MOTOWN ARTISTS REUNITE, HEATHER HEADLEY, TOM TALLITSCH, BIRD YORK, SIMPLY RED, WASHINGTON DC/MARYLAND CONCERTS & VINCENT MONTANA JR.

MOTOWN ARTSTS REUNITE
Legendary Motown artists - including The Four Tops, The Miracles, The Contours, The Dramatics, The Former Ladies of the Supremes, Freda Payne, Brenda Holloway, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The Velvelettes, plus Paul Hill and John Legend are set to take part at the Motown Music Fest, Saturday, February 4, Super Bowl eve at the Detroit Masonic Temple. The artists will be backed musically by the legendary Funk Brothers considered by many to be the true sound of Motown.

HEATHER HEADLEY – IN MY MIND
Her debut album, This Is Who I Am in 2002, achieved gold status and earned Heather Headley two Soul Train Awards, for Best R&B Soul Album of The Year and Best Solo R&B/Soul New Artist. On this release, Headley is joined by some of music's most compelling producers, as she returns to the music limelight with her sophomore effort In My Mind. A superb mix of soul, dancehall, exquisite balladry and fire breathing gospel, In My Mind proves the agile Heather can not only wrap herself around a song, but also throw her arms around the entire recording process. Whether it's the sultry title cut, the playful/pampering Me Time, or the gospel-laced showstopper Change, In My Mind is the kind of soulful, sonically charged diary where lessons-learned meet musical purpose accomplished, grabbing the listener at its mesmerizing center of gravity, which just happens to be the one and only Heather Headley herself.

TOM TALLITSCH - DUALITY
Saxman Tom Tallitsch has released an inviting contemporary instrumental jazz CD titled Duality. Tallitsch offers his own compositions and standards on Duality. He puts himself in good company covering standout tracks such as Visions by Stevie Wonder and Wayne Shorter’s Infant Eyes. While going through his own personal jazz ‘rights of passage’ by covering standards, Tallitsch makes his own history with full bodied tracks like Propellerhead, which clocks in at over eight minutes and exceptional runs of instrumental pleasure titled Mablestates. Duality allows the judicious jazz connoisseur a simple yet colorful listen provided by the guitar of Dave Manley, and the relaxing earthy sax of Tallistch. The two instruments unify their sound with gentle and prolific interplay, making it evident that they were the only two instruments needed for this recording to flesh out the album and perpetuate a perfect sync between the two musicians.


BIRD YORK - WICKED LITTLE HIGH
Singer, Bird York, whose mesmerizing and haunting tune, In the Deep from the movie, Crash is nominated for an Academy Award. Her CD Wicked Little High is set for release on February 21. York’s music has been heard on TV shows such as House, Family Law, Nip/Tuck, Curb Your Enthusiasm, O.C., and recently the cancelled The West Wing.

SIMPLY RED ADDS NEW TOUR DATES
7 Simply Red summer UK shows have been added to their tour and the dates are: Friday 30th June Cardiff - Coopers Field, Cardiff Castle; Sunday 2nd July Leeds - Harewood House; Friday 7th July Maidstone (Kent) - Leeds Castle; Friday 14th July Bath - The Rec; Saturday 15th July Petworth (West Sussex) - Petworth House; Sunday 16th July Warwick - Warwick Castle; and Friday 21st July Nr Norwich - Blickling Hall. There are 11 other European summer shows already scheduled and more dates will be added soon so keep checking here for our news and tour updates.

GERALD VEASLEY, DAVID SANBORN, VANESSA RUBIN & OTHERS SCHEDULED FOR WASHINGTON DC/MARYLAND AREA CONCERTS
Upcoming February concerts for the Washington, DC and Maryland areas… Bleu Orleans at the University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center on Feb. 4; Gerald Veasley and Kirk Whalum at the Birchmere on Feb. 6 and at Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis on Feb. 7; Eric Reed at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater on Feb. 11; Sharon Clark at Twins on Feb. 14; East Coast Jazz Festival featuring Frank Morgan, David "Fathead" Newman, Rebecca Parris, Vanessa Rubin, Giacomo Gates and Russell Malone at the Doubletree Hotel in Rockville on Feb. 16-19; David Sanborn and Chris Botti at the Warner Theatre on Feb. 23; Steve Turre at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theatre on Feb. 26-26; John Abercrombie and Marc Copeland at Blues Alley on Feb. 26; and James Blood Ulmer at Blues Alley on Feb. 27.

VINCENT MONTANA JR. – THE AFRICAN TRACK
Vincent Montana Jr. releases yet another hidden gem right out of the vaults!. Montana has just unveiled an unreleased track recorded back in 1979 entitled, The African Track, on the Philly Sound Works label. The release features 3 mixes reworked by Louis Benedetti (DJ Mix, Beats and Bonus Beats), plus the original version by Vincent Montana Jr. Louis Benedetti, by the way, has been confirmed to appear at the Southport Weekender 38 on May 5, 6 and 7.

MICHAEL BUBLE TO EMBARK ON TOUR

Multi platinum singing sensation Michael Bublé is scheduled to begin a 30-city tour, dazzling audiences across the country including an appearance at New York's famed Radio City Music Hall. Prior to his returning to the stage, the dashing Vancouver native, who has received rave reviews for his poignant and thrilling renditions of American standards and dynamic live shows, will be making several high profile TV performances including "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" (Jan 31st), a live appearance in Rockefeller Plaza on NBC's "The Today Show" (Feb 3rd), and the ABC-TV hit series, "Dancing With The Stars" (Feb 17th). The tour follows the extraordinary successes of Michael Bublé's DVD Caught In The Act, Hallmark's current 2006 Valentine's Day Album With Love and his Reprise Records CD It's Time, which has sold a stunning 4 million copies around the world, was nominated for two Grammy® Awards including Best Traditional Pop Album, and contains the No. 1 Bublé penned tune Home. Bublé, whose Reprise Records CD It's Time has been twice Grammy nominated, will be performing on Feb. 10th - 14th at the Las Vegas Hilton in celebration of Valentine's Day. The movie-star handsome Canadian shot to fame three years ago with his self-titled debut CD. He has circled the globe a dozen times since then and has had number-one records in over 9 Countries. Here are the tour dates:

Date City
---- ----
3/1 Uncasville, CT
3/3 Wash, DC
3/4 NYC, NY
3/5 Atlantic City, NJ
3/7 Richmond, VA
3/8 Atlanta, GA
3/10 Cincinnati, OH
3/11 Chicago, IL
3/12 Grand Rapids, MI
3/14 Tulsa, OK
3/15 Oklahoma City, OK
3/17 Ft. Worth, TX
3/18 Austin, TX
3/19 San Antonio, TX
3/21 Tucson, AZ
3/24 San Diego, CA
3/25 San Francisco, CA
3/26 Sacramento, CA
3/28 Sal Lake City, UT
3/29 Denver, CO
3/31 Minneapolis, MN
4/4 Portland, ME
4/5 Providence, RI
4/7 Albany, NY
4/8 Verona, NY
4/9 Baltimore, MD
4/11 Norfolk, VA
4/12 Raleigh, NC
4/14 Columbus, OH
4/15 Detroit, MI

CHRIS STANDRING, UB40, DEODATO, SLY STONE, GROOVE BOUTIQUE & CHILL WITH CHRIS BOTTI PLAYLISTS & MORE!

CHRIS STANDRING TO RELEASE SOUL EXPRESS ALBUM
Trippin ‘n’ Rhythm Records has signed the English guitarist, Chris Standring. The label’s President/CEO Les Cutmore comments, ‘Chris has always been about introducing hip, new and fresh ideas to the format, a philosophy which we share as a label, which makes him a perfect fit at the company. With his proven success at radio, his work ethic, his popularity at retail and his dynamic live performances, we feel that Chris is ready to take the next step to his rightful place as one of the ‘new guard’ of smooth jazz guitarists." The first single, I Can’t Help Myself, from Standring’s label debut, Soul Express, will be going to radio on Feb. 20. Release date for the album is May 9, 2006.

TINA DICO – IN THE RED
Tina Dico, known as the voice of Zero 7, delivers In The Red, an emotionally honest record, full of finely wrought tunes an d riverting, bold choruses. Inspired by artists such as Tracy Chapman, Leonard Cohen, Radiohead, The Verve and Joni Mitchell, for Tina Dico, music is her way of trying to connect to people. It is this desire to connect that sets Tina at a level above the rest, where with each listen, you find yourself hearing more than just music, but something deeper.

UB40 CELEBRATES 25 YEARS AS A BAND
UB40’s newest release – Who You Fighting For?, celebrates the 25th anniversary of the band’s recording debut but is just its second disc since 1998’s Labour Of Love. This is a choice slice of reggae and soul in the dancehall mode that has already generated a pair of top 40 hits back home. There is a nice range of material here, including some timely messages (the title track, Sins Of The Father). There are also some tender love ballads such as Kiss And Say Goodbye and Gotta Tell Someone.

2006 JVC JAZZ FESTIVAL MIAMI BEACH
The city of Miami is set to host the annual JVC Jazz Festival Miami Beach, a five-day event, slated for May 17-21. The JVC Jazz Festival is a music festival that celebrates the various musical styles and tastes of Miami Beach. A minimum of 10 events involving both new talent and established artists are to include free concerts at the Euclid Oval on Lincoln Road, three showcase concerts, club concerts and an opening night event.

