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Leon Ware

A music maker for four decades, Leon's list of impressive credits includes classic recordings by Quincy Jones, Minnie Riperton, Michael Jackson, Maxwell, Average White Band and of course, the late Marvin Gaye (whose Ware-written and produced "I Want You" LP remains a seminal Motown album). The hypnotically evocative "Loceans" expresses a romantic love and lust for life. In the tradition of his prior recordings and work with others, songs on the new album like "Just Take Your Time," "Hold Tonight" and "Smoovin'" are love-filled odes, a heady mix of fantasy and reality. The 12-track collection of new Ware-produced material will be in stores on August 12, 2008.

Moon Ride is the Detroit native's first major label album in over two decades and represents the culmination of a very active period in Leon's career. Since 1995, Leon has been writing, producing and recording as an independent artist with four albums to his credit, "Taste The Love"; the 2001 set "Candelight" recorded with jazz keyboardist Don Grusin; the passion-charged "Love's Drippin,'" a 2003 release; and 2004's Brazilian-themed "A Kiss In The Sand." During the last decade, he's been a frequent visitor to the UK where his sold-out concerts at London's Jazz Café before an adoring audience (singing along with almost his entire repertoire) are legendary; U.S. performances at New York's Blue Note and the Temple Bar in Los Angeles have only served to heighten interest in Leon's musical catalog as an artist, writer and producer.

Even with a catalog of nine of his own albums released since 1972, Leon says "I've never really been out there as a fully-fledged recording artist and performer because of my love for producing and writing. Now," he emphasizes, "it's time to do that…"

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Take Five With...

Take Five with John Beaty of The Beaty Brothers Band

Read "Take Five with John Beaty of The Beaty Brothers Band" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Meet John Beaty of the Beaty Brothers Band:John Beaty is the saxophonist and co-leader of the Beaty Brothers Band. As a sideman he works with Dafnis Prieto, Andy Milne, Jean-Michel Pilc, and Jason Lindner.Instrument(s):Saxophone. Teachers and/or influences? I have studied with Mark Shim and Chris Potter. My biggest hero and musical influence is Stevie Ray Vaughan. I knew I wanted to be a musician when...I first blew life ...

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Interview

Interview: Leon Ware (Part 2)

Interview: Leon Ware (Part 2)

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

Like many jazz artists, soul singer Marvin Gaye built his post-1970 career on bucking the system. It's hard to believe now, but Motown initially resisted Gaye's What's Going On (1971). The album didn't fit the tried and true formula that drove the label's bottom line. But after the album's release and success--featuring Gaye's searing commentary on war, the environment, family unity and inner city disparity--Motown quickly renegotiated Gaye's contract, giving him full creative control of future albums. Next up for ...

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Interview

Interview: Leon Ware (Part 1)

Interview: Leon Ware (Part 1)

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

The post-1970 recordings of Marvin Gaye really can't be considered purely soul. There's too much jazz-influenced sophistication in Gaye's delivery and accompanying orchestrations to sum up these albums that simply. Each of Gaye's LPs from this period was a concept album, and Gaye's artistic independence and socio-romantic messages were daring and groundbreaking. Of the eight albums Gaye recorded between 1971 and 1981, the moody successor to his expressive masterpiece What's Going On (1971) is I Want You (1976). The album ...

119

Recording

Stax Records to Release Long Awaited "Moon Ride," the Debut Album from Legendary Songwriter Leon Ware

Stax Records to Release Long Awaited "Moon Ride," the Debut Album from Legendary Songwriter Leon Ware

Source: All About Jazz

THE TWELVE-SONG COLLECTION HITS STORES ON AUGUST 12, 2008 Stax Records is proud to announce the release of Moon Ride, the debut album from legendary songwriter, producer and vocalist, Leon Ware. A music maker for four decades, Leon's list of impressive credits includes classic recordings by Quincy Jones, Minnie Riperton, Michael Jackson, Maxwell, Average White Band and of course, the late Marvin Gaye (whose Ware-written and produced “I Want You" LP remains a seminal Motown album). The hypnotically evocative “Loceans" ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Moon Ride

Stax Records
2008

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Why I Came To...

Timewarp Music
2004

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Candlelight

Timewarp Music
2001

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Why I Came To...

Timewarp Music
1982

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