Bob Baldwin Issues World Funk Alert

Press Release by: Cheryl Hughey

...BOB BALDWIN ISSUES WORLD FUNK ALERT...   "Keyboardist Bob Baldwin's cool, funky chops are on display on "Third Wind" (NuGroove) -- a breath of fresh air..." - Carol Archer, Radio & Records

Keyboardist/Arranger Bob Baldwin is at it again! He has reached back into his roots of jazz, R&B and adds a taste of hip-hop and brings his friends along for the ride: Jocelyn Brown, Marion Meadows, Phil Perry, Freddie Jackson, Najee, Frank McComb and Jamband legend Ike Stubblefield, as well as Atlanta, Ga. artists Joey Sommerville and Toni Redd.  Baldwin taps into the balance that he calls “New Urban Jazz,” and captures the essence of the genre as he recorded this disk in LA, NY, Fla., Bermuda and the UK. His latest CD, "NewUrbanJazz.com" is his interpretation of funky jazz at the top of his game.

NewUrbanJazz.com in a few short words is "funky jazz". The title of the disc fuses the soon to be syndicated radio format of the same name.  New Urban Jazz is the next new sound in the contemporary jazz genre.  Proof that the format needs some new fresh vibes is evidenced in the loss of radio station CD101.9, in the largest music retail market of the country, the NY-metro area.  The CD was recorded in Florida, New York City, Atlanta, Bermuda, Los Angeles, the United Kingdom and Spain, which also quantifies the importance of rhythmic jazz, which permeates throughout the world. 

Regarding the new music formula and his release, Baldwin said, "This new and refreshing formula has had tremendous success in the last three years in Jacksonville, Fl., Bermuda (where I helped to launch the new smooth jazz station there) and in Atlanta, Georgia, where I was the Music Director/Consultant in all three markets.  Although there was great diversity in all three markets, people from all walks of life like their groove in their jazz.  The next stop will be once again in Atlanta at WJZZ.  Atlanta has this jazzy, hip urban vibe and there's a strong presence of contemporary and mainstream jazz lovers between the ages of 25-55."

Mount Vernon, New York native Bob Baldwin is unquestionably an unsung hero when it comes to the contemporary jazz genre. Why, you say? With each project released, Baldwin promptly delivers the goods. Fortunately, this journeyman was blessed to be taught to play the piano by his father (Robert Baldwin Sr.). Meanwhile, we should seriously consider his musical influences as a little boy with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Patrice Rushen, Chick Corea, EWF, Joe Sample and Ramsey Lewis, Miles Davis and George Duke, as their voicings can distinctively be heard in his music. Yes, its obvious this cast of prominent players had a profound impact on Baldwin’s musical journey.

With Baldwin's natural ability to weave life's experience into music while creating inventive harmonies, he doesn't really need to fill his releases with high-powered guest appearances. However, Baldwin has used the likes of Roy Ayers, Gerald Albright, Dean James, Jeff Kashiwa, Dave Mann, Chieli Minucci, Phil Perry, Kim Waters, Will Downing, Marion Meadows, the late Grover Washington, Jr. and Noel Pointer, Tito Puente alumni Ray Vega, Brazilian Percussion Cafe' on previous recordings over the years. On the radio side, check out Bob on WJJZ (Atlanta). He’ll be hosting “The New Urban Jazz Lounge” (www.1075wjzz.com) – Saturdays 6-10pm.

Be sure to check out our website at www.newurbanjazz.com for updates and tour information.

Bob Baldwin is a Nu Groove recording artist.

For more information: www.newurbanjazz.com

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