Barry Elmes to release new CD 'Redshift' at the Rex Jazz Bar

Cornerstone Records proudly presents REDSHIFT (CRST 137), the long-awaited new CD from the award winning Barry Elmes Quintet. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this is the group's first new release in a decade. REDSHIFT features 9 songs, including 7 new compositions by Elmes, a Wayne Shorter composition plus an arrangement of a traditional hymn.

The music is performed by the quintet's regular members, a who's who of the best jazz artists from Canada: Mike Murley - tenor saxophone, Kevin Turcotte - trumpet, flugelhorn, Reg Schwager - guitar , Steve Wallace - bass, Barry Elmes - drums , plus special guests: Kelly Jefferson - flute, tenor saxophone and Vanessa Rodrigues - Hammond organ.

The CD release celebration and performance will take place at the Rex Jazz Bar in Toronto on Thursday and Friday, March 10-11, 2011 at 9:30 p.m.

Canadian Jazz Quartet to premiere new 'Brazilian Reflections' CD in a live-to-air broadcast on JAZZ.FM91

…public celebration of ‘Brazilian Reflections’ CD release to follow on Friday, February 18 at Quotes Bar & Grill in downtown Toronto…

The Canadian Jazz Quartet will debut their latest CD release, Brazilian Reflections (CRST CD 136), on Thursday, February 17 (7:00 to 8:00 p.m.) in an hour-long live-to-air broadcast hosted by Ross Porter on JAZZ.FM91, followed by a public launch celebration on Friday, February 18 at Quotes Bar & Grill, 220 King Street West in Toronto (5:00 to 8:00 p.m.) 

The live-to-air radio special at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 17 can be heard live on the air at 91.1FM, streamed online at www.jazz.fm, or listened to on an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch with the free JAZZ.FM91 App.

The second launch event will take place at Quotes Bar & Grill in Toronto (220 King Street West, across from Roy Thomson Hall) on Friday, February 18, 2011, with the  Canadian Jazz Quartet performing live from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. as part of the weekly "Fridays at Five" instrumental jazz series there.  Admission is free and there are no reservations.  Seating is on a first come, first served basis.

Mike Murley Septet CD Release at the Rex

Cornerstone Records proudly presents Still Rollin' (CRST CD 135) the latest CD release from multi-Juno Award winning saxophonist Mike Murley. This debut recording for Murley's septet features the saxophonist's compositions and arrangements performed by some of Canada's finest jazz improvisers. The Mike Murley Septet CD release celebration will take place at the Rex Jazz Bar (194 Queen Street West) in Toronto on Thursday, Jan 20, 2011 9:30pm -12:30am.

Alex Dean Quintet: At This Point

The long awaited CD "At This Point" (CRST CD 134) showcases 7 new compositions by Canadian jazz composer/saxophonist Alex Dean and features Lorne Lofsky (guitar), Kieran Overs (bass), Brian Dickinson (piano), Ted Warren (drums).

The Al Henderson Septet received a Juno nomination for its recently released "Regeneration" (CRST CD 132) for Best Traditional Jazz Album of the Year. The CD features original compositions by Henderson including the suite “Regeneration” (for Sachi and Raymond Moriyama).

photo: Al Kay

The band's unique configuration includes Henderson's regular quintet (saxophonists Alex Dean and Pat LaBarbera, pianist Richard Whiteman and drummer Barry Romberg) plus cellists Matt Brubeck and Mark Chambers.

Presented by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), the 2010 Juno awards will be announced on April 17th and 18th in St. John's, Newfoundland.  For more information, visit www.junoawards.ca.

We have moved and can now be reached at the following coordinates:
Cornerstone Records,
P.O. Box 71,
445 Main Street,
Schomberg, Ontario, Canada
L0G 1T0

Tel: 905-939-7928
Our toll free number remains unchanged at 1-877-291-3544.

