Sunday, April 30, 2006

JVC JAZZ FESTIVAL MIAMI BEACH & PLAYBOY JAZZ FESTIVAL LINEUPS

The JVC Jazz Festival in Miami Beach kicks off May 17-21, 2006 and features Israel "Cachao" Lopez, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Arturo Sandoval, Jazid, John Hicks, Eddie Henderson, Eartha Kitt, John Pizzarelli, Mose Allison, The Lee Boys and Way of the Groove with Felix Pastorius, Julius Pastorius, Adam Lucas & Colin James.

The 2006 Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl is set for June 17-18 with the following performers slated to appear: Stanley Clarke/George Duke Project, Branford Marsalis Quartet, Jamie Cullum, Benny Golson Quartet, Golden Striker Trio featuring Ron Carter, Mulgrew Miller and Russell Malone, Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Stefon Harris, Baaba Maal, Daande Lenol, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Hiromi, Cos of Good Music featuring Walter Blanding Jr., Dwayne Burno, Ndugu Chancler, Gerald Clayton, Kevin Eubanks and Steve Turrstrong, McCoy Tyner Trio, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Groovin’ For Grover featuring Gerald Albright, Jeff Lorber and Kirk Whalum, Ozomatli, Eddie Palmieri Afro-Caribbean Jazz All Stars, Chuck Mangione, Christian Scott & Lesa Terry, Bill Cosby will once again return to serve as Master of Ceremonies after a break in 2005.

Friday, April 28, 2006

NILE RODGERS & CHIC

I recently caught a performance of Chic with Nile Rodgers on the Dish Network’s high-definition channel Rave, and let me tell you they are simply amazing. Their performance was taped at the 2004 Montreux Jazz Festival and it was truly incredible and so I thought I would check out to see where they can be seen in concert. What I discovered was not really a surprise, and that is that bands like Chic and others of the era and genre tend to be much more popular in Europe (shame on the U.S. and their musical tastes). Check out their song entitled Warm Summer Day and you will know what I mean (oh and make sure it’s the original and not the remix off of the Atlantiquity album). Hint to smooth jazz programmers…Warm Summer Day would be a good add to your playlist. In any event, thank you to Nile Rodgers for the great music and keep providing us with the ‘good times.’ Here’s a rundown of where they will be appearing in the coming months…

May 6: Private Event, Brussels, Belgium
May 31: Private Event, Paris, France
June 16: Sonar Music Festival, Barcelona, Spain
June 24: 02 Wireless Music Festival, Hyde Park, London, England
Aug 19: Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

Thursday, April 27, 2006

EMUSIC.COM TO OFFER DIGITAL MUSIC DOWNLOAD STARTER KIT

eMusic has just reached out to the mainstream retail consumer with a unique digital music starter kit. The packages, now positioned within Circuit City retailers, offer goodies like artist collector cards and a digital download how-to guide. The kits, which retail for $14.99 each, also offer the buyer an introductory eMusic subscription plan. Other digital music stores position pre-paid digital music cards at physical retailers, though eMusic is hoping to attract music fans with its independent collection and MP3 format. "eMusic tracks play on any device, and we want to make sure consumers know how easy it is to load their digital players with great music - especially the music so often ignored by radio and the other vanilla music stores," explained David Pakman, president and CEO of eMusic.

The starter kits are targeted at a decidedly non-digital music fan. Those consumers may be intimidated by the first steps of downloading music, and are unlikely to signup directly from the Internet. "For consumers new to digital music - those who are buying iPods and other digital music devices - the eMusic digital starter kit offers an easy introduction to digital music,
guides and encourages them to discover new artists, and to rediscover their emotional connection to music," said Pakman. The packages are also available through the Circuit City website.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

JVC NEW YORK JAZZ FESTIVAL, WLOQ SMOOTH JAZZ UNDER THE STARS, TORONTO JAZZ FESTIVAL, KKSF 103.7 NEWS & MORE...

Marion Meadows, Najee, Chuck Loeb, Nick Colionne, Norman Brown’s Summer Storm featuring Norman Brown, Patti Austin, Paul Taylor, Andrea Delano & Alex Bugnon, Soul Express featuring Jody Watley, Jeff Lorber & Chris Standring are part of the lineup for the Wilson Creek Winery 5th annual Sunset Jazz in the Vines festival. The series will include four summer concerts beginning Saturday June 17 and ending on Sunday, September 16. For more information check out www.wilsoncreekwinery.com. All proceeds of their Sunset Jazz in the Vines concert series will be donated to BBJazz, a nonprofit 501@3 foundation to benefit children with autism.

Upcoming New York City and Tri-State Area Concerts…Tierney Sutton & Loston Harris appear at Jazz At Lincoln Center on April 27-29; Tony Bennett at North Fork Theater in Westbury on April 27; Chieli Minucci at IMAC Theater on May 5; Spyro Gyra at Ridgefield Playhouse on May 6; Ann-Margret at the North Fork Theater in Westbury; Aretha Franklin at the State Theater in New Brunswick on May 8 and at the House of Blue in Atlantic City on June 23; McCoy Tyner Trio at Jazz At Lincoln Center on May 10 and at the Blue Note May 10-13; Double Hearing with Wynton Marsalis and the Orion String Quartet at Jazz At Lincoln Center May 11-13; Fourplay at Trump Casino on June 3; Diane Schurr at the Blue Note June 6-11; Chris Botti at the Count Basie Theater June 16 and at Carnegie Hall on June 17; and Chuck Mangione at the Blue Note June 11-16.

More than 100 concerts in 20 venues throughout New York City will make up this year’s JVC Jazz Festival. Artists slated to perform include Israel "Cachao" Lopez, Bobby Hutcherson, George Duke, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Smokey Robinson, Etta James, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, Dave Holland, Dave Brubeck, Don Byron, Ken Peplowski, Kenny Davern, Evan Christopher, Marcus Miller, Chris Botti, Roy Hargrove, Trio Da Paz, Kenny Barron and Luciana Souza. The JVC Jazz Festival is scheduled from June 12-24. For more information click to the official JVC Jazz Festival Web site: www.festivalproductions.net.

Smooth Jazz 103.1 WLOQ is presenting Smooth Jazz Under The Stars at Lake Island Park in Winter Park, FL pm April 29. Smooth jazz performers include Walter Beasley, Gregg Karukas, and Nick Colionne.

