Victor Fields
Oakland, California, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Vocalist Victor Fields' eagerly anticipated new release, THINKING OF YOU (his fourth album to date) is now a reality, and it can be aptly described as "Smooth Jazz meets funky grooves," considering the chops of all the players he had with him in the studio on this project. Along with guitarist-producer Chris Camozzi, Mr. Fields' vocals were aided and abetted by Nelson Braxton, Jeff Lorber, Richard Elliot, and Rick Braun. How's that for an all-star group of accomplices? Sandy Shore described Victor Fields in her review of his previous CD, VICTOR, as sharing "the same high-quality and conviction of... the likes of George Benson, James Ingram and Luther Vandross." I'll add Will Downing and Al Jarreau to that list, and also mention that Victor Fields still maintains that distinctive and oh-so-silky Smooth Jazz sound that makes his music perfect for the format. On THINKING OF YOU, Victor has chosen eight covers and two outstanding originals (penned in part by Jeff Lorber). The first single release is a delightful interpretation of Bill Withers' immortal "Lovely Day," featuring Lorber's keys, and there's more where that came from, including Stevie Wonder's Creepin,' with Braun's flugelhorn adding ambience and mystique, and a laid-back treatment of the Blackbyrds' "Walking in Rhythm," featuring Elliot's sultry sax. I also especially dig Michael Jackson's "Butterflies" and Babyface's "For the Cool in You." Victor Fields' THINKING OF YOU is top shelf vocal Smooth Jazz, and, just like his previous releases, absolutely deserves a place in your music library!~ - Scott O' Brien
For the utmost in smooth jazz, you can't top Victor Fields' latest album, his fourth. The sultry vocalist's tunes go down mighty easy on "Thinking of You," a collection of mostly R&B covers featuring stellar guest musicians from the smooth jazz world. The lineup includes producer Chris Comozzi, keyboardist Jeff Lorber, saxophonist Richard Elliot and flugelhorn player Rick Braun.
Fields starts out with a silky version of Bill Withers' "Lovely Day," setting the tone for the rest of the album. While none of the renditions attempt to reinvent the wheel, at the same time, Fields' sweet interpretations never sound like retreads.
Smooth jazz and soul lovers will enjoy Fields' takes on "Yearning for Your Love," originally recorded by the Gap Band, "Creepin'" (Stevie Wonder), "When Somebody Loves You Back" (Teddy Pendergrass), "Butterflies" (Michael Jackson), "For the Cool in You" (Babyface) and "What's Going On" (Marvin Gaye). "Walking in Rhythm" by the Blackbyrds has a slower, more soulful vibe than the pumping original. - Leslie Katz
Less than a year after the release of Victor, Victor Fields has teamed again with producer Chris Camozzi and an all-star band consisting of keyboardist Jeff Lorber, saxman Richard Elliot, flugelhornist Rick Braun and multi-instrumentalist Nelson Braxton for "Thinking of You", a collection of remakes of soul songs from the 70s-00s.
We're all pretty burned out on covers albums these days, but the tasteful take given by Fields and the fine musicianship of the band make Thinking of You a surprisingly enjoyable effort. And while some of the cuts (such as "Creepin'") have been remade a few too many times to be fresh here, Fields gives new life to a number of tracks, most notably the Bill Withers chestnut "Lovely Day," Michael Jackson's "Butterflies" and Babyface's "For the Cool In You."
His unassuming, smooth lead plus strong, jazzy arrangements throughout make this a solid effort and fine late-night listening. Recommended.
CR - Chris Rizik
If you are looking for that soulful R&B crooner with a jazzy feel, Victor Fields is your man. His voice can be described as satin, velvet, suede, ...or just call it smooth and rising above the rest. Fields has successfully carved out his place in music and trust me, he is here to stay. "Thinking of You" is Fields' latest release and it's a powerhouse of soulful classics featuring hits like "Lovely Day", "Yearning For Your Love" and "Thinking of You". This album is all hits and no misses. With guest appearances by Richard Elliot on "Walking in Rhythm" and Rick Braun on "Creepin'", you can't go wrong. Just think about it. How many guys do you know that would attempt to tackle any song done by Luther? And of those few, Fields has my vote. How about you? - N/A
If you are looking for that soulful R&B crooner with a jazzy feel, Victor Fields is your man. His voice can be described as satin, velvet, suede, ...or just call it smooth and rising above the rest. Fields has successfully carved out his place in music and trust me, he is here to stay. "Thinking of You" is Fields' latest release and it's a powerhouse of soulful classics featuring hits like "Lovely Day", "Yearning For Your Love" and "Thinking of You". This album is all hits and no misses. With guest appearances by Richard Elliot on "Walking in Rhythm" and Rick Braun on "Creepin'", you can't go wrong. Just think about it. How many guys do you know that would attempt to tackle any song done by Luther? And of those few, Fields has my vote. How about you? - N/A
Discography
Promise - 1998
52nd Street - 2002
Victor - 2005
Thinking of You - 2006
Victor is currently recording a project scheduled for release in the Spring of 2014.
