People, Places and Happenings in the DC Area



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Featured this week, Singer, Sara Jones from the Maryland Eastern Shore. Sara attained degrees in music from both St. Mary's College of Maryland and her masters in music from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. She began playing piano at age 4 and professionally at the age of 14. She won first prize in the W.A. Virts Piano Concerto Competition in high school at 18.
 Critics have written that Sara's musical voice is "lush", that she "beguiles and charms" the audience with her "velvet embrace" of the music. These qualities won her the " Billie Holiday Vocal Competition" in 2004. Since then she has toured and performed through out the U.S. While a full-time singer, Sara also performs as a pianist and accompanies both singers and instrumentalists on recitals. She is a featured vocalist on The Young Brothers CD "Tales of Time" (2007) on CD Baby.com..
Sara Jones
(Jazz/Bossa Nova/Pop)
- Crazy For You
Greg Vail
(Jazz/Christian/Gospel)
- Affirmation
Jane Monheit
(Jazz/Pop)
- Besame Mucho
BLu7
(Nu-Jazz/Jazz/Fusion)
- Caipirinha
SOUL BASEMENT
(Soul/Acoustic/Jazz)
- By Chance Or Choice
The Young Brothers
(Jazz)
- Somewhere Within
Jay Lou Ava
(Progressive/Afro-beat/Jazz)
- Unforgettable Soweto
J’Nae
(Jazz/Nu-Jazz/Soul)
- Unconditionally
Andre Hoxter
(Jazz/Nu-Jazz/Lounge)
- Listen To My Music
Michael Warren
(Rock/Soul/Acoustic)
- Try
 

the Music of...

 
 
 
Earl Carter
David Dyson
EnSideOut
Tony Harrod
Ocio Jazz
Ron Kearns
Margot MacDonald
Matt Rippetoe
Lena Seikaly
One Nite Stand
Sharon Thomas
DC Blues Society
Smooth Jazz Global Radio

MUSIC - DC Scene - (Images linked to articles,  websites or galleries)

