New Arrivals
- Amandus
- Poolbar
- Amandus Records
- Michael 'Storm' Baskins
- Cool Is Back
- Storm Baskins Music
- Bob Coate
- Forward Flow
- BobCoate.com
- Craigology
- Swell!
- School of Craigology
- Mike Di Lorenzo
- Slo' Jams
- Keep The Groove
- Steve Oliver
- A New Light
- Wide Sky Records
- Shawn Raiford
- The Next Step
- Shawn Raiford Sax Productions
- Roman Street
- Mayan Sky
- Roman Street Music
Listening Loft : HOTPICKS
The son of a drummer who played with Sonny Rollins and Aretha Franklin, Michael “Storm” Baskins was already skilled playing jazz drums in his teens but was having a tough time mastering R&B. At a gig one night, the legendary Elvin Jones gave him prophetic advice: “Listen to feel. Feel to listen.” Years later, after enjoying dual careers as a drummer and IT professional, Baskins continues full throttle into his Smooth Jazz career. His perfectly titled 2nd album, COOL IS BACK features colorful lead sax and piano melodies and exciting excursions into traditional jazz, Miles Davis vibes, cool urban funk and inspiring gospel-jazz. This one's a must for your playlist!
Veteran gospel/jazz singer James Bowman III offers inspiration on a multitude of levels in his life and career. Having survived a tumultuous childhood and homelessness, he earned a master’s degree and has built a resume playing drums with Brian McKnight and jazz and gospel greats like Virtue, Mervyn Warren and Eric Essix while opening for Tramaine Hawkins, Edwin Hawkins, BeBe and CeCe Winans and Kirk Franklin. Closing in on 20 years since his debut album EXPERIENCE: MY PERSPECTIVE, the devout Christian artist makes a lilting, soulful appeal to our higher natures on his new single “Better.” Combining his soothing lead vocals with soaring female gospel singers, the emotional piano driven ballad reassures us that even with our profound disagreements, we can and need to become “one people, one mind.”
Grounded in and driven by a mutual love of God and a deep appreciation for life, the artist-producer partnership of keyboardist/composer Patrick Bradley and 29-time Billboard #1 hitmaker Darren Rahn continues to mine sonically fresh, funky cool and dazzlingly performed Smooth Jazz magic. The title of Bradley’s latest album GRATITUDE – like most of the highly engaging tunes on the collection - reflects his recommitment to walking the walk of a higher calling while traversing doubt and spiritual uncertainty during a bout with a life-threatening illness. The multi-talented Bradley’s literal “come to Jesus” moment bears incredible musical fruit via concepts all rooted in spirituality – including reflective ballads, bluesy overtones, open-hearted up-tempo vibes, celebratory rhythms and even a super Beatlesque, East Indian jazz rocker.
Back in his pre-Smooth Jazz Days, keyboardist/composer Mike DiLorenzo played famous NYC venues (Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, et al) and toured with the likes of Gerald Alston and Bo Diddley. Having also played behind the late great Whitney Houston and her gospel singer mom Cissy ensures that Di Lorenzo is an ace at vibing with soulful singers, and he puts that experience to work on his latest EP SLO’ JAMS with five gorgeous, seductive mood-setting ballads featuring the sensual, vocals of Anna Moore. Though her inviting voice takes precedence, his intricate sonic details, easy grooves and a dreamy ambience make this EP a modern 'Quiet Storm' delight. It’s likely this will be the most musically romantic 19 minutes you’ll enjoy all year!
It’s doubtful that the dynamic multi-generational duo of Nathan and Noah East could have anticipated it when they recorded their funky and bluesy, wildly improvisational hipster swing through Benny Golson’s 1960 classic “Killer Joe.” But in the wake of the legendary bebop saxophonist’s passing in September, the third single from Nathan and Noah’s upcoming FATHER SON album grooves and inspires as a brilliant contemporary tribute. Their original intention – an homage to both Quincy Jones who made the song famous and President Joe Biden – still stands as well! Driven by Noah’s powerhouse organ, Greg Phillinganes’ super-melodic piano solos and Nathan’s breezy rhythms and dreamy vocal repetition of the title, the track also features a soulful elevating flute solo by the great Hubert Laws, who played on the original Q version!
