At barely twenty one years old, Ace is creating quite a name for himself across the globe. After his triumphant tour of London and New York City he hit the ground running at Deja Vu Studios where he is laying tracks for his third, yet to be titled, album. Only A Fool Would Say, Ace's second album, picked up critical acclaim for its beautifully crafted songs, intimate vocals, and gorgeous acoustic guitar, recorded old style, live in the studio with no overdubs. Ace defies categorization with echoes of folk, blues, Americana, jazz and the classic singer-songwriters. Check it out. 2010-01-27T01:42:00Z 79 Ace Elijah 2010-01-27T01:45:15Z 126 You may already know Alex as the voice, passion and songwriter behind The Calling. He is presently taking a break from The Calling, getting ready to release his first Solo CD which he produced with Matt Serletic (Rob Thomas, Collective Soul), John Fields (Switchfoot, Jonas Brothers) and Tal Herzberg (Black Eyes Peas, Christina Aguilera). Before embarking on a solo career, Alex and his band, The Calling, released two very successful albums and many hit singles, including "Adrienne," "Our Lives," and the massive hit “Wherever You Will Go,” which spent most of 2002 at the top of the Billboard Charts and recently was awarded a BDS Award for 800,000 spins. It became one of the biggest songs in the world by the end of 2002, receiving more than 3 million performances and it holds the 2nd place record for staying at number 1 at Adult Top 40 radio the longest amount of time in history, just behind Santana's "Smooth". The band's albums have sold over 4 million copies worldwide. Currently Alex is putting the finishing touches on his new label and creating the marketing plan to give his first solo album the best push possible. In the meantime, along with his awesome new band of players, Alex is touring all over the world, playing The Calling favorites and lots of great new songs as well. 2009-07-12T20:59:52Z 17 Alex Band 2009-07-12T21:25:34Z 26 2010-01-23T22:04:28Z 66 All Get Out 2010-01-23T22:04:28Z 112 Born of the DNA of Rock and Roll and heavily influenced by classical music, Amy Petty’s sound and songwriting is a compelling, complex and original soundscape that weaves a lush tapestry of folk, pop, rock and blues ballad. As the daughter of the soundman for the popular Detroit-area cover band “Stonebridge,” and surrounded by people who loved the music of Yes, Boston, Queen and The Scorpions, Amy’s ear developed both an appreciation for and an ability to create complex harmonies and layered vocals. Classically trained, Amy graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Voice Performance from Oakland University in Rochester MI, where she received numerous awards and honors, sang lead roles in several operas, and sang with the Michigan Opera Theater, Meadowbrook Theater, the Pontiac-Oakland Symphony and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Art, mystery, and spirituality influence and infuse her poignant songs. These sonic canvases showcase the heartfelt emotion behind her lyrics and provide a foundation over which her voice and choral harmonies soar. Often compared to Sarah McLachlan, Eva Cassidy, Alanis Morrisette and Jonatha Brooke, Amy Petty has a signature voice and style both familiar and oh-so-new. Since moving to New Hampshire, Amy has performed at numerous venues, including The Stone Church in Newmarket, NH, The Skybar in Somerville, MA, The Maple Room in Lewiston, ME, The Press Room in Portsmouth, NH, Clark University, Berklee College of Music and Boston University among others. Amy’s debut CD, “Mystery Keeps You,” produced and engineered by Jacob Detering (Bonnie Raitt), and featuring R. Scott Bryan (Sheryl Crow, Peter Mayer), Eric Grossman (K’s Choice), and others, was released in July of 2008 on the Red Pill label. 2009-09-16T03:15:21Z 38 Amy Petty 2009-09-16T03:36:17Z 60 2010-01-24T18:18:04Z 68 Anadhea 2010-01-24T18:18:04Z 114 2010-01-21T11:39:27Z 57 Andrew Varner 2010-01-21T11:39:27Z 103 Angela Peterson has brought her amazing talents to Hollywood and taken the world of music and entertainment by storm. Only in Los Angeles less than one year and this diminutive beauty with the powerful voice has already captivated audiences on some of the most hallowed stages in Hollywood...The Troubadour, The Roxy, The Viper Room, and The Whisky. Performing original songs written by the incomparable Angela, her newest group, The Angela Peterson Band, has been developed in the same sexy style as it's lead singer. Yes Angela handpicked every member of her band as well as all the music the band performs. Alluring, attractive and amazing are the appropriate words describing the Angela Peterson Band. Singing professionally since age 11, success came quickly for Angela in her native Houston, Texas. Her home state is where she followed her country roots while still developing her unique song stylings that eventually led to opening for and performing with several legends of Country music. Artists such as Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley, Big & Rich, and Dierks Bentley have all shared the stage with Angela. Angela made the natural move to Nashville, where she garnered even more success and notoriety for her powerful voice and risqué nature. Once in Nashville, she collaborated with such legendary Producer/Songwriters as Stacey Widelitz, Thom Shepard, and Kris Bergsnes. Always amazing her noteworthy co-writers with her tireless energy and unique songwriting ability. Even legendary Producer/Songwriter Trey Bruce, who collaborated with Angela on her most recent recordings, made the comments during their work together, "Angela is the only singer/songwriter I ever worked with who absolutely produced every second of this album. Her passion is almost unbelievable." Now living in Los Angeles full time and represented by William Morris/Endeavor Talent Agency, this multi-talented entertainer has taken no prisoners. She's starring this season in the hit reality show Millionaire Matchmaker on Bravo network. She's performed in a hit theatre show, starring in Layon Gray's long running critically acclaimed play, The Diary of a Catholic School Dropout. A fresh singer/entertainer with the hot new look, a constant evolving style and a dynamic personality that is all a magnet for super stardom. There are no limits to the reach of Angela Peterson. She has been called a natural talent and a tireless worker in the same breath. An amazing combination for someone as lovely as Miss Angela Peterson. 