UPCOMING CONCERTS: MARCUS MILLER, LEE RITENOUR, NAJEE, ERIC DARIUS, PETE ESCOEDO, NONA HENDRYX, FRANK MORGAN, MAYSA & OTHERS…

Upcoming Concert Announcements……….Dr. John performs at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara, CA on Aug. 18……….Maysa is at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston, MA Aug. 18-19……….Chico Hamilton is at the Lincoln Center Out-Of-Doors Festival; Aug. 18……….Ben Harper and Damian Marley are at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA on Aug 18 and 19……….The 17th Annual Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival presented by Southwest Airlines kicks off this weekend from Aug. 18-20. Musicians performing include Marcus Miller, Lonnie Liston-Smith, Claudia Villela, Mambo Tropical featuring Pete Escvedo, Mark Levine & The Latin Tinge, Roberta Gambarini, Ricardo Lemvo and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, among others……….Maysa performs at the North Shores Valley Pavillion in Nashville, TN on Aug. 20……….Dave Brubeck makes one of his regular stops over at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara for a concert on Aug. 23……….Nona Hendryx is at Funkrock @ Joe’s Pub in NY on Aug. 22……….Hil St. Soul at SOB’s in NY on Aug. 23……….The Downtown Berkeley Jazz Festival runs from Aug. 23-27 and will feature more that 50 performances from jazz and world music artists, and it is being held at a number of venues throughout downtown Berkeley, CA. For more information click to www.downtownberkelyjazzfestivalk.org.......... The Wailers at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Virginia Beach on Aug. 24……….Lee Ritenour, Dave Grusin, Brian Bromberg and Alex Acuna perform at Yoshi’s in the San Francisco Bay area on Aug. 20 and at Kuumbwa in Monteray, CA on Aug. 21……….Frank Morgan and Ronnie Matthews at Joe’s Pub in NY for two shows; Aug. 25……….The Commodores at Grand Victoria Casino in Rising, IN; Aug. 25……….Keiko Matsui at the Arturo Sandoval Jazz Club on Miami Beach on Aug. 25……….Earth, Wind & Fire with Chris Botti at the Sound Advice Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, FL on Sept. 4……….Brian Culbertson and Eric Darius at the Radisson Hotel in Sacramento, CA on Sept. 9………."Oh What A Classic Soul Night" features The Mighty Dells, Black Ivory, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, GQ, Howard Hewitt, The Floaters and Eddie Holman, at the Paradise Theatre in Bronx, NY on Sept. 30……….Najee performs at the Radisson Hotel in Sacramento, CA on Oct. 7……….The San Francisco Jazz Festival will be taking place between Oct. 20 and Nov. 12 and this year the line-up includes Alice Coltrane, Marisa Monte, Heath Brothers, Arturo Sandoval, Andrew Hill and the legendary Sonny Rollins.

MICHAEL MANSON’S 2nd RELEASE ‘JUST FEELIN’ IT’ SET FOR RELEASE SEPT. 12

Chicago Bass Player Releases 2nd CD September 12, 2006

With the release of his previous CD, The Bottom Line, Michael Manson joined the ranks of today's premiere jazz artists as he moved from sideman to center stage. His first single Outer Drive reached the top 10 on the R&R Smooth Jazz. His passion and precision are displayed with both unrelenting power and laid-back grace on the album that, he says, "reflects the deepest expression of all I have felt making music for the last twenty years."

For Michael Manson, the bottom line has always been great music. Since he first picked up a guitar (not a bass), he has moved persistently from strength to strength, one association leading inevitably to another in a career that has brought him front and center with the most esteemed names in jazz, gospel, R&B, rock and pop. A native of Chicago, he joined City Lights and began performing regularly on Chicago's jazz circuit. In 1999, he was invited to play the Montreux Casino Lights Festival. Sharing the stage with the likes of Boney James, George Duke and Kirk Whalum, he made connections that would eventually lead to a spot performing on the Montreux Jazz Tour.

On Michael Manson's new CD Just Feelin' It, he is credited for writing and production. For this album Michael has collected the who's who of Smooth Jazz: Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum, Jeff Lorber, Brian Culbertson, Nelson Range, Norman Brown, Paul Jackson Jr., the legendary George Duke and many more great jazz musicians. This album is a great mix of contemporary jazz, R&B and even a little gospel. For Michael Manson, love of musical communication, exploration, collaboration and celebration is clearly what it's all about. This sophomore release reflects Manson's unabating passion with joy and inspired artistry, "There are musical conversations that are intriguing and I hope the audience shares in that. But it is just great for musicians to communicate in that way. That's the joy of music. To make great music like that every night, that's what it's all about."

ADDITIONAL SMOOTH JAZZ RADIO STATIONS TO COME AS THE HD RADIO ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES 18 NEW HD2 MARKETS

The HD Digital Radio Alliance, a joint initiative of leading radio broadcasters to accelerate the rollout of HD digital radio, has announced that 18 new, local markets will begin HD2 multicast programming this fall, marking the third wave of stations rolling out side channels under the Alliance’s format-selection program. This latest wave will launch 140 additional HD2 channels and brings the total markets served by HD2 multicast programming to 68, all of which are in the top 100 markets In total, more than 600 radio stations nationwide belonging to Alliance members now offer HD2 multicast programming. "We’re even surprised by how fast this is moving," said Peter Ferrara, president and CEO of the HD Digital Radio Alliance. "It’s only been eight months since the Alliance was formed and we are seeing HD digital radio broadcasts being launched at a much faster pace than expected. We are excited to be helping listeners discover the newest digital entertainment option around – and of course there’s no subscription fee.

The next 18 markets to roll out HD2 multicast programming are:
Austin, TX
Raleigh, NC
Nashville, TN
Greensboro, NC
New Orleans, LA
West Palm Beach, FL
Jacksonville, FL
Monmouth
Ocean Buffalo, NY
Oklahoma City, OK
Rochester, NY
Louisville, KY
Richmond, VA
Greenville, SC
Honolulu, HI
Tucson, AZ
Albany, NY
Ft. Myers, FL

Among those groups in the next wave are: CBS Radio, which has added stations in Austin, Buffalo, Rochester and West Palm Beach, and will launch their multicast format this fall.

MARKET / STATION / HD2 FORMAT
AUSTIN / KKMJ-FM / Oldies 60s & 70s
KAMX-FM / Oldies All 80s
KXBT-FM / Urban AC
BUFFALO / WYRK-FM / Young Country
WBLK-FM / Urban AC
WJYE-FM / Smooth Jazz
WBUF-FM / My HD
ROCHESTER/ WRMM-FM / Oldies 60s & 70s
WCMF-FM / Brother Wease Show (Eclectic)
WPXY-FM / Modern AC
WZNE-FM / IndieRock
WEST PALM BEACH / WEAT-FM / Hot AC
WBMX-FM / Old School Hip-Hop
WIRK-FM / Country Southern Rock Blend
WJBW-FM / Gospel
WPBZ-FM / Triple A

Emmis Communications has unveiled its next wave of HD2 channels in Austin. Emmis will roll out these multicast channels in the coming months.

KBPA-FM (BOB-FM) will air a smooth jazz channel on its secondary signal, KDHT-FM (HOT 93.3) will broadcast an "Old Skool" hip-hop channel, KLBJ-FM will air an Austin blues channel, KGSR-FM listeners hear a "Deep, Deep Tracks" channel, and KROX (101X) will play hard rock and metal on its HD2 channel.

And Greater Media has announced details of two new HD2 multicast channels in the New Jersey market. In addition to WDHA-FM and WMGQ-FM, Greater Media New Jersey will soon be able to double its program offerings to WRAT-FM and WJRZ-FM listeners with an HD radio.

New Multicast Formats: WRAT- FM HD 2: "RAT 2" will be the name of the new, female friendly, Rock-based format which will play a variety of artists ranging from the Pretenders to Coldplay. The multicast channel will complement WRAT’s current male dominated rock format.

SMOOTH JAZZ SUMMER NIGHTS WITH MICHAEL LINGTON, STEVE COLE & THE SAX PACK AT PENN’S LANDING

The Penn’s Landing Corporation will be bringing free smooth jazz to the Philadelphia waterfront as Smooth Jazz Summer Nights continues for a ninth season, on the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street, every Friday night in August through September 1. On Friday, August 18, gifted saxophonist, Steve Cole, brings his unique sound to the Philadelphia Waterfront, with his 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 crowds 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 an upcoming album release. The grand finale of the series will be 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, who brings his classic style, Kim Waters, who adds a little funk and, last but not least, Steve Cole, who contributes his own eclectic mix to the trio.

ALICE SMITH ‘FOR LOVERS, DREAMERS, AND ME’

Alice Smith is an uncategorizable and rare artist whose commanding 4-octave voice lets her skip across genres effortlessly and transport you along with it. Based in NYC, but raised in Washington DC and Georgia, her references span the USA from country and classic rock to jazz and gospel. She is bringing back the American tradition of soul music with the raw emotions in her voice and relatable lyrics void of any pretense. For Lovers, Dreamers, and Me is a collection of songs that add an innovative twist to an undeniable groove. From the opening beat accompanied by piano and horn stabs, Smith reminds you that rock and soul came from the same place. The songs all have the anthemic quality of classic songwriting with a decidedly modern groove and vernacular. Whether singing about people’s need to escape the pressures of working in the cities for some relaxation in a natural environment or fighting off depression after life throws you a curve ball, her voice is full of honesty. Smith is already garnering raves from the press for her refreshing persona and songwriting. Her live shows with her band have become a touch act to follow, infecting the audience with the joy she puts into her work. For Lovers, Dreamers, and Me is sure to be one of the year’s most exciting albums from a new artist that will connect with you instantly. For Lovers, Dreamers and Me will be available in stores in North America Sept. 5, 2006.

