People, Places and Happenings in the US



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Featured this week,
Singer, writer and producer Karina Nuvo is a first generation Cuban-American from Miami, Florida. When she was growing up she would "lip-sync shows" to her family. She also "lip-synced" songs while in high school, but says she did not really become "aware of her voice" until she was 19 years old. She never took voice lessons or sang live until that time. She considers herself to be a "late bloomer" with her musical career, but also says "better late than never". Karina says she feels "quite blessed" to have shared the stage with Celia Cruz, Tom Scott, Ray Parker Jr., Jeff Kashiwa, Johnny Britt of Impromp 2, Paul Shafer and Dan Siegal and feels "quite lucky" to have a fantastic band to perform with her on stage and on the NUVOSOUL CD (July 2008). Her music is described as being "a sultry combination of Soul-Jazz and Latin" Notably, she co-wrote, co-produced and sang the songs in both English and Spanish "to create a unique sound" she calls "NuvoSoul".
Karina Nuvo
(Soul/Nu-Jazz/Latin)
- Amate
Chelsea Baratz
(Jazz/Hip Hop/R&B)
- Philos Groove
Buena Vista Social Club
(Latin/Afro-beat)
- Chan Chan
Feyza
(Jazz/R&B/Latin)
- A Day in the Life of a Fool
Lonnie Plaxico Group
(Jazz/Funk/Other)
- Robin's Dance
Celia Cruz
(Latin)
- La Negra Tiene Tumbao
Terry Dexter
(R&B/Soul/House)
- Disappointed
JAMBA
(Pop/Jazz/R&B)
- I Like You Like that
Javon Jackson
(Jazz/Funk)
- Give It Up Turn It Loose
Santana
(Latin/Blues/Classic Rock)
- Smooth
 

the Music of...

 
 
 
GG Amos
Terrence Brewer
Sacha Boutros
David Gallegos
Amber Ojeda
Jessica Sonner
Melvin Taylor
Arzo Tureaud
Travis Vega
Adrian Xavier

MUSIC US West - (Images linked to websites or galleries)

