NORAH JONES SETS TOUR DATES

With her new Blue Note album, Not Too Late, poised to debut next week at No. 1 on The Billboard 200, Norah Jones has announced the dates for her spring North American tour. The outing begins April 13 in Wallingford, Conn., and will wrap May 12 in Montreal. Jones will also play April 28 at Jazz Fest in New Orleans. Norah Jones has earned the most pre-orders ever recorded by Amazon.com according to a report released on January 30. The album, Not Too Late, also scored number one rankings on iTunes in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. In early December, EMI positioned the Norah Jones track, Thinking About You, as an open mp3 on Yahoo Music, though sales results have not been disclosed.

Jones is set to perform the following concerts: April 13 at Chevy Theatre in Wallingford CT, April 14 at Orpheum Theatre in Boston MA, April 15 at Merrill Auditorium in Portland ME, April 17 at Performing Arts Center in Providence RI, April 18 at Madison Square Garden in New York NY, April 20 at Tower Theatre in Philadelphia PA, April 21 at Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City NJ, April 23 at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington DC, April 24 at War Memorial Auditorium in Greensboro NC, April 26 at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville TN, April 27 at Tabernacle in Atlanta GA, April 28 at Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans LA, April 30 at BJCC in Birmingham AL, May 1 at Murat Theatre in Indianapolis IN, May 2 at Fox Theatre in St. Louis MO, May 4 at Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbor MI, May 6 at Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis MN, May 8 at Chicago Theatre in Chicago IL, May 9 at State Theatre in Cleveland OH, May 11 at Massey Hall in Toronto ON, and May 12 at St. Denis Theatre in Montreal QC.

THE POLICE TO REUNITE; STING SETS SOLO CONCERT TOUR DATES

According to radio station CFMI in Vancouver, BC, The Police have rented Lions Gate Studios for a rehearsal space in anticipation of a summer tour. It would be the band's first excursion in more than 20 years, and the details will be announced in February. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the release of Roxanne, and a number of product-oriented offerings are in the works, including a boxed set and several DVDs. In addition, there has been an official announcement that The Police will perform during the opening segment of the 49th Annual Grammy Awards program.

Sting, in the meantime, has already committed to perform the following concerts in advance of a Police tour: February 18 at Salle Pleyel in Paris France, February 19 at Stadt-Casino Grosser Musiksaal in Basel Switzerland, February 22 at Teatre del Maggio in Florence Italy, February 23 at Teatro Arcimboldi in Milan Italy, February 25 at Herkulessaal in Munich Germany, February 27 at Jahrhunderthalle Hoechst in Frankfurt Germany, February 28 at Musikhalle Saal 1 in Hamburg Germany, March 1 at Concertgebouw in Amsterdam Netherlands, March 3 at Queen Elizabeth Hall in Antwerp Belgium, March 5 at Philharmonie in Berlin Germany, March 7 at Tonhalle in Dusseldorf Germany, March 8 at Festpielhalle in Baden-Baden Germany, March 10 at Konzerthaus in Vienna Austria, and March 12 at Beethovensaal in Stuttgart Germany.

PATTI AUSTIN TOUR DATES

February 10 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ CB Smith Park, Pembroke Pines
March 4 – Honolulu, HI @ Waikiki Shell
April 14 – Palm Desert, CA @ McCallum Theatre
April 15 – Cerritos, CA @ Cerritos Center for the Arts
April 18 – Cerritos, CA @ Cerritos Center for the Arts
April 21 – Winston Salem, NC @ Reynolds Auditorium
May 11 – Charlotte, NC @ Belk Theatre
May 12 – Charlotte, NC @ Belk Theatre

MICHAEL BUBLE CLARIFIES GRAMMY AWARDS STATEMENTS

Canadian singing sensation Michael Bublé was recently quoted in an interview criticizing the upcoming Grammy Awards telecast. The Vancouver native, who has had the No. 1 traditional Jazz album on the Billboard charts for a record-smashing 78 weeks, released the following statement through his recording label Reprise Records: "I'm extremely honored to have been nominated for a Grammy in the Best Traditional Pop category. I did indeed make my feelings known that the category should be broadcast live during the award ceremony. This category honors the interpreters of some of the greatest songs ever written. There are millions of people like me who love and respect this music. I jokingly said that Tony Bennett is going to win anyway so why should I go? This is not sour grapes. I worship, love and respect Tony Bennett. He is my idol. I voted for him and he deserves to win. I mean no offense to the Grammy Awards, the Grammy nominees or the NARAS organization."

CHILL GROOVES & SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS: ENNIO MORRICONE, IVAN LINS, GERALD LEVERT, PAT METHENY, MICHAEL LINGTON, THE BIRDS AND THE BEES & MORE…

Alan & Marilyn Bergman will celebrate their 50-year collaboration with a sold-out Lincoln Center concert in New York City on Friday, February 2. The Bergmans are among the most prolific and highly acclaimed popular songwriter teams in American history, having penned some of the most cherished songs of the last 50 years, many of which have been covered by a variety of jazz musicians, including The Way We Were, The Windmills of Your Mind, How Do You Keep the Music Playing, and What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life. The concert will feature a roster of artists that includes the ever-so-busy (and special guest) Tony Bennett, plus Lucie Arnaz, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Capathia Jenkins, Sandy Stewart, Lari White, Lillias White, Nicki Richards, and Melissa Errico.

Grammy Award-winning record producer, singer and songwriter Steve Tyrell performs legendary standards and hits from his Great American Songbook on February 2 at the Parker Playhouse in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Brazilian guitarist, singer and composer Jose Augusto appears at the Miami-Dade County Auditorium in Miami on February 4.

Rendezvous recording artist Jessica Callahan performs at Genghis Cohen in Los Angeles, CA on February 5; at the Dublin Heritage Center in Dublin, CA on February 11; at the Triple Door in Seattle, WA on February 16 and 17; and at Room 5 in Los Angeles, CA on March 13.

Chicago will perform the following concerts: February 8 at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater FL, February 9 at Hard Rock Live in Orlando FO, and April 11 at the Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks CA.

French-born pianist Jean Michel-Pilc will add his own jazzy style to interpretations of works by Schubert, Ellington, Gershwin and Monk, at his February 8 concert at the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, FL.

Ivan Lins is at the Arturo Sandoval Jazz Club on Miami Beach on February 8 and 9.

In My Songs, the studio album that Gerald Levert wrapped just prior to his death of a heart attack last Nov. 10, arrives Feb. 13 from Atlantic Records. Describing In My Songs as a classic R&B album with a perfect mixture of heartfelt feeling and emotion, Levert’s manager, Leonard Brooks, says it underscores the singer’s his creative and energetic force.

Gladys Knight appears at the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) in New Jersey on Valentine’s Day, February 14.

Michael Lington performs at the Annenberg Theatre in Palm Springs, CA on February 23, and at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, AZ on March 2. Lington, by the way, has also just launched his own line of fine Dominican-blend cigars known as Michael Lington Classic. For more information click to www.michaellingtoncigars.com.

Celebrated Italian film composer Ennio Morricone will receive an Honorary Academy Award at the 70th Academy Awards ceremony on February 25 for his "magnificent and multifaceted contributions to the art of film music." Morricone has been nominated for five Academy Awards during his career. Morricone is slated to tour the US for a series of concerts and is releasing a new album.

The Bird And The Bee’s self-titled debut album is available in stores now from Blue Note Records. Made up of vocalist Inara George, daughter of Little Feat front man Lowell George, who has been aptly referred to as "a modern day Audrey Hepburn with the voice of an angel," and keyboardist/producer Greg Kurstin, who after studying jazz piano with Charles Mingus’ pianist Jaki Byard returned to pop music, lending his talents to recording and touring with the likes of Beck, The Flaming Lips, Lily Allen, Peaches, and many more, the bird and the bee take elements of everything from the Beach Boys to 60's Brazil to electronica, spinning them into an irrepressible collection of ten sunshine-drenched, semi-psychedelic ditties.

Elisabeth Withers’ debut album, It Can Happen To Anyone, has been released on the Blue Note Records label.

Guitarist Pat Metheny will release a new quartet CD in March along with pianist Brad Mehldau. Metheny and Mehldau are also about to commence a nationwide tour together in March.

Toots & The Maytals will perform the following upcoming concerts: March 9 at Jannus Landing in St. Petersburg FL, March 10 at Freebird Live in Jacksonville Beach FL, March 11 at Langerado Music Festival in Sunrise FL, March 16 at The Rave in Milwaukee WI, and March 18 at House of Blues in Chicago IL.

Philippe Saisse is at the Buckman Performing Arts Center in Memphis, TN on March 16.

WKCR has gained a new dj -- Mathieu Schreyer, now in his second week -- hosts On The Corner, every Friday night from midnight to 3am. Mathieu comes from his Sunday night residency at L.A.’s Zanzibar, where he is better known as Mr. French. Join him on a global rhythm trip of passion and soul.

Rendezvous Entertainment artist Brian Simpson is at the Seascape Golf and Beach Resort in Destin, FL on April 13.

Jonathan Butler is set to appear at the following venues: April 15 at Gulf Place Amphitheater in Santa Rosa Beach, Fl; April 19 at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, AZ; April 21 at Hills Park at Summerlin in Las Vegas, NV; May 12 at the Thornton Winery in Temecula, CA; May 31 at Merriweather Post Pavillion in Columbia, MD; June 2 at Keswick Theater in Glendale, PA; and on August 11 at the Long Beach Jazz Fest in Long Beach, CA.

Kyle Eastwood will be performing at the San Juan Oaks Golf Club in Hollister, CA on June 15; at the Marriot Star Pass Resort on Tucson, AZ on June 15; and get this - - - at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, CA on February 23, 2008. Talk about planning ahead!

