SIMPLY RED COLLECTOR'S EDITION - STARS

Here's a treat for all of you Simply Red fans. They have just released a fantastic new collector's edition of the Stars album as part of a new joint venture between Simply Red and Warners. This 2CD and DVD set is released this week in the UK (other countries may vary). It contains over 4.5 hours of content including: the original album, the Robert Johnson sessions, Live In Hamburg 1992 and 11 dance mixes. In addition, a DVD wit the Montreux Jazz Festival concert 1992 and 5 videos, and a 36 page booklet with new notes and rare photos remastered from the original tapes.

Tracklisting:

Disc 1 - Original Album (Remastered)

1. Something Got Me Started

2. Stars

3. Thrill Me

4. Your Mirror

5. She's Got It Bad

6. For Your Babies

7. Model

8. How Could I Fall

9. Freedom

10. WonderlandBonus Tracks (Robert Johnson sessions)

11.Come On In My Kitchen [Remastered]

12. Ramblin' On My Mind [Remastered]

13.Me And The Devil Blues [Remastered]

14. When You've Got A Good Friend [Remastered]

Bonus Tracks (Live In Hamburg 23rd Feb 1992)

15. Sad Old Red [Live Remastered]

16. More [Live Remastered]

17. Something Got Me Started [Live Remastered]

18. Thrill Me [Live Remastered]

19. Your Mirror [Live Remastered]

20. She's Got It Bad [Live Remastered]

Disc 2 - Mixes (Remastered)

1. Stars [PM-ized Mix]

2. For Your Babies [Edition Francais]

3. Something Got Me Started [Esmoove's Late Night Mix]

4. Thrill Me [Steppin' Razor Mix]

5. Freedom [Perfecto Mix]

6. Stars [Comprende Mix]

7. Something Got Me Started [Hurley's 7" Mix]

8. Thrill Me [Connoisseurs Mix]

9. Freedom [How Long Mix]

10. Something Got Me Started [Perfecto Mix]

11. Thrill Me [Nellee Hooper's Dub Mix]

Disc 3 - DVD Featuring the 1992 Montreux Jazz Festival Concert plus 5 promo videos

ALICIA KEYS TEAMS UP WITH CHARITY

Multi-Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter, producer, actress and philanthropist Alicia Keys recently partnered with Seattle-based Treemo (http://www.treemo.com) to launch the innovative "As I Am" contest, a mobile and web contest to support the Keep A Child Alive (KCA) charity. The contest directly benefits KCA as Treemo will donate $1 to the cause for every unique user who enters the "As I Am" contest, up to $10,000.

Keys is the Global Ambassador for Keep A Child Alive, a charity providing an urgent response to the AIDS pandemic ravaging Africa. KCA provides comprehensive AIDS care to over 20,000 people living with AIDS; including provision of life-saving AIDS medications, nutritional support and treatment for AIDS-related illnesses. They also provide care and support to thousands of children who have lost their parents from this devastating disease. KCA uses 100% of public donations for the cause, a fact very few charities can honestly claim.

"This contest and Treemo's support will not only increase our ability to spread the word about the realities of this pandemic, but also recruit more potential donors who can easily see they can indeed save the life of someone who needs their help. It's only $1 a day to sustain a life; it's time we all start giving a buck," said Leigh Blake, Founder and President of KCA. For more information about Keep A Child Alive, click to http://www.keepachildalive.org/.

The "As I Am" contest celebrates the third track on the album titled "Superwoman" by allowing fans to create a Treemo.com account at http://alicia.treemo.com and upload via their mobile phone or web, a photo, video, or text, telling a story about someone they know who is a "Superwoman." Since launching, the contest has generated over a thousand entries from throughout the US, each full of rich personal stories of courage, admiration, and heart-felt nominations.

"Keep A Child Alive's mission is to empower and inspire people to act and save lives. Now my fans can share with me in real-time, from anywhere anytime, their own personal stories of empowerment and help support KCA's efforts," said Alicia Keys.

At http://alicia.treemo.com, users may browse all the contest entries, receive updates on Alicia's favorites, and download ring tones of her hit tracks "No One" and "Like You'll Never See Me Again" from her number one multi-platinum selling album "As I Am."

The contest will be promoted via a nationwide Top 40 radio campaign in major urban markets, from KKDA in Dallas to KUBE in Seattle to WJMN in Boston and more. Each of these radio stations will review the contest entries and select three winners to receive an iPod Touch and an "As I Am" CD signed by Keys. Each station will then choose three semi-finalists to compete for the grand prize concert trip giveaway to see Alicia Keys on tour in the United States. Fans may text ALICIA to 873366 to receive contest news and view the latest entries via their mobile phones. Entries for the "As I Am" contest must be received at http://alicia.treemo.com by February 28, 2008. For complete Contest Rules, visit http://alicia.treemo.com/static/contest_rules.

As I Am Contest Radio Shortcode: Text ALICIA to 873366
"We are thrilled to partner with Alicia to power the "As I Am" contest and contribute to Keep a Child Alive," said Brent Brookler, Treemo's CEO. "Within the entertainment industry, we are witnessing the arrival of forward thinking artists like Alicia who are paving the way in the industry with integration of web and mobile community features to better connect with fans. Treemo's platform allows these artists to promote their brand and social causes with powerful social media tools and creative campaigns that reward fans for participating in the artist's community."

RYODISC TO CELEBRATE 25TH ANNIVERSARY - OFFERS FREE DOWNLOADS!

Rykodisc, the first label to embrace and usher in the compact disc era, proudly celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2008. As a way of saying thanks for supporting our music, Rykodisc is offering 5 free downloads, commemorating our first 25 years, every month of 2008 at www.rykodisc.com. Subsequent downloads will be posted on the 25th of every month during 2008.

The first 5 downloads highlight our rich history with world music. Artists to be featured include Nigeria's juju master King Sunny Ade, world renowned guitarists Ali Farka Toure & Ry Cooder, the sophisticated instrumental sounds of Toumani Diabate, Baka Beyond from the rainforest of Cameroon, and Taj Mahal & Toumani Diabate.

Rykodisc is a recognized leader within the independent music arena. Originally founded as the first CD-only label, Rykodisc is home to a collection of visionary artists including Frank Zappa, Bill Hicks, Morphine, Joe Jackson, Gary Louris, Brian Eno and Elf Power. The label's continued mission is to cultivate an environment that is artist-driven, progressive and forward-thinking as we approach the next 25 years in an ever-changing musical landscape.

John Esposito, President and CEO of WEA Corp., Warner Music Group's US retail sales and marketing company, said, "From the first time I picked up one of those green jewel cases back in the day, I knew Rykodisc was a music company with a distinct point of view. Every album I have enjoyed since has been special and unique. Today, Rykodisc remains a safe haven for creativity, integrity and inspiration."

Rykodisc and its sister company, Ryko Distribution, are headquartered in New York City and are subsidiaries of Warner Music Group. In 2007, Rykodisc merged Cordless Recordings into its operations. Cordless Recordings focuses on developing and exposing new talent through the digital media space. The label was founded by legendary industry veteran, Jac Holzman, who also founded the esteemed labels, Elektra and Nonesuch Records.

In 2008, look for Ryko to complement its signature green jewel case with innovative eco-friendly "green" packaging on selected releases. We begin the year with a stellar album from Joe Jackson, followed by new releases by such artists as Gary Louris, Supreme Beings of Leisure, Elf Power, Was (Not Was), and many more.

MICHAEL JACKSON'S THRILLER RE-RELEASE SELLS 166,000 UNITS!

With first week's sales in the United States totaling 165,805 units,Thriller 25 enters the Billboard Top Pop Catalog chart at #1. (During thepast 52 week period, the average first week's sales for an album hitting #1on the Top Pop Catalog chart has been 16.6 thousand pieces; Thriller 25entered the chart with 10x that number. Because of a technicality in the rules of Billboard charting, Thriller 25 is ineligible to chart on the Top 200. Based on first week's sales, Thriller 25, if eligible, would have entered the Top 200 at #2, nestled between Jack Johnson at #1 and AmyWinehouse at #3.)

Michael Jackson's iconic music film for "Thriller" is currently the #1music video download on iTunes. With more than one million copies of Thriller 25 shipped around theworld, and re-orders already flooding in, the new edition of Michael Jackson's classic collection has hit #1 in France; #1 in Belgium; #2 inGermany; #2 in Australia; #2 in the Netherlands; #2 in Norway (Thriller's highest position ever in that country); #2 in Sweden; #2 in Switzerland; #3 in the UK; #3 in Denmark; #3 in New Zealand; #4 in Spain; #5 in Austria; #5in Ireland; #6 in the Czech Republic; and #6 in Italy.

Global response to the release of Thriller 25, the newly expanded deluxe 25th anniversary edition of Michael Jackson's Thriller, the world'stop- selling album of all-time, reached a fever pitch across the planet with surprise hit singles, an ongoing 40-episode "ThrillerCast" podcastevent, the premiere of the "Thrillicious" Sobe Life Water ad campaign at the Super Bowl, the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to Michael Jackson at the NRJ Music Awards at Cannes and a host of upcoming events and surprises.

In one of the most groundbreaking aspects of the Thriller 25 campaign, fans will soon be able to go online and star in Michael's signature"Thriller" video. Using newly developed technology from innovative media company Big Stage, fans can create photo-realistic 3-D avatars ofthemselves to be inserted into Michael's role in the classic clip. (Fulldetails TBA.)

The Michael Jackson Thriller 25th anniversary celebration runs throughout 2008 with a multi-faceted global marketing campaign featuring high-profile television, radio and online events around the world and themajor re-launch of Michael's official website, http://www.michaeljackson.com

Originally released in the US on November 30, 1982 by Epic Records,Thriller, Michael Jackson's sixth solo album and second with producer Quincy Jones, first entered the Billboard Top 200 album chart at #11 in December 1982. The original Thriller went on to spend an astounding 80 consecutive weeks in the American Top 10, 37 of those at #1, while making history as the first and only record to be America's top-selling album two years running (1983 and 1984). Thriller has been certified 27x platinum by the RIAA, giving it Double Diamond Award status in the US. In 1985, the Guinness Book of Records named Thriller the Best Selling Album of All Time, an achievement which remains unsurpassed to this day.

THRILLER - 25 The World's Biggest Selling Album of All Time
Thriller - original track listing - US Billboard Chart Peaks
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" - (#5 Hot 100, #5 R&B)
"Baby Be Mine"
"The Girl Is Mine" (with Paul McCartney) - (#2 Hot 100, #1 R&B, #1 Adult Contemporary) "Thriller" - (#4 Hot 10, #3 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks)
"Beat It" - (#1 Hot 100, #1 R&B)
"Billie Jean" - (#1 Hot 100, #1 R&B, #9 A/C)
"Human Nature" - (#7 Hot 100, #2 Adult Contemporary)
"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" - (#10 Hot 100)
"The Lady in My Life"

Bonus Material:
10. Vincent Price Excerpt From "Thriller" Voice-Over Session

Previously Unreleased Tracks for 25th Anniversary Edition
11. The Girl Is Mine 2008 with will.i.am
12. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008 with will.i.am
13. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008 with Akon
14. Beat It 2008 with Fergie
15. Billie Jean 2008 Kanye West mix
16. For All Time (unreleased track from original Thriller sessions)

DVD - The Short Films
1. BILLIE JEAN
2. BEAT IT
3. THRILLER
4. BILLIE JEAN - The Legendary Performance from Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, and Forever

25th Anniversary Executive Producer: Michael Jackson
Original Album Produced by Quincy Jones for Quincy Jones Productions

Related links:
http://www.legacyrecordings.com
http://www.michaeljackson.com
http://www.epicrecords.com

LAST.FM IS FASTEST GROWING ONLINE MUSIC NETWORK

Last.fm, the CBS Corporation-owned social networking music Web site, released figures today that showed it to be the fastest growing online music network in the U.S., as their free-on-demand music service saw a unique listener increase of 92% since it was launched four weeks ago. In addition, since the launch of free-on-demand, unique visitors continued to show sustained growth, up 59%, while page views increased 58%. Last.fm receives more than 21 million active users worldwide every month. Martin Stiksel, Last.fm co-founder, said: "We've created a new model that works for everyone -- listeners, artists and copyright holders -- and the user response proves that it is working. Free is the future, and this is signaled not only by the industry's growing acceptance of what we're doing, but more importantly, by the incredibly fast increase of users accessing music on Last.fm since we launched free-on-demand."

