Mild. Awkward. Ear-piercing. Some call him a paradox: The soulful nerd with the huge voice. His name is Kenny Wesley. ”My mom said I came out the womb screaming, and I’ve been screaming every since!” he jests. The North Carolina born, D.C.-based artist has a voice that can shatter glass, lilt with the tenderness of a soul crooner, sing a Mexican lullaby, or bust out the stank. His love for music and other cultures has taken him around the world where he has performed before presidents, dignitaries, heads of state, and high-profile celebrities. He has shared the stage with several national recording artists such as Alice Smith, Stephanie Mills, Anthony David, Kindred, Eric Roberson, Sy Smith, N'Dambi, Yolanda Adams, Tamia, Zo! & Phonte (The Foreign Exchange), Vikter Duplaix, Mike Phillips, Gordon Chambers, Maya Azucena and Leela James. His songs have been featured on a number of media outlets and projects such as: FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance", ABC’s “The View”, Music Choice, Good Morning Arizona!, WBFF FOX45 Baltimore, soulbounce.com, The Contemporary Songbook 3 (Soulunsigned), The Soul Prototype (Kebomusic), Beautiful Weirdo (GreenTea)and Land of Sheep Ruled by Pigs (Wes Felton), et al. Now Kenny Wesley ushers in the Holiday season with his contemporary adaptation of "Toyland" - one of Victor Herbert's most famous songs from his Christmas-themed 1903 operetta "Babes in Toyland" based on characters from fairy tales and Mother Goose nursery rhymes. Featuring producer Carlton Hicks, Kenny delivers this song with sophisticated splendor taking the listener back to childhood memories of their own “mystic merry Toyland." ~ CD Baby
Pamela Williams music and saxophone style has enchanted many listeners for years. Since she debuted her first CD in 1996, she has had Billboard-charting success with several of her nine CDs. Pamela Williams is undoubtedly, one of the most popular performers on today's smooth jazz scene. And now she has recorded a long-awaited Christmas CD. She adds her distinct sound and jazzy flavor to some of the most popular Christmas songs ever recorded. Pamela Williams is not only an incredible saxophonist, she plays flute, piano, as is a very well-respected producer, which definitely contributes to her unique style. Her fans have requested a CD like this from her for years and it is finally here! "Christmas With The Saxtress" is a must have in your music collection. ~ CD Baby
On Jazzy Christmas with Jeff Sparks, the versatile saxophonist expands on the infectious and powerful blend of gospel, funk and R&B that drove the success of his 2010 Arrow Records release Love.Life.Soul. He brings fanciful twists to five familiar Christmas classics, including a high octane horn driven funk/jazz/rock romp through "Carol of the Bells"; a fiery and percussive New Orleans-styled "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"; the brassy gospel rocker "Mary Did You Know"; and colorful, exotic takes on "Feliz Navidad" and "Little Drummer Boy" (featuring vocals by Dria). Sparks complements these with two compelling original tunes, the gospel fired yet sensually romantic "This Christmas" (with lead vocals by Monique Dansby) and the soaring emotional ballad that closes the set, truly making Christmas a "Wonderful" experience. Sparks takes a fascinating and cool moodswing approach - with one of the freshest urban jazz arrangements ever - on the collection's sizzling lead single, an emotionally stirring rendition of "Do You Hear What I Hear." The track opens with a bright, funky brass section and bubbling bass motif that burst in and set fire to the saxophonist's cool, laid back and soulful soprano lines between each verse. Later in the tune, Sparks lights up with some exciting, unpredictable improvisations that join the high energy brass for a major holiday jam session. Riffing on the song's title, yes, everyone's gonna want to hear this! ~ clevershoppers.com
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