Thursday, December 22, 2005

TONY BENNETT, STARBUCKS, GRAMMY JAZZ NOMINEES, JONATHAN BUTLER, KEN NAVARRO, DIANA KRALL,BUNNY RUGS, JAMES TORME & NEW CHILL RELEASES

TONY BENNETT RESIGNS WITH COLUMBIA RECORDS
Tony Bennett has resigned his recording contract with the Sony Music Label Group. The first release under the four-year, two-album agreement will be a duets collection celebrating the singer's 80th birthday. Due in September, the Columbia album will find Bennett and guests revisiting his catalog of hits. Bennett, who won the 1994 album of the year Grammy for "MTV Unplugged," last week earned a best traditional pop vocal album Grammy nomination for The Art of Romance.

STARBUCKS’ HEAR MUSIC COFFEEHOUSES
Starbucks has recently announced the unveiling of two new Hear Music Coffeehouses. The stores integrate a coffee shop with a traditional record store and digital download outlet. The new outlets, located in San Antonio, Texas and Miami, expand on the prototype Coffeehouse that opened in March 2004 in Santa Monica, Calif. The San Antonio and Miami locations will offer 1 million tracks for download, up from 250,000 at the Santa Monica store; and 5,000 physical titles, down from 10,000 in Santa Monica. Burned CDs cost $8.99 for seven tracks, and 99 cents for each subsequent track. Tracks are not available for loading onto portable players. The San Antonio store, located on the touristy Riverwalk, opens Dec. 19, while the Miami location South Beach, will open in early 2006.

48th GRAMMY JAZZ NOMINATIONS
The 48th Grammy nominations were announced recently and here is a partial listing of the Jazz nominees. In the category Best Pop Instrumental Performance - Caravan by Les Paul. In the category Best Contemporary Jazz Album nominees are: Keystone by Dave Douglas, Soulgrass by Bill Evans , The Way Up by Pat Metheny Group , The Spirit Music Jamia: Dance Of The Infidel by Meshell Ndegeocello, and Momentum by Joshua Redman Elastic Band .

For Best Jazz Vocal Album nominees are: J'ai Deux Amours by Dee Dee Bridgewater, Blueprint Of A Lady - Sketches Of Billie Holiday by Nnenna Freelon, Good Night, And Good Luck by Dianne Reeves , Duos II by Luciana Souza , and I'm With The Band by Tierney Sutton.

In the category Best Jazz Instrumental Solo, nominees are: 'Round Midnight by Alan Broadbent, Away by Ravi Coltrane, The Source by Herbie Hancock, A Love Supreme - Acknowledgement by Branford Marsalis, and Why Was I Born? by Sonny Rollins.

In the category Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group, nominees are: Flow by Terence Blanchard, Lyric by Billy Childs Ensemble , Live At The House Of Tribes by Wynton Marsalis , Beyond The Sound Barrier by Wayne Shorter Quartet , What Now? by Kenny Wheeler With Dave Holland, Chris Potter & John Taylor .

In the category Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album, nominees are: Overtime by Dave Holland Big Band, A Blessing by John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, Live by The Bill Holman Band , I Am Three by Mingus Big Band, Orchestra & Dynasty , Home Of My Heart by The Chris Walden Big Band .

In the category Best Latin Jazz Album (Vocal or Instrumental.), nominees are: Time Was - Time Is by Ray Barretto , Here And Now - Live In Concert by Caribbean Jazz Project Featuring Dave Samuels , ...And Sammy Walked In by Sammy Figueroa And His Latin Jazz Explosion , Listen Here! by Eddie Palmieri , Mulatos by Omar Sosa.

JONATHAN BUTLER JOINS A SMOOTH JAZZ CHRISTMAS
South African musician Jonathan Butler has joined Dave Koz, Patti Austin, David Benoit, Chris Botti, and other jazz notables recently for Dave Koz & Friends: A Smooth Jazz Christmas at Los Angeles’ beautiful Kodak Theatre. The concert, which continues throughout the month of December across the nation, is in its ninth year. This is Jonathan Butler’s first appearance on the Christmas show Bill and his excitement is nothing less than contagious. Butler’s latest project, Jonathan, is on the Rendezvous Entertainment label.

KEN NAVARRO - LOVE COLOURED SOUL
Ken Navarro's
latest CD – Love Coloured Soul is his 16th. It's smooth and relaxing and takes you back to a time when the world moved at a slightly slower pace. You can find his music at most music stores and on his website at www.kennavarro.com.

COASTAL JAZZ RADIO DEBUTS ON LIVE365.COM
Coastal Jazz Radio - A Eclectic Mix of Jazz is the new internet jazz station on Live365.com. For those not familiar with internet radio, it streams behind your other applications and is perfect for background music while you're on the computer at work or at home. Two big advantages to the internet format is that the name of the song and artist appears as the song is playing, as well as the option to buy the CD or the individual song. This easily allows you see the name of the song you like and know who the artist is. Tuning in is free and a high speed connection is recommended. Access is worldwide. You'll hear a wide and diverse selection of jazz on Coastal Jazz Radio with artists such as Bill Evans Trio, Bill Shafton, Brad Mehldau, Branford Marsalis, Charlie Haden, Chet Baker, Daniel Lanois, Donald Fagen, Elvis Costello, Fitch, Fourplay, Gata Barbieri, George Mraz, John Martyn, John Scofield, Joni Mitchell, Keith Jarrett, Lynne Arriale, Mark Isham, Michael Brecker, Miles Davis, Mono, Rachael Yamagata, Sarah Vaughan, Suzanne Vega, Thievery Corporation, and Willie & Lobo.

