KaZaA RELEASES CLOUD BASED STREAMING APPLICATION

KaZaA is quickly returning to the forefront of the digital music experience with the beta release of its cloud based music streaming application allowing consumers unlimited access to over 1.6 million tracks and 1 million song lyrics.KaZaA’s new application puts consumers in charge of the music they want, when they want it and then allows them to immerse their whole experience within an on-line community through the integration of the latest social media capabilities.Emanuel Krassenstein, KaZaA’s CTO said, “While there is no shortage of smart devices in the market until KaZaA’s launch no-one was offering music consumers the opportunity to fully integrate their music into their lives and social networks.” The KaZaA music service is accessible via a web browser, the consumers play lists, favourite artists, songs, genre’s and profiles are harmoniously synced and stored securely in the clouds allowing subscribers to access their music downloads how they want it and when they want it. KaZaA supercharges the music experience for consumers, by streaming at the optimal speed for listening quality with the KaZaA Music Player. The ability to share play lists with friends or the on-line community has been enhanced allowing customers to become on-line DJ’s. Music discovery is also enabled by a Real Time “Explore” feature, that instantaneously tracks and displays what music is being played, added to playlists or added to favourite lists throughout the KaZaA site. In keeping with the mission to return control of the music to fans and artists, KaZaA’s API facilitates access to music interaction data allowing developers to create exciting new music interfaces. “The interactive experience is focussed on giving consumers music on their terms which will result in more content being delivered and more revenue being generated for artists,” said Emanuel Krassenstein.

ART OF NOISE, BRUCE SUDANO, SEU JORGE & OTHER NEW RELEASES

Art Of Noise - Influence
Blundetto - Bad Bad Things
Budos Band - Budos Band III
Bruce Sudano - Life And The Romantic
Cachao Sounds - La Descarga Continua
Cherry Boppers - Remix It Again
Doug Hammond - New Beginning
George Duke - Deja Vu
Jason Roebke - In The Interval
Jimmy Smith - Respect/Livin' It Up
Kenya - Starting Over
Manu Katche - Third Round
Nick Rosen - Into The Sky
Nico Fidenco - Black Emmanuelle Original Soundtrack
Nico Fidenco - La Via Della Prostituzione Original Soundtrack
One For All - Incorrigible
Roy Ayers - Lots Of Love
Roy Bud - Get Carter Original Soundtrack
Saravah Soul - Cultura Impura
Seu Jorge & Almaz - Seu Jorge & Almaz
Shawn Lee - Sing A Song
Tamba Trio - Brasil Saluda A Mexico
Various Artists - Afrobeat Airways
Various Artists - Brownswood Electric - Presented By Gilles Peterson
Various Artists - Tropicalia - A Brazilian Revolution In Sound
Willie Jones III - Next Phase

7th ANNUAL PEMBROKESHIRE JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL

The 7th Pembrokeshire Jazz and Blues Festival, set in the heart of Britain’s only coastal National Park, takes place from Thursday, August 26th to Monday, August 30th (during the UK bank holiday weekend). This years’ Pembrokeshire Jazz and Blues Festival features 27 artists performing in 18 venues, and the festival takes place around Fishguard in South-West Wales. Among the highlights are Arun Ghosh’s Indo-Jazz quartet, which takes South Asian themes and injects them with elements of funk, jazz and urban beats; Organic’s soulful, swinging Hammond B3 trio chock full of groovy standards; and vocalist Molly Brown’s feel good mix of blues, jazz and swing. Sax master and founding member of Hawkwind, Nik Turner will be playing storming funk and Latin; and the Chocolatejazzsalsa Band bring their tasty Cuban sounds; while 5 Go Swing specialize in hot club-style Gypsy jazz. Also appearing are Youtuba, a knockout tuba quartet who have performed all over Europe and are guaranteed to leave any audience with a smile on their face. Also look out for superb slide guitarist and singer Will Killeen who has been described as ‘Ireland’s finest blues export since Rory Gallagher‘. Elsewhere, the Albino Frogs present their Steely Dan and Blockheads-inspired funk, fusion and jazz featuring superb original songs and legendary Pembrokeshire R’n'B act Cottonmouth thrill with their hard-driving grooves. There are also fantastic workshops throughout the festival, from how to play and dance salsa with Chocolatejazzsalsa to a brass workshop with the unique Youtuba. Says actor and comedian Griff Rhys Jones of the festival, “Impossible though it is to get the blues in Pembrokeshire in my experience, I am happy to support the coolest thing in West Wales since frozen crabmeat was invented – let the good times roll!” For more information on this fine festival, full listings and details about buying tickets, check out the Aberjazz website.

THE BLACK EMANUELLE SOUNDTRACK SERIES

One of the most sweetly sexy soundtracks of the 70's Italian scene - Black Emanuelle – an out and out classic from the legendary Nico Fidenco! The style here is quite striking – almost earthy at times, but warmly erotic at others – kind of a blend of rootsy percussion with some of the more electric touches you'd hear on other Italian scores – but all wrapped up with a really unique feel! The more electric cuts feature lots of isolated instruments, slowly gyrating basslines, choppy guitar, and cool electronic bits on keyboards – and the set list is quite different than the American issue of the soundtrack in the 70s on West End Records. Titles include "Of Your Body", "Emmanuelle's Theme", "Unavoidable", "Sudden Ride", "Wild Cry", "Rhythum Again", "Skin In The Wind", "Flute & Skin", "Black Rhythum", and "Thoughtless". 34 tracks in all – and a sweet fold-out set of notes! (Limited edition of 1000 copies.)

A late entry in the Black Emanuelle series starring Laura Gemser and featuring music by Nico Fidenco – La Via Della Prostituzione – featuring a mix of sulty Fidenco sounds and more funky and disco oriented grooves! Much of the material here has never been released before this great CD from Beat Records – and it's full of funky 70s dancefloor styled sounds with spacier touches, clapping rhythms and evocative wordless vocals. Great stuff – benchmark late 70s erotic soundtrack grooves after the international dancefloor sounds seeped into the style! Titles include "Run Cheetah Run", "A Modern Reportage", "Performing Joy", "Red Room", "Lady Surprise", "Reporter In Action", "Strange Hospital", "Lady Fighting", "Too Much Again" and more.
Source: © 1996-2010, Dusty Groove America, Inc.

GARY GRANT - DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH

Featured soloist and Grammy-nominated trumpeter Gary Grant, who has recorded with such notable artists as David Foster, Barbara Streisand, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion and Toni Braxton, released his latest album, Don’t Hold Your Breath, on July 20th. The album is being distributed by BFM Digital, a leading digital music aggregator and distributor of independent music. Grant’s rich and clear sound can be heard all over the world with an impressive accumulation of 2 billion recordings sold. Gary has been 1st trumpet for Quincy Jones for the past 25 years, and with over three decades in the business, Gary has accumulated an extraordinary list of recordings that include many top hits. Grant’s sound has been heard as the accompaniment to diverse projects including the Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, 20 seasons of the hit TV show The Simpsons, and 14 recordings with Earth Wind and Fire. The trumpeter’s second album, Don’t Hold Your Breath, accentuates the important healing power of breath with acoustical instruments that engulf the listener with the feeling of enjoyable innovative music. The exciting tunes, whether up-tempo or sensual ballads, features Gary throughout the album of original jazz and jazz Latin compositions and includes guest artists Dan Higgins, Vinnie Colaiuta, Wally Minko, Wayne Bergeron, Brian Bromberg, and Johnny Friday.

Grant says, "Don’t Hold Your Breath is an expression of my deep connection and feeling for jazz music. Throughout my career and this recording process, I’ve strived to be true to myself and to the art form I represent. My role is not only a player but also a producer, composer and arranger. My sincere hope and desire is that you enjoy this music and it brings you happiness.” The album takes the jazz lover on a different journey that is refreshing and interesting, a journey that weaves a brilliant harmonic concept into an infectious rhythm section. Grant’s sound and improvising is sensitive as it is powerful. The essence of the quality of sound and execution of his performance is a musical joy for the listener. Don’t Hold Your Breath was released to all digital services on July 20th, 2010 through Gary Grant Music.

