Jonathan Butler, like many of us at some point in our professional (and personal) lives, found himself in a desert place musically. "Creativity-wise my well was rather empty. I didn't know what direction to take." He found himself running home to South Africa to get back in touch with himself, to reconnect with his roots and nature, to refill his tank. In his words, "I came home to look for Jonathan Butler." "I've come full circle." "I came home with this album." "I've never left South Africa even though I've lived here [U.S.A.] for thirty-five years. Africa has always been in my spirit." "I went completely home. I came around to this place where I feel now that I'm really excited to be embraced by smooth jazz and all of the formats out there but I wanted to come home." As a result, we are gifted with UBUNTU, pronounced with a long U. U-BUN-TU. UBUNTU!
The fans are not the only ones gifted by this project. A bucket list item of Jonathan Butler was to have Marcus Miller produce a project. On a safari in South Africa, where "a giraffe may come up to you, an elephant may be in the back yard" and the gaze upon God's landscape was awe-inspiring, the conversation was had and a decision made. A trip to Johannesburg followed for three days of tracking in a studio for what became "Ubuntu" the album, with his friends from Cape Town and Johannesburg joining in.
Denne historien er fra May - June 2023-utgaven av Smooth Jazz Magazine.
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Denne historien er fra May - June 2023-utgaven av Smooth Jazz Magazine.
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Dan Seigal Unity
When my publisher of Smooth Jazz Magazine asked me to do a review, I was initially hesitant as I am in deep preparation and learning with The Second Piano Concerto by Sergei Rachmaninoff...
Bob Holz Night Watch
Renowned jazz fusion composer and drummer Bob Holz brings us his seventh album, “Nightwatch.”
The Building of a Legacy - MARCUS ANDERSON
The musical presence and footprint of jazz fusion artist Marcus Anderson is being felt in places that perhaps only few have reached.
Live with Blak Aaron
The rhythmic sounds of international guitarist Blake Aaron's accompanied by Will Donato's melodic sounds on saxophone under the direction of the musical director and bassist John Dillard and his band mesmerized their Middle C Jazz audiences in the Queen City of Charlotte, North Carolina on August 16, 2024.
NORMAN BROWN It Hits Different
This is what I will be going for rest of my life
Ellis Hamilton Defying the Odds and Energy Unmatched!
Readers, I’m honored to introduce Mr. Ellis Hamilton to you. If you don’t know him or his music yet, you will! I met Ellis on May 20, 2023, at The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA. Why can tell you the exact date? Well, Najee was performing that evening and receiving an award.
John Ernesto The End of an Era @BERKS
I had the pleasure of speaking with John Ernesto, the Artistic Director of the Berks Jazz Festival for over three decades.
Brian Bromberg – The Magic of Moonlight
What a pleasure to have Brian Bromberg back feeling better and with new music.
The 2023 Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival
Conguero Poncho Sanchez, a west coast legend and mainstay of all things Latin Jazz and Salsa, had the audience in the palms of his hands with freshly recorded new music from an upcoming album featuring arrangements by Francisco Torre.
KAYLA WATERS
Has been able to fuse her faith into her music rather effortlessly. As she prepared for the release of her latest album entitled \"Presence,\" she took time out to speak with Smooth Jazz Magazine about her career, her music, and her Divine inspiration..
