ABOUT THE ARKADIA JAZZ ALL-STARS
The Arkadia Jazz All-Stars is a group established in 1996 as the brainchild of Bob Karcy, Producer, musician, Founder and CEO of Arkadia Records. Karcy’s original goal was to harness the creative brilliance of the Artists who recorded on its Arkadia Records labels, along with select guest musicians representing some of Jazz’s biggest stars, to create an unparalleled series of newly recorded, thematically unified studio albums. So far, ten albums have been recorded and three more are in production. — These Arkadia Jazz All-Stars releases have been honored with three Grammy Award Nominations.
The “Thank You” Series – Tributes to the most revered artists in the history of Jazz
The first “Thank You” Series was created to honor the memory and the lasting legacy of many of the greatest and most esteemed artists in the history of Jazz.The initial album in the Thank You series is entitled Arkadia Jazz All-Stars: Thank You, John! (Our Tribute to John Coltrane) [Grammy Nominated for “My Favorite Things” by David Liebman] This was followed by Arkadia Jazz All-Stars: Thank you. Duke! (Our Tribute to Duke Ellington). The Lead All-Star Members of these two albums are Benny Golson, Billy Taylor, T.K. Blue, Joanne Brackeen, Nova Bossa Nova and Joris Teepe.The Supporting Members performing with them are Mulgrew Miller, Buster Williams, Carl Allen, Eric Reed, Rodney Whitaker, Mike LeDonne, Vic Juris, Steve Nelson, Terrell Stafford, Ira Coleman, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez.Appearing as Special Guests are Randy Weston, Don Braden, Chris Potter, Claudio Roditi, Bob Mintzer, David Hazeltine, Bruce Cox and Harold Land.
Next on the agenda were new tribute albums to Joe Henderson (Thank You, Joe!) and Gerry Mulligan (Thank You, Gerry!). For Thank You Joe!, Karcy and Musical Directors Eric Reed and Carl Allen put together an ensemble including Randy Brecker, Terrell Stafford, Steve Nelson, Rodney Whitaker with special guest, Joanne Brackeen.
For Thank You, Gerry! [Grammy Nominated for “My Funny Valentine” by Randy Brecker], Karcy and Musical Director Ted Rosenthal enlisted jazz legends Lee Konitz, Bob Brookmeyer, Randy Brecker, with Javon Jackson, Dean Johnson and Ron Vincent, all of whom performed with Gerry Milligan’s band.
Thematic albums:
The next series of albums were conceived as thematically-driven group collections of singles, representing the best-of-our-best.
The first two albums, Arkadia Jazz All-Stars: The Stars of Jazz #1 [Grammy Nominated for “Body and Soul” by Branford Marsalis] and Arkadia Jazz All-Stars: The Stars of Jazz #2 [Grammy Nominated for “My Favorite Things” by David Liebman], present the most highly recognized artists, including Joanne Brackeen, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Benny Golson, Lee Konitz, Branford Marsalis, Billy Taylor, Randy Weston, Gary Bartz, Nat Adderley
The Arkadia Jazz All-Stars: The New Young Lions of Jazz showcases the next generation of rising stars on the Jazz horizon, including James Carter, Don Braden, Chris Potter, Javon Jackson, Ravi Coltrane, Eric Reed, Stefon Harris, Nicholas Payton, Steve Turre, Kurt Elling.
The Arkadia Jazz All-Stars: Out and Out Jazz captures inventive performances on the cutting edge of modern and free jazz, both fully composed and improvised. This album showcases John Abercrombie, Paul Bley, Joanne Brackeen, John Clark, Andrew Hill, David Liebman, Pat Metheny, Nicholas Payton, Gary Peacock, Sam Rivers, Reggie Workman.
Everyone has known love, and that emotion is beautifully expressed in Arkadia Jazz All-Stars: It’s About Love, a new album of heartfelt romantic ballads, performed by Benny Golson, Nigel Clark, Joanne Brackeen, T.K. Blue, Mary Pearson, Billy Taylor, Kenny Drew, Jr., Eric Reed. It includes the stunning Grammy Nominated “My Funny Valentine” by Randy Brecker.
Arkadia Records continues to create new releases from the Arkadia Jazz All-Stars. Albums currently in production are tributes to Thelonious Monk (Thank You, Thelonious!) and Miles Davis (Thank You, Miles!), as well a suite of lively standards and compelling original songs for the holiday season. Bob Karcy’s ultimate aim is that the Arkadia Jazz All-Stars will emerge as an artistically successful recording group in its own right. In addition to creating new, exciting and stellar music, the All-Stars will showcase the Artists on Arkadia Records, creating greater awareness and recognition of their talent, and helping them reach a new generation of listeners far beyond their core fans.