Monday, October 31, 2005

SMOOOTH JAZZ NEWS AND BEYOND

CANDY DULFER TOUR DATES
Two shows have been added to Candy Dulfer’s upcoming European tour. Candy and her band will be performing in Landskron/Villach (Austria) on December 2nd and Luzern (Switzerland) on December 14th.

SMOOTH JAZZ RADIO NEWS
In Detroit radio, smooth jazz is king an Infinity-owned smooth jazz WVMV-FM (98.7) quietly took over the overall No. 1 spot in the summer Arbitron ratings, released last week. The smooth jazz station has been No. 1 in the advertiser-coveted 25-54 age group, but never in the overall 12 plus bracket.

America’s favorites weatherman Al Roker is bringing his daily weather forecasts to WQCD-FM (CD 101.9), Emmis Communications’ smooth jazz station in New York. Beginning October 27, Roker’s local weather forecasts will air four times daily, three times in the morning drive and once during afternoon drive. New York is the second top 10 market for the Al Roker Radio Network, which was launched by United Stations Radio Networks earlier this year. Roker’s daily newscasts also air on WMET-AM, IDT’s Talk station in Washington, D.C. WQCD was up slightly in the just released Summer ratings to a 3.0 overall share rating from a 2.9 in the spring.

THIEVERY CORPORATION RELEASE THE TIME WE LOST OUR WAY ON 7 INCH VINYL
The latest 7" vinyl from ELS Music showcases the vocal talents of longtime Thievery Corporation collaborator and multi-lingual songstress LouLou. Taken from Thievery Corporation’s new album, The Cosmic Game, The Time We Lost Our Way finds LouLou crooning wistfully within a framework of stoned hip-hop beats and placid horns. On the B-side, LouLou lilts delicately on Thievery Corporation’s rare and classically lush dub tune Language Symbolique previously available only on the CD compilation Den Of Thieves.

RAFE GOMEZ AT NIKKI MIDTOWN (NEW YORK)
Starting this past October 26, and continuing each and every Wednesday, the place to be if you are in New York City will be Rafe Gomez’s "After Work Groove" at Nikki Midtown (151 East 50th Street, between Lexington and 3td Avenue). Rafe Gomez will weave a sumptuous blend of the same kind of sophisticated flavor that he offers on his weekly radio groove fest, including the tastiest in bossa, Brazilian, Latin, acid, uptempo smooth, nu and old school soul jazz.

Friday, October 28, 2005

REALNETWORKS TO WEBCAST SPECIAL SANTANA CONCERT LIVE FROM NYC, ON NOV 1, SAME DAY NEW ALBUM, ALL THAT I AM, HITS STORES


Audio Selections From Live Concert to Benefit Santana's Milagro Foundation

RealNetworks and Arista Records today announced they are teaming up to give rock fans worldwide exclusive pre-release access starting this week to Carlos Santana's hotly anticipated new album, All That I Am, and an opportunity to see a webcast of a live performance by Santana and special guests at New York City's famed Hammerstein Ballroom on Tuesday, November 1st. All That I Am, to be released November 1, is available now via ReaNetworks award-winning Rhapsody online music service.

All That I Am is the 38th album by music icon and guitar hero Carlos Santana, and the third Santana album on Arista Records. In addition, Rhapsody users will also have exclusive access to a special live recording of the Santana composition Foo Foo that will be available as part of a Rhapsody-exclusive edition of Santana's new album. Fans can listen to the new album and more than thirty other albums from Santana's four decade career through Rhapsody by visiting http://www.rhapsody.com .

To celebrate the release of All That I Am, Rhapsody is hosting a special Santana concert, "Rhapsody presents: Santana 'All That I Am' Live from New York," at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Tuesday, November 1st. Real will offer a live webcast of the event via http://www.rhapsody.com/santana at 8 p.m. EDT/5:00 p.m. PDT, giving fans around the world the opportunity to experience this historic event. The star-studded concert will give fans everywhere the chance to see Carlos Santana and a number of special guests deliver unique and passionate performances of songs from All That I Am and other hits from Santana's career.

Performances from the event will be available through Rhapsody, RollingStone.com, the RealPlayer Music Store, and the RealPlayer's RealGuide in coming weeks. Select tracks from the live concert will be available for download via Rhapsody with proceeds benefiting Santana's Milagro Foundation, which serves at-risk, underrepresented and disadvantaged youth through educational programs and health services.

All That I Am is the follow up to Santana's multi-platinum and GRAMMY award winning Arista Records albums Supernatural and Shaman. All That I Am features a star-studded gathering of world class guest artists including Steven Tyler, Michelle Branch & The Wreckers, OutKast's Big Boi, Mary J. Blige, Metallica's Kirk Hammett, Sean Paul, Los Lonely Boys, Joss Stone, will.i.am, Anthony Hamilton, Bo Bice and Robert Randolph.