The upcoming 20th annual Toronto Jazz Festival will be hosting over 350 shows across 10 days and 12 nights in downtown Toronto. The lineup is to include George Coleman, Yusef Lateef, Pharoah Sanders, Kenny Garrett, Paquito D’Rivera, Etta James, John Pizzarelli, De La Soul, Kardinal Offishall, Seu Jorge, Jacksoul, Divine Brown, McCoy Tyner, Marcus Miller, the Mingus Big Band, and Dave Brubeck. The festival runs from June 23 to July 2.

KCRW.com presents the Brazilian Girls at the Fillmore in San Francisco on May 13.

Jazz great Dave Brubeck was honored April 24th by the Gramercy Brass Orchestra of New York with the first ever High Note of Achievement Award. Brubeck was recognized for his lifetime achievements as a leading edge musician for his commitment and contribution to the national advancement of arts and music education. For 17 years, Dave Brubeck led the Dave Brubeck Quartet introducing legions of fans to the world of jazz and producing the first ever million selling jazz single, Take Five.

Smooth jazz artist, Jonathan Butler is being honored by Carsel Events and The Immigrant Magazine as they launch a new monthly international music series in Los Angeles. Their first event will take place at Club Zanzibar in L.A. and will celebrate the local South African community in an event entitled "Focus on South Africa." Their Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Jonathan Butler who will be present to accept the award. For more information click to www.carsalevents.com.

San Francisco’s KKSF 103.7 has planned a series of concerts on the coast the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. Four of the world’s most renowned smooth jazz artists, Peter White, Richard Elliot, Jeff Golub, and Gerald Albright, will perform together as "Guitars, Sax and More", on Monday, May 29 at the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, kicking off the second annual summer season of KKSF 103.7’s Concerts on the Coast. The outdoor concert series continues with "Rendezvous All Stars," featuring Wayman Tisdale, Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, and Brian Simpson, Monday, July 3, and concludes Monday, Sept 4, with "Summer Storm", featuring Norman Brown, Patti Austin, Paul Taylor and Alex Bugnon.

Candy Darling will join the All Star Smooth Jazz Cruise in early 2007. This luxury cruise includes performances by Down To The Bone, Eric Darius, Maysa, Gerald Veasley, Paul Taylor and many others. The cruse (January 28 to February 4, 2007) departs from Galveston Island (TX) in the USA and will visit Montego Bay in Jamaica, Grand Cayman on the Cayman Islands and Cozumel in Mexico. Darling will also join Van Morrison for two show in Germany next month. On May 18 they will perform in Duisburg and in Berlin on May 19.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

NEW RELEASES FROM SAINT ETIENNE, BADI ASSAD, MARCOS VALLE, MARK KNOPFLER, EMMYLOUS HARRIS, NESTOR TORRES, OMAR SOSA & OTHERS...

Alison Crockett - Return Of Diva Blue On Becoming A Woman - Remix Project
Amel Larrieux - Morning
Antonio Carlos Jobim - Rio Nights Live (DVD)
Badi Assad - Ondas
Bill Withers - Watching You Watching Me
Bob Belden - Three Days Of Rain
Booker Irvin - In Between
Brazilian Octopus - Brazilian Octopus
Cal Tjader - Plays Burt Bacharach
Calvin Keys - Vertical Clearance
Candido - Hands Of Fire (DVD)
Candi Staton - His Hands
Carli Munoz & Eddie Gomez - Both Sides Now
Charlie Palmieri - Electro Duro
Chick Corea & Orion String Quartet - The Adventures Of Hippocrates
Daniel Humair - Trip Hip Trip
Denise LaSalle - I'm So Hot
Dimitri Vassilikis - Parallel Lines
Donald Byrd - Blackjack
Eddy Grant - Reparation
Ennio Morricone - Morricone Conducts Morricone (DVD)
Eric Lindell - Change In The Weather
Francis Jime - Arquitetura Da Flor
GC Cameron - Shadows
Gabor Szabo - Femme Fatale
Geoff Gascoyne - Keep It To Yourself (with Jamie Cullum, George Fame & Trudy Kerr)
Gilberto Gil - Copacabana Mon Amour
Gilberto Gil - Louvacao
Gotan Project - Lunatico
Groove Collective - Live And Hard To Find
Groove Collective - People People Music Music
Grupo X - Food For The Latin Soul
Harvie S - Funky Cha
Heaven & Earth - I Can't Seem To Forget You
Herbie Hancock - Possibilities (DVD)
Herbie Hancock - Monster (with Carlos Santana, Ray Parker Jr., Alphonse Mouzon & Sheila E.)
Invisible Session - To The Powerful
Jazztronick - Remixes 2
Jimmy McGriff - Collectibles Classics (4-CD box set)
John Coltrane - Reflections
Karrin Allyson - Footprints
Lizzy Mercier Descloux - Best Off
Lizzy Mercier Descloux - Zulu Rock
Kim Nalley - She Put A Spell On Me - Kim Nalley Sings Nina Simone
M.D. West - Ink From My Heart
Marcos Amorim - Sete Capelas
Marcos Valle - The Remix Album Vol. 1
Mark Knopfler & Emmylous Harris - All The Roadrunning
Mindi Abair - Life Less Ordinary
Monquito Santamaria - Black Out
Nat King Cole - Stardust - The Complete Capital Recordings 1955-1959 (11 CDs)
Nekta - Water The Flowers
Nestor Torres - Dances, Prayers & Meditations For Peace
Nina Simone - Empress Live!
No Jazz - Have Fun (with Maurice Whire, Stevie Wonder, Claude Nougro & Mini Cinelu)
Olodum - Pela Vida
Omar Sosa - Mulatos Remix
Os Brazoes - Os Brazoes
Paul Winter & Oscar Castro-Neves - Brazilian Days
Q Continuum - Quintessential Grooves
Ray Barretto - Indestructible
Robin Jones Seven - Latin Jazz - Denga & El Maja
Rosemary Clooney - Collectibles Classics (4 CD box set)
Saint Etienne - Tales From Turnpike House
Sergio Mendes - Collectibles Classics (4-CD box set)
Tab Benoit - Brother To The Blues
Tosca - Souvenirs
Ultrablue - Ultrablue
Vandermark 5 - Free Jazz Classics Vol 3 & 4
Vernon Reid & Masque - Other True Self
Wilton Felder - Let's Spend Some Time
Young-Holt Unlimited - Just A Melody

Monday, April 24, 2006

AMOS LEE, DON BYRON, PATRICIA BARBER, LENNY WHITE, LARRY CORYELL & OTHER NEWS...



