On November 25th at 9pm Centric TV will air the 2012 Soul Train Music Awards from Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, hosted by Cedric the Entertainer. Contemporary jazz artist and multi-instrumentalist Brian Culbertson has been nominated for Best Contemporary Jazz Artist/Group alongside Esperanza Spaulding, Cassandra Wilson, Ben Tankard and Peter White.
The nomination follows the release of his thirteenth album Dreams (Verve/Universal) which landed Brian at the #1 position on Billboard’s Top Selling Jazz Albums and Jazz Songs. With the help of lauded guest vocalists Noel Gourdin, Vivian Green, and Stokley Williams of Mint Condition, Dreams masterfully melds jazz sensibility with an R&B flair in a wondrous mélange of enchanting grooves.
Having worked with an array of stellar R&B artists such as Faith Evans, Ledisi, Brian McKnight, Kenny Lattimore, Musiq Soulchild and Avant on his past albums – in total, Brian has produced or performed on over 25 No. 1 records, received multiple accolades, covered magazines, and been lauded by Prince.
Dreams is a stunning collection of 10 mesmerizing tunes, including the poignant lead single “Still Here” – featuring the soulful rapture of Philly songbird Vivian Green, telling the passionate tale of how taking a risk on love can have a happy ending. “Your Smile,” the album’s lead jazz single, is an exquisite rhythmic excursion underscored with an undeniable buoyant groove. Brian recruited the R&B vocal prowess of singer Stokley Williams to enhance the melodic elegance of “No Limits,” whose romantic lyrics accentuate the thrill of actualizing an altruistic union. On “You’re My Music,” Boston-based singer Noel Gourdin pours his thick, soulful vocals over both Brian’s shimmering piano chords and bass guitar licks.
On Dreams, Brian brought together a group of “who’s who” in music including: R&B producer and longtime collaborator and arranger Rex Rideout (Angie Stone, Ledisi, Luther Vandross, Lalah Hathaway, Will Downing, Kem); four of R&B’s top session players to help round out the sound – bassist Alex Al (Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones); and guitarists Michael Thompson (Babyface, Toni Braxton), Rob Bacon (Beyonce, Raphael Saadiq), and John “Jubu” Smith (Frankie Beverly & Maze, Whitney Houston). Dreams holds the key to a new dimension of the jazz listening experience by effortlessly combining elements of R&B and soul with spellbinding melodies and the marvel of inner visions. With Dreams, as with his previous efforts, Brian proceeds to keep the genre of jazz alive and viable by consistently injecting a fresh approach into his own unique sensibility. Dreams definitely proves that jazz and groove fit hand-in-glove.
Listen to the debut single “Still Here” f/ Vivian Green on BET’s Centric and download at Essence.com
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