NEW RELEASES FROM JAMES BROWN, CANDY DULFER, GERALD CANNON, TRIO DA PAZ, JIMMY CLIFF & OTHERS

Upcoming Releases the Week of September 20, 2005...

Andreas Vollenweider – Vox (SLG)
Bad Plus – Suspicious Activity? (Columbia)
Ben Thomas Group – Triskaidekaphobia (Origin)
Candy Dulfer – Live At Montreux 2002 (Eagle)
Chick Corea – Rendezvous In New York – 10 DVD box set (Image)
Claude Bolling – Warm Up The Band (Fremeaux)
Crimson Jazz Trio – The King Crimson Songbook, Volume 1 (Voiceprint)
Eddie Daniels – Blue Bossa (Candid)
Eric Marienthal – Got You Covered (Peak)
Gerald Cannon – Gerald Cannon (Woodneck)
James Brown – Getting’ Down To It (Verve)
Jamie Cullum – Catching Tales (Universal)
Jimi Tunnell – Trilateral Commission (Art Of Life)
Jimmy Cliff – The Harder They Come: The Definitive Collection (2CDs UK-Trojan/Sanctuary)
Jonathan Kreisberg – Unearth (Mel Bay/Guitar Sessions)
Ken Clark Organ Trio – Mutual Respect (Severn)
Kim Waters – All For Love (Shanachie)
Kyle Eastwood – Paris Blue
LaToya London – Love And Life (Peak)
Matt Otto – Red (Origin)
NDIO – Airback (Cunieform)
Ray Charles – Pure Genius: The Complete Atlantic Recordings 1952-1959 – 7 CDs + 1 DVD (Rhino)
Ray Charles – Genius And Friends (Rhino)
Ray Charles – At The Olympia: Concert Of November 22, 2000 – CD + DVD (WEA/England)
Sam Cooke – Night Beat (RCA)
Sam Cooke – Best Of Sam Cooke (RCA)
Sam Cooke – Live At The Harlem Square Club, 1963 One Night Stand (RCA)
Sun Ra Arkestra – Live In West Berlin 1983 – DVD (Transparen)
Sun Ra Arkestra – Love At The Palomino LA 1988 – DVD (Transparen)
Thelma Houston – Ride To The Rainbow (1979 album, UK-Motown)
Traffic – Last Great Traffic Jam – DVD + CD (Epic)
Trio Da Paz – Somewhere (Blue Toucan)

TRUTH & SOUL/FASTLIFE MUSIC RELEASES NEW ALBUM BY CINEMATIC SOUL GROUP EL MICHELS AFFAIR

Truth & Soul / Fastlife Music has released El Michels Affair's debut album Sounding Out The City. El Michels Affair are true originals of "cinematic soul." On this album, the group has put together eleven, instrumental gems that will have producers running to their samplers and record collectors reaching for their wallets. Through its Jamaican production aesthetics, lush cinematic arrangements, and raw, soulful musicality, Sounding Out The City is not only a record that will incite dance-floor frenzies, but is also a story expressed through music, a reflection of life in a bustling metropolis -- good, bad, and indifferent. Highlights on Sounding Out The City include Detroit Twice, Musings To Myself (El Michels Affair's tribute to deep funk guru, Timothy McNealy), Behind The Blue Curtains, and a unique cover of the Isaac Hayes classic, Hung Up On My Baby.

El Michels Affair was started in early 2001 by Leon Michels, who at the time was recording steadily for Phillip Lehman's underground, New York based funk label, Soul Fire. Prior to this, at age 16 Michels had been part of a deep funk organ quartet called the Mighty Imperials which thrived in the deep funk scene along with the Poets of Rhythm and the Dap Kings. In 2001 the band disbanded and Michels and band mate Movshon went to work and record for Lehman's label Soul Fire. Both Michels and Movshon had been reared on a strict musical diet of James Brown and the Meters and had begun to widen their horizons with heavy doses of Rock Steady, Dub, Garage Rock, Afro Beat, and 70's soundtrack records. With these influences fresh in their heads, they began to record music that strayed from the usual cookie cutter funk that had begun to saturate the genre.

In 2003, when Lehman's interest in his label began to wane, Michels purchased a Tascam 388, a 1/4 inch, 8 track home recording module from the late seventies and started to record songs in his parents basement, experimenting with different sounds and off-beat recording techniques, and officially started El Michels Affair. The band soon expanded into a nine-piece outfit. Members are: Toby Pazner, Homer Steinweiss, Sean Solomon, Jeff Silverman, Quincy Bright, Michael Leonhart, Aaron Johnson, Thomas Brenneck, and Stuart Douglas Bogie. There first single as El Michels Affair was a 12" entitled Easy Access on Soul Fire's label and it soon became a classic for underground hip hop and funk DJ's such as Rich Medina and Keb Darge, who kept it in heavy rotation for years. The band slowly worked at achieving its sound and their first and upcoming record was finished in 2003 but shelved for two years.

In 2004 Michels and former Soul Fire employee and engineer, Jeff Silverman, started their own label, Truth & Soul, which has now become label and production house based out of Brooklyn, NY that specializes in deep funk and soul. Truth & Soul has recently teamed up with Fastlife Music. (Fastlife's Soul Fire: the Majestic Collection recently chronicled the history of the label). Sounding Out The City was released on August 23rd.

MUSIC NEWS: DAVID HOLMES, JAZZ FESTIVALS & DANCE MUSIC HALL OF FAME

DAVID HOLMES & THIEVERY CORPORATION ON GAME SOUNDTRACK
Thievery Corporation, Supreme Brings Of Nature, David Holmes (from the Ocean’s 11 and 12 soundtracks) and the Dave Matthews Band are among the artists contributing music to the in-game soundtrack for Electronic Arts’ (EA) Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06. For more information go to www.tigerwoods06.com.

NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL 2006
Rest assured that the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest) will return next year according the event organizers. The specifics are being worked out and whether or not New Orleans will host the events will depend on how the clean-up process is coming along. Nearby Baton Rouge could host the event through default.

DANCE MUSIC HALL OF FAME AWARDS
Tickets are now on sale for the Dance Music Hall of Fame 2005 induction ceremony. The event will take place on September 19 in the Grand Ballroom at the Manhattan Center (NY), and the party will feature a special reunion of the original members of The Trammps, as well as performances by Gloria Gaynor, Martha Wash, Byron Stingly, Kathy Sledge, Bunny Sigler and Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes. Also making appearances will be Nile Rodgers, Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff, Montel Williams, Cheryl Lynn, Carol Douglas, Taana Gardner and Full Force. The 2005 inductees will be voted upon by more than a thousand dance music experts for the following categories: Performing Artist: Chic, Gloria Gaynor and Sylvester; Records: Disco Inferno by The Trammps, Good Times by Chic, Got To Be Real by Cheryl Lynn, I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor, and Stayin’ Alive by Bee Gees; Producers: Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff, Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards, and Quincy Jones; Remixers: Francois Kevorkian; and DJ’s: Francois Kevorkian, Frankie Knuckles and John "Jellybean" Benitez.

CLEARWATER JAZZ FESTIVAL
The Clearwater Jazz Festival is shaping up to be quite eclectic as we have just received the confirmed lineup. The event is scheduled from Thursday, October 15 through Sunday, October 16. Here is the final lineup: October 14: ABCD with Billy Norris, Nestor Torres and Trio! with Stanley Clarke, Bela Fleck and Jean-Luc Ponty; October 15: Les Sabler & Citiheat, Sakesho with Andy Narell, Rayford Griffin, Koko Taylor, Boney James and Fireworks; October 16: Liquid Soul, Ramsey Lewis Trio, Coolie Family Gospel Singers and REH/CJH Jazz Youth Band.

CAYMAN JAZZ FEST
Pageant Beach on Grand Cayman Island in the in the Cayman Islands is where the Cayman Jazz Fest will take place on December 1-3, 2005. The festival will include a diverse mix of both jazz and smooth jazz performers. Featured artists include Bliss Adagio, Terence Blanchard, James Carter, Nick Colionne, Norma Zenteno, Marion Meadows, Steve Oliver, James Perkins, Brian Culbertson, Kyle Turner, Michael Ward, Erin Fisher Wright, Kwame & Chavanduka Cobb, Mark Dini, Robert Glasper, Al Jarreau, Earl Klugh, George Duke, Ravi Coltrane and Chris Botti.

SANTANA'S 38th ALBUM "ALL THAT I AM" DUE NOVEMBER 1

Carlos Santana returns to the recording spotlight November 1 with the 38th album of his monumental career, All That I Am. The hotly anticipated new disc marks the third Santana album release on Arista Records, and features a star-studded gathering of world class guest artists including Steven Tyler, Michelle Branch & The Wreckers, OutKast's Big Boi, Mary J. Blige, Metallica's Kirk Hammett, Sean Paul, Los Lonely Boys, Joss Stone, will.i.am, Anthony Hamilton, Bo Bice and Robert Randolph. In addition to delivering guitar wizardry throughout, Carlos Santana co-produced All That I Am with industry legend, Arista/J Records founder/BMG U.S. Chairman & CEO Clive Davis, who also produced the multi-platinum and GRAMMY(R) award winning albums Supernatural and Shamen.

All That I Am's first single is I'm Feeling You, featuring Michelle Branch & The Wreckers. The instantly infectious track is already winning airplay at stations across the country. Co-written by John Shanks, Kara DioGuardi and Michelle Branch, the song's poetic and soulful celebration of young love, fueled by Carlos' lyrical guitar and Michelle's strong vocals, is an ideal end-of-summer serenade. Previously, Carlos famously teamed up with the vibrant songstress on the lead single from 2002's Shaman, The Game Of Love a GRAMMY(R)-winning, #5 Billboard pop hit.

All That I Am opens with the raw beauty of the Santana-penned, Afro-beat flavored stunner Hermes one of several potent, high-energy brews from Carlos and the Santana Band. Like Supernatural and Shaman, the new disc is also graced by a diverse assemblage of stellar guest collaborators on a string of blazing tracks. One of the stand-out tracks of the album, Just Feel Better, merges Santana's powerful musicianship with the legendary voice of Aerosmith's Steven Tyler. Others include My Man, a blissful guitar and dub master-mix boasting the artistry of Mary J. Blige and OutKast's Big Boi (co-written by Big Boi and Rob Thomas), and the passionate Cry Baby Cry, featuring Sean Paul and Joss Stone.

On Twisted, neo-soul star Anthony Hamilton unwinds an earthy and masterful vocal that wraps around Carlos' guitar line seamlessly for a track that sounds classic on first listen. The funky, up-tempo groove of I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love showcases alt-rock/Tex Mex favorites Los Lonely Boys, and the instrumental fervor of Trinity fuses Carlos' magic with the virtuoso licks of pedal-steel ace Robert Randolph and Metallica axeman Kirk Hammett. Other highlights pair Santana with American Idol star Bo Bice on Brown Skin Girl, and Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am on I Am Somebody.

All That I Am represents a continuation of the shared artistic vision of Carlos Santana and Clive Davis, who first collaborated at Columbia Records during Santana's initial rise to fame over three decades ago. When Davis signed Santana to Arista in 1998, it was a music history-making deal: 1999's now over 23 million sold worldwide blockbuster Supernatural went on to net a record-tying nine GRAMMYs for one project, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for the smash single Smooth. The most recent of Carlos Santana's many career honors was the World Music Awards 2005 top "Legend Award," received at the August 31 concert/gala at Los Angeles' Kodak Theater. ABC-TV recently ran a 2-hour taped Stateside broadcast on Sept. 13; in all, 160 countries will air the festivities. Presented annually since 1989 in recognition of outstanding contributions to music, "Legend" recipients also include Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Elton John and Chaka Khan, among others. A charitable event, the Awards are overseen by H.S.H. Prince Albert and the Monaco Aide & Presence Foundation, supporting schools, hospitals and orphanages worldwide.

