As always, I am adding a number of new tunes this week — Carmen Mcrae, Arturo Sandoval, Jimmy Rushing among others. However, I’d like to put the focus on three new MySpace friends. This is becoming one of my favorite things to do, encountering great, new musicians (new to me) on MySpace.

If you’ve read this blog before, you may have seen me mention my independent movie pal Stacy. Every couple of Sundays we get together and check out a movie then have a few beers afterwards. Well, today was no exception. The one exception to the norm was the discovery of the fact that our bartender is actually a musician. Nashville is to musicians what Hollywood is to actors. No one here is just a waiter or a bartender. They are all aspiring towards loftier goals, most of them musical. I have to say, though, that our bartender, Jamie Floyd, is not only an aspiring musician, but a GOOD aspiring musician. Now, her music isn’t in the classic jazz style which is what Evening Melancholy plays. However, she has an incredible amount of talent and I am pretty sure that she will not be tending bar for long. If you get an opportunity, please check her out and let her know what you think. She writes her own music, as well, so how much more could you ask for.

http://www.myspace.com/jamiefloyd

 

Next we have Meilana McLean Gillard (pronounced Muh-Lay-Nuh). There’s not much I can say about her that most probably don’t already know. I get the feeling she is pretty well known. All I want to say is that I love love *love* her version of “In A Sentimental Mood”. It isn’t played in the slow ballad style that we are accustomed to. It is a complete departure. But it is incredibly well executed and her command of her instrument is amazing. Did I mention I loved the song? I am going to add it to the playlist. You can also go to her MySpace page and check out this song and many others.

http://www.myspace.com/meilanagillard

 

Last and in no way the least is a pianist from Seoul Korea who goes by the moniker of JB. She has a very soulful touch on the keys and I think she is well worth a listen. I don’t think you will be disappointed.

http://www.myspace.com/jbfunkyjazz