Alice Smith Tour Schedule
Aug 22 - The Mercury Lounge, NYC
Aug 30 - Rockwood Music Hall, NYC
Sep 13 - Burlington, VT Higher Ground
Sep 14 - Boston, MA Avalon Ballroom
Sep 15 - New York, NY Hammerstein Ballroom
Sep 16 - Atlantic City, NJ Borgatta Music Box
Sep 19 - New Haven, CT Toad's Place
Sep 20 - Washington, DC 9:30 Club
Sep 21 - Washington, DC 9:30 Club
Sep 22 - Carborro, NC Cat's Cradle
Sep 23 - Charleston, SC Center Stage at the Plex
Sep 26 - Asheville, NC The Orange Peel
Sep 27 - Knoxville, TN Bijou Theatre
Sep 28 - Nashville, TN City Hall
Sep 29 - Athens, GA Georgia Theatre
Sep 30 - Atlanta, GA Center Stage (Earthlink Live)
Oct 12 - Los Angeles, CA HOB
Oct 13 - Los Angeles, CA HOB
Oct 14 - Anaheim, CA HOB
Oct 15 - San Francisco, CA The Independent
Oct 16 - San Francisco, CA The Independent
Oct 18 - Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
Oct 19 - Vancouver, BC Richard on Richard's
Oct 20 - Seattle, WA The Showbox
Oct 21 - Seattle, WA The Showbox
Oct 22 - Seattle, WA The Showbox

NATALIE COLE TO RELEASE ‘LEAVIN’ HER 20th STUDIO ALBUM

Eight-time Grammy Award winner Natalie Cole is set to release her 20th studio album on September 26, marking an impressive milestone that speaks to her musicianship, her critically acclaimed abilities as a vocalist and her connection to her fans. Leavin’ also marks her first album of new material in nearly four years, a recording that returns Cole to her musical roots as one of our time’s best r&b/pop vocalists. The Verve Records release finds the acclaimed chanteuse, who has sold more than 30 million albums, working with Grammy Award winning producer Dallas Austin, a combination that has produced one of Cole’s most dynamic recordings to date. An eclectic mix of classic pop, r&b and rock tracks, the 12-song album mixes Cole’s stunning vocals with a list of classic songs from the likes of Fiona Apple, Aretha Franklin, Kate Bush, Sting, Shelby Lynne and others, as well as a new song, 5 Minutes Away, a writing collaboration between Cole, Austin and keyboardist Chanz Parkman.

The launch of the new CD will be led by a remake of the 1972 #1 Billboard R&B single, the Aretha Franklin smash Day Dreaming. Updated with a bit of hip-hop flavor, the song is the first single from the album, and marks the release of Cole’s first urban/pop single in nearly 16 years.The title track is a soulful recast of the Shelby Lynne song from her Grammy winning 2000 release I Am Shelby Lynne. She also tackles a rock standard by taking on Neil Young’s Old Man, an eloquent compliment to the original that shows the warmth and subtlety of her voice. Then there’s Fiona Apple’s hit Criminal, on which Cole and Austin gave a bluesy feel, as well as The More You Do It, a track that pays homage to her first husband and musical collaborator, the late Marvin Yancy. The track completes a trio of soulful cuts including the Isley Brothers Don’t Say Goodnight and the Etta James inspired Lovin’ Arms, each of which grants Cole the opportunity to move back to her 70’s roots with rich, shimmering vocals. Other highlights include remakes of songs written and made famous by Sting and Kate Bush.

UPCOMING CONCERT ANNOUNCEMENTS: BEAT KAESTLI, KEITH WASHINGTON, NICK COLIONNE, MATTHEW HERBERT, CARMEN LUNDY & MORE…

Upcoming Concert Announcements……….Beat Kaestli Quartet @ The Bacchus Room in New York on Aug. 16……….Guitarist Nick Colionne is the featured performer at the upcoming third annual Art and All That Jazz Festival on Aug. 19 in Burnsville, MN. Colionne, whose latest album has reached the Top 10 on the national smooth jazz charts is returning as headliner for the second consecutive year……….Keith Washington appears at the Old School Celebrity Funk Fest Cruise from Aug. 19-24. The cruise will de docking at Grand Cayman Island and Ocho Rios, Jamiaca along its voyage……….Matthew Herbert performs with full band and Skye (from Morcheeba) @ Irving Plaza in New York on Aug. 23……….Kenny Dope will be performing a special DJ set at Cielo in New York on Aug. 24……….Rainier Truby is in for an exclusive DJ set at Cielo on Sept. 7……….Jazz And The New Songbook Artists will be making a stop at the Ford Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, CA and will feature Carmen Lundy, Regina Carter, Robert Glasper, Steve Turre and over a dozen more artists. It’s set for Sept. 10. Lundy is currently featured on 4 popular CDs: Geri Allen's Timeless Portraits and Dreams on Telarc, Jazz Vocalists Hear & Now on Concord Jazz, Hallmark Productions Vintage Collection, and on Mayra Casales' new release, Woman on Fire………. McCoy Tyner. Kenny Garrett, Antonio Jackson, Carmen Lundy, Omar Sosa, and Christian McBride will participate at this year’s sixth annual BeanTown Jazz Festival on Boston’s South End from Sept. 29 through Oct. 1……….Dimitri From Paris and Gilles Peterson will be mixing at the BBE 10th Anniversary on Sept. 30 at the Canvas Kings Cross Goods Yard in London, U.K.……….Spyro Gyra will be at the Community Hall at Fort Lewis College in Telluride, CO on Nov. 16.

'BONNIE RAITT AND FRIENDS' CD/DVD FEATURING NORAH JONES, BEN HARPER, ALISON KRAUSS & KEB’ MO’ RELEASED

Less than a year after VH1 Classic debuted "Decades Rock Live!", the network issues the first-ever DVD/CD release from the innovative series. VH1 Classic Decades Rock Live! Presents Bonnie Raitt and Friends featuring Norah Jones, Ben Harper, Alison Krauss and Keb’Mo’ will be released by Capitol Records on August 15th. This live concert series pairs celebrated artists of rock and roll with some of today’s hottest acts who have been influenced and inspired by these legends. Raitt was among the all-star artist line-up for the first season of "Decades Rock Live!" and the first episode of the series to air on VH1 Classic. Bonnie Raitt and Friends, which was recorded live at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, NJ on September 30, 2005, will feature never-before-seen performance and interview footage, including four duets not included in the VH1 Classic broadcast of the concert. With two hours of concert and interview footage.

DVD track listing
1. Unnecessarily Mercenary (featuring Jon Cleary)
2. I Will Not Be Broken
3. God Was In The Water
4. Gnawin' On It
5. You (featuring Alison Krauss)
6. Papa Come Quick (featuring Alison Krauss)
7. No Gettin' Over You (featuring Keb’ Mo’)
8. Love Letter (featuring Keb’ Mo’)
9. Crooked Crown
10. Trinkets
11. Two Lights In The Nighttime (featuring Ben Harper)
12. Well, Well, Well (featuring Ben Harper)
13. Something To Talk About
14. Hear Me Lord
15. I Don't Want Anything To Change (featuring Norah Jones)
16. Tennessee Waltz (featuring Norah Jones)
17. Love Sneakin' Up On You (featuring All Special Guests)

CD track listing
1. Introduction
2. Unnecessarily Mercenary (featuring Jon Cleary)
3. I Will Not Be Broken
4. God Was In The Water
5. Gnawin’ On It
6. You (featuring Alison Krauss)
7. Love Letter (featuring Keb’ Mo’)
8. Two Lights In The Nighttime (featuring Ben Harper)
9. Well, Well, Well (featuring Ben Harper)
10. Something To Talk About
11. I Don't Want Anything To Change (featuring Norah Jones)
2. Love Sneakin' Up On You (featuring All Special Guests)

IN THE STUDIO WITH AMOS LEE, NORAH JONES, & SUZANNE VEGA

Currently In The Studio……….Norah Jones is currently in the studio recording her third album for Blue Note. This time around Jones is showcasing her continual growth and expansiveness as an artist by writing the material for the album. The record will feature her working band along with a number of special guests to be announced. The date is being produced by Lee Alexander……….Suzanne Vega has signed with the Blue Note label. Since her last album was released in 2001, Vega has been writing new material in her signature style of poetry meets pop. There is an intriguing theme of New York City interwoven into many of the new songs which Suzanne is currently laying down in demo form. We will be recording early this fall with producer and special guests to be determined……….Amos Lee has put the finishing touches his sophomore release for Blue Note. The Philadelphia native recorded in both his home city of Philadelphia and in Los Angeles with the assistance of producer Barrie Maguire. A prolific writer at 27, Lee whittled down a wealth of great new material he’s penned since his successful debut and mixed the tracks last month in NYC with mixer Kevin Killen. The album documents the diverse and soulful stylings of this exciting young singer/songwriter who is growing artistically by leaps and bounds. Special guests include vocalist Lizz Wright and slide guitarist Greg Leisz.

BOOZOO BAJOU JOINED BY NICOLE WILLIS, DENNIS BOVELL, MULATU ASTAQUE & HANNE HUKKELBERG ON ‘JUKE JOINT 2’

Boozoo Bajou follow their 2005 Dust My Broom release with a compilation of slow and easy rich, velvety soul, Juke Joint II. This aptly-titled collection takes the listener on a journey through the dusty, sultry backwoods of the deepest south, where soul music is still brimming with old school blues. Featured on Juke Joint II are tunes from Finland's Nicole Willis, Jamaica's Dennis Bovell, Ethiopian king of funk Mulatu Astaque, and Norwegian-born Hanne Hukkelberg. Juke Joint II demonstrates exactly what puts Boozoo Bajou ahead of the game-- their unique ability to make you slow down, relax, listen, and pay attention to the wonderful subtleties of their downtempo groove.

