2009 BERKS JAZZ FEST

The 2009 Berks Jazz Fest is scheduled for March 27 through April 5, 2009 in Reading, PA., and it will feature a stellar line-up of musicians. It’s actually more of a Jazz, Soul, Funk, and Blues festival when you consider the caliber of acts who are set to appear. It’s a list of who’s who in the business…Anat Cohen, Andy Narell, Average White Band, Barry Daniellian, Bela Fleck, Billy Price Band feat. Fred Chapellier, Bobby Franceschini, Bobby Lyle, Boney James, Brian Bromberg Quartet, Brian Culbertson, Chieli Minucci & Special EFX, Chuck Loeb, David Benoit, David Mann, Derek Trucks Band, Gerald Albright, Gerald Veasley, Jason Miles, Jeff Kashiwa, Joe Banamassa, Joe McBride, Jonathan Butler, Karl Denson, Kenny Blake, Kim Waters, Kirk Whalum, Maysa Leak, McCoy Tyner Quartet, Mike Mattison, Mindi Abair, Mitch Forman Najee, Nelson Rangell, Nnenna Freelon, Paul Jackson Jr., Peter White, Phil Perry, Phoebe Snow, Pieces Of A Dream, Rachel Z, Randy Brecker, Reggie Young, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Sherrod Barnes, Susan Tedeschi, Soul Summit II, Soul Survivors, Steve Cole, Steve Ferrone, Steve Smith & Vital Information, Take 6, Tim Price, Victor Wooten, Warren Hill, and Wayman Tisdale.

One of the highlights of the Berks Jazz Fest is on Saturday, April 4, when East Bay Soul, an all-star rotating collective led by former Tower of Power trumpet great Greg Adams and famed soul singer Phil Perry, joins forces with saxophonist Michael Paulo and trumpeter Lee Thornburg. The 2 p.m. double-header at the Reading Crowne Hotel will kick off with a performance by Bay Area-based guitar star and Berks Jazz Fest favorite Joyce Cooling. East Bay Soul is a combination of instrumental soul funk and rhythm and blues vocals built on a design to discover new achievements rather than extend the past. Wide ranging and forward thinking, East Bay Soul is set to lead this new soundscape with a sharpened expertise from being on countless stages worldwide.

Adams says: “We draw from my funk and R&B background with Tower of Power and the influence it’s had over my sound and the sound that I gave to TOP through those 25 years I was in the band. Taking that sound and bringing it into 2008, we’re creating an all new ‘Metro Jazz,’ really a new approach of a melting pot of contemporary urban rhythm and sound and combining all the sounds from the city. The ethnic sounds of the trials of tribulations, the hard fought, the victories, sweetness and sadness. It comes through in the music in all forms. It’s world, it’s metro, it’s edgy, it’s urban.”East Bay Soul’s horn section is headed up by the Grammy- and Emmy-nominated Adams (whose most recent solo release is 2006’s Cool To The Touch), Michael Paulo (longtime saxman for Al Jarreau, Peter White, Patti Austin, Jeffrey Osborne and Rick Braun who has a solo career extending back to 1989) and Lee Thornburg (former member of Supertramp, TOP and The Tonight Show band who has also worked with Tom Petty, Bonnie Raitt and Ray Charles).The ensemble’s original lyrics are crafted and sung in stunning fashion by Phil Perry, one of the finest R&B/urban jazz vocalists in contemporary music who won 2007 Soul Tracks Male Vocalist of the Year. Perry’s latest Shanachie release is Ready For Love.

RAQUEL BITTON - BOLEROS

French Jazz singer Raquel Bitton celebrates renowned Latin composers in her hot new French/Latin Jazz recording Boleros which will be released on March 17. French jazz singer Raquel Bitton is recognized as the foremost singer of French music in North America today and has been internationally praised as the greatest interpreter of the music from the Edith Piaf repertoire.

Boleros, Raquel Bitton's 7th album release is sung in French and Spanish was engineered by 11x Grammy award winner Rafa Sardina and showcases the music of legendary Latin composers including Armando Manzanero, Consuelo Velasquez, Augustin Lara, Isolina Carillo and others.
Raquel Bitton is accompanied by a 28 piece orchestra featuring notable Latin Jazz musicians including: Ramon Stagnaro on acoustic guitar, (Andrea Bocelli, Shakira, Luis Miguel) Cuban percussionists Orestes Vilato (Santana, Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades) and Jesus Diaz (Tito Puente, Pete Escovedo Orchestra) and Rebeca Mauleon on Piano (Santana, Cachao, Joe Henderson). Included is an exquisite 20 page booklet with Spanish and French lyrics and biographies of each composer as well as historical research on the birth of the Bolero.

"Romance intertwined with passion, this is the Bolero, a true expression of my heart said Raquel Bitton. I fell in love with the Bolero when I listened to the sultry voices of Tona La Negra and Maria Dolores Pradera. This music transported me back to my birthplace and the songs I heard growing up in Marrakesh where Spanish music was on everyone's lips, Spain being so close to then French Morocco," said Bitton.

Bitton's journey in researching the composers and songs, led her to Mexico City where she met Armando Manzanero (composer of Elvis Presley's hit song 'It's Impossible') who is widely considered the premiere Mexican romantic composer of the postwar era. "Raquel Bitton's new CD Boleros is magnificent; her version of my song, 'Adoro' is so beautiful!" said Armando Manzanero.

Raquel Bitton sings Aranjuez mon amour from Joaquin Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez, one of the most recognizable compositions in the Spanish Guitar repertoire in tandem with the extraordinary Acoustic Guitarist Ramon Stagnaro. Classic songs, including Solamente una Vez by Augustin Laura or Dos Gardenias by Isolina Carillo, the song that helped revive Ibrahim Ferrer's career (Buena Vista Social Club) and Besame Mucho, by Consuelo Velasquez are sung with Bitton's captivating voice and set to an entrancing beat.

OLETA ADAMS - LET'S STAY HERE

Oleta Adams is set to release her first album since 2001 as E1 Music is set to release "Let's Stay Here," on April 21, 2009. Throughout her long career, which began with Oprah Winfrey's endorsement of the immortal "Get Here," Oleta has earned her devoted fan base by staying with the essentials: honest, soulful vocals, unforgettable songs, and uplifting arrangements. "Let's Stay Here" is prime Oleta: she delivers each song's message with grace, clarity, and quiet power, whether it's her own composition or a classic cover, such as the version of Nina Simone's "Feelin' Good" that was central to the 2007-8 Buick campaign. Oleta's fans, who flock to her sold-out shows all over the U.S., have been waiting a long time for "Let's Stay Here," and it delivers all the way. It's a new statement of pure soul, ten messages of hope and love for our tough times.

Raised with gospel music, Adams released two solo albums before getting discovered by pop group Tears For Fears in the '80s. After touring with and opening for the group, her solo career took off in 1990 with the album "Circle of One," which peaked at #1 in the U.K. Adams has released six more albums since, and her cover of Brenda Russell's track "Get Here" earned her the first of many Grammy nominations.

Track list for "Let's Stay Here":

