'70s SOUL JAM CONCERT

This Valentine's weekend Marquee Concerts, the nation's leading promoter of jazz, soul, and R&B musicians, reunites some of the hottest super-groups for its "70's Soul Jam Valentine's Concert" on February 12, 2011 at the Beacon Theatre. Fans of "Soul Train" and the sensational sounds of the '70s won't want to miss this one-time event featuring two shows at 3pm and 8pm. The LA Music Examiner described the re-emergence of Soul/R&B groups as "evenings packed with much-loved hits that get the crowd moving" and the audience "singing along to every word." "The "70's Soul Jam Valentine's Concert" brings together some of the greatest musicians of the period," notes Sam Kimball, co-founder of Marquee Concerts. "For fans who first fell in love listening to these Soul hits, this will be an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime show."

The concert will kick off with Philly soul group THE STYLISTICS, who spun out 12 straight Top Ten hits that included "You Are Everything," "Betcha by Golly, Wow," "I'm Stone in Love With You," "Break Up to Make Up" and "You Make Me Feel Brand New." These crowd-pleasing ballads feature the extraordinary falsetto of Russell Thompkins, Jr.

Detroit-based THE DRAMATICS are best known for their R&B hit "Watcha See Is Watcha Get." The single was the Dramatics' first major national hit, peaking at number three on the R&B charts. The following year their single "In the Rain" shot to the number one spot on the R&B charts.

Jersey City standouts, THE MANHATTANS, sold millions of records over four decades. They won NAFTA's "Most Promising Group" in 1969, and in the late 1970's recorded and released the songs they are best known for, "Kiss and Say Goodbye" and "Shining Star."

"The Manhattans were one of those classic R&B vocal groups who managed to achieve incredible career longevity by adapting their style to fit changing times," writes Steve Huey, Rovi. "Formed in the '60s as a doo wop-influenced R&B quintet, the Manhattans reinvented themselves as sweet, smooth soul balladeers during the '70s."

The "70's Soul Jam Valentine's Concert" also features Philly R&B quintet BLUE MAGIC, who hit the Top 40 of the R&B singles chart with their first three 45s before crossing over with "Sideshow," which went gold, topped the R&B charts, and became a Top Ten pop hit. Their next single, "Three Ring Circus" made the R&B Top Ten and the pop Top 40. Known for their smooth ballads, the group stayed high on the Soul charts with "Stop to Start" and "Chasing Rainbows" before landing a big hit with the dance tune "Magic of the Blue."

Rounding out this impressive bill of artists, Motown favorite NEW BIRTH has its roots in the music of gospel singers Leslie and Melvin Wilson. Their hits include the R&B Top Ten single "I Can Understand It," "It's Been a Long Time," "Wildflower," and R&B hit, "Dream Merchant." New Birth was originally named the NITE-LITERS and had chart action with R&B hits: "K-Jee," "Afro-Strut," and "Pull Together."

Tickets for the Saturday, February 12, 2011 shows at 3pm and 8pm are $45.50, $65.50, and $79.50. The Beacon Theatre is located at 2124 Broadway, New York, NY. For tickets and information, visit http://www.marqueeconcerts.com/ or http://www.ticketmaster.com/. To purchase tickets by phone, call 800-745-3000.

NEW RELEASES COMING SOON...

Ace Records (UK) plan the release of a compilation disc featuring Jackie DeShannon, whose “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” a memorable version of Hal David/Burt Bacharach’s timely hit. The 26-track CD is called Come And Get Me – The Complete Liberty and Imperial Singles Volume 2 and is currently slated for UK release on January 31.

T-Bird Records will reissue Sheffield Steel (1982) by Joe Cocker on January 24.

Legacy Recordings plan the DD reissue of Free (1972 – CTI) by Airto Moreira, scheduled for February 15.

Atlantic Records has assembled a 2-CD ‘best of’ collection of 30 Aretha Franklin hits that will be released on March 22. The album is called - 30 Greatest Hits.

Ghostlight Records will release a CD version of Steppin’ Out Live by Ben Vereen on February 15.

Friday Music plans the CD reissue of the excellent L Is For Lovers (1986) by the great Al Jarreau on February 15.

Domino Jazz UK will release a 2-CD Live set featuring Miles Davis called The Unissued Japanese Concerts 1964. This set is scheduled for February 21.

There is new Gil Scott-Heron coming on February 22, a collaboration with Jamie XX called We’re New Here. The album will be released on all formats (CD/DD/LP).

MRI Records will reissue Hawaii Five-O (1969) by The Ventures on March 1.

Verve Forecast plans Contact by Boney James for a March 29 release date.

Concord Jazz will re-release a CD version of McLemore Avenue (1970) by Booker T & The MGs on May 10.

Concord Jazz also plans The Staples Singers CD reissue of Be Altitude: Respect Yourself (1972), which contains the awesome Ingram/Rice cover of “Respect Yourself”, and “I’ll Take You There”. It’s scheduled for May 10.

Fantasy Records plan the reissue of Taylored In Silk (1973) by Johnny Taylor as a CD set on May 10.

TAKE A LOOK: ARETHA FRANLKIN COMPLETE ON COLUMBIA

The 50th anniversary of Aretha Franklin's arrival on the popular music scene is set for a major celebration in 2011. Signed to Columbia Records by the legendary John Hammond in the spring of 1960 (soon after her 18th birthday), Aretha released her debut album, Aretha (With The Ray Bryant Combo), on February 27, 1961. Her coming of age at Columbia as a young artist in New York is one of the great stories in the annals of popular music, and set the stage for her ascendance as the Queen of Soul at Atlantic Records.

Take A Look: Aretha Franklin Complete On Columbia marks the first time that Aretha's entire Columbia output, including master takes, unissued performances, rare mono mixes and studio conversations, have been preserved in one deluxe 12-disc (11 CDs + DVD) box set. The package is available for pre-order at www.arethafranklin.net in advance of its March 22, 2011, release at all physical and digital retail outlets through Columbia/Legacy, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. The suggested retail price for the box is $169.98.

Take A Look also includes a comprehensive 64-page booklet with never-before-seen photos by Columbia staff photographer Don Hunstein; recollections by John Hammond, who signed the young gospel singer; a discography of Aretha's Columbia LPs and singles; and an expansive essay "Bold Soul Ingenue" by Daphne A. Brooks, Professor of English and African American Studies at Princeton University. Columbia/Legacy will also release Aretha Franklin: The Great American Songbook on March 22nd. This single-CD collection of evergreens composed by Billy Strayhorn, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, Johnny Mercer and Hank Williams, among others, is drawn entirely from the repertoire of TAKE A LOOK. Liner notes were written by Anthony Heilbut, author of The Gospel Sound: Good News and Bad Times (Simon & Schuster, 1971).

The wide range of studio and live recordings that Aretha made for Columbia from the summer of 1960 to the fall of 1965 have been a source of controversy and heated critical debate for nearly a half-century. There is unanimous agreement, however, that Aretha's years at Columbia were a necessary step in her artistic evolution. Aretha, who turns 69 on March 25th, still commands the oft-cited R word (for R-E-S-P-E-C-T). Her voice remains one of the glories in American music. She has won 18 Grammys; was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987; has performed at two presidential inaugurations; and received a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 – the nation's highest honor. She was also recognized as "the greatest singer of the rock era,'" according to a Rolling Stone poll published in November 2008.

"The golden anniversary of Aretha's introduction to the pop world from her gospel beginning at Chess Records is a singular moment in America's musical, social and cultural heritage," says Adam Block, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Legacy Recordings. "Take A Look is a long-overdue tribute to an American icon."

