Motéma Music is a

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

and world music record label in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

. It was founded in 2003 in

San Francisco Bay Area The San Francisco Bay Area, often referred to as simply the Bay Area, is a populous region surrounding the San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun Bay estuaries in Northern California. The Bay Area is defined by the Association of Bay Area Go ...

. This record label’s catalog spans genres, cultures, and generations and has received

Grammy The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...

recognition for over twenty-five albums in jazz, Latin-jazz,

reggae Reggae () is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, " Do the Reggay" was the first popular song to use ...

, and R&B. Founded by label president and recording artist

Jana Herzen Jana Herzen (born April 24, 1959 in San Francisco), is a singer-songwriter with folk, world, rock and jazz influences who founded Motéma Music, a Harlem-based record label focused on virtuosic jazz and world music. Prior to founding the label ...

, Motéma was the first to bring soul/jazz musician

Gregory Porter Gregory Porter (born November 4, 1971) is an American singer, songwriter and actor. He has twice won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album: first in 2014 for ''Liquid Spirit'' and then again in 2017 for ''Take Me to the Alley''. Early li ...

to international attention with his Grammy-nominated first albums, ''Water and Be Good'' and his hit song "1960 What?" The label launched international careers for jazz piano star

Joey Alexander Josiah Alexander Sila (born 25 June 2003), known professionally as Joey Alexander, is an Indonesian jazz pianist. He became the first Indonesian musician to chart on ''Billboard'' 200 when his album ''My Favorite Things'' debuted at number 174 ...

, modern soul singer

Deva Mahal Deva Mahal (pronounced 'diva') is a soul and R&B singer. Mahal is the daughter of US-American blues musician Taj Mahal. Deva joined father Taj Mahal in Michael Dorf's tribute to Aretha Franklin at Carnegie Hall in New York City on March 6, 2 ...

, and Cuban musician

Pedrito Martinez Pedrito Martinez is a Cuban percussionist, drummer, singer, dancer, bandleader, songwriter, composer, and educator. He was born and raised in Havana, Cuba. He is a Cuban Conguero performing classic Cuban Rumbas, Afro-Cuban folkloric and religio ...

, among others. Also in the label’s catalog are recordings by established performers such as

Randy Weston Randolph Edward "Randy" Weston (April 6, 1926 – September 1, 2018) was an American jazz pianist and composer whose creativity was inspired by his ancestral African connection. Weston's piano style owed much to Duke Ellington and Thelonious M ...

Geri Allen Geri Antoinette Allen (June 12, 1957 – June 27, 2017) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and educator. In addition to her career as a performer and bandleader, Allen was also an associate professor of music at the University of Pittsburgh ...

, David Murray,

Monty Alexander Montgomery Bernard "Monty" Alexander (born 6 June 1944) is a Jamaican jazz pianist. His playing has a Caribbean influence and bright swinging feeling, with a strong vocabulary of bebop jazz and blues rooted melodies. He was influenced by Louis ...

, and

Charnett Moffett Charnett Moffett (June 10, 1967 – April 11, 2022) was an American jazz bassist. Moffett began playing bass in the family band, touring the Far East in 1975 at the age of eight. In the mid-1980s, he played with Wynton Marsalis and Branford Ma ...

, alongside releases by younger players including

Donny McCaslin Donald Paul McCaslin (born August 11, 1966) is an American jazz saxophonist. He has recorded over a dozen albums as a bandleader in addition to many sideman appearances, including on David Bowie's final studio album, '' Blackstar'' (2016). Early ...

Mark Guiliana Mark Guiliana (born September 2, 1980) is a Grammy-nominated American drummer, composer and leader of the band Beat Music. He is known for his playing with Avishai Cohen, Brad Mehldau, David Bowie, Meshell Ndegeocello, Gretchen Parlato, Jason ...

, Jihye Lee, and NEA Jazzmaster

Terri Lyne Carrington Terri Lyne Carrington (born August 4, 1965) is an American jazz drummer, composer, producer, and educator. She has played with Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Clark Terry, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Joe Sample, Al Jarreau, Yellowjackets, and ma ...

+ Social Science, whose much-talked-about Grammy-nominated activist album ''Waiting Game'' garnered 2020 Album of the Year, Artist of the Year and Artist of the Year accolades from ''Downbeat'' among other awards and recognition.

History

Motéma Music was founded in the

. A production company since 1997, it became a label after signing

Babatunde Lea Babatunde Lea ( ) is an American percussionist who plays Afro-Cuban jazz and worldbeat. He took his name from Nigerian drummer Babatunde Olatunji. Biography Michael Lea was raised in Englewood, New Jersey, while regularly commuting to 116th an ...

for his album, '' Soul Pools''. Jana Herzen, a singer-songwriter who composed and performed on "'Round the World" on ''Soul Pools'', was trying to get out some records and created the label to do so, never intending to be a CEO.Alex Henderson. "Motéma Music" ''All About Jazz'', November 2010, pp. 12 & 39 Herzen chose the name because of its similarity to the sound of "

Motown Motown Records is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. It was founded by Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on June 7, 1958, and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmanteau of ''moto ...

". Herzen moved the label to New York in 2005. At one time, the label was based in the third floor of the

Langston Hughes House Langston Hughes House is a historic home located in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City. It is an Italianate style dwelling built in 1869. It is a three story with basement, rowhouse faced in brownstone and measuring 20 feet wide and 45 feet deep. N ...

.Arcynta Ali Childs. "Lawsuits and the Langston Hughes House." ''

The Village Voice ''The Village Voice'' is an American news and culture paper, known for being the country's first alternative newsweekly. Founded in 1955 by Dan Wolf, Ed Fancher, John Wilcock, and Norman Mailer, the ''Voice'' began as a platform for the crea ...