Singer, writer and producer Karina Nuvo is a first generation Cuban-American from Miami, Florida. When she was growing up she would "lip-sync shows" to her family.  She also "lip-synced" songs while in high school, but says she did not really become "aware of her voice" until she was 19 years old.  She never took voice lessons or sang live until that time.  She considers herself to be a "late bloomer" with her musical career,  but also says "better late than never". Karina says she feels "quite blessed"  to have shared the stage with Celia Cruz, Tom Scott, Ray Parker Jr., Jeff Kashiwa, Johnny Britt of Impromp 2, Paul Shafer and Dan Siegal and feels "quite lucky" to have a fantastic band to perform with her on stage and on the NUVOSOUL CD (July 2008). Her music is described as being "a sultry combination of Soul-Jazz and Latin"  Notably, she co-wrote, co-produced and sang the songs in both English and Spanish "to create a unique sound" she calls "NuvoSoul". Link: MySpace Music, website and her music.
Mariah Parker, composer and multi-instrumentalist. From Southern California, a music graduate of UC Santa Cruz. Mariah's music is described as blending "the driving rhythmic syncopations of Latin jazz with the entrancing, asymmetrical meters of East India." With the release of her first CD "Sangria", Mariah touches on the musical sounds of many cultures, drawing special inspiration from Brazil, Cuba, Spain and India. Her first instrument was the piano, but she "fell in love with the sound of the Santur" when she "heard it drifting across the UCSC campus one day", and since has pursued the mastery of it. Mariah has performed with numerous world music groups at festivals around the globe. From these associations, she has called on musicians to accompany her on her debut 'Sangria" CD.  Tracks from the Sangria CD are available on iTunes beginning October 14th, 2008.  It is also available on the Ancient-Future website. Links to Mariah's website, MySpace Music, iTunes and DC Bebop
Drummer,vocalist, songwriter and producer Jeffrey Lewis is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (the Soul and R&B capital of the world), but now resides in California. Jeffrey's family was in the music business when he was growing up so the sounds of music have been a part of him during his entire life. He began playing violin at the age of 6 (not his choice). He later heard and saw drummer Gerry Brown performing with his brother (keyboardist Velbert Lewis) during a TV performance and Jeffrey found his musical calling, his love for the drums. Over the years, Jeffrey has perfected his skills and has performed with an extensive list of music industry greats - Dionne Warwick, Smokey Robinson, Sheena Easton, James Ingram, Peabo Bryson, Gloria Estefan, The Spinners, Deniece Williams, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Olivia Newton John, Joe Sample, Ronnie & Hubert Laws & Family and many others. Jeffrey has been touring with Dionne Warwick's Band for the past eight years (amid rave reviews) while writing and producing music for a number of top smooth jazz artists. Link: MySpace
Melvin Taylor -  Vocals / Lead Guitar
Melvin is based in Chicago, but is a world renowned Blues guitarist who has been at the top of the charts in Europe for years.  He and the Slack Band have turned out several award winning CDs under the Evidence Music label.  Melvin's second U.S. album, “Dirty Pool” remains the Evidence label's best-selling release ever. In 2000, Melvin released "Bang the Bell", which featured his original renderings of the classic Chicago blues tune “Bang the Bell”.  Melvin teamed with Lucky Peterson and Mato Nanji in 2002 to release “Rendezvous with the Blues”, which cemented his reputation as a mainstay in the American blues and roots rock scene. Link: MySpace Music and Website. Buy his music.
Guitarist David Gallegos has played since picking up an old guitar at the age of 13. He has been playing rock and metal for the greater portion of his career, but David began listening to and writing music with a softer, more emotional touch and in 2003, he began working on his first full-length Latin new age CD. David took his experiences from working with many bands and decided to write, record, design, and release his solo CD completely on his own "Mis Recuerdos", was self-released at the end of 2004. With the CD completed, David moved from San Antonio to Dallas to begin showcasing his music. In Dallas, David met guitarist Sammy Echeverry, bassist Rick Read and drummer/percussionist Ross Young.  They formed the "Power of Omens" which is active in various Venues around Dallas. Link: MySpace, Website, and CD Baby.
Guitarist, producer, songwriter and composer Travis Vega from Lodi, California. Travis began learning to play his grandfather's guitar "by ear" at age 11. While learning, he "would read and play the licks" in the guitar magazines.  He and a friend would "comp a lot from CD's and radio". In his junior year in high school he joined the jazz band and was also taking lessons from a local guitarist, Mike Simone who, he said  "taught him a lot" during his high school years. After graduating, Travis said he "headed to Hollywood to study formally at the Musicians Institute".  He can be seen and heard performing at venues and festivals in California and Nevada. Travis has released three CDs, "Through the Valley" in 2004, "Just Let It Flow" in 2007 and his latest "Smooth Urban Night" in 2008. Link: MySpace, Website, CD Baby, and DC Bebop Interview.
Oboe and English horn, singer, composer, arranger, teacher and producer Anna Fisher.   Originally from Concord, Massachusetts, it has been written that Anna began learning music from birth. Her father was a child prodigy pianist and MIT Physicist. Her gravitation to music was a natural transition, as was her career as an educator - her mother was a teacher. Anna has "always had a love for the classics" and has studied with legendary classical musicians - Leonard Bernstein, Isaac Stern and Seiji Ozawa during her musical career. She has studied music her entire life in her quest to be the best at what she does. Anna's musical repertoire is extensive. In addition to the classics, she plays Jazz, Reggae, R&B, Pop, Latin and Hip Hop.  Anna is working towards releasing her third CD.  She has two on CD Baby, "Renaissance In Formation" and "Yin Yang".  Links to Anna's MySpace page, website, and DC Bebop Interview.
