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NEWA
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A Long Awaited Combo Release [from the CD cover] For those of us in Canada who have attended the recent concerts in Toronto by these talented musicians, this album is an invaluable addition to our collection of excellent music from around the world. This musical treat not only takes us back to the last two performances of Nicolas (bass), Eddie (keyboards), Wilson (drums) and Arturo (saxophone and flute), but makes us remember the jazzy sounds that often have enveloped us as we've travelled many miles by car, train and plane. The funky, spicy and cool grooves that emanate from the adroitly played instruments remind me of trips I've taken recently to Grenada, Curacao, Barbados, Cooks' Bay in Ontario, and to bustling New York, Montreal and London, England. [Alex Waithe] Reviews"...as smooth and as potent as a Caribbean cream liquor..." ( New York Daily News) "I think Arturo is destined to be regarded as a true musical giant..." (Monty Alexander) "..NEWA unquestionably the stars of the Grenada Jazz Festival" (DOWN BEAT Magazine) NEWA is heady but not overpowering, urbane with a hint of urban, earthiness. NEWA the musicians are West Indians playing jazzy interpretation of their own compositions and others. Twenty-Four Seven has a medium pace breezy bounce and Seduction Island's flute solo has me imagining Phyllis Hyman lending her inimitable voice in vocal accompaniment. That would make it extra sweet. They give Brubeck's Take Five a freshness and Krosfyah's Pump Me Up an even more mellow two instrument performance. Barbadians Brancker - guitar, and Tappin - flute, sensuously present this Bajan soca anthem on the last track and that serves as the subtle command to play the CD again. [ eCaroh/Ron] BIOGRAPHY & COMMENTARYNicholas Brancker, began his musical career at the age of three when he was given a toy piano by his parents. He began playing songs from the radio and record player. Nicholas' natural ability was then honed with formal training. He went on to graduate from the University of the West Indies where he majored in philosophy. While at University he continued his passion for music and landed a gig touring with Raf Robertson where he met Eddy Grant. This led to touring most of Europe and the Middle East. Upon returning to Barbados Nicholas opened his own recording studio, where he produced local acts like Square One and Krosfyah, while catapulting into the international spotlight by receiving a Grammy nomination for a jazz piece on flutist Sherry Winston's album "Love Is". Nicholas went on to work with many notable artists such as Roberta Flack, Cyndi Lauper, Simply Red, and Shabba Ranks. Nicholas' debut album," In Contempt" is definitely a showcase of his musicianship, songwriting skill, and production wizardry. Eddie Bullen, started performing at the age seven. It was considered a serious undertaking in his household. Eddie practiced the organ while his brother Johnny honed his skills on drums. The then twelve year-old Eddie and brother commenced a busy tour of the hotel circuit in Grenada, where the Bullens were born and brought up. Eddie frequently found himself playing in jam sessions, at his father's music store, with musicians like, the legendary Les Paul, Raf Robertson, Kingsley Etienne, pianist Clive Zander and international vacationing musicians that were looking for somewhere to jam. Those sessions gave me international experience without leaving the island, Eddie says. Since his move to Toronto in 1980, Eddie has received a Juno award for producing Liberty Silver's hit, "Lost Somewhere Inside Your Love", a Juno Award nomination for Sway's, "Hands Up" theme music for Club Med's highly successful TV commercial as well as arranged the theme song for the 1996 Canadian Gala for the Atlanta Summer Olympics. Eddie has also worked alongside artists like Canadian Jazz singer Salome Bey, Dan Hill and Miske, a songwriter on Michael Jackson's Invincible album, along with a host of others. Eddie also has a studio where he spends most of his time, composing, arranging, producing, and working with artists like Deborah Cox, Byron Lee, 11:30, Oleta Adams, Demo Cates, Bill Sharpe, Michelle Wright, Maestro, David Tyson, Andrea Lewis, Eric Mercury, Anslem Douglas writer of the hit song, "Who let the Dogs Out", Alex Walker and Glenn Lewis. While producing albums Eddie managed to produce two albums of his own, "Nocturnal Affair" in 1996, a Smooth Jazz recording, featuring