'', August 27, 2008. http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-08-27/news/lawsuits-real-estate-relics-and-the-langston-hughes-house/ The label has since changed locations but remains in Harlem. The Motéma logo was designed by

Winston Smith Winston Smith may refer to: People * Winston Smith (artist) (born 1952), American artist * Winston Smith (athlete) (born 1982), Olympic track and field athlete * Winston Boogie Smith (born ), American man killed by law enforcement in 2021 * Winst ...

. The label is very artist-centric and focuses on each artist's individual development. It is because of this reputation that such artists as

and

Rufus Reid Rufus Reid (born February 10, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American jazz bassist, educator, and composer. Biography Reid was raised in Sacramento, California, where he played the trumpet through junior high and high school. Upon graduation ...

came to the label.

Jazz Therapy

Roni Ben-Hur Roni Ben-Hur is an Israeli jazz guitarist who immigrated to the United States in 1985. His parents were Tunisian-Jewish from Tunisia. Biography Roni Bohobza grew up in Dimona, Israel. He is the youngest of seven children and one of two born a ...

and Jana Herzen founded the Jazz Therapy series as a benefit for the Dizzy Gillespie Memorial Fund of the

Englewood Hospital and Medical Center Englewood Health is an acute care 289-bed teaching hospital in Englewood, New Jersey. In 2021 it was given a grade A by the Leapfrog patient safety organization. History It was incorporated in 1888 as a "non-profit, non-sectarian voluntary health ...

Foundation in

Englewood, New Jersey Englewood is a city in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, which at the 2020 United States census had a population of 29,308. Englewood was incorporated as a city by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1899, from por ...

, which underwrites medical care for uninsured jazz musicians who are unable to pay for medical care. The series so far has included CDs by Ben-Hur and

Ithamara Koorax Ithamara Koorax (born April 28, 1965) is a Brazilian jazz and pop singer. Early life She was born to a family of Polish Jews who fled Europe during World War II. In her youth Koorax studied piano, opera, and classical music while listening to ...

, and Juarez Moreira. Ben-Hur met

Nilson Matta Nilson Matta is a Brazilian bassist and composer. He has been based in New York City since 1985. He is also known for his work with Trio da Paz, Don Pullen African Brazilian Connection, Joe Henderson, Yo Yo Ma and Nilson Matta's Brazilian Voy ...

in the performance lounge of Englewood Hospital, which led to their collaboration on the third release in the series.

Awards and honors

Grammy Awards

* 2011: 53rd Grammy Nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album – ''Water'' -

* 2012: 54th Grammy Nominated for Best Regae Album – ''Harlem Kingston Express Live!'' –

* 2012: 54th Grammy Nominated for Best Jazz Vocal – ''The Music of Randy Newman'' –

Roseanna Vitro Roseanna Elizabeth Vitro (born February 28, 1951) is a jazz singer and teacher from Arkansas. Biography Born Roseanna Elizabeth VitroScott Fredrickson and Gary W. Kennedy.Vitro (Wickliffe), Roseanna" In ''The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz'', 2 ...

* 2013: 55th Grammy Nominated for Best Traditional R&B Performance – Real Good Hands, from ''Be Good'' –

* 2015: 57th Grammy Win for Best Latin Jazz Album – ''The Offense of the Drum'' – Arturo O'Farrill * 2015: 57th Grammy Nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album – ''I Wanna Be Evil'' –

René Marie René Marie (born René Marie Stevens, November 7, 1955 in Warrenton, Virginia, United States) is an American songwriter and jazz vocalist. Career She began her professional music career at age 42. Originally she performed as René Croan; she ...

* 2015: 57th Grammy Nominated for Best Instrumental Composition and Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album – ''Quiet Pride – The Elizabeth Catlett Project'' –

* 2015: 57th Grammy Nominated for Best Latin Album – ''The Pedrito Martinez Group'' –

* 2016: 58th Grammy Win for Best Instrumental Composition and Latin Grammy Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album – ''Cuba: The Conversation Continues'' - Arturo O'Farrill * 2016: 58th Grammy Nominated for Best Large Ensemble Jazz Album – ''Cuba: The Conversation Continues'' – Arturo O'Farrill * 2016: 58th Grammy Nominated for Best Jazz Improvisation and Best Instrumental Jazz Album – ''My Favorite Things'' –

* 2016: 58th Grammy Nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album – ''Many A New Day'' –

Karrin Allyson Karrin Allyson (pronounced ''KAR-in''; born Karrin Allyson Schoonover on July 27, 1963) is an American jazz vocalist. She has been nominated for five Grammy Awards and has received positive reviews from several prominent sources, including the ' ...

* 2017: 59th Grammy Nominated for Best Improvised Jazz Solo – ''Countdown'' –

* 2017: 59th Grammy Nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album – ''Sound of Red'' –

* 2017: 59th Grammy Won Best Large Ensemble Jazz Album and Best Instrumental Composition – ''Presidential Suite: Eight Variations on Freedom'' – Ted Nash * 2018: 60th Grammy Win for Best Instrumental Composition – ''Familia: Tribute to Bebo and Chico'' – Arturo O'Farrill and

Chucho Valdes Chucho is a given name. Notable people with the name include: *Chucho Avellanet (born 1941), Puerto Rican singer and comedic actor *Christian Benítez (1986–2013), Ecuadorian footballer nicknamed 'Chucho' * Chucho Castillo (born 1944), former Mex ...

* 2019: 61st Grammy Nomination Best Contemporary Instrumental Album – ''Beat Music! Beat Music! Beat Music!'' –

* 2019: 61st Grammy Nomination Best Instrumental Improvisation – ''La Madrina'' –

Melissa Aldana Melissa Aldana (born 3 December 1988) is a Chilean tenor saxophone player, who performs both as a soloist and with her band Melissa Aldana & Crash Trio. Life and career Early life and training Aldana was born in Santiago, Chile. She began playin ...

Discography

2003

– ''Soul Pools'' with Ku-umba Frank Lacy,

Hilton Ruiz Hilton Ruiz (May 29, 1952 – June 6, 2006) was an American jazz pianist in the Afro-Cuban jazz mold, but was also a talented bebop player. He was of Puerto Rican descent. Biography Born in New York City, Ruiz began playing piano at the age of f ...

