StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Spotlight on Andre Delano

Today, we've got some videos featuring saxophonist, vocalist and East St. Louis native Andre Delano, who's coming back home Friday, August 20 to perform at The Pageant on a bill with fellow saxman Euge Groove.

Delano is a graduate of East St. Louis' Lincoln High School, which during the tenure of former band director Ronald Carter produced a number of musicians who have gone on to have successful careers in jazz, including trumpeter Russell Gunn, pianist Tony Suggs of the Count Basie Orchestra, drummers Terreon Gully and Montez Coleman, pianist Reggie Thomas, and more.

After attending Jackson State University in Jackson, MS, Delano turned professional, subsequently performing and/or recording with Maxwell, Jeff Lorber, Bobby Womack, Stevie Wonder, Chieli Minucci, Doc Powell, and Bobby Lyle. Most recently, he's been a featured member of singer/songwriter Lionel Richie's touring ensemble since 2008.

Delano released his first solo CD Full Circle in 2005, followed by the holiday album First Christmas in 2006. His most recent CD is is 2008's My So Fine.

The first video up top features Delano performing "Night Riders," a song from his CD that garnered considerable smooth jazz airplay upon release. Down below is the music video for "The Da Da Song," which had similar success, and below that, a short excerpt from a one-off gig Delano did a couple of years back at the Bistro, in which he's backed by Good 4 The Soul, which includes fellow ESL LHS alumns John King on bass and Adaron "Pops" Jackson on piano.

The fourth video is the electronic press kit (EPK) released to promote Full Circle, and includes some interview footage with Delano; plaudits for him from musicians such as Jeff Lorber and the Blackbyrds' Kevin Toney; and a brief performance excerpt.