THE GIFTS THAT KEEPS ON GIVING... CDs NOV / DEC 2018
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25 AnPatEvening Metheny Remembering With 28 2018 Damien Escobar 10 Roy Hargrove Dies Hot Tour 32 Eric Darius - Breakin’ Thru Lifestyles 13 Music and Wellness 20 Missing 43 Stage Play 10 61 The Year in Photos 61 Jazz Notes 08 Grammy Voting Dates Week Features: LeonFestival
37 Cancun 44 Watts Tower Drum
CD Reviews 53 Marcus Strickland People Of The Sun 57 Karla Harris - Certain Elements CD Releases 50 New CD’s
SmoothJazz Jazz
Smooth Jazz Magazine
Art Jackson— Publisher/CEO May / June 2015
3751 Motor Ave. Suite #34531
Doris Gee- - Research Manager/Writer
Los Angeles, CA 9 0034
Mann—Graphic Artist/Photographer
E-Mail: info@smoothjazzmag.com
Contributing Writers
Web: www.smo othjazzmag.com
Ronda Dixon Azval Ismail Alise Levine Maggi Bridgman
Los Angeles South Africa San Jose United Kingdom
Contributing Photographers Aric Thompson Larry Washington Ron Pride Chanelle Harris Cloe Jalipa Darnell Wade Reed Hutchinson Melanie Futorian Ron Hancox
Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta Dallas France Los Angeles Los Angeles New York New York
No part of this publication ma y be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written consent from the publisher. Copyright @ 2018 by Smooth Jazz Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
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Traveling Mood
Adam Hawley Feat. Julian Vaughan
Zephyr Kayla Waters Stop, Crackle, Vincent Ingala
Sport Coat Makes Good Jeff Lorber Groovers And Shakers Blake Aaron Feat. Darren
***3 Weeks at #1 ***
Key dates and deadlines for the 61st GRAMMY Awards process for voting. First Round of Voting Opened Nominations for the 61st GRAMMY Awards will be announced in all 84 categories on Wednesday, Dec. 5 and will honor the best in recordings released between Oct. 1, 2017, and Sept. 30, 2018. Music's Biggest Night airs Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, (8:00–11:30 PM, live ET/5:00–8:30 PM, live PT) on the CBS Television Network. 08| SmoothJazz Magazine
First Round of Voting Closes Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018 Nominees Announced for 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018 Final Round of Voting Opens Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018 Final Round of Voting Closes Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019
Let the music take you…
BOOK BY NOVEMBER 10, 2018
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Remembering “The Great Roy Hargrove: He is literally the one man horn section I hear in my head when I think about music,” Questlove
Roy Hargrove, Grammy-Winning Jazz Trumpeter, Dies At 49. Hargrove died in New York from cardiac arrest following complications from a battle with kidney disease. Known in the Jazz community for his bebop style as well as in the hip-hop and R&B genre working with such artists as Common, Erykah Badu and D’Angelo just to name a few. Born on Oct. 16, 1969, in Waco, Texas, to Roy Allan and Jacklyn Hargrove. He grew up in Dallas, where he attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, an arts magnet that also produced Erykah Badu and Norah Jones. Discovered during a visit by legendary trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, Roy developed his talents quickly. Under Marsalis's tutelage and encouragement, he traveled to Europe to play at festivals the summer after his high school graduation. By age 25, his star was already on the rise in the contemporary jazz world. Hargrove attended the Berklee College of Music on scholarship for 18 months, before transferring to the New School in New York. In jazz's close-knit musician community, the meteoric force of his arrival was comparable only to that of Marsalis' about a decade earlier. 10| SmoothJazz Magazine
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Remembering Hargrove went on to play or record with Marsalis and other jazz greats, including Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Stanley Turrentine and Joshua Redman. Hargrove was nominated for six Grammy Awards and won two — the first in 1998 for “Habana,” an album of Afro-Cuban music he recorded with his band Crisol, and the second in 2002 for “Directions in Music: Live at Massey Hall,” a tribute to Miles Davis and John Coltrane on which Photo By: Esther Cidoncha he collaborated with Herbie Hancock and Michael Brecker. He is survived by his wife, singer and producer Aida Brandes; a daughter from a previous relationship, Kamala Hargrove; his mother, Jacklyn Hargrove; and his younger brother, Brian Hargrove.
