Pursuance Records signs the Adrian Areas Latin Jazz Ensemble for two-album deal!

The Artist

For Immediate Release

Pursuance Records signs the Adrian Areas Latin Jazz Ensemble for two-album contract! The group blends a power mixture of grooves with Mambo, Cuban Funk, Folkloric, Funk and Jazz. With much acclaim from their recent performances the group is gearing up for the release of their debut album “Inspiracion” with a scheduled release in the summer of 2012 on Pursuance Records.

Born and raised in the Bay Area, bandleader/percussionist Adrian Areas is the son of Nicaraguan percussionist José “Chepito” Areas who’s known for his for Santana, from 1969-1980. Surrounded by influential Bay Area musicians, Adrian would hone is craft of percussion through frequent drum circles at the Aquatic Park, La Raza Park and many nights sitting in with the local bands.

Adrian has performed with Tito Puente, Carlos “Patato” Valdez, Santana, Journey, The Doobie Bros, The Steve Miller Band, Arturo Sandoval, Los Munequitos de Matanzas to mention a few. Recording credits include Mingus Amungus, Michael Franti, Spearhead and The Braxton Brothers. For the past fifteen years he has toured with Hall or Fame world-class keyboardist-vocalist-producer Gregg Rolie and band.

In addition to leading his Latin Jazz ensemble, Adrian teamed up with peers and multi-percussionists Javier Navarrette and Jaz Sawyer to form a new version of their drum circle the “Project De Congueros” after over a decade-old hiatus. Adrian serves as co-leader with current performances and recordings scheduled.

Be sure to check out his latest Tour Schedule and visit:

Facebook
Project De Congueros
Pursuance Records

Pursue your dreams!

Jaz Sawyer New Album “Bay Area Sessions Volume 3″ with Homegrown Talent!

The Artist

Pictured with Rebeca Mauleon (SFJAZZ Director of Education), Aneesa Al-Musawwir, Laila Smith, Jill Ryan, Natalie Cressman and Jaz Sawyer.This is the third installment of Jaz Sawyer’s acclaimed  series Bay Area Sessions with help from some local Bay Area home-grown talent.

Recorded live 2011 in Berkeley, CA with a talent collection of musicians that are developing their own sound and style as they continue to develop as leaders of the new gernationof music makers. The group consist of pianist/composer Maya Kronfeld, Trombonist/Vocalist Natalie Cressman, Bassist/Composer Aneesa Al-Musawwier, Alto saxophonist Jillian Ryan and Vocalist/Arranger Laila Smith.

In Summer of 2011, The group teamed up with SFJAZZ to perform at the first annual  Soledad O’Brien & Brad Raymond Foundation which provides young women with a bridge between obstacles and opportunity, giving them the experiences, education and resources to overcome unexpected barriers to success. The ladies received a thumbs up from Soledad O’brien who describes these talented young ladies as “Super Talented”.

The Group is planning a CD Release party as well as some performances in NYC that will be announced in the coming months. Be sure to explore each of these great musicians as they are active with exciting arrangements, new compositions premiered at their increasing performance schedules.

Preview the album here and enjoy!

M’lumbo releases “The Invisible Plane” the first of three videos, preps New Album…

On March 12. 2012, M’umbo released their first video “The Invisible Plane” exclusively on itunes. The next two videos include “Always Looking Forward To Tomorrow” and “Plastic and Transparent” set for releases in the coming months. The group is putting the final touches on their anticipated album ” Tuning In To Tomorrow” featuring Jane Ira Bloom and Page Hamilton of Helmet with a release Scheduled for May 2012.

Mlumbo was founded in the late 1980s by Robert Mbotto Ray and Zombie Ron Boggs as an escape from commercial music (they were then in a rock band managed by Mick Jagger’s manager that included future Helmet leader Page Hamilton). To their surprise, early handmade cassettes began selling briskly at local record stores leading to radio play on over 100 U.S. stations and many rave reviews.

Over the years, M’lumbo has released 8 albums and had tracks included on five compilations. They have done commercials, films and work for MTV and MTV 2. Their work has drawn countless enraptured reviews, received an ocean of comparisons to Miles Davis, Sun Ra and the Orb. Fans of the band include such disparate avatars as Simpsons creator Matt Groening, Brian Eno, Carly Simon, djs Olive and Spooky, Neil Young and Tom Waits.

Group members have worked as sideman, directors, editors and sound designers to a host of world-class artists ranging from Abbey Lincoln to Luther Vandross, from Gil Evans to Pearl Jam. The group has given countless orgiastic and enthralling performances at both the old and new Knitting Factory and other N.Y.C. venues with opening acts such as Neotropic, Sean Lennon, Badawi, Mantronix, virtual reality inventor Jaron Lanier, Jojo Meyers Nerve, dj Muttamasik and Duncan Sheik, among others. Their shows draw consistent recommendations from Time Out New York and the Village Voice.

From their origins as a “post-modern to a fault, brilliantly silly seven-piece jazz/funk/afro pop improvisarama” (Richard Gehr, Village Voice), they have metamorphosized into, first a smaller unit that “delivers upon the wasted promise of ambient music” (Alternative Press) and finally into the current line-up of six extraordinary musicians, two innovative and fast-rising filmmakers and one live soundman whose “audiovisual spectacle zeroes in on the fever dream elements of exotica” (Douglas Wolk, Village Voice).

M’lumbo has spent the last five years cultivating a new style born from the underground “d8E” parties of the early 21st century. In the wake of increased police pressure and the completion of the scene’s esoteric mission, Mlumbo has emerged to bring it’s psychedelic message to a mainstream audience.

Be sure to visit the website and explore the M’lumbo catalogue and enjoy!

www.mlumbo.com

Saturday, March 24, 2012 HIGH SOCIETY makes debut in New Orleans @ The I.M. Playhouse!

The Artists

Jaz Sawyer – Drums
Danny Grewen – Trombone/Vocals
Danny Brown – Tenor Sax/Vocals
Richard Moten- Bass

HIGH SOCIETY: whether there’s more emphasis on high quality or a hip society the band’s always swingin’. These consummate musicians are at home wherever the gig may be while performing original compositions and swingin’ standards their way. Its always a party and no matter what the conditions may be, HIGH SOCIETY means high quality.

Combined with Jaz Sawyer & The Crescent City All-Stars, HIGH SOCIETY makes their debut in New Orleans! Come down and party for this exciting event with sounds from the West and Southern regions.

Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse/
Royal Sonesta Hotel
300 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA
(504) 586-0300
HIGH SOCIETY
Website