Hot Shoe Records News

 

THE SAXOPHONE ONSLAUGHT CONTINUES - new debut album!!

We are well into the mix of the debut album of first-call reed man JOHN SANDFORT.

Originally from Buffalo, New York, John now makes his home in the Atlanta area and is in high demand as a sideman as well as gig headliner.  His tone, articulation and concept are all topflight.  Recorded at Southern Tracks, the album will have 6 Sandfort originals as well as some classic songbook tracks, tunes by King Curtis and Bennie Carter and another original contributed by piano-man Michael T. Jones - a longtime friend of John's.    Also gracing the recording are:  Craig Shaw(bass), Clay Hulet(drums) and a guest appearance by Joe Gransden(trumpet). You won't want to miss this one!

 

 

ATLANTA SAXOPHONE ALLSTARS

 

Update:  the mixing of the Saxophone Allstars is completed and mastering will begin soon!

 

Hot Shoe Records is proud to be recording the Atlanta Saxophone All-stars album at Southern Tracks.  The All-stars are:

 

Gary Harris, Mace Hibbard, Brian Hogans, Sam Skelton

We were very fortunate to have guest artist Johnny O'Neal play piano on some of the tracks on the sessions.  Side artists:

Louis Heriveaux, piano

Robert Dickson, bass

Kinah Boto, drums

The experience at the legendary Southern Tracks studio has been awesome.  Hot Shoe Records is very pleased to be continuing its mission of chronicling our excellent and significant jazz scene at an outstanding Atlanta treasure. The material includes American songbook standards, Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock compositions, a late 1960's pop song, a Sam Rivers classic and two originals by Mace Hibbard.

 

 At Southern Tracks (l to r):  Gary Harris, Johnny O'Neal, Mace Hibbard, Brian Hogans, Sam Skelton, Tony Wasilewski (seated).

 

NEW SUB-LABEL LAUNCHING

Hot Shoe Records will be launching a new sub-label "Hot Shoe Worldwide" with a fantastic recording by French band Djazil.  Influenced by artists like Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays, Steely Dan and others, Djazil offers a very contemporary sound couched in classic jazz structures including traditional improvisational solos.  A unique sound is provided by a steel drum that serves as the band's "singer" playing beautiful melodies on 12 original tunes.  Djazil is based in Paris, France and features the following artists:

 

Mathieu Borgne, Steel drum

Cédric Baud, Electric guitar

Thérèse Henry, Electric bass

Jonathan Jurion, Piano

Lukmil Perez, Drums

 

This project will be released in 4Q 2010.

 New Joe Gransden Project Has Arrived!
The live recording for Hot Shoe Records that took place on JUNE 19-20, 2009 at CHURCHILL GROUNDS JAZZ CAFE on Peachtree St. in Atlanta is complete and is available here today JOE GRANSDEN:  LIVE AT CHURCHILL GROUNDS!   The shows were simply two great nights of swingin' jazz! The CD features Bill Anschell (piano), Chris Burroughs (drums) and Craig Shaw (bass). The audience support for Joe was fantastic as was the support of the host venue.  Hot Shoe Records thanks Sam Yi and the staff of CHURCHILL GROUNDS for providing the perfect setting for this ground-breaking project.  A mainstay in Atlanta, Churchill Grounds has long been listed by Downbeat Magazine in the "International Jazz Guide to the 100 Best Jazz Clubs".  Many thanks are also due to STEINWAY PIANO GALLERIES of Alpharetta, GA for providing the Model B Grand played by Bill Anschell. The  project was mastered by Nathan James in NYC.
www.churchillgrounds.com
www.steinwaypianogalleries.com
www.vaultmastering.com

Live Remote Broadcasts/Webcasts of JOE GRANSDEN BIG BAND From CAFE 290 ON 91.9FM WCLK
The March 15, 2010 (with guest Hot Shoe artist Audrey Shakir) and May 3, 2010 (with guest artist Theresa Hightower www.theresahightower.com ) Big Band shows at Cafe 290 were exciting evenings of great music!  The live remote broadcasts/webcasts of the performance by 91.9FM WCLK hosted by CARL ANTHONY were sponsored by HOT SHOE RECORDS.   Both evenings were packed and the audience was both knowledgeable and appreciative of the swingin' extravaganzas.  HOT SHOE RECORDS is proud to have supported these significant events.