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Lifestyle - Music Photos By: Mann
usic is an essential part of daily life for almost everybody. Some people depend on music to get them through the morning hassle, while others depend on music to stay pumped during a workout. A certain song can make us feel joyful, depressed, energetic, or relaxed because music can have such an impact on a person’s mindset and well-being. It should come as no surprise that music therapy has been studied for use in managing various medical conditions. Different forms of music may have therapeutic effects, although music from one’s own background may be most effective. According to the American Music Therapy Association, “Music Therapy can be defined as the medical and evidence-based use of music interventions to achieve individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a trained professional who has concluded an approved music therapy program”. In simpler terms, music can be used to improve one’s life. Music can improve you socially, cognitively, physically, emotionally, or developmentally. 14| SmoothJazz Magazine Let the music take you…
Lifestyle - Medical
THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF MUSIC Music has been used throughout human history to convey and influence human emotion. The health advantages of music to patients in Veterans Administration hospitals following World War II became obvious, leading to its use as a complementary healing practice. Degrees in music therapy became available in the late 1940s, and in 1950. Music can be used therapeutically for people who are physical, emotional, social, or cognitive ill. Healthy people can also use music to relax, reduce stress, improve mood, or to accompany exercise. There are no potentially harmful or toxic effects. Music therapists help their patients accomplish a number of goals through music, including improvement of communication, academic strengths, attention span, and motor skills. Let the music take you‌ SmoothJazz Magazine | 15
Lifestyle - Music Depending on the type and style of sound, music can either increase mental sharpness or assist in relaxation. Memory and learning can be also improved and even children with learning disabilities have recorded good results. With enhanced ability, there is a high tendency for better productivity. This effect may also be partially due to an increased concentration that many people have while listening to music. The term “Mozart effect” was coined after a study carried out showed that college students performed better on math problems when listening to classical music. MUSIC TAPS INTO OUR MEMORIES: There are scenariThere are no potentially harmful or toxic os where we were involved in effects. Music therapists help their another activity and a song comes on the radio. We are impatients achieve a number of goals through music, including improvement mediately taken back to a certain place, of communication, academic strengths, a specific time in our life, or a particular person. Music is second only to smell for attention span, and motor skills. They its ability to arouse our memory in a may also assist with behavioral therapy very powerful way. Music therapists and pain management. who have worked with older adults with dementia have numerous stories of how MUSIC ENHANCES OUR music stimulates their clients to recall MENTAL SHARPNESS AND their life. ASSIST IN RELAXATION: 16| SmoothJazz Magazine
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Lifestyle - Music Festivals MUSIC IS A SOCIAL EXPERIENCE: Our predecessors bonded and passed on their history and knowledge through song, stories, and dance. Even today, many of our music experiences are shared with a group, whether playing in a band or an elementary music class, listening to jazz at a restaurant, or singing in church choir. Music makes it easy for music therapists to structure and facilitate a group process. MUSIC HELPS OUR BRAIN: Music often has a predictable steady beat, organized phrases, and a structured form. Most songs today are organized in a verse-chorus structure. They’re organized in a way that we like and enjoy listening to over and over again. Even sound waves that make up a single tone or an entire chord are prearranged in mathematical ratios and our brains really like this predictability and structure.
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Lifestyle - Music a verse-chorus structure. They’re organized in a way that we like and enjoy listening to over and over again. Even sound waves that make up a single tone or an entire chord are prearranged in mathematical ratios and our brains really like this predictability and structure. MUSIC IS SAFE AND MOTIVATING: The reason why, most people enjoy music is because it is not invasive, safe and motivating. This is not the most important reason why music works in therapy, but it’s the icing on the cake.
