Article: Music

“I don’t only sing the songs of other composers, I am a songwriter, too,� revealed Gloria whose son P.J. Allen is the President of her company, Family Bread, and who is also a songwriter in his own right. “I am looking forward to this concert since I haven’t played New York in awhile. Although from all the emails I am getting, I am led to believe that some folks will be coming from Florida and California as well�

Honorary chairs for this year affair are actress and activist, Ruby Dee; New York City’s first African American Mayor, Honorable David Dinkins and his wife Joyce Dinkins. In addition to live music, a festive cocktail reception and an assortment of wonderful auction items, Heritage Health and Housing will also include an award ceremony.

There are some people born to the rhythms of life and have no recourse but to make music. Thus, Razia seems born to her destiny. “Although, I took a few music classes to learn technique and how not to damage my vocal chords, I am pretty much a natural singer. I can’t say that I have had a lot of formal training,� remarked Razia after debuting her new and very magical CD. Not only is Razia’s vocals magical, but so are her songs. Her music seems to personify an eclectic sprinkle of jazz, R&B, cooked up into a World Music stew

I never considered being a professional musician, and I still haven’t considered it. For me, that’s a by-product, that’s an accident of my pursuit and love of music that I happen to be able to make a living at it. When I was in high school, I had no visions of being a professional musician, and I really didn’t think I had the discipline or the talent to be a good musician. I mean I loved to play, but for me it was always fun time, never work time. It was kind of an antidote, a relief from the rigors of academia.

Worldwide music aficionados will certainly want to add this CD to their collection. Bastos intones the exotic Portuguese language with a strikingly steady voice that will certainly evoke sensations in you.

My family never fostered my musical potential but I sang anyway. I used to put on shows and act like the Supremes. Of course, I was always Diana. I always saw myself as the star. I used to work during the summers picking strawberries and apples so I could buy clothes to blend in with the smart kids in my classroom who lived in the better neighborhoods.�

The Newport Jazz Festival has somehow managed to preserve its special, mellow atmosphere, one often not found in other such gathering, quite frankly, in the wake of 9-11.

There is no doubt that Ms. Cook is an artist of tremendous depth and eclectic musical vision. The Detroit native calls herself a jazz singer and songwriter but she can take any song and put a jazz flavor and tempo to it — songs that otherwise, would not have been, considered jazz orientated music. She is a versatile artist whose songbook is ripe with elements of R&B, European classical, Blues, Gospel and Motown

The rapper has to report to prison by Sept. 19. Her lawyers are hoping she will be sent to the facility in Danbury, Conn., so that she can be closer to her mother. She didn’t say anything as she left the courthouse. Lil’ Kim, who turns 30 next week, was the sidekick and mistress of the late Notorious B.I.G. As a solo artist, she has become known for her revealing outfits and raunchy lyrics