VERVE & HDTRACKS TEAM UP TO DELIVER 96/24 SOUND

The Verve Music Group, the world's leading jazz label and a division of Universal Music Group, has recently announced a new agreement with HDtracks whereby it will provide consumers with access to many of the world's chart-topping and seminal jazz recordings in better-than-ever pristine 96/24 quality sound. "With HDtracks, Verve continues to bring consumers more choice in how they enjoy music online," stated Nate Herr, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Verve Music Group. "Along with the digital revolution, sound quality online has suffered. And for jazz fans in particular, this has been an issue. At least until now. Through HDtracks, jazz lovers will now be able to download DVD quality sound, as well as get full artist biographies, album descriptions and reviews, all of which creates an even richer musical experience."

Transfer of Verve 96K masters was done using a combination of the best new and vintage equipment available. The carefully chosen original analog masters were played back on vintage Studer 820 tape machines. These machines provide the most stable transport for handling these priceless analog tapes. The analog masters were converted to the digital domain using classic DCS 972 and Lavry analog to digital converters and recorded directly onto a SoundBlade Workstation with minimal processing in order to allow the music to be formatted for digital distribution. The shortest signal path and highest quality cabling were used to prevent any signal loss and additional noise from being introduced into the transfer. The entire digital process was driven with the Antelope Audio Atomic Clock, the industry leader in digital clocking technology. It enables the entire digital process to reference the same highly regulated clock master, preventing any loss in the digital signal due to jitter and clock degradation.

The Verve Music Group is a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world's leading music company with wholly-owned record operations or licensees in 77 countries. UMG's businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, the industry's leading global music publishing operation. Universal Music Group's record labels include A&M/Octone, Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, Disa, Emarcy, Fonovisa, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Polydor Records, Universal Motown Republic Group, Universal Music Latino and Verve Music Group, as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalog of music in the industry, which includes the last 100 years of the world's most popular artists and their recordings. UMG's catalog is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes eLabs, its new media and technologies division; Bravado, its merchandising company; Twenty-First Artists, its full service management division; and Helter Skelter, its live music agency.

HDtracks was founded by multi Grammy-nominated jazz and classical composer and inventor of new sound technology, David Chesky and his brother, Norman Chesky, HDtracks raises the bar for digital download sound quality and enjoyment. Developed by musicians for musicians, HDtracks provides a superior listening experience in purity, tone and expression, presenting uncompressed CD and DVD audio quality and crystal-clear recordings of each world-class musician, vocalist and ensemble. HDtracks presents artists in the best possible light, allowing listeners to experience the true depth of their talent and individuality. David says, "The tone is what moves us. It is the poetry of the music. It is what gives artists their own identities." HDtracks deepens the listeners' experience beyond the music by being the only digital music service to provide complete liner notes with every download. "Listening to an album without liner notes is like going to a concert without a program. The writers add to and enrich the musical experience."

ERYKAH BADU - NEW AMERYKAH PART TWO: RETURN OF THE ANKH

Erykah Badu has confirmed dates for her 2010 North American tour, Out My Mind, Just In Time. The tour takes its name from the closing track on the multiple GRAMMY® Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, director, and actor’s new album, New Amerykah Part Two: Return Of The Ankh, which debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Digital Albums chart and No. 4 on the Top 200 chart. Erykah Badu’s Out My Mind, Just In Time Tour will make stops at a mix of amphitheaters and concert halls throughout North America this spring, beginning on May 22 at Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore, MD and wrapping up on June 24 at The Pearl Concert Theater in Las Vegas, NV. An amazing live performer renowned for her electrifying stage presence and soulful vocal ability, Erykah Badu’s Out My Mind, Just In Time Tour promises to deliver a fantastically funky live experience not to be missed. The outing will also feature an exciting revolving cast of opening acts that vary by city, including N.E.R.D., Bilal, Janelle Monae, and drummer Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson from The Roots.

Released by Universal Motown Records on 3.30 2010 AD (((333))), Erykah Badu’s fifth studio album, New Amerykah Part Two: Return Of The Ankh, arrived to a chorus of critical acclaim that hushed critics of the controversial music video for the album’s first single, “Window Seat” New Amerykah: Part 2 is the long-awaited follow-up to Erykah Badu’s superb 2008 disc, New Amerykah Part One: 4th World War. The current single, “Window Seat,” has been heating up airwaves and will be featured as Delta Airlines in-flight boarding music throughout the month of April. Other highlights from the new album include the funky fresh party jam “Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY),” a hypnotic hustler’s anthem called “Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long” that famously contains a sample of “Arrow Through Me” by Paul McCartney and Wings, and the breathtaking three-part suite “Out My Mind Just In Time,” which also inspired the concept and title of the album cover artwork designed by Erykah Badu in collaboration with famed artist and poster designer EMEK.

Erykah Badu has been busy promoting the release of New Amerykah Part Two: Return Of The Ankh with recent television performances on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (March 3), The Wendy Williams Show (March 25), Good Day New York (March 26), Jimmy Kimmel Live (March 30), Chelsea Lately (March 31), and The Wanda Sykes Show (April 3). She is also visible on newsstands on the April cover of EQ and featured in Nylon, Playboy, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Time Out New York, Newsweek, and New York Magazine, among many other publications. In addition to Erykah Badu's Out My Mind, Just In Time Tour, she has joined the lineups for this summer’s Lollapalooza festival and will reunite with the revamped Lilith Fair tour for 7 Canadian and U.S. dates. She will also be featured as a special guest at Maxwell’s upcoming concerts at Phillips Arena in Atlanta on June 11 and Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 26.

ERYKAH BADU 2010 OUT MY MIND, JUST IN TIME TOUR DATES
May 22 - Baltimore, MD @ Pier Six Pavilion w/Bilal
May 23 - Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre w/Janelle Monae
May 25 - New York, NY @ Roseland Ballroom w/?uestlove
May 26 - Philadelphia, PA @ Tower Theater w/Bilal
May 28 - Washington, D.C. @ Constitution Hall w/N.E.R.D., Janelle Monae
May 30 - Detroit, MI @ Chene Park w/N.E.R.D., Janelle Monae
June 2 - Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theater w/N.E.R.D., Janelle Monae
June 3 - Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theater w/N.E.R.D., Janelle Monae
June 5 - Memphis, TN @ Orpheum Theatre w/Janelle Monae
June 6 - Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium w/Janelle Monae
June 8 - Kansas City, KS @ Midland Theatre w/Janelle Monae
June 9 - St. Louis, MO @ Fox Theatre w/ Janelle Monae
June 13 - Houston, TX @ Verizon Wireless Theater w/Janelle Monae
June 14 - Dallas, TX @ Nokia Theatre
June 16 - Denver, CO @ The Fillmore Auditorium w/Janelle Monae
June 18 - Oakland, CA @ Paramount Theatre w/Janelle Monae
June 19 - Saratoga, CA @ The Mountain Winery
June 20 - Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theater w/Janelle Monae
June 22 - San Diego, CA @ TBA
June 23 - Phoenix, AZ @ TBA
June 24 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Pearl Concert Theater

TOUR DATES WITH MAXWELL
June 11 - Atlanta, GA @ Phillips Arena w/Maxwell
June 26 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden w/Maxwell

LILITH FAIR & FESTIVALS
June 27 - Calgary, AB @ MaMahon Stadium (Lilith Fair)
June 28 - Edmonton, AB @ Northlands Spectrum (Lilith Fair)
June 30 - Vancouver, BC @ Pitt Meadows Airport (Lilith Fair)
July 2 - Portland, OR @ Sleep Country Amphitheatre (Lilith Fair)
July 3 - George, WA @ The Gorge Amphitheatre (Lilith Fair)
August 4 - Raleigh, NC @ Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion (Lilith Fair)
August 8 - Chicago, IL @ Grant Park, Hutchinson Field (Lollapalooza)
August 11 - Tampa, FL @ Ford Amphitheatre (Lilith Fair)

For more info click to:
http://www.lollapalooza.com/
http://www.lilithfair.com/
http://www.philipsarena.com/
http://www.thegarden.com/
http://www.erykahbadu.com/
http://www.outmymindjustintimetour.com/

NEW RELEASES FROM CHRIS BOTTI, CHRIS STANDRING, RAY CHARLES, STEVE OLIVER & MORE...

Bickley Rivera – Chillin’ After Five
Butch Harrison – What It Is
Chris Botti – In Boston
Chris Standring – Blue Bolero
David Lanz – Liverpool
Elegante Orchestra – It Was Too Hot In There
Freddy V – Easier Thant It Looks
Hiram Bullock – Late Night Talk
Jaared – Manhattan Nights
Joyce & Joao Donato - Aquarius
Ken Navaroo – Dreaming Of Trains
Kenny Rankin – After The Roses
Kurt Maloo – Summer Of Better Times
Lawson Rollins – Esprito
Lloyd Miller Trio – Lloyd Miller Trio
Lynn Riley – Too Cool
Mats Oberg Trio – So Very Mats
Nicolai Dunger & Jonas Kullhammer – Vallmo Original Soundtrack
Osaru – Home With The Keys
Paula Atherton – Groove With Me
Ray Charles – Genius + Soul = Jazz
Solomon Burke – Nothing’s Impossible
Stan Getz – Mellow Jazz
Steve Oliver – Global Kiss
Steve Raybine – In The Driver’s Seat
Sunaga T Experience w/Jukka Eskola & Timo Lassy – Kite/St. Vitus Dance
Tomazz – Lucid Dream
Tony Allen – Secret Agent
Various Artists – Club Jazz Digs Lupin The Third Presented By Tatsuo Sunaga
Vivian Green -Beautiful
Young Jazz Rebels - Slave Riot
Zanussi Five – Ghost Dance

PHIL COLLINS - GOING BACK

Long-time Atlantic recording artist Phil Collins has announced the forthcoming release of "Going Back," a personal labor of love that finds the eight-time Grammy winner faithfully recreating the Motown and soul music that played such an influential role in his creative life. Due in September, "Going Back" is the 2010 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee's first new studio album in eight years. To celebrate "Going Back," Collins will play a string of very special live concerts at New York City's Roseland Ballroom from June 22-25. Billed as UP CLOSE & PERSONAL: PHIL COLLINS PLAYS 60'S MOTOWN & SOUL, the shows will be exclusively devoted to the music from "Going Back" and other classic R&B/pop gems. The concerts will be presented as an "old school" style, standing-room-only dance concert.

Supporting Collins will be an extraordinary 18-piece ensemble of musicians and vocalists. Anchoring the group will be three of Motown's legendary session players, aka The Funk Brothers - bassist Bob Babbitt and guitarists Eddie Willis and Ray Monette - who are also featured on the "Going Back" album. The live band will also include long-time Collins cohorts Chester Thompson (drums), Daryl Stuermer (guitar), and Brad Cole (keyboards), plus Leslie Smith (percussion). Rounding out the ensemble will be a five-member horn section and six backing vocalists.

Presented by Live Nation, tickets for all four Roseland shows will be available to Citibank cardholders through a special pre-sale at livenation.com beginning at 10a.m. ET on Monday, April 19th, and will go on sale to the general public at 10a.m. ET on Saturday, April 24th at livenation.com and charge by phone.

