Mekiel Reuben
musician / producer / composer
The Chicago born native became interested in music at the early age of eight when his mom gave him a guitar for Christmas. At the age of 15 he began studying music and woodwinds under Louis Gray, high school band director (Crane HS). . His first performance was playing at high school graduation, and he says he was greatly influenced by Grover Washington Jr.,The Crusaders, Earth,Wind & Fire and Stevie Wonder. He moved to the Caribbean where he continued to pursue his musical career. He studied privately in St. Croix with jazz woodwinds player James (Jimmy) Hamilton, a 27 year veteran of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Mekiel says, I use to watch Hamilton perform from the back of the club where I worked. Then we became friends and he taught me the Art of Reservation, and how to enhance my playing style. Mekiel explained. He also studied with Benny Jacob El (a graduate of Juilliard School of Music) and while living in St. Croix he learned calypso, reggae, Latin and other Caribbean rhythms. After several years of touring and playing with several theatrical/dance companies in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Mekiel returned to the United States and now resides in Los Angeles, CA.
Following his dream of becoming a recording artist, when he returned to the USA he continued his music studies with the legendary saxophonist Bill Greene (improvisation lessons). He also studied music and marketing at Los Angeles City College and West Los Angeles City College. Then when Mekiel had over a hundred compositions under his belt ,he started his own label with the name of MekMuse Records and a publisher Mekiel Music ASCAP with 50 tiltes registered. He now has several releases to his credit: (1994) Miles Away (a dedication to Miles Davis), (1996), Simply Peaceful, (2000) Shadows of Love, (2005) Hangin in the Moonlight.and (2009) Cookin' in East L.A". latest release (2012) .If you were here tonight"
From 2002- 2006 Mekiel worked as a sideman with the legendary"Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm" and toured Europe,Japan and North America performing in several Blues and Jazz festivals. He participated in the North Seas Jazz fest, Netherlands, Ajaccio Blues fest, Corsica, Pori Jazz fest, Finland, Nice Jazz fest, Cognac Blues Passion, France, San Diego Blues fest, Long Beach Blues fest, California, USA, Edmonton Blues fest. Canada and Montreux jazz fest.,Switzerland, where they recorded the album, Live at Montreux " The Resurrection of Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm,on the French label Isabel Records - Blues Power series (M Williams-tenor sax) He has shared stages with so many musicians with openining acts and his own band on festivals and concert venues featuring acts such as Bunny Wailer, Ziggy Marley, Maxi Priest, Third World, Steel Pulse, Inner Circle , Burning Spear, UB 40, Lenny Williams, Barbara Morrison, Ronnie Laws,The Jazz Crusader, Les Mc Canns, Marcus Miller ,Chaka Khan, Gino Vanelli, Dr. John, Tyrone Davis, Etta James, Phil Perry, George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars, Ronnie Laws and a host of others. He worked with local backup bands for years at Los Angeles biggest reggae festival "Bob Marley Day" with artists such as Marcia Griffith, The Itals, Johnny Clark, Uroy, Eek-A-Muse and Ras Michael and the sons of Niegus and many more. While a member of Ras Michael and the sons of Niegus (5 years) they recorded an album entitled, Know Now, on Shanachie Records.
Mekiel has dedicates his talent and time for over two decade to disable students at the LAUSD, Benjamin Banneker Special Education Center when he is not on tour or performing. He has brought great joy to disabled students with music. He worked 4 years as a regular Smooth Jazz artist at the famous "ICugini" Italian restaurant in Santa Monica,CA , for the 94.7 the Wave Jazz Sunday Brunch every third Sunday. So keep your eyes open and ears tuned for this musician / producer / composer, Mekiel Reuben to be the next new rising star.
