Nina Vidal -][- The Open-Ended Fantasy [CCG Recording Group, 2012 | Review]

Tags

African American, CCG Recording Group, Female Vocalist, Jazz, Nina Vidal, Piano, Pop, Soul

Nina Vidal, The Open-Ended Fantasy

Nina Vidal -][- The Open-Ended Fantasy -(MP3)- [CCG Recording Group, 2012 | Review]

If you haven’t met music by the multi-talented songwriter, vocalist and pianist then your time has come to familiarized yourself as I have with an exquisite and tasteful blend of soul, jazz and pop that’s attractively wrapped in the voice of Nina Vidal.

Nina’s music embodies the intricacies of soul with fresh interpretations to extend immeasurably her volume beyond the context of her veracious talent as a songwriter and vocalist. With her second album “The Open-Ended Fantasy,” will find itself securely on the wings of her enthralling self-titled debut which replaced Norah Jones’ smash hit “Come Away with Me” as the #1 Contemporary Jazz cd in the country.

Stax to The Max

Tags

African American, Jazz, Kirk Whalum, Saxophone, Soul

..:: SOURCE: Kirk Whalum.com ::..

Afromassive -][- GRIDLOCK [AfroMassive]

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Aaron Bortz, AfroMassive, Greg Camphuis, Humboldt State University, Jazz, Soul

AfroMassive - GRIDLOCK

Afromassive -][- GRIDLOCK – [AfroMassive, 2010]

Birthed out of the tall trees and lush green earth known as Humboldt County, California, AfroMassive is collective of like-minded musicians exploring the groove-based music of West Africa, known as Afrobeat. While trying to model the instrumentation from the sounds made famous by Nigerian musician and political activist, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, AfroMassive musicians are also bring their own set influences to the table.

The group was the brainchild of Humboldt veteran musician, Greg Camphuis (guitar) and Cleveland native, Aaron Bortz, bassist of Bay Area super-group, ALBINO! Afrobeat.

They soon enlisted the help of other community musicians such as Jesse Jonathan and Chris Noonan, as well as students from Humboldt State University’s vast Percussion department led by the renowned, Eugene Novotney. As the ball continued to roll, the group immediately kept the booty’s shakin’ and the audiences growing. Before too long, the AfroMassive decided to put their sound on tape. The resulting creation is a hard-hitting groove machine, producing a greasy slew of West African traditional rhythm with elements of 70’s funk and psychedelic jazz. –Album Notes | CDBaby

Check’em out at http://www.facebook.com/afromassive, and http://www.myspace.com/afromassive!

..:: SOURCE: CDBaby.com ::..

Jazz, Soul Music Vocalist Gregory Porter – Illusion

Tags

African American, Gregory Porter, Jazz, Male Vocalist, Soul

Crooner Gregory Porter is without a doubt one of the most powerful male vocalist and lyricist on the music scene today … check out “Illusion” from his debut “Water” on Motéma Music!

If you haven’t read it yet, here’s my review of Gregory’s new album “Water.”

..:: Source: Elemental Consulting.com ::..

Dayna Lynn -||- The Call

Tags

African American, Dayna Lynn, Female Vocalist, Jazz, Soul

Dayna Lynn - The Call

Dayna Lynn -||- The Call – [Roth Stein and Brown Media Group, 2010]

The delivery of the quintessential artist: the message, the music, the voice …

The facile melodic lines she weaves are enough to make anyone a believer. So, if you think you’ve made up your mind about jazz, hold the verdict because the jury’s still out. Dayna Lynn is redefining this American art form for the 21st century by bridging the gap between generations: she is introducing some and reacquainting others with jazz.

Both contemporary and classic, Dayna Lynn’s music is called Progressive Soul-Jazz: where intricate harmonies make a bed for smoothly executed melodies. It combines the heart of soul music with the intellect of jazz. Her songs are carefully composed masterpieces where she is both songwriter and arranger. As food for the mind and water for the spirit, her lyrics create a looking glass through which her listeners see themselves and their world, and are thus motivated to make a change.

The Capital Jazz Fest Lineup for June 2010

Tags

African American, Jazz, Soul

— The Capital Jazz Fest -|- Tickets on sale now! —

A Weekend of Cool Jazz & Soul!

Join us this June as we kick off the summer with the 18th annual Capital Jazz Fest at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. The festival features live contemporary jazz and soul music on two big stages. Some of the highlights of this year’s fest include:

* The return of Capital Jazz Fest favorites like Kenny G, Ledisi, The Brand New Heavies, Brian Culbertson, and Rachelle Ferrell.
* Capital Jazz Fest debut performances by Patti Labelle, Basia, Laura Izibor, and R&B group Mint Condition.
* Special Capital Jazz Fest collaborations, including “G & Lee” featuring Lee Ritenour & Gerald Albright, British jazz/funk group Down to the Bone with special guest Hil St. Soul, plus Nick Colionne & Eric Darius.
* The return to the scene of several musical artists, including singer/pianist Patrice Rushen, “psychadelic soul” band The Family Stone, 70s fusion group The Jeff Lorber Fusion, and 80s funk band Cameo.
* First-time festival appearances by Raphael Saadiq, bassist-vocalist Esperanza Spalding, and a cappella group Naturally 7, among others.
* For the first time ever, Capital Jazz presents the Catch A Rising Star showcase, featuring up-and-coming artists from the world of contemporary jazz. Featured performers include Brian Simpson, B.K Jackson, U-Nam, Althea Rene, and others.
* Plus, on Friday night, a special evening of music and comedy featuring the legendary Gladys Knight and comedian Sinbad.

