Songs in the Key of JJB FREE

About Songs in the Key of JJB

In 2002 a singer-songwriter and his then 10 year old son walked into West LA Music in West Los Angeles, California. The singer-songwriter was assisted by a man who could only be described as a cross between a utility infielder and an impresario. JJB Music was born. In a short span of five years, JJB Music has released close to a dozen CDs, been involved in several others, become a home to singer-songwriters, represented artists from folk to hip-hop-and back again, built a proprietary music studio, made a name for itself from the Big Apple to Nashville, seen its acts perform at the likes of the House of Blues in Hollywood, California, and featured on its records names that have been associated with some of the greatest and most recognized innovators in all of modern music. We could go on ....

In 2007 JJB Music celebrates its fifth year in the music business. JJB Music is proud to say that after five years we are not only bigger, stronger and more successful, but we are making our best music ever. This has been accomplished in large part by combining the efforts of the most gifted songwriters, producers, arrangers, musicians, singers, engineers, and pre-and post production talent that JJB Music has developed within the label, and beyond.

Songs in the Key of JJB is the result of this process of combining the best ingredients. As always, Stephen Duhart, "the Colonel" as he is known around JJB Music's offices, is the driving and creative force behind this offering. We at JJB Music believe that Songs in the Key of JJB represents the crowning achievement to date of what is undeniably becoming the "JJB sound:" reflective songwriting, production values that are "invisible" when needed, yet "visible" when the groove or mood requires, to-the-point-arrangements, accomplished musicianship, topped with a voice that is a song by itself. Add up all these ingredients, and add the Colonel's unflagging attention to detail and extraordinary effort, you get the "JJB Sound" and Songs in the Key of JJB. A sound and material undeniably unique.

Our commitment to continuing to make this music is stronger than ever. This is easy to say--but in the case of JJB Music it is very true. Why? Well, let's just say that after all our hard learned lessons and knowledge, we just believe we got it down. We are having fun. It isn't always easy, but we have learned, "it gonna do what its gonna do." Now, JJB Music is gonna keep doing what it has been doing ... making great sounds. It is in our blood. We couldn't stop if we wanted to. We would not know how. It's the classic labor of love.

A few words about the songs on Songs in the Key of JJB. One of our principal songwriters discovered the wonderfulness of finally finding the right person The songs have been flowing ever since. Too Late Too Soon explores the feelings of guilt when a relationship with children ends in divorce. Long After the Band is Gone talks about how a new arrival will have his Dad's music around long after his Dad is gone. Goodbye--written some 33 years after the fact--is about the pain of losing your mother and finally accepting that you don't so much rise above the pain as learn to co-exist with the pain. Floating like a Butterfly--Stinging like the Bee is about the greatest athlete of all time, Muhammed Ali. An extraordinary human being, and a symbol of hope to untold millions even today, the Greatest-of-All-Time's greatest achievements were outside the ring where he has never stopped fighting for the triumph of the human spirit and the right to self-determination. The remaining songs are taken from the vault and archives of JJB Music and given new legs and new life through the efforts of Mr. Duhart.

Finally, we at JJB Music want to acknowledge the recent loss of a member of the JJB Music family, Aunt Blanche. It is funny how lives intersect. When JJB Music was getting started, the singer-songwriter and impresario needed to go to New York City to grab some key video footage for their first project together. With limited resources, they needed a place to stay for a few days. Aunt Blanche and Uncle Richard opened their doors and took them in. Once again, JJB Music was off and running. JJB Music has dedicated Songs in the Key of JJB to Aunt Blanche. We know she will be listening. As for Uncle Richard, he coined the phrase "black nephew, white nephew." That's another story for another time.

So listen, reflect and enjoy. We are grateful for your love and support.

Love
JJB Music
"from Abba to Zappa"