Joel Del Rosario

Blues Alley
Washington, DC
July 5, 2012, 10:00 pm

If you’re in the market for good, solid live contemporary jazz entertainment, you would have certainly enjoyed yourself thoroughly at the DC hotspot Blues Alley in the Georgetown area of Washington, DC. Tonight, we were treated to the wonderfully talented yet still surprisingly unheralded California guitarist Joel del Rosario and the personable keyboardist Will (“Surewill”) Clark. What a great groove to witness on the day after the 4th of July!

Helping the duo with this powerful set was local saxman Brian Lenair who never disappoints with his passion and energy.

The set opened with thunder as each artist set out to offer tracks from their latest projects, Surewill’s debut release Out of the Shadows and del Rosario’s Coast to Coast album. From the outset, the audience was wired and totally engaged.

A great high point of the show was Surewill’s tribute to his uncle Jim for whom he titled a track  –”My Hero (Uncle Jim)” – on his debut album. The track was snappy and electric, with very pronounced chops being provided by del Rosario and Lenair.

More goodies followed as del Rosario ripped into the tight, and surefooted “Seattle” and “Hey It’s the Weekend,” interacting beautifully with the audience who, by this time, was absolutely beside itself in grooveland and solidly riveted to the set.

Saxman Lenair was given his moment as he lit into the rockin’ “I Like the Way You Move.”

Bassist Buddy Jordan and drummer Sam Marshall were each allowed to shine as well, and shine they did, providing the audience with some memorable moments indeed.

The finale, a cover of the late crooner Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Hoiller)” was compelling and alive.

Blues Alley does a great job of booking appealing acts, even some who may not be as familiar to some as to others. Tonight, if there were people who were unfamiliar with Surewill and del Rosario, they left with a full sense of who these two are who may seem to have flown under the radar before. Each tune, each solo was sheer pleasure. Del Rosario, a humble, nimble-fingered artist gave much of the credit for his crisp and distinct sound to his equipment and sound system. Personally, I think it was more of the del Rosario finesse and skill than anything else.

Both of these artists proved to me a while back that they are more than competent – they aregroove-ready. Their laid-back stage presence and the fact the entire band appeared to interact so well was a result of simply having big fun doing what they so love best. That certainly came across in an easy message to the audience. Satisfying? Totally without a doubt, and I—like I’m sure so many others there—will surely return to see them whenever they grace this area again. – Ronald Jackson

Occasionally, a musical gem will escape my roving eye. Such was the case with guitarist Joel del Rosario who has just released his third album, Coast to Coast, and has actually been in this biz for over two decades. Two decades! At any rate, someone planted a bug in my ear about this talented artist, and I had to pursue him and his latest project to see what all the noise was about him in certain circles. Well, I quickly found out after I popped in this cool, very well-done CD of real contemporary jazz guitar.

Del Rosario, who wrote and produced all but two tracks here, has one of the clearest, smoothest sounds and works a chord to perfection. From the lead track, “Hey It’s The Weekend,” I sensed I was truly on to something with presence and a life here.  The track bounced with attitude and confidence and, had I not read it in his bio, would have tipped me off that this was no debut release for this cat.

Navigating his way through sassy, funky cuts like the title track and the very spiritually uplifting (yes, and very funky) “God Is Able,” this nimble-fingered guitarist who seems to fancy the Ibanez Artstar sound is consistent and determined to constantly drive home his cool groove and message that he’s one with whom to seriously reckon. He also has a crackerjack knack for the blues, as shown on his scorching performance on “They That Wait.”

Yes, just crack the door,, and del Rosario obviously will take it from there. Each tune brings a uniqueness about it. Nothing sounds like something else on the album. I like that…a lot. Diversity, fluidity, creativity, and style…not to mention a very effective sound. He may have slipped by me in the past, but Coast to Coast places him clearly in my sights now, and, if this is your first introduction to him, I’m sure you’ll feel the same. – Ronald Jackson

"jDR, one of the hottest artists has actually been around for a while and his new release has been climbing the jazz and contemporary jazz music charts"

“There’s no doubt in my heart Joel that you know how to bring entertaining smooth jazz. The melodies flow fluid like and crystal clear out of your guitar. Keep up this good work!”

