Saturday, October 01, 2011

JEFF LOGAN – BLACK TIE AFFAIR

Although he appears on the album cover wearing a tuxedo with a bowtie, keyboardist Jeff Logan's forthcoming Black Tie Affair is far from a stuffy, extravagant and exclusive soirée.  Everyone is invited to enjoy the irresistibly charming, jazzy R&B collection that humbly serves an endless feast of soul-nourishing melodies.  Literally "the host with the most," Logan wrote ten of the twelve songs, produced the whole shebang, and played all the instruments on the record.  Believing that artists come and go, but well-crafted songs stand the test of time, Logan is passionately committed to composing meaningful, memorable melodies that convey moods, communicate feelings, and emote about emotions with or without words.  His gift as a songwriter lies in his innate ability to construct songs of simplicity and pristine beauty.  While making the piano and keyboard melodies prominent, Logan adorned the tracks with guitar, bass, percussion, drums and drum programming.  His DC-area roots are clearly in evidence from the shuffling go-go beat that underscores "Black Tie Affair," the first single recently serviced to radio stations where the infectious cut is already receiving airplay.  On "Smoothology 101" and "Stratosphere," the multi-instrumentalist breaks the silence by crooning lead and background vocals that vacillate between sensual falsetto seductions and soulful, gritty growls.  Logan tips his chapeau to Rodgers & Hammerstein with a classy piano and organ duet on "Favorite Things."  Vibrant and festive, he converted The Ohio Players' hit "Sweet Sticky Thing" into a danceable instrumental because no affair would be complete without a bit of funky business.

Logan said, Black Tie Affair personifies my undying passion for developing melodic vignettes into full-blossomed compositions.  The album is an eclectic blend of musical bliss with a twist where each song feeds off of the energy of another.  Discerning contemporary jazz enthusiasts will appreciate it because my aesthetic expression is simple yet serenely soothing and sublime as a hybrid organism born out of complex melodies."

A native Washingtonian who grew up and still resides in nearby Maryland, Logan is a self-taught musician who began playing as a teenager.  He was in a high school band that opened shows at DC's Warner Theatre for Motown legends Martha & The Vandellas and Junior Walker & The All-Stars.  Music continued to be part of his life through college, after earning a Master’s degree, and while working as an administrator in the Prince George’s County detention center where he has served for over 21 years.  A prolific songwriter, Logan launched BASS-mint Records in 2002 to release his albums.  Previous recording projects include Soulitude (2002), Mello-Fabulous (2003), Radio-Active (2005) and Gratitude (2007) as well as two 2009 releases: a gospel offering, Destiny, and a collection of neo-soul songs, Love's CompassBlack Tie Affair, Logan's first release supported by comprehensive radio promotions, marketing and publicity campaigns, is part of a concerted effort to reach a wider audience. 

Jeff Logan's Black Tie Affair Track Listing:
 "Sunbreeze"
"Black Tie Affair"
"Smile"
"Smoothology 101"
"Favorite Things"
"Water To Wine"
"Improvise"
"Sweet Sticky Thing"
"Noteworthy"
"Sand 'N Between"
"Stratosphere"
"Elevator Up"

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