THE GROOVE BOUTIQUE, ASBURY JAZZ FEST & RHYTHM & BLUES FEST

RAFE GOMEZ & THE GROOVE BOUTIQUE ON QVC!
Rafe Gomez will bring jazz chill music to television in August when he debuts The Groove Boutique on QVC! This will be a one hour, bi-monthly program that will feature Rafe Gomez spinning and selling CD's of the same type of chilled-out sounds that he features on his weekly syndicated Groove Boutique radio show. Some of the releases that will be featured on The Groove Boutique on QVC will include CD's by Soul Ballet, Greg Adams, Kriztal's Vintage Chill series, Four 80 East, John Tropea, Fishbelly Black, Bobby Caldwell, and many more. We'll pass on the airdate details once it becomes available.

THE 17th ANNUAL ASBURY PARK JAZZ FESTIVAL
Smooth jazz pianist, Alex Bugnon, will headline the 17th annual Asbury Park Jazz Festival to be held in Asbury Park, New Jersey on June 25 and 26. Admission is free to the public and will also feature performances by the Poncho D Band, the Nu Horizon Band, the Excel Band, Synthasoul, Al Wright Unit, the Lady Lana Quartet, Dennis Grant and the Sons, Vincent G. Walker and Testimonies of Joy.

THE 2005 BAM RHYTHM & BLUES FESTIVAL
The 2005 BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) Rhythm & Blues Festival at Metrotech Center is already on motion with free outdoor concerts every Thursday through August 11. The concerts are held at MetroTech Commons, located at the corner of Flatbush and Myrtle Avenues in Brooklyn, New York. Performers set to appear include - Lalah Hathaway (June 23), Eddie Palmieri (June 30), Amp Fiddler (July 7), The Wailers (July 14), Raul Midon (July21), Sharon Jones and Dap Kings (July 28), James Ulmer Blood (August 4), Elaine Elias and Lonnie Liston Smith (August 11).

DANNY FEDERICI + NEW RELEASES

DANNY FEDERICI - OUT OF A DREAM
Keyboardist Danny Federici is releasing his second smooth jazz instrumental set Out Of Dream on July 26 on VS Records. In it he features two covers –the Rolling Stones' Miss You and Bob Dylan’s Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door. Federici has been a sideman for Bruce Springsteen for the past three decades as a member of the famed E Street Band and has enlisted the help ofmany musicians on his new project. Joining him on the album are percussionist Daniel de Los Reyes (Sting, Shakira), guitarists Jon Johnson(Earth Wind & Fire), Todd Parsnow (Kirk Franklin, Bootsy Collins) and bassist Juan Van Dunk (the Police, KC & The Sunshine Band).

NEW & REISSUED ALBUMS RELEASED THIS WEEK...
B.B. King - Chronicles: 3 Classic Albums (MCA/UME box set)
Carole King - One To One (Wounded Bird, 1982 album)
Earl Klugh - Earl Klugh (Blue Note, 1976 album)
Earl Klugh - Living Inside Your Love (Blue Note, 1977 album)
Down To The Bone - Spread Love Like Wildfire (Narada Jazz)
Eric Benet - Hurricane (Warners)
Jamiroquai - Dynamite (Epic)
Manhattan Transfer - The Manhattan Transfer Live (Wounded Bird, 1987 album)
Marvin Gaye - Chronicles: 3 Classic Albums (Motown/UME box set)
Maynard Ferguson - Maynard Ferguson (Wounded Bird, 1971 album)
Maynard Ferguson - M.F. Horn (Wounded Bird, 1972 album)
Miles Davis - Elevator To The Gallow/Ascenseur pour l'echafaud (Verve,soundtrack to the film by Louis Malle)
Ronnie Laws - Every Generation (Blue Note, 1980 album)
UB40 - Who You Fighting For (Epic)

FUTURE RELEASES...Due out on September 13 on Columbia/Legacy is a new Miles Davis boxed set -The Cellar Door Sessions 1970. The six-CD package also features Keith Jarrett on electric piano, John McLaughlin on guitar, Jack DeJohnette on drums, Gary Bartzo on sax, Michael Henderson on bass, and Airto Moreirera on percussion. Keith Jarrett's latest (by the way) is Radiance released on ECM.

A series of Quincy Jones re-releases are being assembled by Dreamworks Records for release on August 9. Included in the batch are 1989's Back OnThe Block, 1994's Q's Jook Joint, and 1999's compilation, From Q With Love.The prior two releases were originally released on Qwest, and the compilation was from Warner Bros.

Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Fantasia, Ruben Studdard, Angie Stone and Celine Dion, are among a series of artists who are participating on another Luther Vandross tribute album. This new Clive Davis project is being produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and will feature the artists doingtheir interprations of Luther's songs. No release date has been announced.

SMOOTH JAZZ RADIO MOST ADDED

Lots of new product are making the smooth jazz radio airwaves and here's a sampling of what is new and in current rotation at smooth jazz radio stations worldwide...

O'2L - Doyle's Brunch (Peak)
Bobby Caldwell - Perfect Island Nights (Music Force Media Group)
Brian Culbertson - It's On Tonight (GRP)
Brian Simpson - It's All Good (Rendezvous)
David Pack - The Secret Of Moving On (Peak)
Down To The Bone - Spread Love Like Wildfire (Narada Jazz)
Everette Harp - All For You (A440 Music Group)
Jeff Kashiwa - Peace Of Mind (Native Language)
Joyce Cooling - This Girl's Got To Play (Narada Jazz)
Larry Gittens - T-Voyce (Human Feel)
Lee Ritenour - Overtime (Peak)
Marion Meadows - Player's Club (Heads Up International)
Paul Anka - Rock Swings ( Verve)
Planet9 - Rearview (Plan 9 Partners)
Ralph MacDonald - Home Grown (Antisia)
Richard Elliot - Metro Blue (ARTizen)
Tha' Hot Club - In The V.I.P. Room (Shanachie)
Urban Nights - Urban Knights IV (Narada Jazz)
Walter Beasley - For Her (Heads Up International)
Victor Fields - Victor (Regina)

JAZZ FESTIVAL UPDATES

SIOUX FALLS JAZZFEST 2005
The annual Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Festival, JazzFest 2005, is once again scheduled to be an outstanding two-day outdoor musical event, featuring two stages with free admission to the public. The festival is located at Yankton Trail Park is Sioux Falls, Idaho and will take place on July 15 and 16, 2005. This year's performers include Buddy Guy, Claudia Acuna, Dan Mahar, DNR Showband and Revue, Dotsero, Greyhounds, Guitarboy, Hailey Soyland Band, Jazz Portraits, Joe Bonamassa, Kelly Hunt, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Red Road, South Dakota Jazz Orchestra, That's The Time, The Stallions, The Tommy Castro Band, and Violet.

OLD PASADENA JAZZFEST 2005
The Old Pasadena JazzFest is set for a return to Brookside Park in Pasadena, California on July 15 and 17, 2005. Set to hit the stage at the Old Pasadena JazzFest this year are James Ingram, Jazz Attack featuring Rick Braun, Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot & Peter White, Will Downing, Groovin' For Grover featuring Gerald Albright, Jeff Lorber & Kirk Whalum, Lalah Hathaway, Brian Culbertson, Triple Threat featuring Everette Harp, Paul Jackson Jr. & Bobby Lyle, Jesse Cook, Eric Darius, Marion Meadows, Marcus Johnson, Mike Phillps, and The Unwrapped Allstars Shilts (from Down To The Bone), Christine Day, Andre Delano, Kevin Toney Band and Michael Manson.

PROVIDENCE SOUNDSESSION '05
Providence's Soundsession '05 is New England's premier summer music festival and it is set for July 18 through July 23, 2005 with a multitude of performers across many genres. Scheduled to appear at the Providence, Rhode Island Soundsession '05 are Ursula Rucker, Noble Society, Osmany Paredes, Edwin Pabon, Tortured Soul, Roy Ayers, Ex-Centric Sound System, Bahamadia, Othello Molineaux, Ron Carter, Yerba Buena, Organs, and renowned Haitian performer Emiline Michel. If you have never heard of her, Emiline Michel is a captivating performer, versatile vocalist, accomplished dance, songwriter and a producer. Her music combines traditional rhythms with social, political and inspirational content. She has recorded for several record labels in France, Canada and the U.S.

RODNEY STRONG VINEYARDS CONCERTS
A series of smooth jazz music concerts are scheduled at the Rodney Strong Vineyards in Sonoma County, California. Here's a sampling of what is to come...

Jazz Attack featuring Rick Braun, Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot & Peter White - July 2
Michael McDonald - July 20
David Sanborn & Down To The Bone - August 20
Susan Tedeschi & The Blind Boys Of Alabama - August 28
Guitars & Saxes, Najee and more! - September 10
Summer Storm featuring Norman Brown, Peabo Bryson, Everette Harp & Brenda Russell - September 24
Euge Groove & Jesse Cook - October 15

SUMMER STORM TOUR

Norman Brown's Summer Storm is currently on tour around the U.S, and just recently completed an appearance at the 27th annual Playboy Jazz Festival at the Los Angeles Hollywood Bowl. Norman Brown, along with fellow Summer Storm musicians - Brenda Russell, Everette Harp and Peabo Bryson are hopingto produce a live CD/DVD project of their tour for future release. Here are the remaining 2005 dates for the Summer Storm Tour...