DEODATO AND KEVYN LETTAU HEADLINE THE 1ST PHILLIPINE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ AND ARTS FESTIVAL
The 1st Phillipine Internationl Jazz and Arts Festival was held on the weekend of January 21 and 22. Deodato and Kevyn Lettau (with her quartet), performed together for the first time at the Airport Casino Filipino Amphitheater. Kevyn Lettau, who has toured the world many times with her distinct contemporary jazz and Brazilian vocal style was paired with Brazilian-born musical prodigy Eumir Deodato, who has 16 platinum records to his name. The multi-talented composer is best remembered for his rendition of Richard Stauss’ classical opus Also Sprach Zarathustra, commonly known as the theme to Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Oyssey. He has done studio work for Astrud Gilberto and wrote the arrangements for Beach Samba. He has also arranged music for Frank Sinatra, Roberta Flack and Aretha Franklin. Venturing into producing albums in the 1970’s, he has worked with Kool and The Gang, Bjork, among others. In all, he has produced 500 albums.

EMUSIC.COM TO CARRY MUSIC FROM RENDEZVOUS ENTERTAINMENT
Rendezvous Entertainment now has its entire catalog carried by eMusic.com, one of the web's premiere digital music services! eMusic.com will carry all of Rendezvous' albums and provide them as mp3 downloads that will work on any music player including the iPod! The best part is that you get to keep the downloaded music even if you cancel your subcription.Rendezvous is extremely excited about this new venture and encourages everyone to try the service.

SLY STONE HONORED AT 48th GRAMMY AWARDS
Sly Stone will resurface again this year as this year’s 48th Grammy Awards will pay tribute to one of the century’s true musical innovators and icons: Sly And The Family Stone. This Grammy salute come on the heels of the announcement of the release of Different Strokes By Different Folks, an album of timeless hits of Sly And The Family Stone covered and remixed by the artists performing the Grammy tribute. Different Strokes By Different Folks is due in stores February 7th on Epic/Legacy Recordings, one day before the 48th Grammy Awards on Wednesday, February 8th at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, airing on CBS Television Network. In what is a true sign of Sly's personal belief in this project, he gave his full approval to the artists and producers on Different Strokes by Different Folks to use the original Sly And The Family Stone master tapes for their new recordings, augmenting and altering them in a kind of reverse sampling. Though the last time the world saw Sly Stone was when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Artists and producers involved in the project include Isaac Hayes, Joss Stone, Janet Jackson, D’Angelo, Randy Jackson, Nile Rodgers, Steve Jordan, John Legend, Van Hunt, Buddy Guy, John Mayer, and Steve Tyler.


THIEVERY CORPORATION - SOUNDS FROM THE THIEVERY HI-FI
The classic debut album from electronic music pioneers Thievery Corporation.This special edition has been re-packaged as a digipak and now features two exclusive bonus tracks: Sun, Moon, and Stars and Sleeper Car.

TWO NEW CHRIS JOSS 12" RELEASES
DISCOTHEQUE DANCING 12"
It’s the first single from Chris Joss’s full length album You’ve Been Spiked. Discotheque Dancing is a Hammond infected, breakbeat swinger and gets the remix treatment from Ursula 1000 on the A side while Wrong Alley Street (part 1)s blaxploitation funk get redone by the Fort Knox Five on the B side.

A PART IN THE SHOW 12"
Following up Chris Joss' smashing first vinyl single, taken from his album You've Been Spiked, is A Part in That Show showcasing a stunning new remix by Kraak & Smaak and the rare classic Bombay by Bus. The A side sees Dutch breakbeat hooligans Kraak & Smaak transforming the slinky funk of the original A Part in That Show into a raucous afro-beat floor filler. On the flipside is the eastern flavored acid breakbeat roller Bombay by Bus, not available on LP, followed up by the blissful sonic vertigo of title track You've Been Spiked.

THE GROOVE BOUTIQUE PLAYLIST FOR JANUARY 29, 2006
00 Soul – Suena De Novia
Sade – Kiss Of Life
Jason Miles & James Williams – Heavy Love Affair
Rayford Griffin – Lids And Squares
Urb – Changes
Simply Red – Sunrise
Ronny Jordan – Summer Smile
Ronnie Laws – Solid Ground
Jerry Van Rooven – The Great Train Robbery
Down To The Bone – Downtown Shuffle
Steely Dan- FM
Ed Jones Quartet – Homegrown
Bob James – Take Me To The Mardi Gras
Ron Levy – Zim Zam Zoom
Corduroy – Ponytail
Boney James & Rick Braun – Grazin’ In The Grass
Gerald Veasley – On The Fast Track
Swing Out Sister – Twilight World
Stanton Moore – Boogaloo Boogie
David Sanborn – Big Foot
Anderson Soares – A Temp Dira
Joe Sample – Mystery Child
Camiel – Sigueme
Marvin Gaye – I Wanna Be Where You Are

CHILL WITH CHRIS BOTTI PLAYLIST FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 28, 2006
Check your local smooth jazz stations for actual date and time of when the Chill With Chris Botti
show is scheduled. Here is the playlist for the week of January 28, 2006.

David Stellmach – Spring Break (Rendezvous Lounge II)
Chris Botti & Sting –What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life (Rendezvous Lounge II)
Montefiori Cocktail – Gipsy Woman (Rendezvous Lounge II)
Burt Bacharach & Chris Botti – In Our Time (At This Time)
Moby – Dream About Me (iTunes Original)
Butti 49 – Kalas (Elemental Chill 1: Fire)
Adani & Wolf – Where Would I Be (Rendezvous Lounge II)
Mark Gorbulew – Dreamville (Rendezvous Lounge 1)
John Hopkins – Private Universe (Chilled Ibiza II)
Collective Soul Members – Mystique (Da-Nang Surplus Compilation)
Bent – I Can’t Believe It’s Over (Ariel)
Brother Lode – Nightlight (Cabana Beach Club 1)
Plastyc Budda – Voyer De Luxe (Café Del Mar – Dreams)
Stereo Action Unlimited – Trumpet Deluxe (Hotel Costes)
Tosca – Boss On The Boat (Chillin’ At The Playboy Mansion)
Camiel – El Alba (Sunset & Rendezvous Lounge II)
Steen Thottrup – Save A Little Prayer (Café Del mar 12)
Chris Coco – Yachts (A Man Called Adam Remix – Chillin’ At The Playboy Mansion)

THE BEST IN CHILL MUSIC 2005

If you are looking for the best in chill, ambient, house, dance, groove and bossa to compliment your collection, but don’t know which CDs to go out and purchase – well here is the best of what was released in 2005 and what we recommend you go out and buy.

Alice Russell – My Favorite Letters
American Rag Cie (Various Artists)
Anoushka Shankar - Rise
Aqualung – Strange And Beautiful
Beat Phanatic – The Gospel According To Beat Fanatic
Beat Pharmacy – Earthly Delights
Bebel Gilberto – Remixed
Bliss – Quiet Letters
Bloc Party – Silent Alarm Remixed
Boards Of Canada – The Campfire Headphase
Boom Bip – Blue Eyes In The Red Room
Boozoo Bajou – Dust My Broom
Brazilian Girls – Brazilian Girls
Brian Eno – Another Day On Earth
Cantoma - Cantoma
Carmen Rizzo – The Lost Art Of The Idle Moment
Chemical Brothers –Push The Button/Boxer Remix EP
Conjure One – Extraordinary Ways
Da Nang Surplus (Various Artists)
Deep Dish – George Is On
Departure Lounge– World Grooves (Various Artists)
Dining Rooms – Experiments In Ambient Soul
Doves – Some Cities
DubTribe Sound System - Baggage
Engineers - Engineers
Everything But The Girl – Adapt Or Die 10 Years Of Remixes
Fantastic Sounds Of St. Tropez (Various Artists)
Gabin – Mr. Freedom
Gorillaz – Demon Days
Greenskeepers - Pleetch
Grey Area – And Then The Clouds
Hawke – Love One Another
Helicopter Girl – Voodoo Chic
Highend Sound – Urban Lounge Supreme
HVW8 Presents Music Is My Art (Various Artists)
Impulsive- Revolutionary Jazz (Various Artists)
Ivy – In The Clear
Jazzanova – The Remixes 2002-2005
John Arnold – Style And Pattern
Kaos – Hello Stranger
Kaskade – House Of Om
Kholba – Nice Traps
Lisa Shaw – Cherry
LTJ Bukem – Earth Volume 7
Midival Pundtz – Midivil Times
Minotaur Shock – Maritime
Mizell Brothers Of Blue Note (Various Artists)
Moodfood – Ice
Morten Varano – Step Up
Mushroom Jazz 5 (Various Artists)
Mylo – Destroy Rock And Roll
Nickodemus – Endangered Species
Nicola Conte – Other Directions
Nouvelle Vague – Nouvelle Vague
Oliver Peoples 4 (Various Artists)
Om reboot (Various Artists)
Paul Van Dyk – Politics Of Dancing 2
Pitch Black – Ape To Angel
Prefuse 73 – Surrounded By Silence
Putamayo: Latin Lounge (Various Artists)
Quantic Soul Orchestra – Pushin’ On
Ray Charles Ives – Clandestine Pedestrian
Reworked (Various Artists)
Robert Strauss – Quasars And Phasars
Royksopp – The Understanding
San Francisco Under A Groove (Various Artists)
Si Se – More Shine
Square One – Field Gentian
Soul G & Tony Match – Round Trip 2 Tokyo
Suphala – The Now
Telepopmusik – Angel Milk
Thievery Corporation – The Cosmic Game
Tosca – J.A.C.
Trans Global Underground – Impossible Broadcasting
Ulrich Schnauss – Far Away Trains Passing By
Verve Remixed 3 (Various Artists)

