Talking Smooth Jazz

(January 1, 2022) / Written by: Chris Rizik of soultracks.com 

He has been an artist’s artist, and one of the most revered musician of the past two decades. Tonight we say a sad goodbye to guitarist and vocalist Nick Colionne, who reportedly died in his sleep early this morning.

The Chicago native began playing guitar as a pre-teen, and by his mid-teens was known as a rising star around town. As a high schooler, he was already recording with such luminaries as Curtis Mayfield and The Staple Singers.

Colionne began recording solo in the mid-90s, and by the turn of the century, he established himself as one of the brightest young stars on the jazz scene. His hit “High Flyin’” was the foundation of his 2003 breakout album Just Come In and began a string of hit songs and popular albums such as Keepin’ It Cool, No Limits, Influences, and his most recent disc, Finger Painting.

A commercial and critical favorite, Colionne was known for his dapper attire that made him a familiar sight at jazz cruises and festivals. He was also known for his community service in the Chicago area, particularly in mentoring students at St. Laurence K-8 School in Elgin, Illinois. His varied community work was recognized when he won the Wayman Tisdale Humanitarian Award in 2010.

The sudden loss of this great artist and humanitarian is an awful way to start 2022. We will be praying for his family, even as we reflect on his great contributions. Rest in peace, Nick.

By Chris Rizik

Aneessa kicked off her stateside debut with a winning cover of Soul II Soul’s 1989 anthem, “Back to Life,” which has cracked the Top 10 of Billboard Magazine’s “Smooth Jazz” chart. In a similar thematic vein is Aneessa’s cover of Madonna’s “Miles Away” which she relates to so deeply for its message of a long-distance relationship. Aneessa and Michael wrote “Just to Be with You” about their relationship when love was blooming yet they were so far away from each other, leading to her coming to visit…and never return home.

Most interesting is the song “Satisfied” which, ironically, was written by Michael and his first wife, Brenda. Their daughter Tiffany remembered the unreleased song and suggested it as perfect for Aneessa to sing. Real love, maturity, and acceptance don’t get any deeper than that.

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Review by Eliana Fermi on September 12, 2020:

Saxophonist, flutist Paula Atherton has enjoyed a long and varied career in contemporary and mainstream jazz. Her acumen on her instruments are poised and adept. Her full-length album Can You Feel It has already begun to garner real accolade with her single also titled “Can You Feel It,” landing a #1 hit, three weeks in a row on Billboard. What is even more cementing about this accolade is she also landed #1 slots on Mediabase and #1 on the Smooth Jazz Network. Each track is produced by various producers including, Bill Heller, best known as the legendary keyboardist for the Ripppingtons. Longtime collaborator guitarist Lou Gimenez who has co-written several of Paula’s tunes historically. Other co-writing and production credits include keyboardist Greg Manning, multi-instrumentalist Matt Godina, including multi-instrumentalist Nathan Mitchell, Paul Brown, and the notable Schuyler Deale known for his work with Billy Joel, Michael Bolton, Jeff Lorber, and more. So what does this all-star line-up of producers and contributors add up to for Atherton? Simply put, a canvas to which Atherton can shine her abilities in the highest preeminent way on her latest album Can You Feel It.

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Canadian-born, Toronto-native Rob Tardik is a multi-award winning guitarist and contemporary pop/jazz/world/fusion instrumental music artist. He has performed at venues all across North America including the prestigious Seabreeze Jazz Festival, Rochester Jazz Festival, Beaches International Jazz Festival, Jazz on the Vine in Wisconsin, The Catalina Island Jazz Festival, Flato Markham Theatre, Markham Jazz Festival, The Rose Theatre in Brampton, The Burlington Centre for the Arts, The Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, Oakville Centre, WreckHouse Jazz Festival, and the Glenn Gould Theatre in Toronto.

His new release, DIVERSITY Volume 1 (Smooth & Chill) is a 24-track double album. The first 2 tracks feature the brand new recordings: Infinity and Diamond Night, followed by a compilation of 22 re-mastered tracks from Rob’s previous six albums that share a common vibe of Smooth & Chill. This is the first in a 4-volume eclectic set of DIVERSITY albums. A new DIVERSITY volume is to be released during each season of 2020: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Each volume is grouped to a common particular musical style aligned to each season. Smooth and Chill is meant for the listener to relax and unwind during the cold days and nights of winter.

