FULLER FRENCH – ‘WAVES AGAINST THE SHORE’ (DEXMO VERSION)

JAREZ FT. NATHAN MITCHELL – ‘ONLY IF YOU KNEW’

PATRIK DIMAK – ‘GOLDEN’

BEACH BOYS KOPSTUK BRIAN WILSON OVERLEDEN

Woorden schieten mij tekort! Ik had een mooi stukje voorbereid voor 20 juni als hij zijn 83ste verjaardag zou vieren, maar dan slaat plotseling de keiharde realiteit toe! De Amerikaanse muzikant, zanger, bassist, songwriter en platenproducer Brian (Douglas) Wilson is niet meer! De medeoprichter van de legendarische Beach Boys is gisteren, 11 juni, op 82-jarige leeftijd overleden. Dit trieste nieuws heeft zijn familie bekendgemaakt. "Met een gebroken hart delen we dat onze geliefde vader Brian Wilson is overleden", schrijft de familie op Wilsons Instagram. "We zijn op dit moment sprakeloos." Brian Wilson richtte in 1961 samen met zijn broers Dennis en Carl de band The Beach Boys op. Met hits als ‘Surfin’’, ‘Surfin' U.S.A.’, ‘Surfin’ Safari’, ‘Surfer Girl’, ‘California Girls’ en ‘Fun Fun Fun’ waren The Beach Boys hoofdverantwoordelijk voor de zogenoemde 'California Sound'. De band haalde hierna de eerste plaats van de Amerikaanse Billboard Hot 100 met de singles ‘I Get Around’, ‘Help Me Rhonda’, ‘Good Vibrations’ en ‘Kokomo’. In Nederland bereikte de single ’Sloop John B.’ de eerste plaats van de Veronica Top 40. Met het ‘muzikale brein’ Brian Wilson maakten The Beach Boys legendarische albums als ‘The Beach Boys Today!’, ‘Summer Days (And Summer Nights)’, ‘Beach Boys’ Party!’ en natuurlijk ‘Pet Sounds’. Met name ‘Pet Sounds’ wordt nog altijd algemeen beschouwd als een van de invloedrijkste albums uit de popgeschiedenis, onder meer vanwege de bijzondere composities en de opnametechniek. Tot Brian’s beste composities behoren evergreens als ‘Surf City’, ‘Darlin’’, ‘Good Vibrations’, ‘Don’t Worry Baby’, ‘When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)’, ‘In My Room’, ‘Heroes And Villains’, ‘California Girls’, ‘I Get Aroud’ en ‘God Only Knows’. In de late jaren zestig nam de populariteit van The Beach Boys af. Brian Wilson raakte aan de drank en verslaafd aan drugs. In de jaren zeventig leidde hij een grotendeels teruggetrokken bestaan. Hij trad nog slechts sporadisch op, onder meer vanwege aanhoudend drugsgebruik. Dat patroon herhaalde zich helaas in de jaren tachtig en negentig. Pas in 1999 ging Brian weer op tournee, maar dan als soloartiest. In de twintig jaar erna wist de zanger de weg naar boven te vinden. Zijn laatste optreden was op 26 juli 2022. We zullen hem enorm gaan missen! Brian Wilson ruste in vrede!

Met dank aan Leo Weijers.

PERRY RICHARD – ‘UNTIL I SEE YOU’

MICHAEL WILLIAMS – ‘LAST NIGHT’

JOHNNY BRITT – ‘EMOTIONS’

AMERIKAANSE FUNKPIONIER SLY STONE OVERLEDEN

De Amerikaanse funkpionier Sly Stone is gisteren, 9 juni, in Los Angeles op 82-jarige leeftijd overleden. Dat heeft zijn familie laten weten in een verklaring. De muzikant voerde een langdurige strijd tegen de longziekte COPD en kampte met andere "onderliggende gezondheidsproblemen". Stone, wiens echte naam Sylvester Stewart was, kreeg wereldwijde bekendheid als voorman van de Amerikaanse funkband Sly & The Family Stone. De groep had eind jaren zestig en begin jaren zeventig succes met zijn psychedelische funkmuziek. Sly & The Family Stone was actief tussen 1966 en 1975. De band werd bekend als de eerste grote Amerikaanse rockband met een multiculturele bezetting. De band had een belangrijke rol in de ontwikkeling van de Amerikaanse popmuziek in het algemeen en soul, funk, psychedelische muziek en later ook hiphop en R&B in het bijzonder. Sly & The Family Stone scoorde Amerikaanse Top 10 hits als ‘Dance To The Music’, ‘Everyday People’ (eerste plaats), ‘Hot Fun In The Summertime’ (tweede plaats), ‘Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) / Everybody Is A Star’ (eerste plaats) en ‘Family Affair’ (eerste plaats). Daarnaast maakten de muzikanten vier, volgens popcritici, baanbrekende albums. Die albums waren ‘Stand!’, ‘There’s A Riot Goin’ On’ (eerste plaats in de Billboard 200 albumlijst), ‘Fresh’ en ‘Small Talk’. Sly Stone kampte lange tijd met drugsproblemen. Mede door zijn drugsgebruik viel zijn band uiteen. Hij werd meerdere keren gearresteerd in verband met cocaïnegebruik en pogingen om af te kicken mislukten keer op keer. Samen met actrice en model Kathy Silva kreeg hij een zoon: Sylvester. Hij had ook twee dochters, van wie hij er een kreeg met zijn bandgenoot Cynthia Robinson. Sly Stone zelf bracht daarna nog vier extra albums uit die, met uitzondering van ‘High On You’ (1975), uitkwamen onder de naam Sly & The Family Stone. Hij werkte ook samen met Funkadelic op het album ‘The Electric Spanking Of War Babies (1981). Sly Stone ruste in vrede!

Met dank aan Leo Weijers.

TORSTEN GOODS - 'ROCKET GIRL' – NEW SINGLE BY GERMAN/IRISH JAZZ GUITARIST & SINGER OUT NOW

TORSTEN GOODS | 2025 photography by Michael Romacker

TORSTEN GOODS
ROCKET GIRL

new single
out 6th June 2025
(Erminal T Records/Membran)

stream 

included on
SOUL DEEP
new album
out September 2025

Torsten Goods is a successful German jazz guitarist and jazz-pop/soul singer. His prodigious skills won a scholarship to study jazz guitar in New York while in his teens, subsequent to which he won several awards for albums primarily released on the ACT label. In the UK, he was reviewed by the Evening Standard as having “talent galore. Inspired by George Benson, he sings winningly and plays the guitar superbly,” while songs from his 2023 album ‘Soul Searching’ were featured on the Jazz FM playlist.

2025 sees Goods return with ‘Rocket Girl’, a first single from a new album entitled ‘Soul Deep’ that will be released in September. Its upbeat groove sets a new direction, marking a transition into the realm of neo-funk/jazz artists such as Dirty Loops, Cory Wong, Snarky Puppy and Vulfpeck. A funky horn section hints at Tower Of Power, while Goods explains that "the lyrics celebrate a girl lost in a party lifestyle who actually craves love and security. She meets someone and they groove and fall in love together. It’s based on a true story….”

TORSTEN GOODS | SOUL DEEP - 2025 BIOGRAPHY

 Soul is what defines a person – their innermost being, their essence. The deeper, the better. "My soul has grown deep like the rivers," wrote the poet Langston Hughes, in the spirit of Goethe, who had stated that "Man's soul is like water."

German soul singer and guitar maestro Torsten Goods pours his very soul into our ears in similar fashion with his brand new album ‘Soul Deep’. Far more than a mere follow-up to 2023’s ‘Soul Searching’, twelve new songs (mostly self-composed but two co-written with Bluey Maunick of Incognito), present him as a mature artist, heavily influenced by soul, but also jazz, blues and the summery West Coast/AOR sounds of late '70s California. As virtuosic, polished and well-produced as the music and sound of his voice is, it touches the soul of the listener. A balm and enrichment, both profound and intense, it really is ‘Soul Deep’.

’Soul Deep’ also deals with Goods' visual transformation due to alopecia (a sudden and persistent hair loss), but with love hovering above everything. It is a very personal album in which the now 44-year-old musician chronicles stories from his life and his relationship with his soul mate, by now his wife. These include the yearning ballad ‘Summertime Heartache’ (featuring strings and saxophone by rising star Jakob Manz), the Steely Dan tribute ‘Summer Rain’, the beautiful ‘Live by the Heart’ (a duet with Kim Sanders), plus the dance-inducing new single ‘Rocket Girl’.

A Soul Deep tour beginning in autumn 2025 will take Goods through Germany, as well as Austria, Switzerland, the UK and Ireland (his mother's birthplace). As usual, he will be joined by Jan Miserre (keyboards and piano), Felix Lehrmann (drums) and Björn Werra (bass), all absolute masters of their craft who have been performing together for 16 years. New songs, recent fan favourites from ‘Soul Searching’ and the rest of Goods’ back catalogue will ensure that each show is a feel-good feast.

In addition to his solo work, Goods is musical director for the successful German artist Sarah Connor, performs with trumpeter Till Brönner and trombonist Nils Landgren, while he is also artistic director of two jazz festivals in southern Germany

Official Site  |  Facebook  |  Instagram

VERNESSA MITCHELL - 'SHOUT' (DJ SPEN & GARY HUDGINS MIXES)

Having dazzled dance floors for years with songs such as “Reap (What You Sow)”, “This Joy”, “Higher” and “Accept Me”, one of the most respected global gospel singers, Vernessa Mitchell joins the Quantize family with her debut song on the label, “Shout”. Vernessa belts out an electrifying vocal, backed with layers of playful harmonies over a seamlessly crafted soulful soundtrack courtesy of legendary musicians, DJ Spen and Gary Hudgins. Across the package you’ll find 4 diverse dance-floor ready mixes to enjoy, haling a super Quantize debut for this talented and globally acclaimed songbird.

Vernessa Mitchell is a contemporary Christian and Gospel recording artist. Discovered by Berry Gordy of Motown Records for the group High Inergy, she has since had a fantastic career spanning several decades. Vernessa’s album releases include “Higher Ground”, “On A Mission” and “Destiny”, along with big single releases including “Took My Life” and “Love Will Find A Way”, to name a few.

Track Listing
1 Shout (Extended Mix)
2 Shout (Radio Edit)
3 Shout (Praise Party Mix)
4 Shout (Instrumental)
5 Shout (Alternate Mix)

'SHOUT' (DJ Spen & Gary Hudgins Mixes) will be released on Traxsource promo June 13th / Full release June 27th 2025 on Quantize Recordings.

Vernessa Mitchell
'SHOUT' (DJ Spen & Gary Hudgins Mixes)
Quantize Recordings / QTZ509
https://www.instagram.com/vmitch7021
https://www.instagram.com/dj_spen/
http://www.quantizerecordings.com

THE COOL NOTES - ‘YOU’RE NEVER TOO YOUNG’ (MOPLEN, MANNIX AND DOCTORSOUL REMIXES)

Vienna’s Dafia Records unleash their big summer track with a fantastic set of new remixes of the 1985 No.1 Soulful classic, ‘You’re Never Too Young’ by London’s much-loved Soul & Funk outfit, The Cool-Notes. Perfectly tailored for the new Disco kids and connoisseurs alike, this groovy slice of dance floor soul gets respectfully updated with an array of fresh remixes from international talents - Italy’s Moplen, Austria’s Mannix and France’s DoctorSoul.

Moplen, well known for his Disco flavours on Salsoul, West End, Glitterbox, and Midnight Riot, brings his magic touch with a nifty hip-swaying Eighties-tinged groove, Moulinexed with contemporary NuDisco flavours. Dafia label boss, Mannix, notches up the BPM a touch and delivers one of his deliciously groovy Discofied floor-fillers, and DoctorSoul, known for his hot edits and releases on Too Slow To Disco, Midnight Riot and Hot Digits, opts for a cool ‘Re-Therapy’ jam of poppin’ beats and playful filtered loops, rounding off this superb soulful package.

Track Listing
1 You're Never Too Young (Moplen Remix)
2 You're Never Too Young (Mannix 12 Inch Disco Remix)
3 You're Never Too Young (DoctorSoul Re-Therapy)
4 You're Never Too Young (DoctorSoul Dub Re-Therapy)
5 You're Never Too Young (Mannix Radio Edit)

‘You’re Never Too Young’ (Moplen, Mannix and DoctorSoul Remixes) will be released on Traxsource promo June 13th / Full release on June 20th 2025 on Dafia Records.

The Cool-Notes
‘You’re Never Too Young’ (Moplen, Mannix and DoctorSoul Remixes)
Dafia Records / DAFIA062
https://www.instagram.com/lucamoplen/
https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Cool-Notes-Official-100063585336597/
https://www.instagram.com/mannixmuzik
https://www.facebook.com/D0CT0RS0UL/

YVAN GUILINI - 'BIZARRE'

Na zijn iconische wereldhit 'Winter Memories' en een succesvolle comeback in 2020 met het album 'Music Forever' is de 79-jarige Yvan Guilini uit Brugge terug met een gloednieuwe single: 'Bizarre'.

Oorspronkelijk een klassiek stuk van zijn laatste album 'Music Forever', kreeg 'Bizarre' een verrassende make-over. Met een frisse, commerciële sound en moderne elektronische invloeden tovert Guilini het nummer om tot een aanstekelijke poptrack – zonder zijn muzikale roots te verloochenen.

De single is geïnspireerd op de grillige schoonheid van het leven en neemt de luisteraar mee op een muzikale reis. Zoals steeds legt Yvan de lat hoog, met een doordachte productie en samenwerking met topmuzikanten.

Ook visueel is 'Bizarre' een pareltje. De videoclip, opgenomen in een hightech studio met een gigantisch LED-scherm, dompelt je onder in een futuristische wereld waarin visuals en muziek naadloos samensmelten.

Een Vlaamse virtuoos met wereldfaam

Yvan Guilini, geboren op 30 mei 1946 in Brugge, toonde al van jongs af aan uitzonderlijk muzikaal talent. Hij begon op de piano en specialiseerde zich later in de Hammond B3, een instrument waarmee hij vooral door zijn unieke baspedaaltechniek bekend werd. In 1969, na een wereldtournee en het uitbrengen van twee jazz-LP’s met de Dutch Broadcasting Company, won hij twee Belgische prijzen voor zijn stijl. Met de toevoeging van synthesizers kreeg hij de bijnaam ‘The King on The Hammond and The Master on the Synthesizers’. Zijn grote doorbraak kwam in 1976 met de instrumentale hit “Winter Memories”, die internationaal succesvol was en hem als een toonaangevende artiest vestigde.

Van jazz en Hammondorgel tot synthesizers en pop – Guilini bewijst opnieuw zijn veelzijdigheid als componist en performer. Na het wereldwijde succes van nummers als 'Fatamorgana' en 'Winter Love' lijkt ook 'Bizarre' klaar om harten wereldwijd te veroveren.

https://open.spotify.com/artist/53lVHdnpeFzPfxjMKbjrY4
http://www.facebook.com/YvanGuilini
http://www.youtube.com/@yvan.guilini
http://www.tiktok.com/@yvan.guilini
http://soundcloud.com/yvan-guilini-81905248
http://www.instagram.com/yvan.guilini

'Bizarre', de nieuwe single van Yvan Guilini, kan u HIER beluisteren op alle grote streamingplatformen.

MARIA RAK’S DEBUUTSINGLE - 'SHARE THE LIGHT'

Van ‘The Voice Ukraine’ naar ‘Lift You Up’: Maria Rak laat Vlaanderen kennis maken met debuutsingle 'Share The Light'.

Na haar felgesmaakte optredens in het VTM-programma ‘Lift You Up’ is de Oekraïense zangeres Maria Rak – sinds 2022 woonachtig in Oostakker – helemaal klaar om haar muzikale verhaal in België te schrijven. Samen met schrijfster Billie Bentein (o.a. bekend van haar werk met Netsky en het co-writer van onze Belgische Eurovisie inzending ‘Strobe Lights’) en producer/componist Yannic Fonderie creëerde ze ‘Share The Light’, een beklijvende debuutsingle vol hoop en veerkracht. Het nummer, gedragen door een volledig Belgisch team, markeert het officiële begin van Maria’s nieuwe artistieke hoofdstuk.

Wat voor velen een eerste kennismaking is, is voor Maria een hergeboorte. In Oekraïne was ze al een gevestigde zangeres, met hoofdrollen in musicals, nationale media-optredens en sterke passages in The Voice of Ukraine en X Factor. Ze groeide op in een artistiek gezin en bouwde een bloeiende carrière uit – tot de oorlog haar leven en toekomst uiteenrukte. In 2022 vluchtte ze naar België. Wat ze onderweg verloor, bracht ze mee in haar stem.

Haar optredens in ‘Lift You Up’, waar ze deel uitmaakte van team Laura (Laura Tesoro), maakten meteen diepe indruk op zowel publiek als jury, en haar verhaal werd breed opgepikt in de Vlaamse media. Maria ontroerde met haar authentieke présence en krachtige stemgeluid, waarmee ze niet alleen zong, maar ook vertelde.

Met ‘Share The Light’ reikt ze letterlijk het licht aan. Het is een warme, gelaagde popsong met een universele boodschap: zelfs in tijden van chaos en onzekerheid kunnen we kiezen om licht te brengen. 

Drie jaar na haar gedwongen vertrek uit Oekraïne is Maria dus helemaal terug klaar om weer volop haar muzikale dromen na te streven. Met de sterke nieuwe single, 'Share The Light',  en mooie optredens in het vooruitzicht, wordt dit een zomer vol hoop voor deze fantastische artieste.

'Share The Light', de nieuwe single van Maria Rak, kan u HIER beluisteren op alle grote streamingplatformen.

DeeAnn – ‘KISS OF LIFE’

A former pop/rocker and country singer who is currently one of Buffalo’s premiere award winning jazz and blues vocalists, DeeAnn would seem to have little in common stylistically with hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg. Yet both know musical genius when they hear it and are showing big love these days to soul/jazz/sophisti-pop icon Sade on their latest recordings. The title track of Snoop’s new album Iz It A Crime? is named after and features a sample of one of the Nigerian singer’s biggest hits, while DeeAnn follows her sensual, deep soul-bluesy twist on Al Green’s “Simply Beautiful” with another gem from Sade’s catalog, her 1992 Billboard Top Ten R&B classic “Kiss of Life.” 

With its inspiring imagery of an angel coming down to earth to help facilitate joy and bring love into people’s lives, the song’s theme aligns perfectly with DeeAnn’s personal spiritual journey in recent years. In addition to showcasing her rich, emotional vocals and fascinating jazz scatting abilities and reflecting her ever-evolving artistry, the single captures the synergy and sonic excitement of her ongoing collaboration with legendary producer Ted Perlman, who captured DeeAnn’s magic on “Simply Beautiful” and has created a fresh soulful, bluesy and jazzy arrangement of “Kiss of Life.” The new track continues to lay a powerful foundation for DeeAnn’s upcoming album featuring both originals and pop re-imaginings from different eras.   

Perlman says of DeeAnn, “I love her combination of soul, jazz, blues and rock. She has a unique sound, and I’m always on the lookout for artists who are unique and have that special “je ne sais quoi.” It’s wonderful to create music with her, and I often feel like a custom tailor coming up with the perfect vibe around an artist who can really bring a song home.”  

This is high praise indeed from an industry veteran who has produced, arranged, recorded and toured with the likes of Whitney Houston, Harry Belafonte, Bob Dylan, Burt Bacharach, Ronald Isley, The Manhattans, Jermaine Jackson, Edwin Hawkins, CeCe Winans, Brian Wilson, Dr. Dre, Diana Ross, Ringo Starr, Joe Cocker, Chicago and Young MC. DeeAnn and Perlman recorded at his Nashville based studio Station West, with Perlman producing, engineering and contributing his emotionally searing electric guitar vibe alongside some of Music City’s heaviest hitters – pianist/organist Jody Nardone, bassist Jonathan Nixon,  drummer Brian Czach and background vocalists Moe Loughran and Damien Horne.

While the lyrics of “Kiss of Life” clearly have romance in mind, DeeAnn’s understanding of angel visitations has changed since her son William passed away in a motorcycle accident at 23 – shortly after she had completed most of the tracks on her second album It’s My Time, released in 2023. 

“It’s a great song and I’ve always loved Sade,” she says. “I relate to those lyrics about an angel bringing someone to us on a different level now. I’ve learned so much since I lost my son and to me the song is all about our connection to God, saying that God sends angels to help bring us new life and love after loss sucks so much out of you.  It’s a new feeling where, as the lyrics say, the world can truly hear our hearts beating again. The angel could also be William, bringing the beauty of God into my life. Musically, I like how the song brings out both the low register of my voice, which is my favorite way to sing, and the higher register on the scatting. I also love the tempo Ted created. The song always makes me feel like I'm sailing on a boat in smooth waters.” 

Earlier in 2025, DeeAnn received several well-deserved accolades in the 10th Annual JazzBuffalo Poll honoring musical greats in her beloved hometown. She was awarded Jazz Female Vocalist of the Year, received the most votes for her still-popular 2023 album It’s My Time and was chosen runner-up for Most Memorable Performance and the John Hunt Jazz Artist of the Year Award.

This echoes her early days as a pop/rock singer, when she won Best Female Vocalist at the Buffalo Music Awards two years in a row, and her winning Best Female Blues Vocalist at the Buffalo NightLife Music Awards in the mid-2010s, just before launching her recording career with the debut album Desperately Seeking DeeAnn. 

MATTI KLEIN - 'FRONTIERS (ECHO)' – NEW SINGLE BY BERLIN-BASED JAZZ KEYBOARD VIRTUOSO OUT NOW

MATTI KLEIN | 2025 photo by JM Jorissen

MATTI KLEIN
FRONTIERS (ECHO)

new single
out now
(Shuffle Shack Records/Membran)

stream 

included on
SOUL TRIO BOUNCIN’ IN BUBBLEVERSE
new album
LP | CD | digital
out 26th September 2025 

'Frontiers (Echo)' is a dubbed-out, slowed-down companion piece to ‘New Frontiers’, released in mid-May as the first single from a forthcoming brand new album by Berlin-based keyboard virtuoso Matti Klein and his highly acclaimed Soul Trio. Born from late-night studio jams and a desire to explore the space between breathing funk and floating groove, both tracks have seen the trio continue to push soul-jazz boundaries and kick off what promises to be a vibrant, groove-infused musical journey that blends classic soul-jazz and playful funk with contemporary hip-hop flair.

also available now
NEW FRONTIERS
stream  |  live video

“A solid drum groove latches onto a great rhythm, the fat bassline sounds like something Paul Jackson would have dropped in the mid 70s with Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters, and a confident saxophone covers everything with a classic style. An absolutely cracking single”
REAL GONE

‘Soul Trio Bouncin’ In Bubbleverse' sees Matti Klein and his trio continue along the successful path they have followed since issuing two albums in the early 2020s, which were promoted with 400+ club and festival dates around Europe, Asia and South Africa, reams of positive reviews, plus airplay on major BBC and German radio stations. The release of the new album coincides with a European tour that includes several UK dates:

23.10.25  MANCHESTER Matt & Phreds Jazz Club
24.10.25  NOTTINGHAM Peggy’s Skylight
26.10.25  NORTHAMPTON The Garibaldi (afternoon)
26.10.25  NORTHAMPTON The Lab (evening)
27.10.25  LONDON Pizza Express Soho
More shows to be confirmed

“They deserve to be HUGE everywhere. Make sure you catch them"
JAZZWISE

Klein earned his reputation as one of the best young German jazz players with his former band Mo' Blow, releasing three albums on the renowned ACT Music label, while also acting as musical director for Brazilian jazz giant Ed Motta. His passion for vintage instruments such as the Wurlitzer and Fender Rhodes Piano Bass and groove infused compositions are the main inspiration for his Soul Trio, which includes the expressive playing of Lars Dieterich (formerly Zander) on bass clarinet/tenor sax and the rhythmical, highly flexible André Seidel on drums.

“An authentic album drawing on vintage instruments with a 21st century attitude"
JAZZ JOURNAL - review of ‘Soul Trio’ (2020)
“A smokin' hot series of sessions featuring Klein and his superb band. Lars Zander on tenor is just sensational, and his forays on bass clarinet add even more grit to the hard-swinging proceedings ****”
JAZZWISE - review of 'Soul Trio Live On Tape’ (2021)

MATTI KLEIN SOUL TRIO
Matti Klein - Wurlitzer, Rhodes Bass
Lars Dieterich (formerly Zander) - bass, clarinet, sax
André Seidel - drums

Official Site  |  Facebook  |  Instagram

TWO-TIME GRAMMY-WINNING SINGER-SONGWRITER JON CARROLL SAYS WE ‘CAN’T AFFORD NOT TO’ FIND OUR VOICE FOR BRAVERY AND CHANGE

His first album in eighteen years drops on June 27.

EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (5 JUNE 2025): After launching his career as a teenager like a rocket ship, winning two GRAMMY® Awards as a member of Starland Vocal Band (“Afternoon Delight”), Jon Carroll is now deliberate and considered when it comes to releasing new music. The singer, songwriter, producer, arranger, and musician’s musician has a lot to say on his fourth solo album, “Can’t Afford Not To.” His first album in eighteen years will receive its official release on June 27 from BraveSoul Productions. Carroll penned a dozen new tunes and produced this 14-song LP, crafting a freeform collection of keen political commentary and societal observations, courageous activism, and purposeful explorations of truth set to melody-rich, horn powered, and groove-laden Americana rock, R&B, soul, jazz, and gospel music.

Carroll’s “Can’t Afford Not To” presents a gallery of musical advocacies. His lyrics address speaking out politically, reaching out socially, standing up righteously, doing right constantly, and seeking truth faithfully.

“‘Can’t Afford Not To’ completes a cycle of commentary begun at the dawning of American Neo Conservatism. I wish that these songs written during the first clashes between capitalism and progressivism were by now old hat, but they’re needed now more than ever. The clash is between truth and lies, darkness and light, unity and disarray. These songs are all about solidarity—of purpose and of reality in resistance to those forces that have long sought to divide,” said Carroll, who is based in Western Massachusetts.

The album opens with the New Orleans-styled “(You Gotta) Stand Up!” It’s a one-man protest prod to those sitting it out and shutting up in the face of authoritarianism. The track serves as the theme song for the popular Stand Up! with Pete Dominick podcast.

“Pete (Dominick) had his own show and founded the then Insight channel on SiriusXM until he was let go in a politically charged move at the dawn of the Covid pandemic. He endeavored, successfully, to bring many of his listeners to his Patreon-supported podcast. I was inspired and wrote this song as a gesture of solidarity with him and our community of listeners, comprised of folks devoted to seeking knowledge, insight, and ways forward in the struggle toward a fairer more equitable world for all,” explained Carroll who played the majority of the instruments on the album along with constructing layers of vocal harmonies.

At his core, Carroll is a storyteller and his gift shines on the midtempo guitar groove titled “Into and Outa the Storm,” an all-too-common present-day tale about a young family seeking reassurance amidst economic challenges. 

“The seed for this song was planted while reading of the exodus of the newly unemployed to the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota during the 2008 economic downturn. Seeing a picture of a young family, baby in the backseat of a car among all transportable belongings rang a bell that sounded from a John Steinbeck novel past, describing a tenuous time requiring a non-tenuous renewed commitment made with more than a hint of desperation, while sailing toward an uncertain tomorrow. Staying steadfast isn’t always easy,” Carroll surmised.

The title track is a reggae-pop singalong laced with bluegrass harmonies. Carroll says that the song is a “paean to altruism and compassion, those first go-to resources in the quest for community and the very survival for our species.”

Packaging funk, jazz, pop, and disco, “Your Hook” shimmers via the skillfully plied gloss of a Nashville-based string section. Carroll’s subject is the “futile swim upstream toward the shining allure of a young siren’s eyes. The double-clutch of a growing crush is something of which he’s aware will never be reciprocated.”

Revisiting vintage Philly soul music from the seventies on the ballad “Big Goodbye,” Carroll croons a sad story of departure in three acts augmented with violin and viola performed by members of the U.S. Marine Chamber Ensemble.

“Like many, I suffer from separation anxiety and this song is autobiographical. Its three verses are representative of three acts: those heartbreaking final farewells in life from people whose circumstances prevent ever seeing one another again; broaching the subject of impending death delicately, awkwardly, and fearfully; and the final dissolution of a marriage or partnership.”

Deriving inspiration from Leon Russell, Carroll’s funky two-wheeled frolic “On His Bike” is a joyous and playful jaunt. An updated old-school romancer flirting with doo-wop and illumined by sweeping strings, “Rainy Day Someone” frames an admirer who reaches out in tough times that “hit like lightning.” Seamlessly blending the distinctive soulful sounds of New Orleans, Philly, and Detroit’s Motown, “Rich Man’s Daughter” is the portrait of domestic culture clash within a marriage.

One of two cover songs on the album, Carroll says his old-school soul version of The Winstons’ “Color Him Father” “pays tribute to fatherhood with grateful affirmations and appreciations of new beginnings and the redemptions of found family. It’s also a tribute to those who take on mentorship roles in young lives.”

Carroll adds secular gospel to the mix on “Right By You,” an anthem of everyday moral dilemmas and our seeing and thinking through them and navigating them with grace carefully and courageously. 

“The song is almost a prayer, about the call to be activated at a moment’s notice to any random duty where we’re required to play our part - in society and within our personal relationships. All we can do is try to be our best.”

Decorating the funk-flavored, horn garnished “Heart Outside” with acoustic guitar reveals Carroll’s affection for Linda and Cecil Womack’s music.

“Those Womack & Womack records, with their use of acoustic guitars within the R&B genre, was an inspiration here. This is a tune about a tenacious love that hangs in there— maybe a little too long while trying maybe a little too hard. Is she ever going to let him come in?” posed Carroll. 

Venturing into progressive jazz-rock, “Roll A 7, Pts. 1 & 2” challenges by marching to an odd-time signature and serves as a showcase for Nigerian percussionist-composer Tosin Aribisala, who Carroll mentored at the Strathmore Performing Arts Center’s Emerging Artists in Residence program. The song about the inevitable happenstance speaks of pushing one’s luck and daring fate too many times unfolds in two halves: the song portion followed by an extended improvisation.

Another odd-time progressive jazz-pop track packing muscular horns, “Soldier On” incorporates Brazilian jazz and vocal jazz nuances. It’s a song Carroll began writing long ago although he finds the message as relevant now as ever.

“I started writing it at the outset of the Iraq War, with its final verse written some years later as many war veterans returned home maimed and mutilated, physically and spiritually. Trouble had hit our shores, and in those ensuing awful years, those brave souls returned profoundly damaged from those conflicts. We must support them as well as each other and persevere with tenacity, vigilance, and faith.”

To close the album, Carroll selected Jimmie Rodgers’ “Waiting on A Train.” 

“It’s a classic American song that I felt capped off this collection in a hopeful if not altogether poignant way. The crickets are real, and it’s the tale of a traveling soul, one with many ‘homes that call the loudest.’ The future is always right around the corner. We soldier on with heart and soul,” said the hopeful Carroll.

A child prodigy from the civil rights era South, Carroll started performing when he was eleven, gigging with R&B dance bands in his hometown of Fredericksburg, Virginia. After moving to Washington, DC, he started working in clubs like The Cellar Door at age fifteen and two years later, he opened shows at The Kennedy Center and other larger venues for George Carlin, John Prine, and Seals & Crofts. At eighteen, Carroll cofounded Starland Vocal Band, which had a No. 1 pop hit, “Afternoon Delight.” Starland Vocal Band won two of the five GRAMMYs for which they were nominated, including Best New Artist and Best Arrangement for Voices, the latter being for Carroll’s arranging work.

After Starland Vocal Band’s five-album run, Carroll began building his lengthy career as a touring and recording musician, playing guitar, keyboards, singing, and arranging music alongside Mary Chapin Carpenter, Peter Wolf, Rodney Crowell, The Chicks, and countless other singer-songwriters. He released his solo debut album, “Home & Away,” in 1990. The set contained his first 7/4-time composition, “Get Closer,” which Linda Ronstadt covered and took to No. 29 on the Billboard chart. Tom Jones recorded two other songs from that collection: “Old Flame Blue” and “Walk Tall (Valley of the Shadows).” Prior to “Can’t Afford Not To,” Carroll’s last studio album was 2007’s “Love Returns,” which swept all seven Wammies for which it was nominated at the awards doled out by the Washington Area Music Association. That was followed the very next year with a double-disc live recording, “LIVE Returns,” which also won multiple Wammies. In addition to his busy touring and studio session work, Carroll has released a variety of singles between albums and has landed multiple television and film music placements. He will be touring this summer throughout the US and Canada with Carpenter.

Carroll’s “Can’t Afford Not To” album contains the following songs:

“(You Gotta) Stand Up!”

“Into and Outa The Storm”

“Can’t Afford Not To”

“Your Hook”

“Big Goodbye”

“On His Bike”

“Rainy Day Someone”

“Rich Man’s Daughter”

“Color Him Father”

“Right By You”

“Heart Outside”

“Roll A 7, Pts. 1 & 2”

“Soldier On”

“Waiting For A Train”

For more information, visit https://joncarroll.org. 

GROTE MARKT IN VEURNE WORDT IN AUGUSTUS DECOR VAN EEN GROOTS OPGEZET HOMMAGE CONCERT AAN WILL TURA

Dit jaar wordt de keizer van het Vlaamse lied, Will Tura, 85. Stad Veurne gaat daarom samen met de grootste tribute organisator van het land, Show-Time.be, een muzikale hommage neerplanten op de Grote Markt van Veurne. Tijdens het twee uur durende concert zullen gastzangers als Helmut Lotti, Paul Michiels, Jelle Cleymans, Sandrine en Jan Wuytens de mooiste Tura-nummers brengen. Tickets en info voor het eerbetoon aan Tura, op zaterdag 2 augustus, via www.show-time.be of via de balie van Visit Veurne.

De keizer van het Vlaamse lied

Will Tura, in 1940 geboren als Arthur Blanckaert, is een van de grootste en bekendste artiesten die Vlaanderen rijk is. Hij heeft er een muzikale carrière van ruim 60 jaar op zitten, meer dan 100 albums (compilatie- en studioalbums) en 58 nummer 1-hits achter zijn naam, en is verheven tot ridder. Will Tura is de onbetwiste keizer van het Vlaamse lied.

Parade van Vlaamse stemmen voor uniek eerbetoon

Tura geeft sinds 2000 om de vijf jaar een verjaardagsconcert op de Grote Markt van Veurne. In 2015 gaf hij er zijn laatste verjaardagsconcert. Dit jaar wordt Tura 85, optreden doet hij zelf niet meer maar Stad Veurne zet de zanger maar al te graag in de bloemetjes. In samenwerking met Show-time.be, de grootste tribute organisator van ons land, plant de stad een grootste hommage concert aan Will Tura. Een zorgvuldig samengestelde line-up zal de mooiste nummers van Tura brengen tijdens een prachtig muzikaal eerbetoon. Helmut Lotti, Paul Michiels, Jelle Cleymans, Sandrine en Jan Wuytens zullen er instaan voor de mooiste Tura-beleving van het jaar. Lotti hoeft weinig kadering. Hij blijft één van de grootste zangers in Vlaanderen, en bewandelde net als Tura al tal van muzikale zijpaden en genres. Lotti lijkt wel dé ideale man om de nummers van Tura mede te vertolken. Vorige week maakte hij nog een opmerkelijke passage in het centraal station van Antwerpen om zijn nieuwe tournee aan te kondigen, en deze zomer zal hij dus te zien zijn op de Grote Markt van Veurne.

Paul Michiels staat zelf ook al zo’n 60 jaar op allerhande podia, en scheerde ook op internationaal bijzonder hoge toppen. In 2023 was Michiels er ook bij op het afscheidsconcert in het Sportpaleis. Toen ook van de partij: Jelle Cleymans. Cleymans staat in november dit jaar maar liefst vier keer in het Sportpaleis, met Cleymans zingt Spring. Bovendien was hij één van de dragende rollen in de Vlaamse musical Vergeet Barbara. Sandrine is dan weer de vrouw met één van de mooiste timbres van ons land, met enorm volume. Ook de West-Vlaming Jan Wuytens zal nummers van Tura brengen. Hij is al sinds zijn kindertijd fan van de muziek en mag dus nu het podium delen met andere grote Vlaamse kleppers om de mooiste Will Tura liedjes te brengen.

Het sterrenensemble staat onder leiding van Claude De Maertelaere, ook de musical director van K3. De meerkoppige begeleidingsband bestaat onder meer multi-instrumentalist Jan Cleymans.

Feest in Veurne

Zowel de locatie als de datum van het concert zijn van grote symbolische waarde. Tura trad verschillende keren op, op de Grote Markt van Veurne. Nu wordt er dus een eerbetoon voor hem georganiseerd op diezelfde Grote Markt. Het wordt alweer een bijzonder decor, met het zestiende-eeuwse stadhuis op de achtergrond. De datum is evenmin willekeurig: 2 augustus, de verjaardag van de Keizer van het Vlaamse lied. Tura wordt op die dag 85. Het concert zal enkel zittende plaatsen bevatten, er worden geen staanplaatsen voorzien. In totaal zullen zo’n 3.000 stoeltjes plaats bieden aan de toeschouwers. Tickets voor het concert zijn vanaf nu te koop via show-time.be en via de toeristische dienst Visit Veurne.

PRAKTISCH:

VIVA TURA – Eerbetoon aan Will Tura in Veurne

Met Helmut Lotti, Paul Michiels, Jelle Cleymans, Sandrine en Jan Wuytens

Grote Markt Veurne

Zaterdag 2 augustus – 15u00

Tickets: www.show-time.be en balie Visit Veurne (historisch Stadhuis Veurne)

WOMEN SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME CELEBRATES ITS FIFTH ANNIVERSARY WITH TWO DAY AWARDS GALA AT THE MEAD CENTER FOR AMERICAN THEATRE IN WASHINGTON, DC JUNE 20-21, 2025

Hosted by TV Personality Claudia Jordan, This Year’s Event Honors 12 Internationally Renowned   Women of Song, Including Melba Moore,  Brenda Russell, Regina Belle, Janis Ian and Asha Puthli

Continuing to build on its mission to empower the voices of women in music and spotlight the artistry and impact of female songwriters, composers, educators, engineers, executives and others, the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame celebrates its milestone fifth anniversary with a two-day awards gala at the Mead Center for American Theatre in Washington, DC Friday and Saturday, June 20-21, 2025.

Hosted by prominent TV personality, actress and entrepreneur Claudia Jordan, this year’s event honors 12 prominent, internationally renowned women of song from an eclectic array of musical genres whose songs, recordings and compositional works have inspired numerous generations and a multitude of world cultures. The 2025 honorees include Melba Moore, Brenda Russell, Regina Belle, Janis Ian, Sylvia Moy, Julie Giroux, Janiva Magness, Vicki Peterson, YoYo (aka Yolanda Whitaker), Christina Shusho, Dr. Stacy L. Smith (USC Annenberg Study), Asha Puthli and the late Lari White. 

In addition to exciting musical performances by Nes Powers, Evelyn Rubio, Robert Cristian Jordan and Mallow Hill, the ceremony will include special entertainment by comedic magician, mentalist and hypnotist Adam Stone and Women on Fire, a group of stage performers whose clever, socially conscious skits explore the breadth of women’s issues with humor and wisdom. Other participants include awards presenters Andree Harris and Telishia Berry, DJ Supreme Da Barber (creating powerful musical sounds for the red carpet), Versie Jean (Songwriting Performer/Winner 2024 and Current WSHOF Ambassador). The event’s musical director is Christopher Valentine.    

On Friday, the first day of the event, WSHOF will host its annual songwriting contest and exclusive mixer. Ten emerging songwriters will be invited to perform their original songs for a panel of industry veteran judges. The winner receives studio time at Omega Recording Studios in Rockville, MD and a guitar, in addition to the opportunity to perform at the awards ceremony on Saturday in front of the honorees. Besides an opportunity for introductions and casual socializing, the mixer is designed as an “open door” for up-and-coming songwriters and performers to meet veterans who can help them in their careers and foster potential opportunities to collaborate. Montanique “Monei” Sutton will serve as host/songwriting mixer for this evening’s events.

In 2021, one of the songwriting participants was Robin Sailor-Zander, daughter of Cheap Trick frontman (and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer) Robin Zander, who has been a major supporter of WSHOF, even creating a promotional video for the organization’s YouTube channel.

“The Women Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards is like the Grammys to any other musical award show, the cool point being that it’s specifically for women songwriters,” says Dr. Janice McLean DeLoatch, an entrepreneur, songwriter and former radio talk show host who is the  organization’s Founder, Chief Executive and Chairman. “In the research I conducted before deciding to launch the organization, I found that there are not many programs exclusively honoring women in entertainment at this level. We’re all about achieving parity and recognition for Girls and Women in Music, opening doors a bit more for those whose talents will bring us joy,  inspiration and their songs on the radio for the next 50 years.”

