Steve Oliver · A New Light

In the five years since he released the widely acclaimed "Illuminate" - the last commercial contemporary jazz album distributed under his own name - multiple Billboard #1 hit guitarist/producer Steve Oliver took a bit of a detour. He released a duet album with frequent collaborator Brian Simpson (2020's "Unified", which held the top spot on the Amazon sales chart for several weeks) and a fan-requested solo guitar album (2022's "Sojourn") that revisits songs from his vast catalog.

Kayla Waters · Presence

The astounding late actor Chadwick Boseman once remarked, “Purpose crosses disciplines. Purpose is an essential element of you. It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history. Your very existence is wrapped up in the things you are here to fulfill.” These words ring true when talking about the young virtuoso pianist, composer and producer, Kayla Waters, who like Boseman is a Howard alum. The stunningly beautiful Maryland native who has shared the stage with everyone from Stevie Wonder, Patrice Rushen, Regina Belle, Maysa, and Avery*Sunshine, has emerged as a heroine of sorts in the male dominated Contemporary Jazz world over the past couple years. Kayla, who performed with Marsha Ambrosius and Corinne Bailey Rae, among others on BET’s Black Girls Rock, has garnered four #1 Billboard hits with her songs “I Am,” “Zephyr,” “Full Bloom” and “Open Portals” and managed to make Billboard history. Kayla’s song “Full Bloom” stayed at #1 on the Jazz charts for six consecutive weeks, making her the first female pianist/composer to hold that spot for so long. Grounded in her purpose, nothing fazes Kayla, “I show love and humility everywhere I go, it’s infectious!” shares the daughter of celebrated chart-topping saxophonist and one of the premiere architects of Smooth Urban Jazz (and now labelmate), Kim Waters. “I’ve been blessed to be able to stand my own ground and inhabit space as a thriving artist in this arena! The main focus should be less about gender and more about the music – always the music.” Kayla’s unique signature elixir of jazz, classical and soul is a divine combination of all the elements that inspire her. “Music is vibration, vibration is movement, movement is evolution and evolution is life, therefore; music is life,” philosophizes Kayla, whose name serendipitously means “keeper of the keys.”

Roberto Tola · Natashenka

NATASHENKA is the new single by Roberto Tola, available from August 11, 2023 on all music platforms, and it is the 11th single that the artist has created and produced since he began his solo career in 2017, after over thirty years spent as a jazz sideman with artists such as Bob Mintzer, Tom Harrel, Carla Bley, Norma Winstone and artists of the Jazz Funk genre such as Shakatak, Jill Saward and many others.

This new single by the Italian artist follows the release of his new album entitled UNDER THE LEO SIGN, which took place on June 27, 2023, which is the fourth solo album by the guitarist and composer originally from Sardinia, the exotic island kissed by the Mediterranean sun.

Bob Baldwin · All My Life (ft. Eric Valentine)

Pianist/Composer Bob Baldwin continues his B Positive vibrations with his latest single, "All My Life", with drummer Eric Valentine.

The album was continued collection of thoughts as we all reflect on the happenings of 2020-2021. At the end of the day, we all want to move forward in a positive way. "All My Life" speaks of Baldwin's love for music, and how to use music in an uplifting way.

Adam Hawley · Uptop

Guitarist/Producer Adam Hawley has burst on to the scene as a celebrated and innovative artist, composer and band leader. Handpicked by Maurice White (founder of Earth, Wind, & Fire), Hawley first debuted on the legend's record label, Kalimba Music.

In all, Adam’s four albums and work as a producer has spawned an incredible 13 Billboard #1 hits. In it's first week, the 3rd album Escape was the #1 selling album in the nation, outselling every other Contemporary Jazz album as per Nielsen Music.