Also in August, Carlos received an Honorary Doctorate from Southern California's Occidental College, and spoke at the school's opening convocation. All That I Am's release date approaches, the second leg of Santana's 2005 Embrace Your Light Tour kicked off in San Jose, CA on September 15, visiting the western and southwestern U.S. and cities in western Canada through mid-October. Robert Randolph and the Family Band will open, and fans will also experience the next generation of Santana music via sets from the Salvador Santana Band.

An inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Carlos Santana has won ten GRAMMY Awards, sold more than 90 million records, and performed to over 100 million people. Ever since Santana's electrifying performance at the original Woodstock in 1969, Carlos has been a globally renowned artist who continues to evolve and grow with every new endeavor. All That I Am builds on the legacy of one of the most extraordinary creative and personal journeys in music.For more information, visit www.santana.com

HOUSE OF OHM - MIXED BY GROOVE JUNKIES (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Veteran DJ/Producer Evan Landes, and accomplished Drummer/DJ Parrish Wintersmith (collectively known as Groove Junkies) have crafted a style influenced by soul, funk, r&b, jazz, gospel, and latin rhythms. The sound is full of pumping soulful grooves, uplifting lyrics, and unforgettable hooks are the addiction behind the Groove Junkies. This new CD collection contains 31 reedits and mixes. Disc One is the early evening-just beginning your evening mix (10PM – 1AM). Disc one is the early evening-just beginning your evening mix (10 pm –1 am) while disc two is the harder hitting, funk-driven tunes for the late night dancefloor (1 am to 4 am). The CD features a bunch of tracks from DJ Spen, Jay J, Rosie Gaines, Reese Project, Hardsoul, Kerri Chandler, Frankie Knuckles, Kenny Bobien , Miguel Migs , Jamie Lewis, Dawn Tallman & Bobby & Steve.

Here is the full track listing:
Disc 1
1. Groove Junkies Feat. Solara – Just Groovin" (Gj’s Unreleased Mix)
2. Reese Project feat. Paul Randolph – This Means That (Bobby & Steve Urban Groove Vox)
3. Jay-j & Halo Vaga with Latrice Barnett – Make My Heart (Miguel Migs Salted Remix)
4. DJ Spen & The Muthafunkas – Holy Ghost
5. Jamie Lewis presents Michelle Weeks – Be Thankful (Jamie Lewis Main Mix)
6. Dennis Ferrer feat. Kenny Bobien – So Grateful (Df’s Sub)
7. Richard Earnshaw – Feel Love (Club Mix)
8. Red – Release The Pressure (Rask & Salling Mix)
9. Blaze feat. Palmer Brown – My Beat (Sumo Rebounce)
10. La Fiesta Sound System – Dancando Domingo (Original Mix)
11. Karizma feat. DJ Spen – 4 Love (Spen-apella)12. Blaze feat. Kenny Bobien – Hi Ya Luv (Phil Hooten Remix)
13. Dawn Tallman – You Are Why (Bobby D’Ambrosio Remix)
14. Groove Junkies feat. Dianna L. Carter – Feels Like Home (Groove Junkies Classic Vocal Mix)

Disk 2
1. Bobby Blanco – Black Sugar
2. Knee Deep & Rasmus Faber presents Seawind Project feat. Emily Mcewan – Free Part 2
3. Rockers Revenge – Walking On Sunshine (Hott 22 Rhodes Revenge Mix)
4. Coffee Kids – Dangerous Frequencies (Original Mix)
5. Sandy Rivera – So Alive (Accapella)
6. Nu Rhythmix – Origins (Neo Funk Mix)
7. Pepe Link feat. Malcom "Molly" Duncan – Kalakuta (Original Mix)
8. Holt 22 – 8th Wonder
9. Groove Junkies feat. Diane Carter – Feels Like Home (Groove Junkies Soul Excursion Vocal)
10. Ian Carey – The Power (Sunday Morning Mix)
11. Hardsoul feat. New Cool Collective – Bounson (Hardsoul’s Latin Directions Original)
12. Groove Junkies feat. Indeya – Oh Lord (Preachapella)
13. DJ Meme presents Mandala – Viva (Original DJ Meme Club Mix)
14. Kerri Chandler – Bar A Thym
15. Bongoloverz feat. An-tonic – Power Of Music (Accapella)
16. Groove Junkies feat. Indeya – Music’s Gotcha Jumpin’ (Groove Junkies Room Madness Mix)
17. Frankie Knuckles feat. Nikki Richards – I’ve Had Enough (Groove Junkies Excursion Dub)

SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS

SUSAN TEDESCHI: HOPE AND DESIRE
Verve Forecast is set to release Susan Tedeschi’s latest album entitled Hope And Desire on October 11. It’s her first for the label and the 12-track album features interpretations of the Rolling Stones’ You Got The Silver, Bob Dylan’s Lord Protect My Child, Aretha Franklin’s Share Your Love With Me, and Ray Charles’ Tired Of My Tears. Tedeschi will perform this Friday, September 16 at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado.

RICHY KICKLIGHTER RELEASES 7th SMOOTH JAZZ CD
Richy Kicklighter and Midnight Pass Music announce the release of Richy’s new CD Moving Skies collection of 12 original smooth jazz songs. Moving Skies also features the piano of Neil Larsen, percussionist Gumbi Ortiz and others. Moving Skies follows in the path of Kicklighter’s earlier smooth jazz CDs that charted well on radio (R&R, Gavin), and features Kicklighter’s soulful, haunting melodies and distinctive guitar style. Moving Skies is his seventh CD and his first with the new Midnight Pass Music label. The label is based in Sarasota, Florida and specializes in producing smooth jazz, blues, world beat and folk. For additional information go to www.richykicklighter.com or www.midnightpassmusic.com.

