New CD Releases and CD Reviews: Alexander Zonjic, Kem…
SmoothJazz Nov/Dec 2020
TM
MAGAZINE
Russ Ferrante
Will Kennedy
Bob Mintzer
Dane Alderson
BOOK BY NOVEMBER 10, 2018
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34 24
Feature
14 Yellowjackets
Celebrates 25th Album
24 Dave Koz - A New Day
Talks Covid-19 and New CD
34 Justin-Lee Schultz
Musical Prodigy on the Rise
Jazz Notes 08 Grammys - Voting Dates Awards Results in South Africa
CD Reviews 38 KEM - Love Always Win Track by Track Review 54 ItAlexander Zonjic - Playing Forward
54 CD Releases
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SmoothJazz Jazz November / December 2020
Art Jackson - Publisher/CEO Dr. Ahava Talon - Editor in Chief Doris Gee - Research Manager Mann - Graphic Artist Manager
Smooth Jazz Magazine 3751 Motor Ave. Suite #531 Los Angeles, CA 9 0034 E-Mail: info@smoothjazzmag.com Web: www.smoothjazzmag.com
Contributing Writers Giget C. Johnson Keivu Knox Michelle King Azval Ismail
Atlanta Charlotte New York South Africa
Contributing Photographers Mann
Los Angeles
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 @ 2020 Smooth Jazz Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Nov/Dec
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The week of October 24, 2020 Detail Full Effect Boney James
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Escape Adam Hawley feat. Rick Braun
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Speak Love ! Najee
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J J’s Strut Ragan Whiteside
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Joyride Amends Randy Scott
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Jazz
Final-round voting, to determine the winners, will run from Dec. 7 through Jan. 4, 2021. Harvey Mason Jr. To announce 2021 GRAMMYS Nominations With Special Guest on Nov. 24.
Congratulations to Smooth Jazz Magazine contributing writer in South Africa, Avzal Ismail who was awarded the South African BV&SM Award (Backing Vocalists and Session Musicians) for the category Best Jazz Pianist. Avzal also recently directed the Arts Alive Jazz on the Lake Festival house band. With his decades of performing experience and working relationship with national and international artists he provides his unique experience and insights to our readers. Within this issue you will fine his feature interviews with both the legendary band The Yellowjackets as well as the rising star Justin-Lee Schultz which adds to Avzal’s many accomplishments.
The 63rd GRAMMY Award nominees in all 84 categories will be revealed during a starstudded livestream at 9:00 a.m. PT/12:00 p.m. ET The Virtual party will stream live on GRAMMY.com. 08| SmoothJazz Magazine
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“When you thought the Lies, Betrayal and Deceit could not get any worse…”
Author Robin Munro
“Pure Revenge picks up right after the end of Pure Deception with even more twist and turns.”
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Feature
I recently got to love technology) for close on two rante and Bob Yellowjackets
chat via zoom (have to with my dear friends decades Russell FerMintzer of the famed group.
While catching up reminiscing about spent together, to the incredible XL with the WDR for release on the 6th of November 2020.
with each other, and the times that we the discussion turned new album JACKETS Big Band that is due
Through the years, the Yellowjackets have grown and evolved into one of the most formidable musical forces on the planet. Sadly, under the current circumstances, live touring is not on the cards for the immediate future, until the planet regains a sense of normality. However, the music itself is timeless and is a balm to these troubling times. Both Russ and Bob in their inimitable manner were warm and engaging and were only too eager to share their ideas and experiences with the readers of Smoothjazz Magazine. Enjoy! 14| SmoothJazz Magazine
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Feature By: Avzal Ismail SJM: Tell us what has been the musical evolution for the Yellowjackets from the early days? Bob: Russ can best answer this one. But I would add that with each personnel change some aspect of the band’s sound adjusted to accommodate the new member. I would like to think that the fact that the individual members of the Jackets are all very invested in self growth would cause the band to perpetually evolve and grow, particularly as a response to what is happening in the world. Russ: I would say the band has gradually shifted from tight arrangements, liberal use of synthesizers and overdubs, and more R&B grooves to a leaner, more acoustic, and conversational approach. SJM: How did the name Jackets XL come about for the new album, and how did the group decide on the theme as a whole? It’s so good to hear the familiar favorites in a big band format and it’s amazing how Dane has matured into the group.. Russ: We originally tossed around the title of Vintage Jackets XL referring to bringing back some of the “vintage” tunes like Imperial Strut, Mile High, etc. and XL (extra large referring to the big band). To be more concise, we shortened it to Jackets XL. Bob: Being the chief conductor of the WDR Big Band, I’ve always had the idea of doing a project with the Yellowjackets and WDR Big Band. We had worked with the big band back in the 90’s. It turned out to be a great fit, as I knew it would. Yellowjackets XL, or extra-large as it were, seemed like a fun double entendre. SJM: Bob tell the readers a bit about the WDR Big Band and how did you become it’s principal conductor? Nov/Dec Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 15
