Russ Freeman & Girard Sauvignon Blanc

Russ Freeman is the founder and leader of the contemporary jazz group, the Rippingtons. He was raised in Nashville and started playing the guitar at the age of ten under the tutorage of one of his father’s friends who was a Nashville session musician. By the age of sixteen, Russ was also playing sessions. At the age of eighteen, he left Nashville for Los Angeles where his first gigs were playing the background music for Jane Fonda’s workout videos and commercials featuring Anne Murray and Englebert Humperdinck.

In 1986, he formed the Rippingtons, originally conceiving it as a changing lineup of jazz musicians drawn from top session players. The first version featured one of my favorite pianists, David Benoit along with Brandon Fields, Dave Koz, and Kenny G on saxes. By 1993, the band solidified into a six-piece group with Dave Kochanski on keyboards, Jeff Kashiwa on sax, Kim Stone on bass, Tony Morales on drums, Steve Reid on percussion, and of course, Freeman on guitar.

The Oasis Smooth Jazz Awards honored Russ with a Lifetime Achievement Award as well as Producer of the Year in 2001. In 2000, Billboard BET chose the Rippingtons as best group and Oasis gave them the same award for 2001 & 2002. Russ and the Rippingtons are one of the most listenable groups I’ve ever heard and his guitar playing is definitely smooth. Great music to listen to while I work on my consulting projects. Enjoy!

Larry’s World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-ng9JJAStY

Topaz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHTl7VWJHPE

Aspen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prx-5eIDdqI  

Jamaican nights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EHMHwaf2rA

East River Drive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh3InUdZvBs

Brighter Day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0v5vTm_1_k

Cool in the shade: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uXMutSU8XA

Soul Dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMuyLC_SJ4w

Guitarland: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai0MvqxY9II

Moving violation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N4yYsA7dqk

Palmetto Park: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq5yXYLviL8

Urban Wanderer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ga5f_1PBjA

Angel Fire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orHVogWmMKk

My wife and I got a Groupon to our favorite local restaurant this week and enjoyed a bottle of the 2011 Girard Sauvignon Blanc ($18.00 in stores) with our salmon. I’m a huge fan of Girard wines, particularly their Petite Sirah, but this was the first time I’ve tasted their Sauvignon Blanc. Its aromatics were full of citrus, lemon peel, and a tropical fruits. The taste was a mix of citrus and mango, slightly dry, yet tart. It has a nice softness on the tongue and bright acidity makes for a clean, crisp finish. I can see enjoying a bottle of this when the weather turns warmer as I sit on my deck, watching the stars and listening to Russ Freeman and the Rippingtons.

Cheers!

Joyce Cooling & Pelissero Piani Barbera

We need something smooth and cool to slide into the week, so cool it is, Joyce Cooling, that is. Joyce is a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, with an eclectic style and sound that just gets your body swaying. She’s funky, she’s soulful, and just doggone nice listening.

Although Joyce now lives in San Francisco, she was raised in the New York area in a house that, as she says was “filled with music.” Her musical influences are diverse and include everyone from Joe Henderson, Wes Montgomery, and Miles Davis, to James Brown, Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa and Jimi Hendrix, to Ravel, Stravinsky, Bach, and Brahms, to Hermeto Pascoal, Elis Regina, João Bosco and finally Jobim. Her teenage years were spent sitting on the steps outside of the Village Vanguard and other Manhattan jazz clubs. Although she was underage, the bartender at the Vanguard saw how much she loved the music and let her hang out on the steps.

Joyce is self-taught and learned to play by ear, which led to the development of her fingerpicking style and its unique tone. In my opinion, she’s sounds a little like Larry Carlton. She’s played with some biggies including jazz giants Joe Henderson, Stan Getz, and Charlie Byrd. In addition, she’s garnered several prestigious awards including the Gibson Best Jazz Guitarist of the Year Award and Best New Talent in the Jazziz Reader’s Poll.

Her style and music is great for unwinding from a hectic day. Hope it helps you get through your week.

Playing it cool: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee5WZV91Eks

Almost Home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jgJH-MWW-o

South of Market: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUDT0ubcTAY

Cool of the night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NYxvUq2h8U

Callie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T78X-_rPLmM

Expression: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG-6hBncLR8

Third Wish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fulgW3OMvDc

Tamba: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reBWT5kU_J0

Daddy O: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIes-3Wo5sE

Come and get it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j_6VK69_fA

The Wizard: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEyoYbdHKU4

Another time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ByVOzSdjhw

Grass roots: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40BDiJ2ShjI

If I had to describe Joyce’s music with one word, it would be playful. So, I’m pairing her with a playful wine, a barbera, namely a 2008 Pelissero Piani Barbera ($19.00). This not a wine to over-analyze or spend much time thinking about. It’s a comfort wine that simply works. Pulling the cork releases a flood of aromatic flowers and cherries, cherries, and more cherries. It’s packed with sour black cherries, tart, but not too tart and accompanied by soft tannins. This wine begs to be quaffed, and if your looking for a food to accompany it, try pasta tossed with something simple like olive oil and fresh parmesan. Appropriately, it’s a smooth drinker to match the smooth sounds of Joyce Cooling.