1. Picture You The Way That I Do

2. Feelin' Good

3. We Can't Stay Here

4. No Way To Love Me

5. Another Day

6. Best That I Can Do

7. Let's Stay Here

8. Don't Explain

9. Yesterday

10. Act Of Forgiveness

THE MARCH CONCERT CALENDAR

John Legend @ Sentrum Scene, Oslo, Mar 1
Re:Jazz @ Blue Note, Tokyo, Japan, Mar 1
John Legend @ Annexet, Stockholm, Sweden, Mar 2
Sergio Mendes @ Blue Note, Tokyo, Japan, Mar 2-7
Simply Red @ Credicard Hall, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Mar 3-4
John Legend @ Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, Holland, Mar 4
Stanley Clarke @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz, CA, Mar 5
John Legend @ Ancienne Belgique, Brussels, Belgium, Mar 6
Madeleine Peyroux @ Empire Theatre, Albany, NY, Mar 6
Tony Bennett @ Agua Caliente Casino 7 Resort, Rancho Mirage, CA, Mar 6
Simply Red @ Citibank Hall, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Mar 6
Allen Toussaint, Henry Butler, Jon Cleary @ Birch North Park Theatre, San Diego, CA, Mar 6
Stanley Clarke @ Yoshi’s, Oakland, CA, Mar 6-8
Tower Of Power @ The Orleans Casino, Las Vegas, NV, Mar 6-8
John Legend @ Zenith, Paris, France, Mar 7
Chuck Loeb @ Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Indonesia, Mar 7
Branford Marsalis @ Schlesinger Concert Hall, Alexandria, VA, Mar 7-8
John Legend @ Brixton Academy, London, UK, Mar 9
Adele @ House Of Blues, San Diego, CA, Mar 9
Simply Red @ Telmex Theatre, Guadalajara, Mexico, Mar 9
Adele @ Martini Ranch, Phoenix, AZ, Mar 10
Simply Red @ National Auditorium, Mexico City, Mexico, Mar 11
John Legend @ Academy, Glasgow, UK, Mar 12
Adele @ La Zona Rosa, Austin, TX, Mar 12
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Evanston, IL, Mar 12
John Legend @ Apollo, Manchester, UK, Mar 13
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Pageant, St. Louis, MO, Mar 13
Frankie Valli @ Dodge Theater, Phoenix, AZ, Mar 13
Maceo Parker @ Theater of Perfoming Arts, Philadelphia, PA, Mar 13
Simply Red @ Club Nokia, Los Angeles, CA, Mar 13
Walter Beasley @ Scullers, Boston, MA, Mar 13-14
Stanley Clarke @ IMAC, Huntington, NY, Mar 14
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI, Mar 14
Adele @ Warehouse Live, Houston, TX, Mar 14
Brian Culbertson @ Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA, Mar 14
Madeleine Peyroux @ Park West. Chicago, IL, Mar 14
Brian Culbertson @ Comcast Arena, Everett, WA, Mar 15
Adele @ Granada, Dallas, TX, Mar 15
Stanley Clarke @ Ram’s Head, Annapolis, MD, Mar 15
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ House Of Blues, Cleveland, OH, Mar 15
John Legend @ Academy, Birmingham, UK, Mar 15
Simply Red @ Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY, Mar 15
Madeleine Peyroux @ Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis, MN, Mar 15
Spanish Harlem Orchestra @ Memorial Auditorium, Stanford, CA, Mar 15
John Legend @ E Werk, Cologne, Germany, Mar 16
Stanley Clarke @ Birchmere, Alexandria, VA, Mar 16
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Ark, Ann Arbor, MI, Mar 16
John Legend @ Tonhalle, Munich, Germany, Mar 17
Adele @ Variety Theatre, Atlanta, GA, Mar 17
The Whispers @ Hammersmith Apollo, London, UK, May 17
Stanley Clarke @ The Blue Note, New York, NY, Mar 17-18
Adele @ Cannery Ballroom, Nashville, TN, Mar 18
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Handlebar, Greenville, SC, Mar 18
John Legend @ Alcatraz, Milan, Italy, Mar 19
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Legends At Appalachian State, Boone, NC, Mar 19
George Benson @ Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL, Mar 19
Wynton Marsalis @ Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood, NJ, Mar 19
Branford Marsalis @ Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA, Mar 19-22
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA, Mar 20
Adele @ St. Andrews Hall, Detroit, MI, Mar 20
John Legend @ Volkshaus, Zurich, Switzerland, Mar 20
Madeleine Peyroux @ Folly Theatre, Kansas City, MO, Mar 20
Bobby Caldwell @ Center Stage/WLOQ Winter Park Art Festival, Winter Park, FL, Mar 20
Tower Of Power @ Harrah’s South Shore Room, Stateline, NV, Mar 20-21
John Legend @ Palanet, Padova, Italy, Mar 21
Adele @ House Of Blues, Cleveland, OH, Mar 21
Madeleine Peyroux @ Boulder Theatre, Boulder, CO, Mar 21
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Shoreline Ballroom, Hilton Head Island, SC, Mar 21
Chick Corea, John McLaughlin @ Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley, CA, Mar 21
Quasimode @ Blue Note, Tokyo, Japan, Mar 22
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Birchmere Music Hall, Alexandria, VA, Mar 23
Giovanni Mirabassi Trio @ Blue Note, Tokyo, Japan, Mar 23-25
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Ram’s Head, Annapolis, MD, Mar 24
Simply Red @ Braehead Arena, Glasgow, UK, Mar 24
Madeleine Peyroux @ Moore Theatre, Seattle, WA, Mar 24
Tower Of Power, David Sanvorn @ Whittaker Center, Harrisburg, PA, Mar 24
Branford Marsalis @ Catalina's in Hollywood CA, Mar 24-28
Tower Of Power @ Turning Stone Casino & Resort, Verona, NY, Mar 25
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ B.B. King’s. New York, NY, Mar 25
B. B. King @ Murat Theatre, Indianapolis, IN, Mar 25
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Toad’s Placem New Haven, CT, Mar 26
Tower Of Power @ Keswick Theater, Glenside, PA, Mar 26
Simply Red @ Cardiff International Arena, Cardiff, UK, Mar 26
Simply Red @ Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, UK, Mar 27
Sax For Stax feat. Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum @ Nokia Theatre, New York, NY, Mar 27
B. B. King @ The House of Blues, Cleveland, OH, Mar 27
Tower Of Power @ Klein Memorial Auditorium, Bridgeport, CT, Mar 27
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Berk’s Jazz Fest, Reading, PA, Mar 27
Peter White @ Sheraton Reading Hotel, Wyomissing, PA, Mar 27
Peter White @ Scottish Rite Cathedral, West Reading, PA, Mar 27
Mindi Abair, Peter White @ Berks Jazz Fest, Wyomissing, PA, Mar 27
Simply Red @ LG Arena (NEC), Birmingham, UK, Mar 28
Sax For Stax feat. Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum @ Sheraton Reading Hotel, Wyomissing, PA, Mar 28
B. B. King @ Rochester Auditorium Theatre, Rochester, NY, Mar 28
Mindi Abair @ Jazz In The Gardens Music Festival, Miami Gardens, FL, Mar 28
Madeleine Peyroux @ Club Nokia, Los Angeles, CA, Mar 28
David Sanborn, Tower Of Power @ Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood, NJ, Mar 28
Kenny G @ Jazz In The Gardens Music Festival, Miami Gardens, FL, Mar 29
David Sanborn, Tower Of Power @ Sandler Center, Virginia Beach, VA, Mar 29
B. B. King @ Lyric Opera House, Baltimore, MD, Mar 20
Simply Red @ Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth, UK, Mar 30
Bela Fleck @ Berk Jazz Fest, Miller Center For The Arts, Reading, PA, Mar 30
Brandford Marsalis @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz, CA, Mar 30
Simply Red @ Brighton Centre, Brighton, UK, Mar 31
Chris Botti @ Teatro la Cuidad, Mexico City, Mexico, Mar 31
Tower Of Power @ State Theater, Falls Church, VA, Mar 31
B. B. King @ State Theatre, Easton, PA, Mar 31
Brandford Marsalis @ Anthology, San Diego, CA, Mar 31

CHARLIE WILSON - UNCLE CHARLIE

R&B solo singer/songwriter Charlie Wilson has topped the charts with his newest offering, Uncle Charlie. This week, Wilson's album debuts at No. 1 on the R&B Albums chart, and enters at No. 2 on the Pop Albums chart. These are his highest ranking debuts on both charts as a solo artist and front-man for the legendary Gap Band. This chart-topping week comes as the singer's first solo album on Jive Records, Charlie, Last Name Wilson, receives gold-certification from the RIAA.

The album's lead single "There Goes My Baby" is currently among the Top 5 most played songs at the Urban Adult Contemporary radio format, and the accompanying video will debut March 2nd as a featured spotlight on Yahoo's main music page.

The new album features all-star collaborations with Snoop Dogg and T-Pain and production work by the Grammy-nominated duo the Underdogs. The album title, Uncle Charlie, refers to Wilson's status as the "de facto father of new jack swing" and his influence over some of today's top musicians and singers. Wilson is considered one of the greatest and most distinctive voices in R&B. Classic hit singles such as "Outstanding" and "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" are among the most sampled tunes by contemporary Rap and R&B artists.

Additionally, Uncle Charlie is garnering rave reviews: USA Today states, "[Wilson's] influence on artists like guest stars Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx and T-Pain is evident... He sounds as fresh as ever without sacrificing his signature sound." Associated Press adds, "[On] his exceptional new album -- he sounds better than ever...Wilson is the coolest R&B uncle in the game..."

Charlie Wilson is currently completing a special tour for U.S. troops stationed in Iraq and Kuwait. In March, he will join an all-star cast that includes Robin Givens for a national tour of the gospel musical, Save Me From My Secrets.

GAMBLE & HUFF TO RECEIVE BMI ICONS AWARD

Music publishing giant, BMI, will name the production and songwriting team Gamble & Huff “BMI Icons” at its upcoming 57th annual Pop Awards, slated for Tuesday, May 19 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. The invitation-only event will also honor the songwriters and publishers of the past year’s most-performed pop songs in the United States. The evening’s commendations will culminate with an all-star musical tribute to Gamble & Huff.

BMI Icons are selected because of their “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” Gamble & Huff will join fellow BMI Icons - the Jacksons, Bee Gees, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Paul Simon, Merle Haggard, Brian Wilson, Willie Nelson, James Brown, Ray Davies, Carlos Santana, Dolly Parton, and Hall & Oates.

As architects of the Philadelphia soul dynasty of the 60’ and 70’s, Gamble and Huff composed and produced landmark work by their Philly International Records artists as well as others including the O’Jays, Lou Rawls, Jerry Butler, Melba Moore, Jean Carne, Patti LaBelle, McFadden & Whitehead, Archie Bell & The Drells, Teddy Pendergrass, MFSB, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Dusty Springfield, Wilson Pickett and so many more. The pair has accumulated 22 gold and eight platinum albums. Many of the classic albums from these artists are being released via the Philadelphia Legacy label imprint.

Gamble and Huff most recently produced tracks for the reunited 2008 Labelle album “Back To Now,” which features original members Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx, and Sarah Dash. The group is currently touring the United States.

NEW RELEASES FROM GERALD ALSTON, HUGH MASEKELA, INDIA.ARIE, NORMAN CONNORS, PIECES OF A DREAM & OTHERS...

Aaron Tesser & The New Jazz Affair – Lookin’ Ahead (Irma)
Andrea Pozza Trio With Alan Farrington – Drop This Thing (Déjà vu)
Alessandro Alessandroni – Notes From The Whistler (Edel)
Ashford & Simpson – Real Thing (Burgundy)
Bird And The Bee – Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future (Blue Note)
Blue Note 7 – A Celebration Of Blue Note Records (Blue Note)
Brasil Sambossia (Various Artists) (Afro Baile)
Commodores – Love Songs (Motown)
Curtis Mayfield – We Come In Peace With A Message Of Love/Take It To The Streets (Curtom/Snapper)
Dean Martin – Amore (Capitol)
Diana Ross & The Supremes – Love Songs (Motown)
Diego Figueiredo – Dadaio (Stunt)
Far Out Strictly Samba (Various Artists) (Far Out)
Foreign Exchange – Leave It All Behind (HBD)
Gerald Alston – Sings Sam Cooke (LST)
Gladys Knight & The Pips – Love Songs (Motown)
Glenn Underground – Silent (Unified)
Hot Buttered Soul: Celebrating The Genius Of Isaac Hayes (Various Artists) (Shanachie)
Hugh Masakela – Phola (Times Square)
India.Arie –Testimony Vol 2 – Love & Politics (Soulbird)
Indigo Jam Unit & Flexlife – Vingtage Black (Oasis)
James Brown – Live At The Boston Garden April 5, 1968 (DVD/Shout Factory)
James Brown – The Singles, Volume Six: 1969-1970 (Hip-O Select)
Jesse Boykins III – Beauty Created (Vinyl Virtue)
Jimi Tenor & Kabu Kabu – 4th Dimension (Sakho/Puu)
Kafele – Acid Reign (Kafele)
Kafka – Kafka (Mighty Highness)
Kaidi Tatham – In Search Of Hope (Freedom School)
Kokolo – Heavy Hustling (Record Kicks)
Liquid Spirits – Music (Kindred Spirits)
Mr Chop – Lightworks EP (Now Again)
Mandrill – New Worlds/Getting In The Mood (Expansion)
Norman Connors – Star Power (Schanchie)
Paolo Di Sabatino Trio – Atelier Of Melody (Sawano)
Pieces Of A Dream – Soul Intent (Heads Up)
Platinum Pied Pipers (PPP) – Abundance (Ubiquity)
Quasimode – The Mode Of Blue – Quasimode Plays Blue Note (Blue Note)
Revelations – Deep Soul (Decisions)
Robert Carlos & Caetano Veloso – E A Musica De Tom Jobim (Sony BMG)
Rosalia De Souza – D’Improvviso (Schema)
Sally Kellerman Sally (The Music Force)
Sleep Walker – Into The Sun (Jazzmin)
Smokey Robinson – Love Songs (Motown)
Steve Wallace – Urban Soul (Edclectic)
Tizian Jost Trio – Night Has A Thousand Eyes (Sawano)
Tonu Naissoo Trio – For Now & Forever (Sawano)
Ursula 1000 – Mystics (18th Street Lounge)
Van Morrison – Astral Weeks Live At The Hollywood Bown (EMI)
Walter Beasley – Free Your Mind (Heads Up)
We Love Afrobeat: An Ultimate Modern Afrobeat Selection (Various Artists) (Comet)

INDIA.ARIE: TESTIMONY: VOL. 2, LOVE & POLITICS

India.Arie has once again delivered a new album to the top tier of the music charts its opening week of release, with Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics (Soulbird Music/Universal Republic) vaulting to # 1 on the Billboard Top R&B Chart and locking down the #3 spot on the Billboard Top 200 Chart.The acclaimed singer/songwriter’s two new singles, "Chocolate High," featuring Musiq Soulchild, was #1 most added at Urban AC radio this week, while "Therapy" featuring Gramps Morgan, has become the #1 most downloaded song off the album. Testimony: Vol 2, which is the follow-up to her Grammy nominated 2006 album, Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship, has been receiving worldwide critical acclaim over the past week.

