If you don't know about Aubrey Johnson, here's your chance to get up to speed.
Singing from a young age and mentored by her uncle Lyle Mays (Pat Metheny Group) Aubrey is now making serious waves in the jazz and vocal communities with the upcoming release of her new album "The Lively Air" on Greenleaf Music.
Her first album set the tone with sophisticated chord changes, dynamic rhythms, and stunning vocal runs. On her new release, she's grown in all aspects and showcases her talents as composer, arranger, and virtuoso vocalist.
SAVE and preorder her new album HERE https://lnk.to/TheLivelyAir

The album comes out March 20, 2026 and the first single "Hope" is out now!
Find out more about her new release and all things Aubrey at her website:
https://www.aubreyjohnsonmusic.com

Show host Rob Mullins is a Grammy nominated jazz composer and pianist who has released 43 solo albums with three of them reaching the Billboard Top 20. Find out more about Rob Mullins at his website:
https://planetmullins.com

For video episodes and more visit Rob's channel at https://youtube.com/planetmullins

In January my Instagram feed started showing me posts from this ReggieParker Wisdom. I started watching some of his videos and he's telling a whole lot of truth that young (and older) musicians need to hear.
In a short time he's built more than 25k followers on Instagram and mentors hundreds of musicians through his patreon. I caught up with him to shoot the breeze and it was a remarkable hour. Enjoy!

@reggieparkerwisdom

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reggie.parker.712357

For video episodes and more visit Rob's channel at https://youtube.com/planetmullins

I had a chance to catch up with veteran studio legend Steve Sykes and he shared a lot of cool stories and studio tips in this interview. We had a blast! His advice for young people starting in the business is straight inside scoop and he shares it towards the end of this video.

Steve’s knowledge of diverse musical styles is demonstrated in his wide list of credits which include many Latin artists. He has worked with superstars Enrique Iglesias, Luis Fonsi and Cristian Castro, Puerto Rican songstress Ednita Nazario, Thalía, Maria Conchita Alonso and Argentinian ska rockers “Los Fabulosos Cadillacs”. Many of these albums went gold or platinum. After mixing a couple of albums for platinum selling Spanish rock band Seguridad Social, they asked him to come to Spain to produce an album. That collaboration resulted in the hit album “Camino Vertical”. A year later, Steve again headed to Spain to produce another album for the band, “Va Por Ti”. His international projects also include many for Japanese clients and he has made numerous trips to Japan to record and mix. Among his Japanese projects are the number one hit and platinum album “Love Again” for popular band Globe and teenage superstar Rie Miyazawa’s first album. Steve won a Japanese recording award for his work on Mari Ijima’s album “Good Medicine” in 1996. Recently Steve mixed a best of album for Italian star Umberto Tozzi with producer Greg Mathieson.

Other musical genres Steve has worked in extensively are jazz and smooth jazz. He has recorded and mixed for most of the major artists on the smooth jazz charts including multiple albums for artists including The Rippingtons, David Benoit, Mindi Abair, Rick Braun, Jeff Golub, Wayman Tisdale, Peter White, Paul Taylor, Everette Harp, Brian Culbertson, Diane Schuur, Eric Marienthal and Warren Hill. He mixed an album for reggae group Black Uhuru which went to the top of the Billboard World Music charts. He recorded tracks for two albums by Lalah Hathaway, both of which had hit singles on the Adult R&B and Hot R&B charts. Steve recorded and mixed the reunion album for jazz fusion band Seawind. He recorded and mixed two albums for singer Miki Howard. “Miki Sings Billie” was her tribute album to legendary jazz vocalist Billie Holiday and featured full orchestra recordings by Steve at Capitol Studios. In 2008, Steve recorded and mixed Al Jarreau’s top Contemporary Jazz Christmas album “Christmas”.

Recently Steve has recorded tracks for celebrity DJ “DJ Cassidy”, whose first single “Calling All Hearts” features Robin Thicke and Jessie J. Cassidy’s album “Paradise Royale” hosts a who’s who of the hottest studio musicians and performers in the world including drummer John “JR” Robinson, guitarists Paul Jackson Jr and Nile Rodgers, bassists Marcus Miller, Freddie Washington, Verdine White and Bobby Watson. Among the performers on this album were Larry Dunn and Philip Bailey, thus reuniting Steve with his former band mates. This time Steve was the engineer and not the guitar player. In an issue of Electronic Musician magazine, Steve gives an in depth interview where he explains some of the recording techniques, studios and equipment he used in the making of this album.