Take A Look begins with expanded editions of Aretha's seven original Columbia albums:
•Aretha (with the Ray Bryant Combo) (released February 27, 1961)
•The Electrifying Aretha Franklin (1962)
•The Tender, the Moving, the Swinging Aretha Franklin (1962)
•Laughing On The Outside (1963)
•Unforgettable – A Tribute To Dinah Washington (1964)
•Runnin' Out Of Fools (1965)
•Yeah!!! In Person With Her Quartet (in two sequences: the original 1965 album recorded live in the studio with overdubbed applause, followed by a new previously unreleased version without the overdubbed ambience)

Two CDs reflect Aretha's collaborations with the influential producers Bobby Scott and Clyde Otis -- collaborations that were either shelved or issued as singles, but never on LP:
•Tiny Sparrow: The Bobby Scott Sessions (1963)
•Take A Look: The Clyde Otis Sessions (1964)

Two CDs are new compilations:
•A Bit of Soul (the full album as it was compiled in 1965, but never released)
•The Queen In Waiting (includes Aretha's last seven Columbia recordings which were produced by Bob Johnston, who was noted for his work during this time with Bob Dylan; the disk also features new recordings of Aretha's songs that Columbia "sweetened" after she left the label)

A bonus DVD, Aretha '64! Live on The Steve Allen Show, features Aretha singing and playing piano on the legendary comedian's television program, syndicated by Westinghouse TV, in the spring of 1964. The performances include "Lover Come Back to Me," "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody," "Won't Be Long," "Skylark," and "Evil Gal Blues."

The lavish 64-page booklet was designed by Michael Boland for The Boland Design Company. It contains:
•A 3,700-word essay by Daphne A. Brooks, distinguished professor of English and African American Studies at Princeton University; author of Bodies in Dissent: Spectacular Performances of Race and Freedom, 1850-1910 (Duke University Press, 2006), Jeff Buckley's Grace (Continuum 33 1/3 series, 2005) and the forthcoming Subterranean Blues: Black Women and Sound Subcultures (Harvard University Press)

•An excerpt from John Hammond's 1977 autobiography, On Record, in which he reflects on the joy of discovering a singular talent, and the heartbreak of losing her to Atlantic Records

•Newly published photographs by Vernon L. Smith and the Columbia staff photographers Don Hunstein, Hank Parker and Sandy Speiser

•Complete discography of albums and singles

In every case, the CD jackets replicate the original LP jackets, including back cover liner notes. These include liner notes written by many of the most prominent music journalists of the day, including Frank Driggs (Aretha With the Ray Bryant Combo); Pete Welding (The Electrifying Aretha Franklin); Billy James (The Tender, The Moving, The Swinging Aretha Franklin); Leonard Feather (Unforgettable); and Dan Morgenstern (Yeah!!! In Person With Her Quartet).

After leaving Columbia in 1966, Aretha proceeded to earn 30 consecutive Top 10 hit singles over the next seven years, 15 of which went to #1 R&B. At the end of the '60s and into the '70s, she was a powerful figure in the Civil Rights and anti-war movements, Black power, and the rise of feminism.

Author David Ritz was Aretha's collaborator on her candid autobiography, From These Roots (Villard Books, 2000). It remains the definitive account of her life and charts the course of modern R&B, alongside Ritz's biographies of Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Etta James, Smokey Robinson, Jerry Wexler and others.

Of Aretha's Columbia years, Ritz writes: "We see a teenager turn into a woman, and a woman blossom into an artist of astounding emotional depth."

"Hearing Aretha on Columbia is like seeing a sunrise," he continues. "The colors dazzle; the world expands; our hearts are excited by possibility, hope, a glimpse of glory. An Aretha love song, even when the story is sad, soars with a spirit that defies defeat. Whether forlorn ballads or broken-hearted blues, Aretha draws on the highest power of inspiration. The material may be secular, but the source remains spiritual. Her message and inspiration come from the same place: the mysterious, inexhaustible nature of love."

Take A Look was compiled and produced by Grammy Award-nominated producer Leo Sacks, who has supervised more than 300 compilations, remixes and new recordings for Legacy which have been vital to preserving the works of such American masters as Earth, Wind & Fire, Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, The Isley Brothers, Luther Vandross and the producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff.

The package was mastered by Mark Wilder, who has won three Grammy Awards for his work preserving the legacies of Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday and Miles Davis.

"These stunning performances capture a gritty soul about to take flight," Sacks says.

Aficionados, collectors and Aretha's devotees will rejoice at the care and devotion that Legacy has accorded her rich catalog in the time-honored tradition of comparable deluxe commemorative box sets by Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett, Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley, among others. Historical accuracy, attention to detail and painstaking studio archival restoration has endeared Legacy to music lovers everywhere.

http://www.arethafranklin.net/

ST. LUCIA JAZZ FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES LINEUP

In celebration of the 20th anniversary, six time Grammy winner and multi-Platinum artist John Legend will headline this year's Saint Lucia Jazz Festival. Singer, songwriter and pianist, Legend has sold more than five million albums worldwide, garnered multiple hit singles ("Ordinary People," "Used to Love U," "So High," "Save Room," "Heaven," "Another Again") and has received countless awards. Legend demonstrates a rare ability to fuse classic old school soul music with the edgy flavor of 21st century hip-hop. From April 30 to May 8, 2011, this year's festival lineup is comprised of an international roster of renowned musicians from jazz, R&B, pop, soul and world music from the United States, UK, France, Africa and Saint Lucia, including:

•Ledisi – Singer-songwriter Ledisi returns to the jazz festival stage sharing highlights from her Grammy nominated albums Lost & Found and Turn Me Loose.

•Regina Carter – American jazz violinist, Regina Carter, lauded as one of the finest violinists of her generation, will share African folk tunes from her newest album, Reverse Thread.

•Bad Ass Brass – Influenced from the sounds of traditional New Orleans brass bands but adding their own unique twist, the group won the opportunity to play at this year's jazz festival through a contest in the UK hosted by the Saint Lucia Tourist Board.

•Maceo Parker – American funk and jazz saxophonist, who had a long term association with the late, great James Brown, will perform hits from his latest album Roots & Grooves, which won a Jammie for best Jazz Album in 2009.

•Saint Lucian Collective – An ensemble of Saint Lucian's jazz icons who will perform a melange of sweet pulsating Caribbean beats.

"As the leading and longest running jazz event in the Caribbean, year after year we welcome thousands of visitors from all corners of the globe to our legendary island to celebrate the premier voices in the music industry," said Saint Lucia Tourist Board Director of Tourism Louis Lewis. "We're thrilled to be marking our 20th anniversary with another sensational lineup. Combined with our world-class resorts, unique activities, exotic cuisine, unspoiled nature and warm people, this is still the best party in the Caribbean." The festival will have multiple complimentary daily shows of acoustic, new age, jazz, soul, reggae, and R&B sounds held in a variety of locations and venues around the island, including Jazz on the Square in Castries and Fond d'Or Jazz in Dennery. Headliners will perform at the main stage performances which will be held at Pigeon Island National Park and Gaiety in Rodney Bay, the island's epicenter of musical entertainment, featuring local clubs, lounges and restaurants. Several resorts on the island will be celebrating the jazz festival with special packages. For a full concert schedule, festival tickets and updates, visit the official Saint Lucia Jazz website http://www.stluciajazz.org/.

ThejaZZVnU NOW STREAMING 24/7

ThejaZZVnU, a private internet radio station, recently debuted a 24/7 streaming music website specifically geared towards jazz. With six different genres of jazz, visitors can preview a little taste of what the site has to offer before becoming a member. ThejaZZVnU offers members the ability to browse a library of thousands of jazz songs, ranging from Vocal Jazz, Latin Jazz, Classic Jazz, Instrumental Jazz, Smooth Jazz, and Urbane Jazz, bookmark songs, and listen to songs anytime, anywhere. In announcing ThejaZZVnU’s launch, Godsey Tross, President/CEO stated, “We are thrilled to reveal the birth of ThejaZZVnU, offering jazz music enthusiasts an around-the-clock, six genre music mix for listening pleasure, and we know our audience will find this to be a stimulating and an engaging experience.” This innovative jazz station has been created to meet the diverse and changing music needs of millions of young internet radio listeners and experienced jazz lovers around the world. ThejaZZVnU is keeping jazz alive and romantic, and moving into the future with six separate and personalized jazz genres for listeners to experience anytime, anywhere, and as often as they want.

The “Urbane Jazz” genre signals the emergence of a new generation of jazz musicians and listeners. This genre is influenced by past and current generations of musicians, popular American, and International music cultures and roots, and is a fusion of deep funk, soulful instrumental and vocal jazz, and popular contemporary music. “We are beyond excited about this station, and committed to creating a unique jazz format and sound that is global in nature, providing our members, listeners, and visitors to the site with a wide variety of music they would not otherwise hear on Terrestrial Stations or other Internet Radio Stations,” stated Tross. Listeners can join and become a “Jazz-ite” member with access to the best blends of romantic jazz music, rich in sound and of CD quality from a music catalogue consisting of over 275,000 songs. There is also access to three hours of LIVE music provided by ThejaZZVnU hosts Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM EST/US.

