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July 27, 2022September 28, 2023

EnterTalk & JackTrip Present a Virtual Musical Supergroup, Featuring the Legendary Musicians Larry Dunn & Bunny Brunel

EnterTalk-JackTrip-LarryDunn-BunnyBrunel-artwork

Legendary Musicians Larry Dunn and Bunny Brunel, Drummer Roger Friend and Guitarist Charles Julian Fearing performed JackTrip virtual collaboration technology during a live performance on January 27^th, 2022; the event was co-sponsored by industry insider outlet EnterTalk.

Los Angeles, CA, July 27, 2022

JackTrip Labs and EnterTalk partnered to host a one-of-a-kind musical showcase, powered by JackTrip’s revolutionary Virtual Studio. Streaming on JackTrip Radio, it featured legendary musical icons 7-time Grammy winner Larry Dunn, 2-time Grammy-nominated Bunny Brunel, 2-time Grammy/Emmy-winner Roger Friend, and guitarist/producer Charles Julian Fearing. These musicians performed together live (remotely) from multiple locations and demonstrated groundbreaking, “real-time” musical collaborations, using high-speed, low-latency tools. The group of players connected with famed drummer Roger Friend for this hybrid experience.

”I’m really looking forward to performing with the other great talents, all from my studio! This is an absolutely amazing development in audio technology, from a rehearsal and collaboration standpoint,” enthuses keyboardist Larry Dunn, a driving force behind this event. “To be able to have credible sessions with musicians as far as 500 miles away is awesome!”

During NAMM 2022, using JackTrip’s technology, Grammy winner and virtual choir pioneer Eric Whitacre led virtual singers in the debut performance of his piece, “Sing Gently.” A cloud-based platform, the technology allows musicians to perform in near-perfect sync while they are miles apart from one another. In the Virtual Studio, jams never sacrifice the experience of actually performing together.

“I was skeptical, I’m so critical about every sixteenth note being so precise. It was so tight and so much fun. I was blown away.”—Roger Friend

Virtual technology has grown leaps and bounds in the last few years, but the JackTrip team has been working on their tech for two decades. Their dual focus on sound quality and speed means musicians who can’t be together in the same place can still come together, forging connections that once seemed impossible.

“This will change the game for many musicians, possibly performing live shows in our separate living rooms while fans watch from the comfort of their own homes. In this pandemic world that we’re becoming accustomed to, this is just the thing to bring music back in a big way . . . and all of us together again!”—Bunny Brunel

“[JackTrip] brings everyone closer together. There are opportunities for live concerts, for education. There are a lot of people in the virtual technology race, but JackTrip separates from the pack. You win if it’s done right.”—Charles Julian Fearing.

“Just the quality of the event rehearsal really blew me away,” gushes JackTrip CEO Mike Dickey. “I really wanted to share this with as many people as possible.”

Jack Dickey talks about recording simultaneously and how distance and the quality of the participants’ internet connection play a big role in preventing a lag during a virtual live remote collaboration: “If you have a fiber internet connection, that seems to work the best so far. For example, if you’re within 1000 miles from Los Angeles and you’re on a fiber internet connection, you can generally play really well with other people. We have people from San Diego, Los Angeles, and Seattle that are jamming regularly on the platform. If you don’t have a fiber internet connection, then we found the radius is a bit smaller, anywhere from 500 to 300 miles. But that’s still a lot further than having to be there in person physically with someone else.”

This joint event between JackTrip and EnterTalk (entertalkmedia.com) was more than just a show, it was a sign of possibilities to come. “I love the idea that we can make it accessible for musicians that are rehearsing together, and I think there are a lot of people out there that would love to be able to participate in a session like that.”

“It’s the holy grail of internet jamming, giving you the ability to play, collaborate, write, or just have fun with people—even people you may not know—and do that live; and that is a technology called JackTrip!”—Florentino Buenaventura of EnterTalk & The Changing Stage

The session on July 27th, was broadcast live at 2PM PST on JackTrip Radio, standing as proof positive of endless future opportunities.

A LITTLE ABOUT THE MUSICIANS:

Larry Dunn helped transform Earth Wind & Fire into one of the all-time most successful R&B bands in the world with sales of more than 100 million albums worldwide, 7 GRAMMYs, 13 GRAMMY nominations, 4 American Music Awards, 32 Gold & Platinum/Multi-Platinum Records & Albums, a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as other industry awards. Larry Dunn is Earth Wind & Fire’s original keyboardist/composer/co-producer who co-wrote the only #1 crossover pop hit, “Shining Star.” (larrydunnmusic.com)

A musician’s musician, bassist/composer Bunny Brunel has two Grammy-nominations, one for his 9-year stint in Chick Corea (for Secret Agent) and for his own band CAB (for CAB 2). He is one of the founding fathers of the jazz bass fusion movement, has authored countless instructional books, designed basses for Carvin, Gibson, and ESP Guitars, including his own creation, the (BBEUB) Bunny Brunel Electric Upright Bass. Brunel has performed/toured/recorded with Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams, Wayne Shorter, Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Tania Maria, and countless others. And he serves as the Editor at Large of the premier lifestyle magazine for bass players, Virtuoso Bass. (bunnybrunel.com)

Touring in more than 100 countries, Roger Friend is a high level, multi-faceted drummer and percussionist whose performed with Tom Jones, ABBA, Tom Scott, The Rippingtons, Bamboo Forest, BB King, Steve Oliver, Dweezil Zappa and countless others, he has won 2 Grammys and 2 Emmys (rogerfriend.com); and Charles Julian Fearing is a multitalented lead guitarist, vocalist, writer, producer, and arranger who has recorded with Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Herb Alpert, Nancy Wilson, Lionel Richie, Bonnie Rait, The Crusaders, and Celine Dion.

To learn more about the company JackTrip, EnterTalk’s Florentino Buenaventura interviews CEO Mike Dickey on The Changing Stage at https://entertalkmedia.com/the-future-of-musical-collaboration-online-jacktrip-ceo-mike-dikey-and-friends/. (https://jacktrip.radio/)

Press Release by First Take PR

April 17, 2022September 28, 2023

SAXOPHONIST DAVE KOZ GRACES THE COVER OF THE INAUGURAL ISSUE OF SCHMOOZE JAZZ MAGAZINE

Dave-Koz-Schmooze-jazz-magazine-cover-web

Gerald Albright, Jeanette Harris, Lin Roundtree, Adelaide Pilar, Lori Jenaire are also featured; and Nick Colionne is remembered. Plus, concert/festival recaps and countless CD/single reviews are in the first print issue.

April 18, 2022, Los Angeles, CA

KL Publishing Group is excited to launch the first issue of SCHMOOZE JAZZ magazine, featuring the cover and exclusive interview with Dave Koz (94.7 The Wave). The cover was part of a lifestyle photo shoot by photographer Ash Gupta (Ben Affleck, AGENDA Magazine). SCHMOOZE JAZZ interviews Billboard charting musicians Lin Roundtree, Gerald Albright, Jeanette Harris. Also inside the issue are Latin singer/trumpeter Adelaide Pilar and Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter/composer Lori Jenaire who is also an advocate for AARDA, an association dedicated to finding a cure for autoimmune diseases. Also featured is the late Nick Colionne – an intense biography of his life and a complete breakdown with reviews of Colionne’s entire catalogue of recorded music.