India.Arie also created a buzz with a host of TV appearances this week, kicking it off with a live performance on ABC’s Good Morning America on Tuesday, February 17. And in a special production with VH1, she appears as the featured artist on the fourth installment of VH1’s SoulStage, presented by Infiniti franchise and showcasing her performing songs from the new album such as "Therapy" and "Pearls," among other past hits. SoulStage: India.Arie Presented by Infinity debuted on Tuesday, February 17 on VH1 Soul at 9:30 pm EST, with encore broadcasts on the music network on February 22nd at 1:30 pm EST, 9:30 pm EST, and 1:30 AM EST on February 23rd. The show is also being made available on VH1soul.com which will include additional performances not seen on the original broadcast.

India.Arie emerged onto the music scene in 2001 with her double-platinum debut album Acoustic Soul and subsequently has won a host of awards including 2 Grammys, 4 NAACP Awards, as well as being recognized by BET, Billboard Magazine, MTV, VH1 and Essence Magazine, among others. With nearly eight million albums sold, India.Arie has established herself as an artist and humanitarian of substance, working steadily throughout her career to champion causes close to her heart. As a UN Ambassador for UNICEF, she has traveled to Africa numerous times to address the AIDS crisis, and is featured in the documentary Tracking The Monster: Ashley Judd & India.Arie confront Aids In Africa.

CRISS STARR - ON THE KEYS

Independent musician Criss Starr has announced the release of his latest album “On the Keys”, a sophisticated smooth jazz exploration of several R&B/soul classics to much anticipation earlier this week. Featuring Starr's unique and intuitive interpretations of Stevie Wonder’s Ribbons in the Sky and Raspberry Beret, as well as Starr’s song Break it Down, the original songs without words. “On the Keys’ was released on February 2, 2009.Starr's passion and talent for expressing the intricacies of human emotions through music developed early on in life – when he first saw the then-unknown Prince open for Rick James.

During a summer visit to Omaha, Nebraska, Criss met James Boone, a music manager, and Criss began performing in various Omaha venues (including the Omaha civic auditorium) and was featured in several local news dailies. Also, while in Omaha, Criss formed the band, Secret Service, which built a formidable reputation in the tri-state area. As Criss' popularity and Secret Service's reputation grew so did the popularity of "the Minneapolis sound" which is a hybrid mixture of funk, rock, pop, R& B, and new wave that was masterminded by Minneapolis born Prince in the late 1970’s. By the early 1980’s, the Minneapolis sound was an awesome force in the music world being played by such artists as The Time, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Sheila E, and many others. Criss knew that he needed to be where that sound originated. So, he moved to Minneapolis.

The move to Minneapolis was good for Criss. Criss began signing commercials and performing jingles for advertising agencies. Criss also began recording tracks in the studio, writing a song catalogue, and pitching songs to publishers and artists. In 1983, Criss released his debut album, Criss Starr. Criss also formed the Future, a band that gained considerable renown in the Twin Cities. As they sold out venues in the Twin Cities, the Future worked on their first album. They released the song, Already Yesterday, which was written by Criss. Already Yesterday was a smash hit that received frequent airplay and critical acclaim. One reviewer remarked that Criss put his entire heart into Already Yesterday.

His passion and talent has earned him recognition in the R&B community, as he has since toured with Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, in addition to sharing the stage with other R&B greats such as Brian McKnight and Kool and the Gang, as well as Motown legends Stevie Wonder and the Temptations.

For more information about Criss Starr and 'On the Keys' click to http://www.crissstarr.com/

JEAN CARNE - LOVE LESSONS

Singer Jean Carne's career has had various incarnations, as well as a slight name change similar to Dionne Warwick's (adding an "e" to the end of her last name as Warwick did for a short time). Born Sarah Jean Perkins in Columbus, GA, she was raised in Atlanta. She began singing gospel music in the church choir at age four; she also took piano lessons and learned the clarinet and bassoon. Carne won a music scholarship to Morris Brown College and began her recording career in 1969 with her husband, keyboardist Doug Carn, on the Black Jazz label, where she was one of the last vocalists to work with jazz legend Duke Ellington before his death.

Carne popped up several times during the early-to-mid-'70s, singing with Earth, Wind & Fire on two albums, recording several times with Norman Connors, and reaching the charts via George Duke's hit single "Reach for It." In 1977, Carne was signed to Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International Records; her debut album, "Jean Carne", was a classy affair that merged the best of '70s soul and jazz with solid songwriting and tight instrumental support (MFSB, Instant Funk). The debut single "Free Love" went to number 23 R&B. Though the follow-up single didn't chart, several of the album's tracks received considerable radio airplay, and some tracks made the disco charts. In June 1978, her second album for the label was released; Happy to Be with You included the hit single "Don't Let It Go to Your Head."

Carne's final Philadelphia International album, 1980's "When I Find You Love", was more of a return conceptually (musically and sonically) to Jean Carne. Produced by Dexter Wansel, the album rates as one of Carne's best efforts. The smooth and haunting "My Love Don't Come Easy" peaked at number 35 R&B. Released in August 1981, Carne's "Sweet and Wonderful" featured a remake of the Spinners' "Love Don't Love Nobody," which went to number 35 R&B. Carne moved to Motown Records in 1982, making her label debut with the album Trust Me. The single "If You Don't Know Me By Now," a cover of the Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes hit with backing vocals by the Temptations, went to number 49 R&B. By 1986, Carne signed to Omni Records; "Closer than Close" was released in July of that year and the title track that went to number one R&B. Her 1988 album "You're a Part of Me" included a hit cover of Aretha Franklin's "Ain't No Way."

Carne later signed with Place One Entertainment, which reunited her with former Omni Records president Steve Bernstein, with her Love Lessons album being distributed by PPI/Peter Pan. Carne continues to tour with Connors, among others, and makes her home in Atlanta. Jean Carn recently performed at The Scene in Washington, D.C. She be launched this brand new club on Valentine Day, Saturday, February 14, 2009.

RITA MORENO IN CONCERT AT THE CONGA ROOM

The legendary Rita Moreno, winner of the GRAMMY, Oscar®, Tony Award® and Emmy awards, is set to perform in Los Angeles on February 19, 2009 at the newly reopened Conga Room, L. A. LIVE. Rita will appear in a special one-night only show on February 19 at 8:00 PM at The Conga Room. Only nine entertainers have won all four awards--the Oscar, Grammy, Emmy and Tony. Rita Moreno is the first Puerto Rican woman performer to accomplish this feat.

"Rita Moreno is a legendary Puerto Rican actress, singer and dancer. The Conga Room is thrilled to be presenting her first Los Angeles show in over 25 years," said co-owner and managing partner Brad Gluckstein. The Conga Room, known as "the House of Blues for Latin music", is co-owned by a host of celebrity investors such as the Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am, Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Smits, Paul Rodriguez and Sheila E.

The Conga Room is the preeminent Los Angeles destination known for its vibrant, Latin-infused nightclub. The Conga Room is located in downtown Los Angeles at the highly anticipated L.A. LIVE Complex. Founded in 1998, the world famous Conga Room has earned a reputation for hip ambiance and hot performers including Carlos Santana, Shakira and Tito Fuentes among others. The Conga Room reopened in December 2008 at L.A. LIVE, Los Angeles' hot new entertainment district. Lead by the Grammy award winning musical director, Oscar Hernandez, The Conga Room offers a special blend of Salsa and Latin music that is unmatched in the city of Los Angeles.

MARCH CONCERT CALENDAR: SIMPLY RED, ADELE, BRIAN CULBERTSON, VICTOR WOOTEN, B.B. KING & OTHERS...