NATALIE COLE LINING UP TOUR DATES
Singer Natalie Cole has scheduled a handful of tour dates through the end of 2005 with more to be announced shortly. The dates are as follows: Sept. 13: Salt Lake City, UT @ Abravanel Hall; Nov. 20: Aurora, IL @ Paramount Arts Center; Dec. 3: Costa Mesa, CA @ Orange County Performing Arts Center; Dec. 4: Palm Desert, CA @ McCallum Theater; and Dec. 31: Honolulu, HI @ Hilton Hawaiian Village.

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL TO HOST HURRICANE KATRINA BENEFIT
John Mayer Trio and Joss Stone are among the artists who have signed on to appear at a September 20 benefit concert for Hurricane Katrina victims at Radio City Music Hall (in New York). This event will be held simultaneously with another benefit being held at Madison Square Garden. Diana Krall, Bette Midler, Ry Cooder and Elvis Costello are among those line-up for the Madison Square Garden benefit.

OTHER SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS
Brazilian singer, songwriter and guitarist Celso Fonseca has a new Ziriguiboom/Six Degrees CD, Rive Gauche Rio, which blends the classic sounds of the 60’s bossa nova with some nice jazz overtones. He’s worked alongside Brazil’s best musicians – including Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Marisa Monte and Virginia Rodrigues. He’ll be making his San Francisco Bay Area debut on September 20 at Yoshi’s Club.

The San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival at the Embarcadero Marina Park North kicks off this Saturday, September 17, from 11 a. m. until dusk.

New York Chill station 101.9 (CD101) has formally changed its logo to CD101.9 Smooth Jazz, thereby fully abandoning the format that they had embraced for a mere 10 months. For now though, they will still be carrying the syndicated Chill With Chris Botti and Groove Boutique programs. No need to worry though as a nearby Long Island station (formerly WLIR-FM) has migrated to an Adult Contemporary/Smooth Jazz/Chill hybrid station called NeoBreeze. This new station kicks off on September 15 and we’ll have more information for you once we have had a chance to check it out.

JOHN MAYER TRIO TO TOUR

Steve Jordan and Pino Paddadino join John Mayer Trio

John Mayer has announced formation of the John Mayer Trio. Drummer Steve Jordan and bass player Pino Palladino have joined Mayer for a fall tour that began in San Francisco on September 6 and will include dates with the Rolling Stones in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

Here are the remaining tour dates:
Sept. 14 – Los Angeles, CA @ House Of Blues
Sept. 15 – Los Angeles, CA @ House Of Blues
Sept. 17 – Denver, CO @ The Fillmore
Sept. 19 – Kansas, MO @ Uptown
Sept. 21 – Chicago, Il @ House Of Blues
Sept 22 – Chicago, IL @ House Of Blues
Sept. 23 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Quest
Sept. 24 – Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom
Sept. 26 – Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
Sept. 27 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
Sept. 28 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
Sept. 30 – Orlando, FL @ House Of Blues
Oct. 1 – Myrtle Beach, SC @ House Of Blues
Oct. 3 – Washington, DC @ MCI Center (opening for The Rolling Stones)
Oct. 4 – Cleveland, OH @ House Of Blues
Oct. 5 – Toronto, ONT @ Kool Haus
Oct. 6 – New York, NY @ The Beacon
Oct. 8 – Atlantic City, NJ @ The Borgata
Oct. 10 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wachovia Center (opening for The Rolling Stones)
Oct. 11 – Boston, MA @ The Avalon
Oct. 12 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wachovia Center (opening for The Rolling Stones)

WLIR-FM TO SWITCH FORMAT TO SMOOTH JAZZ & CHILL

On Thursday, September 15, long-time Modern Rock station WLIR-FM will switch to a mix of Adult Contemporary, Smooth Jazz and Chill music as "FM Channel 107: NeoBreeze." The Long Island, New York station will be commercial and jock-free, however they will have advertisers who will sponsor airtime but not run quick traditional commercials. Calling it "brandcasting," sponsors will buy four quick mentions an hour and the stations will encourage not just traditional advertisers, but listeners to buy a "brandcast" for whatever they want to announce. The brandcasts can even be purchased online. NeoBreeze will not have an airstaff and only minimal imaging. Owners of the stations (The Morey Organization) are making the changes to better compete with iPods, satellite and Internet radio. Two other Long Island stations are also being revamped at the same time by The Morey Organization: Dance station WDRE will be tweaked as a CHR/Pop station called "FM Channel 105: Party Hits," and Classic Rock WBON will become "FM Channel 98: Long Island Rock."

FEATURED JAZZ CHILL RELEASES THIS WEEK

VARIOUS ARTISTS - Blunted In The Backroom - Mixed By The Nextmen
The third set in the ongoing Blunted series from Brad Baloo and Dom Search as they heat things up with some hot n’ spicy reggae mixes. The duo live up to their name, taking the mix to the next level with some brand new production of their own!

JAZZTRONIK - Cannibal Rock
Great work from Jazztronik as they return with yet another album that seems to open another chapter in their endless pursuit of the groove! As before, keyboardist Ryota Nozaki is firmly at the helm of the proceedings - playing a mixture of acoustic piano and electric keys in a way that fleshes out the spirit of his tunes!

GAL COSTA - Hoje
This one is a fantastic new album from Gal Costa - a sweetly jazzy session that features some great arrangements and keyboards from the legendary Cesar Camargo Mariano! Mariano gives the album a nicely laidback feel - one that's almost rootsy at times, especially on the more percussive numbers!

VARIOUS ARTISTS - Bossa N Stones -- The Electro-Bossa Songbook Of The Rolling Stones
So well done that you would never even imagine you were listening to songs by the Rolling Stones - but one that works surprisingly well. I highly recommend this one!

