Kayla Waters - Apogee

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2017
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:00
Size: 96,2 MB
Art: Front

(2:15) 1. Earth Arrival
(4:33) 2. I Am
(3:23) 3. Sunkissed
(4:27) 4. Heaven Is Here
(3:21) 5. Freedom March
(4:45) 6. The Dream
(4:42) 7. Elevation Bop
(3:50) 8. Spirit Awakening
(4:41) 9. Look to Love
(1:58) 10. Pluto Departure
(4:01) 11. Apogee

Contemporary jazz pianist, composer and writer Kayla Waters, the daughter of famous saxophonist Kim Waters, debuts with her first work Apogee (2017) on Trippin N’ Rhythm Records.

Along side of Kayla, Kim was also executive producer for her album. Apogee is another word for the highest point in the development of something, a climax or culmination. For Kayla this album is the first highlight of her musical career. She has written all songs of the CD.

The album was recorded in six days straight. The album has biographical references. So for example Earth Arrival tells the story how Kayla arrives on earth, the point when everything started. The song grows with a constant flow, a springy rhythm and vibrant keyboard works.

I Am implies Kayla's personality and her love for music. The arrangement is from shiny appearance and polished blank. You can feel the wings of Kim Waters. Sunkissed describes a person whose appearance is attractive because they have recently been in the sun. Figuratively it means pampered by life. Kayla chooses this adjective for her state of life. For being in a happy position to make those things, what she loves most. This piece is astoundingly positioned in contemporary jazz.

Heaven Is Here underlines this with another musical expression. The song gets an unexpected twist when Kayla presents a vocal impact transferring the tune from an even and smooth keel to excitingly troubled water. Freedom March is conceived as a protest song. However, in the absence of a strong text, the meaning is lost in an admittedly successful instrumental showpiece.

The Dream is a tribute to Martin Luther King's socio-political appeal in August 1963. A surprisingly political reference that is seldom in the smooth jazz genre. When Sister Peace and Mr. Freedom are in search of their dream than you know in which direction. Elevation Bop is the anthem for the world to raise and move forward. Kayla and Kim create a unique theme by uniting smooth and contemporary jazz in transcending genre and expectations.

Kayla refers Spirit Awakening on herself as young woman with her talent, her possibility of sustainable development and potential. She feels the song like a blossoming of a flower. In this sense the melody unfolds in its multiplicity. With the ballad Look to Love Kayla defines her very own emotional and vocal approach on this subject.

A frozen region north of Pluto’s icy mountains, is informally named “Tombaugh Regio” (Tombaugh Region) after Clyde Tombaugh, who discovered Pluto in 1930. Pluto Departure is Kayla's idea, if even this planet is so far away, love is possible over there. The unreality of this region is reflected in her song.

The final Apogee embraces all elements, which are popular in today's smooth jazz. A catchy piano theme, strings, synth bass, horns and a stomping beat. Kayla Waters is a hot ticket in smooth jazz. She shows individual character in her compositions leaving a lasting impression. Avoiding sonorous platitudes with intelligent arrangements and dazzling themes is a promising concept. http://www.smooth-jazz.de/starportrait/Waters/Apogee.htm

Line-up/Musicians: Kayla Waters keyboards, vocals; Kim Waters saxophone; Shacara West vocals; Kelly Gainer flute

Apogee

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Kayla Waters - Coevolve

Styles: Smooth Jazz
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:39
Size: 125,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:53) 1. Zephyr
(4:21) 2. Black Cove
(5:01) 3. Lil' Mustard Seed
(4:07) 4. Obsidian Rain
(5:06) 5. Heaven Said So
(4:46) 6. Eden's Gold
(4:29) 7. Cocoa Earth
(6:02) 8. Sweet Agape
(3:14) 9. Signs and Wonders
(4:55) 10. Kiss Away
(4:09) 11. Full Bloom
(3:30) 12. Coevolve

With Apogee pianist and composer Kayla Waters, introduced by her famous dad saxophonist Kim Waters, had her first surprise success. This year we can admire her following album Coevolve.

As on the previous album Kayla was supported by her father. Further artists on the new album are guitarists Freddie Fox and Nick Colionne, bassist Mel Brown, and vocalist Shacara Rogers

Kayla's perfectly developed sense for fine harmonies finds its expression in the starting tune Zephyr. It's the name of the Greek god of the west winds. The lightness of the wind can be discovered in Kayla's emotional keystrokes.

Those who have associated Black Cove with rum or pirates will achieve with this tune an attractive and elegant alternative. Lil' Mustard Seed has in the small sharpness and taste. This is a true musical equivalent.

With Obsidian Rain we approaches the lovely shores of New Age. Heaven Said So reflects a multitude of Kayla's qualities like outstanding mastery of the instruments, compositional skill and perfect arrangement, but also an enchanting voice, which she uses superiorly.

Eden's Gold allures with a compelling peaceful piano melody embedded in rich keyboard harmonies. Cocoa Earth brings the flute into the forefront with timeless grace accompanied by Kayla's radiant keyboard chords.

Agape is considered to be the love originating from God or Christ for mankind. With Sweet Agape Kayla is hollering this divine relationship. Further treasures of this exquisite album are Signs and Wonders, Kiss Away, Full Bloom and Coevolve.

Kayla Waters arrives with a rich and expensive collection of catchy melodies and harmonies and makes it clear that the future of smooth jazz belongs to the young generation. http://www.smooth-jazz.de/starportrait/Waters/Coevolve.htm

Coevolve

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Kayla Waters - Presence

Styles: Piano, Contemporary Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:57
Size: 106,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:55) 1. Abundance
(4:31) 2. Waterkisses
(5:11) 3. Acoustic Wind
(4:53) 4. Undulation
(5:18) 5. At The Well
(4:09) 6. Murky Moon
(4:15) 7. Pianissimos
(3:55) 8. Salt N’ Soak
(4:51) 9. Oceanz Of Love
(3:55) 10. Presence

Pianist and composer Kayla Waters is a classically trained performer, known for her sparkling, contemporary jazz- and R&B-inspired sound. She debuted to chart success with 2017's Apogee and 2018's Coevolve, spawning several number one Smooth Jazz Airplay hits, including "I Am," "Zephyr," and "Full Bloom." In 2023, she delivered her third full-length, Presence.

Born into a musical family, Waters was introduced to music through her father, acclaimed smooth jazz saxophonist Kim Waters. From the age of six, she studied classical piano and eventually earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Howard University, where she graduated summa cum laude. As a performer, she made her debut playing on several of her father's albums before launching her own career.

She has also shared the stage with a bevy of luminaries including Patrice Rushen, Maysa, Stevie Wonder, and others. Along with her performance career, Waters works as Director of Music and Worship at Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. and holds the position of Music Director of the Howard University Early Learning Program. In 2017, she released her debut full-length album, Apogee, on Trippin N' Rhythm Records. Featured on the album was the single "I Am," which eventually topped Billboard's Smooth Jazz Airplay chart.

In 2018, Waters returned with her follow-up, Coevolve. It spawned several more number one smooth jazz hits, including "Zephyr" and "Full Bloom." In 2023, she moved to the Shanachie label, releasing the spiritually minded Presence, which also found her drawing inspiration from her love of the ocean. Included on the album was the spotlight track "Undulation."By Matt Collar

Presence

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