BET's Bob Johnson's Independent Music Label Cracks Billboard's Top 10

WASHINGTON, DC. (Top40 Charts/ Three Keys Music) - Washington, D.C. jazz pianist Marcus Johnson's new CD, The Phoenix, has risen to No. 6 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz charts this week less than 14 days after its release by Three Keys Music, https://www.threekeys.com, which is co-owned by entrepreneur Bob Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) and owner of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats.

The chart ranking, as provided by Nielsen Soundscan, is Johnson's highest yet for any of his 10 albums on the Three Keys Music label, which is co-owned by entrepreneur Johnson; who is now chairman of RLJ Companies Inc. which include financial services, real estate, hospitality, professional sports, film and music production.

"I applaud Marcus and Three Keys on this milestone achievement and look forward to seeing The Phoenix reach No 1," Bob Johnson said. "Marcus makes great music for those with fine taste!"

The Phoenix features Marcus Johnson's signature urban grooves and celebrates his spirit of love, faith and making it happen.

Johnson, who is also the CEO of the label, has been on a cross-country tour this summer promoting the album through a series of performances in Richmond, Va., Baltimore, Atlanta, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Raleigh/Durham, N.C., Trenton, N.J. and Washington, D.C.

"I'm overjoyed and thankful to all the fans who have purchased the record," Johnson said. "I've waited my entire musical career for this."

- Bonnie Schendell of the Internet music magazine Smoothviews.com says The Phoenix "makes you want to dance the whole way ... with great beats that keeps the heads bopping!"

- Paula Edelstein of allmusic.com wrote Johnson "offers a solid and balanced set filled with urban grooves, contemporary jazz, R&B and hip hop with a little help from friends."

For the past 10 years, the keyboard maestro has been a fixture on jazz and adult contemporary radio and a regular at the hottest jazz festivals and venues building a loyal following of smooth music connoisseurs around the world.

A graduate of Howard and Georgetown universities with an undergraduate degree in music, a Masters in Business Administration and Juris Doctor of Law, Johnson co-founded the Washington D.C.-based label, Three Keys Music, in 2002 with Robert Johnson.

"I've been blessed," Johnson says. "This is a tough, crazy business and despite the consolidations, setbacks and other obstacles, we've enjoyed a semblance of success by God's grace. I'm thankful, and will always be."