"It's very gratifying to see the U.S. market take to Last.fm this way," said Felix Miller, co-founder, Last.fm. "There's no question that free-on- demand streaming has proven to be a tremendously powerful value proposition for the U.S. consumer. It's also clear that the music industry is looking outside itself to maximize existing revenue opportunities while developing new ones, and Last.fm and CBS are showing what can be done. And it's not only the music industry that understands the potential of our model -- we're also attracting major sponsors like BMW and Philips. Additionally, our successful offline activity around the Grammy Awards, and other events we are planning, show that we're working to achieve what we promised when
we launched last month."

While the free-on-demand offering has been the catalyst of the growth in U.S. traffic, the site received a tremendous boost after Last.fm received on- air promotional exposure during the Feb. 10 airing of the Grammy Awards, as well as the Jan. 25 Garth Brooks concert airing on the
CBS Television Network.

In launching the free-on-demand service earlier this year, Last.fm became the first music Web site to offer free, global, on-demand access to the largest licensed catalogue of music built on partnerships with all four major record labels -- Universal Music Group, Sony/BMG, Warner and EMI -- as well as CD Baby, IODA, the Orchard, Naxos and more than 150,000 independent labels and artists. Free-on-demand listening is available without registration, or the download of any software. Last.fm has become one of the leading places in the world where people can go to listen to music online. Its vast library has attracted a community of more than 20 million unique monthly users in 240 countries around the globe. The heart of Last.fm is a powerful recommendation engine that guides listeners to music they are likely to enjoy based on prior selections, connecting them with the music they love and with others who share their tastes. Last.fm's free-on-demand service is advertiser supported, allowing clients many unique opportunities to reach a highly targeted and engaged audience.

Currently the free-on-demand service is available in the U.S., U.K. and Germany available without registration, or the download of any software, and is scheduled to roll out globally in the coming months.

Founded in 2002 in London, Last.fm is the online, social music revolution that connects people with music and artists with listeners. By joining the Last.fm community, music fans can choose to share their music preferences by linking their media player to the Last.fm database. This database is populated continually with over 600 million monthly track submissions from Last.fm music fans. As a result, Last.fm can intelligently recommend songs, artists, local concerts and even other members based on their musical tastes.

Thanks to partnerships with Universal, EMI, Warner Music Group, Sony BMG, CD Baby, independent aggregators The Orchard and IODA, and more than 150,000 independent artists and labels that upload music directly to the site, Last.fm can draw recommendations from the largest licensed online catalogue of music. From January 2008, Last.fm started offering free-on-demand access to music on the site, without the need to log-in, as well as an unprecedented Artist Royalty program through which unsigned artists can earn revenue directly from Last.fm every time their music streamed. Learn more about Last.fm by clicking to http://www.last.fm.

CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS.A and CBS) is a mass media company with constituent parts that reach back to the beginnings of the broadcast industry, as well as newer businesses that operate on the leading edge of the media industry. The Company, through its many and varied operations, combines broad reach with well-positioned local businesses, all of which provide it with an extensive distribution network by which it serves audiences and advertisers in all 50 states and key international markets. It has operations in virtually every field of media and entertainment, including broadcast television (CBS and The CW -- a joint venture between CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. Entertainment), cable television (Showtime and CSTV Networks), local television (CBS Television Stations), television production and syndication (CBS Paramount Network Television and CBS Television Distribution), radio (CBS Radio), advertising on out-of-home media (CBS Outdoor), publishing (Simon & Schuster), interactive media (CBS Interactive), music (CBS Records), licensing and merchandising (CBS Consumer Products), video/DVD (CBS Home Entertainment), in-store media (CBS Outernet) and motion pictures (CBS Films). For more information, click to http://www.cbscorporation.com.

BOZ SCAGGS: NEW TOUR AND ALBUM IN 2008

Grammy Award-winning artist and smooth jazz radio favorite Boz Scaggs, is back out on the to perform his best known songs from his career. These include hits that are constantly requested like "Lido Shuffle," "Look What You've Done To Me," "Miss Sun," "Jo Jo," "Heart Of Mine," "Lowdown," "Harbor Lights," "We're All Alone" and many others will be showcased throughout the tour. Soon the tour will come to the Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella, California on April 19. Next up for Boz Scaggs will be a new studio record in April, 2008.

Boz Scaggs was born in Texas and raised with an abiding respect for a wide spectrum of American roots music, Scaggs has combined rock, jazz, R&B and blues to create a trademark sound. With an extensive and distinctive career that has spanned 30 years and many accolades, Scaggs continues to prove himself as one of music's most creative and original artists.

Tickets for Boz Scaggs are $65, $55 and $45 and are on sale now at Spotlight29.com and at the Spotlight 29 Casino Gift Shop or by calling (800) 585-3737. Show time is 8 p.m. Put the spotlight on headliner entertainment at Spotlight 29 Casino, the Coachella Valley's most exciting place to play. Spotlight 29 Casino is a business venture of the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians. Click to http://www.Spotlight29.com for more information on Spotlight 29 and for a roster of upcoming entertainment shows.

NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL ADDS SHERYL CROW

Grammy winner Sheryl Crow has been added the the entertainment roster for the upcoming New Orleans Jazz and Hertitage Festival. On April 25, nine-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow will headline the first night of this year's New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (also known as JazzFest) as part of a short run of dates -- a preview of her extensive upcoming summer tour. Last week Crow's sixth studio album, the highly personal Detours, debuted on Billboard's Top 200 Album Chart at #2, and has already been hailed as a classic. The album marks the return of producer Bill Bottrell and "USA Today" calls it "Crow's Magnum Opus."

Crow will also be playing dates in Wichita, KS (April 22), Tulsa, OK (April 23), Pensacola, FL (April 26), Jacksonville, FL (April 27) and Clearwater, FL (April 29) in preparation for her full-scale nationwide tour this summer. One dollar from each ticket sold will go to the United Nations' World Food Programme. New Orleans holds a special place in Crow's heart; she recorded her eponymous second album there, and she pays tribute to the city's undying optimism and resilience in her current single, "Love is Free."

Sheryl Crow is in the midst of a publicity for her latest album (Detours) and single (Love Is Free), and has a number of television appearance scheduled. Here is a breakdown of those tv shows:

March 10 – The Tonight Show
March 11 – The Ellen DeGeneres Show
March 13 – Jimmy Kimmel Live
March 14 - Last Call With Carson Daly

New Orleans holds a special place in Crow’s heart; she recorded her eponymous second album there, and she pays tribute to the city’s undying optimism and resilience in her current single, “Love is Free.” Sheryl Crow will also be playing dates in Wichita, KS (April 22), Tulsa, OK (April 23), Pensacola, FL (April 26), Jacksonville, FL (April 27) and Clearwater, FL (April 29) in preparation for her full-scale nationwide tour this summer. One dollar from each ticket sold will go to the United Nations’ World Food Programme.

ERYKAH BADU: NEW AMERYKAH PART 1 ON VHISOUL.COM

When VH1 Soul "SoulStage" made its debut in August 2007 with R&B songstress Jill Scott, it was clear that the soul was about to become unstoppable. Wyclef Jean continued to stir up the soul as the featured artist of the second presentation of VH1 "SoulStage," where he performed new music from his "Carnivale" album. Now, Grammy Award-winning, R&B and hip hop singer/songwriter Erykah Badu takes her place among the elite artists in the VH1 "SoulStage" franchise. Shot in front of a live studio audience, VH1 "SoulStage," provides viewers with exclusive world premiere performances of songs from Erykah Badu’s brand new album, providing viewers with an inside look into the heart and soul of her eclectic and cerebral musical stylings.

VH1 Soul "SoulStage: Erykah Badu presented by Infiniti" will premiere on VH1 Soul on Tuesday, February 26 at 9PM.* This 30-minute musical experience will feature Erykah Badu performing songs "Honey" and "Soldier" for the first time from her upcoming album "New Amerykah: Part 1 (4th World War)," in stores February 26, 2008. Viewers will also have the opportunity to hear Erykah share her inspiration behind such hits as "Otherside of the Game" and "On & On." The full show, plus additional exclusive performances not seen in the broadcast will be available online at VH1Soul.com beginning Tuesday, February 26.

VHI Soul was launched in 1997, and is the 24-hour network that brings music lovers the hottest, soul, neo-soul an R&B hits from the 90s and today featuring core artists such as Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, Outkast, Mary J. Blige and Usher. VH1 Soul, the premier source for all R&B and soul music, is now seen in the Top 20 U.S. markets for African-Americans and is available in nearly 20 million U.S. households. VH1 Soul "SoulStage" is a production of VH1. Lee Rolontz and Keshia Williams are executive producers.

CAROLE KING - TAPESTRY: THE LEGACY EDITION

Carole King's 1971 masterpiece, Tapestry, endures as an artistic benchmark, a cornerstone of '70s pop, and an industry phenomenon. The original home to such classics as "It's Too Late," "I Feel the Earth Move," and "You've Got a Friend," the album is now being released with a second CD of live performances. Tapestry: Legacy Edition arrives in stores April 15th on Epic/Ode/Legacy, a division of SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

Original album producer and Ode Records founder Lou Adler, who served as King's manager for those years, was also her West Coast music publishing rep for nearly a decade prior to Tapestry - no one was closer to Carole King's music, except Carole King herself. He knew the power of her meticulously crafted piano & vocal demo recordings, going back to the Brill Building era. Adler always sensed that King's solo moments in concert (before and/or after the band joined her onstage) came closest to capturing the spirit of her demos, especially the Tapestry demos.

The humble roots of Tapestry are those very demos that Carole King would share with Lou Adler at the Ode office on LaBrea Avenue in Los Angeles. For those who have lived and loved the album down the years, from LP to 8-track to cassette to its half-dozen different CD configurations, this Legacy Edition finally offers a chance to experience Carole King's vision in its original "unplugged" brilliance - winter, spring, summer or fall.

Tapestry: Legacy Edition finally realizes Adler's decades-long dream concept, as it marries a newly remastered version of the classic 12-song album with a second CD containing previously unreleased live piano-voice concert versions of songs from the album (in the same order) recorded in 1973 (Boston; Columbia, Maryland; and New York's Central Park), and 1976 (San Francisco Opera House).

