Talking Smooth Jazz

Trippin N Rhythm's newest recording artist, jazz pianist, drummer, bass player, and producer, Skinny Hightower is back with the label's debut release, Emotions.  He is known to have worked particularly within the smooth jazz community as a producer and session musician for nearly a decade but didn't begin working as a solo artist until 2015. He claims to listen to nearly every genre of music excluding smooth jazz, stating that he wants to always have a fresh perspective without presenting a stale expression of his interpretations.

"I put every ounce of my soul into this album, blood sweat and tears, joy, pain, frustration, happiness, and love.  If the piano could talk.  Now I'm sharing those experiences with you." ~Skinny Hightower~

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Hot on the heels of his My Story release, Swedish keyboard player Mattias Roos is all set to make his Skytown Records debut with Movin’ Up, a tight ten-track collection that he writes, arranges and produces throughout.  As such it is a glittering showcase for his multiplicity of talents and sure to attract the kind of critical acclaim. Roos first enjoyed in 2016 with the runaway hit single Masterpiece.  As well as being a solo artist and a go-to keyboard player for a number of top-flight Swedish performers, Roos is also a founding member of the band Soweco that he formed with drummer Peter Gustavsson in 2011.  Soweco is well known for fusing smooth jazz grooves with an old school vibe and in Movin’ Up” Roos has found the perfect vehicle to transfer all of this into his solo performances while still retaining an identity that is very much his own. Movin’ Up will be released June 12 with the 1st single Movin’ Up (feat. U-Nam).

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Ragan Whiteside, the flautist-singer who catches the ear like few in the world of contemporary jazz can, is getting ready to make waves this May 12th with her fourth studio album, Treblemaker.

A favorite of well-known stages such as Capital Jazz, Whiteside’s sound brings to mind the stylings of Najee and Dave Valentin. The preceding album, Quantum Drive, has received major airplay and acclaim by such publications as Jazz In M.E.E., and was described as “an enchanting and vibrant album” by Hans-Bernd Hülsmann of smooth-jazz.de. As its successor, Treblemaker promises a further expanse of Whiteside’s variety and style. Frank McComb, Kim Waters, Marion Meadows, and Tom Browne make their appearances on the album to lend their touch to a well-seasoned musical mix.

Whiteside is not one to shy away from shaking up expectations. In contemporary jazz, where there is always a thirst for fresh material, she steps up and delivers, both in studio recording and on live stage. “Her tenacity makes her a force to be reckoned with. Mark my words!” said Bob Baldwin of her once, and this tenacity is obvious at every show and in every track. “We need new music!” the fans say, and Ragan Whiteside is always up to deliver exactly what they ask for. Still a New Yorker at her core and in her every note, Ragan Whiteside brings no shortage of sound to shake up some perceptions of what a flute – and a jazz artist – can do. (Souce: www.raganwhiteside.com)

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Less ‘From Russia With Love’ And More ‘From Russia With Groove’ Multi Instrumentalist Valeriy Stepanov Is All Set To Take The Smooth Jazz World By Storm With His Skytown Records Debut Release, ‘New Beginnings’.

This YouTube Sensation Who, To Date, Can Boast Almost Three Million Internet Views, Enjoys Such An Online Profile That Musicians Around The World Are Clamoring To Both Cover And Rework His Music.  Indeed Stepanov Has Been Identified As Having The Ability To Traverse The Entire Spectrum Of Jazz, From His Smooth Jazz Sensibilities, That Are Very Much The Province Of ‘New Beginnings’, Through To His Own Brand Of Fusion That Can Accurately Be Described As Chick Corea Meets Jeff Lorber.

Above All, What Makes Valeriy Stand Out From The Crowd Is The Superb Formula He Has For Rhythm And Melody, His Unbounded Energy And A Technique That Is Solidly Grounded In Music Theory.  In Fact, Although Being Initially Taught By His Father, Valeriy Is A Protégé Of World-Renowned Cellist Mstislav Rostropovich And It Was Through His Influence That He Gained A Scholarship To Study At The Prestigious Central Music School Of Moscow State Conservatory.  

