RAGAN WHITESIDE: Class Axe

Ragan Whiteside

Class Axe

© 2007 Randis Music (634479539961)

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Contemporary/urban jazz flute and vocals, seasoned with r&b and funk.

tracks

1 Introduction
2 Funktuation
3 Gonna Fly
4 So Glad
5 Always There for Me (interlude)
6 In Love
7 How Do You Know
8 Options
9 I've Been Thinking (interlude)
10 3 AM
11 Break Me Down
12 Call Me
13 Meu Amigo, Meu Amante
14 Funktuation - Reprise

notes

"...let elegance, also dexterity be recognized; the integrity of this fascinating musical composition should be heard on all smooth jazz and classic soul airwaves world wide; Ragan Whiteside is elegance and one to watch out for in the music industry… let the 'flutress' be heard."
- Gary Tann, ''Harlem after Midnite'', WHCR 90.3FM, NY

"She not only has THE silkiest and sweetest flute tone in the business, but her tenacity and desire to be recognized in Urban, New-Soul AND smooth jazz genres makes her a musical force to be reckoned with!! Mark my words!"

- Bob Baldwin – Grammy-Nominated Arranger

Flutist, vocalist, and songwriter, Ragan Whiteside is taking the Contemporary Jazz world by storm. With her unique style and soulful vibe, this "triple threat" is bringing the flute back into mainstream focus. After winning the 2006 Capital Jazz Challenge, Ragan returned to the 2007 Capital Jazz Festival with a new critically acclaimed album, "Class Axe", produced by Pianist/Arranger Bob Baldwin and Engineer/Arranger Extraordinaire Dennis Johnson.

Ragan began her musical studies at the age of 5, after her parents discovered she had perfect pitch. A piano, a drum set, and a violin later, Ragan focused her energies on playing the flute and studying classical music.

As she got older, Ragan discovered another love: Songwriting and Arranging. After winning numerous competitions in both performance and music composition throughout the United States, Ragan attended the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Harid Conservatory, where she earned her Bachelor of Music - Performance degree. Her due diligence paid off; she penned more than ½ of her debut disc, "Class Axe".

Upon her return to New York in pursuit of her musical dream, Ragan switched gears from Classical to Jazz, Funk, and R&B. This buzzworthy artist has performed and/or recorded with various musicians throughout the US, including Chuck Loeb, Marion Meadows, and Grammy Award winning opera singer Esther Hinds, and the previously mentioned Baldwin.

Ragan has also written songs on three albums: Baldwin's "The American Spirit" (Shanachie), the multi-faceted collection "Brown Sugar" (Shanachie) and later this summer, "New Urban Jazz" (215 Records). Ragan's solo album will be featured in the soundtrack for the upcoming independent film, "Unforgiven Sins". "Class Axe" was released to the public on June 2, 2007, the very date of her Cap Jazz repeat performance.

In addition to her musical skills, the multi-talented Whiteside is also a web-designer. Check out her self-designed site, www.RaganWhiteside.com. This Mt. Vernon, NY native is also honing her audio engineering skills, which would then make her a quadruple threat!!

With so many talents, one never knows how you'll hear from... or see this extraordinary Artist in the future. For starters, we urge you to check out her encore Cap Jazz performance this summer, and remember that we told you so…..Consider yourself warned!!

reviews

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  • Real Class
    author: Shaun Garth

    Ragan, Your mello, easy, smooth sound is what we (spouse and I)have been searching for. I would love to hear you on more movie sound tracks. Girl you have got the right flavor. Bless you forever. Keep up the blessed sounds. You have a very special gift. .... Music from the Heart since 5yrs of age too... I can relate.. Hear you in the MOVIES and see you in STORES... Luv Ya! PianoKey

  • Ragan Whiteside
    author: Eric warren

    Great Cd, love the smooth sound of this Cd. I hope that she continue to put out great music. I will continue to buy it. God bless you. "E"

  • Class Axe
    author: Calvin "T." Hale

    Dear Ragan, I bought 2 copies and took your CD too a party and everyone was in love with your music all I heard all night was who is that artist? You album is so relaxed. I love your music I listen to Funkuation while I am cleaning and 3 AM when I am cooking. Thanks for bringing back original music back. You have a permanent fan here for life. Don't change. Love Ya!

  • I love it!!!
    author: David McIntyre

    This is an awesome CD. I heard a cut on the smooth jazz music channel and I looked for some time to find where I could purchase it and stumbled across CD Baby and this is a true jewel. Everyone that has heard it ask where I bought it and I tell them. I look forward to hearing from Ragan in the future. She is a pure flutist extraordaire.