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CD Review Lifestyle - Theater
Photos By: Mann
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CD Review Lifestyle - Theater By: Art Jackson
Rayven Armijo
A riveting show-piece of dance that captivates you into a trance from the opening beat of the band Cuùao entrance, sets the tone for a journey of culture amazement. The Missing 43, directed by Rayven Armijo under her company cuerva urban folklórico which cultural traditions chose to explore curis rooted in Latin-American and Hispanic rent social, political, injustices focusing on the disappearance of the 43 students in Ayotzinapa, Guerrero, Mexico. Rayven is able to portray all the emotions that one must feel as the struggle of those living through missing love ones. The rich history of indigenous movements to the modern dance, ballet and hip hop all blended together to tell the story in a diverse perspective. Choreographer, Educator and Instructor Rayven, has been dancing since the age of three, she has studied Mexican folk dance and flamenco and martial arts under the tutelage of her mother and father Carolina Armijo and Ray Armijo. Let the music take you‌ SmoothJazz Magazine | 21
Lifestyle - Theater
Kassandra Coral
Clarissa Mejia
Michelle Aranda
Breana Centeno
Ariana Mejia
Casey Brown
Then on to broader forms of dance genres at L.A. County Arts High School and Alvin Ailey while in New York. Now with her Master’s in Fine Arts from UCLA she has set her talents on using them to create dialog on social matters in her community and abroad. With a fine ensemble of young talented dancers, Rayven has help to get them to expressed their creative approach individually and collectively to make it 22| SmoothJazz Magazine
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Lifestyle - Theater
CuĂąao
Enrique Guerra
Severn
Gabriel Ramirez
Issac Rodriguez
Josel Cruz
Julio Montero
one enjoyable stage play as each movement became a choreograph of conversation. Even for non Spanish speaking goers, the dance and music will speak for itself. Let the music take you‌ SmoothJazz Magazine | 23
Feature By Doris Gee A memorable night in Los Angeles at the beautiful Royce Hall on the campus of UCLA. The sold-out show had new fans and the age group ranged from college students to alumni and for most of those in attendance they got to hear some of their favorite songs. For me, one unique noticeable omission was hearing the names of each tune being played. The only few times Pat spoke, was to introduce the artists playing alongside him after their rousing solo performances. Antonio Sanchez on drums, Linda May Han Oh on bass, & Gwilym Simcock on piano. Photos: Reed Hutchenson
@Royce Hall 10.26.18 UCLA
But yet, a very noticeable reaction from the audience, you could hear from all scattered parts of the hall, was the acknowledgment clapping from individuals once hearing their favorite tunes. And as I would like to think he saved the best for last which was my favorite song “Last Train Home” done in a masterful solo rendition.
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Feature Concert During one other moment when Pat spoke, he stated he wanted to do something different and that he wanted to play a lot of his old music and over the two and a half hours without an intermission he did just that.
core.
The drum solos were outstanding and the individual duets between Pat and Linda and then Pat and Gwilym were marvelous.
Speaking of GRAMMY Winner, the 2 – times GRAMMY Winner drummer Terri Lyne Carrington and friends will be performing on 11/09, while GRAMMY Winner Luciana Souza will appear on 12/01 then on 12/06 10 – times GRAMMY Winner Bela Fleck while the 3 – times GRAMMY nominee Sweet Honey In The Rock show for 11/30 all on the UCLA campus at Royce Hall.
The classic Pat Metheny sound is unmistakable, but at times hearing a little Wes Montgomery made for an enjoyable evening indeed as the stand ovation would attest to that and the double en-
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If you ever get a chance to see him live, it’s a must see as the 9 – times GRAMMY winner artistry will definitely captivate you.
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BOOK BY NOVEMBER 10, 2018
Concert Feature
By: Ronda Dixon amien Escobar is one of the hottest tickets in 2018. Currently on tour in support of his latest CD “Boundless.” The native New Yorker considers Los Angeles his second home and he has the fan base to prove it. There was a buzz leading up to this show at the Redondo Beach Performing Art Center in Redondo Beach, CA the night he headlined with Lalah Hathaway, but all eyes were on Damien and his hip-hop /classical blend of R&B hits. Coming fresh off his show earlier in the week from Warren Hill’s Cancun Jazz Festival, Damien caught a slight cold, so he didn’t know if he were going to be able to play this event, he said on stage. But luckily for us, he did.
