Mekiel Reuben
Los Angeles, California, United States | SELF
Music
Press
It’s been several years that I discovered sax man Mekiel Reuben from L.A. My first introduction to his music was with the album ‘Hangin’ in the Moonlight’. Afterwards I reviewed ‘Cookin’ in East L.A.’, and now his latest release was delivered to my house. ‘If You Were Here Tonight’ is in total his 7th recording, and the 6th for MekMuse Records. Just like his previous album, this set is a combination of covers and originals. He opens with ‘Another Sunday’, an uplifting original that gets you in the mood for some sweet sax music. Singer-songwriter Janis Ian recorded ‘At Seventeen’ in 1975 and here it’s covered fresh as ever. ‘Corey’ is again an original composition, followed by the equally original ‘I Just Wanna Be With You’. Next up is the title track, a nice cover of a beautiful hit by soul man Alexander O’Neal. After that Mekiel turns to Bill Withers with his hit track ‘Lovely Day’ from 1977. Again it’s nicely done. Then “Nigerian Song Bird” Mary Akpa features for the first time as lead vocalist on the Van Morrison’s classic hit ‘Moondance’. The cover is done in a relaxed reggae way. The rest of the album consists of four original tunes, ‘One for Me’, ‘Stop Sailing’, ‘Summer Breezin’’ and ‘We Gotta Get It Together’. As I wrote before, Mekiel has proven that he’s here to stay, and deserves a place among sax man like Dave Koz, Richard Elliot, Chris Godber etc.
Patrick Van de Wiele
- Smoothjazz.eu
Review By Paula Edelstein
Imagine yourself after a night of cool jazz at a Caribbean nightspot in the "New Sunshine" of the next morning. With that in mind, you now have an appreciation of the warm, friendly sounds of Mekiel Reuben. His second release for MekMuse records, Simply Peaceful is a collection of Afro-Caribbean jazz tunes that play like a restful night's sleep — even and pacified. Unlike the "clavé police," those overzealous guardians of the Afro-Cuban rhythmic flame, Mekiel Reuben demonstrates a perfect segué into sweet music and sweet dreams along this soothing, poetic cruise. His explosive saxophone style has been compared to the likes of Grover Washington, Jr., Stanley Turrentine and John Klemmer, and not without foundation. Breezy calypso, reggae and Latin rhythms show up on such tracks as "2 B In Rio," "Understanding" and the title track, "Simply Peaceful." Mekiel reharmonizes and rhythmically mixes grooves that range from cool, tropical cookers to the uptempo beats heard on "For Max." From beginning to end, Simply Peaceful lives up to the intensity and improvisational style of Afro-Caribbean jazz while exemplifying the exceptional jazz credentials of Mekiel Reuben.
- All Media guide/ All Music guide
http://www.singleoftheday.com/2007/04/26/ - Jody Whitesides
http://www.singleoftheday.com/2007/04/26/ - Jody Whitesides
By: ERIKA SOROCCO - For The Californian
"Can you say smooth jazz? Mekiel (Reuben) is the taste master when it comes to the saxophone.
His flowing melodies will captivate you, and allow you to love. - North County TIMES
By: ERIKA SOROCCO - For The Californian
"Can you say smooth jazz? Mekiel (Reuben) is the taste master when it comes to the saxophone.
His flowing melodies will captivate you, and allow you to love. - North County TIMES
http://www.abyssjazz.com/ajm/breakout/breakout_mreuben.asp - Abyssjazz Magazine March/April 2007
http://www.abyssjazz.com/ajm/breakout/breakout_mreuben.asp - Abyssjazz Magazine March/April 2007
CD " Hangin in the Moonlight"
I was a Mekiel Reuben fan before I even opened the CD. For over twenty years he's worked with Special Ed kids in the Los Angeles school district. For the last decade he's performed an annual free concert at the school each February to celebrate Black History Month. This guy puts his money where his mouth is. My admiration only rose once I did listen to his music. Reuben's musical journey began with the guitar (his mom gave him one for Christmas when he was eight), but with musical influences that included Grover Washington, Jr., The Crusaders and Earth, Wind & Fire, woodwinds seemed a better fit. At 15 he began his studies in earnest and performed for the first time at his high school graduation. He continued to study and perform when he moved to the Caribbean, infusing calypso, reggae and Latin rhythms into his developing style. Since moving back to the States he's shared the stage with the likes of Ronnie Laws, Marcus Miller, Chaka Khan, Etta James, Dr. John and Phil Perry. His third release, HANGIN' IN THE MOONLIGHT, opens with a cover of the classic "Our Day Will Come," here Reuben superbly makes this his own exceptional version. The soulful and poignant "Missing You" is not to be missed and if it's a bit more funk you're looking for, Reuben deftly offers that up on "Why Should I." The most difficult problem with HANGIN' IN THE MOONLIGHT is deciding on what track to play... they're all exceptional. - Reviewer: Smoothjazz.com / Beth Lewis
Discography
MekMuse Records LLC releases to his credit:
(1994) Miles Away (a dedication to Miles Davis)
(1996) Simply Peaceful
(2000) Shadows of Love
(2005) Hangin in the Moonlight.
