The Pulse of Entertainment 2020 Archives

January 3, 2020

The Pulse of Entertainment: NBC's ‘Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist,' Airs Pilot January 7, 2020

By Eunice Moseley

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(January 3, 2020) - "January 7, Sunday their going to drop the pilot and a little over a month later their going to start the regular time slot in February - Sundays at 9pm.," said Peter Gallagher at the NBC Press Lunch Mixer about the new series he is starring in, "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist." The comedy/musical airs its pilot Tuesday January 7, 2020 at 10/9c Then on February 16th it airs regularly on Sundays at 9/8c. "It's kind of a great show."

The series follows Zoey, played by Jane Levy ("Castle Rock"), a computer coder who suddenly develops the ability to hear what people are thinking and feeling, which comes in the form of popular songs. She finds out however that this ability allows her to understand what her father Mitch, played by Peter Gallagher ("Grace and Frankie"), who is paralyzed and can't speak, is thinking and feeling.

"She's walking down the street and suddenly she hears ‘Help, I need somebody, Help, not just anybody, help' and all a sudden people started singing ‘Help!'," said Gallagher about what viewers can expect when they tune in on January 7th.

Aside from the classic Beatles hit "Help" viewers can expect to see dancers and hear more classics. Emmy nominated Mandy Moore (Tangled) is the choreographer/producer of the musical numbers, and Grammy and Golden Globe nominated Harvey Mason, Jr. ("The Living Proof"/The Help) is the executive music producer.

"I play her dad who has a terrible disease. I can not talk and can not move, but because of this gift his little girl has now she finds a way to understand what I'm feeling," Peter explained.

Peter has had an extraordinary life as an actor. His extensive credits include "Guiding Light" (1979), "Private Eye" (1987), "Fallen Angels" (1993), "Titanic" (1996), "Homicide: Life of the Street" (1998), "The Secret Lives of Men" (1999), "The O.C." (2007), "Californication" (2009), "Covert Affairs" (2014), "The Gifted" (2019) and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2019). Gallagher's credits also include roles in musicals on Broadway, which include "The Real Thing" (1984), "Long Days Journey into Night" (1986), and "Guys and Dolls" (1992).

"All the musicals I did, I get to do a little of that here too," he pointed out.

"Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist" is produced by Lionsgate and Universal Television and also stars Lauryn Graham as Joan, Zoey's boss; Alex Newell as Mo, Zoey's musical advisor; Mary Steenburgen as Maggie, Zoey's mother; Michael Thomas Grant, John Clarence Stewart, Skylar Astin, Jenina Moreno, Lisa Marie Anderson and Andrew Leeds. www.NBC.com/Zoeys-extraordinary-playlist

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: Eunice is founder of the annual "Uplifting Minds II" Entertainment Conference (ULMII), into its 20th year. Next event dates include Los Angeles Saturday, November 9, 2019 at the Los Angeles Convention Center (511) and Baltimore Saturday April 18, 2020, held in partnership with Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times. The free conference offers an Entertainment Business Panel and a Talent Showcase and Competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes to selected artists. Log onto www.UpliftingMinds2.com for more information or to participate as a panelist or talent call 562-424-3836.

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January 10, 2020

The Pulse of Entertainment: 20th Century Fox's Underwater Sci-Fi Will Have You Jumping

By Eunice Moseley

(January 10, 2020) - The 20th Century Fox presentation of Underwater will have you jumping out of your seats with the horror that the unknown can bring. Underwater stars MTV Movie Award winning Kristen Stewart (The Twilight Saga) as one of a deepwater drilling crew suddenly attacked by the unknown after an earthquake. So many things go wrong for them at such a depth is the climax and it's what keeps you in your seat when the thriller makes you jump. Underwater arrives in theatres January 10, 2020.

