Tuesday, September 28, 2021

DEE LUCAS · THE TIME IS NOW ·RADIO SINGLE·

ODL Music
Sept. 27, 2021
 

National recording artist and saxophonist Dee Lucas has been steadily growing his brand and fan base beginning with Remembrance in 2004. Thereafter, it has been a steady showcase of unique stylings with Something to Ride 2 (2007), Standing Room Only (2010), Rebirth of the Smooth (2012), The Smooth Factor (2014), Going Deeper (2016), The Sweet Spot (2017), & Going Left (2018).

Monday, September 27, 2021

BRIAN CULBERTSON · THE TRILOGY. PART 1: RED

BCM Entertainment
Sept. 24, 2021


Hitmaker Brian Culbertson never imagined hanging with fans online would lead to something of a collaborative masterclass spawning an album trilogy, but that’s how “The Trilogy” was conceived. The first album in the series, an intimate, passion-themed set titled “The Trilogy, Part 1: Red,” drops September 24 from BCM Entertainment. Written, produced and performed by Culbertson, the multi-instrumentalist credits members of his Hang Club with helping him craft the tracks, title the songs, and even assist with the cover artwork via weekly members-only YouTube Live sessions.

Sunday, September 26, 2021

FOLLOW Me 87.6 RADIO SHOW. EP. 251


Playlist

Solex – Red Velvet
Larry Carlton And Paul Brown – Miles and Miles To Go
Phillippe Saisse – Shift (Ft. Marquis Hill)
Sonny Fairley – O Adrian
Gregrory Goodloe – Somewhere out There
Tony Lindsay – Fixed
Spontaneous Groovin' Combustion – All`s Well ( Ft. Brendan Rothwell)

Friday, September 24, 2021

LARRY CARLTON & PAUL BROWN · SOUL SEARCHIN'

Shanachie Entertainment
Sept. 24, 2019


What do you get when two of the greatest creative musicians of our time join forces for a friendly fire no holds barred guitar showdown? You get Soul Searchin’, an electrifying meeting of the minds that surpasses expectations and showcases unbridled joy and virtuosity. Grammy-winning guitar extraordinaires Larry Carlton, who has played on over 100 Gold and Platinum albums and Paul Brown, who has scored 60 #1 radio hits, join forces for a set of ten thrilling originals on their first co-led album together. Carlton, who was a member of the pioneering super-groups The Crusaders and Fourplay and who is a successful TV and Film scorer (including TV show themes “Hill Street Blues,” “Who’s The Boss” and film “Against All Odds”), first collaborated with Brown in the 90s when Brown produced tracks for his Finger Prints album. “Paul’s engineering and production speak for themselves but his guitar playing and creativity in writing is also very appealing to me,” says Carlton, a 19 time Grammy nominated and four-time Grammy winning artist. Brown’s extensive credits include work as an engineer having engineered for R&B divas Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross, among others. Brown confesses, “Larry and I had been toying with the idea of doing a CD together for a few years. I always thought our styles and sounds would be beautiful together. From a production, writing, arranging and playing point of view, this is as good as it gets for me.” Collectively between Carlton and Brown, the dynamic duo has collaborated with everyone from Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan and Quincy Jones to George Benson, Patti Austin and Norman Brown, to name a few. The goal for Soul Searchin’ was simple. Paul Brown explains, “We hope it will be musical bliss and that you will allow it to take you on a ride and your mind and ears will be happy, happy, happy!”

Thursday, September 23, 2021

RICHARD SMITH · SOUL SHARE ft. RICHARD ELLIOT ·RADIO SINGLE·

Chillharmonic Media
Sept. 20, 2021

Contemporary jazz guitarist Richard Smith celebrates the enduring soul connection he shares with saxophonist Richard Elliot “You never forget the first band you toured with or the first albums you made,” said contemporary jazz guitarist Richard Smith, who likened the bond between band members to sports teammates. “Music is a team sport. There’s giving and lots of tossing the ball to your teammates.”

