ROY AYERS, JEAN CARNE, WAYNE HENDERSON, BOBBI HUMPHREY, RONNIE LAWS, JON LUCIEN & LONNIE LISTON SMITH UNITE FOR 70’S STYLE JAZZ FUSION CONCERT

Spanning four decades of musical hits, the legendary artists who shaped jazz fusion during the 1970s come together for a special reunion on Thursday, November 16, 2006 at Phoenix Concert Theatre. Father of acid jazz, Roy Ayers, will be joined by Jean Carne, Wayne Henderson, Bobbi Humphrey, Ronnie Laws, Jon Lucien and Lonnie Liston Smith. Vibe master, writer and producer, Roy Ayers championed a new sound in the early days that drew from jazz, R&B, Latin, funk, and dance music. Ayers produced during that time what many regard as his finest works to date including hits such as Everybody Loves the Sunshine, Lifeline, Vibrations, Running Away, You Send Me, and Virgo Red which continue to influence a new generation of artists. Today, he is one of the most sampled artists in the music industry - A Tribe Called Quest, Mary J. Blige, Notorious BIG, Big Daddy Kane, Erykah Badu and Brand Nubian have all sampled from Ayers. Legendary soul diva Jean Carne first arrived onto the scene singing background vocals for Earth, Wind & Fire in the early 1970s. She has since released over half a dozen albums and has performed with Grover Washington Jr., The Temptations, The O'Jays, Stevie Wonder and Duke Ellington. As a member of Jazz Crusaders, trombonist Wayne Henderson achieved commercial success releasing more than twenty-eight albums with the group. In 1976, saxophonist Ronnie Laws' released his debut album that contained the instant jazz-funk classic, Always There, which has since been covered by numerous artists. Bobbi Humphrey, also known as the First Lady of the Flute, was the first female ever to be signed by Blue Note Records back in 1971. Her sound, a mixture of fusion and smooth jazz-pop, would earn her the title Best Female Instrumentalist by Billboard in 1976. An early influence in the quiet storm and smooth jazz format, Jon Lucien is best known for producing such hits as Lady Love and Rashida. Lonnie Liston Smith, on keyboards for Miles Davis during the early 1970s, is often regarded as the man whose sound bridged the gap between John Coltrane and Earth, Wind & Fire.The concert is being presented by R.E.M.G. and Toronto Downtown Jazz at the Phoenix Concert Theatre, 410 Sherbourne Street, in Toronto.

THUNDERBALLS’ ‘CINESCOPE’ 2-CD/LP RELEASED ON OCTOBER 17

Amidst a colorful storm of exotic instrumentations, rich atmospherics, and block party rhythms, Thunderball are back with their third full-length album! Epic in scope, Thunderball's new album Cinescope is their most eclectic and accomplished musical outing yet. With a little help from sprightly songstress Miss Johnna M., soulful crooner Mustafa Akbar, reggae shamans See-I, and hip-hop legend and forefather Afrika Bambaataa, Thunderball bridge the gaps between electro, Bollywood soundtracks, hip-hop, drum&bass, soul, funk, reggae, jazz, and lounge, all awash in beautifully lush string orchestrations. Cinema for the ears, Cinescope is Thunderball's triumphant return.

SMOOTH JAZZ RADIO RETURNS TO PHILADEPHIA

Smooth jazz radio is coming back to Philadelphia radio. Greater Media is looking for the new station to sign-on a month from now on 95.7 FM, now a classic rock station known as the Hawk. Clear Channel Radio pulled smooth jazz off the air on August 10 when it flipped its signal at 106.1 to a rhythmic adult-contemporary format, ‘Philly’s 106.1’, and its station at 104.5 from light-rock Sunny to a Spanish station ‘Rhumba’. Greater Media has applied with the FCC for ‘WJJZ’, which the former smooth jazz station has used for 12 years.

BOSSACUCANOVA TO PLAY THREE U.S. DATES IN OCTOBER

Brazil's Bossacucanova will perform their signature fusion of bossa nova and electronica this October at three US dates. At a time when the practice of mixing these sounds together is more popular than ever Bossacucanova's sound remains unique, partly because the trio's approach continues to treat bossa nova as the main dish and the breakbeats, electronica and other embellishments as garnishes, rather than the other way around.

Fri 10/20/06 @ Clearwater Jazz Festival, Tampa, FL
Sat 10/21/06 @ Rhythm Foundation, Miami, FL
Sun 10/22/06 @ Lake Eden Arts Festival, Black Mountain, NC

GILLES PETERSON TO APPEAR AT CIELO

The legendary Gilles Peterson (BBC Radio 1, Talkin’ Loud, Acid Jazz) is bringing his innovative sound to New York for one night only at Cielo on Tuesday, October 17. This will be his last US appearance for 2006. Influential super DJ and acid jazz pioneer, Gilles Peterson is renowned for his deep and diverse record collection influencing artists from all over the world, from New Zealand to Croatia, Nigeria and the US and everything in between with his unique sound blends. A master of what he calls "joining the dots," Petersons’ weekly radio show, Worldwide on BBC Radio 1, and his various compilation CDs (Incredible Sound of Gilles Peterson, Worldwide Programme, BBC Sessions, and his two Trust The DJ compilations) have paved the way for those searching for the strand of harmony that connects various, sometimes incongruous, genres of music. In this exclusive US performance at Cielo, he’ll take his listeners on a journey through jazz, funk, hip-hop and dance, combining an unparalleled musical experience.

'RHYTHMS DEL MUNDO’ CUBA FEATURING COLLABORATIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB & UK/US ARTSTS SET FOR RELEASE NOVEMBER 14

On November 14, Hip-O Records/Universal Music Enterprises will release Rhythms Del Mundo, an exciting collaborative album, which fuses the hot Afro-Cuban sounds of The Buena Vista Social Club with tracks from today's biggest artists such as U2, Coldplay, Sting, Jack Johnson and Maroon 5 as well as some of the buzziest bands, including The Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, The Kaiser Chiefs and many others. It also features the amazing vocals from famed Cuban vocalists, Omara Portuonda, and the last ever recording of the much beloved Ibrahim Ferrer. The album is in aid of Artists Project Earth (APE), which lends support for natural disaster relief and climate change awareness. Universal Music Enterprises will donate a portion of its proceeds from sales of the album in the United States to the Music Rising campaign, an instrument replacement fund for musicians of the Gulf Coast. Rhythms Del Mundo is an electrifying album that fuses music of different cultures and comes up with a melting pot of rare sounds. Arranged by Demitrio Muniz, the main recording sessions took place in Havana at Abdala Studios from April 2005 to June 2006. While the majority of the vocals remain the same, The Buena Vista Social Club took the original orchestration from each song and created something utterly unique casting their trademark mastery over each track. Their noted and exceptional musicianship seduced even the notoriously protective Arctic Monkeys into handing over their track. As a rule, the band has never licensed their music for compilation albums, but were so enamored with the result that they were happy for it to be included on the album. As well as The Arctic Monkeys' track Dancing Shoes, Rhythms Del Mundo includes reworked tracks such as Clocks by Coldplay, Better Together by Jack Johnson, She Will be Loved by Maroon 5, High and Dry by Radiohead and others. Rhythms Del Mundo also includes music by famed Cuban singers Omara Portuondo and the last vocal recording of Afro-Cuban bolero singer, Ibrahim Ferrer, who died tragically in 2005. The other Cuban musicians from The Buena Vista Social Club who perform on this album are as follows: Barbarito Torres, Amandito Valdes, Virgilio Valdes, Angel Terri Domech, Manuel 'Guajiro' Mirabal, Orlando Lopez 'Cachaito' and Demetrio Muniz. Kenny Young, producer and Founder/Trustee of APE, explains how the project emerged: "The project was sparked off by the devastating Tsunami of Xmas 2005. The idea came in to do a project with The Buena Vista Social Club to fuse their Latin sounds with Western artists and their familiar popular songs. The project evolved when more environmental disasters struck -- the Asian Earthquakes and Hurricane Katrina. But the big picture was climate change. You can call these natural disasters but after all the research and scientific data, we know that we're at least partly to blame for some of these disasters. Global warming is now in the news daily. If we don't act in the time frame our experts give us, our grandchildren will curse us eternally." The artists on this album fully support the record as a show of commitment to the music and to the cause that it endorses. Thom Yorke comments, "We need a law, we need to have the Government put climate change in its place. If you leave industry to sort it out on a voluntary basis that's never going to happen. So everybody if they've got any concerns about climate change has to register that concern with their Government officials because it's the only way to go." The packaging for the album is carbon neutral. Rhythms Del Mundo is released on November 14, 2006 through Hip-O Records/Universal Music Enterprises. For more information on the charities that will benefit from this album go to www.Apeuk.org and to www.musicrising.org. http://www.rhythmsdelmundo.com/
Track listing
1. Clocks - Coldplay
2. Better Together - Jack Johnson
3. Dancing Shoes - Arctic Monkeys
4. One Step Too Far - Dido & Faithless
5. As Time Goes By - Ibrahim Ferrer
6. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - Coco Freeman & U2
7. She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5
8. Modern Way - Kaiser Chiefs
9. Killing Me Softly - Omara Portuondo
10. Ai No Corrida - Vania Borges & Quincy Jones
11. Fragilidad - Sting
12. Don't Know Why - Vania Borges
13. Hotel Buena Vista - Aquila Rose & Idana
14. The Dark of the Matinee - Coco Freeman & Franz Ferdinand
15. High and Dry - El Lele De Los Van Van & Radiohead
Bonus track
16. Casablanca - Ibrahim & Omara

AL JARREAU TO TOPLINE 2007 SAVANNAH MUSIC FESTIVAL

Al Jarreau has just been announced to open the 2007 Savannah (GA) Music Festival on March 15, 2007. Other headliners for Savannah’s cultural main event include Wynton Marsalis, Marty Stuart, Dianne Reeves, Anoushka Shankar, John Pizzarelli and the Borodin Quartet. For more information click to www.savannahmusicfestival.org.