Directed by William Eubank, Underwater offers outstanding performances by all as they try survive. It also stars Jessica Henwick (Game of Thorns/"Luke Cage"); Vincent Cassel (Oceans 12 & 13/Jason Borne); Tony Award winning John Gallagher Jr. ("The Newsroom"); Mamoudou Athie (TBS' "The Detour"/"The Get Down"); Gunner Wright (J. Edgar/G. I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra), and T. J. Miller (HBO's "Silicon Valley/Deadpool). Rated PG-13 Underwater is a Chernin Entertainment Production. Producers include Peter Chernin, Tonia Davis and Jenino Topping. www.FoxMovies.com/movies/underwater

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January 17, 2020

The Pulse of Entertainment: Band Leader Chillie Willie Groove is an Unconventional Percussionist

By Eunice Moseley

(January 17, 2020) - "I have a CD coming out...along with performances in Arizona with George Benson," said Percussionist Willie Portela, known on stage as Chillie Willie Groove, when I asked what was happening.

He invited me to a performance, which I attended for review, at the Historic Dunbar Hotel's Delicious Restaurant in Los Angeles to hear his Chillie Willie Groove Band. What I saw was a generous and very professional band leader and what I heard was an unconventional percussionist. He used so many instruments and surfaces I thought about myself - I have a habit of drumming on anything. He was also very entertaining as he cheered the audience on to join him in rhythm.

Willie is a very experienced percussionist who still shares his art with the community at his own expense to inspire other artists - all the qualities of an icon. He even has his own trade mark look that sets him apart. Willie has the talent honestly, being the son of a Latin percussionist. He makes it clear though that he writes music too and not just Latin music, but R&B and Jazz too.

"I have 67 songs on ReverbNation - it's the #1 music site," Willie informed me.

That day at the Historic Dunbar the Chillie Willie Groove Band performed like they were performing on the Grammy Awards before millions of people. The members of the Chillie Willie Groove Band were seasoned professionals and icon musicians, such as icon Art Webb (Prince/Stanley Clark/Norman Connors) on flute; Malik Alkabir on sax; Benji Torres on upright bass; Onier Bacallo on trumpet, Joseph Gomez as an additional percussionist, and Gustavo Rodriguez on piano. Willie's band also has a singer, Elisa Gomez Taylor and Nick Mancini on vibes, but they weren't there that day.

"I'm going to my 2nd audition with ‘America Got Talent,'" he added excitedly.

Willie Groove performs all the time and everywhere and with his entertaining style he should make it to living legend status soon. He has a story that goes like this, his mother claims he was drumming in her womb and she was right. He grew up to perform as a percussionist with Spyro Gyra, Tower of Power, Poncho Sanchez, Bootsy Collins Angela Bofill and George Benson. He has played on many tours that have taken him all around the world like France. You can see some of his performance that day at https://youtu.be/cYj-4Cnk590. You can also follow Willie on Facebook @ChillieWillieGroove.

January 21, 2020

The Pulse of Entertainment: Platinum Songwriter M'Jestie's Rebirth Evokes ‘III', Debut Vocal Album

By Eunice Moseley

(January 21, 2020) - "When it's powerful enough to bring me to my knees...the change came. A Spiritual shift," said multi-platinum selling songwriter Alisha Brooks, known in the industry as M'Jestie, about rededicating her life to the belief in Christ. M'Jestie recently released a solo vocal debut album titled "III" and at this time she has released three singles from that project "Take Me to the Moon," "All Away," and "True." "I got to the top without God. I was rich and not happy. Then I had the ‘come to Jesus' moment."

M'Jestie took the advice of a friend and relocated from New Jersey to Virginia to take songwriting seriously. Through circumstance she wrote a song for the iconic Rihanna, "Pon de Replay." Not only was she able to write a song for the singer, but the song became one of Rhianna's single releases, and the single reached multi-platinum status. The "Pon de Replay" single peaked at #1 on U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs Chart and #2 on U.S. Hot Billboard Chart.

M'Jestie said the name of her album "III" started out with one meaning and ended up with another meaning - the Trinity. The Trinity stands for The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit - God. A New Jersey native with Blues, Jazz and Hip-Hop influences M'Jestie has also written songs for or worked with Victoria Beckham, Dame Dash and P. Diddy. As a vocalist M'Jestie worked with producer Calvin Merazh to find the sound of her voice. Singing is what she initially wanted to do, but the standard "business" of the industry turned her off. Her rebirth has given her the strength to endure as she releases her solo debut album, "III." www.MJestie.com

January 24, 2020

The Pulse of Entertainment: NBCUniversal Announces Surprises and New Programming in 2020

By Eunice Moseley

(January 24, 2020) - I attended the NBCUniversal Television Critics Association (TCA) Press Conference announcing surprises on returning programs this season and new programming to premiere next season. In a large hall in The Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, California journalists gathered and were shown clips of some of the programming for review. We also had a chance to question cast members and executive producers of programming that have recently premiered on NBC.

