Steinway Artist Arlington Jones was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1973, but his family moved to Dallas, Texas in 1976. His musical journey started because of his parents’ music heritage and vast album collection.
It took ten years for urban-jazz bass player Darryl Williams to write, record and release “Here to Stay,” his Billboard top 10 single and the title track to his second album.
Ron Otis is one of the most established sidemen in contemporary American jazz. The Detroit based drummer is renowned for his versatility, improvisation and impeccable timing—incorporating syncopated rhythms and funky accenting.
Most kids could only daydream about spending their childhood at band rehearsal, in the recording studio, or even better, on tour around the states? Well, for Vancouver-raised Honey Larochelle, there's no need to imagine, because that was her reality.
More artists will be announced soon!
Steinway Artist Arlington Jones was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1973, but his family moved to Dallas, Texas in 1976. His musical journey started because of his parents’ music heritage and vast album collection. He began studying piano at age eight, started playing in church, and took drum lessons. Watching him play now, no one could guess he told his parents he wanted to stop taking lessons after the first week! He has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in music, composition, arranging, performance, theory, and jazz studies. He is a classically trained jazz piano maestro and prolific composer with an undeniable soulful music heritage. He makes the piano speak through lush harmonies, impeccable groove, and infectious energy. Not only is he pleasing to listen to but also exhilarating to watch! Right through each note, Arlington exudes energy from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet! His music reveals the history of traditional and modern jazz, influenced by ragtime, classical, blues and sacred styles. Over the years, Arlington has distinguished himself as a successful independent recording artist, composer, and producer under his label Zamaria Records. He has multiple albums, piano music books, and a music web series. He performs and teaches internationally. He advocates for the preservation of music as an art form as well as the empowerment of musicians and their families. Arlington is currently the Music Director for Jonathan Butler.
http://www.arlingtonjones.com
It took ten years for urban-jazz bass player Darryl Williams to write, record and release “Here to Stay,” his Billboard top 10 single and the title track to his second album. This week’s release of the follow-up single, “Do You Remember,” proves that he doesn’t plan to go away anytime soon. Plucking rubbery basslines on piccolo and electric basses on the slick jazz-funk energizer that he wrote and produced, Williams is joined on the dancefloor filler by chart-toppers Michael Lington (saxophone) and Adam Hawley (guitarist).
Williams’ return to center stage as a frontman with the “Here to Stay” set resulted in a 2017 Best New Artist nomination from the Smooth Jazz Network. The first-call bassman calls the collection that he produced with sax powerhouse Euge Groove “a labor of love,” featuring eight of his hand-penned originals along with a pair of remakes that have personal meaning to the San Diego native who currently resides in Temecula. A stellar list of his regular employers were quick to return the favor by making guest appearances on “Here to Stay,” including Groove, who ignites a pair of tunes including the title cut, two-time Grammy-winning guitarist and producer Paul Brown, jazz-funk keyboard pioneer Jeff Lorber, saxmen Marcus Anderson and Elan Trotman, and keyboardists Jonathan Fritzen, Greg Manning and Scott Wilkie. The disc’s lone vocal number, a faithful rendering of The Emotions’ “Don’t Ask My Neighbors,” is soul kissed by R&B crooner Ashling Cole. Williams remembers his late mentor, Carl Evans Jr., by revamping the former Fattburger leader’s sweetly redolent “The Doctor,” which is graced by Michael Paolo’s caressing soprano sax.
“While to some people, ‘labor of love’ is an overused cliché, it certainly applies to ‘Here to Stay.’ I began writing songs for the collection in 2007 before moving my family to Temecula from Las Vegas. The compositions were inspired by different experiences we went through in our journey throughout that period. It was an important and formative time in my career as well. That’s when I first started playing in Euge’s (Groove) band and did a tour with Jeff (Lorber) a couple years later. In between is when my very good friend and mentor Carl (Evans Jr.) passed, which was devastating. ‘Do You Remember’ was one of the last songs I wrote for the record and it was inspired by reflecting on how far I’ve come from growing up as a kid in Los Angeles and San Diego to playing in a funk band with my brother as a teenager. It took me ten years to finish this album and while it takes me back in time, the reaction from fans, radio and reviewers has me looking forward with excitement. I couldn’t be more proud of this album,” said Williams.
