Contemporary jazz guitarist Ron Bosse teams up with three GRAMMY winners for new single #jazz #music

Hitmaker Paul Brown produced “Look At Us,” which drops on Friday.

 

 

Personal development gurus preach about the power of proximity, which one might say that contemporary jazz guitarist Ron Bosse has taken to heart. The critically-acclaimed fretman teamed up with three GRAMMY® winners – Paul Brown, Shane Theriot, and Brian Bromberg - for his new single, “Look At Us,” which drops on Friday (June 20) from Deep Cat Records.

 

Two-time GRAMMY® winner Brown has produced more than sixty No. 1 singles by Boney James, Luther Vandross, George Benson, Al Jarreau, and many others. While Bosse is primarily known for his fiery and furious fusion guitar tracks featuring his prodigious speed and dexterous technique, Brown played Bosse a song that he wrote with Theriot and Bromberg that slows Bosse down and places his electric jazz guitar into a soulful R&B groove.  

 

“What really attracted me to ‘Look At Us’ is the lyrical nature of the melody. When I think of all the melodies I've played on my albums, many of them are more be-bop, jazz/fusion oriented. On ‘Look At Us,’ I felt that for the first time I was playing a melody as if I were a singer. This was such a beautiful musical setting to be put in. I'm a huge fan of pop, R&B, and rock music, which are primarily vocal driven. I have a lot of experience playing and teaching that music. Therefore, to put myself into that space and really let my guitar sing, it was incredibly inspiring and a totally new context for me. At the same time, despite it being new, I felt like I'd always been there as it was extremely comfortable and satisfying. Having the chance to really focus and communicate a beautiful melody is an immensely powerful, emotive, and expressive artistic experience,” said Bosse about the single that will be serviced to radio and begin collecting playlist adds on July 28.

 

There was another interesting connection to “Look At Us” that piqued Bosse’s attention. Theriot, longtime music director for Hall & Oates, cowrote the song and played bass, keyboards, drums, and rhythm guitar on the track.

 

“When Paul (Brown) presented the song to me, I didn’t know about Shane’s (Theriot) incredible background as a guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. However, I remembered his name from my past but couldn’t quite pinpoint where I knew it from. It finally came to me. When I graduated from Berklee College of Music some 25 years ago, I was profiled in the Spotlight section of Guitar Player magazine, which was a very prestigious recognition and accolade at the time. It then dawned on me that the other guitarist chosen was Shane Theriot! The fact that this connection with Shane ultimately came full circle felt like the universe was telling me that ‘Look At Us’ was meant to be,” recalled Bosse, who Guitar Player magazine selected as an “Outstanding Guitarist” and called him “a master in the making.”

 

In addition to the accolades from Guitar Player magazine, Bosse’s recordings have garnered praise from JazzTimes, DownBeat, and the New York Times. As an innovative artist, musician, and composer, he thrives in collaborative settings, having shared the stage or studio with Norman Brown, Randy Brecker, Mike Stern, Bob Mintzer, MonoNeon, Bob Reynolds, Dave Liebman, Lil’ John Roberts, Gary Novak, and Jerry Bergonzi. Bosse is working on his next album with Paul Brown producing. Look for it in 2026.

 

To preorder “Look At Us,” go to Look At Us by Ron Bosse - DistroKid.

 

For more information, please visit http://www.ronbosse.com.

Best selling smooth jazz at amazon.com
Jazz from Amazon.com

Innervision Records artists spring to the top of two national charts simultaneously #jazz #music

Guitarist Blake Aaron notches his 8^th Billboard No. 1 single the same week flutist Kim Scott goes No. 1 on the Mediabase singles chart. The label signs Smooth Jazz Alley and will release the band’s first single for the imprint next month.

 

It was a first in the 27-year history of Innervision Records, Billboard magazine’s No. 3 Smooth Jazz Label of the Year for five consecutive years. The indie label had two No. 1 singles by two different artists atop two national singles charts, Billboard and Mediabase, concurrently.

Guitarist Blake Aaron landed his eighth Billboard No. 1 single with “Let’s Get Lost” while his labelmate, flutist Kim Scott, took over the No. 1 spot on the Mediabase chart with her single, “Freedom.”