, John Benîtez, Mario Rivera, Kevin Jones, Jana Herzen, Raul Midon,

Ernie Watts Ernest James Watts (born October 23, 1945) is an American jazz and rhythm and blues saxophonist who plays soprano, alto, and tenor saxophone. He has worked with Charlie Haden's Quartet West and toured with the Rolling Stones. On Frank Zappa's ...

, Geoff Brennan 7-09363-7136-2 *Babatunde Lea – ''Level of Intent'' with

Jon Faddis Jon Faddis (born July 24, 1953) is an American jazz trumpet player, conductor, composer, and educator, renowned for both his playing and for his expertise in the field of music education. Upon his first appearance on the scene, he became known ...

, Charnette Moffett ic Hilton Ruiz,

Frank Colón Frank Colón (born October 13, 1951) is an American musician and martial artist of Puerto Rican descent. Early life and education Born in Washington, D.C., Colón moved from there to Puerto Rico at the age of five. His musical instruction beg ...

, John Purcell, Frank Lacy,

Tommy James Tommy James (born Thomas Gregory Jackson; April 29, 1947), also known as Tommy Tadger, is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, widely known as frontman of the 1960s rock band Tommy James and the Shondells, who were know ...

, Santi Debriano,

Kenny Barron Kenny Barron (born June 9, 1943) is an American jazz pianist, who has appeared on hundreds of recordings as leader and sideman and is considered one of the most influential mainstream jazz pianists since the bebop era. Biography Born in Philadel ...

, Marvin Horn 8-20320-0047-2 (reissue of a 1996 Diaspora Records album) *

Lynne Arriale Lynne Arriale is an American jazz pianist, composer, bandleader and educator. She is Professor of Jazz Studies and Director of Small Ensembles at the University of North Florida. Awards and honors *"The Lights Are Always On" (2022) #3 on JazzWeek ...

Trio (

Jay Anderson Jay Anderson (born October 24, 1955) is an American jazz double-bassist and studio musician. Career Anderson received a bachelor's degree from California State University, Long Beach in 1978, then worked with Woody Herman (1978-1979), Carmen McRa ...

Steve Davis Steve Davis (born 22 August 1957) is an English retired professional snooker player who is currently a Sports commentator, commentator, musician, DJ, and author. He is best known for dominating professional snooker during the 1980s, when he rea ...

) – ''Arise'' MTM71372

2004

*Babatunde Lea – ''Suite Unseen: Summoner of the Ghost'' with Steve Rurre, Richard Howell, Glen Pearson, Geoff Brennan, Ron Belcher, Bujo Kevin Jones MTM 00002 *

– ''Soup's on Fire'' MOTEMA 6681-2 * Discomind – ''The Fresh Turnout'' unnumbered igital download; physical CDs are promotional items only*

DJ Jackie Christie DJ Jackie Christie is an American DJ, songwriter, and music producer based in New York City. She is well known for her work at MTV's '' The Grind'' and The Limelight in New York City. She began releasing singles in 1997, originally under the a ...

– ''Made 4 U'' RAD 90079-2

2005

*Lynn Arriale Trio (Jay Anderson, Steve Davis) – ''Come Together'' MTM 00001

2006

Marc Cary Marc Cary (born January 29, 1967) is a post bop jazz pianist based out of New York City. Cary has played and recorded with several well-known musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie, Betty Carter, Roy Hargrove, Arthur Taylor, Abbey Lincoln, Carl ...

– ''Focus'' with David Ewell, Sameer Gupta MTM-00005 * Bujo Kevin Jones with

Kelvin Sholar Kelvin Lamar Sholar (born May 22, 1973) is an American pianist, bandleader, Music producer, producer and composer. Sholar has performed piano, keyboards and electronics on several international television shows and radio shows, written for films, h ...

, George Makinto,

Brian Horton Brian "Nobby" Horton (born 4 February 1949) is an English former footballer and manager. He spent 16 years as a professional player and 22 years as a manager, making 689 appearances and managing 1,098 matches. In addition to this he spent four ...

, Kevin Louis, Damon Warmack, Jamieo Brown – ''Tenth World'' MTM 0000-3 * Kit McClure

Band Band or BAND may refer to: Places *Bánd, a village in Hungary *Band, Iran, a village in Urmia County, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran * Band, Mureș, a commune in Romania *Band-e Majid Khan, a village in Bukan County, West Azerbaijan Province, I ...

– ''Just the Thing: The Sweethearts Project Revisited'' RH 9005 *Lynne Arrialle Trio (Jay Anderson, Steve Davis) – ''Live'' MTM-00007

2007

*Marc Cary & Shon "Chance" Miller – ''XR Project: AbStraKt, BlaK '' MTM-00004 * Pete Levin – ''Deacon Blues'' featuring

Joe Beck Joe Beck (July 29, 1945 – July 22, 2008) was an American jazz guitarist who was active for over 30 years. Biography Born in Philadelphia, Beck moved to Manhattan in his teens, playing six nights a week in a trio setting, which gave him an opp ...

, Mike DeMicco,

Danny Gottlieb Daniel Richard Gottlieb (born April 18, 1953) is an American drummer. He was a founding member of the Pat Metheny Group and was co-founder of Elements with Mark Egan. Biography Gottlieb was born in New York City on April 18, 1953. He took less ...

Tony Levin Anthony Frederick Levin (born June 6, 1946) is an American musician and composer, specializing in electric bass, Chapman Stick and upright bass. He also sings and plays synthesizer. Levin is best known for his work with King Crimson (since 1 ...

, Ken Lovelett, Carlos Valdez MTM-0008 *

– ''Keepin' It Open'' with

Jeremy Pelt Jeremy Pelt (born November 4, 1976, in California) is an American jazz trumpeter. Career Pelt studied classical trumpet as a child and focused on jazz after playing in a high school jazz ensemble. He studied at Berklee College of Music. Among th ...

