In The Swing With Neddy Smith

Norwalk-based jazz bassist, composer, recording artist /producer and PoemAlley member Neddy Smith announces the release of Mood Swing, his latest CD.

As demonstrated through his prior recordings like “Give It Up” and “Liberated Woman” (1982) and the 2008 album, Turnaround, leading his own groups such as TransWave, his Jazz Duo or Trio and Neddy Smith and Friends, or producing jazz music/education festivals, Neddy is undeniably devoted to all aspects of music and the enthusiastic popularization of its varied forms.

The uplifting and subtle melodies of his latest offering, recorded at his own studio, NedGJean International Inc. in Norwalk, will be shared with viewers this Sunday when Neddy and his band perform as part of an interview on Our Lives on Optimum Cable’s News 12.

Neddy’s jazz and blues performances are derived intimately from the cultures of his native Jamaica, as well as from folk/world-music, Afro-Caribbean, Latin, Asian, European, and American classical sources. Mood Swing benefits from Neddy’s admiration for one of his favorite musicians, Thelonius Monk, specifically, “The Little House”, a simple poem he penned.

His band mates include Andrew DeNicola (flute, alto, soprano, and tenor sax), Marcel Blanchet (drum kit on “Mood Swing”), Thomas Ice (keyboard on “Pretty Little Flower” and “The Little House”), Michiro Negishi (multi-keyboard “Wildebeest”, “Mood Swing”). Guest musicians include Willy Dalton (multi-guitars on “Am in Love with You”) and Deborah Hawkins (keyboard on “Am in Love with You").

Click here for additional information and videos representative of Neddy's joyous performance style.

Air Times:

Sunday
January 26, 2014, Midnight and 4:30 PM

Monday
January 27, 2014, Midnight

Bursting Out At DoubleTree

Tomorrow’s “A Day of Contemporary Music” at the DoubleTree Hotel in Norwalk will feature Debbie Hawkins, Rachel Carruthers, Steve DeTroy and nearly 20 other jazz performers over the course of six hours of live music, beginning at noon. 

Organized by musician and enthusiastic PoemAlley member Neddy Smith, this festival is held in support of the local food bank (be sure to bring a non-perishable item along with a suggested donation of $15).

Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Neddy grew up immersed in the music of Motown, James Brown, Aretha Franklin and the Montego Bay Boys & Girls Club, among many other influences. Falling deeply in love with Funk, Jazz and Latin grooves, as well as regional Jamaican music, Neddy began working professionally in the 1970s with numerous acts prior to heading The Banana Boat Club with singing sensations Alvin J. Brown and Sweeney Williams and went on to study with acclaimed pianist and Julliard graduate, the late Cecil Lloyd, to whom Neddy credits advancing his education in Jazz--especially in regard to musical theory, arrangement and composition.

Neddy Smith jamming with friends

Subsequent tutelage under renowned guitarist Ernest Ranglin ingrained in Neddy the value of stretching bass performance to its creative limits at a young age—an infectiously creative ethos he has translated into all his later endeavors, spanning music instruction, live programming and broadcast graphics, as well as the original songs compiled in 2008's Turnaround. The pulsing reggae/rock foundation of “Walking Talking (with my friends on the street)” makes the song a particular highlight of the album. Here’s the original unreleased 1987 video version, performed by Neddy with his band Transwave...

... and below, a clip from Steve DeTroy (performing with his band), one of the 17 artists contributing their musical passion to the charity event:

Find out about Neddy’s new album in the works, Bursting Out, along with his other activities and services, at NedGJean International.

When:

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Noon-6 PM

Where:

DoubleTree Hotel

789 Connecticut Avenue

Norwalk, CT 06854

Contact:

Neddy Smith

Phone: 203-838-3959

Email: info@nedgjean.com