CHRIS BOTTI NEW CD – ITALIA; TOUR DATES

Columbia Records is proud to announce the release of Italia, the soulful and romantic new album from the contemporary jazz virtuoso trumpeter Chris Botti, on Tuesday, September 25. Botti - a gifted instrumentalist, a talented composer, and a charismatic performer -- has earned both critical acclaim and mainstream appreciation for a succession of best-selling albums including the #1 Top Jazz albums When I Fall In Love and To Love Again: The Duets. Italia is the first new studio album from Chris Botti since the release of To Love Again: The Duets in October 2005.

With his new album, Chris Botti, inspired by the sounds and atmosphere of Italy, has created a vibrant and sensual set of performances drawn from sources ranging from classical opera to the soundtracks of Ennio Morricone. Recorded in the United States, England, and Italy, Italia is a brilliant showcase for Botti's musical versatility as performer, composer and collaborator. The album includes the newly-composed title track featuring the passionate vocals of renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli as well as a new interpretation of "The Very Thought of You" with guest vocalist Paula Cole. In another of the album's duets, Botti adds his touch to a vocal performance originally recorded in 1957 by the "forever cool" Dean Martin on "I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face," a song first written for "My Fair Lady."

On Italia, Botti re-imagines two beloved compositions -- "Deborah's Theme" (from "Once Upon A Time In America") and "Gabriel's Oboe" (from "The Mission") -- by the venerated Italian composer Ennio Morricone, recent recipient of an Honorary Academy Award(R) "for his magnificent and multifaceted contributions to the art of film music."

Among the many treasures of Italia, Chris Botti creates a breathtaking new rendition of "Nessun dorma" ("Let no one sleep") from the final act of Giacomo Puccini's opera "Turandot." The song entered popular consciousness in 1990, when it was adopted as the official theme of the Italia '90 World
Cup.


CHRIS BOTTI TOUR DATES
September
27 USA Evansville, IN Victory Theatre
28 USA Harrisburg, PA Sunoco Performance Theatre
29 USA Wabash, IN Honeywell Center
30 USA Cincinnati, OH Music Hall w/ Symphony

October
05 USA Buffalo, NY Kleinhans Music Hall w/ Symphony
06 USA Louisvlle, KY Kentucky Center for the Arts
07 USA Cincinnati, OH Music Hall w/ Symphony
13 USA Wilmington, DE Grand Opera House
14 USA Englewood, NJ Bergen PAC
17 USA Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun
18 USA Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun
19 USA Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun
20 USA Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun
21 USA Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun
22 USA Annapolis, MD Ram's Head (2 Shows Per Night)
23 USA Annapolis, MD Ram's Head (2 Shows Per Night)
24 USA Annapolis, MD Ram's Head (2 Shows Per Night)
26 USA Concord, NH The Capitol Center for the Arts
27 USA Tarrytown, NY Tarrytown Music Hall

November
02 USA Carmel, CA Sunset Center
03 USA Yountville, CA Lincoln Theater
04 USA Carmel, CA Sunset Center
14 USA Boise, ID Morrison Center for the Performing Arts
15 USA Lancaster, CA Lancaster PAC
16 USA Henderson, NV Green Valley Ranch Showroom
18 USA Palm Desert, CA McCallum Theatre
23 USA Boston, MA Scullers (2 Shows Nightly)
24 USA Boston, MA Scullers (2 Shows Nightly)
25 USA Boston, MA Scullers (2 Shows Nightly)
26 USA Boston, MA Scullers (2 Shows Nightly)
30 Russia Moscow, RU B1 Maximum Club

December
02 Hungary Debrecen, HU Kolcsey Convention Center
08 USA Phoenix, AZ Celebrity Theater
10 USA New York, NY The Blue Note (8pm + 10.30pm)
11 USA New York, NY The Blue Note (8pm + 10.30pm)
12 USA New York, NY The Blue Note (8pm + 10.30pm)
13 USA New York, NY The Blue Note (8pm + 10.30pm)
14 USA New York, NY The Blue Note (8pm + 10.30pm)
15 USA New York, NY The Blue Note (8pm + 10.30pm)
16 USA New York, NY The Blue Note (8pm + 10.30pm)
17 USA New York, NY The Blue Note (8pm + 10.30pm)
18 USA New York, NY The Blue Note (8pm + 10.30pm)
19 USA New York, NY The Blue Note (8pm + 10.30pm)
20 USA New York, NY The Blue Note (8pm + 10.30pm)
21 USA New York, NY The Blue Note (8pm + 10.30pm)
22 USA New York, NY The Blue Note (8pm + 10.30pm)
23 USA New York, NY The Blue Note (8pm + 10.30pm)
24 USA New York, NY The Blue Note (8pm + 10.30pm)
25 USA New York, NY The Blue Note (8pm + 10.30pm)
29 USA Effingham, IL Rosebud Theater
31 USA Omaha, NE Omaha PAC (w/Symphony)

January
03 USA Greenville, SC Peace Center
04 USA Melbourne, FL King Center
08 USA Naples, FL Philharmonic Center for the arts
09 USA Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall
11 USA Charleston, WV Clay Center for the arts
14 USA Alexandria, VA The Birchmere
15 USA Alexandria, VA The Birchmere
16 USA Alexandria, VA The Birchmere
18 USA St Louis, MO Touhill Performing Arts Centre
19 USA St Louis, MO Touhill Performing Arts Centre
22 USA San Francisco, CA Yoshis (2 Shows Nightly)
23 USA San Francisco, CA Yoshis (2 Shows Nightly)
24 USA San Francisco, CA Yoshis (2 Shows Nightly)
25 USA San Francisco, CA Yoshis (2 Shows Nightly)
26 USA San Francisco, CA Yoshis (2 Shows Nightly)
27 USA San Francisco, CA Yoshis (2 Shows Nightly)
29 USA Oakland, CA Yoshis (2 Shows Nightly)
30 USA Oakland, CA Yoshis (2 Shows Nightly)
31 USA Oakland, CA Yoshis (2 Shows Nightly)

February
01 USA Oakland, CA Yoshis (2 Shows Nightly)
02 USA Oakland, CA Yoshis (2 Shows Nightly)
03 USA Oakland, CA Yoshis (2 Shows Nightly)
06 USA Seattle, WA Jazz Alley (2 Shows Nightly)  
07 USA Seattle, WA Jazz Alley (2 Shows Nightly)  
08 USA Seattle, WA Jazz Alley (2 Shows Nightly)  
09 USA Seattle, WA Jazz Alley (2 Shows Nightly)  
10 USA Seattle, WA Jazz Alley (2 Shows Nightly)  
12 USA Knoxville, TN Tennessee Theatre
13 USA Greensboro, NC Carolina Theatre
14 USA Tallahassee, FL Ruby Diamond Auditorium
16 USA St. Thomas, VI Reichhold Center for the Arts
17 USA Fort Lauderdale, FL Broward Center / Aurene Theater

March
08 USA Sarasota, FL Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
14 Mexico Mexico City, MX Venue Teatro de la Ciudad
15 Mexico Mexico City, MX Venue Teatro de la Ciudad
16 Mexico Mexico City, MX Venue Teatro de la Ciudad
20 USA Houston, TX Jones Hall
21 USA Houston, TX Jones Hall
22 USA Houston, TX Jones Hall

April
10 Canada Ottawa, ON National Arts Centre
11 Canada Ottawa, ON National Arts Centre
12 Canada Ottawa, ON National Arts Centre

May
02 USA Eureka, CA Arkley Center for the Performing Arts
03 USA Campbell, CA Heritage Theater
09 USA Dallas, TX Meyerson Symphony Hall
10 USA Dallas, TX Meyerson Symphony Hall
11 USA Dallas, TX Meyerson Symphony Hall

June
19 USA Pittsburgh, PA Heinz Hall
20 USA Pittsburgh, PA Heinz Hall
21 USA Pittsburgh, PA Heinz Hall
22 USA Pittsburgh, PA Heinz Hall

OLIVER MTUKUDZI – TSIMBA ITSOKA

Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi has been a force in world music since first gaining attention in his native Zimbabwe in the late ‘70’s, and the body of work he’s compiled since is a living tribute to his excellence. Tsimba Itsoka is beautiful music, alive with sublety, eminently listenable and beeming with social commentary, according to Billboard).

JIM BRICKMAN’S HOLIDAY CD – HOMECOMING

The joy of the holidays goes hand in hand with the evocative musical output that has long defined pianist, composer and producer Jim Brickman; and the much-lauded musician has done it again with his new recording for this holiday season. "HOMECOMING" will be available in stores this week in both a deluxe CD set featuring a bonus DVD and single CD set. Brickman, who was recently crowned as the #1 Charting Artist at the Adult Contemporary radio format, has created a multi-format musical confection collaborating with a diverse roster of guest performers such as Lonestar's Richie McDonald who is featured on the single "Coming Home For Christmas," the late Gerald Levert with his last vocal performance on "My Angel" and jazz great Peter White and his distinctive guitar talents are showcased on "Joy." In addition, both Brickman and McDonald will embark on a holiday tour beginning in November. "HOMECOMING" will be released September 25th on SLG Records (a unit of the Savoy Label Group).

"HOMECOMING," his 16th CD overall, differs from previous seasonal albums in that it has a more spiritual tone. The first single captures that feeling thanks to the contribution of Richie McDonald whose warm vocal brings a poignant emotion to "Coming Home For Christmas" (his collaboration with Brickman is his first project post-Lonestar). Brickman, McDonald and Victoria Shaw all collaborated as songwriters on "Coming Home For Christmas." The result is a gorgeous love letter of a song that captures the sentiment of being away from home and those you care about and anticipating a heartfelt reunion. Just as Brickman's past collaborations with vocal stars such as Martina McBride (on the smash hit "Valentine") have resulted in incomparable chart success, "Coming Home For Christmas" looks to be the song of the season for Jim and Richie.

In addition, both Brickman and McDonald will embark on a holiday tour beginning in November. Also, "Coming Home For Christmas" will be featured on NBC TV special "Capital One's Holiday Celebration On Ice" airing nationally on December 25. Olympic skater Yuka Sato will skate to the song.