OCTOBER 2005 CD RELEASES: JAZZ, SMOOTH JAZZ & CHILL MUSIC

Aaron Weinstein – A Handful Of Stars (Arbors Records)
Acoustic Alchemy – Best Kept Secret (DVD, Verve)
Alain Caron – 5 (Bhm)
Alexandre Cunha – Bate Papo (Tratore)
Amanda Carr – Carr Toons (Original Music Service)
Amanda Carr – Liver In San Giorgio (Original Music Service)
Amina Figarova – September Suite (215 Records)
Amy Stephens – My Many Moods (Oa2)
Anthony Wilson Trio – Savivity (Groove Note)
Antonio Carlos Jobim – Fotografia: Os Anos Dourados De Tom Jobim (2-CD, Planet Rhythm)
Baden Powell – Baden Powell Live – DVD (Fremeaux)
Barbara Russell – Lerner In Love: The Lyrics Of Alan Jay Lerner (LML Music)
Ben Monder – Oceana (Sunnyside)
Bette Midler - Bette Midler Sings The Peggy Lee Songbook
Billy Cobham’s Glass Menagerie – Live In Riazzino, Switzerland (DVD, TDK)
Bob James – One (Koch)
Bob James – Two (Koch)
Bobby McFerrin – Live In Montreal (DVD, Verve)
Boris Vanderiek – Blue & Sentimental (A Records)
Brad Wheeler – The Future Was Yesterday (Origin)
Bradley Lubman – Insomniac (Tzadik)
Brian Bromberg – Brian Bromberg (Artistry)
Carter/Cobham/Harrison – New York Cool: Live At The Blue Note (HighNote)
Charlie Byrd with the Woody Herman Big Band – Bamba-Samba Bossa Nova (Universal)
Chick Corea Elektric Band – Live At Montreux 2004 (DVD, Red Dist.)
Chris Botti –To Love Again (Sony)
Chris Botti – Embraceable You (DualDisc/Sony)
Claudia Quintet – Semi-Formal (Cuneiform)
Craig Chaquico – Holiday (Higher Octave)
Dave Holland Quintet – Live In Freiburg (DVD, TDK)
Dave’s True Story – Project Remix (Bepop)
David Garfield – Tribute to Jeff Porcaro (Crr)
David Rothenberg – Bangalore Wild (Wild Foundation)
Don Cherry – Don Cherry’s Multikulti (DVD, Kultur)
Eyal Maoz – Edom (Tzadik)
Fourplay – An Evening Of Fourplay Volumes One and Two (DVD, Red Dist.)
Geoffrey Keezer – Wildcrafted: Live At The Dakota (MaxJazz)
George Cartwright – Ghostly Bee (Innova)
Giba Favery – Hard Samba (Tratore)
Gonzalez Jerry & Fort Apache – Rhumba Para Buhaina (Random Chance)
Groove Armada – Another Late Night (Azuli)
Guillermo Gregorio – Coplanar (New World)
Harry Connick Jr. – Harry For The Holidays (DualDisc. Columbia)
Hilary Noble & Rebecca Cline – Enclave (Zoho Music)
Jack Teagarden – Time For T (Sounds Of Yesteryear)
Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey – The Sameness Of Difference (Hyena)
James Gregory - Tibet
Jamie Cullum – Catching Tales (Verve Forecast)
Jane Monheit – Season (Epic)
Jean Michel Pilc – Live At The Iridium New York (Dreyfus Music)
Jesse Cook – The Ultimate Jesse Cook (Narada 2-CD)
Jim Caruso – Caruso Live And In Person (LML Music)
Jimmy Smith – Christmas ’64 (Verve)
Joe Locke & The Milt Jackson Tribute Band – Rev-Elation (Sharp-Nine)
Joe McPhee – Pieces Of Light (Altavistic UMC)
Joel Harrison – Harrison On Harrison (HighNote)
John Coltrane – One Up, One Down: Live At The Half Note (2-CD, Impulse)
Julius Tolentino – Just The Beginning (Sharp Nine)
Kenny G – The Greatest Holiday Classics (Arista)
Kyoto Jazz Massive - Spellbinder
Laura Welland – Dissertation On The State Of Bliss (Oa2)
Les Baxter – Fruit Of Dreams (El)
Loren Stillman – It Could Be Anything (Fresh Sound New Talent)
Mat Maneri – Pentagon (Thirsty Ear)
Meat Beat Manifesto – Off Centre (Thirsty Ear)
Moacir Santos – Choros And Alegria (Adventure Music)
Moreno – Jazz Tzigane (Forte Dist.)
Niacin – Organik (Magna Carta)
Nina Simone – The Soul Of Nina Simone (DualDisc/Columbia)
Nina Simone – A Very Rare Evening (Mambo Maniacs)
Nina Simone – Live At Montreux 1976 (DVD, Red Dist.)
No Limit – Homerun (Double Moon)
Ofra Haza – At The Montreux Jazz Festival (COP Int’l.)
Oregon – Moon And Mind (Universe/Italy)
Paris Combo – Living Room (DRG Records)
Paul Gonsalves – Humming Bird (Dutton Vocalion/UK)
Paul Motian Trio – Live At The Village Vanguard (Winter & Winter/JMT)
Pharoah Sanders – Anthology: You’ve Got To Have Freedom (Universal/UK)
Pharoah Sanders w/ Norman Connors & Phyllis Hyman – Love Will Find A Way (Hep Cat)
Ray Brown with Shelly Manne & Joe Sample – The Tree (Test Of Time)
Rebecca Pidgeon – Touch On Crime (The Lab)
Reese Project – Vicodin Dreams (95 North)
Richie Hart – Greasy Street (Zoho Music)
Rick Braun – Yours Truly (Artizen)
Rod Stewart – Thanks For The Memories- The Great American Songbook Vol. 4 (J)
Rodney Jones – Dreams And Stories (Savant)
Rosemary Clooney – A Very Special Christmas With Rosemary Clooney (Sumthing Else)
Roy Ayers – The Essential Roy Ayers: Mastercuts (Mastercuts)
Roy Ayers – My Vibes (Charly)
Russ Freeman, Richard Twardzik, Jimmy Rowles & Clare Fischer – Mosaic Select: Jazz Piano Trios (3 CDs, Mosiac Select)
Shakatak – Easier Said Than Done
Shirley Horn – But Beautiful: The Best Of Shirley Horn (Verve)
Simply Red – Simplified (Verve)
Soft Machine Legacy – Live In Zaandam – May 10, 2005 (MoonJune)
Spider Saloff – Like Glass (Kopaesthetics)
Stan Getz & Jan Wroblewski – Live In Warsaw (Harkit/UK)
Steps Ahead – Steps Ahead (Collectibles)
Steve Lehman – Damien As A Posthuman (Pi Recordings)
Sun Ra Arkestra w/Lester Bowie, Don Cherry, John Gilmore, Marshall Allen, Philly Jo Jones & Sun Ra – East Berlin And West Berlin (DVD, Transparency)
Susan Tedeschi – Hope And Desire (Verve Forecast)
Susie Arioli – Learn To Smile Again (Justin Time)
Susie Arioli – Learn To Smile Again (Justin Time)
Terry Durham – Crystal Telephone (Dutton Vocalion/UK)
Tetuzi Akiyama – Pre-Existence (Locust)
Threadgill Pyeng – Of The Air (Random Chance)
Tim Garland – If The Sea Replied (Sirocco Jazz)
Toby Driver – In The Li Li Library Loft (Tzadik)
Tok Tok Tok – About (Bhm)
Urban Knights – The Best Of The Urban Knights
Various Artists – Searching For Soul: Rare & Classic Soul, Funk & Jazz From Michigan 1968-1980 (Luv N Haight)
Various Artists – Martha Stewart Living – Jazz For The Holidays (Columbia)
Various Artists – Impulsive! Revolutionary Jazz Reworked (Impilse!)
Various Artists – Impulsive! Unmixed (Impulse!)
Victor Wooten – Show Off Hands (Welk)
Victor Wooten – What Did He Say (Welk)
Vince Ector – Renewal Of The Spirit (Mambo Maniacs)

