George Brooks | Saxophonist, Composer, Arranger | Jazz Indian World Fusion» George

Spirit and Spice Review – Flat out wonderful

George — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:40:15 +0000

GEORGE BROOKS SUMMIT/Spirit and Spice: The thing you’re going to like most about this set is that it’s completely nuts. A solid jazzbo with free jazz leanings and world beat interests that isn’t afraid to share the spotlight with a bunch of game raising players, Brooks brings the 60s into the 10s with a smoking world/groove date that would find Paul Horn and Paul Winter running for cover if you blasted it at them. Genre twisting and groovealicious, this is visceral jazz for the over educated who won’t be able to stop themselves from bobbing their heads and jimmying their legs. FLAT OUT WONDERFUL THROUGHOUT.

Volume 33/Number 216
June 5, 2010
MIDWEST RECORD
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
Copyright 2010 Midwest Record

Spirit and Spice review: “Flat out Wonderful”

George — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:22:27 +0000

Volume 33/Number 216
June 5, 2010
MIDWEST RECORD
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
Copyright 2010 Midwest Record

Bombay Jazz Review on Jambase

George — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 01:48:51 +0000

Below is an excerpt from Joe Lang’s review of our Bombay Jazz performance at the Dakota jazz club in Minneapolis.

“For the final set at their four-night stay at Minneapolis’ Dakota Jazz Club, under the banner of “Larry Coryell’s Bombay Jazz” – Brooks, Coryell, Ronu Majumdar (bansuri flute) and Aditya Kalyanpur (tabla) – proceeded to serve up a sonic concoction of supreme speed, agility and musicality that brought forth equal influence from the busy streets of New York City as it did Bombay, India.

Ordinarily, a bandleader wouldn’t have a “side man” call the shots but when the side man happens to be George Brooks, who has done more for East/West fusion than anyone in the 21st century, it’s a safe assumption Brooks will be steering things to a strong degree. Sure, Coryell has worked with artists from both North and South including Dr. L. Subramaniam as well as subbing for John Mclaughlin in the legendary Shakti, but it is Brooks who has actually studied Hindustani music and taken the time to found countless fusion projects with his Indian brethren.

So, it was fitting that the concert kicked off with Brooks’ original “McCoy,” a tribute to the great McCoy Tyner. The intro was reminiscent of an Indian classical concert with a rubato statement from the melody players before breaking down into a blistering unison line in 11. Immediately, the group brought to mind the legendary (aforementioned) Shakti with its groove in 6/8 time, but it was Coryell and Brooks’ interactions that allowed the group to go further into harmonic jazz territory unlike the original fusion super-group.”

To read the whole review cut and paste the link:

http://www.jambase.com/Articles/21989/Larry-Coryell-and-Bombay-Jazz-03.18-MN

Interview with Larry Coryell prior to Bombay Jazz performance at L’Astral in Montreal

George — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 01:38:30 +0000

Back home, finishing the artwork and mastering for the new George Brooks Summit CD, “Spirit and Spice”. Should be at the presses before the end of next week. In the mean time take a look at this interview with Larry Coryell filmed before our performance at the L’Astral Jazz Club in Montreal. There is some nice performance footage starting around 4:30.

Posts from Muscat

George — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:06:12 +0000

Steve Smith has put together some behind the scenes footage of our ‘Global Fusion” concert in Muscat earlier this month..check it out

Also some nice pix of the concert at http://digitaloman.blogspot.com/

On Tour with Bombay Jazz

George — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:03:06 +0000

I am sitting in the sound booth at Dakotas Jazz Club in Minneapolis, MN. Bombay Jazz has been on tour for about a week now, having some great shows with super enthusiastic audiences. It is indeed pleasure to work with this group again after a two year hiatus. We continue to push the envelope on the jazz and Indian fronts. We even pulled out a spontaneous version of “Naima” yesterday. Ronu had never heard the piece before but dove right in like it was a familiar raga. I think Mr. Coltrane would have been quite moved.

Great Global Fusion

George — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:05:46 +0000

Just returned from Muscat, Oman where I had the pleasure of performing with a stellar group of extraordinary musicians.
The event was hosted by Bank Sarasen Alpen who provided us this rare opportunity to bring together such a talented group from Hungary, India, Iran, Germany. Liberia, Oman and the USA. Check out these photos.

Global Fusion in Muscat

George — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:27:58 +0000

I am heading to Muscat on Monday for the third is a series of “Global Fusion” concerts supported by the Dubai based Sarasin Alpen Bank. This concert on March 4th will feature India’s master percussionist and founding member of Shakti, Vikku Vinayakram. Also in attendance will be my partners American drum phenom, Steve Smith and bass treasure, Kai Eckhardt. Joining us from India is sitarist Niladri Kumar who was featured on my first Summit recording and will also appear my my next CD scheduled for release this spring as well as Bollywood percussion superstar A. Sivamani. There will also be appearances by Hungarian violinist, Zoltan Lantos and the Ensemble Shanbehzadeh from Iran. Hope to post some photos on my return.