ASCAP TO HONOR SONGWRITER JIMMY WEBB WITH VOICE OF MUSIC AWARD

The American Society of Authors, Composers & Publishers (ASCAP) have announced that it will present multiple Grammy-winning songwriter and recording artist Jimmy Webb with the ASCAP Voice of Music Award during its 44th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards ceremony at Nashville's legendary Ryman Auditorium. The October 23rd gala, which honors the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP's most performed country songs of the year will be followed by a party honoring the night's winners, especially Webb, whose contribution to American music, whether rock, pop, urban or country, is without compare. "I am so proud of Jimmy Webb and am delighted to be honoring him with our Voice of Music Award," said ASCAP President and Chairman, Marilyn Bergman. "It is a pleasure to serve with him on the ASCAP Board of Directors. I've loved and admired Jimmy's songs long before I knew him and could call him 'friend.' He brings something special to everything he does." The prestigious Voice of Music Award, presented in recognition of the artists and songwriters whose music illuminates people's lives through song, has only been given five times in ASCAP's history. Jimmy Webb joins Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Garth Brooks, Amy Grant and Diane Warren in receiving this very special recognition. Jimmy Webb, the son of a preacher from Elk City, Oklahoma, is the only artist to receive Grammys for music, lyrics, and orchestration. He almost single handedly defined the soundtrack of later 20th century music with By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Wichita Lineman, MacArthur Park, Up, Up and Away, Highwayman, The Moon's A Harsh Mistress, Galveston and Didn't We, and Webb provided influential songs for artists as diverse as Linda Ronstadt, r.e.m., Frank Sinatra, Urge Overkill, Rosemary Clooney, Glen Campbell and the 5th Dimension. TIME magazine raved about the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member's own recordings, "Webb's gift for strong, varied rhythms, inventive structures and rich, sometimes surprising harmonies." The Country Music Association recognized Highwayman as their Single of the Year from the storied quartet that took their name from the song comprised of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson. Webb's "Tunesmith: Inside the Art of Songwriting" was also hailed by Musician magazine as "the finest book about songwriting of our generation." "Jimmy Webb exemplifies everything that this award stands for," says ASCAP Senior Vice President Connie Bradley. "He is an artist, a songwriter, an author and a man who brought music to film, television and the stage. For all his diversity, Webb has created an intimacy to his song, each allowing for reflections of individual experiences." Jimmy Webb has recorded ten albums, spanning from 1970's critically acclaimed Words and Music to his more recent Ten Easy Pieces, Twilight of the Renegades and Archive & Live, in addition to a British tribute compilation Someone Left The Cake Out In The Rain. The Oklahoma Hall of Fame inductee has toured the world to rave reviews with his cabaret style performances.The 2006 Country Music Awards will also honor the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP's Most Performed Country Songs of the Year. Special Awards will be given to "Songwriter of the Year," "Songwriter/Artist of the Year," "Song of the Year" and "Publisher of the Year." Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 250,000 composer, lyricist and music publisher members. ASCAP also represents the repertories created by the international affiliates of 70 foreign performing rights organizations. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American Performing Rights Organization owned and governed by its writer and publisher members.

ROB GARZA (THIEVERY CORPORATION) BACK WITH NEW SOLO ALBUM & TOUR

Rob Garza's solo project, Dust Galaxy will kick off their debut tour this weekend starting in Philadelphia at the North Star Bar. Expect to hear sounds of psychedelic India , British paisley beats, post-punk, and American roots rock when the self-titled album drops in March. The touring band will feature such luminaries as James Canty (The Make-Up, Ted Leo/Pharmacists) on guitar and effects, Jerry Busher (Fugazi, French Toast) on drums, Ashish Vyas (GoGoGo Airheart,) on bass, along with Rob on guitar and vocals. While recording in London with producer Brendan Lynch (Primal Scream, Paul Weller), Lynch and Garza enlisted guest musicians including Shawn Lee, Martin Duffy & Darrin Mooney (Primal Scream), Adam Blake (Cornershop), and Jim Townsend (the Peoples Revolutionary Choir). These new songs were born out of little musical and lyrical sketches. Look for several singles this fall starting with Come Here the Trumpets featuring remixes by Shawn Lee, Fort Knox Five, and Beyond The Wizards Sleeve.

Tour dates are as follows:
10/15: @ North Star Bar, Philadelphia, PA
10/16: @ TTs, Boston, MA
10/17: @ North Six, Brooklyn, NY
10/18: @ The Hosiery, Washington, DC
10/19: @ Local 506, Chapel Hill, NC
10/20:Â @ The Drunken Unicorn, Atlanta, GA
10/21: @ Farm 255, Athens, GA
11/1: @ KCRW CMJ Showcase @ The Delancey, New York, NY

BELINDA CARLISLE RETURNS WITH ‘VOILA!’

Belinda Carlisle's Voila!, her first new album in a decade, and her first record sung entirely in French, is a radical departure for the pop diva and lead singer of the Go-Go's. Working with producer John Reynolds (U2, Sinéad O'Connor, Indigo Girls, Hothouse Flowers), Carlisle has fashioned a traditional pop album that pays tribute to the classic French chansons and pop music of the '40s, '50s and '60s. Just in time for Valentine's Day, the album is set for release on February 6, 2007. "After I moved to France, I became familiar with the classic French chansons and a lot of French pop music," Carlisle explains. "I realized there was a whole world of artists and singers I was not familiar with. As I discovered all these amazing songs, I came to love this music and wanted to record some of them with a playful, contemporary feel." Carlisle and Reynolds went into the studio with a musical dream team including Brian Eno on keyboards, guitarist Fianchna O'Braonain (Hothouse Flowers), Sharon Shannon, the Irish button accordion player who incorporates reggae, tango and calypso into her music, Julian Wilson (Grand Drive) on piano, Hammond B-3, strings, keyboards and world music star Natacha Atlas (Transglobal Underground) on backing vocals. "We wanted to try everything, no holds barred," Carlisle says. "Since this is not a pop project, we were free to experiment. We played with every song, trying all sorts of instrumentation and different styles of arranging and everything clicked. The only definite idea I had was that I wanted to sing with an accordion. Other than that, there was no conscious effort to cover as much creative ground as we could; we just played around with things and had a blast." The creative energy Carlisle and Reynolds brought to the project is evident on every track. Carlisle's smoky vocals and the diverse arrangements imbue the songs with a simmering Gallic soul. Sous Le Ciel De Paris (Under Paris Skies) sounds like a street carnival waltz with its mournful accordion and eerie keyboard accents, Francoise Hardy's Pourtant Tu M'aimes gets recast as a new wave rocker, La Vie En Rose bounces along on a driving disco backbeat and Jezebel sounds like the twang-drenched theme song from a spaghetti western. Songs like Ne Me Quitte Pas and Avec Le Temps are closer to their original incarnations, wrenching emotional statements made more intense by Carlisle's understated delivery. "You don't really have to know what's being sung to know that Avec Les Temps is a devastating love song," Carlisle says. "When I heard that song the first time, it broke my heart." Carlisle's first venture into French music proves once again that good songs are universal -- timeless expressions of the human soul that need no translation to work their exhilarating magic.

The songs on Voila!
1. "Ma Jeunesse Fout Le Camp" (Guy Bontempelli)
2. "Bonnie et Clyde" (Serge Gainsbourg)
3. "Avec Le Temps" (Leo Ferre)
4. "Sous Le Ciel De Paris" (Hubert Giraud/Jean Drejac)
5. "Des Ronds Dans L'Eau" (Pierre Barouh/Raymond Lesenechal)
6. "Pourtant Tu M'aimes" (Francoise Hardy/Jimmie Cross/Johnny Cole)
7. "Ne Me Quitte Pas" (Jacques Brel)
8. "La Vie En Rose" (Edith Piaf/Louiguy/David Mack)
9. "Contact" (Serge Gainsbourg)
10. "Merci Cherie" (Udo Jurgens/Thomas Horbiger/Baker Cavendish)
11. "Jezebel" (Wayne Shanklin)

The players:
Belinda Carlisle: Vocals
Natacha Atlas: Additional Vocals on Ma Jeunesse Fout Le Camp, La Vie En Rose, Bonnie et Clyde and Des Ronds Dans L'Eau
Brian Eno: Keyboards
Segat Guirey: Flamenco Guitar
Graham Henderson: Accordion
Winnie Horan: Violins
Clare Kenny: Bass Guitar
Fiachna O'Braonain: Guitars and Vocals, male vocal on Bonnie et Clyde
John Reynolds: Drums, Programming, and Producer
Nikki Leighton-Thomas and Pauline Scanlon: Backing Vocals
Sharon Shannon: Button Accordion
Julian Wilson: Piano, Hammond B-3, Strings, Keyboards

