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Over the course of his six previous albums, starting with his debut Painted Diaries in 2009, Reza Khan has worked with some of the biggest names in contemporary jazz while developing a fascinating trademark fusion of pop, jazz, soul and world influences. His music is steeped in his international roots and status as a socially conscious musical citizen of the world. Along the way, the Bangladesh-born, NYC-based composer and guitarist has enjoyed several breakthrough hits on the Billboard Smooth Jazz chart, including his first Top Ten single “Drop of Faith” (featuring Nils) from his critically acclaimed fifth album Next Train Home and “Waiting for the Sky” from the 2021 collection Imaginary Road. Despite this airplay success, he’s always been told that the music he writes and produces is designed more for musicians to play than for the average smooth jazz listener to simply enjoy.
With Khan’s latest album, the intriguingly titled Mystical, he aims to change all that and create songs as infectious and radio friendly as they are brilliantly performed. Rather than have an overriding narrative concept, his goal was to collaborate with some familiar cohorts (Philippe Saisse, Mark Egan, David Mann, Nils) and others who could bring a fresh, magical, and yes, mystical quality to his songs. His first call was to David Mann, the veteran saxophonist who had brought great horn textures and arrangements to previous albums. He sought his production expertise, but just as importantly, felt that straight on compositional collaboration would be the ticket to unlocking this magic. Mann became an important co-writer, composer, arranger and producer for the album.
While some of the original Khan/Mann tunes like “The Falcon” and “Whispering Trees” indeed tell fascinating, poetic stories of their own, the guitarist began with a different overall vision. He co-wrote every one of the new tracks with a specific well-known genre musician in mind as a featured artist, hoping their positive replies would lead to incredible individual tracks with hit potential that could take the song in a magical/mystical direction Khan couldn’t have imagined upon writing the song.
Building off a foundation of Khan on lead guitar, Bern Schoenhardt on rhythm guitar, Mann on keys and sax, Khan’s guest list – all of whom immediately agreed to participate – includes Saisse, Nils, Jeff Lorber, Bob James, Keiko Matsui, a unique array of bassists (Egan, Jimmy Haslip, Brendan Rothwell, Mel Browne) and drummers (Gary Novak, Brian Dunne and Lionel Cordew. Because the project was recorded during the pandemic, the basic tracks were recorded at Khan’s home studio in Long Island, with Mann putting together remotely created tracks in his NYC studio.
Another unique aspect of the collection that contributes to Mystical living up to its title is the opportunity to experience new versions of three classic tracks from Reza’s early projects via Mann’s contemporary 2022 productions with new lineups of musicians – “Bahia Mama” (featuring the original vocal by Jennifer Grimm) and “Catalina’s Dream” from Painted Diaries and “Language of Love” from A Simple Plan (2011). The fact that “Language of Love” and “Catalina’s Dream” are in the cue for future single releases show that Khan’s composing style was always in the pocket, with great hit potential. He just needed Mann’s expertise behind the boards to take it to the next level.
“My goal with Mystical was to imagine a very magical album where David and I write songs together for certain individual musicians we wanted to bring to the recording,” says Khan. “Every track evolved organically until it became a very different type of conceptual album, with each tune having magical, mysterious elements. I had always composed every song by myself and I enjoyed the exciting learning curve of collaborating differently on each tune. My idea was to focus on how they could appeal broadly to fans of smooth jazz without limiting the inspiration and motivation that has driven me in the past.”


Featuring:
David Mann, sax
Mark Egan, bass
Mauricio Zottarelli, drums
Matt king, keyboards
Fernando Saci, percussions
Olivia Foschi, vocals

On this edition of The Art of the Story from the WBGO Archive, Broadway star Anthony Rapp came to WBGO in 2009 to talk to Doug Doyle about the impact of the hit musical "RENT"

Rock out to your favorite Rush songs live with LOTUS LAND, the Rush tribute band—featuring the mind-blowing musical talents of Bob Chartrand (guitar, backup vocals, midi pedals), Mark Dalton (drums) and Chris Nelson (lead vocals, bass guitar, keyboards). This concert is sure to be even more meaningful for loyal fans after the passing of Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart earlier this year. Celebrate the legacy of one of the greatest rock drummers of all time with this obsessively authentic tribute.

April, 2021, marks the 28th anniversary of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's remarkable arrival onto the music scene. Since its formation in the early nineties in Ventura, California, the band has toured virtually nonstop, performing on average over 150 shows a year, and has produced a sizable catalog of recorded music, with sales of over 2 million albums to date. Early on, during their legendary residency at the Derby nightclub in Los Angeles, they reminded the world, in the midst of the grunge era no less, that it was still cool to swing.

