New York, NY (Top40 Charts) She's been spreading good tidings of soulful R&B-jazz grooves to listeners around the world all year and now harpist Mariea Antoinette is hoping GRAMMY® voters will recognize her innovative sonicscapes with a nomination in five award categories for her second album, "Straight from the Harp: Special Edition." The holiday season will be in full cheer by the time the nominations are announced in December and Antoinette will help set the mood with a sterling rendition of "Gloria (Angels We Have Heard on High)" that will be available digitally from iTunes and CD Baby on November 15.
On her sophomore album, "Straight from the Harp: Special Edition," a Best Contemporary Instrumental Album entry, Antoinette was determined to open the R&B and contemporary jazz frontiers to exciting new aural possibilities with harp as the protagonist on the critically-praised set of originals, R&B-funk classics, hip hop beats, improvisational jazz, edgy rock and celestial ambiance produced by Emmy winner and two-time GRAMMY® nominee Allan Phillips. The result is a Billboard Top 5 contemporary jazz album that made several singles into radio playlist favorites while establishing the identity of Antoinette's distinctive sound that proficiently mixes genres with the dare of a fearless alchemist, the defiance of a revolutionist and the cool swagger of a visionary artist. Antoinette's unique approach has made her a Best New Artist contender and along with Phillips, a Best Arranging/Composer entrant. Her delicate touch on "Spend Some Time (With You)" is under consideration for Best Jazz Improvised Solo. Confirming Antoinette's versatility, "A Single Dance," featuring vocalist
Chanel Fields on the cut sequined with Antoinette's sparkling harp over a hip shaking R&B track, is up for Best Pop Single.
Placing her sound concept into a holiday context on "Gloria," Antoinette takes her ancient stringed instrument to a disco party, struts her stuff Soul
Train style and ushers in the season with revere and revelry on an imaginative take of the Christmas gem. The single will be shipped to radio stations next month, promising to festively light up the airwaves and charts.
Below are highlights from some of the "Straight from the Harp: Special Edition" reviews:
"This inspirational/aspiration player hits it out of the park so strongly the ball might never come back to earth. This set hits that sweet spot commercial music and from the heart playing come together in a way that blows your mind." - Midwest Record Recap
"'Straight From The Harp' is a balanced set of soul-infused originals and rhythm and blues classics that the harpist showcases in a new dimension that features her string virtuosity…It is elegant, sexy, funky and reveals Antoinette's fascinating technique that should enamor her to new and current fans alike." - AXS
"This sizzling, sexy extravaganza sounds just as good on the 'Special Edition'…a wonderful recording and one where the quality is so consistent that it is virtually impossible to select what I normally term my 'top track.'" - Smooth Jazz Therapy
"'Straight from the Harp' bolsters a smooth fusion of jazz, funk, and R&B, blazing a new trail for herself and those to come after her." - Pink & Blue Notes
"Seduces and sways with refreshingly distinctive sounds" - Soul Tracks
"Throw in some spirited originals like 'Walk The Walk' and a great modern soul groove , 'A Single Dance' with
Chanel Fields on lead vocal, and you have a great and never-less-than-interesting smooth jazz collection." - Soul and Jazz and Funk
"San Diego-based harpist Mariea Antoinette is bringing an entirely unique sound to R&B and contemporary jazz." - Los Angeles Wave
"Showcasing Ms. Antoinette's graceful and sensual harp theatrics amidst spacious jazz improvisations." - Hill Rag
"A true virtuoso" - Smooth Jazz Daily
"Antoinette does a good job marrying her harp to the music and the large select audience could fall in love." - O's Place Jazz
For more information, please visit www.MarieaAntoinette.com.
