The 51st Grammy Award Nominations are in….. 2 of my artists- well one current and 1 I had worked with previously for a few years are NOMINATED! Exciting times….

Congrats to Wayna for the Best Urban Alternative Category for her song ‘Lovin You’ featuring Kokayi.

Congrats also to Anthony David for collaboration in the Best R&B Duo category for ‘Words’ featuring India Arie.

Also congrats go out to Raphael Saadiq, Jazmine Sullivan, Janelle Monae, Eric Benet, Maiysha and others…

Wayna is currently in Ethiopia performing at some big festivals……

She’ll be back Stateside in Jan…..

She’ll also make a live appearance at The Blue Note on Friday, April 3rd. Save The Date:::::::

The Grammy’s will be held on Feb 9th

Why do I love thee!!  Remix Hotel is the best…They do these 3 day seminars/workshops/parties and networking on technology/production….They are FREE and in several Cities in U.S including Atlanta, Miami, NY and LA.….They are the best….This past one in NY I was a  panelist-  Hank Shocklee moderated… Dru Ha from Duckdown,  Andre from Wax Poetics and others also spoke……

The next Remix Hotel is in LA this Friday, Dec 5-7th.

Some great topics, great speakers.

One of my long time friends and very talented artist/producer/remixer The Angel is speaking on the panel  Taste vs. Technique (8 p.m.)
Artists, producers and session players face off about musicianship versus musical feel: Does a lack of music-theory knowledge and formal training hinder the quality of today’s music, and conversely, can overadherence to compositional rules hamper inspiration and creativity? The creative debate ensues as each side defends the validity of its approach.
Panelists: Ken Andrews, The Angel, Squeak E. Clean, Sid Roams (Joey Chavez & Uno Bravo), Evan Taubenfeld
Moderator: Markkus Rovito

The UK urban cult phenonenon movie Kidulthood was recently released on DVD Stateside via Image.   The Angel’s grime, hip-hop and d n’ b inspired score for the movie is available via digital outlets. If you would like a review copy, or to interview The Angel, you can let Lucy Beer of Elemental know.

The info on Remix Hotel LA came from Lucy….Check her blog too called Beatlife.
more info on Remix Hotel:
Avid Presents Remix Hotel Los Angeles 2008!
SAE Institute of Technology—LA | 3–9 p.m. daily
6565 Sunset Blvd., Suite 100 | Los Angeles, CA 90028

Remix Hotel heads back to Los Angeles Dec. 4–6, 2008, for another action-packed weekend of product demos, artist performances, industry panels featuring today’s top producers and engineers, all-new video programming and more!

You won’t want to miss Remix Hotel’s new video-production content, courtesy of Presenting Partner Avid—not to mention all of the great music-production tools on-site throughout the RHLA weekend. Technology Partners include Digidesign, M-Audio, Rane, Serato, Pioneer, Music Marketing, Celemony, Prism Sound, KRK Systems, Stanton, Roland, Cakewalk, Propellerhead, iStandard and others.

Remix Hotel has something for everyone interested in audio and video production—from budding producers to full-on studiophiles.

More info on Remix.

I am so late on this but…..I’m a huge fan from the get go and was so happy when Giant Step sent me their CD “Of All The Things”.  It took several listens before I was convinced that it was just as juicy and lovely - no let down from their previous mastery!  My fave is  ‘Lie’ ft Thief.

But-   Jazzanova are the BEST!
Berlin’s Jazzanova collective formed in 1995, after DJing with one another at a club called Delicious Doughnuts. Alexander Barck, Class Brieler, Roskow Kretschmann, Stefan Leisering, Axel Reinemer, and Jürgen von Knoblauch shared a common goal of blending their collected inspirations together to create a new, sophisticated sound, with debts owed to nearly every form of dance-oriented music from the past several decades.

It’s to be expected that Jazzanova would turn in excellent productions with every track, but what’s most impressive about Of All the Things is the work that Jazzanova haven’t made their forté in the past — songwriting, arrangements, and the pairing of each vocalist with a song that works perfectly for them.

Jazzanova
Of All the Things
November 21, 2008
Verve

JAZZANOVA ft BEN WESTBEECH - I CAN SEE

The Angel - Kidulthood Opening Theme Remix
Download now:
Kidulthood is a cult classic movie in the UK, detailing in gritty fashion the lives of London’s teenaged yoof. Drugs, sex, violence and paryting are the order of the day, delivered in a stylized and powerful way by BIFA Award winning director, Menhaj Huda.The movie just got its Stateside release on DVD and in celebration, producer/composer The Angel, who scored the film has made available a remix to the movie’s grime-inspired opening theme.

The Angel recently posted some insight about her creative process for this track on her blog. Follow her on Twitter.