Ronnie Mathews Ronald Mathews (December 2, 1935 in New York City – June 28, 2008 in Brooklyn) was an American jazz pianist who worked with Max Roach from 1963 to 1968 and Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. He acted as lead in recording from 1963 and 1978–79. His ...

, Santi Debriano,

Lewis Nash Lewis Nash (born December 30, 1958) is an American jazz drummer. According to ''Modern Drummer'' magazineNashhas one of the longest discographies in jazz and has played on over 400 records, earning him the honor of Jazz's Most Valuable Player ...

, Steve Kroon 232537 *

Quintet (

Sumi Tonooka Sumi Tonooka (born October 3, 1956) is an American jazz pianist and composer. Life She had an African-American father and a Japanese-American mother. She earned her B.A, in music from the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts. Throughout her ...

Tim Horner Timothy Horner (born August 19, 1959) is a retired professional wrestler, best known as Tim "White Lightning" Horner, one half of The Lightning Express with Brad Armstrong. Professional wrestling career Early career (1978–1988) Tim Horner ...

, Freddie Hendrix,

Rich Perry Rich Perry is an American jazz tenor saxophonist from Cleveland, Ohio, Cleveland, Ohio. Perry attended Bowling Green State University for a year before moving to New York. He toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1975 and with The Thad Jones ...

) – ''Live at the

Kennedy Center The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (formally known as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, and commonly referred to as the Kennedy Center) is the United States National Cultural Center, located on the Potom ...

'' MTM-00009 (CD+DVD) * Ryan Cohan – '' One Sky'' with

Bob Sheppard Robert Leo Sheppard (October 20, 1910 – July 11, 2010) was the long-time public address announcer for numerous New York area college and professional sports teams, in particular the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (1951–2007), and ...

, Geof Bradfield, Tito Carillo, James Cammack, Lorin Cohen, Kobie Watkins, Ruben Alvarez, Jean-Christophe Leroy MTM-00012 *

Amy London Amy London is a jazz singer and educator who has appeared on Broadway and in the vocal group ''The Royal Bopsters''. London grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. She moved to Manhattan in 1980 and began teaching jazz vocals in 1984. ''When I Look in Your ...

– ''When I Look in Your Eyes'' featuring

John Hicks Sir John Richards Hicks (8 April 1904 – 20 May 1989) was a British economist. He is considered one of the most important and influential economists of the twentieth century. The most familiar of his many contributions in the field of economic ...

Lee Musiker Lee Musiker (born May 26, 1956) is an Americans, American Grammy Award-winner jazz pianist, arranger, orchestrator and conductor. Biography Born in New York City in 1956, Mr. Musiker studied music theory and piano at the Manhattan School of Music ...

, Roni Ben-Hur, Rufus Reid,

Leroy Williams Leroy Williams (February 3, 1941 – June 1, 2022) was an American drummer, mostly known for his work in jazz. Williams first began playing drums as a teenager in the 1950s. From 1959 to the middle of the 1960s he played with singer Judy Roberts, ...

Chris Byars Chris is a short form of various names including Christopher, Christian, Christina, Christine, and Christos. Chris is also used as a name in its own right, however it is not as common. People with the given name * Chris Abani (born 1966), N ...

MTM-00011 * KJ Denhert – ''Lucky 7'' MTM-00014

2008

Antonio Ciacca Antonio Ciacca is a jazz pianist. Early life Ciacca was born in Germany and brought up in Italy. He began playing the piano at the age of seven. He has been taught by Steve Grossman, Kenny Barron, Marcus Belgrave and Barry Harris. Later life an ...

Quintet (

Kengo Nakamura is a Japanese former professional association football, footballer who played as a midfielder. A List of one-club men in association football, one-club man, Nakamura signed with Kawasaki Frontale in 2003 and helped the then J2 League, J2 outfit ...

, Rodney Green, Stacy Dillard,

Joe Magnarelli Joseph Anthony Magnarelli (born January 19, 1960) is an American jazz trumpeter and flugelhornist. Early life and education Magnarelli was born in Syracuse, New York. He received a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Fr ...

) – ''Rush Life'' 232536 *Bujo Kevin Jones – ''Bujo Kevin Jones & Tenth World Live!'' with

, Kevin Louis, Joshua David, Jaimeo Brown MTM-00020 *KJ Denhert – ''Dal Vivo a Umbria Jazz'' with

Bennett Paster Bennett may refer to: People *Bennett (name), including a list of people with the surname and given name Places Canada *Bennett, Alberta *Bennett, British Columbia *Bennett Lake, in the British Columbia and Yukon Territory **Bennett Range **Bennet ...

, Ray Lavier,

Mamadou Ba Mamadou Ba (born 8 May 1985) is a retired Senegalese professional football goalkeeper In many team sports which involve scoring goals, the goalkeeper (sometimes termed goaltender, netminder, GK, goalie or keeper) is a designated player ch ...

John Caban John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...

, and featuring

Aaron Heick Aaron Heick is an American saxophonist and woodwind player, born September 13, 1961 in Seattle, currently living in New York. He is best known for his work on the CBS Orchestra for the '' Late Show with David Letterman''. He has worked with Ch ...

MTM - 00017 *

The New Jazz Composers Octet The New Jazz Composers Octet is an all-acoustic jazz ensemble founded by trumpeter/arranger David Weiss in 1996. NPR's Josh Jackson described them as "part New York hustle and part writer's workshop, all of it redolent with the aroma of newnes ...

– ''The Turning Gate'' MTM-00019 *Roni Ben-Hur,

Gene Bertoncini Gene J. Bertoncini (born 6 April 1937) is an American jazz guitarist. Biography Bertoncini was born in New York City, where he was raised in a musical family. His father, Mario Bertoncini (1901–1978), played guitar and harmonica. Gene began pl ...

