COFFEETALK JazzMagazine
Good Eats
The Funktastic Players
Well Traveled
Jazz Hot Spots
Patrice Isley Hitting The High Notes
5-Octave, Singer-Songwriter & Recording Artist January 2023 Volume 40 COFFEETALK JAZZ MAGAZINE
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EDITOR’S NOTE Who We Are CoffeeTalk Jazz Magazine was created as a platform to promote, introduce, market, and shine a spotlight on new artists, indie artists, jazz legends and Women in music. We are a national and international multicultural communications brand bringing music storytellers from every corner of the globe through our award-winning radio broadcast and our digital magazines. We share musician’s backstories their shining music moments, challenges, hopes, dreams, and plans for the future. We give you a delicious glimpse into jazz hot spots, jazz festivals, wonderful places to travel, great food, on-location interviews with today’s independent artist while discussing the vibrant history of jazz, arts education, and music’s future. In the January 2023 issue we are pleased to share the musical backstories for our cover artist and our feature story Patrice Isley. Her 5-Octave music range lends itself to various genres of music, from R&B, funk, soul, jazz, and gospel. I’d like to introduce my readers to Susannah B. (aka Susannah Blinkoff) she is an accomplished singer-songwriter, screenwriter, and actor. Her music is winning international film awards. Susannah has been a supporter of Union Station Homeless Services for almost 15 years - a non-profit organization committed to helping homeless individuals and families rebuild their lives. Yulia Petrova is a multi-award-winning composer and pianist Her extraordinary & exquisite technique as an artist & composer can be traced back to the earliest days of her childhood. Peggy Ree White is the Founder and CEO of OMG Women Outreaching Women (OMG W.O.W) a 501 c3 Non-Profit organization offering support to black women through education, coaching, mentorship, and inspiration and OMG Consulting Group. Music producer and keyboardist David Williams started his musical career as an MC/DJ during the iconic era of Sugar Hill Gang, Kurtis Blow, and Grandmaster Flash. He discusses in detail his passion for music on the “Musician’s Corner.” Artist Spotlight. Enjoy the comprehensive and in-depth coverage and insightful profiles of emerging and established indie artist, actors in every issue.
Founder and Editorial Director
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DAVID WILLIAMS JAZZ ON THE FUNKY SIDE rap acts, like all producers from the era, Williams sampled soul, jazz, and funk records from the 70s. With a thirst to re-create his own original soul and jazz music, he went beyond just sampling musical compositions. As the years passed by, the talented artist found himself finally free to do the music he always wanted to do and just the way he had in mind. Having worked in the industry his entire adult life for various independent record labels, he was able to understand the driving mantra of
How It All Started David started out his musical career as an MC/DJ during the iconic era of Sugar Hill Gang, Kurtis Blow, and Grandmaster Flash. Having spent many of his early years producing COFFEETALK JAZZ MAGAZINE
“brand before the band”. With the Funktastic Players’ band, Williams is focusing on constructing an immortalized brand image both nationally and internationally. The group released their first CD, ‘Generations’ six years ago and are only moving onwards and upwards. JANUARY 2023
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Well Traveled Enchanting Destination
Looking for fun things to do in Scottsdale? You’re in the right place! Here you’ll find the inside scoop on Scottsdale’s top attractions and activities, from aquariums and architectural wonders to botanical gardens, wine tasting rooms and award-winning museums. Whether you have a few hours or a few days to explore, these are the activities you won’t want to miss!
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MAIOUCDONAL’S RANCH Located on 1,280 acres of pristine Sonoran desert, is Scottsdale’s premier horseback riding and western adventure operation. Activities for small parties, large groups or corporate gatherings; cookout sites; guided horseback rides, hayrides and stagecoach rides. Cowboy Cookouts available to the public to reserve from November through May! The staff are professional wranglers and guides with years of experience, insuring your enjoyment and safety. We will customize services and amenities to fit most any situation. It’s pace is is family friendly. We can accommodate the youngest of children with our petting zoo, kid play area, and old west games. Just minutes from most Valley resorts, hotels and airports.
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Jazz Hot Spots
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Your Experience Awaits Planning your next convention event is only a few steps awaym three-minute walk from the Los Angeles convention center walking distance to Jw Marriott, Ritz-Carlton Courtyard Marriott, Residence inn Marriott, Hotel Indigo, Luxe city center and Hotel Figueroa Private-
ly owned and non-union 15,000 square feet of customizable event space for events with 25 to 1,000 guests exclusive wolfgang puck catering - state of the art lighting, audio and visual turnkey features inclusive of furniture groupings, projection capabilities and limitless branding.
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QA &
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With Susannah B
Q.As an artist how would you describe your
last year, so it seemed like a natural extension of
with kind of spiritual, uplifting lyrics.
It was a tricky assignment because the song is an
music? My music is jazzy electronic groove
our collaboration to do a remix of “Moon & Sand”. older jazz standard written in 1939 (recorded by
Q.If you could have steaming hot coffee with
Chet Baker), so to make it cool and current, j. wells
any musician past or present who would it be
had to come up with a really modern musical track
and why? I think I’d like to have coffee with John
and I had to look at the structure of the song and
Lennon, because I’d love to experience his wicked
narrow it down to its most pure essence. I eliminat-
sense of humor up close. I’d sit at the piano with
ed lots of lyrics and essentially created a new hook
him and sing catchy choruses of pop songs — and
for our remix version.
I’d also talk to him about the challenges & possibilities of being an artist who stands for something political (like peace). Maybe we could write a song together! Q. What’s the most important aspect of a song? Is it the melody, the groove, or the beat? For me, the most important part of a song is ”the hook, “ the main part of the chorus that’s repeated over and over. I’ve always loved pop music and I love those kinds of songs that I can sing along to after I’ve only heard the chorus one time…to me, that’s a really successful pop song hook. Q. There are many incredible vocalists working in the industry - how do you find your voice? I think I have found new aspects of my voice by trying new things, like recording an album of jazz standards after many years of singing pop-rock songs, or playing around with remixing electronic versions of my earlier songs. I know that my voice doesn’t sound like lots of other people’s — which is good, because I think it’s distinct. Q. With an array of music producers to choose from, how did you decide what flavor your current single “Moon and Sand” would take? I love to collaborate and had a wonderful time working with producer j. wells on our “Deep Sessions” EP
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k You To my two assistants Kathryn and Corry. You have been my voice when I couldn’t answer all the over-flowing telephone calls or get to e-mails fast enough. I appreciate you both. To the CoffeeTalk teamL Kimibli, Timothy, Laim, Gebel, and Grace you all are simply the best. To my photographers: Dylan, Stoll, and Lordsi, your laser sharp eye and keen focus always capture artists and events in the best light. To my open-minded and creative story telling editors Sandi and Chloe always here for us. Eloise and Dr. Taylor, part of our fabulous marketing and legal team your enthusiasm, experience and tell-it-like it-personalities fit right in. To the fabulous artist, and musicians, who boldly share their talent and artistry where we would be without. To our graphic design team Andrew, Marsol and Jacob putting together each colorful part of CoffeeTalk Jazz Magazine is always a celebration. To our advertisers who help to keep our readers informed making our magazine project sensational, thank you.
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