Hunt Confirmed for 'The Tavis Smiley Show' and 'Morning Becomes Eclectic' week of release with
On The Jungle Floor, the follow-up to
Van Hunt's Grammy-nominated debut album. The acclaimed singer-songwriter is taking to the airwaves and the road. He'll perform his new single, "Character," on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" and guest on "The Tavis Smiley Show," and KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic." He will then join up with
Anthony Hamilton, who's asked him to open on his U.S. tour. Hunt will headline a special show at Los Angeles' Roxy Theatre on April 4th. VH1.com will host an exclusive "Hear Music First on VH1.com" album listening party the week prior to the release of
On The Jungle Floor, and AOL, MSN and MP3.com will host album listening parties the week of release. In addition, Hunt will enter AT&T's Blue Room on Tuesday, April 4th, and MSN.com has selected him as one of the artists for its "Ones To Watch" series (the feature will run from April 15 - May 15).
The New York Times Magazine called his 2004 Grammy-nominated debut "the perfect soundtrack for any seduction." With
On The Jungle Floor, Hunt seals the deal. Produced by renowned producer
Bill Bottrell and co-produced by Hunt, Hunt once again wrote, arranged and performed most of the 14 songs himself. They're raw and direct, funkier and freakier this time around, reflecting such eclectic influences as the
Smiths, Rick James,
Sly and The Family Stone, the
Stooges and the
Isley Brothers. In fact, Hunt selected the
Stooges'
No Sense of Crime as the album's lone cover song -- and on his blistering, blues-drenched rendition, the sexy, jagged grooves heard throughout
On The Jungle Floor reach a peak. Rolling Stone Magazine says "
On The Jungle Floor shows an impressive range."
Van Hunt has earned a reputation as a riveting performer and has opened for such artists as
Kanye West, Coldplay and
Seal. He recently performed at Vanity Fair's Academy Awards "Amped for Africa" party, which was hosted by
Charlize Theron, and in the much-talked-about
Sly And The Family Stone tribute at the 48th Annual GRAMMY(R) Awards. Upcoming tour dates are as follows:
VAN HUNT - TOUR DATES
4/4 Los Angeles, CA Roxy Theatre (headlining)
(Opening for Anthony Hamilton)
4/8 Augusta, GA Bell Auditorium
4/9 Charlotte, NC Ovens Auditorium
4/12 Atlanta, GA Fox Theatre
4/13 N. Charleston, SC Performing Arts Center
4/14 Birmingham, AL BJCC Concert Hall
4/15 Houston, TX Verizon Theatre
4/16 Dallas, TX Nokia Live
4/19 Oakland, CA Paramount Theatre
4/21 Los Angeles, CA Gibson Amphitheatre
4/22 Las Vegas, NV Aladdin Theatre
4/28 St. Louis, MO Fox Theatre
4/29 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium
4/30 Memphis, TN Orpheum Theatre
5/3 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
5/4 Philadelphia, PA Tower Theater
5/5,6 Washington, DC Constitution Hall
5/10 Baltimore, MD Lyric Theatre
5/11 Cleveland, OH State Theatre
5/12 Detroit, MI Fox Theatre
5/13 Chicago, IL Chicago Theatre
The JVC Jazz Festival in Miami Beach kicks off May 17-21, 2006 and features Israel "Cachao" Lopez, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Arturo Sandoval, Jazid, John Hicks, Eddie Henderson, Eartha Kitt, John Pizzarelli, Mose Allison, The Lee Boys and Way of the Groove with Felix Pastorius, Julius Pastorius, Adam Lucas & Colin James. 
rsalis Quartet, Jamie Cullum, Benny Golson Quartet, Golden Striker Trio featuring Ron Carter, Mulgrew Miller and Russell Malone, Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Stefon Harris, Baaba Maal, Daande Lenol, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Hiromi, Cos of Good Music featuring Walter Blanding Jr., Dwayne Burno, Ndugu Chancler, Gerald Clayton, Kevin Eubanks and Steve Turrstrong, McCoy Tyner Trio, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Groovin’ For Grover featuring Gerald Albright, Jeff Lorber and Kirk Whalum, Ozomatli, Eddie Palmieri Afro-Caribbean Jazz All Stars, Chuck Mangione, Christian Scott & Lesa Terry, Bill Cosby will once again return to serve as Master of Ceremonies after a break in 2005.