AARON NEVILLE NEW 'SOUL CLASSICS' ALBUM DUE SEPT. 19

This is Aaron Neville's first Sony BMG release. Due on September 19, the album comprises 13 all-time soul classics,including Otis Redding's (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay and Sam Cooke's A Change Is Gonna Come, Ben E. King's Stand By Me and Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine. The set also features collaborations with Chris Botti, Chaka Khan, David Sanborn, Mavis Staples and Art Neville. "Legendary soul classics performed by one of the greatest soul voices of the 20th Century...it doesn't get better than that," says Joe DiMuro,EVP/General Manager of Sony BMG's Burgundy Records(http://www.burgundyrecords.com).

"By putting our own twist on it, we are making these beloved soul classics new again." Stewart Levine produced the album. Levine, who has worked with a bevy of platinum selling artists, including Jamie Cullum, Simply Red and B.B. King, has produced over 10 Grammy-award winning records. "This is very natural ground for Aaron, as he grew up immersed in the sounds of classic rhythm and blues. It's not a departure or some grand 'concept' -- it's a very natural fit for him and something he's wanted todo for a very long time," says Levine. "The idea behind the record was simplicity itself. We took these iconic songs and stripped them to their essence. We didn't want Aaron to cover them; we wanted him to redefine them. He did just that." "I am excited to be a part of Burgundy Records and look forward to giving my existing fans and, hopefully, new fans some brand new music,"says Aaron Neville. New Orleans' "first son" and four-time Grammy(R) award-winning artist, Neville has a trademark angelic voice and an impressive body of work to go along with it.

The Sony BMG Strategic Marketing Group (SMG) recently launched its new record label, Burgundy Records. The Sony BMG SMG imprint plans to sign legendary multi-platinum artists and release new titles in conjunction withan innovative marketing campaign that will promote the artists through traditional and non-traditional channels.

Final Aaron Neville track listing and sequence
1. Rainy Night In Georgia (featuring Chris Botti)
2. Ain't No Sunshine
3. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay
4. Stand By Me
5. You Send Me
6. Respect Yourself (featuring Mavis Staples)
7. When A Man Loves A Woman
8. Let's Stay Together (featuring Chaka Khan)
9. It's All Right
10. People Get Ready (featuring Art Neville and David Sanborn)
11. My Girl
12. Ain't That Peculiar
13. A Change Is Gonna Come

ANDRE DELANO ON TOUR AND PREPPING NEW ALBUM

Jazz fans coast to coast continue to experience the silky sounds of saxophonist Andre Delano at live performances across the country. West coast fans wait with anticipation as the East St. Louis native prepares to take the stage at the Wilson Creek Winery, Temecula, CA. Opening for Norman Brown’s Summer Storm, Delano will share the stage with music veterans Norman Brown, Patti Austin, Paul Taylor, and Alex Bugnon in a one night only (August 19, 2006) benefit performance to raise money for Children with Autism. Delano also wull be featured with Al Williams on Sunday, August 13, 2006 at the Long Beach Jazz Festival.

On July 21, 2006, Delano returned to his alma mater as the featured performer at Jackson State University’s Battle of the Saxes. The 1994 graduate wowed a sold-out crowd including high school buddies, new fans, music enthusiasts, city officials and onlookers from every Southern state. This fall, Delano's release Funkbone off his debut album Full Circle, can be hears on the Sony BMG Jazz compilation CD The Lounge Connection featuring other great artists like Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, Gerald Albright, Will Downing, Alfonzo Blackwell, George Benson and many others. Delano continues his musical journey with the release of a Jazz Christmas album entitled First Christmas due for release in November.

GEORGE BENSON & AL JARREAU PAIR UP FOR NEW CD ‘GIVIN IT UP’

George Benson and Al Jarreau have teamed for their first collaborative album entitled, Givin’ It Up. Guest musicians on the album include Chris Botti, Jill Scott, Patti Austin, Chris Botti, Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke and Vinnie Colaiuta. Songs include Sam Cooke’s Bring It On Home To Me featuring Paul McCartney, Billie Holiday’s God Bless The Child, Let It Rain, Paul Young’s Every Time You Go Away, John Legend’s Ordinary People, Miles Davis’ Four and Long Come Tutu, and Seals & Croft’s Summer Breeze. In addition, Jarreau has added lyrics and vocals to Benson’s Breezin’ and Benson performs an instrumental version of Jarreau’s Mornin’. The CD is due out on Oct. 24 on the Concord/Monster Music label. In the meantime Benson and Jarreau are on the road together appearing at the Westbury (NY) Music Theatre on Aug. 11 and at the Newport JVC Jazz Festival the weekend of Aug. 12-13.

NEWPORT JVC JAZZ FESTIVAL KICKS OFF THIS WEEKEND; MSN VIDEO TO BROADCAST ONLINE

The JVC Newport Jazz Festival kicks off this Saturday, Aug. 12 over at Fort Adams State Park along the harbor. This year the festival has a great lineup including George Benson, McCoy Tyner, Arturo Sandoval, Dave Brubeck, Al Jarreau, The Bad Plus, Angelique Kidjo, Andy Bey, Chris Botti, Dr. John, Luciana Souza, John Pizzarelli and Jane Monheit, among many others. MSN Video has paired with the JVC Jazz Festival this year to watch the concerts online starting on Aug. 13.

JOHN MAYER, GIL PARRIS, BRAD MEHLDAU, PAT METHENY. DAVID BENOIT, ALEXANDER ZONJIC & MORE

Jazz Chill News Bits:……….John Mayer’s latest album, Continuum, is set for release on the Sony label on September 12. The new album features the hit single – Waiting On The World To Change……….Gil Parris has just been added to the CD101.9 Liberty Jazz Festival lineup. He joins Gato Barbieri, Norman Brown, Patti Austin, Alex Bugnon and Paul Taylor at the Sept. 9 concert at Liberty State Park in New Jersey. Wayman Tisdale, Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, Jeff Golub, Richard Elliot, Gerald Albright, Peter White, Stanley Jordan and Brian Simpson headline the Sept, 10 concert……….Smooth jazz CD101.9 in New York is also presenting a series of summer evening cruises along the Hudson River with such artists as Spyro Gyra, The Rippingtons, Jeff Golub and the Warren Hill Band……….Brad Mehldau and Pat Metheny are collaborating on a new album, Metheny Mehldau, which is set for release on Sept. The 10 track album will feature each artist’s material, and will also Mehldau’s trio of bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard. Songs on the album include Mehldau’s Unrequited and Metheny’s Ring Of Life. The duo are in the planning stages for a March 2007 tour……….The River Raisin Jazz Festival in Ohio is scheduled for Aug. 11-12 in St. Mary’s Park on the banks of the River Raisin in downtown Monroe. Artists set to appear in concerts include Rick Braun, Jesse Palter, Randy Scott, Joe McBride, Jeff McDonald Band, Sheila Landis & Brazilian Love Affair, Nick Colionne, David Benoit, and Alexander Zonjic & Friends.

DIANA KRALL'S LATEST CD 'FROM THIS MOMENT ON’ SET FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 19

Verve Records has announced a September 19 release date for Diana Krall’s latest CD, From This Moment On. It’s her firs studio recording of standards since 2001’s Platinum CD, The Look Of Love. From This Moment On features the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and the Diana Krall Quartet. Songs on the CD include: It Could Happen To You, Isn’t This A Lovely Day?, How Insensitive, Exactly Like You, From This Moment On, I Was Doing All Right, Little Girl Blue, Day In Day Out, Willow Weep For Me, Come Dance With Me, and You Can Depend On Me.

PHILADELPHIA’S SMOOTH JAZZ RADIO WJJZ TO SWITCH FORMATS

Billboard is reporting that Clear Channel smooth jazz WJJZ/Philadelphia’s air staff was on Wednesday, August 8, and that a format flip is imminent. Most likely, the smooth jazz station will flip to another adult format like rhythmic AC. As for now, PD Michael Tozzi remains with the station, using voice tracking in the interim. Coinciding with the speculation about the future of WJJZ are rumors of an impending format flip at sister AC WSNI/Philadelphia. WJJZ adopted the smooth jazz format in March 1993 under now-WNWV/Cleveland PD Bernie Kimble, who left the station after two years and was succeeded by CBS oldies WOGL PD Anne Gress.

CONTEMPORARY/SMOOTH JAZZ AND SOFT R&B FROM MS. JAZ

The smoky and soulful vocals of Cincinnati's Ms. Jaz are highlighted on her new live CD Me Too Live recorded in concert at the prestigious Chez Nora's "Rooftop". Ms. Jaz is backed by her stellar band helmed by musical director and bassist Kerry Jordan. The CD features a great live version of the title track which is a Ms. Jaz original. Plus, Ms. Jaz performs exciting takes on classic songs such as Boy From Ipanema and Sade's Sweetest Taboo. Ms. Jaz plans to tour extensively in 2006 and 2007 and she will be doing a Northeast press tour in September to promote the new CD.

Contemporary/Smooth Jazz and Soft R&B are the styles of music you will hear when attending a Ms. Jaz performance. Be it a festival or indoor venue, you will feel as though you are sitting front row at a national concert. Smoky and smooth are the words used to describe her vocals. Named among the "Top Ten Jazz Albums" in British Columbia in 2003, and named by Cincinnati's Citybeat Magazine as one of the "Top Local Artists to Produce a CD on A National Level", Ms. Jaz rose to popularity with her 2002 CD release Chances.