A multi-talented Berklee grad who became the first female bandleader to have a weekly residency at Wally’s Jazz Café in Boston, vocalist and songwriter Whitney Jones released her debut EP HIGHER in 2017, the same year she co-wrote and provided backing vocals for CeCe Peniston’s #2 Billboard hit “Purple Funk.” Viewing music as a beacon of hope and empowerment to uplift and inspire, she showcases her vocal passion on her ultra-romantic, urban jazz song, “Under the Moonlight” – the lead single from her upcoming full-length debut BASED ON REALITY. Over a steady and smooth funk groove provided by renowned rhythm section Mel Brown and Ira King, Jones sings optimistically about how love can make us feel like we’re blissfully sailing away with our dreams. Marcus Williams’ fiery electric guitar solo adds an edge and emotional gravitas to the successfully charting tune.
Over the course of his multi-faceted 15-year recording career, Reza Khan has enjoyed several radio friendly Smooth Jazz hits, including one with Nils. Yet the Bangladesh-born, NYC based composer/guitarist’s unique, freewheeling stylistic fusion includes elements of pop, jazz, soul and global influences. His world jazz guitar vibe comes to full creative fruition on the perfectly titled MYSTICAL, which finds him and longtime co-writer, arranger and producer, saxophonist David Mann, imagining a magical album featuring infectious pieces written with specific contemporary jazz greats in mind. Khan’s incredible skills as a musician and magnetism as a studio visionary attracted a dream guest list that includes Bob James, Jimmy Haslip, Philippe Saisse, Mark Egan, Jeff Lorber and Keiko Matsui – who join with Khan to create special collaborations for the ages.
When keyboardist/composer Jeff Logan first reached out to Paul Brown, the Grammy-winning hitmaker was first intrigued by the decades Logan had toiled as a corrections officer while developing his craft. When Brown heard his graceful and infectious, radio friendly compositions and lively piano style, he signed on to produce one song, which quickly evolved into Logan’s new album INDIGO, a tour-de-force collaboration that strikes Smooth Jazz gold. While showcasing Logan’s fresh, ultra-melodic touch on the piano and exciting sense of improvisation, the 10 fanciful, romantically inclined tracks create a dazzling, lightly funky flow that puts a hip, modern twist on a classic contemporary jazz piano sound that may remind listeners of classic tracks by David Benoit, Brian Culbertson and Gregg Karukas.
After releasing ILLUMINATE in 2018, Steve Oliver engaged in some cool side projects, including a popular duet album with Brian Simpson and a set of acoustic re-imaginings of his greatest hits. Now, the prolific Smooth Jazz hitmaker a journalist once called “musical Disneyland” (for his sunny personality and composing style) is back in snappy, melodic and sonically adventurous radio-friendly mode with A NEW LIGHT. Perfectly in line with his other instantly infectious albums with similarly light-bearing titles, the collection – co-produced by genre mega-hitmaker Michael Broening – offers a blend of funky-breezy drive time jams, gently caressing ballads (one featuring saxman Jeff Kashiwa) and exciting dashes of percussive exotica featuring the one-two punch of his dynamic strings and trademark dreamy wordless and percussive vocals.
Since dropping his 2018 debut EMBRACE, San Francisco Bay Area saxophonist Jeff Ryan has been such an impactful force on Smooth Jazz, collaborating with hit makers Paul Brown, Greg Manning and Darren Rahn. His latest collection, INTO FOCUS, is his third full length album. Complementing four recent radio hits with tracks reflecting his overall tender romantic aesthetic and passion for blues/soul and brassy Tower of Power energy, the album’s title reflects the great reality that everything in Ryan’s life is indeed coming into focus – the direction of his music, his life priorities with a solid target set on touring and performing live around the world. The young sax star is posed to take the globe by storm with a beautiful tone, raw energy, and exciting entertainment skills coming INTO FOCUS!
In addition to being a three-time Billboard chart topper, versatile flutist Kim Scott has that mega Renaissance woman thing going full-tilt, excelling at everything from being host of the syndicated “Kim Scott’s Block Party Radio” to being a flute professor at the Alabama School of Fine Arts and giving clinics and master classes in the U.S. and internationally. Closing in on 15 years as a Smooth Jazz artist, she vibes with co-writer and producer Greg Manning on her latest single “Freedom” to bring an exotic, rhythmically amapiano sensibility to the energy behind her percussive flute melody. Scott conveys a sense of creative and spiritual liberation via the classic South African elements of deep house grooves, soul vibes, kwaito (African house) and log drum basslines.
