Monday, February 19, 2007

Jazz in Boston


SCULLERS JAZZ CLUB ANNOUNCES MARCH 2007 SHOW SCHEDULE.

Boston, Massachusetts-February 19th-Scullers Jazz Club is located in the Doubletree Guest Suites-Boston on 400 Soldiers Field Road, at the corner of the Mass Pike and Storrow Drive. Show times are 8pm & 10pm, Monday -Thursday; 8pm & 10:30pm Fri-Sat; and 4pm & 7pm on Sunday.

Tickets are available through Scullers Box Office at 617-562-4111 and online at http://www.scullersjazz.com

March 1 “LARRY WATSON” (Show $18, Dinner &Show $58)
Fun Facts

Larry Watson and sitcom mega star Jerry Seinfeld were college roommates in 1974
at State University of New York /Oswego.

New CD: “American Fruit with African Roots” (Spring 2007)
Website: http://www.lawrencewatson.com/

Lawrence “Larry” Watson is an inspiration to many as a master teacher, an activist, and a musician. By joining his musical talents with his life-long struggle for human and civil justice, Watson is a soulful messenger for the next millennium--a modern-day Paul Robeson.

New England audiences have embraced his music for more than seventeen years. He is currently an Associate Professor of Voice at Berklee College of Music, as well as an Associate Professor at the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University, and an Adjunct Professor in the Black Studies Department at Boston College.

For his Scullers appearance the Boston singer extraordinaire will take his audience on\na rich journey singing some of the all time classics from the great book of Jazz, Soul, R&B and Blues as well as showcasing several new compositions from his long awaited third CD entitled "American Fruit with African Roots" slated for International release in early Spring 2007.

March 2-3 “SPYRO GYRA” (Show $40, Dinner & Show $80) New CD: “Wrapped in a Dream” (Heads Up International 2/07) Band Personnel: Original Members: Jay Beckenstein-sax/leader and Tom Schuman-keyboards; Julio Fernandez-guitars; Scott Ambush-bass; Bonny Bonaparte-drums

Website: http://www.spyrogyra.com


In the mid 1970’s, Spyro Gyra crafted a unique new sound – inspired by jazz fusion, pop and R&B – and released their debut album on their own label in 1976. Their records were both artistically challenging and commercially successful, and embraced world rhythms, including Caribbean, African and Brazilian sounds. “Morning Dance,” their first album with a major label, was released in 1979, spawned a Top 40 single, and eventually went platinum. Spyro Gyra went on to build a large and incredibly loyal fan base around the world that continues to this day.

After completing their 2004 recording, “The Deep End,” which marked a swing back to a more organic, live band sound, Spyro Gyra decided to reinvent itself once again with yet another creative release. The result is “Wrapped in a Dream” the group’s fourth album on Heads Up International. This latest release just reaffirms Spyro Gyra’s status as jazz fusion’s most original group.

“After 24 albums, it’s not always easy to develop new material,” says leader saxophonist producer Jay Beckenstein. “We usually try to veer away from what we did on our previous record. But we also try to embrace\nanything that explores new ground – in any way we can.” With nine Grammy nominations and nearly eleven million albums sold, Spyro Gyra continues to break new ground with this latest outing, the follow-up to “The Deep End,” which spent most of 2004 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Album chart. Beckenstein attributes Spyro Gyra’s lasting success to a freshness of ideas that allows the band to stay\naccessible without falling back on their past grooves and earlier successes.

Like their contemporaries Weather Report and Return To Forever, Spyro Gyra places a premium on taking chances and playing in real time – with real time interaction. The group’s longevity springs from creativity, and from being able to reinvent itself time and time again.

At a time when most veteran bands are playing it ever safer and trendier, Spyro Gyra’s latest release is proof that the cutting-edge ensemble has not lost touch with its original spirit of exploration.

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