CHET BAKER - Live In France 1978
Recorded in France around the time as his French studio album Broken Wing -- but done in a style that features long takes and a relaxed groove! Chet Baker works here with a quartet with Phil Markowitz on piano, Scott Lee on bass, and Jeff Brillinger on drums.

THIS WEEK’S OTHER RELEASES
Albert Ayler – New Grass (Impulse! LPR)
Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diavate – In The Heart Of The Moon (Nonesuch)
Angela DeNiro – My Shining Hour (CAP Records)
B.B. King - Original Greatest Hits (2CD/Virgin)
B.B. King & Friends - 80 (Geffen)
Badi Assad - Verde (eDGe/Deutsche Grammophon)
Bill Evans – The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings: 1961 – 3 CDs (Riverside)
Blossom Dearie – Blossom’s Planet (Daffodil)
Blue Mitchell – Down With It (Blue Note)
Bob DeVos – Groove Guitar! (Blues Leaf)
Bobo Stenson/Anders Jormin/Paul Motian – Goodbye (ECM)
Bonnie Raitt - Souls Alike (Capitol)
Changes Trio – Nann (CAP Records)
Charlie Wilson - Charlie, Last Name Wilson (Jive)
Chick Corea – Acoustic Band – featuring John Patitucci & Dave Weckl (Ganeon/DVD)
Clairdee – Music Moves (Hyena Records/Declare Music)
David Benoit – Orchestral Stories (Peak)
Dee Dee Bridgewater – J’ai Deux Amours (Sovereign Artists)
Elissa Lala – Touch Of Your Love: New Takes On Chet Baker (OmniTone)
Eric Clapton, Steve Gadd, Marcus Miller, Joe Sample & David Sanborn – Legends Live At Montreux 1997 (2 CDs/Eagle Rock)
Evan Parker Electro-Acoustic Ensemble – The Eleventh Hour (ECM)
Freda Payne – After The Lights Go Down (Impulse! LPR)
Gabor Szabo – Spellbinder (Impulse! LPR)
Gene Ludwig – Hands On (Blue Leaf)
Hank Mobley - Reach Out (Blue Note)
Jazzanova – Blue Note Trip – 2 CDs (Blue Note)
Jessie Allen Cooper – Pacific Lounge (Cooper Sound Waves)
Jimi Hendrix – Live At Woodstock – 2 DVDs (Geffen/Experience Hendrix)
Jimmy Ponder – What’s New (Highnote)
Jimmy Smith – The Sounds Of Jimmy Smith (Blue Note)
John Klemmer - The Very Best Of John Klemmer (GRP)
Judith Owen – Lost And Found – featuring Cassandra Wilson, Tom Scott, Richard Thompson and Keb’ Mo (Courgette)
Keith Jarrett – Concerts – 2 CDs (Bregenz/Munchen)
Lenny White – Attitude (Wounded Bird)
Leo Parker - Let Me Tell You Bout It (Blue Note)
Lonnie Smith – Turning Point (Blue Note)
Maceo Parker – Schools In! (Bhm)
Marc Johnson – Shades Of Jade (ECM)
Michael Pagan – Pag’s Groove (Capri Records)
Mike LeDonne – Night Song (Savant)
Omar Sosa – Ballads: Compilation 1997-2000 (Ota)
Poncho Sanchez – Baila Baila – 2 CDs (Recall)
Ray Barretto – Time Was Time Is (O-Plus Records)
Ray Charles – Live At The Olympia 2000 – DVD (XIII Bis R)
Ray Charles - The Dick Cavett Show: Ray Charles Collection (2 DVDs/Shout! Factory)
Red Young – The Organizer (Blues Leaf)
Soulive – Breakout – featuring Chaka Khan, Ivan Neville, Corey Glover & Robert Randolph (Concord)
Stanley Turrentine – That’s Where It’s At (Blue Note)
Steve Smith & Vital Information – Orion (Wounded Bird)
The Mizell Brother – Mizell (Blue Note)
Thievery Corporation – Sounds From The Verve Hi-Fi 2 (Verve)
Various Artists - More Of The Most Relaxing Guitar Music In The Universe (Savoy Jazz)
Various Artists - 20th Century Masters: The Best Of Smooth Jazz Christmas - The Christmas Collection (Hip-O/UME)
Yusef Lateef – Psychicemotus (Impulse! LRP)

WILL DOWNING TO RELEASE "SOUL SYMPHONY" IN OCTOBER ON GRP

October Release Includes Powerful Rendition Of The Luther Vandross Hit "Superstar"

On Tuesday, October 4, 2005 Will Downing will release Soul Symphony, his newest album for GRP Records. The disc is a solid collection of well-crafted songs each showcasing Downing's trademark voice and style. Soul Symphony opens with the seductive beat of Put Me On and winds through a range of grooves and emotions. The first single from the album is the hit-bound slow jam, Crazy Love.

Other songs on the album include the emotive A Promise, Make Time for Love, a romantic ballad, and a rendition of Brian McKnight's What's It Gonna Be, from his album Superhero (Motown Records). Downing co-wrote several of the songs featured on Soul Symphony, including the beautiful Heart of Mine, Soul Steppin’ with its danceable groove, and Will Still Loves You, a respectful dedication to hard-working women and mothers everywhere.

One of the album's highlights is Superstar, a song originally made famous by The Carpenters and later closely associated with one of Downing's idols, the incomparable Luther Vandross. In fact, Downing brought down the house when he performed this song at the Forever, For Always, For Luther tribute and benefit concert held in New York at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in October 2004. Downing plans to tour following the release of Soul Symphony. Visit www.willdowning.com for dates and more information

NOUVELLE VAUGE U.S. TOUR

French bossa nova duo Nouvelle Vague embark on their first ever east to west U.S tour this week. After playing clubs in France, Germany and the U.K., they now turn their attention stateside with 12 September dates lined up. Their most recent self-titled album peaked at number 9 on Billboard’s Top Electronic Albums chart and they have just finished their follow-up album which has yet to be released.