Also included is a 1,700-word liner notes essay has been written by L.A. music journalist Harvey Kubernik, who describes the live material: "What you will hear is completely unadorned: King at the piano, spilling her soul to the faithful, utterly in the moment and at one with the wind...and her gift. The intimacy intoned is palpable, and these emotive efforts impart an unbridled perspective of some of the most endearing songs of the 20th Century."

Released in late-March 1971, Tapestry struck a universal chord at an opportune time in pop music history - the intersection of folk-rock's introspective and socially conscious sense of romanticism in a world-gone- crazy, with the burgeoning rise of sunny West Coast naturalism centered in the saturated Los Angeles music colony known as Laurel Canyon. The tinderbox was the deregulation of the FM bandwidth, which resulted in a mini-explosion of so-called new 'progressive' or 'underground' or 'free-form' radio stations eager to nurture their own artists and playlists separate from the mainstream Top 40. Carole King was the rare artist who lived in both worlds.

The first single from Tapestry, "It's Too Late" b/w "I Feel the Earth Move" hit the Billboard Hot 100 a month later, in April. Also in April, Carole's close pal James Taylor - who played on five Tapestry tracks - issued "You've Got a Friend" [a different recording than on Tapestry] as the first single from his new album, Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. In addition to hosting sessions for Carole King and James Taylor, A&M Studios was also being used by Joni Mitchell during this period, and Mitchell and Taylor ended up adding vocals to "Will You Love Me Tomorrow."

In the issue dated June 19th, both "It's Too Late" and Tapestry hit the #1 spot together - "It's Too Late" for a 5-week stay, and Tapestry for a 15-week stay, the beginning of a fabled 302-week chart juggernaut.

The release of Tapestry: Legacy Edition also acknowledges Carole King's 50th year as a recording artist. It was 1958 when she graduated from New York's High School Of Performing Arts (PA), met songwriting partner and future husband Gerry Goffin at Queens College, and signed with Al Nevins and Don Kirshner's Aldon Music (in the legendary Brill Building). Her debut single, "The Right Girl" was released on ABC-Paramount Records in May 1958.

A decade of songwriting success followed, during which Goffin-King penned a dazzling run of U.S. and U.K. hits: "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" (Shirelles), "Some Kind Of Wonderful" (Drifters), "Halfway To Paradise" (Tony Orlando), "Every Breath I Take" (Gene Pitney), "Take Good Care Of My Baby" (Bobby Vee), "Crying In the Rain" (Everly Brothers), "The Loco-Motion" (Little Eva), "Up On the Roof" (Drifters), "Chains" (Cookies), "Go Away Little Girl" (Steve Lawrence), "Don't Say Nothin' (Bad About My Baby)" (Cookies), "One Fine Day" (Chiffons), "Hey, Girl" (Freddie Scott), "I'm Into Somethin' Good" (Herman's Hermits), "Don't Bring Me Down" (Animals), "Take a Giant Step" and "Pleasant Valley Sunday" (Monkees), "A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like)" (Aretha Franklin), "Goin' Back" and "Wasn't Born To Follow" (Byrds), "So Much Love" and "Hi-De-Ho" (Blood, Sweat & Tears), and many more. The songwriting partnership dissolved in 1968, after their divorce, as Carole King (by then a single mother of two) earnestly began to pursue a solo recording career again.

At the 14th annual Grammy Awards ceremonies in March 1972, Carole King became the first woman to win the "grand slam" - Record Of the Year ("It's Too Late"), Album Of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal (both for Tapestry), and Song Of the Year (James Taylor's version of "You've Got a Friend," for which he won Best Male Pop Vocal).

When asked to comment about the impact of Tapestry, Carole King said, "I feel honored that Tapestry has made a difference in small ways and large ways in people's lives around the world. It's been a major part of my life, too," she adds. "As a songwriter, I'm so happy that the songs have held up for all of these years. As a performer, I'm still enjoying playing them live, most recently on my Living Room Tour."

VAN MORRISON - KEEP IT SIMPLE TOUR DATES

The new album from Van Morrison (Keep It Simple), already scheduled for March 11 by Lost Highway, will also be released on vinyl in addition to the CD release. Van Morrison has announced three special upcoming shows surrounding the release the album. The brief tour will begin with a concert in Austin, Texas on March 10th, followed by a March 12th gig in Nashville, Tennessee. Van Morrison's last visit to Nashville, in support of his 2005 release Pay The Devil, marked his first time playing in the city. Morrison will wrap the promotional tour by helping to kick off St. Patrick's Day weekend in Boston with a show on March 13th. Keep It Simple is Morrison's first new album in two years.

Van Morrison tour dates :
March 10 - Austin, TX - Austin Music Hall
March 12 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
March 13 - Boston MA - Wang Theater

LENNY KRAVITZ - IT IS TIME FOR LOVE REVOLUTION

It Is Time For a Love Revolution, the latest studio album from best-selling singer, songwriter, and guitarist Lenny Kravitz, has debuted at No. 4 this week on Billboard's Top 200 Album chart, selling 73,000 copies in the U.S. since its release by Virgin Records on February 5th. The album also scored Kravitz several additional career highs, debuting No. 1 in Japan, Switzerland and Argentina, Top 5 in Canada, Germany, France, Austria, UAE, Holland, and Italy, and Top 10 in Belgium, Spain, and Hong Kong.

A thunderous rock 'n roll call-to-arms, It Is Time For A Love Revolution features a universal blend of soul, funk, and jazz grooves and the undeniable anthemic lyricism that's been Kravitz's trademark since the New York-born artist burst onto the rock scene with his 1989 debut Let Love Rule. Featuring 14 new songs, It Is Time For A Love Revolution once again finds the multi-instrumentalist writing, producing, arranging, and playing all the tracks on the album, as he has on every release throughout his career.

The success of It Is Time For A Love Revolution, Lenny Kravitz's eighth studio album and first since 2004's gold-certified Baptism, has undoubtedly been fueled by fan anticipation for what Rolling Stone has called "the best album Lenny Kravitz has ever made -- a visceral, expertly tailored blend of late-'60s and early-'70s classic rock. ... " It has already spawned two red-hot singles "Bring It On," which was featured in the NFL Superbowl Highlights video, as well as in the promo spots for the new season of Survivor, and "I'll Be Waiting," whose video has been added to VH1, VH1 Soul, Fuse, BET, and MTV Hits, and currently sits at No. 7 on Billboard's European airplay chart. A video for a third track, "Love Love Love," is currently available for viewing on Amazon.com. Last week, the four-time Grammy Award-winner appeared on Good Morning America, Live with Regis and Kelly, and The Late Show with David Letterman. Kravitz will also be profiled on an upcoming episode of CBS Sunday Morning.

In November, Lenny Kravitz performed "I'll Be Waiting" on the 2007 American Music Awards live broadcast, followed by a December 31st live performance during NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly. He recently completed the "Get On the Bus with the Love Revolution Tour," where contest winners got the opportunity to travel on a Kravitz-designed custom Love Revolution tour bus and become part of his entourage on the road, with full backstage access to the live concert events.

In March, Lenny Kravitz will kick off a worldwide tour behind It Is Time For A Love Revolution. Though illness forced the postponement of several recent European shows, Kravitz will return to Europe in late February to fulfill these commitments, including a show in Berlin on February 28th. The previously announced European tour dates that begin in May will continue as scheduled. For more on Lenny Kravitz, click to http://www.lennykravitz.com.

JESSE COOK - FRONTIERS

KOCH Records announces the release of "Frontiers," the new album by world music guitar virtuoso Jesse Cook, on March 18th, 2008. Over the course of a dozen years and numerous best-selling albums, the skilled guitarist has explored the outer limits of popular music. In the past, Jesse Cook has blended African percussion, Cajun accordion, classical cello and pop vocals with his own rumba flamenco style to create a breathtaking, multi-textured global hybrid.

This latest release is complemented by collaborations with Egyptian-Canadian singer Maryem Tollar, Latin vocalist Amanda Martinex and Canadian songwriter Melissa McClelland. The album's 13 songs, among which is a brilliant interpretation of Bob Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe," explore more personal frontiers for Jesse Cook. Cook wrote "Frontiers" while awaiting the birth of his first child. That sense of anticipation translated into Cook's most personal album yet.

For Jesse Cook, "Frontiers" is a reflection of how music, like life, is rich in discovery and constantly evolving. "It's all about new ground, personally and artistically," he says. "Rumba has come to be my house, it's where I live. But there's no limit to where you can take the music. The possibilities really are endless."

Jesse Cook will be headlining at the Dubai International Jazz Festival at the end of February. Immediately following, he will be kicking off a U.S. tour on March 7th, 2008.

The confirmed tour dates are as follows with more dates still to come:

March 7 - Corpus Christi, Texas @ Richardson Performance Hall - Del Mar College
March 8 - Crockett, Texas @ Crockett Civic Center
March 9 - Austin, Texas @ One World Theatre
March 13 - Tampa, Florida @ Ferguson Hall at Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
March 15 - Lake Worth, Florida @ Duncan Theatre at Palm Beach Community College
March 18 - Spartanburg, South Carolina @ Chapman Cultural Center
April 11 - Huntington, New York @ Inter-Media Art Center
April 13 - Newport News, Virginia @ Yoder Barn Theatre, Ferguson Center for the Arts
April 17 - Wilmington, Delaware @ The Baby Grand
April 18 - Easton, Pennsylvania @ State Theatre Center for the Arts
April 20 - Annapolis, Maryland @ Rams Head On Stage
April 22 - Boston, MA @ Scullers
May 9 - Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin @ Jazz on the Vine - The Osthoff Resort
May 15 - San Diego, CA @ Humphrey's Concerts
May 16 - Henderson, NV @ Henderson's Event Plaza
May 17 - Phoenix, AZ @ Celebrity Theatre
May 18 - Newport Beach, CA @ Lexus Jazz Festival

For more information, including video content and streaming music, go to www.jessecook.com.

CHAKA KHAN & CHRISETTE MICHELE TOPLINE JAZZ IN THE GARDENS

Jazz the Gardens music festival headliners, Chaka Khan and Chrisette Michele, were among the most talented artists recently nominated for their musical contributions at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards. Chaka Khan received two nominations for Best R&B Album for her album, 'Funk This,' and Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals for her single titled 'Disrespectful,' featuring Mary J. Blige. Chaka Khan walked away with both Grammy awards. Chrisette Michele was nominated for the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

These new Grammy affirmations make Chaka Khan a ten-time Grammy winner, from 1973 to 2008, in a musical career that spans three decades. She is an internationally loved diva of 'old school' soul music, praised for her energy, versatile soulful voice, dynamism, and passion. Having worked in practically every genre of music from pop, classical R&B to jazz, Chaka has brought her special brand of vocal magic to audiences the world over.

Newcomer Chrisette Michele earned her first Grammy nomination for her 'If I Have My Way,' her first single off her debut album, 'I Am.' This prestigious recognition from the Academy cements Michele's distinct talent and amazing vocals. Before recently signing to Def Jam records, the singer, songwriter and composer toured with more established artists like KEM and India Arie. She was a VH1 "You Oughta Know: Artist on the Rise" for January 2008 and is enjoying airplay on jazz and R&B stations worldwide.

Chaka Khan and Chrisette Michele are just two artists on the star-studded line-up for the City of Miami Gardens' 3rd annual Jazz in the Gardens music festival, being held on Saturday, March 15th and Sunday, March 16th at Dolphin Stadium. They will be joined by George Benson, the O'Jays, Wyclef Jean, Nancy Wilson, KEM, George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Mike Phillips, Anthony David along with a number of other well known artists.

