Pianist Michael Dulin offers the gifts of jazz, soul, and spirituality to "We Three Kings" #jazz #music

His new version of the Christmas classic is available now accompanied by a video.

             

While the three Wise Men bestowed gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, pianist Michael Dulin is gifting the globe this holiday season with jazz, soul, and spirituality on his new version of the Christmas standard, “We Three Kings.” The Equity Digital single release available now from all digital service providers completes the slate of diverse recordings this year from the Juilliard-trained Dulin spanning solo piano, contemporary jazz, and inspirational music.    

 

In Dulin’s prodigious hands, “We Three Kings,” written in 1857 by John Henry Hopkins Jr., is a swinging and soulful sojourn rife with resplendent and resonant piano. Illuminating Dulin’s fresh arrangement is a decorated ensemble of musicians. The Nashville-based rhythm section consists of four-time Academy of Country Music Bass Player of the Year nominee Alison Prestwood (Peter Frampton, George Benson, Vince Gill) and two-time winner of the Academy of Country Music Studio Recording Award for Drummer of the Year Greg Morrow (Blake Shelton, Joe Bonamassa, Kacey Musgraves). The tinsel is provided by Scott McDavid’s strings, adding luster to the backdrop.

 

“I’ve always loved ‘We Three Kings’ for its beauty and mystery. It’s not just a carol – it’s a journey. ‘We Three Kings’ has that perfect mix of mystery and groove. I wanted to take something ancient and timeless and make it shimmer in a modern, contemporary jazz setting. Christmas, to me, is about connection — with our past, our loved ones, and something larger than ourselves. If this track can light a candle in someone’s heart, then I’ve done my job,” said Dulin who also released a video for the single (https://youtu.be/uSwOaoAIu2M).

 

Dulin follows his creative muse, which has produced a variety of recordings this year, a trend boding to continue next year. Last March, he dropped “Shimmer and Fade,” a stunning solo piano piece knitting swatches of jazz, classical, and ambient new age. In September, Dulin issued his first contemporary jazz single, “Slow Burn.” On it, Dulin paints borderless, genre-crossing sonicscapes, in this case a passion-infused romp exploring contemporary jazz and Latin rhythms. After celebrating the holidays at home in Birmingham, Alabama, Dulin will head to Nashville to record four new country songs in January. His next contemporary jazz single is slated for release in February.

 

A common thread sewn throughout Dulin’s twelve album catalog of contemporary instrumental and classical music projects is his ability to communicate and connect on an emotional level with listeners via his compositions and piano. His piano work is known for being masterful, evocative, and lushly harmonic. Dulin’s debut recording, “The One I Waited For,” was released in 2003. He’s won two Lifestyle Achievement Awards (Best Solo Piano Album and Best Neo-Classical Album) and an EPR Solo Piano Album of the Year award. On stage, Dulin has performed in an array of settings - from solo and with an orchestra to touring with The Temptations.

 

For more information, please visit https://michaeldulin.net.

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Contemporary jazz saxophonist Michael Cates opens up on "Us" #jazz #music

The new album is an intimate collection about his relationship with his wife as she fought for her life.

 

Saxophonist Michael Cates’s new album, “Us,” is a love story with a happy conclusion, yet it could have had a tragic ending. The same day that he and his wife, Judy, celebrated their 29^th wedding anniversary last August, she was diagnosed with a massive tumor on her spinal cord, living inside the spinal canal. A life-saving surgery took place soon after in Dallas. As Judy entered the ICU for the surgery performed by a world-renowned brain and spine surgeon, Cates told her that the album he had been working on would now be titled “Us” and he presented her with the album cover - an image of the two of them kissing. The Sonic Redoubt Entertainment album, which Cates wrote and produced, is out now on all major digital platforms.

 

The day of Judy’s diagnosis, Cates was devasted and struggled to process the very real possibility that he may lose his wife, the partner who believes in him and selflessly stood by him for over thirty years while he pursued his music career. Seeking solace in his recording studio, Cates wrote “Judith Lorraine,” the new single from “Us” that will begin collecting playlist adds and airplay on November 17.