Listening Loft : MUST HAVES
It’s listed as a “Fun Fact” on her bio, but when you listen to multi-talented, genre-busting (blues, jazz, pop soul) pianist, vocalist and composer/producer Jill Butler’s aptly titled, wildly and adventurous debut JOYRIDE, you’ll know it’s truly her ongoing mission – devoting 100% of her time to uplifting the soul and uniting hearts through music. She brings her fiery and frolicsome, homegrown Louisiana lightning to a slate featuring both shimmering, percussive piano driven originals (including tributes to her professional musician parents and regional legend Carol Fran) and fanciful twists on classics by Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Charlie Chaplain and New Orleans great Allen Toussaint. While ensembling with a cadre of Louisiana Music Hall of Famers, Butler also spins fascinating flute, vibes and organ sounds on her synth.
Talk about a festive, and forward-thinking blast of inspiration to start the new year! Vibing out to keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist Bob Coate’s perfectly titled high-energy romp “Forward Flow,” it’s hard to believe the former IT guy launched his recording career four years ago with a batch of easy-breezy, chillout tunes. Reflecting the propulsive momentum of his career trajectory since then, the new track continues the fruitful collaboration between Coate, his incredible producers Peet Ferencz (Peet Project) and Smoothjazz.com Global founder Sandy Shore, and blazing saxophonist Peter Herold (formerly with the Peet Project). Coate’s first single with that team, “Love Like That,” hit #3 on the Top 100 Smooth Jazz charts for Spain and Latin America! The freewheeling sax and keyboard solos complement the magical movement of the tune!
Now recording under the single moniker DiAngelis after releasing his 2021 debut album FRANKLY as Frank di Angeles, Dutch composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist brings two instantly identifiable trademarks to his ultra-melodic, funked up blend of jazz, pop and R&B – incredible female vocals and an aesthetic he calls the “Steely Dan principle,” always choosing the best (fellow Dutch) musicians rather than working with a fixed lineup. Besides Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, DiAngelis’ other influences include Toto, Level 42, Boz Scaggs and musicians Jeff Porcaro and Mark King. Fueled by spirited grooves, soaring atmospheres and fiery horns, his vibrant, high octane new single “Now Is Everything” finds his chorus of female vocalists offering a bright, optimistic message of perseverance and self-reliance, building towards a rousing crescendo.
An extremely prolific artist who has gifted the genre with incredible 20+ singles over the past few years, keyboardist/composer Rei Narita is renowned as Asia’s foremost pioneer of Smooth Jazz. He is also a true sound painter, creating different moods on each track based on his varying grooves, lead and harmonic instrumentation and lush synth atmospheres. Narita’s latest gem – and first of 2025 - “Engine Telegraph” is a warm, breezy and caressing tune featuring multi-genre, world-class drummer Omar Hakim and veteran woodwind player Nelson Rangell taking a soaring lead on his trademark flute over the adventurous pianist’s beautiful piano flourishes and dreamy ambience. This grand musical voyage is another wonderful collaboration with both Hakim and Rangell... Perfectly suited for Narita's limitless imagination.
Equally renowned for his high-profile touring associations (Bobby Caldwell, Smokey Robinson, Norman Brown) and being a multi-faceted solo artist, saxophonist and master horn arranger Andrew Neu has been on a prolific roll since returning to Smooth Jazz in 2022 after dropping his critically acclaimed big band album CATWALK. In addition to four chart-topping singles, he’s recorded with Carol Albert, Brian Bromberg, Blake Aaron, Adam Hawley and Peter White. Equating songs to children that mature into what they are destined to be, Neu’s wildly infectious, funkified, brass-drenched single “Living Your Best Life," co-written and produced by Greg Manning, is a fiery, danceable celebration of the truth that music is integral to making all our lives better – created and performed by artists to make the world a more amazing place.
