Jackie's Groove

Shele Sondheim is a guitarist, songwriter, producer, lyricist,  arranger, and music business entrepreneur. He is the CEO of CSM Words and Music, an international music production and publishing company.

Andrew Ford is a bass player, composer, arranger, producer and educator. He has performed with legendary artists in almost every major genre of music, while also having a Masters degree in Education. He has shared the stage or studio with Al Jarreau, Whitney Houston, David Crosby, Barry Manilow, Robben Ford, Chaka Khan, George Duke, Gladys Knight, James Ingram, Israel Houghton, Dianne Reeves, Peabo Bryson, Patti Austin, Lynne Fiddmont, Christopher Cross, Jerry Butler, Michael McDonald, David Pack, The Emotions, Phil Perry, The Stylistics, Brenda Russell, Larry Carlton, Oleta Adams, Jeffrey Osborne, Melissa Manchester, Jeff Lorber, Deniece Williams, Johnny Hammond, Greg Adams, Randy Crawford, Norman Brown, Graham Nash, Boney James, Paul Brown, Kirk Whalum, Michael Paulo and many others. Andrew has completed 5 bass instructional videos for truefire.com, covering everything from blues to r&b, walking bass, reggae, and overall groove. He has taught bass or done seminars at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood(BIT), Citrus Community College, the Los Angeles College of Music, and the University of La Verne. He has also taught Music Business courses at the college level. Andrew has written or co-written many songs, including “Flame” which is on the Best of GRP CD, Tomorrow Today by Al Jarreau, and the 2013 Grammy Nominated Al Jarreau live project, 3 different cd’s! Andrew has also had success writing for tv and film, with a number of songs in regular rotation. He recently co-wrote the theme song for the award-winning HBO short film “Muted” starring Chandra Wilson.

British singer-songwriter Julia Fordham continues to enchant audiences around the world with her extraordinary vocal range and heartfelt songs. From 1988’s Happy Ever After — her first release and an international hit —  and throughout all 15 albums, her unique voice and exquisitely crafted compositions strike an everlasting chord.
A luscious contralto that she wields with an almost operatic command, it is one of the most strikingly beautiful new voices to be heard in pop. – New York Times
At 14, Julia started writing songs and performing at local folk clubs. Soon after, she was invited to be a guest singer with the UK’s National Youth Jazz Orchestra, which sparked a lifelong love of the genre. On her highly acclaimed second album, Porcelain, two original jazz songs “For You, Only For You” and “China Blue” were featured along with the hits “Manhattan Skyline” and “Lock and Key.”
In 1992, “Love Moves” (from her third album Swept), was chosen as the theme song for The Butcher’s Wife, starring Demi Moore, and became a big hit in the UK, US, and the Philippines.
Four of Julia’s albums have been produced by Grammy winner Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, Madeleine Peyroux). Her 2005 live CD (That’s Life) and DVD (That’s Live), features Klein as producer and bass player as part of an all-star band including the Academy Award-winning trumpet player/composer, Mark Isham. On the soulful song (from the album of the same name) “Concrete Love,” Julia performs a stunning duet with another Grammy winner, India.Arie.
After 2004’s devastating tsunami struck in Asia, Julia became intimately involved in a charity project to help rebuild a school in India, by donating the proceeds from a “Happy Ever After” remix. It featured a children’s choir from England. This beautiful production brought Julia back full circle to the place where she first started writing and performing as a teenager.
In 2007, Julia’s Baby Love EP, a set of unconditional love songs dedicated to her daughter, Marley Rose, was released.
Julia’s 10th album, China Blue, is a collection of original jazz compositions, except for one song: a reinterpretation of Michael McDonald’s “I Keep Forgetting” with Michael himself contributing his amazing vocals.
Under The Rainbow, is a piano/voice album featuring all her hits and fan favorites, plus a new song: “Skipping Under The Rainbow.”
Mixed, Shaken & Stirred is Julia’s latest project. Released on September 30, this unique album features some of the songs from Julia’s much loved first album, all of which have been remixed, reworked and reconstructed by some of today’s leading and cutting edge producers of dance and electronic music.
Julia’s next album, Live & Untouched, is an eclectic mix of fan faves that were recorded at recent shows. The first single “Ingrid & Humphrey” was the instant gratification track when the album was purchased as a pre-order on November 18. Live & Untouched was released on November 25.
Both albums are available worldwide in both physical and digital formats, as well as, streaming services.
Produced and arranged by Julia’s long-time collaborator, pianist and musician extraordinaire, Grant Mitchell, The Language of Love, is a jazz album featuring covers of songs that were also hits on the Japanese charts. Supported by an outstanding ensemble of leading Los Angeles musicians and Latin jazz aficionados, this seductive collection includes swing, bossa nova and traditional trio interpretations of familiar chart-toppers.
The Language of Love also debuts two original songs written by Julia, “Like You Used To Do” and “The Morning After (The Night With You),” and includes a new World Music-flavored rendition of “Happy Ever After.” The original version was a #1 hit in Japan.
On April 14, Red River Entertainment will release The Language of Love on all formats. The Digital release will have two bonus tracks,

