The Place To Find The Best Indie Artists
It was such a pleasure to welcome Frank McComb to Conversations, It was like seeing an old friend after a long absence, even though we’d never met. That’s the personality of the Man. He is a people person. He has been on stage and in studio with some of the Musical Elite, yet, he’s just Frank McComb. Take a listen to the interview, then check out more Frank McComb via these links,
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On January 31, 2015, we had the pleasure of speaking with a few of the Artists that will be performing in the Bronx in New York on March 7, 2015 at the Ralpael Hernandez Auditorium, located at 997 Tiffany St, Bronx, NY 10459
It’s always a good time when The Smooth 1 is in the house and we got up close with members of The Best Kept Secret and Jenee Evans. Also on the show will be Crysta Notez, Princess Lanita, Dijon, Little L and LesBoggie & Jimmy Dee will Masters of Ceremony. If thi interview is any indication, patrons are in for a real treat. Enjoy the interview and then be sure to get your tickets and enjoy the performances on March 7th.
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Kathy Yolanda Rice hails from Huntsville, Alabama, where her passion for music and art was recognized at an early age. Kathy writes her own lyrics and musical compositions. Most of her original tunes are based on real life experiences and emotions, from childhood throughout her adult years. Kathy is a gifted vocalist with a style of her own while she captures the hearts of many with her precious voice and original compositions.
Kathy Yolanda Rice tells real-life stories of love, faith and hope in musical compositions. Her debut CD, “After All These Years” released in 2004, is seasoned with a flavor of jazz and consists of 10 timeless contemporary tunes.
Through her networking with other women musicians, Rice was a featured artist on the Women in Jazz South Florida Volume III compilation CD, released in December 2012. Her classic jazz piece, Cloak and Dagger Affair, heads the lineup of this eclectic mix of jazzy tunes. In 2011, Rice performed her mellow vocals on Marc Lacy’s Narcoleptic CD on the track entitled, “Exodus.” In December 2010, Rice collaborated on a Soulful House project entitled, “Feeling the Heat” with world renown Dance/House music record producers Fabio Tosti and Francesco Tarantini on Music Plan Records out of Bari, Italy.
August 2012 marked the release of a beautiful gospel project…the recording of the Walter Hawkins remake of Jesus Christ is the Way, by Nuove Mystique. Rice is the lyric soprano in the group. The jazzy rendition was released on Audio State 55 and is distributed by the Warner Music Group.
Kathy’s latest 2013 release is a collaborative smooth jazz project with songwriter Gary Swann. The tune, Love is Like a Sunny Day, features Kelley O’Neal on Saxophone. Rice joined several other women musicians on the Bobby Pin Diaries movie soundtrack, which features her up-tempo tune, I’ve Gotta Find a Love for the February 2013 release.
We became aware of Kathy after hearing her duet with Phillip Michael Thomas, Flesh Of My Flesh.
Flesh of My Flesh is a powerful duet, written by Philip Michael Thomas. Kathy Yolanda Rice and Philip Michael Thomas capture the essence of true love with the magical blending of their voices, beckoning the listener to make an emotional connection to each romantic note. Accompanied by Kelvin Wooten’s Cool Jazz/Gospel/R&B track, their unique sound excites the soul and spirit! This anointed love song will cause you to fall in love over and over again, and renew your vows, and keep your commitment to your significant other.
If you missed the Conversation with Ms. Rice, or you would just like to hear it again, Enjoy it now. Then connect with Kathy and keep up with her goings on via her website. Purchase her music at most online music sites like CDbaby, or iTunes
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Our Guy, Tiger Roberts, Grammy Award Winning Producer, Musician, Singer and Writer has just released the video to his single, Strange Fruit. We love it and hope you do too. If you’d like to know more about Tiger, Check out the interview he did on Conversations and enjoy the Video!
Moe “Better” Williams is a born musician. Moe grew up on the Eastside of Oklahoma City, and by the ripe age of 11, Moe picked up his first instrument; the drums. He continued learning to play various instruments, the clarinet, the bass, the guitar, and the keyboard; before finally mastering the saxophone. While he plays all saxophones in the sax family well, he prefers the unique tones of the soprano sax.
At the beginning of 2009, he connected with an up and coming producer by the name of “Markkii Notes” to create a totally new and unique sound for his first project. That goal was easily achieved and they quickly began recording his debut album entitled “Moe Forever”. Moe Williams’ “Moe Forever” was first released to public ears on November 24, 2009. With smooth rhythms, impeccable timing and flawless horn riffs; this newly created style is sure to catch and keep listeners. Moe “Better” Williams is here, changing the faces of Jazz and R&B!!
This collaboration is what Moe “Better” Williams to our attention, the smooth and sexy sounds of his sax begged for attention from our Listeners. We think is one star to watch. He’s going to do big things, and we want a front row seat. So get comfortable and listen to this humble and somewhat shy gentleman as he shares a bit of himself and get to know more about the man behind the horn.
Keep up with Moe on Facebook and Reverbnation. Purchase his music on itunes and for sure, hear him in the WDGP Radio Playlist!
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Alison Crockett has paid her musical “dues” in full… She is perhaps the quintessential nu jazz/progressive soul singer of her generation and yet you may not have heard of her – – but you’ve no doubt heard her voice… On seminal recordings by King Britt, Blue Six, Us3, Landslide, John Wicks, Mathematics and a whole host of others, Alison’s voice has provided the velvety, sensual sound of tomorrow’s yesterday’s…a captivating tone which evokes both the music of the past and that yet to come. A voice dripping soul with generous helpings of jazz, gospel and blue, Alison has taken the baton from divas of the present and past such as Lizz Wright, Rachelle Farrelle, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Donna Summer, Diana Ross and Sarah Vaughn and forged a uniquely personal and singular musical vision.
