Live In Seattle

The newest from Joe Locke and Geoffrey Keezer, 'Live in Seattle' is out in stores Tuesday the 18th of July, and just might be the best jazz release of 2006. having been accused of favoring jazz fusion in the radioioJAZZ playlist. I use these seven brilliant live tracks to stand behind my plea. I am guilty of loving jazz fusion. And 'Live in Seattle' will justify my decision to put this incredible album out front this week.

'Live in Seattle' is more than just fusion, you will hear many influences present within. Simply the finest in contemporary composition and performance.

This quartet features four masterful performers who deliver a sound that seems almost too 'tight' for the normal live performance. but these tracks are all from the concert recorded at the Ballard Jazz Festival. Belive me! They are alive!

Setting the pulse and vibrations is drummer Terreon Gully with Mike Pope locking firmly on to the foundation with both electric and acoustic bass. Just these two players are fun to follow through each track. But it is Geoffery Keezer who is (simply mad!) on piano and Locke himself that fill every space of the sound spectrum left in the mix. The music is intelligently horizontal and vertical. Once you think you are in the groove and the standard has been set, you are taken to a higher level as you follow the agile dialogue between Keezer and Locke. The results are magical.

The four played together touring Japan and were asked by John Bishop and Matt Jorgensen of Origin Records to perform at the Ballard Jazz Festival in Seattle WA on November 19, 2005. Brilliant move. And even more brilliant to document this in both recording and film.

See for yourself! You can watch a video of 'Van Gogh by Numbers' on Joe Locke's web site.

The production quality of 'Live in Seattle' is outstanding. recorded by Reed Ruddy, mixed at Robert Lang Studios in Seattle, and mastered by Mark Guenther. With the right equipment, you will be able to sit in tne middle of the mix.

This album 'is' a perfect example of the 'something new' I am always searching for. Not just simply to find a new artist with a new voice in jazz, but the rare engagement of players who can match up to each other's ability so effectively, that the result of the composite extends the total package to a higher level.