MARK FARINA, JAZZMASTERS, INCOGNITO, LEWIS TAYLOR, ISAAC HAYES, HERBIE HANCOCK, FRANKIE BEVERLY & KEM

MARK FARINA - MUSHROOOM JAZZ 5
In this fifth installment of the Mushroom Jazz series, Mark Farina once again manages to blend funk, soul , and hip-hop so effortlessly that sometimes it's hard to tell where one track leaves off and another begins. 21 tracks in all are included from artists such as J. Boogie, Colossus, DJ Spinna and Pete Rock, and tracks like Sound Provider's Autumn Evening Breeze and DJ Numark's Charlie 2na Comin' Thru.

NEW JAZZMASTERS ALBUM DUE
The new Jazzmasters album !! Following on from the highly successful Jazzmasters 4 album which saw the track ( Puerto Banus ) go to #1 on the industry's leading Chart , Radio and records . This new album has all the ingredients to become even more successful and when you hear the amazing smooth and silky vocals of Helen Rogers you are hooked in !! And yes, You have the smooth groove's with the amazing sax playing of Snake Davis.... Check out and listen to the first single exclusively on www.trippinrecords.com before it’s officially released. We can expect this album at the end of June / July 2006.

INCOGNITO - ELEVEN
Incognito’s new release Eleven is out now and for over 25 years, Bluey and company have rocked the U.K.'s club scene and U.S. contemporary jazz audiences with their sophisticated take on acid jazz. Debuting with the club smash single, Parisienne Girl, Incognito took the U.S. by storm with Tribes, Vibes and Scribes a few years later. Since then, Incognito have become one of contemporary jazz's most dynamic bands, wowing fans on both sides of the Atlantic with tight funk-inspired grooves. Continuing on with this landmark career, Incognito brings us their appropriately titled eleventh studio album, Eleven. The album, which features eleven sleek and '70s-inspired tracks, is a nod to their deep soul fusion roots. Swaying and swinging with big horns and groovy guitars, Incognito makes Eleven even more soulful with vocal tracks by Maysa (Leak) and Imaani. Inspired by their live shows in 2005, founder/mastermind/guitarist Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick recorded the album for the first time with his touring band. The result is a record that is distinctively Incognito and as fresh as ever. Incognito is in the midst of launching their U.S. tour and is scheduled to appear at Irving Plaza in New York City on Friday, February 17.

UPCOMING CONCERT APPEARANCES…Anthony Hamilton at The Canal Room in New York City on Wednesday, January 25, Lewis Taylor at The Bowery Ballroom in New York City on Thursday, January 26; DJ Cam at the Grand National @ Hiro Ballroom in New York City on Friday, February 15; Incognito with Maysa at Irving Plaza in New York City on Friday, February 17; Isaac Hayes at Irving Plaza in New York City on Thursday, February 20; Christina Aguilera joins Herbie Hancock onstage at the upcoming Grammy Awards to perform their duet from Hancock’s Possibilities album; and Frankie Beverly has been added to the lineup of the annual Essence Music Festival scheduled for July 1,2, and 3 in Houston, Texas.

KEM -ALBUM II
Motown Records' recording artist KEM is kicking off the new year with a bang - garnering accolades and two prestigious 2006 NAACP Image Award nominations for Outstanding Male Artist and Outstanding Song for his record breaking hit I Can't Stop Loving You. He has also been chosen as a featured performer for a series of live performances surrounding festivities for Super Bowl XL, which is to be held in his hometown of Detroit.The charismatic singer/songwriter virtually owned the #1 spot on the Urban AC and R&B Adult Monitor charts this past year with the sizzling first single from his gold-plus, Top 5 debuting CD KEM Album II.

The talented musician topped both charts for 7 consecutive weeks, the longest streak in both formats for any artist in 2005. The phenomenal run snared KEM an Adult R&B Artist Of The Year nod from radio trade tome R&R magazine, as well as a Song Of The Year nomination for I Can't Stop Loving You, from Billboard Magazine. The multi-talented performer will also be hitting the road on a seven week 'Find Your Way' Tour, named after his current hit single. The tour kicks off on February 9th in Richmond Va. KEM completed a highly successful tour this past summer in support of his hit album, and most recently released a special repackaged, dual CD/DVD offering which includes the album KEM Album II and a rare DVD featuring, among other highlights, live concert footage from KEM's acclaimed homecoming concert in Detroit, as well as rare behind the scenes footage, bonus interviews, and an international remix of KEM's worldwide,chart topping single.

JAZZ KEYBOARDIST BOB JAMES' NEW CD "URBAN FLAMINGO" SET FOR RELEASE FEB 21

Marks Grammy Award Winning Musician/Composer/Arranger's 2nd Solo Recording for KOCH Records

Bob James, Grammy Award winning musician/composer/arranger, is set to release his highly anticipated new album Urban Flamingo on KOCH Records on February 21st, 2006. Urban Flamingo is James' follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2004 solo label debut Take It From The Top. Continuing seamlessly with his fine art of collaboration, which has produced legendary recordings with such artists as Earl Klugh, David Sanborn and the mega popular supergroup Fourplay, Urban Flamingo features Bob with his Michigan-based quintet of bassist Al Turner, drummer Ron Otis, guitarist Perry Hughes and saxophonist David McMurray.

With Take It From The Top, James, who relocated to Michigan after years in Westchester County, New York - returned to the vibe of his early '60s recordings with a trio date featuring bassist James Genus and drummer Billy Kilson. That trio performs Urban Flamingo's traditional jazz minded Niles Ahead, but the core of the new ten-song collection features more funk, jazz and pop spirited grooves. Key tracks featuring this latest James Gang are the lively and percussive Choose Me, the mystical, slightly off meter Skidaway, a sensuous and smooth request to Make It More Blue and Bobary Coast, which crisply blends James' R&B and swing jazz sensibilities. The bluesy, fusion-tinged (with a touch of classical piano) title track and bright, vibrant Wingapo feature Turner and Otis keeping rhythm and edgy electric guitar solos by Wayne Gerard. Longtime James fans will also be delighted by two very familiar faces - his daughter, singer Hilary James, and bassist Nathan East, James' cohort in Fourplay. The soulful Phil Ramone-Michael Colina produced vocal ballad Lay Down With You beautifully recaptures the joyful spirit of father and daughter's 1995 classic duet album Flesh and Blood. On the elegant, Eastern flavored Endless Time, East's famous basslines and wordless vocals are caressed by a mystical harmony created by the Chinese er-hu.

Like his contemporaries Earl Klugh and David Sanborn, Bob James - who will be honored with the "George Benson Lifetime Achievement Award" by the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards in April, 2006 -- was putting the "smooth" into jazz over a decade before there was an official radio format for it. Along the way, he inspired several future generations of musicians who realized they didn't have to decide between jazz and R&B -- they could do both. The Marshall, Missouri native chose jazz first, bopping with his own trio at the University of Michigan and later New York City before being discovered by Quincy Jones at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival in 1963. He launched his recording career that year with Bold Conceptions, but didn't really take off till he started collaborating in New York with artists in Creed Taylor's CTI stable, including Hank Crawford and Grover Washington, Jr. James recorded four albums for the label before moving to CBS and forming his own imprint, Tappan Zee Records -- which he kept even after signing with Warner Bros. in the mid-'80s.

While establishing himself as a contemporary jazz giant via his solo albums and One On One, his first of three dual albums with Klugh, James achieved pop culture icon status via his memorable Theme From Taxi, which was originally Angela, a cut on his album Touchdown; James later wrote all the music for the famed TV series. Although tracks like Maputo from Double Vision, his Tommy LiPuma produced, Grammy winning dual album with David Sanborn, established James as a presence in the emerging smooth jazz format, he also expanded his artistic reach in the '80s with three classical albums for CBS Masterworks.

Sessions for the 1990 album Grand Piano Canyon evolved into Fourplay, the band featuring James, East, drummer Harvey Mason and guitarist Lee Ritenour (who left the band in 1998 and was replaced by Larry Carlton), which has been a major force in contemporary jazz for over 15 years. In the odd numbered years when James isn't recording and touring with Fourplay, he's constantly seeking fresh new collaborators. Before hooking up for the trio project Take It From The Top, he released Dancing On The Water (2001), which featured Keiko Matsui, Joe Sample, Dave Holland and Chuck Loeb; and Morning, Noon & Night (2002), which paired him with Loeb and hit smooth jazz producer (and fellow wine connoisseur) Paul Brown.

