Client Showcase: Eddie Bayard

It’s rare to come across a jazz cat who can recite John Coltrane’s tenor sax riffs with the same eloquence as a Rakim verse. Eddie Bayard is that cat who sees Jazz’s patronage over Hip Hop and reveres both as Black art.

Being born just a few months after Hip Hop, Bayard was raised by a jazz musician and was just a kid in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania when legends like Dizzy Gillespie drank coffee with his father. He picked up the saxophone at 14 years old, around the same time It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back by Public Enemy and Milestones by Mile Davis hit the streets.

He attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in 1993. He then attended The Ohio State University, and under the apprentiship of Pharez Whitted began a relationship that he himself calls “The EPMD of Jazz.”

Bayard has played alongside Jazz legends including, Betty Carter, Gary Barts, Benny Mauplin, David “Fathead” Newman, Nancy Wilson, Ralph Peterson, Wes Anderson. He has also worked with Dr. Dre, Chuck D and Bootsy Collins, to name a few. If you see Eddie playing live, you would notice the horn he plays with was a special gift from his good friend Wynton Marsalis.

He has been featured on albums by Azur Lawrence, The Movement, Pharez Whitted, Mark Lomax, Mike Wade and many more. In 2001, he started working with J Rawls and featured on several of his projects.

Known in the Jazz world as the next coming of John Coltrane, Bayard doesn’t mimic Trane in his performance, but studies the man, the era and the science behind what makes Jazz tick.

Bayard steps to the front of the band stand with his new album, Current Events, which seamlessly melds Jazz, Hip Hop and groove in an expression of his own unique love of Black music.

Client Showcase: Rob Riley

A drummer with a Hip Hop/Soul sensibility, Rob Riley’s main goal is bringing that boom pap back into Soul music. Having played since the age of 10, Riley has been gigging since he was 19-years-old. The method to his madness behind a drum set is simple…a mix of musical control and individual wildness, that gets heads nodding in or out of the pocket.

As a touring musician, Riley has played for and with a dynamic list of artists, including bassists Victor Wooten and Steve Bailey, Cam’Ron and The Diplomats, Rick Ross, Shareefa, Roy Ayers, K’Naan, Raheem DeVaughn, Dwele, Eric Roberson and Bone Thugs N Harmony. He is a 10-year member of The Charles Cooper Quartet, and has drummed on The Liquid Crystal Project 2 and The Rawls & Middle Project, both spearheaded by international producer/deejay J Rawls, released in 2008. He has also played for the Cleveland Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame, the Regional Emmys in Columbus, Ohio and the Cincinnati and Columbus Jazz Festivals.

Riley has parlayed understanding of rhythm into production work, working with upcoming Sony Records group Fatty Koo, and was even featured on their high-rated BET reality series, Blowing Up: Fatty Koo. Their 2005 hit Bounce Bounce, in which Riley was the drummer, was the NBA Finals theme song and was featured on the Fat Albert Movie soundtrack.

Client Showcase: Brandon "B Jazz" Scott

Though anyone can see the passion in his face behind the keys, Brandon “B Jazz” Scott is more than your average piano man. The writer/producer/musician is a perfect storm of creativity, simplicity and eagerness that has some of the biggest names in Soul music buzzing about his unique sound.

As a music producer, B Jazz has been inspired by the new wave of Soul acts that blend Hip Hop rhythms with traditional Jazz to create flavorful music. That inspiration led to collaborations with many artists, including producer J Rawls on his internationally acclaimed series The Liquid Crystal Project in 2006. The second part of the series, released in 2008, provides even more Jazz/Hip Hop fusions for its legions of fans, and spawned a 2009 European tour. B Jazz has forged an innovative connection with singer Eric Roberson, with production credits including If I Had A Chance on 2007’s Left and Roberson’s highest selling iTunes single to-date, Head To Toe, on his 2007 compilation album, The Collection. He shares production credits with J Rawls on singer Middle Child’s highly anticipated sophomore album, The Rawls & Middle Project. B Jazz has also produced work for Nu Springs Records recording artist Isaac Simpson, and Toronto rapper and has produced and toured with A&M Records recording artist K’Naan.

B Jazz has been infatuated with the keyboard since he was nine-years-old. That love for performing live has led him to play alongside his idols, upcoming stars and chart staples. Isaac Hayes, Aaron Hall, Selena Johnson, Rance Allen, James Moody, Fantasia, Shareefa, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Roy Ayers, Howard Hewitt, Bobby Valentino, Dwele and John P. Kee are just a few of the artists he has played with in his professional career. He has been a member of The Charles Cooper Quartet, a Hip Hop/Jazz fusion band, for more than a decade. As a touring musician, he has played around the world at venues in Germany, Prague, the Netherlands, Budapest, Belize and Portugal. He has also played for Carnival Cruise, Howard University, Ohio State University’s graduation ceremony, the Cleveland Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame, the Regional Emmys in Columbus, Ohio and the Cincinnati and Columbus Jazz Festivals.

