NU LATIN JAZZ SONGSTRESS MALENA PEREZ RELEASES ‘STARS’

Malena Pérez's STARS is one of those rare gems that you find and tell the world about. Hailing from Atlanta's vibrant music scene and now residing in Brooklyn, NY, the nu Latin jazz songstress draws upon various musical influences such as Minnie Riperton, Flora Purim, Omara Portuondo and Sade, creating a unique sound that is soulful, organic and sensual. Raised by a Cuban father who started a Latin music series at Atlanta's public radio station WRFG in the late 70's and a mother of German descent who was a pianist and organist, Malena grew up around music. Her debut single, Free To Fly introduced the bilingual vocalist and her jazzy latin grooves to the house music scene in 2004, immediately making her an artist to watch.

On her debut album STARS, released on her own Cubanita Groove label, Malena fuses downtempo and progressive nu-jazz sounds with Afro-Cuban percussion and rhythms. The lead-off single is the meditative, inspirational Chase The Butterflies, which is also reprised on STARS with a Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez (Masters At Work) remix fusing the tender soulfulness of the original with bumping deep-house beats. Another highlight, Praise The Day, showcases Malena's angelic, soulful vocals over a spicing of Latin drumming with sultry beats courtesy of Osunlade. Elsewhere, the self-written album features production work and collaborations with Carlos Niño (Ammoncontact, Build An Ark, The Life Force Trio), Alix Alvarez (SOLE Channel Music) and Michael Johnson (KetchaVibe). STARS is an introspective, refreshingly pretty and uplifting album that is a true expression of Malena's soul and heralds the arrival of a new world talent in style and grace.

THIEVERY CORPORATION ADDS NEW SHOWS TO TOUR SCHEDULE

Thievery Corporation has added more shows to their fall touring schedule as they have just added is a pre-Lollapalooza show at the Metro in Chicago with Husky Rescue and Govinda on Friday, August 4th. Thievery Corporation is also set to return to the Austin City Limits Music festival this September.

Thievery Corporation Upcoming Tour Dates
7/18: @ Moore Theatre, Seattle, WA
7/19: @ Roseland Theater, Portland, OR
7/20: @ The Concourse, San Francisco, CA
7/21: @ 4th & B, San Diego, CA
7/22: @ 4th & B, San Diego, CA
7/23: @ The Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA (w/ The Flaming Lips & Os Mutantes)
8/4: @ The Metro, Chicago, IL (w/ Husky Rescue & Govinda)
8/5: @ Lollapalooza (Grant Park), Chicago, IL
8/25: @ Hunter Mountain, Music Tent, NY (DJ Set with The Roots, Brazilian Girls, The Disco Biscuits)
9/14: @ Austin City Limits, Austin, TX

RYUICHI SAKAMOTO TO RELEASE ‘BRICOLAGES’ REMIX PROJECT

Academy and Grammy award-winning composer and musician Ryuichi Sakamoto returned to his electropop roots with the 2005 release of his 15th solo project, Chasm. Now Sakamoto has turned the files over to 13 electronic artists for their stunning take on this critically acclaimed release. Bricolages is the first Ryuichi Sakamoto Remix Project Since ‘98’s critically acclaimed Prayer / Salavation & Anger / Grief Series. Bricolages features new interpretations of tracks by previous Sakamoto collaborators including Cornelius, Fennesz, and Alva Noto, and marks the first work with artists like Craig Armstrong, Richard Devine, Rob da Bank and Slicker.

Sakamoto has made a career of crossing musical and technological boundaries and has experimented with, and excelled in, many different musical styles, making a name for himself in popular, orchestral, and film music. With Chasm Sakamoto set out to combine the many sides of his complex musical personality, "My music has been acoustic or electronic, classical or non-classical, somehow always divided largely into two types. My own goal for a long time has been to somehow fuse these into one music rather than juxtaposing them. I feel that this time, with Chasm, I’ve gotten the closest to resolving the issue," Sakamoto says.

Sakamoto's best-known work is probably the soundtrack to Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, but in 1987, his score for Bertolucci's "The Last Emperor" won him an Oscar, a Grammy, a Golden Globe, as well as the New York, Los Angeles and British Film Critics Association awards for best original soundtrack. Bricolages was Executive Produced by Ryuichi Sakamoto in association with Norika Sora(sky), Evan Balmer, Justin Kleinfeld and Eric Giambertone. Release is set for September 19, 2006.

Bricolages track listing:
1. "War & Peace" (AOKI Takamasa Remix)
2. "Undercooled" (Skuli Sverrisson Remix)
3. "War&Peace" (Cornelius Remix)
4. "20 msec." (Fennesz Remix)
5. "Undercooled" (Alva Noto remodel)
6. "World Citizen" (Taylor Deupree Remix)
7. "Only Love Can Conquer Hate" (snd. Remix)
8. "Seven Samurai" (Richard Devine Remix)
9. "Word" (Rob Da Bank & Mr. Dan Remix)
10. "20 msec." (Craig Armstrong Remix)
11. "NGO/bitmix" (Slicker Remix)
12. "Break With" (Steve Jansen Remix)
13. "Motopiate" (Thomas Knak)

SMOOTH JAZZ CD101.9 PRESENTS THE LIBERTY JAZZ FESTIVAL

New York’s CD101.9 (WQCD-FM) is sponsoring the upcoming Liberty Jazz Festival being held on September 9 and 10 at Liberty State Park in New Jersey. Performers lined up for this event include Norman Brown, Patti Austin, Alex Bugnon, Paul Taylor, Gato Barbieri, Stanley Jordan, Wayman Tisdale, Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler and Brian Simpson.

CANDY DULFER & JASON MILES TOUR DATES & MORE…

Candy Dulfer is planning to hit the road with more dates confirmed for the year (and beyond). First she heads off for a series of California dates as she is joined by her band and featuring Jason Miles. Then in October she heads off to Japan for a Blue Note club tour, and finally in 2007 she joins the Smooth Jazz Cruise to the Caribbean.

Here are her confirmed tour dates…
July 22 – Pasadena, CA @ Old Pasadena Jazz Fest
July 23 – Pasadena, CA @ Old Pasadena Jazz Fest
July 28 – Las Vegas, NV @ Santa Fe Station Casino
July 29 – Healdsburg, CA @ Rodney Strong Vinery
July 30 – Oceanside, CA @ Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre
Oct 11 – Osaka, Japan @ Blue Note
Oct 12 – Osaka, Japan @ Blue Note
Oct 13 – Nagoya, Japan @ Blue Note
Oct 14 – Nagoya, Japan @ Blue Note
Oct 16 – Tokyo, Japan @ Blue Note
Oct 17 – Tokyo, Japan @ Blue Note
Oct 18 – Tokyo, Japan @ Blue Note
Oct 20 – Tokyo, Japan @ Blue Note
Oct 21 – Tokyo, Japan @ Blue Note
Jan 28-Feb 4, 2007 – All Star Smooth Jazz Cruise 2007 – Galveston, TX and sailing to Montego Bay, Jamaica and Grand Cayman, the Cayman Islands

INDIA.AIRE HITS #1 WITH NEW ALBUM – TESTIMONY: VOL. 1, THE LIFE AND RELATIONSHIP

12-time Grammy nominee India.Arie enters the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart this week at #1 with her third studio album Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship on Universal Motown Records. The acclaimed release was produced by longtime collaborators Shannon Sanders and Mark Batson (Seal, Beyonce), among others and has been receiving universal critical acclaim. Entertainment Weekly says "Testimony may just be your cup of decaffeinated jasmine tea" while VIBE Magazine describes it as "pensive and poetic," The album's first video, I Am Not My Hair, helmed by Barnaby Roper (Moby, Razorlight) has become a staple on both VH1 and BET.

"This is a great milestone for India.Arie and the entire Universal Motown team," stated Sylvia Rhone, President of Universal Motown Records. "The #1 debut of Testimony ... is a powerful testament to the unique bond she has with her audience, as well as affirming India.Arie's rightful place as one of our culture's most uplifting and empowering artists." Testimony ... is also being hailed as a more personal expression from the singer/songwriter, with People Magazine calls the CD "inspirational" and Glamour Magazine names it among "Songs to Download Now" in their July 2006 issue. India.Arie recently completed an international promotional tour for the new disc, drawing raves in Europe: "Another earthy uplifting testimony of empowerment" (New Nation 6/12), "This magnificent return shows her at her very best (Mirror, 6/9) and "With Testimony, the world will be a better place." (Daily Star, 6/7) where she previewed the startling repertoire of new songs.

India.Arie emerged onto the music scene in 2001 with her platinum plus debut Acoustic Soul. A masterful meditation on self-acceptance and womanhood, she was dubbed the new "neo-soulstress" by no less than Newsweek Magazine, praising her as "one of the freshest talents to come out of 2001," the emotive singer went on to be nominated for seven Grammys for her debut album, and subsequently has won a host of awards including 2 Grammys, 3 NAACP Awards, as well as being recognized by BET, Billboard Magazine, MTV, VH1 and Essence Magazine, among others.

2002's Voyage To India cemented her rep as a seminal singer/songwriter, netting her 4 Grammy nominations and two statues. With more than six million albums sold, she most recently was nominated for her 12th Grammy in the Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals category for her writing collaboration with Stevie Wonder on the title song of his most recent album, A Time To Love.

India.Arie is also a U.S. Ambassador for UNICEF and is universally recognized as a tireless champion of social and humanitarian causes around the world. She recently returned from a trip to South Africa where she observed and assisted humanitarian efforts taking place in the epicenter of the global AIDS crisis. She has performed with numerous artists including Sting, Elton John, Sade, Aaron Neville and Sergio Mendes to name a few and has collaborated with many others including; Stevie Wonder, John Mellencamp, Bonnie Raitt, Keb Mo, Rascal Flatts, Cassandra Wilson, and Elmo. She has also written songs for several movie soundtracks including Good Man for We Were Soldiers, Eyes of the Heart for Radio, Get It Together for Shark Tale and Purify Me for Diary of a Mad Black Woman.

India.Arie is currently on tour and will be the featured musical guest on Late Night With David Letterman, July 28.