2010-02-16T23:36:08Z 121 Angela Peterson 2010-02-28T23:25:31Z 174 Arvins Garden is a Tempe based five-piece alt-metal ensemble that has been steamrolling their way through the local and semi national music scene since 2001. Coming from severely different musical backgrounds, their personal influences range from 70s punk and 90s alternative to modern nu-metal and hip-hop however the members of A.G. come together to deliver a seamless continuity. Wanting to be more than just another band writing music, A.G. realizes the importance of not only capturing the attention of their fans, but holding on to it. Arvins Garden devotes a large percentage of their time to developing their live show. Each member contributes to the intense caliber of showmanship at every performance. Dustyn has aggressive sweating vocals and relatable lyrics combined with an amazing ability to control an audience. Jays unique bass playing and theatric performance style rip through any stereotype one might have of bass players. Ryans driving yet solid drums keep this volatile train on its tracks. His well-tempered demeanor can be deceiving. D.J. 35 adds A.G.s aggressive and haunting samples with perfect placement, creating a soundtrack within the music. Adam delivers a perfect combination of pocket rhythms and sweeping melodies combined with well-planned and well-placed solos. His confident swagger lends to a perfect balance for the bands aggressive front line. To describe Arvins Gardens live show would be something like getting hit in the face with a bat and wondering why it felt so good. At this juncture Arvins Garden is a major label act stuck in a local bands body. A.G. will be making a lot of noise this year so open your ears and get ready for the new blend coming out strong in 09. 2010-02-04T01:58:41Z 106 Arvins Garden - follow us on twitter 2010-02-04T02:01:31Z 155 Formed in August of 2009 out of the ashes of various bands, Asa Vendetta brings a refreshing sound of rock and roll to Nashville. The band was built on a raw energy rarely matched and an attitude that has grown tired of a gimmicky scene. Relying on hard driven guitar licks and groove oriented rhythms they have merged a sound that is uniquely their own. 2010-01-17T19:36:27Z 51 Asa Vendetta 2010-01-17T19:42:02Z 97 2009-06-16T20:23:32Z 11 Assembly of Dust 2009-06-16T20:23:32Z 18 "We are simply just four people that love Jesus! When we perform we just want to get that message across to people. We didn't form this band to place judgement on others. We didn't form this band to spread the message that people need to get themselves to church every Sunday within run-down schedules and routines. We didn't form this band so that we might sound like we are placed on a pedestal. We didn't form this band to get time on stage, have a certain look, or get famous. We formed this band to tell people about Christ. We are four sinners saved by the grace of God. We minister because we are instructed by God to do so. We're not perfect. So some may question, how can they minister to others? And we answer that with knowledge from the living word; the Bible. As God has instructed us, we will continue in our ministry; we will make a glorious noise; we will strive to be like him; we will spread his message; we will fellowship with others; we will seek the lost; and we will love our brothers. So with that said, anyone who takes the time to read this knows a little more now about where we're coming from. " -Battlelion 2010-02-14T21:52:37Z 119 Battlelion 2010-02-14T21:58:12Z 172 2010-01-21T00:41:48Z 56 Bella Novela 2010-01-21T00:41:48Z 102 How does a one time varsity soccer star, a student of political science and a descendant of Florence Nightingale get mixed up in the world of rock? And furthermore...where does a band get a name like Birds of Wales? Vancouver singer/songwriter and frontman of Birds of Wales, Morgan Cameron Ross, tells the story best... "While living on campus at the University of Northern British Columbia in Prince George I spent most of my time either playing soccer or writing songs on acoustic guitar in my room," recalls Ross. "Friends of mine in a band called Stabilo, from Vancouver, eventually convinced me to move back and pursue my songwriting skills. They encouraged me to record some tracks and even joined me in the studio for the sessions. As for the band's name....I grew up with a pet cockatoo. My mom was patriotically Welsh and adored birds. The rest is history". In the spring of 2005 Morgan packed up and moved to Toronto where he attended York University's french campus. By the fall of that year he had auditioned and picked what would become Birds of Wales: Mike Caputo from Windsor on guitar, Dan Taylor from Toronto on bass and British newcomer to Canada Ben Standage on drums. Successful stints at Lee's Palace, the Drake and various other Toronto clubs caught the eye of Ralph James, President of The Agency Group, who soon after signed them to his roster. A return trip to Vancouver saw similar audience interest with a packed house at Richard's on Richards. In the summer of 2006 the band took their maiden voyage as Birds Of Wales to London, England. That would be the first of several successful tours in the UK. The Agency Group UK signed the band and Invisible Hands Records / Universal released an early EP in 2007. Return visits across the pond saw the band venture into Ireland, Holland and Spain plus play on a tour opening for Xavier Rudd on his European dates. Consistent attention from British audiences soon paid off. The BBC and regional radio started spinning the band's songs, resulting in one of their singles, "My Lady in July", breaking into the national charts published by Music Week Magazine. Supportive press followed, including photos of the band's charismatic frontman, Morgan Cameron Ross, gracing the pages of England's largest teen magazine "TV HITS". Their imported British EP started to filter back into Canada and constant touring continued. Birds Of Wales gained significant airplay and performed on XM satellite radio[The Verge]. MuchMoreMusic took notice, voting Morgan Cameron Ross as one of the top three hottest guys on their end of year, top 10 show. MuchMusic also showed support having him guest star as a professional songwriter on their homegrown production of the show "Disband". You could hear several Birds of Wales songs if you flipped over to the CBC and tuned into their show "Heartland". In early December of 2009 the band signed with Toronto indie label Sparks Music/ EMI. Their new full length CD "Belgravia Hotel" will be released on April 13, 2010.The first single/video from the project is a song entitled 'Uninteresting' which was penned by Morgan while staying at the Belgravia Hotel in London! The album was produced and recorded in Vancouver at Mushroom Sound by Jeff Dawson (Daniel Powter, Kelly Rowlands) and mixed by Jeff Dawson, Mike Fraser (Aerosmith, Franz Ferdinand) and Mike Gilles (Metallica, Bryan Adams). Birds of Wales are managed by Christi Thompson of Thompson Artist Management whose clients include Xavier Rudd and Mishka. 