Want to impress your friends? Of course you do, and there is nothing that impresses more than news about upcoming jazz releases. A little birdie gave us some info about jazz artists that have been in and out of New York City’s Avatar Studios in the past month or so. Lots of major players head into Avatar when it’s time to lay down tracks: Wayne Shorter, Kenny Garrett, Terence Blanchard, too many to list. Here’s a shorthand list of what’s been brewing at Avatar lately:
In Studio A:
Me’Shell NdegeOcello recently produced a project which included Joshua Redman and Jack DeJohnette. Bob Power engineered with assistance from Brian Montgomery.
Rufus Wainwright recently came in to do string and woodwind overdubs for his latest record, produced by Marius DeVries. Tom Schick engineered assisted by Peter Doris.
And over in Studio C:
Pianist Makoto Ozone recently recorded his latest with engineer Joe Ferla, assisted by Ross Petersen.
Bassist Dave Holland mixed a live record with engineer James Farber, assisted by Aya Takemura. (Holland’s latest big-band record, What Goes Around, was done at Avatar. It won a Grammy, too.)
Producer Todd Barkan and engineer Jim Anderson teamed for another stint of record dates for Venus Records. The Rachel Z Trio, The Harold Mabern Trio and the NY Trio were all recorded consecutively during a long stay in Studio C. Ross Petersen assisted.
James Carter tracked a new record with Columbia Jazz VP/ Producer Yves Beauvais. Danny Kopelson engineered assisted by Aya Takemura.
In Studio D:
Cassandra Wilson finished mixing her latest record with producer Fabrizio Sotti and engineer Eric Butler. The record was done in Pro Tools-that means they recorded it on digital media, not tape.
