LIFOTI INTERVIEW: JAZZ SENSATION MANEE VALENTINE SET TO RELEASE HIS NEW ALBUM – LUCKY 7 ON JUNE 1, 2024
Album cover of Lucky 7 | Copyright: Manee Valentine
Renowned International Jazz Crooner, Manee Valentine, an esteemed BMI affiliate and distinguished Recording Artist, is poised to commemorate the eagerly anticipated launch of his latest album, titled 'Lucky 7,' scheduled for release on June 1. The celebratory event will unfold at The Catalina Jazz Club, nestled in the heart of Hollywood, on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
In the realm of jazz, where each note tells a story and every melody carries the weight of emotion, there exists a rare breed of artists who transcend the ordinary to create musical magic. Among them stands Manee Valentine, a virtuoso whose velvety voice and soulful performances have captivated audiences worldwide.
International Jazz Crooner, BMI affiliated, and Recording artist, Manee Valentine will celebrate the release of his new album “Lucky 7” – dropping on June 1, at The Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood on Sunday, June 2, 2024. (The physical CD will be available at Amazon; digital CD is already available.)
The album “Lucky 7” features 7 original compositions written by Argentine, songwriter Ike Montana. Manee Valentine will be performing several songs from “Lucky 7,” and some from his previous CD “Red Soul,” plus he will dazzle his audience by performing many favorite American standards. Keeping with his 7 themes, he has 7 talented female jazz musicians accompanying him: Beth Marlis (guitar), Anne King (trumpet), Amanda Campos (sax), Sherry Luchette (bass), Amanda Mora (trombone), and Ana Barreiro (drums). His very seasoned music director, Karen Hernandez, has many accolades. Karen burst onto the jazz scene in the ’60s, and she has many film credits to her name as well, including original songs in “Pretty Woman” and “The Fabulous Baker Boys.” Alongside her is music arranger Carlos Luna, he too has many television credits.
Valentine has the vocal precision and control of many that have come before him, but he has a bit of a Latin twist in there for good measure. Manee Valentine says, “I just love bringing a good story from a great ballad to life, but in my own fresh way! I listen to all the greats and take away what I can use for myself, I take pride in having my own unique style, and I love what I do!”
As the Creative Director of 7Notas Music Designers & Publishing, Manee Valentine has an uncanny and natural ability to create lyrics and melodies for his original songs. He specializes in adapting and translating popular songs, including standards and current hits.
Coming from Miami, Manee Valentine was able to get a real feel for what Florida had to offer musically. Miami is the mecca for rich Latin music and is a great place to learn the ropes. But he feels Los Angeles is really the place to be seen and grow as an artist. With Manee Valentine’s velvety smooth voice and enormous stage presence, he can trigger emotions of better days and toe-tapping happiness of what’s to come. Every generation, who are lovers of Jazz and Big Bands, will enjoy his rhythmic renditions and arrangements of the great American songbook. Truly a throwback to a time when crooners were gold, whether interpreting a romantic ballad or singing to the beat of swing, Manee Valentine is a force to be reckoned with.
Catch Manee Valentine at The Catalina Jazz Club on June 2, 2024, at 7:30 PM, with doors opening at 6:00 PM.
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As he prepares to embark on this new chapter of his musical journey, Valentine's unwavering dedication to his craft serves as an inspiration to aspiring musicians everywhere.
❝ We are all vessels of the ultimate creator. Anything, everything, and everybody is a song. Everything is an influence, music, life experiences, and conversations with people. - Manee Valentine❞
Join us as we delve into the world of Manee Valentine, a crooner whose melodic odyssey transcends geographical boundaries and captivates audiences around the world. As our conversation draws to a close, Valentine reflects on his enduring legacy, aspiring to create music that transcends time and leaves an indelible mark on generations to come. With his unwavering passion for music and boundless creativity, Manee Valentine continues to captivate audiences around the world, leaving an indelible imprint on the world of jazz. Lets checkout the exclusive interview of Jazz sensation Manee Valentine:
Q&A with Manee Valentine
• 1. How has your family inspired you and your artistic career?
