“California Love! Spotlight on pianist Dana Salzman”

“If you're a hip-hop fan who longs for the days when acts like Groove Theory, and Digable Planets, ruled the airwaves, Dana Salzman is an artist that's right up your alley. A singer and emcee with an extensive background in jazz, Salzman slows things down, and brings hip-hop back to the jazzy, groove oriented era, when listeners could put on an album, kick back, relax, and spend some time with a significant other. Salzman, who hails from the Bay Area, recently released her third album, titled Deep Down, and RapReviews caught up with her to find out more about her music, and how love, sex, pain, and God are all involved. Adam Bernard: You have a jazz background. When did you first notice hip-hop influencing you? Dana Salzman: I would say when I was 14 and I heard The Pharcyde's Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde. Well, when I heard DJ Jazzy Jeff (and The Fresh Prince) when I was in like, I don't know, in third grade, that's probably when it really started, but when it really...”

“On Deep Down, Dana Salzman delivers an eclectic album mixing jazz, funk, and hip-hop On her third album Deep Down, vocalist Dana Salzman presents herself as a premiere eclectic artist, delivering a mix of jazz, funk, and hip-hop. Throughout the 16-track album, Salzman’s musicianship shines through both her nuanced pipes as well as her thoughtful arrangements. A trained pianist, under the tutelage of her mother (a notable Russian pianist), as well as the recipient of a degree in jazz from the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City, Salzman definitely has no shortage of musical knowledge. Besides her formal background though, Salzman also possesses that natural music intuition, which is apparent throughout Deep Down. An enjoyable listen from start to finish, Deep Down is a musical gift of which everyone should partake.”

“Dana makes records that make you want to listen to every song. You can trust that she will take you on a journey through a range of style, sounds, moods and emotions like no other artist. There are some rappers that can play music, and a few musicians that can work with a hip hop flow, but Dana Salzman does it all. She has mastered the craft of making musical hip hop, making hip hop flavored music, and simply, making modern musical magic. She is old school and new school at once. She brings forth the bold flows of Teena Marie and the haunting tones of Goapele. And she plays, she writes, the sings, she flows and she knows how to make the music of Right Now. Dana combines studio recordings with life performances, so you can absorb the energy of her sound in many ways, and follow her on all of the musical adventures she takes… Dana has some great jazz chops, she can sing with soul, but on the real, Dana’s got the blues. She sings from the heart and means every word. You can t”

“What do you get when sultry soul funkstress Dana Salzman gets in the studio with Kirby Dominant, an eclectic underground rapper from the Bay? “Instant Climax;” it’s a new track by the two who collaborated on Salzman’s newest LP “Deep Down,” which came out last month. We sat down with Kirby (who has an LP album due out in August with Canadian producer Factor on Fakefour Inc.) and Dana to talk about the usual things: inspiration, sex, and how making music is like diarrhea. Dana: You’ve been in the game for a while and you don’t conform to anyone else’s standards. What are the advantages and drawbacks of pursuing your own ideas amidst a world in which hip hop has become so watered down and an industry that doesn’t support that? Kirby: The journey has been frustrating, interesting and hilarious. I get frustrated with myself because I can’t stick to one marketable persona or musical landscape. That makes it hard for people to latch on to me because I change the style”

"...The first couple of tunes quickly introduce a new retro spin. For some it might bring about a recalling of oneself, exploring music freely with a Casio or like version keyboard. “Rising” is light, airy and more than singing. Salzman is simply speaking as a woman. Her music addresses things such as entertaining thoughts of loving, reminiscing, what’s good, what she wants, and feelings – it’s everyday, Sunday to Sunday. If the album were lemonade it would be the chemistry between the mint and syrup, refreshingly sweet. If it was poker Salzman would be laying her cards on the table putting it all out there with everyday emotions. Emotions perhaps in some souls are unspoken and in others are way too loud to be understood. Salzman’s creativity inspires listeners to be freely jazzed about themselves and the everyday. Track 9 “Slow down,” for example, can be perfect for a moment to find a happy median and discover one’s life pitch and song..."

“...The latest cd is free-spirted, Dana’s lyrics are bold and sassy, reminiscent of the early Prince recordings. She embraces classic soul and jazz; and respectfully meshes reggae and funk in a graceful touch. Other musician’s see her as a young Patrice Rushin or Roberta Flack... ...Dana opened up for comic legend Paul Mooney on December 12th, 2009. Salzman’s made a complete full circle, returning to the Bay Area in April 2008. I personally think, she came to Oakland to finalize her place in music and add the finishing touches to her sound. A unique style with a dash of funk, put frosting on the cake. I asked her, why did she decided to leave the big city. “Even though New York is alive with music right now, the Bay Area feels right” Dana ventured into New York as a young student willing to learn , and returned as a woman. Whether she’s writing, performing, leading a band, producing , teaching, or just being a mom, Dana Salzman is “Rising” up! ”

“Oftentimes, a young starlet will sing about love, sex, temptation, and seduction because she wants to increase her wattage or her retail value. For local singer Dana Salzman, it isn't a put-on. She's genuinely risqué, and a looker to boot -- so when this girl sings about rocking your world ("Entity"), just hope she really means it. For now, let's forgive Salzman for doing something freaky with her hard-earned jazz performance degree from the NewSchool. She's a talented and imaginative songwriter, capable of singing over her solos or rocking a vamp for 24 bars and keeping the groove alive. Her new album, Rising, is a mix of Latin funk, jazz, and some tight, blues-influenced hip-hop beats, and features drummers Darian Gray and Valentino, guitarist Tommy Folen, bassist Chico Lopez, and violinist Rose Ketabchi. Valerie Troutt sings background on several tracks. The band performs Friday, Feb. 26, in the Yoshi'sLounge along with Rappin 4Tay.”