GERARDO FRISINA - NOTEBOOK

Gerardo Frisina returns with a CD chock-full of remixes and rare tracks. This set presents a few previously unreleased tracks, it also offers up some of Gerardo's great remix work for other artists in recent years! Frisina combines a classic Latin vibe -- mixing acoustic percussion, driving rhythms, and jazz-based instrumentation together with incredible sharpness and energy -- a no-nonsense approach to a groove that shows that's almost a distillation of the best older elements. This approach is heard wonderfully on Gerardo's own tracks "Tokyo's Dream (07 version)", "Alborado", "Es Diferente", "Calle De Candela (vibes version)", and "Zanja" -- but it also comes through on remix tracks that include "Swing Low Sweet Cadillac (G Call remix)" by Dizzy Gillespie, "Dis-ka-ndombe" by Jorge Graf, "Black Forrest Stomp" by Hipnosis, "Windly Coast" by Idea 6, "Guarapiranga" by Toco, "Stardust From Tomorrow (dissociated mood version)" by Sun Ra, and "Ghetto Stomp" by Combo Moderna.

MINDI ABAIR NEWS UPDATE

Mindi Abair had just signed with Concord/Peak Records. She's currently in the studio writing and recording for her 4th CD tentatively titled "Stars" to be released on Concord/Peak Records label in April 2008. In the meantime, Mindi new Christmas CD, along with Peter White and Rick Braun is now available. It’s called “Peter White Christmas with Mindi Abair and Rick Braun. It's a representation of the Christmas show that all 3 artists have been touring the country performing for the past 5 years. It includes Mindi's original Christmas song "I Can't Wait for Christmas" as well as a brand new original song titled "The Best Part of Christmas". It also features Mindi and Peter White's version of the Joni Mitchell classic "River".

She’s also busy wither her nationally syndicated “Chill With Mindi Abair” show. She’s usually on late night and the show features cutting edge artists and great new music from the worlds of jazz, soul, world music, electronica, etc. She’s getting rave reviews since taking over for Chris Botti in April.

Mindi Abiar Tour Dates
Oct. 7 – Avalon, CA @ Catalina Jazz Festival
Oct. 9 – Clearwater, FL @ Falvor of Jazz Two Ruth Eckered Hall
Oct. 11 – Avalon, CA @ Catalina Jazz Festival
Oct. 27 – Orlando, FL @ Bob James Tribute Concert
Nov. 10 – Miami , FL @ Deering Estate – Jazz Attack w/Rick Braun, Peter White & Mindi Abair
Nov. 13 – Tokyo, Japan, The Cotton Club – with Peter White
Nov. 14 - Tokyo, Japan, The Cotton Club – with Peter White
Nov. 15 – Tokyo, Japan, The Cotton Club – with Peter White
Nov. 16 – Tokyo, Japan, The Cotton Club – with Peter White

A Peter White Christmas 2007 Tour Featuring Mindi Abair & Rick Braun
11/24/07 Hyatt Regency, Huntington Beach, CA
11/25/07 Santa Rosa, CA
11/27/07 Ramshead, Annapolis, MD
11/28/07 Allen Theater, Cleveland, OH
11/29/07 Sunoco Performance Theatre, Harrisburg, PA
11/30/07 IMAC , Huntington Station NY
12/1/07 Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT
12/2/07 Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT
12/3/07 The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA
12/4/07 The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA
12/5/07 Keswick Theater, Glenside PA
12/6/07 Music Mill, Indianapolis IN
12/7/07 Ferst Center for the Arts, Atlanta, GA
12/9/07 The Mattie Kelly Arts Centre, Destin, FL
12/11/07 Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater FL
12/12/07 The Florida Theatre, Jacksonville, FL
12/13/07 Lyric Theatre, Stuart, FL
12/15/07 The Palladium, Dallas TX
12/16/07 Verizon Theater, Houston TX
12/18/07 One World Theatre, Austin, TX
12/20/07 Radisson Hotel Ballroom, Sacramento, CA
12/21/07 Tower Theatre, Fresno, CA
12/22/07 Spreckles, San Diego CA

RAIL MIDON - A WORLD WITHIN A WORLD

New Mexico-born, New York-based writer/vocalist/guitarist Raul Midón brings a vibrant sound steeped in classic soul to the pop arena. Midón burst onto the scene in 2005 with his audaciously original debut album State of Mind, which included the summery single "Sunshine." While you can hear traces of Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder and Jose Feliciano in his music, Midón is an extraordinary original whose passion is expressed in his indelible songs. "I like to celebrate the possible, the highest, the best of possibilities for human beings," says Midón, who has been blind since birth. The son of an African American mother and an Argentinean father, he continues, "It's easy to be pessimistic given the state of the world. But I'm inspired by people like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gandhi who had the ability to transform. Collectively we create an enormously powerful force that can change the world and overcome any obstacle."

This is not your average pop record - not by a long shot. With A World Within a World, Midón has fashioned an album that is at once audacious and accessible. The opening "Pick Somebody Up," which could serve as Midón's credo, embeds a theme of uplifting social consciousness in an insinuating groove with a lush, uptown soulfulness. "Save My Life" updates the silky '70s soul of the Stylistics and Delfonics, infusing it with the deep funk of the same period courtesy of Midón's wah-wah electric guitar part. Midón focuses on another era altogether in "All The Answers" as he celebrates the ease of access to a vast universe of information thanks to the Internet. This is that rare sort of pop album that could actually make a difference, and as such, it stands right alongside the pivotal works of the artists who inspired it.

HERBIE HANCOCK – RIVER: THE JONI LETTERS

Herbie Hancock’s “River: The Joni Letters” is similar in vein to his pop-meets-jazz "Possibilities," released back in 2005. Hancock again invites an array of vocal guests to contribute to his homage to Joni Mitchell. Standouts include Norah Jones on "Court and Spark" and Corinne Bailey Rae with "River" both score. However; it Mitchell herself who steals the show with an emotive read of her "Tea Leaf Prophecy." Others contributors are Leonard Cohen with "The Jungle Line" , along with four instrumentals starring saxophonist Wayne Shorter.

CHAKA KHAN – FUNK THIS

Celebrating over three decades of milestones, CHAKA KHAN's first new studio album of new material in over 10 years, FUNK THIS, is available in stores and online today. FUNK THIS produced by the Grammy Award winners Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis embodies the funky soul of her musical roots with Rufus and her signature passionately-honest vocal styles that make Chaka Khan timeless. The thoughtful work ranges from original copyrights, collaborations with superstar artists, to adding her signature stamp on important contemporary classics.

The collection includes fresh renditions of Prince's "Sign 'O' the Times"; a duet with Michael McDonald on "You Belong To Me," a song he co-wrote with Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell's "Ladies' Man," Jimi Hendrix's "Castle Made Of Sand," the soul classic "Foolish Fool" and Rufus medley of "Pack'd My Bags," and "You Got The Love."

FUNK THIS original's include "Disrespectful," the tour-de-force duet with powerhouse Mary J. Blige, a poignant poetic ballad, urban radio hit "Angel," the acoustic "One For All Time" penned by Chaka and Terry Lewis, the deeply beautiful and soulful "Will You Love Me?" and self affirming
"Super Life" among others.

"The album may remind people of my early Rufus albums because I'm in a similar 'soul space.' I've been on a little journey in the last few years, finding Yvette again." (Referring to her birth name) "I went through a period of being insecure. I'm walking a different path now. I've changed. This album is different from any other album I've recorded because it reflects what I'm about, who I am now. The album is called, 'Funk This!' because it's funky!" The thoughtful work ranges from original copyrights, collaborations with superstar artists, to adding her signature stamp on important contemporary classics.

The first single "Angel" just entered the Top 10 on the Billboard Urban AC radio chart making this her first top 10 R&B radio hit in over 10 years. Beginning on September 30th Chaka will embark on a 20 date tour to promote her new album.

Track Listing:
1. Back In The Day
2. Foolish Fool
3. One For All Time
4. Angel
5. Will You Love Me?
6. Castles Made Of Sand
7. Disrespectful (Featuring Mary J. Blige)
8. Sign 'O' The Times
9. Pack'd My Bags/You Got The Love (Featuring Tony Maiden)
10. Ladies' Man
11. You Belong To Me (Featuring Michael McDonald)
12. Hail To The Wrong
13. Super Life

Chaka Khan Tour Dates Include - more to come:

September 30 – Los Angeles, CA @ Gibson Amphitheatre
October 6 - Mobile, AL @ Bayfest
October 12 - Atlantic City @ Borgata
October 14 - Westbury, NY @ North Fork Theatre
November 1 - Tucson, AZ @ Fox Tucson
November 2 - Phoenix, AZ @ Orpheum Theatre
November 10 - Merrillville, IN @ Star Plaza Theatre
November 11 - Washington, DC @ Warner Theatre
November 30 - Cayman Islands @ Cayman Music Festival

Tune in to see Chaka Khan perform the hit single "Angel" on The Today Show (9/26), Letterman (9/26), Martha Stewart Show (9/28), Jimmy Kimmel (10/4).

Eight-time Grammy Award winner singer, songwriter and community advocate - Chaka Khan has been active in lending her support to the community for many years. The Chaka Khan Foundation, founded in 1999, raised over $1.4 million through its funding raising efforts last year alone. The Foundation assists women and children at risk and benefits Autism research, awareness and therapy. For more information, please go to chakakhanfoundation.org.

EARTHA KITT & QUEEN LATIFAH & THE ATLANTIC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra announced today all tickets are officially on sale for the 2007/2008 SuperPops and Specials season. The Grammy-winning orchestra's fall SuperPops and Specials line-up includes:

Eartha Kitt
80th Birthday Celebration with the ASO
Friday, October 19 -- 8 p.m.
Saturday, October 20 -- 8 p.m.
Eartha Kitt , presented by Delta Air Lines, will perform for two nights The definitive Catwoman on the original "Batman" television series, Kitt has been performing and purrrforming for decades and is still as sexy and sultry as she was when Orson Wells named her "the most exciting woman in the world." The Tony, Emmy and Grammy award nominee celebrates her 80th birthday this year with a red-hot siren show.

Queen Latifah
Friday, November 2 -- 8 p.m.
As she embarks on a tour in honor of her latest highly anticipated release, Trav'lin' Light (in stores today), the ASO is proud to present Grammy award winning performer Queen Latifah at Symphony Hall. With only six shows set in the entire southeast, don't miss the chance to see the celebrated singer and actress perform a smoldering set of soul and jazz standards in the intimate venue.

