NEW YORK (Blue Note Records) -
Cassandra Wilson was in LA this past fall where she laid tracks for her sixth Blue Note album. In a new and exciting artistic move Wilson enlisted T-Bone Burnett as producer. The result is a daring departure in sound, which, at the same time, remains true to Wilson?s unique aesthetic and strong blues foundation.
Musical support includes legendary players Keb Mo & Jim Keltner and the repertoire is a mix of new originals and classics such as 'Easy Rider' and 'The Folks Who Live On The Hill'. Cassandra & T-Bone will be putting the finishing touches on the album over the next few months.
Billy Strayhorn Documentary Soundtrack: Blue Note has teamed up with documentary Producer/Director Robert Levi who is following up his Duke Ellington film with a piece on Billy Strayhorn. This past October, Levi and crew filmed Blue Note artist performances at Bennett Studios in New Jersey which will be part of the documentary film as well as make up our album release.
Featured rostermates include Joe Lovano, Bill Charlap, and Dianne Reeves who each covered four Strayhorn pieces. Special guest Elvis Costello also recorded a version of the Strayhorn classic 'Blood Count' accompanied by Lovano and Charlap. The audio for the album will be mixed in the coming months.
Bill Charlap: This past October, Bill Charlap recorded a special duet album of standards with his mother, esteemed vocalist Sandy Stewart following their two week stint at the Algonquin. The album was recently mixed and will be mastered in the coming month.
In February, Charlap recorded the next installment to his ?great composer? series, this time tackling the music of George & Ira Gershwin featuring his trio and an all-star line up of horns including Phil Woods, Frank Wess, Slide Hampton, and Nicolas Payton. Charlap also picked up the arranger's pen for this date approaching such Gershwin standards as 'Somebody Loves Me', 'How Long Has This Been Going On', and 'A Foggy Day' just to name a few. The album is being mastered now.
Greg Osby also recorded his latest installment for Blue Note last month in NYC. It was an exploratory trio date featuring the drummer Jeff 'Tain' Watts along with newcomer bassist Matt Brewer. Osby is currently mixing and mastering the sessions.
Wynton Marsalis: Post production will be done later this month to prepare for release of a smokin' live date featuring Wynton?s quartet along with some special guests. Recorded last year at the House Of Tribes in NYC the performance features altoman Wes Anderson, drummer Joe Farnsworth, bassist Carlos Henriquez, pianist Eric Lewis and percussionist Orlando Rodriguez, among others.
Robert Glasper: Blue Note is proud to announce it's newest signing with the addition of jazz pianist Robert Glasper. Glasper will go into the studio in May to record his debut for the label. Robert has one previous release entitled 'Mood' on Fresh Sounds Records.
