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THE PULSE OF ENTERTAINMENT: Jazz pianist Marcus Johnson plays for a "Cause," and Gospel artist Brent Jones records live CD
Jazz pianist Marcus Johnson has found a “cause” with new CD
*“I just want people to smile,” Jazz pianist, Marcus Johnson said about his newest CD release, “In Concert for a Cause: Marcus Johnson,” on Three Keys Music.
Some of the CD’s revenue goes towards the Washington, DC YMCA Scholarship Fund to aid kids in the “before and after-school programs” of the Building Bridges Campaign.
“Parents send letters that say if it wasn’t for the program they would have had to quite their jobs,” Marcus points out..
Johnson’s last CD was “The Phoenix;” that release and his previous three CDs reached the Top 20 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart. He started producing his own CDs since 1997 when his debut sold 40,000 units on his own label, Marimelj Entertainment Group (MEG). BET founder Bob Johnson initially financed that label. Today Marcus has Three Keys Music Group, Three Keys Music Publishing, Marimelj Music Publishing, and 8121 Studio (full-service) in Washington, DC.
“In Concert for a Cause: Marcus Johnson,” is his second album produced to support the program, the first CD it was distributed locally. This CD release is nationally distributed.
“It’s for those who don’t have it,” Marcus said about the Building Bridge’s Campaign. “We’ve sent allot of kids. Sometimes we get checks in the mail (from those the program helped) for $5.00 and sometimes $5,000.”
The release has an amazing collection of songs. Marcus Johnson covers Eryakah Badu’s “Bag Lady,” and Beyonce’s “Me, Myself and I.” He does unbelievable things on the piano, it’s truly a masterpiece for your jazz CD collection.
For Marcus Johnson tour dates visit his web site at www.threekeys.com.
Brent Jones and The T. P. Mobb releases third album on Tyscot Records
Gospel artist Brent Jones is currently on the road promoting his latest Tyscot Records CD/DVD set, “The Ultimate Weekend,” released late last year. It has been so popular he hasn’t stop to rest yet.
“I am doing a concert in Phoenix tomorrow; L.A. Saturday and Sunday; then back to the east coast for DC; then Baltimore; back to L.A., and Alaska,” Jones informed me. “I love being busy...I love getting close to people.”
Brent has been in the game (of Gospel music) for a long time. In the beginning he couldn’t get a record deal. Major Gospel labels would sign him, but shelved, then independent Tyscot Records came along, signed him, and released his debut. “Tyscot gets a little frustrated because I’m so independent.”
Brent recorded the project live at the historic Capitol Records. It features performances by Nysa Shenay and Orlando Wright. Jones produced the lead single, “Cry Holy,” a radio favorite. Aside from the single, my favorites are “Give Him what He wants,” “Blessing with your name in it,” and “Help me Lord.”
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