 

“I told Judy that this is a song of power and great healing and the gates of hell better get out of my way because I had it on Divine authority that the Lord Himself had inspired me through prayer to transcribe what he planted into my consciousness when writing this song for her. As we entered the hospital for this terribly difficult surgery, I knew she was going to come out of it healthy. And the song played on in my head, and her head and heart, too,” said Cates who brought in Billboard hitmaker Blake Aaron to co-produce and mix “Judith Lorraine.” 

 

Cates wrote most of the music for his fourth solo album prior to Judy’s life-altering diagnosis. Writing “Judith Lorraine” the day of her diagnosis, he wrote “Recovered” in the ICU post-surgery.

 

“I lived in the ICU with Judy as she healed from the surgery. ‘Recovered’ is full of joy and you can feel it in the production,” said Cates about the celebratory track that opens the album.

 

“Us” is a dynamic collection of a dozen R&B, funk, contemporary jazz, blues, and pop cuts. GRAMMY-winning keyboardist Jon Gilutin co-produced three tracks with Cates (“Your Shadow,” “Summer Breeze,” and “South 45”) and GRAMMY® nominated keyboardist Rob Mullins wrote and co-produced “Here In My Heart.” Cates’s inspired and impassioned alto and tenor saxophone is supported on the album by Gilutin and Mullins’s keyboards, guitarists Randy Jacobs, Paul Pesco, and Todd Parsnow; bassist Larry Antonino, and drummer Sergio Gonzalez. Cates also plays guitar on the album.

 

Last summer before Judy’s health scare, Cates dropped a single, “77 Hours,” to preview the album. The song was submitted for a GRAMMY® nomination as Best Instrumental Composition.

 

The album’s lone remake, Seals & Croft’s “Summer Breeze,” is a sensory memory tied to when Cates first met his wife. He reimagines the song as a romantic ballad.

 

“The song lyrics about jasmine always represents an image of beauty to me. Whenever I smell jasmine, I’m instantly back in Irvine meeting Judy in a parking lot near John Wayne Airport. We were near some jasmine that night and the song’s lyrical association made me want to record this song, which I do love,” shared Cates who splits his time between living in California and Texas.

 

Growing up in New Jersey, Cates’s breakthrough came after moving to Los Angeles and winning a recurring role as “the saxophonist” for five seasons on David E. Kelly’s Emmy Award-winning television series “Ally McBeal.” To date, Cates has released four albums, a pair of EPs, and singles that consistently hit the national charts. As a concert performer, he’s played major US and international jazz festivals and renowned venues. Cates has performed with or shared the stage with Jennifer Lopez, Elton John, Barry White, Joe Sample, Tina Turner, and Mariah Carey, among others.     

 

Two weeks after Judy’s surgery, the Cates’ found out that the tumor was benign. Relieved, her recovery continues as Cates’s album offering arrives.

 

“Before we could even wake from the nightmare, it was over, and we were home again. It all happened so fast,” Cates said before getting emotional.

 

“Judy has given me thirty years and asked for nothing. For many tens of thousands of nonrefundable hours, my wife has sacrificed her years and her comfort to let me continue to compete as a recording artist. I gave her ‘Us,’ an album that is entirely about her and our life together. In comparison, that’s not much, but it is all I have. I poured every ounce of me into this group of twelve tracks – for her.” 

 

“Us” contains the following songs:

 

“Recovered”

“Vibes”

“Here In My Heart”

“All Saxed Up”

“Her Dangerous Touch”

“Judith Lorraine”

“Go”

“77 Hours”

“Your Shadow”

“Classified”

“Summer Breeze”

“South 45”

 

 

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

Pianist Kayla Waters Releases “Anew”, tomorrow #music #jazz

Yamaha Artist & Billboard #1 Jazz Piano Sensation
Kayla Waters
Starts Anew on
Shanachie Entertainment Recording Available Everywhere November 7th

Waters’ New Single LUSH Available Everywhere Today!!

