LUCY KALANTARI & THE JAZZ CATS PRESENT CRECIENDO
2X GRAMMY WINNER CELEBRATES GROWING UP
1st FULL LENGTH SPANISH CHILDREN’S ALBUM- OUT MAY 28, 2024

Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats are thrilled to announce the release of their first full length Spanish children’s album Creciendo. Creciendo means growing up in Spanish and is just what this collection is about. The beautifully crafted 10 songs shine a bright and inquisitive light on the amazing transformation of growing up, from the inner joy and spark within children to their never ending need to learn.

Raised by immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic and from Puerto Rico, Kalantari draws from her own experiences growing up in both the Dominican Republic and in America, and from raising her own bilingual child. The music of Creciendo shares her signature blend of old jazz with Latin influences drawn from her familial roots. Universal themes throughout the album include resilience, understanding emotions, friendship, community, and following your dreams. Musically, its a full on party with various guest singers and musicians with vibrant vocals and expert instrumentation that elevate the listening experience to new heights.

Lucykalantari.com

JOHN LEGEND TO RELEASE MY FAVORITE DREAM

AN ALBUM OF SING-ALONGS AND LULLABIES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
REPUBLIC RECORDS: KIDS & FAMILY ON AUGUST 30

Produced by singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist Sufjan Stevens, the project features nine original tracks written by Legend as well as three bonus covers of Fisher-Price® songs

Multi-platinum, 12-time Grammy Award-winner John Legend will release My Favorite Dream, an album of sing-alongs and lullabies for children and families, via Republic Records: Kids & Family on August 30.  Produced by singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist Sufjan Stevens, the project features nine original tracks written by Legend. As part of a collaboration with Fisher-Price, the album also includes three bonus tracks with covers of songs from their beloved toys.

“I’m right in the thick of fatherhood,” says Legend, father of daughter Luna (8), son Miles (6) and two toddlers, daughter Esti and son Wren. “My parents loved to sing around the house, making up bedtime songs for us and songs to motivate and inspire us. And Chrissy and I also love singing to our kids.  We make up little jingles and ditties for them all the time. In our home, music is very important tothe way we interact and communicate with them.”

GRAMMY NOMINATED DIVINITY ROXX PRESENTS DIVI ROXX KIDS WORLD WIDE PLAYDATE

A HIP-HOP FAMILY PARTY ALBUM AMPLIFYING THE POWER OF PLAY TO SPREAD JOY

FEATURING VICTOR WOOTEN, MUMU FRESH, TARRIONA “TANK” BALL FROM TANK AND THE BANGAZ, MALCOLM JAMAL WARNER AND MORE - OUT AUGUST 9, 2024

This August, Grammy nominated recording artist Divinity Roxx presents World Wide Playdate, a positive party album of ten original bops for kids twelve and under, and for the kid in all of us. Three years after the release of her Grammy nominated debut family album Ready Set Go!, Divinity is back to spread even more joy while amplifying the power of play.

Inspired by the music of her formative years, World Wide Playdate feels like a 90’s hip-hop classic, complete with timeless, catchy hooks, fun and vibrant lyrics, and beats that get you out of your seat. Affirmations and positive messages echo over groovy bass lines and provide the blueprints for being good to ourselves and others. The order of the day is to let loose, and connect, with hip-hop and pop singalongs that encourage us to engage with one another. The National Institute For Play says that "Play is part of the solution to our harried, anxiety-creating lives."  With themes that include friendship, family, self-empowerment, and bringing your dreams to life, World Wide Playdate provides the soundtrack to finding our happy place.

Artist Website

SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS PRESENTS PIECES OF HOME FROM DAN + CLAUDIA ZANES

SPIRIT AND SOUL LIFTING SONGS FOR ALL- AUGUST 30, 2024

On August 30 Smithsonian Folkways presents Pieces of Home by renowned musicians Dan + Claudia Zanes. For almost 25 years Dan Zanes has been known as a pioneer and a leader in family music, bringing people of all ages together and blending cultures and genres in his distinct voice, style and vision. For the past decade, Claudia Zanes has brought her skill and extensive history as a jazz vocalist and her experience compassionately practicing community music therapy to performing with Dan. This fresh collection from Dan + Claudia of soulful and uplifting songs carries on these noble traditions and expands both artists’ vast, unique and impressive catalogue. 