“As an artist, I’ve been around for a long time, making music, releasing music, and traveling for over 31 years. I feel in many ways, the foundational work of my career is already complete. The pandemic has opened my eyes to the world around me to music, and to the way our culture is now with regards to the discovery of many different things in the music world, which are right at our fingertips. Whether on social media, or someone telling you about something, we have so many more music makers out there making and releasing music than ever before.” –Dave Koz, SCHMOOZE JAZZ

This first issue of SCHMOOZE JAZZ does an intense recap of festivals and concerts with performances by Norman Brown, Mindi Abair, Herbie Hancock, Peter White, Patrice Rushen, Bunny Brunel, Smokey Robinson, Eric Benet, Kenny Lattimore, Mariea Antoinette, and more.

94.7 The Wave’s Pat Prescott:
“I think the music has survived all the bumps in the road, and that it will continue to thrive. Festivals like these bring the artists and their artistry to an adoring fan base. It’s a grown folk’s party, and we’re in a stage in our lives where we’re still able to enjoy these festivals . . . and party! The music is alive and well!” –SCHMOOZE JAZZ Magazine

SCHMOOZE JAZZ was created by jazz recording artist/magazine editor and journalist Kaylene Peoples of the luxury lifestyle magazine Agenda. And the look of SCHMOOZE JAZZ mirrors that high quality, featuring in-depth interviews, boundless CD/single reviews, biographies, concert reviews, great photography, and great stories.

“In this first issue alone, there are over 30 CD and single reviews with genres from smooth to straight-ahead, fusion, and even Latin jazz. We wanted to create a hub for standout musicians in the contemporary jazz world, but not keep it exclusively smooth jazz.”

–Kaylene Peoples, Executive Editor of SCHMOOZE JAZZ Magazine

Featured CDs include HIGHER by Michael Bublé, FOREVER by Mindi Abair, SONGS FROM MY FATHER (featuring Chick Corea) by Gerry Gibbs, IVORY FLOW by Bobby Lyle, MIDNIGHT RENDEZOUS by David Benoit, MORE MUSIC by Joey De Francesco, and AT HIRAHARA by Stacy Kent. “Single Reviews for Your Playlist” include Carla Bley’s “Life Goes On,” Kim Scott’s “Shine,” Bunny Brunel CAB’s “Fusion Holidays,” Chris Standring’s “Change the World,” Olie Silk’s “Out to Lunch,” and many more.

A huge highlight is discovering the music of guitarist Nick Colionne who had five consecutive #1 hits on Billboard. The multi-award-winning musician/educator really left a legacy. His catalogue is extensively reviewed and includes his latest CD, FINGER PAINTING. Colionne’s biography details his life, successes, and influences, with one of the biggest influences being Wes Montgomery. And one can clearly hear it when he solos.

From an Interview Back in 2016:

“When my stepdad started teaching me to play, he taught me main stream straight ahead jazz. I was a young kid, and he mostly kept feeding me Wes Montgomery and Kenny Burrell, then George Benson.” –Nick Colionne

Smooth Jazz Guitarist Nick Colionne

“Nick was really a joyous man, whether we were playing together (which we did frequently), or whether we were just hanging out or me interviewing him for my radio show. This man just brought a smile to my face – I think he did that for everybody.” –Dave Koz, SCHMOOZE JAZZ Magazine

Advertisers this issue: Oxnard Jazz Festival, Lompoc Music Festival, Rainbow Promotions, Woodward Avenue Records

To get the inaugural issue of SCHMOOZE JAZZ, visit: https://www.klpublishinggroup.com/2022/04/16/schmooze-jazz-magazine-inaugural-issue-1/

For Advertising information: https://www.schmoozejazz.com/advertise and to subscribe, visit https://www.schmoozejazz.com/subscribe

Featured Staff: Kaylene Peoples (Executive Editor/Journalist/Layout), Daphne King (Managing Editor); Sheryl Aronson (Editor/Journalist/Event Photographer); Florentino Buenaventura (Journalist/EnterTalk/Concerts Café); Sherman Alford (Sasa Photos) and Ash Gupta (Photographer/838 Media Group)

WRITTEN BY SEAN MCKENZIE, PUBLICIST

March 2, 2022September 28, 2023

President Kevan Hall of the Black Design Collective Headlines at “Colors Behind the Look” for the 53rd NAACP Image Awards.

January 16, 2022September 28, 2023

Tom Wright Exhibits His Abstract Acrylics on Wood at the LA Art Show, Located at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

With a focus on environmental themes, The LA Art Show will exhibit artists from around the world with proceeds going to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Tom Wright will be showing his latest works. The show is January 19th to 23rd, 2022.

Los Angeles, California Jan 15, 2022

For the 2022 LA Art Show, artist Tom Wright will be exhibiting three very earthy abstracts from his diverse catalogue. This exhibit commemorates Wright’s second year participating in the show. Wright, a “renaissance” artist in the sense of his broad scope of artistry, creates with a variety of mediums, ranging from acrylics, water colors, and even sandpaper and ink. This is evidenced by his industrial collections that are unusual yet stirring with vast muted color palettes. He doesn’t title his work and he doesn’t sign them in the front. This could be because “there’s a little bit of him in every painting.”

“If you look, you’ll see me in it. Every portrait I do has a little bit of me. There’s no thought. It’s just self-expression or peering out at the world.” –Agenda Magazine Interview, Painter Tom Wright and His Stabbings of the World

A West Hollywood resident and a professional golfer, Tom Wright earned his wide scope for aesthetics through his worldly experiences, which include working in the entertainment field. That’s why his collections flow and ebb so easily. His is a Ph.D. in Life and it echoes in his work.

“All this terminology about color schemes and palettes . . . this just comes out. Art for me is spontaneous combustion!”—Agenda Magazine Interview, Painter Tom Wright and His Stabbings of the World

BG Gallery (will again) during the 2022 LA Art Show display Tom Wright’s new paintings, which are acrylic paint on pine wood. Each one is 4”x5” framed in a shaped box on opening night, South Hall at the Los Angeles Convention Center. (https://bggalleryshop.com)

LA_Art_Show_Floor_2021.jpg-CREDIT_BIRDMAN-PHOTOS-1068x601 — LA Art Show Floor 2021 (CREDIT BIRDMAN PHOTOS)

The LA Art Show is the most comprehensive international contemporary art show in America. It returns to the LA Convention Center only six months after its last event. This kick-off to the city’s 2022 art season comes on the heels of an incredibly successful summer return to live events. LA’s largest and longest-running art fair makes a triumphant return to its traditional January event dates after the special July edition, continuing to provide a sense of normalcy for attendees, galleries, and the art world as a whole. The LA Art Show has established a reputation for leading the pack. As such, visitors can expect great art, international exhibitors, and even new trends such as NFT (digital art) and more.

Since 2015, LA Art Show has been a strong and unwavering supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® as it leads the way the world understands, treats, and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. In 2022, St. Jude returns as the beneficiary with the LA Art Show donating 15% of all ticket proceeds to its life-saving mission. The LA Art Show is proud to bring together St. Jude and the art community.

