GRAND CENTRAL
With a spirit, energy and diversity that are
uniquely New York City, guitarist Jeff Golub will open the
doors to Grand Central, his seventh solo album, on March 6th.
Golub produced most of the Narada Jazz/Blue Note Label Group
collection of electric and acoustic blues, contemporary jazz,
rock and pop with Steven Miller, with a few tracks produced by
Rick Braun and Paul Brown.
Roaring out of the station
first is "Hello Betty", which is engineered by Golub's
cool-toned electric riffing and powered by an incendiary horn
section. Conductors will begin punching tickets for the track
at smooth jazz radio on February 5th.
Golub has a
natural flare for delivering raw and honest recordings. Grand
Central was primarily recorded with a live band in a New York
studio by musicians Golub jams and improvises with at small,
informal club gigs around the city that they do for the love
of playing when they're off the road. Golub deftly deployed a
clean blues sound to his guitar that took on more of a
lyrical, vocal-like quality on the new record. The New York
City dweller wrote or co-wrote nine new songs for the disc in
addition to selecting a few classics to record, including Sly
Stone's "If You Want Me To Stay", George Harrison's
"Something", and the soulful "Ain't No Woman", on which
saxophonist Richard Elliot shines. Other luminaries
contributing were Braun (trumpet, flugelhorn), Kirk Whalum
(sax), Philippe Saisse (piano), Stephen Ferrone (drums),
Mitchell Foreman (keyboards) and Luis Conte
(percussion).
"Part of being a New Yorker is that
you're in a state of constant communication with people.
Sometimes words are spoken. Sometimes the communication is
just a glance or an unspoken acknowledgement on a subway
train, while in line at a newsstand or as you brush past
someone in a corner grocer. I wanted this album to capture the
constant communication between musicians: the sometimes overt
dialogue as well as the subtle exchanges. I embrace living in
New York City and I think Grand Central has got a real New
York vibe to it", explained Golub.
To support the
release, Golub will again be co-headlining the perennial
fan-favorite "Guitars & Saxes" tour with concert dates
starting in the spring that will run through summer. On the
national trek, he'll be sharing the stage with Whalum, Gerald
Albright and Tim Bowman. Dates and cities will soon be
announced.
A native of Akron, Ohio, Golub initially
made his name as an in-demand sideman during long-term gigs
backing rock stars Rod Stewart and Billy Squire. He released
his solo debut in 1988, but then recorded several successful
albums in the mid-1990s under his band name, Avenue Blue,
which established him as a core artist in contemporary jazz.
Golub returned to recording under is own name in 1999 and he
has continued to consistently deliver bluesy jazz albums and
radio hits ever since.
* Back to Grand Central CD Page
| 