Joanna Newsom with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, November 17 -- 8 p.m.
Joanna Newsom's 6-date orchestral tour is stopping in Atlanta – a treat for anyone who has ever heard the music of the classically trained harpist, pianist, harpsichordist and singer-songwriter. As one of today's fastest growing young artists and indie-experimentalist favorite, Newsom combines her unique voice and harp, for a sound that blends Appalachian folk, modernism and African rhythms into an original style that has a spellbinding effect. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will join Newsom on stage for this special performance.

XM SATELLITE’S ORIGINAL JAZZ SERIES DEBUTS SEPTEMBER 28

XM, the nation's leading satellite radio service with more than 8.2 million subscribers, announced today that it will expand jazz music programming with two new shows set to premiere this October. "Live from Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola" and "Live from Jazz at Lincoln Center" will feature live performances from a who's who of jazz musicians recorded direct from Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) and XM's New York broadcast studios. In advance of these new shows, JALC Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis will kick off a new season of his critically-acclaimed original XM series "In the Swing Seat with Wynton Marsalis" on September 28.

"Live from Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola" will provide listeners with VIP access to concerts recorded live from the famed New York jazz club Dizzy's Club Coca- Cola, located in Frederick P. Rose Hall. Artistic Manager of Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, Todd Barkan, will serve as host for this weekly series, broadcasting a variety of musical performances from the club Tony Bennett called "the best jazz room in this city."

The premiere episode of "Live from Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola" will debut Friday, October 19 at 8 pm ET on XM's traditional jazz channel, "Real Jazz" (XM 70), featuring a performance by jazz pianist Cedar Walton. Future episodes will include performances from Trio Da Paz, Tom Harrell and Charles McPherson and Eric Alexander, among others. "Live from Jazz at Lincoln Center" also will make its XM debut in October. The weekly series takes listeners into the "House of Swing" with Wynton Marsalis leading the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO), now in its 21st concert season.

"Live from Jazz at Lincoln Center" will premiere Saturday, October 20 at 8 pm ET on XM 70, kicking off the "Benny Carter Centennial," on what would have been his 100th birthday, as the JLCO performs music and arrangements by the legendary trumpeter/saxophonist. Future performances of the 2007-2008 Jazz at Lincoln Center season on XM will feature Monty Alexander, Dave Brubeck, Paquito D'Rivera, The Abyssinian Baptist Church Choir with Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III; Freddy Cole, Carla Cook, Chano Dominguez, Kurt Elling, Frank Foster, Wycliffe Gordon, Scott Hamilton, Allan Harris, Edwin Hawkins, Ivan Lins, Russell Malone, Branford Marsalis, Mulgrew Miller, Lewis Nash, Rosa Passos, Eric Reed, Marcus Roberts, Marlena Shaw and many more.

To kick off the new slate of jazz programming on XM, Wynton Marsalis, America's jazz ambassador, returns with new episodes of his exclusive XM series, "In the Swing Seat with Wynton Marsalis." The hour-long, monthly series takes listeners on a journey through the world of jazz while exploring the genius of artists like John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Thelonious Monk. Marsalis provides instruction on how to identify artists by their playing styles, discusses the connection between jazz and other art forms, and welcomes other jazz artists who stop by the studio to play and discuss their music.

"In the Swing Seat with Wynton Marsalis" premieres Friday, September 28 at 2 p.m. ET on XM 70. In addition, the season premiere episode will also be available all day Friday on XM's new original series channel, XMX (XM 2).

NEW YORK TRI-STATE CONCERTS EVENT LISTINGS

Stanley Clarke, Al DiMeola & Jean-Luc Ponty @ Bergen PAC; Sept. 28
Johnny Mathis @ Bergen PAC; Oct. 4
Aretha Franklin @ Count Basie Theatre; Oct. 11
Aretha Franklin @ Bergen PAC; Oct. 13
Patti LaBelle @ Bergen PAC; Oct. 13
Liza Minnelli @ Tilles Center for the Performing Arts; Oct. 13
Chris Botti @ Bergen PAC; Oct. 14
Pat Metheny Trio w/Christian McBride @ Antonio Sanchez @ Bergen PAC; Oct. 23
Dionne Warwick @ B.B. King’s Bar & Grill; Oct. 24
Paquito D’Rivera @ NJPAC; Oct. 27
A Peter White Christmas featuring Peter White, Mindi Abair & Rick Braun @ IMAC Theater; Nov. 30
CeCe Winans @ NJPAC; Dec. 13

GREATEST HITS COMPILATIONS OUT OCT. 23

Gerald Albirhgt – The Very Best of Gerald Albright (Atlantic)
Grover Washington, Jr. – Anthology of Grover Washington, Jr. (Elektra)
Mikki Howard – The Very Best of Mikki Howard (Atlantic)
Patrice Rushen – Haven’t You Heard: The Very Best of Patrice Rushen (Elektra)
Take 6 – Greatest Hits (Rhino)

SANTANA – ULTIMATE SANTANA DUE OCT. 6

Jennifer Lopez and Baby Bash have just laid down their vocals for a smoking new track entitled "This Boy's Fire," on ULTIMATE SANTANA, in stores October 16th on Arista Records. Written by Steve Morales, Sean Garrett and Baby Bash and produced by Steve Morales, Sean Garrett, Cory Rooney and Dr. Luke, the track adds a hot new flavor to this collection which features milestone tracks from Santana's hitmaking years on Columbia Records alongside the groundbreaking collaborations that highlighted three consecutive blockbuster Arista albums: Supernatural (1999), Shaman (2002), and All That I Am (2005).

ULTIMATE SANTANA, a career-spanning celebration of an artist and music, is highlighted by three previously - unreleased separate collaborations with Chad Kroeger, Tina Turner, and now Jennifer Lopez with Baby Bash. The first single and previously unreleased track "Into The Night" featuring Chad Kroeger was #1 Most added at the Hot AC radio format and Most Added at Top 40 radio first week out. The video, directed by Jessy Terrero and starring actors Freddy Rodriguez and Dania Ramirez, premiered last week on AOL.

ULTIMATE SANTANA track listing:

"Into The Night" (featuring Chad Kroeger) - previously unreleased
"This Boy's Fire" (feat. Jennifer Lopez and Baby Bash) – previously unreleased
"Smooth" (w/Rob Thomas) - from Supernatural (released June 15, 1999)
"Maria Maria" (w/Product G&B) - from Supernatural (released June 15, 1999)
"Oye Como Va" - from Abraxas (released Sept. 1970)
"Black Magic Woman" - from Abraxas (released Sept. 1970)
"Evil Ways" - from Santana (released Aug. 19, 1969)
"Corazon Espinado" (w/Mana) - from Supernatural (released June 15, 1999)
"Europa" - from album Amigos (released March 1976)
"The Game of Love" (w/Tina Turner) - previously unreleased
"Put Your Lights On" (w/Everlast) - from Supernatural (released June 15,
1999)
"Why Don't You and I" (w/Chad Kroeger) - from Shaman (released Oct. 22,
2002)
"Everybody's Everything" - from Santana III (released Sept. 1971)
"Just Feel Better" (w/Steven Tyler) - from All That I Am (released Nov. 1,
2005)
"SambaPaTi" - from Abraxas (released Sept. 1970)
"No One To Depend On" - from Santana III (released Sept. 1971)
"The Game of Love" (w/Michelle Branch) - from Shaman (released Oct. 22,
2002)
"Interplanetary Party" - previously unreleased

ALICIA KEYS – I AM

Alicia Keys latest song, “No One” is currently climbing the charts and her new album, I Am, is set for release on November 13 on the J Records label. "No One," was written and produced by Keys, longtime collaborator Kerry "Krucial" Brothers, and Dirty Harry. The video for the single, which was shot in Los Angeles, will premiere September 17th on video outlets. On I Am, Keys collaborated with a new group of songwriters, including Linda Perry, John Mayer, Harold Lilly, Sean Garrett and producers Mark Batson, Dirty Harry, Swizz Beatz and Jack Splash. Keys is the first female R&B artist to have three consecutive Number One debuts on the Billboard 200 album chart in as many releases. She debuted in 2001 with Songs In A Minor, which has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide, according to her label. She followed up with 2004's The Diary of Alicia Keys, which was certified seven-times platinum, and 2005's double-platinum live Unplugged set.

WILL DOWNING – AFTER TONIGHT

Smooth jazz singer Will Downing has a new CD, entitled After Tonight, due out on October 30th via Peak Records It’s his first for Peak Records and also his first since being diagnosed with polymyocitis. It’s a follow-up to his back-to-back smash CDs, 2003's Emotions and 2005's Soul Symphony. Downing also released his first holiday set, Christmas, Love, And You, in 2004.

STANLEY JORDAN SIGNS WITH PEAK RECORDS

Guitarist Stanley Jordan has signed with Mack Avenue Records. His latest CD was recorded at producer Narada Michael Walden's Tarpan Studios in San Rafael, California, and is scheduled for release on February 12th, 2008. The new set will also feature bassist Charnett Moffett and drummer David Haynes.

NORAH JONES BUSIER THAN EVER

Norah Jones has been lined up for a flurry of activity these past few months. Jones does a version of the song "My Blue Heaven" on the September 25th release of Goin' Home: A Tribute To Fats Domino. She'll also be heard Herbie Hancock's new album, River: The Joni Letters, which features songs written by Joni Mitchell. That on is out on September 25th. Jones also contributes a song called "American Anthem" to director Ken Burns' new series on World War II, scheduled to premiere on PBS on September 23. Then on October 6 she’ll perform on the season premiere of Austin City Limits on PBS. She also acts in and contributes music to the film My Blueberry Nights, which stars Jude Law, Rachel Weisz and Natalie Portman. The song, titled "The Story," will be included on the film's soundtrack.

RAY PARKER JR – LICENSE TO FUNK

Ray Parker Jr. is featured on License To Funk, the new album by Swedish trombonist Nils Landgren and his Funk Unit band. Due October 9th on the ACT Music label, the set explores the funk genre with some great covers of material by Fred Wesley and the Crusaders. Parker released his solo project, I'm Free, last summer. The CD featured the smooth jazz single "Mismaloya Beach."

iTUNES TAGGING FOR HD RADIO BROADCASTING ANNOUNCED

Responding to the desire of millions of people who discover music via their favorite local radio broadcasts, Apple, iBiquity Digital, and major radio broadcasting groups unveiled today the result of an industry-wide initiative to create a new, free service called "iTunes Tagging." iTunes Tagging is designed to make music discovery, purchase and listening even more fun and simple for all. iTunes Tagging enables consumers using HD Radio receivers that have been equipped with a special Tag button, to "tag" songs that they hear on the FM dial for subsequent purchase via iTunes.

