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BOB BALDWIN
"BRAZIL CHILL"
Featuring the Single,
"I Wanna Be Where You Are" - 3/9/04
CD Release Date:
3/16/04

 
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...Funky....Jazzy....Cool....Muito Bom....Check out the new CD "Brazil Chill", available on line here. Just click the cover below. Thank you for visiting!!







New CD - Release Date 3/16/04




Bob Baldwin
Brazil Chill
A440 Music Group
Review by Jeff Charney
ContemporaryJazz.com

Recorded in Panema and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil pianist Bob Baldwin made a record that really talks to him.   Extremely Brazilian influenced makes Brazil Chill an interesting listen as Baldwin combines his Smooth Jazz skills with his fabulous playing and new found musical frontier.  One of the big things I noticed, and it was obvious, is the use of vocals on a good many of the songs.  It is not outright singing of lyrics, but more samba oriented chants like he uses on "Manhattan Samba" and "I Wanna Be Where You Are" (the only song not penned by Baldwin).  I have always found this a great participation tool for the listener and it works here as well.   The latter tune is the first radio single and very grandiose in the dynamics of the tune.  It has a quality that you will know it is Bob Baldwin when you hear it on the air after you are familiar with it.    My favorite piece on the disc is "Beijos (The Kiss)."  It is a sweet song with the piano being very full in the notes presented to us.  The melody grabs me right away every time I hear it.   "Sho-Nuff" is a very Smooth Jazz quality song in the melody and pace.   Saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa guests to help bring the hook in and play a solo at the end.  Other Brazilian musicians that participate that are veterans to the American Smooth Jazz scene include Leo Gandelman, Marcos Ariel and Alex Malhieros and Ivan Conte both from that great Brazilian Jazz band Azimuth (for those of you who remember the 1980's).  There are some other Brazilian musicians on this disc as well.  This is a collection of music that is near and dear to Baldwin's heart so check it out.


NEW SOUND CLIPS:

Introductory Sampler with Voice Over -Download this first!!!

"I Wanna Be Where You Are" - MP3

"Cafezinho" - MP3

"Brazil Chill" - MP3

"Everybody's Beautiful" - MP3

MAC Users!
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These are MP3 files.






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Find on this page:
  • New Sound Clips!!
  • Artist Production Performance Credits
  • Radio stations playing "The Way She Looked At Me"
  • High-Res Press Picture(s)
  • A Quick Previous Tour Schedule
  • Additional Brazil Liner Notes for Press
  • Review by Grammy Award-Winning Producer James Mtume
  • "Standing Tall" (2002) and "Brazil Chill" Biographies (2004)
  • Booking and Contact information




Bob Baldwin Artist/Production/
Performance

Credits include...

Herb Alpert
Patti Austin
Will Downing

Grover Washington, Jr.
Marion Meadows
Pieces of a Dream
Phil Perry
Roy Ayers
Vesta Williams
Gerald Albright
Chuck Loeb
Howard Hewitt

Chieli Minucci
Tom Browne
Kim Waters
Tonni Smith
Andre Ward
Freddie Jackson
Ray Vega (Tito Puente)
The Four Tops
Noel Pointer
Lenny White
James "Crab" Robinson
Larry Coryell
Rohn Lawrence
Jarrard Anthony
Torcquato Mariano
Leo Gandelman
Azymuth
....and many others

Hear what our clients have to say about Bob's Jingles:

"Our Jingles sound like mini-records" (Smooth Jazz Bakersfield, Ca.)
Our Bob Baldwin jingle package is memorable to the people who count most - listeners! "
- CD101.9/New York -



 

2003 HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

 

THE 2003 YEAR WAS HIGHLIGHTED WITH NEW RECORDINGS MADE IN BRAZIL
WORKING WITH TORCQUATO MARIANO, LEO GANDELMAN, AZYMUTH AND
OTHER GREATS FROM RIO DE JANEIRO.

 

Catalina Island opening for Hiroshima, which helped us get booked at..

 

The Newport Beach Jazz Festival
(Baldwin, Najee, Will Downing, Patti Austin) and…

 

The City of Lights Jazz Festival with Kim Waters,
Peter White, Richard Elliot, Chuck Loeb, Freddie Ravel
and others.

 

The DC-Based American Jazz Festival with
the
Crusaders/Randy Crawford/Joe Sample, Michael Lington,
Norman Brown, Mindi Abair.

 

The Trenton Jazz Festival, once with Will Downing, and then
Bob Baldwin/Phil Perry, Angie Bofill
and Grammy Award
NY-Flautist Dave Valentin.

 

The Riviera Beach Jazz Festival (Fl.) with Marion Meadows
and the legendary O’Jays.

 

The Jacksonville Jazz Festival (Fl.) with Joshua Redman,
Pieces of A Dream and others.

 

The St. Louis Jazz Explosion (Bob Baldwin and Friends Featuring
Chieli Minucci and Marion Meadows).

