Jeanne Ricks

Who would have ever conceived the notion of musicians, whether relatively unknown or established, showing off their talents on an outlet like The Weather Channel. Well, just ask musician/songwriter Jeanne Ricks, whose instrumental smooth jazz/Latin dance flavored "Simple Pleasures" won her the unusual honor of landing on WC's collection of favorite tracks featured on the popular "Local on the 8's" segment. Ricks was amongst superb company as The Weather Channel's Best of Smooth Jazz project also featured jazz veterans Chick Corea and Jeff Lorber. She certainly has earned the respect of her peers as evidenced in her songs being played by fellow jazz guitarist George Benson and featured in director Frances Ford Coppola's film Assassination Tango. Yet her biggest platform continues to be her sweet instrumental interludes during "Local on the 8's," including the title track to her latest CD - Make It Work!
Just like her previous two independent discs from her Rickso Facto Music label, Make It Work! mixes Ricks' soft sultry vocals and crisp guitar solos that blend Latin, jazz and R&B styles. There is no doubt that The Weather Channel's music programmers once again could have a field day with the attractive rhythms of several of the instrumental selections. But with or without television exposure during rainstorms or tornados, Make It Work! delivers some sweet jazz noise.

Notable Tracks: Make It Work! Dreaming Is Believing, Wishing Tree, In One Breath, War & Insufficient Peace, Now's The Time, Dark Angel



Read more: Jeanne Ricks | Review - Make It Work! (2009) | SoulTracks - Soul Music Biographies, News and Reviews - Soul Tracks - Peggy Oliver

With The Weather Channel’s 1st ever commercial CD release along with artists Chick Corea, Dave Koz & Najee featuring new smooth jazz sensation Jeanne Ricks; who has also released her inspiring & heart warming video of the classic ‘We Shall Overcome’ racking-up hits on sites like YouTube…Jeanne Ricks is a star on the rise.
New York, NY (PRWEB) October 9, 2007—There’s a revolution happening in entertainment, as artists are finding true success outside of traditional venues. Jeanne Ricks is one of those successes. The Weather Channel has released its 1st ever commercial CD [The Weather Channel presents Smooth Jazz] which features Jeanne’s sleek, edgy jazz guitar instrumental ‘Simple Pleasure’ which reassures listeners that you are listening to the ‘real deal’. At the same time, YouTube says yes… ‘We Shall Overcome’ the new video reinterpretation of the Civil Rights anthem is burning hot!
[http://www.ricksofactomusic.com/video-We%20Shall%20Overcome.htm ]
Ricks “...a real force whose songwriting reflects her diverse background!" declares Downbeat Magazine. Jeanne Ricks is described as a singer with a “smoky soulfulness” (Bill Crandall – Spinner.com), but her talents don’t stop there. Jeanne jams playing Acoustic & Electric Guitar as well as Keyboards and if you closed your eyes would think Prince was in the house, ‘…she makes the guitar an extension of her voice." (Rolling Stone Magazine)
For Jeanne Ricks, having a video of her updated arrangement of the Civil Rights anthem ‘We Shall Overcome’ on the web, has brought new found exposure. Blogging and sites like YouTube and MySpace have become essential tools for musicians. With the song she hopes to bring hope & inspiration into today's world. “It’s not meant to imply that everything is 'OK' but intended to honor the truth that ALL of us are overcoming life’s challenges large and small daily.” “Major recording labels don’t care about music with larger themes unless a teen celeb is singing it while walking out of rehab’ says Jeanne.
As a composer and producer, she has a list impressive accomplishments that would have taken some a lifetime to achieve. Famed Guitarist George Benson selected Jeanne’s ‘Love Remembers’ for the title track of his Warner CD; Francis Ford Coppola chose one of her songs for his critically acclaimed movie ‘Assassination Tango’, starring, Robert Duvall; Anita Pointer chose ‘Thorny Rose’, ‘Always’ and ‘Stronger than Pride’ for her upcoming CD; Chaka Khan recorded ‘Don’t Ask Me’ for a WEA release; and Tony Ransom recorded ‘Take It To Heart’ and ‘Turn To Me’ for his Expansion/EMI solo album.
After many years of having her music played on-air, the song ‘Simple Pleasure’ was recently chosen for the first in a planned series of CDs, titled ‘The Weather Channel Presents: Best of Smooth Jazz’ to be released online and at traditional retailers. For 25 years, the 93 million U.S. households which The Weather Channel reaches, have been exposed to Jazz music through the cable channel’s Local on the 8's segment. Artists have included David Benoit, Michael Brecker, Dave Grusin, Jean Luc Ponty, Joe Sample, Billy Cobham and introducing Jeanne Ricks.
For many artists it has become necessary to sidestep the customary routes to gaining an audience. For Chicago native Jeanne Ricks, The Weather Channel and YouTube have proven to be fertile ground for her talents. She records under her own Rickso Facto Music label and has gotten tremendous exposure through her website [www.ricksofactomusic.com] even leading her to markets overseas. Jeanne says,” Music and musicians are no longer at the mercy of that huge machine they call ‘the industry’ – now we can reach out and really meet the public with an immediate impact never before dreamed of.”
Jeanne will be seen in a special vignette, telling the story behind the music which will air October 15th.
For additional information on Jeanne Ricks (or for copies of her CD’s), contact Calvin Hart or visit www.ricksofactomusic.com.
About Rickso Facto Music Co:
Formed in 2000 by Jeanne Ricks; its first release was ‘Listening Room’ a Jazz and Soul inspired CD which featured Branford Marsalis, and Lisa Fischer among others. With the second CD ‘Christmas Gifts’ Jeanne gathered together Darryl Tookes (who's worked with Sting, Elton John and Michael Jackson); former Atlantic recording artist Ullanda McCullough, who's sung with Chaka Khan, Billy Joel and Carly Simon; and also former Miles Davis keyboardist Robert Irving III along with other artists to deliver soul stirring, timeless Holiday music. Jeanne Ricks’ new CD, is a collection of self-penned contemporary R&B and Jazz songs, is due to be released January 2008.

Contact:
Calvin Hart, Director of Public Relations
Rickso Facto Music Co.
212-502-3579
http://www.ricksofactomusic.com

###
- Jazz Corner Talk