Al Henderson Quintet + 2 Cellos = New CD

Al with Raymond Moriyama

"Regeneration" (CRST CD 132), is an exciting offering by the Al Henderson Septet. This collection of new compositions by Al includes the suite Regeneration (dedicated to Sachi and Raymond Moriyama) and seven other previously unrecorded works. The recording features cellists Matt Brubeck and Mark Chambers as well as regular quintet members Al Henderson (bass), Pat LaBarbera and Alex Dean (reeds), Richard Whiteman (piano) and Barry Romberg (drums).

Cornerstone Records is pleased to add the Canadian Jazz Quartet (CJQ) to its roster of artists with the release of the eagerly awaited "Just Friends" (CRST CD133). The hard-swinging quartet features guitarist Gary Benson, vibraphonist Frank Wright, bassist Duncan Hopkins, and drummer Don Vickery.

For the past three years, the CJQ have been the featured band for the "Fridays at Five" weekly live jazz series at Quotes Bar & Grill in downtown Toronto, hosting a variety of guest headliners that has included some of the biggest names and most talented players on the jazz scene. Exemplary among them are the three jazz greats who guest with the CJQ on the new recording: trombone genius Alastair Kay playing "Memories of You", flute icon Bill McBirnie with "Blue Bossa" and consummate saxophonist Mike Murley playing the title track, "Just Friends".

Recorded at the Cellar Jazz Club, Richard Whiteman's newest CD "Live in Vancouverr" (CRST CD131) is his forth project on the Cornerstone label. Long known for his vast repertoire of standards and jazz anthems, Richard has been called a pianist of "arresting facility and fluidity" by the Globe and Mail. Richard's trio features two of Canada's finest young musicians: Brandi Disterheft and Sly Juhas.

Juno Award winning bassist Brandi Disterheft has drawn praise from critics and the late Oscar Peterson for her inspiring pulse and melodic solos. A busy sideman, drummer Sly Juhas is always at work providing expert support to the likes of Laila Biali, Richard Underhill and many others.

Unfettered by the constraints of the recording studio and inspired by an enthusiastic audience, the trio delivers an exciting set of jazz standards, blues and ballads.

The CD launch will officially take place at Chalker's Pub (in Toronto) on Sunday, February 22 from 7 - 10 pm.

Cornerstone Records is reducing its ecological footprint by switching to environmentally-friendly CD packaging.

Features of the new handsome digipaks provided by Music Manufacturing Services include:

• 100% recycled paper stock
• bio-degradable overwrap
• 100% recycled plastic trays (35% post consumer)
• products printed with vegetable-based inks

"We've made a commitment to eco-friendly packaging for all our new releases" says label president Barry Elmes. "By moving away from the traditional plastic jewel cases, Cornerstone's products look and feel great... Plus they won't crack."

For more information about Music Manufacturing Services' Green CD program, visit www.mmsdirect.com/green_program.php

This exciting new project was recorded live in Halifax. "Day and Night"(CRST 130) brings together renowned saxophonist David Liebman (formerly with Miles Davis, Elvin Jones, and Quest) with four Canadian musicians, all of whom site Dave as one of their major musical influences. In particular saxophonist Mike Murley, co-leader on this date, studied with Liebman both at the Banff Jazz Workshop and in New York City during the 1980s and counts his former teacher as one of his most important musical mentors.

The group first came together in 2003 for a date at the Rex Jazz Bar during the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference in Toronto. This resulted in a concert at the Atlantic Jazz Festival in July 2003 that was recorded for CBC radio.

"Mnemosyne's March" (CRST 128), the debut CD by the Mike Murley/David Braid quartet, was nominated for a 2007 Juno Award for best mainstream jazz album.

The affinity between these musicians is clearly expressed in the free-spirited, unedited performances captured on the CD, recorded live at the Montreal Bistro. The album interprets six originals and one standard, with Braid and Murley contributing three originals each. Of particular note, Murley includes a suite inspired by Banff, Alberta and Braid adds a piece written for the short film, Dream Recording, as well as “Mnemosyne’s March”, a character sketch of the Greek goddess of memory.

