In honor of its 30th anniversary, the Blue Note Jazz Club is opening its doors throughout New York City during the month of June for the inaugural Blue Note Jazz Festival. More than 80 shows featuring many artists who have performed at the Blue Note for years will take the city by storm at this year's largest New York jazz festival. More than 60,000 tickets are available. The festival will feature a diverse group of high-profile artists including Dave Brubeck, Chris Botti, Nancy Wilson, Bobby McFerrin, Brian Wilson, The Roots, Chaka Kahn, Roberta Flack, El Gran Combo, Jon Hendricks, Kathleen Battle, McCoy Tyner, Youssou N'Dour, Bill Frisell, Meshell Ndegeocello, Madeleine Peyroux and many more. In addition to presenting a special series of shows at the Blue Note, the club has scheduled shows at the Beacon Theatre, Town Hall, BB King Blues Club & Grill, Highline Ballroom, Terminal 5, Joe's Pub, Mercury Lounge, Rose Hall at Lincoln Center, Le Poisson Rouge, The Lehman Center for Performing Arts, and the Katonah Museum of Art.
"Thirty years ago, I never could have dreamed that the Blue Note would become what it is today," owner and operator Danny Bensusan said of his famed jazz club. "It wasn't easy to convince the artists to play here at first. We had help from some of the musicians who believed in what we were trying to do – Ray Brown and Dizzy Gillespie, in particular – and as we started bringing in bigger names, the reputation of the club grew. Once they played the Blue Note, they always wanted to come back, because there is an intimacy here between the audience and the musician that is appealing to everyone."
"To celebrate our 30th year, we're presenting musicians all over New York who have played the Blue Note since the beginning, as well as new ones who we hope will continue to come back for many years," Mr. Bensusan said of the festival. The Blue Note shows in particular will feature many of the club's long-time artists, like Jon Hendricks, who will be celebrating his 90th birthday, Lee Konitz, who performed at the Blue Note within the first few weeks of the club's opening, and Dave Brubeck among others.
While the Blue Note Jazz Festival celebrates the club's accomplishments and legendary artists, Mr. Bensusan believes the Blue Note's future success will come from exposing new artists, captivating new audiences and investing in jazz education. In light of this, the Blue Note Jazz Festival will include a series at the Mercury Lounge devoted to young up-and-coming artists in a variety of genres, as well as the new Spontaneous Construction Series at the Blue Note presented by Search & Restore, which pairs young, experimental artists together for the first time. Additionally, the Blue Note Jazz Festival will sponsor educational programs for the non-profit organization JazzReach and its "ELLINGTON!" program at the Highline Ballroom which will host hundreds of New York City Public School students each day over a period of three afternoons.
For Mr. Bensusan, the Blue Note Jazz Festival is a reflection of where the Blue Note has been, but most importantly, an indication of what lies ahead. "I'm proud that after 30 years, the Blue Note has become an important institution in New York and that with the Blue Note Jazz Festival, we are continuing to expand and work toward making the Blue Note as good as it can be."
Since its inception in 1981, the Blue Note has become a cultural institution in New York and one of the premier jazz clubs in the world. Jazz is undoubtedly America's music, and while the Blue Note strives to celebrate the music's great history, the club is a place where progression and innovation - the foundation of jazz - are encouraged and practiced on a nightly basis. After 30 years of success, the Blue Note continues to carry the torch for jazz proudly.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
NEW RELEASES: AZYMUTH, DENNIS COFFEY, MARK MOSLEY, PHILLY ALL STARS...
Afro Latin Via Dakar (Various Artists)
Afro Latin Via Kinshasa (Various Artists)
Al Di Meola – Pursuit Of Radical Rhapsody
Ambrose Akinmusire – When The Heart Emerges Glistening
Anthony David – As Above So Below
At Jazz – For Real
Azymuth – Aurora
Beggar & Co. – Legacy
Bootsy Collins – Funk Capital of The World
Bryan Forsloff – The Final Touch
Dennis Coffey – Dennis Coffey
Don Sebesky – Giant Box
Drew Davidson – Spin Cycle
Eric Bibb – Troubadour Live
Fab Semperi – Jazz Di Mezzaluna
Femi Kuti – Africa For Africa
Francis Lai – Claude Leluch and Francis Lai – L’Integrale
Idrissa Diop & Cheikh Tidiane Tall – Diamonoye Tiopite L’Espogue De L’Evolution
Ike & Tina Turner – Come Together/Nuff Said
Ike & Tina Turner – River Deep – Mountain High
Isaac Albaniz – Spanish Music For Classical Guitar
Jazz Chronicles – Jazz Chronicles II
Juan Laya & Jorge Montiel – Funk Supreme
Kathy Sledge - Heart
L’Orchestre Kanaga De Mopti - L’Orchestre Kanaga De Mopti
Luna Blanca – Provence
Mark Mosley - TLC
Melba Moore – Never Say Never
Melba Moore – Read My Lips
Nino Tempo & April Stevens – Hey Baby! The Nino Tempo & April Stevens Anthology
Nostalgia 77 – Hush
Orchestre Poly Rhythmo De Cotonou – Cotonou Club
Philly All Stars – Philly Classics Revisited
Raf Vilar – Studies In Bossa
Ray Charles – Live In Concert
Reel People & Others – Golden Lady
Ryan Shea Smith – Stay Awhile
Stanley Turrentine – Salt Song
Tab Benoit - Medicine
Tata Vega – Full Speed Ahead
Tata Vega – Totally Tata
Afro Latin Via Kinshasa (Various Artists)
Al Di Meola – Pursuit Of Radical Rhapsody
Ambrose Akinmusire – When The Heart Emerges Glistening
Anthony David – As Above So Below
At Jazz – For Real
Azymuth – Aurora
Beggar & Co. – Legacy
Bootsy Collins – Funk Capital of The World
Bryan Forsloff – The Final Touch
Dennis Coffey – Dennis Coffey
Don Sebesky – Giant Box
Drew Davidson – Spin Cycle
Eric Bibb – Troubadour Live
Fab Semperi – Jazz Di Mezzaluna
Femi Kuti – Africa For Africa
Francis Lai – Claude Leluch and Francis Lai – L’Integrale
Idrissa Diop & Cheikh Tidiane Tall – Diamonoye Tiopite L’Espogue De L’Evolution
Ike & Tina Turner – Come Together/Nuff Said
Ike & Tina Turner – River Deep – Mountain High
Isaac Albaniz – Spanish Music For Classical Guitar
Jazz Chronicles – Jazz Chronicles II
Juan Laya & Jorge Montiel – Funk Supreme
Kathy Sledge - Heart
L’Orchestre Kanaga De Mopti - L’Orchestre Kanaga De Mopti
Luna Blanca – Provence
Mark Mosley - TLC
Melba Moore – Never Say Never
Melba Moore – Read My Lips
Nino Tempo & April Stevens – Hey Baby! The Nino Tempo & April Stevens Anthology
Nostalgia 77 – Hush
Orchestre Poly Rhythmo De Cotonou – Cotonou Club
Philly All Stars – Philly Classics Revisited
Raf Vilar – Studies In Bossa
Ray Charles – Live In Concert
Reel People & Others – Golden Lady
Ryan Shea Smith – Stay Awhile
Stanley Turrentine – Salt Song
Tab Benoit - Medicine
Tata Vega – Full Speed Ahead
Tata Vega – Totally Tata
Friday, April 22, 2011
THE 2011-2012 CONCERT CALENDAR
APRIL 2011
Brian Bromberg Band, Randy Brecker @ Jazz Base,
Wyomissing, PA, Apr 1
Gerald Albright, Brian Culbertson, Rick Braun @
Sovereign Performing Arts Center, Reading, PA, Apr 1
Steve Tyrell @ Miller Center For The Performing Arts,
Reading, PA, Apr 1
Chieli Minucci @ Special EFX @ Abraham Lincoln Hotel,
Wyomissing, PA, Apr 1
Lee Ritenour @ Knight Concert Hall, Miami, FL, Apr 1
Euge Groove @ Crowne Plaza, Wyomissing, PA, Apr 1
Herb Alpert @ Viper Alley, Linconshire, PA, Apr 1
Ashford & Simpson @ Hotel Nikko, San Francisco, CA, Apr 1-3
Chris Botti, Lasells Stewart Center, Corvallis, OR, Apr 1-2
Gerald Veasley @ Jazz Base, Wyomissing, PA, Apr 1-2
The Rippingtons ft. Russ Freeman, Philippe Saisse Trio @ Crowne Plaza,
Wyomissing, PA, Apr 2
Tower Of Power @ Grand Theatre, Kingston, ON, Apr 2
Lionel Richie @ Rochford Wines, Coldstream, VIC, Australia, Apr 2
Buddy Guy @ House of Blues, Atlantic City, NJ, Apr 2
Doobie Brothers, WAR @ Neal S. Blaisdell Arena, Honolulu, HI, Apr 2
Chaka Khan @ Paragon Casino Resort, Marksville, LA, Apr 2
Fourplay @ Scottish Rite Cathedral, Wyomissing, PA, Apr 2
Herb Alpert @ Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, IL, Apr 2
Joe Lovano, US Five @ Folly Theatre, Kansas City, MO, Apr 2
Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Wayne Henderson @ Crowne Plaza,
Wyomissing, PA, Apr 2
Houston Person @ Miller Center For The Performing Arts,
Reading, PA, Apr 2
Lionel Richie @ Leconfield Wines, McLaren Vale, SA, Australia, Apr 3
Lee Ritenour @ Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA, Apr 3
Brian Simpson, Jeff Kashiwa @ Crowne Plaza, Wyomissing, PA, Apr 3
Rick Braun @ Miller Center For The Performing Arts, Reading, PA, Apr 3
Brian Culbertson, Kenny Lattimore @ Berks Jazz Festival
Scottish Rite Cathedral, Wyomissing, PA, Apr 3
Buddy Guy @ University At Buffalo Ctr for Arts, Buffalo, NY, Apr 4
Fourplay @ Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis, MD, Apr 4-5
Joe Lovano, US Five @ Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis, MN, Apr 4-5
Lee Ritenour @ B.B. King’s Blues Club, New York, NY, Apr 5
Lee Ritenour @ Blues Alley, Washington, DC, Apr 7-10
Joe Lovano, US Five @ Jazz Showcase, Chicago, IL, Apr 7-10
Buddy Guy @ Massey Hall, Toronto, ON, Apr 8
Brian Culbertson @ Earl Klugh Wknd of Jazz, Colorado Springs, CO, Apr 8
Average White Band @ Showcase Live, Foxboro, MA, Apr 8
Pink Martini @ Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, MN, Apr 8-9
Dionne Warwick @ Ritz Theatre, Tiffin, OH, Apr 9
Buddy Guy @ Palace Theatre, Greensburg, PA, Apr 9
The O’Jays @ Atlantic City Hilton, Atlantic City, NJ, Apr 9