"Jazz in the Gardens has really become an internationally recognized event. It's exciting to know people from all over the world look forward to coming to Miami Gardens. It's incredible how music has the power to transcend language and culture, as it serves to unite people. With this year's line-up of jazz greats, we will continue to make Miami Gardens a proud community and a more visible destination," says Miami Gardens Mayor Shirley Gibson.

In just three years, Jazz in the Gardens has become a premiere music festival in South Florida, raising the bar each year with its star studded line-up. This festival delivers a diverse mix of music genres that range from jazz, R&B and Caribbean sounds.

With the tremendous line-up of artists, on-site attractions, and local, regional and national promotional efforts, this year's attendance is expected to top 20,000, a 200% increase on 2007's attendance.

Jazz in the Gardens is presented by The City of Miami Gardens and Dolphin Stadium and sponsored by Royal Caribbean International, UAIG, Tootsies Cabaret, American Airlines, Shula's Hotel & Golf Club, Miccosukee Resort & Casino, Southern Wines & Spirits, National Constructors, Warren Henry Auto, and Publix.

For more information click to www.jazzinthegardens.com or www.miamigardens-fl.gov.

MICHAEL BUBLE WINS GRAMMY AWARD

With a shining new Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album of 2007 packed in his suitcase, Canadian singing sensation Michael Buble is scheduled to begin a series of sold out shows across the US beginning with the Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida on February 20th. As a result of immediate sell outs within minutes as well as intense ticket demand in many markets, the US promoter of Michael Buble's tour, Don Fox of Beaver Productions, added more seating in several venues including Jacksonville, Florida on Feb. 24th, Austin, Texas on Feb. 27th and Houston, Texas on March 1st and other arenas on the tour. The current leg of the tour is scheduled to end with two shows at The Borgata in Atlantic City on March 21st and 22nd. Buble's current smash CD "CALL ME IRRESPONSIBLE" has sold close to two million copies. The Buble-penned hit singles "Home" and "Everything" were both No. 1 singles on the Billboard Charts.

"Winning a Grammy was a dream come true. It was a first for me and you always remember your first time," commented Buble who has been previously nominated for four Grammies in the course of a career that has sold well over 15 million albums worldwide. "It makes it doubly exciting to get back on the road to perform for my fans," he concluded. "In the tradition of the great standards singers before him, Buble has a sterling voice that is only outshined by his undeniable wit, confident banter and flirtatious charm," raved The Denver Post of his current tour. "A major pop star" hailed the NY Times of a recent Buble performance at NY's Radio City Music Hall.

A list of tour dates follow:
2/20/08 - Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live
2/22/08 - Tampa, FL @ St. Pete Times Forum
2/23/08 - Orlando, FL @ UCF Arena
2/24/08 - Jacksonville, FL @ Veteran's Memorial Arena
2/26/08 - New Orleans, LA @ N.O. Arena
2/27/08 - Austin, TX @ Frank Erwin Center
2/29/08 - Bossier City, LA @ Century Tel Center
3/1/08 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
3/1/08 - Dallas, TX @ Nokia Live
3/2/08 - Dallas, TX @ Nokia Live
3/4/08 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Ford Center
3/5/08 - St. Louis, MO @ Fox Theater
3/7/08 - Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
3/8/08 - Little Rock, AR@ All Tell Arena
3/9/08 - Memphis, TN @ FedEx Forum
3/12/08 - Nashville, TN @ Sommet Center
3/14/08 - Louisville, KY @ Freedom Hall
3/15/08 - Cincinnatti, OH @ US Bank Arena
3/17/08 - Norfolk, VA @ Constant Center
3/18/08 - Charlotte, NC @ Bobcats Arena
3/19/08 - Charlottesville, VA @ John Paul Jones Arena
3/21/08 - Atlantic City, NJ @ Borgata Event Center
3/22/08 - Atlantic City, NJ @ Borgata Event Center

KEXP COMING TO 91.5 FM IN NY

SEATTLE - KEXP, Seattle's listener-supported radio station, and Radio New York 91.5 FM, the city's public radio station, announced today that they are joining forces to create Radio Liberation, an unprecedented partnership dedicated to listeners and independent music.

Beginning on March 24, 2008, Radio Liberation will air KEXP-produced programming Monday through Friday on Radio New York 91.5 FM. The programming will feature a three-hour drive-time eclectic music show followed by three simulcast hours of The Morning Show with John Richards, a nightly world music show and a weekly music variety show hosted by KEXP DJ and senior director of programming Kevin Cole.

"This partnership will not only give greater voice to artists from the Northwest, New York and around the world, it will bring music that matters into the lives of more listeners than ever before," said Tom Mara, KEXP executive director.

Radio New York already has a very successful television channel and is now setting its sights on radio. "Radio is the next great frontier and re-launching Radio New York 91.5 FM in partnership with such a strong brand as KEXP makes perfect sense," said Arick Wierson, general manager of NYC Media Group.

Through the Radio Liberation partnership, KEXP will be able to reach another 14 million terrestrial listeners in New York, sharing Seattle's unique music community with New Yorkers.
"Radio New York will bring a fresh new sound to New York radio and galvanize a community hungry for great content," said Matthew Tollin, CFO/GM of Radio Operations for NYC Media Group. "Listeners will get the opportunity to fall in love with radio all over again."

As part of the partnership, KEXP and Radio New York will produce hundreds of live performances a year. With increased access to New York bands and touring artists, Radio Liberation will also bring additional "in-studio" performances to listeners on both coasts.
"We have always been about the listener and the artist," said KEXP DJ John Richards. "We all share a passion for music."

For more information about Radio Liberation, visit www.kexp.org.

ABOUT KEXP PUBLIC RADIO KEXP is an influential, non-commercial radio station based in Seattle and supported through financial contributions from listeners and businesses worldwide. Over the last three decades, KEXP has built a reputation as a champion of new and emerging artists and musical forms. Today, KEXP programs a rare mix of music spanning multiple genres and the station brings listeners more than 380 live, in-studio performances each year. KEXP has a mission to enrich people's lives by providing a wide array of music and by exploring, developing and applying relevant technology to deepen and extend musical experiences. Listeners enjoy KEXP at 90.3 FM in Seattle and around the world at KEXP.org. The station is governed by the Friends of KEXP, a nonprofit organization that operates the station on behalf of the University of Washington, which holds the FCC license. A partnership with Vulcan Inc. provides facility support and programming collaboration. The University of Washington's information technology group provides KEXP with the development and application of streaming services, technical expertise and other relevant technology to extend the music experience.

ABOUT RADIO NEW YORK / NYC MEDIA GROUPLaunched in January 2005, NYC Media Group is the entity responsible for managing the media assets of the City of New York including one broadcast television channel and five cable television channels known collectively as NYC TV; one broadcast radio station, Radio New York (Radio New York 91.5 FM); as well as production and syndication arms that produce and distribute New York City-centric content all over the world across multiple platforms. Over the past three years, NYC TV has won 14 New York Emmy Awards and been nominated 34 times. The network has also been awarded 14 Telly Awards for its outstanding content. Building on its success in television, NYC Media Group is now transforming Radio New York (Radio New York 91.5 FM). While keeping its commitment to airing diverse ethnic and cultural programs, Radio New York looks to attract new listeners with a slate of innovative talk and music programs. Radio New York's strengthened lineup will further complement its sister television stations that are part of NYC TV. To learn more about Radio New York and NYC Media Group, please visit www.nyc.gov/radio.

KTWV 94.7 FM THE WAVE COURTS NEW YORK JAZZ LOVERS

Now that WQCD (101.9 FM) is playing rock music, L.A.’s smooth jazz station KTWV (94.7 FM) has reached out to New Yorkers who miss their dose of smooth jazz music. The Wave has been running spots on CBS stations here inviting New Yorkers to check out www.947thewave.com . "We feel the appetite for smooth jazz is still very strong in Gotham City," says KTWV VP Dan Weiner. You can still listen to a jockless smooth jazz 101.9, but you have to purchase an HD radio in order to do so. Weiner hopes to get fans who listen online and would like their smooth jazz from a station that's been doing it for two decades - almost exactly as long as WQCD did.

MICHAEL MCDONALD - SOUL SPEAK

Michael McDonald's is getting a lot of radio airplay these days as he is currently being heard on three different radio airplay charts - with three different tunes from his upcoming CD, Soul Speaks (due out March 11). The Burt Bacharach-Hal Da vid composition "Walk On By" is currently climbing the smooth jazz chart. Meanwhile, his version of the Teddy Pendergrass classic "Love TKO" is gaining on the urban adult airplay chart, and his take on the Jackie Wilson gem "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher" is a contender on the adult contemporary, or AC, chart. Other songs on the CD include Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," Bob Marley's "Redemption Song," Stevie Wonder's "Living For The City" and Van Morrison's "Into The Mystic." McDonald also wrote three songs for the set. Soul Speak is produced by Simon Climie.

MARCUS MILLER - FREE

Bassist Marcus Miller has lined up a series of concert dates in support of new CD, titled Free. The CD will be released in the U.S. through Concord on March 4th, Free features a cover of the Deniece Williams hit "Free" sung by Corinne Bailey Rae. The album also features guest appearances by guitarist Keb' Mo', singer Lalah Hathaway, and singer-actress Taraji P. Henson. Marcus Miller has been tapped to host the first Playboy Jazz Cruise, set for January 2009.

Marcus Miller tour dates include:
April 7 - Annapolis, MD - Rams Head On Stage
April 9-10 - Washington, DC - The Birchmere
April 11 - New York, NY - B.B. King's
April 22 - Seattle, WA - Triple Door
April 24-27 - San Francisco, CA - Yoshi's
April 28 - Santa Cruz, CA - Kuumbwa Center

NEW ORLEANS 2008 JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Billboard is reporting that Diana Krall, Stevie Wonder, Bobby McFerrin & Chick Corea, Billy Joel, Santana, Al Green, Robert Plant and Alison Kraus will be among the dozens of acts performing at the New Orleans' annual Jazz & Heritage Festival. The annual fest is scheduled for April 25th to 27th and May 1st to 4th at New Orleans' Fair Grounds Race Course. Other acts confirmed to appear include Jimmy Buffet, the Neville Brothers, Tim McGraw, Sheryl Crow, Dr. John, Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint, Keyshia Cole, the Raconteurs, Widespread Panic, Irma Thomas, John Prine, Randy Newman, the Roots, Del McCoury and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. In addition, Little Richard will perform the night before the festival opens (April 24th), at a fundraiser for the Jazz & Heritage Foundation's charitable endeavors at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. For schedules and ticket information, log on to nojazzfest.com.

AL JARREAU - LOVE SONGS

Al Jarreau’s latest complilation Al Jarreau: Love Songs, was released last month, and it features songs as "After All," "Teach Me Tonight," "We're In This Love Together," and "Heaven And Earth." The set also includes newer tunes like "Let It Rain" from his Givin' It Up set with George Benson, and "Goodhands Tonight," which was a track from the 1996 Best Of Al Jarreau collection.

Up next for Jarreau schedule will be an album of holiday favorites and a second compilation of hits culled from his more recent catalog. Jarreau will kick off a brief Love Songs tour to celebrate Valentine's Day. The shows will include material from Love Songs as well as other Jarreau recordings, and may feature surprise special guests at certain stops.

