U.S. Virgin Islands sax man Mekiel Reuben has done it again! This time, it’s the release of the first single, “Boney Kirk,” on his 10th album, “Something Like That.” Listen up, jazz aficionados, on your favorite playlist Friday!
Reuben wrote the tune “Boney Kirk” to pay homage to the musicians Boney James and Kirk Whalum, whom he has always listened to as his favorites. The R&B smooth jazz dance style of James and the flavored verse of Whalum is the essence of this new single.
According to soundcloud.com, “Boney Kirk” will be streaming on your playlist.
A native of Chicago, Reuben showed an early interest in music at eight years of age when he was gifted at Christmas with a guitar from his mother. He began studying music and woodwinds at 15 under band director Louis Gray at the Richard T. Crane High School in Chicago. His first performance was at the high school graduation. He was greatly influenced by Grover Washington Jr., Stevie Wonder, The Crusaders, Chicago, and Earth, Wind, & Fire.
Reuben’s move to the U.S. Virgin Islands at age 18 was a continuation of his musical career. He studied privately with jazz woodwinds player Jimmy Hamilton, a 27-year veteran of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. He also studied jazz with Benny Jacobs El, a graduate of the Julliard School of Music in New York.
There were many years Reuben worked and played on St. Croix with bands and dance/theatrical companies. “I learned to play reggae and calypso and many Latin and Caribbean rhythms.”
“I later moved to the West Coast and continued my music studies with the legendary saxophonist Bill Greene in Los Angeles and learned improvisation. I studied music and marketing at Los Angeles City College and West Los Angeles City College.”
His career has covered tours of Europe, North America, and Canada. Reuben worked with iconic reggae artist Eek-A-Mouse and participated in numerous festivals and gigs across the West Coast of the U.S. He toured and recorded with the acclaimed “Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm.”
He was awarded Top Music Artist at the 2006 Temecula Valley International Film and Music Festival.
For over two decades, Reuben has dedicated his time and shared his musical talents and brought joy to disabled students at the Benjamin Benneker Special Education Center in Los Angeles, CA.
Reuben resides on St.Croix. He continues to play and produce music for the world. He is a regular performer on Lyric Sails and other musical venues on the island.
Over the past 30 years, Reuben has recorded and released nine albums and five singles. For the past 22 years, Reuben and David Vasquez (keyboard, arranger, and co-producer) have teamed up to produce six of his nine albums. “Something Like That” will be the seventh album they will be releasing together.
Mekiel Reuben/MekMuse Records Releases to his credit:
(1993) Miles Away; (a dedication to Miles Davis); (1996) Simply Peaceful;
(2000) Shadows of Love; (2005) Hangin’ in the Moonlight;
(2009) Cookin’ in LA; (2012) If You Were Here Tonight; (2019) M.R.;
(2020) Re-release Miles Away (a dedication to Miles Davis);
(2024) Single – Boney Kirk; (2025) Something Like That (March 2025)
Music by Mekiel Reuben can be found on Amazon, iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube, Soundcloud, cdbaby, and other digital platforms.
Musicians on “Boney Kirk” Single:
Mekiel Reuben: Tenor Sax, Percussion
David Vasquez: Keyboards, Synth Bass, Percussion
Phil Martin, (Phil E): Drums
Mauricio Guerrero Jr.: Guitar
For more information:
Mekmuse@yahoo.com
mekielreuben.com
