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Airborne - Winds of Change - Video
Airborne the Musical Peacemakers of Contemporary Jazz
"Winds of Change" Video - An Inspirational Message of Hope.
The "Winds of Change" CD music is very uplifting and we took it's captivating groove and intervened it with speeches by President Obama, Dr. King, John & Robert Kennedy. Making for a very powerful experience.
http://www.airbornejazz.com
Winds of Change - Denis Poole - Smooth Jazz Therapy
Airborne ‘Winds of Change’ is more than a recording, it is a rallying call for change and hope throughout the world.
The brand new album from New Haven, CT based Airborne is entitled ‘Winds Of Change’ and much of the publicity surrounding it makes clear that the title, compositions, and even the emotion of the project was inspired by the bands concern for world events. The implicit assertion, irrespective of faith, race, color or wealth, that together we can make this earth a better place is beyond dispute and in articulating this harmonious message Airborne has delivered nine wonderfully uplifting tunes which can be fairly described as some of the best smooth jazz to be heard this year.
‘Winds of Change’ is Airborne’s 6th CD and each subsequent release has demonstrated the growing confidence the band has in its own music and the diversity Airborne is never afraid to display. Although the 2005 album ‘Heavy Vibes’ was replete with top notch old school jazz fusion this, in the main, has been displaced by the world rhythms that permeated much of their 2007 project ‘Turbulence’ and the first rate contemporary jazz which exemplifies ‘Winds of Change’.
However, invariably through all of this has been the superb vocals of Elizabeth Dellinger that are at the core of all Airborne’s best moments and writing credits which continue to be predominately shared between band members, brothers Greg and Thomas Borino, and Thomas Sansone.
The feel good motif of ‘Winds of Change’ is beautifully demonstrated by the optimistic happy vibe of the title track. Reminiscent in part of Bob James’ ‘Sign Of The Times’ it features the sort of high quality backing vocals from Dillenger that fans of Airborne have routinely come to expect. When the track is later reprised as a backdrop to a series of inspirational sound bites Dillenger remains just as good and she returns to add her sparkle to the ‘party ready’ ‘Calypso Night’.
Thomas Sansone contributes excellent flute to the jazzy ‘Magic In The City’ where Thomas Borino on keys is also in fine form and his brother Greg takes the honors on guitar with the energetically up tempo ‘All Tied Up’. Sansone switches to sax for the deliciously evocative ‘Spanish Guitar’ and when the musical spotlight shifts from Europe to South America it’s the lovely shuffling Latin beat of ‘Brazilian Praise’ that affords Randy Bost the opportunity to shine on trumpet.
‘Just One Night’ is a superb slice of smooth jazz for which the entire band plays a part and in similar vein is ‘Rising Higher’. This brass enriched number is real ‘stadium jazz’ while the more studied ‘Better Days Ahead’ has a fine ‘in the pocket’ groove and more excellent guitar from Greg Borino.
Through the years a feature of Airborne has been its cohesion and the way the lead is generously shared between the players. ‘Winds of Change’ offers all of this and a chance to experience the work of a passionate group of musicians who obviously enjoy every second of what they do.
Winds of Change - HBH – Hans-Bernd Hülsmann - Smooth & Soul
Formed in 1988 the group Airborne looks now back on 20 years of recordings, jazz festivals, gigs, the whole ups and downs of being musicians. Based in
The celebration of the 20th anniversary is a good opportunity to see at a glance their previous work. The group started with Take Off in 1990, followed by Across The Sky (1995), Lifetones (1999), Heavy Vibes (2004) and Turbulence (2007). The new album Winds of Change (2008) follows a special concept and impetus:
"Projects for Global Warming, Hunger, Natural Disasters, New Energy Resources, and Economical Distress have been created. All these concerns and factors have stressed our earth to its boiling point. The time is now for change. Without prejudice we must all stand together to achieve peace and global unity to take on this difficult task.
We must reach out our hands to the world. We can make this earth a better place to live. No matter what faith, race, color, or wealth you have. We are all children of this world. Help save our planet and its children! Reach out your hand and ride the Winds of Change!"
With this impetus in mind Airborne sees Better Days Ahead. Starting with relaxed guitar loops in the style of The Chic Thomas Borino soon showcases his piano skills. The uplifting Winds Of Change is featuring comprehensible and audible the flute. The melody is taken over by Thomas' piano. Gregory Borino's horn arrangement as supporting background is superb and just in the point.
It's a constant part of the repertoire of many live bands. Bossa Nova à la Brazilian Praise. And some Calypso à la Calypso Night isn't bad too. This captivating tune will push you to the dance floor.
