50th MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL LINEUP ANNOUNCED

The Monterey Jazz Festival Presented by Verizon celebrates its 50th in grand style as the artists who have shaped both the Festival and the history of jazz reunite with the stages that have made MJF the longest running jazz festival in the world. The world-renowned event takes place September 21-23, 2007 on the familiar oak-studded and beautiful grounds of the Monterey Fairgrounds, the location of the Festival since 1958. Featuring some of the biggest living legends in the jazz world, MJF/50 promises to be the key event of 2007 in the world of live music.

Tickets on sale Friday, March 30th on the Monterey Jazz Festival’s website, www.montereyjazzfestival.org or by phone at (925) 275-9255. High resolution photos available at www.montereyjazzfestival.org/media/index.htm. A stellar list of artists will grace the Arena/Lyons Stage including Diana Krall, Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, the Dave Brubeck Quartet featuring the legendary guitarist Jim Hall, John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension, the Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Los Lobos, bluesmen Otis Taylor and James Hunter, Cuban vocalist Issac Delgado and the supergroup of Dave Holland, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chris Potter and Eric Harland.

2007 MJF Artist-In-Residence, trumpeter Terence Blanchard, will appear with the MJF Chamber Orchestra, with his own quintet, with the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, and also with the MJF 50th Anniversary All-Stars, featuring James Moody, Nnenna Freelon, Benny Green, Kendrick Scott, and Derrick Hodge. MJF/50 Showcase Artist, Jim Hall, will appear with his own quartet, in duo with pianist Geoff Keezer, and with Dave Brubeck's Quartet. And MJF/50 Commission Artist, Gerald Wilson, will premiere Monterey Moods, his third milestone composition for MJF.

Arena artists also appearing on the Grounds include bluesmen Otis Taylor and James Hunter, guitarist Jim Hall, trumpeter Terence Blanchard, Gerald Wilson and his Orchestra, the MJF 50th Anniversary All-Stars, featuring Terence Blanchard, James Moody, Nnenna Freelon, Benny Green, Kendrick Scott, and Derrick Hodge; and bassist Dave Holland, appearing with Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chris Potter and Eric Harland.

Friday, September 21 will kick off the Festival with the multi-cultural and multi-dimensional talents of Cuban singer Issac Delgado; iconic bassist Dave Holland, appearing with Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chris Potter and Eric Harland in a special all-star band; and the influential and mesmerizing guitarist John McLaughlin. On the Grounds, the vibe will be no less electric with the New Grooves show in Dizzy’s Den being visited by three slices of funk bands from New Orleans, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, the Brass Funk Rock group Bonerama, and the jazz-inflected Papa Grows Funk.

Also on Friday night, in a meeting of genius minds, Jim Hall and Geoff Keezer will perform as an understated yet intense duo; the freewheeling guitarist Anthony Wilson and his Nonet will perform, and the cutting-edge pianist Craig Taborn and his Trio will forge new sounds. The Grounds will also feature the Terence Blanchard Quintet performing their visionary and rootsy brand of jazz, the straight-ahead groove of Along Came Betty, and the gifted students of the Berklee-Monterey Quartet.

Saturday, September 22 will showcase a world of music from the blues to the symphonic, with the best-of-the-best in between. The Arena/Lyons Stage will rock in the afternoon with the raw blues sounds of artists Otis Taylor and James Hunter, followed by the legendary Los Lobos, featuring their own blend of blues, rockabilly, and Latin jazz, mixed with the music of their Mexican-American heritage. Evening on the Arena/Lyons Stage will turn from the blues to the highly anticipated debut of two large scale pieces—Artist-In-Residence Terence Blanchard’s Requiem for Katrina with the MJF Chamber Orchestra, and 2007 Commission Artist Gerald Wilson’s Monterey Moods, his third commission for the historic anniversaries of the Festival (25th, 40th, and 50th). The evening will end with the reigning queen of cool, Diana Krall in her third appearance at Monterey , her first MJF visit since 1999.

Saturday, the MJF grounds will witness an international cornucopia of blues, straight-ahead jazz, elegant vocalists, the avant-garde, jazz legends, and rising stars. Appearing will be the quartets of legendary six-stringers Jim Hall (MJF’s 2007 Showcase Artist) and Kenny Burrell, plus the electrified bluesy Mimi Fox Trio; rising young trumpeters Sean Jones and Christian Scott; the rollicking pianism of the Cyrus Chestnut Trio and the Shigeru Morishita Quintet; the radiant power of vocalists Ernestine Anderson and Lynne Fiddmont; the trailblazing drummer Rashied Ali and his Quintet; and the down-home traditional and electric-trance blues of James Hunter and Otis Taylor. Also featured will be the blues supergroup, The Honeydripper All-Stars, who are the subject of the John Sayles new film Honeydripper, which will be previewed in the Festival's Jazz Theater. Gerald Wilson and his Orchestra will also perform on the grounds on Saturday, as will bassist Dave Holland, with Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chris Potter and Eric Harland.

Sunday, September 23 will cap off the 50th celebratory weekend in style, displaying the rich artistry of the living musical legends that have made Monterey the favorite jazz festival in the world (voted best jazz festival in the 2006 and 2007 JazzTimes Readers’ Poll), featured with the future stars of jazz. On the Sunday afternoon Arena/Lyons Stage, Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Big Band (winner of the 37th Annual National High School Competition at the Next Generation Festival) and the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra will take the stage along with Terence Blanchard. Ornette Coleman, one of the primary architects of jazz, will close Sunday's show, performing with his Grammy-nominated group.

Sunday night will offer a fitting culmination to the Festival's historic celebration with the premiere of the Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary All-Stars. Terence Blanchard, vocalist Nnenna Freelon, pianist Benny Green, legendary saxophonist James Moody, drummer Kendrick Scott, and bassist Derrick Hodge will perform; each has a strong connection with the Festival.

Blanchard is the 2007 Artist-In-Residence at Monterey, James Moody has been performing at Monterey since 1963, and Benny Green is a graduate of the Festival's world-renowned Jazz Education Programs, having performed as a high schooler with the Monterey Jazz Festival High School All-Star Big Band in the 1970s. Nnenna Freelon, a regular performer at MJF, also has connections with MJF Jazz Education Programs, having performed at the Festival's annual High School Jazz Competition. Kendrick Scott performed with the Berklee-Monterey Quartet at the Festival in 2000. This special group will tour across 60 cities in the United States , from January through March of 2008.

Sunday night will also witness the return of one of the patriarchs of the Festival, Dave Brubeck. Fans will be treated to a meeting of the minds as the Brubeck Quartet performs with a legendary architect and innovator of modern jazz guitar, Jim Hall, who also performed at the first Monterey Jazz Festival.
The finale on Sunday night will be the appearance of Sonny Rollins, the 6th time the legendary artist has performed at the Festival. The final night of the 50th Monterey Jazz Festival promises to rival the early MJF years, offering one of the most richly intense and memorable lineups in memory.

Sunday Grounds artist lineup will offer a gourmet selection of internationally known masters and young emerging talent. Audiences can enjoy the piano mastery of the Kenny Barron Trio and Jacky Terrasson, the unprecedented talents of Richard Galliano playing bebop accordion, and the jagged new music of the Smith Dobson V Quintet. The historic Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary All-Stars will also play a set on the Grounds, with additional appearances by MJF stalwart drummer Benny Barth and his Trio, featuring Buddy Montgomery. Also on Sunday will be the groove-oriented audience favorite, the "Hammond B-3 Blowout" featuring a double bill of the Joey DeFrancesco Trio and Atsuko Hashimoto Trio (with Houston Person and Jeff Hamilton).

Sunday marks the return of Family Day sponsored by Macy's, reprising the concept launched at the 2006 MJF. Family Day features activities and fun for fans and families of all ages, including a Percussion Playshop where kids can have a hands-on experience with percussion instruments, the “Jazzy Jumper” where kids can bounce the day away, musical entertainment by the Banana Slug String Band, Sambada, and the country’s best high school bands appearing in nearby Dizzy’s Den.

In a move to mark the Festival's 50th Anniversary and leave a legacy for future fans,MJF will open a brand new area and a brand new venue on the grounds of MJF/50. Lyons Lane, named in honor of MJF founder Jimmy Lyons, will be an expansion of the grounds located adjacent to the Arena entrance on the Festival midway. As patrons stroll down the lane, they will relive the history, images, and music of the Monterey Jazz Festival in special MJF history displays. Partners–including Starbucks Coffee and ZonePerfect Nutrition Bars–will be distributing complimentary coffee and samples on the Lane, while partners from Borders will be hosting autograph sessions with MJF artists at a Borders Store on Lyons Lane .

At the end of Lyons Lane , fans will discover a brand new MJF venue called Lyons Lounge. Lyons Lounge was established in honor of MJF's historic milestone and is dedicated to the future. The Lounge will offer fans a hip jazz club, with DJ Logic and San Francisco DJ Vinnie Esparza remixing jazz, hip-hop, and dance music all weekend in a setting that promises to be the place to be at MJF/50.

The Festival is celebrating its 50th year with a range of activities and offerings. The milestone year will kick-off with a Golden Gala Celebration on April 7, 2007 at Tehama Golf Club. The evening will feature cocktails, dinner, entertainment, and the premiere presentation of the MJF Legends Award to Dave Brubeck. Space is still available as of this date. Fans are urged to contact cynthia@montereyjazzfestival.org or (831) 373-3366 for more information.

Other pre-Festival events include an evening celebration of art and jazz at the Monterey Museum of Art on June 26, 2007. The event will include a preview and private viewing of the museum's "Henrí Matisse: Jazz" exhibition and a concert with special guest Terence Blanchard. Reservations and information are available from the museum at (831) 372-5477 extension 20, or from www.montereyart.org. 50 years of MJF images and memorabilia are also scheduled to be on display at Monterey Peninsula Airport this fall.

Art and jazz feature prominently in the Festival's new publication "The Art of Jazz: Monterey Jazz Festival / 50 Years" telling the story of the Festival through its graphic imagery and photographic moments, capturing the MJF experience through posters, program covers, and exclusive photographs dating back to 1958. “The Art of Jazz” also includes a list of artists who have performed at MJF, along with a decade-by-decade look at the world and the Festival. "The Art of Jazz" will be available for purchase online at www.montereyjazzfestival.org.

Another aspect of the festival will be seen—and heard—with the formation of Monterey Jazz Festival Records, in conjunction with the Concord Music Group. Since 1958, the Festival has recorded nearly all of its Arena shows, leaving us a true legacy, a living history of jazz. MJF is issuing these rare and rarefied recordings, along with recordings of new groups performing at the Festival, through Monterey Jazz Festival Records. Fans may sign up for the MJF e-mail list at www.montereyjazzfestival.org for more details and a release schedule.

MJF’s Front Box Auction presents another opportunity for jazz fans to enjoy the Monterey Jazz Festival while supporting Jazz Education. From March 30 until June 1, patrons can bid to sit at the front of the Arena with three of their closest friends in a Front Box for the 50th Anniversary. For more information, please visit www.montereyjazzfestival.org.

During the Festival, fans are also encouraged to visit the MJF Booth in the center of the midway to participate in the MJF Silent Auction featuring unique jazz memorabilia and collector’s items, with all auction proceeds benefiting MJF Jazz Education Programs.

The Festival's 9th Annual Golf ‘n’ Jazz Tournament is a rare opportunity to play Pasadera, an outstanding Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. This exclusive event includes a buffet lunch, jazzy gift bag, and golf with cart, plus an evening to remember at elegant Pasadera Country Club following the Tournament. The evening will feature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a sumptuous buffet dinner, a jazz concert and live auction, plus the golf awards ceremony. The Tournament takes place on Thursday, September 20, 2007; registration takes place by phone, (831) 373-3366 and online at www.montereyjazzfestival.org. Fans are urged to visit the MJF website for more details about how to participate in this longtime MJF favorite. All proceeds are invested in MJF’s Jazz Education Programs.

