Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of my embrace and appreciation of and passion and respect for Tiffany Bynoe’s spiritually driven self-empowerment book “M.E. Made Extraordinary” is the fact that she didn’t write it someone like me in mind – yet its stark emotional honesty, hard won wisdom and advice as to how to overcome long ingrained negative thoughts and self-perceptions and endless series of positive affirmations are truths I can, should and must live by as well. Time a

Achieving some much deserved buzz with his long-awaited 2009 debut album Look Out, Dean Grech formulated the perfect response to those who asked, “Where have you been?” The versatile veteran singer/songwriter and guitar virtuoso replied simply, “Man, I’ve just been out there playing all my life.” Now a renowned Billboard charting artist, his success as a smooth jazz artist has catapulted him to opening slots for everyone from Al Jarreau and Michael McDonald to The Beach Boys,

Though released at the beginning of fall 2021, emerging smooth jazz keyboard artist Rick Habana perfectly captures the warm and vibrant spirit of summer on his playful, lighthearted and snappy grooving single “Poolside” – a colorfully produced track that features mystical atmospheres, trippy echoing female voices, and a hook featuring his lively keys intertwining with saxophonist David Kocijan, who also snags a tasty, whimsical solo. But as we listen and enjoy the uplifting v

Listening to saxophonist Dean James’ infectious, alternately ultra-sensual and deeply grooving “soulsational” (and perfectly titled!) Innervisions Records debut album GroovySax is like a warm, invigorating visit from an old friend whose vibe and energy has been sorely missed. James made a dynamic splash in the then-emerging smooth jazz genre in the mid to late 90s with his early albums Can We Talk and Intimacy (which included his most enduring and radio played single “Market

From his 17 years (10 as Musical Director) with the late great Wayman Tisdale to his more recent international tours with Earl Klugh, Tom Braxton’s ubiquitous presence onstage and renown as one of contemporary urban jazz’s premiere sideman can sometimes obscure his own melodic and rhythmic innovation and craftsmanship as an amazingly prolific and impactdful artist in his own right. Closing in on 30 years since his debut album Your Move, the versatile saxophonist – taking his

If that’s a transcendent feeling of joy and exuberance you’re hearing as you groove along to JJ Sansaverino’s horn-fired first-ever holiday single “Tree Trimming With You,” it’s with good reason. The multi-talented composer-guitarist – who released his debut album Sunshine After Midnight back in 2005 – has a lot to be grateful for and celebrate after a breakthrough year which including his first #1 Billboard chart single with “Style and Elegance,” from his latest album Cockta

In 2007, Detroit based guitarist Dee Brown graced the urban jazz realm with a hip and tasty debut album with a prophetic title, No Time to Waste. He wasn’t kidding, and now, while closing in on 15 years grooving up the Smooth Jazz charts, he’s also performed with all the top artists in the genre – Gerald Albright, Mindi Abair, Bob James, Paul Taylor, Paul Brown, Jessy J, Brian Culbertson, Najee, Spyro Gyra and the late Al Jarreau. For good measure, he’s also worked it with so

After many productive, multi-faceted years in the music industry, gold selling (RIAA, BMI) artist, keyboardist, producer and songwriter Charles A. Kelly uses his high spirited debut Innervision Records single (and second smooth jazz track overall) to deliver an important emotional and even spiritual message to help our hearts transcend these challenging times: “You’re Not Alone.” Whether one reads “God” or important human beings (family/friends) into that message, it’s expres

The son of Grammy nominated sound engineer Calvin Harris, versatile keyboardist/composer Cal Harris Jr. had the magic in his DNA from the start, absorbing the vibes of Motown greats like the Tempations and Commodores and eventually translating those into his own stellar career behind the scenes, working with R&B royalty like Earth, Wind & Fire, Prince, Whitney Houston and Beyonce. Several years after launching a now thriving solo career with his debut album Inside Out, Harris

The stylistically eclectic whoopee being made on newly formed North Carolina quartet Whoop’s almost self-titled debut album Whoop! (exclamation point for emphasis to make sure we won’t forget) is proof that you can’t fully judge a band’s amazing artistry based on the first few tracks. Fronted by the endlessly fascinating, charismatic, take you on numerous emotional journeys vocalist Fal (believe me, she’s remarkable enough to remember without a last name), the band starts out

In mid-2021, thanks to a surreal dance-pop electronica track and video titled “On the Rise,” this site was introduced simultaneously to three extraordinary talents, Brooklyn based dance/pop electronica composer/producer Paul Natural, featured emerging vocalist Dominic Augustine and animator and video director Luke Moellman, whose concept of having a futuristic car gliding over images of a dystopian landscape drove home the song’s concept of the human spirit somehow triumphing

Often times, those who most appreciate the deeply intricate work of master guitarists – and are quoted the most often - are their peers, mentors and idols. It makes sense, because those with the gift of channeling whatever universal pulse or muse to create string magic are the ones most in tune with where there subject is coming from. Case in point, the ample promo material for acoustic fingerpicking innovator Trevor Gordon Hall’s latest album This Beautiful Chaos features ef