East St. Louis, the birthplace of jazz icon Miles Davis, has finally established its own jazz record label. The label's first release, "East St. Louis Jazz From the Vault, Volume 2: 1989 – 1992," is set to drop on May 19. This album features some of the earliest professional recordings of contemporary jazz talents, including two-time Grammy nominee Russell Gunn.
East St. Louis, Illinois, has long been a cradle of jazz innovation, producing legendary musicians like Miles Davis. Now, the city is taking a significant step to honor its rich musical heritage by launching Good Ground Records. The label's inaugural release, "East St. Louis Jazz From the Vault, Volume 2: 1989 – 1992," promises to bring the spirit of Miles Davis back into the limelight.
The album features some of the earliest professional recordings of now-renowned jazz artists. Among them is East St. Louis native and two-time Grammy nominee Russell Gunn, who plays the trumpet. Gunn is joined by bassist Steve Kirby's Jazz Septet, whose winning songs clinched the $10,000 first prize in the 1992 Hennessey Cognac's Best Jazz Search Contest.
The album also includes live recordings from the Historical Missouri Botanical Garden's First Annual Jazz in June Series in 1993. The Rob Block Latin Jazz Sextet delivers original Latin jazz compositions, featuring:
Additionally, the project includes a never-before-released track titled "Red Room Poppin" from the 1990 Russell Gunn Quintet, featuring:
The musicians featured on this album have collectively recorded 15 personal projects with respected jazz industry labels such as Atlantic, Impulse, Palmetto, Maxx Jazz, and Justin Time. They have also contributed to over 75 other CD projects alongside renowned artists like Branford and Wynton Marsalis, Cyrus Chestnut, John Hicks, George Mesterhazy, Mulgrew Miller, Nicholas Payton, Maxwell, D'Angelo, Arturo Sandoval, The Rebecca Parris Quartet, James Moody, and Elvin Jones.
The album is available for review and purchase through Big Steve Candela Music, Candela Block Music, BMI, Rugken Music, BMI, and Kenny Candela Music, BMI. For more information, visit Good Ground Records.
Jazz has played a pivotal role in shaping the cultural landscape of East St. Louis. According to a study by the National Endowment for the Arts, jazz contributes significantly to the local economy, generating millions in revenue annually (NEA, 2018). Despite its economic impact, jazz often remains underappreciated in mainstream discussions.
By launching Good Ground Records, East St. Louis not only honors its rich musical heritage but also contributes to the ongoing global appreciation of jazz. This initiative ensures that the spirit of Miles Davis and other jazz greats continues to inspire future generations.
For more insights into the world of jazz, visit National Endowment for the Arts and UNESCO International Jazz Day.
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