Previous WSHOF inductees include Roberta Flack, Valerie Simpson, Klymaxx, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Deniece Williams, The Go-Go’s and the late Naomi Judd (2021); Marilyn Bergman, Gloria Estefan, Siedah Garrett, Indigo Girls, Loretta Lynn and Jody Watley (2022); Ann Hampton Calloway, Jan Daley, Scherrie Payne, Toni Basil, Angela Bofill, Pam Sawyer and the late Cynthia Weil and Olivia Newton-John (2023); and Dr. Stacy L. Smith, Crystal Waters, Soon Hee Newbold and the late Angie Stone and Allie Willis (2024).

The organization is pleased to announce that sponsorship opportunities for the upcoming WSHOF events are now open. Sponsors can purchase an ad, sponsor an inductee and/or lend their likeness and voice. It’s a prime opportunity to gain brand exposure and connect with industry professionals, influencers and supporters.

For more information, please visit https://womensongwritershalloffame.org.

HISTORALIA LOST EERSTE MUZIKALE VONK UIT REVOLUTIONAIR MUSICALSPEKTAKEL ‘1830’

Historalia lost eerste muzikale vonk uit revolutionair musicalspektakel '1830' met pakkend duet 'Geen wereld zonder jou'

Lotte Heuten en Pieter Casteleyn raken recht in het hart met nummer over liefde, passie en strijd in tijden van revolutie  

Van 13 augustus tot en met 6 september 2025 brengt productiehuis Historalia het indrukwekkende musicalspektakel ‘1830’ op de planken aan het kasteel van Wijnendale (Torhout). ​​​​​​Vertrekkende vanuit de wortels van onze nationale geschiedenis, brengt '1830' op een onvergetelijke en revolutionaire manier hulde aan de geboorte van het Koninkrijk België. Als toeschouwer word je meegenomen naar een tijd waarin moed en vastberadenheid het lot van een natie bepaalden. 

Met het pakkende duet 'Geen wereld zonder jou', gebracht door Lotte Heuten en Pieter Casteleyn, lost Historalia in aanloop naar de voorstellingen alvast een eerste muzikale vonk uit '1830'. In het musicalspektakel vertolken Lotte en Pieter de rollen van de Belgische Anna en de Nederlandse Kapitein Vermeer. Kapitein Vermeer en Anna ontmoeten elkaar op het scherp van de revolutie. Wat begint met één blik, groeit uit tot een liefde die alles overstijgt. Het nummer weerspiegelt de intense emoties en dramatische onderstroom van een land op het kantelpunt van de geschiedenis en vormt het muzikale hart van de productie

kijk/luister HIER naar 'Geen wereld zonder jou'

1830 - het verhaal

‘1830' biedt een revolutionaire kijk op het ontstaan van het Koninkrijk België. De revolutiegolf die in de 19de eeuw door Europa woedt, breidt zich uit als een olievlek tot ze ook onze contreien bereikt. Dit tot groot ongenoegen van de Hollanders die onder leiding van Koning Willem I het gezag hebben over de Belgische gebieden. De Belgen drukken steeds meer hun ontevredenheid over zijn regeerstijl uit, tot op een avond heel Brussel in rep en roer wordt gezet… Sleutelfiguren zoals Frédéric de Merode en Louis de Potter vechten mee voor de vrijheid van het Belgische volk.

Gaandeweg leer je een Brussels gezin kennen dat alles van dichtbij meemaakt. Vader André is een hevig verzetsstrijder, zijn dochter Anna en zijn jongste kinderen Ketje en Josephine raken elk op hun eigen manier verweven in de revolutie. '1830' vertelt een verhaal vol actie, liefde en emotie. Een must-see voor elke liefhebber van muziek, theater en geschiedenis.

Je zal overdonderd worden door een meeslepend, warm verhaal, een indrukwekkend decor en een ronduit fantastische cast. Zo zullen o.a. doorwinterde (musical)acteurs als David Cantens, Maike Boerdam, Pieter Casteleyn, Lotte Heuten, Tim Saey, Nordin De Moor, Pieter Jan De Paepe, Belle Van der Pijl, Rick Van den Belt en Ad Knippels zowel historische als fictieve personages tot leven brengen. De voorstelling zal verder bol staan van spectaculaire en levensechte scènes, inclusief een verbluffend dansensemble en special effects.

Beleef het prachtige musicalspektakel ‘1830’ vanaf 13 augustus tot en met 6 september 2025 aan het kasteel van Wijnendale. Tickets & info: historalia.be 

Cast
David Cantens (André), Maike Boerdam (Leonie), Pieter Casteleyn (Kapitein Vermeer) Lotte Heuten (Anna), Tim Saey (de Potter), Nordin De Moor (Koning Willem I), Pieter Jan De Paepe (Frédéric de Merode), Belle Van der Pijl (Elisabeth), Ad Knippels (Minister van Maanen), Rick Van den Belt (Rechter, Heer Cornelis), Mauro Degroote & Jerome De Burghgraeve (Ketje), Elise Lagrou & Fay De Bruyne (Josephine)

Creatives
Producer: Simon de Merode
Script & regie: Luc Stevens
Componist: Sam Gevers
Choreo & staging: Roy Jonathans
Decorontwerp: Eric Van der Palen
Kostuumontwerp: Elvira Van Bavinckhove  
Kap & grime: Virginie Verpoucke
Technisch producent:  Jeffrey Kranen 
Artistiek manager: Ief Dams

'SUPERSTAR’ – NIEUWE SINGLE VAN CARO LEE

FEEL THE FUNK & DANCE!

Na de twee funky singles Heartbeat (2023) en Your Love (2024) lost Caro Lee een

derde track.

SUPERSTAR is een knipoog naar haar tienerjaren en haar ‘celebrity crushs’ uit de

jaren 80.

De single bevestigt haar terugkeer naar de roots van funk geïnspireerde 80’s muziek,.

Denk: Madonna, Prince en Sheila E, maar dan in een modern jasje. Met herkenbare 80s vibes en een onweerstaanbare groove, bouwt Caro Lee verder aan dit nieuwe muzikale project.

Deze single is de voorbode van het binnenkort te verschijnen full album The Funk City Jam dat deze zomer voor het eerst op diverse podia zal worden gepresenteerd mét live band.

Caroline Clement (aka Caro Lee) ademt muziek en verwierf in de loop der jaren al heel wat bekendheid in verschillende muzikale projecten.

Zo scoorde ze ondermeer in 1998 als Tamira Jay een nr. 1 Eurodance hit in Spanje met Get Up, een nummer dat zij samen schreef in met Stano Simor.

In de Belgische Ultratop haalde het nr. 8.

Verder was zij ook te zien als gastdrumster bij tal van artiesten, waaronder zelfs Billy Ocean, tijdens de hoogdagen van 10 om te Zien.

Vorig jaar won ze met haar act als Madonna de publieksprijs in het programma Starstruck op VTM.

Haar deelname lag in het verlengde van een ander actueel muzikaal project, met name MYDONNA: een succesvol uitgewerkte tribute show die de grotere podia in Vlaanderen en Nederland haalt.

En dan is er ook nog een derde actueel project: Echo City Waves. Een coverband die focust op New Wave classics waarin Caroline drumt en zingt.

Credits Superstar © 2025

Tekst en muziek: Caroline Clement / Luc Waegeman

Opnames: Geert Vanbever, Jan Borré

Synths en drumprogrammering: Jan Borré

Bass: Luc Waegeman / Gitaar: Thomas De Schepper

Productie: Jan Borré / Mixing: Jesse De Roo

Mastering: Uwe Teichert

Hoes en persfoto: Ioannis Tsouloulis / Video: Noloxbox

Links

Website: https://www.carolee.be

Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/CaroLeeofficial

TOMMY DAVIDSON FT. BYRON MILLER – ‘COME TAKE MY HAND’

BOHEMIAN PRODUCTIONS KONDIGT AUDITIES AAN VOOR NIEUWE MUSICAL CHESS NA SUCCES VAN CATS

Na het overweldigende succes van de musical CATS, die dit voorjaar maar liefst 4.700 toeschouwers lokte naar het Bau-huis in Sint-Niklaas, staat Bohemian Productions alweer klaar met een nieuw groots project.

In mei 2026 brengt het musicalgezelschap de internationaal gelauwerde productie CHESS naar het podium.

Voor deze ambitieuze productie organiseert Bohemian Productions in juni 2025 audities. Geïnteresseerden kunnen zich aanmelden voor een auditie op volgende data:

Zaterdag 7 juni 2025

Zondag 8 juni 2025

Zaterdag 29 juni 2025

CHESS is een iconische musical geschreven door Tim Rice, met muziek van ABBA-leden Benny Andersson en Björn Ulvaeus. Het verhaal combineert een meeslepend liefdesdrama met politieke intriges en de strijd tussen twee grootmeesters op het schaakbord. De musical bevat wereldberoemde nummers zoals One Night in Bangkok en I Know Him So Well.

Na de warme ontvangst van CATS wil Bohemian Productions verder bouwen aan hun missie om kwalitatieve musicalproducties te brengen in eigen streek. Met CHESS kiezen ze opnieuw voor een artistiek uitdagende en muzikaal rijke voorstelling.

Zowel ervaren musicalspelers als nieuwkomers zijn welkom om zich kandidaat te stellen voor een rol. De audities zijn toegankelijk vanaf 16 jaar.

Inschrijven voor de audities kan via dit formulier:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffEePSRE6Gm5hnKas42r5DOnYQ4Z9QjB84-VV7Skzgs-V0gw/viewform?usp=header

Voor meer informatie:
📩 info@bohemianproductions.be
🌐 www.bohemianproductions.be

AMERIKAANSE MUZIKANT, PRODUCER & SONGWRITER RICK DERRINGER  (THE MCCOYS) OVERLEDEN

De Amerikaanse muzikant, producer en songwriter Rick Derringer is eergisteren 26 mei 2025 op 77-jarige leeftijd overleden. Het succes als uitvoerend artiest voor Richard Dean Zehringer; zoals hij eigenlijk heette, begon in 1965 met zijn band The McCoys (opgericht onder de naam Rick & The Raiders). Hun debuutsingle ‘Hang On Sloopy’ bereikte de eerste plaats van de Amerikaanse Billboard Hot 100 en wordt algemeen beschouwd als een klassiek nummer uit het garage rock tijdperk. The McCoys scoorden zeven hits in de Billboard Hot 100. Naast ‘Hang On Sloopy’ haalde een coverversie van ‘Fever’ de Top 10 en werden ook ‘Come On Let’s Go’ en ‘Up And Down’ flinke hits. In 1973 dook de naam van Rick Derringer opnieuw op. Zijn compositie ‘Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo’ werd een Amerikaanse Top 25 hit voor de band Johnny Winter And, waarvan Derringer deel uitmaakte. Derringer werkte jarenlang intensief samen met de broers Edgar en Johnny Winter, speelde gitaar in hun bands en produceerde al hun grote successen, inclusief Edgar Winter's hits ‘Frankenstein’ en ‘Free Ride’ uit 1973. Derringer werkte ook met Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper, Barbra Streisand, Donald Fagen, Richie Havens, Dan Hartman, Bette Midler, Neil Sedaka, Kiss en ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, Hij produceerde Yankovic’s nummers ‘Eat It’ (1984) en ‘Fat’ (1988), die goed waren voor een Grammy Award. Aansluitend produceerde Derringer ‘The Wrestling Album’ (1985) en ‘Piledriver: The Wrestling Album II’ (1987) voor The World Wrestling Federation. Derringer was ook de producer van drie nummers voor de soundtrack van de film ‘Bachelor Party’ (1984), waarin Tom Hanks schitterde. Daarnaast nam Derringer een groot aantal soloalbums op, waarvan ‘All American Boy’ (1973) het meest succesvol was. Rick Derringer ruste in vrede!

Met dank aan Leo Weijers.

PAUL BROWN – ‘SUMMERTIME’

HOOFDCAST 'DE SAGE VAN HET ROS BEIAARD' TOONT ZICH VOOR HET EERST IN PERSONAGE

Foto’s c: Camerata Productions

Hoofdcast theaterspektakel 'De Sage van het Ros Beiaard' toont zich voor het eerst in personage in adembenemende trailer.

Met o.a. Veerle Malschaert, Ludo Hellinx, Mark Tijsmans, Yanni Bourguignon en Remi De Smet

Vanaf 26 september 2025 presenteert het Dendermondse productiehuis Camerata Productions vzw het grootse theaterspektakel 'De Sage van het Ros Beiaard' in de Oktoberhallen te Wieze. Meer dan 80 acteurs, ruiters, dansers en figuranten zullen in deze legendarische locatie, waar er speciaal voor deze voorstellingen een grote tribune gebouwd zal worden, een historische evocatie rond de middeleeuwse sage van het Ros Beiaard en de Vier Heemskinderen op de planken brengen.

De hoofdcast, een mooie mix van nationaal bekende gezichten als Veerle Malschaert (Vrouwe Adelais), Ludo Hellinx (Heer Malegijs), Mark Tijsmans (Bisschop Tulpijn), Nordin De Moor (Hofmeier), Yanni Bourguignon (Ritsaert) en Remi De Smet (Adelaert), en aanstormend lokaal talent zoals Senne Vanwildemeersch en Lotte Stallaert die het iconische koppel Reynout en Clarisse vertolken, mocht onlangs voor het eerst in de huid én het kostuum kruipen van hun respectievelijke personages voor de opname van de trailer voor het theaterspektakel.

Het resultaat kan je nu bekijken en doet alvast watertanden naar de voorstellingen dit najaar.

Het verhaal in het kort:

De jonge Reynout wordt als onervaren ridder samen met zijn broers ingezet in de oorlog tussen zijn vader heer Aymon en Karel De Grote. Vol goede bedoelingen trekken ze ten strijde, maar wanneer ze met de drieste waarheid van het slagveld worden geconfronteerd, beseffen ze al snel dat ze evenveel te winnen als te verliezen hebben. Want hoeveel offer je op om je idealen te bekomen? 

Het belooft een overweldigende voorstelling te worden met nieuw gecomponeerde muziek, prachtige kostuums, een uniek decor en tal van speciale effecten.

'De Sage van het Ros Beiaard' speelt vanaf 26 september 2025 tot en met 5 oktober 2025 in de Oktoberhallen te Wieze. Tickets & info: rosbeiaardspektakel.be  

Regie & scenario: Stijn De Wolf
Scenario: Wout Stallaert
Staging & choreografie: Ingrid Coppieters
Componisten: Pieter Van Baeveghem & Bert Van Weyenbergh
Muzikale leiding: Geert Baetens

Scenografie: Yannic Duchateau
Lichtontwerp: Laurens van Henden
Geluidsontwerp: TWIN4U
Ontwerp kap & grime: Sara Joris

SOUL-JAZZ SAXOPHONIST REGGIE CODRINGTON FINDS ‘JOY IN THE MIDST’ OF CHALLENGES

The inspiring new single is presently collecting airplay and playlist adds.

FAYETTEVILLE, NC (22 MAY 2025): Exuding joy via his ever-present smile and an incandescent spirit filled with hope, optimism, and gratitude, soul-jazz saxophonist Reggie Codrington finds inspiration for songs from his own intense challenges. His parents instilled in him a positive mindset from when he underwent nine surgeries by the time he was thirteen years old due to Ataxic Cerebral Palsy, which affects balance, coordination, and motor skills. Doctors had to cut and transfer muscles from his elbow, wrist, and triceps to improve finger dexterity and slice leg muscles to increase mobility and make it easier for Codrington to walk. Overcoming and triumphing against difficult circumstances continues to impact Codrington’s music, including his new single, “Joy in the Midst,” which is currently collecting radio spins and playlist adds.

Codrington wrote “Joy in the Midst” as his mother was facing her own health challenges.

“Life is not easy, and my life adversities taught me that no matter what we go through, we must keep joy in the midst. My mother instilled in me to keep a positive outlook on life and adversity. Despite the health challenges she had while I was composing and recording this song, I watched her remain joyful in the midst of her own challenges,” said Codrington, who is based in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Codrington’s father, Ray Codrington, was a professional musician who played with Little Richard, Gladys Knight, Jackie Wilson, and others. When his teenage son expressed interest in music, Ray found a small, curved saxophone that made it physically possible for Reggie to play the instrument. Falling in love with the sax, Reggie Codrington made music part of his meaningful mission as an adult.

“Because of my parents’ belief in me and their encouragement, I am so grateful that music is a part of my professional life. My mission is to give hope through music, to inspire people to become great and not allow adversity or circumstances to hinder their potential to dream,” said Reggie Codrington, who majored in music at Howard University.

Keyboardist George Freeman Jr. (Pamela Williams, Gail Jhonson, Eric Darius, Karen Briggs, Marcus Johnson, Althea Rene) produced and programmed the keyboards for “Joy in the Midst,” which is anchored by a sturdy rhythm track deployed by drummer Demetrice Everett and bassist Jermone Randall.

“Joy in the Midst” is the second preview from Reggie Codrington’s forthcoming series that honors his father’s legacy, “The Ray Codrington Signature Series.” Shortly after his father passed away, Reggie Codrington recorded one of his father’s never-been-recorded compositions, “Three Shades of Blue,” and released it as a single last year. The upcoming project will be his twelfth album.  

“Another thing I’m really excited about is that I’m going to be recording new music with Michael Broening,” said Codrington about the producer, songwriter, and pianist who has crafted 25 Billboard No. 1 singles.

Codrington released his debut album, “Never Let You Go,” in 1990. Since then, he has recorded with GRAMMY® winner Jeff Lorber, GRAMMY® nominee Paul Jackson Jr., and Billboard chart-topper Nils; and opened for Ramsey Lewis, Charlie Wilson, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Peabo Bryson, Kenny Latimore, Kim Waters, and Kevin Toney. Another career highlight was in 2012 when Codrington was invited to perform at one of the inaugural balls for President Barack Obama.

For more information, please visit https://www.reggiecodrington.com.

DARNELL “SHOWCASE” TAYLOR FT. CHELSEY GREEN – ‘PARADISE’

ILYA SEROV FT. OLI SILK – ‘AFLOAT’

CAROL ALBERT – ‘PINK FLAMINGO’

NIEUWE JAZZCLUB IN BRUSSEL

De Toots Jazz Club, een nieuwe plek gewijd aan jazz en zwanze, heeft zijn deuren op 15 mei geopend op de Grote Markt van Brussel. Dit project wordt gedragen door pianist Joachim Caffonnette, een sleutelfiguur in de Belgische jazzscene, en zijn vzw Toots Live. Met deze plek hoopt de pianist een feestelijke, eclectische en veeleisende visie te bieden op wat Michel Petrucciani “de klassieke muziek van de 21e eeuw” noemde.

Na nieuw leven te hebben ingeblazen in een historische club in Elsene, trekt het collectief Toots Live nu naar het stadscentrum om het beste van de Belgische en internationale jazz te laten klinken in een typisch Brusselse sfeer. De Toots Jazz Club neemt zijn intrek in een emblematisch gebouw, gelegen aan de Hoedenmakerstraat 6, voorheen bekend als “Chez Luc”, daarna “Chez Patrick”, en ten slotte “Le Chapot”, een bar waar swingavonden indruk maakten op dans- en jazzliefhebbers.

Deze nieuwe, intieme club zal een rijk programma aanbieden, met niet minder dan acht muzikale evenementen per week. De woensdag- en weekend-afterhours worden gewijd aan hoogwaardige gratis jamsessies. Op donderdagen, open voor dansers, staat jazz van vóór 1950 centraal. Op vrijdagen en zaterdagen brengen twee sets het beste van de Belgische en internationale jazz. Op zondagmiddag biedt de concertreeks “Nostalgia In Grand Place” een podium aan lokale groepen die zich toeleggen op specifieke repertoires, zoals composities van bepaalde muzikanten of historische albums.

De club biedt bediening aan tafel tijdens de concerten, evenals een zorgvuldig geselecteerd aanbod van tapbieren, cocktails met een New Orleans-sfeer, en een mooie selectie van wijnen, champagne, geuze en premiumbieren om te delen terwijl je luistert naar de beste improvisatoren van het moment. Een gevarieerd aanbod van alcoholvrije bieren en verfijnde cocktails is ook beschikbaar voor wie van muziek wil genieten zonder matiging.

TOOTS JAZZ CLUB
Hoedenmakerstraat 6
1000 Brussel

toots.brussels

GRAMMY AND TONY AWARD WINNING LEGEND BRENDA RUSSELL RELEASES NEW SINGLE

BRENDA RUSSELL - “You Know What It’s Like”

With the release of her latest single, the soulful and sensualromance “You Know What It’s Like,” Brenda Russell not only continues to pave the way for her highly anticipated upcoming album Songpainter – her first collection in 20 years – but also makes a triumphant return to the refined classic blend of adult contemporary R&B and urban jazz that launched and defined the trailblazing four and a half decade career of the multi-Grammy nominated singer/songwriter, Tony nominated and Grammy winning Broadway composer for The Color Purple.

Produced by Brenda with her longtime collaborator Stephan Oberhoff (Burt Bacharach, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau), “You Know What It’s Like” is a co-write by the singer and the legendary Roberta Flack, who originally recorded the song on her Oasis album. When Brenda and Oberhoff were going through songs she had written but never recorded herself as potential singles and tracks for Songpainter, she immediately gravitated to this supremely sultry tune to both honor her longtime friend and give her some love.

Featuring a dreamy Brazilian-flavored vibe, “You Know What It’s Like” is the follow-up single to Brenda’s R&B/gospel flavored “What Will It Take,” an uplifting and unifying globally conscious anthem for our time. Its 2023 release was one of those serendipitous cases of a song truly meeting the perfect moment at a time when there is a collective anxiety about America’s future as a democracy and our news feeds are dominated by the details of two horrifying wars.  

Brenda’s passionate, intimate lyrics find her expressing love and affection for a lover on the same wavelength: “Your smile is amazing/I miss you the moment that you’re gone from my arms. . .a fire I’ve waited for so long. . .But you know, you know what it’s like/When love feels, everything feels right, so right.” Fans who have been with Brenda from the beginning will appreciate the sly insertion of the phrase “So Good (So Right)” in the second verse. They reference the title of her 1979 debut single (and first Billboard Top 40 hit) that reached the Top 10 on the Adult Contemporary charts.    

“The song is a reflection of my musicality meeting the incredible musicality of Roberta, who is one of the all-time queens of popular music,” says Brenda. “We met during the course of our respective careers and she once dated a good friend of mine, which allowed me to get to know her better. We later performed in Japan at the Earth Voice Concert with Michael McDonald and James Ingram. I’ve always considered her a magical artist because when she made her classic records like ‘Killing Me Softly With His Song’ and “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,’ people melted at the sound and sweetness of her voice. We respected one another’s music so much, and Roberta simply reached out one day, asking me to write a song with her. She sent me a track of her musicians playing the music and chords, and I wrote the lyrics and melody. 

“Though our production is very contemporary, ‘You Know What It’s Like’ has a cool back in the day feel about it, that unmistakable 80’s R&B vibe,” she adds. “A music publisher I shared it with gave me the best compliment Roberta and I could have ever received. He said, ‘It sounds like you wrote it with Donald Fagen.’ Amazing. Nobody ever made that kind of comparison with me. But I get it. I’ve seriously been in love with the song for a long time.” 

To Brenda’s ears, the element of the track that takes it over the top is the backing vocal textures created by songwriter/producer Brian Alexander Morgan, known for his work with SWV, Usher, Lalah Hathaway, Missy Elliott and Eric Benet. Their collaboration grew out of a chance meeting while both were picking up food at a local Thai restaurant. Brenda noticed Morgan’s Pink Floyd shirt and said he must be a musician. When the singer introduced herself, Morgan went crazy and told her he was a big fan. She gave him the demo of “You Know What It’s Like” and he offered to create a dynamic five-part harmony style vocal arrangement (reminiscent of Take 6) around her lead vocals. “Brian created a whole new piece of artistry with those vocal harmonies,” Brenda says. “I always liked the song, but when you combine what Brian did vocally with what we created in the production, it gave me exactly what I was looking for in my next single.”  

Though “You Know What It’s Like” may mark the first time Brenda has revisited one of her songs after another artist recorded it, the singer has experienced the opposite as well – and dramatically so, when Oleta Adams 1991 version of “Get Here” became a massive global hit, reaching #5 in the U.S. and #4 in the UK. Brenda recorded the song as the title track to her 1988 Top Ten breakthrough album, which included “Piano in the Dark” – a tune that earned Grammy nominations for Song of the Year and Best Pop Performance by A Duo or Group with Vocals. Get Here the album earned a nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female.   

Another enduring blessing of Brenda’s professional life has been her Tony and Grammy Award winning collaboration (with fellow hit songwriters Stephen Bray and the late Allee Willis) on the musical The Color Purple. The musical, whose original Broadway production ran from 2005 to 2008 and earned eleven Tony nominations and a Best Actress win for LaChanze in 2006, is based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize winning 1982 novel and its Steven Spielberg-directed 1985 film adaptation. Brenda earned a Tony nomination for Best Original Score. A critically acclaimed Broadway revival in 2015 earned two Tony Awards – including Best Revival of a Musical and Best Actress in a Musical (Cynthia Erivo). Brenda won her first Grammy for Best Musical Theatre album in 2016. The critically acclaimed, Blitz Bazawule-directed 2023 musical film The Color Purple – whose producers included Spielberg, Quincy Jones, Scott Sanders and Oprah Winfrey – include updated versions of several of Brenda’s co-writes, including “Shug Avery Coming To Down.” She collaborated on these with Bray and two time Oscar nominated songwriter Siedah Garrett, taking over for Willis..

When people assess Brenda’s overall career, her success as an artist and with The Color Purple often overshadows the gemsshe wrote that were hits for other artists. Beyond Oleta Adams’ “Get Here,” Brenda’s gems have been recorded by Luther Vandross (“If Only for One Night”), Donna Summer (“Dinner with Gershwin”), Babyface, The Manhattan Transfer, Patti Austin, Dionne Warwick, Mary J. Blige, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan and Ramsey Lewis. Her tunes have also been sampled by everyone from Janet Jackson and 2Pace to Chance the Rapper and Ariana Grande. In addition, Brenda’s co-composition with Brazilian artist Ivan Lins “She Walks This Earth” was recorded by international superstar Sting for the all-star tribute album Love Affair: The Music Of Ivan Lins. Sting's inspired performance of the uniquely beautiful song earned him a Grammy Award in 2001 for Best Pop Male Vocal Performance.

“I’m so excited and grateful to pay homage to my dear friend and co-writer Roberta with ‘You Know What It’s Like’, and so grateful for the all the fantastic and creative people who helped me make this record,” says Brenda. “At this time in history, music’s most important job is to inspire us to be better people. I put a lot of love into my music and appreciate the opportunity to lift their spirits through the power of song.”

MATTI KLEIN - 'NEW FRONTIERS’ – NEW SINGLE BY BERLIN-BASED JAZZ KEYBOARD VIRTUOSO

MATTI KLEIN SOUL TRIO | 2025 photo by JM Jorissen

MATTI KLEIN
NEW FRONTIERS

new single
out 16.05.25
(Shuffle Shack Records/Membran)

stream

included on
SOUL TRIO BOUNCIN’ IN BUBBLEVERSE
new album
LP | CD | digital
out 26.09.25

‘New Frontiers’ is out today (16th May) as a new single by the Berlin-based keyboard virtuoso Matti Klein and his highly acclaimed Soul Trio. The first to be released from an album entitled ‘Soul Trio Bouncin' In Bubbleverse’ out in the early autumn, it kicks off what is a vibrant, groove-infused musical journey that blends classic soul-jazz and playful funk with a contemporary hip-hop flair.

Driven by a funky Wurlitzer riff, a roaring tenor sax and a bold Rhodes Bass groove, ‘New Frontiers’ feels both retro and futuristic and is akin to bouncing through a colourful, cosmic bubble. It is a playful, funk-laced exploration that invites listeners to get up on their feet, smile and discover new musical landscapes.
Continuing along the successful path the trio have followed since issuing two albums in the early 2020s, with 400+ club and festival dates around Europe, Asia and South Africa, reams of positive reviews, plus airplay on major BBC and German radio stations, the new album will be promoted with a European tour that includes several UK dates:

23.10.25  MANCHESTER Matt & Phreds Jazz Club
24.10.25  NOTTINGHAM Peggy’s Skylight
26.10.25  NORTHAMPTON The Garibaldi (afternoon)
26.10.25  NORTHAMPTON The Lab (evening)
27.10.25  LONDON Pizza Express Soho
More shows to be confirmed

“They deserve to be HUGE everywhere. Make sure you catch them"
JAZZWISE

Klein earned his reputation as one of the best young German jazz players with his former band Mo' Blow, releasing three albums on the renowned ACT Music label. He was also musical director for Brazilian jazz giant Ed Motta. His passion for vintage instruments such as the Wurlitzer and Fender Rhodes Piano Bass and groove infused compositions are the main inspiration for his Soul Trio, which includes the expressive playing of Lars Dieterich on bass clarinet/tenor sax and the rhythmical, highly flexible André Seidel on drums.

“An authentic album drawing on vintage instruments with a 21st century attitude"
JAZZ JOURNAL - review of ‘Soul Trio’ (2020)
“A smokin' hot series of sessions featuring Klein and his superb band. Lars Zander on tenor is just sensational, and his forays on bass clarinet add even more grit to the hard-swinging proceedings ****”
JAZZWISE - review of 'Soul Trio Live On Tape’ (2021)

MATTI KLEIN SOUL TRIO
Matti Klein - Wurlitzer, Rhodes Bass
Lars Zander - bass, clarinet, sax
André Seidel - drums

Official Site  |  Facebook  |  Instagram

RANDY B – ‘JOY AND MORE JOY’

ANDREW NEU FT. RICK BRAUN – ‘BRING IT ON’

WAKANA FT. GREG MANNING – ‘A NEW LIFE’

THE BILLY JOEL EXPERIENCE CONCERTEERT MET LEGENDARISCHE DRUMMER LIBERTY DEVITTO

Nederlandse tributeband deelt podium met 'Rock Royalty' in Antwerpen

The Billy Joel Experience concerteert met Billy's legendarische drummer Liberty DeVitto

18 juni 2025 – Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen

De gelauwerde tributeband The Billy Joel Experience brengt samen met Liberty DeVitto, de legendarische drummer van Billy Joel, de onvergetelijke muziek van Billy Joel tijdens een voor België exclusief optreden op 18 juni 2025 in Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen. Hits als ‘Piano Man’, ‘She’s Always A Woman’, ‘Uptown Girl’, ‘Goodnight Saigon’, ‘We Didn’t Start The Fire’, ‘Honesty’ en minder bekende pareltjes zullen met het grootste respect gebracht worden. Een avond vol energie, virtuoos pianospel en die onmiskenbare, unieke drumpartijen van grootmeester DeVitto kondigt zich aan. Een unieke kans voor elke fan van Billy Joel en liefhebber van onvervalste popmuziek! Reserveer snel je tickets voor dit onvergetelijke concert via billyjoelexperience.nl

Een verhaal van doorzettingsvermogen, passie en een droom die uitkomt. The Billy Joel Experience, een Nederlandse tributeband, staat op het punt een bijzondere mijlpaal te bereiken in de muziekgeschiedenis. Na jaren van onvermoeibare toewijding aan de muziek van Billy Joel, zal de band in juni 2025 het podium delen met Liberty DeVitto, 30+ jaar lang de iconische drummer van de Piano Man zelf.

De reis van frontman Alexander Broussard en zijn band begon in de bescheiden setting van hotelbars, pianobars en feesten, waar hun liefde voor Billy Joel's muziek groeide. Door hard werken en toewijding wist de band door te dringen tot steeds grotere podia, met als hoogtepunt een optreden in een uitverkocht Ziggo Dome na deelname aan de SBS6-show 'The Tribute: Battle Of The Bands'.

Dit succes leidde tot contacten met Billy Joel's originele bandleden, waaronder saxofonist Richie Cannata, die al eerder overkwam voor een concert. Nu is dus het de beurt aan drummer Liberty DeVitto. Als nieuw hoogtepunt in hun carrière, zal DeVitto drie exclusieve optredens spelen met The Billy Joel Experience:

10 juni in het Circustheater Scheveningen

16 juni in het Beatrix Theater Utrecht

18 juni in Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen

"Het is surrealistisch", zegt Broussard. "Van het bewonderen van deze muzikanten op platenhoezen tot het delen van het podium met hen. Ze vertrouwen ons zelfs de hoofdrol toe. Het is een droom die uitkomt voor onze band."

Deze unieke samenwerking tussen een Nederlandse tribute act en internationale topmuzikanten bewijst dat passie en toewijding grenzen kunnen overstijgen. Het biedt fans een zeldzame kans om de authentieke sound van Billy Joel's grootste hits te ervaren, uitgevoerd door zowel getalenteerde musici als een legende uit de originele band.

Mis deze kans niet om getuige te zijn van een unieke muzikale ontmoeting en de verwezenlijking van een levenslange droom.

Over Liberty DeVitto:

Als drummer was Liberty DeVitto meer dan 30 jaar lang bepalend voor het iconische geluid van Billy Joel. Zijn stijl is te horen op talloze hits die wereldwijd meer dan 160 miljoen keer zijn verkocht. DeVitto's drumspel is onmiskenbaar van enorme invloed geweest op de popmuziek. Als sessiemuzikant mag hij ook nog namen als Paul McCartney, Carly Simon, Karen Carpenter, Stevie Nicks, Rick Wakeman en Meat Loaf op zijn cv zetten.

Tickets voor ‘The Billy Joel Experience ft. Liberty DeVitto’ op woensdag 18 juni 2025 in Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen, zijn nu verkrijgbaar via billyjoelexperience.nl

MELBA MOORE – ‘NO FILTER’

Continuing a resurgence of interest in all things Melba Moore, the iconic Grammy nominated R&B singer, Tony winning stage performer and enduring American treasure’s latest single “No Filter” is a powerhouse contemporary dance floor hit in the making – and a classic return to form for the artist who dominated the dance charts from the mid-70’s through the early 80’s.

The recent rise of Melbamania includes a much talked about April 2025 appearance on the Apollo stage, where she donned a bright form fitting yellow dress and a dramatic cape to perform her trademark disco-era hit “You Stepped into My Life” as part of a 5th Anniversary celebration of DJ D-Nice’s pandemic era virtual phenomenon “Club Quarantine.”

“You Stepped Into My Life,” a Top 5 Billboard Dance single and Top 20 R&B hit upon its original release in 1978, was an integral part of the original repertoire of “Club Quarantine,” which earned DJ D-Nice the NAACP Imagine Award for Entertainer of the Year and drew millions of viewers, including the likes of former President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Halle Berry, President Joe Biden and top actors and activists. Performers at the anniversary event included Deborah Cox, Case, Shirley Jones of the Jones Girls (who emerged from the turntables to give Melba a hug!), De La Soul, Raheem DeVaughn and others.

Melba’s lengthy run on the Billboard Dance charts began with the Top Ten hit “This Is It” in 1975 and included the #2 smash “Love’s Comin’ At Ya,” “Free” (#14), “Make Me Believe in You” (#6), “Play Boy Scout” (#14), “Good Love Makes Everything Alright,” “Pick Me Up, I’ll Dance,” “Miss Thing,” “Take My Love” (#12), “Let’s Stand Together” (#12), and “Mind Up Tonight” (#17).

Written by Angela Pettus and produced by George Pettus, “No Filter” begins with an intoxicating, quick thumping groove and, appropriate to the song’s theme, Melba’s uniquely filtered vocals repeating the title phrase. Returning to her famously soulful voice for the verses, Melba shines brightly as she shares lyrics of self-empowerment: “You ain’t gotta impress nobody else/There’s no greater competition than yourself/Live your best life with no regrets” The brass fired chorus rolls like a tag team repeating “Take me as I am” with the filtered vocals of “No Filter.”

Verse two is similarly encouraging to those who may lack the confidence to be their authentic selves: “You only live one life/Fulfill your dreams/Fly like an eagle/spread your wings/You can make a difference/Let your voice be heard. . .Melba could easily be singing about herself in the next key line: “Sing like an angel.” The song also features a funky, jangling guitar and a wild, trippy synth solo that may remind some listeners of a classic 70s soul/fusion vibe.

“I’m not a songwriter, so the songs I choose from outside composers must have stories I can relate to and have empathy for,” Melba says. “The songwriters and producers I work with know me well and know how to write hit records. I’ve always had a strong desire to lift people’s spirits and impact their emotions in a positive way with my music. It has to resonate on a spiritual and emotional level with me before it can move others.

“This was the impetus behind the title track to my most recent album Imagine and the title track’s inspiring vision of global love and unity during this challenging sociopolitical era,” she adds. “It’s also the reason I wanted to record ‘No Filter.’ Not only did it give me the chance to get back in the dance groove after too many years away, it’s a song telling people to embrace who they are to the fullest, not hiding or filtering their inner light out of fear of what others may think. It’s fun and philosophical all at the same time!”

In addition to featuring the essential and hopeful original title track anthem Melba’s 28th overall album Imagine included the popular singles “Take Me Away,” “It Seems to Hang On” and “So In Love” – which spent three weeks at #1 on the UK Soul Top 30 chart and returned her to the airwaves in the U.S. and around the world.

An inspiring, ever evolving and influential cultural icon for nearly 60 years, Melba Moore is having a blast entertaining a generation of new fans as the world rediscovers the multitude of musical gifts she’s been sharing with the world since 1967. That year, in addition to recording her very first song, the future Tony winner and four-time Grammy nominee played Dionne in the original cast of “Hair” while becoming the first Black woman to replace a white actress (future film star Diane Keaton) in a featured role on Broadway.

A few years after appearing in Hair, Melba came to prominence in 1970, scoring a Best New Artist Grammy nomination for her debut album I Got Love earning and winning a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Lutibelle in Purlie – a role she would later reprise in the 1981 TV adaptation for Showtime.

While continuing her recording career, Melba returned to Broadway in 1995 with a part in Les Miserables and soon thereafter launched her long-running one woman show Sweet Songs of the Soul, later renamed I’m Still Standing. Some of her highlights in the 2000s include an appearance in the film The Fighting Temptations (starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyonce) and a role in a production of Ain’t Misbehavin’.

“Looking back, I’m very grateful for the many twists and turns which have given me the opportunity to develop a career of great diversity,” says Melba. “I’m also grateful for the opportunity to continue releasing meaningful music that resonates and perform my own shows and at many exciting events, which indicate the direction where my career is heading these days.”

JERVIN WECKX NEEMT PEN EN REGIE IN HANDEN VOOR ‘ALICE IN WONDERLAND’

Jong talent duikt het konijnenhol in:
Jervin Weckx schrijft én regisseert nieuwe familiemusical ‘Alice in Wonderland’

Wie wordt Alice?

Eindejaarsperiode 2025 - Gent, Antwerpen, Hasselt

Capitole Gent (try-outs), Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen en Trixxo Theater Hasselt worden in de eindejaarsperiode van 2025 omgetoverd tot een magische droomwereld voor de gloednieuwe, Vlaamse musicalversie van 'Alice in Wonderland'. Deep Bridge geeft de sleutels tot dit tijdloze Wonderland in handen van jong, maar vertrouwd Deep Bridge-gezicht en multitalent Jervin Weckx (30), die zowel het script zal schrijven als de regie mag voeren. Er wacht Jervin binnenkort al meteen een zeer belangrijke taak. Op 14 en 21 mei vinden namelijk de eerste selectierondes plaats voor de  meer dan 150 kandidaten die naar de rol van Alice dingen, tijdens geanimeerde audities bij Deep Bridge in Wilrijk.

Tickets & info 'Alice in Wonderland': deepbridge.be 

Kansen voor jong, creatief talent

Op 5 december start  'Alice in Wonderland' met try-outs in Capitole Gent, alvorens een week later aan een reeks decembervoorstellingen te beginnen in Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen en af te sluiten van 9 tot en met 11 januari 2026 in Trixxo Theater Hasselt. Producent Deep Bridge staat ervoor bekend om veel kansen te geven aan jong talent, niet enkel op, maar ook naast de planken en dat is in deze gloednieuwe, Vlaamse familiemusical niet anders. 

Jervin Weckx, die onlangs nog schitterde in de dubbelrol Mr. Thompson en Happy Man in 'Pretty Woman - De Musical', krijgt de sleutels tot Wonderland in handen en mag zijn rijke fantasie botvieren op het script en de regie. Jervin is kind aan huis bij Deep Bridge en speelde ook de pannen van het dak in in o.a. 'Peter Pan' (Smee), 'Hairspray' (Mr. Pinky en Spritzer) en 'A Christmas Carol' (Geest van het Heden). Hij krijgt dan ook alle vertrouwen van de producent.