Pieces of Home, the duo’s second album with Smithsonian Folkways, is rooted in American and Haitian folk traditions that call family and neighbors to sing, dance, and play together. Dan + Claudia like to think of this gentle and energetic album as a front porch concert—an invitation to sit and stay for a while. In beautiful harmony, the artists  remind us that with the people we love by our side, we can find home wherever we are. 

Next year marks a quarter century since the release of Dan Zanes’ genre changing album Rocket Ship Beach, a classic which redefined the modern family music genre. Today Dan is still creating homespun music from the heart for kids and for kids who’ve grown up. Now, he and Claudia embark on a shared music-making mission: it’s always a party and everyone’s invited.

danandclaudia.com

INTRODUCING JOHNNY LONGLEGS
DEBUT CHILDREN’S ALBUM MY EVERYTHING
FROM JOHN DAVIDSON OF THE BRUMMIES- OUT JULY 12

Announcing Johnny Longlegs debut album, My Everything, where kids and adults find musical common ground. John Davidson (of the indie rock band, The Brummies) provides an authentic take on family life with songs to start and end your day, and highlighting the relatable adventures in between.

My Everything is twangy and fun, featuring big and little voices, with something for everyone. A three generation passion project, the collection features John Davidson, his son Oliver, dad Terry, and wife Tyler. The songs are inspired by his life as a dad and how it completely changed him. John said “It felt like my life really started the day my son was born. He immediately became the most important thing in my life.”

EMMY NOMINATED COMEDIAN KATE MICUCCI
CELEBRATES DEBUT CHILDREN’S ALBUM MY HAT 
CAPTURING THE JOYOUS DELIGHT OF CHILDHOOD- OUT NOW 

Emmy nominated actress/musician/artist Kate Micucci is having a belated celebration around her upbeat and joyous debut children’s album My Hat. The quirky and endearing 14 song collection perfectly captures the light-hearted innocence of childhood. 

Though Micucci’s debut family album was released in November of 2023, the artist (known for her work on Big Bang Theory, Garfunkel & Oates and so much more) faced unexpected challenges in celebrating her accomplishment. Diagnosed with lung cancer the day the album debuted, Micucci was unable to share the project widely at its initial release. Now, 10 months later, after a life saving surgery and much rehabilitation, Kate is healthy, cancer free, and very ready to get back to her music. 

My Hat is a heartfelt and just plain fun collection of songs that captures the child-like joy that Micucci most naturally creates from. Inspired to record My Hat after the birth of her son, she is overjoyed to now have the opportunity to share her work with other families.

LISTEN TO MY HAT

SAM TSUI & CASEY BREVES RELEASE NEW SINGLE
“THE GREATEST EVER CAMPFIRE SONG” OUT NOW

FORTHCOMING CHILDREN’S BOOK WHY DO WE SING? OUT APRIL 9 ACCOMPANIED BY OFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK ALBUM OUT APRIL 5

Musical duo, social media stars, and dads Sam Tsui and Casey Breves just released their new single entitled “The Greatest Ever Campfire Song” out now via Republic Records: Kids & Family, their first official release under the label. It notably heralds the arrival of their forthcoming HarperCollins children’s book, Why Do We Sing?—which releases on April 9, 2024. Ahead of the release Why Do We Sing? (The Official Soundtrack Album) will arrive April 5, 2024.

Listen to “The Greatest Ever Campfire Song” HERE.

“The Greatest Ever Campfire Song” lights the way for Why Do We Sing? Combining gentle rhymes and stunning illustrations, the book and soundtrack introduce children to various styles and genres of music, spanning everything from K-Pop to Broadway, Bollywood, and beyond. The 10 tracks nod to gospel, opera, sea shanties, camp songs, and so much more. The duo notably wrote and produced the entire album, while they also authored and illustrated the book.

