Joey Stuckey - Mixture

  Hey jazz enthusiasts!! If you are looking for the next classic jazz recording to add to your collection or just some great tunes to groove to, then we invite you to check out Joey Stuckey's debut full length jazz CD 'Mixture'. Blind guitarist Joey Stuckey brings flavors of guitar greats like John McLaughlin, Russ Freeman, Steve Khan and Frank Gambale to 'Mixture' so you are sure to get your jazz guitar fix. With outstanding keyboards from Tom Rule reminiscent of Herbie Hancock, Oscar Peterson and Dave Brubeck, percussion from the masters Miguel Castro and Marcus Reddick in the vein of Tito Puente and Mango Santa Maria and special guest performances by Pam Rule (vocals), Mark Williams (percussion) and Monty Cole (flute), the music on 'Mixture' bops, swings and rocks. Listen to what some jazz elite are saying about 'Mixture': From Terence Cantwell, Professor of music, Macon State Colege and Mercer University: Friends at Play (very good friends at play). From their very first notes, Joey Stuckey and Tom Rule invite you to sit and dine with them. Their joy for music is immediately apparent. Their melodies are just good clean fun as they dance and dart about, weaving their lines with elegant restraint through tender fields of the soul. With impeccable rhythm and drive, they insist that your head bobs, your feet move, your eyes light up and you must, you simply must, grin from ear to ear. They play with gorgeous tone and varied orchestration and their phrasing is exact. There is nothing more exciting then listening to musicians who are on top of their game, and that is exactly what we get here, two of the best, at their best. From Professor Steve Crowell, author of 'The 84 Jazz Equations': Joey Stuckey was already an accomplished player when he came to me for lessons several years ago, wanting to broaden his jazz horizons. We hit it off right away and each lesson is a joy. In fact Joey has learned so much, he is now an accredited teacher of my Jazz Science Guitar Institute. This album reflects a jazzier dynamic, yet it still has the earthy feel of his Georgia roots. From Dr. Monty Cole, professor of jazz studies, Mercer University: These tracks are a departure from the high-energy and edgy blues playing that leaps to mind when you hear the name Joey Stuckey.  Smooth jazz is the latest frontier and the legendary guitar virtuoso is blazing a trail of softer hues across the sound spectrum.  Ably partnered with pianist Tom Rule the group has already established a solid foundation in the new style--just in time for summer.  A host of other musicians make appearances and the result is soothing, satisfying and soulful. Hear what Joey Stuckey and his co-composer Tom Rule say about the project: Joey: I have had the privilege of working with many great musicians! Some famous and some rather infamous. So when I say that it is a joy to work with someone, it is a big-deal. Tom Rule is such a musician. Not only is he an amazing musician, educator and all a round smarty pants, but, he is also a genuine friend-- and working with a person like that is really what life is all about. How many times can you say that you got to work with that kind of person? It doesn't get better than that. It has truly been a high point in my career, thus far, to have worked with him on this project. After playing together for many moons, we finally did something we had threatened to do for years, write together. We started in late 2010 with a weekly writing session. Well it was supposed to be weekly, but as always, life intruded. Now in 2012, we have 10 jazz tunes to our collection and we are pleased with the results. So after completing the writing sessions this was the question--now that we have written these songs, what are we going to do with them? I decided to make the collection of songs we composed into my next album release and name it 'Mixture' because of the blending of styles of two artists. This is my first full-length jazz album and I hope you enjoy it as much as Tom and I have enjoyed writing and performing it for you. Tom: What do you get when you combine the music from a blind guitarist who is 'as sexy as Elvis with half the fat' with a left-handed dyslexic classically trained jazz keyboardist? MIXTURE. This album is a combination of experiences, talents, and musical approaches that come together to create a whole that is greater than it's parts. The music is interesting, full of ear candy, and deep yet accessible - and that's the way we like it! Joey and I have known each other for longer than either of us care to admit, and that long association and deep mutual respect is reflected in MIXTURE's music. This is jazz guitar and keyboard  with a plethora of spices and sauces that will catch your ear and keep your feet tapping. So kick back and get mixed up with MIXTURE!

1) We'll See
2) Fall
3) Windows Down
4) Too Pooped to Bop
5) Sunday Brunch
6) Give Five
7) Raining
8) Holly Tree Hopeful
9) Dot Dot Dot
10) Crooked