TOWER RECORDS UNVEILS ‘TOWER RECORDS DIGITAL’ DIGITAL DOWNLOAD STORE

Tower Records, America's leading independent music and entertainment retailer, this week unveiled 'Tower Records Digital,' a music download store at Tower.com/Digital. As the most recent addition and the primary component of Tower's integrated digital media strategy, the digital music store complements its traditional retail stores, e-commerce, podcasting, and TouchView in-store kiosk presence. For over 45 years, Tower has strived to offer its customers the best selection of music available in every format imaginable. As one of the first retailers to move online in 1995, Tower soon began streaming RealAudio samples on its Tower.com site and selling 99 cent digital downloads in the Liquid Audio format well before the current craze. Tower's digital media strategy has progressed considerably in the past year by adding TouchView interactive digital music kiosks to all of its retail stores, partnering with MySpace.com for "Secret Shows," and launching the first podcasting network by a traditional retailer at TowerPod.com in March.

The launch of Tower Records Digital marks the next step in maintaining Tower's proud tradition of retailing music and entertainment, while rounding out Tower's comprehensive digital media strategy. Tower Records Digital was designed under three basic mandates: Make it easy to use, make it promotionally robust and provide better sound quality. The result is Tower Records Digital, a download destination that features digital tracks encoded at 192 kbps. It is designed as an intuitive website that easily enables Tower to bundle special promotion downloads with traditional media purchases. Tower Records Digital is powered by Puretracks, one of North America's leading digital service providers. Individual music downloads are 99¢ each and full albums begin at $9.99 each. Just like Tower stores nationwide, Tower Records Digital offers a comprehensive selection of music that our customers have come to expect, encompassing all genres of music: Pop, Rock, Hip-Hop, R&B, Country, Jazz, Classical, Blues, Electronica, World, Gospel and more. In addition, the site features 30-second song samples and the easy to browse product pages that include biographies, similar artists, artist influences, and artist followers. Additionally, new music discovery is facilitated through special tabs that highlight the Top 100, E-singles, Indie, and this week's New Releases. In the coming months, Tower Records Digital will also feature special download promotions in tandem with the "Next Big Thing" and "This Week @ Tower" - promotional programs that occur in Tower stores nationwide.

The majority of download sites serve up 128 kbps tracks to their customers, however, Tower Records Digital features all of its tracks at 192 kbps, differentiating itself with the highest quality audio downloads that are of noticeably better sound quality than the competition. Quite simply, Tower Records Digital sounds better. "With Tower Records Digital, we wanted to offer our customers a simple and intuitive way to download high-quality music," stated Jason Munyon, VP of Business Development, Tower Records. "Since 1960, Tower Records has been the leader in music and entertainment. Having the highest quality sound is as important to us as it is to our customers. Sound quality is one of the primary reasons we chose to partner with Puretracks." "Tower's ability to bundle products is also a key differentiator," continues Mr. Munyon. "We can now provide a digital music bonus or exclusive tied to the purchase of a CD or album download, offering a more integrated experience across multiple channels to our valued customers."

A LISTING OF THE BEST RELEASES IN AMBIENT, BOSSA, BROKEN BEATS, CHILLOUT, DOWNTEMPO, DRUMnBASS, ELECTRONICA, FUNK, GROOVE, HOUSE, JAZZ, LATIN & LOUNGE

AKMusique – La Vie Du Lounge
Afterdark: Montreal (Various Artists)
Alif Tree – French Cuisine
An Exciting House Mix (Various Artists)
Aqua Bassino – Rue De Paris
Atlantic Jazz, Vol. 2 (Various Artists)
BBC Sessions, Vol. 1 (Various Artists)
Bamboos – Step It Up
Bar Lounge Classics (Various Artists)
Buddha Bar, Vol. 8 (Various Artists)
Christina Lux – Coming Home At Last
Club Des Beluges – Apricoo Soul
Compost Blacklabel Series, Vol.1 (Various Artists)
Coup De Bam – Coup De Bam
Dalminjo – One Day You Will Dance For Me
Darondo – Let My People Go
Dealers Of Nordic Blueprints Music # 1 (Various Artists)
Defected In The House – Miami 6 (Various Artists)
Diesler – Keepie Uppies
Dipper – Sleepless Nights
Donald McCollum – I Don’t Want My Love
Dubtribe – The 3rd Creation
Easy Beats (Various Artists)
Electric Pussycat (Various Artists)
Fila Brazilia – Retrospective (1990-2006)
Freerange Colour Series: Red (Various Artists)
Frequent Flyer: Red Eye (Various Artists)
G-Lounge Milano, Vol. 3 (Various Artists)
Gabin feat. Edwyn Collins – Mr. Freedom
Ganesh – Club 21
Gerd – Perspectives
Gilles Peterson – Gilles Peterson Back In Brazil
Gotan Project – Lunatico
Habitat Collection (Various Artists)
Harley & Muscle – A Decade Of Truth
Harvey Lindo – Kid Gloves: A Modaji Long Player
Headman – On
Hed Kandi: World Series Paris (Various Artists)
Hed Kandi: The Mix 2006 (Various Artists)
Hed Kandi: Nu Cool 2006 (Various Artists)
Housepacific, Vol. 3 (Various Artists)
House Of OM, Groove Junkies (Various Artists)
In The House Of Love (Various Artists)
Invisible Session – To The Powerful
Ipanemas – Samba Is Out Gift
Jamaram – Ookuchaka!
Jazz Vibes: Lounge Selection (Various Artists)
Jazzinvaders – In & Out
Joey Negro – The Trip feat. Various Artists
Joey Negro – The Trip Navigated By Joey Negro
KaRavan: Global Grooves & Spritual House (Various Artists)
Kate The Cat – Love
Kings Of Jazz (Various Artists)
Kyoto Jazz Massive – 10th Anniversary
Labrock Groove (Various Artists)
Lazy Days & Sundays, Vol. 1 (Various Artists)
Lazy Days & Sundays, Vol. 2 (Various Artists)
Le Rythme Abstait (Various Artists)
Lemongrass Garden (Various Artists)
Luca Mundaca – Day By Day
Lump – Dub
Machomovers – Bare, Deep And Long
Masters At Work – Soul Heaven (Various Artists)
Miedzy Nami Café (Varous Artists)
Mondodeluxe – Moods Deluxe
Monte La Rue Presents Deluxe 3 (Various Artists)
Muallem – Frankie Splits
Music For Cocktails (Various Artists)
Music For Coctails, Vol. 4 (Various Artists)
Nekta – Water The Flowers
New Gold Standard (Various Artists)
Nightmares On Wax – In A Space Outta Sound
Nostalgia 77 Octet – Seven’s & Eight
OM Lounge, Vol. 10 (Various Artists)
OM: Miami Compilation (Various Artists)
Prince Alec And Band – The New World
Purple Music Presents The Master Collection 3 (Various Artists)
Quantic – One Off’s Remixes & B Sides
Reel People – Second Guess
Sambass, Vol. 3 (Various Artists)
Sapporo Sound Motel – Musique Noir
Schwalm – Musikain
Shapes (Various Artists)
Shawn Lee & The Ping Pong Orchestra – Strings And Things
Silk Pearls – (Various Artists)
Skeewiff – Private Funktion
Smooth Moves, Vol. 3 (Various Artists)
Soulounge – Say It All
Southport Weekender (Various Artits)
Steve Williams – 4am
Sumo – The Danceband
Sunlightsquare – Urban Sessions
Supperclub, Vol. 10 (Various Artists)
Tape Five – Swingfood Mood
This Is How We Lounge, Vol. 2 (Various Artists)
Tokyo Project, The Collection (Various Artists)
Tosca - Souvenirs
Turntables On The Hudson, Vol. 6 (Various Artists)
Weeland – Nachhaus

BILLY GRIFFIN RESURFACES WTH NEW CD ‘LIKE WATER’ DUE IN AUGUST

First as the lead singer of the Miracles and writer of their biggest hit, Love Machine, and later as a solo artist singing hits like the European smash Hold Me Tighter in the Rain and Serious, Billy Griffin established himself as one of the great soul singer/songwriters of his generation. But it has been two decades since we've heard a new Billy Griffin album and his loyal following has been chompin' at the bit for quite awhile, waiting for the release of his new disc, Like Water. This new release will hopefully find its way onto smooth jazz and R N’B radio playlists as it is full of quality cuts about love and the emotional aspects of relationships. Release is set for sometime in August so stay tuned until then. In the meantime, cuts on the CD are Like Water, Forgive Me If You Can, All The Way To Love, Livin’ Déjà Vu, Oxygen, Weak, Be Unto My Lady, Oblivion, It’s Bad Karma, Joy And Happiness, Sincerity, and Like Water (Reprise).

THE BRAZILIAN GIRLS: NEW CD DUE & UPCOMING TOUR DATES

The Brazilian Girls’ new album, Talk To La Bomb, will have a release date of September 12 on the Verve Forecast label. The group is currently on tour with the following confirmed dates: July 6 at Club Soda in Montreal, Canada; July 7 at Festival Plaza in Ottawa, Canada; July 11 at Ft.Greene Park in Brooklyn, NY; July 23 at Artscape in Baltimore, MD; August 6 at N. Halsted Market Days in Chicago, Il; August 26 at Camp Bisco in Hunter Mountain, Hunter, NY; and September 14 at Spiegeltent in New York City for a special record release show.

BEAT KAESTLI IS ‘HAPPY, SAD & SATISFIED’

Beat Kaestli will play at The Bacchus Room in New York City on July 1, this after returning from a promotional tour for his new CD, Happy, Sad And Satisfied in Europe. Kaestli had a successful debut performance at The Jazz Standard in New York, and he now brings his unmistakable blend of Jazz and contemporary vibes to New York's East Village. His CD is still gaining acclaim, receiving great reviews in four major Jazz publications in Germany and Switzerland, while radio stations and local papers were supporting the tour with interviews, showcases and CD reviews. In the U.S., the CD was introduced on Rafe Gomez’s Groove Boutique, a nationally syndicated show from New York’s CD 101.9 Smooth Jazz.

