SAVOY JAZZ REMIXES, ANGELIQUE KIDJO, JANE MONHEIT, GEORGE BENSON, HIROMI, KOOL & THE GANG, TITO PUENTE JR, JON FADDIS & MORE...

The 2006 JVC Jazz Festival in Newport, RI will be held in Newport from Friday, Aug. 11 through Sunday, Aug. 13. On Friday, Aug. 11, the annual opening night celebration at the International Tennis Hall of Fame will feature singer/guitarist John Pizzarelli & His Big Band performing a new program entitled, "Dear Mr. Sinatra." Along with Pizzarelli that night, Jane Monheit & her band will perform. The festival moves to Fort Adams State Park on Saturday, Aug. 12 & Sunday, Aug. 13 and features performances by over 25 artists on three stages plus a crafts area, artist CD signings and more. Each day begins at 11:30 AM and ends at 7:00 PM. George Benson, Al Jarreau, Dave Brubeck, Chris Botti, Savion Glover, Arturo Sandoval, Angelique Kidjo, The Bad Plus, Robert Glasper, Luciana Souza, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Kenny Barron, James Carter, Cyrus Chestnut, Avishai Cohen, and Hiromi are among the artists signed to appear.

Much like the Verve series of jazz remixes, a series of artists, DJs and producers from the worlds of hip hop and dance have taken the masterworks of Charlie Parker, Herbie Mann, Dizzy Gillespie, Cannonball Adderly and others and have reinterpreted them for Re-Bop: The Savoy Remixes. The CD features participation from A Tribe Called Quests’s Ali Shaheed Muhammed, King Britt, Quantic, Saint Etienne, DJ Spooky, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and others. In short, Re-Bop updates the urbane jazz vibes of the past to fit the sounds of a modern cityscape frm the streets to the after hours clubs.

This year the New Haven Jazz Festival is celebating 25 years of live, free Jazz. Here’s the lineup: Aug.5 - Tito Puente Jr and the Dave Brubeck Quartet; Aug.12 – Blue Orchid Orchestra & Kool & The Gang; Aug. – T.S. Monk on Coltrane and Jonny Lang. For more information click to www.newhavenjazz.com.

World-renowned trumpeter Jon Faddis’ debut for KOCH Records is titled Teranga (Senegalese for hospitality) and will be released on June 6, 2006. Jon Faddis' stellar quartet featuring David Hazeltine (piano), Kyoshi Kitagawa (bass) and Dion Parson (drums) is joined by special guests Alioune Faye (sabor), Abdou Mboup (djembe & talking drum), Russell Malone (guitar), Gary Smulyan (baritone saxophone), Frank Wess (alto flute) and Clark Terry (flugelhorn & vocals). Teranga is an album filled with originality, subtlety, joy and astounding musicianship. Teranga contains nine tracks, eight of which are originals written by Faddis exclusively for this group of master musicians. The tracklisting for Teranga is: 1. The Hunters & Gatherers; 2. Hey, Lalo!; 3. Waltz For My Fathers & Brothers; 4. Teranga; 5. The Courtship; 5. The Fibble-Ow Blues; 6. Laurelyn; 7. Transitions; and 8. The Baron

SMOOTH JAZZ & CHILL MUSIC NEWS: DIANA ROSS' BLUE, BONNIE RAITT, CLEAR CHANNEL HIGH-DEF CHANNELS, LIZZ WRIGHT, CLARKE/DUKE PROJECT & MORE...

Diana Ross’ latest CD, Blue, an album of standards recorded in 1971 and 1972 that was never released, will be marketed exclusively for 5 weeks by Starbucks coffee houses before being available on June 20 at traditional retail outlets. Blue was intended to be a companion to the hit 1972 soundtrack to Lady Sings The Blues, however it was shelved, and the master tapes were only recently discovered in Motown’s vault.

The annual Vancouver International Jazz Festival is scheduled for June 23 to July 2. Artists penned to appear include Tony Bennett, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Allen Toussaint and his New Orleans Horn Section, and Bobby Hutcherson. The festival will include over 400 shows, including 130 free concerts. For more information click to www.coastaljazz.ca.

The Montreal Jazz Festival will run from June 29 to July 9 and will include performances from: Paul Simon (July 5), B.B. King (June 28), Dave Brubeck (July 8), Emmylou Harris with Daniel Lanois (July 6), Elvis Costello with Allen Toussaint (July 3), Bonnie Raitt with Keb’ Mo (July 7), Salif Keita (July 5), Martha Wainwright (July 2), McCoy Tyner (July 2), Brad Mehldau (June 28), Gonzalo Rubalcaba (July 5), Wayne Shorter Quartet (July 1), Ravi Coltrane Quartet (June 29), Chris Potter’s Underground (June 30), Joe Lovano Quartet (July 5), and the Pharoah Sanders Quartet (June 29).

Clear Channel Radio is about to offer 75 new radio channels as programming for its rival broadcasters. The channels (much like those available on both Sirius and XM) will be available to broadcasters who will be able to use the Clear Channel content however they see fit, from just running it as-is to adding it in to their own customized, local content. According to Clear Channel Radio President/CEO, John Hogan, "we’ve created this programming to give broadcasters the most flexible and the best return on investment," said Hogan. "The massive amounts of programming needed to feed rapidly growing numbers of HD2 multicast channels, Internet streams and other near-term opportunities dwarfs the real estate that our industry had to fill with the advent of FM. By making extraordinary programming available even more broadly, the radio industry will be able to fully capitalize on the opportunities we are creating ourselves daily."

The U.S. Bank Saint Louis Jazz Festrival will be held on Friday, June 23 & Saturday, June 24 at Clayton Shaw’s Park, St. Louis County, Missouri. Performers this year include: Dr. John, David Sanborn, Preservation Hall Band, Readus Miller Project, The Clarke/Duke Project, Denise Thimes, LaMar Harris, The Craig Russo Latin Jazz Project, Rick Haydon & The SIUE Jazz Ensemble, Anita Rosamond, New Work, Harmonica Jazz, and Lizz Wright. George Duke and Stanley Clarke will be reuniting for this concert.

NEW JAZZ & CHILL RELEASES FROM ANTHONY BRAXTON, ISLEY BROTHERS, MARISA MONTE, MASTERS OF GROOVE, MAUCHA ADNOT, TILL BRONNER & OTHERS...

