21 November 2006                                         email: greatscottproductions@earthlink.net

Saxophonist Steve Cole plays True to his roots on new CD

Well-received album released today salutes the artist’s musical influences and hometown while showcasing his skills as a soloist

Demonstrating that one can be inspired to greatness by simply returning to their roots, contemporary jazz saxophonist Steve Cole released his fifth album, True, today from Narada Jazz/Blue Note Label Group.  Cole produced the collection and composed or co-wrote the nine new R&B, jazz, funk, dance and pop songs that comprise the disc. 

Through his previous albums, Cole established himself as a core artist in contemporary jazz.  His consistency as a songwriter and producer also merits recognition and respect as he’s scored four #1 radio hits and ten Top 5 singles since his 1998 debut.  True promises to add to Cole’s impressive accomplishments. 

The album title refers to a return to innocence, a return to the music that inspired Cole to explore his passion for jazz-funk made popular by artists such as Eddie Harris, Grover Washington, Jr., David Sanborn, Junior Walker and George Benson.  It was an era of well-crafted songs, live production and expressive music that emerged from the core of the artists’ being.  Those were the ingredients Cole used to create True.  He pushed himself to reach new heights delivering unadulterated artistry and organic musicianship.  He was inspired by the music that emerged from his hometown of Chicago where he still resides.  On the album, Cole salutes seminal Chicago pioneers such as jazz-funk legend Quincy Jones and soul icon Curtis Mayfield along with clubby house music, which emerged from the Chicago underground.  But broadening his saxwork and improvising were equally important objectives for Cole on True.  He sought to produce the record as “live” as possible, fostering the setting for expansive soloing.  A talented cast of musicians helped make True a reality, including Jeff Golub, Steve Rodby, David Mann, Ricky Peterson, Lenny Castro and Khari Parker. 

Last month, the house music-inspired cut “Metro,” boasting an extended sax solo that’s both expressive and functional, was serviced to smooth jazz radio stations where it is presently garnering airplay.  The early reaction to the album from music critics has been enthusiastic.  All Music Guide said, “If the title of this superior collection is indicative of the true persona that's here to stay, then genre fans will be in for a powerful adventure… Cole has scored many hits while on the road to finding his true voice, and with any luck, he'll stay right there as the perfect antidote to his less imaginative contemporaries.”  JazzReview wrote, “In this watershed album, Cole lets down his hair and goes for it, showing his talent in featured solos-- blending textures, melodies and awesome extremes… Cole states, ‘A lot of the substance of a player is evident once they get off the melody and start improvising.’  That’s exactly what Cole does on True, adding fresh notes, compelling hooks and smooth grooves.” 

Concert dates to support True are being scheduled for early next year.  For more information, please visit www.stevecole.net.  To hear tracks from True, click www.bluenote.com/stevecole. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    Contact: Rick Scott 310.398.0260

October 2, 2006                                              email: greatscottproductions@earthlink.net

It’s True: organic new collection from saxophonist

Steve Cole will be unveiled November 21^st

Clubby “Metro” will be the first track serviced to radio

Focusing on performance, improvisation and really playing from the heart & soul, fueled by the metropolitan sounds and influences of his hometown of Chicago, saxman Steve Cole will release his fifth album, True, on November 21^st on the Narada Jazz/Blue Note Label Group record label.  Cole produced this engaging record that sets the bar high on each song.  Prefacing the album release will be the servicing to smooth jazz radio of the house music-inspired “Metro,” which goes for adds on October 23^rd.        

With a title that takes on a host of meanings, True signifies a return to innocence for Cole, going back to the roots of the music that touched him during his formative years.  Recalling Grover Washington Jr., David Sanborn, Spyro Gyra, George Benson and others, Cole also couldn’t help from being influenced by the music from his own backyard and the iconic artists who have emerged from Chicago, such as Quincy Jones, Curtis Mayfield, Rufus, and house music.  After writing or co-authoring nine new songs, Cole sought musicians of the highest level whom he could “feel, people who truly care and bring the kind of magic that can only happen organically.”  Some of those special players were Jeff Golub, Steve Rodby, David Mann, Ricky Peterson, Lenny Castro and Khari Parker.  

“People want an honest, human portrayal of the music, music that is truly what you’re about naturally,” explained Cole.  “I wanted to focus on giving a unique performance on each track and really playing.  How a musician improvises when soloing off the melody reveals the true heart & soul of the artist and the depth of their artistry.  I wanted the music on this record to be more expressive, something that people can feel authentically.”

True is a well-crafted album from beginning to end that was recorded as close to “live” as possible.  It opens big with “Bounce,” as massive Chicago horns blast you with a sweaty dose of deep-fried funk.  The sultry and sophisticated “Cote Seine,” featuring Rodby’s nimble basswork, adeptly blends contemporary and be-bop jazz riffs.  A couple salutes to music legends are also standouts: “Curtis” is a soulful nod to Mayfield, while “Just A Natural Thing” pays tribute to Jones.  Writing pop anthems like “Take Me” comes easily to Cole.  Layers of horns funk up “Something About You.”  “Metro” boasts an extended sax solo that’s both expressive and functional.  “Closer” is an unabashedly “cuddle up close” slow jam.  Cole plays both soprano and tenor saxes on “Come With Me,” in addition to wielding acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards and synth bass.                  

After studying modern classical music for saxophone at Northwestern University, Cole earned an MBA at the University of Chicago.  Making his debut in 1998 with the Atlantic Records release, Stay Awhile, he scored three radio hits out of the box that helped him garner the 2000 Oasis Smooth Jazz Prism Award as Best New Artist.  Subsequent albums – Between Us, NY LA, and Spin - have also spawned radio hits; he’s amassed four #1 singles to date.  Cole has toured and/or recorded with Brian Culbertson, Junior Wells, Boz Scaggs, Larry Carlton, Jeff Lorber, Freddie Cole, Cyrus Chestnut, KMFDM, Rick Braun and others.        

Steve Cole’s True contains the following songs:

“Bounce”                                 “Something About You”

“Cote Seine”                            “Metro”

“Curtis”                                    “Closer”

“Just A Natural Thang”            “Come With Me”

“Take Me”

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