"iTunes tagging takes music discovery on the radio to the next level," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of iPod Product Marketing. "When a song plays on your HD Radio that you like, a simple push of a button will tag it and later give you the chance to preview, purchase, and enjoy it with iTunes and your iPod." Bob Struble, CEO of iBiquity Digital, the developer of HD Radio technology, said, "Research consistently shows that radio is the predominant source of music discovery. Now, with iTunes Tagging, HD Radio technology provides a cool new way to capture the songs listeners discover, buy them on iTunes and then enjoy them. We are especially pleased that so many broadcasters came together so quickly for the initial launch." Several major broadcasters will implement iTunes Tagging, initially across hundreds of stations. Additional stations and broadcast groups are expected to join soon, with a formal announcement of participating groups planned for later this year at the NAB Radio convention, September 26 - 28.

Struble continued, "We are delighted that JBL and Polk will have the first available products that enable iTunes Tagging. The new Polk I-Sonic(R) Entertainment System 2 and the JBL iHD will both include the Tag button. These products will go on sale during the holiday shopping season and we anticipate several additional products that include the Tag button for both the home and the car to follow in early 2008."

Peter Ferrara, CEO of the HD Digital Radio Alliance, the coalition of radio broadcasters formed to promote HD Radio technology commented on the broadcasters' promotional plan for iTunes Tagging, saying, "The HD Digital Radio Alliance is tremendously excited about this great new HD Radio feature and will broadly promote iTunes Tagging. We plan a multi-million dollar advertising campaign focusing on the JBL and Polk products, as well as participating retailers."

Mark Mays, CEO of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. commented, "Clear Channel Radio remains committed to being the leader in HD Digital Radio content on both primary and multicast channels, and our embrace of iTunes Tagging is just the latest step in that leadership. We believe that HD Digital Radio innovations such as this will continue to open up additional and new services for consumers and revenue opportunities for broadcasters."

ANNIE LENNOX – SONGS OF MASS DESTRUCTION & TOUR DATES

Iconic artist Annie Lennox will begin a North American headlining tour on October 8th in San Diego, California in support of her new album, Songs Of Mass Destruction, set for release October 2nd on Arista Records. The tour, 'Annie Lennox Sings' will continue through November 11th with only fifteen intimate performances in as many cities. Performing in smaller venues, this tour, the 3rd of her solo career, will give fans the opportunity to enjoy her new material and beloved classics in a special and extraordinarily rare environment. Annie's exquisite voice and mesmerizing stage presence will be illuminated in this once in a lifetime concert experience.

In the fifteen years since the release of her debut solo album, Diva, in 1992, Annie Lennox has built the most successful career of any British female artist in pop music history. She has sold over 78 million records worldwide, scored numerous Top Ten hits around the world, and earned four Grammy Awards. Annie co-wrote and performed "Into the West," from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, which won the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Original Song in 2004.
Annie Lennox's appearance with Sting on 2004's 'The Sacred Love Tour' drew packed houses and rave reviews all across North America. The Seattle Post Intelligencer declared, "Lennox's voice was spectacular," and the Chicago Tribune called her "one of the great blue-eyed soul singers."

Here is Annie Lennox's current itinerary, with additional dates and details to follow:

October
8 San Diego CA Civic Theatre
10 San Francisco CA Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium
11 Los Angeles CA Wilshire Theater
14 Dallas TX McFarlin Memorial Auditorium
16 Boulder CO Macky Auditorium
18 Minneapolis MN State Theater
19 Chicago IL Cadillac Palace
22 Detroit MI Music Hall
23 Toronto ONT Massey Hall
25 Washington DC Lisner Auditorium
28 Nashville TN The Ryman
29 Atlanta GA Cobb Energy PAC
31 Miami FL Carnival Center

November
3 New York NY United Palace
6 UNICEF Benefit at Cipriani Wall Street [series subscribers only]
10 Philadelphia PA Merriam Theater
11 Boston MA Symphony Hall

ARETHA FRANKLIN – JEWELS IN THE CROWN: ALL-STAR DUETS WITH THE QUEEN

Arista recording artist Aretha Franklin, the incomparable Queen Of Soul and 17-time Grammy winner, adds another jewel to her crown with the release of a must have collection of show- stopping duets from her new album, JEWELS IN THE CROWN: ALL-STAR DUETS WITH THE QUEEN. Franklin, a Grammy Living Legend, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, will release this stellar collection on November 13, 2007.

Franklin duets with a combination of music icons and some of the hottest voices in music today including Whitney Houston ("It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be"), John Legend ("What Y'All Came To Do"), Luther Vandross ("Doctor's Orders"), Annie Lennox ("Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves"), Keith Richards ("Jumping Jack Flash"), Elton John ("Through The Storm"), Frank Sinatra ("What Now My Love"), George Michael ("I Knew You Were Waiting"), Michael McDonald ("Ever Changing Times"), George Benson ("Love All The Hurt Away"), and good friend Mary J. Blige ("Don't Waste My Time"). Aretha and Mary J. also join on a second tune, "Never Gonna Break My Faith" (with the Harlem Boys Choir). Rounding out the collection are two thrilling performances, both tributes to Aretha on her classics, "A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like)" with Bonnie Raitt and Gloria Estefan; and "Chain Of Fools" with Mariah Carey.

"Put You Up On Game" with Fantasia, is the lead single from JEWELS IN THE CROWN: ALL-STAR DUETS WITH THE QUEEN, impacting radio on October 1st. The album concludes on a historic note with Franklin's performance of "Nessum Dorma," the heroic aria from Act III of Puccini's final opera Turandot, with an all-star orchestra. Aretha originally agreed to step in at the last minute and perform the aria in place of ailing tenor Luciano Pavarotti at the Grammy awards world wide telecast in February 1998. With just eight minutes of preparation backstage, she sang it with the 72-piece orchestra in Pavarotti's key (three steps lower than her own) and stole the show.

Franklin, a true music legend, was signed in 1980 by Clive Davis, Arista founder and Chairman & CEO, BMG Label Group

DAVE KOZ – MEMORIES OF A WINTER’S NIGHT & TOUR DATES

Dave Koz is putting the finishing touches on a new holiday CD and the 10th anniversary edition of the Dave Koz and Friends A Smooth Jazz Christmas tour! The Capitol Music Group will release Memories Of A Winter's Night, Koz's third holiday CD, on September 18th.

Memories Of A Winter's Night- features the Koz interpreting 12 holiday standards. Dave is joined by 20-year old Razor & Tie recording artist Kelly Sweet on the album's first single, "White Christmas." Sweet, who scored a Top Ten hit at both Adult Contemporary and Smooth Jazz radio with "Raincoat," the first single from her 2007 debut album, was a guest on the Dave Koz and Friends At The Movies Summer 2007 tour, which recently wrapped up at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, CA. Koz also teams up with another tour mate - Kimberley Locke, who will be one of the special guests on the Dave Koz and Friends A Smooth Jazz Christmas 2007 tour - for a soulful rendition of "Please Come Home for Christmas." Locke has had numerous Top 10 hits, and topped the Adult Contemporary charts the past two holiday seasons with singles "Up on the Housetop" and "Jingle Bells."

Other album highlights include "Deck The Halls," "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "Winter Wonderland," and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" (all previously unreleased also) plus a few chestnuts from Dave's two earlier holiday records, 1997's December Makes Me Feel This Way and 2001's A Smooth Jazz Christmas. Brenda Russell pairs up with Koz for “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus," which was written by Leon Russell, and smooth jazz stars Rick Braun, Peter White and David Benoit for a rendition of "Little Drummer Boy."

You can be certain that Dave and his special guests Jonathan Butler,Wayman Tisdale and Kimberley Locke will be playing many of the songs from the album on the Dave Koz and Friends A Smooth Jazz Christmas 2007 tour, which launches on November 23rd. In addition to holiday standards, they'll perform hits from their respective catalogues, including Koz's recent chart-topping homage to classic film music, At The Movies.

The track listing for Memories Of A Winter's Night is as follows:
1. Deck The Halls
2. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town -- from December Makes Me Feel This Way
3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
4. White Christmas (featuring Kelly Sweet)
5. Winter Wonderland
6. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
7. Please Come Home For Christmas (featuring Kimberley Locke)
8. Memories Of A Winter's Night (A Song For Hanukkah)
9. Little Drummer Boy (featuring Rick Braun, Peter White and David
Benoit) -- from A Smooth Jazz Christmas
10. Silver Bells -- from December Makes Me Feel This Way
11. Boogie Woogie Santa Claus (featuring Brenda Russell) -- from A Smooth
Jazz Christmas
12. O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) -- from December Makes Me Feel This
Way