The 3rd annual Jazz with Steinbeck event will offer fans an exclusive supper club evening in support of MJF’s Jazz Education Programs and the National Steinbeck Center ’s Youth Programs. This very special event takes place on Wednesday, September 19 from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm at the unique National Steinbeck Center , with jazz entertainment by Kim Nalley, Ed Reed, and the Jazz Birds, and a bountiful dinner by celebrity Chef Cal Stamenov. Jazz with Steinbeck is sponsored by Scheid Vineyards, Rabobank, and Lombardo and Gilles. The evening is limited to 150 people and reservations are available from the National Steinbeck Center at (831) 775-4723.
Partners play an important role in helping the Festival fund its Jazz Education Programs, with efforts led by Presenting Partner, Verizon, now celebrating their 23rd year in partnership with the Monterey Jazz Festival.

· Bose returns as a valued partner, and MJF fans will once again be able to enjoy big screen Arena simulcasts featuring Bose audio in the Bose Performance-at-Home Pavilion.

· Klub Korbel (returning with a Korbel champagne bar in the Fairgrounds' Turf Club Patio) will also feature Arena simulcasts with Bose audio. Bose audio will be featured in the Courtyard Stage performances as well.

· Starbucks Coffee also returns as an MJF Partner, offering complimentary coffee to fans on Lyons Lane .

· Yamaha, a long time partner of both MJF and our Jazz Education Programs, will once again be providing Yamaha Pianos and Drums on MJF/50 stages, and music on the Yamaha Disklavier with Sue Downs on the Courtyard Stage.

· North Coast Brewing Company returns as Official Beer for MJF/50. Fans will find a variety of North Coast brews all around the grounds of the Monterey Jazz Festival, led by their lauded Brother Thelonious Belgian-style abbey ale.

· Returning partner JetBlue Airways continues to offer our fans low fares, new planes and free DIRECTV at every comfy leather JetBlue seat. Fans are encouraged to book travel on JetBlue at the following address: www.jetblue.com/default.asp?source=montereyjazz&

· Borders has joined the MJF family in a big way, partnering with MJF/50 and with the Next Generation Festival. In addition to visiting the Borders store at the center of the MJF/50 midway, fans are invited to look for Borders on Lyons Lane .

· Jekel and Five Rivers return as Official MJF/50 wines, and will be served all around the grounds at MJF/50.

· Returning Media Partners, the San Jose Mercury News and KKSF, will be helping MJF get the word out about the Festival and its Jazz Education Programs.

· Macy's returns as sponsors of Family Day at Monterey , hosting special entertainment and activities for younger jazz fans and fun for the whole family on Sunday, September 23, 2007.

· MJF also welcomes back Monterra Realty and Tehama Realty, returning as Official Real Estate Partners of the 50th Monterey Jazz Festival.

The Monterey Jazz Festival also receives invaluable support for the Festival and its Jazz Education Programs from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as from generous grantors, donors, and individual contributors.

The Monterey Jazz Festival encourages jazz fans to purchase tickets early for the 50th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Presented by Verizon. Arena Packages traditionally sell out and are available only on a first come, first served basis.
Tickets on sale Friday, March 30th on the Monterey Jazz Festival’s website, www.montereyjazzfestival.org or by phone at (925) 275-9255. High resolution photos available at www.montereyjazzfestival.org/media/index.htm
MJF/50 Highlights Include:

· Return of jazz legends Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, Dave Brubeck, Diana Krall, and Jim Hall

· World Premiere of Commission Artist Gerald Wilson’s Monterey Moods

· Artist-In-Residence Terence Blanchard’s Requiem for Katrina with the MJF Chamber Orchestra

· Dave Holland with Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chris Potter, and Eric Harland to record live sets for MJF Records

· New venue, Lyons Lounge, featuring DJ Logic and Vinnie Esparza remixing jazz, hip-hop, and dance music
· Premiere of MJF 50th Anniversary All-Star Band with James Moody, Nnenna Freelon, Terence Blanchard, and Benny Green

· Friday’s "New Grooves in New Orleans " featuring Dumpstaphunk, Bonerama, and Papa Grows Funk

· Sunday’s “Hammond B-3 Blowout” featuring the Joey DeFrancesco Trio and Atsuko Hashimoto Trio (with Houston Person and Jeff Hamilton)

· Lyons Lane featuring MJF history, artist meet 'n' greets, complimentary coffee, and more in newly created area in honor of MJF/50

· Return of Sunday's “Family Day” sponsored by Macy's, with fun for all ages
· Debut of MJF coffee table art book, "The Art of Jazz: Monterey Jazz Festival/50 Years" featuring MJF images from the first Festival through the 50th

· Launch of Monterey Jazz Festival Records, featuring the release of rare and rarified recordings from the last 50 years on CD in conjunction with Concord Music Group

Arena/Lyons Stage:

· Friday, 9/21: John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension, Issac Delgado, Dave Holland with Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chris Potter and Eric Harland

· Saturday, 9/22: Los Lobos, Otis Taylor, James Hunter, Diana Krall, Gerald Wilson Orchestra premiering Monterey Moods, Terence Blanchard Quintet w/Monterey Jazz Festival Chamber Orchestra featuring Requiem for Katrina

· Sunday, 9/23: Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, Dave Brubeck Quartet w/special guest Jim Hall, Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Big Band, and Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary All-Stars w/Nnenna Freelon, James Moody, Terence Blanchard & Benny Green
Partial List of Grounds Artists:

· Friday, 9/21: “New Grooves in New Orleans” with Dumpstaphunk, Bonerama, and Papa Grows Funk; Terence Blanchard Quintet, Jim Hall/Geoff Keezer Duo, Craig Taborn Trio, Anthony Wilson Nonet, Along Came Betty, Berklee-Monterey Quartet, DJ Logic, and Vinnie Esparza

· Saturday, 9/22: Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Dave Holland with Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chris Potter and Eric Harland, Jim Hall Quartet, Kenny Burrell Quartet, Ernestine Anderson, Rashied Ali Quintet, Christian Scott, Cyrus Chestnut Trio, Lynne Fiddmont, Mimi Fox Trio, James Hunter, Otis Taylor Band, Honeydripper All-Stars, Sean Jones, Shigeru Morishita Quintet, Sambada, DJ Logic, and Vinnie Esparza

· Sunday, 9/23: “Hammond B3 Blowout” with Joey DeFrancesco Trio and Atsuko Hashimoto Trio (with Houston Person and Jeff Hamilton); Kenny Barron Trio, Jacky Terrasson, Benny Barth Trio with Buddy Montgomery, Richard Galliano, Smith Dobson V Quintet, Sambada, “Family Day” with the Banana Slug String Band; DJ Logic, Vinnie Esparza, the country’s best high school bands, DownBeat Blindfold Test and more!
Tickets on sale Friday, March 30th on the Monterey Jazz Festival’s website, www.montereyjazzfestival.org or by phone at (925) 275-9255.

DIONNE WARWICK RECORDING NEW ALBUM

Dionne Warwick says that only four months after releasing her last studio album, she's hard at work on a new gospel collection. Warwick posted to fans on her official website dionnewarwick.info that, "March came in like a lion for us here in (New) Jersey, tons of snow and ice making travel a bit dicey, but giving me a chance to do a bit of recording. I am in the process of doing a gospel CD, and am having a wonderful time. It will feature a few voices of my choir, and also my sister Dee Dee (Warwick), so be on the look out for this." Warwick did not mention when the set would be completed or released. Warwick also went on to reveal that she'll receive an honorary degree later this spring, saying that, "I am receiving an honorary degree from Chicago University for humanitarian reasons, and of course I am very excited about this." Last November Warwick released an album of duets, titled My Friends And Me, which was produced by her son Damon Elliott. The album featured collaborations with EstefGladys Knight, Olivia Newton-John, Gloria Estefan, and others.

Dionne Warwick has a handful of U.S. dates before heading out on an extended European tour:
April 28 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
May 5 - West Wendover, NV - Peppermill Casino
May 14 - Newark, NJ - New Jersey Performing Arts Center
May 17 - Winston-Salem, NC - Winston-Salem Entertainment-Sports

CHILL GROOVES & SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS: JEFF LORBER, KURT ELLING, CHUCK LOEB, EARL KLUGH & MORE...

Jeff Lorbers new release He Had A Hat features the revered keyboardist's newest efforts with special guests The Krim Symphonic Orchestra, singers Paula Cole and Eric Benet, guitarist Paul Jackson Jr.and a variety of solid jazz figures. The 13 tracks are: Anthem For A New America, He Had A Hat, Grandma's Hands, Surreptitious, All Most Blues, Orchid, BC Bop, The Other Side Of The Heart, Hudson, Super Fusion Unit, Eye Tunes, Requiem For Gandalf, and Burn Brightly. Jeff Lorber recently did an in-store performance and signing at the Borders in San Diego, then tours through April with Eric Marienthal, Dave Weckl and Brian Bromberg before hooking up with Summer Storm with Norman Brown from June onward, wrapping up with the Dave Koz Cruise from November 4th through the 11th.

Kurt Elling's new release – Night Moves via Concord- is the virtuoso vocalese performer's debut release on the Concord imprint. Recorded with bassist Rob Amster, drummer Willie Jones III and pianist-arranger Laurence Hobgood, the disc also features special guests the Escher String Quartet, bassist Christian McBride, Yellowjackets tenor saxophonist Bob Mintzer, guitarist Guilherme Monterio, keyboardist Rob Mounsey and harmonica experts Howard Levy and Gregoire Maret. Tracks include Nightmoves, Tight, Change Partners/If You Never Come To Me, Undun, Where Are You? And We'll Fly, The Waking, The Sleepers, Leaving Again/In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning, Body & Soul, I Like The Sunrise, Europe Bonus Luiza, Europe Bonus Body & Soul (Live in Amsterdam), Japan Bonus Well, Did You Evah (What A Swell Party This Is), and web bonus Body & Soul (Kennedy Center Cut). Kurt Elling kicked off his tour on April 12th at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa and stays on the road through August 29th at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

Alex Bugnon’s Ultimate Alex Bugnon via Mosaic and Earl Klugh's Ultimate Earl Klugh via Mosaic discs are both greatest hits packages and Klugh's track listing includes fan favorites Angelina, Living Inside Your Love, Dr. Macumba, Heart String, Kari, Wishful Thinking, Rainbow Man, Brazilian Stomp, Midnight in San Juan, Jo Ann's Song, Movin' On, Maybe Tonight, Desert Paradise, and a revised version of Angelina. Alex Bugnon is performing on April 20th and 21st at Zanzibar Blue in Philadelphia. Earl Klugh performs at the Night of Guitars with Bill Frisell from May 3rd to 6th at the Manchester Craftsmens Guild in Pittsburgh.

Chuck Loeb has just finished work on the latest Gerald Veasley project and has produced a track for saxophonist Art Sherrod Jr. He’s also working on a demo CD for his daughter Lizzie.

Chick Corea, Bela Fleck, Kenny Garrett and John Pizzarelli will topline this year’s Burlington Discover Jazz Festival in Bermont, which runs for the first 10 days in June.

CD101.9 Smooth Jazz in New York is presenting concerts at the Bergen County PAC: Michael Franks and the Rippingtons on April 22, and George Benson on April 27. CD101.9 is also presenting their Spring Affair concert at the Beacon Theatre on May 11 with artists: Spyro Gyra, Oleta Adams, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun, and Jonathan Butler.

Federico Aubele’s new album has been pushed back for release for this fall due to some manufacturing errors. The new album is entitled Panamericana . You will have a chance to catch Federico opening for Bebel Gilberto this May though, dates will be announced next week. Expect to hear some new singles this summer.