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It’s been several years that I discovered sax man Mekiel Reuben from L.A. My first introduction to his music was with the album ‘Hangin’ in the Moonlight’. Afterwards I reviewed ‘Cookin’ in East L.A.’, and now his latest release was delivered to my house. ‘If You Were Here Tonight’ is in total his 7th recording, and the 6th for MekMuse Records. Just like his previous album, this set is a combination of covers and originals. He opens with ‘Another Sunday’, an uplifting original that gets you in the mood for some sweet sax music. Singer-songwriter Janis Ian recorded ‘At Seventeen’ in 1975 and here it’s covered fresh as ever. ‘Corey’ is again an original composition, followed by the equally original ‘I Just Wanna Be With You’. Next up is the title track, a nice cover of a beautiful hit by soul man Alexander O’Neal. After that Mekiel turns to Bill Withers with his hit track ‘Lovely Day’ from 1977. Again it’s nicely done. Then “Nigerian Song Bird” Mary Akpa features for the first time as lead vocalist on the Van Morrison’s classic hit ‘Moondance’. The cover is done in a relaxed reggae way. The rest of the album consists of four original tunes, ‘One for Me’, ‘Stop Sailing’, ‘Summer Breezin’’ and ‘We Gotta Get It Together’. As I wrote before, Mekiel has proven that he’s here to stay, and deserves a place among sax man like Dave Koz, Richard Elliot, Chris Godber etc.
Patrick Van de Wiele
Here’s an album that is surely to get you smooth jazzers buzzin’ for awhile. It’s saxman Mekiel Reuben’s latest offering, If You Were Here Tonight. Not exactly brand spankin’ new Mekiel Reuben(released late last year) but full of fresh originals with a light sprinkling of great interpretations of some well-chosen covers.
Opening with a silky mid-tempo charmer called “Another Sunday,” it’s a bouncy, sunny way to start off this collection of aural goodies. On the heels of this track (which, by the way, has a great crescendo, as well) is a wonderful cover of singer/songwriter Janis Ian’s “At Seventeen.” Reuben adds such a load of improvisation and originality to this Brazilian-flavored tune.
Among my faves would be the bright, swaying “I Just Wanna Be With You,” a track that bears a really sweet melody, a melody that could easily convince the object of one’s affection to believe the song title was specifically directed at her or him.
The seductive handling of the title track carries as much effectiveness as it too has an irresistible melody. The swagger and bounce found in the cover of Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day,” the slinky, provocative take on Van Morrison’s “Moondance” (with a little emphasis on some reggae influence and the sexy vocals provided by the “Nigerian Song Bird” Mary Akpa),” and the tight and snappy “Stop Stalling” are solidly convincing. There’s also the tender “Summer Breezin’,” one of those tunes capable of placing you in that state of mind where what you hear is all you hear and feel. Truly lovely.
Reuben shifts moods along with saxes (playing soprano, alto, and tenor saxes) throughout this project and flaunts his skills with confidence and apparent ease. Tasteful, solid, sweet vibin’ smooth grooves are what you get with this project. For sure, an embraceable piece of work. – Ronald Jackson
Smooth Jazz sax man Mekiel Reuben gives good vibes on new project,
‘If You Were Here Tonight'
"When I first started this project I had a lot of songs in the can," said saxophonist Mekiel Reuben about his latest album release "If You Were Here Tonight." "David (Vasquez) created the vibe," Reuben said of the title track. "I give David a lot of credit for creating the songs. This is my third time working with David."
Mekiel said in preparation for his songs he learn from people and he listens to them.
"If it's something I can use (I listen) and if it's not I throw it away," he said about his "process."
This is his seventh recording project and it features the lovely vocals of Nigerian singer Mary Akpa. It also featured David on keyboards and Reuben plays the alto, tenor and soprano sax.
My favorite cuts from the "If You Were Here Tonight" include "Moondance," because of the lead vocals of featured singer Mary Akpa; "At Seventeen," which brought back my memories at that age; "Another Sunday," a Smooth Jazz selection that's great for a lazy Sunday morning; the cover of "Lovely Day," because I love the bass which made it a funky cut; "Summer Breezin,'" another smooth selection that had the sax crying, and "I Just Wanna Be With You."
"The project delivered what I wanted it to," Mekiel said in closing.
Find out more about Reuben and his new project at www.MekielReuben.com.
(Columnist: Eunice Moseley is a PR/media & promotions consultant, and as well as a syndicated entertainment columnist for over 20 years - www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com.)