Darlette Gayle - Singer, songwriter from Washington DC. While growing up, Darlette would write songs and always surrounded herself with things musical. It is not surprising that she would eventually share her passion with the world. At one point, she was asked to "lay some tracks" for a local rapper. They collaborated and released the songs, which launched her career as an artist. Darlette has shared the stage with many well known musicians, and has hosted a local TV show,"HCM Production Talent Showcase". Darlette has released her independent CD, "Whyte Chocolate" (2005).  Also available on June 21,2008, the new singles "I KNOW U WANT IT" and "DONT STOP" at CDBaby.com. Links to Darlette's MySpace page and Website.
David Dyson - Bassist, Songwriter, Arranger and Producer - born in Rapid City, South Dakota but raised in Washington DC. David began playing the bass when he was 12.  Early in his career, he was the bassist for Saxophonist Walter Beasley. He auditioned for and eventually became musical director for "New Kids On the Block". Since then he's worked with artists such as Kirk Whalum, Bob James, Jonathan Butler, Me'shell N'degeocello, Rick Braun, and Najee to name a few.  More recently, he can be heard on Marcus Johnson's 2007 "Phoenix" CD. David often performs with Pieces of a Dream and is featured on several of their CD's. Link to  David's MySpace Music page, his Soulmate CD and CD Universe discography.
Lena Seikaly, vocalist, is a native of Falls Church, Virginia. She is the regular singer for several traditional jazz, swing dance, straight-ahead, Latin jazz and fusion groups in the D.C. area, and has appeared at numerous national and international festivals and venues. Her sound is immediately reminiscent of the great jazz vocalists mixed with the interpretive ingenuity of bebop and modern jazz, while peppering influence from her Arabic heritage. She has had the pleasure of working and studying with some of the world’s top names in jazz, as well as classical voice (she is a classically trained mezzo-soprano) and Arabic music. MySpace & Website.
Earl Carter - Guitarist, songwriter, arranger and producer from Washington DC.  Earl has performed with many groups and played many styles of music from dance/go-go to jazz. He has been a studio musician, co-produced dialogue recordings for motivational speakers and sports stars, and he has performed with a host of local and world-renowned artists. To name a few, he has performed with Bobby Lyle, Marcus Johnson, Jaared, Alyson Williams, Nick Colionne, Bob Baldwin, Michael Lington, Angela Bofill, Regina belle, Gerald Veasley and opened for Pieces of a Dream, Spyro Gyra, Bona Fide and many others. Earl's most recent CD is titled "My Paradise".  Check out the CD on his Website, MySpace Music and CD Baby.com
N-GROOVE, a group of musically diverse and incredibly talented musicians and songwriters.  Key performers are Monica Ssali, C.C. Givens, Roberto Tyson, Cheikh Ndoye, Romero Wyatt, Al Williams, Benito Gonzales, & Eli Staples.
Link to: N-GROOVE Website and N-GROOVE MySpace page.
Bill "Bumblebee" Davis - Alto Saxophonist, Pianist, Composer, Arranger and Producer. Bill, a Washingtonian, has been a fixture in the DC music scene for over 20 years, playing with numerous gospel, blues, jazz, and Latin groups. A prolific writer and arranger, Bill has recorded and produced numerous local artists as well as his own musical projects. He has performed with Art Blakey, Tito Puente, Chico Mendoza, Steve Turre, and Branford Marsalis to name a few. He has toured with Ruby Hayes, Skip Mahoney and the R&B duo Peaches and Herb.  Link to  Bill's MySpace page.
Margot MacDonald, Singer, Songwriter and Guitarist - from Washington DC. Margot released her debut album "Rising" at the age of 12. Rising received MASC honors and two Wammie nominations for Best Vocalist and Song of the Year. Margot has just released "TORN" (her sophomore album).  Margot was awarded the Young Artist Award from the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest for her song "Serendipity". The song "Quiet Hero" also placed in the Rock category. Margot tours as a solo artist and with a full band. She currently attends The Duke Ellington School of the Arts.  Link: Margot's MySpace Music.
Ron Kearns is a performer, conductor, composer/arranger, record producer and educatorRon Kearns is a fan of the old style Blue Note Records recordings. This DC based artist and his group perform Bebop and Hard Bop standards and originals. Ron has five CD's that are on the Foxhaven label and are available from  towerrecords.com, cdbaby.com, amazon.com, itunes.com, napster, rhapsody and other digital outlets. Ron's latest CD is "Introspective" (2007). Link: MySpace and Website.
Tony Harrod, Guitarist
Soloist. Tony can be heard Monday nights at Madam's Organ performing with the One Nite Stand Band.  He is a featured rhythm and bass guitarist with many groups.  Website: Tony Harrod    CD: THP (CDBaby.com)MySpace Music & Napster
