We Speak Music

Shannon Smith Unveils Video For “Valentines Day” – A Soulful Ode to Love and Redemption

Published

3 years ago

February 15, 2024

Don Reed

In time for the season of love, Shannon Smith has released his profound new single “Valentine’s Day”, offering a musical narrative that delves deep into the heart of what it means to truly love and forgive. Crafted aboard a houseboat in Augusta, this song stands as a poignant declaration, born from Smith’s personal journey of reconciliation and his desire to express an authentic love that surpasses the mere act of confession.

Crafted amidst the emotional turbulence and subsequent healing, “Valentine’s Day” transcends the typical love song. It delves into the heart-wrenching moments that test the bonds of love, echoing Smith’s journey towards redemption and the resilience of a relationship weathering its stormiest hour. This narrative of vulnerability and honesty is masterfully woven into the soulful melodies and poignant lyrics of the track.

Following the single’s release, Shannon has now unveiled an equally compelling music video for the track. This visual accompaniment is expected to further explore the themes of the song, offering a deeper insight into the story of love and redemption that Smith bravely lays bare.

Recorded across three renowned studios, including Nashville’s Compass Studios, “Valentine’s Day” is a rich tapestry of Americana and pop soul, brought to life with the gospel-infused backing vocals of the acclaimed McCrary Sisters. Their Grammy-nominated talent adds a profound depth to a song that is not just an ode to love but a testament to the courage it takes to face one’s truths.

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We Speak Jazz

Zahili Zamora Wins Two Global Music Awards and Brings Her Afro-Cuban Jazz Quartet to Regattabar

Published

18 minutes ago

November 2, 2026

We Speak Media

Zahili Zamora seated in a burgundy dress, her braided hair styled in a top bun

Zahili González Zamora. Photo by Robert Torres.

Afro Cuban jazz pianist Zahili Zamora brings her Afro Cuban Jazz Quartet to The Regattabar at The Charles Hotel in Harvard Square, Cambridge, on Friday, November 6 at 7 pm, with special guest Yosvany Terry on saxophone. The quartet features Gerson Lazo Quiroga on bass and Zack O’Farrill on drums. Tickets are $35 and $25 plus fees and are on sale now.

Zamora returns this week from a week in Seoul, Korea, where she was performing and auditioning students for Berklee. She has won two Global Music Awards for her recent album Overcoming, taking Silver Medals for Latin Jazz and Afro Cuban music and for album art and graphics. She is also nominated for the Boston Music Awards 2026 Latin Artist of the Year, with winners announced at Big Night Live on Wednesday, December 16, and WBUR has saluted her as one of its 2026 Makers, its annual series highlighting creatives of color making an impact in the local arts scene. Earlier this year she also won the InterContinental Music Award 2026 for Best of Latin America for her composition “Negra.”

The run of dates continues overseas and back in New York. The Zahili Zamora Afro Cuban Jazz Trio, with Gerson Lazo Quiroga on bass and Julien Miltenberger on drums, plays Upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London on Sunday, November 15, with shows at 2 pm and 8 pm. Zamora then plays duo sets with clarinetist Juan Fer Ruiz at So & So’s in New York on Saturday, November 28, Five Spot Jazz in New York on Sunday, November 29, Fat Swami’s Jazz Bar & Lounge in Guttenberg, New Jersey on Thursday, December 3, and The Delancey on Thursday, December 10.

About special guest Yosvany Terry, The New York Times has written that the Cuban saxophonist, percussionist and composer “has helped redefine Latin jazz as a complex new idiom.” Bassist Gerson Lazo Quiroga, a Chilean born Berklee Presidential Scholar, has performed at Carnegie Hall, SFJAZZ and the Montreal, Monterey, San Jose and Panama Jazz Festivals. Drummer Zack O’Farrill, son of pianist Arturo O’Farrill and grandson of composer Chico O’Farrill, performs regularly across the United States and the globe.