Other features of the website include: Featured Jazz Artists - Shining the spotlight on an artist for a week, and playing a different song from their collective body of work each day. Community Board - Providing a forum where registered members can post messages and interact with the global community. Chat Room - Where members can meet and share information of common interest with other members of the jazz community. ThejaZZVnU’s mission is “To provide music lovers around the world and from all walks of life with a distinctive blend of jazz music that is enjoyable, romantic, relaxing and entertaining.” Tross adds, “The development of this station and website is the result of a true labor of love, dedication and countless hours spent crafting its texture, nuances and intricacies for one purpose, to share our love of jazz with jazz lovers around the world. We are extraordinarily proud of the considerable contribution ThejaZZVnU will bring to online radio listeners and the global jazz community.”

SMOOTH JAZZ NEW YORK PRESENTS A VALENTINE'S CRUISE WITH PHIL PERRY

Smooth Jazz New York kicks off Valentine’s weekend with A Valentine’s Cruise with Phil Perry featuring two special sailings and performances on February 11, 2011. With Phil Perry’s rich and tender jazz sounds resonating against breathtaking skyline views of Manhattan, guests can start their weekend of romance as they sail aboard The Spirit of New York departing Pier 61 at the Chelsea Piers at 6:30PM for a sunset/evening cruise or at 9:30PM for a moonlight cruise. “With Valentine’s Day falling on a Monday, we wanted to do something special to set a romantic tone for the entire weekend… when people can take the time to kick back and celebrate without having to go to work the next day,” says Sam Kimball, Smooth Jazz New York co-founder. “Phil Perry was absolutely the artist of choice, for his repertoire of love songs, sensuous grooves, and passionate R&B melodies,” Kimball adds. Perry first came to the attention of soul music fans as the lead singer of the Montclairs in the early 1970s, He has released 10 solo albums over the last two decades; most recently his Christmas 2009 CD entitled “The Gift of Love.” A well respected singer-songwriter, his songs have been performed by such notable performers as Aretha Franklin, Patti Austin, Bobby Caldwell, and Lee Ritenour, among others. As one of the most sought-after background vocalists in the music business, Perry’s warm, rich tones can be heard on the recordings of top artists including Bill Withers, George Duke, Barbara Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Anita Baker, Boz Scaggs, Rod Stewart, Peabo Bryson, and Chaka Khan. Smooth Jazz New York is a subsidiary of Marquee Concerts, producers of the CD101.9 Smooth Cruises for the last 12 years. With CD101.9 off the air, enthusiasts of this genre of music have come to rely on Smooth Jazz New York to fill the void. The organization produces and promotes New York's biggest and best Smooth Jazz shows and serves as the portal for live jazz shows in the New York Metropolitan area. Learn more at http://www.smoothjazznewyork.com.

UPCOMING RELEASES TO LOOK OUT FOR...

Virgin UK will release a 3CD Box of selected works by Tangerine Dream when the band were at their peak. With albums like Stratosfear (1976), Rubycon (1975), Ricochet (1975), Cyclone (1978), which featured vocals, and Force Majeure (1979), this collected set containing 23 timeless songs will be a good pickup. The Box, called The Virgin Years: 1974-1978, is scheduled for release on January 17.

Masterworks Jazz has delivered an LP reissue of Prelude (1972) by Deodato on December 7 (last night). Prelude is the album that contained that contagiously funky adaptation of Strauss’ “Also Sprach Zarathustra”. The album contains the longer version of the song (so you know). The particularly good news here is that Masterworks Jazz will reissue the album on CD planning for January 25.

Ace Records (UK) plan the release of a compilation disc featuring Jackie DeShannon, whose “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” a memorable version of David/Bacharach’s timely hit. The 26-track CD is called Come And Get Me – The Complete Liberty and Imperial Singles Volume 2 and is currently slated for UK release on January 31.

Legacy Records and Columbia Records will release Aretha Sings The Great American Songbook (a practice that seems to be in great favour by Sony, singing the Great American Songbook) from Aretha Franklin on February 1.

J Records will go a step further and stick their fingers in the collected albums of Rod Stewart Sings The Great American Songbook, baking the “best” tracks into a ‘best of’ called The Best of Rod Stewart Sings the Great American Songbook. February 1.

Epic Records and Legacy will deliver The Intimate Luther Vandross on February 1.

Legacy Records will release Bitches Brew Live featuring Miles Davis on February 8.

The timing could not be more perfect for the release of Desire- in time for the Valentine’s holiday. Long considered the purveyor of sexy and sensual sides, Hardcastle gathers many of his most intimate soundscapes from the past 20 years, complimented by three brand new tracks, ‘Valentines,’ featuring the vocals of daughter Maxine, ‘Ready or Not,’ and ‘Dont You Know (Ibiza Chill Mix),’ the sum of which is, as the title suggest, the ultimate album of seduction.Named after one of the most popular hits, ‘Desire’ seems the apt title for the assemblage of songs rife with feeling and emotion that will surely provide the perfect soundtrack for any holiday or occasion that speaks of feelings for a loved one. A must have for Hardcastle fans and lovers alike.

Time/Life will release a 9 DVD Box collection called The Best of Soul Train on February 15.

429 Records will release Live at the Royal Albert Hall featuring Joan Armatrading on CD and CD/DVD and planned for February 22.

Fantasy Records has pencilled in June 7 of 2011 for the reissues of Explorations (1961) by the Bill Evans Trio, Thelonius Alone In San Francisco (1959) from Thelonius Monk, In New York (1958) by Chet Baker, and Easy Living (1986) by Ella Fitzgerald.

NEW RELEASES FROM MARCOS VALLE, RON ISLEY, SUNSET LOUNGE ORCHESTRA & MORE...

Aloe Blacc – You Make Me Smile
Bad Jazz Troupe – Looking For Jupiter
Ben L’Oncle Soul – Ben L’Oncle Soul
Best Of Bossa Lounge (Various Artists)
Brad Rambur – Can’t Put It Down
Café Del Mar Recommends Music For Dreams (Various Artists)
Cal Harris Jr. – Inside Out
Charley Langer – Never The Same
Chieli Minucci – Without You
Chris Bennett – Sail Away
Houston Person – Moment To Moment
In The Christmas Groove (Various Artists)
IRMA Christmas Box: Snowy Tunes In An Icy Lounge Style
Jazz 2010 (Various Artists)
Kirk Whalum – More of Everything Is Everything: The Music Of Donny Hathaway
Klyde Jones – Waltz Of The Wild Rose
Leon – All For Love
Lisa McClowry – It Wouldn’t Feel Like Christmas
Lyambiko – Something Like Reality
Marcos Valle – Estatica
Mario Biondi – Yes You Live
Mark Mosley – TLC
Melba Moore – Closer (Reissue)
Peven Everett – Home Cookin’ An Acoustic Album
Ron Isley – Mr. I
Rudiger Baldauf – Own Style
Sister Sledge – We Are Family: The Essential Sister Sledge
Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Orchestra – Hooked Up Classics
Sunset Lounge Orchestra – The ABBA Cool Down Experience
Sunset Lounge Orchestra – The Michael Jackson Cool Down Experience Part 2
Sunset Lounge Orchestra – The Santana Cool Down Experience
Sunset Lounge Orchestra – The U2 Cool Down Experience
Sylvia Bennett – It’s Christmas Time With Sylvia Bennett
Tom Jones – Greatest Hits Rediscovered