Feature soloist/arranger some 3 times over a 6 year stretch. The Yellowjackets were with the big band a few times in the mid 90’s. I suppose my arranging/conducting/ playing skills were in display during those visits, and I was then considered for the chief conductor slot. I’m very honored to be working with this wonderful band. SJM: Russ, you and Bob have been working together for three decades now, since the release of Greenhouse. A musical marriage so to speak of epic proportions. Do the two of you get an inherent sense of what the other wants when writing or do you find moments where it’s easier to find a middle way compromise? Russ: I have a sense of what Bob can do and it’s pretty much anything! I think we all have a sense of the musical strengths and interests of each one of our bandmates and this informs our compositions for the band. That said, sometimes I find an idea I want to explore and write something for the band not knowing whether it will work or not. All in the pursuit of growing as a musician, composer, and human being! Bob: I think all the band members have found a way to write and play with the ensemble as the primary focus. There is a distinct sound and way of relating musically that informs everything we do. I think we are all familiar with how the others phrase, breath, and compose after all this time. It feels like home. SJM: Russ and Bob, give me an idea of how you approach composition, individually as well as together. Russ: Most of my initial ideas come from improvisations and just freely exploring 16| SmoothJazz Magazine
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Feature at the piano or thinking about musical puzzles I might be pondering. I often record voice memos, jot down ideas in a notebook, or even open up a DAW (I use Logic) and document the idea. Later I will come back to these “seeds” and develop them using the compositional tools in my toolbox. as the saying goes 10% inspiration, 90% perspiration. Bob: We generally write individually and then get together to work out interpretation collectively. Once a song is presented to the band the composer relinquishes ownership, so to speak, and all are welcome to provide input. SJM: Are Will and Dane actively involved in the composition and arranging processes? Russ: Both Will and Dane are fine composers and both have contributed music to the last couple of CD’s. They also make valuable contributions to Bob and my writing by making suggestions and creating their individual parts to support the compositions. Bob: Everyone in the band writes and makes decisions. A true democracy! SJM: There are several young, exciting artists emerging on the scene, such as Joey Alexander and our little friend Justin Lee Schultz, so as Professors at USC School of music in L.A. what insights have you gained in working with young minds? Russ: The future of jazz is bright! I’m blown away by the young talent we see at USC and elsewhere. Young musicians have so many resources to draw upon today to learn the music and explore the history of jazz. They often introduce me to musicians and recordings I am not aware of. Their quest to become better musicians is a constant source of inspiration and a reminder to never give up the quest. Nov/Dec Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 17
Feature Bob: As you say Avzal, there are many talented young artists coming along. It is refreshing to hear these young cats writing and playing fresh ideas. Those who are passionate and willing to do the work are doing great things. Paying attention to detail is key. SJM: USC is renowned for it’s Film Scoring department. Are you guys involved in that aspect as well? If so, how do you differentiate between scoring for film and scoring for the group? Russ: I have had many students who went on to be part of the film scoring program. Scoring films calls for some very specific skills, many shared by writing for a small group but others like a knowledge of syncing music to film that are different. Also these days, many film composers must create very realistic orchestral scores with virtual instruments. This is intensely time consuming and requires an intimate knowledge of the virtual instrument libraries and recording software. Bob: Russ and I teach in the jazz Dept. William teaches in the pop Dept., although any of us could work with students from any of the departments in the music school. At USC we advocate diversity and having a broad outlook. The big band I direct at USC annually does a project at Capital Records studios with the film scoring students. Many of our jazz students play on film school students projects, and some do film scores of their own. I haven’t done film music as a composer, although some of the Yellowjackets music has been used in films. I will be scoring a documentary early next year, which is a first for me. SJM: With Covid-19 and the lockdown, we have all had to make major adjustments in so many ways. How has the group adjusted to not performing live and how do you plan your collaborations? 18| SmoothJazz Magazine
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Feature Russ: I miss playing so much! Still trying to practice and compose with the occasional virtual collaboration. We still communicate with one another via regular zoom meetings. It will feel so good to be back playing with the band and I’m sure we’ll all have a renewed appreciation for the gift of live music and the special bond we share. Bob: At the moment we are all teaching and recording remotely due to the pandemic. The Jackets are doing some workshops via Zoom. We are also preparing for our new cd release with the WDR Big Band and launching a new website. SJM: How did the idea for the new album come about? Any particular favorite tracks? Russ: This recording closes a lot of circles. Yellowjackets first worked with the WDR in the mid 1990’s along with Vince Mendoza. Bob worked with the WDR before that as a guest composer and soloist. Bob has been the WDR conductor and principle arranger for the last 5 years. For all those reasons, our present collaboration with the WDR made a lot of sense. All the pieces of the puzzle fell together beautifully. We spent a week or so in Cologne, Germany in the middle of our fall 2019 European tour to make this recording and also played a live concert with the WDR at the Leverkusen Jazz Festival. Regarding favorite moments, I really love the way Bob’s composition One Day turned out and I also love his updated arrangement of Mile High. Bob: We’ve done many projects with big bands. I’ve arranged multiple Yellowjackets tunes for big band, as has Russ and Vince Mendoza. It is really inspiring to add our quartet to a large horn section. It just felt like time to put out a cd of this configuration. Due to my relationship with the WDR Big Band, it was the optimal setting for doing such a project. Nov/Dec Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 19