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Sheldon Ferguson is a Grammy-nominated guitarist who is originally from Columbia, SC and currently resides in Atlanta, GA. He earned his Bachelors in Professional Music with an emphasis in Performance and Production at Berklee College of Music. In 2011 Sheldon released his first smooth jazz album titled The Brighter Side, at the age of seventeen. Sheldon’s music has sold in over forty different countries and can be heard on jazz stations all over the world. The international radio broadcast, Talking Smooth Jazz, considers him a part of the new generation of smooth jazz. In January 2018, Sheldon released his second album, Soul Searching, after a six-year hiatus from releasing music. Soul Searching charted at #7 on the Smooth Jazz Global Listener Chart and #39 on the Top 50 Albums Chart. The album documents a journey of self-discovery and Sheldon hopes to inspire others with its message.  

Sheldon's new release is called Love Languages.

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In the October Issue of Grimes Magazine they wrote about Zach Sanders, "Zach Sanders, a native of Columbia, South Carolina, has been wowing crowds with his dynamic and energetic saxophone playing, since the age 14.  While his star has shown brightly throughout the Carolinas, he has begun to branch out nationally and has shocked the world with his new release Pretty Girl.  Zach's exciting young band An Experience, is now building their exciting 2021 performance schedule.  Get ready for a new, fresh face in contemporary jazz/R&B! Zach Sanders is one to watch!"

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National Smooth Jazz Recording Artist Judah Sealy is a Billboard Charting Saxophonist, Keyboardist, and Producer from Rochester N.Y.  Judah Sealy’s unique sound comes from a blend of vintage R&B, gospel, neo-soul and funk with some contemporary R&B influences as well. Judah's smooth saxophone style is heavily influenced by Kirk Whalum, George Furlow, Gerald Albright, and Boney James to name a few. His is also an accomplished pianist in his own right. He has shared the stage with many known acts including Kirk Franklin, Maze ft Frankie Beverly and has played on many stages including the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival. He has also lent his saxophone talents to renowned Smooth Jazz hitmakers such as Jacob Webb and Greg Manning. 

"LEGACY" is Judah Sealy's third full-length album. This twelve track album is written and produced by Judah Sealy and features his smooth jazz saxophone stylings with stellar production. This album features his hit single "Off The Charts" which spent two months on the Billboard Smooth Jazz charts.

Christian “Big New York” de Mesones has been playing bass guitar for over 40 years.  He was only 18 years old when he graduated from the world-famous Bass Institute of Technology (now the Musician’s Institute) in Hollywood, California where he had the opportunity to study and workshop with greats such as Abe Laboriel, Louis Johnson, Tim Bogart, Howard Alden, Steve Morse, Pat Metheny, and the late Tommy Tedesco and Ray Brown.  By personal request from visiting guitar faculty member and legendary jazz guitarist Pat Martino, he performed an original composition for his graduation ceremony.

On his new release, Christian has returned to his roots, focusing on the deeply personal Latin, funk, and rock influences that shaped his love for musical composition.  He spent 2018 performing locally and composing and recording additional material to round out his long-awaited, debut solo release, “They Call Me Big New York”.  

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A thrilling performer and one on the rise, vocalist and multi-instrumental soul/jazz artist Marcus Adams is a sign that the new crop of smooth jazz artists can certainly carry the torch. Working on his sophomore studio album, he combines R&B, Soul, and Jazz to create songs that takes the listeners on a musical ride of the highs of love and depths of pain in life.  His friendship with Grammy-nominated producer Demonte Posey led to the release of his heralded freshman release entitled ‘Suddenly’. The project propelled Adams into the national spotlight. The jump from a beloved local act in Milwaukee, WI to a favorite performer in jazz venues across the nation proved to be the right path for Adams to establish his unique sound and brand. Following the release, Adams toured the nation and created an avid and loyal following.

The online release of his new cd 'Love Letters', features Selina Albright, Marqueal Jordan, Ragan Whiteside, Merlon Devine, and Smooth Jazz SUPER PRODUCER Lew Laing!! 

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A native of San Diego, California, Ms. Antoinette’s diverse repertoire consists of classical, smooth jazz, and R&B music. She has performed for The President and First Lady Of The United States, Barack and Michelle Obama, and at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles with the Southeast Symphony Orchestra. Her solo performances have taken her across the US and abroad.

Attending UC San Diego for undergraduate work and continuing on to the University of Arizona for Masterclasses in harp performance, she was privileged to have studied under some very notable teachers. crediting her dynamic performance technique to Russian teacher Elena Mashkovtseva. 

Ms. Antoinette has been sought after to perform and record for a variety of artists and events including Ne-Yo, Jamie Foxx, The BET Awards, and American Idol. Mariea’s talents are enjoyed and appreciated by a growing list of private and corporate clients as well as her dedicated fans.

Mariea’s next full-length album, titled “All My Strings” includes her latest single “Loving You” (a cover of the Minnie Riperton classic) as well as hit singles “Overture” and “That Thing!”

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