BLUE NOTE RECORDS RELEASES CLASSIC JAZZ TRACKS AS RINGTONES FOR THE FIRST TIME

EMI Music's legendary jazz label Blue Note Records has begun releasing ring tunes featuring riffs from some classic recordings by legendary artists including Thelonious Monk, Herbie Hancock, Art Blakey and Chet Baker. Part of a new program called “The Best of Blue Tones”, this marks the first time these tracks have been made available for the mobile platform, and it will give jazz fans an opportunity to personalize their mobile lives with the classic jazz tracks they know and love.

”Jazz fans of any age can be part of the mobile music phenomenon now. 'The Best of Blue Tones' lets fans use classic recordings like 'Dat Dere', 'Straight no Chaser' or 'My Funny Valentine' to jazz up their phone and express their personality,” said Bruce Lundvall, President of EMI Jazz & Classics. “It's also a great example of how we continually keep the Blue Note vault relevant.”
Lundvall worked closely with members of the Blue Note team to personally select the first installment of ringtones, even helping to identify the unique hook that should be used for each track.

”We've only just scratched the surface of the classic Blue Note catalog with this first batch,” said Jeff Zakim, Director of New Media for Blue Note. “Jazz buffs are in for a real treat as this is just the first of many ringtones we plan to make available.”

Founded in 1939, Blue Note built one of the most distinctive jazz catalogs throughout the 1950s and 60s, due to the impeccable A&R instincts of founder Alfred Lion who signed many of the giants of the music when they were still unknowns, and the crystalline sound quality engineered by the legendary Rudy Van Gelder.

Blue Note was consistently on the cutting edge of jazz, starting with the label's early bebop recordings of Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and Clifford Brown, and going on to define the now-famous “Blue Note Sound” with the incomparable hard bop sessions of Art Blakey and Horace Silver, the funky jazz hits of Lee Morgan and Herbie Hancock, and the grooving soul jazz of organists Jimmy Smith and Lonnie Smith. Blue Note also now oversees the great Pacific Jazz catalog, which is home to classic cool jazz recordings by such west coast musicians as Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan.

The following classic Blue Note tunes are starting to be made available to major carriers in the US and will be made available internationally shortly as part of “The Best of Blue Tones” program:
Artist - Track Title
Art Blakey - Dat Dere
Art Blakey - Moanin'
Clifford Brown - Daahoud
Clifford Brown - Joy Spring
Herbie Hancock - Cantaloup Island
Herbie Hancock - Watermelon Man
Blue Mitchell - Fungii Mama
Thelonious Monk - Straight No Chaser
Lou Donaldson - The Blues Walk
Lou Donaldson - Aligator Boogaloo
Hank Mobley - The Turnaround
Kenny Burrell - Chitlins Con Carne
Chet Baker - My Funny Valentine
Gerry Mulligan - Bernie's Tune
Lee Morgan - The Sidewinder
Miles Davis - Move
Ornette Coleman - Broad Way Blues
Ronnie Laws - Always There
Jimmy Smith - Back at the Chicken Shack
Sonny Clark - Cool Struttin'
Lonnie Smith - Son Of Ice Bag
Bobby Hutcherson - Ummh
Freddie Hubbard - Crisis
Horace Silver - Song For My Father

WJJZ 106.1 SMOOTH JAZZ SUMMER NIGHTS RETURNS FOR A NINTH SEASON AT PENN'S LANDING

Continuing to bring smooth jazz to the Philadelphia Waterfront, WJJZ Smooth Jazz Summer Nights returns for a ninth season, to the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing on Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street. The sounds of local and national Smooth Jazz artists will fill the air every Friday night in August through September 1, beginning at 7:30 p.m. and continuing the series of Free Friday night concerts during the 2006 summer season at Penn's Landing. Sponsored by WJJZ, along with CW Philly 57 and CBS 3, this series is free to the public due to the generous support of Independence Blue Cross.

The series will kick-off on Friday, August 4th with the smooth sounds of Philadelphia native, Gerald Veasley. He was recently named "Best Electric Bassist" in Jazziz magazine's annual readers' poll and Philadelphia Magazine named him "Best Jazz Band." This University of Pennsylvania alumnus has shared stages with Jazz legends such as Grover Washington Jr. and Miles Davis. His new album, At the Jazz Base, is sure to please and is receiving rave reviews.