Sony BMG Music Entertainment has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it violated federal law when it sold CDs without telling consumers that they contained digital rights management software. According to the FTC, which announced the tentative settlement with Sony BMG, the anti-piracy software limited the devices on which the music could be played to those made by Sony Corp. or Microsoft Corp. The agreement requires that Sony BMG let consumers exchange the CDs containing the concealed software purchased before Dec. 31, 2006, for new CDs that are not content-protected through June 31, 2007, as well as reimburse consumers up to $150 to repair damage that resulted directly from consumers' attempts to remove the software installed without their consent. The settlement in no doubt will cost Sony BMG in the millions.

The Recording Academy(R) teamed up with Sony BMG Music Entertainment to release the 2007 GRAMMY(R) Nominees CD, which celebrates many of the year's GRAMMY-nominated artists and songs Scanning at more than 77,000 units this week (via Soundscan) -- this year's compilation has started off very strong with a #1 debut on the Billboard Top Compilation Albums and a #4 debut on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. The disc contains many of the most widely recognized GRAMMY categories. The 23 tracks from the 2007 GRAMMY Nominees CD represent nominees from the Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Best New Artist, Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals categories. The CD is made possible by a special arrangement with all of the major music distribution companies and rotates distributors from year to year. The 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on Feb. 11, 2007, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and broadcast on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).

VAN MORRISON TOUR DATES

Van Morrison will perform the following concerts: February 21 at Gibson Amphitheatre in University City CA, February 23 at Marin Veteran's Auditorium in San Rafael CA, March 10 at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen Denmark, April 6-7 at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester UK, April 13 at New Theatre in Oxford UK, and April 14 at Millennium Centre in Cardiff UK.

EMI RELEASES NEW VAN MORRISON COMPILATION

Van Morrison's company Exile Productions has announced an exclusive licence with EMI Music for worldwide release of a new compilation entitled Van Morrison At The Movies, coinciding with an Oscar week award celebrating Van's compositions as used in film. The US -- Ireland Alliance will honour Van Morrison for his compositions as used in the movies at a special event staged in Los Angeles on February 22. Held at the Wilshire Ebell, the event will feature Oscar-winning actor Al Pacino presenting the award, which highlights the depth and breadth of Van's compositions, including such classics such as Moondance, Brown-Eyed Girl, Have I Told You Lately, Days Like This, Bright Side Of the Road, Gloria, and many more. Van will play a short musical set at the event, which is hosted by actress Roma Downey. Films using Van Morrison's music include Thelma & Louise, The King Of Comedy, An Officer And A Gentleman, Bridget Jones' Diary, Born On The Fourth Of July, among others, while directors of the calibre of Martin Scorsese, James L. Brooks, Oliver Stone, Taylor Hackford, Lawrence Kasdan and John Landis have queued up to request his songs for inclusion in their work.

To coincide with this honour, EMI Music will release a new compilation, Van Morrison At The Movies, the previous week. Containing 18 of his best-known songs as used in film, plus his version of Pink Floyd's Comfortably Numb as featured in 'The Departed,' the album also includes Gloria and Baby Please Don't Go from his days with Them, plus collaborations with The Band on Caravan (from 'The Last Waltz') and The Chieftains on Irish Heartbeat from Mark Joffe's 'The Matchmaker.' The Los Angeles event is only the second in the history of the US-Ireland Alliance. Entitled "Oscar Wilde: Honouring Irish Writing in Film," it serves as a pre-Academy Awards party, and other honourees are screenwriter William Monahan and writer/director Terry George. The U.S.-Ireland Alliance is a non-profit organization created to foster ties between the U.S. and Ireland, and they have lined up sponsorship for the event from the Irish Film Board, Walt Disney Studios and Culture Ireland. Trina Vargo, founder and president of the Alliance, said the event was created to "bring together leaders in the Irish film community with their Hollywood counterparts at a fun, casual Irish party."

The US Ireland Alliance website is at http://www.us-irelandalliance.org. Tony Wadsworth, Chairman and CEO of EMI Music, UK & Ireland, said, "This award is fully deserving for a writer and creator of Van Morrison's calibre. EMI is thrilled to be involved in this new compilation, which highlights Van's immeasurable talent and his consistent ability to write songs that have moved generations of music lovers. We hope it will be the start of a long-term association with Van and his music."

STACEY KENT SIGNS WITH BLUE NOTE

Blue Note in Paris has signed U.S. jazz singer Stacey Kent to a worldwide recording deal. Kent previously recorded six albums on U.K. label Candid Records. She also featured on The Lyric (Token), the album released in 2005 by her husband, British tenor saxophonist Jim Tomlinson. The Lyric won best album at the 2006 BBC Jazz Awards. "Blue Note is the label that just felt right," Kent tells Billboard.biz. "It is the label I dreamed of when I was a kid. I feel like Steffi Graf must have felt the first time she played against Martina Navratilova." Kent, who lived in France for a year in the 90's, acknowledges a special relationship with French audiences. "We did very well there," confirms Candid Records CEO Alan Bates, who says her last album Boys Next Door, released in 2003, shipped more than 100,000 copies in France. Kent's new album will be recorded next spring in London, where she lives, and is due out in September 2007. She will perform across Europe in 2007 (booked by Paris-based Loop Productions).
Source: Billboard Magazine

CORINNE BAILEY RAE TOUR DATES

Corinne Bailey Rae will perform the following concerts: February 23 at Paradiso in Amsterdam Netherlands, February 24 at Ancienne Belgique in Brussels Belgium, March 1 at Rolling Stone in Milan Italy, March 4 at Volkshaus in Zurich Switzerland, March 6 at Tanzbrunnen in Cologne Germany, March 8 at Grand Rex in Paris France, March 10 at Grosse Freiheit 36 at Hamburg Germany, March 11 at Theatrehalle in Stuttgart Germany, March 13 at Carling Apollo Manchester in Manchester UK, March 14 at Carling Academy Newcastle in Newcastle UK, March 16 at Leeds University in Leeds UK, March 17 at Carling Birmingham Academy in Birmingham UK, March 19 at Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow UK, March 21 at Guildhall in Southampton UK, and March 22 at Carling Apollo Hammersmith in London UK.

CANDY DULFER CONCERT TOUR EXPANDED

Since the C.O.E.D. show at the Paradiso in Amsterdam is almost sold out, there will be an additional show in Holland by C.O.E.D. with Sheila E. and Candy Dulfer. The extra show will be on Sunday March 11th at Tivoli in Utrecht. Due to popular demand more shows have been added to the European tour of C.O.E.D. (Chronicles Of Every Diva) with Sheila E. and Candy Dulfer. They will now also play shows in Rankweil (Austria) and Reinach (Switzerland). Dulfer was recently a special guest at the show 'A tribute to Ray Charles' on Sunday January 21st at the Schouwburg in Leiden, The Netherlands. Contrary to some reports on the Internet Candy will not be performing at the Jazz at the Hilton Festival in Amsterdam next month. Prior to the departure of the All Star Smooth Jazz Cruise, Candy also participated in the All Star Jazz Fest, a special event featuring George Benson and the headliners from the Jazz Cruise. This concert took place at the Moody Gardens Convention Center in Galveston (TX) on Saturday January 27th.

JOHN SCOFIELD TOUR DATES

John Scofield will perform the following concerts: March 28-31 at Jazz at the Bistro in St. Louis MO, April 2 at Sheraton Hotel in Salt Lake City UT, April 6 at Macky Auditorium in Boulder CO, April 10 at Dana Auditorium in Greensboro NC, April 11 at Barns at Wolf Trape in Vienna VA, April 12 at State Theatre in State College PA, April 13 at Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield CT, April 19 at Georgia Theatre in Athens GA, April 20-21 at Sandoval's Jazz Club in Miami Beach FL, April 27 at Lawlor Events Center in Reno NV, May 4 at Asylum Hill Congregational in Hartford CT, June 5-10 at Blue Note in New York NY, and August 15 at Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles CA.

38th ANNUAL NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL LINE-UP ANNOUNCED

Harry Connick Jr., Al Jarreau, Rod Stewart, Steely Dan, Norah Jones, ZZ Top, John Legend, Van Morrison, Brad Paisley, Jill Scott, Ludacris, Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt, New Edition, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Irma Thomas, Jerry Lee Lewis, Counting Crows, Allman Brothers Band, Allen Toussaint, George Benson, Pharoah Sanders, George Thorogood, Stephen Marley featuring Jr. Gong, Better Than Ezra, Joss Stone, Banda el Recodo, Calexico, Taj Mahal, Johnny Rivers, Lucinda Williams, Branford Marsalis, Richie Havens, Soulive, Cowboy Mouth, Percy Sledge, Tony Joe White, Gillian Welch, Bobby Jones & the Nashville Super Choir, T-Bone Burnett, Rebirth Brass Band, Galactic, Mose Allison, Marcia Ball, Roy Hargrove, Chuck Leavell, Arturo Sandoval, The Holmes Brothers, Snooks Eaglin, Dr. Lonnie Smith, The New Orleans Social Club, James Carter, The Radiators, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Lucky Peterson, Darrell McFadden, Sonny Landreth, Danilo Perez, Ivan Neville, Dottie Peoples, Davell Crawford, Ba Cissoko of Guinea, George Porter, Jr., Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste, Tab Benoit, Les Amazones of Guinea, World Saxophone Group, John Mooney & Bluesiana, Buckwheat Zydeco, Anders Osborne, Elder Baab & the Madison Bumble Bees of Winnsboro, Eddie Bo, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Rosie Ledet, Amanda Shaw, The Iguanas, Marva Wright, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Deacon John, Donald Harrison, Nicholas Payton, Terence Blanchard, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews & Orleans Avenue, Bob French, Elysian Fieldz, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, Ellis Marsalis and over 500 more groups will gather in New Orleans for the 38th annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell, April 27-29 and May 4-6, Festival organizers announced today.