A Cincinnati based vocalist and writer; she has performed in various cities across the nation. She has shared the stage with such artists as jazz great Gumbi Ortiz, percussionist for guitar great Al Di Meola. Many have compared her smooth vocals to the great Billie Holliday, Sarah Vaughan, Phyllis Hyman and Anita Baker. Ms. Jaz performed background vocals live in concert for Phil Perry, Windham Hill's hot vocalist at Cincinnati's Aronoff Center and opened for Regina Belle at the 1999 Applause Magazine Image Maker Awards Gala, Bobby Blue Bland, Marion Meadows and Pieces Of A Dream. 2004 was her debut with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) as the featured artist on a Jazz Cruise sponsored by the CSO.

JAZZ CHILL NEWS BITS: MICHAEL ASHANTI, OCOTE SOUL SOUNDS, HUGH “PEANUTS” WHALUM & MORE...

JAZZ CHILL NEWS BITS……….R&B stylist, Michael Ashanti, has just released his highly anticipated debut CD project entitled All Of Me. Michael delivers soulful yet stimulating vocals that effortlessly soar over a cross-hybrid of R&B, jazz, gospel and pop. Michael’s style of music has been appropriately branded as soul fusion to signify the core presence of soul and gospel-influenced vocals woven through a diverse array of sound fabrics mainly rooted in Black Music……….The debut album from Ocote Soul Sounds & Adrian Quesadas, El Nino y El Sol, is in stores now. What you can expect on this collaboration between Martin Perna of Antibalas and Adrian Quesada of Grupo Fantasma is a hearty sonic stew of soulful flavors from afrobeat, Latin, psychedelic soul and beyond. You can also find digital single of the tracks Tamarindio (with a remix by Thievery Corporation) and Divinorum (with a remix by Quantic) now on Itunes. Ocote Soul Sounds are scheduled to appear in concert at the grand opening of Solar 1 in New York City. For more information click to www.solar1.org/education/cityso/music.html ……….Rendezvous Entertainment releases the debut self-titled CD from Hugh "Peanuts" Whalum on August 8. "Peanuts" has played with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and Count Basie and is the uncle of smooth jazz saxman Kirk Whalum. If you should happen to be in the L.A. area on August 10, you can catch Kirk Whalum as he presents his uncle and mentor Hugh "Peanuts" Whalum at the Vic in Santa Monica for two shows at 8pm and at 10om.

JIM BRICKMAN RETURNS WITH “ESCAPE’ FEATURING MARC ANTOINE, GERALD LEVERT & SARA EVANS

SLG Records, a division of the Savoy Label Group, has announced the imminent release of platinum-selling artist Jim Brickman's new CD, Escape. The pianist, producer & composer has recently finished an album of all new solo piano and pop vocal compositions - Escape - which features special appearances by Sara Evans (the Academy of Country Music's "Female Vocalist of the Year" for 2006), R&B vocal star Gerald Levert and smooth jazz guitarist extraordinaire Marc Antoine. In addition, Brickman will embark on a five-month tour of North America beginning November 3rd. Jim Brickman's Escape is in stores October 3rd.

Brickman's first collaboration with SLG Records is a fine return to form for the chart-topping, multi-platinum artist. Escape is a lush, unabashed work of romanticism, both in the instrumental compositions and vocal ballads - a niche that he almost single-handedly dominates. Like his numerous gold and platinum-selling projects, Escape features an enchanting collection of gorgeous piano compositions, romantic piano and vocal ballads and rhythmic light jazz selections. Gerald Levert (who attended the same high school in Cleveland with Jim) adds his effortlessly fluid vocals on the beautiful lullaby, My Angel - it's a collaboration that reaches beyond musical genres and fits seamlessly into Brickman's repertoire. Other guest artists include jazz guitarist extraordinaire Marc Antoine, Jake Simpson (a fantastic singer who won "Star Search" and made a heartwarming appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show with a surprise appearance by his idol, Stevie Wonder), and Geoff Byrd, an incredible vocal talent who has been touring the past few months with Hall and Oates.

The singles being released to Adult Contemporary radio will be the evocative When It Snows featuring Geoff Byrd and Never Alone featuring Sara Evans on vocals with lyrics and music by Victoria Shaw. Both were produced by Dan Shea, the musical genius responsible for Brickman's chart-topping singles, Valentine and The Gift. Much like the Brickman/Martina McBride song Valentine (Jim's first #1 single on both the Adult Contemporary and Country charts), Never Alone matches that impeccable styling, unforgettable melodies and lyrical beauty.

Jim Brickman's remarkable career includes six Gold and Platinum selling albums, three #1 and twelve Top 10 Adult Contemporary radio hits, consistent debuts at #1 on Billboard Magazine's New Age chart, a Grammy nomination in 2003, SESAC "Songwriter of the Year" award, a Canadian Country Music Award for "Best Vocal/Instrumental Collaboration," a Dove Award presented by the Gospel Music Association for The Gift and sold out concert tours internationally.

The SLG relationship reunites Jim Brickman with Savoy Label Group's Steve Vining, who presided over Windham Hill Records when Jim first began his impressive run of blockbuster releases. The charismatic performer quickly became known as a fresh and vibrant recording and concert artist who created and performed enormously moving solo piano compositions as well as established himself as an Adult Contemporary radio iconoclast. Brickman also regularly handles TV hosting chores and presents most of his own concerts worldwide. He also finds time to run his own online marketing company, Brickhouse, which provides virtual and physical marketing services for a broad array of artists and management companies.

The Savoy Label Group (SLG) features not only the historic Savoy Jazz label but also the Denon, Denon Classics, Kin Kou and 429 Records labels. SLG is the North American unit of Columbia Music Entertainment (formerly Nippon Columbia), the oldest music company in Japan. Newly reorganized and now headed by Chairman Strauss Zelnick, Columbia Music Entertainment has re-emerged as a significant creative force with a stable of newly signed platinum-selling artists. SLG is one of the most successful marketers of adult music in the U.S. and focuses on classical, jazz, new age, world and adult alternative genres.

JAZZ CHILL CORNER NEWS BITS: THE ROYAL DAN: A TRIBUTE TO STEELY DAN, MADELINE PEYROUX, MASSIVE ATTACK & MORE

Jazz Chill Corner News Bits..........The Royal Dan: A Tribute is a new CD of Steely Dan tunes performed by an all-star ensemble. The Royal Dan revisits covers and is performed by a core band of drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, Yellowjackets bassist Jimmy Haslip, keyboardist Peter Wolf and master tenor saxist Ernie Watts. Other musicians involved include Robben Ford, Jeff Richman, Mike Stern, Al DiMeola, and Frank Gambale. Songs covered include Peg, Dirty Work, FM, Aja, and Josie. The CD is available on the Tone Centre label……….Madeline Peyroux appears at the Dunkin’ Donuts Newport Folk Festival in Newport, RI on August 6. The festival will feature a series of rock, roots and blues music from August 4-6, with additional performances from the likes of Odetta, Roseanne Cash, Bettye LaVette and David Gray……….Massive Attack are currently working on their upcoming album (their fifth). Actual recording has been put on hold for a bit as Massive Attack prepares for their first North American tour in eight years, which kicks off. Sept. 10 in Toronto. Weather Underground, is the title of the new album which will probably be released sometime in 2007. Massive Attack are currently scheduled to enter the studio sometime early in the year.

MARCUS MILLERTO HOST JAZZ CRUISES THAT BLEND JAZZ CRUISE AND JAZZ FESTIVAL

Jazz Cruises, LLC, the world's foremost and only producer of full-charter luxury jazz cruises, announces the inaugural sailing of the North Sea Jazz Cruise. The world-class Holland America's m/s Rotterdam will embark from Copenhagen on July 5, 2007, with ports-of-call in Warnemunde/Berlin, Germany; Gotenburg, Sweden; Oslo Norway; Hamburg-Elbe River/Germany, then dock in Rotterdam, The Netherlands where the ship will serve as a "floating hotel" for the prestigious North Sea Jazz Festival July 13 - 17. Hosting and serving as artistic director is Grammy award winning bassist composer and producer Marcus Miller, who is assembling the world's greatest jazz musicians to be on board for this unique and spectacular cruise. A complete line-up will be announced shortly. In addition to the great performances which will be scheduled every evening, Miller will work closely with the artists and Jazz Cruises, LLC executive director Michael Lazaroff to create extra-curricular daytime events offering a unique opportunity for the artists and fans to bond beyond the experience of entertaining. Known as the innovators of the ultimate, first class, only full-charter jazz cruise, the North Sea Jazz Cruise is a natural extension for Jazz Cruises, LLC. As the creators of the original Jazz Cruise, now in its twentieth year, the Smooth Jazz Cruise, hosted by Wayman Tisdale and Dave Koz & Friends at Sea, they continue to set higher standards by offering unique opportunities that go above and beyond the ordinary. Blending the cruise with the festival, where the ship becomes a floating hotel is an exciting, unparalleled concept and truly represents the ultimate vacation package for the jazz music patron. Jazz Cruises is the producer and promoter of the only full-ship charters in the world dedicated to jazz music. Jazz Cruises, LLC controls and directs The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise hosted by Wayman Tisdale, Dave Koz & Friends at Sea and the North Sea Jazz Cruise, which will have its inaugural sailing in July, 2007. More information is available at http://www.jazzcruisesllc.com/ With 14 stages, over 200 performances by more than 1,200 artists, and 70,000 visitors yearly, the North Sea Jazz Festival is the largest indoor jazz festival in the world. The festival is renowned for the many musical genres it presents, ranging from traditional New Orleans jazz, swing, bop, free jazz, fusion, avant-garde and electronic jazz to blues, funk, soul, hip-hop, r&b, world beat and Latin. After 30 years in The Hague, the North Sea Jazz Festival moved to Rotterdam in 2006. More information is available at http://www.northseajazz.com/

JODY WATLEY TO APPEAR AT VIRGIN MEGASTORE FOR 'THE MAKEOVER'

Grammy-winning artist Jody Watley is getting ready to transform the music scene once again with her extraordinary new album The Makeover. She'll be at Virgin Megastores with an in-store performance, autograph signing and a press Q&A at the Virgin Megastore in San Francisco on August 8. The Makeover is the latest artistic achievement for Jody Watley in a career that has included 6 Top Ten Hits, 15 Top R&B Hits, and 11 Dance Hits. Jody Watley has teamed with Virgin Megastore to offer her new album exclusively to Virgin Megastore customers.

