Luques and Zaccai CurtisDuring the past few weeks, I've thought about doing this as a regular feature for the blog.
It's a win-win situation for everyone. The artists creating the music get the message out about their project to more people. The readers of the blog get to find out about new music and support the creation of it! YAY!
Kickstarter Project of the Week:
"Completion of Proof" Album by the Curtis Brothers.
The first time I saw bassist Luques Curtis perform live was approximately 4.5 years ago in New York City as a member of Sean Jones' quintet. I remember thinking to myself how his playing of the double bass made me aware of it and kept my attention. I know that's not a profound statement but I do know that prior to that evening, I would rarely focus on the upright bass at a live show.
[That was then, this is now - I discovered the music of Charles Mingus, Ray Brown, Ron Carter, Renaud Garcia-Fons, Christian McBride, Jasper Hoiby and Ms. Esperanza Spalding so I'm good now. :)]
I've never had the pleasure of seeing composer and pianist Zaccai Curtis live but I have checked out Curtis Brothers' YouTube videos over the past couple of years. They are adept at playing straight-ahead and latin jazz with equal aplomb.
Curtis Brothers present "Completion of Proof"
A dream coming to life. It's one thing to be able to write music and to have it interpreted by a great set of musicians, but to write for the group that is bringing it to life is another dimension!
That is what "Completion of Proof" is about. Music written directly for these masters, our mentors! Composing with each musician in mind, intensifies and transforms this musical experience into an extraordinary one.
This original music is reminiscent of Art Blakey, Horace Silver, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderly and all of the great bands that affected history with their immortal sound. This band's unique sound will blow you away, as they swing on all different levels and leave you craving to experience it live!
This is a worthy project to support. I hope that you feel the same about it once you view the following video. After that, check out their kickstarter page for more information on the incentives and the inspiration behind each track on the upcoming album!
The personnel on this project is a talented mix of "old school" and younger musicians. In addition to Luques on bass and Zaccai on piano, there is:
Ralph Peterson - Drums
Donald Harrison - Alto Sax
Brian Lynch - Trumpet
Jimmy Greene - Tenor Sax
Joe Ford - Alto Sax
Pedro Martinez - Bata Drums
Rogerio Boccato - Brazilian Percussion
Reinaldo De Jesus - Barriles
Some of you know my "spiel" at the end of these kickstarter project posts by now. Here it is again. :) I can't stress the following point enough...
Gone are the days of over-inflated pricing set by the major record labels to support senior management salaries and lifestyles. You know where your money is going with the creation of this album.
Are you willing to help? Please go to the "Completion of Proof" KickStarter page here.
Thank you.
~~~