Manee Valentine: I come from a musical family, so inspiration and creation can be triggered by emotional experiences and events.
• 2. Where do you see your career going in 5 years?
Manee Valentine: I have the “Hollywood Dream.” To perform on worldwide stages, produce more of my original songs, collaborate with other performers, and see my screenplays on the small and big screens.
• 3. Talk about any producers you have worked with.
Manee Valentine: As a producer myself, I have been very fortunate to have had producers as collaborators which allows the project to maintain its originality from the initial versions of its inception.
• 4. Where do you get your ideas for your music projects?
Manee Valentine: We are all vessels of the ultimate creator. Anything, everything, and everybody is a song. Any word, any thought, and every action are a crucial part of a story that can become a song.
• 5. What charities are you aligned with and why?
Manee Valentine: I would love to work with the American Heart Association. I think we would make a great match!
• 6. What music projects will you be involved with in the future?
Manee Valentine: I have an amazing production in the works! All original songs related to the Great American Song Book, that is all I can share for now. I’m really excited about it; I think it can be a game changer in my career.
• 7. What are your biggest influences?
Manee Valentine: Everything is an influence, music, life experiences, and conversations with people. Even when I’m sleeping, I am being influenced by the supernatural LOL! I always have my phone nearby just in case I wake up in the middle of the night with a song in my head. I record myself because if I wait until the morning, I will forget what I have created in my dreams. Everyone has their own unique creative process. Some songwriters write the lyrics first and then add the music, and others write the music first and then add the lyrics. I am blessed to be able to create both at the same time.
• 8. What advice would you give to a young musician starting out?
Manee Valentine: Preparation is key. Study, practice, and work hard. Build a vision of your goals and be grateful for every step that comes to pass on the way to success.
• 9. Talk about your performance training. Who have you trained with and why?
Manee Valentine: Every job, no matter how small or big, is a training class. Every rehearsal, every practice, and every moment of creating is training.
• 10. If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?
Manee Valentine: I would love to record a duet with Vikki Carr! She is one of the most talented female crooners from that era.
• 11. What do you do to prepare for a live show?
Manee Valentine: I make sure all chart books are in order, practice and corroborate every lyric sheet in the books, attend rehearsals, and avoid overworking “the pipes” to arrive at the desired tone and clarity of my voice for the performance. I maintain a relaxed mental frame and enjoy the ride.
• 12. When did you know you wanted to be a recording artist?
Manee Valentine: When I was 16 years old.
• 13. What recording artists did you admire as a child?
Manee Valentine: Many, I was exposed to all types of music. I had a special liking for ballads, jazz, and big bands.
• 14. What’s the Miami music scene like compared to Los Angeles?
Manee Valentine: Miami is the other side of the coin when it comes to cultural genres, but it was still interesting to learn and grow in the industry. You must have solid roots and an understanding of your musical identity to navigate through the tropical and Latin influences in the local music scene.
• 15. What do you do to relax?
Manee Valentine: I create.
• 16. What other businesses do you plan on starting to promote your brand?
Manee Valentine: Teaming up with my wife and business partner to expand our brand and foundation.
• 17. What’s the one thing you think everyone could do to make the world a more positive place?
Manee Valentine: Slow down, step back, breathe, and enjoy the moment.
• 18. What would you be doing if you were not a recording artist?
Manee Valentine: There has never been another option, this is who I am.
• 19. What are your first steps in taking on a new project?
Manee Valentine: It must inspire me to the core, and hopefully, it will be contagious.
• 20. What do you want to leave as your legacy?
Manee Valentine: To create new standards. A quality of songs and writings that will transcend in time.
• 21. Talk about your current album.
Manee Valentine: Jazz is truly an American legacy for all generations throughout the world, and as such, it is recognized and has influenced many cultures and listeners.
