2025 opened with the completion of my new album, *Pieces of Me*. I wrapped up recording, mastering, and distribution early in the year, and it felt incredibly satisfying to finally bring the project to life. At the same time, my single **“Seaside Story”** was still climbing both the MediaBase and *Billboard* Smooth Jazz Airplay charts—eventually reaching the **#1 position**.


What made that moment especially meaningful to me was the overwhelming positive response from listeners and fans. Hearing people say that “Seaside Story” became one of their favorite tunes was truly humbling and deeply rewarding.


Throughout the spring and summer, I had the joy of performing a string of shows across the country.  Each show was unique, and I loved meeting new people and experiencing new places along the way. Whenever I travel for performances, I always try to be a bit of a tourist—even if only for a short time. Those moments of discovery add another layer of inspiration to the journey.


In June, I officially released *Pieces of Me*, launching the album with **“Pink Flamango”** as the lead single. The companion video was a lot of fun to create, and the song felt like the perfect soundtrack for summer—light, colorful, and joyful.


As the year moved into fall, I decided to record **“My Favorite Things”** as a Christmas single. I truly enjoyed arranging, playing and producing this piece, and it was a pleasure collaborating with **Brian Bromberg**, who provided bass and valuable production assistance. **Ragan Whiteside** added beautiful, expressive flute melodies, with **Dan Needham** on drums. The track was expertly mixed and mastered by **Tom McCauley**, bringing everything together seamlessly.


On a personal note, 2025 also included meaningful time traveling with family and friends, as well as celebrating a very special milestone—having a high school graduate in the spring.


As an independent artist running my own label, **CAHARA LLC**, much of my year was also spent managing the many administrative tasks that come with releasing music independently: distribution, booking shows, writing new material, and staying on top of the technical demands of my studio. At times it can feel overwhelming, but I’m grateful to be able to navigate these challenges. While my college training and years of performing prepared me musically, nothing quite prepares you for an industry that’s constantly evolving—requiring ongoing attention to new technology, registrations, publishing, and the business side of being an artist.


As I launch into 2026, I feel energized and ready to continue composing, recording, and producing music, while also exploring some new creative ideas. I already have a few performance dates scheduled and look forward to adding more—hopefully in your city.


Please feel free to reach out for updates, information, or simply to say hello. Thank you for being part of the journey.


Much love, 
Carol 

June opened with a flurry of preparation and activities.  The promotion of “For The Moment” Single was off to a great start with Billboard most Added and Most Increased plays as well as other Smooth Jazz Chart Debuts. 

The Elkhart Jazz Fest in Elkhart, Indiana June 18 proved to be a great success.  It felt great to be performing in a Theatre on a Grand piano with amazing band members Kris Brownlee, Andrew Hauser, Rafael Chavez Moreno, Chris Chapman, and Jeff Keefer.  The audience was very receptive and everyone was happy to be out and about for the summer. 

The performance at “Jazz Under The Trees” in Birmingham, Alabama on July 4 also was great fun and a huge success.  The top-notch band members Roberto Vally, Dan Baraszu, and PJ Spraggins lived up to their stellar reputations. Thomas Waters of State Farm was an outstanding host for the evening and left no stone unturned to make us feel welcome and appreciated with fans old and new in the audience.

SmoothJazz Magazine featured Carol on the Summer Jazz Festival July/August 2021 Issue. 

Stay tuned for more performing dates to be announced and get ready for Catalina Jazz Trax October 24 at Catalina Island, California. ​

During April and May “Stronger Now” Single continued to be in the Top 20 Billboard Smooth Jazz Chart and is currently on its 16th week , Top 10 MediaBase for 16 weeks peaking at #1, Top 5 Smooth Jazz Network and Smooth Jazz Global, #2 Groove Jazz and RadioWave the week of May 25th. Many positive personal  comments have been made on my UTube Video of Stronger Now  as well as increased listeners on Radio Outlets, 75.8K listeners on Spotify for May , Apple Music  and others.  My Album Stronger Now and Merch is available directly from the Official Store by clicking here.

While I haven’t performed during this period due to Lockdowns and postponed events, I have been booked for Catalina Island Jazz Trax Festival for the closing weekend October 18 http://jazztrax.com/ , Re-booked for Elkhardt Jazz Festival June 2021, and have other dates soon to be announced. ​

My students have continued to take piano  lessons via Facetime. I was able to have a Spring Piano Recital via Zoom. It hasn’t been an easy time but there are some Silver Linings. Several families had relatives all over the world to tune in via Zoom for the Recital which was a new experience for all of us and made the families very happy. ​

On a personal note, I have had some time to catch up with my family, my home and garden, and some friends on Facetime and Zoom. I also have a new puppy named Marigold. She and Zeno have had lots of attention and play all the time.  We have enjoyed some walks along the river trail and other outdoor trails. ​

​March 2020 blew in with a whirlwind of anticipation. I performed at The Tin Pan March 5 in Richmond, Virginia with the best Band imaginable, which included Joseph Patrick Moore, Dan Baraszu, Jay Williams, and Art Sherrod. We absolutely killed it on the Stage. Unfortunately it was clouded with the oncoming storm of Coronavirus COVID-19. It was the beginning of the storm overtaking the US and we were very concerned on our travel through the airports. But we had no idea it would be our last show for a while to come.

As March is coming to a close I have spent time picking up on projects that I have put on the backburner for a while. One of these is putting to Sheet Music my Piano Pieces for others to learn on the piano. I’ve been working on “Stronger Now” and “Sun’s Out” to start with. My goal is to have all my piano pieces available from my website so please check out my web store from time to time to keep up with the latest available.

I have Performances lined up for the Summer and Fall and I am hopeful that I will be able to Perform at these and we will see a resurgence of Festivals and Live Concerts return in a new healthy environment for all of us.

In the time I have had at home while sheltering in place I’ve spent some time in my Garden pulling weeds and tending to neglected plants. It’s been a time of self-examination and quiet introspection. I’ve explored some ideas for new music and had lots of melodies run through my mind.

During this time I have also had great pleasure in seeing “Stronger Now” rise to #1 on MediaBase Smooth A/C, Top 20 on Billboard, Top 10 on Smooth Jazz Top 20, #1 Smoothjazz.com , #3 GrooveJazz Chart, #5 RadioWave Smooth Jazz now we will all emerge “Stronger“ and more resilient at the end of this. Check with your favorite Radio Station for “Stronger Now”.

Stay tuned for more upcoming news…

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.  
 ​

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.
​
“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