Step into the world of artist and Hayama Artist in Residence, linn meyers. Learn how meyers makes meticulous drawings that hinge on the unique and imperfect quality of the hand-drawn mark, then take a tour of her studio. The Hayama Residency's mission is to introduce visual artists from around the world to Japanese culture and offer them an opportunity to have their first gallery exhibition in Japan. Click here to learn more about linn’s work. This program will be available on Zoom and live on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Twitch.

With three big band albums on HighNote/Savant Records, guitarist Peter Hand brings his 16 piece big band to the Byram Shubert Library for a concert on May 19. Featuring a roster of world-class musicians, the band will perform Hand's original compositions and new arrangements of jazz classics. With: Peter Hand- guitar; Jay Brandford, Bruce Williams, Don Braden, Ralph Lalama, Kenny Berger- saxes; Brian Pareschi, Eddie Allen, Duane Eubanks, John Bailey- trumpets; Mark Patterson, James Burton III, Jason Jackson- trombones; James Weidman- keyboard, Harvie S- bass, Steve Johns- drums

This FREE outdoor performance is part of the Theater for the New City's annual Halloween Costume Ball, which features a variety of free performances beginning at 3:30 PM and continues into the evening.

Andrea Wolper vocals, Carol Sudhalter & Matt Maley flutes, Michael Hashim soprano sax, Gerald M. Thomas alto sax, Kenny Pexton tenor sax, Jon Mark McGowan & Frank London trumpets, Noah Bless trombone, James Borowski bass trombone, Janice Friedman piano, Bruce Arnold guitar, Ralph Hamperian bass, Jack Davis percussion, Art Lillard drums & bandleader.

Arts On Site (AOS) announces April performances, featuring dance, music, and film in the heart of the East Village at Studio 3R, 12 St. Mark's Place, NYC. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online at https://artsonsite.ticketleap.com/studio-3r-performances/. Leandria Lott & Brittany Harris Saturday, April 16, 2022 at 6:30pm & 8:30pm Tickets: $30 Leandria Lott, violin, and Brittany Harris, cello, perform a selection of duets. "Arts On Site began presenting artists in 2016 at 12 Saint Marks Place," said Chelsea Ainsworth, Executive Director of Arts On Site. "After 350 shows throughout the pandemic, AOS decided to build out a new performance space, Studio 3R, in May 2021 and began presenting artists in June. The space includes installing new black curtains, professional lighting, marley floor and risers for audience seating. We are so pleased to offer artists an intimate, professional, new performance space in NYC." LEANDRIA LOTT is an accomplished violinist, born and raised in Huntsville, AL. In 2012 she received her bachelor's in Commercial Music with an emphasis in Violin Performance from Tennessee State University. Since then, she has applied her talents extensively, having traveled as far as the UK and Italy for workshops and classes. Leandria has shared the stage with renowned artists such as Stevie Wonder, Kirk Franklin, and others and has worked on projects with Yamaha, EMI and more. Leandria offers lessons to all age ranges and believes it is everyone's right to be exposed to composers who look like them. She includes her own short works, plus the brilliant music from other composers such as Clarence Cameron White, William Grant Still and others in her repertoire for her students. Leandria is a passionate violin instructor and ensemble leader who mixes the traditions of our history with her fresh approach to teaching. BRITTANY HARRIS, a Detroit native and Cellist, and current NYU Grad student, is a professional multi-instrumentalist, Film Composer, and Music Educator. Upon moving to Brooklyn in 2015 she has performed with many artists including Shawn Mendez on Saturday Night Live, Liam Gallagher from the band Oasis on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Carnegie Hall with the Manhattan Symphonie, The Apollo Theatre, and Lincoln Center with Soundtrack 63' and various artists such as Rhapsody, Rinonnian Giddens, Kelsey Lu, Jazz Trumpeter Keyon Harold and many more! When not in performance, Brittany is composing behind the scenes for various documentaries, short films, and podcasts. Including Good Night Black Child, a podcast full of original bedtime stories and meditations for children and the young at heart! About Arts on Site Arts On Site is a women-led nonprofit arts organization dedicated to providing artists with opportunities to create and perform new work. Arts On Site began as an event to showcase artists. The event was an initiative from professional artists Chelsea Ainsworth, Kyle Netzeband, and Adrian Rosas, to connect artists from multiple art forms. As the event grew, a diverse community of artists grew and the concept for Arts On Site was born. For more information, visit artsonsite.org.