THE ULTIMATE LUTHER VANDROSS COLLECTION COMING AUGUST 22

New from J, Epic and Legacy Records is the Luther Vandross compilation set The Ultimate Luther Vandross. The new CD will offer two previously unreleased songs by the late artist and is due Aug. 22. The 18-track set features hits such as A House Is Not a Home, Never Too Much and Take You Out. The unreleased tracks are lead single Shine, produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, and Got You Home. The compilation also includes several cuts from Vandross' last studio album, 2003's Dance With My Father, including the title track and a duet with Beyonce. That disc has since sold 2.5 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

THE CLARKE DUKE PROJECT CELEBRATE 25 YEARS SINCE THEY FIRST UNITED WITH A WORLD TOUR

Super-group The Clarke Duke Project are in the midst of a major US city and world-wide swing in celebration of 25 years since they united in 1981 to record their first self-titled album.

The Clarke Duke Project's hit, Sweet Baby, which reached the Pop Top 20 singles chart, helped to propel the album to the top of the jazz charts that year, and the song remains a top request on Smooth Jazz and Urban Adult radio formats. The duo went on to record The Clarke Duke Project Vol. 2 in 1983 and Project in 1988.

Demand for their special brand of jazz-funk continues to make the Clarke Duke Project, including Ron Brunner on drums and Phil Davis on synthesizers, one of the top touring attractions in the world. At each stop far in the tour, which began May 25 in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, critical acclaim has been heaped upon bassist Stanley Clarke and pianist/producer George Duke for their bold forays into funk, jazz, R&B and rock. Those elements have served Clarke and Duke well, both collectively and solo, through hundreds of musical undertakings and countless trips around the globe.

George Duke was recently inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame for his contributions to jazz and music over a nearly 40-year career. "The Jazz Hall of Fame honored one of the great contemporary jazz producers, composers, arrangers and artists, the phenomenally talented George Duke. He received the Jay McShann Lifetime Achievement Award for his many years of musical contributions to jazz, pop, R&B, Blues and classical music in America and internationally."

In the midst of the Clarke Duke Project tour, on June 27, George Duke released his 31st solo CD, In A Mellow Tone, which features such acclaimed musicians as drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, saxophonist Everette Harp, bassist Brian Bromberg and more stellar contributors. The CD showcases Duke's unique take on jazz standards and his own re-interpretations of his own compositions.

The Clarke Duke Project Tour:
June 30 - Montreux, Switzerland @ Montreux Jazz Festival
July 1 - Montreux, Switzerland @ Montreux Jazz Festival
July 2 - Madrid, Spain @ Festival de Jazz de Galapagar
July 5 - Cartegena, Spain @ Mar de Musica
July 8 - Tabarka, Tunisia @ Theatre de la Basilique de Tabarka
July 11 - Helsinki, Norway @ House of Cultire
July 12 - Hamburg, Germany @ tba
July 13 - Budapest, Hungary @ Millinaris
July 14 - North Sea Fest, Netherlands @ Ahoy Rotterdam
July 15 - Graz, Austria @ tba
July 16 - Naples, Italy @ Pomigliano Jazz Festival
July 19 - Riga, Latvia @ Riga Arena
July 21 - Moscow, Russia @ Ikra Club
July 22 - St. Petersburg, Russia @ Jazz Q Festival
July 23 - Wiesen, Austria @ Festivalgelande
July 28 - Tulalip, WA @ Tulalip Tribes Amphitheater
July 29 - Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theater
July 30 - Winter Park, CO @ Winter Park Jazz Festival
Aug 3 - Jacksonville, FL @ Florida Theater
Aug 4 - West Palm Beach, FL @ Kravis Center
Aug 5 - Gainesville, FL @- Philips Center for the Performing Arts
Aug 12- Long Beach, CA @ Long Beach Jazz Festival
Aug 18 - Richmond, VA @ Kanawha Plaza
Sept 8 - Lancaster, CA @ Lancaster Performing Arts Center
Sept 9 - Reno, NV @ Hawkins Amphitheater
Sept 10 - Guerneville, CA @ Jazz on the River

WAYMAN TISDALE RELEASES ‘WAY UP!’ & RENDEZVOUS ALL-STARS TOUR ITINERARY

Wayman Tisdale's new release Way Up! features special guests Eric Benet, Jonathan Butler, George Duke, Bob James, Jeff Lorber, Dave Koz & Kirk Whalum. Tisdale is currently touring as part of the Rendezvous All-Star tour with Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, and Brian Simpson.

Upcoming tour dates are as follows:
June 28 - Philadelphia, PA @ Arts On The Avenue, S. Broad St.
June 30 - Austin, TX @ One World Theater
July 3 - San Francisco, CA @ Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay
July 15 - Sacramento, CA @ Radisson Hotel
July 16 - Saratoga, CA @ The Garden Theater
July 21- St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant
Aug 8 - Las Vegas, NV @ Railhead at Boulder Station
Aug 6- Seattle, WA @ KWJZ Chateau Ste. Michelle Jazz FestivalAug 11- Long Beach, CA @ 19th Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival
Aug 12 - Temecula, CA @ Thornton Winery
Aug 18 - Memphis, TN @ Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
Aug 19 - Norfolk, VA @ Chrysler Hall Theater
Aug 20 - Little Rock, AK @ River Front Amphitheater
Sept 02 - Nashville, TN @ Music City Festival
Sept 10 - New York, NY @ Liberty Jazz Festival

NEW RELEASES OUT NOW FROM REGINA CARTER, HARVEY MASON, GEORGE DUKE, DAVID BENOIT, SOUL SOURCE PRODUCTION, WILL DOWNING, INDIA.ARIE & MORE

It’s been a while since we’ve reported on the latest and releases, so here goes a list of the titles we think might be of interest to you from the last couple of weeks worth of releases.

Al Green – 20th Century Masters: The Millenium Collection – The Best Of Al Green
Alan Hewitt – Metropolis
Alex De Grassi – Pure Alex De Grassi
Andrew Hill - Pax
Anna Christoffersson & Steve Dobrogosz – It’s Always You
Antonio Carlos Jobim – Sinfonia Do Rio De Janeiro
Antonio Carlos Jobim – The Unknown Antonio Carlos Jobim
Aretha Franklin – Legends Collection
Bernard Woma – Live At The Pito Bar
Bill Potts – Brasilia Nueve – How Insensitive
Black Uhuru with Sly & Robbie – Dubbin’ It Live (DVD)
Bob James – Lucky Seven
Bob James – Heads
Bobby Lyle – Hands On
Brad Mehldau Trio – House On Hill
Brand New Heavies – Get Used To It
Camille – Le Fil
Carol Riddick – Moments Like This
Carlos Munoz – Bossa Nova
Carmen McRae – Collectibles Classics
Carmen McRae – Fuel Presents An Introduction To Carmen McRae
Chi-Lites – Give More Power To The People – The Very Best Of The Chi-Lites
Choklate - Choklate
Corinne Bailey Rae – Corinne Bailey Rae
D Train – Miracles Of The Heart
D Train – In Your Eyes
Dave Grusin – 20th Century Masters: The Millenium Collection – The Best Of Dave Grusin
David Benoit – Full Circle
David Borsu - Insight
Dells – I Touched A Dream/Whatever Turns You On
Diane Schurr – Live In London
Dirindi – Canta Do Jobim
Dusty Springfield - Gold
Eddie Harris – Collectibles Classics
Eddie Russ – See The Light
Eldar – Daily Living: Live At The Blue Note
Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint – River In Reverse
Eric Dolphy Quintet with Herbie Hancock – Left Alone
Etta James – Don’t Go To Strangers
Frank McComb – 1995 Bootleg
Frank Sinatra Jr. – That Face
Fred Wesley & The Swing ‘N’ Jazz All-Stars – It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing
Freddy Cole – Because Of You
George Duke – In A Mellow Tone
Gwen McCrae – Gwen McCrae Sings TK
Harvey Mason – Marching In The Street
Heernt – Locked In A Basement
High Five Quintet – Jazz Desire
Hiram Bullock – Too Funky 2 Ignore
India.Aire – Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship
Jack DeJohnette, John Scofield & Larry Goldings: Trio Beyound – Saudades
Jamie Davis – It’s A Good Thing
Jay Geils – King Of Strings
Jazz Defektors – Jazz Defektors
Jean Terrell – I Had To Fall In Love
Jhelisa – Promitive Guide To Being There
Joao Donato – Quem E Quem
Joe Henderson - Milestone Profiles
John Coltrane – Soultrane
John Gorka – Pure John Gorka
John Lee Hooker – Cold As Ice
Jon Faddis - Teranga
Jonas Kullhammar Quartet – Son Of A Drummer
Jill Jenson – Jill Jenson
Keith Jarrett – Tokyo Solo 2002
Kenny Dope – Choice – A Collection of Classics (Various Artists)
Kieran Hebden – The Exchange Session
Kimberly Holloway – Kimberly Holloway
Larry Carlton – 20th Century Masters: The Millenium Collection – The Best Of Larry Carlton
Lou Rawls – The Very Best Of Lou Rawls: You’ll Never Find Another
Luis Quintero –Percussion Madness - Presented by Louis Vega
Luiz Bonfa & Eumir Deodato – Gentle Rain
Marcos Valle – O Compositor E O Cantor
Marcos Valle – Jet Samba
Marilyn Scott – Innocent Of Nothing
Michael Franks – Rendezvous In Rio
Michael Hedges – Pure Michael Hedges
Miles Davis – Walking’
Milton Nascimento – Milagre Dos Peixes
Milton Nascimento – Minas
Nene – Minuano/Bugre
Nightnoise – Pure Nightnoise
Nino Moschella – Fix
Nomo – New Tones
Nu Braz – Sonho Bossa
Orlando Marin – Out Of My Mind
Perry Joslin – Perry Joslin Project
Peter White – Playin’ Favourites
Phyllis Hyman – I Refuse To Be Lonely/Forever With You
Pieces Of A Dream – 30 Years (DVD)
Regina Carter – I’ll Be Seeing You
Rekid – Made In Menorca
Rob White – Let It Ride
Roberta Gambarini – Easy To Love
Sadao Watanabe – Cocktail For Two/See You In A Dream
Sandoz – Sandoz In Dub Chapter 2 – Live In The Earth
Scientist & Prince Jammy – Dub Landing Volume 1 & 2
Shakatak – Live At The Playhouse (DVD)
Shilts – Headboppin’
Shirley Bassey – Fuel Presents An Introduction To Shirley Bassey
Silvetti – Spring Rain
Smokey Robinson – Timeless Love
Soft Machine Legacy – New Morning: The Paris Concert (DVD)
Sonic Mechatronick Archestra – Overunity
Sonny Rollins – Milestone Propfiles
Soul Source Production (Kenichi Yanai) – He Knows His Place
Susanne Abbuehl – Compass
Thelonious Monk – Complete 1957 Riverside Recording
Tim Miaa- Racional Vol. 1
Tony Horowitz – Pay Y Amor
Triple Burner – Triple Burner
UB40 – UB40 (DVD)
Various Artists – Jazz Club – Jazz Remixed
Wayman Tisdale – Way Up!
Wes Montgomery – In Europe 1965
Will Downing – 20th Century Masters: The Millenium Collection – The Best Of Will Downing
Zu – Igneo

