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CD Projects

Please scroll down for more.  All songs are available as individual downloads, or full length CDs can be ordered by mail. You can listen to full length samples before you buy.


Aunt Nasty

The latest and greatest! Chris Cortez turns in an eclectic batch of 3 vocal and 9 instrumental tunes. Classics, re-imagined as Latin jazz groove machines, Steely Dan-ish, funkyness, moody re-harmonized Disney themes, clever lyrics, spiritual wisdom, sophisticated, yet accessible arrangements, amazing musicianship, stellar sound… in short, this is Chris’ masterpiece. Decked out with Mark Piszczek’s lush horn arrangements and a fantastic band. Featuring: Glen Ackerman, Guillermo Reza, James Metcalfe, Woody Witt, Andrew Lienhard, Joel Fulgham, Carol Morgan, Warren Sneed, Will Cruz, Texas Johnny Boy, Bernard Pierre, and Thomas Hulten.

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CHRIS CORTEZ / "AUNT NASTY" Some early comments...

“I find the music of Chris Cortez to be an important message to listen to. Some great moments, that shouldn’t be missed. Chris, .......... Bravo!” Pat Martino

"DUDE!!!!!!!! ...I AM AN INSTANT FAN!!! Just NASTY! you can SMELL it coming off the CD." Micah Davidson

"Congrats, Chris. I can't believe you called it Aunt Nasty!! That's beautiful!!" Joe Schmerler

"Great album and provocative. I kind of want to meet Aunt Nasty but I'm kind of afraid. Congrats." Carol Morgan

"I love the fat horn arrangements and percussion. Fire is definately the hit..yes am biased. Great CD Chris..(Mr Perfectionist)." Bernard Pierre

"Dat shitz soo funky, I can smell it from O-Town!" Steve Baker

"We know you're bad ... So bad you're good!" Mark Piszczek

"Loved it Chris! " Will Cruz

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Awakenings

 Featuring: Woody Witt, Paul Peacock, Joel Fulgham, Ryan Ogrodowicz, Glen Ackerman, Jeff Mills, Andrew Lienhard, John Wooton, and Mark Piszczek.

After hurricane Katrina forced the guitarist to relocate to Houston, Cortez re-invented himself. His new CD is a collection of aggressive, original, instrumental, latin jazz/fusion tunes. Cortez burns on an acoustic guitar throughout 10 tracks, impeccably recorded. The sound is modern, fresh, and unique, presenting latin rhythms, odd meters, tight ensemble passages, and extended solos. The CD is a departure from Mum Is The Word (BBM007-2005), and Hold It Right There (BBM006-2004), in that it contains no vocals, and features Chris in a much more modern musical setting. Chris forges ahead into brand new territory on Arlington Park,Territorial Imperative, Palmettos, Interlude, Let The Cat Out, Awakenings, The Rose Of Shalamar, The Iguana, Eventide, and Different Strokes. Cortez’s spectacular guitar work is front and center, and all of the supporting cast deliver incredible performances throughout.

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Mum Is The Word

Guitarist/vocalist Chris Cortez delivers a blazing set of acoustic, straight ahead jazz. The disc is a mixture of vocal and instrumental tracks, including 5 new originals, and 7 classic chestnuts like Everyday I Have The Blues, Georgia On My Mind, Sweet Georgia Brown, Honeysuckle Rose, Manha De Carnival, Lazy River, and Avalon. Cortez’s originals feature clever, “tongue in cheek” lyrics, guaranteed to bring a smile. My Way Is Better, plays to “control freaks” everywhere. The title track, Mum Is The Word, touches on the pitfalls of social interaction. Bad Attitude presents a dead-on description of the musician’s life, and Rhythm Method Blues tells the story of a man with too many children. The Brazillian flavored instrumental, Trouble With Larry is at once, touching and energetic. Everything is presented with Cortez’s ever present, and quite spectacular guitar work and feral vocals, supported by Chris’ regular band, and special guests As with all Blue Bamboo Music productions, this is an impeccable recording with just enough stylistic variety to keep things fresh and interesting.

Also featuring:
Sam Bruton, Jeff Mills, Edwin Livingston, Larry Panella, John Wooton, and special guests, New Orleans favorites, James Singleton, Humphrey Davis Jr., Dean Fransen, Billy Bargetzi, and John Reid.

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Hold It Right There

Chris Cortez leads his amazing group through a cool, swinging collection of standards, impeccably recorded in Blue Bamboo Studios. The group includes Jeff Mills, Dean Fransen, Tommy Sciple, and Larry Panela. Additional performances by Reggie Murray, Jay Webb, and Sam Bruton.

Tracks include: Hold It Right There, Lullaby of Birdland, Ain’t Misbehavin’, All Right Ok You Win, Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight, Jordu, Tico Tico, Stormy Weather, Cloudburst, Benny’s From Heaven, Way Down Yonder In New Orleans, Red Top, and The Best Is Yet To Come

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Groovopolis

GREETINGS PEOPLE OF EARTH!

This cosmic band of five GROOVOPLEANS, known individually as Christopher Cortez (guitar), Dean Fransen (keyboards), Jay Webb (trumpet), Lenny DiMartino (bass), and Jeff Mills (drums), are currently brewing this cosmic stew in the city known to you as New Orleans, Louisiana. The GROOVERS have found the climate, cuisine, and local GROOVETHIC to be very conducive to spreading GROOVITIS, and plan to use this city as a launching pad for their worldwide campaign to infect the earth with this very desirable condition.

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Talamasca

Original jazz from this incredible composer and guitarist. Selections include: Topaz, Talamasca, Chrono Syncrastic Infundibulum, The Iguana, Katherine, Megaman, Say Ah, Bayou Liberty, Ten Tan Tens, Greenwood Cliff, Arabesque, Different Strokes, Sirens Of Titan, Martes Gordo. Featuring: Danny Infante, Troy Jones, Chuck Arnold, John Touchy, Joe Raines, Gary Marcus, Rick Dior, and Noah Shaye.

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