Active Force – Active Force
Al Green – The Belle Album: Expanded Edition
Andy Snitzer – Some Quiet Place
Alejandro Escovedo – The Boxing Mirror
Anello Capunano - Spring
Angelyna Martinez – Labor Of Love
Anthony Braxton – 23 Standards (Quartet) 2003
Astrud Gilberto – Non-Stop To Brazil – Jazz Club
Billy Cox & Buddy Miles –The Band Of Gypsys Return
Bob James – Foxie
Bob James – Taxi/Genie
Bobby Previte – Coalition Of The Willing
Break Reform - Fractures
Bucky & John Pizzarelli – The Best Of Bucky & John Pizzarelli
Carlos Sarduy – Charly En La Habana
Carol Riddick – Moments Like This
Cheryl Lynn - In The Night/Instant Love
Chi-Lites – Best Of The Chi-Lites
Chris Standring – Soul Express
David Borsu – Insight
Dells – The Very Best Of The Vee-Jay Years 1955 to 1965
Diana Ross - Blue
Elizabeth Kontomanov – Midnight Sun
Eric Clapton – Guitar Legend: The Very Best Of The Early Years
Frank McComb – 1995 Bootleg
Gloria Lynn & Stanley Turrentine – Flipped Out On Love
Gumbi Ortiz with Al DiMeola, Eric Marienthal & Dave Weckl – Miami
Harry Connick Jr. – Harry On Broadway Act 1
Isley Brothers – Baby Makin’ Music
Jack DeJohnette & Dave Holland – Snap Count
Jane Birkin – Fictions
Janita – Season Of Love
Jazztronick – En:Code – Sampler EP
Jean-Luc Ponty – Calteloupe Island
Joe Gibbs & The Professionals – African Dub All Mighty Chapter 1
Joe Gibbs & The Professionals – African Dub All Mighty Chapter 3
Jukka Eskola –Hub Up
Julie London – Julie Is Her Name
Leni Stern – Love Comes Quietly
Lou Rawls – Black & Blue and Tobacco Road
Louis Prima – Live Jazz At Club 15
Luis Quintero – Percussion Madness Presented by Louis Vega
Manu DiBango – The Very Best Of African Soul
Marisa Monte – Universo Ai Meu Redor
Mark Elf - Liftoff
Marlena Shaw – Free Classic Soul
Martial Solas – Portrait In Black & White
Martin Taylor – The Best Of Martin Taylor
Masters Of Groove – Masters Of Groove Meet DJ-9
Maucha Adnot – The Jobim Storybook
Miles Davis Quintet with John Coltrane – Live In Saint Louis
Moca - Tempomat
Mr Ali – Transit Chasing Life
Nat King Cole – The Very Best Of Nat King Cole
Nik Bartsch’s Ronin – Stoa
Nino Moschella - Fix
Nomo – New Tones
Paul Simon - Surprise
Quintetto Lo Greco – Snap Count
Ray Barretto - Acid
Roy Hargrove Quintet – Nothing Serious
Roy Hargove & The RH Factor – Distractions
Russ Lorenson – A Little Travelin’ Music
Sao Paulo Underground – Suana: Un Dos Tres
Scientist & Prince Jammy – Dub Landing Volume 1 & 2
Shirley Scott – On A Clear Day
Soft Machine Legacy – The Soft Machine Legacy
Soul Source Production (Kenichi Yanai) – He Knows His Place
Steve Davis - Update
Teena Marie – Sapphire
Thievery Corporation - Versions
Till Bronner – That Summer (with Luciana Souza, Carla Bruni & Madeline Peyroux)
Toots Thielemans – One More For The Road (with Oleta Adams, Jamie Cullum, Beth Hart, Lizz Wright, Madeline Peyroux, and others)
Uniao Black – Banda Uniao Black
Various Artists – Recovered Vol.3 – A Spicy Selection of Soulful Cover Versions
Various Artists – Choice: A Collection of Classics Mixed by Kenny Dope
Various Artists – Climate Shift
Various Artists – Compost Black Label Series Vol. 1
Various Artists – Days Of Summer
Various Artists – Fusion With Attitude
Various Artists – Hacienda Classics (3-CD)
Various Artists – Jazz Club – Bossa Nova
Various Artists – Jazz Club – Thriller Jazz
Various Artists – Jazz Club – Soul Jazz
Various Artists – Jazz For The Wee Small Hours
Various Artists – Jazz In An R&B Groove, Vol. 2
Various Artists – Jazz Vocalists: Hear & Now (2-CD, Concord)
Various Artists – Journey Into Paradise – The Larry Levan Story
Various Artists – Panama! – Latin, Calypso & Funk On The Isthmus 1965-1975
Various Artists – Philly Soul Girls Vol. 1
Various Artists – Playboy Jazz: Hef’s Favorites
Various Artists – Re-Bop The Savoy Remixes
Various Artists – Red Hot + Blue: A Tribute to Cole Porter (DVD/CD with Jody Watley, David Byrne, Neneh Cherry, Lisa Stansfield, Thompson Twins, k.d. lang, etc.)
Various Artists – Rewind 5! – Original Classics Re-Worked, Remixed, Re-Edited & Rewound
Various Artists – The Royal Dan: A Tribute To The Genius Of Steely Dan
Various Artists – Soul Brazil
Various Artists – Spirit Of Philadelphia 2
Various Artists – Tom Mouton Mix Vol. 2

WJJZ & KUUS SMOOTH JAZZ RADIO NEWS, GUITARS & SAXES, RENDEZVOUS ALL STARS & MORE...

WJJZ SMOOTH JAZZ SUMMER NIGHTS
Philadelphia’s WJJZ continues to bring smooth jazz to the Philadelphia Waterfront, as WJJZ Smooth Jazz Summer Nights returns for a ninth season at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing on Columbus Boulevard at Chesnut Street. The sounds of local and national Smooth Jazz artists will fill the air every Friday night in August through September 1. The series will kick off on Friday, August 4 with the smooth sounds of Gerald Veasley. Other artists scheduled to appear include Ken Navarro and Steve Cole (both August 18), Michael Lington (August 26), and the Sax Pack, featuring Jeff Kashiwa, Kim Waters, and Steve Cole (September 1). The Smooth Jazz Summer Nights concerts is sponsored by WJJZ.


GUITARS AND SAXES & THER RENDEZVOUS ALL STARS TO PERFORM AT RICK SANBORN’S SMOOTH SUMMER PARTY CONCERTS
Guitars and Saxes featuring Gerald Albright, Richard Elliot, Jeff Golub and Peter White perform as part of Rick Sanborn’s Smooth Summer Party on July 14 at The Pageant in University City, Missouri. Rick Sanborn’s Smooth Summer Party is also presenting the Rendezvous All Stars on July 21 at the same location. The Rendezvous All Stars feature Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, Wayman Tisdale and Brian Simpson.


KUUS (US 105.5) SMOOTH JAZZ RADIO
Smooth jazz radio returns to Fresno, California as Wilks Broadcasting’s country KUUS (US 105.5) switches to smooth jazz. US 105.5 now fills the void created when Clear Channel abandoned the format there earlier this year.

RETRO SMOOTH JAZZ FROM RON PEDLEY...

Check out keyboardist and composer Ron Pedley’s two most recent releases…his solo instrumental effort Around and his pairing with John Pondel as Kombo with their effort, Cookin’ Out (Verve/GRP). Around features 10 funky and smooth jazz tracks in all and includes guest, Andy Suzuki, playing sax on several cuts. My favorite tracks on Around include, Maui Nights, featuring some standout sax and guitar solo work; the Latin-tinged Rain Forest; a bit of straight-up jazz with Dog Boy; Always Moving and Chillin’, each of which showcases Ron Pedley’s talent at the keyboards; and the funkiness of Punky Nugget. Kombo’s Cookin’ Out includes covers of The Fifth Dimension’s Stone Soul Picnic, featuring vocals from Sharon Hendrix, War’s Low Rider and Bill Withers’ Use Me. The CD also includes my personal favorites, Tight and the title cut, Cookin’ Out, both of which include some terrific Hammond organ sounds from Pedley. Everette Harp and Luis Conte are among the guest performers on this CD.

Ron Pedley is certainly no stranger to the business as he has previously charted on the Smooth Jazz charts and has toured and/or performed with Maynard Ferguson, McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Clarke, Stevie Wonder, Donald Byrd, David Foster, Bette Midler, George Wein, the Dallas Jazz Orchestra, Kirk Whalum, Irakere and the Pointer Sisters. He’s been principal keyboardist and musical director for Barry Manilow for the past 16 years. He also currently tours with Air Supply and Ann-Margret; has composed music for films (Slice & Dice, Krumbach’s Error, etc.), and is a versatile musician capable of crossing over to many genres including straight-up jazz, smooth jazz, house, new age and techno. Talk about being a well-rounded musician!

By the way, special thanks to Ron for providing me with a sneak preview of his remix of Ann-Margret’s Someday Soon…. Ron has taken a track recorded back in 1962 and remade it into a chill groove that most certainly needs to be officially released for the world to enjoy. (Hint, hint to all the DJs and record company executives looking for new material to add to those countless chill compilations being packaged for future release). For more information click to www.ronpedley.com.

