In case you don't know it yet there is a star on the horizon that is shining bright these days and it belongs to a man of many talents - Jeff Hendrick.

This Canadian native has been involved in music ever since he was a young lad of 7 where he did his very first performance (a tall order I know). His father is a lover of R&B music and he would listen to the likes of The Doobie Brothers, Stevie Wonder and The Commodores so it was only a matter of time before young Jeff would acquire a taste for the gender. In doing so he would listen to the greats Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Prince, Donny Hathaway and Stevie to name a few and the bar was set - he wanted to be a performer. With this in mind, Jeff, still a young teen went on to perform classical and jazz and would later complete a Jazz Performance Degree (Saxophone) at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec.

How did Jeff get to this point now well after honing his skills for 2 years in the local Latin Funk group MARACUJAH!, Jeff set up shop with his own band and started performing around town playing his unique taste of neo-soul and pop blend. The response of the local natives was surreal, and with this Jeff recorded his first solo demo which he wrote, produced, and performed. To be where the action is meant going to it and he was off to New York to shop himself but with no success but he did get noticed and once he got back home he and his band would open for Sony recording artists THE PHILOSOPHER KINGS at the Edmonton International Jazz Festival. This led to other great moments for him including a memorable shared billing with local legend TOMMY BANKS. He would then head off to Los Angeles where he made a huge impression and worked with the likes of Brian McKnight. In 2002 he recorded and released his debut set 'Bout Time' on his own label 'Bout Time Productions' but did not fair well nationally so I'm hoping we can change that now.

The album 'Bout Time' is a musical journey that takes many shapes in the modern music forum. The lead off single 'Dance with Me' is a beautifully constructed 2 step jazz groove that finds Jeff's natured voice in fine form. With soft keys and a soothing bass throughout, this one is prime for Urban Contemporary radio formats and well as the late night 'Quiet Storms'. 'Fine - Late Night Hang' tells the story of 2 people meeting for a late night invitation to 'hang' it's one of those grooves that is tailor made for you to lay back, relax and nod your head. Representing the house groove is 'She 2003', an uptempo dance track that gets the juices flowing for a night out in the clubs and let's not forget the move slo motion with 'It's All about You' although considered a pop ballad some might argue this one to be more on the soul ballad side in any case the song is well - excellent but my favourite though has to be 'What's the Deal' a mid-tempo groove that has all the right ingredients, a wicked groove of a bass, soft keys, synths and of course Jeff's voice - it's just top draw from start to finish, in a word - Wicked

His talents knows no boundaries as he can sing, write, produce, arrange and play several instruments from the piano and the saxophone the man truly represents the current form. I had the chance to do an interview with Jeff and you can read it on the 'Interviews' page or in the M2F magazine publication in the UK (sorry - it's not available in the USA) or go on line to www.m2fonline.com. The album is out now and it's definitely one that requires your attention so do check it out if or when you get a chance it doesn't disappoint (really) - A TY-D Pick indeed. 

Listen to Jeff Hendrick's - 'Dance with Me'

Listen to Jeff Hendrick's - 'What's the Deal'

Sir TY