AND ALL THAT JAZZ!

Sacramento, CA
June 6, 2010 is a date that I will long remember, for two reasons; I attended my first Black Music Awards show and I fell in love with jazz.

The 8th annual “Sounds of Soul” Music Awards, held at the Crest Theater in Sacramento, CA, was a thrilling event, to say the least. Musicians, vocalist, and groups from all over the country vied spectacularly . Some faces were familiar and some were not, but each and everyone gave the audience an award winning performance. From Gospel to Rap, R & B to Jazz, it was truly a melting a pot for “Soul”, an exciting whirlwind of entertainment.

It was during the performance of Larry Ellis Jr, one of the west coast’s most spectacular jazz musicians and best kept secret, that I discovered a long dormant “love” for jazz. Thank you Larry Ellis Jr. Don’t misunderstand, I have always liked jazz, respected jazz, listened to jazz, but love it? I don’t think so. But now, I know I can love it with the same passion that I’ve always applied to R&B.

Listening to the interpretations of “Ode to Billy Joe”,”Nuthin’ But a G Thing” from his latest CD “Your Favorites My Way” Ellis and his band Southwind, gave me a new out look on the soul of jazz. For the first time I felt the spirit of jazz flow from the soles of my feet to the crown of my head and it was then I knew, that from that point on, jazz and I would be lovers! It took an extraordinary master of music to bring this die hard R&B fan into the house of jazz. No wonder he won two, not one,but two, Sounds of Soul awards. Larry Ellis Jr won the Soul award for ”Best Jazz Band” and “Best Jazz Musician”. No Surprise there!

There is so much more to say about this jazz impresario, but talk is cheap, listening is better.

Get to know and enjoy Larry Ellis Jr.  He’s not hard to find.  Just follow the music.

http://www.jazzplaya.com/

http://myspace.com/larryellisjr

http://reverbnation/larryellisjr

http://itunes.com/larryellisjr

http://rhapsody/larryellisjr

The Sound of Black Liquid

Join this artist live on radio station WCLM 1450 am on "Speaking from the Heart" talk show with host Gloria Taylor-Edwards.

When: Wednesday, October 28th

Time: 6:00 pm, edt and 3:00 pm, pdt

Where: WCLM 1450 am in Richmond, VA

On the internet:
http://www.inter-tainment.com/radio/wclm.asx
(Windows Media Player Required)

Call in #: Richmond - (804) 231-7685

outside of Richmond - 1(800) 806-6723

Richmond, Virginia, my hometown; it's not Motown, but it has made several unforgettable contributions to the "sounds of soul". Tommy Edwards (All in the Game), The Jarmels (A Little Bit of Soap), Major Harris (Love Won't Let Me Wait), and D’Angelo (How Does It Feel?) Ooh, remember the video to that number? You know the one I'm talking about! All of the affore mentioned recording artist have called Richmond home. I am sure that in the near future, a new name, BLACK LIQUID, will be added to the list.

A combination of Gil Scott Heron, Brother J of the X-Clan, Arrested Development, and a dash of The Last Poets, BLACK LIQUID brings back the spirit of “story telling” to the rap and hip hop genre. You won't find the bling bling, or thug life style expressions in his lyrical approach; his words are those of a young man who expressions are truly "it is what it is". Black Liquid is a strong reminder that not all "tales from the hood" are superficiality, powered by greed, but most are subjective truth and individual reality. A day in any body's life is a "tale from the hood".

I asked him how he began his journey down the hip hop path, and without hesitation he replied, “I never thought music would be my thing”, said the, 27 year old Richmonder, “the music business is seriously materialistic and self aggrandizing; people have a tendency to define themselves by what they lack, and consequently, have lost the value of their values".

If BLACK LIQUID seems “deep” it’s because he is, and his music follows suit with rhythm. When asked him about the name “BLACK LIQUID” he stated, “you have to dig deep into the depths of the earth to find its black liquid, and you have to dig deep within yourself to find your black liquid, your “truth”. Deep. How deep? Check this out; with his fifth CD due for release on October 30th, BLACK LIQUID has yet to charge a dime for his music. “Music should be free.” And free it is. And in case you are thinking, “you get what you pay for”, let me assure you, that old adage does not apply in this instance. While all of the cuts great, "7:30", "Hurricane", and "What It Do" have quickly become my favorites.
Look for BLACK LIQUID and his music on facebook.com/blackliq, twitter.com/blackliq, and myspace.com/blackliq. And while you're at it, check out his videos. Yes, he has several; my favorite is "What It Do" (second time I've mentioned that, I know!). Youtube is his distribution media of choice, for now: youtube.com/blacliqwoftd. He would love to hear from you and will answer all emails:

BLACK LIQUID, a talented and insightful Griot for the 21st century who can make you think and get your grove on at the same time. That's talent. So sit back, listen to his music, get to know him, after all, the only thing it will cost you is time. I promise you, it will be time spent wisely. 
Oh yes, when you email him, ask him about "WOFTD"!