– ''Smile: Jazz Therapy, Volume 1'' MTM - 00018

2009

*Lynne Arriale – ''Nuance: The Bennett Studio Sessions'' featuring

Randy Brecker Randal Edward Brecker (born November 27, 1945) is an American trumpeter, flugelhornist, and composer. His versatility has made him a popular studio musician who has recorded with acts in jazz, rock, and R&B. Early life Brecker was born on Nov ...

George Mraz George Mraz (born Jiří Mráz; 9 September 1944 – 16 September 2021) was a Czech-born American jazz bassist and alto saxophonist. He was a member of Oscar Peterson's group, and worked with Pepper Adams, Stan Getz, Michel Petrucciani, Stephan ...

, Anthony Pinciotti MTM-00022 *

– ''The Art of Improvisation'' with

Will Calhoun William Calhoun (born July 22, 1964) is an American drummer who is a member of the rock band Living Colour. Career Calhoun was born in the Bronx, New York. He moved to Boston to attend the Berklee College of Music, where he graduated with a de ...

, Yunchen Lhamo, Pat Jones MTM-21 *

Sertab Erener Sertab Erener (born 4 December 1964) is a Turkish singer, songwriter and composer. With her coloratura soprano voice, she started working as a backing vocalist for Sezen Aksu, and with Aksu's help she released her first studio album in the 1990 ...

Demir Demirkan Demir Demirkan () (born 12 August 1972) is a Turkish musician, Eurovision Song Contest winning composer, formerly guitarist for thrash metal band Mezarkabul. Demir Demirkan started playing music when he was 13 and played guitar with various gr ...

– ''Painted on Water'' MTM23 * Oran Etkin – ''Kelenia'' MTM - 24 *

Tessa Souter Tessa Souter is a jazz singer, songwriter and writer. Early life Tessa Souter was born in London to a Trinidadian father and an English mother. She studied piano, then at the age of twelve taught herself how to play guitar. At sixteen she ran ...

– ''Obsession'' MTM-27 *Babatunde Lea's Umbo Weti: A Tribute to

Leon Thomas Amos Leon Thomas Jr. (October 4, 1937 – May 8, 1999), known professionally as Leon Thomas, was an American jazz and blues vocalist, born in East St. Louis, Illinois, and known for his bellowing glottal-stop style of free jazz singing in the ...

with

Dwight Trible Dwight Trible is an American jazz singer, living in Los Angeles. He has made albums in collaboration with Carlos Gabriel Niño, John Beasley, and Matthew Halsall, releasing them on Ninja Tune and Gondwana Records. He was an original member of P ...

Patrice Rushen Patrice Louise Rushen (born September 30, 1954) is an American jazz pianist and R&B singer. She is also a composer, record producer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and music director. Her 1982 single "Forget Me Nots" received a Grammy Awar ...

, Gary Brown MTM-25 *

Alexis Cole Alexis Cole is an American jazz singer. Career Cole was born in Queens, New York. Her father and grandmother were both jazz singers and pianists. She grew up in South Florida, where she studied Musical Theater at the New World School of the Arts ...

– ''The Greatest Gift'' MTM-26 * N.E.D. – ''No Evidence of Disease'' MTM-29 *

, Juarez Moreira – ''Bim Bom - The Complete

João Gilberto João Gilberto (born João Gilberto Prado Pereira de Oliveira – ; 10 June 1931 – 6 July 2019) was a Brazilian guitarist, singer and composer who was a pioneer of the musical genre of bossa nova in the late 1950s. Around the world, he was o ...

Songbook'' (Jazz Therapy, Vol. 2) MTM-30 *Roni Ben-Hur – ''Fortuna'' with

, Rufus Reid,

, Steve Kroon MTM-28 *2009 Motéma Summer Sampler *Antonio Ciacca Quintet (Kengo Nakamura, Ulysses Owens, Stacy Dillard, Steve Grossman) – ''

Lagos Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the List of cities in Africa by population, second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national ca ...

Blues'' MTM-32 *2009 Motéma Winter Sampler

2010

*Rufus Reid featuring Steve Allee & Duduka da Fonseca – ''Out Front'' MTM-36 *

Tomoko Sugawara Tomoko Sugawara is a harpist from Tokyo, Japan who grew up playing classical and Irish harp before learning to play the kugo or angular harp. With Swedish professor Bo Lawergren, whom she met at a kugo museum exhibit in Nara, Japan she engin ...

– ''Along the Silk Road'' with

Robert Dick Robert Dick (January 1811 – 24 December 1866), was a Scottish geologist and botanist. Life He was born at Tullibody, in Clackmannanshire. His father was an officer of excise in nearby Alloa. At the age of thirteen, after receiving a good ...

and Ozan Aksöy MTM-31 *

– '' Flying Toward the Sound'' MTM-37 * Lynne Arriale – ''Solo'' MTM-38 nreleased*Sertab Erener, Demir Demirkan – ''Love'' ( EP) MTM-44 igital download; only promo CDs exist*Marc Cary – ''Focus Trio Live 2009'' MTM-33 * Patrick Stanfield Jones – ''A Heart and an Open Road'' with Barry Wiesenfeld,

Don Gardner Donald Gardner (May 9, 1931 – September 4, 2018) was an American rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, and drummer. His records included the 1962 pop hit " I Need Your Lovin'", with Dee Dee Ford. Biography Born in Philadelphia, Gardner star ...

, Steven "Muddy" Roues, Rave Tesar, Jana Herzen, Kit McClure, Erik Lawrence, Chip Larison MTM-39 *

– ''Water'' MTM-41 *Charnett Moffett – ''Treasure'' MTM-43 *Geri Allen and

Timeline A timeline is a display of a list of events in chronological order. It is typically a graphic design showing a long bar labelled with dates paralleling it, and usually contemporaneous events. Timelines can use any suitable scale representi ...