On Friday, August 11th, enjoy the alluring saxophone playing of Ken Navarro. Navarro is recognized as one of today's top Contemporary Jazz guitarists and composers. His remarkable list of 16 top charting albums displays his appeal to a wide range of listeners with inspirational compositions and outstanding guitar performances. As founder of Positive Music Records, Navarro is responsible for launching and furthering the recording careers of saxophonist Brandon Fields and guitarists Grant Geissman. Ken's latest album, Love Colored Soul, is in stores now.

On Friday August 18, another gifted saxophonist, Steve Cole, brings his unique sound to the Philadelphia Waterfront, with fresh and crackling brand of smooth sax jazz sounds inspired by his hometown of Chicago. Cole's trademark sound is a sizzling mix of modern funk textures and neo-soul sensibilities mixed with catchy hooks and feisty horn textures on the choruses. It's guaranteed to make any audience a true fan.

This year's series also features Michael Lington, one of the hottest acts on the Contemporary Jazz scene. On Friday, August 25th, Lington, who once toured with Little Richard, will grace the stage with a passionate, intense style that will have crowd wanting more. Lington's sound is unique. Critics have described him as, "One to watch out for in the near future." Lington is in the studio now working on a summer 2006 album release.

The series will close out on Friday, September 1st with an exciting performance by the Sax Pack. The Sax Pack features three of the most talented saxophonists in the country; Jeff Kashiwa, brings his classic style, Kim Waters, adds a little funk and last but not least, Steve Cole, contributes his own eclectic mix to the trio.

Smooth Jazz WJJZ 106.1 has supported this concert series since it's inception. WJJZ's Michael Tozzi comments, "This is one of the premiere concert events in Philadelphia each year. The thousands of listeners and talented artists are what make these shows magical and a weekend destination for so many each August!" WJJZ 106.1 radio personalities will be on site every Friday evening to host the concert, give away prizes and sell special merchandise.

CBS 3 (KYW-TV) and CW Philly 57 (WPSG-TV) are part of the CBS Television Stations division, one of the largest network-owned station groups. "We are happy to expand the relationship we began with Penn's Landing Corporation last summer by having our sister station CBS 3 join the partnership," says Michael Colleran, president and general manager of the two stations. The staff of CBS 3 is especially excited about promoting the Smooth Summer Nights series and sharing this exciting program with our viewers all summer long."

This series is free to the public due to the generous support of Independence Blue Cross. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis for each show. Public Programming at Penn's Landing would not be possible without our presenting sponsor, Independence Blue Cross, and the continued support of PECO, an Exelon Company; Commerce Bank, Pennsylvania Lottery and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, all of whom are committed to serving the Greater Philadelphia community.

Penn's Landing Corporation is the non-profit organization responsible for funding and producing public programming at Penn's Landing. Independence Blue Cross is the presenting sponsor of the 2006 Summer Season at Penn's Landing. All events produced by Penn's Landing Corporation are FREE to the public and on the Great Plaza, the heart of Penn's Landing, Philadelphia's premier riverfront entertainment destination.

MILES DAVIS - COOL AND COLLECTED, FEATURING 14 CAREER-DEFINING RECORDINGS TO BE RELEASED SEPTEMBER 5

For the past half-century, when the subject turns to the simple question, “What defines ‘cool’?” there has always been one perfect answer: Miles Davis. Beyond his defiant stance, his piercing glare, his amorous conquests and those one-of-a-kind Issey Miyake fashion statements – there was and always will be the music of Miles Davis. Cool & Collected is the first single CD anthology to zero in on a baker’s dozen of the recordings which created the swirling mythos of ‘cool’ that defines Miles, spanning 1956 to 1984, with a new previously unreleased bonus remix track to close the program. This definitive package of all-classic selections, which will be supported by one of the most aggressive multi-tiered consumer lifestyle marketing campaigns ever launched by Legacy Recordings, will arrive in stores September 5th on Columbia/Legacy Jazz, a division of Sony BMG Music Entertainment.

Underscoring the ‘hip’ factor associated with Cool & Collected is its fascinating cover design by Bert Stefano of Instituto Europea of Design in Italy. His design won a contest arranged with top design schools in 12 countries around the world. Students from these schools created their artwork based on Legacy’s criteria for this Miles Davis album (demographics, marketing concept). Other schools enlisted for the design competition were: New York’s School of Visual Arts; ESDI (Escola Superior de Desenho Industrial) of Rio de Janeiro; Tokyo Gakugei University; Chelsea College of Art & Design in London; Köln International School of Design in Germany; Royal Academy of Arts at the Hague; CEV (European Volunteer Centre) of Barcelona; Instituto Europea of Design in Rome and Milan; and Instituto Europea of Design in Madrid.

