Ragan Whiteside · Steppin' Out

Billboard #1 and Jazz Music Award-winning flautist/composer Ragan Whiteside is back with an exciting new single, "Steppin' Out" - the first single from her upcoming 7th album release, titled RAGAN. Teaming up once again with hit producers Dennis Johnson and Bob Baldwin, Ragan delivers her signature high-energy performance with a track that brings a breath of fresh air to the Contemporary Jazz genre.

"Although we've created 6 albums, this is the first project I've done without a full-time day job," says the NAACP Image Award-nominated Whiteside. "We named this song Steppin' Out because it's exactly what is happening in my life - I'm stepping out from my 20+ year software development gig and diving head-first into my passions."

Joining Ragan on the track is Rich Harrison a.k.a the artist RAH (Evelyn Champagne King, Atlantic Starr) on drums and Phil Hamilton (Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, Al Jarreau) on guitar.

Chris Godber · Mean 2 Be

Florida-based sax-man, Chris Godber has released his latest project, "Meant 2 Be," a collection of soulful and uplifting Gospel Jazz tracks. The EP features 7 tunes (5 covers + 1 original that contains both vocal and instrumental versions) that showcase Godber's signature sound and style.

Faced with the discouraging thought that his asthma would prevent him from playing the saxophone, Chris turned to his faith as a source of strength and determination. With his unwavering trust in God's plan, he embarked on a remarkable journey that would not only prove his skeptics wrong, but also inspire countless others along the way. "Meant 2 Be" is a musical testimony of his journey. From the very uplifting lyrics of the title track, "Meant 2 Be" to the funky horn sections and grooves of "Glorious," the EP is a masterclass in combining the elements of Gospel music and Contemporary Jazz.

"This is different than anything I've done before. Though all of my music has some gospel elements; with this one we didn't hold back," said Godber. "Meant 2 Be" is available on all major streaming platforms.

Mr. Horn · I'll Be There For You ft. Dave McMurray

Keyboardist Darren Horn started performing professionally as a teenager in Detroit with singer Cortez Harris, who was a member of popular R&B/funk band Al Hudson & One Way.

He and Cortez hit it off after Horn, whose aunt lived across the street from where the band was rehearsing, took the initiative to start jamming with them. After a time playing with Cortez at major clubs like The Twenty Grand, the keyboardist hooked up with The Axe Band, which was renowned as singer Cherelle’s backing band and toured with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

Horn later played keys and acted as road manager for Kiara, which scored a #2 on Billboard R&B chart a duet with Shanice Wilson on Arista Records, and opened for everyone from Gerald Albright to Whitney Houston and Luther Vandross; they also created pop crossover remixes for saxophonist Marion Meadows and worked for a time with Toni Braxton just as she was about to emerge.

Horn is releasing The Horn Connection EP on the heels of his 2022 debut album Summertime, whose popular, vocal-driven title track single was played on Smooth Jazz and soft rock radio and internet stations throughout the U.S. and Europe.

“Nairobi,” an infectious and spirited mid-tempo ballad that showcases Mr. Horn’s sparkling piano magic and features dynamic solos by Billboard #1 Smooth Jazz hit makers, guitarist Nils and flutist Ragan Whiteside.

The Horn Connection will include four other tracks by Horn featuring collaborations with various artists. These include the whimsical and romantic yet grooved-out original “I’ll Be There for You” and fresh, keyboard-centric re-imaginings of some of his favorite R&B and contemporary jazz songs – the Chuck Mangione classic “Feels So Good,” Stephanie Mills’ “I Feel Good All Over” and Earth, Wind & Fire’s brassy funk jam “In The Stone.”

Ilya Serov · Glow

Award-winning trumpeter /singer /guitarist /band leader Ilya Serov has a passion for jazz that knows no bounds. A talented young musician with an old soul, Ilya brings an infusion of imagination, vision and energy to the many shades of America’s original musical art form. Possessing both chops and charisma, his live performances and recordings have attracted a solid following among jazz fans and seasoned musicians alike.

Ilya first encountered jazz as a teen, exchanging tapes and records with fellow musicians. His earliest jazz influences were Arturo Sandoval, Chet Baker, Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra and Nat “King” Cole, and he eventually incorporated their sounds and vocal stylings into his own music.

When not on stage, Ilya spends his time in the recording studio. His debut album, September in the Rain (2013), was a Big Band outing of classic jazz standards that highlighted both his horn and vocal skills. That album was followed by the release of Back in Time (2018), featuring classic tunes and instrumental collaborations with legendary pianist Roger Kellaway, and acclaimed saxophonist Eric Marienthal, and GRAMMY®-winning percussionist Poncho Sanchez.

“Ilya is a great, great trumpet player and I love his voice,” said Sanchez. “He has a great thing here because it’s commercial enough for the mainstream to enjoy, but hip enough for the jazz folks to like. He can sing the tunes and play them; that’s the edge he’s got.”

After hearing Serov perform, Dave Koz invited him to be a guest artist on his popular Dave Koz and Friends at Sea Jazz Cruise. From 2017 – 2019 he played on cruises throughout Europe and Australia with Koz and other Smooth Jazz greats, sharing the stage with the likes of Jonathan Butler, David Benoit, Larry Graham, Peter White and BeBe Winans. Ilya will again be a featured guest artist on Dave Koz & Friends in Amsterdam and the British Isles in May 2022.

Ilya Serov is driven today not only by his desire to preserve jazz as an American treasure, but by his mission to engage and educate new generations of listeners. He continues to focus exclusively on contributing his time and talent to the world of jazz - its past, present and future.

Serov's new single "Glow" is mixed and produced by Adam Hawley.

Dee Lucas · Tighten Up

National recording artist/saxophonist Dee Lucas is the illustrious pied-piper of contemporary jazz music, celebrated and adored by audiences worldwide.

Noted as the year of emergence for the creative, in 2004, Lucas embarked on the journey of what would become footprints of a music legacy--forming an independent record label known as Mo' Better Recordings along with an all new music project. Having the reigns of creative control at his advantage, Lucas launched and distributed the debut CD project, "Remembrance," independently on the new label in 2005, "Something To Ride 2," in 2007, and produced 4 more projects (from 2010-2016) in collaboration with the Mo' Better Recordings label...each record marked with serious charting status and industry recognition. Lucas accredited the success of each project to production heavyweights such as LA-based Lew Laing, Jr., Grammy-Award winner Phil Davis. Joel Del Rosario, TC Campbell and David P. Stevens.

In 2017, Lucas merged his previous catalogs with his new parent company, Dee Lucas Enterprises, home of his brand new record label ODL Music. “Going Left,” released in 2018, garnered respectable success on several smooth jazz charts. In 2020,“The Time Is Now” marked the artist's 9th worldwide release which featured Adam Hawley, Blake Aaron, Darryl Williams, David P. Stevens, Lew Laing, Jr., Gino Rosaria, & George Freeman. In 2023, “No Boundaries" spotlighted keyboardist Gino Rosari, Blair Bryant, Selina Albright, and Ragan Whiteside. Singles from the CD garnered critical acclaim, #1 smooth jazz chart positions and an indie soul award nomination. At the height of Lucas' career comes the highly anticipated 1st single from the upcoming project "TWENTY, entitled "Tighten Up," releasing nationwide on 3.8.2024!