Cheers!

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!

Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, and Rockledge Pinot Noir

Tonight, I’m featuring the music of two of my favorite guitarists whose styles compliment each other beautifully. Robben Ford blends blues and jazz. Although his first instrument was the saxophone, which he played into his twenties, he began teaching himself guitar at age thirteen after hearing the two guitarists from The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Michael Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop. He toured with blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon and later with jazz saxophonist Tom Scott and the L.A. Express. He caught the attention of George Harrison who invited him to join him on his "Dark Horse" tour of the U.S. and Canada, raising his musical profile even further. He went on to tour with the Yellowjackets, Michael McDonald, and Miles Davis. After all that jazz, he returned to his roots, namely the blues, forming his group the Blue Line.

Larry Carlton, also known as Mr. 335, for the trademark Gibson ES335 that he often plays, has had an equally illustrious career. Interestingly, his early career included a stint as the musical director for an Emmy-nominated children’s show, Mrs. Alphabet, where he also performed as one of the characters, Larry Guitar. He performed and recorded extensively with the Jazz Crusaders and became one of L.A.’s most in-demand session players, backing stars from every imaginable genre, ranging from Sammy Davis, Jr., and Herb Alpert to Quincy Jones, Paul Anka, Michael Jackson, John Lennon, Jerry Garcia and Dolly Parton as well as playing many of the leads on the rock group Steeley Dan’s albums. He has more than 3000 studio sessions under his belt and by the early 1980s had picked up four Grammy nominations. In 1981, in collaboration with Mike Post, he won one for the theme to Hillstreet Blues.

While working on one of my favorite albums, Solid Ground, Larry was the victim of random gun violence, and was shot in the throat by gun-wielding juveniles outside Room 335, his private studio near Burbank, California. The bullet shattered his vocal cord and caused significant nerve trauma, but through intensive therapy and a positive frame of mind, Carlton completed work on Solid Ground in 1989. He bounced back stronger than ever forming the non-profit group, Helping Innnocent People (HIP), which aids victims of random gun violence and his guitar playing is as smooth and mello as ever.

The duo of Robben Ford and Larry Carlton blend blues and jazz at its best. So, kick back and enjoy some smooth blues.

Unplugged: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I25qKgzaqLY&feature=related

Encore Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2ip-vigDxw&feature=related

Burnable: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiK0ET0CwaY&feature=related

Cold Gold: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3NnRN6rO1A&feature=related

Live in Tokyo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVR_IEvoKNI&feature=related

Opening in Tokyo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SN7BiULT3Y&feature=related

Derek’s Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSqWwYKORIo&feature=related

Cold Cold: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfJZoQdm-cM&feature=related

Cordoba Guitar Festival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0HsB3eMtzc&feature=related

Put it where you want it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpiDJ16BW0s&feature=related

The Prince:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjT_vEskaKk&feature=related

Blues Project: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbTn59ejgaE&feature=related

With this smooth blues duo, I suggest a 2010 Rockledge Pinot Noir ($20.00). It’s a deep ruby color with a powerful nose of cherries, raspberries, and cinnamon. The palate reminds me of a French Burgundy, rich with a surprisingly long finish. It’s great for a summer evening tapping your feet and nodding your head in time to the smooth blues music of the Carlton-Ford duo. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Norman Brown & Valduero Crianza

Had a hectic week, but excellent week and now it’s time for four days off to celebrate 35 years of marriage to the love of my life. Kicking back calls for something smooth and cool. Norman Brown is a giant of a smooth jazz guitarist, following in the footsteps of George Benson to whom he is often compared. Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, and raised in Kansas City, Kansas, Brown first picked up a guitar at the age of 8. His initial inspiration came from hearing the psychedelic sounds of Jimi Hendrix, but he soon discovered his father's favorite guitarist, Wes Montgomery, and found the style that fit him like a glove. After high school, Brown moved to Los Angeles to pursue his musical career, attending the Musicians Institute where he also taught for a time. Brown was discovered and signed to the MoJazz label, a division of Motown. His 1992 debut album, “Just Between Us,” was followed with the gold-certified “After The Storm” and 1996's “Better Days Ahead.” He switched to the Warner Brothers label where he teamed with producer Paul Brown and his 2003 recording, “Just Chillin',” earned him a GRAMMY® in the best pop instrumental category. Relax and enjoy some of the best smooth jazz guitar on the planet.