– ''Live'' MTM-42 *Ryan Cohan – ''Another Look'' MTM-45 *Motéma Music Summer Sampler 2010 *Oran Etkin – ''Wake Up Clarinet!'' MTM-TMB-46-1 * Sameer Gupta – ''Namaskar'' with Marc Cary, Pt. Ramesh Misra, Srinivas Reddy, David Boyce, Prasant Radhakrishnan, Charith Premawardanan, David Ewell MTM-49 *

– ''The Storyteller'' MTM-51 *KJ Denhert – ''Album No. 9'' MTM-47 *

Bettina Jonic Bettina is a female name predominantly found in the Italian and German languages. This name has various interpreted meanings and origins. In Italian, Bettina originated as a diminutive of the names Elisabetta and Benedetta. Benedetta is the Ital ...

– ''The Bitter Mirror: Songs by

Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Often regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture during a career sp ...

and

Bertolt Brecht Eugen Berthold Friedrich Brecht (10 February 1898 – 14 August 1956), known professionally as Bertolt Brecht, was a German theatre practitioner, playwright, and poet. Coming of age during the Weimar Republic, he had his first successes as a pl ...

'' MTM-50 (reissue of 1975 album)

2011

*Lynne Arriale – ''Convergence'' MTM-54 *

Rondi Charleston Rondi Charleston is a jazz vocalist and songwriter (in collaboration with Lynne Arriale). She is also an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning television journalist and investigative reporter for '' Primetime''. Early life Charleston was born in Chic ...

– ''Who Knows Where the Time Goes'' with

Dave Stryker Dave Stryker (born March 30, 1957) is an American jazz guitarist. He has recorded over twenty-five albums as a leader and has been a featured sideman with Stanley Turrentine, Jack McDuff, and Kevin Mahogany. Career Stryker grew up in Omaha, Nebr ...

James Genus James Genus (January 20, 1966) is an American jazz bassist. He plays both electric bass guitar and upright bass and currently plays in the Saturday Night Live Band. Genus has performed as a session musician and sideman throughout his career, hav ...

Clarence Penn Clarence Lacquese Penn (born March 2, 1968) is an American jazz drummer and composer. Early life Penn was born in Detroit on March 2, 1968.Kennedy, Gary W"Clarence Penn" ''The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz'' (2nd edition). Grove Music Online. Oxf ...

, Lynne Arriale, Brandon McCune, Mayra Casales MTM-55 *Amy London – ''Let's Fly'' featuring Roni Ben-Hur, Santi Debriano, Steve Williams, Steve Kroon, Tadro Hammer, Glauco Sagebin,

Richard Wyands Richard Francis Wyands (July 2, 1928 – September 25, 2019) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, best known for his work as a side-man. Early life Wyands was born in Oakland, California Oakland is the largest city and the ...

MTM-56 * T.K. Blue – ''Latin Bird'' featuring Willie Martinez, Roland Guerrero, Essiet O. Essiet, Theo Hill and special guests

Steve Turre Stephen Johnson Turre (born September 12, 1948, in Omaha, Nebraska) is an American jazz trombonist and a pioneer of using Conch (instrument), seashells as instruments, a composer, arranger, and educator at the collegiate-conservatory level. For ...

MTM-57 *2011 Motéma Music Sampler *Rufus Reid & Out Front (Steve Allee & Duduka da Fonseca) featuring

Toninho Horta Antônio Maurício Horta de Melo (born December 2, 1948) is a Brazilian jazz guitarist and vocalist. In addition to composing and performing his own work, Horta has worked for many years as arranger or sideman for Brazilian artists such as El ...

Bobby Watson Robert Michael Watson Jr. (born August 23, 1953), known professionally as Bobby Watson, is an American saxophonist, composer, and educator. Music career Watson was born in Lawrence, Kansas, United States, and grew up in Kansas City, Kansas. He ...

, Freddie Hendrix, JD Allen – ''Hues of a Different Blue'' MTM-58 *

– ''Voice of My Beautiful Country'' MTM-59 *

Malika Zarra Malika Zarra is a Moroccan singer, composer, and music producer, based in New York City. She is known for singing in Moroccan Arabic, Berber, French, and English. Her music has been on the JazzWeek Top 20 radio chart in world music. Biography ...

– ''Berber Taxi'' MTM-60 *

and Roni Ben-Hur with

Victor Lewis Victor Lewis (born May 20, 1950) is an American jazz drummer, composer, and educator. Early life Victor Lewis was born on May 20, 1950 in Omaha, Nebraska. His father, Richard Lewis, who played saxophone and mother, Camille, a pianist-vocalist ...

and

Café A coffeehouse, coffee shop, or café is an establishment that primarily serves coffee of various types, notably espresso, latte, and cappuccino. Some coffeehouses may serve cold drinks, such as iced coffee and iced tea, as well as other non-ca ...

– ''Mojave - Jazz Therapy, Vol. 3'' MTM-64 * Jean-Michel Pilc – ''Essential'' MTM-61 *

– ''The Music of

Randy Newman Randall Stuart Newman (born November 28, 1943) is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, composer, and pianist known for his Southern American English, Southern-accented singing style, early Americana (music), Americana-influenced songs (often ...

'', arranged by

Mark Soskin Mark Samuel Soskin (born 1953) is an American jazz pianist based in New York City. Discography As leader * ''Rhythm Vision,'' Prestige (1980); * ''Overjoyed,'' Jazz City (1991); * ''Views From Here,'' King (1992); * ''Calypso & Jazz Arou ...

with

Sara Caswell Sara Caswell is an American violinist who has worked with 9 Horses, Esperanza Spalding, and David Krakauer. Career Born into a musical family in Bloomington, Indiana, Caswell studied classical violin with Josef Gingold, but from an early age ...

, Dean Johnson, Tim Horner,

Jamey Haddad Jamey George Haddad (born July 2, 1952 in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American percussionist who works primarily in the fields of jazz and world music and specializes in hand drums. Biography Haddad is of Lebanese ancestry. From the age of four, he b ...

