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| FYC: Ray Blue "Work" FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION Ray Blue "Work" Ray Blue - Tenor Sax, Ron Wilkins – Trombone, Neil Clark – Percussion, Steve Johns – Drums, Essiet Okon Essiet – Bas, s Belden Bullock - Bass, Jeff Barone - Guitar, Sharp Radway – Piano, Kirk Lightsey – Piano, Benito Gonzalez - Piano "Best Jazz Instrumental Album" "Solo Performance" - 'That's All' (Duo with Kirk Lightsey) Here's What The Press Is Saying About Ray Blue's New CD "Work" "Ray Blue is a tenor saxophonist with a big tone with a pleasant-sounding and satisfying approach to the music he plays…" Peter Giroux – Audioaudition "The tenor-saxophonist Ray Blue breathes energy and optimism on the cover song of his new album, entitled Work. The most curious thing is that his music leaves the same impression." Leonid Auskern – Jazzquad Russia There's nothing quite like the comforting warmth of tenor saxophone front and center…Ray Blue's fluid, lyrical style is technically solid... The exquisite, evocative melodies are delivered with convincing feeling and emotion Joe Ross – Roots Music Report "RAY BLUE: Leading with a deep, full tone, this sax man keeps it light and bouncy… Killer stuff that's just so much fun…he puts his sure fingered stamp on it." Chris Spector – Midwest Record "Hip to the max tenor sax Ray Blue – WORK: Ray's playing is the ultimate in hip to the max tenor sax…" Rotcod Zzaj – Contemporary Fusion Review "…guided by the warm sound of the leader's tenor sax…a follower of tradition that exudes swing from every note, able to invent melodies as well as colleagues from the past, to create stories that are always different, full of fantasy. Vittorio Lo Conte – Music Zoom, Italy "The songs on "Work" demonstrate an enthusiasm for old-school jazz and a swinging style. Blue's approach finds him making his tenor sax sound like a baritone, and creating soundscapes that erase the present day, and transport listeners back in time through sound. Blue's saxophone takes on the lyrical line, but the effect is smooth not just bleating notes per word…there is an art to the interpretation…Together, the musicians bring to life the approaches to jazz that have not been heard in decades and are a must-hear for new and veteran jazz fans." Dodie Miller-Gould – Napcloud Review Tenor saxophonist Ray Blue owns a deep tone and melodic style that makes this recording a smooth and inviting experience with his quietly creative music. This is a selection of songs performed with sensitivity and creativity – a very fine jazz collection. Grady Harp - Amazon Review "A soulful performance with varied repertoire, Ray Blue's "Work" offers novel arrangements and creative musical expression." Joe Ross - Roots Music Report Ray Blue "WORK" (Jazzheads JH1235) Street Date: October 12, 2019 Ray Blue - Tenor Sax, Ron Wilkins – Trombone, Neil Clark – Percussion, Steve Johns – Drums, Essiet Okon Essiet – Bas, s Belden Bullock - Bass, Jeff Barone - Guitar, Sharp Radway – Piano, Kirk Lightsey – Piano, Benito Gonzalez - Piano UPC – 009818123528 Track Listing: 1. WORK 4:22 2. LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING 2:13 3. MY FRIEND AND I TOOK A WALK 4:17 4. SWEET EMMA 4:04 5. THAT'S ALL 8:25 6. MELLOW MOOD 5:05 7. AMSTERDAM AFTER DARK 6:46 8. TEACH ME TONIGHT 5:24 9. DON'T KNOW WHY 4:21 10. OUR DAY WILL COME 4:24 11. EVERYTHING HAPPENS TO ME 4:52 12. ATTITUDE 4:31 13. THAT'S ALL (DUO) 5:52 Total time: 64:11 The New York based tenor saxophonist Ray Blue, who has a deep tone and a melodic style, is featured on WORK, a set of accessible yet quietly creative music. The program mixes together three of his originals with surprising versions of standards and lesser known but superior jazz songs. He and Randy Klein, head of Jazzheads Music Group, worked diligently to achieve the appealing Old School feel and sound that Blue's listeners want to hear. Blue teams up with three pianists (Sharp Radway, Kirk Lightsey and Benito Gonzalez), guitarist Jeff Barone, bassist Essiet Okon Essiet, drummer Steve Johns and, on three songs apiece, the rambunctious trombonist Ron Wilkins and percussionist Neil Clark. Starting with the exuberant "Work, " the program includes such surprises as an uptempo transformation of "Lift Every Voice And Sing, " two versions of "That's All" (including a duet with pianist Lightsey), a playful rendition of "Don't Know Why, " and a cooking "Everything Happens To Me" which is normally taken as a slow ballad. Blue, displaying a large tone that almost sounds like a baritone in spots, is heard at his best on his original ballad "My Friend And I Took A Walk" and "Our Day Will Come" which benefits from a shuffle rhythm. Trombonist Wilkins is quite boisterous on Nat Adderley's soulful "Sweet Emma, " the Jimmy Smith minor blues "Mellow Mood, " and George Coleman's "Amsterdam After Dark." Another highpoint is Blue's "Attitude" which, after an energized and surprising melody, becomes a hot swinger that features the composer. Ray Blue has been an important saxophonist for the past 20 years, leading his own CDs on a regular basis since 2001. Among those who he has worked with through the years have been John Gilmore, Art Davis, Ted Curson, Benny Powell, Eddie Henderson, Steve Turre, Wycliff Gordon, Bernard Purdie, Harold Mabern, Kirk Lightsey and the Sun Ra Arkestra. The saxophonist, who has appeared at many international jazz festivals, has also been an influential educator and is the founder of Cross-Cultural Connection, Inc. a non-profit organization that promotes jazz culture, performance and education. WORK is one of Ray Blue's most enjoyable outings to date, a melodic set that will appeal to a large audience, especially those who enjoy the Old School swinging jazz style and sound. write your comments about the article :: © 2020 Jazz News :: home page |