The LA Art Show is from January 19th through January 23rd, 2022 with the opening night premiere and day tickets, including VIP entry, located at the Los Angeles Convention Center – South Hall, 1201 South Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90015. For more information and to purchase tickets visit LAArtShow.com.

About Tom Wright:

The Los Angeles artist, Tom Wright, will often combine many worlds in his paintings and may even incorporate more lines and levels to keep the gallery of people guessing where he’s going with his art, leaving much to the viewer’s interpretation. A prolific painter whose art crosses multiple platforms, Wright’s medium of choice is acrylics and he is a master at impressionism and complex abstracts, using anything from canvas to paper bags, and painting satire to self-portraits with themes ranging from somber to joyful to alarming. Great use of the color palette, Tom Wright’s paintings are imaginative, colorful, and emotionally stirring, and a favorite amongst local galleries. Visit: https://www.mrtomwright.com, https://shopvida.com/collections/tom-wright, and Instagram @mrtomewright

About The LA Art Show:

The LA Art Show creates one of the largest international art fairs in the United States, providing an exciting, immersive, insider art experience to sponsors, their select guests, and VIP clients. The show attracts an elite roster of national and international galleries, acclaimed artists, highly regarded curators, architects, design professionals, along with discerning collectors. This innovative, exceptional cultural environment attracts executives and board members of Southern California businesses, state, county, and municipal government representatives, as well as leaders of the region’s cultural institutions. Attendees are trendsetters, influencers, and alpha consumers, who seek and demand the newest and the best in all areas of their lives—art, design, food, technology, and travel being specific passion points. www.LAArtShow.com

January 10, 2022September 28, 2023

Agenda Magazine Introduces Lita Cline as the Face of Their Paper Doll-Themed Issue, Styled by Ty-Ron Mayes and Photographed by Udo Spreitzenbarth.

AGENDA’s Editor in Chief Kaylene Peoples teams up with celebrity stylist Ty-Ron Mayes (Fashion Whisperer) and Photographer Udo Spreitzenbarth for this eye-popping New Years issue, featuring model Lita Cline, wearing the hats of Anat Fritz! Also featured are designers Victor (Vivi) Bellaish, Shai Shalom, Kobi Halperin; and the backstories of the paper dolls BrookLynn and the new collectible, Couture Paper Dolls by Glenna Gaffney.

January 10, 2022, Los Angeles, CA

Agenda, the multicultural fashion and lifestyle magazine, does it again with another packed issue. Inside the 147 pages includes viscerally beautiful photography by Udo Spreitzenbarth in the Queen’s Gambit-themed fashion editorial titled “Queen of the Night,” styled by Agenda’s Fashion Whisperer Ty-Ron Mayes. The unique beauty of Lita Cline is captured wonderfully as she models the crocheted hats from designer Anat Fritz. Fritz’s crocheted collection had long been in luxury boutiques and department stores throughout Europe well before the costume designer for Queen’s Gambit used her green hat to “. . . crown Anya Taylor-Joy’s head in that pivotal scene.”

Kaylene Peoples, AGENDA Magazine's Fashion Whisperer Ty-Ron-Mayes — AGENDA Magazine’s Fashion Whisperer Ty-Ron-Mayes

Ty-Ron Mayes styled the shoot with designs & accessories from Calvin Klein, Rachel Zoe, Marc Jacobs, DKNY; and cosmetics by L’Oréal. Lita Cline’s eyes were made bigger than life with L’Oréal’s Infallible Eye Liner and Air Volume Mega Mascara. Ty-Ron Mayes also served as the editor on the shoot and did hair and makeup via Paper Faces, using Derma Blend Cosmetics.

Lita Cline - Queen of the Night in Agenda Magazine — Cover Model Lita Cline stars in “The Queen of the Night” editorial, photographed by Udo Spreitzenbarth and styled by Ty-Ron Mayes

Agenda’s January 2022 Issue #17, titled Couture Paper Dolls features Designer/illustrator Renaldo Barnette (by Black Design Collective), the creator of BrookLynn Paper Doll and comic book.

As a young child, Renaldo read every fashion publication he could get his hands on, but as early as he can remember, his first love was comic books and comic strips. As he pored through Millie The Model, Patsy & Hedy, Katy Keene, Betty & Veronica; Brenda Starr, Mary Perkins, Friday Foster, and Winnie Winkle, he was amazed by the illustrations. He credits these comics for showing him how to draw fashion. And in the case of Millie The Model and Winnie Winkle, he discovered that fashion was a real business.

Renaldo Barnette of BrookLynn Paper Dolls is featured in Issue 17 of Agenda Magazine

“I always wanted to see a comic book about a Black fashion model. I remember seeing Millie the Model’s friend Jill in 1966. She was one of the first Black characters in the Marvel Universe. And she was a Black fashion model from England. When I saw model Gayle O’Neil [in the mid-late 80s], I thought she looked like a doll, thinking she could be like a comic book. I had been toying with that idea for decades, and ten years ago, I gave her the name ‘BrookLynn’.”

“I am a recent collector of paper dolls. When I first moved to New York I had one paper doll book and the other a paper doll set. I had two published through Western. One was a bridal paper doll set, like a box set, and the other one was called Rock Stars. Those were two freelance jobs that my friend, the late great Bob Rausch, got me when I was in between jobs back in the late 80s.

Barnette talks about his favorite concept for his first BrookLynn Paper Doll book:

“It’s the makeover concept of how this plain school girl can be made over, like the way Audrey Hepburn was made over in Funny Face or Sabrina. Or the way Bette Davis was made over in Now Voyager. I don’t care about the height or size, if you find clothes, a great hairdo, and nice makeup, it can turn an ordinary person into the best-looking person they can be. And I’ve always liked that. It’s not just about being pretty, it’s about looking better.” —Agenda, Renaldo Barnette – Designer, Illustrator, & Creator of the BrookLynn Paper Dolls and Comics @itsallaboutbrookLynn

Artist Glenna Gaffney has created a new style of paper doll that she calls “Couture Paper Dolls.” Her collection ranges from “Fly Mom,” her Mewsick line with Prince/ Michael Jackson Inspired to her latest collection spurred by the 2021 MET Gala. What’s different about these dolls? They are not the traditional paper doll. Housed in a shadowbox, these dolls are dressed in Swarovsky crystals, sequin, feathers with intense bejeweling and meticulous hand-crafting right down to the hair, which is deceptively made from paper bags. Gaffney crafts her dolls to be one of a kind, and they are definitely couture-like. Each doll comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, and no two dolls are identical. Here she talks about one of her Couture Paper Dolls

Glenna Gaffney’s Couture Paper Dolls is featured in Issue 17 of Agenda Magazine

“Emerald Faye –Inspired by the girl who appreciates a long gown, dressing up elegantly and going to a social event. She strolls into her event with Swarovski crystal “blinging,” long hair flowing, making a gem of an entrance. The clothing is designed by Isaac Pineda. My desire is to work with different designers. I love collaborations, and Isaac Pineda is my first CPD collaboration. Isaac created the pattern and selected the fabric. I incorporated his vision with mine . . . and Emerald Faye was birthed from this process.” Agenda, Couture Paper Dolls by Glenna Gaffney – A Fashionable Collectible for the ‘Grown Up’ Little Girl! (couturepaperdolls.com)

Kaylene Peoples AGENDA Editor in Chief and Fashion Talk Journalist — Kaylene Peoples, AGENDA Magazine Editor in Chief and Fashion Talk Journalist

In the column, Fashion Talk, Kaylene Peoples does a historical retrospective of the history of the paper doll . . .

