KATRINA TELETHON, KBLU 102.9, ANITA BAKER, JOHN SCOFIELD & MORE

NBC TO BROADCAST HURRICANE KATRINA TELETHON
NBC Universal has announced A Concert for Hurricane Relief, a benefit telethon to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. The hourlong show will air Friday, September 2 on NBC, MSNBC and CNBC. Performing will be Louisiana natives including pianist and singer Harry Connick Jr., jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and country singer Tim McGraw. Viewers will be encouraged to donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

TOP RADIO PICK: BLU 102.9
If you are into music from the likes of As One, Bebel Gilberto, Billie Holiday remixed, Black Mighty Orchestra, Boozoo Bajou, Brazilian Girls, Cesaria Evora, Cinematic Orchestra, De-Phazz, Dubtribe Sound System, Everything But The Girl, Frankie Knuckles, Rodney Hunter, St. Germain, Sarah Vaughan remixed, and Thievery Corporation among many, many others, then I highly recommend the brilliant BLU 102.9 Santa Fe, New Mexico. Call it chill, lounge, dance or whatever, the sound is sultry, sexy and best of all it's on 24/7 with very few commercials and an unlimited playlist for those who like as they call it "intelligent dance music…with a blu attitude."

ANITA BAKER CHRISTMAS ALBUM
Larry Carlton, Joe Sample, Nathan East and the Yellowjackets join Anita Baker on her first holiday album, Christmas Fantasy, due October 4 on Blue Note. Tracks on the CD include I’ll Be Home For Christmas, God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, O, Come All Ye Faithful, Frosty’s Rag and Christmas Time Is Here. This makes it her second release within a year and a remarkable feat when you consider that she did not release any new music for 10 years prior.

TONI BRAXTON’S NEW STUDIO RELEASE
Blackground Records/Universal is set to release Toni Braxton’s first studio album since 2002. Libra is due September 27 and it features 12 tracks including the first single, Please, which is currently number 40 on Billboard’s Hot R&B songs chart. Braxton will be busy promoting Libra in the coming months, as she co-hosts the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards on Sept. 7, followed a week later as she appears on ABC’s World Music Awards, and finally on BET’s 25th anniversary special in October.

JOHN SCOFIELD TO PERFORM AT 48TH MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL
Guitarist John Scofield will be the featured artist at the upcoming 48th Monterey Jazz Music Festival being held from September 16-18, 2005. Scofield will pay tribute to the late Ray Charles as he is joined on stage with Mavis Staples. His most recent release is a collection of Ray Charles music entitled That’s What I Say from Verve Records. The CD includes appearances by John Mayer, Dr. John, Mavis Staples and Warren Haynes.

BRAZILECTRO SESSION 7
Out now from Audiopharm is this sultry Latin-tinged two-disc CD compilation album featuring various chill artists. Brazilectro Session 7 includes sexy flawless remixes influenced by samba and bossanova genres. Artists contributing on this CD include Bebel Gilberto, Seu Jorge, new Brazilian singer Katia B, Quantic Soul Orchestra, Richard Dorfmeister and Gabin.

NEW MUSIC OUT THIS WEEK
Abbey Lincoln – Abbey Is Blue (Riverside)
Bobby McFerrin – Live In Montreal (DVD) (Verve)
Cal Tjader & Mary Stallings – Cal Tjader Plays/Mary Stallings Sings (Fantasy)
Carole King – Collection: Really Rosie/Music/Tapestry (Sony)
Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra – Not In Our Name (Verve)
Dave Holland & Barre Phillips – Music For Two Basses (ECM)
David Gordon Trio – Angel Feet (Guild)
Earth, Wind & Fire – Collection: That’s The Way Of The World/All ‘N All (Sony)
Eric Clapton – Back Home (Warner Bros.)
Euge Groove – Just Feels Right (Narada)
Gilberto Gil – Electrocustico (WEA International)
Gregg Karukas – Looking Up (V2)
Herbie Hancock – Possibilities (Vector)
John Klemmer – The Very Best Of John Klemmer (GRP)
Julian Priester – Love, Love (ECM)
Lee Ritenour – World Of Brazil (GRP)
Les Paul – Les Paul & Friends (Capitol/EMI)
McCoy Tyner – Passion Dance (Milestone)
Moutin Reunion Quartet – Something Like Now (Lightyear)
Sonny Rollins – Without A Song: The 9/11 Concert (Fantasy)
Steve Kuhn – Trance (ECM)
Thelonious Monk – Thelonious Alone In San Francisco (Riverside)
Various Artists – Basquiat’s Journey Through Jazz (Prestige)
Wynton Marsalis – Amongst The People: Live At The House Of Tribes (Angel)