::GET FAMILIAR:: CHANTAE CANN

::GET FAMILIAR:: CHANTAE CANN
by Daniel Harris

"I sing because I love to. I sing because God has entrusted me with a gift purposed to change the world. I sing to heal. I sing to comfort. I sing to liberate. I sing to appreciate. I sing to motivate. I sing to express. I sing to encourage. I sing to inspire."

These words sum up why getting familiar with Chantae Cann is very necessary. Her voice is pure and has the ability to not only be pleasing to the listener's ears but pleasing to their souls as well. She glides through riffs and runs with perfection. Her tone and the way she explores and pushes vocal boundaries is heavenly.

A native of Chicago, Chantae Cann has had the pleasure of performing with artist such as PJ Morton, Leon Timbo, Jaspects, India Arie and most recently, Snarky Puppy. All of her collaborations are means for her to comfort, inspire, liberate and change the world, putting her words into perfect practice.

Chantae Cann understands music's ability to change even the worst of circumstances." Music gives you the power to push past your present state of mind. It enables you to choose love, joy and tranquility..."

Chantae Cann brings a sincere love for music and people. A love that shows through every time she takes the stage. She says that she sings because simply, "I can't stop. Don't want to either." Truthfully, neither do we.

Support Chantae Cann and purchase her single Da da'n da on iTunes. 

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::RECAP:: PJ MORTON MOVES HOWARD THEATRE

::RECAP:: PJ MORTON MOVES HOWARD THEATRE
Post and photos by Kike Aluko

What a wonderful experience it is to have your expectations not only met, but surpassed, the first time you see an artist in concert! Such was my experience seeing my first PJ Morton concert, February 22, 2014 at The Howard Theatre. The mood of the night was immediately set before the show started with great R&B jams from the likes of Jill Scott, SWV, and Maxwell to get the audience ready for the atmosphere that was to come. The show then started with DC's own natives Black Alley who warmed up the audience with a few originals including "Bad Girl" and "Virgin Suicide," as well as some great covers of Imagine Dragons's "Radioactive" and Pharrell's "Happy," closing their set with their rendition of Beyonce's "Drunk in Love."

After a brief intermission, the time finally came for the unassuming, New Orleans-native keyboardist from Maroon 5 to grace the stage. Opening with "Hard Enough," it was clear that PJ Morton is a master on the keys as evidenced by his quick switching between two keyboards all while maintaining his vocal performance & eye contact with the audience. When he moved to "Heavy" (which features fellow Maroon 5 member Adam Levine), he started a dance party and had the crowd standing up & rocking with him for the rest of the show. Speaking of partying, PJ's lead background singer Josiah "JoJo" Martin is obviously the life of their band's party, with a commanding, fun-loving stage presence and a beautiful voice that is worthy of his own solo projects.

                                  A highlight of the night was when PJ slowed it down with a cover of Bob Marley's classic "Is this Love." Keeping it slow & smooth, a (very talented!) fan's dream came true when he brought her on stage to sing Tweet's verse on "Love You More" -- which she killed so well that she left PJ & his band visibly impressed. Continuing in the slow set, he then performed his hit "Work It Out" during which I overheard another audience member accurately comment that "PJ sings that type of music that makes you want to be in any kind of relationship -- good, bad, or indifferent." PJ's vocals during this gorgeous song were reminiscent of the beautiful & underrated style of Glenn Lewis. He rounded out the slow set by taking us to church with the inspirational & uplifting "Mountains and Molehills."

After the slow set, PJ started wrapping it up with Grammy-nominated "Only One," followed by a heartwarming cover of the Cheers theme song to close out the show. He introduced that final performance as the way he traditionally ends his shows, affectionately calling the audience his extended family. All in all, the night showcased PJ Morton's clear talent at making feel good music that you can groove to -- whether fast or slow -- that's simple, real, & beautiful.