“One of the first instances of a doll made of paper was a Jumping Jack or a Pantin, where it originated in France in the 1700s. These dolls wore the high fashion of that time with only one outfit. So no changing the clothes. Like puppets or marionettes, they were created originally to mock the rich. At the end of the 1700s, fashion companies in Europe, particularly Paris, saw a huge opportunity to advertise their fashion through paper dolls, which started the practice of changing these dolls’ outfits. During this period, there were major advancements in printing technology, making mass production of these “newer” paper dolls accessible to more people at an affordable cost.

Peoples continues…

I am a grown woman, but I guess I will always have inside me that little girl who loves to play with dolls. As a Barbie collector, I have a new (micro) collection of paper dolls, and I want to explore more vintage paper dolls and cutouts. I discovered there are countless books with paper dolls available today that are very recent publications with fashion throughout history: First Ladies with Michelle Obama, Jackie Kennedy, Nancy Reagan; famous designers from Christian Dior to Valentino; Royal Brides from Meghan Markle to Kate The Duchess of Sussex; dancers, iconic celebrities, even torch singers. There were not as many superhero paper dolls as I had expected, but they do exist, mostly as collectibles . . . and trading paper doll cutout comics is a really big thing I learned. Comic Cons and various conventions around the world are where one can find these rare vestiges.”—Agenda, The Evolving Paper Doll, Proving that Everything Comes Back in Style

Highlights from Kornit Fashion Week LA 2021 #KornitDigital

Kobi Halperin:

Born and raised in Israel, Kobi studied and received his B.F.A from Shenkar College of Engineering and Design. Upon graduating, Kobi moved to New York where he became the Executive Creative Director at Elie Tahari for 13 years and the Executive Creative Director at Kenneth Cole Productions for 3 years. Inspired by his Eastern European roots and heritage, Kobi’s collections are marked by a warm feeling and handcrafted touch and workmanship that create a distinguished yet welcoming style aimed at “elevating the everyday”.

Shai Shalom:

A graduate of the Shenkar College of Engineering and Design, Shalom’s apparel is marked by meticulous tailoring and a keen eye for combining bright colors and materials. His designs cross a wide range of fine knitwear, sophisticated, slim-cut suits, cropped trousers and modern boat jackets.

Victor VIVI Bellaish:

The inspiration of the collection was tropical birds, mainly the Hoopoe, Israel’s national bird. Bellaish is fascinated by the bird’s feathers as a design element: the shape and structure composing a spectacular visual performance, which, accompanied by the silhouette, provides a feeling of uplifting flight. The collection stems from his journey researching textile history. Spirits of feminine strength and liberation beat at the heart of the collection, which is the product of a unique collaboration of the designer with Kornit Digital, which specializes in developing and creating systems for textile digital print.

Agenda magazine (agendamag.com) has been telling the story behind the story since 2004, continuing that dialog in its 17th year. And after 7½ years in print, the luxury magazine continues to publish coffee table keepsakes with engaging content and breathtaking photography. The January 2022-Issue #17, “Couture Paper Dolls,” is a 147-page glossy, and is available digitally and in print worldwide. Agenda is a KL Publishing Group publication. Visit agendamag.com/shop for more information. Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

November 11, 2021September 28, 2023

AGENDA Magazine Autumn 2021, Issue #16 Is the Reason for the “Fall” Season

Dionne Warwick’s concert review, Ty-Ron Mayes style picks for The MET Gala via digital art, Kevan Hall’s S/S 2022 show “Brushstrokes,” and Agnes Bethel shoes are just a few of the highlights featured in AGENDA’s Autumn 2021, Issue #16!

LOS ANGELES, CA, November 09, 2021 (Original Source: https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/486263/)

The weather’s getting colder and the days are growing shorter. Yes, autumn has always been synonymous with falling leaves and fashion. All over the world, fashion weeks showed their spring/summer 2022 collections, and AGENDA’s 151-page glossy has followed suit with runway, proudly flaunting Kevan Hall’s “Brushstrokes”—a huge hit on the catwalk in New York. For autumn/winter 2021 collections, Rains “Anticipate” puts on an intensely dramatic virtual show with a limited edition collection designed exclusively for their CGI runway; and Nehera AW 2021 “Meta” premiered a warm and inviting collection of fall favorites during Paris FW. Fashion spreads featured inside AGENDA include Naked Cashmere and the fashion editorial “12th Floor on 6th & Spring,” starring AGENDA’s cover model Claire Walters who co-stars with model Brooke Charlese. Ash Gupta’s VERIFIED features Billboard charting recording artist INAS X.

AGENDA’s Editor-In-Chief peers into plus size, pertaining to fashion and beauty trends as she writes about the fast-growing community of curvy, full-figured women and her plea for designers to meet the demand.

“Marilyn Monroe was actually a size 12. However, that size 12 is not accurate by today’s sizing charts. Nevertheless, she was celebrated for her curves. So, through the years, spanning from the early 1960s to 2021, a lot has changed. People are bigger, there’s no denying that. And even though it was a gradual process, the fashion industry sure took their dear sweet time catching up to this underserved demographic.”—Kaylene Peoples, Fashion Talk from the article, “Curvy and Proud of It: & They Call Me Plus Size”

Fashion Whisperer Ty-Ron Mayes reviews the recent MET Gala with a unique perspective via his own original digital art in “The MET Gala’s Cacophony of Americana.” Mayes focuses on celebrities including Kendall Jenner, Debra Harry, Jennifer Lopez, Iman, and others.

“I like to think of it as a high fashion rollercoaster full of highs and lows. Why? Because we tune in to experience The MET Ball for amazing couture, unusual fashions, and the spectacle we call “celebrity,” and have come to expect.” –Ty-Ron Mayes, Fashion Whisperer

For Black Design Collective, we meet Leslie and Justice Bessent who have taken luxury shoe design to new levels. In their interview, “Agnes Bethel: The Shoes That Create Experiences,” this power couple talks about what makes their company a standout.

“. . . one day I accompanied my wife as she went shoe shopping. She asked to see a pair by a designer (I will not name) and tried them on. She didn’t love them, but she did like them enough to consider the purchase. I, however, disagreed with her choice. I then bet her that I (a man who had never designed shoes) could do a better job; the stipulation was that if I did design a better pair, I would have to have them made for her. After that, all I did was design.” –Designer Justice Bessent, Agnes Bethel

Beauty by Shahada Karim talks bath bombs, a non-psychoactive broad-spectrum CBD, and muscle-soothing solutions. Esthetician Jennifer Christie lends her expertise in the quest for clear, unblemished skin in her article. And focusing on hair, Karim reviews the following products: Raintree, Innisfree, and Slip

For alternative health and wellness, an interview by Melanie Wise (Wise Remedies) titled, “Overcoming Chronic Health Issues with Anthony William, Part 2,” raises consciousness, stemming from this informative discussion. Part one of this three-part interview appeared in an earlier issue of AGENDA.