 

PRESS PICTURES!!!
www.bobbaldwin.com/A440/Bob02.tif
Chillin' like a Brazilian...


www.citysketches.com/images/Bob35.tif



www.citysketches.com/images/Bob57.tif
Chillin' outdoors...

If this picture does not suit your needs,
please call us immediately at 914-548-9829, or email us !!

Live in Brazil....

At the Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Jazz Festival
New CD recorded in Brazil, to be released in
Feb., 2004

"Killing Me Softly With His Song"

"That's what l said when I heard the tape that Bob Baldwin submitted to the Sony Innovators Program. He's a Keyboardist, arranger, producer, programmer and songwriter all wrapped up in one, which is why I chose him as this year's Sony Innovator in Music. Bob Baldwin is an inspired musician who fuses jazz, R&B and pop in a truly original way. With the Sony Innovators Program behind him, a lot of other people will have the chance to fall in love with his music, too."
Roberta Flack (1989)

"The Way She
Looked At Me"
Received Airplay from the following Stations
(In non-specific order):

WEIB/Springfield
WNUA/Chicago

WJZW/Washington, DC

WJZA/Columbus, Oh.
KSMJ/Bakersfield
Early add from
KTWV/Los Angeles
WJZN/Memphis
KKSF/San Francisco
KEZL/Fresno

WJZW/Washington, DC
WTMD/Towson, MD
KUAI/Kauai, HI
WBZC/Burlington, NJ
KCIY/Kansas City
KOAI/Dallas
WJAB/Huntsville, Al
WEIB/Springfield, MA 
WZMR/Albany
KSBR/Mission Viejo     
JRN/National (in 28 markets)
WQCD/New York
#1 Most Added at Smoothjazz.com chart
Additional airplay:
KKMJ/Austin, TX
KPRS/Kansas City

WFLT/Melvourne, FL (Orlando)
WJAB/Huntsville, AL
WJZX/Charleston, SC
KSSJ/San Jose

KQXT/San Antonio
WEAA/Baltimore
WVSU/Birmingham
WTPI/Indianapolis
WLNZ/Lansing, Mi.
KWJZ/Seattle, Wa.
KTEE/Monterey
KWYK/Farmington, NM
Smoothjazz.com/internet
WVSU/Birmingham

KJZI/Minneapolis
OtherStations:
KBZN
KCOZ
KEZL
KJZY
KMGQ
KRVR
KSSJ
KWJZ
WFIT
WYJZ

 


For Hi-Res Picture, click the link below
www.citysketches.com/images/Bob94.tif

Me and a fellow Brazilian, Gonzalo/Buzios


NEW SOUND CLIPS:



Introductory Sampler with


Voice Over - Download this first!!!



"I Wanna Be Where You Are" - MP3


"Cafezinho" - MP3


"Brazil Chill" - MP3


"Everybody's Beautiful" - MP3


MAC Users!
You may need to save on your hard drive, or open this file with Windows Media Player.
These are MP3 files.



Windows Media Compatible...

You can download Windows Media


here.  







SOUND CLIPS

1

Introductory Sampler with Voice Over Not on CD

2
"Street Sounds"
3

"Cafezinho"

4
"Manhattan Samba" 5

"I Wanna Be Where You Are"

6

"Everybody's Beautiful (In Brazil)"


7
"Late Night Samba" (Interlude) 8
"Last Call"


9

"Brazil Chill"


10
"Sho-Nuff" 11
"Beijos (The Kiss)" 12
"Carnival"
(Interlude)


13
"I Wanna Be Where You Are" (Brazilian Interlude)










PRODUCED BY BOB BALDWIN

"LAST CALL" PRODUCED BY BOB BALDWIN AND DENNIS JOHNSON

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:  KENT ANDERSON AND CARL GRIFFIN




1) Street Sounds (Intro)
Tony Clarke - Street Sounds of Ipanema
Dennis Johson - Voices in the Street
Bob Baldwin - Voices in the Street
Arranged by Bob Baldwin

2) Cafezinho (Bob Baldwin)
Funky Onion Music (SESAC), a division of City Sketches, Inc.
Leo Gandelman - Tenor Sax Solo
Torcquato Mariano - Funky Brazilian Guitar
Marcos Ariel - (Choro) Flute
Bob Baldwin - Piano/Keyboards/Vocals

3) Manhattan Samba (Bob Baldwin)
Funky Onion Music (SESAC), a division of City Sketches, Inc.
Café - Congas/Bongos/Voice
Bob Baldwin - Piano/Bass/Percussion/Samba Vocals

4) I Wanna Be Where You Are (Leon Ware/Arthur Ross)
Jobete Music Co. Inc., c/o EMI Music Publishing) (ASCAP)
Armando Marcal - Percussion/Vocals
Dennis Johnson - Drums
Bob Baldwin - Piano/Keyboards/Bass/Percussion

5) Everybody’s Beautiful (In Brazil) - (Bob Baldwin)
Funky Onion Music (SESAC), a division of City Sketches, Inc.
Marcos Ariel - Funky Brazil Flute (Solo)
Ivan Conte - Drums
Zoiea - Vocals
Alex Malhieros - Bass
Bob Baldwin - Piano/Keyboards/Strings/Bass

“Everybody’s Beautiful, In Rio, San Paulo, in Ipanema and Bahia,
Beautiful – Brazil!!”