GWEN MCCRAE RERECORDS MIAMI HITS FROM THE 70S ON NEW CD

Gwen McCrae Sings TK is a surprisingly great new album from Gwen McCrae - one that has her returning to hit territory of years back, and re-recording older Miami soul hits from the 70s! The sound is far better than we could have hoped for -- very much in the older spirit of the TK label, thanks to production by George Perry and Henry Stone that keeps things simple, and which doesn't clutter up the tunes with too many modern flourishes. The musicians are all great too -- and include Perry, Little Beaver, Latimore, and Timmy Thomas - the last two of whom also sing on the record! Gwen's not only singing her own hits here either, but tracks by other TK artists like Betty Wright, Paulette Reaves, and Bobby Caldwell-- performed very nicely here in versions that are almost as great as the originals. Titles include Jazz Freak, What You Won't Do For Love, Rock Your Baby, Why Can't We Live Together, 90% Of Me Is You, Clean Up Woman, Honey Honey, You Gotta Love Me, Rockin Chair, Misty Blue, and Party Down.

GRAMMY-AWARD WINNING JAZZ TRUMPETEER CHRIS BOTTI TOUR TO INCLUDE DATES WITH EARTH, WIND & FIRE

Best-selling jazz trumpeter Chris Botti whose What Are You Doing For The Rest Of Your Life? won a 2006 Grammy award, will co-headline a series of shows with the legendary American funk ensemble Earth, Wind & Fire beginning July 18 in Boston as part of the trumpeter's ongoing 2006 tour (see itinerary following).

A full concert version of the critically-acclaimed Chris Botti Live with Orchestra & Special Guests, which is being aired as part of this year's PBS Pledge Week, is slated for DVD release on Tuesday, August 29. Columbia Records will release a new edition of Chris Botti's best-selling holiday album, December, premiering several new tracks including I Really Don't Want Much for Xmas, featuring Eric Benet on vocals, on Tuesday, October 17.

Chis Botti Live with Orchestra & Special Guests, shot December 1 and 2, 2005, over a Thursday - Friday run at LA's fabled Wilshire Theatre, inspired the Los Angeles Times music critic Don Heckman to write, "It was apparent, from the first notes Chris Botti played at the Wilshire Theatre on Friday, that the sold-out house was in for a special evening ... Botti's latest album, To Love Again, as well as the previously released When I Fall In Love features extraordinary lineups of vocal guest artists. Six showed up for the concert - Sting, Jill Scott, Paula Cole, Renee Olstead, Paul Buchanan and Gladys Knight - along with Burt Bacharach ... despite the inevitable audience excitement generated by the appearance of such vocal headliners and despite the artists' diversity of interpretations, it was Botti's virtuosic trumpet work, his inventive melody-making, his engaging onstage presence and his powerful band ... that ruled the evening ... "

During March Pledge Week, Chris Botti visited several local PBS affiliates including New York, Boston, Pittsburgh, and the New Jersey State Network to help support his PBS Pledge Drive special, Chris Botti Live with Orchestra & Special Guests (check your local listings). Funds raised during the debut broadcasts of Botti's concert special rivaled the totals generated by some of PBS pledge drives' most popular musical events. A major success across the country during the March Pledge Week, Chris Botti Live with Orchestra & Special Guests has been re-airing during June and may be seen later this year as part of PBS's August and December Pledge Weeks. In recent years, the PBS pledge drive specials have served as bellwether events, helping to establish mainstream visibility for top caliber musical artists including Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, and Charlotte Church.

Chris Botti has been steadily developing a reputation as one of the nation's most compelling jazz artists. In a review of Botti's performance at the JVC Jazz Festival show at Carnegie Hall, The New York Times wrote," the blond, dapper Mr. Botti, from Portland, Ore., belongs to a long line of trumpeters who are also popular entertainers. His recent album, To Love Again (Columbia), features ... trumpet-and-voice collaborations with Sting, Michael Buble, Jill Scott and (in the most unlikely team-up) Steven Tyler. Mr. Botti ... and his band, whose main man, the pianist Billy Childs, alternated between synthesizer and acoustic piano, performed sprawling, echo-heavy arrangements of songs ranging from Leonard Cohen's Thousand Kisses to Flamenco Sketches from Miles Davis' Kind of Blue, the classic record that started it all."

Chris Botti Tour Dates
June 24 - Charleston WV @ University Of Charleston
June 28 - London UK @ Ronnie Scotts
June 29 - London UK @ Ronnie Scotts
June 30 - London UK @ Ronnie Scotts
July 01 - London UK @ Ronnie Scotts
July 02 - Glasgow UK @ Royal Bank Glasgow Festival
July 08 - Montreal Que @ Montreal Jazz Festival
July 11 - Istanbul Turkey @ Istanbul Jazz Fest
July 12 - Istanbul Turkey @ Istanbul Jazz Fest
July 13 - Warsaw Poland @ Park Sowinskiego
July 14 - Poznan PO @ Stary Bowkar
July 15 - Montreux Ch @ Montreux Jazz Festival
July 16 - Rotterdam Ne @ North Sea Jazz Festival
July 18 - Boston MA @ Bank One w/EWF
July 20 - Wantagh NY @ Jones Beach Amph w/EWF
July 21 - Holmdel NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center 2/EWF
July 22 - San Francisco CA @ Davis Symphony Hall 2
July 23 - Bethel NY @ Bethel PAC
July 24 - Saratoga Springs NY @ SPAC w/EWF
July 30 - Detroit MI @ Meadow Brook Music Festival
Aug 01 - Cleveland OH @ Tower City Amph w/EWF
Aug 02 - Columbus OH @ Germain Amphitheatre w/EWF
Aug 04 - Portland OR @ Mt. Hood Jazz Fest
Aug 06 - Wallingford CT @ Chevrolet Theatre w/EWF
Aug 08 - Bethlehem PA @ Muzikfest
Aug 09 - Chicago IL @ Charter One w/EWF
Aug 10 - Kettering OH @ Fraza Pavilion w/D. Sanborn Band
Aug 11 - Atlanta GA @ Chastain Park
Aug 12 - Dallas TX @ Smirnoff w/EWF
Aug 13 - San Antonio TX @ Verizon w/EWF
Aug 18 - Irvine CA @ Verizon w/EWF
Aug 19 - Canandaigua NY @ PAC
Aug 21 - Jacksonville OR @ Britt Fest w/ Symphony
Aug 22 - San Diego CA @ Bayside w/EWF
Aug 23 - Santa Barbara CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl w/EWF
Aug 24 - Concord CA @ Chronicle Pavilion w/EWF
Aug 25 - Park City UT @ Park City Jazz Fest
Aug 26 - Phoenix AZ @ Cricket w/EWF
Aug 28 - Denver CO @ City Lights w/EWF
Aug 29 - Denver CO @ Botanical Gardens
Sept 01 - Charlotte NC @ Verizon Wireless Amph w/EWF
Sept 03 - Tampa FL @ Ford Amphitheatre w/EWF
Sept 04 - West Palm Beach FL @ Sound Advice w/EWF
Sept 06 - Vienna VA @ The Filene Ceneer-Wolftrap
Sept 08 - Staten Island NY @ St. George Theatre
Sept 16 - Henderson NV @ Lake Las Vegas Resort
Sept 17 - Monterey CA @ Monterey Jazz Festival
Sept 26 - San Francisco CA @ Bloomingdales Openining Gala
Sept 29 - Saratoga CA @ Via Montalvo
Sept 30 - Kalamazoo MI @ James Miller Auditorium
Oct 01 - Vancouver BC @ Chan Center
Oct 02 - Edmonton AL @ Winspear Centre
Oct 03 - Calgary AL @ Knox United Church
Oct 04 - Winnipeg Man.@ Burton Cummings Theatre
Oct 05 - Ottawa Ont. @ Centre Pointe Theatre
Oct 06 - Toronto Ont.@ Wintergarden Theatre
Oct 08 - East Lansing MI @ Wharton Center
Oct 12 - Rehoboth Beach DE @ Rehoboth Jazz Fest
Oct 13 - Newark NJ @ NJPAC
Oct 14 - Troy NY @ Troy Music
Oct 18 - Idaho Falls, ID @ TBA
Oct 22 - Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern Theatre
Oct 25 – Singapore @ Victoria Theatre
Oct 26 – Philippines @ TBA
Oct 27 - Manila Ph @ Greenbelt Park
Oct 28 - Cebu Ph @ TBA
Oct 29 - Taipei Taiwan @ Taichung Jazz Festival
Oct 30 - Hong Kong HK @ Hong Kong City Hall
Nov 18 - Atlantic City NJ @ Hilton Hotel/Casino TBA
Dec 19 - New York NY @ Blue Note
Dec 20 - New York NY @ Blue Note
Dec 21 - New York NY @ Blue Note
Dec 22 - New York NY @ Blue Note
Dec 23 - New York NY @ Blue Note
Dec 24 - New York NY @ Blue Note

VOCALIST LYNNE FIDDMONT’S DEBUT CD ‘FLOW’ TAKES LISTERRS ON A JAZZY SOULFUL MUSICAL JOURNEY

Few musicians would take the risk of producing, arranging and writing music and lyrics, in addition to singing on their debut CD. Lynne Fiddmont shows her strength in creating Flow, an intensely personal 9-song collection of melodic, jazzy soul songs, all but one of which is not a Fiddmont original. The St. Louis native now takes center stage with her first solo release, Flow, after years of being the music industry’s "go-to girl" background vocalist for a long list of Grammy winners and hit-makers: Stevie Wonder, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Patti Austin, Madonna, Seal, Mariah Carey, Barbra Streisand, Gloria Estefan, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Whitney Houston, Yolanda Adams, James Ingram, Frankie Beverly, Norman Brown, Bill Withers, and many others.

