*Playwright John Ruffin’s Gospel stage play, “The Ideal Husband,” makes it to cable as it exclusively premieres on GMC TV Saturday March 5, 2011 at 5 p.m. EST. The theatrical musical production, exclusively for GMC, stars Shanti Lowry, Erica Hubbard (Akeelah & The Bee), singer Shirley Murdock, Darrin Dewitt Henson (Stomp the Yard), actor Clifton Powell (Ray), R&B’s Ginuwine and actress/comedian Jackee Harry (“Everybody Hates Chris,” “Sister Sister”).
“I play the mother of the lead (Darrin Henson),” said actress Jackee Harry about her role in “The Ideal Husband.” “He’s been a naughty boy…that’s all I can say, you have to tune in!”
In ‘The Ideal Husband” Tracey Malone (Lowry) and her husband, an injured NFL player Devin (Henson), are living a happy life until something from Devin’s past threatens to rock their world apart. Directed by Ruffin “The Ideal Husband” is the second of a series of Gospel stage plays produced exclusively for broadcast on GMC. The first John Ruffin play was “Love Me or Leave Me.”
When asked about any challenges in this particular production Jackee Harry said, “Completing it in a short amount of time, with no audience. That was the biggest challenge, no audience.”
Harry said there are no similarities in her character and herself, “I don’t take no mess out of nobody. I’ve been married three times. You work it out, just give me the check!”
“The Ideal Husband” will premiere on GMC TV Saturday March 5th at 5 p.m. EST. For more information on the production, “The Ideal Husband,” or the channel, GMC TV, log onto www.watchGMCTV.com.
R&B new-comer Trueful’s sophomore CD, ‘Taste of Class,’ is full of number one hits
“I wanted to create something different, to come out the box,” said singing/songwriting sensation Trueful about his sophomore album, “Taste of Class” on the French Royalty Entertainment imprint. “I want to bring R&B out in a new light, make it fun, and bring it back to music.”
Fun and out the box it is what he has done with this CD. The R&B selections on the album have a bit of different flavors such as Jazz, Hip-Hop, Pop, Funk and Swing. Trueful invited some talented producers on this album as well. The team at Apt 6 and rapper/producer AVI The Most ILL are the producers on the CD.
Born in the Los Angeles area, Trueful grow up in a household that was full of music.
“I grew up on Prince, Earth, Wind & Fire, Usher… different people, thanks to my parents and grandmother,” the unbelievably talented songwriter pointed out to me. “My grandmother listened to Blues, my Dad Funk and my mother listened to everything!”
Trueful’s debut album in 2008 title “Truth Be Told” qualified him for a Grammy Award nomination as “Best New Artist.” This album, “Taste of Class,” is sure to achieve the same, if not more success, with the infectious first single “Feeling You” – which is accompanied by a music video that has a cameo appearance by comedian/actor Peanutt.
The Las Vegas Music Award winner is sure to turn heads with this project. Even though the CD is full of number one hits, my favorite cuts on the “Taste of Class” album include the first single “Feeling You,” for its hot beat and vocals that are reminiscent of Usher; the hot club hit “Beast” and the sweet Pop selection “My Baby” all produced by Apt 6, as well “All Star” for its Swing era feel and the Funky “Drive” selection – both produced by AVI.
Also an actor who has appeared in the Screen Gem film “Easy A” starring Amanda Bines and the film “Death by Association” directed by JayTee (BET’s College Hill), Trueful will be special guest performer of multi-platinum R&B group Dru Hill on their “InDRUpendence Day” tour slated to start in June, 2011. For now you can catch Trueful performing in the Los Angeles area with the “French Royalty Dancers” at such venues as the BB King Lounge, The Aqua Lounge, The Oasis and the House of Blues.
Follow Trueful at www.Twitter.com/BeTrueful or at www.Facebook.com/TruefulFrench for more information and updates.
Saxophonist Elan Trotman releases a romantic Contemporary Jazz CD, ‘Love and Sax,’ on March 8, 2011
On March 8, 2011 Contemporary saxophonist Elan Trotman releases his sophomore CD “Love and Sax,” featuring the vocals of R&B’s Tony Terry with Brian Simpson on keyboard, Cindy Bradley on the Flugelhorn, and Jeremiah McConico on guitar.
“The album was well planned out and a follow-up to my previous album in 2009 (“This Time Around”), which was also a Contemporary Jazz album,” said Smooth Jazz sax player Alan Trotman about his “Love and Sax” project. “I wanted to try something different…to slow things down…a mellow, laid back mood…very romantic.”
Well Trotman sure achieved that, with me being a hopeless romantic, I truly loved this CD. My favorite songs on Elan’s “Love and Sax” album include “Cancun De Amore,” because I love the classical guitar support; “Last Dance” for its Funky smooth feel; “Rain,” because Elan Trotman actually makes his sax sound like rain – breath taking, and “Midnight Serenade,” which I think is a masterpiece because of the vocals of Tony Terry and the unbelievable sax playing by Trotman.
“I always try to make my music crossover, to include vocalists,” Elan pointed out to me about his projects. “I don’t want to do a CD with no vocals.”
For more information on Elan Trotman or his “Love and Sax” album, log onto his website at www.ElanTrotman.com.