"...a genius on the guitar"
The Los Angeles Times
BLAKE AARON
Color and Passion
#1 on Billboard and on the charts for 5 months!
#1 on Billboard and in the Top 3 for 3 months!
New single feat. Najee!
#1 for all of 2019!!
Billboard Top 10 and on the charts for 6 months!
Beautiful ballad title track from Color and Passion.
"a guitar player's guitarist"
Critical Blast
Current smooth jazz/soca hit single out now!
Fiery, passionate Latin Hit from Color and Passion
"a perfect blend of Jazz, Latin, R&B and Funk."
The Atlanta Daily World
The funky horn laced tribute to James Brown!
The roots reggae jam from Color and Passion!
"...amazingly talented"
Dave Koz
A fiery cover of the Stevie Wonder classic!
"...captivates the senses from the first note and never lets go…”
AllAboutJazz.com
Soul Stories
#1 Billboard track feat. Najee on flute!
"...one of the greatest treasures as a guitarist.”
Najee
Top 10 Billboard hit tribute to Wes Montgomery!
Very passionate rendition of Santana's classic!
Billboard Top 5 hit feat. vocalist Spencer Day!
A beautiful epic piece from the Soul Stories CD!
Soulful cover of the Hall and Oates classic!
#5 Billboard hit from Soul Stories!
Blake Aaron Bio
BLAKE AARON
Color and Passion
Named “a genius on the guitar” by the Los Angeles Times, "a guitar player's guitarist" by Critical Blast, “...one of the greatest treasures as a guitarist,” by Najee and .."amazingly talented" by Dave Koz, Blake Aaron launched his career as an L.A. studio musician/sideman and has recorded and/ or performed with artists such as Philip Bailey (Earth Wind and Fire), Sheila E., Frank Stallone, Bobby Womack and Carlos Santana (Womack-Save the Children), The Gap Band, Ronnie Laws, Keiko Matsui, Najee, Warren Hill and many others. Aaron was also the guitarist for "MadTV" a long running comedy show on the FOX television network for 15 years.
Right out of the gate with two #1 Billboard singles and one #1 single on the Radiowave/ Groove Jazz charts for the entire year 2019, Color and Passion is already feeling like a greatest hits CD for Blake Aaron before it’s even released on September 18th, 2020. Now a Billboard #1 producer himself as well as artist with his self-produced, silky-smooth “Fall for You,” Aaron also teams up with hit producers Darren Rahn with the #1 Billboard single, “Groovers and Shakers,” the #1 for all of 2019 Radiowave single, “Drive,” and with Adam Hawley for the upcoming single, “Sunday Strut.”
“Although I love being a music producer, have composed and produced for many talented artists as well as most of my own music,” Aaron says, "sometimes it opens up new and rewarding possibilities for a producer to be produced, and I have two of the best on this CD. I am grateful to have both self-produced and composed songs as well as collaborations go to #1 on the Billboard Charts on this CD.”
The first #1 single from Color and Passion, “Groovers and Shakers,” a funky, very catchy but harmonically rich jam featuring Rahn’s signature “sax stacks,” almost didn’t happen. Another single was finished and ready to be sent to all of the radio stations with just a few weeks before “going for adds,” the beginning of a single’s radio campaign. “Just before I was preparing to leave for a family vacation, I received a great track with no melody from a very talented artist and producer with whom I had talked about working together for a long time, saxophonist Darren Rahn. I literally had minutes to record a guitar melody before we left, but Darren’s track was so good that it inspired a melody right way. I sent it to Darren and my radio promoter, they loved it, so we switched up singles at the last minute and the rest is history.”
Since “Groovers and Shakers” was so successful, Blake Aaron and Darren Rahn teamed up again with another #1 collaboration, “Drive,” the high-energy, pulsating smooth jazz theme song for your summer drive featuring Darren’s brother Jason Rahn on Flugelhorn.
Just weeks before Color and Passion was to be mastered and manufactured, Aaron teamed up with fellow hit guitarist and producer Adam Hawley for “Sunday Strut,” the uptempo, smooth jazz horn guru, David Mann’s brass infused bounce featuring long-time friend and frequent concert partner, legendary saxophonist, Najee.
There’s no denying the Vivid and diverse palette of Color on this CD created by Aaron’s love and lifetime experience with a wide array of musical styles, and certainly no escaping the intense fire and emotion of Passion created through his torrid, soulful and expressive guitar playing and compositions. This is especially evident and deeply felt on songs such as the title track, “Color and Passion,” a gorgeous, yearning, reflective and soul searching ballad that features Aaron on two guitar voices he doesn’t play often, nylon string and horn-like guitar synth.
“Having such a love for so many diverse musical styles and experiences has been mostly a blessing but also slightly a curse. A blessing because I have never been bored and have been on this wonderful journey both musically and personally that continues to unfold with new and exciting adventures, but only slightly a curse because I may have gotten to where I was going with my music and my personal life a little faster without so many twists, turns and detours in the road.”