NEW CHRIS BOTTI ALBUM CHART DEBIT COINCIDES WITH JAZZ TRUMPETEER'S MOST SUCCESSFUL SALES WEEK EVER


To Love Again, the much-anticipated new album of pop jazz standards from acclaimed trumpeter Chris Botti, has debuted at #18 on the Billboard Top 200 best-selling album, making history as the first album release from a jazz trumpeter to debut in the Top 50 during the SoundScan era. In addition to its Top 200 breakout, To Love Again has debuted at #1 on the Jazz Traditional Album Sales and the Jazz Overall Album Sales charts, according to SoundScan. With first week's sales of 43,853 copies, it's Botti's best sales week ever. To Love Again has already reached a higher position on the Top 200 than any of Chris's previous albums, including his previous release, the RIAA Gold- certified When I Fall In Love. (When I Fall In Love debuted at #124 before its rise up the charts, peaking at #1 on the Top Jazz Albums chart and #37 on the Top 200.)

Chris Botti has launched a major U.S. tour in support of To Love Again (see full itinerary following). To Love Again, which is available as both a traditional CD and as a DualDisc, showcases Chris Botti's inimitable velvet tone and sublime trumpet phrasings on 13 newly recorded pop and jazz standards featuring nine stand-out vocal performances by some of the greatest singers in modern pop, jazz, and rock. Joining Chris on To Love Again are guest vocalists Sting (What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?), Paula Cole (My One And Only Love), Michael Buble (Let There Be Love), Jill Scott (Good Morning Heartache), Paul Buchanan (Are You Lonesome Tonight?), Gladys Knight (Lover Man), Renee Olstead (Pennies From Heaven), Rosa Passos (Here Comes That Rainy Day), and, yes, that Steven Tyler (on Charlie Chaplin's Smile).