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FEATURE By: Michelle King
It’s a new month in a time when time blurs from one week to the next. Something bright on the horizon was my chance to speak today with a beautiful soul who has brought us thoughtful and uplifting music over the past three decades with his sublime sax (and even voice, which I will tell you about soon). David Stephen Koz. Before we get into my conversation with Dave, I'm very happy to share with you that we all now have A NEW DAY to play over (and over) and savor. Dave’s new album was released on October 9th, and A NEW DAY marks not only his first full album of original material in 10 years, it will be almost 30 years to the day since Koz’s self-titled debut album. It all comes together at a time we really need this music relief! I had some technical glitches with Zoom which changed the dynamic of our call and my plan to record for exact quotes. However, big thanks to Janice who is a part of Dave’s team saved the day and got us connected! Dave’s energy is so vibrant (and wonderful), you are still in the room with us through my paraphrasing of our chat. Let’s begin. Nov/Dec Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 25
FEATURE SJM: It’s so nice to speak together today Dave, and very glad to hear you are doing well in these unprecedented times. Congratulations on the upcoming release of A New Day. What were recording logistics like in a COVID atmosphere? DAVE: The entire album from writing through recording was done entirely without any in person contact. Most of the songs were written virtually, like carrier pigeon writing, going from musician to musician. Usually in the studio, you can see faces and have the opportunity to build on that proximity, but we were still all experiencing the isolation together. This made the process very cohesive, surprisingly so you would think under the circumstances, and I hope listeners enjoy how it all came together in the finished product. Living where I do (L.A. area), there are amazing musicians locally, and being home and ready to play, this musical energy was available, and the opportunity to work with the incredible musicians who wrote and played on the album made it really special. The tracks are full of love and energy and renewed passion for the music. SJM: In creating music in this environment, I would imagine it can be especially challenging to uplift, and yet what we hear is so positive and in many ways renewing, as your title A NEW DAY states. DAVE: We want to do what we can to calm and provide comfort. When feeling out of sorts, listening to feel good music is something I do for myself that can really help. We are living day by day these days, and not knowing what’s coming next is hard. Intuitively though I think, I hope, we are going to a better place. 26| SmoothJazz Magazine
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FEATURE SJM: Living in NYC, the first track, Summertime in NYC is an anthem I wish I could have heard this summer! My all time favorite band Earth, Wind and Fire certainly inspired the joyous, carefree vibration of this love letter to my home. DAVE: (laughing) Well, maybe it will bring some warmth to the colder months to come where you live! Yes the inspiration did come from the music of Earth, Wind and Fire and Bill Withers and artists that make you feel good. I had the pleasure of working on this song with great friend Ralph Johnson of EWF, who is so gifted and generous with a positive outlook (Note to Dave, Ralph says the feeling is mutual!) And Brian McKnight’s vocals capture everything we wanted to convey. Ironically the song was written in NYC in March during the first days of lockdown, just as everything in the city was closing, restaurants Broadway, concerts…. SJM: You have many notable artists working with you on this album, including Bob James (Long Goodbye), Meshell Ndegeocello (Yesterday), and fellow sax great David Sanborn (Side by Side) and more. Listening to you and Sanborn elevate together on this song was so exhilarating, can you tell me more about it? DAVE: Let me start by saying that David Sanborn is my #1 hero. We played together on the 2016 Side by Side Tour. As a thirteen year old I looked up to him, and building a relationship together over the years has meant the world to me. David is in New York, and his wife did engineering on the track to give you a sense of what it took to make things happen. I cannot emphasize enough how monumental it is to me that we are friends, and it is truly an honor to have him on what is my 30th anniversary album. Nov/Dec Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 27
FEATURE SJM: Over the course of your career, what would be one of your favorite collaborations, vocal or instrumental? DAVE: When I was interested in recording Bacharach's This Guy’s in Love With You, I approached Herb Alpert (who recorded his famous version in 1968), and he strongly encouraged me to go for it and record the vocals myself. And then he went one step further and said he wanted to play on the song as well! That was an amazing experience for me on many levels. SJM: The music industry has changed dramatically over the past few decades. How do you think that affects artists starting out now and trying to get heard and establish careers today? DAVE: I see it as a very exciting time for musicians. An artist approaching a career once had to hope to get signed, work solely with record companies, and follow the path designated by the industry in order to get heard. Today between accessible technology and the internet, musicians can create and post their music, be heard, and even go viral. It’s actually a more democratic system. And it allows artists to deep dive into their musicality. On my SXM Radio show Dave Koz Lounge I’ve spoken with emerging artists who are in their teens, and they are incredibly talented and already so focused in their musical journey. 28| SmoothJazz Magazine