Flow does not merely mark the graduation of a woman who has arguably stayed too long at the fair…globetrotting with superstars or milking a studio tan at the service of hit makers. Flow represents a joyous ceremony of sweet, purposeful liberation. As A. Scott Galloway states in the liner notes, "Not only does singer/songwriter Fiddmont have a lot to say, she has boldly opened her own label, MidLife Records, to start spreading the news."A "Record Release Party," with a special debut performance, is planned for July 11 at the Aura Night Club in Studio City.

Flow, released May 30 in the USA, is available in selected cities, at various record stores, and online through INgrooves and at iTunes.com. Few musicians would take the risk of producing, arranging and writing the lyrics, In addition to singing on their debut CD. Fiddmont shows her strength in creating Flow, an intensely personal 9-song collection of melodic, jazzy soul songs, all but one of which is not a Fiddmont original. "As things occur, you can either fight them or go with them, figuring out solutions and making the best of a challenging situation — it’s all about life’s ebb and flow," she explains.

Released as the CD’s first single through INgrooves and on a Tastemaker compilation in Europe, "Flow (The EP Remix Series)," has whet the appetites of listeners with her soul-stirring artistry. Fusing a boppin’ groove to catchy, clever lyrics, co-written and producer Tim Carmon and Lynne Fiddmont, hit the mark with a musical combination destined to touch everyone. Blue notes of bittersweet déjà vu fill Fiddmont’s breathtaking new acoustic version of U R Loved, a Quiet Storm classic that she first recorded in 1991 (under the duo name Linsey) on their CD, Perfect Love. Fiddmont, the soulstress with the thousand-watt smile, invites the listener on a jazzy musical journey of love, sorrow and rebirth. She sings of luxurious daydreams, spur-of-the-mid-week holidays and torrid scented-candle nights of the so-good-so-right and oh-so-wrong varieties. And it’s all set to a mesmerizing score where jazz and pop — celestial and international incantations — swirl to seamlessness. Fiddmont’s divine, sultry voice surrounds you in an intimate aural embrace of love, serenity and sensuality. Like sun-ripened summer fruit, the CD bursts open with the care-free samba Holiday (produced by bassist Freddie Washington, best known for co-writing Patrice Rushen’s Forget Me Nots, which was also sampled for Will Smith’s Men in Black).

Everything that Lynne has learned about relationships has manifested within her work. She poured her heart into the driving, inspirational mantra Something I Can Feel (which features her brother, Keith Fiddmont, on soprano sax, as well as her son, Courtney, and daughter, Alana, as part of the children’s choir). It was inspired by her lifelong musical idol, Stevie Wonder, and his masterwork As, because, "the hook has so many words and the structure goes through cycles," she explains. "The song talks about wanting to believe in the love supreme and that love can conquer all. The main idea is ‘I don’t want you to tell me that you love me. I want to feel it.’Say (which recalls vintage Rufus meets Minnie Riperton) opens like a Calgon-inspired afternoon daydream before descending into a gentle plea to reignite romance. It features lovely piano work by Mark Stephens. And then there’s the intoxicating and mesmerizing Cupid. "I love the opening lines," Fiddmont sighs. "‘You are the song that my soul sings / you give my melody a meaning.’ I’m a hopeless romantic. That’s how I look at the possibilities of love. The idea that it can exist is so inspiring."Flow’s one cover song is the CD’s closer No Regrets, which young Fiddmont discovered on a 1976 recording by Phoebe Snow (it was also recorded earlier by Ella Fitzgerald). Swingin’ in a sultry, sassy mode supported by a trio of piano, bass and drums, Fiddmont proves her jazz roots with aplomb.

Fiddmont dedicated her debut CD, Flow, to the late Carl Anderson, a peerless artist with whom she shared many personal and professional memories. He passed away in 2004. "Carl always pushed me to do my thing," Fiddmont states. "One of the most precious memories I have of Carl is, while he was in the hospital, he asked me to sing "U R Loved" for him and I did. I was glad I could comfort him in some way because he always gave so much to me. He always made me feel like I had something special to give.’"

JAZZWEEK AWARDS RECOGNIZE THE BEST JAZZ RADIO STATIONS, PROGRAMMERS, LABELS, & MUSICIANS OF 2006

The fourth annual JazzWeek Awards were presented at the JazzWeek Awards brunch during the fifth annual JazzWeek Summit on June 17, 2006, in Rochester, N.Y. , where JazzWeek recognizd the best jazz radio stations, programmers, labels and musicians of 2006.

JazzWeek Awards recipients in 14 categories were:
Station of the Year: Major Market: KUVO, Denver
Station of the Year: Medium Market: WWOZ, New Orleans
Station of the Year: Small Market: KANU, Lawrence, Kansas
Programmer of the Year: Major Market: Arturo Gómez, KUVO, Denver
Programmer of the Year: Medium Market: Derrick Lucas, WGMC, Rochester, N.Y.
Programmer of the Year: Small Market: Russell Haines, WWSP, Stevens Point, Wis.
Record Company Promotion Representative of the Year: Vikki Rzepka, Telarc
Major Label of the Year: Concord
Independent Label of the Year: Palmetto Records
Independent Promotion Company of the Year: New World 'n' Jazz Promotion & Marketing
Record of the Year: Jaco Pastorius Big Band 'The Word Is Out' (Heads Up)
Instrumentalist of the Year: Chris Potter
Vocalist of the Year: Kurt Elling

JazzWeek is a weekly publication covering the jazz and smooth jazz industry. JazzWeek publishes the only national jazz radio airplay chart and also publishes the most comprehensive smooth jazz singles and album airplay charts, all of which are powered by Mediaguide. In July, JazzWeek will add College Jazz and World Music airplay charts. The JazzWeek Summit is an annual conference for jazz radio, record labels, independent promoters and musicians, covering all aspects of radio programming, promotion, and music selection.

BUNNY WAILER TO TOUR WITH BOB MARLEY’S SONS

Bunny Wailer, the reggae legend who was one of the original Wailers along with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, will tour for the first time with a new generation of Marleys. Wailer will play alongside Marley's sons, Stephen and Ziggy, on the Roots, Rock, Reggae Festival, a month-long tour that opens Aug. 6 in Redway, Calif. Ozomatli is also on the bill. Wailer, who last released the album Communication in 2000, is the lone surviving member of the Wailers. Bob Marley died of cancer in 1981 and Peter Tosh was murdered in 1987.

ZERO 7’s ‘THE GARDEN’ ON TOUR; ACCLAIMED BRITISH DUO UNVEILS NORTH AMERICAN DATES AS NEW ALBUM REAPS CRITICAL ACCLAIM

Atlantic recording artists Zero 7 have announced details of their upcoming North American tour. The dates come in support of the UK-based duo's critically celebrated third album, The Garden. The tour will see Zero 7 - a.k.a. Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns joined onstage by a full four-piece backing band and two extraordinary vocalists - longtime collaborator Sia Furler and Swedish singer/songwriter José González. Both acclaimed artists in their own rights, Furler and González recently lent their voices to a number of tracks on The Garden.

The North American dates will kick off on August 26th at San Diego's House of Blues, and then travel the continent before culminating in an eagerly anticipated two-night stand at New York City's Webster Hall on September 15th and 16th. In addition to the headline dates, the trek also features a number of major festival appearances, including KCRW's World Festival at Los Angeles' Hollywood Bowl on August 27th, and a September 3rd performance at Seattle's annual Bumbershoot extravaganza.

Hailed by KCRW programmer Nic Harcourt as "an instant classic," The Garden has been the #1 most-played album at the influential Los Angeles radio station for the past five weeks. The album has been a top 10 favorite at KCRW since debuting atop the station's playlist last March. The Garden has drawn unprecedented praise both here in the U.S. and around the world. People commended Zero 7 for creating "a perfectly chilled-out ambience by imbuing the atmospheric surroundings on The Garden with a human warmth." Entertainment Weekly praised the album as "an optimistic vision that, as the title suggests, aims to conjure its own Eden." "Zero 7 have perfected the formula for folk jazz that transcends definition and defies classification," declared URB, "always taking us on joyous rides that often end at truly unexpected places." The Garden is part dandelion blowing out the window of our V Dub van," wrote Jane Magazine, "part sexy opium den on a late Sunday night." In a four-starred rave, Mojo declared, "Zero 7's third album is packed with fine folk-tinged numbers, underpinned by a smattering of subtle electronic twiddles," while Mixmag hailed the arrival of "a more adventurous and fully mature Zero 7 sound," noting that "there's an extra sexy looseness... a laid-back swing that's more danceable."

Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns first made themselves known as engineers in the late 1990s, working behind the scenes with such artists as Pet Shop Boys and Robert Plant. Teaming up as Zero 7, the duo emerged from the studio and captured the attention of music lovers around the world with their now-classic 2001 debut, Simple Things. That era-defining collection was followed in 2004 by their acclaimed second album, When It Falls, along with their contribution (In The Waiting Line) to the Grammy-winning soundtrack of "Garden State."

From the shimmering opener Futures (featuring Jose González) to the exuberant bluesy psychedelia of Throw It All Away (featuring Sia Furler), The Garden clearly serves notice of the British production duo's talent for eking out sunshine-soaked ambient soul. Along with the contributions of González and Furler, the album also features the vocal debut of Zero 7's Henry Binns, who adds his voice to a number of the set's highlights, including the tender Your Place. Instantly recognizable and yet beguilingly fresh, The Garden is Zero 7's most freewheeling and evocative piece of music to date.