Add to all this a very hip and funky horn laced original tribute to the Godfather of Soul, James Brown with “Godfather Brown,” a fiery Latin tune with “Riviera Nights,” a roots reggae jam with “Weekend in Paradise,” and the current Smooth Jazz Soca radio single, “Daylight,” and you have all of the rich, vibrant Color and dynamic Passion of Blake Aaron’s Color and Passion, the exciting new CD that is firmly rooted in smooth and contemporary Jazz, but not afraid to venture and explore into all of the wonderful musical possibilities that are a part of this lyrical and imaginative artist’s journey.
Blake Aaron Live In Concert
Blake Aaron Hi Res Promo Pics & Charts (Click to Expand)
Booking - Michael Brotten Infinity Artists (951) 216-5064
Booking - Michael Brotten Infinity Artists (951) 216-5064
Management - Keith Lawson W Entertainment (202) 277-0943
1. Fall For You
Written by Blake Aaron (BLAKE AARON MUSIC/BMI)
Produced by Blake Aaron
Blake Aaron: Guitars, Additional Keys, Production Programming
Tony Moore: Drums
Darryl Williams: Bass
Tateng Katindig: Piano and Keyboards
Mixed by Blake Aaron at
Blake Aaron Studios, Los Angeles, CA
2. Groovers and Shakers (Feat. Darren Rahn)
Written by Blake Aaron & Darren Rahn
(BLAKE AARON MUSIC/BMI, ODIPANTZ MUSIC/ASCAP)
Produced by Darren Rahn & Blake Aaron
Blake Aaron: Guitars, Additional Keys
Darren Rahn: Saxophones, Wurli, Synths, Programming
Mel Brown: Bass
Tarell Martin: Drums
Mixed by Darren Rahn at
The Litterbox, Denver, CO
3. Sunday Strut (Feat. Najee)
Written by Blake Aaron & Adam Hawley
(BLAKE AARON MUSIC/BMI, MBFENTERTAINMENT/ASCAP)
Produced by Adam Hawley
Blake Aaron: Guitars
Najee: Tenor & Soprano Saxophones
Eric Valentine: Drums
Mel Brown: Bass
Adam Hawley: Rhythm Guitar, Rhodes,
Strings, Organ, Programming
David Mann: Horn Arrangement, Saxophones
Trevor Neumann: Trumpet
Mixed by Adam Hawley
4. Drive
Written by Blake Aaron & Darren Rahn
(BLAKE AARON MUSIC/BMI, ODIPANTZ MUSIC/ASCAP)
Produced by Darren Rahn
Blake Aaron: Guitars, Additional Synth
Jason Rahn: Flugelhorn
Darren Rahn: Saxophones, Wurli, Rhodes,
Synths, Synth Bass, Programming
Tarell Martin: Drums
Mixed by Darren Rahn at
The Litterbox, Denver, CO
5. Vivid
Written by Blake Aaron (BLAKE AARON MUSIC/BMI)
Produced by Blake Aaron
Blake Aaron: Guitars, Additional Keys,
Drum & Production Programming
Hussain Jiffry: Bass
Rob Mullins: Piano and Keyboards
Scott Martin: Saxophone and Horn Arrangement
Stan Martin: Trumpet
Andy Martin: Trombone
Mixed by Blake Aaron at
Blake Aaron Studios, Los Angeles, CA
6. Color and Passion
Written by Blake Aaron (BLAKE AARON MUSIC/BMI)
Produced by Blake Aaron
Blake Aaron: Nylon String Guitar, Guitar Synth, Additional Keys, Production Programming
Luanne Homzy: Violin
Craig Sharmat: String Arrangements
and Virtual Strings
Tony Moore: Drums
Hussain Jiffry: Acoustic Upright and Electric Bass
Tateng Katindig: Piano
Mixed by Blake Aaron at
Blake Aaron Studios, Los Angeles, CA
7. Daylight
Written by Blake Aaron (BLAKE AARON MUSIC/BMI)
Produced by Blake Aaron
Blake Aaron: Guitars, Additional Keys, Production Programming
Kimaya: Vocals
Tony Moore: Drums
Darryl Williams: Bass
Tateng Katindig: Piano and Keyboards
Mixed by Blake Aaron at
Blake Aaron Studios, Los Angeles, CA
8. Riviera Nights
Written by Blake Aaron (BLAKE AARON MUSIC/BMI)
Produced by Blake Aaron
Blake Aaron: Guitars, Additional Keys, Production Programming
Tony Moore: Drums
Darryl Williams: Bass
Mike Whittaker: Piano
Mixed by Blake Aaron at
Blake Aaron Studios, Los Angeles, CA
9. Godfather Brown
Written by Blake Aaron (BLAKE AARON MUSIC/BMI)
Produced by Blake Aaron
Blake Aaron: Guitars, Additional Keys,
Drum & Production Programming
Hussain Jiffry: Bass
Rob Mullins: Piano
Mixed by Blake Aaron at
Blake Aaron Studios, Los Angeles, CA
10. Weekend in Paradise
Written by Blake Aaron (BLAKE AARON MUSIC/BMI)
Produced by Blake Aaron
Blake Aaron: Guitars, Additional Keys,
Drum & Production Programming
Darryl Williams: Bass
Mixed by Blake Aaron at
Blake Aaron Studios, Los Angeles, CA
11. Don’t You Worry 'Bout a Thing (Feat. Kim Scott)
Written by: Stevland Morris aka Stevie Wonder
(BLACK BULL MUSIC/JOBETE MUSIC)
Produced by Blake Aaron
Blake Aaron: Guitars, Additional Keys, Production Programming
Kim Scott: Flute
Ronnie Gutierrez: Percussion
Tony Moore: Drums
Mel Brown: Bass
Tateng Katindig: Piano
Lee Thornburg: Horn Arrangement,
