EMP Project Releases Best of EMP Project — A Remastered Collection of Modern Jazz Trio Recordings…

Blue Canoe Records proudly announces the release of Best of EMP Project, a newly remastered compilation album from the Southern-based jazz trio EMP Project, available worldwide on May 1, 2026.

Bringing together a powerful blend of modern jazz, fusion, groove, and improvisational interplay, Best of EMP Project revisits standout recordings originally captured between 2002 and 2005. These selections, drawn from the group’s debut EMP Project and sophomore release Wherever We Go, have been carefully remastered to introduce the trio’s music to a new generation of listeners.

At the core of EMP Project is a deeply rooted musical connection between three longtime collaborators: 

William Ellis (drums) — a Nashville-based, in-demand drummer known for his versatility across genres, with touring and recording credits including Montgomery Gentry, Travis Tritt, Martina McBride, and Hunter Hayes.

Joseph Patrick Moore (double, electric & fretless bass) — a recording artist, composer, and producer with a career spanning over three decades, currently serving as bassist and back-up-band leader for Cirque du Soleil’s Mystère in Las Vegas.

Shawn Perkinson (acoustic & electric guitar) — a respected educator and performer, serving as Commercial/Jazz Guitar instructor at Lee University, with a career that bridges jazz, rock, and contemporary styles. 

The trio’s origins trace back to their time studying at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1989–1994), where they developed a shared musical language under the guidance of renowned educators, including Jerry Coker, Donald Brown, Rusty Holloway, Keith Brown, Mark Boling, and others. After years of pursuing individual careers across the country, the musicians reunited— capturing lightning in a bottle during a series of live studio recordings in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Recorded on August 6–7, 2002, with no rehearsals, the sessions document the trio’s raw chemistry, spontaneity, and collective musical intuition. Each member contributed original compositions, resulting in a truly collaborative artistic statement. 

Best of EMP Project is available on all major streaming platforms beginning May 1, 2026. 

Award-winning musician Suzy Starlite brings her debut solo album to the stage for the first time — an intimate, once-only preview concert in one of Portugal’s most beautiful cultural spaces, filmed live for international release.

On Saturday, 9th May 2026, award-winning musician, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Suzy Starlite takes the stage for a landmark solo performance: the world-premiere live preview of her debut album 1966, held in the extraordinary Atelier-Museu António Duarte in Caldas da Rainha — a space where Portuguese cultural history and sculpture create a breathtaking backdrop for an evening of original music.

The evening will be filmed in full for international release, the camera crew present not merely to document, but to become part of the atmosphere of the night.

“The room is incredible, and we are lighting it specifically to capture the mood of the record. Because we are filming the evening, it adds an extra layer of magic and intensity to the experience.”— Suzy Starlite

THE ALBUM: 1966

1966 is Suzy Starlite’s first solo record — a deeply personal collection of original songs written and performed entirely by Suzy herself, playing bass, keyboards, acoustic guitar and singing lead vocals throughout. The album title reflects the year of her birth: she is a Fire Horse, a rare and high-energy sign in the Chinese zodiac, and the record draws on that spirit of transformation, defiance and creative freedom.

The songs were born from a period of intense personal reflection — written through the night by candlelight with an acoustic guitar, searching for her own voice after losing herself.

“These songs come from a deeply personal place. They are stories inspired by and written about real people I have met — an attempt to capture the human condition in all its multi-faceted, complicated, wonderful simplicity. My heartbeat is ingrained in the music.”— Suzy Starlite

Rooted in the tradition of 80s New Wave — with echoes of Siouxsie Sioux, Alison Moyet and The Pretenders — 1966 moves between infectious art-pop energy and cinematic, contemplative depth. The album is produced by Simon Campbell and is set for release in February 2027 on Supertone Records.

Visit online @ suzystarlite.com

Tickets available @ gigs.supertone.eu

It’s not often you get to witness a performance that feels both masterfully polished and deeply personal. “Father Son: An Evening with Nathan and Noah East and Friends” delivered exactly that when it recently rolled through Las Vegas.

Nathan East is undeniably one of the most iconic, versatile, and prolific bass players of our time. With a résumé that spans decades and genres, his musicianship has become part of the soundtrack of modern music.

Following naturally in his footsteps is his son, Noah East, an accomplished pianist and organist whose growth as a musician feels both organic and genuinely earned. Growing up in a musical household may have opened doors, but Noah has clearly put in the work to cultivate his own voice, one that’s mature, confident, and increasingly commanding.

Last year, the father-son duo released their aptly titled album, Father Son, a project that beautifully captures their musical chemistry.

In a recent conversation I had with Nathan (full interview going live in Bass Musician Magazine on April 1st), he spoke enthusiastically about taking the project on the road. When he mentioned a Las Vegas date, I immediately secured tickets.