July 21 - Alexandria, VA @ Birchmere
July 22 - Richmond, VA @ Kanawha Plaza
July 23 - Lithonia, GA @ Stewart Amphitheater
July 24 - Charlotte, NC @ NC Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Aug 7 - Woodville, WA @ KWJZ Festival - Chateau St. Michelle
Aug 12 - Long Beach, CA @ Long Beach Jazz Festival
Aug 20 - Concord, CA @ Concord Chronicle PavilionAug 25 - Cleveland, OH @ Palace Theatre
Aug 26 - Kettering, OH @ Praze Pavilion For The Performing Arts
Aug 28 - Apple Valley, MN @ Music In The Zoo
Sept 23 - Las Vegas, NV @ Texas Station Casino
Sept 24 - Healdsburg, CA @ Rodney's Strong Winery

JAZZ CHILL MUSIC NEWS

Singer Norah Jones will perform at a 10th anniversary concert for on-line retailer Amazon.com. The Amazon.com show will be her only scheduled performance for 2005. The event will only be open to the company's employees, however, it will be available to the public via the Amazon.com homepage. It's set for July 16 in Seattle, WA.

If you like Incognito, Brand New Heavies and Jamiroquai, then you will likethe latest music from jazz-funk group Down To The Bone, Spread Love Like Wildfire is their latest release and it's due out on June 21 on the Narada Jazz label.

Hidden Beach is set to release the solo debut album by singer Lina - The Inner Beauty Movement. Her sound is jazz-soul and the first single off the album is Smooth.

From Warner Brothers on June 21 is A Change Is Gonna Come, the debut album from Leela James. Her sound is reminiscent of the classic music of Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight.

Ladybug Mecca (formerly of the hip-hop group Digitable Planet) will releaseher first solo effort on June 28 via Nu-Paradigm Entertainment entitled Trip The Light Fantastic.

MARCUS JOHNSON TOUR DATES

The Marcus Johnson Project will embark on their Lessons In Love tour this summer. Here are the concert dates...

June 17 - Columbia, SC @ The State Museum
June 26 - Washington, DC @ Barbecue Battle
July 13 - Lago, MD @ Wine-down Wednesdays Kick-Off
July 17 - Pasadena, CA @ Old Pasadena Jazz Festival
July 30 - Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Marriott Waterfront
Aug 5 - Richmond, VA @ Friday's At Sunset Kanawa Plaza
Aug 6 - Washington, DC @ Ft. Dupont Park
Aug 13 - San Diego, CA @ Encanto Street Fair
Aug 26 - Charlotte, NC @ Jazz Cafe

NEW RELEASES + JAZZ NEWS

Look for the following new releases out this week...Occasion: Connick On Piano 2 (Marsalis Music) from Harry Connick Jr., along with special guest Branford Marsalis; Chavez Ravine (Nonesuch/Perro Verde) from Ry Cooder; Listen Here (Concord), from Eddie Palmieri with special guests Michael Brecker, Regina Carter, John Scofield, Christian McBride, Nicolas Payton, David Sanchez, and others; Breaking The Sound Barrier (Verve) from the Wayne Shorter Quartet; More Coltrane For Lovers (Verve) from John Coltrane; Ella & Louis For Lovers (Verve) from Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong; and That Old Feeling: Classic Ballads From The Judy Garland Show (Savoy Jazz) from Judy Garland with special guests including Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand.

From Verve Forecast Records...Lizz Wright - Dreaming Wide Awake; and Jackie Greene - Sweet Somewhere Bound (both out now), plus Hope And Desire from Susan Tedeschi out on September 20.

Latoya London, of American Idol fame, will release her debut album Love & Life on September 20 via Concord. The album will also feature songs either written or produced by David Foster, Narada Michael Walden, and Barry J.Eastmond. The first single Appreciate is due for release in August and features a guest appearance by the Roots' Black Thought.

Cafe All-Stars: Love Pages...due out July 26 is the compilation CD Love Pages, that features contributions by a number of artists backed by a group of session musicians known collectively as Café Soul All-Stars. The set features George Benson, Peabo Bryson, Glenn Jones, Vesta, Christopher Williams, Jon Lucien and Roy Ayers. It’s from YOU Entertainment.

XM Radio Satellite Radio News...Grammy award winning reggae band Steele Pulse will perform a live set at the XM Performance Theatre. You can check them out on Friday, June 16 on XM channel 101 at 8PM eastern time.

Eddie Levert, Walter Williams and Eric Grant of The O'Jays will be sitting in for an interview with Soul Street's Bobby Bennett. This is set forSunday, June 19 on XM channel 60.

Mindi Abair and Greg Jasperse will perform at the upcoming Smooth Jazz at Sunset Jazz Festival in St. Joseph, Michigan on July 9, 2005.

LIVE 8 AFRICA CALLING CONCERT

An additional Live 8 concert has been scheduled for July 2 at the Eden Project in Cornwall, England. Peter Gabriel and Youssou N'Dour are the driving forces behind this particular Live 8 concert that will feature African musicians. Africa Calling (as it is being called) will feature performances by Angelique Kidjo, Daara J, Salif Keita, Thomas Mapfumo, Blacks Unlimited, Shikisha, Tinariwen, as well as Peter Gabriel and Youssou N'Dour. The event (as are the other Live 8 concerts) is intended to raise awareness of poverty in Africa ahead of the July 6-8 G8 summit of worldleaders in Gleneagles, Scotland.

KIRK WHALUM 2005 CONCERT SCHEDULE

June 18 – Big Bear Lake, CA @ Snow Summit Ski Resort (Luther Vandross Tribute)
June 19 – Louisville, KY @ St. Stephen’s Baptist Church
June 24 – Houston, TX @ Verizon Wireless Theatre (Groovin’ For Grover w/Gerald Albright & Jeff Lorber
June 25 – Atlanta, GA @ Atlanta Civic Center (Groovin’ For Grover w/Gerald Albright & Jeff Lorber
June 26 – Detroit, MI @ Southfield Civic Center
July 8 – Omaha, NB @ Riverfront Jazz Festival – Lewis & Clark Landing
July 9 – Dallas, TX @ Main Stage – Market Festival
July 15 – Baltimore, MD @ Lyric Opera House (Groovin’ For Grover w/Gerald Albright & Jeff Lorber)
July 16 – Norfolk, VA @ Town Point Park (Groovin’ For Grover w/ Gerald Albright & Jeff Lorber)
July 16-23 - Alaska @ TD Jakes Cruise – Holland America Oosterdam
July 17 – Pasadena, CA @ Brookside Park (Groovin’ For Grover w/ Gerald Albright & Jeff Lorber)
Aug 7 – Houston, TX @ Geoge R. Brown Convention Center (w/John Stoddart)
Sept 3 – Nashville, TN @ Riverfront Park (Groovin’ For Grover w/ Gerald Albright & Jeff Lorber)
Sept 4 – Nashville, TN @ Riverfront Park
Sept 5 – Half Moon Bay, CA @ Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay (Groovin’ For Grover w/ Gerald Albright & Jeff Lorber)
Sept 17 – San Diego, CA @ Embarcadero Marina Park North
Oct 7 – Bermuda @ Royal Navy Dock Yard (Groovin’ For Grover w/ Gerald Albright & Jeff Lorber)
Oct 16 – Avalon, CA @ Catalina Island Casino (Luther Vandross Tribute)
Oct 28 – Cerritos, CA @ Cerritos Performing Arts Center
Oct 29 – Las Vegas, NV @ Boulder Station Hotel Casino
Nov 5-12 – Holland America Oosterdam (Dave Koz & Friends At Sea)

ELDAR ON SONY CLASSICS

Sony Classics has just released the self-titled debut album by jazz pianist Eldar. The album has just now become #1 on the Jazzweek Radio Chart after a debut at #7. The pianist has launched a major tour in support of the album. He’ll be performing at jazz clubs across the country in the comingmonths. Here is a sampling of where he will be appearing in the next few weeks…

June 14-15 – New York, NY @ Dizzy’s Coca-Cola (Jazz at Lincoln Center at New Time Warner Building)
June 23 – Boston, MA @ Scullers
June 24-25 – Philadelphia, PA @ Zanzibar
June 26 – Washington, DC @ Blues Alley
June 27 – Annapolis, MD @ Ram’s Head
June 29 – Cleveland, OH @ Nighttown
June 30-July 1 – Rochester, NY @ Woodcliff Lodge

EARTH WIND & FIRE TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM

September 20 is the latest release date for Illumination, the new album from the Earth Wind & Fire. The CD boasts 12 new songs and includes guest turns from Brian McNight, Floetry and Kenny G. Producers include Raphael Saadiq and Wil.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas. Here is the track listing for Illumination...