Trumpet and Trombone
Mike Parlett: Saxophones
Mixed by Blake Aaron at
Blake Aaron Studios, Los Angeles, CA
All songs written by Blake Aaron except:
“Groovers and Shakers” and “Drive” written by Blake Aaron and Darren Rahn
“Sunday Strut” written by Blake Aaron and Adam Hawley
“Don’t You Worry 'Bout a Thing” written by Stevland Morris aka Stevie Wonder
Najee appears courtesy of Shanachie Records
Darren Rahn appears courtesy of Side 2 Music
All songs mastered by Steve Hall (FutureDiscSystems.com)
Tony Moore’s drum tracks recorded at Mike Parlett Studios, Los Angeles, CA (TalentedProductions.com)
Layout and Design by Robert McLain at the Sundial Agency (TheSundialAgency.com)
Photography by Dan Boissy (DanBoissy.com)
THANK YOU
And the amazing journey continues! Touring across the US and Europe playing for all of my long time and new friends, the end of a wonderful 7 year syndicated radio show (thank you Tina Anderson!), producing many more projects for a lot of amazing talent, a 7 year old boy, a 12 year old daughter, another new house (another move!) and a few bumps in the road later, here we go (finally!) with
Color and Passion, a long overdue CD that has all of the beautiful
Color of my life and all of it’s Passion poured into it.
I am once again blessed and grateful to be able to work and/or spend my life with these awesome people! Thank you! My beautiful wife Sina and my wonderful kids, I thank God for you every day, I love you. Mom, Rob, Brian and my family thank you so much for your love and support. Dad, you’re still always with me. Adam Leibovitz at ASL Music Media, there could not be a more devoted, invested radio promoter out there. Thank you for the #1’s! Couldn’t have done them without you! Steve Belkin at Innervision Records, thanks so much for your dedication, tireless hard work and comedic conference calls! Robert McLain at the Sundial Agency, besides being just about the coolest guy ever, you are all about making the artist shine and much of my “shine” is entirely due to you, thank you! Clay Pasternak at CPI and Symphonic Distribution thank you so much for always going the extra mile! Michael Brotten at Infinity Artists Group, your loyalty and dedication is off the charts. Thank you for always being in my corner! Najee, it is once again an honor to have your amazing musicianship on my record. It is always a privilege and a blast to perform on stage with you! Peter Vidmar and Suzan Smith, I will always be grateful for your faith and support.
Although I love being a music producer, have composed and produced for many talented artists as well as most of my own music, sometimes it opens up new and rewarding possibilities for a producer to be produced, and I have two of the best on this CD. Darren Rahn, what an honor to write 2 songs with you, have your unmistakable signature production talent on both and have both go #1 (“Drive” for all of 2019!). Adam Hawley, we’re just getting started, but you’re knockin' me out bro! Love your fresh ideas and your totally on the ball, professional production style. Looking forward to more! Craig Sharmat thanks once again for the beautiful string arrangements! You gave the title track of Color and Passion more of just that. Dan Boissy thanks for the great shots! You really captured the vibe of Color and Passion on “film.” Steve Hall, you always add the icing on the cake! Rick Scott, SmoothJazz.com, Allen Kepler and Art Good, thanks so much for helping me get the word out to all the friends and fans! To all the amazing musicians on this record Najee, Kim Scott, Darren Rahn, Kimaya, Tony Moore, Darryl Williams, Jason Rahn, Tateng Katindig, Rob Mullins, Mike Whittaker, Craig Sharmat, Adam Hawley, Hussain Jiffry, Eric Valentine, Tarell Martin, Lee Thornburg, Mike Parlett, Mel Brown, Ronnie Gutierrez, Scott Martin, Stan Martin, Andy Martin, David Mann, Trevor Neumann and Luanne Homzy, thanks so much for your brilliant musicianship and helping me to create an even more
Vivid Color and an even more intense Passion.
Innervision Records
InnervisionRecords.com
(818)72-GROOVE
Radio Promotion
Adam Leibovitz
ASL Music Media and Promotion
Booking
Michael Brotten
Infinity Artists Group
(951)216-5064
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Licensed and distributed in the USA. All Rights Reserved.
Unauthorized Duplication is a violation of applicable copyright laws.
