Castella, an emerging force in the smooth jazz and R&B/Soul scene, announces her latest single, “Nights Over Egypt” featuring chart-topping flautist Ragan Whiteside, set for worldwide release on August 23, 2024. This outstanding rendition of the 1981 classic by the Jones Girls adds a new dimension to Castella's discography, blending nostalgia with contemporary flair.
We think you and your listeners will dig "Nights Over Egypt"!
Castella- Lead & Background Vocals (Long Beach, CA)
Ragan Whiteside- Featured Artist-Flute(Atlanta, GA)
Smooth Jazz Icon Richard Elliot has performed and recorded with jazz and R&B superstars Rod Stewart, Smokey Robinson, The Yellow Jackets, Tower Of Power, Bonnie Raitt, just to name a few. With more than 20 top ten smooth jazz singles and number 1 contemporary jazz albums, he has delighted his dedicated fan base worldwide.
Straight Up Down, produced by Richard and his long-time collaborator Paul Brown, overflows with Richard’s ebullient spirit. Highlights include a deeply moving remake of the S.O.S Band classic “Tell Me (If You Still Care About Me),”
Richard’s tasty collaboration with Paul Brown, “High Tide,” the joyous “Very Delicious,” and much more!!
Over 25 years into his extraordinarily impactful, hit-studded career, Michael Lington made Billboard chart history, building on his legacy of smash singles with “South Bay,” from his 2023 EP Looking Ahead. It is the longest running #1 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Airplay chart and it took only four weeks to reach the pole position, where it stayed for a record setting seven weeks!
Fully embodying the hip, spontaneous action and energy promised in it’s title, Lington’s latest track “On the Scene,” the first lead single from his upcoming album, keeps the party going with a fresh, fiery, funked out, and horn drenched jam that perfectly captures the spirit of the early days of Contemporary Jazz, but with a modern sound. Co-produced and composed by Lington and veteran saxman, arranger and producer David Mann, the song features the same powerhouse crew that brought the magic to his recent Billboard Top 5 hit, “Moon Goddess": guitarist Paul Jackson, Jr., bassist Alex Al and drummer Michael White
On June 7th, the world of Smooth Jazz and Funk will enthusiastically welcome the release of "Wake Up," the new single by two prominent European guitarists: international artists David Margam (Spain) and Horst Lippitsch (Austria).
"Wake Up" symbolizes a rebirth, an awakening to life after difficult times, offering a message of hope and renewal. This single stands out for its elegant sound that masterfully fuses the genres of Funk, Smooth Jazz, and RnB, reflecting the mastery and distinctive style of both artists.
David Margam, renowned for his virtuosity and his ability to convey emotions through his guitar, has been a central figure in the Smooth Jazz scene in Spain. Horst Lippitsch, on the other hand, is acclaimed in Austria and internationally for his impeccable technique and musical versatility. Together, they create a unique synergy that promises to captivate listeners worldwide.
"Wake Up" is not just a musical composition, but a statement of resilience and positivity. Every note and chord is designed to inspire and motivate those who listen to this masterpiece.
In the music industry, there is an invisible push and pull between the artists and fans. Most artists desire to evolve and progress with each single or album. However, most fans have an unspoken request for artists to remain the same yet still produce timeless music. Very rarely does an artist discover the hidden formula of giving the fans exactly what they want and finding peace within themselves to evolve within their music. Some may call it fate or luck, but artist like TERRIE RIMSON, believes it’s a gift only given by God. Though her career officially began in 2014, her debut album, “Threads of Love,” was released in 2018. From the very beginning, TERRIE has delivered fan pleasing hit after hit. If you listen closely, each single was greater than the former. She still delivered the “Terrie Rimson” sound; but each released presented something new every time. It has been less than a year since we’ve heard the angelic voice of Terrie Rimson.
Then, she released her very first jazz single, “Undeniable,” featuring chart-topping jazz saxophonist Justin Young. It received amazing reviews and introduced TERRIE RIMSON to the jazz community. Today, in collaboration with her son, producer, and CEO of Rhythm Avenew Entertainment, Deryck “D.Rim” Rimson, TERRIE presents a full remix of fan favorite, “Out of My Mind.”
Originally listed as the opening track to her debut album, this new release is an EP full of 6 versions of the tune. It houses all the elements the fans have come to know, such as instrumentation from Ronald “CJay” Alexander and Deryck “D.Rim” Rimson as well as background vocals of Brandon Winbush, Taneka Lemle and Terrie Rimson; each version adds a different element. “OUT OF MY MIND (EP)” pays homage to the music of the 80’s and 90’s when fans had the opportunity to appreciate the song in every form.