TROPICALIA - A BRAZILIAN REVOLUTION IN SOUND

An amazing introduction to one of the most significant cultural movements in the latter half of the 20th Century – the ground-breaking years of Tropicalia in late 60s Brazil! The music and legacy of Tropicalia are referenced often, but hardly ever presented this well – and this package is everything we could have hoped for as an introduction to the movement – filled not just with great music, but also an overwhelming amount of notes that trace the history of Brazilian music and art through their changes in relation to Tropicalia! In fact, the notes are almost worth the price of the compilation alone – very densely written over 48 pages in the CD booklet, with more information in one place than we've ever seen before. But as you might imagine, it's the music that really makes the set special – and Soul Jazz have done an excellent job of pulling together key late 60s works from the most important musicians associated with Tropicalia – an great starting point for the movement that's filled with most essential tracks! Titles include "Bat Macumba" by Gilberto Gil, "Tuareg" and "Sebastiana" by Gal Costa, "A Minha Menina" and "Panis Et Circenses" by Os Mutantes, "Alfo Mega" and "Tropicalia" by Caetano Veloso, "Gloria" and "Jimmy Renda-Se" by Tom Ze, "Procissao" by Gilberto Gil, "Ave Genghis Khan" by Os Mutantes, "Take It Easy My Brother Charles" by Jorge Ben, "Quero Sambal Meu Bem" by Tom Ze, "Lost In The Paradise" by Caetano Veloso, "Bat Macumba" by Os Mutantes, "Domingo No Parque" by Gilberto Gil & Os Mutantes, and "Irene" by Caetano Veloso.

Source: © 1996-2010, Dusty Groove America, Inc.

JIMMY SMITH - RESPECT / LIVIN' IT UP

A pair of near perfect soulful jazz organ sets from Jimmy Smith – 1967's Respect and 1968's Livin' It Up – plus the rare non album single "Mickey Mouse" as bonus track for the first time on CD! Respect is really nice jazz album from Jimmy, although one that got hidden in the years of Jimmy's more "concept" oriented sessions for Verve. Most of the material is quartet stuff, with players like Bernard Purdie, Eric Gale, and Ron Carter backing up Jimmy's soulful organ. The tracks are longer than usual too, with lots of nice soloing going on, and a stone easy soul groove. Includes a tasty loping version of "Get Out Of My Life", with a very different drum groove than usual, plus "Funky Broadway", "T Bone Steak", and "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy". Livin' It Up is a straight up stunner – and quite possibly one of his greatest records for Verve! The set has Jimmy working with arranger Oliver Nelson – in a setting that's got big band backings, but done in a style that's cool enough to cut through all the BS of similar sessions. There's no hoke at all – just a lean and soulful approach that has Nelson serving up a powerhouse jazzy groove underneath – and Jimmy soloing madly over the top! The album's filled with great tunes too – including a fab cover of "Mission Impossible", the original "Big Boss Man", a version of Richard Evans' "Burning Spear", a great takes on "Valley Of The Dolls" and "The Gentle Rain". Great stuff throughout! (Limited edition.).

Source: © 1996-2010, Dusty Groove America, Inc.

GEORGE DUKE - DEJA VU

George Duke is back with Déjà Vu, a new album of jazzy soul fusion. On this new release, George plays lively set that shares a tendency with his great 70s albums in that it feels fresh and live in its craft in a really transcendent way. Duke plays pianos, a range of synths, Rhodes, Moog, electric Wurlitzer and more plus sings on a number of tunes and players include Larry Kimpal on bass, Ray Fuller and Jef Lee Johnson on guitar, Teddy Campbell & Ronald Bruner Jr on drums, Hubert Laws on flute, Sarah Thornblade on violin and others. Déjà Vu is a look back at some styles that Duke was interested in during the early parts of his career. In some ways it’s similar to his previous album Dukey Treats but it is a different look back. For one thing he chose to do a lot more synthesizer playing on this album using vintage analog synths along with current technology digital synths.

Here’s a song by song breakdown from Deja Vu:

1. A Melody: on this track Duke revisits the “Brazilian Love Affair” vibe in a slightly different way. Here he had the opportunity to play an extended Voyager (mini moog) solo which he had not done in a long time. This is a great this vibe and the vocals are definitely A Melody.

2. You Touch My Brain: actually written for the Dukey Treats album but never recorded. This is a real loose “Sly” kind of funk groove which gave Duke a chance to sing a simple song and though most fans are not used to hearing Ron Bruner Jr. play this way, he puts that simple spice on the drum track allowing the music to flow naturally – after all.

3. What Goes Around Comes Around: originally written by Everette Harp and George Duke for the latest Everette Harp album that Duke produced. With an over abundance of songs it was never recorded for his album. The song has been altered a bit and decided to include it in Deja Vu. The melody is played by Everette Harp on soprano sax and George Duke on Voyager, a real nice blending of timbres. This tune may remind some of a funky type of Weather Report vibe. Michael Manson plays great bass on this track along with some tasty guitar work from Ray Fuller. Duke also played synth bass along with computer drums, the latter being programmed to sound like a real drummer.

4. Bring Me Joy: will remind some of a Stevie Wonder song. Duke here plays lead Voyager and sings some easy vocals but overall allow the synths to dominate the feeling. Most of the synths are Arp Oddesey and Mini Moog – all played one note at a time to achieve a chord. The vibe solo is a played via Giga Studio, Cool Vibe patch.

5. Ripple In Time: a tribute to Miles Davis from his funky free “Tutu” period. This tune allowed Duke to create what has been called tone poems using various synths to create the environment. It features Oscar Brashear’s interpretation of Miles, and he did a great job. Ron Bruner is solid throughout as is Jeff Lee on guitar. Here Duke plays the Marcus Miller sounding bass on this one.

6. Oh Really?: Kinda funky in an off beat way. Ron Bruner Jr. lays the beat back and George and company all ride the wave. Once again Jeff Lee is amazing! Larry Kimpel laid the law down on this one as well. Duke’s old Wurlitzer 140B sounds like it’s stuffed with socks – and that Castlebar Clavinet – oh boi!!!

7. 6 O’Clock Revisited: exactly what it says. Originally recorded for Duke’s Warner Brothers album Snapshot. This time around he wrote lyrics and changed up the groove. It’s mostly an all synth track except for Ray Fuller on guitar and Duke on piano.

8. Come To Me Now: a song Duke wrote some years ago and never recorded. It’s got a great melody and allows Duke the chance to play some sensitive lead piano.

9. Stupid Is As Stupid Does: a track in the typical jazz tradition of solos by all (except the bass). Duke used to record these type tracks almost on an everyday basis back in the day – this is truly a Déjà Vu moment. Bob Sheppard, Nicholas Payton and Hubert Laws throw down along with a blazing Nord Lead 3 solo by Duke followed by a crazy Ron Bruner solo.

10. Déjà Vu: a track where the melody begins very simply and grows and grows. The tune allows Duke to stretch on a Motif ES8 synth guitar patch and gives Bruner a chance to shine especially at the end of the tune. Mention must also be given to Sarah Thornblade who has quickly become one of Duke’s favorite violinists. This tune will remind some of the Mahavishnu Orchestra experience and that is appropriate.

THE GENIUS OF MILES DAVIS

The consummate artistry of Miles Davis and the scope of his musical vision at Columbia Records is paid the ultimate tribute on The Genius of Miles Davis. For the first time, this new collection brings together the eight deluxe multi-CD box sets that were known as The Miles Davis Series. Each volume – seven of which have collectible "metal spines" – explored a major phase of the artist's development from 1955 (Miles Davis & John Coltrane: The Complete Columbia Recordings 1955-1961) through 1975 (The Complete On The Corner Sessions). Each volume presented the music from various LPs, plus a wealth of previously unissued session material. The eight box sets, totaling 43 CDs of music, were originally released on Columbia/Legacy between 1996 and 2007, and won a total of eight Grammy Awards. Several of the original box sets have sold out over the years, and have now been re-manufactured especially for this strictly limited-edition run of 2,000 copies of The Genius of Miles Davis. Presented in a replica of Miles' own trumpet case (21½" x 11" x 8"), a collectible objet d'art in and of itself, each package will include a number of extras: an exact replica of Miles' custom-made 'Gustat' Heim model 2 trumpet mouthpiece, a previously unseen and unavailable fine art lithograph by Miles, and a boutique quality t-shirt designed and manufactured exclusively by Trunk Ltd. for this package. Weighing in at 21 pounds and individually numbered, The Genius of Miles Davis is destined to be a treasure in the hands of true Miles Davis aficionados. A D2C (Direct to Consumer) exclusive via GeniusOfMilesDavis.com, it is now available for pre-order at $1199.00 in advance of its September 14th release through Columbia/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

The Genius of Miles Davis includes the eight studio session box sets that encompass the bulk of his original studio albums from the '50s to the '70s. It does not include the various Columbia/Legacy live performance multi-CD box sets, for example The Complete Live at the Plugged Nickel 1965, released in 1995; or The Cellar Door Sessions 1970, released in 2005. The signing of Miles Davis to Columbia Records made musical history in 1955. He continued to make musical history for decades to come, changing the course of jazz (and in the process, popular and avant garde music) "four or five times," as he himself once quipped. There were important albums under his name in the late-1940s and '50s before his arrival at Columbia, and there were also notable albums after his years at Columbia, from 1986 until his death in 1991. But Columbia Records became the repository of the overwhelming majority of the signature albums recorded by Miles in his lifetime, many of them with long-time producer and collaborator Teo Macero. These individual albums were gathered together in their entirety for the first time last year as The Complete Miles Davis Columbia Album Collection. A functional chest with removable lid housed the 52 single and double album titles (70 CDs of music in total), each packaged in a mini-LP CD cardboard replica of the original jacket, with original artwork and spine.

