#rope-a-doperecords

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The Pace Report: "Living A Vocalist's Life" The Vivian Sessoms Interview

Welcome to another edition of the Pace Report featuring vocalist Vivian Sessoms. The Harlem, New York native is about to release her latest album "Life," her first of two CD's she's releasing on the Rope-A-Dope label. She's released many R & B albums over the years but "Life" is her first jazz release featuring some of the most accomplished jazz and session musicians in the country. Including appearances by Billy Kilson, Brandee A. Younger, Gregoire Maret, Shedrick Mitchell, Keyon Harrold, Mark Whitfield, Vincent Gardner, Ray Angry, and Casey Benjamin.

In addition to Vivian being a well-rounded vocalist, she's recorded and toured as a backup vocalist for the likes of Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Stevie Wonder, Cher, Sinead O'Connor, and Chris Botti. Vivian has written and collaborated with Grammy-Award Winning R & B vocalist Lelah Hathaway, Amel Larrieux, and David Morales.

I sat down with Vivian after her performance to talk about why she chooses to record a jazz record at this point of her career, her role as a songwriter, and how Harlem helped shaped her career as a vocalist.

To see Vivian's interview, please visit The Pace Report's website or TPR's Vimeo and YouTube pages.

For more info on Vivian's upcoming tour dates or to order her latest CD, please visit her online at www.viviansessoms.com or Facebook.com/VivianSessomsMusic

[thepacereport]

The Pace Report: "Mobetta' In The Mood" The Maurice Brown Interview

Welcome to another edition of The Pace Report featuring Grammy-Award winning trumpeter, bandleader, and producer Maurice Brown.

The Chicago native has been a trailblazer on the music scene for over decade recording, touring, and backing the likes of Aretha Franklin, Wyclef Jean, Sean 'Puffy' Combs, Stevie Wonder, and Talib Kweli.

His latest CD "The Mood," on Rope-A-Dope records has been getting a lot of positive press and is one of the sought-after session musicians in the business. Maurice played five years with the Tedeschi-Trucks Band in which he won a Grammy for his horn arrangements for their debut record "Revelator," in which won for best Blues record for 2012.

In addition to performing, he's a successful producer who's about to produce saxophonist Chelsea Baratz's upcoming record.

I sat down with Maurice after his set at The Iridium and talked about his new CD, his new role as a producer, and his life as a bandleader.

For more info on Maurice's upcoming club dates or to order his current CD "The Mood," please visit his website at www.mauricebrown.net.

[thepacereport]

The Pace Report: "Little Big" The Aaron Parks Interview

Welcome to another edition of The Pace Report featuring pianist, composer, and bandleader Aaron Parks and his band Little Big performing new music from his latest Rope-A-Dope Records release.Aaron has been one of the most important musicians of his generation and for the last decade hes recorded critically acclaimed albums ranging from his debut "Invisible Cinema" to his dynamic "Find The Way" trio recording with the legendary Billy Hart and Ben Street.He's currently a member of the jazz group James Gang featuring Joshua Redman, Matt Penman, and Eric Harland. Aaron has toured with likes of Terence Blanchard, Gretchen Parlato, Derrick Hodge, and Kurt Rosenwinkel.I sat down with Aaron before his performance to talk about his latest CD, his role as a composer, and how his piano playing has changed as a composer.For more info on Aaron's upcoming tour dates or to order his latest CD "Little Big" please visit him online at www.aaronparks.com or Facebook.com/aaronparks