LINDA RONSTADT: ADIEU FALSE HEART CD & SUMMER CONCERT APPEARANCES

Linda Rondstadt is hitting the road this summer with a series of concerts beginning June 1 in Boston. Here is the tour schedule:
June 1: Boston, MA (Opera House)
June 2: New York, NY (Beacon Theatre)
June 3: Wallingford, CT (Chevrolet Theatre)
June 6: Red Bank, NJ (Count Basie Theatre)
June 7: Eaton, PA (State Theatre)
June 9: Westbury, NY (North Fork Westbury Theatre)
June 13: Wilmington, DE (Grand Opera Theatre)
June 16: Denver, CO (City Light Pavilion)
June 18: Jacksonville, OR (Britt Festivals @ Britt Pavilion)
July 6: San Diego, CA (Humphrey’s By The Bay)
July 7: Universal City, CA (Gibson Amphitheatre)
July 9: Saratoga, CA (Montalvo Arts Center)
July 10: Santa Rosa, CA (Wells Fargo Center For the Arts)
July 11: Costa Mesa, CA (Pacific Amphitheatre)

Linda Ronstadt recently collobrated with Cajun music artist and scholar Ann Savoy on the new CD, Adieu False Heart, due July 25 from Vanguard Records.

CHUCK LOEB: NEW CD & CONCERT UPDATE

Chuck Loeb heads to the Trumpets Jazz Club in Montclair, NJ for a special Mother’s Day concert on Sunday, May 14. Other concerts on his schedule include, the Capital Jazz Fest on June 4 (performing with Chieli Minucci & Paul Jackson Jr.; The Iridium Jazz Club in New York City on June 15, 16, 17 and 18, with Eric Marienthal, Anthony Jackson, Jim Beard & Josh Dion; and The Wilson Creek Winery in California on July 15, with his regular band: Matt King, Brian Killeen and Josh Dion. Braun is also working a new album due for release later in the year, and has completed work on Michael Franks’ new album, Rendezvous In Rio, Spyro Gyra’s Wrapped In A Dream, and Carmen’s new CD, I Will, which features trumpeter Till Bronner, Matt King on piano, Will Lee on bass, and of course Braun on guitar. Carmen’s I Will is due for release in the fall.

CHRIS BOTTI TEAMS WITH DEAN MARTIN, BRAND NEW HEAVIES JOIN LINEUP OF ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL & NEW MATERIAL FROM RICKIE LEE JONES, & MORE...

Rykodisc in conjunction with Commotion and Sony Pictures Classics have announced the May 9th release of Friends With Money Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. The soundtrack features new songs by Rickie Lee Jones and marks her debut writing music for film. Other featured artists include score composer Craig Richey (Lovely & Amazing, Journey Into Night), Neil Halstead, The Weepies and Big Red Button. Says Friends With Money executive producer Tracy McKnight, "Director Nicole Holofcener's film is a wonderful expression on the enduring beauty and importance of friendships in life as they unfold - Rickie Lee Jones captured that essence in her songs - a perfect fit for the film."
Friends With Money marks Jones' first new material since her 2003 release Evening Of My Best Day and features the single Circle In The Sand and the remarkably jangly Hillbilly Song. She says of collaborating with director Nicole Holofcener, "Nicole's directing is intimate and straightforward, and this is a very good match for my music... I could not have had a better film to write for, especially my first time out. Writing for film," she says, "required operating from a different point of reference, you are starting from a picture on the screen rather than your imagination. It was very brave of Nicole to allow me to do this, for her to use music she had not intended to use from the outset. Most directors would have shut down, said 'this is not what I had in mind.' But she took her time, and eventually used musical ideas she had not considered before. It was wonderful for me."

Chris Botti has just finished recording his ‘duet’ of Lerner and Lowe’s I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face with Rat Pack crooner Dean Martin for an upcoming album. The song was originally recorded by Martin in 1957 and in this new version the original instrumentation will be edited and replaced, much like the duets that were re-engineered between Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole. The trumpeter is being featured on a CD that pairs instrumentalists and vocalists with the late singer. The CD is being engineered by Grammy Award winner Al Schmitt and is expected to be released by Capitol Records later this year.

Aaron Neville is in the studio recording his first album for the Burgundy Records (Sony BMG) label. Due in September, the as yet untitled album will be comprised of 15 all-time soul classics, including Otis Redding’s Dock Of The Bay and Sam Cooke’s Bring It On Home To Me. The CD is being produced by Stewart Levine who has worked with a bevy of platinum selling artists, including Jamie Cullum, Simply Red and B.B. King.

Considered to be one of the most remarkable band in Britain – The Guillemots, are grearing up for a U.S. tour and have thus far set the following dates: May 7 at T.T. the Bears in Cambridge, MA; May 8 at World Café Live in Philadelphia, Pa; May 9 at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City; and May 11 at The Roxy in Los Angeles, CA. Their latest CD is From The Cliffs.

The Brand New Heavies have joined the lineup for the upcoming Coca-Cola presents the 2006 Essence Music Festival, to be held July 1,2 and 3 in Houston, Texas. Other artists scheduled to perform include Frankie Beverly & Maze, Charlie Wilson, Loose Ends, Toni Braxton, and Earth, Wind & Fire.

ANDERS HOLST RELEASES 'UNTIL THE END OF TIME' FROM HIS CD, 'FIVE'

UOM, Unheard of Music recording artist Anders Holst has released Until The End of Time from his CD, Five, on May 1st, 2006.

Invitingly sexy, Until the End of Time is a sweet breezy valentine to a loved one featuring the very smooth jazz friendly harmony sax lines of Gerald Albright, guitar by Paul Jackson Jr. and a wonderful flute solo by Magnus Lindgren. The single, which is being serviced to radio through All That Jazz, is Anders' second offering to smooth jazz radio from the 5-song EP, released by UOM, Unheard of Music in 2005. His first single, Love Me Like A River garnered play on over 100 stations nationwide, including "Groove Boutique" on CD101.9 (the country's No 1 Smooth Jazz station). Packed full of heart-warming songs and uplifting melodies, Five has endeared the hearts of fans and critics alike. Jazz Review calls Five "exceptional entertainment. Highly recommended."

Born and raised in Sweden, traveling the world, Anders Holst's songs projects his innate understanding of the way the world works, the human condition and of life's many ups and downs. As a comparison, one could evoke the work of Leonard Cohen with the point being the strong mature sensitivity factor shared by both artists, and one could sense the influences from artists like Van Morrison, Paul McCartney and Sting.

Anders Holst's collection of songs on the album Five is based on his wide breadth of life experiences. It reveals that the man is his music. His songs cover a wide range of emotions: romance, hope, loneliness, disillusionment, and optimism with equal sensitivity. The inherent conviction contained in his songs, he is the co-composer and lyricist of all of them, except for Verrazano Bridge, finds him completely open and unafraid to expose his own vulnerabilities. This is a unique voice and the work of a true artist.

The mood and atmosphere contained in these songs can be considered a mixture of such disparate names and compositions as David Bowie's Low, Antonio Vivaldi's Adagios and the melancholy folk music contained in Jan Johansson's Jazz in Swedish, interpreted in the vein of [modern/new] adult contemporary music.

Holst is currently setting up a fall tour and is recording a full length CD for release in early 2007. Updates and tour schedules can be found at www.andersholst.com.

"This debut offering by the soulful, deep voiced Swedish born singer beautifully blends pop, jazz, classical and chill flavors. Smooth jazz listeners will be listening to these five tracks over and over while waiting for more from this remarkable diverse and undeniable seductive vocal talent." - Smooth Jazz News

"Soulful Swedish singer/songwriter Anders Holst blends smoky jazz with the adult contemporary melodicism of Sting, Seal, and Leonard Cohen. Introspective, spiritual, and romantic, Five deftly weaves pop, jazz, and classical into a smooth style all its own. – All Music Guide

TONINHO HORTA, RON CARTER, GARY BURTON QUARTET REVISTED, BILL FRISELL & OTHERS SET TO APPEAR AT BLUE NOTE TOKYO...