“The piano is my heartbeat—my inner rhythm of life!” confides Yamaha and Billboard #1 Jazz pianist, producer and composer Kayla Waters whose name prophetically means “keeper of the keys.” “I am truly a pianist that paints with her fingers. It’s how I musically paint life’s experiences….” The stunningly beautiful and dynamic Maryland native has shared the stage with icons Stevie Wonder and Patrice Rushen, as well as with R&B singers Marsha Ambrosius and Corinne Bailey Rae, among numerous others. If art reflects an artist’s inner world, then Kayla Waters’ new recording, Anew (November 7, 2025), is a powerful testament to her ambitions to use music as a force for good. “My faith and my music are intimately intertwined! There’s no way I can separate it, God speaks to me through nature, and He gingerly speaks through the music I’ve been blessed to write!” shares the pianist. “This level of confidence comes with an immense amount of time spent in prayerful worship and coves of quietude. I am thankful for this fruitful work and pray I continue to inspire others who may want to fuse their faith into their creations!” Waters holds the distinction of being the first jazz pianist to hold a #1 spot for six consecutive weeks on the Jazz chart. She has scored five #1 Billboard hits to her credit. “I’ve been blessed to be able to stand my own ground and inhabit space as a thriving artist in this arena!” shared the pianist whose diverse list of influences include George Duke, Keith Jarrett, Frederic Chopin, Maurice Ravel and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Shanachie Entertainment · Kayla Waters – Lush

As an artist Kayla Waters is deeply inspired by nature. The music featured on Anew, her fourth recording as a leader and second for Shanachie Entertainment, is a moving sonic wonder of eleven original tracks that conjure images of breath-taking African safaris and towering Icelandic glacier capped peaks, and that reverberates with the harmonies of love and gratitude. Waters affirms, “It’s a musically rich journey that captures the depth of who I am!” Kayla’s unique signature elixir of jazz, classical and soul is a divine combination of all the elements that move her. Anew opens with the album’s first single, “Lush,” a jubilant and percussively playful tune that underscores Kayla’s deft talent as a composer and improvisor. “Obedience” is a sophisticated mid-tempo stunner that showcases her penchant for crafting gorgeous melodies that linger in your mind. It’s also a composition that connects Kayla’s faith and music. “It’s a joy to walk in obedience!” she says. “Personally, it means staying true to my creative, God-given sound while continuously infusing my faith into my artistic offerings. I love that I can be who I am wholeheartedly, with passion and poise!” Anew also showcases the snap-happy and soulful groove of “Bountiful” which demonstrates Kayla’s never-ending well of inspiration as she takes flight with her inspired piano improvisations in this moving song of praise. “God’s love, the newfound love of marriage (shoutout to my husband, Zo!), my creative writing process, and divine opportunities to flourish as an artist have all been bountiful in my life!” reflects the pianist. “In this piece, I use the beauty of creation and earth’s bounty to illustrate the abundance that is flowing sweetly in my life.”

This year Kayla Waters was a featured guest performer on the popular Dave Koz Cruise which sailed to Iceland, The Netherlands and Norway! The song “Snowy Fjords,” was inspired by this epic journey and the dramatic snowy landscapes that Kayla witnessed for the first time. The song opens with the sounds of strings along with harp, tambourine and piano in high octaves to a subtle yet arresting effect. Waters recalls,” My spirit was filled with awe-wonder as I basked in the stunning fjords of Iceland—I’ve never seen anything so beautiful! Snow is also my favorite element, so to write a piece about the snow-capped fjords was a treasure!” Kayla’s father, celebrated chart-topping saxophonist, labelmate and one of the premiere architects of Smooth Urban Jazz, Kim Waters, plays on the track as well as on the sublime and ethereal “Lofty Chambers,” and assisted with the music production and programming on the album.

