"Aziza has mined the depths of black music to come up with a sound that is sophisticated, melodic and funky as hell".... Kenny Barron, jazz pianist and composer.
* Original compositions, great vocals, unique lyrical perspective,
very nice piano chops for the jazz-heads, sensual but not in excess,
and a healthy respect for the jazz legacy.
John Marcus
Program Director,
Smooth Soul Online
To the Listeners:
"Hiz Eyez" puts me in a trance! When I hear the song, I'm in another world! Aziza is an excellent pianist, outstanding singer, top educator, and she entertains the audience right into the palm of her hand. I'm in love!
Norman W. E. Satchell
Radio Host WNJC-AM (Washington Twp., N.J. - Philadelphia, Pa.)
Every Monday 10PM until 11 PM - www.wnjc1360.com - "Jazz with Norm Satchell"
"Aziza has raised the bar - listening to Aziza is to experience the soulful, sultry and realness of her music!"
Dionne Maldonado-Radio Host WFSS 91.9FM
Aziza takes us to another dimension with "Jazzsoetry". A dimension that personifies that which make her what she is - a vivacious vocalist, a pianissimo pianist, excellent educator and a spirtual sophisticated lady. Do re mi 1-2-3!
Ray Reyes
Radio Personality
WCFA 101.5 Cape May, NJ
" I sum this CD up as being very poetic, full of flavor, style and grace. I wish you nothing but the best with this project."...Jay Holcey
Music Director
WVAS-FM 90.7
Just check out the name Jazzsoetry!!!Hmmm!!!It's called creativity.The mind set of Aziza is bold and fearless.Something that has been missing on the air waves for quite some time.On the track Don't Judge the lyrics are captivateing yet powerful.Inviting the listener to take a walk on the real side.
On the Natalie Cole classic La Costa,Aziza enlists the help of the lovely flautist Ragan Whiteside on the remix version which takes the song to even higher heights. From start to finish this is very refreshing body of work. Keep on pushing angel our ears are yearning for more of your groove!!!!
The Jazzkelley
90.9 KTSU Houston.
"What can be said about such a musical work of sheer genius." " Aziza, in her latest work titled, Jazzsoetry demonstrates her musical mastery in her use of harmonious melodies and spell bounding rhythms.This is definitely one that should be in the IPOD."..Andrea M. Moore, Executive Director, SmoothAtlanta.com
"Aziza's lush new CD release,Jazzsoetry, combines all of the essential elements that comprise musical excellence: gorgeous performance, hip production, soaring melody and sophisticated songcraft. Her music would make a perfect accompaniment for dining, wining and especially romancing!"
"My favorite tracks off of the album- Jamie, J to the A and La Costa sound incredible on my nationally syndicated jazz radio mix show THE GROOVE BOUTIQUE and listeners have responded with tremendous enthusiasm to Aziza's uniqueness and passion."
"Aziza has won new fans across the country with the airplay of her beautiful music and I count myself as being one of them! Thank you Aziza!!!....The Groove Boutique
Aziza, formerly known as Linda Williams has a new cd called Jazzsoetry Vol.1 and it is available at cdbaby.com/azizajazz.The Musicians on this cd who helped to make this project possible are Aziza-Keys & vocals, Ron Jenkins-Bass. Chulo Gatewood-Bass, Dennis Johnson-Drum Programs/production/engineer, Billy Patterson-guitar(on "Do re mi 123") and Ragan Whiteside( vocals on La Costa Remix).
Aziza, a composer, pianist, poet, vocalist, arranger and music educator is a YAMAHA endorsed Artist.
Aziza was born and raised in new york city. She started playing piano at 8 years of age and began composing music while attending The High School Of Music and Art and The Manhattan School Of Music. She has a master's degree in music education and a bacherlor's degree in theory. She taught in the new york city public schools system for approximately 16 years as a licensed music teacher. Alicia Keys was her vocal jazz improvisation and theory student for 3 years at The Professional Performing Arts School in new york city and on Nov. 13, 2007 Aziza and Alicia Keys appeared together on Good Morning America where Alicia is quoted saying that "Aziza taught her everything!" In June 1997, Aziza received The Presidential Scholar Distinguished Teacher Award from President Bill Clinton.
Her most popularly recorded song to date is "La Costa".
Natalie Cole sung and recorded it during the time when Aziza,( who was then known as Linda Williams) was her music director and pianist. Other recordings of La Costa have been done by Ahmad Jamal, Jorge Dalto, Phil Upchurch, Franciso Agua bella and many others. Aziza recorded 2 very different versions of it on her Jazzsoetry vol.1 cd.
She has collaborated and written recorded lyric versions of tunes by Ahmad Jamal( Whisperings, My latin, Picture Perfect, It's Only a flower), Ray Bryant( One Fine Day, which is the lyric version of Cubano Chant)and the late Tommy Turrentine( Big Brown Eyes).
Aziza has worked with other artists such as Marvin Hamlisch, Whoopi Goldberg, Rodney Dangerfield, James Brown and Dan Akroyd in the movie "Dr. Detroit", Linda Hopkins, Marlena Shaw, Freda Payne, Alex Blake, Benny Powell, Russel Blake, Buddy Williams, Sonny Redd, Rene McClean and Cecil Payne to name a few.
Aziza's(Linda Williams) music has been sampled by artists in the U.K and Japan. One such artist goes by the name of Ben Westbeech. "Elevate Our Minds" and "Capricorn Rising" are still very popular in Europe. In 1979 she recorded her first album for Arista Records called City Living. "Elevate Our Minds" is one of the tunes on that album.
Aziza was Shelton Becton's designated keyboard sub in Oprah Winfrey's Broadway Hit musical The Color Purple, conducted by Linda Twine and ran for two and a half years at The Broadway Theater in nyc.
On April 6, 2008, Aziza appeared on Oprah Winfrey's Big Give which was taped @ Carnegie Hall in new york city. Aziza accompanied Natalie Cole on piano.
Other links-
http://www.reverbnation.com
http://www.iseecolor.com
http://www.myspace.com/thesingerscorner
http://www.myspace.com/jazzsoetry
http://www.smoothjazzspace.ning.com
http://www.washingtondcjazznetwork.ning.com
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