" JMood Records-20 years in Retrospect"

Hello, this is Paul Collins with JMood Records,

In 2026, Roberto and I celebrate 20 years of professional musical relationship. 

As they say, Wow, how time flies!

For me, it was destiny from the start. 

I was looking to expand my music management operations outside of Kansas City, the USA, and into the European jazz market, when Roberto and I met via the Internet. 

Once I received his music, and a press pack, I knew he was destined for greatness!

Roberto, is a remarkable composer, arranger, and jazz pianist who is on the rise around the globe. Those that have heard him on CD, and in performance mode, love him! 

Our careers together, were jump started when Roberto told me of someone who contacted him via email, and said he was Dr. Art Davis. The critically acclaimed bassist who worked with John Coltrane, Max Roach and Dizzy Gillespie and many others!

He had heard some of Roberto’s music, and was inquiring about a musical collaboration!

This is coming from someone who was selected to be on trumpeter, Lee Morgan’s first studio recording as a band leader!

We both about fell out of our minds!!!

Roberto quickly put me in touch with Dr. Art Davis, and I began in real earnest to return communications to get something started.

Being a friend of Kansas City legend Jay McShann, and his family, I remember Mr. McShann’s sage advise when I asked how to get started in this business. 

He said, you got to get something started, a spark here , a spark there and before you know it, you’re really cooking. This is from someone who had already played Carnegie Hall a number of times!!!

I will never forget that advise.

So, I got something started with Dr. Art Davis. To me, it was something that was meant to be! Plus, we needed someone of his pedigree for anyone to take us seriously. 

So, with the help of Jason Parson (Jay McShann’s grandson) we were able to coordinate our first performance together at Catalina’s Jazz Club in Hollywood, CA. 

It was Dr. Art (as he was fondly known) who suggested we do a “live” recording. 

This CD contains tracks from this recording. As they say, the rest is history!

Now , for the rest of the story!

The following year, (2007) we coordinated a performance in Kansas City at the historic Blue Room, followed by a studio recording entitled, “Kansas City Outbound”

However, before we were able to release this CD, we lost Dr. Art. 

He did know that the project was going to be released. 

Before he passed, he would always encourage me to start a jazz label with plans to record together with Roberto, and, on into the future with other artists he would put us in contact with. 

We have followed his blueprint, and have begun collaborations with other musicians, organizations and personalities. 

Here are just a few names we are proud to have met, and developed a musical relationship with:

Dr. Art Davis, Idris Muhammad, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Herb Geller, Ira Sullivan, Sam Reed, Mark Colby, Eric Hochberg, Greg Artry, Jimmy “Junebug” Jackson, Brian Lynch, Carl Allen, Tony Lakatos, Frantisek Uhlir, Jaromir Helesic, Paul Carr, Michael O'Neill, Kendall Moore, Dominique Sanders, Shareef Clayton, Jamie Ousley, Rodolfo Zuniga, Alfredo Chacon,  Brian Steever, Steven Lambert, Pablo Sanhueza, Jim Mair, Logan Richerson, Brandon Lee, Hermon Mehari, Peter Schlamb, Sabastian Arias, and many others to be found prominently displayed on our website. 

There are also those behind the scenes, that have contributed greatly to our success, that I would like to acknowledge now:

Ed Blanco, who has written liner notes, been our Emcee at performances, a fan, and is also JMood Records Co-Producer. 

Abe Goldstein, our creative  artist and designer, fan and friend.

Jerry Lockett, who had the forethought, to produce photos, and videos to document our musical journey while we were busy with other aspects of the projects.

Thomas Hartnett, II, who is JMood Records equipment manager, and fondly remembered for supporting our efforts at our in Los Angeles studio recording , performance at the Jazz Bakery, with Ruth Price,  and building the kit for “Tootie” Heath at the Phoenix Jazz Club in Kansas City! Remarkable!!!

Now, for our media friends!

The only way people could hear about us is thru our media personalities, which, includes in part:

Neil Tesser, Bill Milkowski, Scott Yanow, Brian Morton , Mick Carlon, James Hale, Ralph Miriello, Stephen Bocioaca, Dan McClenaghan, Jack Bowers, Adam Baruch, and Yves Sportis.

We also want to recognize all of the jazz critics around the world for great reviews in: Down Beat, Jazz Times, Jazziz, Cadence, All About Jazz, Jazz Wax, Jazz Hot, Concerto, Musica Jazz, Jazz Life, Jazz “n” More, Jazz Halo’, The Walkers in Japan, Jazz & Mo’, our friends in Canada, Norway, Slovakia, The Czech Republic, Belgium, Holland, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, South Africa and so many more who are proudly displayed on our website.!!!

Here is to YOU!!!!

Roberto and I are truly blessed to have met great musicians, and great personalities in music, business, and education. 

So, I look forward with pleasure, to more years working with my good friend, and international jazz pianist, and JMood Records International recording artist,  Roberto Magris!

Please join us in celebrating 20 years with, Roberto Magris “Live” in Hollywood ! 

By the way, as we look back on our musical accomplishments with the help of our friends around the world, we look forward to more exciting project to be released in the future!

For example, after the release of our 20 year anniversary historical recording, we are pleased to release more archival recordings entitled; “Wind Summit”, “Broken Barriers”, “Come Lately” featuring our friend and West Coast icon, Herb Geller, plus a “New” recording ,“The Live In Mexico City Trio” featuring our jazz unit there.