Gabriel Yared (Arabic: جبرائيل يارد) (born 7 October 1949) is a Lebanese-French composer, best known for his work in French and American cinema. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, his work in France included the scores for Betty Blue and Camille Claudel. He later began working with American film directors, winning an Oscar for his score for The English Patient and a nomination for The Talented Mr. Ripley and Cold Mountain.
Mixing R&B, funk, jazz and samba elements, Banda Black Rio, led by Oberdan Magalhães, were one of the first to undertake the fusion of Brazilian rhythms with international black music. Formed in 1976, the band's unique and pioneering samba-jazz-funk sound has attracted thousands of worshiping fans across generations. The band broke up in 1980, but came back together in 1999 in a new formation led by William Magalhães, Oberdan Magalhães' son. Discography:
# 1977 - Maria Fumaça
# 1978 - Gafieira Universal
Santessa is the UK's best kept secret. Her debut album DELIRIUM, produced by Stuart Matthewman, (Sade, Maxwell, Sweetback) released through Sony UK in 2000, was critically acclaimed across the board. It has gone on to become a highly sought after collectors item worldwide. Born on the Isle of Man, but without a drop of Manx blood; Her mother is half English, half Ghanaian, and her father hails from Ireland.
If you’ve seen Tawiah, you’ll know it. You might think you know her because you recognise the smile as wide as the equator, or the incredible off kilter dress sense, or you may remember seeing a show stopping performance on stage with Mark Ronson, as she’s the only live female vocalist at his gigs. But none of these things is the real reason you know her. You’ll know her because of the voice, or more to the point - her voice.
Lou Donaldson (born 1926) is a jazz alto saxophonist, born in Badin, North Carolina. He is best known for his soulful, bluesy approach to the alto saxophone, although in his formative years he was, as many were of the bebop era, heavily influenced by Charlie Parker's improvisational approach. His first recordings were with bop emissaries Milt Jackson and Thelonious Monk in 1952, and lead several small groups with other jazz luminaries such as trumpeter Blue Mitchell, pianist Horace Silver and the indomitable skinsman, Art Blakey.
Benny Sings - Art (2011) Benny Sings has finally graduated. With his new album Art, which was released on 27 May 2011, the multifaceted producer/composer/singer feels that it has all come together. ‘Making albums is a learning process. After every album I felt as if I completed another year at the Benny Sings Music University. And Art is my graduation project. It’s the finale to my ten years of toil. I now have my diploma. It represents my first work as a mature artist – my first real “work of art’’.’
Shuggie Otis, born 1953, is the son of Johnny Otis, a rhythm and blues musician. He started performing in his youth and released his first record in 1970. He not only writes songs, but also plays guitar, piano, organ, and bass. He has recorded with Frank Zappa, Al Kooper, Etta James, and Eddie Vinson, and more recently Mos Def. The Brothers Johnson's version of his composition "Strawberry Letter 23" reached #1 in the Billboard rhythm and blues chart and #5 in the Billboard pop chart in 1977. Shuggie's albums include: "Here Comes Shuggie Otis", "Freedom Flight" and "Inspiration Information".