José James, Vocalist + Lyricist + Songwriter :: Axis

Critically acclaimed and world renown artist, Jose James invites us to witness the Black Magic of his new record with an intimate studio session that reveals the many facets of his creative process.

José James, Vocalist + Lyricist + Songwriter :: Artist Profile from friendswelove.com on Vimeo.

About Jose:

Since his arrival on the international scene in 2008 vocalist José James has consistently dazzled critics and audiences alike with his deft combination of soul, hip-hop and jazz. Using his musical mentors John Coltrane, Marvin Gaye and Billie Holiday as compasses, he continues to successfully blur the lines between musical genres through his love of connecting to audiences worldwide and in the sheer joy of creation.

Blessed with a warm rich baritone reminiscent of artists of the caliber of Terry Callier, Jon Lucien and Gil-Scott Heron, José has toured internationally at venues such as the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Vitoria Jazz Festival, Billboard Live Tokyo, Centro Cultural Sao Paolo, the Hermitage St. Petersburg, Central Park Summerstage New York and London's Royal Festival Hall.

Signed to Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Recordings, his debut album "The Dreamer" was released in 2008 to worldwide acclaim, including 21 of JazzTimes Top 50 Jazz Albums of 2008. As a recording artist and guest vocalist José has worked with Junior Mance, Chico Hamilton, Gilles Peterson, Bassment Jaxx, Nicola Conte, Toshio Matsuura, Elan Mehler, The Heritage Orchestra, SOIL & "PIMP" SESSIONS, Jazzanova, Flying Lotus, Christian McBride, J.A.M., Robert Mitchell, Jazzy Sport and Simbad.

For more info on Jose: http://www.josejamesmusic.com/

http://www.myspace.com/josejamesquartet

http://friendswelove.com/video/jj-fwl-fest-envivo/

http://friendswelove.com/video/jose-james-120-secs/

http://friendswelove.com/blog/summer-concerts-in-nyc/

http://friendswelove.com/blog/articles-we-love-connecting-dots-from-bird-to-michael-jackson/

Albert Xavier, Filmmaker :: Axis

Film director Albert Xavier recounts how his artistic background prepared him for filmmaking and the development of his latest release, Hermafrodita, which is the first Dominican film to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival.

Albert Xavier, Filmmaker :: Artist Profile from friendswelove.com on Vimeo.

Albert Xavier is a prodigy of New York City with the additional benefit of being raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  Fused with a sense of diversity and culture, Albert has used his talent in an eclectic mix of artistic expression. Albert Xavier earned his first credits as a television producer with "Fashion Emergency" for E! Entertainment Television and "GalaScene" for Univision Networks in the US and the Caribbean.  Albert was also added to the directorial roster of Latin episodic series hit, Resurrection Blvd. (2000) for Showtime Networks.

He produced and directed "Red Passport," which screened at film festivals in more than 45 countries, including Italy, Cuba, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Poland, France, Dominican Republic, Japan, Argentina, Central America and the US. The Dominican feature won the Audience Award at the LaCinemaFe Film Festival at Lincoln Center in New York, and a Special Mention Best Director Award at the Cambridge International Film Festival.   Albert has also been awarded the Best Short Film Award for "A Different Man" at The International Film Festival of Belize.

Adding to his success, he has produced and directed a series of short films in 35mm/S16mm film.  His short films have been picked up for television broadcast on BET and Bravo networks.  In the Latin music recording market, Xavier directed Latin music videos for various artists like: La India, Frankie Negron, King Chango, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Fulanito, Amarfis, Oro Solido and others.   His work was honored with The Latin Billboard 2006 awards for “Best Tropical Airplay” for the music video "Lamento Boliviano” performed by merenguero recording artist Amarfis.

The future holds potential for upcoming projects such as the release of the long awaited 35mm short Dominatrix short film, “Closure” starring Michelle Mendez (All My Children, Wake of the Fallen Sun) and Tara Stiles (Enchanted) at film festivals in the fall of 2007.  Xavier is in development with screenwriter Sheila Grullon on his second independent feature, “Maria”, a psycho-drama foreign film slated for production this November of 2007 in the Dominican Republic. (Via AlbertXavier.com)

Links: http://www.albertxavier.com

N’Dea Davenport, Singer + Songwriter :: Axis

Soul singing sensation N'Dea Davenport of the internationally critically acclaimed acid jazz-funk band, The Brand New Heavies tells us what contributed to her development as an artist from childhood to LA in the 80s to her signature style.

N'Dea Davenport, Singer + Songwriter :: Artist Profile from friendswelove.com on Vimeo.

About N'Dea:

The soulful voice of vocalist/ songwriter/ producer N'Dea Davenport first emerged in 1991 when she became the front woman for the Acid Jazz British funk band, The Brand New Heavies.

But long before worldwide notoriety was present, she fell in love with music, dance, performing and the arts. "I think I got involved in almost everything creatively I could do when I was in school, to keep my mind busy to try and stay out of trouble. From sports to theater, you name it. I probably did it." A regular routine of piano and dance studies were the core of her development. Ironic as it is, singing would later be the focus of her affections.

As soon as it was possible to "break out" as she calls it, she left her home town of Atlanta, with little more than 300 dollars on route to Los Angeles with the primary goal of just going somewhere she had never been to alone. Little did she know, that early sense of adventure would begin a chain-of-events that would change her life forever.

After landing in Los Angeles, she became inspired and apart of the burgeoning underground "club warehouse scene." Within the flourishing community of artists, fashion designers and musical talents, it was such as celebration of funk, hip-hop, rock, punk, graffiti, performance art and everything between. Meeting the late Keith Herring, Jean-Michel Basquiat and the very much alive Fab Five Freddy, was really special." And after a reluctant impromptu song for Fred, he quickly got word to his dj-club owner friend that happened to be one-half of the newly formed record label, Delicious Vinyl. Soon after, she found herself recording and planning for her debut CD.

As fate would have it, a British group called The Brand New Heavies, were signed to the label shortly after. With no lead vocalist, and N'Dea's love of collaborating, the tone was set for a magical combination. She relocated to London with the Heavies, where they gave birth to an international movement known as Acid Jazz. Fusing funk, soul and RnB, the term Acid Jazz has also been known as "The second coming of soul" re-establishing legacy, and opening the doors to Neo-classical soul.

In 1995, after years and at the height of their commercial success, N'Dea simply packed up heading back to the U.S. leaving London and her former bandmates. After returning, she continued to develop her solo cd, and collaborate with various artists including, Mos Def, Everlast, DJ Krush, Dallas Austin, Guru (Jazzmatazz), Natalie Merchant and Daniel Lanois to name a few. Her self-titled debut, the effort she put on the back burner for several years, was released on V2 Records in 1998, boasting the funky flavor that listeners have come to expect from her. It takes you back to the day when music wasn't lumped into preconceived, easy to digest categories. And personally leading her on to the experience of musical freedoms and self-exploration producing and orchestrating the mass majority of her projects. Her songs are often laced with social commentaries meant, not to provoke, but to trigger thought and inspire dialogue. She is continuing that process, by developing, and performing new material for a forth-coming cd.

Links:

http://Celectrixx.com