Steven Laury & Teira Sonoma County Zinfandel

I’m going to be traveling on business in Europe next week, so before I disappear, I thought I’d present one of my favorite jazz guitarists for your consideration. Steven Laury first caught my attention as the lead guitarist in the jazz group Fatburger. What really hooked me was his tone and style. You’ll hear a lot of Wes Montgomery in his flawless octave work.

Laury was born and raised in Vineland, NJ and began to seriously study the guitar and a career in music at the age of 16. His early influences were B.B. King, Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Pat Martino, Pat Metheny, Herbie Handcock, and Chic Corea. But he was also heavily influenced by Brazillian musicians such as Oscar Castro-Neves and Carlos Jobim.

He moved to first to Los Angeles then to San Diego where he became a founding member in Fatburger.  After five successful years with the group, he left to pursue a solo career where he’s found equal acclaim as one of the premier guitarists on the West Coast jazz scene today. He is truly a guitarist’s guitarist.

Somewhere the sun shines: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsosR1C1DFU

Steppin in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2ELUDCWSJA

Walk your talk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK5nnVbDaro

Tears in the rain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViVMPIqOlRc&feature=related

59^th Street: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2qTAOe5p5Y&feature=related

Skyline: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNhP2wQm0P4&feature=related

All the way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKWFHhg9ZFU&feature=related

In my dreams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32R1mX4FRgg&feature=related

One summer night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLwW2oSxwdw&feature=related

All because of you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAUL8naoJPI&feature=related 

Passion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLHL8c4LWgY&feature=related

Streets of gold: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9AnjM6HSaQ&feature=related

Sultry eyes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj93l-hHj1g&feature=related

Catch the wind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSHtuwOO6vA&feature=related

Getaway: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK7rnrKjwOM

I’ve got a tremendous wine to pair with Steven, namely the 2009 Teira Sonoma County Zinfandel. It’s not your typical Zin, rather it’s more like a rich Pinot Noir. The color is garnet red with a light bouquet of red fruit and spices, but it’s the palate that sent me over the edge. It’s full of strawberry-cherry goodness, rather than the brambly black raspberry, plums, and mocha that one most often tastes in a California Zin, and the red berry palate persists for a long time. This would be a great summer red and at $19.00 a bottle and the music of Steven Laury, you can’t go wrong.

Cheers!

Alain Caron & Chad Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

I feels like this week just keeps dragging on and on, so who better to kick us through the last two days of the week than one of my favorite bassists, namely the Canadian Alain Caron. Alain’s career took off when he won an amateur music contest at the age of 11. At the age of 14 he discovered jazz, the musical style that became his passion in life.

In 1977, he began playing with a group of musicians who eventually formed the super fusion band UZEB. The group called Montreal its home and Alain began doing side work as a studio musician and jamming in jazz clubs when the group was idle. Eventually, this self-taught musician found his way to Boston’s Berklee School of Music where he performed nightly with the likes of David Kikovsky, Tom Harrell, Sal Nestico, Frank Tiberi, Jerry Bergonzi, and Bob Moses.

He returned to Montreal to focus mainly on UZEB as the group gradually evolved into a more mature band, playing sophisticated fusion. Between 1981 and 1990 UZEB recorded ten albums and sold over 400,000 copies, performing concerts in more than 20 countries.

Caron has toured with Mike Stern, Frank Gambale, Biréli Lagrène, Didier Lockwood, Tiger Okoshi, Billy Cobham, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Dennis Chambers, Alex Acuna, Don Alias and Gino Vannelli performing concerts in more than 30 countries

In 2007 The University of Quebec, awarded him an honorary doctorate and he is the only musician to have ever received this honor. As of today, Alain has released more than 20 records, solo or with the group UZEB as well as 25 recordings with collaborators or as a guest artist. He was ranked Best Bass player for 10 years in the row by magazine The Jazz Report. I could go on and on, but I think his music says it all. Enjoy!

Turkey loose:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5uin7Clzs4

No left turn on Tuesday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-Vbc4MOsq0&feature=related

Signal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1mhfXJp-y4&feature=related

Slam the clown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bu8TVgRJtk&feature=related

D-Code: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL1Vc5-YHh4&feature=related

Solitude: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-ZuraldENM&feature=related

Trouble: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxwU0T52aY4&feature=related

Feel the bass day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR-oOUFWzxE&feature=related

Grand Café: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92j-4PSjd6g&feature=related

Cross Checking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4c_BlnZHVg&feature=related

The Bump: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-XoF9P9Cm4&feature=related

Donna Lee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK4Z1JFUX-g&feature=related

I’m pairing Alain with a 2009 Chad Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from Napa Valley. Chad makes spectacular Cab’s and this one is especially good. The deep purple wine explodes with a bouquet of raspberry and boysenberry. It’s dense on the attack with lots of purple fruit, cassis, and supple tannins.  I bought a case of it thinking it would last through the winter. It won’t. It’s a wonderful pick-me-up for a dreary week, especially paired with the music of Alain Caron. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Daryl Kellie & Chad Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

If I had to describe Daryl Kellie in one word, it would be smooth. He is one of the finest acoustic guitarists around, and cites a diverse group of influences from Metallica to Coltrane, and his percussive style is very polished and unique.

He started playing the guitar at the age of 12 and was completely self-taught until, at the age of 15, his school music teacher arranged free guitar lessons for him. Through formal teaching, he learned music theory and proper guitar technique.

As any professional knows, nothing beats playing publically in jam sessions for honing your chops. Daryl seized every opportunity he could find and had the opportunity to jam or attend teaching sessions with several well known guitarists, including jazz great Martin Taylor.

Beginning in 2006, he worked as a session guitarist and bassist with a few different groups. Daryl’s experiments with percussive techniques began in 2008 and he is one of the most proficient guitar “drummers” I’ve heard. Many of the songs I’ve included below are unique. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a guitarist do a Beyonce number but Daryl performs “Put A Ring On It” admirably, although he can’t dance as well as Beyonce.  Then again, she can’t handle a guitar like Daryl.  Also, don’t miss his work on a unique 10-string guitar. One of my favorite numbers, however, is his smoky rendition of “Those Shoes.” Hope you enjoy his music.

Those Shoes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm64LBRaT7o&feature=related

Michael Jackson Medley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58nv8tVRLX4&feature=related

Single Ladies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0co60k5JvU&feature=related

The power of love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yV3eS_VU98&feature=related

Let her go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY6CDgaKkXw&feature=related

It Must Be Love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1WohSMbfQs&feature=related

15: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_H2IbSYwJw&feature=related

Super Mario Theme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH7k5bqxtuI&feature=related

My Friend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngz0keR62Ao&feature=related

La La La: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbJv7hQoSH8&feature=related

Last Friday Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOuEGdWL2eU&feature=related

Jack’s Dream: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhqEPQ-IpUs&feature=related

The past is dead for everyone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhuOTlvXCp0&feature=related

10 String guitar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIz3FunbRgQ&feature=related

Since I described Daryl’s style as smooth, it’s only fair that I pair him with a similar wine. So, I recommend a 2009 Chad Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. I’ve had his Cabernet before and loved it, so when I saw the reserve I figured I couldn’t go wrong. I was right. The wine is deep purple with a wonderful bouquet of raspberry and currents. Dark fruit and rich cassis dominate the palate with just the right amount of tannin. I recommend you let it air for about an hour before drinking, although once the aroma hits your nose, that may be difficult. If you can hold off, you’ll be sipping an incredibly smooth elixir that pairs perfectly with the music of Daryl Kellie.

Cheers!