NEW CD FROM ANDRE WARD

Andre Ward will release his third album Crystal City on April 24, 2007. Now with his third release the growth and innovative approach showcased on his previous projects continues to be consistent. A product of Orpheus Music/Hush Productions, Crystal City is a ground-breaking masterpiece executive produced by Beau and Charli Huggins. “From Alex Bugnon to newcomer saxophonist Rob White, Orpheus Music / Hush Production’s name has been synonymous with quality music,” stated Beau Huggins, President of Orpheus Music. “Young, accomplished and edgy, Andre continues to build on the foundation laid by his Orpheus/ Hush predecessors, Najee and Kenny G.” Crystal City invites music lovers to a magical place that shines with unusual brilliance, where Andre Ward is the tour guide. The musical journey begins with the funk laced, They Keep Calling Me, followed by the dreamy Wishful Thinking, which is accented by the vocal prowess of Barbara Fowler, whose voice is reminiscent of a young Anita Baker. The Yasha produced, Andre’s Theme, is a smooth jazzy tune reflective of Ward’s laid back style, while, I Don’t Want To Be In Love, produced by Marc Nelson (AZ Yet) and Chicago Here We Go, offers a soulful excursion for R&B music fans. But one of the most meaningful and personal songs on the album is New Orleans Lights penned as a tribute to the great city and the birthplace of jazz, where Andre shows off his technical abilities with heartfelt emotion.Andre Ward continues to evolve into the type of musician that truly lives for the love of making music that respects the past, yet steps into the future. And with his newest release, he continues to do just that. Crystal City is the perfect escape that will keep Smooth Jazz on the map

SEABREEZE JAZZ FESTIVAL TO PRESENT BONEY JAMES, MINDI ABAIR, RICK BRAUN & OTHERS...

The Seabreeze Jazz Festival has just announced a star-studded lineup for this year's event, taking place at Florida's Emerald Coast from April 12th through the 15th. 2007's shows have been expanded to three days at the Gulf Place Outdoor Amphitheater, featuring such fan favorites as Boney James, Richard Elliot, Rick Braun, Peter White, Jonathan Butler, Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Jeff Golub, Eric Darius, Mindi Abair, Tim Bowman, Nick Colionne, Nils, Brian Simpson, Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Oliver and others.

The festival kicks off on Thursday, April 12th with a Smooth Jazz Dinner Cruise with former Rippington's saxophonist and solo artist Jeff Kashiwa. On Friday, April 13th, Nils, Brian Simpson and special guest Jeff Kashiwa perform at the amphitheater. Saturday, April 14th is an all-day event, featuring The Groove Boutique with Rafe Gomez, Jones & Company, Down To The Bone, and Guitars & Saxes featuring Nick Colionne, Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Tim Bowman and Jeff Golub. Headlining that night will be saxophonist Boney James. Seabreeze JazzFest winds up on Sunday, April 15th with another all-day event, featuring Smooth Jazz Gospel with Michael J. Thomas, The Groove Boutique with Rafe Gomez, Urban Jazz Coalition, Mindi Abair and Steve Oliver. Headlining is Jazz Attack featuring Eric Darius, Peter White, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot & Jonathan Butler.

Tickets are $130 per person for a weekend pass, $50 for a single day Friday, $80 for either Saturday or Sunday and $130 for the Smooth Jazz Dinner cruise. Children 12 and under are free. To order tickets, call 800-595-4949 or go to www.seabreezejazzfestival.com

STEPHEN MARLEY TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

Stephen Marley is touring in support of his solo debut Mind Control, will perform the following concerts: April 11 at Big Easy in Spokane WA, April 12 at Roseland Theatre in Portland OR, April 13 at Showbox in Seattle WA, April 14 at Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver BC, April 15 at Whistler Village in Whistler BC, April 17 at Main One Center for the Arts in Medford OR, April 18 at Mateel Community Center in Redway CA, April 20 at Cal Poly Recreation Center in San Luis Obispo CA, April 20 at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz CA, April 22 at The Fillmore in San Francisco CA, April 24 at Ventura Theatre in Ventura CA, April 25 at House of Blues in San Diego CA, April 26 at House of Blues in Los Angeles CA, April 27 at Coachella in Indio CA, April 28 at House of Blues in in Las Vegas NV, April 29 at Hopi Veterans Memorial Center in Kykotsmovi Village AZ, April 30 at Sunshine Theatre in Albuquerque NM, May 2 at Ridglea in Fort Worth TX, May 3 at Antone's in Austin TX, May 4 at Warehouse Live in Houston TX, May 5 at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans LA, May 6 at House of Blues in New Orleans LA, May 8 at 9:30 Club in Washington DC, May 9 at Avalon in Boston MA, May 11 at Nokia Theatre in New York NY, May 12 at Theatre of Living Arts in Philadelphia PA, May 13 at Rams Head in Baltimore MD, May 15 at Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto ON, May 16 at Mr. Smalls Theatre in Pittsburgh PA, May 17 at NorVa in Norvolk VA, May 19 at Jannus Landing in St. Petersburg FL, and May 20 at House of Blues in Orlando FL.

ST. LUCIA JAZZ FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES STAR-STUDDED LINEUP

The 16th annual St. Lucia Jazz Festival promises to be a star-studded event, featuring such smooth jazz luminaries as Gerald Albright, George Benson, Al Jarreau, John Legend and more. The event kicks off May 4th and continues through May 13th and will take place at Pigeon Island's main stage and throughout local villages. Brazilian artist Tania Maria opens the main stage performances on May 10th with Grammy-winning John Legend following on May 11th. The roster on May 12th will be a mixed bag of musical sensations, including George Benson, Al Jarreau, Will Downing, Gerald Albright, Norman Brown, Boo Hinkson and Friends, and others. Performances by jazz superstars Natalie Cole and Isaac Hayes will close the festival on May 13th. For more info, visit stluciajazz.org

LARRY CORYELL RELEASES DOUBLE ALBUM 'RESTOSPECTIVE'

Legendary smooth jazz guitarist Larry Coryell will release a double-disc live set, Larry Coryell - A Retrospective, on May 15th. Recorded at The Avalon in Hollywood, California, the album features his famed fretwork throughout, joined by Bernard Pretty Purdie on drums. Also appearing as special guests on the six-string are Maroon 5's James Valentine and Los Lobos' David Hidalgo, who pay homage to the guitar great. The package includes two discs, featuring 14 live songs, interviews and behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage. For more information about Larry, visit his website at:  www.larrycoryell.net

ROBIN THICKE, JAZZ ATTACK, THE WAILERS & OTHERS TO TOPLINE SUNFEST 2007

The line-up for SunFest 2007 in West Palm Beach, Florida will include such diverse artists as Robin Thicke, The Wailers, Jazz Attack and Ludacris, among many others. The event, billed as Florida's largest music, art, and waterfront festival, will take place from May 3rd to May 6th along the Flagler Drive waterfront in West Palm Beach. Although additional acts will be announced as confirmed, the SunFest 2007 line-up is as follows:

May 3rd
Ludacris - WaMu Stage
George Thorogood - The Real Yellow Pages Stage

May 4th
Rihanna - WaMu Stage
Sean Paul - WaMu Stage
Jonny Lang - The Real Yellow Pages Stage
Daughtry - Tire Kingdom Stage

May 5th
Todd Rundgren - WaMu Stage
Stephen Stills - WaMu Stage
The All-American Rejects - WaMu Stage
Delbert McClinton - The Real Yellow Pages Stage
Ne Yo - Tire Kingdom Stage
Jazz Attack featuring Rick Braun, Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliot and Peter White - The Real Yellow Pages Stage
The Wailers - WaMu Stage
Fonseca - Tire Kingdom Stage
Huey Lewis & The News - The Real Yellow Pages Stage
Robin Thicke - Tire Kingdom Stage
Big & Rich w/Cowboy Troy - WaMu Stage

MICHAEL BUBLE'S 'CALL ME IRRESPONSIBLE' DUE FOR RELEASE MAY 1, 2007

The one and only Michael Bublé's eagerly awaited new CD CALL ME IRRESPONSIBLE will be released on May 1st, which was confirmed by his record label, Reprise Records. The first single from the new album, the Bublé penned Everything, has just been released and will be performed by the artist on "The Today Show" on the day of the release. Bublé is also scheduled to make a special appearance on "American Idol" on April 25th. The Vancouver native, whose collective worldwide record sales are over 11 million units, is also scheduled to begin a global concert tour in Reno, Nevada, on July 13th with stops including Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Seattle.

CALL ME IRRESPONSIBLE highlights include Bublé's energy infused interpretations on standards from a variety of eras including songs by such greats as Leonard Cohen, Eric Clapton, Cy Coleman, Gamble and Huff, Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer and others.

Produced by David Foster and Humberto Gattica, IRRESPONSIBLE includes a touching Bublé written ballad called Lost, along with a rocking duet with Boys II Men of the old Mel Tormé hit Coming Home Baby. Brazilian singer Ivan Linns also makes a guest appearance on the Clapton written Wonderful Tonight. The pairing of these two voices from two totally different generations magnifies Bublé's summation of this record -- love is universal and ageless.

As for the album, Bublé says, "It's all about love. We're either in love, dreaming about love, recovering from it, wishing for it or reflecting on it. That's what this record is about."

The Grammy-nominated, four-time Juno Award winning Bublé arrived on the music scene with a groundbreaking 2003 self-titled debut CD and embarked on what would virtually become a perpetual concert tour circling the globe continuously for the last five years. His multi platinum follow-up, It's Time, sold over 5.5 million copies and has remained on the Billboard Traditional Jazz charts for a staggering two years and in the No. 1 slot for over 80 weeks, holding the all time record. His reputation as one of the world's consummate 'entertainers' is by now legendary. "Bublé's stage presence is magnetic. He has charisma, energy and when he sings, words float out of his mouth; he swivels like Elvis with the flash of a tap dancing Fred Astaire. He has fun," raved the London Sunday Times Magazine.

JEAN-LUC PONTY TO RELEASE NEW STUDIO, 'THE ACATEMA EXPERIENCE' ON MAY 22nd, 2007

KOCH Records has announced the release of The Acatama Experience, the new album by legendary jazz-rock violinist Jean-Luc Ponty, on May 22nd, 2007. Jean-Luc Ponty is a pioneer and unquestioned jazz immortal. He is widely regarded as an innovator who has applied a visionary spin that has expanded the vocabulary of modern music in numerous directions, combining jazz, electronics, classical and world music into an eternally progressive blend.

Jean-Luc's career spans five decades, and he has appeared on over 70 recordings, including works by Frank Zappa, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and countless others. In the 1970s Ponty spearheaded -- along with Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and others -- America's growing jazz-rock movement, filling stadiums around the world and cracking the Top 40 with his albums Enigmatic Ocean and Cosmic Messenger. Since then, he has maintained a worldwide touring profile and a large, loyal fan base.

The Acatama Experience is Ponty's first studio album in several years; it's a joyful, romantic and colorful instrumental journey that moves from his home in Paris (a funk-fueled reading of Bud Powell's classic Parisian Thoroughfare), to the mountain deserts of South America (the atmospheric, electronic title piece), with stops in Ireland (Celtic Steps) and the mysterious streets of Bombay, India. Musically, the album flows between electronic funk, virtuoso jazz-rock, Latin percussion, impressionistic soundscapes and lyrical balladry. Tying it all together is Jean-Luc's stunning virtuosity, particularly compelling on the solo turn, Desert Crossing.

The Acatama Experience is performed by Ponty's touring group, with two very special guests on guitar: jazz master Philip Catherine and fusion immortal Allan Holdsworth. It's an album that redefines and repositions Jean-Luc Ponty at the very center of the contemporary jazz and progressive music experience

THE RETURN OF SLY STONE

Franco Presents Sly & The Family Stone on 07/07/07 - yes folks believe it or not! Sly is back, live in concert for his first major appearance in over 2 decades!!! Franco Presents Sly & The Family Stone, 07/07/07 at "Back In The Day" Summerfest 2007. This event is being sponsored by a non-profit organization. The event is also featuring Average White Band and the Latin Rock Legends Supergroup, The Latin Sensations, featuring: Jorge Santana & The original voices with both current and former members of Malo, El Chicano, Tierra & Sapo featuring Richard Bean, vocalist of the hit song Suavecito.

