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by: Eunice Moseley - The Pulse of Entertainment
Jazz saxophonist/flutist Tia Fuller takes a break from Beyonce’s all female band to release a third CD titled ‘Decisive Steps’ and tour with her own all female quartet Girl Power.
“People have a misconception of what Jazz is,” said alto/soprano saxophonist/flutist Tia Fuller.
Fuller’s influences were John Coltrane, Sarah Vaughn, and Charlie Parker and it shows on this new project which starts off with a crazy Jazz number, the title track, “Decisive Steps.” My lips got tired just listening to it and I didn’t blow a note!
Not new to the Jazz scene, this CD is Tia’s second project on the Mack Avenue Records imprint.
“I love all kinds of music, of course I love Jazz,” Fuller pointed out. “This album is a combination of all that. I don’t want an album with everything sounding the same…only 2% (of the market) purchases Jazz. I really want to integrate and reach beyond the Jazz audience.”
Tia fuses Jazz with Pop and Jazz with R&B. “Decisive Steps” features the members of her quartet Kim Thompson on drums, Mirian Sullivan on bass, and Fuller’s sister Shamie Royston on piano. Also featured on the CD are Sean Jones on trumpet and Christian McBride on bass (both label mates); Warren Wolf, vibraphonist, and Maurice Chestnut, tap dancer.
“You have to brand yourself,” Tia said about the entertainment business. “I really learned that on the road with Beyonce’. Her success is not by chance she works really hard.”
My favorite cuts on the “Decisive Steps” CD include “Clear Mind” because it reminds me of Miles Davis; “Night Glow” because I love the string support and the piano solo is so hot; “My Shining Hour” because it gets a little crazy like Thelonious Monk; “Shades of McBridge” gives a fresh change; “Kiss by the Sun” is a nice club number that you can dance and groove to, and “I Can’t Get Started” because though there are no words it’s a very deep selection that gets you in the mood for deep contemplation.
To learn more about Tia Fuller and her newest project “Decisive Steps” log onto www.myspace.com/tiafuller or www.mackavenue.com.
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