The film score itself is worthy of note. In tandem with the movie, it brilliantly underlines the guts and drama of the storyline, heightening the atmosphere as any good score should. But as an album in itself there are plenty of great tracks - tough, grimey breaks alongside edgy hip-hop, touches of drum n bass, and plenty of moody soundscapes.
The Angel is currently working on a new artist album, so stay tuned for more news on that.

I met Angel years ago and used to come see her in LA…   Also-  She had a featured track on my very first compilation I produced called ‘CONNECTED’. Hot track…. That album dropped in 1998….

Be the first to own Put Your Dreams First!

I’ve known this author for many years.. Thembisa Mshaka is an amazingly dynamic woman and very powerful….This is her first book….. She called me about 2 years ago and asked if I can featured in her book.   I was honored….If you check the line up - damn- I’m in great company!!!!
From Thembisa..…After six years of research and writing, after interviewing more than 90 dynamic industry players, after talking to people like you about it for so long you probably thought, ‘when is it gonna be done?’, my first book is available. You’ll have to wait until April for it to be sent to you, but I did my best to make it worth the wait (smile). And at $11.55, I doubt you’ll find it for less! Makes a great gift for young people or the women in your lives.

Pre-Orders Now Available on Amazon
Let’s show the publisher there is demand for it months out from its release to stores!
Thanks for your continued suppport. -Thembisa

Pre Orders:

In addition to Thembisa and foreword contributor Vanessa Williams, you’ll be supporting the work and accomplishments of the women featured:

Celebrity
Brenda Russell * Grammy-winning singer/songwriter and composer, The Color Purple on Broadway
Meshell Nedegeocello * bassist, composer, singer songwriter
Mo’Nique * comedienne, reality personality and film/TV producer
Nayo Wallace * actor (Speed Racer, The Brothers)
Vanessa Williams * actor and singer (foreword)

CEOs/Entrepreneurs
Alexis Levi * music industry exec turned first Af-Am female owner of men’s team (The Las Vegas Stars)
April Silver * activist, consultant and pr rep, founder, AKILA Worksongs
Cathy Hughes * Founder of Radio One and TV One
Jackie Rhinehart * PR and marketing veteran (Universal, Island and Arista Records)
Echo Allen * architect/actor turned real estate investor
Fiona Bloom * Pianist, radio personality, and branding specialist CEO of The Bloom Effect
Kimberly N. Cooper * writer, founder of inaugural NABFEME NY Chapter, and owner, BG Unlimited
Tomica Wright * CEO, Ruthless Records and widow of Eazy-E

Fashion
Aliesh D. Pierce * A-List makeup artist and esthetician (India.Arie, Golden Brooks, Yolanda Adams)
*Ashaka Givens * Fashion Designer (Erykah Badu, Common)
Dawn Haynes * stylist (Jamie Foxx and others) Dawn II Dusk
Kimberly Kimble * film and celebrity hair stylist/salon and product line owner
Nzingha * celebrity and film makeup artist, CEO of ZFace Inc.
Pamela Watson * Celebrity stylist and children’s apparel designer

Film
Dolly Turner * independent marketing consultant, ABFF
Erika Conner * producer, Idlewild
Lana Garland * screenwriter/director
Lisa Cortes * producer, Monster’s Ball and former record label president
Nayo Wallace * actor
Nefertiti Strong * emcee, film director/producer, Patriot Pictures

Global Business
Ebonnie Rowe * founder, Phemphat Productions Toronto-Barbados based event producer and mentor
Celia Faussart * Les Nubians
*Helene Faussart * Les Nubians
Thami Ngubeni * actor, producer, former EIC, O The Oprah Magazine
Vivian Scott-Chew * Owner, Time Zone International and former A&R executive (George Clinton, Patra, Shabba Ranks)
Wendy ‘Motion’ Brathwaite * Award-wining Canadian poet and radio personality

Imagemaking/PR
Dyanna Williams * founder of Int’l Association of African American Music (IAAAM) and PR veteran (Usher, Bow Wow, Ne-Yo, Lil Kim, etc)
Gwendolyn Quinn * Renown publicist and Founder, African American PR Collective (AAPRC)
Jasmine Vega * 20 year music PR vet (Ice Cube, D’Angelo, Janet, Lenny Kravitz) turned esthetician
Kasema Kalifah * former assistant to Nzingha Stewart
Mimi Valdes Ryan * Editor-In-Chief, Latina
Stephanie Abdullah * Army reservist/media liaison, personal publicist to Bobby Brown
Nzingha Stewart * Video Director and Young Women’s Advocate
Yvette Noel-Schure * SVP Media, Columbia Records