If ‘cool’ is the magnet that has been drawing jazz hipsters together for these past fifty-five-plus years, then nowhere is that synergy better represented than on the brand new remix of 1969’s It’s About That Time heard on Cool & Collected. Newly recorded parts by Carlos Santana (lead guitar), drummer Vince Wilburn, Jr. (Miles’ nephew and former band-member), bassist Charley Drayton, Geri Allen on Fender Rhodes piano, Pat Thrall, recording engineer/guitarist/programmer, and African drummers Azize Faye and Ndongo Mbaye are engaged in the remix of the original track (from the In A Silent Way LP sessions) that featured Miles on trumpet, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Joe Zawinul on keyboards, Wayne Shorter on tenor saxophone, bassist Dave Holland, guitarist John McLaughlin, and drummer Tony Williams. The Davis remix was produced by Wilburn, Thrall and Drayton; and was executive produced by Steve Berkowitz and Wilburn.

The remix of 1969’s It’s About That Time is the icing on a collection containing music that ranges from Miles’ second year of recordings on Columbia – 1956’s Bye Bye Blackbird and ’Round Midnight (both with Miles’ so-called “first great quintet” featuring tenor saxophonist John Coltrane, as heard on the ’Round About Midnight LP) all the way through the two cover versions from his final Columbia album, 1985’s You’re Under Arrest, namely Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time (with John Scofield on guitar) and the Michael Jackson hit Human Nature (with John McLaughlin on guitar).

The late 1950s were abundant with Miles Davis recordings that re-established him as the paradigm of cool, long after the Birth Of the Cool sessions (released in 1950) that signaled his graduation from the frenetic bebop movement of the ’40s. Cool & Collected lives up to its title by gathering a brilliant quartet of 1958 sides – Milestones (the first session in which Coltrane was joined by Julian “Cannonball” Adderley on alto saxophone), Stella By Starlight and Fran-Dance (from the first session in which pianist Bill Evans joined the quintet), and the Gershwins’ Summertime (from Porgy And Bess, arranged and conducted by Gil Evans) – topped off by this CD’s opening gem, So What, from the undisputedly coolest jazz LP ever recorded, Kind Of Blue. In December 1957, Miles took a side-trip to Paris where he hooked up with old friend and expatriate musician, drummer Kenny Clarke for sessions that yielded the French LP movie soundtrack on Fontana for Ascenseur pour l’échafaud (Elevator To The Gallows). The third track on the album, Générique, marks an extremely rare and historic appearance of a recording from that LP on a Columbia anthology.

The 1960s are represented by two crucial recordings: 1963’s Seven Steps To Heaven was the title tune from the first LP to spring forth from Miles’ new quintet of Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Tony Williams, and saxophonist George Coleman; a year and a half later, 1965’s E.S.P. was the title tune from the first LP (and first record date) by the fully-formed “second great quintet” – Hancock, Carter, Williams, and Wayne Shorter. Both of these tracks hold primal positions in the annals of cool. When Miles Davis became the first (and only) modern jazz figure ever to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame this year, it demanded reflection upon his impact on popular culture in general – not just the worlds of jazz and rock that he forever welded together at the hip in the late 1960s. Decades later, in this landmark year of 2006 – in which Miles would have turned 80 years old on May 26th, and in which the 15th anniversary of his death is commemorated on September 25th – his mystique looms as large as ever on the landscape of ‘cool.’ The world of hip belongs to Miles, to paraphrase a line from Ol’ Blues Eyes’ handbook, and we are all just guests.

The marketing campaign devised for Cool & Collected will take full advantage of the celebrations that have already begun surrounding Miles’ 80th birthday. Targeting a very broad market on a lifestyle basis, this campaign seeks to introduce the legacy of Miles to a new generation of music listeners. Legacy will faithfully represent Miles as a fountainhead of inspiration, innovation, and style, in other words: Cool. A combination of marketing tools will include a 30-second TV Commercial, and written testimonials from Brian Wilson, Joni Mitchell, Trey Anastasio of Phish, Herb Alpert, Sting, Chris Botti, and more. A full complement of media events – including induction onto Hollywood’s RockWalk (sponsored by Guitar Center Music Foundation) and a football half-time tribute to Miles by the legendary USC Marching band on November 11th – are also scheduled.