The Makeover is a groove-laden odyssey of fresh sounds that find the Grammy Award winning artist doing "makeovers" of contemporary classics such as: Bob Marley's Waiting in Vain, Diana Ross' Love Hangover, Chic's I Want Your Love and Madonna's Borderline, in addition to inspired new material including A Bed of Roses with the UK's soul-jazz, broken beat outfit 4 Hero. The Makeover, heavily influenced by club culture that inspires Watley, features collaborations with some of the finest forward thinking trailblazers in the contemporary dance and electronic music landscape including: King Britt, 4 Hero, DJ Spinna, Ron Trent and Chris Brann yielding top-shelf, beat savvy results. The Makeover clearly exemplifies the importance of reinvention, endless creativity and, most importantly, why Jody Watley is such an unbeatable force in the global music scene. The album went on sale August 8.

JAZZ CHILL NEWS BITS: HIL ST. SOUL, 20th ANNUAL CATALINA ISLAND JAZZTRAX MUSIC FESTIVAL & MORE...

Jazz Chill News Bits..........Hil St. Soul are in the midst of a tour of the Northeast as they promote their latest CD, Souldified. You can catch their performances as follows: August 19 – Philadelphia, PA @ Grape St. Pub; August 21 – Alexandria, VA & The Birchmere; August 22 – Annapolis, MD @ The Ram’s Head; and August 23 – New York, NY @ Sounds Of Brazil (SOB’s).......... The 20th Annual Catalina Island Jazztrax Festival is set for the first 3 weekends of October: October 6-8; October 13-15; and October 20-22. Artists scheduled to appear are Mindi Adair, Guitars And Saxes with Gerald Albright, Richard Elliot, Peter White and Jeff Golub, an All-Star Tribute to the music of Paul Hardcastle and Jazzmasters starring Chris Standring, Shilts, Gregg Karukas, plus Jeff Lorber, Chris Standring, and Jody Whatley & Soul Express……….Catalina Island (CA) also presents unplugged nights each Thursday under the stars at the Wrigley Ranch. Look for performances from Peter White (Oct.5); Marc Antoine (Oct.12); and Jonathan Butler (Oct. 19)……….

JAZZ CHILL NEWS BITS: PATTI AUSTIN, LEE RITENOUR, WAYMAN TISDALE, TONY BENNETT, MAYSA LEEK, TEENA MARIE, ANTHONY HAMILTON & MORE...

Patti Austin will be appearing at the YMCA Celebrity Classic fundraiser with a performance at Trail Creek Cabin in Wood River Valley, Idaho on August 6……….Smoke And Mirrors is the new album from smooth jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour. This new release features Ritenour’s classic guitar sound infused with touches of Latin, African and some smooth vocals as well……….George Duke, Jeff Lorber, and Toni Braxton join bassist Wayman Tisdale on his newest release, Way Up! There’s also a nice update of Kool & The Gang’s Get Down On It on the CD………..Maysa Leek performs at Zanzibar Blue in Philadelphia on August 4 & 5, and at the Verison Wireless Theater in Houston on August 6.……….Teena Marie, Anthony Hamilton, Gladys Knight, Charlie Wilson, The Manhattan, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and India.Arie will perform at the 11th annual Berrmuda Music Festival, to be held Oct. 4-7 at Bermuda’a Royal Navy Dockyard. For additional information click to www.bermudamusicfestival.com. Legendary singer Tony Bennett has been chosen as the recipient for the 2006 Billboard Century Award, the magazine's highest honor for creative achievement. The award will be presented to Bennett in December at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.

VERVE RELEASES 'BABY LOVES MUSIC' SERIES INSTALLMENT FEATURING JAZZ INTERPRETATIONS OF CLASSIC CHILDREN'S SONGS

Verve Records partners with Penguin books on hip incarnation of the Baby Loves Music series, inspired by the popular Baby Loves Disco family dance parties, rocking the nation's music clubs. The new CD launches a "Baby Loves Music" series from Verve.

This week, Verve Records releases Baby Loves Jazz: Go Baby Go, a new CD featuring jazz interpretations of classic children’s songs and more, performed by some of the hottest names in jazz including Sharon Jones (the Dap Kings), John Medeski (Medeski Martin and Wood), and Steven Bernstein (Sex Mob). Released by Verve Records in conjunction with a new series of books by Price Stern Sloan, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, the disc and book series share the same name. A national live concert tour is planned for August and September. Created by music industry veteran Andy Blackman Hurwitz, Baby Loves Music began as a way for parents to introduce their children to different genres without dumbing down the content or presentation; it’s real music played by real musicians. After the success of Hurwitz’s Baby Loves Disco parties (the country’s best DJs spinning real dance music in clubs across the nation for kids and parents), he expanded his idea to include Baby Loves Hip Hop (a forthcoming CD being produced by Prince Paul) as well as Baby Loves Salsa (featuring the Spanish Harlem Orchestra).

Go Baby Go, which was produced by Hurwitz and Bernstein, features a number of children’s favorite songs interpreted in a variety of jazz styles. For instance, the opening number -- "If You’re Happy and You Know It" -- is re-imagined with a N’awlins vibe and some of the words changed to reflect the project: "If you’re happy and you know it play those drums! If you’re happy and you know it, the beats will really show it…" It’s a disc both kids and parents will love.The album also features an unforgettable rendition of "Ten Little Monkeys" and takes "The Wheels on the Bus" on a funky trip. "Old MacDonald" is no longer a farmer here – he’s a bandleader, and the song takes stock of all the musicians in his group ("Old MacDonald had a band…"). Other songs on Go Baby Go include "I’ve Been Working on the Rail Road," "Scat Song," "Banana Boat Song," and originals such as the title track.

This upbeat and engaging record also includes brief interludes introducing kids to the different instruments used in jazz, such as the bass, the saxophone, and the trumpet. Baby Loves Jazz: Go Baby Go is sequenced to play through so that kids will be ready to go to sleep as the album winds down. The last three songs were specifically envisioned for bedtime -- the trilogy of "You Are My Sunshine," "Banana Boat Song," and "Lullabye" is perfect for soothing tots to sleep.Bernstein and Hurwitz called in a number of serious jazz cats to record this project.

The sassy Sharon Jones and the versatile Babi Floyd (Rolling Stones, Steely Dan) trade off on vocals, backed by Bernstein on trumpet, Briggan Krauss (Sex Mob) on saxophone, Medeski on keyboards, Ben Perowsky (Dave Douglas, John Zorn) on drums, and Brad Jones (Marc Ribot, Jazz Passengers) and Lonnie Plaxico (Dizzy Gillespie, Cassandra Wilson) on bass.

This all-star band will be going on the road this fall playing the music of Go Baby Go at Baby Loves Jazz concerts across the US. The group will be making its debut performance at the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival in September. A Baby Loves Jazz family dance party at Joe's Pub in New York on September 9th will also celebrate the release. For more information on these events, visit www.babylovesmusic.com.

The tour dates are as follows:
BABY LOVES JAZZ TOUR DATES
August 23 Millennium Park, Chicago, IL
September 9 Joe's Pub, New York, NY
September 16 Knitting Factory, Los Angeles, CA
September 17 Monterey Jazz Festival, Monterey, CA
October 7 World Café Live, Philadelphia, PA

Verve’s Baby Loves Jazz CD will be released in conjunction with the launch of four titles in the new Baby Loves Jazz book series from Price Stern Sloan, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group. The titles feature a lovable cast of familiar characters and are the perfect tool for introducing young ones to the many different aspects of jazz. Whether it is the tinkling of the piano keys, the soothing sound of the sax, the excitement of the trumpet, or the skippity-bee-bop of scat, these books subtly teach children their numbers and colors while also introducing the sounds of jazz by using words, pictures, and music from the featured CD in each book.

In addition to the CD and books, Baby Loves Jazz will also be featured in a series of short animated segments on the Cartoon Network beginning in the fall. Baby Loves Jazz: Go Baby Go (B0007025-02) becomes available on CD this week. Suggested retail price is $14.98.