ZERO 7 THE GARDEN On Tour 2006
Aug. 26 - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
Aug. 27 - Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl - KCRW's World Festival
Aug. 29 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
Aug. 30 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
Sept. 1 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
Sept. 2 - Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
Sept. 3 - Seattle, WA @ Bumbershoot Festival
Sept. 6 - Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre
Sept. 8 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Café
Sept. 9 - Chicago, IL @ Park West
Sept.10 - Toronto, ON @ Toronto Islands Park - V Fest
Sept.12 - Boston, MA @ Avalon Ballroom
Sept.13 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
Sept. 15 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall
Sept. 16 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall

BEACH HOUSE RADIO – A NEW GENERATION OF INTERNET RADIO LAUNCHES AUGUST 1, 2006

Beach House Radio, currently test broadcasting via their website, will be launching a full dedicated service on August 1. Dedicated to summer, chillout music, Beach House Radio (www.beachhouseradio.com) is currently trial broadcasting via their website and is set to provide an advertising-free radio station, playing the best in chillout and ambient music. The website and station also features yet to be signed artists from across the globe. According to their business plan, the station will be free of advertising breaks, and instead, companies and products sponsor an hour slot each day for an entire month.

JEAN CARNE, RONNIE LAWS, ROY AYERS, LONNIE LISTON-SMITH, CHARLIE WILSON AND OTHERS JOIN THE LINEUP FOR THE 39TH ANNUAL HAMPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL

The 39th Annual Hampton Jazz Festival is set to kickoff from June 23-25 with a exciting lineup of smooth jazz and R&B performers. Scheduled to appear this year are the following. On June 23 : Maze with Frankiie Beverley, KEM, Superstars of Jazz with Roy Ayers, Lonnie Liston-Smith,Jean Carne, Bobbi Humphrey, Jon Lucien, Wayne Henderson and
Ronnie Laws. On June 24: B.B. King, Charlie Wilson, Boney James, Kindred the Family Soul. On June 25 look for Toni Braxton, Will Downing, Groovin’ For Grover with Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum and Jeff Lorber.

BRAD MEHLDAU TO APPEAR AT CANADA TRUST INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

The TD-Canada Trust Ottawa International Jazz Festival has confirmed pianist Brad Mehldau will perform two concerts on June 27. Unlike his last Ottawa appearance in 2002, when he played for 7,500 people in Confederation Park, Mehldau will perform this time in the intimate 375-seat auditorium at Library & Archives Canada. Acclaimed as one of the most adventurous pianists in jazz, Mehldau will be accompanied by bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard. The trio is expected to perform music from House On Hill, a CD to be released in Canada the day of the Ottawa concerts.

WQCD-FM (101.9) ANNOUNCES SMOOTH CRUISE LINEUP

WQCD-FM's (101.9) Smooth Cruise series begins Wednesday and will continue throughout July and August. The cruises will depart from Pier 61 at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. The performer lineup: June 21, Down to the Bone; June 28, Bobby Caldwell; July 5, Pieces of a Dream; July 12, David Benoit; July 19, Mindi Abair; July 26, Phil Perry; Aug. 2, Brian Culbertson; Aug. 9, Marion Meadows; Aug. 16, Spyro Gyra; Aug. 23, The Rippingtons; and Aug. 30, artist to be announced.

DETROIT JAZZ FESTIVAL LINEUP ANNOUNCED…

The newly expanded Detroit International Jazz Festival will welcome a wide spectrum of musical artists on Labor Day weekend, the 27th annual celebration September 1-4. A partial list of headliners for the 2006 Detroit Jazz Festival includes a Friday evening Motown blast off with the Funk Brothers and Temptations Revue starring Dennis Edwards. Other performers will include Brazilian Jazz great Sergio Mendes, premier Jazz vocalist Diane Schuur with the Wayne State University Jazz Big Band, New Orleans icon Dr. John, Jazz legend Ahmad Jamal, and Pop and Roots stars Joan Osborne, Taj Mahal, Richie Havens, Marcia Ball, The Gerald Wilson Big Band, Buckwheat Zydeco, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Papa Lou Donaldson, Mose Allison, and Beau Soleil avec Michael Doucet, among many others.

JAZZ CHILL NEWS BITS: SMOOTH JAZZ RADIO KWKX (98.9FM); JAZZMASTERS 5 CD; STANLEY CLARKE/GEORGE DUKE PROJECT & MORE…

Seattle smooth jazz radio station – KWKZ (98.9FM) has sacked their morning DJ. Nick Morrison had been doing the 5-10 a.m weekdays and 6 a.m. – noon Saturdays a little more than a year, and was fired for poor ratings, according to program director Carol Handley, who will fill in for the time being……….The new Jazzmasters 5 album coming soon – no word as of yet exactly when, but we will be the first to announce the release dates. Select songs from the forthcoming CD are already receiving airplay on smooth jazz radio stations. Keep posted……….Euge Groove, Brian Culbertson,Eric Darius, Peabo Bryson, Jonathan Butler, Gerald Albright, Wayman Tisdale, Mindi Abair, Najee, Paul Taylor, Jeff Golub, Peter White, Richard Elliot and Bobby Caldwell headlined the recently held Lexus Jazz Festival in Newport Beach, CA. The event took place at the Hyatt Regency on the weekend of June 9-11, 2006……….The Stanley Clarke/George Duke Project is back together again and have just brought their distinct sound to the JVC New York Jazz Festival on Tuesday, June 13. One of the world’s most sought after pianists and the king of the acoustic and electric bass – George Duke and Stanley Clarke – teamed up in 1981 to form the Clarke/Duke Project. Together they scored a Top 20 pop hit with Sweet Baby and recorded three albums. Now after a 16 year hiatus, they have resumed touring. With other concerts being scheduled around the world.

BURT BACHARACH ANNOUNCES TOUR DATES

Burt Bacharach is in the midst of a tour in support of his latest CD At This Time released late last year.

Here are Bacharach’s tour dates between now and early next year:
June 27 – Brevard, NC @ Brevard Music Center
June 29 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun
June 30 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun
July 1 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun
July 2 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun
July 3 – Westhampton Breach, NY @ Westhampton Beach Performance. Center.
Aug. 20 – San Diego, CA @ Embaracadero Marina Pk. S.
Aug. 27 – Cerritos, CA @ Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts
Sept. 16 – Denver CO @ Paramount Theater
Sept. 22 – Saratoga, CA @ Garden Theater
Oct. 4 – Austin, TX @ Paramount Theater
Oct. 6 – Houston, TX @ Jones Hall
Oct. 7 – Houston, TX @ Jones Hall
Oct. 8 – Houston, TX @ Jones Hall
Nov. 4 – Coachella, CA @ Spotlight 29 Casino
Nov. 16 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Heinz Hall
Nov. 17 – Pittsburgh @ Heinz Hall
Nov. 18 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Heinz Hall
Nov. 19 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Heinz Hall
Feb. 17 – Key Largo, FL @ Ocean Reef Cultural Center
Feb. 18 – Miami, FL @ Performing Arts Center
Feb. 19 – Lakeland, FL @ The Lakeland Center
Feb. 20 – Lakeland, FL @ The Lakeland Center
Feb. 25 – Los Angeles, CA @ Walt Disney Concert Hall

FAREED HAQUE, BETH ORTON, BONNIE RAITT, CHICAGO AFROBEAT PROJECT & SEU JORGE HEADLINE MADISON WI-AREA CONCERTS

Upcoming Madison, Wisconsin-area concerts of interest in the coming weeks include - Michael Buble at Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the Alliant Energy Center on June 22; Seu Jorge at UW Memorial Union on June 27; Beth Orton at the Barrymore Theatre on July 22; Bonnie Raitt at Overture Center on August 24; and Fareed Haque and the Chicago Afrobeat Project at the Orton Park Festival at Orton Park, August 25-27.

RPM RECORDS/COLUMBIA RECORDS TO RELEASE 'TONY BENNETT: DUETS/AN AMERICAN CLASSIC' ON SEPTEMBER 26

Tony Bennett will mark his 80th birthday on August 3 this year, launching the beginning of a multi-tiered celebration honoring this milestone. RPM Records/Columbia Records will release a new recording, TONY BENNETT: DUETS/An American Classic, which will be in-stores internationally on September 26. Recorded live in the studio, the CD features Tony performing duets of his best loved songs with many of the top names in music: Bono, Michael Buble, Elvis Costello, Dixie Chicks, Juanes, Billy Joel, Diana Krall, k.d. lang, John Legend, Paul McCartney, George Michael, Sting, Barbra Streisand, James Taylor and Stevie Wonder. Instrumental musical guests on the album include trumpeter Chris Botti and violinist Pinchas Zukerman.

TONY BENNETT: DUETS/An American Classic was recorded in three cities earlier this year: Capitol Studios in Los Angeles; Bennett Studios in Englewood, NJ and Abbey Road Studios in London. Producer Phil Ramone supervised the live sessions in which each guest artist performed side by side with Bennett. Tony's touring quartet provided the accompaniment for
the recording sessions with additional orchestrations added with musical arrangements by Jorge Calandrelli. Bennett's sons are involved in the project: Danny Bennett, who is the singer's manager, is the recording's Executive Producer and Dae Bennett is the audio engineer. For many of the guest artists, the "live" approach to the sessions was a new and thrilling experience. Despite the existence of technology that allows artists to record duets without being together physically, it was essential to Bennett's recording style that each artist perform and record directly with Tony.

"I was on the road all last year and there is nothing like that live dynamic, so working live in the studio with Tony has been a great experience," commented John Legend, who received the "Best New Artist" Grammy Award the night before recording his duet with Tony. "I would like to try that for my own recordings." The CD's 18 songs, each selected by Bennett, are integral elements from Tony's hit catalog such as I Wanna Be Around (with Bono), Because of You (with k.d. lang), The Shadow of Your Smile (with Juanes), Cold, Cold, Heart (with Tim McGraw) and Rags to Riches (with Elton John). Also featured are some of Bennett's personal favorites including Smile (with Barbra Streisand), Sing You Sinners (with John Legend), The Very Thought of You (with Paul McCartney) and Are You Havin' Any Fun? (with Elvis Costello).

