performances playing everything from classic rock to standards—dating back to his days as a music major at Hofstra University and later when he was enrolled in law school. In 2001, he and a local guitarist formed the smooth jazz group Deja Blue and performed for several years at numerous venues and festivals in NYC and on Long Island. These included BB King's Blues Club and Grille, The Peconic Bay Winery, Ospry's Dominion Winery, Town of North Hempstead Concert Under the Stars Series and the Nassau County Noontime Concert Series. NOTABLE LIVE PERFORMANCES Stephen Talkhouse, Amagansett, NY Berks Jazz Fest., Gerald Veasley's Midnight Jam, Reading, PA (postponed due to Covid-19) Chapin Rainbow Stage, Heckscher Park, Huntington, NY BB King's Blues Club and Grille – New York, NY Madison Theatre - Rockville Centre, NY (opening for Funk/Jazz/Soul-Lorber, Loeb & Harp) Peconic Bay Winery – Peconic, NY Osprey's Dominion Winery – Peconic, NY World Yacht - New York, NY The Plaza Hotel - New York, NY write your comments about the article :: © 2020 Jazz News :: home page |