NEW JAZZ & CHILL RELEASES FROM ALOE BLACC, ANANE, JAZZANOVA, CHICO HAMILTON, JOE BATAAN, JULIE LONDON, LISA HILTON, MANU DIBANGO, JAZZMASTERS V & MORE

4 Hero Presents Brazilika – An Eclectic Brazilian Mix From Marc Mac (Various Artists)
Acoustic Alchemy – Best Kept Secret (DVD)
Aloe Blacc – Shine Through
Alvin Queen – I Ain’t Looking At You
Anane – Selection Presented By Louie Vega
Ayetoro – Omo Obukun 0 The Afrobeat Chronicles Vol. 2 – Directions In Music By Funsho Ogundipe
Between 9&7 – It Is What It Is – Gold Edition Vol. 1
Beyond Istanbul – Underground Grooves Of Turkey (Various Artists)
Billie Holiday – God Bless The Child: The Very Best Of Billie Holiday
Bob James – Two
Bob James – Sign Of The Times
Bob James – Hands Down
Bossa Nova – The Sound Of Ipanema (Various Artists)
Bullet/Alan Tew – Hanged Man – Original Television Soundtrack
Brazilian Funk Experience – Rare Grooves From The EMI/Odeon Vaults 1968-1980 (Various Artists)
Blue Note Trip 5 - Mashed – Mixed By Jazzanova (Various Artists)
Brand New Heavies – Get Used To It
Burt Brioln – Say The Word
Carl Henry Brueggen – Let’s Talk About Hi-Fi/Huffin The Muggles/Pontooner
Carlos Garnett – Black Love
Chico Hamilton – Joyous Shout
Chris Botti - Chris Botti Live With Orchestra & Special Guests (DVD)
Con Funk Shun – Definitive Collection
Dan Siegel – Departure
Daryl Hall & John Oates – The Philadelphia Years: The Definitive Collection Of Their Philly Roots
Davison/Coleman – Forward Motion
Days Of Summer – 24 Dreamy Vocals & Bossa Nova Pearls From The Brilliant Music Library (Various Artists)
Donald Harrison – 3D
Ed Motta – Ed Motta Ao Vivo
Ennio Morricone - Slalom
Forty Thieves Orchestra – Forgotten Tales
Gen Lon – Dong Dong Gaaf
Grant Green – Live At Club Mozambique
Guem – Cameleon
Hajime Yoshizawa – Echo From Another Side Of The Universe
Hamilton De Holanda - Brasilianos
Herbie Mann – Latin Mann – Afro to Bossa to Blues
Hipnosis – Carrousel Remix EP
Horace Alexander Young – Acoustic Contemporary Jazz
Ivan Lins - Acariocando
Jackie Allen - Tangled
Javen – Believer
Jazz House Independent Vol. 5 – Jazzy House Meets Disco & Nu Soul (Various Artists)
Jean Yatove – Brigitte Bardot – The Girl In The Bikini
Joe Bataan – Mr. New York & The East Side Kids
John McLaughlin – Industrial Zen
Julie Dexter & Khari Simmons – Moon Bossa
Julie London – Ultimate Collection
Kenny Burrell – In A Mellow Tone: The Smooth Swing of Kenny Burrell
Kora Jazz Trio – Kora Jazz Trio Part 2
La France Made In Funk (Various Artists)
Les Mangalepa – Endurance
Linda Ronstadt & Ann Savoy – Adieu False Heart
Lisa Hilton – Midnight In Manhattan
Lisa Ono – Jambalaya – Bossa Americana
London Is The Place For Me Vol. 4 – African Dreams & The Piccadilly High Life (Various Artists)
Louie Vega & Others – Vega Records Compilation Vol. 1
Manu Dibango – B Sides
Martin Denny – Forbidden Island
Matt Marshak – Grooveosphere
Midnight Star – No Parking On The Dancefloor
Nancy Wilson – Hollywood My Way
Nancy Wilson – Broadway My Way
Nate Wingfield – Rhythm Tree
Nuyorican Soul (Masters At Work) – Nuyorican Soul (expanded version with Roy Ayers, George Benson, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, India, Jocelyn Brown, & Vincent Montana)
Paul Hardcastle – Jazzmasters V
Paz E Futbol – A Selection Of Brazilian Songs Compiled By Jazzanova (Various Artists)
Pinktronic – Right On Delay
Quantic – Annoucement To Answer
Ramsey Lewis – In Crowd Anthology – The Chess Collection
Randy Jacobs – From Me To You
Ray Barretto – Hard Hands
Ray Warleigh – Ray Warleigh’s First Album
Rippingtons – 20th Anniversary (CD/DVD, guests include Dave Koz, Brian McKnight @ Jeffrey Osborne)
Routine Jazz Vol. 9 Selected By Kei Kobayashi (Various Artists)
Sabrina Malheiros – Vibrasons Remixes
Sarah Vaughan – Send In The Clowns: The Very Best Of Sarah Vaughan
Soul Providers ft. Bob Baldwin – Fast Life
Steely Dan – The Definitive Coillection
Talia – My Notes
Waajeed & The Jazz Katz – Marvin Vs. WJK EP
World Standard 05 – A Tatsuo Sunaga Live Mix (Various Artists)

JAZZ CHILL NEWS BITS: LENINE, LONNIE LISTON SMITH, MARCUS JOHNSON, THIEVERY CORPORATION, RUSS FREEMAN & RIPPINGTONS & MORE...

Jazz Chill News Bits……….Brazilian singer/songwriter/guitarist Lenine kicks off his debut U.S. tour in San Francisco, along with additional dates around the country. Lenine has collaborated with the legendary Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil and Sergio Mendes. Lenine swept Brazil’s annual TIM awards last year winning "Best CD," "Best Male Vocalist," plus two Latin Grammy’s in 2005 for "Best Brazilian Contemporary Pop Album" and "Best Brazilian Song." Lenine appears in Chicago at The HotHouse on August 5, 2006………The 27 Annual Detroit International Jazz Festival is set to topline the Funk Brothers, the Temptations Revue starring Dennis Edwards, Taj Mahal, Joan Osborne, Sergio Mendes & Brazil 2006, Oscar Castro-Neves, Brasil Brazil featuring Ana Gazzola & Sonia Santos, Joyce Cooling Band, Rachelle Farrell, Dr. John, Diane Shur, Richie Havens, Lonnie Liston Smith, Marcia Ball, Pucho and His Latin Soul Brothers. This year the festival will present over 100 musical acts on six stages. The 27th Annual Detroit International Jazz Festival will close both directions on Woodward Avenue from Hart Plaza to Campus Martius, with concerts kicking off September 1 and running through September 4……….Marcus Johnson has just released his new live CD, In Concert For A Cause, on the Three Keys Music label. Johnson appears at the Juste Lounge Jazz in Bethesda, MD on August 2, and at the 21st Amendment Bar & Grill in Washington, D.C. on August 3……….Thievery Corporation have just recently announced their only New York City live shows for 2006, with appearances on September 24-25 at Webster Hall in Manhattan. Each of the shows will include Thievery Corporation along with a full band of percussionists, sitar, horns and a myriad of vocalists……….Camp Bisco V (a music and arts festival) will take place August 24-25 at the Hunter Mountain Ski Resort located in the Catskill Mountains in New York. The festival will feature two outdoor stages, an indoor dance hall and will feature an eclectic line-up of today’s most talented musicians. Slated to appear are Brazilian Girls, The Itch featuring John Medeski (Medeski Martin & Wood), Eric Krasno (Soulalive), and Adam Deitch (Wyclef Jean, Adam Deitch Project, Club Delf), and a Thievery Corporation (DJ set)……….Elvis Costello, Dave Brubeck, Dr. John, Wynton Marsalis Irma Thomas, John Pizzarelli, and Marian McPartland will take part in the Tanglewood Jazz Festival being held September 1-3, 2006 in Lenox, Mass……….Russ Freeman and the Rippingtons celebrate their 20th anniversary with a new CD and concert tour beginning August 2 in San Diego, CA. Dave Koz and David Benoit appear with more than a dozen other smooth jazz artists on the Rippingtons new CD, 20th Anniversary.

SKIP MARTIN OF THE DAZZ BAND AND KOOL & THE GANG RELEASES SOLO DEBUT - MILES HIGH

Grammy winner Skip Martin of Kool & the Gang and the Dazz Band releases his debut jazz CD Miles High. Are You Ready, the debut single with Skip on trumpet and vocals, features Wayman Tisdale on bass guitar and 6-time Grammy winner Ricky Lawson on drums. The 13-track CD also features sax man Ronnie Laws, 5-time Grammy winner Al McKay of Earth Wind & Fire and Bruce Conti of Tower of Power. Miles High will be in stores on Tuesday, August 8, 2006.

The idea of Skip Martin's debut jazz project was pure and simple - "it was just time". With over 26 album releases as lead vocalist with the Dazz Band, Kool & the Gang and his own solo projects, Skip wanted to record a project where he did his 'singing' through his trumpet. "I've recorded with both groups in the horn section but never as a solo artist," stated Skip. The result is Miles High filled with hip, cool, funky, smooth jazz grooves. "You'll definitely come away ... with ... a sense of what Miles might be doing musically if he were still with us." (Scott O'Brien for smoothjazz.com).

Are You Ready is "...a laid back blend of classic styles. If Freddie Hubbard and Donald Byrd were in the same band they would open their set with this tune..." (Gene Harris, Jr., MBA and Cat Lee for GrooveDoctorsRadio.com). Ronnie Laws appears on the Smooth Sailing track in a beautiful trumpet and sax duet - ranging from sultry grooves to profound narratives.

Miles High, the title cut, a tribute to Miles Davis written the night Miles died, clearly shows an insightful range of diverse influences from the modern jazz era known as the Miles Years.
Al McKay comes through on guitar with the track Old School Rules and Bruce Conti also on guitar is featured on Careless Whisper. The album includes the first recordings of spoken word poet Bronze Paragon on the tracks Are You Ready (Spoken Word) and Apropos (Spoken Word) - which just make you sit up and listen. "I'm very excited about this project" admits Skip Martin. "It took 2 years in the making with a few starts and stops but the journey was well worth the time." The album is beautifully mastered by multiple Grammy winner Bernie Grundman.

Positive and passionate about life, is the best way of describing Grammy Award winner Skip Martin - lead vocalist, trumpeter, songwriter and producer. Originally from the Bay Area, California and now based in Las Vegas, Skip has a string of impressive professional achievements and performances to his name. To date Skip has entertained millions of people around the world as lead vocalist for both The Dazz Band (which won them a Grammy Award for the song Let It Whip) and Kool & the Gang - and continues to perform with both bands concurrently.