Gregory's acoustic guitar delivers Spanish flavor in Spanish Guitar, while the original character is changed by the massive sax placement.
We drive further with Magic In The City. While the main melody is performed by Thomas Sasone on flute Thomas Borino sets accents with his furious piano play.
The provocative title Just One Night turns out as smooth ballade featuring Sansone's soprano sax. All Tied Up is another significant example for the perfect interplay of all musicians.
Rising Higher reminds of the British group Shakatak. There are certain similarities between both groups. The album is finished with a reprise of the title song. The reprise is a collage of recordings of famous contemporaries and the final message of the group.
Wings of Change - Sandy Shore - Smoothjazz.com
Based in New Haven, CT, Brothers Thomas and Gregory Borino, and Thomas Sansone, along with a large and impressive ensemble of talented band mates perform throughout the Northeast, leaving a wake of positivity and global goodness behind them.
Thankfully Airborne has managed to harness this passion and creative energy and capture it on the ten new tracks on the band’s 6th album to date. Everything has a frequency… surrounding ourselves with frequencies of joy is the fastest way to changing the plights of the world. Airborne has just made this easy.
Never has there been such a pleasurable soundtrack to focusing on achieving a greener, calmer, balanced world where all are free to fulfill their potential. Stuffed full with the trademark Airborne sound of island passion and urban emotion, WINDS OF CHANGE is a flavorful offering with the depth and character we’ve come to expect from this world-class group.
Songs like the vibrant “Better Days Ahead,” the breezy groove “Winds of Change” and the tropical “Calypso Night” conjure up a crystal clear musical body of water that beckons to be jumped into!
Winds of Change - Jazz Review - Susan Frances
Breezy, attractive island sways fumigate tracks like “Brazilian Praise” and the title track “Winds Of Change” with silky textured chimes and serenely scented nuances enhancing its beauty. The calypso beats and bubbly keys bridged across “Calypso Night” create a buoyant ambience with a Caribbean zing and luscious, velvety vocals provided by Airborne’s singer Elizabeth Delinger.
The smooth Latin flare in guitarist Gregory Borino’s ringlets and the tender swirls of trumpeter/flugelhornist Randy Bost are splayed gingerly across “Spanish Guitar” as percussionist Asher Delerme spices up the dishnicely and bassist Steven Clarke dives right into the island-enriched riffs. Flutist/saxophonist Thomas Sansonepropels warm lathers, which softly foam up the melodic essence of “Magic In The City” as keyboardistThomas Borino sprinkles a tangy dressing over the tune.
For the album, Airborne rendered the services of three drummers, Dean Kosh, Adrian Tramontano and Alwyn Smith,who each play on a different track. The orchestral grids in the refreshing aerial passages of “Better Days Ahead”and “Just One Night” are softly welded and pervade a nocturnal lighting and romantic aura.
The band revisits the creamy melodic strudels that weave across “Winds Of Change” as the song is reprised on the final track topped with sound bytes from the public speeches of such luminaries as Senator Barack Obama and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The track enforces the opinion that the world is on the verge of undergoing a positive change.
Airborne have been dubbed “musical peacemakers of contemporary jazz” and their latest CD Winds Of Change is socially poignant as the music fosters peace and unity and incorporates the listener into this mission. The album creates a peaceful environment for the listener, who then becomes a part of this expedition and shares in its triumph.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
“Winds of Change” the new CD by Airborne the “Musical Peacemakers” of Contemporary Jazz sends out an Inspirational Message of Hope
Airborne has just released another CD “Winds of Change” on Tilt Records. The band is still riding high on the wonderful success of last years 2007 release of “Turbulence”. The New CD “Winds of Change” is coming out at an unsettled time in history. Wartime, a important election year, a world in turmoil, a broken economy, and people making decisions based on fear.
The band explains that the title, compositions, and even the emotion of this new project show their concern on all these matters of importance. We are musicians, but with deep humanitarian thoughts. The world needs to change and to take action. But we must be unified first. We hope you enjoy our new music and that it helps in this cause. Be Well, Be Happy, and really enjoy Life. But remember to Reach out your hand and ride the Winds of Change.
“Winds of Change" is the 6th CD from Airborne, the multi-cultural contemporary jazz group from
Projects for Global Warming, Hunger, Natural Disasters, New Energy Resources, and Economical Distress have been created. All these concerns and factors have stressed our earth to its boiling point. The time is now for change and to take action. Without prejudice we must all stand together to achieve peace and global unity to take on these most difficult tasks.
