“Kaylene Peoples’ remarkable journey began with classical training, where she mastered the flute, and developed a five-octave vocal range. Her early mastery of music propelled her into composing, conducting, and string arranging, which opened doors with major record labels like Warner Bros. and Capitol Records. Working on high-profile projects helped her carve out a unique niche in the industry.”
Well, needless to say, I’m thrilled. It’s been an incredible few months of recognition. Starting in August 2024, I’ve been cover story for several publications, and now, in October, Cosmopolitan UAE reached out to do a story on my career journey. The article covers everything—from my music to publishing and filmmaking, as well as my upcoming projects. It’s such an honor to be on their cover.
As for recent projects, I just released Vampire Odyssey, my neoclassical album, which has been a significant milestone. And as always, there’s more in the works. A friend recently reminded me that I’ve been juggling multi-disciplines at a high level my entire life. I’ve been so immersed in doing what I love, I never stopped to think about how it looks from the outside. While I’ve been told more than once that I’m “doing too much,” I’ve never dropped a ball. Sure, I’ve faced my share of setbacks—who hasn’t? But those challenges make us stronger. If everything were easy, we wouldn’t have the drive to improve.
“Kaylene Peoples is a powerhouse in the worlds of music, film, and publishing. With a career that spans multiple decades, Peoples has not only garnered attention for her extraordinary talent but also her ability to innovate across several creative industries. From being an award-winning jazz and Bossa-nova artist to a filmmaker and publisher, Kaylene Peoples is, in every sense, a Renaissance woman who thrives in creativity and versatility.”
— Cosmopolitan UAE (United Arab Emirate)
But back to Cosmo! Their feature dives into my multifaceted career, and it’s exciting to see how it all comes together in one narrative. I’ve always believed in following my passions without letting others’ opinions hold me back. And this cover story feels like a reflection of that journey.
Shaping the Worlds of Music, Film & Publishing:
“A True Renaissance Woman Kaylene Peoples is a visionary whose career defies conventional boundaries. Whether through her award-winning music, film, or publishing endeavors, she continues to break new ground. Her relentless pursuit of artistic excellence and dedication to empowering others make her a true renaissance woman of the modern era.” – Adonis Harris, Essence Weekly Magazine
I’m thrilled to share that I’m on the cover of Essence Weekly Magazine! As an artist, I’ve been fortunate to explore so many creative paths, from jazz and Bossa-nova to publishing, film, and beyond. With every project—whether it’s releasing music, conducting symphonies, or working with my team at AGENDA Magazine—I aim to bring something fresh and meaningful to the table.
From my early days with All Jazzed Up! and the incredible journey that followed with albums like My Man (where I worked literally with music legends) to the Grammy ballot and international acclaim for Romantic Bossa-Nova, it’s been a wild ride. And being asked to perform with CAB in 2016, playing Chick Corea’s complex compositions, was one of the highlights of my career.
But my artistic vision has always stretched beyond just one medium. As a filmmaker, my film Redemption took home awards and proved to be a rewarding experience, blending my love for storytelling with music. Now, with AGENDA Magazine thriving after 20 years (thank you, Feedspot, for naming us a top magazine in LA!), and KL Publishing Group continuing to launch exciting literary works, it feels like everything is coming together.
I’m currently working on two albums, Doppelganger and Romantic Bossa-Nova 2, and I can’t wait for you to hear them. Being called a “Renaissance Woman” is such an honor, but at the heart of it all, I’m just doing what I love—and I hope to inspire others along the way. Thanks, Essence Weekly, for this incredible feature!
Read the article: https://essenceweekly.com/kaylene-peoples-a-modern-renaissance-artist-and-visionary/
Kaylene Peoples, Maxim Fashions Magazine, Issue #20
I am delighted to be the cover story for Maxim Fashions Magazine, Issue 20. You will discover my inspirations as a musical artist, and specifically what sets me apart from other artists. You will learn what inspires me, and the milestones I’ve achieved, as well as some surprises.
“What makes Peoples unique is her ability to wield both vocal and instrumental skills at an exceptional level. As a flutist and singer with a five-octave vocal range, she possesses a wide variety of tools for musical expression. Her background in composition and string arranging also adds a cinematic quality to her music, creating intricate, emotional arrangements.” – Maxim Fashions Magazine, Issue #20
Enjoy Issue #20: “Kaylene Peoples: A Journey from Classical Music to Jazz Stardom”
I was delighted to be asked to be the cover story for The Hollywood Magazine. A lot is happening this month. I discovered that Feedspot.com named AGENDA as one of the Top 20 Best Magazines in Los Angeles, ranking #10 out of thousands of magazines in LA.