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By: Mann
Feature Concert His interaction with the audience was amazing as everyone held on to every word, from his suggestion to tell the person sitting next to you to say “I appreciate you” to his encouragement to follow your dreams “It may not happen overnight, but it will happen.” As he speaks from first-hand experience. With his love of the Violin and R&B he always wanted to infuse the two together, but he was always told that it would not be of any interest. But as he said, he stayed true to what he wanted to do. So now with sold out tours, number 1 album, “anything is possible.” “So whatever dream you have, and I don’t care how old you are, its your dream and live your life the way you want to live it. Its never too late. Its never too late. Its never too late.”
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Feature
Another moment that he shared that he express as being crazy, is that his love for Soul music and the Violin he wanted to make it sing like White Houston, Prince and Donny Hathaway and now he get to share a stage with Lalah Hathaway. His final request was to ask the house to turn off the spotlight and the house lights and asked everyone to take out their cell phones and light up the room and he proceeded to play “Purple Rain.” The imagery of arms swaying back and forth in unison was magical. A definite must see show, as his fierce playing will leave you wanting more. And that explain the long lines as new fans young and hold waited to meet him and get a signed autograph cd personally. 30| SmoothJazz Magazine Let the music take you…
Event Schedule
Photos By: Alise Levine
Feature By: Alise Levine I had the pleasure of sitting down with Saxophone player/musicianEric Darius while he was in Cancun for the Annual Warren Hill Jazz Festival. I learned about his life, his new album, and his extraordinary charity work. He performed an amazing show on Friday night in front of 2000 people at the Jazz festival and everyone enjoyed his energetic and fun show. Eric grew up in a musical family – His brother plays drums, his sister sings, his dad plays the Bass and his mom sings and plays the piano. Eric started playing music at the early age of 10 and started touring the world at 11 with Sonny LaRosa’s - America’s Youngest Jazz Band. He said he was blessed to travel all over the world at such a young age with his dad as his manager. He went to the performing arts High School –Howard W. Blake in Tampa, Florida where he grew up. Some of his influences growing up and even now. Includes: Grover Washington Jr, David Sanborn, Stevie Wonder, EWF and George Benson.
Photos by: Alise Levine
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Feature Eric just released his 7th studio Album called “Breakin Thru,” and the FIRST on his own label - SAGIDARIUS MUSIC. This is his first album as an independent artist. Eric said his motivation was to give 110% of himself to his fans, and to create an album that he could be proud of from start to finish. The new album contains all genres including: hip-hop, R&B and Jazz, and includes a lot of his own authentic music. His goal was to appeal to all ages, all generations, and all demographics with this new album. There are 10 songs on the new CD. On some of the songs he collaborated with other talented musicians who he feels he vibes with well. He also worked with some amazing producers on this album including: Rodney Jones, Jr for most of the songs, and the producing duo – Butta-N-Bizkit for a few tracks as well. Some of the amazing artists featured on this album include: Major, Brian Culbertson (Love) , Rodney Jones, Jr, and Andre Troutman. Eric said “It was definitely an amazing album to create, and an incredible experience to record.”
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Feature One of Eric’s other passions, besides making amazing music, is his dedication to his personal INITIATIVE that he created in 2010 called “On a Mission in the Schools.” His vision is to reach the younger generation and inspire them to play music and to learn all about it. His initiative includes kids from elementary school up to college. He enjoys mentoring the kids and wants to keep Music alive in schools.
He enjoys mentoring the kids and wants to keep Music alive in schools.
Eric travels all over the country doing lectures and motivational speeches to inspire kids to play music. He plays music with the kids in the schools and he loves to introduce them to JAZZ music. He wants to stimulate creativity and to inspire the younger generation. It was an absolute pleasure to meet and learn about his music, new album and charity work. Eric is one of the nicest artists you will ever meet and interview. He said he is thankful and blessed for all the incredible opportunities he has had in his life and that the BEST IS YET TO COME !!!