 

Guitarist and Songwriter Joel Del Rosario first trained in Viola. Joel studied, performed, and was second chair in the San Francisco School of the Arts Orchestra. But jazz was his real passion. So he soon chose the guitar as his favorite instrument. Robyn Kazmarcyk and later Elroy Jones were his mentors. He also attended the prestigious Stanford University Jazz camp during high school.

Joel has just released his third album Coast To Coast after his previous albums All Him and Calm In the Storm. All tracks were self written & arranged by Joel with the exception of  God Is Able, written by Don Moen & sung by Ron Kenoly and his choir. All the guitars, bass, keyboards, and sequencing were done by Joel. A genuine self-produced album.

Hey It's the Weekend is like Saturday Night Fever meets Smooth Jazz. While Joel performs some sultry guitar loops, rhythm and strings bring back some disco feeling. Music for your good time.

Coast to Coast continues the positive spirit and mood. Joel describes his themes with quick guitar riffs and his crystal clear guitar sound is enthusing his audience. Seattle is Joel's tribute to the vibrant city in the Pacific Northwest and the state of Washington. This outstanding well-arranged song is the first highlight of the album.

Joel reveals his Christian heritage with the spiritual track God is Able. Latin music and Gospel melts into a mesmerizing uplifting piece. Joel sampled Ron Kenoly's choir but totally re-arranged the song. The mid-tempo Get You in the Groove brings more sunshine in your life.

Joel has an undisputable feeling for great compositions as he illustrates with One Way Street Remix with crisp guitar chords. The romantic Midtown features Joel's friend and sax player Melecio Magdaluyo, who is currently the jazz instructor at the School of the Arts San Francisco, where Joel went to school.  He has played with Pete Escovedo, Bobby Brown, and many artists including Wayne Wallace.

They that Wait is Joel's short excursion into the Blues genre. Another good opportunity to give us a taste of his multi-faceted talent. Listening to Always Faithful I recall with greatest respect that Joel performs all instruments on his album in a impressive perfection. His sense for immaculate melodies is unsurpassable. Final piece of this album is the intoxicating Been Good to Me. Joel follows the melody with different styles always keeping this smooth ballad in balance.

With George-Benson-like fluidity Joel Del Rosario rivals on his new album Coast To Coast every proficient smooth jazz guitarist.

 

 

Joel’s music is truly a gift from heaven. His powerful compositions coupled with his extraordinary playing ability sets his listeners up for an emotionally spiritual experience they will never forget. Yes folks, he goes there. His new CD Coast to Coast is sure to rock your world.

His previous CDs, All Him, and Calming the Storm, are still enjoyed by audiences all over the world. And, "Coast to Coast" is gaining full momentum in becoming another great hit for this musical genius from San Francisco.

So, jump on board, and let Joel take you on a deep soulful journey with tunes such as "Been Good to Me", "Hey It's the Weekend", and of course his title song "Coast to Coast". 

Jazzin Em Up - Cres O'Neal

One wonders if the Katrina disaster had anything to do with the inspiration behind this album; after all, the title can be interpreted as such, right? Joel Del Rosario certainly has the right smooth-jazz grooves to comfort the distressed. His clean, polished guitar playing is in itself a force of nature. He is a fluid musician, his fingers having mastery over not only the guitar but the bass as well. Just check out his pulsating work on the propulsive "Back in the Day." There are reflective pieces on here like "One Way Street" and "355 Ocean," both of which conjure images of a rainy night on the town. Based in San Francisco, Del Rosario certainly has that Bay Area flavor. This is not Los Angeles smooth jazz with its sunny textures. Del Rosario's compositions are more dynamic, alive, and eclectic. On "Her Favorite" and "Padre Burgos," Del Rosario introduces a spicy Latin beat to his music, generating enough electricity to light up the neighborhood. Guest vocalist George Hunter lends a hand to "LJP (Love, Joy, Peace)," but for the most part this is Del Rosario's show. And from beginning to end he has us in the palm of his hand.