Steve Cardenas Stephen Antonio Cardenas (born May 29, 1974) is an American martial artist, musician, and actor. Cardenas is best known for playing the character Rocky DeSantos, which was the second Red Power Ranger in ''Mighty Morphin Power Rangers'' and eventu ...

MTM-65 *

– ''Harlem - Kingston Express Live!'' with Karl Wright, Yotam Silberstein, Hassan Shakur, Obed Calvaire. Robert Thomas, Hoova Simpson, Andy Bassford MTM-67 * JC Stylles featuring Pat Bianchi and

Lawrence Leathers Lawrence "Lo" Leathers (November 23, 1981 – June 2, 2019) was an American jazz drummer who played on two of Cécile McLorin Salvant's albums that have won Grammy Awards for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Biography Leathers was born in Lansing, M ...

– ''Exhilaration and Other States'' MTM-68 *

– '' A Child Is Born'' MTM-69 * A Moving Sound – ''A Moving Sound'' ompilation from their second and third albumsMTM-71 *Pilc Moutin Hoenig – ''Threedom'' MTM-72 * David Murray Cuban Ensemble – '' Plays Nat King Cole en Español'' with special guests

Daniel Melingo Daniel Melingo (born October 22, 1957) is an Argentine musician, with a background in rock (he played guitar for Los Twist and saxophone for Los Abuelos de la Nada). He is now a tango artist and tours with his band Los Ramones del tango. Biog ...

, Juanjo Mosalini, The Sinfonieta of Sines MTM-73 *René Marie – ''Black Lace Freudian Slip'' with

Kevin Bales Kevin Brian Bales, (born 1952), is Professor of Contemporary Slavery at the University of Nottingham, co-author of the Global Slavery Index, and was a co-founder and previously president of Free the Slaves. Free the Slaves is the US sister orga ...

, Rodney Jordan, Kenneth Baxter, Quentin Baxter, Bill Kopper, Lionel Young, Dexter Payne, Michael A. Croan MTM-74 * Pilc Moutin Hoenig – ''Threedom'' *

– ''1960 What? The Remixes'' *

Dennis Rollins Dennis Rollins, (born 1964) is an English jazz trombonist, the founder and bandleader of BadBone and Co. Early life and career Dennis George Rollins was born in Birmingham, England, of Jamaican parents, and raised in Bentley, Doncaster, wher ...

Velocity Trio – ''The 11th Gate''

2012

Elio Villafranca Elio Villafranca is a Cuban jazz pianist and composer. He was born in the Cuban province of Pinar del Río, and studied in the faculty of music of the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana. He worked on ''Things I Wanted to do'' by Chembo Cornie ...

, Arturo Stable – ''Dos y Mas'' *

– ''Be Good'' *

– ''

Solo Solo or SOLO may refer to: Arts and entertainment Comics * ''Solo'' (DC Comics), a DC comics series * Solo, a 1996 mini-series from Dark Horse Comics Characters * Han Solo, a ''Star Wars'' character * Jacen Solo, a Jedi in the non-canonical ''S ...

'' * Joe Locke /

Geoffrey Keezer Geoffrey Keezer (born November 20, 1970) is an American jazz pianist. Keezer was playing in jazz clubs as a teenager, playing piano for Art Blakey at age 18 and touring with Joshua Redman, Benny Golson and Ray Brown in his 20s. He has toured w ...

Group – ''Signing'' * Ablaye Cissoko / Volker Goetze – ''Amanke Dionti'' *

– ''Beyond The Blue'' * Brazilian Trio – ''Constelação'' * The Cookers – ''Believe'' *

Lakecia Benjamin Lakecia Benjamin is an American jazz, funk, and R&B saxophonist. Benjamin was born and raised in New York City. She grew up in a Dominican neighborhood in Washington Heights, Manhattan and played merengue, salsa, and Latin music. As a touring m ...

– ''Retox'' *

, Santi Debriano – ''Our Thing'' *

, Jeremy Kahn, Frank Basile, Kevin Bales, et al. – ''Joy Road: The Complete Works of Pepper Adams, Volumes 1-5''

2013

*David Murray Infinity Quartet featuring

Macy Gray Natalie Renée McIntyre (born September 6, 1967), known by her stage name Macy Gray, is an American R&B and soul singer and actress. She is known for her distinctive raspy voice and a singing style heavily influenced by Billie Holiday. Gray ha ...

– ''

Be My Monster Love ''Be My Monster Love'' is an album by saxophonist David Murray's Infinity Quartet with guest vocalists Macy Gray and Gregory Porter released in 2013 on the Motéma label. Reception The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek awarded the album 3½ star ...

'' MTM 112 *

– '' For the Love of Abbey'' MTM 122 *Geri Allen – ''

Grand River Crossings ''Grand River Crossings'' (subtitled ''Motown & Motor City Inspirations'') is an album of songs associated with or inspired by Detroit and Motown by pianist Geri Allen recorded in 2012 and released on the Motéma Music, Motéma label in 2013.

'' MTM 128 *'The Joe Locke Quartet with Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra – ''Wish Upon A Star''

2014

* Arturo O'Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra – ''The Offense of the Drum'' *

Ginger Baker Peter Edward "Ginger" Baker (19 August 1939 – 6 October 2019) was an English drummer. His work in the 1960s and 1970s earned him the reputation of "rock's first superstar drummer", for a style that melded jazz and Music of Africa, Africa ...

– ''Why?'' *

Kellylee Evans Kellylee Evans (born 7 February 1975) is a Canadian jazz and soul music vocalist. Early life Educated at Carleton University (1993–2000), it was there that Evans discovered jazz when she "got lost in the elevators of the Loeb Building and foun ...

– ''I Remember When'' *

Omer Avital Omer Avital (born May 13, 1971, Givatayim, Israel) is an Israeli-American jazz bassist, composer and bandleader. Early life Avital was born in the town of Givatayim to Moroccan and Yemeni parents. At age 11, he began his formal training, s ...