Coinciding with Collins's Roseland shows, on June 17th he will receive the Songwriters Hall of Fame's prestigious Johnny Mercer Award at the organization's annual gala awards dinner in New York City. Significantly, Collins --a previous Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee - will join an esteemed list of past Mercer Award winners that includes several legendary composers whose work he celebrates on "Going Back," including Holland-Dozier-Holland, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, and Carole King. In addition, among Collins's fellow Mercer Award honorees this year is Earth, Wind & Fire's Philip Bailey, with whom he collaborated on the hit single, "Easy Lover."
While in the past Collins has paid tribute to his roots by covering some of his favorite songs -- including "You Can't Hurry Love," "A Groovy Kind Of Love," "Tomorrow Never Knows," "True Colours," and others -- this marks the first time in his 30-year solo career that he has devoted an entire project to the work of other songwriters and performers.

"It shouldn't really be a surprise to anyone that I've finally made an album of my favourite Motown songs," explains Collins. "These songs - along with a couple of Dusty Springfield tracks, a Phil Spector/Ronettes tune, and one by the Impressions -- make up the tapestry, the backdrop, of my teenage years. I remember it as if it was yesterday, going to the Marquee Club in London's Soho and watching The Who, The Action, and many others, playing these songs. In turn I'd go out the next day to buy the original versions.

"My idea, though, was not to bring anything 'new' to these already great records, but to try to recreate the sounds and feelings that I had when I first heard them. My intention was to make an 'old' record, not a 'new' record. To be able to have three of the surviving Funk Brothers play on all the tracks was unbelievable. There was one moment when they were tracking 'Heat Wave' that I experienced a wave of happiness and wonder that this was actually happening to me! I learned more about production skills and the wonderful songwriting of those concerned whilst making this album, than I have from anything else. To those pioneers... much love and gratitude."

The songs slated for inclusion on "Going Back" range from the album opener, the Temptations' Holland-Dozier-Holland-penned "Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)" to the moving album-closing title track, a Collins-arranged version of the Gerry Goffin/Carole King tune "Going Back," made famous by Dusty Springfield. In between, the collection captures multiple songs by Stevie Wonder -- "Uptight (Everything's Alright)," "Blame It On The Sun," "Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer"; Martha And The Vandellas -- "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave," "In My Lonely Room," "Jimmy Mack"; and the Four Tops -- "Standing In The Shadows Of Love," "Something About You," "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever."

The Temptations get another shout-out with "Papa Was A Rolling Stone," while the Goffin-King team is again represented by a second Dusty Springfield track, "Some Of Your Loving." Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions are captured on "Talking About My Baby," while Phil hails the Ronettes with "Do I Love You?" The Motown-fest continues with Smokey Robinson & The Miracles' "Going To A Go-Go," the Supremes' "Love Is Here," and Kim Weston's "Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)."

The career of Phil Collins is one that, by any measure, stands among the most creative, prolific, and impressive in the history of modern music. It is a career that really has been many careers -- musician, singer, composer, producer, actor -- from art rock beginnings to pop stardom, from big band leader to film soundtracks and Broadway. It has been an exceptional musical life spanning four decades, some 100 million solo albums sold (250 million if you count his work with Genesis), an extraordinary string of hits, eight Grammy Awards, an Oscar, a Golden Globe, numerous industry accolades, and, above all, an inestimable influence on countless fellow artists and passionate fans around the globe.

CARLOS SANTANA UNIVERSAL TONE TOUR 2010

The Carlos Santana Universal Tone Tour 2010 gets underway on June 30 with an initial North American leg running through early August. Carlos and the Santana Band will be joined on the road by special guest Steve Winwood, who will open the dates. Following the kick-off concert at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN, the tour travels through the Midwest and Canada for the first half of July, and then heads to the East coast.

Highlights along the way include shows at Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, IL (7/9); Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto, ON (7/11); Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (7/15); Nikon at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY (7/18); Comcast Center in Mansfield, MA (7/23); Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheatre in Virginia Beach, VA (7/27), and Cruzan Amphitheater in West Palm Beach, FL (8/1). Additional North American dates and international legs of the Universal Tone Tour 2010 will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Universal Tone Tour 2010 will feature hits from Santana's four-decade-long career, as well as songs from a brand new studio album that Carlos Santana is currently putting finishing touches on. Santana's most recent release was the 2010 reissue of Supernatural as a 2-CD Legacy Edition — featuring 11 previously unissued bonus tracks — in celebration of the classic nine-time GRAMMY-winning album's 10th anniversary.

Exclusive Best Seat ticket presales for the Carlos Santana Universal Tone Tour 2010 will take place on SantanaFanClub.com starting April 13. Sign up for the SantanaFanClub.com mailing list to receive additional information about specific presale start times, which will be sent out to all subscribers on April 12.

This spring — prior to the launch of the Universal Tone Tour — Santana can be seen in Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through The Hits, exclusively at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas (supernaturalsantana.com). The Joint is the only place west of the Mississippi where fans can see Santana through 2010; tickets are currently on sale for dates in April and May.

For more information, log on to http://www.santana.com/.

SANTANA TOUR DATES:
6/30/10 - St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
7/1/10 - Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest
7/3/10 - Sioux City, IA @ Saturday in the Park Festival
7/4/10 - Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre
7/6/10 - Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center
7/7/10 - Indianapolis, IN @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
7/9/10 - Tinley Park, IL @ Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
7/10/10 -Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
7/11/10 - Toronto, ON @ Molson Amphitheatre
7/15/10 - Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
7/17/10 - Bethel, NY @ Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
7/18/10 - Wantagh, NY @ Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
7/20/10 - Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
7/21/10 - Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun
7/23/10 - Mansfield, MA @ Comcast Center
7/24/10 - Camden, NJ @ Susquehanna Bank Center
7/25/10 - Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live
7/27/10 - Virginia Beach, VA @ Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheatre
7/28/10 - Charlotte, NC @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
7/29/10 - Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Park Amphitheatre
7/31/10 - Tampa, FL @ Ford Amphitheatre
8/1/10 - West Palm Beach, FL @ Cruzan Amphitheater

THE MAY CONCERT CALENDAR

Baaba Maal @ Somerville Theatre, Somerville, MA, May 1

Norah Jones @ Stubbs Bar-B-Q, Austin, TX, May 1
Simply Red @ National Auditorium, Mexico City, Mexico, May 1
Toots & the Maytals @ House Of Blues, New Orleans, LA, May 1
Nick Colionne @ Smooth Jazz For Scholars, Milford, CT, May 1
Peter White @ JP Riddle Stadium, Fayetteville, NC, May 1
Angelique Kidjo @ National Concert Hall, Dublin, Ireland, May 1
Corinne Bailey Rae @ Theatre Of Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA, May 1
Eddie Palmieri @ Rialto Center For Arts, Atlanta, GA, May 1

Mindi Abair, Chieli Minucci, Nick Colionne, Ken Navarro, Shilts
@ Parson’s Complex, Milford, CT, May 1

Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau @ Shaftman Performance Hall,
Roanoke, VA, May 1

Pat Metheny @ Centre In Vancouver For Perf Arts, Vancouver, BC, May 1
Pink Martini @ James Hall For Perf Arts, Houston, TX, May 1-2
Baaba Maal @ Lebanon Opera House, Lebanon, IH, May 2
Toots & the Maytals @ House Of Blues, Dallas, TX, May 2
Pat Metheny @ Silva Concert Hall, Eugene, OR, May 2
Corinne Bailey Rae @ Webster Hall, New York, NY, May 3
Basia @ The Pigalle Club, London, UK, May 3
Peter White @ Pizza Express Jazz Club, London, UK, May 3-9
Norah Jones @ Majestic Theatre, Dallas, TX, May 4
Pat Metheny @ Kingsbury Hall, Salt Lake City, UT, May 4
Toots & the Maytals @ La Zona Rosa, Austin, TX, May 5
Pat Metheny @ Paramount Theatre, Denver, CO, May 5
Norah Jones @ Verizon Wireless Theater, Houston, TX, May 5
Norah Jones @ Saenger Theatre, Mobile, AL, May 6
Toots & the Maytals @ Brewery, Santa Fe, NM, May 6
Basia @ Kino Centrum Kijow, Krakow, Poland, May 6
Michael Buble @ Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, UK, May 6
Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra @ B.B. King’s, New York, NY, May 7
Toots & the Maytals @ Aggie Theatre, Ft. Collins, CO, May 7
Pat Metheny @ Uptown Theater, Kansas City, MO, May 7
Basia @ im. Stanislawa Moniuszk, Poznan Theat Wielki, Poland, May 7
Nick Colionne @ Jazz On The Vince Fest, Elkhart Lake, WI, May 7-8
Norah Jones @ Orpheum Theatre, Memphis, TX, May 8
Toots & the Maytals @ Colorado, College, Colorado Springs, CO, May 8
Basia @ Filmow Fabularnych, Wroclaw Wytwornia, Poland, May 8
Michael Buble @ SECC, Glasgow, UK, May 8
Pat Metheny @ Blanche M. Touhill PAC, St. Louis, MO, May 8
B.B. King @ Florida Theatre, Jacksonville, FL, May 9
Toots & the Maytals @ Fox Theatre, Boulder, CO, May 9
Michael Buble @ MEN Arena, Manchester, UK, May 9
Nancy Wilson @ B.B. King’s, New York, NY, May 9
Norah Jones @ Alabama Theatre, Birmingham, AL, May 9
Pat Metheny @ Fitzgerald Theater, Saint Paul, MN, May 9
Basia @ Centrum Kultury, Katowice Gornoslaskie, Poland, May 9
Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra@ The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA, May 9
Pat Metheny @ Orchestra Hall, Chicago, IL, May 10
Peter White @ High Rocks, Tunbridge Wells, UK, May 10
Chris Botti @ Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis, MD, May 10-11
Michael Buble @ Liverpool Arena, Liverpool, UK, May 11
Toots & the Maytals @ The Depot, Salt Lake City, UT, May 11
Basia @ Centrum Stocznia Gdanska, Gdansk, Poland, May 11
Peter White @ The Stables, Milton Keynes, UK, May 11

Medeski Martin @ Wood @ Bourbon St Music Club,
Sao Paolo, Brazil, May 11

Corinne Bailey Rae @ Center Stage, Atlanta, GA, May 11
Norah Jones @ Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, Asheville, NC, May 11
Pat Metheny @ Taft Theatre, Cincinnati, OH, May 12

Medeski Martin @ Wood @ SESC Pompeia,
Sao Paulo, Brazil, May 12-13

Toots & the Maytals @ The Orpheum, Flagstaff, AZ, May 12
Basia @ Palladium, Warsaw, Poland, May 12
Michael Buble @ Newcastle Arena, Newcastle, UK, May 12
Patti Austin @ B.B. Kings, New York, NY, May 12
Norah Jones @ Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, NC, May 12
Dee Dee Bridgewater @ The Blue Note, New York, NY, May 12-16
Eddie Palmieri @ Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA, May 13
Steel Pulse @ House Of Blues, Anaheim, CA, May 13
Toots & the Maytals @ SoundWave, San Diego, CA, May 13
Corinne Bailey Rae @ 9:30 Club, Washington, DC, May 13

Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau @ Ancienne Belgique,
Brussels, Belgium, May 13-14

Pat Metheny @ Music Hall Center For The Perf Arts, Detroit, MI, May 14
Norah Jones @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, May 14
Steel Pulse @ Hollywood Park, Inglewood, CA, May 14

Medeski Martin @ Wood @ Teatro Coliseo,
Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 14

Toots & the Maytals @ The Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas, NV, May 14
Michael Buble @ LG & NIA, Birmingham, UK, May 14
Corinne Bailey Rae @ Ram’s Head, Baltimore, MD, May 14
Mindi Abair @ Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, May 14
Rick Braun, Richard Elliot @ One World Theatre, Austin, TX, May 14
Norah Jones @ Cobb Energy PAC, Atlanta, GA, May 15
Steel Pulse @ House Of Blues, San Diego, CA, May 15

Medeski Martin @ Wood @ Teatro Libertador,
Cordoba, Argentina, May 15

Nick Colionne @ DuSable Museum, Chicago, IL, May 15
Toots & the Maytals @ Saint Rocke, Hermosa Beach, CA, May 15
Mindi Abair @ Palm Springs Riviera Resort, Palm Springs, CA, May 15
Basia @ Republic, Salzburg, Austria, May 15

Peter White, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Jeff Golub
@ Radisson Ballroom, Sacramento, CA, May 15

Spyro Gyra @ Clark County Amphitheatre, Las Vegas, NV, May 15
Michael Buble @ O2 Arena, London, UK, May 15-16
Steel Pulse @ Pozo Saloon, Santa Margarita, CA, May 16

Medeski Martin @ Wood @ La Trastienda Club,
Montevideo, Uruguay, May 16

Toots & the Maytals @ The Key Club, West Hollywood, CA, May 16
Angelique Kidjo @ Barbican Theatre, London, UK, May 16

Kirk Whalum, Jeff Golub, Gerald Albright, Peter White
@ Hyatt Regency, Newport Beach, CA, May 16

Pat Metheny @ Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Poughkeepsie, NY, May 16
Sonny Rollins @ Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, CA, May 16
Mindi Abair @ Petco Park, San Diego, CA, May 15
Pat Metheny @ Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PA, May 18
Michael Buble @ Bercy, Paris, France, May 18
Toots & the Maytals @ Regency Ballroom, San Francisco, CA, May 18
Steel Pulse @ House Of Blues, Boston, MA, May 18
Mindi Abair @ Borders, San Diego, CA, May 18
Medeski Martin @ Wood @ Teatro Espanol, Neuquen, Argentina, May 18
Eddie Palmieri @ Yoshi’s, San Francisco, CA, May 19
Toots & the Maytals @ McDonald Theatre, Eugene, OR, May 19
Michael Buble @ Gelredome, Arnhem, Netherlands, May 19
Kenny G @ Geijutsu Hall, Nagoya, Japan, May 19
Pat Metheny @ Music Center At Strathmore, N. Bethesda, MD, May 19
Pat Metheny @ Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA, May 20
Medeski Martin @ Wood @ Teatro Oriente, Santiago, Chile, May 20
Steel Pulse @ Trocadero Theater, Philadelphia, PA, May 20
Angelique Kidjo @ Theatre Romain Rolland, Villejuif, FR, May 20

Dee Dee Bridgewater @ The Kennedy Center For Perf Arts,
Washington, DC, May 20-22

Pat Metheny @ Town Hall, New York, NY, May 21
Steel Pulse @ Chesapeake Jubilee, Chesapeake, VA, May 21
Mindi Abair @ Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, CT, May 21
Angelique Kidjo @ Festival Face-Et-Si, Moulleron Le Captif, FR, May 21
Kenny G @ Forum Hall, Toklyo, Japan, May 21
Dionne Warwick @ Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, NV, May 21-23
Michael Buble @ Arena Di Verona, Verona, Italy, May 22
Toots & the Maytals @ Wilma Theatre, Missoula, MT, May 22
Steele Pulse @ 9:30 Club, Washington, DC, May 22
Angelique Kidjo @ Musiques Metisses, Angouleme, FR, May 22
Nick Colionne @ Jazz In The Park, Las Vegas, NV, May 22
Steel Pulse @ The National, Richmond, VA, May 23
Michael Buble @ Medio Forum, Milan, Italy, May 23
Angelique Kidjo @ Afro-Pfinsten Festival, Winterhur, CH, May 23
Kenny G @ Kobe International Hall, Osaka, Japan, May 23
Michael Buble @ Olmpiahalle, Munich, Germany, May 25
Toots & the Maytals @ First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, May 25
Angelique Kidjo @ Winer Konzerthaus, Vienna, Austria, May 25
Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau @ Cultural Centre, Hasselt, Belgium, May 25
Michael Buble @ Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland, May 26
Toots & the Maytals @ Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI, May 26
Steel Pulse, Toots & the Maytals @ House Of Blues, Chicago, IL, May 27-28
Michael Buble @ O2 Arena, Berlin, Germany, May 28
George Benson @ National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, UK, May 28

Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Jeff Golub, Peter White
@ Boulder Station, Las Vegas, NV, May 28

Angelique Kidjo @ Festival Mawazine, Rabat, Morocco, May 28
Basia @ Reigen, Vienna, Austria, May 28
Steel Pulse @ Summer Camp, Chillicothe, IL, May 29
Mindi Abair @ Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego, CA, May 29
Toots & the Maytals @ Seneca Niagara Casino, Niagara Falls, NY, May 29
George Benson @ SECC, Glasgow, UK, May 29
Basia @ Centre Of Arts, Melbourne, FL, May 29

Kirk Whalum, Jeff Golub, Gerald Albright, Peter White
@ Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego, CA, May 29

Nick Colionne @ KIFM Gaslamp Fest, San Diego, CA, May 29
George Benson @ Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, UK, May 30
Michael Buble @ Sportpalais, Antwerp, Belgium, May 30
Basia @ Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL, May 30
Nick Colionne @ KSBR Oso Viejo Park, Mission Viejo, CA, May 30
Alex Bugnon @ The Birchmere Music Hall, Alexandria, VA, May 30
Toots & the Maytals @ House Of Blues, Boston, MA, May 30
Toots & the Maytals @ Higher Ground, S. Burlington, VVT, May 31
Michael Buble @ Kopi Arena, Oberhausen, Germany, May 31

BASIA - IT'S THAT GIRL AGAIN PLUS NEW TOUR DATES

Smooth jazz singer Basia has returned to the stage. Luckily for us all both are back this year. Basia has just released her first solo album in 15 years It’s that Girl Again and the tour dates were just announced. The CD and tour will feature long time collaborator Danny White, brother to that other Smooth Jazz king Peter. Basia did make a comeback with her old band Matt Bianco in 2005 and had a hit “Ordinary Day” from the album Matt’s Mood but she is best known for her hits “New Day For You,” “Cruising For Bruising” and “Time And Tide.” Her latest single is “Blame It on the Summer.” Basia Tour Dates 2010:

London
May 3 London @ The Pigalle Club

Poland
May 6 KrakowKino Centrum Kijów
May 7 Poznan Teatr Wielki im. Stanislawa Moniuszki
May 8 Wroclaw Wytwórnia Filmów Fabularnych
May 9 Katowice Górnośląskie Centrum Kultury
May 11 Gdansk Centrum Stocznia Gdańska
May 12 Warsaw Palladium

Austria
May 15 Salzburg @ Republic
May 16 Vienna @ Reigen

U.S.
May 28 Jacksonville, FL @ Jacksonville Jazz Festival
May 29 Melbourne, FL @ King Centre Of Arts
May 30 Clearwater, FL @ Ruth Eckerd Hall
June 2 New York, NY @ The Highland Ballroom
June 4 Boston, MA @ The Wilbur Theatre
June 5 Columbia, MD @ Capital Jazz Festival
June 9 San Francisco, CA @ Bimbos
June 10 San Diego, CA @ Humphries
June 11 Los Angeles, CA @ Club Nokia

NEW RELEASES FROM MILES BONNY, FEMI HITO, SHARON JONES & OTHERS...

Antonio Fugura New York Trio – Strong Place
Bamboos - 4
Barrio Jazz Gang –Barrio Jazz Gang 2
Bonobo – Black Sands
Candice Monique & The Opticss – In My Soul
Chicago Underground Duo – Boca Negra
Darnell Hendricks – Smooth Soul Cafe
Edna Wright – Oops! Here I Go Again
Elizabeth Shepherd – Heavy Falls The Night
Femi Hito – This Goes
Georg Levin – Everything Must Change
Incognito – Always There: The Best Of Incognito
Jive Turkeys – Bread And Butter
Erik Rico – Journey Back To Me – A Japan Selection
Hadley Caliman – Straight Ahead
James Brown – Soul Brothers’ Jazz
Miles Bonny – Incense & Wine
Mulatu Astatke – Mulatu Steps Ahead
Right Home – Carry Me Home
Savath And Savalas – Predicate Dub Versions
Sem ‘Bro – Tired Heroes Of The Lost Revolution
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings – I Learned The Hard Way
Silhouette Brown - Two
Socia Lybrium – For You For Us For All
Various Artists – Brownswood Bubblers Vol. 5 – Compiled by Gilles Peterson
Various Artists – Carlos Nino’s Ocean Swim Mix
Various Artists – Contemporary Jazz
Various Artists – Funky Sensation: Jazz, Funk & Soul Classics
Various Artists – Jazz Club: Movie Themes Go Disco

MICHAEL J. THOMAS - CITY BEAT

New smooth jazz artist Michael J Thomas roared into March with his self-released CD, City Beat, which was warmly welcomed with rave reviews. On its day of release (March 2), City Beat peaked at #4 on the Amazon) smooth jazz chart. The title track is presently #1 on Smooth Jazz Now's singles chart and is receiving spins on terrestrial and internet radio stations around the globe. Additionally, three tracks – “City Beat,” “Amante Del Vino” and “Back Home” - are receiving regular airplay on the Weather Channel. Imagine what this one-man record label could accomplish with the backing of a major or a leading independent record label. Much of the material on the record was inspired by eye-opening and perspective-altering visits to metropolitan meccas like New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and Bangkok, which zestfully sparked Thomas’ wanderlust. In the studio, he produced a live sounding collection with Shannon Wallace. Thomas, who played tenor, alto and soprano saxes on the tracks, had a crack band to help bring City Beat to life. The Best of the Emerald Coast winner in the “Best Musician/Vocalist/Band” category is anxious to take that band on the road.

Following are recent snippets from the numerous enthusiastic reviews City Beat has received thus far.

Smooth Jazz Therapy: “…‘City Beat’, which hits the streets on March 2, is a tremendously accomplished piece of work and, given that Thomas writes or co-writes all but one of ten choice tracks, proves also to be a wonderful showcase for his art… a tremendously commercial collection that has every prospect of doing very well… in terms of personal favourites there is much to commend the Michael J Thomas-Shannon Wallace arrangement of Michael Jackson’s seminal ‘Billie Jean’. Starting out slowly and quickly hitting a familiar beat this could well be one of the best covers of the year whilst just as good is the original composition ‘Amante Del Vino’.”