"Jazz Fest is an invitation to move your body and your soul," said Quint Davis, producer/director of the event. "New Orleans is the best place in the world to listen to music and to sing and dance in an open and loving atmosphere, and this year we're presenting more music than ever. As always Jazz Fest is going to give Festivalgoers the best opportunity to participate in this city's powerful and joyful integration of culture and community."
Annually drawing tens of thousands of fans each of its six days of activities, the Festival will again be held at the Fair Grounds Race Course and run from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Ten stages of simultaneous music programming are complemented by an important, unparalleled Food Fair offering more than 100 varieties of authentic Louisiana cuisine and a stunning array of one-of-a-kind crafts available around the grounds in the Festival's juried crafts areas.

As previously announced, Harry Connick Jr., the New Orleans-born superstar who's two new CD's, Oh, My NOLA and Chanson du Vieux Carre, put a musical spotlight on the city, will be the closing artist at the 2007 Festival, appearing Sunday, May 6 on the Acura Stage. In the coming weeks, the Festival will announce other details about the event (daily schedules, performance times, lists of food and crafts vendors and more). The most up-to-date information will be available at the Festival's official website, http://www.nojazzfest.com .

The Festival's two official posters will feature a portrait of Jerry Lee Lewis, the Ferriday, Louisiana Rock and Roll legend, by the Lafayette, Louisiana artist Francis Pavy; and a portrait of Philip Frazier, leader and tuba player of the Rebirth Brass Band, by Terrence Osborne, a perennial standout artist in the Festival's Congo Square African Marketplace. Information on the posters is available at the Festival's website and at http://www.art4now.com .

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Inc. will hold its 2007 Gala fundraiser on Thursday, April 26. Al Jarreau, the incomparable vocalist, will give his only Jazz Fest performance. The Rebirth Brass Band and Wanda Rouzan will also perform.

For more information click to
http://www.nojazzfest.com
http://www.ticketmaster.com
http://www.NewOrleansOnline.com

BELA FLECK & THE FLECKTONES TOUR DATES

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones will perform the following concerts: February 1 at Orpheum Theatre in Memphis TN, February 2 at Rose State College in Midwest City OK, February 3 at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa OK, February 5 at The Pageant in St. Louis MO, February 7 at Fort Lewis College in Durango CO, February 8 at Belly Up in Aspen CO, February 9 at Vilar Center for the Arts in Beaver Creek CO, February 10 at Paramount Theatre in Denver CO, March 9 at Langerado Music Festival in Sunrise FL, March 13 at Teatro Morelia in Morelia Mexico , March 14 at Teatro Diana in Guadalajara Mexico, March 15 at Teatro de la Ciudad in Monterrey Mexico, March 16-17 at Teatro de la Ciudad in Mexico City Mexico, March 20 at Auditorio Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo Brazil, March 22 at Teatro Municipal in Santiago Chile, March 23 at Gran Rex Theatre in Buenos Aires Argentina, March 24 at Sala Las Americas in Cordoba Argentina, March 31 at West Coast Blues & Roots Festival in Adelaide Australia, April 3 at Corner Hotel in Richmond Australia, April 6-7 at East Coast Blues & Roots Festival in Byron Bay Australia, April 8 at Port Nepean Music Experience in Pt. Nepean Australia, April 9-10 at The Basement in Sydney Australia, June 22 at Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Telluride CO, June 28 at Symphony Center in Chicago IL, June 29 at Syracuse Jazz Festival in Syracuse NY, June 30 at Carnegie Hall in New York NY, August 31 at Summer Music Series in Lowell MA, September 1 at LL Bean Discovery Park in Freeport ME, and September 2 at Rhythm & Roots Festival in Charlestown RI.

LAUREN WOOD TO RELEASE NEW SOLO ALBUM ‘LOVE, DEATH & CUSTOMER SERVICE’

Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter, producer, audiophile and animal fancier Lauren Wood has been making beautiful music for over three decades. Best known for her global hit Fallen on 1990's blockbuster Pretty Woman soundtrack (Wood was the only unsigned act on the multi-platinum disc) and '79's Please Don't Leave, a Top 40 duet with Michael McDonald, she's acclaimed for distinctive, sultry vocals, literate songwriting and the superior sonics of her self-produced solo work. Citing her "moving delivery" and "spare but infectious arrangement," Billboard's Larry Flick has previously written, "Wood has an earthy, deep voice capable of soaking subtext into just about every syllable she utters." Lauren Wood now returns to the spotlight with the new album Love, Death & Customer Service (LDCS) on her own label Bad Art Records, set for an official release in early January, 2007.

Early praise this time out includes fellow vocalist Patti Austin's comment that, "LDCS is the freshest CD I've heard in years ... and in the midst of a world where every singer sounds the same, Lauren has the freshest voice I've heard in years." Musician Dave Koz said, "Lauren Wood is simply a huge talent ... LDCS is filled with soul-satisfying songs with a unique blend of messages ... You'll get to the end and immediately want to have another go." It's Wood's first disc since 1999's Lauren Wood, and her jump from an eponymous release to the more evocatively titled LDCS honors major life changes including -- respectively -- the end of a long relationship and the start of a new one; the recent passing of Lauren's father, other family members, friends and a beloved pet; and existential vexation with post-modern life. "It's a reflection of the universe -- having to deal with endless automation before reaching a person who is indifferent," she laughs. "It makes me insane!"

It's a sentiment, of course, to which many can relate, as is the case with the insights and authentic emotions expressed via Wood's intelligent and moving songcraft on LDCS's 13 tracks. The lead single, Contradictions, is an elegantly delivered, jazzy gem spotlighting her signature alto that explores the paradoxes inherent in human relationships -- "You push, you pull/It's no good, then it's wonderful ... " The scintillating song -- was serviced to Smooth Jazz radio nationwide the week of January 2 -- also features the musicianship of Little Feat's Billy Payne on synth strings and Wood's cousin, viola virtuoso Novi Novog (her bandmate in Chunky, Novi & Ernie, with whom she released two Warner Bros. LPs), among other "friends of Lauren's."

Other stand-out tracks include Wood's hep and sparkling reinvention of the Zombies' classic Time Of The Season, one of only two non-Wood-penned songs -- the other is a lush and lovely cover of Joan Armatrading's Can't Let Go. The wry and offbeat alt-pop number Come And Live With Me -- LDCS's most recently written tune -- is already getting advance airplay at College Radio. Also notable is the inspired album closer, Walk Toward The Light, an over 8-minute composition, complete with gospel choir, which Wood says is about, "the sadness and the celebration that happens when you celebrate a person's life."

LDCS was recorded and mixed -- the latter by Michael Verdick -- in the artist's own studio. The mastering process -- with Kris Solem at Futuredisc -- took over one year, something Lauren says was a marathon even for her exacting audiophile standards, which are industry-renowned. "To allow the album to stand up to other records made today," she explains, "I needed to get it louder without losing the wide stereo and dynamics. It needed to be both loud and soft. What I found, though, was that the compressors took out the separation and clarity -- and the air out of my voice. I wanted this to be a beautiful, delicate, orchestral record, so we ended up doing massive experimentation before we got it right." Wood, who'd planned to become a visual artist before a crush on Paul McCartney led her to a life in music, was equally meticulous about art-directing the album's graphics and booklet, which features a cover painting of Lauren and her dog Norman by Bubbles the Artist (in collaboration with GRAMMY® winner Allee Willis).

Lauren Wood's previous trio of solo albums and two with Chunky, Novi & Ernie, her extraordinary success with Fallen -- which she calls "the little song that could" -- and other career highlights including recordings with artists as diverse as Frank Zappa, Cher, Sammy Hagar, Lani Hall, Nicolette Larson and Gladys Knight and singing the theme song for the long-running sit-com Just Shoot Me are a testament to her depth and range. On LDCS, she hits another creative high note with, in the words of popular WQNR-FM/The Rock Program Director and morning show host "Wildman" Steve Bronson, "an album with incredible energy and substance. From the smooth jazz-funk feel of Steely Dan to quirky pop tunes that bring to mind David Byrne or Ani DiFranco, to love songs with the depth and emotion of Kate Bush, she brings it all off with heartfelt sincerity coupled with a delightful sense of humor."

NORAH JONES NEW CD, ‘NOT TOO LATE’ OUT NOW

Norah Jones has released her third and most personal statement to-date. With Not Too Late, Norah’s songwriting takes center stage, allowing for a much more complete picture of Norah herself, her personality, her humor, her mind. Many of the musicians on Not Too Late will be familiar to Norah’s fans, including guitarists Jesse Harris, Adam Levy, Robbie McIntosh, and Kevin Breit, drummer Andy Borger, and singer Daru Oda, with many special guests lending their talents as well, from M. Ward to jazz organist Larry Goldings to Kronos Quartet cellist Jeff Ziegler. Not Too Late further establishes Norah Jones as a timeless artist with a distinctive sound, loyal and expanding fanbase, and a level of artistry that will continue to grow and delight listeners for years to come.

CHILL GROOVES & SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS: CORINNE BAILEY RAE, BOZ SCAGGS, CARMEN CUESTA-LOEB, JOHN LEE HOOKER & MORE…

Capital is re-releasing Corinne Bailey Rae’s debut album in a Deluxe Edition due on February 6. It will contain seven additional songs (including three covers, two original songs from the movie Venus, starring Peter O’Toole, and two extra original songs).

Guitarist Chuck Loeb heads into the studio as part of the band Metro to cut tracks for a new CD. Metro features Chuck Loeb, keyboardist Mitchel Forman, drummer Wolfgang Haffner, bassist Will Lee. The new Metro CD will be released in late 2007 or early 2008. For more information click to www.metrojazz.com.

Shout Factory is reissuing two John Lee Hooker albums on March 27: The Best Of Friends and Jealous. Both albums contain previously unreleased studio outtakes, along with new liner notes. The Best Of Friends is a collection of duets recorded over the years, including pairings with Carlos Santana, Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray and Ben Harper. Jealous (from 1986) contains two bonus tracks.

Carmen Cuesta-Loeb’s new CD, You Still Don’t Know Me will be released in January on Skip Records, and features the late Michael Brecker on Todo Para Ti (All For You).

