#brianpace

The Pace Report: "Mr. Soulful Soul Fingers" The Bobby Broom Interview

Welcome to another edition of the Pace Report featuring guitarist Bobby Broom and the Organi-Sation performing music from his latest CD "Soul Fingers." The Harlem, New York native formed this new group when he was asked to open for an upcoming tour for Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Steely Dan. The Organi-Sation features Kobie Watkins on drums and Ben Paterson on Hammond B3.

Over a span of over four decades, Bobby has had the honor to record, tour, and play with the likes of Dr. Lonnie Smith, Art Blakey, Dave Grusin, Al Haig, Sonny Rollins, Donald Byrd, and Hugh Masekela.

I sat down with Bobby last week at Dizzy's to talk about his new group, his love the organ in jazz music, and how the band stage helped him perfect his art as a guitarist.

The Pace Report: "Treasure Full of Junk" The Hailey Tuck Interview

Welcome to another edition of The Pace Report featuring the debut of vocalist Haley Tuck performing at the 2019 NYC Winter Jazz Festival at Public Arts. Haley's debut album "Junk" was produced by the legendary Larry Kline has worked with some of the most important vocalists ranging from Joni Mitchell, Julia Fordham, Tracy Chapman, and Melody Gardot.

Inspired by film actress and dancer Louise Brooks and vocalist Blossom Dearie, Haley's musical repertoire is diverse and includes songs from Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchel, Ray Davies, and Paul McCartney.

The Austin, Texas native has developed her career in France and the U.K. and has released to successful and critically-acclaimed EPs. Hailey's journey is about to being here in the States and will be playing more clubs here later during the year.

I sat down with Hailey after the performance to talk about her overseas musical background, how she's able to sing modern music versus the traditional American songbook, and how she's breaking the American market.

The Pace Report: "On Being Andy Milne" The Andy Milne Interview

Welcome to another edition of The Pace Report featuring pianist, composer, educator, and bandleader Andy Milne. His latest Sunnyside Records release, "The Seasons of Being," is nominated for a Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Recording. Milne and his band Dapp Theory recently performed the new music at the famed Jazz Gallery in New York City.

Andy Milne and Dapp Theory has been together for over a decade and showcases his hybrid of jazz, spoken word, and compositions. The album features musicians Ben Monder, Ralph Alessi, La Tayna Hall, Michael Attias, and Chris Hoffman.

Milne and I sat down for a few minutes to talk about his latest CD, reflect on his role as a Professor, pianist, and composer Muhal Richard Abrams, and his band Dapp Theory.

The Pace Report: "The Composing Educator" The Tyshawn Sorey Interview

Welcome to another edition of The Pace Report featuring multi-instrumentalist and composer Tyshawn Sorey. The Newark, New Jersey native is a 2017 MacArthur Fellow and currently Assistant Professor of Music at Wesleyan University.

Tyshawn performed a three-night residency at The Kitchen where he performed a duo set with pianist Marilyn Crispell, music ensemble which features electronics and freestyle, and his sextet piece in which he composed during a Rauschenberg Foundation Residency.

Over the years Tyshawn has played and record with the likes of Vijay Iyer, Jason Moran, John Zorn, Anthony Braxton, Steve Coleman, and Roscoe Mitchell.

I sat down with Tyshawn during his residency to talk about his role as a composer, how he's raising his presence as an educator and mentor and reflects on the legacy of NEA Jazz Master and mentor Anthony Braxton.

The Pace Report: "The King James 88" The James Francies Interview

Welcome to another edition of The Pace Report featuring pianist, composer, and bandleader James Francies performing new music from his Blue Note Records debut, "Flight." His debut album is produced by Derrick Hodge and features Chris Potter, Burniss Travis, Joel Ross, Mike Moreno, Chris Turner, Kate Kelsey-Sugg, and Kendrick Scott.

Over the last 6 years, James has been one of the most important musicians that have made an important impact on the music scene in NYC. The 23-year-old Houston, Texas native graduated from the Houston High School of the Performing Arts whose graduates include Beyonce, Jason Moran, Robert Glasper, Mike Moreno, Chris Dave, and Mike Moreno.

James was featured and played on Chance the Rapper's Grammy-Award winning hit, "No Problem." He also fills in with The Roots in the Tonight Show band with Questlove(Ahmir Khalib Thompson) and is currently on tour with NEA Jazz Master and legend Pat Metheny.

I sat down with James during is record release performance at the Jazz Standard in NYC to talk about his debut album, his mentors Bobby Lyle and Joanne Brackeen, and how he's been able to adjust musically to the music styles he's been able to play on recently.

The Pace Report: "A Wealth of Fortune" The Sonny Fortune Interview

As you might have heard, saxophonist Sonny Fortune made his transition Friday night. The Philadelphia native died of stroke related complications which he suffered this past summer.

The Pace Report: "A New Feeling" The Abelita Mateus Interview

Welcome to another edition of The Pace Report featuring vocalist, pianist, and composer Abelita Mateus performing new music from latest CD "Mixed Feelings" live at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola in New York.

Abelita hails from Sao Paulo, Brazil and came to New York to study jazz music at William Patterson College in 2012. While there she was mentored by the late Mulgrew Miller and has played with the likes of Claudio Roditi, Eric Alexander, Dave Stryker, and Antonio Hart. She also currently plays piano for the Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Cuban Experience led by John Lee.

"Mixed Feelings" is her second release and features the legendary Romero Lumbambo on guitar, Peter Slavov on bass, Matt Marantz on tenor saxophone, Alex Kautz on drums, Phillip Gillette on percussion, and Diego Urcola on trumpet.

I had a chance to speak with Abelita on her musical experiences living and playing here in the states, her link to jazz and Brazilian music, and reflect on the importance of composer Antonio Carlos Jobim.

The Pace Report: "No Rest For The Dignity" The Henry Conerway III Interview