All Stations-Challenge Records Int.

Artist: James Scholfield, Billy Hart

James Scholfield born in Manchester, England and moved to South Africa in his childhood. After playing in all kind of different bands he was bitten by the Jazz-bug. That made him decide to study at the excellent Jazz school in Graz, Austria for several years, but South Africa eventually pulled him back. In Cape Town he met Dutch producer/bassplayer Hein Van de Geyn, who was visiting South Africa at that time. Hein immediately was impressed, not only by his excellent playing, but also by his prolific compositions. As you will hear yourself James’ music has a very personal signature, deeply rooted in the tradition, hints of the Cape, on the edge and above all original. Not too long after hearing James’ demo Hein bumped into Dutch hammond player Arno Krijger and he immediately realised that he should get these two wonderful musicians together at some point. The only thing they missed (according to Hein) was a great drummer. In his mind it couldn’t be anybody else than the amazing, exciting Billy Hart. And if it had to be, Billy was up to it and even better, going to be on tour. So now they had a tour and the possibility to record. The result of their wonderful week, of great music and good food can be heard on this CD. It’s strong, potent, gentle, sensitive, grooving, original, accesible and creative. And on top of all that recorded in the SACD format, which gives this music even more intensivety then a normal recording would do. So listen and enjoy!

Hein Van De Geyn

Challenge Records Int. – All Stations.

Die Spur Des Bären-ARD

Thomas Roth’s two part WDR Documentary ”Die Spur des Bären”.  Music by me…

Cape Town International Jazz Festival-25 March

February 23 2011 at 10:17am

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THE LATEST artist announcement of performers destined for Cape Town International Jazz Festival stages on March 25 and 26 at the CTICC should offer a little something for most punters.

In addition to ensuring the choice of listening to 40 bands on five stages, the festival’s organisers have put together four concept bands specifically assembled for the event.

A Tribute to Oscar Peterson will feature pianist Jack van Poll, globetrotting guitarist James Scholfield and Dutch bassist Hein van Geyn.

Opting for a piano-guitar-bass format that resembles the definitive Oscar Peterson-Ray Brown-Herb Ellis trio, the three will dig deep into the late Canadian pianist’s swinging repertoire. MORE………

Way Out South, Natascha Roth

Produced, engineered, arranged, composed, played -  James

“Way Out South” – A journey into a world of sounds and space and hypnotic rhythms. The South is a spiritual place within as well as a physical reality without. A world of extremes where light and dark meet, where music heals and reconnects the spirit.

South African duo Natascha Roth and James Scholfield were lucky enough to borrow some particularly tasty gear for the making of this album, and they’ve made full use of it. Their sound layers arpeggiated guitars from Schofield with Emmylou Harris-style warbling from Roth, and since the overall feel is very gentle and downbeat, there is precious little room for bad sounds to hide. Happily, then, the playing, singing and recording are all excellent

“Sound On Sound”

Rendezvous de la Musique

Rendezvous de la Musique, Morocco.

Morocco, 30th March-6th April

Ziel und Zweck ist die Kommunikation und der Austausch aller Kulturen auf musikalischer/tänzerischer und künstlerischer Ebene. Die Kommunikations- Plattform ist das „Rendezvous de la Musique“. Sie beinhaltet zwei Abende Kultur.

Der erste Abend ist ein privates Fest im Riad der Kasbah mit geladenen Gästen. Hier geht es um das sich Kennenlernen des anderen, sagen wir ein erstes Beschnuppern, Austausch durch Gespräche usw.
Der zweite Abend ist in der Stadt Asslim auf dem Platz vor der Moschee. Er ist für alle frei. An beiden Abenden spielen mindestens vier Gruppen. Doch soll dies nicht ein Maßstab sein.
Jede Gruppe oder Musiker/ Künstler bekommt hiermit die Möglichkeit, die traditionelle Kultur der Berber dieser Region zu erleben und daran teilzunehmen. Dies ist eine Plattform des Lernens. Der Möglichkeit an einer uns fremden Kultur teilzunehmen.

