Summer is in full swing but like so many other people I have not taken a vacation, travelled, performed or enjoyed my usual summer fanfare.  My 4th of July was spent at home watching fireworks on TV and burning sparklers in my back yard.  While this summer has been so different from all my other summers I have found hope lying in so many hidden aspects of my life.

I have hope for the future.  I have hope that as an Artist I can tap into this experience and create my best work yet. I have hope and inspiration from my daily surroundings from my garden, nature and family. I have hope due to the innovations and creativity that has risen in all facets of life from this time. My biggest hope is that we can learn from this and treat others with more kindness, respect and love.

With some extra time on my hands I have had a renewed interest in history. Looking back through history I’m reminded of the despair and unbearable events humans have suffered throughout the ages through disease, tyrants, incredible cruelty, wars, but also the hope in the human spirit that has allowed survival and renewal. 

Music continues to provide inspiration, healing, and unification. I continue to write and practice and hope to be able to share with you in the future through performances and new recordings.  As tough as this time has been, it has also been a time of hope.

I want to close with my latest video “Love Again” from my new Album Stronger Now which embraces this theme Hope and Love. ​

Much love,
Carol

As we are approach the 2nd half of 2020 I’m reflecting that time has passed so quickly and so differently than what I had expected the year to be like. When I started writing my notes for June I asked myself  “What can I write about that’s uplifting?”. ​

I got a letter yesterday in the mail from a fan who had purchased my new Album “Stronger Now ”.  I was so moved by his note that I decided to share the comments I’ve been receiving about the Album from letters, YouTube comments and messages.  The comments have opened my heart because the ultimate compliment is for someone to say they “felt something” when they listen to my music and that it “meant something” to them. I’m very humbled to share a few testimonials below and have removed a few names for privacy. ​

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

The evening featured a live band with and opening act by Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Konner Scott and Flutist, Vocalist and Songwriter Ragan Whiteside. In fact, Stronger Now includes the Brazilian flavored "Femme Flight," which hit #4 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs chart. Produced by Carol, mixed by two-time Grammy-winning hit-maker Paul Brown and featuring flutist Ragan Whiteside and saxophonist Magdalena Chovancova, the track also earned Albert a new legion of fans via airplay on SiriusXM's Watercolors.

Carol Albert received a standing ovation from over 100+ fans in attendance, including WCLK program director David Linton and a host of media representatives and family members.

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

May/April 2019

WOW!!  What a whirlwind spring it’s been.  April flew by too quickly.  The April 12 show in Las Vegas at Myron’s Cabaret Jazz at the Smith Center was a huge success.  I had a stellar band with Ragan Whiteside as guest Artist, Joseph Patrick Moore, Chris Harris, Carlos Mata-Alvarez, and Wayne Viar. We had a Standing Ovation and cheers for more at the conclusion of the show. While I was in Las Vegas Ragan and I visited and conducted an Interview with KUNV Radio Station in Las Vegas with Kim Linzy and Steve Edwards. We had a great time meeting the staff at the Station and sharing some laughter.  It was also great seeing my friend Myron Martin, Founder of the Smith Center, at my show (read more about it here).

I came back to Atlanta and started on my City Winery Show for May 9.  It was great fun having Justin Rogers shoot some video and seeing some of my old friends at the Show.  I debuted some of my new songs during the show as well as played some of my older songs. It was great to see such a positive reception of my new material.  ​

With love,
Carol Albert