Stormin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQiwqCDpHA0&feature=fvst

Up N At Em: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3xcGN2tplQ&feature=related

Summer Groove: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnkw-GCI_aY&feature=related

Pop’s Cool Groove: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoVKzdlb8lw&feature=related

Just Between Us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6y_a5vrc4&feature=relmfu

That’s the way Love Goes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQElCOUqz84&feature=relmfu

This Time Around: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYGNsRKnL1o&feature=relmfu

Lydian: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O06-8Cgbsfg&feature=relmfu

Take Me There: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIGgf3krYQU&feature=related

Let’s Come Together: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE_sFewm8xA&feature=related

Better Days Ahead: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgc1xu7FIG0&feature=related

Let’s Take A Ride: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYz_LWorSXU&feature=related

Coming Back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsjts12LFOI&feature=related

Third World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXlka8n68QU&feature=related

A Quiet Place: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLMJkUKTXaA&feature=related

It’s pouring rain (go figure) here in Nebraska, something we haven’t seen in a month. So with the heat breaking, how about a 2007 Valduero Crianza from the  Ribero del Duero region of Spain. Let it breathe for an hour before you drink it to let the tannins calm down. Once that’s done, you’ll find scents of black fruits, smoke, and spice. It has an elegant, almost sweet palate full of black cherry and blackberry. The texture is velvety with nice balance. Just like the guitar of Norman Brown. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Peter White & Le Bouc Sauvignon Blanc

It’s a beautiful late spring evening here in Nebraska so how about we slide into the week with the smooth guitar sounds of Peter White. He grew up in the sleepy little English town of Letchworth Garden City in the 1960s, and first got interested in music while listening to the Beatles on the radio. His parents bought him an acoustic guitar when he was eight and he taught himself to play. One day in 1967 he heard the Jimi Hendrix song “Purple Haze” and since he’d never heard sounds like that coming out of my acoustic guitar, he switched to electric. He studied the works of Hendrix, Clapton and Page, but his rock star dreams were put on hold when his was burned in a fire. With few alternatives, he returned to playing acoustic guitar and developed a love for the instrument, a feeling that continues to this day. He found inspiration in the music of Crosby Stills and Nash, James Taylor and Joni Mitchell who were all playing acoustic guitar based music.

In 1975, at the age of 20, he was recommended to Al Stewart who asked him to join his band on tour. That summer he spent considerable time at Abbey Road studio in London, working with Al on the “Year of the Cat” album, which became a million seller. It was the beginning of a musical collaboration that was to last 20 years, during which time they wrote and recorded many songs together, including Al’s 1978 Top Ten hit “Time Passages”.

As well as recording his own music, Peter has performed on recordings by many jazz greats including Dave Koz, Gato Barbieri, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Craig Chaquico, Jeff Golub, Lee Ritenour, Third Force, The Rippingtons, Kirk Whalum, Boney James and Marc Antoine. I find his music a balm for the soul and so will you.

Caravan of Dreams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPUuN9Ft4rI&feature=related

Midnight in Manhattan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hApx-ufwmpg&feature=related

Promenade: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLPPPR35Rq0&feature=related

Who’s that Lady: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jTrZnpA3Zs&feature=related

Bullseye: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCe_ozy84Q0&feature=related

San Diego: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoahSOL5chc&feature=related

Papa was a Rolling Stone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA0BlmcMQWc&feature=related

Walk on by: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xui0gl6mikE&feature=related

What does it take: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPEiJAMa_j0&feature=related

Bright: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwy-oeCtR_g&feature=relmfu

Dreamwalk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ChG_0kPOzw&feature=relmfu

Coast Road Drive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvxpN9Dezic&feature=relmfu

The weather and music calls for a light summer wine, so tonight I’m drinking a 2009 Domaine Vincent Ricard "Le Bouc" ($14.00). This is a French Sauvignon Blanc, pale.green-yellow color, with citrus, peach and green apples on the nose. Lively on entry with a beautiful mouth feel full of green apples and citrus. Nice minerality leads to a mouthwatering finish with excellent persistence. Very crisp and refreshing. A great wine for relaxing on the deck with a sky full of stars and the sounds of Peter White drifting on the cool spring breeze. Enjoy!

Cheers!