The EP showcases versions such as an acapella, extended, a remastered, and a jazz version featuring Billboard-topping jazz saxophonist Justin Young and newcomer, Ariel Knight, on background vocals. “Out Of My Mind (feat. Justin Young) [The Jazz Remix]” will be the first release from this EP. It is a reimagined presentation that takes you on a journey from the first second.
The music filters throughout your body, touches the soul and is attracting to the ear. The production showcases the impeccable craftsmanship of writer and producer Deryck “D.Rim” Rimson. He was able to capture and combine the ease of West Coast Hip Hop, the soul-stirring punch of Gospel, and the smooth sounds of jazz greats Gerald Albright, the late Grover Washington Jr, Kirk Whalum, and even the production approach of Quincy Jones.
“OUT OF MY MIND (EP)” is another peak in the evolution of Terrie Rimson and continues to peak in the evolution of Terrie Rimson and continues to establish her among musical greatness
Summer Lullaby is Paul Higgs’ second album with Pavane – a band of virtuoso musicians. With sultry, jazz-infused rhythms beckoning you to dance, and classical grandeur that evokes timeless elegance, the album has summer's tranquillity at its heart. The music on the album is unashamedly melodic and reflective, and each piece explores and builds on that mood.
Paul (Angel Award Winner and Ivor Novello Nominee) is renowned as one of the UK’s leading trumpet players and composers, especially known for his versatility as is fully displayed on the new album, which features all original compositions along with a Bacharach/David classic.
Paul served for many years as a regular Musical Director for the National Theatre of Great Britain and contributed to shows by the Royal Shakespeare Company, establishing himself as a versatile musician, equally at home playing jazz, classical, or contemporary music.
His exceptional talent has seen him perform in major venues around the world, including the Royal Albert Hall, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, and the Berlin Concert Hall. He has performed with luminaries including Sir Peter Maxwell Davis, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Johnny Dankworth, Lulu, Tony Hatch, John Williams, Nancy Wilson, and Shorty Rodgers, to name just a few.
Music has always been an integral part of Paul Higgs’ life. A child prodigy, he played piano melodies before he could talk, became enamoured with and learned to play a four-valve plastic trumpet at age five, entered music school when he was six, joined the school’s brass band at eight, taught himself to play classical guitar at nine, began piano lessons at 11, formed his own professional “function band” at 12 while also playing in several big bands, and that same year scored a 17-part big band arrangement of the theme of the TV show Hawaii 5-0 that was used by those groups for the next 15 years. At 14 Paul joined the National Youth Jazz Orchestra in which he played a major part until he was 25, serving as their composer and arranger, and playing trumpet, piano, guitar, and bass.
At 22 he played his first West End theatre show with Lulu, and this led to Higgs being asked to work with the prestigious National Theatre where he eventually became the Musical Director for more than two-dozen productions.
At the same time, he was also occasionally hired by the Royal Shakespeare Company. During this productive time Higgs worked with the cream of actors and directors in the British theatre world including Sir Anthony Hopkins, Sir Trevor Nunn, Sir Richard Eyre, Sir Nicholas Hytner, Zoe Wanamaker CBE and Michael Sheen OBE. This top-level theatre life was extremely hectic and required great ingenuity and resourcefulness. On one occasion, the day before the opening night of a 17th Century play, the composer asked Paul if he played the accordion. When he replied “no,” the composer said, “Wrong answer!” By the following day Paul had obtained an accordion, practiced the part, and leapt on stage to play it perfectly while dressed in knickerbockers, tights, and a tri-corner hat.
In addition to the above, Paul has composed and arranged music for numerous films and TV shows including Are You Ready For Love, Land Girls, Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, Drop The Dead Donkey, Family Matters, and Travelog, to name just a very few. In 1988 he was commissioned to compose a piece for The Proms at The Royal Albert Hall, and for the 2012 Olympic Games he was commissioned for the Government Art Collection alongside artist Mel Brimfield.
The combination of theatre work, backing big-name acts on-stage, working actively on recording sessions, and contributing to film and television music has tested Higgs’ musical abilities time and again. He has developed a stellar reputation for being able to handle virtually any type of project with sensitivity and understanding, and to each challenge he brings his energy, enthusiasm and encyclopaedic knowledge of different genres and periods of music.
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