For more concert information and tickets go online to www.francopresents.com.
or call toll free ticket line 1-800-620-6300
Event: "Back In The Day" Summerfest, July 7th, 2007
Sponsored by: Masada Music Ministries (non-profit)
Celebration: 4th of July & the 150th anniversary of San Jose
Time: All day - 10 am to 8 pm
Location: Arena Green Park, San Jose, CA. (downtown next to HP Pavilion)
Tickets: General Admission is $15
VIP's: Limited VIP sponsor seating available
Expected attendance: 20,000 plus

Here is what the press saying...

Las Vegas Sun - April 02, 2007 …gives rave reviews regarding Stone's recent appearance in Las Vegas 03/31/07. His voice was strong and he seemed charged up at the experience, even moving to the edge of the stage to greet his amped-up fans. It was Stone's first Vegas show since a 1972 appearance at the Las Vegas Convention Center and who had since become a virtual recluse for two decades.

Christopher Pratt of Elements Entertainment Los Angeles says about Sly's show 03/31/07… The show was incredible, they did all the hits and the crowd went nuts. It was an amazing show and sure to launch your new tour in style. Sly was the consummate professional and we had a great experience working with him. Shy Sly Stone picks S.J. for show.

Reclusive singer books one U.S. concert so far: Arena Green in July…
By Shay Quillen Mercury News Article Launched: 04/06/2007
Ready for some "Hot Fun in the Summertime"? After two decades out of the spotlight, reclusive Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sly Stone has decided to return to the concert stage. Sly and the Family Stone will headline the "Back in the Day" event July 7 in the Arena Green park near HP Pavilion. The concert will also feature the Average White Band and the Latin Sensations, a Latin rock supergroup.

EURweb-Sly Stone appears at George Wallace gig: Reclusive legend performs several numbers with Family Stone in Vegas. April 4, 2007. Sly joined The Family band for several songs, including 'Thank You', 'I Wanna Take You Higher' *& 'Dance to the Music'. Stone's half-hour appearance lasted throught the end of the concert. Afterward, he even signed autographs and walked among the crowd.

ETTA JAMES TOUR DATES

Etta James will perform the following concerts: May 27 at Aptos Village Park in Aptos CA, June 17 at Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles CA, July 21 at House of Blues in Lake Buena Vista FL, July 24 at Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood FL, July 26 at Chastain Park Amphitheatre in Atlanta GA, July 28 at House of Blues in Chicago IL, July 29 at DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston MI, August 1 at Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis MA, August 3 at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel NJ, August 4 at Trump Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City NJ, August 7 at Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York NY, August 11 at Cavalier Telephone Pavilion Pier Six in Baltimore MD, August 12 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport RI, August 26 at Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie TX, August 30 at Minnesota State Fair in Saint Paul MN, September 1 at Red Rocks in Morrison CO, September 7 at Soboba Casino in San Jacinto CA, September 8 at Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord CA, September 9 at Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys CA, September 15 at Little Creek Casino in Shelton WA, September 16 at Tulalip Amphitheatre in Tulalip WA, October 12-14 at The Orleans in Las Vegas NV. All dates July 24 through September 9 (except July 28 and August 1) are with the B.B. King Blues Festival.

AL GREEN TOUR DATES

Al Green will perform the following concerts: April 29 at Jazz Fest in Tobago, May 19 at Doheny Blues Festival in Dana Point CA, June 24 at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs NY, June 28 at Royal Albert Hall in London UK, June 29 at Manchester Evening News Arena in Manchester UK, July 1 at Malahide Castle in Dublin Ireland, July 2 at Edinburgh Playhouse in Edinburgh UK, July 4 at National Indoor Arena in Birmingham UK, July 6 at Carling Apollo Hammersmith in London UK, July 9 at Grand Rex in Paris France, July 11 at Via Jazz in Madrid Spain, July 13 at North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam Netherlands, July 21 at Memphis Botanic Garden in Memphis TN, July 24 at Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood FL, July 26 at Chastain Park Amphitheatre in Atlanta GA, July 29 at DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston MI, August 3 at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel NJ, August 4 at Trump Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City NJ, August 7 at Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York NY, August 11 at Cavalier Telephone Pavilion Pier Six in Baltimore MD, August 12 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport RI, August 26 at Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie TX, August 30 at Minnesota State Fair in Saint Paul MN, September 1 at Red Rocks in Morrison CO, September 7 at Soboba Casino in San Jacinto CA, September 8 at Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord CA, September 9 at Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys CA, and October 19-20 at House of Blues in Chicago IL. All dates July 24 through September 9 are with the B.B. King Blues Festival.

AMY WINEHOUSE TOUR DATES

Amy Winehouse will perform the following concerts: April 26 at Popscene in San Francisco CA, April 27 at Coachella in Indio CA, April 30 at Fox Theatre in Boulder CO, May 2 at Varsity Theater in Minneapolis MN, May 3 at Schubas in Chicago IL, May 6 at Theatre of Living Arts in Philadelphia PA, May 7 at Paradise Rock Club in Boston MA, May 8-9 at Highline Ballrom in New York NY, May 12-13 at Mod Club in Toronto ON, May 27 at Pinkpop Festival in Landgraaf Netherlands, May 28-29 at Shepherd's Bush Empire in London UK, June 9 at Isle of Wight Festival in Isle of Wight UK, July 4 at Liverpool Summer Pops in Liverpool UK, July 7 at Oxegen Festival in Naas Ireland, July 8 at T in the Park in Kinross UK, and September 8 at V Festival in Toronto ON.

B.B. KING HITS THE ROAD

B.B. King, Al Green and Etta James will embark on a 14-city trek beginning July 24 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Miami, and wrapping Sept. 9 at the Kautz Ironstone Vineyards Theatre in Murphys, Calif. Since January, 81-year-old King has been performing gigs on his 60th Anniversary Tour, and will continue touring through the year¹s end, which includes a string of Canadian shows in May. Supporting King on select dates are Joan Osborne, Robert Randolph and James Hunter.

B.B. King will perform the following concerts: March 21 at DeVos Hall in Grand Rapids MI, March 22 at Virginia Theatre in Champaign IL, March 24 at Whitney Hall in Louisville KY, March 26 at Norton Center in Danville KY, March 27 at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in Asheville NC, March 30 at Juanita K. Hammons Hall in Springfield MO, March 31 at Ameristar Hotel & Casino in Kansas City MO, April 1 at Holland Performing Arts Center in Omaha NE, April 3 at ArtsBlock: Grand Theatre in Wausau WI, April 5-6 at House of Blues in Chicago IL, April 7 at Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville IN, April 8 at Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee WI, April 26 at Save on Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria BC, April 27 at Orpheum in Vancouver BC, April 28 at Prospera Place in Kelowna BC, May 1 at CN Centre in Prince George BC, May 3 at Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton AB, May 4 at Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary AB, May 6 at Burton Cummings Theatre for the Performing Arts in Winnipeg MB, May 7 at Thunder Bay Community Auditorium in Thunder Bay ON, May 9 at Vegas Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste. Marie MI, May 11 at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto ON, May 12 at Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls NY, May 13 at National Arts Centre in Ottawa ON, May 14 at Centre in the Square in Kitchener ON, May 16 at Grand Theatre in Quebec City QC, May 18 at St. Denis Theatre in Montreal QC, May 19 at Harbour Station in Saint John NB, May 20 at Augusta Civic Center in Augusta ME, June 12 at Saenger Theatre in Mobile AL, June 14-15 at L'auberge du Lac Hotel & Casino in Lake Charles LA, June 16 at Paragon Casino in Marksville LA, June 18 at Cowan Fine & Performing Arts Center in Tyler TX, June 19 at Lutcher Theatre in Orange TX, June 21-22 at Grand Opera House in Galveston TX, June 26 at Memorial Auditorium in Raleigh NC, July 1 at Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake IA, July 24 at Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood FL, July 26 at Chastain Park Amphitheatre in Atlanta GA, July 29 at DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston MI, August 3 at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel NJ, August 4 at Trump Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City NJ, August 7 at Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York NY, August 11 at Cavalier Telephone Pavilion Pier Six in Baltimore MD, August 12 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport RI, August 26 at Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie TX, August 28-29 at Ravinia in Highland Park IL, August 30 at Minnesota State Fair in Saint Paul MN, September 1 at Red Rocks in Morrison CO, September 5 at Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles CA, September 7 at Soboba Casino in San Jacinto CA, September 8 at Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord CA, and September 9 at Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys CA. All dates July 24 through September 9 are with the B.B. King Blues Festival.

NEW COMPILATIONS FROM EARL KLUGH & JACO PASTORIUS

Out this week are are new compilations on the Mosaic label, featuring the best of guitarist Earl Klugh and the late bassist Jaco Pastorius. The Ultimate Earl Klugh features highlights of his 28-year career, from his 1976 hit Angelina through his popular collaborations with Bob James and George Benson. The album also showcases the work of guests Dave Grusin, Eric Gale, Steve Gadd, Patti Austin, and Lee Ritenour. Guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. says that Klugh, who started his career as a solo artist in 1976 with the album Love Songs, is a widely respected artist among smooth jazz players: "If you ask Peter White and Marc Antoine and all the acoustic guitar players, who is the best acoustic guitar player, who's the best gut-string guitar player, everybody will tell you Earl Klugh. At least they should. If they're smart. And they really know music."

The Ultimate Jaco Pastorius collects highlights from the late bassist's recording career including trumpeter Freddie Hubbard's 1978 recording Super Blue, and flutist Hubert Laws' 1970 breakthrough set, Afro Classic. Pastorius was famous for his mastery of the fretless bass, and frequent collaborator Pat Metheny says that he thought of Pastorius whenever he played the fretless guitar: "Sitting on my shoulder at all times is the memory of my friend Jaco Pastorius, who was one of the most relentlessly critical musicians I can ever imagine existing when it came to demanding perfect intonation from fretless instruments.”

JIM BRICKMAN SCORES HIS 24TH CHARTING SINGLE

Jim Brickman garnered a record 24th AC chart entry this week with the success of Never Alone, the new single from his SLG Records debut, ESCAPE, which features guest vocalist Hillary Scott and her group Lady Antebellum. Brickman officially holds the record for most AC chart appearances (over Elton John and Rod Stewart) since the AC list converted to Nielsen BDS data in July 1993. ESCAPE entered both the Billboard Top 200 Chart and New Age Chart when it was released in October 2006 and is on course to be one of his best selling recordings. Never Alone, the second single from ESCAPE, follows up the album's first AC single Hideaway - When it Snows which peaked at #2 on the chart in December. A new video for Never Alone is currently streaming at www.slgmusicus.com.

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.

Jim Brickman's remarkable career includes six Gold and Platinum-selling albums, three #1 and thirteen Top 10 Adult Contemporary radio hits, consistent debuts at #1 on Billboard'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.

STEELY DAN TO TOUR

Steely Dan will return to the road for a spring/summer run that begins May 5 in Memphis. The group, which also toured last summer, has dates on tap through June 10 at New York's Beacon Theatre, the last of a three-night stand at the venue. Other highlights of the itinerary include a May 6 appearance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. According to a spokesperson, the tour set list may include songs from group member Donald Fagen's 2006 solo album Morph the Cat and colleague Walter Becker's in-progress solo effort. In conjunction with the tour, Rhino will on May 22 release The Donald Fagen Trilogy Collection, compiling his three prior solo albums. A Steely Dan Millennium Collection will arrive Oct. 2 via Universal.