Matt Rippetoe, Saxophonist from Washington, DC. Matt began playing the sax at age 15. He left DC for a while to freelance in Pittsburgh and travel the world as a cruise ship musician. Matt eventually returned to DC where he can be regularly heard at local venues.  From experience gained by working with funk groups to metal bands to straight-ahead jazz quartets, Matt has cultivated a unique sound and musical approach.  Check out Matt's new CD, "BOINK", his MySpace & Website.
B.T. Richardson, Bassist/Composer/Lyricist/Vocalist - born in Washington, D.C., raised in L.A.   BT started playing electric Bass (against his will) when his brother's band needed someone to play it.   A Blues Man at his core, BT lays down a heavy beat where ever he plays.  Link to  BT's MySpace Music page.
Amanda Lee, Singer/Songwriter
Amanda's lyrics are honest and derive from her personal insight on life, love, faith, and the world around her.  Link to Amanda's: MySpace
Link to Amanda's DC Bebop Gallery
Inner Loop is a collective of DC Jazz musicians blending jazz influenced Improvisation with programming and looping. Charles Ostle drives the band with his deep grooves on a hybrid electric/acoustic drumset, while Marc Blackwood provides the bottom with his live-looped basslines adding textures and beats with his array of samplers, sequencers, laptop and effects. Joe Herrera, a major compositional figure in the band, layers lush trumpet lines through looping and effects. Anthony Pirog completes the mix with his diverse approach to the guitar, creating thick walls of sound with his arsenal of stomp boxes and free-form loopers. The band is currently working on their first Album.
Links - Inner Loops's Website, and MySpace Music page.
Walter Tates Jr. and the One Nite Stand Band
featuring vocalist Sista Pat.  Walter, Sista Pat with the band (including Tony Harrod on guitar) turn Madam's Organ into a bonafide house party when they perform. Link to One Nite Stand on MySpace, in DC Bebop Gallery and Website
The Lovejoy Group is a dynamic and versatile jazz ensemble versed in Latin and blues rhythms. The group is led by Karen Lovejoy.
Link to Lovejoy Group DC Bebop Gallery
EnsiDeout featuring Walter Tates, Jr. on Sax, Vocals and Keyboard. Joined by Sista Pat on Vocals.  Let this dynamic duo take you on a musical cruise as they embrace you with a diverse selection of rhythms from around the globe. EnsiDeout will spin the dance floor upsidedown.. Link to EnsiDeout: Website
Post Modern Blues - How Things ArePostModern Blues, featuring Scott Hedges, Bradford Booth, Cheikh Ndoye, Jeng "Etu" Ebraheem, Adrian Green, Damiene Conner, Kyle Whelan and Matt Ripetoe.  Click their CD image to visit Postmodern Blues website or the following Link: Website and MySpace
OcioOcio Jazz, is a Washington, D.C.-area jazz quartet with a varied repertoire that includes everything from Duke Ellington and Thelonius Monk to John Coltrane and Antonio Carlos Jobim. Composed of reeds, guitar and percussion, the quartet is equally comfortable in nearly every jazz genre. Links to Ocio Jazz :  Website and MySpace
Nemesis Bleu - ImaginationNemesis Bleu, featuring Cedric Givens, and Roberto Tyson .  This release also features the talents of world-class percussionist Gumbi Ortiz (of the Al DiMeola Band) and the sultry and captivating vocalist Marcy "Lady Ann" Hamilton. Also lending their musical and production talents are keyboardist Vernon Burrell and bassist Derek Burrell.  Link: CD: (CDBaby.com)
Proverbs Reggae Band  They embody the positive and creative.  Their music focuses on uplifting the spirit as well as creating good vibes.
Proverbs Reggae Band on  MySpace Music
Link to Proverbs Reggae Band DC Bebop Gallery
Saxophonist Sharon Thomas and the Sharon Thomas Experience can be seen at various venues in the DC area.  Check her schedule on her MySpace Music page for upcoming performances.  Link to - MySpace Music and Images on dcbebop.com
Rock Paper Scissors, are 10 musicians from Washington DC. In their own words, they "krank GO-GO". Rock Paper Scissors' goal is to revive "GO-GO" and to create a fresh new sound. They seek to create a new genre, to find the "missing link" in music that will take their listeners beyond "GO-GO".   Listen to them on their MySpace page.
The Shango Band is a D.C. area reggae group that sings about real life and current world issues with a likeable mix of smooth, lovers-edged tunes and harder, more "true" roots tunes.
Links - Website and MySpace
Art McKinney, Drummer  Straight-ahead Bebop, Rock, Smooth Jazz, Fusion, and Blues. Can be heard performing with the Jazz Poets, a Jazz Trio featuring: Henry Gold on Guitar, Eric Shramak on Bass, and Art McKinney on Drums. Website: Drummers Corner
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