CD discovery of the week RJ & The Assignment "The Stroke Of Midnight"

JazzWax  CD discovery of the week    RJ  & The Assignment  "The Stroke Of Midnight"     There's an exciting new jazz style emerging that weaves contemporary beats, samples and electronic and acoustic instruments into a single contemporary jazz statement. Enter RJ & the Assignment with their new album The Stroke of Midnight (JK Melody)—a perfect expression with elements of Kool  and the Gang, Stevie Wonder, Roy Ayers, Doug Carn and  Herbie Hancock. The Assignment is a quintet at its core, but there are quite a few guest artists listed, including a dynamic vocalist—Windy Kairigianes. Born in Chicago, pianist, composer and arranger RJ is based in Las Vegas (more here). If you know nothing about this new form of jazz and want a way in, this is your album. Listen to it while driving. It's enormously adventurous and creative music.  - Marc Myers writes daily on jazz legends and legendary jazz recordings

Featuring   RJ-Keyz (all tracks)   The Assignment- Julian Tanaka-Sax-tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 9 & 10 Mariko Kitada- Acoustic Bass - tracks 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 Electric Bass track 3 Jason Bolden-Electric Bass - tracks 1, 5, 8, 9 & 11 Terry Wesley -Drumz-(all tracks) Jocelyn Winston- Vocals-tracks 1, 3, 5, 8, 9, & 11   Special Guest Performers Jeff Ray- Guitar- Tracks 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 11 Eddie Rich - Flute -Tracks 2, 6 Sax- Tracks 2, & 4 Michael Evans-Trombone- Tracks 2 & 4 Jorge Machain-Trumpet 2 & 4 Khari Bowden- Spokenword- Tracks 8 & 11 Windy Kairigianes- Vocals- Tracks 4 & 9 Tom Schuman- Keyboards & Percussion Programming- Tracks 2, 3, 6, 8, 10 & 11 This is RJ & The Assignment's follow up project to their well acclaimed 2011 release "Deceiving Eyes". (Just google RJ & The Assignment for their countless reviews from top review publications, such as Jazztimes, All about jazz & many others.) Their new CD "The Stroke Of Midnight" includes seven original tunes and four cover tunes from John Coletrane, Bobby Caldwell, Betty Carter & the Beatles. There is a mixture of vocal, instrumental & two tracks of spokenword on this project. From start to finish, this project will keep you intrigued with unimaginable & creative twists and turns to excite even the most hardcore jazz fanatic, to the common radio music lover. You will not believe your ears! This project will definitely be the talk of the town.

RJ is a native of Chicago and has been privileged to work solely and professionally as a musician for over 15 years. RJ embarked on his journey as a musician learning to play by ear in his home church of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church Cathedral in Harvey, Illinois. Upon rapid growth in RJ sense of knowledge base, skill and overall musicianship, he soon earned opportunities to gain experience playing keys for live performances and studio work for some of Chicago’s and the music industry’s greatest artist to include; Lonnie V. Hunter III and the Voices of St. Mark, House of Twang, Jennifer Hudson, Otis Clay, Christopher Williams, Beverly Crawford, Erykah Badu, Angie Stone and Jon B, Buddy Guy, Dave Loeb, Mike Phillips, Lisa McClendon, etc. As RJ level of musicianship marks him not only as a player, but also as a songwriter, arranger, composer and music producer, he has been acknowledged for many artistic contributions to music. As an independent songwriter, RJ composed I’m in Need of You on the Lonnie Hunter and Voices of St. Mark Next Level gospel album of which was honored with a Stella Award Nomination in 2003 in the Best Album category. RJ has done workshops throughout the U.S. states including Connecticut, California, New Jersey and Illinois and his international experience cites him as touring over 19 cities in Italy. He also has played in Jamaica with a Chicago-based band, House of Twang for an expo featuring top bands around the world after winning 1st Place in the National Caribbean Music Expo, 2002. RJ was also nominated for a Chicago Music Award in 2005 with House of Twang. RJ currently plays locally in the Las Vegas, NV area at infamous hot spots, such as Freak N’ Frog, Yayo, Wynn Resort and Casino, Cosmopolitan, Mandalay Bay, Paul Ringenbach Quintet, Token Brass Band, etc… Through JK Melody Productions, LLC, Reginald has been afforded multiple opportunities to write, produce and perform with various gospel, R&B, neo-soul and jazz favorites. RJ has experience in several genres of music including classical, R&B, neo-soul and jazz. He studied classical piano for three years at St. Xavier University before transferring to UNLV and switching to jazz piano studies, where he obtained a Bachelors and Masters of Arts in Jazz Studies. RJ diligently shares his gift with youth and adults who have a desire to expand musically and open their ears to the universal language that music has to offer.

For Interviews and Promos Contact:
Jim Eigo
Jazz Promo Services
T: 845-986-1677
E-Mail: jim@jazzpromoservices.com
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