John Legend @ Sentrum Scene, Oslo, Mar 1
Re:Jazz @ Blue Note, Tokyo, Japan, Mar 1
John Legend @ Annexet, Stockholm, Sweden, Mar 2
Sergio Mendes @ Blue Note, Tokyo, Japan, Mar 2-7
Simply Red @ Credicard Hall, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Mar 3-4
John Legend @ Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, Holland, Mar 4
John Legend @ Ancienne Belgique, Brussels, Belgium, Mar 6
Madeleine Peyroux @ Empire Theatre, Albany, NY, Mar 6
Tony Bennett @ Agua Caliente Casino 7 Resort, Rancho Mirage, CA, Mar 6
Simply Red @ Citibank Hall, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Mar 6
Allen Toussaint, Henry Butler, Jon Cleary @ Birch North Park Theatre, San Diego, CA, Mar 6
John Legend @ Zenith, Paris, France, Mar 7
Chuck Loeb @ Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Indonesia, Mar 7
Branford Marsalis @ Schlesinger Concert Hall, Alexandria, VA, Mar 7-8
John Legend @ Brixton Academy, London, UK, Mar 9
Adele @ House Of Blues, San Diego, CA, Mar 9
Simply Red @ Telmex Theatre, Guadalajara, Mexico, Mar 9
Adele @ Martini Ranch, Phoenix, AZ, Mar 10
Simply Red @ National Auditorium, Mexico City, Mexico, Mar 11
John Legend @ Academy, Glasgow, UK, Mar 12
Adele @ La Zona Rosa, Austin, TX, Mar 12
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Evanston, IL, Mar 12
John Legend @ Apollo, Manchester, UK, Mar 13
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Pageant, St. Louis, MO, Mar 13
Frankie Valli @ Dodge Theater, Phoenix, AZ, Mar 13
Simply Red @ Club Nokia, Los Angeles, CA, Mar 13
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI, Mar 14
Adele @ Warehouse Live, Houston, TX, Mar 14
Brian Culbertson @ Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA, Mar 14
Madeleine Peyroux @ Park West. Chicago, IL, Mar 14
Brian Culbertson @ Comcast Arena, Everett, WA, Mar 15
Adele @ Granada, Dallas, TX, mar 15
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ House Of Blues, Cleveland, OH, Mar 15
John Legend @ Academy, Birmingham, UK, Mar 15
Simply Red @ Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY, Mar 15
Madeleine Peyroux @ Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis, MN, Mar 15
Spanish Harlem Orchestra @ Memorial Auditorium, Stanford, CA, Mar 15
John Legend @ E Werk, Cologne, Germany, Mar 16
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Ark, Ann Arbor, MI, Mar 16
John Legend @ Tonhalle, Munich, Germany, Mar 17
Adele @ Variety Theatre, Atlanta, GA, Mar 17
Adele @ Cannery Ballroom, Nashville, TN, Mar 18
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Handlebar, Greenville, SC, Mar 18
John Legend @ Alcatraz, Milan, Italy, Mar 19
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Legends At Appalachian State, Boone, NC, Mar 19
George Benson @ Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL, Mar 19
Branford Marsalis @ Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA, Mar 19-22
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA, Mar 20
Adele @ St. Andrews Hall, Detroit, MI, Mar 20
John Legend @ Volkshaus, Zurich, Switzerland, Mar 20
Madeleine Peyroux @ Folly Theatre, Kansas City, MO, Mar 20
Bobby Caldwell @Centet Stage Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL, Mar 20
John Legend @ Palanet, Padova, Italy, Mar 21
Adele @ House Of Blues, Cleveland, OH, Mar 21
Madeleine Peyroux @ Boulder Theatre, Boulder, CO, Mar 21
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Shoreline Ballroom, Hilton Head Island, SC, Mar 21
Chick Corea, John McLaughlin @ Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley, CA, Mar 21
Quasimode @ Blue Note, Tokyo, Japan, Mar 22
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Birchmere Music Hall, Alexandria, VA, Mar 23
Giovanni Mirabassi Trio @ Blue Note, Tokyo, Japan, Mar 23-25
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Ram’s Head, Annapolis, MD, Mar 24
Simply Red @ Braehead Arena, Glasgow, UK, Mar 24
Madeleine Peyroux @ Moore Theatre, Seattle, WA, Mar 24
Branford Marsalis @ Catalina's in Hollywood CA, Mar 24-28
Tower Of Power @ Turning Stone Resort, Verona, NY, Mar 25
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ B.B. King’s. New York, NY, Mar 25
B. B. King @ Murat Theatre, Indianapolis, IN, Mar 25
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Toad’s Placem New Haven, CT, Mar 26
Tower Of Power @ Keswick Theater, Genside, PA, Mar 26
Simply Red @ Cardiff International Arena, Cardiff, UK, Mar 26
Simply Red @ Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, UK, Mar 27
B. B. King @ The House of Blues, Cleveland, OH, Mar 27
Tower Of Power @ Klein Memorial Auditorium, Mar 27
Victor Wooten, JD Blair @ Berk’s Jazz Fest, Reading, PA, Mar 27
Peter White @ Sheraton Reading Hotel, Wyomissing, PA, Mar 27
Peter White @ Scottish Rite Cathedral, West Reading, PA, Mar 27
Mindi Abair, Peter White @ Berks Jazz Fest, Wyomissing, PA, Mar 27
Simply Red @ LG Arena (NEC), Birmingham, UK, Mar 28
B. B. King @ Rochester Auditorium Theatre, Rochester, NY, Mar 28
Mindi Abair @ Jazz In The Gardens Music Festival, Miami Gardens, FL, Mar 28
Madeleine Peyroux @ Club Nokia, Los Angeles, CA, Mar 28
Kenny G @ Jazz In The Gardens Music Festival, Miami Gardens, FL, Mar 29
B. B. King @ Lyric Opera House, Baltimore, MD, Mar 20
Simply Red @ Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth, UK, Mar 30
Bela Fleck @ Berk Jazz Fest, Reading, PA, Mar 30
Brandford Marsalis @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz, CA, Mar 30
Simply Red @ Brighton Centre, Brighton, UK, Mar 31
Chris Botti @ Teatro la Cuidad, Mexico City, Mexico, Mar 31
Tower Of Power @ State Theater, Falls Church, VA, Mar 31
B. B. King @ State Theatre, Easton, PA, Mar 31
Brandford Marsalis @ Anthology, San Diego, CA, Mar 31

JESSE COOK - FRONTIERS

Jesse Cook has been making major waves since his March 2008 release, of "Frontiers." The album continues to climb the charts and reaches new fans and attention everyday. Recently, Cook took home the Silver award for Best Flamenco Guitarist from Acoustic Guitar. He also proves to be a home-town favorite. Canadians and CBC Radio 2 listeners voted to have Cook's music be included on President Barack Obama's Playlist.

Jesse Cook has been known to blend African percussion, Cajun accordion and pop vocals with his own rumba flamenco style to create a breathtaking, multi-textured global hybrid. It is this experimentation and sound that clearly connected with Acoustic Guitar's audience. The Players' Choice Awards are voted on by thousands of readers of Acoustic Guitar and http://www.acousticguitar.com/ who cast their votes for their favorite guitars, performing and recording equipment, retail shops, instructional materials, and, for the first time this year, guitarists. Those players recognized Cook as one of the Best Flamenco Guitarist for 2008. The Gold went to the legendary Paco de Lucía and Bronze was given to the incomparable Vicente Amigo. To be included with these amazing artists represents just how far Cook has come. Left in the hands of these three gentlemen, inspiring flamenco music will continue to span the globe.

As if that weren't enough, awareness of Jesse Cook's sound heads to the White House in the form of a Presidential Playlist! CBC Radio 2 thought it would be a great idea for President Barack Obama to get to know Canada through its music. Canadian citizens have been voting over the last two weeks to help choose 49 pieces of music that best represents who Canada is -- "the top 49 songs from north of the 49th parallel" that best define the country, especially given the depth of the musical offerings -- spanning a wide variety of genres and representing the culture from coast to coast to coast. After the votes were counted, Jesse Cook was on top and his track "Mario Takes A Walk" was included. For the complete playlist, please visit: http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/obamasplaylist/

The success of Cook's latest album, "Frontiers," has been incredible. It has remained in the Top 10 of Billboard's New Age chart for 46 weeks, and spent several weeks at #1. The radio story is just as impressive. After going Top 5 at Smooth Jazz radio with "Café Mocha," the new single titled "Havana" is climbing into the upper reaches of the Radio and Records chart.
Cook plans on releasing a new studio album in Autumn '09 on E1 Music. When not touring, he is in the studio working on tracks for this new release. Continue to check back in for more information, including video content and streaming music at http://www.jessecook.com/.

JESSE COOK UPCOMING TOUR DATES:

Tampa, FL - March 25

Clayton, NC - March 27

Wilmington, NC - March 28

New York, NY - March 30

Boston, MA - March 31

New London, CT - April 2

Huntington, NY - April 3

Randolph, VT - April 4

STEVIE WONDER - LIVE AT LAST

Universal/Motown Records will release Stevie Wonder’s his first-ever live concert DVD, ’Live At Last’. The DVD program, released worldwide on March 9, 2009, was filmed at the O2 Arena, in London, England, over two nights, September 30 and October 1, 2008, before a rapturous audience of 15,000 each night. The concerts were part of the first Stevie Wonder world tour in over a decade which sold 120,000 tickets in the UK alone.

‘Live At Last’s set list traces a lifetime of innovation and accomplishment – and, in fact, our own lifetime appreciation of his music, stretching from Wonder’s teens with “My Cherie Amour” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours.” Along the way, the program encompasses iconic hits that redefined pop and R&B music, including “Superstition,” “Higher Ground,” “Living For the City,” “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” and “I Wish,” while reaching into his classic albums for such enduring fan favorites as “All I Do,” “Overjoyed” and “Knocks Me Off My Feet.” The exuberant “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” is preceded by Wonder’s interpretation of Chick Corea’s instrumental “Spain.” And in a delightful, impressive and emotional moment, Wonder’s daughter Aisha Morris -- the inspiration of his classic “Isn’t She Lovely” -- steps from the background vocal group and performs Nat “King” Cole’s jazz standard “I’m Gonna Laugh You Right Out of My Life.”

Wonder also takes time out in the set to salute the British audience with an affectionate medley of two Beatles songs (“Fool on the Hill,” “I Want To Hold Your Hand”) and a Rolling Stones classic (“[I Can’t Get No] Satisfaction”), book-ending them with the traditional “London Bridge is Falling Down.” Aside from being his first DVD release, ‘Live At Last’ is Stevie Wonder’s first high definition release on Blu-Ray disc. Blue laser disc reader technology provides unparalleled picture quality (at 1080i) as well as pure and uncompressed 5.1 surround sound -- the highest standard of sound quality ever achieved on a Stevie Wonder release. Stevie Wonder was introduced to the world at age 12 in the 1963 hit “Fingertips - Pt. 2,” his first of nine No. 1 records and he has also charted eighteen more Top 10 hits so far. He has won 22 Grammy Awards since 1973, when Innervisions won Album of the Year, among his first four Grammys that year. He is the recipient of NARAS’ Lifetime Achievement Award (1996) and Billboard Magazine’s Century Award (2004). He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. His 10-million selling 1976 double album Songs in the Key of Life was the first album by an American artist to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart. His most recent studio album is 2005’s gold-certified Top 5 A Time To Love.

Wonder performed “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” to a crowd of 85,000 at Denver, Colorado’s Invesco Field, just prior to then-Senator Barack H. Obama’s nomination acceptance address at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, and he also is prominent among performers at the public Obama Inaugural celebrations held in Washington, DC in January 2009. His new song “All About the Love Again,” is featured on the special all-star compilation project ‘CHANGE IS NOW: RENEWING AMERICA’S PROMISE’, released on Inauguration Day.

At age 58, Stevie Wonder remains among the most visionary, influential and admired of singers, songwriters, musicians and producers in the history of American music.

