ARKADIA JAZZ ALL-STARS: Thank You, John! – Our Tribute to John Coltrane

“5 STARS! …”Thank You, John!” is a look at the sax genius’ music with stars from the (Arkadia) label. The variety of performers produces a range of approaches… …an album that will leave you humming – and respecting Coltrane.” – Bob Karlovits, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

This album, the “Arkadia Jazz All-Stars: Thank You, John! – Our Tribute to John Coltrane”, nominated for a Grammy Award for “My Favorite Things”, is a testament and tribute, from the elite Arkadia roster, to the awesome accomplishments and musicality of John Coltrane. From Bebop to Hip-Hop to Bossa Nova, all of the artists on this album have benefited from Saxophonist John Coltrane’s music, teaching, and influence. Wide in scope and deep in nature, Coltrane’s influence remains alive more than 50 years after his death, and will surely be felt by future generations.

“…a superb tribute to ‘Trane. “Thank You” is a salute from a variety of (Arkadia Jazz) artists, who play his music their way without trying to emulate the Coltrane sound – and the result is vibrant and fresh.” – Jared Rutter, Players- August 1998

We at Arkadia Records feel it is important to honor the legacy of some of Jazz’s greats. For our “Thank You” series of musical homages, we asked our artists go into the studio and record an all new, previously unreleased song either derived from or influenced by the enduring legacy Jazz’s royalty. The liner notes contain reflections by each of the artists about John Coltrane.

“An earnest homage to Jazz legend John Coltrane by Arkadia’s impressive company of artists. …superlative renditions of Trane’s “Syeeda’s Song Flute” (Benny Golson), “Naima” (Billy Taylor Trio) and “Giant Steps” (pianist Ted Rosenthal). Golson, one of Trane’s childhood friends in Philadelphia, has a special feeling for John’s music, and it shines through on “Syeeda” and his own striking composition, “Touch Me Lightly”. Rosenthal’s solo piano is laid bare most of the way in a sparkling rendition that accentuates his imagination as well as his remarkable chops… …the album is first-class.” – Jack Bowers, www.allaboutjazz.com

From celebrated Jazz luminaries such as Benny Golson and Billy Taylor, to Latin Jazz stars Nova Bossa Nova, and everything in between such as pianist Ted Rosenthal, Saxophonist extraordinaire David Liebman (whose track of My Favorite Thinks received a Grammy Award Nomination), and Hip Hop/Jazz fusion hip hop group Red Time, this album, “Arkadia Jazz All-Stars: Thank You, John”, all new recordings from the Arkadia roster of artists, creates a lasting tribute to one of Jazz music’s most prolific and important artists.

“A most savory and consumer-friendly clutch of fresh compilations… a top-of-the-ladder cast…. rewarding jazz without compromise.” – Dr. Herb Wong, Jazz Educators Journal

“…very moving, emotionally poignant… This is a beautiful album.” – Jeanette Housner, Victory Review

To the younger generations who never got to see Coltrane, Bird or Miles, the current jazz masters are the true link to the great historical figures. From Benny Golson and Billy Taylor, to Joanne Brackeen and David Liebman, to Randy and Michael Brecker, Pat Metheny and Dave Holland – all of whom have played with the Great Ones – they now carry the torch into the future. Even though we can choose to look back, Jazz can only move forward. “The Stars Of Jazz Volume 1” is proof that the future is for us to hear, right now.

“These (Arkadia Jazz) artists have chosen to approach the music individually and let their performances elucidate how they feel about Coltrane and what they think of his music. This is the only way that this tribute album for someone of such gigantic stature as Coltrane is going to work, and it certainly does here. Liebman… gets some sparks going. Then there are some purely unexpected delights, like Nova Bossa Nova. The best overall cuts are still the most straight- ahead pair from Billy Taylor. This is a successful tribute that could have been a real disappointment.” – James Lien, CMJ New Music Report

“Top 10.” – Gavin Jazz Radio Charts- April 1998

Song Selection:

* Grammy nominated

All tracks produced by: Bob Karcy, except track 10, produced by Jason Lehning and Ethan Eubanks
Total Time: 56 minutes

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, and 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! – Our Tribute to Joe Henderson”) and Gerry Mulligan (“Thank You, Gerry! – Our Tribute to Gerry Mulligan”). 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 Mulligan’s band.

Thematic Albums:

The next series of albums were conceived as thematically-driven group collections of outstanding 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, and 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, and 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, and 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.