Other achievements include Platinum & Gold Records recipient with these two major recording groups, a total of twenty-seven albums (including seven with Kool & the Gang and fourteen with The Dazz Band), MOBO Awards recipient, R&B Song of the Year recipient, six consecutive Top 100 albums, two Top 100 singles, music publisher and producer of pop, R&B and jazz albums to name a few.

His tenor voice has a warm eclectic style developed through the years under the guise of maestro Stevie Wonder. Skip lists Miles Davis, Sammy Davis and Donny Hathaway as major influences on his musical development. Besides his work with the Dazz Band and Kool & the Gang, Skip is also involved in an all star band called United We Funk. This show stopping act uses the identifiable voices of the biggest selling bands of the funk era performing as one band. Groups include - Dazz Band, ConFunkShun, BarKays, SOS Band, Midnight Star and more. Skip's debut jazz CD titled Miles High featuring Ronnie Laws, Wayman Tisdale, Ricky Lawson, Bruce Conti and Al McKay is in stores August 8, 2006.

SANTANA 2006 WORLD TOUR UPDATE...

On the road since early March, Carlos Santana and the Santana Band have already performed for many hundreds of thousands of fans this year as the jubilant Santana World Tour 2006 wound its way through South America (for their first tour there in over a decade), Europe and Japan. Pumped up like never before from the global celebration of music and spirit they've been conducting, Carlos and company touched down in San Diego July 27 to launch the tour's North American leg. West coast dates span July and August and East coast dates run through the end of September.

All the west coast Santana shows feature neo-soul star Anthony Hamilton as opening act - Hamilton croons the stand-out track Twisted on Santana's latest album, All That I Am. Following initial late July dates at Phoenix, AZ's Cricket Pavilion, MGM Grand's Garden Arena in Las Vegas and Irvine, CA's Verizon Amphitheater, Carlos and the Santana Band will perform two Santa Barbara Bowl shows on August 1-2. Then, San Francisco Bay area-based Santana hits their home turf with shows August 4 at Concord's Chronicle Pavilion and August 5 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View before wrapping in California August 6 at the Marysville's Sleep Train Amphitheatre.

The East coast leg of Santana's 2006 World Tour hits the ground September 15 at Mansfield, MA's Tweeter Center with a special concert featuring guitar legend Jeff Beck as the bill's opener. All other East coast dates spotlight the Salvador Santana Band opening and Los Lonely Boys as the second act, with engagements 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. The itinerary concludes with a September 30 show at Atlanta, GA's Chastain Park Amphitheatre.

Santana's 2006 U.S. dates come on the heels of a trilogy of guest star-studded shows at the 40th annual Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland. Carlos conceived the three Montreux events to honor the global musical influences -- African, Cuban, Brazilian and more -- that have shaped and inspired Santana's artistic legacy. The first show, "Dance To The Beat Of My Drum" (7/9), showcased African music icons including Angélique Kidjo, Ismael Lo, Idrissa Diop, Touré Kunda and Mory Kanté. "My Blues Is Deep" (7/10) presented Santana with Irma Thomas, Taj Mahal, Tinariwen and The Neville Brothers, among other greats. The final show on July 12, titled simply "Santana!," truly brought the house down -- at a Festival that Carlos calls "the mother of all concerts" -- with triumphant performances featuring Herbie Hancock, Sean Paul, Draco, Beverley Knight, Eagle-Eye Cherry and Tower of Power.

SANTANA U.S. TOUR DATES: JULY & AUGUST - WEST COAST 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
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 (except for 9/15 with special guest Jeff Beck):
September 15 Mansfield, MA - Tweeter Center-featuring Jeff Beck opening
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

JAZZ CHILL CORNER NEWSBITS: CD101.9 LIBERTY JAZZ FESTIVAL, JAZZMASTERS V, JOYCE COOLING, RAUL MIDON, AL JARREAU, SOPHIE MILMAN, GEORGE BENSON & MORE…

JAZZ CHILL CORNER NEWSBITS..........Chick Corea, David Benoit, Gary Burton, Sophie Milman and Chris Botti will headline the Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches’ (South Florida) inaugural season beginning in October. The Trust’s season runs through April, with the Palm Beach International Jazz Festival, April 14-15……….Smooth jazz guitarist Joyce Cooling is set to release her new CD Revolving Door in the coming weeks. The first track being serviced to smooth jazz radio is the funky Mildred’s Attraction, which will go for radio playlist adds on August 14……….The new Paul Hardcastle Jazzmasters V album has finally been released. The Jazzmasters will appear at the upcoming Catalina Island Jazz Music Festival on October 8 and 15……….George Benson, Al Jarreau and Raul Midon appear in concert at the Westbury Music Theater in Westbury, NY on August 11………. The CD101.9 Liberty Jazz Festival is beginning to take shape as additional artists have just been announced. Gato Barbieri, Norman Brown, Patti Austin, Alex Bugnon, Paul Taylor and Gil Parris headline the September 9 show at Liberty State Park in New Jersey. The September 10 concert will feature Wayman Tisdale, Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, Jeff Golub, Stanley Jordan, Brian Simpson, Richard Elliot, Gerald Albright and Peter White……….Jazz singer Nicole Henry recently headlined the 17th annual Nango Jazz Festival in Japan as part of her 10-day overseas tour. The release of her 2004 debut album (The Nearness Of You) in the U.S. was the 5th most added CD during its first month of release, and eventually reaching #27 on the Jazz Week charts. Henry just completed recording her third CD.

19th ANNUAL LONG BEACH JAZZ FESTIVAL TO FEATURE DAVID BENOIT, PHIL PERRY, BRIAN CULBERTSON, HOWARD HEWETT, KIM WATERS, RENDEZVOUS ALL-STARS & MORE...

Rainbow Promotions presents the 19th Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival August 11, 12 and 13, 2006. The Festival again takes place at the breath-taking seaside setting of Rainbow Lagoon Park on Shoreline Drive in Long Beach, California. As with previous Long Beach Jazz Festivals, the 19th Annual 3-day music extravaganza has a special theme and focus — "All That Jazz… and More"—as the exciting and evolving genre of Smooth Jazz takes center stage with a lineup that is clearly the cream of the crop. Featured are Brian Culbertson, David Benoit, Phil Perry, Howard Hewett, the Rendezvous All-Stars, Poncho Sanchez, Kim Waters and the awesome twosome, George Duke & Stanley Clarke, to name just a few.

As one of the longest-running annual jazz festivals in Southern California, the Long Beach Jazz Festival offers something for everyone, from soulful party-vibe grooves to more traditional jazz improvisation. Veteran concert promoter Al Williams, head of Rainbow Promotions, will also perform on the 13th with his Al Williams Jazz Society, featuring vocalist Barbara Morrison. Williams says of the Festival’s Smooth Jazz focus: "I feel a special bond with the lineup that has been assembled this year. It is a true mix of all the elements that have sustained jazz’s popularity for decades; a touch of rhythm, soul, international flavor, innovation and future jazz stars. It all adds up to great music for all fans of jazz."

Rainbow Promotions believes in fostering upcoming jazz talent, so each year they sponsor the Long Beach Jazz Star Search Competition, produced by Steve Adams of Century City Records. The winner of the competition opens the Festival on Saturday and Sunday. Also this year, KJAZZ 88.1 FM sponsored a youth jazz band competition, and the winner, the Christian Hernandez Quintet, will open the Festival Friday night.

On Friday, August 11, the Rendezvous All-Stars, featuring Wayman Tisdale, Jonathan Butler, Kirk Whalum and Brian Simpson, headline the first day. They are joined by popular composer/pianist David Benoit and the Christian Hernandez Quintet. On Saturday, August 12, multi-talented Brian Culbertson performance is preceded by the legendary duo George Duke & Stanley Clarke, whose funky brand of jazz fusion helped to shape today’s Smooth Jazz sound. Saxophonist Everette Harp, vocalist Phil Perry, and soprano saxophonist Kim Waters round out what promises to be a day of electrifying music. And on Sunday, August 13, vocalist extraordinaire Howard Hewett headlines an outstanding 3rd day lineup that includes guitarists Peter White, the eclectic Jeff Golub and Nils, saxophonists Richard Elliot and Gerald Albright, percussionist Poncho Sanchez and his seven-piece Latin jazz ensemble, and the Al Williams Jazz Society, featuring Barbara Morrison.

Presenting sponsors for the 19th Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival are Charter Communications and BETJ. The festival is also sponsored in part by Cadillac. Other sponsors include Alize, Stone Garden Vineyards, Budweiser and Southwest Airlines. Media sponsors include Jazziz Magazine, KTWV-FM, KJAZZ-FM and KJLH-FM Los Angeles.

Rainbow Promotions is the producer of the Long Beach Jazz Festival and concerts throughout the year. For 19 years, Rainbow Promotions has presented the Long Beach Jazz Festival, the city’s second-largest event behind the Long Beach Grand Prix, and averages 30,000 in attendance over the three-day event. For more information regarding the Long Beach Jazz Festival, go to: www.longbeachjazzfestival.com, or www.rainbowpromotions.com.

MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD TEAM UP WITH JOHN SCOFIELD FOR NEW ALBUM & TOUR

Medeski Martin & Wood and John Scofield have just teamed up again. Out Louder is their newest collaboration, scheduled for release September 26, 2006 on Medeski, Martin & Wood’s new label Indirecto Records. The quartet last recorded together on John Scofield's A Go Go (Verve) in 1998 and are scheduled to tour together commencing on November 10 in Washington, DC on through December 10 in Indianapolis, IN. Medeski, Martin & Wood complete tour dates are below.

