Press & Reviews
United States Cultural Ambassadors
Sounds of A&R have been appointed as United States Cultural Ambassadors. CLICK HERE to read more.
2024 Jazz Arts Project Grant Recipient
Sounds of A&R Received a Jazz Arts Project Grant in 2024.
Chamber Music America Grant Recipient
Sounds of A&R receive Chamber Music America’s 2023 Performance Plus Grant. CLICK HERE to read more.
Spring 2023 Jazz Road Recipient
Sounds of A&R received a Jazz Road touring grant.
CLICK HERE to read more.
BILLBOARD TOP 20
Sounds of A&R debut single “Horizon” reaches #17 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Charts. CLICK HERE to listen.
Breakfast at Fiji 1 News
CLICK HERE to watch Sounds of A&R’s performance on Breakfast at Fiji 1 News.
WON “BEST GROUP”
Sounds of A&R was awarded “Best group” at The NYC Reader’s Jazz Awards. CLICK HERE to read more.
International Radio Interview
Listen to Sounds of A&R’s interview on Nuku’ Alofa 88.6
American Music Abroad
Sounds of A&R was one of ten ensembles selected to represent the United States as cultural ambassadors. CLICK HERE to read more.
The Fiji Times
Sounds of A&R’s feature in The Fiji Times.
FEATURED ON WBGO
To view the interview and performance CLICK HERE
New 12 Coverage
Sounds of A&R featured on News 12. CLICK HERE to watch.
Featured on WBGO
CLICK HERE to read the full article.
JAZZIZ EDITOR’S CHOICE
“Questions Left Unanswered” landed on Jazziz Editor’s choice playlist.
Billboard
Sounds of A&R single “Capture The Moment” land on Billboard’s “Most added” Chart.
TOP 50 JAZZ ALBUMS
Questions Left Unanswered is one of top 50 Jazz Albums of 2021. CLICK HERE
Unsigned Only
2021 Unsigned Only Finalist for their song “Moments When I was a Kid”
1st Place Winners
Sounds of A&R placed 1st in the Bound Brook River Film Festival for their music video “Moments When I Was a Kid”. CLICK HERE to watch.
JAZZ WEEK #12
“Question Left Unanswered” reach #12 on the National Jazz Week Charts.
Album of the Week
“Questions Left Unanswered” was album of the week on Jazz WSSB 90.3
Femi Magazine
Full Page Feature in Femi Magazine.
Album Review
Jamsource Cover
Sounds of A&R is on the cover of Jamsource Magazine.
Jazz Corner
Sound of A&R is featured on Jazz Corner
Broadway World
“Questions Left Unanswered” Featured in Broadway World. CLICK HERE to read more.l
Hot House Jazz Magazine
“Questions Left Unanswered” featured in Hot House Jazz Magazine.
2020 Songwriters Association
Sounds of A&R was awarded 3rd place at the 2020 Songwriters Association of Washington song contest.
Sounds of A&R took 3rd place at the 2020 Songwriters Association of Washington for their song “love’s Dilemma” under the category Vocal Jazz Blues.
Harvey County Now
Sounds of A&R Featured in Harvey County Now Magazine.
Jazz Week Top 14
Sounds of A&R debut self entitled album climbs to number 14 on the National Jazz Week Chart.
Reviews
ROB LESTER
TALKING BROADWAY
"Let's keep our eyes and ears on this talented twosome."
RUTH FISHER
JAZZ FM
"This album is definitely going to be on repeat in my home, in the car and on my Full Circle show!"
DEREK ANSELL
JAZZ VIEWS
"With songs like Killing Me Softly and Jolene on the menu this disc comes over as a mix of jazz and popular music. April’s own compositions also stride two categories but her voice is clear and bright and with Randall’s softly lyrical horn segments, the two blend together really well."
BRENDA NELSON-STRAUSS
BLACK GROOVES
"Though S.O.A.R. has a large fan base among New York jazz clubs, Questions Left Unanswered is this listener’s first introduction to the group. Based on the broad range of styles and originality presented in this album, I highly recommend that all fans of vocal jazz take a listen." Read this review here.
DARREN HARPER
JAZZMATTERS
"The original compositions are absolutely solid, with ‘Moments When I Was Kid’ being a particular favourite of mine. A bright, breezy and playful reminiscence of what it was to be young and carefree. You can really close your eyes and picture sunny days gone by." Read this review here.
JIM HYNES
MAKING A SCENE
"...rich and mature in this mostly graceful, warm listen." Read this review here.
DEE DEE MCNEIL
MUSICALMEMOIRS'S BLOG
All in all, the group “SOAR” is bound to do just that. Read this review here.
BILL BUCKLEY
SOUL & JAZZ & FUNK
The original songs like ‘They Keep Saying No’, ‘The Skin I’m In’, ‘Dark Brown Eyes’ and the title cut speak of contemporary issues without being heavily didactic while the opening track, the spoken ‘Thus The Beginning’, explains the genesis of S.O.A.R. Read this review here.
NEWS DESK
BROADWAYWORLD
Read this announcement here.
AMANDA MILLER
FEMI MAGAZINE
Feature story here.
JOSE RAMON
HOUSE OF JAZZ (SPAIN)
"A beautiful and hopeful album, musically and because of the message they convey to us."
CHRIS SPECTOR
MIDWEST RECORD
"Solid stuff that’s got this special kind of retro vibe that winds up right in the moment."
JEREMY SMITH
LAST ROW MUSIC
"The flavorful variety in their music will give meaningful sounds for any listener to enjoy, relax, think, and speak about for the year 2021." Read the full review here.