2010-02-03T15:00:26Z 104 Birds of Wales 2010-02-03T15:03:15Z 153 At 21 years of age, Brittni Paiva (pi –VAH) is the preeminent female `ukulele player from Hawaii. Affectionately referred to as the `ukulele darling, Brittni is a native of Hilo, on the Big Island. She is a multi-award winning, multi-instrumentalist with a prodigious gift who is wholeheartedly embraced by a global audience. Over the past six years Brittni has self-produced three award-winning CDs. She took home the prestigious Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Most Promising Artist of the Year in 2005 in support of her debut release, Brittni x 3. Her sophomore release, Hear, won `Ukulele Album of the Year in the Hawaii Music Awards, otherwise known as Hawaii’s People’s Choice Awards in 2006. This CD was also nominated for the Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Best Instrumental Album of the Year and Favorite Entertainer of the Year. Her third album in as many years, simply titled, Brittni, won `Ukulele Album of the Year in the Hawaii Music Awards in 2007 and was nominated for two Na Hoku Hanohano Awards from the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts. 2009 marks the launch her fourth CD, Four Strings: The Fire Within in a national campaign. This CD contains upbeat, soulful interpretations of her most passionate work in world music. Charles Michael Brotman, Hawaii’s first Grammy Award recipient, co-produced the album. Burning like an eternal flame, instrumental music is an Old World tradition that has bonded people for centuries illuminating aspects of the human spirit that resonate to a higher truth. “The songs on this CD are my favorites,” Brittni says.  “I chose them because they reflect the change in me, showing the increased complexity of my craft. I see music as a canvas and my arrangements are the brush strokes and warm colors that create the picture.” Brittni is well-known in world music circles with nearly one million hits on YouTube and over 62,000 views on her Myspace page. She began her music career at age four trained in classical piano through the Suzuki method. Seven years later, her grandfather gave her an `ukulele, a traditional 4-string Hawaiian folk instrument. For ten years, the `ukulele has been Ms. Paiva’s instrument of choice, though she also plays guitar, bass, piano, and drums. The word `ukulele is a literal translation meaning “jumping flea” which native Hawaiians adopted to describe the quick-fire fingering style required to play the instrument to its full potential. The `ukulele orignated in Portugal over 2,000 years ago and Portuguese immigrants brought their instruments with them from their European homeland to the Hawaiian Islands in the 18th century. Brittni performs frequently in Hawaii, and along the Pacific coast of the mainland. She has represented the Big lsand Visitors Bureau in Canada and is expanding her touring schedule to include different regions throughout the United States and the world. 2009-09-20T09:45:44Z 39 Brittni Paiva 2009-10-06T07:21:23Z 61 Brother Joscephus and the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra is a 12-piece explosion of righteousness that blends New Orleans party music, Soul in the style of Ray Charles and Al Green, a good helping of jam-bandy Roots Rock and a righteous splash of good, upbeat Gospel without the religious overtones (We like to call it secular gospel). In the group’s short history they have already made a big splash in the NYC music scene, sharing the stage with New Orleans stalwarts such as the Rebirth Brass Band, Trombone Shorty, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Bonerama, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars and Eric Lindell. They’ve sold out legendary venues such as the Highline Ballroom and BB King’s. The Revolution began expanding into other regions in April, 2009, playing 13 shows in 12 days during Jazz Fest in New Orleans. Since then the group has performed in 10 states and developed a strong presence in several markets up and down the eastern seaboard. Many followers have attended recent Revivals in Vermont (Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, Red Fox Inn), Boston (Harper’s Ferry), Long Island (Stephen Talkhouse, Great South Bay Festival), Philadelphia, Dewey Beach, Winston-Salem, Asheville (Bele Chere Festival), Atlanta (Smith’s Olde Bar), Birmingham and New Orleans (Blue Nile & Tipitina’s during VooDoo Fest). Each BroJo tune has been meticulously arranged for the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra: The three-piece horn section (the Shepherds of the Wind), the gospel choir (the Voices of Reason), and the most righteous rhythm section (the Guardians of the Groove) lay it down for Brother Joscephus to sing about the pain, joy and wisdom that is in his heart. The core group is twelve pieces, but the Revolution has been known to expand to over sixteen (adding members to the gospel choir, fiddle, mandolin and percussion) and plans are in the works to incorporate an entire orchestra to back up the 12-piece core. A Love Revival with Brother Joscephus is more than just excellent original live music. BroJo is also all about the spectacle and pageantry - it’s a life changing EXPERIENCE! The orchestra is decked out in their finest whites (accented with the appropriate gold, purple and green of Mardi Gras). They break out parasols, start each set with a parade through the audience and throw out hundreds of Mardi Gras beads over the course of a show. When the parade starts grooving the crowd can't help but have a good time. It's undeniable!! Brother Joscephus' message is one of righteousness: spread as much love as possible around, regardless of your individual beliefs, race, age, gender, sex, sexual orientation or whatever it is you're into. Long as you're not hurting anyone, BroJo has much love for you and encourages you to fill the space with whatever love you got. That's what the Love Revival Revolution is all about. Instrumentation: Brother Joscephus - lead