DIANA KRALL CD SELLING FAST
Diana Krall's latest CD - Christmas Songs has already sold more than 316,000 copies since its Nov. 1 release, including more than 91,000 in the week that ended Dec. 11, according to Nielsen SoundScan

BUNNY RUGS (THIRD WORLD LEAD SINGER) SIGNS WITH GLOBAL RECORDS
Bunny Rugs, lead singer of Reggae group Third World and ten time Grammy nominee has signed with Global Records. Global will be releasing his first single in February, 2006. Rugs has spent years collaborating and recording with some of the biggest names in music over the last several years, including duets with superstar Sean Paul to produce his new solo effort CD called What A World album prior to the release in stores online through a legitimate music download site to be announced.

MEL TORME'S SON RELEASES CD
Legend Mel Torme's youngest son, James, blends R&B with jazz in new CD, Comin'Home. Comin’ Home is James Tormé’s homage to an era of music which was filled with notions of romance and timeless values. The lyrics in these selections ring as true today as they did when they were written. Using a combination of musical influences, James’ freshman offering brings the sincerity of jazz classics to a whole new generation. Influenced as much by his multi-Grammy Award winning father, Mel, as he is by his own generation’s music, James is making these classics newly relevant and bringing jazz to now. "Dad’s idols growing up were Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald, but I was influenced by a wider range of musical styles," James explains. "I had my dad’s era and everything that’s come out since to draw from. Because of that I am a different singer from my father, even if there is a lot of him in me." James’ introduction into performing was a headlining residency at Hollywood’s Viper Room where he gathered his early fan base. It would have served as a nice foray into R&B music, but all that was to change. When James sang a cappella renditions of ‘Round Midnight as his encore, it caused a reaction that couldn’t be ignored. "I just couldn’t resist the prospect of getting young people into music of this quality level," James admits. "I saw how deeply the song affected people, which made me want to sing more jazz songs. And the rest is history."
Tracks include unconventional renditions of Comin’ Home Baby, Ella Be Good, A Sleepin’ Bee, I’ve Got Plenty Of Nothin’, and It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).


RECENT CHILL MUSIC RELEASES THAT WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Bob Sinclar - In The House -
More disco and bass heavy beats from Bob Sinclar known for his admiration of Cerrone’s music from the 70’s and for his remixes which have reached anthemic status in Ibiza.

Boozoo Bajou – Dust My Broom – On this their second album they create a classic album full of rare grooves which reflects their eased out attitude and pace. Very laidback and enjoyable!

Freshly Composted – Includes mixes by Whignomy Bros., Domu, Justus Kohncke, Laurent Garnier, Henrik Schwartz and Maurice Fulton.

Hotel Costes, Vol. 8 – the latest from Stephane Pompougnac provides the usual impeccable and intimate mix of exclusive tracks in the pure spirit of Hotel Costes.

Late Night With King Britt – soulful tunes, addictive and seductive samba tinged vocal house from mixmaster King Britt.

Madita – Madita – If you like dZihan and Kamien then then you are sure to enjoy this debut release from Madita.

Music for Modern Living – This 2-CD collection from the DJ-Team Mellow & Rivera features soul, jazz and funk from artists including Tom Jones, Barbara Lynn, Edwin Starr, Skeewiff, Folke Jensens, JuJu-Orchestra and Killergroove Formula.

Other releases include:
AfterdarkChicago (various artists)
AfterdarkSan Francisco (various artisits)
Alice RussellMy Favourite Letters
BlockheadDowntown Science
BreakestraHit The Floor
Broken Time OrchestraBroken Time
Clashing Egos - Rubicon
Corso Como 10 Pres.Love 3 (various artists)
Current Cuts, Vol. 1 (various artists)
Dialect Intersection (various artists)
Eric SumoMy Rocky Mountain
Far Out 100
(various artists)
Fort Knox & Jalapeno PresentThe Raid
Garden Compilation, Vol. 1
(various artists)
Get Salted, Vol. 1 (various artists)
Golden Boogie ConnectionSuper!
Invitation To Tango
(various artists)
Jaymz NylonAfrican Audio Reseach, Vol. 1
Jazzanova –
Remixes 2002-2005
Jazzcollectivo (various artists)
Jazzflora, Vol. 2 (various artists0
Kabanjak Meets Protassov feat. Jungle BrothersGrow EP 2
Keiser.Velten
Vital Signs
Latin Vibes, Vol. 2 - Club Selection
(various artists)
Lemongrass - Ikebana
Man Ray, Vol. 4
(various artists)
Mezzanine De L’Alcazar, Vol. 4 (various artists)
MiwonPale Glitter
NickodemusEndangered Species
NipponConnection
Exchanging (various artists)
Orange Fruit (various artists)
Osunlade Re-Offering (various artists)
Quintessence5pm
Respect Is Burning, Ete D’Amour
(various artists)
RiovoltSambarama
RSL
Every Preston Guild
Sandboy
- Echoes
Searching For Soul
(various artists)
Secret Love 2 (various artists)
Sonar Kollektiv 4 (various artists)
Strange Funky Hames & Things (various artists)
Sven van HeesSynesthesia
Thomas Siffling & The Public Sound Orchestra
Wave Music, Vol. 9
(various artists)
Yukihiro FukutomiEquality
Zero Crossing
My Kinda Funk

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