Cheers? It's LondonTown - Soho

LIVE SONG FILE CLIP -

http://www.facebook.com/search/?init=srp&sfxp=&q=bob+baldwin+jazz#

The trip began on 9/8 when I flew in from NYC. Had the nerve to try to re-adjust my body to NY after being in South Africa for 10 days..yikes. After I finally figured out what time it was in NY, I was back on the a plane and jacked up all over again. I landed on Tuesday evening and we stayed at this cool place in Bayswater, which worked out great. The London hotels have a propensity of being extremely small and not too cozy, but we were pretty good at this spot. Thanks, JIMI!!

The music was shipped out days in advance and the boys scooped it up pretty quick. Frank Felix (Bass) and Mark Parnell (Drums) did a respectful job, considering they had to learn about 12 songs, they did a nice job.

(Michael Lington taking control, UK - shot by Jimi King)

Lington did music from some of his earlier works, including "You and I" and "Pacifica", the latter had a nice west coast vibe with a pop-cool jazz vibe and the former was a laid back sound that personally reminds me of Toto - with a nice french horn motif. He also did pieces from his latest disc "Heat", including a tune called "Memphis", which had this very southern-rock vibe. Lington was also featured on Sanborns' version of "Love & Happiness"-originally by Al Green. One of his strong influences as a young contemporary jazz guy growing up in Copenhagen was Dave Sanborn....this particular arrangment has my friend Buddy Williams on Drums and Marcus Miller on Bass. A great closing cut.

Steve Oliver is a multi-tasking maniac, and incredible talent - who has done most of his gigs doing the electronic sequenced formation duetted with a Percussionist. He found some exploring room on his tunes has he was not relegated to running sequences and drum programs. His performances soared on "Chips & Salsa", which was intro'd with a spanish guitar extravanganza with bursts of "Ole" from the audience. On the final night, there was a trade of 4th's between Lington, Oliver and myself. One of his other highlights was a tune called "Magic World", which was very new-agish, but had layers of strings and symphonic flavors and a great tune to perform. "Magic World" is a beautiful composition by Oliver.

Yours truly brought the NY Funk 'n' Jazz with tunes from my book including "The Way She Looked at Me", which is a driving Steely-Dan-ish groove with a bassline that doesn't go away. Oliver laid down a nice rhythm part and sang the hook, which was a special moment.

"Third Wind" was weaved into a couple of the shows and Michael Lington laid a nice chorus pairing with a hot solo on the end...Steve laid some nice guitar work as well.

"Summer Breeze" was a nice highlight for me. The great Seals & Crofts tune is known around the world, even in South Africa AND the United Kingdom. Singing the hook makes my life easier because that just confirms they know the jam worldwide, which is a good thing. All in all, the combination of Lington, Oliver & Baldwin was a good mix.

The club Pizza Express was incredibly cordial and classy. Soufiane was an angel and Jimi King needs to be commended for his efforts in delivering Contemporary Jazz in the UK with NO terrestrial radio, which was pretty impressive.

(Baldwin Lays the Keys down for Lington)

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(Holdin' it down in LondonTown)

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Baldwin/Lington/Oliver after the show - (Jimi King)

All in all, the combination of Lington, Oliver & Baldwin was a good mix. The club Pizza Express was incredibly cordial and classy. Soufiane was an angel and Jimi King needs to be commended for his efforts in delivering Contemporary Jazz in the UK with NO terrestrial radio, which was pretty impressive. And as JK said on Facebook, "The NuGroove Boys seriously rocked the house.

To add a little flavor to the week, we were able to uncover 3 songs that were recorded in the back of the room.

Baldwin/Lington/Oliver after the bow (Jimi King)

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LIVE SONG FILE CLIP -

http://www.facebook.com/search/?init=srp&sfxp=&q=bob+baldwin+jazz#

I had a blast!! When's the next one??

Hope you enjoyed reading this blog.

Enjoy the latest!

Baldwin's latest "Lookin' Back" on NuGroove
Records...click the cover and make it part of
your home collection.

