GERALD ALBRIGHT - PUSHING THE ENVELOPE

One of the biggest starts of smooth jazz, Gerald Albright has earned his reputation as a "musician's musician." Born in Los Angeles, he began piano lessons at an early age. Albright's love of music picked up considerably when he was given a saxophone that had belonged to his piano teacher. By the time he enrolled at the University of Redlands, he was already a polished saxophonist. Albright decided to switch to bass guitar after he saw Louis Johnson (Brothers Johnson) in concert. A few months after graduating from college, he joined jazz pianist/R&B singer Patrice Rushen, who was in the process of forming her own band. Later, when the bass player left in the middle of a tour, Albright replaced him and finished the tour on bass guitar. With many albums to his already impressive resume, Albright now releases Pushing The Envelope, due June 15 on Heads Up International, a division of Concord Music Group. With it's polished soul/jazz vibe, Pushing The Envelope is a showcase for Albright's remarkably fine balance of songcraft and musicianship, and features special appearances by Fred Wesley on trombone, Earl Klugh on acoustic guitar and George Duke on acoustic piano. Produced and arranged by Albright, Pushing The Envelope provides the perfect opportunity for this master musician/saxophonist/songwriter to exhibit his skills. He plays soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, flutes, bass guitar, and keyboards, and also handles synthesizer, EWI and drum programming. Albright's band on most of the album includes keyboardists Tracy Carter and Luther "Mano" Hanes, guitarist Ricky Watford and drummer Ricky Lawson. The set opens with "What Would Jame Do?" an irresistibly soulful Albright original and a celebration of the legacy of "The Godfather of Soul." The track spotlights Albright's trademark strong chops on saxophone and bass, alongside the distinctive sound of Fred Wesley of the original J.B.'s on trombone.

ZIGGY MARLEY OFFERS FREE DOWNLOAD OF NEW SINGLE

Grammy winning artist and reggae musician Ziggy Marley, motivated by the historic occurrence of the World Cup being played in Africa for the first time, took the opportunity to write his current single "Africa Land." The song is an anthem to unity, freedom and new beginnings; well known principles championed by the legendary Marley family. "Africa Land" falls on the heels of Marley's 2009 Grammy-winning Children's album, "Family Time." For this song, Marley recruited Grammy winning artists, brother Stephen Marley and African mega star Angelique Kidjo. Together they created a catchy, danceable song, which incorporates Dancehall Reggae, as well as African elements. Free Downloads will be available beginning June 1st at http://www.ziggymarley.com/ and http://www.tuffgongworldwide.com/.

"The bible says 'the first shall be last and the last shall be first.' How fitting that South Africa – the last nation on the homeland to be free – is the launch pad for a global event that will showcase the rise of the African continent," said Ziggy Marley. "Africa Land is the song which celebrates that dream becoming true." Marley plans to release "Africa Land" as an exclusive to African radio, to be followed worldwide as a free download shortly thereafter. "Africa Land" will be the first single from an upcoming collection of free singles entitled The Wild and Free Singles Marley is to release later this year.

Ziggy Marley's early immersion in music came at age ten when he sat in on recording sessions with his father. Then, as front man to Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers, Marley released eight best-selling albums, generating three Grammys, with such chart-topping hits as "Tomorrow People" and "Tumbling Down." Marley's solo debut, Dragonfly, was released in 2003. His second solo release, Love Is My Religion, won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album to much critical acclaim in 2006. His third solo release, Family Time, scored him a Grammy in a new category: Best Musical Album For Children.

THE JULY CONCERT CALENDAR

Angelique Kidjo @ Downtown Jazz Festival, Toronto, Canada, Jul 1

George Benson @ Salle Wilfrid Pelletier, Montreal, QC, July 1
Santana, Steve Winwood @ Summerfest, Milwaukee, WI, July 1
Simply Red @ Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom, Surrey, UK, July 1
Chris Standring @ Pizza Express Jazz Club, London, UK, July 1-3
Simply Red @ Delamere Forest, Delamere, Cheshire, UK, July 2
Michael Buble @ Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, CT, July 2-3
Santana, Steve Winwood @ Satruday In The Park Fest, Sioux City, IA, July 3
Santana, Steve Winwood @ Starlight Theatre, Kansas City, MO, July 4
Nick Colionne @ The Wave’s Hyatt, Newport Beach, CA, Jul 4
Michael Buble @ Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, VA, July 6
Santana, Steve Winwood @ Riverbend Music Centre, Cincinnati, OH, July 6

Santana, Steve Winwood @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre,
Indianapolis, IN, July 6

Michael Buble @ Constant Convocation Center, Norfolk, VA, July 7
Spyro Gyra, Spirit of NY Cruise, New York, NY, July 7
Nick Colionne @ Summer Jazz Series, Walnut Creek, CA, July 8
Michael Buble @ RBC Center, Raleigh, NC, July 9
Simply Red @ Newbury Racecourse, Newbury, UK, July 9
Oleta Adams @ Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis, MD, July 9
Kirk Whalum @ Cardena Theatre, Durham, NC, July 9

Santana, Steve Winwood @ First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre,
Tinley Park, IL, July 9

Santana, Steve Winwood @ DTE Energy Music Theatre,
Clarkston, MI, July 10

Simply Red @ The Brighton Centre, Brighton, UK, July 10

Nick Colionne, Joyce Cooling @ Lakefront Jazz & Blues Festival,
Prior Lake, MN, July 10

Mindi Abair @ Silver Beach, St. Joseph, MI, July 10
Michael Buble @ Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, FL, July 11

Nick Colionne @ Smooth Sounds of Hot Summer Nights,
Jacksonville, FL, July 11

Santana, Steve Winwood @ Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto, ON, July 11
Michael Buble @ Civic Center, Pensacola, FL, July 13
Michael Buble @ New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, LA, July 14
Najee @ Spirit of NY Cruise, New York, NY, July 14
Santana, Steve Winwood @ Bell Centre, Montreal, QC, July 15
Michael Buble @ Toyota Center, Houston, TX, July 16
Dee Dee Bridgewater @ Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, MN July 16
Simply Red @ Newmarket Racecourse, Newmarket, UK, July 16

Dave Koz, Jonathan Butler @ Weesner Amphitheatre,
Minneapolis, MN, July 16

Dave Koz, Jonathan Butler, Peabo Bryson @ Horseshoe Casino,
Hammond, IN, July 17

Michael Buble @ AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX, July 17
Nick Colionne @ Jazz Kitchen, Indianapolis, IN, July 17
Santana, Steve Winwood @ Bethel Woods Center, Bethel, NY, July 17
Simply Red @ Haydock Park Racecourse, Haydock, UK, July 17
Mindi Abair @ Glenora Wine Cellars, Dundee, NY, July 18
Michael Buble @ American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX, July 18
Santana, Steve Winwood @ Jones Beach Theatre, Wantagh, NY, July 18
Santana, Steve Winwood @ PNC Bank Arts Centre, Holmdel, NJ, July 18
Simply Red @ Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, UK, July 18
Dave Koz, Jonathan Butler @ Pabst Theatre, Milwaukee, WI, July 18
Santana, Steve Winwood @ Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, CT, July 21
Alex Bugnon, Marion Meadows @ Spirit of NY, New York, NY, July 21
Mindi Abair @ Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek, CA, July 22
Mindi Abair, Keb @ Regency, Newport Beach, CA, July 23
Simply Red @ Summer Festival Piazza Napoleone, Lucca, Italy, July 23
Santana, Steve Winwood @ Comcast Center, Mansfield, MA, July 23
Gladys Knight @ Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY, July 23
Michael Franks @ Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis, MD, July 23

Dave Koz, Jonathan Butler, Sheila E. @ Riverbend Centre,
Austin, TX, July 23

Dave Koz, Jonathan Butler, Sheila E. @ Sunset Station Hotel &
Casino, Henderson, NV, July 24

Santana, Steve Winwood @ Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ, July 24
Simply Red @ 105 Stadium, Rimini, Italy, July 27
Santana, Steve Winwood @ Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VA, July 25

Santana, Steve Winwood @ Virginia Beach Amphitheatre,
Virginia Beach, VA, July 27

Santana, Steve Winwood @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre,
Charlotte, NC, July 28

Pieces Of A Dream @ Spirit of NY Cruise, New York, NY, July 28

Santana, Steve Winwood @ Chastain Park Amphitheatre,
Atlanta, GA, July 29

Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra@ One World Theatre, Austin, TX, July 29-30
Jack Jones @ South Point Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV, July 30-31

Jeff Golub, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Peter White @
Hyatt Newporter, Newport Beach, CA, July 30

Dave Koz, Jonathan Butler, Sheila E. @ Pier Six Pavilion,
Baltimore, MD, July 30

Dave Koz, Jonathan Butler, Sheila E. @ Fraze Pavilion,
Kettering, OH, July 31

Jeff Golub, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Peter White @
Thornton Winery, Telecula, CA, July 31

Santana, Steve Winwood @ Ford Amphitheatre, Tampa, FL, July 31

JOAN ARMATRADING - THIS CHARMING LIFE

Joan Armatrading is returning to North America this summer by kicking off her visit with an appearance at the Montreal Jazz Festival (July 5). She'll perform songs from her new recording This Charming Life on a nationwide tour beginning July 7th. Described by the Boston Phoenix as "possibly her most electric album in her nearly 40-year career...Armatrading at her most enthusiastic and self-assured"—the new recording is the follow up to her much lauded foray into blues rock traditions, the Grammy-nominated 2007 "Into The Blues." A return to her unique style—a blend of rock, pop, R&B, blues and jazz, This Charming Life is bursting with a joyous energy. The title track achieved #1 Most-Added status at AC Radio this week according to FMQB. All eleven of the new tracks were written, arranged, produced and performed by Armatrading. This Charming Life is available now on 429 Records which is distributed by Universal/Fontana in the U.S. and
Universal Music in Australia and will be available June 29 in Canada on 429/Fontana North.

Long recognized as a pioneering force with a career spanning three decades, the Saint Kitts born Joan Armatrading has maintained an acclaimed and storied career. The three times Grammy nominated British artist has garnered countless accolades which include Top 10 albums and singles ("Love and Affection," "Willow," "Drop The Pilot," are but a few), not to mention a #1 debut atop the Billboard Blues chart in 2007 (a first for a female artist from the UK). She has made VH1's list of the 100 Most Influential Women in Rock, has been nominated for a Brit Award, gave a command performance for Nelson Mandela on his 70th birthday at Wembley Stadium, received an Honorary Degree from Birmingham University and the list goes on—truly a charmed life and career!