Amos Lee has recently begun recording his sophomore release for Blue Note Records. The Philadelphia native is tracking in his home city with the assistance of producer Barrie Maguire. A prolific writer at 27, Lee is in the process of whittling down a wealth of great new material he’s penned since his successful self-titled debut. The album will document the soulful stylings of this exciting young singer/songwriter who is growing artistically by leaps and bounds.

Patricia Barber recently completed her second album since being signed directly to Blue Note Records. Following up her Live in France jaunt, Barber documented an ambitious suite, three years in the making, entitled "Mythologies". The extended work is inspired by Ovid’s "Metamorphoses" and contains a single song about each of the 11 Greek mythological characters in the work. The pieces will feature her working quartet along with guest appearances by a full choir and three children rapping.

Don Byron recorded his latest studio adventure this past December. This time around Byron approached the music of legendary bluesman Junior Walker. The date featured vocalist Dean Bowman, guitarist David Gilmore, George Colligan on organ, bassist Brad Jones, and drummer Rodney Holmes. Very special guest vocalist/actor Chris Thomas King ("O Brother Where Art Thou?", "Ray") joined the line up on a few select cuts.

Joe Lovano began recording his latest installment for Blue Note Records this past December as well. The date consisted, in part, of a re-exploration of Miles Davis’ Birth of the Cool album orchestrated by the legendary Gunther Schuller. This recording features Lovano’s Nonet plus a larger orchestrated group and reunites Lovano and Schuller for the first time on record since their modern classic Rush Hour which was released on Blue Note in 1995.
Joe Lovano & Hank Jones off the success of Joe Lovano’s two wonderful quartet records featuring the legendary Hank Jones, Blue Note Records will embark on a special one- off album. Lovano & Jones will perform as a duo beginning April 25th at Dizzy’s club @ Jazz at Lincoln Center and we will be running tape for this joyous encounter.

Wynton Marsalis will go into the studio in a few months to record his fourth release for Blue Note Records. This time around Wynton will be documenting an extend work still in progress entitled "From the Plantation to the Penitentiary". The musicians have not been confirmed yet but will most likely be a quartet or quintet joined by young chanteuse Jennifer Sanon on vocals. Delfeayo Marsalis will produce the affair which will begin on June 28-29 in NYC

Upcoming concert news…Smokey Robinson at the Palace Theatre in Marion, OH on April 22; Larry Coryell, Victor Bailey and Lenny White at Iridium in New York City on April 22-23; Lionel Ritchie, El Gran Combo and Brazilian percussionist Xande Cruz will appear at the 14th annual Sonoco Welcome America! Festival taking place June 27 – July 4 in Philadelpha PA.

The iTunes Music Download Store has expanded its catalog to 2.6 million songs, 60,000 podcasts and 9,000 music videos, in addition to about 70 TV shows.

Saturday, April 22, 2006

THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER 2006 TOUR DATES

April 21: Birdland in New York, NY (Janis Siegel Solo date!)
April 22: Tri-C Jazz Festival in Cleveland, OH
April 23: Janis Siegel will be sitting in with WMU's vocal Jazz Ensemble Gold Company at Carnegie Hal.
April 28: The World Cafe in Philadelphia, PA (Janis Siegel Solo date!)
May 4: University of Arkansas in Fort Smith, AK (Unplugged)
May 5: Carlsen Center in Overland, KA (Unplugged)
May 6: University of Missouri in St. Joseph, MO (Unplugged)
May 7: Jesse Auditorium in Columbia, MO (Unplugged)
May 11-31: Janis Siegel Quartet European Tour (with Alan Pasqua on piano, Darek Oles on bass and Steve Hass on drums)
June 12: Seoul, Korea
June 14-17: Blue Note in Osaka, Japan
June 19-24: Blue Note in Tokyo, Japan
June 26-29: Blue Note in Nagoya, Japan
July 1: Hong Kong
July 3: Singapore
July 6: Manila, Philippines
July 17-20: Jazz Aspen Snowmass Summer Academy (Janis Siegel with The Eric Reed Trio)Aug. 3: Codroipo, Italy
Aug. 4: Peregine, Italy
Aug. 5: Budapest, Hungary
Aug. 7: Basel, Switzerland
Aug. 9: Haugesund, Norway
Aug.10: Jurmal, Latvia
Aug.12: Jurmala, Kaliningrad
Aug. 15: Follonica, Italy
Aug. 24: Wolfsboro, NH
Aug. 25: Manchester, VT
Aug. 26: Atlantic City, NJ
Aug. 27: West Hampton Beach, CT
Sept. 9: Joe's Pub (Janis Siegel Solo date!)
Sept. 28-30: Jazz Alley in Seattle, WA
Oct.1: Jazz Alley in Seattle, WA
Oct.7: Kennedy Center Jazz Club in Washington, DC (Janis Siegel Solo date!)
Oct.12-15: Bass Hall in Ft. Worth, TX (with Ft. Worth Symphony)
Oct.15: Worthington Hotel in Ft. Worth, TX
Oct 19: Nov 23 - in Europe
Dec.2: University of Las Vegas in Las Vegas, NV (Christmas Show)
Dec. 9: Salina, KS (Christmas Show)
Dec.14-17: Blue Note in New York, NY
Jan.13: Cerritos Center for the Arts in Cerritos, CA
Jan.14: McCallum Center for the Arts in Palm Desert, CA

Friday, April 21, 2006

BELA FLECK & THE FLECKTONES TO LAUNCH PLANET VOL. II TOUR

Bela Fleck & the Flecktones will begin their acoustic Planet Vol. II tour, which will begin June 23 in San Diego. The Flecktones will performed on April 20 at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York as part of the sixth-annual Jammy Awards. Their most recent album, The Hidden Land, debuted in March at No. 2 on Billboard's Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.

