Acclaimed trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Roy Hargrove realizes a lifelong dream with the brand new release of 'Emergence' (Groovin' High/Emarcy), his first big band album. Nineteen pieces strong, Hargrove's ensemble is a vibrant and versatile group, tackling a wide range of material and styles with equal doses of precision and passion. "Financially speaking, this is probably the worst thing I could ever do," says Hargrove, "but it is something that needs to be done, spiritually and musically speaking."

The seeds of 'Emergence' were planted in 1995, when Hargrove first formed a big band for a New York jazz festival. His big band concept grew as he led the evolving group through a series of regular gigs at the Jazz Gallery, a not-for-profit performance space in lower Manhattan - which proved an invaluable for both Hargrove and the musicians who participated.

"The Jazz Gallery is for up-and-coming young players," Hargrove explains. "I go around to jam sessions a lot, sit in with cats, and I think that the new generation doesn't have a lot of experience playing in sections and playing in big bands. So this provides younger guys with a sense of camaraderie that is not really evident anymore in jazz."

If you would like to win a copy of this new CD, just answer this easy question: Which (female) vocalist (named "Rising Star Female Vocalist of the Year" in Downbeat's 2009 Critic's Poll) contributes two affecting performances to this album?!

Send us your answers and if you're correct you'll be in the running to win one of these new CDs! Just send us an e:mail here before December 15th with your answer and the subject title CONTEST: ROY HARGROVE CDs to: exclusivemagazine@flash.net

Roy Hargrove single “My Funny Valentine” audio stream link