Soul Tracks: “His globe-trotting and love of the soul greats are what fed into the delectably-diversified mix found on his Harbor Street Records debut, City Beat, rich with mesmerizing melodies, pulsating beats and even a pinch of hip-hop. Backed by instrumentalists like bassist Eric Lampley, drummer Johnathan Davis and trumpeter Paul Scurto, Mr. Thomas co-composed nine of the ten tracks and conveys the emotions expertly…”

The Smooth Jazz Ride: “Saxman Thomas delivers on City Beat the kind of self-confidence and stand-up solid material that has ushered in so many of our smooth jazz greats today… Thomas obviously knows home when he sees it, as he’s honed right in on smooth jazz like an old neighbor. With equal amounts of sway (the opening track, ‘Midtown Manhattan,’ and the title track) and respect for the genre (the soothing allure of the more mellow tracks), the artist thoroughly enjoys his seduction of this music. Stepping to pieces like his warm, hook-sweet tune called ‘Wedding Song (Forever and Always)’ and demonstrating why it should be the song in demand at all weddings, he then takes you on a bright, high-steppin’ walk with ‘30-A Degrees.’… A big fan of catchy hooks, I couldn’t help noticing the beauty of the mid-tempo ‘Pretty Skin’ and the slick and funky ‘Mind Your Step,’ with its own hot hook. In fact, the hooks throughout are full, catchy, and attractive.”

Smooth Jazz Daily: “City Beat reveals Michael J Thomas' big talent as composer and sax player. We will certainly hear more of this blessed artist.”

http://www.michaeljthomas.net/

JAZZ FM - FUNKY SENSATION

The latest Jazz FM release entitled, Funky Sensation, is inspired by the now legendary weekly club event held at Ronnie’s Bar at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in London’s swingin’ Soho. Funky Sensation is a mix of 28 jazz, funk and soul classics, including The Blackbyrds, Luther Vandross, Gil Scott-Heron, Gwen McCrae, Sister Sledge and Earth, Wind & Fire. This release is a well-rounded set of classic soul, funky jazz, and other choice bits from the 70’s and early 80’s. There's plenty of old favorites here as the 2-CD set features tracks that include "Make My Dream A Reality" by GQ, "City Living" by Linda Williams, "Love Has Come Around" by Donald Byrd, "Funky Sensation" by Gwen McCrae, "Til You Take My Love" by Harvey Mason, "Is It Love You're After" by Rose Royce, "The Bottle" by Gil Scott-Heron, "Rock Creek Park" by The Blackbyrds, "Straight To The Bank" by Bill Summers, "Glide" by Pleasure, "Los Conquistadores Chocolates" by Johnny Hammond, "Spring High" by Ramsey Lewis, and "Whistle Bump" by Deodato.

Every Saturday, fans of jazz, funk and soul can be found partying at Funky Sensation ’til 3am, dancing to music selected by Jazz FM’s presenters and guest DJs including Joey Negro, Eddie Piller and Steve Cole. Given the success of the club, releasing a companion CD was a must for us. So Mike Vitti, the presenter of the Funky Sensation show broadcast on Saturdays at 6pm, and Ralph Tee, presenter of the Jazz Lounge show which airs every Sunday, sat down to try to capture the flavour of the live event. In Mike’s words “This album is a mixture of timeless classics, Jazz Funk rarities and quality Disco. At some point all of them have featured both on my show on Jazz FM and at the Funky Sensation club night. Ralph and I have spent an enormous amount of time sourcing these songs for you and we are certain that you will enjoy listening to them. “We think you will particularly love the hard-to-find (and never previously issued in the UK) ‘City Living’ by Linda Williams, a track that was first released in 1979 on Arista Records. Likewise from 1983, Michael Wycoff’s ‘(Do You Really Love Me) Tell Me Love’ very rarely makes an appearance but was a real floor-filler back in the day.

“For the Jazz-Funkers and Disco lovers – I include myself in that category by the way – we can party to: Harvey Mason, The Blackbyrds, Donald Byrd’s solo track ‘Love Has Come Around’, G.Q.., Jackie Moore, Lonnie Liston Smith, Ramsey Lewis and Bill Summers to name but a few. On the more soulful side, this album is laced with some amazing tracks by: Luther Vandross, Gwen McCrae (without whom the concept would be nameless), Chaka Khan and the Phil Hurtt/Thom Bell penned anthem ‘I’ll be Around’ by The Detroit Spinners. For the real Funkateer: I’m certain you will love Beginning of the End’s ‘Funky Nassau’ and Johnny Hammond’s ‘Los Conquistadores Chocolates’. When you mix all of this with Rose Royce, Gil Scott-Heron, deodato, Earth, Wind & Fire and The Emotions, how could you possibly go wrong?

“We’re Funky Sensation crazy at Jazz FM. it’s all down to the phenomenal success of our club night, Ralph Tee’s Jazz Lounge on a Sunday afternoon and my programme on Saturday nights from 6 ’til 8pm. Thank you for your continued support, enjoy this album and watch out for a ‘Funky Sensation’ night near you!” Ralph says “When asked to pick a handful of tracks to write about from ‘Funky Sensation’ I was faced with a true challenge. Every track is unique and special in it’s own right, with a story to tell. What each track has in common is it’s ability to fill a dancefloor to capacity at our Jazz FM night, sound great on the radio and have all the best ingredients in the jazz, funk and soul genre we love so much.

“Some of the tracks have gone beyond their own boundaries and reignited themselves through sampling (’Is It Love You’re After’ by S-Express), re-writing (’This Time Baby’ in ‘Love On My Mind’ by The Freemasons) re-recording (’I’m Every Woman’ by Whitney Houston and ‘The Bottle’ by Maysa Leak), while “Love has Come Around” brought Isaac Hayes back to the fore as a producer and “Space Princess” helped establish Marcus Miller as an exciting new writer and bass player.

“Still, here are a few I have hand picked.

“Gwen McCrae ‘Funky Sensation’: a track that defines the CD and whose title inspired Jazz FM’s choice of name for the club event at Ronnie’s Bar. “Funky Sensation” is a cool and classy piece of sophisticated disco. Organic, timeless, and irrespirable, the string-laden steppers’ groove is given a powerhouse vocal by the queen of rare groove that’s soulful, funky and sensational!

“Sister Sledge ‘Thinking Of You’: a song created by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, the force behind Chic, ‘Thinking Of You’ finds Kathy and her sisters at their ultimate best. The song started out as an album track in the 70s and championed by rare groove DJs in the 80s to become one of their most loved songs, which retains its feel good factor to this day.

“Harvey Mason ‘’Till You Take My Love’: Harvey was the man on drums in the 70s and 80s on the jazz funk and soul scene, playing with everyone from Johnny Hammond (including “Los Conquistadores Chocolates” featured here) to George Benson, Patti Austin and Jean Carne. He made several albums for Arista, from which ‘Till You Take My Love’ remains massive floor filler.

“Michael Wycoff ‘Tell Me Love’: Very rare on CD until now, this track is also known as ‘Do You Really Love Me’ (it’s chorus hook) and is produced by one of jazz funk and soul’s true legends, Webster Lewis. It has every ingredient for a jazz funk party with some mighty instrumentation, a soul dripping vocal performance and beats that even the most tired of dancing feet wouldn’t be able to resist.

“Linda Williams ‘City Living’: What makes this compilation special is the inclusion of more unusual gems like this among the classics. Linda had a big tune on the rare groove scene in the 80s – ‘Elevate Our Minds’, but today ‘City Living’ sounds particularly fresh and keeps the mood uplifted at Ronnie’s Bar late into Saturday night and Sunday morning. Linda recorded this inspired track taking time off from her day job, working as arranger and music director for Natalie Cole!

“Kleeer ‘Open Your Mind’: One of Kleeer’s finest, this is a masterpiece, totally original and atmospheric. When the sax solo comes, it’s a moment of soul ecstasy and brings out the goose bumps in a dancefloor classic created by drummer Woody Cunningham, a guest on my Jazz FM show in the 90s who created the group and played sessions with Sylvester, Faith Hope & Charity, Candido, and Luther Vandross”

Funky Sensation was released as a double CD on April 5th.

ANGELIQUE KIDJO - OYO

Angelique Kidjo follows up her Grammy-winning Djin Djin with Oyo. On this new album, Kidjo collaborates with Bono and with John Legend on a version of Curtis Mayfield's "Move on Up." The focus on Oyo is the music that shaped Kidjo's artistic formation, including "Lakutshona Llanga," a lullaby made famous by Kidjo's hero, Miriam Makeba; Yoruban interpretations of Otis Redding's "I've Got Dreams to Remember" and Santana's "Samba Pa Ti;" a collaboration with Diane Reeves on "Monfe Ran E," an homage to the Aretha Franklin hit, "Baby I Love You;" and a take on James Brown's "Cold Sweat." Recorded and mixed by Russell Elevado (D'Angelo, The Roots, Erykah Badu) and produced by Kidjo and longtime collaborator Jean Hebrail, Oyo features a band of highly accomplished musicians, including guitarist Lionel Loueke, Christian McBride on upright bass, Kendrick Scott on drums and Thiokho Diagne on percussion. Trumpeter Roy Hargove makes a memorable appearance on "Samba Pa Ti."

Angelique Kidjo Tour Dates:
Apr-11 - Krefeld, Germany @ Kulturfabrik

Apr-12 - Berlin, Germany @ Kesselhaus

Apr-13 - Hamburg, Germany @ Fabrik

Apr-15 - Frankfurt, Germany @ Botfrabrick

Apr-16 - Zurich, CH @ Cully Jazz Festival

Apr-17 - Paris, France @ La Cigale

Apr-20 - Copenhagen, DL @ Amager Bio

Apr-21 - Helsinki, Finland @ Savoy Theatre

Apr-22 - Oslo, Norway @ Cosmopolitan

Apr-24 - Stockholm, Sweden @ Gotakallaren

Apr-27 - Athens, Greece @ Gazarte

Apr-28 - Athens, Greece @ Gazarte

May-01 - Dublin, Ireland @ National Concert Hall

May-16 - London, UK @ Barbican Theatre

May-20 - Villejuif, FR @ Théâtre Romain Rolland

May-21 - Mouilleron Le Captif, FR @ Festival Face-Et-Si

May-22 - Angouleme, FR @ Musiques Métisses

May-23 - Winterhur, CH @ Afro-Pfinsten Festival

May-25 - Vienna, Aus @ Winer Konzerthaus

May-28 - Rabat, Morocco @ Festival Mawazine

Jun-10 - Johannesburg, South Africa @ Fifa World Cup Kick Off Concert

Jun-17 - Montreal, Canada @ Le Franco Folies De Montreal

Jun-20 -San Francisco, CA @ Stern Grove

Jun-26 - Westhampton, NY @ Westhampton Beach Pac

Jun-27 - Lancaster, PA - Long's Park Amphitheatre

Jul-01 - Toronto, Canada @ Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival

RAY CHARLES - GENIUS + SOUL = JAZZ

Ray Charles was best known for his work in the idioms of R&B, rock 'n' roll and even successful forays into country. But he also recorded influential jazz albums, including the groundbreaking Genius + Soul = Jazz originally released in 1961, and continuing into the '70s with My Kind of Jazz, Jazz Number II and My Kind of Jazz Part 3. Concord Records has just released a deluxe edition two-CD set featuring digitally remastered versions of all four albums. Genius + Soul = Jazz was recorded at the Van Gelder Studios in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, in late 1960. The producer was Creed Taylor; arrangers, Quincy Jones and Ralph Burns. Ray Charles played the organ with three vocals ("I've Got News for You," "I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town" and "One Mint Julep") and band members included members of the Count Basie Orchestra: Thad Jones, Joe Newman, Billy Mitchell, Frank Wess, Freddie Green, and Sonny Payne among others. Issued originally on ABC Records' legendary Impulse jazz label, the record rose to the #4 spot on Billboard's pop album chart, and spawned the very first singles on Impulse, inlcuding, "I've Got News for You," which rose to #8 R&B and #66 on the Hot 100. In addition, Charles' version of "One Mint Julep" charted #1 R&B and #8 pop, and his rendition of the blues standard "I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town" reached #25 R&B and #84 pop. Some nine years later, Charles recorded another jazz album, My Kind of Jazz. With sessions in Los Angeles this time, Charles surrounded himself with such players as Bobby Bryant and Blue Mitchell, trumpet; Glen Childress, trombone; Andy Ennis, Albert McQueen and Clifford Scott, saxophone; and Ben Martin, guitar. The album contained Charles' own "Booty-Butt" (which was issued as a single on his own Tangerine label), Lee Morgan's "Sidewinder," and Horace Silver's "Señor Blues." In his original liner notes to My Kind of Jazz, Quincy Jones wrote, "This album is the essence of what Ray used to tell us when we were kids: Be true to the soul of the material you're dealing with."Jazz Number II was recorded roughly two years later at Charles' Tangerine/RPM Studios and issued on Tangerine Records. Charles enlisted an impressive cast of arrangers: Alf Clausen, Teddy Edwards, Jimmy Heath and Roger Neumann. The tracks included Ray Charles and Roger Neumann's "Our Suite," Teddy Edwards' "Brazilian Skies" and "Going Home," Thad Jones' "Kids Are Pretty People" and Jimmy Heath's "Togetherness."Finally, My Kind of Jazz Part 3, which concludes the Genius + Soul = Jazz deluxe package, was recorded in Los Angeles circa 1975, featured the Ray Charles Orchestra including Clifford Solomon, alto sax; Glen Childress, trombone; Johnny Coles, trumpet; Leroy Cooper, baritone sax; and James Clay, tenor sax. Included are compositions by Duke Ellington, Horace Silver, Jimmy Heath and Benny Golson. Issued on Charles' own Crossover Records, the album reached #55 on the R&B chart in 1976.The reissue of Genius + Soul = Jazz continues Concord Music Group's long-term reissuing of the Ray Charles catalog in cooperation with the Ray Charles Foundation. Among the other albums repackaged in the past year are Genius Hits the Road, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, Message From the People, plus the career compilation titled Genius.

Genius + Soul = Jazz Track Listing
Disc One
1. From the Heart 3:35
2. I've Got News for You 4:32
3. Moanin' 3:17
4. Let's Go 2:42
5. One Mint Julep 3:05
6. I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town 3:42
7. Stompin' Room Only 3:46
8. Mister C. 4:31
9. Strike Up the Band 2:37
10. Birth of the Blues 5:11
11. Golden Boy 3:32
12. Booty Butt 4:11
13. This Here 4:41
14. I Remember Clifford 3:38
15. Sidewinder 3:31
16. Blusette 3:19
17. Pas-Se-O-Ne Blues 4:42
18. Zig Zag 4:30
19. Angel City 4:23
20. Senor Blues 5:24

Disc Two
1. Our Suite 8:07
2. A Pair Of Threes 5:28
3. Morning Of Carnival 3:33
4. Going Home 4:20
5. Kids Are Pretty People 4:59
6. Togetherness 4:02
7. Brazilian Skies 5:10
8. I'm Gonna Go Fishin' 5:31
9. For Her 6:18
10. Sister Sadie 4:05
11. 3/4 Of The Time 2:49
12. Ray Minor Ray 3:46
13. Samba De Elencia 4:38
14. Metamorphosis 4:11
15. Nothing Wrong 3:32
16. Project "S" 3:16
17. Misty 5:22

AMERICAN SMOOTH JAZZ AWARDS

Nominees for the inaugural American Smooth Jazz Awards have been announced recently, with the awards to be held October 29 at the Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa in Michigan City, Indiana. Nominating ballots were sent to the top 30 smooth jazz radio stations in the U.S., along with significant producers of smooth jazz Internet and satellite music and top smooth jazz journalists nationwide. The top nominees in each of the categories will be placed online for public voting at americansmoothjazzawards.com. Voting begins April 15.

Nominees include Brian Culbertson, with three nominations including entertainer of the year; Dave Koz with two nominations, including entertainer of the year and broadcaster of the year; Paul Hardcastle with two nominations. In addition, pianist, composer and producer David Benoit will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Regina Tisdale, wife of the late bassist Wayman Tisdale, will be in attendance to present the Wayman Tisdale Humanitarian Award. 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 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 or any Ticketmaster outlet. Special packages are available through Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa by calling 888-879-7711, option #1.

American Smooth Jazz Awards Nominees:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Dave Koz
Nick Colionne
Brian Culbertson
Richard Elliot

MALE VOCALIST
Spencer Day
Will Downing
George Benson
Phil Perry
Kenny Lattimore

FEMALE VOCALIST
Maysa Leak
Melody Gardot
Norah Jones
Vanessa Williams
Randy Crawford

GROUP OF THE YEAR
Rippingtons
Sax Pack
Fourplay
Pieces of a DreamS
pyro Gyra

BRASS/WOODWIND
Rick Braun
Boney James
Richard Elliot
Darren Rahn
Euge Groove

PERCUSSIONIST
Harvey Mason
Alex Acuna
Rayford Griffin
Lenny Castro
Russ Kunkel

GUITARIST
Peter White
Nick Colionne
Jeff Golub
George Benson
Nils

KEYBOARDIST
Brian Culbertson
Gregg Karukas
Jeff Lorber
Philippe Saisse
Brian Simpson

NEW ARTIST
Cindy Bradley
Spencer Day
Drew Davidsen
Kyle Wolverton
Darren Rahn

GOSPEL JAZZ
Greg Vail
Take 6
Jonathan Butler
Angella Christie
David Wells
Kirk Whalum
Ben Tankard

SONG
“Bright” (Peter White)
“I’m Waiting For You” (Jackiem Joyner)
“Living In High Definition” (George Benson)
“Talk Of The Town” (Darren Rahn)
“Go For It” (Bernie Williams)

ALBUM
Send One Your Love (Boney James)
Bloom (Cindy Bradley)
Rock Steady (Richard Elliot)
Good Day (Peter White)
In Boston (Chris Botti)

JOURNALIST
Carol Archer (All That Jazz Inc.)
Melanie Maxwell (Smooth Jazz News)
Denis Poole (Smooth Jazz Therapy/Smooth Jazz Vibes)
Brian Soergel (Smooth Jazz Network/Smooth Jazz News/JazzTimes)
Jonathan Widran (Jazziz/Wine & Jazz)

BROADCASTER (TERRESTRIAL RADIO)
Randy Bennet
Brian Culbertson
Art Good
Allen Kepler
Dave Koz
Rick O’Dell
Alexander Zonjic

BROADCASTER (INTERNET RADIO)
Jimi King
Ted Hasiuk
Mike Scott
Cameron Smith
Michael Tozzi

INTERNATIONAL MALE VOCALIST
Michael Buble
Seal
Matt Dusk
Anders Holst

INTERNATIONAL FEMALE VOCALIST
Basia
Diana Krall
Sophie Milman
Carol Welsman
Corinne Bailey Rae

INTERNATIONAL GROUP
Four80East
Hiroshima
Jazzmasters
Down to the Bone
Incognito
Groove Kings

INTERNATIONAL ARTIST
Jesse Cook
Oli Silk
Marc Antoine
Candy Dulfur
Paul Hardcastle

CORINNE BAILEY RAE TOUR DATES

Corinne Bailey Rae is launching her first North American tour in three years with a sold-out benefit show for Santa Monica-based public radio station KCRW (89.9 FM and KCRW.com). Her dates in Portland on Sunday (April 11) and Seattle next Monday (April 12) will be (RED )NIGHTS shows, with a portion of the proceeds going to RED in support of the Global Fund, the dominant financer of programs that fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. While on tour, Bailey Rae will play the Coachella Music and Arts Festival on April 17 and the St. Lucia Jazz Festival on May 8. She’ll also play select Lilith Fair dates, to be announced. Corinne Bailey Rae is also scheduled to perform “The Blackest Lily” on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Wednesday (April 7). She’ll appear on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on May 3 and CBS’ The Early Show on May 6. In addition, she’ll be featured on the Dave Koz Radio Show, which is syndicated worldwide on more than smooth jazz radio stations, on May 8th.

Corinne Bailey Rae tour schedule:
04/06 Los Angeles, CA @ Vibiana
04/09 Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
04/11 Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre (RED) NIGHTS CONCERT
04/12 Seattle, WA @ Moore Theatre (RED) NIGHTS CONCERT
04/15 San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom
04/17 Indio, CA @ Coachella Music and Arts Festival
04/22 Chicago, IL @ Vic Theatre
04/24 Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall
04/26 Toronto, ON @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
04/28 Montreal, QC @ Club Soda
04/30 Boston, MA @ House of Blues
05/01 Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
05/03 New York, NY @ Webster Hall
05/04 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
05/08 St. Lucia St. @ Lucia Jazz Festival
05/11 Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage
05/13 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
05/14 Baltimore, MD @ Ram’s Head Live

PHAREZ WHITTED - TRANSIENT JOURNEY

Given the mastery exhibited by Pharez Whitted as a trumpeter, composer, and bandleader on his forthcoming CD Transient Journey, it’s difficult to believe that the disc is only his third in a long and active career. But the CD, due from Owl Studios on April 13, heralds the dawn of a new era for the Chicago-based musician/educator: Whitted has arrived as a major jazz recording artist. “I’m especially happy to see this new record from Pharez because of how strongly I feel about him as a trumpet player and musician,” says guitarist Bobby Broom, who plays on the new CD and co-produced it with Whitted and engineer Gary Mielke. “I really admire how he’s been able to channel all the trumpet greats that came before him to wind up at his own powerful, distinct, and recognizable sound and style.

“Pharez’s follow-through on his musical vision—including the creation of these great compositions and the assembly and direction of this group—and the culmination in 'Transient Journey,' is something that I’m proud to be a part of,” says Broom. “And just wait till people hear this group live!” “This group” would be Pharez’s regular working band, consisting of a Windy City contingent—Broom, pianist Ron Perrillo, and bassist Dennis Carroll—as well as tenor/soprano saxophonist Eddie Bayard and the young drummer Greg Artry from Whitted’s hometown of Indianapolis.