6) Late Night Samba (Interlude (Bob Baldwin)
Funky Onion Music (SESAC), a division of City Sketches, Inc.
Café -  Street Samba Percussion
Bob Baldwin - Bass/Rhodes

7) Last Call (Bob Baldwin/Dennis Johnson/Zoiea Ohizep)
Funky Onion Music (SESAC), a division of City Sketches, Inc.
Dee-Up Music (ASCAP), Ohizep Music (ASCAP)
Zoiea Ohizep - Vocals
Dennis Johnson - Drums
Bob Baldwin - Keyboards/Bass
Produced by Bob Baldwin and Dennis Johnson for City Sketches, Inc.

8) Brazil Chill (Bob Baldwin)
Funky Onion Music (SESAC), a division of City Sketches, Inc.
Baldwin - Keyboards, Bass, Strings, Vocals
Ivan Conte - Drums
Phil Hamilton - Guitars
Ragan Whiteside - Flute

"Life - Cherish your life, Everyday - Life"

9) Sho-Nuff (Bob Baldwin)
Funky Onion Music (SESAC), a division of City Sketches, Inc.
Café - Percussion
Phil Hamilton - Guitar
Ron Jenkins - Bass
Jeff Kashiwa - Saxophone
Bob Baldwin - Piano/Keyboards/Strings

10) Beijos (The Kiss) (Bob Baldwin)
Funky Onion Music (SESAC), a division of City Sketches, Inc.
Juliano Zanoni - Drums
Café - Percussion
Bob Baldwin - Piano/Strings/Bass
Delia Fischer - Melodica (Solo)

11)  Carnival – Interlude (Bob Baldwin)
Funky Onion Music (SESAC), a division of City Sketches, Inc.
Juliano Zanoni - Drums/Percussion
Café - Street Samba Percussion (Timba, etc.)
Bob Baldwin - Yamaha Electric     Piano/Rhodes/Bass/Keyboards/Vocals

12) I Wanna Be Where You Are - Reprise  (Leon Ware/Arthur Ross)  
Jobete Music Co. Inc., c/o EMI Music Publishing) (ASCAP)
Armando Marcal - Percussion/Vocals
Bob Baldwin - Piano/Keyboards/Bass/Percussion/Portuguese

English - "I Desire to Be Where You Are, my Love.
I'm missing you very badly and hope to see you soon. Bye-bye".


Portuguese - ”Eu quero estar aonde você está, meu amor.
Eu estou sentindo muitas saudades de você e quero te encontrar logo. Bye-bye"









OTHER BOB BALDWIN TOUR DATE
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:



2003 and 2004

·         Bob Baldwin live at Blues Alley - Washington, D.C.

·         Bob Baldwin Featuring Buddy Williams - Blue Note -Las Vegas, Nv.

·         Bob Baldwin/Marcos Ariel Brazilian Jazz Concert - Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

·         Bob Baldwin at the Buzios (Brazil) Jazz Festival

·         Bob Baldwin, Phil Perry, Marion Meadows - Las Vegas City of Lights Jazz Festival

·         Bob Baldwin, Marion Meadows, Chieli Minucci - St. Louis, Mo.

·         APPEARANCES AT THE JACKSONVILLE FL. JAZZ FEST AND RIVIERA BEACH
BLUES AND JAZZ FESTIVALS


2002

  • Bob Baldwin and Friends Featuring Marion Meadows  -  Fridays At Berks Jazz Festival – Reading, Pa. - 1,000 attendance
  • Bob Baldwin and Friends Featuring Chuck Loeb – Variety Playhouse – Atlanta, Ga. 1,000 attendance
  • Bob Baldwin and Friends Featuring Walter Beasley –  at the Gordon  Center,  Owings Mills, Md. Sold out!!
  • Bob Baldwin and Friends at the Riviera Beach Jazz Festival –  Over 16,000 in attendance
  • Bob Baldwin, Marcus Johnson and Marion Meadows at Blues Alley – 3 nights – Sold out!!
  • Bob Baldwin and Friends Featuring Marion Meadows and Tom Browne - Atlanta – Variety Playhouse  (SOLD OUT – 2 encores!!)
  • Bob Baldwin and Friends Featuring Marion Meadows – Fridays At Sunset – Richmond  - 8,000 attendance
  • Bob Baldwin and Friends Featuring Marion Meadows and Tom Browne - WJCD Jazz Fest Headliner – Norfolk  - 10,000 attendance
  • Bob Baldwin and Friends Featuring Marion Meadows – At the Gordon Center, Owings Mills, Md. Sold out!!
  • Bob Baldwin and Friends Featuring Marion Meadows and Tom Browne - Atlanta – Variety Playhouse (SOLD OUT – 2 encores!!)

