Luther B
Feb 28, 2010 Today's Stars
Luther B, whose full name is Luther Earl Baker, was born in Baltimore, MD October 1, 1955 to Emmett and Kathleen
Baker. Luther B has always been influenced by music. As a little lad he could remember the Gospel Quartet singing by his father and uncles.
They used to sing songs by The Mighty Clouds of Joy, The Dixie Hummingbirds, and The Five Blind
Boys. Many times Luther B and his brothers Ervin and Kenny, along with his sister Erma, were asked to join in with all that good singing. Those memorable moments in his life taught Luther B the art of harmony singing, timing, and rhythm.
Singing all of the latest Motown hits with his brothers also enhanced his singing ability.
When he was just nine years old, Luther B began playing drums and singing tenor in the choir at Unity Bible Way, a local
church in Baltimore. He developed the interest in playing the piano at the age of eleven.
While at Unity Bible Way Church, he asked the preachers to pray for his hands so that he would receive the gift of playing the piano.
That same year, Luther B’s father purchased his first piano for $20. One of those big, upright, spaceship pianos. Luther B then purchased a record player and began a collection of records. He would practice sometimes nine to fourteen hours a day, listening to every style of music he could get his hands on. He listened for chord progressions, phrasings, and improvisations of all kinds. His fingers became sore and achy from so many hours of practice. He would often become frustrated, but his determination to learn to play grew stronger.
As a result of his hard work and practice, Luther B has toured extensively with groups and bands that he had formed. He has performed many concerts, venues spanning from New York to the Bahamas. For a while, he relocated to Nashville, TN where he played for Dr. Bobby Jones and Derrick Lee of BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel. He worked with Donald Lawrence, and was apart of several television show tapings, including Christmas and New Year’s programs.
He has performed in shows with Joe Lagon of The Mighty Clouds of Joy, and played for the incomparable Pastor
Shirley Caesar. He has performed for the legendary Andrae Crouch in California, and played for the late Danniebelle Hall, a former lead singer for Andrae Crouch.
Luther B was music director for a Larnelle Harris concert in Baltimore, MD, and has opened for artists such as Hezekiah
Walker at the Morris Mechanic Theater, and the New Jersey Mass Choir.
He also performed with Diana Ross at
Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD. They did a special rendition of the classic “I Will Survive” with a 30 voice
choir which he directed. He has produced hundreds of music tracks for singers, songwriters, and other artists.
All of these great experiences are a result of Luther B’s dedication and hard work at perfecting his craft. He has studied
Classical Piano at Morgan State University, studied Jazz at Essex College, and even now Luther B continues to cultivate his talent through private Classical lessons at Peabody Conservatory of Music.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Tags: arranger, composer, Gospel, Jazz, music, piano, singer, smooth, Vocalist
Jo Tongo
Feb 28, 2010 Home Page
JO TONGO was born and raised in DOUALA (CAMEROON), West Africa. His mother has a lot of sons and daughters but Jo is the elder brother. The father is a notary and also a good violin and up straight bass player. JO was surrounded with music since his mother belly cause his grand grandfather, the Reverend Alfred TONGO DIBOUNDOU use to play organ in the church he was preaching. At the age of 13, JO TONGO was granted with an acoustic guitar by one of his uncles and started studying how to play by himself. He found his way by using a guitar book since he was able to read and write music. Matter of fact, JO learned elementary music theory at the high school, and was always the best on this matter. At the age of 15, he joined the high school band as guitarist and two years after became the band leader. That happened in YAOUNDE, the capital. At the same time, JO set up his first band in DOUALA with his young friends, the ROCK’N CHACH, mixing up African, Caribbean and American soul music and started writing his own compositions, sounding different from the other bands. JO recorded this music at the Cameroonian radios both in DOUALA and YAOUNDE. There