One of the biggest starts of smooth jazz, Gerald Albright has earned his reputation as a "musician's musician." Born in Los Angeles, he began piano lessons at an early age. Albright's love of music picked up considerably when he was given a saxophone that had belonged to his piano teacher. By the time he enrolled at the University of Redlands, he was already a polished saxophonist. Albright decided to switch to bass guitar after he saw Louis Johnson (Brothers Johnson) in concert. A few months after graduating from college, he joined jazz pianist/R&B singer Patrice Rushen, who was in the process of forming her own band. Later, when the bass player left in the middle of a tour, Albright replaced him and finished the tour on bass guitar. With many albums to his already impressive resume, Albright now releases Pushing The Envelope, due June 15 on Heads Up International, a division of Concord Music Group. With it's polished soul/jazz vibe, Pushing The Envelope is a showcase for Albright's remarkably fine balance of songcraft and musicianship, and features special appearances by Fred Wesley on trombone, Earl Klugh on acoustic guitar and George Duke on acoustic piano. Produced and arranged by Albright, Pushing The Envelope provides the perfect opportunity for this master musician/saxophonist/songwriter to exhibit his skills. He plays soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, flutes, bass guitar, and keyboards, and also handles synthesizer, EWI and drum programming. Albright's band on most of the album includes keyboardists Tracy Carter and Luther "Mano" Hanes, guitarist Ricky Watford and drummer Ricky Lawson. The set opens with "What Would Jame Do?" an irresistibly soulful Albright original and a celebration of the legacy of "The Godfather of Soul." The track spotlights Albright's trademark strong chops on saxophone and bass, alongside the distinctive sound of Fred Wesley of the original J.B.'s on trombone.
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