FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SHANI RIGSBEE - Cherokee Music Group (CMG / Sony BMG) Announces the Release of
At the Casbah, the New Album from SHANI
LOS ANGELES, May 17 – I bet you already know Shani Rigsbee; you just don’t
realize it yet! You’re about to re-familiarize yourself with all of the acclaim
that has greeted her first three albums, and become aware that Shani and her
music are everywhere.
A homegrown internationalist, she has recorded and collaborated with some of the
International music scene’s giants, producing songs that play on television, in
nightclubs and in numerous prestigious screen productions.
Recently, Shani has been the focus of a whirlwind of activity. She was chosen as
the featured vocalist for the biblical epic One Night With the King (Fox
Faith) that features her song “Kingdom of Love” composed by J.A.C. Redford which
also appears on At the Casbah and she will perform the song on the
upcoming National televised CAMIE Awards. Shani will also appear as a guest on
some of the nations’ regional morning shows and nighttime entertainment programs
as she tours the country on a promotional tour. She was recently selected to
sing alongside the most prestigious artists from around the globe in the World
Peace One musical collaboration, a project meant to bring peace, unity and
understanding to various cultures throughout the world.
Some of her past works include the Lions Gate release of Paul Haggis’s acclaimed
film Crash – which featured Shani’s song “El Llamar de Pasión” (also
appears on At the Casbah) – and won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Shani sang, appeared in and contributed to the score for the DreamWorks 2003
release House of Sand and Fog and in the 2005 Arrival Pictures release
THE KEEPER - The Legend of Omar Khayyam, Shani played the exotic “Court
Entertainer” in the film, executive produced the Soundtrack, wrote and performed
the music for the trailer and the video promo song “From Here to Beyond.”
Shani’s music was chosen as the official trailer for Oliver Stone’s Persona
Non Grata that aired as an HBO exclusive. In Sony Playstation’s
international multi-platinum game and soundtrack Parasite Eve, Shani’s
song “Somnia Memorias” was featured, with vocals performed in Latin and Spanish,
and she played opposite Jack Black and Josh Charles in the Trimark Sci-Fi
release Crossworlds. Shani’s original songs “Invasive” and “Get
Somebody,” which are included in her newest album, At the Casbah, are
featured in the Lions Gate release National Lampoon’s Pledge This!
starring Paris Hilton and the independent feature G.I. Jesus that won the
Best Film Award at the CineVegas film festival. Her music was just featured in
the Showtime series Sleeper Cell: American Terror.
With her decidedly commercial new CD/DVD release of At the Casbah (CMG /
Sony BMG) listeners can expect a stylized direction of songs, and two
“re-creations” of Cole Porter classics. Perhaps unprecedented, the album’s
songs have been featured in a total of six motion pictures. At the Casbah
creates an “event,” evoking an exciting blend of rhythm, sophistication and
exoticism, free from labels or borders. One part pop, one part world, one part
jazz, Shani has also enlisted some urban flavor from the likes of several Rap
Artists on the album, such as Producer and Rap Artist V-Style who is also
featured in the “Get Somebody” video. At the Casbah successfully strikes
a balance between haunting timeless classic sounds evoking images of “old
Hollywood” and a refreshingly new sound honed from years of exposure to the
world and the exotic. At the Casbah features the radio friendly hits “Get
Somebody,” “Destiny” and “Invasive.”
Shani’s musical and acting success have given her the opportunity to walk the
red carpets of film premieres, award shows and in support of some of her most
beloved causes. She performed during New York Fashion Week at the prestigious
“Rolling with Style” gala on which benefits Women’s Health and Spinal Chord
Research. Additionally, on April 14, 2007, she was the featured performer at
the Art of Compassion gala event in Washington, D.C., held by the Physicians
Committee for Responsible Medicine. An animal lover and ovarian cancer
survivor, she feels passionately about this organization that promotes
alternatives to animal research, preventive medicine, and holding the medical
industry to the highest and most ethical standards of practice. She has also
frequented Sir Elton John’s annual post-Oscar benefit to raise money for his
Elton John AIDS Foundation and has attended such events as the Social Hollywood
Opening to Benefit Charlize Theron’s Africa Outreach Program.
Shani has recorded in
multiple languages and performed in front of thousands of people of diverse
ethnicities around the world, which is an anomaly as she is an “all-American
girl” based in Los Angeles. She is the epitome of a musician who defies all
stereotypes and does not fit any musical mold, literally a musician “without
borders.” Shani Rigsbee is a recording artist, composer and actress who stands
at a crossroads of music and culture. Using the platform of music and
performance, Shani brings people of the world together in a positive way that
continues to be the driving force behind all that she does.
Web info: www.shanimusic.com
*** At the Casbah (CD/DVD - includes two music videos and “Behind the Scenes”)
*** Mainstream “Genre-bending” album “tested” with National Non-Commercial Radio, Music Video Programmers, and Licensed Playlists and Feature Film Placements showing its versatility with Top 40, AC / Hot AC, R&B / Hip Hop and Urban formats – Crossing several demographics simultaneously.
*** The music video for “Get Somebody” has recently been programmed by DMX Music in the “Urban Nation” format to air nationally in retail stores (shopping malls, bowling alleys, etc) with an Urban demographic alongside Sample Artists: Usher, Jay Z and Kanye West
*** Music from At the Casbah has been recently programmed on Continental Airlines’ “Hit Factory” Playlist alongside Top 40 Sample Artists: Gwen Stefani, Pussycat Dolls, Mariah Carey, and Rob Thomas
*** Shani was a recipient of a 2007 CAMIE Award for her participation in the epic film ONE NIGHT WITH THE KING
*** Shani won “Best New AC / Hot AC Artist of the Year” at the New Music Weekly Magazine Awards for her airplay at National Non-Commercial Radio via Independent radio promotion.
*** Shani recently won Best R&B album for At the Casbah and was the most nominated artist (7 nominations) for the Just Plain Folks Awards compiled by the CDBABY.com database and nominated by industry executives.
*** Single – “Get Somebody” test marketed Charting at #19 on the Hot 100 (Top 40 and Hot AC) and #7 AC/ Hot AC Main Chart at New Music Weekly Top 200 for FMQB and ACQB at National Non-Commercial Radio.
*** “Destiny” was also worked at National Non – Commercial radio reaching #8 on the AC / Hot AC Main Chart at New Music Weekly.
*** Shani has been chosen “Audience Favorite” on the International “Independent Music Network” Syndicated Radio (and website).
*** Shani has an International pre-existing Fan base touring internationally in Canada, Europe, Australia and the Middle East and continues to play in various markets in the United States including Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre and is also a staple Artist of the International Music and Satellite stations.
To schedule an interview, or for more information, Contact Asal Masomi at AMPR 310.770.4488
Or Erin Lasquade V.P. of Promotions and Operations Cherokee Music Group 818.906.8993