Ron Otis | Upfront

Tags

African American, Drums, Smooth Jazz

Ron Otis | Upfront – [Ron Otis, 2009]

Ron Otis, Upfront

At a glance, it appears that newcomer Ron Otis has more then one reason to smile these days because he’s one the most sought after drummers on the smooth jazz scene has a debut album titled “Upfront.” The Sterling Heights, Michigan native paints a tapestry of catchy melodies and unwavering grooves on this splendid new recording.

While being no stranger to the game, Otis stays in tune by honing his skills regularly with the cream of the crop performers in the smooth jazz genre calling upon the talented Bob James, Earl Klugh, Al Turner and many more.

Even though he’s laid-back, don’t let the smooth fool you Ron Otis doesn’t take a back seat on “Upfront.” As you listen, you’ll hear the lush melodies beckoning you to indulge in all the ingredients to come celebrate his arrival as a promising soloist artist. In recent years, he’s performed and recorded with who’s who in the music business including Bob James (Urban Flamingo), trumpeter Lin Roundtree (Sumthin’ Good), Earl Klugh ( Spice of Life, and Journey), bassist Al Turner (Movin’), keyboardist Brian O’Neal (Daisy), and saxophonist Justin Young (On The Way) to name a few highlights his prosperous beginning.

Most importantly, the skies are the limit for the impeccable Ron Otis. …. after all his emerging voice has a bright future etched in stone for him. If your taste for jazz is on the smooth edge, then give “Upfront” a listen and savor the moment! ~ The Urban Flux

Visit, Ron Otis at MySapce.com …

Steve Baxter | Sugar on the Bone

Tags

African American, Smooth Jazz, Trombone

Steve Baxter | Sugar on the Bone – [slubba bub, 2009]

Steve Baxter, Sugar

After a 6 years hiatus from “In and Out” Steve’s first solo CD, it got airplay on mostly independent radio but they really got behind it, they kept asking me when was something new coming out, I started brain storming on trying to put together something hip for trombone but still musically strong.

“Sugar On The Bone” is another feel good record that lends itself to the Crusaders sound, his former employee in which he toured with in 2003, members, Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Ray Parker Jr. Randy Crawford, Freddie Washington and the talented young drummer Kindrick Scott. This CD have gospel and blues overtones in it but still swing and funky, I wrote this project for everyone, not just a certain age group, all original, no covers, people started telling me to do covers and I thought about it but I respect the original artist to much to try to cover their work and make it sound great, I would do them live at time but I got to many ideals flowing in my head, I play this instrument and knows what sounds best with it.

Source: CDBaby.com … you can visit Steve Baxter’s site!

Gospel According To Jazz Chapter 3 Featured on The Word Network!!!

Tags

African American, Kirk Whalum, Saxophone, Smooth Jazz

Music fans, if you haven’t heard “Gospel According To Jazz Chapter 3” by saxophonist Kirk Whalum then you’re missing out on a audio/video blessing of a lifetime. ~ The Urban Flux

Kirk Whalum

(Hollywood, CA) New music from Smooth Jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum will be featured on The Jazzspel with Eric J TV show, Saturday, September 26 at 4:30pm EST/1:30pm PST on The Word Network, the nation’s second largest urban TV network behind only BET.

“I am delighted to world premiere two videos from Kirk Whalum’s forthcoming DVD and CD. He has been the consummate pro and if you like smooth jazz and gospel, he’s your man,” says Eric J. Chambers, host and creator of The Jazzspel.

“Earlier this week I received the DVD and during the pre-production process for my TV show I was lifting the single ‘He’s Been Just That Good’ featuring Lalah Hathaway, but I accidentally lifted Make Me A Believer.’ When I saw and heard that song, instantly I fell in love with it,” says Chambers. “Lalah and Kevin Whalum, (Kirk’s brother), does a phenomenal job! It was then I knew I had to play both cuts, which is a rarity on my TV show,” says the 9-time Emmy and Golden Mike Award-winning producer who’s based in Hollywood.

Pieces of a Dream | Soul Intent

Tags

African American, Pieces of A Dream, Smooth Jazz

Pieces of a Dream gets Back to Basics

Pieces of A Dream

Pieces of A Dream | Soul Intent [Smoothjazz/Concord/2009]

In the age of digital technology, the art of assembling a handful of musicians in the same place and time to craft a live, organic recording full of creative interplay and artistic energy can be easily lost. But keyboardist James Lloyd and drummer Curtis Harmon, the founding duo and driving force behind the enduring contemporary jazz collective known as Pieces of a Dream, haven’t forgotten that the old school is still the place where some of the best and most enduring musical ideas are born.