 
2001

  • Special appearance at I Love NY Concert at Beacon (CD101.9 Fundraiser for Firefighters and victims – sold out!!)
  • Special 4th of July Concert at the World Trade Center over 4,000 in attendance

 
2000

  • Bob Baldwin at the Peekskill Paramount – Sold Out (Fundraiser)
  • Bob Baldwin and Marion Meadows – Standard Bank Jazz Festival (Sold Out)

 

1996   

  • Olympic (Atlanta) Performance – Sold Out


1995 
  

  • Bob Baldwin and Marion Meadows – Asbury Music Festival – 20,000 in attendance.

 



ADDITIONAL LINER NOTES TO THE CD ENTITLED, "BRAZIL CHILL"
WHICH WAS RECORDED IN BRAZIL....


This CD is actually my 10th recorded and 8th released here in the USA - More on that later - I have been blessed with many miles of paths crossed, between writing, arranging and live shows.  I am honored to release this CD on a very fine label in a440.  Some of this music was recorded in beautiful Rio De Janeiro, the home of the sexiest music in all the world. 10 years ago, I was determined to get some of that slick flavor.  That meant getting on a plane, ya-dig??

You don't get authentic Chinese food unless it's primarily served by an authentic Chinese cat, Amen?  You don't learn how to cook authentic Italian food in Little Italy (NYC) when Florence is right across the pond, right?  Well, I had to go to the motherland of this music, Brazil, where the mixture of Africa, Latin and European come together in a beautiful and sexy kind of way.

Brazil drew me in from many sources; Antonio Carlos Jobim, Astrud Gilberto for starters as a young tot.  Maurice White and Ramsey Lewis caught the bug and recorded accordingly in the mid-70's, especially with the classic "Sun Goddess" with the slick ba-de-bop non lyrical chant.  Pat MethAny sojourned down there and created "Still Life Talking". George Duke created "A Brazilian Love Affair" on Brazilian soil. Airto Moriera and Flora Purim made a brief appearance.....Paulinho De Costa sprinkled some Brazilian flavor on Michael Jackson's "Thriller", courtesy of Quincy Jones. Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd both had a deep musical history with Brazilian Sambas and Bossa Novas.....and Quincy gave Ivan Lins great visibility with the Patti Austin classic "The Island" and later with the beautifully textured "The Wedding Dance". 

Because of these influences, my records have been calling Brazil because of it; Compositionally speaking, 1992's "Billy's Smile", 1997's "Bahia Maria", 2000's "Those Eyes" have been all calling the wilds of Brazil. Then my visit there for the first time to Brazil, courtesy of my dear friend Frazier West in 2001 helped to give birth to 2002's "See You in Miami", where I teamed up with my new friend, Cafe Da Silva on Percussion. The exchange became real. Some of my songs on this CD have been created earlier, but were not fit for a CD home, like "Joy", which was actually written over 10 years ago before I moved to Atlanta, and "I Wanna Be Where You Are", the great Jackson's classic, which was arranged several months earlier.  This was the CD that called those songs and arrangements this year. With over 50 songs written a year and only 12 slots a year, there's always something that will take years for release.

In the last several years, however, there have been some American Smooth Jazz Artists which have suggested Brazilian influences and themes, but none recently have actually gotten on the plane and actually spent significant American dollars, jumped on a plane and actually experienced the lifestyles, music, food and culture and applied it to recent recordings. That's where this recording separates itself from most recent recordings. Contrary to what you hear on American TV, Brazil isn't all about big-bottoms, Carnaval, party atmosphere and scant thongs. There was an exodus in place from Western Europe, Russia, Italy, Portugal, and even parts of Africa where it is believed South America was connected to a Bazillion years ago.  The fact is, Brazil is a country that should be visited at least once in your life because there IS something for everyone. The quickest way to describe the people of Brazil is happy, humble and simplistic.  Try casting your troubles to the waters of Rio De Janeiro, where the sights alone will add 10 years to your life.

My short visit began (in between witnessing another curse of the Bambino) with a beautiful Percussionist by the name of Armando Marcal, who played on Pat Metheny's 1990 "Still Life Talking" CD. I can see why they worked together for 10+ years. Listen to his melodic and beautiful Brazilian rhythms. I then later teamed up with two of the cats from the legendary Brazilian-Funk group Azimuth (Ivan Conte-Drums and Alex Malheiros-Bass) for two songs. My temporary stay in Rio caught the attention of Guitarist Torcquato Mariano who stopped by to add his beautiful Guitar tones.  Leo Gandelman was an easy find; we've been talking for years and were co-bills at the 1st Annual Brazilian-American Jazz Fest in 2003. Then there were some new friends I met along the way; Daniel Musy, who did a great job engineering the Brazilian side of the CD and Andrea Vasconcellos, who was the Bassist for Djavan for over 4 years (By the way, he's 22!!). When he told me his favorite bass players where almost all twice his age (Anthony Jackson, James Haslip (YellowJackets), James Jamerson and his favorite, Marcus Miller), it was quite impressive.

