Kim Waters

As 2010 unfolds, saxophonist, composer, producer and consummate hitmaker, Kim Waters, is sure to have a banner year. The model handsome, soft-spoken and charismatic saxman shares, “My resolution for this year is to continue having a strong family relationship, make great music, and keep my fans always wanting more.” Waters has built a solid career giving his fans what they want, along the way garnering praise from critics and fans alike and becoming one of the top five best-selling instrumentalists in jazz. Kim Waters’ winning combination of sensitivity and brawn, intellect and emotion, coupled with his technique and soulfulness have made him one of the premier architects of Urban Smooth Jazz and a mainstay on Quiet Storm and contemporary jazz radio. The prolific saxman, who recently celebrated his 20th anniversary in the business, maintains a hectic schedule juggling such diverse projects as The Sax Pack (with fellow saxophonists Jeff Kashiwa and Steve Cole) and his Streetwize and Tha’ Hot Club CDs that are known for their clever reworkings of the hottest hip hop, R&B and reggae hits on the radio. On January 26, 2010 Kim Waters returns with his finest CD yet, Love Stories, a sublime collection of love inspired anthems that explore the deep range of emotions love can evoke. Through the years Kim Waters has proven he knows a thing or two about love. Just take a look at the titles of his hit Shanachie albums over the last decade and you can see love is a reoccurring theme: Love’s Melody (1998), One Special Moment (1999), From The Heart (2001), Someone to Love You (2002), In the Name of Love (2004), All For Love (2005), You Are My Lady (2007) and I Want You: Love in the Spirit of Marvin (2008). Waters’ sixteenth recording as a leader and ninth CD for Shanachie, Love Stories, finds the saxophonist doing what he does best -- creating dreamy melodies and sultry ballads, reinventing timeless R&B hits and playing funky dance-inspired originals. A master at crafting memorable melodies, Waters wrote most of the melodies featured on Love Stories while he was on tour in London and then recorded the entire album in a week. Inspired by his daughters, Kayla and Kimberly, Love Stories opens with the ebullient title track featuring signature free flowing soulful alto and dance happy grooves. What the Critics Are Saying About Kim Waters "Waters is simply one of the planet’s best saxophonists." - JazzTimes Magazine “The man can play….he continues to add a sense of sensibility to the smooth-jazz airwaves.” - Jazziz Magazine “Kim Waters has a flair for composing seductive melodies. He is like a romantic pied piper out on a long evening stroll.” - The Washington Post He is the pied piper of smooth jazz.” - Upscale Magazine A special highlight on the CD is his version of Michael Jackson’s recently released hit “This is It,” which was Waters’ way of paying homage to the King of Pop. “I'm a Michael Jackson fan,” he confesses. “Most of his songs are well covered by other artists and when I heard this one I knew I wanted to record it.” Another surprise on Love Stories is a stellar version of the classic Rolls Royce tune “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore.” Waters shows his sensitive side with the compositions “For Lovers Only” and the ultra sensual “Deep in Love.” On Love Stories, Waters joins forces with celebrated R&B singer Kenny Lattimore for a song they co-wrote together (along with Kipper Jones) called “One More…” “Kenny and I toured together in the Summer of ’09,” says Waters. “He is one of the nicest and most talented singers that I have ever heard!” Love Stories features such memorable uptempo romps as “Song of Passion,” “Reaching Out,” a classic Kim Waters house groove and the funky and swinging number “Hanging Out.” Covering the rollercoaster ride of emotions that love brings, Love Stories has a song for every love story. Waters says, “In all my years of playing, I have come across a lot of people who seem to associate my music with love and different love stories.” He adds with a smile, “I have also heard numerous people say that my music played a role in the birth of their kids.” Inspired by such jazz luminaries as Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock, George Duke, George Benson, Cannonball and Grover Washington, saxophonist Kim Waters was born into a musical family. The Maryland native picked up his first instrument, the violin, at the age of eight. "That didn't go over well with the fellas," says Waters, who later found his calling on the alto and soprano saxophones at 13. Shortly afterwards he began playing in a band with his brothers, James (who he still performs with) and Eric, and his old friend, pianist Cyrus Chestnut. Over the years, Kim Waters has been called on to perform with or open shows for the best including Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Phyllis Hyman, Teddy Riley and Guy, and Gerald Albright to name a few. Waters recently relocated to Sacramento, California from his longtime home in Aberdeen, Maryland. Love Stories is sure to further endear old Kim Waters fans and bring new ones to the forefront. It is confirmation that Kim Waters has rightfully been crowned the king of smooth urban jazz and that he is here to stay!