DAVID FOSTER, ANDREA BOCELLI & MARY J. BLIDGE TEAM FOR "BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER"

In an extraordinary effort, accomplished with unprecedented speed, global icon Mary J. Blige, world-renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli, and esteemed producer David Foster have bridged genres and continents to record an emotional duet of the Simon & Garfunkel classic "Bridge Over Troubled Water" in order to benefit earthquake relief efforts in Haiti, available exclusively at iTunes.com/Target. Blige, Bocelli and Foster will perform the song live on the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, January 31, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, broadcast on CBS from 8–11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The historic performance will mark the 40th anniversary of the original hit receiving the Grammys for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Target and iTunes have teamed up to create a one-of-a-kind download opportunity of the studio version of the song, arranged and produced by Foster, that will be available for purchase and download exclusively at iTunes.com/Target following the Grammys broadcast. In addition, a once-in-a-lifetime live video performance will also be available exclusively at iTunes.com/Target following the telecast. All U.S. proceeds will go to the American Red Cross to aid Haitian earthquake relief and recovery efforts.

Said Blige, a nine-time Grammy winner: "My prayers go out to all who are suffering. I'm lending my voice to help inspire others to join me in making a difference to rebuild the lives of the people in Haiti. I feel that I am them and they are me and I would want to be helped in this same capacity." Added Bocelli: "Today in this very sad moment, we all come together, and through our music we work to rebuild not only the physical structures but the lives of those who have been devastated by this horrible disaster. For the past several years I've collaborated with a charity in Haiti and last year met the incredible people who work there. After the earthquake, they reported to me a situation well beyond despair. I think it's up to each of us to do whatever it takes to assist after this catastrophe. I am extremely honored to be a part of the recovery efforts and lend a helping hand to the people of Haiti." Foster concurred: "We all need to contribute in our own way to help alleviate the devastation and grief of the families of Haiti, and through this song we strive to bring hope to those who need it most."

The project was led by Jimmy Iovine, Ron Fair and Steve Berman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, who brought together a philanthropic partnership including Target, iTunes, Sugar Records, The Recording Academy, Warner Music Group, CBS and Paul Simon.

AMERICAN SMOOTH JAZZ AWARDS

The American Smooth Jazz Awards (ASJA) has been set for Friday, October 29, 2010, at the Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa, located in Michigan City, Indiana."This event will draw the most influential national and international contemporary jazz artists from around the world to award them for their outstanding musical talents," said Bernie Scott, president of Scott & Company Music Group and ASJA Awards. Scott is asking smooth jazz aficionados to be part of the 2010 awards voting process. "We want smooth jazz fans, from all over the globe, to be part of the voting process – beginning March 15th, the public will be able to vote online for their favorite artists in 18 categories." said Scott. The website for voting is

www.AmericanSmoothJazzAwards.com.

The categories, which, in part, include both Male and Female Vocalists, Instrumentalists, Song, Album and Entertainer of the Year, also include 4 International categories. Award presenters will be coming in from around the world to be part of this event. To date, high profile radio personalities Jimi King (London); Michael Tozzi (Philadelphia); Carmen Kennedy (Cleveland); Doug Thomas (Sacramento) and Lynn Bridges (Las Vegas) will be in attendance. Jazz pianist, composer and producer David Benoit will be presented with the illustrious Lifetime Achievement Award. Regina Tisdale, wife of the late jazz guitarist Wayman Tisdale will be in attendance to present the Wayman Tisdale Humanitarian Award. Jazz guitarist, Nick Colionne, who will be the musical director, will also be the evening's host, along with Chicago radio personality Rick O'Dell.

Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa is located just 50 miles east of Chicago on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. Tickets for the dinner and awards ceremonies are available to the public through Ticketmaster.com or any Ticketmaster outlet. Special packages are available through Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa by calling 888-879-7711, select option #1.The American Smooth Jazz Awards, through all print media, will join in the effort to promote Breast Cancer awareness.

http://www.AmericanSmoothJazzAwards.com

'HOPE FOR HAITI NOW' ALBUM #1 WITH MORE THAN 171,000 DOWNLOADS

"Hope for Haiti Now" today announced that it has raised more than $66 million to date for Haiti relief and recovery efforts. The figure includes proceeds from sales of the "Hope for Haiti Now" album, a collection of live performances from last week's global telethon that today became the first-ever digital-only album to debut at no. 1 on the Billboard 200. According to Nielsen SoundScan, "Hope for Haiti Now" was purchased for download more than 171,000 times in the United States through Sunday, January 24. The album sold an additional 60,000 copies outside of the U.S. through Sunday. "Hope for Haiti Now" also sold 300,000 individual audio performances as well as 15,000 downloads of the full two-hour video telecast through Sunday. The album has hit no. 1 on iTunes in 18 countries, and "Hope for Haiti Now" is the first project to simultaneously reach the No. 1 spot on the U.S. iTunes album, song ("Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)" by Jay-Z, Bono, The Edge and Rihanna), and television charts. All retail partners, the record labels, and the artists will donate their share of the proceeds to Haiti relief and recovery funds managed by "Hope for Haiti Now" charities. Performances are available for purchase on iTunes, AmazonMP3, Rhapsody, and Napster. All distribution is provided by INgrooves.

"Hope for Haiti Now" today also announced the formation of an Advisory Committee to oversee the distribution of funds donated through the global telethon. The Entertainment Industry Foundation, in concert with the Committee, is advising "Hope for Haiti Now" to ensure that the donated funds are quickly and effectively put to use in Haiti. The first installment of donated funds is due for distribution next week. The Committee is comprised of the following recognized and distinguished leaders in philanthropy, nonprofit oversight, and Haiti relief:

· Diana Aviv, President & CEO, Independent Sector
· Brian Concannon, Jr., Esq., Director, Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti
· William Foster, Co-Partner, The Bridgespan Group
· Steven Gunderson, President & CEO, The Council on Foundations
· Nancy Lindborg, President, Mercy Corps
· Jacques-Philippe Piverger, PineBridge Investments
· Judith Rodin, Ph.D., President, The Rockefeller Foundation
· David Saltzman, Executive Director, Robin Hood Foundation

This week, each beneficiary organization is submitting to "Hope for Haiti Now" its plans for use of funds donated through the telethon, its key partners, and its goals and measurement for success. The Advisory Committee is meeting this week to review the information from partner charities and help "Hope for Haiti Now" begin to distribute funds next week. The Committee will also provide recommendations on maintaining the due diligence process and continued oversight as "Hope for Haiti Now" continues to distribute funds to its partner charities.

"The outpouring of generosity around "Hope for Haiti Now" is truly remarkable, and I look forward to helping ensure that generosity has a direct and measureable impact on the relief and recovery efforts in Haiti," said Steven Gunderson, President & CEO of the Council on Foundations.