DAVE KOZ & ALEX BUGNON TEAM @ SMOOTH JAZZ NEW YORK

Smooth Jazz New York has announced that saxophone sensation and six-time Grammy nominee Dave Koz will take the stage along with keyboard artist Alex Bugnon for a one-time only Valentine's show kicking off a weekend of love on Friday, February 11, 2011 at 8 pm. For lovers of contemporary jazz and romantic favorites, this special concert at the Best Buy Theater in New York City's Times Square will be the hottest ticket in town. Music magazine concertlivewire.com describes Dave Koz's performances as packing "brassy -- and sassy -- appeal" that confirms his top spot in the current jazz scene, along with mounting crossover appeal. His concerts are "refreshing, technically impressive demonstration of instrumental and vocal precision." Often compared to David Sanborn in style, Koz is known for his sultry, soulful, and high energy performances. A platinum-selling artist, Koz first made a splash on the contemporary jazz scene with his self-titled album and went on to be nominated for six Grammy awards and an NAACP Award for Saxophonic. In 1994, Koz began hosting a syndicated radio program, "The Dave Koz Radio Show" (formerly "Personal Notes"), featuring the latest music and interviews with a Who's Who in the genre. After a career spanning nearly two decades, Koz recently released a new album, Hello Tomorrow, his first with Concord Records. The album features new collaborations with Grammy-winning producers Marcus Miller and John Burk as well as a guest appearance from legendary trumpet player, Herb Alpert. Alex Bugnon lends to the evening his white hot, slow-burning style that draws on a mixture of funk, R&B, gospel, and his experience touring with such musical legends as Patti Austin, Freddie Jackson, Earth Wind and Fire, and Keith Sweat. "I'm thrilled to be back in the great jazz town of New York City," Koz says. "We're going to make this a special evening for lovers - and for lovers of smooth jazz. Music, like romance, has the ability to touch souls in a way that words can't do." Smooth Jazz New York is a subsidiary of Marquee Concerts, producers of the CD101.9 Smooth Cruises for the last 12 years. With CD101.9 off the air, enthusiasts of this genre of music have come to rely on Smooth Jazz New York to fill the void. The organization produces and promotes New York's biggest and best Smooth Jazz shows and serves as the portal for live jazz shows in the New York Metropolitan area.

http://www.smoothjazznewyork.com/.

ICON RELEASES FROM EL DEBARGE, ALEXANDER O'NEAL, BILLIE HOLIDAY & OTHERS...

The new year kicks off with more than a dozen new releases in the Icon series from Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) featuring great artists and great songs at a great price. The 14 new collections of greatest hits, signature tunes and fan favorites, released January 4, 2011, embrace a variety of music genres including R&B and jazz.  Releases include albums from a resurgent El DeBarge to love song collections just in time for Valentine's Day from Motown legends Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, jazz immortals Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, and R&B's Brian McKnight to "best ofs" from  The S.O.S. Band, Alexander O'Neal and Cherrelle, three Tabu artists now exclusive to UMe. Each album boasts 12 tracks. The Icon albums are as follows:

--El DeBarge – Icon (Universal Motown/UMe): Hot on the heels of his recent acclaimed solo comeback album, the smooth singer is heard with classic earlier performances both solo and as lead singer for the DeBarge family group, including "Rhythm Of The Night," "Time Will Reveal" and "You Wear It Well."

--The SOS Band – Icon (Tabu/UMe): The flagship group for Tabu Records scored super-sized '80s hits thanks to producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, including "Take Your Time (Do It Right)," "The Finest" and "Just Be Good To Me" (heard here in its rare 12" vocal remix).

--Alexander O'Neal – Icon (Tabu/UMe): Contemporary and classic, the R&B singer hit in the '80s and '90s with a pair of gold albums and the singles "Fake" (here in a rare extended version), "Criticize" and "Never Knew Love Like This," a duet with labelmate Cherrelle.

--Cherrelle – Icon (Tabu/UMe): Soaring to #1 R&B in 1988 with the Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis-helmed "Everything I Miss At Home" as well as the Top 10 R&B "Saturday Love" with labelmate Alexander O'Neal (here in its rare extended version), the singer earlier hit Top 10 R&B with her debut "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On."

--Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – Icon – Love Songs (Universal Motown/UMe): R&B's and Motown's most revered male-female duo recorded immortal classic after immortal classic, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing," "Your Precious Love" and "Come On And See Me."

--Billie Holiday – Icon – Love Songs (Verve/UMe): The legend's greatest love songs on Decca, Verve and MGM include her brilliant interpretations of the standards "All The Way," "Crazy He Calls Me," "It Had To Be You" and "Come Rain or Come Shine" plus the rarely anthologized "Everything I Have Is Yours."

--Ella Fitzgerald – Icon – Love Songs (Verve/UMe): The First Lady of Song helped create the Great American Songbook with her renditions of the Gershwins' "Someone To Watch Over Me" and "I've Got A Crush On You," Cole Porter's "From This Moment On" and Irving Berlin's "Always."

--Brian McKnight – Icon – Love Songs (Universal Motown/UMe): The R&B singer with an impressive 16 Grammy nominations and three platinum-plus albums notched five solo R&B Top 10s in the '90s and all of them are here--"One Last Cry," "Anytime," "The Only One For Me," "Crazy Love" and "Back At One."

KBDB-AM RENO, NV SWITCHES TO SMOOTH JAZZ!

Wow - can you believe this, a radio station flipping to smooth jazz - YES! The smooth jazz radio netwwork known as Broadcast Architecture has added Mas Multi Media (Smooth Jazz 1400 KBDB-AM/Reno, Nevada) to its Smooth AC Radio Networks. Its Smooth Adult Contemporary Radio Networks, including the Smooth Jazz Network programming, is heard in 40 markets throughout the U.S. and worldwide. "We’re thrilled to assist Mas Multi Media and Miguel Mena in bringing Smooth Jazz back to the radio in Reno," BA Owner/Pres. Allen Kepler said. "Our past experience in Reno revealed a very loyal and active Smooth Jazz audience and we’re happy to answer the call! We are also very excited to launch Smooth Jazz on an AM station in a major market. We know the loyal fans of this genre of music will support the radio station and its advertisers. This format should have a home in every major market and the AM dial may be the place it reveals its solid value."  "We are thrilled to bring Smooth Jazz back to Reno and also excited join the Smooth Jazz network family," Miguel Mena said.

98.9 KWJZ SEATTLE FLIPS FORMATS

Well here we go again as yet another Smooth Jazz radio station is gone. 98.9FM KWJZ in Seattle has flipped formats to what they are calling Modern Music as “Click 98.9“. The station is straddling the line between Modern Rock, AAA, and Hot Adult Contemporary putting the station in between Modern Rock “107.7 The End” KNDD, AAA “103.7 The Mountain” KMTT, and even CHR “Kiss 106.1” KBKS and Hot AC “Star 101.5” KPLZ. The KWJZ.com site features the following farewell message from Program Director Carol Handley.

To the KWJZ Family,
For 19 years 98.9 KWJZ has been presenting a mix of Smooth Jazz music for you, our very loyal music fans and radio listeners. It is with sadness that we inform you that this era for 98.9 FM has come to a close. Technologies change and the new radio audience measurement is not favoring our once “ratings-strong” Smooth Jazz music format. I encourage you to continue to support the artists who make the music and the venues who bring them to the Northwest. It is with huge gratitude on behalf of the entire KWJZ staff that we thank you for being here with us for these many years.

Sincerely,
Carol Handley
Program Director

The first hour of Click 98.9 featured:
Neon Trees – Animal
Jack Johnson – Flake
Broken Bells – The High Road
Pink – So What
Kings Of Leon – Use Somebody
Coldplay – Viva La Vida
Sara Bareilles – King Of Anything
The Red Hot Chili Peppers – Scar Tissue
The Fray – How To Save A Life
Fall Out Boy – Dance, Dance
Mumford & Sons – Little Lion Man
Nirvana – All Apologies
The Script – Breakeven
Maroon 5 – This Love
Florence & The Machine – Dog Days Are Over
Paramore – Misery Business
Dave Matthews Band – The Space Between
The Dirty Heads – Lay Me Down
Cake – Never There
Gwen Stefani – The Sweet Escape
Mike Posner – Cooler Than Me

