(September 9, 2025) - "I was blessed to have my mother with me," said Mariah Dawn (Hester) about signing a major record deal with SRG/ILS Group/Virgin Music/Universal Music Group. "Afterwards we had a praise party!"Mariah Dawn has been climbing her way to the very top of the music industry for a while now with featured artists on her singles that include Grammy winning Raheem DeVaughn ("Hold On Me" Act I and Act II), and her music videos appearing on BET Soul.

"That is my first and lead single from the new label," she told me when I asked about her current single "Pink Lemonade." "I was actually at a photoshoot for REVO Magazine out of Baltimore, Maryland. They gave me a box of self-care products...and one was Pink Lemonade. I tried it on...the scent caught my attention,"

And as they say, the rest is history. Her new single "Pink Lemonade" will be released September 19, 2025 on her new label SRG-ILS Group, distributed by Virgin Music/UMG. The single is from her upcoming Spring, 2026 debut EP release on the new imprint. Mariah Dawn started her music career at University Park Records. There she wrote and released "Material Girl" which reached the top of the Billboard Charts.

"I am actually working on it now," Mariah Dawn said when I asked about her debut EP on SRG-ILS. "I started a couple months ago. It's called ‘Love Phases.' It's about all the things you go through with love."

Singing since she was five years old in the church, Mariah Dawn is not new to this. She has performed in various shows in her hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana and is currently enrolled at a university, one of many steps she is taking on her journey to bigger things. Mariah Dawn is the artist to watch out for. @IAmMariah (Facebook)

Together Everette, Paul and Jeff have released five albums that have resulted in the trio becoming a multi-platinum selling act, with 50 #1 Contemporary Jazz radio hits. Amazing!

"Jeff will already have a ½ dozen songs," Harp laughed as we continued to talk about their recording process. "He stays in the studio. He can do both (record and perform). After I'm done (recording) I close the studio and start performing. He has been able to do both. When I'm in the studio I don't pick up the sax, I use the piano for melody."

All three iconic Jazz musicians came to the group as icons. Everette Harp has worked with Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, Billy Joel and Patti Labelle. Paul came in as a legend who has played for and collaborated with Michael Jackson ("Thriller"), Natalie Cole, Elton Johns, Quincy Jones and Whitney Houston. It was Paul's performance with Whitney that made him a focus of mine because I love musicians. I noticed his skills stood out and mirrored Whitney. Then I started seeing Paul backing other major acts and realized how iconic he must be! That is how I first noticed saxman Kirk Whalum, his performances backing Whitney Houston. Jeff Lorber, aside from collaborating with Miles Davis, helped to launch the career of Kenny G, who in his own right is an icon now.

"It's been 11 years and our fifth record. Six years with Paul," Everette added. "When Chuck (Loeb) was diagnosed, he was also a member of Fourplay. We only booked dates when he was available. But when he became ill, when we had dates booked, Paul would come in. So, he was the most likely choice because he has a name. That was an easy choice when Chuck passed. We took time to see if we even wanted to continue, but we decided to continue in Chuck's name."

That they do. Each time I interviewed one of the guys for the trio's projects they give Chuck praise for helping to launch the group. The name of the trio describes each guy's first love - Jazz, Funk and Soul. I have forgotten who loves which, but you can hear the variety on "Simpatico." The album's lead single is "Over Easy," that 10th single Harp talked about that is co-written by all three legends.  www.Shanachie.com www.OfficialJazzFunkSoul.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Dr. Eunice Moseley has an estimated weekly readership of over one million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Business Management/Public Relations Strategist and Consultant at Freelance Associates and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENTS: "Uplifting Minds II" Entertainment Conference (ULMII), founded by Eunice in 1999, is into its 26th year. Next events are coming to Baltimore via Zoom Saturday April 19, 2025, presented by Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times, and Los Angeles via Zoom Saturday, November 8, 2025. The ULMII event is a free entertainment conference offering a Professional Panel Q&A Session, a Professional Talent Showcase and National Talent Competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) where aspiring artists have a chance to receive over $20,000 valued in prizes/product/services. Log onto www.UpliftingMinds2.com RSVP for Zoom Access at EventBrite.com or email info@thepulseofentertainment.com.