(Feedspot.com recognizes AGENDA as the Top 20 Best Los Angeles Magazines for 2024.)
“The best Los Angeles magazines from thousands of magazines on the web ranked by relevancy, authority, social media followers & freshness.” – Feedspot
This recognition means so much. Ever since I published the first issue that year in June 2004. The timing was incredible; literally, June 2024, was when this prestigious list was announced. AGENDA has been around, putting out timeless content and raising the bar in 2014 when I took it to print. Available all over the world, the magazine has stood the test of time. I only just discovered that it had made the Feedspot list less than a week ago. Then, I was contacted by The Hollywood Magazine about being featured on their cover.
Kaylene Peoples in concert at Spaghettini “Romantic Bossa-Nova” (Photo: Sheryl Aronson)
I’m in good company with LA Weekly, LA Times, KTTV (Fox 11 Los Angeles), and others. AGENDA was the only fashion/lifestyle magazine in the list. Deemed a “Renaissance Woman” first by Apparel News, then by Formidable Woman’s Magazine, I was delighted to discover my cover story by The Hollywood Magazine shared that same sentiment, titling the article “The Renaissance Woman: Kaylene Peoples.” Check out the article here: The Renaissance Woman: Kaylene Peoples.
I’m anxious to see what other surprises this month has in store for me. I am grateful my hard work over the years is being recognized. Thank you Feedspot.com and The Hollywood Magazine.
A score I did years ago, “Vampire Odyssey,” I decided to finally release the recording, mastered by Brian Gardner (Bernie Grundman Mastering). I composed, conducted it; and played flute on some of the cues. It was a 32-piece ensemble with opera singer Althea Celeste Moultrie, Jon Brooks was the featured percussionist, with guest performance on guitar by Rich Mouser who also mixed the score. I recorded it in several studios, including my own living room! I was commissioned to score it first, and the picture would be cut to it. Sadly the film was never released, but owning the rights to my music, I decided to finally release and distribute it. Aside from my orchestral score, Ilio samples of Gregorian chant are peppered throughout.
“Vampire Odyssey” Composed/Conducted by Kaylene Peoples with full orchestra mastered by Brian Gardner/Bernie Grundman Hollywood
I just found my masters 3 weeks ago, and I am thrilled to be able to let the world hear this music. Saxon Hamilton hired me for this intense creation, titled “Vampire Odyssey.” Check it out. All 14 tracks are on YouTube. #bellacomposersphilharmonic #bellacomposers #womencomposers #vampireodysseybykaylenepeoples
YouTube Playlist “Vampire Odyssey” by Kaylene Peoples
“Rite of Passage” on the Radio, the Release of BASS BALL 2, “Fusion Holidays,” and a Nod from Smooth FM Portugal!
THE LA LIM SHOW: What a thrill to hear my song “Rite of Passage” on the radio this year, not once but four times thanks to Davi Radio LA and Limuel Flowers, the host of the LA LIM show. I have been sitting on this single forever, waiting for just the right time, and Limuel offered me a spot and blessed me with massive exposure. This gave me a chance to test the waters. Was my song still relevant after all these years? And the answer is a resounding “yes!” I have to admit, there’s nothing like hearing one’s own music being played on the radio to an engaged audience. I was in great company at least twice (with a requested rebroadcast for those who missed it) as my friend and iconic musician Larry Dunn (original Earth Wind & Fire keyboardist and 7-time Grammy winner) was interviewed. Limuel gave Larry an amazing tribute to his music and to the Larry Dunn Orchestra with his wife Luisa. I was part of that show . . . and my song even followed Sting! It took some time, but I did finally come down from that high. Needless to say, there has been a lot going on with me musically from mid-2022 to present, and I’d like to share some of those highlights!
Davi Radio Los Angeles with the La Lim Show featured on multiple shows “Rite of Passage” BY Kaylene Peoples
BASS BALL 2 BY BUNNY BRUNEL & FRIENDS
I am playing flute on the newly released Bass Ball 2 by Bunny Brunel & Friends. I’m joined with an elite group of musicians that include Stanley Clarke, Patrice Rushen, Larry Dunn, Armand Sabal-Lecco, Virgil Donati, Jon Wackerman, Kyle Eastwood, Federico Malaman, and countless other prominent musicians on this groove-heavy album. I am featured on three of the tracks: “MAWU,” “Aquarelle,” and “No Such A Thing.”
Bunny Brunel & Friends “Bass Ball 2” Cover
I was part of the first Bass Ball CD, which was produced by Bunny Brunel and Stanley Clarke and released six years ago. Wow, how time flies. That CD was the first of its kind to feature a lineup of prominent bass players, which included Victor Wooten, Billy Sheehan, Hadrien Feraud, and so many others. I played on a track arranged by Larry Dunn and Luisa Dunn that Bunny Brunel titled “Lulu,” as well as being featured on “John’s Space,” and “Bay of the Angels” in 2017!
