Recent posts: music

Looking back at the highlights of 2024, one shining moment comes to mind. Reading the list of honorees for this year’s 12th annual She Rocks Awards, my excitement piqued as I read Debbie Gibson’s name, a woman who needs no introduction. For any little kid growing up in NY in the late 80’s, it was a given you’d hear one of her songs she’d written blasting out of backseat car speakers or see one of her unforgettable videos if you were lucky enough to have early MTV.

As I wrap up this musical year, I ponder my favorite moments of 2024, and one clear standout came during this year’s impressive annual NAMM Show. Perusing the list of performing acts, I knew I couldn’t miss Yamaha’s Grand Plaza Stage Night of Worship with Take 6. Hooked since I heard “Spread Love’ as a kid, the acapella legendary gospel and jazz sextet livened the crowd’s spirit and did not disappoint live.

Anyone who’s listened to Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” featuring newcomer chart topper Shaboozey or recently watched the Christmas halftime show featuring Compton Cowboys and the first black rodeo queen, knows black country music hit the mainstream cultural zeitgeist in a big way in 2024. One person who knew its potential and always understood its cultural roots and significance is Black Opry founder Holly G. After not seeing herself being represented within the country music scene, she’s broken-down racial barriers since 2021 for black country artists in Nashville, a place with a documented history of racism and a storied rep for not being welcoming to those in the genre with brown skin.

As the world watched the events of the U.S. election unfold last week, reactions from Kamala Harris supporters ran the gamut from outrage to sorrow to shock and disgust. Within tumult throughout the decades, artists have always found the perfect way to capture sentiments of what we’re feeling just at the perfect time. One such primed album reaching our ears when we needed it most is Charlie Castell’s impassioned latest effort ‘Beautiful Apocalypse’.

As I bid farewell to Women’s History Month, I can’t help but reminisce about the inspiring group of trailblazing women assembled at this year’s She Rocks Awards. Held during NAMM Show week in Amaheim, CA, the 12th annual awards show featured co-hosts producer and performer AIJIA and The Bangles legend Susannah Hoffs kicking things off.

Throughout the 2010’s, nestled in North Carolina’s Bull City stood one of the premier jazz and R&B festivals. Assembling historic lineups with ease, where one could view legendary and rising talent favs at several venues across Durham, the Art of Cool Fest became a yearly highlight. During its second year, it drew bandleader, film and TV composer Kris Bowers. Connecting with him then in 2015, he spoke of working on Showtime’s Kobe Bryant ‘Muse’ documentary and the booked and busy musical road ahead of him.

As images of elaborate floats descend down historic New Orleans streets and mid-air bead tossing continue into the late night hours, one can’t help but get swept up in the mardi gras madness. An album that perfectly encapsulates this distinct time of year and its special festive atmosphere is Delfeayo Marsalis and The Uptown Jazz Orchestra’s “Uptown On Mardi Gras Day”. Whether it’s the “Mardi Gras Mambo” or the “Uptown Boogie”, this 2023 12-song offering takes the listener down to Bourbon St right quick.

Descending yet again on Anaheim Convention Center for its 102nd year, NAMM Show returned to Southern California with its flurry of interactive talks, lectures, award shows and musical instrument demos at the end of January. Initially not sure how I would maximize my days in the musical melody mecca, NAMM Show+ emerged conveniently providing an organized guide including an up to the minute schedule of events, a detailed map and link to livestreamed sessions broadcast internationally. Drawing aspiring students to seasoned professionals, NAMM Show proved once more why it remains THE premier place to connect with a unique group of world class musicians, instrument brands and business execs from across the globe.