Legacy is set to re-release Boz Scaggs’ breakthrough album, Silk Degrees on February 27. The CD will include previously unreleased live songs performed at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles in 1976 of What Can I Say, Jump Street and It’s Over.

New "Essential" reissues are expected in May from Gil Scott-Heron, John McLaughlin, Jaco Pastorius, Maynard Ferguson, plus an expanded edition of Charles Mingus’ Tijuana Moods..

Van Morrison, Norah Jones, Harry Connick Jr., Dr. John, Steely Dan, John Legend, Allen Toussaint, and Jill Scott have been added to the line-up for the 38th Annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Other performers include Bonnie Raitt, Jerry Lee Lewis, Pharoah Sanders, Lucinda Williams, George Benson, the Allman Brothers Band, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Joss Stone, Rod Stewart, Stephen Marley and Taj Mahal, among many others. The festival is a two-weekend event scheduled for April 27-29 and May 4-6. The festival will be held at its usual location at the Fair Grounds Race Course, which includes 10 stages for live music events. Tickets went on sale January 25 with proceeds benefiting the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports various community development activities.

DIONNE WARWICK TO REPLACE BURT BACHARACH ON NEW ZEALAND TOUR

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra has contracted legendary American singer, Dionne Warwick to replace Burt Bacharach who broke his collar bone over the holiday period and has had to withdraw from his New Zealand tour. Multi-Grammy award winner, Warwick has moved generations of audiences. The Guardian newspaper wrote of a London concert last month "The music is wonderful. Her rich, woody voice has deepened with age, lending a splendidly full-bodied finish to everything from Anyone Who Had a Heart to 1980s charity-belter That's What Friends Are For." NZSO Chief Executive, Peter Walls, said, "While it is disappointing that Burt Bacharach cannot travel to New Zealand, Dionne Warwick is a spectacular replacement. Her concerts will cause a huge amount of excitement." Warwick last performed in New Zealand in 1995 at the Mission Vineyard concert and more recently has performed with Kiwi Lucy Lawless (Xena, Warrior Princess) in the hit American TV show Celebrity Duets. Because of other scheduled concerts in the United States, Dionne Warwick's first concert in New Zealand will be in Christchurch on January 30.

CLEAR CHANNEL UNVEILS NEW HD2 RADIO MULTICAST FORMATS

Clear Channel Radio has announced that a full 320 of its radio stations in 81 markets are set to air HD digital multicasts. These additional stations represent the fourth wave of a larger launch begun in January 2006. The new channels will also be made available at the company's HD2 streaming site www.clearchannelmusic.com/hdradio/ as they go live. In each local market, Clear Channel Radio's HD2 multicasts either complement existing on-air programming or bring entirely new music or spoken-word genres to local listeners. In some cases, local programmers will draw from programming created by the Format Lab within the company's Content Research & Development Group. In other cases, the channels are programmed fully locally. Clear Channel Radio already has over 330 stations offering primary broadcasts in HD digital quality, underlying the company's commitment to the aggressive roll-out of HD digital radio. The company is currently projecting conversion of 600 of its stations by the end of 2008, which represents the majority of the remaining radio stations after the announced divestitures. The company is also a founding member of the HD Digital Radio Alliance - a joint initiative of leading radio companies to accelerate the roll-out of HD digital radio - and is devoting on-air promotion time as part of an industry-wide marketing effort, and making promotional spots available through its Creative Services Group.

Below is a list of the HD2 multicast formats that will be available from Clear Channel Radio stations in each local market:

Fresno KALZ-FM Hot AC Oldies-Jammin Oldies 96.7-2 KBOS-FM CHR/Rhythmic Extreme Hip Hop 94.9-2 KFSO-FM Spanish Oldies Tejano 92.9-2 KHGE-FM Country New Country 102.7-2 KRZR-FM Active Rock Classic Rock 103.7-2 KSOF-FM AC Vegas Gold 98.9-2 Grand Rapids WBCT-FM Country Classic Country 93.7-2 WBFX-FM Classic Rock Triple A 101.3-2 WMAX-FM Adult Hits Classic Alternative 96.1-2 WOOD-FM AC Classical 105.7-2 WSNX-FM CHR/Pop Dance 104.5-2 Allentown WAEB-FM CHR/Pop New CHR 104.1-2 WZZO-FM Rock Comedy 95.1-2 Omaha KGOR-FM Oldies 50's and 60's 99.9-2 KHUS-FM Country Rock-Metal 93.3-2 KQBW-FM Rock Active Rock 96.1-2 KXKT-FM Country Classic Country 103.7-2 Akron WKDD-FM Hot AC AC-Rhythmic 98.1-2 Sarasota WCTQ-FM Country Classic Country 106.5-2 WLTQ-FM AC Classical 92.1-2 WSRZ-FM Oldies 50s & 60s 107.9-2 WTZB-FM Rock Classic Alternative 105.9-2 Wilmington WDSD-FM Country Classic Country 92.9-2 WRDX-FM Classic Rock Triple A 94.7-2 Syracuse WBBS-FM Country Christian Contemporary 104.7-2 WPHR-FM Urban Smooth Jazz 106.9-2 WWHT-FM CHR/Pop Hip Hop 107.9-2 WYYY-FM AC AC Rhythmic 94.5-2 Harrisburg WHKF-FM CHR/Pop Alternative Rock 99.3-2 WRBT-FM Country Classic Country 94.9-2 WRVV-FM Classic Hits Deep Cuts Tracks 97.3-2 Monterey KDON-FM CHR/Rhythmic AC Rhythmic 102.5-2 KOCN-FM Rhythmic Oldies Oldies 50s and 60s 105.1-2 KPRC-FM Spanish Oldies Spanish AC 100.7-2 KTOM-FM Country Country Rock 92.7-2 Bakersfield KBFP-FM Spanish Oldies AC Rhythmic 105.3-2 KBKO-FM Country NEW! New Country 96.5-2 KDFO-FM Classic Rock Rock-Metal 98.5-2 KRAB-FM Active Rock Rock - Alternative 106.1-2 Baton Rouge KRVE-FM AC All 80's 96.1-2 WFMF-FM CHR/Pop CHR New 102.5-2 WYNK-FM Country New country 101.5-2 Toledo WIOT-FM Rock Active Rock- NITRO 104.7-2 WRVF-FM AC Triple-A 101.5-2 WVKS-FM CHR/Pop DANCE 92.5-2 Little Rock KDJE-FM Active Rock Rock Alternative 100.3-2 KHKN-FM Classic Country Americana 106.7-2 KHLR-FM Gospel Smooth Jazz 94.9-2 KMJX-FM Classic Rock Deep Rock Tracks 105.1-2 KSSN-FM Country New Country 95.7-2 Stockton KQOD-FM Rhythmic Oldies Tropical 100.1-2 *T

Clear Channel Radio is a leading radio company focused on serving local communities across the U.S. with more than 110 million listeners choosing Clear Channel Radio programming each week. The company's content can be heard on AM/FM stations, HD digital radio channels, on the Internet, via iPods, through Motorola's iRadio cell-phone service, and via mobile-navigation devices from Cobra, Garmin, Kenwood and others. The company's operations include radio broadcasting, syndication and independent media representation. Clear Channel Radio is a division of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (NYSE:CCU), a leading global media and entertainment company. More information on the company can be found at www.clearchannel.com.

SERGIO MENDES, WILL DOWNING, BONEY JAMES, INDIA.ARIE & PIECES OF A DREAM HEADLINE JAZZ IN THE GARDEN FESTIVAL

The City of Miami Gardens (Miami, Florida) "Jazz in the Gardens" festival is back for its second consecutive year and has expanded to a 2-day event, Saturday March 24th and Sunday 25th, 2007 at Dolphin Stadium, home of the 2007 and 2010 Super Bowls. Confirmed artists include India Arie, Sergio Mendes, Boney James, Will Downing, Paquito D' Rivera, Luciano with special guest Dean Fraser and the Jah Messenjah Band, Pieces of a Dream and The Othello Molineaux Quartet with more top name artists still being added. Look out for local artists names to be released soon.

"Jazz in the Gardens" 2006 inaugural event was a tremendous success! Now in its second year, the 2007 Jazz in the Gardens music festival will be bigger and better, expanding to a two-day event and featuring major entertainers from around the world, offering a variety of jazz, Latin jazz, R&B and reggae to satisfy the diverse musical palettes of audiences throughout South Florida. We want people to know "Jazz in the Gardens" as a celebration of the music and culture that lives and grows in Miami Gardens. I invite people all over to join us in the celebration" says Miami Gardens Mayor Shirley Gibson.

This year's incredible line-up includes neo soul icon, multi-platinum and multi Grammy Award winning artist India Arie and the undisputed king of Brazilian jazz, Sergio Mendes, who shot to international stardom with his Brasil '66 and whose Mas Que Nada collaboration with pop stars The Black Eyed Peas helped earn him a Latin Grammy for Best Brazilian Pop Album. Joining them is two time Grammy nominated artist, Boney James, whose latest release, Shine has soared to the top of the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts, claiming the # 1 jazz album in the country for seven (7) consecutive weeks. James says "The communal experience of playing live - that's why I became a musician in the first place. It never gets old for me". Following in the great tradition of the jazz baritone, Will Downing's sensual vocals will grace the "Jazz in the Gardens" stage, while South Florida favorites, Pieces of a Dream will bring their high energy show. The international contingent will be duly represented as Cuban legend Paquito D'Rivera comes to South Florida for the first time in years and Jamaica's reggae superstar Luciano will bring "Roots Music" to "Jazz in the Gardens" along with special guest Dean Fraser and the Jah Messenjah Band.

"Jazz in the Gardens" is the premiere event for The City of Miami Gardens, who this year engaged Miami based Concertz Event Management, Inc. to produce the event. Orchestrating an event of this magnitude, however, requires crucial alliances and community support. Dolphins Stadium has not only graciously provided its beautiful venue for the festival, but has generously partnered with Miami Gardens, sharing resources to ensure a successful event. Other local corporations are stepping up to support the event, joining Miami Gardens in establishing a reputation for providing a distinct cultural contribution to the region.