was no recording studio in CAMEROON those days. JO gained his elder musicians consideration and started playing with them. Since he became without doubt the best guitar player of his country. To prevent him from winning the bands competition organized by the head of state of the moment, JO TONGO was sent to Paris by his father. The latter did not want his son to become a professional musician. In Paris, JO studied pharmacy for two years, but was obliged to stop cause of his father’s problems with the Cameroonian government. At the same time, Jo was learning classic piano. He obtained the first degree of piano of Paris national superior academy of music. Then he changed for accountancy for two years. Jo worked three years as an accountant, and then he decided to become a professional musician. JO TONGO started playing with the best musicians in Paris, like Manu DIBANGO, Françis BEBEY, Joseph KABASSELE, and Franklyn BOKAKA. He was involved in the main recording sessions in studio with African and European artists. In 1966, Gerard AKUESON gave JO opportunity to make his first record. JO played what we could call world-music today. From his second record, JO turned to a kind of Afro funk music, very original and exciting, mixing up African sound and American Rhythm and blues. Jo was given the battle name of JOJO L’EXPLOSIF (JOJO THE EXPLOSIVE). In 1968, after he recorded his second record (GET IT THE WAY I LIKE & NON NON NON); the young artist was invited to a concert in the “SALONS DES AMBASSADEURS” in the “CHAMPS ELYSEES” in Paris. The main African and Caribbean artists had to perform in front of all the ambassadors of Paris. Manu DIBANGO’s band had to back all of them. But for some unknown reason, DIBANGO refused to back JOJO. After a lot of arguments, he accepted. But instead of singing two songs like everyone, Jo was allowed to sing only one song. After performing GET IT THE WAY I LIKE, the public made a standing ovation to JOJO and asked him to sing another song. The artist turned to the musicians and said: I’VE BEEN LOVING YOU. JO performance was simply wonderful. Gisèle BAKA, a Caribbean singer and manager came to congratulate the young man. Then she invited JOJO to another concert she organized in “OLYMPIA” in Paris, two months later, in commemoration of Doctor Martin Luther KING Jar death. DIBANGO started the same problems again, saying that if JOJO is there, he would not come. A lot of artists decided not to be there if JOJO is absent. This time JO sang a single song. The public delighted and excited was waiting for another one. The young man just came back on stage for a reverence. A star was born. As a music director and conductor, JOJO made beautiful arrangements for other artists as UTA BELLA and Manu DIBANGO. Jo took lessons of classic orchestration and arrangements with VLADIMIR KODJOUKAROV, the conductor of the French National Classic Orchestra. (Orchestra National de Paris). JO TONGO became the most popular African artist. He played for African heads of states like NYASSIBWE EYADEMA of TOGO, YAKUBU GOWON of NIGERIA, MOBUTU SESE SEKO of ZAIRE (Democratic Republic of CONGO), AHMADOU AHIDJO of United Republic of CAMEROON, Prince ALBERT II of MONACO. The artists that brought JO to higher audience are the American pianist and singer MEMPHIS SLIM, the King of BOOGIE WOOGIE and MIKE BRANT, a singer from ISRAEL who became a legend in France.
In 1976, after performing in MIDEM (Cannes) JO TONGO created a new band he called TUMBALO. Patrick, Alex and Chris FRANCFORT (now called THE GIBSON BROTHERS) asked JO to become members of his new band. Vicky EDIMO who heard about this asked JO to join the group, what was done.
TUMBALO recorded 10 songs for DECCA, but for some unknown reasons, this record never came out in time so that the FRANCFORT brothers decide to follow their own way. They were right.
JO TONGO has one of his music used in a French movie called “FEMME DE SA VIE” with the famous French actress Emmanuelle BEART. Later on, he was asked for music for an American movie: NEVER EVER with a well-known French actress SANDRINE BONNAIRE.
Nowadays JO TONGO added REGGAE MUSIC to his influences. He backed KY-MANI MARLEY (one of the BOB MARLEY’s sons) who came to Cannes Festival (of Cinema) for the movie he produced, ONE LOVE, in 2004. With a help of Claudine DE JESUS COSTA, JO TONGO who also made cinema studies in Cannes created RISIN’SUN to promote afro music and movies.
