Kim Waters

KAYLA WATERS IS IN “FULL BLOOM”

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Kayla Waters

Urban-jazz pianist Kayla Waters has everything it takes and more to be a successful artist. She is strong, confident, grounded, focused on her gifts, and translates it all beautifully through her music. Kayla is enjoying the success of her sophomore album “Coevolve” and feeling the love with her second consecutive Billboard No.1 single “Zephyr.” This week, her latest single, “Full Bloom,” is No.2. Waters took an eight-month hiatus from social media to focus solely on her music and her connection with God. The fruits of doing so was the creation of “Coevolve.” It tells the story of two things: first is life of a plant and how it grows; second is Kayla herself and how, like the plant, she, too, is growing and blossoming. Essentially, Waters is telling her life story in every song. Additionally, she collaborated with Michael Broening on the single “Full Bloom.” She is currently working on her third album, touring, and preparing to launch her own production company. She’ll be sharing the stage with her father, saxophonist Kim Waters, on December 6th in Charlotte, NC at the Mcglohon Theater.

Listen as Kayla shares some of her story with me: 

This Friday: Urban-Jazz pianist Kayla Waters to perform Dec. 6 at the McGloghon Theater in Charlotte

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Kayla Waters

One of the most exciting and visionary urban-jazz artists to arrive in recent years, pianist Kayla Waters (www.iamkaylawaters.com) is touring in support of her sophomore album, “Coevolve,” which spawned her second consecutive Billboard No. 1 single, “Zephyr.” The creative and energizing force of substance and style plays the McGloghon Theater in Charlotte on December 6.

Waters, an award-winning musician, songwriter and producer, crafted “Coevolve” that she describes as a collection of “rich polyphonic textures, unique sounds, tones, impromptu melodic, harmonic and rhythmic nuances that justly epitomize the aeolian cycle of God, music and natural life.​” That description  alone reflects the depth of her recordings. Waters masterfully deploys alluring melodies and enveloping grooves while presenting scholarly, divine concepts that stimulate contemplation. Her earthy and organic aural palette incorporates soulful R&B, improvised modern jazz, freeform indie sensibilities and celestial inspirational music that touches hearts, minds and souls. And she has only begun to scratch the surface of her artistic gifts and vision.

“Coevolve” follows Waters’ 2017 debut disc, “Apogee,” an enchanting flight far beyond the borders of contemporary jazz powered by the Billboard No. 1 single, “I Am,” a confident introduction to a compelling and charismatic artist who is making the music genre refreshing for the stalwarts and appealing to young millennials through her recorded offerings and by her powerful presence. Both the breakthrough single and album ended the year on Billboard’s yearend charts.

The Black Women in Jazz and the Arts Foundation honored Waters with their Rising Star in Jazz award and the Washington, DC-based artist was named Best Jazz Artist at the Wammies. Waters has performed at major festivals, theaters and clubs around the globe with the upcoming tour stop part of a busy concert itinerary.

NORMAN BROWN SHARES “THE HIGHEST ACT OF LOVE”

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Norman Brown “had to dig deep” when creating his upcoming album “The Highest Act of Love,” which will be released on February 22, 2019. He is ready to share this project and says, “I’m so excited about this record.” It took Norman two albums’ worth of music to create this very special one. He describes this record as a “framework for thinking and reasoning about life.”  When beginning the project, Norman visited his archived music and started from there. The first song he pulled was a demo of Deniece Williams’ hit “Free.” Ironically, it didn’t make the first round of songs selected for the album, but it definitely made the final cut. The collaboration with Deniece on her song was very special because when she heard it, she was elated, saying it was “incredible.” Norman also collaborated with Paul Brown on the first song on the album, appropriately titled “Inside The Garden of Peace and Love.” That’s where the journey for the listener begins. Kim Waters and Chris “Big Dog” Davis collaborated with Norman on the album, as well.

Listen to my in-depth and enlightening conversation with Norman:

“A BETTER MAN”……HE IS PHIL PERRY

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With a career spanning 46 years, Phil Perry encapsulates what it is to be “A Better Man.” The vision for his latest album is simple yet powerful, and it stems from realizing that at this point in his life, he still has room to grow into more than he is. Perry says he wanted the album to “touch on different facets of relationships, from different perspectives, be informative, enlightening, but entertaining as well.” Having an understanding of the importance of being “audience inclusive,” he has always been able to capture and engage listeners. The romanticism heard throughout the entire album is sure to warm the hearts of fans old and new. Taking this journey with Phil is his longtime friend and colleague, Chris “Big Dog” Davis. Together, they created a collection of eight original songs, two covers, and sailed into romance paradise. Phil invited Kim Waters, Rick Braun, and Howard Hewett to collaborate on the project, as well. Collectively, the album is intimate and romantic with a twist of old school and infused with heartfelt sentiments.