Bob Baldwin

JOY OF JAZZ FINAL DAYS THRU MY LENS - 2009

Days 2 and 3 of the Joy of Jazz Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa was fantastic. I'll lean on Saturday's show closeout. JoBurg has an incredible zest for jazz. They love the funky as well as the straight-ahead.

Before we begin, we decided to hang with the natives.....Don't worry, we thought about treading here, but I left my steel anti-snake suit at home!!

(Don't even think about it!!)

We decided to just hang with the vendors. These guys were pretty amazing, carving out some very hip artistic designs by hand. These brothers work hard for the money and make a true honest living. What a pleasure to hang with them. We were able to break a few Rand off and support their causes as they use their gift(s) to keep food on the table.

(BB and the gang)

(Meadows and the gang)

Now to the gig.....

MM crafted a cool signature scarf donned with a NY-hipness-type of hat and a white soccer-type top, styled sweats and a pair of sport shoes. I was having fun pushing the colors with a Desigual shirt and some cool jeans. It was fun bringing the American flavor overseas and they too showed up a few fashion tricks as well.

(Baldwin/Meadows warm up the crowd)

The BB/MM Team consisted of some very cool musicians from South Africa, including Vusi Khumalo/Drums, Vuyo/Bass, and Cameron Ward/Guitar. They laid down the funky SA groove for me and Marion and the end result was a nice appreciative audience. We opened the show with "Tales From a Gypsy" and moved that right into "The Way She Looked At Me". We then did one of Marioin's tunes "Treasures", a nice mid-tempo funky vibe and it featured Cameron on guitar. This boy rocks. At 28, he loves the vintage Earth, Wind & Fire, but his solo chops
are quite lovely. You would have enjoyed it.

(Cameron Ward on the solo with the coolness of South Africa)

The next piece was the SA-born "Ukuphila", which was written when I was there in 2000. I've recorded it once, but plan to record again with some of the great artists there....in fact, the trip was extended for a few days later to record tracks with Vusi and his brother Bakithi (who's a legend on own with his work with Paul Simon). That was a tear-jerker, both for me and for them because of their transition away from Apartheid. Some of those wounds are still fresh and
wide open.

Then there was a tribute to Michael Jackson - on Saturday, it was actually his birthday, and although sadness surrounds the tragedy of MJ, we memorialized it with "Never Can Say Goodbye". The locals there sang the song like it came out yesterday. They really loved MJ in SA. He was well appreciated!! We then slowed it down with a George Duke classic "No Rhyme, No Reason" and he proceeded to weave the crowd into the jam.

(Meadows in the house)

Next was the BB/MM Classic "South Beach", written for his 1995 album and still has that vibe. We recorded that on the "Sanctioned Bootleg" disc. Marion's solo starts mellow and quiet and funky, but launches into an explosive ending which rarely leaves one in their seats. It's like you have to jump up and cheer...Amazing how he does that.

Last was "Summer Breeze" and even in SA, the tune is still lovely. Again, we had the best time and was well received by everyone.


(What key is this in??)

I want to thank Peter Tlade for making the event come alive, as well as Rod Taylor, who bridged the gap with his residency there in 2000. Brenda Hazel from Lezah Entertainment (http://www.lezahentertainment.net) sealed the deal with her multiplicity of emails and Skype calls. Thanks, Brenda!!! I met a few cool cats along the journey, and I appreciate every contributor who made life easy on this trip.

Pictures are by Prudence and Mesia, two great South African residents who LOVE JAZZ....