Russell Thompkins & New Stylistics, The Manhattans, The Chi-Lites,
Gerald Alston @ Star Plaza Theatre, Merrillville, IN, Apr 9
Jeff Golub, Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Marion Meadows,
Michael Lington, Warren Hill, Steve Cole, Nick Colionne,
Jeff Kashiwa, Jackiem Joyner, Jessy J, Mindi Abair, Maysa,
Euge Groove, Erica Darius, Jonathan Butler, Norman Brown,
Richard Elliot @ JW Desert Ridge Jazz Festival, JW Marriott
Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix, AZ, Apr 9-10
Buddy Guy @ Birchmere, Alexandria, VA, Apr 10
Kenny G @ MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV, Mar 10-12
Tower of Power @ Birchmere, Alexandria, VA, Apr 11
Smokey Robinson @ Polk Theatre, Lakeland, FL, Apr 12
Tower Of Power @ Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis, MD, Apr 12
B.B. King @ State Theatre, Sydney, Australia, Apr 12-13
Pink Martini @ Kennedy Center for Perf Arts, Apr 12-16
George Benson, Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Candy Dulfer,
Eric Darius, Euge Groove, Gerald Albright, Jeff Golub,
Kirk Whalum, Marion Meadows, Michael Lington, Mindi Abair,
Norman Brown, Peter White, Richard Elliot, Warren Hill @
Seabreeze Jazz Festival, Pier Park, Panama City Beach, FL
Apr 13 – 17
Buddy Guy @ Paramount Theatre, Denver, CO, Apr 13
Lee Ritenour @ Jazz Kitchen, Indianapolis, IN, Apr 13
Buddy Guy @ Pantages Theater, Tacoma, WA, Apr 15
Jamiroquai @ The o2 Arena, London, UK, May 15
The Souljazz Orchestra @ Block 33, Thessalonki, Greece, Apr 15
Mavis Staples @ Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, Adelaide, Australia, Apr 15
Smokey Robinson @ Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, NC, Apr 15
Maceo Parker @ Yoshi’s, San Francisco, CA, Apr 15-16
Average White Band, Tower Of Power @
Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PA, Apr 15-16
Buddy Guy @ Red Robinson Show Theatre, Vancouver, BC, Apr 16
B.B. King @ Hisense Arena, Melbourne, Australia, Apr 16
The Souljazz Orchestra@ Bowness Hall, Calgary, AB, Apr 16
Average White Band, Tower Of Power @
Whitaker Center, Harrisburg, PA, Apr 17
Eric Benet @ The Indigo2 at the o2, London, UK, Apr 17
The Ohio Players @ Crawfish Festival, Biloxi, MS, Apr 17
The Souljazz Orchestra @ Once Upon A Festival,
Kasteel Laarne, BE, Apr 17
Mindi Abair @ Seabreeze Jazz Festival, Pier Park Amphitheatre,
Panama City, FL, Apr 17
The Spinners, Village People @ Magic City Casino, Miami, FL, Apr 17
Lee Ritenour @ Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis, MN, Apr 17-18
Buddy Guy @ Kelowna Community Theatre, Kelowna, BC, Apr 18
Roy Hargrove, McCoy Tyner, Madeleine Peyroux, Ron Carter,
Joe Lovano, John Scofield, Michel Camilo, Kenny Barron,
Jose James, Christian Scott, Robert Clasper @ Benefit For Japan,
The Blue Note, New York, NY, Apr 18-19
Tower Of Power @ Scullers Jazz Club, Boston, MA, Apr 19-21
Lee Ritenour @ Solid Dove Underground, Denver, CO, Apr 20
Mindi Abair @ Capitol Theatre, Clearwater, FL, Apr 20
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo @ La Cigale, Paris, France, Apr 20
Santana @ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV, Apr 20
The Blind Boys of Alabama, Mavis Staples, Aaron Neville
@ The Palais Theatre, Saint Kilda, Australia, Apr 20
Chicago @ Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL, Apr 21
Buddy Guy @ Cascade Theatre, Redding, CA, Apr 21
Joe Lovano, US Five @ Rialto Theatre, Atlanta, GA, Apr 21-22
Buddy Guy @ Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center, Davis, CA, Apr 22
Chaka Khan @ House of Blues, Atlantic City, NJ, Apr 22
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo @ Victoire 2, Montpellier, France, Apr 22
Santana @ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV, Apr 22-24
Boz Scaggs @ Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL, Apr 24
WAR @ The Crawfish Festival, Biloxi, MS, Apr 24
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo @ Printemps De Bourges, Bourges, FR, Apr 24
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo @ La Chabada, Anges, France, Apr 26
B.B. King @ Neal S. Blaisdell Arena, Honolulu, HI, Apr 27
Santana @ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV, Apr 27
Ceu @ New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, Apr 27
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo @ Le Raza, Utrecht, Netherlands, Apr 28
Angela Bofill, Maysa, Dave Valentin @ Ferst Center,
Atlanta, GA, Apr 28
Maceo Parker @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz, CA, Apr 28
Joe Lovano, US Five @ Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA, Apr 28-30
Santana @ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV, Apr 29
Ceu @ North Beach Bandshell Transatlantic Festival, Miami, FL, Apr 29
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo @ MC Theater, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Apr 29
Mindi Abair @ Hammerson Hall, Mississauga, Ontario, Apr 29
Maceo Parker @ Belly Up Tavern, Solona Beach, CA, Apr 29
Patti LaBelle, Kenny G @ Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC, Apr 29
S Orchestre Poly-Rythmo @ Espace Senghor, Bruxelles, Belgium, Apr 30
Stephanie Mills @ Birchmere, Alexandria, VA, Apr 30
Mindi Abair, Dave Koz, Kenny Lattimore, Rick Braun, Ray Parker Jr.,
Brian Simpson @ Tri-C Jazz Fest, Cleveland, OH, Apr 30
MAY 2011
Santana @ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV, May 1
Joe Lovano, US Five @ Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA, May 1
Ceu @ Highline Ballroom, New York, NY, May 1
Jesse Cook @ Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA, May 1
Joe Lovano, US Five @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz, CA, May 2
Joe Lovano, US Five @ Yoshi’s, Oakland, CA, May 3
Ceu @ Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis, MN, May 3-4
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo @ Scala, London, UK, May 5
The Whispers, Stephanie Mills @ Beacon Theatre, New York, NY, May 5
Joe Lovano @ Tribeca Performing Arts Center, New York, NY, May 5
Ceu @ Herbst Theatre, San Francisco, CA, May 6
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo @ Nachtleben, Frankfurt, Germany, May 6
Mindi Abair @ Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake, WI, May 6
Ali Campbell @ The Indigo2 at the o2, London, UK, May 6
Brian Culbertson @ Pizza Express, London, UK, May 6-10
Mindi Abair @ Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA, May 7
Ceu @ El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, May 7
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo @ Funkhaus Europa Party,
Mulheim, Germany, May 7
Chris Botti @ Knoxville Aud & Coliseum, Knoxville, TN, May 7
Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra @ Rams Head On Stage,
Annapolis, MD, May 10
Brian Culbertson @ The Stables, Milton Keyes, UK, May 11
Larry Carlton @ Blue Note Milano, Milan, Italy, May 11-12
Brian Culbertson @ Pizza Express, El Maidstone, UK, May 12
Brian Culbertson @ The Cinnamon Club, Cheshire, UK, May 13
Larry Carlton @ Matosinhos Jazz Festival, Portugal, May 13
Candy Dulfer @ Smooth Jazz Cruise, New York, NY, May 13
Mindi Abair, Euge Groove @ Newport Beach Jazz Fest, Hyatt
Regency, Newport Beach, CA, May 13
Herb Alpert @ Dimitrou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA, May 13-15
Larry Carlton @ Scala Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburg, Germany, May 14
The Whispers @ The Indigo2 at the o2, London, UK, May 14
Larry Carlton @ Int’l Guitar Festival, Heinsberg, Germany, May 15
Candy Dulfer @ Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis, MD, May 15
Larry Carlton @ Centralstation Halle EG, Darmstadt, Germany, May 16
Chris Botti @ Durham Perf Arts Center, Durham, NC, May 17
Herb Alpert @ Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, San Francisco, CA, May 17
Larry Carlton @ Metropool, Wemenstraat, Netherlands, May 18
Larry Carlton @ North City Jazz & Blues Festival, Kosovo, Serbia, May 19
Herb Alpert @ Eli & Edythe Broad Stage, Santa Monica, CA, May 19
Mindi Abair @ Cotton Club, Tokyo, Japan, May 19-21
Joe Lovano @ Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA, May 20
Brian Culbertson, Cube Hotel Biberwier-Lermos, Tyrol, Austria, May 20
Herb Alpert, Lani Hall @ Renee & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall,
Costa Mesa, CA, May 20
Jackiem Joyner, Nick Colionne @ Cube Biberwier-Lermoos,
Tyrol. Austria, May 21
Chris Botti @ Belk Theater, Charlotte, NC, May 21
Nils, Nick Colionne, Jackiem Joyner @ Cube Biberwier-Lermoos,
Tyrol, Austria, May 22
Sade @ The o2 Arena, London, UK, May 31
JUNE 2011
Dennis Coffey @ Troubadour, Los Angeles, CA, June 2
Herbie Hancock, Natalie Cole, Incognito ft. Maysa, Boney James,
Take 6, WAR, Najee, Will Downing, Soul II Soul, Oleta Adams,
Jonathan Butler, Patti Austin, Chuck Brown, Larry Graham &
Graham Central Station, George Duke, Marcus Miller,
David Sanborn, Hiroshima, Phil Perry, Ruben Studdard,
Alex Bugnon, Michael Franks, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot @
Capital Jazz Fest, Merriweather Post Pavilion,
Columbia, MD, June 3-5
Dennis Coffey @ Bell House, Brooklyn, NY, June 4
Dennis Coffey @ Brighton Music Hall, Allston, June 5
Warren Hill, Paul Taylor. Marion Meadows @ Thornton Winery,
Temecula, CA, June 5
Lee Ritenour @ Herbst Theatre, San Francisco, CA, June 5
Dennis Coffey @ World Café Live, Philadelphia, PA, June 7
Dennis Coffey @ Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, OH, June 8
Dennis Coffey @ Lincoln Hall, Chicago, IL, June 9
Dennis Coffey @ Bonnaroo, Manchester, June 11
