Publisher - Ren Media Publishing, Inc

Jazz Monthly.com is an online publication of interviews, reviews, news and entertainment, covering all genres of Jazz. Our passionate ambition is to give you an interactive and informative window into the exciting world of Jazz.

joe kuraszJoe Kurasz's varied career as a composer, arranger and educator includes work ranging from film soundtracks, to television (Guiding Light, The Bravest..). He has also received credit for his contribution to Disney's 4 CD Box Set “The Music Behind The Magic" featuring composer Alan Menken, and his music (Hammond B3, Piano) is featured on Jazz radio stations internationally. Joe is a member of the Conductor’s Guild of America, BMI and a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc.

Joe has also owned and operated an advertising and marketing company since 1982, where he produced radio commercials, and designed newspaper/magazine advertisements in the New York/New Jersey Markets (presently Ren Media Publishing, Inc.). 

In 1994 Joe formed Ren Music, Inc., an independent record label and was invited to perform at the Maui Music Festival in 1995. It was there where Joe and Smitty met. They kept in touch with each other and decided to create JazzMonthly.com in 2006 (which Joe is the designer & web master).With their combined knowledge and talents, Joe and his contributors are making JazzMonthly.com one of the most informative sites on the web.
 
Jonathan WidranIt is a huge honor to have famed music Journalist Jonathan Widran as a feature writer at Jazz Monthly.Com. Jonathan brings an International renowned appeal because of his great sense of creativity, intellect, and passionate approach to music journalism.

“Having Jonathan Widran as part of the Jazz Monthly.com team is like making a trade for Shaq or Kobe Bryant, says Smitty. Jonathan is one of the genres major contributors with a forceful and resourceful voice. I’ve been a fan of Jonathan for many years; he’s an incredible journalist and has been one of my true inspirations for a long time. It’s not everyday that you get to work with one of your heroes!”

Jonathan Widran is a veteran music journalist who has been a regular contributor, feature writer and columnist for over 15 years to numerous publications and websites, including Music Connection, Jazziz, All Music Guide, Smooth Jazz News, Downbeat, amazon.com, and the Los Angeles Times. He is also a well respected PR writer whose clients have included numerous record companies (Columbia, Warner Bros., Capitol) and media organizations (Luck Media and Marketing). Jonathan is also currently a voting member of The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.
 

Joe CaroselliA drummer since the age of six, Joe Caroselli has performed with some of the nation's best known orchestras, groups and soloists. His credits include performances with The Temptations, The Drifters, Looking Glass (known for their gold record "Brandy"), Dion & The Belmonts, Petula Clark, Dionne Warwick, Jay and the Americans, The Manhattan Transfer, The Wolfman Jack Show, Don Imus, The Platters, Motown's The Marvellettes, and legendary rock icon, Chuck Berry.Some of Joe's proudest moments are: leading the band for the re-opening of the Statue of Liberty--- and for President Ronald Reagan on Lincoln Day. 

While a student at Seton Hall University where he received a degree in Communications, Joe won the coveted George Foster "Peabody" Award in broadcasting for a children's show, "The Land of Poetry."

Joe is a walking encyclopedia of music and show business. Known nationally as a musicologist and music historian, he is an avid music and record collector, having collected more than 31,000 record albums. 

Joe's versatility, boundless energy, natural warmth, and remarkable animation and broadcasting skills are the perfect tools he brings here to Jazz Monthly.com.

 

Baldwin "Smitty" SmithBaldwin "Smitty"Smith has been a connoisseur of jazz for 20 years. Growing up in a family of 10 siblings, there was a diverse taste of music in his life. " I just love music PERIOD" says Smitty.

All that changed when he was a teenager and a friend loaned him a Bob James album (BJ Three). After listening to "Westchester Lady" and "One Mint Julep", says Smitty, "I was just blown away". That one encounter put Smitty on the path of being consumed with Jazz.

As a favor to a friend, Smitty was asked to interview Khani Cole (a great jazz singer), and garnered rave reviews for his relaxed, informative and candid style. He immediately received requests for reviews and interviews from across the country.

Smitty has interviewed and established a well respected rapport with jazz musicians and jazz fans around the world.