Al Jarreau: Love Songs tour dates:
February 14 - New York, NY - The Beacon
February 15 - Mashantucket, CT - Foxwoods Resort
March 1 - Ratliff, TX - Discovery Green
April 11 - Wellington, FL - Cultural Campus @ Wellington

JAZZ CHILL CORNER NEWS BITS: ARETHA FRANKIN, NICK COLIONNE, JEFF KASHIWA, TAKE SIX...

Atlantic Records will release a ‘best of’ for Aretha Franklin called The Very Best of Aretha: The ‘70s. This is slated for issue on February 26.

Saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa, who established the popular Sax Pack package tour with fellow saxophonists Kim Waters and Steve Cole, has gathered the trio in the studio to record the very first Sax Pack album project. The new Sax Pack project will be issued in April on Shanachie.

Grammy-winning vocal sextet Take 6 announced January 14th that it has signed to Heads Up International for its next album release, an unnamed project due in August 2008. The set will be a collection of jazz standards. Take 6's most recent CD was Feels Good, a return to their all a cappella roots that was released on their own independent imprintThe group has earned eight Grammy Awards over the course of its career.

Grammy winner George Benson will perform a special one-off concert, "A Tribute To Nat 'King' Cole." The show, part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic jazz series, is set for February 15th at Walt Disney Hall in L.A. Tickets for the event range from $35 to $135.

Nick Colionne has singed tol record his next CD for the Koch Entertainment label. The artist's Koch debut, titled No Limits, is due this summer. No Limits will be the follow-up to Colionne's 2006 hit Narada release Keepin' It Cool. The album featured the smooth jazz hits "Keepin' It Cool" and "Thinking Of You."

Earl Klugh has announced the lineup for his fifth annual Weekend Of Jazz, to be held April 3-5th, at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Performing at this year's event will be pianist Ramsey Lewis, saxophonist Boney James, saxophonist Mindi Abair, and vocalist Sophie Milman.

THE JAZZY SOUL COLLECTIVE

Saxophonist Jimmy Sommers, Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Gordon Chambers, Grammy-nominated artist Vikter Duplaix, and vocalist Lynne Fiddmont are banding together for a national tour under the name Jazzy Soul Collective. The group has two confirmed concert dates, with more to be announced later. The group is set to join perform on Sunday, February 17 at The Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria, VA, and on Monday, February 18 in New York City at B.B. Kings, with additional dates to be added later.

Jimmy Sommers recently released his new CD Sunset Collective, the follow-up to his 2005 release Lovelife. The first single, "Happy Hour," features guitarist Paul Brown, who also co-wrote the tune. Other guests include vocalist Rahsaan Patterson, keyboardists Kenneth Crouch and Brian Culbertson, and DJ/producer Paul Oakenfold.

Gordon Chambers released his second solo set, Love Stories, last year. He’s written material for numerous pop, R&B and jazz artists, including Freddy Jackson, Brownstone, Anita Baker, Yolanda Adams, Patti LaBelle, and others. He earned a Grammy for Baker's tune "I Apologize." He is currently working with Patti Austin on her next album.

Lynne Fiddmont is a veteran background singer who has recorded and toured with Stevie Wonder, Babyface, Phil Collins and others. Fiddmont recently wrote and performed material for her 2007 debut Flow.

Vikter Duplaix is a composer and producer who has worked with Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, and others. He also collaborated with Sommers on Sunset Collective. Duplaix's song "Make A Baby" from his second full-length album, Bold & Beautiful, is nominated for the 2008 Grammy's in the Urban Alternative category.

NEW RELEASES FROM CHILL FACTOR 5, JASON MILES, JOE JACKSON, MACEO PARKER & MORE...

Aaron Jerome – Time To Rearrange (BBE/UK)
Angela Johnson – Woman’s Touch (Purpose)
Ashley Thomas – Remixes EP (Counterpoint/UK)
Bill Dixon & Exploding Star Orchestra (Thrill Jockey)
Bobbi Vanderport – Through My Eyes (BobbyVanderport.com)
Cheri Oliver – Dear Heart (Fighingchance.biz)
Chet Baker – Live In Tokyo (DVD/Hudson Street)
Chill Factor 5 – Sun Flower Jazz (Electrofarm)
Coultrain – Adventures Of Seymour Liberty (Juju Dust)
Daryl Hall & John Oates – Whole Oates (American Beat)
Dave Koz – Double Feature (Blue Note)
Dennis Brown – The Best Of Dennis Brown (VP)
Donny Hathaway & Quincy Jones – Come Back Charleston Blue (Atco/UK)
Dwayne Kerr – Higher Calling (Dmanns Music Group)
Edie Brickell – The Heavy Circles (Dynamite Child)
Everette B. Walters – Always High Reaching (Petey Pete Entertainment)
Greg Duncan Quintet – Unveiled (OA2)
Groovematist – Grooveology (MegaWave)
Harvard Wilk – Arcades Project (Jazzland/Norway)
J White – Melodies From My Heart (J White Entertainment)
Jaared – Addiction (Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm)
Jason Miles – Soul Summit (Shanachie)
Jay Leach – Cleared For Take Off (JayLeach.com)
Jeff Oster – True (Retso)
Jimmy Castor – From The Roots: The Jimmy Castor Story (Traffic Ent.)
Joe Jackson – Rain (Ryodisc)
LTC – Different View (Ricky Tick/Octave/Japan)
Larry Willis w/Eric Alexander – Offering (High Note)
Lee – Meet Lee (Square Egg)
Lori Andrews – After Hours (Jaz Harp)
Luna Blanca – Guitar Island (Luna Blanca Music)
Maceo Parker – Roots & Grooves (Heads Up)
Margie Joseph – Hear The Words, Feel The Feeling (Atlantic)
Margie Josephj – Margie Joseph (Atlantic)
Margie Joseph – Feeling My Way (Atlantic)
Mel Torme – Mel Torme At The Crescendo – Complete Recordings 1954 & 1957 (Bethlehem)
Michael Jackson – Thriller (25th Anniversary Edition) (Epic)
Nils Krogh – Disposition (Dealers Of Nordic Music/Japan)
Pat Metheny, Christian McBride & Antonio Sanchez – Day Trip (Nonesuch)
Paul Hardcastle – Paul Hardcastle (Chrysalis/EMI)
Percee P – Persecerance: The Remix (Stones Throw)
Rick Braun – Best Of Rick Braun (Rhino)
Sharon Rae North – The Way You Make Me Feel (Northstar Ent.)
Soul Investigators – Pretty Woman (Nite Club/Finalnd)
Stance Brothers – Kind Soul (Ricky Tick/Japan)
Steve Reid Ensemble – Daxaar (Domino)
Super-Phonics – Intersteller (Freestyle/UK)
The G… - Sounds Of The G… (The G…Productions)
Vandermark 5 – Beat Reader (Atavistic)
Various Artists – Gilles Peterson In The House LP 1 (Defected)
Various Artists – Cannon Re-Loaded: An All-Star Celevration Of Cannonball Adderly (Concord)
Various Artists – The Complete Motown Singles: Vol. 9: 1969 (Hip-O Select)
Various Artists – Swing Swing Swing: 50 Swinging Classics (Rex)
Various Artists – Black Finger- From Shibuya With Love (Village Again/Japan)
Vee Allen –Woman Enough (Leland)
Whil Weaton – Old School Soul (Platinum Bass)
Willie Nelson – Moment Of Forever (Lost Highway)

2008 SEABREEZE JAZZ FESTIVAL

A bunch of artists have just been confirmed for hte 2008 Seabreeze Jazz Festival which is set for the weekend of April 16th-20th 2008 ant the Gulf Place Outdoor Amphitheater just east of Destin, FL. Here’s the who’s who of smooth jazz entertainers appearing: Norman Brown,Paul Taylor, Alex Bugnon, Chante Moore, Bonafide featuring Slim Man, Wayman Tisdale, Richard Elliot, Nick Colionne, Rick Braun, Euge Groove, Kim Waters, Joyce Cooling, Four 80 East, Steve Cole, Jeff Kashiwa, Jones and Company,and the just confirmed... Dave Koz.

FULL LIST OF GRAMMY AWARD WINNERS

Herbie Hancock has won the biggest Grammy prize of all as he has walked away withg the album of the year award for “River: The Joni Letter”. Here is the full list of winners at Sunday's 50th Annual Grammy Awards:

Album of the Year: "River: The Joni Letters," Herbie Hancock.
Record of the Year: "Rehab," Amy Winehouse.
Song of the Year: "Rehab," Amy Winehouse.
New Artist: Amy Winehouse.
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Mark Ronson.
Pop Vocal Album: "Back to Black," Amy Winehouse.
Female Pop Vocal Performance: "Rehab," Amy Winehouse.
Male Pop Vocal Performance: "What Goes Around...Comes Around," Justin Timberlake.
Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: "Makes Me Wonder," Maroon 5.
Pop Collaboration With Vocals: "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)," Robert Plant & Alison Krauss.
Pop Instrumental Album: "The Mix-Up," Beastie Boys.
Pop Instrumental Performance: "One Week Last Summer," Joni Mitchell.
Traditional Pop Vocal Album: "Call Me Irresponsible," Michael Buble.
Alternative Music Album: "Icky Thump," The White Stripes.
Rock Album: "Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace," Foo Fighters.
Rock Song: "Radio Nowhere," Bruce Springsteen, songwriter (Bruce Springsteen).
Solo Rock Vocal Performance: "Radio Nowhere," Bruce Springsteen.
Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: "Icky Thump," The White Stripes.
Hard Rock Performance: "The Pretender," Foo Fighters.
Metal Performance: "Final Six," Slayer.
Rock Instrumental Performance: "Once Upon a Time in The West," Bruce Springsteen.
Rap Album: "Graduation," Kanye West.
Rap Solo Performance: "Stronger," Kanye West.
Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: "Southside," Common, featuring Kanye West.
Rap/Sung Collaboration: "Umbrella," Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z.
Rap Song: "Good Life," Aldrin Davis, Mike Dean, Faheem Najm & Kanye West, songwriters (J. Ingram & Q. Jones, songwriters) (Kanye West Featuring T-Pain).
Country Album: "These Days," Vince Gill.
Country Song: "Before He Cheats," Josh Kear & Chris Tompkins, songwriters (Carrie Underwood).
Female Country Vocal Performance: "Before He Cheats," Carrie Underwood.
Male Country Vocal Performance: "Stupid Boy," Keith Urban.
Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: "How Long," Eagles.
Country Collaboration With Vocals: "Lost Highway," Willie Nelson & Ray Price.
Country Instrumental Performance: "Throttleneck," Brad Paisley.
R&B Album: "Funk This," Chaka Khan.
R&B Song: "No One," Dirty Harry, Kerry Brothers & Alicia Keys, songwriters (Alicia Keys).
Contemporary R&B Album: "Because of You," Ne-Yo.
Female R&B Vocal Performance: "No One," Alicia Keys.
Male R&B Vocal Performance: "Future Baby Mama," Prince.
R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: "Disrespectful," Chaka Khan, featuring Mary J. Blige.
Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: "In My Songs," Gerald Levert.
Urban/Alternative Performance: "Daydreamin'," Lupe Fiasco, featuring Jill Scott.
Dance Recording: "LoveStoned/I Think She Knows," Justin Timberlake, Nate (Danja) Hills, Timbaland & Justin Timberlake, producers; Jimmy Douglass & Timbaland, mixers.
Electronic/Dance Album: "We Are the Night," The Chemical Brothers.
Bluegrass Album: "The Bluegrass Diaries," Jim Lauderdale.
Traditional Blues Album: "Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen: Live In Dallas," Henry James Townsend, Joe Willie "Pinetop" Perkins, Robert Lockwood Jr. & David "Honeyboy" Edwards.
Contemporary Blues Album: "The Road to Escondido," JJ Cale & Eric Clapton.
New Age Album: "Crestone," Paul Winter Consort.
Contemporary Jazz Album: "River: The Joni Letters," Herbie Hancock.
Jazz Vocal Album: "Avant Gershwin," Patti Austin.
Jazz Instrumental Solo: "Anagram," Michael Brecker, soloist.
Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group: "Pilgrimage," Michael Brecker.
Large Jazz Ensemble Album: "A Tale of God's Will (A Requiem for Katrina)," Terence Blanchard.
Latin Jazz Album: "Funk Tango," Paquito D'Rivera Quintet.
Latin Pop Album: "El Tren De Los Momentos," Alejandro Sanz.
Latin Rock or Alternative Album: "No Hay Espacio," Black:Guayaba.
Latin Urban Album: "Residente O Visitante," Calle 13.
Tropical Latin Album: "La Llave De Mi Corazon," Juan Luis Guerra.
Mexican/Mexican-American Album: "100 (Percent) Mexicano," Pepe Aguilar.
Tejano Album: "Before the Next Teardrop Falls," Little Joe & La Familia.
Norteno Album: "Detalles Y Emociones," Los Tigres Del Norte.
Banda Album: "Te Va A Gustar," El Chapo.
Traditional Folk Album: "Dirt Farmer," Levon Helm.
Contemporary Folk/Americana Album: "Washington Square Serenade," Steve Earle.
Native American Music Album: "Totemic Flute Chants," Johnny Whitehorse.
Hawaiian Music Album: "Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar," Various Artists, Daniel Ho, George Kahumoku Jr., Paul Konwiser & Wayne Wong, producers.
Zydeco or Cajun Music Album: "Live! Worldwide," Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience.
Reggae: "Mind Control," Stephen Marley.
Traditional World Music Album: "African Spirit," Soweto Gospel Choir.
Contemporary World Music Album: "Djin Djin," Angelique Kidjo.
Polka Album: "Come Share the Wine," Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra.
Gospel Performance: "Blessed & Highly Favored," The Clark Sisters; "Never Gonna Break My Faith," Aretha Franklin & Mary J. Blige (Featuring The Harlem Boys Choir). (Tie.)
Gospel Song: "Blessed & Highly Favored," Karen Clark-Sheard, songwriter (The Clark Sisters).
Rock or Rap Gospel Album: "Before the Daylight's Shot," Ashley Cleveland.
Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album: "A Deeper Level," Israel and New Breed.
Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album: "Salt of the Earth," Ricky Skaggs & The Whites.
Traditional Gospel Album: "Live -- One Last Time," The Clark Sisters.
Contemporary R&B Gospel Album: "Free to Worship," Fred Hammond.
Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: Love (The Beatles) George Martin & Giles Martin, producers (Apple Records/Capitol Records).
Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: "Ratatouille," Michael Giacchino, composer.
Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: "Love You I Do (From Dreamgirls)," Siedah Garrett & Henry Krieger, songwriters (Jennifer Hudson).
Musical Show Album: "Spring Awakening," Duncan Sheik, producer; Duncan Sheik, composer; Steven Sater, lyricist (Original Broadway Cast With Jonathan Groff, Lea Michele & Others).
Musical Album for Children: "A Green and Red Christmas," The Muppets.
Spoken Word: "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream," Barack Obama.
Spoken Word Album for Children: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," Jim Dale.
Comedy Album: "The Distant Future," Flight of the Conchords.
Instrumental Composition: "Cerulean Skies," Maria Schneider, composer (Maria Schneider Orchestra).
Instrumental Arrangement: "In a Silent Way," Vince Mendoza, arranger (Joe Zawinul).
Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s): "I'm Gonna Live Till I Die," John Clayton, arranger (Queen Latifah).
Engineered Album, Non-Classical: "Beauty & Crime," Tchad Blake, Cameron Craig, Emery Dobyns & Jimmy Hogarth, engineers (Suzanne Vega).
Remixed Recording, Non-Classical: "Bring the Noise (Benny Benassi Sfaction Remix)," Benny Benassi, remixer (Public Enemy).
Surround Sound: "Love," Paul Hicks, surround mix engineer; Tim Young, surround mastering engineer; George Martin & Giles Martin, surround producers (The Beatles).
Classical Album: "Tower: Made in America," Leonard Slatkin, conductor; Tim Handley, producer; Tim Handley, engineer/mixer (Nashville Symphony).
Orchestral Performance: "Tower: Made in America," Leonard Slatkin, conductor (Nashville Symphony).
Producer of the Year, Classical: Judith Sherman.
Engineered Album, Classical: "Grechaninov: Passion Week," John Newton, engineer (Charles Bruffy, Phoenix Bach Choir & Kansas City Chorale).
Opera Recording: "Humperdinck: Hansel & Gretel," Sir Charles Mackerras, conductor; Rebecca Evans, Jane Henschel & Jennifer Larmore; Brian Couzens, producer (Sarah Coppen, Diana Montague & Sarah Tynan; New London Children's Choir; Philharmonia Orchestra).
Choral Performance: "Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem," Simon Rattle, conductor; Simon Halsey, chorus master (Thomas Quasthoff & Dorothea Roschmann; Rundfunkchor Berlin; Berliner Philharmoniker).
Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (With Orchestra): "Barber/Korngold/Walton: Violin Concertos," Bramwell Tovey, conductor; James Ehnes (Vancouver Symphony Orchestra).
Instrumental Soloist Performance (Without Orchestra): "Beethoven Sonatas, Vol. 3," Garrick Ohlsson.
Chamber Music Performance: "Strange Imaginary Animals," Eighth Blackbird.
Small Ensemble Performance: "Stravinsky: Apollo, Concerto in D; Prokofiev: 20 Visions Fugitives," Yuri Bashmet, conductor; Moscow Soloists.
Classical Vocal Performance: "Lorraine Hunt Lieberson Sings Peter Lieberson: Neruda Songs," Lorraine Hunt Lieberson (James Levine; Boston Symphony Orchestra).
Classical Contemporary Composition: "Made in America," Joan Tower (Leonard Slatkin, conductor; Nashville Symphony Orchestra).
Classical Crossover Album: "A Love Supreme: The Legacy of John Coltrane," Turtle Island Quartet.
Short Form Music Video: "God's Gonna Cut You Down," Johnny Cash.
Long Form Music Video: "The Confessions Tour," Madonna.
Recording Package: "Cassadaga," Zachary Nipper, art director (Bright Eyes).
Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package: "What It Is!: Funky Soul and Rare Grooves (1967-1977)," Masaki Koike, art director.
Album Notes: "John Work, III: Recording Black Culture," Bruce Nemerov, album notes writer.Historical Album: "The Live Wire -- Woody Guthrie in Performance 1949," Nora Guthrie & Jorge Arevalo Mateus, compilation producers; Jamie Howarth, Steve Rosenthal, Warren Russell-Smith & Dr. Kevin Short, mastering engineers (Woody Guthrie.

HERBIE HANCOCK & LANG LANG

Herbie Hancock and classical pianist Lang Lang will perform together on the 50th annual Grammy Awards telecast February 10th. The Recording Academy announced that the two will meet in a special classical/jazz segment conducted by famed maestro John Mauceri as part of several unique duet matchups on the show. Both artists are nominated for awards this year. Hancock is being nominated for best album of the year for River: The Joni Letters, a salute to the music of Joni Mitchell. Featured on the set are Mitchell herself, Tina Turner, Leonard Cohen, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Norah Jones, as well as saxophonist Wayne Shorter, bassist Dave Holland, guitarist Lionel Loueke and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. The 50th annual Grammy Awards ceremony will be broadcast on February 10th at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

ART GARFUNKEL TOUR DATES

Art Garfunkel will perform the following concerts:
February 9 @ PAC at North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston SC
February 11 @ Ruby Diamond Auditorium, Tallahassee FL
February 12 @t Bell Auditorium, Augusta GA
February 14 @ Music Center, Bethesda MD
February 15 @ Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Baltimore MD
February 16 @ Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Baltimore MD
February 22 @ Civic Center Music Hall, Oklahoma City OK
February 23 @ Civic Center Music Hall, Oklahoma City OK
March 27@ Wheeler Opera House, Aspen CO
March 28 @ Vilar Center, Beaver Creek CO
March 29 @ Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs CO
April 11 @ Salem Civic Center, Salem VA
April 12 at Stephens Performing Arts Center, Birmingham AL.

AL JARREAU - LOVE SONGS

Al Jarreau’s latest complilation Al Jarreau: Love Songs, was released last month, and it features songs as "After All," "Teach Me Tonight," "We're In This Love Together," and "Heaven And Earth." The set also includes newer tunes like "Let It Rain" from his Givin' It Up set with George Benson, and "Goodhands Tonight," which was a track from the 1996 Best Of Al Jarreau collection.

Up next for Jarreau schedule will be an album of holiday favorites and a second compilation of hits culled from his more recent catalog. Jarreau will kick off a brief Love Songs tour to celebrate Valentine's Day. The shows will include material from Love Songs as well as other Jarreau recordings, and may feature surprise special guests at certain stops.

Al Jarreau: Love Songs tour dates:
February 8 - Cleveland, OH - Severance Hall
February 10 - Nashville, TB - Wildhorse Saloon
February 12 - Alexandria, VA - The Birchmere
February 14 - New York, NY - The Beacon
February 15 - Mashantucket, CT - Foxwoods Resort
March 1 - Ratliff, TX - Discovery Green
April 11 - Wellington, FL - Cultural Campus @ Wellington

THE GROOVE BOUTIQUE LIVES ON!

THE GROOVE BOUTIQUE LIVES ON!
CD101.9 the New York smooth jazz radio station that has been airing The Groove Boutique jazz mix show since 2003 – is no longer on the air. They station is now playing a rock format. As a result The Groove Boutique “bites the dust as well’ according to Rafe Gomez. As indicated in the station press release, the reason for the switch was a “diminishing audience for smooth jazz” in the New York market. Even though the station is gone, you can still get to hear Rafe perform his mix of cool music at the following station around the country. Note that most of these are online and so you can check them out. Here is the current station line-up.

KDEC/FM100.5 - Decorah, IA (Sunday, 7-9P)
KJZY/Jazzy 93.7 - Santa Rosa, CA (Saturday, 8P-midnight)
KMGQ/Magic 106.3 - Santa Barbara, CA (Saturday, 10P-midnight)
WCIR/103CIR - Beckley, WV
WSBZ/106.3 The Seabreeze - Destin, FL (Saturday, 10P-midnight)
WXJZ/Smooth Jazz 100.9 - Gainesville, FL (Saturday, 9P-midnight)
KJJZ/K Jazz - Palm Springs, CA (Saturday, 10P-midnight)
WWWS/AM 1400 Solid Gold Soul - Buffalo, NY (Saturday, 10P-midnight)
KTOY - Texarkana, TX (Sunday, 7-9P)
KKSJ/KTSJ - Lafayette, LA (Saturday, 10P-midnight)
WJSJ/WSJF - Jacksonville, FL + St. Augustine, GA (Saturday, 8-10P)
WSSJ/Smooth Jazz 92.3 - St. Augustine Beach, FL (Saturday, 8-10P)

MICHAEL BUBLE TOUR DATES

Michael Buble is lining up a new itinerary of North American tour dates that kicked off, January 17th, in Edmonton. The vocalist will cross Canada and the U.S. to promote his Grammy-nominated CD Call Me Irresponsible through May, when he heads to Australia. Buble says that for Call Me Irresponsible, he wanted to choose more obscure material than the standards he had recorded for 2005's popular It's Time album. He explained: "It's funny though 'cause the last time -- you know, even the last record, which I really liked, but when I played it for people they said, 'Oh, I know this song, oh this song, I know that song, oh, I know this song.' Well on this record, that's not how it is. They don't know every song."