U.S. Tour dates:
July 5-  Place des Arts Theatre Montreal, QC, Canada
July 7 -  Longwood Gardens Kennett Square, PA
July 8, 9 - The Birchmere Music Hall Alexandria, VA
July 10 - Westhampton Performing Arts Center Westhampton Beach, NY
July 11 - The Music Hall Portsmouth, NH
July 13 - Stone Mountain Arts Center Brownfield, ME
July 14 - Hart Theater Albany, NY
July 15 - Nokia Theatre New York, NY
July 16 - The Ridgefield Playhouse Ridgefield, CT
July 17 - Boarding House Park Lowell, MA
July 18 - New Hazlett Theatre Pittsburgh, PA
July 19 - Sellersville Theater Sellersville, PA
July 20 - The National Richmond, VA
July 22 - Variety Playhouse Atlanta, GA
July 24 - House of Blues Cleveland, OH
July 25 - House of Blues Chicago, IL
July 28 - Barrymore Theatre Madison, WI
July 30 - The Cotillion Wichita, KS
Aug 1 - Center for the Arts Jackson, WY
Aug 3 - Denver Botanic Gardens Denver, CO
Aug 4 - Chautauqua Auditorium Boulder, CO
Aug 7 - Long Beach Terrace Theater Long Beach, CA
Aug 9 - Lobero Theatre Santa Barbara, CA
Aug 10 - Palace of Fine Arts San Francisco, CA
Aug 11 - Rio Theatre Santa Cruz, CA
Aug 13 - Moore Theater Seattle, WA

SMOOTH JAZZ RADIO DISAPPEARS IN MILWAUKEE

The radio station formerly known as Milwaukee's smooth-jazz outlet finally landed on a new format on Monday, June 7 as it flipped to country music. So far, it’s been billing itself as "Big Buck Country," playing songs from "country legends of the late '70s, '80s and early '90s," according to a statement issued by the station's owner, Milwaukee Radio Group. The station at 106.9 on the FM dial - which had the call letters WJZX but is now calling itself WNQW-FM - switched to the "country legends" format at 3 p.m. Monday, after playing an all-Beatles format as a filler since Wednesday. The all-Fab Four, all-the-time format followed a couple other stunt formats after the station dropped smooth jazz May 27. The first song played by the station in its new format: "Gone Country" by Alan Jackson. WNQW joins WOKY-AM (920), which also plays a "classic country" format, and WMIL-FM (106.1), vying for country-music listeners in the Milwaukee market.

STEVE CROPPER & FELIX CAVALIERE - MIDNIGHT FLYER

Steve Cropper, guitarist for Booker T. and the MGs and one of the primary architects of the unmistakable Stax sound of the 1960s, and vocalist/keyboardist Felix Cavaliere, the voice of the Rascals and the pivotal figure in the blue-eyed soul movement of that same era, have reconvened for their second collaborative recording. Sparks fly at the crossroads of Memphis soul and East Coast R&B when Stax Records releases Midnight Flyer on June 15, 2010.

Midnight Flyer, recorded in Nashville and mixed by the legendary David Z, is the followup to Nudge It Up a Notch, the 2008 maiden voyage by Cropper and Cavaliere that scored critical acclaim from the music and mainstream press. The San Francisco Chronicle called Nudge It Up a Notch “an unexpected delight,” while Blues Wax heralded the project as “one of the great surprises of 2008, and further evidence of Concord’s genuine commitment to the revamped Stax imprint.”

The Stax legacy — and Concord’s commitment to it — are very much alive in Midnight Flyer, an album that once again showcases the songwriting prowess of two towering figures from one of the most seminal periods in the history of American pop music. Assisting with the songwriting throughout most of the album’s 12 tracks is drummer, percussionist, and vocalist Tom Hambridge, who also lent a hand with the crafting of the previous album.

“Felix and I come from pretty much the same musical school — but from different geographical locations,” says Cropper. “He’s a Jersey boy at heart, and I grew up in Memphis, but when soul meets soul, what can you say? There are no borders. There are no boundaries.”

But geography does play a role in the making of great songs, says Cavaliere. “Steve has that Southern vernacular, which is something I really like,” he says. “It’s almost like another language to those of us from the East Coast. It has a certain folky quality to it. Some of those idioms are part of the hit songs that Steve has written and recorded over the years, and they’re part of this record as well.”

The impact of both of these musicians and songwriters on pop music is nearly impossible to quantify. As part of Booker T. & the MGs — the house band for the Stax label in its original incarnation during the 1960s — Cropper co-wrote and produced classics by artists like Eddie Floyd (“Knock On Wood”), Wilson Pickett (“In the Midnight Hour”) and Otis Redding (“Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay”). In subsequent decades, he lent his instrumental and production skills to a range of artists including Jeff Beck, the Blues Brothers, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and many others.

Cavaliere came to prominence in the mid-’60s as vocalist/keyboardist/songwriter for the Rascals (initially known as the Young Rascals). Cavaliere wrote and/or sang several of the band’s biggest hits, including “Good Lovin’” (1966), “Groovin’” (1967), “It’s a Beautiful Morning” (1968) and “People Got To Be Free” (1968). The phrase “blue-eyed soul” was coined during the Rascals’ heyday, due in large part to the group’s highly successful forays into R&B and soul — styles that had been developed and previously dominated by African-American artists.

Co-produced by Cropper, Cavaliere and Hambridge, Midnight Flyer captures the synergy and brilliance that can only emerge when two powerful forces of nature come together. The result is a range of styles and shades, from heartfelt ballads like “When You’re With Me” to the soul-charged “I Can’t Stand It,” a churning vocal duet featuring Cavaliere and his daughter Aria. “Sexy Lady” harkens back to the soul stylings of the ’70s, while the funky instrumental “Do It Like This” digs into a tight groove and makes plenty of room for Cropper’s tasty riff work to close out the set.

“The main thing we both take away from this record is how much fun we had making it,” says Cavaliere. “We may have used a lot of new technology that didn’t even exist when Steve and I were recording back in the day, but the songs themselves are still the most important part of the process, and we just had a blast writing and recording them. I think that spirit comes through on the record.”

Cropper notes a timelessness about Cavaliere that serves as a metaphor for the music itself. “Felix is ageless,” he says. “Sure, you can look at him and see that he’s gotten older since those early days, just like we all have. But if you close your eyes, he sounds as young and energetic as he did when he was making records back in the ’60s . . . Working together on records like this reminds us of the kinds of things that go into the making of a good song. We’re still doing that, and we’re still having fun doing it.”

Midight Flyer Track Listing:
1. You Give Me All I Need (3:35)
2. Midnight Flyer (2:47)
3. Now (3:23)
4. When You’re With Me (3:07)
5. I Can’t Stand It (2:30)
6. Chance With Me (3:23)
7. Move The House (3:28)
8. Sexy Lady (3:45)
9. Early Morning Riser (3:29)
10. All Night Long (2:56)
11. I Can’t Stand The Rain (2:37)
12. Do It Like This (2:59)

DIANE WARREN - DUE VOCI

Songwriter Diane Warren, who has penned some of the most recognizable songs over the past 25 years, has joined forces with Grammy®-winning producer Humberto Gatica (Michael Buble, Celine Dion) and created Due Voci, featuring the magnificent voices of Kelly Levesque and Tyler Hamilton singing classic reinterpretations of Warren's many hits. Their self-titled debut release, Due Voci, is scheduled for a June 8 release as is a deluxe version of the album including a bonus DVD filled with behind-the-scenes footage and a special performance of "Because You Loved Me."

Warren, who has penned over 90 top-ten hits in the course of her remarkable career, including "Unbreak My Heart," "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing, "Because You Loved Me," "If I Could Turn Back Time," and "How Do I Live," said that she found "the perfect voices" in the pairing of Kelly Levesque and Tyler Hamilton after a year and a half search and hundreds of auditions. "Their classic versions of my songs, along with several new ones that I've written for Due Voci, was a dream come true for me as a songwriter," stated Warren.

In tandem with the release of Due Voci on June 8, the "Diane Warren: Love Songs" PBS Special will begin airing in major markets. Guest artists include Toni Braxton ("Unbreak My Heart"), Gloria Estefan ("Music of My Heart"), LeAnn Rimes ("How Do I Live"), with special appearances by Fantasia, Patti Austin and Eric Benet along with Due Voci.

Due Voci's Kelly Levesque has performed with Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban and was a member of the Three Graces Trio. She has worked with producer/songwriters David Foster, Desmond Child, The Matrix, Trevor Horn and The Neptunes. Tyler Hamilton was a top 10 finalist on "Canadian Idol" and has performed with Katharine McPhee and David Foster.

Due Voci Tracklisting:
1. Unbreak My Heart
2. How Do I Live
3. I Could Not Ask For More
4. Because You Loved Me
5. Break
6. I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
7. Would I Know
8. Can't Fight The Moonlight
9. Catch My Breath
10. Time Stand Still

PBS AIRINGS:
KCET/Los Angeles - June 5 (appearance)
KVCR, San Bernadino - June 3 at 8pm
WHYY/Philadelphia - June date tbd
WGBH - June 5 at 9pm
New Hampshire PTV/Boston - June 4 at 8pm
GPB/Atlanta - June 7 (appearance)
KERA/Dallas - June 5 at 7pm
WETA/Washington DC - June 6 at 9pm; June 12 at 8pm
Houston PBS - June 5 at 7pm and June 6 at midnight
WUSF/Tampa - June 1 at 8pm; June 2 at noon
TPT/Minneapolis, St. Paul - June 6 at 8:30pm
KCTS/Seattle - June 1 at 9pm and June 3 at 10:30pm
KRMA/Denver - June 3 at 9pm
WLRN/Miami - June 1 at 7pm; June 5 at 9:30pm
WMFE/Orlando - June 6 at 4pm
KVIE/Sacramento - June 6 at 5:30pm
OPB2/Portland - June 9 at 8pm
WFYI/Indianapolis - June 8 at 8pm

http://www.universalmusicenterprises.com/

BILL FRISELL - BEAUTIFUL DREAMERS

Guitarist and composer Bill Frisell has signed with Savoy Jazz and is preparing for the release of Beautiful Dreamers - a brand new recording consisting of original compositions and reinterpretations performed along with the unique talents of Eyvind Kang (viola) and Rudy Royston (drums). Produced by longtime collaborator Lee Townsend and recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California, Beautiful Dreamers captures the musical magic that's inhabited the performances of this particular ensemble since they first played live together as a trio in 2008. Frisell, a consummate artist who's garnered respect and acclaim throughout his long career, considers this to be a particularly special project. Beautiful Dreamers will be released on the Savoy Jazz label on August 31st. 

Bill Frisell's artistry is legendary and he's made an indelible imprint on American music. His passionate, versatile talent transcends genres while pushing musical boundaries. He's worked comfortably within the realms of jazz, rock, progressive folk, Americana, blues and classical playing with his own hand-picked ensembles or collaborating with stellar musical peers such as Paul Motian, Joe Lovano, Brian Eno, Elvis Costello, Ricky Lee Jones, Suzanne Vega and Loudon Wainwright III to name a few. With Beautiful Dreamers, Bill Frisell has created one of his most personal musical statements working with Kang and Royston who engage him in seamless and stimulating musical dialogue.

