The Times Real Estate


.

  • Written by NewsServices.com

America, as a country and as a concept, is currently on the ropes as it pertains to equality, parity and compassion between cultures, races and classes. It has existed this way since its very beginnings… However, when we rewind back to the `40s and `50s, we remember a special collection of songs sung by a stellar collection of individuals both Black and White that brought comfort and clarity to daily lives. The stories they told through the music were most profound when we found them sharing a stage together…Ella Fitzgerald with Frank Sinatra…Bing Crosby with Louis Armstrong. The material we most typically heard them singing together stemmed from “The Great American Songbook”, a loosely defined top shelf of songs by composers that include Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, George Gershwin and Billy Strayhorn. Among the finest and most purposed crooners performing this music today – largely in the tried and true traditions of its origin – is entertainer/singer/dancer/actor Elijah Rock, whose sophomore album titled “Matters of The Heart” recently released on August 13, 2021.


“Artists of diverse ethnicities performing these songs together on stage and television provided the healing portion for the times,” Rock states. “They were the progressive ones for at least grappling with wanting to see beyond racism because they shared the commonality of music. Collaborating first hand and face to face with artists outside of their own culture. They learned about the human being - not just the fellow entertainer - and how there should be equality among all people because we all essentially have the same wants and desires for a good life of prosperity, love and fulfilment. The essence of this music is the integration of jazz and Eurocentric symphonic leanings with lyrics that possessed positive universal themes about love and striving to live their finest life. We’re still feeling the impressions of that music because of its uplifting and introspective intentions – intentions needed now more than ever in this country.”


Rock is currently performing his “Matters of The Heart'' concert tour which supports a myriad of presentations that purposefully place the Great American Songbook as a unifying force in venues across the country. His concert show also features songs from his first album “Gershwin for My Soul” which debuted in 2016. Teamed with a swinging jazz trio, Rock brings you into his musical world with authentic enthusiasm, assured optimism and a smooth baritone voice that soulfully delivers uplifting messages of love and hope. “Elijah Rock is more sincere than a Rat Packer, and swinging with more of a mellow soul than Buble”, says George Harris of Jazz Weekly. Harris also says 

 “Rock’s midwestern musical and life values may seem out of time for some, but they are in fact, actually timeless.”


Rock elucidates, “It’s about breathing a tonality that manifests a sound. What you are singing on the breath reflects the core essence of what you are feeling/thinking in the moment. Breathing is the function that unites us all. If you’re not breathing, you’re not living. That philosophy is important for singers. The stage is our platform, and the entertainer’s job is to be transparent and, ultimately, to unite. That doesn’t mean we can’t address sensitive subjects but at the end of the day, the resolution is how we can live together. As humans, we can’t live without art. Art enables us to first envision that which we ultimately long to make real.” 


“How can I be a part of the cultural healing of what is going on today,” Rock concludes? “The music I sing from, The Great American Songbook, is not intended to invoke a nostalgic backward glance to a bitterly divided time in American history. It is performance art in the universal language of music shared with an explicit intention to imagine a world where human beings see each other as equals in all walks of life – an open window into open-mindedness, and a singular, compassionate vision that is true to the American dream.” In the words of George Harris of Jazz Weekly, “It takes a certain kind of artist these days to carry on the torch passed on from the likes of Nat “King” Cole, Freddie Cole, Billy Eckstine and Joe Williams. Judging by the success of Elijah Rock’s 90 minute set celebrating the release of his latest album “Matters of the Heart”, the Midwestern bred and raised crooner just might be the gent to be this generation’s light.”



Metro Entertainment

Chart-Topping Smooth Jazz Musician Jesse “JT Jazz” Thompson Releases “The Reason”

JESSE THOMPSON  “The Reason”  INTERNATIONALLY-ACCLAIMED SMOOTH JAZZ RECORDING ARTIST JESSE THOMPSON (BETTER KNOWN AS “JT JAZZ”)  INVITES YOU TO EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF THE SEASON WITH.HIS LATEST CHRISTMAS EP, “THE REASON”. THIS HEARTFELT...

Music Industry Icons Ellis Hall and George Whitty Release “WHAT!!!! In The World” January 17th

WHAT!!!! In the World Amidst all the searing soul balladry, deep spirituality, insightful and impactful social consciousness and rousing funk on their infectious dual album In the World, legendary, world-wise cats George Whitty and Ellis Hall ...

Musical and Cultural Icon MELBA MOORE Releases New Single, “IMAGINE”

MELBA MOORE “Imagine”   No disrespect to John Lennon’s timeless, Grammy Hall of Fame classic, but legendary singer Melba Moore – still vibrant and impactful after half a century-plus as a musical and cultural icon – is lifting the spirits of ...

