Cooling and Wagner’s creative partnership stretches back to her 1997 debut album, Playing It Cool. Together, they have recorded nine albums while developing a distinctive sound shaped by contemporary jazz, funk, Latin, Brazilian and pop influences.

That partnership remains at the heart of Let’s Get Away, with all four tracks written by Cooling and Wagner. “Songwriting is as much, if not more, a part of who I am as a musician,” Cooling says.

The project features Cooling on guitar and vocals alongside Wagner on keyboards, with contributions from Bill Ortiz on flugelhorn, Danny Montgomery on drums and Peter Michael Escovedo on percussion.

Let’s Get Away will be available on all digital platforms July 24.

The post Joyce Cooling Announces Four-Song EP Let’s Get Away appeared first on ContemporaryJazz.com.

Change is a part of life, and it always impresses me when someone embraces change instead of running from it. That’s exactly what Standring is doing with his latest release, Time Of Change.

Getting married for the first time and the passing of his father have both shaped this chapter of the musician’s life, giving Time Of Change a deeper emotional weight. It is also a moment of independence. Releasing the album on his own Ultimate Vibe Recordings label, Standring takes full creative control of his music, a reflection of an artist shaping his work on his own terms. Even a recent hernia surgery, which briefly has paused his touring schedule, fits into that broader picture of life shifting and resetting in real time.

You can feel that shift right away. This is not just a collection of songs. It feels like reflection. Like someone taking stock of where they have been and where they are going next.

The first glimpse into this new chapter comes with the single “Hollywood Hustle,” inspired by his move to Los Angeles and the grind that comes with building something new. The fun, accompanying video uses AI generated visuals to tell that story, but Standring makes it clear where the heart of it all lives:

“Even though all the video is AI generated, rest assured that the music is not! That’s all me!”

That line says a lot. Technology may help tell the story, but the emotion, the experience, and the perspective behind Time Of Change are deeply human.

And that intention comes through clearly:

“With Time Of Change, I wanted the music to reflect who I am right now both musically and spiritually.”

That sense of honesty carries throughout the album. Musically, there is a warm, retro-soulful feel that draws from a golden era of sophisticated arrangements and rich harmonies. You hear touches of ’70s-inspired cool jazz and rhythm and blues, but it never feels like nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake.

With a four piece horn section, layered orchestral textures, and Standring’s signature guitar tone at the center, the album has a fullness that supports that emotional direction without overpowering it.

Beyond the music, there is also a more personal side emerging. Standring and his wife Erica have launched a YouTube series, Love Miles & Music, offering a window into their life together, both on and off the road.

“It will be a behind the scenes look into our life, personal and professional. But most of all we want it to be a whole lot of fun.”

When an album is shaped by both new beginnings and personal loss, you can hear it. And here, you can feel it.

The post Chris Standring Embraces a New Chapter with Time Of Change appeared first on ContemporaryJazz.com.

Authentically Norman finds the guitarist doing what he’s always done best – blending jazz, R&B, soul, and groove into something that feels both effortless and deeply intentional. This is an album built on feel. On phrasing. On that signature ability he has to make the guitar sound like it’s speaking directly to you.

“With Authentically Norman, I wanted the music to reflect who I am right now both musically and spiritually. Instead of chasing trends, I focused on honesty in the sound and letting the guitar really speak,” says Brown.

The lead single “Chillax” sets the tone with a laid-back groove, while tracks like “King Normantic,” “Valentine,” and “Revolution of Love” showcase styles ranging from silky and romantic to rhythmically infectious and reflective. Notably, the album is made up entirely of original compositions, giving Brown the space to fully express where he is creatively and spiritually at this point in his career.

“I spend a lot of time focusing on balance. I practice Tai Chi, which helps center my mind and body,” shares Grammy-winning and multi-platinum selling guitarist Norman Brown. “I also enjoy quiet reflection, being outdoors, and spending time with positive people in my life. Sometimes the best way to recharge is simply to step away from the noise and reconnect with yourself.”

That mindset comes through clearly across the album. There’s a sense of confidence here – a seasoned artist fully comfortable in his own voice. The collaborations feel natural, the grooves are locked in, and the melodies linger long after the tracks end.

Authentically Norman is out now on Shanachie Records.

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