If any Smooth Jazz great should be FEELIN’ GOOD, it’s super guitarist, composer, and producer Nils, whose accolade-filled two decade run includes having his hit “Pacific Coast Highway” chosen Billboard’s Song of the Decade and Nils himself being named the #1 Smooth Jazz Airplay Artist for 2021 and 2023. FEELIN’ GOOD is the perfect title for an engaging, uplifting album infused with the prolific artist’s trademark sense of adventure, alternating between snappy, crunchy funk-filled jaunts and sly, moody seductions - all wrapped in the colorful, brass-tinged bow of the cool dynamite he brings to an Earth, Wind & Fire classic. Nils builds on the intricacy of his electric guitar with tasty sonic production details and killer performances from an ensemble featuring Mitch Forman (piano) and Johnny Britt (Rhodes, vocals, horns).
In addition to having the great distinction of being a cousin of the legendary Dizzy Gillespie, world traveling pianist and keyboardist Ken Powe is a true Renaissance Man who has worked in multiple genres besides Smooth Jazz (hip hop, hard bop, fusion, gospel), and is a published author/novelist and has acted on TV. He follows his multi-faceted 2023 album ON THE LEVEL with the beautiful, light bearing “Kiss the Morning,” a grand, classic-styled elegant and easy flowing, funk ballad with glistening grand piano keys and dazzling glissandos reflective of Powe’s background as a concert pianist. Fans of Brian Culbertson will love the blend of beauty and groove which is designed to evoke images of waking up to a sunrise, smitten by love.
Renowned Sacramento, California saxophonist Shawn Raiford calls his ever-evolving live ensemble the SRE (Shawn Raiford Experience) because – drawing on his passions for contemporary jazz, R&B, gospel, rock and pop – that’s what the multi-talented performer promises every time they take the stage. Four and a half years since his debut album MAN WITH A HORN, Raiford’s ready for THE NEXT STEP in his career with a stylistically diverse, in the pocket collection that finds him exploring fresh, expansive emotional territory with sizzling, seductive horn-drenched originals and instantly engaging, absolutely essential re-imaginings of hits and classics by Bruno Mars/Silk Sonic, Santana and Herb Alpert. Raiford set the stage with three lead singles throughout 2023 and 2024 – and now, rewards our patience with a payoff that’s off the charts!
With influences ranging from 80’s pop and R&B hitmakers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Nick Martinelli to international jazz-funk fusion greats Shakatak and Mezzoforte, veteran Norwegian keyboardist, composer and producer Frank Hestness – aka Franko Spero – has created fascinating vibes that have evolved from high-energy chill to the tight, in the pocket, more robust piano and hypnotic synth driven funk/soul he stirs up on his third collection, IT’S TIME. Though he’s never released a full-length album, Spero has graced Smooth Jazz with hip thematic concepts in EPs for his shorter collections, introducing himself to the genre with SIGNING IN and then taking his artistry ONE STEP AHEAD. Likewise, every track on this robustly performed, improvisation-filled new set features titles with phrases related to time.
The story finally unfolds for veteran New York based producer and composer John Smatla on this highly anticipated Ultrablue collection, NEW YORK STORIES. After bringing the rhythmically pleasing musical brand into the digital era in 2022, the project has been enjoying tremendous radio airplay and streaming success with hits like "Maria In Blue," "Herbie" and "We Were In Love." In the current iteration of Ultrablue, Smatla assumes full artistic control and continues his fascinating and sophisticated jazz collective with top east coast session musicians and special all-star contributors including Chieli Minucci, Randy Brecker, David Mann, Joel Rosenblatt, New York Voices, and Eric Knight. Ultrablue's in-the-pocket, keyboard-driven tracks combine Brazilian, Latin and African rhythms and textures into an easy funk vibe, yielding an ultra romantic and cosmopolitan flow. We get the impression that the story is just beginning!
Talk about creative visualization! Capping a prolific decade as a recording artist, U.S. Air Force veteran and composer/saxophonist R.L. Walker’s latest album COLORIZED invites listeners to create mental images of the compelling eight-song journey. His hope is that this will help listeners connect with the emotions he conveys as he mood swings from popping mid-tempo funk and crunch-grooving jams to sweetly reflective ballads (including an ultra-sexy Whispers cover). As Walker, who developed his alternately crisp/edgy and silky soul vibes in South Korean clubs and talent shows while stationed overseas, says, “Music gives color to the air of the moment.” With tracks produced by Walker and longtime collaborator Lew Laing, Jr., the sonically exciting set includes tracks featuring special guests vocalist Castella, Gerey Johnson on acoustic guitar and bassist Christian de Mesones.