Natalie Cole @ Rochester Int’l Jazz Festival, Rochester, NY, June 10
Herb Alpert, Lani Hall @ Viper Alley, Lincolnshire, IL, June 11
Dianne Reeves, Fourplay, Eddie Palmieri @ Playboy Jazz Festival,
Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA, June 11
John Scofield, Ronnie Laws, Stanley Jordan, Walter Beasley,
Fred Wesley @ Playboy Jazz Festival, Hollywood Bowl,
Los Angeles, CA, June 12
Herb Alpert, Lani Hall @ Old Town School of Folk Music,
Chicago, IL, June 12
Fourplay, Strunz & Farah @ Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA, June 12
Herb Alpert, Lani Hall @ Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis, MN, June 13
Sade, John Legend @ 1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore, MD, June 16
Jack Jones @ Scullers Jazz Club, Allston, MA, June 17-18
Mindi Abair, Euge Groove @ The Grove – Radisson,
Sacramento, CA, June 18
Boney James @ Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA, June 18
Sade, John Legend @ Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA, June 18
Sade, John Legend @ Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA, June 19
Sade, John Legend @ Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY, June 21
Sade, John Legend @ Verizon Center, Washington, DC, June 22
Hugh Masekela @ Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA, June 22
Chris Standring @ Catalina Island Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, June 24
Sade, John Legend @ Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ, June 24
Sade, John Legend @ Prudential Center, Newark, NJ, June 25
Warren Hill, Marcus Anderson @ Catalina Island Jazz Festival,
Avalon, CA, June 25
Babyface, Nick Colionne, Pamela Williams @ Grant
Amphitheatre, Littlejohn, CO, June 25
Pieces Of A Dream, Joey Summerville, Marcus Anderson @ Grant
Amphitheatre, Littlejohn, CO, June 25
Jackiem Joyner, Marion Meadows, Peter White
@ Catalina Island Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, June 26
Euge Groove, Nick Colionne@ Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA, June 26
Sade, John Legend @ Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON, June 28
Sade, John Legend @ Bell Centre, Montreal, QC, June 30
JULY 2011
Carlos Santana, John McLaughlin, The Skatalites, Jimmy Cliff
@ Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, July 1
Santana, B.B. King Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks @ Montreux
Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, July 2
B.B. King, Carlos Santana, John McLaughlin, Robert Randolph,
Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks @ Montreux Jazz Festival,
Montreux, Switzerland, July 3
Sade, John Legend @ Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT, July 3
Al Jarreau @ Royal Festival Hall, London, UK, July 3
George Benson @ Montreux Jazz Festival,
Montreux, Switzerland, July 4
George Benson, Randy Crawford, Dr. John, Diana Krall
@ Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, July 5
Sade, John Legend @ TD Garden, Boston, MA, July 6
Brian Culbertson @ Chene Park Amphitheatre, Detroit, MI, July 6
Trombone Shorty, Leon Russell, Dr. John @ Montreux Jazz Festival,
Montreux, Switzerland, July 6
Brian Culbertson @ Fraze Pavilion, Kettering, OH, July 7
Richard Bona, Raul Midon, Andreas Vollenwieder @ Montreux
Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, July 7
Ziggy Marley, Youssou NDour, Alpha Blondy @ Montreux Jazz
Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, July 8
Sade, John Legend @ Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN, July 8
Down To The Bone @ Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis, MD, July 8
Sade, John Legend @ Quickens Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH, July 9
Dave Koz @ Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA, July 8
Mindi Abair @ Maxwell C. King Center, Melbourne, FL, July 9
Neil Diamond @ The o2 Arena, London, UK, July 9 & 11
Sade, John Legend @ Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH, July 10
Mario Biondi, Natalie Cole @ Montreux Jazz Festival,
Montreux, Switzerland, July 10
Sting @ Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, July 11
Asa, Seal @ Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, July 12
Esperanza Spalding, Return to Forever with Chick Corea,
Jean Luc-Ponty, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White @ Montreux
Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, July 12
Sade, John Legend @ Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA, July 12-13
Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Wayne Shorter @
Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, July 13
Chris Botti, Bobby McFerrin, Yellowjackets @ Hollywood Bowl,
Los Angeles, CA, July 13
Paul Simon @ Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, July 14
Femi Kuti @ Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, July 14
Brian Culbertson @ Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA, July 14-17
Sade, John Legend @ BankAtlantic Center, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, July 15
Liza Minnelli @ Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, July 15
Sade, John Legend @ American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL, July 16
Larry Graham & Graham Central Station, Bootsy Collins @ Montreux
Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, July 16
Jeffrey Osborne @ Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA, July 17
Mindi Abair @ Jacksonville Beach, Jacksonville, FL, July 19
Sade, John Legend @ Amway Center, Orlando, FL, July 17
Mindi Abair, Jeff Golub, David Pack @ Hyatt Newport Beach
Summer Concert Series, Newport Beach, July 22
Mindi Abair, Euge Groove @ Rodney Strong Winery,
Healdsburg, CA, July 23
Sade, John Legend @ Totyota Center, Houston, TX, July 23
Sade, John Legend @ American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX, July 24
Lee Ritenour, Jessy J @ Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA, July 24
Al Jarreau @ Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham, UK, July 24
Al Jarreau @ Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, UK, July 25
Sade, John Legend @ Sprint Center, Kansas City, KS, July 26
Fourplay @ Blue Note, New York, NY, July 26-31
Gladys Knight, James Ingram @ Hollywood Bowl, Los Angels, CA, July 27
Sade, John Legend @ Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO, July 28
Sade, John Legend @ FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN, July 29
Vanessa Williams @ Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA, July 29-30
Herb Alpert, Lani Hall, David Benoit @ Thornton Winery,
Temecula, CA, July 30
Sade, John Legend @ Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, NC, July 31
AUGUST 2011
Sade, John Legend @ The Palace at Auburn Hills, Detroit, MI, Aug 3
Mindi Abair @ Balcones Heights Jazz Festival,
Balcones Heights, TX, Aug 5
Sade, John Legend @ United Center, Chicago, IL, Aug 5-7
Keiko Matsui, Sax Pack featuring Jeff Kashiwa, Kim waters, Steve Cole
@ Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA, Aug 7
Mindi Abair @ Houston International Jazz Festival, Houston, TX, Aug 7
Sade, John Legend @ Target Center, Minneapolis, MN, Aug 9
Sade, John Legend @ Pepsi Center, Denver, CO, Aug 11
Brian Culbertson @ Rainbow Lagoon Park, Long Beach, CA, Aug 12
Sade, John Legend @ Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC, Aug 13
Sade, John Legend @ Key Arena, Seattle, WA, Aug 14
Lee Ritenour @ Guitar Town, Copper Mountain, CO, Aug 14
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue @ Thornton Winery,
Temecula, CA, Aug 14
Dave Koz, Spyro Gyra, Bobby Caldwell, Sheila E,
Larry Graham & Graham Central Station @
Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA, Aug 14
Sade, John Legend @ Rose Garden Arena, Portland, OR, Aug 15
Sade, John Legend @ Power Balance Pavilion, Sacramento, CA, Aug 16
Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Chaka Khan, Cassandra Wilson
@ Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA, Aug 17
Sade, John Legend @ Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA, Aug 19-21
Jonathan Butler, Maysa, Eric Darius @ Thornton Winery,
Temecula, CA, Aug 21
Sade, John Legend @ Cricket Amphitheatre, San Diego, CA, Aug 23
Jack Jones @ Town Plaza, Los Gatos, CA, Aug 24
Sade, John Legend @ HP Pavilion, San Jose, CA, Aug 25
Sade, John Legend @ Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA, Aug 26-27
Dave Koz, Mindi Abair, Chris Botti, Peter White, Sheila E, David Benoit,
Warren Hill, Jeffrey Osborne, Keiko Matsui @ Dave Koz & Friends At
Sea Alaska, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Aug 26-Sep 2
Jack Jones @ South Point Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV, Aug 27-28
Sade, John Legend @ Honda Center, Anaheim, CA, Aug 30-31
George Benson, George Duke, Marcus Miller, David Sanborn
@ Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA, Aug 31
SEPTEMBER 2011
Sade, John Legend @ US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ, Sept 2
Jimmy Cliff @ The Indigo2 at the o2, London, UK, Sept 3
George Benson, Brian Simpson @ Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA, Sept 3
Angela Bofill, Maysa, Dave Valentin @ The Blue Note,
New York, NY, Sept 5-7
Quincy Jones, Patti Austin, Brothers Johnson @ Hollywood Bowl,
Los Angeles, CA, Sept 7
Norman Brown, Richard Elliot @ Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA, Sept 9
Mindi Abair KIFM Smooth Jazz 98.1 Jazz At The Beach, Oceanside
Amphitheatre, Oceanside, CA, Sept 17
Chris Botti @ Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA, Sept 18
