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Jeff Lorber
Over three decades after breaking ground as leader of the pioneering Jeff Lorber Fusion, the Philly-born and bred composer, producer and keyboard legend is still keeping the vibes fresh and the grooves funky. On Heard That, his Peak Records debut, Lorber keeps the soulful momentum going, collaborafting brilliantly on pop, jazz, R&B and blues-influenced tracks–and even harkening back a bit to his early 80s Fusion heyday–with one of urban jazz’s top hit makers and sonic architects, Rex Rideout.
Highlighted by the first single, a swinging, bluesy-brass twist on Amy Winehouse’s Grammy winning “Rehab,” Heard That features a typically vibrant Lorber all-star guest list, including trumpet great Rick Braun, guitarist Paul Jackson, Jr., saxman Gary Meek, bassist Alex Al, trumpeter Ron King, guitarist Darrell Crooks and Peak labelmates, saxman Gerald Albright. Lorber has been touring all throughout 2008 as part of Guitars & Saxes with Albright, Peak labelmate Jessy J, Jeff Golub and Peter White.
As high charting, pop-jazz oriented releases like West Side Stories (1994), State of Grace (1996) and Midnight (1998) were establishing him as one of the genre’s top artists, Lorber also became an in demand producer. Every artist looking for a hit melody and groove, from Albright to Eric Marienthal, Richard Elliot and David Benoit, tapped his behind the board talents. On his later projects, Lorber sought new inspiration himself by collaborating with other producers. Kickin’ It (2001), Philly Style (2003) and 2005’s Grammy nominated Flipside, the keyboardist partnered with fellow first call producer Steven Dubin. Leaning more jazzy on his eclectic 2007 date He Had A Hat,(which earned him his third Grammy nomination) he worked with legendary Blood, Sweat & Tears drummer and Chris Botti producer Bobby Colomby.
Eager to return to his trademark R&B sound when he signed with Peak, Lorber immediately sought out Rideout, who has lent his Midas touch over the past ten years to a virtual who’s who of contemporary jazz and soul instrumentalists and vocalists: Albright, Elliot, Boney James, Paul Taylor, Kirk Whalum, Maysa, Will Downing, Lalah Hathaway and Ledisi. Lorber first worked with Rideout when he produced his track “For You To Love” on the popular 2006 Luther Vandross Tribute Forever, For Always, For Luther, Vol. 2.
“I have been a fan of all of the records he’d been doing in the urban jazz realm for years. My last album He Had A Hat was more of a seriofus jazz exploration, and I wanted to get back to more of a hard-hitting, focused, funky, multi-keyboard approach that would be totally today, yet also have some of those jamming fusion flavors and jazzy chord changes like one of my classic songs, ‘Tune 88’ from 1979’s ‘Water Sign,’ which is one of my favorite old albums. Songs on Heard That like ‘The Bomb’, ‘Night Sky’ and ‘Gamma Rays’ are heavily influenced by these kind of fun, jazzy chord changes. As we began working on more tracks, we also tapped into a big blues sound on the title tune and ‘Don’t Stop.”
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New Music From Jeff Lorber Fusion, Mark Lettieri, Neils Lan Doky And Vincen Garcia
by Len Davis
New and recent releases starting with funky sounds from Jeff Lorber Fusion from The Drop, baritone guitarist Mark Lettieri from Out By Midnight, live at the Iridium and Danish pianist Niels Lan Doky from Modern Standards with Bill Evans on sax. Drummer Bob Holz from his latest and Italian band Drift Lab with guitarist Matteo Mancusco. Spanish bassist Vincen Garcia, guitarist Ralf Summerfield and the latest from The Fusion Syndicate. We finish with Chick Corea Elektric Band with Beneath The ...
Continue ReadingCameron Graves, Randal Despommier, Jeff Lorber Fusion and Graham Costello and Strata
by Len Davis
On today's program we begin with two dynamic piano players, Cameron Graves and Hiromi. Saxophonist Randal Despommier with his latestDio C'e and Space-Time from Jeff Lorber Fusion with Jimmy Haslip and Gary Novak. Playlist Cameron Graves Sacred Spheres" from Seven (Mack Avenuel) 00:00 Hiromi Double Personality" from Another Mind (Telarc) 06:18 Randal Despommier Big Empty" from Dio C'e (Outside In) 12:33 Teymur Phell Zero To Sixty" from Master Volume (Self Produced) 18:54 On Impulse Club Ellen" from On ...
