EMILY BEAR: Artist's Choice
Emily Bear: Artist’s Choice from TheJazzBakery on 8tracks Radio.
For many people, entertainers included, the thought of performing professionally at age 11 would induce nightmares. Not so for Emily Bear. She’s been an old pro since at least the age of 6, when the pianist/composer began fielding invitations to perform at the White House and on Ellen. These days Emily gives formal concerts the way other 11-year-olds give recitals, whether in her native Chicago or as far away as Europe and Asia. Notable stops in 2011 alone included Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl and the Montreux Jazz Festival.
“She’s the most delightful person I’ve ever met,” says Quincy Jones, the legendary producer of her new record DIVERSITY. And the Jazz Bakery is delighted to welcome Emily Bear to its Movable Feast this Wednesday, May 8, at Musicians Institute in Hollywood. (One show only at 9pm – no intermission.) Tickets to the CD release event are available here.
“Diversity” turns out to be an apt title, not just because of the varied moods and styles displayed in Emily’s major label debut for Qwest/Concord. Wait until you hear her eclectic playlist for our “Artist’s Choice” series: jazz, indie pop, film score cues, and more jazz. If you didn’t know better, you might guess Emily Bear is somewhere between 15 and 51. Hers will be a fascinating career to follow.
The rules: List at least ten favorite record tracks, any musical genres. No more than one track from the same album and no more than two tracks by the same recording artist. One track MUST come from your own discography! The full playlist and credits after the jump…
JOHN BEASLEY: Artist's Choice
John Beasley: Artist’s Choice from TheJazzBakery on 8tracks Radio.
Recent Grammy nominee John Beasley wears a lot of hats, musically speaking: keyboardist, drummer, hornplayer, composer, leader, sideman, arranger, film scorer, producer, everything but singer. He’s been mentored by Miles Davis and Freddie Hubbard, recorded with Carly Simon and Ricky Martin, made a CD-length tribute to Herbie Hancock and lent tour support to everyone from Chrissie Hynde to the Spice Girls. During last month’s red-hot residency at the Blue Whale, John’s elasticity was in full blossom. Whether it was Big Band or Bossa Nova Night, his sets played to full capacity.
Lucky for us, John’s been saving his latest hat trick for a Jazz Bakery performance this Friday, February 8 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. 3 BRAVE SOULS is his groove- and roots-based, funkadelic jazz project with fellow Miles alumnus Darryl Jones (and on record, Ndugu Chancler). Their CD’s been proclaimed “ass-wiggling funk” by one enthusiastic reviewer, and let’s face it – there is no higher praise. This Friday John and Darryl will be joined by drummer Ronald Bruner Jr. and guest vocalists Dwight Trible and Nayanna Holley. Advance tickets are recommended (one show only - no intermission).
John’s openness about his musical influences makes him an ideal participant in our Artist’s Choice challenge: List your ten favorite record tracks, any musical genres. No more than one track from the same album and no more than two tracks by the same recording artist. One track MUST come from your own discography! This is harder than it sounds, apparently, because we’re stumping a lot of musicians with this request. Not The Beas, though. “This is really fun but hard,” he wrote. “I’ve left out McCoy, Bud Powell, Duke, Bird, Diz, Jimmy Smith, Earth Wind and Fire, Quincy, The Meters, James Brown and oh my god who knows who else?” Right, but no one’s going to argue with the musicians who DID make his cut. You can click the PLAY button above to hear John’s entire mix – or just follow the jump for the full playlist and credits. Hats optional.