"Our top priority is ensuring that proceeds from the telethon are distributed as quickly, responsibly and effectively as possible. We are pleased to have individuals with such extraordinary expertise on our Advisory Committee to help facilitate the process," said Lisa Paulsen, President & CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing philanthropic support to "Hope for Haiti Now."

"Hope for Haiti Now," benefits the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, United Nations World Food Programme, and Yele Haiti Foundation. With the exception of the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, each organization was selected for its history of operation and collaboration within the nongovernmental organization (NGO) community in Haiti.

"Hope for Haiti Now" will continue accepting donations for six months via the following methods:
· Online: www.hopeforhaitinow.org
· Phone: 877-99-HAITI
· Text: Text "GIVE" to 50555
· Mail: Hope for Haiti Now, FILE 1372, 1801 West Olympic Blvd. / Pasadena, California 91199-1372

"Hope for Haiti Now" was produced by Joel Gallen and Tenth Planet Productions, in collaboration with Viacom's MTV Networks and George Clooney.

JOSE JAMES - BLACKMAGIC

Since his arrival onto the international scene in 2008, vocalist Jose James has continued to dazzle critics and audiences alike with his deft combination of soul, hip-hop and jazz. Ever since being picked up for a track on Peterson's first Brownswood Bubblers compilation, the Minneapolis-born singer has become a firm part of the Brownswood family, and it's easy to see why with the silky smooth vocals and dusky jazz grooves that were showcased on his debut album. James was signed to Gilles Petersons, Brownswood Records in 2008 and released his debut album, The Dreamer, to worldwide acclaim. Since then he has toured internationally at venues such as the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Vitoria Jazz Festival, Billboard Live Tokyo, Centro Cultural Sao Paolo, the Hermitage St. Petersburg, Central Park Summerstage New York, and London’s Royal Festival Hall. As a recording artist and guest vocalist, Jose James has worked with Junior Mance, Chico Hamilton, Gilles Peterson, Bassment Jaxx, Nicola Conte, Jazzanova, Christian McBride, Toshio, Matsuura, Elan Mehler, The Heritage Orchestra, Soil & Pimp Sessions, Flying Lotus, J.A.M., Robert Mitchell, Jazzy Sport, and Simbad.

Now Jose James will issue his second album via Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Recordings label on February 22, 2010. While James took it upon himself to produce most of The Dreamer solo, with sophomore effort Blackmagic, he's called on the likes of Flying Lotus, Moodyman, and Jazzy Sport's DJ Mitsu The Beats to help him go one further this time around. Fly Lo was involved from an early stage in the writing and recording process, and lends his loose hip-hop charms to a wide number of tracks on the record, with Kenny Dixon Jr. contributing the lilting jazz-funk of "Detroit Loveletter," and Mitsu going for a warm and uplifting brass vibe on "Promise In Love." James has even turned his hand to a jazz adaptation of Benga's pulsating dubstep anthem "Emotions," adding his own vocals and re-titling the track "Warrior."

Blackmagic Tracklist

01. Code

02. Touch

03. Lay You Down

04. Promise In Love

05. Warrior

06. Made for Love

07. Save Your Love for Me

08. The Greater Good

09. Blackmagic

10. Detroit Loveletter

11. Love Conversation (ft. Jordana de Lovely)

12. Beauty

12. No Tellin'

NEW RELEASES FROM: JOSE JAMES, RONNY JORDAN, T.W.O., WALTER WILLIAMS & MORE...

Albert Elma & Ron Grainger – Man In A Suitcase Original Soundtrack
Bill Kurtis & Friends – With The Fatback Band
Brazilian Groove Band – Anatomy Of A Groove
Candycream – Chance
Chris Godber – One Breath At A Time
Clara Hill – Best Of Three
Collage & Company - Checkmate
Cro-Magnum – 4U
DF Michael – Dances And Walks
Dean Grech – Look Out
Delton Walker – Back In Your Arms Again
Diana Ross – Diana (Rarities Edition)
Dreamtime – New York Lounge Funk
Ella Fitzgerald – 12 Nights In Hollywood
Fin Johnston – Let Every Note
Fumi Hito – This Goes
Glawdys N’Dee - Lyannaj
J.D. Daniel – Back To The Groove
Jaga Jazzist – One-Armed Bandit
Jason Stein – In Exchange For A Process
Jaye Q – From My Soul
Jean F. Cochois – Gold In The Attic
Johnny James – The Cure
Jose James – Blackmagic
Juan Rozoff – Maison Rozoff
Karen Deuroop –Reminiscing
Lalo Shifrin – Bullit Original Soundtrack Plus Bonus Tracks
Leland Alexander – Full Bloom
LEMS – Ping Pong Box
Limbo – Out Of Body
Living Proof – Feel Good Music
Maiko Watson – Sweet Vibration
Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On (Rarities Edition)
Matt Bianco – Free Soul Drive
Matt Bianco – HiFi Bossanova
Michael Scherer – Exceeding Expectations
Milano Jazz Dance Combo – Milano Jazz Dance Ensemble
Orleya – Chill Out Hits Of The World:The String Sessions
Robin Duke - Life
Ronny Jordan – The Rough & The Smooth
Shaun LaBelle – Desert Nights
Soulpersona – Solacoaster
Soul Cycle - Mosaic
Soul Jazz Dynamiters – Soul Jazz Dynamiters
Soiree – Zim Zim Zah Zah
T.W.O. – The Whispers Orchestra
Tribe -Rebirth
Trizonna McClendon – New Familiar
Various Artists – Ambient Summer
Various Artists – Bar Jazz Vol. 1
Various Artists – L’Anthologia Funk – D’Aglia Anna 70 Ad Oggi
Various Artists – Lola Luna Paris Lounge
Various Artists – Lounge Affair – Pop Meets Lounge Vol. 2
Various Artists – Mezzanine De Lalcazar 8
Various Artists – Nu Jazz Essentials
Various Artists –Sambossica 2
Walter Williams - Exposed

AL/CAPONE BAND TO PERFORM IN MINNEAPOLIS

The Al/Capone Band will perform live and debut their new single entitled, The Mini Apple, at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center hotel on Monday night, January 25, 2010 at 6:00pm. The Marriott's Mini Apple Event puts the spotlight on Minneapolis nightlife and features entertainment from the Al/Capone Band, a Minneapolis based high-energy, six-piece jazz band. "We're very excited to host this exclusive event of great music, food and fun in the heart of downtown Minneapolis," said Tim Cahill, Director of Sales & Marketing, Minneapolis Marriott City Center. "This is only the beginning of new campaign we will launch in February designed to build significant interest in the city of Minneapolis as well as our hotel's extraordinary accommodations," he concluded. Composed by band leader and drummer, Jeep Capone and partner horn player, Allen Young, The Mini Apple, is a tribute to the Minneapolis experience. Based in the Twin Cities, the Al/Capone Band mixes jazz, R&B, funk, fusion and Latin, always staying true to its jazz roots. The Marriott Mini Apple event includes food and beverage specials and music from Mr. Smooth record album, the band's most recent CD. The live performance begins at 6:00 pm on the fifth floor of the Minneapolis Marriott at City Center. Autographed CDs will be available for purchase.

