R&B/Jazz saxophonist Mekiel Reuben pays homage to two sax legends on "Boney Kirk" #jazz #music

                                 

The new single previews the “Something Like That” album.

 

 

While working on his milestone tenth album, saxophonist Mekiel Reuben reflected back on the seminal saxmen who inspired and influenced his own artistic muse. Grabbing his tenor sax and channeling the soulful R&B and cool contemporary jazz crafted by four-time GRAMMY® nominee Boney James and GRAMMY® winner Kirk Whalum, Reuben’s new single, “Boney Kirk,” has been garnering playlist adds since its MekMuse Records release last month.

 

The US Virgin Islands-based Reuben composed “Boney Kirk,” which was produced by David Vasquez who handled keyboards, synth bass, and percussion. They were flanked by guitarist Mauricio Guerrero Jr. and drummer Phil Martin. Reuben’s longtime team of collaborators features on his forthcoming ten-song project, “Something Like That,” which is tentatively slated for release in March 2025.

 

“I wrote ‘Boney Kirk’ as part of a group of melodies I was working on for the new album. It's a joy thinking about all the musicians and entertainers who had an impact and influence on my music as well as my songwriting, which is a passion of mine. When writing this specific tune, I kept thinking about the style of two great saxophonists, Boney James and Kirk Whalum, and their music, which is always innovative and fresh. I wanted to combine the essence of these two musicians who have always caught my ear. They are legends of jazz, the artists who set the standard, and who always inspire me,” said Reuben who added percussion to the funky midtempo groove filled with the kind of swagger that the song’s namesakes emote.

 

Reuben grew up in Chicago, moved to the Virgin Islands as a teenager, and lived for decades in Los Angeles before returning to reside in the islands in recent years. His 1993 album debut, “Miles Away,” saluted Miles Davis. Reuben’s latest outing was 2023’s “Just Like The Radio,” a setlist composed of tunes influenced by the vintage R&B, funk, jazz, and soul music he listened to on the radio during his formative years from the likes of Sly & The Family Stone, The Jazz Crusaders, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire; Frankie Beverly & Maze, Grover Washington Jr., Archie Bell, Kool & The Gang, and War.

 

A veteran touring musician, Reuben has performed extensively throughout the U.S. and abroad at jazz, blues, and reggae festivals. As a sideman, he performed with Eek-A-Mouse, Ike Turner, The Itals, and Barbara Morrison while as a frontman, he opened for Lenny Williams, Phil Perry, Vesta Williams, Ronnie Laws, The Jazz Crusaders, and Les McCann.  

 

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

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