Talking Smooth Jazz

The Multi-Platinum & Multi-Grammy Nominated Instrumentalist Najee is back with his new album "YOU, ME, AND FOREVER" featuring "soulful vocalist" Frank McComb, "Pieces of A Dream" James Lloyd and "producer" Robert Damper.

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Cecil Ramirez is an independent contemporary jazz artist, pianist and composer from Sacramento, California, USA. He has been a headline artist for Brian Culbertson's Napa Valley Jazz Getaway and Sax On The River. This year, Cecil co-hosted the official Welcome Dinner for Napa Valley Jazz Getaway 2015 with Brian with guests artists BC, Eric Darius, and Vincent Ingala. He will be back at Sax On The River 2015 as a headliner and music director.

Cecil's new CD Party In The Back is Cecil's homage to the R&B grooves that he grew up with, listened to and played as part of an R&B band on tour in the 80's. The album is a collection of 7 hook-laden original tunes and 3 covers of Cecil's favorite songs. Available on Amazon and CD Baby.

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Saxophonist Phil Denny returns following the three-time Billboard charting debut release "Crossover" with more tasty lyricism, sultry flow and stylish groove on the diverse and well-balanced sophomore release "Upswing." The 11-track offering infuses elements of R&B, urban vibe, uptempo pop and funk. "Upswing" will be available July 1, 2015!

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Drummer Wendell Holmes Jr. incorporates the dynamics of rhythm with the perception of sound, redefining the ability to apply beats and melodies to all aspect of musicianship ranging from athleticism and performing arts to creation and production. Conference USA athlete turn, professional percussionist, Wendell Holmes Jr. brings a universal vibe to Jazz fusing the simplicity of Gospel drumming with the displacement of Rock drumming, creating a balance of heart felt grooves.  We will talk to Wendell about his Lewis Avenue and Above It All releases and his recent trip to China.

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We'll talk to saxophonist J. Henry about his Phenomenon record, scheduled for release on Tuesday, June 9 on the Spectra Jazz label.

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Here she is once again dancing the funk right off everyone’s dancing shoes: saxtress Paula Atherton. The lady has a new label (Maurice White’s Kalimba Music), some slammin’ contributions from one of the coolest guitarist around, Nick Colionne, lovely trumpeter Cindy Bradley, and the wonderfully talented, equally lovely keyboardist Gail Jhonson. Couple that with that same seductive, crystal clear vocal style that has brought her this far and an album of all new, all original material – Ear Candy — and I think we can look for a chart topper here.            

This release marks her fourth, and each just seems to take the listener a little bit farther into the fascinating sound-rich world of this now so well-defined saxtress. That her fortunes are blossoming so well (new label, notable luminaries signing on to contribute) only further proves her to be more than ready to share the upper rungs of that wonderful c-jazz ladder. It is also evident that her style and material are irresistibly charming. Ear Candy …mmm, mmm good. – Ronald Jackson, The Smooth Jazz Ride.

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Charles Whitfield and R&B artist Will Downing talks to us about The Queen City Jazz Fest happening June 20, 2015 at The Uptown Amphitheater at NC Music Factory in Charlotte, NC. Artists scheduled to performed are Will Downing, Brian Culbertson and Mike Phillips with Karen Briggs.  Tickets are on sale at www.livenation.com.  You'll also hear new music from Will Downing's new release, Chocolate Drops.

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New artist, Jazmin Deborah Ghent is a young very soulful, passionate and dynamic saxophonist from Huntsville, Alabama. This recent graduate from Florida State University and Tennessee State University's Music Education/Jazz Studies Department is known for her exceptional tone quality and her ability to combine her gospel roots to create a fresh new sound to the smooth jazz music industry. Her self-entitled EP is described as tremendously diverse from the upbeat sounds of "Boss", the creative happy song "EYO" to the smooth soulful sounds of "Jazzy Jazz". Jazmin's full CD "Boss" will be available for purchase in June 2015. It is obvious this entertainer's true passion is music! "This rising star is one to keep an eye on!"

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Emerging from Alabama’s Gulf Coast like an exciting and electric force of musical nature, multi-talented composer, trumpeter and vocalist David Jones calls his brand of Smooth Jazz, “Soul Jazz” and titles it BEAUTIFUL MUSIC! There’s so much more here than that title implies. With the help of guitarist Eric Essix, Jones gets the party off to a soulful, funk-drenched start, having his trumpet declare on his radio hit, “Let The Players Play.” He and Essix keep the rock/soul hoppin’ on “Glory Be.” Jones includes lovely vocals and trumpet ballads and even an explosive Gospel tune. It’s BEAUTIFUL MUSIC for fans with expansive tastes! ~Jonathan Widran

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Trumpeter Greg Adams and his band East Bay Soul are back with what should be a smash album for them called That’s Life, as they harness some of that ol’ Greg Adams CD Tower of Power feel (like that found on the lead track “Little Black Dress”) as well as some other creative presentations.

Eclecticism, innovativeness, soul, and a full-blown commitment to excellence – this is the stuff great albums must include as ingredients for success. Adams and his band have sailed this one out of the park, in my opinion. Give it a good listen. – Ronald Jackson, The Smooth Jazz Ride.

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