Combat FusionJazz Band
Feb 5, 2012 Bands, Beyond The Music, Home Page, Stars with a Pen
Combat FusionJazz Band is the brainchild of John Dubiel.
John Dubiel resides in Chicago and is the Producer of the Band. Not only is he the producer, but he is the song writer and arranger for the Band. The CD, Gotta Say GoodBye, has been a labor of Love. It is a compilation of seven beautiful smooth jazz with wonderful vocalists.
Throughout John’s life, he has been a producer, songwriter, and keyboardist with a passion for music. Being a Veteran who received the Purple Heart after being wounded during the Vietnam war, his other passion is the Veterans and with his new Band, he wants to help all our Vets suffering with PTSD. Part of the profits from this CD is going to help these brave men and women as they return home from combat.
John has come alive with the Combat Fusion Jazz Band’s first album “Gotta Say Goodbye” a smooth jazz, fusion, R&B arrangement. A soulful mix of musical genres.
John has been in the music industry for over thirty years, first producing for Mercury & Ovation records in the 70′s and in the 90′s opening a Jazz Club, The Jazz buffet of Chicago presenting top entertainment like Sheila E., Warren Hill , and Jimmy Smith just to name a few.
John also Wrote and Produced a musical Play titled, The Pack is Back, a fictional portrait of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Dean Martin which ran successfully for two years at Piper’s Alley Theater in Chicago. However, when all is said and done, John returned to what he loves most, playing the keyboard and producing music.
John is dedicated to making great music with the Combat fusion Jazz Band and helping our brave men and women serving our Great Nation.
Take a Listen to the Interview, enjoy the music and then go buy the CD for your collection from Amazon.com or CDBaby.com
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Tags: arranger, Band, composer, giving back, independent, independent record label, Jazz, motivation, music, musician, Old School, producer, smooth, vintage, writer
William “Smoke” Howard
Jan 29, 2012 Beyond The Music, Stars with a Pen, The Business of Music, Today's Stars
Do you remember the Ebonys? If you do, then you remember the Lead Singer, Mr William “Smoke” Howard.
There are some guest who make the process of interviewing effortless. Smoke Howard is one of those. It was extreme pleasure chatting with him this past Saturday, January 28, 2012 (which just happens to coincide with WDGP’s second anniversary, and we couldn’t think of a better way to commemorate it) The name of the show is Conversations and that is exactly what we did. Smoke is a man of strong conviction and that comes across in conversation. Take a listen to the interview and get a glimpse of this talented gentleman and enjoy the music, then go add it yo your collection.
“Smoke” has his second Solo Project completed entitled Give Me Your Heart. Smoke continues to reside in the Philadelphia area and works to keep the Philly sound alive. Join us as we chat with Mr Howard and explore the project.
You can follow Smoke on ReverbNation as well as Facebook
Music is available on CDBaby
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Tags: arranger, composer, encouragement, funk, giving back, Gospel, happy, Harmony, independent, independent record label, motivation, music, Old School, RnB, singer, singing, smooth, songwriter, Soulful, Talent, Uplifting, Vocalist
Meet LaVeda
Jan 15, 2012 Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
On Saturday January 14, 2012, Conversations Hostess Diana Broomfield was blessed by a visit from the eclectic, talented, songstress, poet, producer, La Veda
La Veda is a soft spoken dynamo. She was introduced to various forms of music from her Father. At the age of seven she started her musical journey from her birth place of Miami Florida. She has been featured in TRACE magazine’s 1998’s Women in Music issue along with LAURYN HILL, MISSY ELLIOT, ERYKAH BADU, and JANET JACKSON, claiming the number nine (#9) spot. Not being confined to only singing, La Veda uses spoken word to help develop her songwriting skills and craft. In 1999, she took part in the DOUBLE TALK 3, HIP-HOP & RAP/POETRY festival in Amsterdam, featuring BAHAMADIA.
Listen to the interview and the music then find LaVeda on ReverbNation, Last FM, Bandcamp and Facebook.