WORLD MUSIC DIVA COCO MBASSI RELEASES HER FIRST LIVE CONCERT DVD

Live 8 Africa Calling performer Coco Mbassi releases her first live DVD which includes performances in Freiburg, Germany and Douala, Cameroon. Dazzling, soulful and refined are some of the words that have been used to describe her voice.

The multiple award nominee and winner (RFI, BBC Radio 3, German CD Critics’ Award), known for her mellow and intricate music and her sultry and delicate vocals, symbolizes our global world as she elegantly blends African roots with Gospel, Soul, Classical and Jazz influences she acquired over the years.

From a young age, Coco was exposed to African modern and traditional music, Haendel, James Brown, the Jackson Five, as well as Mahalia Jackson and others. Years later, when she moved to Paris, she started singing backing vocals in Paris with most major World Music acts. She started touring worldwide in 1997 and has never stopped presenting her two albums Sepia and Sisea as she performs; Reading, Lafayette, Douala, Berlin, Singapore and even Adelaide will benefit from Coco’s enchanting music and voice.

Produced by Conserprod Ltd, Coco Mbassi Tour features the artist’s full band in concert, as well as acoustic performances of some songs. It also includes interviews and ‘behind the scenes’ and previously unseen footage of fun moments, rehearsals and even a trip to Cameroon, her homeland.

CHILL MUSIC WILL BE BACK ON THE AIR AT WQCD (CD101.9)

The next generation of audio was unveiled as Emmis Communications yesterday announced it’s first wave of High Definition (HD) second channels in several markets, including New York. In New York, WQCD-FM (CD101.9) will be airing "Chill" (also known as ambient or lounge music, Chill has roots in pop, world music, smooth jazz, and electronica; artists include Zero 7, Moby, Thievery Corporation, Bebel Gilberto, Jazzanova, and Groove Armada.

The HD Digital Radio Alliance, of which Emmis is a member, is a strategic alliance designed to accelerate the rollout of HD Digital Radio. HD Digital Radio eliminates the static, hiss and fades associated with analog radio signals. The wireless data feature enables text information on songs to be broadcast directly to receiver display screens. HD Digital Radio will initially be commercial-free, and no subscription is required. HD Digital Radio receivers are now available at various in-store and on-line retailers.

This second WQCD (CD101.9) Chill channel will be rolled out sometime soon in the coming months.

VERVE FORECAST RELEASE - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN SOUNDTRACK #1 SELLER AT AMAZON.COM & iTUNES

Verve Forecast has announced that the original soundtrack to the groundbreaking film "Brokeback Mountain" is the number-one selling album at both Amazon.com and iTunes Music Store and is heating up at other retail outlets across the country: it is currently #2 at bn.com, #10 at Barnes and Noble, #15 at Borders Books and Music and #24 at Tower Records. The album, which is #6 on Billboard's Soundtracks chart, was released on November 1, 2005.

The soundtrack features music from the film's score, composed by GRAMMY(R) and British Academy Award-winner Gustavo Santaolalla, as well as a number of songs both new and old from a range of artists including Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Rufus Wainwright, Steve Earle, Linda Ronstadt and newcomer Teddy Thompson, whose Verve Forecast debut will be released next month. A Love That Will Never Grow Old, written by Santaolalla and Bernie Taupin and performed by Emmylou Harris won the Golden Globe for "Best Original Song."

The film is among the most critically lauded of the year and has garnered a number of prestigious honors, including four Golden Globes Awards for Best Picture [Drama], Best Director, Best Screenplay and the aforementioned Best Original Song.

MORPH THE CAT: DONALD FAGEN SOLO ALBUM SET FOR REPRISE RECORDS RELEASE ON MARCH 7; TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

Morph The Cat, the eagerly anticipated new solo album from Steely Dan co-founder Donald Fagen, has been set for release March 7th on Reprise Records. Featuring nine new songs written and arranged by Fagen, Morph The Cat is the multi-Grammy winning artist's first solo album since 1993's Kamakiriad and the final installment in a de facto musical trilogy that began with The Nightfly in 1982.

'The Nightfly is sort of looking from the standpoint of youth," Fagen explains. Kamakiriad would be more about midlife. This new one is about endings, really." Morph The Cat selections include the title track and the debut single H Gang, which is scheduled for digital release on January 24th. Also featured are What I Do, Brite Nightgown, The Great Pagoda Of Funn, Security Joan, The Night Belongs To Mona, Mary Shut The Garden Door and a reprise of Morph The Cat. The album will be made available as both a CD and a CD/DVD in high-resolution audio and 5.1 Surround Sound.

Morph The Cat was recorded in New York City and Kauai, Hawaii, with longtime Steely Dan engineer Elliot Scheiner at the boards. The album also features an extraordinary line-up of backing musicians, many of who have previously worked with Fagen and his Steely Dan partner Walter Becker on stage and in the studio. Included are drummer Keith Carlock, bassist Freddie Washington and guitarists Hugh McCracken, Jon Herington and Wayne Krantz. Fagen performs lead and backing vocals and plays keyboards.

Donald Fagen will appear in concert for a select series of North American dates in support of Morph The Cat this March. The tour is sponsored by ELS Surround, Panasonic's premium automotive audio system, which was designed in collaboration with Elliot Scheiner. Donald has also teamed up with "I Love All Access" to offer fans VIP ticket packages on the Donald Fagen Band '06 tour (info available on his website at www.donaldfagen.com). The itinerary is as follows:

March 1 New Brunswick, NJ @ State Theater
March 3 Westbury, NY @ North Fork Music Theater
March 4 Upper Darby, PA @ Tower Theater
March 6 Washington, DC @ Warner Theatre
March 7 New York, NY @ Beacon Theater
March 9 Boston, MA @ Opera House
March 10 Atlantic City, NJ @ Borgata
March 12 Ottawa, QC @ NAC
March 13 Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
March 15 Cleveland, OH @ Palace Theatre
March 16 Detroit, MI @ Opera House
March 18 Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
March 19 Minneapolis, MN @ State Theater
March 22 Denver, CO @ Paramount Theater
March 24 Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint At Hard Rock Hotel
March 25 Temecula, CA @ Pechanga Theater
March 27 Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern Theatre
March 28 Oakland, CA @ Paramount Theater

JAZZ CHILL MUSIC NEWS

ISAAC HAYES IN HOSPITAL
Isaac Hayes is being treated at a Memphis ,TN hospital (as of Tuesday, January 17) for exhaustion according to a spokesperson. Hayes just recently completed performances in Atlantic City, Washington, D.C. and in Tunica, Miss., and is best known for his 1971 number one hit Theme From Shaft, for which he won an Oscar for the best musical score. Hayes has also co-written hits for 60’s legends Sam and Dave such as Hold On, I’m Coming and Soul Man.

BARRY MAYO LEAVES WQCD (CD101.9)
Emmis Radio New York senior VP/market manager Barry Mayo has resigned his position and informed the company that he would not renew his contract when it expires on February 28. Mayo has overseen smooth jazz WQCD (CD101.9) since 2002. Mayo will remain until his replacement is named and will assist in the recruitment effort. He will also help acclimate his successor to what he calls "an extremely complex job." And since we are on the subject of WQCD (CD101.), the station has ranked 11th overall in the New York radio market. Following is the data from the fall Arbitrons. The number in parentheses is the percentage of the total radio audience listening to that station in an average quarter-hour. OVERALL: WLTW (7.4), WSKQ and WRSK (4.5), WHTZ (4.4), WQHT (4.3), WINS (4.2), WWPR (4.1), WPAT-FM (3.7), WBLS (3.5), WABC (3.4), WXRK (3.2), WQCD and WCBS-AM (3.1), WFAN, WAXQ and WKTU (2.7), WCAA (2.5), WQXR (2.3), WOR and WPLJ (2.2), WNEW (1.8), WCBS-FM (1.7), WLIB (1.4), WQDO (1.2), and WALK (1.0).

SMOOTH JAZZ KEZL IN FRESNO SIGNS OFF
Clear Channel smooth jazz KEZL Fresno, Calif., signs off after 17 years in the format. A message on the station's Web site directs listeners to AC sister KSOF, a local college station and to the stream for Clear Channel smooth jazz KIJZ Portland, Ore. Adult top 40 sister KALZ (Alice 102.7) is simulcasting on KEZL’s now vacated frequency at 96.7 and will eventually move to the latter dial position.

JASON MILES TO APPEAR AT THE BOWERY BALLROOM
Producer/keyboardist Jason Miles, will be performing his Grammy-nominated CD Miles to Miles at The Bowery Ballroom in New York City on Friday, January 20. Playing along with Jason will be an all-star band, including such heavyweights as Stefon Harris, Cyro Baptista, and more.

SANTA FE JAZZ & INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
The annual Santa Fe Jazz & International Music Festival has ended after just five seasons due to financial reasons. Simply put, some festival performances sometimes drew as much as 350 patrons. Organizers this year hope to produce a shorter program in July 2006, although no artists have been booked so far. In the past the festival has includes performances by such jazz greats as Dave Holland, Michael Brecker, Eliane Elias, Kurt Elling, Dave Douglas, Gary Burton, Brad Mehldau, and Luciana Souza.