Acoustic Planet Vol. II tour dates:
June 23: San Diego (Humphrey's)
June 24: Los Angeles (Wiltern)
June 25: Saratoga, Calif. (Mountain Winery)
June 26: Santa Rosa, Calif. (Wells Fargo Center for the Arts)
June 27: Portland, Ore. (Crystal Ballroom)
June 28: Seattle (Moore Theater)
Aug. 7: Boston (Bank of America Pavilion)
Aug. 8: Hyannis, Mass. (Cape Cod Melody Tent)
Aug. 10: Burlington, Vt. (Shelbourne Farms)
Aug. 11: Danbury, Conn. (Ives Concert Park)
Aug. 12: Philadelphia (Penn's Landing)
Aug. 13: Vienna, Va. (Wolf Trap)
Aug. 14: Baltimore (Pier Six)
Aug. 16: Atlanta (Chastain Park)
Aug. 18: Cary, N.C. (Regency Park)

SANTA MONICA'S KCRW UPDATES PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE


KCRW launched a brand new format for KCRWmusic.com. It’s now got more music, more global, more deejays, more information, plus two new podcasts. If you’ve been listening, you have probably noticed that things have sounded a little different in recent weeks. Here are a couple of things that will help you navigate through the change: to hear Morning Becomes Eclectic or Metropolis live, switch your streaming channel to the simulcast of KCRW’s on-air broadcast at the respective time; playlists for the live shows are at KCRW.com and playlists for KCRWmusic.com shows are at KCRWmusic.com (check the NOW PLAYING feature planted in the middle of the homepage); and if you live in New York, San Francisco or Washington, D.C. – you can win tickets to KCRW.com Presents shows from the new KCRWmusic.com site.
Here is the breakdown (each program is 2 hours and repeats 3 times a day – all times below are Pacific time).

Weekdays
New Ground with Chris Douridas (streams at Noon, 8PM, 4AM)
Morning Becomes Eclectic with Nic Harcourt (streams at 2PM, 10PM, 6AM)
Metropolis with Jason Bentley (streams at 4PM, Midnight, 8AM)
The A Track with Ann Litt (streams at 6PM, 2AM, 10AM)

Weekends
The Sound Garden
with Kristina Anderson (streams at Noon, 8PM, 4AM)
Pop Secret with Cathy Tampkin (streams at 2PM, 10PM, 6AM)
Nocturna with Raul Campos (streams at 4PM, Midnight, 8AM)
Connections with Scott Silva (streams at 6PM, 2AM, 10AM)

KCRW has also added a new podcast: Today’s Top Tune. It’s a song a day that represents a cross section of KCRW’s eclectic format. Tracks selected are chosen from recent and upcoming releases as well as live performances on Morning Becomes Eclectic. Here’s a sampling of what’s coming on Today’s Top Tune (Artist, Song, Album):

April 20 – Plastilina Mosh, Baretta 90, Sounds Eclectico (KCRW)
April 21 – Gang of 4, Natural’s Not In It, Morning Becomes Eclectic Live Session
April 24 – Merz, Postcard From A Dark Star, Loveheart
April 25 – Mia Doi Todd, My Room Is White (Flying Lotus Remix), La Ninja
April 26 – Lila Downs, Cumia del Mole, La Cantina

Another new podcast is, The Buzz, a daily four minute commentary featuring a line-up of music critics and pop culture observers who will talk about the latest music industry news, trends and new releases as well as some entertaining personal reflections. On Mondays, music industry veteran Celia Hirshman considers the changes and trends happening in the music business in "On The Beat." On Tuesdays, KCRW’s CD Librarian Eric J. Lawrence scours the stacks of new or forgotten releases including a look at what’s in stores that week. Each Wednesday, KCRW commentator, TV writer/producer Rob Long adds his observations on the entertainment industry in "Martini Shot." Thursdays welcome a new voice to KCRW as music writer Brian Raftery comments on music trends and pop culture from New York City. Each Friday, freelance music writer Nancy "Millions" Miller considers the personal and humorous side of music and life. The Buzz streams everyday during Morning Becomes Eclectic at 3PM, 11PM, and 7AM, or if you prefer you can subscribe to the podcast or listen when you want.

Thursday, April 20, 2006

ELECTRO BOSSA DOUBLE SET, GILLES PETERSON & JAZZANOVA 'KINGS OF JAZZ', OTTAWA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL, DAVID SANBORN &, BLU 102.9 & MORE...

The double-set CD Electro Bossa combines mid tempo Brazilian Bossa with modern-day electronica. Standouts on Electro Bossa are the tracks that feature the sweet and sexy vocals of Graca Cunha, and theses include Sem Voc, Terra & Ceu, and Arrepio & Avia. Other songs include the ambient Acabou A Tristeza, and the 70’s latin fusion vibe of Balanco Do Trem, which is reminiscent of Santana.

David Sanborn, Spyro Gyra, and Regina Belle headline the CD101.9 (WQCD-FM) Spring Concert being held on May 19 in New York. CD101.9 is also sponsoring the 20th Anniversary CD101.9 Red Bank Jazz and Blues Festival, which is being presented by Washington Mutual on June 2-4.

Guitarist Matt Marshak will bring his funky mix of jazz, smooth grooves and world rhythms to the Imac Theatre in Huntington, New York on April 28. His new CD is entitled Groovosphere.

Gilles Peterson and Jazzanova team up to present the compilation Kings Of Jazz, a chronicle of the fusion side of jazz – from yesterday to today. Tracks on the 2-CD package include Randy Weston’s In Memory Of; Art Blakely’s Anthenagin; John Coltrane’s Equinox; Eric Dolphy’s Fire Waltz; Bill Evans’ Peace Piece; 4 Hero’s Spirits In Transit; Nikki O’s Butterflies; Two Banks Of Four’s Two Miles Before Dawn; and Matthew Herbert Big Band/Jamie Lidell’s Everything’s Changed.

The 26th Ottawa International Jazz Festival gets underway June 22- July 2 with headliners Jamie Cullum, John Pizzarelli, Hilton Ruiz, McCoy Tyner, Maceo Parker, Bedouin Soundclash, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. This year’s festival will feature concerts spread at locations in and around downtown Ottawa. For more information go to www.ottawajazzfestival.com.

Palace Lounge Presents Café D’Afrique is a compilation from South African producer Andrew Mitchley. Melding seamlessly in this non-stop mix is a distinct and seductive palette of vocals and jazz-influences electronica. South African artists included on Café D’Afrique include Cofield Mundi, Dino Moran and Goldfish. Already the #1 selling dance music collection in South Africa, Café D’Afrique is a fresh musical addition to the chill out lounge genre that gives these artists their long overdue introduction to US listeners.

