Music from the heart for the heart... - alvin frazier - News / Blogs

What's Up???

Mon, 03 May 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Hey Family,

Yes, I know it's been awhile. It's seems like I've been saying that alot lately over the past few months since I haven't been chatting with you all as often. I am working on that. Really. I want to make sure I keep my peoples aware of what's new in my world.

Life has been good along with it's share of challenges. I recently lost my dear friend, my grandmother at the end of last month. She was my best friend and biggest supporter. Constantly pushing me to pursue my dream and wouldn't except any excuses. I will sincerely miss her encouraging words and wisdom. She was a great woman and perhaps the strongest person I've ever known. Her words, stories and laughter will resonate in my heart for a lifetime...

So let's see here, The joshua Trio finally entered the studio last fall to record our EP. The session was alot of fun and I think it really got the juices flowing as far as the group sitting down to map out a full-length project. I love my joshua "brothers" Elijah Gilmore & Derrick George. We're more than a group, we're a family. Hopefully I will have more news about our album soon. The band will also be hitting the road this Summer with dates in Detroit and New York City.

My new album is still currently in the works, but nearing completion. I am very grateful to my family, friends and fans for the support and anticipation of this CD. We are planning for a possible Fall 2010 release. I believe it will exceed expectation. My first album "Love & Faith: Volume 1" is still pushing along with 2 of the tunes being used in 2 different independent films. "Beautiful" in the film "UnEqual" and "Two of a Kind" in the film "The Hitmaker". Details are still being ironed out for the latter film in which I am slated to make a cameo appearance as well.

There are few more things I'm working on that I don't want to disclose as of yet, but they are major. This just means that you'll have to come back to find out what those are....

Peace & Love

alvin

alvinfraziermusic turns 3!!!

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

I can't believe it's been 3 years since this site went up (eventhough due to technical difficulties the site was off-line a few days.) For those who came by we apologize for the inconvenience. The past 3 years have been amazing for me professionally and personally as well. Sure, there have been plenty of ups and downs, highs and lows, but as we know experience is the best teacher.

For the past year and a half I have been diligently working on my sophmore release "A Wonderful Love (Love & Faith: Vol. II)". I'm very excited about this album and I truly believe that it will be a breakthrough album. I anticipate releasing 2 additional projects this year: "The Heart of a Man" (my solo smooth-jazz album) & "We are Joshua" (The joshua Trio). It appears that 2010 will be a busy year for me. As always I plan to continue to raise the bar and produce quality work for my "fans" (friends as I would like to call them) to enjoy. Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I strive to sing of God's goodness and love through my unique brand of "Soul" music. Make this year a great one!

Peace, Love & Blessings,

alvin

The International Soul Music Summit

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Ok Y'all I know its been a minute but I'm trying to get back to my blogs again so I can keep my peoples informed on what's new with me.

One of the greatest experiences I've had since being in the music business was attending the 4th Annual International Soul Music Summit in Atlanta recently. The wealth of information provided during the panel discussions were priceless and the networking opportunities were awesome. I enjoyed performing and just hanging out talking with different artists from all across the country. The world even!

For me being asked to come was an even greater accomplishment being that I have a unique spin on the type of "Soul" music that I do. I am so grateful to God for the doors that He opens which allows me to reach people who just don't do the "church thing" and if so not very often. Surely its challenging at times because you just don't know how people will react to you, but what I'm doing is so much bigger than me and I realize that God is in control so I just do my part and let Him take it from there.

My music and stage performance is all apart of the entertainment vehicle I use to reach the masses with my message of Love & Faith. I could say that music is my chosen career path, but its more like a divine partnership because this is definitely a ministry as well most importantly.

I had the chance to meet and talk with many artists whom I admired over the years and that was really inspiring. The whole weekend was inspiring on so many different levels. Oh yeah, I saw some craziness but I refused to let it deter me from what I came there for: to perform (minister) and to network.

I left Atlanta feeling energized and ready to make my dreams a reality with the Lord's help, of course.

God Bless

alvin

Book The joshua Trio for your next event!

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0700

If you are looking to add elegance, style and class to your next show or event then look no further than The joshua Trio. These three men bring a wealth of professional musical experience combined with the versality to accomodate any client's needs be it weddings, receptions, private parties, corporate parties, festivals, workshops & club venues. Swing, Straight-Ahead, TOP 40, Gospel, Latin, Fusion, Neo-Soul, Funk & Acoustic the joshua trio does it all... "Authentically".

The group primarily functions as a trio, but at the client's request will add a saxophonist or vocalist. The trio can also serve as a backing band for soloists looking for that special band to compliment and make that all too important performance even more special.

When putting together your next event, remember that old saying "You get what you pay for..." Why work so hard to organize a great event only to cut corners on the entertainment? Contact the joshua trio for affordable, quality, mature entertainment. Today.

For inquiries e-mail: joshuajazz@alvinfraziermusic.com

In the Meantime

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Hey Fam,

I know some of you may be wondering why things have been relatively quiet around my way. Well I've been working very hard to finish up my sophmore release along with making some transitions personally and professionally. I am on hiatus so to speak, but rest assured that some great things are on the horizon. I'll keep you posted as always with any new updates. It feels strange in one sense not to be working (gigging), but I am finding time to do and think on some things I haven't been able to for a long time.

Allow me to seque (seg-wa) for a moment to do some reflection. In this business of music on any level if you do this professionally is an uphill battle and you must be equipped in order to keep up and eventually win. It can be very taxing and time consuming. Many sacrafices are required, but if you love what you do and are passionate about it then it's well worth it. Generally I'd be working with management planning the next big event, scouting other acts or lining up future performances, but there comes a time in which it's neccessary to sit back for awhile and do some soulsearching, prayer and meditation as to what the next strategy plan will be.