"We have the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo," added Paul Telegdy, NBC Entertainment's Chairman. In 2024 ‘The New World' (a nature series)...we believe NBC programs...bring about change."

Returning shows include "The Kelly Clarkson Show," Ellen's "Greatest Night of Giveaways" and "Game of Games" game shows; "The Voice" with Nick Jonas replacing Adam Levine; Steve Harvey returns to host Ellen's "Little Big Shots" showcasing remarkable young people, and Jennifer Lopez' "World of Dance" returns with Neyo.

Of the scripted new programs for next season on NBC they include "The Kenon Show," a family comedy of "Saturday Night Live"'s Kenon Thompson; "New Amsterdam," a medical drama that stars Ryan Eggold (The Blacklist"); "The Young Rock," a sitcom based on the childhood life of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and "That's My Jam" with Jimmy Fallon hosting, a celebrity game show.

"We pitched it to NBC and at the end all jaws dropped and hands raised and here we are (11 episodes)," said Dwayne about his show "The Young Rock." "You're going to find young Rock creating havoc in Hawaii...we are evicted off the island. Move to Nashville where I'm still creating havoc. Wrestling...at $40 a match helped shape me."

Everybody's favorite bubbly television personality Fran Dresher returns to the television screen with the new scripted comedy series "Indebted." "Indebted" is based on the life of the parents of Co-Executive Producer Dan Levy. The series follows him at the age where his kids are finally out of the house and suddenly his elderly parents surprise him by moving in.

"It's loosely based on their situation. The chemistry and electric relationships...it's nice to watch. My parents are funny. I asked what their retirement plan was...and my mom said we're coming to California to live with you."

"I'm glad my fans fell in love with my voice," said Fan about being asked to return to television to play Dan's Jewish mother.

"Indebted" also stars Steven Weber as his father, and Adam Polly and Abby Elliott as him and his wife. "Indebted," will premier on NBC February 6, 2020 at 9:30pm.

Another new scripted program for NBC is "Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector" based on the "best selling" novel the "The Bone Collector." It stars Russell Hornsby as a detective on the case who was paralyzed in the process. Now he must bring in an help, played by Arielle Kibble as a street cop asked to play detective and help Lincoln Rhyme - be him in the field as they work step by step in finding the serial-killer.

"We work with the NYPD," said Arielle. "We have them on the set with us."

"Lincoln Rhyme" premiered January 10th and airs on Fridays at 8 pm.

"Council of Dads" is a drama based on the biographical book by Bruce Feeler. It details how he enlisted other Dads to help him, as a single father, to raise five children. The dramatic series, "Council of Dads," premiers on NBC on March 31, 2020 at 9pm.

The crime drama "Briarpatch" starring Rosario Dawson ("Luke Cage") premieres February 6, 2020 at 10pm only on USA Network and NBC app.

More scripted programs that returned to NBC stations in January included the drama "Manifest," the comedy/drama "This Is Us," the musical drama/comedy "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist," the sci-fi comedy "Resident Alien," and the unscripted "Biggest Looser." www.NBCUniversal.com

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January 28, 2020

The Pulse of Entertainment: The Mighty Men of Faith to Release Inspiring Live Album February 21, 2020
By Eunice Moseley

(January 28, 2020)- "We didn't know they were recording," said Wendell Basey, co-founded of the vocal Contemporary Gospel group The Mighty Men of Faith about their performance at the Valley Christian School in San Jose, California. "They ‘googled' looking for a Gospel group in the Bay area and our name came up. The Chaplain of the school listened to us and said these guys are good."

