ABOUT THE SONG:

I had known “I’ll Be Around” for years, but it was the lyrics that finally made me feel I had to record it. When I slowed down and truly listened to what those words were saying, I heard something deeper beneath the familiar melody: the vulnerability of loving someone, the strength it takes to let go, and the resilience to keep your heart open afterward.

To me, this song lives in that delicate space of love between devotion and self-preservation. There’s heartache in it, but there’s also dignity and resolve that makes the promise of “I’ll be around” so profound. I wanted my interpretation to hold all of those sentiments at once.

My aim was to reimagine this classic in a modern way while staying true to the vintage soul aesthetic. I wanted the groove to draw you in and the vibe to give you a reason to stay. That balance of soulful vulnerability became the spirit of this piece.

“I’ll Be Around” is definitely one of my works that I am proudest of to date. It captures so much of what I want to communicate as an artist. I’m grateful to share it with you all. I hope you love listening to it as much as I loved making it for you.

 - Jumaane Smith

CREDITS:

Jumaane Smith

Producer, Arranger, Primary Artist,

Trumpet, Vocals, Percussion

TRO/Shamus Records - Record Label

Thom Bell and Phil Hurtt - Composers

Elijah Cole – Guitar

Will Gorman – Keys

Carmen Intorre, Jr. – Drums

Ariel Shafir – Engineer

Roy Merchant  – Mixing and Mastering

The Deep End Productions - Management