Visions features a large and varied roster of all-star musicians, including renowned bassist Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report), pianist David Garfield (George Benson), drummer Will Kennedy (Yellowjackets) and sax man Gary Meek (Airto). Along with Jon Lucien’s samba gem “You’re Sensational”, produced by bass legend Alphonso Johnson and popular jazz standards such as Errol Garner’s classic “Misty”, given a hip shaking swing infusion here with David K. Mathews’ (Etta James, Santana) gritty and growling B3 accompaniment,
Nicolas gets his groove on with a funky, horn-driven arrangement of Gene McDaniels’ legendary composition, “Compared to What”. Bringing different shadings to his work, Nicolas tests the waters in new approaches to the jazz music that has intrigued and inspired him since he first fell under the spell of jazz greats like Miles Davis and John Coltrane. The Doug Carn straight ahead arrangement of Maurice and Verdine White’s inspirational piece “Mighty, Mighty” simply smokes with Marcus Shelby’s churning bass line, drummer Deszon Claiborne’s rapid-fire stick work and Glen Pearson’s fiery piano. The set is topped off with the title track, Stevie Wonders plaintive plea for understanding “Visions”, featuring the elegant guitar stylings of Bay Area staple, John Hoy.
Release Date: February 5, 2013
1. Falling In Love Again 4:16
2. You’re Sensational 4:31
3. Misty 4:58
4. Everything Must change 5:11
5. The Best Things in Life are Free 2:14
6. (And) It All Goes 'Round And ‘Round 5:34
7. If You Were Mine 4:22
8. Never Let Me Go 4:32
9. Mighty, Mighty 5:23
10. You Better Go 3:25
11. Compared Tto What 5:07
12. Visions 5:26
Tour dates are planned for the East Coast, Europe, Croatia and Russia beginning June 2013, and radio play has already begun in Germany, the UK, Switzerland, Australia and Canada, as well as in many parts of the US - http://smoothjazz.com/jazzblast/GreenStream/nicolas_bearde.htm
Video: http://www.youtube.com/nicolasbearde