The inspiring debut single that he wrote with Grammy nominated producer Nate Harasim honors his wife’s courageous battle with breast cancer.
Last October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, R&B/jazz saxophonist Nick Stone’s wife, Jill, was diagnosed with breast cancer. As she fearlessly embarked on the journey to healing by undergoing extensive treatments that are still ongoing, Stone stood by her side in awe of her endless positivity and undaunted outlook. Her towering courage inspired Stone’s debut single, “Standing Strong,” which he wrote with Grammy nominated producer Nate Harasim (Dave Koz, Darren Rahn, Nils). The Sax-Ed Records release is out now and is presently collecting playlist adds.
“Standing Strong” is an optimistic and energizing tune powered by Stone’s impassioned alto sax leads. The invigorating melodies and high-tempo groove constructed by Harasim (piano, Rhodes, synths, guitar, and programmed drums and bass) is bolstered by Jimmy Smith’s trumpet. 29-time Billboard chart topper Darren Rahn mixed the track.
When the couple received the cancer diagnosis, Jill took the news in stride, determined to fight the disease valiantly while Stone turned to music as an outlet to express his feelings. He entered the studio with Harasim to craft a song that was purposely positive.
“Nate (Harasim) and I talked about it a lot and when we were approaching what we wanted to do with the song, I kept saying how amazing it was to me how nothing really ever phases Jill, that she just ‘stands strong’ in the face of adversity. That's how the song came to be. It's how the melody, bridge, chorus, and how everything was built,” said the Detroit-based Stone who premieres as a solo artist and has a long history of playing and touring with R&B/pop superstars Ne-Yo and Charlie Wilson.
Stone’s fervent pursuit of Harasim as producer and collaborator is another storyline. After earning a Grammy nomination for his work on Dave Koz’s “Hello Tomorrow” album and collecting multiple Billboard No. 1 singles, Harasim retired from music. Stone persistently and tenaciously approached Harasim over a five-year span, attempting to lure him back into the game, but the producer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist declined. However, after doing a deep dive into Stone’s work and seeing the saxophonist’s soulful artistic expression and unique musical voice, he agreed. Harasim is producing Stone’s debut album, which is expected to drop early next year.
As the one-year anniversary of Jill’s diagnosis approaches, Stone is hopeful for her return to full health after watching her endure taxing cancer treatments.
“She's now in her final phases of treatment and is about to leave the cancer behind: ‘Standing Strong.’”
For more information, visit https://www.nickstonesax.com.
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