Appropriately, the recording's only vocal solo showcases Bennett performing his signature song, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, accompanied only by Bill Charlap on piano. "Each duet artist brought their own soul and sensibility to their song performance and it was a wonderful gift for my birthday to be able to record with these talented musicians," commented Bennett. TONY BENNETT: DUETS/An American Classic is part of an overall campaign in honor of Bennett's 80th birthday. Sponsored by Target, the first event will be a star-studded party to be held on August 3 in New York City. That same date will see the release of the CD's first single to a variety of radio formats. Extensive multi-media corporate sponsored campaigns with
Target and Yahoo! will be implemented for the CD launch. Target will offer added value items, including an edition of the album including several additional duets as well as a "making of" DVD. Darrell Tucker, vice president of merchandising for Target stated, "The Target Corporation is honored to partner with Tony Bennett on the occasion of his 80th birthday and this exceptional Duets CD project. He is an entertainer of singular artistry and a person of impeccable integrity. We are thrilled to have this opportunity to be a part of the celebration."

Later this fall, a prime-time network special, also sponsored by Target, featuring Tony and special guest artists will be aired. Legacy Recordings is slated to release a limited-edition boxed set collection as well as reissues of Tony Bennett titles previously unavailable on CD throughout the fall of 2006 and into 2007 along with the complete digitization of Bennett's entire catalog. A documentary on Tony's life and career, executive produced by Clint Eastwood, is in the works for 2007, as is an art book of Tony's original paintings.

Tony Bennett, who first joined Columbia Records in 1950, has been signed to the label longer than any other recording artist in its history. With over 50 million records sold worldwide, more than 100 recordings to his credit and thirteen Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Grammy Album of the Year Award, Bennett's career is unparalleled in the industry.

"Tony Bennett never fails to bring a rare and special artistry to his music while showing an incredible generosity of spirit toward the world and his fans," said Steve Barnett, Chairman, Columbia Records. "It's an honor and a privilege to wish Tony a very happy 80th birthday and to thank him for giving us the gift of so much magic and so much music over the years."

Track Listing for TONY BENNETT: DUETS/An American Classic
Boulevard Of Broken Dreams /STING
Smile/BARBRA STREISAND WITH PINCHAS ZUKERMAN (Violin)
Put On A Happy Face/JAMES TAYLOR
The Shadow Of Your Smile/JUANES
Rags To Riches/ELTON JOHN
The Very Thought Of You/PAUL MCCARTNEY
Lullaby Of Broadway/DIXIE CHICKS
Cold, Cold Heart/TIM MCGRAW
The Best Is Yet To Come/DIANA KRALL
For Once In My Life/STEVIE WONDER
Are You Havin' Any Fun?/ELVIS COSTELLO
Because Of You/K.D. LANG WITH CHRIS BOTTI (Trumpet)
Just In Time/MICHAEL BUBLE
Sing You Sinners/JOHN LEGEND
The Good Life/BILLY JOEL
I Wanna Be Around/BONO
How Do Keep The Music Playing/GEORGE MICHAEL
I Left My Heart In San Francisco/TONY BENNETT WITH BILL CHARLAP (Piano)

JAZZ BASSIST JOSEPH PATRICK MOORE RELEASES A DECADE’S WORTH OF MUSIC

Decade, the newest release by Joseph Patrick Moore on Blue Canoe Records, contains material compiled from his recording efforts spanning the years 1996-2005. Unlike other compilation or "best of" recordings, Decade is not a testimonial of past achievements but a preface, or glimpse, into the artist's future. Joseph Patrick Moore is a master bassist, equally proficient with upright and electric instruments; his technical virtuosity and artistic curiosity have taken him in pursuit of many musical styles. It is apparent that Moore's works are inspired by mainstream jazz and contemporary jazz as well as r&b, gospel and pop. The result of this exploratory approach to composition is fresh, imaginative, and adds an air of excitement and serves as a foil to the all too often boring and overworked state of academic classroom jazz.A great sense of adventure thrives in this compelling 80 minute, 19 song CD. Moore pays tribute to mentors Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis with original compositions Herbie and Pause 1. His solo bass version of The Police tune Masoko Tanga and the full-band vocal rendition of Men at Work's Down Under (in the spirit of Hancock's Possibilities and Davis’ Tutu) are evidence that pop music is an excellent source of inspiration of jazz arrangements. JPM's abilities come full circle on the title track: he composed and played all the instruments on this soon to be smooth jazz anthem.If you are searching for music with rich textures and groove oriented arrangements, look no further than Joseph Patrick Moore's Decade 1996-2005 on Blue Canoe Records. Aptly titled, it is a remarkable odyssey through the world of contemporary jazz.

CARLOS SANTANA TO PERFORM AT OPENING NIGHT AT THE BOWL ON JUNE 23; LAUNCHES SECOND LEG OF 2006 WORLD TOUR WITH EUROPEAN, JAPAN & U.S. DATES ADDED

Carlos Santana will be honored with another milestone induction on Friday, June 23 when he becomes part of the Hollywood Bowl Hall Of Fame during their Seventh Annual ceremony. Founded in 2000, the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame, "celebrates those consummate creators and performers, who, through their talent and effort, have established themselves as true superstars -- with appearances on screen, stage, recordings, and at the Bowl -- whose contributions to the arts have made them part of the fabric of American culture." The June 23 date also marks "Opening Night At The Bowl," one of the world famous venue's biggest evenings all year. Carlos will perform on a special bill that includes Andre Watts, Blue Man Group and John Mauceri and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. The gala event, which begins at 8:30PM, benefits Music Matters, the Los Angeles Philharmonic's educational initiative, dedicated to creating innovative music education programs for people of all ages and backgrounds. Recently, Music Matters has added extra focus towards supporting Los Angeles public schools and their renewed commitment to restoring arts education for all students.

Next, Carlos Santana and the Santana Band - fresh off their first tour of South America in over two decades and an initial leg of European dates this spring , will take to the road again for an itinerary stretching through September. As their global circuit continues, the 2006 World Tour picks up in early July with shows in Europe and Japan. Santana's Stateside sweep commences in late July with West coast dates through mid-August, followed by East coast concerts spanning most of September. Besides Carlos Santana on guitar, the Santana Band's current line-up includes (alphabetically): Tommy Anthony (guitar, backing vocals), Dennis Chambers (drums), Jeff Cressman (trombone), Bill Ortiz (trumpet), Karl Perazzo (percussion, timbales), Raul Rekow (congas, percussion), Benny Rietveld (bass), Chester Thompson (keyboards) and Andy Vargas featured on vocals.

The July European dates begin with two shows in Germany - Oberhausen and Liepzig - on the 5th and 6th, respectively, that are make-ups for concerts previously scheduled in May. From July 9-12, Santana will perform the last four days of the renowned Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland, followed by three dates in Italy: July 14 in Lucca (with John Mayer opening), July 15 in Naples (with Robert Plant opening), July 17 in Perugia and July 18 in Udine. From there, Santana travels to Japan for shows in Shizuoka (July 22) and Osaka (July 23).

Santana's domestic 2006 World Tour itinerary kicks off with West coast U.S. dates beginning on July 27 in San Diego, CA at Viejas Concerts at Bayside. The schedule features shows in Phoenix, AZ (July 27) and Las Vegas, NV (July 29) in addition to concerts spanning the length of California, concluding with an August 6 show at the Sacramento Valley's Sleep Train Amphitheatre in Marysville. Neo-soul star Anthony Hamilton, who belts out the memorable track Twisted on the new Santana album All That I Am, will be featured as the opening act for all the West coast tour dates.

The East coast leg of Santana's 2006 World Tour -- featuring the Salvador Santana Band opening and Los Lonely Boys as the second act - launches with a September 15 concert at Mansfield, MA's Tweeter Center. Other highlights include September 16 at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY, September 23-24 at the Atlantic City's Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Event Center, and September 28 at the Sound Advice Amphitheater in West Palm Beach, FL.

Santana's 38th and latest album All That I Am - their third for Arista Records in partnership with music legend Clive Davis - spotlights a diverse mix of stellar guest artists including Steven Tyler, Mary J. Blige, Michelle Branch, Sean Paul, Big Boi, Joss Stone, Los Lonely Boys, Bo Bice, Anthony Hamilton, Kirk Hammett and more. The disc follows up 2001's GRAMMY-winning Shaman, and 1999's 25X platinum Supernatural, which won a record-tying best of nine GRAMMYs for a single recording project. Over the course of his extraordinary career, 11X GRAMMY® winner Carlos Santana has performed live for over 100 million people worldwide, a number that grows this year as myriad more fans have the opportunity to embrace the celebration of music and spirit that is the essence of a Santana concert.

That same sublime music and spirit has led to countless honors and awards over the years, including Carlos' forthcoming induction into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. Earlier in 2006, Carlos received the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame Award which, in addition to Santana's musical legacy, honored the work of the Milagro Foundation, established in 1998 by Carlos and his wife, author Deborah Santana, as well as their many other humanitarian endeavors. Ms. Santana's first book, the acclaimed memoir "Space Between The Stars: My Journey To An Open Heart," published by Random House's One World/Ballantine Books, has just been released in a soft cover edition featuring a newly created personal discussion and reading group questions section (the hardcover and audio editions were published in 2005). Deborah Santana is currently working on future works of both fiction and non-fiction.

Recently, she visited New Orleans' Katrina-devastated 9th ward, and in a piece featured (in its entirety) on Santana.com wrote, "My father was born in Louisiana. The people struggling there are my relatives, as is every person in the human family...2000 children still have no schools, playgrounds or libraries. Charity Hospital has been operating in tents that the Army loaned from Iraq and Afghanistan, which reminds me -- why are we spending $60 million per hour on destroying and rebuilding Iraq when we cannot rebuild one great American city?" Deborah and Carlos Santana encourage all Americans to participate in a call to action in support of New Orleans.