Continue ReadingRandal Clark: Imaginary World
by Jim Worsley
Randal Clark's Imaginary World stretches beyond the conscious boundaries and illuminates the dark corners. It's clear from the onset that it is steeped in jazz tradition with a giant foothold on both rhythmic and melodic foundations. Clark establishes himself early and never lets go. Too often a buoyant blast off can ultimately fade away into the abyss of both the imaginary and conscious recesses of the mind or a once steaming groove can melt into the wallpaper. Even the most ...
Continue ReadingJeff Lorber: Chemistry in Fusion
by Jim Worsley
I don't know that anyone would confuse Jeff Lorber with a mad scientist, but you know, as they say, if the shoe fits. Lorber is far from mad, so okay, let's take that out of the equation. However, if the art of music can be further developed and shaped by scientific measures then Lorber resembles Albert Einstein. Perhaps more on his mother's side (that's a joke). Seriously now, the chemistry that the Grammy winning multi-talented keyboardist, composer, and producer captures ...
Continue ReadingJeff Lorber Fusion at Nighttown
by C. Andrew Hovan
Jeff Lorber Fusion Nighttown Cleveland, Ohio May 26, 2017 One of the pioneers of the fusion movement of the early '80s that ultimately morphed into the smooth jazz craze, keyboard man Jeff Lorber made his initial mark with the five albums he cut between 1977 and 1981. Leading an ensemble billed as the Jeff Lorber Fusion, the last few albums he recorded for Arista even featured the budding saxophonist Kenny Gorelick, who later dropped ...
Continue ReadingJeff Lorber: Galaxy
by Jeff Winbush
Don't call it a comeback. Call it a throwback. In a time when many of the major players of the fusion era have unplugged, keyboardist Jeff Lorber not only keeps grinding away, he's doubling down. Not by coincidence is Galaxy billed as a Jeff Lorber Fusion project rather than a Lorber solo project. This is clearly an artist not the least bit embarrassed by his roots in jazz fusion. If anything, with smooth jazz evaporating as a dominant style, now ...
Continue ReadingJeff Lorber Fusion: Now is the Time
by Eugene Holley, Jr.
An accepted kernel of jazz historiography states that cats who play what has ultimately become smooth jazz play it because they can't play the real music. But even back in the day--specifically the seventies--this wasn't true across the board, as evidenced by the undeniable chops of Ramsey Lewis, Grover Washington, Jr., Joe Sample, and Philly-born keyboardist Jeff Lorber. His group, The Jeff Lorber Fusion, was a mainstay on urban black radio, and his compositions, arrangements and solos swung in the ...
Continue ReadingGuitar Shaman Ron Bosse Kicks Off Tour Showcasing Jeff Lorber-Produced Hit Album 'Burning Room Only'
Source:
Michael Ricci
Jazz Improvisation + Rock & Roll Abandon = Deep Thrills Ron Bosse is taking his hit album Burning Room Only on the road with a band featuring jazz fusion pioneer and Grammy Award winner Jeff Lorber, who produced and played keyboards on all tracks on the set. A high-octane instrumental album at the intersection of jazz, rock and R&B, Burning Room Only spotlights Bosse’s scorching virtuosity and uplifting melodicism along with elemental grooves, grit and soul—a winning combination delivered with ...
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StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: The return of Jeff Lorber Fusion
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St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
Today, let's check out some video clips previewing next week's performances by keyboardist Jeff Lorber, who will be playing Wednesday, February 18 through Saturday, February 21 at Jazz at the Bistro. Officially billed as Jeff Lorber Fusion featuring Jimmy Haslip and Eric Marienthal, this will be the group's second time at the Bistro after having played there previously in 2011. That was shortly after Lorber first teamed up with Haslip, longtime bassist for the Yellowjackets, and Marienthal, who originally came ...
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Do You Love Live Jazz? Then You Must Experience The Sensation Jazz Cruise In London
Source:
Toni Warner
Early Bird Tickets Go On Sale For Sensation Jazz Cruise on the Thames Londoners are getting ready to groove with the announcement that tickets for the Sensation Jazz Cruises - The Ultimate Floating Jazz Party on May 31st 2015 are now on sale. Held on-board the fabulous Dixie Queen, the all-inclusive three hour luxury river boat cruise is the ultimate floating jazz extravaganza. Attendees are invited to wrap their ears around some seriously smooth live jazz fusions from some of ...