Voted Houston’s Best Male Jazz Performer in 2023, versatile drummer Pat Williams is a local legend who has been a bandleader (The Pat Williams Group) as well as a mentor in his hometown for 30 years. He has laid the groundwork for his 2020s emergence in Smooth Jazz by performing with everyone from the late Joe Sample, Bob James and Marion Meadows to Eric Darius, Bobby Lyle and Regina Belle. Completing something of a clever, times of the day cycle, the multi-talented performer follows his recent single “Afternoon Walk” with “Late Nights, Early Mornings,” a breezy, in the pocket, soul-jazz groove featuring Williams’ infectious drumming and showcasing Kerry Wilkins’ crisp, melodic electric guitar. The new track is the current single for the drummer’s upcoming album INCLUSIVE, VOL II.
A consummate, globally renowned entertainer, saxophonist Jamie WilliamS. has performed over the past quarter century in Europe, Central and South America and the Far East while also doing gigs with everyone from Gloria Estefan and Ricky Peterson to Jennifer Hudson, Justin Bieber and on the Smooth Jazz side, Kim Waters and Walter Beasley. Considering that Hudson sang a Stevie Wonder classic on his debut album AFTER HOURS, WilliamS. – also a Professor of Music Production at Full Sail University - had a tough act to follow in dropping his long awaited second collection TONGUE TIED. Yet he succeeds spectacularly and eclectically, finding his niche with an awesome array of mood swings, from fiery blues funk and silky cool romance to atmospheric chill and a smoky, emotional mid-tempo urban jazz flow.
A rock, pop and blues veteran turned Smooth Jazz recording artist, Chicago sax man and keyboardist, D.S. Wilson has the distinction of being a finalist in the talent competition aboard the 2022 Dave Koz Cruise – and later having his music played on Koz’s weekly SiriusXM radio show! Since releasing his Adam Hawley produced 2023 album SKYLINE, Wilson has been laying the foundation for his upcoming star-studded 2025 release METAMORPHOSIS (helmed by Jeff Carruthers and Steve Oliver) with a series of four lead singles including the bright, lighthearted, thematically optimistic “It’s Looking Up.” This track is slinky jazz and soul personified, with Wilson’s hip, swaying sax melody hopping above tight grooves on its way to a sunny horn-drenched hook that should give everyone a bit of hope to start the new year.
Listening Loft : ESSENTIALS
Fun fact about prolific German composer/keyboardist Michael Amandus Quast: Before his family forced him to set music aside to pursue an education and career in science, he spent a year in South Dakota as an exchange student, where he won a Jack Reynolds Jazz Award for a chart he wrote for the Harrisburg High School Big Band. Everyone can get into the groove on his melodically compelling single “Pool Bar,” but Smooth Jazz fans in cold climates will especially appreciate the pulse quickening invitation he and powerhouse German guitarist Uli Broderson extend to join them for a fast thumping, danceable good time by the pool!
Since the release of her third album, ALL MY STRINGS, Mariea Antoinette has continued to break barriers and redefine perceptions of the harp, elevating its role in Smooth Jazz and R&B. With each release, she defies expectations, and her chart-topping album held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Smooth Jazz chart for an impressive 13 weeks. Known for her groundbreaking compositions and virtuosic technique, Mariea now presents her latest original piece, "Afrika"—a powerful, melodic tribute to the continent. Her performance takes listeners on a journey to the heights of Mt. Kilimanjaro, with spellbinding melodies that capture the vast richness and cultural diversity of Africa. With "Afrika," Mariea has crafted a true world anthem.
There’s a very good reason why the wildly versatile “Uptown Saxman” Edmond Baker Jr. waited over a decade to deliver his latest album, the supremely vibey, silky, funky and spirited JUS DOIN MY THANG. It’s because he's busy! As the “the only full time, independent solo saxophonist in the entire state of Texas,” the musician has literally been gigging non-stop for high-end clients and audiences as well as worthy fundraisers. Baker’s triumphant return to the studio results in an instantly engaging collection of inviting Smooth Jazz, full of passionate and emotional playing, with smoky and energetic licks and sparkling arrangements steeped in classic blues and soulful influences.