Here is the Nouvelle Vague U.S. tour schedule:
Sep. 10 – New York, NY @ Joe’s Pub
Sep. 11 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Live Café
Sep. 12 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
Sep. 13 – New York, NY @ Joe’s Pub
Sep. 14 – New York, NY @ Canal Room
Sep. 17 – Chicago, IL @ Shuba’s
Sep. 18 – Chicago, IL @ Hot House
Sep. 20 – Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey
Sep. 22 – Portland, OR @ Holocene
Sep. 24 – San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo’s 365
Sep. 25 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl
Sep. 27 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah

BOZ SCAGGS "FADE INTO LIGHT" ALBUM MAKES U.S. DUALDISC DEBUT

New Songs, Fresh Re-Interpretations of Scaggs Classics, Three Video Performances Are Combined in American Edition

Fade Into Light, an intimate and understated studio album from the singer Boz Scaggs, will be released by Virgin Records on September 27, 2005. Previously released by Virgin Japan, Fade Into Light has become a much-sought-after prize among Scaggs aficionados who've paid high prices for the import. It offers "unplugged" versions of some of Scaggs' best-known songs, along with several new compositions. Included in this U.S. Virgin DualDisc edition is a new recording by Scaggs of the 80's classic, Love TKO.

The DVD side of the U.S. package contains the entire album in Enhanced Stereo, along with concert performances in 5.1 Surround Sound and High Definition Video of Lowdown, Harbor Lights and We're All Alone, taken from the Boz Scaggs Greatest Hits Live DVD, recorded in San Francisco.When asked about his approach to this production, Scaggs says: "I've always worked like this in my recording. I hire good musicians and let them do what they do. What you hear on this album is those guys, in that room, on that day." Scaggs initiated the original session when he was hired to write and record the title track as a theme song for a Japanese film. Later, the label requested four more songs to make up an EP, and then more songs to make a full album. Scaggs and the band recorded new arrangements of his classic songs Lowdown, Harbor Lights and We're All Alone, from his landmark album Silk Degrees, as well as Simone from 1980's Middle Man, along with several newly written songs, at Skywalker Sound in Northern California.

Among the players joining Boz are Nathan East, Greg Phillinganes, David Paich, Ray Parker, Jr., Lenny Castro, Dean Parks and Booker T. Jones. Tom Scott did the solo on Lowdown. Born in Texas, and raised with an abiding respect for a wide spectrum of American roots music, Boz Scaggs recorded early on with his high school buddy Steve Miller. He made his solo debut in 1969 on Atlantic Records with Boz Scaggs. His 1976 album Silk Degrees has been RIAA-certified for sales of over 5 million copies, its classic hit singles and frequently covered album tracks sparking an extraordinary album chart run of well over two years. Other notable Scaggs albums include the platinum-certified Middle Man, Slow Dancer, and the three albums he made in the 1990s for Virgin: his label debut Some Change, the Grammy-nominated blues collection Come On Home, and the critically acclaimed Dig. In 2003 he released But Beautiful, a classic jazz quartet outing through the Great American Songbook on his own Gray Cat label.

Fade Into Light was produced by Boz Scaggs, with the exception of Lowdown (produced by Scaggs and David Paich, the original co-author of that song and the original arranger of the Silk Degrees album), Love TKO (produced by Paich), Lost It, Time, Sierra and I'll Be the One (produced by Scaggs and Ricky Fataar).

Starting in November Scaggs will be in Japan on tour...

Nov. 13 – Tokyo, Japan @ Blue Note (2 shows)
Nov. 14 – Tokyo, Japan @ Blue Note (2 shows)
Nov. 15 – Tokyo, Japan @ Blue Note (2 shows)
Nov. 17 – Tokyo, Japan @ Blue Note (2 shows)
Nov. 18 – Tokyo, Japan @ Blue Note (2 shows)
Nov. 19 – Tokyo, Japan @ Blue Note (2 shows)
Nov. 21 – Nagoya, Japan @ Blue Note (2 shows)
Nov. 22 – Nagoya, Japan @ Blue Note (2 shows)
Nov. 24 – Osaka, Japan @ Blue Note (2 shows)
Nov. 25 – Osaka, Japan @ Blue Note (2 shows)
Nov. 26 – Osaka, Japan @ Blue Note (2 shows)
Nov. 26 – Sendai, Japan @ Sun Plaza Hall
Dec. 1 – Sapporo, Japan @ Hokkaido

THIEVERY CORPORATION TO HEADLINE OPERATION CEASEFIRE

Thievery Corporation has stepped forward to headline Operation Ceasefire, potentially the largest anti-war concert ever held in Washington, DC. This FREE concert is on September 24th, immediately after the massive march on Washington, DC., organized to demand the return of American troops from Iraq . The scheduled start tie is approximately 3pm. Taking the stage with Thievery Corporation will be alt-country legend Steve Earle, 60's MC5 frontman Wayne Kramer & The Bellrays, The Evens, Bouncing Souls, Le Tigre, Ted Leo and The Pharmacists, Jello Biafra, and many others. Thievery will warm up for the Festival with two shows in Austin, TX including an appearance at the famed Austin City Limits Music Festival.

Thievery Corporation Live Band Tour:
9/22: @ Stubbs Bar-b-q, Austin, Texas (w/ Z-Trip)
9/23: @ Austin City Limits (Heineken Stage), Austin, Texas
9/24: @ Operation Ceasefire on Washington Monument Grounds, Washington, DC (w/ Le Tigre, Ted Leo/Pharmacists, Steve Earle, Bouncing Souls, Head-Roc, The Coup, Wayne Kramer/MC5, The Bellrays and many more)

LOUNGEGROOVES VOL. 1: THE SOPHISTICATED SOUNDTRACK OF NIGHTLIFE

KOCH Records to Release "Loungegrooves Volume 1: The Sophisticated Soundtrack of Nightlife" on September 6, 2005
KOCH Records has announced the first release in its Loungegrooves series. The 2-Disc set, Loungegrooves Volume 1: The Sophisticated Soundtrack of Nightlife, will be released on September 6, and features cuts from top-shelf house producers Jay-J, Julius Papp, JT Donaldson, Joeski and Blakkat. The Loungegrooves series will release at least 12 volumes over the next three years in conjunction with Syntax Distribution. Syntax is a 39-label recording group that focuses strictly on the highest quality U.S. produced house music. Loungegrooves Volume 1 is the latest in lifestyle compilations embodying the cosmopolitan sound of nightlife. Loungegrooves adds the style and influence of the DJs and producers who have pioneered this exciting new trend in nightlife and features budding San Francisco DJ JT Donaldson and NYC house maestro Joeski handling mix duties.