I realized that his own American calling along with his knowledge of Brazilian street rhythms and Brazilian roots brought a beautiful thing to the CD.  It got to the point where at times, I because less interested in playing piano and more interesting in arranging and adding these great musicians to the project.
Of course in my travels and as always with me, everything was going so smooth. I was gettin' my Brazil-flava on until one day, my groove came across "Can You Feel It", with my good friend Tonni Smith. Jeeezus! A greasy-stank-funky good time was had by all.  It was a no-brainer....She sang the original "Funkin' For Jamaica". Whether radio plays this song or not, it is a hit!!!!! Put this one on in your car and crank up the bass. Heck, once funky, ALWAYS funky!

All in all, I hope you feel the spirit of Brazil with a twist of the NY-influenced Baldwin funk. The Brazilians already called the music "De Janeiro Funk" with times of Neo-Jazz thrown in there. The last four CD's have had the Engineering touch of Dennis Johnson, who when I met, was a Hip-Hop engineer, however, over the years is evolving into an Engineer of the masses. He brings consistency to these last few projects. Hopefully, at some point, I will be able to release my music through a DVD recording, my next endeavor. I hope you enjoy the energy, love and spirit this CD brings to your heart and soul. 

Bob Baldwin




"BRAZIL CHILL"
Bio and Fact Sheet

BOB BALDWIN BIOGRAPHY
1/11/04 - New York, NY – Contemporary jazz keyboardist, composer, and producer Bob Baldwin is maintaining his status in the industry as a person to watch for the last 15 years. With the new release of Baldwin’s 8th CD titled,  “Brazil Chill,” Baldwin will continue to garner additional international media attention and rave reviews for his innovative integration of styles and sounds.

This is Baldwin’s debut on the Chicago-based A440 Music Group Label since the release of his album “Standing Tall” hit the airwaves 18 months ago, hovering at the top of the charts.

Since Roberta Flack selected Baldwin as the 1989 Sony Innovator in Music, this New York native is continuing to be a dynamic artist known for pushing the envelope. After meeting legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock at Sony’s prestigious competition in Beverly Hills, Ca., Baldwin says that opportunity inspired him to reach and create outside the box, blending Contemporary Jazz with R&B grooves and funk. The coveted award, coupled
with the national exposure, led to Baldwin’s two-album deal with Atlantic Records under the direction of President Sylvia Rhone, and released his debut solo projects “Rejoice" and "Reflections of Love.”

Over the years, Baldwin has shared his inventive arranging, and prolific writing with an impressive roster of jazz artists who've appeared on his CD's, including the late legendary Grover Washington, Tom Browne, Pieces of A Dream, Roy Ayers, Marion Meadows, Chuck Loeb, Will Downing, Chieli Minucci, and Kim Waters, to name a few.

After teaming up with such a powerhouse lineup of Artists, Baldwin now reaches South of Mexico to work with the likes of Guitarist Torcquato Mariano, Saxophonist Leo Gandelman, Percussionists Café Da Silva, long-time Pat Metheny sideman Armando Marcal as well as Ivan Conte and Alex Malheiros, of the legendary Brazilian Funk group Azimuth to his latest masterpiece.

Recorded in beautiful Rio de Janeiro and New York City, which has a heavy Brazilian population, Baldwin initiated the recording by traveling to sunny Brazil, where he worked with some of the hottest musicians on the scene during his sojourn to capture that authentic Brazilian flavor. “I’ve had a long desire of exploring Brazilian music beginning with the late Carlos Antonio Jobim back in the 70s, when my dad would play his music on gigs,” says Baldwin, whose father, Robert Baldwin, a jazz pianist taught him to play the piano at age 4. “Living in the NY/Tri-state area, I’ve always had Latin flavor in my music, always loved percussion which has taken me to Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and now Brazil. Brazil has a softer, more harmonic approach, of which is very naturally compatible with my musical palate.”

While other contemporary jazz artists have created music influenced by Brazil’s pulsating and intoxicating sounds over the last five years here in the United States, Baldwin is one of the few Artists to actually invest in recording in the International epicenter of culture, music and travel. Of his latest endeavor, Baldwin defines his usical direction as a melting pot. “It’s Brazilian rhythms consisting of Bossa-Nova, Samba, the Partido Alto and Contemporary Jazz all rolled into one, each song carrying a different feel with a twist of Rio de Janeiro funk.”