"We onderstrepen ons vertrouwen in de creativiteit en visie van een nieuwe generatie theatermakers. Jervin heeft een verbeelding waar zelfs de Gekke Hoedenmaker stil van zou worden. Hij stapt niet gewoon in het konijnenhol – hij gaat er op rolschaatsen in!  Jervin weet hoe je fantasie tastbaar maakt. Zijn visie op Alice is fris, eigenzinnig en betoverend. We zijn razend benieuwd naar wat hij van Wonderland zal maken."
- Deep Bridge -

Voor Jervin zelf is het een droom die werkelijkheid wordt:

"Ik ben opgegroeid met  'Alice' en heb er altijd van gedroomd om zelf een wereld te creëren waarin alles op z'n kop staat. Deep Bridge geeft me het vertrouwen en de vrijheid om die droom tot leven te brengen, terwijl Stany (Crets) me heeft beloofd dat ik steeds bij hem terechtkan. Wat mag je verwachten? Denk aan pratende katten, dansende kaarten, verdwaalde logica, en een heel eigen twist aan een al even twisted verhaal. Muziek, magie en absurde dialogen inbegrepen. En jawel: geschikt voor kinderen én ouders die stiekem ook gewoon graag verdwalen in een wereld waar niets is wat het lijkt!

Nog jong, creatief talent waar Deep Bridge letterlijk muziek in ziet, is het duo Jens Broes (25) en Jérémie Vrielynck (24). Naast hun onmiskenbare zang- en acteertalent, zijn beide heren ook nog eens bevlogen songwriters en componisten. Met Jens en Jérémie als songwriter-componistentandem is het nu al uitkijken naar de nieuwe liedjes voor 'Alice in Wonderland'.

Choreograaf van dienst Laurent Flament zorgt er met zijn ervaring en kennis niet alleen voor dat de cast binnen de lijntjes danst, maar vormt daarmee ook een kalme zekerheid voor zijn jonge, creatieve collega's.

Naast de bekendmaking van de rest van de cast, is dé vraag die op ieders lippen brandt: wie wordt Alice? Op het antwoord is het nog even wachten, maar aan enthousiast, jeugdig talent dat ervan droomt deze fantastische rol te mogen spelen alvast geen gebrek. Meer dan 150 gegadigden (speelleeftijd 12 - 14 jaar) schreven zich in voor de audities. Deze vinden plaats op 14 en 21 mei bij Deep Bridge in Wilrijk.

De oorspronkelijke groep van 150 wordt eerst gereduceerd naar een max. 60 en daarna volgt op 29 mei een selectie naar de laatste 10 kanshebbers.  Deze zullen in de week van 7 juli werken met de creatives van 'Alice in Wonderland' en op het einde een mini-showcase doen. Zo komt men uit bij de 3 meisjes die afwisselend de rol van Alice zullen spelen.

Maak je klaar om betoverd te worden door de magie van ‘Alice in Wonderland’, waar verbeelding geen grenzen kent en het buitengewone de norm wordt. Vanaf 5 december 2025 opeenvolgend in Capitole Gent (try-outs), Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen en Trixxo Theater Hasselt.

Tickets & info 'Alice in Wonderland': deepbridge.be

CHART-TOPPING MUSICIAN “DR. DAVE”  RE-EMERGES WITH ‘RESERVED FOR ABBIE’ FEATURING RONNIE LAWS

Years after his first extended run of radio hits and success on the contemporary jazz charts, SoCal based composer/guitarist Dr. Dave mounted a massive comeback in 2018, forming The Housecall Band and stirring up excitement among longtime fans (while creating thousands of new ones) with the 2018 release of Midnight Daydream. The funky, powerhouse, horn-drenched album spawned four hit singles, starting with the sultry, infectiously seductive “Sexy Cindy” – one of Dr. Dave’s biggest hits ever, ranking #1 for Smooth Jazz Guitar songs in the U.S. on Radio Guitar One’s Top 20. The song was named for Cindy Sanchez Medina, Miss Santander, Colombia 2018, who appeared in the much-viewed YouTube video.

Dr. Dave’s got another magnificent female muse in mind on his latest single, the cleverly titled “Reserved for Abbie,” a seductive, deeply passionate ballad expressing his enduring affection for a onetime girlfriend who lived several states away. A dynamic showcase for the guitarist’s crisp, soulful melodic magic and adventurous improvisation, the romantic-mindedtrack also features the dynamic saxophone of the great Ronnie Laws, whose richly nuanced playing and adventurous soloing takes the song to intense emotional heights. Inviting an illustrious jazz artist to play on the track follows in Dr. Dave’s longtime tradition of having genre stars guest on his recordings – a list that includes Freddie Hubbard, Ernie Watts and legendary San Diego musicians Carl Evans, Jr. (leader of Fattburger) and Hollis Gentry.  

Along the way, as on “Sexy Cindy,” Dr. Dave includes dreamy, lilting female backing vocals, sharing lines reflecting his feelings about her: “Reserved for Abbie/In my world. . .She’s the girl,” “Reserved for Abbie/From the start. . .In my heart,” and “Reserved for Abbie/Please be mine. . .For all time.” The last lyric of the song goes: “Reserved for Abbie/Come back.” 

Though he wrote it several years ago, Dr. Dave clearly has fond memories of this amazing woman and the beautiful connection they shared. “Though it’s also about a special person, ‘Reserved for Abbie’ is a much more personal song than ‘Sexy Cindy’,” he says. “When we met and hit it off, I lived in San Diego and she lived in Dallas, so I wrote it as a romantic gesture that also had the feeling of longing that’s part of every long-distance relationship. It was frustrating that she was so far away, and I wrote it from the standpoint of, I just can’t wait to get back to see her. “That’s why, at the end, I have them sing ‘Come back.’If you listen closely, you can hear me singing with the girls.

“I carved out time in my schedule reserved exclusively for Abbie,” Dr. Dave adds. “At the time, I truly felt, as the lyrics go that she was the one I wanted forever, and towards that end, I always tried to make more time for her. On a musical level, ithas a nice pocket and a cool urban vibe that’s fully intended to crossover and appeal not only to jazz but also pop radio. And I can’t say enough about Ronnie’s incredible playing.” 

Which leads us to the second interesting story that makes “Reserved for Abbie” a track everyone can connect with both thematically and musically. Dr. Dave got passes to see Ronnie Laws, who was headlining at the iconic San Diego venue The Bacchanal. He went backstage and introduced himself to the saxophonist, who said he was familiar with and liked Dr. Dave’s music. 

“It was my first time meeting him, and he was a really nice guy,” the guitarist says. “I told him about a new project I was working on, and he seemed interested. I asked if he would like to play on one of the tracks, and he kindly agreed. I invited him to join me at my friend and fellow guitarist Hank Easton’s studio the next day. Ronnie came in with his legendary brother, flute player Hubert Laws, and we all had a great time, with Ronnie adding his amazing energy to ‘Reserved for Abbie’ and Hubert playing on another special tune I had written, ‘I Hold My Pillow.’ We all hit it off so well that we went over to La Jolla High School and played tennis afterward. 

“I didn’t tell Ronnie how to play,” Dr. Dave adds. “I just produced the track the way I always do, leaving the perfect spots for him and letting him bring his own unique style to it. I always feel that if you leave great musicians alone to do what they do best, you get the best performances out of them – and we did in this case. It was a great collaboration, and among the many contemporary jazz tunes I’ve written, it’s one of my favorites.  

In addition to the across-the-board success of “Sexy Cindy,” Dr. Dave’s return to contemporary jazz with Midnight Daydream led to a prolific flow of radio and streaming hits, including the guitarist’s all-time top streamed song “Cecil’s Groove,” currently at 3.7M+ streams on Spotify. The title track “Midnight Daydream” earned a multitude of accolades: #1 most added on the Radio Wave Internet Airplay Chart; #5 on the SmoothJazz.com Radar Chart; #9 on the SmoothJazz.com Top 100 Indie Chart and #14 on the SmoothJazz.com Top 100. A third single, “Cabo Time,” reached #19 on the SmoothJazz.com Radar chart. 

The album’s fourth single was a blues, jazz, funk and rock track developed around the opening “Hey Hey Hey Hey” riff heard nightly since 2014 by the house band (who wrote it) on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Dr. Dave and the Housecall Band followed up in 2021 with Carefree Revisited, a full band revamp of an earlier unreleased solo album. 

Longtime fans of contemporary jazz may remember Dr. Dave from his initial success as a recording artist in the mid-90s, when his albums I Like It Like That, Smooth and Cruisin’ made big splashes in the early days of the Smooth Jazz format. Cruisin’ also featured performances by Ronnie and Hubert Laws. After that initial splash in the genre, Dr. Dave switched gears and moved for a time to Brazil, where he performed for several years. He got back in the recording groove, and geared up by releasing two compilations of earlier material – some of which had never been played on radio. In 2013, he released Love Potion, a collection of romantic songs, which he followed with the perfectly titled The Doctor Is In, full of Dr. Dave’s early up-tempo tracks. The smooth jazz format’s embrace of these recordings inspired Dr. Dave to return to the scene full-forcewith Midnight Daydream.

After many years of being signed to independent labels, Dr. Dave has taken control of his career and vast catalog as the head of Hatherill Records (his given last name). He is currently working on fresh full band recordings of previously unreleased material.

https://www.drdavehousecallband.com/

AMERIKAANSE ZANGER JOHN EDWARDS (THE SPINNERS) OVERLEDEN

De Amerikaanse zanger John Edwards is gisteren 11 mei, op 80-jarige leeftijd overleden. Edwards was de leadzanger op de internationale hits ‘Working My Way Back To You’ en ‘Cupid/I’ve Loved You For A Long Time’ van de R&B-zanggroep The Spinners uit Detroit. Jonathan Edwards werd geboren in St. Louis, Missouri. Hij begon zijn muzikale carrière als zanger in clubs in Duitsland, waar hij in dienst van het Amerikaanse leger verbleef. Nadat hij teruggekeerd was naar Duluth, Georgia, stond hij op het podium met Wilson Pickett en James & Bobby Purify. Eind jaren zestig verhuisde Edwards naar Chicago. Daar ontmoette hij Curtis Mayfield, die Edwards introduceerde bij producer Jo Armstead (Weis Records). John Edwards nam verschillende singles voor dat label op, voordat hij overstapte naar Bell Records (1972) en vervolgens naar Atlanta Records. Zijn eerste succes was een productie van Floyd Smith. De single ‘Stop This Merry-Go-Round’ werd een bescheiden hit in de Verenigde Staten in 1973. Ook de opvolgers ‘Messing Up A Good Thing’, ‘Careful Man’ en ‘Vanishing Love’ deden het redelijk. Nadat de platenmaatschappij failliet ging, trad Edwards op Met The Spinners. Tegelijkertijd bleef zijn solocarrière doorgaan voor het label Cotillion. De singles ‘Baby, Hold On To Me’ (1976) en ‘Nobody, But You’ (1977) werden opnieuw bescheiden hits. Edwards besloot toen om fulltime deel uit te gaan maken van The Spinners en verving in 1977 Philippé Wynne als de leadzanger van de groep. John Edwards was de leadzanger op de internationale hits ‘Working My Way Back to You’, geproduceerd door Michael Zager, en ‘Cupid/I’ve Loved You For A Long Time’. De eerste bereikte begin 1980 de tweede plaats van de Amerikaanse Billboard Hot en de eerste plaats van de Britse hitlijst. De tweede bereikte de vierde plaats van zowel de Billboard Hot 100 als de Britse hitlijst. Edwards bleef The Spinners trouw tot 2000, het jaar waarin hij om gezondheidsredenen noodgedwongen moest stoppen. John Edwards ruste in vrede!

Met dank aan Leo Weijers.

GRAMMY-WINNING KEYBOARDIST MICHAEL MANI MAKES HIS LONG DREAMED OF CONTEMPORARY JAZZ DEBUT WITH ‘TRIANGLES’

The album drops on Friday as the title track continues its fast ascent of the Billboard singles chart.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (8 MAY 2025): As a producer, composer, arranger, programmer, and keyboardist, Michael Mani has conquered the pop music world with a GRAMMY-winning collaboration with rock guitar legends Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton, and discovered and developed three-time GRAMMY-winning singer-songwriter Tori Kelly and Latin hip-hop superstar Becky G. For four decades, Mani has had an unexplored passion for contemporary jazz. With the release of his debut album, “Triangles,” this Friday (May 9) on Baja/TSR Records, he fulfills a long-held desire to record his own collection of songs fusing jazz, R&B, and funk.

Mani’s muse on the fifteen stylistically diverse tunes that he wrote for “Triangles” ranges from musical to spiritual. In music, relationships, and in his faith, he sees triangles everywhere.

“I named the album ‘Triangles’ because it symbolizes how many relationships and situations in life that come at us in threes. The relationship we have with our parents, for example, or the triangle between the piano, God, and myself when I am creating. The decisions we make every day to do right and wrong are triangles. I was raised Catholic so obviously the holy Trinity is an immensely powerful triangle in my life. Triangles are considered the strongest structure in nature and have been utilized in constructing the largest buildings in our cities dating back to well before the pyramids,” said Mani, a Bay Area native who spent his formative years there learning from and working with three-time GRAMMY-winning producer-songwriter Narada Michael Walden (Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin).

In advance of the album release, the label issued the title track as the first single. The dynamic, deep-pocketed groove filled with shimmering keyboard and piano melodies is No. 13 and is still climbing the Billboard singles chart. It is number one at WFSK, Nashville’s jazz station.

“Initially, I played all the instruments on the single and later added saxophonist Mike Parlett and live drums by Dante Roberson to the mix. I called the track ‘Triangles’ because it combined what I feel are the most important elements in music: melody, rhythm, and harmony,” said Mani who lives in Los Angeles where he has a recording studio and production facility called The JAM.

The solo-performed Mani track “In The Moment” bodes to be a single with its vibrant piano melodies and clever rhythm arrangement. Mani acknowledges some of his primary jazz influences on “Night Thrills.”

“I’ve always loved Jeff Lorber and David Sanborn. ‘In The Moment’ is a fun throwback song with great driving energy. When I set out to make this album, I wanted it to be a sonic journey for the listener. I think that is reflected on this track,” said Mani whose nimble piano work shines on this electronic track.

Parlett and his sax rejoin Mani to illuminate the danceable “Just Can’t Stop.” Two of Mani’s labelmates, Billboard chart-topping guitarist Nils and bassist Tony Saunders, enter the fray on “Echoes of Love.”

“I wanted to create a song we could all get down and play on together. I love the dynamic and rhythmic changes on this record. It has so many flavors echoing through it. I just loved the vibe,” said Mani who has known Saunders since they were teenagers playing in local bands.

While working with Becky G, Mani crafted music in the Latin space. “Walks in Brazil” grants him the opportunity to indulge his affection for Brazilian jazz.

“One of my favorite pianists is Michel Camilo and I wanted to have a bit of that flavor on the album because it would be amazing to play live. I had so much fun playing the piano on this track. I tried to imagine that I was walking on a beach near a Brazilian rainforest,” Mani shared.

Saxophonist Ashley J guests on the midtempo “Night Shift” adding soul to Mani’s swinging piano.

Saunders returns on “I Can Hear You Calling,” a melody-rich retro R&B joint.

“This song came to me in a dream, and I felt it was God calling me to make this track. It began as more of a ballad, but I decided to pick up the tempo and energy by adding Tony (Saunders) on bass. I love the chorus on this record. It feels like a vintage 70s classic pop/R&B hook,” explained Mani, who also revisits this period on “Skyline.”

“‘Skyline’ was very much inspired by some of the amazing funk-pop records I listened to while growing up. Mike Parlett’s sax helped bring it to life and it just feels like you are on a penthouse balcony of a high rise in New York City on a beautiful summer night looking at the city lights on the skyline.”

Paying homage to Sanborn and the late sax icon’s frequent co-conspirator, bassist Marcus Miller, “Funk City” is a go-for-broke jam featuring Saunders and Parlett. Mani said, “I love David Sanborn and Marcus Miller and their 80s recordings that were super driven and funky. I wanted an all-out banger of a funk-jazz track. We had a blast recording this one.”

A three-piece horn section invites “Smiles” on the warm and amiable piano melody set atop a hip-hop beat.

“I have produced a ton of hip hop songs on my journey, and I wanted to create something very chill and soulfully urban. I started this song with the drum beat and improvised piano parts over the top of it. It had such an easy smooth vibe to play on that I smiled while playing the parts. I met an amazing trumpet player named Arturo Solar who toured with Luis Miguel. He played flugelhorn on this track and arranged and recorded the brass section. He’s a true genius to work with,” said Mani who also features Solar on the sparkling “Pacific Blue.”

Mani deploys a downtempo hip hop groove on “All Night” on which he rips incessant keyboard runs in the company of Nils’s cool electric jazz guitar. Another hip hop groove backdrops “Head Over Heels,” a love song that Mani penned for his wife, Julianne. Saxophonist Bryan Thompson helps Mani bring the album to a close with the divinely inspired “By Your Side.”

“This is a spiritual song about our creator who is always by our side loving us and providing for us. I wanted to finish the album with that kind of energy, a heartfelt inspirational track. While I was working on this track, our corgi, Scooby, passed away. He was always by my side. This song is a tribute song of appreciation to God and the things like Scooby that he puts into our lives that lift us up,” Mani shared.

A classically trained pianist, Mani has plied his artistry to recording dates with Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, Al Jarreau, Michael Bolton, New Kids on the Block, Leona Lewis, Regina Belle, Tevin Campbell, Shanice Wilson, En Vogue, Siedah Garrett, and the Backstreet Boys. In addition to teaming with Walden, Mani contributed to recording projects by multi-platinum-selling and GRAMMY-winning producer-songwriter Walter Afanasieff (Mariah Carey, Kenny G). Mani won a GRAMMY for the instrumental “The Calling” from Santana’s “Supernatural” album, which highlighted two Rock and Roll Hall of Famers: Santana and Clapton. Mani’s contributions to Saunders’ 2024 album, “The Romance Continues,” including the top 10 single, “Loving You Is Easy,” led to his own record deal with Baja/TSR Records. He cowrote and produced Saunders’ forthcoming single, “Swagalicious,” and upcoming projects by R&B/jazz vocalist Tommy Davidson and pop singer Stefan Benz. Mani has composed music for television, film, and commercials for mega brands such as Honda, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Apple, Taco Bell, and Hallmark.

In a music genre in need of new voices, different creative approaches, and imaginative sounds, Mani’s arrival should be a welcome and exciting breath of fresh air.

“The ‘Triangles’ album is the culmination of many stylistic influences throughout my career. From taking classical piano lessons when I was seven to learning jazz and funk fusion as a teenager to playing in rock bands at high school dances to learning how to write and produce pop dance and R&B music with Narada Michael Walden. The opportunity to make this solo album with Baja/TSR Records provided me the freedom to blend all these influences together. I wanted to make an album that included many different music styles and felt more like a playlist than a repetitious body of work. There’s great energy on this album because I had so much fun making it. It was just me creating whatever came out of my head and heart.”

Mani’s “Triangles” album contains the following songs:

“Triangles”

“In The Moment”

“Night Thrills”

“Just Can’t Stop”

“Echoes of Love”

“Walks in Brazil”

“Night Shift”

“I Can Hear You Calling”

“Skyline”

“Funk City”

“Smiles”

“Pacific Blue”

“All Night”

“Head Over Heels”

“By Your Side”

For more information, visit https://mikemani.com. 

FOSTINA DIXON – ‘OOO BABY BABY’

DEE LUCAS – ‘SHELTER ISLAND’

ROBERTO VALLY – ‘SEDONA SUNRISE’

CHRIS VAN TONGELEN, JAN SCHEPENS EN STANY CRETS ZIJN DE ROMEO’S VAN DIENST IN ‘MAMMA MIA’

Vanaf 4 maart 2026  - Antwerpen, Gent, Hasselt

Vanaf 4 maart 2026 strijkt de hitmusical 'MAMMA MIA!' opnieuw neer in Vlaanderen. Aan vrouwelijk geweld alvast geen gebrek op het Griekse eiland, maar welke Romeo's plaatst producent Deep Bridge daar tegenover? 

Jan Schepens, Stany Crets en musicalcomeback Chris Van Tongelen

Niets dan goed nieuws van dat front. Nadat de musical door omstandigheden verplaatst moest worden van 2025 naar 2026, wist regisseur Stany Crets - die opnieuw de rol van Bill zal vertolken - ook zijn mannelijke dreamteam aan boord te houden. Doorwinterd musicalacteur Jan Schepens zal in de huid kruipen van de onstuimige architect Sam. De rol van deze zelfverzekerde, beheerste, maar stiekem met veel spijt worstelende mogelijke vader van Sophie, is bekend terrein voor Jan, want hij speelde in 2006 al eens de rol van Sam in 'MAMMA MIA!'.

Ook Chris Van Tongelen scheept maar wat graag terug in om de rol van bankier Harry op zich te nemen. Chris, voor velen toch vooral bekend als lid van de driekoppige feestorkaan De Romeo's en/of door zijn rol als Bart Van den Bossche in 'Familie' (vtm), behoorde met hoofdrollen in gelauwerde musicals als 'Jesus Christ Superstar', 'Sneeuwwitje', 'Romeo & Julia', 'Assepoester', 'Gaudi', 'Dracula' en 'West Side Story' ook jarenlang tot de absolute top van de Belgische musicalwereld. Meer dan 18 jaar nadat hij Vince Fontaine speelde in 'Grease' (2007), maakt Chris eindelijk zijn comeback in de hoofdcast van een volwaardige musicalproductie.

Oude liefdes en geweldige nummers

‘MAMMA MIA!’ combineert de grootste hits van ABBA met een humoristisch liefdesverhaal over alleenstaande moeder Donna en haar dochter Sophie, die op het punt staat om te trouwen en dolgraag te weten wil komen wie haar vader is. Alle bekende ABBA-hits passeren de revue, waaronder ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’, ‘Super Trouper’ en uiteraard ‘Mamma Mia’.

Tickets & info voor 'MAMMA MIA!' via deepbridge.be.

Extra shows + actie moederdag

Het publiek heeft er alvast duidelijk zin in, want er worden nu al extra shows voorzien in zowel Antwerpen, Gent als Hasselt. Check HIER de speellijst.

Als je er graag bij wil zijn, is het nu ook het ideale moment om je tickets voor 'MAMMA MIA!' te boeken. Van nu tot en met zondag 11 mei loopt er een leuke moederdagactie en kan je genieten van 1 ticket kopen + 1 ticket gratis voor een beperkt aantal speeldata. Check dus zeker HIER de actiepagina op de website van Deep Bridge...the winner takes it all!

LEE JONES AND DAVID MARGAM PRESENT TROPICAL COAST, THE NEW SINGLE

GELAUWERDE FAMILIEMUSICAL ‘SHREK’ VANAF 7 JUNI IN VLAAMSE THEATERS

Met Michiel De Meyer als Shrek!
Antwerpen - Hasselt - Gent

Na het enorme succes in Nederland (+100.000 bezoekers!!) komt ‘Shrek De Musical’ in juni 2025 eindelijk ook naar België. Het populaire verhaal uit de DreamWorks animatiefilm zal vanaf 7 tot en met 22 juni opeenvolgend te zien zijn in Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen, Trixxo Theater Hasselt en Capitole Gent. Met in de hoofdrol Michiel De Meyer als groene oger Shrek en Linda Verstraten als betoverende prinses Fiona, belooft dit een magisch mooie familiemusical te worden voor zowel de jonge als de jong-gebleven fans. Tickets & info: www.shrekbelgie.be  

Na een zinderende première op 20 oktober 2024 in een uitverkocht Nieuw Luxor Theater in Rotterdam, begon 'Shrek De Musical' aan een ware zegetocht door Nederland. Lovende reviews van pers en publiek, meer dan 100.000 enthousiaste bezoekers en maar liefst zeven nominaties voor de Musical Awards, waarvan Darren van der Lek die voor Beste Mannelijke Bijrol wist te verzilveren. 

Vanaf 7 juni 2025 steekt 'Shrek De Musical' eindelijk de grens met België over en kan jong en minder jong in opeenvolgend Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen, Trixxo Theater Hasselt en Capitole Gent gaan genieten van deze Nederlandstalige hitmusical. Met extra leuk nieuws voor het Belgische publiek, want niemand minder dan zanger-acteur Michiel De Meyer zal in de Vlaamse theaters in de huid van groene oger Shrek kruipen!

De keuze voor Michiel, die in ons land de laatste jaren een enorme reputatie opbouwde als musicalacteur (Mamma Mia!, Daens, 40-45, Vergeet Barbara, Red Star Line, De 3 Biggetjes, en meer), was voor de Nederlandse producent Van Hoorne Studios naar eigen zeggen snel gemaakt:

"We zijn ontzettend blij om 'Shrek De Musical' nu ook naar België te brengen en het verhaal van de groene oger op de Vlaamse podia tot leven te laten komen. De rol van Shrek is fysiek uitdagend en bevat veel verschillende lagen in het spel. We zijn dan ook bijzonder trots dat Michiel De Meyer deze rol op zich wil nemen. Zijn talent en ervaring als musicalacteur maken hem de perfecte keuze om deze iconische oger tot leven te brengen."
- Van Hoorne Studios -

Het verhaal
In een moeras ver weg van de bewoonde wereld leeft Shrek, een oger die zijn rust waardeert. Zijn vredige leven wordt verstoord wanneer Heer Farquaad alle sprookjesfiguren uit zijn rijk verbant en ze rechtstreeks naar het moeras van Shrek stuurt. Vastbesloten om zijn moeras weer voor zichzelf te krijgen, gaat Shrek verhaal halen. Tegen zijn zin in wordt hij vergezeld door Ezel, die van alles blijkt te kunnen behalve zijn mond houden. Terwijl Shrek en Ezel op pad zijn, heeft Heer Farquaad zijn oog laten vallen op prinses Fiona. Zij zit gevangen in een toren bewaakt door een vuurspuwende draak. De twee sluiten een deal: Heer Farquaad geeft Shrek het moeras terug, als Shrek prinses Fiona voor hem gaat redden. Shrek, niet bepaald het type held, gaat akkoord en begint aan een avontuur vol humor en onverwachte wendingen, samen met de praatgrage Ezel…

Na afloop van de voorstelling kunnen alle fans met Shrek op de foto. Betreed het moeras, laat je betoveren door de bekende sprookjesfiguren en ga mee op reis vol hilarische momenten!  

'Shrek De Musical' speelt op  7 en 8 juni 2025 in Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen, op 14 en 15 juni in Trixxo Theater Hasselt en op 21 en 22 juni in Capitole Gent.

Tickets & info: www.shrekbelgie.be

Meer informatie:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/vanhoornestudios
Instagram: www.instagram.com/vanhoornestudios

Mis niets en schrijf je in voor de nieuwsbrief van Shrek via www.shrekbelgie.be   

NEW SINGLE ‘DANCING SHADOWS’ BY CHRISTOPHE GOZE & SKEB

BARBARA FOWLER FT. ROHN LAWRENCE – ‘FEEL LIKE MAKIN’ LOVE’

WILLIE BRADLEY FT. WALTER BEASLEY – ‘ALL FOR YOU’

MICHAEL MANSON – ‘JUST TO SEE YOU SMILE’

ERIC DARIUS – ‘TOO GOOD 2 LET GO’

NEW SINGLE ‘YOU ARE MINE’ ALEX FANJUL FT. LORE GG

LORI NICELY FT. SELINA ALBRIGHT – ‘COME ON DOWN’

MICHAEL GRAY REMIX OF GWEN DICKEY’S ‘IF I’M GONNA BE WITH YOU’

OPENING VAN DE NIEUWE TOOTS JAZZCLUB IN HET HART VAN BRUSSEL OP 15 MEI 2025

De Toots Jazz Club, een nieuwe plek gewijd aan jazz en zwanze, opent zijn deuren op 15 mei op de Grote Markt van Brussel. Dit project wordt gedragen door pianist Joachim Caffonnette, een sleutelfiguur in de Belgische jazzscene, en zijn vzw Toots Live. Met deze plek hoopt de pianist een feestelijke, eclectische en veeleisende visie te bieden op wat Michel Petrucciani “de klassieke muziek van de 21e eeuw” noemde.

Na nieuw leven te hebben ingeblazen in een historische club in Elsene, trekt het collectief Toots Live nu naar het stadscentrum om het beste van de Belgische en internationale jazz te laten klinken in een typisch Brusselse sfeer. De Toots Jazz Club neemt zijn intrek in een emblematisch gebouw, gelegen aan de Hoedenmakerstraat 6, voorheen bekend als “Chez Luc”, daarna “Chez Patrick”, en ten slotte “Le Chapot”, een bar waar swingavonden indruk maakten op dans- en jazzliefhebbers.

Deze nieuwe, intieme club zal een rijk programma aanbieden, met niet minder dan acht muzikale evenementen per week. De woensdag- en weekend-afterhours worden gewijd aan hoogwaardige gratis jamsessies. Op donderdagen, open voor dansers, staat jazz van vóór 1950 centraal. Op vrijdagen en zaterdagen brengen twee sets het beste van de Belgische en internationale jazz. Op zondagmiddag biedt de concertreeks “Nostalgia In Grand Place” een podium aan lokale groepen die zich toeleggen op specifieke repertoires, zoals composities van bepaalde muzikanten of historische albums.

De club biedt bediening aan tafel tijdens de concerten, evenals een zorgvuldig geselecteerd aanbod van tapbieren, cocktails met een New Orleans-sfeer, en een mooie selectie van wijnen, champagne, geuze en premiumbieren om te delen terwijl je luistert naar de beste improvisatoren van het moment. Een gevarieerd aanbod van alcoholvrije bieren en verfijnde cocktails is ook beschikbaar voor wie van muziek wil genieten zonder matiging.

Om deze opening te vieren organiseert Toots Jazz Club een bijzondere avond op 15 mei. Het openingsprogramma, waarin historische figuren, die met de Baron van de Marollen hebben gespeeld, worden gecombineerd met jonge muzikanten, wordt op 29 april onthuld op de website van de nieuwe club, de dag waarop Toots 103 jaar zou zijn geworden!

PRAKTISCHE INFORMATIE
 

TOOTS JAZZ CLUB
Hoedenmakerstraat 6
1000 Brussel

toots.brussels

PATRICK BETTISON – ‘FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE’

RONNY SMITH – ‘CRUISIN’’

TONY EXUM JR. – ‘AND THE STORY GOES’

JASON JACKSON FT. JULIAN VAUGHN – ‘BUMP’

R&B & JAZZ VOCALIST KIMBERLY BREWER HONORS QUINCY JONES ON ‘IF I EVER LOSE THIS HEAVEN’

A heavenly tribute befitting a legend: R&B/jazz vocalist Kimberly Brewer honors Quincy Jones on “If I Ever Lose This Heaven”

The single produced by two-time GRAMMY® nominee Chris “Big Dog” Davis features Billboard chart-topping flutist Ragan Whiteside.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (21 APRIL 2025): Late last fall, R&B/jazz vocalist Kimberly Brewer was presented a track from her longtime collaborator, jazz-funk bassist Byron Miller, that was created by two-time GRAMMY® nominated producer Chris “Big Dog” Davis reimagining Quincy Jones’ romantic classic “If I Ever Lose This Heaven.” Shortly after, Jones passed away and Brewer felt compelled to record her version of the song to pay tribute to the legendary producer-composer-arranger. The inspired Kimberlily Records single presently garnering radio spins and playlist adds features Billboard hitmaker Ragan Whiteside on flute.

Like Jones’s own milestone catalogue, Brewer’s music is an alchemistic blend of R&B, jazz, soul, and pop. Davis knows her style well from previous collaborations thus the track that he crafted for Brewer’s interpretation of “If I Ever Lose This Heaven” is an intricately layered and cleverly arranged amorous overture constructed of jazzy horns, funky beats, and a rhythmically gyrating groove. Brewer’s dreamy lead and backing vocals mesh divinely with Whiteside’s impassioned flute to make the new single a celestial homage to the late music master who recorded the song for his 1974 “Body Heat” album.

"I was a child when Q's (Jones) version came out but always recognized the emotions behind this love song and how beautifully it was written. Chris (Davis) sent me the track and I loved his arrangement and the impeccable background vocals of Devin Tiana. It was an honor to sing my version of ‘If I Ever Lose This Heaven’ to honor Q. My only regret is that he never got to hear it,” said Brewer who met Jones at a recording studio years ago.

It was Davis’s idea to replicate Jones’s original opening that features a flute. So, he invited Whiteside to contribute, knowing the magic that she would bring to the recording. Whiteside was eager to oblige. Combining her skillfully expressive flute voice with Brewer’s angelic vocal caress formed a sensual and soothing sonic swoon, a warm aural embrace of sweet melody and lush harmony.   

The influential soul music site Soul Tracks celebrated Brewer’s new single, showcasing it in their First Listen feature. They wrote “Lo and behold, we have a slick cover of ‘If I Ever Lose This Heaven’ from Stevie Wonder backing vocalist Kimberly Brewer…Now a new generation of smooth jazz listeners will embrace the cool, vivacious sounds of this enduring gem coming from the hands and lips of Kimberly Brewer…Having Brewer embrace this Quincy Jones masterpiece is the moment that today’s jazz and adult R&B lovers have long waited for.”

Despite the lofty precedence set by Jones and company, Brewer and Davis weren’t the least bit intimidated about revamping a “masterpiece.” The song written by Leon Ware and Pamela Sawyer was brought to life by a chorus of singers on the original including Ware, Minnie Ripperton, and Al Jarreau. Perhaps Brewer’s comfort level came from having met Ware.

“I met Leon Ware at a concert after being introduced by Lynne Fiddmont. We had a great conversation about music. He invited me to his studio where he played some music for me that he was working on. It was amazing,” recalled Brewer about the late singer-songwriter who penned hits for Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, The Isely Brothers, and Maxwell.

Brewer frequently keeps the company of legends and icons. She toursed extensively and recorded with Wonder, appearing on his soundtrack album for Spike Lee’s “Jungle Fever” among other projects. She’s also recorded with Elton John, Teena Marie, Rick James, k.d. lang, Vanessa Williams, Regina Belle, Will Downing, and Boney James, and has toured with Marie, Earth, Wind & Fire and Julio Iglesias. As a solo artist, Brewer issued a handful of singles and a 2020 EP titled “Just That Sweet To Me.” The EP includes guest appearances by Wonder, JOE, Walter Beasley, and her “bestie since college,” Maysa Leak. Brewer plans to release a new EP executive produced by Miller this summer. “Tasting Sunshine” will feature collaborations with 8-time GRAMMY® winner Mark Kibble of Take 6 and 9-time GRAMMY® nominated saxophonist Gerald Albright.

For more information, please visit https://kimberlybrewer.com.

DJ FUDGE & HEDI BENROMDAN FT. SARAH SUMMER - ‘NEVER SURRENDER’

Long time friends and musical cohorts DJ Fudge & Hedi Benromdan join forces on an uplifting floor-filler, ‘Never Surrender’, for Quantize. Featuring the vocals of newly discovered vocal talent Sarah Summer, who delivers a heartfelt soulful vocal message, complete with a big catchy chorus full of hope and resilience, Fudge and Hedi deliver a classy production loaded with sprightly piano melodies, emotive strings and an irresistible funky bass groove, destined to hit the sweet spot on the dance floors.

Renowned French DJ, producer, remixer, and musician DJ Fudge is a key figure in the global house music scene. A pioneer of the "French Touch" movement in the early 2000s, he is also known under aliases such as Troublemen, Afromento, and Savannah, DJ Fudge’s chart-topping tracks have landed on Defected, Nervous, Soulfuric, Yoruba, Z Records, Reel People, Foliage, SONY, and Universal, to name a few. He's collaborated with legendary vocalists such as Omar, Colonel Abrams, Josh Milan, Mary J. Blige, Michelle Weeks, Marc Evans, Afrika Bambaataa, CeCe Peniston, and more. Fudge is also the founder of Tejal Records.

Hedi Benromdan is a renowned musician and producer in the electronic music scene, known for his sun-kissed fusions of Latin and House music. He is the founder of the projects Afromento (with DJ Fudge) and Latin Tronik Orchestra, a project that blends Latin sounds and electronic influences through percussive and immersive compositions. His music has landed on labels such as Soulfuric, Blockheadz, Defected, Sunlightsquare, Purple Music and many more.

Track Listing
1 Never Surrender
2 Never Surrender (Radio Edit)
3 Never Surrender (Instrumental)

‘Never Surrender’ will be released on Traxsource promo April 25th / Full release May 9th 2025 on Quantize Recordings.

DJ Fudge & Hedi Benromdan Ft Sarah Summer
‘Never Surrender’
Quantize Recordings / QTZ504
http://www.quantizerecordings.com
https://www.instagram.com/djfudgeofficial
https://www.instagram.com/hedi_benromdan_music/

DAVID MORALES – ‘BROOKLYN FRIENDS’

David Morales tips his hat to his rich Puerto Rican musical roots, delivering a spectacular triple track Bandcamp only special release, ‘Brooklyn Friends’, loaded with authentic Latin and Jazzy sun-kissed grooves. Offering something a little different to his usual club-centric House releases, David and his team of heavyweight musicians, Axel Tosca (Keys), Steve Thornton (Percussion) and Slick Tim (Bass), go all out to deliver a feast of irresistible Latino grooves performed with the highest level of musicianship. ‘Boriqua’, ‘Brooklyn Friends’, and ‘Oye Como Va’ all come with beautifully crafted soundtracks full of percussive beats, incredible piano solos, funky bass lines and catchy vocal chants, evoking intoxicating vibes that will attract dancers like a red rag to a bull.

"I really enjoyed producing this EP. It's nice to change lanes when creating. It's what makes making music so enjoyable. The challenge to create something that people would never expect from you." - David Morales

David Morales is a globally revered American DJ, Grammy award-winning record producer, songwriter, and is a true House Music legend. He has produced and remixed over 1000+ records for an all-star roster of multi-platinum artists, including Mariah Carey, U2, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Madonna, and Whitney Houston. Launched in 2018, David Morales’ DIRIDIM label beams quality house music. Aside of David’s own productions and collaborations, DIRIDIM also features releases from Róisín Murphy, DJ Meme, Jason Walker, Blakkat, Danism & Train, Buranello, Joi Cardwell, Timmy Regisford, Michel Cleis, Emiliano Pepe, Janice Robinson, Frankie Ferrara, James Deron and more.

Track Listing
Boriqua
Brooklyn Friends
Oye Como Va

Will be released on April 25th 20205 on Bandcamp only.

David Morales
‘Brooklyn Friends’
DIRIDIM / DRD00164
https://www.instagram.com/djdavidmorales/
https://www.facebook.com/diridimmusic

MICHAEL FIELDS JR. FT. NATHAN MITCHELL – ‘WHOA!’

DW3 FT. PETER WHITE – ‘VENTURA HIGHWAY’

While DW3 is perhaps not as famous as some of the countless Smooth Jazz superstars they have jammed with in the studio, at Spaghettini’s in Seal Beach, CA (where they’ve been the house band since the early 2000s) at festivals and on countless cruises, the relentlessly hard-working trio of brothers Eric and Billy Mondragon, and close family friend Damon Reel has been an essential part of the genre’s rich history. Vibing alongside a sea of renowned instrumental artists, they stand out with their soulful and soothing lead and harmony vocals.

Hitting a time when everyone is anxious about something in their day to day lives and our country’s future like never before, DW3’s stunning, soothing and truly hypnotic collaboration with the great Peter White on America’s 1972 classic “Ventura Highway” is a truly necessary master class of retro musical joy and escapism. Produced by White and Eric Mondragon, the track’s simmering, deeply urban twist has a slightly slower tempo than the original. Yet, as we listen, we can feel the freedom of the fresh SoCal air as “the free wind is blowing through your hair ”as we flash back to whenever we first heard America’s version and wondered about those “alligator lizards in the air.”

The point is, our hearts and souls start to feel liberated as we’re swept along by White’s trademark breezy/snappy acoustic guitar and light funk groove, Eric’s dreamy lead vocals and the harmony vocals of Eric, Billy and Damon, which kick in on the first mention of “Ventura Highway in the sunshine.” And those of us who know the song intimately are just waiting for that key moment when DW3 goes wild on the “do da do da” wordless vocals that made this one of the most hummable pop tunes of the era. After the first round of those, White takes over, floating a colorfully improvisational, seductive low tone acoustic solo over the increasingly peppy groove. His guitar voice is so prominent, we could almost call the collab “DW4.”

If you’ve got a convertible, take the top down and drive fast as you enjoy this burst of Contemporary Jazz sunshine.

PATRICK BRADLEY FT. DARREN RAHN – ‘NOTHIN’ AIN’T’

“Nothin’ Ain’t” is the new radio single from Patrick Bradley’s latest album, Gratitude.