Jazz Attack featuring Peter White, Rick Braun, Gerald Albright
@ Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA, Sept 25
Herbie Hancock @ Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA, Sept 26
Brian Culbertson @ Chrome at Santa Fe, Las Vegas, NV, Sept 30
OCTOBER 2011
Brian Culbertson @ Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA, Oct 1
Mindi Abair @ Catalina Island Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 6
Max Weinberg Band @ Catalina Island Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 7
The Rippingtons @ Catalina Island Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 8
The Rippingtons, Acoustic Alchemy @ Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA, Oct 9
Dotsero, Warren Hill @ Catalina Island Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 9
Pat Metheny @ Blue Note, New York, Oct 11
Johnny Mathis @ The o2 Arena, London, UK, Oct 12
Lee Ritenour @ Catalina Island Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 13
Mindi Abair @ Rehoboth Beach Convention Center,
Reheboth Beach, DE, Oct 13,15,16
Marion Meadows @ Catalina Island Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 14
Chieli Minucci & Special EFS, Tim Weisberg, Acoustic Alchemy
@ Catalina Island Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 15
Candy Dulfer @ Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA, Oct 15
Norman Brown @ Catalina Island Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 20
Nick Colionne @ Catalina Island Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 21
Jack Jones @ Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, UK, Oct 21
Jack Jones @ York Barbian Centre, York, UK, Oct 22
Mindi Abair, Chris Standring, Keiko Matsui
@ Catalina Island Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 22
Paul Brown, Michael Lington, Nils, Jessy J @
European Jazz Cruise, Venice, Italy, Oct 23-30
Fourplay, Norman Brown, George Duke, Eric Benet, Phil Perry,
Rachelle Ferrell, Patti Austin, Roy Ayers, Maysa, Conya Doss,
Pieces Of A Dream, Walter Beasley, Chante Moore,
Nick Colionne, Down To The Bone, Gerald Veasley,
Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly, Eric Robertson,
Frank McComb, Angela Johnson, Anthony David,
Gerald Veasley, Capital Jazz Super Cruise V, Miami/Cozumel/
Belize/Ocho Rio, Oct 23-30
Rick Braun @ Catalina Island Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 24
Jack Jones @ Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, UK, Oct 24
Jack Jones @ The Sage, Gateshead, UK, Oct 25
Jack Jones @ Town Hall, Birmingham, UK, Oct 27
Jack Jones @ Cliffs Pavilion, South-On-Sea, UK, Oct 29
Jack Jones @ Fairfield, Croydon, UK, Oct 30
Jack Jones @ London Paladium, London, UK, Oct 31
NOVEMBER 2011
Jack Jones @ The Broadway, Peterborough, UK, Nov 1
Chick Corea @ Blue Note, New York, NY, Nov. 1-27
Jack Jones @ The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, UK, Nov 2
DECEMBER 2011
Manhattan Transfer @ Blue Note, New York, NY, Dec 8-11
JANUARY 2012
Smokey Robinson, David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Boney James,
Eric Darius, Patrice Rushen, Jonathan Butler, Gerald Albright,
Rick Braun, Candy Dulfer, Jeff Golub, Rahsaan Patterson,
Joe Sample, Brian Simpson, Peter White, Alonza Badden,
Brian Culbertson @ Smooth Jazz Cruise, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Jan 15-29
FEBRUARY 2012
Jack Jones @ Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL, Feb 25-26
CLASSIC DINO: THE BEST OF DEAN MARTIN & DINO: THE ESSENTIAL DEAN MARTIN
Capitol/EMI will release two collections of Dean Martin's music on June 7, just in time for Father's Day. A new title, Classic Dino: The Best Of Dean Martin gathers 14 classic tracks, and the Platinum-certified Dino: The Essential Dean Martin has been expanded from a single disc to a 2CD package featuring 36 of Martin's top hits and signature songs. The expanded edition of Dino: The Essential Dean Martin includes a previously unreleased studio version of “Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody.” Recorded by Martin on April 28, 1950, the master was presumed lost until it was recently unearthed in the Capitol vaults.On the same date, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) will release a new 60+ page hardcover book and musical collection titled Cool Then, Cool Now featuring never before seen photos compiled from personal collections and family archives, and includes a 2CD, 28-song collection, spanning Dean Martin's musical career. Previously announced, NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products and TIME-LIFE will release three new DVD collections featuring The Best of the Dean Martin Variety Show on May 24. The single DVD, double DVD and six-DVD Collectors Edition sets capture material never before released from some of the shows greatest episodes during its nine-year run on television from 1965 to 1974.
A famed star of the silver screen, television icon, Grammy® Award-winning singing sensation and member of the renowned "Rat Pack," Dean Martin's show business legacy is legendary. His musical career features such classics as "Ain't That A Kick In The Head," "That's Amore," "Mambo Italiano," "Everybody Loves Somebody," "Sway," "Volare," and more, releasing dozens of album recordings over his lifetime. Starring in dozens of well-known movies including Ocean's Eleven, Rio Bravo, The Caddy, and Who Was That Lady?, for which Martin received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor, coupled with a highly popular television career, Dean Martin certainly earned his nickname as the "King of Cool."
Classic Dino: The Best Of Dean Martin tracklisting:
1. That's Amore
1. That's Amore
2. Ain't That A Kick In The Head
3. Memories Are Made Of This
4. I'll Always Love You (Day After Day)
5. Sway
6. You Belong To Me
7. Volare (Nel Blu Di Pinto Di Blu)
8. Powder Your Face With Sunshine (Smile! Smile! Smile!)
9. You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You
10. Return To Me (Ritorna-Me)
11. The Door Is Still Open (To My Heart)
12. Everybody Loves Somebody 13. Houston
14. I Will
Dino: The Essential Dean Martin 2-CD tracklisting:
Disc 1
1. Ain't That A Kick In The Head
2. That's Amore
3. Memories Are Made Of This
4. Just In Time
5. I'd Cry Like A Baby
6. Volare (Nel Blu Di Pinto Di Blu)
7. Under The Bridges Of Paris
8. Sway
9. Love Me, Love Me
10. If
11. Mambo Italiano
12. Angel Baby
13. Let Me Go, Lover
14. Standing On The Corner
15. You Belong To Me
16. Powder Your Face With Sunshine (Smile! Smile! Smile!)
17. Innamorata (Sweetheart)
18. Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody (previously unreleased)
Disc 2
1. On An Evening In Roma (Sott'er Celo De Roma)
2. Money Burns A Hole In My Pocket
3. Cha Cha Cha D'Amour (Melodie D'Amour)
4. I'll Always Love You (Day After Day)
5. Kiss
6. You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You
7. Return To Me (Ritorna-Me)
8. The Door Is Still Open (To My Heart)
9. Houston
10. Send Me The Pillow You Dream On
11. Everybody Loves Somebody
12. In The Chapel In The Moonlight
13. Little Ole Wine Drinker, Me
14. I Will
15. (Remember Me) I'm The One Who Loves You
16. In The Misty Moonlight
17. Somewhere There's A Someone
18. Gentle On My Mind
Thursday, April 21, 2011
THE REBIRTH OF CD101.9 SMOOTH JAZZ IN NEW YORK...MAYBE!
If you were a fan of New York’s CD101.9 Smooth Jazz…well now there is a rumor that the station (or a variation of the former) may be on its way back. Based on yesterday’s registrations of 1063NewYork.com and CD1063NewYork.com the return of Smooth AC could be in the offing. The CD moniker was used on Emmis’ Smooth Jazz/AC “CD 101.9” WQCD from 1988 until 2008 when it switched to Rock WRXP. With this new signal covering much of New York’s commercial district, the format will help flank top ranked “106.7 Lite-FM” from a potential full-powered competitor.
Here is some background…a translator that has been shuffling across the New York area in recent months has finally gained approval to reach its intended final destination. 106.5 W293BU Union City, NJ has gained a Construction Permit to relocate to 106.3 and broadcast from 4 Times Square with 99 watts covering much of Manhattan as well as portions of Brooklyn, Queens, and New Jersey. The translator has been rebroadcasting Country programming from the HD2 subchannel of Clear Channel’s 106.7 WLTW in recent weeks, something that will continue once the station moves to 106.3 and increases power. It does appear a new old format is in line for the move.
A bit of history…WQCD ran an experiment from November 22, 2004 until August 2005, when the station's playlist included chill music, a form of relaxing music based on the music found in the beaches of Ibiza. Their ratings were not satisfactory, and the experiment ended. The station retained the tagline, "CD101.9, Your Chill-Out Station" during its successful transition back to the standard smooth jazz format.WQCD's on-air staff remained unusually stable in the generally volatile radio climate, led by morning host Dennis Quinn. Midday host Deborah Rath had been with parent company Emmis since 1988, as a veteran of both WRKS and WQHT's original incarnation "Hot 103.5". Afternoon drive host Paul Cavalconte was a veteran of New York jazz, classical and rock stations, including WQCD's generational predecessor WNEW. Evening host Sharon Davis called WQCD home for nearly a decade as well, but on February 5, 2008, CD101.9 and Smooth Jazz all came to an end.
SMOOTH JAZZ 104.7FM IS BACK IN DETROIT!
