Born in Nagasaki, Japan , Hiromi Kanda was exposed to American music via the armed forces personnel that were stationed in the city. At the age of 8, Hiromi moved to Osaka with her family. It was there that she developed an appreciation for several forms of music from Sinatra and Cole Porter, to the Monkees and the Supremes. ‘Days of Yesterday’ is Hiromi Kanda's sophomore album, and is a remarkable album from a vocalist who doesn't just sing the standards, she symbolizes them.

Isabelle Geffroy, aka Zaz, released her eponymous debut CD in May 2010 and by any standards it is excellent. If you ask Zaz about her musical influences she will explain that she prefers to think of them as meetings. She is expressive, powerful and has such vocal control that the execution of each song appears effortless. Not only will the album will dazzle you but also make you sit up and listen.

Monika Herzig is an extremely creative and talented pianist. Her CD ‘Come With Me’ is replete with fabulously original tunes that take the listener on an exhilarating and rewarding journey while the title track is underpinned by a truly wonderful story.

Grammy award winning keyboardist, singer, composer and producer George Duke takes a jazz funk glance back into his musical past with Deja vu. Deja vu is the experience of feeling that one has witnessed or experience a new situation previously. That's the mode you're in when you listen to the funk-driven energy of Duke's new CD. The sound has characterized some of Duke's most memorable recordings from the golden age of funk and soul and has made Duke a platinum selling artist. Produced by Duke,

'We're Here to Listen' by pianist Leslie Pintchik is a wonderful showcase for her skills as a performer, composer and arranger.  Her talents have placed the album right up there with genres best and when recently I was fortunate enough to interview Leslie it proved to be a totally enjoyable experience.