Williams was a teenager when he opened for R&B acts Lakeside and Al Green along with gospel legend Shirley Caesar. After studying jazz at San Diego State University, Williams went from regular gigs backing many of San Diego’s most prominent homegrown talent to the neon lights of the Las Vegas strip where he accompanied such nationally-renowned headliners as Clint Holmes, Angela Bofill, Tevin Campbell, Howard Hewett and Keith Washington, and did a road stint with Chaka Khan. After moving back to California in 2008, Williams dropped his debut album, “That Was Then,” garnering praise from JazzTimes and national airplay on SiriusXM. He has become a fixture on the smooth/contemporary jazz scene where he has shared the stage with the genre’s heavy hitters: Richard Elliot, Peter White, Gerald Albright, Mindi Abair, Brenda Russell, Darren Rahn, Jessy J, Everette Harp and Jeff Kashiwa. He has also recorded with Jackiem Joyner, Blake Aaron, Nils Jiptner, U-Nam and Kay-Ta Matsuno.
Ron Otis is one of the most established sidemen in contemporary American jazz. The Detroit based drummer is renowned for his versatility, improvisation and impeccable timing—incorporating syncopated rhythms and funky accenting. Having toured with guitarist Earl Klugh and pianist Bob James for over a decade, Otis usually plays alongside bassist Al Turner. “Bob and Earl are living legends who I grew up listening to, so having them welcome a no-name guy like me into their world was humbling,” Otis said. “A lot of cats think being a sideman is a horrible thing, but I feel you can’t lead unless you know how to be a true team player. I always had songs in my head and wanted to write, and this year the opportunity finally presented itself.”
Ron Otis’ supporting band consists of Klugh, James and Turner as well as local talent from Detroit, including brother Theo Otis, bassist Darrell “Peanut” Smith, guitarist Tim Bowman, keyboardist Brian O’Neal, pianist Charles Scales, trumpeter Rayse Biggs and saxophonists Randy Scott, Dave McMurray and Darryl Wakefield.
Reaching for the drums at age 5, Otis played many different venues in his formative years including orchestras, jazz and marching bands as well as playing for his church at 10 years of age. Playing in local clubs at age 16, he began a professional career which launched his musical journey to working with celebrated artists including Jonathan Butler, Tim Bowman, Nelson Rangell and Cheryl Lynn.
Having collaborated on recordings with prominent artists Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson, Earl Klugh, SWV, Bob James, Kem and recorded and live performances with Joann Shaw Taylor, Otis has performed several times at the White House and a myriad of venues across the country and theaters and clubs around the world.
Drummer Ron Otis is one of those sidemen, who unpretentiously stay in the background. He performed and recorded with Bob James (Urban Flamingo), Lin Roundtree (Sumthin’ Good), Earl Klugh ( Spice of Life, Journey), Al Turner (Movin’), Brian O’Neal (Daisy), Justin Young (On The Way), Dave McMurray (My Brother and Me, Soul Searching, Nu Life Stories), Alexander Zonjic (Reach For The Sky) and a lot more.
Many of those musicians, who shared his musical path, gave back to him their thankfulness with their tributes. Among those artists are Tim Bowman, Darryl Wakefield, Perry Hughes, Charles Scales, Bob James, Randy Scott, Earl Klugh, Dave McMurray, Rayse Biggs, Brian O'Neal and many more.