PORTLAND JAZZ FESTIVAL
Dee Dee Bridgewater, New Orleans trumpeter Nicolas Payton, guitarist Bill Frisell, vibes player Stefon Harris, vocalists Susan Werner and Rene Marie, sax player Miguel Zenon, pianist Geoff Keezer, and the son of the legendary John Coltrane, Ravi Coltrane, will join McCoy Tyner, Eddie Palmieri, and Jim Hall for an all-star lineup at the 3rd annual Portland (Oregon) Jazz Festival, presented by Qwest. February 17-26, 2006.

INDY JAZZ FEST
The 2006 Indy Jazz Fest will be held June 16-18 in Military Park in downtown Indianapolis. Over the years the Indy Jazz Fest has included such artists as Tony Bennett, Bruce Hornsby, Patti LaBelle, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Aretha Franklin, Poncho Sanchez, Ray Charles, Dave Brubeck, B.B. King, Chris Isaak, Jonny Lang and Norah Jones. For more information, go to www.indyjazz.com.

NEW JAZZ CHILL FEATURED RELEASES

THE NOW SOUND OF BRAZIL 2
Volume 2 in the series feature more songs from the Ziriguiboom imprint which is widely recognized as the leading source of new Brazilian music, from electronic to bossa to samba soul. This second volume of The Now Sound of Brazil features tracks from such innovators as Bebel Gilberto, Zuco 103, Bossacucanova, Celso Fonseca, Cibelle and others. The album will be released on January 17, 2006

RENDEZVOUS LOUNGE, VOL. 2 COMPILED BY MARK GORBULEW
The second volume from Rendezvous Entertainment is due for release on Janaury 24 and the full tracks listing is as follows: Lazybatsu – Endless Road; Afterlife – Shine; Tassel & Naturel (featuring DJ Cam) – Drivin’; Scott Yahney – Flotation; Ricardo Eberspacher – Sand; Adani & Wolf (featuring Praful) – Where Would I Be/Sem Seu Amor; David Stellmach – Spring Lake; Camiel – El Alba; Marc Antoine – Can You Feel It; Mark Gorbulew –Manhattan Groove; Praful – Wishful Walk; Patrick L. – Florida Vibes; and Montefiori Cocktail – Gypsy Woman.

SHRIFT – LOST IN A MOMENT
Shrift is a new collaboration between former Smoke City vocalist Nina Miranda and multi- texturalist/producer Dennis Wheatley. Their aptly titled debut release, Lost in a Moment, brings together beautiful acoustic and electronic soundscapes with Miranda's luminous vocals. Lost in a Moment is Shrift's first album but it is hardly a debut for the group's two members. Anglo-Brazilian Nina Miranda is a charter member of the celebrated group Smoke City and has recorded with such luminaries as Bebel Gilberto, Nitin Sawhney and Da Lata. Dennis Wheatley is best known for his work with the British electronic band Atlas. As Shrift, these two musicians have crafted a warm, elegant and atmospheric fusion of acoustic and electronic music to soothe your soul and stir your imagination. The album will be released on February 7, 2006.

NIYAZ – REMIXED EP
The beautiful sound of Niyaz's Persian/Electronica has been taken to new dance-floor heights with these remixes. Tracks from the group's debut CD have been re-worked by the Netherlands' superstar producer/DJ Junkie XL, UK based Paul Oakenfold collaborator, Andy Gray, New Delhi label-mates MIDIval PunditZ and Niyaz' electronics whiz Carmen Rizzo. The EP will be available on January 17, 2006.

RSVP RENDEZVOUS FEATURING VARIOUS ARTISTS
RSVP is a best of the best at Rendezvous (founded three years ago by Dave Koz). The CD features Brian Simpson – It’s All Goodl, Kirk Whalum – Can We Talk; Camiel – El Alba; Kyle Eastwood – Big Noise (From Winnetka); Marc Antoine – Modern Times; Jonathan Butler – Rio; Michael Lington – Two Of A Kind; Wayman Tisdale – Ready To Hang; Praful – Moonglide; Adani & Wolf – Daylight; Tom Braxton – Bermuda Nights; and Mark Gorbulew – Dreamsville. Release date: January 24, 2006

JAZZ CHILL MUSIC NEWS

Multiple Grammy Award winners Chaka Khan and Aaron Neville are the first two artists signed to Sony BMG’s new Burgundy label. Burgundy, distributed through Sony BMG, will focus on releasing new music from still-active, multi-platinum artists who have a strong consumer affinity and a body of work that is still relevant and appreciated.

Candy Dulfer will perform at the 16th annual Berks Jazz Fest in Reading, PA, this March. She will join the all-star lineups for two major concerts at this festival: the Music of Marvin Gaye & Motown on Sunday March 19th and Ivan Lins & Friends on Saturday March 25th. The line up for the Marvin Gaye / Motown show includes Jason Miles, Bobby Caldwell, Bashiri Johnson, and more; joining Candy for the Ivan Lins & Friends show are artists like Brenda Russell, Leonardo Amuedo, Chuck Loeb and Will Lee.

When the 37th Annual NAACP Image Awards nominations were announced in Los Angeles on January 10th, emerging vocal star and Aezra recording artist Billy Miles was honored with a nod in the "Outstanding Jazz Artist" category. Acclaimed for her self-titled solo debut album, Miles was the only female nominated in the field of five contenders, which also includes the veterans Najee and Onaje Allen Gumbs. Last year's winner in the same category was the legendary vocalist Nancy Wilson, an artist Billy has cited as a primary inspiration and influence. The sizzling Aezra CD Billy Miles - a stylish brew of jazz, pop, soul, trip-hop and more - enjoyed breakout success when National Public Radio's flagship Los Angeles outlet KCRW-FM gave it major presence on their airwaves and sponsored Southern California showcases that drew capacity crowds. In '05, Nic Harcourt, host of KCRW's top rated Morning Becomes Eclectic, called Miles "one of my favorite artists of the year," a sentiment echoed by many taste-makers. The disc's lead single, Sunshine, was a "Song Of The Week" on iTunes - where the album reached #6 on the R&B chart, and in addition to NPR success, it charted at Hot AC, AAA and Smooth Jazz radio, as did her follow up single, I Know. The latest single, the potent and bluesy Your Love's A Lie, has just been released to radio.

On Friday, January 20th, Karsh Kale will be gearing up for his fourth Six Degrees Records release, Broken English, easily segues from his role in the studio as producer and live performer. His Realize Live band, featuring guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards and Kale on drum kit and tablas, take basic ideas from South Asian modalities and apply them into a rock/funk/electro template. Just as Kale is taking his Indian percussion into new arenas, vocalist Vishal Vaid is updating the Persian art of ghazal singing in an entirely new context. Said NY Times head writer Jon Parales of this groundbreaking outfit, "The band layered its music by ear, not by preconception, so Indian melodies were supported by Western chords, and meditations could gradually solidify into marches. The musical hybrids weren't stunts. They were the sound of musicians who listen widely and well." Karsh Kale will be at CODA, 34 East 34th St (@ Madison Ave), NYC, on Friday, January 20, 2006. Doors are at 8 pm; tickets are $18 in advance / $20 day of show.

CHRIS BOTTI LIVE IN CONCERT WITH STING, GLADYS KNIGHT, PAUL BUCHANAN, JILL SCOTT, RENE OLSTEAD, PAULA COLE & BURT BACHARACH SET TO AIR ON TV

The critically-acclaimed Grammy-nominated trumpeter Chris Botti, whose recent albums To Love Again: The Duets (2005) and When I Fall In Love (2004) have raised the bar of excellence in the interpretation of pop jazz standards while creating a uniquely contemporary sound and style, stars in "CHRIS BOTTI LIVE with Orchestra & Special Guests,"set to premiere during the March PBS Pledge Week (check your local listings).

What Are You Doing For The Rest Of Your Life? the Chris Botti & Sting track from To Love Again: The Duets, is in the current running for the Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) Grammy while In Our Time, the track featuring Botti on Burt Bacharach's At This Time album, has been nominated for a Grammy in the Best Pop Instrumental Performance category.

"CHRIS BOTTI LIVE with Orchestra & Special Guests," shot December 1 and 2, 2005, over a Thursday-Friday run at LA's fabled Wilshire Theatre, inspired the Los Angeles Times Don Heckman to write, "It was apparent, from the first notes Chris Botti played at the Wilshire Theatre on Friday, that the sold-out house was in for a special evening...Botti's latest album, To Love Again - as well

as the previously released When I Fall In Love - features extraordinary lineups of vocal guest artists. Six showed up for the concert - Sting, Jill Scott, Paula Cole, Renee Olstead, Paul Buchanan and Gladys Knight – along with Burt Bacharach ...despite the inevitable audience excitement generated by the appearance of such vocal headliners and despite the artists' diversity of interpretations, it was Botti's virtuosic trumpet work, his inventive melody-making, his engaging onstage presence and his powerful band ...that ruled the evening..."

A full concert version of "CHRIS BOTTI LIVE with Orchestra & Special Guests" is slated for DVD release in late March.