DR. JOHN - CITY THAT CARE FORGOT

Dr. John (aka Mac Rebennack, Jr.) has won the Grammy Award for "Best Contemporary Blues Album" for his 2008 recording CITY THAT CARE FORGOT. He was recently signed to the Savoy Label Group's 429 Records which released the this homage to his hometown of New Orleans. This is Dr. John's 5th Grammy Award overall having won the award in 1989, 1992, 1996 and 2000. With the help of guests such as Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Ani Di Franco and Terence Blanchard, Dr. John fuses the blues, funk and soul in his distinctive and irrepressible swamp-voodoo style and comes up with a bold and heartfelt homage to his hometown in response to the tragedy that is post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans. Noted SLG President, Steve Vining: "It's an elegant, elegiac and angry collection of songs that mark a career highlight -- we're thrilled for Mac and his Grammy win and the chance to have been a part of such a powerful project."

"CITY THAT CARE FORGOT" is a bold musical statement and a cry for justice and humanity from an artist who is inseparable from the vibrant and colorful culture of the Crescent City. Says Mac in New Orleans' Times-Picayune newspaper: "This is only the second time I made a record solely for the people of New Orleans. This is a record I just could not not do. I couldn't have lived with myself if I didn't make this record."

The project is released by 429 Records is a unit of the Savoy Label Group (SLG).

ASA

Born in Paris but transplanted to Lagos, Nigeria, Nigerian-born singer Asa has released her self-titled debut on Downtown Records' new label Mercer Street Records (January 27th), and it has quickly risen to #1 on iTunes' World Chart. Recorded during a 6-week period in Lagos in 2007, Asa went into the studio with Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo, a well known blind Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, to record the album. Returning to Paris to test her new songs on the French music scene, her first singles started getting airplay in Nigeria. By the time she returned home, MTV had chosen her as the ambassador for South Africa, and she was opening for Akon, John Legend, Beyonce and Snoop Dogg, amongst others. Featuring impeccable percussion, a funky Hammond organ, reggae-infused bass and contributions from celebrity flautist Magic Malik, Asa is an impressive collection of melodic songs. The standout song "Jailer" is about the irony of oppression, while the most candid and politically charged song of the album, "Fire On The Mountain," is about an ignorant and indifferent world, commenting on the conflicts we neglect and the disparity on our doorstep that goes unnoticed. It seems there is no better time for Asa to take her place on the world stage.

CHRIS BOTTI IN BOSTON

Since the release of his first solo album in 1995 Chris Botti has created a series of recordings which have made him one of the world's top-selling instrumental artists. Drawing from the worlds of pop, jazz, classical and other genres, Botti created his own signature sound, transforming the world of contemporary jazz while simultaneously finding success in the pop music sphere. Praised for the warmth and complexity of his tone and musical ideas, Botti combines a soulful ambience with naturally flowing improvisation. He has earned both critical acclaim and mainstream appreciation for a succession of best-selling albums including When I Fall In Love (2004, #1 Top Jazz Album, #37 Billboard Top 200), To Love Again: The Duets (2005, #1 Top Jazz Album, #18 Billboard Top 200), and Chris Botti Live with Orchestra & Special Guests (2006, #2 Top Jazz Album).

For his latest project, Chris Botti In Boston , Botti invited an extraordinary variety of musical artists,- including Sting, Josh Groban, Steven Tyler, Yo-Yo Ma, John Mayer, Katharine McPhee, Lucia Micarelli, and Sy Smith to join him on-stage with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra for a pair of once-in-a-lifetime concerts, produced by Bobby Colomby and directed by Jim Gable, at Boston's historic Symphony Hall, one of the world's most exquisite performance venues. The event took place on September 18 and 19, 2008. Chris Botti In Boston, is an extraordinarily luxurious film of the two-night event, captures and accentuates the warmth, excitement, chemistry and spontaneity of the shows. The CD version of Chris Botti In Boston features Botti along with his special guests and core band -- Billy Childs (piano), Billy Kilson (drums), Mark Whitfield (guitar), and Robert Hurst (bass) -- performing definitive versions of "Ave Maria," "When I Fall In Love," "Seven Days," "Emmanuel," "I've Got You Under My Skin," "Cinema Paradiso," "Broken Vow," "Flamenco Sketches," "Glad To Be Unhappy," "Hallelujah," "Smile," "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You," and "Time To Say Goodbye."

The full-concert DVD and Blu-ray configurations of Chris Botti In Boston include the bonus performances of "Caruso," "The Look of Love," "Cryin'," "Indian Summer," and "Shape of My Heart" in addition to an exclusive behind-the-scenes documentary chronicling the making-of-the-concert as well as a deeply resonant performance of "Fragile" unavailable anywhere else. In addition, the Blu-ray configuration features Dolby TrueHD audio providing master quality, high-resolution, 7.1 surround sound. Following the exclusive televised premiere of Chris Botti In Boston during PBS's March Pledge Drive, Columbia Records will release the concert extravaganza in three configurations -- CD, a CD/DVD package and a Blu-ray edition -- on Tuesday, March 31.

THE FULL LIST OF GRAMMY WINNERS

Record of the year
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, "Please Read The Letter" T Bone Burnett, producer; Mike Piersante, engineer/mixer

Album of the year
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, "Raising Sand"

Song of the year
Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion & Chris Martin, songwriters (Coldplay), "Viva La Vida"

Best new artist
Adele

Best female pop vocal performance
Adele, "Chasing Pavements"

Best male pop vocal performance
John Mayer, "Say"

Best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals
Coldplay, "Viva La Vida"

Best pop collaboration with vocals
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, "Rich Woman"

Best pop instrumental performance
Eagles, "I Dreamed There Was No War"

Best pop instrumental album
Béla Fleck & The Flecktones, "Jingle All The Way"

Best pop vocal album
Duffy, "Rockferry"

Best dance recording
Daft Punk, "Harder Better Faster Stronger"

Best electronic/dance album
Daft Punk, "Alive 2007"

Best traditional pop vocal album
Natalie Cole, "Still Unforgettable"

Best solo rock vocal performance
John Mayer, "Gravity"

Best rock performance by a duo or group with vocals
Kings Of Leon, "Sex On Fire"

Best hard rock performance
The Mars Volta, "Wax Simulacra"

Best metal performance
Metallica, "My Apocalypse"

Best rock instrumental performance
Zappa Plays Zappa, featuring Steve Vai & Napoleon Murphy Brock, "Peaches En Regalia"

Best rock song
Bruce Springsteen, "Girls In Their Summer Clothes"

Best rock album
Coldplay, "Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends"

Best alternative music album
Radiohead, "In Rainbows"

Best female R&B vocal performance
Alicia Keys, "Superwoman"

Best male R&B vocal performance
Ne-Yo, "Miss Independent"

Best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals
Al Green, featuring John Legend, "Stay With Me (By The Sea)"

Best traditional R&B vocal performance
Al Green, featuring Anthony Hamilton, "You've Got The Love I Need"

Best urban/alternative performance
Chrisette Michele, featuring will.i.am, "Be OK"

Best R&B song
Mikkel S. Eriksen, T.E. Hermansen & S. Smith, songwriters (Ne-Yo), "Miss Independent"

Best R&B album
Jennifer Hudson, "Jennifer Hudson"

Best contemporary R&B album
Mary J. Blige, "Growing Pains"

Best rap solo performance
Lil Wayne, "A Milli"

Best rap performance by a duo or group
Jay-Z & T.I., featuring Kanye West & Lil Wayne, "Swagga Like Us"

Best rap/sung collaboration
Estelle, featuring Kanye West, "American Boy"

Best rap song
D. Carter, S. Garrett, D. Harrison, J. Scheffer & R. Zamor, songwriters (Lil Wayne, featuring Static Major), "Lollipop"

Best rap album
Lil Wayne, "A Milli"

Best female country vocal performance
Carrie Underwood, "Last Name"

Best male country vocal performance
Brad Paisley, "Letter To Me"

Best country performance by a duo or group with vocals
Sugarland, "Stay"

Best country collaboration with vocals
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, "Killing The Blues"

Best country instrumental performance
Brad Paisley, James Burton, Vince Gill, John Jorgenson, Albert Lee, Brent Mason, Redd Volkaert & Steve Wariner, "Cluster Pluck"

Best country song
Jennifer Nettles, songwriter (Sugarland), "Stay"

Best country album
George Strait, "Troubadour"

Best bluegrass album
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, "Honoring The Fathers Of Bluegrass: Tribute To 1946 And 1947"

Best new age album
Jack DeJohnette, "Peace Time"

Best contemporary jazz album
Randy Brecker, "Randy In Brasil"

Best jazz vocal album
Cassandra Wilson, "Loverly"

Best jazz instrumental solo
Gary Burton & Chick Corea, soloists, "Waltz For Debby"

Best jazz instrumental album, individual or group
The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, "Monday Night Live At The Village Vanguard"

Best Latin jazz album
Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, "Song For Chico"

Best gospel performance
Mary Mary, "Get Up"

Best gospel song
Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin), "Help Me Believe"

Best rock or rap gospel album
TobyMac, "Alive And Transported"

Best pop/contemporary gospel album
CeCe Winans, "Thy Kingdom Come"

Best southern, country, or bluegrass gospel album
Gaither Vocal Band, "Lovin' Life"

Best traditional gospel album
The Blind Boys Of Alabama, "Down In New Orleans"

Best contemporary R&B gospel album
Kirk Franklin, "The Fight Of My Life"

Best Latin pop album
Juanes, "La Vida...Es Un Ratico"

Best Latin rock or alternative album
Jaguares, "45"

Best Latin urban album
Wisin y Yandel, "Los Extraterrestres"

Best tropical Latin album
José Feliciano, "Senor Bachata"

Best regional Mexican album
TIE: Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, "Amor, Dolor Y Lagrimas: Musica Ranchera" and
Mariachi Divas, "Canciones De Amor"

Best Tejano album
Ruben Ramos & The Mexican Revolution, "Viva La Revolucion"

Best Norteno album
Los Tigres Del Norte, "Raices"

Best Banda album
Joan Sebastian, "No Es De Madera"

Best traditional blues album
B.B. King, "One Kind Favor"

Best contemporary blues album
Dr. John And The Lower 911, "City That Care Forgot"

Best traditional folk album
Pete Seeger, "At 89"

Best contemporary folk/Americana album
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, "Raising Sand"

Best Native American music album
Various artists, "Come To Me Great Mystery — Native American Healing Songs"

Best Hawaiian music album
Tia Carrere & Daniel Ho, "'Ikena"

Best Zydeco or Cajun music album
BeauSoleil & Michael Doucet, "Live At The 2008 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival"

Best reggae album
Burning Spear, "Jah Is Real"

Best traditional world music album
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, "Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu"

Best contemporary world music album
Mickey Hart, Zakir Hussain, Sikiru Adepoju & Giovanni Hidalgo, "Global Drum Project"

Best polka album
Jimmy Sturr And His Orchestra, "Let The Whole World Sing"

