SMOOTH JAZZ & CHILL NEWS BITS: BUDDY GRECO, TELLURIDE JAZZ FESTIVAL, LEE RITENOUR, PRINCE, KIRK WHALUM & MORE...

SMOOTH JAZZ AND CHILL NEWS BITS…Legendary jazz pianist/vocalist Buddy Greco and his wife, singer Lezlie Anders, will launch the area's first Vegas-style, intimate dining and entertainment venue at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, March 23, in ribbon-cutting ceremonies at "Buddy Greco's Dinner Club," 68805 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City. The new dinner club, open for two shows nightly from Wednesday through Sunday, will feature headline entertainers, beginning with Buddy, March 24-26. Roberta Linn will appear March 29-April 2; Pete Barbutti, April 5-9; Barbara McNair, April 12-16; Buddy, April 19-May 7; and Fred Travelena, May 10-14. Also featured will be late-night jazz following the last dinner shows, up to 1:30 a.m., with well-known guest star performers who reside in or visit the desert. Greco, recognized internationally as one of the world's top jazz performers, has sold millions of records, been a Vegas headliner since the 50's, and played with music's all-time greats including Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole and many more……….The Telluride Jazz Festival has been scheduled for August 4-6 in Telluride, CO for the 29th year. A number of performers are being lined up for the festival, including Herbie Hancock, John Mayall, Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, Eyedentity, Soulive, Regina Carter Quartet, Terence Blanchard Sextet, Nnenna Freelon, and the Larry Coryell Trio……….Concord Records is planning to release Lee Ritenour And Friends on August 8………. Prince’s new CD 3121 features guest appearances from new Prince protégé Tamar as well as saxophonist Maceo Parker. The CD features splashes of rock, R&B and jazz, including the recent smooth jazz playlist favorite – Te Amo Corazon. Prince’s last album, Musicology, has sold 2 million copies in the United States according to Nielsen Soundscan……….Christina Aguilera is working on her latest, Back To Basics, for release on RCA on June 2. The CD will feature a mix of soul, jazz and blues, with production from Gang Starr principal DJ Premier, among others………. Kirk Whalum is currently on tour with the following upcoming dates: Brandt’s in St, Louis, MO (March 23 & 24); Single Island Municipal Beach in West Palm Beach, FL (March 25); The Blue Note in Tokyo, Japan (April 1-4); and The Blue Room in Atlanta, GA (April 14 & 15).