He is a native Australian and moved to the US about ten years ago to live in the home of jazz. The ensemble is in wonderful form and CunninghamвЂ™s versatility is terrific. Cunningham is supported by Ted Rosenthal (piano), John Clayton (bass) and Jeff Hamilton (drums). Click here to listen to one of the straight up jazz songs on this disc.ДЄdrian Cunningham вЂ“ Jazz Speak (Arbors): Composer/teacher/multi-instrumentalist Adrian Cunningham (tenor sax, clarinet, flute) offers five originals and covers ranging from compositions from Sidney Bechet, Duke Ellington, and even Bud Powell on this multi-faceted disc. Three vocalists guesting on separate songs are Chill Moody (rap), Marsha Ambrosius (вЂњAmazing GraceвЂќ), and Stephen Costello (вЂњNessun DormaвЂќ). He performs with a constantly shifting span of musicians as the musical styles change. He composed seven of the ten songs on this disc and covers a wide span of styles from funk to pop to вЂњAmazing GraceвЂќ and PucciniвЂ™s вЂњNessun DormaвЂќ. The disc appears to be his first as a leader.

Matt Capps вЂ“ Church And State (ropeadope): Trumpeter/composer Matt Capps has recorded with Michael Jackson and Earth, Wind and Fire, among others and has toured or performed with The Roots, Kirk Franklin, Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Bilal, Mos Def, Common, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Arturo Sandoval, Wallace Roney, and Stanley Clarke. Click here and click on the starred titles to hear some samples. Expect the connection to Nigerian style, though this is mellower than many of KutiвЂ™s performances. Other musicians are Matias Allamane (bass), Indy Dibongue (guitar), Jean Phi Dary (piano, organ, clarinet), Nicolas Giraud (trumpet, flugelhorn), Jean Jacques Elangue (tenor, soprano sax), Remi Scout (bari, bass sax, flute), Daniel Zimmerman (trombone, tuba), Vincent Taurelle (organ), and Damon Albarn (guest piano). Allen composed and arranged all of the songs on this disc along with his long term colleague Yann Jankielewicz (alto, tenor, bari sax) and their interaction is the highlight of the set. He played in Fela KutiвЂ™s band for 15 years. He was immediately taken with the drums and taught himself to play by listening to recordings by Art Blakey, Max Roach and Kenny Clarke. His earlier career began some 50 years ago. Tony Allen вЂ“ The Source (Blue Note): 76 year old Nigerian drummer/composer/arranger Tony Allen offers his first release on Blue Note.

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