Adrian Xavier, Lead Vocals, Guitar & Percussion.   Born in Seattle, he grew up surrounded by the music played by his  father, a radio DJ, in the 80's. Adrian's musical background gave rise to an environment which allowed him to create songs that appeal to a broad cultural range of people. Adrian has been a performing artist for more than 20 years and has shared the stage with many well known musicians.  While a member of the "Pure Water Band", they opened for "The Wailers (of Bob Marley fame) and also for the famous Jamaican ska and reggae musician Jimmy Cliff.  Adrian formed the "Adrian Xavier Band" in 2000, and has been performing in and around Seattle, various cities in the state of Washington and touring the world  He has two CD's on CD Baby: "R-Nature" (2004) and  the "Adrian Xavier Band Live" (2006). Links: MySpace, website, and DC Bebop Page.
GG Amos -  Vocals / Lead Guitar (Gibson SG Custom). Born and raised in Sacramento, CA, GG is described as "A riveting blues, soul and funky jazz guitarist / vocalist with a distinctive, expressive style.."  GG has performed with such legends as John Lee Hooker, Guitar Shorty, Jimmy McCracklin, Lowell Fulson, Johnnie Heartsman, Karen Lawrence,  Duffy Bishop, the great KokoTaylor, Sista Monica, Elvin Bishop and Tower of Power vocalist Lenny Williams to name a few.. She is currently recording new songs for release this year and next. Look for GG at festivals and clubs around the country. Link: MySpace Music, and DC Bebop
Singer, songwriter Jessica Sonner, grew up in Denver, Colorado. She received a degree in music business from Anderson University in Indiana and then moved to Chicago, Illinois.  While in Chicago, she worked on and released her first (self titled) "Jessica Sonner" EP in December 2005. Since then she's been traveling, performing and gathering an enthusiastic fan base in her wake. During her career she has shared the spotlight with artists such as Colbie Caillat, Tristan Prettyman, Matt Wertz, Jon McLaughlin, and Kate Voegle; to name a few. In March of 2008 she released her latest CD, "All We Need". In her bio, is says "The lyrics to all of her songs are genuine and reflect a part of herself..." in response to this, she said "It's all worth it for me when people take something away from what they hear in my music". Listen to Jessica and you'll hear the truth of these words.  Link: MySpace, Website and CDBaby.com
Singer, Songwriter and Actress, Amber Ojeda says she was mainly influenced by the great old school jazz artists like: Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington and Billy Holiday. She likes to combine "old style" jazz with an updated hip/hop beat giving it an "up-to-date" groove while incorporating her own style.   Her music is played on over 100 radio stations and pod casts worldwide.  Amber can also be heard on the New Hit Show for the Style Network "Dress My Nest", her song "All I Need" is the theme song for the feature film “All That I Need" . She has a song on the soundtrack for the feature film "Prayer before Murder". Some of her acting credits have included a recurring role on "Veronica Mars", promo's for "Starz TV", a guest appearance on "Dress My Nest", the host for the "National School Program for MADD", host for "Jitter fingers". which is an online community for teen girls as well as many TV commercials and Feature Film roles. Link: MySpace
Jazz Guitarist, Composer, Arranger, and Musical Director, Terrence Brewer Originally from Oklahoma, Terrence grew up in Pittsburg, California where his love of music started with the saxophone and clarinet and later evolved to the guitar. In college he heard and fell in love with the sounds of Jazz on the guitar.  Terrence has performed with legendary artists such as Pete Escovedo, Herb Gibson, Kim Nalley (production of “Lady Day in Love” by Courtney Brown), Duwaan Muhammad, Calvin Keyes, Bruce Forman, Scott Amendola, Khalil Shaheed, Ed Kelly, Michael Zilber, Tuck and Patti, Chuck Bennet, and many others.  He has studied with musical greats such as Charlie Hunter, Duck Baker, and Mark Levine.  Terrence has now released his third CD on his own label "Strong Brew Music" titled "QuintEssential: The Calling" Volume Three, which will be available March 4, 2008!!  Links: Website and MySpace Music.
Pianist, singer. songwriter, Sacha Boutros - A native of San Diego, California, Sacha is a classically trained musician whose voice has a four octave range. She sings and speaks fluently in five languages. Her bio says,  Sacha's  "passion for music resides in her writing and singing of Jazz". Notably, Sacha was introduced by Frankie Laine (at his 90th birthday party) as his "Ingénue". She has performed with Julio Eglesias, Marvin Hamlisch, James Moody, Red Holloway, Karrin Allyson and Patty Paige to name a few. Sacha is currently recording, writing and performing jazz in local and national venues. Link: MySpace.
Guitarist, keyboardist, singer,  songwriter, music producer, Felix "Flex" Carter from Montgomery, Alabama. For Felix, "Music is the Key to Life". He grew up in music and continues to create, grow and evolve with it. For the last seven years, he has been playing and singing in small clubs throughout the Bay Area.  Over the years, Felix has created and developed his own style of music.  In his words, "it's kinda like a Jazzy Hop, Latin, Reggae feel type of flavor".  Experience it, on his MySpace music page.  You'll be glad you did.  Link: MySpace
Trumpeter Arzo Tureaud originally from Springfield Missouri. While growing up, Arzo's mother encouraged him to pursue the musical arts. Her encouragement and his dedication to music won him many awards. In 1995 he won the "outstanding soloist" award at Disneyworld's "Magical Music Days.". Over the years, Arzo has studied and performed with many noted musicians. He studied under Trumpeter Terell Stafford.  Carnigie Hall's Jazz direcotr, John Faddis, Dr. Joel Treybig, an  international music scholar. Arzo is currently being mentored by jazz trumpeter Tony Lujan, Miles Jaye and saxaphonist, Bobby Watson. Arzo can be heard performing  with his Jazz Quintet.  Link: MySpace. and Music Lessons with Arzo at Pellegrino's School Of Music
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