Santa Fe’s Chill Radio Station, KLBU (blu102.9) presents Gilles Peterson Worldwide every Sunday night at 5PM with a rebroadcast Wednesdays at 9PM. It’s the same show that Gilles Peterson does on BBC1.

NEW MUSIC DOWNLOAD SERVICE LAUNCHES - FRESHTRACKS MUSIC.COM

While the evolution of digital downloading over the past decade has made music file sharing easier than ever, no company has yet introduced an affordable subscription-based service that allows music fans to legally download unlimited, unrestricted MP3 files -- until now. FreshTracksMusic, a Chicago-based digital downloading company, is turning the digital downloading world on its ear with http://www.FreshTracksMusic.com . By visiting the Web site, music enthusiasts can discover and stream thousands of songs from the best independent bands in the country for free. Those wishing to take the music with them can pay only $4.95 per month for unlimited downloads of unencrypted, iPod-compatible MP3s they will own for life.

"We have created an innovative approach to digital downloading in FreshTracksMusic.com that will fill the gap between today's music industry and its most valuable audience, music fans," said John Wanzung, President of FreshTracksMusic. "Our digital downloading hub provides music fans with a diverse selection of music and offers a way for them to discover and download as many iPod-compatible MP3s as they wish for one low, flat fee." FreshTracksMusic has developed a dynamic technology platform to allow the file-sharing generation to easily, inexpensively and legally download new music. Thanks to a comprehensive network and more than 15 years ofexperience working in the music industry, FreshTracksMusic has earned the attention of, respect from and access to dozens of new artists long before the major labels discovered their talent including the likes of Jack Johnson, O.A.R., G. Love and the Special Sauce, Creed, Dispatch, Marc Broussard, The Verve Pipe (Brian Vander Ark) and Slightly Stoopid.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

PAUL HARDCASTLE & THE JAZZMASTERS, CTI RECORDS MASTER COLLECTIONS, BLUE MAGIC, NICOLA CONTE, DIANNE REEVES, ERNEST RANGLIN, BILLY PAUL & MORE...



The 20th Annual Catalina Island Jazztrax Festival is set for October 6-8, 13-15, and 20-22. Paul Hardcastle and the Jazzmasters featuring Chris Standring, Shilts and Gregg Karukus are scheduled for the first weekend of their world premiere performances. Also appearing Oct. 6-8 will be Richard Elliot, Marc Antoine, Tim Bowman and Kim Waters. Paul Hardcastle and the Jazzmasters will return for the second weekend of performances (Oct. 13-15) along with Brian Culbertson, Tim Bowman, Eric Darius, Nick Colionne and Brian Simpson. The 3rd festival weekend (Oct. 20-22) will include performances by Mindi Abair, Eric Darius, Brian Simpson, Nils, Nick Colionne, Kyle Eastwood and Guitars & Saxes featuring Peter White, Richard Elliot, Gerald Albright and Jeff Golub.

Thievery Corporation are planning a special DJ set in New Orleans during the Jazz Fest. The appearance will preview the release of the new remix album, Versions, out on May 16. You can catch them on May 3 @ The Republic Nightclub in New Orleans and on July 23 @ The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The Bowl appearance is being presented by one of our favorite radio stations, KCRW.

The CTI Records Master Collections of remastered CD releases are finally seeing the light of day featuring the best jazz and funk releases from the 1970’s. Included in the first round of releases are CD’s from George Benson, Stanley Turrentine, Milt Jackson, Freddie Hubbard, Deodato and Esther Philips.

Smooth soul group Blue Magic has released a 4-CD collection entitled Collectables Classics, which features the albums Blue Magic, Live!, The Magic Of The Blue and Thirteen Magic Lane.

New from Concord recording artist Karrin Allyson is the CD Footprints.

Legacy Records will release The Great American Songbook from Billie Holiday on July 18. Legacy also plans The Great American Songbook for both Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong, also on July 18.

Nicola Conte is making his long awaited return to the states for a small run of DJ shows in May. Tour stops include: May 25 @ Cielo, New York, NY; May 26 @ Eighteenth Street Lounge , Washington, DC; May 28 @ Mosaic, Baltimore, MD; and June 2 @ La Santanera, Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Upcoming Jazz albums are due to be released in the coming months from artists Billy Griffin, File Under G, Monet, Eric Person, Shilts, Vernon Reid, Masque, Frank McComb and SounDoctrine .

Six of Carmen McRae’s albums have been assembled for a 5-CD box set (Collectables Classics). The albums are The Art Of Carmen McRae, For Once In My Life, Just A Little Lovin’, Something Wonderful, Sound Of Silence, and Portrait Of Carmen.

Peter White has been scheduled to perform on October 5 at the new Jaxxtrax Festival known as Unplugged at the Wrigley Ranch Night on Catalina Island (CA). The new festival is being presented by Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel.

London-based and Sao Paolo raised singer Cibelle is releasing her second album on May 2. Cibelle burst on the scene in 2003 with her beautiful, smokey voice on her self-titled debut. Her new album, The Shine of Dried Electric Leaves, is a quiet masterpiece, full of inventive and quirky arrangements. It combines rootsy acoustic instrumentation and electronic processing along with textural soundscapes and pure melodies.

Ernest Ranglin, Third World, Sean Paul, Sly and Robbie, Buju Banton, Toots and the Maytals, and Burning Spear are among the nominees of this years 25th Silver Anniversary of The International Reggae and World Music Awards. Grammy Award winning artist Damien Marley (youngest son of Bob Marley) will perform at the ceremony which will be held at the World Famous Apollo Theatre on May 6. Marley will be joined by an elite roster of performing artists for this event which include Marcia Griffiths, among many others. See www.irawma.com for a full list of nominees and event information.

Dianne Reeves, the Spinners and Dr. John are among the acts that will perform as part of New York’s annual River to River Festival this summer. The shows are free and are held at Battery Park, South Street Seaport and the World Financial Center.

Gerald Albright is joined by a host of guest musicians on his latest CD, New Beginnings. They include Jeff Lorber, Paul Jackson, Jr., Teddy Campbell, Patrice Rushen, Chris Botti and Walter and Wallace Scott of the Whispers. The Scott brothers appear for a fresh arrangement of the Whispers And The Beat Goes On. On this CD, Gerald Albright delivers a nice mix of smooth jazz and instrumental grooves on his Peak Records debut.

