ARTIST PROFILES

As we come to a close for the year, what a way to end our Jazz Cafe 2022 with this jazz-soul band from Denver, Colorado. Bttrfly Quintet features Grammy-nominated drummer Adam Deitch and Grammy-winning trumpeter Eric "Benny " Bloom who you may recognize as members of Lettuce. Their mix of music is jazz with a futuristic soul sound. It's definitely funky and you must give it a listen. There have been plenty of bands that have members who are famous in their own right, for exam

Ethiopian-American singer-songwriter Kelela Mizanekristos who is professionally known as Kelela is finally making her mark in the music industry. She released her debut mixtape in 2013, Cut 4 Me, and has been going strong ever since. She was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in Maryland. At a young age, she started playing violin and sang in her school's choir. Later while in college she started singing at jazz cafe's expanding her repertoire. This singer doesn't let hersel

Warhaus is the brainchild of singer-songwriter, Maarten Devoldere who is also the frontman for the Belgium rock band, Balthazar. He decided to create his alter ego and decide what kind of music he would like to create as a solo artist. It didn't take him long to figure things out. He said he wanted to make the type of music in the style of songwriters of the '60s. I think he succeeded. During his time with his band Balthazar he started writing during a five-year period for h

It's funny I should have come across this group after watching the amazing documentary, Rumble: The Indians that Rocked the World on Netflix. Our native Americans were the first to create many of the music genres we listen to today like, jazz, blues, rock, and more. In listening to many of the songs I loved how I can pick those genres from their sounds. Medicine Singers who have just released their debut album, Daybreak is a collaboration between the Algonquin powwow group th

German alternative duo, Milky Chance has been making music since high school when founding members, Clemens Rehbein and Phillip Dausch met in the jazz band they were playing in. They started recording songs and uploading them to YouTube to gain a following. Their music is a mix of alternative pop with electronic music and influences of both folk music and reggae. Quite an eclectic mix. In 2013 they recorded their first EP, Sadnecessary which was done at Clemens Rehbein's hom

It's not often when an artist just blows me away with their talent but Marc Rebillet did just that. A good friend of mine who has produced tracks in the past told me to check out this super-talented artist. He is incredible because he makes beats and sounds on the fly without having practiced or even planned it. Marc Rebillet from Dallas, Texas isn't your typical musician. He did start out at age 4 playing piano and is classically trained musically. He uses a loop machine, ke

When you put together a DJ/producer and a drummer ....well you're going to get some mighty interesting beats and sounds. Jazz drummer, Tyshawn Sorey & DJ/producer, King Britt have just released an album that encompasses the avant-garde jazz drumming style with the eclectic beats and grooves of the DJ. King Britt from Philadelphia you may have heard of and if not you definitely know his former band, Digable Planets. The band had the hit song, Rebirth of Slick(Cool Like That) w

Canadian indie jazz band from Montreal, The Liquor Store is making a name for itself on the jazz circuit. The band consists of seven members who are truly amazing musicians. They have been playing many of the jazz festivals around Canada. The band's infectious sounds and energy make you want to move. Their music is a mix of R&B, Electronica, funk with some hip-hop thrown in for good measure. They have been together since 2011 when a couple of accomplished jazz musicians got t

Who doesn't like to dance especially when you hear this duo's songs. Jungle is a British Electronic music project by producers Josh Lloyd Watson and Tom McFarland. Their music fuses funk and soul and the beats are fierce. I couldn't stop dancing to their latest song, Talk About It. This duo has been rocking the dance floors all around the world. The duo has known each other since they were kids and lived next door to each other in London. They also went to school together an

While checking out indie dance artists I came across this interesting mysterious artist. He goes by the name Vegyn, real name Joe Thornally from London, England. Music is in his blood because his father is a songwriter and musician. He is also a graphic artist and he has to thank his mom for that. While studying in college he started djing and has been on a roll since producing his first album, All Bad Things Have Ended- Your Lunch Included in 2014. He became interested in el