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FEATURE SJM: It is a tough world out there without live music to enjoy. It is what I miss the most in many ways in thinking about how isolating life can be today. DAVE: Our country is diverse in so many ways, and you see that in a concert audience. People of different ages, races, and religions, straight and gay, singing, dancing and enjoying the whole experience together. It is polarizing in society without the unification effect of music. Music is a calming influence. SJM: This time together has really been a pleasure. You get the last word Dave…. DAVE: It is exciting to still have something to say, music keeps you young! The arts are more important now than ever. What comes next for all of us will be better with music in it. I’m very proud of A New Day and its purpose. Thanks for listening. @davidstephenkoz @DaveKozMusic
“Music is a calming influence.” Dave Koz
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Smooth Jazz
Magazine
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FEATURE CD Reviews By: Avzal Ismail
I recently got to chat with musical prodigy and multi-instrumentalist who is taking the music world by storm, Justin Lee Schultz, on the release of his debut album with Shanachie Records. I first met Justin 13 year ago when he was around six years old in South Africa, when his dad brought him around to the hotel where many of the international artists where staying during the Joy of Jazz festival in Johannesburg. I was having lunch with good friend Russell Ferrante when Justin’s dad approached us and asked very politely if we would listen to a recording of his son who had recently started playing the piano. Needless to say, both Russ and I were floored...Here was this totally innocent, sweet little kid who was tearing through the changes of Giant Steps. Needless to say, after the Schultz family relocated to the USA. Justin blossomed and his musicianship grew by leaps and bounds. 34| SmoothJazz Magazine
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FEATURE All Kudos to dad Julius for supporting his children’s dreams in every way possible. Justin himself is the sweetest kid you could ever encounter. And we did a Facetime chat recently. SJM: Tell us in a paragraph a bit about yourself. Your age, at what age did you start playing, where were you born, a bit about your family and how you ended up Living in the USA? Justin: I was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. I’m 13 years old, I started playing piano at the age of five. My sister Jamie plays the drums and my dad is a bassist primarily but he also plays other instruments. Mom takes care of us while we get up to mischief. We are a musical family and we perform together as the JLS Band. My dad got a appointed as ‘Minister of Music” at a church in Michigan. And that’s how we ended up in the United States! SJM: Walk us through how you came about being signed on the Shanachie record label. Justin: It’s kind of a long story… but the short version is, I got the gig to play with “Pieces Of A Dream,” and their manager, spoke to Shanachie about me, and introduced the team to some of my videos on social media. And the rest is history! SJM: Did you have a specific theme in mind when beginning the production of this project? Justin: No, the theme of the album came almost towards the end of the production. Nov/Dec Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 35
FEATURE We chose to concentrate on each piece individually as a creative venture in it’s own right. SJM: Is there a track that has a specific meaning for you especially? Justin: All the tracks on the album, mean so much to me, I don’t really have a specific track that has a special meaning. Each one is unique and equally special to me. SJM: What has been your biggest challenge to date to having a successful career as a musician? Justin: I didn’t really experience any challenge’s yet, and I won’t say that I’m successful just yet. I’m just a kid man haha and I’m still having fun too. The time to get really serious will come! SJM: Do you have any immediate plans to go on tour once it is safe to do so? Justin: We do have a few things lined up, but it’s all on hold for now. Once things are more or less back to normal, we would love to go on tour. But for now let’s be safe and stay put. SJM: Any words of encouragement for young musicians starting out? Any message for your fans? Justin: To young musicians, I would say to keep practicing! Be consistent, but most of all, have fun!!! That’s the most important thing. Have fun and believe in yourself without taking yourself too seriously. 36| SmoothJazz Magazine
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SPECIAL GUESTS: BOB JAMES PIECES OF A DREAM and more:
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CD Reviews By: Giget C. Johnson
A cross over album. A hodgepodge album. Not in a confusing way but in a melting pot kind of way. It opens with a country-like tune NOT BEFORE YOU. Then moves into a contemporary soulful sexy jazz tune LONELY featuring Brian Culbertson. There are some spiritual tracks included entitled LOVE and PRAISE. For me those songs while titled and using the lyric of love are descriptive of Jesus, and my personal relationship with Him. After you get your praise on, you can grab your favorite dance partner, or as many have created a line dance to LIE TO ME, just cut a rug with your friends. Then there’s LIVE OUT YOUR LOVE (two versions - one featuring Toni Braxton), which is a smooth dance song, a sing-along tune. As the music plays when you get to the title track, LOVE ALWAYS WINS, (also with two versions - one featuring Erica Campbell) you’re riding the waves of a blues-filled choir tune. FRIEND TODAY reminds me of a dear friend, who would ask “Are we friends today?” It was a way to remind me to reflect on my tone of communication, and a nudge that I’m dealing with a friend whom I care deeply for. CAN’T STOP GIVING LOVE has a way of replaying itself even after the music has stopped playing. Song after song after song is sweetness falling off of Kem’s lips. This is an easy listening album. You can put it on replay or on shuffle and before you know it you’ve heard it over and over again. It is an afternoon’s delight. It is a date night’s wish.