Rounding out To Love Again are the instrumental tracks What's New?, I'll Be Seeing You, Embraceable You, and To Love Again. As on his last album, Chris Botti is joined once again by the London Session Orchestra, who provide lush tonal coloration to the album's arrangements.

The DualDisc edition of To Love Again features an exclusive short film, "Live From Studio A," shot in the famed studio at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles. Chris and his quartet jammed as the cameras rolled and the result is four live songs and twenty three minutes of gorgeous sounding (and looking) contemporary jazz. Two of the four songs performed live on the DualDisc, To Love Again, and I'll Be Seeing You, also appear on the audio CD in their original/studio versions with full orchestra. The other two songs, a pair of Miles Davis classics, Flamenco Sketches and Milestones, do not appear on the audio CD in any form. As a bonus for jazz aficionados, Flamenco Sketches features guest saxophonist David Sanborn. To Love Again follows the extraordinary success of Botti's groundbreaking last album, When I Fall In Love, which has sold more than 500,000 copies to-date.

Chris Botti Tour Dates
10/28/05 - West Palm Beach, FL @ Raymond F. Kravis Center For The Performing Arts
10/29/05 - Melbourne, FL @ Maxwell King Center For The Performing Arts
10/30/05 - Naples, FL @ Performing Arts Center
11/02/05 - Durham, NC @ The Carolina Theater / Durham
11/03/05 - Annapolis Junction, MD @ Ramshead
11/04/05 - Easton, PA @ Pennsylvania State Theatre
11/05/05 - Lebanon, NH @ Lebanon Opera House
11/07/05 - San Diego, CA @ Dave Koz Cruise
11/08/05 - San Diego, CA @ Dave Koz Cruise
11/09/05 - San Diego, CA @ Dave Koz Cruise
11/17/05 - Morristown, NJ @ Morristown Community Theatre
11/18/05 - Troy, NY @ Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
11/19/05 - Westville, CT @ Southern Connecticut State College
11/25/05 - Honolulu, HI @ Neal S. Blaisdell Center, Concert Hall
11/26/05 - Honolulu, HI @ Neal S. Blaisdell Center, Concert Hal
12/01/05 - Los Angeles, CA @ Wilshire Ebell Theatre
12/02/05 - Los Angeles, CA @ Wilshire Ebell Theatre
12/06/05 - New York, NY @ The Blue Note - New York
12/07/05 - New York, NY @ The Blue Note - New York
12/08/05 - New York, NY @ The Blue Note - New York
12/09/05 - New York, NY @ The Blue Note - New York
12/10/05 - New York, NY @ The Blue Note - New York
12/11/05 - New York, NY @ The Blue Note - New York
01/07/06 - Englewood, NJ @ Bergen Performing Art Hall
01/08/06 - Columbus, OH @ Ohio Theatre
01/13/06 - Texarkana, TX @ Perot Theatre, Theatre
01/19/06 - Green Bay, WI @ Meyer Theatre
01/20/06 - Cedarburg, WI @ Cedarburg Performing Art Center
01/21/06 - Jasper, IN @ Jasper Community Arts Center
02/03/06- Greenvale, NY @ Tilles Center For The Performing Arts

Thursday, October 27, 2005

FRANK SINATRA DUETS ALBUMS RE-RELEASED AS 2-CD COLLECTION

New 2-CD Collection Includes Both All-Star Collaborative Albums, Plus a Previously Unreleased Willie Nelson Duet of My Way

28 Duets on New Commemorative Collection Include Charles Aznavour, Anita Baker, Tony Bennett, Bono, Jimmy Buffett, Natalie Cole, Neil Diamond, Gloria Estefan, Aretha Franklin, Kenny G, Lena Horne, Chrissie Hynde, Julio Iglesias, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Luis Miguel, Liza Minnelli, Lorrie Morgan, Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, Jon Secada, Carly Simon, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Barbra Streisand, and Luther Vandross.

December 12, 2005 marks the 90th anniversary of Frank Sinatra's birth. Combined, Frank Sinatra's final studio albums, the immensely popular all-star collaborations Duets and Duets II, have sold more than four million units in the U.S. since their original 1993 and 1994 release. On November 22, Capitol/EMI Music Catalog Marketing presents Frank Sinatra - Duets and Duets II: 90th Birthday Limited Collector's Edition, a new 2-CD commemorative package with both original Duets albums, plus a previously unreleased version of My Way, as sung by Willie Nelson and Sinatra. Regarded by many as the greatest popular singer of the 20th Century, Frank Sinatra's dynamic entertainment career spanned an unparalleled seven decades, and he became a household name around the world, also known as "Ol' Blue Eyes" and "The Chairman of the Board."

