Jazz – Page 3

Niki Kennedy Sings About The Weather Up There, New EP Now Available

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman November 28, 2018 11:53 am Tagged With: Canada, Jazz, Pop, Rock, singer, songwriter

New Zealand native, Canadian resident singer/songwriter Niki Kennedy has delivered an enchanting blend of pop, rock and jazz elements on her new 5-song EP titled The Weather Up Here. The project dropped on November 9th! Melodically rich, harmonically pleasing and musically engaging, The Weather Up Here displays Niki’s strong vocals over sonic foundations that seep […]

Rose Ann Dimalanta Trio Release New Album It’s Time, A Relaxing and Soulful Jazz Experience

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman November 26, 2018 1:11 pm Tagged With: Jazz, latin, R&B, Soul

The Rose Ann Dimalanta Trio delivers a soothing, relaxing, re-energizing blend of jazz, funk, soul and Latin musical elements which results in a highly pleasurable listening experience. Their latest album, It’s Time, is now available. Formed in late 2016, the trio consists of Rose Ann Dimalanta, Raymond McKinley and Massimo Buonanno. Oakland, California native Rose […]

Interview with Bill McBirnie – The Silent Wish

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman October 17, 2018 10:56 am Tagged With: composer, flute, Folk, Jazz, latin, singer, songwriter

Bill McBirnie is back with another album, The Silent Wish, and I was fortunate enough to get a few minutes of his time for an interview to discuss the new project (as well as the response to his last one). My coverage of his previous release can be found here (link opens in new tab). […]

Synthonic Synthesizes Funky Sunshine On Latest Album

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman September 27, 2018 1:35 pm Tagged With: downtempo, Electro, Electronic, Funk, Jazz, R&B, synth, United Kingdom

Welcome to the electro-funk infused, downtempo project of London based Synthonic. Synthonic is Kieron Garrett who writes, records, produces and handles pretty much all duties for the project. Crossing genres by implementing elements of funk, jazz, electro and classical arrangements into his productions, Synthonic manages to create some of the most upbeat, energetic, downtempo music […]

Interview with Blair Jollands – I’ll Remember You

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman August 8, 2018 2:23 pm Tagged With: Acoustic, Folk, Funk, indie rock, Jazz, Pop, singer, Soul

Following 2015’s Half Life, multinational songwriter Blair Jollands is now set to release a brand new album. 7 Blood is set for release on September 14th (2018) via Glowb Records. Inspired by his travels around the world, and recent battle with Lyme Disease, 7 Blood takes its name from a killing herb that Jollands collected […]

Get Down! Disaster Relief Deliver The Goods On New Self-Titled Funkified Jazz Fusion Record

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman June 7, 2018 10:15 am Tagged With: Detroit, Funk, Instrumental, Jazz, Rock

What first started out as regular jam sessions at Ravine Records in Ann Arbor, Michigan quickly developed into fully-immersive, weekly writing and recording workshops led by guitarist/songwriter Darrin James. Each week Darrin and his top notch musician friends came together with the the goal of writing one new song each week. Before long, this dynamic […]

Get Your Fix of Vintage Jazz and Swing on Joe Smith and The Spicy Pickles’ New Album, Gin & Moonlight

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman April 27, 2018 9:55 am Tagged With: Colorado, Jazz

I love vintage jazz and big band swing! I really do. When I opened up Colorado based Joe Smith and the Spicy Pickles’ new album Gin & Moonlight, I was treated to 45 minutes and 45 seconds of pure sonic delight that has me feeling like the coolest cat in the club…pinstripe suit, matching hat, […]

Discover The Amazing, Soothing Sounds of Sarah Sharp on Her Latest Wake EP

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman March 11, 2018 9:50 pm Tagged With: Americana, Folk, Jazz, Roots, singer, songwriter

With songs featured internationally in ad campaigns for Chanel, Dell, Kida, ABC’s Revenge, E.L.F. Cosmetics and TV shows such as The Good Wife, Cable Girls and Grandfathered; it is safe to say Sarah Sharp knows how to write a damn great song that captures the attention of more than just your average listener. A multiple […]

Interview with Ali Hugo – This Love Is True

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman March 5, 2018 9:25 am Tagged With: adult contemporary, Canada, Jazz, Pop, singer, songwriter

In this interview spotlight, I chat with Ali Hugo about the latest project, motivations, challenges and more. Full Q&A along with links and music below. Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.) I am a Canadian […]

Daniel Biro Creates Captivating Sonic Worlds On New Album 120 Onetwenty

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman March 1, 2018 11:10 am Tagged With: composer, Experimental, Instrumental, Jazz, London, producer, United Kingdom

London based creative wizard (composer, keyboard player, producer, songwriter, improvior, sound-designer, video artist, label director) Daniel Biro has released his latest project 120 Onetwenty featuring one hour of enchanting, mystifying, captivating soundscapes created over the course of six years using a suite of vintage keyboards. Infused with an array of stylistic influences, 120 Onetwenty runs […]