Our second featured artist in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage month is singer-songwriter Ambar Cruz who is professionally known as Ambar Lucid. She was born in Little Ferry, New Jersey to a Dominican mother and Mexican father. Those influences play deeply in her music. She is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist who plays the guitar, piano, the ukulele and produces her own music. She started singing when she was 5 years old and later started posting her covers on You

Since the time I first heard reggae music while at my college radio station I have been enthralled. In a male-dominated genre, this singer-songwriter is carving out a name for herself. Singer Anna Sharé Blake known professionally as Sevana didn't start out wanting to be a singer. Instead, she wanted to be a doctor and it wasn't until age 16 after entering a music contest that the music bug bit her. She formed a girl band, SLR but later took a break from music and came back

New Zealand singer-songwriter Amelia Murray professionally known by Fazerdaze has been creating a buzz in the indie music world. She is a multi-instrumentalist and she recorded her debut EP in 2014 all on her own. In an interview, she says that she is still growing and feels like we are all watching her grow. She says she started Fazerdaze as a way to document her development. She cut her teeth touring around the world opening for such acts as Connan Mokasin and Unknown Morta

Indie jazz double bassist Avishai Cohen has been wowing audiences around the world. He comes from a musical family where music just runs in the blood. He was born in Kibbutz Kabri, Israel to a family of mixed origins from Spain, Greece, and Poland. He started playing piano at age 9 but after listening to the music of legendary jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius he switched to bass guitar. He left Isreal by age 22 and moved here to NYC to pursue his career. While working odd jobs he

I know that two weeks in a row I have featured jazz drummers and I can't help it but I'm a drum and bass fanatic. It's important to note that jazz drummer Billy Drummond (real name Willis Robert Drummond Jr.)is one of the most well-known jazz drummers out there. He has recorded and played with the best. Billy Drummond's interest in jazz started at a young age after listening to his father's jazz collection. His father was an amateur drummer and huge jazz enthusiast. He starte

British-born singer-songwriter Raye (born Rachel Agatha Keen) knew from a young age that she wanted to be a performer. At age 10 guided by her father and her guitar teacher, she started singing at her local church. Since then she worked hard and was featured on the songs, By Your Side by Dj Jonas Blue and You Don't Know Me by DJ Jax Jones. Those recordings got her noticed and her career took off. In 2014 she released her debut EP, Welcome To the Winter, and in 2016 released h

The indie pop singer-songwriter, Julia Jacklin grew up in a family of school teachers. There is a discipline that teachers incorporate into their children. Born in Sydney, Australia she says she was inspired by pop singer, Britney Spears and started taking classical singing lessons by age 10. In high school, she joined a band and they did covers of Avril Lavigne songs. Her family didn't understand her wanting to be a musician and didn't feel things would work out for her. In

There used to be a time when you really didn't see women playing the drums but nowadays that's all changed. Meet jazz drummer extraordinaire Sarah Thawer from Toronto, Canada. To see her perform is watching art in motion. Her beats are just sick and at the same time mesmerizing. She started playing at age 2 and performing on stage by age 5. She is a free spirit and does not limit herself when it comes to jazz. She also has played a variety of drums from the tabla, Indian con

I was checking my email when I received a message from singer-songwriter, and guitarist, Jason Maxwell. I listened to his submission and loved his song. Toronto-based singer Jason Maxwell has been playing around Canada and gaining a following. He says he decided to be a singer after seeing the movie School of Rock. His initial instruments of choice were the drums and guitar but his parents thought the guitar was best. Jason Maxwell has been influenced by such artists as Josh

Singer-songwriter Eliza has changed her professional name from Eliza Doolittle to just Eliza. She is well known in the U.K. and plans on taking the U.S. by storm. Born in Westminster, England to parents who are both in the theater it was inevitable that Eliza(real name Eliza Sophie Caird) would follow. She would watch her mother as a child performing on stage and wanted to be a singer from a young age. She chose the name Eliza Doolittle after the character in My Fair Lady and

