Talking Smooth Jazz

Alex Parchment is a dedicated musician, producer, and artist. He has been honing his trumpet and piano skills for years with his acceptance into the Rosa Parks High School of the Fine and Performing arts in Paterson, New Jersey, Jazz House Kids' inaugural class, and through Howard University's rigorous music education major. Alex has had the opportunity to perform on stages throughout the East Coast, including the Kennedy Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center and Blues Alley with jazz luminaries Patti Austin, Christian McBride, David Sanborn, Chick Corea and more. In 2015, he was selected for the world-renowned Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Program at the Kennedy Center. In July of 2019, Alex was invited by Kenny Wesley and the US State Department to travel to Tanzania to perform, cultivate knowledge and share American culture. 

He now performs as a solo artist, leads the Alex Parchment Quintet, a traditional jazz ensemble and AP Chemistry, a musical experiment fusing soul, funk, hip hop, R&B, and jazz to form a unique but energetic sound. Through education, Alex endeavors to inspire artists of all backgrounds to look to music as a means of expression and communication. Alex strives to connect a community of artists together to create art that pushes the boundaries of genre and musicianship.  Alex's new release is called Burnin' Up available now.

Follow Alex on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Join us for a conversation with guitarist Nils about his new release, Caught In The Groove featuring, Oliver C. Brown (percussion), Johnny Britt (organ, vocals, and horns), Mitch Forman (piano), Derrick Dmar Martin, Tony Moore, Gorden Cambell (drums), Darryl Williams, Reggie McBride, Darryl Jones, Carsten Schmelzer (bass), Clydene Jackson (Rhodes), and Dov and the LoveStar Strings (live string section). 

Guitar virtuoso Nils has been one of the most successful forces in the Contemporary Jazz genre. With 4 number 1 Hits in the Billboard Smooth Jazz charts, including the Song of the Decade 2001-2010 “Pacific Coast Highway” and the Song of the Year 2011 ” Jump Start”, he stands out amongst his peers. “His CD ‘Jazz Gems – The Best of Nils’ could easily be titled “The Best of Contemporary Jazz” and it is pure joy and exhilaration reliving these masterfully composed and produced hits.” As songwriter and producer, he used his “Midas touch "to provide hits for many artists in this genre, including Lisa Addeo, George Benson, Brian Simpson, Reza Khan, Alvin Pope, Tony Saunders to name a few.

Follow Nils on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Marcus Anderson’s thirteenth album “HERO” features thirteen original compositions, which is the quintessential soundtrack of our lives with a common thread of inspiration, perseverance, passion, and resilience. A new-age fusion jazz artist, Anderson’s music – as well as his message- is even more powerful and poignant in the current political, environmental and social climate of this nation and world.

HERO takes the listener on a musical journey through themes of light and darkness and the quest for meaning in an often-chaotic world. Melding a wide range of musical styles with a natural grace, HERO evokes, but never imitates, the many legendary artists that have influenced Anderson’s compositions.

“Just a Taste” featuring Tim Bowman offers a soft and slowly deepening funky vibe with darting sax lines while Tim’s melodic smooth approach brings the song on home.

Follow Marcus on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

.

There are only a few established artists who are capable of reinventing themselves and jazz guitarist and Billboard chart-topper U-Nam is certainly one of them.  As if to prove it he will release the genre-busting “U-Nam Goes Big Band”, 03/27/2020, on the Skytown Records label. 

“U-Nam Goes Big Band”, a sumptuous eleven-track rendering of sophisticated mood jazz, is made even more enticing by the amazing back-story that first put it on U-Nam’s radar. A phone call to his Los Angeles studio from Estonian producer Mikk Targo is all it took. Targo, CEO and Founder of the Estonian Author Society EAU had, for the past several years, been working with a panel of music industry experts to select from what was generally regarded as the best one hundred songs Estonia has ever produced. As they did so a body of work emerged that was not only a glimpse into the nation’s musical heritage but also an outstanding showcase for the renowned Lutz Krajenski Big Band.

Coming off the back of a scintillating 2019 that saw him enjoy huge chart success with his 2 sensational albums “Future Love Parts 1 and 2” (that reached #20 on the Top25 Billboard Jazz Best Selling Album Chart and #8 in the Contemporary Jazz category) this is an exciting new direction for U-Nam to take but, with nine Top30 Billboard radio hits already to his name and an approach recognized as always innovative and often daring, his reputation for shaking the musical world to its core is already firmly in place.

Follow U-Nam on Facebook, Twitter @unamprod, and Instagram @unamguitar

Through his three prior Mack Avenue Music Group releases and his attention-grabbing work with the likes of Christian McBride, Bobby Watson, Karriem Riggins, Jeremy Pelt, and the SFJAZZ Collective, Warren Wolf has established himself as the foremost straight-ahead vibraphonist of his generation, a bop torchbearer well equipped to carry the mantle of forebears like Bobby Hutcherson and Milt Jackson.

On his latest album, Warren Wolf reveals an entirely different side to his multi-faceted talents. As the title implies, Reincarnation represents a rebirth of sorts for the Baltimore vibes man. In part, it frees Wolf to indulge his love for the R&B and soul hits that served as the soundtrack to his formative years in the 1990s. It’s also a celebration of a new lease on life, happiness, and contentment that he’s discovered through a new marriage and his five beloved children.