(Backstage with Cameron Ward, myself, our friend Kenny from Sheer, Vusi Khumalo, and Marion)

Later that night, some magic happen. When the lights were off, the cats were paid, fed...the crowds went home, it just came down to 'gettin' down in the lobby of the Crowe Plaza in Rosebank, Johannesburg. On the left of this picture was a lady who coined herself as "BreakBeats"..she was working with Vollenveider early that evening. In any event, after 4:00am, the boys were still wailing away on experimental music. Local guitar legend Jimmy Dludlu was jammin' in the lobby. When Jonathan Butler left SA about 10 years before the end of
Apartheid, Jimmy stuck around and before long, became a local legend. Jimmy has recorded state-side. His guitar work is exquisite and highly underrated, but again I say - Jammin' in the hotel lobby. On the right of him was a brother from the country of Mali and this boy was no joke. On his right was Cuban - born Raul Pineda, who worked with Lao Tizer at the Joy of Jazz Festival. His conga work was NASTY...he had my man from Mali taking notes....overall, it was a beautiful evening of cats just vibing off of each other's gifts. It was better than the concerts themselves because it was REAL!

(The Break-Beat Girl (Standing), Jimmy Dludlu on guitar, Brother from Mali and Raul Pineda on percussion, Marion Meadows and the rest of the late-night gang at 4:00am)

I will continue to blog on here as other things develop...trust me, there are some cool things forthcoming with a future trip there within the next 3-6 months.

B

Day 1 of the Joy of Jazz Festival - South Africa

Earlier today, Marion and I ventured off into the world of school symposium. We landed in Soweto, where some of the kids were studying music, but more importantly, they were there to hear a couple of music veterans share some of the wisdom, and we jammed at the end of the class, which was quite a treat.

(Working with a young keyboard lion from Soweto, talking about the power of the tri-tone)

(Hanging with the students for a quick photo op)

(Soweto TV- talking about the experiences we had in Jo-Burg)

(Marion and the young Soweto Lion, kicking some M major Blues as I sit back and soak in the experience.)

Later that night, as I anxiously await for Friday to perform at the Bassline here in Jo'Burg, the opening day of the Joy of Jazz Festival commenced and it closed out with a guitar fest, courtesy of Norman Brown, who was joined later by Jimmy Dludlu (South Africa) and new burner Kunye Ayo (Nigeria). These guys were cookin' on "That's The Way Love Goes". Also on board on the show was Lao Tizer, Chieli Minucci and Karen Briggs on Keys, Guitar and Violin, respectively. They represented strong as they traded licks off of each other all night, equally impressive!!

(Norman Brown, Jimmy Dludlu, Kunye Ayo)

(Chieli Minucci, Lao Tizer, Karen Briggs and band at the Joy of Jazz Festival)

Tomorrow, we'll be doing jams from the "Lookin' Back" CD as well as the "NewUrbanJazz.com" disc. Looking forward to it!!

ciao!!

Jo'Burg - It's ON!!!

I finally pulled down a few choice pix for the Jo-Burg trip - action packed with some familiar faces...and I had to whip out the trusty Sony Camera.

TUESDAY!

On Tuesday, both Marion Meadows and I popped up on another wonderful interview at Kaya FM in Jo'Burg. This is one of the hottest stations in the city and they have a love for funk and jazz and strive to keep it interesting! We had an interview with a brother named Phat Joe. He has the New York flava...learned later that he cut his radio teeth in the states and returned back to his native South Africa.

(Marion Meadows/Bob Baldwin At Kaya FM)

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WEDNESDAY!

This afternoon was pretty nice. Some of the other musicians were landing countryside to begin their musical journey for the Joy Of Jazz Festival, which launches this weekend.

A familiar picture from earlier in the decade where yours truly along with Marion Meadows and Guitarist Chieli Minucci hanging out in the lobby of the Crown Plaza Hotel. Chieli just landed and we were chatting about life, music and the SA vibrations.

(Baldwin/Minucci/Meadows)

But wait! In jumps a couple of die-hard jazz lovers, but these aren't your typical jazzheads. These are Pretoria, South Africa Jazz heads. My new friends Norman and his friend Benjamin caught a snap taken by the other jazzhead named Bobby. Keeping in mind that the banishment of Apartheid,
live music venues are now hitting their stride and trust me, there is no lack of appreciation to enjoy the music. Case in point - all three gentlemen took the entire week off from Pretoria, which is at least a 2 hour drive - to soak in the sounds of jazz this weekend. This particular picture is moving to the soul because in South Africa, the gift of music is truly received as the gift.