Sports teams speak of the team building that takes place during road trips and the lessons learned that bring athletes closer together. Smith says the same applies to musicians. In his case, he spent a formative decade playing alongside hit making saxophonist Richard Elliot. While that musical partnership was formed over 30 years ago, the relationship created a lasting bond as evidenced by Smith’s forthcoming single, “Soul Share,” which features Elliot. The track will begin collecting playlist adds on September 20.

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

YORK · THE SOULJAZZ EXPERIENCE VOL. 1

Upper Level Records
Sept. 17, 2021


Throughout his career lasting several decades, German multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer YORK has been an in-demand sideman on saxophone and flute, live and in the studio for established heavyweights such as Randy Crawford, Phil Collins, Mousse T., Jazzkantine or Bahama Soul Club.

But time does not stand still, especially for creative minds! After all those years on the sidelines, new impulses made their way to the light, and a few sweaty as well as emotionally fulfilling months later, YORK is now launching his own longplayer: The Soul Jazz Experience Vol. 1.

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

MARSHALL CHARLOFF · EYE FOR JAZZ ·RADIO SINGLE·

Marshall Arts
Sept. 10, 2021

Singer, songwriter, Marshall Charloff, has been creating music since an early age. Currently, Marshall fronts the incredible Purple xPeRIeNCE - the greatest tribute to Prince in the world. Not only does he style the magic of Prince’s talent in an uncannily, unmatched fashion with his appearance, vocal imitation, and multi-instrumental capacity on guitar and piano, but Marshall also performs nationwide fronting world-class symphonies in most major cities in the US and Canada.

Monday, September 20, 2021

DAN SIEGEL · TRIED AND TRUE ·RADIO SINGLE·

DSM
Sept. 10, 2021


While the coronavirus wreaked havoc to a deadly extreme, the pandemic era with its heightened quarantine measures proved to swing a double- edge sword for musicians. Many were silenced, suffering the liability of limited-to-no opportunities to perform. But on the other hand, the disease aroused many to be creative in their artistic expression. Veteran contemporary jazz pianist/keyboardist Dan Siegel took that difficult challenge during the social distancing desert to remotely assemble a group to deliver his eclectic album Faraway Place on his DSM label. It’s comprised of 11 originals that range from straight-up lyrical beauties to accordion-tinged grooves, to a baroque-like number with strings and horns. Remarkably, this is Siegel’s 22nd recording as a leader.

Sunday, September 19, 2021

JAREZ · THIS TIME AROUND ft. RAGAN WHITESIDE

J-Star
Aug. 27, 2021


Jarez is a contemporary saxophonist with a ear for what is hot. In a few short years, he has gone from being known as “Mr. Sexy Saxy’ to the mayor of J FUNK CITY, a CD full of all-star guests and ultra funky goodness. Featured artists include Julian Vaughn, Vandell Andrew, Willie Bradley, Ragan Whiteside and Gerald Albright.

J Funk City has made a sizzling impact of the music citizens of the world. With the release of the CD, Jarez became the indie saxophonist to have number 1’s on all SmoothJazz.com charts at one time with this release. Additionally, the J Funk City mayor made #1 on the Groove Jazz Music Charts and Radio Wave Monitor Charts for the single “24 Hours” (featuring Julian Vaughn), as well as the Top 10 on the Smooth Jazz Network Charts and the Smooth Jazz Billbord charts for the same single. J Funk City features the well-known steamy side of the mayor’s saxophone, but lends itself overall to a more muscular and athletic approach for summertime grooving.

