Talking Smooth Jazz

Absorb the impact of his paintings, and instantly you are moved to hear some accompanying musical score, which cushions the picture far more suitably than any frame could ever accomplish. At the canvas, each brush stroke is kin to the notes he tenders at the guitar – “…empty space is everything; silence is the very canvas through which we might hear an angel’s trumpet or the harps-of-heaven or muses calling from within the depths of the heart …” His current cd, Painting The Music, is produced by two time Grammy winning producter Paul Brown and features Grammy award winning singer Patti Austin.

Carol Ray is the manager for smooth jazz guitarist, Nick Colionne. Monica Hart is the manager for bassist, Russel Blake. We have interviewed both of these artists on Talking Smooth Jazz. Now, we talk to their managers about what they were doing before, how they met the artists and the pros and cons of being managers.

Justin Young returns with two new cds: Nothin' But Love and a Christmas cd, Home For The Holidays. This is a rescheduled show.

Her debut CD "From My Soul" has something for everyone, with stirring soulful vocal showcases such as "Won't Be Your Plaything" to the surprising amped funk masterpiece "I Wanna Funk It Up." The latter features funkadelic vocal and saxophone effects, reminiscent of Zapp and Roger, Prince or the Isleys. You'll want to dim the lights as the album turns seductive with Ava's luscious tenor saxophone on the aptly-named "Soft and Silky".

Mbandi was born in Limbe (formally Victoria), a small Cameroonian seaside town on the Atlantic coast of West Africa. Influenced by his African childhood and western upbringing, Mbandi’s music embraces gently flowing melodies as well as exotic rhythms that refresh like a tropical breeze. Mbandi is a 21st century composer who has been able to tap into a seemingly endless source of inspiration. Song after song, album after albmu, Mbandi continues to mesmerize fans all over the world. His music transcends borders, cultures and language and has found a place in the hearts of fans from all walks of life, ages, religions and cultures.

The innovator of urban jazz is back with his new album - Mind Over Matter. It's another layer of sophistication and polish to Najee's substantial, diverse body of work. Guest appearances by Jeff Lorber and Eric Benet.

Talking Smooth Jazz welcomes NuGroove recording artist dee Brown to talk about his sophomore cd "A Little Elbow Room." The cd includes noted musicians such as Nate Harasim on keyboards, Dezie Mccullers, Jr. on saxophone, Gerard Brooks on vocals, and the production, musical and writing skills of Darren Rahn.

Vision Jazz is Burt Shur (Drums/Percussion) and Chuck Leichner (Keyboardist/Composer). The band was formed in 2007 by two of the best musicians in the Denver area to explore and create contemporary jazz fusion music. VISION JAZZ plays a blend of Funk Jazz, Fusion Jazz, and Latin Jazz. VISION JAZZ just released their first CD "Distant Visions". In addition to their original songs, the main genre is the best of contemporary jazz fusion. Capturing such great artist as Dave Grusin, David Sanborn, Yellow Jackets, and Jeff Lorber to name a few. The music is timeless and memorable.

SAXOPHONIST SKI JOHNSON

Justin Young returns with two new cds: Nothin' But Love and a Christmas cd, Home For The Holidays.

Jazz violinist Jerald Daemyon rose to fame in the mid-90's with his debut album, Thinking of You. His urban-contemporary R&B sound was an instant airplay request and commercial sales success and achieved national recognition as a chart topping smash on Billboard’s Magazine’s Urban and Contemporary Jazz Charts earning Best Contemporary Jazz Album, 1997.

Karen Devroop (pronounced Car-ren) is a rising star in the smooth jazz genre. He is a saxophonist and pianist from South Africa and currently residing in the US. Reminiscing is his debut album as a saxophonist and producer.

Tom's latest project, "Endless Highway," highlights Braxton as a composer, producer and arranger. We welcome Tom to talk about this new album and his career playing in the late bassist Wayman Tisdale's band.

Russel Blake's returns to Talking Smooth Jazz with a new album, Fierce Solitude.

One of the most versatile and cosmopolitan saxophonists in pop, soul and contemporary jazz for nearly 20 years, Michael Paulo has added his distinct saxpertise to a virtual who's who of artists, including Al Jarreau (Paulo's longest term touring association), James Ingram, No. 1 Smooth Jazz Trumpeter and guitarist Rick Braun and Peter White, Oleta Adams, Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin, Jeffrey Osborne, Jeff Lorber, David Benoit, Carl Anderson, Bobby Caldwell, Johnny Mathis and more. We will talk to Michael about his current project, Beautiful.