JAZZ CHILL NEWS BITS: MICHAEL ASHANTI, OCOTE SOUL SOUNDS, HUGH “PEANUTS” WHALUM & MORE...

JAZZ CHILL NEWS BITS……….R&B stylist, Michael Ashanti, has just released his highly anticipated debut CD project entitled All Of Me. Michael delivers soulful yet stimulating vocals that effortlessly soar over a cross-hybrid of R&B, jazz, gospel and pop. Michael’s style of music has been appropriately branded as soul fusion to signify the core presence of soul and gospel-influenced vocals woven through a diverse array of sound fabrics mainly rooted in Black Music……….The debut album from Ocote Soul Sounds & Adrian Quesadas, El Nino y El Sol, is in stores now. What you can expect on this collaboration between Martin Perna of Antibalas and Adrian Quesada of Grupo Fantasma is a hearty sonic stew of soulful flavors from afrobeat, Latin, psychedelic soul and beyond. You can also find digital single of the tracks Tamarindio (with a remix by Thievery Corporation) and Divinorum (with a remix by Quantic) now on Itunes. Ocote Soul Sounds are scheduled to appear in concert at the grand opening of Solar 1 in New York City. For more information click to www.solar1.org/education/cityso/music.html ……….Rendezvous Entertainment releases the debut self-titled CD from Hugh "Peanuts" Whalum on August 8. "Peanuts" has played with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and Count Basie and is the uncle of smooth jazz saxman Kirk Whalum. If you should happen to be in the L.A. area on August 10, you can catch Kirk Whalum as he presents his uncle and mentor Hugh "Peanuts" Whalum at the Vic in Santa Monica for two shows at 8pm and at 10om.