The Genius of Miles Davis is also the result of a unique collaborative partnership effort between the Miles Davis Estate and Sony Music, which includes the redesign of the MilesDavis.com website. It is now the first unified and regularly updated site highlighting all aspects of his life. The dynamic web environment is not specific to Columbia/Legacy and Sony Music, in that it will cover product releases by other companies as well. The website, featuring news and vital information, video content, merchandise, and exclusive photography, will also offer special daily and weekly deals. The Genius of Miles Davis draws together more than a decade of studio archival research by jazz scholars, annotators, and reissue producers. Each of the box sets in The Miles Davis Series was anxiously greeted with raves by the critical establishment upon their release, and more than half of the box sets received at least one Grammy Award, some winning multiple Grammys. They are summarized as follows (in chronological order of the original music, not the Columbia/Legacy release dates): Miles Davis & John Coltrane: The Complete Columbia Recordings 1955-1961: This 6-CD box set (released in 2000) won two Grammy Awards, Best Boxed Recording Package and Best Album Notes. Focus is on the evolution of Miles' so-called "first great quintet," comprising John Coltrane (tenor saxophone), Red Garland (piano), Paul Chambers (bass), and Philly Joe Jones (drums), with important contributions by Cannonball Adderley (alto saxophone), Bill Evans (piano), Wynton Kelly (piano), and Jimmy Cobb (drums) – these sessions encompass the music for the LPs 'Round About Midnight, Milestones, Jazz Track, Kind Of Blue, Someday My Prince Will Come, Miles & Monk At Newport, Jazz At the Plaza, and much more.

Miles Davis & Gil Evans: The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings: The inaugural entry in The Miles Davis Series, this 6-CD box set (released in 1996) won three Grammy Awards, Best Historical Album, Best Album Notes, and Best Recording Package (Boxed), only the second time in Grammy history that was ever achieved. The partnership with Gil Evans spanned 1957 to 1968, and encompassed the music for the LPs Miles Ahead, Porgy And Bess, Sketches Of Spain, and Quiet Nights, but there is much more to be heard here.

Seven Steps: The Complete Columbia Recordings Of Miles Davis (1963-1964): This 7-CD box set (released in 2004) explores Miles' slow and careful development of his so-called "second great quintet," whose rhythm section comprised Herbie Hancock (piano), Ron Carter (bass), and Tony Williams (drums). Saxophonist George Coleman is heard on most of the music for the LPs Seven Steps To Heaven, Quiet Nights, Miles Davis In Europe, My Funny Valentine, and Four & More; and Sam Rivers joined for Miles In Tokyo. But it is not until the final CD's Miles In Berlin that Wayne Shorter enters the picture and the classic quintet's lineup was finalized.

Miles Davis Quintet 1965-'68: The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings: Actually the second entry in The Miles Davis Series, this 6-CD box set (released in 1998) won the Grammy Award for Best Album Notes. The "second great quintet" of Shorter, Hancock, Carter, and Williams remains an all-time jazz standard, as heard on the music for the LPs E.S.P., Miles Smiles, Sorcerer, Nefertiti, and Miles in the Sky, plus about half of Filles De Kilimanjaro and Water Babies.

The Complete In A Silent Way Sessions: This 3-CD box set (released in 2001) covers less than six months from September 1968 to February 1969. But it is one of the most critical periods in Miles' career, as he transitions away from the "second great quintet" of Shorter, Hancock, Carter, and Williams. They are all here, to be sure, on the rest of the music from Filles De Kilimanjaro and Water Babies recorded in September and November. But by the time the In A Silent Way LP came into being, the picture had changed to include Chick Corea (electric piano), Joe Zawinul (organ and electric piano), Dave Holland (bass), and most significantly, John McLaughlin (electric guitar).

The Complete Bitches Brew Sessions: The third entry in The Miles Davis Series, this 4-CD box set (released in 1998) won the Grammy Award for Best Boxed Recording Package, as it reprised the memorable cover art of the late Mati Klarwein. Again covering less than six months time – from August 1969 (the week after Woodstock) through February 1970 – this is when the influence of Jimi Hendrix, Sly Stone, James Brown, Santana, and Marvin Gaye, as well as the Beatles' post-production editing pyrotechnics all came together for Miles. To his new quintet lineup of Shorter, Corea, Holland and Jack DeJohnette (drums), Miles often augmented the sessions with a dozen other players, among them: McLaughlin, Zawinul, Bennie Maupin (bass clarinet), Harvey Brooks (electric bass), Lenny White (drums), Don Alias (congas), and so on. The result was one of the greatest albums of Miles' career, and one of the most influential records in post-modern jazz and rock.

The Complete Jack Johnson Sessions: This 5-CD box set (released in 2003) won the Grammy Award for Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package. The Bitches Brew dates ended on February 6, 1970; these dates continue 12 days later and span less than four months through June. The difference is the greater role of McLaughlin (joined by 'free jazz' guitarist Sonny Sharrock), and the fiercer edginess of the music. The back-story was the contention for Muhammad Ali's heavyweight boxing title, and actor James Earl Jones' portrayal of turn-of-the-century black boxing champ Jack Jefferson in The Great White Hope (on Broadway and on film). All this was on Miles' mind in 1970, a year before Shaft ushered in a new breed of African-American hero.

The Complete On The Corner Sessions: This 6-CD box set (released in 2007) is the final entry in The Miles Davis Series and is also the latest chronologically. It jumps ahead two years to 1972, by which time the quintet lineups were a thing of the past, and Miles had transitioned into the funk-rock-influenced large-group that would define his style for the next two decades. The sessions are chronicled through mid-1975, and encompass the music of the LPs On The Corner (1972), Big Fun (1974), and Get Up With It (1974), although more than half the music on the box set was previously unissued at the time of its release three years ago.

Printed on the t-shirt included inside THE GENIUS OF MILES DAVIS is this quotation: "I can't play like anyone else, I can't fight like anyone else, I can't do ANYTHING like anyone else. I'm just myself." – MILES DAVIS. Over the course of these eight box sets and 43 remarkable CDs, his music is, indeed, like nothing else – but its haunting, turbulent, fearless, visionary, multi-faceted self.

NORMAN BROWN, RICHARD ELLIOT, CHAKA KHAN, STANLEY CLARKE HEADLINE THE RICHMOND JAZZ FESTIVAL

The Richmond (VA) Jazz Festival this year will be held August 14-15 at the 100-acre Maymont park and museum in Richmond, Virginia. The two-day, multi-stage event will feature more than 20 artists representing mostly jazz, as well as other diverse music genres. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Maymont Foundation, the Richmond Jazz Society and Educational Learning Opportunities. Artists scheduled to perform include Chaka Khan, Boney James, Poncho Sanchez, Norman Brown, Stanley Clarke, Ledisi, Chuck Mangione, Rick Braun and Richard Elliott, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Alex Bugnon, and many more. Local performers include Sharon Rae North and Plunky and Oneness. The festival offers an experience unlike any other in the Richmond region, according to Jennifer Hunter, Altria Client Services' Vice President of Corporate Affairs. Along with high-caliber music, concert-goers will enjoy wine tastings from Altria Group's Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, watch chef demonstrations, take self-guided tours of the Maymont grounds and meet the Festival's musicians, she said. "Altria Group has been a strong supporter of the arts for more than 50 years," Hunter said. "We believe that cultural events such as the Richmond Jazz Festival at Maymont help make our headquarters community vibrant and engaging for our employees, their families and neighbors. We are pleased to be a part of this exciting, new event for the region." In addition to being presented by Altria Group, the Richmond Jazz Festival at Maymont has Verizon and Dominion as stage sponsors, and also Richmond BMW, the Virginia Lottery, NBC12, the Richmond Times Dispatch and WCVE Public Radio as sponsors.
http://www.jazzatmaymont.com/.

DR. JOHN - TRIBAL

429 Records released Tribal, the extraordinary new album by Dr. John and the follow up to his Grammy winning 429 Records album, The City That Care Forgot (2008). AKA the Night Tripper, the iconic American musician has returned with another spectacular slice of mercurial sounds. Steeped in his trademark melange of rock, funk, jazz, voodoo-inflected r&b and Creole flavor, Tribal is a statement that builds upon his already formidable musical legacy. Dr. John (aka Mac Rebennac) is joined by his band, the Lower 911 and they perform alongside several guest artists including 2009 Grammy winner Derek Trucks, New Orleans legend Allen Touissant, Donald Harrison and the late Bobby Charles, for whom the album is dedicated. Tribal is available August 3rd on 429 Records. Dr. John and the Lower 911 are currently on an extensive North American tour. Dr. John has long been considered the physical embodiment of the vibrant culture of New Orleans. Throughout his illustrious musical career--from his roots as a New Orleans-based session musician back in the 1950's playing with legends like Professor Longhair, Art Neville and Joe Tex, to forging his distinctive voodoo-inflected rhythm and blues psychedelia throughout the 60's and 70's, to his tireless efforts recording, performing and being a spokesman for the city today, (he had a recurring role in the critically acclaimed HBO series "Treme") his colorful persona and talents transcend musical genres and art forms garnering respect from fans, cultural peers, civic leaders and beyond. 429 Records is a unit of the Savoy Label Group (SLG). SLG is the North American unit of CME (Columbia Music Entertainment), the oldest music company in Japan.

BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA – DON’T MESS WITH A BIG BAND

Three-time Grammy Award winner, Brian Setzer, showcases his legendary guitar-playing on the new double-live album Don't Mess With a Big Band out July 20th on Surfdog Records. Setzer and his label will be releasing more live material in the coming months in an effort to replace the horrible-sounding bootlegs which have been flooding the market, and instead offer high-quality recordings. The 2-disc set, packed with 19 tracks, is a sizzling souvenir of The Brian Setzer Orchestra's 2009 tour of Japan. Don't Mess With a Big Band contains all of his biggest hits (including "Rock This Town," "Stray Cat Strut," and "Jump Jive An' Wail") and includes a couple of rare gems that he had never previously performed live. Brian Setzer leads his 18-piece powerhouse band through ninety minutes of amazing music. From launching the rockabilly revolution with the Stray Cats in the '80s to pioneering the swing revival with the Brian Setzer Orchestra during the late '90s, this Long Island-born innovator has earned his unique place in modern music by walking the line between conceptual discipline and balls-out rockin'. Setzer has sold millions of albums worldwide and won his Grammy Awards (two for Best Pop Instrumental Performance for "Sleepwalk" from The Dirty Boogie in 1998 and "Caravan" from Vavoom in 2000, plus one for Best Pop Performance with "Jump, Jive an' Wail," also from The Dirty Boogie) by targeting that place where wild energy and visionary imagination intersect. The Brian Setzer Orchestra is currently on tour.

SEAL 6: COMMITTMENT

Internationally acclaimed vocalist and songwriter Seal will release his sixth studio album, Seal 6: Commitment, in the U.S. on September 28th on Reprise Records. The first single is "Secret," a deeply moving, string-laden ballad, that ranks among Seal's finest love songs. Seal 6: Commitment finds the London-born, three-time Grammy Award winner re-teaming with renowned music maestro David Foster, who also produced 2008's Soul, Seal's stunning covers collection of soul classics. "I asked David to produce Commitment because quite simply, he's the most incredible person I've worked with in the studio for a very long time," Seal says. "He's one of a kind. I don't think there's an arranger and producer anywhere on the planet who can do what he does." Foster is equally complimentary of Seal. "His voice is so unique and he has such command of it -- his tone and musicality are unequaled," Foster says, adding that Seal was on a mission while in the studio making Commitment. "He was in fearless, relentless pursuit of greatness -- no one was going to obscure his path. The album is full of beautiful musical surprises and his songwriting has never been better. He says it may be his best work yet and I think he may be right." "When all things in your life begin to align in the way they have for me over the past few years, you become incredibly focused," Seal explains. "I love a challenge, and this for me, has been the greatest challenge of my career: to write an album that exceeds my own expectations." While showcasing Seal's one-of-a-kind husky baritone, ear for unforgettable melodies, and unique lyrical point of view, songs such as "Secret," "The Weight of My Mistakes," "Best of Me," and "If I'm Any Closer," delve into the emotions surrounding love, family, and commitment, hence the title. "Everything about my life is fully committed," he says. "I've never felt more focused on the matter at hand: My wife, my children, the family in general, my own well-being, and of course music and my career. Each one of these songs has personal meaning for me. I dug very deep and all I can hope for is that the music strikes a chord with people." Over the course of a remarkable career that spans more than two decades, Seal has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide and enjoyed success across numerous genres of music. His emotional, romantic love songs such as "Prayer For the Dying," the Grammy Award-winning "Kiss From A Rose," and "Don't Cry," (all from 1994's Seal II), and "Love's Divine" (from 2003's "Seal IV"), delighted fans and earned him critical acclaim. He has also seen great success in the dance/pop music world beginning with his roots in Britain's house music/rave scene with his debut 1991 album and returning to those roots with 2007's dancefloor-friendly "System." In 2008, Seal released Soul -- a stunning compilation of classic soul songs delivered with Seal's unique, signature touch. A No. 1 album in France, Soul remained atop the album chart for 13 consecutive weeks.

THE BEST OF NEW LATIN QUARTER, JAZZ & BLUES, VOLUME 1

Nearly fifty years after American legends took the stage at Tokyo's famed New Latin Quarter, original live recordings of artists such as Nat "King" Cole, Nancy Wilson, Chubby Checker, Louis Armstrong, Sammy Davis, Jr. were accidentally found. To celebrate this amazing discovery, the many recordings of these superstar acts have been remastered to share with music lovers around the world. The first release of the compilation CDs, The Best of New Latin Quarter, Jazz & Blues, Volume 1, climbed to #9 this week on The Billboard Traditional Jazz Chart and the Billboard Jazz Album Chart. One of the few times a Japanese Indie label has charted on Billboard, the CD is gaining spins on more than 200 stations in the U.S., along with nationally syndicated programs such as Music Of Your Life, Cable Radio Network and many more. This set features a rare glimpse of Chubby Checker in blues ballad mode, performing "Georgia On My Mind" and Nat "King" Cole gracing the Sinatra associated "The Way You Look Tonight." Additional compilations are expected to be released in 2010. Named and patterned after the famed New York City Latin Quarter nightclub that hosted legendary artists since 1942, Tokyo's New Latin Quarter -- Japan's jewel of a nightclub built on the site of the suspiciously destroyed original Latin Quarter -- hosted a veritable who's who of American and UK jazz and pop legends from 1959-1989. Jay Warner's worldwide publishing organization National League Music is setting up global distribution for an incredible series of digitally re-mastered "Western Music Comes East" compilations and multi-media projects featuring these rare unearthed treasures. In the U.S., distribution will be handled by Omni/Select-O-Hits. "Over 300 live recordings from artists who appeared at New Latin Quarter have been languishing for almost 50 years," says Shintaro Yamamoto, Chairman of newly formed New Latin Quarter (NLQ) Entertainment. "The new alliance of NLQ Entertainment, Kosaido Akatsuki Corporation of Japan, Parteneri-Whitehouse Alliance Japan and worldwide publishing organization National League Music has changed all that."

KIRK WHALUM - EVERYTHING IS EVERYTHING: THE MUSIC OF DONNY HATHAWAY

Eight-Time Grammy nominated saxophonist Kirk Whalum has already had a whirlwind year with the recent release of the long-awaited third installment in his popular genre-bridging gospel jazz series, The Gospel According To Jazz: Chapter III (GATJ3). GATJ3 debuted at #4 on the Billboard Jazz Album chart and #11 on the Billboard Gospel Chart. After recently being named President & CEO of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music & Stax Music Academy, Whalum now caps off a stellar year with the release of Everything is Everything: The Music of Donny Hathaway on August 31st on Rendezvous Music, an imprint of Mack Avenue Records. To celebrate the release of his new CD, on Monday, August 2nd, Whalum is set to appear on The Tonight Show and will sit in with Rickey Minor and The Tonight Show Band. This is a reunion of sorts for Whalum and Minor who played together on the Whitney Houston ‘The Bodyguard’ World Tour.

Everything Is Everything consummates Whalum’s chart-topping For You and The Babyface Songbook trilogy to complete a collection that brilliantly exhibits Kirk’s singular interpretive skills. Donny Hathaway would have been 65 years old on October 1, 2010. Although the passing of this visionary and multi-talented artist left a significant void, his pervasive influence left an indelible mark on popular music. There could be no better standard bearer for Hathaway’s work than tenor saxophonist Kirk Whalum, whose work has similarly crossed the boundaries between R&B, gospel and jazz with an emotional immediacy that is beyond compare.

Highlights on Whalum’s Donny Hathaway tribute standards CD include “You Had To Know,” featuring a heartfelt performance by Donny’s daughter & neo-soul phenom Lalah Hathaway. Also, R&B crooner Musiq Soulchild gives a retro take on “We’re Still Friends.” This intricate and principled CD also features arrangements by Gil Goldstein and John Stoddart and collaborations from a virtual who’s who of contemporary jazz masters such as Rick Braun, Jeff Golub and Christian McBride. Helping to push the boundaries on this musical tribute celebration is pedal steel scorcher Robert Randolph. All of these dynamic artists come together with Whalum’s passionate tenor to tell the musical story of one of the most important figures in popular music.