FOLLOW ME 87.6 RADIO SHOW EP. 250


 

Playlist:

Roberto Tola – Tiana
Lisa McGlown – Tenderly
Marshall Charloff – Eye for Jazz
Chris Standring – Autumn In New York
Chris Standring - Night & Day
Chris Standring - How Insensitive

Friday, September 17, 2021

ROB TARDIK · WALK IT LIKE YOU TALK IT ·RADIO SINGLE·

Guitardik
Aug. 27, 2021


"Walk It Like You Talk It" is the latest high-energy horn-laden single from Rob Tardik’s current 8th recording release Diversity Volume 2–Contemporary Funky Jazz. Featuring a stellar cast of musicians from Canada and the U.S., this track features both instrumental and vocal versions for radio programmers.

Carson Freeman is an Ontario-based saxophonist and Rob's long-time performing & touring bandmate. Carson performs on alto, tenor, soprano, and baritone saxophones and even doubles on flute and clarinet.

GREGORY GOODLOE · SOMEWHERE OUT THERE ·RADIO SINGLE·

Hip Jazz Records
Aug. 27, 2021

After releasing the single, “Cool Like That,” R&B-jazz guitarist Gregory Goodloe attempted to stay calm early in the COVID-19 pandemic despite the uncertainty and concern for his mother’s health. As we move closer to the other side of the pandemic, the man of faith ventured out earlier this year with a single, “Step’N Out,” that he wrote with fellowBillboardchart-topping guitarist Adam Hawley. Combining their energy felt so good that the pair reteamed to write the hopeful new single, “Somewhere Out There,” which drops August 27 on Hip Jazz Records ahead of its August 30 radio add date.

Thursday, September 16, 2021

LORI WILLIAMS · BABY HOLD ON (TO ME) ·RADIO SINGLE·

LoriJazz
Sept. 13, 2021

Acclaimed international Jazz and Soul vocalist Lori Williams is turning a corner. In possession of a most impressive resume as a performing artist, music educator, songwriter, producer, vocalist and musical theater actress, her reputation and level of respect are top shelf and unimpeachable. Many aspiring singers and vocal students look up to Lori as well – be it in classrooms, the multiple church, community and concert choirs she conducts, or the clinics she runs through her organization - Positive Music for Positive Minds (PositiveMusicPM.org / PMPM). Her annual summer vocal jazz symposium and tour have taken her to Europe (Austria, Germany, Slovakia, Russia, Switzerland, Czech Republic, and Ukraine), Japan and across the USA, performing in festivals and conducting vocal jazz workshops.

As an educator for over 25 years, Lori has received many honors including Outstanding Music Teacher in the October 2000 issue of Teaching Music, the 2007 Superintendent's Arts Teacher of the Year Award, and the 2010 Vincent E. Reed Teacher of the Year. As a performing artist, Lori was nominated for a 2014 Helen Hayes Award as an Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Musical for her role as Ella Fitzgerald in "Ladies Swing the Blues: A Jazz Fable" (directed by Thomas W. Jones). Lori has received letters of recognition for her performances by President Joseph Biden, Speaker of the House John Boehner, and Maryland Senator C. Anthony Muse.

Ultimately, it is her international work as a singer that most satisfies her and has brought the widest amount of recognition. With each performance in a new territory come fresh admirers that sponsor her to other countries. Though her work has also included background and featured singing for artists such as Gospel's - Yolanda Adams and Walter Hawkins, R&B's - Maysa, Howard Hewett, Will Downing and Phil Perry, Soul's - Lloyd Price, Jerry Butler, Ben E. King, and Gene Chandler, Contemporary Jazz's - Bob Baldwin, Stanley Jordan, Nathan East, Najee, Althea Rene, Nick Colionne, Norman Brown and Tom Browne, Traditional Jazz's - Slide Hampton, Terri Lyne Carrington, Winard Harper, and Christian Havel, super producer/composer/singer - `Angela Winbush, and Tap Dance sensation - Savion Glover, Lori is most focused on unveiling songs from her "dream book". She has currently produced and released five CDs / one EP under her name; and is releasing the 6th CD - "A New Book" in 2021.