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CD Reviews It’s the dessert to dinner. It’s the perfect pair for your favorite wine. It’s KEM refined. Throughout the CD, Kem uses the word “Girl” affectionately and very often. I’m usually offended by the use of the word “Girl” at this ripe age of mine, as I am a GAW (grown ass woman). But the way it rolls off of his tongue, . . . just call me GIRL! Love softens even the hardest of us. I love, love, love this CD. It gives reassurance that perhaps even when we think we are losing, that no matter what we are assured that LOVE ALWAYS WINS. Kick back and relax. Track 1. NOT BEFORE YOU Ever heard of the saying that a man changes for whom he wants to change? This song is a reflection of that. A complete surrender to love. A giving in of self to another. A realization that your mate is of utmost importance. A recognition that this love that you are experiencing is life changing, that it is nothing like you’ve ever experienced before. That you’re on new ground, in new territory, and you have given in to the weakness of love; you are willingly swimming in a sea of love. Your heart is on the line. And on your knees, you hand it over with both hands. Here, take this heart of mine. Your weakness is your strength and it’s love. . . . You’re in love. Kem is in love. The Lyrics: “I’ve been thinking that you’re the only reason that I’ve changed. Hey baby. There’s no mistaking this is our season. Or is it just fate? Hey girl. Nov/Dec Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 39
CD Reviews Have I told you clearly what your love means to me? As I hold you near me, girl, I’m where I wanna be. Ain’t nobody here seen love like this before. We gon’ let the light come shining through. Ain’t nobody here seen love like this before. Before you. Hey girl. Not before, not before you. Hey baby. Think I’ve been falling down on my knees in your love. Strangers calling but they don’t know a thing about us. Hey baby. Girl, I want to please you in every single way. And my heart aches for you more and more each day. Every moment with you it’s a miracle that woman I’m your man. Yeah. Ain’t nobody here seen love like this before. We gon’ let the light come shining through. Ain’t nobody here seen love like this before. Not before you. Ain’t nobody here seen love like this before. We gon’ let the light come shining through. Ain’t nobody here seen love like this, not before you. Not before you. Oh baby.” TRACK 2. LONELY (featuring Brian Culbertson) Brian Culbertson on those keys or “piani”, not piano, because he turns a piano into something more! His “signature sound” is oh so sexy. His true fans know it’s him when they hear him play. Those fingers of his drip magic, a defined art on the keyboard. The song itself is an inquisitive tune. Aren’t you in this love like me? Are you in as deep as I am? Come take this walk with me, on a lifetime jour40| SmoothJazz Magazine
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CD Reviews ney. Let go of your fears; let loose and come with me. You need this as much as I do. Come on. I’ve already left the shore. Let’s jump together. We’re almost free. It’s the love of a lifetime. The Lyrics: There’s a life waiting for you in your brokenness. Scattered pictures of a thousand words, a thousand times. Right or wrong. There’s no virtue to this madness. Gotta keep pushing on the front lines to know paradise. Don’t you care about me like I care about you? You can’t ignore what you need. Are you lonely? Does it sanctify you to know the truth about me? Maybe we’re all less free ‘cause we’re lonely. Faith abides on a road that winds to gladness. Ain’t no questions about what we fear. It’s all divine. Come find the love of a lifetime in your sadness. There’s something greater on the inside. A new paradise. Yeah. Don’t you care about me like I care about you? You can’t ignore what you need. Are you lonely? Does it sanctify you to know the truth about me? Maybe we’re all less free ‘cause we’re lonely. TRACK 3. WITH YOU IN MY LIFE In this song, love is doing what it is suppose to do, which is get down on the inside and cause growth. Change becomes inevitable. It makes what may have been considered a sacrifice Nov/Dec Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 41