We must reach out our hands to the world. We can make this earth a better place to live. No matter what faith, race, color, or wealth you have. We are all children of this world. Help save our planet and its children! Reach out your hand and ride the Winds of Change!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Airborne - Interview – Smoothjazz.com
How long has the band been playing together?
The band was formed in 1988. This year 2008 we will be celebrating our 20th anniversary. Wow! 20 years…my, my, my, when did those years go by? The band has even survived all the ups and downs of being musicians. I can honestly say that the years have been very rewarding to us. To live a life of music is a wonderful experience and a precious gift. To continue working with these amazing musicians is an honor.
Would you please share a few highlights from the years together?
We love the process of each new recording project and release. The intervention of ideas, the collaboration of musicians, creating the jazz sound that is Airborne today. Bringing life and love to each new composition. Keeping faith and watching the growth in the band’s material and popularity.
Recording and producing for other artists in genres as Gospel, Jazz, and R&B.
To perform at jazz festivals, concerts, and clubs with different jazz artists and groups. To share words, thoughts, stories, and just to listen to musicians from all over the world. Music is truly an international language.
Where is the band based and how does your location factor into your music?
We are from New Haven, CT, USA. Tri-State Area - Urban based. I guess you can call us city dwellers. There is a magic in the city that absorbs many musical art forms. The sounds of the city are cool but hot. Influences of Jazz, R&B, Latin and Blues are all around you capturing your inner emotions.
We also have a passion for the music of the Caribbean. When someone asks what kind of music we do we tell them contemporary jazz with an island passion and urban emotion. Picture the band performing jazz on a street corner shaded by a palm tree.
You refer to yourselves as a "multi-cultural" jazz band... how come?
Our hometown of New Haven is very rich in ethic and cultural diversity. Each member is unique and brings these diversities and backgrounds to create the jazz sound. Airborne has been praised as being a living spirit of musical brotherhood. The love of jazz is shared by many cultures.
Can you give us an idea of how deep the band's commitment is to the recording arts and education?
We do support the Arts. We are on the New England Foundation for the Arts and the CT Commission on the Arts performing arts touring rosters. We bring “A Century of Jazz” an Arts in Education program into the schools. A demonstration of a variety of jazz forms and styles, supported by a historic narration, a musical insight, a question
and answer session, and an inspirational workshop.
This program instills a positive attitude and direction towards musical and social growth. The no limits approach combined with a structured musical lesson plan illustrates the value of jazz education in our society.
Jazz Education is very vital for our newer generations. Teaching thoughts of imagination, personal expression, and self discipline to help them achieve whatever goals they dream. Emotions soar high in young hearts and jazz music gently provides an enrichment and fulfillment to their wandering passion. Jazz is a true American art form.
Your latest CD is called Winds of Change.. On the surface this may appear to be an endorsement of Barrack Obama, but it's referring to much more than this isn't it?
The New CD Winds of Change is coming out at an unsettled time in history. Wartime, a important election year, a world in turmoil, a bad economy, and people making decisions based on fear.
The title, compositions, and even the emotion of this new project show our concern on all these matters of global importance. We are musicians, but with deep humanitarian thoughts. We are not politicians, just a voice that they the politicians should be hearing. The world needs to change and we need to take action. But we must be unified first. We hope you enjoy our new music and that it helps in the cause to bring people together, so that change can be made. Our message is very simple, Learn to Love, Hold on to Hope, Dare to Dream, and Live in Peace. So Be Well, Be Happy, and really enjoy Life. But remember to Reach out your hand and ride the Winds of Change.
Winds of Change is our 6th CD on Tilt Records. Airborne has been graciously proclaimed as the “Musical Peacemakers” of Contemporary Jazz. Maybe because we are focusing our talents we have been blessed with in a harmonious atmosphere for change. We are trying to have our music transfigure a spirit of love and compassion for our fellow brothers and sisters. To echo a strong athemn to humanity that it is time to turn the page for the sake of our future generations.
The world is finally traveling on the winds of change. Many discoveries and efforts have been made to make us all aware of the dangers that peril our planet and its children. Many wonderful people have already dedicated their lives for this important change. But their deeds must have everyone’s support, help, and blessing.
Projects for Global Warming, Hunger, Natural Disasters, New Energy Resources, and Economical Distress have been created. All these concerns and factors have stressed our earth to its boiling point. The time is now for change and to take action seriously. Without prejudice we must all stand together to achieve peace and global unity to take on these most difficult tasks.
We must reach out our hands to the world. We can make this earth a better place to live. No matter what faith, race, color, or wealth you have. We are all children of this world. We must help save our planet and its children! I urge everyone to Reach out your hand and ride the Winds of Change!