Says Frisell: "I'm so fortunate having the chance to play music with Eyvind and Rudy and having an audience willing to go along for the latest adventure. I'm the luckiest guy in the world being surrounded by all these folks who have so much faith and trust in the music, helping me to make my dreams come true. " Notes Lee Townsend: "We are very pleased to be embarking on the next phase of Bill's recording career with the Savoy Label Group. Bill and I appreciate their enthusiasm for the breadth of his music and the commitment they have displayed in embracing the plan for the next few records."

Adds Steve Vining, President of Savoy Jazz: "Bill joining the legendary Savoy Jazz roster is a tremendous vote of confidence for the team here. I can't think of many musicians who have had the impact on their instrument and music in general that Bill has and we're honored to be a partner with him for many, many exciting new projects."

Beautiful Dreamers track listing:
1. Love Sick
2. Winslow Homer
3. Beautiful Dreamer (Stephen Foster)
4. A Worthy Endeavor (for Cajori)
5. It's Nobody's Fault But Mine (Blind Willie Johnson)
6. Baby Cry
7. Benny's Bugle (Benny Goodman)
8. Tea For Two (Vincent Youmans)
9. No Time To Cry
10. Better Than A Machine
11. Goin' Out Of My Head (Teddy Randazzo/Bobby Weinstein)
12. Worried Woman
13. Keep On The Sunny Side (A.P. Carter)
14. Sweetie
15. All We Can Do (For Vic Chestnutt)
16. Who Was That Girl?

http://www.songtone.com/
http://www.savoyjazz.com/

BRIAN CULBERTSON TO RELEASE XII

On July 20, 2010, chart-topping musician Brian Culbertson is set to release the twelfth album on July 20, 2010, simply titled XII, on GRP Records. Culbertson commemorates his twelfth release with 12 new songs that continue to reflect his broad-ranging musicality and mastery of intimate moods. The titles swing from the rapturous metaphorically rich love ballad "Skies Wide Open" (featuring Avant), the sexy bedroom baby-maker "I Wanna Love You" (featuring Ray Parker Jr.), the strings-kissed dance jam "Another Love" (featuring Kenny Lattimore) and the cool club persuader "Out On the Floor" (featuring Brian McKnight) to the slammin' attitude jam "Don't U Know Me By Now" (featuring Faith Evans), a journey through the many moods of being entitled "That's Life" (featuring Earl Klugh who co-penned it along with fellow Detroit native Parker and Culbertson), a think piece on the meaning of it all titled "I Don't Know" (featuring spoken word enchantress Natalie Stewart of Floetry), and an all-out Go-Go party jam titled "Feelin' It" (featuring Chuck Brown in addition to a comedic appearance by Sinbad). Four more instrumentals round out the album, including the lovely dreamscape "Waiting for You" and the incredibly funky "Stay Wit It" on which he takes a rippin' Moog solo.

As he started work on the album, Brian thought of yet another way to make his fans a part of the creative process in a brilliant extension of the DVD he created last year, Live From The Inside. "I decided to create a video blog to give fans a chance to watch me make the album from start to finish. Almost daily, they could watch me execute and explain every step of the process, plus see me in sessions with all of my amazingly talented friends. The response has been phenomenal with many people tuning in every day to see what I'm up to. To 'Twitter' about the project, I labeled the topic #BCXII. Someone said that would be a great title for the album, so it stuck."

Culbertson's steady stream of top albums and hit singles should come as no surprise since he began playing the piano at age 8, which he went on to master, along with the trombone, bass and drums. Growing up, he was influenced by heavy players ranging from Earth, Wind & Fire to The Brecker Brothers to James Brown.

After studying at DePaul University in Chicago, Brian released his self-produced album, Long Night Out (1994). Since that time, Culbertson has recorded on and/or produced over 25 chart-topping records on the contemporary jazz charts in musical styles that have moved from R&B throw downs to New Age lullabies. That rare eclecticism also informs the cornucopia of styles that animate this latest work, XII.

Culbertson produced all of the tracks on XII – nine alone, three in collaboration with the prolific Rex Rideout. The first single for Urban AC radio is the vocal ballad featuring Avant, "Skies Wide Open" (co-produced with Rideout) while the first single for smooth jazz radio is the Earl Klugh feature, "That's Life."

In addition to gearing up for the much anticipated twelfth title XII, Culbertson is bringing his new tour to cities around the world all summer long (including stops throughout the U.S., Japan, Germany, England and a return to the Capitol Jazz SuperCruise) and at year's end he'll join the "Dave Koz Christmas Tour" (along with Candy Dulfer and Jonathan Butler).

XII (track listing):
1) Feelin' It (Featuring Chuck Brown)
2) Another Love (Featuring Kenny Lattimore)
3) It's Time
4) Out on the Floor (Featuring Brian McKnight)
5) Waiting for You
6) Stay Wit It
7) Skies Wide Open (Featuring Avant)
8) Forever
9) Don't U Know Me By Now (Featuring Faith Evans)
10) That's Life (Featuring Earl Klugh)
11) I Wanna Love You (Featuring Ray Parker Jr.)
12) I Don't Know

http://www.brianculbertson.com/
www.youtube.com/brianculbertson

DAVE KOZ'S NEW TV SHOW + TOUR W/JONATHAN BUTLER, SHEILA E. & PEABO BRYSON...

As busy as he is already with touring, recording, and a daily radio show, Dave Koz has now added a weekly TV show to his schedule. Koz is now appearing weekly as bandleader, side-kick and co-host on "The Emeril Lagasse Show." The one-hour variety show appears Sunday's at 5PM EST, 4PM C on the ION network. Koz has assembled a first rate group of New York City based musicians including guitarist Jeff Golub, keyboardist Philippe Saisse, drummer Skoota Warner, and bassist Conrad Korsch of Rod Stewart's band. Next up, Koz will release the first single from his 11th studio album and embark on an extensive tour this summer. He is currently recording at Henson Recording Studios (previously A&M Studios) in Hollywood, CA with Grammy-winning producers Marcus Miller (Miles Davis, Luther Vandross) and John Burk (a producer on Ray Charles’ final studio album, Genius Loves Company, which won eight Grammy awards, including “Album of the Year”). The album, which will be released by Concord Records this fall, will be Koz’s first of all new material in five years.

Dave Koz’s Upcoming Tour Schedule:
June 15 – Los Angeles, CA @ Japanese American Cultural Center (w/David Benoit)
June 17 – Detroit, MI @ Sound Board – Motor City Casino Hotel (w/Jonathan Butler & Sheila E.)
June 18 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Harrah’s (w/Jonathan Butler & Sheila E.)
June 25 – Hampton, VA @ Hampton Jazz Festival – Hampton Coliseum (w/Jonathan Butler & Sheila E.)
June 26 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues (w/Jonathan Butler & Sheila E.)
June 27 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues (w/Jonathan Butler @ Sheila E.)
July 16 – Minneapolis, MI @ Weesner Amphitheatre – Apple Valley (w/Jonathan Butler)
July 17 – Hammond, IN @ Horseshoe Casino (w/Jonathan Butler & Peabo Bryson)
July 18 – Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theatre (w/Jonathan Butler)
July 23 – Austin, TX @ Riverbend Centre (w/Jonathan Butler & Sheila E.)
July 24 – Henderson, NV @ Sunset Station Hotel & Casino (w/Jonathan Butler & Sheila E.)
July 30 – Baltimore, MD @ Pier Six Pavilion (w/Jonathan Butler & Sheila E.)
July 31 – Kettering, OH @ Fraze Pavilion (w/Jonathan Butler & Sheila E.)
August 2 – Philadelphia, PA @ Robin Hood Dell East (w/Jonathan Butler)
August 6 – Saratoga, CA @ Villa Montalvo (w/Jonathan Butler @ Sheila E.)
August 7 – Healdsburg, CA @ Rodney Strong Winery (w/Jonathan Butler & Sheila E.)
August 13 – San Diego, CA @ Humphrey’s (w/Jonathan Butler, Sheila E. & Peabo Bryson)
August 14 – Long Beach, CA @ Long Beach Jazz Festival (w/Jonathan Butler & Sheila E.)
August 20 – Honolulu, HI @ Blaisdell Concert Hall (w/Jonathan Butler & Sheila E.)
August 27 – Seattle, WA @ Benaroya Hall (w/Jonathan Butler & Sheila E.)
August 28 – Temecula, CA @ Thornton Winery (w/Jonathan Butler & Sheila E.)
August 29 – Temecula, CA @ Thornton Winery (w/Jonathan Butler & Sheila E.)

2011
August 26 –September 2 – Seattle, WA / Juneau, AK / Skagway, AK / Tracy Arm Fjord, AK / Victoria, BC @ Dave Koz and Friends at Sea, aboard Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas

BEEGIE ADAIR - SWINGIN' WITH SINATRA

Pianist Beegie Adair has released her new album entitled Swingin’ With Sinatra, which is the long awaited follow up to her 1997 debut Green Hill recording, The Frank Sinatra Collection. This much anticipated sequel features a dozen tracks from Sinatra’s rich collection. The music interpreted in Adair’s unique piano style includes new takes on familiar songs such as New York, New York; You Make Me Feel So Young and Angel Eyes. “It really is impossible to do justice to Frank Sinatra’s artistry in one recording” says Adair “This tribute is a little more swinging, a lot more nostalgic, and a little more aware that time has passed. There are some tunes that are vintage Sinatra, some swingers, some love songs and always, some music that will make you remember where you were when you first heard Sinatra sing it.” Beegie Adair is Kentucky born and raised, but lives and records in Nashville. Described by Entertainment News as “one of the finest piano players in the world” and by the Los Angeles Times as “Elegant”, Ms. Adair brings her inventive jazz sense and wonderful sense of timing to her latest project.

