Guitarist Doc Powell has taken on a new challenge these days. He's appearing as a guest in the house band on the popular game show The Singing Bee. The NBC show, hosted by Joey Fatone, features a live band under the musical direction of keyboardist Ray Chew.

Powell's released his most recent solo effort, simply titled Doc Powell, in 2006. The CD was his tenth solo set overall.

In addition to recording solo CDs, Powell has also recorded and toured with numerous, jazz, R&B, and gospel acts. He has toured several times with gospel star Kirk Franklin, and says that it was not just another gig: "My whole involvement in that was totally spiritual. It wasn't another gig, and I didn't even conduct -- even the business negotiations were not the way I would normally deal with people in secular music. I know that this was something I was supposed to be doing, and I did not let money or anything get in the way of it, yeah."

Also look for Powell as a special guest soloist on the upcoming Isley Brothers holiday CD, I'll Be Home For Christmas. He performs with the veterans on a version of Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)" producer by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

The Singing Bee airs tonight (October 2nd) at 8 p.m. ET/PT.


More Smooth Jazz Music News