Mr. Smooth, the new smooth jazz CD from the Al/Capone Band charted at number 45 on the Smooth Indie Star its first week of reporting. The CD, a mix of smooth jazz, fusion, R&B, funk and Latin music, is now being aired on 47 radio stations around the country. “Mr. Smooth brings the listener many styles of music on one CD,” says Jeep Capone, Al/Capone’s band leader and drummer. “Although we’re found under the smooth jazz genre, our band crosses the lines giving us a unique sound that appeals to a wider audience. I think it’s that smooth blend of musical styles that makes all the difference.” One popular cut from Mr.Smooth, Jamatude, is receiving air play on the 47 stations and three more songs from the eleven-song CD have already been edited for radio, and are on their way to more stations.

http://www.caponelive.com/
http://www.facebook.com/MarriottMinneapolis

JEFF BECK - EMOTION & COMMOTION

For his first studio album in seven years, Grammy-winning guitarist Jeff Beck returns with an eclectic mix of tracks that find the guitar virtuoso accompanied by a handpicked cast of talented musicians, as well as several songs accompanied by a 64-piece orchestra. The new album, Emotion & Commotion will be available on Atco Records, an imprint of Rhino Entertainment, on April 13 at all retail outlets, for a suggested list price of $18.98 (CD) and $9.99 (digital). Jeff Beck recorded Emotion & Commotion late last year at Sarm Studios in London with award-winning producers Steve Lipson and Trevor Horn. To create the album's diverse sound, Beck used a number of musicians, including appearances by frequent collaborators Vinnie Colaiuta (drums), Jason Rebello (keyboards), and Tal Wilkenfeld (bass). The album also includes contributions from a trio of singers: Imelda May ("Lilac Wine"), Olivia Safe ("Elegy For Dunkirk"), and Grammy-winner Joss Stone ("I Put A Spell On You" and "There's No Other Me"). To complement the innovative tones he coaxes from his guitar, Beck recorded with a 64-piece orchestra on songs that range from Puccini's immortal aria "Nessun Dorma" and "Elegy For Dunkirk" from the film "Atonement" to "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" from "The Wizard Of Oz" and Jeff Buckley's interpretation of "Corpus Christi Carol."

Beck says the idea of pairing his guitar with an orchestra evolved from the version of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 5 he recorded a few years ago. "It turned out amazingly well, but I didn't want to commit to an entire album of classical music. What appealed to me instead was the idea of bringing together these seemingly contradictory sounds on different kinds of nonclassical music." In addition to the orchestral pieces, Emotion & Commotion showcases a number of original compositions. For "Hammerhead," Beck fires the rocker's opening salvo through his wah-wah pedal before falling into a deep groove carved out by the rhythm section and horn arrangement. At the opposite end of the sonic spectrum, the airy arrangement that elevates "Never Alone" provides a wide-angle soundscape for Beck's imagination to freely explore the high-flying melody.

Before launching a world tour to support Emotion & Commotion, Beck will unite with Eric Clapton in February for a series of exclusive shows in London, New York City, Toronto, and Montreal. The guitarists -- both former members of the Yardbirds -- will play separately before taking the stage to perform together. After the shows with Clapton, Beck will play South Korea, Hong Kong, Australia, and Japan before returning to America for the U.S. leg of the tour starting mid-April and including an appearance at the New Orleans Jazz Festival on May 1. For Beck, the new album and tour follows in the wake of a triumphant 2009, his most successful year ever. Among the many highlights were a sold-out world tour; his second induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; the release of the platinum-selling "Performing This Week... Live At Ronnie Scott's," which earned a Grammy nomination for "A Day In The Life"; and magnificent performances with his band at the 25th Anniversary Concert of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at Madison Square Garden.

Emotion & Commotion Track Listing
1. "Corpus Christi Carol"
2. "Hammerhead"
3. "Never Alone"
4. "Somewhere Over The Rainbow"
5. "I Put A Spell On You" featuring Joss Stone
6. "Serene"
7. "Lilac Wine" featuring Imelda May
8. "Nessun Dorma"
9. "There's No Other Me" featuring Joss Stone
10. "Elegy For Dunkirk" featuring Olivia Safe

Jeff Beck Tour Dates (with Eric Clapton)
February
13 London O2 Arena
14 London O2 Arena
18 New York City Madison Square Garden
19 New York City Madison Square Garden
21 Toronto Air Canada Center
22 Montreal Bell Centre

RAHEEM DEVAUGHN - THE LOVE AND WAR MASTERPEACE

Jive Records singer/songwriter Raheem DeVaughn is set to release his third album The Love And War Masterpeace in stores March 2, as his first single "Bulletproof" featuring Ludacris rises on the charts. The track currently holds its place in the Top 20 on Billboard's Urban Adult Contemporary airplay chart this week with the video in rotation on the VH1 Soul and BET Centric networks. "I named the album The Love And War Masterpeace because I feel that where I am as a person and where we are as a people, we are all trying to master that internal peace and happiness in a very strange time," says the Washington, DC native. "Bulletproof" follows the politically minded thread of the album, addressing the social ills of the times. Scholar Dr. Cornel West weighs in on several interludes drawing from his background as a prominent leader in civil rights issues and expertise in progressive politics, jazz and justice. Kenny Dope produced most of the album including "Bulletproof." Ne-Yo, Stereotypes and Ronnie "Lil Ronnie" Jackson also contribute to the production. His second single "I Don't Care" impacts Urban Adult Contemporary radio on January 25.

DeVaughn earned two Grammy nods from his sophomore effort Love Behind The Melody for Best Male R& B Performance for his # 1 smash UAC hit "Woman" and for Best R&B Song for his Top 15 Urban Mainstream single "Customer." With the success from Love Behind The Melody (which debuted at # 1 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart ) he garnered two 2008 BET J Awards for Best Male R&B artist and Album of the Year. DeVaughn is primed for another high-profile year with the release of The Love and War and Masterpeace. The self-described "R&B/hippie/neo-soul/rock star" will make his acting debut this spring in the upcoming film Who Do You Love depicting the story of Chess Records.