(BB/Minucci/Norman/Meadows/Benjamin @ The Crown Plaza)

(Chieli Minucci with new fans at a local CD store in Jo'Burg)

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(Zippin' and Zappin')

Around the corner from the Blues Room where the Joy of Jazz Celebration took place, there was some motion in the afternoon where the trinkets ran thick. This is a little bit of walking rush hour around 5:00pm. As you see, people are zippin' and zappin' to get to the next space.

At the Blues Room, the evening heated up with a celebration of 10 years that TMusicaMan has been delivering the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival in Johannesburg. There was a band that consisted of several winners of the local New Artist showcase and trust me, they were quite nice. Lots of great recordings to follow up on for the NUJ Lounge.

(BB at the Joy of Jazz 10 year Celebration at the Blues Room, Jo'Burg)

The Festival has developed a few soon-to-be legends, including the Standard Bank Young Artist Award winners Mark Fransman (2008), Shannon Mowday (2007) and Concorde Nkabinde (2006), who all appeared at guest performers.

(Shannon Mowday/Sax, Janine Neethling/Piano, Brian Thusi/Trumpet at the 10 year celebration at the Blues
Room/Johannesburg, SA)

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The evening capped was capped with a celebration!

(l-r) Myself, Lawrence Dube, Marion Meadows, Norman Browne, Jimmy Dludlu at a Retirement party at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Rosebank late night on 08/25/09. Who is Lawrence Dube?

After 26 years in radio, Lawrence Dube is to 'down tools'

Publish: 17 August 2009

http://www.themediaonline.co.za/themedia/view/themedia/en/page259?id=35384&sn=Detail

Come March 2010, Lawrence Dube, radio veteran, businessman and co-founder of Kaya FM will down tools, switch off the mic and walk away from his passion - the radio industry he has served for 26 years.

Dube will bid farewell to the public and listeners through a series of music related events, called Urban Nights. Kaya FM has planned seven Urban Nights to allow Dube to say goodbye in style, through interactive social scenes where the guest of honour will get in touch with the listeners.

Dube's career began in 1983 at Radio Bop and progressed to show host at the SABC before joining Kaya FM in 1997. He is co-founding member of Kaya FM 95.9, the radio station and the business.

He has remained on air since the formation of the station 12 years ago and is still an active ember of the board. Dube has indicated that he would like to dedicate his last seven months at Kaya FM to charitable work.

The first of the Urban Nights is scheduled for 26 August 2009, where friends, former colleagues and media alike will be invited to join him in a celebration of his career.

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That's the official word, but the real deal was that legendary guitarist Norman Brown was jammin' at his party. Norman had a few struggles as his bass player was AWOL and NB had to pull a bassist from another group. Luckily, the charts were delivered and Norman Brown didn't miss a beat!! A true Sagittarian!!

Of course, one cannot forget my childhood friend-turned-South African Rod Taylor who has craftfully connected the dots. In 1999, he turned me on to the Joy of Jazz promoter Peter Tlade, which put things in motion. After a 9-year silence, the Joy of Jazz groove continues with gifts to bear. Rod Taylor made it all happen, for which I give eternal thanks to him and the Master himself!!

(Marion Meadows/Lawrence Dube/Rod Taylor/Greg Maloka/Bob Baldwin in celebratory fashion on behalf of Mr. Dube)

Well, that's it for now.....keep you all posted!

B

Norfolk Jazz Festival

Had a chance to play at the Norfolk Jazz Festival...what a perfect day for outdoor jazz and the end result was a nice show with George Duke and Jean Carne.....Here's a flick with GD, one of my favorite keydudes....and Ms. Lynne Fiddemont was 'sangin''!!!! She was working on the Kirk Whalum "Gospel Of Jazz II" Video. The music just be flowin'!!!!!

Hartford Jazz

Had a blast in Hartford, Ct. recently. There was a Police Report that states that 35,000 were in attendance for the weekend, which was an honor to be a part of.

"Jazz is not dead and as the baby-boomers get older, they
enjoy the music even more!!" - Bob Baldwin