Throughout his long-overdue third CD (he previously recorded a pair of albums in the mid-1990s for MoJazz, a Motown subsidiary), Whitted displays his remarkable command of the trumpet and his broad scope as a composer. Both are firmly rooted in the post-bop tradition associated with players like his late friend Freddie Hubbard. In fact, CD annotator Neil Tesser observes that “Throughout the album—throughout all of Pharez’s music, really—the spirit of Freddie Hubbard hovers nearby. . . . [Pharez Whitted honors the late giant with his combination of intensity and technique, spank and sparkle, and that hot-cider tone.”

It was through his large and musically accomplished family that Whitted, 49, first encountered Hubbard and his music. Pharez’s parents—drummer Thomas Whitted Sr. and singing bassist Virtue Hampton Whitted—had been members of a jazz orchestra called the Hampton Band that also included five of his uncles (trombonist Slide Hampton among them) and three of his aunts. His three older brothers are musicians, and one of his sisters a singer. His father had played drums with Hubbard in the 1950s, before the trumpeter moved from Indianapolis to New York.

Pharez went on to earn a master’s in jazz studies at Indiana University, studying with David Baker. He signed with MoJazz in 1994 and recorded two CDs, but found himself at odds with the label with respect to musical direction. “I was hearing something else,” he says now. “We musicians reject the fact that the commercial world is forcing us to do something, but then the jazz world is trying to force us to do something else again. The music you play should be something people want to listen to. I try to live down the middle. That’s where the music usually comes from, and that’s where I am.

ANTONIO ADOLFO & CAROL SABOYA - LA E CA / HERE AND THERE

Jazz and samba have shared a rich interactive history for the last half-century. In Rio de Janeiro, musicians took note of Chet Baker, Bill Evans, and composers like Cole Porter while jazz musicians in Los Angeles and New York absorbed the music of "Black Orpheus" and bossa nova innovators Antonio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto. Pianist/composer Antonio Adolfo was one of those young Rio players in the 1960s who found himself captivated by these new sounds, both at home and abroad. On his new CD Lá e Cá (Here and There), Adolfo juxtaposes his own compositions and three of Jobim’s with jazz and American Songbook classics to create a gorgeous showcase for this alluring musical synthesis and for Adolfo’s self-described obsession with Brazilian phrasing. His vocalist daughter Carol Saboya is featured on five tracks—one in Portuguese (“Sabiá”) and the others in English (“All the Things You Are,” “A Night in Tunisia,” “Time After Time,” “So in Love”).

Throughout Lá e Cá, Adolfo applies his Brazilian phrasing to American songs such as “Easy to Love” (“I am a passionate admirer of Cole Porter’s music”), “Lullaby of Birdland” (performed in a medley with Jobim’s “Garoto”), and Jerome Kern’s “All the Things You Are.” Jobim’s “Nuvens Douradas” is paired with Porter’s “Every Time We Say Goodbye.” “Time After Time” is inspired by Chet Baker’s 1954 recording, which enthralled Adolfo and other Brazilian musicians. “It’s safe to say that his vocal interpretations have influenced an entire generation of musicians in Rio/Brazil,” states the pianist.

Adolfo’s own work is represented by two early compositions, “Cascavel” and “Toada Jazz (O Retirante),” and the more recent “Minor Chord.” Recorded in Rio de Janeiro in December 2009, Lá e Cá was produced and arranged by Adolfo and features Uruguayan-born guitarist Leo Amuedo (a frequent collaborator with Ivan Lins), bassist Jorge Helder (often heard with Chico Buarque and Maria Bethânia), drummer Rafael Barata (Edu Lobo, Rosa Passos, Mônica Salmaso), and Sergio Trombone (a veteran of countless Rio sessions). Lá e Cá picks up where father and daughter left off with their critically acclaimed 2007 CD, "Antonio Adolfo and Carol Saboya Ao Vivo/Live." “I love performing with Carol,” says Adolfo. “She’s very jazz-oriented, the type of singer musicians like to play with.”

In addition to his prolific work as a pianist, composer, and arranger, Adolfo, 63, continues to be a leader in music education. The Centro Musical Antonio Adolfo in Rio and a new experimental Brazilian music school in Hollywood, Florida, where he resides, are a big part of his current professional life. Saboya, 35, also teaches at the Centro, in Rio, and maintains her own recording career, which began with an appearance on Sergio Mendes’s Grammy-winning Brasileiro (1992). Carol’s CDs include the Sharp Prêmio award-winning "Dança da Voz"; and "Janelas Abertas," a session with guitarist Nelson Faria, as well as "Sessão Passatempo," "Presente," and the recent "Chão Aberto," all released in Brazil. Her "Bossa Nova" and "Nova Bossa" were made for JVC Japan.

JOHN MAYER - THE BATTLE STUDIES TOUR

John Mayer's fourth album, Battle Studies, debuted at #1 in November 2009 and launched a world tour that has sold out arenas across the country and earned the musician some of the best performance reviews of his career. Summer dates for The Battle Studies World Tour, produced by Live Nation, have now been announced to kick off on July 16th in Charlotte, North Carolina. Special guests will include Train, The Avett Brothers and Owl City. Tickets for Mayer's hometown of Hartford, CT will go on sale on April 16, while dates in select markets go on sale beginning April 17th at. Since kicking off in February, the Battle Studies World Tour has repeatedly ranked among the Top Five on Billboard Magazine's weekly Hot Tour list. Mayer's current single, "Heartbreak Warfare" is his seventh Top Five radio hit, with the song reaching over 385 million people in the past three months. He has also earned a steady stream of performance accolades:

Battle Studies was released in November 2009 on Columbia Records and debuted at #1. It is his fourth studio album from the seven-time Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter/guitar player/producer and incorporates the warmth, melodies and simplicity of 70's and 80's California rock and pop. Battle Studies is a confessional, relaxed and liberated album recorded in a private home in California where Mayer lived and worked over the course of six months before wrapping at the famed Capitol Studios in Los Angeles. The album was co-produced by John Mayer and Steve Jordan.

The consistency with which John Mayer combines word craft and melody has earned him rarefied status in popular culture as a respected songwriter and musician. Since his acclaimed debut in 2001 with Room For Squares, each release has earned John Mayer additional accolades. Through 2003's Heavier Things, his work with John Mayer Trio in 2005, Continuum's 2006 release and now Battle Studies, John Mayer has established himself as a musician and collaborator who exceeds genre boundaries. The guitarist, vocalist and songwriter has earned seven Grammy Awards and sold nearly 12.5 million albums worldwide.

In May 2007, Time Magazine placed John Mayer on their Time 100 list of the most influential contemporary thinkers, leaders, artists and entertainers. For two consecutive years, Rolling Stone Magazine featured John Mayer on the cover of their annual "Guitar" issue - first with February 2007's "The New Guitar Gods" round-up and then in May 2008's "Living Guitar Legends" issue featuring Mayer with peers and icons alike.

Pairings with a range of artists are a defining trait of the musician whose collaborative streak is well-known. From rock to blues, hip-hop to jazz to country, Mayer has performed and/or recorded with Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, T-Bone Burnett, Herbie Hancock, Dixie Chicks, Jay Z, Alicia Keys and Taylor Swift. In 2005, Mayer famously toured and recorded with power players Pino Palladino and Steve Jordan as John Mayer Trio, whose live album TRY! featured searing blues and rock. As on Continuum, John Mayer again took the helm as the co-producer of Battle Studies, his fourth studio album, released on November 17, 2009 and debuted at #1.

BATTLE STUDIES WORLD TOUR SUMMER DATES:

Jul 16
Charlotte, NC
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte
(with Train)

Jul 17
Raleigh, NC
Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion @ Walnut Creek
(with Train)

Jul 18
Virginia Beach, VA
Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
(TBA)

Jul 21
Wantagh, NY
Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
(with Train)

Jul 24
Scranton, PA
Toyota Pavilion @ Montage Mountain
(with Train)

Jul 25
Hershey, PA
Hershey Park Stadium
(with Train)

Jul 27
Cincinnati, OH
Riverbend Music Center
(with Train)

Jul 28
Clarkston, MI
DTE Energy Music Theatre
(with Train)

Jul 30
Camden, NJ
Susquehanna Bank Center
(with Train)

Jul 31
Bristow, VA
Jiffy Lube Live
(The Avett Brothers)

Aug 01
Burgettstown, PA
First Niagara Pavilion
(with Train)

Aug 03
Holmdel, NJ
PNC Bank Arts Center
(with Train)

Aug 06
Mansfield, MA
Comcast Center
(with Train)

Aug 07
Hartford, CT
Comcast Theatre
(with Train)

Aug 08
Saratoga, NY
Saratoga PAC
(with Train)

Aug 10
Toronto, ONT
Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
(with Train)

Aug 11
Darien Center, NY
Darien Lake PAC
(with Train)

Aug 13
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Blossom Music Center
(The Avett Brothers)

Aug 14
Tinley Park, IL
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
(The Avett Brothers)

Aug 15
Noblesville, IN
Verizon Wireless Music Center
(The Avett Brothers

Aug 18
Phoenix, AZ
Cricket Wireless Pavilion
(with Owl City)

Aug 20
Mountain View, CA
Shoreline Amphitheatre
(with Owl City)

Aug 21
Wheatland, CA
Sleep Train Amphitheatre
(with Owl City)

Aug 22
Los Angeles, CA
Hollywood Bowl
(with Owl City)

Aug 24
Irvine, CA
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
(with Owl City)

Aug 25
Chula Vista, CA
Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
(with Owl City)

Aug 31
West Valley City, UT
USANA Amphitheater
(TBA)

Sep 01
Morrison, CO
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
(with Owl City)

Sep 04
Dallas, TX
Superpages.com Center
(TBA)

Sep 05
Woodlands, TX
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
(with Owl City)

Sep 06
Orange Beach, AL
The Amphitheatre @ the Wharf
(with Owl City)

Sep 08
Atlanta, GA
Aaron's Amphitheatre @ Lakewood
(with Owl City)

Sep 10
Tampa, FL
The Ford Amphitheatre
(with Owl City)

Sep 11
West Palm Beach, Fl
Cruzan Amphitheatre
(with Owl City)

CAROLE KING - THE ESSENTIAL CAROLE KING

From her earliest forays into music at the age of four, it was Carole King's destiny to pursue a career as a composer, musician and vocalist. A decade before the mid-'60s folk boom put the term "singer and songwriter" into American and British pop music vernacular, Carole was, in fact, exactly that – a singer and songwriter. As a fledgling songsmith still in her teens in the late 1950s, her sophisticated demo recordings startled music execs who, within five years, would fully appreciate the unerring Top 40 sensibility that Carole's demos possessed. To celebrate her long and varied career, The Essential Carole King, a new double-disc set, will be available at all physical and digital retail outlets starting April 27th through Ode/Epic/Legacy, a division of Sony Music Entertainment..