Now, Why Do We Sing? proves to be an essential addition to any family library or music collection!

MICKEY HART ANNOUNCES ART AT THE EDGE OF MAGIC
IMMERSIVE EXHIBIT AS PART OF DEAD FOREVER EXPERIENCE
AT THE VENETIAN RESORT LAS VEGAS - OPENING MAY 15

GRAMMY Award-winning artist, legendary drummer for the Grateful Dead and Dead & Company, Mickey Hart, has just announced his latest immersive art exhibition showcasing his groundbreaking vibrational expressionism, Art at the Edge of Magic. The show will open to the public beginning May 15, 2024, as part of Dead Forever Experience at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas.

The limited run exhibit, Art at the Edge of Magic, is free to the general public and will run through the summer while Hart is in town for the highly anticipated Dead & Company residency at Sphere.

This exhibit will be the first of its kind showcasing all of Hart’s art forms and mediums including a breathtaking blacklight immersion. The entire experience will be designed by the artist himself. In the space, visitors will encounter different designs alongside bespoke lighting accompanied by the sounds of his drumming and percussion, creating a unique and interactive event. Psychopomps will serve as guides through the exhibit and assist guests into the spirit realm. It will also feature exclusive videos of Hart working in his studio, showing the details of his original artistic process.

Art At the Edge of Magic is produced by Terrapin Station Entertainment.

ABOUT MICKEY HART’S ART AT THE EDGE OF THE MAGIC

Mickey Hart, best-selling author, 3 time Grammy recipient, and drummer/percussionist for the Grateful Dead, Planet Drum, and Dead & Company is proud to present a groundbreaking collection of visual art, “Art at the Edge of Magic”.

Mickey is a pioneering rhythmic artist who uses a Pythagorean monochord powered by subwoofers to reveal layers of paint through low-end vibration. This process is termed "Vibrational Expressionism" and is used to expose the connections between music, art, and the cosmos. Using vibrations instead of traditional brushes, these works infuse motion and energy. His latest series, “Roadmaps to Higher Consciousness,” is a profound exploration of art as a transformative power and was designed to evoke the unpredictable flow of nature. Through these works, Hart redefines the canvas as vehicle for spiritual travel, offering a gateway to transcendental experiences and a deeper understanding of existence.

THIS SPRING THE OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS GUIDE FANS THROUGH A MUSICAL WOODLAND ADVENTURE WITH BRAMBLETOWN

The Okee Dokee Brothers have always traveled long distances in their grand adventures outward, but for their next musical adventure, Joe and Justin wander deep inside the forest of imagination. Brambletown is a woodland creature mosaic where "critters can talk, trees can walk and nothing’s as it seems." You’ll be guided by Junkyard Raccoon, Doctor Mole, Fox and Hare, Possum, and Old Badger. They’ll take you on a journey full of mysterious dreams, rowdy celebrations, tempting distractions, and ancient wisdom. Brambletown is a story of learning, or better yet, remembering how deeply all of us are connected. So, into the forest we go!

Out March 21!

Artist Website

MISS TUTTI AND THE FRUITY BAND PRESENT CONFIDENCE JUICE

A MUSICAL SAFE SPACE & AN ALL- AGES CELEBRATION OF INDIVIDUALITY

JOY-FILLED RETRO-POP TUNES ABOUT BODY CONFIDENCE, INCLUSIVITY & REPRESENTATION- OUT NOVEMBER 10, 2023

Miss Tutti and The Fruity Band is a musical project celebrating themes of confidence, inclusivity, and LGBTQ+ representation for kids and families of all-ages. Their debut release Confidence Juice, out November 10, is a bright and joyful album that proudly celebrates the unique qualities that make us who we are.