 

“To have two different records from Blake Aaron and Kim Scott at No. 1 on Billboard and No. 1 on Mediabase (respectively) in the same week is a pretty exciting occurrence, which, in my 25-year career as a radio promoter, is a first for me. The fact that these two artists are both on Innervision Records makes it even more special!” said Innervision Records’ A&R and radio promotions executive Adam Leibovitz.

 

Aaron’s “Let’s Get Lost” is an old-school R&B instrumental romancer that highlights his lyrical electric jazz guitar. In addition to summiting the Billboard chart, the single also topped the Radiowave, Smooth Jazz Network, and SmoothJazz.com charts.

 

“I am incredibly honored and grateful for an eighth Billboard No. 1 hit. As artists, sometimes we ask ourselves if our music is really reaching people. I recently performed at a festival in Europe and there was a group of people from New Equatorial Guinea in Africa who traveled all the way to Europe to see me play. They already knew and were singing along to all the melodies of my songs. I had no idea my music even reached New Equatorial Guinea. To receive this wonderful recognition from Billboard and radio, and to know that my music is reaching people on that level is an unbelievable, surreal feeling I will never forget and for which I will always be grateful,” said Aaron who is currently on tour playing shows in The Netherlands and the United Kingdom before returning for concerts in Seal Beach and Carlsbad, California and San Antonio in June.

 

The South African house music-infused beats on “Freedom,” a track produced by hitmaker Greg Manning, backbones Scott’s second consecutive Mediabase No. 1 single. The cut was culled from her recently released album, “Livin’ It Up,” which spawned the hit “Like Butter” featuring chart-topping saxophonist Jeff Ryan.

 

“I’m incredibly honored and grateful that ‘Freedom’ has reached No. 1 on Mediabase. This song is a celebration of resilience, joy, and the power of music to uplift people from all walks of life. Also, the response to my new album, ‘Livin’ It Up,’ has been nothing short of amazing, and I want to thank all the fans, radio programmers, and fellow artists who have supported this journey. It is an honor to create music that touches the world,” said the Birmingham, Alabama-based Scott, who stirs cosmopolitan cocktails of classical and jazz with soulful R&B grooves.

Innervision Records has maintained its foothold at the peak of the genre with savvy artist signings, including their latest, Smooth Jazz Alley. The dynamic Bay Area trio comprised of keyboardist-producer Marco Montoya, drummer-producer Kevin Lewis, and saxophonist Otoe Mori will drop their debut single for the label, “Come On!,” on June 13.

 

“We are excited to be starting this new chapter with Innervision Records. We are looking forward to working with their talented team and releasing new music soon. ‘Come On!’ was built for the stage. It’s a track that was born from the desire to create something irresistibly fun for live shows to energize our audiences. What started as a simple idea during a spontaneous session quickly evolved, with one groove leading to the next. It’s a smooth jazz groove with contagious momentum that was built to light up the stage and keep the energy flowing,” the band said in a joint statement.

 

“We’re excited to have Smooth Jazz Alley join the Innervision roster this year and look forward to releasing their new radio single, ‘Come On!.’ Smooth Jazz Alley brings a refreshing approach to smooth jazz and will make a great addition to the mix of artists on Innervision Records,” said Innervision Records’ general manager Steve Belkin, who presides over a busy spring and summer release schedule populated by new singles from Pat Petrillo “(Summer in Philly”), Rick Habana (“Take You Home”), Richard Smith (“Jumpstart”), JJ Sansaverino (“Keep your Head Up” featuring Lin Rountree), Alex Crown (“Hidden Path”), and Dean James (“Kings & Queens”).

 

Innervision Records has curated a diverse roster of recording artists who craft contemporary jazz, R&B, and world music that consistently impacts the Billboard, Mediabase, Groove Jazz, Radiowave, and multiple smooth jazz charts. For more information, please visit www.innervisionrecords.com. 