Ron Otis' debut Up Front is his first step to a solo career. Focusing the spotlight on Otis’ compositional and arrangement skills and his melodious style of smooth jazz, Otis is a surprising shift from the expected. The instrumental full-length CD is playfully melodic and quite daring for a debut record. Call it contemporary, nu or smooth; this is modern jazz in its purest form: all chops, few frills and no lead vocals. “During the recording process, there were times I wished I had more experience on keyboards to articulate my ideas and solidify the melodies,” Otis admitted. “Also, being an independent artist, it took longer than anticipated to complete the project. Despite the challenges, I have truly enjoyed the journey.”
Otis has no immediate touring plans, but he looks forward to pursuing his solo career while maintaining his sideman responsibilities.
Most kids could only daydream about spending their childhood at band rehearsal, in the recording studio, or even better, on tour around the states? Well, for Vancouver-raised Honey Larochelle, there's no need to imagine, because that was her reality. From her earliest memories Honey can recall music being extremely important in her life and at an early age she knew that music was her passion. Honey spent her childhood mentored and influenced by her mother and professional singer, C.C. Larochelle (worked with Marvin Gaye, Little Richard, Bon Jovi), experiencing the music world first hand and molding her into the overflowing fountain of talent she is today.
Honey is a triple threat within the music industry; blessed with a beautiful and soulful voice, incredibly creative song writing capabilities, and a knack and ear for producing. Honey seems to have all bases covered, having an abundance to offer as an artist. Fellow musicians have only positive things to say about Honey Larochelle. N'dea Davenport (The Brand New Heavies) notes, "Honey Larochelle is one of my favorite people to sing with!" According to Oscar award winning Jennifer Hudson (American Idol, Dream Girls) when discussing miss Larochelle's song writing, Hudson claimed, "I've never seen like her, she just asked me a few questions about myself and my life, and the next thing you know she had a verse and a hook written."
Her view on music is one that is magical and spiritual; Honey believes that music should be powerful and her goal is to affect and move people through her art. She carries with her a warm heart, a thoughtful mind, and a sense of humor that will have you laughing for days. She completely embodies a sweet and caring soul, which is why many have been so attracted to both her being and her talents.
Honey's gifts have caught the ear of many, gracing over 200 song recordings and sharing the stage with reputable artists including Joss Stone, Roberta Flack, The Brand New Heavies, Macy Gray, Maya Azucena, and Donna Summer. Honey was also nominated for Best New Artist and Best R&B Artist at the Orlando Music Awards for her previous work with former group Urbanesque's debut album which she co-wrote with popular producer Veit Renn (N'Sync, Backstreet Boys, Aaron Carter). Since then Honey has also worked with prestigious producers such as Michael Mangini (Joss Stone, Busta Rhymes, Donnie Osmand), Shaun Fisher (Mandy Moore, Steven Segal), and Heeba Jeeba Productions out of ATL whom with she recorded some of her early work.
In 2005, Honey relocated to Brooklyn, New York, where she became one of the most sought after and stand out vocalists in town. Honey is now a very popular face and voice in the New York underground music community. She regularly performs with her 10-piece band on the stages of legendary music clubs such as Blue Note, Lenox Lounge, Canal Room and the Village Underground. Honey's performances are packed with energy and excitement that keep the clubs more than satisfied.
Larochelle has traveled internationally with Joss Stone, and The Brand New Heavies, as their sole backup vocalist. Honey also has toured overseas with fellow Brooklyn artist Maya Azucena. Soon enough in 2008 it will finally be Honey Larochelle's turn to step into the spotlight once again, but this time as the front woman. Honey will be releasing her first solo album, "Flight of the Honey B." The debut album will be a 12 track look into the life of Honey Larochelle and her experiences as a young woman and growth as an artist. The album will highlight Honey's crisp and soaring soprano voice while showcasing her dynamic and touching lyrics and exquisite productions skills. The unique and soulful mixture of Funk-Soul with a hint of Hip-Hop will surely hit the audience and listeners, putting them into an affinitive and euphoric state. It's just a matter of time before it's time for this Honey B to fly.