SIMPLY RED PERFORMS FINAL SHOW

After 25 years, Simply Red is now simply over; the British soul-pop band played their final show at the O2 Arena in London on Sunday, December 26, 2010. At the end of the final song of the evening, lead vocalist Mick Hucknall announced: “Good night, adios, Simply Red are no more,” before walking off stage. The farewell show was broadcast live in more than 70 movie theaters around Britain and many across Europe. The show opened with “Come To My Aid,” the opening track on the band’s debut album; Hucknall and a six-piece band followed with a 90-minute set featuring great tracks like “Stars”, “Sad Old Red”, “For Your Babies” and “The Right thing” – just a sampling of the pop hits and ballads that made Hucknall and Simply Red such a big success worldwide. It was Hucknall, 50, who founded Simply Red in 1984; from there its been 55 million records sold worldwide and 31 Top 40 singles in the UK alone. Earlier on in the performance, the smooth-singing Hucknall told the crowd: “I want to thank you so much for your support over the last 25 years. It’s been the most wonderful ride.” The Simply Red Farewell: The Final Tour began in April in Brazil. Since then, it has bounced all over the globe through Britain, Italy, Hong Kong, Australia, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg and finally landing at the O2 in London. There wasn’t much of a U.S. presence on the goodbye tour (see: none) because, frankly, Simply Red’s soulful/jazzy/romantic style never pushed them to mega status in the states. Popular, for sure, but not ’super duper popular.’ Everywhere else the band has remained ridiculously huge all these years, but in the U.S. just minor, especially when looking over their 25 years making music. They did have two #1 hits in the U.S., “Holding Back the Years” in 1986 and the Harold Melvin cover “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” in 1989. Both songs remain staples on adult contemporary radio. Predictably, yet perfectly, Hucknall closed the last show – and the book on Simply Red – with a gentle version of their timeless hit “Holding Back the Years,” performed solo on guitar.
Hucknall, who recently replaced Rod Stewart in a revamped version of The Faces, is now planning to start a solo career.

Source: www.beatcrave.com

TEENA MARIE - FIVE OF HER BEST ALBUMS...

IT MUST BE MAGIC

Arguably the best album that Teen Marie did for Motown – and a tasty batch of modern soul tracks that proves to the world that she was a great soul artist in her own right, and not just someone signed to the label in a fit of nepotism. Includes the stellar "Portuguese Love", plus "Yes Indeed", "Where's California", "Opus III", and "Ballad Of Cradle Rob & Me". This expanded CD also includes 2 live tracks recorded in Long Beach – versions of "Deja Vu" and "Someday We'll All Be Free" – plus the bonus track "Square Biz", done in an instrumental version. All written & produced by Teena, too!

WILD & PEACEFUL

One of the greatest female soul albums of the end of the 70s – and the bold-voiced debut of the lovely Teena Marie! Even on this first album, Teena's got a depth that goes way beyond most of her contemporaries – a brashness that hits hard on the funkier cuts on the record, but also a soft smoothness that picks up cues from Minnie Riperton, and helps take that sound well into the 80s on a gentle groove. Rick James is firmly in control of the overall picture here, but what's really amazing is that the album echoes with a soulfulness that goes way beyond James' own party funk records of the era – a mature sensibility that marks out a space for Lady T right from the outset, and which marks her as a force to be reckoned with in soul music, even at the tender young age of 23! The record features 2 of Teena's greatest tracks – "I'm A Sucker For Your Love" and "De Ja Vu" – plus the titles "Turnin Me On", "Don't Look Back", and "I'm Gonna Have My Cake".

STARCHILD

A stunning solo effort – Teena's second on Epic, and proof that she could still put out the goods on her own. Teena wrote, arranged, and produced the whole thing – and tracks include "Light", "Jammin", "Out On A Limb", "Alibi", "Youngblood", "Lovergirl", and "My Dear Mr. Gaye".

LADY T

A great little album from Teena – one that's dedicated to the late Minnie Riperton (who'd passed during the previous year), and which is produced by Riperton's husband and collaborator Richard Rudolph. Teena's got more than a few of Minnie's tricks up her sleeve on the best cuts, singing in a smooth sweet soulful style that makes for some of her best vocals on record at the time. Titles include "Aladdin's Lamp", "Now That I Have You", "Can It Be Love", "Too Many Colors", and "Young Girl In Love".

ROBBERY

Teena's first album after a protracted legal battle with Motown. Truthfully we dig the best of her Motown years, though this is a solid enough album of 80s pop and mainstream R&B. With "Robbery", "Playboy", "Ask Your Momma" and "Cassanova Brown".

Source: www.dustygroove.com

TEENA MARIE: MARCH 5, 1956 - DECEMBER 26, 2010

Grammy Award-nominated singer–songwriter–producer, Teena Marie has died.  Nicknamed Lady Tee, (sometimes spelled Lady T), was a protégée of late funk legend Rick James, and was notable as one of the few successful white performers of R&B. She played rhythm guitar, keyboards and congas. She also wrote, produced, sang and arranged virtually all of her songs since her 1980 release Irons in the Fire. She said it was her favorite album. She had a daughter, Alia Rose, who, as of 2009, sang under the name Rose Le Beau. Marie died on Sunday, December 26, 2010, at home, of natural cause as announced by her manager, Mike Gardner. She was 54.

CHRIS BENNETT - SAIL AWAY: THE TAHITI SESSIONS

The Illinois-born singer/songwriter got her professional start as a dancer and backup singer, playing Vegas and touring internationally behind Jim Nabors. In 1978, Bennett met composer/producer Giorgio Moroder in Germany and was invited to join his emerging disco group Munich Machine. Their sophomore release, A Whiter Shade of Pale, not only featured Bennett on lead vocals, refitting the classic Procol Harum title track to a thumping disco beat. That same year, Moroder teamed with Bennett for the only duet album of his career, the disco effort Love’s In You, Love’s In Me. Bennett also contributed to Moroder’s bestselling soundtrack for the harrowing Midnight Express, earning a Grammy nomination for the film’s theme song, which she co-wrote. Under contract to Casablanca Records, she appeared behind Donna Summer on several of the disco diva’s biggest hits, including “MacArthur Park” and “Heaven Knows.” Subsequent studio sessions found her backing Johnny Mathis and Rita Coolidge. Concurrently, such disparate artists as Tina Turner, The Manhattan Transfer, The Three Degrees and Keb Mo embraced her work as a songwriter. Then, in 1993, Chris Bennett recast herself as a jazz singer, producing and self-releasing an eponymous album that featured an eclectic assortment of covers (Rogers and Hart’s “My Funny Valentine,” the Hollies’ “Bus Stop,” Leon Ware’s “Somewhere”) alongside original compositions.

Though ten additional releases, including two live albums, a Christmas platter and the just-released Sail Away, have since followed, Bennett remains remarkably underappreciated. Her near-vibrato-less voice suggests the crispness of Chris Connor, yet also echoes the dewiness of Doris Day, with just a hint of Julie London smokiness. Throughout Sail Away, Bennett, now age 62, sounds as vibrant and pure as when she first ventured into the jazz arena, and her songwriting skills remain sharply impressive. Sail Away was recorded in Tahiti with a trio of local musicians — bassist and pianist Felix Vilchez, percussionist Ariel Cruz and saxophonist Armando Castagnoli — with strings, arranged by Eric Doney, later overlaid in New York. Bennett opens with a tender “These Foolish Things,” then segues into a hauntingly good “A Day In the Life of a Fool” superbly embellished by Castagnoli’s horn. Equally lovely are gently wistful treatments of “I Get Along Without You Very Well” and “Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out to Dry.” Her “Besame Mucho,” its yearning ache taken at a sensually slow pace, strongly evokes Diana Krall. Most intriguing of the album’s six covers is her dove-soft, balladic interpretation of the typically fervent “Perfidia.”

Four Bennett originals round out the playlist. The title track, not to confused with the Noel Coward ditty of the same name (or Randy Newman’s ode to oceanic escape), is a sweet, becalmed adieu to a failed relationship. “Won’t Let Me Go” also deals with heartbreak, but focuses on romantic memories that stubbornly refuse to subside. The swaying “I Can’t Think About” cleverly continues the theme with its bossa-fueled desire to obliterate thoughts of a lost lover. Bennett ends on a more positive note with “All for Naught,” a prayer-like appreciation of steadfast love.

If Sail Away piques your interest, other Bennett albums worth checking out include 2008’s Girl Talk and, from 2005, Bennett On Broadway, featuring a winningly subdued “Come Back to Me” and an exceptionally fine reading of “This Nearly Was Mine.” Both albums, along with Bennett’s entire catalog, are featured on her official website. All are currently available on iTunes and from CD Baby.

