LOS ANGELES, July 22, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- A new summer jazz album titled G-Fire (Guitars on Fire) includes the most accomplished guitarists in the world. Longtime guitarist friends Morris O'Connor (Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight), Kevin Cho'kan (Diana Ross, Jeffery Osborne), Miguel Mega (Brazilian Jazz Artist), and Vernon Neilly (Johnny Guitar Watson, Teena Marie) have joined together to showcase their talents. For over twenty years, they have toured and recorded consistently with some of the biggest names in the business, but this is the first time that they have released their own material.
The project titled G-Fire is an outstanding combination of smooth jazz and jazz fusion. The first single "B-Town" by Morris O'Connor demonstrates the talent of this guitarist. The strong melody and smooth guitar stylings makes this a favorite among jazz radio stations.
Special guests on the album include Bassist Juan Nelson (Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals) on "Flight To Ecstasy" and "Moonlight in Paradise" by Vernon Neilly. Morris O'Connor does an excellent interpretation of Freddie Hubbard's "Little Sunflower," while Miguel explores the length of jazz fusion with "Wooded," and Kevin Cho'kan gets funky on "Do Da."
With such busy schedules, it is a wonder that this project got finished over the course of a year. Each guitarist can consistently be found performing with some of the biggest names in the business. Currently, Kevin Cho'kan is the music director for Diana Ross and just finished recording for Jeffrey Osborne. Stevie Wonder's Guitarist Morris O'Connor recently finished supporting Gladys Knight with her show dates in Las Vegas. Plus, Brazilian Jazz Artist Miguel Mega, and Vernon Neilly have just returned from some clinics and shows in Brazil, including a groundbreaking performance at the Brazilian Souza Lima Music Conservatory. Vernon Neilly was the first African American guitarist to ever perform at the Brazilian Souza Lima Music Conservatory and to be added to their wall of fame. Neilly also is the producer of the United By Tone CD that features platinum artists Slash, Blink 182, Alien Ant Farm, Bill Frisell, and Jennifer Batten (Michael Jackson, Jeff Beck).
The album will be available on July 16 in independent and major retail record stores, and at all major online retailers such as Amazon.com, Cdbaby.com, and Boosweet.com (http://www.boosweet.com).
G-Fire Track List
1. Flight To Ecstacy - 3:40 (Vernon Neilly)
2. Little Sun Flower - 3:52 (Morris O'Connor)
3. Do Da - 3:47 (Kevin Chokan)
4. Wooded - 5:09 (Miguel Mega)
5. Moonlight In Paradise - 4:57 (Vernon Neilly)
6. B-Town - 4:18 (Morris O'Connor)
7. Fanci Panz - 4:08 (Kevin Chokan)
8. Rice N Beans - 4:58 (Miguel Mega)
9. Passion Quest - 3:21 (Vernon Neilly)
10. Inside Out - 3:48 (Morris O'Connor)
11. Passin Thru - 3:49 (Kevin Chokan)
12. Sun Down Blues - 4:23 (Miguel Mega)