“Alternative medicine has become as successful as it is today, because you are told to remove processed foods; and that can move some people forward. But unfortunately, it doesn’t heal the root cause, because both conventional and alternative medical communities aren’t aware of the true causes of so many illnesses and symptoms.” – Anthony William

Iconic pop singer Dionne Warwick was recently in concert – that review is in this issue. “The amphitheater was packed with adoring fans on Friday, October 1st, 2021, when the legendary vocalist performed her show at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach, CA. Her fans sang along to the hit songs that created the singer’s legacy as one of the most iconic female pop vocalists of all time.” – “Dionne Warwick: Sixty Years Performing and Still Counting” by Sheryl Aronson, Arting Around

Zac Baldwin gives his review of DISHONOR THY FATHER, a novel by Mike Robinson & M.J. Richards; “The book is filled with inner dialogues of various characters, and is a unique murder mystery romance with the distinct virtue of surprising the reader on several levels.” States Baldwin. And AMBULANCE, a thriller directed by Michael Bay, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Eiza González is scheduled for release in theaters on February 18, 2022, by Universal Pictures. ELLE Magazine Celebrates their (27th annual) 2021, Women in Hollywood Presented by Ralph Lauren and Lexus, honoring several women, including Halle Berry, Demi Moore, and hosted by Eva Longoria.

Fashion Archives opens a time capsule of classic looks from way back when with designers (the late) Cynthia Rowley whose New York runway features top models from 2006-2007. Beauty Backstage with vintage Eli Saab is highlighted, along with Saab’s stunning fashion show from the past on AGENDA’s final pages.

AGENDA is the fashion and lifestyle magazine that has been telling the story behind the story since 2004, is a print and online magazine with a diverse readership, consisting mostly of women from various backgrounds, ranging from college age to 65 years old and beyond. AGENDA is credited for being the first online magazine to stream video and documentary-style interviews. In print since 2014 (including the Special Editions and Collector’s Issues), the magazine has consistently put out breathtaking coffee table keepsakes with content, including fashion, beauty, photography, interviews, entertainment, and more. AGENDA magazine is available in print worldwide! The multicultural fashion and lifestyle magazine has crossed continents, bringing a new perspective to the world of fashion and journalism. AGENDA’s Autumn 2021, Issue #16 has a 151-page count, is a full-color glossy periodical and is available in print and digital.

To learn more, visit KL Publishing Group (https://www.klpublishinggroup.com/category/agenda-magazine/) Visit https://www.agendamag.com (Social Media @agendamag)

October 8, 2021September 28, 2023

Bobby Lyle’s “Living In the Flow” Is #1 on Billboard!

From the moment “Living in the Flow” dropped in April 2021, the smooth jazz single climbed from #25 to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 Smooth Singles chart after 19 weeks. Fans and new listeners love the tune, which steps outside of the traditional smooth jazz genre, mesmerizing with its subtle virtuosity and brilliant compositions and arrangements by the legendary keyboardist/organist bobby Lyle. But what was lurking and consistently climbing on the Smooth Jazz Recurrent chart was the single, “Living in the Flow,” which literally has been living quite comfortably on Billboard for over five weeks at the coveted #1 position.

“We are so proud of Bobby Lyle and his single “Living in the Flow.” He is a legend and deserves this #1 spot on Billboard Smooth Jazz Recurrent chart. Every bit of music he has ever put out, ranging from THE GENIE right up to IVORY FLOW has been topnotch, created and composed with staying power. Congratulations to the Emmy-nominated/Hall of Fame Inductee Bobby Lyle on incredible achievement.” – The First Take PR Team

To see the current chart standing: https://bobbylylethegenie.com/news-classic/

Bobby Lyle on “Living in the Flow”

“This tune was chosen as the first radio single because of the front and center piano melodies and the airwaves-friendly groove laid down by bassist Nate Phillips and drummer Jay Williams. Kerry Wilkens gave me superb guitar work on this one. As far as inspiration, I love to observe the flow of life, whether it’s children on a playground, people bustling through a busy airport, birds and squirrels in the park, or me just silently driving through the countryside. This song seems to reflect all that.” – Schmooze Jazz Magazine

Purchase IVORY FLOW or just the single “Living in the Flow,” visit The Genie Record Store!

#firsttakepr #bobbylylethegenie #livingintheflow #kaylenepeoples #seanmckenzie

September 16, 2021September 28, 2023

Concerts.Cafe Presents Myron McKinley’s “The Speakeasy” with Rebecca Jade, Adam Aejaye Jackson, and Sy Smith

Florentino Buenaventura (CEO of EnterTalk and founder of Concerts.Cafe) launched the first of many in-person musical performances with artist-branded coffee and an all-star musical lineup!

A spectacular evening, starring The Myron McKinley Trio, featured Sy Smith (Chris Botti), Rebecca Jade (Sheila E.), Adam Aejaye Jackson (Toni Braxton), and dancer/choreographer Sonya Enchill Om (Alvin Ailey). These dynamic performers entertained the San Diego crowd on Sunday, September 12, 2021, at 7:00 pm at the Pavilion Theater. The in-person event was just one of many concerts headed by EnterTalk’s CEO Florentino Buenaventura who has erected a unique concert-going experience. Buenaventura is a pioneer who has continued to put on live (and streaming) concerts before and during the pandemic. He launched Concerts.Cafe last spring (with Paul Berezetsky, COO) as a promotional outlet and resource for musical artists and bands looking to build their online presence while supplementing their income via digital ticket sales and signature consumable merchandise. Partnering with The Legacy Resort Hotel and Spa, Concerts.Cafe launched its first monthly in-person concert at their 500-seat theater. The Roaring Twenties-themed show was a nod to the early 20^th century variety/cabaret shows with art directed sets and the essence of theater. The talented musicians were bandleader/pianist Myron McKinley (Earth, Wind & Fire), upright bassist Ian Martin (David Foster), drummer/percussionist Stacey Lamont Sydnor (The Jacksons) with guitarist Tony Pulizzi (Stevie Wonder), and saxophonist and Grammy winner Gary Bias (Anita Baker). The spectacular band filled the evening with an amalgamation of New Orleans jazz, blues, and soul, accompanying the incredibly gifted vocalists.

Sonya Enchill Om, Gary Bias (R), and Tony Pulizzi in Back (L) (by Sheryl Aronson, SasaPhotos.com)

In attendance were bass fusion giant and 2-time Grammy-nominated Bunny Brunel (CAB), multi-award-winning recording artist/producer Kaylene Peoples (Hubert Laws), drummer/percussionist Walfredo Reyes Jr. (Chicago), and San Diego’s own producer/bassist Josquin des Pres (Jason Mraz, The Gipsy Kings)

The Featured Performers:

Myron McKinley is a Juilliard-trained pianist, producer, songwriter, film composer, and is the current musical director and keyboardist for the legendary ensemble Earth Wind & Fire. He has toured extensively with Stanley Clarke, Chaka Khan, En Vogue, Whitney Houston, and many others. Sy Smith has a vocal range spanning five octaves, doing background gigs with Whitney Houston in the late 90s, and has worked with trumpeter Chris Botti and Foreign Exchange. Rebecca Jade has a chameleon-like quality to her voice, where she delivers each song uniquely. Touring with Sheila E., she appeared in the Emmy-nominated Let’s Go Crazy: The GRAMMY Salute to Prince, and sang background vocals for Sir Elton John at the 2020 Academy Awards. And Adam Aejaye Jackson, a native of Detroit, Michigan, began singing in church at the early age of three and has worked with Toni Braxton, Melissa Manchester, David Foster, and others.