Steel Dan will perform the following concerts: May 5 at Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis TN, May 6 at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans LA, May 8 at Seminole Hard Rock Live in Hollywood FL, May 9 at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Ft. Myers FL, May 11 at Chastain Park Amphitheatre in Atlanta GA, May 12 at Hard Rock Live Orlando in Orlando FL, May 14-15 at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater FL, May 17 at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville CT, May 18 at Chevrolet Theatre in Wallingford CT, May 21-22 at Beacon Theatre in New York NY, May 24-25 at Tower Theatre in Upper Darby PA, May 26 at Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City NJ, May 29-30 at Bank of America Pavilion in Boston MA, June 1 at Turning Stone Casino in Verona NY, June 2 at Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls NY, June 4 at Freedom Hill in Sterling Heights MI, June 5 at Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre in Toledo OH, June 7 at Wolf Trap in Vienna VA, June 8 at Ntelos Pavilion in Portsmouth NH, June 10-11 at Beacon Theatre in New York NY, July 5 at National Indoor Arena in Birmingham UK, July 6 at Liverpool Summer Pops Festival in Liverpool UK, July 7 at Carling Apollo Hammersmith in London UK, July 10 at Grand Rex in Paris France, July 15 at Zitadelle in Berlin Germany, July 19 at Molde Jazz Festival in Molde Norway, July 24 at Stadtpark in Hamburg Germany, and July 25 at Museumplatz in Bonn Germany.

CHILL GROOVES & SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS

New CD’s out recently include: Patti Austin – Avant Gerswhin (Rendezvous); Ry Cooder – My Name Is Buddy (Nonesuch); Jeff Golub with guests Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Kirk Whalum, Philippe Saisse & Paul Brown – Grand Central (Blue Note); Wynton Marsalis – Everything Starts Where It Ends (Blue Note); Joey DeFrancesco – Joey DeFrancesco Live: The Authorized Bootleg (Concord); & Brad Mehldau – Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz Rebroadcast: Brad Mehldau (Jazz Alliance).

Columbia will release Duets: The Making of an American Classic by Tony Bennett on DVD with a street date of May 1.

Keiko Matsui’s new album, Moyo, will be released on April 24. Guests appearing on the CD include Paul Taylor and Hugh Masakela.

Nonesuch Records will release a various artists tribute to Joni Mitchell called A Tribute to Joni Mitchell. it is planned for April 24. Guests artists include Björk, Elvis Costello, Prince, Annie Lennox, and Sufjan Stevens, among others.

Veteran performer Natalie Cole provided the special entertainment at the 23rd Annual Communications Awards Dinner presented by the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) on March 23rd, at Marriott's Wardman Park Hotel, in Washington, D.C. The annual event honors those who have contributed to the black-owned broadcasting and communications industries.

Drummer Roy Haynes, jazz singer Mark Murphy, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis' "Congo Square" and singers Cesaria Evora and Seu Jorge will headline the 28th annual Montreal International Jazz Festival, running June 28 to July 8. Other major attractions will include Tortoise, the Dave Holland Quintet, Joshua Redman, Keith Jarrett, Branford Marsalis and the Spaghetti Western Orchestra in a tribute to film composer Ennio Morricone.

Robin Thicke, The Wailers, and the Jazz Attack starring Rick Braun, Jonathan Butler, Peter White & Richard Elliot have been added to the SunFest 2007 line-up to be held May 3-6 in West Palm Beach, Florida. SunFest 2007 will be held from May 3-6 along the Flagler Drive waterfront in West Palm Beach.

Chaka Khan is headlining America’s 400th Anniversay Concert saluting the founding of America’s beginnings in Jamestown, VA. The concert is set for May 12.

The Teddy Pendergrass Alliance (TPA), a non-profit organization started by legendary singer Teddy Pendergrass, will host a June 10 benefit at Philadelphia's Kimmel Center to benefit spinal cord injury survivors. "Teddy 25" will be hosted by comedienne Mo'Nique, and will boast performances by Patti La Belle, Ruben Studdard and Stephanie Mills, among others. Pendergrass, who was paralyzed from the waist down after a near-fatal 1982 car crash, will premiere a new song written specifically for the occasion. Pendergrass, who after 19 years away from the stage returned in May 2001 for a sold-out concert tour, was inducted in 2005 into the SCI (Spinal Cord Injury) Hall of Fame for his work with injured individuals.

Reprise Records will release the new Michael Bublé in both the standard CD issue and a Special Edition. The album will be called Call Me Irresponsible and is scheduled to be released on May 1.

Concord Records will release the new Jane Monheit disc called Surrender on May 1.

Saxophonist Kim Waters is preparing to release his 16th solo album, titled You Are My Lady after his soulful cover of the '80s Freddie Jackson hit. The follow-up to his 2004 set All For Love also includes covers of Natalie Cole's Inseparable, Marvin Gaye's Got To Give It Up, contemporary R&B star Ne-Yo's hit So Sick, and a version of Roberta Flack's The Closer I Get To You featuring Grammy winning singer Lisa Fischer. Waters also composed a number of original tracks for the CD, which he produced with Chris "Big Dog" Davis and Davy D. You Are My Lady will be release March 27th on Shanachie.

JAZZ ASPEN SNOWMASS ANNOUNCES 2007 SUMMER LINE-UP

Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) has just announced the most diverse summer season line-up in its 17-year history, including such artists as Herbie Hancock, Steve Winwood, Angelique Kidjo, The Black Crowes, The Allman Brothers Band, Joss Stone and many more. The premiere music festival opens with the June Festival, presented by Calamos Investments, which runs from June 21st through the 24th. The season runs as follows:

JAS June Festival - Rio Grand Town Park in downtown Aspen
June 21 - Herbie Hancock w/special guests Terence Blanchard, Larry Coryell and others, with Madeleine Peyroux opening
June 22 - Earth Wind and Fire w/JAS Academy Band opening
June 23 - Steve Winwood w/Angelique Kidjo opening
June 24 - The Black Crowes w/Marcus Miller opening
June 26 - An Evening with Wynton Marsalis & Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (at the Benedict Music Tent).

JAS in July
July 19 - Christian McBride and Edger Meyer (at Harris Hall)
July 21 - JASummerNight Mambo (JAS' National Council education and performance benefit) (at ABO at Aspen Airport) featuring Arturo Sandoval and his Big Band. The event also features Carla Cook and Yerba Buena.

JAS Labor Day Weekend - At Snowmass Town Park
August 31st - Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals w/openers Nickel Creek
September 1st - Joss Stone w/headliner TBA
September 2nd - the Allman Brothers Band w/openers TBA
September 3rd - Government Mule, the Derek Trucks Band with Susan Tedeschi w/openers TBA

For series tickets, call 866-JAS-TIXX or go on-line at jazzaspen.org. Tickets for the Wynton Marsalis performance and the Christian McBride/Edgar Meyer performance are available at the Aspen Music Festival Box Office, 970-925-9042 or aspenmusicfestival.com. Tickets for the JASummerNight Mambo w/Arturo Sandoval are available at 970-920-4996.

SIMPLY RED’S ‘STAY’

Stay, is scheduled for an April 24th release in both physical and digital formats. The first single from the album, So Not Over You, debuted as the #1 most added it the AC radio format. Simply Red's forthcoming smooth jazz album, The album, according to frontman Mick Hucknall, promises to deliver on his "fundamental need to make music." He told ITV.com, "If my pleasure in the music comes across in the grooves -- I just hope that it relates to people. These are love songs, they are romantic and they reflect who I am right now, and what I want to express to people. I like the idea of people sharing the romance of the songs." The album leads off with an atypical track, The World And You Tonight. Hucknall notes, "Producer Andy Wright came to me with (it) -- and I listened to it and thought, 'Ooh, this is going to be lovely.' It's an unusual style for one of my songs, some friends of mine mentioned that it sounded like Roy Orbison or something from the '60s. With a track like that, it's hard to put anything before it, so we put it at the head of the album.” Stay was recorded almost simultaneously with Hucknall's previous effort, Simplified. Of how he maintained a balance between the two, he says, "I just had to sort of sift through how we were going to do it." Simply Red is currently on tour with the following confirmed dates: April 29 – Olympia Theatre (Montreal, Canada); April 30 – Hummingbird (Toronto, Canada); May 24 –31 – Royal Albert Hall (UK). The group is also planning a brief U.S. visit in mid-to-late April. It looks like there will be a couple of live TV appearances and possibly a couple of showcases too (New York/California. Specific dates have yet to be announced. For more information about Simply Red, visit the website at:  www.simplyred.com

CESARIO EVORA, SEU JORGE & MANY CHAO HEADLINE MONTREAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

The Montreal Jazz Festival has just announced guest performers for its 28th edition of the popular summer fest. Wynton Marsalis and his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Ghanaian drum master Yacub Addy, the Roy Haynes Quartet and world music stars Manu Chao, Cesaria Evora and Seu Jorge will headline the fest, which runs from June 28th to July 8th. Other artists to perform at the festival, which is North America's largest such event, are rock guitarist Derek Trucks, vocalist Mark Murphy, drummer Billy Cobham, French violinist Didier Lockwood, and the North American premiere of the Spaghetti Western Orchestra, with its tribute to the film scores of Italian composer Ennio Morricone. These are in addition to previously announced performers, including the Dave Holland Quintet, Holly Cole, the Wayne Shorter Quartet, Joshua Redman, Keith Jarrett and Branford Marsalis.

GUITARS AND SAXES 2007 TOUR

Smooth jazz Saxophonists Kirk Whalum and Gerald Albright, and guitarists Tim Bowman and Jeff Golub will all take place in the 2007 Guitars and Saxes tour. Some dates have been announced so far, and more are coming. This year is the 12th Guitars and Saxes tour. Albright and Golub are the two returning veterans on this year's tour. Last year's tour also included saxophonist Richard Elliot and guitarist Peter White, as well as trumpeter Rick Braun.

2007 Guitars and Saxes tour dates (more dates will be added soon)
March 24 - New York, NY - Nokia Theater
March 25 - Reading, PA - Scottish Rite Cathedral
April 13 - Jacksonville, FL - Ritz Theater
April 14 - Destin, FL - Seascape Golf & Beach Resort
April 28 - Rancho Mirage, CA - Ranch Las Palmas Resort
April 29 - Temecula, CA - Thornton Winery
May 18 - Sacramento, CA - Guzzetta Grand Ballroom at the Radisson Hotel
May 19 - Paso Robles, CA - Martin & Weyrich Winery
May 20 - Newport Beach, CA - Hyatt Newporter
Aug 10 - Long Beach, CA - Rainbow Lagoon Park
Aug 30 - Austin, TX - One World Theatre
Aug 31 - San Antonio, TX - San Antonio Convention Center (afternoon show)
Aug 31 - Houston, TX - Verizon Theater (evening show)

2007 JAZZTRAX FESTIVAL LINE-UP ANNOUNCED

The 20th anniversary Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival line-up has just been announced, and it features some of the greatest stars of smooth jazz, including Mindi Abair, Ray Parker Jr., Lee Ritenour, Nick Colionne, Marion Meadows, Michael Lington and many more performing at the October event, on Catalina Island off the southern California coast. The event will take place on Catalina Island, California over the course of three weekends in October at Catalina Island's Wrigley Ranch in the seaport village of Avalon, the event can be reached by a one-hour boat ride or a 13 minute helicopter ride. For tickets, go to www.tix.com or call 866-trax-tix (866-872-9849). The line-up for the 2007 JazzTrax Festival is as follows (more performers to be announced):

October 5th, 6th and 7th
Ray Parker Jr.
Mindi Abair
Marion Meadows
Paul Brown
Nick Colionne
Nils
Oli Silk
Candy Dulfer
Jesse Jay
Four 80 East

October 12th, 13th and 14th
Mindi Abair
Lee Ritenour
Kyle Eastwood
Marion Meadows
Jesse Jay
Jackiem Joyner
Ray Parker Jr.
Michael Lington

October 19th, 20th and 21st
Peter White
Norman Brown's Summer Storm w/special guests Peabo Bryson & Marion Meadows
Pieces of a Dream
Wayman Tisdale
Gregg Karukas
Jackiem Joyner

HAMPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL TURNS 40

The Hampton Jazz Festival is still going strong at 40 with a line-up that includes performers from the first concert in 1968. The June 22-24 festival features Patti Labelle, George Benson, David Sanborn, Tower of Power, Jill Scott , Norman Brown’s Summer Storm -a smooth jazz group featuring Peabo Bryson, Jeff Lorber, and Marion Meadows. Also appearing will be a 17-piece big band honoring Dizzy Gillespie, who played at the 1st festival in 1968. Members include Roy Hargrove, James Moody, Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, and Roberta Gamberini. Also appearing are festival favorites Frankie Beverly and Maze, Stephanie Mills, and Ramsey Lewis, who appeared in 1968. Promoters say more artists are coming and you can keep up with the list on the festival Website. Tickets for the June 22, 23, 24 festival at the Hampton Coliseum go on sale March 31 at 10:00 a.m. They run $52.50 per seat per performance plus fees.