As The Essential Carole King suggests, there is an aspect of her career for which she has never received the full measure of credit – her role in jump-starting the singer and songwriter movement at the beginning of the 1970s. As Kubernik writes, "There was Sam Cooke, Dylan, Brian Wilson, Lennon & McCartney, Neil Diamond, John Phillips, Smokey Robinson, and others, but no other female artist, up to that point, had so forged the writer, folkie, rock, R&B, singer, songwriter, performer, hitmaker, life style maker as Carole did on Tapestry." In presenting a new persona for herself at the dawn of the decade, Tapestry unquestionably set the stage for Top 40 radio and television's commercial acceptance of the new popular singer/songwriter stylists. The genre that was set in motion by James Taylor, Carly Simon, Jackson Browne, Cat Stevens, Roberta Flack, Bill Withers, Don McLean and many other singer/songwriters at the start of the 1970s has reverberated throughout the '80s, '90s, and '00s and continues to have an effect on pop music today.

The duality of her musical career as a singer and songwriter is at the heart of The Essential Carole King. With liner note essays written by Sirius/XM rock and roll legend Andrew Loog Oldham (founding manager and producer of the Rolling Stones) and by L.A.-based music journalist/historian Harvey Kubernik, The Essential Carole King uniquely profiles the career of this beloved singer and songwriter. Compilation producers Lou Adler, Steve Berkowitz, and Rob Santos present an overview of her own recordings as an artist on Disc One/The Singer, while Disc Two/The Songwriter reveals a collection of her compositions (co-written with Gerry Goffin, among others) recorded throughout the '60s by pop's greatest names.

One would be hard-pressed to find another female American composer whose career compares to Carole King's. With a veritable life soundtrack of '60s standards penned by her, and her decades of recordings as a solo artist (on her own albums plus songs for films, television, Broadway shows, and more), Carole King is one of a kind. If industry credentials are the yardstick, she has them all – top-charted records, RIAA Gold, Platinum, Multi-Platinum, and Diamond Certifications, 4 Grammy Awards in a single year, Oscar recognition, induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and the Songwriters Hall Of Fame, Lifetime Achievement awards (including the esteemed Grammy Trustees' Award), tribute albums, and performances at the Presidential Inaugural Galas for Presidents Clinton and Obama.

THE ESSENTIAL CAROLE KING
DISC ONE/THE SINGER
1. It Might As Well Rain Until September
2. Child Of Mine
3. I Feel The Earth
4. So Far Away
5. It's Too Late
6. You've Got A Friend
7. Sweet Seasons
8. Been To Canaan
9. Corazon
10. Jazzman
11. Nightingale
12. Only Love Is Real
13. Medley w/James Taylor: Will You Love Tomorrow/Some Kind Of Wonderful/ Up On The roof
14. Really Rosie
15. Pierre
16. You Can Do Anything w/Babyface
17. The Reason w/Celine Dion
18. Now And Forever

DISC TWO/THE SONGWRITER
1. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - The Shirelles
2. Take Good Care Of My Baby - Bobby Vee
3. Every Breath I Take - Gene Pitney
4. Crying In the Rain - Everly Brothers
5. The Loco-Motion - Little Eva
6. Up On the Roof - The Drifters
7. Chains - The Cookies
8. One Fine Day - The Chiffons
9. Oh No Not My Baby - Maxine Brown
10. Just Once In My Life – The Righteous Brothers
11. Pleasant Valley Sunday - The Monkees
12. (You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman - Aretha Franklin
13. No Easy Way Down - Dusty Springfield
14. Wasn't Born To Follow - The Byrds
15. Hey Girl - Billy Joel

33rd ANNUAL FREIHOFER'S SARATOGA JAZZ FESTIVAL

The Saratoga Performing Arts Center has announced that the 33rd annual Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival will present a lineup that includes Gladys Knight, jazz singer Al Jarreau & the George Duke Trio, legendary blues icon Taj Mahal, guitarist extraordinaire Al Di Meola and two piano legends - Ramsey Lewis and Ahmad Jamal. The Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27 jazz festival will feature more than 20 performances over the two-day weekend on SPAC's Amphitheater and Gazebo stages. Located in scenic Saratoga Springs, New York, Saratoga Performing Arts Center has been the site of Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival since George Wein established it in 1978. With an inside seating capacity of 5,200, lawn seating of 20,000, world class jazz talent and just three hours driving time from Boston, New York or Montreal, SPAC's Jazz Festival draws thousands of jazz lovers from across the Northeast and the United States. "The Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival offers a jazz lineup of unparalleled quality and diversity, with musicians from every corner and tradition in the jazz world displaying the extraordinary range and richness of the art form," said Marcia J. White, SPAC's President and Executive Director. "Our Festival also offers an atmosphere that is as spectacular as the music. Our lush lawn, framed by the 50 to 60 foot emerald pines of the Saratoga Spa State Park, is the perfect place to stretch out, relax and take in the music. In addition, our free parking, the opportunity to bring in your own food, beverages, blankets and tents make our festival a fabulous, affordable escape. Truly, our event offers an experience that few others can match," she added. The full two-day Festival lineup is available at www.spac.org.

BRAD MEHLDAU - HIGHWAY RIDER

The new album from jazz pianist Brad Mehldau sees him re-team with producer Jon Brion for a work that mixes jazz and pop sensibilities. Highway Rider is their first collaboration since the 2002’s Largo, which sold 34,000 copies (solid numbers for a jazz album) and was one of the most influential jazz releases of recent years. Over the last two decades Mehldau has established himself as a acclaimed pianist in the style of Bill Evans, playing as sideman with a variety of musicians including the Joshua Redman quartet before forming his own trio in 1994, with bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jorge Rossy, and later Jeff Ballard.

His debut album Introducing Brad Mehldau (1995) was followed by Art Of The Trio, Vol. 1 (1997), with two volumes coming soon after. He returned with Elegiac Cycle (1999), Art Of The Trio, Vol. 4: Back At The Vanguard (1999) and Places (2000), the latter featuring original compositions focusing on various cities. Another Art Of The Trio album arrived in 2001, but a year after he came out with Largo (2002), which saw Mehldau perform with other groups outside of his usual trio format and team up with producer Brion, best known for his work with artists such as Fiona Apple, Aimee Mann and Kanya West. Mehldau followed this the standards-based Anything Goes (2004), Live In Tokyo (2004), Day Is Done (2005), House On The Hill (2006), Love Sublime (2006), and the double-disc Live (2008) which was recorded with his trio at the Village Vanguard.

The latest album sees Jon Brion again in the producer’s chair with Mehldau’s usual trio of Matt Chamberlain (drums), Joshua Redman (saxophone) and a small chamber orchestra led by Dan Coleman. Using a broader instrumental palette than Largo, this 15-track song cycle – which was written, orchestrated, and arranged by Mehldau – reflects his recent experience writing longer-form pieces.

Speaking of his renewed collaboration with Brion, Mehldau has said:
“I knew from working with Jon on Largo that he was the guy who would find a way to put all the pieces together for this project.It was really quite a beast sonically at some points – two drummers playing at the same time, bass, sax, and piano, and then the orchestra on top of that. I wanted to record everything live whenever possible but wasn’t sure if we could do it. Jon had the foresight during the recording, and then a great deal of craft during the mixing, to bring it all together and sound like it does. And we were able to avoid what the conductor Dan Coleman jokingly referred to as “disco strings” – that is, adding the orchestra onto the jazz group’s performance after the fact.”

BROADCAST ARCHITECTURE LAUNCHES CHILLOUT RADIO NETWORK

Broadcast Architecture, the researcher and consultant that syndicates the Smooth Jazz Radio Network, adds a new 24/7 format, the Chillout Radio Network. The format offers "music that feels good," with core artists including Sade, Beyonce, Kenny G, Colbie Caillet, Maroon 5, Seal, Michael Jackson, Alicia Keys, Norah Jones, George Benson, John Mayer, and Phil Collins. "Our new format offers something new and fresh in both variety and feel," BA President Allen Kepler said. "Everyone needs a 'feel good' station on their radio, a bright place to regain their zone and help them escape from the stress of the day, relax, chill out, and feel good Like smooth jazz did for a generation of listeners over the last 20 years, the Chillout Radio Network targets today's adults who need a break from rap, hip-hop and edgy rock music."

Doesn’t this sound like the Smooth Jazz Network but with a new name? The reality is that these artists were and are being played on smooth jazz stations all over the country, or should I say the ones that are actually left. Seems to me that Broadcast Architecture is getting ready to continue riding the wave as more stations around the country drop the smooth jazz format in search of bigger advertising profits. Don’t let the name (Chillout Radio) fool you as in no way shape or form will they add actual ‘chill’ tracks to the playlist. The best example of a chill station was New York’s own WQCD which as we all know barely lasted 2 years before it was dropped. Of course, it was not 100% chill (plenty of smooth jazz included), but nevertheless, it was a bold attempt at the time.

VIVIAN GREEN - BEAUTIFUL

R&B singer and songwriter Vivian Green is set to release her long-awaited new album, Beautiful, on Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 on E1 Music. The album's track, "Beautiful," broke into the Top 20 at Urban AC radio, and is currently #15 and rapidly rising. The new video for "Beautiful" (directed by Chris Stanford) has been added to soul network Centric. To celebrate the release of her album, Green will perform at The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA on 4/5 and S.O.B.'s in New York City on 4/6. In contrast to her first two albums, which were recorded in a variety of studios with multiple producers, Vivian approached the recording of "Beautiful" in a more intimate, organic manner. With the exception of "Save Me" and "I Know How," which she cut with Jason Farmer (Keyshia Cole, Rihanna, Wyclef Jean) in the producer's seat, Vivian recorded the entire album with Grammy-nominated producer Anthony Bell, a longtime friend and collaborator who made key production contributions to her first two albums, and whose extensive resume also includes work with Jazmine Sullivan, Jewel, Musiq, Raheem DeVaughn and Jill Scott.

Vivian is now leaking another track from her forthcoming new album entitled "When We're Apart." Click here to listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rp8aS-zQRw

The final track listing for "Beautiful" is:

01. "Beautiful"

02. "When We're Apart"

03. "I Know How..."

