Atlanta was in for a special treat on Thursday, March 13th, when trumpeter and vocalist Johnny Britt kicked off his Midnight in Paris CD Release Party and concert to a sold-out crowd at St. James Live. The 12-track album, written and produced by Britt, was released on Valentine’s Day 2025 under his record label, J-Jams Records. Perfectly timed to captivate both smooth jazz and R&B lovers, the album offers a romantic and soulful escape.
“Atlanta is the first to witness the Midnight in Paris Tour and to experience songs from my previous albums as well,” Britt told SmoothJazzTimes.com. “This album is a reflection of my experience in Paris, France; I sing in both French and English to bring that essence to life.”
The entire album is soothing to the soul—ideal for easy listening at its best. It’s a beautiful blend of smooth jazz instrumentation and R&B vocals, bridging cultural influences from African American jazz and soul traditions with Parisian elegance to create a rich, soulful sound. Britt named the album after studying and living in Paris for three years. The title track, Midnight in Paris, has soared to number one on the charts in Spain and reached the top 30 on the Billboard charts. Meanwhile, the album’s next single, Show You, is making waves in the UK, climbing to number seven. The sold-out crowd at St. James Live was mesmerized by Britt’s powerful performance on the iconic jazz stage.
“Midnight in Paris was the last song I wrote for this album, and I just knew it would be a hit,” Britt shared. “It’s upbeat with hip melodies—this is my best work yet, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Britt’s smooth and versatile artistry shines on the English-French influenced album, enchanting listeners with his silky vocals and French narrations, accented by of scat—all the while delivering harmonic trumpet and flugelhorn melodies. “This album captures romantic Parisian vibes that convey love, resilience, and triumph over adversity,” Britt explained. “I wanted my fans to feel heartfelt lyrics wrapped in a timeless fusion of African American and French musical traditions.” Britt credits his musical inspiration to two iconic legends: trumpeter Miles Davis and vocalist Marvin Gaye. “I’m influenced by Marvin Gaye as a vocalist and Miles Davis as a trumpet player—those influences shape the vibe in all my projects,” Britt said.
He also gave a special nod to the talented band members who brought the album to life: Johnny Britt (lead and background vocals, flugelhorn, trumpet, keyboards, programming), Marcus Williams (drums), Dean Mark (bass), Keith Henderson (guitar), Peter White and Tariqh Akoni (guitar), Ricky Peterson (organ), and Sean J Lawson (percussion).
Reflecting on his journey, Britt recalled how his rise to success began in Los Angeles, where he served as the musical director for the legendary Temptations. This pivotal role paved the way for co-producing the Emmy Award-winning TV mini-series The Temptations, establishing his legacy in Motown music history.
“I’m overjoyed by how Midnight in Paris is being embraced worldwide—across R&B and smooth jazz radio—everyone is loving it,” Britt expressed with gratitude.
Fans at St. James Live were treated to an unforgettable night, complete with autographs, photos, and even a chance to purchase Britt’s book, The Soloist.
Track list for Midnight in Paris
1. Midnight In Paris
2. Show You
3. Boulevard St. Michel
4. Emotions
5. A Night In Paris
6. You Are Beautiful
7. C’est La Vie
8. Cherie Je T’aime
9. The Other Side
10. Whatever You Want I Will Do
11. City Of Lights
12. Ici En Paris
For more information or to follow Johnny Britt, visit www.johnnybritt.com.