Upcoming tour dates for Beegie Adair:
May 26 – Tokyo Japan @ Cotton Club Japan
May 28 – Tokyo Japan @ Cotton Club Japan
June 10 – Nashville, TN @ F. Scott’s Restaurant & Jazz Bar
June 17 – Nashville, TN @ F. Scott’s Restaurant & Jazz Bar
June 24 – Nashville, TN @ F. Scott’s Restaurant & Jazz Bar
July 1 – Nashville, TN @ F. Scott’s Restaurant & Jazz Bar
July 8 – Nashville, TN @ F. Scott’s Restaurant & Jazz Bar
July 15 – Nashville, TN @ F. Scott’s Restaurant & Jazz Bar
July 22 – Nashville, TN @ F. Scott’s Restaurant & Jazz Bar
July 29 – Nashville, TN @ F. Scott’s Restaurant & Jazz Bar

http://www.greenhillmusic.com/

SAX PACK, GUITAR & SAXES, MAX WEINBERG & OTHERS HEADLINE NEWPORT BEACH JAZZ SERIES

The longest running jazz series in the country at Hyatt Regency Newport Beach debuts on June 25 with Max Weinberg, the long-time drummer for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and Conan O'Brien's lead/band drummer since 1993. Following Weinberg's performance are 14 revered jazz acts embodying exceptionally talented vocalists, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists. “With an ensemble of top musicians in the genre for the 2010 series, this year’s outstanding group of performers showcase a range of jazz sonance from traditional to contemporary and smooth jazz, to R&B and big band,” said Event Producer and Promoter Jim “Fitz” Fitzgerald of Wendy Jayne Productions, Inc. “Our vision this year – as the new event management company – is to enhance the popular series with expanded talent, increase outreach to the public, heighten community involvement and sponsorships, and give an overall polished identity to grow the series for years to come,” explained Fitzgerald in a press release to publicize the event. Every Friday night from June 25 through October 1, 2010, a variety of jazz musicians will be at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach to entertain audiences. There is a special show scheduled for July 4th as well. The Summer Jazz Series will take place at the outdoor amphitheater at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach.

The scheduled entertainers include Max Weinberg Big Band (June 25), Sax Pack with Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole and Jackiem Joyner with Nick Colionne (July 4), Warren Hill (July 9), Norman Brown’s Summer Storm with Phil Perry, Jessy J & Brenda Russell (July 16), Mindi Abair with Keb Mo (July 23), Guitars and Saxes with Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Jeff Golub and Peter White (July 30), Bobby Caldwell (August 6), Fourplay (August 13), Steve Tyrell (August 20), The Rippingtons (August 27), David Sanborn (Sept. 10), Euge Groove with Paul Brown and Marc Antoine (Sept. 24), and Peter White (Oct. 1). As of this writing, the musicians for the dates of September 3 and 17 had not been finalized.

http://www.summerjazzseries.com/

CAGLE & NASH - LOUNGEVITY

Hot off the heels of their debut album Soul Complete, North Carolina-based songwriting duo Cagle & Nash are back from the studio with their sophomore release - Loungevity. From the moment you pick up the disc and see the album art adorned with pics of sunglasses and cocktail bars, it's clear that Greg Cagle (lead vox, guitar) and Rick Nash (horns) have taken the lounge aesthetic to heart for this album. And the pair don't disappoint, with 11 smooth and soulful new tracks spanning a range of cocktail-friendly genres. The overall vibe of Loungevity fits in the jet-set philosophy of the classic Space Age Pop and Lounge acts from the '50s and '60s. There are the lush horn and string arrangements, topped with Cagle's smooth baritone and accented by tight female background vocals. But Cagle & Nash also add a bit of funk and bite to the mix, drawing influences from late '70s acts like Steely Dan and Chicago. Loungevity begins with the upbeat and radio-friendly "Straight to L.A.," a perfect track to start any day. "Black Tie Affair" tells tales of the good life, spent behind the bar with a cocktail in one hand and a stack of money in the other. "If Only" and "Mmm Paradise" draw influences from the smooth bossa-nova vibe, while "A Little Bit of Attention" is a full-on funk jam. All-around, Cagle & Nash tackle each genre with masterful execution, both in terms of songwriting and arrangement. The playing is top-notch and the record exudes a certain class and sophistication. The duo of Greg Cagle and Rick Nash first got their start back in the '60s, playing in bands near their hometown in North Carolina, most notably in the band Sugarcreek. Fast forward to the '80s and the duo reunited to begin composing and recording songs. Rick and Greg worked together on and off until 2008, when they officially united to form the duo Cagle & Nash. In 2009 they released their debut album Soul Complete, which was received well by both radio and press. O's Place Jazz Newsletter even named the record one of the Best Albums of 2009. Now, with the release of Loungevity the duo are back on the scene and ready keep making music.

40th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTOR'S EDITION OF MILES DAVIS' BITCHES BREW

The 40th anniversary of the release of Miles Davis’ iconic Bitches Brew is being rereleased in two separate configurations:

A Super-Deluxe 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition 12”x12” Slipcase Box Set containing the following:
• Two CDs with original 94-plus minutes of music plus six bonus tracks
• CD of previously unissued performance at Tanglewood, August 1970, with Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, Airto Moreira and Gary Bartz
• DVD of previously unissued performance in Copenhagen, November 1969, with Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Dave Holland, and Jack DeJohnette
• Audiophile 180-gram vinyl double-LP gatefold replication of original album
• 40-page color 12x12 book with 5,000-word line notes essay by Greg Tate, producers’ notes and Lenny White interview by Ashley Kahn
• Plus memorabilia envelope and fold-out poster

The Legacy Edition includes the original album and six bonus tracks on 2-CDs, plus Copenhagen DVD.

Both formats will be released on August 31, 2010, via the Columbia/Legacy label. Starting on May 26 you can view a previously unreleased video clip from Bitches Brew at MilesDavis.com. Additional exclusive clips will follow in the future. Recorded at the end of a tumultuous decade (August 1969), Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew reflected the chaos and beauty of a society stretched (and stressed) to its breaking point. This genre-bending, barrier-smashing double LP would become Miles' first RIAA gold album.

Released in April of 1970, Bitches Brew was informed by and reflective of the music that Miles heard being produced in the late-'60s by Jimi Hendrix, Sly Stone, James Brown, Santana, Marvin Gaye and others, as well as the Beatles' post-production editing pyrotechnics. The original double-LP's six tracks, as formulated in the studio by Miles and his long-time producer Teo Macero, presented a seismic breakthrough in jazz/rock/funk/R&B. The tracks comprised the 20-minute side-long "Pharaoh's Dance" (a Joe Zawinul composition), followed by four Miles compositions, the 27-minute side-long "Bitches Brew," then "Spanish Key," "John McLaughlin," and "Miles Runs the VooDoo Down," concluding with the Wayne Shorter composition, "Sanctuary."

The Collector’s Edition takes full advantage of the LP-sized 12x12 box set format. It includes (in addition to the recordings and DVD) a lavish 48-page color book, memorabilia envelope (among the contents are a reproduction of a Miles Davis cover story originally published by Rolling Stone in 1969, and correspondences from the Teo Macero archives), and a fold-out poster of Miles in concert. The super-deluxe slipcase box set design complements the Kind Of Blue: 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition released in September 2008 on Columbia/Legacy.

In 1970, the Bitches Brew double-LP gatefold introduced the memorable cover art of the late Mati Klarwein. His uniquely surreal, psychedelic motifs caught the hallucinogenic essence of Bitches Brew (and a year later in 1971, Miles' Live-Evil), as well as Santana's iconic Abraxas in 1970, the Last Poets' This Is Madness in 1971, Earth Wind & Fire's Last Days and Time in 1972, and dozens more album covers. Another example of Klarwein's painting, Zonked, is featured on the Collector’s Edition book cover.

At the heart of the Collector’s Edition book is a 5,000-word essay written by journalist-author-producer-musician Greg Tate, an authority on jazz, hip-hop and the rise of the Black Rock Coalition. Tate has annotated some 25 albums over the past two decades. Introductory notes to the book are written by reissue producers Richard Seidel and Michael Cuscuna. There will also be an interview with drummer Lenny White (whose recording career began at age 20 on the Bitches Brew sessions) conducted by Ashley Kahn, journalist-author-educator and Miles Davis authority. Kahn's Kind of Blue: The Making of the Miles Davis Masterpiece (2001) is the definitive study of that album.

As the producers' notes point out, 1998's Grammy Award®-winning 4-CD box set The Complete Bitches Brew Sessions covered all the music recorded by Miles and his group between August 1969 and February 1970, using the same general instrumentation and musicians. Starting in the summer of 1969, the core of the Miles Davis Quintet was Miles on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on soprano saxophone, Chick Corea on electric piano, Dave Holland on acoustic bass, and Jack DeJohnette on drums. That is the group who succeeded Miles' so-called "second great quintet": Wayne Shorter on tenor saxophone, Herbie Hancock on piano, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Tony Williams. They [the second great Quintet] flourished from 1965 to 1968, and recorded five seminal LPs: E.S.P. (1965), Miles Smiles (1966), Sorcerer and Nefertiti (both 1967) and Miles in the Sky (1968). With the dissolution of that quintet, as the Tony Williams Lifetime began, and Hancock founded Mwandishi, and Ron Carter became an even more active first-call bassist for New York recording sessions – Miles cast about for new players to join him and Wayne Shorter.

The new quintet lineup of Shorter, Corea, Holland, and DeJohnette solidified during the 1968-'69 recording of Filles De Kilimanjaro and In a Silent Way. This is the group who performs on the Copenhagen concert DVD of November 1969. By March of 1970, they were a seasoned touring group that had accepted the challenge to go head-to-head with arena rock bands at venues like Bill Graham's Fillmore where rock audiences embraced them.

But three months earlier at Columbia Studios in New York City, at the principal sessions of August 19th ("Bitches Brew," "John McLaughlin," "Sanctuary"), 20th ("Miles Runs the VooDoo Down"), and 21st ("Pharaoh's Dance," "Spanish Key"), the ranks had swelled to a dozen musicians, and looked like this: Miles on trumpet, Wayne Shorter (soprano saxophone), Bennie Maupin (bass clarinet), Joe Zawinul (electric piano - left), Chick Corea (electric piano - right), John McLaughlin (guitar), Dave Holland (acoustic bass), Harvey Brooks (electric bass), Lenny White (drums – left), Jack DeJohnette (drums - right), Don Alias (congas), and Jumma Santos (Jim Riley) - shaker. The only variation was Don Alias taking over for Lenny White on the 20th, but White was back on the 21st. The advent of multiple keyboardists, multiple bassists, and multiple percussionists and drummers is one of the defining sonic characteristics of Bitches Brew, and made a serious impression on the FM progressive rock audience.

The Collector’s Edition release adds four bonus tracks from August – alternate takes of "Spanish Key" and "John McLaughlin," and rare edits (for 45 rpm single releases) of "Miles Runs the VooDoo Down" and "Spanish Key."

Miles reconvened at Columbia Studios in New York for two days of sessions on November 19th and 28th (long after Copenhagen) with most of his group intact, except for Shorter. The lineup looked like this: Miles on trumpet), Steve Grossman (soprano saxophone), Bennie Maupin (bass clarinet), Herbie Hancock (electric piano - left), Chick Corea (electric piano - right), John McLaughlin (guitar), Ron Carter (bass), Harvey Brooks (electric bass), Khalil Balakrishna (sitar), Bihari Sharma (tambura, tabla), Billy Cobham (drums, triangle), and Airto Moreira (cuica, berimbau). The only variations were the additions of Larry Young (organ, celeste) and Jack DeJohnette (drums) on the 28th.

