Smooth Jazz Therapy

Jazz In Pink Featuring Gail Jhonson - Positivity

Founded twelve years ago by Gail Jhonson, Althea Rene and promoter Kyna Hubbard, Jazz In Pink has established itself as a veritable revolving door of female musical excellence.  Over that time over fifty women have graced the stage with them, both as headline artists or side musicians and the line-up is currently making waves with its Shanachie Entertainment debut, the excellent ‘Joy’.

The latest single from it to be serviced to radio is the ultra catchy ‘Positivity’ that features Kim Scott on flute and is a fine example of what ‘Joy’ is all about.

 

 

Randy Scott - Affection

Detroit based sax-man Randy Scott has been on the Smooth Jazz Therapy radar since 2015 when he burst onto the scene with the CD ‘Serenity’.  His latest project, ‘Elevation’, hit the streets in July of 2020 and back then I identified the sublime  ‘Affection’ as the album’s top track.

Seems like I wasn’t the only one to be captivated by this choice tune as Trippin n Rhythm has now selected ‘Affection’ as the latest track from ‘Elevation’ to be serviced to radio.

Check it out.

 

 

Kim Waters - Feels Like Friday Night

Lifted from his excellent 2020 release ‘Shakedown’, ‘Feels Like Friday Night’ is the latest radio single from sax-man Kim Waters.  As well as shimmering throughout with the magnificence of Waters’ melodic sax this easy grooving number would be equally at home as the backdrop to the best Friday night steppers event you have ever attended.

 

‘Shakedown’ is out on the Shanachie Entertainment label.  Check it out.

Special EFX - Sunset Passion Juice

‘All Stars’ by name and ‘All Stars’ by nature this the latest release from sophisticated super group Special EFX features a star studied ensemble of guest performers.  Violinist Regina Carter, sax-man Nelson Rangell, trumpeter Lin Rountree, multi-horn player David Mann, Spyro Gyra drummer Lionel Cordew, highly regarded bass player Gerald Veasley and keyboard player Lao Tizer are all involved from time to time as is fretless bassist and vocalist Fernando Saunders whose history with Special EFX dates back to the early days.

The latest single from this choice collection is the decidedly chilled ‘Sunset Passion Juice’ that finds Special EFX co-founder Chilli Minucci teaming with David Mann to spectacular effect.

Excellent track.

 

 

Cool Guitars - For What It's Worth

Rooted in friendship and mutual respect the massively funky reworking of the 1966 Buffalo Springfield hit ‘For What It’s Worth’ is the latest product of a concept devised in 2016 by contemporary jazz superstar U-Nam and executive producer Vernon Clark.  Titled ‘Cool Guitars’ it took its name from that well-known guitar Accessories Company of which Clark is CEO and comprised seven instrumental tracks played by some of the best guitar players in the business.   Two of those players, U-Nam and the legendary Ronny Jordan (who tragically passed away in 2014 aged fifty one), had been long time musical compadres and when U-Nam realised that a version of ‘For What It’s Worth’, although unfinished, had been one of the very last numbers Jordan ever recorded he set about tracking down the original tapes with a view to completing the song in true Cool Guitars style.

 

In his minds eye U-Nam visualised the song as being a duet between him and Jordan.  It would be the ultimate homage to a dear friend and an artistic coming together of two artists who throughout their careers had consistently been on the same page.  For them it was less about the commercial imperative and more about the joy of the music and as U-Nam began his work the virtual synergy was both instant and powerful.

Now, in the capable hands of U-Nam and Jordan, aka Cool Guitars.02, ‘For What It’s Worth’ is a high-octane funky delight that never strays from being ultra cool.  Add in the likes of Alex Al on bass and Bill Steinway on both Rhodes and Hammond B3 and this is a tune that will leave listeners longing to hear more from what is very much a musical family affair.

Indeed they may not have long to wait.  ‘For What It’s Worth’ is simply the first single from the second ‘Cool Guitars’ project that is due out later in 2021.

Les Sabler - Tranquility

Guitarist Les Sabler first found his way onto the Smooth Jazz Therapy radar in 2007 with the CD ‘Sweet Drive’.  In fact a song from it, ‘I’m Not The Same’, (with featured vocals from Toni Scruggs and Rahsaan Patterson) made it into my top twenty contemporary jazz tracks for that year.  He last made some waves in 2014 with his tribute to the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim but now, with his feet firmly on smooth jazz ground, Sabler is back with the superb ‘Tranquility’.

 

Dave Koz, Brian McKnight & Shelea - A Romantic Night In

In an era that has served to define what we now consider to be ‘the new normal’ GRAMMY^®-nominated saxophonist Dave Koz is combining with R&B vocalist Brian McKnight for “A Romantic Night In,” a one-night-only live stream concert that will take place on the eve of Valentine’s Day, Saturday, February 13, beginning at 5 PM PST/8 PM EST.

Joining Dave and Brian will be singer, songwriter, musician, producer and actress Sheléa and, as Koz explains, “Brian, Sheléa and I are so excited to provide the romantic soundtrack to your Valentine’s weekend celebration at home.  Pour a glass of wine, dip some strawberries in chocolate and leave it to us to provide the musical magic!”

This virtual event comes on the heels of Koz’s hugely successful 2020 live stream concerts the first of which celebrated the release of his latest album, ‘A New Day’ while the second showcased ‘Dave Koz & Friends The Greatest Hits of Christmas 2020’ with Dave and an all-star line-up of guests performing holiday favorites.

Tickets for “A Romantic Night In” are on sale now at www.davekoz.com and included in the ticket price will be an exclusive digital copy of the “A Romantic Night In” EP, a collection of Dave’s most romantic songs.  VIP experiences, including exclusive one-on-one meet & greets, are also available.  Concert venues that Koz has visited over the years are participating in bringing awareness to the show. 

‘A New Day’ was released exactly thirty years and one day after his self-titled debut album hit the streets.  It is Dave’s 20^th album overall and his first of all original material since ‘Hello Tomorrow’ in 2010.  ‘A New Day’, which was conceived and recorded entirely under the umbrella of COVID-19, reached No. 1 on numerous jazz charts, including iTunes and Amazon.  Brian McKnight is featured on the album’s opening track ‘Summertime In New York’

To date McKnight has released 15 albums, with world wide sales totaling more than 25 million copies.  He has been Grammy nominated sixteen times and as well as being a singer, songwriter and producer, is also a renowned multi-instrumentalist.

Vocalist Sheléa is known for the way she blends traditional pop, jazz, R&B and soul, to bring a contemporary edge to classics, and a classic touch to contemporary pop standards.  Shelea has twice performed at the White House; Library of Congress; Carnegie Hall; the Kennedy Center; and more The year 2020 marked her acting debut as Dorinda Clark in “The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel,” a Lifetime biopic that drew 2.7 million viewers.

Richard Elliot - Authentic Life

With an all-star lineup that bears testimony to the respect and admiration he has garnered from his peers over a solo career that has now spanned thirty five years the Grammy nominated sax-man Richard Elliot is back with his latest CD, ‘Authentic Life’, that was released January 29 on the Shanachie Entertainment label.