Valeriy's debut release "New Beginnings" features guitarist U-Nam and saxophonist Marion Meadows.

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Indiana producer, singer/songwriter and performer, Ty Causey appeared on the music scene in the late 1990’S as a vocalist for smooth jazz saxophonist Najee. Causey co-wrote and performed on Najee’s 1998 Morning Tenderness CD; which landed him the opportunity as the featured performer on Najee’s world-wide tour. The music style of Causey is a combination of smooth jazz, sensual classic soul and R&B. Ty’s silky smooth vocals and deep lyrics compliment the soulful melodic production of his music. This style of music has been very challenging for Ty due to the upswing of other styles of music such as Hip Hop and Neo Soul, but his passion for classic R&B andfJazz has inspired him to stay true to himself and the music lovers who crave the same classic R&B, soul and jazz. Tyangles is Causey's newest and 8th solo project.

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J. Henry, hails from the Jazz Capital of the World, New Orleans. This Crescent City native has been dazzling audiences across the U.S. for the last 26 years. Being recognized to have a gift for music since he was 9, J. studied under the mentorship of New Orleans Jazz Great Pierre Poree and Brian Graber, formerly of the Russell Batiste Band. Hurricane Katrina brought J. to Atlanta, where he continued to expand and perfect his signature sound. He returns to talk about his upcoming release, Evolutionary.

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Drivetime has been carving a niche for themselves in the very tight smooth jazz market for over eight years and are no strangers to the up’s and downs of having to survive with a six-piece Urban Organic Jazz band. Band Leader Bernie Capodici will talk about their new cd, California Dreamin.

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With a last name associated with musical excellence, Selina Albright is a soulful singer-songwriter with versatility that comes from years of listening to many origins and languages of music. Her angelic tone adds character and emotion to any ballad, yet her powerful wailing and energetic stage presence commands attention.

With the release of her new record “Conversations”, describing the custom-tailored blend of sensual soul and sultry jazz album as “my own therapeutic diary through joy, betrayal, liberation and hope, all written without holding back,” Albright wrote the lyrics for all nine original tunes and co-produced three tracks on “Conversations.”  Conversations features, Peter White, Randy Ellis (Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé) on sax.  Also contributing to the date are producers Chris “Big Dog” Davis and James “JRob” Roberson as well as guitarist David P. Stevens.      

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Soulful, funky, and energetic, saxophonist Daniel Chia serves up his signature brand of Disco Jazz as the hottest fresh act on the scene.

After getting in the studio with 2-time Grammy Award winning producer and guitarist, Paul Brown, Daniel's debut full-length album of original songs features the finest international smooth jazz artists. With his top-notch band of established musicians based in Los Angeles, "In The Moment" will take the listener on an unprecedented sonic adventure. The album garnered tremendous support and the pre-order of his album raised $10000 in less than 24 hours.

The burgeoning musician has been impressing in America recently where he was invited to session for famed guitarist Zoux, and also played live with smooth jazz luminary guitarist Peter White and Grammy-nominated vocal group DW3.

Ronald Jackson from The Smooth Jazz Ride said: “Young saxophonist Daniel Chia from Singapore shows here on his debut release In the Moment that he may well be one of those who takes up residence inside that C-jazz house since passing through its doors.”

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The daughter of saxophonist Kim Waters, hot new artist, Kayla Waters is an elite pianist, composer, songwriter, and performer. Recently landing a record deal with Trippin N’ Rhythm Records (SONY), Kayla’s new single "I Am" hit #1 on Billboard’s Most Increased Plays in Smooth Jazz just 10 days after its debut. Coupled with the release of her premier record APOGEE in February, success is indubitably on the way for this new artist. Kayla has eloquently found herself welcoming and utilizing a plethora of opportunities to tour the world and play with several musical legends and major recording artists. The distinctive list includes musical giants such as Stevie Wonder, Patrice Rushen, Avery*Sunshine, and Maysa Leak, to name a few.

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