vocals, acoustic guitar The Right Reverend Dean Dawg - piano, organ, glockenspiel, trumpet, conducting Pastuh Peace – drums Gangsta of Love - drums Reverend Deacon Big Bottom - bass guitar Joey C-Note - electric guitar Lost Prophet of the Ivories - tenor vocals, organ Gospel Spice - tenor sax, clarinet Captain Delicious - tenor sax, soprano sax Prometheus Reed - tenor sax The Low-Flying Quail - trumpet Mr. Clean - trumpet Rattlesnake Blake - trumpet Dr. Cornelius McSorely, LD (the Love Doctor) – trumpet Afro Chops of Truth - trumpet The Trumpet Czar - trumpet Emperor Bonsai-Roulez - trumpet Baron von Butterlips III – trombone Awesome Possum Jenkins - trombone Slidy McGee - trombone Twelve-Tone Johnson - trombone Poppo Splat - tuba Seoul Sistah #1 - alto and soprano vocals Alabama Red - soprano vocals Ukulele Jackson - soprano vocals Lady L'Amour - soprano vocals Earth Mama - soprano vocals Georgia Peach - alto vocals The Kung Fu Fighter of Love - alto vocals Jambalaya Jones - alto vocals ...to name a few. Follow us on Twitter @BroJoLive! 2010-01-02T19:09:15Z 49 Brother Joscephus & the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra 2010-01-02T19:13:15Z 94 We started playing this music summer 2006, We've gone through ten members a little over a hundred shows and more guitar strings than any of us care to talk about. We were too punk rock when we started and now we're more mellow than ever. We rock, we roll and we try to serenade every once in a while. Chances are we'll try to get to your town soon to hang out. Thanks for visiting. 2010-01-25T22:44:34Z 77 By Hook or Crook 2010-01-25T22:47:17Z 124 Biography "...she appears to be loved by some, panned by others, and regardless of the vocal mega talent, has never been recognized by the right people. As her set continued, the vocal talent and stage presence became obvious. Her version of Red House combined great music and lyrics with gutsy, raw vocals and superior stage appeal. She finished with a Tina Turner song, Nutbush City Limits. This woman is a riveting performer, primarily in the rock and R & B genres. If you like this type of music, I highly recommend taking in one of her shows." Roy Brown - Who Let The Girls Out? WA Blues Society Bluesletter ______________________________________ NEW CD REVIEW!!! PHOENIX BLUES SOCIETY - Kyle Deibler, President LOW DOWN WHERE THE SNAKES CRAWL has been one of the more interesting records I’ve had a chance to listen to so far this year. Cee Cee James writes songs from a place of emotional honesty that few artists care to reveal. The result is an intimate, sometimes guttural view of a woman who isn’t afraid to face her demons and work out her life’s lessons. This is definitely an excellent record from a female artist who isn’t afraid to bear her soul. I applaud her for that. ______________________________________ ROLLIN' FROM LOW DOWN EARTHY BLUES, INTO HONEST, VULNERABLE ROOTS ROCK AND SOUL, CEE CEE IS A TAKE NO PRISONERS ARTIST WHO PERFORMS WITH THE VOCAL AND VISUAL INTENSITY OF JOE COCKER AND JANICE JOPLIN. THE KNOCK BACK JOLT OF SMOOTH WHISKEY ON THE ROCKS. ______________________________________ A variety of rock and blues bands during the late 80’s and into the 90’s, brought Cee Cee James, formally known as Christina Fasano, ‘the funkywhitegirl,’ into the collaboration and recording of her first CD entitled ‘Spiritually Wet,’ released in late 1999. "Spiritually Wet" went forward to gain top MP3.com R&B chart status right under the major label group TLC during 2000. That same year, Christina took home the 10th Annual Los Angeles Music R&B Award; and the first cut off the CD, ‘It’s Just A Funk Thang,’ gained R&B Song TOP 10 status in the JOHN LENNON SONGWRITING CONTEST. The CD garnered endless stellar reviews and gained press in several on and offline publications, as well as receiving play on several Indie U.S. and European Radio Stations. However after some intense life heartbreak, Christina took on her fan nickname of Cee Cee and turned her funked up soul stuff toward writing and singing Roots Rock and Blues. In San Diego, CA Cee Cee worked with her BluesRock band playing countless venues, festivals and local concerts. Continuing on in Portland, Oregon, Cee Cee worked with two great lineups of musicians through 2007 playing locally in clubs and festivals in the Portland area, up through Anacortes, WA and down into Bend, OR. Relocating to Washington, she has just released her second CD of original material entitled “Low Down Where the Snakes Crawl," full of Original Roots Rock, Blues, and even a little Country tune, with lyrics crafted from a life fully lived and experienced. Cee Cee is extremely hard working, easy to work with and is available for trio and full band performances. She is looking forward to continuing to give of her life through singing, writing for herself and others and performances all over the world. 2009-06-02T14:57:46Z 8 Cee Cee James 2009-06-02T15:03:42Z 12 Changing Clocks is a fresh boston-based band playing truly original music in the rock and pop idioms. The group consists 5 twenty-something year old students who met and continue to study at Berklee College of Music, Boston. "A Rock, Pop and Blues fusion [group] with all the flavors to attract and surprise every ear it caresses. A combination of male and female vocals, powerful harmonies and sincere lyrics with subtle but strong arrangements – rhythmic hits and textured guitars with memorable melodies – make for a truly interesting listen. Changing Clocks are worth your time and a lot more" (EspyRock.com) 2010-03-06T18:17:30Z 133 Changing Clocks 2010-03-06T18:20:06Z 189 Throughout his 25 years on the scene, Charnett Moffett has been a man on a mission. As he states,"I'm trying to bring people together on the planet through music. That's part of my calling here in life." That sentiment, coupled with his extraordinary virtuosity on the bass, has resulted in a string of superb outings as a leader as well significant contributions to stellar recordings by such jazz luminaries as Ornette Coleman, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock and Wynton Marsalis. On The Art of Improvisation, his 10th as a leader, Moffett explores his creative muse with a pure, free-spirited approach on his three chosen instruments -- upright bass, fretless electric bass guitar and piccolo bass. "Each is a separate voice," explains the innovative, multi-directional bassist and prolific composer. "And when I incorporate the bow or a wah-wah or distortion effects, I can channel even more voices."