Although already a deeply devout man, a life-threatening illness became a literal “come to Jesus” moment for Billboard chart-topping Contemporary Jazz keyboardist Patrick Bradley. The immense sense of gratitude and awe that he feels since overcoming the gravely ill month that saw him hospitalized twice informs the ten songs that he wrote for his sixth album, “Gratitude,” which is out now on the Patrick’s Song Factory label. Multi-time Grammy nominated producer Darren Rahn produced the collection and co-wrote seven songs with Bradley.   

Before stricken by the undiagnosed illness, Bradley had been on a high since his last album, “Exhale,” was released in 2021. The title track shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz airplay chart. A second single, “Completely Yours,” went top 10 and two other singles (“Song of May” and “Reinvention”) reached the top 20. That same year, the sickness that the doctors deemed Bradley at “substantial risk for morbidity” sparked a crisis of faith. His liver, pancreas and kidneys were under attack, causing intense and debilitating headaches. Bradley did some soul searching at the height of his illness.

“At that time, I had been a Christian for some 38 years, and yet there was that pinging concern if my heart was fully with the Lord. Was I just living for myself or really living for the Lord? Was I taking the Lord seriously enough or was I just living an easy cheap grace sort of life? Easy believe-ism if you will,” shared Bradley. Feelings of repentance filled Bradley, lighting his path to healing.

“I began to weep uncontrollably. An intense sense of repentance and humbling came over me. At that moment, my headaches stopped, and I began to recover. That moment changed me forever, and I continue to be blown away by my loving, gracious and Holy God. My hope through this music I wrote and recorded for ‘Gratitude’ is to glorify the Lord and lift up and bless those who hear it” - Patrick Bradley

BOSSA NOVA NOITES (FEAT. MONIQUE ELEN) – ‘BROKEN PROMISES’

In the midst of the worldwide success of “Bossa Nova Noites I: Bahia Nights”, which continues to gain traction on international radio (50 countries, in 150 markets, including 40 of the 50 U.S. states), “Broken Promises” is the latest single from Bossa Nova Noites, bringing together an extraordinary lineup of musicians from Brazil and the U.S.  

The track was originally conceived in 2021 during the pandemic by producer, industry executive, and BNN group leader Robert Hébert, veteran singer / producer / arranger Curtis King Jr., and renowned master Brazilian producer, arranger and keyboardist Paulo Calasans.  This compelling composition merges Samba Rock and Funk, R&B, MPB and Jazz, resulting in a rich and layered soundscape.

The song first took shape as a Chicago-Rio de Janeiro collaboration with Hébert giving free reign to Calasans to develop a funky, jazz-influenced MPB recording — who enlisted 3 top Rio de Janeiro musicians who are frequent Calasans and BNN collaborators: master percussionist André Siqueira, acclaimed guitarist João Castilho, and renowned trumpeter/arranger Jesse Sadoc.  Hébert and King Jr. then enlisted Brazilian composers Marcello Ferreira and Enio Flavio Mol to develop the melody and Portuguese lyric — with their infusing the track with MPB sensibility — alongside King Jr.’s English chorus.

Moving to Brazil in May 2022, “Broken Promises” was used as a BNN audition piece for the supernaturally gifted BNN star Monique Elen and former The Voice Brasil standout contestant Alana Santana, with Hébert asking Alana to contribute a Portuguese second verse.  Hébert then moved to stamp the track with the BNN sound — adding the legendary, powerful Brazilian drummer Cleverson Silva to the track’s already existing rhythmic complexity.  Silva synergized with Siqueira’s percussion to move the track directly toward a Funk Samba - Chicago Blues R&B hybrid, a signature sound of BNN.  

Monique Elen first showcased “Broken Promises” live during a BNN television concert production, performing on-stage with 14 musicians, including a full horn section — performing the song two and a half keys above her natural vocal range.  Following the concert, King Jr. adjusted the key down to Monique’s natural place … and recorded the official studio version for BNN I, featuring the dual-language (English and Portuguese) lyrics.  

The final power surge came with the addition of Hébert’s old friend from Chicago, the legendary bassist Darryl Jones (The Rolling Stones, Sting, Madonna, and of course Miles Davis), with King Jr. adding new vocal elements, and a final mix completed in Atlanta by Hébert and award-winning engineer Luther Banks.

“Broken Promises” represents the beginning of the next chapter in the international success of Bossa Nova Noites, highlighting the global reach of Brazilian music and its synergy with “the world’s music”. This release continues BNN’s mission of bridging cultures through sound, bringing together some of the most talented musicians across continents to craft a truly unique sonic experience. 

Monique Elen is an emerging Brazilian international star known for her powerful and emotive vocal delivery.  Raised in the vibrant musical culture of Brazil, Monique's artistry blends traditional Brazilian sounds with contemporary influences like R&B, Pop, MPB, and jazz, making her a new dynamic force in the music world. Monique captivates audiences with her unique ability to effortlessly cross musical boundaries while remaining deeply rooted in her Brazilian heritage. Her gifts are recognized both locally and internationally, with numerous performances alongside world-class musicians and collaborations that highlight her versatility.  

As indicated above, Monique's involvement with Bossa Nova Noites began in 2022 when she was selected to audition for BNN ... with "Broken Promises" as the audition stopper.  Hébert says::  “Halfway through the first chorus, I said out loud in the studio: “Okay, enough of this ‘audition’ nonsense … this lady is the last stop on the train.”   Since then, Monique has become a pivotal figure in the project, lending her extraordinary vocal talent to BNN and solidifying her role as one of the most exciting new voices in the world. Her participation on “Broken Promises” exemplifies her own soulful commitment to bridging the gap between Brazilian rhythms and global genres, making her the perfect ambassador for Bossa Nova Noites as the project expands its international reach.  

Indeed, Monique Elen carries well the torch for Bossa Nova Noites, representing a new era of Brazilian music on the international stage with ”Broken Promises.” This is just the beginning for her — as Monique is entering the studio soon with Hébert leading a producer team with his producer partner, the legendary Larry Williams of Quincy Jones and Al Jarreau fame, to craft Monique’s signature debut solo album.  She is featured now in BNN TV projects; and she also is featured in upcoming BNN tours in the U.S. and Europe.

Label:  Bossa Nova Noites

Produced by: Robert Hébert & Paulo Calasans, Co-produced by Curtis King Jr.

Mixed by: Luther Banks in Atlanta  

Recorded in: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Chicago, Florida, Minas Gerais, Los Angeles  

Genres: Samba, Blues, MPB, R&B  

Release Date:  April 11, 2025

Airplay date / “Going for Adds":  Friday, April 11, 2025

Copyright 2025 - Legado e Alquimia Brasil Talent, LLC (Bossa Nova Noites)

JEFF RYAN (FT. ADAM HAWLEY) – ‘MISSING YOUR LOVE’

It’s the response I always love hearing when it’s time to review another sure-fire single by saxophonist Jeff Ryan. I’ll ask, “How did the last one do?” And as in the case of “The Girls from the Bay,” his most recent track from his album Into Focus (truly the gift that keeps on giving!), I usually hear things like “Hit the Billboard Chart and is still rockin’ after six months – literally spinning six months on SiriusXM Watercolors too!”

There’s always tons of terrestrial and satellite and Billboard chart action surrounding every Ryan single for the simple reason that melodically, emotionally and yes, groovingly, whether he’s creating a “greasy, fun spirited jam that fires on all rhythmic and brass fired cylinders” (my description of “The Girls from the Bay”) or in power ballad mode (as he is on his latest single “Missing Your Love”), he’s one of smooth jazz’s most consistent and appealing hit makers – who works with some of the genre’s other top hit makers.

Case in point: Written by Ryan and guitarist Adam Hawley and produced by and featuring Hawley, “Missing Your Love” – the sixth overall radio single from “Into Focus” – takes the saxophonist back to the romantic mode he was in when he dropped three singles, including the Top Ten Billboard hit “How I Feel With You” and “Love Struck” (featuring labelmate guitar shredder Orianthi), inspired by his love for his fiancée. It’s a gorgeous, sumptuously produced track with a rich, soulful, emotional melody, a soulful seductive groove and his inimitable horn textures, topped off with the harmonic dazzle of Hawley’s crisp electric strings and a brief but colorful solo a few minutes in. Giving credit where it’s due, Hawley also contributes keyboards and bass, while Carnell Harrell adds synths and Eric Valentine drives the sexy groovin’ on drums.

“Missing Your Love” is a heart-tugger from the silky sax intro caressed by sparks of Hawley’s guitar, lush atmospheres and an initial burst of horn textures. Ryan carries the verses, buoyed by more of that rising brass, before the melody takes to the skies and ups the emotional ante on the soaring chorus. The silky, slinky Ryan-Hawley tandem cool makes the second verse even more compelling, with a bit more guitar pizzazz as they ease towards the passion of the second chorus.

This takes us to the tune’s halfway point, a springboard for the deeper magic to come. Ryan’s inventive off-the-chain solo defies the notion that smooth jazz isn’t about improvisation – but really, it’s just nice to hear him let loose however…wherever. As if part of a tag team conversation, Hawley chimes in with more of his stunning guitarisma, leading to that aforementioned killer (and yes, slightly improvisational) solo. Ryan returns for a slower burning, textured excitement, unleashing final bursts of simmering then blistering energy to express the many emotions inherent in the title concept.

All of us Jeff Ryan fans are very happy he’s found true love in his life and is drawing on her for inspiration, but we’re also grateful for the moments he misses her because it gave us this latest, incredible track!

• Jonathan Widran        

“Missing Your Love”

US-VKM-24-00034

Jeff Ryan – Tenor Sax

Adam Hawley – Guitar, Keyboards & Bass

Eric Valentine – Drums, Carnell Harrell – Synths

Written by Jeff Ryan & Adma Hawley

Produced & Mixed by Adam Hawley, Mastered by Rainer Gembalcyk

NA BETOVERENDE PREMIÈRE – EXTRA SHOWS ‘DOORNROOSJE’

19 april - Trixxo Theater Hasselt
6 en 7 september - Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen (extra shows!!)

Capitole Gent stroomde op zondag 13 april vol voor de feestelijke première van de sprookjesmusical 'Doornroosje'. Jong en oud genoot met volle teugen van de sprankelende, nieuwe versie van het geliefde sprookje. De gelaagde humor, aanstekelijke liedjes, decors én vooral de fantastische cast, met o.a. een weergaloze Lotte De Clerck als Doornroosje en een heerlijke Jérémie Vrielynck als ridder Sven, pakten het publiek helemaal in en oogstten niets dan lof.

Open doekjes waren er ook voor de voortreffelijke prestaties van Walter Baele en Liv Van Aelst als koning en koningin, Maja Van Honsté als de slechte fee, Isabelle Heremans als de goede fee en Steven Colombeen in de rol van Spinnewilly. Tel daar nog het energieke ensemble bij en een enthousiaste jongenercast en je weet dat de energie van het podium spat. 

De eigentijdse twist en humor die dit tijdloze verhaal meekrijgt in het nieuwe script van Stany Crets, bekoorden duidelijk zowel de jongere als minder jonge toeschouwers.  Met deze productie bewijst Deep Bridge dan ook opnieuw dat het klassieke sprookjes op een frisse en boeiende manier tot leven weet te brengen.

Heel wat bekende koppen kwamen zich op de première met familie en/of vrienden onderdompelen in de betoverende wereld van 'Doornroosje'. Zo tekenden o.a Steffi Merci en Gerben Tuerlinckx, Christoff, Juan Gerlo, Stijn Coninx, Nuria en Stijn (Blind Getrouwd) en Wim Soutaer present.

Extra voorstellingen in Antwerpen + tournee!

Producent Deep Bridge mag na deze zinderende première ook al meteen extra shows aankondigen. Op zaterdag 6 en zondag 7 september 2025 strijkt 'Doornroosje' met heel haar hofhouding neer in Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen en zorgt daar voor een feestelijke aftrap van het nieuwe theaterseizoen!

En dat is nog niet alles: na de shows in Antwerpen trekt de sprookjesmusical op tournee doorheen Vlaanderen. De speeldata en locaties voor de tournee worden binnenkort bekendgemaakt, maar wie er graag bij is in Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen, kan nu al tickets reserveren via deepbridge.be 

!! RANG-UPGRADE 'DOORNROOSJE' !!
Boek tot 30 april 2025 je tickets en krijg een gratis rang-upgrade cadeau.
Voor Golden Seat betaal je de prijs van Categorie 1, voor Categorie 1 betaal je de prijs van Categorie 2, enzovoort.

AMERIKAANSE ZANGER, SAXOFONIST & ACTEUR NINO TEMPO OVERLEDEN

De Amerikaanse zanger, saxofonist en acteur Nino Tempo is op 12 april op 90-jarige leeftijd overleden. Samen met zijn oudere zus April Stevens stond Tempo in 1963 op de eerste plaats van de Amerikaanse Billboard Hot 100 genoteerd met de single ‘Deep Purple’. Daarnaast was hij de voorman van de jaren zeventig funk band 5th Ave. Sax. Antonino LoTempio werd geboren in Niagara Falls, New York. Als kind leerde hij spelen op de klarinet en de tenorsaxofoon. Op vierjarige leeftijd won hij een talentenjacht en drie jaar later was hij op de televisie te zien met Benny Goodman. Nadat zijn familie naar Californië was verhuisd, was Nino te horen op de radioshow van Horace Heidt. Hij speelde een nummer van Benny Goodman als solist op de klarinet. Als kind acteerde hij in de films ‘The Red Pony’ en ‘The Glenn Miller Story’. Nino Tempo maakte een tijdje als sessiemuzikant deel uit van de befaamde Wrecking Crew. Hij werkte ook met Elkie Brooks en kreeg als muzikant en zanger een contract bij Atlantic Records. Nino’s grote doorbraak als zanger kwam in 1963 met de single ‘Deep Purple’, een duet met zijn zus Caroline (die zong onder de naam April Stevens). Van de single werden in de Verenigde Staten meer dan 1 miljoen exemplaren verkocht. ‘Deep Purple’ leverde het duo een Grammy Award op in de categorie ‘Best Rock And Roll Recording’. De opvolger ‘Whispering’ bereikte de elfde plaats van de Billboard Hot 100. Eind 1973 richtte Nino de band Nino Tempo & 5th Ave. Sax op, die een hit scoorde met de single ‘Sister James’. In 1975 speelde Nino saxofoon op John Lennon's album ‘Rock 'n' Roll’. In de jaren tachtig deed hij van zich spreken als stemacteur. Zo was hij regelmatig te horen in de tekenfilmserie ‘Garfield’. Nino Tempo ruste in vrede!

Met dank aan Leo Weijers.

PJ SPRAGGINS FT. OLI SILK – ‘HIGH FIVE’

TOM BROWNE FT. GAIL JHONSON – ‘ELEMENTAL’

MARCUS ANDERSON – ‘JUST BEKOZ’

EXTRA VOORSTELLING VAN CATS DOOR BOHEMIAN PRODUCTIONS

Wegens groot succes: extra voorstelling van de musical CATS op donderdag 8 mei.

Na de verkoop van meer dan 3.700 tickets kondigt Bohemian Productions met trots een extra voorstelling aan van de iconische musical CATS. Deze bijkomende show vindt plaats op donderdag 8 mei om 20.00 uur in het Bau-Huis in Sint-Niklaas.

Met deze extra voorstelling krijgen muziekliefhebbers een bijkomende kans om het meeslepende totaalspektakel vanop de beste plaatsen te beleven. CATS wordt bij Bohemian gebracht in een unieke 360°-arena, waarbij het publiek omringd wordt door de actie. Dankzij een persoonlijke hoofdtelefoon geniet elke toeschouwer bovendien van een kristalheldere 3D-audiomix.

Een rauwe, hedendaagse versie van een klassieker

De regie is in handen van Stefan Van Guyse. Choreograaf van dienst is Hakan Quintelier. Een indrukwekkende cast van 70 performers en een 20-koppig live orkest brengen een vernieuwende versie van de klassieker van Andrew Lloyd Webber. De choreografieën, kostuums en setting kregen een moderne, rauwe en hedendaagse twist die de mysterieuze wereld van de Jellicle katten op een totaal andere manier tot leven brengt.

Tickets reserveren voor deze extra voorstelling kan via www.bohemianproductions.be

NIEUW BOEK VAN POPHISTORICUS LEO WEIJERS – RADIO VERONICA

Revolutionaire radio voor iedereen.

Aanvankelijk onder de naam Vrije Radio Omroep Nederland (afgekort VRON), maar al snel onder de naam Radio Veronica begint een stel vrije radiohandelaren in 1969 met radio-uitzendingen vanaf een schip op de Noordzee. Zonder vergunning, los van de strikte zuilen, met (pop)muziek voor uiteenlopende muzieksmaken en, heel vooruitstrevend, met reclamespotjes tussendoor.

Radio Veronica wordt in korte tijd enorm populair en zendt popmuziek uit in een vanaf 1960 vast programmaschema. Het station introduceert flitsende jingles bij de Nederlandse luisteraar, swingende drive-in shows, de wekelijkse Top 40 en een Alarmschijf. Diskjockeys als Tineke, Joost den Draaijer, Lex Harding en Rob Out worden helden.

Ondanks verschillende tegenslagen, met als dieptepunten een bomaanslag op het zendschip van concurrent Radio Northsea International en de stranding van het eigen zendschip na een storm met orkaankracht, blijft Veronica fier overeind. Maar een indrukwekkende massademonstratie in Den Haag en een wijdverspreide populariteit van de zender houden de politiek niet tegen om in 1974 aan te kondigen dat een wettelijk verbod op de zee zenders aanstaande is. Op zaterdag 31 augustus 1974 om zes uur ’s avonds komt er een einde aan ‘14 jaar hits uit zee’.

In dit boek gaat pophistoricus Leo Weijers terug naar de tijd waarin hijzelf en andere teenagers van de jaren '60 en '70 vastgeklonken zaten aan hun radio’s. Hij reconstrueert de opgang en het plotselinge einde van Nederlands spraakmakendste radiozender. En voor de liefhebbers van hitlijstjes zijn voor elk jaar dat Veronica op zee en in de lucht was de populairste hits van toen weer op een rij gezet.

Over de auteur

Leo Weijers wordt in het jaar van de oprichtingsvergadering van Radio Veronica (1959) geboren. Vanaf zijn zevende jaar volgt en verzamelt hij alles wat met popmuziek te maken heeft. In de loop der jaren ontwikkelt Leo een enorme schat aan kennis van de (ontwikkeling van de) popmuziek uit de jaren zestig, zeventig en tachtig van de vorige eeuw en krijgt hij het etiket van pophistoricus opgeplakt. Vanaf 2013 besluit Leo deze kennis te delen door het schrijven van boeken over popmuziek van weleer.

Daarnaast is hij als kenner en auteur actief op grote muziek- en zeezenderplatforms op Facebook en is hij regelmatig te horen in programma’s van diverse radiostations.

SPECIFICATIES

Radio Veronica | 14 jaar hits uit zee

Leo Weijers

• 240 pag.
• 17 x 24 cm
• circa 20 afbeeldingen
• paperback met flappen
• ISBN 978 94 625 8698 7 | NUR 662, 680
• mei 2025

€ 29,95

NEW SINGLE ‘FROM RIO TO SAO PAULO’ BY ROBERTO TOLA

Italian guitarist and composer Roberto Tola, originally from the island of Sardinia, continues his international musical journey with his new single "FROM RIO TO SAO PAULO," an authentic celebration of Brazilian musical culture, which anticipates the release of the album "Jazz Junction" scheduled for May 29, 2025.

This jazz bossa composition was born after an inspiring trip through Brazil, where Roberto deeply absorbed the essence of bossa nova and samba, blending it with his unmistakable guitar style. The song is a heartfelt tribute to the Brazilian people, their welcoming nature, joy of living, and carefree spirit that characterizes this vibrant culture.

"FROM RIO TO SAO PAULO" immediately transports the listener to the colorful streets of Brazil, amidst the intoxicating scents and engaging rhythms that define this enchanted land. Roberto's sinuous guitar melodies dance elegantly over authentic rhythms from the Brazilian tradition, creating an atmosphere that perfectly evokes the geographical and emotional journey between the two emblematic Brazilian cities.

The track is distinguished by two extraordinary solos that represent its beating heart: a virtuosic guitar intervention by Roberto Tola, which blends refined technique and deep expressiveness in a passionate dialogue with the Brazilian tradition, and a brilliant piano solo by Luciano De La Rosa who, with mastery and sensitivity, explores the complex harmonies of the piece, enriching its sonic texture with elegant jazz nuances.

The musicians accompanying Roberto on this sonic adventure are talents of great experience and artistic sensitivity: Luciano De La Rosa on piano, Maciek Szczyciński on electric bass, and Esteban Rotunno on drums. Together they have created a refined interplay that enhances the composition, giving it an international breath while maintaining the authenticity of the Brazilian musical tradition intact.

In the composer's words: "This song is my musical thank you to Brazil. I wanted to capture not only the rhythms and harmonies of this wonderful musical tradition but also the vibrant and welcoming spirit I encountered traveling from Rio to São Paulo. It's an invitation to let yourself be carried away by the sound waves of bossa nova, to feel the warmth of the Brazilian sun, and to dance with lightness, just as Brazilians do."

"FROM RIO TO SAO PAULO" represents yet another testament to Roberto Tola's talent in blending compositional elegance, instrumental virtuosity, and deep emotion, giving listeners an immersive and engaging musical experience, and anticipating what will be the highly anticipated album "Jazz Junction".

CREDITS

Roberto Tola: guitar, percussions, add keys, composition and arrangement; Luciano De La Rosa: piano; Maciek Szczyciński: electric bass; Esteban Rotunno: drums;

Mixing e mastering: Roberto Tola;

Conceived and created at Eden Beach Studio - Sardinia, Sassari (Italy)

www.robertotola.com

DAVID MORALES & JOI CARDWELL - ‘PLASTIC FEELINGS’

2 huge talents from the US soulful dance family come together for the first time as legendary producer, David Morales, and revered singer / songwriter, Joi Cardwell, unite on ‘Plastic Feelings’. Primed with a poignant message and a heartfelt vocal from Joi who reflects on current challenging times, ‘Plastic Feelings’ comes with a soulful soundtrack from David, peppered with emotive pianos and a sublime key solo that perfectly compliment the melancholy sentiment of this meaningful song.

David Morales is a globally revered American DJ, Grammy award-winning record producer, songwriter, and is a true House Music legend. He has produced and remixed over 1000+ records for an all-star roster of multi-platinum artists, including Mariah Carey, U2, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Madonna, and Whitney Houston. Launched in 2018, David Morales’ DIRIDIM label beams quality house music. Aside of David’s own productions and collaborations, DIRIDIM also features releases from Róisín Murphy, DJ Meme, Jason Walker, Blakkat, Danism & Train, Buranello, Timmy Regisford, Michel Cleis, Emiliano Pepe, Janice Robinson, Frankie Ferrara, James Deron and more.

Acclaimed US singer / songwriter Joi Cardwell has made a huge contribution to the world of both Jazz and Dance music over the years. She’s released smash hit Billboard No.1’s such as the classics ‘Club Lonely’ and Saved My Life’, back in 1992 with house legend Lil Louis, along with 2 solo No.1's with 'Run To You' and 'You Got To Pray'. She's released countless solo productions and collaborations with the likes of Blaze, Honey Dijon, Junior Vasquez, Frankie Knuckles, Towa Tei, Brooklyn Funk Essentials, Groove Junkies, Studio Apartment, Namy, Kraak & Smaak and many more. In 2016 Billboard Magazine named Joi No.43 in the prestigious “Top 100 Dance Club Artists of All Time".

Track Listing
1 Plastic Feelings (Original)
2 Plastic Feelings (Extended Mix)
3 Plastic Feelings (Stereo Mix)

‘Plastic Feelings’ will be released on all platforms on April 11th 2025 on DIRIDIM.

David Morales & Joi Cardwell
‘Plastic Feelings’
DIRIDIM / DRD00163
https://www.instagram.com/djdavidmorales/
https://www.instagram.com/joicardwell/
https://www.facebook.com/diridimmusic

MULTI-INSTRUMENTAL ENTERTAINER BRIAN CULBERTSON TAKES VIEWERS ON A CAPTIVATING JOURNEY VIA “THE TRILOGY TOUR: LIVE FROM DETROIT”

Multi-instrumental entertainer Brian Culbertson takes viewers on a captivating journey via “The Trilogy Tour: Live from Detroit,” a 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray and two-disc CD dropping on April 11.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (4 APRIL 2025): There are very few touring jazz artists capable of putting on the kind of elaborate, visually stunning, and wildly entertaining concert productions that Brian Culbertson creates. The multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer who has crafted forty Billboard No. 1 hits spent two years writing and recording music with the help of the fans who tuned in to his weekly online series, The Hang, which resulted in the creation of thirty new songs spread out over three new albums to form The Trilogy. After each of the three themed albums were released, Culbertson mounted The Trilogy Tour, a 70-show U.S. concert trek that was filmed and will be released as “The Trilogy Tour: Live from Detroit” in 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray on April 11 from BCM Entertainment.       

The Trilogy Tour featured songs from the three albums, “The Trilogy: Red,” “The Trilogy: Blue,” and “The Trilogy: White,” along with some of Culbertson’s chart-topping hits and fan favorites. The concert itself, as seen in the film directed by Robert Hubbard, is an artfully staged and meticulously choreographed production illumined by state-of-the-art lighting design and visual effects that transform the show into a sensory experience. Always a high-voltage entertainer, Culbertson and his super tight seven-piece band bring the seventeen-song setlist to life with vibrant melodies and lush harmonies, funky rhythms and grooves, and extended solos. All the magic from the final tour stop at Detroit’s MotorCity Casino fills the screen, taking viewers on a journey through “The Trilogy.”

“The Trilogy Tour: Live from Detroit” will be launched at two premiere events. This Sunday (April 6), the film will premiere at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts presented by The Boscov’s Theater during the Berks Jazz Fest in Reading, Pennsylvania. The movie will then premiere during a livestream event on VEEPS on April 10 at 8pm ET/7pm CT/5pm PT.

The idea to shoot his third concert film came to Culbertson during The Trilogy Tour rehearsals and after the first few shows.

“I knew the visual was going to be something special. I try to make every tour special of course, but sometimes certain things and the music push a particular tour into another space that makes it more obvious to film. It needs to be different than a regular ‘the hits concert,’ which is just a random set of songs. This show has more of an arc and story to it,” said Culbertson, about the project that will also be available as a two-disc CD.

The Trilogy Tour launched in March 2023 in Providence, Rhode Island and concluded in Detroit in March 2024. A consummate performer who constantly raises the bar, Culbertson never stopped fine-tuning the show, which is why the last concert stop was the one preserved on film.

“I wanted to capture the last show because I used all the other shows coming up to it to continue rehearsing and making tweaks, either musical or lighting wise. I will always take as much time as possible to finish a project based on a deadline, and that final show gave me a hard deadline,” laughs Culbertson whose previous concert video releases are “Colors of Love Tour: Live in Las Vegas” (2019) and “Live from the Inside” (2009).

With Culbertson playing keyboards and trombone, he was accompanied on The Trilogy Tour by Darnell “Showcase” Taylor (guitar), Eddie Miller (keyboards and vocals), Chris Miskel (drums and musical director), Rishon Odel (bass), Michael “Patches” Stewart (trumpet and flugelhorn), Ronnie Gutierrez (percussion), and Walter English III (keyboards and vocals).   

After recording his 1994 chart-topping debut album, “Long Night Out,” in his college dorm, Culbertson became a consistent Billboard hitmaker. His now 28-album catalogue boasts a variety of recordings consisting of contemporary jazz, funk, acoustic jazz, and new age projects. His next studio album, “Day Trip,” which he describes as having “more of a jazz fusion edge,” is expected in late September. The ten-song set that he wrote with Nicholas Cole in seven days features Branford Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Marcus Miller, Sheila E., Mike Stern, Kirk Whalum, Paul Jackson Jr., and Eric Marienthal along with a rhythm section formed by bassist Nathan East and drummers Lil’ John Roberts and Lenny Castro.

Culbertson wasn’t planning to make an album when the songs that comprise The Trilogy were composed and recorded.

“I was writing new music while livestreaming on ‘The Hang,’ getting real-time feedback from fans via the chat. Before I knew it, I had thirty new songs that fit three distinctive emotional categories. The ‘Red’ album is very sexy and romantic. ‘Blue’ is melancholy, and the music lifts you up when life gets hard. The songs on ‘White” are uplifting and hopeful,” explained Culbertson about the albums released between October 2021 and May 2022.

Culbertson’s creative vision for The Trilogy Tour was for the show to be an immersive sensory experience of sound and light. His vision is vividly realized on “The Trilogy Tour: Live from Detroit.” 

“The phrase that everyone kept saying to me was ‘that was an experience.’ From the band at rehearsals, to the fans at the first several shows and beyond, that phrase was repeated over and over. The Trilogy Tour is not just a regular show. It truly is an experience, both musically and visually, that takes the audience on a journey. I’m glad that the film will enable people to experience that journey whenever they want to.” 

The songs performed during “The Trilogy Tour: Live from Detroit” are:

“Prelude”

“Stars”

“Summer Hideaway”

“The Hangout”

“Sandcastles”

“Time Flies”

“Feel The Love”

“Let’s Go”

“Always Remember”

“Eyes Closed”

“Dance With Me Tonight”

“A Love Lost”

“You Are My Everything”

“Colors Of Love”

“Funkin’ Like My Father”

“Play That Funky Music”

“On My Mind”

“Stars (reprise)”

Watch a preview of “The Trilogy Tour: Live from Detroit” at Brian Culbertson "Stars" Preview - The Trilogy Tour (Live from Detroit).

To buy tickets to the premiere at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, go to https://goggleworks.org/event/brian-culbertson-the-trilogy-tour-live-concert-film/.

To attend the virtual premiere on VEEP, click HERE.

For more information, visit https://www.brianculbertson.com. 

RICHARD ELLIOT – ‘STRAIGHT UP DOWN’

ROB TARDIK – ‘KEEP GOING’

MARK HARRIS II – ‘SUMMER ‘86’

BYRON MILLER FT. GERALD ALBRIGHT & CHRIS ‘BIG DOG’ DAVIS – ‘REACH FOR IT’

MICHAEL LINGTON ‘ HAS A ‘DREAMY NIGHT’

NEW SINGLE ‘SPIAGGE BIANCHE’ FROM ALEX PUDDU

BILL COLLETTI – ‘OUT OF POCKET’

PEET PROJECT – ‘RIVER BREEZE’

GREG MANNING – ‘NOW AND FOREVER’

JOHNNY BRITT – ‘MIDNIGHT IN PARIS’

ALEX FANJUL WITH MORGAN BONFIRE RELEASE ‘SOULFUL GROOVE REMIX’- A NEW TAKE ON POWERFUL, SOULFUL RHYTHMS

DJ RAE & DJ SPEN - 'THE VISION (LET THERE BE HOUSE)’

Acclaimed UK songstress / producer DJ Rae and Baltimore House legend DJ Spen join forces for the first time to deliver an uplifting dance floor gem, 'The Vision', for Let there Be House. ‘The Vision’ comes loaded with a message to unite and create positive change as Rae beautifully delivers one of her signature catchy vocals wrapped in a warm soulful soundtrack. Powered by Spen’s signature bumping soulful beats, warm bass groove, teased with dreamy keys and vibraphone to raise the collective vibration on the dance floor, ‘The Vision’ is a modern classic in the making.

British singer, songwriter, producer, DJ Rae has a rich and credible history with House Music, and a discography spanning decades, boasting remixes, productions, self-penned songs, much loved anthems and chart hits. From global DJ sets with Defected and Ministry of Sound, to front stage vocals on iconic stages, such as Glastonbury and Royal Albert Hall with The Hacienda Classical. DJ Rae is a force to be reckoned with, continuously evolving and championing her love of house music. January 2025 saw Rae take on the role of Label Head at the acclaimed Let There Be House imprint.

With a career spanning 40 years, DJ Spen of The Basement Boys, Jasper Street Company and MuthaFunkaz fame is still one of the most sought after soulful DJ’s and producers in the US. His contribution to dance music is huge! Spen co-founded the dance music label Quantize Recordings (and sub labels Unqautize & QU3) with Baltimore’s Thommy Davis and Kelly Spencer, producing tracks from the likes of Jocelyn Brown, Barbara Tucker, Crystal Waters, Joi Cardwell, Tasha LaRae, Marc Evans, Dawn Tallman and so many more.

Track Listing
1 The Vision
2 The Vision (Radio Edit)

The Vision will be released on Traxsource promo on March 21st / Full release April 4th 2025 on Let There Be House.

DJ Rae & DJ Spen
‘The Vision’
Let There Be House / LTBH172
https://www.instagram.com/dj_rae_official
https://www.instagram.com/dj_spen/
https://www.instagram.com/ltbhmusic/

NEW SINGLE ‘TRUST IN THIS LIFE’ FROM RODINA FT. JOE TATTON TRIO

SOUL/JAZZ SAXOPHONIST WALTER BEASLEY PAYS HOMAGE TO HIS ROOTS ON ‘TRIBUTE TO SOUL’

Hold On, I’m Coming,” the latest single from the project, is moving up the charts.

BOSTON, Mass. (21 MARCH 2025): Billboard chart-topping saxophonist Walter Beasley was driving across the country after one of his concerts when an idea popped into his head that caused him to delay his trip. He reached out to his recording band who were only a few hours away from his next gig in Cincinnati and booked them to record “Tribute to Soul,” a five-song EP of R&B classics out now on Affable Records.

The songs Beasley reimagines on “Tribute to Soul” is the music from his formative years growing up.

“I went home to these songs because I was going through a lot of stuff at the time. This music helped shape my musicianship. I learned and was well schooled in classical music, and I remember asking, ‘What’s next?’ For me, that was going back to the beginning - go back to blues, go home to soul, go back to the music that I know and that moves me. There’s no point in me saying a whole bunch of stuff musically that doesn’t matter. What matters is the song, the music, the message. That’s what I’ve always tried to do in my career and that’s what this record is about,” said Beasley, who played soprano and alto sax and sang on the EP.

Beasley gathered his “cats” – guitarist Michael O’Hara, bassist Derek Doc Johnson, keyboardist Robert Johnson, percussionist Chase Williams, and drummer Ben Powers – in the studio and they played through the setlist. What you hear on the EP are first takes.

“The idea was to make some timeless music with the cats you know give you nothing but funk, soul, and the real, and that’s what happened. The energy is there; the mistakes are there. If the groove is there and people are bopping, leave it alone,” said Beasley, who added that the seed for the EP was planted while watching a documentary film on the seminal Stax Records label.

“Motown was sophisticated soul. Stax was something different. It had that edge, that stank on it. That is what I gravitated towards as a musician,” said the El Centro, California native who has been based in Boston since attending Berklee College of Music where he has served as a professor for more than thirty years.

“Tribute to Soul” opens with “Hold On, I’m Coming,” the latest single presently climbing the charts that is an instrumental remake of the storming Sam & Dave hit from 1966.

Beasley’s faithful version of “Green Onions” retains all the groovy cool of the Booker T. & the M.G.’s 1962 original.

“It’s got a soulful Delta blues vibe and a shuffling kind of thing going on. You’d better be in the pocket because if you’re not, we’re gonna leave you behind. ‘Green Onions’ is the epitome of that. By the time the organ comes in, it’s over,” said Beasley defiantly.   

Vocalist Destiny Whited joins the fray on “Ballero,” a reboot of War’s 1974 joint mixing Latin rhythms and R&B grooves. 

“The song is a cross between Latin music and R&B. That Brown and Black music was just together. ‘Ballero’ is like going home and saying thank you, not just to the Black community, but to the Brown community that helped raise me. It’s pure feeling. When people put their heads together in diverse cultures and just share out of love, you get a song like ‘Ballero,’” Beasley said.

Beasley reminds us that he is an expressive crooner on “Come Live With Me,” which was the first single released last fall to tease the EP’s release. It is his interpretation of the romantic ballad recorded by Isaac Hayes in 1975. 

“His (Hayes) version is absolutely perfect. I didn’t know the full meaning of the song until I got older. This is probably my favorite vocal performance from me because of the way I feel about Isaac Hayes. I wanted to do justice to the song, but I also wanted to do justice as it relates to the lyrics, which are very personal. I wanted to deliver it in the best possible way,” said Beasley, who also plays a sultry saxophone solo mid-tune that conveys longing.

“While recording, I had better saxophone solos for the song, but they took my mind away from the piece, so I did a solo that was reflective of what the song was speaking to me, and I dipped it back into the message. I love the song and I’m incredibly grateful for my presentation.”

The set closes with a revamp of Herbie Mann’s 1969 “Memphis Underground,” a backyard party jam that Beasley describes as being about watching your uncle and aunt getting up and dancing at a fun family barbecue.

“This song is our tribute to the musicians of that era,” Beasley concluded.

Over the last three decades, Beasley has been a fixture on the Billboard top 20 contemporary jazz charts and landed three number one singles. Debuting in 1987 with a self-titled album, Beasley is a two-time Boston Music Awards winner, having been named Outstanding Jazz Artist and winning the Jazz Album of the Year for his 2003 release, “Go with the Flow.” Beasley’s present focus is honoring the music, the artists, and the epoch celebrated on “Tribute to Soul.”

“This EP reflects community, things we were going through as a people. It feels good and this is the best feeling project I’ve ever done.”

Beasley’s “Tribute to Soul” EP contains the following songs:

“Hold On, I’m Coming”

“Green Onions”

“Ballero”

“Come Live With Me”

“Memphis Underground”

For more information, visit https://www.walterbeasley.com.

KIMBERLY BREWER FT. RAGAN WHITESIDE – ‘IF I EVER LOSE THIS HEAVEN’

GIANNI VANCINI – ‘NON-STOP’

RYAN MONTANO – ‘APROPOS’

JEANETTE HARRIS FT. DAVID DYSON – ‘BROWN SUNSHINE’

GLENNIS GRACE BRENGT FENOMENALE WHITNEY HOUSTON-TRIBUTE NAAR SCHIERVELDE ROESELARE

Begin maart 2025  beloonde een volledig uitverkochte Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen Glennis Grace met meerdere staande ovaties tijdens en na afloop van haar Whitney Houston-tribute. Binnenkort mag ook West-Vlaanderen zich opmaken voor avondje ‘WHITNEY, a tribute by Glennis Grace’. Op zondag 30 november 2025 strijkt de ‘America’s Got Talent’-finaliste (2018) met haar muzikale eerbetoon neer in Schiervelde Roeselare. Glennis wisselt in deze fenomenale show swingende uptempo hits als ‘How Will I Know’, ‘I'm Every Woman’en ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ op verbluffende wijze af met gevoelige ballads als ‘Run To You’,'Greatest Love Of All' en uiteraard het onsterfelijke 'I Will Always Love You'. Tickets voor ‘WHITNEY, a tribute by Glennis Grace’ op zondag 30 november 2025 in Schiervelde Roeselare, zijn verkrijgbaar via: www.ticketkopen.eu

In 2018 maakte de wereld dankzij ‘America’s Got Talent’ kennis met de grenzeloze zangcapaciteiten van de Nederlandse Glennis Grace. Ze blies er de jury, het publiek en de miljoenen tv-kijkers een eerste keer omver met haar indrukwekkende versie van de Whitney-classic ‘Run To You’. De toon was meteen letterlijk gezet en de ravissante Nederlandse stoomde helemaal door tot in de finale. 

“Whitney Houston heeft een ongekend aantal hits op haar naam staan. Ik wil mensen heel graag meenemen naar vervlogen tijden door haar klassiekers opnieuw te zingen. Er zitten echt zoveel pareltjes tussen die nog een keer gehoord mogen worden.” 
- Glennis Grace -

Geruggesteund door deze indrukwekkende prestatie en de lovende commentaren, concerteerde Glennis in oktober 2018 voor het eerst met haar muzikale eerbetoon ‘WHITNEY, a tribute by Glennis Grace’ in een uitverkochte AFAS Live in Amsterdam. Uit de enthousiaste reacties van het publiek en de lovende recensies na afloop, bleek eens te meer dat de muziek van Whitney Houston de mensen nog altijd in vervoering brengt en Glennis Grace werd door pers en publiek geroemd om haar stemgeluid en bezieling.

Door de aanhoudende vraag uit binnen- en buitenland, bracht Glennis Grace de show in 2019 o.a. ook nog in Ahoy Rotterdam en een eveneens uitverkochte Lotto Arena in Antwerpen. Sindsdien keerde de Nederlandse nachtegaal verschillende keren terug naar ons land met dit fenomenale eerbetoon aan de legendarische Whitney Houston. Zo speelde ze onder andere Kursaal Oostende, Concertgebouw Brugge en Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen helemaal plat.