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Photos & Review By: Alise Levine
Festival By: Alise Levine
This year i had the pleasure of attending my 2nd Warren Hill Cancun Jazz Festival in Riviera Maya, Mexico. The venue was the beautiful Hard Rock Resort which had 3 fantastic stages for the shows – one outdoors and two indoors, beautiful rooms, an outstanding Spa and beautiful pool and beach areas to relax when not at the many concerts. The festival included day and night time concerts, afternoon jam sessions with live bands in the Heaven Lobby area and after parties nightly at the nightclub on the resort. Never a dull moment !! Those of us that arrived a day early, Wednesday – were treated to 2 early bird concerts. Adam Hawley, the talented Guitar player, and a late night show with Marion Meadows the saxophonist. They both put on a great show with a full band. It was a great start to a fun 5 days of music.
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Festival
Thursday night there were 3 amazing shows. Boney James, the incredible saxophonist and entertainer put on a fun show at the outdoor amphitheater. The 2nd show was one of my personal favorite shows of the weekend - with hip-hop/soul Violinist Damien Escobar. His charisma and showmanship really entertained us and has us singing and dancing in our seats. The final show of the night was late night – for the die hard fans – and that featured Saxophonist Jackiem Joyner, and keyboardist Nicholas Cole. Thursday was a GREAT night of Music !!! Friday was a full day of Music with an afternoon concert with the amazing musicians David Benoit and Marc Antoine. Then at night were two AMAZING SHOWS – Rain or shine!!! Saxophonist Eric Darius put on one of the best shows of the weekend Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 39
Festival
and had us up dancing in our seats – even in the rain. The headliner of the night was the amazing, fabulous R&B singer KEM. He had us all singing and even engaged a few members of the audience in his show. One of the best singers of our time. 40| SmoothJazz Magazine
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Festival
Saturday was also a full day of music starting out with an afternoon party in the Heaven lobby with one of the best cover bands I’ve heard in a while called “the Hot Lunch Band”. People danced, sang and partied for 2 hours with them and I had a blast !!! The late afternoon concert was legendary Saxophonist Kirk Whalum. He always entertains us to the fullest. The night concerts were two of the headliners of the weekend - the host Warren Hill and Mr. Michael McDonald. Warren Hill had a special guest – which was the highlight of his show for me - his daughter Olivia Rox came out and sang a song and played the keyboards for us. She has an amazing voice and was on American Idol a few seasons ago. The Final show of the night was singer Michael McDonald. He sang so many of his hit songs and had an amazing band and singers with him as well. Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 41
Festival Sunday was the final day of the Jazz festival. The band - Pieces of a Dream put on a great show, and the energetic keyboards player – James Lloyd went out into the crowd to interact with everyone. The 2nd show of the day was the talented guitarist Peter White. The headliner of the night, and the whole weekend - was the Dave Koz and the Summer Horns tour. This was my favorite show overall of the festival. The almost 2 hour show also featured the amazing artists: Gerald Albright, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Adam Hawley, and Aubrey Logan. This was definitely one of the highlights of the weekend!! Sunday night there was also a huge after party in the Heaven Lobby with The Hot Lunch Band and also in the nightclub. I met Warren Hill several times during the weekend festivities, and he is definitely down to earth and really a great guy. Some of the rooms- including Warren’s- were quite far away from the concerts and activities, but Warren made the best of it and got around on a bicycle from venue to venue. The festival itself is well worth the money as you get : Daily concerts, all -inclusive food and alcohol, all resort amenities, AND resort credits based on how much you paid to use at the Spa and on excursions. I highly recommend this as a yearly vacation for all ages, couples, singles and basically Jazz music lovers from all over the world. I am already booked again for 2019. 42| SmoothJazz Magazine
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Festival
37th Annual
Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival
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Festival Held at the historic Watts Towers Arts Center, the Watts Tower Day of the Drum Festival celebrate community cultures through music, dance and interactive performances. Upon arriving you could hear the beat of the various drums within the neighborhood of Watts. It was good to see people attending the weekend festival from all throughout various communities of Los Angeles. Presented by Department of Cultural Affairs and Friends of the Watts Towers Art Center, as the Director The crowd and I had a great time at this weekend celebration featuring international sounds of percussions from all over Southern California, who showcased cultures from around the world, Africa, Caribbean, Latin, Native American, Jazz, and Japanese were represented. Each band leader gave historical facts on how the drums were used in their native countries. A notable mentioned that nondrumming artists headlined the event as well, most notable pianist Patrice Rushen and violinist Karen Briggs.