Love Together
Pure Gold
Love's Dance
Show Me The Way featuring Raphael Saadiq
This Is How I Feel featuring Sleepy Brown, Big Boi & Kelly Rowland
Lovely People featuring Wil.I.Am
Pass You By
The One
To You featuring Brian McNight
Elevated featuring Floetry
Liberation
Work It Out
The Way You Move bonus track featuring Kenny G

MINNEAPOLIS, MN AREA CONCERTS

If you should happen to be in the Minneapolis, MN area, here’s a sampling of who’s appearing where in the coming weeks…

Seal with the Minnesota Orchestra @ Orchestra Hall on June 13
Johannes @ Bellanotte on June 15
Alicia Wiley @ Bellanotte on June 22
Donna Summer @ Mystic Lake on June 26
Santana @ Excel Energy Center on June 29
Aisha Baker featuring Billy Hollaman at Bellanotte on June 29
Hall & Oates @ Minnesota Zoo on July 1
The Rippingtons @ Rossi’s on July 14
Dave Koz @ Minnesota Zoo on July 23
Brian Culbertson @ Rossi on August 13
Nick Colionne @ Burnsville Art and All That Jazz Festival on August 20
Norman Brown’s Summer Storm @ Minnesota Zoo on August 28

TOWER OF POWER 2005 CONCERT SCHEDULE

June 16 – Victoria, BC. Canada @ Save-On Foods Memorial Centre
June 17 – Vancouver, BC, Canada @ General Motors Place
June 18 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
June 19 – Portland, OR @ Arelene Schnitzer Concert Hall
June 21 – Sacramento, CA @ Cache Creek Casino
June 22 – Oakland, CA @ Paramount Theatre of the Arts
June 24 – Santa Ynez, CA @ Chumash Cashino
June 25 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Greek Theatre
June 26 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Dodge Theatre
June 27 – Tucson, AZ @ Anselmo Valencia Amphitheatre
June 29 – Denver, CO @ Universal Lending Pavilion
July 7 – Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Amphitheatre
July 8 – Robinson, MS @ Grand Casino – Tunica
July 9 – Gulfport, MS @ Grand Casino – Gulfport
July 10 – Biloxi, MS @ Biloxi Grand Casiono
July 13-14 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort
July 15-16 – Boston, MA @ Fleet Boston Pavilion
July 19-20 – Rama, Ontario, Canada @ Casino Rama Entertainment Centre
July 21 – Clio, MI @ Clio Area Amphitheatre
July 22- Chicago, IL @ TBA
July 23 – Sterling Heights, MI @ Jerome Duncan Ford Theatre
July 24 – Chester, WV @ Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort
July 26 – Reading, Pa @ Reading Eagle Theatre
Aug 3 – Reno, NV @ Reno Hilton
Aug 4 – Kelseyville, CA @ Konocti Harbor Inn
Aug 16–17 - San Mateo, CA @ San Mateo County Fair
Aug 18 – Monteray, CA @ Monteray County Fairgrounds
Aug 20 – Owensboro, KY @ Executive Inn Exposition Center
Aug 23 – Lewiston, NY @ Artpark
Aug 24 – New York, NY @ BB King’s
Aug 25 – New Haven,CT @ Toad’s Place
Aug 26 – Atlantic City, NJ @ House of Blues
Aug 27 – Alexandria, VA @ Birchmere
Sept 2-4 – Las Vegas, NV @ Suncoast Hotel & Casino
Sept 22 – Bakersfield, CA @ Kern Country Fair
Sept 23 – San Diego, CA @ Humphrey’s
Sept 24 – Los Angeles, CA @ Los Angeles County Fair
Sept 28 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
Sept 29 – Oct 2 – Seattle, WA @ Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley
Oct 11 – Fresno, CA @ Big Fresno Fair – Paul Paul Theatre
Oct 15 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
Oct 16 – Petaluma, CA @ Mystic Theatre

BRIAN BROMBERG - CHOICES

Bass player Brian Bromberg has just re-released Choices. The album was originally released last year, however, Bromberg went back into the studio to remix and remaster the entire disc. One track was removed and replaced with the smooth jazz radio hit Relentless that is a duet with sax player Richard Elliot. The song Relentless was only previously available on the Oasis Smooth Jazz Awards compilation CD. His remixed Choices album includes guest musicians Jeff Lorber, Brian Culbertson, David Benoit and Eric Marienthal. Bromberg is currently on tour worldwide with Lee Ritenour, Patrice Rushen, Ernie Watts and Alex Acuna.

JAZZ CHILL NEWS

Several new Blue Note releases to mention…for August 9 look out for Blue Note Trip: Looking’ Back and Blue Note Trip: Movin’ On, and on August 16, Jazzanova Blue Note Trip as compiled by Jazzanova themselves.

From Capitol Records comes several new Nat King Cole releases…Cole Espanol on June 28, and on September 27 look for El Mundo De Nat King Cole, Best Of Nat King Cole, and The Christmas Song. Also on Capitol is Ultra Lounge’s Christmas Cocktails on September 23.

Chuck Mangione and Spyro Gyra headline the 2005 Cool Cars and Smooth Jazz concert series in Auburn Hill, Michigan. The free concert series will be held from June 30 through August 4 at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum. Other artists participating include Marion Meadows, Paul Taylor, and Alexander Zonjic & Friends with special guests Ken Navarro and Michael Brock.

GEORGE BENSON 2005 TOUR DATES

George Benson is currently on tour in North America and will then hit a series of European venues later in the summer. Here’s information of where and when you can catch George Benson in concert in the coming months…

June 10-11 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Golden Nugget Hotel
June 12 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Hollywood Bowl (Playboy Jazz Festival)
June 17 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts
June 18 – Red Bank, NJ @ Count Basie Theatre
June 19 – Toledo, OH @ Art Tatum Jazz Heritage Festival
June 24 – Charleston, WV @ Clay Center Maier Foundation Hall
June 25 – Oyster Bay, NY @ FOTA Pavilion
June 26 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Meijer Gardens
July 6 – Tiblisi @ Jazz Festival
July 8 – Paris, France @ Grand Rex
July 9 – Lucca, Italy @ Piazza Napoleone
July 10 – Brescia, Italy @ TBD
July 11 – Umbria, Italy @ Umbria Jazz Festival
July 13 – Montreux, Switzerland @ Montreux Jazz Festival
July 15 – Graz, Austria @ Jazz Festival
July 16 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Landesmuseum
July 17 – Carthage, Tunisia @ TBD
July 19 – Corsica @ Les Nuits de la Guitare de Patrimonio
July 20 – Near Linz Austria @ Clam Castle
July 22 – Szegad, Hungary @ TBD
July 28 - Lisbon, Portugal @ TBD
July 29 – Mallorca, Spain @ Casino de Mallorca, San Palladium Jazz Voyeur
Festival
July 30 – Tarragona, Spain @ Montroig del Camp, Bonmont Golf Glub
July 31 – Marbella, Spain @ Tenis Court, Hotel Puente Romano
Aug 12-13 – Lincoln City, OH @ Chinook Winds Casino
Aug 20 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Adrian Phillips Hall
Aug 27 – Park City, UT @ Deer Valley Ski Resort
Oct 22 – Palm Desert, CA @ McCallum Theatre

JAZZ CHILL NEWS

Breeze On By by Donny Osmond has charted! As of June 2, 2005, the song is #25 on the Smooth Jazz charts. As we reported before, Donny Osmond is currently on an extensive North American tour, to be followed by a U.K. tour thereafter. Congratulations go out to Donny Osmond on this fantastic achievement!

The world famous Apollo Theatre in New York hosts performances by the Neville Brothers on Friday, June 10, and Chaka Khan on Saturday, June 18th.

Roy Ayers will perform on July 21 at Herbert Von King Park in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn in New York (at Greene Street & Marcy Avenue). Platinum Pied Pipers will also perform. Their latest is Triple P on Ubiquity Records.

Giant Step Records will hold a celebration in honor of their 15th anniversary by holding a concert at the Central Park Summerstage in New York City. The Giant Step 15th Anniversary Show will feature Femi Kuti, the Brazilian Girls and special guests on July 17.

Some new CD’s of note…Senor 007 by Ray Barretto, is a classic re-release from 1965 where Ray Barretto takes on the James Bond soundtrack themes. The songs have been rearranged Latin style – this one is highly recommended! Hip Jazz music is the theme on the CD I Spy by Earle Hagen. This CD features jazzy big-band music from the classic 60’s spy drama I Spy , starring Robert Culp and Bill Cosby.

Blue Note Records is set to release the latest from Terence Blanchard, entitled Flow on June 7. This is his second release on Blue Note.

If you are looking for some cutting edge Jamaican dub music, check out Trojan: Dub Massive Chapter One and Trojan: Dub Massive Chapter Two. It's from avant-garde musician and producer Bill Laswell, known for his previous 'reconstructions' projects with Santana, among others.

Jamiroquai, Johnny Hallyday, Joss Stone, Laura Pausini, Sting, Yannick Noah and Youssou N'Dour are among those signed to appear at the upcoming Live Aid II concerts on July 8. The five cities hosting the event are Berlin, London, Paris, Philadelphia and Rome.

NEW JAZZ RELEASES

Three Keys Music announces the release of Grown And Sexy, as this new CD showcases various Three Keys roster artists. The CD features Tony Terry, Alyson Williams, Marcus Johnston, Nick Colionne, Yahzarah and Nicole Mitchell.

True Blue Music and Mosaic Records – known for carrying some of the finest jazz LP and CD recordings from all the major labels including Blue Note, Columbia and Verve, plus a bunch of independent labels, is currently offering a flurry of reissued releases for those who are true jazz purists. Here’s a sampling of what they have available this month:

Cannonball Adderly – Cannonball In Europe (recorded at the InternationalJazz Festival in Comblain-La-Tour, Belgium, remastered in 24-bit)
June Christy – Ballads for Night People (from 1959 with five added songs, remixed and remastered in 24-bit)
Thad Jones & Mel Lewis – Live At The Village Vanguard (with three bonus tracks, remixed and remastered in 24-bit)
Stan Kenton – Viva Kenton! (from 1959 with six additional tracks from the 1961 album Artistry In Bossa Nova, remixed and remastered in 24-bit)
Sarah Vaughan – Complete On Mercury: Vol. 1, 1954-56 (99 tracks on 6 CDs)
Sarah Vaughan – Complete On Mercury: Vol. 2, 1956-57 (84 tracks on 5 CDs and including 10 duets with Billy Ekstine)
Bill Evans – Montreux II (from the 1975 Montreux Jazz Festival and with bassist Eddie Gomez)
Art Blakely & The Jazz Messengers – Paris Jam Session (from a 1959 concert by the Messengers (Wayne Shorter, Lee Morgan, Walter Davis and Jymie Merritt, plus guests Barney Wilen and Bud Powell)
Red Garland – All Mornin’ Long (from 1957 with John Coltrane and Donald Byrd)
Mose Allison – Local Color (with bassist Addison Farmer and drummer Nick Stabulus)

NIAGARA SMOOTH JAZZ DESTIVAL

The city of Winona, Ontario is set to host the upcoming Niagara Smooth Jazz Festival as a group of American and Canadian smooth jazz artists are set to take to the stage on June 11 and 12. Set to perform on June 11 are Dave Koz and Friends (Marc Antoine, Jeffrey Osborne and Praful), Pieces Of A Dream, The Clayton-Scott Group, Alfie Zappacosta, and Chantal Chamberland. On June 12 performers include Kenny G, Alexander Zonjic, Coral Egan, Jeff Lorber, Robert Michaels, Kevin Whalum and Karen Gale-Thornton.