His last CD, JO TONGO ( JOJO L’EXPLOSIF) GREAT HITS and the video clips for this album are RISIN’ SUN productions with a help of AURORE PRODUCTION.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Check out Jo Tongo’s MySpace page
Tags: composer, funk, happy, Jazz, music, Old School, Reggae, RnB, Uplifting, vintage, World, writer
Hunter Pecunia
Feb 20, 2010 Today's Stars
Biography:
A marriage of Alicia Keys and Kelly Clarkson in a 14-year-old? Petite Hunter Pecunia packs a voice that according to Kidd Kraddick, KISS FM after watching Hunter sing said, “Who taught her that? Is her mom Ella Fitzgerald? Girls her age can’t do runs like that. Amazing. Are you sure she’s not 27?”
Besides headlining for Pepsi Kid Around, Grapevine Christmas Polar Express Festival, Hard Rock Café, Texas Motor Speedway, Universal City Walk, Relay for Life, Atheria with Willy Nelson and Jessica Simpson, Love For Kids, opened for Drew Seeley, Plano Balloon Festival, YBAA Performance Camp, Texas Winter Olympics, and the New Orleans Saints, Dallas Desperados, Texas Rangers and Anaheim Angels MLB, Texas Tornados and the OneHeart Bowl. Hunter has showcased in front of major industry professionals from Universal Records to Oxygen Network.
Hunter was the winner of the Septien Master Showcase because of her incredible ability to stop an audience with her top 40 radio vocals. At only 13 years old, she sounds like a mature seasoned singer in a compact instrument!
“Stop the contest. Game over. She’s a joy to watch!” Kidd Kraddick, KISS FM
“It’s hard to believe this HUGE voice is coming from this little girl. Definite star quality!!” Becky Oliver Fox 4 News
“Blew me away. The future of music just got a lot brighter.” Ralph Brasius, Rep for Cheyenne Kimball
“Right off the bat [she] took control. The whole package, looks, talent and watchibility!” Suzanne Horne, Horne Agency
“Hunter has a great ability to throw her voice around! Stage presence like a pro, confidence beyond her years!” Jamie Ramsey and Jay Roecker, Radio Disney
More? You bet! Hunter has other credits to her already near perfect career – lead in Barney & Friends for 4 seasons, and talent in national and regional commercials for Hasbro Furby, Wal-Mart Bratz Dolls,Topps Ring Pop, Twister, Toshiba, Cotton Patch Restaurants, Dennys, Radio Disney, Tostitos, and many more – and she really means many more!!!
“I have worked with over 3,600 singers and I have never seen more talent come from one 13 year old in my life. I hope I have the opportunity to help make her dreams come true Better yet? She has a support team of the greatest parents in the world. They believe in her and are behind her all the way from her talented musical mom to her light hearted dad. They are a pleasure in themselves!!” Linda Septien, CEO, SEG Records/Septien Entertainment Group
Sons Of Harmony
Feb 14, 2010 Today's Stars
On February 13, 2010, my friend Mr Delroy Smyth joined us on Conversations. It was an enlightening and uplifting conversation with the founding member of the Sons of Harmony. We got to hear a bit about his coming into his own after a bout with Alcohol and Substance abuse to return to his destiny of creating beautiful Old School Gospel music that glorifies the Lord. We had a great time listen to the Working On A Building CD. If you are a lover gospel music, you really need to add this one to your collection.
The original members of the group formed The Sons of Harmony in the summer of 1999 while in drug and alcohol rehabilitation in Baltimore, Md. They became known for their a cappella style singing among their peers. They have performed with the likes of The Gospel Keynotes, The Fantastic Violinaires and Lil David & The Bells of Joy.
Some of the Awards they have been blessed to have received are the 2007 Fred Newsome Award for “Best A Cappella Group of the Year” and Nominees at the 2009 Independent Music Awards and the Security Square Mall Gospel Choir & Quartet Competition in Baltimore, Md.
They have also been recognized by the Cambridge Honor Society for their inspiring story of overcoming difficulties and the vision for their ministry.
