Bobby Lyle and friends return with Ivory Flow
An incredible 45 years after releasing his epic debut album The Genie, and 33 years since his landmark Atlantic album Ivory Dreams, Bobby Lyle reminds us on his latest collection that he’s still engaged and excited about creating great music. His latest album is Ivory Flow and it delivers on many levels.
The multi-talented pianist/keyboardist calls this gloriously crafted set “a reunion album”, with support from his equally legendary contemporary jazz pals Rick Braun, Gerald Albright, Najee, Everette Harp, and Paul Jackson Jr to name a few.
This dream team takes fanciful spins through a riveting, expansive landscape infused with classic soul/funk, Latin-fired fusion, straight ahead jazz, there’s solo piano blues and an elegant tune dedicated to Lyle’s son Tommy, who passed away in 2017.
Lyle has distinguished himself as a performing artist, composer, recording artist (with product on Capitol Jazz, Atlantic Jazz, Three Keys, Heads Up, and now his own label, New Warrior Music).
He began his professional career at the age of 16, playing in local clubs in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A move from Minneapolis to Los Angeles with his family led him to Jazz Crusader co-founder Wayne Henderson, who secured his first record deal with Capitol Jazz.
His 1990 project The Journey made it to #1 on the Billboard jazz chart, and he is still the only artist whose record (Straight and Smooth on the Three Keys label, 2005) appeared on both the Billboard Magazine smooth jazz, and the Billboard traditional jazz charts at the same time.
His CD The Way I Feel is a tribute to the late, great Jimmy Smith and guitarist Wes Montgomery. The CD was released in 2013 and is available on CD Baby, iTunes, and Amazon.com.
A year later, in association with smooth jazz radio personality Guy Michaels, Lyle launched Houston’s first ever TV jazz show called The J-Spot. Taped in front of a live audience, The J-Spot has been a prominent showcase for the wealth of musical talent in the Houston area, and has featured national recording artists with Bobby, a permanent host for the show and occasional performer.
Lyle has been inducted into the BMA’s (Black Music Awards) Hall of Fame in Houston and continues to explore opportunities to perform with various configurations of his piano bands, organ trio, and as a solo pianist.
For now though, step into the Ivory Flow and feel the love.
…host of the Just Jazz radio show, writer, and occasional voice over artist.
