Trueful (center) and Dru Hill (photo: Donald Carraway)
*People who attended Trueful’s CD Release Concert ‘Old School Meets New Skool” with Dru Hill and H-Town are still talking about this mega event put on by French Royalty Entertainment (in association with Bigg Whale Distribution). It seems major media outlets came to cover the event and a long list of celebrities, such as Quinton Aaron (Blindside), came to see the show.
Dru Hill, representing the established new skoolers,’ literally “shut it down” after their performance and Los Angeles’ own R&B singing/songwriting sensation Trueful – representing the up-and-coming new skooler – held his own with the Platinum artists – along with his French Royalty Dancers. H-Town – representing “old school” legends – had the ladies overly excited, along with opening act Ricky Jones.
What a great turn-out too, at the events’ press conference held the day before – where at least 15 different media outlets interviewed and took pictures of the headlining talent – and at the event where at least 850 people attended. The Concert started at the red carpet where another 15-20 media outlets covered the arrivals of the Hollywood personalities such as rapper/actor Lil’ Zane (Fighting Temptations/”Dr. Dolittle2”), comedian/actress Annie McKnight (“Martin Lawrence 1st Amendment Stand-up”/The Soloist), actor/rapper Allen “Dawone” Maldonado (Live Free, Die Hard/”Young and the restless”) and Irene “Mama” Stokes (You Got Served). After the concert there was a brief “meet and greet” with Dru Hill and H-Town and an After Party in the Concourse lobby at the Los Angeles Convention Center West Hall, where the event was held. KJLH’s DJ Roc was host of the After Party.
KJLH jock Tammi Mac (4 – 8 pm) hosted the pre-show of young local talent and part of the actual concert when KJLH’s Kevin Nash (8pm – midnight) took over. There was some young talent not on the line-up performing when Tammi came in, this caused the concert to run over but Mac and DJ Roc was gracious enough to stay on, as did the sound/light company, the headliners’ limo-driver and the audience! It was well worth the wait though, because Trueful gave a “class-A” performance, H-Town made the ladies scream and Dru Hill had ladies, men, kids and young adults just about going crazy before the night was through.
Trueful performed five songs (had five wardrobe changes) from his recently album “Taste of Class:” “Beast,” “Truely Special,” “Drive” featuring rapper AVI, “My Baby,” and “All Star.” Dru Hill performed a medley of their hits, such as “Never Make a Promise” and “In My Bed,” their latest single “Back to the Future” from their current CD “InDRUpendence Day,” along with some K-Ci and JoJo hits. H-Town performed their past hits such as “Knockin’ Da Boots” and their current single “I Appreciate You” from their newest project “Child Support.”
Plans are underway for a national promotional tour, so maybe everyone can see what the crazy hype was all about. Stay tuned into my columns’ website www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com for updates.
For more information on Trueful log onto www.myspace.com/FrenchRoyaltyInc or www.myspace.com/BeTrueful, to find out where Dru Hill will be next log onto www.DruHillOnline.com and for the scoop on what H-Town is into log onto www.myspace.com/HTownLegends.
Mack Avenue releases new self-titled project from saxophonist Jackiem Joyner
“I unexpectedly fell in love with the sax in high school. I wanted to play the drums but the teacher said the drums were taken. (He pointed to some instruments) Said pick one. I liked the one with the buttons. After a week I was really into it,” said rising star saxophonist Jackiem Joyner about his love for the saxophone. Joyner just released his third self-titled CD on Artistry Music/Mack Avenue.
Jackiem’s debut project was titled “Babysoul” a symbol of, I guess, his youthful age in a career full with older saxophonists that are now practically legends. His sophomore CD titled “Lil’ Man Soul,” another testament to his age, garnered him two #1 singles on the Smooth Jazz Charts, “I’m Waiting On You” and “Take Me There.”
Joyner’s sound – a combination of Funk/Pop/Jazz and Latin – has played on stage with such great artists as Joe Sample, Gerald Albright and Keiko Matsui.
“After playing for about a year I wanted to be a solo artist,” Jackiem admitted when asked what motivated him to step in front of the band. “I always wanted to have my own songs and CD.”
Well now he is working on promoting his third CD project. My favorite cuts on the “Jackiem Joyner” album include “My Last Goodbye,” which reminds me of a movie scene of two lovers with one driving away; “The Reunion” has a lovely drum-line which gives me the imagine of a marching band; “Dance with Me” because I adore the Spanish guitar support; “If This Isn’t Love” for his powerful and yet sweet playing style, and “Home” a passionate song that makes me want to literally cry.
“Jackiem Joyner” is sure to win some Jazz or Instrumentalist award, if only from the hearts of those that listen. For more information on Joyner log onto his websites at www.myspace.com/jackiemsoul or www.JackiemJoyner.com.