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::RECAP:: PJ Morton LIVE in DC

::RECAP:: PJ Morton LIVE in DC
by Gypsy
Photos by Leo Wilson except where noted

Photo by Daria Johnson

The Gypsy Soul love affair with the music of PJ Morton began in 2006 when PJ took a leap of faith and allowed Gypsy Soul to do media for him while he was in Baltimore. The concept of Gypsy Soul was already designed but this opportunity was the push that made our work with artists we know the world should hear reality.

Since 2006 Gypsy Soul has hosted two intimate shows in Baltimore with PJ, helping to grow his fan base in the DMV while introducing our audience to the epitome of the type of art that Gypsy Soul supports. To see PJ last night at The Howard Theatre for the album release of his new and FIRST major label project New Orleans was an overwhelming experience. The transition from spaces that held a few hundred people to flashing lights and venues that hold a cool couple thousand is particularly awesome to witness.

 Photo by Kyle Pompey

PJ has promised in his music to his beloved that he would stay the same, I think he has made the same promise to fans and he has stayed true. He has certainly grown in his creativity but his core, his accessibility, his humility, his ability to engage and connect with the crowd, his gift of creating time transcending music has stayed the same.

With his band The Crusade, he performed several hits from his new album including "Lover", his second single "Work It Out", my personal fave "Trade It All", "Love You More" with his keyboardist who ROCKED IT, and the first single from the album qhich features Stevie Wonder "Only One". In addition to some classics he played one of my all time PJ Morton favorites "Third Degree".

With his first major label deal, touring with Maroon 5, and family life PJ is a true example of hard work and success with integrity and we are proud to be able to see his journey up close and personal.

If you havent already, check out and purchase his new album New Orleans AND THEN get familiar with all of his older works. You will not be disappointed! Make sure to LIKE him and FOLLOW him.

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::RECAP:: PJ Morton LIVE in Baltimore

::RECAP::  PJ Morton LIVE in Baltimore
by Daniel Harris 
Photos by Tameka Harris

Great music doesn't start with musicianship, vocal abilities and stage presence. Great music starts when an artist produces music that is true to who they are as people, not cogs in the music business factory. This past Saturday, PJ Morton once again showed Baltimore why he truly makes great music.

The Baltimore Soundstage played host to an incredible night of music and good vibes as the New Orleans born soul singer electrified the crowd with his candid lyrics, crisp musical style and engaging showmanship.

What was most interesting about this mini tour PJ Morton is on, with New York and Washington, DC as the other cities he blessed this weekend, is the addition of an up and coming talent to his opening act for each of the weekend's concerts.

Many may recognize J. Drew as the brother of gospel artist Kierra Sheard and the production genius behind much of her work. Deciding to test the waters as a frontman, J. Drew took the stage for only the second time in his very short solo career (with his first show being the previous night in New York.)

J. Drew has the musicianship (his band blazed!), he has the vocal abilities (he's from the Clark Dynasty, you'd be a fool to expect anything less!) and some stage presence (it was his second show and the newbie jitters showed through at times.); However, he lacked depth in his songwriting. This should be prefaced by saying there is no expectation for J. Drew to do Gospel. As a musician and artist, he should find his path in the music business.

J. Drew's set was filled with a lot of mediocre, "flavor of the month" lyrical content and colloquialisms, with constant requests to "turn up." Personal sidebar: If that term were to die right now, it wouldn't be the worst thing that ever happened.

Perhaps a bright spot for the young artist, he has potential. With more development and finding his lane in the business, J. Drew could be your new favorite artist.

As the moment approached for PJ Morton to take the stage, it was very hard to tell what exactly he would give the audience. A true music industry non-conformist, PJ definitely values artistry over industry, making the anticipation of his performance all the more exciting. And don't for one second think that his recent signing to Young Money has changed him or his music!

Watching his same showmanship mastery, listening to him perform songs from his new album New Orleans and still being able to hear the PJ fans know and love, watching the audience being moved by every chord played and note sang, still being able to feel and connect with each and every song; You leave with the sense that PJ Morton will "always be."

To see more photos from the show click HERE and become a fan of Gypsy Soul on Facebook!

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