Moffett is joined by different special guests from track to track throughout The Art Of Improvisation, including drummers Will Calhoun and Eric McPherson, keyboardist Scott Brown, guitarists Pat Jones and Steve Barnes and trumpeter Robert Joseph Avalon. Angela Moffett appears on the stirring rendition of "Dreams," reciting the inspiring words of poet Langston Hughes. His son, Charnett Max Moffett, also appears on drums on "Dreams" while the father-son duo is showcased on "Swing Rock" and on the dynamic closer, an electrifying, Hendrix-inspired interpretation of "The Star Spangled Banner." 

"I'm just trying to be true to form," Moffett says of this highly eclectic outing. "All you can do is be who you are anyway, so you might as well go ahead and play all of the music that you enjoy. There's a lot of great music out here on the planet. We should use all of it."

Charnett explains that the opening free jazz blowout "Dreams" was inspired by Ornette Coleman's double quartet on the landmark recording Free Jazz. "I wanted to create an atmosphere on that piece which was similar to what I had experienced with him in his Sound Museum band. The other idea behind the piece is you really try to dream whatever your mission is in life, to make the atmosphere work in a more cohesive place. As jazz artists we all have a responsibility, just as doctors and politicians have their responsibilies. It's our job to make sure we're continuing to stimulate the thought process for human beings so that we enlighten our awareness and challenge ourselves to new horizons through different elements of sound." He adds that the spoken word piece from the Langston Hughes poem in this tune is a message "about being tied into the American Dream and to continue to dream as a human being regardless of who you are."