Track listing for The Love And War Masterpeace is as follows:
1. Dr. West (Interlude)
2. Bulletproof featuring Ludacris (Produced by Kenny Dope)
3. The Greatness featuring Wale (Produced by Kenny Dope)
4. I Don't Care (Produced by Stereotypes/Co-Produced by Ne-Yo)
5. Black & Blue (Produced by Ronnie “Lil Ronnie” Jackson)
6. Mr. Right (Produced by Ivan “Orthodox” Barias & Carvin “Ransum” Haggins
7. Dr. West (Interlude)
8. Fragile featuring Malik Yusef (Produced by Kenny Dope)
9. My Wife (Produced by Kenny Dope)
10. B.O.B. (Produced by Big Bob, Symfoniz & Jerry Juke Vines)
11. Bedroom (Produced by Kenny Dope)
12. Microphone (Produced by Ronnie “Lil Ronnie” Jackson)
13. Garden of Love (Produced by Kenny Dope)
14. Dr. West (Interlude)
15. Revelations 2010 featuring Damien Marley (Produced by Kenny Dope)
16. Nobody Wins a War featuring Jill Scott, Bilal, Anthony Hamilton, Algebra, Chrisette Michele, Shelby Johnson, Ledisi, Citizen Cope, Dwele, Chico DeBarge and Rudy Currence (Produced by Kenny Dope)

There will also be a 2-disc Deluxe version of The Love And War Masterpeace with seven additional songs:
1. Dr. West (Interlude)
2. Wing & a Prayer featuring Bun B (Produced by Jamil "Face" Johnson)
3. Dr. West (Interlude)
4. Super Hero (featuring Produced by Sound of the City Music Group)
5. Soldier's Story (Produced by Kenny Dope)
6. Dr. West (Interlude)
7. Hopeless Romantic (Produced by Kenny Dope)
8. Lose Control featuring Phil Ade' (Produced by Kenny Dope)
9. Calling Me (Produced by DeAndre' "Dre King" Shaifer)
10. XOXO (Produced by Ronnie "Lil Ronnie" Jackson)
11. Dr. West (Interlude)

www.theloveexperience.com

SWEET MICKEY, T-VICE & OTHERS TO PERFORM AT H20 FOR HAITI CONCERT

Popular Haitian artists, Sweet Mickey and T-Vice are among those scheduled to perform at a Miami Beach benefit concert this Saturday to aid their homeland. The artists are set to perform at the ‘H20 for Haiti,’ set for Saturday, January 23, at Oak Grove Park, 690 NE 159 Street, North Miami Beach, Florida from 3-10PM. Haitian business owners, artists, and community leaders, along with Miami-Dade Commissioner Dorrin Rolle will present the rebuilding relief event to raise money for the earthquake victims of Haiti.

“We want to honor the lives that were lost and raise hope for the people that are faced with a long road of rebuilding ahead of them. This concert will be quite different from our normal performances as we will be featuring songs of hope, solidarity and pride,” said Sweet Mickey.

Officials say the goal of this event is to immediately raise money to provide two million gallons of water desperately needed to the earthquake victims. “This is the beginning of an ongoing effort to ensure that the people of Haiti will receive the water is so needed,” a statement said.

Organizers say they are expecting some 20,000 attendees at the event to make donations toward the purchase of water, or bring bottles of water that the Rebuilding Haiti Committee will distribute in Port-au-Prince, immediately following the event.

“The images coming out of Haiti are gut-wrenching. The aftermath of this earthquake has caused complete devastation and the suffering of Haiti has only begun,” said Commissioner Rolle. One of the biggest resources lacking now in Haiti is clean, accessible water. Without it, we are losing lives daily. I’m asking everyone in Miami-Dade County to contribute anything they can to this cause to help our friends aborad.”

Other performers include Alan Cave, Jowee Omicil, Harmonik, and Gabel. The presenting sponsor is NOPIN long Distance, along with Viola has pledged their ongoing support.

BIGGA HAITIAN - SAK PASE

The February 9, 2010, Walkup Records release of Bigga Haitian's Sak Pase on CD had been in the works for months. Following the earthquake in Haiti, Bigga and Walkup announced that they will donate all proceeds from downloads of "I Am A Haitian" from Sak Pase to Yele Haiti to assist with relief efforts. Of the devastation, Bigga says, "I feel like I need to do something and this is what I have to offer." Bigga Haitian was born "Charles Dorismond" in Haiti to a musical family. His father, Andre Dorismond, was a pioneer of Kompa music with the Webert Sico Group. Bigga has always exhibited his love for his native country in his music, starting over 20 years ago with "Haiti A Weh Mi From" and continuing through today with "I Am A Haitian." Bigga's concerns are both national and personal: "It is a tragedy, so many people suffering. I haven't been able to get through to family down there." Walkup Records co-founder Brett Smith added, "Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this disaster. We are humbled to join Bigga in his efforts on behalf of the Haitian people." Produced by Brett Smith and Marc Lawrence and recorded from 2006-2009 in New York, Israel and Taiwan, Sak Pase features many outstanding musicians, including an all-star horn section consisting of Clark Gayton (Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Prince, Steel Pulse), Cedric Brooks (Skatalites, Bob Marley), and Kevin Batchelor (Steel Pulse, Skatalites, Shaggy), who last appeared together on the multi-platinum Rihanna album A Girl Like Me.

Sak Pase is enjoying airplay on reggae radio around the world. The album features a cover of "My Doorbell" by the White Stripes, and collaborations with Yvad (current lead singer of The Wailers) and Mecca aka Grimo (signed to Wyclef Jean's label). One of these collaborations, "London Massive (feat. Yvad)," was featured in the series finale of the NBC drama The Philanthropist. The CD includes a bonus instrumental version of "I Am A Haitian" featuring Jerry Johnson (Steel Pulse, Burning Spear, Skatalites). Artwork by renowned designer Joshua Marc Levy (Aerosmith, AC/DC, Santana, Matisyahu) completes the package.

Bigga Haitian has been blazing up the stage for more than 20 years, appearing with reggae legends including Shabba Ranks, Sizzla, Shaggy, and Buju Banton. Bigga is known as the first Haitian singer to break into the Jamaican reggae scene, tearing down national and cultural walls and paving the way for the next generation of Haitian artists. Walkup Records is a New York-based independent music company founded in 2006 by music industry veterans and childhood friends, Brett Smith and Marc Lawrence. Conceived during a jam in Brett's 4th floor walkup apartment in New York City, Walkup Records stands for a commitment to high-quality music played by real musicians and a determination to do things the right way.

SANTANA - SUPERNATURAL THE LEGACY EDITION

With a chart record that now spans five decades – from the '60s to the '00s – and one of the most consistently best-selling catalogs in modern recording history, Santana's torrid gumbo of blues-rock, rhythm and soul, Afro-Cuban jazz, Mexicano, and world music flavors is an enduring wonder of contemporary popular music. More than 40 summers after their trail-blazing Saturday afternoon performance at the Woodstock Music & Arts Fair on August 16, 1969, and the release of their iconic debut LP three days later, Santana occupies a unique status among surviving American bands. A decade ago in June 1999, 30 summers after Woodstock, Santana released an album destined to be the biggest of their career. Supernatural, a long-overdue reunion between producers Carlos Santana and Clive Davis, brought fresh collaborations with (in alphabetical order) Cee-Lo, Eagle-Eye Cherry, Eric Clapton, Everlast, Lauryn Hill, Mexican supergroup Mana, Dave Matthews and bandmate Carter Beauford, producers the Dust Brothers, KC Porter, Wyclef Jean, and others. The album spun off two huge RIAA platinum #1 hits – "Smooth" featuring Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty, and "Maria Maria," produced by Wyclef Jean, featuring his hip-hop proteges the Product G&B – the first Hot 100 #1 hits of Santana's career. They spent a cumulative half-year at #1 and paved the way for the album to amass chart honors and generate Grammy Awards® beyond anyone's imaginations or expectations (except, of course, Clive's).

