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Stanley named The Detroit Jazz Festival’s 2019 Artist-in-Residence

DETROIT – The Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation proudly presents Stanley Clarke as its artist-in-residence for the 2019 Detroit Jazz Festival presented by Quicken Loans.

Clarke’s much anticipated return and performances will be a highlight at the festival, now celebrating its 40th year.

As the 2019 artist-in-residence, Clarke will support educational clinics for students across the region throughout the year and lead multiple performances during Labor Day Weekend. Clarke will also be featured during an April 2 preview luncheon at the Detroit Athletic Club to unveil the festival’s 2019 full lineup; and perform at a fundraiser at the Dirty Dogg Jazz Cafe that same night.

Previously, his scheduled sets during the 2014 and 2017 festivals were canceled due to inclement weather.

“Stanley Clarke is the perfect ambassador for our festivals during this banner year. His musical accomplishments, perennial career and commitment to the perseverance of jazz have unequivocally positioned him as a ‘living legend’,” said Chris Collins, president and artistic director of the Detroit Jazz Festival. “We’re fortunate to bring him back as the 2019 Artist-in-Residence for what will be an exceptional 40th year jazz celebration.”

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New Music: The Message by The Stanley Clarke Band

The Message (available June 29 via Mack Avenue Records) swells with an abundance of strength, soul and astounding musicianship. It’s a vision of fusion and funk, breakbeats and bass-interpreted cello suites with a little help from friends like rapper/beatboxer Doug E. Fresh and trumpeter Mark Isham. Backed by a young versatile band and a collection of tunes written in the midst of a tumultuous tour of Europe,

“I’m very excited about our work on this album. I wanted to include some of my band members’ contributions and the result is an album that is funky, melodic, musical, contemporary and fresh with a rich multi-genre influence,” Clarke commented. “The guys in this band are consummate young musicians with musical spirits that are very old.” The line-up he refers to is pianist Beka Gochiashivili, drummer Mike Mitchell and keyboardist Cameron Graves.

The band entered ICP Studios in Belgium and recorded an abundance of material. Clarke returned to his home in Los Angeles with the tapes and began to tinker. “Once I got the raw material, I fleshed it out. My ability is to orchestrate and arrange. I’m very good with taking anything and turning it into something.”

Much of the material from their Paris adventure is collected on this album but the affair opens with a homegrown homage to several soulful great friends that Clarke has lost in the last few years including George Duke, Al Jarreau, Tom Petty, Leon “Ndugu” Chancler and Prince. Clarke slaps out a funky riff for “And Ya Know We’re Missing You” while renowned beatboxer Doug E. Fresh lays down an intrepid beat. A rare pairing that seems instinctual upon first listen.

The Message is unmistakably a Stanley Clarke record.

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Stanley and Bunny Brunel Team Up For ‘Bass Ball’

Bass Ball  is the new album produced by Bunny Brunel and Stanley Clarke; and has been five years in the making. Bass Ball features Bunny and Stanley, as well as Billy Sheehan, Victor Wooten, Steve Bailey, Armand Sabal-Lecco (who also composed “Stand Out” on the album), and more.

The album features many great players from all over the world, particularly from Bunny’s home country of France, including trombonist Alex Perdigon, trumpeter Eric Giausserand, bass players Tony Bonfils, Dominique Bertram, Fifi Chayeb among others.

“Bass Ball” features a Who’s Who of drummers with Dennis Chambers, John Wackerman, Simon Phillips, Steve Ferrone, Johan Franzon, Ike Wiley, Clayton Cameron, and Bryan Cabrera. On Percussion are Chris Moraga and Monette Moreno. Playing keyboards on a few of the tunes is Nick Smith and Larry Dunn (Earth, Wind & Fire).

Bass players are truly the focal point of this album, on which, Stanley plays Alembic basses, piccolo bass, and acoustic bass. Bunny Brunel plays the ESP fretted bass, fretless bass, and piccolo bass.

“I like the fact that Bass Ball  gives people an opportunity to hear some of the best bass players they’ve never heard before”, Stanley said of the production.

Check out more the album here.

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New Barbarians Book/CD Released January 2017

Get the behind-the-music story of the New Barbarians, the all-star band founded by the Rolling Stones lead guitarist Ron Wood, which featured Stanley on bass.

The New Barbarians: Outlaws, Gunslingers and Guitars tells the untold story of this legendary band, which also included Stones guitarist Keith Richards, former Faces keyboardist Ian McLagan, Stones confederate and saxophonist Bobby Keys, and drummer Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste from the Meters, through never-before-seen photography and in-depth interviews. The book offers an intimate look at the brief history of the band formed in 1979, which built a cult following in record time.

Featuring photos of the band by Bruce Silberman, who accompanied the New Barbarians on their U.S. tour, the book is an essential contribution to rock and roll history. Includes a CD with 10 previously unreleased tracks from the band’s tour.

Check out a review of the book and learn more here.