SIMPLY RED PRESENTS "SIMPLIFIED" THIS OCTOBER

Mick Hucknall Shines on Stripped Down Versions of the Band's Classics as Well as New Songs

On Tuesday, October 18, 2005, Simply Red will release Simplified, a collection that features both stripped-down versions of the band's classic songs as well as fresh recordings. This unique new album, available on the Verve Forecast label, allows the songs and unmistakable voice of Mick Hucknall to shine. Simplified takes more well-known tracks from Simply Red's impressive back catalog and re-imagines them in a more acoustic -- "simplified" -- fashion. It also includes their stunning take on the Leon Russell classic, A Song For You. Hucknall was inspired to revisit some of Simply Red's hits after he was asked to perform some material with only a piano as accompaniment. "What struck me when I listened back to the performance was just how much the song leapt out at you in those circumstances," he says. Classic Simply Red songs such as Something Got Me Started, Sad Old Red, Smile, and Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye are reinvigorated thanks to these sophisticated, even jazzy, new arrangements. One of the group's most popular hits, Holding Back The Years, is beautiful and still lush; recognizable, but with an added timeless maturity. Other songs featured on Simplified include More, Your Mirror, Fairground, and For Your Babies. The lead-off track and first single from Simplified is the irresistible, upbeat, and distinctly Latin-flavored Perfect Love. The Cuban vibe of this sensual new song is amplified by the vocals of Havana-based singer Danae. A Latin feeling runs throughout Simplified, inspired by the band's recent visit to Cuba. In fact, Simply Red is the first English pop band to have played in Havana, as they appeared at the landmark Gran Teatro early in 2005. Simplified is the follow-up to 2003's highly successful Home, which sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide. That release helped push the band to a level of over 50 million albums sold since forming 21 years ago. Although Simply Red's lineup of musicians has rotated throughout the years, the one constant has been Mick Hucknall, one of the finest male vocalists Britain has ever produced, and also one of its most accomplished, melodic, and prolific pop songwriters.

JAZZ CHILL MUSIC NEWS

BLUE NOTE TO RELEASE MORE MUSIC FOR LOVERS CDs
Blue Note Records has announced the release of a series of Music For Lovers CDs due on January 24, 2006. Artist confirmed for these editions are Earl Klugh, Hank Mobley, Jimmy Smith, Horace Silver, Stanley Turrentine, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, and Lee Morgan, as well as a Various Artists compilation.

100 YEARS OF JAZZ GUITAR 4-CD BOX SET
Columbia/Legacy has released the boxed set Progressions: 100 Years of Jazz Guitar, a 4-CD anthology of definitive jazz guitar recordings. The set includes 78 songs covering the period from 1906 through 2001 and it includes virtually every major jazz guitarist of the era. The collection includes contributions from the following artists: Vess Ossman, Bill Frisell, Eddie Lang, Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Les Paul, Tai Farlow, Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, Grant Green, George Benson, Pat Martino, John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana and Jimi Hendrix. For more information check out www.jazzguitarbox.com.

DUETS CD FROM DIONNE WARWICK
Dionne Warwick’s next album of duets will include 40 songs to celebrate her four decades in music. The album will include contributions from George Benson, Whitney Houston and Luther Vandross. No release date has been disclosed as of yet.

KCRW - SOUNDS ELECTICO
Live music performances from the KCRW radio studios have been captured for the Sounds Electico album. Sounds Electico brings together Latin music’s platinum-selling artists alongside the alternative acts that KCRW listeners have come to know well. Among the artists whose live performances appear on the album are Julieta Venegas, Brazilian Girls, Manu Chao, Ozomatli, Café Tacuba, Kinky, and Jorge Drexler. And speaking of live shows, Yerba Buena will appear at the KCRW studios for a performance on Friday, September 30.

LONG-AWAITED CD FROM EARL KLUGH

KOCH Records recently released Naked Guitar from the highly acclaimed contemporary jazz guitar legend - Earl Klugh. A 13-time Grammy-nominated guitarist who has collaborated with the likes of Bob James, George Benson and Chick Corea, Earl Klugh has released nearly 30 albums in 25 years, making his smooth, acoustic melodies a truly integral part of contemporary jazz. Klugh emerges from a six-year studio hiatus with a collection of intimate solo interpretations of thirteen standards and pop classics. The album also includes an outstanding version of Angelina, the endearing tune from his self-titled 1976 solo debut. "I've always said the only reason to make an album is to do something interesting and unique each time out, and I really love to go down unexpected paths," says Klugh. On Naked Guitar he puts his indelible stamp on well-known tunes such as The Summer Knows, Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead, On A Clear Day, Alice in Wonderland, I Want To Hold Your Hand and Moon River. Reflecting on the making of Naked Guitar, Klugh says, "The guitar presents so many possibilities, but for me it is how you utilize all those possibilities to create your own identity, your own sound, your own way. There's the magic for me. I knew it would be fun to get back to work playing songs I have loved for a long time. Many of my improvisations didn't come with a preconceived rhyme or reason; they're more about the feeling of the moment. It was exciting making a record this way."