For more information about the event click to: http://www.jazzinthegardens.com or for more information about the City of Miami Gardens visit: http://www.miamigardens-fl.gov

CHUCK LOEB SETS CONCERT DATES & TEAMS WITH GERALD VEASLEY ON NEW CD

Chuck Loeb has a series of concert dates confirmed for the coming months and here they are…Chuck will be playing with his band at the Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis, MD on February 8; at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston, MA on February 15; and from March 7-19, he’ll be accompanying bass-baritone opera singer Thomas Quasthoff in a series of special jazz concerts in support of his new CD, The Jazz Album: Watch What Happens. Loeb will also participate at the Berks Jazz Fest in Reading, PA; and on March 22 he’ll be participating in the Berks All-Star Jam; and on March 25 he’ll be hosting the Fan Appreciation concert being sponsored by WJJZ 97.5 in celebration of their return to the smooth jazz airwaves. Loeb is also working with bassist Gerald Veasley on a new studio project. Loeb and Veasley are currently cutting tracks for this new release which will be out later this year on the Heads Up International label.

BRIAN CULBERTSON RADIO SHOW STATION LINEUP

Brian Culbertson has just been nominated for a Canadian Smooth Jazz Award for International Instrumentalist. And as we mentioned in a previous posting, Culbertson can now be heard on his new weekend radio show on the following radio stations:

Saturdays 6am-10am:
WNUA (Chicago) 99.5FM
KKSF (San Francisco) 103.7FM

Saturdays & Sundays 6am-10am:
KIJZ (Portland) 105.9FM
WZJZ (Ft. Myers) 107.1FM
WDSJ (Dayton) 106.5FM
KABQ (Albuquerque) 1350AM
KMYT (Temecula) 94.5FM
WSBZ (Ft. Walton Beach) 106.3FM
WJCD (Norfolk) 107.7FM

NEW BEBEL GILBERTO REMIX EP RELEASED

Bebel Gilberto’s latest is Bring Back The Love, which is the first track off of her upcoming new CD – Momento due out in April 2007. This release is a special digital only EP of remixes which will be available in two volumes. The song is remixed by Scandinavian "Space Disco" master Prins Thomas, up and coming texturalists Mungolian Jetset, Global Chillsters Bombay Dub Orchestra, and Electronic dance masters Stuhr. The Bring Back The Love Remix EP 1 is only available digitally and can be purchased at iTunes, Rhapsody, eMusic, and Napster, among other digital retail stores.

SHEILA E. AND CANDY DULFER TEAM UP FOR EUROPEAN TOUR

Candy Dulfer and Sheila E. have teamed for a series of European concerts as part of the all-female supergroup C.O.E.D. (Chronicles Of Every Diva). The group features Sheila E. (drums/vocals), Cassandra O’Neal (keys/vocals), Rhonda Smith (bass/vocals), Kat Dyson (guitar/vocals), and Candy Dulfer (sax). The group will perform shows in Switzerland, Germany, Bulgaria, and France. On March 12 they will perform at the Paradiso in Amsterdam (Netherlands). Separately, Candy Dulfer and her own band will also be performing an additional show during their upcoming USA tour this March and April. They will be performing at the Jazztrax Festival in Indian Wells, California in April 1.

CHILL GROOVES & SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS: PATTI LABELLE, JOSS STONE, GILLES PETERSON, ANITA BAKER. NORAH JONES & MORE...

Patti LaBelle is at the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) in New Jersey, on Friday, January 19.

Joss Stone is appearing at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City on February 8. Her new CD will be out in the spring.

The CD101.9 Smooth Jazz Valentine’s Day Concert features Dave Koz & Friends featuring Jonathan Butler, David Benoit and a special guest (still to be announced). It’s scheduled for February 14 at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.

Earth, Wind & Fire are the headline act for this year’s Downing Concert Series fundraising event set for March 31 in Wichita, Kansas at the Kansas Coliseum. The Downing Concert Series , established by Paula and Barry Downing, assists area non-profit groups with fundraising and awareness. Last year’s event donated $350,000 to the Wichita, KS Center for the Arts. Tickets go on sale Feb.1. For more information click to www.downingfoundation.org.

Vocalist Anita Baker, an eight-time Grammy Award winner, has been nominated for a Grammy in the Best Traditional R&B Vocal performance category for the song Christmas Time Is Here from her holiday album Christmas Fantasy (Blue Note Records). The awards ceremony will take place Sunday, February 11, 2007, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and broadcast on CBS.

Thinking About You is the first single from Norah Jones’ forthcoming album Not Too Late. iTunes is offering an exclusive bonus with the purchase of Thinking About You. When you download Thinking About You at iTunes, you will also receive an album preview of all the tracks on Not Too Late.

Donny Osmond is in New York recording tracks for his upcoming CD. Based on the worldwide success of Breezin’, we can bet that this new one will also be geared for smooth jazz radio playlists.

Amy Winehouse makes her long-awaited U.S debut on Tuesday, January 16 at Joe’s Pub in New York City.

British nu-soul singer Laura Beth Hassel makes her U.S. in New York City with two shows – Friday, January 19 at The River Room of Harlem , and on Sunday, January 21 at Iridium Jazz Club.

Gilles Peterson and Tita Lima are at Hiro Ballroom in New York City on Wednesday, January 24.

Mr. Scruff is at Cielo in New York City on February 15.

Walter Beasley’s new CD Ready For Love is set for release on January 23, 2007. On this release you can expect grooves ranging from the playful to the introspective and from the old school to the edgy. Ready For Love is filled with a variety of soulful grooves and infectious melodies that showcase countless satisfying shades of Beasley’s rich musical tapestry.

India.Arie, Sergio Mendes, Will Downing, Pieces Of A Dream, Luciano and Paquito D’Rivera headline the City of Miami Garden’s second annual music festival. There will be two days of jazz, Latin jazz, R&B and reggae on March 24 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens. For more information click to www.jazzinthegardens.com.

RANDY CRAWFORD & JOE SAMPLE TO RELEASE NEW CD 30 YRS. AFTER 'STREET LIFE'

On Tuesday, February 20, 2007 PRA Records will release Feeling Good, a new album from Randy Crawford and Joe Sample. This Tommy LiPuma-produced CD marks a return collaboration between vocalist Crawford and pianist Sample who first worked together more than 30 years ago. To celebrate this special reunion, the album's upbeat title track and
lead single received a literal around-the-world launch in December of 2006, as the song accompanied NASA astronauts on the Space Shuttle STS 116. Astronaut Joan Higginbotham took the song Feeling Good with her on the shuttle, which launched from Kennedy Space Center, and the song was selected by NASA as one of the official songs used by Mission Control to wake the astronauts for their daily chores during the 12-day mission.

From the first downbeat of Feeling Good through the last note of Mr. Ugly, the listener is drawn into the warm embrace of Joe and Randy's musical heritage, a mixture of soul, jazz, gospel, pop, and a touch of the blues. One of the premier songstresses in contemporary music, Crawford showcases her versatile vocal instrument on songs such as All Night Long, End of the Line, and the moving ballad Save Your Love for Me.

The lasting mastery of Sample's piano playing skill is evident through each of the album's 13 songs. From their interpretation of Peter Gabriel's Lovetown to the Latin-flavored Rio De Janeiro Blue, to a modernly funky but also softened reading of See Line Woman, Sample's work on the keys surrounds, highlights, and compliments Crawford's voice exquisitely. Some of the other covers chosen for this album include a seductive take on Billie Holiday's Tell Me More and More and Then Some, a breezy run through Everybody's Talking, the tune made famous by Harry Nilsson and the film Midnight Cowboy, and a heartfelt version of When I Need You, written by Albert Hammond and Carol Bayer Sager. A special sentimental choice is Last Night at Danceland, a song written by Sample and originally recorded by Crawford in 1980.

The keen interaction between Sample and Crawford throughout the album is a clear testimony to a musical friendship that began three decades ago, when Joe played on Randy's debut CD, Everything Must Change. Soon after, when writing songs for his influential band The Crusaders, Sample invited Crawford to be a guest on their record and wrote the song Street Life especially for her. Of course, that tune went on to become an international hit, and the two collaborated on and off for years afterwards. With both artists having worked previously with GRAMMY(R)-winning producer Tommy LiPuma, the three coming together to record Feeling Good was a natural fit. Also joining the team was multiple GRAMMY(R)-winning engineer Al Schmitt, whose inimitable touch gives the album its flawless, crystal clear sound, along with Steve Gadd on drums and Christian McBride on bass. The CD from Randy Crawford and Joe Sample - Feeling Good will be available on February 20, 2007.

JEFF GOLUB’S NEW CD ‘GRAND CENTRAL’ RELEASES MARCH 6

Guitarist Jeff Golub is set to release Grand Central, his seventh solo album on March 6th. Golub produced most of the Narada Jazz/Blue Note Label Group collection of electric and acoustic blues, contemporary jazz, rock and pop with Steven Miller, with a few tracks produced by Rick Braun and Paul Brown. The lead track is Hello Betty, which is engineered by Golub's cool-toned electric riffing and powered by an incendiary horn section. The track will be available to smooth jazz radio programmers starting February 5th. Golub has a natural flare for delivering raw and honest recordings. Grand Central was primarily recorded with a live band in a New York studio by musicians Golub jams and improvises with at small, informal club gigs around the city that they do for the love of playing when they're off the road. Golub deftly deployed a clean blues sound to his guitar that took on more of a lyrical, vocal-like quality on the new record. The New York City dweller wrote or co-wrote nine new songs for the disc in addition to selecting a few classics to record, including Sly Stone's If You Want Me To Stay, George Harrison's Something, and the soulful Ain't No Woman, on which saxophonist Richard Elliot shines. Other luminaries contributing were Rick Braun (trumpet, flugelhorn), Kirk Whalum (sax), Philippe Saisse (piano), Stephen Ferrone (drums), Mitchell Foreman (keyboards) and Luis Conte (percussion).