His latest venture, Dezoul Meet Productions, matches B Jazz with his long-time collaborator, drummer/producer Robert Riley. The production company has B Jazz planning to infuse the music industry with even more good music, as a touring artist and a much sought-after producer.

The passion behind Brandon “B Jazz” Scott is evident in anything he touches, whether it is a Triton Extreme or LogicPro. No matter how you experience his music, the passion is what makes this composer stand out in a sea of beatmakers.

Client Showcase: J Rawls

www.j-rawls.com
www.myspace.com/jrawls

Since 1997, J Rawls has been perfecting a sound that seamlessly merges two of Black America’s most expressive art forms: jazz and hip hop. The prolific deejay and producer has christened artists across he globe with his stylish music sound, producing critically acclaimed albums and some of the most well known acts around.

Rawls is known best for producing “Brown Skin Lady” from the short-lived super group BlackStar (Mos Def and Talib Kweli). However, Rawls has enjoyed a career working with Masta Ace, The Beastie Boys, Wordsworth, Jonell, us3 and Venus Malone.

His own discography includes an eclectic mix of grown soul, golden age hip hop and sophisticated jazz hybrids. The Essence of J Rawls (2001), his first solo producing project, brings together J Live, J Rawls and others rapping over that signature jazz hop sound. The Essence of Soul, released in 2006 is a groove heavy collection featuring Eric Roberson, Aloe Blacc, Sol Uprising and several tracks from Middle Child. The album spawned the 2008 released Rawls & Middle, featuring soul, rock and hip hop by the Columbus-based songstress, that made waves across the U.S. and in Europe. The Liquid Crystal Project, Rawls’ instrumental Jazz-Hop group, has released two albums that generated two European tours. He is also one half of Lone Catalysts, who have released and have enjoyed tours in the U.S., Europe and Japan. His latest release Jay Are with rapper John Robinson pays homage to jazz forefathers in a way no emcee and producer ever has.

As owner and CEO of Polar Records, Rawls has enjoyed a 10 year relationship with Germany’s Groove Attack Records, J Rawls is constantly on the cusp of what’s new and hot in Hip Hop, Soul and Jazz hybrids and with new projects always in the pipeline, he is showing no signs of stopping.

'4th and High' Featured in UWeekly

The right boutiques for all your fashion needs

[Comment Below]

By Jamila Williams

Columbus may not be the fashion capital of the world, but the city is still home to some pretty chic people and places. From Columbus College of Art & Design to the Short North district, fashion is all around. And for any college student on the hunt for some affordable summer threads, there are a number of unique boutiques to take advantage of throughout the campus area. Not only are these boutiques within your means, they also offer one-of-a-kind features that will let you express your individuality.

For fun
The motto says it all: "Life is fun. Dress the part." And this store is definitely fun. Step inside and you're completely surrounded by bright, summer colors-sunny yellows, lively pinks and cool blues. Just about everything on the racks scream summer wear, all for pretty reasonable prices. One of two locations, this boutique has been in the Short North area for a little less than two years. Owner and self-proclaimed Queen Michele T. Woljevach, insists that shoppers can count on finding something new in the store every week. Cute, fun accessories, such as oversized rings and patterned headbands adorn the register area, while colorful leggings greet you at the door. Though this store may seem like a teeny-bopper's paradise, the customer base actually crosses generations, according to one salesperson. Whether planning for a day at the beach or a night on the town, The Emperor's Newest Clothes has something to fit any occasion or taste.

For something sexy
Bringing sexy back has just taken on a whole new meaning thanks to this boutique. Most college students would rather go to the nearest department store for undies, but after witnessing Undone Lingerie and Shoe Boutique you just may change your mind. With 70-80 percent of women believed to be wearing the wrong size bra, owners Leigh-Ann Houchin and Kate Wessendorf help fix that problem by offering customized bra fittings. And that happens to be the priciest offering of the boutique. Everything else is really tangible for a college student's pockets but still high quality. While most underwear is made in China, the panties, bras and corsets sold here are made exclusively in Italy and France. If you're looking to set off the night, not only will you find all the intimate items, you can also add jewelry and a pair of heels to the mix for the ultimate vixen look.

For a head-to-toe makeover
Fairly new to the Short North, 4th and High Hair & Fashion Studio is your one-stop-shop for all your fashion needs. Owners Samara Tillman and Christina Crump specialize in everything needed to make woman feel and look gorgeous. Need a quick hairstyle? They can take care of that. Need a custom-made bag? They can help with that. Need some funky eye shadow to compliment your outfit? They've got that as well. The small storefront boutique offers a variety of stylish ready-to-wear items in the main area and a hair salon in the back. The store only receives a limited number of pieces so you can be sure you'd never get caught being twins with your friend or foe and if there's something you don't see you'd like to have, Tillman can always design customized garments. Taking personal fashion to another level, the boutique also offers a mini buffet to design your very own clutch-all the way down to the size, shape, fabric and embellishments. And if that isn't enough, every month during Gallery Hop, the store hosts its own make-up bar event, where customers can get made up by a professional make up artist.

Originally Published: Issue 840 - August 5, 2009