None of this music was used for the original Bitches Brew album (although all of it is heard on the 1998 box set). For the Collector’s Edition, producers Seidel and Cuscuna have judiciously chosen to include two short pieces – single edits of "Great Expectations" and "Little Blue Frog" – as examples to show the evolution of Miles' sound in just three short months. "These edited 45 rpm singles," the producers explain, "bound no doubt for radio stations and juke boxes, were the only nod to traditional marketing that this album received." Although the music on this single was not included in the original double LP, the single was released in February 1970 as part of the promotional set-up for the Bitches Brew full album in April 1970.

When Wayne Shorter played his final dates with the group at the Fillmore East in March, it marked a turning point, as he went on to organize Weather Report, and Corea and Holland subsequently joined forces as Circle. Only DeJohnette stayed on with Miles (through the Jack Johnson and Live-Evil period).

Soon after the April release of Bitches Brew, while Holland and DeJohnette were still on board, Shorter was replaced by Gary Bartz on saxophone, Keith Jarrett joined as a second keyboardist (on organ, complementing Corea's electric piano), and Airto Moreira joined on percussion. "Their outstanding live Tanglewood performance from August 18, 1970, of four compositions from Bitches Brew" the producers note, "shows further development of the material due in large part to the added colors possible with the larger ensemble. In the hands of master improvisers, the constant evolution that a piece of music experiences is fascinating. The full story can only be told with the passage of time in live performance."

Greg Tate explores a world of contexts in which to understand Bitches Brew both literally and figuratively. Miles' fatherly instruction to Lenny White (some 25 years his junior) was "to literally think of all the assembling players as stewing in a big pot where they were all the bitches." Tate then places the album "forthrightly within the pantheon of the period's other goddess-muse inspired masterworks: Eric Clapton's Layla, the Rolling Stones' Exile On Main Street, Santana's Abraxas, James Brown's Original Funky Divas, and Funkadelic's Maggot Brain and Cosmic Slop."

After Bitches Brew, Tate concludes, "Miles didn't wait five years to radically switch up his game in the '70s – for the next half decade he will steadily release edgy, rough-angled and prophetic music that sounds as contemporary today as any front runner we care to choose – OutKast, Bjork, Radiohead, the Roots, Erykah Badu, bring 'em on – Bitches possesses all their contemporaneity and stuff beyond their grasp too, the shape of jazz to come, still."

BITCHES BREW: 40th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTOR'S EDITION by MILES DAVIS (3 CDs + DVD + 180-gram double-LP) (Columbia/Legacy 88697 70274 2)

Disc One (CD) – Selections: 1. Pharaoh's Dance * 2. Bitches Brew * 3. Spanish Key * 4. John McLaughlin.
Disc Two (CD) – Selections: 1. Miles Runs The Voodoo Down * 2. Sanctuary * Bonus tracks: 3. Spanish Key (alternate take) * 4. John McLaughlin (alternate take) * 5. Miles Runs The Voodoo Down (single edit) * 6. Spanish Key (single edit) * 7. Great Expectations (single edit) * 8. Little Blue Frog (single edit).
Disc Three (CD) – Selections: 1. Bill Graham introduction * 2. Directions * 3. Bitches Brew * 4. The Mask * 5. It's About That Time * 6. Sanctuary * 7. Spanish Key/The Theme * 8. Miles Runs The Voodoo Down * 9. Bill Graham outro. (Recorded live at the Tanglewood / Berkshire Music Center, Lenox, MA, August 18, 1970. Previously unreleased.)
Disc Four (DVD) – Chapters: 1. Directions * 2. Miles Runs The Voodoo Down * 3. Bitches Brew * 4. Agitation * 5. I Fall In Love Too Easily * 6. Sanctuary * 7. It's About That Time/The Theme. (Recorded live at the Tivoli Konsertsal, Copenhagen, Denmark, November 4, 1969. Previously unreleased.)

180-gram vinyl double-LP:
LP One – Selections: Side A – 1. Pharaoh's Dance * Side B – 1. Bitches Brew.
LP Two – Selections: Side A – 1. Spanish Key * 2. John McLaughlin * Side B – 1. Miles Runs The Voodoo Down * 2. Sanctuary.

BITCHES BREW: LEGACY EDITION by MILES DAVIS (2 CDs + DVD) (Columbia/Legacy 88697 54519 2)

Disc One (CD) – Selections: 1. Pharaoh's Dance * 2. Bitches Brew * 3. Spanish Key * 4. John McLaughlin.
Disc Two (CD) – Selections: 1. Miles Runs The Voodoo Down * 2. Sanctuary * Bonus tracks: 3. Spanish Key (alternate take) * 4. John McLaughlin (alternate take) * 5. Miles Runs The Voodoo Down (single edit) * 6. Spanish Key (single edit) * 7. Great Expectations (single edit) * 8. Little Blue Frog (single edit).
Disc Three (DVD) – Chapters: 1. Directions * 2. Miles Runs The Voodoo Down * 3. Bitches Brew * 4. Agitation * 5. I Fall In Love Too Easily * 6. Sanctuary * 7. It's About That Time/The Theme. (Recorded live at the Tivoli Konsertsal, Copenhagen, Denmark, November 4, 1969. Previously unreleased.)

milesdavis.com
http://www.facebook.com/milesdavis

MINDI ABAIR IN HI FI STEREO & TOUR DATES

Smooth jazz sax player Mindi Abair has just released her newest CD entitled, In Hi-Fi Stereo, and it’s definitely going to be a major hit from the sound if it. From start to finish, In Hi-Fi Stereo is something classic and something new at the same time. Abair re-introduces vintage jazz, R&B and soul on her new album along with solid performances from a stellar line up to chill with. The phrase 'in hi-fidelity stereo' was used a lot back in the 1960s, and this 48-minute CD often recalls the improvisatory soul-jazz recordings of the '60s and '70s. Direct or indirect influences like the Crusaders, the Brecker Brothers, David Sanborn, Tom Scott's L.A. Express, Grover Washington, Jr., David 'Fathead' Newman, and Hank Crawford serve Abair well on an album that is mostly instrumental but also contains a few vocal offerings. The most memorable is a remake of James Brown's 'It's a Man's Man's Man's World,' which boasts a bluesy performance by singer Lalah Hathaway (daughter of the late soul legend Donny Hathaway).

MINDI ABAIR TOUR SCHEDULE
May 29 - San Diego, CA @ The KIFM Smooth Jazz 98.1 Gaslamp Festival
June 10 - Wichita, KS @ Bradley Fair Shopping Center
June 11 - Overland Park, KS @ Jazz In The Woods
June 19 - Big Bear Lake, CA @ Big Bear Lake JazzTrax Summer Music Festival
July 10 - St. Joseph, MI @ Pavilion Stage At Silver Beach
July 18 - Dundee, NY @ Glenora Wine Cellars
July 22 - Walnut Creek, CA @ Broadway Plaza Summer Jazz Series
July 23 - Newport Beach, CA @ The Wave’s Summer Jazz Series Hyatt Regency
Aug 24 - Alexandria, VA @ The Birchmere
Aug 25 - NewYork, NY @ Smooth Cruises Spirit Cruise Ship Pier 61
Aug 26 - Boston, MA @ Scullers Jazz Club
Sept 12 - Temecula, CA @ Thornton Winery
Sept 25 - Camarillo, CA @ Caramillo Art & Jazz Festival
Oct 9 - Avalon, CA @ Catalina Jazz Fest Avalon Ballroom
Oct 14 - Catalina Island, CA @ Unplugged At The Wrigley Ranch
Oct 15 - Crystal Bay, NV @ Crystal Bay Casino
Aug 26-Sept 2, 2011 – Dave Koz Friends At Sea Alaska on the Royal Caribbean Rhapsody of the Seas

NEW RELEASES THIS WEEK...

Aldo Romano – Origine
Antonio Adolfo & Carol Saboyua - Agra
Azar Lawrence – Mystic Journey
Bellaruche – Liberty (EP)
Betty LaVette – Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook
Bonobo – Black Sands
Brooklyn Dreams – Brooklyn Dreams
Clutchy Hopkins – Story Teller
DeRobert & Half Truths – Soul In A Digital World
Donati - Vagalume
Edu Lobo – Tantas Mares
Eivind Aarset & The Sonic Codex Orchestra - Live Extracts
Elegante Orchestra – It Was Too Hot In There
Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part Two (Return Of The Ankh)
Gotan Project – Tango 3.0
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - Heritage
Incognito – Live In London: The 30th Anniversary Concert (DVD)
Jacques Coursil – Trail Of Tears
John Horn / Fred Frith – Late Works
Jorn Oien Trio – Digging In The Dark
Jose James & Jeff Neve – For All We Know
Katie Melua – The House
Koop – Coup De Grace
Leela James – My Soul
Lo Borges - Harmonia
Lonnie Smith - Spiral
Lloyd Miller Trio – Lloyd Miller Trio
Nnenna Freelon – Home Free
P.J. Morton – Walk Alone
Paula Limia – Sama Chic Ao Vivo
Roberto Menescal & Wanda Sa - Declaraco
Roman Andren - Color Green
Skerick – Skerick’s Syncopated Taint Septet
Sound Advice – Round About
Stanley Clarke & George Duke – Clarke Duke Project 1,2 & 3
Tammy McCann – Never Let Me Go
Trombone Shorty – Backatown
Various Artists – Coming Home By Boozo Bajou
Various Artists – Cuban Remix Project
Various Artists – Get Down With The Philly Sound – Dimitri From Paris
Various Artists – Philly Groovy
Various Artists – Philly Mellow
Wallace Roney – If Only For One Night

SERGIO MENDES - BOM TEMPO & BOM TEMPO BRASIL

Brazilian musician Sergio Mendes is set to release two album on June 1st, 2010. Bom Tempo Brasil is a collection of remixes of his latest album Bom Tempo, which showases Sergio Mendes’ original vision and passion to a new level by laying additional shades of soul, funk, electronica and hip-hop onto the maestro’s already rich palette. Bom Tempo Brasil is scheduled for a simultaneous June 1st release on Concord Records along with Bom Tempo.
There’s plenty of energy from the get-go, as producer Paul Oakenfold puts a thumping groove underneath the Afro-Brazilian beat of the lead-off track, “Maracatu Atomico.” The result is an urgent backbeat that propels Seu Jorge’s spirited vocals to an almost hypnotic level. Oakenfold is back much later in the sequence, adding a layer of sheen to vocalists Nayanna Holley and Carlinhos Brown in their delivery of “Emorio,” a composition that tips its hat to earlier Mendes hits like “Mas Que Nada” and “The Frog.”

Roger Sanchez puts a frenetic spin on “Pais Tropical,” a Jorge Benjor composition that Mendes first borrowed for his 1971 album of the same name. In this outing, Sanchez wraps the rhythm around a virtual chorus of vocalists: Leporace, Hampton, Mendes, Jessica Taylor and Kleber Jorge.