NEW RELEASES

Achili Funkn – Gypsy Soul 1969 to 1979 (Various Artists)
Antonio Adolfo, Brazil & Brazuca - Destiny
Barry Manilow – The Greatest Songs Of The ‘70’s
Beau Williams – No More Tears
Bee Gees – The Bee Gees Greatest
Baron Zen – At The Mall Remixes
Black Feeling (Various Artists)
Bo Diddley – Black Gladiator
Boney James – Christmas Present
Brazil 70: After Tropicalia (Various Artists)
Burton Greene – On Tour
Caetano Veloso – Caetano Veloso
Candy Dulfer – Candy Store
Clutch Player – Atlantic Connection All Stars
Coke – Na Na A Funk Anthology
Dells – Standing Ovation – The Very Best Of The Dells 1966 to 1981
Diana Krall – The Very Best Of Diana Krall
Earth, Wind & Fire – Last Days & Time/Head To The Sky
East Of Underground – East Of Underground
Eddie Ray – Wait A Minute
Eddy Meets Yannah – In A While
Ella Fitzgerald – Ella In Hamburg (Remastered)
Ella Fitzgerald – Live At Mister Kelly’s
Eugene Blacknell – We Can’t Take Life For Granted
Fernando Cunha & Ze Carlos - Zingaro
Francis Hime – Ao Vivo Biscoito Fino
Fredrik Kronkvist Quartet - Ignition
Gato Barbieri – Ruby, Ruby (Remastered)
George Benson – Shape Of Things To Come (Remastered)
Gerardo Frisina – Notebook: A Journey In Sound – The Remixes
Giallos Flame – Live From Dunwich EP
Glenn Jones – Take It From Me
Heikki Sarmanto - Moonflower
Hunter Muskett – Every Time You Move
Idea 6 – Steppin’ Out
Ike Quebec – It Might As Well be Spring
Jimmy Smith – Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Wolf? (Remastered)
Jiva – Day Into Night
Joe Cain – Latin Au Go-Go (Latin Explosion)
John Coltrane – Interplay (5-CD Collection)
John Patton – Let ‘Em Roll
John Scofield – This Meets That
Jorge Ben – Forca Bruta
Juicy – Spread The Love
Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds – Playlist
Lou Donaldson – Alligator Boogaloo
Kira Neris – Behind Closed Doors
Kokolo - Heaven
Konono No 1 – Live At Couleur Cafe
Ledisi – Lost & Found
Louis Vega – Defected In The House
Ludvig Berghe Trio – Unplayed Venue Volume 3
Lowell Fulson – Hung Down Head
Luiz Eca – Piana E Cordes
Manu Dibango – Africavision Vol. 3 – Le Cinema De Manu Dibango
Maria Rita – Samba Meu
Mark Knopfler – Kill To Get Crimson
Max Grunhard Quintet – Vortex EP
Mayha – Inner Explosion
Miles Davis – Ascenseur Pour L’echafaud
Monday Michiru & Others – Co-Collaborator Works Of Monday Michiru
Moussa Doumbia – Keleya – Raw Malian Funk Of the 1970’s
Oscar Peterson – Oscar Peterson Trio + One: Clark Terrt (Remastered)
Percee P - Perseverence
Peven Everett – Studio Confessions – The Lost Remixes
Quarteto Em Cy – Quarteto Em Cy
Quasimode – Land Of Freedom
Randolph – Lonely Eden
Robert Strauss – Mr. Feelings
Rozetta Johnson – Personal Woman
Sarah Vaughan & Her Trio – Sarah Vaughan Live At Mister Kelly’s (Remastered)
Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin – Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin
Sly & The Family Stone – Greatest Hits
Soul Source Production - Standard
Stan Getz Quartet featuring Astrud Gilberto – Getz Au Go-Go (Remastered)
Stan Selections From Avanti-Verde (Various Artists)
Staple Singers – The 25th Of December
Stardust International & Tayfun – Stardust International & Tayfun
Sven Libaek – Inner Space Original Soundtrack
Tobjorn Zetterberg – Skildrar Kvinnans Kamps Moserobie
Tom Jobim – Ao Vivo Em Montreal
Toninho Horta – Solo Ao Vivo
Tony Bennett – MTV Unplugged (CD/DVD)
Traffic Sound - Lux
Yosuke Tominaga – Room Weekender – 15th Anniversary Special Edition
Wes Montgomery – Goin’ Out Of My Head (Remastered)

BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – ANOTHER DANCE – RARITIES FROM STUDIO 1

More music from Bob Marley and the Wailers is on the way as Rounder/Heartbeat is preparing “Another Dance – Rarities From Studio 1”. It’s a collection of 18 tracks recorded between 1964 and 1966 and includes originals and alternate takes. Most of the songs here were released as singles in Jamaica and are collected here for the first CD appearance.  This set is scheduled for release on October 16.

AYO - JOYFUL

European sensation Ayo is getting a U.S. release for her debut, Joyful, which by the way has already sold over 550,000 copies in Europe. Her sound is a bit like Sade, Stevie Wonder, Carole King and Joni Mitchell. It’s set for release on October 9 via Interscope Records. Click to www.ayomusic.com for more information.

FEDERICO AUBELE - PANAMERICANA

Panamericana - the brand-new album from Federico Aubele is now available. Recently, California radio station KCRW has selected the track 'En Cada Lugar' from Federico's new album as their Top Tune of the day! California-based fans have two chances this week to catch Federico as he begins to wrap up his current DJ tour. He'll be at the AC Supperclub in Venice Beach this Thursday evening (9/20), and at a just-announced gig at the Dark Room, Club Six in San Francisco this Friday (9/21). Further details for both nights are listed under "Upcoming Shows". These DJ dates will also give fans a chance to hear tracks from Panamericana for the first time! A further daytime DJ set at THEhotel's outdoor Moorea Pool will follow on 9/22 (poolside unworshippers deserve great music too!) with an evening set to follow at the fantastic MIX lounge, perched atop the 64th floor of THEhotel with a truly awe-inspiring view of the Las Vegas strip.

Federico will also be putting in several appearances, both live and DJ, during the ESL Music/Mandalay Bay TAKEOVER weekend, October 26 - 28, which co-incides with the Vegoose Music Festival. To celebrate, the Mandalay Bay Resort has announced a special ESL Music package. Federico is preparing to hit the road in October and November with his live band for a run of US and Canada tour dates, to be followed by a European acoustic tour in November and December. Dates will be announced shortly - so keep watching this space!

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THE BEE GEES – BEE GEES GREATEST

The Bee Gees were already established hit makers in the U.S. and the U.K. when the group became an unstoppable musical force in 1975. In four short years, Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb rose to international superstardom as they recorded a string of worldwide hits, sold 180 million records worldwide and helped define an era with the Grammy-winning Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. The Brothers Gibb capped their amazing run in 1979 with the multi-platinum Bee Gees Greatest, a double album spotlighting the group’s meteoric run of R&B dance hits between 1975 and 1979.

Out-of-print for five years, and in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Saturday Night Fever, Reprise will reissue the monumental collection as a two-CD deluxe edition that contains two previously unreleased tracks - “Warm Ride” and an extended version of “Stayin’ Alive,” originally a 12″ promo vinyl-along with four contemporary dance remixes of classic Bee Gees songs by some of today’s hot club DJs. Bee Gees Greatest will be available on October 1st, 2007 at all physical retail outlets and in digital form.

The double-disc contains selections from three of the Bee Gees’ studio albums: 1975’s Main Course (certified gold), 1976’s Children Of The World (certified platinum) and 1979’s Spirits Having Flown (certified platinum), as well as the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack (1977), which has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide.

The collection assembles essential listening including “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” “Too Much Heaven,” “Tragedy” and “Love You Inside Out” - a run of six consecutive #1 hits within a year and a half. Bee Gees Greatest also features the #1 hits “You Should Be Dancing” and “Jive Talkin’” plus the Top 10 singles “Nights On Broadway” and “Love So Right.”

This year also marks the 30th anniversary of Saturday Night Fever, the film that launched the career of John Travolta, the dance craze of the late ’70s, and the massive resurgence of the Bee Gees - one of the greatest R&B acts of the ’60s and early ’70s. The arrival of the CD coincides with Paramount Home Entertainment’s October 1st release of the SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER Special Collector’s Edition DVD, which features new interviews with cast members and Barry and Robin Gibb, as well as all-new featurettes on the making of the film and its cultural impact. Reprise and Paramount Home Entertainment are planning a massive celebration to mark the anniversary of this landmark film.

Full track listing:
Disc: 1
1. Jive Talkin’
2. Night Fever
3. Tragedy
4. You Should Be Dancing
5. Stayin’ Alive
6. How Deep Is Your Love
7. Love So Right
8. Too Much Heaven
9. Our Love Don’t Throw It All Away
10. Fanny (Be Tender With My Love)
11. Warm Ride (bonus track)
12. Stayin’ Alive (Original 12″ Promo) (remix)
Disc 2
1. If I Can t Have You
2. You Stepped Into My Life
3. Love Me
4. More Than A Woman
5. Rest Your Love On Me
6. Nights On Broadway
7. Spirits (Having Flown)
8. Love You Inside Out
9. Wind Of Change
10. Children Of The World
11. You Should Be Dancing Remix
12. If I Can’t Have You Remix
13. Night Fever Remix
14. How Deep Is Your Love

JOE COCKER – HYMN FOR MY SOUL

Fanstasy Records has scheduled a new Joe Cocker CD titled Hymn For My Soul. It’s out January 2008.

RACHEL Z’S TOUR DATES

Jazz pianist Rachel Z and her new band Department of Good and Evil are on the road and we’ve got the updated schedule:
September 17 2007 8:00P JALC Dizzy’s Coca Cola Club NY, New York
September 20 2007 8:00P The VIC in Santa Monica Santa Monica, California
September 21 2007 8:00P Steamers Fullerton, California
September 22 2007 8:00P Anna’s Jazz Island Berkeley, California
September 23 2007 8:00P Savannah at the Red Lion Inn Sacramento, California
September 24 2007 8:00P Columbia College Auditorium Sonora, California
September 30 2007 8:00P Iridium Jazz Club NY, New York
October 26 2007 8:00P Chorus Lausanne, Lausanne
October 28 2007 8:00P Cafe Stern, Muri
October 31 2007 8:00P Panic Jazz Veneto, Italia Veneto
November 4 2007 8:00P Birdseye in Basel, Switzerland NOV 4 and 5th Basel
November 8 2007 8:00P ROMA to be announced Roma
November 9 2007 8:00P Blue Note Milano, Milano
November 10 2007 8:00P Williamsburg Studio Brooklyn, New York
November 29 2007 8:00P Jazzbase with Tim Price Reading, Pennsylvania
December 18 2007 8:00P Jazz Alley Seattle, Oregon
December 19 2007 8:00P Kuumbwa Jazz Santa Cruz, Arkansas
December 20 2007 8:00P Jazz Alley Seattle, Oregon
January 13 2008 8:00P Dept of Good and Evil Showcase at APAP NY, New York

BARRY MANILOW – THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE SEVENTIES

Legendary songwriter, performer and internationally renowned superstar Barry Manilow, who to date has sold over 75 million albums worldwide, is back with his third volume of decade-driven covers albums. Following on from the successful Fifties and Sixties albums, Barry returns to the decade which launched his golden career, the 70s.

The 18-song single CD package of ‘The Greatest Songs Of The Seventies’ set for release on the 17th September 2007, presents Manilow’s versions of 10 timeless cover songs from the ’70s, plus for the first time ever, 8 stripped-down acoustic versions of his own classic titles including “Mandy”, “I Write The Songs”, “Could It Be Magic?” and the unforgettable “Copacabana”.

The deluxe version contains a special dual disc (CD & DVD) with new versions of 14 classic non-Manilow songs from the ’70s as well as ‘The Making Of The Album’ video with Barry reflecting on the great music and decade. Also included is a bonus CD containing stripped down acoustic versions of 9 original Manilow titles.

This album is a fan’s dream wish-list of favourites covering both sides of the Atlantic, from The Beatles’ “The Long And Winding Road”, to Elton John’s “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word”, as well as duets on Carole King’s “You’ve Got A Friend” with Melissa Manchester, and on Elton John’s “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” with Rosie O’Donnell.