In commemoration, Supernatural: Legacy Edition presents the album's first new remastering – personally supervised by Carlos – since its original release. In the tradition of the prestigious Legacy Edition series, the new package adds a second disc of rarities – 11 tracks, eight of them songs that were not contained on the album, seven of them previously unissued, including outtakes, dance club mixes, and instrumental material. A 24-page full-color booklet includes rare photography and memorabilia from the Santana archives. The specially-designed double-CD package, encased in the distinctive Legacy Edition mylar slipcase, will be available at all physical and digital retail outlets starting February 16th through Arista/Legacy, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. On February 3rd, Santana will kick off 11 of the "Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits" residency show concert dates at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, running through February 21st.

The bonus content on disc two of Supernatural: Legacy Edition will amaze Santana fans as if hearing a new album. The bulk of the outtakes that "didn't make the cut" on the original album are Santana band tracks: "Angel Love (Come For Me)"; "Ya Yo Me Cure"; a cover of Cuban band Irakere's classic "Bacalao Con Pan" by Chucho Valdes; a cover of Lighthouse's 1971 hit "One Fine Morning"; the medley of Bob Marley & the Wailers "Exodus/Get Up Stand Up," all previously unissued; and "Olympic Festival" (from the Girlfight movie soundtrack, 2000). The only collaboration that "didn't make the cut" features Dave Matthews and Carter Beauford, "Rain Down On Me." There are dance club mixes of "Corazon Espinado" featuring Mana, and "Maria Maria" featuring the Product G&B. "Smooth" is heard in an instrumental version, without vocal. Likewise, "The Calling Jam" featuring Eric Clapton is an instrumental version, without vocals.

Featured in the Supernatural: Legacy Edition booklet is a 2,000-word liner notes essay written by veteran Albany music journalist Hal Miller, who has annotated previous Legacy releases by Santana (2004's Santana: Legacy Edition, and 2003's expanded restorations of the fusion-influenced Caravanserai, Love Devotion Surrender, Welcome, and Moonflower), plus numerous Weather Report reissues.

"My role was to complement the music and to be gracious, patient, and trusting," Carlos told Miller. "In fact, that became my mantra as Clive Davis, the visionary, began to hook me up with all these wonderful and different musicians. And once we got started, just about every song was done in one take!"

Santana's first album for Arista Records proved an irresistible magnet for rock, R&B, and Latin markets. Supernatural debuted at #19 on the Billboard 200 chart in early July, the band's highest debut in the Soundscan era. At the same time, "Smooth" began its glide up the singles charts, rising to #1 on the Hot 100 on October 23rd – the first #1 single of Santana's career and Soundscan's longest-running #1 pop single of 1999, at 12 consecutive weeks. ("Smooth" actually spent 25 weeks at #1 on the Adult Top 40 chart, segueing into 2000. Billboard columnist Fred Bronson's book Hottest Hot 100 Hits ranks "Smooth" as the #1 Song Of The '90s.)

One week later on October 30th, Supernatural hit #1 – Santana's first #1 album in nearly three decades (since 1970's Abraxas and 1971's Santana III). It eventually was named Soundscan's #1 album of 1999, outpacing close contenders Millennium by Backstreet Boys and …Baby One More Time by Britney Spears. (The success of Supernatural and "Smooth" overlapped the release of the new single in January 2000, "Maria Maria." In April, "Maria Maria" began its own 10-week stand at #1 on the Hot 100 (and three weeks at #1 R&B).

At the Grammy Awards in late-February, Supernatural generated an all-time record-breaking nine awards, starting with Album Of the Year and Best Rock Album. "Smooth" was named Record Of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Collaboration. The depth of Supernatural was confirmed as four more songs also won Grammys: "Maria Maria" for Best Pop Performance by a Duo/Group; "El Farol" for Best Pop Instrumental Performance; "Put Your Lights On" featuring Everlast for Best Rock Performance by a Duo/Group; and "The Calling" featuring Eric Clapton for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. At the first annual Latin Grammy Awards in September, "Corazon Espinado" featuring Mana won Record Of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo/Group; and "El Farol" won for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. Supernatural spent a total of 102 weeks on the Billboard 200 album chart, including 12 weeks at #1 (no album since then has spent more than 9 weeks at the top). It was certified 15-times RIAA platinum in the U.S., with worldwide sales north of 25 million copies to date. But there were implications far deeper than the charts could ever show. The album's success was intended to inspire younger hopeful musicians to accept the challenge of devoting long years to their goals. At the same time, veteran established recording artists were reminded that there is no age ceiling on creativity and no moratorium on staying in touch with every development in contemporary music.

Mexican-born Carlos Santana organized the original Santana Blues Band in el barrio of San Francisco in 1966. From the very onset, their embrace of the full musical spectrum drew audiences into packed clubs and ballrooms around the Bay area. Credit Fillmore West impresario Bill Graham for bringing Santana to the attention of Clive Davis, who signed the band to Columbia Records after seeing their Christmas week 1968 premiere at the venue. Twenty-five years after Woodstock, Santana was one of only three acts from the original festival invited back to play at Woodstock '94. Their odyssey, which reached the highest heights with their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in January 1998, soared to even loftier peaks with the success of Supernatural.

Supernatural, Miller concludes, "touchéd something special in the hearts and spirit of millions around the world, and the music industry is still struggling to figure out how it all happened. Carlos, himself, credits a higher power for the success of Supernatural, averring that this music was assigned and designed to unite people from young to old."

Carlos Santana's "Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through The Hits", inspired by the Grammy-award winning album Supernatural, is live at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino thirty-six times per year. Providing an evening of high-energy music, the concert-style show features career-spanning classics such as "Maria Maria," "Oye Como Va," "Black Magic Woman," and "Smooth." Each free-flowing performance includes a unique take on the band's repertoire with its rebel-from-the-street vibe and Santana's uniquely passionate guitar-playing. The Joint is the only place west of the Mississippi that fans can see Santana through 2010.

Supernatural: Legacy Edition by SANTANA (Arista/Legacy 88697 48080 2, originally issued June 1999, as Arista 19080)

Disc One – Selections:
1. (Da Le) Yaleo
2. Love Of My Life featuring Dave Matthews & Carter Beauford
3. Put Your Lights On featuring Everlast
4. Africa Bamba
5. Smooth featuring Rob Thomas (1st single, Hot 100 #1, 12 weeks)
6. Do You Like The Way featuring Lauryn Hill & Cee-Lo
7. Maria Maria featuring the Product G&B (2nd single, Hot 100 #1, 10 weeks; R&B #1)
8. Migra
9. Corazon Espinado featuring Mana
10. Wishing It Was featuring Eagle-Eye Cherry
11. El Farol
12. Primavera
13. The Calling featuring Eric Clapton.