Chuckie remixes and re-imagines “Ye-Me-Le,” the title track to Mendes’ 1969 Verve recording. The track positions the vocal work of Gracinha Leporace (Mendes’ wife) and Katie Hampton atop a churning undercurrent that flirts with numerous effervescent crescendos before slipping into an understated fadeout.

In “Waters of March,” producer Paul Harris injects the Jobim classic with a persistent and intriguing electro-African beat that underscores the mesmerizing work of Afro-Belgian vocalist Zap Mama (aka Marie Daulne).

Marc Jackson Burrows and Lee Dagger – otherwise known as Bimbo Jones – bring a fresh perspective to Stevie Wonder’s “The Real Thing” by positioning Hampton’s lead vocals in a tight arrangement of keyboards, horns and percussion. “When I met the 20-year-old DJ guys Bimbo Jones in London, they were totally into watching YouTube videos of Brasil ’66,” Mendes recalls. “It just goes to show you that Brazilian music has a universal appeal and it is timeless.”

Olivia and Miriam Nervo close the set by taking Mendes’ iconic1966 hit, “Mas Que Nada,” to an otherworldly place with countless layers of pulsating electronic effects, a stunning, adventurous take on a Brazilian classic.

KIRK WHALUM CONCERT DATES

• May 15 – Sacramento, CA @ Radisson Hotel Ballroom – Guitars & Saxes w/Gerald Albright, Peter White & Jeff Golub
• May 16 – Newport Beach, CA @ Hyatt Regency Hotel – Guitars & Saxes w/Gerald Albright, Peter White & Jeff Golub
• May 28 – Las Vegas, NV @ Rail Head, Boulder Station Casino - Guitars & Saxes w/Gerald Albright, Peter White & Jeff Golub
• May 29 – San Diego, CA @ Gaslamp Quarter - Guitars & Saxes w/Gerald Albright, Peter White & Jeff Golub
• June 13 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl Playboy Festival – Sax for Stax w/Gerald Albright
• June 26 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center – Sax for Stax w/Gerald Albright
• June 27 – Hampton, VA @ Hampton Coliseum – Sax for Stax w/Gerald Albright
• July 9 – Durham, NC @ The Cardena Theatre
• July 30 – Newport Beach, CA @ Hyatt Newporter - Guitars & Saxes w/Gerald Albright, Peter White & Jeff Golub
• July 31 – Temecula, CA @ Thornton Winery - Guitars & Saxes w/Gerald Albright, Peter White & Jeff Golub
• August 11 – New York, NY @ Spirit Cruise Ship, Pier-63 Chelsea Piers - Guitars & Saxes w/Gerald Albright, Peter White & Jeff Golub
• August 12 – Glendale, PA @ Keswick Theatre - Guitars & Saxes w/Gerald Albright, Peter White & Jeff Golub
• August 13 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant - Guitars & Saxes w/Gerald Albright, Peter White & Jeff Golub
• August 14 – Kettering, OH @ Fraze Pavilion - Guitars & Saxes w/Gerald Albright, Peter White & Jeff Golub
• August 15 – Chicago, IL @ Navy Pier - Guitars & Saxes w/Gerald Albright, Peter White & Jeff Golub
• September 4 – Detroit, MI @ Detroit Jazz Festival
• September 11 – Los Angeles, CA @ Jackie Robinson Stadium - Guitars & Saxes w/Gerald Albright, Peter White & Jeff Golub
• October 23-30 – Miami, Fl (Caribbean) @ Capital Jazz Super Cruise IV

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEDESKI MARTIN & WOOD ON TOUR

Medeski Martin & Wood (MMW)are in the midst of a world tour with a series of dates already booked through October 2010. MMW are a jazz trio formed in 1991, consisting of John Medeski on keyboards and piano, Billy Martin on drums and percussion, and Chris Wood on double guitar and bass guitar. The trio draws on influences from a number of musical traditions, from funk to Hip-Hop, and is known for an unconventional style sometimes describes as avant-groove. MMW have often worked with guitarist John Scofield. Their latest tour will take then across Japan, South America, the US and Europe.

4/07/10: Fukuoka, Japan @ Rooms Fukuoka
4/08/10: Osaka, Japan @ Janus Osaka
4/09/10: Nagoya, Japan@ The Bottom Line
4/10/10: Tokyo, Japan @ Shibuya O-EAST
4/11/10: Tokyo, Japan @ Tokyo Cinema Club
5/11/10: Sao Paulo, Brazil@ Bourbon Street Music Club
5/12/10: Sao Paulo, Brazil @ SESC Pompeia
5/13/10: Sao Paulo, Brazil @ SESC Pompeia
5/14/10: Buenos Aires, Argentina @ Teatro Coliseo
5/15/10: Cordoba, Argentina @ Teatro Libertador
5/16/10: Montevideo, Uruguay @ La Trastienda Club
5/18/10: Neuquen, Argentina @ Teatro Espanol
5/20/10: Santiago, Chile @ Teatro Oriente
6/04/10: **Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
6/05/10: Houston, TX @ Free Press Summer Fest
6/13/10: Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo
9/23/10: Denzlingen, Germany @ Between the Beats Jazz Festival
9/24/10: Paris, France @ Le Bataclan
9/25/10: Istanbul, Turkey @ Salon
9/26/10: Istanbul, Turkey @ Salon
9/27/10: Zurich, Switzerland @ Moods
9/28/10: Girona, Spain @ Auditori de Girona
9/30/10: Innsbruck, Austria @ Treibhaus
10/1/10: Leipzig, Germany @ Leipzig Festival


**supporting John Butler Trio

ERYKAH BADU TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

May 28 - Washington, D.C. @ Constitution Hall
May 29 - Washington, D.C. @ Constitution Hall
May 30 - Baltimore, MD @ The Pier
June 2 - Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theater
June 3 - Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theater
June 4 - Detroit, MI @ Chene Park
June 6 - Boston, MA @ Orpheum
June 7 - New York, NY@ Roseland Ballroom
June 8 - Philadelphia, PA @ Monae Tower
June 10 - Memphis, TN @ Orpheum
June 11 - Atlanta, GA @ Arena
June 13 - Houston, TX @ Verizon Wireless Theater
June 14 - Dallas, TX @ Nokia Theatre
June 16 - Denver, CO @ The Fillmore
June 18 - Oakland, CA @ Paramount Theatre
June 19 - Saratoga, CA @ The Mountain Winery
June 20 - Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theater
June 22 - San Diego, CA @ Humphreys
June 23 - Phoenix, AZ @ Maquee
June 24 - Las Vegas, NV @ Concert Theater
June 26 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
June 27 - Calgary, AB @ Lilith Fair McMahon Stadium
June 28 Edmonton, AB @ Lilith Fair Northlands Spectrum
June 30 Vancouver, BC @ Lilith Fair Pitt Meadows Airport
July 2 Portland, OR @ Lilith Fair Sleep Country Amphitheatre
July 3 George, WA @ Lilith Fair The Gorge Amphitheatre
July 9 - Hultsfred, Sweden @ Hultsfred Festival
July 10 - Liege, Belgium @ Les Ardentes Festival
July 11 - Montreux, Switzerland @ Montreux Jazz Festival
July 13 - Amsterdam, Holland @ Heineken Music Hall
July 15 - Monte Carlo, @ Monaco Sporting Club
July 17 - Madrid, Spain @ Escenario Puerta Del Angel
July 18 - Barcelona, Spain @ Pueblo Espanol
July 20 - Rome, Italy @ Rome Auditorium Cavea
July 22 - Paris, France @ Olympia
July 24 - London, UK @ Brixton Academy
August 4 - Raleigh, NC @ Lilith Fair Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion
August 6 - Richmond, VA @ Fridays at Sunset Festival Kanawah Plaza
August 7 - Columbia, MD Meriweather Post
August 8 - Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza Grant Park, Hutchinson Field
August 11 - Tampa, FL @ Lilith Fair Ford Amphitheatre

DIMITRI FROM PARIS - GET DOWN WITH THE PHILLY SOUND

DJ and dancefloor soul authority Dimitri From Paris both compiles and reworks classic bits of disco greatness from the vaults of Philadelphia International. This particular selection focuses on the Philadelphia disco sound that was so successful throughout the '70s, and paved the way for disco fever to spread across the United States. Most of the Philly disco material was actually recorded by a single set of players and producers (including Trammps founder Earl Young, Salsoul Orchestra originator Vince Montana, Norman Harris and TJ Lindall among others), whose signature sound of silky strings, propulsive bass and a pumping four-to-the-floor beat, eclipsed the popularity of Motown by 1975. Producers Gamble & Huff have now opened up their archive of multi-track tapes for the first time to an external label, giving Dimitri the chance to work his magic in a more sophisticated way than usual. These tracks are quintessential grooves that are not only top notch examples of the Philly disco soul sound of the era -- they're also integral to the evolution of disco music all around! Includes classics and somewhat unsung genius written & produced by Gamble & Huff, including a few straight up classics and relative obscurities all the years later.

The main double CD package will be limited to 10,000 copies, with the first disc containing the original versions of classic tracks such as Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' "The Love I Lost," Carl Bean's "I Was Born This Way," and The Trammps' "The Night The Lights Went Out," with the second used to showcase nine of Dimitri's extended edits. Current plans are also to release four additional 12-inch samplers, with the first three containing Dimitri's edits (with three cuts exclusive to the vinyl), and the fourth set to include exclusive new re-rubs by original disco edit kings Tom Moulton, John Morales and Francois Kevorkian

Included in this package are amazing tracks from Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Philly Devotions, post Motown Jacksons and Eddie Kendricks, greatness from Teddy Pendergrass and more! Disc 1 of the 2-CD version features the unedited originals: "You Can't Hide From Yourself", "He's A Friend" by Eddie Kendricks, "Hurt So Bad" by Philly Devotions, "Bad Luck" by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, "I Was Born This Way" by Carl Bean, "I Don't Need No Music" by TJM and more. Disc 2 includes Dimitri From Paris re-edits and/or super disco blends of 9 of Disc 1's 13 tracks -- stretching out the grooves without compromising the sublime vibe of the original recordings one bit! Includes "He's A Friend (Dimitri From Paris Super Disco Blend)" by Eddie Kendricks, "Hurt So Bad (Dimitri From Paris Super Disco Blend)" by Philly Devotions, "Bad Luck (Dimitri From Paris Disco Re-Edit)" by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes and more!