CHRIS BOTTI LIVE with Orchestra & Special Guests set list
1 - Someone to Watch Over Me
2 - What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? (w/ Sting)
3 - 1000 Kisses Deep
4 - Lover Man (w/ Gladys Knight)
5 - My One and Only Love (w/ Paula Cole)
6 - Are You Lonesome Tonight? (w/ Paul Buchanan)
7 - When I Fall In Love
8 - Good Morning Heartache (w/ Jill Scott)
9 - The Look of Love (w/ Burt Bacharach & Paula Cole)
10 - My Funny Valentine (w/ Sting)
11 - Cinema Paradiso
12 - Pennies From Heaven (w/ Rene Olstead)
13 - Why Not?

Chris Botti Tour Dates
01/19/06 - Green Bay, WI @ Meyer Theatre
01/20/06 - Cedarburg, WI @ Cedarburg Performing Art Center
01/21/06 - Jasper, IN @ Jasper Community Arts Center
01/27/06 - Prescott, AZ @ Yavapai College Performing Hall
01/28/06 - Phoenix, AZ @ Ikeda Theatre
01/29/06 - Seattle, WA @ Moore Theatre
02/02/06 - Lebanon, NH @ Lebanon Opera House
02/03/06 - Greenvale, NY @ Tilles Center For The Performing Arts
02/04/06 - Palmetto Bay, FL @ Palmetto Bay Village Center
02/14/06 - Detroit, MI @ Detroit Symphony Orchestra
02/15/06 - Des Moines, IA @ Civic Center Of Greater Des Moines
02/16/05 - Omaha, NE @ Orpheum Theatre
02/17/06 - Dallas, TX @ "Savor Dallas Fest"
02/18/06 - Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont Club
02/21/06 - Harrisburg, PA @ Whitaker Center
02/22/06 - Cleveland, OH @ Playhouse Square Center, Palace Theater
02/23/06 - Washington, DC @ Warner Theater
02/24/06 - Glenside, PA @ Keswick Theater
02/25/06 - Baltimore, MD @ Lyric Opera House, Theatre
02/26/06 - Waterbury, CT@ Palace Theatre
02/27/06 - Decatur, AL @ Princess Theater (Date Change)
03/03/06 - St. Louis, MO @ Touhill Pac
03/08/06 - Beaver Creek, CO @ Vilar Center For The Arts
03/09/06 - Colorado Springs, CO @ Pike's Peak Center
03/10/06 - Sioux Falls, SD @ Washington Pavilion
03/11/06 - Minneapolis, MN@ State Theatre
03/22/06 - Redding, CA @ Redding Convention Center, Theatre
03/23/06 - Sacramento, PA @ Radisson Hotel
03/24/06 - San Francisco, CA @ Nob Hill Masonic Center
03/25/06 - Fresno, CA @ William Saroyan Theatre
03/26/06 - San Diego, CA @ Spreckles Theatre
03/28/06 - Sahuarita, AZ @ Diamond Desert Casino
03/29/06 - Palm Desert, CA @ Bob Hope Cultural Center, McCallum Theatre
03/30/06 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Orleans Hotel And Casino
03/31/06 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Orleans Hotel And Casino
04/01/06 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Orleans Hotel And Casino
04/02/06 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Orleans Hotel And Casino
04/05/06 - Seattle, WA @ Jazz Alley
04/06/06 - Seattle, WA @ Jazz Alley
04/07/06 - Seattle, WA @ Jazz Alley
04/08/06 - Seattle, WA @ Jazz Alley
04/09/06 - Seattle, WA @ Jazz Alley
04/21/06 - Bremerton, WA @ Admiral Theatre
04/22-24/06 - Portland, OR @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
04/25/06 - Salem, OR @ Smith Auditorium
04/26/06 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kingsbury Auditorium
04/28/06 - Orange Cove, CA @ Pacific Symphony
04/29/06 - Orange Cove, CA @ Pacific Symphony
05/05/06 - Indianapolis, IN @ Indianapolis Symphony -Anderson University
05/06/06 - Indianapolis, IN @ Indianapolis Symphony -Anderson University
05/07/06 - Indianapolis, IN @ Indianapolis Symphony- Anderson University
05/10-14/06 - Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Casino

CARLOS SANTANA TO BE INDUCTED INTO NAACP IMAGE AWARDS HALL OF FAME

Carlos Santana to Be Inducted Into NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame 37th NAACP Image Awards Ceremony to Air March 3 on FOX

Legendary musician and guitarist extraordinaire Carlos Santana will be inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame, NAACP Image Awards Executive Producer Vicangelo Bulluck announced today. The prestigious Hall of Fame Award will be presented during the February 25th taping of the 37th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles. The awards ceremony will air Friday, March 3 (8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Bruce S. Gordon, President and CEO of the NAACP, said: "Carlos Santana is a visionary artist whose work has inspired and motivated people of all races and cultures. He has created music that has become the soundtrack for the world and I have always had great respect for his musical genius as well as his spirit. We are honored that he is joining us to celebrate his remarkable life and accomplishments."

Image Awards Chairperson Clayola Brown noted: "Carlos Santana is a true virtuoso and guiding light in the music world. Through his music and humanitarian efforts he has influenced generations, and we are proud to bestow this honor on him."

The Hall of Fame Award is bestowed on an individual who is a pioneer in his or her respective field and whose influence will shape the profession for generations to come. This individual is recognized for his or her impact nationally and internationally, and for a career which exemplifies high artistic achievement, professionalism and public service.

Best known worldwide for the group that bears his name, Carlos Santana has been reinventing and reshaping the landscape of musical culture for close to four decades. His fluid sound laid claim to the concept of "world music" before the term ever surfaced on the pop culture radar. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Santana has sold more than 90 million records and has performed for over 100 million people around the world. He is the recipient of 10 Grammy Awards, and has also won three Latin Grammy Awards. In 2004, he received the Latin Recording Academy's prestigious "Person of the Year" honor.

In addition to his musical accolades, Santana has a long history of social activism and contributes his time and funds to humanitarian causes. He and his wife, Deborah, founded their Milagro Foundation in 1988. With close to $2 million in grants to date, the Milagro Foundation supports organizations promoting the welfare of underserved children in the areas of health education and the arts.

Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its half-million adult and youth members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities and monitor equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

DaimlerChrysler returns as the diamond sponsor of the 37TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS. Other major supporters include American Airlines, Bank of America, FedEx, General Motors and Verizon.

JAMIE CULLUM US/CANADA 2006 TOUR DATES

We just received information regarding Jamie Cullum’s US/Canada 2006 tour and here the dates line up so far:

Wed 1st March 06 - Moore Theatre, Seattle
Thurs 2nd March 06 - Crystal Ballroom, Portland
Sat 4th March 06 - Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
Tues 7th March 06 - Avalon, Los Angeles
Wed 8th March 06 - House of Blues, Anaheim
Fri 10th March 06 - Ogden Theatre, Denver
Sun 12th March 06 - Fitgerald, St. Paul, Minnesota
Mon 13th March 06 - Park West, Chicago
Tues 14th March 06 - Pageant, St. Louis
Fri 17th March 06 - SXSW, Austin
Sun 19th March 06 - Tabernacle, Atlanta
Tues 21st March 06 - Harbourfront Centre, Toronto
Wed 22nd March 06 - Royal Oak Theatre, Detroit
Thurs 23rd March 06 - House of Blues, Cleveland
Sat 25th March 06 - 930 Club, Washington DC
Mon 27th March 06 - Kimmel Centre, Philadelphia
Wed 29th March 06 - Town Hall, New York City
Thurs 30th March 06 - Opera House, Boston

SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS

New York’s Smooth Jazz CD101.9 will be sponsoring the upcoming Valentine’s Concert on Friday, February 10, 2006. The event will feature Richard Elliot, Rick Braun and Peter White and will take place at the Nokia Theatre in New York City. And speaking of CD101.9, we took a peek at their latest playlist and noticed that they have been heavily rotating the following smooth jazz songs lately: Euge Groove – Get Em Goin’; Walter Beasley – Coolness; Marion Meadows – Suede; Rick Braun – Shining Star; Richard Elliot - Mystique; Philippe Saisse – Do It Again; Paul Brown – Winelight; Chieli Minucci – The Juice; Paul Taylor – East Bay Bounce; and Jeff Lorber – Everybody Knows That.

San Antonio’s KQXT-FM radio personality David Munoz will host the January 14 Smooth Jazz Winterfest at the Lila Cockrell Theatre featuring Will Downing, Regina Belle and Gerald Albright. Downing’s latest CD is Soul Symphony and Regina Belle’s is the acclaimed George Duke-produced Lazy Afternoon. Munoz is the host of "The Saturday Night Jazz Show" and "The Sunday Morning Jazz Show" on KQXT-FM.

With its upwardly mobile demographic alternative jazz station KJAZ 98.1FM, is carving a niche in Bermuda’s competitive broadcasting market. In January, Marshall Griffin joined the station as the mid-day contemporary jazz personality and in December Valerie (VJ) Leader joined as the host of Smooth Jazz with Satin Doll.

Kirk Whalum continues on his concert trek with three more dates lined-up for his "I Said I Love You Tour". The confirmed concerts are: Friday, February 10 in San Diego, CA; Saturday, February 11 in Atlanta, GA; and Tuesday, and a special Valentine’s concert on February 14 in San Francisco, CA.