Best musical album for children
They Might Be Giants, "Here Come The 123s"

Best spoken word album for children
Bill Harley, "Yes To Running! Bill Harley Live"

Best spoken word album (includes poetry, audio books & story telling)
Beau Bridges, Cynthia Nixon & Blair Underwood, "An Inconvenient Truth (Al Gore)"

Best comedy album
George Carlin, "It's Bad For Ya"

Best musical show album
"In The Heights," Kurt Deutsch, Alex Lacamoire, Andrés Levin, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Joel Moss & Bill Sherman, producers; Lin-Manuel Miranda, composer/lyricist (Original Broadway Cast With Lin-Manuel Miranda And Others)

Best compilation soundtrack album for motion picture, television or other visual media
"Juno," various artists

Best score soundtrack album for motion picture, television or other visual media
"The Dark Knight," James Newton Howard & Hans Zimmer, composers

Best song written for motion picture, television or other visual media
"Down To Earth" (From "WALL-E"), Peter Gabriel & Thomas Newman, songwriters (Peter Gabriel)

Best instrumental composition
John Williams, composer (John Williams, "The Adventures Of Mutt" (from "Indiana Jones And
The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull")

Best instrumental arrangment
Peter Gabriel & Thomas Newman, arrangers (Thomas Newman), "Define Dancing (from WALL-E)"

Best instrumental arrangement accompanying vocalist(s)
Nan Schwartz, arranger (Natalie Cole), "Here's That Rainy Day"

Best recording package
"Death Magnetic," Bruce Duckworth, Sarah Moffat & David Turner, art directors (Metallica)

Best boxed or special limited edition package
"In Rainbows," Stanley Donwood, Mel Maxwell & Christiaan Munro, art directors (Radiohead)

Best album notes
"Kind Of Blue: 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition," Francis Davis, album notes writer (Miles Davis)

Best historical album
"Art Of Field Recording Volume I: Fifty Years Of Traditional American Music Documented By Art Rosenbaum," Steven Lance Ledbetter & Art Rosenbaum, compilation producers; Michael Graves, mastering engineer (Various Artists)

Best engineered album, non-classical
"Consolers Of The Lonely," Joe Chiccarelli, Vance Powell & Jack White III, engineers (The Raconteurs)

Producer of the year, non-classical
Rick Rubin
· "Death Magnetic" (Metallica)
· "Home Before Dark" (Neil Diamond)
· "Mercy (Dancing For The Death Of An Imaginary Enemy" (Ours)
· "Seeing Things" (Jakob Dylan)
· "Weezer (Red Album)" (Weezer)

Best remixed recording, non-classical
"Electric Feel (Justice Remix)," Justice, remixers (MGMT)

Best surround sound album
"Mussorgsky: Pictures At An Exhibition; Night On Bald Mountain; Prelude To Khovanshchina," Michael Bishop, surround mix engineer; Michael Bishop, surround mastering engineer; Robert Woods, surround producer (Paavo J䲶i & Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra)

Best engineered album, classical
"Traditions And Transformations: Sounds Of Silk Road Chicago," David Frost, Tom Lazarus & Christopher Willis, engineers (Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Alan Gilbert, Silk Road Ensemble, Wu Man, Yo-Yo Ma & Chicago Symphony Orchestra)

Producer of the year, classical
David Frost
· "Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique" (Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Philharmonic)
· "Right Through The Bone — Julius R?en Chamber Music" (ARC Ensemble)
· "Schubert: Sonata In D Maj.; Liszt: Don Juan Fantasy" (Min Kwon)
· "Traditions And Transformations: Sounds Of Silk Road Chicago" (Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Alan Gilbert, Yo-Yo Ma, Silk Road Ensemble, Wu Man & Chicago Symphony Orchestra)

Best classical album
"Weill: Rise And Fall Of The City Of Mahagonny," James Conlon, conductor; Anthony Dean Griffey, Patti LuPone & Audra McDonald; Fred Vogler, producer (Donnie Ray Albert, John Easterlin, Steven Humes, Mel Ulrich & Robert Worle; Los Angeles Opera Chorus; Los Angeles Opera Orchestra)

Best orchestral performance
"Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4," Bernard Haitink, conductor (Chicago Symphony Orchestra)

Best opera recording
"Weill: Rise And Fall Of The City Of Mahagonny," James Conlon, conductor; Anthony Dean Griffey, Patti LuPone & Audra McDonald; Fred Vogler, producer (Donnie Ray Albert, John Easterlin, Steven Humes, Mel Ulrich & Robert Worle; Los Angeles Opera Orchestra; Los Angeles Opera Chorus)

Best choral performance
"Symphony Of Psalms," Sir Simon Rattle, conductor; Simon Halsey, chorus master (Berliner Philharmoniker; Rundfunkchor Berlin)

Best instrumental soloist(s) performance (with orchestra)
"Schoenberg/Sibelius: Violin Concertos," Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor; Hilary Hahn (Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra)

Best instrumental soloist performance (without orchestra)
"Piano Music Of Salonen, Stucky, And Lutoslawski," Gloria Cheng

Best chamber music performance
"Carter, Elliott: String Quartets Nos. 1 And 5," Pacifica Quartet

Best small ensemble performance
"Spotless Rose: Hymns To The Virgin Mary," Charles Bruffy, conductor; Phoenix Chorale

Best classical vocal performance
"Corigliano: Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems Of Bob Dylan," Hila Plitmann (JoAnn Falletta; Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra)

Best classical contemporary composition
"Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems Of Bob Dylan," John Corigliano (JoAnn Falletta)

Best classical crossover album
"Simple Gifts," The King's Singers

KENNY G, ANTHONY HAMILTON, ROY AYERS & OTHERS TOPLINE JAZZ IN THE (MIAMII) GARDENS

The City of Miami Gardens has announced a truely star-studded lineup for the 4th Annual "Jazz in the Gardens" hosted by #1 rated, nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner. Jazz in the Gardens takes place on Saturday, March 28th and Sunday, March 29th at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Confirmed artists thus far include Maze featuring Frankie Beverly; Anthony Hamilton; Grammy award-winning saxophonist, Kenny G; Common; Grammy-winning soul singer and writer, Erykah Badu; Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds; Will Downing; Roy Ayers; Angelique Kidjo; and two-time Grammy-nominated songwriter, guitarist and producer, Jonathan Butler.

"Four years ago, we were just another jazz festival, now it is really amazing to know that nationally and internationally, we are a well-known and respected music festival. 'Jazz in the Gardens' has become an economic resource; infusing a new stream of revenue into the South Florida area; creating business opportunities for local businesses and sponsors; and driving tourists into South Florida and the local community. In 2009 we will exceed our past attendance records and continue to make Miami Gardens the winter-break destination for adults," says Mayor Shirley Gibson.

With attendance doubling each year, "Jazz in the Gardens" is one of the top cultural events in South Florida and across the country. The jazz festival is a diverse mix of music genres that range from Jazz, R&B, Caribbean and African sounds. "Jazz in the Gardens" is an exciting multi-cultural event that has something to offer all music aficionados. With an expected turnout of 30,000, it is positioned to break its own attendance record yet again.

For more information click to:
www.jazzinthegardens.com

PATTI LABELLE & GEORGE BENSON HEADLINE 32nd ANNUAL FREIHOFER’S JAZZ FESTIVAL

The Saratoga Performing Arts Center has announced that its 32nd Annual Freihofer's Jazz Festival will feature performances by Patti LaBelle, the "Queen of Rock and Soul" who last appeared at the Festival in 1985. Called the "high priestess of good vibrations," by the New York Times, Patti Labelle (along with LaBelle) has a new album entitled Back to Now. Also appearing are George Benson, Gary Burton Quartet featuring Pat Metheny and a celebration of Miles Davis' seminal album, Kind of Blue by jazz great Jimmy Cobb who was part of the original recording. The Festival, scheduled for Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28, will feature more than 20 jazz performances over two days on SPAC's Amphitheatre and Gazebo stages. Located in Saratoga Springs, New York, SPAC has been the site of the Freihofer's Jazz Festival since it was founded in 1978 by George Wein. With an inside seating capacity of 5,200 and lawn seating of 20,000, and just three hours driving time from Boston and New York, SPAC's Jazz Festival draws thousands of jazz aficionados from across the Northeast and the US.

2009 FREIHOFER'S JAZZ FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Saturday June 27
Patti LaBelle
The Gary Burton Quartet Revisited with Pat Metheny, Steve Swallow and Antonio Sanchez
Jimmy Cobb's "So What Band" tribute to Miles Davis' Kind of Blue @ 50
Dred Scott Trio
Wallace Roney Quintet
John Ellis Quartet

Sunday June 28
George Benson
Dave Brubeck Quartet, Time Out @ 50
Bonerama
Aaron Parks
Julian Lage

ANNIE LENNOX - THE ANNIE LENNOX COLLECTION

On February 17, Arista Records will release an Annie Lennox 14-song retrospective that brings together the acclaimed artist's finest solo work on a single disc for the first time, and includes a pair of new songs recorded exclusively for this release. Entitled The Annie Lennox Collection , it will also be available in a limited deluxe CD/DVD edition includes hits from her four top-selling solo albums Diva (1992), Medusa (1995), Bare (2003) and last year's highly praised Songs of Mass Destruction (2007). The timeless music selected for this collection uniquely reflects the essence of the singer's instantly recognizable brand of soul music on tracks like "Why," "Walking on Broken Glass" and "No More 'I Love You's'" -- a song that earned Lennox one of her four Grammys.

The two new songs that Lennox recorded specially for this collection include "Pattern of My Life," written by Tom Chaplin of Keane. The second is a cover of Shining Light, a song originally recorded in 2001 by Ash. "I first discovered this song by Ash about six years ago, and I simply couldn't stop listening to it. It's so exultant that it virtually shimmers," Lennox says. "Shining Light" is the retrospective's first single and hitting the airwaves of Adult Top 40 and hot AC formats February 9. Look for the video to premiere exclusively on AOL Music this week.

On February 10, Annie Lennox will perform songs from her new collection and interview with New York Times chief pop music critic, Jon Pareles at The New York Times Talk Live - An Evening with Annie Lennox. Her promotional tour continues with performances on Good Morning America (ABC) February 10 and Live With Regis & Kelly (ABC) February 11. On February 13, Lennox will perform on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno (NBC) and the GRAMMY Museum at LA Live will host An Evening with Annie Lennox. The night will include an Audience Q&A session and special performance. A one hour 5-song performance and interview A&E Television Private Sessions will air March 8.