With this production, we intend to bring to the forefront the results of the influence of American Jazz to more Latinos around the world. Lucky 7 is a collection of seven new original songs written and produced in Buenos Aires, Argentina by Ike Montana, also arranged and produced by Dani Vila with Argentinian musicians. Our Hollywood team set up the vocal recording sessions at Valentine Records, in Studio City.
• 22. How do you overcome challenges in your career?
Manee Valentine: By keeping a clear mindset and allowing time to take us through to the best possible resolution.
• 23. How did you start singing?
Manee Valentine: When my mother gifted me a blue acoustic guitar, I was about 9 years old. I should write a song called, “My Blue Acoustic Guitar” LOL!
• 24. Who in your family has been your mentor?
Manee Valentine: Everyone and most importantly, my better half.
• 25. What are your health regimes?
Manee Valentine: I don’t really have any. I try to make healthy choices.
• 26. What’s the most fun event you have performed at?
Manee Valentine: Club Tropigala at the Fountainebleau Hotel in Miami!
• 27. What was it like the first time you performed on stage?
Manee Valentine: Exhilarating! Everything felt just right, an out-of-body experience.
• 28. How does your family support you in your career?
Manee Valentine: Wholeheartedly, especially my wife. She produces my shows and my CD productions, we work hand in hand on all my projects.
• 29. What do you want your fans to know about you?
Manee Valentine: I am very grateful and excited for the opportunity to share with them the journey of achieving a dream!
• 30. What is your fashion sense?
Manee Valentine: I would say I’m very classic, with a touch of glam. I’m fortunate that my wife is a stylist, and she has polished my image throughout the years.
• 31. How do you feel about the current state of the music industry?
Manee Valentine: It is a work in progress. With all the restructuring and innovations by technology, it is up to the artist to pave their own path. The beauty of this is that we can all produce and promote our own productions without depending on a record label.
• 32. What sets your music apart from other singers and jazz musicians?
Manee Valentine: I’d like to think I keep myself present in the moment. This allows me to provide an innovative style of interpretation to the melodies each time by channeling the audience’s energy for inspiration. This makes every performance different and unique.
• 33. What goals and milestones have you set for yourself? Are there specific achievements you're aiming for in the near future?
Manee Valentine: “The sky is the Limit,” are the very first steps to accomplishing the dreams we have been promised.
• 34. What’s your favorite song that you sing?
Manee Valentine: So many, I couldn’t think of one specifically.
• 35. What are your tricks of the trade?
Manee Valentine: For my eyes and ears only! LOL!
• 36. Do you think your music is timeless?
Answer by Manee Valentine: Absolutely, and then some!
• 37. Where can people find your music?
Manee Valentine: I’m on most social media platforms.
• 38. What is the typical demographic of your fans?
Manee Valentine: Positively ageless.
• 39. Are there any singers who are not on this planet that you wish you would have met? What would you have asked them?
Manee Valentine: The Rat Pack, I would ask to join them. They were missing the Latin touch!
• 40. Who is your music mentor?
Manee Valentine: Daldo Romano (D’Aldo), who worked for CBS Records, EMI Latin, and Universal Music Latino. He passed away recently. He was a great friend and always encouraged and guided me.
• 41. How has technology changed the way you record?
Manee Valentine: Amazingly! I love the many options and conversions to variables from the past to the present and can’t wait for future applications with AI for compositions and all else. The future has caught us off guard. Let’s take it as a positive experience and make the best out of it.
• • •
With each chapter of his story, Valentine invites us to explore the intricate tapestry of his artistry—a tapestry woven with threads of passion, perseverance, and boundless creativity. As we prepare to embark on this enlightening journey, let us open our hearts and minds to the melodic mastery of Manee Valentine, a jazz virtuoso whose music transcends boundaries and touches the soul.
For more updates & news about Manee Valentine, Follow on Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Amazon Music
Catch Manee Valentine at The Catalina Jazz Club on June 2, 2024, at 7:30 PM, with doors opening at 6:00 PM. Book Ticket Now | Official Website
Don't forget to check out "Lucky 7" by Manee Valentine and don't forget to add it to your playlist.
Videos for his new CD “Lucky 7”:
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