By: Art Jackson
Photos By Mann
Director Rosie Lee Hooks This year festival was dedicated to the life and legacy of famed drummer and percussionist Ndugu Chancler. Ndugu’s spirit was felt throughout the day, and the festival poster and program featured original artwork of Ndugu by Ramsess.
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Festival
MAFLA- Music Alumni & Friends of Locke Association the Locke High School Saints performed an inspired set of music composed by Ndugu, The Alumni ranged from throughout the 1980’s to the present as they paid their respect to honor Ndugu, who was very active in the Watts community giving his time and providing after-school music programs for youths and adults. Washington Rucker served as narrator as he gave an overview of Ndugu’s life and how he evolved and incorporated genres/styles of music in his career. This served as a wonderful segue for the One For The Chancler/A Tribute to NDUGU featuring Rayford Griffin & Friends. The group consisted of Rayford Griffin on drums, Leonard “Doc” Gibbs-percussions, and Donell Spencer on drums as they spotlighted Ndugu’s splendid drumming styles. The crowd had a great time nestled under the tented stage so there was ample shade for the several hundred patrons in attendance. With great fellowship, food and the opportunity to shop from traditional clothing fabrics, paintings, candles to soaps you had all you needed along with the international beats of the drum. 46 | SmoothJazz Magazine
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Festival
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Smooth Jazz
Magazine
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New CD Releases 2018
Eddie Palmieri "Mi Luz Mayor 12/07/18 BUY
Harold Mabern "The Iron Man: Live at Smoke" 11/23/18 BUY
Acoustic Alchemy “Thirty Three And A Third" 11/16/18 BUY
Gary Burton "Take A Closer Look" 11/02/18 BUY
Hard Swing Mango “RHAPSODIE” 10/26/18 BUY
Amaro Freitas' Rasif 10/18/18 BUY
Jowee Omicil "Love Matters!" 09/28/18 BUY
Doug Jones "Crossing LInes" 09/24/18 BUY
John Scofield "Combo 66"09/28/18 BUY
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CD Review Festivals By: Maggi Bridgman
This is one cool album! The jazz 'combo' which is a marvellous synthesis. Marcus Strickland - tenor saxophone, bass clarinet Mitch Henry - keys, organ Kyle Miles - bass Charles Haynes - drums Weedie Braimah - batas, djembe They have gotten together to produce an outstanding set of tracks. The overall vibe is one of a hypnotic drum beat enhanced by a swathe of saxophone, bass, keyboard and smooth rapping, which varies from track to track. Track 1, 'Lullaby' is a short track, featuring Weedie Braimah a specialist in African drumming who 'always wanted to bridge the gap between African music in Africa and African music in America'. The drumming has a real African flavour but is free form and intertwined with a mellow saxophone line. Track 2, 'Timing' is a good deal longer. It features Marcus Strickland on sax which is in the foreground throughout most of the track while there is percussion in the background and keyboard comes in later on. The saxophone riff is repetitive in a good, hypnotic, way. The music makes the listener travel to Arabia. Let the music take you‌ SmoothJazz Magazine | 53
CD Review Track 3, 'People of the Sun' at less than 1½ minutes is short and sweet. It has a very electronic , synthesised sound and features Mitch Henry on keyboard. Track 5, starts with a paraswiftly followed by a Marcus Strickland, soprano saxophone. them later on with rinths. A bit reminiscock.
'Relentlessness' diddle and this is soulful sax solo by virtuoso on tenor and The keyboard joins some lyrical labycent of Herbie Han-
Track 6, 'Marvellous.' This features Akie Bermiss and was my favourite track. There is a vocal backing of several voices - it is a love song and the solo is by Akie Bermiss, he of the smart suits, sweet smile and short dreads. A lone trumpet serenades the lovers. Harmonious with a subtle mingling of minor and major chords. Track 7, 'Black queries what black er voices join in to tions i.e. random percussive and This is good for
Love' A man's voice love means and othgive their interpretamusings to a quiet brass background. fans of poetic rap.