Over the course of her 35+ year career, versatile Grammy-nominated jazz songstress and songwriter Sylvia Bennett has collaborated with an ongoing flow of greats, from Lionel Hampton (who once exclaimed, “Man, that lady can sing!”), Rick Braun and Paul Brown to Nathan East and Arturo Sandoval. Her colorful parade of guests continues on AMAZING LOVE, which is dedicated to her late husband of 50+ years, Dr. Hal. This set finds her swaying and swinging through a batch of charming, romantically inclined pop/jazz tunes for different moods of a relationship. She enters into divine duet partnerships with violinist Peter Ferencz of The Peet Project, bassist Brendan Rothwell, saxophonist Ed Calle, and SmoothJazz.com founder, Sandy Shore delivers the “Shore Mix” of the title track. The lovefest extends to her trad jazz arrangement of the French version of the song better known as “Beyond The Sea.”
One of Smooth Jazz’s most stylistically eclectic artists in recent years, Antigua-born composer and multi-instrumentalist (piano, keyboards, bass, guitar) Craigology creates everything from chill, reggae and calypso to hip-hop and classical music. After a productive 2024 – including four piano ballads and a solo Christmas album – the fascinating artist picks up the pace on “Swell!,” his whimsical, blues-soul influenced, mid-tempo funk driven first single of 2025. He creates a multitude of moods, alternating a hypnotic, Rhodes and muted trumpet vibe with dazzling piano elegance and improvisation. He textures the song’s unique dual sonic energies with mystical swirling atmospheres throughout, creating an alluring musical swell with "Swell!."
The best jazz ensemble music happens when super talented, highly intuitive players get together and work towards a “Common Goal,” which is the perfect name for the latest single by stylistically eclectic NYC pianist/composer Walter Duda. Mixed by Grammy-winning producer Jeff Jones, the track boasts a multitude of sizzling dynamics and otherworldly improvisational solo action. Duda’s fanciful keyboards are present throughout, legendary bassist Will Lee is named as the featured artist and saxophonist Jon Smith rocks a burning solo, but this incendiary track equally belongs to bassist Miroslav Vitous, drummer Shawn Pelton, guitarist Al Ferrante and keyboardist Alan Palanker.
Discerning pop and jazz ears might not think the voices of late greats Tina Turner and Ella Fitzgerald have anything in common, but throughout Skii Harvey’s multi-faceted career, the Australian-born Billboard Music Awards and UK Songwriting Awards winner has been favorably compared to both. Equal parts sensuality and sassiness, Harvey capped a seven year chapter she called the “broken years” with her 2024 single “Somethin’ Bout You.” Turning the page to 2025 with both confidence and a defiant, gospel-tinged spirit on her latest single. “Mr. Know It All,” is an in your face, pointed, jazzy pop tune (with an alluring opening of finger snap percussion) that finds her leaving a checked out man who now finds himself alone because he played games and missed his opportunity to respect the one who loved him most.
After showcasing his ongoing commitment to creating music with NO BOUNDARIES on his 2023 release, veteran saxophonist Dee Lucas celebrates his successful two decades as a Smooth Jazz recording & performing artist as well as a 4x chart-topping hitmaker on TWENTY. Featuring a sexy, hip-hop and classic soul-flavored vocal tune with Kevin Bennett and a snazzy, mid-tempo jam co-written and spotlighting keyboardist and mega-producer Michael Broening, the album is a mostly upbeat, buoyant and playfully grooving affair that all at once reflects on the consistency of the past, brings fresh, silky and funky (and a taste of Latin) fire to the present and exudes optimism for the future!
With each successive recording full of catchy and uber-melodic, urban-tinged Smooth Jazz delights, the Next Lev’l Band continues living up to its uniquely challenging moniker. Launched by drummer Morris Harris, bassist Ernest Raheem and keyboardist Grant Nicholas, the popular Baltimore based ensemble infuses PURPLE PASSION – their first collection in four years – with a potent mix of lead instrumental voices. They complement the elegant and funky piano of Nicholas with crisp, edgy spotlights for electric guitar, and, most prominently, the soaring sax energy of guest Eddie Baccus, Jr. – all topped at special moments by silky, soulful female backing vocals.