04. "Better Man (skit)"

05. "Better Man"

06. "Save Me"

07. "Too Intense"

08. "Somewhere"

09. "Caught Up"

10. "Search Is Over"

11. "So Far Gone"

12. "Jordan's Song"

13. Bonus Track: "One Of None"

THE APRIL CONCERT CALENDAR

John Mayer @ GM Place, Vancouver, BC, Apr 1

Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour @ Macky Auditorium Concert Hall,
Boulder, CO, Apr 1

Norah Jones @ The Paramount Theatre, Charlottesville, VA, Apr 1
Norah Jones @ Warner Theatre, Washington, DC, Apr 2
Michael Buble @ Rose Garden, Portland, OR, Apr 2
Norah Jones @ Tower Theatre, Philadelphia, PA, Apr 3
Michael Buble @ Key Arena, Seattle, WA, Apr 3
Bobby Caldwell @ The Soiled Dove Underground, Denver, CO, Apr 3
Chris Botti @ Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space, Tokyo, Japan, Apr 3

George Benson @ Cape Tow Int’l Convention Centre,
Cape Town, South Africa, April 3-4

John Mayer @ Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary, AB, Apr 3
Najee @ B.B. King’s, New York, NY Apr 3
John Mayer @ Rexall Place, Edmonton, AB, Apr 4
Vivian Green @ SOB’s, New York, NY, Apr 5
Chris Standring @ Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA, Apr 5
John Mayer @ Credit Union Centre, Saskatoon, SK, Apr 6
Baaba Maal @ Telus Center, Toronto, ONT, Apr 6
Vivian Green @ The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA, Apr 6
Michael Buble @ Oracle Arena, Oakland, A, Apr 6
Lionel Louke @ Capilano College, Vancouver, BC, Apr 6
Pat Metheny @ Creative Arts Theatre, Morgantown, WV, Apr 6
Dee Dee Bridgewater @ Casa da Musica, Oporto, Portugal, Apr 6
John Mayer @ MTS Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Apr 7
George Winston @ Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville, PA, Apr 7
Pat Metheny @ Univ of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, Apr 7
Melody Gardot @ Olympia, Paris, France, Apr 7-9
Lionel Louke @ Mondavi Center @ UC Davis, Davis, CA, Apr 7-10
John Mayer @ Fargodome, Fargo, ND, Apr 8
Michael Buble @ US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ, Apr 8
Pat Metheny @ Ferst Center For The Arts, Atlanta, GA, Apr 8
Mindi Abair, Peter White @ Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA, Apr 8
Baaba Maal @ Wisconsin Union Theatre, Madison, WI, Apr 8
George Benson @ Winston-Salem Sate Univ., Winston-Salem, NC, Apr 8

Pink Martini @ Renee & Harry Segerstrom Concert Hall,
Costa Mesa, CA, Apr 8-10

Peter White @ Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA, Apr 8-11

Pat Metheny @ Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL, Apr 9
Spyro Gyra @ One World Theatre, Austin, TX, Apr 9
Chris Standring @ Spaghettini, Seal Beach, CA, Apr 9
Michael Buble @ Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA, Apr 9
King Sunny Ade @ Highline Ballroom, New York, NY, Apr 9
Karla Bonoff @ The Birchmere Music Hall, Alexandria, VA, Apr 8
Corinne Bailey Rae @ Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC, Apr 9
George Winston @ Music Center At Strathmore, N. Bethesda, MD, Apr 9
George Benson @ Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA, Apr 9
Baaba Maal @ Venue TBD, Chicago, IL, Apr 10
Pat Metheny @ Fillmore Miami Beach, Miami Beach, FL, Apr 10
George Benson @ Bergen PAC, Englewood, NJ, Apr 10
Dee Dee Bridgewater @ Tivoli Koncerthouse, Copenhagen, DEN, Apr 10
John Mayer @ United Center, Chicago, IL, Apr 10
George Benson @ Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington, DC, Apr 11
Pat Metheny @ University of Florida Phillips Ctr, Gainesville, FL, Apr 11
Corinne Bailey Rae @ Roseland Theatre, Portland, OR, Apr 11
Angelique Kidjo @ Kulturfabrik, Krefeld, Germany, Apr 11
Roberta Flack @ Philharmonic Center For The Arts, Naples, FL, Apr 11
Dave Grusin, Patti Austin @ Adrienne Arsht Center Miami, FL, Apr 11
George Winston @ Tryon Fine Arts Center, Truon, NC, Apr 12
Corinne Bailey Rae @ Moore Theatre, Seattle, WA, Apr 12
Angelique Kidjo @ Kesselhaus, Berlin, Germany, Apr 12
Ceu @ The Triple Door, Seattle, WA, Apr 12-13
Angelique Kidjo @ Fabrik, Hamburg, Germany, Apr 13
Baaba Maal @ Buchanan Hall, Arcata, CA, Apr 13
Pat Metheny @ Nokia Theatre, Grand Prairie, TX, Apr 13
Dee Dee Bridgewater @ Philharmonie Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Apr 13
Baaba Maal @ Laxson Auditorium, Chico, CA, Apr 14
Ceu @ Alladin Theatre, Portland, OR, Apr 14
Pat Metheny @ Paramount Theatre, Austin, TX, Apr 14
Carole King @ Budokan Hall, Tokyo, Japan, Apr 14, 16
Baaba Maal @ Mondavi Performing Arts Center, Davis, CA, Apr 15
Angelique Kidjo @ Botfrabrick, Frankfurt, Germany, Apr 15
Corinne Bailey Rae @ Regency Ballroom, San Francisco, CA, Apr 15

Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau @ Longwood Gardens,
Kennett Square, PA, Apr 15

George Winston @ Peace Center For Performing Arts,
Greenville, SC, Apr 15

Madeleine Peyroux @ Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA, Apr 15-18
Pat Metheny @ Lensic PAC, Santa Fe, NM, Apr 16
Ceu @ Coachella, Indio, CA, Apr 16
Angelique Kidjo @ Cully Jazz Festival, Zurich, CH, Apr 16
Michael Franks @ One World Theatre, Austin, TX, Apr 16
Bobby Caldwell, Diane Schuur @ Arkley Center, Eureka, CA, Apr 16
Pink Martini @ Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA, Apr 16
Nick Colionne @ Borders Book Store, Panama City Beach, FL, Apr 16
Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau @ Carnegie Hall, New York, NY, Apr 16
Nick Colionne @ Seabreeze, Panama City Beach, FL, Apr 16 -18
Baaba Maal @ Royce Hall Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA, Apr 17
Take 6 @ Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis, MD, Apr 17
Pat Metheny @ Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ, Apr 17
Corinne Bailey Rae @ Coachella, Indio, CA, Apr 17
Steele Pulse @ Copper Mountain Resort, Copper Mountain, CO, Apr 17
Angelique Kidjo @ La Cigale, Paris, France, Apr 17

Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau @ Staller Center For Arts,
Stonybrook, NY, Mar 17

Baaba Maal @ Campbell Hall, Santa Barbara, CA, Apr 18
Norah Jones @ Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA, Apr 18
Pat Metheny @ Rialto Theatre, Tucson, AZ, Apr 18
Ceu @ The Independent, San Francisco, CA, Apr 18
Take 6 @ Kennedy Center For Perf Arts, Washington, DC, Apr 18

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy @ Philharmonic Center For The Arts,
Naples, FL, Apr 18

B.B. King @ Temple Hoyne Bluell Theatre, Denver, CO, Apr 19
Norah Jones @ Arlene Schnitzel Hall, Portland, OR, Apr 19
Pat Metheny @ Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, CA, Apr 19
Dee Dee Bridgewater @ Athens Concert Hall, Athens, Greece, Apr 19
Baaba Maal @ Zellerbach Auditorium, Berkeley, CA, Apr 20
Steel Pulse @ Roseland Theater, Portland, OR, Apr 20
Pat Metheny @ Campbell Hall, Santa Barbara, CA, Apr 20
Simply Red @ Credicard Hall, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Apr 20
Angelique Kidjo @ Amager Nio, Copenhagen, DL, Apr 20


Jack Jones @ The Rrazz Room At Hotel Nikko,
San Francisco, CA, Apr 20-25

Pat Metheny @ Spreckels Theatre, San Diego, CA, Apr 21
Norah Jones @ The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA, Apr 21
Steel Pulse @ Showbox, Seattle, WA, Apr 21
Simply Red @ Chevrolet Hall, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, April 21
Ceu @ Dakota Bar & Grill, St. Paul, MN, Apr 21-22

Baaba Maal @ Scottsdale Center For The Performing Arts,
Scottsdale, AZ, Apr 22

Angelique Kidjo @ Cosmopolitan, Oslo, Norway, Apr 22
Kenny G @ Arena Theatre, Houston, TX, Apr 22
Corinne Bailey Rae @ Vic Theatre, Chicago, IL, Apr 22
Baaba Maal @ Scottsdale Ctr For Perf Arts, Scottsdale, AZ, Apr 22
George Winston @ Phelps Stokes Auditorium, Berea, KY, Apr 22
Pat Metheny @ Grand Sierra Resort & Casino, Reno, NV, Apr 23
Steel Pulse @ New Orleans Jazz Fest, New Orleans, LA, Apr 23

Peter White @ Hammerson Hall Living Arts Centre,
Mississauga, Ontario, Apr 23

Ceu @ Green Dolphin, Chicago, IL, Apr 23
Simply Red @ Citibank Hall, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Apr 23
Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau @ Symphony Center, Chicago, IL, Mar 23
B.B. King @ Sangamon Auditorium, Springfield, MI, Apr 23
Norah Jones @ Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, Apr 23
Mavis Staples @ Kennedy Center For Perf Arts, Washington, DC, Apr 23
Incognito @ The Legion, Prince George, BC, Apr 23-24
Pink Martini @ Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth, TX, Apr 23-25
Norah Jones @ Spreckels Theatre, San Diego, CA, Apr 24
Corinne Bailey Rae @ St. Andrews Hall, Detoit, MI, Apr 24
Steel Pulse @ Festival Int’l de Louisiane, Lafayette, LA, Apr 24
Nick Colionne @ Tri C Jazz Fest, Cleveland, OH, Apr 24
Angelique Kidjo @ Gotakallaren, Stockholm, Sweden, Apr 24
Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau @ Krannert Center, Urbana, IL, Mar 24

Baaba Maal @ New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival,
New Orleans, LA, Apr 24

Pat Metheny @ Zellerbach Auditorium, Berkeley, CA, Apr 24
Baaba Maal @ Houston Int’l Festival, Houston, TX, Apr 25
Steel Pulse @ Sam Houston Park, Houston, TX, Apr 25
Norah Jones @ Dodge Theatre, Phoenix, AZ, Apr 25
Pat Metheny @ Napa Valley Opera House, Napa, CA, Apr 25
B.B. King @ House Of Blues, Chicago, IL, Apr 25
Ceu @ Highline Ballroom, New York, NY, Apr 25
Corinne Bailey Rae @ Queen Elizabeth, Toronto, Ontario, Apr 26
Simply Red @ Lunar Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Apr 26
Pat Metheny @ Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz, CA, Apr 26
Mindi Abair, earl Klugh, Boney James @ Emory University, Atl, GA, Apr 26
Baaba Maal @ UNC Chapel Hill Memorial Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, Apr 27
Angelique Kidjo @ Gazarte, Athens, Greece, Apr 27
Angelique Kidjo @ Gazarte, Athens, Greece, Apr 28
Pat Metheny @ Aladdin Theatre, Portland, OR, Apr 28
Corinne Bailey Rae @ Club Soda, Montreal, QC, Apr 28
Norah Jones @ Kiva Theatre, Albuquerque, NM, Apr 28
Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau @ Flynn Center, Burlington, VT, Mar 28
Simply Red @ Movistar Arena, Santiago, Chile, Apr 28-29
Norah Jones @ Plaza Theatre, El Paso, TX, Apr 29
Baaba Maal @ Lisner Auditorium, Washington, DC, Apr 29
Pat Metheny @ Washington Center For Perf Arts, Olympia, WA, Apr 29
Baaba Maal @ Fillmore East, New York, NY, Apr 30
Pat Metheny @ Meany Hall, Seattle, WA, Apr 30
Corinne Bailey Rae @ House Of Blues, Seattle, WA, Apr 30
Peter White @ Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY, Apr 30
Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau @ Weinberg Center, Frederick, MD, Mar 30