Disc Two – Selections:
1. Bacalao Con Pan (previously unissued)
2. Angel Love (Come For Me) (previously unissued)
3. Rain Down On Me featuring Dave Matthews & Carter Beauford (previously unissued)
4. Corazon Espinado (Spanish Dance Remix) featuring Mana
5. One Fine Morning (previously unissued)
6. Exodus/Get Up Stand Up (previously unissued)
7. Ya Yo Me Cure (previously unissued)
8. Maria Maria (Pumpin' Dolls Club Mix) featuring The Product G&B
9. Smooth (Instrumental)
10. The Calling Jam featuring Eric Clapton (previously unissued)
11. Olympic Festival.

HOPE FOR HAITI NOW: A GLOBAL BENEFIT FOR EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

"Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief," today announced its lineup of superstar musical performances. The global telethon will feature performances by Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, and Sting in New York City; Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift and a group performance by Keith Urban, Kid Rock, and Sheryl Crow in Los Angeles; and Coldplay, and a group performance by Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z, and Rihanna in a newly added London location. All musical performances will be available for purchase for $.99 per song through the Apple® iTunes® Store beginning Saturday, January 23, with all proceeds benefiting Haiti relief funds managed by "Hope for Haiti Now" charities. In addition to musical performances, Wyclef Jean in New York City, George Clooney in Los Angeles, and CNN's Anderson Cooper reporting from Haiti, "Hope for Haiti Now" will feature more than one hundred of the biggest names in film, television, and music supporting the cause with testimonials and by answering phones during the telethon. The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and United Nations World Food Programme have joined the list of relief organizations that will benefit from "Hope for Haiti Now," which also includes Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, and Yele Haiti Foundation. Proceeds from "Hope for Haiti Now" will be split evenly among each organization's individual funds for Haiti earthquake relief.

"Hope for Haiti Now" will be the most widely distributed telethon in history, both internationally and across media platforms. The two-hour telethon will air on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, The CW, HBO, MTV, VH1, and CMT on Friday, January 22, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT and 7:00 p.m. CT. “Hope for Haiti Now” will also air on newly added networks including PBS, TNT, Showtime, COMEDY CENTRAL, Bravo, E! Entertainment, National Geographic Channel, Oxygen, G4, CENTRIC, Current TV, Fuse, MLB Network, EPIX, Palladia, SoapNet, Style, Discovery Health, Planet Green, and Canadian networks including CBC Television, CTV, Global Television, and MuchMusic. The event will be live streamed online globally across sites including YouTube, Hulu, MySpace, Fancast, AOL, MSN.com, Yahoo, Bing.com, BET.com, CNN.com, MTV.com, VH1.com, and Rhapsody and on mobile via Alltel, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and FloTV. "Hope for Haiti Now" will also air internationally on BET International, CNN International, National Geographic, and MTV Networks International, which is available in 640 million homes worldwide. "Hope for Haiti Now" will be the first U.S.-based telethon airing on MTV in China. Facebook and Twitter have signed on as official social media partners to help drive donations and tune-in to the telethon.

Based on production needs and venue sizes, all "Hope for Haiti Now" studio locations will be closed to the media. Photos, pool video footage and talent interviews from "Hope for Haiti Now" will be serviced to news outlets immediately following the event. "Hope for Haiti Now" is produced by Joel Gallen and Tenth Planet Productions, in collaboration with Viacom's MTV Networks and George Clooney.

FUNDRAISING FOR HAITIAN ORPHANS

Groove Evolution Music (GEM) Festival (www.grooveevolutionfest.com), founded by Sky Dietrich, vocalist of the band Sky D and LeGrange Evolution (www.skydandlegrange.com), is creating a new paradigm shift in charitable partnerships. GEM's mission is to benefit local and international non-profit communities from New York City to Europe to South Africa. The first fundraising music festival is scheduled for Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 9pm to 2am at Santos Party House, 96 Lafayette Street, NYC. GEM has named Haitian Orphans Wish (HOW) and Artworks for Youth as charitable beneficiaries of its first concert and dance party of 2010. Both organizations provide education, nutrition, and spiritual relief to children worldwide. Tickets for GEM Fest are available at the website (www.grooveevolutionfest.com) in advance for $15 or $20 at the door. Attendees who purchase three (3) raffle tickets for $80, receive free admission and a chance to win a roundtrip ticket to South Africa to volunteer with Artworks For Youth (www.artworksforyouth.org).

When asked what prompted her to create this festival, Sky Dietrich said, "I am not only here to play music but to grow the dreams and aspirations of my fellow world citizens. GEM Fest is one way to make that happen for those in need and my fellow artist comrades."The missions of both recipient organizations clearly resonate with the Groove Evolution Music Festival goal to inspire, enlighten and motivate people to act on their visions and passions for a better world. HOW 's mission is to provide nutritional, financial, medical, and spiritual relief to the orphaned children of Haiti. Artworks for Youth is dedicated to providing free after school visual art instruction, mentoring, and academic support to under-served students in South Africa. GEM's purpose is to raise funds for non-profit organizations globally, while providing a venue throughout the year for progressive artists, actors, and poets. Their artistic endeavors are of substance and groove and make profound statements that empower and move the world. Key artists who are donating their performances to this event are Sky D & LeGrange Evolution, Beyond Belief & Kwame, Dani Fonseca, and DJ Structure.

www.haitianorphans.com
www.artworksforyouth.org
http://www.grooveevolutionfest.com

SOLDIER OF LOVE VIDEO PREMIERE

A full decade has passed since the world has experienced a Sade video and on Monday, January 11th at 12 AM ET, "Soldier of Love," the first single off Sade's forthcoming album, makes its worldwide video debut on Amazon.com. The video can be found on Amazon's music homepage and Sade's artist page.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002YIHO7I?ie=UTF8&tag=epicrecords-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002YIHO7I

The video, directed by Sophie Muller, utilizes powerful yet dreamlike imagery with militant style dancing that coincides with the martial drums pulsating throughout the song. Channeling a futuristic wild-wild-west battleground coupled with her smooth, seductive voice, the video creates an intriguing contrast that captures the ultimate struggle and purpose to find love. "Soldier of Love" continues to make radio history with a listening audience of over 17 million. In less than four weeks "Soldier of Love" is a top five record at Urban Hot AC and Smooth Jazz, already making it one of the fastest moving records of this year's radio charts.

"Soldier of Love" which Sade co-produced with Mike Pela, was written by Sade along with longtime collaborators Andrew Hale, Stuart Matthew man and Paul Spencer Denman. Recorded in England and set for release on February 9th, SOLDIER OF LOVE marks Sade's first official studio album since the multi-platinum release of Lovers Rock in 2000.