Various contests and sweepstakes, along with a growing list of third party corporate sponsorships, grassroots marketing efforts, and a strong online presence is also being coordinated.“Miles Dewey Davis III – trumpeter, visionary, and eternal modernist – was a force of nature,” wrote Ashley Kahn (author of Kind Of Blue: The Making Of the Miles Davis Masterpiece, Da Capo, 2000) in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame dinner journal on the occasion of Miles’ induction. “With an ear that disregarded categories of style, he sought out new musical worlds, and generations followed in his footsteps. While the creative rush and experimental charge that come to most musicians in youth eventually run down, Davis held an exploratory edge for most of his 65 years. It had to be fresh, or forget it.”

Cool & Collected by Miles Davis (Columbia /Legacy Jazz 82876 84784 2) Selections: 1. So What (recorded 1959) • 2. Summertime (1958) • 3. Générique (1957) • 4. Stella By Starlight (1958) • 5. Fran-Dance (1958) • 6. Milestones (1958) • 7. ’Round Midnight (1956) • 8. Bye Bye Blackbird (1956) • 9. Seven Steps To Heaven (1963) • 10. Time After Time (1984) • 11. E.S.P. (1965) • 12. Human Nature (1984) • 13. It’s About That Time (recorded 1969, remixed 2006).

FOURPLAY - SMOOTH JAZZ SUPERGROUP RELEASES 10th ALBUM; MICHAEL McDONALD FEATURED ON FIRST SINGLE, "MY LOVE'S LEAVIN'

Fifteen years of Fourplay seems too good to be true -- yet with FOURPLAY X the world's top smooth jazz ensemble makes clear that the pleasure is just beginning. Scheduled to release on August 8, with radio airplay kicking in on the Fourth of July, FOURPLAY X, the supergroup's landmark tenth album, marks a shift from recent experiments in spontaneous composition and tight deadlines to focus more fully on writing and arrangement as groundwork for elegant improvisation.

Unlike previous projects, FOURPLAY X began through exchanges of MP3 demos between all four members. The magic of Fourplay is based on the interactions between keyboardist Bob James, bassist Nathan East, guitarist Larry Carlton, and drummer Harvey Mason, each a pop music icon in his own right. By beginning their creative exchanges earlier than ever on this project, long before they actually gathered in the studio, they insured that FOURPLAY X would be a milestone in their catalog. The results can be heard in the intricacy of James' alternately breezy and forceful opening track, "Turnabout," in Carlton's bluesy, Wes Montgomery- inflected "Cinnamon Sugar," in East's exotic and airy "Eastern Sky," in Mason's straight-ahead groovefest "Kid Zero" -- in the polish and conception of each track on FOURPLAY X, making this their most fully conceived group effort to date. They bring the same qualities to the table for the one cover, and the first single, on the album: "My Love's Leavin,'" written and recorded originally by Steve Winwood and performed here with Michael McDonald. From the opening notes -- a percolating synthesizer figure that pays tribute to Winwood's sound -- through the searing, smoky vocal, "My Love's Leavin'" shows what a brilliant band can achieve when working in tandem with a singer of McDonald's caliber.

All four members fill their calendars with sessions and solo projects, but it remains a priority to keep Fourplay alive as their only true group endeavor, with each partner an equal contributor. "It's unique in that we come together as friends as well as musicians who are at the top of our game," explains East. "I don't think I've had a day off this year, and the other guys are just as busy. But we always make the time to get together -- to be honest, mainly because it's fun."

Fourplay debuted with a splash in 1991: Their self-titled debut album sold more than one million copies and lodged for 33 weeks at the top of the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts. The follow-up, Between the Sheets, reached number one, earned gold status, and was nominated for a Grammy in 1993. They went three-for-three in 1995 with their third release, Elixir, which also hit number one and stayed on the charts for more than a year and a half. And, as if to save time, their fourth album, 4, entered the charts at number one.

This early momentum builds with FOURPLAY X as the group begins a marathon tour that starts with Europe in July; highlights include headline dates at the Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals. In late July they continue to Indonesia, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Japan, where a highlight includes an appearance as the only jazz artists featured at the Udo Music Festival, alongside Santana, Jeff Beck, the Doobie Brothers, and other rock legends. The U.S. tour begins on August 19 and 20, with appearances at the JVC Jazz Festivals in Concord and Los Angeles, California.

