INTERVIEW WITH KEYBOARDIST ERVIN POPE

It's the second time around for Ervin "EP" Pope, and his sophomore project, "INFECTIOUS", is spreading like wildfire. A slightly different flavor from his first project ("With These Hands"), this mix is every bit as tasteful and sure to please any music enthusiast. In a true testament to his diversity as an artist, Pope manages to incorporate many genres of music yet maintain a Smooth Jazz essence. From the delicate tickling of the ivories to the intensity of the lead guitar, several instruments, instrumental and vocal tracks - he strikes a fine balance between traditional jazz, contemporary/smooth jazz, easy listening, R&B, pop, rock, soul, gospel, and even a hint of hip hop. It's smooth, it soothes, it pops, it sizzles, it rocks, and it bops. The instrumentalists and vocalists on this project are top-notch. With musical influences like George Duke, Kirk Whalum, Kenny G, Dave Koz, Walter Beasley, Wayman Tisdale, and Branford Marsalis, Ervin Pope's "INFECTIOUS" will fit right in to your collection of Jazz favorites.