Sheléa - "City of Angels" - Breath of Life Records
From the moment she became a buzzed-about up-and-comer crooning her heart-tugging, self-penned “Love Fell On Me” (the end credits theme to the romantic comedy, “Jumping the Broom”), singer/songwriter/keyboardist Sheléa snapped up the attention and support of music’s most powerful icons, including Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, David Foster, Narada Michael Walden, Ricky Minor and Dave Koz. The depth of emotion she plumbs via her vocal interpretations, her composing and her piano playing has been steadily making her an artist to be reckoned with across the top shelf of the ‘beyond category’ international pop music spectrum. Sheléa (pronounced shuh-lay-yuh) possesses a resume and list of performance credits that is as staggering as it is multi-faceted. She performed at the White House before President Barack & First Lady Michele Obama (both led the room in a standing ovation) for “Smithsonian Salutes Ray Charles,” singing “Night Time is the Right Time” with soul man Anthony Hamilton. Sheléa was handpicked to be the very first artist to perform at Quincy Jones jazz club, Q’s Bar and Lounge, located in Palazzo Versace, Dubai.
Lori Williams - Turn, Turn, Turn - LoriJazz
Mitchell Coleman Jr - "Let It Whip" ft. Fernando Harkless - Sounds of LA
Premier bass player and composer Mitchell Coleman Jr. returns to the music world with a new single “Let It Whip”. “Let it Whip” is Coleman’s vibrant remake of the famous Dazz Band song that opens with a fierce bassline and features Fernando Harkless on saxophone. The groove is both nostalgic and refreshing. Fernando Harkless adds a tremendous performance on the saxophone that further enhances this epic presentation. Additional measures of keyboard and synth add a touch exotic flare to the track’s moving instrumentation while superbly filing the backdrop of Coleman’s offering. Coleman is able to make “Let It Whip” his own by riding out this funky melody with some soulful harmonies and vocals. Coleman’s version is riveting and inventive and listeners are sure to catch the vibe that the track airs and find the tune a lovely song for family affairs and summertime fun.
Michael J Thomas - "I'll Never Love Again" - Harbor Breeze Records
While everyone’s been going (literally) Gaga over “Shallow,” the #1 hit single from the Oscar nominated film A Star is Born, powerhouse indie saxophonist Michael J Thomas – keeping the momentum of his hit album Driven (which garnered the #1 Billboard hit Baby Coffee) going – finds a deeper, more profound connection to the film’s heartbreaking closing ballad “I’ll Never Love Again.” Using his lyrical, richly soulful soprano to convey Lady Gaga’s array of emotions without words, Thomas explores the subtle nuances and gripping intensity of the song’s gorgeous melody. He eases effortlessly from a state of gentle elegiac grace towards a crescendo that bursts with the musical equivalent of sorrowful tears and a celebration of a grand life that was.
Candace Woodson - "Back On Top" - Mo Better Records
Candace Woodson’s release of “Back on Top” from her full length project, Desire is the culmination of years of fits and starts, moments of discouragement followed by great periods of encouragement. It is testament to Candace’s lifelong passion for performing that just 28 days after surgery to treat her breast cancer, she was singing at the wedding of John Mellencamp’s daughter. A survivor since 2014, she began writing a handful of new charting singles, including “The Answer Is No,” a defiant female empowerment ballad produced by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tom Glide, which hit #1 on the UK Soul Chart Top 30 and received airplay on smooth jazz radio in the U.S. landed her a “most added” chart designation. A Best International Artist nominee, Candace’s highly anticipated solo debut Desire includes her UK hits as well as tracks produced by hit smooth jazz guitarist/producer Nils and Lew Laing (Paul Brown, Richard Elliot) and others helmed by the singer herself. The confident, strutting, old school horn-tinged ballad “Back on Top” is sure to keep fans tapping their feet all summer long.