Tickets voor ‘WHITNEY, a tribute by Glennis Grace’ op zondag 30 november 2025 in Schiervelde Roeselare, zijn nu verkrijgbaar via ticketkopen.eu 

NEW SINGLE ‘IMPOSSIBLE’ BY CARWYN ELLIS & RIO 18

BASSIST JEF NASSENSTEIN (SPARGO) OVERLEDEN

Jef Nassenstein, de bassist van Spargo, is overleden. Dit trieste nieuws is maandagavond 17/3 gedeeld op de FB-pagina van Spargo. Spargo wordt in 1975 opgericht door de Amsterdammers Ruud Mulder (gitaar, zang, speelde eerder in de rock/bluesgroup Space 7), Hans Elbersen (gitaar, zang, speelde ook eerder in de rock/bluesgroup Space 7), Ellert Driessen (toetsen, zang, componist), Jef Nassenstein (bas, zang) en Leander Lammertink (drums). Eind jaren zeventig, ruim na het vertrek van Elbersen, krijgt de groep versterking van de van oorsprong Amerikaanse zangeres Lilian Day Jackson. Jackson is de stiefdochter van Art Blakey en heeft onder andere bij Hans Dulfer gezongen. Met Jackson als leadzangeres en Driessen als zanger krijgt Spargo zijn kenmerkende geluid en breekt de band door. De single ‘You And Me’ wordt de bestverkochte plaat van 1980 in Nederland en bereikt de eerste plaats van de Top 40. Ook buiten Nederland wordt de single een grote hit (onder andere nummer 1 in Italië, België, IJsland, Peru en Suriname).’You And Me’ wordt geschreven door Ellert Driessen en geproduceerd door Martin van Os. Tussen augustus 1980 en maart 1982 scoort Spargo nog vier Top-5 hits in Nederland, te weten ‘Head Up To The Sky’, ‘One Night Affair’, ‘Just For You’ en ‘Hip Hap Hop’. Daarnaast halen de singles ‘Sometimes’, ‘So Funny’, ‘Goodbye’, ‘Do You Like Me’ en ‘Lady’ de Nederlandse hitlijst. Jef Nassenstein heeft altijd, vanaf het prille begin al, een belangrijke rol in Spargo vervuld. Zijn authentieke wijze van bas spelen was een herkenbaar element in de muziek van Spargo, maar hij was ook een drijvende kracht achter veel zakelijke en creatieve beslissingen. Jef Nassenstein ruste in vrede!

Met dank aan Leo Weijers.

KRAFTWERK BRENGT UNIEKE OPENLUCHTSHOW NAAR BRUSSEL – 14 AUGUSTUS 2025

Een futuristisch spektakel op het iconische Paleizenplein.

Antwerpen, 19 maart 2025 – Na hun grensverleggende wereldtournees kondigt Kraftwerk een exclusieve openluchtshow aan op 14 augustus 2025 op het majestueuze Paleizenplein in Brussel.

Al meer dan vijf decennia vormt Kraftwerk de blauwdruk voor elektronische muziek. Hun liveoptredens zijn een zinnenprikkelende symbiose van muziek, technologie en performancekunst – een waar "Gesamtkunstwerk", waarin ritmes, robotica en hypnotiserende animaties versmelten tot een tijdloos kunstwerk.

Opgericht in 1970 door Ralf Hütter en Florian Schneider, legde Kraftwerk de basis voor de elektronische muziek zoals we die vandaag kennen. Vanuit hun legendarische Kling Klang Studio in Düsseldorf creëerden en produceerden ze baanbrekende albums die de muziekgeschiedenis voorgoed veranderden. Midden jaren ’70 brak de groep internationaal door met revolutionaire elektronische soundscapes en experimentele muziek waarin robotica en technologische innovaties een centrale rol speelden. Hun futuristische visie leverde de soundtrack voor het digitale tijdperk en inspireerde generaties artiesten.

Hun invloed is ongeëvenaard: van Electro en Hip Hop tot Techno en Synthpop, Kraftwerk legde de fundamenten voor tal van muziekgenres en blijft een onuitputtelijke inspiratiebron voor muzikanten wereldwijd.

Wie ooit een Kraftwerk-concert heeft meegemaakt, weet dat dit veel meer is dan een optreden. Het is een meeslepende trip door tijd en ruimte, waarbij de band laat zien hoe mens en machine moeiteloos samensmelten.

Beginnend met de retrospectieve van hun catalogus in het Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York in 2012, keerde Kraftwerk de afgelopen jaren volledig terug naar hun avant-gardistische roots binnen de Düsseldorfse kunstscene van de late jaren zestig.

Deze baanbrekende 3D-concertreeks in het MoMA werd gevolgd door prestigieuze presentaties in onder meer de Tate Modern Turbine Hall (Londen), Akasaka Blitz (Tokyo), het Opera House (Sydney), de Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles), de Fondation Louis Vuitton (Parijs), de Neue National Galerie (Berlijn) en het Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao).

Hun grensverleggende werk werd wereldwijd erkend. In 2014 werd Ralf Hütter, samen met zijn voormalige partner, geëerd met de Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, als erkenning voor hun revolutionaire bijdrage aan de muziek. In oktober 2021 kreeg Kraftwerk een definitieve plaats in de Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, een bekroning van hun blijvende impact op de moderne muziekwereld.

Brussel wordt het podium voor een ongeëvenaarde ervaring

Op 14 augustus 2025 transformeert Kraftwerk het Paleizenplein in een futuristisch kunstwerk. Mis deze unieke kans niet om een van de meest invloedrijke bands aller tijden live te beleven. Dit wordt een spektakel waar je bij móét zijn.

https://www.facebook.com/Kraftwerk

Praktische informatie

14 augustus 2025 – Royal Palace Open Air, Brussel

Ticketverkoop start vanaf 22 maart om 10 uur via fkpscorpio.be

Tickets vanaf €79

R&B/POP HITMAKERS CALLOWAY IS WOUND UP ABOUT THE REBOOT VERSION OF ‘FREAK-A-ZOID’

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (19 MARCH 2025): When Reggie Calloway produced “Freak-A-Zoid” for his band, Midnight Star, in 1983, he didn’t know that the group’s first hit would become an iconic single that pioneered a new subgenre of R&B music. He concocted space-age electronic beats, a funky techno groove, and synthesized robotic vocals, seeding Techno-Funk and rocketing Midnight Star to the top of the charts. Calloway and his brother, Vincent Calloway, have recreated and re-recorded “Freak-A-Zoid (Reboot)” as their duo, Calloway, with the new version dropping on Friday (March 21) from Spiral Galaxy Entertainment. An animated “Freak-A-Zoid” video illustrated by Cam Calloway (Reggie’s son) will be released on March 28.

The Calloway Brothers and Bill Simmons wrote “Freak-A-Zoid,” and the groundbreaking cut from Midnight Star’s breakthrough “No Parking on the Dance Floor” album still occupies playlists and packs dance floors. The crazy kinetic techno beats spawned a freaky dance, sparked the imagination of countless imitators, and was looped and sampled endlessly by the hip-hop community. With Reggie Calloway architecting the revolutionary track and lyrics and Vincent Calloway inventing the character Zino Zoid to serve as the lead vocals, “Freak-A-Zoid” was decades ahead of its time. In an era when everyone carries a computer in their pocket and cars are driving themselves, rebooting “Freak-A-Zoid” for today’s music scene is timely.   

The updated version of “Freak-A-Zoid,” which adds a rap from ImKingCam, is the first rendition recorded and released as their duo Calloway, the brothers who left the platinum-selling Midnight Star in 1986 and formed their own outfit.

“Two new generations have been born since that magical day in 1983 when ‘Freak-A-Zoid’ went to number two on the Billboard R&B singles chart. We want to make sure that they along with future generations can enjoy and experience this trailblazing and trendsetting song. We want everyone to know the history and connection that we have to this song,” said Reggie Calloway, who recently presented the Calloway Experience at the star-studded Vibrato Grill atop Los Angeles.

Last December, Calloway released a 35th anniversary version of their first hit as a duo, “I Wanna Be Rich,” which was remixed by GRAMMY® nominated producer Darius “Phonix” Barnes (J. Cole, The Game, Trey Songz, Eminem, 50 Cent). The original single that went to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart was completely retooled by Barnes and the release was accompanied by a new “I Wanna Be Rich” video directed by Ash Gupta.

During their time in the platinum-selling Midnight Star, the Calloway’s scored major hits with “No Parking on the Dance Floor,” “Wet My Whistle,” and “Operator.” The brothers went on to craft hits for Klymaxx (“Meeting in The Ladies Room”), The Deele (“Body Talk”), Levert ("Casanova”), Teddy Pendergrass ("Joy"), Gladys Knight ("Love Overboard”), and Natalie Cole (“Jump Start”). Together, they enjoyed chart success as Calloway with tunes such as “Sir Lancelot,” “You’re My Everything,” “All The Way,” and “Let’s Get Smooth.”

Reggie Calloway is a GRAMMY® nominee who also serves as Director of Music Royalty Funding for Sound Royalties. His acumen as a record executive is part of the reason the Calloway’s are reimagining their own recordings and releasing them on their own label, Spiral Galaxy Entertainment.

“We live in a time when creating and owning your masters is not only creatively rewarding, but also smart business. With this new version of ‘Freak-A-Zoid,’ we can make it more accessible to radio by making it shorter, punchier, and utilizing the innovative technologies and sounds. Just as important, we can now make the recording available for licensing for television, film, commercials, video games, and endorsements,” explained Reggie Calloway, who will perform with Vincent Calloway at the Unbridled Eve Derby Gala on May 2, the night before the Kentucky Derby.

The duo Calloway also plans to release new music, which will begin this spring with the release of “6 Pack,” a single promoting health and wellness. It’s a message that is especially important to Vincent Calloway, who practices and teaches martial arts.

“I’ve been a fitness ‘Freak-A-Zoid’ for decades. As fun as our music has always been on the surface, our songs have had deeper meaning. ‘6 Pack’ has that,” said Vincent Calloway, who then returned focus to the updated version of “Freak-A-Zoid.” 

“It was a joy and an honor to bring back to the forefront the character and the sound I created with Zino Zoid. It was amazing how the youth took to it and made ‘Freak-A-Zoid’ a household word and a dance craze.”

To pre-save “Freak-A-Zoid (Reboot),” click Freak-A-Zoid (Reboot).

Watch the “I Wanna Be Rich” video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veiaKrwOq2A&t=2s.

For more information, visit https://callowayofficial.com. 

DAVID MARGAM AND HORST LIPPITSCH JOIN THEIR TALENTS FOR ‘LAND OF DREAMS’

DeeAnn’s NEW SINGLE ‘SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL,’ (SET FOR RELEASE APRIL 4TH), IS A SENSUAL, DEEP SOUL MUSICAL REVELATION

Continuing to build momentum after the success of her sultry 2024 breakthrough single “Stay Here With Me,” DeeAnn’s 2025 is off to an exciting and inspiring start, with the multi-talented singer/songwriter receiving numerous well-deserved accolades in her hometown of Buffalo, New York’s 10th Annual “JazzBuffalo” musical greats poll. She was awarded “Jazz Female Vocalist of the Year”, receiving the most votes for her still-popular 2023 album “It’s My Time”, and was chosen runner-up for “Most Memorable Performance” and the “John Hunt Jazz Artist of the Year” Award.

With a title that truly captures the optimistic vibes she’s currently feeling in her life, DeeAnn’s new single “Simply Beautiful,” (set for release April 4th), is more than a sensual, deep soul bluesy twist on an early 70’s Al Green song from his landmark #1 Billboard album “I’m Still in Love with You”. It’s a dynamic extension of her vocal, a musical revelation that launches a powerful collaboration with her new producer Ted Perlman, and lays the foundation for her upcoming album featuring both originals and re-imaginings of classic songs from various eras.

Working with Perlman puts DeeAnn in the classic company of the multi-genre greats he has produced, arranged, recorded, and toured with over the past five decades - including Burt Bacharach, Whitney Houston, Manhattan Transfer, Harry Belafonte, Bob Dylan, Ronald Isley, Jermaine Jackson, Edwin Hawkins, CeCe Winans, Brian Wilson, Dr. Dre, Diana Ross, Ringo Starr, Joe Cocker, Chicago and Young MC. DeeAnn recorded the new project with Perlman at “Highway 70 Sound” & “Station West” in Nashville, and “Intercoastal Sound” in West Palm Beach, Florida with Perlman producing, engineering and contributing his emotionally searing electric guitar vibe alongside some of Music City’s heaviest hitters – pianist/organist Jody Nardone, bassist Jonathan Nixon, drummer Brian Czach, and singers Moe Loughran, Damian Horne, and Larysa Jaye. In Florida they added singers Mary Babalola of Nigeria and Victoria Espinosa of Columbia.

DeeAnn is thrilled with how she and the band nailed “Simply Beautiful” in a single take. “You can feel the emotion the minute they start playing, and they were just killing it all the way through,” she says. “Ted and I had an immediate connection, and he really did his homework, listening to my voice and my previous recordings to get a sense of how he could help take me to the next level. He and a great friend of mine with a stake in my career both suggested I should record the song on my next album. I didn’t know the song as well as I knew other Al Green songs and I fell in love with it instantly.”

DeeAnn is only too happy to drop some info on some of the other special tracks that will appear on her upcoming, as yet untitled album, which she describes as a hybrid of Straight-ahead Jazz, Smooth Jazz, R&B, Soul, & Neo-Soul. The collection will also include songs that pay tribute to the three lights of her life she has lost in recent years - her beloved son, brother, and dad.

DeeAnn is proud of her co-write with Perlman, “Sing To Me,” a song in a long line of gems throughout her career that tap into her reality as a hopeless romantic. She attributes her ability to remain optimistic even in the face of great losses to her strong faith in God.

ROB DE NIJS OVERLEDEN

“Stil verdriet, tranen van binnen”, de eerste twee regels van de vijfde single (dubbele A-kant met ‘Trees’) van Rob de Nijs uit 1963. Woorden die passen bij mijn gevoelens na het vernemen van het trieste bericht dat Rob gisteren (16 maart) op 82-jarige leeftijd is overleden. Rob was al enige tijd ziek en overleed in zijn woning in Bennekom in het bijzijn van zijn dierbaren. Ik groeide op met de muziek van Rob de Nijs. Hij was er in de jaren zestig met zijn hits ‘Voor Sonja Doe Ik Alles’, ‘Ritme Van De Regen’, ‘How Do You Do It?’, ‘Stil Verdriet’, ‘Trees’, ‘Hé Mama’, ‘Loop Naar De Maan’, ‘Troela Troelala’ en ‘Anna Paulowna ‘. Hij was er in de jaren zeventig met hits als ‘Jan Klaassen De Trompetter’, ‘Dag Zuster Ursula’, ‘Mirella’, ‘Malle Babbe’, ‘Zet Een Kaars Voor Je Raam’, ‘Het Werd Zomer’ en prachtige albums als ‘In De Uren Van De Middag’, ‘Kijken Hoe Het Morgen Wordt’, ‘Tussen Zomer En Winter’ en ‘Rob de Nijs’. Hij was er in de jaren tachtig met zijn hits ‘Zondag’, ‘Zonder Jou’, ‘Dat Is Alles’, ‘Alles Wat Ademt’, ‘Ontmoeting’ en ‘Duet (Ik Hou Alleen Van Jou)’ en fantastische albums als ‘Met Je Ogen Dicht’, ‘De Regen Voorbij’, ‘Roman’, ‘Pur Sang’, ‘Vrije Val’ en ‘De Reiziger’. Hij was er in de jaren negentig met zijn hits ‘Natte Kerst/Iets Van Een Wonder’, ‘Banger Hart’ en ‘Zo Zal Het Zijn’ en zijn fantastische albums ‘De Band, De Zanger En Het Meisje’ en ‘Ballades’. Hij was er na de eeuwwisseling met de fantastische albums ‘Chansons’, ‘Eindelijk Vrij’, ‘Nieuwe Ruimte’ en ’t Is Mooi Geweest’. Rob was er in de populaire televisieseries 'Oebele' en 'Kunt U Mij De Weg Naar Hamelen Vertellen, Mijnheer?' Rob de Nijs was er mijn leven lang met zijn prachtige liedjes, maar nu is het – inderdaad – mooi geweest. Op 22 februari jongstleden was ik als een kind zo blij, toen ik de nog in mijn collectie ontbrekende single ‘How Do You Do It?’ van Rob de Nijs met fotohoes kocht op een vlooienmarkt in Vijfhuizen. Ik pak de single er even bij en kijk naar de foto van Rob. Inderdaad – een foto van vroeger. Bedankt voor jouw mooie muziek, Rob, en rust in vrede!

Met dank aan Leo Weijers.

ISAAC HAYES – HOT BUTTERED SINGLES VOL. 2  1972-1976

Release date: 25.04.2025

The wonderfully favourable response to our first CD and double vinyl volume of the original A and B sides of the singles of the late great Isaac Hayes – as originally released on Stax’ Enterprise subsidiary between 1969 and 1972 – has forced us to bring forward, this month, the release of “Hot Buttered Singles 2” to cater for what Ace is sure will be just as great a level of popular demand.

This volume picks up where “Hot Buttered Singles Vol 1” left off with Hayes’ final 45 of 1972, and carries his seven inch story through to 1976 – by which time Stax was defunct, and Hayes’ was on his own Hot Buttered Soul label via ABC Records. It features eight US R&B chart hits including the much sampled ‘Hung Up On My Baby’ and ‘Chocolate Chip’, Hayes’ biggest hit of this period ‘Joy’ and the ever-popular 1976 instrumental ‘Disco Connection’, which finally gave Hayes’ his second UK Top 20 hit after ‘Shaft’.

All tracks match the original single edits, and wherever possible are taken from digital transfers of the original Enterprise singles masters. Where the original 45s came in two parts, they also do so here. And where original singles masters no longer exist, as was the case for two tracks, Ace’s engineers have re-created them beat for beat from the longer album versions. (Have fun guessing which two they were…)

As with “Hot Buttered Singles Vol 1”, the LP inners and CD booklet are packed with label shots, copious other images and an extensive sleeve note that gives deep detail about the featured songs. It also makes the package look as good as it sounds.

ANDREA LISA – ‘CALVERT STREET’

ANDRE DELANO – ‘LOVE AGAINST ALL ODDS’

PHILIPPE SAISSE FT. MARQUIS HILL – ‘NOUGAYORK’

BRITSE ZANGER STEDMAN PEARSON (FIVE STAR) OVERLEDEN

De Britse zanger Stedman Pearson is op 10 maart op slechts 60-jarige leeftijd overleden. Dat is vandaag bekendgemaakt. Hij was de oudste van vijf broers/zussen die met name in de tweede helft van de jaren tachtig als de popgroep Five Star furore maakten. Stedman studeerde dans en mode, voordat hij de muziek in stapte. Dat laatste gebeurde in 1983 op 19-jarige leeftijd. Hij sloot zich aan bij zijn jongere broer/zussen in Five Star, een groep waarvan vader Buster Pearson, een voormalig muzikant, de manager was. Stedman verzorgde de achtergrondvocalen, ontwierp de kleding en deed de choreografie voor de danspasjes. De glinsterende kostuums in combinatie met de samenvallende dansroutines zouden jarenlang worden vergeleken met die van The Jackson Five. Five Star werd wereldberoemd in de tweede helft van de jaren tachtig. Hun album ‘Silk & Steel’ bereikte de eerste plaats van de Britse albumlijst. Er werden ruim 1.2 miljoen exemplaren van het album verkocht. Aan het eind van de jaren tachtig had Five Star vijftien Britse Top 40 hits gescoord en vier Top 20 albums. Drie van die albums haalden de platina status. In de periode 1985-1988 werden de singles ‘All Fall Down’, ‘Let Me Be The One’, ‘System Addict’, ‘Can’t Wait Another Minute’, ‘Find The Time’, ‘Rain Or Shine’, ‘If I Say Yes’, ‘Stay Out Of My Life’, ‘The Slightest Touch’, ‘Whenever You’re Ready’, ‘Strong As Steel’ en ‘Another Weekend’ grote hits. Hun populariteit nam hierna flink af. Sterker nog, zakelijk ging het helemaal mis. Pearson en zijn broer/zussen moesten noodgedwongen hun in 1987 gekochte landhuis in Berkshire verlaten. De familieleden verhuisden eerst naar Hatfield en emigreerden vervolgens naar de Verenigde Staten in een poging om daar hun carrière voort te zetten. Echter, commercieel succes bleef uit en in 2001 was het vijftal een trio geworden. Stedman, Denise en Lorraine Pearson waren de drie overgebleven leden. In deze samenstelling deed Five Star in 2002 mee aan de Here and Now Tour, samen met andere pop acts uit de jaren tachtig. Pearson bleef met zijn zus Denise en drie danseressen tot 2008 optreden als Five Star. Daarnaast verhuurde hij enige tijd limousines en gaf hij dansles op een school in Londen. Stedman Pearson ruste in vrede!

Met dank aan Leo Weijers.

RICHARD ELLIOT – ‘STRAIGHT UP DOWN’

ELLIS HALL AND GEORGE WHITTY AKA “WHAT!!!!” RELEASE NEW SINGLE ‘SOME DAYS WERE MEANT FOR RAIN’

Offering more indelible proof that a great song can enjoy many lives and enthrall multiple generations, Ellis Hall’s timeless, haunting ballad “Some Days Were Meant for Rain” is now the second single from In the World, the debut album of WHAT!!!!, the legendary vocalist and multi-instrumentalist’s duo with Grammy winning keyboardist George Whitty – literally half a century after he wrote it! 

The track follows fast on the heels of the release of the powerhouse, eclectic 10-track collection and the October 2024 drop of its lead single, “Die Living,” which became one of the top five successes its radio promoter has ever had. The indelible blues-soul anthem scored over 1000 spins at terrestrial urban radio its first week out and ultimately eclipsed over 50,000 nationwide (with more stations picking it up all the time) that included countless plays on global internet stations. 

An unforgettable expression of heartache and longing, the incredible travels of “Some Days..” began in 1975, after a conversation Hall had with his then manager, who seemed distracted from their discussion of business and told the singer he was despondent because he had just broken up with his girlfriend. When Hall hung up, the song poured out in just 15 minutes. He later gave a cassette recording of it to his manager, who played it for his beloved, leading them to both cry and reconcile. 

Those two were the first of countless thousands whose lives have been touched by “Some Days Were Meant for Rain.” Hall began playing it live regularly with his group, The Ellis Hall Band and recorded it for an album that unfortunately was not released, with strings and horns by future legendary superstar arranger Rob Mounsey. He also played it on several dates in 1976 when his band opened for Tower of Power. One night backstage in Boston, TOP founder and saxophonist Emilio Castillo heard it backstage when Hall was listening to it while going over different mixes. He loved it – and when Hall joined up and became TOP’s frontman in 1984, Castillo asked him, “Where’s that song ‘Rain’?”

That song “Rain” (aka “Some Days Were Made for Rain”) proved so popular with TOP audiences that the famed horn band recorded it (with Hall naturally on lead vocals) for their 1987 album, which was the sole project the singer recorded with them before he departed in 1988. It received three Grammy nominations, including Best R&B Vocal and Best Arrangement.   

The tune remained relatively obscure for the next few decades until Hall shared it with Whitty as it became clear that their creatively flourishing mutual admiration society would evolve into a full album project. Whitty had been a fan of Hall’s since he “kicked my ass so hard” when he headlined as Tower of Power’s lead singer at a mid-80s performance at NYC’s The Bottom Line. Hall’s longtime project manager (and longtime “watcher”) Alec Berfield had been bugging the singer about meeting Whitty for years, and when Whitty, with Berfield’s prompting, sent him his initial tracks for a special song titled “Hug Me,” he knew it was divine timing. “Hug Me,” the first piece the duo recorded, is an epic, six-minute anthem the two recorded in 2023 as a tribute to the strength and resilience of the Ukranian people. 

“George heard some of my songs from over the years which seemed to create an itch in his ear, including ‘Why Should I Care’ and ‘Soul Street’,” says Hall. “When he heard ‘Some Days…’, he said ‘That’s a smash! We need to put that on the record.’ Which was great for me because he has a way of hearing things and opening them up sonically. I told the original story through God’s grace and he knew how to write a whole book, so to speak. The WHAT!!!! version is symphonic – and that’s ironic because I have played it with symphonies but never quite like we’re doing here.

“It’s sonically different from the original Ellis Hall Band and TOP versions because of the hopping synth bass George infuses with the drums, the symphony vibe he creates with his keyboards and also the way my acoustic guitars meld with the organ and other keyboards,” he adds. “He has such a melodic orchestral sense of the music. Also, the Tower recording ended with a muted horn section harmony that I create with my voice here. I also recreated a solo section by cut one of the parts in half so that my organ and vocal go back and forth.”

Whitty says, “I have loved ‘Some Days Were Meant For Rain” since I first heard it in the 1980s.  Such a beautiful classic soul ballad, with the world’s greatest soul singer singing it! We reimagined it for this record with some beautiful orchestra colors and a great, grooving Moog bass/organ vibe, and I think Ellis agrees with me that we hit a homer with this rendition!”

Following an inviting intro filled with lush strings and passionate wordless vocals, Hall begins his gentle caress of the heartbreaking lyrics he wrote so long ago: “Raindrops on my window/Completing my day of dread/Tears streaming softly from raw eyes/These words running through my head. . .Some days were meant for rain/Some nights were meant for pain/and I’m caught up in your chains…” As his vocals (and the vocal textures) intensify, his acknowledgement of the reality of sadness turns to a sorrowful plea Hall shares with the full range of his voice (“Baby love, I need you baby love.”) and an introspective, unanswerable question (“Am I just an episode in your life that you’re going through”).   

“The song is still relevant and resonates because people love ballads and the story never changes,” the singer says. “It’s about a gentleman losing his baby, a story that has some meat and bone to it, and on top of that we have this wonderful music and production. It’s a universal lyric that touched me then and touches us now. When I originally wrote the guitar part, I was thinking about time I spent in Georgia in the 60s, watching people play on the front porch. Overall, it fits perfectly with the concept of the whole In the World project, with us telling stories listeners can open up like a book – even on the funky tunes and the new twist we put on ‘I Thank You.’”

https://www.instagram.com/whittyhallartistteam?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561023869563

https://www.tiktok.com/@whittyhallartistteam?_t=8nDxNOBZ4DH&_r=1

GLENNIS GRACE BRENGT GELAUWERD EERBETOON AAN WHITNEY HOUSTON OP 30 MEI IN HASSELT

Eurovisie-favoriet Red Sebastian geniet van Glennis Grace in Antwerpen

Glennis Grace brengt gelauwerd eerbetoon aan Whitney Houston op 30 mei in Hasselt

Eurovisie-favoriet Red Sebastian geniet van Glennis Grace in Antwerpen

Een volledig uitverkochte Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen beloonde Glennis Grace afgelopen zaterdag met meerdere staande ovaties tijdens en na afloop van haar Whitney Houston-tribute. Ook Red Sebastian, onze Belgische kandidaat voor het Eurovisiesongfestival, was enorm onder de indruk van Glennis' optreden in Antwerpen en ontmoette haar na afloop backstage voor een hartelijk gesprek en een foto. Binnenkort mag ook Hasselt zich opmaken voor avondje ‘WHITNEY, a tribute by Glennis Grace’. Op vrijdag 30 mei 2025 strijkt de ‘America’s Got Talent’-finaliste (2018) met haar muzikale eerbetoon neer in Trixxo Theater. Glennis wisselt in deze fenomenale show swingende uptempo hits als ‘How Will I Know’, ‘I'm Every Woman’en ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ op verbluffende wijze af met gevoelige ballads als ‘Run To You’,'Greatest Love Of All' en uiteraard het onsterfelijke 'I Will Always Love You'. Tickets voor ‘WHITNEY, a tribute by Glennis Grace’ op vrijdag 30 mei 2025 in Trixxo Theater Hasselt, zijn verkrijgbaar op www.ticketkopen.eu

Staande ovaties in Antwerpen

Afgelopen zaterdag bewees Glennis Grace in de tot de nok gevulde Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen waarom ze wereldwijd wordt geroemd om haar vertolkingen van het repertoire van Whitney Houston. De enthousiaste reacties van het publiek na afloop bewezen nogmaals dat de muziek van Whitney mensen blijft betoveren. Glennis werd wederom geprezen om haar verbluffende stem en de pure bezieling waarmee ze elke noot brengt. De avond eindigde met een zoveelste uitzinnige staande ovatie.

Een opvallende gast in de zaal was Red Sebastian, onze Belgische Eurovision kandidaat. Als grote fan van Glennis Grace maakte hij speciaal de reis vanuit West-Vlaanderen naar Antwerpen om zijn idool live aan het werk te zien. Na de show ontmoetten de twee elkaar backstage voor een hartelijk gesprek en een foto. De wederzijdse bewondering en het respect tussen deze twee artiesten zorgde voor een bijzonder moment achter de schermen.

Wie de kans gemist heeft om Glennis Grace live te zien in Antwerpen, kan op vrijdag 30 mei terecht in Trixxo Theater Hasselt. Tickets en info voor Whitney: a tribute by Glennis Grace via ticketkopen.eu.

TASHA LARAE – ‘RIGHT NOW’ (ALBUM SAMPLER)

Acclaimed recording artist and vocalist for Hip Hop titans Arrested Development, Tasha LaRae continues to put her own unique stamp on the world of Soulful House, revealing her brilliant second solo album, “Right Now” on Quantize. Picking up where her stunning debut solo album, “Tasha”, left off, Ms. LaRae’s voluptuous new body of work sees her collaborate with some of the scene’s finest producer talent, including, John Morales, Neil Pierce, Beat Rivals, DJ Spen, Thommy Davis, Gershon Jackson, Kenny Jaeger, john Khan, Soullab, Yooks, Soulista and Shino Blackk. Among this heartfelt collection of exquisitely penned original songs such as “Better With You” and “Falling In Love”, you’ll find a selection of classy re-imagined classics, including Roy Ayers’ “Running Away” and Stevie’s Wonder’s “The Real Thing”, loaded with heavyweight instrumentation courtesy of DJ Spen, Thommy Davis and Michele Chiavarini. Overflowing with warmth, emotion and class, 'Right Now' is testament to Tasha’s unrelenting talent as her gorgeous soulful tones continue to light up our dance floors around the world.

International recording artist, Tasha LaRae is blazing her trail around the world with soulful house & R&B vocals. Hailing from Omaha, Nebraska, relocating to Atlanta, Georgia gave Tasha the inspiration and opportunities needed to develop her unique sound. In 2008 Ms. LaRae joined hip-hop trailblazers as their new lead female vocalist and wrote and performed on several Arrested Development albums including "Strong" 2009, "Standing At The Crossroads" 2012, "Changing The Narrative" 2016, "This Was Never Home" 2016, and "Craft & Optics" 2018, with the band picking up 2 x Grammy Awards on the way. In recent years, Tasha has become a star on the Soulful House scene, releasing her debut solo album, "Tasha", in 2019 along with many singles and collaborations, she has become a firm favourite with the Quantize Recordings fans.

Track Listing
1 Tasha LaRae & Beat Rivals - Better With You (Album Mix)
2 Tasha LaRae & Thommy Davis - Running Away (DJ Spen & Michele Chiavarini Mix)
3 Tasha LaRae & John Khan - Falling In Love (DJ Spen & John Khan Album Mix)
4 Tasha LaRae - This Masquerade (Shino Blackk Remix)
5 Tasha LaRae & Kenny Jaeger - What You Won’t Do For Love (Album Mix)
6 Tasha LaRae & Neil Pierce - Right Now (Neil’s Unreleased Album Mix)
7 Tasha LaRae & Thommy Davis - The Real Thing (DJ Spen & Gary Hudgins Album Mix)

Tasha LaRae 'Right Now' Album will be released on Traxsource promo March 14th / Full release March 28th 2025 on Quantize Recordings.

Tasha LaRae
'Right Now' Album (Sampler)
Quantize Recordings / QTZLP034
https://www.facebook.com/TashaLaRaeFanPage
http://www.quantizerecordings.com

GARRY HAGGER OVERSPOELD MET POSITIEVE REACTIES NA ZIJN ‘MY WAY’-VERSIE VOOR EEN EMOTIONELE NIELS ALBERT IN ‘IK VRAAG HET AAN’

Na zijn uitvoering van ‘My Way’ in het muziekprogramma ‘Ik Vraag Het Aan’ had Garry Hagger woensdagavond in no time meer dan 500 reacties op sociale media (Facebook, Instagram) en stroomden de smsjes en WhatsApp-berichtjes letterlijk binnen. Op verzoek van voormalig veldrijder en wereldkampioen Niels Albert bracht Garry een aangrijpende versie van de Frank Sinatra-klassieker. Niels droeg die op aan zijn vader. “Ik heb mijn papa drie jaar geleden moeten afgeven. Dit was een nummer dat ik gekozen had op zijn begrafenis. Gewoon, omdat hij zijn leven geleefd heeft op zijn manier. Ook naar ons toe. Wij hadden niet zo’n fantastische band. We hadden verschillende meningen. Als ik ging trainen, waren er altijd discussies of na een wedstrijd was er altijd wel iets dat hij vond dat niet goed ging”, vertelde een openhartige Niels Albert geëmotioneerd in de zetel bij Niels Destadsbader. Frances Lefebure, Loïc Van Impe, Wim Devilder en Celine Van Ouytsel luisterden aandacht mee. “Door de slokdarmkanker zijn onze wegen op een stomme manier gescheiden. Ik heb de kans nog gehad om de laatste dagen bij hem te zijn. Ook op zijn allerlaatste dag. Ik kan het iedereen aanraden: je hebt soms ruzie met je ouders of kennissen en je denkt: ‘oh, wat een klootzak’ of ‘je wil die echt niet meer zien’. Het is pas achteraf dat je beseft: shit, waarom ben ik nu zo koppig geweest? Dat is de boodschap die ik wil meegeven: Als er zo'n mensen zijn in je leven, pak dat op en praat dat uit. Ik ben blij dat ik nog heb kunnen doen”, voegde Niels Albert er nog aan toe voor de band begon te spelen.

Zodra Garry Hagger ‘My Way’ inzette, liet Niels Albert zijn tranen de vrije loop. Het eerbetoon aan zijn papa raakte ook de andere gasten en liet Garry niet onberoerd. “Ik stond klaar om te zingen toen ik in mijn oortjes Niels zijn verhaal hoorde vertellen, maar ook de goede raad die hij meegaf. Dat raakte mij enorm. Met de fantastische band, onder leiding van Jeroen Swinnen en aangevuld met blazers, heb ik mij volledig gesmeten voor ‘My Way’. We hebben de song hier en daar wel eigen accenten gegeven. Het is een groots, krachtig nummer dat mij heel goed ligt en dat ik graag zing. Blijkbaar heeft het niet alleen Niels Albert, die me tijdens en na de uitzending nog uitgebreid is komen bedanken, geraakt. Ook heel veel kijkers thuis. Net als na mijn doortocht met ‘Het Allermooiste’ in ‘Tien om te Zien’ twee zomers geleden, ontving ik een stroom van positie reacties. Niet normaal hoeveel mensen er gisterenavond reageerden. Ik ben hiervoor heel dankbaar. Als je als artiest met de muziek die je brengt zoveel emoties losmaakt, dan is de missie meer dan geslaagd. Het was een heel fijne samenwerking. Ik ben blij dat ze mij hiervoor hebben gevraagd en dat ik dit kon doen voor Niels Albert, voor zijn vader en voor heel veel mensen die met verlies en verdriet worden geconfronteerd”, zegt Garry Hagger. 

De complete aflevering vind je op VRT Max. Garry Hagger warmt zich op voor een goedgevuld jaar met heel veel optredens en bracht twee weken geleden zijn nieuwe single ‘Thuis Bij Jou’ uit. 

B3 MONACO – ‘DOWN TO THE 9’

STEVE LAURY – ‘OUR SECRET PLACE’

VASSAL BENFORD – ‘SHE’S A QUEEN’

EVAN TAYLOR – ‘SHINING’

JAZZICOON ROY AYERS OVERLEDEN

Roy Ayers, de geweldige jazzvibrafonist die bekend is van zijn hit ‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine’, is overleden na een ziekte ... zo heeft zijn familie bekendgemaakt.

In een verklaring die ze op Facebook deelde, zegt zijn familie dat de muzieklegende dinsdag in New York City is overleden na een langdurige ziekte. Ze specificeerden niet welke ziekte hij had. Ze sloten hun verklaring af met de woorden: "Hij heeft 84 prachtige jaren gehad en zal enorm gemist worden. Zijn familie vraagt ​​u om hun privacy te respecteren, er zal een viering van Roy’s leven komen."

Ayers' grootste hit was ‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine’. In de loop der jaren is zijn muziek door iedereen gesampled of gecoverd, waaronder Kanye West, Common, Mary J. Blige, D'Angelo en Tyler the Creator.

Zijn muziek begon echt de massa te bereiken met zijn werk aan de Pam Grier Blaxploitation-film ‘Coffy’. Hij bracht in 1976 ‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine’ uit.

Om je een idee te geven van hoe groots die song is... tot nu toe heeft het nummer meer dan 130 miljoen streams op Spotify.

Hij laat zijn vrouw Argerie en hun twee kinderen, Ayana en Mtume, achter.

Roy was 84.

GROOVE JAZZ GUITARIST DEE BROWN IS COOL, CALM, AND IN CONTROL ON NEW ALBUM

The “Mister Smooth” album drops on March 28, the same day the title track will be released as a single.

DETROIT, Michigan (5 MARCH 2025): Everyone craves certainty, especially during these tumultuous times. Guitarist dee Brown created a jazzy album of R&B instrumentals on which he adopted the persona of a fictious character called “Mister Smooth,” who is confident, focused, and anchored in equanimity. Writing eight new songs, most of them with his GRAMMY® nominated producer and longtime collaborator Valdez Brantley (Usher, Mary J. Blige, Keith Sweat, Lil Wayne), Brown’s sixth album will be released by Innervision Records on March 28. The melody-rich title track will be issued as a single the same day.

Stepping into the “Mister Smooth” character like a method actor while writing and recording the album wasn’t much of a stretch for Brown, who is a devout man of faith. The confidence and maturity that he exudes on the recording and is on full display via his guitar work and the compositions he crafted for the set are bolden and empowering. It’s a determined mindset purposed with overcoming challenges and adversity while remaining in control - even when the world feels chaotic.      

“Mister Smooth embodies a person who is consistently on top of things and maintains control in any situation. Even when faced with uncertainty, he excels at ‘faking it until he makes it,’ elevating the experience for everyone involved. I created an album that captures the essence of what it means to be a Mister Smooth. This concept isn’t just a reflection of who I am or aspire to be; it represents a powerful attribute that enhances any situation. The name itself resonates with many, making it relatable and appealing. This is perfectly aligned with the type of music we produce and the kind of person with whom we all aspire to be,” said Brown who released multiple singles from the project while he was working on the collection over the last couple of years.

After opening the album with “Mister Smooth,” the Detroit- born and based artist offers a taste of his hometown on “Wes 8Mile,” which he wrote with multi-time Billboard No. 1 chart-topper Blake Aaron who produced the song that was issued as a single. Mike Parlett’s saxophone perfectly complements Brown’s cool toned electric jazz guitar riffs that invoke jazz guitar legend Wes Montgomery.

“Eight Mile is one of the main streets running through Detroit, and I grew up on the west side of Detroit. The name ‘Wes 8Mile’ comes from my guitar hero Wes Montgomery's unique style of playing, which often involved using octaves. An octave is a note that is eight diatonic notes away from the first note, and he would play these two notes together. My goal was to create an up-tempo groove that incorporated both octaves and single note playing, along with a half-step modulation. I also wanted to incorporate an ensemble, which is why I invited saxophonist Mike Parlett to play on the track with Carnell Harrell (keyboards), Mel Brown (bass), and Tony Moore (drums),” explains Brown.

Another collaboration with Aaron resulted in “The Thing Is…” which adds horn player and arranger David Mann, keyboardist Tateng Katindig, and Aaron’s rhythm guitar to the ensemble. It was the second single from the album and hit all the major charts.

“Many times, when a conversation is going and someone wants to make a valid point, they will say, 'The thing is...’ That is what this song is all about, making a musical valid point that will grab your attention and immediately be noticed," stated Brown.

Brown and Brantley interpret Sister Sledge’s rousing anthem “We Are Family,” which includes an imaginative jazz breakdown midway through the disco dancefloor filler.

“My wife suggested that we remake ‘We Are Family’ and I immediately thought of Nile Rodgers, the incredible guitarist from the legendary group Chic. I’ve always admired his rhythm guitar work,” Brown admitted.

Brown sees his Mister Smooth character as someone who would be charming, which inspired the song titled “Charming.”

“This track was developed after I decided we needed to record a slower song. I wanted to incorporate 808 electric drums, Moog synth/bass, and a variety of synthesized sounds reminiscent of the 1990s with a strong emphasis on guitar,” said Brown.

