Among my favorite albums released this year is Peter Cincotti's " East Of Angel Town ". I've been following Cincotti's music since he first emerged on the scene showcasing jazz-pop standards. "East of Angel Town" released earlier this year marks a sharp departure as they're all Cincotti penned originals, and I believe it's the most creative thing he's released in his string of winning albums. Every song on this album hits a powerful chord and calls upon a wide variety of styles from jazz to funk to classical,. I think this album deserves a grammy. If you haven't heard it yet, please checkout this album. Cincotti's one hell of a keyboard artist and now, a terrific songwriter. Highly recommended. In fact, I'm planning to add a few songs from this album (including " Goodbye Philadephia " to my performance repetoire now.

Ok, I'm really curious to dicover what current songs, recording artists, and/or albums other people on SZ are enjoying and recommend checking out.

Scott

[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 04-29-2008).]

If you are into pop jazz, you might take a look at Jamie Cullum. To be honest, I'll take him (and especially his arrangements) over Bublé, Connick Jr., all those guys...

Some very hip covers, some seriously cool originals...

Another favorite is Jon Cleary... Has his own original outfit (Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, out of New Orleans), and also plays keys for Bonnie Raitt, and writes a few tunes for her, also... VERY funky!

Enjoy...

Diki: Yeah on Jamie Cullum. Saw him at a small club here in SF. This little guy's an awesome keyboard player with a lot of talented energy. I love the way he turns jazz standards into something fresh and funky. He , like Cincotti, took a turn penning some real nice originals fusing pop & funk with Jazz on Twenty Something & Catching Tales . I concur that Cullum's music, as well as Cincotti's, satisfies me far beyond Buble's, yet, though not unexpected, it's Buble that's attracting the publicity, hype, and drawing the biggest crowds, bringing in the big CD/concert sales, and packing the stadiums , and not Cullum or Cincotti. Goes to show that ticket sales aren't necessarily an accurate of indicator of musicianship & artistic talent.

Scott

Thanks for introducing me to Cleary's New Orlean's influenced style blues. Interestingly enough, he actually hails from England originally.

Scott

Scott I really enjoy Patrizio Buanne. He has taken the music world by storm & his covers really bring back memories in two languages. Trying to get tickets to see him very soon at the Casinos here.
http://www.myspace.com/patrizioofficial
http://www.google.com/musica?aid=zWQw8u4ZGyF&sa=X&oi=music&ct=result



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 04-30-2008).]

Hi Donny, I know you're going appreciate Buanne's show. I saw him when he showcased his US debut tour here in the Bay Area. Great showman. Interestingly though he's of Italian origin born in Italy, grew up in Vienna, Austria. I think his passion for Italian music stems from a desire to connect with his roots. When you attend his show be forwarned that there's going to be lots of middle aged woman swooning over him. He definitely delivers what the ladies and (and gentleman) appreciate . . . music sung with great passion & sincerity. Looking forward to hearing your review after you've had a chance to experience his show.

Scott

Interesting how my posting thread merely requesting a midi file for the "Electric Slide" so quickly turned into a hijacked pissing contest of 51 replies and subsequently LOCKED, yet this thread (posted around the same time) has only 2 repliers so far. Come on people, isn't there anyone else here who listens to contemporary artists out there?

As much as I love playing classic older pop standards, I also believe there are a lot of new artists and songs well worth listening to and adding to our repetoire & performances as well.

Interestingly enough, over the last couple of years I've befriended a some pro arranger kb buddies around my age (late 30's- 40's) who reside in the UK and have discovered from them some UK artists who are far more popular there than here. One artist in particular who 's music I really like is Robbie Williams. He not only records some great pop hits but also released an album of american classic pop standards entitled: " Swing When You're Winning ". One of his contemporary hit ballds which I've since added to my repetoire is " Angels ", of which was merely a minor hit here, but a smash #1 hit in the UK.

Meeting musicians in other parts of the Country and around the World has given me the opportunity to discover new artists and music and broaden and expand my performance repetoire.

In an attempt to focus this forum back to music and not just the same tired 'pissing contests', I sure would love to hear from more members here about what new (or newly discovered) music/artists you've recently discovered and what new tunes you've added to your repetoire as a result of this. If you guys instead prefer participating in 'pissing contests' threads, I'll opt to bow out (yet again). Scott

[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 04-30-2008).]

Want a girl with originality and some piano chops (in a different way)?

Try Regina Spektor, from Russia, via New York City...

Some quite original stuff, quirky arrangements.

Scott sad as it may seem.....may people do not consider any music of today worth diddly squat compared to years ago (Pre Computer age)when you had to really play an instrument versus today's computer driven electronic tunes. Just watch the Grammy's or AMA shows & you'll see what I mean. Many people have totally ZONED out into their own slice of music without even considering what else is out there now that they are so turned off by. The days of a majority of people listening to mostly the same type of music is far gone. Lets face it Regina Specktor & alike will never be as popular to the masses as the "Electric Slide".. sad but true. The most said statement today in music conversations are "THAT'S NOT MUSIC!" when referring to today's songs or So called "Artists". Newer doesn't always mean better. The great older standards & music of the 40/50/60 & 70'S will always be amongst the most popular Music listened to until we're gone & beyond. Lets face it with so many other ways of making music out there competition versus the Pre Computer Age......people have found easier ways & many alternative ways to produce LIVE music instead of taking lessons & being taught by others before them to learn how to play. here lies the BIG problem & this is why we are becoming dinosaurs.



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 05-01-2008).]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Dnj:
[B]Scott sad as it may seem.....may people do not consider any music of today worth diddly squat compared to years ago (Pre Computer age)when you had to really play an instrument versus today's computer driven electronic tunes.

yep, good example would be one of my favourite singer "Michael Franks' I rather listen to "The Art of tea' with Joe Sample on Rhodes and Larry Carlton with a small band format than some of his recent stuff with Jeff Lober(a very talented Keyboard Player) any time.