Keeping the spirit of Old School R&B fresh and alive for new generations of listeners, David Garfield has a longstanding tradition of creating dynamic, freewheeling re-iimaginings of songs by legendary soul artists both live and in the studio.
Following his worldwide Top 10 radio hit "Let's Stay Together," the veteran Los
Angeles based keyboardist, composer, arranger and recording artist digs deep into the great Stevie Wonder's catalog for his latest single, the slyly funky, brass-fired "Go Home" - a Top 10 pop hit and #2 R&B hit from In Square Circle that's been a staple of Garfield's live performances for years. Released on Garfield's independent label Creathcy Records, "Go Home" is currently charting high on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Chart and worldwide elsewhere, with L.A. Music Critic Robert Leggett writing, "sweet sound featuring strong saxophone and guitar, great upbeat rhythm, awesome background vocals and a catchy melody throughout." The song impacted radio August 7 and is now available for streaming and digital download.
David Garfield celebrates the release of "Go Home" with a concert at Catalina Jazz Club, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Wednesday,
September 12. Showtime: 8:30pm. Tickets: $20. available here. Info: (323) 466-2210 or
http://www.catalinajazzclub.com/. Performing with Garfield at Catalina:
Brandon Fields (saxophone);
Leslie Smith (vocals); Lilliana De Los Reyes (vocals/percussion); Jimmy Earl (bass);
Gary Novak (drums); and special guests.
Garfield enlists a killer lineup of musical friends, R&B/jazz greats and Grammy Award® winners to give Stevie's song the dynamic post-millennial soul treatment it deserves: Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitar),
Kirk Whalum (tenor sax), Freddie
Washington (bass), Tony Maiden (guitar) and the sizzling horn section of Tower of Power legend Stephen "Doc" Kupka (baritone sax) and
Eric Marienthal (tenor sax). The track also features keyboardist Greg Phillinganes, who played in Stevie's bands in the 70's and 80's. The track was arranged and produced by Garfield, who anchors the vibe with Fender Rhodes and synth.
"I loved 'Go Home' from the first time I heard it, and began performing it live as an instrumental at my gigs at the Baked Potato in North Hollywood," Garfield says. "It's got a great bass-line, keyboard hook and chordal structure, and I thought it would fit in perfectly with my desire to incorporate a Tower of Power style horn sound. I've known the TOP guys for years, and wanted to create a track that paid homage to them. You can't ask for more than having one of the original TOP guys, "Doc" Kupka, in the horn section! I had never had the chance to record 'Go Home" in the studio, and I thought this would be the ideal time."
"Go Home" is the first in a series of single track releases that Garfield will release from his upcoming all-star studio project, an expansive work that will feature numerous genre superstar collaborators: George Benson, David Sanborn, Oleta Adams, Rick Braun, Marcus Miller, John Klemmer, Michael McDonald, Ray Parker, Jr., Lamont Dozier, Jr., Tom Scott, Nathan East, Kenya Hathaway, Randy Brecker, legendary Doors drummer John Densmore and
Larry Coryell in his final performances. The project will feature previously unrecorded vocal songs penned by Garfield and Motown legend Smokey Robinson.
In addition to his many years of performing in L.A. and around the world as a solo artist and as bandleader for contemporary world jazz collective Karizma, Garfield is perhaps most familiar to contemporary jazz audiences as a featured artist and longtime musical director for George Benson. Garfield will be touring in the late summer/fall 2017 with Benson in a double bill tour with saxophone superstar Kenny G. He is creating the arrangement for a special duet of the classic hit "Mornin'" by these two legends that pays homage to recently departed friend and collaborator, pop/R&B/jazz great Al Jarreau.
