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Smile

Bill Warfield

Label: Planet Arts Records
Released: 2020
Views: 1,794

Tracks

Smile; Cucumber Slumber; Hip-Hug-Her; Ode To Billie Joe; First Time On A Ferris Wheel; Dance of the Coal Cars; Mad Dog; Rainbow Connection; I’ve Got To Use My Imagination; Theme From Law and Order; This City Never Sleeps; Smile

Personnel

Bill Warfield

trumpet

Julie Michels

vocals

Bill Warfield and the Hell's Kitchen Funk Orchestra

band / ensemble / orchestra

John Eckert

trumpet

Andrew Gould

saxophone

Jane Stuart

vocals

Dave Riekenberg

woodwinds

Steve Count

bass

Paul Shaffer

keyboards

Cecilia Coleman

keyboards

Matt Chertkoff

guitar

Lou Marini

saxophone

Matt Hong

saxophone, baritone

Scott Neumann

drums

Carolyn Leonhart

vocals

Additional Personnel / Information

Bill Warfield: leader, arranger, trumpet, flugelhorn Jane Stuart: vocals (tracks 4,5 and 9) John Eckert: trumpet, flugelhorn Andrew Gould: alto sax, flute Dave Riekenberg: tenor sax, baritone sax, flute, clarinet Matt Hong: baritone sax, alto sax, flute Blue Lou Marini: tenor sax, soprano sax, flute, clarinet Matt Chertkoff: guitar Cecilia Coleman: piano Paul Shaffer: Hammond B-3 organ, Fender Rhodes electric piano Steve Count: electric and acoustic bass Scott Neumann: drums Julie Michels track 1, Carolyn Leonhart track 8: guest vocalists

Album Description

The Hell's Kitchen Funk Orchestra is a group of New York City Jazz and Studio musicians directed by trumpeter, composer, arranger Bill Warfield. Their goal is to produce a brand of music that defies boundaries. The HKFO accomplishes just that in a big way on their second recording, a new Planet Arts Network release entitled "Smile ". Release date: June 5th.

The groups first release " Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" on the Blujazz label was the "maiden voyage" for this band. It was chosen by Downbeat as the Editors Pick of the Month in August 2015. Reviewer Bobby Reed observed that the band "offers some tracks that would be irrefutable additions to a party mix" while also saying "but that doesn't mean the music lacks complexity". And that "sometimes it takes a highly intelligent musician to propel you onto the dance floor".

Their new album "Smile" features many of the musicians from the first album but added to the mix are Jane Stuart on vocals, Cecilia Coleman on piano, Matt Chertkoff on guitar and Matt Hong on reeds. The spirit of the first recording remains but with the addition of three years they have used to define their sound.

For the new recording the band is also joined by Bill's longtime friend, Blue Lou Marini on woodwinds and the one and only Paul Shaffer on Hammond B3 and electric piano as well as guest vocalists, Carolyn Leonhart and Julie Michels.

"Smile" will be released on June 5, 2020 (Planet Arts Network). Be on the lookout for it. The group always comes through, performing compositions and arrangements born out of the genres of funk, contemporary music, hard-bop and Latin jazz while embracing the varied backgrounds and experiences of its members. Audiences are treated to high-powered contemporary music that communicates, transcends and inspires.