Manilow’s tributes are flawlessly performed and arranged, starting with an homage to Barbra Streisand’s “The Way We Were”, and Frankie Valli’s “My Eyes Adored You”, to the seminal hits of The Carpenters’ “(They Long To Be) Close To You” and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water”.

‘The Greatest Songs Of The Seventies’ continues the productive and successful reunion between Barry Manilow and Clive Davis, Arista founder and BMG U.S. Chairman & CEO. Davis has been Barry Manilow’s hitmaking collaborator on virtually all his recordings, since they first worked together on “Mandy”, his debut No. 1 single as the first artist signed to Arista by Clive Davis in 1974, the first year of the label’s existence.

“No one can reinvent the great classics better than Barry Manilow”, comments Clive Davis. “He breathes new life and vitality into these truly wonderful songs and they sound fresh and timeless. We continue on the mission to bring to a new generation the great songs of a different era”.

On the tracklisting, Manilow says, “I sent a list of every No. 1 record in the ’70s to everybody I knew, and asked them to pick their 13 favourites.” The results, he reports, were very similar to the selections that he and label boss Clive Davis had in mind.

Manilow also commented on the inclusion of the new stripped back versions of his own hits, “There was this idea of, how could I possibly leave them out? So I’m redoing them with a small, intimate band.”

Barry Manilow’s ‘The Greatest Songs Of The Seventies’ tracklisting:
“The Way We Were” (1974)
“It Never Rains in Southern California” (1972)
“My Eyes Adored You” (1975)
“You’ve Got a Friend” (duet with Melissa Manchester) (1971)
“The Long and Winding Road” (1970)
“How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?” (1971)
“Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest Word,” (1977)
“(They Long To Be) Close to You”(1970)
“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” (duet with Rosie O’Donnell) (1976)
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” (1970)
“Sailing” (1979)
“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” (1970)
“Could It Be Magic?” (1975)
Acoustic songs:
“Mandy” (1974)
“Looks Like We Made It” (1978)
“Even Now” (1978)
“Weekend in New England” (1976-1977)
“Somewhere in the Night” (1978-1979)
“Can’t Smile Without You”(1978)
“Copacabana” (1978)
“This One’s for You” (1976)
“I Write the Songs” (1975)

ARETHA FRANKLIN – JEWELS IN THE CROWN: ALL-STAR DUETS WITH THE QUEEN

Aretha Franklin’s upcoming release "Jewels in the Crown: All-Star Duets With the Queen," wuil include some previously released duets. The CD is due Nov. 13 via Arista and is led by the single "Put You Up on Game" with Fantasia," which hits radio Oct. 1.The other new track is "What Y'All Came To Do" with John Legend. Among the gems from Franklin's back catalog appearing on the album are duets with Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Annie Lennox, Frank Sinatra, George Michael and the Rolling Stones' Keith Richards. In addition, "Jewels" includes Franklin and Bonnie Raitt's take on "A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like)" and the Queen of Soul's pairing with Mariah Carey on "Chain of Fools," plus Franklin's performance of Puccini's "Nessum Dorma" from the 1998 Grammys.

UPCOMING CONCORD RECORDS RELEAESES

Jazz label Concord is prepping a live CD from the 1994 Monteray Jazz Festival featuring Grover Washington, Jr. It’s set for January 15, 2008. Also for release on the same day is a CD featuring Joe Henderson’s live performances from the 1994 and 1996 Monteray Jazz Festival. Both CD’s will be titled Monteray Jazz Festival Live.

CINEMATIC ORCHESTRA TOUR DATES

The Cinematic Orchestra are touring the US in support of their latest release, Ma Fleur.

Tour Dates
9/14 Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
9/15 San Francisco, CA @ Bimbos 365 Club
9/16 Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theater
9/17 Seattle, WA @ Neumos
9/18 Vancouver, BC @ Richards on Richards
9/21 Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Cafe
9/22 Chicago, IL @ The Abbey Pub
9/23 Toronto, ON @ Phoenix
9/24 Montreal, QC @ Club Soda
9/25 Boston, MA @ Paradise
9/26 New York, NY @ Webster Hall

DARREN RAHN – ONCE IN A LIFETIME

Saxophonist Darren Rahn is one of the most versatile and unique young artists in contemporary jazz today. As one of the industry’s most sought after record producers, his resume includes a variety of top honors including #1’s on the coveted R&R and Billboard charts. You’ve heard his saxophone on several Wayman Tisdale hits including “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now”, “Get Down On It” and “Way Up”. Darren Rahn’s new CD entitled ‘Once In A Lifetime’ is filled with soulful vibes and displays a very refined sense of artistry. ‘Once in a Lifetime’ features some of the most respected musicians in the industry including Dave Koz, Wayman Tisdale and Jeff Lorber.

Rahn was born in British Columbia, Canada, Darren Rahn spent his childhood immersed in music. He picked up the saxophone at the age of 12 and has been playing ever since. After high school he devoted himself to the study of classical and jazz saxophone earning a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Adams State College (Alamosa, CO) and a Master’s degree in Saxophone Performance and Jazz Pedagogy from the esteemed University of Northern Colorado. While at the University of Northern Colorado, Darren studied with renowned classical saxophonist Roger Greenberg. During this time, he was also the recipient of several prestigious Downbeat Magazine awards as one of the top university saxophonist soloists in the United States. After college, Rahn immediately focused on his career as a performer and producer.

A seasoned performer, Darren Rahn has played at some of the most respected venues in the contempoary jazz…including his headline performance at the 2006 Jazztrax Catalina Island Jazz Festival. This young saxophonist has produced, recorded and performed with an impressive roster of notable artists including Dave Koz, Jeff Lorber, Wayman Tisdale, Kirk Whalum, Bob James, Jonathan Butler, Brian Culbertson, Tim Bowman, Jeffrey Osborne, Phil Perry, Eric Darius, Kim Waters, Gregg Karukas, Brian Simpson, Jay Soto, Dave Sereny, Nate Harasim and many others.

JESSY J JOINS SIGNS WITH PEAK RECORDS

Peak Records and the Concord Music Group signed new artist, saxophonist Jessy J to their impressive roster of clients including Gerald Albright, Norman Brown, Paul Brown and many others. A member of Paul Brown’s live band, Jessy J and Paul Brown made the decision to collaborate together on her project about a year ago. “I was playing in Paul’s band and after our first show he agreed to produce some tracks for me”, said Jessy J. “I was so excited to work with such an amazing producer.”


Although Jessy J first appeared on the smooth jazz scene as a member Paul Brown’s band, she has been working in the jazz and pop genres for quite a while. Jessy J has shared the stage with the likes of Jessica Simpson, Michael Buble, the Temptations, Burt Bacharach and she is currently playing sax and singing backup for Michael Bolton.

After Jessy J performed in front of record executives with Paul Brown at his CD release party in Long Beach earlier this year, people took notice. “This project definitely contains my blood, sweat, and tears. The realization of this project is like a dream come true,” said Jessy J. Another one of Jessy’s childhood dreams came true this past March when she was asked to perform alongside Paquito D’ Rivera at Carnegie Hall in a concert featuring “Tomorrow’s Star Musicians.” “I loved every minute of it,” she said.

Jessy J’s Peak debut album, Tequila Moon, will include original material and a few covers. “I was fortunate to work with an amazing team of musicians and writers. Donald Hayes wrote a beautiful song for me called, “Spanish Nights” and Kiki Ebsen wrote the magical “Turquoise Street,” said Jessy J.

Some of Jessy J’s original songs are “Tequila Moon,” “Sin Ti-With Out You,” “Fiesta Velada,” “Running Away,” and “PB n J.” Jessy J and Paul Brown collaborated on all the original material giving it that famous “Midas Touch” from the “Babyface of Smooth Jazz.”

“Working with Paul Brown was fantastic, he really knows how to create a comfortable working environment in the studio, and most of the recordings were cut live with the entire band in the studio. That definitely makes this project special to me,” said Jessy J.

Cover songs on Tequila Moon include “Song For You,” “Poetry Man,” “Beasame Mucho,” and “Mais Que Nada,” with the later two as vocals.

Recording the album was a bit of a musical homecoming for this young lion. Jessy J grew up speaking Spanish and was always entranced by the Samba rhythms of her Mexican-American childhood. “These songs really represent who I am as an artist. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity and I am very thankful to my family and friends for their support. I hope you enjoythe album,” she said.

HARRY CONNICK JR. - MY NEW ORLEANS

Harry Connick, Jr. is a highly revered and celebrated artist and entertainer. He has amassed a remarkable resume of achievements including over 20 million discs sold from his 20-album repertoire, three Grammy awards and nominations for Tony, Emmy, Oscar and Golden Globe awards. Harry Connick, Jr. is incredibly well loved in the UK. His last album released in 2004 has shipped 150,000 units to date. Sony BMG is set to release his latest - My New Orleans in the next several weeks. Connick last appeard in Europe back in 2000 and is now gearing up to return later in the year.
Here's a sneak peek of a few confirmed dates.

The following UK dates are confirmed and on sale:
November 3, 2007: Royal Albert Hall, London
November 16, 2007: Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow
November 17, 2007: Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham

BOB BALDWIN - MEMOIRS OF THE HUDSON

An innovater in the fusion of R&B and pop, Bob Baldwin has indeed been a staple on the contemporary jazz scene for nearly two decades. Perhaps best known for his collaborations, Baldwin has worked with more major names in the biz than one can reasonably list…Will Downing, Grover Washington, Jr., Marion Meadows, George Benson, Lenny White, Gerald Albright and Chuck Loeb to name a few.Being that jazz is an oral tradition, it seems only natural that such a prolific performer would choose to record his musical diary on DVD with Memoirs of the Hudson. Delighfully engaging, fans can watch the master craftsman at work in the place he loves the best - performing live

JOEY SUMMERVILLE - LIKE YOU MEAN IT

Trumpeter Joey Sommerville has found his way to the top of the Indie Jazz Charts. His latest release entitled Like You Mean It, features cuts with Wayman Tisdale, Marion Meadows, Phil Perry, Bob Baldwin, Rhonda Smith and Mike Phillips. Sommerville channels a perfect mix of bouncy grooves, Latin vibes and House Beats, all infused with the melodic soul of this incredible talent. The magical blend has catapulted the CD to reach as high as Number 7 on the smooth jazz Top 50 Indie charts. Like You Mean It, features twelve hot, smooth and mellow tunes. Atlanta's Smooth Jazz 107.5 WJZZ has just placed Like You Mean It, in heavy radio rotation.

