Future of Jazz-Live in Atlanta for the Arts-Vol. 1

The Future of Jazz is a roots based organization based in Atlanta Georgia. The intention was to display independent jazz performers every second Sunday of each month. As with many popular cultural events it grew into something more, eventually it became a competition with a group of panelist with a wide range of experience in the recording industry including Earl Klugh and Lonnie Liston Smith. All of the funds generated from the sales of this recording go towards The Atlanta Jazz Festival 2007 for future performances for Atlanta based artists.

Because of its popularity, a best of compilation titled Future Of Jazz-Live In Atlanta For The Arts-Vol. 1 is set for release. The nine tracks on the CD give you a good cross section of traditional, contemporary, and jazz fusion.

I did enjoy the entire CD and with good reason, the cream of the crop is on stage displaying their multitude of talents for this recording. Jazz has many colors and I heard it all on this one CD. Some highlights are the vocal tracks “I Am Free” from Tammy Allen, a wonderful tune with one of the best female indie jazz singers showing why she teaches singing lessons to aspiring young performers, and the swinging nightclub feel of “Mangy Joe” courtesy of The William Herriot Jazz Ensemble. Instrumental jazz, which for me tells the story of the genre, also gets a fair amount of good time on the tracks “Number 5,” by a progressive horn driven ensemble called Adam Township and “Dirty South” featuring the fine piano playing of William Green, which shows yet another side of this great musical tradition that is softer and more rhythmic. “Pagent” features the vibes and piano while you get into a nice groove with some amazing drums beats from The Christian Tambure Quartet. Another favorite is the instrumental cooker “Timbeao” by the International Groove Conspiracy (love the name) that has fast moving Latin rhythms that are both contemporary and decidedly modern at the same time. All of this music has the ability to conjure up images to ignite your imagination.

So if you want an overview of the many things that jazz can be, this CD does nice job covering the many aspects and moods of a genre. With so many different ways to go for whoever is performing, it certainly makes for a diverse listening experience. Many great musicians never have the opportunity to discover a wider audience. The Future of Jazz is an organization that wants to change all that. It looks like they are off to a good start with their inaugural release.

June 22, 2005

1. Rickshaw-Squat (4:12)
2. West End Station -Jaspects (6:41)
3. Pagent-The Christian Tambure Quartet (12:13)
4. O Lamb-Will Scruggs Jazz Fellowship (6:54)
5. Timbeao-International Jazz Conspiracy (5:03)
6. I Am Free-Tammy Allen (4:51)
7. Dirty South-William Green (6:26)
8. Mangy Joe-The William Herriot Jazz Ensemble (4:17)
9. Number 5-Adam Township (8:52)