Williams is following up her Watercolors inspirational smash,"New Day" with a smooth mid-tempo romance track "Baby, Hold On To Me", featuring Bob Baldwin on piano and production.

This is a specially-crafted smooth jazz version for her core audience. Written by Bob Baldwin and Lori Williams.


Tuesday, September 14, 2021

SAN GABRIEL SEVEN · MOMENT BY MOMENT

San Gabriel Seven
Sept. 6, 2021


Founded by trombonist and JPL spacecraft engineer Jim Lewis, the relentlessly creative, soulfully funked up and horn-fired So Cal based ensemble San Gabriel Seven has been both a local and global sensation for an incredible 16 years and counting. Aside from a dazzling mix of originals and pop/soul covers, the powerful musicianship of a cadre of musical vets, the key to the alternately sensual and feisty appeal of albums like their latest, SNEAKIN’ UP ON LOVE, has been showcasing the storytelling talents of charismatic female vocal talents like Katie Campbell.

The singer infuses the spirited collection with the same bold, sassy style and intimate, nuanced cool that she’s brought to her gigs with everyone from Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder and The Manhattan Transfer - SmoothJazz.com



Monday, September 13, 2021

BOB BALDWIN · B POSITIVE ·RADIO SINGLE·

City Sketches Records
Sept. 9, 2021

New York native Bob Baldwin has recorded on six of the seven inhabitable continents, and while Antarctica is not on his recording bucket list, his international list, including Dubai, Brazil, South Africa, Spain, UK, Canada, is quite impressive. "Whether it's a massive festival crowd of 30,000 or an intimate restaurant audience of 60, I refuse to rob my audience of great music and a good experience", says Baldwin.

Across a career for which a two decade milestone was achieved in 2013 with his twentieth CD Twenty, Bob Baldwin has proven to be one of the most ubiquitous and ingenious chameleons of Contemporary Jazz - both in his own projects and those he has endeavored upon for others. He has twice honored the canons of giants: Never Can Say Goodbye: A Tribute to Michael Jackson and Betcha By Golly Wow / The Songs of Thom Bell.

Sunday, September 12, 2021

FOLLOW ME 87.6 RADIO SHOW EP. 249



Playlist

Alfredo Bochicchio & Papik – Samba pa Ti
Steve Laury – Close Your Eyes –
Steve Laury - Keepin´The Faith -
Steve Laury - I Need You So

Friday, September 10, 2021

MARKUS ZAHRL · A WORLD OF BLISS

Manao Music
April 30, 2021


"A World of Bliss begins within ourselves - with the first thought of how we want the world around us to be and what we do to make it a magic place. Music reminds us of this vision and helps us make the world a better place.” explains Markus Zahrl about the title of his new Album.

A World of Bliss is Markus Zahrl´s first full album as a leader. It follows his EP Celtic Dance, released in 2020 (which had 3 songs in the Top #10 Smooth Jazz Listener Countdown). Featuring eight new original songs, the music is an inspiring and uplifting collection that was released digitally on April 30, 2021.

Thursday, September 9, 2021

WALTER BEASLEY · THE BEASLEY STRUT ·RADIO SINGLE·

Affable Records
Sept. 6, 2021


Over the past three decades, saxophonist, Walter Beasley, has artfully and dynamically redefined the phrase “musical Renaissance Man” for the modern generation. Considered by fans and critics alike as the “heir to Grover Washington, Jr.’s Throne,” Beasley is the acclaimed saxophonist, vocalist, educator, and entrepreneur of the decade. As the highest selling full-time Professor / Recording Artist in history, the Boston-based musician has long mastered an exhilarating high wire act of balancing a successful career as a contemporary jazz recording artist and performer with an equally thriving presence in the field of music education.

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

GROOVE 55 · JAZZFUL SPIRIT


Lake Tunes
July 11, 2021


The principal Groove55 members, consists of Yves Adam (alto, tenor & baritone sax, as well as clarinet) a graduate of McGill’s music faculty in jazz performance and a saxophone teacher at The Montreal International Jazz festival Blues Camp.