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Tags: arranger, composer, funk, happy, Harmony, independent, independent record label, Jazz, music, Old School, performer, poet, preformer, producer, RnB, smooth, songwriter, Soulful, Talent, Vocalist
SteamyTrails Contest Winner
Jan 8, 2012 Beyond The Music, Contests, Stars with a Pen
It is so nice catching up with old friends and it even nicer when they come with good news. On December 7, 2012, that is just what happened.
As you know, SteamyTrails ran a promotion to give away a couple of gift baskets including some great reads and the trimmings to help you enjoy them. Ms Katrina Gurl was on hand to do the honors and in addition to that wonderful news, she shared that there will be more contests to come. She also shared a poem from her book, The Balcony View: Introduction to the Lovers and we also had the pleasure of Nike Binger Marshall’s renditions of two of her spoken word pieces.
It’s always fun to talk to Katrina
and we wish her much continued success on her poetry, her novels, the publishing company and her show, SteamyTrails Speaks. Tune in on January 21, 2012 on Blogtalk Radio.
Congratulations to the contest winner Ollie Moss.
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Tags: encouragement, giving back, happy, motivation, novels, performer, poetry, poets, publishing, shows, smooth, Spoken Word, Talent, writer
God is Speaking to Us
Dec 11, 2011 Beyond The Music, Spiritual Life, Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
This is not just a title of one of Twon songs. it is indeed the message of most of the songs Twon writes and performs. On Saturday December 10, 2011, Twon sat down with Hostess Diana Broomfield and talked about his past, his family, his music and why he does what he does.
You see, Twon has a lot to say. He loves People and he wants you to know about the Goodness of God. Twon writes songs that give messages of Hope, Strength and Love. Add to that soulful beats and wonderful harmonies and you have the songs of Twon.
It’s hard not to love people when you grow up with 12 brothers and sisters. Twon and his family are known as the Gantt Singers. They grew up in the Detroit area and even auditioned at Motown, who wanted to sign them but Dad said no. None the less, Twon did get to perform with David Ruffin and has opened for Ms Vickie Winans.
Twon has been writing and recording music for years, and as such as a vast library of music ready to go. Take a listen to the interview and enjoy the music shared there. Then go to Twon’s website to sample more and most importantly, buy his CD’s
You can also find Twon on Facebook, befriend him there and look for his videos on YouTube as well.
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Tags: arranger, composer, Gospel, happy, Harmony, independent, independent record label, music, Old School, performer, singer, singing, smooth, songwriter, Soulful, Talent, Uplifting, Vocalist
Just Glow Listening Party
Nov 27, 2011 Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
On November 26, 2011, Ms Gloria Ry’ann returned to Conversations after the digital release of her new EP Just Glow for a listening party with the WDGP listeners.
As always she was a gracious guest despite a few technical difficulties (we still don’t know how that Alien got in the studio) we were able to present the EP in it’s entirety and were even able to share a few other tidbits not included in the EP. Just Glow is a got to have it addition to your your music collection and you can download your copy straight from her website, Of course Gloria says if you see her anywhere she’ll be happy to sell you a hard copy on the spot. Either way, get it for your collection. Follow Gloria on Twitter and Facebook, she loves to interact with her Fans.
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Tags: funk, happy, Harmony, independent, independent record label, music, Old School, performer, RnB, singer, smooth, songwriter, Soulful, Talent, Uplifting, vocal range, Vocalist
Jayar of JACODA Records
Nov 6, 2011 Beyond The Music, Stars with a Pen, The Business of Music, Today's Stars
On Saturday November 5, Conversations hostess Diana Broomfield got to spend the evening with a truly handsome and talented gentleman who is about to celebrate 30 years in the music business. It was such a pleasure maneuvering down memory lane through his career.
Jayar is a Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, arranger, and producer, as well as a gifted singer. With an amazing four and a half octave range, his natural vocal talents are shared ranging from classic soul to hard-hitting blues. This extremely versatile artist has given many outstanding performances throughout the country and overseas. As a multi-instrumentalist, drums, bass, rhythm guitars, all keyboards and synthesizers are just a few of the more than 10 musical instruments JAYAR has mastered. JAYAR’s knowledge of musical arranging and orchestrating has enabled him to become a successful producer as well.