CD Reviews before become a willing act. It makes you better from within. Good love makes you grow and glow. Everyone around you can see it all over you. It becomes undeniable. You’re in love. The Lyrics: It was now or never baby. Had to find a better way to live and unchain this heart of mine. I’ve never been so satisfied in my life. In my life. I’ve got a love I’ve never had and the faith to make it last. I’m so much better with you in my life. So much better with you in my life. Baby. Hey girl. Ooh. Boy, money don’t make you a man. You said love was all I had to give. Any fool could see why you are the moon and the sunrise of my life. I’ve got a love I’ve never had and the faith to make it last. I’m so much better with you in my life. So much better, better, better with you in my life. It’s heaven on earth. I don’t give a damn about what they say love. You are my girl. With you in my life. It all makes sense. Don’t you know I feel alive. It’s a whole ‘nother world. I’m a man not afraid of his heart anymore. And you are my girl. I can see things growing wild and free with you in my life. TRACK 4. LOVE Upbeat tempo. You may need your dancing shoes for this one. You’ll at least wear your chair out! An ode to love using what Christians describe as acts of Jesus. Turn water to wine. Who did that? Jesus did. Who is your maker? Jesus is. Who will meet you wherever you are? Jesus will. Who will teach you 42| SmoothJazz Magazine
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CD Reviews how to talk? Jesus will. Who will teach you how to walk? Jesus will. For me, this is an Ode to Jesus. Why? Because Jesus is love. To me there is no greater love than the love of Jesus. The Lyrics: All my people make some noise. It’s your hour to rejoice. Tell your neighbors and your friends. Let your future begin. What you want, what you need is love. Meet your maker everyday. Better hurry, don’t delay. Love will teach you how to talk. Love will keep you together and help you walk. Love is never too hard to find. Turn your water into wine. Love will meet you where you live so get ready, you better give in. What you want, what you need is love. What you want, what your whole world needs is love.
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CD Reviews TRACK 5. PRAISE A praise break of finding your truth. Laying aside all weight to include our pride, the lies that we live, . . . It’s a reality check that all that we seek can be found in Jesus. (I’m Christian, thus my views will be based on my personal beliefs.) It’s an invitation to live your dreams, find peace, love and joy. It all lies within God. He’s standing at the door, awaiting all who wish to enter into His world and live their lives in Him. All you gotta do is lift your praise.
The Lyrics: Let the night find you. Don’t be afraid. Swallow your pride and be thankful before it’s too late. Do you wanna feel my love? Do you wanna make your dreams come true? Then you gotta lift your praise or just live with these lies. It’s a waste of time to be hateful when love’s all the same. You’d be wise to be grateful or it’s just a charade. You make it what you want it to be. Without love it’s a crime. How could you be right for so long and be losing your mind? Do you wanna feel my love? Do you wanna make your dreams come true? Then you gotta lift your praise or just live with these lies. Do you wanna feel my love? Do you wanna feel my love? Do you wanna feel my love? Do you wanna feel my love? 44| SmoothJazz Magazine
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CD Reviews Do you wanna live your dreams? Do you wanna find peace? Do you want my love and my joy? Then open that door. Do you want your life? Living in mine? It’s right here. It’s right now waiting inside. Do you wanna feel my love? Hey, yay. Lift up your praise. Do you wanna make your dreams come true? Can you reach the sky? Then you gotta lift your praise. Gotta lift it. Gotta lift up your praise for the rest of your days. . . . If there was any question about whether LOVE was about Jesus, PRAISE follows up as confirmation. In whom else do you find your dreams, love, and peace? Who else is deserving of praise? For me, that is just Jesus. Only Jesus. TRACK 6. LIE TO ME This song was a hit right out the gate. Line dances have been created. Instagram is on fire with videos of consumers listening and singing, bobbing their heads to this beat. It’s a song explaining that he’s ready to love her, with no necessary changes. There is no need to be untruthful about anything. He’s accepting of who she is, as she is. His dream woman fits him Nov/Dec Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 45
CD Reviews perfectly and he’s ready to make her his wife.