FATTBURGER SET TO RELEASE ‘GREATEST HITS’

Fourteen years after the release of their Best Of Fattburger album, smooth jazz band Fattburger is preparing to release a Greatest Hits album tomorrow (March 27th). The album's dozen tracks include such hits as Groovin' (On a Sunday Afternoon), Evil Ways, and set opener Oye Como Va. The group gets attention not only for its consistently high-energy grooves and smooth melodies, but for its unusual name. Bassist Mark Hunter says that the group was a nameless house band when the group's keyboardist dreamed up a musical tribute to his favorite Los Angeles institution: the Fatburger hamburger chain, known not only for its burgers, but for its late-night hours. Previous albums by Fattburger include 1993's On A Roll, 1995's Livin Large, 1996's All Natural Ingredients, 1998's Sugar, 2000's Fattburger.com, 2001's T.G.I.Fattburger, 2003's Sizzlin and 2004's Work To Do.

16th ANNUAL ST. LUCIA JAZZ FESTIVAL

The 16th annual St Lucia Jazz Festival, to be produced by the St Lucia Tourist Board, is set for May 4 to 13, 2007, says newly appointed Minister of Tourism, Senator Allen Chastanet. “St Lucia Jazz is shaping up just great,” said Minister Chastanet, whose team is finalizing arrangements for both the main stage at Pigeon Island and throughout local villages for the month of May. “The private sector has added more to the festival this year and we are very excited about the potential of this public-private collaboration,” said Chastanet, who added that the enthusiasm for the line-up of straight ahead and smooth jazz has exceeded expectations. Brazilian sensation Tania Maria will open the main stage performances on May 10 with Grammy award-winning John Legend to headline the May 11 performance. May 12 features a full roster of musical highlights, including performances by George Benson, Al Jarreau, Will Downing, Gerald Albright, Norman Brown, Boo Hinkson and Friends, and others. Performances by jazz superstars Natalie Cole and Isaac Hayes will close the festival on May 13.

BOBBY CALDWELL REPLACES WILL DOWNING AT MIAMI”S JAZZ IN THE GARDEN CONCERT

The City of Miami Gardens has added Bobby Caldwell to its "Jazz in the Gardens" line-up, replacing Will Downing, who was scheduled to perform. Earlier this week, the City was informed by Downing's management that he is ill due to an injury suffered earlier this year. Doctors have instructed Downing to postpone all tour engagements for an indefinite period of time. "Jazz in the Gardens" maintains their stellar lineup, adding songwriter, song stylist, jazz/soul singer Bobby Caldwell.

"Our prayers are with Will for a quick and complete recovery. I am a huge fan and am tremendously disappointed and very sad. However, it's a situation that is beyond our control and we know if he could, he would be here. We hope that he recovers soon and gets back to touring so that we may invite him back next year to the 3rd Annual "Jazz in the Gardens" event" says Miami Gardens Mayor Shirley Gibson.

The City of Miami Gardens announced its star studded musical line up in early January 2007, in anticipation of its popular "Jazz in the Gardens" festival. Back for its second consecutive year, the event has expanded to 2 days, Saturday March 24th and Sunday 25th, 2007 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens. No other artists have changed and the final and confirmed headliners include India.Arie, Sergio Mendes, Boney James, Paquito D' Rivera, Bobby Caldwell, Pieces of a Dream, Luciano with special guest Dean Fraser and the Jah Messenjah Band.

Anticipation is high for this year's line up which features 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 album, and whose Mas Que Nada collaboration with pop stars The Black Eyed Peas helped earn him a Latin Grammy for Best Brazilian Pop Album in 2006. Joining them is two time Grammy nominated artist, Boney James, whose latest release, Shine has soared, claiming the spot for # 1 jazz album in the U.S. for seven consecutive weeks. Just added to the show is one of today's most revered vocalists and songwriters, soul man Bobby Caldwell, substituting Will Downing, who is recuperating and will be unable to perform. South Florida favorites, Pieces of a Dream will also 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. The incredible collection of talent continues with Trinidad's international star of the steel pans Othello Molineaux, "American Idol's" Paris Bennett, Haitian jazzman Bemol Telfort, South Florida's own jazz diva Ms. Ruby Baker, award winning vocalist and UM alumni Julie Silvera.

"Jazz in the Gardens" is the premiere event for The City of Miami Gardens, with the help of Dolphin Stadium, who not only provided its champion mega site for the festival, but has generously partnered with the City, sharing resources to ensure a successful event. Sponsors include Dolphin Stadium, Comcast, Solabella, National Constructors, Miami Dade-County District One, FPL, Shula's Hotel & Golf Club, delancyhill P.A., NBC-6, HOT 105, LOVE 94, Classica, Jazziz, In Focus Magazine, Miami New Times and WAVS.

SLACKER INTRODUCES PERSONALIZED RADIO EVERYWHERE

Free Beta Service Unveiled at http://www.slacker.com

Slacker, Inc. has announced the creation of "Personal Radio," which enables U.S. consumers to customize their own radio stations and listen to them wherever they happen to be. The Slacker Personal Radio experience is available today in beta for PC streaming at http://www.slacker.com and later this year on Slacker Portable Radio Players via Wi-Fi and Slacker Satellite Car Kits. Slacker has acquired rights from content owners, including SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT, Universal Music Group and hundreds of independent labels, that allow truly portable personalized radio for the first time. The service offers Wi-Fi and satellite music distribution, as well as DJ intelligence embedded in portable players. Slacker customers can now play highly personalized, continuously refreshed radio stations everywhere they go.

"Personalized radio is a great way to listen to the music you love without having to work at it," said Dennis Mudd, CEO of Slacker. "The only problem is that until now, personalized radio has been stuck on the PC. Slacker solves that problem. Now you can just kick back and listen." "We are happy to be working with Slacker as they roll out innovative new services that meet consumer demand for both interactivity and portability, and help extend the reach of our artists," commented Thomas Hesse, President, Global Digital Business & U.S. Sales, SONY BMG MUSIC
ENTERTAINMENT.

Slacker Personal Radio has millions of songs with the breadth and depth increasing continuously. The extensive Slacker music library is organized into numerous professionally programmed genre and sub-genre stations and over 10,000 stations that are built around specific artists. Personalization options include adjusting your stations to play more popular vs. more eclectic music, newer vs. older music, or even to play more tracks you tagged as your favorites. Other features include:

* Log in from any PC or Mac to hear personalized stations in CD quality
* Playback through web player, jukebox software and portable devices
* Create stations by combining favorite artists
* Select favorite tracks/artists to play more often and ban other
tracks/artists
* Click through album cover art, band profiles, reviews and artist photos
* Easily share stations with friends

For the first time, Slacker Personal Radio Players will enable music lovers to play personalized radio everywhere they go. The new devices include integrated Wi-Fi and an on-board Slacker DJ. The Slacker DJ combined with the new Slacker caching system guarantees personalized CD quality radio stations to be played everywhere, even when not in Wi-Fi range. Slacker customers get deep, personalized radio stations with optimized radio programming sequences, continuously refreshed and updated to include personalized new music.

Additional Slacker device features include:

* 4" full screen display featuring album art /reviews, artist photos/bios
and visualizations
* Support for MP3, WMA and video as well as "saved" radio tracks
* Automatically save and refresh personalized stations via Wi-Fi,
Satellite or USB

Slacker is currently in discussions with selected partners to provide Slacker Personal Radio through a broader range of devices in the future. In the second half of 2007, Slacker device owners in the U.S. will have the option to purchase Slacker Satellite Car Kits that update the Personal Radio Player with new content through a breakthrough satellite broadcast system. Slacker car-top antennas receive high-speed music feeds from satellites throughout the continental United States, while the integrated Slacker DJ ensures favorite stations stay current. Slacker Basic Radio is advertising funded and will remain free to use on Slacker software and portable Slacker Personal Radio Players, whileSlacker Premium Radio will launch later in Q2 2007 at $7.50 per month.

Slacker premium service offers:
* No advertising
* Unlimited skipping
* Ability to save radio tracks to library

The free beta Slacker Personal Radio service is available now at http://www.slacker.com. Slacker Premium Radio will be available in Q2 2007 and Slacker portable devices in early summer. The Slacker Satellite Car Kit will be offered in the second half of 2007. Slacker is the world's first Personal Radio company, providing a new kind of radio that enables consumers to play highly personalized music everywhere. Visit http://www.slacker.com for more information.

STEVIE WONDER TO BE HONORED BY ASCAP

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will honor Stevie Wonder with the inaugural ASCAP American Troubadour Award during its annual "Songwriter Night" to be held on Capitol Hill this evening. The prestigious award is being presented to Mr. Wonder in recognition of his music, activism and leadership, which have been a force for positive change. ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman will host the invitation-only reception and dinner in The Cannon Caucus Room, Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C. The event will be attended by Members of Congress and Administration officials and will be highlighted by a musical tribute to Mr. Wonder featuring friends and admirers from the songwriting and performing world, including: India.Arie, Ashford & Simpson, Tony Bennett, Jon Faddis, Wyclef Jean, Wynonna Judd, Chaka Khan, Brian McKnight, Joan Osborne, Dianne Reeves and Smokey Robinson.

With 26 Grammy Awards to his credit, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and scores of chart-topping albums and singles, Stevie Wonder is inarguably one of the great forces in American music. A musical prodigy, he emerged as Little Stevie Wonder, one of the early Motown stars, in 1963. Since then he has contributed many songs which have become embedded in the nation's musical consciousness, including: I Was Made to Love Her, Uptight, My Cherie Amour, You Are the Sunshine of My Life, Superstition, Living for the City, Sir Duke and the Academy Award-winning I Just Called to Say I Love You, among many more.

Commenting on the award to Stevie Wonder, Marilyn Bergman said, "Stevie is a consummate songwriter and musician whose art and life reflect a generosity of spirit coupled with a desire for social justice and peace. He is a uniquely gifted music creator and human being and we are privileged to honor him and have so many distinguished performers on hand to celebrate him with their own versions of his timeless songs."

ASCAP is, and has always been, the pioneer in fighting for the rights of music creators in Congress and in the courts. The 93-year-old performing rights society leads efforts to protect its members' rights by vigorously opposing legislation that is harmful to creators, and by initiating changes to the Copyright Law that will benefit creators. ASCAP keeps its members informed of legislative matters that affect them and encourages their involvement in these efforts. One way ASCAP does this is with their grassroots efforts, which brings ASCAP members face to face with their representatives in Congress so that they can articulate the importance of copyright protection to their livelihood and lives.

"ASCAP's 'Songwriter Night' is held each year on Capitol Hill as a reminder to lawmakers about the importance and value of the rights of songwriters and composers. There is no better way to do that than by creating an emotional connection with the power of music," said Marilyn Bergman. Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 275,000 composer, lyricist and music publisher members. ASCAP has representation arrangements with over 90 music rights organizations such that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world. 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. www.ascap.com

JOSS STONE’S ‘INTRODUCING JOSS STONE’ TO BE FEATURED ON VH1’S VSPOT

VH1 takes Joss Stone's third album release, Introducing Joss Stone, apart -- cover to cover -- with the launch of its new made-for-broadband music series "Album Autopsy." Launching on VSPOT today, "Album Autopsy: Introducing Joss Stone," takes an in-depth look at the entire album process -- from creating her album cover art, to Joss' song writing process, no stone is left unturned in this revealing new series. VSPOT guides the viewer through every step of the process, providing a snapshot of each track with exclusive clips and new interviews of those that were involved first-hand in the album's production.