“Finesse” was the first track recorded for the album, yet the song had to go through a process of evolution. Brown explains, “I noticed a problem with the song’s chorus. I decided to try an alternative melody, and it seems to work perfectly. So, when you hear the track, if you listen to the lead melody on the big body guitar, that’s the new melody and if you listen in the background, there’s another melody that is played with my Stratocaster-style guitar that is more like a picking style playing the original melody. They work together perfectly.”

The album’s first single was “You Already Know,” which was released as a deep cut during the recording process to keep Brown on radio playlists. His gregarious guitar is slick and proficient as it deftly maneuvers to the fore of a midtempo electric groove.

The vibrant “Charismatic” gets a boost from Merlon Devine’s soprano sax. Brown explains, “Initially, Valdez (Brantley) played the flute sound on the track on his keyboard, but I felt we needed a live flute player. Unfortunately, all the flautists we knew were unavailable. I suggested using a soprano saxophone instead and called my good friend, Merlon Devine. We decided to keep the keyboard flute sound after all, but it’s Merlon’s beautiful soprano sax that really stands out on this track.”

We experience a completely different side of Brown on “4th Dimension,” on which he indulges his rock god guitar alter ego.

“I was kind of a rock ‘n’ roller influenced by great bands from the '80s and '90s. I’ve always loved legendary guitarists like Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix, and Jimmy Page, and I wanted to create a rocky, funky groove. We started exploring a direction that I don’t usually take. I used a lot of distortion and drive on my guitar. We incorporated a jazzy guitar sound as well, resulting in a song blending both jazz and rock elements,” shared Brown.

Last holiday season, Brown released “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” on which he, Brantley (keyboards, piano, programming, arrangements), drummer Ron Otis, and bassist Lanar Brantley were joined by vocalist Jayla Treasure, a talented singer, songwriter, Praise and Worship leader, and a music major who is currently continuing her studies in college.

“I wanted to choose a song for the holidays that truly embodies the spirit of Christmas. The song turned out great and reached the top of the streaming charts,” enthused Brown.

Brown debuted in 2007 with the release of his “No Time To Waste” album. Building his following with growing radio airplay via each successive album and single release, Brown has performed, shared the stage and/or recorded with a wide array of jazz, R&B, and gospel GRAMMY winners, nominees, and Billboard hitmakers including George Benson, Al Jarreau, Stephanie Mills, Gerald Albright, Alexander Zonjic, Bob Baldwin, Mindi Abair, Jessy J, Paul Brown, Paul Taylor, Darren Rahn, Tim Bowman, Randy Scott, Gail Jhonson, Nate Harasim, Bob James, Brian Culbertson, Spyro Gyra, The Ohio Players, Najee, Jeffery Osborne, Aretha Franklin, and Michael and BeBe Winans. For more information, visit https://www.deebrownjazz.com.

Brown’s “Mister Smooth” album contains the following songs:

“Mister Smooth”

“Wes 8Mile”

“The Thing is…”

“We Are Family”

“Charming”

“Finesse”

“You Already Know”

“Charismatic”

“4th Dimension”

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”

Pre-save “Mister Smooth” at https://sym.ffm.to/mistersmooth.

MELBA MOORE TO RECEIVE LEGACY AWARD AT BE’S 19TH ANNUAL WOMEN OF POWER SUMMIT 

Legendary singer Melba Moore is set to receive a tribute at BLACK ENTERPRISE’s 19th Annual Legacy Awards Gala that begins the 2025 Women of Power Summit in Las Vegas from March 5-9. 

The  gala honors iconic women who exemplify resilience, strength, and excellence. Moore’s 50-plus-year career has proven her legacy and power.

lIn 2023, she was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. First lady Michelle Obama also honored Moore, who spoke to her power as an artist and someone who lets her voice resonate in a world that may not always appreciate it.

“There is power in allowing yourself to be known and heard,” Obama wrote. “In owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice.”

The thespian and singer has had a career of firsts, using her voice to travel the difficult road to success. Moore is the first Black American woman to win a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her work in Purlie in 1970. 

In 1972, Moore hosted The Melba Moore/Clifton Davis Hour, a primetime variety show on CBS. In 1985, Moore was one of only three Black women nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Female Rock Performance category.

Some may forget the maverick’s accomplishments, but Moore’s voice is embedded in the community’s psyche as one of the singers of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Negro National Anthem. Though the song was written by James Weldon Johnson and first performed by the Stanton School Choirin 1900, Moore’s version is preserved in Congressional records for posterity.

At 79, Moore continues to perform internationally. “How do you say thank you?” she told Forbes. “And how do you inspire other people to do the same thing? It’s not all about you.”

DAVID MORALES, JASON WALKER - ‘TUESDAY’

House Music legend David Morales enlists the irresistible soulful talents of acclaimed singer / songwriter, Jason Walker, on a stunning new song, ‘Tuesday’. Bringing some classy soulful fuego to heat up the winter months, ‘Tuesday’ is powered by a sun-drenched Latin House groove, loaded with seductive drums for the dancers. Crafting beautiful key melodies, warm synth stabs and exquisite strings that flawlessly wrap around Jason’s gorgeous heartfelt vocals, David has created another masterpiece production that’s destined to tug on the heartstrings and elevate the love on the dance floor.

David Morales is a globally revered American DJ, Grammy award-winning record producer, songwriter, and is a true House Music legend. He has produced and remixed over 1000+ records for an all-star roster of multi-platinum artists, including Mariah Carey, U2, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Madonna, and Whitney Houston. Launched in 2018, David Morales’ DIRIDIM label beams quality house music. Aside of David’s own productions and collaborations, DIRIDIM also features releases from Róisín Murphy, DJ Meme, Blakkat, Danism & Train, Buranello, Timmy Regisford, Michel Cleis, Emiliano Pepe, Janice Robinson, Frankie Ferrara, James Deron and more.

Acclaimed Singer / Songwriter Jason Walker hails from Pittsburgh and moved to New York where he signed to Junior Vasquez's, label, JVM, and recorded two albums, ‘This Is My Life’ and ‘Flexible’, garnering three Top 10 Billboard hits (‘My Life’, ‘No More’, and ‘Movin’ On’), and two Billboard #1s (‘Foolish Mind Games’ and ‘Set It Free’). Since then, Jason has embraced a successful career, hitting the Billboard charts with singles such as ‘Raise Your Hands’, ‘Beat Don’t Stop, ‘Tell It To My Heart’, ‘So Happy’, ‘Say Yes’, and his third album, ‘Leave It All Behind’. His more recent singles include ‘Stronger’ with Quentin Harris on Glitterbox and a collaboration with Georgie Porgie, titled ‘All To You’, featuring remixes by Glenn Friscia, DJ Strobe, and David Morales on Georgie’s I Am House label.

Track Listing
1 Tuesday (Original Mix)
2 Tuesday (Extended Mix)
3 Tuesday (Instrumental Mix)

Tuesday will be released on all platforms on March 7th 2025 on DIRIDIM.

David Morales, Jason Walker
‘Tuesday’
DIRIDIM / DRD00161
https://www.instagram.com/djdavidmorales/
https://www.instagram.com/thejasonwalker
https://www.facebook.com/diridimmusic

AXON RADIO – ‘PARKSIDE DRIVE’

JAYON TIPP – ‘MEMORY LANE’

JULIAN VAUGHN – ‘GRATIFIED’

NEW SINGLE ‘BECAUSE I LOVE YOU’ FROM CHRISTOPHE GOZE

LEGENDARISCH 'FLIKKEN'-DUO LUDO HELLINX EN MARK TIJSMANS HERENIGD IN THEATERSPEKTAKEL 'DE SAGE VAN HET ROS BEIAARD'

Ook Nordin De Moor en Jans Verberckmoes in indrukwekkende hoofdcast met o.a. Veerle Malschaert, Yanni Bourguignon en Remi De Smet

Vanaf 26 september 2025 - Oktoberhallen Wieze 

Vanaf 26 september 2025 presenteert het Dendermondse productiehuis Camerata Productions vzw het grootse theaterspektakel 'De Sage van het Ros Beiaard' in de Oktoberhallen te Wieze. Nadat eerder al kleppers als Veerle Malschaert (Adelais), Yanni Bourguignon (Ritsaert) en Remi De Smet (Adelaert) werden aangekondigd, maakten producent Joris Verschueren en regisseur Stijn De Wolf nu ook de rest van de hoofdcast bekend. Daarin wordt een verrassend, zelfs legendarisch duo herenigd!

Ludo Hellinx en Mark Tijsmans voor het eerst terug samen op de planken

Voor het eerst sinds ze als onafscheidelijk duo Raymond Jacobs en Wilfried Pasmans afscheid namen van de tv-serie 'Flikken' (VRT, 1999 - 2009), zullen Ludo Hellinx en Mark Tijsmans terug samen op de planken staan. Ludo en Mark waren de enige acteurs die in alle seizoen van 'Flikken' meespeelden en zullen in 'De Sage van het Ros Beiaard' respectievelijk de rollen van Magiër Malegijs en Bisschop Tulpijn vertolken.

Camerata Productions is natuurlijk verheugd met dit tot de verbeelding sprekende duo, maar verloochent ook deze keer hun bakermat niet, zo zegt producent Joris Verschueren:

 "Naast eerder aangekondigd talent uit de regio, vertolken ook Lotte Stallaert (Clarisse) uit Buggenhout en Jans Verberckmoes (Lodewijk) uit Dendermonde prominente rollen in de voorstelling. Jans zal trouwens samen met zijn vader Herman (Heer Ayman) te zien zijn in ons spektakel. Tot slot zijn we ook dankbaar dat we gerenommeerd musicalacteur Nordin De Moor (Hofmeier) hebben kunnen overtuigen om voor dit project terug te keren naar de Denderstreek. Het zal voor hem ongetwijfeld een blij weerzien worden met Ingrid Coppieters, de choreografe van dit spektakel. Zij leerde hem destijds zijn eerste danspassen zetten in de Meirdam."

De Vier Heemskinderen

De 16-jarige Senne Vanwildemeersch uit Dendermonde mag schitteren als Reynout. Met Remi De Smet (22, Gent) als Adelaert en Yanni Bourguignon (26, Wolvertem) als Ritsaert krijgt Senne twee bekende en ervaren broers naast zich op de planken. De rol van vierde broer Writsaert wordt gespeeld daar de 24-jarige Jasper Van Doren uit Londerzeel.

Het verhaal in het kort:

De jonge Reynout wordt als onervaren ridder samen met zijn broers ingezet in de oorlog tussen zijn vader heer Aymon en Karel De Grote. Vol goede bedoelingen trekken ze ten strijde, maar wanneer ze met de drieste waarheid van het slagveld worden geconfronteerd, beseffen ze al snel dat ze evenveel te winnen als te verliezen hebben. Want hoeveel offer je op om je idealen te bekomen? 

Meer dan 80 acteurs, ruiters, dansers en figuranten zullen in de iconische Oktoberhallen in Wieze deze historische evocatie rond de middeleeuwse sage van het Ros Beiaard en de Vier Heemskinderen op de planken brengen.

Nu al extra voorstellingen!

Het belooft een overweldigende voorstelling te worden met nieuw gecomponeerde muziek, prachtige kostuums, een uniek decor en tal van speciale effecten. Het publiek kijkt duidelijk al met het nodige enthousiasme uit naar ‘De Sage van het Ros Beiaard, want gezien de aanhoudende en toenemende vraag naar tickets, worden er nu al twee extra voorstellingen ingepland op 2 oktober 2025.

'De Sage van het Ros Beiaard' speelt vanaf 26 september 2025 tot en met 5 oktober 2025 in de Oktoberhallen te Wieze. Tickets & info: rosbeiaardspektakel.be  

Regie & scenario: Stijn De Wolf
Scenario: Wout Stallaert
Staging & choreografie: Ingrid Coppieters
Componisten: Pieter Van Baeveghem & Bert Van Weyenbergh
Muzikale leiding: Geert Baetens

Scenografie: Yannic Duchateau
Lichtontwerp: Laurens van Henden
Geluidsontwerp: TWIN4U
Ontwerp kap & grime: Sara Jori

REVOLUTIONAIR MUSICALSPEKTAKEL '1830' STRIJKT IN AUGUSTUS 2025 NEER AAN KASTEEL VAN WIJNENDALE (TORHOUT)

Na het succes van 'Marie-Antoinette':

Revolutionair musicalspektakel '1830' strijkt in augustus 2025 neer aan kasteel van Wijnendale (Torhout)

Met o.a David Cantens, Maike Boerdam, Pieter Jan De Paepe en Nordin De Moor

Na het enorme succes van het prachtige musicalspektakel ‘Marie-Antoinette' in september 2023 in Torhout, brengt productiehuis Historalia in augustus 2025 het indrukwekkende musicalspektakel ‘1830’ naar het kasteel van Wijnendale. ​​​​​​Vertrekkende vanuit de wortels van onze nationale geschiedenis, brengt '1830' op een onvergetelijke en revolutionaire manier hulde aan de geboorte van het Koninkrijk België.

Een groots verhaal op een unieke locatie

Het kasteel van Wijnendale, met zijn rijke geschiedenis en schilderachtige omgeving, is de perfecte locatie om het verhaal van de Belgische Revolutie tot leven te brengen. Terwijl de zon ondergaat en de eerste tonen van de muziek weerklinken, word je als toeschouwer meegenomen naar een tijd waarin moed en vastberadenheid het lot van een natie bepaalden. 

Je zal overdonderd worden door een meeslepend, warm verhaal, een indrukwekkend decor en een ronduit fantastische cast. Zo zullen o.a. doorwinterde (musical)acteurs als David Cantens, Maike Boerdam, Pieter Casteleyn, Lotte Heuten, Tim Saey, Nordin De Moor, Pieter Jan De Paepe, Belle Van der Pijl, Rick Van den Belt en Ad Knippels zowel historische als fictieve personages tot leven brengen. De voorstelling zal verder bol staan van spectaculaire en levensechte scènes, een verbluffend dansensemble en professionele stuntmensen.

Het verhaal

‘1830' biedt een revolutionaire kijk op het ontstaan van het Koninkrijk België. De revolutiegolf die in de 19de eeuw door Europa woedt, breidt zich uit als een olievlek tot ze ook onze contreien bereikt. Dit tot groot ongenoegen van de Hollanders die onder leiding van Koning Willem I het gezag hebben over de Belgische gebieden. De Belgen drukken steeds meer hun ontevredenheid over zijn regeerstijl uit, tot op een avond heel Brussel in rep en roer wordt gezet… Sleutelfiguren zoals Frédéric de Merode en Louis de Potter vechten mee voor de vrijheid van het Belgische volk.

Gaandeweg leer je een Brussels gezin kennen dat alles van dichtbij meemaakt. Vader André is een hevig verzetsstrijder, zijn dochter Anna en zijn jongste kinderen Ketje en Josephine raken elk op hun eigen manier verweven in de revolutie. '1830' vertelt een verhaal vol actie, liefde en emotie. Een must-see voor elke liefhebber van muziek, theater en geschiedenis.

West-Vlaams talent schittert in kinderrollen

Nadat ze wisten te overtuigen tijdens de audities (meer dan 70 kandidaten), zullen de 12-jarige Jerome De Burghgraeve uit Kortemark en de 14-jarige Mauro Degroote uit Deerlijk afwisselend als Ketje de kinderhoofdrol vertolken. Ketje is het guitige zoontje van verzetsstrijder André (David Cantens). 

Als jongere zusje Josephine krijgen Jerome en Mauro afwisselend hun provinciegenootjes Elise Lagrou (11 jaar, Wingene) en de eveneens 11-jarige Fay De Bruyne uit Torhout, die aan het kasteel van Wijnendale dus een echte thuismatch speelt, naast zich.

Beleef het prachtige musicalspektakel ‘1830’ vanaf 13 augustus tot en met 6 september 2025 aan het kasteel van Wijnendale. Tickets & info: historalia.be 

Cast
David Cantens (André), Maike Boerdam (Leonie), Pieter Casteleyn (Kapitein Vermeer) Lotte Heuten (Anna), Tim Saey (de Potter), Nordin De Moor (Koning Willem I), Pieter Jan De Paepe (Frédéric de Merode), Belle Van der Pijl (Elisabeth), Ad Knippels (Minister van Maanen), Rick Van den Belt (Rechter, Heer Cornelis), Mauro Degroote & Jerome De Burghgraeve (Ketje), Elise Lagrou & Fay De Bruyne (Josephine)

Creatives
Producer: Simon de Merode
Script & regie: Luc Stevens
Componist: Sam Gevers
Choreo & staging: Roy Jonathans
Decorontwerp: Eric Van der Palen
Kostuumontwerp: Elvira Van Bavinckhove  
Kap & grime: Virginie Verpoucke
Technisch producent:  Jeffrey Kranen 
Artistiek manager: Ief Dams

AMERIKAANSE SINGER-SONGWRITER CHRIS JASPER OVERLEDEN

SHAOLIN-MONNIKEN KOMEN MET SPECTACULAIRE NIEUWE SHOW ‘SHAMI’S WAY TO SHAOLIN’ NAAR BELGIË

Shaolin-monniken tonen adembenemende kunsten in spectaculaire nieuwe show in Gent en Antwerpen

'Shami’s Way To Shaolin'
30 april 2026 - Capitole Gent
1 mei 2026 - Koningin Elisabethzaal Antwerpen

In de afgelopen drie decennia bewonderden meer dan vijf miljoen mensen op vijf
continenten de mystieke krachten van de ongeëvenaarde Shaolin-monniken. Ter
gelegenheid van hun nieuwe tour ‘Shami’s Way To Shaolin’ komen de beste
Shaolin-meesters en shamis (leerlingen) in de lente van 2026 opnieuw naar België.
Tijdens een waanzinnig twee uur durend spektakel vertonen de Shaolin Monks hun
ongelofelijke Kungfu-en Qi Gong-kunsten. Beleef dit unieke, interactieve spektakel op
30 april 2026 in Capitole Gent en op 1 mei 2026 in de Koningin Elisabethzaal in Antwerpen.
Tickets & info: ticketkopen.eu

De Shaolin-monniken staan wereldwijd bekend om hun toewijding aan het behoud van de
traditionele Chinese cultuur en hun indrukwekkende fysieke vaardigheden. In de nieuwe, spectaculaire show ‘Shami’s Way To Shaolin' presenteren 19 van de beste meesters en shamis (leerlingen), onder leiding van hun 75-jarige oppermeester, hun onwaarschijnlijke lichaamskunsten. De show biedt een fascinerend inzicht in de mysterieuze wereld van de Shaolin-monniken en het zenboeddhisme. Daarnaast werpt de voorstelling ook een uniek licht op het nederige kloosterleven en de intense training die studenten moeten doorlopen.

Een meeslepende voorstelling over de kracht van ademhaling`

De show volgt de reis van de jonge leerling Shami die wordt toegelaten tot de tempel, de
beproevingen van moed die hij moet doorstaan en de diepe band die hij met zijn meester
ontwikkelt. De monniken delen eenvoudige ademhalingsoefeningen met het publiek en
nemen hen mee op een emotionele reis die bewijst dat iedereen de kracht heeft om zijn lichaam met de geest te beheersen.

In een tijd waarin steeds meer mensen zich verdiepen in spiritualiteit, mindfulness en
breathwork, is deze voorstelling relevanter dan ooit. Het biedt niet alleen een unieke kijk op eeuwenoude technieken, maar is ook een inspirerende ervaring voor iedereen die mentaal uit zijn comfortzone wil stappen en zijn innerlijke kracht wil ontdekken.

De filosofie van Shaolin: waar pijn een leermeester is en meesterschap het doel

De verbazingwekkende demonstraties in de show tonen niet alleen hun buitengewone fysieke
kracht, maar benadrukken ook de meesterlijke controle over hun eigen lichamen en de
transformerende kracht van Qi. Hierdoor wordt het schijnbaar onmogelijke mogelijk: ze
breken stenen platen en ijzeren staven op hun lichamen en hoofden, leggen zich op speren, zwaarden en spijkerborden, en werpen zelfs naalden door glasplaten.

Dit is geen circusvoorstelling, de monniken zijn geen acteurs, de oefeningen zijn geen
trucs; de show is een respectvolle poging om een traditie van anderhalf millennium aan
mysterieuze kennis over te brengen. De interactieve deelname van het publiek garandeert een
geheel nieuw gevoel voor de opwindende wereld van de Shaolin monniken en hun mystieke
krachten.

 ‘Kung Fu Helden’ op Streamz en VTM

Wie een voorsmaakje wil krijgen van dit machtig meesterschap, kan nu al terecht op Streamz (en
vanaf 10 maart op VTM), waar ‘Kung Fu Helden’ te zien is. In dit nieuwe tv-programma
trekken 8 bekende Vlamingen naar een boeddhistische tempel in Zuid-Korea om hun lot in
handen te leggen van twee Shaolin Kung Fu-meesters. Wie echte Shaolin Monks live aan het
werk wil zien, kan volgend jaar terecht in Gent en Antwerpen.

Mis deze unieke ervaring niet en boek je tickets voor de show ‘Shami’s Way To Shaolin’ van de Shaolin Monks, op 30 april 2026 in Capitole Gent en op 1 mei 2026 in Koningin Elisabethzaal Antwerpen, via ticketkopen.eu 

AMERIKAANSE ZANGERES, ICOON ROBERTA FLACK OVERLEDEN

Zangeres Roberta Flack, die doorbrak als een van de belangrijkste en meest geliefde zangeressen van de jaren 70 en daarna met een geluid dat soul, jazz, rock en pop combineerde, overleed maandag 24/2 op 88-jarige leeftijd.

Een woordvoerder van Flack deelde geen doodsoorzaak, maar de zangeres had gevochten tegen amyotrofische laterale sclerose, of ALS.

Flack was al op jonge leeftijd muzikaal begaafd en won op 15-jarige leeftijd een studiebeurs voor Howard University met plannen om een ​​carrière in de klassieke muziek na te streven.

"Mijn echte ambitie was om concertpianiste te worden," vertelde Flack in 2012 aan NPR, "en om Schumann, Bach en Chopin te spelen - de romantici. Dat waren mijn jongens."

Maar haar leraren raadden haar af om te proberen door te breken in de overwegend blanke wereld van de klassieke muziek in de late jaren 50. Na haar afstuderen gaf Flack les op scholen in North Carolina en Washington, D.C., en begon ze op te treden in clubs, zowel als pianiste voor andere vocalisten als zangeres zelf. Aandacht van collega-muzikanten leidde tot een contract bij Atlantic Records, dat in 1969 haar debuutalbum First Take uitbracht.

First Take verkocht goed, maar Flack gaf haar gastrol in The Third Bill Cosby Special in 1970 de eer voor "de grootste doorbraak van mijn carrière", zoals ze aan The New York Times vertelde. Toen Clint Eastwood haar versie van Ewan MacColls "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" gebruikte in zijn film Play Misty For Me uit 1971, steeg Flacks populariteit enorm.

De reeks albums die volgden — Chapter Two, Quiet Fire, Killing Me Softly, Feel Like Makin' Love en een album met duetten met Donny Hathaway — maakten haar tot een van de populairste zangeressen van het decennium. In 1971 noemde DownBeat Magazine haar de beste vrouwelijke zangeres van het jaar, waarmee ze de 18-jarige reeks van Ella Fitzgerald verbrak. Ze verdiende acht Grammy-nominaties en vier overwinningen in deze periode, en is de enige soloartiest die twee jaar op rij de Grammy voor plaat van het jaar won: in 1973, voor "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," en in 1974, voor "Killing Me Softly With His Song."

Halverwege de jaren 70 vertraagde Flacks tempo in de studio enigszins, omdat ze voor films en tv scoorde, werkte in de muziekuitgeverij en platenproducent en bezig was met cursussen op masterniveau in onderwijs en taalkunde. Ze keerde in 1977 terug met Blue Lights in the Basement en bleef albums uitbrengen van eind jaren 70 tot begin jaren 00, waaronder een ander album met Hathaway, een duetalbum met Peabo Bryson en een kerstalbum. Flack bleef over de hele wereld optreden, hoewel ze in de jaren 2010 wat gezondheidsproblemen kreeg.

In 2022 maakte Flack bekend dat ze ALS (amyotrofische laterale sclerose) had, beter bekend als de ziekte van Lou Gehrig. Het jaar daarop kwam ze met The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music, een kinderboek over de keer dat haar vader een oude piano restaureerde zodat de kleine Roberta thuis kon oefenen, mede geschreven door Tonya Bolden.

Gedurende haar carrière bouwde Flack een muzikale erfenis op door buiten de grenzen van het genre te werken. Ze stond bekend om haar bijdrage aan het vormgeven en definiëren van "quiet storm" R&B, en legde de basis voor de opkomst van neo-soul. Maar haar gevierde werk als vertolker van liedjes omvatte elementen van rock, folk, jazz, klassiek, Latijns en meer, waarbij ze voortdurend raciale conventies over populaire muziek uitdaagde en generaties artiesten beïnvloedde.

"Mijn voornaamste interesse is om mijn verhaal te vertellen via een liedje — of het nu het mijne is of dat van iemand anders," vertelde Flack in 2020 aan Ann Powers van NPR. "Vertel de waarheid met helderheid en eerlijkheid, zodat de luisteraar hun verhaal kan voelen."

VARIOUS ARTISTS - 'ANS ELECTRONIC MUSIC’ – FIRST EVER RELEASE OUTSIDE RUSSIA OF ANS SYNTHEZER RECORDINGS BY SOVJET ERA COMPOSERS

a compilation of rare recordings created on the ANS synthesizer by four Soviet era composers
EDUARD ARTEMIEV  |  STANISLAV KREITCHI
ALEXANDER NEMTIN  |  SÁNDOR KALLÓS

CD | digital
out 28.02.25 
(Cold Spring)

Bandcamp

includes
EDUARD ARTEMIEV, STANISLAV KREITCHI
MUSIC FOR THE FILM ‘COSMOS’
Bandcamp audio

Recorded in 1969 but available for the very first time outside the former USSR, ‘Электронная Музыка АНС (ANS Electronic Music)’ features six experimental tracks performed on the legendary ANS synthesiser by Soviet era composers Eduard Artemiev, Stanislav Kreitchi, Alexander Nemtin and Sándor Kallós.

As with the ‘Musical Offering’ collection reissued by Cold Spring in 2023, this album demonstrates a machine unlike any other, and one that has long fascinated modern day electronic composers such as Coil and Adi Newton of The Anti Group Communications/Clock DVA. Both have released recordings utilising the ANS.

Invented by the Russian engineer Evgeny Murzin between 1937 and 1957, the technological basis of the ANS was the method of graphical sound recording used in cinematography (developed in Russia concurrently with the USA) that made it possible to obtain a visible image of a sound wave, as well as to realise the opposite goal of synthesizing a sound from an artificially drawn sound spectogram.

The ANS houses five rotating glass discs with 144 tones hand printed individually by Murzin on each. Light is projected through the discs onto a photovoltaic cellbank that converts the light into electricity and sends signals to the ANS's amplifiers and bandpass filters. Fully polyphonic, it can generate all 720 tones this way and - unlike a human musician - play them all simultaneously.

Murzin named his invention in honour of Alexander Nikolayevich Scriabin (1872-1915), the composer best known for 'Poem of Ecstasy' and a renowned early exponent of colour-sound theories (synesthesia). Fans of Russian cinema will be familiar with recordings made on the ANS by Eduard Artemiev for films directed by Andrei Tarkovsky that include The Mirror, Stalker and, most notably, 1972’s Solaris, in which the ANS was used to abstract, sci-fi effect akin to ambient music. He also used it on the soundtrack to the 1979 Andrei Konchalovsky movie epic ’Siberiade’. 

‘Электронная Музыка АНС (ANS Electronic Music)’ has been remastered by Martin Bowes at The Cage and is presented in a CD digipak with stunning new artwork designed by Abby Helasdottir.

Электронная Музыка АНС
(ANS Electronic Music)
TRACKLISTING
1  EDUARD ARTEMIEV, STANISLAV KREITCHI Music From The Film ‘Cosmos'
(12:17)
2  STANISLAV KREITCHI Intermezzo (2:24)
3  ALEXANDER NEMTIN Chorale Prelude In C Major (J S Bach) (2:33)
4  ALEXANDER NEMTIN Tears (4:45)
5  SÁNDOR KALLÓS A Northern Tale (5:41)
6  STANISLAV KREITCHI A Voice Of The East (2:04)

MUSICALCOMEBACK VOOR NICKY “OMA FONKEL” LANGLEY EN OOK HOOFDROL VOOR JO HENS IN ‘ESTA NOCHE’ VAN THE SINGING FACTORY

59 jongeren schitteren in zomerse feelgoodproductie

Vanaf 7 april in Zuiderpershuis Antwerpen

The Singing Factory komt in 2025 met een nieuwe voorstelling naar het Zuiderpershuis in Antwerpen. Het productiehuis staat bekend om musicals met maatschappelijk relevante thema’s. Met Esta Noche verdwijnen die thema's als sneeuw voor de Spaanse zon en maken plaats voor een luchtige feelgoodmusical met liefde als centraal thema. Jo Hens en Nicky Langley - die na 17 jaar haar comeback maakt - ondersteunen op het podium een uitgebreide jongerencast boordevol talent.

The Singing Factory maakte in het verleden naam en faam met producties als Vrijdag (over school shootings), Magdalena (misbruik in de katholieke kerk) en June Foster (pleegouderschap), maar is toe aan iets nieuws. In april waait er namelijk een frisse wind door het Zuiderpershuis. Bij wijze van spreken dan, want de temperaturen zullen de hoogte ingaan. Met hun nieuwste productie Esta Noche wagen ze zich aan een luchtige feelgoodmusical.

Musicalcomeback na 17 jaar

Net zoals bij voorgaande producties zorgt The Singing Factory voor de nodige ervaring en kennis ter begeleiding van hun getalenteerde jongerencast. Jo Hens en Nicky Langley nemen deze rollen op zich.

Voor Nicky Langley - bekend als Oma Fonkel uit Mega Mindy - is dit een blij weerzien met de musicalwereld. In 2008 stond ze nog op de planken met Daens, maar daarna nam ze even pauze van diezelfde wereld. Als avontuurlijke oma maakt ze in Esta Noche dan ook een fonkelende comeback. Je kan Nicky ook kennen van Steracteur Sterartiest en tal van andere theaterproducties, films en series.

Je kan Jo Hens kennen als acteur uit o.a. Familie, Tot Altijd, 40-45 en nog tal van andere series en producties of als zanger van Level Six.

De jongerencast bestaat uit 57 talentvolle jongeren tussen 15 en 26, aangevuld met twee beloftevolle benjamins. De jongeren zijn verdeeld over twee volwaardige casts die afwisselend het podium beklimmen. 

Regie is in handen van Ivan Pecnik. Auteur/componist Wanne Synnave waagt zich op nieuw terrein met een zomerse musical op een Spaans eiland. “De voorgaande musicals hadden meestal een zware kernboodschap. Met Esta Noche tonen we voor de eerste keer dat we ook luchtigere voorstellingen kunnen maken, maar toch nog steeds met inhoud.”

Met Esta Noche brengt The Singing Factory een nieuwe feelgoodmusical naar het Antwerpse Zuiderpershuis vanaf 7 april.

Het verhaal

Op een klein, zonovergoten Spaans eiland opent Miguel zijn hotel Esta Noche met grote verwachtingen. De eerste gasten brengen hun eigen dromen, geheimen en verhalen mee, terwijl het eiland hen in een zomerse omhelzing ontvangt.
Bride-to-be Pauline en haar vriendinnen vieren haar vrijgezellenweek, terwijl Tuur samen met zijn levenslustige oma ontdekt dat avontuur geen leeftijd kent. En dan is er nog het gezin van Victor, dat al zeventien zomers hetzelfde stukje paradijs bezoekt.
Met de mediterrane zon hoog aan de hemel en hormonen in de lucht raken levens verweven, ontstaan nieuwe liefdes en worden oude dromen herontdekt. Een verhaal over zon, zee en veel liefde.

Hoofdcast en vaste rollen

Esta Noche heeft niet enkel een uitgebreide jongerencast, er zijn ook enkele ervaren musicalspelers in het team. De hoofdrol van levensgenieter Miguel is voor Jo Hens. Nicky Langley kruipt in de huid van oma. Danny Janssens en Leen De Graeve spelen vader en moeder. Joke De Vos vertolkt een van de kamermeisjes. De rest van de cast staat afwisselend op de planken.

Hoofdcast groen + blauw

Hoofdrollen in Esta Noche zijn verder voor Ella van Dalfsen (22, Hoogstraten) en Kjenta Beda (23, Lokeren) als bride-to-be Pauline. Haar vrijgezellenbende wordt vertolkt door Zuri Bukuru (17, Lokeren) en Manou Schepens (19, Astene) als Kato, Yoni Van Ingelgem (19, Puurs) en Lore Sleeckx (18, Merksem) als Sien, Ine Heirman (23, Aalst) en Kaat Nobel (15, Sint-Job) als Clara en Rosalie Custers (22, Wilrijk) en Kato Coppens (20, Sinaai) als Oona. 

André - de zoon van Miguel - wordt gespeeld door Sebe Buermans (18, Herenthout) en Flavio Rizzuto (20, Genk) en Scout Di Bono (16, Lier) en Joppe Claes (16, Sint-Niklaas) kruipen in de huid van Tuur. Kamermeisje Emilia wordt gespeeld door Jules Heijlen (22, Kortenaken) en Esse Synnave (25, Wilrijk/Mechelen/Brugge).

Het gezin Janssens omvat moeder, vader en drie kinderen. Victor wordt gespeeld door Kobe De Cock (20, Bazel) en Sander Maris (22, Bazel). Dusty Heijnen (17, Breda) en Thijs Joppen (19, Vosselaar) nemen de rol van broer Felix op zich. Aline is de kleinste telg in de familie en wordt dan ook gespeeld door de benjamins van de cast: Axelle Lambrechts (Essen) en Elise Lagrou (Wingene) hebben elk 11 jaar op de teller. De grote zus van Axelle - Eline - doet trouwens ook mee in de groene cast.

Tot slot nemen Emma Villays (20, Wilrijk) en Fien Sleeuwagen (23, Leuven) de rol van travelblogster Hanne op zich.

Ensemble

Provincie Antwerpen
Groen: Aurelia-Luna Vittiglio (17, Hemiksem), Corneel Koninckx (16,Lier), Eline Lambrechts (16, Essen), Jasmijn Van der Elst (15, Wilrijk), Jasmijn Vinck (20, Reet), Liesbeth Houtain (22, Mortsel), Lio De Block (17, Wilrijk), Nore Vanwetswinkel (17, Mortsel), en Yenthe Van Houtven (22, Zandhoven)
Blauw: Elise Gilon (18, Willebroek), Elise Leyten (20, Hoogstraten), Ezra Van Boekel (16, Borgerhout), Karolina Skarzynska (17, Merksem), Kiran Vanhees (17, Kalmthout), Paulien Leemans (25, Mechelen), Phoebe De Ketelaere (18, Wijnegem), Sofie Theunis (26, Lier) en Stien Willems (23, Edegem)

Provincie Limburg
Groen: Eline Bortels (19, Diepenbeek), Martijn Sterckx (24, Tessenderlo) en Sophie Banken (17, Tongeren)
Blauw: Aurélie Tijskens (16, Koersel) en Hannelore Poulin (17, Koersel)

Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen
Groen: Ruben Eskens (15, Gentbrugge), Talitha Muyldermans (16, Zele) en Yorin Van Hoorde (23, Sint-Pauwels)
Blauw: Bauke Van Herck (25, Ertvelde), Ebe Mogyoros (20, Melle), Helena De Reu (15, Kruibeke), Jana De Poorter (18, Stekene), Noah Jolie (17, Scheldewindeke) en Sterre Blommaert (25, Sinaai)

Provincie West-Vlaanderen
Groen: Nimay Verlinde (18, Ieper)

Provincie Vlaams-Brabant
Groen: Elyn Landrain (20, Ottenburg), Fem Ververs (23, Kampenhout)

R&B/JAZZ KEYBOARDIST CHARLES A. KELLY ENTERS ‘PHASE II’

The second album in a trilogy dropped on Friday in conjunction with the release of the new single, “Raindrops Under Glass.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (24 FEBRUARY 2025): R&B/Jazz keyboardist Charles A. Kelly is focused on transformation, which is evidenced on his sophomore album, “Phase II,” which was released last Friday (February 21). An album of transition and spirituality that is the second in a trilogy, Kelly wrote, produced, and arranged ten new songs for the Innervision Records release. The third single from the project, a deep cut titled “Raindrops Under Glass” that imaginatively mixes classical orchestrations, African rhythms, and movie score melodies, also was released on Friday.

Kelly created his 2022 debut album, “You’re Not Alone,” to be the first in a trilogy. The album was to be like an establishing shot in a movie, one that captures the present moment – or sounds in this case. His muse was the present state of contemporary jazz. Kelly conceived “Phase II” to serve as a bridge album, with the collection pushing the boundaries of the music genre, experimenting, and testing the limits and the definition of contemporary jazz – offering a thesis of what it could become. The third in the series will be a double album, a visionary outing futurizing contemporary jazz, an evolutionary realization.

“My mission for this album is to stretch the current boundaries of what is considered contemporary jazz. This genre has a rich history, but it has gotten a bit formulaic. For the music to grow, artists need to have the courage to reach deep inside and create music with boldness while building true connections to a wider audience. As a songwriter, I want to reach as many people as possible for the purpose of engaging in a real and genuine connection with listeners. I believe the only way to do this is to create songs openly and honestly, without restrictions. Listeners love authenticity and I want to be right there with them,” said Kelly, a Philadelphia native who has long called the Los Angeles area home.  

“Phase II” opens with the snappy, horn powered “That Groove,” anchored by the taut rhythm section consisting of bassist Jerome Randall and drummer Billy “Shoes” Johnson. Trumpeter Michael Stever captains (and arranges) the four-piece horn section alongside Andrew Neu (tenor and alto saxophone), Nick Lane (trombone), and Kelly’s son, Jason Kelly, on soprano sax. Kelly’s piano dances, radiating a joyous spirit.

“This funky and catchy song symbolizes the essence of confidence in oneself. In life when our mind, body, and spirit are in sync, there is a confidence we have, a radiant glow that shines through when others are around. People may not know personal situations or circumstances, but they see a glow and excitement they may want in their lives. When we can be free from worry and we focus on those things that make us better, we grow. From growth comes confidence,” explains Kelly.

Kelly’s piano remains radiant and ebullient on “SunSeeker,” which was the first single. A travel-inspired song, it peaked at No. 4 and spent eight months on the chart. 

Another invigorating joint, this one recalling his formative years performing in Philly nightclubs, “‘City Night” was the second single to preview “Phase II.” While writing the song, Kelly turned to Philadelphia music legends for inspiration.

“‘City Night’ captures the spirit of the Philadelphia nightlife from that period in my life, the time I spent playing in the nightclubs by Penn’s Landing on the Delaware River. Those nights are where I had a chance to feel the excitement of playing in front of crowds of people every night. That’s when I got a chance to feel that energy for the first time, the thrill of being on stage and performing. It was then that I knew I wanted to make music my career. I started looking at old videos of The Spinners, Blue Magic, Delfonics, and other legendary Philly International Records groups. Since I used to play with Blue Magic, it was fun and exciting to think about that time in my life,” recalled Kelly.

Incorporating fusion into the mix, “Bring It to Compliance” has a tension, focus, and intensity. Again, the horn section packs a punch to which Kelly adds electric guitar to his piano and keyboards, playing alongside electric guitarists Miles Jenson and Billy “Meech” Chase.

“For us to walk in happiness, love, and success, there is work to be done, which is accomplished by becoming compliant to discipline, consistency, ambitious standards, and focus on the goal at hand. Each step we take in life can take us either forward or backward. We must learn from each step and build from it. As we successfully accomplish small steps, we will develop a love for what we do. That love will generate the energy and spirit required to be victorious in life. However, for this to occur we must bring ourselves into compliance with God’s laws that will transform us from the inside out,” said Kelly providing insight.

Another tune tinged with fusion, “Feathers In Flight” was inspired by an unforgettable scene in the Academy Award-winning film “American Beauty,” in which a plastic bag was tossed around in the wind. Kelly explains, “The image of a plastic bag blowing in the wind shows precisely the freedom that comes from finding happiness and beauty in the simplest things, regardless of life’s difficulties. We must not get caught up in those things that damage us spiritually but focus on the things that edify our souls. That is how to overcome our difficulties. Our spirits must float and rise above the things that attempt to bring us down.”

Bold and daring reflecting the song’s namesake, “Amanirenas” was named after the queen regnant of the Kingdom of Kush known for invading Roman occupied Egypt and negotiating the end of the Roman retaliation. Kelly’s song is offered as a testament to all women, reflecting Queen Amanirenas’s beauty, strength, leadership, and courage.

The soothing and placid Africano melodies and rhythms on “I Only Want You” gives way to a mid-tune spoken word rap delivered by Robert Washington along with a vocal caress from Quiahna.