– ''New Song'' * Oran Etkin – ''Gathering Light'' *

The Cookers ''The'' () is a grammatical Article (grammar), article in English language, English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite ...

– ''Time and Time Again'' * Brian Jackson & Kentyah Frazer – ''Evolutionary Minded, furthering the Legacy of Gil Scott-Heron''

2015

*Joe Locke – '' Love Is A Pendulum'' *Arturo O'Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra – ''Cuba: The Conversation Continues'' *

Shai Maestro Shai Maestro (born February 5, 1987) is an Israeli jazz pianist. Biography Shai Maestro began playing classical piano aged five and graduated from the Thelma Yellin High School of Performing Arts in Givataim, Israel. After winning the National ...

Trio – ''Untold Stories''

2016

* Jaimeo Brown Transcendence – ''Work Songs'' *

– ''Sound of Red'' * Motema Compilations – ''The Same Heart (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)'' * David Murray, Gerri Allen, and

Power Trio – ''

Perfection Perfection is a state, variously, of completeness, flawlessness, or supreme excellence. The terminology, term is used to designate a range of diverse, if often kindred, concepts. These have historically been addressed in a number of discrete a ...

'' * The Pedrito Martinez Group – ''Habana Dreams'' *

Ben Wendel Ben Wendel is a grammy nominated jazz saxophonist, bassoonist, and pianist who is a founding member of the band Kneebody. He has worked with Snoop Dogg, Ignacio Berroa, Daedelus, Taylor Eigsti, Gerald Clayton, and Tigran Hamasyan Career Wendel ...

– ''What We Bring'' *

– ''Celebrating Elvin Jones'' *

– ''Countdown'' * Ted Nash – ''Presidential Suite: Eight Variations on Freedom'' *

– ''Beyond Now''

2017

Kneebody Kneebody is an American band formed in 2001, consisting of Adam Benjamin on keyboards, Shane Endsley on trumpet, Ben Wendel on tenor saxophone, and Nate Wood on bass guitar and drums. History Ben Wendel, Shane Endsley, Adam Benjamin, and Kaveh ...

– ''Anti-Hero'' * Petros Klampanis – ''Chroma'' *

Gerald Clayton Gerald William Clayton (born May 11, 1984) is a Dutch-born American jazz pianist, composer and bandleader. Biography Clayton attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts; USC's Thornton School of Music, where he studied piano with ...

– ''Tributary Tales'' *

– ''Music From Our Soul'' *

Jack DeJohnette Jack DeJohnette (born August 9, 1942) is an American jazz drummer, pianist, and composer. Known for his extensive work as leader and sideman for musicians including Charles Lloyd, Freddie Hubbard, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, John Abercrombie, ...

John Scofield John Scofield (born December 26, 1951), sometimes referred to as "Sco", is an American guitarist and composer whose music over a long career has blended jazz, jazz fusion, funk, blues, soul and rock. He first came to mainstream attention in the ...

John Medeski Anthony John Medeski (born June 28, 1965) is an American jazz keyboard player and composer. Medeski is a veteran of New York's 1990s avant-garde jazz scene and is known popularly as a member of Medeski Martin & Wood. He plays the acoustic piano ...

Larry Grenadier Larry Grenadier (born February 6, 1966 in San Francisco) is an American jazz double bassist. Early life Grenadier's father, Albert, was a trumpet player, and his two brothers, Phil and Steve, play trumpet and guitar, respectively. Grenadier be ...

– ''

Hudson Hudson may refer to: People * Hudson (given name) * Hudson (surname) * Henry Hudson, English explorer * Hudson (footballer, born 1986), Hudson Fernando Tobias de Carvalho, Brazilian football right-back * Hudson (footballer, born 1988), Hudso ...

'' *

Chucho Valdés Jesús Valdés Rodríguez, better known as Chucho Valdés (born October 9, 1941), is a Cuban pianist, bandleader, composer and arranger whose career spans over 50 years. An original member of the Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna, in 1973 he fo ...

and Arturo O'Farrill – ''Familiar: Tribute to Bebo and Chico'' *

– ''Jersey'' *

– ''Joey.Monk.Live!'' *

– ''EP''

2018

* David Murray – ''Blues for Memo'' *

– ''Run Deep'' *

Playing for Change Playing For Change is a multimedia music project, featuring musicians and singers from across the globe, co-founded in 2002 by American Grammy award-winning music producer/engineer and award-winning film director Mark Johnson and film producer/ph ...

– ''Listen to the Music'' *

– ''How High feat. Inara George'' *

– ''Eclipse'' *

Gilad Hekselman Gilad Hekselman ( he, גלעד הקסלמן; born 1983) is an Israeli-born, NYC-based jazz guitarist. He has performed with Anat Cohen, Mark Turner (musician), Mark Turner, Dayna Stephens, Aaron Parks, Jeff Ballard (musician), Jeff Ballard, Joh ...

– ''Ask for Chaos'' *

Stefon Harris Stefon DeLeon Harris (born March 23, 1973) is an American jazz vibraphonist. Biography A native of Albany, New York, Harris intended to work for the New York Philharmonic until he heard the music of Charlie Parker. During the 1990s he recorded ...

– ''Sonic Creed'' *

– ''Blow'' *

– ''The Seasons'' * Lori Henriques – ''Legion of Peace'' *

– ''A Joey Alexander Christmas'' * Nett Duo,

– ''Overtones''

2019

– ''BEAT MUSIC! BEAT MUSIC! BEAT MUSIC!'' *

– ''Visions'' *

– ''Further Chaos'' *

– ''Bright New Day'' *

– ''Goddamn/Your Only One'' *

– ''Head of Mine/Tokyo'' *

– ''Waiting Game''

2020

– ''Nothing But Love'' *

and

– Round the World'' *

– ''Kapolioka'ehukai'' * The Royal Bopsters – ''Party of Four''

References

External links

Official site

Motéma Music
s channel on

YouTube YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Motema Music American record labels Jazz record labels World music record labels Record labels established in 2003