On "Call for Peace," Moffett colors his arco work with wah-wah pedal in a stirring duet with Tibetan vocalist Yun Chen Lhamo. "She's highly respected in many countries and it was an honor to be able to have a musical dialogue with her," says Charnett. "She exemplifies the extraordinary excellence of what I would say is natural purity in a voice without it being superficial or affected in any way. The way she sings and phrases, she's in and out of all the keys at the same time. And when you're playing a fretless instrument that allows you to experiment with those possibilities, you can really get some other nuances and subtleties that you can't accomplish with an instrument like the piano. Because you're bending the notes, which comes from a whole other spectrum of music that is not necessarily Western orientated."

On the title track, a daring solo bass excursion on upright bass, Charnett incorporates an unorthodox technique which has become one of his signatures. By tapping the strings with the bow down by the bridge while fingering notes on the neck of the bass with his left hand, he is able to achieve a tonal percussive effect that is not unlike the Brazilian berimbau or African diddly-bow. "That's originally a classical technique, except they deal with a different part of the bow," he explains. "I just deal with what's comfortable for my hand." He adds that the tune "The Art Of Improvisation" has become an audience favorite in concert. "It's a good expression piece, and I find that when I play it, people always respond to it very positively. It's music for healing, it's a stress-buster. It's more of an organic expression to release a tension, like meditation, in an abstract way. "

"The Awakening" is a trio piece with pianist Scott Brown and guitarist Pat Jones that features more virtuosic bowing by Charnett on the upright. "On this tune with Scott and Pat it's kind of like a trade that 's going on, like a circle where one guy takes over the line and is expressing his ideas while the others are complementing. So we're going around, supporting each other based off of the theme of the melody. That's inspired by some of the stuff that I heard Stanley Clarke do with Jean-Luc Ponty and Al Di Meola. I guess instinctively it's in me somewhere."

"We Pray" has Charnett creating a low-end choir by layering three separate bass parts and Calhoun supporting with supple brushwork. It's an effect inspired by his recent work with Ornette Coleman. "I was coming off a tour with Ornette where we had three bassists -- me on the upright wah-bass, Al McDowell on fretless electric and Tony Falanga doing some brilliant arco work on upright bass. And this particular tune reflects that whole experience with Ornette. It's my composition with the three different instruments that I like to express my voice in."

"Moses" is a Middle Eastern flavored trio number with pianist Brown and drummer McPherson that features Charnett's considerable slapping-popping technique on fretless electric bass guitar while "Swing Rock" is an energized romp with his son Charnett Max on drums. "That's a real treat," says Charnett of his duo jam with his 20-year-old son. "It's just stuff that we've been doing for years based on the concept freedom and discipline, which is kind of an old philosophy and how we grew up playing in the Moffett Family Band. So for me, that was like having dessert after dinner." 

"Enlightenment" is a two-part suite that opens with a graceful, introspective solo bass statement on piccolo bass guitar before heading into a wah-wah-soaked, raga influenced jam on the same instrument with drummer Calhoun in Part 2. "Elements of Life" is a solo upright bass piece that showcases Charnett's formidable pizzicato technique while on "The Story," an explosive duet piece with drummer Will Calhoun, he bears down on the upright with extreme intensity, tapping the strings percussively with the bow while simultaneously utilizing the wah-wah pedal. "I see the wah-wah like the bow," says Charnett. "My bow is a part of my sound. The wah-wah is an extension of my sound and it's close to a voice, especially when you bow it."

The collection closes on a raucous note with an edgy rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" played on fretless electric bass with distortion pedal set on stun and wah-wah pedal fully engaged. It features Moffett's son Charnett Max on drums. "People think I'm playing the anthem for political reasons or whatever, but I just like the song. So it's become my own personal standard and I'm always interested in trying to figure out how many different ways I can interpret it. I've been doing it on the upright but this time I tried to challenge myself and do it on the fretless electric bass, in the tradition of Jaco Pastorius' version of 'America The Beautiful,' where he really had that Hendrix element happening."

Regarding the indelible hookup with his son Charnett Max on The Art Of Improvisation, Moffett says, "It's a real blast playing with him. He seems like he's gotten a lot from his grandfather, which I'm really enjoying. It's like playing with my old man again. The way his whole groove is and everything, it's just amazing how much it reminds me of my dad. There's a lot of telepathy happening there, for obvious reasons, and a deep spiritual connection between us. He keeps such a great legacy going from the musical family which I come from."

On using the three different basses throughout The Art Of Improvisation, Moffett says, "It really freed me up in a lot of ways. I don't think a lot of people realize it but I was actually a trumpet player before I was a bass player. I played trumpet for three or four years before I even picked up the bass so I guess that's where my piccolo bass appetite comes from. The upright is the foundation and my fretless electric bass is dead center from the sounds of the piccolo bass and the upright bass. And when I use wah-wah, I'm just trying to express a voice, like when Miles Davis put his mute in his trumpet. It's just an extension of expressing myself and I'm hearing more of that these days."

Born on June 10, 1967, Charnett's name is a contraction of his father's name (jazz drummer Charles Moffett) and jazz icon Ornette Coleman (whom Charles Moffett played with from 1965-1967). As a child prodigy he started playing bass in the Moffett Family Band at the age of seven and appears on their 1974 self-titled recording LRS Records. One year later he toured Japan with the Moffett Family Band. "Growing up in a musical family has been quite an experience," says Charnett. "My first teacher was my dad. He shared the gift of music with all of us kids. My first instrument was drums, then trumpet, and by age eight I found myself playing the bass with the Moffett Family Band on a tour to the Far East. And it's been an incredible journey since then."

