Music

This Jazz Arrangement Of ‘Georgia On My Mind’ Is A Fitting Lead-In To Tomorrow’s Run-Off Election

Lift Every Vote and CivicGeorgia have teamed up for a reflective rendition of “Georgia On My Mind” ahead of Tuesday’s run-off election. …

The pivotal Georgia Senate runoff election, which will decide whether the U.S. Senate remains in Republican control under Mitch McConnell or switches over to the Democrats, is fast approaching. And by fast approaching we mean it’s tomorrow. This means if you’re planning on lending a helping hand in some way — be it by phone banking, posting support to social channels, or donating (or voting, if you’re a Georgian) — now is the time to get to it.

In a call to action for Georgia voters, Lift Every Vote, a collective of musicians and creators teamed up with the BIPOC-led Georgia-based non-partisan group of organizers CivicGeorgia for a special campaign focused on boosting voter turnout and raising donations for grassroots civic engagement, specifically relating to the Georgia runoff. The campaign features a fitting and dramatically reimagined rendition of the Ray Charles classic “Georgia on My Mind,” arranged and produced by Grammy Nominated bass clarinetist Oran Etkin.

A cover of “Georgia on My Mind” while everyone in the country is literally obsessing over Georgia might seem a little too on the nose, but Etkin switches things up here playing with the song’s harmony and melody and leaving plenty of space for his remote jazz group (consisting of players from LA, NYC, Miami, and Georgia) to express themselves.

“The video is structured as a flowing series of musical conversations — oftentimes between a vocalist and an instrumentalist because I think what we want to do is promote open conversation around the issues our country faces,” Etkin says. “I wanted to create something fresh and new out of the familiarity of ‘Georgia on My Mind,’ so this arrangement plays with the harmony and groove of the original song and leaves room for all of the wonderful artists to add their own voices. I hope this can be an inspiration to create something fresh and new within our political system that can give everyone room to lift their voices.”

Check out Etkin’s arrangement above and make sure to vote. If you’d like to donate to CivicGeorgia, visit the organization’s website here, and keep in mind that while CivicGeorgia is non-partisan, it is not a 501(c)(3), meaning your donation is not tax-deductible.

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Artist Spotlight

Crispy C Notes brings focused ambition on latest release “Chosen”

Crispy C Notes’ hip-hop release “Chosen” makes a statement with purpose and conviction. The record is clear about its artistic identity, with the independent Connecticut artist behind Alien Trap and Relatable Rap letting his commanding vocal presence lead the charge. The production returns to a hip-hop base and cuts out unnecessary frills, so the lyrics and performance can take center stage.

The song’s strength lies in its delivery. Crispy C Notes glides through measured cadences with sure-footedness, giving each verse gravity and lift. His writing is always spot-on, emphasizing determination and personal conviction with a clean lyrical approach. The sparse production plays to the song’s advantage, highlighting the vocal performance without overpowering it. It’s a balance that makes the listener feel that every rhythmic change and lyrical accent is intentional and serves to emphasize the record’s overarching message.

“Chosen” works because it knows that impact is often a matter of clarity, rather than complexity. C Notes is confident not only in his delivery but also in his songwriting, allowing his personality to flow organically throughout the track. The result is a record that is disciplined in its production but engaging from start to finish, thanks to its expressive flow and thoughtful lyricism. He delivers a project that is a true reflection of artistic growth and creative focus as an independent artist who is still finding his own lane. “Chosen” is a bold statement of self that leaves the listener with a clear impression of the artist’s vision and the direction in which he continues to move.

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Artist Spotlight

Maija breathes new life into classic emotion with latest release “Where Is the Love”

Maija’s version of “Where Is the Love” is a graceful, emotionally rich offering that pulls listeners into a modern jazz experience of warmth, sophistication, and heartfelt storytelling. From the opening, the song establishes a reflective mood, mixing expressive vocals with polished instrumentation that feels both classic and contemporary. The trumpet’s sophisticated sound, combined with other exquisitely curated elements of jazz, creates a vibe that’s smooth, enveloping, and effortlessly sophisticated.

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