Have a listen to: “MALIBU SUNRISE”

June 16, 2010 by Jamal Mathis.

I wrote: “Malibu Sunrise” back in college when I was about nineteen. I recorded it for a class assignment project. This tune has an upbeat swing feel to it with a little taste of caribbean flavor. The instrumentation on this recording includes: Mandolin, keyboard (piano), electric bass, and drum set. Have a listen and check it out. Let me know what you think in your comments. It’s about ten years old, and in the future I’m going to add it on one of my albums. Let this be your pre-listen.

Jamal Mathis: “Malibu Sunrise”

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ASCAP 2010 “I Create Music” EXPO

May 3, 2010 by Jamal Mathis.

Every year, ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) does a major music conference and workshop for their members and anyone who is willing to attend. The conference features interviews, live showcases of performers, one-on-one sessions, lectures regarding the music industry, and a networking reception. I’ve attended my first ASCAP EXPO this year, which was held at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in LA California. The experience was very encouraging and motivational. Most of the information that was given at the EXPO was information I already know. However, to be up close and personal at the EXPO was very rewarding. I had a chance to meet and greet with top music executives, and various songwriters, composers, authors, and publishers.

This year’s EXPO conference was April 22-24. I arrived at the EXPO a day before just to get a feel of it. That day, I made sure I received my badge, and just walked around and did a few sight seeing round Hollywood Boulevard. When the next day came, the EXPO began, and it started with the ASCAP’s General Membership Meeting. Which was lectures on the current operations of ASCAP and the financial reports. It was also, highlighting the many ASCAP members careers in music and awards received within the previous and current year. Throughout the three days of the EXPO, I’ve attended meetings and lectures that I thought would be beneficial to advancing my career as a musician, artist, composer, publisher, songwriter, and producer.

The first day, I attended: The Membership Meeting, Making the scene as a TV composer, We Create Music (interviews of top producers, songwriters, and composers), Exploring the International Market, and the Networking Reception. On the next day, I attended: Music Licensing, To Feature Film Score, Emerging Writer Teams, Publishers & Writers/Artists Development, and Quincy Jones Interviewed by Ludacris. The final day, I attended: Copyright Issues, Production Music Libraries, Rocking the Cradle (writing music for children programs) and Bill Withers interviewed by Justin Timberlake.

The most valuable feedback I’ve received from this EXPO was to work very hard to get to where you want to be in this industry. No one will do it for you, you have to do it yourself. The secret is who you know in the industry that can be of assistance. It’s all about connections. For example, if you’re an independent film maker just starting out who needs a film composer to write the music for your film, how do you go about finding such a person? By word of mouth, asking your colleagues who they know or worked with, attending music conferences, and or calling/looking for ads in music magazines, and music trade publications for composers. Go where the stuff is happening, or take a business trip and network your butt off. Be sure to contact me if you need a composer, orchestrator, pianist, arranger, transcriber, or producer for your project at: www.jamalmathis.com.

 

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Jamal Mathis Trio @ the Dallas Museum of Art

March 14, 2010 by Jamal Mathis.

Back in May of last year, I performed at the Dallas Museum of Art with my band (Jamal Mathis Trio) for the second time. The first time was a remarkable experience because this venue is great for local exposure. I sold some of my CD’s and gave away posters. I also received a lot of names and e-mails added to my mailing list. This time, my band and I performed a full set of my previous album: MUSIC IN THE MIX, and we did another set of my new upcoming album. The music for the upcoming album is complete, so now we just have to record it and make it available. I’m thinking about a live recording this time, but I don’t know yet. Anyway, we jammed on the new tunes, and I think the response was greatly appreciated when the audience heard us perform them.

I enjoy performing at the Dallas Museum of Art. It’s large, wide, and open for crowds of people walking, browsing, and dinning. It gives much exposure. But I noticed that while we were playing, more people was coming inside the venue and didn’t know who we were. So every now and then during the set, I stood up and said a few words about me, the band, and the tunes we were performing. It was a little distracting when people was walking, but it was still fun. However, in small performing venues, it’s more intimate. I can concentrate on the audience, and the audience can concentrate on me.

Check us out on the videos below, and let me know how you like some of the new tunes for the upcoming album.

 

 

 

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Prison Ministry

March 1, 2010 by Jamal Mathis.

Just yesterday, I ministered to a woman’s prison. I was there to accompany my praise team to jump start the service. We ministered in song, praise dance, and word. The event was very high and emotional. The ladies in the prison are receptive and loves to praise and worship God. Before we could go inside to minister, we had to go through security. Just like at the airport. Once we walked in, the ladies stood up and applauded like we were the president. Before we ministered, we prayed and set everything up.