Charnett attended Fiorello H. La Guardia H. S. for the Music and Arts in New York City and later studied at Mannes College of Music and the Juilliard School of Music. In 1983, he played on Branford Marsalis' debut as a leader, Scenes in the City, and the following year he joined the Wynton Marsalis quintet, appearing on 1985's acclaimed Black Codes (From the Underground). During the '80s, he also worked with Stanley Jordan, appearing on the innovative guitarist's 1985 Blue Note debut, Magic Touch, as well as with the Manhattan Jazz Quintet and legendary drummer Tony Williams, appearing on two of the late great drummer's Blue Note recordings, 1987's Civilization and 1988's Angel Street. In 1987, Moffett signed with Blue Note Records and debuted as a leader that year with Beauty Within, which featured his father Charles on drums, older brothers Codaryl on drums and Mondre on trumpet, Kenny Garrett on alto sax and Stanley Jordan on guitar. He followed that up with 1988's Net Man, featuring Michael Brecker, Al Foster, Kenny Drew Jr. and Jordan and in 1991 with Nettwork, his swan song for the label. 

In 1993, Charnett recorded Rhythm & Blood for Sweet Basil's Apollon Records. A savvy mix of jazz and pop, it placed high on the music charts in Japan that year. Moffett would subsequently score artistic triumphs on the Evidence label with 1994's Planet Home (which featured his audacious, electronically enhanced rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" in tribute to Jimi Hendrix's Woodstock showstopper) and 1997's Still Life featuring keyboardist Rachel Z and drummer Cindy Blackman. In 1996, Moffett appeared on two simultaneous releases by Ornette Coleman's Sound Museum -- Hidden Man and Three Women. Another 1997 recording, Acoustic Trio for Teichiku Records, showcased Charnett's innovative acoustic bass playing. Three other '90s recordings for the Sweet Basil/Evidence label were done under the collective name of General Music Project and featured former Miles Davis alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett, pianists Geri Allen and Cyrus Chestnut and father Charles Sr., who passed away before the group could tour together. Another Charnett recording from 1995, Moffett & Sons, is a collaboration father Charles that also includes appearances from pianist James Williams, saxophonists David Sanchez, Joshua Redman and Bill Pierce, and trumpeters Wallace Roney and Philip Harper. In 2001, Charnett released a potent trio recording with pianist Mulgrew Miller and drummer Lewis Nash, Mr. J.P (a tribute to Jaco Pastorius), for the now-defunct Sweet Basil label in Japan.