The Lyrics: Hey girl, it’s a matter of fact. I think that you amazingly fit the fundamental parts of me. And girl we should never look back. I only want the best for you. And I respect everything that you been through. Sugar, that’s the way it should be. I’ll never try to change who you are. Take a look around you. Tell me baby can’t you see that I loved you right from the start. You wear the crown in my heart. And you ain’t gotta lie to me. You don’t gotta lie to me. . . . I’m ready to love you babe. You don’t have to change a thing. I already got the ring. I’m ready to wife you, girl. So baby just roll with me. Let the wind hit your back. Step into the sun. What’s done is done and when it’s over it’s over baby. Why don’t we kick back and relax. There’s nothing over our shoulder. I give Him praise everyday. TRACKS 7 & 11. LIVE OUT YOUR LOVE (11 features Toni Braxton) The lyrics are a little different on each version, but each depicts one acknowledging that one is in love again - perhaps with their longtime lover or maybe even with someone new. This newness and freshness of being in love ooze throughout the lyrics. Hang in there through the good and bad times, through the ups and downs and that in love feeling will come back around. Or if it truly is new, then the heart has found its home. The Lyrics: Everyday I wake up in my feelings for you. And I imagine all the ways I wanna love you, girl. This aching it’s divine and it’s taking me back in time to the moment we met and how I waited for you to tell me all these little things about you. Like Purple Rain that’s your favorite movie. And you were made in heaven just for me. 46| SmoothJazz Magazine
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CD Reviews I’m in love again. Girl, you keep the game switched up. I’m in love again. Yeah, you got the magic touch. I’m in love again. I’ll do whatever you want me to do. I’m in love again, with you. Girl, the way you opened up was so honest and true. Cause I’m no longer in this world without you. Maybe I’m stuck in time. Or maybe your heart’s right at home next to mine. Hey girl, why you’d stay with me through all the ups and downs in life and love is a mystery. You’ve got guts. And you’re amazing. And I’m not just your man, I’m your baby. I’m in love again. Girl, you keep the game switched up. I’m in love again. Yeah, you got the magic touch. I’m in love again. I’ll do whatever you want me to do. I’m in love again, with you, girl. Live out your love. Live out your dreams. I give you my heart, girl, I’m yours eternally. Live out your love. Faithfully. Girl, here in your arms is where I want to be. Live out your love. Live out your love. . . . If you want it baby. If you need it girl. Get your love. Live out your love. Live out your love. You better get your love. TRACKS 8 & 12 LOVE ALWAYS WINS (12 features Erica Campbell) (An Al Green, blues-ey, churchy feel). The title track, Love Always Wins, encourages us that God’s love is what helps us to always win. No matter what is going on in the world, God’s love always wins. While the love of our friends, family, or lover can be a joy to experience, there is nothing like the love that God grants to His children. We can’t wash it off, we can’t mess up so badly that He decides not to love us. He comes through with an unconditional love, picks us up, cleans us off. He pours his love onto and into us and it overflows, running through us and over us. His love for us is the love that always wins. 48| SmoothJazz Magazine Let the music take you… Nov/Dec
CD Reviews The Lyrics: Well my friends, I’ve been thinking about my life. And I feel like I’m living on borrowed time, alright. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thankful. There’s so much more to give. There’s a time to laugh, a time to weep. The time has come for you and me to be whole again. Aint’ no mystery that love, love, love. Love has laid his hands on me. And quite simply, as far as I can see, hey. After all the hell that’s been, love always wins. Am I talking to you? See I wanna know how you feel about your life. I’m talking about your life now. I can feel your hurt, all your suffering and pain. I know you want to change. Yeah, we gonna change. Come on somebody. There’ a season of hope upon us y’all, alright. The fate of the world’s passing by. Yes it is, hey. So I’ll be there for you. You’ll be there for me. We’ll turn it around. We gon’ walk it out, hey. Into the sunrise. Ain’t no mystery, yeah, that love alright, love has laid his hands on you and hands on me, baby. And quite simply as far as I can see. We been to hell and back again, hey. And love will always win. I sense a change in the tide. I hear the waves rolling in. In spite of all that’s been happening. Love always. You see there’s something in the air y’all . A mighty shift in the wind. In the face of this world, in the heart of this land, love always wins. TRACK 9. FRIEND TODAY (Country guitar) With so much toil and strife going on in the world, our beings are struggling for survival. We’re being quickened in our spirits. Our morals and values are causing Nov/Dec Let the music take you… SmoothJazz Magazine | 49
CD Reviews us to choose a side. There are only two choices right or wrong. We will either walk out of this period of time on the right side of history or we will go down in history as a loser. The tide is turning. The Lyrics: Ripped straight from the headlines, the devil’s on every page. Keep away from the spotlight. Cause people are drifting away. And I just wonder if you’re my friend today. There’s a roll like thunder. They’re killing our babies, Lord. They’re headed straight for the border and we can no longer ignore it. I just wonder what the hell we’re fighting for. The crowd’s been running in place like ain’t no one else around. But you and I, we get by. And how much love won’t it take before it all comes burning down. It ain’t right. And I just wonder . . . I just wonder. I wonder if you’re my friend today. TRACK 10. CAN’T STOP GIVING LOVE A smooth dance tune. Upbeat. Make you move in your seat. Bob your head. Snap your fingers. This song will have you singing the chorus over and over in your head. . . . You can’t stop giving love. Cause love will show you right. The Lyrics: You feeling the pressure and I feel your attitude. We should be coming together. Something strange is coming over you. We all live our storied lives. We’re on the world stage. It’s your right. It’s your life. It’s your problem. But love conquers hate. We can’t wait. That’s why you can’t stop giving love, baby. You can’t stop giving love is life. You 50| SmoothJazz Magazine Let the music take you… Nov/Dec
CD Reviews can’t stop giving love, darling. Cause love will, love will show you right. You think you’re so much smarter. Then please tell me why. ‘Cause you’re making it harder and harder, to just keep living right. Baby, take your religion, ‘cause it ain’t no friend of mine. Sitting here claiming the good Lord’s name, without love it ain’t bonafide. That’s why you can’t stop giving love, baby. You can’t stop giving love is life. You can’t stop giving love, hey. Cause love will, love will show you right... Bravo, Kem! Bravo! The love that you’re wearing looks good on you. Your growth as an artist is evident throughout this album. You’ve managed to escape the monotony of each album sounding like the last one. Take a bow, Sir. You deserve a standing ovation on this one. Every single song should be a hit! This is an example and exhibit of when God puts His hands upon you and you surrender to His love and guidance that excellence shall spring forth. Why? Because God’s LOVE ALWAYS WINS.
