I am Jive, I live in a small town beyond New Orleans where my soul beats through the soothing sounds that originated from God’s own. A real place beyond ‘Pieces of A Dream’,filled with ‘Good Love’a placethat will leave youSpellbound and Speechless. Today’s Weather Reportis good music and it is ‘Only A Matter of Time’before you get to know I live for days like this. I am poetry, I am bold, I am a shining light that over the years has spoken life through Bluey, LindaMuriel, Tony Momrelle, Joselyn Brown, Kelli Sae, Mo Brandis, Carleen Anderson, Pamela (PY) Anderson among others and today I am wearing ‘Positivity’ and ‘A Shade of Blue.’

I am the Rhythm and Blues that overwhelms you when you hear the resounding bass of Julian and Francis; the notes on the keyboards of Ski Oakenfull,Matt and Graham.Maysa, Andrian Fry, Chris Botti and Imaaniis still keeping our culture alive and Tony Remy is StillAFriend of Mine. Where Do We Go From?here, Beneath TheSurfaceor in the Deep Watersdefinitely it as to be a place of bliss like the sax of Paul Greenwood.

… HEROES DON’T WEAR CAPES, THEY SPEAK JAZZ TO YOUR SOUL …

For me, music is life; awakening different emotions in me and resonating the spirit of good vibe whenever I am down and need my soul to be lifted. Many a time I am mentally down and out but my spirit is rekindled through the sound of sweet jazz music from my speakers. My soul yearns for pure art and therefore always looking for a hero with cape to come save me but I finally figured there could be more than my thoughts and I just might have found the answers I am seeking. Thanks to the series of good albums dished out over the decades by the British Jazz and RnB band, Incognito.

There are two artists who over the years have put in there best to making the group a success that it is now and one of them is the iconic Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick. Popularly known as Bluey,the veteran jazz musicianis a prominent member of the iconic jazz and RnB outfit that have blessed our ears and playlist for decades. The prolific British guitarist and composer has dropped somesingles on his own like “You Are The One”, “Back HereAgain From Tinted Sky”, “Good Morning Sunrise” (featuring the sensational Maysa Leak), these are evergreen on our playlist. He is one of the pioneers of the group since its formation in 1979; the bandleader is a veteran to reckon with when it comes to jazz music with at least 16 studio albums with Incognito as well as a number of live albums.

Bluey has worked with a number of greats in music like Chaka Khan,Maxi Priest,Terry Callier, StevieWonder, and many more. The amazing music producer who has a rich archive of good music, performances, awards and achievements has mentored and produced songs for aspiring acts all over the world committing himself to helping unsigned acts; keeping their dreams alive. Bluey have grown into one of the greats and the best to ever do it. With solo albums like “Leap of Faith” which was his first solo album that was released in 2013 and “Life Between The Notes”that was released in 2015,since then Bluey has been feeding the soul with his pure undiluted music. Bluey has blended the club-infused soul-jazz sounds that made him famous with the sensibility of an elder statesman, which he is.

Another amazing talent that has always been part of the band Incognito is the sensational vocalist and song writerMaysa Leak. Maysa is a gem with a golden voice, the singer, song writer and record producer is an exceptional Jazz, RnB and soul musician who has ascended throughout the years to become a one word household name.

Born and bred in Baltimore, Maryland, the captivating musician seeded her career as early as 6 years old when she determined she was going to be singer, a renowned one at that. From performing in the choir and musical theater productions to becoming one of the greatest Jazz and soul musicians to the grace the mic, Maysa has been passionate about her art. Under the direction of the late Nathan Carter; she performed as a member of the world-famous Morgan State University Choir.

Life accelerated for Maysa when she met the extraordinary performer Stevie Wonder during a college performance in Baltimore. She has had a very successful solo career earning herself a series of personal awards on the road to greatness including the Soul Train Music Award for the best Independent RnB and Soul performance for her 2013 song “Love Me Good.” She was recommended toIncognito by producer Steve Harveywho was a mutual friend with the band leader Jean-Paul“Bluey”Maunick. Maysa moved to London and joined the band in time to record the 1992 album Scribes, Tribes and Vibes which included the hit single “Don’t You Worry ‘Bouta Thing.” She also recorded on the 1993 album ‘Positivity’ with Incognito before returning to Baltimore in 1994 to record her first solo album, ‘Maysa’.

Maysa has always been a hardworking artist both with the band and individually and thus gaining recognition more in the UK where she was more appreciated. For over two decades, Maysa has continued to pour her heart in her music delivering stellar sonic performances over and over again.

Over the years these musicians have selflessly contributed to keeping the jazz music alive and feeding thirsty fans and lovers of good music with songs to relish on. The heart will continue to draw its strength from good music and the mind drawing its knowledge from the words of wisdom from pure lyrics. Music is a universal language that connects effortlessly with its listener and as such has an impact on the listener bringing a sort of bliss. Heroes don’t wear capes; but some are heard in a tongue of jazz through selfless creatives like Bluey and Maysa who have dedicated their lifetime, collectively and individually in making good music for their listeners and creating a legacy for both themselves, and the band Incognito.