In a decade, The Sons of Harmony have completely transformed their lives. Through their music, they hope that others may experience the same thing.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Available at www.Cdbaby.com
Tags: Gospel, Harmony, music, Old School, Uplifting
Monica Chapman
Feb 14, 2010 Today's Stars
Fake Books at Sheet Music Plus. Improvise and jam with our great fake book selection - all styles, all keys, lots of artists. Go now!
We first met Monica on February 6 2010
When she was on the show we had so much fun getting to know her and listening to her beautiful vocals on extraordinary Jazz music. My good friend Glenn Gordon also joined us and all I can say is if you missed that episode, you missed something good. Never fear though, Monica will be back to visit with us on March 13, 2010 with another awesome Jazz Musician and Vocalist, Luther B. You may remember that his music is featured here on WDGP and he is the person who introduced me to Ms Monica. I hope you will not only join us on March 13, but purchase this wonderful CD to add to your Jazz collection.
Find Monica’s music at:
Reverbnation
also available at CDbaby.com
Monica Chapman was born in Romania and came to Canada with her family at the age of nine at which time she began to study piano. She attained her degree in piano performance ( A.R.C.T.) and voice at the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto as well as a Bachelor of Arts Degree from York University.
Her early interest in musical theater led to a role with the Toronto Operetta Theater Company in their production of The Widow in 2004. She also appeared in several musical variety productions at the Grand Theatre in Fergus. In 2004 she recorded a CD titled Sincerely, featuring Broadway show tunes.
From classical music to musical theater, Monica has evolved into a jazz performer over the past five years and she appears at jazz venues throughout Toronto and beyond. She has been backed by talented musicians whom she thanks immensely: Norm Amadio, Jordan Klapman, Jack Zorawski,Glenn Anderson,Tony Quarrington(Juno award winner), Igor Babich and Tom Skubliks.
Monica is inspired by such jazz legends as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Cleo Laine but makes the music you are about to hear very much her own.
Heart’s Desire is her debut jazz recording.
Eddie Sea
Feb 11, 2010 Today's Stars
Eddie Sea
Biography:
Prolific songwriter/producer Eddie “Sea” Caldwell pens an album of a lifetime!
Eddie Sea is releasing an album that reflects his memories of his Childhood through adult years in the tough, but elegant streets of Chicago. For years Eddie “Sea” has been serenading the world with the Underground G-funk legendary rapper Swolts. Producing 5 Cds. Now he’s ready to embrace the world with his Compilation album “Moon City” which all of the songs he wrote and produced.” Moon City will take you to a place in your mind where music has no boundaries.
The album, ‘Moon City’, consists of fourteen original songs written by Eddie Sea, each providing a combination his high-energy production, melodious vocals and heartfelt lyrics. Several singers, and musicians perform these hypnotic, organic, and beautiful works of art.
“Moon City” reflects the same sounds and images when music was in it’s glory days of the 70’s. Great stories combined with real life events that meld together with real singers and seasoned musicians. This Album is a collection of songs from different genres, which Eddie “Sea” has written and assembled some of the world’s great talents to sing and play on it. Recorded in his home studio “Diamond Atmosphere” “Moon City” has that home grown Chicago magic. Witnessed in the form of the great Chess records.
With relatively all live instruments from flutes to sitars, “Moon City” gives you an opportunity to enjoy an alternative to the mainstream and current radio play list.
All of the songs send messages that will reach anyone from a child to a person in their senior years. Eddie writes for the soul.
Eddie “Sea” says “We have to get music back to how music was in the 70’s when people had passion about listening to their favorite artist, it was a blood sweat, and tears era. And that’s what I intend to do. This album is a reflection of my influences over the years and the changes that I’ve experienced recently in my life. Beautiful stories witnessed on “I Am Love (acoustic guitar song) ” to the controversial “Sunrise In Bangkok” to the feel good songs like “Fire” and “Underwater Paradise” And the funky dramatic Sly Stone influenced “Afro” with bassist Aaron Mills from the funk group Cameo singing and playing. Moon City is an album you can’t afford to leave on the shelf!