Known for their one of a kind timeless sound, Sade has enjoyed phenomenal success both internationally and stateside throughout the span of their twenty-five year career. Since the release of their debut album, Diamond Life in 1984 the band has seen all five of their studio albums land in the Top 10 on Billboard's Top 200 Album Chart selling a total of more than 50 million albums worldwide to date. They've been nominated for American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and have won three Grammy Awards - first in 1986 for Best New Artist, then in 1994 for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group for "No Ordinary Love," and again in 2002 for Best Pop Vocal Album with Lovers Rock.

WWW.SADE.COM www.sadeusa.com

THE FEBRUARY CONCERT CALENDAR

Charlie Hunter @ Nightcat, Easton, MD, Feb 1
Joshua Redman, Kurt Elling @ Konserthuset, Goteborg, Sweden, Feb 1

Bettye LaVette @ Hopkins Center For The Performing Arts,
Hopkins, MN, Feb 2

Dionne Warwick @ Youkey Theatre, Lakeland, FL, Feb 2-3
Joshua Redman, Kurt Elling @ Victoria, Oslo, Norway, Feb 3
Joss Stone @ Olympia, Paris, France, Feb 3
Ladysmith Black Mambazo @ Highline Ballroom, New York, NY, Feb 3
Pat Metheny @ De Oosterpoort, Groningen, Netherlands, Feb 3

Santana @ The Joint At The Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas, NV,
Feb 3, 5, 6, 10, 12-14, 17, 19, 20, 21

Joshua Redman, Kurt Elling @ Moods, Zurich, Switzerland, Feb 4
Al Di Meola @ Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA, Feb 4
B.B. King @ King Center, Melbourne, FL, Feb 4
Bobby “Blue” Bland @ The Birchmere Music Hall, Alexandria, VA, Feb 4
Pat Metheny @ Stockholm Concert Hall, Stockholm, Sweden, Feb 5
B.B. King @ Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL, Feb 5
Al Di Meola @ Largo Cultural Center, Largo, FL, Feb 5
Chris Botti @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR, Feb 5
George Winston @ Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ, Feb 5
David Sanborn @ Scullers Jazz Club, Allston, MA, Feb 5-6
Lainie Kazan @ Philharmonic Center For The Arts, Naples, FL, Feb 5-6
B.B. King @ Fox Theater, Atlanta, GA, Feb 6
Walter Beasley @ The Birchmere Music Hall, Alexandria, VA, Feb 6
Chris Botti @ Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA, Feb 6
Pat Metheny @ Concert House, Oslo, Norway, Feb 6
David Sanborn, Joey DeFrancesco @ Scullers Jazz Club, Allston, MA, Feb 5-6
Joshua Redman, Kurt Elling @ Is Sanat Istanbul Hall, Istanbul, Turkey, Feb 6
Al Di Meola @ The Plaza Theatre, Orlando, FL, Feb 6
Joshua Redman, Kurt Elling @ Blue Note Milano, Milan, Italy, Feb 7
Pat Metheny @ Tivoli Koncerthouse, Copenhagen, Denmark, Feb 7
Booker T & The MG’s @ The Blue Note, Tokyo, Japan, Feb 7-10
John Mayer @ North Charleston Coliseum, Charleston, SC, Feb 8
Joshua Redman, Kurt Elling @ Konzerthaus, Wein, Austria, Feb 8
John Mayer @ BJCC Arena, Birmingham, AL, Feb 9
Chris Botti @ Dodge Theatre, Phoenix, AZ, Feb 9
Pat Metheny @ Palais Des Beaux-Arts, Brussels, Belgium, Feb 9
B.B. King @ Ryman, Nashville, TN, Feb 9
Joshua Redman, Kurt Elling @ Russelsheim Theatre, Russelsheim, Germany, Feb 9
Joshua Redman, Kurt Elling @ Casa da Musica, Oporto, Portugal, Feb 10
Pat Metheny @ La Comete, Champagne, France, Feb 10
John Mayer @ Sommet Center, Nashville, TN, Feb 10
Chris Botti @ Flint Center For Performing Arts, Cupertino, CA, Feb 10
Pa Metheny @ Barbican Centre, London, UK, Feb 10
B.B. King @ Constitution Hall, Washington, DC, Feb 11
Al Di Meola @ Granada Theater, Dallas, TX, Feb 11
Mindi Abair, Peter White @ Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA, Feb 11
Chris Botti @ Renee & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Costa Mesa, CA, Feb 11-13
Pat Metheny @ Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Feb 11
Angie Stone @ The Birchmere Music Hall, Alexandria, VA, Feb 11
Dee Dee Bridgewater @ Univ.Of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, Feb 11
John Mayer @ Palace Of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI, Feb 12
Pat Metheny @ Frits Philips Musiccentre, Eidhoven, Netherlands, Feb 12
B.B. King @ United Palace Theatre, New York, NY, Feb 12
Dee Dee Bridgewater @ Dixie Carter PAC, Huntington, TN, Feb 12
Gladys Knight @ Philharmonic Center For The Arts, Naples, FL, Feb 12
Acoustic Alchemy @ Latvian National Symphony, Riga, Latvia, Feb 12
Al Di Meola @ One World Theatre, Austin, TX, Feb 12
Patti Labelle, O’Jays @ Fabulous Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO, Feb 12
Eliane Elias @ Scullers Jazz Club, Allston, MA, Feb 12-13
Tower Of Power @ Cannery Casino & Hotel, Las Vegas, NV, Feb 12-13
Branford Marsalis @ Touhill PAC, St. Louis, MO, Feb 13
Pat Metheny @ Olympia, Paris, France, Feb 13
Angie Stone @ B.B. Kings, New York, NY, Feb 13
Dee Dee Bridgewater @ Rialto Center For The Arts, Atlanta, GA, Feb 13

Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald @ Leeuwin Estate Winery,
Margaret River, Australia, Feb 13-14

B.B. King @ Caesars Circus Maximus Theatre, Atlantic City, NJ, Feb 13
John Mayer @ Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON, Feb 13
Branford Marsalis @ Missouri Theatre, Columbia, MO, Feb 13
Patti Labelle @ Caesar’s Windsor Coliseum, Windsor, ON, Feb 13
Michael Feinstein @ Philharmonic Center For The Arts, Naples, FL, Feb 13
B.B. King @ MGM Grand, Mashantucket, CT, Feb 14
Chris Botti @ McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert, CA, Feb 14
Dee Dee Bridgewater @ Germantown PAC, Germantown, TN, Feb 14
Smokey Robinson @ Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, WA, Feb 14
Pat Metheny @ Salle Berlioz, Montpellier, France, Feb 15
John Mayer @ Scotiabank Place, Ottawa, ON, Feb 16
B.B. King @ Fox Theater, Detroit, MI, Feb 16
Pat Metheny @ Femina, Bordeaux, France, Feb 16
Dee Dee Bridgewater @ Jefferson Center, Roanoke, VA, Feb 16
John Mayer @ Bell Centre, Montreal, QC, Feb 17

Box Scaggs, Michael McDonald @ Adelaide Entertainment Center,
Hindmarsh, Australia, Feb 17