Nearly three decades after their first recordings, Pieces of a Dream revisits their original approach to songwriting and recording with Soul Intent (HUCD 3136), set for worldwide release on Heads Up International. In many respects, the new album takes a back-to-basics approach, one that maximizes the most fundamental and enduring components of the Pieces experience. ~ Source: Concord Music Group

Release: 2/24/09

Boney James | Send One Your Love

Tags

African American, Boney James, Saxophone, Smooth Jazz

Boney James

Boney James | Send One Your Love [Concord, 2009]

Concord Records presents Send One Your Love, a 10-track album of seductive love songs from sax icon Boney James. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Boney has put together the ultimate “musical valentine.” Send One You Love includes new James originals as well as covers from Stevie Wonder, Barry White, the Stylistics and more. Send One Your Love is the third album James has recorded since signing with Concord Records. The album follows his Concord debut – Shine­ – which received rave reviews from the press and landed him at #1 on the Contemporary Jazz charts and #6 on the R&B chart.

Send One Your Love is a sensuous collection of nine instrumental tracks plus a stunning cover of James Taylor’s “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight”. On this track, Boney introduces the world to the incredible new R&B vocalist Quinn. Having previously done background vocals for the likes of Kelly Price and K-Ci & JoJo, Quinn was working as an Atlanta-based session singer. “I started asking friends if they knew a young singer who should be a star,” Boney says. “I got Quinn’s MP3 in an e-mail. The next day I flew him to L.A. and cut the track in two takes!”

Source: Concord Music Group

Release: 2/3/2009

Kirk Whalum | Podcast

Tags

African American, Christian, Kirk Whalum, Saxophone, Smooth Jazz

Kirk Whalum

Grammy nominated saxophonist Kirk Whalum is inviting you to CHANGE YOUR LIFE IN 15 MINUTES A DAY! Listen or read along with me as I read through the whole Bible in 365 days! 15 minutes can make a HUGE difference in your life! “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Ps 119:105.

In addition to visiting us on our website you may follow along with your iPhone or iPod Touch ~ Blog.KirkWhalum.com

Also, look out for Kirk’s latest CD/DVD titled: “The Gospel According to Jazz Chapter III,” available at kirkwhalum.com.

The Gospel According to Jazz Chapter 3 from Kirk Whalum on Vimeo

Jef Kearns | On The Level

Tags

Flute, Smooth Jazz

Jef Kearns

Jef Kearns | On The Level [Smooth/Nu-Voices/2008]

A new voice has entered the urban music scene: the flute. Jef Kearns, soul flautist, is transforming the reputation of the instrument from band geek to urban chic through his signature flute sounds and urban sense of style. Music listeners and industry alike are taking note.

Consisting of all original tracks, Jef’s debut album On the Level unleashes a quiet storm of flute-focused R’n’B grooves that cross genres from modern soul to hip-hop to classic Motown. Of the album Jef says, “It is my mission to show people that flute that can be just as soulful and down-and-dirty as sax. These songs shed a whole new light on urban music and the flute’s place in it. It’s the flute album for people who think they don’t like flute. You’ve never heard it like this before.” ~ CDBaby.com

Wayman Tisdale Update

Tags

African American, Cancer, Contemporary Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Wayman Tisdale

Wayman Tisdale

Contemporary/smooth jazz recording artist Wayman Tisdale recently had his lower right leg amputated due to having cancer. The blessing is he’s doing remarkably well, in fact the doctors are saying that the 1984 Gold medal winner is at least three months ahead of schedule in his recovery process.

This is and amazing story about an extraordinary man and his faith to excel against all odds!

Here’s a link to an interview Tisdale had with ESPN earlier this month. ~ The Urban Flux

David Dyson | Unleashed

Tags

African American, Bass Guitar, Funk, Smooth Jazz

David Dyson | Unleashed

David Dyson

From the New Kids on the Block to Me’Shell N’degeocello, Dyson is a bona-fide force in the bass world (in my opinion, a criminally lesser known name to many, tho.  Every bass player should be well aware of David Dyson).  I had the pleasure of meeting Dave through a mutual friend (and killer bassist Steve Jenkins) at a NAMM show a few years back and am happy to report that he’s also a VERY cool guy.  Do a search on youtube or visit his myspace page and you’ll find a plethora of wonderful videos showing us all what the pocket is really about.  I was very excited to hear a mix of his upcoming CD “Unleashed!” and I wasn’t disappointed in the least! – Damian Erskine /Bass Musician Magazine

Kirk Whalum | The Gospel According to Jazz Chapter III

Tags

African American, Gospel Jazz, Smooth Jazz

Kirk Whalum

The Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter III will debut on October 25, 2008 with a special DVD preview, mini concert, plus CD & DVD pre-release.

DVD was recorded live on October 13, of 2007). If not, go to KirkWhalum.com, where you can preview the CD & DVD online and order one for yourself—plus everyone on your Christmas list.