“The song ‘I Only Want You’ is about understanding our protection in life is rooted in a love for God. With the world in so much upheaval, unhealthy political actions, violence, and hatred we must turn to God for strength, protection, and guidance. The lyrics written by Robert Washington say it all,” said Kelly about the song spawned from Ephesians 6:10-14, “The Armor of God.”

Slated to be the album’s fourth single releasing on April 15, “When We Are One” bobs to a hip-hop loop crafted by Kelly that runs through the song about agape love.

“‘When We Are One’ explores the endless opportunities when two people are totally connected by agape love for each other. After the initial infatuation period, exploration and discovery period, adaptive period, the commitment phase, we finally experience the acceptance phase, which is the deepest part of any relationship. This is also where the real blessings happen with couples that can endure and embrace this special period in life. Selfless love, characterized by a deep care for another person without any sexual implications, particularly when it is spiritual in nature, can be considered an ideal form of affection,” offered Kelly.

Kelly gets deeply personal on the closing composition, an intimate solo piano piece written for his late daughter titled “Song For Sharlise.”

“The final song on the album is about reconnecting in the spiritual world with my daughter, Sharlise, who passed away quite a few years ago. The music represents a living being going into the spiritual world to tell her how much she is loved by my wife and myself. I tell her that although there was much pain when she passed away and how the family dynamics changed with her passing, we were made stronger, and she will never be forgotten. ‘Song For Sharlise’ also represents a reconciliation rooted in the acceptance of her death. I think any parent who loses a child thinks about what they could have done differently to prevent something tragic from happening. Finally, the end of the song represents that our entire family will be united again. The synths at the end represent Sharlise going back to her spiritual home and me returning to the physical world. This song focuses on loss, love, hope, healing, reconnection, and reconciliation,” revealed Kelly.

Other musicians who contributed to “Phase II” are four-time GRAMMY®-winning percussionist Munyungo Jackson, drummers Tony Moore and Land Richards, and guitarist James Greene.

Kelly is a musician, songwriter, producer, arranger, and band leader who has collaborated with a galaxy of luminaries including Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond, Elton John, Nile Rodgers, Sister Sledge, The Pointer Sisters, and Nathan East. He’s also flourished in the contemporary Christian space, playing with CeCe Winans, Mary Mary, Jeremy Camp, and Israel Houghton. As an actor, Kelly was in the cast of the “Fame” television series. “You’re Not Alone” launched four singles onto the charts, including the title track, "Endangered Species,” “I Know You,” and “I’m Good.” For more information, visit https://www.charlesakelly.com.

Kelly’s “Phase II” album contains the following songs:

“That Walk”

“SunSeeker”

“City Night”

“Bring It to Compliance”

“Raindrop Under Glass”

“Feathers In Flight”

“Amanirenas”

“I Only Want You”

“When We Are One”

“Song For Sharlise”     

HOWARD ISAACSON – ‘DAYLIGHT’

SHELBY BROWN – ‘GRAVITY’

WALTER KITTLE FT. NILS – ‘INTO THE NIGHT’

ADAM HAWLEY FT. JUDAH SEALY – ‘ABSOLUTE LOVE’

AMERIKAANSE SOULZANGER JERRY BUTLER OVERLEDEN

Soulzanger Jerry Butler is op 85-jarige leeftijd overleden. Butler begon zijn carrière eind jaren 50 toen hij The Impressions oprichtte met Curtis Mayfield. Hij scoorde solo hits als ‘Only The Strong Survive’, ‘Make It Easy On Yourself’ en ‘Moody Woman’.

Butler, bekend als The Ice Man, stond bekend om zijn coole, verfijnde stijl en diepe, rijke baritonstem. Nadat hij in 1958 de eerste hit van The Impressions, ‘For Your Precious Love’, had geschreven en gezongen, werd Butler een baanbrekende soloartiest die de Chicago-sound definieerde met hits als ‘He Will Break Your Heart’, ‘Moon River’ en ‘Make It Easy On Yourself’ voordat hij overstapte naar de Philadelphia-sound, waar hij samenwerkte met producers Gamble & Huff en hits scoorde met nummers als ‘Hey’, ‘Western Union Man’ en ‘Only The Strong Survive’.

AMERIKAANSE ZANGERES GWEN McCRAE OVERLEDEN

Gisteren 21/2/2025 is de Amerikaanse zangeres Gwen McCrae op 81-jarige leeftijd overleden. McCrae, die eigenlijk Gwen Mosley heette, scoorde in 1975 een flinke hit met de single ‘Rockin' Chair', maar kennen we misschien nog wel beter als de ex-vrouw van George McCrae. Gwen Mosley was de jongste van vijf kinderen. Als tiener trad zij op in plaatselijke clubs en zong zij met groepen als The Lafayettes en The Independents. In 1963 ontmoette Gwen een jongeman, George McCrae, met wie zij na een week al trouwde. Vanaf 1963 namen Gwen en George liedjes op als duo. Het koppel kreeg een platencontract bij Henry Stone's TK Records. In 1967 hielp zangeres Betty Wright de McCrae's aan een platencontract bij Stone’s platenlabel Alston. Gwen’s eerste succes in de Amerikaanse R&B-charts kwam in 1970 met een cover van Bobby Bland's ‘Lead Me On’ in 1970, gevolgd door ‘For Your Love’. Na de wereldhit ‘Rock Your Baby’ van echtgenoot George, scoorde Gwen in 1975 zelf een flinke hit. ‘Rockin' Chair’ bereikte de negende plaats van de Billboard Hot 100. De opvolger ‘Love Insurance’ werd een bescheiden hit. Ruim vier jaar eerder had Gwen het nummer ‘Always On My Mind’ opgenomen, dat korte tijd later een hit werd voor Elvis Presley en nog later een hit werd in uitvoeringen van Willie Nelson en The Pet Shop Boys. Nadat TK Records failliet ging, verhuisde Gwen McCrae naar New Jersey en tekende daar een nieuw contract met Atlantic Records. Voor dat label nam de zangeres twee albums op en werden haar singles ‘Funky Sensation’ en ‘Keep The Fire Burning’ hits. In 1984 besloot Gwen zich tijdelijk terug te trekken uit de wereld van de popmuziek. In 1987 volgde een comeback in het Verenigd Koninkrijk met een aantal singles voor het label Rhythm King Records. Voor Homegrown Records nam Gwen in 1996 het album ‘Girlfriend’s Boyfriend’ op en voor het label Goldwax volgde iets later het album ‘Psychic Hot Line’. In 1999 bracht het Franse house-duo Cassius de single ‘Feeling For You’ uit, met samples van de zang van Gwen op ‘All This Love That I'm Giving’. De single werd een Top 20 hit in het Verenigd Koninkrijk. Datzelfde jaar werd Gwen’s single ‘Funky Sensation’ gesampled in de Duitse single ‘Get Up’ van DJ Thomilla featuring Afrob. 2004 was het jaar van Gwen’s eerste gospel album. Een jaar later ging Gwen samenwerken met de organisatie Soulpower. Die samenwerking resulteerde in verschillende liveoptredens met The Soulpower All-Stars. Gwen McCrae bracht haar laatste single ‘Now I Found Love’ in december 2010 uit. Zij ruste in vrede!

Met dank aan Leo Weijers.

ONZE LANDGENOOT, ZANGER & GITARIST FRED BEKKY (THE PEBBLES) OVERLEDEN

AUSTRALISCHE DRUMMER GORDON “SNOWY” FLEET (THE EASYBEATS) OVERLEDEN

De Australische drummer Gordon ‘Snowy’ Fleet, is gisteren 19/2 op 79-jarige leeftijd overleden. Gordon Fleet, die de artiestennaam Snowy Fleet hanteerde, werd in de tweede helft van de jaren zestig wereldberoemd als de drummer van The Easybeats. Fleet stond aan de wieg van de band The Easybeats, die in het Villawood Migrant Hostel in Sydney werd opgericht en verder bestond uit Stevie Wright (leadzang, oorspronkelijk afkomstig uit Leeds, Engeland), George Young (gitaar, afkomstig uit Glasgow, Schotland), Harry Vanda (gitaar, afkomstig uit Nederland) en Dick Diamonde (basgitaar, afkomstig uit Nederland). The Easybeats scoorden in de periode 1966 tot en met 1968 grote hits, zoals ‘She's So Fine’, ‘Wedding Ring’, ‘Women (Make You Feel Alright)’, ‘Come And See Her’, ‘I'll Make You Happy’, ‘Sorry’, ‘Friday On My Mind’, ‘Hello, How Are You’ en ‘Heaven And Hell’. ‘Friday On Mind’ bereikte in Nederland de eerste plaats van de Veronica Top 40. De band vestigde zich begin 1966 in Londen. Daar namen de groepsleden in september hun grootste internationale hit ‘Friday On My Mind’ op. Fleet verliet The Easybeats in de lente van 1967, omdat hij niet gelukkig was met de vele tijd die hij in het buitenland vertoefde, ver weg van zijn vrouw en jonge kinderen. Hij werd vervangen door Tony Cahill. De leden van The Easybeats gingen in 1969 ieder hun eigen weg. In 1986 vond een reünie plaats met de originele groepsleden. Na zijn Easybeats-tijd begon Fleet een succesvol bouwbedrijf in Perth, West Australië. Snowy Fleet ruste in vrede!

Met dank aan Leo Weijers.

NEW RELEASE ‘GIMME WHAT I WANT’ FROM ALEX FANJUL FT. MORGAN BONFIRE

BILLBOARD HITMAKER GREG MANNING LAUNCHES EQUITY RECORDS TO PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR SUPPORTING MUSICIANS TO STEP INTO THEIR OWN SPOTLIGHT

Patches Stewart, Wakana, and Patrick Bettison are the first artists signed to the new label.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (19 FEBRUARY 2025): After spending ten years living out of a suitcase performing around the world as a keyboardist for GRAMMY® winners, nominees, and Billboard chart-topping contemporary jazz and R&B artists, Greg Manning decided to get off the road and step into the recording studio. Making the transition to recording artist while still supporting yourself financially isn’t easy yet Manning began writing and producing other artists as well as his own records and writing music for film and television. Having architected more than a dozen Billboard No. 1 hits and contributing to two GRAMMY nominated albums, Manning is determined to create opportunities for other long-time accompanists to step into the spotlight successfully like he did. That is the purpose behind his new indie label, EQuity Records, which launched on Valentine’s Day with the release of trumpeter Patches Stewart’s single, “Soul Serenade.”

“EQuity Records was born from my desire to give great musicians that have mostly been sidemen/women the exposure they deserve. Nobody personifies this more than 

Patches Stewart. He has played with Quincy Jones, Al Jarreau, and Marcus Miller just to name a few, but he has never been perceived as a solo artist until now,” said Manning who cowrote and produced the jazzy, midtempo R&B instrumental groove that debuted as the No. 1 most added new single this week on the Smooth Jazz Network chart.

Manning’s latest Billboard No. 1 came earlier this month with a song that he cowrote and produced for guitarist Les Sabler titled "Patches’ Groove,” which inadvertently aligns and serendipitously sets up Stewart’s own single release. Stewart is featured playing on Sabler’s hit that was named for the New Orleans-born trumpeter who has a lengthy and accomplished career as a sideman that has toured or recorded with Jones, Jarreau, Miller, David Sanborn, Anita Baker, George Duke, Bonnie Raitt, and Rickie Lee Jones.

“‘Soul Serenade’ is about connecting with one heart through the essence of music. I wanted to create a feeling of joy and happiness through music as one deals with life’s uncertainties,” said Stewart (trumpet and flugelhorn) who is joined on the track by guitarist Andrea Lisa and Manning’s keyboards, bass, and programming.

On March 31, Manning plans to issue his own first single for EQuity Records titled “Now and Forever.” In addition to Stewart, Manning has signed Japanese saxophonist Wakana and harmonica and bass player Patrick Bettison to the label, both of whom are slated to release their debuts for EQuity Records in the second half of this year. 

Manning brings an international perspective to his music having been born in Nigeria and raised in Switzerland. He attended the Berklee College of Music after which he hit the road to tour extensively throughout the U.S., Europe, South Africa, and the United Kingdom playing alongside Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Brian McKnight, Will Downing, Richard Elliot, and Mindi Abair. Manning also served as musical director for two-time GRAMMY nominee Jonathan Butler. Beginning his own recording career with the 2010 album, “The Calling,” Manning earned Billboard’s Song of the Year in 2019 with “Top Down,” which was a No. 1 hit. He received GRAMMY recognition for his work on albums by Herb Alpert and Keb Mo, and notched Billboard No. 1 hits for Blake Aaron, Cindy Bradley, Jeff Ryan, Ryan La Valette, Phil Denny, Paula Atherton, and Will Donato along with No. 2 singles by GRAMMY winner Whalum and Kim Scott.

Manning beams with excitement and enthusiasm when talking about launching EQuity Records and building a roster of creative and visionary artists who will be granted the freedom to explore the outer limits of contemporary jazz and venture beyond.

“My own chart successes as an artist, songwriter, and producer have given me the confidence to start a label to serve the needs of the artists while expanding the boundaries of contemporary jazz. I’m excited to start this new chapter in my career and I feel gratitude for the success I’ve had.”

For more information about EQuity Records, which also stands for equality, diversity, and inclusion, visit www.equityrecordsmusic.com.

For more information about Manning: https://www.gregmanningmusic.com.

For more information about Stewart: https://patchesstewart.com.

For more information about Wakana: https://www.wakanasax.com

For more information about Bettison: https://patrickbettison.com

HAPPY BEING ‘FREE’- R&B-JAZZ VOCALIST-DRUMMER ARTHUR THOMPSON DROPS THE FEELGOOD SINGLE ‘I’M FREE’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (18 FEBRUARY 2025): R&B/Jazz vocalist-drummer Arthur Thompson continues his commitment to spreading joy through music and to pay it forward with the release of his new single, “I’m Free.” Released on Valentine’s Day, the invigorating track that began collecting playlist adds on Monday (February 17) serves up an affirmational message of self-love and being unapologetically you. Thompson cowrote the song that he produced with two-time GRAMMY® winner Jon Gilutin. 

“I’m Free” in the fourth single from Thompson’s forthcoming debut album, “Arthurized Volume 1,” which is slated to arrive this summer. Each one of his singles – “Smile,” “We Can BEAT Cancer,” “Oasis,” and now “I’m Free” - has provided a positive, optimistic message with a purpose.

Written by Thompson, Fred Smith, and Jaconell Mouton, “I’m Free” is primarily a sunny instrumental groove riding a rhythm etched by Thompson’s drums and percussion and Kamaal Malak’s bass. Tenor saxophonist Tom Braxton dispenses lyrical leads amidst motivational melodies crafted by Gilutin’s piano and keyboards, David John’s guitar, and happy horn section parts played by the Monkey Fist Horns comprised of Rod Clark (trombone), Dave Johnson (trumpet), and Victor Anderson (saxophone). Thompson croons the choruses with glee in the company of backing vocalist Erin Stevenson.

“I had been going through some personal things that had me depressed and second guessing myself. Through meditation and prayer, I began to break through, and in doing that I was able to see myself, understand my worth and believe that all things are possible if you believe in yourself. ‘I’m Free’ is a self-awareness, feelgood song. It’s about learning to be happy with yourself, learning to walk in your own shoes, being unapologetic about who you are, and the things that you have overcome,” said Thompson, a Tulsa, Oklahoma native who is based in Nashville.

Last year, Thompson reimagined the uplifting “Oasis,” which was a number one hit for Roberta Flack. A single released to benefit and raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, “We Can BEAT Cancer” featured 9-time GRAMMY® nominated saxophonist Dave Koz and Stevenson. Thompson’s second single spent four months on the national chart. His 2023 debut single, “Smile,” featured saxophonist Mindi Abair with whom Thompson regularly tours. The success of the latter two singles led to Thompson being named Breakout Artist of the Year from BEATS Magazine.

Thompson is an in-demand drummer who tours and performs with contemporary jazz luminaries. He’s a mission-based musician who advocates for multiple causes, from mental health awareness to creating educational programs and nonprofit organizations – Where Are You Now, Music & Math; Build a Life, Save A Life Foundation; and Drums Speak - designed to serve children and at-risk youth.

While Thompson continues to assemble the material for “Arthurized Volume 1,” he hopes to empower listeners with the message in “I’m Free.”

“I hope this song makes you feel good and inspires you to believe in yourself and walk proud.”

For more information, please visit https://arthurthompsondrums.com.

NEW SINGLE ‘LIGHTNESS’ BY ROBERTO TOLA

February 2025 - When it comes to Roberto Tola, one can only agree on his prolific compositional activity and his natural inclination to combine musical refinement and emotional charge in his musical creations. The release of the new single "Lightness", out on February 27, is no exception.

After a series of international successes in 2024, the guitarist and composer from Sassari, in Sardinia Island, returns with a musical gem that captures from the first notes.

In this new production, Tola has once again surrounded himself with the charismatic American vocalist Darryl Walker (previous collaborations in the singles “Slow Motion” in 2018 and “Time and Place” in 2021), giving life to an explosion of lightness and joy.

"Lightness" is a song that drags the listener into an emotional experience, a hymn to lightheartedness and the very essence of existence. The perfect harmony between the warm and enveloping sound of Tola's guitar and Darryl's overwhelming voice creates a magical blend of jazz and soul, supported by a high-level international rhythm section, with musicians of great artistic depth, omnipresent for years in Roberto Tola's productions, namely: Polish bassist Maciek Szczyciński, pianist Luciano De La Rosa and drummer Esteban Rotunno, the latter both Italian-Argentine.

What makes this single even more precious is its profound introspective reflection. Through the moving dialogue between a father and a son, "Lightness" explores the doubts and fears of those who face life, to then find in the wisdom of the father the strength to believe in their dreams.

In Roberto Tola's own words, the message that the artist wants to convey:

"Living lightly is not synonymous with frivolity, but the antidote to free yourself from the chains that imprison the soul. It is the magic of observing the world from above, dancing freely with the winds of destiny".

With this new musical pearl, Tola once again confirms his extraordinary talent in blending refinement and emotional charge, giving the public a sound experience destined to remain imprinted in the soul of listeners.

"Lightness" will be available in digital format starting from February 27 on all major streaming platforms. An unmissable event for lovers of good music, ready to be carried away by the lightness and overwhelming energy of this new project by Roberto Tola, which will be included in the new album JAZZ JUNCTION, which will be released next May 2025.

THE BAND:

🎸 Roberto Tola - guitar, percussions, additional keyboards, composition and arrangement, mixing and mastering;

🎤 Darryl Walker - Vocal;

🎹 Luciano De La Rosa - piano;

🎸 Maciek Szczyciński - Electric Bass;

🥁 Esteban Rotunno - drums;

Created at Eden Beach Studio - Sassari, Sardinia (Italy) 

www.robertotola.com

BONEY JAMES FT. RICK BRAUN – ‘SUGAR’

ARTHUR THOMPSON – ‘I’M FREE’

CHRISTIAN DE MESONES – ‘THROB!’ (BASS GODZ REMIX)

PATCHES STEWART – ‘SOUL SERENADE’

TALES OF THE CITY – ULTRABLUE SHARES ‘NEW YORK STORIES’ ON MARCH 21

Seven-time GRAMMY winner Randy Brecker and GRAMMY nominee Chieli Minucci are among the featured guests on the contemporary jazz EP. “The Girl with the Sunflower Tattoo” drops as a single on Friday.

NEW YORK CITY (13 FEBRUARY 2025): Cram eight million people into a global mecca of commerce, finance, technology, academia, and the arts spanning entertainment, media, and fashion, and colorful stories flow endlessly involving colorful characters. Keyboardist, composer, and producer John Smatla, who makes records under the name Ultrablue, finds New York City an infinite fount of inspiration. He wrote and recorded a six-song EP chronicling his real-life experiences and encounters with people in the sprawling metropolis. A contemporary jazz set liberally stirring soulful R&B grooves, exotic Latin rhythms, and vibrant pop sensibilities, Ultrablue’s “New York Stories” drops on March 21 on SRS Records.

Possessing a powerful energy and towering soundscape worthy of its namesake origins, “New York Stories” is Ultrablue’s third collection and first in nineteen years. A few years ago, Smatla released “Until We’re All Free” as the project’s first single. Three singles followed over the years, seeding the new EP. The fifth single, “The Girl with the Sunflower Tattoo” will begin seducing listeners on Valentine’s Day with its poignant piano poetics tethered to riveting and robust rhythms. Smatla creates on a grand scale, crafting intricate layers of instrumentation rife with luminous harmonies and melodies. Making its presence felt by uniquely coloring and texturing each tune, New York City serves as a compelling backdrop and an engaging playground for Smatla’s adventures to unfold. His lyrical piano play and clever keyboards function as a congenial tour guide.

Opening the EP, “New York Story” sets the scene quite literally. It’s a musical homage to the architecture and mystique of Manhattan, distinct cultural aspects of the city that long fascinated Smatla, who grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. Adding a unique retro twist, the horn-powered track featuring David Mann and bolstered by the New York Voices adds elements celebrating theme songs from 1960s detective movies and television shows like those composed by Henry Mancini, Quincy Jones, and Oliver Nelson.  

Smatla wrote what he observed during the struggle for social justice and freedom around the world in 2022. The result is “Until We’re All Free.” 

"‘Until We're All Free’ was written during the tumultuous days of the social justice protests. The passion people were feeling in New York City was powerful. In the absence of traditional lyrics, the harmonies and melody lines had to create a certain lack of resolution and a sense of determination. Philip Hamilton’s (Pat Metheny Group) plaintive wordless vocals on the chorus helped fulfill the song’s mission,” said Smatla who is accompanied on the track by James Hodsonhast (brass), Hubert Eaves IV (bass), and drummer Joel Rosenblatt (Spyro Gyra).

While the EP is about Smatla’s own New York adventures, he uses creative license on “Herbie,” a high-energy salute to jazz piano icon Herbie Hancock whose career breakthrough came in the Big Apple. Hancock’s drummer Trevor Lawrence guests on the track that includes bassist Cornelius Mims, The Chop Horns, and a soprano saxophone solo by Eric Knight.

“New York is where Herbie’s career was launched and his association with the jazz scene that

was developed in New York in the late 50s and 60s is obvious. I created some funky riffs that sounded like they could’ve come from one of Hancock’s 1970s albums with the Head Hunters. The riffs were developed into a contemporary jazz tune that employs some Herbie-like jazz altered chords and bluesy jazz piano licks,” explained Smatla.

Bernd Schoenhart’s expressive acoustic guitar shares the spotlight with Smatla’s sensual piano on “Maria in Blue,” a sultry and amorous Latin-tinged cut about a woman from Smatla’s past. 

“I have this unforgettable image of Maria. She was a statuesque beauty. One warm evening, I remember being transfixed by her image in a shoulder-less blue summer dress. We locked eyes and it was the start of a passionate love affair,” Smatla recalled. 

The most recent single, “We Were in Love” continues the theme of being swept up in romance although this one hurts a bit. Smatla’s impassioned piano climaxes by issuing cascading, swoon-worthy notes feverishly in the distinguished company of seven-time GRAMMY-winning flugelhornist Randy Brecker, GRAMMY nominated guitarist Chieli Minucci of Special EFX, and Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo.  

“A theme of innocence, nostalgia, and regret, we’ve all experienced that first great love from reckless days of youth and how, sadly we sometimes end up going on living separate lives forever. We’re left with the memories we choose to remember and thoughts of what could’ve been. This bittersweet dynamic permeates ‘We Were in Love’ as the tune shifts from a brooding verse to a lighter, happier chorus with the aid of Darmon Meader’s (New York Voices) celestial vocalization,” said Smatla, who aims to play shows as Ultrablue this summer using a revolving cast of musicians.

The EP concludes with the downtempo “The Girl with the Sunflower Tattoo.” Buttressing Smatla’s evocative piano are Minucci’s electric guitar and Mann’s horns that embellish the taut rhythmic foundation constructed by Rosenblatt and bassist John Benitez.

“This is another story about a real person, a beautiful young woman from a neighborhood in a dangerous part of the city. She had known a life of difficulties and had developed a street tough persona that was impenetrable. But her raw beauty was startling, and her flawless skin was adorned by one large single sunflower tattoo. That single flower suggested a vulnerability and sweetness that otherwise would’ve been hard to imagine given her image. This sunflower was actually a wildflower, beautiful but neglected,” Smatla shared.

Ultrablue debuted in 2003 with “Dusk 2 Dawn,” an album that showcased performances by popular New York City musicians Dave Stryker, Rachel Z, Kevin Mahogany, and Pete Belasco. Three years later, the self-titled sophomore album peaked at No. 4 on the Amazon best sellers list. Buoyed by a top 30 hit titled “Shiver,” Ultrablue’s following grew exponentially, driven by the album that included guest appearances by Brecker, Mann, Belasco, Gabriela Anders, Nestor Torres, and female vocal group Allure. For more information, visit https://www.ultrabluejazz.com.

Ultrablue’s “New York Stories” EP contains the following songs:

“New York Story”

“Until We’re All Free”

“Herbie”

“Maria in Blue”

“We Were in Love”

“The Girl with the Sunflower Tattoo”

SOLU MUSIC & GABBY LAW - ‘GIVE ME SUNSHINE’ (SUNDOWN REMIX)

New York's Solu Music join forces once again with Florida’s sultry soulful songbird, Gabby Law on ‘Give Me Sunshine’. Fresh for 2025, ‘Give Me Sunshine’ (Sundown Remix) is a re-vibe of the laid-back, soulful original from Howie Caspe’s Solu Music solo electronic, R&B and Soul project with Gabby. To date, they have released five singles together, ‘Give Me Sunshine’, ‘Through It All’, ‘Too Hard to Say No', ‘Ain’t Enough’, and ‘DMND’, with a full album release with Gabby set for release in March 2025. The ‘Sundown Remix’ comes with Solu Music's signature vibe, primed for the dance floor, as Howie delivers a warm, organic deep house soundtrack, flowing with emotive melodies that fit Gabby’s heartfelt soulful tones like a glove.

Solu Music is the New York based songwriting and producer duo of Howie Caspe and Dano Nathanson. They made an immediate impact in 2001 with their debut release ‘Fade’, the House Music classic and global club anthem which is still a dance floor favorite today. Known for their signature blend of House, Soul, R&B, and World Music influences, Solu has discovered and developed vocalists including Kai Martin, KimBlee, and most recently, Gabby Law. Solu continues to evolve, staying true to the Soulful House they’re known for, while pushing into new genres and sounds.

Singer-songwriter Gabby Law’s love for music dates back as far as she can remember, being brought up to a soundtrack of soul artists including Earth, Wind and Fire, Aretha Franklin and more. From Jacksonville, Florida, Gabby is known for her deep soulful voice and smooth tone. In 2019, she released her debut EP, ‘The Beginning’ and in 2020 she collaborated with Howie Caspe (Solu Music), releasing critically acclaimed house tracks ‘Feelin' Love Again’ and ‘The Other Side’. Gabby currently working on further projects with Solu Music and other collaborators.

Track Listing
1 Give Me Sunshine (Sundown Remix)
2 Give Me Sunshine (Original Mix)

‘Give Me Sunshine’ (Sundown Remix) will be released on Traxsource promo on February 14th / Full release on February 28th 2025 on Solu Music.

Solu Music & Gabby Law
‘Give Me Sunshine’ (Sundown Remix)
Solu Music / Solu019R
https://www.solu-music.com
https://www.instagram.com/solumusic/
https://www.instagram.com/thegabbylaw/

RECORDVOORSTELLING ALEX AGNEW KOMT UIT OP DVD

Alex Agnews meest recente voorstelling, 'Wake me up when it's over', is vanaf vandaag uit op DVD. Met meer dan 150.000 toeschouwers, over meer dan 271 shows in 171 zalen en 148 speelsteden werd dit een record tournee. Vorig jaar kwam nog een driedelige LP uit, en nu is er dus de DVD. Alle info via alexagnew.be.

Vorig jaar stuntte comedian Alex Agnew nog met de langste comedy LP in Vlaanderen. Nu komt diezelfde voorstelling, 'Wake me up when it's over', ook uit op DVD. De Antwerpse Stadsschouwburg was gastheer van dienst voor de DVD-opnames in juni 2024. De DVD, goed voor 160 minuten bulderlachen, is vanaf nu te koop. De DVD werd er één in luxe-uitgave, een digipack met foedraal, en is vanaf nu beschikbaar via alexagnew.be/merch.

LEE JONES AND DAVID MARGAM PRESENT NEW RELEASE ‘RAIN DANCE’

'Rain Dance' The Masterful Collaboration of Lee Jones and David Margam on February 14, 2025, digital platforms will receive a unique musical gift with the release of 'Rain Dance', the new single by Miami saxophonist Lee Jones and Spanish guitarist David Margam with Robert Sanae on trumpet. This long-awaited collaboration brings together two of the most outstanding talents on the smooth jazz scene in a piece full of emotion and sophistication. 'Rain Dance' marks the return of this duo of artists, who had already demonstrated their ability to create captivating music. On this occasion, they once again achieve a masterful result that reflects their musical maste and their ability to connect with the public through immersive sounds and elegant rhythms. With the combination of Lee Jones expressive saxophone and the melodic textures of David Margam's guitar, 'Rain Dance' promises to be an unforgettable musical experience for lovers of contemporary jazz.

Lee Jones:

His album Watercolors has remained on the list of top CD releases in terms of sales. His most popular song, “Once in a Lifetime,” has received international jazz radio airplay and online streaming. Lee is currently collaborating with one of the top Billboard jazz artists on the recording of a new album that includes exclusive collaborations with well[1]known jazz artists. He performs his original pieces on soprano, alto and tenor saxophones.

www.leejonesmusic.com

David Margam:

Spanish guitarist, composer and producer David Margam has established himself as one of the leading figures in contemporary smoo jazz. Originally from Granada, Spain, Margam has developed a career spanning over two decades, combining his musical virtuosity with a unique sensibility to create captivating and sophisticated compositions. His debut album 'Immune', a project that received praise from critics and listeners for its impeccable production and emotionality

www.davidmargam.wordpress.com

NEW SONG ‘ON THE ROAD’ BY ZOLBERT

BILLBOARD CHART-TOPPER KIM SCOTT KICKS UP HER HEELS ON ‘LIVIN’ IT UP’

The flutist’s sixth album produced by GRAMMY winners Paul Brown and Kelvin Wooten along with Billboard hitmakers Greg Manning and Michael Broening drops on February 28.

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (11 FEBRUARY 2025): Confident and comfortable with her place in music as an artist and as an educator, classically trained flutist Kim Scott is relishing her charmed life. With accomplishments that include multiple Billboard No. 1 singles, a Billboard No. 1 album, Billboard’s Song of the Year honors, and being named 2024’s Smooth Jazz Network’s Artist of the Year, Scott found her unique musical voice by combining classical, jazz, R&B, Latin, and pop to form a distinctive brand that has won fans around the world. The nine songs that comprise her sixth album, “Livin’ It Up,” reflect her diversity, the pride and joy in her accomplishments, and embody her grateful spirit. The Innervision Records release will arrive on February 28 featuring seven songs cowritten by Scott along with production by two-time GRAMMY winner Paul Brown, GRAMMY winner Kelvin Wooten, and multi-time Billboard hitmakers Greg Manning and Michael Broening.

“I wanted to compose an album that reflected this time and space because I'm enjoying every minute of where I am in my life. I'm truly living it up and celebrating the gift of music that I've been given, along with the opportunities that have come from it. I've had such an exciting music career that has allowed me to grow as a musician. I've been able to travel the world performing on some of the biggest stages. Sharing my music globally has allowed me to see the influence the music has on worldwide audiences. It's invigorating, inspiring, and such a blessing,” said Scott who coproduced four tracks on the album with Wooten, her longtime keyboardist.

Scott approaches her songwriting intentionally. When it came to composing material for “Livin’ It Up,” she set out to write songs that are “outside the box.”

“For this album, I didn't want it to sound like the music playing on jazz radio right now because I wanted it to stand out as truly something unique and special. I want my music to stop people in their tracks when it comes on and be intrigued, captivated, inspired, and willing to lean in a little more to take it all in. On ‘Livin’ It Up,’ I took more liberty to write songs that embraced world music in terms of rhythms, vibes, and styles. On the album, you'll hear energetic and rich South African rhythms and harmonies, which is quite new for me,” shared Scott.

“Livin’ It Up” opens with the Mediabase No. 1 hit “Like Butter” featuring saxophonist Jeff Ryan, a Billboard chart-topper in his own right. Broening produced and played keys on the soulful R&B track flanked by GRAMMY winners Freddie Fox (guitar) and Mel Brown (bass).

As Scott worked on the album over the last couple of years, occasionally she released singles to prime audiences on what was to come. The first single, “Magic City Streets,” released in July 2023 and is a love letter to her hometown, Birmingham, Alabama. Paul Brown produced and GRAMMY-winning multi-instrumentalist Shane Theriot handled all the instrumentation aside from Scott’s impassioned flute.

“When I wrote the chorus, I chose to pay homage to my city of Birmingham so I could capture the magic and soul of the place I love so much. Birmingham’s nickname is The Magic City. The name came from the richness of the minerals in the soil, but I like to think it came from the magic of the people, the culture, and the food,” said Scott with pride.

“Alma de Lisbon” is an exotic Spanish sojourn that opens with a gorgeous flute and piano intro showcasing Scott’s classical chops with an improvisational nod to Marin Marais’s "Les Folies d'Espagne" before her band – Wooten, guitarist Eric Essix, and drummer James “PJ” Spraggins – kick start the beat.    

“I wanted to write a song that captured my intrigue for the city of Lisbon and Portuguese/Spanish culture. In thinking about the beauty of Lisbon, the spirit of the music, and my experiences in Portugal, I tried to encompass that in the melody and rhythms. Kelvin (Wooten) and my amazing band helped bring that vision to life,” said Scott before addressing the song’s intro.

“Chick Corea was my inspiration behind the concept for the intro, which allowed me to display my versatility as a musician. I was always intrigued and captivated by his intro for ‘Spain,’ and I wanted my own reimagining of a Spanish song improvised in my own way.”

Scott is also intentional about the covers she selects to reimagine. Since her sophomore release, “Rite of Passage,” she has sung one tune on each album. Singing one of her favorite songs, The Police’s “Every Breath You Take,” fulfilled that desire for “Livin’ It Up.” The second remake is an instrumental take on Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You,” with Scott’s version more closely resembling Whitney Houston’s modern classic.

“I wanted to create a version (of the song) on flute that conveyed the same purity and honesty that Whitney (Houston) showcased on her recording. For that reason, I even kept the unaccompanied intro in my version. I also wanted to keep the saxophone feature present in the recording so I invited the talented Kelley O'Neal to play the solo,” said Scott, who will support the album with concert dates this year in such US locales as Charlotte, Washington, DC, and Honolulu and international gigs in England, Portugal, and Norway.  

Between the covers, Scott’s most recent single, “Freedom,” is her first foray into using South African rhythms. For “Freedom,” the idea sprang from Manning who helmed the track.

“Greg (Manning) and I agreed that we wanted to push the musical boundaries of contemporary jazz. We didn't want the song to sound like anything on the radio. Greg asked if I ever thought about incorporating South African Amapiano (a style incorporating house, jazz, and kwaito) rhythms in my music. Ironically, I had just finished writing another song in the style for this album, so I loved the idea. The chant at the beginning of the album version is in Swahili and it emphasizes themes of liberation and unity, which highly influenced the vibe for the song,” said Scott.

A mashup tribute to Miles Davis and Herb Alpert that mixes the former’s “So What” and the latter’s “Rise,” Scott’s experimental “So What If I Rise?” is a fun and funky romp that she said “began as a silly idea in my head.”

Another Scott tradition is including a devotional song on her albums and “Love Thy Neighbor” is the first original sacred song that she penned with Phil Davis (George Duke, Boney James, Norman Brown, Walter Beasley), who plays an ethereal wind keyboard on the track.

Closing the collection with another African adventure, Scott envisions “You Got The Power” as an empowering anthem for women. Cameroonian rapper Naomi Achu takes command of the mic amidst the sounds and rhythms crafted by African beat maker VIKWYNBEAT.    

“With ‘Power,’ I wanted to create a new age ladies' anthem that is intoxicating in rhythm and vibe. I wanted it to have a strong message of encouragement as delivered by my good friend, Naomi Achu. I asked Naomi to find an African beat maker to give us the most authentic sound and rhythm, which VIKWYNBEAT created for us. Naomi and I sing the hook. I hope ladies all over the world will be inspired, invigorated, and empowered by this song!” Scott declared.

Scott’s debut disc, “Crossing Over,” streeted in 2011 and her “SHINE!” album topped the Billboard chart in 2022. The title track was her third Billboard No. 1 single, and it was Billboard’s Song of the Year. In addition to performing at major jazz festivals and venues around the world including Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival, Seabreeze Jazz Festival, Greater Harford Jazz Festival, and the Algarve Jazz Festival, Scott has grown her brand exponentially by hosting the syndicated Kim Scott’s Block Party Radio show. She’s collaborated with noteworthy genre stars including Jonathan Butler, James Lloyd, Jonathan Fritzen, and Jazmin Ghent, and is a member of the renowned female-powered supergroup Jazz in Pink.

Different dimensions of Scott’s accomplished career are found in the classical genre. She plays piccolo in the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra and is an active clinician and a 25-year music educator. Scott has presented and performed at prominent conventions such as the National Flute Association, Mid-South Flute Festival, and the International Festival of Flutists in South America. She was the department chair at the Alabama School of Fine Arts where she presently serves as the Director of Student Support Services and teaches the applied flute studio.

Hitting her stride as an artist whose muse has fostered new possibilities for the flute in popular music, Scott is grateful for her successes thus far and is fully committed to utilizing the new album to propel her to new heights.

“‘Livin’ It Up’ truly captures my personality, my musical tastes, and the head space I'm in at this time in my life. At this stage in my life, I'm comfortable and confident in my musical voice and the uniqueness of it. I'm not a traditional jazz musician in that my training was in classical music, and I didn't start playing jazz until 2010, but through intensive personal study, I've been able to meld the two styles. I have been able to create my own signature sound and style through this discovery. I'm proud of that and so pleased that the world has embraced it.”

Scott’s “Livin’ It Up” album contains the following songs:

“Like Butter”

“Magic City Streets”

“Alma de Lisbon”

“Every Breath You Take”

“Freedom”

“I Will Always Love You”

“So What If I Rise?”

“Love Thy Neighbor”

“You Got The Power (Ladies’ Anthem)”

For more information, visit https://kimscottmusic.com.

NEW CHILL JAZZSINGLE — ‘EWE DO EWE’ FROM MIKE MURRAY

DIANGELIS PRESENTS – POPJAZZ SINGLE 'YOU & I' NOW AVAILABLE!

NACHO VALENCIAGA UNLEASHES ‘BEEP-BEEP!’- A SLICK, SWINGING TRIBUTE TO THE GOLDEN AGE OF ANIMATION

GIL JOHNSON FT. DOC POWELL – ‘CAN WE PRETEND’

ERIC KNIGHT FT. JEFF LORBER – ‘PASSION FRUIT’

BIG MIKE HART – ‘OPEN BAR’

LOTTE DE CLERCK PAKT EERSTE HOOFDROL IN HITMUSICAL EN WORDT SOPHIE IN ‘MAMMA MIA!’

Helle Vanderheyden regieassistent van Stany Crets

Vanaf 6 maart 2026  - Antwerpen, Gent, Hasselt

Vanaf 6 maart 2026 strijkt de hitmusical 'MAMMA MIA!' opnieuw neer in Vlaanderen. Producent Deep Bridge wist Nathalie Meskens (Tanya), musicaldebutante Els Dottermans (Rosie) en Maike Boerdam (Donna) aan boord te houden, maar dient door het eerdere uitstel van de productie toch een personeelswissel door te voeren in de hoofdcast. Rising musicalstar Lotte De Clerck zal als Sophie de hoofdrol voor haar rekening nemen en vervangt daarmee Helle Vanderheyden, die doorschuift naar de positie van regieassistent naast Stany Crets. Meteen de eerste hoofdrol voor Lotte De Clerck in een absolute musicalklassieker. Tickets voor 'MAMMA MIA!' zijn  beschikbaar via deepbridge.be.

Lotte De Clerck verovert musicalwereld

Haar eerste stappen op de musicalplanken zette Lotte De Clerck reeds in 2012, toen ze in het tv-programma 'Op zoek naar Annie' gekozen werd om - samen met Pommelien Thijs - de hoofdrol van het roodharige weesmeisje te spelen in de musical 'Annie'. In 2017 kwam Lotte dan weer die andere latere #LikeMe-collega Camille Dhont tegen in de Deep Bridge-jongerenmusical 'Ridders van de Ronde Keukentafel'.

