Reviews

BUTCH AND RHONDA COLEMAN
Moment Of Your Time
ButchAndRhondaColeman.com

A spiritually grounded husband and wife duo that recognizes music as a universal healer, Maryland based Butch & Rhonda Coleman create a fascinating dual sound around the plucky thump of his bass and her versatility as a sultry pop/R&B singer and jazz keyboardist. The title of their third album MOMENT OF YOUR TIME doubles as an invitation to get to know them and their deft blend of old school soul-jazz, breezy and heartfelt balladry and buoyant urban-flavored Smooth Jazz. Adept at creating a variety of moods, the Colemans like to say that their music tells a story. Here, that’s paying homage to past influences like Bill Withers while making sure we’re hip to their eclectic, very contemporary sexy, funky flow.  

Smooth Artist Interview

BUTCH AND RHONDA COLEMAN

How did this new album and overall concept for it come about and what are your ultimate goals with it?

We wanted to create a cd that would brighten up people’s day, with upbeat music and some catchy melodies. We want to reach people all over the world with the expectation that they will be excited enough to want us to perform it for them live.

What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of recording a new album?

Finances. As Indie artists it can be very costly to record a music project. You have to pay for an engineer, musicians, editing, mixing, mastering, cd design, copyrights,  marketing, radio promotions etc. It can be very challenging!

Who are some of your favorite artists, Smooth Jazz or otherwise?

RHONDA – Aretha Franklin, Gregory Porter, Stevie Wonder and George Duke

BUTCH – Rodney “Skeet” Curtis(P-Funk, Maceo Parker), Marcus Miller, James Jamerson 

What is your absolute favorite part of the world and why?

Portugal. It is a beautiful, peaceful, country with wonderful people who have such a rich culture and  history. The castles are amazing! It is a very inspiring place and we love the music, food and the wine.

Early in your careers, what inspired you to play music?

RHONDA – My inspiration came from church. As a teenager, I went to a free jazz concert in Philly and heard Lionel Hampton and fell in love with jazz. The first jazz song I learned how to play on piano was “Naima” by John Coltrane.  

BUTCH – I was privileged to sing in a group called “The Dynamite Five” and I was Inspired to play bass after hearing Rodney “Skeet “Curtis play bass in that band. I played in Morgan State University’s Jazz Band and continue to play in church.

What in your life outside of your music drives you in a creative sense?

God and the way he blesses us and others, our family (especially our grandson “Bean”), nature, the artistic creativity of others.