COLUMBIA RECORDS RELEASES ‘COOL YULE,” BETTE MIDLERS FIRST-EVER HOLIDAY ALBUM

Columbia Records has released Cool Yule, Bette Midler's first-ever collection of seasonal songs, available now. Cool Yule, Midler's first new album since 2005's Top 10-charting Bette Midler Sings The Peggy Lee Songbook, draws its name and upbeat spirit from the 1950s hipster holiday song, penned by Steve Allen, revamped by Midler for her holiday collection. Produced by Robbie Buchanan -- whose long-time association with Bette began with playing keyboards in "The Rose" band -- and executive produced by Jay Landers (Barbra Streisand, Julio Iglesias, numerous Disney soundtracks), Cool Yule is a swinging celebration of that merriest of seasons, with song selections covering the many moods of Christmas ranging from beloved carols (O Come, O Come, Emmanuel) to classic pop (Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, White Christmas, and an infectious medley of Winter Wonderland/Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! sung with Columbia labelmate Johnny Mathis). "Nearly every great artist eventually makes his or her imprint on this favorite time of the year," writes Jay Landers in his liner notes for Cool Yule. "From Ella to Elvis, Sinatra to Springsteen and Bing to Sting, and of course, 'The King of Christmas' himself, Johnny Mathis. Each new season brings forth a fresh crop of music to create a soundtrack of snowy white ... no matter if you live in Nome, Alaska or Gallup, New Mexico. Now add Bette to this esteemed list."

Bette Midler Cool Yule track listing:
1. Merry Christmas
2. Cool Yule
3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
4. Winter Wonderland / Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (Duet with Johnny Mathis)
5. I'll Be Home For Christmas
6. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
7. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
8. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
9. Mele Kalikimaka
10. From A Distance (Christmas Version)
11. White Christmas

One of the world's best-loved and most versatile entertainers, Bette Midler has garnered accolades in all quarters of show business. She's earned four Grammy Awards including Song of the Year (1989: Wind Beneath My Wings; 1990: From A Distance) and Record of the Year (1989: Wind Beneath My Wings); two Academy Award nominations, three Emmy Awards, one
Tony Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and nine American Comedy Awards. Her SRO tours have placed historically in the Top 5 grossing concerts in a calendar year. Ms. Midler has sold more than 14 million albums over the course of her career and holds 25 gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications from the RIAA for her albums and singles including her most recent gold album, Bette Midler Sings The Rosemary Clooney Songbook, which was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album category.

NEW TONY BENNETT ALBUM ‘TONY BENNET: DUETS/AN AMERICAN CLASSIC’ MAINTAINS TOP 5 CHART POSITION IN SECOND WEEK OF SALES

Tony Bennett's career has enjoyed an extraordinary vitality and longevity and his new CD, Tony Bennett: Duets/An American Classic is showing its own remarkable staying power on the Billboard Top 200. Last week, Tony's CD entered the chart at #3, marking the highest chart debut of the 80-year-old legend's career, and this week, Duets/An American Classic has maintained a solid position (#4) in the chart's Top 5 (Justin Timberlake, coming in at #5, was the only other artist from last week to remain in the Top 5 of the Billboard 200). Tony Bennett: Duets/An American Classic has also maintained its Top 5 chart position in its second sales week in Canada, coming in at #3, after debuting last week at #1 on the Canadian album charts. Tony Bennett is the star and subject of a prime-time special, "Tony Bennett: An American Classic" airing on NBC-TV on November 21. Directed by Oscar winner Rob Marshall, "Tony Bennett: An American Classic" features many of the artist on his Duets CD including Barbra Streisand, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Diana Krall, k.d. Lang, Michael Buble and Juanes. Christina Aguilera joins Tony for a performance segment on the special while segment narrations on Tony's life and career are presented by Billy Crystal, Robert DeNiro, John Travolta, Bruce Willis and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

URSULA 1000 & THUNDERBALL KICK OFF EUROPEAN TOUR IN BERLIN

Ursula 1000 & Thunderball DJ Set tour dates...
10/13: @ Icon, Berlin, Germany
10/14: @ Boiler Club, Aarau, Switzerland
10/19: @ Amsterdam Dance Event @ De Zwijger, Amsterdam, Holland
10/20: @ Universal, Kaliningrad, Russia
10/21: @ Trafo Bar Tango, Budapest, Hungary
10/25: @ Camera Club, Vienna, Austria
10/26: @ Gold Club, Madrid, Spain
10/27: @ Fabric, London, England
10/28: @ Moods, Zurich, Switzerland
10/31: @ Gravity, Vilnius, Lithuania
11/2: @ Razzmataz, Barcelona, Spain
11/3: @ Clube Mercado, Lisbon, Portugal
11/4: @ Klimabar, Dresden, Germany
11/10: @ Bossa Nova @ Zanzibar, Santa Monica, CA
11/11: @ Supperclub, San Francisco, CA
11/13: @ Hi-Fi, Calgary, Alberta

JIM BRICKMAN’S ‘ESCAPE’ IS MOST ADDED ON RADIO AND RECORDS SMOOTH JAZZ AND A/C CHARTS

The Savoy Label Group (SLG) is proud to announce the first week sales success of platinum artist Jim Brickman on his SLG Records debut, Escape, which has entered the Billboard New Age chart at # 1 and hits the Billboard Top 200 Pop Chart. It's a particularly strong showing as Brickman's first project for the label features a stellar showcase of the pianist's composing, performing and songwriting talents. With collaborators such as Sara Evans, Gerald Albright and Marc Antoine, Escape is poised for success due to exposure at multiple radio formats. Escape debuted #1 most added on Radio and Records A/C chart and Smooth Jazz charts this week. 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. The Academy of Country Music's "Female Vocalist of the Year," Sara Evans, provides powerhouse vocals on Never Alone. Gerald Levert (who attended the same high school in Cleveland with Jim) adds his effortlessly fluid vocals on the beautiful lullaby, My Angel. Other guests appearing on Escape include guitarist extraordinaire Marc Antoine, vocalists Geoff Byrd and Jake Simpson and violinist David Klinkenberg. 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. Brickman embarks on his US "Holiday Tour 2006" on November 3 and will cover over 40 cities.

KKJZ WILL CONTINUE WITH ALL THAT JAZZ

KKJZ is still committed to playing jazz even though Cal State Long Beach intends to end it 19-year relationship with the operator of its KKJZ-FM station. Plans are to hire the owner of a Los Angeles classical music station to run the jazz outlet. KKJZ is one of the few stations in the country focusing on classical jazz, which includes the works of such jazz legends as Miles Davis and Charlie Mingus.

2006 TRANQUILITY JAZZ FESTIVAL

The 2006 Tranquility Jazz Festival is set for the island of Anguilla from November 9-12 with a star-studded list of talent. The event will be co-produced by The Anguilla Tourist Board and BET Event Productions, a division of BET Networks. The Tranquility Jazz Festival will present Nnenna Freelon, Eddie Palmieri, Pharoah Sanders, McCoy Tyner Trio, Javon Jackson and Robert Glasper. For more information click to www.anguilla-vacation.com

BLUE NOTE RECORDS LIVE

For the second year, Symphony Space and Blue Note Records present intimate evenings of music and conversation between Blue Note recording artists and Blue Note CEO Bruce Lundvall. Artists include Jason Moran, Patricia Barber and Jacky Terrasson and all performances will be at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia in Los Angeles. The schedule is as follows:

Nov. 9, 2006 - Jason Moran - Through improvisation, composition, group concert, repertoire, and technique/technological experimentation, pianist Jason Moran has become a leader in the modern jazz world.

Jan. 18, 2007 - Patricia Barber - Pianist-vocalist Patricia Barber has been winning over audiences for the past decade on the merits of several "coolly modern" albums released jointly by Premonition and Blue Note Records.

Mar. 15, 2007 - Jacky Terrasson - Pianist-composer Jacky Terrasson’s unique style encompasses elements of blues and improvisation, reflecting influences old and new. This Thelonius Monk Competition-winner puts his distinctive stamp on his own compositions and many well-known standards.

CANDY DULFER GETTING READY FOR BLUE NOTE CONCERTS

Candy Dulfer is getting ready to kick off another tour of the world-famous Blue Note Clubs in Japan. Dulfer and her band will be performing shows in Nagoya, Osaka and Tokyo. Accompanying Dulfer for these shows will be longtime band members Thomas Bank (keyboards) amd Ulco Bed (guitars), Dulfers fellow Prince band members Rhonda Smith (base) and Chance Howard (keyboards & vocals), and Josh Dion (drums & vocals), who also performed with Dulfer on her recent USA tour this past summer. The tour starts at the Blue Note Club in Osaka on October 11. After the Blue Note tour, Candy Dulfer and her band will be performing at the Jazztival in Maastricht, The Netherlands, at the Derlon on November 25

BLUE NOTE RECORDS AT MERKIN HALL

Merkin Concert Hall in New York City will present several concerts during their 2006/2007 season that celebrate the legacy of Jazz label Blue Note Records. Plans are for classic recordings to come to life on Merkin’s fascinating Reissue series, from icconic pianist Andrew Hill performing the large ensemble music of his own Passing Ships, an album recorded in 1969 that was only recently discovered and released in 2003 to pianist Freddie Redd who will make a rare East Coast appearance performing The Music from the Connection, his score to Jack Gelber’s play The Connection, with Lou Donaldson taking on the alto saxophone role originally played by Jackie McLean. Merkin will also present one of Blue Note’s current rising stars when pianist Robert Glasper is featured on their acclaimed No Minimum series in intriguing duet settings with guitarist Lionel Loueke and bassist Me'shell N’Degeocello.