Best selling smooth jazz at amazon.com
Jazz from Amazon.com

New Album Release from Taj Mahal & Keb' Mo' 'Room On The Porch' on Concord Records /#blues #music

WITH THEIR SINGLE "BETTER THAN EVER" FEAT. WENDY MOTEN   AMERICAN MUSIC MASTERS REUNITE TO “REMIND US WHEN TIMES ARE DARK, MUSIC CAN BRING COMMUNITY, LOVE, AND HOPE” (WNYC)   PERFORMANCE THIS WEEK AT NEW YORK CITY’S LEGENDARY TOWN HALL (MAY 28) KICKS OFF THE DUO’S 2025 ‘TAJMO’ TOUR   Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ have released Room On The Porch, an album that celebrates inclusivity, togetherness and the deep African imprint on American roots music. “The porch is a metaphor for a perfect world - with the kind of smiles like those between the two of them on the cover,” said MIX Magazine in a recent front-page profile. Room On The Porch also marks the first time these two legends have teamed up in nearly a decade (since 2017’s TajMo), bringing 10 GRAMMY Awards between them - and catalogs that have left an undeniable mark on American music. "I certainly can't imagine my life without your songs as the soundtrack," said Tavis Smiley to Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ during a recent interview about the new album. The album was also featured in NPR Music's New Music Friday.   Room On The Porch features more original co-written tracks between the two American music masters than ever before, while also featuring trailblazing collaborators like John Oates and two-time GRAMMY ‘Song Of The Year’ nominee Ruby Amanfu. Wendy Moten joins Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ on their radio single “Better Than Ever” which includes a special behind-the-scenes music video. For the TajMo duo though, there was one collaboration that felt particularly moving: “We had our sons in there playing with us and all the other musicians and writers were hanging the whole time,” remembers Keb’ Mo’. “So it was a really fun place to be.” The results, as MOJO described them in a four-star review, are “a perfect mix of expertise and lightness of touch.”

This ten-song collection from Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ encapsulates why “each of them is a standard-bearer in the genre-bending world of folk, blues, soul, and Americana” (Billboard) -- but, as Taj points out, these styles are all deeply tied together by their shared roots. “If you take the African imprint out of Western music for the last 500 years, there’s almost nothing left,” he says. “As much as it might feel like we’re touching on all these different genres, the way I see it, we’re just connecting with the music of our ancestors and their influence on what’s happening now.”    Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ will also bring their TajMo live show back on the road this summer--celebrating Room On The Porch to over a dozen cities across the United States. Live dates kicked off with a special appearance at the Grand Ole Opry (joined by Ruby Amanfu) on album release day (May 23) ahead of their first headline show together at New York’s Town Hall on May 28. The pair were surprised on The Opry stage with a Proclamation from Nashville's Mayor declaring May 23, 2025 as "TajMo Day"!

For more information visit: https://www.tajblues.com/tour and http://kebmo.com/   TajMo 2025 Tour Dates: 5/28 - New York, NY - The Town Hall 5/30 - Sidney, ME - Bowl In The Pines 5/31 - Hammondsport, NY - The Pavilion at Point of the Bluff Vineyards 6/1 – Hyannis, MA – Cape Cod Melody Tent 6/3 – Concord, NH – Capitol Center for the Arts – Chubb Theatre 6/4 - South Deerfield, MA - Summer Stage at Tree House Brewing 6/6 - Bensalem, PA - Xcite Center at Parx Casino 6/7 - Selbyville, DE - Freeman Arts Pavilion 6/8 - Vienna, VA - Wolf Trap, Filene Center 6/10 - Huber Heights, OH - Rose Music Center at The Heights 6/12 - Grand Rapids, MI - Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park 6/13 - Interlochen, MI - Interlochen Center for the Arts 6/14 - Highland Park, IL - Ravinia Festival 6/15 - Detroit, MI - Masonic Cathedral Theatre   Taj Mahal: Instagram  | Facebook Keb' Mo': Instagram  | Facebook

# Artist and Track Title Time 1. Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo' - Better Than Ever feat. Wendy Moten 05:04 2. Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo' - Room On The Porch feat. Ruby Amanfu 04:05 3. Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo' - My Darling My Dear 03:58 4. Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo' - Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out 03:42 5. Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo' - She Keeps Me Movin’ 04:02 6. Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo' - Make Up Your Mind 04:40 7. Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo' - Thicker Than Mud 04:38 8. Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo' - Junkyard Dog 04:21 9. Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo' - Blues’ll Give You Back Your Soul 04:47 10. Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo' - Rough Time Blues 04:30

Best selling smooth jazz at amazon.com
Jazz from Amazon.com

A Memorial Day Worth Remembering #memorialday #jazz #music

Andy Rooney On How Memorial Day Should Be Celebrated

The following is a weekly 60 Minutes commentary by CBS News Correspondent Andy Rooney.