The Mighty Men of Faith sang for an hour straight for the Valley Christian middle school students and with a break sang another hour for the high school students. They selected seven songs they felt young people would enjoy and I think they did an excellent job. The songs they selected combined the Word of God with Contemporary sounds and phrases like "pump, pump, pump, pump it up" and delivers it in a Contemporary Jazz form. They mastered the recording by the school of the performances and will release it as "The Mighty Men of Faith Live at Valley Christian" (Baysco) on February 21, 2020.

"They even gave us 5-6 minutes for a sermon to students about friendship," Basey informed me.

The Mighty Men of Faith member Rev. Ed Harris gave the sermon on friendship.

"Well, I talked about what the Bible said...that God would open doors," Rev. Harris said. "That's what all of us want, to be in a place of friendship. I talked about Abraham being a friend of God, He trusted God...he leaned on Him...no matter what. God looks at the heart."

Aside from Wendell and Edward, members of The Mighty Men of Faith include actor/singer Charles Johnson and Rev. Richard Hayes - son of Rev. Ed. Harris. Johnson replaced co-founding member Malvin Scott who pasted-away and Rev. Hayes replaced co-founding member William Carswell who left for a solo project.

The Mighty Men of Faith has a grass-roots sound, almost raw in nature, with harmony as the thing that sticks out for me - that street corner harmony I was raised on. Of "The Mighty Men of Faith Live at Valley Christian" selections offered my favorites include #1 "Magnify His Holy Name" because of the harmony and its Praise & Worship feel; #2 "Believe in His Promises" because of the guitar work by Neil Castro and the electric keyboard sounds by Prince Damon and the vocals are almost like they are rapping bring that Hip-Hop feel to it, which is great for youth; #3 "Clean Up" because it's a great Praise & Worship song for kids, almost like a lullaby; #4 "Now I'm New" because it's a sweet and simple testimony of thanks; #5 "Power of We" because I love how they combine traditional with modern music making it great for kids and the harmony is tight too; #6 "A Friend of God" because its another wonderful Praise & Worship song, and #7 "This Joy" because it's a nice Contemporary Jazz number that has a twist of the Hip-Hop culture. I think I basically said the whole album is worthy of praise! Other musicians on the project aside from Castro on lead guitar and Damon on keyboard, are Cierra Davis on drums and Vernon Hall on bass. www.MightyMenofFaith.com

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January 31, 2020

The Pulse of Entertainment: Steve Oliver and Brian Simpson's ‘Unified' CD is Sexy and Inspiring

By Eunice Moseley

(January 31, 2020) - "He'd do the melody...I'd do the chorus. It's like that on every song," said Guitarist Steve Oliver about the new album, "Unified," he just released on the Shanachie imprint with Jazz pianist Brian Simpson. They take turns and then reverse it - one plays the chorus and the other the melody - on each song making the delivery fresh and unusual. Like a mix of two of the same song. "We both love electronic dance music (EDM)...we added some of those techniques...with live instruments. It's a nice sound."

On "Unified" Steve and Brian get assistance from Alex Al on bass, Eric Valentine on drums and Ramon Yslas on percussion. Featured guests on the project include Rick Braun on trumpet, Larry Antonio on bass and Darrel Crooks on guitar. Both Oliver and Simpson produced the project with Shanachie Entertainment's Vice President of Jazz and A&R Danny Weiss as executive producer.

"We were thinking about a band project with me and Brian in charge. The band was actually called Unified," said Oliver about the name of the album. "Shanachie wanted our names to be prevalent...we understood."

Brian and Steve unified in an orderly manner on the "Unified" album, which I believe is a sexy and inspiring piece of work. Steve started his solo career in 1999. His 2004 album release featured producing extraordinaire Harvey Mason. His fifth album released was in 2010 and it premiered his vocal abilities on three singles. His eighth album release, in 2016, featured his vocals too but on every song. His heavenly vocals are on some of the songs on "Unified" as well.

Based in Los Angeles, the #1 hit making keyboardist Brian Simpson started his solo career in 2005 when he released his debut album. That year he earned a #1 Jazz hit and in 1991 he co-wrote a #1 Pop song for Surface. In 2010 his solo album release reached #1 on charts and his 2013 album release offered a single that also reached #1 on the Jazz charts. Simpson also serves as music director for Dave Koz - it has been 20 years.

