PIANIST SCOTT ALLMAN

Pianist Scott Allman has definitely found a place amongst a new generation of rising contemporary jazz artists and deservedly so. He’s not a trained prodigy who has been playing the keyboard all his life; instead, he is a self-taught musician with a sincere love for music. Throughout his life, Scott was exposed to many different genres of music, making his musical pallet well-versed. Armed with passion and talent, Scott creates music that is positive and uplifting. As long as the music is meaningful and fulfilling to him and can give listeners a lift, then he’s done his job. He is an artist who can do it all, from composing to producing to playing. In addition, he surrounds himself with musicians who have impeccable talent such as Darren Rahn, Lin Rountree, and Phil Denny who lend themselves to his projects. Scott’s current cd, “NEXT STOP HOME,” has had significant success and was inspired by his fans. The 12 original tracks were written by Allman but were derived from photos of places around the world sent to him by others. With this amazing concept, he created music just as an artist would a painting. He’s a composer who appreciates the life inside of a song and lets it manifest in its own way; each song takes you on a journey as seen through the eyes of others.

I had a great time talking with Scott and listening as he told me the story behind each song.

Scott Allman
Scott Allman
Scott Allman
Scott Allman

PIANIST SCOTT ALLMAN

Pianist Scott Allman has definitely found a place amongst a new generation of rising contemporary jazz artists and deservedly so. He’s not a trained prodigy who has been playing the keyboard all his life; instead, he is a self-taught musician with a sincere love for music. Throughout his life, Scott was exposed to many different genres of music, making his musical pallet well-versed. Armed with passion and talent, Scott creates music that is positive and uplifting. As long as the music is meaningful and fulfilling to him and can give listeners a lift, then he’s done his job. He is an artist who can do it all, from composing to producing to playing. In addition, he surrounds himself with musicians who have impeccable talent such as Darren Rahn, Lin Rountree, and Phil Denny who lend themselves to his projects. Scott’s current cd, “NEXT STOP HOME,” has had significant success and was inspired by his fans. The 12 original tracks were written by Allman but were derived from photos of places around the world sent to him by others. With this amazing concept, he created music just as an artist would a painting. He’s a composer who appreciates the life inside of a song and lets it manifest in its own way; each song takes you on a journey as seen through the eyes of others.

I had a great time talking with Scott and listening as he told me the story behind each song.

Scott Allman
Scott Allman
Scott Allman
Scott Allman

An intimate “Christmas Song” from Brian Culbertson‏

Brian Culbertson
Brian Culbertson

An intimate “Christmas Song” from Brian Culbertson

Los Angeles, Calif. (5 December 2013): With the holiday season on his mind, contemporary jazz-R&B star Brian Culbertson recently took a break from recording his forthcoming “Another Long Night Out” album, sat down at the Mason & Hamlin grand piano in his studio and played a stark, emotionally stirring rendition of “The Christmas Song.” Enjoying his newfound freedoms as an independent recording artist, Culbertson recorded the seasonal classic and put it on iTunes (http://bit.ly/BCChristmasSong), Amazon (http://bit.ly/bcChristmasSong) and other major digital outlets.

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“It is a solo piano piece of an arrangement I did many years ago. I have performed it on my Christmas tours, but had never recorded it until recently,” said Culbertson of the heartfelt, contemplative beauty. “Being able to spontaneously record and then swiftly release something new for fans is one of the energizing perks of the new music industry.”

Culbertson’s first full-length indie release and 14th album overall, “Another Long Night Out” is slated for release in late February. The project is a reimaging of his debut album, “Long Night Out,” which will mark its 20th anniversary in February. Culbertson, a multi-instrumentalist who wrote the eleven songs and played most of the instruments on the original album that he recorded in his crowded Chicago apartment while he was a 20-year-old student at DePaul University, is producing the set featuring performances by Lee Ritenour, Russ Freeman, Jonathan Butler, Rick Braun, Candy Dulfer, Eric Marienthal, Chuck Loeb, Steve Lukather and Paul Jackson Jr. along with a stellar collective of contemporary jazz musicians and a 33-piece orchestra playing arrangements by David Benoit.

Additional information about Culbertson, who will bring in the New Year on stage with his band at a New Year’s Eve Gala at the Hyatt Regency in Huntingdon Beach, Calif., is available at www.BrianCulbertson.me.

CHRIS GODBER “Where Are You CHRISTmas”

Chris Godber has always known to whom he should give all the honor and thanks: his Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. He has so much to be thankful for, including his Christmas album that was years in the making, “Where Are You CHRISTmas.” And he poses this question to anyone who needs to be reminded that Jesus is the reason for the season. Chris calls this project a “labor of love” and acknowledges that he did it for his fans. It is their support and the help of some very talented musicians that make it all possible. “Where Are You CHRISTmas” comes just in time for the holiday season and is a collection of songs we all know and love.

“What Child Is This” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” have been glazed with a contemporary smooth jazz sound. “I Love Christmas” features guitarist Lowell Hopper and is pleasantly playful and engaging. Godber’s covers of “Let It Snow,” “Angels We Have Heard On High,” and “The First Noel” are traditional yet very jazzy. Dony Adair lends his smooth vocals to a soulful rendition of “The Christmas Song,” and the title song, “Where Are You CHRISTmas” is reminiscent of the perfect lullaby for the holiday season. “Mary Did You Know” is beautiful and soul-stirring with just the right fusion of Chris on Saxophone and Lowell on guitar. The final song on the album is “Feliz Navidad.” It features Sam Hankins on trumpet and has a Latin jazz big band sound to it.

Bring Chris home for the holidays. You can order your copy at www.chrisgodber.com/christmas. You can also like Chris on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/chrisgodbermusic.

Chris Godber
Chris Godber