Smooth Jazz Therapy

Spotlight On Doc Powell

With the splendid news that Grammy-nominated guitarist Doc Powell will be touring 2023 through 2024 it seems entirely appropriate to take a deeper dive into an artist whose music totally exemplifies what contemporary jazz should be all about.  Indeed the trademark easy grooving style that Powell has made his own marks him out as the real contemporary jazz deal with a case in point being the sumptuous ‘Let Go’ that he co-wrote with Barry Eastmond and which can be found on his 2006 self-titled CD.  It was right up there with the best the genre has ever produced yet, truth to tell, Powell’s artistry can be found both far and wide.  As musical director to the legendary Wilson Pickett, to a stint with Luther Vandross and his group, the B. B. &Q, Powell has rubbed shoulders with the best.  He has lent his distinctive guitar sound to recordings from artists such as Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Teddy Pendergrass, Vanessa Williams, Chaka Khan and Smokey Robinson.

 

His 2016 CD ‘This Is Soul’ was notable for many things and not least the infectiously shuffling title cut and the just as good is ‘Love On Top’.  Produced by the award winning Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis ‘This Is Soul’ was a collection that brought together the heart and soul of some of the best music from the present and the past.

Fast forwarding two more years to the single, ‘Steppin Out’ and Powell was in the rarefied company of Snarky Puppy keyboard player Shaun Martin, flautist Althea Rene and sax player Kelley O’Neal for a track that was a little more dance orientated than his earlier work and which opened him up to a whole new audience.

Yet in term of personal favorites it is impossible to look beyond the sumptuous ‘Sunday Mornin’ from his 1996 project ‘Laid Back’.  With Kirk Whalum on sax and Lori Perry on vocals it was also included on his 2010 long player ‘For Old Times Sake’ and the excellent 1996 compilation from Beechwood Music ‘JazzFusions Four’.

Spotlight On Mark Jaimes

Once upon a time, long before lockdowns and pandemics, smooth jazz superstars became increasingly fond of bringing their music to the UK.  The niche audiences that awaited them flocked to venues such as the Stables and the Pizza Express yet the only thing missing was the backing musicians whose travel from the USA proved cost prohibitive.

Step up some of the United Kingdom’s finest performers to lend a hand and lend a hand is exactly what the likes of bass player Frank Felix, drummer Marc Parnell, sax-man Carl Stanley and keyboard player Oli Silk did.

And then of course there was guitarist Mark Jaimes.

From as far back as the late 90’s Jaimes had been making a name for himself.  As part of Mick Hucknall’s famed band Simply Red he enjoyed a dynamic run, both on the road and in the studio serving as Simply Red’s full time guitarist from 1998-2003.  The stint included more than one hundred and sixty dates over two world tours, a greatest hits tour, the 1999 album  ‘Love and the Russian Winter ‘ and ‘Home’ that followed four years later.

Even after he stopped performing live with Simply Red, Jaimes played on each of the band’s subsequent albums right through to ‘Blue Eyed Soul’ in 2019. Parallel with this, smooth jazz trumpeter Rick Braun suggested he should think about recording a solo album.

Spotlight On Madeline Castrey

With musical role models such as Karen Carpenter, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone, English singer songwriter Madeline Castrey is making her own mark on the UK contemporary jazz and soft pop scene with her latest single ‘Brand New’.  This sultry yet hugely melodic cut has Madeline’s brand of soulful and sincere smooth jazz at its core and as such sits comfortably alongside output from the likes of Rumer, Norah Jones, Tom Misch and Corrine Bailey Rae.

 

Spotlight On Justin Lee Shultz

Multi-instrumentalist Justin Lee Schultz has already, at age of thirteen, dazzled audiences on TV shows such as Harry, Little Big Shots and American’s Most Musical Family. 

Now he is gearing up for his much-anticipated Shanachie Entertainment debut with the album ‘Gruv Kid’ that is set for release in November of this year and rumoured to feature smooth jazz a-listers such as Bob James, Harvey Mason, Najee, Jonathan Butler, Gerald Albright and Pieces Of A Dream.

Catch him here with the great Bob James. Impressive!

 

 

Spotlight On Willie Bradley

‘It’s On Now’ is the latest single from urban jazz trumpeter Willie Bradley and with a stunning featured performance from flautist Ragan Whiteside is very much the real smooth jazz deal.

Willie Bradley is a native of Orangeburg, SC and over the course of a rapidly developing career has become a ‘go to’ side-man for many soul, jazz and R & B luminaries such as Betty Carter, Gerald Albright, Walter Beasley, Alex Bugnon, Ronnie Laws, Hiroshima and Marion Meadows.

In 2014 Willie released his debut contemporary jazz CD, the highly acclaimed ‘Another Day & Time’.  It was produced and co-written by keyboard player Nicholas Cole and included a sumptuous cover of the seminal Bobby Caldwell smash ‘What You Won't Do For Love’ which featured Cole on keys plus input from another great trumpeter, Lin Rountree.

