NYS Music 202​1

Tag: Jon Batiste

  • Jon Batiste, Herbie Hancock and more join “Relief” to benefit JFA Musicians’ Emergency Fund

    A consortium of major jazz labels has taken the unprecedented step of joining hands for Relief, an all-star compilation of previously unreleased music to be released on September 24, continuing the non-profit Jazz Foundation of America’s (JFA) ongoing efforts to aid musicians affected by the international shutdown of venues and other performance opportunities in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

    relief

    All net proceeds from the Relief package – comprising studio and live tracks by top-flight jazz artists – will benefit the JFA’s Musicians’ Emergency Fund, established in the spring of 2020 after the pandemic ground the music industry to a sudden, catastrophic halt.

    Relief commences with a recording that exemplifies the extreme challenges faced by musicians in the depths of the 2020 health emergency: “back to who,” a track by vocalist Esperanza Spalding and pianist Leo Genovese, recording as IRMA and LEO, was created remotely at home studios in Hillsboro, OR and Brooklyn, NY.

    The compilation concludes with a live quintet performance captured at the JFA’s 2014 “A Great Night in Harlem” benefit show at New York’s historic Apollo Theater. It features pianist Herbie Hancock, trumpeter Wallace Roney, who died after contracting the coronavirus, bassist Buster Williams, drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath and tenor saxophonist Jimmy Heath, the composer of the number, who died at the age of 93 in January 2020, in a poignant version of “Gingerbread Boy.”

    Offering a compact overview of jazz’s past, present, and future, Relief also presents fresh tracks from bassist Christian McBride, vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant, saxophonists Kenny Garrett, Joshua Redman, and Charles Lloyd, pianist-vocalist Jon Batiste and pianist Hiromi Uehara.

    Track Listing

    IRMA and LEO | “back to who” feat. Esperanza Spalding and Leo Genovese |
    Christian McBride | “Brother Malcolm” |
    Cécile McLorin Salvant | “Easy Come, Easy Go Blues” |
    Kenny Garrett | “Joe Hen’s Waltz” |
    Jon Batiste | “Sweet Lorraine” |
    Hiromi | “Green Tea Farm” [2020 version] |
    Joshua Redman | “Facts” feat. Ron Miles, Scott Colley, Brian Blade |
    Charles Lloyd & Kindred Spirits | “Lift Every Voice and Sing” [live] |
    Herbie Hancock, Wallace Roney, Jimmy Heath, Buster Williams, Albert “Tootie” Heath | “Gingerbread Boy” [live] |

  • Soul wins Best Animated Film and Best Score at 2021 Oscars

    Pixar’s Soul won big at the 2021 Oscars, winning the awards for Best Animated Film and Best Original Score.

    soul disney film

    Written and directed by Docter, co-writer of Up, Inside Out and Monsters, Inc., Soul centers around Joe Gardner (voiced by Jamie Foxx), who gets a chance to perform at a famous jazz club, but instead falls into a sinkhole, where his soul leaves his body. He must then has to find his way back to his body, with the help of 22, a soul voiced by Tina Fey.

    In his acceptance speech, Docter thanked art and music teachers, and encouraged all to follow the example of jazz musicians, to take whatever we have, wherever we are, and turn it into something beautiful.

    Soul also took home the award for Best Original Score, garnering trophies for Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (who won previously for The Social Network) and a first Oscar for Jon Batiste. Batiste spoke on behalf of the trio, thanking god and breaking down the root of music to its basics.

    What’s deep is that God gave us 12 notes. It’s the same 12 notes Duke Ellington had, Bach had, it’s the same 12 Nina Simone and all the nominees (had).

    Every gift is special. Every contribution of music that comes from the divine into the instruments, into the film, into the minds and hearts and souls of every person who hears it. The stories that happen when you listen to it and watch it and the stories you share, the moments you make, the memories you create. Man, it’s so incredibly special.

    Batiste’s thoughts on the music behind Soul mirror a film with a deep message and connection to jazz. “I’m just thankful to God for those 12 notes, that’s so dope,” later saying “This movie is a culmination of a series of miracles.” Watch the full acceptance speech below and Reznor’s and Ross’ remarks here.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZODqBZke7UU

    Batiste also made history as the second black composer to win the award, following Herbie Hancock, who won an Oscar for the score to Round Midnight in 1987.

    The Soul soundtrack features 42 score and jazz tracks found in the film, along with songs “Rappin Ced” by Daveed Diggs, and “Parting Ways” by Cody ChesnuTT. Listen to the full soundtrack below or on Spotify.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rYrANk7c6U

    Winning for Best Original Song was H.E.R.’s “Fight For You” from Judas and the Black Messiah.

    This year’s awards featured performances of the five nominated songs during the pre-show telecast, which found H.E.R. behind a drum kit before taking center stage. The performance was backed by a full band to bring about a full 60’s funk vibe, one that was peppered with quotes from Fred Hampton, Chicago Black Panther Party chairman.

    H.E.R. recently won big at the Grammys, garnering the award for Song of the Year “I Can’t Breathe,” and best R&B song “Better Than I Imagined.” Earlier in the night, Daniel Kaluuya won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Hampton.

    All those days of Sly and the Family Stone and Marvin Gaye, thank you, Dad, it really paid off.

    Musicians and filmmakers, I believe we have the opportunity to tell the truth and write the history the way it was. Knowledge is power, music is power and as long as I’m standing, I’m going to fight for us.

    H.E.R. accepting the Oscar for Best Original Song
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONF2-5kxATI

    Two Distant Strangers took home the Oscar for best Short Film. Directed by Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe, the film examines the deaths of Black Americans during encounters with police through the eyes of a character trapped in a time loop. Joey Bada$$, founder of hip-hop collective Pro Era, plays the main character, whose constant encounters with the police seem to lead to progress, only to end in his death.

    For a complete list of winners visit Oscars.com