GERALD LEVERT - THE BEST OF GERALD LEVERT

After notching hits and four platinum records in the 1980s with the R&B trio Levert, Grammy®-winning singer Gerald Levert went solo in 1991, topping the R&B charts with his first album, Private Line. The hits kept coming as the superstar's soulful baritone fueled a long run of beloved music that sadly ended in 2006 with Levert's unexpected death. Rhino Records pays tribute to Levert with a collection of his greatest work, including the previously unreleased "Can It Stay." The Best Of Gerald Levert will be released on August 31. "Can It Stay" is available for download now at all digital retailers. Spanning two decades, the 16-song set is the first collection to span Levert's entire extraordinary career and also features liner notes by Cornel West. Arranged chronologically, the album begins with the single version of the Grammy-nominated "Casanova," a #1 R&B/#5 Pop smash he recorded in 1987 with Levert. Three tracks come from Levert's 1991 solo debut Private Line, including the single version of the title track, "School Me," and the R&B #1 "Baby Hold On To Me," which features the singer teaming up with his father, Eddie Levert, the lead singer of The O'Jays. The father and son recorded together frequently over the years, including the poignant ballad "Already Missing You" (#7 R&B), which is featured here and taken from the duo's first album together, 1995's Father And Son. The Best Of Gerald Levert touches on Levert's work with singers Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill in the R&B supergroup LSG with "My Body" (#1 R&B/#4 Pop), from trio's Grammy-nominated, double-platinum debut, Levert-Sweat-Gill (1997). The collection concludes with two tracks from Levert's posthumous Grammy-winning 2007 album In My Songs, the title track and "DJ Don't," as well as the previously unreleased "Can It Stay."

THE BEST OF GERALD LEVERT Track Listing
"Casanova" (Single Version) – Levert
"Private Line" (Single Version)
"Baby Hold On To Me" – with Eddie Levert, Sr.
"School Me"
"I'd Give Anything"
"Answering Service"
"Already Missing You" – with Eddie Levert, Sr.
"My Body" – LSG
"Thinkin' Bout It"
"Taking Everything"
"Made To Love Ya"
"Funny"
"U Got That Love (Call It A Night)"
"In My Songs"
"DJ Don't"
"Can It Stay"*

*previously unreleased

NEW RELEASES FROM NORMAN BROWN, PAUL HARDCASTLE, STANLEY CLARKE & OTHERS...

Blundetto – Bad Bad Things
Dalindeo – Soundtrack For The Sound Eye
Dee Dee Sharp – Happy Bout The Whole Thing/What Color Is Love/Dee Dee
Drizabone Soul Family – All The Way
John Pizzarelli – Rockin’ In Rhythm: A Tribute To Duke Ellington
Kenya – Starting Over
Lucy Woodward – Slow Recovery
MFSB – Gamble-Huff Orchestra/Mysteries Of The World
MFSB – Philadelphia Freedom/Summertime
Manhattans – Black Tie/Love Talk
Michael Scherer – Exceeding Expectations
Nick Rosen – Into The Sky
Norman Brown – Sending My Love
Norman Connors – You Are My Starship/Romantic Journey
Onra – Long Distance
Os Ipanemas – Que Beleza
Paul Hardcastle – Jazzmasters VI
Quantic Presents Flowering Inferno – Dog With A Rope
Randolph – Echoes Of Lonely Eden
Saravah Soul – Cultura Impura
Stanley Clarke – Rocks Pebbles & Sand/Let Me Know You
Sting - Symphonicities
Urban Jazz Coalition – Gravitate
Various Artists – African Lounge
Various Artists – Bella Musica 5 By Jose Padilla
Various Artists – Chillin’ Africa
Various Artists – Chillout In Black 2
Various Artists - Disco Meets Bossa Volume 2
Various Artists - Jazzy Lounge Volume 2
Vox Arcana – Aerial Age
Willie Jones III – Next Phase

FAYOLA - LOVE, HATE & PASSION

Singer Fayola is preparing for her debut album release on July 21 this month, which is a huge step in her career. She has been crafting the sound of this album very carefully to give an innovative perspective on relationships. Her goal is for this album’s message to strike a nerve to inspire, in order to reach far and wide to build upon her fan base. The album, entitled Love, Hate & Passion consists of 11 original powerfully messaged songs relating to relationships from a woman’s perspective. Styled with her unique and distinct vocal sound, she delivers a performance that gives you an impression of a friend who’s got your back. The musical undercurrent of this album has a touch of Jazz, a little Soul, a sprinkle of R&B and a dash of Pop. Fayola’s style has drawn inspirations from pioneering Neo-soul artists D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Bilal, in addition to, soul divas Anita Baker and Regina Belle among several others in helping to create in her, the unique fusion that she entitles, jazzy-neosoul. The album was recorded out of Queens, New York and produced by Joe Wize who has worked with artists such as Faith, Groove Theory, Tina Moore and Lorenzo. The album is available online now for digital downloads, and fans are encouraged to visit Fayola’s website (http://www.fay-o-la.com/), which provides you with everything you could want to know about the young vocalist. You can also sign up for the mailing list to receive news and information about upcoming gigs and new releases. Fans can also check out her MySpace.com/fayola page and can even join up to be her friend on Facebook.com/Fay Ola. Fayola was born and raised in Trinidad, W.I..

http://www.fay-o-la.com/

http://www.indiggo.com/

INCOGNITO FEAT. CHAKA KHAN & MARIO BIONDI - TRANSATLANTIC R.P.M.

Shanachie Entertainment is about to release probably the best album in years from pioneering and groundbreaking UK groove-masters Incognito. As the legendary band embarks on its third decade of creating mind blowing, hit-making classics, they have outdone themselves with their stellar new recording, Transatlantic R.P.M, to be released on July 27, 2010. Incognito is joined by an all-star lineup that includes the iconic Chaka Khan, R&B/jazz/soul diva and longtime Incognito vocalist Maysa, spoken word goddess Ursula Rucker, Motown legend Leon Ware and renowned Italian singer Mario Biondi, Incognito delivers what promises to be one of the musical highlights of the summer.

Incognito mastermind Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick reflects on his 30 year journey and shares how Transatlantic R.P.M was born:

Being a teenager in 1970’s London, you could not escape the music. It was all around you. Every pub had live music and there were several record shops on every main road. Basements and garages doubled up as rehearsal rooms for eclectic musicians and energetic teenagers getting their kicks playing Rock & Roll, Reggae, Ska, Folk, Jazz, Funk and Soul music, all preparing to take on the world! There was a buzz in every record store. People searching through the crates to catch up on the latest offerings from across the pond. I’d be looking for the names… Harvey Mason, Steve Gadd, Ralph McDonald… “Hey heard the new one from Rufus & Chaka Khan?” In another corner funky folks would be boogying down to B.T. Express and Eddie Russ beneath huge sets of headphones and exploding afros! Long haired students with patches on their jeans trawling through the Prog Rock section. That was the scene and I was hooked, line and sinker… those vinyls transported across the Atlantic had me buzzing like a junky looking for his next hit!

Transatlantic R.P.M. Tracklisting:

1: Lowdown – featuring Chaka Khan, Mario Biondi & Stuart Zender

2: Everything That We Are – featuring Lucky I am, Tony Momrelle & Tiffany Smith

3: 1975 – featuring Joy Rose

4: Your Sun My Sky – featuring Maysa

5: Line In The Sand – featuring Leon Ware

6: Gotta – featuring Ursula Rucker

7: Let’s Fall In Love Again – featuring John-Christian Urich (Tortured Soul)

8: The Song – featuring Chaka Khan & Al McKay (EWF Guitar)

9: Put A Little Lovin’ In Your Heart – featuring Tony Momrelle

10: All Of My Life – featuring Joy Rose

11: Expresso Madureira – Instrumental

12: Life Ain’t Nothing But A Good Thing – featuring Vanessa Haynes

13: Make Room For Love – featuring Tony Momrelle

14: Can’t Get Enough – featuring Mario Biondi & Stuart Zender

15: The Winter Of My Springs – Acapella / No Capella

16: Tell Me What To Do – featuring Bluey

REGGIE HINES - LIVE YOUR LIFE

Two time Grammy Award winner and founder of Smooth Jazz, musician Najee has donated his own saxophone to renown Jazz artist Reggie Hines. As soon as Najee landed in JFK recently, from his tour in Europe, he learned via text, about the demise of saxophonic player Reggie Hines’ missing horns. Mr. Hines’, who has previously performed with Najee, two saxophones came up missing after a recent gig in Atlanta. This sour note quickly turned into a melody when Najee called and offered Hines his very own saxophone for replacement. One final piece was short in this perfect score; the instrument had to be picked up in Orlando where Najee resides. Chountelle Bullock, a member of his marketing staff, was contacted by Hines’ manager Clifton Camp of MarketingCamp, LLC, and she flew to Orlando and back with sax…the final score! Thanks Najee.