Willie has performed at shows around the country including at Catalina Island, The Soiled Dove in Denver, Spaghettini in Seal Beach, CA and the Newport Beach Jazz Festival.  He is also known as a member of the brass section with RJ & The Original James Brown Band with whom he has travelled extensively.

In 2018 Willie’s sophomore project, ‘Going With The Flow’, was considered for a Grammy in the category Best New Contemporary Jazz Instrumental Album and in addition provided radio ready tracks such as the title cut, ‘Bring Your ‘A’ Game’ and ‘In The Meantime’ that featured legendary soul vocalist Gerald Alston.

Spotlight On Chris Jasper

Due out later this year, ‘For The Love Of You’ by Chris Jasper is a covers album that revisits three songs that he co-wrote while with the Isley Brothers as well as reimagining of some of the biggest pop and R & B classics of all time.  This consummate collection is Jasper’s 16^th solo project and is being showcased by the title cut, his cool interpretation of the Isley’s seminal hit that first appeared on the band’s 1975 recording ‘The Heat Is On’. It made #10 in the US R & B charts in that year and went on to be a much-covered staple of the soul and contemporary jazz genre for over forty years.

Spotlight On Hil St. Soul

A former winner of Blues & Soul magazine’s best newcomer of the year award Hilary Mwelwa was born in Lusaka Zambia and at the age of five relocated with her family to London, England.  Growing up, hers was a home filled with the iconic sounds of Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder to name but a few so it was no surprise that as a vocation she chose music.  Hilary’s breakthrough came in 2000 when, partnered with Victor Redwood-Sawyerr and recording under the name of Hil St Soul, she announced her arrival with the album ‘Soul Organic’ which was followed four years later by ‘Copasetik & Cool’.  Garnering a top 20 placing on the Urban Adult Contemporary Charts with the song ‘Pieces’ it paved the way for more of the silky same, first with the runaway hit CD ‘Soulidified’ that Blues & Soul described as being “as good as it gets” and then in 2008 with ‘Black Rose’ which included classics in the making such as ‘Wash Away’ and ‘Gravity’.

It also cemented what had evolved into a long term relationship with the Shanachie label, an association that endures to this day and which has been responsible for the launch of her brand new single, the sumptuously mid tempo, soul drenched, ‘One Life’.

All in all, with underground soul hits like ‘Smile’, ‘Pieces’ and ‘Strictly A Vibe Thing’ to more commercial numbers such as cool reworking’s of Aretha’s ‘Until You Come Back To Me’ and the Isley Brother’s ‘For The Love Of You’, Hil St Soul continues to be a shining beacon of the UK urban scene.

Spotlight On Dan Siegel

Dan Siegel’s career is one of the most storied in contemporary jazz and the wonderful thing is that it continues to flourish. With a discography that stretches back twenty albums to 1980, Siegel set the standards for the early days of smooth jazz. His releases include ‘Going Home’, ‘Reflections’ and of course the 1987 ‘Northern Lights’ from which the still often played ‘Rhapsody’ is taken. He released the excellent ‘Inside Out’ in 2004 and followed that two years later with ‘Departure’ a collection that at the time was described as the ultimate “Siegel Unplugged” experience. Although leaning toward the subtle jazz trio approach, the joint production technique adopted by Siegel and Brian Bromberg (who also played acoustic bass) ensured the project was never shy to push out the boundaries.

Spotlight On Scott Allman

Since 2011 and his debut recording ‘Generations’, keyboard player Scott Allman has steadily been building his reputation with music that has radio ready written all over it. ‘Next Stop Home’ followed in 2013 and now the Chicago based Allman has come roaring back with the CD ‘Elevated’ from which the single ‘Radio Waves’ is taken.

Written by Allman and produced by Darren Rahn (who also features on sax) ‘Radio Waves’ is a stunning slice of mellifluous keyboard driven delight that, with contributions from guitarist Allen Hinds, bass player Mel Brown, drummer Khari Parker and Jason Rahn with horns, ticks every smooth jazz box imaginable.

Spotlight On Kay-Ta Matsuno

Guitarist Kay-Ta Matsuno was born in Osaka, Japan, and at age twenty relocated to Boston, MA where he studied at Berklee College of Music. His career as a professional musician started, as many do, in Los Angeles where he quickly established himself as a ‘go to’ session player. His credits in this respect include Baby Face Edmonds, Natalie Cole, Keiko Matsui, Lalah Hathaway, Chante Moore, Jackiem Joyner, Jody Watley and Yellowjackets stalwart Bob Mintzer.

In 2016 he released his debut solo album ‘Arrival’ a recording that is still garnering considerable airplay.

Spotlight On Solex

Although Bridgeport, Connecticut native Solomon Edmond (aka Solex) spent over twenty-five years on the gospel scene it was in 2007 that he released the CD ‘Together Again’, a tribute to his first cousin (and gospel guitarist) Jonathan Dubose and his first excursion into what is commonly known as secular music. ‘Love Language’ followed in 2010 with ‘The B-Side’ coming two years later. His latest album is titled ‘Liv’ but to showcase what Solex is all about his 2014 project ‘Smooth Soul’ is worth a closer look. Check out the title cut, right here, right now.