"I been co-producer on his albums," Steve said about how he got into a collaboration which such a Jazz living legend. "We really do great work together. He said, ‘Let's do a collaboration?" I said, ‘Absolutely.' We really enjoy each other and work well together. I was so happy."

My favorite selections on the "Unified" album include the #1 title track "Unified" that has Steve and Brian taking turns on the chorus and melody giving it a Jazz/Soul feel. The #2 song "The Road Never Ends" you can almost hear someone singing though there are no vocals and I love the charms ringing in the background making it an uplifting and inspiring song. I also like #3 "What the Wind Knows" because it has a Latin vibe that makes the single almost sexy. On #4 "Fired Up" I was pleasantly surprised by the horns of Rick Braun and the percussions by Ramon are hot. The #7 "The Way Home" track is a favorite because it has a sweet, angelic and uplifting vibe. The #8 selection "Celestial Body" is a nice traditional Funky/Jazz single with piano playing that gave me visions of ballerinas dancing around then changing into tap dancers. The piano playing by Brian on #10 "A Distant Love" is almost like the keys are singing with the beautiful background vocals of Steve making it so sexy and oh so jazzy. My last favorite selection on the "Unified" album is #11 "And Then You Loved Me", because it is a very, very sweet song, with a Latin vibe - thanks to the guitar playing - and it has a jazzy feel because of the keys. As you can see, by my standards, there is a lot to love on the "Unified" album release of Steve Oliver and Brian Simpson. www.Shanachie.com

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February 4, 2020

The Pulse of Entertainment: Violinist Traliece B. Steps Out on Faith with the Release of Two Singles
By Eunice Moseley

(February 4, 2020) - "I have been playing since I was eight...all my life. I tried other instruments. I come from a family of musicians," said Violinist Traliece Bradford, known on stage as Traliece B., about her skills. Traliece's last gig was playing for the Masquite Symphony Orchestra, which received a Grammy nomination for their 2009 album release while she was there. "It wasn't until...2011...God told me to step down. I was totally content and happy in the Orchestra. It wasn't too long until I rededicated my life to Christ."

Traliece created a record label, Wild Jehu Music, which was picked up by Devine Jamz Gospel Network. She later released two Christian singles, which she also sings on, titled "Forever Love" and "Nobody Knows." Her vocal ability is just a brilliant as her violin skills, projecting an exotic sound.

"My only thing is to release singles every couple of months," said Traliece when I asked her if she planned to release an album. "He (God) said to develop my own sound."

She said since rededicating her life to Christ she does what she feels He wants her to do, "I do have a third. Three more being mixed and mastered...I am going back into the studio to do three more. "

I told her it looks like God is putting together a full album for her to release. On February 15, 2020 Traliece will perform at the Frisco School of Music and I am sure she will be playing her new singles. Based in Dallas and a Business Manager at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Bradford started out playing violin for the New Orleans Youth Symphony Orchestra, then the Red Valley Symphony Orchestra in Virginia and last with the Masquite Symphony Orchestra. Her background and training was in Classical, Pop and Jazz. Her singles sound a bit Pop/Jazz giving them and her voice a fresh sound. www.WildJehuMusic.com www.DevineJamz.net/Traliece-B

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February 7, 2020

he Pulse of Entertainment: Michael League's Bokante' Band Performs at the Weinberg Center Feb 28, 2020

By Eunice Moseley

(February 7, 2020) - "The band leader shares the concept...the band sets the tone," said three-time Grammy Award winning Jazz, Gospel and R&B musician Michael League. He has several bands, his latest band is called Bokante' and they will be performing Friday, February 28, 2020 at the Weinberg Center for the Arts in Fredericks, Maryland - curtain opens at 8pmET. When asked what can attendees expect to hear at the Bokante' concert Michael said, "It will be a mixture from both records."

The Grammy nominated Bokante' (meaning "exchange" in Antillean Creole) ensemble consist of Michael (bass, guitar, keyboards), Roosevelt Collier (guitar), Chris McQueen (guitar), Bob Lenzetti (guitar), Andre' Ferrari (percussion), Jamey Haddard (percussion), Keita Ogawa (percussion), and Caribbean vocalist Malika Tirolien. Malika sings in Creole and French and the bands' tone is that of Electric Blues/Caribbean AfroPop. Their two album releases Michael talks about are titled "Strange Circles" and "What Heat."

