One of the coolest things to come out of the 1970’s was groove-heavy jazz-funk. Alto flutist Bradley Leighton fondly recalls the halcyon days of bellbottoms, platform shoes, fur coats, big hats and lots of gold jewelry on Back to the Funk, which was released yesterday by Pacific Coast Jazz. Leighton’s third album features booty-bumping funk, seductive R&B, chill jazz nuances, and lilting pop hooks produced by Allan Phillips. Presently collecting adds at radio is “Runaway,” a driving feel-good joint boasting a full horn section and a fiery exchange between Leighton’s scorching alto flute and a sweaty, bellowing sax.

Having previously released two critically-acclaimed albums that delved into straight-ahead jazz with occasional splashes of Latin rhythms or R&B grooves, Leighton wanted to fully indulge his love of jazz-funk. He co-penned five tracks for Back to the Funk that reveal some of his musical influences: the Brecker Brothers, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Tower of Power. Leighton also set out to prove that in the contemporary jazz world dominated by guitars and saxes, the flute can also be soulful and funky. Real guitar, piano, bass, drums, sax, trumpet and trombone give the production an organic sound. Leighton’s alto flute gracefully leaps above the muscular horn arrangements and rhythmic R&B base to deliver eloquent jazz-pop statements. In addition to the original material, the artist covers three classics: Stevie Wonder’s “Love Light In Flight,” Ray, Goodman & Brown’s “Special Lady” and Bread’s “Make It With You.”

Although the album was just released, the critics are already taking notice. L.A. Jazz Scene wrote, “Mesmerizing backbeats, programmed drum rhythms, wah-wah synthesizers and flowing horn melodies weave with the leader's deep-throated alto flute for a significantly vibrant effect. Leighton's horn section works well with him in a spot-on performance that features expertly synchronized melodic lines…These songs carry powerful memories, and Leighton's soulful flute brings them around clearly…it succeeds in reminding us that music remains the lifeblood of what inspires us every day.” Smoothjazz.com enthused, “The album’s a knockout, and should do extremely well for the talented artist. This Seattle native, in San Diego since 2001, once again shows us why jazz flute is one of the most sensual instruments around…Bradley Leighton’s Back to the Funk is loaded with inventive, inspired playing…”

During the month of February, “Runaway” will be heard in select movie theatre chains across the U.S., including United Artists, Regal, Edwards and Hoyt. Plans are underway for Leighton to mark the album release with intimate club performances with his band in Renton, Washington and in San Diego, California. Last week, he participated at the International Association of Jazz Education conference in New York City.

Leighton debuted in 2003 with a collection of jazz standards on the Groove Yard CD. Last year’s Just Doin’ Our Thang straddles the line between traditional and contemporary jazz. It consists of fresh interpretations of standards along with four original compositions that find Leighton backed by a Hammond B3 organ trio. The album has been hailed by such respected outlets as JazzTimes, Audiophile, All About Jazz, All Music Guide, and the San Diego Reader and was nominated for “Best Jazz Album of the Year” by the San Diego Music Awards.

Pacific Coast Jazz is distributed in the U.S. by Big Daddy Music and in the United Kingdom by The Woods. Additional information about Leighton can be found at www.fluteguy.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Rick Scott 310.398.0260

October 10, 2005 email: greatscottproductions@earthlink.net

Ride a soulful groove Back To The Funk

with Bradley Leighton on January 17

“Runaway” with the third album from the critically-praised jazzman

Emerging as the Pied Piper of jazz-funk, alto flutist Bradley Leighton’s third album, Back To The Funk, will be released by the Pacific Coast Jazz record label on January 17^th. Leighton co-wrote five songs for the collection of R&B, funk, jazz and pop jams, which were produced and arranged by Allan Phillips. Heading to radio first will be “Runaway,” a vintage blast from the past with a modern twist that takes flight with an aggressive rhythmic groove, a cinematic chorus, and fierce alto flute and sweltering sax soloing. The radio add date for the smooth jazz format will be January 9^th.

After releasing two critically acclaimed albums that veered from traditional and Latin jazz to a flirtation with R&B, Leighton decided to fully explore his passion for jazz-funk. His early influences - the Brecker Brothers, Earth, Wind & Fire and Tower Of Power – are apparent on Back To The Funk’s robust horn arrangements that ricochet off of slamming funk beats while his alto flute angelically rises above the gritty grooves on tracks like “Runaway,” “Clear Blue Skies” and the title cut. Leighton chills on sensual mid-tempo trysts such as “Midnight Affairs” and “Soul Moon.” Strolling back in time, Leighton dusted off three gems to revisit: Stevie Wonder’s “Love Light In Flight,” Ray, Goodman & Brown’s “Special Lady” and Bread’s soulful “Make It With You,” which were deep fried in a vat of funk. Real guitar, bass, drums, and plenty of sax, trumpet and trombone help give the record an authentic, warm feel.

“With today’s contemporary jazz scene dominated by guitars and saxes, this (album) was sort of a proof of concept project in that I wanted to integrate the flute into the (contemporary jazz) format and make it funky. One of the key elements was to play the seldom used alto flute, which sounds larger, richer and mellower in tone,” explained the Seattle native who presently resides in the San Diego area. “Simple, catchy melodies, hip urban grooves, and a full horn section resulted in an album that will hopefully prove pleasing to fans and open the minds of those who have been resistant to music that features the flute.”

To help whet the public’s thirst for the new album, those traveling on United Airlines in November and December can preview a couple tracks from Back To The Funk as part of the in-flight music programming. Meanwhile, Leighton won the opportunity to perform live with his band at the Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival in Montego Bay, Jamaica at the end of January.

Leighton debuted in 2003 with Groove Yard, a beautiful collection of jazz standards. Released earlier this year, Doin’ Our Own Thang is comprised of inventive arrangements of standards and four original compositions in a traditional jazz setting that finds Leighton backed by a Hammond B3 organ trio. The album has received critical praise from such respected outlets as JazzTimes, Audiophile, All About Jazz, All Music Guide, L.A. Jazz Scene, and the San Diego Reader ,and it was recently nominated for “Best Jazz Album of the Year” by the San Diego Music Awards.

Pacific Coast Jazz is distributed in the U.S. by Big Daddy Music and in the United Kingdom by The Woods.

Back To The Funk contains the following tracks:

“Runaway” “Sunday In San Diego”

“Flow” “Make It With You”

“Back To The Funk” “Ready For You”

“Midnight Affairs” “Soul Moon”

“Clear Blue Skies” “Love Light In Flight”

“Special Lady”

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