Na haar #LikeMe-avontuur kruisten de paden van Lotte en Deep Bridge opnieuw in het voorjaar van 2024. Lotte schitterde als de ietwat naïeve, maar hilarische Penny Pingleton in de cultmusical 'Hairspray'. Een opgemerkte prestatie die haar niet alleen de rol van Wendy in de musical 'Peter Pan - Terug naar Neverland' opleverde (december 2024), maar ook de titelrol in de sprookjesmusical 'Doornroosje', die vanaf 22 februari 2025 try-out in AED Studios in Lint en vanaf 12 april 2025 opeenvolgend in Capitole Gent en Trixxo Theater Hasselt speelt.

De hoofdrol als Sophie in absolute hitmusical 'MAMMA MIA!' is een nieuwe stap in de musicalcarrière van Lotte De Clerck. Een carrière die vooral het afgelopen jaar een enorme vlucht nam.

"Het is een grote eer voor mij om in de voetsporen van Helle (Vanderheyden) te treden en ik ga er alles aan doen om een waardige en eigen Sophie neer te zetten. Dat Helle als regieassistent me uit persoonlijke ervaring de nodige tips kan geven voor deze rol, is een enorme meerwaarde.

Met Maike Boerdam kan ik dan weer de 'moeder-dochterband' die we in 2012 opbouwden terug opnemen. Maike speelde toen Grace en ik weesmeisje Annie in de gelijknamige musical. Geweldig om weer nauw met haar samen te mogen werken in 'MAMMA MIA!'"
- Lotte De Clerck -

"Sophie was een droomrol die ik met hart en ziel heb gespeeld. Ik begrijp dat theater een dynamische wereld is en ben ontzettend dankbaar dat ik op een nieuwe manier betrokken mag blijven bij deze bijzondere voorstelling, nu als regieassistent. Met evenveel passie en toewijding zal ik me inzetten om samen met deze fantastische cast en crew een onvergetelijke productie neer te zetten. Maar nu eerst de hoofdrol in Pretty Woman!"
- Helle Vanderheyden - 

Tickets & info voor 'MAMMA MIA!' via deepbridge.be.

NEW SINGLE ‘WEEKEND GAMES’ FROM ROB ZINN FT. MICHAEL PAULO

ERIC REDD - ‘WHERE THERE’S LIFE’

Acclaimed US singer, songwriter and dancer, Eric Redd, reveals the first original single for his brand new label Electronic Soul Records, ‘Where There’s Life’, produced by long-time friend, collaborator and renowned producer, David Anthony. Having both relocated to Europe in recent years, Eric and David reconnected and released a dance music re-design of ‘Little Drummer Boy’ last Christmas, and are currently working on Eric’s fifth album. ‘Where There’s Life’ is a heartfelt slice of dancefloor soul about moving on and finding your space, as Eric’s smooth tones glide over a classy Soulful House soundtrack drizzled with emotive keys, a stunning sax performance and warm BV’s. The package also comes with an upbeat Club and Dub mix pumped with uplifting piano, string stabs, jackin’ beats and a playful vocals, ramping up the party vibe thermostat.

US soulful singer, songwriter, dancer, Billboard Chart topper and all-round entertainment powerhouse, Eric Redd, boasts an impressive career. As a young regular on the legendary dance show, Soul Train, later taking to the stage becoming a ballet dancer and performing all over the world, before landing at London’s West End performing in Cats and Starlight Express, Eric was then discovered by Jive Records and his recording career began. His music portfolio includes Billboard Chart club hits, ‘Breathe’ (2010), ‘Right Time’ (2017), ‘Push’ (2019), and 2 artist Grammy shortlisted albums, ‘Tears Don’t Cry’ (2022) and ‘Life….with Subtitles’ (2023). As a performer, Eric opened for Stevie Wonder, KD Lang, Coolio and more, also joining the legendary rock band, Chicago Transit Authority to perform ‘25-6 to 4. ’Eric has travelled the world guesting with star acts, writing for feature films and TV, and creating a dance music catalogue on various labels. 2025 sees the full launch of his own new label Electronic Soul Records – a home for his exciting soulful projects.

David Anthony is a renowned US producer, mix engineer, musician, and label head of Planet Hum. His extensive body of work spans R&B, Dance, House, Hip-Hop, and Progressive House, collaborating with industry icons like Janet Jackson, Kelly Rowland, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Yolanda Adams, Deborah Cox, Kelly Price, Busta Rhymes, Babyface, and Crystal Waters. His productions, remixes, and engineering skills have kept him in high demand across the music industry.

Track Listing
1 Where There’s Life (Club Mix)
2 Where There’s Life (Extended Mix)
3 Where There’s Life (Dub Mix)
4 Where There’s Life (Original Mix)

‘Where There’s Life’ will be released on Traxsource Promo on February 10th / Full release on February 24th 2025 on Electronic Soul Records.

Eric Redd
‘Where There’s Life’
Electronic Soul Records / ER000024S03
https://www.instagram.com/ericreddmusic
https://www.facebook.com/ericreddmusic
https://www.ericredd.com

FINGERSTYLE GUITARIST PETER WHITE FINDS HOPE IN THE ‘LIGHT OF DAY’

The Billboard hitmaker’s first album in six years drops on Valentine’s Day preceded by the first single, “Catalonia,” which is already collecting playlist adds.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (4 FEBRUARY 2025): Genre-defying acoustic guitarist Peter White wrote and produced the ten songs of hope, determination, and optimism that make up his 17th album, “Light of Day,” as an antidote to the darkness of the pandemic during which the collection was conceived. Lobster Music Inc. will release White’s first new album in six years on February 14. The new disc is tied to two other milestones in the multi-time Billboard chart-topper’s unparalleled career: his 50th anniversary as a professional musician and the 35th anniversary of the release of his debut album, “Réveillez-vous.”

White’s brand of fingerstyle guitar-led instrumental music is known for its breezy temperament, signature sound, and expressive lyricism set to soundscapes swirling pop, Latin, R&B, and jazz stylings. On “Light of Day,” White delves deeper, introspects, explores, and serves up substantive subjects for rumination.  

“I was working on the album mostly during the pandemic and in many cases the songs are deeper and more introspective than some of my more recent albums. I picked the title, ‘Light of Day,’ because it reminded me that yes, we all go through challenging times, but through the darkness, there is always light and better times ahead,” said the British-born, Los Angeles-based White who plays guitar, bass, keyboards, accordion, recorder, and programming on the album.

The album opens with fervor, launching with “Catalonia,” an energizing and exotic escapade through the northeastern part of Spain that influences the first single that is now collecting playlist adds and airplay.

The international flair continues on “Cityscape,” to which trumpeter Rick Braun adds brilliant ambiance. White said the song originates from “a walk that I took through the center of London many years ago. It was a warm summer night, and the crowds seemed to melt away, leaving me to walk alone amongst the historic buildings and monuments.”

White adds sitar-like guitar to “Carefree” alongside his primary acoustic guitar voice and swatches of accordion to the track illumined by a bouncy bassline issued by David Dyson.

“David (Dyson) came up with a bass riff during a show we played together. I put it together with a melody that I had come up with many years ago but never finished as it sounded incomplete. Well, the bassline completed this song, giving it a playful, whimsical quality that was previously missing,” explained White.

The unexpected death of fellow contemporary jazz guitarist Nick Colionne in 2022 informs the heartfelt “Till I See You Again.”

“The profound loss I felt when I heard that our friend Nick Colionne had passed away inspired me to write this song as a comfort to all people who have been bereaved. We say goodbye, but with the hope that we will meet again, somehow, somewhere.”

The tempo kicks up dramatically on the careening “Overdrive,” a track crafted by White’s frequent collaborator Mike Egizi.

“Full of energy, twists, and turns, I imagine a mad dash through the countryside on four wheels with many adventures along the way. Early on we meet my old friend Marc Macisso, who climbs onboard to provide some playful harmonica runs. Later we come across Ilya Serov who plays a wonderful, haunting trumpet solo,” offered White.

Rising saxophone star Vincent Ingala features on the romantic “I Love You Still.” White said, “I wrote this song with Vincent Ingala in mind. I have been playing shows with him since he was eighteen and I knew that he would add something incredibly special to this song with his signature tenor sax playing. The song is a conversation between two people who are obviously in love but trying to work out where they both stand in the relationship.”

White explores dreams on the upbeat and optimistic “Dreaming of You.”

“I am very intrigued by dreams, as the subconscious mind takes over and creates alternate realities. Friends, lovers, and strangers appear and disappear and leave you to try and find that elusive meaning. Sometimes you find comfort in your dreams by coming across someone who you haven’t seen in a long time,” reflected White.

Clocking in at over eight minutes, the longest song the radio-friendly White has ever recorded, “Odyssey” is a sprawling adventure bolstered by the guitarist’s longtime band members, drummer Eric Valentine and bassist Nate Phillips.

“As you set out for a long journey, there is always trepidation and uncertainty. The dictionary definition of the word odyssey is a long and eventful or adventurous journey or experience. I think that is all in this song to which Eric (Valentine) and Nate (Phillips) add drama, tension, and release in all the right places.”

Two-time GRAMMY-winning saxophonist great Ernie Watts collaborated with White on “Enchanted,” a tune that the guitarist composed especially for their recording date.

“I have admired Ernie Watts and his sax playing ever since I was nineteen after I heard him play on a Lamont Dozier song back then and have been hooked ever since. Along the way, I got to know Ernie and one day asked him to record with me. I wrote this song the night before we went into the studio, and he made it come alive with his beautiful playing. He is a true saxophone legend,” said White reverently.

The title track concludes the album, which plays like an empowering overture.

“Written with my old friend, keyboardist Frank Joseph, the song speaks about hope and determination. I even played my accordion on this song to add some atmosphere. I’m always uplifted when I listen to this song. Thanks to my friend and fabulous sound engineer DC for lending his talent in the recording of this album and for lending me his mandolin, which you can hear me strumming in the background throughout this song.” 

Growing up in England, White began his pro career in music not as a guitarist, but as a keyboardist for singer-songwriter Al Stewart, cowriting the folk-rocker’s iconic hit, “Time Passages.” He was a guitarist when touring the world accompanying crossover vocalist Basia, plying his acoustic guitar mystique to her hybrid Brazilian jazz meets pop hits. From sideman to genre superstar, White has topped Billboard’s album charts four times, landed four albums at No. 2, and scored seven No. 1 singles. He tops marquees at jazz festivals, cruises, theaters, and clubs worldwide, as reflected in his upcoming concert itinerary that boasts dates in South Africa, Namibia, the Netherlands, and back home in the United Kingdom as well as throughout the U.S.

White’s “Light of Day” album contains the following songs:

“Catalonia”

“Cityscape” featuring Rick Braun   

“Carefree”

“Till I See You Again”      

“Overdrive” featuring Ilya Serov          

“I Love You Still” featuring Vincent Ingala

“Dreaming of You”

“Odyssey”

“Enchanted” featuring Ernie Watts

“Light of Day”

For more information, visit https://peterwhite.com.

BRAZILIAN PIANIST RICARDO BACELAR AND CELLIST JAQUES MORELENBAUM SHARE THEIR ADVENTURES IN ‘ARCATI’

The Brazilian music album that dropped last Friday is a collaborative collection based on mutual respect and friendship inspired by a retreat in an idyllic costal enclave.

FORTALEZA, Brazil (3 FEBRUARY 2025): If pianist Ricardo Bacelar and cellist Jacques Morelenbaum’s “Aracti” was a movie instead of an album, it would be a buddy pic following the occasionally madcap adventures of two long-admired friends and colleagues who ventured to a quaint oceanfront destination in the Northeast corner of Brazil. Packing not much more than a portable electric keyboard and a cello, the musicians composed and created a ten-song set that was released by Jasmin Music last Friday (January 31) capturing their week retreat in Aracti. Bacelar and Morelenbaum produced, arranged, and performed their compositions in fifteen days, showcasing the intimacy and artistry of their masterful instrumental collaboration, setting their emotions, experiences, and mishaps, the native fawn and fauna, and the local culture to music.

Amidst the majestic seaside beauty and dunes on placid Aracati in eastern Ceará, Bacelar and Morelenbaum immersed themselves in the provincial culture, using the locale to seed their songwriting. They wrote the first single, “Fogueira,” to pay homage to iconic Brazilian composer Egberto Gismonti (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-evlk9hwado). In one zany moment of inattentiveness, Morelenbaum’s belongings, including his cell phone, were swept out to sea. Miraculously, a local fisher dove in and was able to retrieve the items, inspiring “Milagres.” Another composition, “Voo da Graúna,” sprang from the friends observing the graúna birds native to Aracati.  

After departing Aracati, the duo retreated to Bacelar’s Jasmin Studio, a world-class studio and an audio lab in Fortalez equipped with state-of-the-art gear and Dolby Atmos technology combining analog and digital production capabilities. There they brought the songs to life by adding Bacelar’s acoustic piano, keyboards, vocals, accordion, Hammond organ, and percussion and Morelenbaum’s cello, acoustic piano, and keyboards. They invited percussionist Hoto Júnior and drummer Luiz Orssano to ornament their lush melodic constructs and harmonic tapestries with Brazilian rhythms and grooves. 

With their three songwriting collaborations serving as the foundation for an album, Bacelar and Morelenbaum searched through material from their individual songbooks to complete “Aracati.” They selected compositions – new and old - that emulated the essence and spirit of the anchor tunes, music that pairs authentic Brazilian beats and melodies with jazz and classical music.

Morelenbaum wrote the theme to the 1999 Academy Awards best international film nominee “Central Station,” a song titled “Correios” that the cellist and Bacelar reimagined to open “Aracati.” The album’s lone vocal number, “Quando a Noite Vem” gives Bacelar the opportunity to croon a romantic overture to a sensual bolero rhythm, a song he wrote with Giuliano Eriston. Another bird-inspired tune, “Fi_Ru_Hay_Kay” emerged from Morelenbaum’s imagination after he dreamed up a feathered friend named Firu. Not to be outdone, Bacelar embodied a cowboy on the album’s second single, “Caminhos de Areia,” chronicling the cowboy’s spiritual journey after losing his horse (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGolvV0mT2U).

Two of Bacelar’s compositions are inspired by the beauty and mystery of nature. “Sargaço” is a grandiose and meandering suite about seaweed while “Falésias,” which he wrote with Luciano Raulino, is a musical study of the sand formations chiseled and shaped for centuries by the ocean, wind, and rain. Morelenbaum’s meditative “Ar Livre” concludes the album by invoking feelings of reflection, gratitude, and appreciation. 

At its core, “Aracti” is an album of musical stories celebrating collaboration and creative partnership between two prodigious musicians, composers, producers, and arrangers. They discovered their chemistry in 2022 when Bacelar and Morelenbaum were recording a track by Brazilian legend Gilberto Gil that Bacelar was producing. Later, the pianist invited the cellist to play on his single, “O Meio do Mundo.” More recently, they linked up again when Morelenbaum was recruited to perform on an album that Bacelar recorded with singer-pianist Leila Pinheiro called “Donato.”

Thirty years ago, Bacelar began his professional music career with Brazilian rock band Hanoi Hanoi. He learned the business from both sides by becoming a copyright lawyer and an entrepreneur who founded Jasmin Music and Jasmin Studio. As a visionary music executive, Bacelar has curated a catalogue of albums and singles by Brazilian music luminaries including Gil, Flávio Ventunini, Toninho Horta, Roberto Menescal, Flora Purim and Airto Moreira, and Delia Fischer. Later this year, he expects to release another album of collaborations, this time with Moreira, a virtuoso Brazilian jazz drummer, percussionist, and composer.

Morelenbaum, who is based in Rio de Janeiro, has crafted music at the highest level for decades. Highlights from his accomplished career feature playing with influential artistic giants such as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Sting, and David Byrne.

“Aracati” contains the following songs:

“Correios”

“Fogueira”

“Quando a Noite Vem”

“FI_RU_HAY_KAY”

“Caminhos de Areia”

“Milagres”

“Sargaço”

“Voo da Graúna”

“Falésias”

“Ar Livre”

For more information:

https://ricardobacelar.com.br

https://ffm.to/jasmin_aracati

BRITSE ZANGERES MARIANNE FAITHFULL OVERLEDEN

De Britse zangeres en actrice Marianne Faithfull is op 78-jarige leeftijd overleden. Dat heeft een woordvoerder zojuist bekendgemaakt. De in Hampstead, Londen, geboren zangeres, actrice en ex-vriendin van Mick Jagger haalde in Nederland de hitlijsten met haar albums ‘Broken English’ (1979), ‘A Child’s Adventure’ (1983), ‘Strange Weather’ (1987), ‘Blazing Away’ (1990) en haar singles ‘As Tears Go By’ (1964), ‘Summer Nights’ (1965) en ‘The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan’ (1979). Marianne Evelyn Gabriel Faithfull begon in 1964 haar muzikale carrière onder begeleiding van Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham. Met haar door Keith Richards en Mick Jagger geschreven debuutsingle ‘As Tears Go By’ scoorde zij een flinke hit in de Amerikaanse Billboard Hot 100 en de Britse Top 50. Toch zou Marianne in Engeland, haar geboorteland, succesvoller zijn dan in de Verenigde Staten en had zij na haar debuutsingle een aantal hits in het Verenigd Koninkrijk in het midden van de jaren zestig met singles als ‘Summer Nights’, ‘This Little Bird’ en ‘Come And Stay With Me’. Haar grootste populariteit kreeg Marianne niet als singer/songwriter, maar als zestiger jaren icoon door haar schoonheid en langdurige relatie met Mick Jagger. Daarnaast schreef zij zelf ook liedjes, waaronder ‘Sister Morphine’ uit 1969. The Rolling Stones brachten dit nummer later zelf ook uit op hun album ‘Sticky Fingers’. Marianne Faithful en Mick Jagger gingen in mei 1970 uit elkaar. Marianne raakte vervolgens aan de drugs. Ze nam nauwelijks nog platen op en de liedjes die ze wel opnam, werden geen succes. In 1979 maakte Marianne als zangeres een comeback met het album ‘Broken English’ en de single ‘The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan’. Haar stem kraakte ondertussen aan alle kanten en was een octaaf lager dan in de jaren zestig. In de jaren tachtig en negentig verschenen af en toe albums van haar. In 1994 bracht ze haar autobiografie ‘Marianne Faithful’ uit. Er zou ook nog een andere biografie volgen onder de titel ‘As Tears Go By’, geschreven door Mark Hodkinson. In 1997 zong Marianne mee op het nummer ‘The Memory Remains’ van Metallica. In 2002 kwam weer een eigen album van Marianne uit, getiteld ‘Kissin’ Time’. Voor dit album werkte de zangeres samen met Beck, Damon Albarn (Blur), Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), Jarvis Cocker (Pulp) en anderen. Twee jaar later volgde het album ‘Before The Poison’, Ook op dit album werkte Marianne samen met verschillende artiesten, waaronder P.J. Harvey en Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. Haar laatste album dateert uit 2021 en heet ‘She Walks In Beauty’. Marianne Faithfull ruste in vrede!

Met dank aan Leo Weijers.

PATRIK DIMAK – ‘IT’S ALRIGHT’

RANDOM SOUL – ‘DIVING’ (INCL. RICHARD EARNSHAW AND MARK MAXWELL REMIXES)

As the anticipation continues to build for the release of their second artist album, ‘Stronger’, Australian House production duo Random Soul (aka Yogi & Husky) reveal the third single from the album, ‘Diving’, complete with a set of tasty remixes courtesy of prolific British producer Richard Earnshaw and dynamic fellow Aussie producer, Mark Maxwell. ‘Diving’ is a catchy yet melancholy song, of as Yogi delivers a heartfelt soulful vocal, waxing lyrical about the trap of unrelenting love, even when it’s not good for us, underpinned by a signature rich Deep House RS production. On the remixes, Richard Earnshaw gives the song his suave Sugarsoul treatment, delivering a warm and bubbly soulful groove that oozes class, and Mark Maxwell ramps up the Tech House energy, injecting percussive driving drums and wonky synths, primed for some big room action.

Sydney’s Random Soul, aka DJs Yogi & Husky, define house music at its core, celebrating nearly 2 decades of soulful, deep and funky house hues, releasing music on Large music, Guesthouse, Salted Music and Deepvisionz and their own imprint, Random Soul Recordings. As they get set to drop their second artist album in 2025, they have been tearing up the dance floors and airwaves with 2 vibrant single releases, ’Thinking About You’ (Incl. Dr Packer and Jay Bhana Remixes) and ‘Sway Me’ featuring Laura Vane (incl. Saison and James Alexandr Mixes), winning support from the likes of Crystal Waters, Jamie Jones, Mark Knight, Gok Wan, Sam Divine and many more.

Track Listing
1 Diving (Extended)
2 Diving (Richard Earnshaw Extended Sugarsoul Mix)
3 Diving (Mark Maxwell Extended)
4 Diving (Mark Maxwell Dub Extended)
5 Diving (Original)
6 Diving (Richard Earnshaw Sugarsoul Mix)
7 Diving (Mark Maxwell Remix)

‘Diving’ (Original) mix will be released on Traxsource promo and streaming platforms on January 31st 2025.

‘Diving’ (Richard Earnshaw and Mark Maxwell Remixes) will be released on Traxsource promo January 31st / Full release February 7th 2025 on Random Soul Recordings.

Random Soul
‘Diving’ (Incl. Richard Earnshaw and Mark Maxwell Remixes)
Random Soul Recordings / RSR094
https://randomsoulmusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/randomsoulmusic
https://randomsoulrecordings.com/

JOHNNY JAMES – ‘WELCOME’

FABIAN CHAVEZ – ‘TURN IT AROUND’

JESSY J – ‘MY EVERYTHING’

GEDICHTENDAG 2025

Aangezien het vandaag, 30 januari 2025, gedichtendag is, wil ik ter illustratie van dit poëziefeest een muzikaal gedicht in de verf zetten.

Dat gedicht werd in 1973 geschreven door mijn idool, wijlen Barry White, meer bepaald op de achterflap van zijn elpee ‘Stone Gon’’. Het origineel werd uitgebracht op 20th Century Records in de USA, maar ik bezit de persing op Philips uit 1974. Het was zijn tweede album en haalde in zijn thuisland de top van de R&B albums chart. Er werden 2 Billboard top 10 singles uit getrokken, namelijk ‘Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up’ en ‘Honey Please, Can’t Ya See’. Barry had alles zelf geschreven, samen met Gene Page voor arrangementen gezorgd, en het geheel zelf geproduceerd.

Maar het gaat hier om de poëzie, remember?

Hier gaat dat mooie liefdesgedicht:

Nothin’ can ever change, my dear,

the way I feel about you.

Cuz’ if I didn’t have you here,

I’d be lost without you.

And so I take this time and place

to give this card to you…

And pray that we will always be

together, strong and true.

Patrick Van de Wiele

INTERNATIONAAL BEJUBELDE TRIBUTE 'MY LEONARD COHEN' KOMT NAAR BELGIË

23 mei 2026 - Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen
24 mei 2026 - Capitole Gent

Na wereldwijde successen en uitverkochte shows in onder andere het Sydney Opera House en het Edinburgh Fringe Festival, vindt de tribute show My Leonard Cohen voor het eerst zijn weg naar België. Op zaterdag 23 mei (Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen) en zondag 24 mei 2026 (Capitole Gent) brengen Stewart D'Arrietta en zijn gerenommeerde band een eerbetoon aan muzikale legende Leonard Cohen. De show viert de geliefde muziek, poëzie en verhalen uit het leven van Cohen, één van de grootste singer-songwriters aller tijden. Tickets & info: ticketkopen.eu 

My Leonard Cohen is niet zomaar een tribute show, het is een meeslepende ervaring die de essentie van Cohens muziek en poëzie weer tot leven brengt. D’ Arrietta en band brengen een setlist vol tijdloze klassiekers zoals Hallelujah, Suzanne, I'm Your Man en Bird On The Wire, maar ook minder gekende nummers en nieuwe interpretaties van Cohens werk. Verwacht gedurfde en creatieve arrangementen van Cohen’s krachtigste nummers, aangedreven door het rauwe stemgeluid van D'Arrietta.

Stewart D'Arrietta: de stem van Leonard Cohen

Steward D’Arrietta is een Australische zanger en componist gekend voor zijn uitzonderlijk vermogen om het werk van iconische muzikanten op een originele manier te herinterpreteren. Hij kreeg wereldwijde erkenning toen hij in 1992 doorbrak met de succesvolle productie Lennon Through A Glass Onion, die hij samen met acteur John Waters creëerde. Dit eerbetoon aan John Lennon werd één van de meest gevierde shows in Australië en toerde internationaal, onder andere in Londen en de Verenigde Staten. Verder bracht hij met de show Tom Waits For No Man ode aan de legendarische zanger Tom Waits.

Jacques Brel als Belgische link

D’Arrietta heeft de passie en het talent om de groten der aarde te eren. Ook Belgisch talent, want in 1998 bracht hij de hommage Chansons De Jacques Brel, die hij samen met John Waters en Michael Kluger creëerde. Daaruit blijkt zijn diepe waardering voor het Franse chanson en de Belgische muziekcultuur. 

Leonard Cohens unieke band met België

Leonard Cohen zelf heeft altijd een sterke connectie gehad met België, waar hij vaak optrad en een grote aanhang had. Zo werd Antwerpen in zijn latere jaren één van zijn favoriete Europese bestemmingen. My Leonard Cohen biedt de perfecte gelegenheid om zowel de Belgische connectie met Cohen als de rijke muzikale geschiedenis van deze artiest te vieren.

Mis deze unieke kans niet om het prachtige oeuvre van Leonard Cohen op een memorabele manier te ervaren.

My Leonard Cohen komt op zaterdag 23 mei 2026 naar Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen en op zondag 24 mei 2026 naar Capitole Gent.

Tickets & info: ticketkopen.eu 

RENOWNED FLUTIST DARRYL EVAN JONES RELEASES NEW SINGLE HONORING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Flutist and dynamic recording artist Darryl Evan Jones has cemented himself as a legitimate force in contemporary jazz and is beloved around the world.

Known as the Ambassador of Instrumental Soul, the Bronx born and raised musician began his professional music odyssey with a late 1990’s appearance on “Showtime At The Apollo”. Feeling empowered by the experience, Jones soon founded the independent record label, JonesStar Entertainment LLC. Over time, collaborating with Jim Woodlyn, Wayne Garrick, Adam Hawley, Jay Condiotti and Jerrod Sullivan, (among others) would produce hits from albums “On My Own” (2000), “Dream” (2006), “Relentless” (2013) and “Resilient” (2024). These efforts would also claim places on Radio Wave Groove Jazz, SJ Network, Smoothjazz.club, and Urban Influencer Smooth Jazz charts.

Recognized for his outstanding  playing style, Darryl Evan Jones has been the opening act for Boney James, Howard Hewett, Jeff Lorber and Kem. He’s also the winner of the 2024 “Made In New York Jazz Competition” Solo Instrumental Category.

NEW SINGLE

It’s not part of his latest album “Resilient”, so Darryl Evan Jones decided to take a bit of a detour and release a very spirited song titled “Mi Antilles” (pronounced “Mee Ant-ill-ees) – and do so in time for Black History Month. “Mi Antilles” is a song that remembers, pays homage to and celebrates African ancestors who were transported to the Caribbean islands to work the plantations as slaves – many who would later thrive on those same islands. Jones magnificently captures the Afro-Caribbean essence in a way most unique to Instrumental Soul. Already, gaining lots of attention through a YouTube video, “Mi Antilles” is destined to inspire the minds and hearts of music lovers the world over. The official single release date is January 31, 2025, and will be available for digital download and streaming everywhere.

NEW SINGLE ‘CANTO DO MAR’ FROM ROBERTO VAZQUEZ

ANGELICA DE NO 'GONNA GET OVER YOU' (INCL. DJ SPEN & THOMMY DAVIS MIXES)

Quantize Recordings present a fabulous reimagining of France Joli’s 1981 dance classic "Gonna Get Over You" by the talented singer-songwriter Angelica de No. This infectious Disco sparkler is set to get everyone grooving under the glitterball, as Angelica’s catchy soulful vocals come backed with a sumptuous soundtrack brimming with lively brass hooks, sweeping strings, Chic-style guitars and classy piano melodies, all underpinned by a funky bass groove. The production team of DJ Spen, Thommy Davis, and Michele Chiavarini have masterfully recreated this track, blending classic Disco glamour with contemporary dance floor flair to create a fresh vibe for 2025.

With over 20 years in the Dance music scene, Angelica de No is an American born multi-cultural beauty, and daughter renowned Flamenco singer Angel de No, who grew up surrounded by all music genres. Angelica’s recording journey started in 1997 as a reference track singer, and then quickly converted to a featured artist upon first meeting Guido Osorio in 2001. And in 2003, she hit the Billboard charts with her club classic ‘Dangerous’. Over the course of her career, Angelica has collaborated with the likes of Guido Osorio (DJ Guido of Razor and Guido), Antranig, Joeski, David Morales, MicFreak, Zonum, Patricia Starr, Exacta and Tech Us Out, just to name a few.

Track Listing
1 Gonna Get Over You (Original Vocal Mix)
2 Gonna Get Over You (Spen & Thommy's Classic Love Break Version)
3 Gonna Get Over You (Spen & Thommy's Classic Music Mix)
4 Gonna Get Over You (Radio Edit)

'Gonna Get Over You' (Incl. DJ Spen & Thommy Davis Mixes) will be released on Traxsource promo January 24th / Full release February 7th 2025 on Quantize Recordings.

Angelica de No
'Gonna Get Over You' (Incl. DJ Spen & Thommy Davis Mixes)
Quantize Recordings / QTZ494
https://www.instagram.com/angelicadenomusic/
http://www.quantizerecordings.com

ALTHEA RENE – ’18 KARAT’

PAUL TAYLOR – ‘FOREVER MORE’

SPECIAL EFX FT. CHIELI MINUCCI – ‘MEANT TO BE’

NIEUWE SPEELDATA MUSICAL ‘MAMMA MIA’ IN VLAANDEREN BEKEND

Musical 'MAMMA MIA!' keert vanaf 6 maart 2026 terug in Vlaanderen!

Met Nathalie Meskens, Els Dottermans en Maike Boerdam

Antwerpen - Gent – Hasselt

Musicalproducent Deep Bridge kondigt met enthousiasme de nieuwe speeldata aan voor de populaire musical 'MAMMA MIA!' in Vlaanderen. Na een tijdelijke uitstelperiode zal de feelgood musical, gebaseerd op de grootste hits van ABBA, vanaf 6 maart 2026 opnieuw neerstrijken in de Vlaamse theaters en achtereenvolgens te zien in Trixxo Theater Hasselt, Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen en Capitole Gent. Bezoekers kunnen zich verheugen op een sprankelende voorstelling vol energie, humor en de tijdloze muziek van ABBA. Tickets voor 'MAMMA MIA!' zijn vanaf vandaag opnieuw beschikbaar via deepbridge.be.

"We proberen de cast die eerder werd aangekondigd maximaal aan boord te houden. We kunnen nu al bevestigen dat Nathalie Meskens de rol van de flamboyante Tanya op zich neemt, terwijl Els Dottermans haar musicaldebuut maakt als Rosie. We mochten eerder al vertellen dat Maike Boerdam de rol van Donna op zich neemt. Ook dat blijft zo."

We danken onze trouwe bezoekers voor het geduld en kijken ernaar uit het publiek te verwelkomen bij 'MAMMA MIA!', en samen te genieten van deze onvergetelijke musicalervaring!
- Koen Hendrickx, Deep Bridge – 

Pretty Woman

In afwachting van 'MAMMA MIA!' in 2026 kan de liefhebber z'n musicalhonger ook dit voorjaar al stillen. Vanaf 23 maart 2025 presenteert Deep Bridge, in absolute primeur voor Vlaanderen, 'Pretty Woman - De Musical' in Antwerpen, Gent en Hasselt. In deze romantische musicalcomedy, gebaseerd op de iconische film, treden Helle Vanderheyden (Vivian Ward) en Tom Dingenen (Edward Lewis) in de iconische voetsporen van Julia Roberts en Richard Gere.

Tickets & info voor 'Pretty Woman' en 'MAMMA MIA!' via deepbridge.be.

SAXOPHONIST CHASE HUNA BELIEVES THE TIME IS ‘JUST RIGHT’ TO INJECT SOME YOUTH INTO JAZZ

The first single from his upcoming “Heart and Soul” album drops on February 10.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (22 JANUARY 2025): As a teenager, saxophonist Chase Huna made records under the tutelage of two-time GRAMMY winner Paul Brown and Billboard chart-topper Steve Oliver, learning how to produce and focus on developing his songwriting skills. He’s also shared the stage with contemporary jazz royalty over the last decade. Having cultivated his talents in and out of the studio, now at age 25, Huna feels that the time is right to take the next step as a young emerging artist on the contemporary jazz scene. On February 10, he’ll release “Just Right” as a single to preview his forthcoming “Heart and Soul” album, which he plans to release this summer on Mirage Records.

Huna wrote and produced “Just Right,” a deep pocketed R&B groove constructed by bassist Darryl Williams and drummer Gorden Campbell. Keyboardist Carnell Harrell adds melodic shading that buttresses Huna’s tenor sax. Throughout the track, Huna’s impassioned play exhibits maturity and restraint. His horn work is cool and confident, soulful and sultry.    

“I’ve always felt that rhythm lives inside of me. One of my favorite ways to feel that is for me to play it out onstage or write it out in the studio. I knew there was something special about this song when I felt the need to dance to it in my studio every chance I got. I selected the song title thinking that every piece of this recording, from the saxes and instrumentation to writing the best song I could, had to be ‘just right,’” said the Palm Springs, California-born and bred Huna.

“Heart and Soul” will be Huna’s fourth album and he’s crafting the collection with the intention of injecting a jolt of fresh energy, youth, and creativity into jazz. The set will showcase his amalgam of R&B, jazz, pop, and soul. Huna’s focus is on the song, serving and nurturing each one while exploring the unique nuance of every harmony and melody that make up his compositions.

"This new album is so special to me, and I feel that the title says it all. It’s been a fulfilling experience writing and recording every song on this project and it all truly comes from the heart. I’m excited to share the new music. My hope is to share my passion and convey the same feeling I have when playing music with anyone who appreciates the joy music brings,” said Huna.

At fifteen, Huna released his Oliver-produced debut single, “On The Chase.” The cut ended up serving as the title track to Huna’s debut album, which dropped in 2017. A year later, Brown helmed Huna’s third single, “U Best Believe.” During those formative years, Huna focused on learning the art of record production. His first self-produced disc, “Life of the Party,” released in 2020 followed a year later by “Life of the Party Volume II.” Both projects spawned radio singles and airplay, which helped Huna’s audience multiply. The saxman continued to keep the company of genre stars by performing with Peter White, Rick Braun, Marc Antoine, Brian Simpson, and Eric Darius, and hit the stage at the Newport Beach Jazz Festival, Catalina JazzTrax Festival, and Brian Culbertson’s Napa Valley Jazz Getaway.

Outside of jazz, Huna frequently performs alongside folk/rock singer-songwriters Al Stewart, Ambrosia, John Ford Coley, and Walter Egan.

To pre-save “Just Right,” go to https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/chasehuna1/just-right-2?utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=Email+&utm_source=SendGrid. 

For more information, please visit https://www.chasehuna.com.

LEGENDARISCHE DRUMMER LIBERTY DEVITTO CONCENTEERT MET THE BILLY JOEL EXPERIENCE IN ANTWERPEN

Al de grootste hits, classics en minder bekende pareltjes van Billy Joel in één onvergetelijk concert!

18 juni 2025 – Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen

Liberty DeVitto, de legendarische drummer van Billy Joel, komt op 18 juni 2025 naar Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen. Samen met de gelauwerde tributeband The Billy Joel Experience zal DeVitto de onvergetelijke muziek van Billy Joel nieuw leven inblazen tijdens dit exclusieve optreden in België.

Het belooft een unieke samenwerking te worden, waarbij DeVitto's kenmerkende drumgrooves en knallende energie Joels rijke oeuvre nóg authentieker en intenser doen klinken. Samen met het getalenteerde team van The Billy Joel Experience, onder leiding van Alexander Broussard, zullen hits als ‘Piano Man’, ‘She’s Always A Woman’, ‘Uptown Girl’, ‘Goodnight Saigon’, ‘We Didn’t Start The Fire’, ‘Honesty’, andere klassiekers die zich in ons collectieve geheugen genesteld hebben en minder bekende pareltjes, met het grootste respect gebracht worden.

Een avond vol energie, virtuoos pianospel en die onmiskenbare, unieke drumpartijen van grootmeester DeVitto kondigt zich aan. Een unieke kans voor elke fan van Billy Joel en liefhebber van onvervalste popmuziek. 

Reserveer snel je tickets voor dit onvergetelijke concert via billyjoelexperience.nl

Over Liberty DeVitto:

Als drummer was Liberty DeVitto meer dan 30 jaar lang bepalend voor het iconische geluid van Billy Joel. Zijn stijl is te horen op talloze hits die wereldwijd meer dan 160 miljoen keer zijn verkocht. DeVitto's drumspel is onmiskenbaar van enorme invloed geweest op de popmuziek. Als sessiemuzikant mag hij ook nog namen als Paul McCartney, Carly Simon, Karen Carpenter, Stevie Nicks, Rick Wakeman en Meat Loaf op zijn cv zetten.

Over The Billy Joel Experience en Alexander Broussard: 

The Billy Joel Experience heeft zich de afgelopen jaren bewezen als dé ultieme Billy Joel tributeband. Ze toeren met groot succes in de Nederlandse theaters, op poppodia en festivals. In 2022 stond The Billy Joel Experience in ZiggoDome Amsterdam, nadat ze één van de winnaars waren van het populaire programma ‘The Tribute - Battle of The Bands’ van SBS6.

Alexander Broussard is het brein achter The Billy Joel Experience. Als veelzijdig pianist, zanger en entertainer heeft hij zich ontpopt tot één van de meest getalenteerde artiesten van de Lage Landen. Zijn passie voor Billy Joels muziek en eigen muzikale kwaliteiten maken van elk optreden een memorabele belevenis.

Tickets voor ‘Liberty DeVitto ft. The Billy Joel Experience’ op woensdag 18 juni 2025 in Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen zijn nu verkrijgbaar via billyjoelexperience.nl

PUBLIEKSLIEVELING TINA BRIDE PAKT NA 20 JAAR UIT MET DE OPVALLENDE NIEUWE SINGLE ‘HAPPY FACE’

Afgelopen zomer was Tina Bride, het alter ego van de Truiense Kim Poelmans, één van de opmerkelijke gasten in ‘Tien om te Zien’. Met de catchy pop-dance song ‘Get To You’  brak Tina in 2001 meteen door bij het grote publiek. Daarna scoorde ze hits met o.a. ‘Perfect Love’, ‘Mr. Sun’ en het heerlijke ‘Don’t Give Up’, songs die je ook terugvindt op haar debuutalbum ‘The Bride Side of Life’. 

Na haar succesverhaal in de vroege nillies, pakt de goedlachse artieste met de bandana met nieuwe muziek weer de draad op. Met ‘Happy Face’ horen we een eigentijdse sound die je terecht associeert met de levenslustige, volwassen artieste die haar guitigheid niet is verloren. 

“’Happy Face’ klinkt inderdaad als een catchy oorwurm”, zegt Tina lachend. “De song gaat over de complexiteit van een verbroken relatie, maar zonder dat iemand daar de schuld voor krijgt.” Met haar typerende stem raakt Tina Bride je nog steeds en moedigt ze met haar nieuwe single iedereen aan om de schoonheid van de liefde te omarmen. 

Bij het begin van het nieuwe jaar is Tina Bride klaar om weer boeiende hoofdstukken toe te voegen aan haar indrukwekkende carrière. De videoclip van ‘Happy Face’ werd opgenomen in Miami, de plek die ze in haar hart draagt en waar ze voluit genoot van het leven en de vrijheid. 

De fans kunnen zich voorbereiden op de terugkeer van Tina Bride die zowel nostalgie, maar ook stevige vernieuwing uitrolt. Tina is back met nieuwe muziek, maar staat ook klaar om weer voluit te gaan optreden. “Neen, het is niet eenmalig. Integendeel. Samen met mijn producer-ontdekker Marc Cortens heb ik zin in het nieuwe avontuur. Meer dan ooit besef ik dat optreden en songs delen met je publiek misschien wel de mooiste dingen zijn die er bestaan.” ‘Happy Face’ maakte Bride samen met producer Marc Cortens en is het eerste van meer nieuwe songs die eraan komen. “Met meer dan 3000 YouTube-views voor de videoclip van ‘Happy Face’ in nauwelijks 24 uur en een massa reacties op sociale media is het duidelijk dat er veel mensen blij zijn met mijn nieuwe muziek. Ja, dat raakt mij op een warme, positieve manier en motiveert mij nog meer om er keihard voor te gaan.”