..:: Source: Capital Jazz.com ::..

José James | The Dreamer

Tags

Hip-hop, Jazz, Jose James, Soul, Vocalist

José James | The Dreamer – [Brownswood Recordings, 2008]

José James, The Dreamer

Brooklyn based, half-Irish and half-Panamanian José James sounds like a soulful cross between Gil Scott Heron, Terry Callier and Kurt Elling. He’s definitely a jazz singer and we don’t seem to have enough of those, especially younger ones to take the form forward. He sings here as part of a basic quartet made up of him, Nori Ochiai on piano, Alexi David on bass and Steve Lyman on drums – though Luke Damrosch plays drums on “The Dreamer” and “blackeyedsusan” and Junior Mance plays piano on “Spirits Up Above“.

There’s another slight variation to the line-up (and general vibe of the album) on “Park Bench People“, where Ryan Blum takes up keyboards and Gal Ben Haim plays guitar. Blum also plays keys on the album closer, the drum & bass-inspired “Love“. Omar Abdukarim also plays trumpet albeit, on the title track only.

Patti Austin Shares Her Singing Success Secrets

Tags

African American, Female Vocalist, Jazz, Patti Austin, Soul

Today, we’re delighted to share with you the lovely, impeccable, and virtuous lady of song Patti Austin. It’s one thing to be gifted, but it takes artist like the mesmerizing songstress Patti Austin to soulfully evoke her craft with soul, grace, and undeniable style in the art of blending voice, lyric and song. ~ The Urban Flux

Patti Austin, Promotional

In a ground breaking promotion, Patti Austin, 2008 Grammy award winning jazz vocalist, shares her secrets to singing success at HowToSing.org. Ms. Austin has built a career that has spanned over four decades. Some of her best remembered performances include “Baby Come to Me“, “Getting Away with Murder“, and “How Do You Keep the Music Playing.”

While most celebrities would sit on their laurels, Ms. Austin continues to re-invent not only her career, but her music, as well as the industry itself. When asked what would be one of her greatest desires, she remarked, “To mentor and give the young, new generation of artists the chance to succeed in a very tough market.” To this end, Patti Austin mentors many new and upcoming performers. She has also decided to share the secrets that she has learned over her long-lasting career HowToSing.org.

Patti Austin, in association with ADPublishing.org, is releasing a limited number of free CDs, wherein she discusses the secrets to longevity in the music industry. She reveals tips on “finding your voice“, “working with a mentor, ” “learning special techniques, ” and much more. This is a behind the scenes look at a music icon who has worked with some of the best in the industry, including Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, and Luther Vandross, to name a few.

Patti Austin’s free CD is her way of giving back to the industry that has been so good to her over the years. In some small way, it is her hope that generations of new singers will begin the careers with her virtual mentorship.

..:: Source: JazzNews ::..

Tracy Hamlin | Better Days

Tags

African American, Female Vocalist, Jazz, Neo Soul, Soul, Tracy Hamlin

Tracy Hamlin | Better Days [DMH RECORDS, LLC, 2009]

Tracy Hamlin

Well, my fellow music aficionados I’m honored to introduce the gifted vocalist and multi-linguist Tracy Hamlin and her poignant new recording appropriately titled”Better Days.”

~ The Urban Flux

“Better Days” is Tracy Hamlin’s second solo project. This project combines her unique styles of R&B, Jazz, and Neo/Soul into an adult contemporary offering.

While Tracy Hamlin is perhaps best known for her longtime association with Pieces of a Dream, her first solo album, “Seasons” set the tone for her to take her place center stage. Featuring both Najee on flute and Pieces of a Dream, this stellar collection from 2005 proved to be a wonderful representation of her rich vocal tones. Attracting both R&B and jazz aficionados, “Seasons” was a glowing affirmation of her burgeoning talent.

Now, Tracy is back with her sophomore album, “Better Days”. An excellent follow up to “Seasons”, “Better Days” gives the listening audience an accurate illustration of Ms. Hamlin’s musical world. Songs like, “You’ve Got To Let Go” and “No Regrets”, pleasantly place one in a position of self-reflection while “Better Days” and “Free” offer lyrics of hope and optimism for the future. With producers, Phil Davis, Eric Valentine and Kelvin Wooten on board, “Better Days” is sure to take listeners on a refreshing musical journey.

Source: CDBaby.com

Somi | If The Rains Come First

Tags

African, African American, Female Vocalist, Jazz, Somi, Soul

I’m ecstatic about introducing to you jazz/soul vocalist Somi, and her stunning new recording “If The Rain Comes First” on the creative, and innovative label with an international vibe ObliqSound. ~ The Urban Flux

Somi

Somi | If The Rains Come First [ObliqSound, 2009]

ObliqSound is pleased to announce the signing of vocalist and songwriter Somi, whose label debut will release in October 2009. A finalist in the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting Contest for her single ?Ingele? from her critically acclaimed album Red Soil In My Eyes on Harmonia Mundi, Somi showcased this year at SXSW and will be a featured performer at the upcoming Montreal Jazz Festival this July.

Born in Illinois to East African parents and having also lived in Zambia, Kenya and Tanzania, Somi is a true daughter of the New African world. Her upcoming album will include a guest performance by legendary South African Hugh Masekela.

Release Date: October 13, 2009

Source: ObliqSound.com … for more information about this outstanding artist please visit her web site somimusic.com ….