The schedule is as follows…
Oct. 9 – Robert Clasper in duets with Lionel Louke & Meshell N’Degeocello
Nov. 14 – Andrew Hill Octet: The Music of Passing Ships
Feb. 19 0 Reconnected: Freddie Redd Quartet with Lou Donalds
Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center is located at 129 W. 67th St in NYC. For more details click to www.merkinconcerthall.org.

PHILIPPE SAISSE TRIO TO PERFORM AT CD101.9 HARVEST WINE FESTIVAL

The Philippe Saisse Trio will headline a performance at the CD101.9 Harvest Wine Festival which is a wine tasting event celebrating the finest wines from around the world. There will be over 60 different varieties available for tasting plus a selection of foods and hors d’oevres. During the evening there will be a performance of world class jazz from the internationally renowned Philippe Saisse Trio. The event is set for November 9 from 7pm to 10pm at the Hilton Short Hills (main ballroom) in New Jersey. A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Inter-Religious Fellowship for the Homeless (NJ).

WGVR-FM THE GROOVE – ONE OF THE TOP 5 SMOOTH JAZZ STATIONS IN THE COUNTRY

WGVR-FM – The Groove, a small independent and noncommercial station in Florida’s Brevard County has landed the honor of being one of the top 5 smooth jazz stations in the country. The station was recognized and nominated by industry publication Radio & Records. The low power station is heard on 93.1 in Melbourne, Florida, 100.7 in Rockledge, Florida, and on 107.9 in Palm Bay, Florida. According to station program director, Randy Bennett, "Were just committed to playing good smooth jazz, whether it’s from an established artist or up-and-coming artists." Bennett goes on to say that, "Perhaps, other stations just don’t put out he same effort that we do." In any event, it the station’s 24-hour smooth jazz playlist that got the station noticed.

KEN NAVARRO JOINS JACK PRYBYLSKI ON ‘WINDOW SHOPPING AND SIGNS’ CD

Award-winning saxophonist Jack Prybylski (purr-bill-ski) has just announced signing on with Innervision Records for the 2006 release of Window Shopping. Prybylski will be "going for adds" on October 16, 2006 with his first single, Bright Spot, which features Ken Navarro. Teaming up with Innervision Records provided Prybylski an aggressive and fresh approach to the release of his sophomore, solo CD. "I wanted a label that was energetic about the success of Window Shopping. Innervision is committed to finding new ideas to get Window Shopping in the hands of fans and are comfortable working outside the box," said Prybylski. "I think it is important that a label be an equal partner in the process, but also be willing to reach beyond the norm to make it happen."

A talent-packed testament to some of the finest work in contemporary music, Window Shopping is produced by renowned player/producer Ken Navarro. Hot compositions include I Need You, Santa Faustina and Window Shopping. Prybylski gives inspired treatment to Stevie Wonder's I Wish and Space Lion from the Japanese anime series "Cowboy Bebop." Also featured are Bright Spot, which is written by Navarro and feature his guitar work. The vocal track, Don't Say No, is written by Grammy-nominated composer Travis Milner (Will Downing, Gerald Levert).

So far, the new CD has generated some positive vibes from the industry…"Jacks instantly appealing music and strong sound make Window Shopping one of the best independent releases this year." – Smooth Jazz News, and "…one of the most refreshing, stylish and urban new CDs we’ve heard this year." – SmoothJazz.com.

MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD TEAM WITH JOHN SCOFIELD FOR ‘OUT LOUDER’

Medeski, Martin & Wood have teamed with guitarist John Scofield on Out Louder, which is a mixture of jazz, funk and blues. The first track, Little Walter Rides Again is everything you could want from the foursome – an ultra-funky groove, sweet-and-salty guitar lines that stick in your head like peanut butter, dense organ grooves, and slippery bass licks. While Miles Behind, find the quartet in full-on free jazz mode, paying tribute to Scofield’s former employer Miles Davis’ eclectic period, Julia is a solemn take on a John Lennon classic featuring hymn-like guitar lines and Medeski’s soulful keys. Out Louder ends with an improvisation-rich take on Peter Tosh’s reggae anthem Legalize It.

BRAZILIAN SINGER TITA LIMA RELEASES HIGHLY ANTICIPATED ALBUM, ’11:11’

Singer and Composer Tita Lima combines a mixture of MPB (Brazilian Popular Music), Samba, Jazz, Bossa Nova, Hip-Hop, and Dub for her debut release ,11:11. After recording and sharing the stage with such well-known Brazilian musicians as Bocato (Elis Regina, Gal Costa, Maria Rita), João Donato, Apollo 9, Luz de Caroline, Núcleo and Dori Caymmi, talented composer and singer Tita Lima debuts her first solo effort. In collaboration with some of Brazil and the United States’ hottest producers, Tita Lima has created a delightfully eclectic yet very palpable blend of musical compositions and performances with a smooth and soulful, yet rhythmic style that is already drawing comparisons to Sade and Norah Jones. 11:11 is a labour of love for Tita, with the title holding a significant numerological meaning for the singer. "While creating the music for this project, I would come across the numbers 11:11 everywhere. On clocks, watches, television, even on the radio on an almost daily basis, this number would manifest itself. After reading up on the numbers’ significance in numerology, I found out they represent the positive, spiritual congruency that I wanted to convey through my music. The title, in this way, manifested itself naturally," explains Tita. Tita’s musical background includes time spent in Los Angeles studying at the Musician’s Institute, where she not only studied electric bass, but also immersed herself in the technical aspects of music production. During a stint working at the House of Blues, she also got to playbasas and sing in jam sessions with artists like Meshell Ndegeocello, Bernard Purdie, Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan. Upon her return to São Paulo, she honed her musical and production skills while working some of Brazil’s top musicians and producers.Dividing her time between Brazil and the United States, and armed with a great band whose members have performed and/or recorded with Sergio Mendes, Herbie Mann, Toninho Horta, Bebel Gilberto, Jurassic 5 and Rubén Blades among many others, Tita is now ready to embark upon the journey or presenting her first solo album to the world. In addition to her much-anticipated solo release, Tita will also appear on compilations for Lexus Automobiles ; and the Brownswood Bubblers compilation to be released on world-renowned DJ Giles Peterson’s record label.

ARETHA FRANKLIN TO PERFORM IN NEW YORK CITY ON NOVEMBER 14

The National Marfan Foundation presents Aretha Franklin, a benefit concert from the heart of the Queen of Soul, on November 14, 8 pm, at the Hammerstein Ballroom (Manhattan Center Studios, 311 West 34th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). Ticket prices are $500, $250 and $200 for orchestra seating and $125 and $75 for mezzanine seating. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster beginning October 9.

NEW RELEASES FROM GILLES PETERSON, GLADYS KNIGHT, INCOGNITO, KING BRITT, SARAH VAUGHAN & OTHERS…

BB&Q Band – Genie
Diana Ross – I Love You
Ella Fitzgerald – The Reprise Years
Esther Phillips – The Atlantic Years
Freddie Hubbard – Black Angel
Gabor Szabo - Bacchanal
Gary Burton – Good Vibes
Gilles Peterson & Patrick Forge Present Sunday Afternoon At Dingwalls – Classic Moves & Grooves From The Legendary Club (Various Artists)
Gladys Knight – Before Me
Incognito – Bees & Things & Flowers
Jazz Club – Jazz Swings Pop (Various Artists)
Jon Hendricks – Good Git-Together
King Britt – Nova Dream Sequence: Interpretations
Oddjob – Luma
Paul Murphy – Trip
Pharoah Sanders – Love In Us All
Ramsey Lewis – Maiden Voyage
Sammy Davis Jr. – The Reprise Years
Sarah Vaughan – Sarah +2
Shu - Shusic
Soul Lounge 3 – 40 Soulful Grooves (3-CD, Various Artists)
Stefon Harris – African Tarantula – Dances With Duke
Sue Raney – All By Myself

MICHAEL LINGTON’S ‘A SONG FOR YOU’

Michael Lington’s A Song For You delivers soulful interpretations of the next generation of the great American songbook. Rather than delivering a conventional smooth jazz collection, Lington has turned to the great popular songs of his time from artists like Stevie Wonder, Simon & Garfunkel, Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Sting. The project was produced and arranged by Randy Waldman, a brilliant pianist, arranger and producer (Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Burt Bacharach). The result is a heartfelt and classic, yet fresh sound. It’s lush orchestration takes one back to the classic instrumental recording of the ‘60’s. Lington’s A Song For You keeps this legacy alive and vibrant. Michael Lington will next perform on October 10 at the Borders Downtown Seattle store for an in-store performance and signing. Other future performances include: October 21 at the Santa Fe Station in Las Vegas, NV, and from November 4 through 11 on the Dave Koz Cruise 2006 departing from Mexico.

CD101.9-FM SMOOTH JAZZ PLAYLIST

The Latest CD101.9 FM Smooth Jazz Playlist...

