Marshall Chess, Scion of the Legendary Chess Records Label, Continues the Legacy with CZYZ Records on New Moves: The Chess Project Album, Plus a Website and Podcast
NEW YORK, NY – Marshall Chess, son of the legendary Chess Records co-founder Leonard Chess, having carved out his own niche in the grand history of rock ’n’ roll and roots music with that iconic imprint as well as being president of The Rolling Stones record label, is not one to rest on his accomplished laurels. Now in his eighth decade, Marshall continues to be at the vanguard of music innovation with the release of New Moves: The Chess Project, a trailblazing new collection released on his CZYZ Records label. CZYZ was the original family name of his father and uncle before they came over to the USA in the 1920s and had their name “Americanized” into “Chess,” which set the brothers on a path to create their own music history.
Executive produced by Marshall and his son Jamar, along with producer Keith LeBlanc, New Moves: The Chess Project dives into their family’s hallowed Chess Records vault; offering stunning reinterpretations of Chess’ blues legends, many of whom Marshall worked with firsthand. Featuring The Chess Project – a band hand-recruited by LeBlanc with Marshall and Jamar – the album highlights world class musicians who’ve backed artists like James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner as they reimagine Chess gems first recorded by Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Memphis Slim, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson and more.
Listen to The Chess Project’s New Moves here: https://orcd.co/newmoves.
“My new album, New Moves, is another attempt (Electric Mud, etc.) to spread the magic of the Chess sound to a new audience,” says Marshall Chess. “It’s another concept inspired by my family’s music. New Moves showcases great lyrics with new riffs….new music with Chess Records inspirations, powered by world- class musicians and great production that takes the blues to a new place. I’m 82 now, and I still love making records, making an idea into reality.”
An album nearly two decades in the making, New Moves was conceived by Marshall Chess and Keith LeBlanc, whom he met while working at the pioneering hip-hop label Sugar Hill Records (who helped launch artists like Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel). The original idea was to use samples of the original Chess blues masters combined with new original instrumental tracks created by LeBlanc. Legal issues using the original samples surfaced so the idea evolved to one which became New Moves, a collection of reimagined recordings with songs selected by Marshall and production by LeBlanc. This transformation includes a starring vocal role for longtime Rolling Stones backing vocalist Bernard Fowler.
The all-star New Moves lineup also includes world-class percussionist LeBlanc; Skip “Little Axe” McDonald (Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five) and Eric Gales (Santana, Gary Clark Jr., Lauryn Hill) on guitar; Paul Nowinksi (Keith Richards, Patti Smith) and MonoNeon (Prince, Ne-Yo) on bass; Reggie Griffin (Kenny Babyface Edmonds, Chaka Khan) on keys; Alan Glen (Jeff Beck, Peter Green) on harmonica; and Mohini Dey, an up-and-coming young bass player from India.
“The Chess Records Tribute Channel on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@ChessRecordsTribute
is a deep excursion into the vast Chess Records history, featuring hundreds of rare videos, personal stories and experiences with constant content additions,” adds Chess. “There is a podcast section, too, where I play Chess music with added comments. If you love the blues, you have got to check out The Chess Records YouTube channel.”
Partnering with Marshall Chess on these projects is long-time friend Richard Ganter. Over the years, Ganter was in contact with Marshall after both promoted the “Legendary Masters” series in the mid- 1990s. They hit it off on a friendship that has lasted for several decades. Richard suggested a bunch of ideas for a Chess book to pay tribute to the Chess family legacy to Marshall, which in 2019 came to the concept of an illustrated coffee table style high-quality photo book. When 2020 came around and Covid 19 hit, Richard used the time to finalize the concept of the book with Marshall’s foreword and full authorized support.
Realizing that the world pretty much stood still in 2020, Richard started the YouTube channel Chess Records Tribute to support the book release and produce the most unique channel to showcase the legacy of the Chess family with Marshall’s full support. Marshall at that point revived The Chess Project album he produced with his son Jamar and with several major artists and finalized the album in 2023. Thus, several major Chess projects came together to feature on the YouTube channel with the album now hitting the promo trail in 2024.
“The channel covers Blues, Rock ’n’ roll, Soul, Gospel & Jazz plus comedy – the entire Chess history,” says Ganter. “After the launch in July, 2020 and the full launch in January, 2024, the YouTube channel boasts up to 500 videos-and- counting to date. A unique offer for any music fan to learn and view, listen to some of the most amazing music ever made! Recently they have started to produce podcasts hosted by Marshall Chess and produced by Richard Ganter to give viewers an even more unique experience. The channel has over 20 playlists and features some of the most unique blues videos and special documentaries every made on the subject.
“The YouTube channel has ensured we reach the far corners of the globe with the Chess Records Tribute legacy. More specials are planned for 2024 featuring Marshall Chess and his unique broadcast style to captivate the audience with his stories of his life in the music business. One of a kind.”
About Marshall Chess
After spending his early years alongside his father and uncle in Chicago studios and record pressing plants, Marshall Chess made his mark at the family label in the late ’60s with his own label Cadet Concept producing the groundbreaking albums Electric Mud (Muddy Waters) and Rotary Connection (self-titled). Marshall continued his innovative work as the founder and head of Rolling Stones Records and president of music publisher, Arc Music. The Chess family continue to be pioneers in the industry today; as this new collection is co-executive produced by Marshall’s son, Jamar Chess: a Billboard “30 Under 30” alum, 2019 ASCAP award-winner, and co-founder of Sunflower Entertainment and Wahoo Music Fund One. Together, Marshall and Jamar have now founded
Now living in Upstate New York and at 82 years old, Marshall Chess is still a record man above all – tending to the Chess Records legacy for his grandchildren and generations to come. He maintains The Chess Records Tribute YouTube channel, which features recorded live performances of Chess Records artists and a multi dozen-part Chess podcast hosted by Marshall where he chats about producing classic Chess albums and songs, many of which are reinterpreted on ‘New Moves.’
NEW MOVES – THE CHESS PROJECT TRACKLIST
- Boom Boom Out Go The Lights
2. Moanin’ At Midnight
3. Nine Below Zero
4. So Glad I’m Living
5. Tell Me
6. Booted
7. Mother Earth
8. Goin’ Down Slow
9. High Temperature
10. Smokestack Lightning
11. Help Me
Hi-Res Cover: http://www.markpuccimedia.com/New-Moves-Hi-Res-Cover-scaled.jpg
New Marshall Chess Hi-Res Photo: http://www.markpuccimedia.com/Marshall-Chess-Hi-Res-Photo-by-Alex-Healy-scaled.jpg
Vintage Marshall Chess Hi-Res Photo: http://www.markpuccimedia.com/Leonard-Marshall-and-Phil-Chess-scaled.jpg
