In an exclusive interview with Breakaway Production’s James Witherspoon, he talks about his experience in the talent promotions industry and his upcoming event, Jazz Triple Play.
James Witherspoon, courtesy of Golden Brick Publishing
James Witherspoon, of Breakaway Production, has been in the national talent promotions game for quite some time. Our associate podcaster at Golden Brick Publishing, Jeffrey Parham took the time out to catch up with this award winning concert magnate. As James talks with him about being in the business, managing artists locally, and maintaining a strong relationship with his national acts.
In addition to hosting local talents at his concerts, on July 21st, Breakaway Production, will host Jazz Triple Play, featuring Brian Simpson, Norman Brown and Paul Taylor.
One of my favorites, Paul Taylor, an American saxophonist, is no stranger to coming to St. Louis, he has been here several times and always does a great show. The awards winning Norman Brown is a legend in smooth jazz and local station THe Sound, WSIE in Edwardsville has his music on lock. Last, Brian Simpson is an American contemporary jazz pianist and composer. He has released 11 albums as a solo artist, his most recent, Soul Connection, released in 2023.
More about Jazz Triple Play:
Breakaway Productions in association with Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center welcomes in the 2024 version of Jazz Triple Play. This year, the Touhill is proud to host Norman Brown, Paul Taylor, and Brian Simpson; three premiere artists on the smooth jazz platform that are sure to have your undivided musical ear.
Make plans to attend this jazzy event. We look forward to another great concert experience.
A little about Paul Taylor:
Courtesy of Paul Taylor
Over 25 years into a stellar, multi-faceted career that’s found him continually pushing the sonic boundaries of what’s possible in contemporary urban jazz, saxophonist Paul Taylor brings us his highly-anticipated new recording AND NOW THIS on Peak Records.
AND NOW THIS, fully created via the exchange of digital files between the Las Vegas based Taylor and his longtime musical compadre, collaborator, co-writer and producer Dino Esposito, features the saxman’s ongoing exploration of an expansive range of dynamic danceable grooves and intricate pop/electronica vibes. The ten tracks fully reflect the way Taylor began moving forward in his personal and creative life, as if to say, in his words, “we’re coming out of the pandemic, this is what I’ve been creating, we’re kicking it back into high gear and we are more open-minded in our approach to music than ever.”
From the atmospheric soul and fast paced funk of the title track (featuring the guitar of Brian Monroney) through the sultry flow of the closing track “Good Night,” AND NOW THIS also celebrates the decades long friendship and intuitive, forward thinking musical chemistry between Taylor and Esposito. Their dynamic history dates back to when they played in the same band as students at the University of Nevada Las Vegas – and includes Taylor touring in Esposito’s band when he was a pop star in the late 80s touring with New Kids on the Block. Esposito has been Taylor’s chief sonic co-architect since the saxophonist’s 1995 debut On The Horn and subsequently collaborated on Pleasure Seeker (1997), Undercover (2000), his Peak Records debut Hypnotic (2001), Nightlife (2005), Prime Time (2011), Tenacity (2014) and Countdown (2016).
While for some artists, song titles on instrumental urban jazz releases are merely clever sounding afterthoughts, the names of each track on AND NOW THIS represent the feeling and intention of the music. With its funked out grooves and swirling sax notes in the hook, “Friday@5” is all about that moment when we clock out, make our weekend plans and have the freedom to, as Taylor says, “chill and relax or take a drive along the coast.” Likewise, “The Face of You” represents a new facet of the saxman’s ever-deeper artistry, an immersion into an urban exotica landscape and hypno-cool synth textured atmosphere with his ever-present soaring soprano. Next is “Epic Dream,” a groove of soundscape effects and soaring atmospheres that’s pure dreamy escapist.
Taylor enjoys riffing on the way some of the other titles combine to create something of a narrative about how the project took shape: “With Dino’s amazing synth swells, ‘Seize the Day’ is that perspective we’ve all gained this past year about the importance of living in the moment, and for musicians, it’s about always being the best version of ourselves. The vibe of ‘One Step Closer’ reminds me of that cool step music that was coming out of Chicago, but of course thematically it’s about working hard each day to finish the work or fulfill a dream. Those angelic synth voices Dino created throughout are like our special encouragers, reminding us that we can do it and to keep going. Covid happened, and we couldn’t get together to record, but we always ‘Find a Way’ to make things happen. It’s kind of a sweet romantic tune that tells us no matter what obstacles come in our path, we can always figure things out and get past them.”
Enjoy James Witherspoon’s interview with Golden Brick Publishing: GMN+ CLICK HERE!
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