Lee Holloway - "Kool Like That" (Andro / Char Music)
Lee B Holloway (a.k.a Andromidus) has been playing music for over 35 years. His love for performing started when he was in his junior high band as a trumpeter and guitarist which he plays along with keys and drums. As a professional musician, arranger, and producer Holloway has mastered a variety of genres focusing on contemporary jazz, funk, R&B, gospel, and contemporary Christian. Over the last couple of years he has been working on the blues circuit with the talented blues artist, Sheryl Youngblood, which has allowed him to share the stage with the blues legend Mr. Buddy Guy at his Chicago location Legends. You can also find him at a couple of other blues venues, including House of Blues and Blue Chicago. But, as Holloway states, “I must confess that contemporary Jazz is my favorite. I hope that this project, which is my first solo project, will allow me to express my music to you.”
Sounds of A&R (S.O.A.R.) - "The Road To Love's Destiny" (Soaring Records)
Sounds of A&R (S.O.A.R.) is the brainchild of vocalist April May & Trumpeter Randall Haywood. Partners in music and life, April and Randall have come together creating a distinct sound that fuses aspects of Contemporary Jazz, Soul, R&B, and Gospel influences. S.O.A.R. has been described as the modern day Ashford and Simpson, pulling inspiration from the deep love they have for one and other and expressing that love through beautifully crafted compositions.
Jorel "JFly" Flynn - "Fly Breeze" ft. Bob Baldwin & Ragan Whiteside (JFly Music)
Jorel “JFly” Flynn is an Atlanta based musical innovator driving the tastes of the current music industry by creating sounds that transcend traditional boundaries. The dynamic visionary plays an eclectic mix of instruments including drums, tuba, and bass guitar. His forthcoming LP, “DREAM SERIES Vol II,” is the second installment of the R&B, Soul, and Jazz series that follows the successful release of “LOVE SONG Vol I.” Featuring Jazz Pianist Bob Baldwin, Flutist Ragan Whiteside and Saxophonist Marcus Anderson, the comprehensive yet intimate “DREAM SERIES Vol II” has been described as a thirst quenching follow-up to Vol I. Continuing to stay true to the pioneers before him, “Feel For You” is an homage that pays tribute to the legacy of artists that paved the way for the future generation of artists and musicians.
Quiana Lynell - "Move Me No Mountain" (CMG)
Her voice can envelop a room. Whether it is booming from a concert stage on a live-wire Friday night or vaulting sky high over a subdued sanctuary on a Sunday morning, her effortless, sugary tones wrap audiences up tight and never let go. Even still, Baton Rouge jazz singer and songwriter Quiana Lynell believes the loudest voice a creative can have is the one inside her own head. “We edit too much,” says the Texas native, who relocated to Baton Rouge to major in music at LSU 15 years ago and never left. “Don’t edit or question yourself like that. We are our own worst critics sometimes.” Not letting perfect stand in the way of good is something of a mantra for the vocalist who was raised up in a household of singers where chores, meals and bedtimes were accompanied by a cappella choruses. Lynell sang praise music at church and later competed as all-state at the highest levels of high-school show choir across Texas.
Reza Khan - "Drop of Faith" ft. Nils (Painted Media)
Khan’s latest full length album Next Train Home reflects the multi-talented performer’s ultimate expression of an artistry that is all about exploration, not limitation, by following a multitude of passions and vibing with contemporary jazz greats, while Khan’s core acoustic and electric lines are front and center on every tune- sometimes alternating on the same track. One of the most emotionally revealing songs is “Drop of Faith” – a bright free flowing slice of tropical-tinged dream funk that begins as a balmy ballad and then grooves up for Khan’s breezy, up-tempo acoustic guitar melody. Perhaps the most “smooth jazz” flavored of any tune on the album, the track was produced by veteran hit maker Nils, who also contributes his sizzling electric guitar with a high energy guitar solo. Philippe Saisse contributes hypnotic synth harmonies and atmosphere, while percussion master, Gumbi Ortiz keeps the grooves hopping with his intense percussion – including a solo percussion outro. The result is a fresh groove, with thoughtful melodies that is sure to liven up springtime playlists.