NEW RELEASES

From Wounded Bird records: two Blood, Sweat and Tears albums making it to CD, as New Blood (1972) and New City (1975) get the remastered treatment. Also from Wounded Bird are several previous Jimmy Cliff releases Wounded Bird (1974), Follow My Mind (1975) and Give Thanx (1978), plus from guitarist Eric Gale are Island Breeze/Blue Horizon (1982 and 1983 albums).

Columbia releases Chris Botti’s When I Fall In Love in dual disc format.

From Master Classics: Anthology (Deluxe Edition) from Lena Horne.

From Eagle Vision: Chic – Live At Montreux 2004 (DVD).

From Red Distribution: Joe Cocker – Live at Montreux 2004 (DVD), and Bonnie Raitt- Live at Montreux 1977 (DVD).

DIANA ROSS EUROPEAN SUMMER CONCERT TOUR

Diana Ross is embarking on a European summer tour that will take her to Greece, Germany, Italy, England, Ireland, Switzerland and Austria during June and July. We just received the dates and have made them available to you as follows:

June 26 – Cyprus, Greece @ Tafro da Villa
June 27 – Athens, Greece @ Kavaiskaki Stadium
June 29 – Liverpool, England @ Summer Pops
July 1 – United Kingdom @ Blenheim Palace
July 2 – Liverpool, England @ Summer Pops
July 3 – Cork Eire, Ireland @ Showgrounds
July 5 – Vienna, Austria @ Opera House
July 7 – Rome Italy @ Auditorium
July 8 – Perugia, Italy @ Perugia Jazz Festival
July 9 – Taomina, Sicily @ Greek Theatre
July 11 – Bonn, Germany @ Musuemplatz
July 12 – Berlin, Germany @ Tempodrome
July 13 – Hamburg, Germany @ 13 CCH
July 15 – Straubing, Germany @ Jazz de Donau
July 16 – Freiburg, Germany @ Courtyard Ganter Brewery
July 17 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Live At Sunset

NEW MUSIC NEWS

Pianist Marian McPartland teams with Teddy Wilson on Piano Jazz due September 27, and McPartland also teams with Bruce Hornsy on yet another release also entitled Piano Jazz due on October 4. Both releases are from Concord Records.

Verve Records has announced a “best of” for saxman John Klemmer. The Very Best of John Klemmer is due on August 30.

Ron Isley (Isley Brothers) is finishing up work on a solo release for Island/Def Jam due August 30.

Elbicho release his second release entitled Elbicho II, which continues the septet's innovative, original and addictive musical offerings. This one feaures more high quality flamenco fusio.

Spanish flamenco guitarist Raimundo Amador has released Mundo Amador(Amador World) where he combines flamenco and blues.

DAVID SANBORN 2005 TOUR SCHEDULE

David Sanborn is on a whirwind tour in support of his latest album that will take him across the United States, Georgia, Serbia, Turkey, Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany. Here are confirmed concert appearances between the months of June and late October.

June 9 – Dallas, TX @ Meyerson Symphony Center
June 10 – Austin, TX @ One World Center
June 11 – Algodones, NM @ San Felipe Casino
June 18 – Indianapolis, IN @ Indy Jazz Fest
June 25 – Southfield, MI @ Southfield Civic Center
July 2 – London, Great Britain @ Barbican
July 4 – Tiblisi, Georgia @ Tiblisi Jazz Festival
July 5 – Belgrade, Serbia @ TBA
July 7 – Istanbul, Turkey @ Istanbul Jazz Festival
July 9 – The Hague, Netherlands @ North Sea Jazz Festival
July 13 – Montreuz, Switzerland @ Montreux Jazz Festival
July 16 – Straubing, Germany @ Jazz an der Donau e.V.
July 22 – Mableton, GA @ Mable House Amphitheatre
July 23 – Nashville, TN @ Belcourt Theatre
Aug 19 – Santa Ynez, CA @ Gainey Vineyard
Aug 20 – Healdsburg, CA @ Rodney Strong Winery
Aug 26 – Cerritos, CA @ Cerritos Center
Aug 27 – Golden, CO @ Coors Amphitheater
Aug 28 – Temecula, CA @ Thornton Winery
Sept 1 – Kahului, HI, Maui Arts & Cultural Center
Sept 4 – Honolulu, HI @ Blaisdell Center
Sept 13-18 – Seattle, WA @ Jazz Alley
Oct 27 – Sarasota, FL @ Van Wezel Prof. Art Center
Oct 28 – West Palm Beach, FL @ Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
Oct 29 – Melbourne, FL @ King Center

AL JARREAU 2005 TOUR SCHEDULE

Here is the update that we have concerning Al Jarreau's concert schedule from late May through early August.

May 28 – Sparks, NV @ The Nugget Casino
June 16 – Boston, MA @ Fleet Boston Pavilion
June 17 – Vienna, VA @ Wolftrap Foundation
June 18 – Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Park
June 19 – Clearwater, FL @ Ruth Eckerd Hall
June 22 – Philadelphia, PA @ Mann Music Center
June 23 – Westbury, NY @ Westbury Music Fair
June 26 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Centers
July 7 – Montreal, Canada @ Montreal Jazz Festival
July 10 – Krefeld, Nr. Dusseldorf, Germany @ Philamonie
July 11 – Perugia, Italy @ Umbria Jazz Festival
July 13 – Turin, Italy @ TBA (Festival)
July 14 – Pescara, Italy @ Jazz Festival
July 16 – Donauesschingen, Straubing, Germany @ Blues & Jazz Festival
July 17 – Schwetzingen, Germany @ Scholb
July 19 – Finkenstein, Germany @ Jazz Festival
July 20 – Burg Clam, Germany @ Weissen
July 22 – Pirmasens, Nr Trier, Netherlands @ Jazz Festival, Freilichtbuhne
July 23 – San Feliu, Gerona, Spain @ Town Square Festival
July 24 – Luzerin, Switzerland @ Blue Balls Festival
July 26 – Esslingen, Germany @ Castle
July 29 – Valencia, Spain @ Feria De Julio
July 30 – Alicante Spain @ Recinto Puerto Festival
Aug 2 – Tillburg, Netherlands @ The Choice

JAZZ FESTIVAL UPDATES

JVC JAZZ FESTIVAL
The JVC Jazz Festival is set for June 1 through 5 on Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theatre. Featured performers include Norman Brown’s Summer Storm with Peabo Bryson, Brenda Russell and Everette Harp, plus Chris Botti and Raul Midon.

RED BANK JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL
The Red Bank Jazz and Blues Festival runs June 3 through 5 at Marine Park in Red Bank, New Jersey. Over 30 acts will be performing this year, including topliner 7-time Grammy Award winning Latin Jazz Artist, Eddie Palmieri and La Perfecta. The event is being sponsored in part by New York’s CD 101.9.

PUERTO RICO HEINEKEN JAZZFEST
The 15th Annual Puerto Rico Heineken JazzFest will take place June 2 through 5 at the Tito Puente Amphitheatre in San Juan. This year’s scheduled performers include Sammy Figueroa and his Latin Jazz Explosion, Al Di Meola, Nestor Torres, the Roy Haynes Quartet, Paoli Mejias, Gal Costa, Jon Faddis, the Miguel Zenon Quartet and the Count Basie Orchestra with Patti Austin.

20th ANNUAL CHARLIE CHRISTIAN INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
Bricktown, Oklahoma will host the 20th Annual Charlie Christian International Jazz Festival from June 9 through the 12th. Performers this year include Kirk Whalum, New Orleans Blues Man, Henry Butler, Grady Nichols, Michael Zaporski and FutureVisions.

NEW JAZZ RELEASES DUE MAY 24

Here’s a sampling of what’s upcoming for May 24…
Luciana Souza – Duos II (Sunnyside)
Hugh Masekela – Revival (Heads Up)
Dave Brubeck – London Flat, London Sharp (Telarc)
Miguel Zenon – Jibaro (Marsalis Music)
Babtunde Olatunji – Circle Of Drums (Chesky)
Walter Beasley – For Her (Heads Up)
Sara Lazarus – Give Me The Simple Life (Dreyfus)
Cedar Walton – Underground Memoirs (High Note)

CLASSICS RERELEASED

Lots of rare stuff being released lately and we thought we would pass onthe information to you in case you happened to be looking for it. Here is a sampling of what we have come across.

Loleatta Holloway – Loleatta Holloway: The Anthology
Finally a greatest hits collection from Loleatta Holloway that actually includes all of the her other work besides her disco releases. Her former label, Salsoul, has accumulated the mellow and soulful tracks that she had recorded during her disco heyday to complete the collection of rarities. This double CD collection includes 33 killer tracks in all. Drop it onto your CD player and enjoy!