Dimitri From Paris - Get Down With The Philly Sounds Tracklist
CD1:
01. Teddy Pendergrass - You Can't Hide From Yourself
02. Eddie Kendricks - He's A Friend
03. Philly Devotions - Hurt So Bad
04. Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Bad Luck pt. 1 & 2
05. The Jacksons - Living Together
06. Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Tell The World How I Feel About 'Cha Baby
07. John Davis & The Monster Orchestra - Night and Day
08. Carl Bean - I Was Born This Way
09. The Trammps - The Night The Lights Went Out
10. Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - The Love I Lost
11. Charles Mann - Do It Again
12. Teddy Pendergrass - The More I Get, The More I Want
13. T.J.M. - I Don’t Need No Music

CD2:
01. Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - The Love I Lost (Dimitri from Paris Super Disco Blend)
02. Philly Devotions - Hurt So Bad (Dimitri from Paris Super Disco Blend)
03. The Jacksons - Living Together (a Dimitri from Paris Disco Re-Edit)
04. Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Bad Luck (a Dimitri from Paris Disco Re-Edit)
05. Teddy Pendergrass - The More I Get, The More I Want (Dimitri from Paris Super Disco Blend)
06. Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Tell The World How I Feel About 'Cha Baby (a DfP Disco Re-Edit)
07. Teddy Pendergrass - You Can’t Hide From Yourself (Dimitri from Paris Super Disco Blend)
08. Eddie Kendricks - He's A Friend (Dimitri from Paris Super Disco Blend)
09. The Trammps - The Night The Lights Went Out (a Dimitri from Paris Disco Re-Edit)

BBE will release the CD edition of Get Down With The Philly Sound on May 17th, 2010.

TEMECULA VALLEY INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

July 9, 10 and 11, 2010, the 7th annual Temecula Valley International Jazz Festival, located in the Southern California Wine Country City of Temecula, has announced a change of venue from Main St. in Old Town, to the new Home of the Chuck Niles Memorial Jazz Library and the Temecula Valley Cultural Arts & Music Center at 27455 Tierra Alta Way. This year's festival is in honor of the "first lady of song," Ella Fitzgerald. Tributes to Ella include performances by Herb Jeffries, Freda Payne, Arthur Rand & the Ink Spots, Ray Brown Jr., and Keith Droste Trio, with one of Canada's finest bassists, Rene' Worst. Headlining the 2010 Festival is GRAMMY Award winner Poncho Sanchez. More than anything, Sanchez is a storyteller. As the leader of the most popular Latin jazz group in the world today, it's his congas and seasoned ensemble that do the talking. Other performances during the Festival include international singing star Trini Lopez, Brian Auger's Oblivion Express, 3-time GRAMMY nominee David Arkenstone, Coryell Auger Sample Trio, Patricia Talem from Brazil and more.

Recently voted one of the Best City events, this year's TVIJ Festival promises to bring this annual event to a whole new level by celebrating the life and influence of Jazz Great Ella Fitzgerald. Friday, July 9th, the Opening Night Dinner & Concert tickets are $100. Saturday, July 10th, is the main event! General Admission is $35. Box Seats for $65 also include dinner and drink tickets. Platinum VIP/ BackStage Pass tickets at $120 include special backstage access along with a table, drinks and dinner during the Saturday night concert. July 11th, which is Sunday's Youth Jazz Festival, is Free Admission. Proceeds benefit Musicians Workshop Non-Profit Youth Education programs. Sponsorship opportunities with branding and on-site exposure are available. Tickets are available online at www.TemeculaJazzFest.com or by calling Jon or Jane Laskin at (951) 678-2517.

ONE NIGHT ONLY - BARBRA STREISAND & QUARTET AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD

After reigning for three weeks atop the 2009 music DVD charts in 2009 with her three disc offering, Streisand The Concerts, Barbra Streisand returned to the #1 spot for the week ending May 11 with Columbia Records' One Night Only - Barbra Streisand And Quartet At The Village Vanguard – September 26, 2009. Last fall she achieved her 9th Number One Album on the Billboard records charts with the Columbia release, Love Is The Answer, which marked her 5th consecutive decade in which she earned a #1 album. One of the most celebrated concert performances of recent years, a one-time only event witnessed by little more than one hundred lottery-selected Barbra Streisand fans, One Night Only was made available on DVD and DVD/CD Combo Pack as well as Blu-Ray Disc. It covers the entire experience of Ms. Streisand's first cabaret performance in 48 years. The extraordinary event coincided with release of her Number One charting album Love Is The Answer last September, which became the 51st Gold Record, along with her 30 Platinum titles, for the leading album-selling female recording artist of all time as noted by the RIAA. With the new One Night Only, the CD is a limited edition available only in the DVD/CD Combo Pack.

Streisand's recent prominence on DVD charts, included her two disc Director's Extended Edition of "Yentl," one of the top motion picture DVD offerings of last year. An absorbing dream-come-true you-are-there high definition audio-visual document of Streisand's first cabaret performance in 48 years, One Night Only - Barbra Streisand and Quartet at the Village Vanguard - September 26, 2009 immerses the home viewer in a tiny West Village nightclub, privy to the best sight lines and sound imaginable, to share an exclusive and intimate evening that prompted the New York Times to marvel, "Concerts by Ms. Streisand are rare, but the scale of Saturday's show was exceptional enough to briefly upend the natural social order of celebrity events..." Ms. Streisand was booked for one night at the Vanguard — legal capacity 123, absurdly small for an artist who has sold over 71 million albums in the United States alone. One Night Only was Executive Produced by Barbra Streisand and Martin Erlichman.

SONY MUSIC TO OFFER DOWNLOADS VIA PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Library Ideas, LLC, a new media company focused on Public Libraries, has announced an agreement with Sony Music Entertainment to provide its network of Public Library websites in the United States with access to songs from Sony Music’s catalog of legendary artists. Library Ideas is a new media company focused on the educational markets, based in Fairfax, Virginia. The Company offers music, movie and language learning solutions to public libraries as part of its developing product suite.

Ten Public Libraries have agreed to launch the Library Ideas music service in the next few weeks via their websites, including the Orange County Library System in Orlando, Florida, the Nashville Public Library, the Princeton (NJ) Public Library, Maricopa County Library District (AZ), Santa Clara County Public Library (CA), Paris Public Library (TX), Wilkinson Public Library (CO), and three others.

The service will allow libraries to increase the size and diversity of library collections by offering access to hundreds of thousands of songs. Under terms of the agreement, registered card holders of participating libraries will be offered the ability to join the service through the local library website and download a select number of Sony Music tracks in the MP3 format each month at no direct cost. Participating libraries will underwrite the purchase of the music.

“We have been waiting a long time for a service like this that delivers great music, compatibility with lots of devices and simplicity of use. We think this will be incredibly popular with our patrons and will help the library in marketing all its services to the community,” said Mary Anne Hodel, Director of the Orange County Library System in Orlando, Florida.

“Music is very important in our community,” said Donna Nicely, the Director of the Nashville Public Library, “and the internet is a major source of where our patrons want to get their music. We are very pleased to see this offering.”

“Sony Music has an incredibly expansive and popular catalog and we are really excited to partner with them on this, a very important product for libraries,” said Brian Downing, co-founder of Library Ideas. “A library is a focal point of the community that requires many tools to excite people about library resources. More than anything, that is the reason for this service.”
Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars. The company boasts a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. It is home to premier record labels representing music from every genre, including American Recordings, Arista Nashville, Arista Records, Aware, Battery Records, Beach Street Records, Black Seal, BNA Records, Cinematic, Columbia Nashville, Columbia Records, Epic Records, Essential Records, Flicker Records, Fo-Yo Soul, GospoCentric, Hitz Committee Entertainment, J Records, Jive Records, LaFace Records, Legacy Recordings, Masterworks, Polo Grounds, RCA Records, RCA Nashville, RCA Red Seal, RCA Victor, Reunion Records, Slightly Dangerous, Sony Classical, Sony Music Latin, Star Time International, Verity Records, and Volcano Entertainment. Sony Music Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.

JOHN STEIN & RON GILL - TURN UP THE QUIET

Taking a brief break from his acclaimed international quartet after Raising the Roof which jumped an impressive 43 spots on the JazzWeek radio chart and peaked at #2, jazz guitarist John Stein has chosen to spend a little quality time with the wonderful jazz vocalist and well-known jazz radio host, Ron Gill. This inspired partnership, enhanced by the presence of pianist Gilad Barkan, plays the material on their new recording Turn Up The Quiet.

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Antonio Oliart at WGBH Radio Studios in Boston, Turn Up The Quiet, illuminates the inspiration behind their longtime musical friendship while also emphasizing each musician's strengths. Stein's exquisite taste and sensitivity really shines in the spare instrumental context of voice and guitar, and his accompaniment brims with subtlety and nuance. In addition, Stein proves to be a fine acoustic bassist, with a warm flexible sound and rock solid rhythm -- able to swing the music without the aid of a drummer on the songs on which talented pianist Gilad Barkan's presence makes the group a trio.

For his part, Gill adapts beautifully to Stein's subtlety with a sensitivity of his own. His hushed, vocal romanticism makes a brilliant couplet to Stein's accompaniment, especially on album highlights like Ellington's ethereal love song "In a Sentimental Mood," the dark and haunting "My Flaming Heart," the wry irony of "Detour Ahead," and the closing Sammy Cahn-composition "Wonder Why." The repertoire here is lovely, but challenging, with technical dexterity combined with lofty chord changes, colorful word play, and enduring melody. Some of the songs are nearly forgotten gems, unearthed by Ron's lifetime study of jazz vocal material. Even the more familiar tunes radiate a quiet power through the intimate and sincere treatment John and Ron have fashioned for them.

"There are things I've learned to expect when I collaborate with Ron Gill," writes Stein in the liners to Turn Up The Quiet. "First, the repertoire will be challenging and distinctive ... Second, his concept for each song will be different and utterly personal. When you listen to Ron he's right there: he looks you in the face, and sings to you directly from the heart."

Though the concept of the album came from Stein, the project is a genuine, down-the-middle collaboration. Their arrangements are balanced and substantive; as both artists search for ways to accommodate the other. In this way, Turn Up The Quiet, is like Gill's own voice and Stein's stellar guitar, music that comes straight from the heart.

