Multimedia artist Belton Mouras, Jr. is a “Dynamo” on his new jazz single featuring GRAMMY® nominee Gerald Albright and Emmy winner Tony Saunders #jazz #music

Multimedia artist Belton Mouras, Jr. was composing music for an explosive scene from his upcoming feature film, Fingers: The Vegan Zombie Musical, when he realized the song deserved to be released as a standalone single. The pianist, keyboardist, and composer brought in nine-time GRAMMY® nominee Gerald Albright to play saxophone and two-time Emmy winner Tony Saunders to play bass on “Dynamo,” the vibrant and vigorous new Belton Mouras Entertainment single that is already collecting radio and playlist adds.

 

“Dynamo” warms its engines with Mouras, Jr.’s flickering keyboard and piano phrases before the beat kicks in, quickly ramping the track up to full throttle. As Albright’s sax and Saunders’s elastic basslines join, “Dynamo” rockets under the propulsion of Mouras, Jr.’s percussive drum programming. His fingers dance nimbly over the piano keys intertwined with Albright’s impassioned and unrestrained horn play. Hurtling toward its climax, the track surges with the energy of a thrill ride. Touching back down to earth, “Dynamo” concludes with a slow, deliberate fade.

 

“‘Dynamo’ was always meant to express a sudden, dynamic burst of energy. That explosive feeling is where the song title came from. It began while I was working on a film scene that needed something urgent and kinetic, but as the music evolved it took on a life of its own—becoming a driving, beat-forward groove that felt too powerful for the scene and perfect as a standalone track,” said the Sacramento-based Mouras, Jr. He also praised the contributions made by his guest stars.

 

“Tony Saunders’ catchy, propulsive bass instantly gave the song its pulse, and Gerald Albright’s beautifully expressive sax lines sent the track into orbit. The real magic was the conversation between my keyboards, Tony’s bass, and Gerald’s sax— like electricity dancing between the players. ‘Dynamo’ is pure motion and momentum.”

 

Mouras, Jr. has released a half-dozen charting singles in recent years, most of which are contemporary jazz instrumentals that incorporate R&B, funk, and Latin rhythms. His most recent outing, “Get It,” is a Latin-infused dance featuring Saunders and trumpeter Steve Roach, the latter of whom also features on “Keep Rollin’.” “Under My Skin” is a theatrical vocal and flute dalliance showcasing Mouras, Jr. in a swoon with Billboard chart-topper Althea Rene. The single spent twenty weeks on the Billboard and Mediabase charts.

 

Last fall, Mouras, Jr. released a captivating single with an accompanying video titled “What A World (We Live In)” that previews Fingers: The Vegan Zombie Musical. It’s a vocal number that opens the film with an elaborately choreographed scene featuring 25 dancers. The song’s message is how disconnected society has become — a world of phone‑fixated zombies. Production on the feature film shooting in Sacramento is expected to resume next month with the goal of a Halloween release date.  

 

Mouras, Jr.’s film work—from his Amazon Prime‑premiering debut Mickey’s Tree to the cult‑favorite short Fingers: The World’s First Vegan Zombie and its lively music‑and‑dance breakout “Step Step Step”—has collectively drawn more than 2.5 million views on YouTube. Written, directed, scored, and performed by Mouras, Jr., these projects have built the groundswell leading to the upcoming feature film Fingers: The Vegan Zombie Musical.

 

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

 

Watch “What A World (We Live In)” here: https://youtu.be/SHWaNonj5E0.

 

 

 

ABOUT BELTON MOURAS ENTERTAINMENT:

 

Belton Mouras Entertainment (BME) is dedicated to passionate storytelling through music, film, and art. Founded by screenwriter, director, composer, and painter Belton Mouras, Jr., the Sacramento, California-based company has produced acclaimed short films such as Fingers: The World’s First Vegan Zombie and Mickey’s Tree. BME’s projects blend humor, heart, and social commentary, with accompanying soundtracks and singles that have charted and reached audiences worldwide. For more information, please visit https://beltonmourasentertainment.com.