NIKKI BACHARACH, DAUGHTER OF BURT BACHARACH COMMITS SUICIDE

Nikki Bacharach, daughter of Burt Bacharach and Angie Dickinson, committed suicide, the songwriter and actress said in a statement Friday. Nikki Bacharch, 40, had suffered from Asperer’s Disorder, a form of autism. She killed herself on Jan 4 at her condo. She died of suffocation using a plastic bag and helium. Nikki Bacharach was the only child of Burt Bacharach, 77, and Dickinson, 75, who were married from 1965 to 1981. It was the second marriage for both Bacharach, the Oscar-winning composer of "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," and "What the World Needs Now is Love," and Dickinson, star of the film "Dressed to Kill" and the TV show "Police Woman."

CHILL GROOVES & SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS: ACOUSTIC ALCHEMY, SMOOTH JAZZ CRUISE, PATTI AUSTIN, VINCENT MONTANA, JR. & MORE....

Acoustic Alchemy, The UK-based smooth jazz/new age guitar duo of Greg Carmichael & Miles Gilderdale are in the studio working on their follow up to the successful American/English album. Special guests include Rick Braun and Narada-label mate Down To The Bone. The group is in full gear recording overseas and will master the new album at the end of January.

Getdisconnected.com releases sex kitten Ann-Margret’s EP featuring three Chic-inspired tracks produced by Paul Sabu that somehow never made it onto her 1980 release, Love Rush. The EP contains Everybody Needs Somebody Sometime (Parts 1 & 2) and Hold Me Squeeze Me – each for the first time on CD.

Beat Kaestli’s CD, Happy, Sad And Satisfied, has just been named among the Top 25 Best CDs of 2006 by Indie Music Magazine. Beat Kaestli is gearing up for a busy 2007 with performances being scheduled for New York, D.C., Boston, and a European spring tour. Also on tap is the release of their second CD.

Kirk Whalum is at the Waikiki Shell in Honolulu, Hawaii on March 4.

Patti Austin performs at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, PA on Jan. 14; Waikiki Shell in Honolulu, Hawaii on March 4; McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, CA on April 14; and at Reynolds Auditorium in Winston Salem, NC on April 21. Austin’s upcoming release on March 6 is Avant Gershwin. The album was recorded completely live in Germany with the WDR Orchestra and features vocal interpretations of Gershwin classics.

Anthony Hamilton, Brian McKnight, Dionne Warwick and others contribute songs to the soundtrack to Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls. Warwick performs along with Whitney and Cissy Houston on the track Family First. Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls is set for release nationwide on Feb. 14, 2007 and the soundtrack album will be available on Jan 16. 2007.

Here’s a CD to think about purchasing for the 2007 holiday season - Vincent Montana Jr. and the Montana Sextet’s Christmas Time Is Here. The CD blends the holiday spirit and tradition with a nice smooth jazz style - it’s a must have. Hopefully his long in-the-works CD The Revival Project will see the light of day this year – we hope!.

Wayman Tisdale is hosting the Smooth Jazz Cruise, leaving from Ft. Lauderdale, FL on Jan. 20 and making port stops in Turks and Caicos, St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Half Moon Bay through Jan 27. The Caribbean cruise features Mindi Abair, Rick Braun, Jonathan Butler, George Duke, Richard Elliot, Jeff Golub, Euge Groove, Najee, Brian Simpson, Peter White & Al Jarreau. After the cruise, Wayman Tisdale continues on a concert tour that will take him to Pasadena, CA (Sexton Auditorium, Feb. 3); Las Vegas, NV (Boulder Station Casino, Feb. 16 and 17); Honolulu (Waikiki Shell, March 4); Jacksonville, FL (Jacksonville Jazz Festival, April 14); Fort Worth, TX (Main Street Stage, April 19); and Lancaster, CA (California Poppy Festival, April 22).

CHILL GROOVES & SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS: JAZZMASTERS, CHRIS BOTTI, SLY & THE FAMILY STONE, ED TAYLOR, DAVE KOZ & MORE...

Chris Botti and Chuck Loeb are featured on The Magic Touch, a track from saxman Donald Harrison’s 3D album. Harris is an alumnus of Art Blakely’s Jazz Messengers.

Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records has announced the recent signing of the Jazzmasters 2007 tribute tour to Variety Artists with their first confirmed concert date at Art Good's new Indian Wells Jazz Festival in Palm Springs in late March. The band will feature Gregg Karukas, Chris Standring and Shilts. Many more dates to be announced. Also, the Jazzmasters tribute was chosen by Art Good as Best Live performance of the year and picked, Jazzmasters V as one of his top ten albums of 2006 as well as attaining #1 status on both the national radio and billboard retail charts.

Capitol Records will release a deluxe edition of the title debut CD from Corinne Bailey Rae on Feb. 6.

Mindi Abair, Candy Darling, and the music of Paul Hardcastle & The Jazzmasters featuring Paul Shilts, Chris Standring, Gregg Karukas and Ray Parker Jr. will headline the upcoming JazzTrax Festival. The concerts are set for March 30, 31 and April 1 in Indian Wells, California.

Former Motown session guitarist and singer Ed Taylor has released a collection of Smooth Jazz tracks on his new CD - Taylor Made. He’s accompanied on this project with Dennis Blackman on keyboards, Kevin England on trumpet and flugelhorn, Willy Fisher on drums, and John Roberts on bass.

Dave Koz’s new album, At The Movies, is a lush, inspired collection of 12 timeless movie themes. Guests appearing on the CD include India.Arie, Anita Baker, Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis, Chris Botti, Donna Summer, and Vanessa Williams. The collection was produced by Phil Ramone and features a full orchestra.

Sly & The Family Stone’s first seven studio albums are being remastered for release by Epic/Legacy for release on March 20. Each album will include several bonus tracks and new liner notes. Bonus tracks include previously unreleased songs including instrumental versions of You Better Help Yourself, Positive, Sorrow, My Brain (Zig-Zag), as well as other edits and alternate mixes of other tracks.

UPCOMING BILLY COBHAM DRUMVOICE VOL. 2

After the great success of Drumvoice – All That Groove (distributed worldwide by Sony on 2001), Nicolosi Productions is set to release Billy Cobham’s Drumvoice Vol. 2 in which Cobham is performing with some old friends from the 1970’s when musicians first experimented with jazz-rock fusion. The CD features an impressive arrary of musicians including Brian Auger (hammond organ), Buddy Miles (voice), Frank Gambale (guitar), Mike Lindup (voice), Dominic Miller (guitars), Jeff Berlin (bass), Guy Barker (flicorno), John Patitucci (bass), Airto Moreira (percussion.), Novecento (band) and Jan Hammer (synths). The CD was recorded in Italy. For more information click to: www.nicolosiproductions.com and www.billycobham.com

‘Arena Concerto’ Will Be Released on January 30th 2007; Live Companion DVD, ‘Arena Concerto,’ to Follow on February 13th, 2007

DRG Records is proud to announce the release of Arena Concerto, a brand new, 2-disc CD recorded live in Verona, Naples and Rome, Italy by legendary soundtrack composer Ennio Morricone. The release features 20 of Morricone's incredible compositions recorded live with a 150-piece symphony orchestra and 100-member chorus. Arena Concerto is Ennio Morricone's first live recording CD ever.

Following this release, DRG Records will also release a live DVD on February 13th, 2007. Titled Arena Concerto as well, the DVD was recorded entirely in Verona, Italy and features a 90-minute bonus interview with Morricone, plus other features. This is the first live Ennio Morricone DVD release.

Morricone will be awarded an honorary Oscar® at the 2007 Academy Awards for his incredible and prolific film scores of the last 5 decades. He will also play in the U.S. for the first time ever at a rare concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York on February 3rd.

Although Ennio Morricone is famous for his memorable scores to "Spaghetti Westerns," many helmed by the great director Sergio Leone, including "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" and "Once Upon a Time in the West," Ennio Morricone has composed the score for more than 500 films and TV series to date, including "Cinema Paradiso," "The Untouchables" and "The Mission."

The tracklisting for Arena Concerto is:
Disc One
1. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (Main Title)
2. Once Upon a Time in the West
3. A Fistful of Dynamite
4. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (The Ecstasy of Gold)
5. The Working Class Goes to Heaven
6. Casualties of War
7. The Desert of the Tartars
8. Richard III
9. The Desert of the Tartars (reprise)
10. Gabriel's Oboe (from The Mission)
11. The Mission
12. In Earth As It Is In Heaven (from The Mission)

Disc Two
1. Deborah's Theme (from Once Upon a Time In America)
2. Cinema Paradiso
3. The Master and Margaret
4. Canone Inverso - Making Love
5. Rampage
6. Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion
7. Battle of Algiers
8. Love Theme from 1900

Also available on DRG Records are other Morricone titles, including Cinema Paradiso, Ennio Morricone: The Gangster Collection, Ennio Morricone: Main Titles Vol. 3, An Ennio Morricone Anthology, Ennio Morricone: Main Titles Vol. 1, An Ennio Morricone & Dario Argento Trilogy, Ennio Morricone Anthology, Ennio Morricone: Spaghetti Westerns Volume One, Volume Two, Volume Three, The Stendhal Syndrome, The Phantom of the Opera (directed by Dario Argento) and more.

CHILL GROOVES & SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS: KENNY THOMAS, CHUCK LOEB, VICTOR FIELDS, EUGE GROOVE & MORE...

U.K. soul singer Kenny Thomas returns with a new CD after many years out of the limelight. The new release, Crazy World (Curb Records) is a gem that must not be overlooked. Included on the CD is a nod to the Dramatics in the slow dancer Let It Rain, the jazzier Foolin' Around, some light funk with Sunshine Girl, and the powerhouse track, Him, produced by Simon Law….

