If there is one artist today who\\\'ll keep jazz alive for the next generation - it\\\'s Courtney Pine. By blending modern electronic sounds and styles like garage and drum n\\\' bass with contemporary and traditional jazz styles, Pine has created a sound accessible to everyone.
His debut album, \\\"Journey to the Urge Within\\\" released in 1987 was one of the first jazz albums to make the Top 40 and, with sales totalling up to a silver disc, Courtney Pine established himself as the leading figure of the British jazz scene.
In 1988, he would follow up with \\\"Destiny\\\'s Song\\\", produced by American jazz trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, who would also produce his next record \\\"The Vision\\\'s Tale\\\"(1989). This time, not only did he break into the British Top 40, but also broke into American jazz charts. This would be the beginning of his climb to international fame. 1988 also saw him play at Nelson Mandela\\\'s 80th birthday concert at Wembley stadium.
\\\"Closer to Home\\\", released originally in 1990 was a journey back to Courtney Pine\\\'s musical roots as a compilation of reggae tunes. The album was recorded in Jamaica and produced by Gussie Clarke to be released on Island Record\\\'s Mango label. Eventually, the album was remixed by Courtney Pine himself, alongside Ingmar Kiang for re-release in the UK and US. It reached number 14 in the Billboard chart in America in 1992 - his best selling record to date.
To follow up, \\\"Within the Realms of Our Dreams\\\" featured Charnett Moffett, Jeff Watts and Kenny Kirkland - all recognized American jazz artists. Its release in 1991 and a tour with an All Star American band in the UK and US secured his international status.
\\\"To The Eyes of Creation\\\" (1992) would be his last release with Island Records. The record was drawn from more Eastern influences, blending jazz, African, Indian and West Indian sounds. Courtney Pine arranged and produced the album as well as playing tenor and soprano saxophones, alto flute and bass clarinet.
In 1995, he signed to Polygram. After doing so, his return to the studio resulted in \\\"Modern Day Jazz Stories\\\" - his seventh album featuring Charnett Moffett on bass, Geri Allen on piano, and Ronnie Burrage on drums, as well as UK hip-hop DJ\\\'s Pogo and Sparki. The record was released in 1996, worldwide. The Guardian (UK news paper) referred to it as \\\'Crossover album of the week\\\', and was critically acclaimed for the new direction in sound. Jazz singer Cassandra Wilson featured on the albums first single \\\"I\\\'ve Known Rivers\\\". The single made the national chart, was voted \\\'single of the week\\\' by KISS FM and remained on the play list for six weeks. In the US the album went straight to number 28 in the Billboard jazz chart, after selling 40,000 copies. Courtney Pine then played as the main support act for Cassandra Wilson on her tour of the US and Canada.
The success of \\\"Modern Day Jazz Stories\\\" didn\\\'t stop there - it won the Mercury Music Prize - “1996 Albums of the Year”. He also received a MOBO Award for “Best Jazz Act” for two years in a row - 1996 and 1997.
1997 would hold more success for Courtney Pine with the release of “Underground”, to again receive critical acclaim
1998 saw the release of a remix album, featuring tracks from “Modern Day Jazz Stories” and “Underground”. Some of the leading drum & bass artists in the UK would take part in remixing these tracks, including Roni Size.
\\\"Back in the Day” was released in 2000. Featured vocally on this album were Beverley Knight, Lynden David Hall and Kele Le Roc. This became another huge success with lots of media attention, critical acclaim, award nominations and radio support. Courtney Pine now became recognized not only for his music but had presented a number of programmes on TV and broadcasted several radio shows including his specialist jazz show - Courtney Pine\\\'s Jazz Crusade on BBC Radio 2.
The same year he went to Africa to film a documentary on local musicians about their lives and music. It has since been nominated for two media awards in the category of Best Documentary, and received yet more critical acclaim.
Courtney Pine\\\'s debut as a musical director was on the Windrush Gala Concert for the BBC. At the televised ceremony in London he led his own band performing these arrangements with an all-star line-up. Also, Pine had recently composed and performed the soundtrack to the BBC’s definitive 2 part documentary \\\"Mandela – A Living Legend\\\".
Prestigious South Bank Show made Pine the subject of the show with an hour long programme, documenting his career to date, shot in London, New York and Jamaica. It was broadcasted in late 2000, watched by 1.1 million people - a staggering audience.
To this day, Courtney Pine is still touring, with over 20 years worth of touring behind him. He\\\'s played worldwide, from Glastonbury main stage, to the most intimate of venues such as Blue Note Tokyo.
Pine\\\'s latest release Resistance (2005) is acclaimed to be his best yet, undoubtedly with his most distinctive sounds yet. With its release he\\\'s toured with Cameron Pierre on guitar, opening up the shows with material from his own straight-up jazz record \\\"Pad Up (Get Ready).
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