 

Soul Jazz saxophonist Reggie Codrington turns resilience into uplift on Nelson Braxton–produced single “Don’t Look Back” #jazz #music

Soul-Jazz saxophonist Reggie Codrington’s life continues to be impacted by the Ataxic Cerebral Palsy (ACP) that required him to have nine surgeries by the time he turned 13. Despite the pain, stiffness, and numerous other physical challenges that make daily living for him difficult as he approaches age 60, Codrington is hopeful, optimistic, and forward-looking — a mindset that shapes his new single, “Don’t Look Back,” already earning airplay and playlist adds.

 

ACP is a chronic condition affecting muscle coordination and depth perception. After learning to read music and other musical fundamentals at age five, Codrington couldn’t physically play an instrument. Surgeons cut and transferred muscles in his arm to improve finger dexterity. His desire to play music didn’t dissipate.

 

A few years later, Codrington’s parents drilled a mantra into his head: find a way. His father, trumpeter Ray Codrington, a professional musician who performed with Little Richard, Gladys Knight, Jackie Wilson, and appears on the Godfather soundtrack, found a way for his son when he bought a small, curved saxophone that enabled Reggie’s rigid and encumbered fingers to play the instrument.

 

In ninth grade, Reggie Codrington was kicked out of the high school band and told by the teacher to find something else to do. As a music major at Howard University, a professor told him to consider another career choice, saying there’s no way he would become a professional because of his lack of speed and dexterity caused by the neurological disorder. Codrington took the admonitions as a challenge and never missed a note.

 

“When God takes something away from you, He gives you something else. In my case, God gave me a special tone. It’s a warm sound that comes through when I play my sax. Just because you can play fast with dexterity doesn’t mean you have something special or more to say (musically). My unique tone is my gift, and it enables me to make a living as a musician,” said Codrington, who plays alto, tenor, and soprano sax on “Don’t Look Back.”

  

“Don’t Look Back” is Codrington’s first single produced by Nelson Braxton, who has produced multiple No. 1 Billboard singles as half of the urban-jazz duo The Braxton Brothers. The track is a midtempo R&B groove on which Codrington’s melodic phrasing across multiple horns delivers uplifting harmonies. Braxton handles all the instrumentation aside from sax and plays a nifty mid-tune guitar solo that provides contrast with its lyrical tone and fleet-footed pacing.  

 

“‘Don't Look Back’ came from a conversation with my mom and it is a testament to overcoming obstacles and trials. If you are going to move forward in life, you cannot afford to dwell on the past. You can’t move forward if you’re looking back,” said Codrington, whose ever-present smile can almost be heard when he plays his saxophone.

 

“After experiencing many disappointments, I had days where I found myself reflecting on negative things. I realized it’s okay to have a bad day but just don't stay there. Be thankful for the things that we do have. Our attitude determines our altitude.”

 

The new single previews Codrington’s forthcoming album The Ray Codrington Signature Series, inspired by memories of his late father. He has already released three singles from the project: “Joy In The Midst,” “Three Shades of Blue,” and “Lights.”

 

Born and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where he still makes his home, Reggie Codrington debuted as a recording artist with 1990’s Never Let You Go album. To date, he has recorded 11 albums and five singles that have received global airplay. Codrington has collaborated in the studio with GRAMMY® winner Jeff Lorber, GRAMMY® nominee Paul Jackson Jr., and Billboard chart-topper Nils. In concert, he has opened for Ramsey Lewis, Charlie Wilson, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Peabo Bryson, Kenny Lattimore, Kim Waters, and Kevin Toney. In 2012, Codrington was invited to perform at one of the inaugural balls for President Barack Obama.

 

Codrington has a daily gratitude practice and lives by what he calls The Five P’s: Prayer, Preparation, Persistence, Patience, and Pay Day. A breakthrough moment in his journey came with a realization he had when he was a young musician.

 

“When I was learning to play, despite all my physical struggles, I realized that I didn’t have to play like John Coltrane. I don’t have to be the next Miles Davis. I only have to be the best Reggie Codrington that I can be. That moment was freeing and it’s what inspires me every time that I play sax.”

 

For more information, visit www.reggiecodringtonmusic.com.

 

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