"There is more bravery at war than in peace, and it seems wrong that we have so often saved this virtue to use for our least noble activity - war. The goal of war is to cause death to other people."



Tomorrow is Memorial Day, the day we have set aside to honor by remembering all the Americans who have died fighting for the thing we like the most about our America: the freedom we have to live as we please.

No official day to remember is adequate for something like that. It's too formal. It gets to be just another day on the calendar. No one would know from Memorial Day that Richie M., who was shot through the forehead coming onto Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, wore different color socks on each foot because he thought it brought him good luck.

No one would remember on Memorial Day that Eddie G. had promised to marry Julie W. the day after he got home from the war, but didn’t marry Julie because he never came home from the war. Eddie was shot dead on an un-American desert island, Iwo Jima.

For too many Americans, Memorial Day has become just another day off. There's only so much time any of us can spend remembering those we loved who have died, but the men, boys really, who died in our wars deserve at least a few moments of reflection during which we consider what they did for us.

They died.

We use the phrase "gave their lives," but they didn’t give their lives. Their lives were taken from them.

There is more bravery at war than in peace, and it seems wrong that we have so often saved this virtue to use for our least noble activity - war. The goal of war is to cause death to other people.

Because I was in the Army during World War II, I have more to remember on Memorial Day than most of you. I had good friends who were killed.

Charley Wood wrote poetry in high school. He was killed when his Piper Cub was shot down while he was flying as a spotter for the artillery.

Bob O'Connor went down in flames in his B17.

Obie Slingerland and I were best friends and co-captains of our high school football team. Obie was killed on the deck of the Saratoga when a bomb that hadn’t dropped exploded as he landed.

I won’t think of them anymore tomorrow, Memorial Day, than I think of them any other day of my life.

Remembering doesn’t do the remembered any good, of course. It's for ourselves, the living. I wish we could dedicate Memorial Day, not to the memory of those who have died at war, but to the idea of saving the lives of the young people who are going to die in the future if we don’t find some new way - some new religion maybe - that takes war out of our lives.

That would be a Memorial Day worth celebrating.

Written By Andy Rooney © MMV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This segment was originally broadcast on May 29, 2005.

Soul-Jazz saxophonist Reggie Codrington finds "Joy in the Midst" of challenges #jazz #music

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

 

 

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.

Best selling smooth jazz at amazon.com
Jazz from Amazon.com

Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 100 - May 19, 2025 #jazz #music

Smooth Jazz Chart 

This chart from smoothjazz.com generally updates every Monday. 

This post will be repeated with the most recent link when it updates. 

Click here to view the smoothjazz.com chart for this week

Best selling smooth jazz at amazon.com 

Jazz from Amazon.com

Mindi Abair's New CD Based On A True Story Drops June 13, 2025 #jazz #music

Acclaimed saxophonist, vocalist, and songwriter Mindi Abair is set to release her most personal and genre-defying album to date, Based On a True Story, on June 13, 2025, via her label, Pretty Good For A Girl Records. This will be her 14^th solo album. 

Based On a True Story is a bold, modern album that blends sleek pop production with the timeless soul of retro grooves. Inspired by Mindi’s real-life journey, this deeply personal collection of songs conveys moments, memories, and emotions through music. 

Mindi said, “My life over the past few years has felt like a fairy tale. I created WineandJazz.com with my husband Eric, and we now take people around the world to beautiful destinations where we immerse in the culture, the food, the wine and of course the music. These experiences have shaped me and expanded my mind in so many ways. This record and these songs are a direct reflection of this beautiful journey.”

Produced by multi-platinum producer/songwriter Wayne Rodrigues and Contemporary Jazz powerhouse Mindi Abair, and mixed by Grammy-winning engineer Tony Maserati, the album is rich with lush arrangements and heartfelt storytelling. With special guest appearances by legendary bassist Marcus Miller, R&B icon Kenny Lattimore, keyboard virtuoso Bobby Lyle, hit-maker vocalist Delisha Thomas and rising star Arthur Thompson, Based On a True Story is a genre-blending experience—pop-driven with Contemporary Jazz and Soul undercurrents—that’s as authentic as it is unforgettable.

