“I prayed and asked God, ‘what has kept me in the industry?’ and the elements came (wind, earth, fire and water),” said Grammy-nominated VaShawn Mitchell about his upcoming new CD “Elements” (VMan Enter/Tyscot).
When this writer mentioned how outstanding the musicians, especially the guitar, are in the live music video of the project’s first single “God Can Do Anything,” which can now be heard on his website, he said, “Most are from Nashville. Some I know on regular basis and I have several guitar players.”
VaShawn Mitchell, a singer/songwriter/producer, was noticed by Bishop Larry Trotter and hired as minister of music at Chicago’s Sweet Holy Spirit Church. Though he has a degree in psychology, music is his calling. In 1998-99 he debuted as a solo artist with “So Satisfied.” His breakthrough single, “Nobody Greater” in 2011, remained on the top of the Billboard Gospel Charts for nine weeks.
“Part of it is also giving God the power,” Mitchell said about the meaning of the upcoming album ‘Elements.’ “We have to put our trust and hope in Him.”
Born in Harvey, Illinois, his achievements have so impressed his hometown that they have named a street after him. As a producer, he’s worked on projects for Grammy Award-winners Smokie Norful and Vanessa Bell Armstrong. He’s garnered a record-breaking 11 Stellar Award nominations as well as two Grammy Award nominations. Mitchell has also won two Dove Awards and a Stellar Award for his music. In 2014, he would be featured artist on Billboard-nominated JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise’s single “Nothing Compares.”
“It’s amazing,” Mitchell said about his project scheduled for a summer release. “It’s a fresh body of work that will bless generations to come such as ‘Wind of God is Going My Way.’ This is for church goers and hopefully those who just want to be encouraged.”
The first single, “God Can Do Anything,” has recently been released and serves as a powerful praise and worship selection that’s sure to bless generations to come.
Keiko Matsui Back for Smooth Jazz Lovers
World-renowned smooth jazz pianist Keiko Matsui has released another project, “Echo,” where the Japanese icon shares both love and light via the piano, which debuted in late February at #2 on iTunes.
“I’d been touring so much so last summer but stopped touring to concentrate for a month,” he said. “I received inspiration. It’s hard to explain in words the way of life and love and light – many emotions expressed through this album. Songs started coming to me that same month. Four or five songs were very strong and did not go away. I knew that was a sign so I went to record them.”
The CD features Grammy Award-winning Kirk Whalum (sax), Grammy-nominated Paul Jackson Jr. (guitar) and Grammy-nominated Marcus Miller (bass). Produced by Matsui and Bud Harner, who also lends vocals, the project offers 10 selections.
Matsui tours constantly and will be headlining the Smooth Jazz Cruise at Celebrity Infinity March 14 – 21, at the Berks Jazz Festival April 6 and in Alexander at The Birchmere, April 7.
Eunice Moseley has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with “The Pulse of Entertainment” and serves as a public relations strategist and business management consultant.