The Jazzmasters – Free As The Wind
Eric Darius – If I Ain’t Got You
Euge Groove – Chillaxin’
George Benson & Al Jarreau – Morning
Boney James – The Total Experience
Peter White – What Does It Take
David Benoit – Beat Street
Mindi Abair – True Blue
Pieces Of A Dream – Forward Emotion
Wayman Tisdale – Get Down On It
Marion Meadows – Dresses To Chill
Philippe Saisse Trio – Lovely Day
Fourplay feat. Michael McDonald – My Loves Leavin’
Nils – Summer Nights
Richard Elliot – Mystique
Nick Colionne – Always
India.Arie – Heart Of The Matter
Lionel Richie – I Call It Love
Michael Lington – Pacifica
Corinne Bailey Rae – Put Your Records On
Najee – 2nd 2 None
Brian Culbertson – Let’s Get Started
Ray Parker Jr. – Mismaloya Beach
Ramsey Lewis – Oh Happy Day
Philippe Saisse Trio – Do It Again
Brian Simpson – It’s All Good
Marion Meadows – Suede
Paul Brown – Winelight
3rd Force – You Got It
Boney James – 2:01 AM
Aaron Neville – It’s Allright
Natalie Cole - Daydreaming

ROY HARGROVE, RACHELLE FERRELL, LONNIE SMITH TRIO TO PERFORM IN D.C. AREA CONCERTS

Upcoming D.C. area concerts include…
South Africa Digs Duke concert with Victor Madondo & Lalela, Randy Weston, Roy -Hargrove @ Lincoln Theatre on October 5
Paquito D’Rivera, Roy Haynes Quartet @ Lincoln Theatre on October 6
Jazz On The Mall concert with John Scofiled, Mavis Staples, Dr. John, Poncho Sanchez on the National Mall’s Sylvan Theatre on October 7
John Pizzarelli @ Rams Head Tavern on October 14
James Moddy @ Blues Alley on October 13-14
Sean Jones @ Blues Alley on October 15
Lonnie Smith Trio @ Kennedy Center’s KC Jazz Club on October 21
Rachelle Ferrell @ Blues Alley on October 25-29

2006 BMW POP-JAZZ TOUR SAN FRANCISCO TO FEATURE MIKE PHILLIPS

The 2006 BMW Pop-Jazz Live Tour will visit the city of San Francisco on October 10, 2006. Pop-jazz is an emerging genre that bridges jazz artistry with soul, funk, pop, rock and hip-hop. The tour will feature world-renowned Hidden Beach saxophonist Mike Phillips along with special guest artists and local talent. Phillips has been entertaining audiences with his genre-blending sax play with the help of notable artists from contemporary smooth jazz artists Jonathan Butler and Jeff Lorber to R&B artists Babyface, Brian McKnight and Jill Scott. His debut album, You Have Reached Mike Phillips entered Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart at #4, while his recent sophomore release, Uncommon Denominator, reached #3. Phillips is also featured on Hidden Beach’s top selling Unwrapped pop-jazz-hip-hop collaboration series of releases. He’s also been a featured saxophonist on Prince’s Musicology Tour and with Stevie Wonder on his many worldwide performances.

TONY BENNETT: 'DUETS/ AN AMERICAN CLASSIC’ ENTERS BILLBAORD TOP 200 AT #3

Tony Bennett fans have given the legendary performer his biggest 80th birthday present to-date as the singer's new album, Tony Bennett: Duets/An American Classic, enters the Billboard Top 200 album chart at #3, with first week's sales of 201,536. Tony's recent debut in the Top 5 marks the singer's highest-debuting and highest-peaking album in the history of the Billboard Top 200. In addition, the Tony Bennett: Duets/An American Classic CD held #1 positioning at Target, Starbucks, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Borders and was #3 on iTunes.

Released on September 26, Tony Bennett: Duets/An American Classic (RPM Records/Columbia Records) reprises some of the best-loved songs in Tony's repertoire as duets performed with some of the top names in contemporary music: Bono, Michael Buble, Elvis Costello, Celine Dion, Dixie Chicks, Billy Joel, Elton John, Juanes, Diana Krall, k.d. lang, John Legend, Paul McCartney, Tim McGraw, George Michael, Sting, Barbra Streisand, James Taylor and Stevie Wonder.

"For Tony Bennett to have his highest charting debut ever is an incredible tribute to an incomparable American singer on his 80th birthday," said Steve Barnett, Chairman, Columbia Records. "Columbia Records is honored to be part of Tony Bennett's music and enduring artistic legacy." Danny Bennett, Tony's son and manager, commented, "This overwhelming response is something that Tony and I both view as confirmation that the music of the Great American Songbook -- which Tony has championed with such passion and dedication throughout his career -- has a far-reaching and enthusiastic audience. The fact that Tony recorded the songs live with such an incredible array of artists created a unique focus for this fantastic project."

The promotional and marketing campaign for Tony Bennett: Duets/An American Classic kicked off with a star-studded party, hosted by Target, for Tony's 80th birthday on August 3rd. The album's first single, Just in Time, featuring Tony Bennett and Michael Buble, was released on Tony's birthday, has received significant airplay from many AC stations around the country while charting in the Top 25. The CD was launched with a direct response TV marketing ad campaign; advertising on TV, radio, print and on-line; and an aggressive retail presence with multiple point-of-purchase items, along with a variety of contests and promotions. Target, a key sponsor of the campaign, has offered the CD, with exclusive bonus duet tracks as well as a "making of" video, in their stores, all supported by an extensive national TV and print ad campaign. Starbucks, Yahoo, Amazon and iTunes have all partnered as well, with print advertising and a variety of on-line promotions and added value items.

Recent appearances on NBC's "Today" show (where Bennett performed with Billy Joel the Friday before the album's release date and with Michael Buble the day after the album's release) and CBS's "Late Show With David Letterman" (where Tony was joined by Elvis Costello) fueled CD sales as did print features in a variety of major publications including "Time," "Parade," "USA Today," "The New York Times," and "The Wall Street Journal." The celebration of Tony Bennett's 80th birthday and the success of Tony Bennett: Duets/An American Classic will continue on November 21 with the broadcast of "Tony Bennett: An American Classic," an NBC-TV prime-time special, presented by Target. "Tony Bennett: An American Classic" is directed by Rob Marshall ("Chicago" and "Memoirs of a Geisha") and his Oscar winning team and features Tony performing with Christina Aguilera, Michael Buble, John Legend, Elton John, Juanes, Diana Krall, k.d. lang, Barbra Streisand and Stevie Wonder. Each musical segment includes choreography, dancers, and stunning set designs. Narrative introductions on Tony's career were contributed by Billy Crystal, Robert DeNiro, Catherine Zeta-Jones, John Travolta and Bruce Willis.

Other special events surrounding Tony's 80th birthday include an all-star tribute to Tony hosted by Paul Newman, Billy Crystal, George Clooney and Bruce Willis to be held on November 9th at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles as a benefit for Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang camp program. In addition, Tony Bennett will receive this year's Billboard Century Award, in honor of his outstanding musical achievements, during a live presentation to be broadcast on the FOX network on December 4th from Las Vegas.

LIVE JAZZ IN THE TWIN CITIES INCLUDE CONCERTS BY INDIA.ARIE, SONNY ROLLINS, SPYRO GYRA…

Here’s a list of some upcoming Minneapolis/St. Paul area concerts include…
The Bad Plus @ Ted Mann Concert Hall; Oct. 4
Karrin Allyson @ Fitzgerald Theatre; Oct. 7
India.Arie @ State Theatre; Oct. 14
Spyro Gyra @ Rossi’s Blue Star Room; Oct. 18-21
Dave Holland Quintet @ Dakota Jazz Club; Oct. 23-24
McCoy Tyner @ Ted Mann Concert Hall; Oct. 28
Sonny Rollins @ Ted Mann Concert Hall; Oct. 21
Frank Morgan @ Artists Corner; Oct. 27
Mina Agrossi @ Dakota Jazz Club; Oct. 29-30
B.B. King @ Cockrell Orchestra Hall; Nov. 8

2006 EARSHOT 18th ANNUAL JAZZ FESTIVAL SEATTLE LINE UP

Seattle’s Earshot 18th Annual Jazz Festival runs from October 19 through November 5 and it will feature a stellar lineup this year as more than 60 events have been booked. Scheduled to appear are Bill Frisell, Wynton Marsalis Quartet, Allen Toussant, Larry Coryell, Cyrus Chestnut Trio, Mavis Staples, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Bobby Hutcherson Quartet, Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio w/ Fred Wesley, Manuel Valera Trio, Ritual Trio w/ Billy Bang, Django Reinhardt Festival, Ana Moura, Jason Moran & Bandwagon, and many more. Earshot Jazz is Seattle based noprofit music, arts and service organization formed in 1984 to support jazz and increase awareness in the community. In addition to concert performances, the festival also includes educational programs and panels, a film series, poetry & author readings, and art exhibits.