Sonio Rosa – Bossa Rosa De Sonia
Originally released in the 60’s, Sonia Rosa sings and plays guitar against a sweet bossa background. The tracks are smooth, jazzy and breezy – and yet still current enough to include as part of your Brazilian collection.

Bohannon – Footstompin’ Music – The Best of Bohannon
Probably one of the most underrated musician/producers of his time, Hamilton Bohannon is long overdue for the recognition that he so deserves.This collection includes his early work for the Brunswick record label andit includes some great trimmed down funk sounds dating back to the early 70’s.

Various Artists – Blue Note Trip 4 – Movin' On Mixed By Jazzanova
This one is the fourth in the CD series with tracks expertly selected and mixed by Jazzanova. The collection includes tracks from Bobbi Humphrey, Eddie Gale, Curtis Fuller, Sam Rivers, Lee Morgan, Sheila Jordan, Nicola Conte, Bobby Hutcherson, Chico Hamilton, and others.

Joe Bataan – Subway Joe / Gypsy Woman
A superb collection by Joe Bataan, who was able to successfully merge thesound of 60’s soul alongside New York Latin influences. We are glad to seethat there have been a batch of Joe Bataan rereleases lately and this oneis definitely one of the best out there..

JOSHUA REDMAN RELEASES 2 CDs

Joshua Redman has two new CDs due on May 24 as he releases Momentum (Nonesuch) and SF Jazz Collective (Nonesuch). On Momentum, Joshua Redman showcases his funky and fusion side. Alongside fellow musicians, vibraphonist Stefan Harris, drummer Brian Blade, and bassists Me’Shell Ndegeocello and Flea. Redman is also a principal member of the SF Jazz Collective (along with Nicolas Payton, Miguel Zenon, Renee Rosnes, Bobby Hutcherson and Brian Blade). SF Jazz Collective is also the name of the self-titled debut set.

HOT SUMMER NIGHTS 2005 TOUR

Al Jarreau, Cassandra Wilson, Boney James and Chris Walker have combined their talents to tour this summer under the banner Hot Summer Nights. The entire summer concert series will run eight weeks and will open on June 16 in Boston, Massachusetts. Here is a sampling of the tour dates:

June 16 – Boston, MA @ Fleet Boston Pavilion
June 17 – Vienna, VA @ Wolf Trap
June 18 – Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Amphitheatre
June 19 – Clearwater, FL @ Ruth Eckerd Hall
June 22 – Philadelphia, PA @ Mann Center
June 24 – Hampton, VA @ Hampton Jazz Festival
June 25 – Mashantucket, CT @ Foxwoods Casino
June 26 – Saratoga, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

PATTI LABELLE NEW CD & TOUR

Patti Labelle’s upcoming CD, Classic Moments, is set for release on Def Soul Classics on June 21. The 13-track CD will include a duet with Mary J. Blige on Aretha Franklin’s Ain’t No Way, plus covers of Elton John’s Your Song, Michael McDonald’s I Keep Forgettin', L.T.D.’s Love Ballad and Kristine W.’s Land of the Living. Classic Moments was produced by Darryl Simmons and Babyface. Labelle has a busy schedule ahead with several highlighted performances, including. The White Tie Ball in London on June 23; Elton John’s Philadelphia Freedom concert on July 4; The Cincinnati Jazz Festival on August 20; plus a tentative tour of South America during October and November.

STANLEY JORDAN: DREAMS OF PEACE

Guitarist Stanley Jordan latest CD entitled Dreams of Peace (alongside Italian group Novecento) is a return to his smooth jazz and funk roots. Tracks from the CD can be heard on many smooth jazz radio stations worldwide, especially for the song Easy Love. Jordan is currently touring across the United States

BEBEL GILBERTO 2005 TOUR SCHEDULE

We just gotten wind of Bebel Gilberto’s forthcoming concert dates and are pleased to share this with you. We’ll continue to update this as we receive notice. Scheduled performance dates are as follows:

June 7 – Denver, CO @ The Denver Botanic Gardens
June 9 – Vancouver, BC, CN @ Vogue Theatre
June 10 – Seattle, WA @ Moore Theatre
June 11 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre
June 13 – Eugene, OR @ The Shedd
June 15 – Saratoga, CA @ The Mountain Winery
June 17 – Reno, NV @ Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheatre
June 18 – Santa Fe, NM @ Lensic Performing Arts Center
July 14 – Ottawa, ON, CN @ Festival Plaza
Sept 9-10 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl

ANITA BAKER 2005 TOUR DATES

Blue Note recording artist Anita Baker has announced 2005 tour dates as follows:
June 25 – Los Angeles CA @ The Hollywood Bowl
July 16 – Detroit, MI @ The Palace
July 23 – New York, NY @ Jones Beach
July 30 – Chicago, IL @ United Center
All shows will include a performance by special guest Babyface. Her latest CD is entitled My Everything (Blue Note).

TEDDY ROK SEVEN: UNIVERSAL FUNK

Teddy Rok Seven’s Universal Funk is a CD that is heavily influenced by the music of John Coltrane, Miles Davis, DJ Shadow, George Duke, Patrice Rushen, Fela Kuti, James Brown, Weldon Irvine, Jay Dee, Elvin Jones, D’Angelo, Pete Rock, and Herbie Hancock. It’s jazz in the vein of NuJazz Afro with some Hip Hop thrown in.

BLUE NOTE SIGNS ROBERT GLASPER

Blue Note Records has announced the signing of 26-year old pianist Robert Glasper to their roster. Glasper has worked with an eclectic mix of artists, including Carmen Lundy, Me’Shell NdegeOcello, Terence Blanchard, Roy Hargrove, Nicolas Payton, Q-Tip and Mos Def. His Blue Note debut CD is due for release in the fall.

EARTH WIND & FIRE TRIBUTE RELEASE

Former Earth Wind & Fire alumni. original keyboardist Larry Dunn, plus Sheldon Reynolds (guitarist/vocalist) and Morris Pleasure (keyboardist), both of whom spent more than a decade with the group, have come together under the band name Devoted Spirits to release Tribute to Earth Wind & Fire. The CD is released by Thump Records Classic R&B/Experience Hendrix.

THE RIPPINGTONS AT JAZZIZ BISTRO

The Rippingtons will bring their smooth jazz sound to the Jazziz Bistro at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on Friday, June 29, and on Saturday, June 30.

SANTANA'S "ALL THAT I AM"

Santana’s next album (originally set for release on June 21) is now due on September 6 via Arista. Entitled All That I Am, the CD will feature another round of collaborations, this time between Santana and Mary J. Blige, Los Lonely Boys, Robert Randolph, Sean Paul, the Black Eyed Peas, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett, OutKast’s Big Boi, and a re-teaming with Michelle Branch. In the meantime, Santana will begin a North American tour on May 30 in Tampa, Florida, with support from the Los Lonely Boys. In late July and August, Carlos Santana will join Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter for five shows in Japan, and the in September the Santana band will hit another set of dates with support from Robert Randolph and the Family Band.

REGGAE RHYTHMS FOR WILLIE NELSON

Lost Highway Records is due to release the Countryman by Willie Nelson from the vaults on August 8. The album was originally conceived back in 1995 when Island Records founder Chris Blackwell signed Willie Nelson to the label. Over time, some basic tracks were recorded with producer Don Was, but thereafter Blackwell left the label and the album was left in jeopardy as Island Records went through sales and mergers. In 2004, producer Richard Feldman came in to finish the album that finds Willie Nelson covering the Jimmy Cliff hit The Harder They Come as well as Sitting In Limbo, from the soundtrack to the film The Harder They Come, plus a duet with Toots Hibbert of Toots and the Maytals on I’m A Worried Man.

Here is the complete track listing:
Something To Think About
How Long Is Forever
I’m A Worried Man with Toots Hibbert
The Harder They Come
I’ll Still Be Thinking Of You
Sitting In Limbo
Darkness On The Face Of The Earth
One In A Row
I’ve Just Destroyed The World
You Left A Long, Long Time Ago
I Guess I’ve Come To Live Here
Undo The Right

SIMPLY RED 2005 WORLD TOUR

Simply Red will once again take to the stage as they prepare for a world tour to commence on October 25 and continuing on through Christmas. Official dates will be announced soon, however, we do know that the tour will make stops in the UK, Ireland, Holland, Denmark, Belgium, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Luxemborg, France, Italy and Germany. The tour will break for the holidays and then pick up again in early 2006 with additional countries being planned. We’ll publish the actual dates once the information becomes available.

NEW JAZZ CHILL CD RELEASES

Percussionist, producer and remixer Phil Kullmann presents Raw Artistic Soul: What About Love, a mix of contemporary worlds grooves filled with lush percussive rhythms, warm musical landscapes and luscious vocals.

GRP Records has confirmed that World of Brazil by Lee Ritenour has been scheduled for release on August 9.

The Aloha Pussycats and Lewis Dane have compiled Klubb Jazz, Vol. 6 (Various Artists) - a collection of Latin and jazz based tracks. The mix throughout is elegant, stylish and is filled with intense Brazilian influences.

Sabrina Malheiros – Equilibria. Sabrina Malheiros is the daughter of Alex Malheiros, from the legendary Brazilian group Azymuth. Her debut CD is a collection of bossas and sambas with touches of hip-hop, RnB and electronic music. Equilibria was produced by DJ Venom, who is the son of Bluey of the British Jazz group Incognito.

Rivera Rotation – Sunrise & Rainbow. This CD is comprised of 13 smooth house grooves, with touches of jazz, electronic music and modern soul thrown in. Included is the Floaters’ classic from the 70’s Float On. It’s a stunning collection from Pete Rivera and company that is fit for the clubs as well as for the living room.