Source: Jazztimes.com

BRIDGES & BOUNDARIES: JEWISH & AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSICIANS PLAYING JAZZ TOGETHER

The 2011 Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Portland Jazz Festival presented by US Bank will be held Friday, February 18 through Sunday, February 27 at venues throughout Portland. The week-long festival will include jazz education and outreach along with a series of concerts all supporting the 2011 theme, Bridges and Boundaries: Jewish & African Americans Playing Jazz Together. Among this year's headliners are the SFJAZZ Collective, in the world premiere of new repertoire paying homage to African American pop icon Stevie Wonder; NEA Jazz Master Randy Weston, performing solo piano in support of his new release, The Storyteller, and autobiography, African Rhythms: The Autobiography of Randy Weston; celebrated clarinetist Don Byron and his new project dedicated to the great Jewish entertainer, Mickey Katz - a reunion of the groundbreaking and virtuosic klezmer ensemble that recorded Byron's eponymous Nonesuch album and spearheaded the klezmer revival in the 1990s; a special performance by The 3 Cohens, featuring siblings, trumpeter Avishai Cohen, saxophonist/clarinetist Anat Cohen, and pianist Yuval Cohen; famed African American violinist Regina Carter will return to Portland, presenting her newest project, Reverse Thread, which traces the musical history of African cultures, including tribes of Ugandan Jews; saxophonist Joshua Redman - son of African American saxophonist Dewey Redman and Jewish American dancer Renee Shedroff - leading his new project, James Farm, that includes both African American and Jewish American musicians; and the Portland Jazz Festival's new Artistic & Community Ambassador, bassist Esperanza Spalding (who will lead her new Chamber Music Society in an exclusive Portland area engagement).

Complete concert schedule:
• Friday, February 18, 7:30pm, Winningstad Theater, Randy Weston
• Saturday, February 19, 7:30pm, Winningstad Theater, Anat Fort
• Sunday, February 20, 7:30pm, Winningstad Theater, Dave Frishberg
• Thursday, February 24, 7:30pm, Newmark Theater, Don Byron
• Friday, February 25, 7:30pm, Newmark Theater, Esperanza Spalding
• Friday, February 25, 9:30pm, Crystal Ballroom, Poncho Sanchez
• Friday, February 25, 9:30pm, Alberta Rose Theatre, Nik Bartsch's Ronin
• Saturday, February 26, 2:00pm, Crystal Ballroom, The 3 Cohens
• Saturday, February 26, 7:30pm, Newmark Theater, SFJAZZ Collective
• Saturday, February 26, 8:00pm, Tony Starlight's, Gerald Clayton
• Saturday, February 26, 9:30pm, Crystal Ballroom, Regina Carter
• Sunday, February 27, 2:00pm, Newmark Theater, Joshua Redman
• Sunday, February 27, 7:30pm, Crystal Ballroom, Maceo Parker

The Story Behind the Theme
This year's festival theme, Bridges and Boundaries: Jewish & African Americans Playing Jazz Together represents past, present and future collaboration between African Americans and Jewish Americans. "The original idea for this festival came from Nat Henoff's writings about jazz as a meeting place for African and Jewish Americans." said Bill Royston, Artistic Director of the Portland Jazz Festival. "His writings of Steven Bernstein's 'Diaspora Blues' to the odyssey of Willie 'The Lion' Smith were of primary influence. Historically, the music drew people together, and today there is a new wave of Israeli musicians who have moved to New York and elsewhere across the United States."
For more than 100 years, jazz has been the timekeeper of change in America's moods, lifestyles and overall social awareness. Jazz has historically broken down racial color lines and cultural differences. Its stage has been a magnet for African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, and Western Europeans; all playing together in jam sessions long before the Civil Rights movement existed. Truly, jazz is America's classical music, and its only indigenous art form.

In his acclaimed history of Portland jazz, Jumptown, Robert Dietsche documents how communities were divided and destroyed by urban development. As I-5 segmented the Black community and signaled the death of the N Williams cultural scene, I-405 shattered the Jewish neighborhoods. In many cities, the Black community evolved from what had originally been a Jewish neighborhood. These physical boundaries, however, only enhanced cultural divisions and misunderstandings, which remain prevalent today.

Movements in contemporary jazz are again leading the way in creating bridges between African Americans and Jewish Americans. This merger of new directions in Jewish music with African American jazz improvisation has brought together the theme of the 2011 Portland Jazz Festival (February 18-27).

Jazz Education and Outreach
Jazz education and outreach events include a week long performance at Portland Area Middle Schools of The Incredible Journey of Jazz, a Black History Month celebration staged each February. The 60-minute musical/theater piece was originally developed by Portland State University professor and pianist Darrell Grant and the Leroy Vinnegar Jazz Institute. The performance features seven actors and musicians who each play multiple roles in depicting the experiences of African Americans through the history of jazz. Early scenes have students communicating through African rhythms, and then follow the evolution from gospel, blues, ragtime, Dixieland and New Orleans. Eventually, we witness the migration of African Americans traveling up the Mississippi River to Chicago and other industrial centers with the big band sounds of Ellington and Basie, to the bebop of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, contemporary experimentation of Miles Davis and Ornette Coleman, and ultimately to rap and hip hop.

African and Jewish American community leaders, national jazz journalists and festival performers will participate and interact in panel discussions, focusing on a wide range of artistic and social perspectives. Additionally, featured headliners and members of the Jazz Journalists Association (JJA) will participate in the one-on-one interview series, Jazz Conversations. These interviews are presented before a live audience in the intimate PCPA ArtBar, among other locations to be announced. Notable participants will include author and journalist Nat Hentoff and DownBeat correspondent Paul De Barros.

PDX Jazz is Portland's jazz organization, producing the annual Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Portland Jazz Festival presented by U.S. Bank. PDX Jazz offers an array of distinguished programs throughout the year in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings boasting internationally recognized artists while supporting regional fan favorites from the Northwest, often times presented in newly configured formats. PDX Jazz in partnership with Oregon Music News recently initiated a monthly jazz series at PDX Jazz @ Tony Starlight's, an intimate music venue, located in northeast Portland.

THE MOTOWN PARTY 2011

A brand new soul compilation The Motown Party 2011 is described as a colourful journey through Motown with modern interpretations of classic hits. Musical backing for the album was provided by the band “The Selective Soul Club”, consisting of exceptional musicians such as Motown legend Leroy Emmanuel. The recently released CD The Motown Party 2011 is the perfect gift for soul lovers and fans of the legendary Motown sound. The Detroit-based label was home to a wide range of world-class stars and number one hits in the 1960s and 70s including Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and, of course, The Jackson Five with a young Michael Jackson, just to name a few. Renowned Viennese musician and producer Stephan Gleixner oversaw the modern interpretations of classic Motown songs for the new Vienna International album. The selection includes such songs as “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”, “Dancing in the Street” and “I Can’t Get Next to You”. “Last year’s release, ‘The Motown Story’, exceeded all expectations. With The Motown Party 2011, we pushed the quality and the Motown spirit even higher, ” says Rudolf Tucek, CEO of Vienna International Hotelmanagement AG, clearly satisfied with the results. Following last year’s tribute to the stars of Motown, the new album pays homage to the musicians in the background: the Funk Brothers. The legendary Motown label studio band performed the backing for nearly all Motown songs and played on more number one hits between 1959 and 1972 than The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley and the Beach Boys together.

To pay the proper respect to the Funk Brothers and their hits, producer Stephan Gleixner created a special band just for the album. “The Selective Soul Club” is a musical collective made up of exceptional national and international musicians. Motown legend Leroy Emmanuel, blues, gospel and soul singer Mary Lamaro, pianist Christian Wegscheider, jazz musician Stefan Gössinger and the vocal talents of Soulicious are just a small sampling of the more than a dozen artists. Gleixner has known most of the musicians for years, but The Motown Party 2011 was the first time that they came together in this constellation. He is excited by the result: “The goal of the album was to capture the spirit of Motown and to treat the songs with respect, while applying our creativity, improvisation and passion to give them a new life of their own. That we succeeded so spectacularly is due to having the perfect band – which goes to prove that only the best are good enough.”

