Jazz Sensation Manee Valentine Set To Release His New Album – Lucky 7
Hollywood Ca-International Jazz Crooner, BMI affiliated, and Recording artist, Manee Valentine will celebrate the release of his new album “Lucky 7” – dropping on June 1, at The Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood on Sunday, June 2, 2024. (The physical CD will be available at Amazon; the digital CD is already available at https://www.amazon.com/I-saw-you/dp/B0CV8V2WBY
The album “Lucky 7” features 7 original compositions written by Argentine, songwriter Ike Montana. Manee Valentine will be performing several songs from “Lucky 7,” and some from his previous CD “Red Soul,” plus he will dazzle his audience by performing many favorite American standards. Keeping with his 7 themes, he has 7 talented female jazz musicians accompanying him: Beth Marlis (guitar), Anne King (trumpet), Amanda Campos (sax), Sherry Luchette (bass), Amanda Mora (trombone), and Ana Barreiro (drums). His very seasoned music director, Karen Hernandez, has many accolades. Karen burst onto the jazz scene in the ’60s, and she has many film credits to her name as well, including original songs in “Pretty Woman” and “The Fabulous Baker Boys.” Alongside her is music arranger Carlos Luna, who too has many television credits.
Valentine has the vocal precision and control of many that have come before him, but he has a bit of a Latin twist in there for good measure. Manee Valentine says, “I love bringing a good story from a great ballad to life but in my fresh way! I listen to all the greats and take away what I can use for myself, I take pride in having my unique style, and I love what I do!”
As the Creative Director of 7Notas Music Designers & Publishing, Manee Valentine has an uncanny and natural ability to create lyrics and melodies for his original songs. He specializes in adapting and translating popular songs, including standards and current hits.
Coming from Miami, Manee Valentine was able to get a real feel for what Florida had to offer musically. Miami is the mecca for rich Latin music and is a great place to learn the ropes. But he feels Los Angeles is the place to be seen and grow as an artist. With Manee Valentine’s velvety smooth voice and enormous stage presence, he can trigger emotions of better days and toe-tapping happiness of what’s to come. Every generation, who loves Jazz and Big Bands, will enjoy his rhythmic renditions and arrangements of the great American songbook. Truly a throwback to a time when crooners were gold, whether interpreting a romantic ballad or singing to the beat of swing, Manee Valentine is a force to be reckoned with.
Catch Manee Valentine at The Catalina Jazz Club on June 2, 2024, at 7:30 PM, with doors opening at 6:00 PM. Tickets – https://www.ticketweb.com/event/the-manee-valentine-show-at-catalina-bar-grill-tickets.
“Lucky 7” is on – social media platforms: Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, and most music digital platforms.
Manee Valentine Q & A:
Q. How has your family inspired you and your artistic career
A: I come from a musical family, so inspiration and creation can be triggered by emotional experiences and events.
Q. Where do you see your career going in 5 years?
A: I have the “Hollywood Dream.” To perform on worldwide stages, produce more of my original songs, collaborate with other performers, and see my screenplays on the small and big screens.
Q: Talk about any producers you have worked with.
A: As a producer myself, I have been very fortunate to have had producers as collaborators which allows the project to maintain its originality from the initial versions of its inception.
Q: Where do you get your ideas for your music projects?
A: We are all vessels of the ultimate creator. Anything, everything, and everybody is a song. Any word, any thought, and every action are a crucial part of a story that can become a song.
Q: What charities are you aligned with and why?
A: I would love to work with the American Heart Association. I think we would make a great match!
Q: What music projects will you be involved with in the future?
A: I have an amazing production in the works! All original songs related to the Great American Song Book, that is all I can share for now. I’m excited about it; I think it can be a game-changer in my career.
Q: What are your biggest influences?
A: Everything is an influence, music, life experiences, and conversations with people. Even when I’m sleeping, I am being influenced by the supernatural LOL! I always have my phone nearby just in case I wake up in the middle of the night with a song in my head. I record myself because if I wait until the morning, I will forget what I have created in my dreams. Everyone has their unique creative process. Some songwriters write the lyrics first and then add the music, and others write the music first and then add the lyrics. I am blessed to be able to create both at the same time.
Q: What advice would you give to a young musician starting on his career path?
A: Preparation is key. Study, practice, and work hard. Build a vision of your goals and be grateful for every step that comes along the way to success.
Q: Talk about your performance training. Who have you trained with and why?
A: Every job, no matter how small or big, is a training class. Every rehearsal, every practice, and every moment of creating is training.
Q: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?
A: I would love to record a duet with Vikki Carr! She is one of the most talented female crooners from that era.
Q: What do you do to prepare for a live show?
A: I make sure all chart books are in order, practice and corroborate every lyric sheet in the books, attend rehearsals, and avoid overworking “the pipes” to arrive at the desired tone and clarity of my voice for the performance. I maintain a relaxed mental frame and enjoy the ride.
Q: What’s the Miami music scene like compared to Los Angeles?
A: Miami is the other side of the coin regarding cultural genres, but it was interesting to learn and grow in the industry. You need solid roots and an understanding of your musical identity to navigate the tropical and Latin influences in the local music scene.
Q: Talk about your current album.
A: Jazz is truly an American legacy for all generations worldwide, and as such, it is recognized and has influenced many cultures and listeners. With this production, we intend to bring to the forefront the results of the influence of American Jazz to more Latinos around the world. Lucky 7 is a collection of seven new original songs written and produced in Buenos Aires, Argentina by Ike Montana, also arranged and produced by Dani Vila with Argentinian musicians. Our Hollywood team set up the vocal recording sessions at Valentine Records, in Studio City.
Q: How did you start singing?
A: When my mother gifted me a blue acoustic guitar, I was about 9 years old. I should write a song called, “My Blue Acoustic Guitar” LOL!
Q: How does your family support you in your career?
A: Wholeheartedly, especially my wife. She produces my shows and my CD productions, we work hand in hand on all my projects.
Q: How do you feel about the current state of the music industry?
A: It is a work in progress. With all the restructuring and technological innovations, it is up to the artist to pave their path. The beauty of this is that we can all produce and promote our productions without depending on a record label.
Q: What sets your music apart from other singers and jazz musicians?
A: I’d like to think I keep myself present in the moment. This allows me to provide an innovative style of interpretation to the melodies each time by channeling the audience’s energy for inspiration. This makes every performance different and unique.
Q: What goals and milestones have you set for yourself? Are there specific achievements you’re aiming for shortly?
A: “The sky is the Limit,” is the first step to accomplishing the dreams we have been promised.
Q: Who is your music mentor?
A: Daldo Romano (D’Aldo), who worked for CBS Records, EMI Latin, and Universal Music Latino. He passed away recently. He was a great friend and always encouraged and guided me.
Q: How has technology changed the way you record?
A: Amazingly! I love the many options and conversions to variables from the past to the present and can’t wait for future applications with AI for compositions and more innovations. The future has caught us off guard. Let’s take it as a positive experience and make the best of it.
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