Find out more about steve at his website https://www.stevesykes.com

For video episodes and more visit Rob's channel at https://youtube.com/planetmullins

Michael Cates is a veteran saxophonist and composer based now in Dallas TX.

Growing up in New Jersey, Michael Cates found success moving to LA in the 90's where the music community quickly had him sharing the stage with Jennifer Lopez, Elton John, Barry White, Tina Turner, Joe Sample and others.

He's released four full length EP's and many singles by now in 2025 and regularly
charts on various Smooth Jazz Charts. His Grammy submission "77 Hours-Radio Edit" was an instant hit earlier this year and showcases his ability to combine rock, jazz, funk, and pop into groovy instrumental music. 77 Hours has been submitted to the Grammy First Round ballot for Best Instrumental Composition. Check out his FYC here: https://shorturl.at/n5S2c
Review by Jonathan Widran
https://www.jwvibe.com/single-post/michael-cates-77-hours

Listening links 77 Hours

Apple Music
https://music.apple.com/us/song/77-hours-feat-rob-mullins-radio-edit/1795254737
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/track/1i4BFyV5MeWwFV8lc52lF4
Amazon
https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0F7FPQ924
Youtube video 77 hours
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5QljgupVe0
official website
https://michaelcates.com
facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/michael.cates.765232
instagram
https://www.instagram.com/michaelcatesmusic/

quotes:

"Smooth jazz enthusiasts who listen to the song will enjoy every minute."-Jonathan Widman

A talented and sophisticated instrumental composer making his mark on the industry in 2025."-Rob Mullins

For video episodes and more visit Rob's channel at https://youtube.com/planetmullins

Strongly agreeing on a sense of humor being a key to life, Rob and Henry kick around some recent social media stories and talk about Rob's upcoming shows and workshops. Edit at 42 Minutes to discuss Rob's Facebook post supporting the Grammys and all the hate mail he got.

Official Feb 14 Press Release below

For immediate release

Jazz Star Rob Mullins returns to Colorado for concert and workshop March 1, 2025

Los Angeles, CA February 13, 2025

Rob Mullins Entertainment

333 Washington Blvd

MDR CA 90292

Grammy nominated pianist and composer Rob Mullins will return to Colorado for a special concert and workshop at Muse Performance Space in Lafayette.

Mullins-a graduate of Lincoln High (Denver Public Schools) will host an interactive music marketing workshop at 3:30 pm followed by a concert at 7 pm.

"Im very excited to share my keys to success for musicians which I've learned over 40 years in the music business" said Rob today from his recording studio.

"In 2024, I did 11 concerts and sold out every show. I'll be explaining how I did it with practical examples and stories-and taking questions for 90 minutes.

I'm calling it 40 years in 90 minutes-what you need to know" he added.

Mullins left Colorado to study music in New York City in 1980 and was advised by his teacher to leave college at UNC Greeley and begin recording his songs.

He has now done 42 albums under his own name (mostly in jazz) and became a Grammy Nominated artist for his "Soulscape" album which went Top 10 on the Billboard charts. He followed that with "5th Gear" (1988) "Jazz Jazz (1989) and "Tokyo Nights" (1990) all of which reached the Billboard Top 20 on the Jazz Chart.

"The MUSE is a great space where I did a show last summer with Colorado local artists and I really fell in love with the place. Pete Lewis and Claire Church are fantastic supporters of live music and are a bright spot in the arts community" Rob added. "They have a great grand piano and are all about the music.

I just heard the the City of Lafayette gave them a grant for the Monday night jam session which is fantastic! I'm a big supporter of Muse Performance Space" Rob added.

Following the workshop, the Rob Mullins Neu Quartet will take the stage to present selections from Rob's vast discography of compositions. He will be joined by Taylor Clay-tenor sax, BK Kahn-drums, and Seth Lewis-bass.

Currently Rob is on tour promoting his latest album "Best of the Trio" which is a collection of his works with great musicians that can be heard in Colorado on KUVO radio. "I'm lucky to have grown with KUVO over the years and even as I've been mostly on tour with flautist Hubert Laws these past years, I'm always happy to come to Colorado to check out KUVO, Dazzle, all the amazing expansion of jazz and live music that Colorado has become" he said. "My shows have become mini high school class reunions for the DPS and it is always great to see the kids and grandkids of my classmates at my shows....I love it!"