Kevin Ricard’s versatility and musicality are the most important things he brings to each recording or performance. He brings a sense of groove to Rock, Jazz, Pop, and R&B styles, and adds authenticity to Afro-Caribbean and Brazilian styles. Whether it’s the Brazilian groove of Sergio Mendes, the timeless music of Stevie Wonder and Lionel Richie, or playing with legends like Steve Winwood, Kenny Loggins, or the late, great Celia Cruz, Kevin shows he can move smoothly between diverse styles and why he’s in constant demand. Kevin's long list of recording credits includes Joe Zawinul, B.B. King, Natalie Cole, Wayne Shorter, Marc Anthony, Kenny Loggins, Juan Gabriel, Queen Latifah, Enrique Iglesias, Jill Scott, Take 6 and numerous others.

Kevin has also performed on a number of movie scores including The Hangover, The Pink Panther 1 & 2, The Great Debaters, Traitor, Speed, The Adams Family Values, A Bugs Life, Woman On Top and many more. Kevin's professional television career includes being a member of the house bands for Dancing with the Stars, America's Got Talent, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and American Idol.

Jamie Wollam is a drummer who has toured with some of the most talented musicians on earth including, Tears for Fears, Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Tommy Shaw(Styx), Fee Waybil(The Tubes) and Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello’s solo project, The Nightwatchman.
"I started playing drums at the age of 13 after I saw KISS in concert at the Forum in Los Angeles. I was instantly mesmerized by Peter Criss and knew that this was what I wanted to do. My first teacher was my Uncle Rob and I began playing to records by Kiss, AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Ozzy, Dio, Journey, Cheap Trick, and Aerosmith. At the age of 18, I attended P.I.T (The percussion division of the Musician’s Institute) in Hollywood, CA. I graduated with honors in 1989. Joe Porcaro, Ralph Humphrey, Steve Houghton, Chuck Flores, Toss Panos, and Richie (Gajate) Garcia are some of the greats I had the honor of learning from. I followed up with studying Gary Chester’s, The New Breed, concepts with Victor Loyo of Luis Miguel. My education was so important to me that I continued to study with as many people as I could. I began teaching drum lessons at the age of 19 at Ontario Music in Ontario, California.
I gratefully landed my first professional touring gig with Michael Sweet, of the band, Stryper. Thus began my career as a touring and session drummer.
I have been an active session player for many years and have had the honor of recording with Michael Sweet (Stryper), Guardian, Zache Brooke, The Brave, John Elefante (Kansas), Venice, Jay Nash, Mindy Gledhill, Michael Jackson, Kyle Vincent, Hillary Duff, Eric Hutchinson, Avion, Steve Bertrand, Drake Bell, G.E.M and currently, Tears for Fears.'

One of the most versatile and cosmopolitan saxophonists in pop, soul and contemporary jazz for nearly 35 years, Michael Paulo has added his distinct saxpertise to a virtual who’s who of artists, including Al Jarreau (Paulo’s longest term touring association), James Ingram, No. 1 Smooth Jazz Trumpeter and guitarist Rick Braun and Peter White, Oleta Adams, Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin, Jeffrey Osborne, Jeff Lorber, David Benoit, Carl Anderson, Bobby Caldwell, Johnny Mathis and more.