FUSION HOLIDAYS BY BUNNY BRUNEL LEADS TO A TOUR.
Bunny Brunel “Fusion Holidays” – Composer/Producer/Arr.: feat. Roman Miroshnichenko, Kaylene Peoples, Virgil Donati, & Mahesh Balasooriya
In Spring of 2022, I was on Bunny Brunel’s single “Fusion Holidays,” featuring Russian guitarist Roman Miroshnichenko, where we just returned from a music tour of Russia, titled “Fusion Holiday.” I was also featured along with power drummer and legendary Virgil Donati and keyboardist Mahesh Balasooriya. “Fusion Holiday” is a great composition with outstanding musical performances, starring, composed and produced by world-famous bassist Bunny Brunel! After waiting three years for this tour that was scheduled pre-covid, it kept getting pushed back due the the constant threats of the pandemic. I was finally able to go on as part of Bunny Brunel’s band that featured multi-award-winning Russian guitarist Roman Miroshnichenko. We performed in Kaluga, Vladimir, and ended our tour in Moscow. It was exciting with great audiences, and even greater people.
SMOOTH FM NAMES ROMANTIC BOSSA-NOVA ALBUM OF THE WEEK!
In the summer of 2022, “Corcovado” from my album Romantic Bossa-Nova was on the radio in Brazil and was “Album of the Week” on Smooth FM, a station located in Portugal that also broadcasts to Canada and Brazil. That was a huge surprise. I was beyond thrilled to be given that nod! I guess I nailed the accent!
Kaylene Peoples “Romantic Bossa-Nova” named Album of the Week July 2022 by Smooth FM Portugal
AND THERE’S MORE COMING!
So what’s next? I have a big concert at the celebrated Los Angeles jazz venue Catalina Jazz Club on Sunset Blvd. on Friday August 11th, 2023, featuring Bunny Brunel on upright and singer Gwyn Foxx with comedian Kevin Foster (Monogamy) hosting… ” That’s all I have to report on the music front, but I promise to keep you updated! There’s a lot brewing, too much to tell in this post. I’ll dish the juicy details when the time is right. You can wait a bit, can’t you?
Madajazzcar : 27 ans de passion pour cet événement culturel phare
Translated:
Madajazzcar: 27 Years of Passion for This Flagship Cultural Event
The 27th edition of the Madajazzcar festival will take place from October 1 to 14, throughout Tanà city. Around sixty groups will move the city to the rhythm of wild jazz.
Madajazzcar, an annual and unmissable event for jazz lovers, is getting older but not getting old. 27 years of history now, passion and a lot of motivation for each year to organize a festival of international scope, the committee does everything to ensure that this event is indelible in the annual Malagasy cultural agenda. Every October, for many jazz enthusiasts both in Madagascar and abroad, just like the jacaranda trees that flower, Madajazzcar offers its musical bouquet. The story begins when three doctors passionate about jazz, Dr Allain Razakatiana, Dr Bruno Razafindrakoto and Dr Henri Rakotondrabe decided, in 1988, to create a jazz club at the Alliance Française of Andavamamba. Other illustrious musicians and aficionados will join them, such as Dr. Hervé Razakaboana, Arnaud Razafy, Serge Rahoerson, the brothers Raymond, Dédé and Jeannot Rabeson, the brothers Gilles de Commarmand and later Désiré Razafindrazaka, who is the president of the committee. of organization to this day.
Kaylene Performs at House of Blues Sunset (2011) (Photo: Arun Nevader)
Crossroads . Jazz is more and more popularized and no longer remains within the confines of “music lovers” who must be fans of jazz to be part of a certain social class. Today, jazz takes to the streets, and thanks in large part to this festival which organizes free concerts practically throughout the city, the general public can appreciate this music at its true value. A true crossroads of international jazz, Madajazzcar is, like all other festivals in the world, a major international stage to be part of your artistic journey. This year again, several international artists will be invited to participate. 11 in total, including Bunny Brunel, Kaylene Peoples and The Jazz Diplomates of the United States, Baptiste Herbin, Francis Lockwood, Guillaume Perret, Jean Pierre Como and Prof. Jah Pinpin from France, Hakon Storm-Mathisen from Norway, Jin Jim from Germany, and Christoph Hegi from Switzerland. And a multitude of national groups and artists, 43 in total. They will play in 17 sites, which gives all jazz lovers the choice to enjoy this music without moderation.
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