Jacques Mignault (Keyboards) studied alongside Art Roberts at Montreal’s Concordia University; he would later go on to win the inaugural grand prize of the Roland Synthesizer music contest among seven hundred entrants spanning over twenty-two countries that was judged by the late great Oscar Peterson.

Monday, September 6, 2021

DAVE ERICKSON PROJECT · UPSIDE

Dave Erickson
August 26, 2021



Dave Erickson is a Guitarist and Composer from Denver, CO. His musical passion and talents have been influenced by a diverse list of musical genres, including jazz, blues, rock, and latin. Dave formed the original contemporary jazz group Dave Erickson Project in 2013 and has released 2 albums, 2 singles, and 2 EP’s through 2021. Dave wrote all of the songs on all releases.

Sunday, September 5, 2021

FOLLOW ME 87.6 RADIO SHOW EP. 248


Playlist:

Leo Sidran - Antonio´s Song
Leo Sidran – Your Secret´s Safe With Me
Balance Wheel Group - Watercolor

Saturday, September 4, 2021

BALANCE9 · INSIDE OUT

Tracy Marlow
May 7, 2020


Balance9 is the duo of Tracy M composer/musician and APJ composer/saxophonist, and also a family of musician friends. They have a future-minded respect for the 9 elements of making music. For them, it’s important where music goes from here. Tracy M has deep roots in music that has landed him two technical audio engineering gold awards, working with Black Sheep and De La Soul and over a decade of others in the classic Hip-Hop community. 

Friday, September 3, 2021

VINCENT INGALA · FIRE & DESIRE

Shanachie Entertainment
Sept. 17, 2021

To live a life of filled with passion and purpose is one of the greatest gifts of all. The wise, young and chart-topping multi-instrumental genius Vincent Ingala seems to have mastered this feat. Ingala has garnered 18 Top 10 Smooth Jazz radio singles and ten #1 radio hits. “I believe it is our job as musicians to simply make music that people enjoy, and hopefully along the way, bring some happiness and inspiration into their lives,” shares the Prospect, CT native. “That is certainly my hope for when Fire & Desire is heard.” September 17, 2021 Shanachie Entertainment will release the multi-instrumentalist’s third recording for the label and seventh as a leader. The charismatic and handsome Ingala has endeared fans, contemporaries and critics alike with his consummate musicianship, fun-loving stage presence, energized and inspired performances and all-around passion. “My earliest memories are of banging on pots and pans until my parents had to buy me a drum kit and from there it was like a domino effect.” From banging on pots to churning out hits, Ingala is a chameleon in the recording studio. Like an alchemist, he concocts the perfect elixir of his broad musical influences spanning the worlds of Jazz, R&B, Disco, Pop and beyond. On the exhilarating Fire & Desire, Ingala confidently dons multiple hats. He plays every instrument heard on the new album from saxophones and keyboards to drums, guitar and bass. He also produced, recorded and mixed the album, as well as composed all of the songs with the exception of Jimmy Roach’s “Disco Sax,” recorded in tribute to tenor titan Houston Person. Due to the challenges of the past year, Ingala was able to hone in and devote his undivided attention to Fire & Desire. “If anything, the most positive result of recording during the pandemic was the amount of time I had to dedicate to this project alone without any other distractions that could affect the flow.”

Thursday, September 2, 2021

KENNY NIGHTINGALE · HELLO ft. WILLIE BRADLEY

3 Face
Aug. 23, 2021


Inspired by John Coltrane, Michael Jackson, Dave Koz, Hugh Masekela, Kenny G, Victor Wooten, Charlie Parker, Aaron Neville. Kenny Nightingale is an American based smooth jazz recording artist with fusion of Gospel sounds and contemporary jazz with World Beat Grooves.