Bruce Lloyd Kates
Apr 17, 2011 Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
April 17, 2011
Last night we were visited by the talented but humble Mr Kates.
He is a composer with much music to his credit but he maintains himself as a piano tuner. He shared with us history. It seems his father was also a musician and in addition, had a music store, thus Bruce was introduced to music very early on and fell in love with the old style. He share his story of “possibly” finishing a Gershwin song, writing a song for LA, a theme for a perfume and retooling the American Anthem. Check out the interview and the go listen more of his music, include the Anthem at his website.
Here is a recent article on Bruce from the LA Times.
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Tags: arranger, composer, Jazz, music, musician, Pianist, Vocalist, writer
Final Mix
Apr 11, 2011 Today's Stars
On April 9, we spoke with the old school group Final Mix.
The group members are James Sessoms, Kevin Price, Stuart Brown, and Carl T Smith. All of the members have been in other groups previously, and as such each member is a mature individual ready and willing to do what it takes to make it in the music business. They were open, honest and funny and endearing during our interview and offered advice and encouragement for the budding Independent Artist.
We also got to listen to 9 of the 10 tracks from their CD “The Love Zone” This is a mix of soulful ballads and feel good uptempo tracks that make you want to cut a rug. Each member has a chance to display his lead vocal abilities. This CD is a nice mix of music with something to fit just about every mood and relationship situation. take a listen to the interview and watch the video for the one track we didn’t have time to play during their visit to Conversations.
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Here is a bonus Video:
You can purchase The Love Zone at most online music stores and soon at Best Buy.
Tags: Harmony, independent, independent record label, music, Old School, preformers, RnB, singers, smooth, Soulful, Talent, vocalists
In Support and Honor of Princess Margaret Hospital and Cynthia Brown
Apr 9, 2011 Beyond The Music, For Your Health
When: Tuesday, May 3, 2011 @ 8pm
Where: The Trane Studio, 964 Bathurst St., Toronto
How: Reservations – 416.913.8197 — Cover – $12
Why: because we can all make a difference!
Singer/songwriter Donna Greenberg met Cynthia Brown, a lawyer with a great passion for the arts, at a salsa class five years ago. The two became fast friends. Last summer, Cynthia was diagnosed with Lymphoma Cancer, and is presently undergoing chemotherapy treatments at the Princess Margaret Hospital.
On Tuesday May 3rd, at 8 p.m., the songstress will be taking to The Trane Studio stage performing a musical evening in support of Princess Margaret Hospital, in honour of her dear friend, Cynthia. One dollar from each ticket and CD sold will benefit the Lymphoma Research Fund at Princess Margaret Hospital. To encourage additional funds, donation forms will be available at the event.
Donna will be joined in performance by pianist Jordan Klapman and guitarist Tony Quarrington for a concert chockfull of Donna’s original tunes and much-loved jazz standards. A special moment in the evening will be the dedication of Donna’s own song, “You’re My Summer Peach” to Cynthia. Donna feels this cheery song, off her critically acclaimed second album, Mav’rik, truly reflects Cynthia’s’ personality.
“I love and admire Cynthia’s fighting spirit in the face of this great adversity,” states Donna. “She’s a grand optimist. Cynthia bought a new bright red car in the midst of chemotherapy and is making plans to take friends on fun trips, once this disease is behind her. Cynthia is a great inspiration to me!
“I am deeply grateful for the kindness, dedication and knowledge of the staff at Princess Margaret Hospital, and the support they provide not only to the patients, but to their family and friends. I am so grateful to use my voice to honour and raise money for this remarkable institution.”
This News Just In:
Crossroads Television to tape Donna’s benefit performance for future airing!
We have just received word that folks from The Always Good News Show featuring Connie Smith will be on hand on May 3rd to tape Donna’s benefit show for Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation. Reporter Mindy Tweedle will be there with a camera crew to catch Donna’s performance for airing at a later date.
Read on for information about the performance. We hope to see you there!
Tags: giving back, happy, independent record label, Jazz, preformer, singer, supportive, Vocalist, writer
WE HAVE A WINNER!!
Apr 3, 2011 Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
Michael Stewart’s
Where I’m Going…has WON the
10th annual IMA (independent Music Awards) For R&B Album Of The Year!
Stop by his site and congratulate Him.
Influences: My influences range from Berris Hammond, Prince, The Police, Smokey Robinson just to name a few.
Describe your nominated work: This album was a long time coming project that finally took form about a year ago. I wanted to have music that people of all ages and walks of life to enjoy and feel good about. I really feel I was able to accomplish that with Where I’m Going….
Why did you choose to submit this work to The 10th IMA’s? It was the best choice to get an unbiased feeling of what other’s felt about this work. It also gives me an opportunity to network.
Did you use any unusual effects or instruments in this recording? No unusual effects or instruments were used just my trusty Open Labs, Neko, my bass, my guitar and my voice.
Were there any happy accidents while in the studio, or did everything go as planned? My happy accident was getting Neysa to write and duet with me on a couple songs which turned out wonderful.
Did fans help you fund this project? No, but they have helped with getting the word out and attending my shows
Who’s sitting in your audience?: A little bit of every one, but especially lover’s of feel good music!
What makes your fans unique? My fans are unique in that they have an eclectic taste of music!
Are there any songs you wish you wrote? Well hmmm let’s see, the 1st verse on “Try My Love” was so killer, written by IMA R&B Album winner Neysa
What artists are you listening to that would surprise your fans? Maroon 5, Linkin Park, Neysa, Big Country
What is your dream show lineup? Wow, Neysa, Eric Roberson, Ledisi, Rob Thomas
What is your guilty pleasure on the road? Seafood!
Any close calls or mishaps while on tour? While heading to a performance I forgot my guitar, I packed everything else and had to head back to get it before the show, close call
Do you have any rituals before you go on stage? No not really a ritual per se but I pray and go through the show in my mind before going on!
Should music be free? Yes to an extent some should be. But there would have to be a way for the artists to make money.
How has digital affected your career? Digital has leveled the playing field and has allowed me, as independent artist, to be able to promote and market myself like a signed artist locally as well as internationally,
Are digital singles vs. full albums the future of music? Well it seems the trend is going toward singles but I myself prefer full albums!
Finish this sentence: The music industry is… changing in a very unique way that is allowing the independent artist to have a leveled playing field to be able to get their music out and heard by many fans as the signed artists. With dedication and hard work the independent artist can be successful!
You can check out all the winners here.
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Tags: arranger, best-of-the-year, composer, funk, happy, Harmony, independent, independent record label, preformer, producer, RnB, singing, songwriter, winner, writer