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ArtistShare Launches The Bop Project
Source:
Prawit Austin Siriwat
NEW FAN-FUNDED ALBUM BY JEFF LORBER AND CHUCK LOEB TO HELP FUND THE POLYCISTIC KIDNEY DISEASE (PKD) FOUNDATION The BOP project features Jeff Lorber, Chuck Loeb, and many special guests. BOP is a one-of-a-kind traditional bebop album that brings together world-class musicians, conceived by Grammy nominated keyboardist/composer/producer, Jeff Lorber, and guitarist, Chuck Loeb. The concept was brought to life at the Berk’s Jazz Festival in jny: Philadelphia, at which Loeb conducts the bebop jam sessions. They organized and co-produced the ...
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The Playboy Jazz Festival Presents Jazz-fusion Keyboardist Jeff Lorber In Free Concert At Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza Sunday, May 27th
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94.7’S THE WAVE RADIO PERSONALITY PAT PRESCOTT TO EMCEE Renowned jazz fusion keyboard trailblazer and recording artist Jeff Lorber brings his melodic funk and dynamic array of vibes to Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza for a free community concert, Sunday, May 27th. Presented by the Playboy Jazz Festival and Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, the show will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Outdoor Promenade at the shopping center, located at 3650 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. ...
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Jeff Lorber Fusion - Galaxy (2012)
Source:
Something Else!
Keyboardist, composer, producer, arranger and bandleader Jeff Lorber has been propagating fusion jazz for so long, the term Jeff Lorber Fusion" seems almost redundant. Long dismissed by jazz purists and heavier" fusion fans alike, Lorber has actually provided a bridge from so-called lite" jazz to more serious, improvisational forms of jazz, as his Berklee-bred chops are top notch, and many of his compositions contain twisty harmonic lines, quicksilver tempo changes and serpentine solos that would confound many musicians of the ...
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Westin La Paloma to Host Father's Day Weekend Smooth Jazz All Stars Show
Source:
All About Jazz
The stars will be out on Saturday June 20 as the Westin La Paloma prepares to host the Fathers Day Weekend Smooth Jazz All-Star Party! Concert-goers will get three shows in one when a Triple Crown of contemporary jazz stars shine on Tucson. The star-studded line up features Grammy nominated keyboard legend Jeff Lorber, sax powerhouse Everette Harp and fiery guitarist, Jay Soto. The All-Star event will also feature bassist Mario Mendivil and drummer Ira King winning musicians at the ...
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Jeff Lorber Makes Peak Records Debut
Source:
All About Jazz
Pioneering composer, producer and contemporary Jazz keyboard legend Jeff Lorber makes his Peak Records debut this week with his new album Heard That. Over three decades after breaking ground as leader of the pioneering Jeff Lorber Fusion, the Philly-born and bred musician keeps the soulful momentum going, collaborating brilliantly on pop, jazz, R&B and blues-influenced tracks and even harkening back a bit to his early Fusion heyday with one of urban jazz's top hit makers and sonic architects, Rex Rideout. ...
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Grammy-Nominated Keyboard Legend Jeff Lorber Makes Peak Records Debut
Source:
On Target Media Group
Pioneering composer, producer and contemporary Jazz keyboard legend Jeff Lorber makes his Peak Records debut this week with his new album Heard That. Over three decades after breaking ground as leader of the pioneering Jeff Lorber Fusion, the Philly-born and bred musician keeps the soulful momentum going, collaborating brilliantly on pop, jazz, R&B and blues-influenced tracks – and even harkening back a bit to his early Fusion heyday – with one of urban jazz’s top hit makers and sonic architects, ...
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Grammy-Nominated Keyboard Legend Jeff Lorber Set to Make Peak Records Debut
Source:
On Target Media Group
Jeff Lorber is set to make his Peak Records debut with Heard That on September 30th. Heard That is highlighted by the first single, a swinging, bluesy-brass twist on Amy Winehouse’s Grammy winning “Rehab.” Lorber called upon his famous friends during the recording of Heard That; collaborating with the likes of Rex Rideout, trumpet great Rick Braun and Peak label mate and sax icon Gerald Albright. Since the late ‘80s advent of the New Adult Contemporary format, Jeff Lorber has ...
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