During their time together, Jayar told about the very first time he performed professionally and about his found memory of his father reaction to that event. He shared his first demo and thanked those who believed in him and encouraged him to be all he can be. They discussed how hard, determination and God’s will all combine into success. We also learned that Jayar is a perfectionist and the most critical of himself. He credited several mentors with teaching him how to excel in his craft and his business. Jayar is just an all around great guy. Take a listen and we’re sure you’ll agree. Connect with Jayar on Facebook.
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Tags: arranger, Band, composer, funk, Harmony, independent, independent record label, music, musician, Old School, performer, producer, RnB, singer, smooth, Soulful, Talent, Vocalist
Do You Like What You See?
Nov 6, 2011 Beyond The Music, Home Page, Stars with a Pen, Worthy Charities
Glenn Gordon is a longtime friend to WDGP and when he approached us to inquire if we would help him spread the word out his recent campaign, we didn’t hesitate. Glenn, who has been among the homeless, not once but three times, had a dream that he must see to fruition.
He wants to pay it forward from all the help he received when he was on the street. He says he made attempts to pay folks back but they wouldn’t accept it, so instead he is developing items for sale revolving around the song and concept that came to him in a dream. Do You Like What You See is truly an inspiration. The track is available for download from his website GG’s Music and CDBaby in the near future. Glenn is also planing to sell T-Shirts and other items and will donate 20% of theses proceeds to organizations that aide the homeless.
We feel this is a very worthy cause and commend Glenn Gordon for his efforts. Take a listen to the song and pay particular attention to the lyrics, although simple there is a distinct message in them.
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Tags: arranger, Band, bassman, composer, encouragement, giving back, independent, independent record label, motivation, music, musician, Old School, performer, smooth, songwriter
Al Ghee
Oct 30, 2011 Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
Al Ghee is a great guy who deserves all the accolades that are sure to come his way.
Al hails from Richmond Virginia and says he’s been singing all his life. His voice puts this writer in the mind of a Eddie Kendricks. Our unofficial co-host, Kroshet says Al reminds him of the Isley Brothers. No matter who Al Ghee reminds us of, we know and we can hear that he has a tone and a style all his own. Al credits several folks with assisting him with this project. He has dedicated one of the songs to it’s co-writer who has since passed on. Al is a sweet and humble guy with a great big talent. He says the last four tracks of his soon to be released CD are “the bomb”. We say if that is the case look out world because we thought what we have already been so fortunate to hear is already “the bomb”. We can’t wait to hear the rest and wish Al Ghee all the successes he deserves. Have a listen to the interview and the music of Mr Al Ghee.
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Tags: independent, independent record label, music, Old School, preformer, producer, RnB, singer, singing, smooth, Soulful, Talent
Gloria Ry’ann the Songbird
Oct 9, 2011 Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
On October 8, 2011, Conversations was pleased to a sit down with Ms Gloria Ry’ann. Gloria is a phenomenal singer, writer, arranger and sweet person.
She has taken the talent God gave her and honed it to the marvelous instrument you heard on her remake of Inside My Love, which is one of several gems to be heard on her EP Just Glow. Which is due to be released on November 11, 2011 in digital format, which means it will be available from you favorite music download site.
We caught up with Gloria right before her show in Springfield Mass. She told us that they were about to rock out in Springfield, we are positive that she did. Gloria shared that she has been singing all her life, according to her Mom, she was a singing baby. All we know is that she has a very very broad range. We have heard other vocalist try Minnie Rippleton’s Inside My Love, but she is the first one we have heard who might even surpass Minnie’s range. Take a listen to the interview and decide for yourself. You will be surprised at what she practiced to prepare for this feat. Once you have enjoyed the interview, head on over to her website to keep up with what’s going on in the world of Ms Ry’ann.
There is more good news. Gloria has agreed to return to WDGP next month for a formal Listening Party. We will keep you posted on the finalized date.
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Tags: arranger, composer, Harmony, independent, independent record label, motivation, music, Old School, performer, RnB, singer, singing, smooth, songwriter, Soulful, Talent, Uplifting, Vocalist