Michael Buble Tour Dates:
February 20 - Hollywood, FL - Seminole Hard Rock Live
February 22 - Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times Forum
February 23 - Orlando, FL - New UCF Arena
February 24 - Jacksonville, FL - Jacksonville Veterans Mem. Arena
February 26 - New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Arena
February 27 - Austin, TX - Frank Erwin Center
February 29 - Bossier City, LA - CenturyTel Center
March 1 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center
March 2 - Grand Prairie, TX - Nokia Theatre At Grand Prairie
March 4 - Oklahoma City, OK - Ford Center
March 5 - Saint Louis, MO - Scottrade Center
March 7 - Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center
March 8 - North Little Rock, AR - Alltel Arena
March 9 - Memphis, TN - FedExForum
March 12 - Nashville, TN - Sommet Center
March 14 - Louisville, KY - Freedom Hall
March 15 - Cincinnati, OH - U.S. Bank Arena
March 17 - Norfolk, VA - Constant Convocation Center
March 18 - Charlotte, NC - Charlotte Bobcats Arena

TINA TURNER & BEYONCE AT THE GRAMMY AWARDS

The producers of the upcoming Grammy Awards have confired today that Beyonce Knowles and Tina Turner will perform a duet at the upcoming Grammy Awards. Beyonce previously voiced her admiration of Turner and performed the legend's signature hit, "Proud Mary" during a Kennedy Center tribute in 2005. Turner has only rarely performed since 2000. The February 10th ceremony is the 50th anniversary of the Grammy Awards.

JASON MILES - SOUL SUMMIT

With the re-launch of Stax Records and the emergence of such soul artists as Leela James, Anthony Hamilton, Amy Winehouse, Angie Stone, Musiq Soulchild, Joss Stone and Marc Broussard, Jason’s “Soul Summit” is right on time. The label is a collection of many styles of soul. “Soul Summit,” has an all-star line-up that consists of Bob Babbitt (Funk Brothers, Marvin Gaye), Karl Denson (Lenny Kravitz), Richard Elliott (Tower of Power), Steve Ferrone (Average White Band), Mike Mattison, Maysa, Susan Tedeschi, Reggie Young (Ray Charles) and Dave Mann. Jason Miles’ credits include work with Miles Davis, Luther Vandross, Sting and Ivan Lins.

“Soul Summit,” was recorded live in a one-night performance at the 2007 Berks Jazz Festival in Reading, Pennsylvania. “I knew everybody,” Miles says about the support on this project. “Maysa was someone I really wanted to work with, she is an incredible singer.” For those pure soul lovers this album is a must to get. My favorites are “Shotgun,” “It’s Raining,” “Chicken and Waffles,” which has an excellent blend of flute and sax, and “James Brown Medley” with its James Brown signature sound.

JEFF LORBER SIGNS WITH PEAK RECORDS

Keyboardist and producer Jeff Lorber as joined saxophonist Mindi Abair as the latest artist to sign a recording contract with Peak Records. The smooth jazz record label is co-founded by Russ Freeman of the Rippingtons. Peak is a subsidiary of Concord Records. Lorber joins a roster that in addition to Abair includes The Rippingtons, Marc Antoine, Gerald Albright, Paul Taylor, Norman Brown, Lee Ritenour, Will Downing, Eric Marienthal, David Benoit and Jessy J. Jeff’s most recent CD, He Had a Hat, which featured the smooth jazz hit “Anthem for a New America,” was released on Blue Note Records. The CD is nominated in the Best Contemporary Jazz Album category.

BABYFACE KICKS OFF NEW ROUND OF TOUR DATES

*Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds is about to kick off another round of dates in support of his fall release "Playlist," the singer/songwriter/producer's first set of cover tunes and his first release on the newly re-launched Mercury Records label. The U.S. tour will kick off Feb. 15 in Minneapolis and hit 13 cities before wrapping March 5 in Long Beach, CA.

The album, which was released in September and peaked at No. 7 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, features Babyface singing renditions of his favorite soft-rock tunes by such artists as James Taylor, Eric Clapton, Jim Croce, Bob Dylan and Dan Fogelberg, "Playlist" also features two new originals: "The Soldier Song" and "Not Going Nowhere."

Babyface's tour itinerary is as follows:

February 2008
15 - Minneapolis, MN - Trocaderos
16 - Merrillville, IN - Star Plaza Theatre
17 - Covington, KY - Madison Theater
18 - Youngstown, OH - Chevrolet Centre
21 - Orlando, FL - House of Blues
22 - Miami, FL - Carnival Center for the Performing Arts
23 - Phoenix, AZ - Fort McDowell Casino
24 - Tucson, AZ - Tucson Convention Center
26 - Alexandria, VA - Birchmere
28 - Richmond, VA - The National
29 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata/The Music Box

March 2008
1 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata/The Music Box
3 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
5 - Long Beach, CA - The Vault

WQCD-FM REPLACED BY EMMIS

NEW YORK, Feb 05, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Emmis Communications today announced the launch of a new New York City radio station, 101.9 WRXP, The New York Rock Experience. "101.9 RXP" represents a new Adult Rock station in the New York tri-state market which merges New Music, Classic Rock, Alternative & Local Rock into a new adult blend called "The New York Rock Experience." 101.9 RXP will feature a variety of rock from artists like Franz Ferdinand, Bruce Springsteen, Nirvana, Coldplay, U2, Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews, The Police, Beck, Radiohead, The Who, Oasis, Arcade Fire, Social Distortion and REM ... a playlist not determined by era, but rather by the acoustic quality of each song, as determined directly by on-air personalities and staff.

"On-air personalities will play a direct part in choosing the music," announced 101.9 RXP Program Director Blake Lawrence. "It's unheard of in radio these days, but 101.9 RXP is about the music and not so much the music business -- we're merging rock styles and generations into a singular community that we call The New York Rock Experience."
"Having grown up on the great NY rock radio of the past, I'm absolutely thrilled that Emmis has identified an unserved audience that now has a great new 3 dimensional rock brand!" said Emmis VP of Programming Jimmy Steal. "This brand builds, and expands upon, NY's great rock radio legacy -- RXP is a rock station that truly represents a rock culture, for rock music lovers...and is not just another rock format."

The first song to air on 101.9 RXP was "Rock and Roll" by legendary New York Icon Lou Reed & the Velvet Underground, followed by the world premiere of REM's "Supernatural Superserious." "We're the first station in the world to premier the new REM song 'Supernatural Superserious,' and the only station that truly embodies the New York spirit of Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground classic 'Rock and Roll,'" said Director of Marketing Brian D'Aurelio. "Both songs are a fitting representation of this unique new adult rock brand."

The station, which is located in the NYC's West Village, will include another feature that is unique to New York radio with the regular inclusion of local rock artists. Local acts like Hold Steady, White Rabbits, Santogold, The National, and Nada Surf will all be part of the initial playlist, and the type of local talent that the station will support moving forward. "Some of the world's greatest rock artists got their start playing by the fountain in Washington Square Park just steps away from our studios," said new on-air personality and Music Director Bryan Schock. "That communal rock spirit is what we mean by the New York Rock Experience, and it is the spirit with which 101.9 RXP will be playing and launching new local artists." Effective immediately Bryan Schock will be heard weekdays in the afternoon drive shift. He is the first on-air personality to emerge from the massive search now underway for live and local on-air talent for the station.

"This is a completely unique & custom radio station with absolutely nothing off the shelf," Emmis New York Market Manager Dan Halyburton said. "Our talented team has been working tirelessly to offer a new adult rock radio brand that is truly unique and deserving of being the caretaker of New York's rich rock heritage."

The launch not only marks the beginning of a new home for rock on New York radio, it also debuts the 101.9 RXP Rock Republic -- an online network and informational hub for rock fans in the tri-state area and beyond based at the new 1019RXP.com .

Emmis Communications New York commissioned multiple research projects from Paragon Media Strategies prior to the launch of WRXP. Programming consultants included Mike Henry of Paragon Media Strategies and John Bradley and Dave Rahn of SBR Creative Media.
101.9 RXP replaces Smooth Jazz CD101.9, which will continue to be available to fans via 101.9's Smooth Jazz HD2 channel on all HD capable radios within the listening area. Information regarding Smooth Jazz CD101.9 HD Channel is available at cd1019.com .

For more information about the new 101.9 RXP programming, events and news, listen to 101.9 FM or log on to www.1019RXP.com .

About Emmis Communications -- Great Media, Great People, Great Service(R: 59.53, +2.61, +4.58%):
Emmis is an Indianapolis-based diversified media firm with radio broadcasting, television broadcasting and magazine publishing operations. Emmis owns 21 FM and 2 AM domestic radio stations serving the nation's largest markets of New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, as well as St. Louis, Austin, Indianapolis and Terre Haute, Ind. In May 2005, Emmis announced its intent to seek strategic alternatives for its 16 television stations, and has announced the sales of 15 of them. Emmis also owns a radio network, international radio stations, regional and specialty magazines, an interactive business and ancillary businesses in broadcast sales.

SOURCE Emmis Communications

NEW RELEASES

Al B. Sure! – The Very Best Of Al B. Sure! (Rhino)
Al Jarreau – Love Songs (Rhino)
Andrea Bocelli – Vivere: Live In Tuscany DVD/CD (Decca)
Billie Holiday – The Definitive Collection (Verve/UME)
Brian McKnight – 20th Century Masters: The Best Of Brian McKnight – The Millenium Collection (Motown/UME)
Charles Mingus – The Very Best Of Charles Mingus (Rhino)
Chick Corea & Gary Burton – The New Crystal Silence (Stretch/Concord)
Chick Corea & Return To Forever – The Definitive Collection (Verve/UME)
Fourplay – The Best Of Fourplay (Warner/Rhino)
Jack Johnson – Sleeping Through The Static (Brushfire/Universal)
Jean-Luc Ponty – The Very Best Of Jean-Luc Ponty (Rhino)
Jill Scott – Live In Paris + DVD (Hidden Beach)
Jimmy Smith – The Definitive Collection (Verve/UME)
John Lee Hooker – The Very Best Of John Lee Hooker (Rhino)
k.d. lang – Watershed (Nonesuch)
Kenny G – Rhythm & Romance (Concord/Starbucks)
Lenny Kravitz – Revolution (Virgin)
Louis Armstrong – The Ultimate Collection DVD (Hip-O/UME)
Mel Torme - Sings For Lovers (Concord)
Quincy Jones – Quincy Jones & Friends: 50 Years In Music –Live At Montreux 1996 DVD (Eagle Vision)
Rosemary Clooney – Sings For Lovers (Concord)
Sheryl Crow – Detours (A&M/Interscope)
Taylor Dayne – Satisfied (Intention Music)
Wes Montgomery – Plays For Lovers (Riverside/Concord)

NEW REMIXED AND REMASTERED FRANK SINATRA DUE

Warner Music Group's Reprise Records are planning tol release "Nothing But The Best," a single disc that will feature 22 songs remixed and remastered from the original master tapes, as well as a previously unreleased arrangement of "Body and Soul." The compilation will be available at traditional retail, as well as at FrankSinatra.com and at U.S. Post Offices, where Sinatra will feature on a stamp May 13. A limited number of the CDs will include a stamp.

