Various Artists - Pieces - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Ensemble 5o Elemento was formed by Mexican musicians who came together to explore jazz and all it's rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic facets. Their repertoire covers a broad spectrum, from jazz classics of the sixties a la Miles Davis, to contemporary jazz works inspired by Spanish influences. Most of the pieces they play are composed by the members themselves. The present is presented in honor of the group's 20th anniversary and features a programme of Mexican jazz.

This new album is a mix of classics and originals performed by the Erik Lundeqvist Trio, a Swedish trio with a passion for real swinging, improvisational music rooted in the jazz tradition with a modern touch. Based in Malmo, Sweden, the Sven Erik Lundeqvist Trio is Sven Erik Lundeqvist on piano, Simon Petersson on bass, and Olle Dernevik on percussion. The group is forward-thinking, aggressive, and in your face, but don't worry- you won't be pushed away. These three musicians know what they are doing and join one another in a fruitful and supportive cooperation. This is new Swedish jazz with heart, soul, and energy.

There's a certain nakedness to a jazz duo. Everything is out there and exposed - no crashing cymbals to hide behind, or bass lines to get lost in. It often brings out a different side of your playing, a brutal honesty that is left after everything else is stripped away. Here is where we ended up... Kevin Jones recently joined the Florida State University College of Music faculty as Assistant Professor of Jazz Trombone in 2016 after previously holding teaching appointments at the University of Texas at Austin, the University of South Carolina, Lander University, and Presbyterian College. As a performing artist, Dr. Jones toured with James Brown, Kenny Loggins, the Ringling Bros. Circus, and Princess Cruise Lines. He has numerous performing credits with jazz and commercial artists including the Temptations, Bucky Pizzarelli, Aretha Franklin, Joshua Redman, David Sanborn, Bill Holman, Jeff InchTainInch Watts, Jim McNeely, Burt Bacharach, and Barry Manilow. Bill Peterson began his career in Chicago as a pianist and conductor/arranger/contractor for many celebrity artists, sharing the stage with celebrity greats including Ramsey Lewis, Diane Schuur, Patti Labelle, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Smokey Robinson, Red Buttons, Suzanne Somers, Steve Allen, Joan Rivers, Morey Amsterdam, Kathie Lee Gifford, Mary Hart, Bob Newhart, Tony Bennett, George Burns, Danny Thomas, and Las Vegas sensation, Danny Gans.