Singer Victor Fields is joined by Nelson Braxton, Chris Camozzi, Jeff Lorber, Richard Elliot, and Rick Braun on his latest project, Thinking Of You (Regina Records). The CD is out now.

Danilo Perez, Billy Cobham, Jorge Sylvester, Nnenna Freelon, Renato Thoms, Carlos Garnett, and Santi De Briano are set to perform at the Panama Jazz Festival 2007, The event is scheduled for Jan. 15 to 20 and it will be dedicated to Barbara Wilson.

Legacy Recordings will release Toni Braxton’s The Essential Toni Braxton on Feb. 20, and Herbie Hancock’s Techno Voodu-Astral Black Simulations, also on Feb. 20.

Singer/songwriter/percussionist, Keith Robertson releases his debut CD, Love, Life & Relationships. The leadoff track is the danceable Love U Like Crazy.

Chuck Loeb’s Good To Go is the first single from his upcoming CD, Presence, and it is already making headways on the smooth jazz charts. The song recently hit #21 on the smooth jazz charts. Presence hits the shelves on Jan. 27.

Euge Groove has begun working in Los Angeles on his next studio effort for Narada Jazz. The saxophone alumnus of artists ranging from Tower Of Power to Richard Marx to Tina Turner is producing his next set of funky tracks with the assistance of producer Paul Brown.

RADIO ONE, INC. RE-BRANDS LOS ANGELES RADIO STATION

Radio One, Inc. has just announced that, effective December 29, 2006, it has re-branded its Los Angeles radio station from KKBT-FM, "the Beat" to KRBV-FM, "V100, the Best Variety of R&B". The station's programming line-up will be headed by popular Los Angeles-based radio personality Cliff Winston, the new V100 morning drive host, and will also feature Shirley Hayes, Michael Baisden, John Monds and Myke Julius. The new on-air line-up is an impressive arsenal of legendary radio talent which promises to enhance V100’s position in Los Angeles as radio's premier Urban Adult Contemporary station.

Commenting on the Company's new position in Los Angeles, Radio One’s Chief Executive Officer and President, Alfred C. Liggins, III, stated, “With these and other changes we have made in the past few months, we are confident that we have done everything in our power to enhance the performance of our LA radio station. Through the operational leadership of Steve Candullo and the programming leadership of Barry Mayo, we have positioned V100 for significant improvement in what has been a challenging market for us for several years. We are excited by our programming line-up and thank the listeners and advertisers of Los Angeles for being so supportive of us through this transitional period. We are optimistic that 2007 can be a new day for Radio One in the great city of LA!"

Radio One, Inc. (www.radio-one.com) is the nation's seventh largest radio broadcasting company (based on 2005 net broadcast revenue) and the largest radio broadcasting company that primarily targets African-American and urban listeners. Radio One owns and/or operates 70 radio stations located in 22 urban markets in the United States and reaches approximately 14 million listeners every week. Additionally, Radio One owns interests in TV One, LLC (www.tvoneonline.com), a cable/satellite network programming primarily to African-Americans and Reach Media, Inc. (www.blackamericaweb.com), owner of the Tom Joyner Morning Show and other businesses associated with Tom Joyner. Radio One also operates the only nationwide African-American news/talk network on free radio and programs "XM 169 The POWER," an African-American news/talk channel, on XM Satellite Radio.

CHILL GROOVES & SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS: FEDERICO AUBELE, JOCELYN BROWN, MAXWELL, FRANK MCCOMB, JESSICA CALLAHAN & MORE...

The Whispers, O’Jays and Jeffrey Osborne appear at Hampton Coliseum on Feb. 11 in Hampton, VA.

The New Paradise Theater in the Bronx, NY present A Valentine Concert on Feb. 14, featuring the Spinners, Dennis Edwards and the Temptations Review, Russell Thompkins and the New Stylistics, the Intruders, and the Escorts.

The Manhattans perform at Jersey City University in New Jersey on March 7.

Peanuts Whalum appears at Brandts Red Carpet Lounge in St. Louis, MO on the following dates: Jan. 4, 12, 25; Feb. 1, 16, 22; and on Mar. 4 he’s at Waikiki Shell in Honolulu.

Brian Culbertson’s new CD, A Soulful Christmas, features Michael McDonald on the track All Through The Christmas Night, along with Culbertson’s wife, Michelle Culbertson on Some Children See Him.

Federico Aubele has completed work on a new album entitled Panamerica, and its produced by Eric Hilton of Thievery Corporation. The album is scheduled for a spring release and features newcomer Natalia Clavier and Calexico.

Jocelyn Brown is featured on a new track from Ministers De La Funk entitled Believe. The release includes various remixes by Lys, Flower Power and Kiraly & Timmons.

Maxwell will finally release his long-awaited follow-up to Now, which will be released in February, and it will be the first of a three-installment CD series called Black Summer’s Night.

Upcoming CD releases for 2007 include: Chuck Loeb – Presence (January); Dave Koz – At The Movies (January); Vesta – Distant Lover (January); Lenny Williams (January); Joe Sample & Randy Crawford – Feeling Good (February); Maxwell – Black Summer’s Night (February); Various Artists – Interpretations (Earth, Wind & Fire tribute, March); Howard Hewitt - If Only (March); Patti Austin (March); Deniece Williams (March); James Day – Better Days (US release, spring); P.J. Morton (spring); and Whitney Houston (spring) Also be on the lookout for releases from Chris Standring, newcomer Keite Young, Oli Silk, Aretha Franklin duets album, Jazzmasters and Jarred.

Jessica Callahan is set to appear at the following venues during February: Feb. 5 @ Genghis Cohen (Los Angeles); Feb. 11 @ Dublin Heritage Center (Dublin, CA); Feb. 16 & 17 @ The Triple Door (Seattle, WA); and Feb. 19 @ Tangier (Los Angeles).

After a brief hiatus Jacky Terrasson began recording his next effort for Blue Note starting December 12th. For the first time ever, Jacky will document a solo piano recording that will include a range of repertoire from standards to new originals. Terrasson recently recorded at Right Track studios in NYC with engineer Joe Ferla.

Look for singer/songwriter/keyboardist Frank McComb’s newest all-instrumental CD A Tribute To The Masters – you’ll just love it! It’s his homage to many of his strongest musical influences. Check it out at www.soultracks.com for more information.

Oli Silk was chosen best new artist of 2006 by Smooth Jazz News magazine, and picked by Art Good and Jazz Trax as the debut artist of the year.

Gregg Karukas ends the year on a real high with a top 10 single Girl In The Red Dress and an across the board 5 star rating from both consumers and music critics alike.

Chris Standring has garnered high accolades of his own this year, with his song I Can't Help Myself picked by Steve Quirk at Fusion Flavours as #1 Song Of The Year, and Brian Soergel of Smooth Jazz News picking Chris's record Soul Express as his album of the year. Look for the Soul Express tour coming to a city near you in 2007, featuring Everett Harp and Maysa.

WJCD-FM 107.7 RETURNS TO SMOOTH JAZZ

WJCD-FM (107.7) in Virginia has returned to their smooth jazz format. In March 2004, WJCD-FM abandoned smooth jazz for soft rock favorites and now after less then two years the station has switched back. “People have been asking for this for a long time," said Travis Dylan, program director for WJCD. “Based on listener feedback, we decided to make a change.” Dylan said the station will play contemporary smooth jazz by Boney James, Pieces Of A Dream and Sade as well as older recordings by such artists as Dave Brubeck and Etta James. The change took place at midnight on Dec. 26. WJCD is owned by Clear Channel Communications.

SUZANNE VEGA TO RELEASE NEW CD, FIRST SINCE 2001

Suzanne Vega, one of the most distinctive and successful female singer/songwriters of the past 20 years, was in the studio last month recording her Blue Note debut. 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 and the album will feature her folk aesthetics along with string orchestrations and electronic beats on certain tracks. The album is being produced by Jimmy Hogarth, the talented UK-based upstart who has recently helmed recordings for Sia, James Blunt, Corinne & KT Tunstall. They resume recording and mixing in London in the New Year

RAMSEY LEWIS RECORDING NEW CD

Ramsey Lewis will record his Blue Note debut and first ever solo piano album this February in Chicago. The program will combine the jazz, soul, gospel and classical sensibilities from the consummate pianist and will feature a wide range of repertoire. Included will be John Coltrane’s Dear Lord, Benny Golson's Classical Dreams, and an African folk hymn by Ramsey, along with pieces that Lewis was commissioned to write for the Joffrey Ballet which will premiere at Ravinia on June 22nd.

THE GODFATHER OF SOUL JAMES BROWN HAS DIED

The man known as the "Godfather of Soul" has died. The agent for music legend James Brown says the performer died early Monday morning at an Atlanta hospital. Brown was admitted Sunday with pneumonia, but doctors say he died of heart failure. His agent says Brown initially seemed fine, and was even telling people he planned to perform as scheduled in New York on New Year's Eve. He was considered one of the most influential musicians of the past half-century. His high-energy performance style paved the way for scores of acts that followed in his footsteps. Brown was 73-years old. James Brown was next due to perform in New York City on New Years Eve.

DIANA ROSS PRESENTS ‘I LOVE YOU,’ A NEW STUDIO ALBUM DEDICATED TO ROMANCE

Diana Ross is a global entertainment icon, a legendary musical treasure whose music has, for decades, inspired romance, happiness and joy. For her new studio album, Diana Ross has drawn inspiration from romantic songs that have touched her heart through the years, and she has dedicated the album to this most powerful universal emotion: love. I Love You, to be released by Manhattan/EMI in CD and deluxe CD/DVD packages and digitally on January 16, presents 14 songs personally selected for the album by Diana Ross in appreciation of their timeless, classic expressions of love and romance, including a brand new song, I Love You (That's All That Really Matters), a gentle ballad that captures the emotion of romance. The CD's package includes stunning photos by Herb Ritts, Randee St. Nicholas and Douglas Kirkland and a letter to fans from Diana Ross, who executive produced I Love You.