A Long Beach, California native, League's first band is called Snarky Puppy. The garnered the three Grammy Awards. He formed that Jazz band while a freshman at University of North Texas in 2004. They are based in New York. He later went on to perform as an instrumentalist for or with Kirk Franklin, Walter Hawkins, Marvin Sapp and Israel Houghton. Michael also formed the Texas/NY based band Forq with keyboardist Henry Hey in 2012. He is a regular member of Erykah Badu's band The Gritz and is the current music director for David Crosby, founder of Crosby, Stills & Nash. Michael recently toured with Crosby for his 2018 "Lighthouse Tour." Michael League has also recorded with Lalah Hathaway, Michael McDonald and Esperanzo Spalding. Michael formed the Bokante' ensemble in 2016. In 2019 their received a Grammy nomination, "Best World Music Album," for their latest album "What Heat."

"I was writing... I'm always writing music...and I noticed a lot of it was different and didn't fit with my other bands. I decided to create another band," said Michael League as to why he put together another band when he already had two. "Same concept but not fitting...I got a bunch of guys together to allow them to do their thing."

On the Grammy nomination recently received by the band Bokante' Michael said, "I don't think about it very often to be honest. It's not as important to me then other things. It's like being voted very popular in school. Not a milestone but incredibility helpful and a blessing. It gave a lot of opportunities to the band, and to us individually"

Michael League owns the GroundUP Music League label. www.Bokante.com www.SnarkyPuppy.com www.ForqMusic.com www.WeinbergCenter.org

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February 11, 2020

The Pulse of Entertainment: Special EFX 'All Stars' Album Featuring Chieli Minucci is a Masterpiece

By Eunice Moseley

(February 11, 2020) - "The thing about this record that's different is I get to play with people that travel with me on the road, I wrote it with them in mind," said Grammy nominated Chieli Minucci, a Contemporary Jazz guitarist, about his new album February 14, 2020, Valentine's Day, release titled "All Stars" (Trippin N Rhythm Records) by his band Special EFX Featuring Chieli Minucci.

The Special EFX band features the vocals of Maysa Leak on the Hendrix cover "Little Wings". The band consist of Lionel Cordew on drums; Jay Rowe on grand piano/keyboards; Jerry Brooks on bass; David Mann on sax and flute; Regina Carter on violin; Lao Tizer on grand piano/keyboard; Mino Cinelu on percussion; Tatum Greenblatt on trumpet; Gerald Veasley on bass; Eric Marienthal on sax; Fernando Saunders on fretless bass; Steve Adelson on the Chapman stick; Joel Rosenblatt on drums; Antoine Silverman on violin; Lin Roundtree on trumpet; Mike Davis on trombone, and Nelson Rangell on sax.

"I have a lot of horns, so I wrote for them," Chieli said. "I'm pretty grass-roots with the people I'm close with. "I kept some sounds of Special EFX. People know that comes from us. What is new is the big bass tunes. We stay true to what we were in the late 80s."

"All Stars" is the group's 21st project. They are currently on tour promoting the new "All Star" album which arrives February 13th at Yoshi's in Oakland, CA; the 15th at Spaghettini's in Seal Beach, CA (where I will be); the 18th at Blues Alley in Washington, DC; the 19th at Middle C Jazz in Charlotte, NC, and continuing the rest of February and March - ending April 11th at The Cutting Room in New York, NY.

In reviewing the "All Star" release by Special EFX Featuring Chieli Minucci my favorites cuts on the album include #1 "Mr. Marzipan" because it has just the right flow and I love the way Chieli plays the guitar and David plays the sax - they sing. I also like #3, the first single "Hanky Panky Boys" because the organ skills seem to be taking you to church and I love the "go go" feel thanks to the drums. The #4 selection "Little Wings," the Jimmy Hendrix cover, because the vocals of Maysa captures you, but the Hendrix influenced guitar playing and the sax pulls you all the way in. The #5 song "Empathy" is a masterpiece because of the perfect mixture of the guitar, the sax and the vocals of Fernando. The #7 track "Arise" is short, but its sweet, almost Classical sounding and I love the end with the violin sounding likes it's on its way to Heaven, and last #9 "Sweet Memories of You", which just has Chieli on guitar, is simply heavenly. www.ChieliMusic.com www.SpecialEFXMusic.com