Billy Paul and Hugh Masekela are among those appearing at this year’s Cape May Jazz Festival being held April 21-23 in Cape May, NJ. For more information go to www.capemayjazz.com.

Norman Brown’s Summer Storm 2006 tour are booking dates for their coming tour and here is what has been confirmed thus far: May 20 @ Lexus Jazz Festival, Newport Beach, CA; June 4 @ Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD; June 17 @ Radisson Hotel, Sacramento, CA; June 24 @ Coors amphitheatre, Englewood, CO; July 19 @ Chene Park, Detroit, MI; August 12 @ Robert Mondavi Winery, Oakville, CA; August 18 @ Boulder Station Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV; August 19 @ Wilson Creek Winery, Temecula, CA; August 20 @ Hollywood Bowl/JVC Jazz Festival, Hollywood, CA; September 4 @ Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay, CA; and December 31 @ Hyatt Regency, Huntington Beach, CA.

Upcoming New York area appearances include Nouvelle Vague with DJ Ray Velasquez at Irving Plaza on April 21; Norman Jay at Cielo on April 23; Seu Jorge with Chris Berry and Panjea at Irving Plaza on April 27; and Mylo DJ set at the Hiro Ballroom on May 10.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

RENDEZVOUS RELEASES NEW PHILIPPE SAISSE CD AND OFFERS FREE MUSIC DOWNLOADS

Philippe Saisse’s first Rendezvous release The Body And Soul Sessions hits stores today. Look out for Philippe on tour this summer with other Rendezvous artists Marc Antoine and Michael Lington. We are also happy to report that Dave Koz’s Rendezvous Entertainment label now has its entire catalog being carried by eMusic.com. If you start a free trail at eMusic.com, you can download 50 free songs by a Rendezvous Entertainment artist. See the eMusic.com ad link below for more information.

CHICAGO TO HIT THE ROAD THIS SUMMER IN SUPPORT OF NEW RELEASE CHICAGO XXX


Prolific hit-makers and perennial live favorite Chicago are gearing up for a national tour hitting more than 30 cities across the United States. The tour kicks off with a June 9th show at Concord, California's Chronicle Pavilion and culminates on July 29th at Holmdel, New Jersey's PNC Bank Arts Center. Tickets go on sale starting Saturday, April 22. A complete list of dates is below.

Chicago is celebrating its 30th album, Chicago XXX, which was just released by Rhino/Warner Bros. Produced by Jay DeMarcus of the superstar country group Rascal Flatts, Chicago XXX begins a new chapter in Chicago's history. The forthcoming single is Love Will Come Back, which includes the members of Rascal Flatts and will certainly add to the band's long list of extraordinary accomplishments: 40 gold and platinum awards, 20 Top 10 singles and 5 Number One albums. In fact, Chicago is the first American rock band to chart a Top 40 album in 5 consecutive decades. This year, the Grammy-winning Chicago is touring for the 40th straight year.

DATE CITY VENUE
Fri Jun-09 Concord Chronicle Pavilion
Sat Jun-10 Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara Bowl
Sun Jun-11 San Diego - Bayside at the Embarcadero
Tue Jun-13 Los Angeles - The Greek Theatre
Fri Jun-16 Irvine - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Sat Jun-17 Phoenix - Cricket Pavilion
Sun Jun-18 Albuquerque - Journal Pavilion
Tue Jun-20 Denver - Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Thu Jun-22 Oklahoma - City Zoo Amphitheatre
Fri Jun-23 Dallas - Smirnoff Music Centre
Sat Jun-24 San Antonio -Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Sun Jun-25 Houston - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Wed Jun-28 Cincinnati - Riverbend Music Center
Thu Jun-29 Cleveland - Tower City Amphitheater
Fri Jun-30 Columbus - Germain Amphitheatre
Sat Jul-01 Chicago - Charter One Pavilion
Sun Jul-02 Detroit - DTE Energy Music Theatre
Wed Jul-12 West Palm Beach - Sound Advice Amphitheatre
Thu Jul-13 Tampa - Ford Amphitheatre
Fri Jul-14 Charlotte - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Sat Jul-15 Raleigh - ALLTEL Pavilion
Sun Jul-16 Virginia Beach - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Tue Jul-18 Atlanta - Chastain Park Amphitheatre
Thu Jul-20 Hartford - Dodge Music Center
Fri Jul-21 Pittsburgh - Post Gazette Pavilion
Sat Jul-22 Camden - Tweeter Center at the Waterfront
Sun Jul-23 Saratoga Springs - Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Tue Jul-25 Boston- Bank of America Pavilion
Wed Jul-26 Boston - Bank of America Pavilion
Fri Jul-28 Wantagh- Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
Sat Jul-29 Holmdel - PNC Bank Arts Center

Monday, April 17, 2006

FUN 'N SUN SMOOTH JAZZ FESTIVAL, NORMAN BROWN'S SUMMER STORM, DAVID BENOIT, MINDI ABAIR, NELSON RANGELL & OTHER NEWS...

Chaka Khan, Mindi Abair, Euge Groove, Steve Oliver and Joyce Cooling headline the Clearwater (FL) Fun ‘N Sun Smooth Jazz Festival set for April 21-22 at nearby Coachman Park.

Candy Dulfer and Jason Miles team up for several concerts together as they perform at the Old Pasadena Jazz Fest in Pasadena, CA on July 22, and at the Rodney Strong Vinery in Healdsburg, CA on July 29.

Norman Brown’s Summer Storm is headed for the Robert Mondavi Winery Summer Music Festival in California, with a performance set for August 12. Norman Brown’s Summer Storm features Patti Austin, Norman Brown, Alex Bugnon and Paul Taylor.

Yerba Buena and Nouvelle Vague are among the acts set to appear at the three-day Seattle Bumbershoot music festival that will take place over the Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2-4. The festival goes beyond music and will also feature two comedy stages, reading by authors and a film festival, among many other attractions.

Mindi Abair’s new single True Blue was last week’s #1 Most Added Song on the Smooth Jazz Radio charts. Her new album is Life Less Ordinary releasing this week.

MSN is celebrating the return of the legendary New Orleans Jazz & Heritage musical event by bringing select performances into homes around the globe April 28-30 and May 5-7. MSN has entered into an agreement with the 2006 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Musical Festival to be the exclusive webcast provider with concert performances by globally popular artists such as Elvis Costello, the Dave Matthews Band, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Jimmy Buffet, as well as well- known New Orleans music legends including Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas and Buckwheat Zydeco.

