Talking Smooth Jazz

Brandon Willis is a 25 year old saxophonist from Newcastle, Washington that brings a soulful sound and charismatic persona to the northwest jazz scene. Under the tutelage of nationally acclaimed saxophonist Darren Motamedy, Brandon has played for years in the Seattle area. Six months before he was born, his parents attended a jazz concert by local smooth jazz artist Darren Motamedy. Sixteen years later in 2008, Brandon was performing alongside Motamedy at local jazz clubs as he pursues a career in music.

Following the successful debut of Brandon Willis’s album “First Time”, he spent the next few years playing shows around the U.S preparing for his second album. In a genre saturated with sax players Brandon took the next step by finding a producer | songwriter capable of making him stand out from the crowd. He found GRAMMY® nominee, producer and label owner Nate Harasim. They quickly began working on the “Brandon Willis | Harasim” sound, prevalent on the new single “IMPACT” and make an “IMPACT” it does. With Harasim’s production and Willis’s sax playing, a #1 hit isn't far off. Brandon signed with M1 Records in late 2016 after showing President Nate Harasim and Vice President Sandy McGraw a promising outlook on the “New” contemporary jazz sound.

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Thasaint is an independent writer/ producer/musician that has been self-producing and honing his craft for more than 25 years.  He is an award winning illustrative artist who not only creates by his hands but with his mind.  Thasaint creates and produce music for just about any genre with more focus towards Smooth Jazz and Adult Contemporary R&B.

He released his first recording project to the public the end year of 2012 titled "Love Confessions" and have since release six CD projects nonstop.

Thasaint latest and 8th CD project is titled "TOUCH" due for release January 2017.  All of his music is available on ITunes, Amazon, Cd Baby and other digital music site where music is sold. He continues to build his sound and fan base with his ability to mix elements of Smooth Jazz, R&B and Adult Contemporary into a pleasing instrumental sounds that really haves no label but to make you "FEEL."

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Justin Young began playing professionally at the age of 16. But his passion for music started practically at birth.

In 2007, after several years of playing with other musicians, Justin Young released his debut album, “On The Way.” As a new artist, he recruited Paul Brown to mix the album, as well as a talented team of musicians. He rose into the smooth jazz world by obtaining radio spins from respected jazz radio stations across the country.

With his 2008 releases “Nothin’ But Love” and “Home for the Holidays”, Justin enjoyed airplay from The Weather Channel and Delta Airlines along with radio stations across the U.S. Since then, Justin has become a budding new star waiting to be launched into commercial success.

After taking time off to get his MBA, Justin is back with a brand new album called Blue Soul.  Blue Soul is all about getting back to the basics of real instruments, analog equipment and unique saxophone rhythms.  Live musicians performed in the recording studio which gives the songs a distinct uniqueness. No sequencers were used in the making of this album adding to the realness of music. The songs have a lot of raw feel and emotion without the aid of a computer changing the rhythm. The melodies on the saxophone have an undeniable old school feel with a unique twist of Gospel, Funk and R&B. 

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Saxophone sensation Chase Huna's debut album On the Chase was recorded while Chase is still in his teens. It features top billboard artist and producer Steve Oliver. The album features 10 tracks. Pure is the first radio single with a great groove and memorable hooks. Into the Sun features sonic audio soundscapes taking you on a journey. The album features multi instrumentalist/vocalist Steve Oliver, bassist Eddie Reddick, keyboardist Tateng Kinidig, drummer Eric Valentine and also features a song written around a drum groove that famed drummer Ricky Lawson played, Time Keeper(which was Ricky's nickname). With well written songs and amazing playing by this young saxophonist this is a wonderful debut album that you can't stop listening to. A must have! (source: Amazon).

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Saxophonist Jeanette Harris returns to talk about her new release Chocolate Vibez featuring Tim Watson and Patrick Olvera.

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Every so often a new singer emerges who’s able to assimilate multiple musical touchstones and still come off sounding remarkably fresh and unburdened by the past. Kandace Springs is one of those artists. The 27-year-old, Nashville-based singer, songwriter and pianist counts such stylists as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Roberta Flack and Norah Jones as her heroes, but as evidenced by her sparkling full-length blue note records debut, Soul Eyes, Springs mimics none of them. The eleven songs contained on Soul Eyes all feature Springs playing piano alongside an illustrious cast of musicians that includes trumpeter Terence Blanchard, guitarists Dean Parks and Jesse Harris, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, organist Pete Kuzma, bassist Dan Lutz and percussionist Pete Korpela. Soul Eyes is available on Amazon.

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Guitarist Joel Del Rosario returns with a new cd Past Present Future, featuring trumpeter Melvin Miller on track #1 Summer Song, and flutist Ragan Whiteside on track #4 Delicious Vinyl. Ronald Jackson of The Smooth Jazz Ride said in his review of Past Present Future: “This is truly a complete album – complete in every way. You simply can’t go wrong with skillful playing of any instrument and imagination. Del Rosario makes that plain here on Past Present Future.”

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Saxophonist Jessy J returns with her debut holiday album, California Christmas.  Produced by Jessy J (except where noted) California Christmas features nine Christmas classics with Paul Brown, Jeff Lorber, Maurice Smith, Steve Oliver and Michael Thompson.

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Isaiah Katumwa is a self-taught saxophonist who last year alone stood side by side on stage with global icons like Jonathan Butler, Hugh Masekela, Jimmy Dludlu, Seweto Kinchy among many is a Uganda’s jazz pioneer and gem whose innovation has inspired and sensitized many into jazz. He has converted many into jazz enthusiasts and now a genre whose crowd and players is growing dramatically in Uganda and East Africa at large. African, Smooth and Divine…. these are the three words that he uses to best describe his music.  

His new, and 10th release, “This Is Me” is a genuine expression of African smooth jazz, encompassing his African personality, smooth jazz influences and the theme of love. 

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Saxophonist Darren Motamedy talks to us about his new release, All About Love.  “All About Love” delves deeply into 9 smooth Jazz Cuts. “I wanted to allow the songs to be longer and allow them to breathe” exclaims Motamedy.  Each song is written with purpose and played thoughtfully and soulfully.  Most of the works on “All About Love” are not only written by Motamedy but also played by Motamedy.  Floetic Smooth has Motamedy playing Trumpet, Trombone, Saxes, Pianos, and programming all of the drums and bass guitars.  Portionte’ Floes adds to vocal twist and the spoken word. 

“All About Love” is exactly what it’s about.  Songs written in the name of Love.  This album is “All About Cruising” down the highway and letting the music take you there…….This Album is “All About Romance” and a candlelight dinner……….This Album is “All About Feeling Good” and letting go………. 

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