From 1953 to 1960, Sinatra recorded more than 17 albums for Capitol Records. During Sinatra's years with Capitol, he pioneered and perfected the idea of the "concept album" by recording and sequencing songs on his LPs to strike and complete a specific mood. In 1956, Frank Sinatra was the first artist to record in the newly-built Capitol Studios at Hollywood & Vine in Los Angeles. In June and July 1993, Sinatra returned to his Capitol Records' Studio A home to record his first new album in more than nine years. He was joined by many of the world's most popular contemporary recording artists for what was referred to as "The Recording Event of The Decade." For the recording of Duets and Duets II, Sinatra and his collaborators were accompanied by a 54-piece orchestra. The albums' Musical Director and Conductor was Patrick Williams, one of the music and film industries' most acclaimed conductors. Both albums also feature the work of another great talent, the world-renowned artist LeRoy Neiman. The albums' original covers display Neiman's specially commissioned paintings of Frank Sinatra, both of which are included in Duets - 90th Birthday Edition.

From his first recording sessions in the 1930s until his death in May 1998, Frank Sinatra earned global acclaim as a recording artist and conductor, film producer, director and actor, and radio and television personality. Sinatra's impact on American culture endures to this day, reflected not only in the new music and countless young artists he's inspired, but also as an icon of timeless suave cool. The CD will be released on November 22.

Saturday, October 08, 2005

CLUB MODERNO, TONI BRAXTON, GWEN MCRAE & SINEAD O'CONNOR


Club Moderno - Clube Da Esquina - features 14 tracks that bring together some of the best key recordings from EMI/Odeon Brazilian catalogue. Songs include Trio Cruzado by Nelson Angelo & Joyce, Calibre by Lo Borges, Catavento by Alaide Costa, Monte Azul by Beto Guedes, Chuva Na Montanha by Lo Borges, Aqueles Coisas Todas by Toninho Horta, Saidas E Bandeiras by Milton Nascimento, Clube Da Esquinha 2 by Nana Caymmi, and Nada Sera Como Antes by Elis Regina.

Multiple platinum and Grammy winning superstar Toni Braxton has the #1 R&B record this week - Libra. The Blackground/Universal release also lands in the Top 5 on The Billboard Top 200 Album Chart this week at #4. Libra, which is Braxton's sixth studio album - hit stores on September 27th, features the hit song Trippin. The hot single was the #2 most added song at the Urban Adult Radio format when it debuted at the end of September. Toni's eagerly awaited new album was helmed by star producers such as Scott Storch and Vincent Herbert, with the highly regarded disc faithfully embodying the trademark Braxton soulfulness which has made the spirited vocalist a worldwide phenomenon.

Two classic albums from Gwen McRae are finally available on CD – Let’s Straighten It Out and Melody Of Life, both now available on one CD. Let’s Straighten It Out features Latimore’s Let’s Straighten It Out, plus Love Insurance, Cradle Of Love, At Bedtime, and Early Morning Love. Melody Of Life features more of the dance floor classics that McRae is known for, including All This Love I’m Givin’, I Can Only Think Of You, I Found A Love and The Melody Of Life, a total of 14 all together.


Sinéad O’Connor is back with the Roots Reggae inspired Throw Down Your Arms. Though several of her older tracks incorporated her reinterpretation of the reggae sound, Throw Down Your Arms, delves deeper into the genre as she went to Jamaica to work with the legendary production team Sly & Robbie who recruited Jamaica's most esteemed musicians for the project. The record features Sinéad's take on inspirational Roots Reggae songs from the 1970s by Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Lee Perry and others

Friday, October 07, 2005

BOB MARLEY, DETROIT INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL, CANDY DULFER & MARTHA STEWART HOLIDAY MUSIC

Bob Marley and the Wailers 1977 concert at London’s Rainbow Theatre will finally make it’s DVD debut on November 8. The 12-song concert features such songs as Trenchtown Rock, I Shot The Sheriff, No Woman, No Cry and Jamming, among others. The concert was previously available on VHS (minus bonus features).

Sony BMG has partnered with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia to brand market compilations for special occasions. The first series of Christmas-holiday themed disc will feature jazz and smooth jazz artists such as Chris Botti, Grover Washington Jr., Luther Vandross, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Louis Prima, Tony Bennett, Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, Eartha Kitt, Chick Corea, Louis Armstrong, Steve Tyrell, Russell Malone, and the Dexter Gordon Quintet. The collections will be available on October 18 via Epic.