Grammy award nominated jazz pianist David Benoit will perform with the Asian America Youth Orchestra on April 23 at the Norris Theatre for the Performing Arts in Rolling Hills Estates, CA.

The Brand New Heavies are reuniting with former lead singer N’Dea Davenport and former label Delicious Vinyl. Their new album, Get Used To It, will be released on June 27. The Brand New Heavies are also embarking on a 25-city nationwide tour in July and August.

Nelson Rangell’s new CD Soul To Souls features five new compositions, as well as his new arrangements of Stevie Wonder’s Send One Your Love, Joe Samples’ Free As The Wind, Earl Klugh’s Vonetta and Dizzy Gillespie’s bebop classic Night In Tunisia. Guitarists Chuck Loeb and Earl Klugh appear as guest musicians, as do bassists Herb Lowe and Brian Bromberg and others.

Friday, April 14, 2006

BOZ SCAGGS 2006 TOUR SCHEDULE

Date Venue & Notes Location
Jul 29, 2006 Mountain Winery Saratoga, CA
Jul 30, 2006 Mountain Winery Saratoga, CA
Aug 01, 2006 Humphries San Deigo, CA
Aug 02, 2006 House of Blues Anaheim, CA
Aug 04, 2006 Luther Burbank Santa Rosa, CA
Aug 05, 2006 Feather Falls Oroville, CA
Aug 06, 2006 Hilton Reno, NV
Aug 09, 2006 Wiltern Los Angeles, CA
Aug 10, 2006 Chumash Santa Ynez, CA
Aug 11, 2006 House of Blues Las Vegas, NV
Aug 12, 2006 Spa Resort Casino Palm Springs, CA
Aug 15, 2006 Towne Hall New York, NY
Aug 16, 2006 Mohegan Sun Uncasville, CT
Aug 17, 2006 Harbour Lights Boston, MA
Aug 18, 2006 North Fork Theatre Westbury, NY
Aug 19, 2006 House of Blues Atlantic City, NY

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

ROCHESTER INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL LINEUP

Rochester International Jazz Festival Announces Festival Lineup - June 9-17, 2006

The fifth annual Rochester International Jazz Festival presented by Heluva Good Quality Foods, returns June 9-17, 2006. The spectacular nine-day event features over 170 concerts and 600 musicians representing more than a dozen countries. Woody Allen and His New Orleans Jazz Band open the Festival June 9th in a rare performance outside New York City that is an exclusive benefit for the New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund. Other stars include the godfather of soul James Brown, Phil Woods, McCoy Tyner, Toots Thielemans, Wayne Shorter, Susan Tedeschi, Etta James, Little Feat, Soulive and Dickey Betts.

The full list of artists follows: James Brown, Asylum Street Spankers, Badi Assad, Ben Allison Quartet, Billy Bang Quintet, BraamDeJoodeVatcher, Bruce Katz Band, Byron Striping, Cedar Walton, Charlie Hunter Trio, Chris Berry & Panjea featuring Michael Kang, Dickey Betts, Djabe, Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers, e.s.t, Eddie Henderson Quartet, Eldar, Etta James & The Roots Band, Folk Alarm 5 featuring Kevin Breit, Gray Mayfield + Delfeayo Marsalis, MK Groove Orchestra, Italian Tenors featuring Frank Tiberi and George Garzone, acob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Jane Bunnett & Spirits of Havana Quartet, Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Quartet, Karrin Allyson,, Kelley Hunt, Kenny Garrett Quartet, Little Feat, Magnus Lindgren Quartet, Mahavishnu Project,McCoy Tyner Trio, Mose Allison, Soulive, Papa Grows Funk, Phil Woods & Strings "Celebrating Bird", Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Red Stick Ramblers, Rigmor Gustafsson Quartet, Rob McConnell Trio, Robert Glasper Trio, Roomful of Blues, Schonig-Henderson Trio Featuring Dr. Lonnie Smith, Sonya Kitchell, Susan Tedeschi Band, Terrell Stafford B3 Band, Tim Posgate Hornband Featuring Howard Johnson, Tom Harrell Quartet, Toots Thielemans & Kenny Werner Duo, Wayne Shorter Quartet, Whit Smith's Hot Jazz Caravan, Woody Allen and His New Orleans Jazz Band and dozens more. Visit http://www.rochesterjazz.com for complete festival information.

Monday, April 10, 2006

BRIAN CULBERTSON, BURT BACHARACH, DAVID BENOIT, LARRY CARLTON & OTHERS TO HEADLINE CONCERTS AT MONTALVO GARDEN THEATRE

Montalvo’s Garden Theatre in the Saratoga Hills of wine valley in Northern California is finalizing it’s summer season schedule of jazz, rock and R&B talent. Here’s a sampling of the schedule thus far:

June 18: Larry Carlton Blues Project
June 22: Joe Jackson
June 23: India.Arie
July 9: Linda Rondstand
July 14: Hapa
July 16: Rendezvous All Stars
July 21: Hootie & The Blowfish
Aug. 6: KPIG Songwriters Festival
Aug. 10: Guitars & Saxes
Aug. 13: Bleeding Edge Festival
Aug. 18: Joshua Bell
Aug. 20 Etta James & Charles Musselwhite
Aug. 24; Chris Botti
Aug. 25: Dave Brubeck Quartet, David Benoit & Yuma Sung
Aug. 31: Kem
Sept. 7: Superstars of Jazz Fusion
Sept. 8: Dan Hicks & Michelle Shocked
Sept. 21: Bo Diddley & Friends
Sept. 22: Burt Bacharach
Sept. 24: Brian Culbertson & Keiko Matsui
Sept. 27: Na Leo
Sept. 28: Classical Savion

Friday, April 07, 2006

HOT NEW CHILL GROOVES & SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS: MINDI ABAIR, SANTANA, TOWER OF POWER, FONTELLA BASS, GLOBAL GROOVE COLLECTIVE & MORE...