Here are a few quotes about Alison:
Mix Nina Simone’s urgency, Betty Carter’s chops and Jill Scott’s sass, and you’ll get the bold and bravura vocalist and Temple University alum Alison Crockett. Her songs about the system feature Philly’s Ursula Rucker, first on the Badu-bounced “Depression” and on a haunting solo rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Come Back as a Flower.” Crockett’s jazz cred comes through loud and clear on the midtempo Shirley Horn favorite “The Old Country” and a futuristic take on Nat King Cole’s “Nature Boy.” Simply put: She’s the real deal. – Eugene Holley, Philadelphia Weekly
Alison Crockett is serious. – Howard Dukes, Soul Tracks.com
Crockett’s musical ideas find a wide range of expression. To call her an R&B vocalist would be too limiting; to call her a Soul artist is too conjure a tradition she is indebted to, but not defined by. On Mommy, What’s a Depression? Crockett’s gestures to Go-Go, Jazz, Santigold-styled Funk, gut-bucket Blues, Trip-Hop, Tin-Pan Alley, and what I like to refer to as “Cosmopolitan Soul” – Mark Anthony Neal, New Black Man(inExile)
Sat back, relax and enjoy the conversation between Alison Crockett and host Diana Broomfield, and met the Woman behind the music.
Connect with Alison on Facebook, Twitter, and Reverbnation. Check out her website for more information.
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Last October, Jimi James guested on Conversations, She is dynamic, intelligent, independent, and cutting edge. At the time, we couldn’t share the next single – Lead Me On. but now it’s a staple on WDGP. Jimi is a Singer, Songwriter, and Composer.
She is showing up all over. Places like the BET Awards Official Post Party:
https://youtu.be/BnzNVJhR_zY
The first time I heard of or listened to Jimi James was this music video:
https://youtu.be/S0e381CokF0
You can follow Ms. James via her webpage, Twitter, and Instagram.
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I have a talented friend who has an Indie Record Label called Cirius Entertainment Group. When Markkii Notes contacted me about Ms. Twalla Jaye, I fell in love with her voice and had to book her on Conversations. I must say, she is as real and down to earth as she sounded singing Fortify Me, a gospel song and her first single release.
Twalla Jaye hails from Hopkins, South Carolina where she sang in her church choir, the church where her grandfather, presided. She began performing backup vocals professionally at 14 years old. Ultimately,she wants to reach more than just her fellow Christians and gospel fans; She wants her gift to be heard and spread through the masses.
walla singing in the church choir afforded her the opportunity to perform at the McDonalds Series in 2011, at the Township Auditorium in Columbia SC, where her choir was chosen out of a group of over thirty choirs to perform with Dr. Paul Morton. She has also had the opportunity to work with Blanche Mcallister Dykes of the ‘Tri City Singers’. Twalla is no stranger to the stage or performing solo. She has also performed at ‘Family Fest 2011’, Jazz Fest 2011, and the Annual McDonalds Choir Showcase 2011. Twalla currently showcases her skills weekly as the director of the Grace Church Choir.
When she visited Conversations, she shared the inspiration for the song, Stop Playing Games, she is truly a woman reborn and we like her. We think you will too. Take a listen to the interview and then go buy her music, you really need to have it in your collection.
LINKS:
Cirrus Ent.
Facebook
Twitter
Reverbnation
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Learning to play flute at the tender age of seven, the Houston native’s formative years found her firmly rooted in many musical traditions, including classical, Broadway musicals, soul, gospel, 80’s rock, and opera. Some of her mentors included world-renowned flutists Hubert Laws and Marina Piccinini. Having graduated from Prairie View A&M University and The Peabody Conservatory of Music, Delandria’s impeccable ability earned her numerous awards including top prize at the International Association of Jazz Educators’ Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Competition in 2005, resulting in a European tour.
Delandria’s love of music, education, and passion for success led her to develop the Kingdom Flute Works Summer Camp, “The Global Presents” ensemble, and a groundbreaking trio of recordings in 2010- Kingdom Goes Classical, Be Happy, and the Be Opened EP. Her latest project “Be Opened”, is a hip hop (expression) EP of her soon to be released LP, entitled, “Ephphatha”. Ephphatha will be a collaboration with some of today’s major hip hop artists, and represents Delandria’s openness to creativity, freedom of spirituality, and rebirth of original music. Along with “Kingdom Flute Works”, Delandria teaches Jazz & Classical Flute instruction in the Preparatory Department of the Peabody Conservatory of Music. In addition to teaching and her own recordings, Delandria has toured, recorded, and performed with numerous musical greats such as: Jazz legends Billy Harper and Hubert Laws, and a number of Gospel artists such as; Tye Tribbett, Fertile Ground, Mary Mary, Israel & New Breed, and Judith Christie McAllister.
It was pleasure speaking with and getting to know a bit about this phenomenal woman. Have a listen to the interview and let me know if you agree. You can her music to your collection here.
Links:
Her WebsiteTake Private Lessons
Kingdom Flute Works
Facebook
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I had the privilege of being at Sugar Bar when some of these scenes were shot, unfortunately I was all the way in the back having gotten a late start from Maryland but I saw it and I did get to meet Valerie Simpson, I would have loved to meet Natalie Cole but Sister had an early morning back in the DMV. I am so pleased with the way it turned out. Take a look and a listen and then go get your copy from CDBaby.