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E N A R COLT TO
MONTGOMERY
"It's a mixture of Smooth & Bebop jazz for your relaxation to free our mind from tension and anxiety.” 52| SmoothJazz Magazine
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New CD Releases 2020
David Garfielf “Outside The Box” 10/30/20 BUY
Gail Jhonson “Joy” 10/30/20 BUY
Gillian Margot “Power Flower” 10/23/20 BUY
Jamie Cullum “Pianoman at Christmas” 10/20/20 BUY
Warren Wolf “Christmas Vibes” 09/18/20 BUY
Keith Jarrett “Budapest Concert” 09/18/20 BUY
Lionel Loueke “HH” 09/11/20 BUY
Yola Nash “Touched By Love” 8/26/20 BUY
Rickie Monie “Inspirational Melodies” 04/10/20 BUY
CD Reviews By: Keivu G. Knox
For almost forty years, flutist Alexander Zonjic has crafted a career that has seen him consistently give of his time and his talent. From playing with Bob James and Jeff Lorber to hosting a very successful morning radio show to overseeing countless jazz festivals, Zonjic has been able to keep his name near the forefront of contemporary and smooth jazz. After an eleven year hiatus, he is back with a new album, whose name, "Playing It Forward," fits his career and style perfectly. On this eleven song project produced by the legendary Jeff Lorber, Zonjic enlists some heavy hitters to join him for the ride, and if there is one word that best describes the ride, is groovin'! On "Jazz Cafe," the album's opener, we find some great interplay between Zonjic and great horn work by David Man over an uptempo number that also breaks into some clever fusion arrangements by the end of the song. The pace picks up even further on the next track, "Benita" which has guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. , complementing the great melody. 54| SmoothJazz Magazine
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CD Reviews On the album's first single, the vibrant "Motor City Sway" co written and produced by Pieces of a Dream's keyboardist James Lloyd and prodigy newcomer Justin Lee Shultz, the musicians mosey on over to the R&B genre, dishing out a sound that is the quintessential Detroit ball room step dancing anthem. It has received great reviews so far, and is one of the most added songs to radio as of late.
On the track entitled "Mosaic" we find a piece of music history, as the late great Chuck Loeb plays his signature guitar over this mid-tempo cut that he also wrote. It's one of the last recordings of Loeb but it is far from a somber moment, as he and Zonjic are lock step with each other over yet another melodic groove. In between the original songs, there are a few covers that are transformed from their original versions, adding another layer of musicianship to the project. On the jazz standard "Nature Boy" Zonjic and the band turn the song into an all-out party that is driven by Gary Novak on drums. Zonjic takes a chance on Bob James' "Night Crawler" that has just enough funk to make you forget that it's a cover. Nov/Dec Let the music take you‌ SmoothJazz Magazine | 55
CD Reviews On the Jethro Tull song "Living In The Past," which features a 5/4 arrangement, Zonjic's flute paces the melody quite well as the track weaves throughout key changes. Arguably the most memorable cover is the album's closer, Adele's international hit, "Rolling in the Deep." While Zonjic's flute holds down the melody, the Detroit choir Selected of God provides background and complimentary vocals that showcase the power and the grace of the group. With the right mix of covers and original tunes, all wrapped in memorable melodies and music, "Playing It Forward" is sure to be an album that will present Alexander Zonjic to a new wave of listeners and fans. As the holidays are approaching, expect this album to be a true gift that keeps on giving, well into the new year.
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