Talking Smooth Jazz

FLAUTIST ERIC EVANS

Kevin Whalum's "One Life to Love" takes you back to the groove…takes you back to the days when music was SAYING something to you while you bobbed your head. Not BEAT-driven, but GROOVE-driven, this CD was produced by George Duke & Rex Rideout.

Saxophonist Phil Denny, has a long history of performing in the Mid-West as the front man and founder of the Lansing, MI based group, Too Smooth For Notes. For the last several years, Phil has been developing and honing in on his individuality on the sax while cultivating a diverse fan base and building an impressive resume. Having played with notable artists including Kirk Whalum, Tim Bowman, Gail Jhonson, Lalah Hathaway, Orrick Ewing and even had a memorable jam session with Stevie Wonder. Phil began playing the saxophone at age 12 as part of the public school band program and knew early on that music would most certainly be a life-long interest. Recently, music has become a way of life as Phil stepped down as vice president for a mortgage brokerage company after 7 years of service the industry. Phil has been known for his engaging live performances and command while on stage. In July, Phil released his first single "Sway Back" from his highly anticipated debut album "Urgings of Soul" expected to be released later this year. If you have not heard Phil live and in action, be sure to witness for yourself soon.

Nils’ success in the smooth jazz genre has somewhat obscured his dynamic background as a versatile R&B/pop guitarist. Nils' latest Release, What The Funk?, features Ricky Lawson on drums, Alex Al and Reggie McBride on bass, Oliver Brown on percusion and Clydene Jsackson on keyboards and vocals.

Vincent Ingala has accomplished much in his 17 years. His talent and passion for music have been evident since he was a toddler and he continues to pursue his musical goals with determination and zeal. He has become a multi-instrumentalist, excelling on the saxophone, guitar, drums, keyboard and vocals. He also composes and records his original music, playing all of the instruments himself. His debut CD, “North End Soul”, which he produced himself, contains six of his original compositions.

Tune in for part 2 of our October 23rd interview with Andre Delano.

Jeanette started playing the piano at the age of 7 and the saxophone when she was ten. She connected with the sax right away and soon realized that people enjoyed hearing her play. During high school, Jeanette played lead alto in Roosevelt’s jazz band, marching band and Latin jazz band. She also played piano in the Fresno City College Latin Jazz band her Junior and Senor year in high school. After high school, Jeanette went to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston where she graduated with a Bachelor in music performance. She has been rockin’ the stage ever since. In 2005, Jeanette was recognized as a “Shooting Star” and nominated for “Best Jazz Instrumentalist” by the L.A Black Music Awards. She returns to Talking Smooth Jazz with a new cd, Saxified.

Nicholas Cole is an electrifying keyboardist with an old school flair inundated with a 21tst century swagger. At the age of seventeen, Nicholas possesses a maturity in skills that is both explosive and intoxicating.

Jonathan Fritzen returns to talk about his new cd, Diamonds.

Guitarist, composer and producer, Marc Antoine, received his first guitar when he was 11 years old which quickly became his third arm. We welcome Marc to Talking Smooth Jazz to talk about his new cd, My Classical Way.

Talking Smooth Jazz welcomes Carl "C-Man" Anderson, a vigorous and resourceful musician, innovative producer, adaptable singer, and self-taught drummer extraordinaire. As a youth, C-MAN was one of the founding members of local Go-Go style band, OCCUPATION, and youth gospel group, UNIFIED. He has performed on over 15 recordings with various artists. Throughout his childhood, his budding talents allowed him to proudly travel beside his father, the late Evangelist, KENNNETH FREDERICK ANDERSON, SR., and the gospel quartet sensation the DYNAMIC TRAVELERS of Annapolis, MD (of which his father was a founding member). These experiences would later prove to be the foundation of who we now know to be the “solid drummer with the quick foot.”

Talking Smooth Jazz welcomes Andre Delano. Andre has demonstrated his amazing ability to woo a crowd with his saxophone time and time again. His live performances are energetic and dynamic with an incredible sensual undertone that is quite surreal. It is no wonder why his upcoming project “My So Fine,” is a collection of 14 original songs with a mix of vocals and instrumentals that will turn an evening with a slight romantic spark into a night of hot passionate fire.

The Mark Harper Project & The Mark Harper Acoustic Band are exciting to see and listen to. The Acoustic Band, specializing in Jazz, Latin Jazz, CuBop and other styles of music, gives you raw excellence with great musical imagery. The Mark Harper Project provides that same imagery through Jazz, R&B, and wonderful vocal ballads. Mark had been a member of Smooth Jazz Bassist of the Year, Wayman Tisdale's band, having toured with him for 7 years. Mark also spent two years with Tower of Power as lead guitarist and background vocalist.

"There should be some type of bridge built between contemporary jazz lovers and fans of Hip-Hop and R&B music" says international jazz saxophone sensation Joe Johnson and nowhere is that belief more evident than on "Life of the Party" his latest smooth jazz release from YASNY Labels Group. It is an amazing CD overflowing with hard -hitting urban grooves ,soulful slow jams, and funky smooth jazz interpretations of some of Hip -Hop and R&B's greatest hits. Join us for our interview with Joe about his After Party and Life of the Party cds.

Guitarist David Becker's new cd Batavia, takes listeners on a powerful personal musical journey chronicling events leading up to his families' captivity and liberation during WWII in Indonesia and Holland. Milwaukee born guitar veteran, Maurice Johnson first gained notice in 1985 shortly after forming the Oklahoma City based, “After Five” band. Today, Maurice’s focus has turned back to his love of music with the recent release of his "Tonight" CD, and is currently producing under the artist-owned, Jazz Drops Records label.