In 2003, Charnett played on McCoy Tyner's Telarc recording, Land of the Giants. He has also performed and recorded with such jazz greats as Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Frank Lowe, Ellis Marsalis, Mulgrew Miller, Wallace Roney, Pharoah Sanders, Arturo Sandoval, Sonny Sharrock and David Sanborn. He has also performed on various movie soundtracks, including The Last Boy Scout, Glengarry Glen Ross, The Visit and was a featured soloist for The Score. In 2004, he released For The Love Of Peace on Piadrum Records and followed up in 2006 with Internet on that label. And now comes The Art Of Improvisation, his personal manifesto for the bass and one of his most eclectic outings to date. "I'm just trying to be true to form," says Charnett. "All you can do is be who you are anyway, so you might as well go ahead and play all of the music that you enjoy."
 2009-08-31T22:14:20Z 34 Charnett Moffett 2009-08-31T22:15:30Z 54 2010-02-03T19:39:51Z 105 Chris Hodges 2010-02-03T20:43:21Z 154 “Music for the people, by the people.” Conscious Souls music embraces the California Beach Culture it emerged from. Growing up in the culturally diverse San Francisco Bay Area where colorful sounds ranging from Pop, Reggae, Hip-hop, and Rock & Roll are experienced daily, the group embraces positive qualities from each of these genres and reproduce it in their own unique style. With more than six years of making music together, the members of Conscious Souls have created their own unique style of entertainment that anyone and everyone can relate to. What started off as a group of lost souls with 5 different backgrounds in a friend’s basement, has now transformed into a couch jumping, champagne wearing, party bandit lifestyle simply known as the Conscious Souls. Dubbed as one of the up-and-coming bands originating out of the greater San Francisco Bay Area, they are best known for rocking legendary nightclub events filled with go-go dancers, beautiful women, and bottle service. Conscious Souls have experience performing at house parties, music festivals and charity events. Always leaving their fans wanting more, Conscious Souls pride themselves in their live performances and showmanship. The band’s unique sound has been referred to as a mix of Beastie Boys and Sublime after about 20 cups of coffee with a touch of Matisyahu, in a room with 311 posters on the wall. Their inaugural full–length album “Why Wouldn’t We” released in May 2009. CS released their debut EP “Northern California’s Finest” in 2007. Music is available on Cdbaby.com or iTunes. 2009-08-22T08:31:27Z 21 Conscious Souls 2009-08-22T08:41:20Z 36 Creepa winner of MTV's first season G's to Gents is visiting NYC for the first time since being the winner of the show. G's to Gents executive producers Jamie Foxx and Cris Abrego headed to the hood to find 14 young G’s with gruff exteriors and unrelenting street swagger, and put them to the ultimate challenge of their lives – pull up their pants, check their egos and transform them into true gentlemen. The show successfully broadcasted back in July of 2008. “From G’s to Gents” featured author, recording artist and arbiter of good taste Fonzworth Bentley. Serving as mentor, life coach and confidante to these young men who all believe they have what it takes to shed their bad boy images and make life-altering changes. Hailing from New York, New Jersey, Detroit, California, Miami and Puerto Rico to name a few contestants on the series participated in weekly challenges in everything from style, etiquette, chivalry, business and more. Throughout the season they learned that with the right tools, every G has the ability to find respect, realize their self-worth and graduate from G’s to true Gentleman. In the end, Creepa was the G who fully absorbed these lessons and walked away with added skills, panache and $100,000 to jump-start a whole new life. After finally getting his hands on the prize money, Creepa was able to save his mother's house from foreclosure ("That was a good feeling," he admits) and still have enough cash left over to start his own indie record label (NWG) and non-profit organization (A-plus Kids). Moving forward Creepa is looking for love and is on the pursuit of pitching to MTV his new reality show…"Creepa Looking For Love" The buzz about this show is spreading rapidly. Huge ratings are a sure thing for the network that picks up this show. "Which lady out there is ready for a goon and a gentleman?" 2010-01-29T23:48:06Z 97 creepa 2010-01-29T23:49:56Z 144 Crooked Crow formed in 2001, upon the ashes of their previous incarnation, Acoustic Reign. Building themselves a strong following in the Washington DC area as a cover band, Crooked Crow became a familiar name around town for parties and a rocking good time. During the cover years, the guys never stopped writing original songs, and in 2007 began to focus primarily on playing their own music at “proper” live music venues. Their original music is best described as Vertical Horizon or Tonic meets the Foo Fighters. It’s high energy, straight-up rock and roll, featuring obvious classic and Southern rock influences coupled with modern lyric and rhythm stylings. As a popular headlining act at smaller venues around the Washington DC metro area, Crooked Crow is now playing DC’s larger venues. Building a following throughout the Northeast Corridor, the band plays often in Baltimore, Philly, New Jersey, and New York City. Crooked Crow is also turning their attention to the south, with shows in Richmond, VA and Raleigh, NC in the works. Crooked Crow has opened for and supported many regional and national headliners, including Authority Zero, Zebrahead, and Sponge. 2010-01-20T23:50:29Z 55 Crooked Crow 2010-01-21T00:00:24Z 101 “Cryptic Shade is not trying to be your typical heavy metal band; they have an eclectic sound that brings together a wide variety of influences.” (Jyoti Roy of Feminist Review April 2, 2009) An original Progressive Metal band, Cryptic Shade entered the Portland, Oregon music scene in 2008. The band’s name has significant meaning that represents their music: “Cryptic,” meaning mysterious and enigmatic; “Shade” representing the variation of mood, ranging from light to dark. Complex rhythms and dynamic melodies characterize Cryptic Shade’s music, which may be interpreted emotionally and stylistically different for each listener. Although written without self-imposed boundaries, Cryptic Shade’s music always has a progressive twist. Baroque melodies blend with driving heavy rhythms within varied genres, ranging from acoustic, classical, blues, and jazz to power and thrash metal. The drums are an intricate and ever-changing time machine for the moving rhythm of the strings. The two guitars produce a thick undertone that harmonize and create symphonic layering that is lush and textured. The bass adds deep tones that build on the rhythms and melodies, with its own identity. “The combination… makes for a very, very heavy sound with the complex riffs of rhythm and lead” (Feminist Review). The “fifth instrument,” the vocal, is the final layer that does not always mimic the stringed melody and timing. Vocal tones may be clean or have an edge, which accent the instrumentation. As Roy notes, the vocals are “… almost sweet, amazingly melodic, [standing] out over the music—still discordant, but more bluesy than metal.” Cryptic Shade gives an energized, musically exciting live stage performance. Each musician brings a raw emotion that bleeds with the musical elements and injects excitement into a show for the audience to see, hear and feel. “Great freakin’ show!” writes Greg Eisenach, lead vocals/guitarist of established local band, Ashen Relic. “You are one of the most kick ass ensembles I’ve seen in the local arena. Your music takes me back to a better day in music history.” Being characterized as “not your typical metal band” is a worthy phrase on all fronts for Cryptic Shade. The group is dedicated to the music they believe in, whether it is their musical prowess, skillful song writing, or the execution in a live performance. In the pursuit of building their grassroots fan following, this characterization also applies. Promotion, in addition to offering free demos to fans, has been proving effective in reaching a wider fan base. 2010-01-20T17:09:44Z 52 Cryptic Shade 2010-01-20T17:28:34Z 98 Emerging out of Asheville, North Carolina's roots renaissance, Dehlia Low echoes the sounds of early country with a strong bluegrass flavor, crafting a fresh originality that feels like home. Since August of 2007, the group has quickly developed a devoted fan base with the help of their self-titled EP, receiving national and international reviews and radio play. In 2009, Dehlia Low traveled across the US on the national festival circuit in support of their first full-length release "Tellico" that showcases the group's exceptional songwriting talents as well as outstanding vocal and instrumental performances. 2010-01-25T22:25:24Z 76 Dehlia Low 2010-01-25T22:28:42Z 123