Author: Skip Spratt

Saxophonist, composer, arranger and educator Bob Mintzer has released Canyon Cove on Cheetah Records. The organ trio recording features Larry Goldings on Hammond B3, Peter Erskine on drums and Mintzer on tenor saxophone, bass clarinet and flute.

The title Canyon Cove aptly reflects Bob Mintzer’s new digs on the West Coast these past couple years. The liner notes, written on top of a lovely picture of Bob’s home once inhabited by Arnold Schoenberg, share insights into the tunes and their setting. The classic sound of the jazz organ trio has origins dating back to the 20s and 30s as well as Mintzer’s contemporaries. It is also interesting to note that Joey DeFrancesco was originally scheduled to play this record date and was reportedly stranded in Europe.

Saxophonist and Berklee professor Walter Beasley has just released his first live CD on Affable Records. Walter Beasley Live – In the Groove features Beasley on alto and soprano saxophone as well as lead vocals. Glen Douglass on keyboards, Wayne Jones on guitar, Webster Roach on bass and Lil John Roberts on drums round out this tight knit group.

Walter Beasley is a native of California who continued his studies at Berklee College of music 30 years ago. As a classmate of Walter’s I was well aware of his abilities on saxophone as well as vocals. His path following his days as a student are well documented on his official bio on his website.

Saxophonist Aaron Heick has recently released his inaugural CD Daylight & Darkness. Currently a freelance saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist living in New York City, Heick is no stranger to the studio. He became a long-time member of R&B diva Chaka Khan’s touring band, following what was to be a one-time recording session. Over the past 20 years, Aaron has also worked with a diverse group of artists including Paul Simon, Suzanne Vega, Aretha Franklin, Carly Simon, Frank Sinatra, Donald Fagen, Cyndi Lauper, Ben E. King, Bobby Caldwell, Vanessa Williams, Manhattan Transfer, Steps Ahead, Jim Beard, Dennis Chambers, Grover Washington Jr. and Ray Baretto.

Composer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, Frank Macchia recently released two new recordings by Cacophony, Inc. The latest release, Folk Songs for Jazzers and Saxolollapalooza both feature Macchia’s captivating and complex writing executed by some of the finest studio musicians in L. A. Since moving to L.A. 17 years ago, Macchia has been weaving his way into the inner fabric of the Los Angeles music scene. The San Francisco native and Berklee graduate has been busy in the studios, writing and arranging for feature films such as Superman Returns, The Fantastic Four, Austin Powers:Goldmember, Santa Clause 2, and television shows Nickelodeon’s Oh Yeah Cartoons, Disney’s Oliver Twist, and the Tonight Show.

Composer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, Frank Macchia recently released two new recordings by Cacophony, Inc. The latest release, Folk Songs for Jazzers and Saxolollapalooza both feature Macchia’s captivating and complex writing executed by some of the finest studio musicians in L. A. Since moving to L.A. 17 years ago, Macchia has been weaving his way into the inner fabric of the Los Angeles music scene. The San Francisco native and Berklee graduate has been busy in the studios, writing and arranging for feature films such as Superman Returns, The Fantastic Four, Austin Powers:Goldmember, Santa Clause 2, and television shows Nickelodeon’s Oh Yeah Cartoons, Disney’s Oliver Twist, and the Tonight Show.