[Cover photo credit to Alex Solca]
Keyboardist, composer, and bandleader Lao Tizer has shared “The Labyrinth,” the third song and video released from The Lao Tizer Band’s upcoming album Amplify. This instrumental features violinist Karen Briggs (Yanni, Stanley Clarke) and floutist Danny Janklow (MONKestra, Shelea) and is backed by a Grammy-winning rhythm section.
The upcoming album Amplify is due out August 23, 2024. Tizer and band have already embarked on an extensive run of tour dates to support Amplify.
Lao Tizer says of the song:
’The Labyrinth’ is the last piece I completed for the forthcoming album. I wanted to include a composition that exemplified a more complex suite kind of a piece, which is something I’ve been known for on previous releases. True to its name, this song takes the listener through a myriad of moods and sections of varying complexity. Being that the nexus for the song was inspired by my now 2 1/2-year-old daughter Katya, who was sitting with me at the piano when I came up with the main hook, the track has a very special meaning to myself and my wife. And to have this outstanding ensemble bring it to life so magnificently brings my great joy and pride. It was also the very first track we recorded on Day 1 of the sessions last October, so we definitely kicked off the sessions with an ambitious number. I really hope the listeners and viewers enjoy this one deeply!
The crossover sound that Tizer and his band explored on their previous album, 2018’s Songs From The Swinghouse, are further realized on Amplify with Elliott Yamin joining Tizer’s ensemble as vocalist.
Tizer comments:
With this record, I definitely made a conscious effort to crossover to win over more general music fans. If you have music that is melodic and grooves, you can win over a broad array of listeners.
AUGUST
8/16 — Ypsilanti, MI — John E Lawrence Summer Jazz Series
8/17 — Minneapolis, MN — The Dakota
8/18 — Aspen, CO — JAS Café – Jazz Aspen Snowmass (6:30 and 8:30pm)
8/29 — Branford, CT — Branford Jazz Series
SEPTEMBER
9/1 — High Point, NC — John Coltrane International Jazz & Blues Festival
9/11 — Wilmington, DE — Levitt AMP! @ UAE Amphitheater
9/12 — NYC — The Iridium
9/20 — Bishop, CA — Millpond Music Festival
9/21 — Los Angeles, CA — Jazz @ Drew (Charles Drew University)
9/25 – Austin, TX – Parker Jazz Club
9/27 — Houston, TX — Empire State Jazz Café (7:00 and 9:00pm)
9/28 — San Antonio, TX — Jazz’SAlive
OCTOBER
10/4 — Los Angeles, CA — The Baked Potato
10/11 — Charlotte, NC — Middle C Jazz (6:30 and 8:30pm)
10/13 — Duck, NC — Duck Jazz Fest
NOVEMBER
11/1 — Las Vegas, NV — Myron’s @ The Smith Center
11/8 — Cancun, MX — Cancun Jazz Fest
11/9 — Cancun, MX — Cancun Jazz Fest (Lao Tizer in a Collective Show with other artists)
DECEMBER
12/7 — Pasadena, CA — Boston Court Performing Arts Center
12/20 — Ventura, CA — The Grape
12/27 Studio City, CA – The Baked Potato
12/28 — Paso Robles, CA — Libretto (6:30 and 8:30pm)