RAFE GOMEZ OF THE GROOVE BOUTIQUE SPINS AT LE CLUB AVENUE

Rafe Gomez (The Groove Boutique) is now working three gigs a week in addition to his nationally syndicated Groove Boutique show. He’s now set to bring his blend of chill, downtempo, reggae, soulful house, and groovin’ jazz to the Le Club Avenue in the New Jersey shore. He’ll be spinning there every Sunday, commencing July 23 and continuing on throughout the summer. This in addition to his "After Work Groove" at The Cellar Bar on Wednesdays, and the "P.M. Groove" at Chakra on Thursdays.

RADIO NEWS: WBLS, WQCD, KZJK HIGH-DEFINITION

RADIO NEWS……….New York’s Smooth Jazz station, WCQD-FM scored a 2.9 rating in the spring 2006 Arbitron ratings. That places the station at number 11 (out of 22) overall behind WLTW (7.0), WSKQ (5.2), WHTZ (4.5), WRKS (4.3), WBLS (4.2), WWPR (4.1), WPAT-FM & WQHT (3.9), WINS (3.7), WABC (3.4), and WAXQ (3.2). The lowest scoring stations were WLB amd WALK with 1.0……….And while we are on the subject of WBLS and in the words coined by the legendary Frankie Crocker, this station truly is the home of ‘the world’s best looking sound’ thanks nowadays to the great voice of Vaughn Harper. He is the prime example of what Frankie Crocker was referring to and in my opinion the absolute best Quiet Storm show in the nation. You must check him out on weeknights……….The Minneapolis-St. Paul radio market now boasts 23 high definition (HD) channels on FM and one on AM. Smooth-jazz-wise, on the dial at 104.1, CBS Radio’s KZJK boasts an adult hits/Jack format, however, for those of you with a HD receiver the HD2 channel is smooth jazz and it is being promoted as "Jazz In High Definition. 104.1. Pure Jazz."

UPCOMING RELEASES DUE FROM PATTI LABELLE, TONY BENNET, ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM & MORE

Upcoming New Releases…Geffen will release te 2-CD compilation, The Definitive Collection from Patti LaBelle……….Maralis Music will release the next Branford Marsalis CD, Braggtown, due September 12……….Verve will release To Go from Antonio Carlos Jobim on September 12……….Columbia/Legacy will release a series of Tony Bennett albums on August 29 that include – I Left My Heart In San Francisco (1962); MTV Unplugged (1994); Perfectly Frank (1992); Tony Bennett’s Greatest Hits Of The 50’s; and Tony Bennett’s Greatest Hits Of The 60’s………and finally, Columbia/Legacy will release Cool & Collected from Miles Davis on August 29.

SMOOTH SOUL & SLOW JAM CONCERTS WITH THE DELLS, INTRUDERS, MARY JANE GIRLS, STYLISTICS, EDDIE HOLMAN, DRAMATICS & OTHERS

The sound of smooth soul music and slow jams comes to the 1st Annual Maryland Music Festival being held August 4-6, at the Show Place Arena. Scheduled to appear are Brothers Johnson, New Birth, Mary Jane Girls, Slave, Switch, Stylistics, Dramatics, Chi-Lites, Intruders, Peaches & Gerb, WAR, Zapp, Ohio Players and Lakeside – just wow!!! What a lineup. This is one of those can’t miss concerts. Also, The Dells, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Harold Hewitt, Black Ivory, Mel’isa Morgan, Floaters, Eddie Holman and GQ appear at the Paradise Theatre in Bronx, NY on September 30.

SANTANA ALL-STAR 40TH ANNUAL PRESENTATION AT THE MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL

Carlos Santana and the Santana Band will perform the last of their trio of extraordinary all-star concerts at the 40th annual presentation of the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland on Wednesday, July 12. Titled "Santana!," Carlos and the Santana Band will be joined onstage by jazz icon Herbie Hancock, contemporary R&B star Beverley Knight, horn-driven greats Tower of Power, alt-star Eagle-Eye Cherry, multi-lingual rocker Draco and more. It is scheduled to take place at the Auditorium Stravinksi, the largest of the Festival's three halls.

"Santana!" is the third and final of the themed shows that Carlos Santana conceived for this year's Festival, all featuring an array of internationally renowned guest artists, and all paying tribute to the global musical influences -- African, Cuban, Brazilian and more -- that have shaped and inspired Santana's artistic legacy and made them one of the world's most popular and enduring groups.

"Everyone should know by now," Carlos said recently, "that my first love in music has to do with African overtones, resonance, rhythm and melodies. I made a request to Mr. Claude Nobs, the gentleman who founded the Montreux Festival, for an African night. We invited a lot of friends to play with us, and selected songs that we could do together, as well as ones that they would typically do in their own sets. I feel blessed to be doing what turned into three shows with some of the greatest musicians on the planet at a Festival that is truly the mother of all concerts -- every person is treated like royalty, it is win-win for everyone concerned."