Medeski Martin & Wood Tour Dates
8/12/06 Oyster Bay NY - Long Island Jazz Festival
8/19/06 Hibiki Tokyo Japan - True Peoples Festival
8/20/06 Hibiki Tokyo Japan - True Peoples Festival
9/1/06 Willisau Switzerland - Willisau Jazz Festival
9/21/06 Vancouver BC - Commodore Ballroom
9/22/06 Seattle WA - Moore Theatre
9/23/06 Del Mar CA - Festival Del Mar
9/24/06 Portland OR - Crystal Ballroom
9/26/06 San Francisco CA - The Fillmore
9/27/06 Los Angeles CA - Henry Fonda Theatre
/28/06 San Juan Capistrano - The Coach House
10/7/06 Cincinatti OH - Tall Stacks Festival


Medeski SCOFIELD Martin & Wood Tour Dates
11/10/06 Washington DC - 9:30 Club
11/11/06 Philadelphia PA - Electric Factory
11/12/06 Northampton MA - Calvin Theatre
11/14/06 Burlington VT - Higher Ground
11/15/06 Providence RI - Lupo's
11/16/06 Boston, MA - Berklee Performance Center
12/3/06 Lawrence KS - Liberty Hall
12/4/06 Columbia MO - Blue Note
12/5/06 St Louis MO - Mississippi Nights
12/7/06 Minneapolis MN - First Avenue
12/8/06 Milwaukee WI - Eagles Club
12/9/06 Chicago IL - Vic Theatre1
12/10/06 Indianapolis IN - Vogue Theatre

“BOB JAMES LIVE FROM THE QUEEN MARY JAZZ FESTIVAL” RELEASED ON DVD

I.E.W. Video, a leading home video label and producer of jazz, performing arts, and pop music programs, announced the July 2006 DVD release of Bob James: Live, from his legendary performance at the Queen Mary Jazz Festival. Since the 1960’s jazz pianist Bob James has made an impact in the musical world, playing, arranging, and composing for some of the biggest and brightest stars in the history of music.In this live recording from the Queen Mary Jazz Festival, Bob James is captured at his best with an all-star ensemble. A six time achiever of the #1 position on the Billboard Jazz Chart, Bob James still dazzles his audiences with the same kind of excitement that Quincy Jones first noted when he spotted James playing at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival in 1962.

Bob James’ recording career was launched with a series of well received jazz trio albums, followed by a four-year stint as musical director for The Divine One, herself --- Sarah Vaughan. James went on to compose, arrange, and play with Freddie Hubbard, Johnny Hammond, Stanley Turrentine, Grover Washington, Jr., and Maynard Ferguson, while ultimately launching a successful solo career in the early 1970’s. In 1977 James founded Tappan Zee Records, where he not only recorded and released his own projects, but launched the careers of Mongo Santamaria, and Joanne Brackeen, among others, leading to a collaboration between James and Earl Klugh that culminated in a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. Having mastered a variety of musical styles Bob James went on to release (3) classical albums; to write the theme music for the TV hit program "Taxi"; to win a second Grammy award in 1986 for "Best Jazz Fusion or Instrumental" with Double Vision (his duet with David Sanborn); and to become a founding member of the critically acclaimed smooth jazz group Fourplay.

In this live concert Bob James plays songs written or made hits by him. The band provides a kaleidoscope of tonal sound from the hard groovin’ Zebra Man to the electronic colors of Westchester Lady, to the soothing sounds of his instantly recognizable hit --- the theme from "Taxi". Featuring Kirk Whalum on saxophones, Alexander Zonjic on Flute, David Brown on Guitar, Gary King on Bass, Leonard "Doc" Gibbs on Percussion, and Yogi Horton on Drums this program provides an insightful look at the making of a musical legend and captures the freshness, versatility and excitement that is the music of Bob James. The DVD retails for $19.98.

DAVID SANBORN, CIBELLE, LARRY CORYELL, PATRICIA BARBER, HOWARD TATE & OTHERS TO TOPLINE TWIN CITIES CONCERTS

R&B @ JAZZ IN THE TWIN CITIES - A listing of upoming r&b & jazz concerts...
Arturo Sandoval @ Dakota Jazz Club, Oct. 1-2
Ben Harper & Damian Marley @ Rivers Edge, Aug. 26
Bonnie Raitt & Keb’ Mo @ MN State Fair Grandstand, Aug. 26
Cibelle @ Dakota Jazz Club, Sept. 14
David Bromberg & the Angel Band @ Cedar Cultural Center, Aug. 10
Dave Brubeck Quartet @ Orchestra Hall, Aug. 1
David Sanborn @ Minnesota Zoo Weesner Amphitheater, Aug. 8
Dave Holland Quintet @ Dakota Jazz Club, Oct. 23-24
Diane Schur @ Dakota Jazz Club, Sept. 5-6
Howard Tate @ Dakota Jazz Club, Aug. 14-15
Keiko Matsui @ Dakota Jazz Club, Aug. 6-7
Larry Coryell @ Dakota Jazz Club, Sept. 19-20
Marsha Bali @ Dakota Jazz Club, Sept. 10
Mavis Staples @ Dakota Jazz Club, Aug. 28-29
New Standards @ Dakota Jazz Club, Aug. 4-5
Patricia Barber @ Dakota Jazz Club, Sept. 11-12
Take Six @ Fitzgerald Theater, Aug. 22

JAZZ CHILL CORNER NEWSBITS: CHET BAKER JAZZ FESTIVAL, SKYE, STEPHANIE JORDAN, DAVID DAHLSTEN, TOMOKO MIYATA & MORE…

Jazz Chill Corner Newsbits……….The 23rd Annual Stockholm Jazz Festival was being held on the small island of Skeppsholmen in downtown Stockholm from July 18-22 where 25,000 people attended. A total of 41 concerts were held and acts that appeared included Sting, Miriam Makeba, Kenny Garrett, the Neville Brothers and Maceo Parker…….. The Malta Jazz Festival took place July 21-23 at the Valletta Waterfront, with performances from Percy Jones, Bull Bruford, Tim Garland, the Blues Brothers, Alan Parsons Project, Noir and Renzo Spiteri……….The upcoming 1st Annual Chet Baker Jazz Festival is to be held in Toronto on September 1-3 and it will commemorate the newly formed Chet Baker Foundation. Set for the Chet Baker Jazz Festival are such artists as Riccardo Del Fra, Tony Purrone, Randy Brecker, Harold Danko, Hilario Duran, Jane Bunnett, Guido Basso, Pat Labarbera, Kevin Turcotte, the Canada Pops Orchestra, and many others. Baker died in Amsterdam in 1988……….As the voice of Morcheeba, Skye became the soundtrack of our lives with albums such as Who Can You Trust? and Big Calm, mixing trip-hop with pop, lounge, film soundtracks and reggae. With Morcheeba, she sold five million records and graced stages around the world. After her departure from the band, Skye immersed herself in writing songs that eventually became her debut solo release, Mind How You Go, a sublime album of vivid compositions that present Skye in an entirely new light. Of course, there is much that is familiar - the beguiling quality of her voice, the potent melodies that bury themselves deep inside your brain and the cool elegance of her delivery. Mind How You Go is set for delivery on August 22……….Japanese-born vocalist, Tomoko Miyata has just released a version of Mongo Santamaria’s Afro Bllue on her recent CD This Side Up. She recently performed with the Doug Klug Group at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles on July 19……….David Dahlsten’s new CD release Study Your Heart has been received by radio programmers across the country with his new brand of folk-jazz music. His new generation of jazz music is a blend of styles mastered during his touring years with R&B greats Bobby Womack, Buddy Miles and Jackie Wilson; Latin/Salsa’s Camilo Azuquita and Johnny Martinez; and infused with his straight-ahead Jazz chops from sessions with Jack Doherty, Jackie Mills and Ray Draper……….Jazz vocalist Stephanie Jordan is slated to perform on August 6th at the Chicago JazzFest Heritage 2006 in Chicago, Illinois and during the Provincetown Jazz Fest on August 12th in Cape Cod, MA. Jordan hails from New Orleans and recently performed at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

RUBEN STUDDARD RETURNS WITH NEW R&B, SOUL MUSIC; 'THE RETURN' SET FOR RELEASE SEPT. 26, 2006

Grammy nominated and platinum recording artist Ruben Studdard will release his long awaited sophomore R&B/soul album, THE RETURN, on J Records, September 26th. THE RETURN is the follow-up to his heralded debut album, Soulful, released in 2003. Soulful has sold nearly 2 million copies and was recognized with coveted awards and nominations from the Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, BET Awards, NAACP Awards, Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Awards, and Teen Choice Awards. The intimate and powerfully sung lead single, "Change Me" (produced by The Underdogs) goes to urban adult and urban mainstream radio today.

THE RETURN includes additional production by The Underdogs, Scott Storch, Ne-Yo, Brian-Michael Cox, Harold Lilly, Dre & Vidal and others. Studdard produced the track "If Only For One Night," a remake of the Brenda Russell song popularized by Luther Vandross. He also co-wrote "I'm Not Happy," "Blow Ya Mind," and "To Tha Crib."

Studdard says the album title "signifies my return to the mainstream after doing the gospel record in 2004. (His debut gospel album, I Need An Angel, was certified gold and nominated for "Best Gospel Album" at the 2005 BET Awards.) "I've had people ask me where I've been in the past few years so I thought calling it 'THE RETURN' made sense. The first track on the new
record is "The Return Of The Velvet Teddy Bear" so I just shortened it and made it the title of my CD." Studdard says his third record, reflects "the growth I've been through as a person -- and a singer. I've had a lot of personal tests during this past year and I've learned some great life lessons. I think listeners are going to notice the maturity in my voice and in the subject matter. With 'THE RETURN,' I'm letting all the people who've followed me from "American Idol" until now know that basically I'm back ... "

The Alabama born artist has also devoted considerable time over the past year to the "Ruben Studdard Foundation For The Advancement of Children In the Music Arts" which provides scholarships, after school programs and summer camps to music students.