BCS Records will release Crystal Blue, the latest album from keyboardist and composer Billy Shields. The CD includes covers of Van Morrison’s Have I Told You Lately, Sade’s Cherry Pie, plus the title track Crystal Blue Persuasion (originally recorded by Tommy James & The Shondells back in the 60’s). The CD is pure smooth jazz with some sexy excursions into R&B grooves territory. Produced by Preston Glass (George Benson, Kenny G, Lionel Richie, Earth Wind & Fire), Crystal Blue is set for release in April 2006.

NEW RELEASES FROM CHICO HAMILTON, SLOW TRAIN SOUL, RICK BRAUN, SHIRLEY HORN, THIEVERY CORPORATION & OTHERS...

CHICO HAMILTON – JUNIFLIP
New from legendary jazz drummer and bandleader Chico Hamilton is Juniflip, with special guest appearances from: legendary Love front-man Arthur Lee, criminally under-rated vocalist (and successful actor) Bill Henderson and former Hamilton band members trombonist George Bohanon and bass trombonist Jimmy Cheatham. Each guest lends his unique and distinct voice to the different journey that is Juniflip. Thru every track Chico invites the listener along on a singular, singing and swinging adventure. Awarded a NEA's Jazz Master Fellowship in 2004, Juniflip is just one more achievement that illustrates why Chico Hamilton is a jazz master and still the man for every generation.

BARGROOVES – MANHATTAN
The first CD (mixed by Ben Sowton) is laden with soulful female vocal Garage tracks like 8 Letters from Holmes Ives featuring Avalon Frost, Jay-J & Mark Grant featuring Latrice Barnett's Love Is, and Dance With Me from K-Klass with former Prince collaborator Rosie Gaines as well as plenty of repetitively mesmerizing, spacey tracks like Ross Couch's flute-filled Feel It, the bongo-fronted Controls The Sound by Fresh And Low, or the graceful Freeway from Soularis. Chuck Love's El Divorcee includes flamenco guitars over vintage 70s-styled organ. The second CD (mixed by Mateo and Matos) relies on pretty piano tracks with skipping beats like Vanessa Freeman's The Way or Set You Free from Eddie Matos as well as some more Latin-inspired tracks like two from Matos, Cuanto Te Quiero and Quiere Bailar, both filled with sexy female vocal snippets over driving percussion and muy caliente piano breakdowns.

DAVE MATTHIUS HOUSE MIXED VOL. 1
This new release includes the Lee Cabrera mix of Martin Solveig's Rocking Music and then Clepto's take on Frankie Knuckles' Bac N Da Day. Kaskade's beautiful yet moody Steppin' Out chills things out a bit and is followed by a handful of decent but unmemorable tracks until Miango's O Loko [Afro Vibes] kicks in. The cut mixes hot African vocals and Latin jazz trumpet and flute into a great broken beat samba. Although Costa S's El Comandante continues the groovy Latin vibe for a few more minutes, it is followed by yet more okay songs up until disc one's closer, Enamor's I Believe.

JANA – FLASH OF A FIREFLY
Native-American singer-songwriter Jana has charted on Billboard in the past with hits like Stairway To Heaven, More Than Life and Found A Love. Her debut album – Flash Of A Firefly is now available and of the sixteen songs on the album, Jana contributed her writing skills on eleven of them. The CD does have a mixture of it all – if you are looking for over-the-top pop, listen to Gotta Be. Need a day to connect with the man upstairs? Play Friend Above – a very pretty gospel song. Still in need of a fix of ‘feel good’ music? Be sure and play One Spirit about peace and I Am about diversity.

SLOW TRAIN SOUL – ILLEGAL CARGO
Slow Train Soul’s Illegal Cargo is filled with a bunch of smooth funky grooves from the airy vocals of Lady Z and modern synthetic programming orchestration by Morten Varano, both of London, England who coupled-up as co-engineers on this locomotive of sound. All aboard and watch the closing doors. Excellent is In The Black Of The Night among the many other cuts). I really enjoyed the crucial smooth bass beats (and so will you too).

KASKADE – HOUSE OF OM
In the latest mix compilation from Om, Kaskade, after over a year of touring the world after his debut LP release "It's You, It's Me," goes back to his diverse Chicago house roots. Though he has been welcomed and championed by the West Coast deep house scene, his real love is of diva-inspired uplifting vocal music, which makes it no surprise that one of his greatest supporters and friends is Marques Wyatt. This mix compilation does well to brand the more lazy mellowed-out deep house grooves with the New York and Chicago vocals that are Kaskade's muse. Kaskade's track selection is for the most part tailored to please the Om crowd while staying true to his own roots, and the mix truly illustrates the diversity and complexity of his house vision, which fuses house music from coast to coast. Kaskade is definitely a rising star in Om's lineup.

SANDER KLEINENBERG & LEE BURRIDGE – THIS IS EVERYBODY! ON TOUR
Everybody on Tour! is a new double CD from Dutch superstar Sander Kleinenberg and UK jock Lee Burridge on Ultra Records. Tracks include Our House by Pony, a very laidback track, DJ T's remix of Mylo's Muscle Car, the female vocals naming off American muscle cars is just infectious. Taking it up another notch, the mix picks up even more with West London Deep's Dark Matter, another great piece of music from the duo. Sander ends the up-and-down mix with the dub version of Robert Babic's Look..

THIEVERY CORPORATION – SOUNDS FROM THE THIEVERY HI-FI
The classic debut album from electronic music pioneers Thievery Corporation. This special edition has been re-packaged as a digipak and now features two exclusive bonus tracks: Sun, Moon, and Stars and Sleeper Car. Where it all began, absolutely essential. Release date: January 26, 2006.

SHIRLEY HORN – BUT BEAUTIFUL
But Beautiful gives us some classic recordings that highlight her career, as well as three bonus tracks recorded from a recent performance at the Au Bar in New York City. The first eleven tracks are from Horn’s Verve Records catalogue, including I Thought About You and Loads of Love: Shirley Horn with Horns, which was originally released on Mercury Records. Throughout, Horn is at her best. While her sound is clean and her tone perfect, she sings with the same soulful flair that got Miles Davis’ attention many years ago. To Shirley Horn fans who already have all her albums, the three bonus tracks, while good, may not be worth it. But for those who haven't heard much Horn, But Beautiful is a great place to start.
Track Listing: I Just Found Out About Love; You Won’t Forget Me; You Don’t Know Me; The Great City, Fever; If You Love Me; A Time for Love; Come Dance With Me; Nice ‘n’ Easy; But Beautiful; Here’s to Life; Jelly, Jelly; Loads of Love; I Didn’t Know What Time It Was.
Personnel: Shirley Horn: vocals, piano; various artists with Ed Howard: bass (11-13); Steve Williams: drums (11-13); Roy Hargrove: trumpet (11, 13); George Mesterhazy: guitar (11-13); and Buck Hill: saxophone (13).

URSULA 1000 – HERE COMES TOMORROW
The new studio album from Ursula 1000 exploring a mind meld of jazz, electro, Latin, swing, ska, bossa nova, hip hop, psychedelia and glam rock. Featuring guests Los Amigos Invisibles, Cristina (Ze Records), Members of the Gentle People, Qypthone, Cabaret Noir, Misty Roses and so much more! Look for worldwide DJ dates in March and April! Release date: March 21, 2006.

Smooth jazz trumpeter Rick Braun serves up a potluck mix of covers on his latest album, Yours Truly. While each is restyled with his usual noninvasive instrumental template, the sheer diversity makes the collection surprisingly adventurous. Whether he is doing a laid-back take on Simply Red's Holdin' Back the Years, a playful reading of Deee-Lite's Groove Is in the Heart or a lovely, swaying reinterpretation of John Mayer's Daughters, Braun brings something new to his hand-picked choices. That is a rare feat among the tide of cover albums in the marketplace. Artistry and commerce: Braun certainly hits all the right notes here

