The Pulse of Entertainment: Jazz
Pianist Mark Adams Releases ‘This is Neo-Soul' Album in Honor of the Legacy of Roy Ayers; Single ‘Open Letter'
Released From Roy Ayers Music Director Mark Adams is From His 18th Solo Album
"I was his music director," said
Mark Adams about working with the late Roy Ayers when I asked during our interview for his new single
"Open Letter" from his newest album "This is Neo-Soul" (DownJazz Records)
- which covers four Roy Ayers hits. "(The cover songs) Same vibe but I added a little update to make it danceable to
keep his legacy alive."
Adams, a pianist
and arranger, was music director for the late Roy Ayers for 20 years during his tours. Ayers tour band was called Ubiquity.
Roy Ayers' notable hits include "Everybody Loves the Sunshine" and "What You Won't Do For Love." Roy Ayers
released 33 albums and six live albums in his lifetime. He garnered the Lifetime Achievement Award and was considered the
"godfather of Neo-Soul."
I asked
Mark if there were any challenges to being music director for a legend like Roy Ayers and he said, "Nothing really. I
was...allowed...to be myself. If he like it, he... <Read the full April 10, 2026 column here...>
The Pulse of Entertainment: Rising Star Awardee Makenzie Phipps Releases ‘Whiskey Kills the Time'
Single from Her Upcoming ‘Pick Your Poison' EP
"My husband wrote it," said NBC's "The Voice" contestant
Makenzie Phipps (Season 28) about her new single "Whiskey Kills the Time" (Warner
Records). "It's for whiskey drinkers. We recorded it years back."
The Bluefield, Virginia native who received a key to the city, the "Outstanding
Citizen Award" and a "Makenzie Phipps Day" on December 6, 2025, said the new single "Whiskey Kills the
Time" is from her upcoming EP "Pick Your Poison."
"All my alcohol songs are on it," laughed the Southern Women in Film & Television
Summit "Rising Star Award" honoree.
Phipps,
who was noted as the "Future Star of Tomorrow" by the North American Country Music International Association, said
she aways wrote drinking songs because that's what Country singers do.
Grammy Award Winning Norman Brown Releases New
Album 'Authentically Norman' on Shanachie Entertainment
(New York NY) - The Grammy Award winning Atlanta-based Jazz guitarist Norman Brown recently
released his anticipated new album, "Authentically Norman" on Shanachie Entertainment. The album
features 11 sterling originals and collaborations with Wirlie Morris (Charlie Wilson, Keith Sweat, Boyz II Men, etc.), label-mate
Paul Brown (George Benson, Luther Vandross, and Boney James, etc.), and Shane Theriot (Hall & Oates, The Neville Brothers
and Beyoncé, etc.). On the "Authentically Norman" project he crafts the ultimate sonic companion for moments
of celebration, reflection, rejuvenation, inspiration and romance.
A musician's musician, Norman Brown has collaborated with George Benson as well as countless
others including Dave Koz, Brian McKnight, Kirk Whalum, Miki Howard, Jeff Lorber, Gerald Albright, Rick Braun, Peabo Bryson,
and Chanté Moore.
Monique Nikkole graces top Billboard, iTunes &
Amazon charts; releases fun, funky "We Are One" video on Hip Hop Since 1987
(New York, NY) - Grammy Award nominated R&B artist Monique Nikkole,
who has graced the top chart positions on Billboard, iTunes, and Amazon, announces the release of the music video for her
single "We Are One." Monique is also working on her next EP, "Enigmatic," set for release
this year, which will feature her singles "Red Bottoms and Lingerie," "Queen of the Hustle," "If
What I Feel Is Real," and the most recent "We Are One." All under her CoCo Tunes Publishing INC label.
"Uplifting Minds II" Entertainment Conference - (562)-424-3836
The Pulse of Entertainment
Broadcasting Vol2
SPOTLIGHT of THE WEEK
"ULMII ENTERTAINMENT CONFERENCE's
TWO VIRTUAL STAGES"
(Baltimore, MD) - Performance slots are still
open at the 27th annual Baltimore "Uplifting Minds II" (ULMII) Entertainment Conference's Professional Showcase
and ULMII International Talent Competition to be held Saturday April 18, 2026, between 1-3pmEST/10-12noonPST.
Performance will be virtual, powered by Zoom. The ULMII Professional Showcase will be acts signed to independent record labels,
agencies or management companies and the ULMII International Talent Competition is open to singers, songwriters, dancers and
actors. Only 10 acts will perform during the ULMII Entertainment Conference, but not all who inquire get on the virtual stage
be in the line-up. The top three scored acts, by the ten entertainment industry panelists/judges, will receive the 2026 ULMII
Best Act Award, over $20,000 valued in free services and cash prizes! The ULMII Entertainment Conference will be hosted by
Dr. Doresa Harvey, a multi-Stellar Award nominated radio personality formerly at iHeart and Radio One.
There will be ten judges for the ULMII International Talent Competition.
Those entertainment professionals include Picturesque Records' 3-time Billboard Chart-Topper Robin Simone
(Robin Simone's Hollywood Orchestra); film producer/director Dwayne Buckle of 360 Sound and Vision ("Great
Mysteries of Akhenaten" streaming at TUBI); EURweb.com publisher Dr. Lee Bailey (RadioScope); More Than
a Fraction's Dr. Kerri Moseley-Hobbs (Anthony-Michael.com); NAKIO Records artist Aaron Akins ("When
Do We Love"); opening act for Kurrupt and Trina - rapper/music producer Lil Hyste ("Up," "Ghetto
Children"); Xyla Records singer/songwriter/guitarist Michele Vreeland (songwriting credit - "American
Idol"); Imagination Lunchbox, LLC's Anthony Michael Hobbs (Imagination Lunchbox International Children's
& Adults' Film Fest); artist development specialist/A&R Nadiyah Kareem (Super Star Entertainment),
and radio host/author/pastor/motivational speaker Dr. Winston Grier (The W.O.R.D. Podcast on Spotify).
The "Uplifting Minds II" Entertainment Conference is
free to the public and admission can be obtained via Zoom with an RSVP submitted at EventBrite.com or by emailing info@thepulseofentertainment.com. Anyone interested in performing via Zoom during the Professional Showcase or
the International Talent Competition can email info@thepulseofentertainment.com or register and see if you qualify at www.upliftingminds2.com/registration.html.