Jazz music is forever evolving and the jazz scenes that are happening in several parts of the world have jazz artists creating new styles and sounds while still staying true to their traditions. Jazz saxophonist and singer, Quinn Oulton has been making the rounds on the jazz scene, especially in his native London. He is also a multi-instrumentalist and a recent graduate of the Royal Academy of Music. He has been playing the saxophone since age 8 and grew up listening to not o

I first heard of this talented keyboardist from jazz artist Yussef Dayes and I've checked out his music and it has a real soulful groove. Kamaal Williams born Henry Wu from Peckham, U.K. is a multi-instrumentalist, DJ, and producer. He has always been artistic in one way or another. As a kid, he took an interest in Chinese calligraphy and later through his parent's graphic designs became interested in street graffiti. His love of music happened while in primary school and he

Jazz is an ever-evolving music genre and today more and more artists are mixing certain music genres that were unheard of before. All in all, there are now over 50 jazz styles, and more keep being added. This jazz multi-instrumentalist has added another style, lo-fi R&B jazz. He goes by the name Puma Blue real name Jacob Allen and he's been making his rounds in the London jazz scene. "Music was always played around the house and in the car," says Puma Blue which first had him

When you have a talent and passion that cannot be hidden or denied you then make a choice to either follow your dream or finish college. Singer-songwriter Claud, real name Claud Mintz made a decision to drop out of Syracuse University to pursue their passion and dream. It has paid off and has recently signed to Indie singer, Phoebe Bridgers record label, Saddest Records. Chicago born and raised and now based in Brooklyn, NY; Claud was part of a duo named Toast in 2018 and ha

There are many purists of specific music genres but if you keep your mind open you can discover great new artists. Noise In Your Eye is one such duo. The band consists of Adrian Chivers and Daniel Pennie both are based in Wiltshire, England. Their approach to music is mixing Jazz elements with classical, improvisation, and fusion of different styles. It can range from a funky groove to classical strings and everything in between. Both Adrian Chivers and Daniel Pennie are comp

In searching for new Jazz artists I stumbled upon this talented jazz violinist. Johanna Burnheart is one of the first undergraduate jazz violinist at the Guildhall School of Music in London, England. The school is known as one of the few European conservatories that offer degrees in jazz violin. Originally from Frankfurt, Germany, her music is a mix of electronic club music, jazz to avant-garde and beyond. She started playing the piano at age 5 and violin when she was 7. She

Throughout the years there has been an ongoing debate about DJ's/producers being musicians or considered artists. My answer is yes they are artists because putting together beats and sounds is a skill just like a musician who builds their songs. Dance music became very popular during the '70s when a new sub-genre of dance music called Disco started. Big clubs like Studio 54, Paradise Garage, Artemis in Philly, and many others started playing this type of dance music which had

Australian electronica duo known as Vallis Alps is comprised of producer David Ansari and vocalist Parissa Tosif. With songs ranging from ambient to dance, the duo has been praised for not only its airy, layered textures but also for Tosif’s beautiful singing. Producer Ansari is originally from Seattle, WA he eventually moved to Sydney where he teamed up with Tosif. Together, they released a couple of songs and an eponymous EP in 2015. “Young” charted at #27, and its success

A mysterious man whose face is often shrouded by his big, straw hat, Alxndr London creates an experimental electronic sound that accompanies his reflective lyrics. Incorporating other influences in his music, he strives to remain true to himself. His songs describe his personal experiences, memories and poetry. He began writing songs in 2015, and he’s already made a name for himself with his debut EP, A Long Time Ago, which the Observer touted as a record which, “blurs the li

Colombian-born, Toronto-raised Lido Pimienta is a musician with a mission. Besides being a singer, Pimienta has also earned a degree in Art Criticism. Her work was featured at the Mercer Gallery in Toronto as part of the "Feministry Is Here" exhibit. With this varied background, it’s little surprise her debut album was entitled Color. Her music is definitely of the electronica persuasion, yet evidence of her Colombian roots are on full display. Singing in Spanish, she has e