“SMOOTH ONE”
PRODUCED BY JAZZ HOLDOUTS
Gil's latest single "Smooth One" will be released on August 15th.
Listen to a preview and pre-save it today on your preferred streaming and download platform.
Scroll down for details...
smooth one
new radio single PRODUCED BY JAZZ HOLDOUTS
With each new release, vocalist Gil Johnson gets closer and closer to a breakthrough on the
smooth jazz scene. And even while commercial success might still be in the distance, iconic players and producers have long been taking notice and coming along for the ride.
"Smooth One" is produced by Alan Palanker and D. Cooper Getschal of Billboard #1 hit ensemble Jazz Holdouts and features saxophonists Tom Braxton (Earl Klugh, Wayman Tisdale) and Rock Hendricks (Paul Hardcastle, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye) along with legendary session guitarist Michael Thompson (Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Madonna), and bassists Al Turner (Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, Earl Klugh, Kem) and Bobby Watson (Rufus feat. Chaka Khan, Michael Jackson). Mixing the record is Darren Rahn - a figure with over 30 #1 hits as an artist or producer. The appropriately titled "Smooth One" is the next step in Gil's unlikely career and could be the leap forward we all know is inevitable.
Written and Produced
by Jazz Holdouts Productions
Alan Palanker (ALPAL MUSIC / ASCAP)
D. Cooper Getschal (COOPER CUTS MUSIC / BMI)
Gil Johnson - vocals
Alan Palanker - keyboards, programming
D. Cooper Getschal - programming, backing vocals
Michael Thompson - guitar
Al Turner - bass
Bobby Watson - bass
Tom Braxton - saxophone
Rock Hendricks - saxophone
Mary Palanker - backing vocals
Mixed by Darren Rahn
Mastered by Joe Yannece
Photography by David G. Watkins
Layout & Design by The Sundial Agency
can we pretend
FEATURING DOC POWELL
single out now
"Can We Pretend", the new single from vocalist Gil Johnson, featuring legendary smooth jazz guitarist Doc Powell, was written by actress Denise Nicholas and recorded by her then husband Bill Withers.
"I have been listening to and singing that song for the past 50 years", says Gil. "I was riding in my car about 2 years ago when the song came on my playlist. My girlfriend said I should record the song and from there the process began. It is an honor to see it come into fruition."
Written by
Denise Nichols
Produced by
AyRon Lewis and Doc Powell
Gil Johnson - vocals
Doc Powell - guitar, keyboards
AyRon Lewis - keyboards, piano
Calvin Rodgers - drums
Anton Nesbitt - bass
Mixed by John Jaszcz
Assisted by Adam David Smith
Mastered by Dan Shike
Photography by David G. Watkins
Layout & Design by The Sundial Agency
THE SINGLES
Gil has released several singles on smooth jazz radio.
Click on the cover art to listen, stream, and download…
SOMETIMES A MAN
THE DEBUT ALBUM
Gil’s full length debut album titled “Sometimes A Man” is now available. Click on the songs to the right to hear samples.
The album features the radio singles “Wishful Thinking”, Gil’s lyrical interpretation of the classic Earl Klugh song, and “Keep On Walking”, a cover of the Gino Vannelli hit along with six other tracks recorded with an all-star cast of musicians including Tom Braxton, David Lee Spradley, Ron Otis, Al Turner, Randy Bowland, Al Duncan and more.
GET A SIGNED CD
Gil’s debut album features the radio singles “Wishful Thinking”, Gil’s lyrical interpretation of the classic Earl Klugh song, and “Keep On Walking”, a cover of the Gino Vannelli hit along with six other tracks recorded with an all-star cast of musicians including Tom Braxton, David Lee Spradley, Ron Otis, Al Turner, Randy Bowland, Al Duncan and more.
$18.95 each includes shipping & handling.
GIL JOHNSON
IN HIS OWN WORDS
“I grew up in Detroit, but I never really considered singing until I was as a freshman at Fisk University in Nashville. I became serious about it in 1977 when, after leaving Nashville, I met guitarist Earl Klugh. Earl had recently released his first album and there was song on the album called “ Wind and the Sea “. The first time I heard it I heard lyrics in my head. One day I wrote down and shared the lyrics with Earl and we’ve been friends ever since. Years later, I would record lyrics to Earl’s ”Wishful Thinking” and “Acoustic Lady.”
I grew up listening to all types of music. But Jon Lucien, Nancy Wilson, Terry Callier, and Karen Carpenter were vocalists that I listened to a lot along this journey.
After a career change in 2017, my wife (who passed in 2020) and I decided that I should give this lifelong musical passion, one good try. From that, my first album was born. Looking back, it was more an education than anything else. But much to my surprise, three radio singles on that album were well recieved on smooth jazz radio. There have been five radio singles since. Among them, “405” which featured the great Darren Rahn on saxophone.
It’s been an honor and a dream come true to have recorded in the last five years with the likes of Doc Powell, Ayron Lewis, Darren Rahn, Alan Palanker, D. Cooper Getschal, and Tom Braxton.”
Join GIL’s email list and we’ll keep you updated on future releases and events:
CONTACT
If you’re interested in booking GIL for your event, please fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you.
You can also contact us through this form.
Thank you.