Maysa Leak is among the top R&B and jazz vocalists today. She launched her career as a backup singer to Stevie Wonder and has recorded since the early 1990's with Jazz/Funk/R&B band, Incognito. Since 1995, Maysa has recorded a dozen albums as a solo artist. Having reached the top of Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Charts on several occasions, award-winning program director Ray White, caught up with Maysa in November of 2016 to talk about her recent project and more. She's just released her latest CD, Love IS A Battlefield. Lisa Davis also features the latest from R&B vocalist, Kenny Lattimore on this episode. For more information on our show, visit www.cooolcat.com
Najee, jazz saxophonist and flautist, started his music career playing in a band that performed for our troops around the world. His first major break was supporting Ben E. King. In 1983, Najee toured with Chaka Khan, before he recorded his first solo album three years later. The album - Najee's Theme, earned him a GRAMMY nomination for Best Jazz Album. On this episode, award-winning musicologist, Ray White, catches up with Najee in July, during his 2017 tour, to discuss his upcoming album - Poetry In Motion. The album features an all-star cast including Will Downing, Incognito, Maysa and Bobby Lyle. Lisa Davis, your "Hostess With The Mostest," highlights Rick Estrin and the Nightcats, whose latest release is Groovin In Graceland which features his dynamic electric blues sound. For more information about the programming on our shows, visit www.cooolcat.com
This episode features a tribute to an amazing guitarist who was one of the premier musicians in the world - Chuck Loeb. Chuck's rise to stardom began in the late 1970's playing with elite jazz musicians of that time. In the 80's, he was a member of the supergroup Steps Ahead and most recently played with Fourplay and Jazz Funk Soul. If that wasn't enough to keep him busy, he made time to record 21 studio albums since 1988. As part of our tribute show to Chuck, who passed away on July 31, 2017, we'll share with you our interview with him that took place just a year earlier. He shares with us his insights into his recent Jazz Funk Soul project, how he became a member of Fourplay, and his passion for music and his family. Join Lisa Davis and Ray White on our tribute to a true American jazz icon! We'll miss this awesome musician and human being. For additional information on our show, visit http://www.cooolcat.com