The Blue Note in Tokyo, Japan is set to feature the following artists in the coming weeks and months: Branford Marsalis, May 4-7; Soul Survivors featuring Cornell Dupree & Les McCann, May 10-11; Bill Frisell with Brian Blade & Sam Yahel, May 12-14; Avishai Cohen Trio, May 15-17; Chris Botti, May 18-20; Michel Camilo Trio with Charles Flores & Dafnis Prieto, May 21-26; Gary Burton Quartet Revisted featuring Pat Metheny, Steve Swallow & Antonio Sanchez, May 20-June 3; Diana King, June 4-10; Brian Bromberg, Gary Meer, Rick Braun, Jeff Lorber & Dave Weckl, June 11-14; Satoru Shionoya, June 15-18; Manhattan Transfer, June 19-24; Eliane Elias, June 25-28; Jane Monheit; June 29-July 1; Michael Franks, July 2-8; Earl Klugh, July 9-12; Terumasa Hino Quintet, July 14-16; Clementine with special guest Celso Fonseca, July 16-23; David Lindley & John Hammond, July 24-26; Toninho Horta & Kurt Rosenwinkel Project, July 27-30; Mighty Sparrow, July 31-Aug. 3; Mory Kante, Aug. 4-7; Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate, Aug. 8-16; and Ron Carter, Aug. 17-19.

JAZZ VOCALIST & COMPOSER MICHAEL FRANKS TO RELEASE LONG-AWAITED STUDIO RECORDING "RENDEZVOUS IN RIO" JUNE 27

Michael Franks, a mainstay in the contemporary jazz scene since the '70s, is back wit Rendezvous in Rio, his new album featuring 10 new original songs with distinctive arrangements from long-time collaborators Jeff Lorber, Jimmy Haslip, Russell Ferrante, Chuck Loeb and others. Rendezvous in Rio will be released on June 27th, 2006. The music of renowned Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim has been a great influence to Franks' previous music, and it can be seen in this album as well. Rendezvous in Rio includes an 'unrequited love' song The Question is Why, The Critics Are Never Kind from his musical "Noa Noa," which portrays a musical conversation between artists Gauguin, Van Gogh, and Degas, the bittersweet Songbirds, and two jazzy numbers: The Cool School and Hearing 'Take Five.'

Michael Franks, a California native, has been creating and recording music for the past 33 years, and has released 16 albums to date. He studied music and literature in college, receiving his Masters from UCLA, and his PhD from the University of Oregon. He later taught undergraduate music courses at both UCLA and Berkeley. His musical style seamlessly weaves lyrics of stunning sensuality, wit, reflection and literary eloquence over music that tastefully utilizes top shelf shadings of jazz, soul, pop, chamber and music from around the globe. His most well known songs include Popsicle Toes, Monkey See-Monkey Do, The Lady Wants To Know, When the Cookie Jar is Empty, Tiger in the Rain, Rainy Night in Tokyo and Tell Me All About It. His music has been covered by Ana Caram, Natalie Cole, Patti Labelle, Peggy Lee, Melissa Manchester, Carmen McRae, Ringo Starr, Livingston Taylor and the Yellowjackets.

Michael Franks 2006 Tour Schedule
July 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 & 8 - Tokyo, Japan - The Blue Note
August 11, 12 & 13 - Philadelphia, PA - Zanzibar Blue
August 20 - Hollywood, CA - Hollywood Bowl - JVC Jazzfest
August 21 - San Diego, CA - Humphreys by the Bay
August 26 & 27 - Boston, MA - Scullers Jazz Club

STEELY DAN & MICHAEL MCDONALD SET TO TOUR TOGETHER THIS SUMMER

Steely Dan and Michael McDonald are set to tour this summer, kicking off July 7 at Milwaukee's Summerfest and running through Sept. 2 outside Detroit. Michael McDonald has previously played keyboards and sang backing vocals on such Steely Dan classics as The Royal Scam, Katy Lied and Aja. Each act is expected to play its own set, after which McDonald would join Steely Dan for a number of hits on which he performed.

Steely Dan/Michael McDonald's tour dates:
July 7: Milwaukee (Summerfest)
July 8: Tinley Park, Ill. (First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre)
July 10: Nashville (Starwood Amphitheatre)
July 12: Dallas (Nokia Live)
July 14: Woodlands, Texas (Mitchell Pavilion)
July 15: San Antonio (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre)
July 18: Phoenix (Cricket Pavilion)
July 19: Irvine, Calif. (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre)
July 21: San Jacinto, Calif. (Soboba; Steely Dan only)
July 22: Las Vegas (Aladdin Theatre)
July 24: San Diego (Bayside; Steely Dan only)
July 25: Mountain View, Calif. (Shoreline Amphitheatre)
July 27: Portland, Ore. (Clark County Amphitheatre)
July 28: Seattle (White River Amphitheatre)
July 31: Morrison, Colo. (Red Rocks)
Aug. 7: Atlanta (Chastain Park)
Aug. 9: Hollywood, Fla. (Seminole Hard Rock)
Aug. 10: Tampa, Fla. (Ford Amphitheatre)
Aug. 12: Charlotte, N.C. (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre)
Aug. 13: Bristow, Va. (Nissan Pavilion)
Aug. 15: Virginia Beach, Va. (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre)
Aug. 17: Wantagh, N.Y. (Jones Beach)
Aug. 19: Camden, N.J. (Tweeter Center)
Aug. 20: Scranton, Pa. (Toyota Pavilion)
Aug. 23: Holmdel, N.J. (PNC Bank Arts Center)
Aug. 24: Hartford, Conn. (NE Dodge Center)
Aug. 26: Atlantic City, N.J. (Trump Taj Mahal)
Aug. 27: Mansfield, Mass. (Tweeter Center)
Aug. 29: Cincinnati (Riverbend)
Aug. 30: Burgettstown, Pa. (Post-Gazette Pavilion)
Sept. 1: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio (Blossom Music Center)
Sept. 2: Clarkston, Mich. (DTE Energy Music Theatre)

JVC JAZZ FESTIVAL MIAMI BEACH & PLAYBOY JAZZ FESTIVAL LINEUPS

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.

The 2006 Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl is set for June 17-18 with the following performers slated to appear: Stanley Clarke/George Duke Project, Branford Marsalis 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.

NILE RODGERS & CHIC

I recently caught a performance of Chic with Nile Rodgers on the Dish Network’s high-definition channel Rave, and let me tell you they are simply amazing. Their performance was taped at the 2004 Montreux Jazz Festival and it was truly incredible and so I thought I would check out to see where they can be seen in concert. What I discovered was not really a surprise, and that is that bands like Chic and others of the era and genre tend to be much more popular in Europe (shame on the U.S. and their musical tastes). Check out their song entitled Warm Summer Day and you will know what I mean (oh and make sure it’s the original and not the remix off of the Atlantiquity album). Hint to smooth jazz programmers…Warm Summer Day would be a good add to your playlist. In any event, thank you to Nile Rodgers for the great music and keep providing us with the ‘good times.’ Here’s a rundown of where they will be appearing in the coming months…

May 6: Private Event, Brussels, Belgium
May 31: Private Event, Paris, France
June 16: Sonar Music Festival, Barcelona, Spain
June 24: 02 Wireless Music Festival, Hyde Park, London, England
Aug 19: Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

EMUSIC.COM TO OFFER DIGITAL MUSIC DOWNLOAD STARTER KIT

eMusic has just reached out to the mainstream retail consumer with a unique digital music starter kit. The packages, now positioned within Circuit City retailers, offer goodies like artist collector cards and a digital download how-to guide. The kits, which retail for $14.99 each, also offer the buyer an introductory eMusic subscription plan. Other digital music stores position pre-paid digital music cards at physical retailers, though eMusic is hoping to attract music fans with its independent collection and MP3 format. "eMusic tracks play on any device, and we want to make sure consumers know how easy it is to load their digital players with great music - especially the music so often ignored by radio and the other vanilla music stores," explained David Pakman, president and CEO of eMusic.

The starter kits are targeted at a decidedly non-digital music fan. Those consumers may be intimidated by the first steps of downloading music, and are unlikely to signup directly from the Internet. "For consumers new to digital music - those who are buying iPods and other digital music devices - the eMusic digital starter kit offers an easy introduction to digital music,
guides and encourages them to discover new artists, and to rediscover their emotional connection to music," said Pakman. The packages are also available through the Circuit City website.

JVC NEW YORK JAZZ FESTIVAL, WLOQ SMOOTH JAZZ UNDER THE STARS, TORONTO JAZZ FESTIVAL, KKSF 103.7 NEWS & MORE...