BOZ SCAGGS, LEE RITENOUR, ROY AYERS & OTHERS TOPLINE BLUE NOTE TOKYO CLUB CONCERT DATES

The Blue Note Tokyo has an A-list group of artists lined-up to appear in the coming weeks and months, including among many others the following…

Boz Scaggs – October 9-15
Candy Dulfer – October 16-21
Jacqui Taylor – October 23-24
Omar Sosa & His Africanos Quartet – October 25-28
Shakatak – October 29
Roy Ayers feat. Lonnie Liston Smith – October 31- November 3
Chris Botti – November 4-5
Bobby Caldwell – November 6-12
Nigel Kennedy Quintet – November 13-18
Sonia Rosa with Oscar Castro Neves – November 22-25
Stanley Clarke – November 28 – December 1
Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin – December 4-7
David Sanborn – December 8 –13
Count Basie Orchestra – December 26-31

KJAZZ 98.11 FM SWITCHES TO A SMOOTH JAZZ RADIO FORMAT

KJAZZ 98.1 FM in Bermuda has switched to a new smooth jazz (and then some) radio format. They have assembled a great mix of radio personalities, including Marshall Griffith covering the morning drive-time show from 6 am to 10 am; followed by the Latin sounds of Danny Garcia from 10 am to 12 noon; then its Venus from 12 pm to 3 pm; and then Derrick Symonds playing straight up jazz from 3 pm to 7 pm. The Quiet Storm is featured from 7 pm to 10 pm with the soothing voice and sounds of the "Night Nurse" playing the best in smooth contemporary jazz.

KOAI 107.5 FM THE OASIS SWITCHES FORMATS

Smooth jazz radio station KOAI 107.5 FM ‘The Oasis’ in Fort Worth, TX abruptly switched formats on Monday. The new format – called Movin’ 107.5 – is dedicated to upbeat R&B hits from the ’80’s to the present. The station, which signed on at 106.1 FM in 1987 and moved to 107.5 in the early ‘90’s flipped without warning. This new Movin’ format is one of the popular ones that seems to be popping up in one city after another lately, and speculation is that CBS Radio, which owns KOAI would put Movin’ on another of its Dallas stations. Nikki Nite, program director of KVIL 103.7 FM will move over to KOAI, and Charley Connolly, program director of the Oasis, will become program director of KVIL. The new format will be aimed at women ages 25 to 40.

COLUMBIA RECORDS RELEASING NEW EDITION OF CHRIS BOTTI’S BEST-SELLING SEASONAL ALBUM, ‘DECEMBER’

Columbia Records is releasing a new edition - featuring four newly-recorded tracks and two brand-new songs - of Chris Botti's best-selling seasonal album, December, on Tuesday, October 10. Produced by Bobby Colomby, the yuletide 2006 edition of December premieres two new songs: a breathtaking interpretation of Franz Schubert's Ave Maria (featuring the Choir of St. John's, Smith's Square) and I Don't Really Want Much For Christmas (featuring Eric Benet). The newly expanded edition of December also debuts new versions of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and Silent Night.

Chris Botti "December" (2006 edition) Tracklisting
1. The Christmas Song
2. Ave Maria
3. Winter Wonderland
4. The First Noel
5. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
6. Hallelujah
7. I Really Don't Want Much For Christmas (featuring Eric Benet)
8. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
9. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
10. Silent Night
11. Little Drummer Boy
12. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
13. I'll Be Home For Christmas

A full concert version of the critically-acclaimed Chris Botti Live with Orchestra & Special Guests, a viewer-grabbing highlight of this year's PBS Pledge Week, is available now in a CD/DVD package or as a CD-only. Chris 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... "

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's Kind of Blue, the classic record that started it all."

VINCENT MONTANA JR.’S ‘YOU ARE MY EVERYTHING’ FEATURING DOUBLE EXPOSURE

Vincent Montana, Jr.’s new release, You Are My Everthing, is a sure to be a classic, as once again Montana stays true to form and continues to spread his message with this classic and slick arrangement. Louis Benedetti is on the remixes plus the incredible vocals of Double Exposure. Four mixes are available: the Vincent Montana Jr. Original Mix; Louis Benedetti Vox, Louis Benedetti Dub; and Louis Benedetti Reprise Dub. It will be released soon on the Philly Sound Works label.

NEW CD RELEASES FROM LIONEL RICHIE, DIANA KRALL, BONEY JAMES, MICHAEL LINGTON, AARON NEVILLE, MADELEINE PEYROUX & OTHERS…

Aaron Neville – Bring It On Home…The Soul Classics
Amp Fiddler – Afro Strut
Art Of Noise – What Have You Don’t With My Body God? – The ZTT Session 1983-1985 (4-CD set)
Aurra – Anthology (2-CD set)
Boney James – Shine
Chico Buarque – Carioca (CD/DVD)
DJ Kawasaki – Beautiful
DWH (Deeper Wider Higher) – Follow Me
Dave Pike – Carnavals – Bossa Nova Carnival / Limbo Carnival
David S. Ware - Balladware
Deborah Bond – Afterday
Deodato - Artistry
Diana Krall – From This Moment On
Dinah Shore – Dinah Sings Previn
Edison X – Ginga A Alma Do Futebol Brasileiro
Free Soul – The Classic Of Salsoul (Various Artists)
Gal Costa – Gal Costa Live At The Blue Note
Giulio Camarca & Trinidad – Samba Do Amigo
Grant Green – Live At Club Mozambique
Gruppo Jazz Marca – Mitteleuropa
Hal Galper – Ivory Forest
Impressions – This Is My Country / Young Mod’s Forgotten Story
Incognito – Bees And Things And Flowers
John Beltran – Human Engine
Johnny Teupen – Play Harp
June Christy – Intimate Miss Christy
Kazu Matsui - Pioneer
Kohala – Deeper Blue
Kofy Brown – Live In San Francisco Vol. 1 – The Mecca Session
Lee Morgan – City Lights
Leon – My Soul Speaks
Lino – Miami Jam
Lionel Richie – Coming Home
Lucas Santittana & Selecao Natural – 3 Sessions In A Greenhouse
MFSB – Muthafunkin’ Sonofabitch – The Truth Behind The Philly Legend
Madeleine Peyroux – Half The Perfect World
Marc Mac – It’s Right To Be Civil
Marion Brown - Vista
Martin Denny – Afro-Desia
Master Of Masterpiece – The Very Best Of Patrick Adams (Various Artists)
Michael Lington – A Song For You
Michael Manson – Just Feelin’ It
Nathan Haines – The Chillifunk Years
Orchestra Boabab – Night At Club Boabab – Senegelese Dance Music Of The ‘70’s
Otis Jackson With Madlib & Oh No – Art Of Love
Pat Metheny & Brad Mehldau – Metheny/Mehldau
Patrick Yandall – Samoa Soul
Paul Wainwright & Sax Safari – Plank Spankin’
Peter Frampton – Fingerprints
Pharoah Sanders – Love In Us As
Radio Citizen – Berlin Serengeti
Ramsey Lewis – Maiden Voyage
Ramsey Lewis – Don’t It Feel Good
Ray Barretto - Together
Rhonda Smith – RS2
Rita Reys – Today – Recorded In London
Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 – Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil ‘66
Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 – Ye-Me-Le
Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 – Live At Expo ‘70
Sergio Mendes & Brazil ’77 – Primal Roots
Sonny Stitt – Sonny Stitt Plays Arrangement From The Pen Of Quincy Jones
Stephanie McKay – Stephanie McKay
Sue Raney – All By Myself
Vikter Duplaix – Bold And Beautiful
William Woods – The Hear And Now
Yusef Lateef – Before Dawn

NEW JAMES TAYLOR CD FEATURES NATALIE COLE, TOOTS THIELEMANS & CHRIS BOTTI

Combine the most beloved, classic songs of the holiday season with the warm baritone of one of the most recognized voices in popular music, and this fall will give fans reason to celebrate with James Taylor At Christmas. The 12-song collection of traditional and contemporary seasonal songs is set for release on Tuesday, October 10th, on Columbia Records.

James Taylor At Christmas, includes Taylor's heart-warming version of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, from the 1944 film "Meet Me In St. Louis," Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, as well as the premiere of a new recording of Joni Mitchell's composition, River. Special guest performances on the CD feature jazz trumpeter Chris Botti on Winter Wonderland, legendary harmonica player Toots Thielemans on The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) and with Natalie Cole on Baby It's Cold Outside. Ten of the album's 12 tracks are produced by the legendary jazz pianist/composer/arranger Dave Grusin. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, was produced by Russ Titelman, who first worked with Taylor on his classic 1975 release, Gorilla.

Taylor, who will hit the road this fall for his critically hailed "One Man Band" Tour, has earned 40 gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards and 5 Grammy Awards for a catalog running from 1970's Sweet Baby James to his Grammy Award-winning effort October Road (2002). He has won the RIAA's Diamond Award and is a Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer, a member of the Songwriter's Hall of Fame and in 1998 was honored with Billboard's Century Award. Just this past February, The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences selected James its MUSICARES Person of the Year.

