Talking Smooth Jazz

Keyboardist Chris Geith is no stranger in the field of contemporary jazz having performed with well known artists like Peter White, Warren Hill and Vincent Ingala. His unique piano / keyboard work is immediately recognizable. Geith's music is all about variety presented in a highly polished contemporary jazz concept, where jazz, funk, pop, rock and even classical all blend together creating exciting songs that include everything from driving grooves to lush orchestral string arrangements. "Well Tempered Love" features also chart topping sax player Vincent Ingala on two songs, Well Tempered Love (track one) and Cool To The Touch (track two) .

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Talking Smooth Jazz welcomes up and coming artist, Riley Richard. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Riley Richard is an inspired jazz saxophonist who has plans on making his contribution to the jazz genre. Having studied at Cleveland School of The Arts, Cuyahoga community college and Cleveland state University, Riley was trained in the traditional sense of jazz analyzing the styles of John Coltrane, Charlie Parker and Sonny Sttit. Although having a heavy interest in sports at a early age, Riley was encouraged by his parents to take piano lessons in which led him to learn the flute and eventually the Alto Saxophone. His first professional gig was at the age of 14, playing with Cleveland’s legendary organist Eddie Baccus SR. From then on Riley has shared the stage with the likes of Najee, Brian Simpson, Kim waters and Boney James and the list continues.  We'll talk to Riley about his upcoming debut cd, Family Ties.

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Talking Smooth Jazz welcomes vibraphonist Steve Raybine.  In the late 90’s, Steve Raybine received some great encouragement from Rick Braun, his friend and former bandmate in the critically-acclaimed 70’s progressive jazz ensemble, Auracle. A longtime fan of the veteran vibraphone master and percussionist, the Smooth Jazz superstar suggested, “Why don’t you try to do for vibes what I’ve done with the trumpet?” Embracing Braun’s challenge, Raybine, a longtime music educator who was head of the jazz program at the University of Nebraska-Omaha at the time, has made it his mission since the release of his 2000 debut album Balance Act to make the vibes the centerpiece of a fresh contemporary sound within the genre – a dynamic alternative to the plethora of sax, guitar and keyboard artists.   His latest release, Cool Vibes, a soulful, tropical- tinged collection whose 15 tracks explore Raybine’s lifelong passions for jazz, R&B, Latin, pop/rock and blues. 

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Music fans have long anticipated Aziza's latest collection of songs, This Journey of Love.  The EP features her tributes to Horace Silver ("A Song for Silver"), Natalie Cole ("A Song for My Friend"), and four additional compositions that spotlight Aziza's talents as both composer and musical artisan.  This Journey of Love follows a trio of releases that explored Aziza's unique blend of jazz, soul, and poetry, Jazzsoetry Vol. 1 (2007), Jazzsoetry Vol. 2 (2010), and What's On Your Mind? (2014). 

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Grammy nominated saxophonist Gerald Albright is set to release his first independent record simply called "G" on his label, Bright Music Records.  Gerald says about this release, "When I tell you that I'm truly excited about his cd, it's deemd an understatement.  This project is extremely meaningful on so many levels!  I'm 'stepping out on faith.'  I'm a believer that the best effots happen when you take control of your life and career.  I pray that the listener is deeply moved by the music on this project."  "G" features Selina Albright, Doug E. Fresh, Michael McDonald and more.  "G" is scheduled for release on September 30.

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Twenty-two year old bassist Blair Bryant returns with his first full length album and debut for Innervision Records, titled Gold, a dynamic start to a joyously melodic and grooving journey by an artist whose vibe and multitude of talents as a composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist has earned acclaim and heavy predictions of success by rock, blues, R&B and contemporary jazz greats like Keb’ Mo, Jimmy Jam, Nick Colionne and new label mate Blake Aaron.  The Kansas City based Bryant laid a powerful foundation for Gold with his breakthrough 2015 EP New Colours, whose track “Lightning Bug” hit the Top Ten on the Groove Jazz chart and received acclaim as one of the genre’s Top Ten new CDs that year.

Bryant is a true musical prodigy counting among his influences on the bass the late Wayman Tisdale, Stanley Clarke and Marcus Miller.  A fierce bassist whose arsenal includes the upright double bass, electric standard and fretless basses, Bryant, the consummate musician also plays guitar, drums, percussion, keyboards and vibraphone.  Bryant, who co-produced Gold with his father and manager Damon, plays a wide variety of instruments on the 11 track collection, and his piano solos are as explosive and dazzling as his lead bass lines and improvisations.

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With Surface Level, Billboard Chart-Topping artist U-Nam picks up right where he left off with his highly acclaimed and #1 album "C'est Le Funk" in his own "U"-nique way.  Surface Level blends the contemporary jazz style and U-Nam's inimitable soulful guitar sound and virtuosic playing to create something that will please the nostalgic 80's funk fans as well as the smooth jazz lovers.  The album has a varied mix of different tempo and grooves.

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Urban Jazz Flutist Kim Scott brings the fire on debut for Innervision Records titled “Southern Heat” the Alabama based artist’s new cd features the current hit single “Sizzle.”  Well known for her unique, hauntingly beautiful tone, Kim amps things up considerably on the new collection which includes wild, infectious re-imaginings of R&B classics like MJ’s “Billie Jean” and Lakeside’s otherworldly “Fantastic Voyage,” and a fiery Latin jam of Martha Munizzi’s gospel hit “Glorious.”  It also features a batch of soulful, inspiring originals (all co-penned by Kim) that showcase her virtuosity as a flutist and increasing presence as a lead vocalist.  Among these are the elegant, spiritual minded ballad “Forgiveness,” the exotic, deep bass slow-jam “Two Become One” and the trippy and edgy trance-soul tune “What You Stank about This?”  The set closes with a “Stank Remix” of that last song called “Groove with Me” that comes alive with Stephen Strickland’s rap and instruction on some new hip-hop dance steps created by Kim.  

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Saxophonist Vandell Andrew has released his highly anticipated cd, All For Love, featuring guitarist David P. Stevens and vocalists Brandon Marcel and Topic.

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Saxophonist Paul Taylor return to Talking Smooth Jazz with a new album called Countdown.  His 11th release, the album’s colorful fusion of grooves and styles was created by the saxophonist and his longtime collaborator, co-writer and producer Dino Esposito. The two share a dynamic several decade long history that began when they played in the same band while attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  Esposito’s collaboration as a co-writer, producer and sonic co-architect began with Paul’s 1995 debut On the Horn and continued with Pleasure Seeker (1997), Undercover (2000), Hypnotic (2001), Nightlife (2005), Prime Time (2011) and Tenacity (2014). 

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