NEW RELEASES: WEEK OF JANUARY 10, 2006

9th Creation – Bubble Gum
Andreas Vollenweider – White Winds / Book Of Roses (Kin Kou/Savoy)
Bill Evans – Bill Evans Plays For Lovers (Fantasy)
Blue Magic – Blue Magic
Cecilia Stalin – Straight Up
Chet Baker – Chet Baker Plays For Lovers (Concord)
Dave Brubeck – Dave Brubeck Plays For Lovers (Concord)
Dee Dee Bridgewater – Dee Dee Bridgewater
Eddie Costa Trio – Complete Recordings
Elliot James – Cinematic Life (Wateree Recordings)
Ennio Morricone – Library Vol. 1 – Musiche Composte Per Il Cinema
Ennio Morricone – Morricone Bossa – An Exclusive Collection of Rare Bossa Nova Tunes
Etta James – The Definitive Collection (Hip-O/UME)
Etta James – Love Songs (Private)
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin & Sammy Davis, Jr. – Love From The Rat Pack
Graham Central Station – My Radio Sure Sounds Good To Me
Grover Washington Jr. – Gold (Hip-O/UME, 2 CDs)
Haroldo Mauro Jr. – Bossa Na Pressao
Illinois Jacquet – Bosses Of The Ballad
Julie London – The Very Best Of Julie London (Capital/EMI, 2 CDs)
Kenny Barron – What If
Lee Perry – Dubstrumentals – Kung Fu Meets The Dragon/Return Of Wax/Musical Bones
Liquid Liquid – Liquid Liquid
Marlena Shaw – Out Of Different Bags (Japanese Edition)
Martin Taylor – Sketches A Tribute To Art Tatum (P3 Music)
Nina Simone – The Definitive Collection (Hip-O/UME)
Phyllis Hyman – Love Songs (Buddah/Arista)
Regina Belle – Love Songs (Columbia/Legacy)
Rufus With Chaka Khan – Camouflage (Japanese Edition)
Sun Ra – Futuristic Sounds Of Sun Ra
Teena Marie – Wild And Peaceful (expanded edition)
Tony Bennett – Tony Bennett Plays For Lovers (Concord)
Various Artists – Dirty Martini: A Sultry Blend Of Lounge & Chill (Water Music)
Various Artists – UFO Lounge
Various Artists – Afro Night
Various Artists – Crème De La Crème Vol. 2 – More Philly Soul Classics & Rarities
Various Artists – Soulful Thangs Vol. 4 – 22 Rare & Hard To Find Sweet & Northern Soul Classics
Various Artists – Soul Galore – 60s & 70s Northern Soul Classics
Various Artists – Philly Sound Get Down – Philly Funk Intrumentals

LOU RAWLS - THE PASSING OF A TRUE LEGEND

Lou Rawls - the velvet-voiced singer who started as a church choir boy and went on to record such classic tunes as You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine, died Monday, January 6, 2006 of cancer. He was 72.

Rawls died at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was hospitalized last month for treatment of lung and brain cancer, according to his publicist. His wife, Nina, was at his bedside when he died. Rawls' family said the singer was 72, although other records indicate he was 70.

Rawls' deep, smooth voice was his trademark, and he used it in a variety of genres. A longtime community activist, Rawls played a major role in United Negro College Fund telethons in the 1980s that raised more than $200 million. In the '60s he often visited schools, playgrounds and community centers.

Rawls was playing small blues and R&B clubs in Los Angeles when his four-octave range caught the ear of a Capitol Records producer, who signed him to the label in 1962. His debut effort, Stormy Monday, recorded with the Les McCann Trio, was the first of his 52 albums. In 1966, his Love Is a Hurtin' Thing topped the charts and earned Rawls his first two Grammy nominations.

He won three Grammys in a career that spanned nearly five decades and included the hits Your Good Thing (Is About to End), Natural Man and Lady Love. He released his most recent album, Seasons 4 U, in 1998 on his own label, Rawls & Brokaw Records.

But his trademark will always be You'll Never Find, released in 1976 and written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, architects of the classic "Philadelphia Sound." Rawls also appeared in 18 movies, including "Leaving Las Vegas" and "Blues Brothers 2000," and 16 television series, including "Fantasy Island" and "The Fall Guy." In 1976, Rawls became the corporate spokesman for the Anheuser-Busch Cos. breweries.

Rawls was diagnosed with lung cancer in December 2004 and brain cancer in May 2005. Besides his wife, Rawls is survived by four children: Louanna Rawls, Lou Rawls Jr., Kendra Smith and Aiden Rawls. Funeral arrangements were incomplete at deadline.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson will lead last rites Friday (Jan. 13) for Lou Rawls. An 11 a.m. funeral will be held at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ on Crenshaw Boulevard with Jackson officiating.Burial will be private. On Thursday, a public viewing will be held at Angelus Funeral Home starting at 3 p.m. The family requested that instead of flowers, donations be made to the United Negro College Fund.

The entertainer's last UNCF telethon, recorded in September, aired nationally over the weekend, hours after he died.

APPLE ANNOUNCES THE iPOD FM RADIO REMOTE

Apple today announced the iPod Radio Remote which combines the convenience of a wired remote control with new FM capabilities for the iPod nano and fifth generation iPod. The iPod Radio Remote enables users to skip tracks and adjust the volume of their iPod even when it's in a pocket or backpack and listen to FM radio stations while displaying station and song information on their iPod screen. The iPod Radio Remote includes a pair of Apple headphones with a shorter cable, perfectly complementing the iPod Radio Remote and will begin shipping for $49 (US). The iPod displays station and song information for stations that support the Radio Data System (RDS). Speaking at the company's annual Macworld conference in San Francisco, Chief Executive Steve Jobs said the company sold 14 million iPods during the holiday quarter and 42 million to date. He also said the company's online iTunes store has so far sold 850 million songs. The new accessories will begin shipping immediately and will be available through the Apple Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.

AMBER WHITLOCK - THE COLOURS OF LIFE

Vocalist Amber Whitlock, a resounding new voice in Jazz glimpses the future of internet impact on the "original" indy art form, Jazz and it's many genres, while she premieres her new CD The Colours of Life. Fort this release, Amber rounded up an impressive array of jazz's "Who's Who," including the unsurpassed Michael Brecker (tenor saxophone), Vinnie Colaiuta (drums) teamed with Anthony Jackson (contrabass guitar) and Amber's husband Rob Whitlock (Hammond B3/Piano) in the rhythm section. The CD features an inspired performance from guitar guru Scott Henderson, and a duet with Jim Gilstrap (Stevie Wonder; You Are The Sunshine of My Life).

Amber Whitlock, an East Coast transplant from Miami & the D.C. area is currently based in Southern California. She enjoys marrying the singing styles of classic singers like Billie Holiday & Diana Krall with the creative writing styles of the likes of Joni Mitchell & Sting. Amber is writing and producing partner to jazz keyboardist Rob Whitlock for their many projects along the way, as well as being his wife. A session singer since the mid seventies, Amber has been singing jazz and popular music for years and is well seasoned and mature in her approach.In a recent syndicated review, "Jazzed with Monte Byrd," he writes; "Amber Whitlock may be the best kept secret in the world of jazz vocalists, female or otherwise. Her voice is fresh, but seasoned, strong and yet delicate, rich and giving in it's texture. She captures the essence of that which has defined our greatest singers; the bell-like pitch of Rosemary Clooney, the graceful swing of Ella, the knowing edge of Joni Mitchell and the smoky elegance of Nancy Wilson."

On this, her debut solo effort, Amber is joined by an assemblage of some of the finest players in the business. As on husband, Rob Whitlock's Sketchin, reviewed in the August 2005 issue, this recording features a brilliant performance by the legendary Michael Brecker on the tenor saxophone. Reminiscent of his work with Steely Dan and other top artists, Brecker's sax weaves a colorful tapestry around the singer's voice and other instruments. Her duet with Stevie Wonder vocalist, Jim Gilstrap (You Are The Sunshine of My Life) evokes such pairings as Roberta Flack & Peabo Bryson. Never lost in the mix however, this lovely diva's voice is the main ingredient that makes this tasty jazz stew work."

Among the outstanding compositions featured on this recording are five beautifully written songs by Amber and Rob. A soulful reading of the Stylistics' Betcha By Golly Wow, and a touching rendering of Randy Newman's When She Loved Me are diverse but satisfying choices and give the resulting collection a unique personality."Other highlights on the CD include a unique version of When I Look In Your Eyes with an incredible & unusual solo from bassist Anthony Jackson, a gorgeous gospel choir of LA's top singers and a vocoder solo by Rob Whitlock. A second duet features a favorite partner of Amber's, Leonard Tucker, who blends with her like milk with honey for a playful romp echoing the classic soul group Sea Breeze.

Whitlock has recently recorded along with Herbie Hancock on Hubert Laws Moondance release, also with Warren Weibe, Max Bennett, Kevyn Lettau, Mary Clayton, Sarah and Sean Watkins of "Nickel Creek" and has shared the stage with Diane Schurr, Tom Scott, Freddy Cole, Joe Williams, and has been a guest of the smooth jazz star studded "KSBR Birthday Bash." Her resume also includes opening for Jackie Mason.

Amber's Influences include: Billie Holiday, Roberta Flack, Phyllis Hyman, Nancy Wilson, Joni Mitchell, Rickie Lee Jones, Sting and many others. Currently Amber is listening to Diana Krall, Nora Jones and Madeline Peyroux. Artists like Ms. Whitlock, are finding that having a powerful product, being well versed in the diverse styles of jazz, and knowing and working with the greats in the industry is not enough. Now all she needs to do along with a host of other artists is to conquer the web!

GOAPELE - CHANGE IT ALL

This new release from Goapele - Change It All is filled with soulful and radiant grooves. Praised by the likes of Rolling Stone, Billboard and Vibe Magazine since her debut album Even Closer dropped into our everyday lives, the Oakland-based songstress is about to take her electrifying and emotion-drenched songs to the next level with her sophomore set, Change It All. With nods to Stevie Wonder, Miriam Makeba, Bob Marley and Nina Simone, Goapele easily moves from one genre to another without getting lost in the shuffle. While Love Me Right mixes electro-funk with pop influences, Darker Side Of The Moon, produced by Linda Perry (Pink, Christina Aguilera), stretches the borders of standard R&B.