James Taylor At Christmas Tracklisting
1. Winter Wonderland (featuring Chris Botti, trumpet)
2. Go Tell It On The Mountain
3. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
4. Jingle Bells
5. Baby, It's Cold Outside (featuring Natalie Cole)
6. River
7. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
8. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) (featuring Toots Thielemans, harmonica)
9. Some Children See Him
10. Who Comes This Night
11. In The Bleak Midwinter
12. Auld Lang Syne

BRIAN CULBERTON’S A SOULFUL CHRISTMAS ALBUM AND TOUR

Brian Culbertson’s new holiday CD, A Soulful Christmas, will be in stores on October 31. The new holiday album features modern arrangements of classic Christmas carols and a new holiday tune, All Through The Christmas Night, sung by Michael McDonald. Culbertson will promote the new CD with A Soulful Christmas Tour, which will feature him alongside Bobby Caldwell, Warren Hill, Ray Parker, Jr., and Eric Darius. Click to www.soulfulxmas.com for a complete tour schedule and details. Here are some concert tour dates:
Dec. 12 – Alexandria, VA @ The Birchmere
Dec. 13 – Alexandria, VA @ The Birchmere
Dec. 16 – Long Beach, CA @ Long Beach Terrace Theater

'BRING IT ON HOME…THE SOUL CLASSICS’ AARON NEVILLE’S BIGGEST SELLING DEBUT FEATURES DAVID SANBORN, CHAKA KAHN & MAVIS STAPLES

In 1966, multiple Grammy award winning artist Aaron Neville celebrated a career first when Tell It Like It Is charted, peaking at #1 in 1967 on the R&B charts. Now, almost forty years later, after selling over 10 million records in the US alone, Aaron Neville makes history as Burgundy Records Bring It On Home…The Soul Classics becomes his highest selling debut ever. The CD debuted at #37 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart and sold 22,212 in its first week. "The early success of this CD is testament to the longevity and staying power of classic artists such as Aaron Neville. We couldn’t be happier," says Joe DiMuro, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SONY BMG’s Strategic Marketing Group and Burgundy Records.

Bring It On Home...The Soul Classics is a collection of Neville's favorite soul songs including Otis Redding's (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay, Sam Cooke's A Change Is Gonna Come, Ben E. King's Stand By Me, Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine and the album's first single, Curtis Mayfield's It's All Right. The set also features collaborations with Chris Botti, Chaka Khan, David Sanborn, Mavis Staples and Art Neville. Aaron Neville kicks off his "Bring It On Home...The Soul Classics Tour" on October 1st.

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 with an 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

Neville is currently touring in support of the new album and is confirmed for the following concerts:
Sept. 29 – Las Vegas, NV @ Sam Boyd Stadium
Sept. 30 – Houston, TX @ Hyatt Regency Hotel
Oct. 1 – St. Petersburg, FL @ Mahaffey Theater
Oct. 3 – Stuart, Fl @ Lyric Theatre
Oct. 4 – Tallahassee, FL @ Florida St. University
Oct. 6 – Atlantic City, NJ @ House Of Blues
Oct. 7 – West Long Branch, NJ @ Monmouth State University – Pollak Theatre
Oct. 8 – Boston, MA @ Berklee Music Hall
Oct. 9 – Annaopolis, MD @ Ramshead
Oct. 13 – New York, NY @ Nokia Theatre – CD101 Show
Oct. 14 – Westhampton Beach, NY @ Westhampton Performing Arts Center
Oct. 16 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Cabaret
Oct. 17 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Cabaret
Oct. 18 – Alexandria, VA @ Birchmere
Oct. 20 – Chicago, IL @ Live From Studio A (NBC Tower)
Oct. 21 – Chicago, IL @ Live From Studio A (NBC Tower)
Dec. 1 – Elgin, IL @ Hemmens Cultural Center
Dec. 2 – Bloomington, IN @ Bloomington Center For Performing Arts
Dec. 3 – Omaha, NE @ Holland Performing Arts Center
Dec. 6 – St Louis, MO @ Sheldon Concert Hall
Dec. 8 – Rochester, MN @ May Civic Center Auditorium
Dec. 9 – St. Michael, ND @ Spirit Lake Casino
Dec. 10 – St. Michael, ND @ Spirit Lake Casino

MOCEAN WORKER REMIXES ELVIS’ BURNING LOVE

Mocean Worker has worked as an assistant to bassist/producer Marcus Miller (Miles Davis, Luther Vandross, EU) and he has compiled and produced dozens of jazz and R&B reissues, including work for the Verve Remixed albums. His credits as musician include collaborations with Bill Frissell, Hal Willner, Brian Eno and legendary producer Joel Dorn (Roberta Flack, John Coltrane, Leon Redbone). Under the Mocean Worker moniker, he has released three albums of genre-defying electronic music: Home Movies from the Brain Forest (1998); Mixed Emotional Features (1999); and Aural & Hearty (2000), plus Enter The MoWo! (the debut title on his MoWo! Inc. imprint), where elements of jazz, funk and electronic music co-exist in a lively, refreshing fashion. Now he has taken on the project of Elvis Presley’s Burning Love song remix. The project initially started out as a 30-second remix for use in a Honda CR-V commercial for broadcast in Japan, however, it now being shown in the United States. According to Mocean Worker’s official website, it seems that he has completed a full length version for potential commercial release. The remix highlights Elvis’ vocals as well as the original bass and piano elements, embedded with a new feel good groove that fits in perfect with Elvis’ style. Let’s hope that SONY/BMG decides to commercially release this, and yet - - could this be part of a larger plan to release a full remix album? We’ll keep you posted on this.

BEAT KAESTLI TO TOUR GERMANY & SWITZERLAND

Jazz quartet Beat Kastli is putting in an appearance at the Tower Records at Lincoln Center before heading off to Germany and Switzerland for a tour beginning on Oct. 13. They’ll be playing at the renowned clubs Die Unterfahrt in Munich and Moods in Zuerich. The Swiss jazz magazine Jazz ‘n’ More is promoting the tour with a full blitz on radio (BR4, Toxic FM, Lora, etc), and in the press (Klenkes, St. Galler Tagblatt, NZZ, etc.). The quartet consists of Beat Kaestli (vocals); Tino Derado (piano); Sven Faller (bass); and Martin Kolb (drums).

Here are their upcoming concert tour dates:
Oct. 4 – New York, NY @ Tower Records Lincoln Center
Oct. 13 – Hellbronn @ Ebene 3
Oct. 14 – Bolligen @ Baeberhus
Oct. 17 – St. Gallen @ Kugl
Oct. 19 – Zuerich @ Moods
Oct. 20 – Olten @ Esskapad
Oct. 21 – BE @ Schloss Kiesen
Oct. 25 – Aachen @ Jacobshof
Oct. 26 – Viersen @ Conny’s
Oct. 27 – Munich @ Unterfaht

UPCOMING PHILADELPHA JAZZ AREA CONCERTS FEATURE AL DIMEOLA, CHARLIE HUNTER, & MORE…

Here’s a sampling of upcoming concerts of interest in the Philadelphia, PA area…
Fourplay @ Keswick Theatre on Sept. 30
Al DiMeola @ Sellersville Theater on Oct. 4
Charlie Hunter @ Downstairs At The World Café on Oct. 4
Etta James @ Keswick Theatre on Oct. 4
Maria Muldaur @ Sellersville Theater on Oct. 5

NATALIE COLE’S NEW ALBUM, ‘LEAVIN’ & TOUR DATES

Eight-time Grammy Award winner Natalie Cole has just released her 20th studio album, Leavin’. This new album also marks her first album of new material in nearly four years. Cole’s on the road in support of this new release with tour dates are as follows:

Sept. 26 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
Sept. 29 – Philadelphia, PA @ Liacouras Center
Oct. 12 – Ontario, Canada @ Casino Rama Orillia
Oct. 14 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Caesar’s Palace
Oct. 16 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Live
Oct. 18 – Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
Oct. 21 – Danville, KY @Norton Center For The Arts
Oct. 24 – Red Banks, NJ @ Count Basie Theater
Oct. 25 – Rockville, MD @ Music Center At Strathmore

CIBELLE AT CAFÉ DU NORD, SAN FRANCISCO

London-based and Sao Paulo raised Brazilian singer Cibelle will perform with her band at the Café du Nord in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 29. Cibelle is touring in support of her recent album, The Shrine Of Dried Electric Leaves. American audiences were first introduced to Cibelle on her vocal work on Suba’s groundbreaking electro-Brazilian album Sao Paulo Confessions. Launching her solo career in 2003 with the release of her critically acclaimed self-titled debut, Cibelle’s intimate voice has established her as one of the most inventive and distinctive musicians to emerge in recent years. On her second album, The Shrine Of Electric Leaves, Cibelle collaborates with Devendra Banhart, Brazilian singer Seu Jorge and French MC/beatboxer Spleen.

CHUCK LOEB TO REPLACE FOURPLAY AT THE BLUE NOTE

Chuck Loeb is replacing Fourplay at the Blue Note this evening in New York City. Fourplay has had to cancel due to illness, and so Chuck Loeb will appear there on Sept. 28 and 29. The show times for both nights are 8:00 pm and 10:30 pm, with a music charge of $20 at the bar and $30 at the tables. For more information click to www.bluenote.net.

JOHN MAYER'S NEW ALBUM, "CONTINUUM', SELLS 300,000 COPIES IN FIRST WEEK

Two years in the making, Grammy winning singer/songwriter John Mayer's third studio album, Continuum (Aware/Columbia Records), has sold 300,000 copies since its release on September 12. The album's first single, Waiting On The World To Change, has propelled Mayer's solid return to the top of the charts and is currently #1 at Triple A radio, #3 at Hot AC, and is now at Top Forty Radio, while the video enjoys heavy rotation at VH1. On August 25, Mayer performed a history-making Today Show Concert. As the first artist to participate in the Today Show's new iTunes partnership, John's performance and behind-the-scenes footage were made available for exclusive download from iTunes -- helping to drive presale orders to 16,000 and release week sales to 46,000 for a staggering grand total of 62,000 units via the music
service.