The recent 2005 Detroit International Jazz Festival drew an estimated one million people into downtown Detroit - nearly doubling attendance over the previous year. This year's Festival featured one of the strongest Jazz lineups of any festival in the country in recent years, including Dave Brubeck, David "Fathead" Newman, McCoy Tyner, Medeski Martin & Wood, Les McCann, Gerald Wilson and Charles McPherson. For the first time, the Festival also featured significant blues, R&B, and funk acts, including The Funk Brothers, Dr. John and the Blind Boys of Alabama. Over the years, the festival has hosted Jazz legends such as Woody Herman, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Jack Teagarden, Earl Hines, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Sarah Vaughn, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald and Harry Connick, Jr.

Candy Dulfer will join Van Morrison for his shows next week in Amsterdam. He plays the Carré theatre on October 10th and 11th. Both shows are sold out. More dates have been added to her tour schedule as follows:

Nov. 18 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso
Nov. 19 – Ludwigsburg, Germany @ Scala
Nov. 30 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Volkshaus
Dec. 1 – Bern, Switzerland @ Bierhubeli
Dec. 3 – Rankwell, Austria @ Altes Kino
Dec. 4 – Koln, Germany @ Gloria Theatre
Dec. 6 – Aschaffenburg, Germany @ Colos-Saal
Dec. 8 – Herisau, Switzerland @ Casino
Dec. 10 – Worgi, Austria @ Komma Club
Dec. 11 – Gleisdorf, Austria @ Forum
Dec. 18 – Praha, Czech Republic @ Lucerna Music Bar
Dec. 16 – Luxembourg, Luxembourg @ Den Ateller
Dec. 17 – Paris, France @ Cabaret Sauvage
Dec. 18 – Tongeren, Belgium @ De Velinx

KENNY G - THE GREATEST HOLIDAY CLASSICS A COLLECTION OF SEASONAL FAVORITES IN STORES OCTOBER 18

10 Tracks From His Best-Selling Holiday Albums – Wishes, Faith and Miracles

Arista recording artist Kenny G – the biggest-selling instrumental musician and biggest-selling jazz musician of the modern era, with total global sales of more than 75 million albums, singles and videos since 1982 - has personally selected the tracks for The Greatest Holiday Classics, an indispensable collection of 15 seasonal tunes that will arrive in stores October 18th. Ten of the tracks originate from Kenny G's trio of holiday releases: 2002's RIAA gold Wishes, 1999's triple-platinum Faith - A Holiday Album, and 1994's Miracles - The Holiday Album - the biggest-selling seasonal album in history, at 8-times platinum and counting. The four brand new recordings featured on this album include We Wish You A Merry Christmas, My Favorite Things, Jingle Bell Rock and Jingle Bells. The balance of the tracks are holiday favorites: Deck The Halls, the medleys of Hark The Herald Angels/O Come All Ye Faithful, and Rudolph/Frosty The Snowman (from Wishes); Ave Maria, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! and the medley of We Three Kings/Carol Of The Bells (from Faith); and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Miracles, Winter Wonderland, and The Chanukah Song (from Miracles).

The Greatest Holiday Classics, Kenny G's sixteenth album for Arista Records, follows up the release of the RIAA gold At Last ... The Duets Album last November 2004. The all-star project featured a stellar lineup of great guest performers (vocalists and fellow instrumentalists) from different musical genres showcased alongside Kenny G in stunning performances of classic and contemporary songs. Among his distinguished guests were Barbra Streisand (The Music That Makes Me Dance), LeAnn Rimes (Everything I Do) I Do It For You), Gladys Knight (Misty), Earth Wind & Fire (The Way You Move), Yolanda Adams (I Believe I Can Fly), Burt Bacharach (Alfie), and Arturo Sandoval on the title tune tribute to Etta James, At Last.

Thursday, October 06, 2005

DAMON COOPER, MOJO CLUB, JAMIE CULLUM, DONNY OSMOND & SAMBA PARADE

Singer and guitarist Damon Cooper debuts with They Call Me Coop. The album is very smooth overall with some neo-soul thrown in to give it a very nice vibe. Tracks include My Heart, I Love You, Wanna Be Your Lover, Soul Seduction and Will You Be My Lady.

Feeling Good by the Mojo Club is the next volume in a series that features a mix of funk, soul, Latin and punk from the 60’s and 70’s. This is a 2-CD set for a total of 24 tracks that includes Z'Avez Pas Lu Kafka by Suzanne Gabriello, In The Name Of Love by Jenny Evans, Let The Music Play by Charles Earland, Speaking Of Happiness by Gloria Lynne, Tema De Kiko by The Youngsters, Pop Mod by Claude Bolling, Joker by Ambros Seelos, Blows by Gerson King Combo, Ape Shuffle by Lalo Schifrin, The Rock by East Coast, Stand Up & Be Counted by The Flames, Pick Up The Pieces One By One by AABB, I Don't Need No Doctor by Nick Ashford, and Up Above The Rock by Ray Bryant.

