Introducing songstress Yolanda Rabun and her latest album SO REAL

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African American, Female Vocalist, Yolanda Rabun

Yolanda Rabun, SO REAL

Yolanda Rabun is every woman. A wife, mother, business person and artist extraordinaire, the Atlanta native’s biggest challenge is finding downtime between juggling a music, acting and legal careers, motivational speaking engagements and family life. It’s a convenient challenge Rabun relishes, and considering her energetic personality and vivacious spirit, it’s one she overcomes easily. Being on the go is a life Yolanda has become accustomed to since she was a teenager touring and performing as a featured vocalist in Europe and Japan as a member of Northside School of the Arts’, Showbiz Kids, and even working and recording with Isaac Hayes and singing for the President of the United States.

Eric Reed -][- The Baddest Monk – [Savant, 2012] –

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African American, Eric Reed, Piano

Eric Reed, THE BADDEST MONK

Eric Reed -][- The Baddest Monk – [Savant, 2012] –

Pianist Eric Reed has claimed that Monk’s music makes it possible “to travel way out there, if you’re willing to go where it can take you.” On The Baddest Monk, Reed and his colleagues prove more than willing. The Monk classics recorded here illustrate the breadth of Reed’s thought on one of the most idiosyncratic of jazz composers.

Reed and his ensemble are able to penetrate to the very core the Monk’s writing, dismantle its component parts and reassemble them so that they contain not only the essence of Monk, but that of the players themselves. -[Amazon | Editorial Reviews]-

John Ellis -][- IT’S YOU I LIKE – [Criss Cross, 2012] –

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Aaron Goldberg, John Ellis, Matt Penman, Mike Moreno, Rodney Green, Saxophone

John Ellis, IT'S YOU I LIKE

John Ellis -][- IT’S YOU I LIKE – [Criss Cross, 2012] –

Melody and groove are the watchwords on John Ellis’ masterful Criss Cross debut, which mixes optimistic songs composed by the iconic children’s television host, Fred (a.k.a. ‘Mister’) Rogers, himself a fine jazz pianist, and dark ones by the late singer-songwriter Elliott Smith.

Joined by New York A-listers Mike Moreno (guitar), Aaron Goldberg (piano), Matt Penman (bass), and Rodney Green (drums), Ellis – playing mostly tenor saxophone and a bit of bass clarinet – addresses the repertoire with a surefooted time feel, gorgeous tone,and abiding melodicism. -[Amazon | Editorial Reviews]-

..:: SOURCE: Amazon.com ::..