Among the many highlights on The Annie Lennox Collection is "Sing," a song that references The SING Campaign, a humanitarian organization Lennox founded to raise awareness and support for the AIDS/HIV pandemic in Africa. "We're still in the early stages, but this is a lifelong commitment on my part," Lennox says. "I'm coming out from behind my singing voice to express myself in broader terms and help give a voice to those who don't have the same opportunities as I do."

In her 26-year career, both as a member of the groundbreaking Eurythmics and as a solo artist, Lennox has amassed sales of more than 78 million albums worldwide. Her towering achievements also include 34 hit singles, four Grammy Awards, 11 Brit Awards and five Ivor Novello Awards. The superstar has also won an Academy Award and Golden Globe.

To Listen to the retrospective please click the following: The Annie Lennox Collection CD/DELUXE CD Track Listing

1. "Little Bird"

2. "Walking on Broken Glass"

3. "Why"

4. "No More I Love You's"

5. "Precious"

6. "A Whiter Shade of Pale"

7. "A Thousand Beautiful Things"

8. "Sing"

9. "Pavement Cracks"

10. "Love Song for a Vampire"

11. "Cold"

12. "Dark Road"

13. "Pattern of My Life"

14. "Shining Light"

LIMITED EDITION DELUXE DVD

1. "Little Bird"

2. "Walking on Broken Glass"

3. "Why"

4. "No More I Love You's"

5. "Precious"

6. "A Whiter Shade of Pale"

7. "A Thousand Beautiful Things"

8. "Sing"

9. "Pavement Cracks"

10. "Cold"

11. "Dark Road"

For more informationm click to:

http://www.annielennox.com/

INCOGNITO – MORE TALES REMIXED

It seemd like Incognito just months ago released their latest album – Tales From The Beach, and now they have just released More Tales Remixed. With this new release, Incognito's Mauritius-born guitarist/founder/frontman Jean-Paul Maunick, (a.k.a. Bluey), unleashes some of the world's most prominent DJs on the original tracks of Tales From The Beach. With the help of the likes of Dimitri from Paris & DJ Meme from Brazil, Brooklyn's Tortured Soul, UK's Ski Oakenfull, Germany's Christian Prommer and many others, More Tales Remixed takes the high energy of the original material and jacks it up even further with infectious, body-moving dance mixes.

"From its conception to current times, Incognito has had one foot in the dance world and another in live concert performance," says Bluey. "Along that path, the two have crossed and merged and become one. DJs and the club connection have been as strong a point of reference as our live performances throughout our history. Though I'm an out-and-out jazz funker, anyone who truly knows me knows how much I love soulful house music." More Tales Remixed is a fantastic continuation of Incognito's journey on the parallel lines of live and dance music. This one is a can’t miss. Go out and get it!

More Tales Remixed Tracklist

1. Step Aside (Dimitri From Paris and DJ Meme Remix)

2. Love Joy Understanding (Tortured Soul Remix)

3. Freedom To Love (Simon Grey Remix)

4. Feel The Pressure (Mark De Clive-Lowe Remix)

5. I've Been Waiting (Ski Oakenfull Remix)

6. Happy People (Christian Prommer Remix)

7. N.O.T. (Physics Remix)

8. I Come Alive (Rimshots and Basses / DJ Day Remix)

9. Freedom To Love (Yam Who? Rework)

10. Happy People (Mystery and Matt Early Remix)

11. I Remember A Time (Francis Hylton Remix)

12. Tales From The Beach (Outside Remix)

TOWER OF POWER - THE GREAT AMERICAN SOULBOOK

One of my all time favorite groups Tower of Power turned 40 in 2008, but the group is commemorating the anniversary with special album releases -- in 2009. This fantastic R&B/rock outfit expects to release "The Great American Soulbook" sometime during the first quarter of 2009 on its own Tower of Power Records label. Once we have the final release date, we’ll be sure to pass it on to you. As the title suggests. it's a collection of covers, ranging from obscurities (Stevie Wonder's "You Met Your Match") to well-known favorites."We really didn't want to do it," saxophonist and group co-founder Emilio Castillo tells Billboard.com, crediting manager Pat Rains with pushing the idea. "We were like, 'Yeah, yeah, everybody's doing that.' We don't like chasing trends. But we got about a third of the way through and started thinking, 'Boy, this is gonna be really cool,' and it turned out really good."

Tower of Power call in several of its famous friends to be part of the album. Joss Stone duets with band vocalist Larry Braggs on Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston's "It Takes Two" and Gaye and Tammi Terrell's "Your Precious Love." Huey Lewis sings Wilson Pickett's "634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)," Tom Jones performs on Sam & Dave's "I Thank You" and Sam Moore does Otis Redding's Mr. "Pitiful.” Other tracks on the album include Aretha Franklin's "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone," Billy Paul's "Me and Mrs. Jones" and Tavares' "Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel," as well as a four-song James Brown tribute. George Duke produced four of the album's tracks, while Castillo helmed the other 10.

CARIBBEAN JAZZ PROJECT & AFRO BOP ALLIANCE TEAM UP FOR BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM OF 2008

Dave Samuels of the Caribbean Jazz Project and Joe McCarthy and his Afro Bop Alliance have already landed a 2008 Latin Grammy for their album entitled Afro Bop Alliance. Last year, their two great bands joined forces to make some exceptional music, producing one of the hottest Latin Jazz recordings of 2008. On the Heads Up label, it's the third recording for the Maryland-based Afro Bop Alliance. Teaming up with the Caribbean Jazz Project, the group swelled to the size of a big band to create a winning sound. The group anticipated neither nomination. Says Afro Bop Alliance bandleader Joe McCarthy: "I've never made a recording with the intention of trying to win an award. The idea behind the Grammy-nominated recording was to put some of our favorite music into big band arrangements."

This is his third album with Afro Bop Alliance and the second major collaboration with New York-based Caribbean Jazz Project led by Dave Samuels. The Washington Post calls it "an inspired pairing." Amplified by a talented team of brass and reed players, they forge a unique and powerful sound that gets audiences visibly excited and itching to dance. Samuels wrote the opening high-energy track, "Rendezvous," and four other tunes on the CD. Recognized as the top mallet player of his generation, the award-winning artist shines on both the vibraphone and marimba. Says McCarthy, "Dave is a phenomenal improviser with a wonderful time feel. With him the groove is paramount."

The big band instrumentation lends extra color and power to the music. The CD also features much-praised remakes of Dizzy Gillespie favorite "Sole Sauce," the John Coltrane classic "Naima," and the more conventionally Latin "Stolen Moments" by Oliver E. Nelson. The new versions are receiving plenty of airplay. Besides the Latin Grammy win and Grammy nomination, the project has yielded two books being published by Alfred Music. One features McCarthy's drum-set-playing techniques; the other taps Dave Samuels' knowledge as a mallet player.

For these musicians, the path has been short on glitz and glamour and long on hard work and discipline. Samuels is based in New York, as is conguero Roberto Quintero. The rest of the musicians on the recording live and work in the Baltimore-Washington area. Afro Bop Alliance bandleader Joe McCarthy lives in Annapolis and holds the rank of Chief Petty Officer as a musician in the United States Naval Academy Band. He is the principal percussionist of the U.S. Naval Academy Concert Band and the drummer in the jazz ensemble.

McCarthy founded Afro Bop Alliance in 2002, combining the harmonic language of jazz and the rhythmic language of many different Afro Cuban rhythms. The group is infused with the talent and experience of many military band career musicians and others. About the musicianship of his colleagues he says: "The level is second to none. They are serious and reliable. Had I not been in the Navy Band, I may not have met most of these world-class musicians."

15th ANNUAL ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL

The Essence Music Festival slated for July 3-5 at the New Orleans Superdome, will include events marking the festival's 15th anniversary and President Barack Obama's inauguration. Headliners for the festival — billed as one of the nation's largest annual events celebrating black music and culture — will include Maxwell, Anita Baker, Al Green, John Legend, Robin Thicke, Salt-N-Pepa, Ne-Yo and En Vogue will join previously announced headliner Beyonce. Rounding out the bill are Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars, Teena Marie, Eric Benet, Jazmine Sullivan, Janelle Monae, Raphael Saadiq, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Zap Mama, The Knux, Irvin Mayfield, Lalah Hathaway, Blind Boys of Alabama, Ledisi, Marva Wright, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Brand New Heavies, Dan Dyer, DJ Soul Sister, Keri Hilson, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Rebirth Brass Band, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Ave. The Essence Festival is also known for its empowerment seminars, which are free and open to ticket-holders on a first-come, first-served basis. Among the personalities participating in these events are Bill Cosby, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Donna Brazile, Tom Joyner, Hill Harper and Donnie McClurkin.

The format for this year's festival will be the same as in years past: Ticketed musical performances are slated at night and free empowerment seminars will be held during the day. The festival began in 1995 as a one-time celebration of the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine. Over the years, it has hosted performances by Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, LL Cool J, the Isley Brothers, Lionel Richie, Luther Vandross, Mary J. Blige, the O'Jays, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Toni Braxton and Patti LaBelle, among others.

In honor of Essence's 15th anniversary, the festival is offering a 15 percent discount on select tickets through Friday. General admission tickets range from $51 to nearly $175.An estimated 200,000 people attended the festival in 2007, the year it returned to New Orleans after being held in Houston in 2006 because the city was still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. The festival had one of its biggest turnouts last year with more than 270,000 attendees.


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SIMPLY RED 25TH ANNIVERSARY WORLD TOUR

Simply Red are about to embark on a huge worldwide tour starting on February 1st in Thailand. All the dates to the end of July have now been announced and gone on sale – see below for a list of confirmed concert dates thus far. The tour is expected to continue until the summer of 2010.