Track 8, 'Build' featuring Marcus Strickland on sax once more. He demonstrates his skills with the instrument in this tour de force. A very easy track to listen to. The keyboard takes over later on in the track and rises to a crescendo at the end. Track 9, introduced by a woman saying 'sirens make me nervous’ and she goes on to make random musings to a background of drum and sax. Difficult to engage with this one but it was short. 54| SmoothJazz Magazine
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CD Review Track 10, 'Aim High' features Jermaine Holmes singing an inspirational piece...'Aim high, you're one of a kind' - 'Stretch your wings and fly' - 'You don't know what you can do until you try'. Haunting trumpet line behind the voice. Towards the end, the voices disappear, the trumpet etc fade out and there is thought provoking silence. Track 11, 'Spirit of the Music' had the accustomed sax and percussion in the background with an unusual vocalist in front, sounding like a munchkin. He seemed to be giving us a lesson in existentialism and what else?? All in all this album is well worth a listen to fans of 'out there' jazz. I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with it.
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Smooth Jazz Magazine I enjoyed reading the magazine on the app! It was easy to follow. Easy to navigate. And, most of all, very informative! Thanks again for sharing. Keep GREAT music and TALENTED artist alive!
Rhonda McDaniel Swann
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FREE PREVIEW
Festivals CD Review By: Avzal Ismail
One of the great perks of writing for a magazine such as Smooth Jazz is the fact that one gets to hear a lot of music. Some of makes you sit up and take serious notice. The latest release by jazz songstress Karla Harris, “Certain Elements” falls into the latter category.
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CD Review This is the third album from the acclaimed jazz vocalist. An album where contemporary and mainstream jazz meld perfectly to create the lush, potent signature sound of this collection. Original, earthy with a warm quality, the record consists of tunes of varying qualities ranging from Latin, contemporary, swing, blues-inspired tunes that showcase the velvety, dynamic range of Harris’ immense talent to considerable effect in addition to featuring some superb musicianship from the vastly talented musicians appearing on the album with her. Harris’ new recording showcases her tremendous artistry. She rushes headlong into the full spectrum of her gifts while teaming with acclaimed producer Trammell Starks to create an offering where her authenticity and emotive power are substantially on display. The record’s 12 tracks feature several originals penned by the vocalist in her first outing as a songwriter, together with some beautifully curated covers including the album’s first single, a contemporary jazz remake of the 1960s hit “Cherish.” Harris wrote several songs, six of which are included on “Certain Elements.” From the poetically, transcendent title track to the whimsical wordplay of the swinging “When Michael;” from the grown-up sensuality of “Folds” to the story58 | SmoothJazz Magazine
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CD Review based blues of “Interlude” and more, Harris’ song-writing shows a love for words while wrapping them into a delectable offering of both lyrics and melody. “A dancing tendril on the edge of a flame”… It’s a lyric from the album’s first track, a Latin-infused tune of Harris’ called “Set Sophia Free” that carries a powerful message of awakening with its world-music and deeply spiritual vibe. Like that dancing tendril, Harris is set to your collection. One that you will come light a fire within jazz fans’ hearts with back to over and over again. As this will Certain Elements. be on repeat for an extended period both at home and in my car, yes it really Definitely worth having this album in is that good!
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Photos By: Melanie Futorian
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Photos By: Mann
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Photos By: Larry Williams
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Photos By: Ron Hancox
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Photos By: Melanie Futorian
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Photos By: Ron Hancox
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Photos By: Chanelle Heart
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Photos By: Darnell Wade
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Photos By: Ron Hancox
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Photos By: Ron Pride
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Photos By: Aric Thompson
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Photos By: Ron Pride
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Photos By: Mann
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Photos By: Mann
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Photos By: Alise Levine
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Photos By: Mann
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Photos By: Darnell Wade
78| SmoothJazz Magazine
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Photos By: Darnell Wade
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