<\/p>\n
\u201cGrowing up, I learned that\u00a0it ain\u2019t SOUL if you don\u2019t feel it in your bones and get that tingle down your spine,\u201d declares saxophonist, composer and producer Marion Meadows.\u00a0 It is this creed coupled with Meadows\u2019 consummate musicianship and quest to connect with his audience that have earned him a place as a mainstay on the Contemporary Jazz charts for several decades.\u00a0 \u201cI always hope that people will feel inspired by my recordings,\u201d shares the strikingly handsome saxophonist, who has been known to moonlight as a brilliant digital designer\/photographer and semi-professional cyclist. \u201cMy purpose is to keep humanity moving forward,\u201d shares Meadows who has collaborated with such luminaries as Stevie Wonder, George Benson and The Temptations among others.\u00a0 Meadows\u2019 earnest desire to offer his music as a force of positivity coalesces on his new and 14th<\/sup> recording as a leader, Soul City.<\/em><\/strong> It is a star-studded affair that unites the saxophonist with such luminous talents as vocalists Will Downing, Peabo Bryson and Maysa, guitarists Peter White and Norman Brown, among others.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Imagine a city defined by soul, where the rhythms of the city keep all things moving in the right direction. Marion Meadows has created the soundtrack for such a world on Soul City<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 Surrounded by an all-star line-up and co-produced by Meadows along with Chris \u201cBig Dog\u201d Davis, and Rahni Song, Marion Meadows takes us on a euphoric journey.\u00a0 Meadows, whose mantra is \u201cHealth, Happiness and Love\u201d says, \u201cWhen we get into the studio each song is a canvas, on which we all paint and create.\u201d The ten-track celebration opens with the intoxicating and breezy \u201cSoul City,\u201d showcasing Meadows\u2019 jubilant and soaring soprano, the agile guitar of Norman Brown and simmering trumpet of Joey Sommerville.\u00a0 Meadows shares, \u201cNorman is a living legend and will certainly be in the history books as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. He is also one of my best friends! Joey is a great musician, a gentleman, a man of all seasons!\u201d The lovely and dynamic soul\/jazz diva Maysa is highlighted on the yearning, beautiful and Spanish-tinged \u201cDreamin\u2019.\u201d Meadows calls Maysa a \u201cConsummate professional with a voice from heaven. The track also features guitar maestro Peter White. Meadows describes White\u2019s performance on \u201cDreamin\u2019\u201d as \u201camazing guitar playing that soothes the soul!\u201d The song \u201cYou\u201d takes us to the funky side of town with a soulful romp showcasing the talented young bassist and vocalist Will Gaines and trombone extraordinaire Jeff Bradshaw.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Another highlight on Soul City<\/em><\/strong> is the new jack swing tinged and fierce grooving \u201cMerry Go Round\u201d featuring vocalist Latrese Bush.\u201d \u00a0The lone cover on Soul City<\/em><\/strong> is a superb rendition of Cyndi Lauper\u2019s number one hit \u201cTime After Time,\u201d which was also famously covered by Miles Davis. Marion Meadows\u2019 twist on the timeless 1980s hit unites him with the great R&B balladeer Peabo Bryson.\u00a0 Together, Meadows and Bryson create their own memorable melodic wonder. \u201cPeabo is a national treasure with a gift that has blessed so many world renowned recordings,\u201d states Meadows. \u201cI am blessed to have him on this album.\u201d Meadows co-wrote the R&B flavored \u201cConsequences\u201d with Chris \u201cBig Dog\u201d Davis who co-wrote four of the album\u2019s tunes with the saxophonist. \u201cChris and I have been friends for many years and he is the man! He and I share a zest for life that always comes through in the music. We raised the bar on this one!,\u201d confides Meadows. \u00a0Meadows co-wrote the melodic beauty \u201cBe With You,\u201d featuring vocalist Kim Flemming with Rhani Song.\u00a0 \u2018The Prince of Sophisticated Soul,\u2019 Will Downing, joins Meadows on the scintillating \u201cSamba De Playa\u201d and singer Dana Lauren takes center stage on the hypnotic \u201cNo Wind, No Rain.\u201d\u00a0 Soul City<\/em><\/strong> closes with the meditative ballad \u201cOnly,\u201d featuring Meadows\u2019 nephew from Hawaii, guitarist Kaimi Hananoeau. \u201cI am so pleased to feature his incredible guitar talents on this album!\u201d exclaims Meadows.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI came up listening to Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Duke Ellington but at the same time musicians like Earth Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, Chicago and Parliament Funkadelic,\u201d confesses Meadows who early on cut his teeth playing in Avant-Garde jazz groups alongside heavyweights Rashied Ali and James Blood Ulmer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hailing from West Virginia and raised in Stamford, CT, Marion Meadows began his musical endeavors at age eight, studying clarinet. At age 15, after hearing iconic saxophone masters like Sidney Bechet, Coleman<\/p>\n Hawkins, Johnny Hodges and Stanley Turrentine, Marion Meadows\u2019 switch to saxophone was imminent. The stars aligned for Meadows one evening at New York\u2019s Grand Central Station.