 

Bruce Nazarian - Rest In Peace My Friend

Bruce Nazarian was someone special and it is sad he is not around anymore.  Bruce died late last week just when his amazing career was set to take another fork in the road. As many of you know, I guested for several years on his Digital Guy Radio show where he kindly allowed me to present the new music feature.  Bruce was great to work with, the consummate professional and perfectionist who brought a touch of class to everything he did.  I remember a great night (and a great dinner) we had together in San Diego where we met up at a Lee Ritenour gig and then of course back in San Diego for the unforgettable Lemonade Weekend where single handed, and against all odds, he pulled together a sensational musical experience. Thanks for the memories Bruce, thanks for the music but, above all, thanks for your friendship.

 

 

Spotlight On Mark Morrison

Often thought of as troubled, and who from time to time found himself on the wrong side of the law, German born and UK based soul singer Mark Morrison perhaps peaked too early.  Despite his first official recording being the 1993 vinyl pressing, ‘Where Is Our Love’ it was in 1995 when what was classed as his debut single, ‘Crazy’, was released.  It became a top 20 hit in the UK while the follow up, ‘Let's Get Down’ made the top 40. 

However Morrison’s next visit to the recording studio garnered the massive cult hit, ‘Return of the Mack’ that became an international best seller.  His first album, also titled ‘Return Of The Mack’, became a multi-platinum success and although other lesser hits followed the classic status that ‘Return Of The Mack’ quickly assumed meant, in reality, it’s popularity would never be surpassed. 

Check it out right here right now.

 

Spotlight On The Brotherhood

Take the heady musical amalgam of Detroit in the seventies and eighties, factor in some of the hottest musical styles in contemporary jazz and what do you have?  The answer is the The Brotherhood which finds legendary ‘Motor City’ session men Jerry Jones, Jervonny Collier and Bruce Nazarian in the choice company of fellow Detroiters Mark Nilan and Kenny Meriedeth plus noted vocalist “Sir” Harry Bowens, whose distinctive voice has been featured on many hit songs including the seminal Was (Not Was) hit ‘Walk The Dinosaur’. 

Now, drawn together by their mutual love of funk, jazz, and soul, The Brotherhood is poised to break out later this year with their own special brand of funky/jazzy music which, if their collective track record is anything to go by, is sure to be right on the money. Hailing from Detroit, these musicians have collectively participated in hundreds of successful recordings, and played sessions with many of the original Motown Funk Brothers.  Indeed, so deep was their interaction with these legendary Motown musicians, they lovingly refer to themselves as “The Funk Cousins”. 

Spotlight On Jay Gore

Well established as Mindi Abair’s touring guitarist, Jay Gore released the album ‘Identity’ in 2012.  In the main it features songs he has written over the years and finally decided to record along with a tasty smooth jazz duet, co-written and performed with the one and only Peter White.  The latest single to be lifted from the collection is his instrumental take on Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds 1975 classic ‘Fallin' In Love’ which looks destined to be a Valentines night crowd-pleaser.

Spotlight On Ace Livingston

Smooth jazz is all about opinions and that is why I am indebted to Isabella Angelique who has drawn my attention to the music of bass-player Ace Livingston.  With his debut album ‘The Ace Livingston Project’ and the 2014 follow-up ‘My Metamorphosis’ Ace has been quietly making his mark at the urban end of the contemporary jazz rainbow while simultaneously emerging as the ‘go to’ touring bass player for a whole raft of A-List performers from genres as diverse as pop, gospel R&B and jazz.

Livingston grew up in Jamaica before relocating with his family to Connecticut where he harbored hopes for a career in professional soccer.  When injury brought an abrupt end to this particular dream it was music to which he turned and it is music that now offers to him the prospect of a ‘major league’ existence of a whole different kind.

Standout tracks from ‘My Metamorphosis’ include the easy grooving ‘Wood Street’, ‘The Truth’ and the wonderfully soulful ‘Thinking Of You’ with featured vocals from Dawn Tillman.

Check out Ace Livingston if you can.  He just might just be the next big thing in smooth jazz bass.

Spotlight On Mitchell Coleman

LA bass-man Mitchell Coleman draws his influences from the likes of Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke, Larry Graham and Jaco Pastorius so it’s no surprise his debut album (‘Soul Searching’ that is out now on his own Soul Revelation label) is characterized by deliciously hard driving, bass driven funk. 

Spotlight On DW3

Chances are, unless you are locked onto the LA music scene or a frequent traveler aboard The Smooth Jazz Cruise, you will not, as yet, have discovered the triple delights of high octane ‘party band’ DW3. 

Complemented by some of the best musicians around, DW3 (short for ‘Down With 3’) is led by Eric Mondragon, Billy Mondragon and Damon Reel.  They specialize in sumptuously crafted covers of some of the best R & B hits of the last forty or so years but now, newly signed to Woodward Avenue Records and with a new CD scheduled for early in 2015, these long-time regulars at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, CA (and perennial centerpiece of the late night poolside parties that have become such a feature of smooth jazz cruising) are all set to step it up a notch.