Bringing a splash of dual acoustic guitar fire and exotic fusion to Smooth Jazz for over 15 years, brothers Noah & Josh Thompson – collectively known at Roman Street – have captivated audiences with their improvisational blend of classical, Gypsy and Smooth Jazz, Latin and Nuevo Flamenco. Kicking off the new year with balmy temps on their mind, the duo follows the first volume of their Lo-Fi Garden series re-imagining previous hits with their new single “Mayan Sky,” a high spirited, fast grooving, tropical and romantic track featuring the dynamic vocals of longtime Santana lead vocalist Andy Vargas!
From the barrios in Mexico City to the stages of the world, Evelyn Rubio has been an entertaining force since childhood! Her introduction into Smooth Jazz was 2020's "Port Isabel" which showcased the artist as a contemporary jazz contender featuring both sax and jazzy vocalizing. Combining her super powers as a singer and a saxophonist, Ms. Rubio has a wide variety of styles in her arsenal. From blues and rock to contemporary jazz and pop. Her latest collection PERFECT features previously released singles including the recent John Klemmer cover, "Touch," plus feel-good jazz and blues and elegantly crafted ballads. Singing in both Spanish and English, you'll find that while the words start to fill your heart, the music immediately moves your feet! The latest Smooth Jazz single from the album, is the uptempo "I Wait for You" featuring Evelyn's soulful jazzy saxophone playing and her inviting vocals.
Having topped the Smooth Jazz charts with his 2022 album LOVE CRUSADE, Tim “Sonix” Rouse – a veteran keyboardist composer who has worked with David Bowie, Barry White, DMC, Maxi Priest and Travis Barker – continues to whet our appetite for his upcoming follow-up collection LOVE CRUSADE 2.0. Following the triumphant “Victory,” the inventive artist weaves a hypnotic spell on the second lead single “Broadway” via neo-soul flavored verses and an intoxicating, adventurous synth/brass hook. He presents the uplifting, emphatic tribute to the summertime vibes of his native NYC with two versions, the second featuring the wild, incendiary soloing of sax prodigy William Prince.
Though Jayson Tipp released his debut solo album TABLE FOR ONE just a year ago, the veteran keyboardist/composer has been a fascinating part of the contemporary and Smooth Jazz landscape since launching his popular fusion band Under the Lake in the early 1990s. Since re-grouping in 2018, the ensemble has released three albums. Bringing both of his worlds together seamlessly, Tipp’s latest infectious single “People Together” is an elegant, easy grooving and improvisation filled, re-imaging of the title track from a 2007 UTL album, with a slightly faster tempo and Tipp’s sparkling piano taking the rein’s from Quintin Gerard W’s original sax melody.
Adding fresh, highly original sonic breezes to Smooth Jazz, singer, songwriter and trumpeter Ian Michael Townsend brings his seductive, raspy voiced infectiousness and elegant, jazzy horn energy to an engaging set of mostly romantic minded gems on GNU BLU, his full-length debut album named after his stylistically eclectic band. While there are blues, soul and jazz elements in his vocal tunes, many reflect the tropical vibes surrounding the location where he writes and records his demos – a 45-foot Catamaran in the Caribbean. Townsend complements his colorful vocals with guitar and trumpet driven instrumentals inspired by Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays. 100% organic!
Versatile composer/guitarist Terence Young’s perfectly balanced musical life includes ten genre-hopping albums (Smooth Jazz, R&B, gospel, and fusion), plus a resume full of R&B icons, including sharing stages with Gladys Knight, Babyface and Gerald Albright and serving as musical director for Ashford & Simpson, Lenny Williams and Angie Stone. Fully embracing his trademark rhythmically tight, melodically magnificent, stylistically eclectic vibe, Young’s latest album THE PLAYLIST fits into today’s streaming aesthetic, by definition offering something for everyone’s taste –sometimes silky and breezy, often funky urban jazz, silky and romantic pop/soul, ambient new age and explosive rock guitar. Beautifully titled... Beautifully played!