“It is a gift to have a father that has created a beautiful musical legacy! His unwavering love and relentless pursuit to help me succeed is quite profound—I am forever indebted!” exclaims Kayla who calls herself her father’s “mini me.” “We share the same thought processes as music producers! I love that my dad ‘gets me’ and embraces my sound even though it is different from his. We make a great team as the Waters duo, and I hope we can do this for a very long time!”

The two part-suite “Kayla’s Keys” is a monumental moment on Anew as Kayla opens with an impressionist wonder that transitions to a funky forward-driving and enchanting musical exploration. “The first half alludes to keys opening doors whole the second half ignites musical keys that unlock new ways of creating at the piano,” explains Waters. “There’s an air of mysteriousness and discovery in the first half as I magically weave in and out of musical keys depicting ‘the unlocking’ and a sense of astonishment of what awaits behind ‘new doors’ as the second half begins.” The R&B inflected “Luminous Love” shines a light on Waters’ always tasteful phrasing, melodic genius and harmonic wizardry while the sophisticated “Fragrant Faith” blows in like a cool and steady breeze. The flawlessly orchestrated symphonic and cinematic masterpiece “The Baobab Tree” is a highpoint on Anew. Written in an odd meter, for the tree of life, Waters’ “The Baobab Tree” sonically captures the mysticism, resilience and power of the nutrient rich succulent’s compact crown and broad trunk which miraculously contains its own robust ecosystem. “I love, love, love this song. Written in 11/4, it captures the essence of this unique looking tree,” exclaims Kayla. The Baobab has root-like branches that extend to the sky and a powerful ability to store an immense amount of water in its trunk (alluding to its life-giving nature). This resonates with me as I know I too, am unique by design, planted for faithful works! This tree is also native to Madagascar which resembles the birthmark on my arm.” The Quiet storm R&B flavored “Sweet Honey” is the perfect vehicle for Waters to remind us that she can write and play it all. “I love writing mellifluous music,” shares Howard University alum. “Music that sounds sweet and tastes sweet. This piece pulls on the heartstrings and truly flows like honey! While my husband and I did our album photoshoot in Utah, we found out Utah is the honeybee state which provided even more deeper meaning to the origins.” Waters delivers the perfect finale with her timeless soaring melody on the albums’ dazzling title track.

Kayla Waters made her recording debut, Apogee, in 2017 and catapulted to the top of the Billboard Jazz chart with her single “I Am.” Both the single and album hit Billboard’s year end charts, underscoring her remarkable breakout year. Her sophomore album, Coevolve, followed a year later, and featured two Billboard #1 hits “Zephyr” and “Full Bloom.” The dynamic young artist once again topped the charts in 2021 with her single “Open Portals.” Presence, released in 2023 featured the Billboard #1 “Undulation” and two top five hits “Waterkisses” and “Murky Moon.” With the release of Anew, Kayla concludes, “It is my hope that all who listen will feel a sense of renewal, refreshing, and ponder how they can recreate life as they know it in bountiful ways. I love that the album is releasing in Autumn (one of my favorite seasons), as this is such a pristine time for reflection and peace. I encourage us all to begin Anew.”

Shanachie Entertainment

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Flutist David Crawford offers hope on inspired new single #jazz #music

The accomplished arranger reinvents himself as a leading artist on “Africa Nouveau.”

 

Having arranged songs by R&B legends including Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Mary J. Blige, Bill Withers, Rene & Angela, Bobby Womack, and Confunkshun, flutist David Crawford has begun arranging his own musical legacy with the release of “Africa Nouveau,” the newly released single that he wrote, produced, and performed, which is available now on all digital platforms.

 

For inspiration, Crawford turned to two sources: Africa and Michelle Obama. First, he decided to give the track an African motif using traditional African melodies and musical nuances on his contemporary jazz instrumental. Then, Crawford contemplated the message he wanted to convey. Based on everything that is happening in the US and globally, he decided that people are again in dire need of hope and he turned to Obama. While President Barack Obama ran on a platform of hope, the First Lady’s rousing speech at last year’s Democratic Convention is excerpted as a mid-tune soundbite: “All our contributions deserve to be accepted and valued.”