Soul Lounge: 40 Soulful Grooves by Various Artists is 3-CD box set featuring smooth soul-lounge tracks from Incognito, Brenda Russell, Maysa, Angie Stone, Angela Johnson, Tourtured Soul, and many others. The album also includes some rare remix versions.

An Unforgettable House Mix: For An Unforgettable Dinner by Various Artists is a collection of Jazz, Soul and Disco House. This compilation CD includes tracks featuring chanteuse Hanna Hais and many others.

LAKE TAHOE SMOOTH JAZZ FESTIVAL

Smooth jazz comes to Lake Tahoe, Nevada as the Lake Tahoe Smooth Jazz Festival takes place during the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend, May 27-29 throughout Squaw Valley. Set to perform are Sax Pack with Jeff Kashiwa, Kim Waters and Marion Meadows, Bobby Caldwell, Rick Kelly and Norman Brown’s Summer Storm.

IS WQCD 101.9FM PLAYING IT SAFE WITH THEIR PLAYLIST?

We noticed that immediately after the latest Arbitron rankings were released a couple of weeks ago, that the New York Chill radio station, WQCD 101.9FM, immediately went into plan B to hopefully increase their audience share and to boost ratings down the road. It was bad news for WQCD as their ratings dropped dramatically from a 3.4 in the Fall Arbitron to a 2.6 for the Winter Arbitron survey. Plan B of course means adding much more "familiar" tracks into rotation such as What’s Love Got To Do With It by Tina Turner, Sweet Thing and Ain’t Nobody by Rufus and Chaka Khan, Through The Fire by Chaka Khan, Careless Whisper by George Michael, The Closer I Get To You by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway, Forget-Me-Nots by Patrice Rushen, Lowdown by Boz Scaggs, I Can’t Go For That by Daryl Hall and John Oates, Cruisin' by Smokey Robinson, Higher Love by Steve Winwood, Unbreak My Heart and Another Sad Love Song by Toni Braxton, and Rise by Herb Alpert. We will continue to monitor WQCD to see how they decide to counter their (hopefully) short-term ratings decline. Let’s hope that the New York market fully embraces this smooth jazz and chill hybrid format so that it can spread to other radio stations around the country. If you are interested in viewing the full WQCD playlist, you can check our archives from January 2005, where we posted their entire 400-plus-song playlist (at that time).

NEW FLAMENCO CHILL FROM CHAMBAO

As a follow-up to Endorfinas en la mente, flamenco chill visionary artists Chambao, release their follow-up Pokito a poko. The band is known for creating flamenco chill, and has been quite successful in blending different sounds and palos (flamenco forms) along with electronic music. The new CD includes 11 new songs, plus a special edition DVD that contains five unreleased song videos, plus other content.

Here is the track listing:
Pokito a poko
Mi primo Juan
Ulere
Camino interior
Roe por la escalera
Dibujo en el aire
Como la luz
Sueno y muero
Como lo siento
Chicuelo
Te lo has creio tu

SHEILA E. & CANDY DULFER AT NORTH SEA JAZZ FESTIVAL

Sheila E. will join Candy Dulfer at this year’s upcoming North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague, Netherlands on July 10. Prince band mates Chance Howard (keys/vocals) and John Blackwell (drums) are now officially touring as a part of Candy’s band.

UPCOMING JAZZ CD RELEASES

Paul Banks – Bones & Love Bombs (Cope Records, May ’05)
Bentzen Brotherhood – Wired Up (Cope Records, May ’05)
SP Just Frost – Peace In The Valley (Copa, May ‘05)
Mark Carter – West Coast Groove (Orchard, 5/10)
Amsterdam Jazz Trio - For The Time Being (Orchard, 5/10)
Calvin Keys – Calvinesque (Silverado, 5/10)
Connee Boswell – With All My Heart (Flare UK, 5/17)
Neal Caine – Backstabber’s Ball (Small Records, 5/17)
Jon Hassell – Maarifa Street (Nyen, 5/17)
Ron Blake – Sonic Time (Mack Avenue, 5/24)
Luciana Souza – Duos II (Sunnyside, 5/24)
Roy Ayers – Ubiquity II: Unreleased Recordings 1976-1981 (Rapster, 5/31)
Tito Puente – Unforgettable Beat (Sony BMG Music Norte, 5/31)
Scott Robinson & Emil Vicklicky Trio – Summertime (Cube Bohemian, 5/31)
Peppino D’Agostino & Stef Burns – Bayshore Road (Favoured Nations Acoustic, 5/31)
Robin Avery – Way You Hold Me (Darfin, 6/4
Harry Connick Jr. – Occasion (Marsalis Music, 6/4)
June Christy – Ballads For Night People (Blue Note, 6/7)
Pat Martino – Impressions: The Soulful Pat Martino (Savoy, 6/7)
Brian Auger – Closer To It (Castle, 6/13)
Ernest Ranglin – Surfin’ (Telarc, 6/21)
David Pack – The Secret of Movin’ On (Peak, 6/21)
John Stevens – Red (Maverick, 6/28)
Jeremy Pelt – Identity (MaxJazz, 6/28)

SEAL - LIVE IN PARIS CD/DVD

Warner Bros. releases on June 6 a CD/DVD of Seal’s Live In Paris performance from July 6, 2004. The CD includes 14 tracks, while the DVD includes four added selections (Deep Water, Hey Joe, Whirlpool, and Don’t Make Me Wait). Seal is scheduled to commence a North American and European tour on May 20 in Las Vegas with a series of performances lined up through the fall. European stops along the way include concerts in Denmark, Switzerland, Norway, and Germany.

Here is the full track listing from the Live In Paris DVD:
Crazy
Get It Together
Killer
Just Like You Said
Dreaming In Metaphors
Prayer For The Dying
Don’t Make Me Wait
Whirlpool
Love’s Divine
My Vision
Waiting For You
Kiss From A Rose
Heavenly…(Good Feeling)
Don’t Cry
Future Love Paradise
Hey Joe
Deep Water

THE RETURN OF THE HEADHUNTERS

Herbie Hancock will be hitting the concert stage this summer with a new lineup consisting of bassist Marcus Miller, guitarists John Mayer and Lionel Loueke, drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, trumpeter Roy Hargrove and percussionist Munyungo Jackson. This latest incarnation of The Headhunters ’05 have been scheduled for three shows surrounding their June 10 appearance at Tennessee’s Bonnaroo festival: June 8 in St. Louis, June 9 in Dayton, Ohio and June 11 in Memphis.

Herbie Hancock, in the meantime is completing work on his latest studio album, Possibilities, which will be released via Vector Recordings on Aug. 30. Guests artists appearing on the CD include Angelique Kidjo, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Sting, Trey Anastasio, Damien Rice, John Mayer and Annie Lennox.

NEW STEVIE WONDER CD RELEASE DATE

The long, long-awaited CD entitled A Time 2 Love from Stevie Wonder will now be released on June 14, 2005. The new CD includes 16 new tracks, with two bonus tracks being added for release in foreign markets. Tracks on the CD include the title cut A Time 2 Love co-written by India.Arie, From The Bottom Of My Heart, Positivity, and My Love Is Fire, which was originally written for Luther Vandross.

NEW JAZZ CD RELEASES

These are all new releases available May 10, 2005 . . .
Joe Lovano – Joyous Encounter (Blue Note)
Louis Armstrong – Platinum Classics: The Very Best Of (Cleopatra)
Dr. John – Anthology – Deluxe Edition (Master Classics)
Billie Holiday – Anthology – Deluxe Edition (Cleopatra)
Dionne Warwick – In Concert Classics – DVD (Koch)
Joe Williams – Jazz Master Series – DVD (Shanachie)
Billy Cobham – Billy Cobham’s Culturemix – New Morning The Paris Concert – DVD (MusicVideo Distributors)
Various Artists – Narada Jazz: The Singles (Narada Jazz

ATLANTIQUITY TOUR

Garth Trinidad (WKCR) is taking his Atlantiquity (available May 10) on the road as he heads to clubs in major cities on a promotional tour for the CD where he’ll let loose the remixes on his turntable. The album is filled with a dozen tracks from the Atlantic Records vaults that have been remixed by an eclectic mix of DJ’s. The CD features a batch of songs from the ‘70’s made famous by the likes of Chic, Eddie Harris, Donny Hathaway, Kleer and the Average White Band.

Here’s the full tour itinerary:
May 12 – San Francisco @ Bambuddha Lounge
May 13 – Atlanta @ Djngo
May 14 – Detroit @ Fifth Avenue Downtown
May 22 – Columbus, OH @ The Brownstone
May 23 – New York @ Table 50
May 24 – New York @ Joe’s Pub
May 25 – New York, Harlem @ Creole
May 26 – Philadelphia @ Marathon Grill
May 28 – Washington, DC @ Avenue Nightclub

MOST ADDED ON SMOOTH JAZZ RADIO PLAYLISTS

PAUL JACKSON’S NEW CD
Bassist Paul Jackson has released his second solo effort Funk On A Stick via Urbanzone Productions/Roc Armani. The CD has been described as a combination of Return To Forever/Headhunters with James Brown, Oscar Brown Jr. and Chuck Brown – in other words – it’s a funk-jazz-fusion sound. Cuts from the album have already been added to a series of radio stations around the U.S.

