Review Text
Joining in great enthusiasm with fans and top musicians throughout the smooth jazz community, Jazziz Magazine proclaimed of Jimmy Reid's 1998 debut that 'the second generation of genre performers is off to a great start.' No less than Dave Koz-one of the young saxophonist's chief influences-says, 'Jimmy is one of those rare talents that's got it all...great interpretation on his instrument, undeniable charisma, and that indefinable star-quality.' In the four years since that stirring introduction, Reid's career has been going non-stop. He has developed a reputation on the Los Angeles club scene as a top performer with his own band, toured and recorded with top stars like Jonathan Butler and Brian Culbertson, performed around the country for America's Second Harvest (the nation's largest domestic hunger relief charity) and this spring and summer has been the featured saxman on The Winans Family Tour nationwide. Forming his own family-run independent label, JKR Records, Reid has kept busy on the solo recording front as well. In December 2000, he released Jimmy Reid Live Volume 1: Live at the Warehouse, an exciting chronicle of his regular Friday night performances with his band recorded earlier that year at the club in Marina Del Rey, California. Titled as a dedication to the endless love and support of his immediate family, For the Family, his latest release, stands primed to further establish Reid as one of the most distinctive and innovative sax voices in smooth jazz. The ten tracks capture his trademark ultra romantic ballad style along with his developing passion for blues and R&B. Why is this new project called For the Family? 'It is by no accident', says Reid. 'With the ups and downs, and the lessons learned over the years, I have come to realize that there is one constant, one glue that holds everything together, and that is FAMILY.' For the Family takes you on a musical journey that lifts you up, comforts the soul, and warms the heart. Just like FAMILY. Jimmy recently completed the coast-to-coast TOGETHER WE STAND: THE WINANS FAMILY REUNION TOUR. 'I was so honored to be part of a tour that is renewing the spirit of the family and the reunion of our country,' Reid said. 'As a musician working on establishing my career, it's so easy to get caught up in the business end of things and all the outside superficial activities,' says Reid. 'I've learned that what's most important is having friends and a family that's always there for you, through all the ups and downs. As an artist, I feel I'm still evolving, and For The Family is a snapshot of where I am today. Forever Loved showed off my hopelessly romantic side, but playing with all these funky musicians has inspired me to dig into the rawness and energy of a more urban style. Even as my sax playing draws upon my top influences like Koz, Kirk Whalum and Gerald Albright, I'm also inspired on the pop/soul side by artists like Brian McKnight and India Arie. I wrote 'India,' in fact, after listening to her CD, and my song has similar chord progressions and grooves. And I produce very much in a pop vein. So there's a little bit of everything I like-R&B, jazz and romantic pop.' A multi-talented musician and producer, Reid helmed most of the project himself and played the sax and keyboards and programmed the drums throughout. In the Fall of 2001, Reid and his parents put a unique tour together with America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief charity. Traveling in a van, the three covered 11,000 miles, hitting 30 cities in 40 days, with Reid doing radio interviews and playing at various public places, including shopping malls. He sold numerous copies of the For The Family CD Sampler, giving 70% of the proceeds to help feed the hungry. On Thanksgiving, in the wake of September 11, Reid also made appearances at the New York City Rescue Mission, America's oldest rescue mission located 10 blocks from Ground Zero, and at the Community Kitchen of West Harlem. 'I