An audio sample of the album The Motown Party 2011 is available at http://www.vi-hotels.com/. The CD can be purchased for EUR 15 directly from Vienna International, at online shops such as iTunes or Amazon and at the individual Vienna International Hotels & Resorts.

PHRONESIS - ALIVE

Jasper Høiby’s jazz trio Phronesis, first live CD Alive (Edition) being chosen as ‘Jazz Album of the Year’ by both Jazzwise and Mojo magazines. The CD was recorded in March 2010 (at the Forge Arts Venue in London), and the critical acclaim that followed its release has catapulted the trio to the forefront of the European contemporary jazz scene. In addition, the trio were nominated for ‘Best Jazz Ensemble’ in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards in April, featured on the front cover of Jazzwise Magazine in August and nominated for ‘Best Jazz Act’ in the prestigious 2010 MOBO awards in October, alongside Brad Mehldau and John McLaughlin. Phronesis have developed a fierce reputation for their exhilarating live shows this year, described by The Telegraph as “…the most electrifying experience to be had in British jazz”, with acclaimed performances at the Banlieues Bleues Festival in Paris, the Copenhagen and North Sea Jazz Festivals and Brecon, Glasgow and London Jazz Festivals in the UK. 2011 looks set to be another exciting year for the trio with plans for a fourth album recording and tours in North America, Germany and the UK.

2011 UK tour dates:

February 12 – Sherborne Jazz Club, Dorset

February 13 – St Lawrence Chapel, Ashburton, Devon

February 14 – North Devon Jazz Club, Appledore, North Devon

February 15 – St Ives Jazz Club, Cornwall

February 17 – St Austell Brewery, Cornwall

February 18 – Brighton Jazz Club, East Sussex

March 8 – Band on the Wall, Manchester

March 11 – Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, Cumbria

March 12 – The Vortex, London

March 24 – Bonington Theatre, Nottingham

March 25 – The Southbank Centre, London

March 31 – Watermill Jazz Club, Dorking, Surrey

April 1 – The Fleece, Colchester, Essex

April 2 – The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, Shropshire

WE ARE THE WORLD/UNITED IN SONG

World music superstars lend their support to the latest release from USA For Africa titled We Are The World/United In Song, a digital compilation of 14 tracks featuring individual offerings from some of the genre's most compelling artists. As an added bonus the original recording of We Are The World is included on the compilation to mark the 25th Anniversary of the historic recording. Proceeds from this effort are going to assist Africa and Africans with the current challenges facing the continent. The compilation was released worldwide on December 7, 2010 to hundreds of digital storefronts across the globe including iTunes®, Amazon, eMusic, and Rhapsody in the U.S. This new collection of We Are The World/United In Song is a collection of world music artists including: Angelique Kidjo, Luisa Maita, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Lila Downs, Aurelio Martinez with Youssou N'Dour, LeRoy Bell, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, Razia Said, Shamarr Allen, Abigail Washburn & the Shanghai Restoration Project, G. Love & Special Sauce, Vieux Farka Toure, Bombay Dub Orchestra, Emi Meyer. The collection of songs was compiled by Executive Producers Suzie Weston and Alexia Baum. We Are The World/United In Song is dedicated to the 40 plus artists and musicians, who paved the way 25 years ago for this new release, with special thanks to Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones. The global artists featured on the compilation represent the next generation of musicians to use their talents to inform and ignite action. Each song presented speaks to an issue or cause valued and supported by the respective artists - giving the listener a global experience that is both enlightening and uplifting. Proceeds from this project support USA for Africa's ongoing commitment to the region with more outreach aimed at the continent and Africa-focused programs around the world, including food, security, clean water, malaria, AIDS, the plight of women and children, and the environment.

JOE LOVANO US FIVE - BIRD SONGS

On January 11, 2011, Joe Lovano Us Five will release Bird Songs, an exploration of the Charlie Parker songbook and the Grammy-winning saxophonist’s 22nd album for EMI’s Blue Note Records (the release of which will mark his 20th year on the label). Lovano will launch the album with a week-long engagement at the Village Vanguard in New York City (January 11-16), and an NPR Live At The Village Vangaurd session that will be webcast on the NPR Music website and broadcast on WBGO at 9:00pm ET on January 12. See below for a list of Lovano’s 2011 tour dates. “I didn’t approach this as a tribute record,” states Lovano, dispelling right off the bat any preconception that the album is a mere retread. Bird Songs breaks the mold of Bird tribute records. It’s a thrillingly adventurous, thoroughly modern, and uniquely personal look at one of the most influential figures in jazz history by one of the most important voices in the music today.

Us Five turned out to be the perfect vehicle for his exploration. Lovano’s dynamic young band features drummers Otis Brown III and Francisco Mela, pianist James Weidman, and bassist Esperanza Spalding who was just nominated for Best New Artist at the 2011 Grammy Awards. Us Five’s debut recording—2009’s Folk Art—was a wide-ranging set of Lovano’s original compositions that resulted in the band being awarded Best Small Ensemble of the Year at the 2010 Jazz Journalist Association Awards and winning the Best Jazz Group of the Year category in the 2010 DownBeat Critics Poll. Lovano completed a double-triple of awards in 2010 by also winning the JJA’s Musician of the Year and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year, and DownBeat’s Jazz Artist of the Year and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year.

One of the keys to approaching a project like Bird Songs for Lovano was to take Charlie Parker out of the museum and place him in a living, breathing continuum that reaches back to the musicians who had a deep impact on Bird’s development (Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Ben Webster), but also refracting Bird’s music through the musical prism of those he deeply impacted (John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Wayner Shorter). But most importantly, Lovano sought to personalize Bird’s music. “I wasn’t trying to play like Charlie Parker at all,” Lovano explains. “I was playing from his influences, from where he was coming from, and from the influences of all these amazing cats who were his disciples. I wanted to focus on his incredible compositions, the themes, the harmonic structures, the forms of his tunes and try to open them up and turn them inside out in a way to create my own melodic and rhythmic variations. I wanted to create my own recording. You can’t tell someone else’s story.”

Lovano intentionally made a decision to not approach this music on alto saxophone, Bird’s main instrument. Eight of the album’s eleven tracks—all songs either written by or associated with Parker—feature Lovano on his signature tenor saxophone, though he also performs one song each on straight alto (“Blues Collage”), his unique double-soprano horn the aulochrome (“Birdyard”), and in its recorded debut a G mezzo soprano (“Lover Man”). “For me the tenor saxophone is my voice,” he explains. “I explore a lot of different horns within the woodwind family that fuel my ideas, but I wanted to really play this on tenor because that’s who I am.” "At the young age of 34 Charlie Parker passed and left us with open questions about what would be. I kept wondering how Bird would have developed within these tunes, not just as the incredible soloist that he was but as an arranger and band leader. Bird Songs is my humble attempt to answer some of those questions in my own way."

The track listing for Bird Songs is as follows:
1. Passport
2. Donna Lee
3. Barbados
4. Moose The Mooche
5. Love Man
6. Birdyard
7. Ko Ko
8. Blues Collage
9. Dexterity
10. Dewey Square
11. Yardbird Suite

TOUR DATES:
Jan. 11-16 – Village Vanguard – New York, NY (Us Five)
Jan. 22 – Science Center Theater – Blue Bell, PA (John Scofield-Joe Lovano Quartet)
Jan. 27 – Schwab Auditorium – Park, PA (John Scofield-Joe Lovano Quartet)

Jan. 28 – Music Center at Strathmore – North Bethesda, MD (John Scofield-Joe Lovano Quartet)

Jan. 29 – Grand Opera House – Wilmington, DE (John Scofield-Joe Lovano Quartet)

Jan. 30 – Swyer Theater – Albany, NY (John Scofield-Joe Lovano Quartet)

Feb. 18-19 – Tanna Shulich Hall – Montreal, Quebec (solo)

Feb. 22 – Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola – New York, NY (Playing Our Parts Benefit)

Mar. 4 – Impart Arts Center – Wroclaw, Poland (Us Five)

Mar. 11 – Blue Note – Milan, Italy (Us Five)

Mar. 12 – Sala Concerti Del Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi – Torino, Italy (Us Five)

Mar. 13 – Club Kiff – Aarau, Switzerland (Us Five)

Mar. 14 – Moods – Zurich, Switzerland Moods (Us Five)