The first of the two shows already presented to great acclaim was "Dance To The Beat Of My Drum" on July 9, showcasing many of African music's biggest names including Benin-born/Paris-based vocalist Angélique Kidjo, Senegalese stars Ismael Lo, Idrissa Diop and Touré Kunda (who performed Africa Bamba on Santana's Supernatural album) and Guinean-born master Mory Kanté. Taking the spotlight with Santana for July 10th's "My Blues Is Deep" event were music greats including soul/blues diva Irma Thomas, blues icon Taj Mahal, Malian Touareg phenomenon Tinariwen and New Orleans legends The Neville Brothers.

The first Montreux Jazz Festival took place in 1967, lasting three days and presenting a handful of artists. 2006's two-week event -- marking the Festival's 40th anniversary and celebrated founder Claude Nobs' 70th birthday -- spotlights over 100 artists and draws upwards of 200,000 fans from around the world. The first of Santana's many performances at Montreux was in 1970. Prior to 2006, their most recent Festival show was in 2004, when Carlos Santana presented, in conjunction with Nobs, "Hymns: An Evening Of Songs For Peace," a guest star-studded gala (Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Ravi Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Angelique Kidjo and others) that inspired this year's three themed concerts.

"We played One Love,Imagine,'Blowing In The Wind -- the new hymns," said Carlos. "It made you stand up, it made you cry, and dance, and laugh... it's real music. It has to do with witnessing something being born, with pain and emotion. When you see a baby being born, and come into the light, you realize that is the only way to participate in this planet, and that is the only music I like to play -- music that is raw, that is honest, that is divine."

That Santana tradition of real music lives on through their three Montreux Jazz Festival concerts this week, and throughout the remainder of their 2006 World Tour. Following Santana's Montreux events, the band will play two weeks worth of dates in Italy and Japan before heading Stateside for an extensive nationwide itinerary.

Santana's domestic dates kick off on the West coast beginning July 27 in San Diego, CA at Viejas Concerts at Bayside. The Western U.S. schedule also features shows in Phoenix, AZ (7/27) and Las Vegas, NV (7/29) in addition to concerts spanning the length of California, concluding August 6 at the Sacramento Valley's Sleep Train Amphitheatre in Marysville. Neo-soul star Anthony Hamilton, featured on the memorable track Twisted from the new Santana album All That I Am, is the opening act for all West coast dates. The East coast leg of Santana's 2006 World Tour launches with a special September 15 concert at Mansfield, MA's Tweeter Center that features guitar legend Jeff Beck as the bill's opener. All other East coast dates feature the Salvador Santana Band opening and Los Lonely Boys as the second act, with highlights including 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.

Following the conclusion of Santana's 2006 World Tour, Carlos Santana will travel to South Africa for Desmond Tutu's 75th birthday celebration, after which he will take a break. "I'm going to stop for a year or so," says Carlos, adding, "it will feel really good to let go of this Santana guy for awhile and become a person instead of a personality -- to become 'daddy husband.' Domestic rhythm is really glorious, I recommend it to most musicians, so that they know how to keep the rhythm that way as well."

SANTANA 2006 WORLD TOUR DATES
JULY - EUROPE & JAPAN
July 12 "Santana!" - Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland
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 - Verizon Amphitheater
Aug 1 - Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Bowl
Aug 2 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl
Aug 4 - Concord, CA - Chronicle Pavilion
Aug 5 - Mountain View, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre
Aug 6 - Marysville, CA - Sleep Train Amphitheatre

SEPTEMBER - EAST COAST U.S. featuring Salvador Santana Band opening and Los Lonely Boys as second act (except for 9/15 with special guest Jeff Beck):
Sept 15 - Mansfield, MA - Tweeter Center – featuring Jeff Beck opening
Sept 16 - Wantagh, NY - Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
Sept 17 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
Sept 20 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
Sept 22 - Wallingford, CT - Chevrolet Theater
Sept 23 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Event Center
Sept 24 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Event Center
Sept 26 - Bristow, VA - Nissan Pavilion at Stone Ridge
Sept 28 - West Palm Beach, FL - Sound Advice Amphitheater
Sept 29 - Tampa, FL - Ford Amphitheatre
Sept 30 - Atlanta, GA - Chastain Park Amphitheatre

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.