CONCERT NEWS

The IMAC Theater in New York will be hosting several upcoming concert events featuring smooth jazz artists. Look for Russ Freeman & The Rippingtons on August 6 for two shows; David Benoit on September 24 for two shows; and Acoustic Alchemy on October 1.

NBC Channel 10 in Philadelphia will feature summer jazz concerts every Friday night in August featuring smooth jazz artists - Independence Blue Cross Presents Penn's Landing Jazz Series on the Waterfront with WJJZ and NBC 10. NBC 10 Meteorologist Amy Freeze and WJJZ's Michael Tozzi will co-host the 'live' concerts from the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing everyFriday, beginning August 5th, from 7-7:30 PM. The lineup this year includes saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa on August 5th; session guitarist Paul Jackson, Jr. will perform on August 12th; Steve Cole and his band will rock the Plaza on August 12th; and the televised series concludes with the ever popular guitarist/vocalist sensation Nick Colionne. The concerts are free and seating is available on a first-come first-serve basis.

The Berkeley (California) Jazz Festival at the UC Berkeley Greek Theatre kicks off on Saturday, July 16. This year's festival will highlight smooth jazz artists, with Rachelle Ferrell, KEM, Boney James, Lalah Hathaway, Bobby Caldwell, Unwrapped All Stars, and Ray Obiedo & the Urban Latin Jazz Project. The Berkeley Jazz Festival begins at noon on Saturday, July 15 at UC Berkeley's Greek Theatre and is being produced by Another Planet Productions.

Ray Obiedo & the Urban Latin Jazz Project will appear at the Downtown Berkeley BART station on August 20 as part of the Berkeley Downtown event. Urban Latin Jazz Project band members include Paul Van Wageningen (drums), David Belove (bass), Rose Ann Dimalanta (keyboards), Derek Rolando (percussion), and Alex Myrzun (sax).

Shelby Lynne and Raul Midon perform at The Birchmere in Alexandria,Virginia on Monday, July 18. Also at The Birchmere are Norman Brown, Peabo Bryson and Brenda Russell on July 21.

CD101.9 New York Chill and Smirnoff Vodka are hosting two-hour cruises around New York Harbor on board the Spirit Cruise ship, every Wednesday through August 31st. Smooth jazz performers scheduled to appear are Spyro Gyra (July 20); Peter White (July 27); Jeff Golub, Warren Hill & Rafe Gomez ( August 3); The Rippingtons (August 10); Pieces Of A Dream & Rafe Gomez (August 17); Richard Elliot (August 24) and Angela Bofill & Rafe Gomez (August 31).

New York's S.O.B.s will present the Yuerba Buena - Island Life release concert on Wednesday, July 20 at the Irving Plaza. in New York City.

Nouvelle Vague (with a full live band) will perform at the Canal Room in New York City on September 14.

Miss Kitten, along with a DJ set will be at the Hiro Ballroom in New YorkCity on Tuesday, October 18.

The Verve Remixed tour continues with a series of mix-sets being scheduled in Europe and South America between now and the end of the year. Stops along the way will include Diesel U Music in Tokyo on July 15; the Arrezo Wave Festival in Mantra, Italy on July 16; Vieggio in Vienna Italy on July 23; and the Global Gathering Festival in Manchester, England on July 30. Afterwards, the tour will continue on to France, Spain, Denmark, CzechRepublic, Finland, Brazil, and Germany, including multiple appearances at Fabric in London.