Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release Karnevel! , from Scott Henderson and I really like it. Opening with title track, Karnevel! Scott Henderson (Tribal Tech, Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul) on guitar take off on his next adventure playing lead guitar and writing, joined by Romain Labaye on bass and Archibald Ligonniere on drums. With a driving bass line and tight drum rhythms, Henderson is free to play fluid, melodic lead lines. Strong opener. Covid Vaccination has a really funky fusion feel led by Ligonniere and punched by Labaye. Henderson never misses a note and his feel is masterful. High energy, Sky Coaster , opens with a frenzied drum rhythm by Ligonniere and quickly anchored by Labaye on bass. Henderson soars on lead guitar over synth chords before erupting into a bombastic fusion with Ligonniere. Labaye gets a real opening to show his stuff on bass and doesn't waste a note. Bilge Rat really has a lot of appeal with it's strong rock foundation and ...

I just received the newest release from super group HBC and it's really "super". Guitarist Scott Henderson, bassist Jeff Berlin and Drummer Dennis Chambers have put together 9 great tracks, 2 originals and 7 by fusion legends, creating a really notable release. Opening with Herbie Hancock's Actual Proof , the band wastes no time demonstrating both individual talent and the cohesiveness of the band. This 10 plus minute excursion gives each band member the opportunity to shine but the mix is so clean that each player is distinctively apparent even when not soloing. Wayne Shorter's Mysterious Traveller develops a really cool funk groove featuring Henderson's slick soloing efforts. Chambers and Berlin both add substantially to the construction without a wasted note. I particularly like Chambers time change on his own solo with Berlin holding down the original rhythm of the track. Excellent! Joe Zawinul's D Flat Waltz is a perfect choice for this trio provi...

Asheville, NC – Much to the excitement of musicians and jazz aficiondos worldwide, the highly anticipated CD release by jazz-fusion legends Scott Henderson, Jeff Berlin and Dennis Chambers, will be released on Tone Center Records (a division of Shrapnel Records) on October 16, 2012. Considered one of the most phenomenal trios in the history of jazz-fusion, HBC's debut CD delivers a full dose of virtuosic performances guaranteed to thrill and inspire all who listen. “The trio is all about interplay,” explains guitarist Scott Henderson. “Jeff and I have always had a very high level of communication when we play together, and putting Dennis in the mix notches it up even higher. He's an extremely musical drummer, but at the same time has the ability to bring the energy up to scary levels.” Bassist Jeff Berlin adds, “We pretty much have the same vision of how three strong players should sound together. We function well on many levels; we're friends and lo...

Born in 1954, Scott Henderson grew up in an era where blues-rock was at it's peak. His formative musical years took place in South Florida where he played the clubs with various bands, playing everything from Led Zeppelin to James Brown. As he was learning his instrument, Henderson was influenced by Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore, and his favorite blues guitarist Albert King. Even though Henderson claims to be more of a blues-rock player, it was the influence of jazz that led him to the style of playing and composing that he is now famous for. Scott finished school at Florida Atlantic University, then moved to Los Angeles where he played and recorded with Chick Corea's Elektric Band, violinist Jean-Luc Ponty, bassist Jeff Berlin and "Players", and a four year stint with Weather Report's Joe Zawinul. Henderson formed the band Tribal Tech in 1984 with bassist Gary Willis, and after ten critically acclaimed albums, with the newest "Tr...