Talking Smooth Jazz

Once called the “Crown Prince of Smooth Jazz” Rick Braun releases his 16th album, “Can You Feel It” with some help from his friends, Brian Culbertson, Jeff Lorber, Euge Groove, Randy Jacobs and featuring American Idol contestant, Elliot Yamin.  

Rick will host a New Year’s Eve Gala at the  JW Marriott Star Pass Resort and Spa New Year's Even gala, "A Night In New Orleans" Decemeber 31, 2014, in Tuscon, Arizona.  Joining Rick this year are Richard Elliot, Peter White and special guest, Larry Braggs.  For more information, visit RickBraunNewYearsEve.com.

2014 has been an exciting year for Ragan, having won Flutist of the Year in the Black Women in Jazz & Fine Arts Awards, and looking forward to the highly anticipated release of her 3rd studio album, Quantum Drive.  This album pushes the boundaries of Contemporary/Urban Jazz and R&B even further and features collaborations with Bob Baldwin, Frank McComb, Althea Rene, and Patrice Rushen.

Talking Smooth Jazz will broadcast Saxophonist Jarez's "On Top Of The World" listening party live at the Elixir Lounge in Henderson, NV.

You’ve heard him on “The Voice.”  Now get ready to hear the true voice of Geoff McBride as he takes a deeper, more expansive Journey To The Soul on his new independent full length recording.

After a memorable appearance on the hit television singing competition show, The Voice, industry veteran Geoff McBride is making a comeback with his latest inspirational smooth R&B album, Journey To The Soul. 

Produced by renowned musician Trammell Starks, Journey To The Soul features lead single, “Love Is The Answer,” a signature, smooth, romantic song that McBride delivers as a solid taste for the rest of the album. Written by Todd Rundgren, “Love Is The Answer” is currently gaining consistent spins on urban jazz radio.

Michael Manson is tremendously excited about the Thumpin' CD/DVD release.  He is equally as excited about the possibility to walk the same path as his mentor and friend, the late, George Duke.  In his words,"it is now my responsibility to use all that I have learned from George, to do all that I can, to make the best music I can, so that I continue the legacy and lineage that he has invested in me. So we move forward.  As George would say, "we were there, and now we're here" so here we go".

My 1st live record. It features some new tracks and some reworking of some other tracks.  On this recording, no special guests from my friends, but just a showcase of my band and I "getting it in".  Most importantly and personally, for me is a tribute to my friend and mentor George Duke who I dedicate this project to.

The Eric Essix Jazz Escape at the Renaissance Ross Bridge, is the first event of its kind in this region to be hosted by a world class golf resort and spa. It’s a weekend getaway that offers an intimate jazz concert experience in a secluded, lush woodland environment that is still only minutes from the airport, city center, shopping, attractions and great restaurants. For residents of Birmingham and surrounding areas, the Renaissance at Ross Bridge is the perfect getaway that’s not far away…making Eric’s Jazz Escape the ultimate “stay-cation”!

Saxophonist Sam Rucker is set to release his new CD “Tell You Something” in June.  Sam teams up with legendary producer Norman Connors, renowned pianist Bobby Lyle, sax great Euge Groove, Tom Browne, Alyson Williams and a host of other great musicians.  “Tell You Something” features three soulful covers and eight of Sam’s original songs that not only entertain but encourage as well.  This is contemporary jazz music with a message.  Even as an instrumentalist, Sam’s music speaks to the listener and conveys an infectious positive energy.

Singer/guitarist/songwriter Carmen Chiles smoothly blends elements from rock, jazz and back to soul creating a sound so unique it demands a genre of its own.  A self-taught artist Carmen describes her music as “Soul Rock’ and first fell in love with the guitar while it was in the hands of her big brother, and her story began, when he passed it on to her.   We will talk to Carmen about her upcoming EP, Candles in Harlem.

Producer, musician and songwriter, Wayne Brown formed the Virtual Jazz Band with a clear goal in mind.  He wanted to bring together musicians and singers from diverse musical backgrounds that had a common love for jazz.  Wayne joins us from London to talk about his new CD, Cloud 9.  The second album from the critically acclaimed Wayne Brown and the Virtual Jazz Band is an uplifting blend of Latin, Jazz and Funk instrumentals, with a few special guest vocalists.  This album gives us an insight into the personal musical prowess of Wayne, highlighting his great arrangement, production and performance skills.  A true gem for any music connoisseurs collection.

Martin Blockson has released his 7th album, Odyssey VII, featuring saxophonist Marcus Anderson and flutist David "Pic" Conley.  Odyssey includes a very special song called "Mia" Martin wrote in memory of a very special little angel.