For those of you who don’t know about Reggie Hines, he was born to captivate the world with the multitude of talents he possesses. Instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, and composer; he is a multi-faceted talent playing guitar, piano, bass, EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument) and of course, the saxophone. Music is his mistress, a true lover of the art Salsa, Meringue, Jazz, and Funk. Writing for Gerald Alston (The Manhattans), Regina Belle; Hines musicology breached the music industry when he masterminded The Prime of My Life album for the late songstress, Phyllis Hyman. “I Can’t Take It Anymore” and “When You Get Right Down To It”, attained Grammy nominations for best R&B song of the year. Hines was honored with an ASCAP Award for his skilled musical composition. Nationally, Mr. Hines appeared on ‘The Regis and Kelly Show’, ‘The David Letterman Show’, ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’, ‘Tom Joyner’s Sky Show and Cruise’ and 'VH1 2010 Hip Hop Honors'. After touring the world in a multitude of music festivals, Hines released the 2009 chart topping CD, Live Your Life, the return to his musical roots, infusing multiple music genres with Jazz. With his recent return from the 2010 Harlem Nights Japan Tour, he continues to “live”.

Reggie describes his styling as “life music” choosing to surpass traditional jazz boundaries. Aptly, he has named his CD Live Your Life. On July 29, 2010, MarketingCamp, LLC, will re-release Reggie Hines’ album debut entitled Live Your Life.

MARC HOFFMAN - CURIOSO

Virillion Music recording artist Marc Hoffman has announced the release of Curioso, an all-original jazz CD that features Hoffman on keyboard and vocals, Tim Gordon (Mr. Groove) on sax, Grammy nominee John Sharp on guitar, Terry Peoples and Nathan Scott on bass, and Gray Fallin (The Brubakers), Mike Lanier and Ryan Scott on drums and percussion. Curioso follows the release of a single track from the CD several weeks ago entitled “Hefti,” Hoffman’s tribute to his former composition professor, the late Neal Hefti. "‘Hefti’ makes you smile with its delicate riffs and uplifting swing,” said DJ Jelly Roll Justice of WWOZ-FM in New Orleans. "‘Hefti’ is one of those great tunes that is instantly recognizable within two to four notes [of the opening lick] -- no easy achievement, and very satisfying, “ said Preston Ryback, composer, arranger, orchestrator, and owner of Shore Club Studios in Vancouver, BC. The Curioso project began as a compilation of various jazz tunes Hoffman had written over two years, representing as many styles of jazz as there are tracks on the CD. He initially entitled the quickly mastered collection “Jazz” and intended to use it to pitch tunes to TV and film projects. “After circulating what I thought was the finished product for a few months, I was delighted by the response,” Hoffman said. “So, two years after the initial project was completed, I decided to remix and re-master all tracks for wide release and at the same time rename the CD Curioso after my favorite piece in the collection.”

Producer and engineer Jerod Jacobs of Charlotte, NC, co-mixed and co-mastered the CD with Hoffman. Curioso combines tunes that are inspired by other musicians’ work with tracks that were inspired by events in the artist’s life. Besides, “Hefti,” which channels the light, lyrical work of Neal Hefti, there’s “Pontified,” Hoffman’s take on the late ‘70s music of Jean-Luc Ponty; “Introspective,” smooth jazz reminiscent of David Benoit; and the Vince Guaraldi influence apparent on Curioso. For “Q,” Hoffman wanted to capture what he observed as the “calm strength” of a former piano student of his who was battling a brain tumor during the three years he worked with her. A friend who died suddenly inspired “Bender.” “I imagined a desolate night in NYC as a reflection of my sadness over his passing.” Hoffman said. Other tracks are more lighthearted, such as “Thumbs,” which evolved from a spontaneous rhythm Hoffman started playing on his desk one day, “literally with my thumbs.” “Dog Days,” which features “a soulful sax solo by Tim Gordon,” represents a winding down during the Dog Days of summer. And “G Min” is a modern jazz swing piece that offers up a John Sharp guitar solo. Hoffman is as well-known for his vocal performances as his instrumentals, but Curioso contains only one vocal piece, “Aila Leya.” He explains: “I was looking for syllables that fit the melody and sang the first thing that came to mind. I then went to a word meaning reference and found that both of these actually mean something! This one is reminiscent of the jazz-rock of the late ‘70s to early ‘80s.” When Hoffman circulated the initial release of the collection, Gary Dalkin, editor of Film Music on the Web, wrote in a review: “Hoffman brings a light, fluid grace to his eloquent improvisations, the tone largely optimistic though shot through with an enquiring spirit which adds an intriguing melodic quirk to the disc.” The artist is hoping for many more positive reviews now that the remixed and re-mastered Curioso is available.

Tracks from the CD can be heard on Marc Hoffman’s website http://www.marchoffman.com/. Samples are available on Amazon.com.

ELTON JOHN & LEON RUSSELL - THE UNION

Decca Records has announced the release of the highly anticipated collaboration between two musical legends, Elton John and Leon Russell with The Union available October 19 in the U.S. (To be released October 25 in the U.K. on Mercury Records.) This album marks the first time these iconic artists have worked together since 1970. Produced by Oscar and multiple-Grammy winning producer T Bone Burnett, who took home numerous awards in 2009 for his production work on Raising Sand with Robert Plant and Alison Krause, The Union features songs written by John and his lifelong lyricist Bernie Taupin, as well as in combination with the extraordinary talents of Russell and Burnett. Recorded live in the studio with John and Russell on dueling pianos, the album features a variety of musical genres from R&B, soul, gospel, country, pop and rock. Icons Neil Young and Brian Wilson provide guest vocals on the 16-track record along with legendary R&B organist Booker T. Jones, steel guitarist Robert Randolph and a 10-piece gospel choir.

Russell first met John in 1970 when he attended John's first ever U.S. show at the famous Troubadour in Los Angeles. The meeting heralded the beginning of a long friendship and a mutual appreciation between the two artists. "In the late '60s and early '70s, the one piano player and vocalist who influenced me more than anybody else was Leon Russell," John said. "He was my idol." The pair went on to tour together shortly thereafter at New York's Fillmore East and to this day have held such high admiration for each other's work. After years of being out of touch, John listened to Russell's music while on safari in Africa last summer and was inspired to reconnect with his idol. "Elton called to ask if I would do a duet album with him," Russell said. "I'm very happy that he chose me to do this."

The monumental career of international singer/songwriter and performer Elton John has spanned more than three decades. He is the one of the top-selling solo artists of all time with 35 gold and 25 platinum albums and more than 250 million records sold worldwide. The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences has awarded John multiple Grammys, including the Grammy Legend Award.

Russell has performed his gospel-infused southern boogie piano rock, blues and country music for over 50 years. This legendary and Grammy award winning musician and songwriter has topped music charts, led the famous Joe Cocker's 'Mad Dogs & Englishmen' tour, performed with George Harrison and Friends at the Concert for Bangladesh and in 2006 was awarded a lifetime achievement award by the Bare Bones International Film Festival.

The Union is a unique collaboration of two of the most talented artists in the music business. Combining forces and fusing diverse talents, John and Russell along with Burnett have produced an extraordinary album.

B.B. KING TOUR DATES

B.B. King will perform the following concerts throughout 2010:
June 27 @ Summerfest, Milwaukee, WI
July 4 @ Horseshoe Casino, Elizabeth, IN
July 7 @ Keswick Theatre, Glenside PA
July 8 @ Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
July 9 @ House of Blues, Boston, MA
July 10 @ Cape Cod Melody Tent, Hyannis, MA
July 13 @ Amphitheatre at Station Square, Pittsburgh, PA
July 15 @ Pier Six Concert Pavilion, Baltimore, MD
July 16 @ NTELOS Pavilion, Portsmouth, VA
July 17 @ Charlottesville Pavilion, Charlottesville,VA
July 18 @ Filene Center, Vienna, VA
August 9 @ Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, AZ
August 11 @ Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA
August 13 @ Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, CA
August 14 @ Harrah's, Valley Center, CA
August 20 @ Ironstone Vineyards, Murphys, CA
August 21 @ Mountain Winery, Saratoga, CA
August 24 @ Deer Valley Resort Amphitheatre, Park City, UT
August 25 @ Red Rocks, Morrison, CO
August 27 @ Zoo Amphitheatre, Oklahoma City, OK
August 28 @ Black Oak Mountain Resort, Lampe, MO
August 29 @ Allen Events Center, Allen, TX
September 19 @ Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, Telluride, CO
October 4-5 @ BB King's, Nashville, TN
October 7 @ Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival, Helena, AR
October 10 @ Majestic Theatre, San Antonio, TX
October 31 @ Uptown Theatre, Napa, CA
November 3 @ Hult Center, Eugene, OR
November 4 @ Snoqualmie Casino, Snoqualmie, WA
November 5-6 @ Red Robinson Theatre, Coquitlam, BC
November 8 @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary, AB
November 10 @ Conexus Centre, Regina, SK
November 11 @ Centennial Concert Hall, Winnipeg, MB
November 12 @ State Theatre, Minneapolis, MN
November 13 @ Riverside Theater. Milwaukee, WI
November 18 @ Shea's PAC, Buffalo, NY
November 19-20 @ Casino Rama, Rama, ON
November 21 @ National Arts Centre, Ottawa, ON

MARY TALBOT FEE – MIDWINTER NIGHT’S DREAM

Jazz vocalist Mary Talbot Fee will be the featured artist debuting her CD, Midwinter Night’s Dream the week of June 18th on The Jazz Network Worldwide. The collection of jazz standards, international songs and contemporary compositions were produced by Rob & Amber Whitlock of Sketchin’ Records. In addition, they composed three new songs for the disc, including the title track, which was co-authored by Talbot Fee, who fluently sings in four languages on the CD (English, French, Italian and Portuguese). Midwinter Night’s Dream is the culmination of Talbot Fee’s years of jazz vocal study with the likes of Kevyn Lettau and other well-respected vocalists. “Winter’s dream enters my slumber, stills my thoughts, and encourages me to rest, renew and restore for the coming year’s journey,” reflected Talbot Fee about her inspiration for the project.

