Happy New Year everyone! While there’s a few feet of snow on the ground here in Monteal and it’s well below freezing I’ve been video-chatting with my wife Mariana down in Brazil where it’s extremely hot and sunny (she’s at the beach in Rio de Janeiro!) and it’s been really interesting to see the extremely different images that our mother Earth has to offer in real time! 2010 is starting to look promising for us as Mariana finishes up her tour of Brazil with Cirque du Soleil’s “Quidam” and I start working on the creation for the newest Cirque 2010 touring production as the keyboard player and bandleader. Here’s to a great new decade and let’s make it one of the best ever… Cheers!

The new Uptrio cd is now available worldwide! Here's an excerpt from the liner notes by Larry Goldings:

"Throughout this disc of original compositions, the UPTRIO deals in strong melodies, unexpected chord progressions, lyrical improvisations, and high-spirited group interaction. They can swing, groove, and emote on many levels... just plain good music."

I’m happy to announce that the Uptrio (www.uptrio.com) has just signed a contract with Doodlin’ Records and our first album is scheduled to be released this fall. The Doodlin’ label is headed by Pete Fallico and specializes in Hammond organ players. Pete has had a weekly radio show called the Doodlin’ Lounge (www.doodlinlounge.com) for many years and back around 2004 he interviewed me on the show and continues to play selected recordings of mine from my New Orleans days… Thank you Pete once again for being such a dedicated and hard working individual and for supporting such rare art forms as jazz and instruments such as the Hammond!

It’s hard to believe that I’ve actually been living in Brazil for over a year now… I was thinking about this the other day as a helicopter landed on top of one of the office buildings behind our apartment here in Sao Paulo. With over 18 million people (and growing!) Sao Paulo has attained the status of the 4th largest city in the world and has done so more rapidly than any other metropolis on the planet. It’s a crazy place but I love it and it really is the cultural centre of S. America. Virtually everything exists here and I’m really enjoying my studies and the new projects that I’m involved with. Speaking of which - I have a new Brazilian organ trio featuring Thiago Pinheiros (drums) and Daniel Andreotti (guitar) that is currently in the studio recording a new all original jazz CD and my Electrolounge project with DJ Rene is rehearsing for some upcoming shows with GrooveSamba. You can preview some of the music here: (www.idisk.mac.com/charliedennard-public). My last couple of gigs with Pedro Alterio (myspace.com/pedroalterio) went really well also and we’re getting closer to recording his new album and doing more concerts in the near future too… Hope everyone is doing well amidst this global financial crisis that we’re having – but please remember to support the arts and think about peaceful and positive things! Until next time…

First off, the new Razl CD (pictured) entitled “Rotonova” has finally been released featuring myself alongside such greats as Mike Keneally, Dean Brown, Bryan Beller, and Damian Erskine!!! Intergalactic dirty guitar grooves for earthling weirdos best describes this stellar recording by the Madrid-based guitar god Raul Huelves… Muchas gracias Razl & felicitaciones! Secondly, some of the recording sessions at the Sol Lua studio that I made are being used for a new national TV show in Brazil entitled “Revelacao” as well as some local commercial jingles around Sao Paulo. Lastly, an interesting new project called Groove Samba that mixes the house grooves of DJ Zaquinho with live samba drums and percussion has approached me to possibly compose and collaborate with them in the near future… Please stay tuned for more excitement and adventure coming your way soon!

Being in Brazil has been one of the most musically inspiring experiences of my life. Not only have I learned more about the incredible depth of the Brazilian masters such as Ivan Lins, Egberto Gismonti, and Chico Buarque to name a few – I have also discovered countless newer artists like CeU, Hamilton de Holanda, Andre Mehmari and Lenine. What’s even more amazing is that I’ve had the sincere privilege of working with a couple of the youngest ‘next generation’ of Brazilian composers – Pedro Alterio (pictured) and Dani Black. In addition to being extremely well versed in the repertoire of their mentors, these new musicians are writing songs with the harmonic complexity and poetic text that seem to be non-existent in today’s popular music. I’m really happy to be here and to be involved with people such as Pedro and Dani because I know that these guys have a great future ahead of them. I only hope that some of their creative talents will wear off on me as the influence of Brazil continues to inspire and enhance my endless musical journey…

The Electrolounge Project is one of my newest projects to emerge out of my home studio. Combining elements of urban jazz and soul music (that would be from me!) with the elegant vocal improvisations of Swiss/Moroccan singer Malika Alaoui and the ever-so-clever cutting edge programming techniques of DJ Rene Penaloza from S. America; the group is starting to take shape and transform itself into an international pop phenomenon that is headed for success amongst the electro lounge airwaves and underground music scene. For down-tempo/chill music connoisseurs with a taste of style – this project will be a necessity (and I can’t wait to hear what everyone else thinks too!). We’re headed back to the studio here in Brazil next month – so feel free to spread the word and tune in for more updates as the story unfolds… Peace