(Note: this is the text of a press release regarding the Soul Jazz Spectrum, a radio show I host in Rochester, NY that focuses primarily on soul jazz from the mid 60s through mid 70s. For more information, see the copy below, or e-mail me at chucketal@aol.com.)

Soul Jazz Spectrum Brings Funky, Grooving Jazz to the Radio and Internet

Rochester, NY USA – The Soul Jazz Spectrum, a program of soul jazz ranging from Cannonball Adderley to Topaz, can now be heard every Friday night from 9 pm to 12 midnite (US Eastern Time) on WGMC Radio in Rochester, NY (90.1/105.1 FM) and via the Internet at www.wgmc.org.

The show, hosted by Chuck Ingersoll, covers the entire spectrum of soul jazz, from gospel-inflected music of the 50’s to acid jazz and beyond. “I grew up loving Lou Donaldson, Charles Earland, Rusty Bryant, Boogaloo Joe Jones and folks like that,” says Ingersoll. “And while their music was blasted by the critics, I always loved R&B and soul music, and this kind of soul jazz simply resonated with me. I remember seeing Grant Green at a club in Buffalo and being blown away by the relentless groove he was creating.”

A typical Soul Jazz Spectrum show contains cuts from the “golden era of soul jazz” of about 1965 to 1974, along with contemporary tracks from artists such as Medeski, Martin and Wood, John Scofield, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Ron Levy and the occasional jam band, such as Delta Nove. “As the name of the show says, we really do work hard to cover the entire spectrum of soul jazz,” Ingersoll notes.

Ingersoll is a creative director at a Rochester advertising agency, and previously worked in rock radio as an announcer and program director. WGMC, a full-time jazz station, will soon be boosting its signal strength by a factor of eight, allowing it to reach a much larger audience in the Rochester and upstate New York area.
“We’re all excited about the power increase, new transmitter and tower,” Ingersoll notes. “It will be very cool to be able to simply turn the station on and get it without monkeying with your antenna or having it drop out in certain areas of town.”

The Soul Jazz Spectrum can be heard on the Internet as well, by logging onto the WGMC Web site at www.wgmc.org, and then clicking “Listen.” Windows Media Player is required for PCs and Macs.

For more information about the Soul Jazz Spectrum, Ingersoll can be contacted at chucketal@aol.com or by phone at 585.746.2320.

Below is his list of the Top 12 Soul Jazz (new) releases from 2003.


Top 12 Soul Jazz CDs of 2003

Selected by Chuck Ingersoll, host of the Soul Jazz Spectrum on WGMC Radio
90.1/105.1 FM in Rochester, NY www.wgmc.org on the Worldwide Web
(At the site, click “Listen,” then follow the simple instructions. You’ll need Windows Media Player for your PC or Mac)


12
Charles Earland Tribute Band, KEEPERS OF THE FLAME – Nicely maintaining the tradition of “The Mighty Burner,” Joey DeFrancesco fills the Hammond B3 chair and top-notch folks like Pat Martino and Eric Alexander help out.

11
Pancho Sanchez, OUT OF SIGHT – Pancho mixes Latin percussion with a great guest appearance by Ray Charles, including a killer version of “Mary Ann.”

10
John Scofield, UP ALL NIGHT – “Sco” finally does a cover – a tasty rendition of the Dramatics’ “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get,” and bridges the gap between jazz and jam band styles with his trademark chunky funk.

9
BWB, GROOVIN’ – Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown skip the smooth jazz cliches and get all the way down with lots of fine covers, including “Up for the Down Stroke,” “Povo,” “A Woman’s Worth” and the title track, originally by The Rascals.

8
The Crusader, RURAL RENEWAL – The Crusaders re-energized, with catchy tunes and guess appearances from gospel singer Donnie McClurkin and Eric Clapton. Three of the original Crusaders’ members take part and play as if delighted to be reunited.

7
Bill Heid, DA GIRL – One of the most technically adept and harmonically advanced organists, Heid blends post-bop and soul into a tasty mix more sophisticated than created by most organ combos.

6
Dr. Lonnie Smith, BOOGALOO TO BECK – Contrary to what you may have initially thought, Dr. Lonnie proves you can, indeed, boogaloo to Beck!

5
Rodney Jones, SOUL MANIFESTO LIVE – Following up the SOUL MANIFESTO studio session, guitarist Jones and sidemen play with fire and imagination, and throw in a pretty ballad or two.

4
Melvin Sparks, WHAT YOU HEAR IS WHAT YOU GET – Originally released on his own label, Savant picked up “WHAT YOU GET” in 2003. Inspired Sparks guitar and rowdy vocals produce an album that never drops below a slow boil.

3
Roy Hargrove & the RH Factor, HARD GROOVE – It’s hip hop, rap and soul jazz, much more shaken than stirred.

2
Javon Jackson, EASY DOES IT – Jackson seems far more excited and into his second soul jazz album than he was on his first a few years ago. Strong writing and great sidemen make for one of the year’s best soul jazz releases.

1
Ron Levy, FINDING MY WAY – Levy adds vibes, Fender Rhodes, even cello to his soul jazz mix, plus guest artists Karl Denson and Melvin Sparks. Rarely has soul jazz been so diverse and melodically interesting, while maintaining a rock-solid groove.