Other albums being added to Smooth Jazz radio include,
Patches Stewart – Blow (Koch Records)
The Rippingtons - Wild Card (Peak)
Black Gold Massive – Stories (Major Menace)
Kem –Album II (Motown)
Richard Elliot – Metro Blue (ARTizan Music Group)
Donny Osmond – What I Meant To Say (Decca)
Jeff Golub – Temptation (Narada Jazz)
Bass X – Bass X Volume – Family Time (Liquid 8)
Wayman Tisdale – Hang Time (Rendezvous Entertainment)
Hiroshima – Obon (Heads Up International)
Smokey Robinson – Greatest Hits: My World Definitive Package (Motown)

COOL JAZZ IN THE COLORADIO ROCKIES

The Estes Park Jazz Fest (May 14-15) will feature Dotsero, Eric Gunnison and Marlena Shaw.

Jazz Aspen Snowmass presents Ramsey Lewis, Isaac Hayes, Dianne Reeves and Bobby McFerrin as they headline the June Festival slated for June 23-26.

Paul Taylor and Brian Culbertson play at the 21st Annual Genuine Jazz Festival in Breckinridge on June 23-26.

The Telluride Jazz Celebration (Aug 5-7) will feature Ron Carter, John Scofield, Dave Holland and Bobby Watson.

The Vail Labor Weekend and Jazz Party (Sept, 2-5) has booked Kurt Elling, Stefon Harris and Russell Malone.

PAUL ANKA SWINGS

Paul Anka marks his Verve-label debut with Rock Swings, as he covers the music of a younger generation. The 14-track set features orchestra-backed versions of Soundgarten’s Black Hole Sun, Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit, and Michael Jackson’s The Way You Make Me Feel. The CD was previously released internationally some months back and had reached number 1 on the German album chart. The set also features songs by Eric Clapton, Van Halen, Billy Idol, the Pet Shop Boys and Oasis. Anka will be on tour throughout the remainder of the year, with a new set of dates to begin on May 29 at Harrah’s in St. Louis.

XM SATELLITE RADIO NEWS

Stevie Wonder’s 55th birthday celebration on XM 60 on May 13 at 5PM ET, featuring Stevie Wonder songs all day plus a live concert from Osaka, Japan as Stevie Wonder performs with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Louis Prima on XM 5 on May 15 at 9PM ET in a live performance from the old Rat Pack days from the Sahara in Las Vegas, along with Keely Smith and Sam Butera

NEW JAZZ CD RELEASES

Essential Records releases The Essential George Benson on June 28. Concord Jazz is releasing the 2-CD package of The Living Room Tour from Carole King. Carly Simon moves over to Columbia Records (after 18 years with Arista) and is preparing to release an album of standards entitled Moonlight Serenade on July 19. The 11-track set will be released in DualDisc format, with the DVD side showcasing behind-the-scenes footage. MeShell NdegeOchello will release her first all-jazz CD, Dance Of The Infidels on June 21 on Shanachie. The CD features guest artists including Kenny Garrett, Jack DeJohnette, Oliver Lake, Don Byron, Soulalive’s Neal Evans, Cassandra Wilson, Lalah Hathaway and Sabina of the Brazilian Girls.

Also, look out for releases…
Us3 – Questions (Megaforce/Ryco, out now)
Nouvelle Vague – Nouvelle Vague (Luaka Bop/V2, out now)
Suphala – The Now (Rasa Music, out now)
Ben Wyatt – Buzzin’ Fly Volume 2 (Astralwerks, out now)
Zap Mama – Show Me The Way (Seiji Remix) (Giant Step Records/Luaka Bop, out now)
Raheem DeVaughn – The Love Experience (Jive Records, May 17)

2005 COOL CARS & SMOOTH JAZZ FESTIVAL

Spyro Gyra, Chuck Mangione, Marion Meadows, Paul Taylor, Alex Bugnon, Alexander Zonjic, Ken Navarro, and Michael Brock headline the 2005 Cool Cars and Smooth Jazz outdoor concert series at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The event is set for Thursdays, June 30 through August 4. Cool Cars and Smooth Jazz is presented by Smooth Jazz V98.7

EARTH WIND & FIRE, CHICAGO & MICHAEL MCDONALD

Earth Wind & Fire and Chicago play the The Shoreline Amphitheatre, Monterey, CA, on September 3, and Michael McDonald will perform at The Ironstone Amphitheatre, Ironstone Vineyards, Monterey, CA, on July 31.

UPCOMING CONCERTS IN THE OREGON AREA

Joss Stone – Roseland Theatre, Portland, OR, May 25
Manhattan Transfer – McDonald Theatre, Eugene, OR, May 26
Tower of Power – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR, June 19
Boz Scaggs – Britt Festivals, Jacksonville, OR, July 18
Femi Kuti – Wonder Ballroom, Portland, OR, July 29
Gipsy Kings – Oregon Zoo, Portland, OR, Aug. 4
B.B. King - Britt Festivals, Jackson County Expo Park, Central Point, OR, Aug 11.
Bela Fleck, Stanley Clarke, Jean-Luc Ponty – Britt Festivals, Jacksonville, OR, Aug. 31

RAFI GOMEZ & THE GROOVE BOUTIQUE

Word is that Rafi Gomez is finishing up work on his second Groove Boutique CD which should be out sometime before year-end. In the meantime, you can catch Rafi live at the Shelter in New York City as he brings the Groove to The Shelter (20 West 39 street, between 5th and 6th Ave.), on Thursday, May 12 from 8PM-10PM. He’ll also hit the road this summer as he tours nationwide with The Groove Boutique Presents Ultra Chill 1.0. We’ll pass on the schedule once we get more information. Also look out for an announcement soon that The Groove Boutique is coming to a television station near you.

BILLIE HOLIDAY REMIXED

Cleopatra Records has just released Billie Holiday Remixed which a collection of classic songs remixed for both the dance floor and the chill room. It easily complements the other Billie Holiday remixes that have appeared on the recent Verve Remixed releases. Here is the track listing:

Ain’t Nobody’s Business (NY City Mix)
Don’t Explain (Pleasure Device Mix)
Fine And Mellow (Chiller Mix)
God Bless The Child (Nu Jazz Mix)
Loverman (Lucky Mix)
Them There Eyes (Pearl Mix)
Strange Fruit (Faith Mix)
My Man (In The Flesh Mix)
Don’t Explain (Angel Mix)
I Cover The Waterfront (Vogue Mix)
Strange Fruit (Outsider Mix)
God Bless The Child (Fredco Mix)

PRAFUL, JEFFREY OSBORNE & MARC ANTOINE JOIN DAVE KOZ FOR "A SMOOTH SUMMER NIGHT TOUR"

Dave Koz and his friends have confirmed their tour schedule as they head across the U.S. Dave Koz will be joined by a group of stellar smooth jazz musicians as they take their "A Smooth Summer Night Tour" to more than 25 cities. This year's lineup features R&B vocalist Jeffrey Osborne, contemporary jazz guitarist Marc Antoine and multi-instrumentalist Praful. The tour commences June 10 at the Reading Eagle Theater in Reading, PA and wraps up on August 21 at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, CA.

Initial dates for this year's A Smooth Summer Night Tour are as follows:

DAVE KOZ & FRIENDS SMOOTH SUMMER NIGHT TOUR SCHEDULE
6/10 Reading, PA (Reading Eagle Theatre)
6/11 Winona, ONT (E.D. Smith Farms)
6/12 Westbury, NJ (Westbury Music Fair)
6/16 Albuquerque, NM (Sandia Amphitheatre)
6/17 Denver, CO (Paramount Theatre)
6/24 Richmond, VA (Kanawha Plaza)
6/25 Charleston, WV (University Of Charleston)
6/26 Charlotte, NC (NC Blumenthal Performing Arts Center)
7/13 Atlanta, GA (Chastain Park Amphitheatre)
7/15-16 Chicago, IL (Navy Pier Skyline Stage)
7/20 Cleveland, OH (PalaceTheatre)
7/21 Kettering, OH (Fraze Pavillion For The Performing Arts)
7/22 St. Louis, MO (The Orpheum Theatre)
7/23 Apple Valley, MN (Music In The Zoo)
7/30 Oakville, CA (Robert Mondavis Summer Festival)
7/31 Saratoga, CA (Montalvo Center For The Arts)
8/19 San Diego, CA (Humphrey's)
8/20 Concord, CA (The Chronicle Pavillion)
8/21 Hollywood, CA (The Hollywood Bowl)