Follow Warren on Facebook, Twitter/Instagram @warrenwolf1

Guitarist David P. Stevens is back with a KILLER new five-track EP called Vibrations.  Not only is playing the guitar but singing his ass off on the tracks "Natural" w/Latoya London and soloing on "I Just Can't Wait." 

Keivu Knox of Soultracks.com wrote:

"David P Stevens has crafted a successful six-album run in his career to date, and as number seven is set for a release later this month, the artist known as “Mr. Guitar” may find himself with a new nickname, “Mr.Voice.”  The new single, entitled “Natural,” is a romantic duet with former American Idol finalist and vocal powerhouse, Latoya London.  David more than holds his own vocally on the track, which talks of a love that is “beautiful and made to be.”

The vocal and musical connection between Stevens and London creates a hook that is equally melodic and memorable. Fans of Stevens' guitar work should have no fear, as his solo by track's end reinforces why he has been such a sought after musician in recent years. 

Vibrations, the forthcoming release from Stevens, is set for a February 14th release, and features other collaborations with artists such as Yancyy and Teri Tobin; but in the meantime, check out “Natural” and add it to your Valentine’s Day Playlist."

Follow David on Facebook, Twitter/Instagram @davidpstevens

Drummer Kenne Thomas believes that "art reflects life" and focuses on developing social skills and cooperative interaction through drumming. Contemporary jazz, mixing driving swing numbers and smooth jazz tracks for the modern jazz fan. The group's seasoned musician's blistering solos will have you listening over and over again.

Follow Kenne on Facebook, Twitter @kenne, Instagram @kennethomas

Marcus Adams is an artist and producer that has shared the stage with and for some notable household names. Honing his craft in church, he established himself as an intricate member of the Christian Faith Fellowship Church’s band under the direction of the late maestro Cornell Thigpen. While there, he produced a project for his sisters, ‘A Touch of Faith’, that eventually earned him and the group a Stellar Award nomination. Adams would go on to establish himself as a force in the gospel industry while working for and with notables such as Fred Hammond, Victor and Cedric Caldwell, Ben Tankard, and the late Reggie White.

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.  His new release "Dream Again" combines R&B, Soul, and Jazz to create songs that take the listeners on a musical ride of the highs of love and depths of pain in life.

Follow Marcus on Facebook, Twitter @MAdamsGreater and Instagram @saxman6651

By and large ‘Raise The Roof’ is the ‘Ronny Smith Show’ front back and center.  Not only does he play guitar, keys, and bass throughout he also arranges, produces and programs all ten tunes. Eight of these are original compositions cleverly complemented by the addition of two immaculately crafted covers.  The first is an edgy interpretation of the Bill Withers classic ‘Use Me’ with the second being a classy re-imagining of the Carpenters blockbuster ‘Superstar’.  Truth to tell he makes both sound brand new and when (for the only time) he calls upon the input of a supporting artist it is Scott Martin on sax that adds another dimension to the easy grooving ‘Cool Breeze’.

The first single to be serviced to radio is ‘Me Time’ that demonstrates the innate feel Smith has for understated yet compelling smooth jazz.  Much the same can be said of the warmly inviting ‘On It’ for which he certainly is and although ‘Brazilian Dancer’ proves to be a supercharged Latin extravaganza Smith is able to channel that same energy into the foot-tapping, in the pocket ‘Breaded Funk Well Done’.

Another number that really fizzes is the high-octane title cut.  The perfect vehicle for Smith’s virtuosity, it is in the good company of the moodily delicious ‘Brighter Day’ and a blues-tinged rendition of ‘Say It Again’ where Smith’s interlude on bass guitar is something to savor. 

‘Raise The Roof’ is a fantastic way to become acquainted with Ronny Smith’s special vibe.  It is due out on January 27, 2020, and is not to be missed.

Lisa Addeo is a Pianist/Vocalist/Composer whose single 'Listen To This' is #1 in Billboard, #1 on the Smooth Jazz Network and #1 on Mediabase chart. Her music is currently heard in homes across America on Music Choice’s Smooth Jazz channel, and Sirius XM's Watercolors, Siriusly Sinatra and Holiday Traditions channels, Lisa Addeo is comfortable playing and singing many different styles, from Contemporary/Smooth Jazz to Pop and the Great American Songbook. 

She delivers a colorful mosaic of cool jazz grooves on her new album, ‘Listen To This’.   

Produced by chart-topping Smooth Jazz guitarist Nils, the album also includes exciting contributions by Adam Hawley, Jeff Ryan, Steve Cole & Johnny Britt.  

In addition to Sirius XM, all of Lisa’s music can be found at www.LisaAddeo.com, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, Pandora, iHeart Radio, YouTube and all major digital retailers.  

Don Was, president of Blue Note records says, “Lisa did a great job on her new album. It fits in really well with the most successful albums in the Smooth Jazz field. My compliments." Lisa has been described as a “world-class musician” and her music as “tenderly intimate, a joy to listen to.” Her fans have commented,  “This is music that comes from the heart...with soul.”…“Prepare to fall in love with Lisa’s music. It will take you to a place you’ll want to stay."  

From intimate supper clubs to Radio City Music Hall and every type of venue across the US and Europe, Lisa’s music touches audiences of all sizes. “I adore playing ‘live’. As my music fills the room, the audiences fill my heart.”