The eight positive retro-pop tunes were co-produced by music educator Gracie Nash and Grammy/Tony winner Charlie Rosen. The band is made up of thriving New York City musicians and educators including: Emma Jayne (The Tonight Show, Emmy Nominee), Laura Dadap (Nickelodeon), Dan Corica (Theatreworks), Olivia Griffin (Little Shop Of Horrors), and Scott Still (NY Pops)

For founder Gracie Nash AKA Miss Tutti, as the body positivity movement started growing in music and media, she found freedom in finally seeing herself represented in pop-culture. Nash was inspired to write a medley of songs that she wished she could have heard as a child. The artist found herself a victim of bullying starting at age 4, but as hard as the bullies tried to take her down, she forever found a safe place in the music classroom where her teachers offered a creative and kind place to land. Miss Tutti is on a mission to create a musical safe space for all, kids and adults alike.

ARTIST WEBSITE

ANNOUNCING SPACESHIPS & DREAMS, DEBUT CHILDREN’S ALBUM FROM FAMED PUPPETEER 
MEGAN PIPHUS AS MAY & THEM PUPS

 

A HIP-HOP & POP ALBUM FOR FAMILIES
 CELEBRATING COMMUNITY & HUMANITY 


 FROM GRAMMY WINNING PRODUCERS SIR THE BAPTIST & BOOTSY COLLINS- OUT SEPTEMBER 15, 2023


From Emmy award-winning children’s performer and musician Megan Piphus comes Spaceships & Dreams, her debut children’s music album as May & Them Pups. The new collection was created to inspire children to find their own voices and unique gifts to help unite their communities. The empowering and entertaining original hip-hop album specifically made for grade school children was produced by Piphus and Grammy winners Sir the Baptist and Bootsy Collins. The collection releases September 15 on Bootzilla Records. 


Piphus has gained national attention in recent years as the first Black female puppeteer to perform on Sesame Street playing the role of Gabrielle. Through Spaceships & Dreams, the mother of 2 young boys aims to further her creative reach to young families with high quality music made for them to enjoy together that also encourages positive character traits while spotlighting diversity and acceptance.


Artist Website

GO BANANA GO! SERVE UP HOT FUDGE SATURDAY
THE FUNNIEST BAND IN KID’S MUSIC RELEASES 3RD ALBUM

A BOWLFUL OF FUN - OVERFLOWING WITH SILLINESS
HAVE THEY GONE TOO FAR THIS TIME?… PROBABLY

OUT MARCH 29, 2024

Go Banana Go!, the funniest band on the family music scene, are back this Spring with their third full length, hilarious, and (let’s face it) pretty weird album, Hot Fudge Saturday, releasing March 29, 2024.

Jim Roach and Brian Wecht, the duo behind the hilarity of Go Banana Go! operate with one objective in mind: write songs that make both themselves and their kids burst out laughing. If other people want to laugh and sing along too? Even better. As their own kids are getting older (an inevitable problem with children), they decided to take some chances on this album and dug in even deeper to see how big a chuckle they could get out of them.

Artist website
As heard on NPR

MOTHER & SON, NNENNA AND PIERCE FREELON PRESENT ANCESTARS
A FAMILY ALBUM EXPLORING OUR CONNECTION TO ANCESTORS AND EACH OTHER- MAY 19, 2023

This spring comes AnceStars, a family-focused album by Grammy nominated, mother-and-son Nnenna and Pierce Freelon. AnceStars is a unique recording that explores the wonder and mystery of the ancestral spirit world. It features 13 gently woven original songs created for all ages to nurture a healthy curiosity about life, afterlife, transformation, healing and legacy.

The Freelons enjoy a thriving and deep connection to their ancestors and seek to awaken authentic connection in others through their music, which is rooted in their family’s journey as well as African American folklore and tradition. This artful production brings a softness to this concept that is touching, soothing, celebratory and beautiful.

The passing of Pierce’s father and Nnenna’s husband, Phil Freelon in 2019 greatly impacted the lives and creative paths of these two passionate talents. Phil Freelon was the great architect of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, who passed away after a battle with ALS. In 2021 both Pierce and Nnenna were individually nominated for Grammys for their album releases that year which each paid tribute to the family patriarch- Pierce’s ‘Black to the Future’ and Nnenna’s ‘Time Traveler’. AnceStars is the next artistic step on the deeply spiritual journey this mother and son have embarked on together.

