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Andrea
and James :
United In Life and Music
Andrea
and James Rohlehr (or äj (pronounced Ahhsh) as they
are known musically) are not only united in life, but also
in music. Andrea graduated from Kansas University with a
BA in Music Education.
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She
is a multi-talented artist (song writer, flutist, keyboardist
and vocalist), influenced mainly by Aretha Franklin. James,
a native New Yorker, is from mixed Guyanan and Trinidadian
extraction. He completed a BA in Music Composition at New
York City College. He is an accomplished guitarist and vocalist,
influenced mainly by John Lewis, The Modern Jazz Quartet
and George Benson.
Both
musicians met as a result of Andrea having a band that was
travelling to Osaka (Japan). As she needed a guitarist who
sang, she invited James to know if he wanted to join the
band for the Osaka engagement. They got married one year
later and have combined since 14 years their music and personal
life as äj.
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Their
message is one of love, tolerance and positivity. äj's
musical style is fresh, with nicely crafted musical and
vocal arrangements blending smooth jazz and soul.
Their
last release "Joy Ride + One"was originally
released in 2004 by a company that no longer exists today.
The duo decided to re-release it independently in 2007
with one extra song "Crazy For Your Love". It
is a collection of 12 beautiful and soulful tracks nicely
sung and arranged by this couple of talented musical joy
riders.
So if you want to sit back and relax, do not hesitate
to get this labour of love.
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if you still have their tracks in your mind, do not hesitate
to start 2008 with their brand-new release, "Evolution",
set to come out in January. This upcoming album will be
a "(R)Evolution", as it will entail seven already
composed songs, that have 'evolved' into spectacular live
musical experiences over the years and been re-recorded.
The remaining tunes are brand new compositions written by
James and Andrea Rohlehr. The musical duo will again lead
the band, that gathers a casting of various musicians: Ron
Monroe on electric bass guitar; Kevin Ellis on acoustic
upright bass; Regg Washington on electric bass guitar; Wayne
Cobham on trumpet & flugelhorn; Sylvester Scott on tenor
sax; Rob Gill and Lafayette Harris on keyboards; Tony Lewis
and Kevin Johnson on drums.
So,
with this new release, the listeners will again evolve
into a rich musical and soulful journey.
For
more information: www.andjam.com
Review
by Akbar Nour |
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