Eddie “Sea” has written and created for the world’s inner soul.If you enjoy Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, John Legend, Michael Jackson, Minnie Rippleton, Sly Stone, Tupac Shakur, Erika Badu, Lenny Kravitz, Robin Thicke, this is the album for you. Moon City has elements of Neo-Soul, R&B, Soul Rock, Latin, Acoustic, Funk, Hip Hop, and World Music all fused into one organic masterpiece.
http://www.musicofthesea.com
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Plunky & Oneness
Feb 11, 2010 Today's Stars
Plunky & Oneness
Biography:
Saxophonist J. Plunky Branch is an experienced performer, songwriter and music and video producer, and he is president of N.A.M.E. Brand Records, through which he has released 25 albums. At one time Plunky was a studio musician for television’s top-rated sitcom, “The Cosby Show. His song “Every Way But Loose” was a top-ten soul music chart hit in London in the 1980’s. He has appeared on avant-garde jazz albums by Pharaoh Sanders, Hamiett Bluiett and others. Nowadays Plunky spends his time leading his bandmates onstage playing rousing funk, R&B, jazz, African, reggae, and rap and making music in his recording studio.
Plunky’s European tours have taken him to England, France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. He twice toured Ghana, West Africa, once for the Ghana National Commission on Children, and again as a cultural specialist for the U.S. Information Agency. Recently he has performed in Paris and London; traveled to Brazil; and to Cuba twice to research and produce music recordings and a documentary film, Under the Radar – A Survey of Afro-Cuban Music. His latest releases are the new 5-CD compilation Plunky & Oneness 2012 Collectors Box Set; two critically acclaimed CD’s Drive It and Cold Heat; and his DVD Plunky & Oneness of Juju – Live In Paris.
With his group, Plunky & Oneness, he has opened shows for Patti Labelle, Ray Charles, Earth Wind & Fire, Yellow Jackets, and Frankie Beverly & Maze, LL Cool J, and more. Plunky & Oneness performed at the New Orleans World’s Fair, the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta (four times) and twice at the Hampton Jazz Festival in his native Virginia. For more than 15 years Plunky has toured continually with support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA).
Plunky’s career accomplishments are as varied as his music and his diverse interests, which include: African art and culture, history, digital technology, politics and the media. In addition to being a veteran saxophonist and composer, J. Plunky Branch has served as an administrator, lecturer and teacher. He has been a frequent arts panelist for the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Plunky is a two-time recipient of NEA Jazz Fellowships and he was appointed to the Governor’s Task Force for the Promotion of the Arts in Virginia. He has been Director of the Jazz Ensemble at Virginia Union University as well as an instructor of Afro-American Music History at Virginia Commonwealth University, both in Richmond.
Recognized by Richmond Magazine as Musician of the Year for 1999, Plunky is a sought after artist-in-residence and performer for public schools systems. He has written film scripts, journals of his travels, poems and over 300 songs.
Throughout his career Plunky has entertained and taught thousands, and in the process, has developed a broad and loyal following. During his 1987 West African tour, critics proclaimed Plunky “one of the greatest living saxophonist!” In a context where rhythm, ritual, power and emotion reign supreme, he just might be!
For further information contact: J. Plunky Branch, 2218 Rosewood Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220, 804-355-3586, Fax 804-355-7240, Email: plunkyb@aol.com
Tags: Jazz, preformer, saxophone, songwriter
G.O.L.D. – God’s Other Living Disciple
Feb 11, 2010 Today's Stars
G.O.L.D. (God’s Other Living Disciple)
Biography:
G.O.L.D. is a motivational speaker and worship leader using the gifts God gave him to minister, reach, & encourage young people all over the world. He serves as youth minister under the leadership of Pastor Shawn Mcbride of New Life Community Church in Bowie, MD. G.O.L.D. uses his experiences from the past as a secular Hip Hop and R&B recording artist as a testimony in his presentations. Through the blessing of “Holy Hip Hop” and Rhythm & Praise G.O.L.D. reaches young people and is able to connect musically with them opening avenues to share with them the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
All ages can connect with this musical blessing. White, black, old and young have all received a visit from the Holy Spirit and became spiritually energized from his performances. There is nothing more amazing and exciting then witnessing GOD work through a crowd of people revealing His glory!!!!