The package also contains notes from the album's co-executive producer, Marylata E. Jacob, a Grammy-nominated music supervisor and producer whose professional relationship with Diana Ross spans 22 years, Peter Asher, who produced nine of the album's tracks, and who has collaborated with Diana Ross on many of her most cherished recordings, and the producer of five of the album's tracks, Steve Tyrell, has produced many recordings with Diana Ross including Big Bad Love with Ray Charles, and in 2005 produced her duet with Rod Stewart, I've Got A Crush On You, the lead single from Stewart's Thanks For The Memory: The Great American Songbook . I Love You"s deluxe edition adds a DVD with a photo gallery and an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the new album.

Beginning and closing with Harry Nilsson's Remember, the song that inspired Ross' vision for her new album, I Love You takes the listener on a vibrant journey through many of music's most timeless and recognizable affirmations of love. All of the songs chosen for the album are important and meaningful to Diana Ross, from the sweet bounce of More Today Than Yesterday, to the sultry allure of I Want You, a song first recorded by Marvin Gaye that was co-written by Ms. Ross' brother, T-Boy Ross.

"We wanted to create the quintessential album to be played at celebrations of love and life: weddings, family gatherings, intimate moments," explains Marylata Jacob. I Love You is Diana's personal offering to honor these celebrations of love, from the glance of your first true love, through the joy of children, and love everlasting." Recorded at multiple studios in Southern California, New York and London, I Love You features soaring orchestral arrangements to accompany the broad range and sensitivity of Ms. Ross' vocals, one of the world's most cherished musical instruments. The best players and singers from Los Angeles, New York and London were involved with the new album, and Ms. Ross attended every session, from the initial demos to tracking, overdubs and mixing.

"When I was in the studio, sharing these songs, I was filled with strong emotion," says Ms. Ross. "These songs, these singers, these musicians and all my fans are a gift of love to me." Says Peter Asher, who returns to working with Diana having produced her 1991 hit album, The Force Behind The Power, "I am proud that not only have Diana and I remained friends for 41 years, but that I have again been given the opportunity to work with her extraordinary voice in the studio. Her contribution in the studio was very significant, above and beyond her singing -- itself seemingly unchanged by the passing years in its emotional intensity and brilliance, yet having gained a certain wisdom and clarity that makes you believe every word she sings. On this record she tells us an eternal story, and does so with ineffable brilliance and accuracy."

The Songs:

Remember by Harry Nilsson inspired the album and its concept as Diana Ross listened to it while reminiscing over her family's photo albums. Its dreaminess conjures up memories of love and present feelings. Diana Ross feels a connection to Nilsson's work, as she has often performed songs from Nilsson's acclaimed musical, "The Point," in concert.

More Today Than Yesterday is a classic first performed by Spiral Staircase in the late-1960s. Destined to be an audience favorite at Diana Ross' concerts, the song is also one of her favorites. Diana Ross' fun and bouncy new recording of the song is an inspired tribute to the joy of everlasting love.

I Want You, first recorded by Marvin Gaye in 1974, was co-written by Diana Ross' beloved brother, T-Boy Ross, with Leon Ware. Ross delivers a smoldering, sultry take on this track that honors the original while making it wholly her own.

I Love You (That's All That Really Matters) is a new original song, a gorgeous, heartfelt ballad. The writer, Fred White, has been touring with Diana Ross as a back-up singer for six years. His experience of her live persona and vocal range inspired this song, written specifically with Ross in mind. Ms. Ross fell in love with the song, saying, "To be loved for who you are is the deepest expression of the purest love, wholly selfless and spiritual."

What About Love was written for Oprah Winfrey's stage production of "The Color Purple." The composers are Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. Diana Ross' relationship with Brenda Russell and her great friendship with Oprah inspired Ross' interest in the soundtrack, and she selected this powerful and moving song of love.

The Look of Love - Ross captures all of its romance and anticipation. This classic song was written by two of the finest song writers of all time, Hal David and Burt Bacharach.

Lovely Day has a groove and a simple lyric that has universal appeal. "This song makes me dance," Diana Ross says. "Everyone wants a lovely day." Written by Bill Withers.

Take My Breath Away is the decade's quintessential love song. Ross adds her own signature style to it with her new recording. The original recording is by Berlin.

Only You - A new version decidedly Ms. Ross. Growing up in Detroit, listening to records while slow dancing under a single source of light was as close to heaven as it could get for Diana Ross, her own personal experience of young love.

To Be Loved was written by the legendary Berry Gordy, Jr. and was originally recorded by Jackie Wilson in 1958. It is the ultimate declaration of love, and Ms. Ross deftly balances the emotion of the song's sensitive lyrics with an upbeat and boundless delivery.

I Will - Paul McCartney's simplicity of lyric and song melody made it a welcomed song for the heart of I Love You. Ms. Ross' sweet vocals and Peter Asher's long history with the Beatles brought a lovely perspective of range and depth to the new recording.

This Magic Moment, originally recorded by the Drifters, is made brand new with Ross' rendition. With its calypso-leaning arrangement and backing vocals, Ms. Ross' new version really pops.

You Are So Beautiful - The song was chosen for its universal message of love and kindness. "It reaches out and speaks not only to lovers, but to relationships of all kinds, mother to child, child to grandparent, sister to sister, friend to friend," says Ross.

Always And Forever was written by famed songwriter Rod Temperton and originally recorded by Heatwave. Ms. Ross brings her brilliant sensitivity and gorgeous vocal delivery to the timeless love song for a magical contemporary classic.

Closing the new album's romantic journey is a reprise of the song that started it all, Remember.
"We must remember love in the past, nurture it in the present, and dream of it in the future," says Ms. Ross.

Diana Ross: "I Love You"
1. Remember
2. More Today Than Yesterday
3. I Want You
4. I Love You (That's All That Really Matters)
5. What About Love
6. The Look Of Love
7. Lovely Day
8. Take My Breath Away
9. Only You
10. To Be Loved
11. I Will
12. Magic Moment
13. You Are So Beautiful
14. Always And Forever
15. Remember Reprise
I Love You Deluxe Edition CD/DVD: DVD contents: The Making Of I Love You + Photo Gallery

SMOOTH JAZZ RADIO LINKS

We've compiled a list of recommended U.S. Smooth Jazz radio stations for your listening pleasure...

www.wclk.com WCLK-FM 91.9 Atlanta GA
www.1075swjzz.com WJZZ-FM 107.5 Atlanta GA
www.smoothjazz1043.com WSMJ-FM 104.3 Baltimore MD
www.baton-rouge.com WBRH-FM 90.3 Baton Rouge LA
www.wnua.com WNUA-FM 95.5 Chicago IL
www.wnvw.com WNVW-FM 107.3 Cleveland OH
www.columbusjazz.com WJZA-FM 103.5 Columbus OH
www.lighthouseradio.com KYSJ-FM 105.9 Coos Bay OR
www.smoothjazz1075.com KOAI-FM 107.5 Dallas TX
www.daytonjazz.com WDSJ-FM 106.5 Dayton OH
www.wvmv.com/ WVMV-FM 98.7 Detroit MI
www.wsbc.com/ WSBZ-FM 106.3 Ft Walton Bch FL
www.wxjz.com/ WXJZ-FM 100.9 Gainseville FL
www.khjz.com KHJZ-FM 96.5 Houston TX
www.wjyzradio.com/ WJYZ-FM 100.9 Indianapolis IN
www.smoothjazz1053.com WJSJ-FM 105.3 Jacksonville FL
www.wjzlonline.com/ WJZL-FM 92.9 Lansing MI
www.1057theoasis.com/ KOAS-FM 105.7 Las Vegas NV
www.947wave.com/ KTWV-FM 94.7 Los Angeles CA
www.love94.com WLVE-FM 93.9 Miami FL
www.wjzi.com WJZI-FM 93.3 Milwaukee OH
www.krvr.com/ KRVR-FM 105.5 Modesto CA
www.cd1019.com WQCD-FM 101.9 New York NY
www.weibfm.com WEIB-FM 106.3 Northampton MA
www.wloq.com WLOQ-FM 103.1 Orlando FL
www.102kjjz..com KJJZ-FM 102.3 Palm Springs CA
www.wjjz.com WJJZ-FM 106.1 Philadelphia PA
www.kyot.com KYOT-FM 95.5 Phoenix AZ
www.smoothjazzreno.com FM 92.1 Reno NV
www.kssj.com KSSJ-FM 94.7 Sacramento, CA
www.kbzn.com KBZN-FM 97.9 Salt Lake City UT
www.kmgq1063.com KMGQ-FM 106.3 Santa Barbara CA
www.smoothjazz1053.com WSJF-FM 105.5 St Augustine FL
www.kifm.com KIFM 98.1 San Diego CA
www.kblx.com KBLX 102.9 San Francisco CA
www.kjzy.com/ KJZY-FM 93.7 San Francisco CA
www.kwjz.com/ KWJZ-FM 98.9 Seattle WA
www.wsjt.com WSJT-FM 94.1 Tampa FL
www.smoothjazz1059.com Smooth Jazz 105.9 Wash DC

MEDESKI MARTIN & WOOD NEWS

Medeski Martin & Wood are scheduled to return to Mexico in February for an upcoming concert still to be announced. Concert dates for March and April 2007 have been announced as follows: March 7 - Asheville, TN @ The Orange Peel; March 8 - Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse; March 9 - Jacksonville, FL @ Langerado Music Festival; and April 27 - Princeton, NJ @ McCarter Theatre. Other select tour dates are still in the works including summer festivals in Europe others still to be confirmed. John Medeski has just returned from three concerts in Milan, Italy with the Campbell Brothers. Medeski will be performing in St. Petersburg and Moscow, Russia in April with guitarist Marc Ribot and artist Auktyon. The trio recently recorded together in New York last September. Then in July 2007, John Medeski and John Scofield will tour as a duet. Check back here for more information as we receive it.