Jazz guitarist, Kurt Rosenwinkel says that he plays until he finds something he can develop. This strategy has played well for this talented jazz composer who likes to give room to stretch out while performing with other jazz musicians. A native of Pennslyvania he started taking guitar lessons early at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts and went to Berklee College of Music but didn't complete his studies to go on tour. When an opportunity comes

San Diego-based band, Thee Sacred Souls have a unique sound that captured my attention. It brings me back to the sounds of '60s, and '70s soul music. The trio started with good friends, Alex Garcia on drums and bass guitarist, Sal Samano. The two come from Chula Vista, California, and were surrounded by Chicano music. The duo decided to form a band featuring oldies music and recorded instrumentals. They needed a vocalist who could bring their music to life. They actually foun

I love the origins of this band and how they chose their name. Dea Matrona from Belfast, Ireland whose Celtic name means divine mother goddess all met in school. The trio consists of sisters Mollie and Mamie McGinn and their good friend Orlaith Forsythe whose music is rock with some blues mixed in. The group first started off as a duo with Mollie McGinn and Orla Forsythe in 2017. Mollie's sister Mamie McGinn joined later. In 2019 they released their first album, Away From The

Brazilian jazz drummer, Mario Gaiotto has been playing with many jazz artists for years now. He has played with such jazz artists as Toninho Ferragutti, Spok, Teco Cardoso, and many more. Living in São Paulo, Brazil the city has many different cultures all living without borders. As a drummer, you are in tune with sounds and many drummers incorporate those sounds in their drumming. I know of one such rock legend, drummer Neil Peart who built a raft and would put his drums on

Singer-songwriter, Waterofelegance has been creating a buzz in the industry with her mix of jazzy R&B and Soul. Originally from Jacksonville Florida, she started singing at the age of 6 and early on decided to pursue a music career. Things have not been easy for her because she refuses to follow what some perceive to be a standard for female singers. The standard is that you should be wearing short dresses or skirts and showing skin to gain attention but Waterofelegance does

The alternative rock band, Silversun Pickups has an interesting sound. They caught my attention with their single, Alone On A Hill. The band from Los Angles, California consists of lead singer/guitarist Brian Aubert, bassist and backing vocals Nikki Morringer, keyboardist Joe Lester and drummer Christopher Guanlao. During the 2000s the band was playing the club circuit all around California gaining followers. They continue to remain independent which many bands are choosing t

I'm a great lover of piano solos that can take your breath away. Jazz pianist, Fred Hersch did just that when I listened to his latest song Begin Again. A beautiful composition that blew me away. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio this talented musician, educator, and activist for HIV/AIDS has been making mesmerizing music since he was eight years old. At age 4 he began playing the piano. He won several piano competitions by the age of ten. Later while attending Grinnell College in Iow

Many people wonder where did samba jazz originate simple answer is Brazil. One of the founders of this style is Antonio Carlos Jobim but many jazz artists have released albums giving praise to this jazz form. Jazz guitarist Nate Najar is one that loves samba jazz. Born in St. Petersburg, Florida this jazz acoustic guitarist is also a Charlie Byrd devotee. During his teenage years, he studied classical guitar and the rest is history. He has played with the best in jazz from Bu

If you are an R&B lover like me then you will fall in love with singer Didiboo, real name Julius Robinson). He makes the type of love songs that the ladies just fall in love with. He started singing at an early age and his father discovered he had talent and let him sing at church. When he grew up he wanted to discover other types of music and pursued his music career. After many years on the club circuit, he eventually landed a spot on the MTV show Making The Band 4 with P D

There is nothing like a feel-good song to get your day going. Singer-songwriter Ua(real name Kaori Hasegawa) from Japan makes the type of music that makes you feel good. She studied art at the University of Sage and became a lounge singer. Her music is a mix of pop, jazz, electronica, and even reggae. She likes to venture into different music genres and is also an actress in her country. She chose her stage name Ua which in Swahili means both flower and kill. She made her de