Tyrone Jackson in Jazziz Magazine!
Be sure to check out the Fall 2009 edition of Jazziz Magazine:  Tyrone Jackson is featured in the "Independent Culture" section and his original tune "African Inspiration" is on the companion "Night and Day" 2-disc CD that comes with the issue.  On newsstands now! Preview it here (pg. 25 and 84):  Jazziz Digital Edition

Web Updates
This is where we'll announce the most recent happenings in the Hot Shoe world. If you've visited us before and want to know what's changed, take a look here first.

Audrey Shakir CD on Hot Shoe Records is here!
The long-awaited first recording of the amazing Jazz vocalist, Audrey Shakir is now available here:   AUDREY SHAKIR:  IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW!  Audrey sings and scats in her wonderfully unique style accompanied by some stellar sidemen:  Kenny Barron on piano, Reginald Veal on bass and Justin Varnes on drums.  Audrey has poured all her years of experience and deep understanding of the music into this opus.

Tyrone in BLUR
Be sure to check out the Tyrone Jackson article online in the Athens BLUR (on page 12)
Athens-BLUR


 CD Release Party for Tyrone Jackson's "Another Voyage" was a blast!
Tyrone Jackson's debut CD on Hot Shoe is here - CDs now available on this Web site.  Music, food and fun were enjoyed by a packed house for Tyrone's CD Release Party on JUNE 14, 2009 at FEAST RESTAURANT in Decatur, GA.  Tyrone exercised his great keyboard talent and has proved with this effort that his jazz composition skills are just as killin'!  He had a top-flight crew along for the journey including vocal appearances by Kemba Cofield and Laura Coyle and nearly all the original studio musicians.  Hot Shoe Records thanks Teri Rogers and the staff of Feast for making this a very special culinary as well as musical happening.
www.FeastAtlanta.com

Don't Miss THE Most Happenin' Live Jazz in Atlanta
You've probably already noticed that every musical endeavor Joe Gransden embarks on is a success.  THE JAM SESSION at TWAIN'S on Tuesday nights is no exception!  Joe fronts an A-list band that quickly yields to the many talented artists in attendance.  Many of the sessions have been nothing short of a fabulous fireworks display of instrumental and vocal excellence with the creative synergies sometimes bordering on the telepathic.  Twain's is at 211 E. Trinity Place, Decatur, GA  30030.  NO COVER, FREE PARKING  www.twains.net

A Great Success:  Joe Gransden Big Band Christmas Presented By Hot Shoe Records!
Joe and his 16-piece Big Band with special guest vocalist Audrey Shakir played to a packed and appreciative house on December 13, 2008 at Spivey Hall ( www.spiveyhall.org ) .  With arrangements by Eric Alexander, Wes Funderburk and others, Joe delivered a warm, but spirited invitation to the Yule season.  Featured instrumental solos by Sam Skelton (sax), Tyrone Jackson (piano), Justin Varnes (drums), Mace Hibbard (sax), Wes Funderburk (trombone), Neal Starkey (bass) and Joe (trumpet) left no doubt about the high level of jazz artistry that exists in the Atlanta area.  Hot Shoe Records extends special thanks to Sam Dixon, Executive Director of Spivey Hall and the rest of the Spivey staff for their kindness and expert handling of the gig.

Kenny G Had A Special Guest at Chastain on June 25
 Joe has been applying his unique sound to some smooth tunes in connection with a recording produced by Kenny G and showcasing Joe as the featured artist.  Joe recently (June 25, 2008) performed a couple of tunes with Kenny G on the stage at Chastain Park Amphitheater including one tune called "Malibu" that will be on the recording.  It was a special evening indeed.

 

 

Hot Shoe Records is Proud to support SOJA
On May 4, 2008, Hot Shoe Records was very pleased to host a First Sunday Jazz Afternoon to benefit the Southeast Organization for Jazz Arts (SOJA) www.soja-home.org.   The musicians Joe Gransden, Audrey Shakir, Tyrone Jackson, Craig Shaw and Marlon Patton delivered a really slammin' show!  Hot Shoe Records is excited about the SOJA mission and was glad to make a supporting donation to SOJA.  Here are a few pix of the event:

 

Joe Gransden chosen by Jezebel Magazine (Nov. 2007) as one of the "50 Most Beautiful Atlantans 2007"!
50 Most Beautiful - Jezebel (PDF) (Joe is 4th picture down in file)
 

CDs now available for purchase on this site or at Amazon or CDBaby!