The show took place at Myron’s at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, one of the city’s most inviting listening rooms. The venue’s art deco ambiance and pristine acoustics make it ideal for a performance of this intimacy and sophistication. With its comfortable table seating, guests can enjoy food and beverages while remaining fully immersed in the music, a perfect setting for an evening of jazz-infused artistry.

The lineup for the evening featured Nathan on upright and electric bass, Noah on piano and Hammond B-3 organ, Donald Barrett on drums, and Michael “Nomad” Ripoll on guitar. Together, they formed a tight, well-oiled unit that impressed from the first downbeat. There was an ease on stage, an unspoken communication, that only seasoned musicians can achieve.

The set list offered a thoughtful blend of jazz standards, selections from Father Son, and songs associated with some of the biggest names Nathan has collaborated with over the years, including Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, and Daft Punk. The audience was treated to a seamless 90-minute performance with no intermission, just continuous, captivating music.

As expected, Nathan’s bass work was exceptional. His note choices and phrasing elevated every arrangement, serving the music with taste and authority. Noah’s virtuosity was evident throughout the night on both piano and organ, though it was on the Hammond B-3 where he truly seemed to shine. His touch, dynamic control, and tonal choices revealed a musician well beyond his years.

“Nomad” Ripoll’s guitar work was equally compelling, with several moments to stretch out and deliver expressive, fiery solos. Meanwhile, Donald Barrett’s drumming was tight, precise, and deeply musical. He drove the band with subtle power and, during his solo feature, displayed jaw-dropping technique that drew wide smiles from his bandmates and enthusiastic applause from the audience.

In the end, “Father Son” is more than a concert; it’s a celebration of legacy, mentorship, and shared passion. It’s rare to see generational artistry unfold in real time with such authenticity. This is a must-see show, and I’ll certainly be in the audience again the next time they return to Las Vegas.

You can check to see if they will be in your area by going to nathaneast.com or facebook.com/NathanEast/.

GENZLER® AMPLIFICATION is proud to announce the new MAGELLAN®ULV series of ULTRA * LIGHT * VERTICAL bass cabinet designs. With decades of cabinet design and build expertise, these new models are by far the lightest, most compact bass cabinets Jeff Genzler has ever offered. 

These great-sounding cabinets are tuned and ported to reproduce the depth and clarity of any bass instrument, with tight low-end support, vocal, mid-range definition, and available top-end shimmer. 

The MG-ULV cabs are all vertical designs, with a minimal stage footprint, and are constructed from a new ultra-light, multi-layer, poplar plywood, for its warmth, density, and strength, and all cabinets feature full internal acoustic dampening. 

The MG-ULV series features: 

• All vertical cabinet designs, front ported for better projection and depth 
• High-powered Neodymium speakers and tweeters 
• Ultra-light, multi-layer, poplar plywood construction 
• Small, compact stage footprints 
• Full, internal acoustic dampening 
• 12dB/octave crossover with Tweeter Level control 

QUITE SIMPLY … THE LIGHTEST, MOST COMPACT, ALL PLYWOOD CONSTRUCTION BASS CABINETS – MADE IN THE USA 

The series consists of 3 models with exceptional weight-to-performance ratios. 

MG-ULV-112T 
NEO—1X12” w/Tweeter, 350W, 8 ohm 
WT: 19.5 LBS 
DIMENSIONS: 18 1/8”H x 14 ¼”W x 14”D 
USA MAP: $1,099.99 

MG-ULV-210T 
NEO-2X10” w/Tweeter, 600W, 8 ohm 
WT: 25 LBS DIMENSIONS: 26 1/8”H x 14 ¼”W x 14”D 
USA MAP: $1,359.99 

MG-ULV-212T 
NEO-2X12” w/Tweeter, 700W, 4 ohm 
WT: 35.5 LBS 
DIMENSIONS: 29 ¾”H x 14 ¼”W x 14”D 
USA MAP: $1,599.99 

GENZLER AMPLIFICATION, staying in tune with the player community, has responded with the new MAGELLAN® ULV series; addressing player’s needs for the lightest weight, most compact bass cabinets possible, without sacrifice in tone, power, warmth, and durability. 

Discover what the warmth of wood can bring to the ultra-light bass cabinet segment. 

PRODUCTION SHIPPING—EARLY FEBRUARY 2026 

Visit online at genzleramps.com 

DR Handmade Strings, Inc. is proud to announce its highly engineered new Pink Dragon Multi-Scale Bass strings. Combining the sound, feel, and extra-long life of Dragon Skin+ with an exciting NEON Pink finish, these new strings will bring out the best tone and look of any multi-scale bass, including those with up to 37” B strings.

Making a B string longer isn’t enough. To hear the full tone and clarity of the lowest notes of your bass, you need DR’s patented Accurate Core Technology (ACT). ACT upgrades the architecture of the strings, allowing them to vibrate to their full potential. NEON Pink K3 Coating protects the strings, without choking off the sound – and gives them a light reactive signature NEON Pink look to complement your stage show. Available for 4, 5, and 6-string basses.

For more information, visit online at www.drstrings.com