Imagine something that's tranquil and soothing, yet also contains some very cool vibes with a layer or two of spice tossed in the mix. This is what you get with the new CD from Joel Del Rosario aptly titled Calm In The Storm. Del Rosario ambitiously composed, arranged and produced all of the songs on this CD and plays guitars, bass and keyboards as well. That's a lot of hats to wear and they're all worn extremely well. This CD features ten tracks all of which offer a delicious mix of Del Rosario’s classical training as well as his influences from such artists as Earth Wind & Fire, George Benson and Stan Getz. If we were talking apples here, there isn’t a bad one in the bunch. On “One Way Street,” Del Rosario’s beautiful classical guitar licks contrasts and yet blends superbly with the funkier “Express.” And the fun and funky “Back In The Day,” showing Del Rosario’s influence with Earth Wind & Fire, is simply delightful as well. “LJP (Love, Joy, Peace)” and “LJP Interlude” features the smooth vocals of George Hunter and along with Del Rosario’s sensual guitar create an air of harmony and tenderness. The title track, “Calm In The Storm” is an excellent example of Del Rosario’s mastery of the guitar and effectively shows us his spiritual side, which inspires him to make this beautiful music. These songs together with the rest of the tracks on this CD all blend together seamlessly to produce some exceptional smooth jazz music. And with Del Rosario’s spiritual beliefs, Calm In The Storm is sure to sooth the soul, lift the spirit and inspire all who listen.

From the album title and the soothing textures of his compositions and playing, the goal of Joel Del Rosario (http://www.jdrjazz.com) is to lift up the listener, bring light into the chaos of a troubled world. Trying to accomplish that without words is no easy task; when notes take the place of lyrics, they have to be able to communicate those messages to the brain. Thankfully, Del Rosario succeeds; this is a relatively upbeat, emotionally engaging album. Del Rosario is no cookie-cutter smooth jazz artist. He plays with a variety of tempos and styles, from the acoustic warmth and playful keyboards of "One Way Street" to the Latin mix on "Padre Burgos" to the classic soul vibes of "True Love Waits." Del Rosario is responsible for all the guitar, bass, and keyboards on the LP yet the album doesn't have the minimalist feel of a one-man band. On "Back in the Day," Rosario's snappy bass lines and spine-tingling guitar riffs blend together with seemlessly. Vocalist George Hunter makes a surprise appearance on "LJP (Love, Joy, Peace)" and its later interlude; the pair work together well as Hunter delivers a heartfelt performance that fits within Del Rosario's evocative instrumentation. There are a number of tunes here that would be perfect for soundtracks, such as "Express," which vividly captures the heart of a busy city.

Joel Del Rosario has composed, arranged and produced all songs on his new album. Calm In The Storm is an awesome example for his talent to write attractive songs and call them into being. Joe's music grows at small places in moody hours.

Hot licks and cool vibes come together in an all original collection by Joel Del Rosario entitled Calm in the Storm. Smooth jazz and hope collide into a beautiful set of melodies. “I hope Calm in the Storm will encourage people of all ages to believe in miracles and move forward in the midst of their storms,” said Del Rosario. Although Joel Del Rosario was classically trained on the viola, his influences were George Benson, Earth Wind & Fire and Stan Getz. Del Rosario studied guitar under Elroy Jones (mentor of Stanley Jordan). He has played for over 20 years on the west coast as both a studio musician and performer.