Jamie Cullum is celebrating the release of his newest album Catching Tales with two upcoming U.S appearances. He’ll perform on October 11 at the Irving Plaza in New York City, and on October 14 at The Roxy in West Hollywood, CA.

Smooth jazz radio has made its way to Lansing, Michigan as WJZL 92.7 FM switches formats from a sports-talk station. Smooth instrumentals and soft vocals will now fill the airwaves.

New smooth jazz artist Donny Osmond is lining up 2006 tour dates with four appearances scheduled at The Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. He’s been booked for March 2-5, June 22-25, October 19-22 and December 14-17,2006. He is currently developing a new syndicated talk-show tv pilot that will hopefully hit the airwaves in 2006.

Samba Parade (Various Artists) features many key numbers from the samba revival years of the 70s! This set brings together 22 tracks from the legendary EMI/Odeon catalog including Juiso Final by Nelson Cavaquinho, Samba De Roda by Quinteto Violado, Falsa Baiana by Roberto Silva , Sensibilidade Da Bossa by Novos Baianos, Danca Da Solidao by Paulinho Da Viola, O Ultimo Dos Mohicanos by Moreira Da Silva, Casa De Bamba by Djalma Pires, Maracangalha by Dorival Caymmi, and Ensaboa Mulata by Cartola.

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

JAZZ CHILL MUSIC NEWS





Kyle Eastwood’s latest, Paris Blue, is already an international hit as it is currently the number #1 Jazz Album in France.

Chris Jasper, formerly of the Isley Brothers and Isley Jasper Isley has a new album out entitled – Amazing Love. Many of the songs are reminiscent of the Isley Brothers style, so fans will truly enjoy this outing from keyboardist and songwriter Chris Jasper.

Felton Pilate (of ConFunkShun) has released a solo project Nothing But Love Spoken Here. This is smooth and romantic album with plenty of falsetto-led ballads. If you like the old Philly soul sound of the 70’s, then pick this one up and make sure you play it in the late evening to set the mood.

Gilberto Gil, Rokia Traore, Patti Austin, Neneh Cherry, Peter Gabriel and Youssou N’Dour will perform at an October 8 concert in Geneva as part of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations.

New from Morcheeba is The Antidote as they progress from the downtempo trip-hop groove towards a nouveau rock direction. On this one they work with vocalist Daisy Martey.

Enrique Herdia "El Negri" of La barieria del Sur makes his solo debut with a tribute album to composer Agustin Lara. The CD is entitled El ultimo beso (The Last Kiss).

Illumination is the new album from the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire, with 13 tracks produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Will I Am and Raphael Saadiq. The album is more in the neo-soul vein with tracks including Lovely People featuring Will I Am (Black Eyes Peas), Show Me The Way featuring Raphael Saadiq, Work It Out and Elevated People featuring Floetry.

Soul diva Betty LaVette returns with I’ve Got My Own Hell To Raise which is already making headwaves on the European scene as clubs and DJs throughout have added select tracks ti their playlists. It’s definitely a great comeback album worth checking out.

Monday, October 03, 2005

NEW JAZZ CHILL CD RELEASES FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 4...


2 Good To Go – Early Morning
Alex Bugnon – Free (Narada)
Anders Jormin – Xieyl (ECM)
Andrew Hill – Andrew !!! (Blue Note)
Andrew Hill – Blue Black (Test Of Time)
Arild Anderson – Electra (ECM)
Carlos Giffoni – Welcome Home (Important)
Cream – Royal Albert Hall London May 2-3-4-5, 2005 (2-CD, Warner Bros..)
Cream – Royal Albert Hall London May 2-3-4-5, 2005 (2-DVD, Warner Bros.)
Cream – Farewell Concert (1968, DVD, Image Entertainment)
Don Cherry – Where Is Brooklyn (Blue Note)
Dr. John – Live At Montreux: 1995/1986 (DVD, Eagle Rock)
Dr. John – Live At Montreux: 1995 (Eagle Rock)
Enrico Rava – Tati (ECM)
Erwin Helfer Trio – Careless Love (The Sirens Records)
Esquivel – Merry Xmas From The Space-Age Bachelor Pad (Bar None)
Freddie Hubbard – Artist Selects: Freddie Hubbard (Blue Note)
Gerald Levert - Voices (Rhino)
Gerald Wilson – Artist Selects: Gerald Wilson (Blue Note)
Gilfema – Gilfema (Obliqsound)
Ike Quebec – Consequence (Blue Note)
Jane Monheit – The Very Best Of Jane Monheit (Warlock)
Jeff Kaye – Just Like Me (Jazzed Media)
Jeffrey Osborne – From The Soul (Koch)
Joyce – The Essential Joyce: 1970-96 (Mr. Bongo)
Kenny Burrell – Artist Selects: Kenny Burrell (Blue Note)
King Curtis – Sweet Soul/Everybody’s Talkin (Ambassador Soul Classics)
Kirk Whalum – Performs The Babyface Songbook (Rendezvous)
Linda Eder – By Myself: The Songs of Judy Garland (MaxJazz)
Lou Donaldson – Artists Selects: Lou Donaldson (Blue Note)
Marian McPartland – Piano Jazz with Bruce Hornsby (The Jazz Alliance)
Merzbow - Merzbata (Important)
Michael Buble – It’s Time (Warner Music)
Paris Combo – Paris Combo (DRG)
Pyramid – Pyramid (Video Arts/Japan)
Rita Lee – Bossa N Beatles (Ghordo Music)
Robert Glasper – Canvas (Blue Note)
Sarah DeLeo – The Nearness Of You! (Sweet Sassy Music)
Si Se – More Shine (Giant Step)
Sylvie Lewis – Tangos And Tantrums (Cheap Lullaby)
Triptych Myth – Beautiful (Aum Fidelity)
Urzula Dudziak – Magic Lady (Harkit/UK)
Various Artists – A Charlie Brown Christmas: 40 Years (Peak)
Will Downing – Soul Symphony (GRP)