A masterful ensemble backed her in the studio including keyboardist Rob Whitlock (Jazz Crusaders, Eddie Harris), bassist Trey Henry (Tierney Sutton), drummer Cliff Almond (Michele Camillo), guitarist Pat Kelley (George Benson), percussionist Luis Conte (James Taylor), violinist Charlie Bisharat (John Tesh) and flutist John Rekevics (Checkfield) along with a talented cast of singers that included Amber Whitlock (Max Bennett) and Kleber Jorge (Sergio Mendes). Standards like “If I Had You” and Henry Mancini & Johnny Mercer’s “Moment To Moment,” sultry sambas (“Nuages”), romantic duets (“Anema E Core”), cabaret tunes (“On An Evening In Roma”) and modern gems including John Lennon & Paul McCartney’s “Norwegian Wood,” Joni Mitchell’s “River,” and a pair from Stevie Wonder (“Knocks Me Off My Feet” and “Bird Of Beauty”). The three originals - “Winter Snow Ballet,” “Inverno Di Gielo” and the title track - unify and further the album’s motif – the gifts of winter - despite their varied stylings, moods and languages. "Mary is a wonderful story-teller in any language, she brings an authentic sound 'all her own,'" says Jaijai Jackson, creator of The Jazz Network Worldwide.

Talbot Fee grew up in New England in a musical household. Her mother, Angela, for whom the album is dedicated, was an opera singer and a musical comedy actress who performed at Carnegie Hall. With these influences there is no wonder that the end result of this musical project is sophisticated, swoon-inducing vocals that take listeners on an enchanting artistic and theatrical musical journey.

http://www.thejazznetworkworldwide.com/

http://www.marytalbotfee.com/

http://www.sketchinrecords.com/

THE WEST COAST CAPITAL OF JAZZ IN THE SUMMER OF 2010

Claiming its status as one of the nation’s most vibrant summer jazz destinations, Newport Beach is host to two high-profile jazz events in summer 2010. In its 18th year, the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach Summer Jazz Series Through October 1st, 2010 (every Friday night and a special show on July 4th), a diverse collection of jazz musicians will entertain audiences at the 18th Annual Hyatt Regency Newport Beach Summer Jazz Series, which takes place at the resort’s intimate outdoor amphitheater. Top act’s include the Max Weinberg Big Band, David Sanborn, Bobby Caldwell Fourplay and Steve Tyrell.

The Sunset Jazz at Newport Series will take place each Wednesday evening in summer from July 7th to August 25th, 2010 and will feature straight ahead jazz performed by some of the most popular artists from the long-running West Coast Jazz Party, also in Newport Beach. The producers of the very successful West Coast Jazz Party, together with the nation’s #1 jazz station- KJAZZ, have converted their 4 day jazz party, which for the last 15 years has taken place over Labor Day Weekend, into an 8 week series of Wednesday nights. The Rose Garden of the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa sets the stage for talent such as Houston Person, Ken Peplowski, Byron Stripling and Graham Dechter.

Not to be confused with the annual Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, Rhode Island in August, these two high-level events extend the entire summer season and take place in Southern California’s Newport Beach, allowing visitors ample opportunity to catch top notch performers.

Known for its picturesque views of the Pacific and one of the world’s largest small yacht harbors, Newport Beach is a chic seaside community located on Southern California’s Orange County coastline between Los Angeles and San Diego. The city is acclaimed for its beaches, mild year-round weather, boating/yachting community, sophisticated atmosphere, international film festival, three annual epicurean festivals and the oldest holiday boat parade in the nation. Newport Beach was named “One of the top ten resort towns in the U.S” by AOL Travel in 2008.

www.visitnewportbeach.com/event_details

AMERICAN GREETINGS INTRODUCES NEW CARDS WITH SONG DOWNLOAD FROM ITUNES

American Greetings Corporation has introduced its latest innovation in the card aisle: greeting cards with a song download from iTunes. Through the innovative offering, American Greetings is bringing the country's #1 music retailer to the card aisle, and helping consumers put the gift of music into the greetings they send. The complete line includes 36 cards, each with a code redeemable for a song download from iTunes. There are also eight gift card holders that can be used to send any iTunes gift card. Having both options available creates the perfect solution for any shopper who wants to send a card with a little something extra, or one who wants to personalize a great gift with a fun greeting. "From our research, we already knew that consumers loved the pairing of music and greeting cards, and we wanted to elevate the overall experience," said Carol Miller, executive director of new product concepts at American Greetings. "By giving someone a card with a gift that empowers them to choose their own song, you make the connection even more personal and enjoyable, which is what sending a card is all about." Consumers can find the new cards with a song download from iTunes, at participating drug chains, grocery stores and super centers nationwide, as well as in American Greetings and Carlton Cards retail stores. For more information, including store locations in your area, you can visit the following sites:

http://www.corporate.americangreetings.com/.
www.twitter.com/amgreetings
www.facebook.com/AmericanGreetings.

MICHAEL BUBLE & "THE CRAZY LOVE" TOUR

Following a series of sellout European shows, Canadian superstar Michael Bublé continues his phenomenal ability to fill arenas for his "Crazy Love" summer tour in the midst of reports of low ticket sales for many of this summer's concerts. The Grammy winning Bublé returns to the US beginning June 22nd, in Tulsa, Oklahoma for the second leg of his "Crazy Love" tour which will play 21 markets ending August 28th in Las Vegas. The tour is expected to be a complete sell-out. "In the current climate of summer tours, Michael Bublé is a shining star," stated "Crazy Love"'s national tour promoter Don Fox of Beaver Productions. "With Michael's following including such a wide demographic span along with the amazing reviews of this show around the world, this is surely going to become one of the biggest tours in the US this summer," he concluded. "It was sensational, positively sensational... The sort of superstar-solidifying show you just know they'll be talking about 25 years and more from now," raved the Orange County Register. "What truly separates this king from all the other pretenders to the throne is the live show... For it's on the concert stage that Bublé shines the brightest," said the San Jose Mercury News. Tickets for Bublé's tour in three Texas markets of Dallas, Houston and San Antonio sold out in 30 minutes. The first leg of the month long "Crazy Love" tour which began March 12th of this year was also a total sell out and was seen by a quarter of a million Michael Bublé fans. Three new dates have been added to the tour including Sacramento on August 24th, San Diego on August 27th and the closing show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Bublé, a multi-Grammy winner has been riding high with the multi-platinum success of "Crazy Love" which has remained on the Billboard Pop Charts since its No. 1 debut 37 weeks ago and has held the No. 1 slot on the Billboard Traditional Jazz Charts since its release. "Haven't Met You Yet," the Bublé penned current single, remains a staple at pop radio.

HERBIE HANCOCK - THE IMAGINE PROJECT

Herbie Hancock's The Imagine Project is an unprecedented international recording and film project featuring collaborations between music legend Herbie Hancock and a dozen superstars from every region of the planet. It utilizes the universal language of music to express its central themes of peace and global responsibility. The Imagine Project embodies an extraordinary lineup of international superstars from all corners of the world. Artists include Dave Matthews, Anoushka Shankar, Jeff Beck, The Chieftains, John Legend, India Arie, Seal, Pink, Juanes, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Chaka Khan, K'Naan, Wayne Shorter, James Morrison, and Lisa Hannigan. The album and film stands, on one level, as powerful testaments for the goals of world peace, humanity and tolerance, and respect for our planet, but The Imagine Project shall remain at its core, entertainment content that is creatively and emotionally deeply fulfulling.