On his new album, Baldwin also returns to his '70's-tinged Neo-Jazz roots and creates an emotive 55 minutes of alluring originals and even an upbeat remake of the Jackson classic, “I Want to Be Where You Are.”  This time around, Baldwin’s adds vocalese to his many credits as he delivers a Bobby McFerrin-ish scat-solo on “Oasis of Love” as well as background appearances on several numbers. His background vocal sound is reminiscent of his signature CD101.9 (New York City's) radio jingle promo and is further explored on "Last Call", the title track, with a more softer side on
"New York Samba".

Known for uniquely bringing together the best performers in contemporary jazz and R&B, Baldwin’s latest collaboration also marks a reunion with some old friends like New York vocalist Zoiea, who collaborated with him on "Too Late" on the "Standing Tall" CD as well as the latest Freddie Jackson recent single "Natural Thing", is featured as the lead vocalist on "Last Call".  There's also contemporary Saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa, who adds some sweet and succulent sounds to Baldwin’s composition, “Sho Nuff.”

Often described as a chameleon, who was destined to play jazz, the Jr. Baldwin, who was born in Mount Vernon, NY and reared in Westchester County, NY, credits his father, Bob Baldwin, Sr. for recognizing and nurturing his gifts at an early age. At age four, the elder Baldwin discovered his son's perfect pitch. Prior to his father's illness, Baldwin, Sr. was a former engineer and accomplished jazz pianist, the latter allowed him to work with Coltrane Bassist Art Davis, long-time Ella Fitzgerald Bassist Keter Betts, legendary Drummer Max Roach and others.

Throughout his youth, Baldwin continued with private lessons and studied classical and jazz repertoires, but his older sister's record collection and intriguing harmonies were no doubt honed due to a wide range of inspiration that included Oscar Peterson, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Earth, Wind and Fire, Chicago, Tramaine Hawkins, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Miles Davis.

Baldwin earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA, while later working at MCI and Sprint Communications until 1998. After launching his music career fulltime, Baldwin didn’t let his business acumen go to waste. He further developed City Sketches, Inc. (Inc. 1996) and independently produced his seventh CD (distributed through Virgin/EMI Network) Bobbaldwin.com, which sold his highest sales to date, an impressive 60,000+ units.

Baldwin also exercises his entrepreneurial prowess as he owns publishing company Funky Onion Publishing, Inc. Some of the company’s writing, production and performing credits include George Benson, Grover Washington, Jr., Will Downing, Marion Meadows, Deniece Williams, Tom Browne, Norman Conners, Freddie Jackson, and Pieces of a Dream. He also owns production companies  Chameleon Productions, and City Sketches, Inc., which showcases his production portfolio as well as his own body of work. He hopes to push the envelope even further in 2004, putting together a unique line-up on his solo live DVD presentation.

Written by Caryl Lucas, CEO/President of LRenoir Productions, spent 16 years at New Jersey's largest Newspaper in New Jersey, the Star-Ledger.


Grammy Award winning music Producer/Artist and multi-talented musician/keyboardist/percussionist.
 
Mtume, the son of jazz saxophonist Jimmy Heath, has colloborated with such luminaries as Miles Davis, Roy Ayers, Gato Barbieri, the Heath Brothers, Roberta Flack, Freddie Hubbard, and Sonny Rollins.
 
He also has produced for the late Phyllis Hyman, Stephanie Mills, Mary J, Blige, and worked with Airto Moreira, Lonnie Liston Smith, Azar Lawrence and Abbey Lincoln.
 
This Philadephia native now resides in South Orange, NJ with his family.

 
Percussionist/Producer

JAMES MTUME ON “BRAZIL CHILL”


“In that I have traveled extensively as a musician with such artists as Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, Roberta Flack, Gato Barbieri, I feel comfortable articulating the nuances of both Contemporary and Traditional Jazz.

“What I found most interesting about Bob Baldwin’s "Brazil Chill" CD is the stunning connection that he has made between the context of what we created here in America to the music and essence of Brazilian influences,” said the two-time Grammy Award winning music producer and artist.

“The other thing that impresses me with the music on ‘Brazil Chill’ is the conceptual clarity with which Bob has merged the traditional elements of jazz within the tapestry of what would be considered contemporary popular music. I have long sense been a great believer that jazz can be merged within the context of a framework that is both accessible and inspiring to the musical ear of its listeners. When listening to this innovative mix of on this CD, I on many occasions began to smile because it reminded me of the many occasions during my conversations with my mentor, Miles Davis, in which he would constantly point out that jazz must return to the audience it has left. There are many people (mostly critics) who cringe at such a statement because they have chosen to isolate themselves from the taste of the people and dwell in a world of isolation and disconnect. I remember when the arguments of acoustic music versus electronic music were first raised in the 60's and '70's assuming that acoustic was pure and electronic was not. That argument falls flat for two reasons.

Music has always merged with technology. I’m sure that when the first piano was created with the tempered scale (A-440), there were some harpsichord players who denounced the creation. I guess they felt the piano wasn’t keeping it real. (Smile).

