When the burden of caring for
aging and ailing parents is added to the daily stresses and strains, sometimes
simply seeing sunny skies is enough to help get through the day. That scenario
is what inspired urban-jazz saxophonist Reggie Codrington’s new single, “Sunny
Skies,” which he wrote with bassist-producer Darryl Williams. The hopeful
mid-tempo R&B groove, mixed by hitmaker Euge Groove and going for playlist
adds on August 12, features Codrington’s soulful soprano sax expressions and
trumpet play from his 82-year-old father who is battling Alzheimer’s.
Afflicted with Ataxic Cerebral Palsy that required nine
major surgeries even before he became a teenager, Codrington is returning the
loving care he received from his parents, Joyce and Ray Codrington. The grind
is a challenge physically and mentally, but the optimistic artist awakens each
day seeking beauty and blessings in his life that put a smile on his face.
“The song (‘Sunny Skies’) makes me feel happy. I find beauty
all around me, even in the rain. But seeing sunny skies makes me feel
especially peaceful and happy. Blue skies make me feel close to nature. I’m a
pretty simple guy. Life is complicated enough and so are all the things going
on in life. Sunny skies keep me moving forward,” said Codrington.
After an intro from Codrington’s label, M.A.N.D.A.T.E
Records, Codrington and Williams hooked up a few years ago at a jam session.
Williams sent a track to the saxman who then wrote the buoyant melodies for
“Sunny Skies.” With Williams programming the drum tracks, playing piccolo and
synth basses and keyboards, Codrington emotes smilingly on a special curved
horn designed to overcome his physical limitations. Guitarist Darrell Crooks,
who has recorded with Grammy winners Eric Clapton, Boyz II Men, Ledisi, Gregory
Porter and Kirk Whalum, adds rhythmic licks while Rymand Entezari contributes
electric piano touches. Codrington gets emotional when talking about his
father, who has played with Little Richard, Gladys Knight and Jackie Wilson,
making a guest appearance on the single.
“Yeah, man, he’s an inspiration for me. It means a lot (to
me) to have him on the record with all that he’s going through with
Alzheimer’s. There’s great beauty in that as well as inspiration for me. Taking
care of my parents as their health fails, I try to find the bright spots in
each day to keep from feeling down. Everyone has got to find their own ways to
get through the day. It could be as simple as looking up in the skies. Just
seeing beautiful blue skies makes me feel like I can take on the world,” said
the Fayetteville, North Carolina-based Codrington who studied music at Howard
University.
Last year, Codrington dropped a single, “Cherry Sweet,” a
song that sprang from helping his mother feel better by giving her cherries. It
appeared on his “Against The Odds” disc, titled for the improbable story of how
he overcome a rare disability and found a home in music. Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
is the least common form of the disorder and is a chronic condition that
affects movement and muscle coordination, sparking tremors and walking
difficulties. Muscles were cut and transferred from his elbow, wrist and
triceps to improve the functionality of his fingers. To make walking easier and
enhance mobility, muscles were sliced from his legs. The curved sax enables him
to play comfortably. Codrington has performed for President Barak Obama,
recorded with Jeff Lorber, Paul Jackson Jr. and Nils, and opened for Ramsey
Lewis, Charlie Wilson, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Peabo Bryson, Kenny
Latimore, Kim Waters and Kevin Toney. He’s too modest to know what an
inspiration he himself is for others. For more information, please visit
https://www.ReggieCodrington.com.
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