WQCD-FM 101.9 DROPS THEIR SMOOTH JAZZ FORMAT

In case you have not yet heard, New York’s premier smooth jazz radio station, WQCD-FM 101.9 has flipped formats. According to a press release CD101.9 dropped the smooth jazz format due to a declining audience for Smooth Jazz over the past few years. On February 5th the station launched a supposed innovative new adult rock format on the 101.9 frequency called 101.9 RXP The New York Rock Experience. 101.9 RXP is a respectful and intelligent mix of new music, classic rock and alternative . "Smooth Jazz CD101.9" will still continue to exist on their HD2 channel. To receive the signal you’ll need to purchase an HD capable radio and you will be able to listen to your favorite Smooth Jazz artists for free. CD1019.com will continue to provide you with upcoming smooth jazz events in association with the HD2 channel, and members of the CD101.9 Loyal Listener Club you will continue to receive e-mail updates.

ALICIA KEYS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES

Alicia Keys is embarking on a lengthy tour to support her latest album - "As I Am". The tour is scheduled to kick off later this month in Europe and swing through North America beginning this spring. The North American leg of the tour is listed below.

April
19 - Hampton, VA - Hampton Coliseum
20 - Philadelphia, PA - Liacouras Center
22 - Pittsburgh, PA - Peterson Events Center
24 - Rosemont, IL - Allstate Arena
26 - Columbus, OH - Value City Arena at Schottenstein Center
27 - St. Louis, MO - Scottrade Center
30 - Minneapolis, MN - Target Center

May
1 - Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center
5 - Los Angeles, CA - venue to be announced
7 - San Diego, CA - San Diego Sports Arena
9 - Las Vegas, NV - MGM Grand Garden Arena
10 - San Jose, CA - HP Pavilion at San Jose
12 - Phoenix, AZ - Jobing.com Arena
14 - Grand Prairie, TX - Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie
18 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center
22 - New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Arena
24 - Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times Forum
25 - Miami, FL - American Airlines Arena
28 - Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena
30 - Greensboro, NC - Greensboro Coliseum
31 - Cincinnati, OH - US Bank Arena

June
3 - Detroit, MI - Joe Louis Arena
5 - Cleveland, OH - Wolstein Center at Cleveland State
6 - Toronto, Ontario - Air Canada Centre
8 - Montreal, Quebec - Bell Centre
11 - Boston, MA - TD Banknorth Garden
13 - Washington, DC - Verizon Center
15 - Baltimore, MD - 1st Mariner Arena
17 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center
18 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden

3rd ANNUAL JAZZ IN THE GARDENS MUSIC FESTIVAL

The City of Miami Gardens is pleased to announce the star-studded lineup for the 3rd annual Jazz in the Gardens music festival, being held on Saturday, March 15th and Sunday, March 16th at Dolphin Stadium. Confirmed artists include George Benson, Chaka Khan, The O'Jays, Wyclef Jean, Nancy Wilson, KEM, George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Chrisette Michele, Mike Phillips and Anthony David. Local artists names to be released soon.

Tickets go on sale at 10am, February 1st, 2008 at http://www.jazzinthegardens.com/ or through Ticketmaster. Tickets may also be purchased at the Dolphin Stadium ticket box office.
"Jazz in the Gardens has really become an internationally recognized event. It's exciting to know people from all over the world look forward to coming to Miami Gardens. It's incredible how music has the power to transcend language and culture, as it serves to unite people. With this year's line-up of jazz greats we will continue to make Miami Gardens a proud community and a more visible destination," says Miami Gardens Mayor Shirley Gibson.

Chaka Khan is an internationally loved diva of 'old school' soul music. Her energy, versatile soulful voice, dynamism, and passion are demonstrated in her live performances and musical career that spans three decades. Having worked in practically every genre of music from pop, classical R&B to Jazz, Chaka has brought her special brand of vocal magic to audiences the world over. Among her list of accolades, Chaka is an eight-time Grammy winner, from 1973 to 2003.
Jazz guitarist, singer and international superstar George Benson is appreciated as both a musician and a performer by millions. Benson began his journey as fledging guitarist, working the corner pubs of his native Pittsburg. Forty years later, George Benson is an eight-time Grammy winner who has played the world over. Benson's tone is juicy; his blues solos sparkle with a carefully honed logic where a jaunty funk and swing aesthetic prevail.

The O'Jays, legendary kings of old school, have an ocean-wide body of work that spawned 24 Top Ten smashes and 59 total charted songs. Known for their incredibly energetic and dynamic live shows, the O'Jays, Eddie Levert, Sr., Walter Williams, Sr. and Eric Nolan Grant, show no sign of slowing down. After 40+ years of making such international hits as "Back Stabbers," "For The Love Of Money," "Darlin' Darlin' Baby," "Love Train," "I Love Music," and "Use Ta Be My Girl," The O'Jays are light years away from easing up on the gas.

Wyclef Jean was launched into pop culture consciousness in 1994 as a member of The Fugees with Lauren Hill leading vocals. In 1997 he embarked on his journey as a solo performer, and has never looked back. From his chart-topping Grammy-nominated international smash hit duet with Shakira "Hips Don't Lie, to his current smash hit "The Sweetest Girl," which is tearing up the pop charts, Wyclef Jean is positioned to become a multi-cultural musical legend. This multi-Grammy award winning artist is a South Florida favorite, drawing music lovers young and old. He is also internationally recognized for his humanitarian efforts and work as an ambassador for Haiti.

Jazz icon and incomparable soulstress Nancy Wilson's musical style is so diverse, it is hard to classify. But whatever she performs she is riveting. Whether jazz, blues, pop or cabaret, she is the consummate "storyteller," a professor emeritus of body language. Wilson's stellar career spans over 40 years and over 70 albums. She is a three-time Grammy winner, Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the NAACP image award. Nancy's most recent Grammy was won in 2007 for her jazz album, "Turned to Blue." Nancy Wilson comes out of retirement to join the City of Miami Gardens for its 3rd Annual Jazz in the Gardens.
KEM is a self taught musician and Motown's rising star. He delivers rich, sweet vocals, with a blend of saucy scats and soothing lyrics. His captivating singing style carries listeners from the past to the present -- the essence of everything we love and miss about soul music. From his days of being homeless on the streets of Detroit, to his soulful honest lyrics that have captivated jazz and R&B audiences and guaranteed his rise to stardom, the hardworking and humble KEM never forgets what the journey has taught him. Nothing can be better than KEMISTRY for the soul.

George Duke's professional career has spanned five amazing decades. He began his piano studies at age seven, absorbing the roots of Black music at his local Baptist church. Fast forward to today and Duke's career has taken twists and turns, all bigger than the next. The list of artists and projects Duke has participated in is mind blowing. He has worked with Al Jarreau, Jean-Luc Ponty, Cannonball Adderly, Quincy Jones, Frank Zappa, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Jeffery Osborne, Barry Manilow, Gladys Knight, George Benson, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Luther Vandross, Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover and the list of top notch, multi-platinum superstars that Duke has worked with goes on and on. Through the years, along with his own releases and busy producing schedule, George has acted as musical director for numerous artists and television specials including producing The Soul Train Music Awards for nine years. George Duke's career has been simply stunning and it doesn't look like its going to slow up any time soon.

In 1971, the jazz world immediately recognized the dexterity and complete musicality Stanley Clarke possessed. The former teen prodigy is now a Grammy & Emmy Award winner. His constant pursuit of perfection with relentless attention to be the best makes Clarke is a celebrated pioneer in fusion jazz music. He was Rolling Stone Magazine's very first 'Jazzman of the Year,' and the first bassist in history to ever headline tours and sell out shows.

She may be new to the music world, but Chrisette Michele is an old soul with a distinct voice and talent, way beyond her 23 years. Before signing with Def Jam records, the singer, song writer and composer toured with more established artists like KEM and India.Arie. She is a VH1 "You Oughta Know: Artist on the Rise" for January 2008 and is enjoying airplay on jazz and R&B stations worldwide. Michele has now found her own voice and stepped into the limelight with her debut album and introduction to the world, "I AM." A growing fan base now surrounds her mix for soul and pop, filled with the soul of jazz.

Mike Phillips is a saxophonist with an undeniable presence that captivates. Armed with his signature passion and magnetic presence, this talented musician challenges established jazz norms by embracing a variety of musical influences while adding his own unique flavor to the mix. His unique style earned him a coveted spot in Prince's world renowned NPG Band during the 90-city Musicology Tour. He was subsequently offered the opportunity to perform with Stevie Wonder at Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday celebration in South Africa. Mike Phillips sizzles.

Anthony David, a Georgia-based singer/songwriter, has successfully merged old and new school grooves with a distinct Southern flavor. Thinking of himself more as a songwriter, it took several years before David was willing to showcase his voice publicly. Using soul greats Bill Withers and Anita Baker as models, he found his own vocal style, a rough, raspy Southern baritone that worked well with his poetic compositions. After moving to Atlanta to pursue his career, David met India.Arie, and the two formed a friendship based in part on their mutual love of 60s and 70s soul music. A break came when Arie released her highly acclaimed debut, "Acoustic Soul," in 2002, which included a David composition, "Part of Your Life."

Jazz in the Gardens, in just three years, has become the best jazz festival in South Florida, raising the bar each year with its star studded line-up. The jazz festival, with attendance levels expected at 20,000 this year, delivers a diverse mix of music genres that range from Jazz, R&B and Caribbean sounds.

This is the second year that the City has teamed up with Circle of One Marketing for Media, Marketing and Public Relations and Concertz Event Management, Inc. for Artist and Event Management as producers of Jazz in the Gardens. With the leadership of The City of Miami Gardens, this team has, in just 2 years, taken Jazz in the Gardens to unprecedented levels of notoriety and reputation. Last year's phenomenal success included growing the attendance by 350% over the first year. With the tremendous line-up of artists, on-site attractions, tight event management and massive local, regional and national promotional efforts, this year's attendance is expected to top 20,000, up more than 200% over 2007.

Jazz in the Gardens is presented by The City of Miami Gardens and Dolphin Stadium and sponsored by American Airlines, Shula's Hotel & Golf Club, Royal Caribbean, UAIG, Miccosukee Resort & Casino, Southern Wines & Spirits, National Constructors, Warren Henry Auto, Publix and Opa Locka Flightline.

The City of Miami Gardens was incorporated on May 13, 2003 as the 33rd city in Miami-Dade County. At a population of approximately 109,000, it is the third largest city in Miami-Dade County. Miami Gardens and is a solid, working and middle class community of unique diversity. It is the largest predominantly African-American municipality in the State of Florida and boasts many Caribbean residents. In 2007, the City hosted the 41st annual Super Bowl. In 2009, the City will host the college BCS championship game and in 2010, will host the 44th Super Bowl.