Talking Smooth Jazz

DeSquared LV in conjunction with 3141-7Dayz Entertainment is proud to present the Ultimate "Nuttin' but Jazz" weekend. The "Laughlin Live Smooth Jazz Festival" will be a unique blend of heart, art & soul and will feature a variety of established and up and coming smooth jazz & Latin jazz artists from across the country. The "Laughlin Live Smooth Jazz Festival" will be just that...ALL JAZZ!  The Laughlin Live Smooth Jazz Festival weekend will take place at 4 amazing venues: Laughlin Ranch Golf Club & Spa, the "E" Center, the Laughlin Events Center and Harrah's Beach. The 2016 Laughlin Live Smooth Jazz Festival will the be first of 5 consecutive jazz series that will be held every Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 2-5, 2016 through 2021 in Laughlin, NV.  We will talk to the promoter Ms. Sheryl Thornton-Burnham about all of the events and the artists line-up.

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Saxophonist Chris Godber returns with a brand new release, Starting Over.  It has a distinctive Smooth Jazz vibe that bridges the gap between genres.  Stellar musicianship on this one with Lowell Hopper and Adam Hawley making sure those Guitar solos are rock solid and Eric Lampley holding down a tight bass line; virtuoso piano work and top notch production courtesy of Caleb Middleton melt it all together.  Eleven original tracks and one fresh rendition of Etta James' classic, “At Last” confirm Chris Godber’s sax chops are on par with the best of them. This is Godber’s best yet, and is sure to be on this summer’s must have list for smooth jazz lovers!

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James Day has always been a student of life; an observer whose keen understanding of emotions, situations and relationships has translated into a career as an in-demand songwriter and producer.  His new release “James Day Songs - Repertoire”, produced by James and guitarist U-Nam, it features the freshly remixed title hit by Tony Terry, plus all new songs and performances by Maysa, Glenn Jones, Trina Broussard and more, peppered with top contemporary jazz soloists U-Nam, Walter Beasley, Lin Rountree, Tim Owens, U-Nam, Audrey Wheeler, Gavin Christopher and Cool Million.

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Multi-talented saxophonist, producer and composer Michael Lington's ninth solo project, SECOND NATURE, in tribute to the roots of Memphis soul is set for release April 22., 2016.  The album reunites Lington with producer by Barry Eastmond and features  all originals with the exception of one cover, the chart-topping soul anthem, “Soul Finger.”   In preparing for this album, Lington immersed himself in the classic Memphis sessions and even journeyed to the STAX museum  While most of the album was recorded at the famed Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, he also recorded at the legendary Royal Studios in Memphis, which has churned out sessions for everyone from Al Green, Chuck Berry and Buddy Guy to Ike and Tina Turner, Solomon Burke, Otis Rush and Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland.

SECOND NATURE unites a who’s who list in music that transcends genre and musical boundaries, including GRAMMY® Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and venerable bluesman Booker T. Jones and The Dap Kings, the celebrated soul/funk outfit most notably known for their hit-making collaborations with Sharon Jones and Amy Winehouse. Lington also enlists Hollywood Walk of Fame recipient, multi-Platinum and GRAMMY-winning guitarist Ray Parker Jr. and chart-topping vocalist Taylor Dane. Brian Culbertson fans will be delighted to hear the pianist surprisingly featured on trombone. 

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Websites:  Linton Wine & Cigars

ACCOMPLISHED. This single word not only accurately depicts Leonard's nearly 20 years as an actor, singer, writer and producer, but it also depicts the totality of his life.  Leonard has released “The Soul of a Pisces, an adult contemporary R&b/soul/smooth-jazz tinged project. We’ll talk to Leonard about his new project, his acting and voice over careers and you’ll hear his spot on impersonation of President Obama, spot on!

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Byron Miller is emerging from a 12-year recording hiatus with his finest, flawless and most fully realized album as a leader, prophetically titled Psycho Bass. The album – the fourth of his career overall  - contains three of the last recorded performances of George Duke, special veteran guests Ndugu Chancler on drums, guitarist David T. Walker and percussionist Sheila E, as well as introduces the universe to the freshly chocolate minted fierceness of the Psycho Bass Band. Slammin’ from beginning to end, Psycho Bass is a non-stop, no-skip winner that is going to blow listeners minds to become the most beloved, raved over and uplifted album of the year.  Byron has played with Luther Vandross, Ludacris, Beyonce, Roy Ayers, and his mentor, the late George Duke, whom he started playing with at age 19.  Both melodic and percussive, the Byron Miller bass sound is as intoxicating as Pouilly-Fuissé wine from a brown paper sack, unimpeachably funky, instantly recognizable and clearly sourced from someone just a bit touched about the brain. No wonder legend has it that this soul brother is orbiting Earth not just as Byron Miller but also as his alien alias…Psycho Bass.

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Guitarist Nick Colionne is back with a brand new album, The Journey, his 5th solo release.  The Journey features Najee, Nicholas Cole, who wrote and produced Uncle Nick, James Lloyd, Wayne Bruce, and Chris “Big Dog” Davis.  

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Ervin is the Executive Producer of Hip Hop Legend Scarface's new CD "Deeply Rooted". He's also played keys and produced records for Kanye West, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Janet Jackson and many other artists. Currently he's on Tour with Rapper The Game, his last CD "Infectious" was Straight Fiyahh.  Ervin lastest release October 42, is dedicated to his mother.  

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Marcus Johnson is an alto saxophonist rising through the ranks of the Smooth jazz scene.  Marcus' debut album entitled “Passion Speaks Louder” is a fuse between Smooth Jazz and Hip Hop. Marcus J has taken the elements from both of these Genres to make his own unique sound. This is the new age of jazz music.

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Chris Standring offers his tenth solo recording with a dazzling soul infused groove-laden jazz set. Digging even deeper into creative territory, Standring continues to stand out from the herd and blaze new trails in the contemporary jazz world. 

Celebrating the remarkable milestone of album number Ten – an ever evolving catalog that includes the 2011 re-issue of his 1989 first indie recording Main Course (The Early Tapes) - he’s still got the cool, trippy sonics happening via a colorful fusing of live instrument and DJ sounds. But this time, while keeping his melodies, rhythms and arrangements as infectious as ever, the British born, L.A. based hit maker fashions them as the vehicle for him to unleash his deeper chops as a powerhouse jazz player and improviser. 

Soloing with a wild abandon he’s been holding back way too long, the longtime Benedetto endorsee introduces us to the latest love of his musical life, his new, gorgeous white Bambino archtop jazz guitar. Perfect combination? Sounds like a perfect Ten. 

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