News of a new smooth jazz FM station is always good news to us! Believe it or not, Smooth Jazz is back in Detroit for all of the passionate V98.7 listeners who lost their radio station more than a year ago. Now Smooth Jazz is being broadcast on 104.7FM The Oasis. The station now bills itself as playing your favorite Smooth Jazz artists including Kenny G, Dave Koz, Mindi Abair, David Benoit, Chris Botti, Patti Austin, Brian Culbertson, George Benson, Boney James, Keiko Matsui, David Sandborn and Najee. The station also simulcasts on 107.5 WGPR HD. Broadcast Architecture Owner Allen Kepler says “the tide is turning for this truly unique radio format and we’re thrilled to be working with Tim Martz, Drew Scott and the team at Martz Communications Group. The vision of Martz to offer a format to the many passionate fans in Detroit is nothing short of genius. Smooth jazz veteran Sandy Kovach co-hosts the morning show along with music icon Kenny G. Saxophonist Dave Koz does PM Drive. Koz was a long-time afternoon host in Detroit. The reason for the return was simply demand and according to Tim Martz, “over 700,000 listeners have been searching for Smooth Jazz on Detroit radio since V98.7 changed format over a year ago. We're pleased to partner with independent and locally-owned WGPR to bring Smooth Jazz back to southeast Michigan, and to join the Smooth Jazz Network family." Broadcast Architecture has been for the past 20 years the world’s leading has been providing stations with Smooth Jazz programming, research and consulting for 20 years. They launched the Smooth Jazz Network in January of 2007. Earlier this year, Broadcast Architecture turned the Smooth Jazz format back on Reno, Nevada. In 2010, they launched a new radio format they call Smooth AC™ (Adult Contemporary), mixing in non-Smooth Jazz vocals into the mix. The new format is currently taking hold in several markets across the US.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
DIANE SCHUUR - THE GATHERING
Two-time Grammy Award winner and one of contemporary jazz’s leading vocalists, Diane Schuur, has signed with Vanguard Records. She will be releasing her label debut, The Gathering, on June 7th. With a distinguished career that spans nearly three decades, Schuur’s new album is unique in both material and style, and features special guests Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, Mark Knopfler, Larry Carlton and Kirk Whalum. The Gathering is a collection of 10 classic country songs, mostly written during the golden era of the 1960s, and is the first time Schuur has featured this genre of music. On selections like Willie Nelson’s “Healing Hands of Time,” Roger Miller’s “When Two Worlds Collide,” Merle Haggard’s “Today I Started Loving You Again” and Tammy Wynette’s “Til I Can Make It on My Own,” Schuur’s great vocal versatility shines through.
The Gathering was recorded almost entirely in one day in early December in Nashville, TN. The singer has always wanted to record there and work with some of the city’s top musicians. Her new association with Vanguard allowed her to achieve that dream. “I knew when the label approached me it was time to do something I always wanted to do,” Schuur says, “and the way it came together seems like magic.” The album sessions started at 9 a.m. on December 6th, 2010, and by late afternoon all ten songs had been completed. Produced by Music City veteran Steve Buckingham, almost all the recording was done totally live, and most of the finished versions on the album are first takes. Other songs on The Gathering include “Why Can’t He Be You,” “Beneath Still Waters,” “Don’t Touch Me,” “’Til I Get It Right,” “Am I That Easy to Forget,” and “Nobody Wins.”
Vocalist/Pianist Diane ‘Deedles’ Schuur has built a stellar career by embracing and exploring nearly every corner of the 20th century American musical landscape. Her expressive and powerful vocal deliveries have placed her amongst jazz greats such as Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn. Schuur has performed in some of the most prestigious venues including New York’s Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and twice at the White House. With an illustrious recording career that began in the 1980s, Schuur has received numerous awards including two Grammys: Timeless (1986) and Diane Schuur and the Count Basie Orchestra (1987). The recording with the Basie Orchestra spent an impressive 33 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Jazz charts and received three Grammy nominations: Pure Schuur (1991 - which reached the No. 1 spot on the Contemporary Jazz charts), Love Songs (1993) and ‘The Christmas Song’ from the compilation album Christmas Collection (1993). She has proven her staying power with a steady flow of releases including Heart To Heart – a collaborative recording with B.B. King that entered the Billboard Jazz charts at No. 1, Love Walked In, Swingin’ For Schuur with Maynard Ferguson, Midnight (produced by Barry Manilow), Schuur Fire with the Caribbean Jazz Project and Some Other Time, a tribute to her late mother.
The Gathering Track Listing
1. Why Can’t He Be You
2. Healing Hands of Time (with Mark Knopfler & Kirk Whalum)
3. Beneath Still Waters
4. ‘Til I Can Make It On My Own
5. Don’t Touch Me (with Alison Krauss)
6. Today I Started Loving You Again (with Vince Gill & Larry Carlton)
7. ‘Til I Get It Right
8. Am I That Easy To Forget
9. When Two Worlds Collide
10. Nobody Wins
Monday, April 18, 2011
MARVIN GAYE - WHATS GOING ON - SUPER DELUXE EDITION
On May 21, 1971, Motown Records released an album unique to its vast, already classic catalog: a suite of protest songs, railing, albeit softly and with an undeniable groove, about the planet's woes and the pain of war. With What's Going On, Marvin Gaye forever changed the sound and subject matter of popular music, influencing and inspiring every generation since. Formerly Motown's reigning smooth-faced, smiling, mass-appeal artist, this album was Gaye's departure for the bearded, brooding, reflective, angry artist he would become. His first self-production, the album was written, sung and solely produced by Gaye.Forty years on, the album remains a timeless classic. Speaking boldly and passionately about social issues on the street unlike any other album before, What's Going On provided a soundtrack to life in America—and still does. It was a smash from the start and it's still one of Rolling Stone magazine's top ten Greatest Albums of All Time. Two songs from this album are in the Grammy® Hall of Fame, which honors the most important recordings in history.
In celebration of the 40th anniversary, Motown/UMe proudly announces the release of What's Going On – Super Deluxe Edition, on May 17, 2011. This new Super Deluxe Edition includes two CDs and one vinyl LP, 14 unreleased tracks, copious rarities, all complemented by an oversized booklet with two essays and rare photos from the original cover shoot. Inside as well is a reproduction of the album graphics, which showcased, for the first time at Motown, the song's lyrics—and identified the musicians. Leading off this lovingly produced, double-gatefold 12x12 package is a newly remastered version of the original album, which delivers a deeper, warmer sound than in previous reissues. Added to the album on Disc 1 are several outtakes from sessions that led up to the recording of the LP—the original mix of the title song Marvin presented to Motown's legendary Quality Control meeting, where it was summarily rejected; and song demos which show Marvin wrestling with the rejection—as well as the album's three mono single releases, each of which reached No. 1 R&B and Top 10 pop: "What's Going On" (in a very different mix than the LP), "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" and "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)," plus their B-sides, of which two are alternate takes from the familiar LP versions.
Disc 2 of What's Going On – Super Deluxe Edition is a document of the album's aftermath, when Marvin Gaye, reluctant to tour and shy about becoming the "spokesman of his generation," holed up in Motown's Studio B in Detroit with like-minded musicians—among them the young guitarists Ray Parker Jr. and Wah Wah Watson, and the 20-year-old bassist Michael Henderson, fresh from a Miles Davis tour—and simply jammed over several days. These tracks, mostly instrumental, are as brooding and funky as the What's Going On album cover. The rest of the disc includes Gaye's final sessions in Detroit; among the few tunes he recorded was a sequel of sorts to the album, the politically tinged non-LP single "You're The Man," which hit the R&B top 10 in spring 1972. Also included are two rare alternate takes of the song. Capping this special release is the first ever 12-inch vinyl LP of the "Detroit Mix" of What's Going On, the original, darker mix of the entire album, left behind when Gaye decided to finish the overdubs in Los Angeles.
Inside is an LP-sized booklet with rare photos from the sessions, the original lyrics, detailed recording annotations and two essays: one by Gaye biographer David Ritz describing the "Why" Marvin Gaye created his first-ever self-produced album, and another detailing the "How" by Ben Edmonds, author of What's Going On: Marvin Gaye and The Last Days Of The Motown Sound. The anniversary will also be marked on stage this summer when Rickey Minor, Stevie Wonder and Friends (including special guest Janelle Monae) perform a July 24 Hollywood Bowl concert concluding with a tribute to What's Going On. In May of next year, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, the National Symphony Orchestra with John Legend and The Roots will collaborate for a special What's Going On concert to note the 40th anniversary of Gaye's legendary performance at that venue.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
LES NUBIANS - NU REVOLUTION
Les Nubians, who managed the difficult trick of scoring an urban radio hit with French language neo-soul have returned with another fantastic release. Les Nubians, consisting of two bi-cultural sisters from France, Hélène and Célia Faussart--were being hailed as one of the most appealing and innovative artists on the urban music scene world-wide. There followed a near gold-selling album, collaborations with the likes of Talib Kweli and the Red, Hot and Riot collective, and Grammy nominations. Then suddenly they seemed to disappear but all along they were busy refining their craft. Now Les Nubians return with Nü Revolution, their highly-anticipated third album to be released on April 19, 2011 by Shanachie Entertainment. It fully delivers on the promise of their breakthrough efforts with a relentlessly enchanting and energized mix
of R & B, hip-hop, African music and other world elements. "The main difference between this album and the others," muses Hélène Faussart, "is that Nü Revolution is more uptempo. This album is a celebration of life! We wanted to bring and spread this energy, this joy in a time of uncertainty." Indeed Nü Revolution may be the most impressive representation of Les Nubians' "Afropean Soul" to date.
Featuring special guests ranging from African music legend Manu Dibango, whose "Soul Makossa" crossover classic gets a politically charged make-over to indie soul icon Eric Roberson, with South African
pop stars Freshly Ground, Ghanian-American MC Blitz The Ambassador and Polish MC John Banzaï along for the ride. Somehow, Les Nubians manage to make the blend of so many diverse elements seem logical and organic; it flows quite naturally from their multicultural lives. The infectiously funky dance track "Afrodance" expresses this reality by celebrating hairstyles as an expression of personal style and cultural identity. "Your hair is a statement of who you are and how you live with your true nature," Célia Faussart notes. "That's why since the first album we insisted on bringing back natural Black hair by using traditional braids and hair-dos and dreadlocks because we need to embrace ourselves to the fullest. Our mother always said "natural is beautiful" but it's not easy to cope with everyday! And, yes, it is a political statement saying who we are and that we will not compromise. This message has been used by the same way during the
70's as a symbol of liberation, destruction of the old establishment and affirmation of identity."
"Déjà vu," with guest vocal by Eric Roberson tells of a man and woman meeting in a club while "Fraicheur Souhaitée (Freshness Desired)" presents romantic longing through a personals ad. Nü Revolution also
delivers provocative messages, as on "Femme Polyandre (Polyandrous Woman)." "Polyandrous woman" is the female version of a polygamous man," Les Nubians explain. "This idea came from a conversation between women friends where we were wondering if there was a word for it. Why some man could 'marry' several women and not the inverse? We also appreciate the different qualities in a variety of people! Women are naturally very complex. If you listen to the voices in their mind, you would be amazed! There is a joke saying that a woman needs three men: one for the money, one for romance and one for sex. The ideal
situation would be to have all those three men in one!"
