Alan
Hewitt
Alan Hewitt, platinum producer to the stars, who recently inked a deal with
nuGroove/Sony Red will debut his “Shaft” single from the new Retroactive album
early January 2010.
Even though the album has only been available for digital purchase for a handful
of weeks, downloads for select single tracks are in strong demand. Additionally,
although not officially released to radio until January, the “Shaft” single has
already received the attention of radio in various outlets like Wave 94.7
(Canada), Hot 92 pirate radio (UK) and 101.9 (Berlin) with heavy rotation in
Berlin in late 2009. The album will be available at all retail locations, where
fine music is sold.
Hewitt, who has worked as a writer and/or producer for Earth, Wind and Fire,
Warrant, Donny Osmond, movies, television and more, will release his first
single to radio, “Shaft.” This arrangement of the Isaac Hayes classic marks a
return back to Hewitt’s musical roots.
“I wanted to create something that my fans could immediately connect with and
feel good about. The band and I have been playing this one live and the reaction
is always fantastic! I wanted to bring back the energy to "Retroactive" that I
used to feel and hear when I would listen to The Jazz Crusaders, Return to
Forever, Weather Report and Ramsey Lewis,” said Hewitt.
David Chackler, President/CEO of nuGroove Records, is equally excited. “Alan has
the golden touch. This single [“Shaft”] reminds me of the killer sound that
defined the airwaves of the 70s. I think there is a real movement in music to
return to the mother groove of R&B. This song definitely hits the mark,” said
Chackler.
Retroactive features appearances by Greg Adams (Tower of Power), Paul Jackson,
Jr., Steve Madaio (Stevie Wonder) and Steve Oliver.
About Alan Hewitt:
Much like the piano men that have gone before him, Alan Hewitt has made his
living painting musical tapestries about the lives of others. With his
charismatic stage presence and rugged good looks, Hewitt began his career
performing in the club scene but quickly graduated to the production room, where
he had the honor of working as a producer alongside Maurice White of Earth Wind
and Fire (EWF) for over half a decade with the Greatest Hits album going
platinum in 2000. However, it was co-writing and piano/B-3 contributions on the
platinum record Cherry Pie with Warrant that would solidify Hewitt as a monster
musical talent capable of crossing genres.
From artists like Donny Osmond to foundations like the JFK Center, Hewitt's list
of record production credits as both a producer and recording artist spans
across the various major labels and genres with over 12 million records sold. A
first call producer for a long list of major film and television productions,
Hewitt's credits include National Lampoon's VanWilder, Bridget Jones: The Edge
of Reason, Survivor, MTV, Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight and is a
favored composer for the Oprah Winfrey Show (including Oprah's Big Give). The
list of accolades from the industry includes "The Golden Planet Award"¯ and the
"ESPY Award for Excellence."
As a solo artist, the uniqueness of the Hewitt signature sound lies in his
ability to draw from the diverse worlds of contemporary jazz, pop and rock,
while simultaneously bridging the gap between instrumental music and the urban
scene with intoxicating stage performances that are a fusion of energy, style
and grace. It was his 2004 release, Noche de Pasion, that marked his emergence
on the pop instrumental scene, which was followed by his critically acclaimed
2006 release Metropolis. The Baltimore Times hailed, "Metropolis is the album to
put in your CD player (then turn up the volume)."
Hewitt's current release, Retroactive, features performances from Greg Adams
(Tower of Power), Paul Jackson, Jr., Steve Madaio (Stevie Wonder) and Steve
Oliver. The first single to be released is an intoxicating arrangement of the
70s Isaac Hayes classic, "Shaft." Check your local listings for upcoming
concerts or logon to www.alanhewitt.com.
For more interview, reviews and bookings, please contact Cheryl Hughey at Cheryl
Hughey Promotions.
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