Impact Arena, Bangkok, Thailand, Feb 1
Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Perth, Australia, Feb 4
Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Perth, Australia, Feb 5
Peter Lehmann’s Winery, Barossa Valley, Australia, Feb 7
Rochford Winery, Yarra Valley, Australia, Feb 8
Palais Theater, Melbourne, Australia, Feb 10
Palais Theater, Melbourne, Australia, Feb 11
Bowl of Brooklands, Taranki, New Zealand, Feb 13
Church Road Vineyard, Napier, New Zealand, Feb 14
Villa Maria Estate, Auckland, New Zealand, Feb 15
Royal Theatre, Canberra, Australia, Feb 17
Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia, Feb 18
Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia, Feb 19
Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley, Australia, Feb 21
Sirromet Valley, Mount Cotton, Brisbane, Australia, Feb 22
Vina del mar Festival, Dina de Mar, Chile, Feb 26
Casino, Vina del Mar, Chile, Feb 28
Credicard Hall, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Mar 3
Credicard Hall, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Mar 4
Citibank Hall, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Mar 6
Telmex Theatre, Guadalajara, Mexico, Mar 9
National Auditorium, Mexico City, Mexico, Mar 11
Club Nokia, Los Angeles, CA, Mar 13
Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY, Mar 15
Braehead Arena, Glasgow, UK, Mar 24
Cardiff International Arena, Cardiff, UK, Mar 26
Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, UK, Mar 27
LG Arena (NEC), Birmingham, UK, Mar 28
Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth, UK, Mar 30
Brighton Centre, Brighton, UK, Mar 31
The O2 Arena, London, UK, Apr 2-3
M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, UK, Apr 5
The Clyde Auditorium,, Glasgow, UK, Apr 6
Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, UK, Apr 7
Trent FM Arena, Nottingham, UK, Apr 9
Sprotspaleis, Antwerp, Belgium, Apr 18
Rockhal, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg, Apr 19
Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Apr 21
Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Apr 22
Forum, Horsens, Denmark, Apr 24
Annex, Stockholm, Sweden, Apr 26
Hartwall, Helsinki, Finland, Apr 28
Kremlin Palace, Moscow, Russia, Apr 30
Torwar, Warsaw, Poland, May 3
Leipzig Arena, Leipzig, Germany, May 5
Arena Nurnberger Versicherungen, Nurnberg, Germany, May 6
Mannheim SAP Arena, Mannheim, Germany, May 7
Lanxess Arena, Cologne, Germany, May 9
Hamburg Color Line Arena, Hamburg, Germany, May 11
Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, Germany, May 12
Frankfurt Festhalle, Frankfurt, Germany, May 13
Halenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland, May 15
Teatro Degli Arcimboldi, Milan, Italy, May 16-17
Palasport, Conegliano Veneto, Italy, May 19
Stadhalle Vienna, Vienna, Austria, May 21
Stadhalle Graz, Graz, Austria, May 22
O2 Arena, Prague, Czech Republic, May 24
02 World Arena, Berlin, Germany, May 25
Olympia, Paris, France, May 27-28
Olympiahaile, Munich, Germany, May 30
Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury, UK, June 21
Heroes’ Square, Budapest, Hungary, June 27
Vaerket Outdoors, Randers, Denmark, July 1
Westerpark, Amsterdam, Netherlands, July 3
Foret National, Brussels, Belgium, July 4
Markplatz, Lingen, Germany, July 5
Parkuhne, Hannover, Germany, July 7
Amphitheater, Gelsenkirchen, Germany, July 18
Muensterplatz, Ulm, Germany, July 19

BEN HARPER’s COMPLETE CATALOG TO BE RE-RELEASED ON VINYL

EMI Music’s vinyl campaign continues with Ben Harper’s complete Virgin Records catalog. On, February 24, EMI Music continues its successful high-quality vinyl campaign with the release of Ben Harper's entire Virgin Records catalog in limited edition, 180-gram vinyl packaging. Nine Ben Harper albums, all previously out-of-print on vinyl, have been restored to the format with Harper's supervision. The LPs will be released in deluxe packaging with carefully replicated artwork, and two live EPs will make their vinyl release debuts. A bonus colored vinyl 7" is included for Welcome To The Cruel World (Anniversary Edition), and an original poster has been reproduced for inclusion with Both Sides Of The Gun.

EMI Music launched its popular "From The Capitol Vaults" series in September 2008 with 13 classic titles, all previously out-of-print on vinyl. Included in the campaign's debut were A Perfect Circle's Mer de Noms, The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, Coldplay's Parachutes, A Rush Of Blood To The Head, and X&Y, Radiohead's Pablo Honey, The Bends, OK Computer, Kid A (two 10" 140-gram LPs), Amnesiac (two 10" 140-gram LPs), and Hail To The Thief, R.E.M.'s Document, and Steve Miller Band's Greatest Hits 1974-78.

The series continued with John Lennon's Imagine and Rock 'N' Roll, The Band's Music From Big Pink and The Band, The Beach Boys' Endless Summer, Paul McCartney & Wings' Band On The Run, Megadeth's Peace Sells and Rust In Peace, Queensryche's Operation: Mindcrime, Roxy Music's For Your Pleasure and Roxy Music, Stray Cats' Built For Speed, The Verve's Urban Hymns, and Jimi Hendrix's Band Of Gypsys on fiery red 180-gram vinyl.

For more information click to:
www.benharper.net
http://fromthecapitolvaults.com

Ben Harper vinyl LP & EP titles:

Welcome To The Cruel World (Anniversary Edition)
1 LP + bonus colored vinyl 7" (7" tracks: "Remember" / "If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again")
Gatefold packaging, paper sleeve with inner clear lining, printed labels

Both Sides Of The Gun
2 LPs, gatefold packaging, paper sleeves, printed labels, poster

Burn To Shine
2 LPs, gatefold packaging, paper sleeves, printed labels

Diamonds On The Inside
2 LPs, gatefold packaging, paper sleeves, printed lyrics

Fight For Your Mind
2 LPs, gatefold packaging, paper sleeve with inner clear lining, printed labels

Life Line
1 LP, gatefold packaging, paper sleeves, printed labels

Live From Mars
4 LPs, special packaging, paper sleeves, printed labels

There Will Be Light
1 LP, gatefold packaging, printed sleeves, printed lyrics

Will To Live
1 LP, gatefold packaging, paper sleeve with inner clear lining, printed labels

Will To Live (Live EP)
Side A Side B
1. The Will To Live 1. I Shall Not Walk Alone
2. Faded 2. Voodoo Chile
3. Forever

Alone (Live EP)
Side A Side B
1. Alone 1. Steal My Kisses
2. Burn To Shine 2. Nobody's Fault But Mine
3. The Woman In You 3. Please Bleed

SOIL & “PIMP” SESSIONS – PLANET PIMP - DUE FEBRUARY 24

Emerging from the club scenes of Tokyo, London, and Paris, SOIL & "PIMP" SESSIONS, the groundbreaking sensation of last summer's Montreux Jazz Festival, are set to invade the U.S. in 2009 with their newest album on KOCH Records, "Planet Pimp." This is a band that accepts no taboos and acknowledges no barriers in their mission to rid jazz of its tired old clichés, and re-energize the values that made it the original popular music of a time gone by. The attitude is ferocious and full of humor; the music charges ahead with abandon: rhythmic, danceable, driven by powerhouse grooves, kinetic piano, and bold horns. They're considered a pop group in their native Japan, where they play before thousands and receive maximum airplay for their videos. In the UK and Continental Europe, they've established themselves at the head of a new wave of club jazz that's packing in young audiences who may not even identify with an older generation, but respond to the sheer enthusiasm and gutsy euphoria of the band's gigs and records. SOIL & "PIMP" SESSIONS are now ready to begin their friendly takeover of the United States' alternative, club, fusion, and contemporary jazz scenes.

TRACK LIST FOR PLANET PIMP
1. I.N.T.R.O.
2. Hollow
3. STORM
4. Fantastic Planet
5. GO NEXT!
6. Darkside
7. Sea Of Tranquility
8. The world is filled by...
9. Khamasin
10. Struggle
11. Mingus Fan Club
12. Mars
13. SATSURIKU Rejects
14. Sorrow

BRIAN MCKNIGHT JOINS THE ABC RADIO NETWORKS

Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, arranger, producer, pop and R&B musician Brian McKnight has partnered with the ABC Radio Networks to host "The Brian McKnight Show." Originating from its flagship WRKS-FM/New York, the program will air weekdays from 7-midnight ET starting on January 26, 2009. The show will include interviews with entertainers from the worlds of music and film, discussions on love and relationships and McKnight's selection of ballads from today's top musicians. Prior to this, Brian hosted a radio show, The Brian McKnight Morning Show with Pat Prescott on KTWV The Wave in Los Angeles, CA. The show was also simulcasted on KHJZ-FM, Smooth Jazz 95.7 The Wave in Houston, TX from 6am-9am CST, but this station has since changed its format.

"Brian is a phenomenal music personality who has quickly established himself as a broadcaster with a knack for touching his audience in a deeply personal way," said VP/Urban Programming Ed Pearson. "Adding this new show to our Urban portfolio is a win for us and R&B music fans across the country. The live studio performances will be a hit on the air and online and there's no question they will create traffic and become a destination point for both consumers and advertisers." "The opportunity to have an intimate visit each night with an audience looking for some good Soul and R&B plus a bit of conversation is going to be a thrill for me," added McKnight. "I'll be able to connect with our listeners on the air, on the phone and in our live Web chat room during the show. It's going to be a fun ride and I can't wait to get started." (01-26-09)

DEAN MARTIN - LOVE SONGS

There is "cool" and then there is Dino, the King of Cool. Now, just in time for Valentine's Day, Dean Martin - Love Songs (Hip-O/UMe), released January 13, 2009, brings together 14 of his most heartwarming performances, from his best known signature tune, "Everybody Loves Somebody," to his forever hopeful "Somewhere There's A Someone." A handful of these recordings have rarely been available on CD, and now they're in one place.

As the man who once knocked the Beatles out of the No. 1 spot on the charts, Dino has remained an icon and a timeless singer whose vocal style has defined smooth, suave and seductive, while being rediscovered by new generations. Coincidentally, a pair of Martin's albums was recently on the Top 40 charts. The George Clooney-Brad Pitt Ocean's Eleven series of hit movies, a continuing fascination with the Rat Pack, Comedy Central's reruns of Martin's classic "Celebrity Roast" specials, and lounge music revivals have helped fuel a never-ending interest in one of the most popular entertainers in history.

Martin's music career boasted more than 30 albums, 12 of them certified gold. He originally signed to Capitol Records, where he scored several major hits. He moved to Reprise, the imprint formed by pal Frank Sinatra, in its inaugural year and he stayed for 16 years. At that label, he enjoyed 11 Top 40 singles, including Love Songs' gold-seller and #1 smash "Everybody Loves Somebody," "I Will" (#10) and "Somewhere There's A Someone" (#32).

On Love Songs, Martin's unique combination of carefree charm and late night intimacy infuses such classics as "Besame Mucho," "I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)," "I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)," "I'll Be Seeing You," "You'll Always Be The One I Love" and "Release Me." Also on board are vintage gems "I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face" (from the album spun off from the enormously successful "The Dean Martin TV Show") and "The Glory Of Love" from the soundtrack to the film The Silencers, one of the spy spoofs that starred Martin as Matt Helm. Rounding the album out are the pop hits "For Once In My Life," "For The Good Times" and "You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want To Do It)" on Dean Martin - Love Songs.