Listen to the “hopeless romantic at heart” talk about how he believes in love:

Phil Perry 2

KIM WATERS’ “SILVER SOUL”

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Kim Waters is celebrating 25 years of success, and as a token of his gratitude for the fans who’ve supported him, he has a new album titled Silver Soul which will be released on September 2nd. Kim’s been playing instruments since he was a young boy, so it is only befitting that he has sustained such a stellar career in music. He knows what it is to have No. 1 singles, No. 1 albums, and Top Ten Singles. That is the kind of success that Waters attributes to having the perfect formula and the talent to build a brand. He has the gift of expressing romance and love with his music, allowing the sax to be his voice. Simply put: Kim Waters knows how to write and produce songs that energize the love inside of all of us. With his wife, Dana, and his twin daughters, Kayla and Kimberly, as his source of inspiration as well as his fans, he wrote Silver Soul. The album differs from his others by having more vocals and an R&B flavor. The first single, Dreaming Of You, is doing great, and Kim shares that accomplishment with his daughter, Kayla, who played piano on the song. As to be expected from Waters, Silver Soul weaves a story of love. Collaborating with him on a pair of R&B songs is Dana Pope on Anything You Need and Eric Roberson on Laying Beside Me. In addition, Kim covered John Legend’s love song All Of Me  and Fireflies, originally done by his niece, Zendaya, who also sings on his version.

I congratulate Kim on his 25th anniversary, and we talk about Silver Soul:

 

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ERIC ROBERSON ON “THE BOX”

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When you hear an artist who woos you with their velvety voice and multidimensional music, you know you’re listening to someone special. When you see that artist perform live, you’re given a glimpse into just how good they are. Eric Roberson–unbeknownst to some–is a singer, songwriter, producer, and Grammy Award Nominee. He has worked with artists such as Jill Scott, Dwele, and Kim Waters. Growing up in a home surrounded by music, ironically, it wasn’t until Eric’s early twenties that he realized music was going to be his life. He takes the diversity of a myriad of genres along with inspiration from those he’s worked with to create music that infuses everything from hip hop to R&B to rock. There are so many facets to Roberson–not to mention his riveting live performances. The chemistry between him and his band is incredible to witness. It is as if they are all sharing the same mind and thoughts simultaneously. His performances can be viewed as theatrical in a sense. With the ability to improvise and make up songs with suggestions from the crowd, he adds another entire dimension for the viewers. Eric’s uncanny ability to engage the fans by pulling them into his performances enhances the experience exponentially. With the highly anticipated release of his tenth album, The Box, being released on August 12th, Roberson is thrilled to share new music with his fans.

Eric and I discuss his career and The Box in a live interview:

 

Eric Roberson "The Box"
Eric Roberson “The Box

The romance continues: urban-jazz saxophonist Kim Waters will mark his 25th year with the release of “Silver Soul” on September 2‏

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The romance continues: urban-jazz saxophonist

Kim Waters will mark his 25th year with the release of

“Silver Soul” on September 2

The first single, “Dreaming Of You,” is the No. 2 most added radio track this week.

New York City (10 July 2014): With persistence, patience and passion, romance grows stronger, richer and sweeter each year and for 25 years, urban-jazz saxophonist Kim Waters has written, produced and performed chart-topping candlelight compositions that explore the excitement, exoticism and mystique of love. He will clank glasses on September 2 to celebrate the silver anniversary with the release of his aptly titled 20th solo album, “Silver Soul,” to be issued by Red River Entertainment.

“Silver Soul” is most definitely an urban adult contemporary album with a wealth of R&B vocals and sultry grooves although almost half of the dozen cuts produced by Waters are instrumental numbers certain to woo his contemporary jazz fan base like the highly rhythmic first single with the grandiose hook, “Dreaming Of You,” is already doing. The tune showcasing his daughter Kayla Waters on piano was the second most added track on playlists this week according to BDS Radio.

Waters isn’t a word man, but his melodies convey intimacy while redolent of ardor and seduction. In addition to playing most of the instruments on “Silver Soul,” Waters emotes using the voice of his impassioned sax – tenor, alto and soprano – employing his masterful command of the instrument to serenade with harmonic poetry and aural overtures. The album is comprised of eight songs that Waters wrote and a pair of R&B vocal tunes that he co-wrote: “Anything You Need” featuring Waters’ wife, Dana Pope, and “Laying Beside Me” spotlighting crooner Eric Roberson. A tandem of compelling covers – a soprano sax take of John Legend’s hit “All Of Me” and “Fireflies,” illuminated by a stunning lead vocal by Zendaya – completes the session.

“’Silver Soul’ is really a thank you to my audience that has been with me thus far throughout my 25-year musical journey as a recording artist. I took my time writing the material because I wanted it to be an album of hits with every song sounding like a single,” said Waters, who will tour through the end of the year in support of the disc playing headline shows with his band and on a variety of all-star package dates with the likes of Grammy nominee Maysa, Nick Colionne, Brian Simpson, Marion Meadows and Phil Perry.

Love and romance has been Waters’ muse throughout an accomplished recording career that began with 1989’s “Sweet & Saxy.” The Maryland native has thrived becoming a staple on the urban-jazz landscape with a deep catalogue that boasts 14 No. 1 singles, four No. 1 albums, 16 Top Ten singles and crossover sets that have logged time on the Billboard 200, urban, contemporary jazz, Heatseekers and Top Independent Albums charts. For more information, please visit www.KimWaters.net.

“Silver Soul” contains the following songs:

“Dreaming Of You” (featuring Kayla Waters)

“On A Mission”

“Let’s Stay Together”

“Go-Go Smooth”

“Anything You Need” (featuring Dana Pope)

“Cruising Round Rock”

“All Of Me”

“Fireflies” (featuring Zendaya)

“Let’s Make Love”

“High Stride”

“A Song For Dana”

“Laying Beside Me” (featuring Eric Roberson)