Tony Award Winner and 4-Time Grammy nominee MELBA MOORE Returns To The Stage

TONY AWARD WINNER MELBA MOORE & NAACP IMAGE AWARD WINNER KENNY LATTIMORE guest star in Don B. Welch’s hit comedy stage play, “HEAVENBOUND!”     Los Angeles, CA.- Acclaimed Playwright, Don B. Welch returns with, the rousing hand clapping fo...

Revered Jazz Songstress DEEANN Pivots With The Release Of Her New Pop Single “Stay Here with Me”

How was this song written? I was reminiscing about a special man in my life. The lyrics and melody easily flowed as I began writing “Stay Here with Me.” I believed this man was my soulmate, but unfortunately, the feelings were not mutual. My pro...

George Whitty and Ellis Hall aka WHAT!!!! On Finding Their Creative Flow

THAT ELUSIVE CREATIVE FLOW and how to get there Ellis and George come to the creative process from 2 very different angles, but with the same goal in mind:  getting the most inspired, unimpeded creative flow going when writing songs, finding a way...

To Know Your “Why?”

As humans, we have something to offer our communities, families, and the world.  But, not understanding what we have to offer makes it very difficult to make moves for progress toward making a difference.  Knowing your “why” or your purpose is esse...

Grammy and Tony Award Winning Legend BRENDA RUSSELL Releases New Single November 22nd

“You Know What It’s Like” With the release of her latest single, the soulful and sensualromance “You Know What It’s Like,” Brenda Russell not only continues to pave the way for her highly anticipated upcoming album Songpainter – her first colle...

How Music Affects our Daily Lives

I was sitting by a window in the hallway of the hospital waiting for a test, worrying about the results. Feeling the warmth and comfort of the sun’s rays upon my face, I felt an immediate sense of peace. I noticed something else that brought even m...

Revered Songtress DEEANN Releases “Stay Here with Me” November 12th

DeeAnn Stay Here with Me We’ve all been in that dark, despairing place that multi-talented singer/songwriter DeeAnn sings of on her soulful, deeply passionate new single “Stay Here with Me.” We thought we had met the mate of our dreams, only...

The Significance of Learning, especially as an artist or musician

As an artist, it’s extremely important to be what I like to call, “always be a student.”  What do I mean?  It simply means to always be willing to learn.  Learning facilitates adaptability, ensuring our relevance and keeping us updated. It foster...

Filmmaker, Musician, Adoptee Activist ZARA PHILLIPS Releases Autobiographical “Somebody’s Daughter’

ZARA PHILLIPS Somebody’s Daughter As she celebrates the release of her extraordinary autobiographical film Somebody’s Daughter, Zara Phillips offers up some tough love truths that fly in the face of the often cheery, sanitized way adopted c...

Jesse “JT Jazz” Thompson - Changes In The Music Industry

Changes/Adaptations in the Music Production Industry Part 2 Part 1 https://metropolitandigital.com/entertainment-news/17224-jesse-jt-jazz-thompson-on-changes-in-the-music-industry The music production industry has undergone changes or adaptation...

Darryl Evan Jones brings the flute's classic vibe, rich melodic and harmonic possibilities to a new generation

Darryl Evan Jones brings the flute's classic vibe, rich melodic and harmonic possibilities to a new generation. The musical style of Darryl Evan Jones is truly original - combining the genres of Jazz, Classical, and Gospel music...

His Name was Charlie

His name was Charlie. Uninvited, he visited my father daily in the last years of his life. Sometimes the two of them were friends. Sometimes the two were enemies. My father would tell us of how they would share drinks, or how Charlie had destroye...

Revered Recording Artist DeeAnn DiMeo on Why We Perform

I’ve never really been comfortable with eyes aimed at me. The feeling hasn’t changed, whether I was at my desk in third grade answering questions in front of the class, auditioning for Swing Choir in High School, or stepping onto a stage to perform...

Jesse “JT Jazz” Thompson on Changes In The Music Industry

The music production industry has seen significant changes and adaptations over the past 2-3 years, particularly influenced by the rise of music streaming platforms (MSPs). These platforms have brought about a shift in the way music is both created...

Grammy Winner George Whitty and “Ambassador of Soul” Ellis Hall To Release “Die Living”

WHAT!!!! In The World    When music legends George Whitty and Ellis Hall decided to turn their longtime mutual admiration society into an official partnership, they committed full throttle to recording their explosive contemporary twist on class...