“Wayne Rodrigues and I have been close friends for nearly 25 years, and he’s long been one of my favorite collaborators. A powerhouse Grammy nominated producer and songwriter whose credits include legends like Santana, Cher, Jewel, Natasha Bedingfield, Stevie Nicks, and Brian McKnight, Wayne brings a rare combination of heart, soul, and sonic wonderment to everything he touches. Together, we've co-written songs that appeared on my CDs In Hi Fi Stereo, Forever, and No Good Deedwith Mindi Abair and The Boneshakers—but I’ve always dreamed of making a full album with him. Now, that dream has come to life. This project has been deeply inspiring: a chance to open up creatively and produce a body of work rooted in my own journey, shaped sonically to tell those stories with authenticity and soul. Nearly every track was written together, making this not only an artistic endeavor but a true testament to our friendship,” Mindi stated.

The album opens with “Day Dreaming,” a floating, groove-laced escape where Mindi’s saxophone floats effortlessly, like sunlight streaming through sheer curtains on a lazy afternoon. It’s a gentle invitation to let go, exhale, and simply be. “A Thousand Miles” follows with a sultry, road-trip-ready rhythm—a sophisticated pulse that beckons you to chase something, or someone, far away. 

“Oooh-Aah (Catalina)” is a sun-kissed homage to carefree days on the coast. With a retro vibe and wind-in-your-hair charm, it feels like summer bottled into a song. “The Way That You Love Me” struts in with a funky pop swagger, with shimmering vocals from Delisha Thomas—best known for writing hits for Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, and Justin Bieber. Here, she steps into the spotlight with a high, radiant vocal that’s pure gold. Mindi’s saxophone is sultry and confident, gliding through the track like silk—wrapping the beat in sleek, sexy charm. Together, they create a flirty, infectious vibe that’s as stylish as it is unforgettable.

“3rd Street Promenade” provides a landmark moment between Bobby Lyle and Mindi Abair. Bobby, a true icon of Contemporary Jazz, trades musical lines with Mindi in a hypnotic duet where piano and saxophone weave an effortless conversation—historic, heartfelt, and alive. Mindi and Bobby’s journey began when Lyle first discovered Mindi while she was busking on the streets of Santa Monica. So struck by her sound, he invited her to play on his album that very week. It was a defining moment early in her career, and now, years later, the story comes full circle as Bobby makes his debut on one of Mindi’s albums—a reunion of artistry, mutual respect, and a friendship rooted in music.

And then, painted in the soft light of morning, “Siena Sunrise” captures the magic of Tuscany. Written during Mindi’s Wine & Jazz Adventure in Tuscany, it’s a love letter to the ancient buildings, slow mornings, and the golden hush of dawn. The mood lifts with Nouveau Soul—a bold, brass-laced celebration of ‘70s funk. Joyful, defiant, and dripping with vintage cool, it radiates the freedom of a dancefloor that never ages.

In “Fool’s Gold,” Kenny Lattimore lends his velvet vocals to a sleek and modern meditation on love’s authenticity. Mindi’s saxophone winds around him like a heartbeat—raw, real, and achingly beautiful. There’s an irresistible charm to “Falling in Love,” a joyful, up-tempo gem featuring Delisha Thomas that feels like dancing in the kitchen with someone you adore. The chorus is contagious—you’ll be humming it long after the last note fades. 

“Everything’s Gonna Be All Right” is an understated standout, written for Mindi’s daughters. With Arthur Thompson’s smooth vocals anchoring the emotion, it’s a song of quiet strength and hope, whispering reassurance straight to the soul. The album closes in pure adrenaline with “The Rundown,” a funk-driven thrill ride featuring legendary bassist Marcus Miller. With breakbeat swagger and cinematic energy, it’s a car chase in sound—fast, gritty, and undeniably cool. Miller’s iconic bass playing collides with Mindi’s powerhouse sax in a moment that demands replay.

TRACK LIST: 

Based On A True Story

1. Day Dreaming

2. A Thousand Miles

3. Oooh-Aah (Catalina)

4. The Way That You Love Me featuring Delisha Thomas

5. 3^rd Street Promenade featuring Bobby Lyle

6. Siena Sunrise

7. Nouveau Soul

8. Fool’s Gold featuring Kenny Lattimore

9. Falling In Love featuring Delisha Thomas

10. Everything’s Gonna Be All Right featuring Arthur Thompson

11. The Rundown featuring Marcus Miller 

Best selling smooth jazz at amazon.com
Jazz from Amazon.com