During the program, there was laughter, cries, shouts, claps, and hugs. I even shed some tears because I was touched. By the end, we all had a chance to talk with the ladies and encourage them. They were even begging me to come back and minister to them again at least every now and them. I told them I’ll pray about that. Although it was my first time, I enjoyed it.

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Car Trouble

February 24, 2010 by Jamal Mathis.

It was a regular day on that Monday (Feb. 22, 2010) when my vehicle clutch pedal went out. I was about to bag out of my parking space when all of a sudden, the clutch pedal was stuck to the floor and wouldn’t come up. I was glad that I wasn’t stranded on the side of the road. I went back inside and called the auto service company to come out and tow my vehicle to get it fixed. I asked them how much would it cost to get it fixed, and they told me around $65o.00, but if I had to get the clutch pedal replaced, it would be between $1200-$1300. I knew that would set me back a bit, but praise God, my total bill was $776.28. My clutch didn’t have to be replaced, the cylinder of the clutch needed to be fixed. All the other fees was for labor, towing, and parts. I needed a vehicle to get from point A to point B, so it didn’t take a long time for them to fix the vehicle.

When the towing company came to my place to tow the vehicle, the auto service company was about to close, so we headed back to another auto service company so they can fix it. It was on the other side of town. When we arrived, most of the mechanics weren’t present for me to talk to, so I called there main phone line and spoke with a representative. Unfortunately, I had to keep the vehicle their so they can work on it the next day, but it was done. The towing company dropped me back home, and during the way, I started a conversation with him. His name was Mark. He was a cool guy, and really enjoyed his job. I invited him to one of my upcoming shows so he can check me and my band out. He gladly accepted and said he would also invite his family.

I didn’t know from a minor breakdown of my vehicle, I would make a connection. However, all things happen for a reason right? So from now on, I’m going to take life as it comes. No matter what happens good or bad, I will look for the positive out of every situation. How about you? Let me know if you experienced something like this. Talk to you later.

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Introducing: BARNABAS WAMAO

February 7, 2010 by Jamal Mathis.

Barnabas Oroka Wamao comes to you as a chaste Tenor, second Born of the wamao’s ABC. Abigael, Barnabas, and cleopas. Barnabas is a mold of his late father (Wilfred Wamao Ongwenyi.) A musician, a teacher and Izri choir director, he captivated his son to that love of sacred songs. Barnabas hails from the great Republic of Kenya, he is a major vocalist, song writer, and producer. Praise to be almighty! Psalm 100. Currently Barnabas is working on an album “Footsteps” a solemn tribute to a man who God chose to give talent and then decided to split it in half for his son. Songs on the album are total collections of hymns that dad loved to train his choir and fortunately they happen to be those loved by most congregations. These specific hymns talk about love, peace, true and, dedication to our maker. However, have been rearranged from their original style to the next level. Many artists might perceive hymns as a forgotten case, but to Barnabas they are food to his soul, a parody uprooted from his father. “Dad’s volume 8 cassette always makes me want to cry” “Footsteps” cd would not come any better time than this, when our current society is so pe perplexed. Barnabas is tirelessly working to make sure his peers get to that kingdom of heaven, he also hopes that this music he presents will speak life to your dead issues. Barnabas first took stage at 10 with a junior choir that his dad began to train when no one else could at Nyanchwa Seventh Day Schools. (Naps) they ended up recording a single. Since then Barnabas has not rested on pulling together musical notes, in high school he joined men’s chorus later joined the jazz and ensemble which travelled to Carnegie Hall in New York City 2005. Later back in Minnesota he had a tremendous opportunity to sing in the Ordway performing Arts Center. In November 2008, Barnabas collaborated with Jamal Mathis a jazz legend (Pianist, Composer and Producer) and other gospel singers at the Dallas Convention Center for a benefit Concert. Barnabas is also looking forward to teaming up with R&J on an upcoming cd the duet (….) Barnabas is so glad to take the advent word in this generation, be it any day of the week, any minute of the hour or any second of a minute. He’s always prepared. Barnabas’s style music is being shaped day by day and hoping to be bring you more soulful music. He is unstoppable and surely this cd won’t be his last. “Foosteps” cd release. Coming to stores near you 2010. Stay tuned and May the Lord meet your needs today. “I encourage each and all to listen to music as much as you use water, for it is essential to your soul” -Barnabas Oroka Wamao

For more information, visit: http://www.myspace.com/bwamao

http://www.bwamao.com

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Please Help Me Support Haiti!!!

January 24, 2010 by Jamal Mathis.

CD Baby will donate $1 toward Haitian earthquake relief for every CD and album download I sell online.