Managers/Agents/Legal
Alexa Pagonas * Michael Black Management (Jody Foster, Tommy Lee Jones)
Angie Aguirre * Manager, Chase Entertainment, former manager of Outkast, Pharoahe Monch
Jennifer Coles * Television host/judge talent agent
Kim Ward * Entertainment attorney
Louise West * CEO and Attorney, West Entertainment (Missy Elliott, Timbaland)
Mona Scott-Young * CEO, Monami Entertainment
Tina Davis * Manager, Chris Brown and former A&R Executive, Def Jam, Columbia
Vanessa Gilbert * CEO, TGMD and agent, George DelHoyo, Don LaFontaine (King of Trailers)

Music
*Abby Dobson * Independent soul artist
Brenda Russell * Grammy-winning singer/songwriter and composer, The Color Purple on Broadway
*DJ Kuttin’ Kandi * Champion Filipina turntablist and activist
DJ Princess Cut * Champion Chopped-n-Screwed DJ
DJ Reborn * DJ, instructor, and theater musical director
LaRonda Sutton * SVP, Foxx King Music
Lenora Zenzalai Helm * Jazz/opera singer, teaching artist
Leslie Ann Jones * Director of Scoring, Skywalker Sound
Marcella ‘Ms. Lago’ Araica * Engineer and mixer (Timbaland, Britney Spears)
Meshell Nedegeocello * Bassist, composer, singer songwriter
Mykah Montgomery * Singer-songwriter and granddaughter of renown jazz pianist Buddy Montgomery
Mystic * Grammy-nominated hip-hp artist
Quincy Jackson * VP Marketing, Columbia Records (Beyonce’, John Legend, Yolanda Adams)
Rachel Allgood * Audio mixer/engineer (Stephan Jenkins)
Shanti Das * EVP Marketing and Artist development, Universal Motown
Sharon Heyward * 35 year industry veteran and former President, Perspective Records
Tracii McGregor * GM, Gargamel Music
Tylibah * Emerging hip-hop artist and self-published poet, Streets In Poem Form

New & Mobile Media
Alyce Emory * Web producer and Co-founder, H2O Int’l Film Festival
Camille Hackney * SVP of New Media, Atlantic Records
Eleanor Blattel * New Media Specialist
Emily ‘Ms. E’. Griffin * Programming Director, Zune
Kathy Baker * Director of Digital Marketing, Sony BMG
Lakiya Oliver * Marketing manager, Fox Mobile (Jamster)
Nana Brew-Hammond * former film acquisitions exec and currently Style editor, Bluefly.com
Rhonda Cowan * VP of Network Convergence, BET.com
Vanessa Turman * Former assistant to Cliviles & Cole (C&C Music Factory), currently Corporate Communications Director for Universal Music Group

Radio
Cathy Hughes* Founder of Radio One, TV One, Interactive One
Cristal Bubblin’ * Radio personality and founder, BUM Squad DJ Collective
Darnella Dunham * R&B/Rap Editor, R&R (Radio & Records) Magazine
DJ Mecca * Associate Program Director, Music Choice
Jennifer Norwood * Director of Crossover Promotion, Universal Motown
Monie Love * Veteran emcee and radio personality
Raqiyah Mays * Executive Editor, The Ave Magazine, Voice talent and radio personality, Hot 97-NY
Steph Lova * On-air personality, Power 105.1 New York, former MTV VJ

Television
Abra Potkin * VP Development, Paramount Television
Joan Baker * Author, actor and voiceover coach
Keesha Rai Levy * Film & TV editor
Marjorie Clarke * Senior Producer,Uniworld Group
Mo’Nique * Comedienne, reality personality and film/tv producer
Nomi Roher * CEO, ON TV productions and Head of Production, NYTV
Robyn Lattaker-Johnson * VP Business Development, BET
Rose Caraet * VP Development, DePasse Entertainment

Theater/Dance
Christine Yasunaga * The Lion King principal dancer turned TV producer
Karine Plantadit * Principal dancer, Jamison Project, Alvin Ailey, Broadway; actor, Frida
Leslie ‘Big Lez’ Segar * Choreographer, physical trainer and media personality
Monique Martin * Theater marketing and production pioneer (Soul Erotica, Sarafina, Bring In Da’ Noise, Bring In Da’ Funk), and Operations Director, New York’s City Parks Foundation
Sasha Dees * Amsterdam-NY based event producer and business manager
Traci Bartlow * Photographer and choreographer

‘Put Your Dreams First: Handle Your [entertainment] Business’ will be out in Spring ‘09 on Grand Central Publishing/Warner Books.

