Portraits
© Copyright-Nedsville Publishing, ASCAP
Record Label: Turning Point
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ABOUT "PORTRAITS"
"Portraits" is a double disc live recording featuring 17 cuts that were recorded at three separate gigs at the Cajun House in Scottsdale, AZ. The set captures the energetic and entertaining performances that define Turning Point's style.
ABOUT TURNING POINT
Turning Point is a contemporary instrumental group based in Phoenix, Arizona that mixes jazz with rock and world music elements. The idea for the band was conceived by the guitar and bass duo of brothers Thano and Demitri Sahnas. When the two met drummer/percussionist John Herrera and keyboardist Steve Culp on separate gigs shortly after, Turning Point was formed. The goal was simple: play the kind of instrumental music that they would listen to.
With four albums of original material, a live CD and DVD, and a Christmas record, that simple concept has become a cottage industry that keeps Turning Point on the road 150 dates a year and has sold 50,000 records independently.
"We're a bunch of 80s rock players playing instrumental music in a smooth jazz format. We try to go as far outside the box as we can," said Thano Sahnas.
That attitude has allowed Turning Point to share the stage with some of the greatest names in smooth jazz and R&B such as Earth Wind and Fire, The Commodores, James Brown, Boney James, Craig Chaquico, Bobby Caldwell, Earl Klugh, Gato Barbieri, Spyro Gyra, Warren Hill, Rick Braun, Peter White, Richard Elliott, Brian Bromberg, Kim Waters, The Rippingtons, Down to the Bone, Michael McDonald and many others.
THE BAND
Steve Culp -keyboards
John Herrera - drums/percussion
Demitri Sahnas - bass
Thano Sahnas - guitar
WHAT THE PRESS SAYS
"A top notch CD with unique stylistic changes. Who cares if you've never heard of these guys? This disc is great!" -- Smooth Jazz News
"...Exploring the far reaches of the smooth jazz genre...a well rounded sound that will keep jazz fans at rapt attention through repeated listenings." -- Tucson Lifestyle
"...dives right into many different styles of jazz, giving us some Latin influences, high energy eclectic pieces and creative instrumentals." -- Today's Arizona Woman
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Portraits
author: Michael
Consistent guitar based instrumental jazz, recorded live. Not quite as good as their more recent and truly outstanding and more latin flavored Matador CD, but solid throughout and longer.
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Superlative Musicianship: Expressive and VERY Tight
author: Chris Thompson
Romantic, Jazzy, Hot and Spicy, Very Fast to Very Slow. Spot On delivery of expression of a full range of emotional music. "Inside Out" will make you cry unless you are made of stone.
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very good, rock background shows through
author: Blaise Canzian
Good, well worth while even if you have other Turning Point CD's. The energy and creative enthusiasm come through well. The rock background of the string players comes through more strongly on this live CD (especially in some of the the guitar solos, which can be edgy and rocky) than it does on their studio recordings, which are definitely in the smooth (but not sleepy!) jazz realm.
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This CD is simply awesome!
author: Mitch E.
This CD is simply one of the best smooth jazz albums I have listened to all year. You guys need to get heard. Your music is fresh with a great range. The mix of sounds, rhythms, orchestration and instrumentation is truly impressive.
The only thing that keeps this from being a 5 star review is that the group needs a sonically better recording studio. All in all though, this is a CD in my collection that will be listened to many times.
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