The earthquake and its aftermath in Haiti have touched all of our lives. Many have already contributed as individuals, but we can always do more to help the victims of the horrible earthquake tragedy. By purchasing my music on CD Baby, you can help raise funds towards those affected by the disaster.

Starting on Monday, January 25th and continuing for two weeks, CD Baby will donate $1 of their cut from every CD sale through the website, and $1 from every download sale over $8.99 on the site, to the American Red Cross and to Mercy Corps, a Portland-based relief organization with a large presence in Haiti. With your help, they hope to raise tens of thousands of dollars.

Please donate directly
I also urge you to make your own direct donation if you haven’t done so yet. Together, we can make a difference. Please click below to make your tax deductible donation right now.

Mercy Corps donation form
http://links.mkt1524.com/ctt?kn=3&m=34573305&r=OTA1MzkwOTE1S0&b=2&j=NjQ3Mjg1MjUS1&mt=1&rt=0

American Red Cross donation form
http://links.mkt1524.com/ctt?kn=11&m=34573305&r=OTA1MzkwOTE1S0&b=2&j=NjQ3Mjg1MjUS1&mt=1&rt=0

Text “Haiti” to 90999 and a $10 donation will be charged to your phone bill.

To purchase my music on CD Baby, visit these links below:

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jamalryan

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jamalmathis

I thank you for helping out during this time of great human tragedy in Haiti.

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A Jazzy Christmas

December 22, 2009 by Jamal Mathis.

My father booked me again for another concert at the Dallas Convention Center (TBAAL) on December 12, 2009. I didn’t find out about it until two months before the concert date. If you know me by now, you know I want to be fully prepared and give it my all. So I had two months to prepare. Since it was in December, I decided to do some Christmas tunes as well as some jazz standards. I called a few of my musician buddies and friends to see if they would be available to perform with me on that night. Some already were booked, and others was going to be out of town. I remembered Forrest Davis Jr. (saxophonist). He was always reliable, so I called him up and he was happy to do it. Then, I called up Andise Altine (vocalist) whom I met through my father. She called me one day and told me if I ever needed a vocalist in any of my show, give her a call. That’s exactly what I did. I called her up and she accepted.

Andise has a sultry voice, and she is very dependable and faithful when it comes to rehearsing. Her and I prepared for the concert every other day of the week up until the concert date. You can really tell when someone has a heart for music like she does. Anyway, when the time came for us to perform, we didn’t have a large crowd as always, but we still gave it our all even though the crowd was small. I’ve uploaded a few samples of the show. Check them out and let me know what you think about Andise’s voice. Later.

 

 

 

 

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My Home Studio

November 9, 2009 by Jamal Mathis.

I’ve set up a small studio inside my bedroom at home with my laptop and keyboard as my equipment. I bought some recording and mixing software to record and produce my own work. All of my sample compositions are done right inside my home studio. I can record, mix, master, and produce quality music and burn it to CD for all to listen. The recording software I’m using is: SONY ACID MUSIC STUDIO 7.0. Very easy to use and already installed on my DELL laptop computer. My keyboard is a Yamaha YPG-535 with a USB drive built in the back of the board.

 

In using my laptop and keyboard, I also use a Lexicon Lambda audio interface to connect with my keyboard and computer. That way I can hear and listen to the music I’m working on. Plus, it allows me to write music for video. Therefore, if I have a TV or movie project to work on, I can use my home studio and equipment to compose and record right in my room. My software can import and export video and music files. So,if you need some music done, or just want me to write some tracks for you, I can do that right in my room. Just let me know.

Here is the walk in of my home studio in my bedroom. I took two pictures from my phone so you can check it out and see what I’m working with.

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Jazz Christmas Musical Concert

January 14, 2009 by Jamal Mathis.

I had the opportunity to put on a Christmas Program at Celestial Haven Baptist Church. The music department of the church sponsored this event to benefit the Noble E. Sims Multi-Purpose Community Center & Family Park. This community center is in remembrance of Deacon Noble E. Sims, and it’s a venue for the community to come and fellowship, minister, teach, rehearse, etc… The pastor of the church: James Foster invited me and Ryan Smith to coordinate the program and host it. We were the featured performers. I met the pastor a few months ago by Forrest Davis Jr. (saxophonist). Forrest plays at the church and uses the church to rehearse.

Ryan and I got together to coordinate the event. Since Ryan and I completed our album together (Faith, Hope, & Love), we decided to perform some tunes on our new album.  It was a perfect venue and time to perform our debut. We passed out information regarding our album and gave away FREE samples from the album so people could get the feel and idea of the CD. Forrest Davis Jr. was on program as well, and I included two other performers to sing. This event was an honor to do, and I’m looking forward in doing more events to benefit great causes in the future.

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