Urban funk meets smooth jazz

11 MP3 Songs
URBAN/R&B: Funk, JAZZ: Jazz-Pop



Details:
Soul-jazz saxophonist Jamie WilliamS âOverjoyedâ to have Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson on his debut CD

After Hours previewed at radio by cover of Stevie Wonder classic

âDreams do come trueâ and âTiming is everythingâ are just a couple of time-honored clichés that come to mind when you hear Jamie WilliamSâ story. Ever since he was a young teenager, the saxophonist dreamed of recording an album. In the making for the past ten years, After Hours, his debut collection of R&B, funk, contemporary jazz and pop instrumentals, is finally scheduled for national release May 15th on the Jamie WilliamS Music record label. The albumâs producer, Veit Renn (*NSync, Backstreet Boys), connected WilliamS with Jennifer Hudson. She performed with him at a few of his local concert dates in Orlando, Florida. The two connected and Hudson agreed to sing a version of Stevie Wonderâs âOverjoyedâ for the disc. The single was serviced to radio to preview the album release around the time Hudson won an Academy Award for her role in Dreamgirls.

WilliamS wrote seven songs for After Hours and collaborated with Renn on another, the breezy, samba-seasoned âTropicaâ.â The album opens with the edgy jazz-hip-hop mélange â2 Cool.â âBetter Than Lifeâ is a romantic pop ballad that WilliamS wrote for his wife, Ana. âShut Up & Danceâ mixes an energizing dance groove, lilting pop melodies and cool jazz nuances. The soulful title track was inspired by WilliamSâ after hours experiences playing nightclubs. The head-bobbing, booty-shakinâ âCan U Feel It?â is a sweaty R&B groove equipped with a potent, feel-good pop hook. âOver The Topâ is an aggressive contemporary jazz track with horns a-blazinâ that goes for the kill right from the start. âCalculated Riskâ is a sultry mid-tempo soul-jazz cut. Hudson delivers a show-stopping vocal on âOverjoyed,â with WilliamSâ sax wonderfully accentuating her performance. Guitarist Bradley Catron wrote the funky, horn section-powered âS.O.S.â jam. WilliamS closes the album with a poignant message of âLove,â the Musiq Soulchild original, with RAab (currently touring with Justin Timberlake) providing the passionate vocal chorus.

âAfter Hours depicts all the feelings and emotions Iâve experienced. I think we were able to capture the passion I have for music as well. Each tune is different and the record is how Iâve envisioned it (would turn out) all these years,â said a pleased WilliamS. âIt truly is a dream come true to release my debut album. Working with pros like Veit (Renn), RAab and the other musicians on the album was such a blessing. Iâm grateful for the energy, ideas and creativity they brought to the record. As for Jennifer (Hudson), well sheâs a true professional and a pleasure to work with. Sheâs an incredible talent. Iâm thrilled to see the success she is having now and honored to have her on the album.â

A native of Richardson, Texas, WilliamS was in high school when he was coaxed into seeing David Sanborn play. The dream to become an artist was born that night. WilliamS fully committed himself towards realizing that goal by taking lessons, practicing and jamming with friends, including trumpeter Roy Hargrove. WilliamS earned a full scholarship to the prestigious University of Miami music school, which lead to gigs with Miami Sound Machine, Jon Secada and Hiram Bullock, Sanbornâs long-time guitarist. After graduation, WilliamS became active with his church and moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he served as music director. He immersed himself in the music scene there by playing regular gigs at the House of Blues. Later, he moved to Nashville, where he wrote jingles for Black Entertainment Television, became a session player and coached other musicians and vocalists. Seeing another Sanborn concert while on vacation served as inspiration for launching his solo career. WilliamS moved to Orlando, formed a hot band and played all the local venues and jazz festivals. It was Catron who introduced him to Renn and everything came together organically for WilliamS after that. Additional information can be found at www.jamiewilliamsmusic.com.