G.O.L.D. (God’s Other Living Disciple)
http://www.Goldministries.net
Location: Bowie, MD, USA
Tags: believer, Gospel, happy, Harmony, independent, preformer, rap, Uplifting, Vocalist, youth
Cashbook Clique
Feb 11, 2010 Today's Stars
Biography:
Cashbook Clique
CashBook Clique a group of fascinating individuals was born in late 2008.
The group consists of three individuals, Dwayne AKA “Keez”, Andrew AKA “Bin-Law” Ricardo AKA “Scaffle” and Ainsley “Khani” Smith.
The music performed by the three can easily be described as a true blend of Dancehall Reggae and Hip Hop two of worlds leading genre’s of music.
Since the formation of CashBook Clique in 2008 Bin-Law, Scaffle,Khani and Keez have employed their ingenuity and street smarts to establish for themselves a vehicle in the form of their very own record label (also registered in late 2008)Street Dream Records to get their music out to the public.
The music “clever rhymes wrapped around ear pleasing beats” are all written and the music composed by the trio.
Operating from their home Base in Buff Bay Portland the group has been successful in putting out what they consider as their introduction to the music scene an album titled Ghetto Genesis Volume 2 which is presently being digitally distributed by CD Baby.com and is being sold on Amazon, itunes and Rhapsody just to name a few.
This the group considers to be a strong move as Ghetto Genesis Vol. 2 has had songs downloaded as far away as Japan and have gotten airplay from quite a few Radio stations and Podcasts in America and England (and the number rises by the day).Many of these have branded the music of the group as “some of the best to be exported from Jamaica (Jamrock) thus far”.
In addition to being played on overseas radio the group has recently had one of their tracks titled “Rise” played on Hitz 92 FM a radio station based in Jamaica and the response to the song has been a promising one as scores of CashBook Clique fans have expressed their joy in hearing the group on Jamaican radio.
A recent review of the groups musical efforts was done by Soundline Magazine an on line magazine based in Canada.
In this review which can be viewed online by going to www.soundline.ca the group was commended for the way in which they brought the 2 genre’s of music that they do together while maintaining a Jamaican feel to their music .
In addition to these accomplishments the group has recently done a music video for what they consider their title track “Street Dreaming” which has become a fixture on local channels in Portland Jamaica and has been played quite a few times on RE TV one of Jamaica’s biggest entertainment channels.
The quartet of CashBook Clique is poised to do great things in the music industry at large and are working full time to see their dream of becoming household names for music in Jamaica and the world come through.
For further information on CashBook Clique please visit www.streetdreamrecords.com or contact Dwayne Valentine @ vdwayne67@yahoo.com or Cashbookkeez@gmail.com or call Dwayne Valentine @ 1-876-996-1870 or 1-876-892-3490
CashBook Clique
http://www.streetdreamrecords.com
Location: Buff Bay, Portland, Jamaica
Brick Giving Encouragement To Youths
Feb 7, 2010 Beyond The Music
If you have been a Listener of Conversations for any length of time, you know that 2 special friends are on the show quite frequently. They are 2 of the founding members of the 70′s band BRICK. Reggie Hargis- guitarist and Hornman Jimmy Brown.
They are very special to me, but they go beyond the music by visiting Atlanta area schools and offering advice and encouragement to our youth.
Keeping with the marching golden lion’s 70′s music theme, guest speakers Jimmy Brown (left)& Regi Hargis(right) from the sensational R&B Funk Band BRICK stopped in to talk to the band about musicianship and their success in music. Brick is famous for their 70′s R&B hits “Dazz” “Dusic” “Ain’t Gonna Hurt Nobody” and many more! This visit helped the students to further understand the joy and spirit of the music of the 70′s. Now the students are ready to take their 70′s show the next level!
The Students enjoyed it but I think Reggie and Jimmy enjoyed it more.
It is so refreshing to see these idols of the 70′s still going Strong, which happens to be the name of their latest project available on itunes.com
Tags: Brick, encouragement, giving back, Jimmy Brown, Reggie Hargis, youth
