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Owl Studios Signs Legendary Drummer Mike Clark December 10th, 2009 Owl Studios is proud to announce that legendary drummer Mike Clark has been signed to the Owl Studios Artist Roster. Mike is currently working on a new album, which will be released on the Owl Studios label in 2010. Other artists on the session include Donald Harrison on Alto Sax, Fred Wesley on Trombone, Jerry Z on Organ, Lennny White on Drums and Owl Studios artists Rob Dixon on Tenor Sax and Derrick Gardner on Trumpet. The album, yet to be titled, will be a combination of jazz and funk tunes. When asked what drew him to signing with Owl Studios Mike answered: "The whole vibe seemed right, a good fit." For information, visit: http://blog.owlstudios.com/blog/owl-studios-blog/0/0/owl-studios-sign-drummer-mike-clark "Blueprints of Jazz Volume 1" Rated by Downbeat One of the Best Albums of the Decade. more info here Blueprints of Jazz Vol. 1 CD Review Audiophile Audition - January 2009 Clark, best known for his funk/fusion playing and stint with Herbie Hancock's Headhunters, heroically demonstrates his supreme prowess as a post- bop jazz master. read more Blueprints of Jazz Vol. 1 Leo Weekly - January 2009 In the liner notes, Clark stresses the importance of this opportunity to �defy the stereotype of my identity as a funk or fusion drummer.� He accomplishes his goal admirably, with the assistance of a topnotch group of musicians: saxophonists Donald Harrison and Jed Levy, pianist Patrice Rushen, bassist Christian McBride and trumpeter Christian Scott. Indeed, Clark shows his versatility throughout. read more Best CDs Of 2008 Downbeat Magazine - January 2009 Mike Clark's Blueprints of Jazz, Vol. 1 listed as one of the best new CDs of 2008. read more What our critics are listening to Herochester.com - January 2009 The tunes, mostly originals, strike the proper balance between "the new" and the classic sound of mainstream bop read more CD Reviews- Mike Clark Jazz Times - December 2008 If Clark�s stellar 2003 recording, Summertime, hadn�t already established the fact that he is indeed a brilliant jazz drummer, this superb release makes the case in no uncertain terms. read more Review- Blueprints of Jazz Jazz Weekly - December 2008 Clark cracks the whip and keeps the stallions charging forward. Great stuff from a forgotten hero. read more Blueprints of Jazz Vol. 1 Review Downbeat Magazine - December 2008 Review of Blueprints of Jazz Vol. 1 on Downbeat Magazine. read more Drummer Mike Clark kicks off an interesting series of records Jazz & Blues Music Reviews - November 2008 The drumming is crisp and keeps everyone in the pocket, supplying the strong and deep groove that is critical in successful hard bop jazz. read more Blueprints of Jazz Series Toledo Blade - November 2008 Drummer Mike Clark, known for his work as a fusion drummer with Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters in the 1970s, lays it on the line with hot, Buddy Rich-like tempos in a straight-ahead jazz set in which he's surrounded by a great cast, including bassist Christian McBride and trumpeter Christian Scott. read more Mike Clark : Blueprints of Jazz All About Jazz - November 2008 Three discs, three creative artists, one concept�Blueprints of Jazz presents some of jazz music's eminently worthy but less widely known innovators. Tenor saxophonist Billy Harper and drummers Mike Clark and Donald Bailey have been fixtures on the jazz scene from 1950s through the 1970s, and they still produce fresh sounds. read more Blueprints of Jazz Vol. 1 Overview All Music - November 2008 This album exceeds all his previous dates with regard to the vitality of this music, the high-level musicianship of all the players, and the fact that Clark happily wears his influences on his sleeve. read more Mike Clark�s ensemble offers one swingin� ride Columbia Tribune - October 2008 I love good surprises - and jazz always has the potential to offer that. There are so many good players and combinations of players, and it�s nice from time to time to force yourself to listen to people that you might be only vaguely familiar with and soak up their music, which you are even less likely to know than the performers themselves. read more Bluprints of Jazz review Sax Shed - September 2008 Clark�s ensemble most notably features Christian McBride on bass, and Donald Harrison on alto. Jed Levy�s beefy tenor sound is a real treat to hear in this setting. Readers not familiar with Clark�s varied background playing with many jazz legends would do themselves a favor to check out this remarkable drummer. read more Blueprints of Jazz review Midwest Record - September 2008 From jazz to funk and everyplace in between, Clark has been there providing the beat. Here he really kicks it out on the ultimate �give the drummer� some set of this and probably a lot of other years. read more Featured Artist: Mike Clark Jazz Review - September 2008 The inaugural release of the new Talking House Records Blueprints of Jazz series, Mike Clark, Vol. 1., contains music by an ensemble of jazz heavyweights who all deserve not just wider appeal, but more recognition within the genre. read more
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