It’s Monday afternoon and thank god not nearly as frigid as the weekend…In fact– don’t need my gloves today….So-  here’s another post from Jazz pianist funny guy but seriously talented Dred Scott.

early sets.  a weird time for jazz musicians.  jazz is good afternoon, sunny outside music.  or late nite music.  but around 7pm i’m getting a nap usually.  so i might be a little crabby for this gig.  it’s ok, i’ll use it.  at least it won’t be just getting dark.  a terrible time to for jazz.  very hard to concentrate as the sun goes down.  fortunately not only will it long be dark by our first set, but small’s is kind of like a casino in that it’s very hard to tell what time of day it is.  i can’t tell you how many times i’ve come out of there very surprised to find it getting light out.  good times.

tuesday nite there is going to be a lot of energy on the stage.  kenny is just back from a tour with rat dog and hasn’t played much jazz for the last month or so.  and alexis (subbing for ben while he is in finland with mudville) just had twins so he’s pretty much a zombie these days.  great head space for a bass player.  and tony.  well, tony always brings the power moves.  and i have picked a very eclectic and exciting selection of tunes to play at the great small’s jazz club.  i hope you who cannot usually attend the rockwood sets will drop by and give us a listen.

Tuesday Nite
Small’s
the dred scott trio featuring kenny brooks
w/ tony mason, drums
alexis cuadrado, bass
7:30 and 9pm

as if that wasn’t enough…
later…
Rockwood Music Hall
midnight
more of the same

and tonight monday
living room
sasha dobson 9pm
richard julian 10pm
jim campilongo 11pm

and wednesday i’m playing with
hope debates
hill country
9-midnight

‘Live at the Rockwood Music Hall is a beautiful showcase of this dynamic piano trio.’ allaboutjazz-newyork

‘a restless trio.’ ny times

‘Blending pop, bop, pulse, and clatter, they get to a place that swings on its own terms. And they entertain as well.’ Village Voice

Find me here too::

if you are interested in reading any old dispatches you can go to Dred Scott.

My dear friend DJ MONI has produced this wonderful series of video installations/segments from around the world of people she and her partner Mike Vargas admire… Hence the word Friends We Love. Um- I wonder if I’ll ever make it in their series…. They eventually would love to have a TV Series. Sell it and produce it weekly…And of course screenings at film festivals…..They did just win the audience vote most popular video on Current TV so now that particular segment is shown in millions of cable viewers homes…So they’re on their way…..

From MONI: I take great pleasure in sharing this mixed compilation of some of my favorite hip hop and soul artists of the moment. It just so happens that most of them are also good friends, which makes the CD even more meaningful to me. I’d like to thank them for inspiring me with such great music. This CD would not be possible without the commitment of Luire, Base & Toy’s Factory, most importantly, Yoshihisa Goto and Mari Senju. Thanks to all of you and your staff. Many thanks to my family, Mami, Papi, Mau & Nene for all your love. Gratitude to my crews, Ubiquita, Friends We Love, Giant Step, Brownswood, In Joy and colleagues Gilles Peterson, Jonathan Rudnick, Maurice Bernstein, Claudia Cuseta, MdCL, Michael Adasko, Fiona Bloom, Gerard Mitchell, Jose James, Mike Vargas and a special nod to OP! Thanks to Heather Sommerfield & Johnny Vicari for making the photos happen and to Probe dms for the last minute studio session. From New York to Tokyo, to my great friends who are always there to listen, laugh and enjoy life - I love you & you know who you are!

Can’t wait to go dancing and celebrate!!

Nicolay & Kay ft. Oh No & The Luv Bugz - Tight Eyes
Probe dms ft. Sophia Lauren - Off and On Love
Hezekiah ft. Bilal - Looking Up (NeoSoul Disco Mix)
Waajeed ft. Coultrain - So Fine
Sarah White - Hiding Blind
Asen James - Know Me Well
Little Dragon - Wink
Dhundee - Season
Ovasoul7 ft. Devi Soleil - Feels Like Home
Sotu the Traveller & Aîscha - What’s Going On
GAEA ft. TK Wonder - Fantasy World
Erik Rico - So Much Greater
Bonus Track
Zaki Ibrahim - Grow Again

This compilation from what MONI told me is part of a series that in Japan sells several thousands of compilations…So fingers crossed- Moni is on the way to becoming a big star in Japan!!!!

I met MONI in the very beginning of her musical journey and when she first came to NY. She came to see me when I started a label called 3-2-1 Records. I mentored her, gave her some advice and made some good introductions…. I am so proud of her….

This FRIENDS WE LOVE featuring Bobbito Garcia was one of the very first videos….

Singer/Songwriter/Musicians/Arranger/Producer- multi- talented artist Heston will be featured on B-Side this afternoon on Michael Baisden which is syndicated around the world.

Heston’s debut ‘Storyteller’ is out now and available world-wide.   It’s a remarkable album.

He’s in St. Louis on Dec 6th at Sol Lounge...Back by popular demand….

He’s at The Blue Note- Jan 31st in NYC……

He’s in Hollywood, FL on Feb 15th and stay tuned for tons more…..

He’s also been nominated for a BETJ Virtual Award. The Awards will air on BETJ on November 25th.    You can still vote…Vote here:

Exciting stuff….Great new artist….Heston.