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Jazz Vocals

Tony Hightower | Legacy


 
Jazzman Tony Hightower continues the road to his future Legacy with his second release
 
When an artist dedicates their recorded labor of love for a beloved family member, especially one who was highly impactful in their musical aspirations, the feeling can be quite mutual. Singer/songwriter/musician Tony Hightower fully recognized his mother Theresa Hightower (who passed in 2018) made a world of difference – professionally and personally.

Boney James | Solid


 
Contemporary Jazz Icon Boney James proves he is Solid once again for his upcoming CD
 
UPDATE MARCH 31st: Street Release Date has been updated to June 12th.
 
Sometimes it does not hurt to seek music that supplies good medicine to the soul when the stress levels are high. If music can play a healing role in that capacity, Boney James is fully locked no matter what he plays.

Stern and Lorber Find Equal Footing at Level Eleven


 
Mike Stern – Jeff Lorber Fusion
Eleven
(Concord)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
 
On paper, the pairing of stalwart New York guitarist Mike Stern (veteran of the Miles Davis, Steps Ahead and Blood Sweat & Tears bands – to name just three) with studio slick Oregon-native/West Coast transplant keyboardist Jeff Lorber seems like oil and vinegar- highly unlikely to mix.

Poncho Sanchez | Trane’s Delight


 
Latin jazz veteran Poncho Sanchez returns to the studio after a 7 year absence with Trane’s Delight, a hearty thank you to his hero, jazz pioneer John Coltrane
 
The love affair was launched when he was only 11 years – staring intently at John Coltrane’s self-titled 1962 album. After he saved some money to make that monumental purchase, Poncho Sanchez gathered his drums and congas and played along with the album that guided his musical spirit.

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.

Dominican-based Singer Anthony Jefferson Swings On a Star in Sophomore CD All I Am

Anthony Jefferson
All I Am
(Jefferson Faculty)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
Photography by Pedro Bonilla
 
In 2019, singers of Jazz classics and Pop standards hurl themselves Herculean challenges tackling material that has been sung, recorded and captured on film performed before live audiences by some of the greatest that have ever illuminated a song. While the newcomers may connect themselves to a great lineage and possibly bring these songs to the attention of new (i.e. younger) audiences, anyone who has studied or pleasurably partaken of the earlier renditions are inevitably want to not only make comparisons but also have to wrestle personal moments experienced with them as part of the soundtrack and very fabric of their lives.
 

Anthony Jefferson wows as Musical Director Corey Allen looks on

Ramsey Lewis, Tower of Power, Anthony Hamilton and More Help Playboy Jazz Festival Turn 40.

Playboy Jazz Festival Celebrates 40th Anniversary at The Hollywood Bowl
 
by A. Scott Galloway
 
Under clear blue skies, 80-degree temps with a sweet breeze blowin’ on both days, the “Playboy Jazz Festival” celebrated its 40th anniversary with days split almost squarely between World Music leaning on Saturday and Jazz on Sunday.
 
Saturday June 9 began with the traditional Los Angeles County High School For The Arts Jazz of promising young students followed by Columbian party band Monsieur Perine’. Things got really interesting when blind 17 year-old organ prodigy Matthew Whitaker and his trio wowed the crowd with the passionate and eclectic set list of his original “Play it Back,” the `60s pop hit “More Today Than Yesterday” by Spiral Staircase made famous on the jazz side by Charles Earland, the Brazilian gem “Mais Que Nada,” John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme,” and the finale of a dual medley of Earth Wind and Fire’s “In the Stone/September” with Stevie Wonder’s “As/I Wish” – what a prodigious talent and people-pleaser.
 

Matthew Whitaker

Walter Beasley – The Best of Walter Beasley | The Affable Years, Volume 1


 
Walter Beasley – The Best of Walter Beasley | The Affable Years, Volume 1
by Peggy Oliver
 
Once upon a time, a particular nine year old received a life-changing gift of a Grover Washington, Jr. CD. From that moment on, Walter Beasley would dedicate his career to shear excellence — all for the love of music and for the legendary saxophonist they call Mr. Magic.

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