The Lao Tizer Band – Songs From The Swinghouse
“Jazz Group of the Year” nominee, The Lao Tizer Band, present their long-awaited new album & film (CD & DVD combo-pack)! This epic project was recorded all “Live in the Studio” at famed Conway Studios in Hollywood, CA with an all-star cast of musicians! Produced by former “Best New Jazz Artist” nominee keyboardist, composer and bandleader, Lao Tizer, the project includes 11 breathtaking Jazz-Rock-Fusion tracks featuring 7 new original instrumentals, and for the first time, 3 vocal covers (CD only) of Led Zeppelin, U2 & Cat Stevens, all documented in simultaneous 8-camera array of HD video under the direction of acclaimed music film director, Andy LaViolette (Snarky Puppy, David Crosby). Recorded, mixed and mastered by Grammy nominated engineer, Paul Wickliffe (Kevin Eubanks, Special EFX), the recording captures the dynamic range and energy of this touring juggernaut.
The band features a cast of all-star musicians on the forthcoming album & film:
– Karen Briggs – violin (Yanni, Diana Ross)
– Eric Marienthal – sax (Grammy winner, Chick Corea, Rippingtons)
– Chieli Minucci – guitar (Grammy nominee & Emmy winner, Special EFX)
– Munyungo Jackson – percussion (Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis)
– Ric Fierabracci – bass (Grammy nominee, Bill Cobham, Blood Sweat & Tears)
– Tita Hutchison – vocals (Foreigner, Rick Rubin)
– Jeff Marshall – guitar (Bo Bice)
– Gene Coye – drums (Grammy nominee, Larry Carlton, Terrence Blanchard)
– Steve Nieves – sax (Loggins & Messina, Olivia Newton-John)
– Cheikh N’Doye – bass (Mike Stern, Baaba Maal)
– Lao Tizer – piano & keys, bandleader-composer, producer (former “Best New Jazz Artist” nominee, Down To The Bone)
This project will be released March 16, 2018.
Composer and keyboardist Michael Schmidt longs for the golden era of fusion jazz, dominated by such groups as Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return To Forever and Weather Report. Famous names like Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Joe Zawinul, Jimmy Haslip or Jeff Lorber have inspired this musician. Although he does not reach the level of popularity of these music titans, he has made a name in the field of fusion jazz through a variety of high-quality record releases.
What happens when you do a lot of things well but don’t want to focus on just one or two? One possible result is a sample of each, mixed, matched, melded and blended with various combinations of the others. In other words, Fractured Pop (2017) by the Jentsch Group Quartet.
Bass player Kenny Wright is one of the underestimated icons of the contemporary jazz genre. Performing with legends such as Stevie Wonder, The Whispers, Michael White, The Temptation’s Review, The Supremes, Bobbi Humphrey and others should be award enough.
German flutist Lenny Mac Dowell cannot be reduced to a style or genre. His musical roots go back to the time of progressive rock. In the 70’s he was playing in groups like Hölderlin and Birth Control under his real name Friedemann Leinert. His solo career started with Flute Power (1978), followed by Flexible (1979), Airplay (1980), Bird Watching (1982), Magic Flute (1983), Balance of Power and Live Tapes in 1984, Autumn Break (1986), Radioactive (1988). Later preceded by The Farthest Shore (1989), Flying Torso (1995), Launch Control (2003), Echnaton’s Return with Krell (2006), Get Ready (2009), Retrospective (2011), Meditation Following the Inspiration (2012) and this year Locomotive Breath. 