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February 14, 2020

The Pulse of Entertainment: Grammy Nominated Keyboardist Gail Jhonson Releases ‘Joy, Joy' Single, Prelude to ‘Jazz in Pink' Album

By Eunice Moseley

(February 18, 2020) - "It's not complete. I just released the first single. I'm working on two more tracks now with Paul Jackson, Jr.," said Grammy nominated keyboardist Gail Jhonson about her solo project, "Jazz in Pink" (Shanachie Entertainment) due out this summer. Her label recently released the first single titled "Joy, Joy," featuring Kim Waters on sax.

Gail is the music director for famed Grammy winning guitarist Norman Brown. Her personal band is named Jazz in Pink, which is where the titled of the new album comes from.

"I have been working with Norman at least 20 years," Gail added. "I've written and produced my own thing since 2004."

Jhonson, a Philadelphia native, said that it was Norman Brown that hooked-her-up with his label Shanachie through Danny Weiss, the Vice President of Jazz and A&R.

"I'm debuting on Shanachie, but I started my career in 2004 with ‘Its About Time.' Then ‘Keep the Music Playing," and "Pearl' in 2009 - got the Grammy nomination," she told me.

Gail was a prodigy; she started performing professionally as a keyboardist at the age of 14. She earned a Bachelors Degree from Berklee College of Music and made herself a permanent presence in the Jazz circuit in Los Angeles. This allowed her to collaborate with legendary performers like Bobby Womack, Janet Jackson, Pink, Morris Day, Sheila E., Ray Parker Jr., Peabo Bryson and Patti Austin. She is fluent, as a musician, in Jazz (Smooth), R&B, Funk and Gospel.

"Jazz in Pink" will be her sixth solo project and her first project on the Shanachie imprint. The single debuted on the "Top 30 Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart."

"I'm diffidently looking for a Grammy Award," she said, smilingly. "And the way things are going...their playing it all over the world. I said, ‘Well, look at that.' I like the record, didn't know everyone else would." www.Shananchie.com www.GailJhonson.com

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February 18, 2020

The Pulse of Entertainment: Academy Award Winning Harrison Ford Is All About Telling the Story in 20th Century Studios' The Call of the Wild

By Eunice Moseley

(February 18, 2020) - "It's about the story. The telling of the story," said Academy Award winning Harrison Ford (Star Wars) about taking the role of John Thornton in the 20th Century Studio's presentation of The Call of the Wild - arriving in theatres February 21, 2020.

The Call of the Wild story began in 1903 when Jack London published the novel "The Call of the Wild" about the journey of a big-hearted dog named Buck, uprooted from his home in Los Angeles to be sold to work as a sled-dog in the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush. Bucks journey takes him through the meeting of different types of people - some loving and some not - before he finds the courage and heart to take control of his own life. This adaptation is a 20th Century Fox film under the new brand of 20th Century Studios, renamed to recognize the acquisition of 20th Century Fox by Disney.

Oscar nominated Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones) plays John Thornton, a mourning father who decides to go on an adventure with a dog named Buck. Harrison Ford's acting has help brand mass appeal to both the Stars Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. Now, sharing the starring role with an animated dog, Ford says this role suits him just find.

"I read the book in high school. It was a required reading. I was pleased to read it at the time, but it didn't stick," Harrison admitted. "We took some liberties. We constructed a story to see the journey of Buck finding his destiny and Thornton resolving his issues."

