Three Keys Music's Jazz pianist Marcus Johnson releases new CD, 'Poetically Justified'
By Eunice Moseley

This current album has an extensive variety of impressive collaborations with Baltimore native Maysa, legendary saxophonist Najee and vocalist Miles Jaye. "Poetically Justified" offers a contemporary Jazz selection "Master of my Heart," which features the masterful vocals of Maysa. On this song Maysa sings in a whisper, very effectively. This unusual style is currently getting heavy rotation on Adult-Contemporary radio stations.
On his 14 track release Marcus also covers a Michael Jackson song, "This Place Hotel," very lovingly and it is also the first single off the album.

"I had planned to place this song on my previous albums," Johnson pointed out when asked about the coincidence of this MJ cover and the death of the Pop superstar. "It just happen to work out this time...I listen to my higher power, I am 'Poetically Justified'."

The "Poetically Justified" CD also offers another cover, the Floety song "Say yes." Aside from "Master of my Heart," "The Place Hotel" and "Say Yes" other favors of mine on the CD include "Chillaxin," "I See you" featuring Najee on sax; "Danni's Song," which sounds like a piano battle is going on; "Stand by me" a sweet love song, and "Cherish the Journey" a great track for a long road trip.

For more on Marcus, his label, his awesome recording studio in Silverspring, Maryland and his newest album release log onto www.threekeys.com, www.marcusjohnsonmusic.com or www.myspace.com/marcusjohnsonproject. 

Jazz/Pop singer Anne Walsh offers us a 'Pretty World' with her newest CD release
Imagine the vocals of Vanessa Williams and Diana Ross combined. Got it in your head? Well to me that's the sound of the vocals of Jazz/Pop artist Anne Walsh on her newest CD "Pretty World" released on her husband, Thomas Zink, 'indie' A To Zink Music record label.

I studied voice," Anne said when asked about the concentration of her bachelor and master degrees. "I studied all the classical greats. (When I received my bachelors) My brother Michael said he didn't like my (new) voice. I am just getting my ...sound. I had to make a decision who am I. I worked in opera, but wasn't enjoying myself ... my husband is a jazz pianist."

As a result Walsh says she seems to have found her voice. That voice is a very nice and smooth Jazz/Pop genre sound. It is evident on the "Pretty World" CD release. Anne takes her style and masterfully handles Jazz standards from Cole Porter, Rogers and Hammerstein, and Sergio Mendez. Walsh even goes as far has singing in Portuguese, so good I initially thought she was Brazilian.

"We have a friend who did the translation. I initially went to him for pronunciation. He is Brazilian," Walsh points out.

Anne, who is a voice teacher at Cal State's American Musical and Dramatic Academy, said that her first Jazz gig was in Brazilian venue. Raised in Worcester, Massachusetts - where she says there is a large Brazilian population - Walsh started by performing in Broadway productions such as The Sound of Music.

"Every song has a story of beauty," Anne points out about the new album. "Life is complex. We have hardships...I choose music."

I choose music as well, it makes all that complexity in life goes away, at least until the song is over. On "Pretty World" you can get wrapped up in life's beauty by listening to my favorite cuts on the CD which includes the title track "Pretty World," a Sergio Mendez song which has a sweet flute influence and a rhythm that makes you want to do the Cha-Cha; the Antonio Carlos-Jobim selection "Waters of March;" another Sergio song "Chove Chuva," which is another dance number; Cole Porter's "In the Still of the Night; Rogers and Hammerstein's "My Favorite Things," and a Keith Jarrett original written especially for Anne, "My Song."

For more on Anne Walsh or the A To Zink Music label log onto www.annewalsh.com