 

“I wanted to record a song that would be encouraging, empowering, and be a hopeful endeavor for the world at large. Africa, being my ancestral beginnings, was my first inspiration for a new world order,” said Crawford, a Compton, California native who now resides in Las Vegas.

 

With Crawford’s warm and comforting flute confidently guiding the jazzy excursion through African plains, Crawford brought in trumpeter Nolan Shaheed to provide a strong sonic contrast. Shaheed has played with Miles Davis, Buddy Collette, Barbara Morrison, and Earth, Wind & Fire, and on “Africa Nouveau,” he adds masterful muted trumpet that at times leads and at other times intertwines organically with Crawford’s fanciful flute.  

 

“Nolan (Shaheed) is an incredible jazz performer and studio musician. He once was Marvin Gaye’s musical director and is a longtime colleague of mine. Adding his unique instrumental voice to ‘Africa Nouveau’ brings a lot of depth and color to the track,” said Crawford who earned his master’s degree in music at California Institute of the Arts.

 

In addition to his work as an arranger, Crawford is a composer and producer. He produced Vesta Williams’ Billboard R&B top ten single “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” along with multiple tracks by R&B group Woods Empire. Keeping the company of icons, Crawford recorded with Ahmad Jamal and The Temptations and played with Stevie Wonder and Isaac Hayes. In orchestral settings, Crawford has performed with the Afro-American Chamber Music Society Orchestra, Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra, and the Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra.  

 

Crawford plans to drop additional singles before releasing his first album, “Something Borrowed, Something New.”

 

For more information, visit http://screenmusicforme.com and https://www.facebook.com/dcflauta.

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Jazz-Funk bassist Byron Miller gets seductive on "Any Time Any Place" #jazz #music

The new single featuring flutist Ragan Whiteside was produced by GRAMMY® nominated hitmaker Chris “Big Dog” Davis.

 

 Years ago, jazz-funk bassist Byron Miller attended a Janet Jackson concert and one moment stuck with him. When Jackson performed her Billboard No. 1 R&B chart hit “Any Time Any Place,” a male audience member spontaneously ran up on stage. Always in control, Jackson directed him to sit in a chair placed on centerstage. She then sat on his lap seductively and sang the romantic ballad to him. Ever since, Miller wanted to record his own interpretation of the song Jackson wrote with GRAMMY® winners Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for her 1993 “Janet” album. That moment has finally arrived as Miller’s sensual version is currently steaming up radio playlists.

 

Miller’s new single, “Any Time Any Place,” was produced by two-time GRAMMY® nominee Chris “Big Dog” Davis, who handled most of the instrumentation on the track aside from the bassist’s amorously lyrical electric bass pleas. Vocalist Devin Tiana graces the track by singing the song title in the sultry chorus. But the producer felt something was missing: a female caress in the form of Billboard chart-topping flutist Ragan Whiteside.     

 

“Chris (Davis) decided we needed a woman’s touch, and he suggested Ragan (Whiteside). I heard her play on (R&B-jazz vocalist) Kimberly Brewer’s version of the Quincy Jones song ‘If I Ever Lose This Heaven,’ which I produced for Kimberly, and I loved what I heard. Ragan bought a female energy to ‘Any Time Any Place’ that was missing,” said Miller. “I love Janet Jackson’s vocal on the original, which is so vulnerable, and I love the melody of the song, so I decided to record it.”

 

Miller’s “Any Time Any Place” offers a preview of his fifth album that he anticipates releasing in April. He’s consulting on a television project and producing tracks with Davis for a George Duke tribute album. The bassist not only played with Duke, but he’s created the rhythmic pocket for such iconic legends as Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, Santana, Herbie Hancock, Joe Sample, Crusaders, Marvin Gaye, and Roy Ayers.   