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Bio
In this era of disposable popular music and “flavor of the month” idols, there remain a few song stylists who truly study their craft, sing songs with meaning and substance, and strive to create a significant body of work that will stand the test of time. Victor Fields is such an artist. He’s a romantic dreamer, an optimistic believer who is committed to his craft and invests in his vision. He’s in it for the love: love of singing, love of song, and love of performing.
As an independent artist, Victor has recorded four CD’s on his label, Regina Records, featuring such artists as Jeff Lorber, Nelson Braxton, Chris Camozzi, Gerald Albright, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Claudia Villela, Mark Levine, Chris Botti, Nicolas Bearde, Sakai, and Tollack Olstad. His ability to move seamlessly across different musical genres has endeared him to lovers of classic R&B, Jazz, Blues, and Smooth Jazz.
Victor was selected to open for the legendary Isaac Hayes at the 15th Annual Capital Jazz Festival. “Gene Chandler introduced us backstage after my performance” Fields recalls. “I was blown away when Mr. Hayes gave me an approving thumbs up”.
Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised by his grandparents in Worcester, Massachusetts, Victor's first musical influence was his mother. A singer and a Julliard-trained pianist, she exposed Victor to classical, gospel, blues and pop music.
After graduating from college, Fields became a successful businessman in the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area. “I was committed to a white collar career”, Victor explains, ‘but music came back into my life and things just began to happen”. What started as moonlighting at local jazz clubs after work gradually evolved into a career as an international recording artist.
Called “a stylistically accomplished singer who deserves much more attention” by the Los Angeles Times, Victor has performed in Las Vegas at the Flamingo Las Vegas and the Orleans Hotel and Casino; and in Reno, Nevada at the John Ascuagas Nugget Casino Resort.
He has also performed at the Catalina Bar and Grille in Hollywood, Yoshi’s in Oakland, The Cinammon Club in Manchester (England), The Sugar Bar in Manhattan, The Playboy Jazz at Central Park, The Playboy Jazz at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA., The Heritage Festival in Roanoke, VA and The African World Festival in Milwaukee, WI. He has been billed with such artists as Isaac Hayes, Patti Austin, James Ingram, Maysa, Andre Ward, Marion Meadows, Sinbad, Cameo, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Regina Belle, Atlantic Starr, and Pharoah Sanders. An artist in demand for Black-tie events, his list of clients include the City of Oakland, The Domaine Chandon, 100 Black Women, Wells Fargo Bank and others.
While recording the demos for his debut CD, Promise, tragedy struck. His wife suffered a disabling head injury. For the next 5 years, Victor took a hiatus from music to become a caregiver for his wife and their young daughter. “My number one priority is family”, Fields says. “It was devastating but I prayed a lot and felt that if the music was meant to be, then faith would bring new opportunities”.
That opportunity came when a close friend introduced Victor to Grammy-winning Producer, Kashif. At first, Kashif and his company, Brooklyn Boy Entertainment, were brought on as consultants. However, after hearing the demos, Kashif asked if he could produce the project. Thanks to Kashif’s talent and to WHUR in Washington D.C., the first single, “Nature Boy”, (Promise) garnered national airplay.
As a member of the West Coast Songwriters Association, Victor participated in songwriting demo derbies. The winner of one such songwriting competition, “Open Your Heart” was recorded on his second CD, 52nd Street, featuring the world-renowned Oakland Inter-Faith Youth Choir.
Produced by Chris Camozzi (Michael Bolton, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston), 52nd Street, a tribute to the Golden Age of Jazz, was critically-acclaimed. Fueled by the remake of the Burt Bacharach/Hal David hit, “Walk On By”, the CD peaked at #12 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart.
Victor’s rendition of Thelonius Monk’s ’Round Midnight” (52nd Street) prompted Harry Belafonte to extend a personal invitation for Victor to perform at his Urban Peace Awards Gala at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. 52nd Street also drew the attention of the legendary jazz manager, John Levy (Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, Cannonball Adderly, Arsenio Hall), which resulted in Victor’s 3rd CD, Victor, and the hit single, “Golden Lady”. That project was followed by the current recording, Thinking of You, with the singles “Lovely Day” and the title track, “Thinking of You”, both reaching the Top 30 on Urban Adult Contemporary radio and the Top 10 on Smooth Jazz Radio. Songs from that CD and others are still in rotation on radio stations in the U.S., Europe, Africa and Japan.
In the Spring of 2014, Victor is scheduled to release his 5th CD. Produced by Chris Camozzi and f
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