Featured Vocalists Adam Aejaye Jackson & Rebecca Jade (by Sheryl Aronson, SasaPhotos.com)

“The Speakeasy” highlighted contemporary songs, arranged in styles from the Roaring Twenties! A bold statement of the era entertained the audience through music, set design, and costumes. Southern blues kicked off the festivities and set the tone for the awaiting audience. Tony Pulizzi was dynamic as he shredded on his guitar and ushered in vocalist Adam Aejaye Jackson. The audience was transfixed during Jackson’s moving rendition of ‘Walk on By.’ Other highlights of the evening were Rebecca Jade’s interpretation of Nat King Cole’s ‘Nature Boy,’ and closing act Sy Smith, who was stunning in her form-fitting 1920s quintessential black gown, gave a powerful performance of Sting’s ‘If You Love Somebody Set Them Free’; Smith’s entrance and exit was pure theater! With the audience eager for more, the musicians stepped up with a rousing encore with the Beatles classic, ‘Eleanor Rigby.’” –Schmooze Jazz Magazine

Sy Smith & Ian Martin (by Sheryl Aronson, SasaPhotos.com)

Florentino Buenaventura Talks About the Concept of Concerts.Cafe:

“We do concerts with coffee so people can engage the brand. If you weren’t present at the show, you will be able to see it recorded later online, but that magic from those in attendance is once-in-a-lifetime. The people there, the audience . . . it’s all a part of that magical experience. The energy was electric. With Myron—when he’s not on tour with Earth, Wind & Fire—we’re looking to do a more regular series. For the next one, we’re thinking about doing the 70s era with disco, soul, and featured singers.

Florentino continues . . .

“We don’t make money on music anymore, and sustaining a career for musicians, the music is in the marketing. For genre-specific musical styles, we can take it [worldwide] and give people access to a far-reaching live concert experience. During the pandemic, we were doing a lot of that. Then when we launched in April, we had a surprisingly big audience. In May, the live venues opened back up, causing a severe dip in revenue. Live streaming is the long game and an in-person concert . . . you’ll either sell-out or not. When you bring the two together, you have a residual income to go along with a one-off show. With Concert.Cafe, we’ve got the platform, the ticketing, and the ability to do the bundling packages with coffee and the concert or a dinner show. The food is simply amazing at The Legacy Hotel.”

EntertTalk’s CEO Florentino Buenaventura (Concerts.Cafe) poses with Renowned Bassist Bunny Brunel (by Sheryl Aronson, SasaPhotos.com)

About Concerts.Cafe

As the first interactive and immersive live streaming concert venue for lovers of live music and gourmet coffee, Concerts.Cafe is a unique, online concert experience for music fans and coffee connoisseurs. It is a web platform dedicated to pairing ticketed live music events and signature artist shops with consumable merchandise, offering shows in all genres with some of the finest organic flavors available in coffees and teas. Serving as a new revenue resource for music artists, Concerts.Cafe offers gourmet, artist-branded consumables and on-demand or live streaming music content to fans. Launched in April 2021, with a fantastic lineup of multiple music events and artist-inspired coffee flavors from which to choose Concerts.Cafe features special live streams and now in-person performances and artist coffee selections from a variety of musical artists and bands. (All in-person concerts adhere to Covid restrictions.) Visit https://concerts.cafe/

About The Legacy Resort Hotel & Spa

In the midst of California’s breathtaking natural beauty and moments from San Diego’s world-renowned beaches, you’ll find Legacy Resort Hotel & Spa. Surrounded by the Legacy International Center, a state-of-the-art complex with countless features and attractions, the resort is unparalleled amidst San Diego and Southern California hotels. There is no more ideal destination for both leisure and corporate travel than right here at 875 Hotel Cir. S, San Diego, CA 92108. Visit: https://legacyresortandspa.com/

August 25, 2021September 28, 2023

Kaylene Peoples Romantic Bossa-Nova Is Breathtaking and a Must See Musical Feast!

During these uncertain times and the unpredictability of opening and closing of concert venues, in between a bit of calm was a concert to be remembered with heartfelt romantic music, equipped with LA’s top musicians. Leading the way was the dynamic Kaylene Peoples with her show titled “Romantic Bossa-Nova” – a breathtaking concert that has found its way into the hearts of serious Bossa-nova enthusiasts on July 17, 2021. For starters, guest performer Larry Dunn, a 7-time Grammy-winning artist and original member/songwriter/keyboardist (formerly) of Earth Wind & Fire opened with a gripping performance of his composition “Runnin’.”

(Gallery Photos by Alex Kluft Photography)

Kaylene Peoples Romantic Bossa-Nova at Catalina Jazz Club — Larry Dunn Performs “Runnin'”

Bunny Brunel (who became famous from his nine-year stint with Chick Corea), the 2-time Grammy-nominated bassist performed on fretless and (his BBEUB) upright bass; and probably wore the most hats that evening (at the Catalina Jazz Club) as musical director. The French-born American sang in Brazilian Portuguese and soloed on his fretless bass on Kaylene Peoples’s intriguing arrangement of “Aguas de Março” (Waters of March) from her Romantic Bossa-Nova 2020 release. With Chad Wackerman (Frank Zappa) on drums and Grammy-nominated Dennis Hamm (Thundercat) on the 9-foot grand piano at the revered Catalina Jazz Club, the musical score was beyond dynamic. Joined by Guitarist Joe Calderon (Dianne Reeves) and percussionist Jon Brooks (Macy Gray), the performers laid the foundation for an evening of “soulful” Bossa-nova, as described by Levy Lee Simon, who was in attendance that night.

Kaylene Peoples Singing (Photo: Sheryl Aronson, SasaPhotos.com)

“I am a big fan of Bossa-nova, and it was my first time seeing Kaylene Peoples perform her show; I was blown away by it. Her voice magically elevated and took me on a ride to another place and time. I don’t know many artists—male or female—that can sing and play the flute equally well. And to top it off, the show is so damn s**y. Peoples exudes sensuality with every move, with every sound, with every note. Kaylene’s band with Bunny Brunel and guest artist Larry Dunn is exceptional. I had a great time—I believe a great time was had by all.” –Levy Lee Simon, Multi-Award Winning Writer/Actor/Director/Producer

Photo: Alex Kluft (Dennis Hamm & Larry Dunn — Dennis Hamm & Larry Dunn (Photo: Alex Kluft )

There have been many incarnations of Bossa-nova since the style took off in America with “Desafinado” from Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd’s Jazz Samba in 1962; Dave Brubeck Quartet in January 1962, recording “Vento Fresco” from Bossa Nova USA; and Herbie Mann’s “One Note Samba” from his Brazil, Bossa Nova & Blues in late 1961 or early ’62. (Referenced from Jazz.FM 91 “How Brazil’s Bossa-nova Became All the Rage in ‘60s America,” by Marc Myers.) What Kaylene Peoples brings to the genre is a mix of American soulful tradition, jazz improvisation, and instrumental virtuosity, making “Romantic Bossa-nova” an original embodiment of the style. Kaylene’s love for music started as a child as she learned to solo on the flute while her father, who was a self-taught musician, would play the blues on the piano.

