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Independent Artists

Cashma | Purple Apartment


 
Contemporary R&B singer/songwriter Cashma moves into her Purple Apartment, the final installment of the ‘Purple Series’
 
There are advantages for an artist in living as an introvert, to a point that they can release all those thoughts that have pressed them forever and a day. With a trilogy of her innermost journals dealing with the trials of family life, R&B singer/songwriter Cashma frees her mind of any emotion possible.

Sophisticated Soul Singer Will Downing Salutes Baritone Vocal Classics On Romantique Part 2


 
Will Downing
Romantique: Part 2 (EP)
(Sophisticated Soul)
 
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
 
Marking his awe-inspiring 22nd release since he began recording as a solo artist back in 1988, Will Downing focuses his attention on favorite songs originated by baritone vocalists such as Larry Graham and Barry White along with two original compositions to comprise his latest 6-song EP, Romantique Part 2.

Jéssica Pina | Essência


 
An already established international jazz talent, trumpeter/songwriter/vocalist Jéssica Pina is now being introduced to North America with Essência
 
Amongst the countless independent musicians that are waiting in the wings, it is refreshing for new blood in offering their special artistry to the contemporary jazz landscape. Portuguese trumpeter Jéssica Pina, born of African descent, blends her roots with various urban flavors from U.K. soul/jazz, R&B and funk.

Rhythm Tribe Introduces New Style, Acid Latin, With Return Single “You Can’t Take Me Down”


 
Rhythm Tribe
 
“You Can’t Take Me Down”
(DanceMaster.com)

A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
 
Back in the `80s when I was playing drums in a couple of local L.A. bands, I ran into a group called Chain Reaction that had a unique approach to Dance Music as it stemmed from a fusion of R&B and Latin elements.

Sy Smith | Sometimes a Rose Will Grow in Concrete


 
Sy Smith Blossoms into Full Singer/Songwriter Bloom on “Sometimes a Rose…”
 
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
 
Sy Smith has been a work in progress as a most valuable session and touring singer for others, and a developing artist in her own right with four acclaimed albums behind her. Her latest, Sometimes a Rose Will Grow in Concrete, is her first since 2012, its title foreshadowing that a sister has been through some things but come out the other side steeped in artistry, ancestry and ‘Les Fleur de la Corazon.’

Singer Jacnique Nina Swoons of Sensual Gratitude on “Invincible”

jacnique
 
Jacnique Nina
“Invincible”
(Siren Fire Music Works)

 
A Song reflection by A. Scott Galloway
 
Los Angeles’ siren of sultry Miz Jacnique (pronounced “zha-NEEK) Nina kittenishly crawls back into your eardrums with a flutter she calls “Invincible,” a self-penned song about all the sexy ways she plans to show her gratitude for getting a second chance to love someone from whom she hastily walked away.

L.A. Soul Music Festival Boasts Victorious First Year

Inaugural L.A. Soul Music Festival Provides Top Talent In A Casual Outdoor Atmosphere
Concert Reflections and Photographs by A. Scott Galloway
 
Southern California inaugurated another 3-Day outdoor summer music weekend event with “The L.A. Soul Music Festival” last week – a program targeting grown folks that love their soul music on the smooth, sexy and contemporary side. It took place on an under-utilized area of Griffith Park near the Gene Autry Western Museum, conveniently just off the 5 Freeway with plenty of blessedly free parking. Reasonably priced and punctually executed, each day of the festival from Friday to Sunday delivered 5 name acts between 6pm and 11pm with a DJ and emcee between each act keeping things lively and flowing.
 
Photo 1 Crowd
Crowd

Near-Perfect Playboy Jazz Festival Sunday Covers The Full Spectrum

38th Playboy Jazz Festival
Hollywood Bowl
Sunday June 12, 2016
Festival Reflections by A. Scott Galloway
 
Day 2 of the 38th “Playboy Jazz Festival” at the Hollywood Bowl was by far the more star-studded and highly anticipated of the weekend. Not only that, the cross section of artists provided a near-perfect representation of all the music that appropriately falls under the cornucopia of the art form – from New Orleans roots, Blues and Big Band to Latin, Funk-Rock, Contemporary and Ancient-Future takes.
 
Photo 1 - George Lopez (1)
George Lopez (Photo: Matthew Imaging)

12 year-old Joey Alexander Steals Day 1 of Playboy Jazz Festival

38th Playboy Jazz Festival
Hollywood Bowl
Saturday June 11, 2016
Festival Reflections by A. Scott Galloway
Photography by Matthew Imaging (except one)
 
Photo 1 - George Lopez
George Lopez
 
Though big names were lacking, big fun was in full regalia for the opening day of this year’s Playboy Jazz Festival, due in part to amiable host George Lopez. Mist in the midday and a light sprinkling of pre-summer rain baptized the early acts and audience. Poetically speaking, it gave the high-achieving students of the Beyond the Bell All-City Jazz Band of an early taste of dues they have to pay on their way to the top.

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