David Romero is a percussionist who has played with several high profile bands like Earth, Wind and Fire, Gladys Knight, Poncho Sanchez’ Latin-Jazz Band, Eddie Levert of the O’Jays and many more.
He talks about his experiences and discusses his journey going through receiving a heart  transplant.

Richie Kotzen began playing piano at the age of five. At the age of seven, he was inspired to learn the electric guitar by the band KISS. He started his career in a band named Arthur's Museum. Kotzen was eventually discovered by Shrapnel Records' Mike Varney, and he recorded his first solo album by the age of 19.

In 1991, at age 21, Kotzen joined glam-metal band Poison, co-writing and performing on the album Native Tongue. This album produced two top-twenty singles which Kotzen co-wrote, "Stand" and "Until You Suffer Some (Fire and Ice)".

In 1999, Kotzen replaced Paul Gilbert as guitarist in the mainstream rock band Mr. Big, performing on their album Get Over It. He also contributed guitars to their subsequent release Actual Size. The record included the Kotzen song Shine, which debuted at number one on Japanese radio charts. After Mr. Big disbanded, Kotzen released the solo album Change, in 2003. The title track and the song Get a Life were featured in TV commercials throughout Japan.

In 1999, Kotzen replaced Paul Gilbert as guitarist in the mainstream rock band Mr. Big, performing on their album Get Over It. He also contributed guitars to their subsequent release Actual Size. The record included the Kotzen song Shine, which debuted at number one on Japanese radio charts. After Mr. Big disbanded, Kotzen released the solo album Change, in 2003. The title track and the song Get a Life were featured in TV commercials throughout Japan.

In 2006, Kotzen was the opening act for The Rolling Stones in Japan on their Bigger Bang tour.

In 2013, the rock supergroup The Winery Dogs released their self-titled debut album on May 15 in Japan, with a worldwide release on July 23 of the same year.

Richie is releasing a new solo album, Salting Earth, out April 14.

Ann Wilson is an American musician, best known as the lead singer and songwriter of the hard rock band Heart. Regarded as one of the best female vocalists in rock music history, Wilson was listed as one of the "Top Heavy Metal Vocalists of All Time" by Hit Parader magazine in 2006.

In 1973, her younger sister Nancy joined Heart, and the band moved to Canada. Heart recorded their first album Dreamboat Annie in Vancouver in 1975; it was released in the United States in 1976, with "Crazy on You" hitting number 35 on the US charts. In 1977, Little Queen was released, and in 1978, Dog & Butterfly.

To date, Heart has sold over 35 million records worldwide, including over 22.5 million in album sales in the U.S. With Top 10 albums on the Billboard Album Chart in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2010s, Heart is among the most commercially enduring hard rock bands in history. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.

Ann Wilson is currently on tour in the U.S.

Rob’s drumming career started at the age of 7 years old when he started studying percussion at The Hochstein School of Music in his hometown of Rochester, NY under the instruction of famed Chuck Mangione drummer Vincent Ruggiero. From there, during his high school years Rob studied percussion at The Eastman School of Music, and music education at Nazareth College. Through all of these years, Rob participated in various concert bands and percussion ensembles.  Top grades for his abilities were the norm. While Rob is schooled in percussion, he is entirely self taught on the drumset. 
Rob’s influences include Peter Criss, John Bonham, Neil Peart, Tommy Aldridge, Steve Gadd, and Steve Smith among others.
Prior to joining Lou Gramm’s band officially, Rob had performed a few drum duties for him. In 2004, Rob recorded drum tracks for several Foreigner songs to be used for promotional purposes. Shortly after he also filled in as practice drummer as needed when Lou’s brother Ben (his drummer at the time) wasn’t available. In July 2009, Lou needed a drummer when Ben became ill. Rob filled in and played the show on 3 day’s notice. In early 2016, after Ben retired permanently from the band, Lou immediately called Rob and offered him the gig full time – no audition needed!  Needless to say, joining one of his rock and roll heroes on stage night after night is a dream come true. Rob is currently on tour playing some of his favorite music with THE best vocalist of his generation.