Article: Music

Born in Philadelphia, Kenny Barron, who is recognized as one of the giants of modern mainstream piano, is the younger brother of the late saxophonist Bill Barron. “I listened to a lot of jazz in my youth and had my first gig when I was 14. I continued playing throughout high school and when I graduated, I moved to New York. That was in 1961. I started working with James Moody and then I worked with Roy Haynes

I closed my eyes and just listened while my spirit took a journey to a wonderful place of peace and serenity. It is not Heaven, but almost. It is Gregory Kilpatrick, mesmerizing me with his innocent yet alluring and jazzy bass playing melodies of love. With each song, I was taking a new breath of fresh air that placed me in such a relaxed mode it was like therapy to my soul.

The end result is a riveting collection of songs that segues effortlessly from radio friendly, soulful R&B jams such as the first single, "What You Gonna Do" featuring Glenn Jones and "Used To Be" featuring Christopher Williams to Vesta’s heartfelt vocals on the superlative, "One More Bridge To Cross."

Hampton was honored by President Bush at the White House when he was named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, the highest honor bestowed by this nation in jazz. This recent concert, featured a rousing performance during which he was accompanied by Justin Robinson, Joe Tranchina, Eric Lemon, and Bruce Cox

“We want to show the world that Congo is not just about war and famine,� Makombo says. In addition to dances and educational events, CAUSE also organizes soccer tournaments for Congolese and other Africans in New York. “We decided to bring the best of Africa for our friends in New York. This group has played with major musicians like Koffi Olomide. They have traveled and played all over the world.�

Although the CD is a bit lengthy, a good twenty-two tracks, 50, makes up by mixing different styles, old school and thematic pieces like Gatman And Robbin. 50 also succeeds in instilling the music with humor and a good amount of sexual appeal. It is definitely sexier than his debut, and a lot more honest about the artist he intends to be. My only concern is that the line between fiction and reality could easily become blurred, so far as his gangster image is concerned.

For a woman whose name means ‘to go forward’ in Setswana, the South African language of her grandmother, Goapele lives her name. The Bay Area native’s debut effort, “Even Closerâ€? was a 14-track masterpiece that she co-wrote and co-produced independently which went on to sell an unprecedented 130,000 units. Now Goapele is back on the musical scene with her highly anticipated sophomore effort, Change it All on Skyblaze

In the coming months Norful will prepare for a spring 2005 nationwide, church-based concert tour. In addition, there is the January 30 broadcast of his performance on Robert Schuller’s "Hour of Power" and the February 22 broadcast of his appearance on BET’s "Celebration of Gospel V."

Bryson has appeared on stage in several theatrical
productions, including touring companies of the Tony Award-winning "Raisin" (based on "A Raisin in the Sun") and "The Wiz," and Michigan Opera Theatre’s 100th anniversary production of Gershwin’s "Porgy and Bess."

She began her career as a background singer singing background for such performers as Tom Jones, The Righteous Brothers, Sonny and Cher, Isaac Hayes, Elvis Presley, the Mamas & the Papas, Sam Cooke, Dionne Warwick, The Beach Boys and Aretha Franklin. A high school sophomore when discovered, Love began recording for Phil Spector as part of a girl group called The Blossoms.