Gerald Albright snags the top spot the week with Taking Control. This is the first single off of the new album, G. Other than some shuffling, there is virtually no change on the top 10.
“Wings” of courage: Jazz singer Anna Danes meets her first National Breast Cancer Awareness Month as a survivor
Her second album, “Find Your Wings,” arrives this weekend.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month has an entirely new meaning this year for jazz singer Anna Danes. Her life turned in an instant three months ago when she was diagnosed with the disease. When the positive-mind chanteuse steps onto the Jazz on Cedros stage Friday night in Solana Beach, California at a launch party concert in support of her empowering “Find Your Wings” album released that day (and October 30 on iTunes) by DLG Records, she does so knowing how lucky she is. Danes will perform tracks from the intimate acoustic jazz collection of standards and original love songs produced by Dave Darling surrounded by loved ones and supportive people in her life.
“This has been the best wakeup call ever. I’ve never experienced so much love and support from people. So it’s all for the best. And I can also relate to so many other people now affected by this scary disease. I consider myself one of the lucky ones and will take this lesson and fight on their behalf,” said Danes, who is now cancer free although she will be closely monitored via MRI’s and mammograms because of suspicious lymph nodes and conflicting opinions from two different world-renown hospitals.
Last summer, Danes took a mammogram that came back negative prior to undergoing elective cosmetic surgery. Routine labs found the cancer in her pathology that was categorized as “very early and small” yet also “an aggressive grade.” Shaken by the diagnosis, she turned to her own encouraging messages of hope and inspiration. Danes had realized the dream of recording an album in the same iconic Capitol Recordsstudio using the same microphone as her role models, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole, and she had every intention of sharing the session with the world. Having successfully remade her life multiple times in the past, the San Diego-based former lawyer and stay-at-home mother who escaped communist Poland with her family as a child was ready to embrace the role of cancer fighter, advocate and survivor. Danes is using her health challenge to educate others by recording her experience on a cancer blog, social media and as source material for an upcoming book, motivational speaking engagements and personal growth products.
“Find Your Wings” is about breaking free of whatever is holding you back from doing what you love. Danes co-wrote the original material for the collection that stylistically emulates the starkly-produced vocal jazz albums by Tony Bennett and Bill Evans. Darling adorned Danes’ grand and expressive voice with sparse accompaniment from an astute jazz trio consisting of piano, upright bass and drums. Half of the set list is composed of five gems from the Great American Songbookplus a mesmerizing, emotionally-baring tune from blues singer Janiva Magness (“When You Were My King”). While recording the album, Danes invited cameras into the studio to document the experience in this video:
With her health scare apparently behind her, Danes is focusing her full attention on promoting “Find Your Wings.” The radiant and healthy-looking artist recently shared her story and sang live on the CW6 San Diego‘s morning news show. Reviewers have called the album “truly stunning,” “hypnotic,” “gentle and soothing” and “haunting.” Below are a few excerpts from album reviews:
“A totally breezy, soulful, joyous collection of Anna’s latest and greatest musical offerings.” – Exclusive Magazine
“I loved sitting and listening to this CD over and over again, each time hearing new little nuances in Anna’s voice, having fun and playing with her group; that just kept me interested and focused on not only listening to the music but immensely enjoying it.” – Critical Blast
“Danes lets the passion flow obviously giving her the confidence to look anything in the eye.” – Midwest Record
If you want to flashback to the early 1990’s, this show is a must see! We have your Las Vegas Soul Festival Tickets where you can be front and center. It is taking place at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.
Who will be there?
The performances will be provided by Keith Sweat, Dru Hill and Ginuwine. Mike Epps will be providing the comedy relief.
What can you say about Keith Sweat? He is the official beginning of the New Jack Swing movement. Sweat and Teddy Riley, who produced his landmark album Make It Last Forever, kicked it all off with the track I Want Her, and the rest as they say is history!
I was actually fortunate enough to attend a kick-off album release event for him in Los Angeles. No one had heard any of the music yet. We were the first to hear the album. Little did we know that it would have the impact that it did.
Sweat has a catalog of hits, including How Deep Is Your Love, I’ll Give All My Love To You, Make You Sweat, Nobody, Something Just Ain’t Right, and the greatest slow jam of all time, Make It Last Forever.
Don’t forget about Get Up On It with Kut Klose, and My Body as a member of the supergroup LSG.
Dru Hill was formed in Baltimore in the early 1990’s. In 1995, Dru Hill recorded a song for the Soundtrack of Eddie, starring Whoopi Goldberg. Since then, Dru Hill has released four albums, and they appeared on the Soul Food Soundtrack with We’re Not Making Love No More, and Big Bad Mama, off of the film Def Jam’s How to Be a Player.
We all know about the Thong Song. One thing I will say about that song is the fact that it became so popular, people started to ridicule it. I have played that song recently, and it is still a booty shaker, based on the response!
Ginuwine had a nice crew back in the day. Timbaland, Missy Elliott and Static Major. They collaborated together on the Ginuwine…The Bachelor album. He has also worked with R Kelly and of course P Diddy with I Need A Girl Part II. With ten albums and contributions on five film soundtracks, Ginuwine has carved out a nice career.
Mike Epps will kick it all off with some comedy to get you in the mood for the rest of the night.
Grab your Las Vegas Soul Festival Tickets now before they are all out!!
I was turned on to contemporary violinist Daniel D the other day. So I clicked on the YouTube link….and…BAM! I was immediately loving the sounds.
Daniel D throws the violin as the lead over some current and classic sounds. Check out this clip as he takes on some classics, such as The Spinners, Maze and Marvin Gaye:
We want to allow for some equal time, so here is a compilation of some current pop songs to show Daniel’s versatility:
Daniel is popular on the touring circuit. He is currently booking for all types of functions. You can check out more on his website:
Laguna Beach stays at the top of the charts this week. Laguna Beach is the eleventh solo album by the jazz fusion guitarist. Paul Hardcastle and Euge Groove have new music in the top 10 this week.
Here is a quick interview with Peter White about his upcoming album. Groovin’ is White’s third album of cover songs, and it has a little something for everyone. He puts his spin on classics such as, Stevie Wonder‘sDo I Do, I heard It Through The Grapevine by Marvin Gaye, and I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash.
Check out this Peter White Groovin’ Behind The Scenes teaser:
“…White’s third album of cover songs, with classics from the late 1960s to the late 1970s, and his unique, optimistic sound on each track.”
Huffington Post
“There is lots of rhythm, grooves, and just great guitar playing on White’s 10-track offering. His contemporary jazz twists to these classic songs give a new generation of fans something to be excited about as well as a chance to celebrate White’s ongoing legacy that will keep you up all night and enjoying this good time music.”
Sounds of Timeless Jazz
The album drops on October 28th
You can pre order right here and get it as soon as it comes out!
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