Ford is to executive produce Annapurna's drama series "The Staircase" and will reprise his role in the fifth presentation of Indiana Jones in 2021. His recent projects include voice-over in The Secret Life of Pets 2, and starring in Blade Runner 2049 with Ryan Gosling and as Han Solo in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

"I had dogs all my life. They gave me comfort and pleasure," Ford said when questioned about playing beside a dog. "The generated computer graphic, I think, is a major achievement. We had an actor/gymnast play the part of Buck (while filming)." www.Family.FoxMovies.com/movies/the-call-of-the-wild

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February 21, 2020

The Pulse of Entertainment: The Call of the Wild, a Heart-Warming and Tear-Jerking Adaptation

By Eunice Moseley

(February 21, 2020) - Based on a novel by Jack London, The Call of the Wild film is about a happy-go-lucky dog stolen from his Los Angeles home and sold to a mail-carrier for a dog-sled in Alaska and it arrives in theatres February 21, 2020. The 20th Century Studios presentation is a heart-warming and tear-jerking adaptation. Rated PG, it stars an animated dog named Buck, Academy Award winning Harrison Ford (Star Wars), and Omar Sy (X-Men: Days of Fury). Both of their destinies have them taken care of by Buck and they in turn, take care of Buck. Buck, a house dog, is forced to survive in the wild.

The Call of the Wild is the third film distributed by 20th Century Studios. After the acquisition of Fox by Disney, the 20th Century brand name changed to 20th Century Studios. The Call of the Wild is an epic tale and is a 3 Art Entertainment production. The adventure film used computer graphics to make Buck as real as I've seen animation since the latest adaptation of The Lion's King. The climax of the film is the struggles of house pet Buck surviving in the wild as a sled-dog with no training, while finding his natural instinct in order to endure and take his place as leader of a pack.

Directed by Chris Sanders, The Call of the Wild also stars Dan Stevens ("Downtown Abbey") as a heartless elite with gold-fever; three-time Emmy nominated Bradley Whitford ("The West Wing") as Judge Miller the original owner of Buck who spoiled him; Colen Woodell (The Originals) as an elite on the hunt for gold in the wild; Cara Gee (The Expanse) as a socialite on the hunt for gold in the wild; Karen Gillan (Doctor Who), and Scott MacDonald (Star Trek: Enterprise). www.Family.FoxMovies.com/movies/the-call-of-the-wild

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February 28, 2020

The Pulse of Entertainment: Shirley Murdock to Star in the Stage Play ‘Serenity House' March 20-22, 2020 in Baltimore

By Eunice Moseley

(February 28, 2020) - "They welcomed me to the play. It's a wonderful cast and director," said legendary multi-Stellar Award nominated vocalist Shirley Murdock ("As We Lay", "Computer Love") about starring in the long-running stage play "Serenity House: From Addiction to Deliverance" by Baltimore Playwright Ursula V. Battle March 20-22, 2020 in the Johns Hopkins' Turner Auditorium. "The storyline...people going through the process of being whole again."

The process Dove Award nominated Murdock speaks on is recovery from addiction and in this musical stage play the Serenity House is where it happens. Shirley plays Sister Claire C. Voyant who works at the recovery facility, which is part of the Episcopal Church of God in Christ. The play takes a look at the devastation addiction does on families and our society. Also starring in the Rated-PG Battle Stage Play production is Randy Roberts (The Choir Boyz), Mavilyn Statham (Clara Ward Singers), Gospel trio Serenity, Charisse Caldwell-Bowen and radio personality Lee Michaels.

"I started out Gospel and stayed Gospel. I had Gospel in my secular releases" Shirley pointed out to me. "My first Gospel album was through T.D. Jakes."

Shirley Murdock was a featured vocalist on T. D. Jakes' #1 album and was later signed to his label Dexterity Sounds/EMI and released her debut album "Home" - a Gospel album. This album garnered a Stellar Award nomination. Her next album was released on Tyscot Records titled "Soulfood." It garnered a Stellar and Dove nomination. Her current project is a live CD/DVD titled "The Journey," which features Regina Belle, Kelly Price and Beverly Crawford.

Shirley Murdock and Randy Roberts will perform some of their hit songs in the "Serenity House" stage play. Murdock will perform her hits "As We Lay," "Go On Without You," "Husband," and "In Your Eyes." Roberts will perform his hit "Watch Me Work." Dr. Gregory Branch is the stage director and Howard Lakins, Jr. is the musical director.

"Through my music, I seek to inspire and encourage," said Shirley Murdock at the conclusion of our interview. www.BattleStagePlays.com www.ShirleyMurdockLifesongs.com

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