Craig Chaquico gives credence to the oxymoron "rock and roll prodigy." Indeed Chaquico wrote his first song at age 12, played professionally in a popular San Francisco band at age 14, and joined in a professional studio session at age 16. Immediately upon graduation from high school, Chaquico joined the celebrated Jefferson Starship band and played with the group until 1990. He never missed a performance nor a recording session. After the demise of Starship, Chaquico embarked on a solo career in the musical genre of new age jazz, writing and performing uniquely poetic melodies for acoustical guitar.

His first solo album, Acoustic Highway, was released in 1993 and was followed by a sequel, Acoustic Planet in 1994. Chaquico meanwhile worked with Washburn Guitar Company to design just the right acoustic guitar to suit his own ear and meet his professional needs. The collaboration resulted in the Craig Chaquico signature series guitar, a Washburn EA-20 model, with custom Chaquico features including wider frets, lower action, and steel strings. Chaquico, a die-hard environmentalist who lives by a redwood forest, negotiated with the Washburn company to "give something back," by planting a tree for every Chaquico guitar made. Overall the effect Chaquico achieved with his instrument design was that of an acoustic guitar that plays, feels, and sounds in many ways like an electric; and Chaquico plays the instrument as if it were electric, employing bends, stretches, hammer-ons, and other electric techniques.

As new age act, Chaquico quickly assembled an assortment of popular jazzmen to fill out the sounds of his music. He collaborates almost exclusively with Ozzie Ahlers and generally tours and records with a band consisting of partner Ozzie Ahlers on keyboards, drummer Wade Olson, and bassist Jim Reitzel. Whenever possible, Chaquico employs the saxophone styles of John Klemmer. Chaquico also works frequently with flutist Douglas Spotted Eagle. Many of Chaquico's compositions were in fact based on stories of Native American legend related to Chaquico by Spotted Eagle. Chaquico's love affair with the earth and with nature is clearly displayed by the strong Native American influence in his work. In 1993, Chaquico joined Guitar, Saxes & More, a jazz tour with featured headliners Richard Elliot, Peter White, and Rick Braun. The tour has been all over the United States, from Oklahoma City to Pompano Beach, Florida, to Anchorage Alaska.

Chaquico, distinctive in his art, paints pictures without colors and writes poetry without words. His every song tells a story and proffers a piece of either his personal life or his views on living-from love relationships to the size and shape of the universe.... His songs are his poems. He is a man of extremes and extreme sensitivity.

For more information about Craig Chaquico, Click Here.

 

Even as he's dazzled audiences around the world with his high energy soloing over the funky beats of U.K. jazz groove sensations Down To The Bone, Paul “Shilts” Weimar just wants to be known as “an approachable boy from London who wants to have a laugh…a cheeky cockney chappy.” Part of the fun for the charismatic saxophonist is getting people up and dancing--and if they’re listening to him blow from the car stereo, he hopes as they travel down the open road that they’ll be up for some serious HeadBoppin, the name of his highly anticipated debut on ARTizen Music Group.

Co-produced by Shilts and label co-owner and trumpet great Rick Braun, HeadBoppin is a powerful showcase for his multitude of performing and composing talents, focusing not only on his lead alto and tenor brilliance but also his instantly infectious melodies. Throughout the nine originals and a playfully thumping romp through the magic of Stevie Wonder’s “Tuesday Heartbreak,” he keeps the explosive upbeat tempos and brassy textures he’s famous for with DTTB but incorporates more vibey old school soul textures, moods and atmospheres that create an inviting past and present soul jazz experience.

“The main idea behind my solo work is that it’s completely away from everything I do with Down To The Bone,” says Shilts, who has played on all but one of the group’s six collective recordings and is their last remaining original member. “My roots go back to the 70s funk and soul stuff, but I also love bringing that up to date with all the new technology…so HeadBoppin is really a blend of modern sounds and retro flavors. The great thing about working with Rick is that he didn’t try to change my style or sound, but brought more life to it. I’ve always looked at my music from an artist’s point of view, but his perspective from behind the boards was invaluable”.

No doubt, when Paul “Shilts” Weimar gets people in the mood for HeadBoppin, he can convince them of anything. The music and the grooves speak for themselves.

For more information about Shilts, Click Here.

 

When Cindy Bradley, in a last minute rush to choose an instrument to play in her 4th grade elementary school band program, chose the trumpet, little did she know it would someday put her on a collision course with Trippin ‘n’ Rhythm Records and her opportunity to record the record of a lifetime in “Bloom", her major label debut.

 

As a sideman Cindy has toured and recorded extensively with various funk, top 40, R&B, jazz-fusion, and straight ahead jazz groups performing everywhere from Emmy Awards parties to the Superbowl.
Cindy is a believer in giving back and has long continued to share her musical knowledge with others. As a jazz educator she regularly conducts jazz workshops all over the country.

 

As a smooth jazz soloist Cindy recently had the privilege of touring with legendary jazz group Pieces of a Dream, currently performs in the New York City area with the Sly Geralds Band (bassist to Maceo Parker) and is in the process of reforming her own band that will soon set to the road in support of the new record, with a dynamic new show. The word has found its way to the streets and the early accolades are already beginning to ramp up as she has been recently heralded as "one of the best young players I have heard in some time" by city sound radio's Dick Fairchild, and that she "may pave the way for future female trumpet players" by Akbar-Nour (smoothjazznow.com).

 

Now the newest addition to the Trippin' N' Rhythm family, Cindy's label debut, entitled "Bloom," draws upon all aspects of her musicianship. In the making of this album, Cindy had the privilege of writing with and being produced by Grammy award winning producer Michael Broening (George Benson). The tracks boast of some of the industry’s funkiest and most gifted sidemen and soloists. "Bloom" is a rich and vibrant showcase of everything that is Cindy Bradley - passion, optimism and a rich command and feel for her instrument. From smooth and sultry flugel horn tracks like ‘Before I Go”, the ultra funky set "Brooklyn Bounce,” to the irresistibly soulful title track, "Bloom" is self fulfilling in that Cindy, after much effort and desire, is finally ready to establish her place among the new guard in smooth jazz. She brings with her a renewed sense of excitement to a format that is hungry for fresh new talent.

For more information about Cindy Bradley, Click Here.

 

 

Named "a genius on the guitar" by the Los Angeles Times, Blake Aaron began his career as an LA studio musician and sideman and has recorded and/ or performed with such artists as Philip Bailey, Bobby Womack and Carlos Santana to name a few. Blake Aaron is a guitarist who is best known for his passionate musical style, his memorable compositions, his soul and technical expression on the instrument, and his ability to connect with an audience, so it was not long before Blake would emerge as a solo artist.

Blake's debut Innervision Records release, With Every Touch (2001), included special guest appearances by Eric Marienthal and David Benoit. Three singles from this CD would remain in the Top 50 on the Gavin/SmoothJazz.com charts for at least 8 weeks each.

The single "She's So Fine" from his second album, Bringin' It Back (2004), propelled Blake into the forefront of contemporary jazz by remaining in the Top 30 on the Radio and Records charts for 8 straight weeks. Two singles would reach the top 100 of the year on the R&R charts.

The Blake Aaron Radio Show is an artist to artist live radio show with the main purpose of bringing the contemporary/groove/smooth jazz listener closer to the music and the contemporary/smooth jazz artist family and has had such guests as, Craig Chaquico and Boney James.

For more information about Blake Aaron, Click Here.