Marion Meadows, Najee, Chuck Loeb, Nick Colionne, Norman Brown’s Summer Storm featuring Norman Brown, Patti Austin, Paul Taylor, Andrea Delano & Alex Bugnon, Soul Express featuring Jody Watley, Jeff Lorber & Chris Standring are part of the lineup for the Wilson Creek Winery 5th annual Sunset Jazz in the Vines festival. The series will include four summer concerts beginning Saturday June 17 and ending on Sunday, September 16. For more information check out www.wilsoncreekwinery.com. All proceeds of their Sunset Jazz in the Vines concert series will be donated to BBJazz, a nonprofit 501@3 foundation to benefit children with autism.

Upcoming New York City and Tri-State Area Concerts…Tierney Sutton & Loston Harris appear at Jazz At Lincoln Center on April 27-29; Tony Bennett at North Fork Theater in Westbury on April 27; Chieli Minucci at IMAC Theater on May 5; Spyro Gyra at Ridgefield Playhouse on May 6; Ann-Margret at the North Fork Theater in Westbury; Aretha Franklin at the State Theater in New Brunswick on May 8 and at the House of Blue in Atlantic City on June 23; McCoy Tyner Trio at Jazz At Lincoln Center on May 10 and at the Blue Note May 10-13; Double Hearing with Wynton Marsalis and the Orion String Quartet at Jazz At Lincoln Center May 11-13; Fourplay at Trump Casino on June 3; Diane Schurr at the Blue Note June 6-11; Chris Botti at the Count Basie Theater June 16 and at Carnegie Hall on June 17; and Chuck Mangione at the Blue Note June 11-16.

More than 100 concerts in 20 venues throughout New York City will make up this year’s JVC Jazz Festival. Artists slated to perform include Israel "Cachao" Lopez, Bobby Hutcherson, George Duke, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Smokey Robinson, Etta James, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, Dave Holland, Dave Brubeck, Don Byron, Ken Peplowski, Kenny Davern, Evan Christopher, Marcus Miller, Chris Botti, Roy Hargrove, Trio Da Paz, Kenny Barron and Luciana Souza. The JVC Jazz Festival is scheduled from June 12-24. For more information click to the official JVC Jazz Festival Web site: www.festivalproductions.net.

Smooth Jazz 103.1 WLOQ is presenting Smooth Jazz Under The Stars at Lake Island Park in Winter Park, FL pm April 29. Smooth jazz performers include Walter Beasley, Gregg Karukas, and Nick Colionne.

The upcoming 20th annual Toronto Jazz Festival will be hosting over 350 shows across 10 days and 12 nights in downtown Toronto. The lineup is to include George Coleman, Yusef Lateef, Pharoah Sanders, Kenny Garrett, Paquito D’Rivera, Etta James, John Pizzarelli, De La Soul, Kardinal Offishall, Seu Jorge, Jacksoul, Divine Brown, McCoy Tyner, Marcus Miller, the Mingus Big Band, and Dave Brubeck. The festival runs from June 23 to July 2.

KCRW.com presents the Brazilian Girls at the Fillmore in San Francisco on May 13.

Jazz great Dave Brubeck was honored April 24th by the Gramercy Brass Orchestra of New York with the first ever High Note of Achievement Award. Brubeck was recognized for his lifetime achievements as a leading edge musician for his commitment and contribution to the national advancement of arts and music education. For 17 years, Dave Brubeck led the Dave Brubeck Quartet introducing legions of fans to the world of jazz and producing the first ever million selling jazz single, Take Five.

Smooth jazz artist, Jonathan Butler is being honored by Carsel Events and The Immigrant Magazine as they launch a new monthly international music series in Los Angeles. Their first event will take place at Club Zanzibar in L.A. and will celebrate the local South African community in an event entitled "Focus on South Africa." Their Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Jonathan Butler who will be present to accept the award. For more information click to www.carsalevents.com.

San Francisco’s KKSF 103.7 has planned a series of concerts on the coast the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. Four of the world’s most renowned smooth jazz artists, Peter White, Richard Elliot, Jeff Golub, and Gerald Albright, will perform together as "Guitars, Sax and More", on Monday, May 29 at the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, kicking off the second annual summer season of KKSF 103.7’s Concerts on the Coast. The outdoor concert series continues with "Rendezvous All Stars," featuring Wayman Tisdale, Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, and Brian Simpson, Monday, July 3, and concludes Monday, Sept 4, with "Summer Storm", featuring Norman Brown, Patti Austin, Paul Taylor and Alex Bugnon.

Candy Darling will join the All Star Smooth Jazz Cruise in early 2007. This luxury cruise includes performances by Down To The Bone, Eric Darius, Maysa, Gerald Veasley, Paul Taylor and many others. The cruse (January 28 to February 4, 2007) departs from Galveston Island (TX) in the USA and will visit Montego Bay in Jamaica, Grand Cayman on the Cayman Islands and Cozumel in Mexico. Darling will also join Van Morrison for two show in Germany next month. On May 18 they will perform in Duisburg and in Berlin on May 19.

NEW RELEASES FROM SAINT ETIENNE, BADI ASSAD, MARCOS VALLE, MARK KNOPFLER, EMMYLOUS HARRIS, NESTOR TORRES, OMAR SOSA & OTHERS...

Alison Crockett - Return Of Diva Blue On Becoming A Woman - Remix Project
Amel Larrieux - Morning
Antonio Carlos Jobim - Rio Nights Live (DVD)
Badi Assad - Ondas
Bill Withers - Watching You Watching Me
Bob Belden - Three Days Of Rain
Booker Irvin - In Between
Brazilian Octopus - Brazilian Octopus
Cal Tjader - Plays Burt Bacharach
Calvin Keys - Vertical Clearance
Candido - Hands Of Fire (DVD)
Candi Staton - His Hands
Carli Munoz & Eddie Gomez - Both Sides Now
Charlie Palmieri - Electro Duro
Chick Corea & Orion String Quartet - The Adventures Of Hippocrates
Daniel Humair - Trip Hip Trip
Denise LaSalle - I'm So Hot
Dimitri Vassilikis - Parallel Lines
Donald Byrd - Blackjack
Eddy Grant - Reparation
Ennio Morricone - Morricone Conducts Morricone (DVD)
Eric Lindell - Change In The Weather
Francis Jime - Arquitetura Da Flor
GC Cameron - Shadows
Gabor Szabo - Femme Fatale
Geoff Gascoyne - Keep It To Yourself (with Jamie Cullum, George Fame & Trudy Kerr)
Gilberto Gil - Copacabana Mon Amour
Gilberto Gil - Louvacao
Gotan Project - Lunatico
Groove Collective - Live And Hard To Find
Groove Collective - People People Music Music
Grupo X - Food For The Latin Soul
Harvie S - Funky Cha
Heaven & Earth - I Can't Seem To Forget You
Herbie Hancock - Possibilities (DVD)
Herbie Hancock - Monster (with Carlos Santana, Ray Parker Jr., Alphonse Mouzon & Sheila E.)
Invisible Session - To The Powerful
Jazztronick - Remixes 2
Jimmy McGriff - Collectibles Classics (4-CD box set)
John Coltrane - Reflections
Karrin Allyson - Footprints
Lizzy Mercier Descloux - Best Off
Lizzy Mercier Descloux - Zulu Rock
Kim Nalley - She Put A Spell On Me - Kim Nalley Sings Nina Simone
M.D. West - Ink From My Heart
Marcos Amorim - Sete Capelas
Marcos Valle - The Remix Album Vol. 1
Mark Knopfler & Emmylous Harris - All The Roadrunning
Mindi Abair - Life Less Ordinary
Monquito Santamaria - Black Out
Nat King Cole - Stardust - The Complete Capital Recordings 1955-1959 (11 CDs)
Nekta - Water The Flowers
Nestor Torres - Dances, Prayers & Meditations For Peace
Nina Simone - Empress Live!
No Jazz - Have Fun (with Maurice Whire, Stevie Wonder, Claude Nougro & Mini Cinelu)
Olodum - Pela Vida
Omar Sosa - Mulatos Remix
Os Brazoes - Os Brazoes
Paul Winter & Oscar Castro-Neves - Brazilian Days
Q Continuum - Quintessential Grooves
Ray Barretto - Indestructible
Robin Jones Seven - Latin Jazz - Denga & El Maja
Rosemary Clooney - Collectibles Classics (4 CD box set)
Saint Etienne - Tales From Turnpike House
Sergio Mendes - Collectibles Classics (4-CD box set)
Tab Benoit - Brother To The Blues
Tosca - Souvenirs
Ultrablue - Ultrablue
Vandermark 5 - Free Jazz Classics Vol 3 & 4
Vernon Reid & Masque - Other True Self
Wilton Felder - Let's Spend Some Time
Young-Holt Unlimited - Just A Melody

AMOS LEE, DON BYRON, PATRICIA BARBER, LENNY WHITE, LARRY CORYELL & OTHER NEWS...