Kaylene Peoples on Flute (Photo: Alex Kluft)

“I always love to talk about how I got started improvising. Sometimes my dad and I would be up at 3am just jamming, playing my flute until my mom would cut it off! I was just a kid. I had to get up in the morning and go to school! Those are fond memories for me. I thank my dad for pushing me. I loved it! And to this day, I incorporate my flute in my compositions and my performances.”—Kaylene Peoples

These early musical experiences inspired Kaylene to compose and arrange music. She went on to study composition with Academy Award-winners Walter Scharf, David Raksin, and Henry Mancini. She’s written symphonies, a ballet, and countless string arrangements throughout her career. This education comes through as a recording artist and can be heard in her jazz albums off of her Boogsey Music label: All Jazzed Up! (2005), The Meaning of Christmas (2013), My Man (2015), Carol of the Bells (2017), and Romantic Bossa-Nova (2020).

Chad Wackerman (Drums), Jon Brooks (Percussion), Nina Harris (BG Vocals), Joe Calderon (Guitar), Larry Dunn (Guest Artist) (Photo: Sheryl Aronson, SasaPhotos.com)

“Music speaks to our souls. I can change a scene or change a MOOD. Creating something from nothing, and watching how it affects others is what moves me. Whether it is a standalone composition or a new arrangement on a well-loved song, I love to watch people’s faces when they hear my compositions and arrangements. And countless people have told me that they were blessed by my music. Those testimonies are what moves me the most!” Formidable Women’s Magazine, “Kaylene Peoples – The Renaissance Woman” Interview by Jules Lavallee

Kaylene Peoples Romantic Bossa-Nova was inspired by a private concert that featured singer/actress Chase Masterson (Star Trek: Deep Space 9, Leeta) with guest performer Dave Pell (Saxophonist & Founder of West Coast Jazz). Sadly only a few months after that first “Romantic Bossa-Nova” show, Dave Pell passed away. Kaylene Peoples in collaboration with Chase Masterson, and co-composer Bunny Brunel wrote “Dave Pell-Just for Fun.” The song is featured on the Romantic Bossa-Nova CD. So what can one expect from Peoples’s show: “So Nice” and “Spain” off of My Man CD; “Once I Loved,” “How Insensitive,” “One Note Samba,” and “Girl from Ipanema” from All Jazzed Up! Then from Romantic Bossa-Nova, “Berimbau,” “Telephone Song,” “Agua de Beber,” “Corcovado,” “Waters of March,” “Bésame Mucho,” and “Dindi.” Every Kaylene Peoples concert comes with an element of mystique. Whether it’s a surprise giveaway, or a heart-to-heart with an audience member during a set, or maybe even a surprise celebrity guest performer.

Designer Kevan Hall, Luisa Dunn, and Larry Dunn (Photo: Sheryl Aronson, SasaPhotos.com)

“I was so very blessed to sit in on a couple of songs during this beautiful concert with the extremely talented and beautiful Kaylene whose vocals and flute performance was off the chain, which also featured my buddy, world-renowned bassist Bunny Brunel, along with the other unbelievably top notch musicians! It was truly an honor playing with these extremely talented “peoples”, no pun intended! And I am such a lover of Brazilian music, at any rate, all I can say is I had a ball and y’all should’ve been there!” – Larry Dunn

“I enjoyed this concert immensely. The ambiance and atmosphere was so relaxing, and seeing happy faces, it was so nice to get out and hear some real live music. The performance was wonderful and dreamy, and being of Latin decent, it was so refreshing to hear the hypnotic Brazilian rhythms. Kaylene’s vocals AND flute interpretations were awesome. Both original compositions and classics are so beautiful. I have the CD, and I love it; it was so wonderful to hear it live. And Bunny Brunel—everybody knows him as a bass giant; so many were surprised to hear him sing. What a treat. And Larry Dunn always brings some fire by playing those beautiful melodic solos. All the band members were on point and beyond! Great concert. So glad I was there.” Luisa Dunn, Vocalist/Producer/Composer, and Award-Winning Recording Artist

Kaylene Peoples will be performing “Romantic Bossa-Nova” with opening performer Gary Stockdale on Sunday, September 26, 2021, at 8:00 pm at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s, located at 4349 Tujunga Ave., Studio City, CA, 91604.

For Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kaylene-peoples-romantic-bossa-nova-tickets-166528171243

“I like to keep people guessing. I’ll change up my material and even introduce a new flavor to the set. I just love observing the reactions of the audience. And as long as those beautiful souls are smiling and dancing in their seats, I’m happy. With my next Romantic Bossa-Nova concert, there just might be a surprise guest performance. You’ll just have to buy a ticket to find out!” –Kaylene Peoples, Multi-Award Winning Recording Artist & Producer

About Kaylene Peoples: L.A. Music Awards-winning Producer Kaylene’s first jazz CD All Jazzed Up! (2005) made a splash across the nation when her single “Do You Remember” was played across the country. The single climbed to the top of the independent charts (AC40/NMW! Top 100 Chart/FMQB & ACQB! and Indie 100 chart). Her 2015 release, My Man, blew up the airwaves and impressed concertgoers. Her song “Giant Steps” is an (Akademia) award-winner, featuring Hubert Laws, Bunny Brunel, and Bobby Lyle. And her CD Romantic Bossa-Nova (2020) is a smash hit amongst Bossa-nova fans. This former model and two-time State Beauty Pageant winner boast a rare 5-octave vocal range, is a multi-instrumentalist, and is a composer/arranger/conductor. Kaylene’s soloing instrument of choice is the flute. In honor of her father, she incorporates it heavily into her music. Peoples has performed/recorded with Bunny Brunel, Bobby Lyle, Hubert Laws, Stanley Clarke, Patrice Rushen, Jeff Goldblum, Larry Dunn, and others. Kaylene Peoples continues to blow her audiences away with her incredible vocal performances and equally impressive instrumental virtuosity! Visit: https://www.kaylenepeoples.com

The Romantic Bossa-Nova CD: Romantic Bossa-Nova is a breathtaking musical performance with a uniquely heart-warming interpretation of Bossa-nova at its best. Antonio Carlos Jobim, Cole Porter, Norman Gimbel, Vinicius de Moraes, and others with the songs “Night & Day,” “Corcovado,” “Waters of March,” “Dindi,” “Berimbau,” “Besame Mucho,” and more sung in Portuguese, English, and French by award-winning recording artist/producer/musician Kaylene Peoples. The CD features internationally acclaimed and 2-time Grammy-nominated bassist Bunny Brunel with a special treat on “Waters of March” (Aguas de Marços), where Bunny sings a duet in Brazilian Portuguese with Kaylene, and Bunny plays a “mean” Brazilian rhythm guitar the entire album while soloing and grooving on fretless and upright bass in the traditional Latin style! Since the first Romantic Bossa-Nova concert in 2016, Kaylene Peoples has been performing this show and touching the hearts of romantics, leading up to the release of the album in 2020. Romantic Bossa-Nova is touted as the most romantic show in town, and growing in popularity with every performance!

