Jeff Golub

With a spirit, energy and diversity that are uniquely New York City, guitarist Jeff Golub will open the doors to Grand Central, his seventh solo album, on March 6th. Golub produced most of the Narada Jazz/Blue Note Label Group collection of electric and acoustic blues, contemporary jazz, rock and pop with Steven Miller, with a few tracks produced by Rick Braun and Paul Brown.

Roaring out of the station first is “Hello Betty”, which is engineered by Golub's cool-toned electric riffing and powered by an incendiary horn section. Conductors will begin punching tickets for the track at smooth jazz radio on February 5th.

Golub has a natural flare for delivering raw and honest recordings. Grand Central was primarily recorded with a live band in a New York studio by musicians Golub jams and improvises with at small, informal club gigs around the city that they do for the love of playing when they're off the road. Golub deftly deployed a clean blues sound to his guitar that took on more of a lyrical, vocal-like quality on the new record. The New York City dweller wrote or co-wrote nine new songs for the disc in addition to selecting a few classics to record, including Sly Stone's “If You Want Me To Stay”, George Harrison's “Something”, and the soulful “Ain't No Woman”, on which saxophonist Richard Elliot shines. Other luminaries contributing were Braun (trumpet, flugelhorn), Kirk Whalum (sax), Philippe Saisse (piano), Stephen Ferrone (drums), Mitchell Foreman (keyboards) and Luis Conte (percussion).

“Part of being a New Yorker is that you're in a state of constant communication with people. Sometimes words are spoken. Sometimes the communication is just a glance or an unspoken acknowledgement on a subway train, while in line at a newsstand or as you brush past someone in a corner grocer. I wanted this album to capture the constant communication between musicians: the sometimes overt dialogue as well as the subtle exchanges. I embrace living in New York City and I think Grand Central has got a real New York vibe to it”, explained Golub.

To support the release, Golub will again be co-headlining the perennial fan-favorite “Guitars & Saxes” tour with concert dates starting in the spring that will run through summer. On the national trek, he'll be sharing the stage with Whalum, Gerald Albright and Tim Bowman. Dates and cities will soon be announced.

A native of Akron, Ohio, Golub initially made his name as an in-demand sideman during long-term gigs backing rock stars Rod Stewart and Billy Squire. He released his solo debut in 1988, but then recorded several successful albums in the mid-1990s under his band name, Avenue Blue, which established him as a core artist in contemporary jazz. Golub returned to recording under is own name in 1999 and he has continued to consistently deliver bluesy jazz albums and radio hits ever since.