Amos Lee has recently begun recording his sophomore release for Blue Note Records. The Philadelphia native is tracking in his home city with the assistance of producer Barrie Maguire. A prolific writer at 27, Lee is in the process of whittling down a wealth of great new material he’s penned since his successful self-titled debut. The album will document the soulful stylings of this exciting young singer/songwriter who is growing artistically by leaps and bounds.

Patricia Barber recently completed her second album since being signed directly to Blue Note Records. Following up her Live in France jaunt, Barber documented an ambitious suite, three years in the making, entitled "Mythologies". The extended work is inspired by Ovid’s "Metamorphoses" and contains a single song about each of the 11 Greek mythological characters in the work. The pieces will feature her working quartet along with guest appearances by a full choir and three children rapping.

Don Byron recorded his latest studio adventure this past December. This time around Byron approached the music of legendary bluesman Junior Walker. The date featured vocalist Dean Bowman, guitarist David Gilmore, George Colligan on organ, bassist Brad Jones, and drummer Rodney Holmes. Very special guest vocalist/actor Chris Thomas King ("O Brother Where Art Thou?", "Ray") joined the line up on a few select cuts.

Joe Lovano began recording his latest installment for Blue Note Records this past December as well. The date consisted, in part, of a re-exploration of Miles Davis’ Birth of the Cool album orchestrated by the legendary Gunther Schuller. This recording features Lovano’s Nonet plus a larger orchestrated group and reunites Lovano and Schuller for the first time on record since their modern classic Rush Hour which was released on Blue Note in 1995.
Joe Lovano & Hank Jones off the success of Joe Lovano’s two wonderful quartet records featuring the legendary Hank Jones, Blue Note Records will embark on a special one- off album. Lovano & Jones will perform as a duo beginning April 25th at Dizzy’s club @ Jazz at Lincoln Center and we will be running tape for this joyous encounter.

Wynton Marsalis will go into the studio in a few months to record his fourth release for Blue Note Records. This time around Wynton will be documenting an extend work still in progress entitled "From the Plantation to the Penitentiary". The musicians have not been confirmed yet but will most likely be a quartet or quintet joined by young chanteuse Jennifer Sanon on vocals. Delfeayo Marsalis will produce the affair which will begin on June 28-29 in NYC

Upcoming concert news…Smokey Robinson at the Palace Theatre in Marion, OH on April 22; Larry Coryell, Victor Bailey and Lenny White at Iridium in New York City on April 22-23; Lionel Ritchie, El Gran Combo and Brazilian percussionist Xande Cruz will appear at the 14th annual Sonoco Welcome America! Festival taking place June 27 – July 4 in Philadelpha PA.

The iTunes Music Download Store has expanded its catalog to 2.6 million songs, 60,000 podcasts and 9,000 music videos, in addition to about 70 TV shows.

THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER 2006 TOUR DATES

April 21: Birdland in New York, NY (Janis Siegel Solo date!)
April 22: Tri-C Jazz Festival in Cleveland, OH
April 23: Janis Siegel will be sitting in with WMU's vocal Jazz Ensemble Gold Company at Carnegie Hal.
April 28: The World Cafe in Philadelphia, PA (Janis Siegel Solo date!)
May 4: University of Arkansas in Fort Smith, AK (Unplugged)
May 5: Carlsen Center in Overland, KA (Unplugged)
May 6: University of Missouri in St. Joseph, MO (Unplugged)
May 7: Jesse Auditorium in Columbia, MO (Unplugged)
May 11-31: Janis Siegel Quartet European Tour (with Alan Pasqua on piano, Darek Oles on bass and Steve Hass on drums)
June 12: Seoul, Korea
June 14-17: Blue Note in Osaka, Japan
June 19-24: Blue Note in Tokyo, Japan
June 26-29: Blue Note in Nagoya, Japan
July 1: Hong Kong
July 3: Singapore
July 6: Manila, Philippines
July 17-20: Jazz Aspen Snowmass Summer Academy (Janis Siegel with The Eric Reed Trio)Aug. 3: Codroipo, Italy
Aug. 4: Peregine, Italy
Aug. 5: Budapest, Hungary
Aug. 7: Basel, Switzerland
Aug. 9: Haugesund, Norway
Aug.10: Jurmal, Latvia
Aug.12: Jurmala, Kaliningrad
Aug. 15: Follonica, Italy
Aug. 24: Wolfsboro, NH
Aug. 25: Manchester, VT
Aug. 26: Atlantic City, NJ
Aug. 27: West Hampton Beach, CT
Sept. 9: Joe's Pub (Janis Siegel Solo date!)
Sept. 28-30: Jazz Alley in Seattle, WA
Oct.1: Jazz Alley in Seattle, WA
Oct.7: Kennedy Center Jazz Club in Washington, DC (Janis Siegel Solo date!)
Oct.12-15: Bass Hall in Ft. Worth, TX (with Ft. Worth Symphony)
Oct.15: Worthington Hotel in Ft. Worth, TX
Oct 19: Nov 23 - in Europe
Dec.2: University of Las Vegas in Las Vegas, NV (Christmas Show)
Dec. 9: Salina, KS (Christmas Show)
Dec.14-17: Blue Note in New York, NY
Jan.13: Cerritos Center for the Arts in Cerritos, CA
Jan.14: McCallum Center for the Arts in Palm Desert, CA

BELA FLECK & THE FLECKTONES TO LAUNCH PLANET VOL. II TOUR

Bela Fleck & the Flecktones will begin their acoustic Planet Vol. II tour, which will begin June 23 in San Diego. The Flecktones will performed on April 20 at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York as part of the sixth-annual Jammy Awards. Their most recent album, The Hidden Land, debuted in March at No. 2 on Billboard's Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.

Acoustic Planet Vol. II tour dates:
June 23: San Diego (Humphrey's)
June 24: Los Angeles (Wiltern)
June 25: Saratoga, Calif. (Mountain Winery)
June 26: Santa Rosa, Calif. (Wells Fargo Center for the Arts)
June 27: Portland, Ore. (Crystal Ballroom)
June 28: Seattle (Moore Theater)
Aug. 7: Boston (Bank of America Pavilion)
Aug. 8: Hyannis, Mass. (Cape Cod Melody Tent)
Aug. 10: Burlington, Vt. (Shelbourne Farms)
Aug. 11: Danbury, Conn. (Ives Concert Park)
Aug. 12: Philadelphia (Penn's Landing)
Aug. 13: Vienna, Va. (Wolf Trap)
Aug. 14: Baltimore (Pier Six)
Aug. 16: Atlanta (Chastain Park)
Aug. 18: Cary, N.C. (Regency Park)

SANTA MONICA'S KCRW UPDATES PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

KCRW launched a brand new format for KCRWmusic.com. It’s now got more music, more global, more deejays, more information, plus two new podcasts. If you’ve been listening, you have probably noticed that things have sounded a little different in recent weeks. Here are a couple of things that will help you navigate through the change: to hear Morning Becomes Eclectic or Metropolis live, switch your streaming channel to the simulcast of KCRW’s on-air broadcast at the respective time; playlists for the live shows are at KCRW.com and playlists for KCRWmusic.com shows are at KCRWmusic.com (check the NOW PLAYING feature planted in the middle of the homepage); and if you live in New York, San Francisco or Washington, D.C. – you can win tickets to KCRW.com Presents shows from the new KCRWmusic.com site.
Here is the breakdown (each program is 2 hours and repeats 3 times a day – all times below are Pacific time).