"Album Autopsy: Introducing Joss Stone" provides viewers with a fly-on-the-wall look at key moments in the recording process, which are brought to life with intriguing never-before-seen footage including Joss at her recording studio in the Bahamas, recording with Common, live performances of the new album and an inside look at how Joss unwinds while recording. Also included are new interviews with Joss and those who played integral roles in the album, including Raphael Saadiq, Common, and others.

While albums are a joy to listen to, the album-making process is anything but easy. It takes a team of skilled professionals, long hours to make the tough decisions it takes to get the right vision across at that moment in time. “Album Autopsy" traces an artist's journey from the earliest steps of the album making process to the final product, through the eyes of the artist and those who participated at each step of the way.

Joss Stone has sold more than 7.5 million albums worldwide; been nominated for four Grammy Awards; appeared onstage with James Brown, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Patti Labelle, Mavis Staples, Donna Summer, and Smokey Robinson -- all before reaching the ripe old age of 19. With the upcoming third album release, Introducing Joss Stone (Virgin) on March 20, Joss has shown that she is a force to be reckoned with. Only now, on her third album, Introducing Joss Stone, does the British soul singer and songwriter feel she is expressing her true musical vision. "This is the first album I've made that is truly me," she says. "That's why I'm calling it Introducing Joss Stone. These are my words, and this is who I am as an artist."

MAD PROFESSOR TOUR DATES

Mad Professor will perform the following concerts: April 19 at Sweetwater Brewery in Atlanta, GA; April 21 at Martyrs in Chicago, IL; April 22 at Zoo Park in Chicago, IL; April 23 at House of Blues in New Orleans, LA; April 25 at Charleston Playhouse in Charleston, SC; April 26 at Georgia Theatre in Athens, GA; April 28 at Oberlin Music Festival in Oberlin, OH; April 29 at Orange Peel in Asheville; NC, May 1 at SOBs in New York, NY; May 2 at Middle East in Cambridge, MA; May 3 at Castaways in Ithaca, NY; and May 5 at Lee's Palace in Toronto, ON.

BENSON & JARREAU, ISAAC HAYES, RAUL MIDON HEADLINE CAPITAL JAZZ FEST

Anita Baker, George Benson & Al Jarreau, David Sanborn, Dave Koz, the original Blackbyrds, Isaac Hayes and many more will be performing at this year's Capital Jazz Fest, set for May 30th through June 3rd at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. The event kicks off Thursday, May 30th with a show by Benson & Jarreau and saxophonist Gerald Albright. Also performing during the weekend are contemporary jazz and pop acts, including: The Jazz Attack! featuring Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Peter White, & Jonathan Butler; The Jazzmasters featuring Gregg Karukas, Shilts, & Chris Standring; Bob James, Eric Darius; Ray Parker Jr., Brenda Russell; Ramsey Lewis; Najee; Nick Colionne; Victor Fields, Take 6; and many others. Other R&B acts set for the festival are Raul Midon, Kindred the Family Soul, and Vivian Green, War, Amel Larrieux, Musiq Soulchild, the Brand New Heavies featuring N'Dea Davenport.The complete lineup and information about ticketing is available at the website, www.capitaljazz.com.

CANDY DULFER HEADED FOR U.S CONCERT DATES

Dutch saxophonist Candy Dulfer will kick off a brief U.S. tour later this month. The popular artist will be performing with Thomas Bank on keyboards, Ulco Bed on guitar, Dedre Twiss on vocals, and two former Prince band members: Chance Howard on bass and Kirk Johnson on drums. Dulfer's last studio album was 2003's Right In My Soul. She released the concert CD/DVD Live At Montreux, 2002 in 2005. The saxophonist has a brief tour schedule for the spring, and will return to the U.S. in October for a second leg that will include the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival and the Rehoboth Jazz Festival. Upcoming dates include:
March 27 - New York, NY - B.B. King Blues Club
March 28 - Annapolis, MD - Ram's Head
March 29 - Alexandria, VA - Birchmere Music Hall
March 30 - Las Vegas, NV - Santa Fe Station Casino
March 31 - Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theatre
April 1 - Indian Wells, CA - Jazztrax Festival

KEIKO MATSUI PRODUCES NEW 'MOYO' HERSELF FOR NEW LABEL

Best-selling keyboardist Keiko Matsui steps out in a new direction with the upcoming album Moyo. The set is her first recording for the Shout!Factory label, her first that she produced entirely on her own, and the first to have been composed and partially recorded in South Africa. In fact, the title Moyo is Swahili for "heart and soul". Featured on the new set are trumpeter Hugh Masekela, saxophonists Paul Taylor and Gerald Albright, vocalist Waldemar Bastos, and bassist Richard Bona. The first single from the set is Black River featuring Taylor. Matsui says that she decided to go to South Africa to create the music for the album, and was enchanted by the experience. "I met legendary trombone player Jonas Gwangwa and he introduced me to the manager of a piano factory so I could use their pianos to compose," she writes in the notes for the album. "I commuted there every day ... I concentrated on composing new material, surrounded by many pianos. I will not forget their pianos and the smell of the ground there. It was a different but incredible experience." Many of the songs on Moyo were inspired by her time in South Africa. The new album will arrive on April 24th.

ISLEY BROTHERS HEADED OUT ON TOUR

Hot on the heels of their Soul Train Music Awards performances, the Isley Brothers featuring Ronald Isley aka 'Mr. Biggs' are about to give back the love to their fans, as they announce their headlining winter-spring 2007 U.S. performance dates. The tour will opens March 14th at Prince's 3121 Club (the Hotel Rio) in Las Vegas, and will wrap up at the Tower Theatre in Philadelphia on April 28th. (See complete itinerary below.)

BABY MAKIN' MUSIC (released May 2006) took its title from the impending birth of Ronald O'Kelly Isley, Jr. in December 2006, to Mr. and Mrs. Ron & Kandy Isley - who shared background vocals on the album's opening cut You're My Star. (Written and produced by Tim Kelley and Bob Robinson, the track features brother Ernie Isley on acoustic guitar, and contains samples from Gladys Knight & The Pips' Makings Of You, a Curtis Mayfield tune). The new album also contains Ron and Kandy's wedding song, You Help Me Write This Song, written (with Ron) and produced by Troy Taylor and Ezekiel "Zeke" Lewis.

BABY MAKIN' MUSIC marked the long-awaited return to center-stage for Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductees the Isley Brothers featuring Ron Isley aka 'Mr. Biggs.' The album followed up the May 2003 release of the Isley Brothers' Body Kiss (Dreamworks), an RIAA gold No 1 Pop/ No 1 R&B collaboration with younger brother Ernie. Produced (and mostly written) by R. Kelly, the album featured Ron's alter ego 'Mr. Biggs' on the pop/R&B crossover hit, What Would You Do? Mr. Biggs was first introduced on the Isley Brothers' album Eternal (Dreamworks, 2001) featuring the pop/R&B crossover hit, Contagious, also written and produced by R. Kelly.

Isley Meets Bacharach (Dreamworks, November 2003) featured Ron in a full program of the songwriter's hits, produced, arranged and conducted by Burt Bacharach. At the 2003 American Music Awards, the Isley Brothers won for Favorite Band, Duo or Group. The following year, the Isley Brothers, who were formed in Cincinnati in 1955, received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual BET Awards gala. To date (since Shout in 1959), the Isley Brothers have seven No 1 R&B hits to their credit, and five top 10 pop hits.

1996 brought the Isleys to Island Records for the first time, on Mission To Please. Contributing as producers and (co-)writers were Babyface, R. Kelly and Keith Sweat, three of the many artists whose lives and music were inspired by the Isley Brothers. The group now comprises Ronald and Ernie, an accomplished songwriter, guitarist and vocalist in his own right. From Mission To Please to Eternal to Body Kiss to Isley Meets Bacharach - the saga continues, as BABY MAKIN' MUSIC celebrated the return of the Isley Brothers to the Island Def Jam Music Group.

ISLEY BROTHERS US TOUR
Mar. 14 Las Vegas, NV Prince's 3121 Club
15 Phoenix, AZ Celebrity Theatre
16 San Diego, CA 4th & B's- TBA
17 Fresno, CA Warner Theater
18 Long Beach, CA The Vault
20 Denver, CO Paramount Theater- TBA
21 Oklahoma City, OK City Beach- TBA
22 Tulsa, OK The Brady Theatre- TBA
23 Dallas, TX The Nokia
24 Houston, TX The Verizon
25 Shreveport, LA Municipal Auditorium
28 New Orleans, LA House Of Blues
29 Jacksonville, FL Convention Center- TBA 30 Tampa, FL Convention Center- TBA
31 Orlando, FL House Of Blues

Apr. 1 Myrtle Beach House Of Blues
5 Minneapolis, MN Municipal Auditorium- TBA
6 Merryville, IN Star Plaza
7 Milwaukee, WI Riverside Theater - TBA
8 Detroit, MI The Fox Theater
12 Red Bank, NJ Count Basie Theater- TBA
13 New York, NY TBA
14 Hartford, CT Civic Center - TBA
15 Newark, NJ PAC
20 Cleveland, OH House Of Blues
21 Cincinnati, OH The Music Hall
26 Pittsburgh, PA Benedum Center- TBA
27 Atlantic City, NJ The Borgata
28 Philadelphia, PA The Tower Theater

CESARIA EVORA, INCOGNITO, ANGELIQIE KIDJO & OTHERS IN UPCOMING SWISS CONCERTS

March 24, 2007
RON CARTER–RUSSELL MALONE–MULGREW MILLER/HANK JONES- ROY HARGROVE DUO
Saturdday, 20.00, Tonhalle Zurich

March 26, 2007
RON CARTER-RUSSELL MALONE-MULGREW MILLER
Monday, 20.30, Theater Basel, Foyer

March 29, 2007
GOTAN PROJECT
Thursday, 20.00, KKL Luzern, Luzerner Saal

March 30, 2007
GOTAN PROJECT
Friday, 20.00, Grand Casino Geneva

March 31, 2007
MARIANNE FAITHFULL
Saturday, 20.00, Kaufleuten Zurich

March 31, 2007
BARBARA HENDRICKS & MAGNUS LINDGREN QUARTET
Saturday, 20.30, Victoria Hall Geneva

April 2, 2007
BARBARA HENDRICKS & MAGNUS LINDGREN QUARTET
Monday, 20.00, Tonhalle Zurich

April 3, 2007
MOTHER’S FINEST
Tuesday, 20.00, Kaufleuten Zurich

March 13, 2007
ABDULLAH IBRAHIM “AFRICAN SUITE”
Friday, 19.45, Stadhaus Winterthur

March 14, 2007
ABDULLAH IBRAHIM “AFRICAN SUITE”
Satruday, 19.45, Stadhaus Winterthur

April 20, 2007
KLAUS DOLDINGER’S PASSPORT
Friday, 20.00, Kaufleuten Zurich

April 22, 2007
CESARIA EVORA
Sunday, 20.00, Kongresshaus Zurich

April 27, 2007
WAYNE SHORTER QUARTET
Friday, 20.30, Victoria Hall Geneva

April 28, 2007
WAYNE SHORTER QUARTET
Saturday, 19.30, KKL Luzern, Konzertsaal

May 2, 2007
TUCK & PATTI
Wednesday, 20.00, Kaufleuten Zurich

May 3, 2007
LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO
Thursday, 20.00, Kaufleuten Zurich

May 5, 2007
INCOGNITO
Saturday, 20.00, Kaufleuten Zurich

May 7, 2007
DIZZY GILLESPIE ALL STAR BIG BAND
Monday, 20.30, Victoria Hall Geneva

May 8, 2007
JOE JACKSON
Tuesday, 20.00, Kaufleuten Zurich

May 15, 2007
MARCUS MILLER & BAND
Tuesday, 20.00, Kaufleuten Zurich

May 22, 2007
JARABE DE PALO
Tuesday, 20.00, Volkshaus Zurich

June 5, 2007
ANGELIQUE KIDJO
Tuesday, 20.30, Volkshaus Zurich

June 6, 2007
STEPHAN EICHER-CLUB TOUR 2007
Wednesday, 20,00, Volkshaus Zurich

June 26, 2007
KOOL & THE GANG (ACCENTURE NIGHT)
Tuesday, 20.00, Kongresshaus Zurich

JOSS STONE TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

Joss Stone will perform the following concerts: April 3 at Enmore Theatre in Sydney, Australia; April 27 at Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, CT; April 30 at Electric Factory in Philadelphia, PA; May 6 at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA; May 9 at House of Blues in Dallas, TX; May 12 at Viejas Concerts in the Park in Alpine, CA; May 15 at Warfield Theatre in San Francisco,CA; May 18 at Crystal Ballroom in Portland, OR; May 21 at Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, BC; May 24 at Paramount Theatre in Seattle, WA; May 27 at Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, CO; May 30 at House of Blues in Chicago, IL; June 2 at Kool Haus in Toronto, ON; June 5 at Metropolis in Montreal, QC; June 8 at Central Park SummerStage in New York, NY; June 11 at Avalon in Boston, MA; June 13 at Filene Center in Vienna, VA; and July 1 at Concert for Diana in London, UK.