Currently on a co-headlining tour with Sheryl Crow, Mayer kept up the furious pace of life on the road during his album's release week. From Chicago to New York to L.A. to Austin, TX, Mayer performed club shows for fans at Chicago's House of Blues, New York's Webster Hall and headlined the Austin City Limits Festival in Austin, TX. He also visited the Today Show,
performed a two-night stint on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, stopped by MTV's TRL, and appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Critics have applauded Mayer's accomplishments on Continuum:

-- ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE -- "a smart, breezy album that deftly fuses his love for old-school blues and R&B with his natural gift for sharp melodies and well-constructed songs." -- 4 of 5 stars

-- USA TODAY -- "Mayer's smartly crafted third album combines singer/songwriter pop and sinewy guitar blues as he broaches a range of mature themes."

-- NEW YORK TIMES -- "Mr. Mayer has been writing songs again, good ones, with all the leanness and directness that distinguish his strongest work."

-- BLENDER -- "Where his earlier music was a parade of bright primary colors, these plaintive melodies come in delicious shades of gray." -- 3 of 4 stars

-- ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY -- "many musicians with his all-star-level guitar skills will go reeling off into jam-band indulgence at the least opportunity, but Mayer always plays understated, lacing his catchy songs with crystalline blues licks and subtle jazz-style filigree."

-- STEREOGUM.com -- "We're convinced we're witnessing the emergence of a true artist."

-- ASSOCIATED PRESS -- "... the album is driven by serious themes, fat guitar sounds and Mayer's stirring voice. Continuum reveals his maturity as an artist, both in content and style -- a development he attributes to his collaboration with drummer Steve Jordan and bassist Pino Palladino, who collectively form the John Mayer Trio, which released a live blues album last year."

Having recorded and performed with some of the most interesting and iconic artists on the scene, Mayer returns with an album that showcases his diverse influences, rich lyrics, the groove of the guitar-slinging bluesman and the vocals of the soulful crooner. Continuum was co-produced by John Mayer and Steve Jordan and features sultry tracks such as I Don't Trust Myself With Loving You, Slow Dancing In A Burning Room, and the Sam Cooke-flavored I'm Gonna Find Another You. Followers of the John Mayer Trio will recognize Vultures and Gravity reworked for the studio by John, Steve, and Pino, as well as a blazing display of fretwork on Jimi Hendrix's Bold As Love. Longtime fans will appreciate songs like Heart of Life and Stop This Train as keeping in-step with trademark Mayer material.

Billboard magazine wrote that the melodic, up-tempo Waiting On The World To Change is "already off to a blockbuster start," whose ascent to "No. 1 is all but a given" and People magazine noted that, "John Mayer channels Curtis Mayfield" in a song that reflects the challenges and frustrations of his generation.

A musician and collaborator who exceeds genre boundaries, John Mayer famously toured and recorded with power players Pino Palladino and Steve Jordan as the John Mayer Trio, whose live album Try! was released in November '05. Mayer's other collaborators -- from Rock to Blues, Hip-Hop to Jazz to Country -- have included Eric Clapton, BB King, Buddy Guy, T-Bone Burnett, Herbie Hancock, Dixie Chicks, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, and Ahmir ?uestlove.

From his acclaimed debut Room For Squares in 2001 through 2003's Heavier Things to his most recent work with the John Mayer Trio, the guitarist, vocalist and songwriter has sold more than eight million albums and earned three Grammy Awards.

JOHN MAYER / SHERYL CROW CO-HEADLINING TOUR (* indicates independent
dates)
DATE CITY VENUE
9/23 Seattle, WA White River Amphitheatre
9/24 Portland, OR The Amphitheater at Clark County
9/26 San Diego, CA Bayside Amphitheater
9/27 Irvine, CA Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
9/28 Concord, CA Chronicle Pavilion
9/30 Sacramento, CA Sleep Train Amphitheatre
10/01 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
10/04 Phoenix, AZ Glendale Arena (w/Tom Petty)*
10/06 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
10/08 Nashville, TN Starwood Amphitheater
10/09 Birmingham, AL Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
10/11 West Palm Beach, FL Sound Advice Amphitheatre
10/12 Tampa, FL Ford Amphitheatre
10/13 Atlanta, GA Chastain Park*
10/14 Atlanta, GA Chastain Park*
http://www.johnmayer.com
http://www.columbiarecords.com

GUITAR LEGENDS J.J. CALE AND ERIC CLAPTON UNITE FOR SOULFUL CD RELEASE ‘THE ROAD TO ESCONDIDO’

After years of admiring each other's musical masterworks and Clapton covers of Cale songs such as After Midnight and Cocaine, guitar greats J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton have teamed up for the first time to create an original album together, The Road To Escondido, set for release on November 6. The 14-track CD was produced and recorded by the duo in August 2005 in California. The resulting music defies being labeled into any one category, but instead finds influence across the spectrum of blues, rock, country and folk. A hybrid sound that is unique musically, while still bearing the signature styles of Cale and Clapton recognized by fans around the world. The songs are warm and rich, with deep flowing rhythms, yet use an economy of words to express much.

In a true collaboration, Cale and Clapton jointly produced and recorded the album, each playing and singing on the tracks. Cale wrote 11 of the songs, Clapton wrote Three Little Girls, John Mayer wrote Hard To Thrill and the duo cover the blues classic Sporting Life Blues. J.J. Cale's touring band accompanies them on the album as well as guest musicians including, Taj Mahal, John Mayer, Derek Trucks, Doyle Bramhall II, Albert Lee, Nathan East, Willie Weeks and Steve Jordan. Particularly special is the involvement of Billy Preston, who donated his classic keyboard talents throughout the album. The album is dedicated to Preston and Clapton's late friend Brian Roylance.

"Eric and I have known each other for a long time and it was a great experience to finally make a record together - he's a great musician and it was a pleasure to work so closely on this project with him," said J.J. Cale. "This was the realization of what may have been my last ambition, to work with the man whose music has inspired me for as long as I can remember, there are not enough words for me to describe what he represents to me, musically and personally, and anyway I wouldn't want to embarrass him by going overboard, for he is a truly humble man... I think it's enough to say that we had fun, made a great record, and I for one already want to make another," said Eric Clapton.

Clapton has often said that he has tried to achieve the J.J. Cale sound and has credited Cale with singular influence over his style as a solo artist. Mojo Magazine asked Clapton in 2000 which other musician he would most like to be, his response was quick: "I don't model myself on him but I like J.J. Cale, his philosophy, writing skills, musicianship. He's a fine, superior musician, one of the masters of the last three decades of music."

J.J. Cale is known for being reclusive. He lets his music speak for itself and by his own choice has not become famous in the conventional terms of the word. Instead, preferring to shun the spotlight for a more simple existence based on his musical creations. Ironically, doing just that, and focusing on his music, has turned him into a guitar legend over the past four decades. The depth of his influence can be felt in artists such as Clapton and Mark Knopfler, but the sheer breadth of his appeal is made clear by the diverse group of artists who have covered his songs from Johnny Cash, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and The Allman Brothers to Bryan Ferry, Deep Purple, Santana and more recently jam bands like Widespread Panic.

Cale grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma and cites Chet Atkins, Les Paul and Chuck Berry as some of his earliest influences. He is often quoted as saying, "In trying to imitate them, I missed it. And I came up with my own kinda thing." And so, Cale began playing the local Tulsa club scene in the early 1950s surrounded by other natives such as David Gates (Bread) and Leon Russell. After moving to Los Angeles in the mid-60s, he recorded the song After Midnight.
Already an accomplished guitarist with bands such as the Yardbirds, Cream and Blind Faith, Clapton ventured to a solo career with the release of his 1970 self-titled Eric Clapton album. Mutual friend Delaney Bramlett had given Clapton a copy of Cale's song After Midnight. Clapton decided to cover the song and it was the first single from the album. The song became a chart-topping success. Clapton was quick to offer praise for Cale's work while promoting the album. Cale had been told of the cover but has said that he didn't pay much attention until the song came on the radio in Tulsa.

Years later, in April 1976, Cale was performing at London's Hammersmith Odeon in support of his Troubadour album release. Clapton sat in on the performance and later during that trip surprised Cale in the studio with a version of Cocaine that would appear on his 1977 Slowhand release. Again becoming a chart-topping success.

In the years to follow, the two would occasionally cross paths, but would largely carry on with their respective musical careers. Until 2004 when Clapton was organizing a Dallas-based guitar festival called Crossroads. The 3-day festival featured the world's most elite guitarists. Clapton invited Cale to perform at the festival and Cale agreed to attend. In turn, Cale invited Clapton on-stage for the set and Clapton gladly joined, unannounced, for the entire set as a member of Cale's band. The set was a highlight of the performances from the festival.

Crossroads gave Clapton an opportunity to ask Cale to consider producing an upcoming album for him. If Clapton had been seeking to replicate the trademark Cale sound, having him as producer on an album would surely achieve that unique musical quality. As the two worked on the project, creative ideas took flight and they decided to take the project further formulating a true co-produced album. The Road To Escondido marks the first full-length album the two have created together.

Cale's entire 40-plus year career has produced only 13 albums. But most critics agree that each effort is well worth the wait. Lauded by his peers and completely unfazed by musical fads, J.J. Cale is an American icon, a craftsman like no other. Clapton's career, also spanning more than 40 years, has resulted in 18 Grammy Awards and the distinct honor of being the only triple inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.