Weekdays
New Ground with Chris Douridas (streams at Noon, 8PM, 4AM)
Morning Becomes Eclectic with Nic Harcourt (streams at 2PM, 10PM, 6AM)
Metropolis with Jason Bentley (streams at 4PM, Midnight, 8AM)
The A Track with Ann Litt (streams at 6PM, 2AM, 10AM)

Weekends
The Sound Garden with Kristina Anderson (streams at Noon, 8PM, 4AM)
Pop Secret with Cathy Tampkin (streams at 2PM, 10PM, 6AM)
Nocturna with Raul Campos (streams at 4PM, Midnight, 8AM)
Connections with Scott Silva (streams at 6PM, 2AM, 10AM)

KCRW has also added a new podcast: Today’s Top Tune. It’s a song a day that represents a cross section of KCRW’s eclectic format. Tracks selected are chosen from recent and upcoming releases as well as live performances on Morning Becomes Eclectic. Here’s a sampling of what’s coming on Today’s Top Tune (Artist, Song, Album):

April 20 – Plastilina Mosh, Baretta 90, Sounds Eclectico (KCRW)
April 21 – Gang of 4, Natural’s Not In It, Morning Becomes Eclectic Live Session
April 24 – Merz, Postcard From A Dark Star, Loveheart
April 25 – Mia Doi Todd, My Room Is White (Flying Lotus Remix), La Ninja
April 26 – Lila Downs, Cumia del Mole, La Cantina

Another new podcast is, The Buzz, a daily four minute commentary featuring a line-up of music critics and pop culture observers who will talk about the latest music industry news, trends and new releases as well as some entertaining personal reflections. On Mondays, music industry veteran Celia Hirshman considers the changes and trends happening in the music business in "On The Beat." On Tuesdays, KCRW’s CD Librarian Eric J. Lawrence scours the stacks of new or forgotten releases including a look at what’s in stores that week. Each Wednesday, KCRW commentator, TV writer/producer Rob Long adds his observations on the entertainment industry in "Martini Shot." Thursdays welcome a new voice to KCRW as music writer Brian Raftery comments on music trends and pop culture from New York City. Each Friday, freelance music writer Nancy "Millions" Miller considers the personal and humorous side of music and life. The Buzz streams everyday during Morning Becomes Eclectic at 3PM, 11PM, and 7AM, or if you prefer you can subscribe to the podcast or listen when you want.

ELECTRO BOSSA DOUBLE SET, GILLES PETERSON & JAZZANOVA 'KINGS OF JAZZ', OTTAWA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL, DAVID SANBORN &, BLU 102.9 & MORE...

The double-set CD Electro Bossa combines mid tempo Brazilian Bossa with modern-day electronica. Standouts on Electro Bossa are the tracks that feature the sweet and sexy vocals of Graca Cunha, and theses include Sem Voc, Terra & Ceu, and Arrepio & Avia. Other songs include the ambient Acabou A Tristeza, and the 70’s latin fusion vibe of Balanco Do Trem, which is reminiscent of Santana.

David Sanborn, Spyro Gyra, and Regina Belle headline the CD101.9 (WQCD-FM) Spring Concert being held on May 19 in New York. CD101.9 is also sponsoring the 20th Anniversary CD101.9 Red Bank Jazz and Blues Festival, which is being presented by Washington Mutual on June 2-4.

Guitarist Matt Marshak will bring his funky mix of jazz, smooth grooves and world rhythms to the Imac Theatre in Huntington, New York on April 28. His new CD is entitled Groovosphere.

Gilles Peterson and Jazzanova team up to present the compilation Kings Of Jazz, a chronicle of the fusion side of jazz – from yesterday to today. Tracks on the 2-CD package include Randy Weston’s In Memory Of; Art Blakely’s Anthenagin; John Coltrane’s Equinox; Eric Dolphy’s Fire Waltz; Bill Evans’ Peace Piece; 4 Hero’s Spirits In Transit; Nikki O’s Butterflies; Two Banks Of Four’s Two Miles Before Dawn; and Matthew Herbert Big Band/Jamie Lidell’s Everything’s Changed.

The 26th Ottawa International Jazz Festival gets underway June 22- July 2 with headliners Jamie Cullum, John Pizzarelli, Hilton Ruiz, McCoy Tyner, Maceo Parker, Bedouin Soundclash, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. This year’s festival will feature concerts spread at locations in and around downtown Ottawa. For more information go to www.ottawajazzfestival.com.

Palace Lounge Presents Café D’Afrique is a compilation from South African producer Andrew Mitchley. Melding seamlessly in this non-stop mix is a distinct and seductive palette of vocals and jazz-influences electronica. South African artists included on Café D’Afrique include Cofield Mundi, Dino Moran and Goldfish. Already the #1 selling dance music collection in South Africa, Café D’Afrique is a fresh musical addition to the chill out lounge genre that gives these artists their long overdue introduction to US listeners.

Santa Fe’s Chill Radio Station, KLBU (blu102.9) presents Gilles Peterson Worldwide every Sunday night at 5PM with a rebroadcast Wednesdays at 9PM. It’s the same show that Gilles Peterson does on BBC1.

NEW MUSIC DOWNLOAD SERVICE LAUNCHES - FRESHTRACKS MUSIC.COM

While the evolution of digital downloading over the past decade has made music file sharing easier than ever, no company has yet introduced an affordable subscription-based service that allows music fans to legally download unlimited, unrestricted MP3 files -- until now. FreshTracksMusic, a Chicago-based digital downloading company, is turning the digital downloading world on its ear with http://www.FreshTracksMusic.com . By visiting the Web site, music enthusiasts can discover and stream thousands of songs from the best independent bands in the country for free. Those wishing to take the music with them can pay only $4.95 per month for unlimited downloads of unencrypted, iPod-compatible MP3s they will own for life.

"We have created an innovative approach to digital downloading in FreshTracksMusic.com that will fill the gap between today's music industry and its most valuable audience, music fans," said John Wanzung, President of FreshTracksMusic. "Our digital downloading hub provides music fans with a diverse selection of music and offers a way for them to discover and download as many iPod-compatible MP3s as they wish for one low, flat fee." FreshTracksMusic has developed a dynamic technology platform to allow the file-sharing generation to easily, inexpensively and legally download new music. Thanks to a comprehensive network and more than 15 years ofexperience working in the music industry, FreshTracksMusic has earned the attention of, respect from and access to dozens of new artists long before the major labels discovered their talent including the likes of Jack Johnson, O.A.R., G. Love and the Special Sauce, Creed, Dispatch, Marc Broussard, The Verve Pipe (Brian Vander Ark) and Slightly Stoopid.

PAUL HARDCASTLE & THE JAZZMASTERS, CTI RECORDS MASTER COLLECTIONS, BLUE MAGIC, NICOLA CONTE, DIANNE REEVES, ERNEST RANGLIN, BILLY PAUL & MORE...

The 20th Annual Catalina Island Jazztrax Festival is set for October 6-8, 13-15, and 20-22. Paul Hardcastle and the Jazzmasters featuring Chris Standring, Shilts and Gregg Karukus are scheduled for the first weekend of their world premiere performances. Also appearing Oct. 6-8 will be Richard Elliot, Marc Antoine, Tim Bowman and Kim Waters. Paul Hardcastle and the Jazzmasters will return for the second weekend of performances (Oct. 13-15) along with Brian Culbertson, Tim Bowman, Eric Darius, Nick Colionne and Brian Simpson. The 3rd festival weekend (Oct. 20-22) will include performances by Mindi Abair, Eric Darius, Brian Simpson, Nils, Nick Colionne, Kyle Eastwood and Guitars & Saxes featuring Peter White, Richard Elliot, Gerald Albright and Jeff Golub.