SANTANA 2006 WORLD TOUR DATES
JULY - EUROPE & JAPAN
July 5 Oberhausen, Germany - Kopi Arena (replacement for May 24 show)
July 6 Leipzig, Germany - Arena (replacement for May 26 show)
July 9-12 Montreux, Switzerland - Montreux Jazz Festival
July 14 Lucca, Italy (w/opener John Mayer)
July 15 Naples, Italy (w/opener Robert Plant)
July 17 Perugia, Italy
July 18 Udine, Italy
July 22 Shizuoka, Japan
July 23 Osaka, Japan

JULY & AUGUST - WEST COAST U.S. featuring Anthony Hamilton as opener
July 27 San Diego, CA - Viejas Concerts at Bayside
July 28 Phoenix, AZ - Cricket Pavilion
July 29 Las Vegas, NV - MGM Grand Garden Arena
July 31 Irvine, CA May 20 - Verizon Amphitheater
August 1-2 Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Bowl
August 4 Concord, CA - Chronicle Pavilion
August 5 Mountain View, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre
August 6 Marysville, CA - Sleep Train Amphitheatre

SEPTEMBER - EAST COAST U.S. featuring Salvador Santana Band opening and Los Lonely Boys as second act:
September 15 Mansfield, MA - Tweeter Center
September 16 Wantagh, NY - Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
September 17 Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
September 20 Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
September 22 Wallingford, CT - Chevrolet Theater
September 23-24 Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Event Center
September 26 Bristow, VA - Nissan Pavilion at Stone Ridge
September 28 West Palm Beach, FL - Sound Advice Amphitheater
September 29 Tampa, FL - Ford Amphitheatre
September 30 Atlanta, GA - Chastain Park Amphitheatre

BRUCE CONTE REJOINS TOWER OF POWER; 2006 TOUR SCHEDULE UPDATED

Bruce Conte played lead guitar with Tower of Power during its most prolific period, beginning with its third album release. Now after more than a 20-year absence, Bruce returns. He has been rehearsing with the band, and will be touring with them, effective immediately. In the meantime, Tower of Power is reprising it successful 2005 tour with Tom Jones for a few selective dates. Tower of Power opens for Tom and his band, which includes Tower alumnus, Herman Matthews on drums. Last year the Horn Section would join Tom for Down To The Nightclub. Tom has performed Nightclub periodically, over the years in his live shows.

Tower of Power 2006 Tour Schedule
June 15th - Grand Prairie, TX @ Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie appearing with Tom Jones
June 16th - Bossier City, LA @ Horseshoe Casino Riverdome appearing with Tom Jones
June 17th - Robinsonville, MS @ Bluesville Showroom Horseshoe Casino appearing with Tom Jones
June 18th -Tulsa, OK @ Brady Theater appearing with Tom Jones
June 20th - Louisville, KY @ Whitney Theater appearing with Tom Jones
June 22nd - Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Park Amphitheater appearing with Tom Jones
June 23rd - Cherokee, NC @ Harrah's Cherokee Smoky Mountains Casino appearing with Tom Jones
June 24th - Newport News, VA @ Ferguson Center for the Arts appearing with Tom Jones
June 25th - Baltimore, MD @ Lyric Opera House appearing with Tom Jones
July 7th - Imatra, Finland @ Imatra Big Band Festival
July 11th - Aachen, Germany
July 12th - Jena, Germany
July 14th - Montreux, Switzerland @ Stravinski Auditorium
July 15th - Rotterdam, Netherlands @ North Sea Jazz Festival
July 16th - Karsruhe, Germany
July 18th - Bochum, Germany
July 19th - Kassel, Germany
July 20th - Samso, Denmark @Samso Festival
July 22nd - Graz, Austria
Aug.15th - San Mateo, CA @ San Mateo County Fair Grandstand
Aug.16th - Oroville, CA @ Feather Falls Casino
Aug.17th - Monterey, CA @ Monteray County Fairgrounds
Aug.18th - Oroville, CA @ Feather Falls Casino
Aug. 25th – Las Vegas, NV @ Suncoast Hotel & Casino
Aug. 26th – Las Vegas, NV @ Suncoast Hotel & Casino
Aug. 27th – Las Vegas, NV @ Suncoast Hotel & Casino
Sept.15th - San Diego, CA @ Humphrey’s Concerts By The Bay
Sept.16th - Mammoth Lakes, CA @ Canyon Meadows Amphitheatre
Sept. 20th - Bakersfield, CA @ Kern County Fair – Bud Pavillion
Sept. 22nd - Alton, IL @ Argosy Casino
Sept. 24th - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
Sept. 27th - Pittsburgh, PA @ Rex Theatre
Sept. 28th -York, PA @ Strand Capitol Performing Arts Center
Sept. 29th - New Haven, CT @ Toad’s Place
Sept. 30th - Peekskill, NY @ Paramount Center for the Arts
Oct.1st - Plains, PA @ The Waterfront Banquet Facility
Oct.3rd - Alexandria, VA @ Birchmere
Oct.5th - Verona, NY @ Turning Stone Resort & Casino - Showroom
Oct.6th - New Brunswick, NJ @ State Theatre
Oct.7th - Englewood, NJ@ The Bergen Performing Arts Center
Oct.8th - Wilmington, DE @ Grand Opera House
Nov.1st - Lancaster, CA @ Lancaster Performing Arts Center
Nov.2nd - Highland, CA @ San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino
Nov.4th - Albuquerque, NM @ Route 66 Casino
Nov.10th - Agoura Hills, CA @ Canyon Theater
Nov.11th - Cerritos, CA @ Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Nov.24th - Tahoe City, NV @ Harrah South Shore Room

AWARD-WINNING SINGER/PIANIST/COMPOSER PATRICA BARBER TO RELEASE ‘MYTHOLOGIES’, NEW JAZZ SONG CYCLE BASED UPON GREEK MYTHOLOGY, ON BLUE NOTE AUGUST 15

In 2003, the acclaimed singer-pianist-composer Patricia Barber became one of the few Jazz musicians ever to be awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, and she took the opportunity to create one of the most ambitious and affecting works of her career. Mythologies is a song cycle based on Greek mythology, which uses characters from The Metamorphoses of Ovid as the basis for each of the 11 songs, giving these timeless stories a uniquely contemporary and compelling musical setting.

Barber, whom TIME magazine once referred to as a cross between Susan Sontag and Diana Krall, has now recorded Mythologies for release on Blue Note Records on August 15. Built around her dynamic quartet, Mythologies also features a guest saxophonist, vocal soloists, a gospel choir, and children hip hop artists.

MYTHOLOGIES TRACK LISTING
1. The Moon
2. Morpheus
3. Pygmalion
4. Hunger
5. Icarus (for Nina Simone)
6. Orpheus/Sonnet
7. Persephone
8. Narcissus
9. Whiteworld/Oedipus
10. Phaethon
11. The Hours

SOUL-JAZZ CROONER VICTOR FIELDS NEW SINGLE IS A DIANE WARREN COMPOSITION

Song stylist Victor Fields must fall in love with the songs he selects to sing in order to be able to infuse the material with the inspired passion he's known for on his soulful jazz recordings. He has always wanted to record a Diane Warren composition as she is arguably one of this era's best pop writers of heartfelt, anthem-like love songs. Fields delivered a gorgeous version of Warren's Show Me The Way Back To Your Heart on his recently released Victor album. The track is being serviced to smooth jazz radio stations as the third single from the critically-acclaimed disc and will start collecting radio adds on June 19th.

The timing of the single release meshes with the pact recently inked between online retailer CD Baby and retail distributor Super D. Fields, who releases his albums independently through his own Regina Records label, has online distribution through CD Baby. With Super D providing retail distribution for CD Baby's artists, all three of Fields' albums are now available in record stores worldwide. His previous album releases were 52nd Street (2002), featuring appearances by Chris Botti, Jeff Lorber and Gerald Albright, and Promise (1999), which was produced by Grammy-nominee Kashif.

Work has already commenced on Fields' next album, which is tentatively slated for release this fall. For the third consecutive time, Fields will enter the recording studio with guitarist Chris Camozzi handling production duties. The fourth collection will be decidedly aimed towards the smooth jazz audience, although it will of course retain elements of R&B and adult contemporary.
Victor was released on Valentine's Day. It's a diverse, sophisticated collection of jazz, urban, adult pop and even Broadway-esque songs sung with elegance and grace. Fields is a classic crooner in the vein of such legends as Nat King Cole and Luther Vandross. The Bay Area resident has received praise from respected media outlets including USA Today, Chicago- Tribune and Los Angeles Times.

JAZZ CHILL NEWSBITS: JVC JAZZ FESTIVAL, BRAND NEW HEAVIES, KING BRITT, REGINA CARTER, CHAKA KHAN & OTHERS…

Jazz Chill Corner Newsbits……….BET will honor Chaka Khan at the BET Awards ’06. The event is scheduled to take place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 27. Khan will receive the BET Lifetime Achievement Award………. King Britt will perform a DJ Session at Zanzibar (CA) on June 9……….Maceo Parker appears at Irving Plaza in New York City on June 14……….The Brand New Heavies are back in swing and will appear at Warsaw in New York City on July 10……….Stanley Clarke and George Duke are back as the Clarke/Duke Project and have scheduled a series of key concert appearances during the summer, one of which will be at the JVC Jazz Festival. The Clarke/Duke Project will perform on July 13 at Avalon in New York. Also slated to perform at the New York JVC Jazz Festival include the Marcus Miller Band at Irving Plaza on June 16; Chris Botti and Lizz Wright on June 17 at Carnegie Hall; Smokey Robinson at Carnegie Hall on June 22; and Herbie Hancock and guests at Carnegie Hall on June 23……….Rainer Truby will perform an exclusive DJ set at Cielo (NY) on September 7.......... Verve is set to release Regina Carter's latest CD entitled - I'll Be Seeing You: A Sentimental Journey on June 13. The album pays tribute to the memory of her late mother, Grace Carter, in a swinging journey through the some of the classic songs of the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s that her mother loved during her youth. With effervescent arrangements featuring dare-devilishly spontaneous improvisations and interplay between Carter and her bandmates, I'll Be Seeing You is a feel-good foray into the joys of small-group swing and classic mid-century songs.