My 2008 International Soul Music Summit Review reprint

..originally published
September 23rd, 2009

Atlanta, Georgia

International Soul Music Summit Review

The International Soul Music Summit recently held in Atlanta Georgia ( Sept. 12-13) was a huge success. Upon arriving at the Atlanta Renaissance hotel I knew we were in for a first class conference. If you are ever in town I suggest you stay there. Its a cool, sexy place with great location, amenities and views of the city. The event included soul music artists and taste makers from around the world.

Once again I had a chance to hear great artists like soulster Kaye Ree from Frankfurt Germany, the talented Jon Bibbs, Abby Dobson, Rhonda Thomas, LaSonya Gunther and many more. I got down with my Soul Kitchen family members Vinx, Chanda Leigh and Brodie onstage. I hosted that show at Apache Cafe and had a great time..Big ups to my main man Paul Bunn on keys and the brother Tai on percussion. The brother Shaka Hasberry (Cleveland Oh) put it down with fellow FAMU alum TUT.. ("Man Down" is a great song, brother!) My long time friend Heston did his thing- showing why he has been nominated for two Soultracks.com awards. (I voted for you man!) I got a chance to hear some other great performers that I suggest you keep you ears open for: Wayna, Von, Collette and Chimere are some great vocalists that you will surely enjoy hearing (and seeing) onstage..

Great performances aside the panel discussion and networking was second to none. I learned so much listening to brothers like Daddy O from Stetsasonic, Eric Roberson, DJ Barry King, D-Maurice, Monica Tyson (Yoruba Records, Greece/Italy) Mike Ashley (Life and Soul, UK), Dan Dodds (Soul Jones, UK) and Thornell Jones (Hidden Beach).

some other notable attendees were celebrities, Rafael Saadiq, Joi, Leon, Detroit promoter Drake Pfifer (Urban Organic), Funk Jazz Cafe founder Jason Orr and producer Nicolay whom I had the pleasure of sitting on the Producers panel with, also in attendance was April Hill, Waterseed, Moods Music, Melika Miller, Cloud 9 and Rhythm and Soul radio doing a live internet remote.

I know I am forgetting whole lot of folks and I am really sorry for that in advance. (Shoot me something I can advertise for you)..I received some Great new music and a gazillion business cards, the proof that this event was well worth my time and money. If you missed it STOP SLEEPING on this soul music movement and STOP COMPLAINING about commercial nonsense. The real music is here..

I have a special rate on weekend passes for all Soul Summit events which will be held this year the same weekend of the FAMU/ TSU classic. Group discounts available!

Thanks for reading..See you at the Summit!

Best regards,
TD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CHOCOLATE SOUL BACK IN THE MIX!


Due to Popular Demand the City's Premier Cultural Event Returns Better Than Ever

Tallahassee, Florida- March 30, 2009

With a potent roster of DJs, musicians, and vocalists, Chocolate Souls' return offers a cosmopolitan, urban, chic environment to mature, fun-loving business professionals and upper level collegians (ages 21-36) with an appreciation for culture and music. Our live musical performances feature a dynamic blend of many soulful genres in the music spectrum. Expect a vibrant atmosphere, great people and a classic party mix from the Chocolate Soul DJs. This will also be a pre-album release party for singer, songwriter, and producer Terrance Darnell. Advance copies of his debut cd will be available along with guest musicians from around the country. Be sure to get your tickets early for this highly anticipated return. Chocolate Soul brought to you by the Student Alliance for Cultural Development and Chocolatevilleradio.com. Friday April 24, 2009
813 Macomb St,
Tallahassee FL.
Pre-sale ticket sales $7.
$10 at the door
9:00pm-2:00am

Contact: Ayanna Martinez Nictoria Frazier
Tel. # : (312) 714-4747 (347) 277-3162
Email : AMartinez@chocolatevilleradio.com NictoriaF@hotmail.com
Title : PR Rep. for Chocolatevilleradio.com President of SACD

COME HERE I'VE GOT A STORY TO TELL!

Whoa! Now I am known to tell a good story but this one is a doozie! So check it..Go get your favorite drink and a friend and get comfortable...I'll wait for you..........
:)
:)
:)

........ You back? Ok cool. So I decide to take a brief spring musical oddesey. I started at the Soul Kitchen...Of course you know that internationally acclaimed artist Vinx is the creator of one of the world's best songwriting workshop retreats. If you have not been and you are looking to get better what the hell are you waiting for? Seriously check out the soul kitchen link below and get down..You will thank me later for that..