Advance tickets are for sale via KUVO events calendar:

https://www.kuvo.org/events/rob-mullins-neu-quartet

https://www.kuvo.org/events/rob-mullins-musicans-promotion-workshop

and at the MUSE event calendar

https://www.venuepilot.co/events/127078/orders/new

SCHEDULE:

3:30 pm Rob Mullins Marketing Workshop

6:30 pm Doors open

7-8:30 pm Rob Mullins Neu Quartet Concert

For video episodes and more visit Rob's channel at https://youtube.com/planetmullins

Mike will be live Dec 28 in Portland!
https://jazzoregon.org/event/mike-pri...
Mike has spent time with Chick Corea and other jazz greats over the years who all are very supportive of his musical endeavors-see below:

"Wonderful. Beautiful. Really great. Wow, Mike. Great writing, man."-- Chick Corea

"I knew this guy was up to something; what a great disc! Beautifully written and played with passion and intensity by an excellent band. This is one of those CDs that you want to hear again as soon as it's finished. Bravo Mike!" -- George Whitty (Brecker Brothers)

"As his compositions and playing demonstrate, Mr. Prigodich is a rising talent following his creative muse fearlessly to wherever it takes him." -- David Goldblatt (Tribal Tech)

As a top musician on the scene in Portland, OR, Mike shares his personal story and some of his genius in this candid interview. For more info about Mike's schedule, albums releases, and live shows, please visit his website at: http://www.mikeprigodich.com

DENVER PIANO FANS: Rob Mullins will be in concert Dec 28 at Hampden Hall
https://robandbobpiano.bpt.me

MIKE P BIO/More info
Having a strong sense of purpose and belief in his music, Mike raised over $10,000 through Kickstarter in 2010 to fund his debut album, "A Stitch In Time". This album featured an all-star lineup of musicians, including Damian Erskine, Reinhardt Melz, John Nastos, and others, and was produced by Emmy Award-winner David Mathew. The project was highlighted on Oregon Public Broadcasting's Oregon Art Beat television show, bringing greater recognition to Mike's artistry.

THE LIVE BAND: MPEG. Portland grown. Fusion based. Keyboard Centric.

Melz Prigodich Erskine Group (MPEG)

REINHARDT MELZ (Drums)

Reinhardt tours with GINO VANNELLI, PINK MARTINI. He has also toured with LES MCCANN and JAVON JACKSON and has performed with STEVIE WONDER among many other artists.

DAMIAN ERSKINE (Bass)

Damian is the nephew of PETER ERSKINE and a member of "Peter Erskine New Trio." The trio has released their first album entitled JOY LUCK. Members of the Peter Erskine New Trio are: Peter Erskine, Damian Erskine, and Vardan Ovsepian. Damian tours with GINO VANNELLI and has also toured with PETER ERSKINE, LES MCCANN, and JAVON JACKSON, among many other artists.

JOHN NASTOS (Tenor Sax)

John is a member of THE CHISTOPHER BROWN QUARTET. He has also toured with DIANE SCHUUR and CHUCK ISRAELS, and does arranging for PINK MARTINI and THE OREGON SYMPHONY

For video episodes and more visit Rob's channel at https://youtube.com/planetmullins

A STORY FROM THE ROAD as told to Henry at KUHS TV...first came the water, then the cops, and then......

Join Rob for his next concert Dec 28 2024 where there will be more stories and some great music!

https://www.kuvo.org/event/rob-mullins-bob-baker-two-grand-pianos-concert/

For video episodes and more visit Rob's channel at https://youtube.com/planetmullins

Stephanie Austin Letson is a jazz vocalist and educator from Northern California.

"Telling Stories" (released June 2024) is her latest album as a recording artist
showcasing her stunning vocal talents as well as the arranging/producing
prowess of her Grammy winning producer Bill Hare.

Stephanie is on the Grammy First Round Ballot in the "Best Jazz Vocal Album" Category.

You can stream her album here:

SPOTIFY
https://open.spotify.com/album/5lSZwg...
APPLE
/ telling-stories-feat-fred-randolph
AMAZON
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3895NLQ/

For more information on her music and her Downbeat Award winning student groups, please
visit her website at:
https://www.stephanieaustinletson.com


Produced by Bill Hare
https://www.billhareacappella.com/hom...

For video episodes and more visit Rob's channel at https://youtube.com/planetmullins