HOT NEW CHILL GROOVES & SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS……….Mindi Abair’s True Blue was the number 1 most added smooth jazz radio track last week. True Blue is from her new CD Life Less Ordinary which is due for release on April 18. Mindi will be embarking on a new tour which starts in Clearwater/Tampa, FL on Apri l 21 at Coachman Park……….Carlos Santana is due to be inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame on June 23, 2006. Santana will be performing a few of his songs with the LA Philharmonic Orchestra……….Blue Note records has announced May 16 releases from The Jazz Crusaders: At The Lighthouse; Lou Rawls: Tobacco Road; Serge Chaloff: Boston Blow Up; and Ignacio Berroa: Codes……….Michael Bolton returns with a new release on May 23 entitled Bolton Swings Sinatra on Concord Records……….The Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts in Cerritos, CA is booking talent for the upcoming season and thus far has scheduling the following performers: Dave Brubeck Quartet (Aug. 21); Burt Bacharach and Steve Tyrell (both in Sept.); Tower Of Power (Nov.); Dave Koz’s Smooth Jazz Christmas (mid-Dec.); and Etta James and The Roots Band (March 2007)……….Michael Buble walked away with four awards at the recent 2006 Juno Awards held in Halifax, Nova Scotia and broadcast live on CTV television. Buble dominated the Jazz and Blues categories capturing the lion’s share of awards in the Jazz category (Single of the Year for Home, Album of the Year for It’s Time, Artist of the Year), and one in the Pop category (Pop Album of the year for It’s Time). Pianist Diana Krall took the Jazz Vocal award, while multi-instrumentalist Don Thompson captured the Traditional Jazz award and saxophonist Jane Bunnett received the Contemporary Jazz award for her Cuban recording……….Singer Fontella Bass is among the many special guests being featured on Chico Hamilton’s new release – Believe. The R&B diva is on three tracks including: Love Me A Long, Long Time, Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home and Believe In Him. Other guest musicians include George Bohanon, Jeremy Carlstedt, Evan Schwam, Paul Ramsey, Cary DeNigris and Andrew Hadro. The CD is out now on the Joyous Shot label……….April concerts in the twin cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul include: Etta James (April 11 @ O’Shaughnessy Theatre); and Dee Dee Bridgewater (April 18-19@ Dakota Jazz Club)……….Santa Monica’s Temple Bar will host an evening of world groove music on May 4, with performances by Kwanza Jones and the Global Groove Collective featuring Darrell Crooks, Darrell Diaz, David Leach, Mark Lomax, Brienne Moore, Zakiya Roverts, Timbali and Andre Manga of the group Dumazz. Also appearing will be a special guest performance by W. Ellington Felton and Bilal Salaam. The event is being presented by Innovation Entertainment Group and for more information go to www.globalgroovemusicfestival.com.

Thursday, April 06, 2006

NEW RELEASES FROM CHICO HAMILTON, ERIN BOHEME, LISA FULLER, NELSON RANGELL, PAT MARTINO & MORE...


Aldo Romano – Chante
Andrea Orefjard – Push You Love On Me/Cookin’
Anouar Brahem – Le Voyage De Sahar
Beat Konducta – Beat Konducta Vol. 1 & 2
Burnt Sugar – More Than Posthuman: Rise Of The Mojosexual Cotillion
Cassandra Wilson – Thunderbird
Chet Baker – Milano Sessions
Chet Baker & Bud Shank – My Funny Valentine: I’ll Take Romance
Chico Hamilton – Nomad
Coup deBam – Coup deBam
D’Stefanie – Rock The Disco/Funk Up My Day
Ellis Regina – Perolas
Erin Boheme – What Love Is
Gecko Turner - Guapapaseal
Herbie Hancock – Blue Notes Great Sessions
Invisible Session – To The Powerful
Kraak & Smaak – Boogie Angst
Lisa Fuller – Teach Me Tonight
Lyambiko – Love And Then
Medeski, Martin & Wood – Note Bleu: Best Of The Blue Note Years 1998-2005
Miles Davis – Blue Note’s Great Sessions
Moncef Genoud – Aqua
Natalie Walker – No One Else
Nelson Rangell – Soul To Souls
Pat Martino – Remember: A Tribute To Wes Montgomery
Pedro - Pedro
Quito Pedrosa – Noite Rasa
Uniao Black – Banda Uniao Black
Various Artists – Big Bad Bay Area Vol. 1 – Soul Harmony Classics From The Bay Area
Various Artists – Fusion With Attitude
Various Artists – Hot As Hell: Contemporary Jazz & Soul From Helsinki
Various Artists – Intoxical Strange & Sleazy Instrumental Sounds From The SoCal
Various Artists – Kenny Dope & Keb Darge Presents Jay Dee Records
Various Artists – Latin Vibes: Lounge Selection
Various Artists – Masterpiece Vol. 3: The Ultimate Disco Funk Collection
Various Artists – Shapes: A Tru Thoughs/Zebra Traffic Compilation
Various Artists – Spirit Of Philadelphia 2
Various Artists – Traveler 06 (Six Degrees)

Monday, April 03, 2006

DESSY DI LAURO - A STUDY OF A WOMAN'S SOUL

Brazilian-Italian-Cuban singer and songwriter Dessy Di Lauro has arrived in Atlanta for her featured role with Cirque du Soleil’s "Delirium" tour. Di Lauro’s current album A Study Of A Woman’s Soul has already received rave reviews from music critics. Her blend of Soul, Latin and Jazz music, along with her distinctive voice and sonwriting have gained international attention from countries such as U.K., Brazil, France and the U.S. Known for her unique sound, Dessy was chosen to be part o the original cast of the critically acclaimed Cirque de Soleil production, "La Nouba" in 1998. She teamed up with producer, composer and keyboardist, Ric’key Pageot, who is also musical conductor on the "Delirium" tour. For the entire year of 2006, Dessy will tour the U.S and Canada with the latest Cirque du Soleil production, which is a combination of music, acrobatics, comedy, dance, drama and multimedia.

BOB JAMES TO RECEIVE 2006 GEORGE BENSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AT SMOOTH JAZZ AWARDS

Bob James will be honored with the 2006 George Benson Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming annual Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, being held Friday, April 7, 2006. James is a two-time Grammy Award winner and has been a mainstay of the contemporary smooth jazz scene since the early 1970’s. His 35-plus solo albums includes his latest Urban Flamingo.
As a member of the super group Fourplay, James has consistently topped the contemporary smooth jazz charts and most notably brought smooth jazz into the living rooms of millions with his theme song Angela from the television series "Taxi." He is also a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient from the National Smooth Jazz Awards in the U.S. James will perform at the awards show which takes place at the Living Arts Center in Mississauga, Ontario. He will also be touring in conjunction with his new CD Urban Flamingo, with concerts dates in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and New York.