I’m not a stranger to the best and the worst of times happening simultaneously in my life.  2022 ushered in some really nice surprises with my music recordings and progress on my 9th Album, which came to be titled “Magic Mirror”. My Single release “Fire & Water” took off in January charting in February on Billboard Smooth Jazz Airplay.  It peaked at #4 position and ended 2022 on the Song of the Year Chart at #26 in the midst of many notable Artists.  My work on new recordings continued with a trip to Los Angeles in March to record with Paul Brown, Carmen Grillo and Roberto Vally on several tunes including “Paradigm Shift”, “Angels Watching Over Me”, and  “Sapporo Dream”.  

I was contacted to perform in Austin, Texas with my Band at an offsite venue during the SWSX Festival in March. I performed at the Berks Jazz Festival in Pennsylvania in April during the 2 week long Festival of amazing Artists.  It was great running into professional friends and meeting new friends at the same time.  I performed in many small intimate settings from January to June.

During this time my Father had become ill with cancer and it became apparent his health was failing and he had only a short time left in life.  Having lived a very strong and active life, it was hard for us to see him decline so rapidly. In June 2022 he passed away peacefully.  At the same time other close members of the family were going through some challenging times and personal struggles.  My Father had taught me to be strong and resilient and would want me to continue to move forward.  I continued with the project finishing my last composition “Gemini Sun” for the Album in July.   

The new Album was finalized in August 2022 and released on October 7, 2022.  I Titled the Album “Magic Mirror” reflecting the world I go into when I’m writing and composing music of joy, pain and fantasy. I imagined traveling through many scenes and spaces with tunes like “Sol Ipanema”, “Sapporo Dream” and dedicated “Angels Watching Over Me” to my Father.  “Paradigm Shift” became the lead Single and hit the Billboard Chart after just a few weeks. A highlight of the Year was when “Paradigm Shift” hit #1 on Halloween, October 31 and was #1 on all the Smooth Jazz Charts lasting for many weeks.  It’s still at #1 at the end of December on Groove Jazz/RadioWave, SmoothJazz Radar and still on Billboard/Mediabase A/C at #13 making 15 weeks on Billboard.  It was my first #1 Hit and a lifelong dream that truly I never thought possible.  I am truly grateful for the tremendous amount of support from Radio Program Directors and fans, as well as Jason Gorov at Gorov Music Marketing and my longtime loyal supporters.  

This Fall saw a flurry of Shows with Performances in Kentucky, Atlanta, and Alabama.  It was very gratifying to discover that “Fire & Water” and “Paradigm Shift” both made the Best of 2022 on all the Smooth Jazz Year End Charts.  “Magic Mirror” was also on the Best Album of 2022 list with SmoothJazz.com.

Throughout the year streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and many other services reported amazing numbers of streams for my tunes.  A favorite of many  “Perfect Sunday” reached over 7 million streams on Spotify and “Sun’s Out” over 2.5 million streams on Apple Music.  Even many of my older Albums have received many streams and physical CD Orders from my web and CD Baby.  

In summary, I believe it’s not what life throws at you but how you can deal with those challenges. My music has always been a great outlet for me and has resonated with so many people through the years.  I appreciate the amount of love and support from all of you this year!  

There’s so much more to come in 2023.  Stay tuned for many new directions, new music and developments.  

Much love, 
Carol

First and foremost, my heart is full of gratitude for the amazing reception of my Single “Sun’s Out”!!  When we went to Radio with Gorov Music Marketing the week of July 4thit wasn’t an expectation that “Sun’s Out” would still be on Billboard at Thanksgiving.  Now entering the 22nd week, “Sun’s Out” is celebrating its 18th Week on Billboard Smooth Jazz Chart, and still rides on Groove Jazz at #2, RadioWave #2, and  peaked on MediaBase Chart at #1 , being my 1st Number 1 Hit.  
 
During October “Stronger Now” Album was finished and has already received rave Reviews from Critics.  I was fortunate to have amazing talent add to the integrity of my work.  Please visit the dedicated page for “Stronger Now” for full details. 
 
On a personal note I visited family in Washington, DC at the end of October.  It was a really great trip full of fun and laughter but I caught a nasty bug on the plane ride back.  Flying is great but has also been termed a” Germ Tube” for many reasons.  I’m fully recovered now and have a renewed appreciation for my health.  
 
Yesterday I found out that I was Nominated Best Smooth Jazz Artist 2019.  I was completely overwhelmed at the Honor.  Voting takes place now through January 3rd.  Please check out the Website to Vote and have a look at the other Artists as well. 
 
Currently I’m making preparations for the Holiday Season.  I’m performing several gigs, preparing my Piano Students for the Holiday Piano Recital, and Booking Shows for 2020.  
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Late Summer has proved to be a time of celebration and completion.

I celebrated my birthday in August with friends on a Girl’s Trip to Rosemary Beach, Fla.  It was a much needed time to catch up with my friends after a very busy season of performing and working on my new Album. 
August/September also heralded “Sun’s Out” Single to the Top Smooth Jazz Charts with current status on Billboard at #14, Smooth Jazz Top 20 #5, Radiowave #3, Groove Jazz Music #4, MediaBase # 17, and Smooth Jazz .com #26.  

I had the honor of Recording at Orange Peel Studios with Lil John Roberts who added drum tracks, Sam Sims and Joseph Patrick Moore added bass tracks, Paul Brown and  Dan Baraszu added guitar tracks and engineered by Raheem Amlani. I went to Silent Sound Studios in Atlanta  to work with TK Kidd on the legendary Yamaha C7 for piano tracks.  While Paul Brown was in town I also sat in with his band at Suite Lounge Jazz Series  in Atlanta and played some keys.  I am finishing up the last track for the Album with Lew Laing in California. 
 
I was also honored to participate in the WCLK Fundraising Event Sept 25 and joined other celebrities at the Festivities.  
 
Stay tuned for more news on the new Album release Date and Events.  

July has flown by with lots of happenings.

​“Sun’s Out”, my new Smooth Jazz Radio Single, was Released the Week of July 8.  It was the #1 Most Added the 1st week and Most Increased Plays for the past two weeks.  The response from “Sun’s Out” has been very positive.
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“Her latest single, “Sun’s Out” will give you a vision of an exotic beach with that perfect coastal breeze. Yes, I’ll have a Pina Colada!”...Brenda Lorenzo, Beat Atlanta Online Magazine 

The Atlanta Chapter of the Recording Academy held its Summer Celebration Meet and Greet.  It was great hearing some new music Performances and running into so many Professional music friends. 

My new 5 month old puppy, Zeno,  continues to get bigger every day and he is absolutely adorable.

July 2019 - wow!
Carol Albert