August 2, 2021September 28, 2023

AGENDA Midsummer 2021 Issue Is Dynamic, Featuring Cover Model Lindy Flowers in “A Midsummer’s Daydream.”

165 pages of killer content features BDC’s Rodney Epperson & Aaron Potts, Verified’s Monica Dogra & BlacKkKlansman’s Kevin Willmott. We talk corsets, health, beauty, models & movies from best-selling books! Agenda Issue #15 packs a powerful punch!

Lindy Flowers, model, wife, and mother of two, is Agenda’s stunning cover model for the Midsummer 2021, Issue #15. She has graced Agenda’s cover once online, was featured in several fashion spreads, and was even Agenda’s spokes model before the magazine expanded to print. Flowers has walked in shows for Oscar de La Renta and Bill Blass, appeared in countless fashion editorials, as well as several magazine covers. This issue, she stars in “A Midsummer’s Daydream”—a swimsuit editorial that celebrates women. The all-female team for the shoot includes photographer Cathy Cunningham, wardrobe stylist Sabrina Feldman, makeup and hair by Alma Mahmood, and produced by Kaylene Peoples. The editorial was shot on location with swimwear ranging from La Blanca to Solid Striped. And Hailey Flowers, a dancer and Miss Junior Teen Nevada United States 2019 & 1^st Runner Up Miss California’s Outstanding Teen 2021, is featured in the editorial “Sun-Kissed,” making this a mother-daughter “fun-in-the-sun” collaboration.

“The great thing about the industry is it’s ever changing. When I started at 19, it was supposed to be a short shelf life, over by 25. There’s a whole group of fantastic models that has steered a path in terms of growing older. I think people can relate to models of all different ages and sizes now, whereas before, everybody was trying to fit into a size 0.” –Lindy Flowers, Agenda Cover Model

Photographer Ash Gupta debuts Verified, featuring Indian music sensation and podcast host Monica Dogra; and Manasvi is featured in Gupta’s “Out of the Woods” editorial.

In “Romanticism Redefined,” designer Rebecca Taylor previews of her Fall 2021 looks, “ . . . with resolved gestures, newfound romance manifests in eyelet, pleats, and embroidery in robust interactions.” –Rebecca Taylor

Beauty by Shahada Karim reviews May Lindstrom, SMD Cosmetics, and Bynacht in “Seasonal Skin Saviors”; Introducing a new line of incredible body creams and candles by Bond No. 9 in “Reintroducing Bond No. 9; and Agenda’s beauty editor explores the Rose Hermès collection in the article “Hermès and the Summer Flush.”

Melanie Wise sheds light on the importance of maintaining liver function in her article “Fight or Flight Mode Is Your Body’s Way of Saying CHANGE YOUR DIET!”

“Our largest expenditure of energy on a daily basis is our food. The more chemicals that we eat, the more processed the food is, and the more energy it takes to break it down. One of the easiest ways to get the body to right itself is to decrease the energetic load of digestion. Once you do that, suddenly and magically it goes “ooh . . . let me fix this and let me fix that!” And you’ll find that the whole system tends to work better.” –Melanie Wise, Wise Remedies

Zac Baldwin reviews a series of movies made from best-selling books—authors include Stephen King, David Baldacci, and Elmore Leonard.

“I waited with trepidation for the movie The Princess Bride to finally be made. It took a long time, but wow was it worth it! It captured the essence of the book, the humor, the unusual and riveting characters, and of course true love.” –Zac Baldwin, Book Reviews

Sheryl Aronson (Arting Around) interviews BlacKkKlansman’s Academy Award-winning screenwriter Kevin Willmott.

“Growing up watching award shows with my mother and having the fantasy that one day I was going to win an Oscar, was my dream. When it actually happened, I felt the privilege of it, because there are many great artists who have never won. It also opens up opportunities but gives you newfound responsibilities. You have to be willing to take things to the next level. That’s the most important thing it has meant for me. I felt it was a great privilege to have won an Oscar for a movie that I believed in. That’s something a lot of people don’t have an opportunity to do.” – Kevin Willmott, Academy Award-Winning Screenwriter

The Black Design Collective features designers Aaron Potts (APOTTS) and former Project Runway contestant Rodney Epperson (EPPERSON). In their interviews, they talk about their inspirations, as well as their creations in the interviews “APOTTS: Designed to Make Us Take Pause” and “The REBIRTH of Epperson.”

Celebrity stylist Ty-Ron Mayes talks about athleisure wear and new ways to style sweatshirts in “The Sweatshirt Goes Next Level Fierce!”

“From Balenciaga to Givenchy, sweatshirts have leveled up. Once upon a time these sweatshirts used to be just super comfy tops for college kids and sports enthusiasts, but today’s sweatshirts are more glamorous then ever.” – Ty-Ron Mayes, Fashion Whisperer

The Midsummer 2021 issue has a frenzy of fashion with runway from Milan, Berlin, and Jakarta (British Council), featuring designers Hugo Boss, ThreeOnes, Xevi Fernandez, Outsiders Division, and Intoart x and John Smedley’s capsule collection. Fashion Archives opens Agenda’s time capsule with runway from the past (2013) by Sally La Pointe and (2012) Made in Africa by Arise, featuring top African designers, including images from pop vocalist Leona Lewis, photographed by Arun Nevader.

Fashion Talk by editor-in-chief Kaylene Peoples authors a historical retrospective that delves into the practice of waist training in “Corsetry & Morality: The History of Tightlacing”:

“When I watch shows like Bridgerton where corseting is its own character, or the film Moulin Rouge with Nicole Kidman who suffered a broken rib from tightlacing, why aren’t I phased? Because I, like so many women, see the value in corsetry—after all, they do shape the body. Of all the snake oil being peddled today, it is the one accessory that follows through on its claims—wear it and look amazing! As far as waist trainers, the modified corset, they are body drill sergeants that train our waists to behave. They smooth our bulges and boost our self-esteem. So, the big question is whether to corset or not to corset . . . the choice is yours. Either let it all hang out or tuck that tummy in and leave to everyone else’s imagination what’s underneath! –Kaylene Peoples, Fashion Talk

About AGENDA:

The fashion and lifestyle magazine that has been telling the story behind the story since 2004, is a print and online magazine with a diverse readership, consisting mostly of women from various backgrounds, ranging from college age to 65 years old and beyond. Touted as ‘the intelligent read,’ Agenda is credited for being the first online magazine to stream video and documentary-style interviews. In print since 2014 (including the Special Editions and Collector’s Issues), the magazine has consistently put out breathtaking coffee table keepsakes with content, including fashion, beauty, photography, interviews, entertainment, and more. Agenda magazine is available in print worldwide! Visit https://www.agendamag.com (Social Media @agendamag)

The multicultural fashion and lifestyle magazine crosses continents, bringing a new perspective to the world of fashion and journalism. Agenda’s Midsummer 2021, Issue #15 has a 165-page count, and is a full-color glossy periodical. Listen to Podcasts for extended interviews of Rodney Epperson and Lindy Flowers at https://www.agendamag.com/category/podcast. Agenda is published by KL Publishing Group.