Mar. 24 – Wackerhalle – Burghausen, Germany (Us Five)

Mar. 25 – Ronnie Scott’s – London, UK (Us Five)

Apr. 2 – Folly Theater – Kansas City, MO (Us Five)

Apr. 4-5 – Dakota Jazz Club – Minneapolis, MN (Us Five)

Apr. 7-10 – Jazz Showcase – Chicago, IL (Us Five)

Apr. 21-22 – Rialto Theater – Atlanta, GA (solo)

Apr. 28-May 1 – Jazz Alley – Seattle, WA (Us Five)

May 2 – Kuumbwa Jazz Center – Santa Cruz, CA (Us Five)

May 3 – Yoshi’s – Oakland, CA (Us Five)

May 5 – Tribeca Performing Arts Center – New York, NY

May 20 – Philadelphia Museum of Art – Philadelphia, PA

JAZZ ROOTS: A LARRY ROSEN JAZZ SERIES

JAZZ ROOTS: A Larry Rosen Jazz Series, one of America's leading performing arts and education programs announces the formation of a new alliance with three strategic partners: IMG Artists, Sony Masterworks and The Quincy Jones Musiq Consortium.The alliance was made official when JAZZ ROOTS signed an exclusive worldwide representation agreement with IMG Artists, one of the world's premier talent management and presenting organizations."The JAZZ ROOTS brand and unique presentations provides an opportunity to bring this powerful music genre to fans across all demographic and territorial boundaries," said IMG Artists' President, Jeff Fuhrman. "We are extremely excited to offer our global resources to help take JAZZ ROOTS to audiences around the world." The six part JAZZ ROOTS series offers a complete 360° experience from concerts and educational programs at performing arts centers across America, to touring theme based shows at concert halls and festivals around the world, to CD packages, television, video and radio productions (including an award-winning National Public Radio program) and iPad Apps.

Launched in 2008 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami- Dade County, JAZZ ROOTS, has the distinction of selling out every one of its concerts in the 2000 seat James L. Knight concert hall from inception to date and is now also being presented at the Winspear Opera House, located in the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas, Texas and the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana. The series presents world-class artists in Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Latin and Brazilian music, programmed in uniquely themed multi-artist concerts. Past themes include: "Piano Latino," "Celebrating Miles," "Vocalese," "The Roots of Fusion," "Tribute to Frank Sinatra," "Jazz Meets Gospel," "Guitar Virtuosos", and "American Songbook" among others. Featured artists include: Dave Brubeck, Sonny Rollins, Chick Corea, Paquito D'Rivera, John McLaughlin, Patti Austin, Count Basie Orchestra, Ramsey Lewis, Arturo Sandoval, Dave Valentin, Nestor Torres, The Machito Orchestra, Eliane Elias, Ivan Lins, Buddy Guy, Dr. John, Manhattan Transfer, Al Jarreau, Jon Hendricks, Dave Grusin, Al Di Meola, Jon Secada, Eddie Palmieri, Michel Camilo, Michael Feinstein and many more.

Joining forces is Sony Masterworks, who announced an agreement to produce JAZZ ROOTS products, starting with a branded 2 - CD compilation package (targeted for April 2011 release) tracing the story of the "Drums from Africa" and their effect on the musical DNA of the Americas. "JAZZ ROOTS presents the music of the Americas in a most compelling fashion," said Alex Miller, President, Sony Masterworks. "Larry Rosen's long career in the music business from musician to producer to entrepreneur has a track record of very successful enterprises, and we are honored to play a role to celebrate JAZZ ROOTS and the amazing musical legacy of the music of the Americas."

Legendary artist/producer Quincy Jones joins the alliance with a plan to implement his Quincy Jones American Popular Music Curriculum, which will be presented in schools across the country in collaboration with the JAZZ ROOTS education program. The JAZZ ROOTS education and outreach components are designed to reinforce audience development, targeting area middle and high schools as well as adults within respective communities. The series provides an opportunity for schools to bring their students to sound checks and performances, with artist conversation (pre and post show), as well as pre-concert workshops for adults. These initiatives organically connect to local community groups, art centers, and the local board of education. "Larry Rosen's JAZZ ROOTS is the most important new concert and educational Jazz series in America," said icon Quincy Jones. "It's so important that Americans and particularly our children learn about their culture. This series is simply imperative. You can't know we're you're going unless you know where you've come from," Jones adds. Jones' curriculum focuses on the growth of all African-based music styles from Jazz, Blues, Gospel, R&B, Funk and Hip Hop to the Brazilian and Latin Jazz genres and to the legendary and contemporary artists who created and popularized these American music styles. "We are extremely excited to join forces with JAZZ ROOTS, IMG Artists, and Sony Masterworks to bring our Quincy Jones American Popular Music Curriculum to schools and audiences around the world," said Quincy Jones Foundation Executive Director, Madelyn Bonnot Griffin. "Larry Rosen has touched on a much needed concert and education series to help enlighten young people today about our American musical roots and the incredible impact our music has had on our culture and the world!"

"The amazing story of the Drums from Africa, which represents the musical DNA of the popular music styles of the Americas, is an example of what our JAZZ ROOTS brand is all about," states Larry Rosen. "We are looking at creating multiple touch points to reach our audience. We have proved that our program includes and goes way beyond the traditional Jazz audience, and we look to engage and entertain music fans who love music and are not boxed in by genre."

Larry Rosen is a musician, producer, executive producer, and music industry entrepreneur, is the Chairman of Larry Rosen Productions, Inc., creator and producer of JAZZ ROOTS - A Larry Rosen Jazz Series, co-founder of GRP Records, co-founder of LRSmedia, and co-founder and past Chairman of N2K, Inc. (NASDAQ). Rosen is the creator and producer of the PBS television series LEGENDS OF JAZZ, and is the creator and producer of multi-media TV series RECORDING: the History of Recorded Music, with hosts Quincy Jones and Phil Ramone. For more information: http://www.larryrosen.com/.

IMG Artists -dynamic, diverse and innovative, IMG Artists is the global leader in the performing arts management, projects and events business. With offices in the United States, Europe, Middle East and Asia, IMG Artists stays ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of arts and entertainment. For more information: http://www.imgartists.com/.

Sony Masterworks -MASTERWORKS Jazz is an imprint of Sony MASTERWORKS. For email updates and information please visit http://www.sonymasterworks.com/.

Quincy Jones American Music Curriculum - With the initial sponsorship of music impresario Quincy Jones, leaders from all parts of the music industry and music education have joined together to share resources, networks and their passion to make music an ongoing part of the lives of children in the United States. For more information please visit qmusiqconsortium.ning.com.

http://www.jazzroots.net/

GREGORY PORTER - WATER

Just six months after the release of his debut album, Water, vocalist Gregory Porter has just been nominated in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category of the 53rd Annual Grammy® Awards. Porter has received raves internationally for Water, which cracked the JazzWeek Top 10 radio chart shortly after its May release, and which has been selling briskly in the US and Europe. For the recording of Water, Porter tapped a powerful cadre of players, among them the iconic alto sax player James Spaulding (Max Roach, Freddie Hubbard, and Bobby Hutcherson, et al,) who plays a featured role on two tracks: "Wisdom" and "Black Nile." The CD was produced by saxophonist, pianist and composer Kamau Kenyatta, and features seven stellar original compositions by Porter that range in style from velvet jazz ballads to the searing soul anthem "1960 What, which has been storming radio airwaves. On this emotionally intimate debut, Porter bares his soul to reveal a performer and songwriter of unusual depth. His moving ballad, "Illusion," about the struggles one faces in relationships, releases this month as the first video single of the album. Porter's vocal prowess has earned him international recognition, prompting Wynton Marsalis, who has tapped Porter several times to perform as a guest vocalist with his Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, to go on record citing him as "a fantastic young singer," and Germany's Jazz Thing magazine to laud Porter's "deep blues-rooted voice, branching out in soul spheres." Interest in the UK is strong. Porter appeared in a two page spread in Echoes Magazine and vocalist and radio personality Jamie Cullum will feature Porter on an upcoming segment of his popular BBC-3 radio program. Porter performs live every Thursdays at Smooke in New York City and will appear this January 8th at Irridium in NYC on a triple bill with fellow Motema artists Geri Allen and Charnett Moffett.