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Brandon "Mista J" Johnson
Drummer-bandleader Brandon Sanders Carries Basketball Roles Into The Studio On His Feel-Good Fourth Album, The Game Changer
Source:
Braithwaite & Katz Communications
Out October 30, 2026 via Savant Records, The Game Changer features Warren Wolf, Jeremy Pelt, William Hill III, Stacy Dillard, Eric Wheeler and guest vocalist Briana Swann “Instead of playing jazz in his youth, Sanders played basketball, and one can picture him dribbling the ball with the same springy energy….” —Chris Pearson, The Times of London Album release concertsNovember 20 at Jazz Fellowship, Seattle November 27, 2026 at World Stage, Los Angeles January 16, 2027 at Sista’s Place, Brooklyn, NY ...
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Guitarist Matthew Stevens Releases New Single "Hazy" Featuring Saxophonist Josh Johnson
Source:
Big Feat PR
On April 8, GRAMMY Award-winning guitarist and producer Matthew Stevens released the kaleidoscopic new single “Hazy” featuring Josh Johnson, from his forthcoming album, Matthew Stevens (out May 8 on Candid Records). Listen to “Hazy” here. Featuring saxophonist and co-producer Josh Johnson (Flea, Meshell Ndegeocello), the woozy, new original was written by Stevens during a time in his life when he didn’t have a clear image of his future. “‘Hazy’ was the first song I wrote in about a year and ...
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Amana Melomé Announces New Single 'Con C.ALMA,' Featuring Acclaimed Jazz Pianist Deron Johnson
Source:
Cyber PR
Euro-Caribbean-American singer songwriter Amana Melomé returns with “Con C.ALMA,” her first release in several years and a luminous new chapter. This brand new single layers Melomé’s global sensibilities with the jazz-rooted soulfulness that defines her lineage, enhanced by a special feature from acclaimed pianist Deron Johnson, much celebrated for his work with Miles Davis, Stanley Clarke, and a host of influential jazz artists. “Con C.ALMA,” which translates to “with calm,” in Spanish is both meditation and mantra. The stylized spelling, ...
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Drummer Brandon Sanders, Former College Hoops Player And Compton DJ, Leaves A Lasting Impression With His Deeply Swinging Third Album
Source:
Braithwaite & Katz Communications
"Brandon Sanders, a Harlem favorite, is a swinging drummer who always establishes a good feel for whatever group he’s playing with.” —Lewis Nash, Drummer “You may not hear a more tasteful, delightfully hard-swinging jazz album [than] Compton's Finest." —Matt Collar, All Music Guide Album release concert on November 17, 2025 at Dizzy’s Club, NYC Brandon Sanders was 25 years old before he ever picked up a pair of drumsticks, an age when most musicians can already boast years of study, ...
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Fingerstyle Wunderkind Jacob Johnson Offers Spiritually Uplifting Version Of 'Jessica,' The Dickey Betts/Allman Brothers Classic
Source:
1888 Media
Rising virtuoso Jacob Johnson has announced the June 21 release of his soul-affirming, spiritually-uplifting version of “Jessica,” the iconic, transcendent Allman Brothers classic. Penned by late ABB guitarist Dickey Betts, along with contributions from guitarist Les Dudek, the original composition was named after Betts’ 1-year old daughter who crawled into the room while the song was being workshopped. Released in August 1973 as a part of the album, Brothers and Sisters, the 7-1/2 minute instrumental debuted on the Billboard Hot ...
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Nick Finzer: A Celebartion of J.J. Johnson
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
J.J. Johnson was one of the most admired jazz trombonists of the post-war years. In addition to playing with a superb technique and tone, he brought a certain elegant soul to the instrument as a solo artist. Johnson began recording in 1942 with the Benny Carter Orchestra, and then had a stint with Count Basie in 1945 and early 1946. Later that year, in Juje, he led his own bebop quintet for Savoy Records. Known then as Jay Jay Johnson's ...
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Drummer Brandon Sanders Makes Long-awaited Debut With The August 25 Release Of 'Compton's Finest' On Savant Records
Source:
Terri Hinte Publicity
The only thing drummer Brandon Sanders has to prove on Compton’s Finest, set for an August 25 release on Savant Records, is his musicality. Making his recording debut at the age of 52, Sanders is past the youthful need for flashy pomp and circumstance. He instead focuses on serving the material—and supporting an ace roster of bandmates that includes vibraphonist Warren Wolf, tenor saxophonist Chris Lewis, pianist Keith Brown, and bassist Eric Wheeler—with taste and maturity. Though he’s only now ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: J.J. Johnson
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating J.J. Johnson's birthday today!
Considered by many to be the finest jazz trombonist of all time, J.J. Johnson somehow transferred the innovations of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie to his more awkward instrument, playing with such speed and deceptive ease that at one time some listeners assumed he was playing valve (rather than slide) trombone! Johnson toured with the territory bands of Clarence Love and Snookum Russell during 1941-42 and then spent 1942-45 with Benny ...
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Eliane Elias & Marc Johnson: Lost Bill Evans Song
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
Days before Bill Evans's death on September 15, 1980, the pianist handed his bassist, Marc Johnson, a cassette tape. On the tape was a previously unperformed original by Evans called Here Is Something for You. In 2007, Eliane Elias and her partner, Marc Johnson, performed the song on video, which is up at YouTube. As you'll see, they clearly share a deep love for Evans. Marc, of course, was the last Bill Evans Trio bassist. Eliane has always had a ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: J.J. Johnson
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating J.J. Johnson's birthday today!
Considered by many to be the finest jazz trombonist of all time, J.J. Johnson somehow transferred the innovations of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie to his more awkward instrument, playing with such speed and deceptive ease that at one time some listeners assumed he was playing valve (rather than slide) trombone! Johnson toured with the territory bands of Clarence Love and Snookum Russell during 1941-42 and then spent 1942-45 with Benny ...
read more