 

Titled for his nickname, PsychoBass, Miller’s solo debut album dropped in 2015, which spawned a series. “PsychoBass 2: The Gift” followed in 2018 and “PsychoBass 3: Real Love” was issued in 2022. Earlier this year, the Detroit-native Miller released the aptly titled “PsychoBass 4: Motor City Love.”

 

A long-time bass playing influencer, the Los Angeles-based Miller has two signature basses handcrafted by Michael Tobias Design in his name: 4- and 5-string models in his favorite colors, green and orange.

 

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

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Harpist Mariea Antoinette's chart-topping "Afrika" is her first world music outing #jazz #music

The fusion of African music and contemporary jazz previews her forthcoming “Fierce” album.

 

R&B/Jazz harpist Mariea Antoinette was changed forever during a recent trip to Africa. Inspired by the continent’s elevated energy, rooted wisdom, and historic pain, she was deeply moved by the beauty of the people and children, the vibrant rhythms of the cities, the joy of the markets, the freshness of the food, and the grace of the Indigenous communities. What Antoinette experienced on that visit was far richer and more powerful than what she had ever seen previously about Africa. Upon her return, she connected with her producer and songwriter Allan Phillips to create “Afrika,” her chart-topping single that is being considered for a GRAMMY® nomination for Best Global Music Performance. “Afrika” comes from Antoinette’s fourth album, “Fierce,” which will be released next year.

 

Known for crafting original songs using a unique alchemy of funk, soul, hip-hop, and contemporary jazz as well as for reimagining classic R&B hits, “Afrika” is a new composition and a fresh track that incorporates African sounds, nuances, and percussive rhythms. The lead voice is Antoinette’s celestial yet soulful harp that leads the global expedition through the majestic African plains. Fingering the notes that dance joyfully, she finds an astute balance between delicate and robust, emotional and proud. “Afrika” is a celebration, a homecoming, and a reunion. Adding to the sacred occasion is a vocal chorus that simply singings the word “Afrika.”     

 

“This song is my world anthem—an ode to the birthplace of humanity and a reminder that we are forever connected. As I reflected on the shared struggles of people of African descent, from the blood diamonds of Sierra Leone and the hardships in Congo, to the enduring resilience of African Americans, Afro-South Americans, and even the mistreatment of Aborigines in Australia, my producer and I knew we needed to create a song that embodied connection. ‘Afrika’ carries the heartbeat of humanity itself: its creativity, its intellectual power, its energy, and even the untamed beauty of its wildlife. By honoring and healing Africa, we also honor and heal ourselves,” said Antoinette about the single that was accompanied by a video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-EN_iMhzTc&list=RDf-EN_iMhzTc&start_radio=1). 

 

Along with Phillips who played keyboards and percussion and sang on “Afrika,” Antoinette is joined on the track by drummer Tiki Pasillas, bassist Nathan Brown, guitarist Evan Marks, trumpeter Derek Cannon, tenor saxophonist John Rekevics, trombonist Jordan Morita, the AP All Stars Strings ensemble, and vocalist Natalya Phillips.

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“A GRAMMY® nomination would be a profound honor. I would be excited to know that I was able to bring the harp, an incredibly unique and often overlooked instrument, to the world stage as a lead voice in contemporary music. Through ‘Afrika,’ I feel I’ve accomplished what I set out to do: connect the harp with Africa itself. This piece was inspired by the rhythms, creativity, and spirit of the people, as well as the majesty of the indigenous wildlife. For me, the nomination would symbolize that this vision, uniting tradition, innovation, and cultural storytelling, truly resonated with the world,” said the San Diego-based Antoinette.

 

Antoinette is a visionary and groundbreaking artist who brazenly plies her classical roots to jazz and R&B. Her recordings consistently hit the Billboard charts, and her single “Overture” held the No. 1 spot for a remarkable thirteen weeks. A dynamic and captivating performer, Antoinette has played such prestigious venues as Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl as well as a slew of major jazz festivals. She performed alongside Ne-Yo at the BET Awards and has entertained First Lady Michelle Obama.

 

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

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