A Latin‑jazz powered call to break through barriers, the track previews Kelly’s forthcoming double album Transformation.
Transformation demands momentum — and with his new single “Move It,” R&B/jazz keyboardist Charles A. Kelly delivers a vibrant, Latin‑infused push toward progress. Out now via Innervision Records, the track that earned most added status in its debut week offers another glimpse into Transformation, the ambitious double album arriving next year as the closing chapter in Kelly’s genre‑expanding trilogy.
Written and produced by Kelly, “Move It” erupts with festive Latin rhythms, jubilant jazz flourishes, and an exhilarating soul‑driven pulse. Earlier this year, Kelly’s single “Focus on Purpose” spent a couple months on the charts; “Move It” takes a bold stylistic turn, setting Kelly’s piano and keyboards loose inside an exotic Latin‑jazz soundscape that feels both celebratory and catalytic.
The single features Kelly backed by a powerhouse ensemble: 9‑time Billboard chart‑topping guitarist Blake Aaron, Stevie Wonder’s legendary bassist and musical director Nate Watts (played on Songs in the Key of Life), Cuban percussion master Luis Conte, drummer Tony Moore, and saxophonists Andrew Neu (tenor) and Jason E. Kelly (soprano). Their interplay creates a buoyant, irresistible groove. Conte’s percussion and Moore’s drums drive the momentum while Kelly’s elegant piano lines, Aaron’s lilting nylon‑string guitar, and the sax duo’s sultry blend add color, swagger, and lift.
“‘Move It’ is about removing obstacles in our lives that keep us from moving forward into happiness, success, and wellbeing,” said Kelly, a Philadelphia native who is a longtime Los Angeles-area resident. “Fear, depression, addiction, hate, and loneliness are issues that can build walls around us. ‘Move It’ provides the energy and encouragement to break through those barriers. Life is meant to be lived freely and joyfully.”
Due in the fourth quarter of 2027, Transformation completes the trilogy Kelly launched in 2022 with You’re Not Alone, an album designed to capture the present moment in contemporary jazz. Its follow‑up, last year’s Phase II, pushed the boundaries of the genre with experimentation and redefinition. With Transformation, Kelly aims to deliver a visionary, evolutionary statement — a culmination of the sonic, spiritual, and conceptual arc he has been building. One additional single is planned ahead of the album’s release.
A gold‑record‑winning musician, songwriter, producer, music director, and film composer, Kelly has recorded and/or performed with icons including Wonder, Neil Diamond, Elton John, Nile Rodgers, and Contemporary Christian music luminaries CeCe Winans, Mary Mary, Jeremy Camp, and Israel Houghton. A multimedia talent, Kelly also starred as a series regular on the landmark television series Fame.
For more information, visit www.charlesakelly.com