Das Ziel sind Aktivitäten der Gemeinsamkeit. Austausch von Wissen und „Know-how“. Austausch von Kontakten und Möglichkeiten. Die Abende enden mit einer Session von allen Musikern/ Künstlern. Das „Rendezvous de la Musique“ ist nicht kommerziell.

Das Rendezvous de la Musique wird jedes Jahr Mitte März im Riad der Kasbah Asslim und auf dem Platz der Moschee in Agdz ausgetragen. Das genaue Datum wird ein halbes Jahr vorher hier an dieser Stelle bekannt gegeben. Spätere Änderungen sind möglich.

http://www.rendezvous-de-la-musique.com



Tina Schouw, Goodnight Songs

Produced, engineered, arranged

SAMA Nominated 2009

Review

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Zoë Davis (Levi’s Magazine) – 16 Jan 2009. (Editor rating: Nine)

Tina Schouw’s latest contribution to the musical world is an enchanting collection of melodies designed for children, but can be thoroughly enjoyed by the grown-ups as well. The Goodnight Songs was inspired by the arrival of Tina’s son. When there just weren’t enough recordings of South African lullabies for parents of the not quite so musically inclined to play to their tiny tots, Tina decided to help them out by lending them some of her musical inclination.

I’ve never been a fan of music made for kids. Even when I was a kid, the inanity of “The Alphabet Song” annoyed me, and the patronising tone which would undoubtedly come through in the tone of the artist insulted me. Tina is different. Her joyful, crystalline voice smiles through the delicately pretty acoustic guitar. The simple lyrics are easily accessible for kids, but not so annoyingly simple that the parents have to leave the room. She has managed to keep all of her jazz singing class while being as undemanding as a lullaby. In fact I found myself allowing the tension of the long week drain out of my shoulders as a listened to Tina singing about “Halley’s Comet” and I almost drifted into a lala land of my own.

The album ranges from the happy and bouncy “Hambo Lala” to a sparkly slumber with “Beautiful Moon” and then to curiously charming with “What’s the moon made of?”. And “Things that go bump” gave me a warm, nostalgic feeling; strange for a song I’d never heard before. It would by silly to list every song on the album as a stand out track, but that’s how I feel. This album is flawless. No, actually there is one flaw – It wasn’t around when I was a kid.

The Goodnight Songs is a twin project, its sister being a book called Dreamwalking.

Press release

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Renowned singer/musician Tina Schouw has recorded a much-needed beautiful, South African collection of melodies specifically for children. ” In 2002, I welcomed my newborn son into the world. Lacking in homegrown South African songs, I hummed simple melodies to him each night, which over time became fully-fledged songs,” Says Schouw, ” At five years old, my son was hungry for songs to sing so I gave myself the challenge of recording this collection.”

These gentle songs embrace experiences common to mothers and children around the world. The English and Xhosa songs are based on stories and phenomena familiar to us. The songs have universal appeal, reflecting our common humanity. The /Xam folklore, Halley’s Comet, the magic of the Milky Way, The Beautiful Moon and her entourage of dazzling stars all play a major part in the essence of this album.

“They are songs for soothing, melodies for unwinding, delicious tunes to delight in and lullabies to bring the night in,” says Schouw. It is an album lovingly put together for the child in all of us to wonder and marvel at.

Jazz for Kids at the Jazz Standard NYC

January 31st 2010, 11:00 am, Jazz Standard

I’ve been invited  to give a workshop at “Jazz for kids”. Every Sunday one of New York’s best known Jazz clubs the “Jazz Standard”  offers a special opportunity to young aspiring musicians with it’s “Jazz for kids” program. Directed by guitarist and arranger David O’Rourke the Youth Jazz Orchestra  gets together to rehearse, attend workshops and perform in a professional environment.

Check out how swinging these kids are! A Real joy!