Airborne - Interview by Joe Montague for Jazz Police / Riveting Riffs
Interview by Joe Montague for Jazz Police / Riveting Riffs (www.rivetingriffs.com) ©
Music for Turbulent Times
Turbulence is a word one normally associates with a rough airplane ride or you hear on a weather report, but it is also the name of the outstanding CD released in August of this year by the
In describing what the listener will hear when they don their headphones, earbuds or pump up the volume on their speakers, Gregory Borino says, “They are going to get hit with a lot. There will be some light, smooth mellow stuff, but on some of the endings (to the songs), we are really rocking it out quite a bit. The listener will also hear a big band piece, solos and improv, because improvisation is still an important part of what we do. They will hear a CD that has an edge to it.”
Thomas Borino adds, “You can still tell it is us, even though there are a lot of different kinds of music. We definitely captured an Airborne Sound on this CD.”
“While the songs are different, they are not all over the place. There is a consistency. If you listen to the CD from track one to track nine, it is not like you are thinking, ‘Where did this come from?’ The CD does flow from song to song,” says Gregory.
Gregory who engineered and mixed the CD jokes that it aged him by ten years. “There are a lot of tracks, and we had to make them fit into two little speakers, that took some time. The arrangements are well thought out. We didn’t just bang something out. Everything was listened to, listened to again, and again and again,” he says.
“Festival At Sunset,” is the opening track for Turbulence, and immediately Thomas Borino’s strong keyboarding, Ahser Delerme’s Latin percussion and Laco Deczi’s trumpet transport you to a tropical setting. The song’s upbeat tempo is appealing and each chord bears a smile. The guitars (Gregory Borino) start with mellower riffs, but as the song builds to a crescendo, the fretwork becomes a little edgier. Thomas Sansone, Donte Hall and Elizabeth Dellinger deliver smooth background vocalese.
Commenting on Airborne’s ability to combine the smoother elements of jazz and Latin vibes, without the later dominating the melody and groove, Gregory says, “We also need to give credit to our percussionist Asher Delerme. He is a very smart player. He doesn’t just play a part, he is very intense. When he has a part in the recording process, it is there for a reason. That’s why it is not overbearing.”
Thomas makes the point that although they have lived their lives in the city, that he and Gregory have a heart for the Latin countries, their people and cultures. He believes that strong connection genuinely infuses the Latin vibes heard in Airborne’s music.
While admitting to several other influences in their music, Gregory echoes his brother’s sentiments as it relates to the Latin grooves in Airborne’s music. While attending
It’s “Smooth Sailing” for Airborne
As strong as the Latin rhythms are in Airborne’s music, Gregory says that R&B also has a prominent place. Thomas agrees, “Like Gregory said, we always have been fans of R&B, going back to Motown. That allowed us to cross over to non-jazz lovers.
Turbulence had been out barely a month, at the time of my conversation with the Borino brothers, but they were already receiving positive reviews and heavy demand for their music, from places as far flung as the
“We cross over a lot of different formats, and like Gregory was saying, we have an edge. We don’t play it safe. A lot of artists try to work with a mellow formula that (fits a) smooth jazz format (noting that he is not dissing smooth jazz artists). On our CD, we do a lot of variations. We play a big band swing tune, a contemporary piece that is a tribute to the American Indians and an African piece,” says Thomas. You can say we are a jazz, contemporary jazz and a smooth jazz group. We are musicians.
Thomas says, “We named it (the CD) Turbulence, because there is a lot of confusion in the world, and because it is wartime. Our music is not going to be a solution, but maybe it can be a wakeup call for peace. We have tried to convey that through our music. It is not an answer, but we hope it is something that wakes people up. The world needs a little bit of global unity. We tried to give our music a soothing feel.”
At the same time, Gregory wants to make sure that the listening public clearly understands how Airborne perceives their role, and what their music is trying to accomplish. “We are first and foremost musicians, not politicians, but we are also smart, educated and humanitarian people. If in some way, we can bring a little change that is fine. We are not hard, revolutionary type of musicians. We are not the Bob Dylans or Joan Baezs of the sixties.
Thomas adds, “We try to keep the politics out of the music and make it a message of love.”
Today, Thomas and Gregory Borino still enjoy listening to the music of musicians who originally inspired them. For Gregory, who plays both electric and acoustic guitars he was first attracted to the music of guitarists who are now considered to be icons, people like Carlos Santana, Pat Metheny, Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour. Thomas lists pianist / composer Chick Corea as a major influence, referring to his compositions as “amazing,” and to Corea as “a legend.” He has also been inspired by the music of Herbie Hancock and George Duke.