Nnenna
Pierce

GRAMMY WINNER J. IVY PRESENTS
THE LIGHT INSIDE
A CELEBRATION OF LOVE, LIFE AND POETRY
HONORING THE PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

FEATURING DJ JAZZY JEFF, ANTHONY HAMILTON, CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE, PJ MORTON, MALCOLM JAMAL WARNER, THE HBCU SYMPHONY, DJ TERRY HUNTER, JAMES POYSER, LOUIS YORK, SIR THE BAPTIST, OM’MAS KEITH, TARREY TORAE & MORE

OUT SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

GRAMMY and multi-award winning poet, spoken word artist and songwriter J. Ivy is releasing his 7th album, The Light Inside September 15. Following his GRAMMY winning The Poet Who Sat By The Door, The Light Inside is the next chapter of love, life, and poetry. 

After breaking through the door this past year, J. Ivy found himself in the center of the spotlight. But the light he is in search of isn’t inside the room, it’s always been inside of him, inside all of us. The Light Inside reflects on the life of the poet and his passion to create while also acknowledging the support he’s received on his journey. Poetry is receiving the attention it deserves and J. Ivy is taking in this special moment, feeling the warmth and pride. He reaffirms his devotion to this art form by speaking to the times from his heart with leading themes of perseverance, inspiration and of course, love. 

Artist Website

REPUBLIC RECORDS: KIDS & FAMILY ANNOUNCES FIRST ORIGINAL ARTIST ALBUM ALL THE FEELS FROM WORLD-RENOWNED KIDS ENTERTAINER, SAM MORAN- OUT AUGUST 18

Republic Records: Kids & Family announces their first original artist release, All the Feels out August 18, 2023 from ARIA Hall of Fame inductee, singer, songwriter, actor, and performer Sam Moran.

Moran’s All the Feels is a family-friendly thoughtful pop album focused on the social development of children with themes that include a wide range of emotions. The welcoming 11 song collection covers joy, love, kindness and common but harder sentiments to express like jealousy, anger, stress, nervousness, anxiety, and sadness.

Sam Moran is a true star of children’s music and television, best known for capturing the hearts of preschoolers as the former lead-singer of global phenomenon, ‘The Wiggles’ and for his own Nick Jr. musical series ‘Play Along With Sam’.

THE BEST OF GUSTAFER YELLOWGOLD


CELEBRATING THE MUSIC & ART OF VISIONARY CREATOR MORGAN TAYLOR



FAN VOTED FAVORITES AND SPECIAL GUEST RECORDINGS


LIMITED EDITION DOUBLE YELLOW VINYL ALBUM

On September 8 comes The Best of Gustafer Yellowgold, a special 2 disc yellow vinyl collection remembering the music and art of the late visionary Morgan Taylor, and celebrating his rich and creative journey with Gustafer Yellowgold. 

Two-time Grammy-nominated musician, artist, illustrator and dreamer Morgan Taylor (1969-2022) created Gustafer Yellowgold for the delight of all. Since the first album was released in 2005, countless children and families have enjoyed the songs that tell the story of Gustafer Yellowgold’s whimsical journey from the sun to earth and how he built a life there with his new-found friends. These songs reveal the inner soul, thoughts, and emotions of a charming character for to all relate to, resulting a loyal and loving fanbase. From themed birthday parties and Halloween costumes to fan drawings and more, followers have showed their deep love of Gustafer in many ways throughout the years.

The Best of Gustafer Yellowgold part one is a greatest hits album as determined by Gustafer’s biggest supporters. Out of 100 songs on the 9 Gustafer Yellowgold releases from 2005-2021, fans voted for their favorites, and the top 14 songs were chosen to be included on the vinyl album. Selections include “I’m From The Sun”, “Pinecone Lovely”, “Cakenstein”, “Slim Gets In ‘Em”, “Rock Melon” and many other Gustafer hits.


