Spiritual Jazz Records (SJR) is the fusion of sacred, thoughtful and inspirational lyrics, served on a bed of soothing, comfortable and surprising harmony.  Sonny Melendrez and James DuMaine helped contribute to the success of Saved From The Fire, by fusing together the harmony and inspirational lyrics for the songs on the album.

April, Friday, 13, 1973… On that day, I performed for the first time in front of the packed auditorium of students at a large New Mexico high school. I felt like John Denver might have felt as I sang his hit song, Rocky Mountain High … The audience exploded into a standing ovation! I was hooked!

I’ve written many songs and performed in many places… From New York to Texas, at gatherings at drive-in theaters, eating and drinking establishments, churches, large and small. Even at a beach bar in Mexico. At present, in answer to my choice and honoring His calling… I am leading the musical offerings at a small church in Texas.

My music is easy going, smooth flowing and heart filling. We pour feel-good words of the visiting of happy pursuits of life and love into our melodies … those we reach for and live to discover.. and experience again… Enjoy this journey of the sounds of Spiritual Jazz – and where it may take you.

Sonny Melendrez began his career as a broadcaster at age 19 while attending the University of Texas at El Paso. He gained national recognition when he was named Billboard Magazine’s National Radio Personality of the Year (twice).

Next stop was Los Angeles, where he entertained on some of America’s greatest radio stations, including, KIIS, KMPC, and KFI and was tapped to host the Disney Channel’s premiere children’s television series, “You and Me, Kid!”. Sonny received a Grammy nomination for his creation of the children’s version of the worldwide anthem, “We Are the World,” written by Michael Jackson & Lionel Richie, benefitting USA for Africa.

He was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2003, the San Antonio Radio Hall of Fame in 2017 and is included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as one of the “Top 100 Radio Personalities of All-Time”. Sonny has been named Inc. Magazine’s Socially Responsible Entrepreneur of the Year and The City of San Antonio named The Sonny Melendrez Community Center, on the city’s West Side, to honor his tireless work, benefiting disadvantaged families and youth.

It is estimated that he has raised over 100 million dollars in money, goods, and services for charities, locally and nationally, during his career. Sonny has hosted and/or delivered keynotes at over 5,000 events around the world, including the White House Hispanic Heritage Awards (7 times) in our nation’s capital. As a dynamic speaker, he delivers his inspiring messages at conferences and universities across the country and around the world.

James DuMaine is a Music Producer, Engineer, Composer, Song Writer, Course Writer, Book Writer, and Educator originally from Louisiana. He’s had a successful earlier career as a performing musician and producer who worked with several international Grammy award-winning funk and hip hop groups along with a few great film projects.

Keyboards have been in his whole life, the stage his passion, and the recording studio his layer of mastery. But at the heart of his skills is the ability to produce very compelling emotionally intense songs and music. As an educator, he has taught well over 1300 students of which many have gone on to have successful careers as engineers and producers in the music, television, and film industry.

James is the owner of Fast Foward Workshops LLC.; A company that provides consulting services that range from technical installations of sound, broadcast, and lighting, to educational organization development in the effort to provide new forms of accessible education to the masses. Currently, James has partnered with world-famous, QUAD Recording Studios NTC, to develop ASL (Advanced Studio Learning) engineering school.
As a course writer and participating instructor for ASL, James has considered all of the various types of learning that can be encountered in order to best meet the needs of any student. The book used for the course has primarily been written and constructed by James.

Connor Stewart, 22 Senior Bachelor of Arts in (Music) with a concentration in Voice at Texas Christian University. I am a song-writer and strive to be one of the next great recording artists, because of the people who have inspired me to be great, my mentors which include my dad Brad Stewart, James Dumaine and many others who have helped me along this musical journey. It has been an honor collaborating with my father, Brad Stewart on his album “Saved from the fire” the last 3 years. I have enjoyed singing back-ground vocals and being there for musical support such as suggestions of lyrics and song character ideas for my dad’s songs and of course having laughs in the recording studio with him and James.

My dad has supported my own ambitions as a song-writer, recording artist and as a person being a major influence towards my own development as an artist. I try to be mindful of everything my father has done for my brother and I, and will always remember not to his sacrifices for granite. It can be rare for most people to have a father that is supportive towards his son or daughter to follow their desired passion as my father has. Both my dad and I are creatives in the writing and recording song department which has been another great way of how we have connected, being able to help each other out. I have enjoyed helping him out with his songs as probably he has had on helping me out when working on my songs. His music exemplifies the Spiritual Jazz music art-form.

Spiritual Jazz is an easy listening yet smooth and unique sound which is one of its kind among religious music that I have ever heard. I have had the honor of singing back-ground vocals for various songs on the Saved from the Fire album as well as other songs to come. The feeling of nostalgia rings true in my dad’s music which makes me reminisce of my childhood, when I would listen to him play many of these songs. Even his newer compositions have a 90s popular sound that rings nostalgic for my own musical pallet and what I grew up on. My dad is not only my dad but I would call him one of my closest friends. I will always cherish these memories in the recording studio along with my dad and James and the songs that I am proud to have a part of. I will be proud to show my children their granddads music which is very cool by the way and his journey of following his dreams(passion) which inspired me to follow mine.