AZAM ALI ‘ELYSIUM’ REMIXES EP 2 NOW AVAILABLE

In a career which spans over a decade and includes eight collaborative albums and solo albums, Azam Ali has confirmed her place as one of the most prolific, versatile, and gifted singers on the world music stage today. Known for her vocal work with Niyaz and Vas, Azam's second solo album, Elysium for the Brave signaled a new turn in her musical evolution bringing together musicians from varied musical backgrounds performing in diverse permutations.

On the Elysium Remixes EP 1 & 2 Azam's haunting music is re-transformed by an incredible cast of producers which includes Bauhaus and Love & Rockets founder, David J (in collaboration with DJ K),Banco de Gaia, Transglobal Underground, Bombay Dub Orchestra, ZAMAN 8, Jef Stott, Bentley & Smitty, Holmes Ives, 310 and Luxurious.

BEBEL GILBERTO TOUR DATES

May 7 – San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo’s 365 Club
May 8 – San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo’s 365 Club
May 10 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
May 11 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
May 14 – Chicago, Il @ Black Orchid Showroom
May 15 – Chicago, IL @ Black Orchid Showroom
May 17 – Toronto, ON @ Mod Club
May 19 – Miami, FL @ Carnival Center
May 22 – New York, NY @ The Gramercy Theatre
May 23 – New York, NY @ The Gramercy Theatre

AMY WINEHOUSE – ‘ BACK TO BLACK’ OUT MARCH 13

Amy Winehouse made her US debut at New York's famed Joe's Pub in January, where she received a standing ovation from a crowd that included Jay-Z, Mos Def, Dr. John, Citizen Cope, Alice Smith and Mark Ronson. With her confessional, humorous lyrics and a sound reminiscent of famed soul girl groups, the 23-year old took over her native England, while drawing lauded comparisons ranging from Billie Holiday to Lauryn Hill. Her jazz-infected debut release, Frank, was nominated for the 2004 Mercury Music Prize and went platinum in the UK. But that is just half the story as Amy Winehouse pours her heart out over a cocktail drenched soundtrack on her breakthrough album, Back To Black.

The soulstress, who took home a 2007 Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist, continues to distill her experiences on this sophomore release, a record heavily influenced by 50s and 60s rock & roll, soul, rhythm and blues and girl-groups from that era. Produced by Salaam Remi and man-of-the-moment Mark Ronson (who is known for his work with Lily Allen, Robbie Williams and Christina Aguilera, among others) the songs are built around classic three-minute pop songs without over-the-top production. Her single Rehab opens with the words "try to make me go to rehab/I say no, no, no," before morphing into a fresh new cut with classic Motown motifs: sweet horns, a driving beat with hand claps, and an infectious melody. Other highlights include the first single You Know I'm No Good, a stunning personal epiphany that she wrote after being messed around and stamped all over (featured on the album with a rap by Ghostface Killah) and the amusing Me & Mr Jones, where she criticizes a boyfriend for making her "miss the Slick Rick gig." With her increasingly creative body art, aggressive eye make-up and great swoop of black hair that cascades across her face and down her back, Amy Winehouse has deftly charted her progress from girlhood to womanhood on Back To Black.

SOULPHONIC SOUNDSYSTEM: VOLUME ONE

The masterminds behind the Portland, OR-based Soulphonic Soundsystem project are the duo of producer DJ Santo (Transistor Lounge founder and host of syndicated radio show "Something Different") and multi-instrumentalist Chauncey Canfield, who was named SPIN magazine's "Best Unsigned Band" of 1998 and co-founded DC-based jazztronic trio, Aubergine 3. The fruit of their first collaboration, Sonido, a track featuring vocals from Geri Soriano-Lightwood of Supreme Beings of Leisure, was on a 12-inch that was embraced by truly global tastemakers such as Richard Dorfmeister and Rainer Truby. On the strength of this single - a favorite at LA's Transistor Lounge parties - the duo toured the West Coast behind Mark Farina, Diplo and Bugz in the Attic.

Now comes their debut album, Soulphonic Soundsystem: Volume One, that incorporates broken beats and jazz breaks with Latin flavor over live instrumentation with horns and a Rhodes piano. Choice cuts include the indigenous sounds of Eastern Market, the sultry lounge vibe of The One and Foggy Bottom, which was recently placed in an episode of CSI:NY. With its warm keys and soothing sax line, the break out single Sonido is also included here - word is that Sonido and The One will be featured in upcoming episodes of HBO's Entourage. Listen with an open mind because Soulphonic Soundsystem's sensual sounds and forward-thinking production on Volume One will lighten up any dark winter day.

UPCOMING MUSIC FESTIVAL LISTINGS

March 9-11- Langerado (Sunrise, CA)
March 9-18 - South x Southwest Music Festival (Austin, TX)
March 10 - Shamrock Festival 2007 (Washington, DC - RFK Stadium)
March 15 - April 1 Savannah Music Festival
March 23-24 - Ultra Music Festival (Montreal, Canada)
April 20-21 - Dewey Beach Pop Festival(Rehoboth,DE)
April 27-29 - Coachella (Indio, CA)
April 27-29 - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (New Orleans, LA)
May 4-6 - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (New Orleans, LA)
June 1-3 - Rock am Ring (Germany)
June 1-2 - Rock im Ring (Nuremberg, Germany)
June 7-10 - Chicago Blues Festival
June 8-10 - The Download Festival (Donnington Park, Leceistershire, UK
June 22-24 - Glastonbury Festival (U.K.)
June 22-24 - Sierra Nevada World Music Festival (Booneville, CA)
July 5-7 - Essence Music Festival (New Orleans, LA)
July 5-8 - Roskilde Festival (Roskilde, Denmark)
July 6-8 - Vancouver Island Music Festival.
July 7 - Live Earth/Earth Aid (Washington,DC)
July 7 - Ozzfest begins
Mid-July Heineken Jammin' Festival (Italy)
July 14-15 - Pitchfork Music Festival (Chicago)(lineup TBA 3/16)
July 18-21 - 10,000 Lakes Festival (Detroit Lakes, Minnesota)
July 19-21 - Goodstock (West Virginia)
July 19-22 - Festival Internacional de Benicassim (near Valencia, Spain)
July 27-30 – Eclpise Outdoor Electronic Music Festival (Montreal, Candada)
August 3-5 - Lollapallooza (Chicago, IL)
August 8-13 - Shambhala (Canada)
August 24-26 - Reading and Leeds Festival (U.K.)
August 30 - - September 2 Chicago Jazz Festival

SIGN THE PETITION TO SUPPORT INTERNET RADIO

Here's a letter from Rusty Hodge of SomaFM; one of the best Internet radio stations that is out there. I urge you to sign the petition and to support SomaFM in any way that you can. Give them a listen.

SomaFM, An Open Letter From SomaFM General Manager & Program Director Rusty Hodge

You may have heard, but once again Internet radio is facing huge additional royalties for broadcasting music. These royalties are in addition to the ones that we pay to ASCAP and BMI, and are a  royalty that is only paid by internet broadcasters. Over-the-air  (AM/FM) broadcasters are explicitly exempt from this royalty; it only applies to Internet broadcasters and subscription music services.

In the past, we paid royalties based on a percentage of our revenues, in our case 10% of our revenue. But the new royalties don't allow that percentage of revenue factor, and instead charge  us for each song we play times the number of people listening.  This works out to about $8 per average concurrent listener per month.  In 2006, we averaged over 6000 average concurrent listeners  per month, and the royalties we will have to pay for 2006 is about  $628,000, over 4 times the amount of money we brought in.

And these rates go up drastically each year, until 2010, where they  are 2.5 times their initial rate: by then we will have to pay over  $1 million dollars a year in royalties if we want to stay on the air. So you can see that this puts us in an impossible position. And to make it even worse, the rates are retroactive to 2006. It doesn't seem fair that a small radio service like SomaFM has to pay all these additional royalties, when over-the-air stations who reach much larger audiences are exempted from paying them.

If you are in the USA, we would appreciate it if you could sign this online petition which will be presented to members of Congress. It's important for us to let Congress know that independent internet radio is about to be forced out of business. We need to keep our existing "percentage of revenue" royalty rate structure, or better yet, have Congress extend the exemption to Internet radio stations as well as terrestrial (over-the-air)  stations.

http://somafm.com/petition

Thanks for all of your support for SomaFM in the past. We will do what we need to do to keep SomaFM on the air and broadcasting.  We love you!

Rusty Hodge,
General Manager and Program Director
SomaFM.com

SMOOTH JAZZ ARTIST BOB JAMES TO RELEASE ‘ANGELS OF SHANGHAI”

KOCH Records is has announced the release of Angels of Shanghai, the new album by legendary recording artist Bob James, on April 10th, 2007. This unique East meets West musical exploration features contemporary jazz artists (including James himself, Fourplay's Nathan East and Harvey Mason, Jack Lee, Lewis Pragasam) interacting with young musicians from Shanghai who perform on traditional Chinese instruments, including include the er-hu (a two string violin), the pipa (similar to a lute), guzheng (a cross between a harp & a zither) and dizi (different sized bamboo flutes). Ancient sounds blend with modern technology and creativity to produce an experience with no boundaries.

This project has been a very personal journey for James, literally in the thousands of miles traveled and creatively in his connection to this young, talented and outstanding group of musicians. His collaboration with these remarkable young musicians began with a visit by Bob to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music where he was so impressed with their creativity and enthusiasm that two more trips to Shanghai followed -- for recording sessions at the Shanghai People's Radio Station Studios. The project came full circle with completion of this full CD -- which has already been released in Japan and in Korea.

Although a unique project in many ways, at its heart Angels of Shanghai is still a Bob James recording. This cross-cultural collaboration will garner many new fans, but its blend of contemporary jazz with strong melodies and exotic textures will also satisfy Bob's many longtime and faithful followers. The CD features nine original Bob James compositions, including Celebration, Dream With Me, and Angels Theme: The Invention of Love. Endless Time is co-written by fellow Fourplay member, Nathan East, who also sings lead vocals. A special treat is a new Angels of Shanghai version of Bob's signature composition: the classic theme from "Taxi," here titled Angela With Purple Bamboo.

Summing up his passion and enthusiasm for Angels of Shanghai, Bob James says, "I love seeing the universal power of music work its magic to cross borders even when political solutions seem impossible. I invite you to come along on this adventure."

The Angels group has performed live at the Bangkok Jazz Festival, the Java Jazz Festival in Jakarta, at the Seongnam Arts Center in Seoul and, finally, at the Blue Note Nite Clubs in Japan. A U.S. tour is planned for April 2007. Cities include Traverse City and Monroe, Michigan, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Pa, New York City and Huntington, Long Island.