For the second half of the album, dear friends of Taylor’s, world-class musicians and artists, came together to honor his work by recording their own heartfelt versions of their favorite Gustafer songs. Guest performers include The Okee Dokee Brothers, John Munson of Trip Shakespeare, Frances England, Justin Roberts, Recess Monkey and many more. With 17 tracks in all, including a reading by his youngest son, Ridley Loshak-Taylor, these artists captured the humor, beauty, nuance, and pure soft rock genius that Morgan’s songwriting so lovingly encapsulated. 

The cover art of the album was drawn by Morgan’s eldest son, Harvey Loshak-Taylor. 

The Best of Gustafer Yellowgold will be available digitally and as a limited edition double-yellow-vinyl album on September 8.

Artist website

NEW BOOK- VIVA DURANT AND THE MYSTERY AT THE MASQUERADE BALL OUT FEBRUARY 2024
JUST IN TIME FOR MARDI GRAS!

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VIVA DURANT AND THE MADNESS OF MADAME BOUCHARD

Viva Durant, teen detective, is back in New Orleans to crack her latest case! This audio original features original music from the creator, Ashli St. Armant, and an engaging performance from Audible Hall of Fame narrator, Bahni Turpin.

Now that she’s returned to New Orleans for Thanksgiving break, Viva is charged with figuring out the truth behind a mysterious bout of illness traced back to a local creole restaurant called Madame Bouchard’s. Were customers poisoned on purpose, or was it a simple cooking mistake? And who could be behind the chaos? Viva only has a week to solve the culinary mystery, and to do so, she’ll have to contend with a longtime rivalry, rumors of voodoo magic, and Thanksgiving dinner with her extended family!

Listeners will love the continued detective adventures of Viva Durant and her stern-yet-spirited Gram!

VIVA DURANT AND THE SECRET OF THE SILVER BUTTONS

The Audible Original Viva Durant and the Secret of the Silver Buttons released in the fall of 2019 and held strong in the top 5 best sellers at Audible for all of November in 2019 and has received thousands of 5 star rave reviews. The stories which will now be a series at Audible are New Orleans based jazz infused mystery adventures perfect for middle grade audiences.

At Audible

Ashli St. Armant is a vocalist, writer, arts educator and a Queer Black mother of 2 boys based in Los Angeles who spent much of her youth in New Orleans. She is the founder of Leaping Lizards Music, a music and theater education program for students, TK-12 and is a professionally trained vocalist and actor who attended the Orange County High School of the Arts and holds a degree in Child Development from Saddleback College. Alongside teaching, writing, and raising her two sons, Ashli tours with her band, Jazzy Ash and the Leaping Lizards, a jazz band for young audiences. Together they have produced five albums featured by NPR and L.A. Times, and have performed at numerous venues including Lincoln Center and Sprout Network (NBC). The rave reviewed Viva Durant and the Secret of the Silver Buttons was Ashli’s debut middle grade novel. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Website.

Bluey: Dance Mode is the exciting follow up to the award-winning, chart-topping Bluey: The Album. Dance Mode brings together 17 brand new recordings from all three seasons of the hit show with songs all originally composed by Joff Bush.

The debut single from the album, title track Dance Mode is out on January 27. More highlights on the upcoming album include The BeeeeeOOP Walk, Rain (Boldly in the Pretend) and Cat Squad. The collection will be available to stream and download worldwide on April 21 and will be released on CD and orange vinyl.

As The New York Times said, Bluey is “about everything, especially music” and the appealing soundtrack has captivated fans of all ages. The welcoming score captures audiences and holds them there with its fun and clever sound. Tuned in parents will hear the artful approach to Bluey’s music, as it is as much meant for them as it is their children.

Bluey is a great example of modern creators bringing mastery and fine composition to work for today’s families. Composer Joff Bush's skill and experience elevates the already exceptional beloved show with a brilliant opus created by himself and a crew of incredibly talented musicians.