Classically trained on the viola as a child, Joel Del Rosario was surrounded by music at an early age. From the soulful sounds of the Stylistics to the jazzy guitar work of George Benson heard on the family stereo, music pervaded every facet of Joel's life. And, when Joel's mother died of breast cancer, he poured his whole being into the guitar for solace. Tormented by the loss of his mother, Joel ran away from home at 17, living out of a suitcase and working several jobs to put himself through college in Los Angeles. Though difficult, the mid-90s brought about music related opportunities to Joel which included an internship at Motown Records and his first opportunity in co-writing/arranging music for a small recording label. During this time he also played guitar/bass for an R&B band which he also helped produce music for. He also studied under the tutelage of Elroy Jones who mentored Stanley Jordan, the Grammy nominated jazz guitarist. Joel is currently active in his community raising funds for cancer awareness and volunteering with teens as a counselor. He in addition is very active as the band leader for his local church. With his current release "Calm in the Storm", smooth jazz and hope collide into a beautiful set of melodies. As the "Jazz Review" proclaimed, "...Calm in the Storm is sure to soothe the soul, lift the spirit and inspire all who listen.

Multi-instrumentalist Joel Del Rosario kreeg een klassieke opleiding op viool, en groeide op terwijl hij luisterde naar George Benson, Earth, Wind & Fire en Stan Getz. Hij incorporeert een breed spectrum aan invloeden in zijn instrumentale muziek. Hij bespeelt gitaar, keyboards en bas, en schreef alle songs zelf. Verder voorzag hij de songs van arrangementen en produceerde hij ze. Zijn sterk spiritueel geloof blijft hem inspireren met positieve muziek met een boodschap. Op deze cd volgt hij het pad waar smooth jazz en hoop samenkomen om mensen van alle leeftijden aan te moedigen in mirakels te geloven, en in het midden van de storm die woedt, door te gaan. De muziek hierop werkt ontspannend zodat ze zou gebruikt worden om kinderen voor het slapengaan te kalmeren. Nochtans is ze niet eentonig, maar zeer melodieus en soms zelfs up-tempo. Op ‘LJP (Love, Joy, Passion)’ en ‘LJP Interlude’ hoor je zanger George Hunter. Indien u houdt van een sterke mix van genres, variërend van bossa nova, over Motown en R&B, tot smooth jazz, wel dan is Joel’s schijfje iets voor u. Er staan eigenlijk geen slechte nummers op.

Jaren lang heeft multi-instrumentalist Joel Del Rosario begeleidingsrollen gespeeld, maar nu heeft Joel eindelijk de tijd gevonden om een soloplaat op te nemen. Door zijn uitstekende contacten in de jazzwereld, dachten we te kunnen rekenen op een indrukwekkende lijst van begeleiders, maar neen, op zijn bijna instrumentaal album speelt hij gitaar, keyboards en bas alleen. Enkel in de songs "LJP (Love, Joy, Peace)" en "LJP Interlude" hoor je zanger George Hunter. De plaat begint met de akoestische warmte en speellustige keyboards in "One Way Street", over het Latin-achtige "Padre Burgos" tot klassieke soul vibes in het afsluitende "True Love Waits". Na zijn debuut "All Him" (2003) is "Calm In The Storm", meer dan een waardige opvolger, met name wanneer zijn roots en invloeden, zoals George Benson, Earth Wind & Fire en Stan Getz naar voren komen is het genieten. Over het vakmanschap van deze muzikant hoeven we het verder niet te hebben, want Joel Del Rosario is waarschijnlijk een van de beste gitaristen die er zijn. Technisch vlekkeloos en altijd smaakvol, is hij een gewild sessie-muzikant, en met het zonnetje dat er langzamerhand weer door komt, en met een wijntje in de hand en "Calm In The Storm", op de achtergrond wordt het goed toeven naast de open haard, want op deze cd zijn er zat aan hoogtepunten en schitterende nummers waar de vonken van afspringen. "Back in the Day" is meteen een hoogtepunt, maar ook de rest van dit instrumentale album laat een geïnspireerd gitarist horen die met zijn tweede release aan een nieuw hoofdstuk in zijn carrière is begonnen. Waar wacht je nog op?