14th Cape Town International Jazz Festival #SABCCTIJF An ESP Africa Production. Visit our website www.sabc.co.za Like us on Facebook / sabcportal Follow us on Twitter / sabcportal
Much props to Rick Braun on Shake Your Body Down to the Ground. As a trumpet player, I know that is not easy! I guess that's what separates the pros from the rest of us!
I was so blessed and so flat out lucky to be able to listen to Kirk Whalum several times a week when I lived in Houston. The very first time I heard him play and the way he wrote, not just his technique but his amazing spirit and the obvious love he had for Christ. Before his first album floppy disc and all the ones to come after that, much like Michael Brecker, it is impossible to not know with one note, who are hearing on Tenor Sax. Rarely do you hear that sound out of a Yamaha as you do with Kirk Whalum or Ernie Watts say, then there is the greatest and never to be another Michael Brecker with that unbelievable Selmer Tenor Sax with those notes up on a different planet Michael Brecker had you ever seen him play with any bands, his own, him and his brother Randy, return of the Brecker Brothers or lets say if you were lucky enough to see Steps Ahead, then you would have known why I can put Kirk Whalum in a catagory with Michael Brecker. Kirk can play any difficult riff and is schooled and skilled but he hear God speak in his Tenor Sax just as you can recognize its Michael Brecker with one note. I cried the day Michael Brecker passed but think of lucky we are to have artists like him and Kirk Whalum. One of the nicest human beings you could ever want to meet. I think, how lucky was I to hear Kirk Whalum back in the day a couple hundred times. Now go enjoy His love and Kirks musical gifts.
Love Norman but no....like saying George sounds as good as Wes's corn thumb jazz octave playing...I'm one of those Norman Brown fans that actually don't like hearing him scat playing. Sounds forced like he's trying to hard to imitate George.
Norman is kicking ASS! They all sound great. Had the pleasure of doing a gig that featured Kirk and his band. Good man and excellent musician. This band has him smoking. You know, it is easy to criticize musicians for what they play. I do not see what's wrong with smooth jazz as a vehicle to be heard. They all are fantastic players. Listen to the content. I am amazed at Norman brown using distortion on Beat it. It sounds good, but he might have to re-think his set up. That big body Eastman ain't made to sing!
Kevin, I love this combination too, but you know who is missing? Sir Michael Paulo. It would really pop then, with Paulo's smooth foot work and the way he makes his classy, jazzy, sassy magic.
WoW. This is the best cover version I have heard so far of 'Billie Jean' in the form of an instrumental. Is there a recorded version with these artists?