(2009) Cookin' in East L.A
New Release "If you were here tonight" on sale @ Amazon.com & www.cdbaby.com October 17, 2012
(2002) Live at Montreux Jazz Festival
The Resurrection of Ike Turner and
the Kings of Rhythm, on the French
label Isabel Records Blues Power series (tenor sax)
Photos
Bio
Mekiel Reuben
musician / producer / composer
The Chicago born native became interested in music at the early age of eight when his mom gave him a guitar for Christmas. At the age of 15 he began studying music and woodwinds under Louis Gray, high school band director (Crane HS). . His first performance was playing at high school graduation, and he says he was greatly influenced by Grover Washington Jr.,The Crusaders, Earth,Wind & Fire and Stevie Wonder. He moved to the Caribbean where he continued to pursue his musical career. He studied privately in St. Croix with jazz woodwinds player James (Jimmy) Hamilton, a 27 year veteran of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Mekiel says, ”I use to watch Hamilton perform from the back of the club where I worked. Then we became friends and he taught me the “Art of Reservation,” and how to enhance my playing style.” Mekiel explained. He also studied with Benny Jacob El (a graduate of Juilliard School of Music) and while living in St. Croix he learned calypso, reggae, Latin and other Caribbean rhythms. After several years of touring and playing with several theatrical/dance companies in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Mekiel returned to the United States and now resides in Los Angeles, CA.
Following his dream of becoming a recording artist, when he returned to the USA he continued his music studies with the legendary saxophonist Bill Greene (improvisation lessons). He also studied music and marketing at Los Angeles City College and West Los Angeles City College. Then when Mekiel had over a hundred compositions under his belt, he started his own label with the name of MekMuse Records. He now has several releases to his credit: (1994) “Miles Away” (a dedication to Miles Davis), (1996), “Simply Peaceful,” (2000) “Shadows of Love,” (2005) “Hangin in the Moonlight.”and (2009) “Cookin' in East L.A". latest release (2012) .”If you were here tonight"
Mekiel has shared stages with so many musicians on festivals and concert venues throughout North America (United States and Canada) and Europe featuring acts such as Bunny Wailer, Ziggy Marley, Maxi Priest, Third World, Steel Pulse, Inner Circle , Burning Spear, UB 40, Lenny Williams, Barbara Morrison, Ronnie Laws,The Jazz Crusader, Les Mc Canns, Marcus Miller ,Chaka Khan, Gino Vanelli, Dr. John, Tyrone Davis, Etta James, Phil Perry, George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars, Ronnie Laws and a host of others. He worked with local backup bands for years at Los Angeles biggest reggae festival "Bob Marley Day" with artists such as Marcia Griffith, The Itals, Johnny Clark, Uroy, Eek-A-Muse and Ras Michael and the sons of Niegus and many more. While a member of Ras Michael and the sons of Niegus (5 years) they recorded an album entitled, “Know Now,” on Shanachie Records.
In 2002 Mekiel began working as a sideman with the legendary"Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm" and toured Europe,Japan and North America performing in several Blues and Jazz festivals. He participated in the North Seas Jazz fest, Netherlands, Ajaccio Blues fest, Corsica, Pori Jazz fest, Finland, Nice Jazz fest, Cognac Blues Passion, France, San Diego Blues fest, Long Beach Blues fest, California, USA, Edmonton Blues fest. Canada and Montreux jazz fest.,Switzerland, where they recorded the album, Live at Montreux " The Resurrection of Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm,”on the French label Isabel Records - Blues Power series (M Williams-tenor sax)
Mekiel has dedicates his talent and time for over two decade to disable students at the LAUSD, Benjamin Banneker Special Education Center when he is not on tour or performing. He has brought great joy to disabled students with music. He has been a regular Smooth Jazz artist at the famous "ICugini" Italian restaurant in Santa Monica,CA , for the 94.7 the Wave Jazz Sunday Brunch every third Sunday. So keep your eyes open and ears tuned for this musician / producer / composer, Mekiel Reuben to be the next new rising star.
buy online @ http://amazon.com or http://cdbaby.com - keyword - Mekiel Reuben
For Booking: Mekiel Reuben @ mekmuse@yahoo.com
Links