\u00a0 While waiting for the trian, Meadows took out his sax and started playing. His saxophone was mysteriously overheard reverberating through the Big Apple\u2019s oldest railway.\u00a0 Emmy-winning TV composer Jay Chattaway (Star Trek<\/em><\/strong> fame) was headed for his train and was so enchanted by the sound that he introduced himself\u00a0 and shortly after introduced Meadows to Grammy-winning pianist, producer and label owner Bob James, who helped Meadows to launch his career as a solo artist.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Meadows initially had his sights set on medical school and a career as a veterinarian. Upon high school graduation, he attended the renowned Berklee School of Music in Boston, later transferring to SUNY Purchase School of the Arts.\u00a0 While still a student, the ambitious saxophonist worked steadily as a sideman. He jokes that he \u201cgot a graduate degree playing clubs.\u201d He was also fortunate to study with the best including Joe Henderson, Dave Liebman and Eddie Daniels. While at Berklee, Meadows had another serendipitous encounter, this time with drummer producer extraordinaire Norman Connors, who was then playing with legendary saxophonist Pharaoh Sanders. Meadows says, \u201cNorman Connors was really the guy who discovered me as an artist.\u00a0 The man who gave me my first shot.\u201d Connors recorded Marion\u2019s song \u201cInvitation\u201d and later extended an invitation to Marion to join his band.\u00a0 Connors, who collaborated with many of R&B and jazz\u2019s greatest singers, afforded Marion the opportunity to work alongside such dynamic voices as Jean Carne, Phyllis Hyman, Glenn Jones, Angela Bofill, and many others. \u201cThat was a nice graduate school, so to speak,\u201d laughs Meadows. After graduating with honors from \u2018Connors\u2019 University,\u2019 the well-rounded saxophonist spent time honing his chops on the avant-garde circuit in the ensemble “Aboriginal Music Society,” which featured guitarist James Blood Ulmer, percussionist Juma Sutan and pianist Kasa Allah.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In 1990 Marion Meadows made his recording debut, For Lover’s Only<\/em><\/strong>,<\/em> featuring Eliot Lewis, Porter Carroll, Brian Keane and Average White Band alumnus Alan Gorrie. Two years later he joined forces with Will Downing, Bob Baldwin, Angela Bofill and Norman Connors for his sophomore recording Keep It Right There<\/em><\/strong>. Further solidifying his rightful place in the pantheon of great saxophonists, Meadows released Forbidden Fruit<\/em><\/strong> in 1994. He was joined by special guests Eric Benet, Don Grusin and Dori Caymmi, among others. Body Rhythm<\/em><\/strong> followed in 1996 and Pleasure<\/em><\/strong> was released the following year. Around this time Marion Meadows relocated from Connecticut to the Valley of the Sun – Phoenix, AZ. He also settled at a new recording home, Heads Up International, where he released his sixth album, Another Side of Midnight<\/em><\/strong> in 1999, calling on a little help from some friends Bob Baldwin, Omar Hakim and Norman Brown, followed by Next To You<\/em><\/strong> in 2000 and In Deep<\/em><\/strong> in 2002. Player\u2019s Club<\/em><\/strong> in 2004 spawned two hit singles, \u201cSuede\u201d and \u201cSweet Grapes,\u201d which have gone on to be Marion\u2019s signature songs. Dressed To Chill<\/em><\/strong> (2006) included memorable renditions of hits by R Kelly and Luther Vandross and joined Meadows with Chuck Loeb and his longtime touring keyboardist and vocalist Will Brock, among others. Secrets<\/em><\/strong> and its title track topped the Smooth Jazz charts in 2009.\u00a0 The anticipated Whisper<\/em><\/strong> followed in 2013 showcasing the stunning Top Ten Billboard hit \u201cBlack Pearl\u201d and in 2015 Meadows released Soul Traveler<\/em><\/strong> featuring another Top ten hit, \u201cHumanity.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Several decades into Marion Meadows\u2019 enviable career, a string of radio hits under his belt, scores of sold out international shows, a catalogue of critically heralded albums, and the saxophonist is still i<\/em>nspired. \u201cEach recording is a continuation of my journey,\u201d concludes Meadows. \u201cI feel as though I have grown as a musician and a storyteller. It is all about my life and the fellowship of sharing.\u201d So get ready for the ride of your life and come on into Marion Meadows\u2019 Soul City<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With this digital download purchase you will receive a confirmation, but the links to the purchase will be sent to you\u00a0via email in the form of an invoice.\u00a0In your invoice during the pre-order period you will receive the digital booklet. 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