Angelo Sax Shaw has been playing the saxophone for nearly 30 years. He became interested in Jazz at an early age when his father would play albums at night when it was bedtime (Grover Washington, Jr., John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Sonny Stitt, John Hodges and many other great musicians. He would lay there for hours while his sisters and brother slept; soaking the music in. Little did he know, he would become a well rounded musician; reading and playing by ear. Angelo performs at weddings, funerals, social gatherings, and at a variety of other types of events. He uses his signature salute to the casket as he serenades the deceased on one knee. Usually, there is not a dry eye in the building at funerals. "I have actually had a guy come up to me very upset because he cried at a funeral and no one in his family had ever seen him cry. Of course, we laughed by the end of our conversation. It gives me joy when I see the response from the crowd after I perform. People say they feel something when I play. I thank God for blessing me with the gift of music." Angelo is famous for his rendition of Here Comes the Bride on YouTube. "I have received emails from brides all over the world who want to have the song played as they walk down the aisle at their wedding. I have even received requests from grooms as well. Angelo has also performs with countless bands and musicians throughout the Midwest. Somehow he remains humble. He comes in quietly and does not say many words before he performs. He lets his sax speak for him. This CD has been a long time coming. "I have spent three years working on it. I wrote, produced, recorded, mixed and mastered many of the songs on my debut CD 'Total Praise' (with exception to Here Comes the Bride and Walk With Me, Lord). It has been a challenge as people promised to be a part of my project and bailed at the last minute. So, you will feel some of the pain I felt, but you will also feel the joy that I felt as I wrote and recorded these songs." Angelo earned his B.A. in Communications at Monmouth College(Monmouth,IL). He used his music to supplement some of his college expenses. Coming from a financially challenged family, Angelo relied mainly on his grandparents (Howard R. Thomas and Gertrude Thomas - both deceased now) to pay for the bulk of his tuition. Angelo performed at weddings, talent shows, open mic nights (Cherry Street - Galesburg,IL) and many other events to sharpen his skills and earn extra money. "I am very thankful for my college experience and to my grandparents for all that they did for me." Angelo's grandfather purchased his first saxophone for him when he was in 8th grade. He said he would purchase it if Angelo promised to never give up playing the sax. "I stopped playing for a while when I graduated from college. I would get it out for weddings and funerals. Suddenly, I became motivated again. I have never put it down since and do not plan on putting it in the future. I will keep this promise to my grandfather." Angelo is the oldest son, but third born child of six children. His siblings were irritated by his playing when he was much younger, now they love to hear him play. "I am thankful for the support of my family. My mother, father, stepfather and entire family has been there for me as I wrote this CD. For this I thank them dearly." Angelo was not allowed to play jazz when he was growing up due to some religious traditions held by his parents. He was accepted into the Honors Music Program at Central Visual And Performing Arts High School program when he was in the 7th grade. "I remember when I was performing at a jazz "Pops" concert. My mother and stepfather were very disappointed. I believe they are more open-minded now to my improvisational renditions of traditional gospel tunes. I can't believe I actually had to sneak and play jazz when they were not at home. That is how hungry I was to become a better sax player." Angelo is married with four children. His wife Angila really enjoys watching him perform. "It really feels great when I look into the audience and see my wife and children supporting me. They have been there for me every step of the way and I thank them for that. I wrote a song for my wife on the CD titled Lilies for Angila. Lilies are her favorite flowers. My wife and children have watched my songs transform. They a critiqued my music and kept quiet (when possible) while I was recording. Now, my wife knows why I sent her on those trips to the mall. I was trying to get them out of the house so that I could have a quiet house to record in. LOL!" I want to thank my sisters Karmahn Leach and Danielle Leach along with my wife Angila for singing vocals on woman at the well. Thanks for putting up with me. Thank you to my sisters Tamara Perkins and Monique Baldwin and my brother Carlos Shaw for the moral support even though you did not sing on the CD. I also want to thank my good friend Floyd Boykin, Jr. We were in a band together at Monmouth College, so it is awesome having him on my CD. Floyd also took the photos for this CD (www.spokenvizions.com). I also want to thank my awesome children Cydney, Diamond, Angelo, Jr. and Hannah. They have been to countless performances and give me the drive to keep going. I am thankful to Pastor Nathaniel Johnson (Covenant Christain Assembly - Madison,IL) for allowing me to use a snippet of his sermon on He Knows Your Troubles. He brings so much energy to the song. I also want to thank my grandmother over the years and even during her final hour, who lived to see 100 years. She has recently gone home to be with the Lord, but she was instrumental in my music career. She would stand and watch me play my sax at her church. She stood up the entire time I played. My mother also supports me at my performances. She makes me feel very special. I thank my father for attending all of the banquets with me when I am a one-man-band. He helps me set up and break down all of my equipment. My stepfather has been instrumental as well with all his very wise advice and motivation to never give up. I also want to thank Solid Ground Band for all of the gigs through the years. It keeps me honest. I hope you enjoy my CD. There is truly something for everyone. I have tested with listeners of all ages and received very positive feedback. I thank God for allowing me to use my gift of music to touch lives all over the world!