Anyway Soul Kitchen was off the chain! I had a great time there writing songs with a variety of newcomers including keyboardist Lucy Kirkpatrick, NY singer Khalil and jazz vocalist Gigi from Houston along with Jackz and Young Drumma, two very gifted young writers. Being a teacher and a righteous brother it was an honor spreading music knowledge and working with this 14 and 16 year old. I also teamed up with several of my compadres to work on new music like DJ Vando, Heston, Brodie and musicans Sam Ravenna (bass), Chiedza (Gtr) J Willis (Drums) and the legendary Batman (Gtr). Vinx stated this was the best SK ever, I am inclined to agree although the first one is always magical..

After winning the Soul Kitchen producers challenge and laying down final vocals for my album it was off to the Atl. There's something beautiful going on in Atlanta these days.. The underground music scene is as vibrant as ever and I was soaking it all in..First stop- SugarHill for the Tuesday night jam session where I saw more good friends Julie Dexter, Mike D (Harmony in Life) and super songstress Von..I had a great time. I knew I would when I ran into Phillipia on the way in and caught a quick hug and two step to set off the night..Also ran into and had a good conversation with fellow Famuan J. Carter, creator of Solfusion and Sugarhill... Keep doing big things my brother!

The next night Apache Cafe was just great..Julie Dex and Phillipia were out again so I got a double blessing of those talented sisters for the second night along with Eva Kennedy and others..As I listened I took notes that would come in handy at the end of the week. Atl is show and prove ground these days and these artists fearlessly approached their performances with a seasoned passion that was just beautiful.

After a few business meetings regarding the release of my album it was time to say goodbye to the A for 3 new letters, NYC... I was invited to the Indie Soul Mixer hosted by London based soul music tastemaker Mike Ashley. I was scheduled to perform and decided to go a day early to attend my good friend LaSonya Gunter's show in Harlem the night before. When I got there she called me an asked me would I perform as an opening act for her. Would I??? Of course I would!!! Who would not jump at the chance to open for such a pioneer songstress? Without Lasonya there may not be some of the great underground soul artists that we love so much. I took the A from Brooklyn to Harlem and performed on an amazing show! I was so glad I was there. The venue, Temple M located @ 555 W. 141st and St Nicholas is a new venue with great ambience, great sound and great food. I suggest you check it out..

The next night Mike Ashley's Indie Soul Mixer 4 was a beautiful event full of tastemakers like my brothers from other mothers, Terry Bello, Drake Phifer and Barry King. I also met up with a great group of old friends including songstress KJ Rose whom I went to FAMU with. We spent the night performing and kicking it in the city that never sleeps..

Sunday night I ended up in Harlem with some great new friends. In all seriousness I was humbled to be in the city that gave our culture such a solid foundation. As we played records from an amazing collection of vinyl I couldn't help but think about all of the amazing people who lived in Harlem. By the way make sure that you check out www.natcreole.com and let me know what you think....I performed for my new friends and they absolutely loved my sound. It was a great feeling getting love from the New Yorkers..They say if you can make it there you can make it anywhere..That's what's up!

So I leave Brooklyn and fly back to Atl on my way back to Florida..It was an awesome trip and I mean Awesome! At my layover in Atlanta I decided to sit on the plane for a minute and reflect. I prayed about this whole thing, thanking God for these great opportunities and events and prayed for guidance and strength. I get up, walk into the airport and guess who I see? No for real guess?





STEVIE WONDER! I mean I walked right in front of him! I did a double take and when I knew it was him I had to stop. I mean after all of this the universe threw me a beautiful signal. I told him how much his music meant to me and my family. "Thank you so much Mr. Wonder" I said and he shook my hand and replied, "Thank You Brother, God Bless You, God Bless You!"

So I got down in the world of music and got a universal blessing courtesy of the most gifted person in the history recorded music.. All this goes to show that we have got to keep going and pursue our dreams, we never know what is waiting for us at the end..


Thanks for reading, this story is to be continued....

Peace and Power,
TD

Barack Obama Elected President

..the Winds of Change are here!!