Hybrid Jazz From Trish Hennessey - with Michael Lington!!!!

Hang onto your leftover Memorial Day hats, y'all - you're about to take a ride to Memphis!  That's what "Soul Appeal" IS: the latest project from Michael Lington that takes him back to why he fell in love with the saxophone :)

Back in Copenhagen, Denmark, life was a serene routine.  Michael was the grandson of the revered band leader, Otto Lington, an early champion of Jazz in that country.  Learning his instrument early, he became a member of the esteemed Tivoli Boys Guard - that association earned him an education which culminated in two ways: college and the means to operate a recording studio while he toured in Europe.  

Michael landed in Los Angeles in 1990, where he found work with Bobby Caldwell.  His first CD, self-titled, dropped in our laps in 1997.  Seven albums in total, this new one finds him completely at home - and we don't mean Denmark!  Michael always loved what he heard of that beloved R & B sound from the 60's and 70's: King Curtis, Jr. Walker, and Wilson Pickett.  He wanted to pay homage to that fire in his belly that persuaded him to keep playing - so, "Soul Appeal" was created.  Our guest had help to get his message across - but the truth is that he could have done it ALL himself!  R & B/Pop Producer, Barry Eastmond, got a chance to work with Michael - as did Ray Bardani, who engineered for Luther Vandross.  In the studio while the music was being created: Kenny Lattimore, Ryan Shaw, Lenny Castro, Ray Parker Jr. and Paul Jackson Jr.  

Steve Perry - the legendary Journey front man - came by because he was friends with Eastmond.  What he heard during the sessions blew him away.  And he told Michael how he felt: inspired!  Some of us just saw Steve in concert in the past 24 hours and he wasn't lying :)

Michael Lington joins us on 5/27/2014.