  • Ragan Whiteside Class AXE
    author: Jamie Little

    This is a true Class AXE. I have been trying to get this CD from a local Record store for months!!!! Since September 2007 to be exact. I finally realized that I could order it on line. It was well worth the wait. I bought 3 copies on line to give to friends. It's relaxing, jazzy, hip hop all in one! No matter what mood I'm in, I always enjoy this CD. Check it out!

  • 3 AM
    author: calvin Hale

    I was blown away with the sound. I heard the song on Smooth Jazz Music Channel and I could not get the sound out of my head. I see she is with 215 the same place another one of my favorite artist Rhonda Smith is on. Keep doing what you are doing. Love the music Ragan

  • Class Axe
    author: Wyatt R. Curtis

    This is very nice. I really like this

  • Funkturation
    author: David Wills

    I am a jazz flute player and I love what you have created. Funkturation is my favorite.

  • Music As Fresh as a new love.
    author: Eddie Towles

    Thank God for music that is full of love . Music that sounds and soothes the mind like a breath of fresh air. Thank you Ragan Whiteside you must be an angel.

  • author: Stanley Davison

    The most BEAUTIFUL music I have heard in a long time. My school band director was blown away!

  • Class Axe
    author: Richard Adams

    Excellent! Nothing else can be said. Absolutely excellent!

  • Class Axe
    author: Anthony Jackson

    Exceptional !! with a Neo-Soul flavor. Here style is very clean and precise. My favorites are Funktuation, So Glad and 3AM. When she comes to Atlanta, I will be in the front row. Look for the roses... Luv ya

  • classaxe
    author: James Wynn

    this young lady is very talented and the CD is outstanding.

  • class axe
    author: ngoumba

    Someone told me about this cd; I just listen to excerpts, it is really good; I will certainly greatly appreciate; Please ragan to this beautiful music.

  • class axe
    author: Stephanie

    3 am is my favorite and the reason I purchased the cd. However, I have listened to all tracks and it is the BOMB!!! Truly a gifted artist that I am sure will out do herself again and again.

  • 3am! 'an instant favorite'
    author: Tim www.timwatsonmusic.com

    Ragan, what can I say? Bob did his thing on the production end and you held it down with vocals AND flute work. I'm sure I'll have several fav's but for now that 3am track is CRAZY! (love the changes) see ya T.

  • Like Fine Wine
    author: Eric Barksdale

    Every song leaves you wanting to have another taste! I tip my hat and applaude Ragan for following her dream. Her compilation of music is so unique and leaves not a stone unturned. Can't wait to hear her live on stage!

  • Loved it immediately!!!
    author: Eileen in Surrey, UK

    She is absolutely fabulous; unique and has just got to be here in London. Ragan you really are special and there will be no other like you. What a debut album this is!

  • Truly Infectious Groove!!!
    author: Sheila R

    Lookout world because there is a bad-axe Diva on the loose!!! This is the most breathtaking music I've ever experienced. Each track leaves you eagerly anticipating & wanting more!

  • Smooth, Sexy & Confident!
    author: Smoothjazz.com Review

    From her clever introduction (a quick sojourn into a Felix Mendelssohn opus, interrupted by her chuckle and the word “Psyche”) to the first bars of “Funktuation” (Need I define that for you?), you know CLASS AXE is going to be something special. And it is. Mt. Vernon, NY’s Ragan Whiteside is someone special. You can just tell. She’s totally connected to the hip, sexy side of the jazz flute (she switched from Classical some time back) for this awesome collection of Smooth Jazz, Urban, Neo-Soul songs that will totally convince you this woman has a huge future ahead of her. It’s hard to believe this is her debut album. The performances… and I’m talking her playing, her singing, her writing… are mature and confident. She’s got the masterful Bob Baldwin and Dennis Johnson producing this disc, which certainly adds a magnitude of strength to the project, but they’ll be the first to tell you that Ragan rises to the occasion beautifully with both her playing and her singing. This is an album that, as Bob Baldwin puts it, clearly shows that “her breakthrough on this instrument can be historical for the genre. She’s smooth, sexy, and radio-friendly.” You’ve really got to hear this one. From the aforementioned “Funktuation” to the delicious Bob Baldwin-penned Latin Samba “Meu Amigo, Meu Amante,” this is an album that gets my highest recommendation. I promise you, this is only the beginning of the Ragan Whiteside story! She is totally a class act with her CLASS AXE! ~SCOTT O'BRIEN

  • Awesome -- another winner!
    author: JoAnne Crawley

    Smooth, yet funky. Great listening music!

  • Instant Classic
    author: Demetrius H.

    Great music, soulful & heartwarming. This CD is an excellent addition to any music lover’s collection.

  • I love it!!!!
    author: Liz Sumners

    I heard Meu Amigo, Meu Amante on the radio and I just had to have it. The best part is, the rest of the CD is fantastic too! Highly recommended....

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