NEW JAZZ RELEASES

Plenty of new jazz releases to mention, so here goes...
Weather Report – Weather Report (Columbia/UK, from 1971; 4/26)
Danilo Perez Trio – Live At the Jazz Showcase (Artistshare; 4/26)
Dr. John – The Best Of The Parlophone Years (Blue Note; 4/26)
Billy Ekstine – One For My Baby (Jazz Hour 4/26)
Chet Baker – Chet Baker: Career 1952-1988 (Shout! Factory; 4/26)
Nancy Wilson – Nancy Wilson Live From Las Vegas (5/3)
Sylvia Striplin – Give Me Your Love (5/3)
Joe Lovano with Hank Jones – Joyous Encounter (Blue Note; 5/10)
Gabrielle Goodman – Until We Love (Winter & Winter; 5/10)
Simone Kopmajer – Romance (Zoho Music; 5/10)
Bradley Leighton – Just Doin’ Our Thang (Pacific Coast Jazz; 5/10)
Manhattan Transfer – Man-Tora: Live In Tokyo May 17, 1983 (Collectibles; 5/17)
Gil Parris – Live At The Next Door Café (Chase Music Group; 5/17)
Ben Webster – Blue Skies (Fruit Tree/Italy; 5/17)
Marc Ribot – Spiritual Unity (Pi Records; 5/17)
Bill Laswell – Presents Dub Massive Chapter 1 (Trojan/England; 5/23)
Bill Laswell – Presents Dub Massive Chapter 2 (Trojan/England; 5/23)
Lena Horne – Seasons Of a Life (Blue Note; 5/24)
Arturo Sandoval – Live At The Blue Note (Half Note Records; 5/24)
Freddy Cole – This Love Of Mine (High Note; 5/24)
Nina Simone – Let It Be Me (Justin Time/Just A Memory; 5/24)
Kathy Kosins – Vintage (Lightyear; 5/24)
Joshua Redman Elastic Band – Momentum (Nonesuch; 5/24)
Dave Brubeck – London Flat, London Sharp (Telarc; 5/24)
SF Jazz Collective – SF Jazz Collective (Nonesuch; 5/24)
Shirley Horn – Live At Le Jazz Au Bar (Verve; 5/24)
Hugh Masekela – Revival (Heads Up Africa; 5/24)
Stanley Turrentine – Betcha (Wounded Bird, from 1978; 5/31)
Stanley Turrentine – Tender Togetherness (Wounded Bird, from 1981; 5/31)
Ernie Watts – Chariot Of Fire (Wounded Bird, from 1982; 5/31)
Eric Gale – Island Breeze/Blue Horizon (Wounded Bird; 2-CD; 5/31)
Al Di Meola – Heart Of The Immigrants (Wounded Bird; 5/31)
Al Di Meola – Orange And Blue (Wounded Bird, from 1994; 5/31)
Terence Blanchard – Flow (Blue Note, produced by and featuring Herbie Hancock; 6/7)
Ray Brown – Moonlight Serenade (Kingston, 6/7)
Ray Brown – Summerwind (Kingston, featuring Monty Alexander from 1980; 6/7)
Monty Alexander – Solo (Kingston, from 1980; 6/7)
Veronica Martell – The Art Of Intimacy (Koch; 6/7)
Cal Tjader – Solar Heat (Passport, from 1978; 6/7)
John Scofield – That’s What I Say: The Music Of Ray Charles (Verve; 6/7)
Sammy Davis Jr. and Carmen McRae – The Complete Sammy Davis Jr. and Carmen McRae on Decca (Verve; 6/7)
Eddie Palmieri – Listen Here! (Concord Picante; 6/14)
McCoy Tyner – Dimensions (Collectibles; 6/14)
Ry Cooder – Chavez Ravine (Nonesuch/Perro Verde; 6/14)
Patricia Barber – Verve (Mobile Fidelity; 6/21)
Me’Shell NdegeOcello – Dance Of The Infidels (Shanachie; 6/21)
Bonnie Bramlett – Pennies From Heaven (Zoho; 7/5)
Freda Payne – After The Lights Go Down (Impulse!/LPR (7/12)
Yusef Lateef – Psychicemotus (Impulse!/LPR; 7/12)
Gabor Szabo – Spellfinder (Impulse!/LPR; 7/12)
Pharoah Sanders – Elevation (Impulse Records; 7/26)
Gato Barbieri – Chapter 4 Alive In New York (Impulse!/LPR; 7/26)

DONNY OSMOND CROSSES OVER TO SMOOTH JAZZ

Breeze On By is the latest single by Donny Osmond which has been added to heavy rotation at numerous smooth jazz radio stations around the world. The song takes on a sampled melody of the George Benson classic Breezin' and mixes it with lyrics written by Donny Osmond, Eliot Kennedy, Gary Barlow and Bobby Womack. The single has already become Donny’s first top ten single in 30 years in the U.K., plus it has quickly being added at many smooth jazz radio stations in the states. KKSF in San Francisco added it out of the box, and now, Breeze On By can be heard at KSBR-Los Angeles, WLVE-Miami, WNWV-Cleveland, KSSJ-Sacramento, KOAS-Las Vegas, WVSU-Birmingham, KAJZ-Albuquerque, KSMJ-Bakersfield, KUAP-Little Rock, KJZY-Santa Rosa, WVAS-Montgomery, and WSBZ-Ft. Walton Beach, among many others.

In the interim, Donny Osmond is in the midst of a whirlwind promotional and concert tour in support of the album entitled What I Meant To Say (Decca). We’ve got his full U.S. and U.K. tour schedule from now until late fall.

DONNY OSMOND U.S. TOUR SCHEDULE:
5/4 Lowell, MA (Lowell Auditorium)
5/5 New Brunswick, NJ (State Theatre)
5/6 Easton, PA (State Theatre)
5/7 Lancaster, PA (American Music Theatre)
5/9 Washington, D.C. (XM Studios)
5/10 Alexandria, VA (Birchmere)
5/11 Cleveland, OH (State Theatre)
5/12 Columbus, (Palace Theatre)
5/13 Wisconsin Dells, WI (Crystal Grand Theatre)
6/2 Mt. Pleasant, MI (Soaring Eagle Casino)
6/3 Waukegan, IL (Genesee Theatre)
6/4 Janesville, WI (Janesville PAC)
6/7 Davenport, IA (River Center Adler Theatre)
6/8 Prior Lake, MN (Mystic Lake Casino)
6/9 Orilla, Ontario (Casino Rama)
6/11 Mashantucket, CT (Foxwoods)
6/13 Verona, NY (Turning Stone Casino)
6/17 Cerritos, CA (Cerritos Center)
6/18 Reno, NV (Silver Legacy Casino)
6/25 Chastain Park, GA (Chastain Park)
6/28 Salt Lake City, UT (Kingsbury Hall)
6/29 Rexburg, ID (Hart Theatre)
6/30 Boise, ID (Morrison Center)
7/6 - 7 Windsor, Ontario (Casino Windsow)
8/4 – 7 Las Vegas, NV (The Orleans)

DONNY OSMOND U.K. TOUR SCHEDULE:
9/24 Belfast Odyssey
9/25 Dublin Point
9/27 Sheffield Arena
9/28 Birmingham, NEC
9/30 Newcastle Arena
10/1 Glasgow Clyde
10/2 Glasgow Clyde
10/4 Nottingham RCH
10/5 Nottingham RCH
10/7 Hammersmith Apollo
10/8 Hammersmith Apollo
10/9 Hammersmith Apollo
10/12 Cardiff CIA
10/13 Brighton Centre
10/15 Manchester MEN

98.9 SMOOTH JAZZ FESTIVAL AT CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE

A flurry of artists are signed for the Chateau Ste. Michelle this summer in Seattle, Washington. The series will feature the two-day 98.9 Smooth Jazz Festival, plus the Gipsy Kings, Madeleine Peyroux and others. A series of outdoor show are scheduled in and around the Pugent Sound, including the White River Amphitheatre near Auburn, Marymoor Park in Redmond and South Lake Union and Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. The shows are produced by the Lakeside Group and House of Blues Concerts. Here’s a sampling of the lineup: Gipsy Kings on Aug. 5; 98.9 Smooth Jazz Festival featuring Jazz Attack (Rick Braun, Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot and Peter White), Brian Culbertson, Kim Waters and Steve Oliver on Aug 6.; 98.9 Smooth Jazz Festival, featuring Fourplay (Bob James, Larry Carlton, Harvey Mason and Nathan East), Summer Storm (Norman Brown, Peabo Bryson, Brenda Russell and Everett Harp), Norman Brown (performing solo) and David Lanz on Aug. 7; and Madeleine Peyroux; Sept. 17. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

LEXUS PRESENTS THE 7TH ANNUAL JAZZMATAZZ 2005 MUSIC FESTIVAL

The sweet sounds of smooth jazz hits the D.C. area in style as this three-day music festival will feature Diane Schurr, Jonathan Butler, Marcus Johnson, Poncho Sanchez, Larry Harlow and the Latin Legends, Michael Franks, Will Downing and the legendary Nancy Wilson, who by the way is coming out of retirement just to perform at this event. The Jazzmatazz Music Festival will benefit the young patients at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. The concert series runs from Friday, May 6 through Sunday, May 8, with shows at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA, the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C, and at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in D.C

NEW JAZZ LINKS

Here are two highly recommended jazz links for your enjoyment:
http://www.ejazznews.com
http://www.smoothviews.com

SANTANA AT BRYANT PARK, NEW YORK CITY

Carlos Santana and his bandmates have been slated to appear on ABC-TV's Good Morning America (GMA) on June 10, 2005. The concert will take place in Bryant Park in New York City, located behind the main branch of the New York Public Library. The performance will be free to the public and excerpts will be broadcast throughout the morning GMA show between 7 and 9AM ET.

SMOOTH JAZZ RELEASES

Steve Cole - Spin (Narada; 4/26)
Soul Ballet - All The Pretty Lights (Twfi; 4/26)
Jorge Pescare - Groove In The Temple (Voiceprint; 4/26)
Mica Paris - If You Could Love Me (5/3)
Martin Taylor - Solo (P3 Music; 5/10)
The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman - Wild Card (Peak Records; 5/17)
Strunz & Farah - Desert Guitars (Selva; 5/17)
Brian Bromberg - Choices (Artistry Music; 5/24)
Walter Beasley - For Her (Heads Up; 5/24)
Jeff Golub - Temptation (Narada; 5/24)
Praful - Pyramid In Your Backyard (Encoded Music; 5/31)
Lee Ritenour - Overtime (Peak Records; 6/7)
David Benoit - Orchestral Stories (Peak Records; 6/14)
David Benoit - Charlie Brown Christmas (Peak Records; 6/14)
Lizz Wright - Dreaming Wide Awake (Verve Forecast; 6/14)
Rita Coolidge - And So Is Love (Concord; 6/28)