Sunday, October 02, 2005

NEW CD FROM BURT BACHARACH WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ELVIS COSTELLO, DR. DRE & CHRIS BOTTI

Columbia Records will release At This Time, a new album by Burt Bacharach, with melodies performed by an orchestra of more than 35 musicians, on Tuesday, November 1st. Bacharach wrote lyrics for nine of the album's 11 songs, many with collaborator Tonio K. Collaborations on At This Time include Elvis Costello, with whom Bacharach teamed on the Grammy-winning album, Painted From Memory in 1998. Costello performs Who Are These People, perhaps the CD's most-controversial and haunting track, with music by Bacharach and lyrics by Bacharach and Tonio K.

Also contributing is Dr. Dre, with whom Bacharach started collaborating a couple of years ago. The original project changed, but Dre contributed drum loops for three of the tracks that Bacharach describes as "adventurous." Trumpeter Chris Botti co-wrote Dreams with Bacharach and performs on that track, as well as on In Our Time. Other vocals are performed by singers John Pagano, Josie James and Donna Taylor.

At This Time will be released in the UK by Sony BMG Music. The project was originally commissioned for the UK, but Columbia saw its universal musical and emotional themes and appeal and is releasing it in the U.S., as well. UK release date is October 24th.

Six decades into one of songwriting's most successful and honored careers - marked by 48 Top 10 hits, nine #1 songs and more than 500 compositions and a landmark 47-year run on the charts, Bacharach's music continues to set industry records and creative standards. The recipient of three Academy Awards and six Grammy Awards (including the 1997 Trustees Award with collaborator Hal David), he revolutionized the music of the 1950s and 60s and is regularly bracketed with legendary names such as Lennon and McCartney, Paul Simon, Leiber and Stoller, Cole Porter and the visionaries who pioneered new forms of music from the second half of the 20th Century in the 21st Century.

Saturday, October 01, 2005

GET YOUR JAZZ CHILL GROOVE GOING WITH SWISSGROOVE.CH

Here’s a Internet radio station that we highly recommend – it’s called SwissGroove and quite simply put it’s just great. Their sound is a mix of smooth jazz, funk, chill, Brazilian with some Latin-tinged and dance grooves thrown in. Below is a recent sample playlist. Be sure to check them out at www.swissgroove.ch.

Michael McDonald – I Want You
Rodney Hunter – Is This Your Body
Maysa – Dangerous Summer Nights
Eric Clapton –One Chance
Tom & Joyce – Vai Minha Tristeza
Steel Mascara – Random Rufus
Simply Red – Perfect Love
Pieces Of A Dream – Who U Wit?
Lucio Alves – Little Boat
Kyoto Jazz Massive – Deep In Your Mind feat. Victor Davies
Bonobo – Flutter
Depeche Mode – Precious
Kleer – Get Tough
Nicola Conte – Several Shades Of Dawn
Steve Cole – Keep It Live
Joan Osborne – Ladder
Steely Dan – Josie
Trio Exklusiv – Figure Out
Gilbero Gil – Extra
Roy Ayers – I Did It In Seattle
Doobie Brothers – You Belong To Me
Lin Roundtree - Groovetree
Heavy – Do For You
The Temptations – Get Ready (New Version)
Calm – Introducing Bluendo
Madeka – Mokote The Shadow Of The Earth
Gabin – Gabin Vs. Cal’s
Groove Collective – In Your Mind
Labi Seffre – I Got The
Incognito – Roots (Back To A Way Of Life)
Roman Andren – Amber Lady
Ian Pooley – Since Then
Paulinho DaCosta – Love Till The End
Café All Stars – Used To Be
Chieli Minucci – Got It Goin’ On