JUNE CONCERT CALENDAR

Michael Buble @ Colorine Arena, Hamburg, Germany, June 1

George Benson @ Manchester Evening News Arena,
Manchester, UK, June 1

Pink Martini @ Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall,
San Francisco, CA, June 1-2

George Benson @ The O2 Arena, London, UK, June 2
Toots & the Maytals @ BB Kings, New York, NY, June 2
Basia @ The Highland Ballroom, New York, NY, June 2
Patti Labelle @ B.B. Kings Club, New York, NY, June 3
George Benson @ Brighton Centre, Brighton, UK, June 3
Toots & the Maytals @ Stephen Talkhouse, Amagansett, NY, June 3
George Benson @ Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, UK, June 4
Craig Chaquico @ One World Theatre, Austin, TX, June 4
Basia @ The Wilbur Theatre, Boston, MA, June 4

John Butler Trio, Medeski Martin & Wood @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre,
Morrison, CO, June 4

Toots & the Maytals @ Hunter Mountain, Hunter Mountain, NY, June 4
Pink Martini @ Holland Performing Arts Center, Omaha, NE, June 4-6
Medeski Martin @ Wood @ Free Pass Summer Fest, Houston, TX, June 5
Basia @ Capital Jazz Festival, Columbus, MD, June 5
Toots & the Maytals @ Cape Cod Melody Tent, Hyannis, MA, June 5
Nick Colionne @ Capital Jazz Festival, Cumberland, MD, June 6
Basia @ Bimbos, San Francisco, CA, June 6
Basia @ Humphries, San Diego, June 10
Jamie Cullum @ Olympia, Paris, France, June 10
Mindi Abair @ Bradley Fair Shopping Ctr, Wichita, KS, June 10
Angelique Kidjo @ World Cup Kick Off Concert, Johannesburg, SA, June 10
Basia @ Club Nokia, Los Angeles, CA, June 11
Steel Pulse @ Harmony Festival, Santa Rosa, CA, June 11
Mindi Abair @ Jazz In The Woods, Overland Park, KS, June 11
Tower Of Power @ South Point Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV, June 11-13
Simply Red @ Thetford Forest, Nr Brandon, Suffolk, UK, June 11
Patti Austin @ Lincoln Theatre, Washington, DC, June 11
Harry Connick Jr @ Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO, June 11
Diane Schuur @ Kennedy Center For Perf Arts, Washington, DC, June 11
Pink Martini @ Palmer Events Center, Austin, TX, June 11-12

Simply Red @ Bredgebury Pinetum & Forest, Nr Goudhurst,
Kent, UK, June 12

Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright @ Hollywood Bowl Playboy Festival,
Los Angeles, CA, June 12

Harry Connick Jr @ PNC Pavilion, Cincinnati, OH, June 12
Steel Pulse @ Truckee River Park Amphitheater, Truckee, CA, June 12
Nick Colionne @ Jazz In The Woods, Overland Park, KS, June 12
Steel Pulse @ Harmony Festival, Santa Rosa, Cam June 13
Medeski Martin @ Wood @ Bonnaroo, Manchester, TN, June 13
Harry Connick Jr @ Charlottesville Pavilio, Charlottesville, VA, June 13
George Benson @ Playboy Jazz Festival, Hollywood, CA, June 13
Harry Connick Jr @ Filene Center, Vienna, VA, June 15
Simply Red @ Hampton Court Palace Festivak, E. Molesey, UK, June 15-16
Harry Connick Jr @ Blumenthal PAC, Charlotte, NC, June 16

Angelique Kidjo @ Le Franco Folies de Montral,
Montreal, Canada, June 17

Simply Red @ Sherwood Pines Forest Park, Nr Edwinstow,
Nottinghamshire, UK, June 18

Harry Connick Jr @ Peace Center, Greenville, SC, June 18
Spyro Gyra @ Scullers Jazz Club, Allston, MA, June 18-19
Harry Connick Kr @ Chastain Park Amphotheatre, Atlanta, GA, June 19

Simply Red @ Westonbirt Arboretum, Nr Tetbury,
Gloucestershire, UK, June 19

Dionne Warwick @ Prudential Center, Newark, NJ, June 19
Mindi Abair @ Robin Hood Resort, Big Bear Lake, CA, June 19
Nick Colionne @ JazzTrax Big Bear Fest, Big Bear Lake, CA, June 19
Angelique Kidjo @ Stern Grove, San Francisco, CA, June 20
Simply Red @ Cardiff Int’l. Arena, Cardiff, UK, June 20
Harry Connick Jr @ Morris PAC, Sound Bend, IN, June 21
Michael Buble @ BOK Center, Tulsa, OK, June 22
Harry Connick Jr @ Chicago Theatre, Chicago, IL, June 22-23
Michael Buble @ Instrust Bank Arena, Wichita, KS, June 23
Norah Jones @ Olympia, Paris, France, June 24
George Benson @ Mountain View Plaza, Snoqualmie, WA, June 24

Simply Red @ Cannock Chase Forest, Nr Rugeley,
Staffordshire, UK, June 25

George Benson @ Royal Theatre, Victoria, Canada, June 25
Harry Connick Jr @ Jazz Aspen, Aspen, CO, June 25
Acoustic Alchemy @ One World Theater, Austin, TX, June 25

Gladys Knight, Dave Koz, Jonathan Butler, Sheila E, Keith Sweat @
Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA, June 25

Teena Marie, Charlie Wilson, Joe, Down To The Bone @
Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA, June 26

George Benson @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver, BC, June 26
Michael Buble @ Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO, June 26

Nick Colionne @ WRCH Lite 100.5 FM Smooth Jazz Concert,
Manchester, CT, June 26

Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center,
Saratoga Springs, NY, June 26

Simply Red @ Dalby Forest, Nr. Pickering, North York, UK, June 26
Angelique Kidjo @ Westhampton Beach, Westhampton, NY, June 26

Frankie Beverly & Maze, Gerald Albright, Sax For Stax, Kirk Whalum @
Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA, June 27

George Benson @Casino Regina Show Lounge, Regina, Canada, June 27
Michael Buble @ Qwest Center, Omaha, NE, June 27
Simply Red @ Broadlands, Romsey, Hampshire, UK, June 27
Angelique Kidjo @ Long’s Park Amphitheatre, Lancaster, PA, June 27
George Benson @ Casino Regina Show Lounge, Regina, SK, June 27
Michael Buble @ Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN, June 28
Michael Buble @ Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH, June 30
Santana, Steve Winwood @ Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN, June 30
Down To The Bone, Spirit of NY Cruise, New York, NY, June 30

NICOLAS BEARDE FEATURED ON JAZZ NETWORK

Nicolas Bearde is an alumnus of Bobby McFerrin's renowned vocal ensemble " Voicestra" and it's offshoot, the vocal sextet SoVoSo, who’s sound has been likened to Jon Lucien, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye and Lou Rawls. Bearde has clearly carved out his own style. A seasoned showman on stage Bearde’s personality shines through his sense of humor, expressive ballads to up-tempo tunes engaging a rapport that captures his audiences as he takes them on a musical journey. We can’t forget his influences as he stepped into the world of performance, “I listened to a lot of radio, and took in everything from the Temptations, Dionne Warwick, Johnny Mathis, and Roy Orbison to Etta James, Lou Rawls and Arthur Prysock.” His listening ear runs the gamut, he’s been singing jazz and rhythm and blues for years and is well seasoned and mature in his delivery. Having world class musicianship as his foundation there is no-telling just how far Bearde’s artistry will take him.

“The Jazz Network Worldwide acknowledges Nicolas Bearde as one of our jazz ambassadors” says creator Jaijai Jackson who is featuring his music catalogue May 10th through May 16th. “Crossing The Line”, “All About Love” and “Live at Yoshi’s ~ A Salute to Lou” all produced on his own label, ‘Right Groove Records’ champion the impressive array of musical offerings available to date in Nicolas Bearde’s current catalog. The Jazz Network Worldwide is a social network that celebrates the legends as well as the current masters on the jazz music scene. With today's web-based networking capabilities, it’s a new frontier in offering musical landscapes such as Beardes.

Nicolas is a powerful musical force well versed in diverse styles of jazz and is excited about what the internet can provide by way of collaborations, domestic and international venues as well as bookings that can be garnered worldwide by sourcing the jazz community at large. It’s one thing to be remarkable at your craft, it’s another to commandeer one’s career being resourceful utilizing all portals possible to expose one’s music and inherent talents in the entertainment field through the worldwide web. Nicolas also has a philanthropic heart and donates his time to pediatric hospice care facilities well as multi-racial, multi-ethnic college preparatory schools for underprivileged students.

www.thejazznetworkworldwide.com

JEFF ANTONIUK & THE JAZZ UPDATE

Six years ago, internationally respected jazz saxophonist and educator Jeff Antoniuk decided to start a jazz camp that would help musicians get out of the basement and onto the bandstand. The transplanted Canadian was fortunate - he did not need to look far for help. Members of his own critically acclaimed quartet, Jeff Antoniuk and the Jazz Update, had done their share of touring, recording and teaching and all were university jazz professors in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Antoniuk himself taught saxophone at Towson University; bassist Tom Baldwin was at University of Maryland; pianist Wade Beach taught at George Mason; and percussionist Tony Martucci was at Virginia Commonwealth University. It was obvious they should become core faculty. Over the years the adult jazz camp was expanded to two sessions and public concerts were added. Today the Maryland Summer Jazz Festival brings in over a dozen guest artists yearly to teach in the classrooms and perform on concert stages in and around the nation's capital.

Among the exciting guest artists this year is one of the most accomplished women in jazz, percussionist Sherrie Maricle, PhD. She has been honored with many awards including The Kennedy Center Alliance Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts. Maricle leads the famed Diva Orchestra. She also performs with The New York Pops and is their director of education. She has graced the stages of Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center and the Hollywood Bowl.

Also new to the festival this year is saxophonist Walt Weiskopf who is highly regarded as a composer, author and for his technical prowess; he has worked with Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan and with jazz pianist and arranger Toshiko Akiyoshi. He is an associate professor at the Eastman School of Music.

Guitarist Steve Rochinski traveled far from his roots in Washington, D.C. to work with top players such as Tal Farlow, Tim Hagans and Joe Lovano. In 1984 he left the road to teach at Berklee College of Music. He records on Germany's leading jazz guitar label, Jardis Records. His books and recordings are sold internationally and students come from all over the world to study with him.

Young pianist Zaccai Curtis is the leader of the New York-based band Insight. He began a meteoric rise in the Latin Jazz genre even before graduating from the New England Conservatory in 2005. He has won numerous awards and commissions and a Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism Artist Fellowship for original composition in 2007.

Trumpeter Kenny Rittenhouse is a jazz professor at George Mason University. He performs with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and Army Blues Jazz Ensemble and his own quartet. With a master's degree in jazz performance from the University of Maryland, he also works with jazz educator Jamey Aebersold.

At the heart of the festival is a jazz day camp featuring two sessions of intensive instruction for adults. Teachers represent many university jazz programs and are the same fantastic players heard in the public concerts.

Workshops are structured to help gifted amateurs and semi pros improve technique and improvisational skills to help them get gigging. The camp has been the catalyst for many popular jazz bands performing in the region. Scholarships and internships encourage young talent from high school to college age.

The event kicks off with a July 20 concert featuring Jeff Antoniuk and the Jazz Update at Blues Alley, the nation's premiere jazz club, located in Washington, D.C. The group will celebrate the recent release of their CD, Brotherhood. Their 2006 CD, Here Today, enjoyed extensive airplay in the U.S. and Canada and went into a second pressing after the first sold out.

http://www.marylandsummerjazz.com
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