The women of Les Nubians were shaped by many influences. Les Nubians has its genesis in a small town in the South West region of France where the Paris-born sisters Hélène and Célia Faussart lived as teenagers after returning from several years' residence with their parents in the African country of Chad. With a French father and a Cameroonian mother, Hélène and Célia experienced cultural dissonance in the rural Bordeaux region. After their father's death, Célia joined her sister in Bordeaux and they helped found a cultural collective, Les Nouveaux Griots, a "griot" being a traditional African storyteller and historian, all with the goal of increasing awareness of African and Urban cultures. A chance meeting with jazz legend Abbey Lincoln,
who encouraged the sisters to sing, led to the formation of Les Nubians. In the beginning they sang acapella due to their difficulty finding musicians who would back them. Their unique sound led to a recording deal with Virgin Records and in 1998 their debut album, Princesses Nubiennes was released in Europe, where initially it enjoyed only modest sales. But the albums innovative mix of hip hop, neo soul and African music found an audience in America and "Makeda" the first single from Princesses Nubiennes became an urban radio hit. The video for "Makeda" garnered heavy rotation on BET and VH-1 Soul while a DJ Spinna re-mix generated strong club play. Characterized by a marriage between Sade and Erykah Badu, "Makeda" was the right sound at the right time. Massive media attention, successful tours and a Grammy nomination followed as well as nominations for two NAACP Image Awards and two Soul Train Lady Of Soul Awards; one of which Les Nubians took home as 1999's winner for Best New Artist Group or Duo.
In 2003, Les Nubians released their second album One Step Forward a conscious evolution of their style. They sang more in English on this album, largely as a result of their American experiences, which made
them far more fluent in English." Restlessly creative, the sisters graced 2005 not with a new Les Nubians album but with a spoken word project that brought together talented spoken word artists under Les Nubians' umbrella. By now Les Nubians was in demand around the world as a performing act, which they felt fostered both personal and artistic growth--the fruit of which is revealed on Nü Revolution. Their pan-African vision remains as vibrant and clear as ever, as expressed on "Africa For The Future" from the new album.
"Africa is our past, present and future," Les Nubians asserts. This song is about accepting and rejoicing through our body and mind that Africa is vibrant and 10,000,000 times ALIVE! Africa FOR the future
also to say that we have to prepare the future of the continent. It's in the NOW that we create the future. ACTION time is NOW!!!"
Friday, April 15, 2011
2011 MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL LINEUP ANNOUNCED
Founded by Claude Nobs in 1967, over the years the Montreux Jazz Festival has become an unmissable event for music fans in Switzerland and around the world. Its stages have been graced by all of music’s greats, from Miles Davis to Ray Charles and from David Bowie to Prince. Whereas Jazz constitutes the Festival’s historic core, other styles of music were quickly integrated into the Festival, bound together by a common thread of mutual curiosity and enthusiasm. Having made its reputation with its ambitious programming choices, the Montreux Jazz Festival offers musicians an ideal platform and an intimate setting for the duration of its two weeks. Here is the lineup for the Montreux Jazz Festival, set for July 1 through the 16th:
July 1 @ Auditorium Stravinski
Invitation to Illumination with Carlos Santana & John McLaughlin featuring Cindy Blackman Santana, Dennis Chambers, Etienne Mbappe, Raul Rekow, Karl Perazzo & David K. Mathews
July 1 @ Miles Davis Hall
The Skataklites, Jimmy CliffJuly 2 @ Auditorium Stravinski
Santana ‘The Hits!”, DerekTrucks & Susan Tedeschi
July 2 @ Miles Davis Hall
B.B. King, Charles Bradley
July 3 @ Auditorium Stravinski
B.B. King – Welcome to the Chairman of the Board With Special Guests: Carlos Santana, Shemekia Copeland, John McLaughlin, Robert Randolph, Susan Tedeshci, Derek Trucks
July 3 @ Miles Davis Hall
Bilal, Aloe Blacc & The Grand Scheme, Raphael Saadiq
July 4 @ Auditorium Stravinski
George Benson with Orchestra “Live Breezin’ – recreating the moment”, Robert Randolph & The Family Band
July 5 @ Auditorium Stravinski
Gala Night – Tommy LiPuma 75th Birthday With Special Guests: George Benson, Randy Crawford, Dr John, Diana Krall, Rhythm Section: Larry Goldings, Christian McBride, Lewis Nash, Joe Sample, Produced by Tommy LiPuma
July 6 @ Miles Davis Hall
Trombone Shorty & New Orleans Avenue 7/6, Leon Russell, Dr John & Lower 911
July 7 @ Miles Davis Hall
Richard Bona & Raul Midon, Andreas Vollenwider & Friends
July 8 @ Auditorium Stravinski
Ziggy Marley, Youssou NDour et le Super Etoile de Dakar, Alpha Blondy & The Solar System
July 10 @ Miles Davis Hall
Mario Biondi, Natalie Cole
July 11 @ Auditorium Stravinski
Sting ‘Symphonicity” – Performing his greatest hits with Orchestra conducted by Sarah Hicks
July 12 @ Auditorium Stravinski
Seal – “The Commitment Tour 2011”, Asa
July 12 @ Miles Davis Hall
Esperanza Spalding – Chamber Music Society, Return To Forever IV – “Hymn of the 7th Galaxy” With: Chick Corea, Jean Luc-Ponty, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White, Frank Gambale
July 13 @ Auditorium Stravinski
Quincy Jones presents The Q Project Tribute to Miles Davis with: Marcus Miller, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Sean Jones, Sean Rickman
July 13 @ Miles Davis Hall
Black Dub with: Daniel Lanois, Brian Blade & Trixie Whitley, Lamb, Mogwai
July 14 @ Auditorium Stravinski
Paul Simon
July 14 @ Miles Davis Hall
Femi Kuti, Mos Def & Robert Glasper Experiment
July 15 @ Miles Davis Hall
Liza Minnelli
July 16 @ Auditorium Stravinski
Deep Purple with Symphonic Orchestra
July 16 @ Miles Davis Hall
Larry Graham & Graham Central Station, Bootsy Collins – “Funk Capitol of the World Tour”, Cody Chestnutt
Thursday, April 14, 2011
PHILLY ALL STARS - PHILLY CLASSICS REVISITED
Being a huge fan of MFSB and the Salsoul Orchestra, you’ll just love this new release entitled Philly Classics Revisited by the Philly All Stars! The music on here is played by a group that features plenty of talents from the legendary Sigma Studios scene of the 70s! As you'd guess from the title, most of the cuts here are remakes of earlier Philly cuts – mostly Gamble & Huff favorites from back in the day – but redone here in a session from the start of the 80s, so most of the classic elements are still very firmly intact! Plus, the players are all the right choice to make the record come off just right – a lineup that includes Norman Harris on guitar, Lenny Pakula on organ, Vince Montana on vibes, Ronnie Baker on bass, Earl Young on drums, and Larry Washington on congas – about as great a Philly rhythm section as you could hope for! Vocals are by a well-chosen group too – David Simmons, Ron Tyson, and Joe Freeman – who might be best known for his work with The Ethics and Love Committee. By all indications it appears that these cuts were produced with musicians from the Salsoul Orchestra. If you know you’re history, these same set of guys started off as part of MFSB, then migrated off to become the Salsoul Orchestra when Gamble & Huff pissed them off one too many times by ripping them off of their royalties and song credits. In any event, overall there is a very strong Gamble & Huff vibe running through the set – and titles include "Philly Medley (parts 1 & 2)", "Bad Luck", "I Don't Love You Anymore", "Backstabbers", "Love Train", "The Love I Lost", and "TSOP Medley".
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
NEW RELEASES FROM ART OF NOISE, BOBBY DARIN, FRANK SINATRA, MARVIN GAYE, SANTANA...
Chrome Dreams has released The Complete Peter Gunn by Henry Mancini..
A 2CD ‘best of’ released for Manhattan Transfer called Chanson D’amour: The Very Best of Manhattan Transfer with 40 songs is out now.
Salvo Records (UK) has released a Remaster and Expansion of the first The Art Of Noise album, Into Battle With The Art of Noise (1983). The reissue contains 18 previously unreleased tracks and includes a 12-page booklet.
Masterworks Jazz (CTI) has reissued a CD version of Salt Song (1971) from Stanley Turrentine on April 12.
Love Swings (1961) by Bobby Darin is on time for an April 19 vinyl LP reissue.
Legacy Recordings will release new collections on May 10 that include CDs for Dave Brubeck, Dionne Warwick, Teena Marie, and The Intruders.
Mobile Fidelity plan the SACD release of The Carnegie Hall Concert – June 18, 1971 featuring Carole King on May 17.
A 40th Anniversary reissue of What’s Going On? (1971) from Marvin Gaye is in the works for a May 17 release date. Currently, the title is scheduled for both CD and DD.
To mark Peggy Lee’s 91st birthday, Capitol/EMI will make available 22 albums that Lee recorded for Capitol for digital download for the first time on May 24.
AAO Music will release Guitar Legend featuring Santana on June 7.
Concord Records plans the reissue of Ring-A-Ding Ding! (1961) by Frank Sinatra on June 7.
Atlantic Records will release a 2CD compilation, 30 Greatest Hits for Aretha Franklin on June 21.
Concord Records plans a release of the Improv material from Tony Bennett in an accumulated set called The Best of the Improv Recordings, which is planned for July 12.
A 2CD ‘best of’ released for Manhattan Transfer called Chanson D’amour: The Very Best of Manhattan Transfer with 40 songs is out now.
Salvo Records (UK) has released a Remaster and Expansion of the first The Art Of Noise album, Into Battle With The Art of Noise (1983). The reissue contains 18 previously unreleased tracks and includes a 12-page booklet.