MACY GRAY TOUR DATES

Here are Macy Gray ‘s upcoming tour dates:
September 3 @ Taste of Cleveland, Cleveland OH
September 6 @ House of Blues, Chicago IL
September 8 @ Casino Rama, Rama ON
September 12 @ Webster Hall, New York NY
September 13 @ Lyric Opera House, Baltimore MD
September 14 @ DAR Constitution Hall, Washington DC
September 15 @ Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City NJ

CHICAGO – 40th ANNIVERSARY SET

Rhino is preparing a new Chicago set. It’s a 2-CD 40th anniversary edition called “The Best Of Chicago” and is due October 2.

LUTHER VANDROSS - LOVE, LUTHER

A handful of rare and previously unreleased tracks will be included on the four-disc Luther Vandross boxed set, "Love, Luther," due Oct. 16 via Epic/J/Legacy. They include 1981 demos for "Ready for Love" and "If You Can't Dance" and versions of "There's Only You," "So Amazing" and "Anyone Who Had a Heart" recorded during a rehearsal at a Montserrat studio in June 1986.

"There's Only You" will be worked as a single to Urban AC and Smooth Jazz radio in the coming weeks. It will be the first new Vandross single since his death after complications from a stroke in 2005.

The box, which runs roughly in chronological order, begins with such early hits as "Never Too Much," "If the World Were Mine" and a blend of his own "Bad Boy" with Sam Cooke's "Havin' a Party." Disc two sports such R&B chart-toppers as "Stop To Love," the Gregory Hines duet "There's Nothing Better Than Love" and Vandross' signature song, "Here and Now."

Disc three features some pre-fame appearances with the groups Luther and Charme, plus '90s-era hits like the Mariah Carey duet "Endless Love," "Power of Love/Love Power" and "Don't Want To Be a Fool." The last disc rounds up some live cuts, a pairing with Frank Sinatra on "The Lady Is a Tramp" from the latter's 1993 album "Duets" and Vandross' last big R&B hit, 2001's "Take You Out."

KENNY 'BABYFACE' EDMONDS - PLAYLIST

Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds latest release is currently the #2 most added single at AC radio. His take on James Taylor’s ‘Fire & Rain’ is also the #1 most added song on the Smooth Jazz chartswPLAYLIST is the first Babyface album devoted (mostly) to cover versions of some of his favorite songs, including Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” Dan Fogelberg’s “Longer,” and others from James Taylor (“Shower The People”), Eric Clapton (“Wonderful Tonight”), Bread (“Diary”), Jim Croce (“Time In A Bottle”), and Dave Loggins (“Please Come To Boston”), plus two new compositions by Babyface, including the beautiful song he penned for his two children, “Not Going Nowhere.”

Kenny ”Babyface” Edmond’s countless honors, which include Grammy awards for Producer Of the Year in 1992, ’95, ’96 and ’97 (the only person in history to win for three consecutive years), plus numerous NAACP Image Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and American Music Awards, established him not only as the top hitmaker of the ’90s, but as one of the greatest hitmakers in the history of popular music.      
            
Babyface fans around the world can see him live when he performs at the new Billboard Live clubs in Japan in October:  Tokyo, Japan (Oct. 15, 16, 18, 19, 20);  Osaka, Japan (Oct. 22, 23, 25, 26, 28) and Fukuoka, Japan (Oct. 29).   Babyface is also playing Manila, Phillipines’ Araneta Coliseum on Oct 13.  

JONI MITHCELL - SHINE

Joni Mitchell has signed with Hear Records (Starbucks/Concord) for her upcoming release. The new CD is entitled “Shine” and it will feauter 10 new songs, including a remake of on of our favorites, “Big Yellow Taxi”. It’s out September 25.

QUEEN LATIFAH – TRAV’LIN’ LIGHT

Trav'lin' Light is Queen Latifah's second CD highlighting jazz, soul, and blues. This time out she is exploring songs from the songbooks of Peggy Lee, Etta James, Sarah Vaughn, Nina Simone, Shirley Horn, Carmen McRae, Roberta Flack, Mary Wells, Phoebe Snow, and others. Trav’lin Light is produced by three-time Grammy® winner Tommy LiPuma and by Geffen Records chairman Ron Fair, and the album is the long-awaited follow-up to Latifah’s critically-acclaimed and Grammy® nominated release The Dana Owens Album (2004). Trav’lin’ Light features contributions by a number of stellar artists: neo-soul singers Jill Scott and Erykah Badu, piano and keyboard pioneers George Duke and Joe Sample, and bass virtuoso Christian McBride. Engineered by 15-time Grammy® winner Al Schmitt, the album also features Jeff Hamilton on drums, Anthony Wilson on guitar and John Clayton on arrangements. Also included on the CD is Stevie Wonder, who contributes harmonica on one track. It’s due September 25.

JOSS STONE TOUR DATES

Joss Stone will perform the following concerts:
September 6 @ Britt Pavilion, Jacksonville OR
September 8 @ Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas NV
September 11 @ Vive Cuervo Salon, Mexico City Mexico
September 14 @ Austin City Limits Festival, Austin TX
September 16 @ Hard Rock Hotel, Biloxi MS
September 20 @ Charter One Pavilion, Chicago IL
September 23 @ Now & Zen Fest, San Francisco CA
September 26 @ Myth, Maplewood MN
September 28 @ Theatre at Atlantis, Paradise Islands Bahamas
September 29 @ Crossroads, Kansas City MO
October 2 @ Fillmore, Detroit MI
October 5 @ MacEwan Conference & Event Centre, Calgary AB
October 31 @ Ahoy, Rotterdam Netherlands

KOCD-FM SMOOTH JAZZ RADIO

KESC-FM in McAlester, OK has moved its 100kw signal into Oklahoma City over to 103.7 on the dial, and has become Smooth Jazz KOCD-FM. The station is now an affiliate of Broadcast Architecture's Smooth Jazz Network. The market has been without a Jazz outlet since KTNT dropped its NAC/Jazz format eight years ago.

WAYNE SHORTER 2008 TOUR DATES

Wayne Shorter is firming up his 2008 tour dates and will perform the following concerts:
January 5 @ Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool UK
March 28 @ Kimmel Center, Philadelphia PA
June 6 @t Symphony Center, Chicago IL

CINEMATIC: CLASSIC FILM MUSIC REMIXED

Cinematic: Classic Film Music Remixed takes some of the greatest movie music of all time from Quincy Jones, Nina Rota, Ennio Morricone, Henry Mancini, Duke Ellington and others and puts the music in the hands of some of today's leading remixers, DJs and producers. Included on this set are Quincy Jones' "They Call Me Mr. Tibbs" and David Shire's “The Taking of Pelham 123” as they are given new mixes by King Britt and Phillip Charles. Also included are the "Love Theme to Ben Hur" and the "Roma Suite" from Fellini's Roma which are taken into new atmospheric heights by ambient texturalists Bombay Dub Orchestra and Bent. Cinematic's other remixers also includes Tom Middleton (one half of the groundbreaking ambient duo, Global Communication), Shawn Lee, Shrift, Zeb. Mark de Clive Lowe, The Real Tuesday Weld and Gaudi.

THELMA HOUSTON – A WOMAN’S TOUCH

Thelma Houstons returns with a new CD on the Shout Factory label, A Woman’s Touch. She follows the trend that has been established by dozens of senior soul and pop artists over the past few years, the disc is a collection of remakes of soul classics from the 60s, 70s and 80s.  The twist in A Woman's Touch is that Houston has chosen to cover popular songs by some of her favorite strong male artists, giving them "a woman's touch." The good news is that Houston sounds great.  Her deep, bluesy voice is as distinctive as ever, and she appears at ease with the well worn collection of songs on A Woman's Touch.  Included on the CD are Marvin Gaye's "Ain't That Peculiar,"  Sting's "Brand New Day" and Marvin Gaye’s "Distant Lover."  Other uptempo tracks include, Luther Vandfross’ "Never too Much" and Sylvester's "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" with the full disco diva treatment.  The remaining cuts range from Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes' "Wake Up Everybody" and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix". 

BEBEL GILBERTO TOUR DATES

Bebel Gilberto is back on the road after here recent injury and begins her fall tour with a live show at San Francisco's Fillmore on September 6th. She is currently touring in support of her latest release, Momento.

Fall Tour Dates
Thu. 9/6/07 @ The Fillmore, San Francisco, Ca.
Sat. 9/8/07 @ Avalon, Los Angeles, Ca.
Mon. 9/10/07 @ The Showbox, Seattle, Wa.
Tue. 9/11/07 @ Aladdin Theatre, Portland, Or.
Thu. 9/13/07 @ Park West, Chicago, IL.
Fri. 9/14/07 @ Carlu, Toronto, Canada
Sat. 9/15/07 @ Le National, Montreal, Canada
Mon. 9/17/07 @ Paradise, Boston, Ma.
Tue. 9/18/07 @ Webster Hall, New York, NY.

DIANA KRALL – THE VERY BEST OF DIANA KRALL

Verve is releasing The Very Best of Diana Krall on September 18 and it cludes interpretations of timeless vintage standards by composers as George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hart, Van Heusen and Cahn, and Bacharach and David.  Songs include S'Wonderful," "Peel Me A Grape" and "I've Got You Under My Skin."  Krall also demonstrates her versatility with musical settings that range from the playful swing of "Frim Fram Sauce" to the intimate bossa nova of "The Look of Love" The collection also features three previously unreleased songs – Sinatra’s classic "Only the Lonely," "You Go to My Head," and Tom Waits' "The Heart of Saturday Night."

CHICK COREA & BELA FLECK TOUR DATES

Chick Corea & Bela Fleck will perform the following concerts:
October 27 @ Auditorium Theatre, Lyon France
October 29 @ Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, Moscow Russia
October 31 @ Riga Arena, Riga Latvia
November 2 @ Studenski Centre; Zagreb Croatia
November 3 @ Turker Inanoglu Maslak Show Center, Sariyer Turkey
November 7 @ Torwar Hall, Warsaw Poland
November 9 @ Teatro Medica, Bologna Italy
February 13 @ Riley Center, Meridian MS
February 15 @ New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark NJ
February 16 @ Penn State, University Park PA
February 20 @ Ruby Diamond Auditorium, Tallahassee FL
March 1 @ Dartmouth, Hanover NH.