The Imagine Project Track List:
1. "Imagine Intro" (featuring Pink and Seal)
2. "Imagine" (featuring India.Arie and Jeff Beck)
3. "Don't Give Up" (featuring Pink and John Legend)
4. "Tempo de Amor" (featuring CeU)
5. "Space Captain" (featuring Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks)
6. "The Times, They Are A Changin" (featuring The Chieftans and Lisa Hannigan)
7. "La Tierra" (featuring Juanes)
8. "Tamitant Tilay/Exodus" (featuring K'naan and Los Lobos)
9. "Tomorrow Never Knows" (featuring Dave Matthews)
10. "A Change Is Gonna Come" (featuring James Morrison)
11. "The Song Goes On" (featuring Chaka Kahn, Anoushka Shankar, and Wayne Shorter)

Herbie Hancock is celebrating the release of his newest CD entitled, The Imagine Project, with a tour. Hancock will perform the following concerts:
June 24 @ Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
June 25 @ Ottawa Jazz Fest, Ottawa, ON
June 26 @ Massey Hall, Toronto, ON
June 27 @ Place des Arts, Montreal, QC
August 6 @ Buffalo Place Rocks the Harbor, Buffalo, NY
August 7 @ Lowell Summer Music Series, Lowell, MA
August 8 @ Jazz Fest, Newport, RI
August 9 @ Tanglewood, Lennox, MA
August 10 @ Spaulding Auditorium, Hanover, NH
August 13 @ Mann Center, Philadelphia, PA
August 18 @ Chene Park Music Theater, Detroit, MI
August 20 @ Northern Lights Theater, Milwaukee, WI
August 21 @ Symphony Center, Chicago, IL
August 22 @ Ryman, Nashville, TN
August 25 @ Vilar PAC, Beaver Creek, CO
August 26 @ Center For The Arts, Jackson Hole, WY
August 28 @ Mt. Baker Theater, Bellingham,WA
August 29 @ Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle,WA
September 1 @ Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA

BOB BALDWIN - NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE: A TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON

June 25th, the day that rocked the music world with the tragic death of the King Of Pop, will mark a day of celebration of the life of Michael Jackson with the release of Never Can Say Goodbye, a fitting title to this thoughtful collection of past to present Jackson hits from contemporary jazz pioneer, Pianist/Arranger Bob Baldwin and speaks of the sentiment felt by millions of fans worldwide. Radio promotions as well as a pre-produced radio special, will be made available for broadcast on June 25th across the terrestrial, satellite, internet jazz radio spectrum, including Baldwin’s own “NewUrbanJazz” Lounge' radio program.

Having received the blessing of the Jackson estate, and as a follow up to previous Jackson hits on previous discs, Never Can Say Goodbye is the first jazz record to pay homage to MJ and boasts a sterling handpicked collection of Jackson classics served up Baldwin style. This stirring and feel good tribute to all the man was and the influence he had across the musical spectrum, features original Baldwin reads on the early Jackson 5 hit, 'I ll Be There', Jackson and McCartney s 'The Girl Is Mine', the laid back and soul drenched 'Lady In My Life' (from the 'Thriller' vaults) to the funky side with unique touches on 'Bad' and the Gamble and Huff classic 'Let Me Show You The Way Go', and the highly infectious title track, featuring a cameo appearance from new Fourplay guitarist Chuck Loeb. "She's Out of My Life" gets the Nashville treatment, with the soulful guitar riffs ushered in by Special Efx staple Chieli Minucci. The personal Baldwin tribute "Prodigious" is soulful and sensitive, much like his approach to the entire project, while "Don't Say Goodbye" is haunting and reflective.

Baldwin was not a late-comer to the fanfare of Michael Jackson. "In 2000, it was time to give MJ his kudos", says the NY native. "I grew up listening to 'Never Can Say Goodbye' as a kid and watching the J5 on the Ed Sullivan Show, so he was in the fabric of my musical pop life, in between listening to Duke Ellington and Miles. Quincy really elevated his sense of harmony and you heard it in his later work". Baldwin also released "I Wanna Be Where You Are" in 2004 after recorded the song in Ipanema with some of his Brazilian compadres, so in many ways, the seed was already planted. A week or so following his death, my associate Brenda Hazel suggested I just finish the MJ thought and go full circle. We had to get the business straight, however, so getting the Jackson estate blessing was a real honor". Collaborating with Trippin' N Rhythm will bring this project full circle, which is also an honor.

Baldwin is no stranger to tributes and kudo efforts as his 2nd Haiti effort, the "2010 Jazz For Haiti" benefit concert has led to a worldwide collaboration with the American Red Cross to further assist that tragedy. Goodbye, should do well to invigorate Baldwin’s massive legion of fans across the world as he continues to look forward, but not without keeping an eye on and honoring those who influenced his past. It's the "Feelgood" album of 2010 indeed.

Never Can Say Goodbye: A Tribute to Michael Jackson Track List
Bad (feat. Ragan Whiteside)
Human Nature
The Girl Is Mine (feat. Steve Oliver)
I Can’t Help it
I’ll Be There
Prodigious
I Wanna Be Where You Are
Lady In My Life
Let Me Show You (feat. Joey Sommerville)
She’s Out of My Life (feat. Chieli Minucci)
Don’t Say Goodbye
Never Can Say Goodbye (feat. Chuck Loeb)

NEW RELEASES FROM ANGELA BOFILL, BOB BALDWIN, HERBIE HANCOCK, NORMAN BROWN & OTHERS...

Andy Scott – Hope
Angela Bofill – All This Time
Angela Johnson – It’s Personal
Auteur Jazz – Aphorisms
Benedikt – Violin Passion (After Midnight)
Bob Baldwin – Never Can Say Goodbye
Build An Ark – Love Part 2
Carmen Rizzo – Looking Through Leaves
Cosmic Groove Orchestra – Time Has Come
Cyndi Lauper – Memphis Blues
Earl Hagen – I Spy: Music From The Television Series
Eric Darius – On A Mission
Freedom Jazz Dance – New Under The Sun
Gideon Van Gelder – Perpetual
Grupo Fantasma – El Existential
Half Seas Over – Half Seas Over
Herbie Hancock – The Imagine Project
Jacques Coursil – Trails Of Tears
Jason Moran – Ten
Julie London – Latin In A Satin Mood
Julie London – London By Night
Julie London – Nice Girls Don’t Stay For Breakfast
Julie London – Send For Me
Julie London – Sophisticated Lady
Kenny G – Heart And Soul
Kings Go Forth – Outsiders Are Back
Konono No 1 – Assume Crash Position
Lady Daisy – In My Pocket
Lee Ritenour – Six String Theory
Los Charly’s Orchestra – Chicano Disco Funk
Macy Gray – Sellout
Madlib & Others – Madlib’s Medicine Show No. 6: Brain Wreck Show
Manu Katche – Third Round
Nat Birchall – Guiding Spirit
Noesis – Blue Six
Norman Brown – Sendig My Love
Pouo –Yellow Of The Sun In You
Q Orchestra – Journey Through Sounds
Renegades Of Jazz – Karabine
Robert Aarono – Trouble Man
Speaker Sgt – Speaker Sgt
Studio Apartment _ 2010
Sylvia Bennett – Smile
Suely Mesquita – Sexo Puro: A Life In The Brazilian Song
Various Artists – Gilles Peterson Presents Havana Culture Remixed

THE RETURN OF ANGELA BOFILL

Not only does Angela Bofill have a new song out, but she is now set for her first stage appearance since 2005! Angela’s newest release is the song “All This Time,” which was recorded in Philadelphia three months prior to her stroke in 2005. You can download the song at her website http://www.angelabofill.com/. I first heard it on Solar Radio and it’s definitely one that you want to add to your collection. Angela is also scheduled for her first stage appearance and although she will not be singing, it will certainly be an entertaining show entitled “The Angela Bofill Experience” as told by Angel and sung by Maysa. The show will be a narrative and musical presentation of the songs most relevant to her career. Beginning with video of her days in Central Park and peppered with footage from her appearances on The American Music Awards, with Michael Jackson, The Tonight Show, and Soul Train. Angela will be doing on-stage narratives about the songs, along with humorous anecdotes. In addition, good friend Dave Valentin will be a part of the sow serving up some inside dialogue, as well as playing his flute. The incredible Maysa (from Incognito), will grace the stage with her vocal portrayal of Angela. The opening of the show will mark her first public appearance since her stroke in 2005, and it will take place at The Razz Room in San Francisco, from July 22 – 25. To add to the excitement, of the four night engagement, special guests and friends (including Phil Perry and Norman Connors), will also be performing. After the show, Angela will meet and greet her fans to personally thank them for their support. Other dates scheduled include Detroit on July 28, and a special sailing of The Smooth Cruise aboard The Spirit of New York on October 8. You can listen to Angela’s first interview since her second stroke at www.hinesite5.com. This interview was conducted by longtime radio personality Rosetta Hines of WJZZ Radio in Detroit.