Secondly, I have always been amused by the fact that everything else in art and life is allowed to embrace technology, but when it comes to critics of jazz that acknowledgement somehow is condemned. For example, the same critics who condemn electronic music in jazz write most of their articles using the computer. It seems to me if they were to be consistent with the rejection of technology, they only write with pencil and paper, not use electric lights or fly in airplanes or drive cars since all of these are technological advances. It is a false argument to assume that jazz should not embrace the advances of new sounds like Bob Baldwin does on ‘Brazil Chill’.

What pleases me most while listening to this CD is the brilliant merger of art, and technology without ever sacrificing the integrity of the art form of jazz. I know somewhere Miles Davis is smiling.

Hopefully this music can be a barometer and a guideline for young musicians to be comfortable infusing the real of jazz and popular music. Being both a keyboardist like Bob and a percussionist allows me to hear this music in both worlds. The stunning use of the rhythms that surround and envelope the songs (Partido Alto, Bossa Nova and the upbeat Samba) is probably at least for me the most obvious contribution of thought in this CD.  Sometimes we as musicians assume that we are so hip and the world must catch up with us. The music on Bob’s latest project makes it very clear that we as jazz musicians must catch up with the world. We cannot be satisfied with being the thermometers of culture for thermometers only tell us what the temperature is. We must pursue the higher goal of being a thermostat of culture because thermostats determine the level of heat.

What Bob Baldwin is doing here on his 8th CD provides a backdrop and goes against the grain. You cannot have new music without access to new sounds; there cannot be new music without access. His music falls within the context of an artist who understands there can be no creation of new music without access to new sounds. In the absence of new sounds and color, we limit ourselves to the technical exhaustion of repetition.

 
BOB BALDWIN
CONTEMPORARY JAZZ ARTIST
KEYBOARDIST, COMPOSER, ARRANGER

FACT SHEET


1985 - Baldwin's first recorded sideman sessions were with Melba Moore, Freddie Jackson and Vaneese Thomas in New York City.

1986 - Baldwin formed The Bob Baldwin/Al Orlo Project. The Baldwin/Orlo Project which showcased original materials and a hot NY-Based rhythm section, performed at the legendary Bottom Line in New York City, leading to the keyboardist's first production which trumpeter Tom Browne ("Funkin' for Jamaica").  Some of the band's sidemen went on to work with the likes of SpyroGyra, Chick Corea, Average White Band and others.  He also teams up with violinist Michael Urbaniak in NY on a project for guitarist George Benson on his “Twice The Love” CD.

1988 - Through Browne, Baldwin meets Producer Danny Weiss and debuts his Production and Arranging talents for Browne's "No Long I" album. This led to his Production deal with Malaco records, resulting in the release of his first production effort, "I've Got a Long Way To Go," which featured Saxophonists Nelson Rangell and Fred Vigdor (Average White Band).

1989 - Won the Sony Innovators Award, selected by Roberta Flack. This award receives great media attention, and that led to the signing at Atlantic Jazz Records under then-President Sylvia Rhone, with Weiss co-producing the project. Baldwin also worked on Deniece Williams’ Gospel CD with a song titled, “Somebody Loves You”

1990 - Baldwin released his debuting solo CD, "Rejoice" on Atlantic Jazz Records, which featured Lenny White, Tom Browne, Sharon Bryant and others.

1991 - Baldwin met Baritonist Will Downing at a benefit for Yogi Horton in NYC and co-penned "She" on his "A Dream Fulfilled" CD.

1992 - Baldwin exchanged talents with the late legendary saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr. on his first Self-Produced CD, "Reflections of Love," which also featured Downing, Meadows, and Atlantic Starr Vocalist Porter Carroll. Later in the year, he teamed up with Washington, producing a song on his album, "Next Exit," which featured Levi Stubbs and The Four Tops. "Reflections..." peaked at #5 Billboard Contemporary Jazz, while "Next Exit" peaked at #5. Baldwin also worked on Marion Meadows' "Keep It Right There"  CD and teamed up with Meadows and Downing on Meadows "Keep It Right There" and produced "Come Back To Me", which also peaked #7
 
1993 - Baldwin enjoyed a brief collaborative stint with Pieces of A Dream and had the chance to team up with James Lloyd on Keyboards. He also produced two songs on the "In Flight" CD on Blue Note Records, which went Billboard Jazz Top 20. Working with Lloyd was a personal thrill. Baldwin also recorded a CD entitled, "State of Mind", which was never released. To this day, it has yet to be released.
 
1994 - Baldwin spreads his musical wings and moves from NY - Atlanta, where he begins a new recording and goes on the road with Marion Meadows for a period extending 4 years.
 
1995 - Baldwin produced Meadows, "Body Rhythm" CD, which went Top 20 on the Billboard Jazz and top 20 Radio Charts.  Baldwin and Meadows also Headlined the Asbury Jazz Festival in front of 15,000+ fans.  Baldwin also carves out some work time to team up with the young singer trio Blacque in Atlanta, Ga.