We can become so engulfed in our jobs, careers or ministries that we find ourselves communing less and less with our powersource, GOD. Could it be we stay busy as to not deal with issues we face in our personal lives? Are we really just that driven or do we hide behind our positions or stage personas? That's a question only you can answer. Every now and again I have to check myself to make sure that I am still listening to the voice of GOD and not my own. It can happen so easily and there were times when I found it was me I was hearing and not Him. At that moment I had to slow it down get refocused. I'm so thankful for His grace & mercy in which he shows along with unconditional love time and time again...

Peace & Love
alvin

alvin: The Vocalist vs. The Musician Part 1

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800

I was looking back over my career thus far as well as reviewing my website. I am so thankful for all that God has done. It has truly been amazing. Most of the press I've received has been relegated to my work as a vocalist, but I am also an accomplished musician as well. I enjoy the Gospel and I LOVE Jazz! I get lost in it's subtle complexities.

Jazz has made me a better musician and The Joshua Trio (my jazz group) gives me the opportunity to flex my skills as a bassist and guitarist along with allowing me to express my compositional skills in a different way.

Music IS a universal language, but it is also a ministry tool not just through vocals but instrumentally as well. I've learned in my journey through music just how powerful music can be even when there are no words present. Your heart plays a big part in this.

For those of us who are believers we should have the heart of God and if that is so it will be reflected in all that we do. No, I'm not saying you will always do the right thing all the time, but what is on the inside will be reflected on the outside. If our heart is for God then that will be evident through our words and works.

What Music Means to Me

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Hey Y'all,

I know it's been quite a while since I've last posted anything, but as you may already know the life of a musician is a hectic one. For years I had always heard how music was a universal language, but it wasn't until the release of my first album that I actually witnessed it for myself.

Being blessed to perform both here in the states and abroad and seeing the response of people who come from all different walks of life dancing and singing side by side was awe-inspiring to say the least. Being raised by a single mom when I was coming up we moved around alot so I didn't have many constants in my life, but the one constant I had then and now was music. Before I became fully aware of the awesomeness of God and his plan for my life, music was something that never let me down. I found (and still do) find joy & peace in music. I thank the Lord daily for the gift of song.

One of the greatest lessons God has taught me was that although I love music with a passion, it is not my God. It can soothe me, but it can't save or deliver me. Only Jesus Christ can do that and I recognize that He is the giver of the gift.

Creating great music with a message of truth is so very important to me because I don't want to just entertain people, but encourage and help them through my gift. If someone walks away from one of my shows or turns the stereo off after listening to my cd and is feeling better or more importantly desiring a closer walk with thee then I've accomplished what I set out to do and it's all good. To God be the glory!

Another Level

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Hey Yall,

Yes, I know it's been awhile since I've written, but things have been pretty fast paced lately. So much to do with so little time. I am very grateful to be busy doing what it is I love. God has been so good to me. I watch in awe as He continually opens and closes the neccessary doors in my life so that I can grow and go to that next level.

Growth is something I desire in all aspects of my life be it personally and professionally. It is so easy to get caught up in all the hype that comes along with this industry/ministry that I am in. I pray daily that the Lord keeps me humble and focused on the vision and purpose He has given me, but growing in my personal walk is just as important.

This walk certainly isn't easy, but I know that if I keep my eyes on Him I can make it. Be encouraged and pray for me as I pray for you.

God Bless

alvin

When is Volume 2 coming out?

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

If I had a dollar for everytime I heard the statement "When is Volume 2 coming out?" I'd have a nice piece of change saved up. It doesn't bother me or Eastbrook at all. It's a good thing actually. That means that "you" the fans have enjoyed volume 1 enough to hear what's next.

Volume 2 is in the works and is slated for a Spring 2009 release. No official date has been determined as of yet. The album is about 3/4 done and I feel it will be the breakthrough album for me. In the meantime I am continuing to market and promote volume 1 while in the studio finishing up my next 2 releases. I am also in the process of recording my first solo inspirational smooth-jazz project tentatively entitled "The Heart of a Man". Eastbrook Music plans to have the album finished and ready for release by the fall of this year.

Somehow in the midst of those projects myself and the other members of my jazz trio "joshua" are planning our first recording. I'll do my best to keep you abreast of the project's progress. Hey, that rhymed (smile).
I certainly have my work cut out for me, but I as well as Eastbrook Music are so excited and looking forward to releasing more soul-refreshing music for you to enjoy. May the Lord bless and keep you. Until next time.

Peace & Love

alvin

Joshua Revisited

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Finally at last I've gotten around to putting up a page for my jazz group "joshua". For the past year I've been focusing very strongly on my career as a solo artist and as a result I have seen God do some major things on my behalf and still is for that matter. Initially we planned to release an album by the group first, but because of various factors and what I believe to be God's orchestration we decided to release my solo project first. That project "Love & Faith: Volume 1" is doing very well and more information about that can be found on my individual page as well as this website.

Since this journey began I have learned quite a bit. One of the things I've learned is when attempting to record an album with band mates who have other obligations and projects, scheduling studio time can be a real task thus putting a halt in the recording process. We have discussed the possibilty of recording an album for quite some time and finally we are beginning to lock down some committed time to do so.

What I love most about "joshua" is how different the sound is from my other work. Although I love to sing and write lyrically, I enjoy playing as well and the group gives me the opportunity to express myself in an instrumental way.

So far 2008 appears to be a very busy year for myself as a solo artist as well as 1/3 of "joshua" so be sure to visit this site along with both myspace pages for the latest news and show dates!

Peace & Love

Your Brother

alvin (1/3 joshua)