Najee
Returns with His Point of View July
22, 2005 - "Artists go through a period of imitation" where we learn
how to do what we do through listening to and imitating other people, and I'm
no different" says saxophonist, Najee. "In
my formative years, I would imitate people like Grover
Washington, Parker or John Coltrane
or Hubert Laws, but all of it gets filtered through my own sensibilities. At the
end of the day, I still sound like Najee, and the
music you hear is from "My Point of View." And, "My Point of View"
is the title for Najee's new release. Najee, pioneer
of the 'rhythm and jazz' movement of the '80s that helped define the contemporary
jazz scene, is set to release MY POINT OF VIEW on August 23. The saxophonist's
Heads Up debut features guest vocalists Will
Downing and newcomers Lomon Andrews and Sisaundra. Other session personnel
include keyboardists James Lloyd from Pieces
of a Dream, Rex Rideout and Chris 'Big Dog' Davis.
Here
are confirmed tour dates - more to come:
August 13 - Encanto Cultural
Arts Festival, San Diego, CA August 17 - Chene Park, Detroit, MI August
19 - Black Expo, St. Louis, MO August 29 - Yoshi's, Oakland, CA September
10 - Huntington Beach Jazz Festival, Huntington Be
Heads
Up Celebrates 15 Years and Signs Walter Beasley, Najee and Michael Brecker November
3, 2004 - Congratulations to Dave Love and the Heads
Up label on their 15th Anniversary. The label will be honored via a live show
at Berks Jazz Festival in Reading, Pennsylvania next March. When one thinks of
the music labels that have come and gone in the last fifteen years it's easy to
appreciate Heads Up that feature some of the biggest names in Contemporary Jazz
including the Yellowjackets, Hiroshima
and recent signings like saxophonists Walter
Beasley, Michael Brecker and Najee.
The latter will release his first album for the label in August 2005.
Want
to volunteer for 'Smooth Jazz Now' email us here
July
22, 2005 - "Artists go through a period of imitation" where we learn
how to do what we do through listening to and imitating other people, and I'm
no different" says saxophonist, 
November
3, 2004 - Congratulations to Dave Love and the 