The 2007 Juno award winner was "Avenue Standard" by Jon Ballantyne.

Cornerstone Recordings are now available on iTunes. Visit the ITunes on-line store to hear 30 second samples of the entire catalogue.

A New Recording by a New Band!

Cornerstone Records proudly announces a new jazz CD release: Apparition (CRST-CD129)

Pianist/composer/bandleader Mark Eisenman recently celebrated the 20^th anniversary of his renowned jazz trio. Building on the strength and musical success of this unit, Mark adds stellar horn players John Macleod and Pat Labarbera to form the new Mark Eisenman Quintet. The five band members bring a wealth of experience to this new project, having worked with many of the legends in jazz, including: Buddy Rich, Oscar Peterson, Art Farmer, Barney Kessel, Rob McConnell, Woody Herman, Zoot Sims, Jimmy Cobb, and many others.

For more information about the CD, click here.

Mike Murley/David Braid Quartet release debut CD

On Thursday, March 2, 2006, the Murley / Braid Quartet returned to the Montreal Bistro to release their highly anticipated debut CD, "Mnemosyne's March".

A collaborative effort between Mike Murley (multi-Juno Award winning saxophonist) and pianist David Braid (2005 Juno Award winner), the Murley-Braid Quartet synergizes musicians with an affinity to each other’s style developed from an extensive history of playing together in The Mike Murley Quintet, The David Braid Sextet, Mike Murley Quartet (featuring Dave Liebman), and Metalwood.

Bassist Jim Vivian and NY drummer Ian Froman complete this ensemble, which made its debut on a cross-Canada tour in Autumn 2004.

For more information about the CD, click here.

Richard Whiteman Introduces New CD & Trio

Pianist Richard Whiteman launched his new CD "All or Nothing at All" (CRST CD127) on October 13-15, 2005 at 9:00 p.m. at the Montreal Bistro. Richard's trio features bassist Brandi Disterheft and drummer Sly Juhas. The CD contains a stunning combination of standards and original compositions by Whiteman, Disterheft, as well as saxophonist Tara Davidson.

For more info about the CD, click here.

Pat Collins Launches Inaugural CD

2005 promises to be a exciting year for CORNERSTONE Records and jazz in Canada as pre-eminent bassist Pat Collins celebrates the release of his debut CD.

In the Moment (CRST CD 126) showcases original compositions and arrangements by Pat and features a stellar line-up: Mike Murley on Saxophone, Reg Schwager on guitar and Barry Elmes on drums.

With more than fifty recordings as sidemusician, Pat is well known throughout Canada having performed with such great musicians as Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Henderson, Herb Ellis, Lee Konitz, Jimmy Cobb, Ed Bickert, Rob McConnell, Moe Koffman, Oliver Jones, Peter Appleyard, Diana Krall, Don Thompson, and many others. In addition, Pat is on the music faculty at both Humber and Mohawk Colleges and is in demand as a clinician and educator. CORNERSTONE Records is proud to present Pat’s first CD as leader.

This recording was made possible through the assistance from the Ontario Arts Council.
Click here for more information about the CD.

New CD Release:
Al Henderson Quintet
"Fathers and Sons"
The AL HENDERSON QUINTET celebrated the release of their newest CD Fathers And Sons (Cornerstone CRST CD 124) at the Montreal Bistro during the week of September 14-18.

Fathers and Sons, recorded live at the Montreal Bistro in Toronto, captures all of the energy and excitement of the quintet's club performances. As always, bassist/composer Al Henderson leads a stellar line-up of musicians featuring multi-instrumentalists Pat LaBarbera and Alex Dean, pianist Richard Whiteman and drummer Barry Romberg. Performances include Marcus M., Fathers and Sons, Darwin's Ghost, Millennium Jump, Obscure, and Waiting for Spring.

For more info about this release, click here