Thievery Corporation are planning a special DJ set in New Orleans during the Jazz Fest. The appearance will preview the release of the new remix album, Versions, out on May 16. You can catch them on May 3 @ The Republic Nightclub in New Orleans and on July 23 @ The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The Bowl appearance is being presented by one of our favorite radio stations, KCRW.

The CTI Records Master Collections of remastered CD releases are finally seeing the light of day featuring the best jazz and funk releases from the 1970’s. Included in the first round of releases are CD’s from George Benson, Stanley Turrentine, Milt Jackson, Freddie Hubbard, Deodato and Esther Philips.

Smooth soul group Blue Magic has released a 4-CD collection entitled Collectables Classics, which features the albums Blue Magic, Live!, The Magic Of The Blue and Thirteen Magic Lane.

New from Concord recording artist Karrin Allyson is the CD Footprints.

Legacy Records will release The Great American Songbook from Billie Holiday on July 18. Legacy also plans The Great American Songbook for both Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong, also on July 18.

Nicola Conte is making his long awaited return to the states for a small run of DJ shows in May. Tour stops include: May 25 @ Cielo, New York, NY; May 26 @ Eighteenth Street Lounge , Washington, DC; May 28 @ Mosaic, Baltimore, MD; and June 2 @ La Santanera, Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Upcoming Jazz albums are due to be released in the coming months from artists Billy Griffin, File Under G, Monet, Eric Person, Shilts, Vernon Reid, Masque, Frank McComb and SounDoctrine .

Six of Carmen McRae’s albums have been assembled for a 5-CD box set (Collectables Classics). The albums are The Art Of Carmen McRae, For Once In My Life, Just A Little Lovin’, Something Wonderful, Sound Of Silence, and Portrait Of Carmen.

Peter White has been scheduled to perform on October 5 at the new Jaxxtrax Festival known as Unplugged at the Wrigley Ranch Night on Catalina Island (CA). The new festival is being presented by Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel.

London-based and Sao Paolo raised singer Cibelle is releasing her second album on May 2. Cibelle burst on the scene in 2003 with her beautiful, smokey voice on her self-titled debut. Her new album, The Shine of Dried Electric Leaves, is a quiet masterpiece, full of inventive and quirky arrangements. It combines rootsy acoustic instrumentation and electronic processing along with textural soundscapes and pure melodies.

Ernest Ranglin, Third World, Sean Paul, Sly and Robbie, Buju Banton, Toots and the Maytals, and Burning Spear are among the nominees of this years 25th Silver Anniversary of The International Reggae and World Music Awards. Grammy Award winning artist Damien Marley (youngest son of Bob Marley) will perform at the ceremony which will be held at the World Famous Apollo Theatre on May 6. Marley will be joined by an elite roster of performing artists for this event which include Marcia Griffiths, among many others. See www.irawma.com for a full list of nominees and event information.

Dianne Reeves, the Spinners and Dr. John are among the acts that will perform as part of New York’s annual River to River Festival this summer. The shows are free and are held at Battery Park, South Street Seaport and the World Financial Center.

Gerald Albright is joined by a host of guest musicians on his latest CD, New Beginnings. They include Jeff Lorber, Paul Jackson, Jr., Teddy Campbell, Patrice Rushen, Chris Botti and Walter and Wallace Scott of the Whispers. The Scott brothers appear for a fresh arrangement of the Whispers And The Beat Goes On. On this CD, Gerald Albright delivers a nice mix of smooth jazz and instrumental grooves on his Peak Records debut.

Billy Paul and Hugh Masekela are among those appearing at this year’s Cape May Jazz Festival being held April 21-23 in Cape May, NJ. For more information go to www.capemayjazz.com.

Norman Brown’s Summer Storm 2006 tour are booking dates for their coming tour and here is what has been confirmed thus far: May 20 @ Lexus Jazz Festival, Newport Beach, CA; June 4 @ Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD; June 17 @ Radisson Hotel, Sacramento, CA; June 24 @ Coors amphitheatre, Englewood, CO; July 19 @ Chene Park, Detroit, MI; August 12 @ Robert Mondavi Winery, Oakville, CA; August 18 @ Boulder Station Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV; August 19 @ Wilson Creek Winery, Temecula, CA; August 20 @ Hollywood Bowl/JVC Jazz Festival, Hollywood, CA; September 4 @ Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay, CA; and December 31 @ Hyatt Regency, Huntington Beach, CA.

Upcoming New York area appearances include Nouvelle Vague with DJ Ray Velasquez at Irving Plaza on April 21; Norman Jay at Cielo on April 23; Seu Jorge with Chris Berry and Panjea at Irving Plaza on April 27; and Mylo DJ set at the Hiro Ballroom on May 10.

RENDEZVOUS RELEASES NEW PHILIPPE SAISSE CD AND OFFERS FREE MUSIC DOWNLOADS

Philippe Saisse’s first Rendezvous release The Body And Soul Sessions hits stores today. Look out for Philippe on tour this summer with other Rendezvous artists Marc Antoine and Michael Lington. We are also happy to report that Dave Koz’s Rendezvous Entertainment label now has its entire catalog being carried by eMusic.com. If you start a free trail at eMusic.com, you can download 50 free songs by a Rendezvous Entertainment artist. See the eMusic.com ad link below for more information.

CHICAGO TO HIT THE ROAD THIS SUMMER IN SUPPORT OF NEW RELEASE CHICAGO XXX

Prolific hit-makers and perennial live favorite Chicago are gearing up for a national tour hitting more than 30 cities across the United States. The tour kicks off with a June 9th show at Concord, California's Chronicle Pavilion and culminates on July 29th at Holmdel, New Jersey's PNC Bank Arts Center. Tickets go on sale starting Saturday, April 22. A complete list of dates is below.

Chicago is celebrating its 30th album, Chicago XXX, which was just released by Rhino/Warner Bros. Produced by Jay DeMarcus of the superstar country group Rascal Flatts, Chicago XXX begins a new chapter in Chicago's history. The forthcoming single is Love Will Come Back, which includes the members of Rascal Flatts and will certainly add to the band's long list of extraordinary accomplishments: 40 gold and platinum awards, 20 Top 10 singles and 5 Number One albums. In fact, Chicago is the first American rock band to chart a Top 40 album in 5 consecutive decades. This year, the Grammy-winning Chicago is touring for the 40th straight year.

DATE CITY VENUE
Fri Jun-09 Concord Chronicle Pavilion
Sat Jun-10 Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara Bowl
Sun Jun-11 San Diego - Bayside at the Embarcadero
Tue Jun-13 Los Angeles - The Greek Theatre
Fri Jun-16 Irvine - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Sat Jun-17 Phoenix - Cricket Pavilion
Sun Jun-18 Albuquerque - Journal Pavilion
Tue Jun-20 Denver - Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Thu Jun-22 Oklahoma - City Zoo Amphitheatre
Fri Jun-23 Dallas - Smirnoff Music Centre
Sat Jun-24 San Antonio -Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Sun Jun-25 Houston - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Wed Jun-28 Cincinnati - Riverbend Music Center
Thu Jun-29 Cleveland - Tower City Amphitheater
Fri Jun-30 Columbus - Germain Amphitheatre
Sat Jul-01 Chicago - Charter One Pavilion
Sun Jul-02 Detroit - DTE Energy Music Theatre
Wed Jul-12 West Palm Beach - Sound Advice Amphitheatre
Thu Jul-13 Tampa - Ford Amphitheatre
Fri Jul-14 Charlotte - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Sat Jul-15 Raleigh - ALLTEL Pavilion
Sun Jul-16 Virginia Beach - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Tue Jul-18 Atlanta - Chastain Park Amphitheatre
Thu Jul-20 Hartford - Dodge Music Center
Fri Jul-21 Pittsburgh - Post Gazette Pavilion
Sat Jul-22 Camden - Tweeter Center at the Waterfront
Sun Jul-23 Saratoga Springs - Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Tue Jul-25 Boston- Bank of America Pavilion
Wed Jul-26 Boston - Bank of America Pavilion
Fri Jul-28 Wantagh- Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
Sat Jul-29 Holmdel - PNC Bank Arts Center