1996 - Baldwin produced and released his first independent CD, "City Sketches I/Welcome To The Games," featuring Rohn Lawrence and Meadows. "..Skethes"  was a Musical tribute to Atlanta, Ga. Over 10,000 units were sold on the Internet and Live Venue Sales. He also incorporated City Sketches, Inc., based out of Atlanta, Ga., and also launched his website "CitySketches.com" and became one of the first Jazz Artists to sell CD's online. The music to "City Sketches.." was later used during the 1996 Olympics, also held in Atlanta, Ga.

1997 - Baldwin signs to Shanachie Records, under Danny Weiss, produced and released his CD, "Cool Breeze", on Shanachie Records. His hit, "Summer Breeze," peaked Top 20 on the smooth jazz radio charts. Featured Meadows and guitarist Larry Coryell.

1998 - Baldwin teams up with Downing on the road and do a series of concerts together, which include the Newport Jazz Festival and the Benson and the 10-city Hedges Music Festival.

2000 - Baldwin acquired investment funding, signs a Distribution Deal with EMI and completes his second independent CD, "Bobbaldwin.com," on City Sketches, Inc. The CD peaked at Number 13 on Billboard Jazz. The innovator's remake of Tom Browne's "Funkin' for Jamaica" won rave reviews, while his album distributed through the Virgin/EMI network sold units.  He also launched BobBaldwin.com online and tripled his hit count in less than 6 months, tying in the title with his site. He's supported by Vaneese Thomas, Eric Essix, Gerald Albright, Dean James, along with long-time supporters Browne, Meadows, and Downing.

2001 - Baldwin signs a one-year deal with Narada Music and commences recording. He begins to develop his Bob Baldwin and Friends Package, which featured Tom Browne, Marion Meadows,
Chuck Loeb.
 
2002 - Shortly after the World Trade Center tragedy, Baldwin penned and released, "God Bless America", which was played in NYC. This led to the "The American Spirit" CD in May as a tribute to those victims, killed in the twin towers lost in the World Trade Center tragedy. Baldwin shared his empathy and performed "GBA" on several Fox TV stations and made a brief appearance on BET. Baldwin also released his CD, "Standing Tall" in September which jumped out of the box as Number One during its first week on the radio airplay charts.  Both CD's featured Chuck Loeb, Ray Vega, Dean James, Kim Waters, Marion Meadows, Phil Perry and Chieli Minucci.  He also worked with percussionist Cafe Da Silva from Brazil, where his musical interests in Brazilian Jazz began to peak. He plays at the Catalina Jazz Festival and Headlines the Riviera Beach Jazz and Blues Festival.

2003 - Baldwin teams up with R&B crooner Freddie Jackson and produces his new single, "Natural Thing," in anticipation of a Spring 2004 release. He also signs to A440 Music and travels to Rio De Janeiro and Ipanema in Brazil to commences his upcoming recording and gains a better understanding of Bossa Nova, Samba, Partido Alto and Choro styles.  "The Way She Looked At Me" was the 9th most played song in the Contemporary Jazz Format for the entire year. He features Jeff Kashiwa, Doc Powell, Phil Perry and Chieli Minucci on the BB and Friends Tour Package.

2004 - Baldwin makes his debut on the A440 Music Group Label and releases new and 8th CD, "Saturday Night in Rio,"  where he fuses Brazil with Contemporary Jazz. Features Cafe, Torcquato Mariano, Azimuth and Leo Gandleman. He also teams up with Saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa, who also makes an appearance on the new CD.  The overflow of music creates 2 CD's, one which is to be released March, 2004 with the follow-up on June, 2004.
 
What's ahead?  Baldwin is working on a DVD recording, a Urban-Funk-Jazz Project and a Christmas Record as well as securing a home for some of his earlier work.

Written by Caryl Lucas (Renoir Productions, Inc.)





Narada Jazz Debut, Standing Tall is Funky, Smooth Jazz

SEPTEMBER 20, 2002/NEW YORK - Keyboardist Bob Baldwin goes beyond his signature urban funk jazz style and steps into what he calls neo-jazz on his Narada Jazz debut STANDING TALL, (CD: 72438-12575-2-4), which hit the record stores across America on September 17, 2002.  The result is a vibrant, meaningful 11-compilation CD filled not only with great grooves, but also uplifting, memorable works of art.

STANDING TALL jumped out of the airplay box with a strong first week, signing in as the #1 most added on the Smoothjazz.com  chart and #2 most added at Urban AC.   “She's Single, Ready to Mingle”,  tied as the 4th most added tune at Smooth Jazz. About his latest venture and, from the numbers, hot neo-jazz style, Baldwin says, "I like to keep my finger on the pulse of new trends, like neo-soul. 

"Jill S