Glenn Lewis, Demo Cates, Colleen Allen, Luis Mario Ochoa, Neville Peters, Ben Heywood, and "Make It Real", which features Maurice Gordon, Rich Brown, Phil Dwyer, Hilario Duran and Tony Zorzi. Wilson Laurencin was born in England to West Indian parents and moved to Canada with his family when he was eleven years old. Growing up, Wilson was influenced by many artists like Chick Corea and Weather Report and Clive Zander. Not limiting himself to any specific genre of music made Wilson's appreciation diverse spanning to include Jazz, R & B, Calypso, Rock and Pop Music. Wilson studied drumming, at the Drummers collective in New York City, where he was exposed to some of the best talent in the world. Wilson was aware of talent around him and took full advantage of the opportunity. Wilson has worked with many great talents like Ben E. King, The Philosopher Kings, John Pasticcio, The Dream Warriors, Deborah Cox, The Mighty Sparrow, Rich Little, Dave KHz, Burton Cummings, Richard Marx, and Len. Currently, you'll see Wilson nightly on Canada's number one late night talk show, "Open Mike" with Mike Bullard, as the drummer for "Open Mike" House Band. Arturo Tappin, the saxophonist in the group, began his musical career, with formal training at Berklee College of Music. Described as a cross between the Teddy Pendergrass and Kenny G, Arturo is definitely the smoothest, sexiest horn man the Caribbean has to offer. Influenced by the roots culture, Arturo made headway with his roots-reggae Jazz-fusion album, for his debut recording and increased the hype with a repeat performance on his second album entitled, "Java", both licensed by Pioneer Record in Japan. His dynamic live performances and his reputation for putting on explosive shows led him to perform at the Edinburgh Festival, Coho Jazz Festival, Miami AT&T Caribbean Jazz Festival, St. Lucia, Antigua, Curacao, St.Vincent, Grenada and Barbados Jazz Festivals, Arturo continued his live performance schedule at Bob Marley's Birthday Bash, James Bond Film Festival in Jamaica, and Trinidad's Independence Day celebration in Miami. Besides touring Jazz festivals the world over, Arturo has performed at social engagements as well including a performance for past United States President, Mr. Bill Clinton. Arturo has played and recorded with many artists including Red Rodney, Milt Hilton, Monty Alexander, Ernest Ranglin, Jacky Terrason, Roberta Flack, Courtney Pine, Al Hare-wood, Roy Haynes, Ellis Marsalis, Oliver Jones, Doc Cheatham, Pete King, Matuaburuka, The Wailers Band, Third World, Mikey Benner, Dennis Bovell, Sandra Cross, Luther Francois, Bongo Herman and Dean Frasier. Arturo attributes much of his success to a former tutor at Berklee College of Music, Bill Pierce, uncle Elombe Mottley, and his parents for their constant love and support. It's no wonder NEWA is so pungent artistically. The collaboration of these acclaimed Caribbean musicians add dimension to the world of smooth Jazz. The self entitled album, features the smooth jazz, with all the complexity needed to spark interest and delight. From the mid tempo to fast, from in your face to the more relaxed compositions, there is something there for everyone. There are nine originals to satisfy your every mood, incorporating elements from R&B , Latin, Calypso, Funk, Soul and even Rock. NEWA the album also includes a groove based version of Dave Burbank's "Take Five". The album in its entirety embodies the charisma and fortitude necessary to propel this group to great heights. When asked about the direction of the group and what impact they would hope to make on their audience. The response was surprising, "We hope to bring jazz out of the closet and into the light,". A reference made to Jazz industry . "Many people are Jazz curious but don't have a vehicle." Eddie says. We hope to entice the traditional enthusiast as well as incorporate the new jazz fan. It is that interest that will close the gap between Jazz and the mainstream. Keeping that in mind this group is determined to make smooth Jazz that much NEWA - Patrice Benn. About Eddie BullenPerformer, songwriter, arranger and producer Eddie Bullen is, in every way, a standout amongst the latest generation of that seemingly endless string. Bullen's career, which started in 1971, has already yielded an abundance of rewards for the multi-talented musician. Since his move to Toronto in 1980 from Grenada, Eddie Bullen has worked with major Canadian and other international artistes, including:
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