TEDDY PENDERGRASS & LOU RAWLS ESSENTIALS

Gamble & Huff’s Philadelphia International Records has teamed with Legacy to release a series of compilations highlighting their amazing catalogue of music. First up are the 2-CD Teddy Pendergrass Essenstial (out October 30); and the 2-CD Lou Raws Essential set (also on October 30).

HERBIE HANCOCK – RIVER: THE JONI LETTERS

Herbie Hancock’s new album, “River, The Joni Letters” is due out on September 25. It’s a collection of Mitchell covers with guest appearances by Joni Mitchell (“Teal Leaf Prophect”); Leonard Cohen (“The Jungle Line”); Corinne Baily Rae (“The River”)’ Norah Jones (“Court And Spark”); Tina Turner (“Edith And The Kingpin”); and Luciana Souza (“Amelia”), as well as constributions from Wayne Shorter on sax, Dave Holland on bass, and Lionel Loueke on guitar.

Herbie Hancock will head back on the road later in the year and will perform the following concerts:
November 8 @ Fairfield Center, Fairfield CA
November 9 @ John Van Duzer Theatre, Arcata CA
November 10 @ Masonic Center in San Francisco CA
November 11 @ Campbell Hall, Santa Barbara CA
November 14 @ Centennial Hall, Tucson AZ
November 15 @ Lensic PAC, Santa Fe NM
November 16 @ Orpheum Theatre, Phoenix AZ

TERENCE BLANCHARD - A TALE OF GOD’S WILL (A REQUIEM FOR KATRINA)

Terence Blanchard’s A Tale Of God’s Will (A Requiem For Katrina), a beautifully haunting and impassioned song-cycle about the physical and emotional ravages incurred upon the City of New Orleans and its residents as a result of Hurricane Katrina, was recently released by Blue Note Records on August 14th. Featuring thirteen original compositions written by Blanchard and members of his band, A Tale of God’s Will is an evocative emotional journey of a city whose spirit lives on through the most devastating of circumstances - as told through the musical genius of one of New Orleans’ proudest residents – Terence Blanchard.

Recorded at Conway Studios in Los Angeles and Studio X and Bastyr University Chapel in Seattle, A Tale of God’s Will features a 40 piece orchestra string section in addition to Blanchard’s band (Derrick Hodge on bass, Aaron Parks on piano, Kendrick Scott on drums and Brice Winston on saxophone). While specific tracks from the CD were originally written for the Levees documentary, both the creative process for scoring the film and the physical experience of living through Katrina itself left no doubt in Blanchard’s mind that his next CD project would be a musical expression and expansion of these, of having gone through the Hurricane itself as well as through the aftermath of this terrible event, and that he would be helping to contribute to the rebuilding of the city - both musically and otherwise – in any way that he could.

“This moment must be seen,” says Blanchard, “Has to be seen by those people around the world who don’t know what has happened here. What is happening here. Yes. Still.”

Blanchard also called upon the talents of his bandmates to create music for the new CD – as heard on Derrick Hodge’s “Over There”, Aaron Park’s “Ashe”, Kendrick Scott’s “Mantra” and Brice Winston’s “In Time of Need”. Each track was written by the individual band member and offers their own unique perspective of the tragedy in New Orleans, yet all of the music flows together seamlessly to create an unbelievably poignant and inspiring whole work.

The past year has been an incredibly prolific one for the world-renowned film composer and trumpet player on a number of other levels as well. While working on A Tale of God’s Will, Blanchard also played a pivotal role in the moving of The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz from Los Angeles to New Orleans, a move that as Artistic Director he feels will benefit not only the city of New Orleans, but the students themselves who will be surrounded by the ever-present rich diversity of music in the Crescent City. In addition, Blanchard was chosen by the Monterey Jazz Festival to be their honorary Artist-In-Residence for 2007, teaching at the institute there several times throughout the year and of course performing all weekend at the upcoming festival itself in September of 2007.

July will see the release of Talk To Me, acclaimed Director Kasi Lemmon’s new film based on the life of radical disc jockey and political activist Petey Greene, played by Don Cheadle. Blanchard’s score for Talk To Me will be his 41st film score, following on the heels of Levees as well as his groundbreaking work for Universal Pictures/Imagine Entertainment’s Inside Man, in which he called upon the talents of not only his band, but an 80-piece orchestra.

Besides performing for sold-out audiences around the globe, Terence was a featured panelist and performer at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and served as a keynote speaker at the Billboard Film and Television Music Conference. One week out of every month finds Terence teaching at the Monk Institute, and he just recently performed at the 2007 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Flow: Living In The Stream of Music, the critically-acclaimed documentary that followed Terence and his band across four continents, was nominated for a Grammy (Best Long-form Music Video) in the 49th Annual Grammy Awards (his critically-acclaimed CD, Flow, was the recipient of two Grammy nominations in 2006).

Blanchard was born in New Orleans on March 13, 1962, and began playing piano at 5 years of age. In elementary school, he added on the trumpet and was coached at home by his opera-singing father. In high school, Terence came under the tutelage of Ellis Marsalis and Roger Dickerson, and after graduation, attended Rutger’s University on a music scholarship where one of his professors was so impressed by his talent that he brokered him a touring gig with Lionel Hampton’s band.

In '83, Wynton Marsalis recommended Terence as his replacement in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Part of the Blakey legend was his ability to foster performances and individual personalities from the young, malleable talents he brought into his fold. Blakey utilized and nurtured the improvisation and compositional ideas of his band members to solidify his own unique artistic vision. The legacy of the working band as jazz workshop is at the essence of jazz, and Terence remains one of the few on the scene today who fully embrace that dynamic.

Two years later, Terence and fellow Messenger Donald Harrison split to form their own quintet. In '90, TB departed to pursue a solo career. During his tenure at Columbia, both his soundtrack to Mo’ Better Blues and his CD The Heart Speaks were nominated for Grammy Awards. Signed to the Sony Classical label in 1999, the trumpeter/composer gained acclaim as a bandleader and composer of movie and television soundtracks (including the Grammy-nominated Wandering Moon and a Golden Globe nomination for his score for Spike Lee’s The 25th Hour). In 2003 Terence signed with Blue Note Records and has released Bounce and Flow, the first two parts of a three-record trilogy.

Additional films that Terence has written the music for include Eve’s Bayou, Malcolm X, Barbershop, Their Eyes Were Watching God and Clockers.

The release of A Tale of God’s Will will be accompanied by a worldwide tour with Terence and his band, as well as dates featuring guest appearances by Spike Lee focusing on their film work together and in particular, the music of When the Levees Broke.

PAUL ANKA – CLASSIC SONGS MY WAY

Paul Ank’a latest release follows the lead from his previous CD (Rock Swings), as he continues to put his own classic swing on some of pop’s most widely known songs. Anka includes interpretations on Cyndi Laupers “True Colors” and Duran Duran’s” “Ordinary World”. The CD also includes yet another version of Sinatra’s “My Way” (written by Anka, among others). Previous press releases had indicated that there would be an ‘electronic’ duet with Sammy Davis, Jr.; however, it appears that this track never made the final cut. Hopefully it will be released at another time.

RARE & UNRELEASED TRACKS FROM ARETHA FRANKLIN

A selection of previously unreleased material from Aretha Franklin from the vaults at Atlantic are being assembled for an upcoming collection from Rhino Records. The double-disc "Rare and Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul" will be released Oct. 16, featuring B-sides, demos and outtakes from Franklin's 13-year history with the label. Previously unreleased tracks include "You Keep Me Hanging On," "Trying To Overcome," and "My Way," a rare cover of the Beatles' "Fool on the Hill" and demo versions of "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)," "Dr. Feelgood (Love Is a Serious Business)" and "Sweet Bitter Love."

Additionally, a second disc will contain a duet with Ray Charles on "Ain't but the One," an alternate version of "Rock Steady" and outtakes from the "Young, Gifted and Black" and "Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky)" sessions. Aretha Franklin’s upcoming concert dates include the Montreux Jazz Festival -- Atlanta on Sept 1, and Sept. 18 at the Dream concert at New York's Radio City Music Hall

Here is the track list for ""Rare and Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul":


Disc 1:

"I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)"
"Dr. Feelgood (Love Is a Serious Business)"
"Sweet Bitter Love"
"It Was You"
"The Letter"
"So Soon"
"Mr. Big"
"Talk to Me, Talk to Me"
"The Fool on the Hill"
"Pledging My Love/The Clock"
"You're Taking Another Man's Place"
"You Keep Me Hangin' On"
"I'm Trying to Overcome"
"My Way"
"My Cup Runneth Over"
"You're All I Need To Get By" (first outtake)
"You're All I Need To Get By" (second outtake)
"Lean on Me"

Disc 2:

"Rock Steady"
"I Need a Strong Man"
"Heavenly Father"
"Sweetest Smile and the Funkiest Style"
"This Is"
"Tree of Life"
"Do You Know"
"Can You Love Again"
"I Want Tto Be with You"
"Suzanne"
"That's the Way I Feel About Cha"
"Ain't But the One"
"The Happy Blues"
"At Last"
"Love Letters"
"I'm in Love"
"Are You Leaving Me"

CANDY DULFER'S CANDY STORE

Saxophonist Candy Dulfer will deliver her new CD Candy Store on the Heads Up International label on September 18th. The Dutch-born artist says she's been gratified by early response to the CD, which features a range of musical styles, from funk to Latin and reggae to hip-hop. Dulfer says she was able to make the album she wanted to make, writing and recording tunes with musical partners Ulco Bed, Thomas Bank, and Chance Howard before she had signed a new recording contract. After meeting Heads Up chief Dave Love at a European festival, she decided to send him a sample of her music, thinking he wouldn't feel it was right for the label. She was pleasantly surprised. Dulfer explained: "We kept writing but it was all very ... you know, a lot of diverse styles, just everything we felt like basically. And then I met Dave Love from Heads Up, and he said he wanted to sign me. And he said, 'Do you have some material already?' And I said, 'Well we got stuff but you probably won't like it because it's so totally out there and so different.' And he said, 'Well try me and just send it to me.' And I did, and he just loved it." No official single has been designated for radio, but smooth jazz fans will enjoy the Latin flavor of "La Cabana," the smooth "11:58," and the beautiful "Everytime." Candy Store also features a bonus track, a remix of her previous radio hit "Finsbury Park.”.