Masterworks Jazz (CTI) has reissued a CD version of Salt Song (1971) from Stanley Turrentine on April 12.
Love Swings (1961) by Bobby Darin is on time for an April 19 vinyl LP reissue.
Legacy Recordings will release new collections on May 10 that include CDs for Dave Brubeck, Dionne Warwick, Teena Marie, and The Intruders.
Mobile Fidelity plan the SACD release of The Carnegie Hall Concert – June 18, 1971 featuring Carole King on May 17.
A 40th Anniversary reissue of What’s Going On? (1971) from Marvin Gaye is in the works for a May 17 release date. Currently, the title is scheduled for both CD and DD.
To mark Peggy Lee’s 91st birthday, Capitol/EMI will make available 22 albums that Lee recorded for Capitol for digital download for the first time on May 24.
AAO Music will release Guitar Legend featuring Santana on June 7.
Concord Records plans the reissue of Ring-A-Ding Ding! (1961) by Frank Sinatra on June 7.
Atlantic Records will release a 2CD compilation, 30 Greatest Hits for Aretha Franklin on June 21.
Concord Records plans a release of the Improv material from Tony Bennett in an accumulated set called The Best of the Improv Recordings, which is planned for July 12.
SADE - THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION
Sade are back with The Ultimate Collection to be released on May 3 and the must--have, 29-track, two-disc album will include four new, never-before heard songs including a remix to "The Moon And The Sky" (featuring Jay-Z). The Ultimate Collection also features 15 tracks that were not included on Sade's 1994 Best Of album. Sade recently announced, the second leg of their ultimate summer tour kicking off on June 16th, marking their highly anticipated return to the world stage in ten years.
Here is the tracklisting:
Disc 1
1. Your Love Is King
2. Smooth Operator
3. Hang On To Your Love
4. The Sweetest Taboo
5. Is It A Crime
6. Never As Good As The First Time
7. Jezebel
8. Love Is Stronger Than Pride
9. Paradise
10. Nothing Can Come Between Us
11. No Ordinary Love
12. Kiss Of Life 13. Feel No Pain+
14. Bullet Proof Soul+
Disc 2
1. Cherish The Day
2. Pearls
3. By Your Side+
4. Immigrant+
5. Flow+
6. King Of Sorrow+
7. The Sweetest Gift+
8. Solider Of Love+
9. The Moon And The Sky+
10. Babyfather+
11. Still In Love With You**
12. Love Is Found**
13. I Would Never Have Guessed**
14. The Moon And The Sky (Remix Featuring Jay-Z)**
15. By Your Side (Neptunes Remix)+
+ Not on Best Of
** Never Released Before
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
NEWSBITS...CARLOS SANTANA, HAMPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL, FREIHOFER'S SARATOGA JAZZ FESTIVAL...
Carlos Santana...
Effective immediately, all companies related to Santana and music icon Carlos Santana have relocated from Northern California to Las Vegas, NV, under the new corporation Cristalino, Inc. The holding company is run by the executive team of Michael and Maria Vrionis. Offices are located at 6000 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 6-A, Las Vegas, NV, 89119-3125; the telephone number is 702-331-9400. The mailing address for Cristalino, Inc. is 2375 E. Tropicana Ave., Suite 8, Box 270, Las Vegas, NV, 89119. "It is an honor to be working with Carlos Santana on the next phase of building the Santana brand and strategizing on future projects and partnerships with Cristalino," said Michael Vrionis. "The environment and energy of Las Vegas are great inspirations." Previously, these companies were based at 121 Jordan Street in San Rafael, CA. Remaining at that address is Universal Tone Management, also run by Michael and Maria Vrionis, which handles Carlos Santana's personal management. Cristalino, Inc. has contracted with Universal Tone to oversee all of its Nevada-based operations. Businesses comprising Cristalino, Inc. are the music label Guts & Grace Records, Inc.; Starfaith LLC, the administrative entity overseeing music publishing issues, and Santana Tesoro, LLC, DBA River Of Colors, the licensing entity for branded products including Carlos by Carlos Santana Shoes, hats, and purses, Maria Maria Restaurants, and signature musical instruments and gear.
Seeds for the move to Las Vegas were sown when longtime San Francisco Bay Area resident Carlos Santana and the Santana Band became the first artist-in-residence at the new Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The acclaimed show Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through The Hits (premiered in 2009. The next dates are planned for April/May, 2011. "My time in Las Vegas has been so exciting that I decided to buy a home here last year and move the band's base to Las Vegas," said Carlos Santana. "It is wonderful to be exploring this new phase of my life in the beautiful State of Nevada."
For 40 years and as many albums later, Santana has sold more than 90 million records and reached more than 100 million fans at concerts worldwide. To date, Santana has won 10 Grammy® Awards, including a record-tying nine for a single project, 1999's Supernatural (including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for "Smooth"). In 1998, the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, whose website notes, "Guitarist Carlos Santana is one of rock's true virtuosos and guiding lights." Among many other honors, he has also been cited by Rolling Stone as #15 on their list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time." His latest album, Guitar Heaven...The Greatest Guitar Classics Of All Time (Arista) -- featuring "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" -- came out in September 2010. With its release, Santana joins the Rolling Stones as one of only two acts in music history to score at least one Billboard Top 10 album every decade beginning with the 1960s. Guitar Heaven… is Santana's 29th Billboard Top 200 charting release, 12th Top 10 album debut, and third Top 10 debut in the past five years. Currently, Santana is preparing to go on the road with the Guitar Heaven 2011 Tour, beginning with a leg in Asia and Australia this March. A European itinerary commences in June.
Hampton Jazz Festival...
This June 24-26, 2011 the 44th annual Hampton Jazz Festival returns to Hampton, Virginia for yet another soulful weekend of unforgettable entertainment. This highly anticipated event will feature the top jazz, pop, R&B, and blues performers in the nation. This year’s line-up includes: Anthony Hamilton, Chaka Khan, Boyz II Men, Boney James, Charlie Wilson, KEM, Chrisette Michele, Soul of Summer featuring Jonathan Butler, Eric Darius, and Maysa, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Stephanie Mills, David Sanborn, George Duke, Marcus Miller and Laura Izibor.
Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival...
The Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival, one of the most celebrated and longest-running jazz events in the world, marks its 34th year at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, June 25 and 26, with a dynamic lineup of more than 20 acclaimed artists and ensembles on two stages. Highlights include festival debuts by Michael McDonald, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Tia Fuller, the Lionel Loueke Trio, Hilary Kole and Pedrito Martinez among others. Special festival features include: Sing the Truth! featuring Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves and Lizz Wright in a celebration of the music and civil rights legacies of Miriam Makeba, Abbey Lincoln and Odetta; andDee Dee Bridgewater in her acclaimed tribute to Billie Holiday, "To Billie With Love." A Night in Treme: The Musical Majesty of New Orleans featuring music inspired by the HBO series "Treme," which depicts the famous, culturally rich New Orleans neighborhood.
Effective immediately, all companies related to Santana and music icon Carlos Santana have relocated from Northern California to Las Vegas, NV, under the new corporation Cristalino, Inc. The holding company is run by the executive team of Michael and Maria Vrionis. Offices are located at 6000 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 6-A, Las Vegas, NV, 89119-3125; the telephone number is 702-331-9400. The mailing address for Cristalino, Inc. is 2375 E. Tropicana Ave., Suite 8, Box 270, Las Vegas, NV, 89119. "It is an honor to be working with Carlos Santana on the next phase of building the Santana brand and strategizing on future projects and partnerships with Cristalino," said Michael Vrionis. "The environment and energy of Las Vegas are great inspirations." Previously, these companies were based at 121 Jordan Street in San Rafael, CA. Remaining at that address is Universal Tone Management, also run by Michael and Maria Vrionis, which handles Carlos Santana's personal management. Cristalino, Inc. has contracted with Universal Tone to oversee all of its Nevada-based operations. Businesses comprising Cristalino, Inc. are the music label Guts & Grace Records, Inc.; Starfaith LLC, the administrative entity overseeing music publishing issues, and Santana Tesoro, LLC, DBA River Of Colors, the licensing entity for branded products including Carlos by Carlos Santana Shoes, hats, and purses, Maria Maria Restaurants, and signature musical instruments and gear.
Seeds for the move to Las Vegas were sown when longtime San Francisco Bay Area resident Carlos Santana and the Santana Band became the first artist-in-residence at the new Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The acclaimed show Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through The Hits (premiered in 2009. The next dates are planned for April/May, 2011. "My time in Las Vegas has been so exciting that I decided to buy a home here last year and move the band's base to Las Vegas," said Carlos Santana. "It is wonderful to be exploring this new phase of my life in the beautiful State of Nevada."
For 40 years and as many albums later, Santana has sold more than 90 million records and reached more than 100 million fans at concerts worldwide. To date, Santana has won 10 Grammy® Awards, including a record-tying nine for a single project, 1999's Supernatural (including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for "Smooth"). In 1998, the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, whose website notes, "Guitarist Carlos Santana is one of rock's true virtuosos and guiding lights." Among many other honors, he has also been cited by Rolling Stone as #15 on their list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time." His latest album, Guitar Heaven...The Greatest Guitar Classics Of All Time (Arista) -- featuring "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" -- came out in September 2010. With its release, Santana joins the Rolling Stones as one of only two acts in music history to score at least one Billboard Top 10 album every decade beginning with the 1960s. Guitar Heaven… is Santana's 29th Billboard Top 200 charting release, 12th Top 10 album debut, and third Top 10 debut in the past five years. Currently, Santana is preparing to go on the road with the Guitar Heaven 2011 Tour, beginning with a leg in Asia and Australia this March. A European itinerary commences in June.
Hampton Jazz Festival...
This June 24-26, 2011 the 44th annual Hampton Jazz Festival returns to Hampton, Virginia for yet another soulful weekend of unforgettable entertainment. This highly anticipated event will feature the top jazz, pop, R&B, and blues performers in the nation. This year’s line-up includes: Anthony Hamilton, Chaka Khan, Boyz II Men, Boney James, Charlie Wilson, KEM, Chrisette Michele, Soul of Summer featuring Jonathan Butler, Eric Darius, and Maysa, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Stephanie Mills, David Sanborn, George Duke, Marcus Miller and Laura Izibor.
Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival...
The Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival, one of the most celebrated and longest-running jazz events in the world, marks its 34th year at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, June 25 and 26, with a dynamic lineup of more than 20 acclaimed artists and ensembles on two stages. Highlights include festival debuts by Michael McDonald, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Tia Fuller, the Lionel Loueke Trio, Hilary Kole and Pedrito Martinez among others. Special festival features include: Sing the Truth! featuring Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves and Lizz Wright in a celebration of the music and civil rights legacies of Miriam Makeba, Abbey Lincoln and Odetta; andDee Dee Bridgewater in her acclaimed tribute to Billie Holiday, "To Billie With Love." A Night in Treme: The Musical Majesty of New Orleans featuring music inspired by the HBO series "Treme," which depicts the famous, culturally rich New Orleans neighborhood.
Monday, April 11, 2011
2011 WINTERPARK JAZZ FESTIVAL LINEUP
The the lineup for the much-anticipated Winter Park-Fraser Valley Jazz Festival has just been announced. The 29th Annual Winter Park Jazz Festival presented by Winter Park Resort, July 21-24 in Winter Park’s Hideaway Park, features live music from local, regional and national acts. This year’s schedule includes the O’Jays, Arturo Sandoval, Dave Koz, Will Downing and Najee, to name a few.
Saturday, July 23: with the O'Jays, Najee, Alex Bugnon and Dotsero
Sunday, July 24: with Dave Koz, Will Downing, Arturo Sandoval
Saturday, July 23: with the O'Jays, Najee, Alex Bugnon and Dotsero
- O’Jays: The faces in this legendary band may have changed, but the smooth, soul sounds stay strong to this group’s roots, which date back to the 1960s. The O’Jays originally formed in Canton, Ohio, where all five original members attended high school together. Today, the trio of the O’Jays is known for its classic soul songs.
- Najee: A native New Yorker and a revolutionary of urban contemporary jazz, Najee began his iconic career playing clarinet, saxophone and flute in his hometown of Queens, New York. Najee’s Grammy nominated, platinum selling debut album, Najee’s Theme, was followed by Day By Day which also achieved platinum status. Tokyo Blue, Just an Illusion and Share My World all attained gold status.
- Alex Bugnon with special guest Nelson Rangell: Alex Bugnon, a two-time Soul Train Music Award winner, is a jazz pianist and composer from Switzerland. He studied at the Paris Conservatory and the Mozart Academy in Salzburg and started recording in 1989. His debut album, Love Season and his follow-up Head Over Heels reached the pop charts and the R&B Top 40. Joining Bugnon onstage in Winter Park is Nelson Rangell, a Denver-based saxophonist who emerged in the late 1980s. Critics say Rangell is one of the most exciting and diverse contemporary jazz performers. He plays soprano, alto and tenor sax, as well as flute and piccolo.
- Dotsero: This band is named after a small mountain town in Colorado that means “something unique,” according to Ute Indian legend. Specializing in smooth jazz, this band is noted for being as fun to watch as it is to listen to with its exciting brand of music.
Sunday, July 24: with Dave Koz, Will Downing, Arturo Sandoval
- Dave Koz: Saxophonist Dave Koz’s career spans 20 years and a dozen albums. Koz, a six-time Grammy nominee, has established himself as one of the most prominent figures in contemporary music. His latest album, Hello Tomorrow, is produced by Grammy winners John Burk and Marcus Miller.
- Will Downing: Prepare to swoon! According to his website, “women love Will Downing, and men love the women who love him.” Will Downing’s recording career spans two decades, during which the Brooklyn native has secured his place as one of the leaders in romantic, soulful music.
- Arturo Sandoval: Sandoval is a protégé of the legendary jazz master, Dizzy Gillespie, who was the first musician to bring Latin influences into American jazz. Sandoval was born in Cuba, but now calls Miami home. He is renowned at playing jazz trumpet and flugelhorn, and is a classical artist, pianist and composer.
Saturday, April 09, 2011
WILLIE NELSON & WYNTON MARSALIS – HERE WE GO AGAIN: CELEBRATING THE GENIUS OF RAY CHARLES
Given the rousing artistic and commercial success of the first recorded collaboration of legendary country troubadour Willie Nelson and jazz statesman Wynton Marsalis on 2008’s Blue Note album Two Men With the Blues, it’s not surprising that the pair would rendezvous again. The New York Times called it “a smart and heartfelt record,” while Entertainment Weekly wrote that “Willie and Wynton may seem like an odd couple, but this live disc makes the country legend and jazz master sound like natural partners with Marsalis’ usual horn-fronted band doing the driving and Nelson settling in perfectly with his off-beat vocal phrasing.” The first meeting of these kindred spirits took place at The Allen Room at New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center for two nights in 2007; their encore appearance was also staged at the heralded jazz house—this time for two sold-out nights at Rose Theater in February 2009 with special guest Norah Jones. Rather than rehash the previous material Nelson and Marsalis had first presented, the threesome paid homage to the music of the late Ray Charles, the iconic star of soul, r&b, country, jazz and pop.
On March 29, Blue Note released the category-defying album from those shows, Here We Go Again: Celebrating the Genius of Ray Charles, a 12-tune song cycle about the ups and downs of love. It features tunes that Charles put on the musical map, including “Hallelujah I Love Her So,” “Cryin’ Time,” “Hit the Road Jack,” “Busted,” “Makin’ Whoopie” and arguably his greatest hit, “What’d I Say.” All the tunes feature new, original arrangements by Marsalis and artists within his Jazz at Lincoln Center circle. The songs are rendered in a variety of styles, including gospel two-beat, boogaloo, country ballad, bolero, hard bop, r&b, waltz and 4/4 swing. Instrumental support at the concert came via the trumpeter’s working quintet—tenor saxophonist Walter Blanding, pianist Dan Nimmer, bassist Carlos Henriquez and drummer Ali Jackson—and Nelson’s longtime sidekick, Mickey Raphael, on harmonica. Marsalis arranged the set list as a story line about love: “You fall in love, you get lost and busted, and then you try to come back,” he says.
“It’s what I call root-groove music,” explains Marsalis. “The root music cuts across all the boundaries and genres in American music.” He adds, “There was a time in the early ‘50s when artists would come up and be influenced by all types of music.” Nelson agrees: “You have to love all kinds of music to put your own interpretation on [the songs].”
Nelson, who praises Charles’s classic country disc I Can’t Stop Loving You, says, “He did more for country music with that one album than any of us could have done because he opened country songs and country music to millions of his fans and brought a whole lot of people together.”
The track listing for Here We Go Again is as follows:
1. Hallelujah I Love Her So (Gospel 2-beat / Boogaloo / 4/4 Swing)
2. Come Rain or Come Shine (Walking Ballad)
3. Unchain My Heart (Bolero with Habanera bass)
4. Cryin' Time (Country Ballad)
5. Losing Hand (Dirge with Chain-Gang Shuffle)
6. Hit The Road Jack (Gospel 2-beat / 4/4 Swing)
7. I’m Moving On (Boogaloo with Afro-Latin Backbeat / 4/4 Swing)
8. Busted (Gospel 12/8 Shuffle)
9. Here We Go Again (Rhythm & Blues 12/8 Shuffle)
10. Makin’ Whoopie (Hard-Bop 2-beat / 4/4 Swing)
11. I Love You So Much (It Hurts) (Waltz)
12. What'd I Say (Boogaloo)
On March 29, Blue Note released the category-defying album from those shows, Here We Go Again: Celebrating the Genius of Ray Charles, a 12-tune song cycle about the ups and downs of love. It features tunes that Charles put on the musical map, including “Hallelujah I Love Her So,” “Cryin’ Time,” “Hit the Road Jack,” “Busted,” “Makin’ Whoopie” and arguably his greatest hit, “What’d I Say.” All the tunes feature new, original arrangements by Marsalis and artists within his Jazz at Lincoln Center circle. The songs are rendered in a variety of styles, including gospel two-beat, boogaloo, country ballad, bolero, hard bop, r&b, waltz and 4/4 swing. Instrumental support at the concert came via the trumpeter’s working quintet—tenor saxophonist Walter Blanding, pianist Dan Nimmer, bassist Carlos Henriquez and drummer Ali Jackson—and Nelson’s longtime sidekick, Mickey Raphael, on harmonica. Marsalis arranged the set list as a story line about love: “You fall in love, you get lost and busted, and then you try to come back,” he says.
“It’s what I call root-groove music,” explains Marsalis. “The root music cuts across all the boundaries and genres in American music.” He adds, “There was a time in the early ‘50s when artists would come up and be influenced by all types of music.” Nelson agrees: “You have to love all kinds of music to put your own interpretation on [the songs].”
Nelson, who praises Charles’s classic country disc I Can’t Stop Loving You, says, “He did more for country music with that one album than any of us could have done because he opened country songs and country music to millions of his fans and brought a whole lot of people together.”
The track listing for Here We Go Again is as follows:
1. Hallelujah I Love Her So (Gospel 2-beat / Boogaloo / 4/4 Swing)
2. Come Rain or Come Shine (Walking Ballad)
3. Unchain My Heart (Bolero with Habanera bass)
4. Cryin' Time (Country Ballad)
5. Losing Hand (Dirge with Chain-Gang Shuffle)
6. Hit The Road Jack (Gospel 2-beat / 4/4 Swing)
7. I’m Moving On (Boogaloo with Afro-Latin Backbeat / 4/4 Swing)
8. Busted (Gospel 12/8 Shuffle)
9. Here We Go Again (Rhythm & Blues 12/8 Shuffle)
10. Makin’ Whoopie (Hard-Bop 2-beat / 4/4 Swing)
11. I Love You So Much (It Hurts) (Waltz)
12. What'd I Say (Boogaloo)