Dee Dee Bridgewater @ Jazz At Lincoln Center, New York, NY, Feb 17
B.B. King @ Family Arena, St. Charles, MO, Feb 18
Eddie Palmieri @ Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA, Feb 18
Gladys Knight @ King Center For Performing Arts, Melbourne, FL, Feb 18
John Mayer @ Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, CT, Feb 19

Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald @ Palais Theatre,
Melbourne, Australia, Feb 18

Majestic Fox Theater, Bakersfield, CA, Feb 18
Al Di Meola @ Rialto Theatre, Tucson, AZ, Feb 18
Al Di Meola @ Scottsdale Center For Perf Arts, Scottsdale, AZ, Feb 19
B.B. King @ Midland Theatre, Kansas City, MO, Feb 19
Chris Botti @ Fred Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks, CA, Feb 19
David Sanborn @ DreamCatcher At Viejaz, Alpine, CA, Feb 19
Michael Feinstein @ McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert, CA, Feb 19
Phil Perry @ Scullers Jazz Club, Allston, MA, Feb 19-20
Chicago @ Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo, Japan, Feb 19-20

Mindi Abair, Peter White @ Punta Gorda Wine & Jazz Festival,
Punta Gorda, FL, Feb 20

Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald @ Sutton Grange Winery,
Melbourne, Australia, Feb 20

B.B. King @ Orpheum, Minneapolis, MN, Feb 20
David Sanborn @ McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert, CA, Feb 20
Al Di Meola @ Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa, Henderson, NV, Feb 20
John Mayer @ Verizon Center, Washington, DC, Feb 20
Dave Mason @ One World Theatre, Austin, TX, Feb 20
Branford Marsalis @ Strand Capitol PAC, York, PA, Feb 20
Oleta Adams @ B.B. King’s, New York, NY, Feb 20
John Mayer @ Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA, Feb 21
Joshua Redman, Kurt Elling @ Clarice Smith PAC, College Park, MD, Feb 21
David Sanborn @ Lancaster PAC, Lancaster, CA, Feb 21

Box Scaggs, Michael McDonald @ Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort,
Yarra Valley, Australia, Feb 21

Jack Jones @ Kimmel Center For The Performing Arts,
Philadelphia, PA, Jan 21,24,26,27

B.B. King @ Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs, IA, Feb 22
David Sanborn @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz, CA, Feb 22

Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald @ Royal Theatre,
Canberra, Australia, Feb 23

Pat Metheny @ Deutches Theater, Munich, Germany, Feb 23
Al Di Meola @ Anthology, San Diego, CA, Feb 23-24
Janiva Magness @ Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA, Feb 23-24
John Mayer @ TB Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA, Feb 24
David Sanborn @ Tower Theatre, Fresno, CA, Feb 24
Eddie Palmieri @ Yoshi’s, San Francisco, CA, Jan 24

Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald @ Sydney Entertainment Centre,
Darling Harbour, Australia, Feb 25

John Mayer @ Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, Feb 25
Pat Metheny @ Vienna Concert Hall, Vienna, Austria, Feb 25
Al Di Meola @ The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano, CA, Feb 25

Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald @ Win Entertainment Centre,
Wollongong, Australia, Feb 26

Steve Tyrell @ Philharmonic Center For The Arts, Naples, FL, Feb 26
Pat Metheny @ Incheba Expo Arena, Bratislava, Slovakia, Feb 26
Al Di Meola @ House Of Blues, West Hollywood, CA, Feb 26
Frank Sinatra Jr. @ McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert, CA, Feb 26

Bob James, Acoustic Alchemy @ Cerritos Centre, Cerritos, CA, Feb 26

Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald @ Brisbane Riverstage,
Brisbane, Australia, Feb 27

Dee Dee Bridgewater @ Luzerna Saal, Lucerne, Switzerland, Feb 27
Bobby McFerrin @ Paramount Center, Peekskill, NY, Feb 27
Rachelle Ferrell @ Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis, MD, Feb 27
Richie Havens @ One World Theatre, Austin, TX, Feb 27
Al Di Meola @ Palace Of Fine Arts Theatre, San Francisco, CA, Feb 27
Acoustic Alchemy @ Villa Montalvo, Saratoga, CA, Feb 28
Pat Metheny @ Hala Stuleca, Wroclaw, Poland, Feb 28
John Mayer @ Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI, Feb 28
Rachelle Ferrell @ The Birchmere Music Hall, Alexandria, VA, Feb 28
Angelique Kidjo @ Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, CA, Feb 28

SMOOTH JAZZ WNWV 107.3 THE WAVE BITS THE DUST!

Another one bits the dust as WNWV 107.3 FM in Elyria, Ohio switched over at noon on December 28 from The Wave’s smooth jazz format to 107.3 Boom!, a new alternative and classic rock “Triple-A” format. The new Triple-A format promises a diverse playlist blending emerging artists with alternative rock and classic rock stars. A statement on The Wave’s Web site says, “After more than 20 years of providing smooth jazz to Northeast Ohio, we’re unable to sustain the format any longer due to a change in Ratings Service methodology. Simply put, lower measurement equals lower ratings. Consequently, we cannot sustain the overhead associated with bringing you the music you love.” Fans of Kenny G and Dave Koz will be able to hear their style of smooth jazz on the station's HD frequency, streamed on wnwv.com. Some on-air hosts, such as morning man Mike Kessler, are expected to stay, while others will be replaced with new talent, according to the post. "The Wave" is abandoning the format after 22 years because of a newcomer to town - Portable People Meters, or PPMs. For decades, Arbitron Inc., the main radio ratings company, gathered information in weekly logs filled out by a selected pool of listeners. In 2007, Arbitron rolled out the PPM, a pager-sized device that electronically records what the person is listening to. A hub, or collector, uploads the information each night via a modem. People meters give broadcasters a more precise look at what listeners hear, said Jessica Benbow, corporate communication manager for Arbitron. The company plans to gradually introduce PPMs in the top 49 markets by next year, Benbow said. Oldies, news and country stations are showing audience growth under the new system, according to a recent New York Times article. Some Spanish-language stations' ratings fell so sharply that concerned broadcasters testified before a congressional committee this month, protesting that the PPM system discriminates against minority audiences, according to the article. PPM measurements also hit smooth-jazz broadcasters hard. Stations in New York, Houston, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Chicago have abandoned the format, according to Tom Taylor, executive news editor at Radio-Info, a Chicago-based Web site that covers the radio industry. Arbitron tested PPMs in Cleveland in the fall. Starting this month, the PPM numbers will determine ratings and how much broadcasters can charge for advertising. Preliminary PPM statistics showed that smooth-jazz listeners average in their mid-50s, 10 years older than the average radio listener in Cleveland. Advertisers generally want to reach a younger demographic group. Unfortunately, smooth jazz is not sustainable under this new methodology.

Wave fans can still hear smooth jazz live online at www.wnwv.com or on an HD radio at 107.3 HD2.