JAMIROQUAI ON TOUR WITH DYNAMITE

Jamiroquai is on the road as he prepares for the U.S. release of Dynamite. The band is currently on tour in Europe with the U.S. leg of the tour set to launch on October 21 at the House of Blues in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Dynamite will be released to U.S. stores on September 20 as both a CD and a DualDisc. The DualDisc features the full CD audio on one side and the DVD side of the DualDisc features the entire album in enhanced LPCM stereo, the Feels Just Like It Should video, the making of the Feels Just Like It Should video and an interview with John Kay about the making of the album.

Here is the full European and U.S. 2005 tour schedule:
Sep. 7 – Birmingham @ NEC Arena
Sep. 8 – Glasgow @ SECC
Sep. 10 – Manchester @ MEN Arena
Sep. 11 – Nottingham @ Arena
Sep. 13 – Cardiff @ CIA Arena
Sep. 15 – Dublin @ Point
Sep. 17 – Lille @ Zenith
Sep. 18 – Hamburg @ Colourline Arena
Sep 20 – Dusseldorf @ Phillipshalle
Sep. 21 – Berlin @ Arena
Sep. 23 – Paris @ Barcy
Sep. 24 – Amneville @ Galaxie
Sep. 25 – Lyon @ Halle Toni Garnier
Sep. 28 – Zurich @ Hallenstadion
Sep. 29 – Milan @ Filaforum
Oct. 1 – Bologna @ Palamagatu
Oct. 2 – Salzburg @ Arena
Oct. 4 – Munich @ Zenith
Oct. 5 – Frankfurt @ Jahrhunderhalle
Oct. 7 – Rotterdam @ Ahoy
Oct. 8 – Brussels @ Forest National
Oct. 21 – Atlantic City, NJ @ House of Blues
Oct. 22 – Boston, MA @ Roxy
Oct. 24 - New York, NY @ Nokia Live
Oct. 25 – New York, NY @ Nokia Live
Oct. 27 – Montreal, Canada @ Metropolis
Oct. 28 – Toronto, Canada @ Kool Haus
Oct. 30 – Chicago, IL @ Congress Theater
Nov. 1 – Denver, CO @ Fillmore
Nov. 3 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
Nov. 5 – San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore
Nov. 6 – San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore
Nov. 9 – Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern

CANDY DULFER EUROPEAN TOUR SCHEDULE

The ever-popular Candy Dulfer is regrouping for some upcoming tour dates later this year. So far only three dates have been confirmed, all of which are in Europe thus far. We can only hopethat she will return stateside in 2006. Here are the dates: Nov. 30 - Zurich, Switzerland @ Volkshaus; Dec. 1 - Bern, Switzerland @ Bierhubeli; and Dec. 8 - Herisau, Switzerland @ Casino.

NEW RELEASES THIS WEEK

Bebo de Cuba – El Solar de Bebo- NY Notebook (Calle 54 Records)
Charlie Hunter – Solo Inventions DVD (Koch)
Dr. John – Live From London DVD (Iguana Project)
Ennio Morricone – Crime And Dissonance – 2 CDs (Ipecac Records)
Enzo Favata – Ajo (Dunya Records)
John Coltrane – Tranesition: The Complete Paul Chambers Sessions (Gambit)
John Coltrane – A Love Supreme: Live In Concert (Passport Audio)
John Coltrane & Cecil Taylor – Hard Driving Jazz (Gambit)
Marc Copland – Some Love Songs (Pirouet/Germany)
Mark Sherman – One Step Closer (CAP Records)
Nachito Herrera – Bembe En Mis Casa (FS Music)
Soft Machine – British Tour ’75 (MLP/England)

ACOUSTIC ALCHEMY 2005 TOUR SCHEDULE

Sept. 13 – Minneapolis, MN @ Rossi’s Bluestar Room
Sept. 14 – Milwaukee, WI @ Northern Lights Theater
Sept. 16-17 – Clayton, MO @ Finale
Sept. 19 – Indianapolis, IN @ The Jazz Kitchen
Sept. 21 – Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark
Sept. 22 – Reading, PA @ Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base
Sept. 23 – Columbus, OH @ Little Brother’s
Sept. 24 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Café
Sept. 25 – Rochester, NY @ Milestones
Sept. 26 – Buffalo, NY @ Tralfamadore Music Hall
Sept. 27 – Buffalo, NY @ Sphere
Sept. 28 – Manchester, CT @ SBM Auditorium
Sept. 29-30 – Boston, MA @ Scullers Jazz Club
Oct. 1 – Huntington, NY @ Inter-Media Arts Center
Oct. 2 – Pawling, NY @ The Towne Crier
Oct. 5 – New York, NY @ BB Kings
Oct. 6 – Annapolis, MD @ Ramshead Tavern
Oct 7-8 – Philadelphia, PA @ Zanzibar Blue
Oct. 9 – Alexandria, VA @ The Birchmere
Dec. 9-23 – London, U.K. @ Pizza Express Jazz Club

BLU 102.9 PLAYLIST

Here’s some of what we like that is being played at Santa Fe’s blu 102.9: As One - Leviaton, Cesaria Evora – Miss Pefumado, Dubtribe Sound System – Freeway, Federico Aubele – El Amor Este Pueblo, Four 80 East – Je Pense A Toi, Hiro – I Love You My Friends; Art Of Noise – Moments In Love; Brazilian Girls – Don’t Stop; Massive Attack – Weather Storm; and Thievery Corporation – Pela Janela, plus lots more including Rodney Hunter, Jules Papp and Dave Warrin, Bebel Gilberto, Frankie Knuckles, Praful, Zero Seven, Mr. Scruff, and Koop.

SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS: CRAIG CHAQUICO, MARCUS JOHNSON & JAARED

SMOOTH JAZZ 105.9
Smooth Jazz 105.9 Volume 3 is the third installment of compilations released by ABC Radio and Washington, D.C.’s Smooth Jazz 105.9. Release is set for November 1 at retail outlets in the Washington, D.C. area.

SMOOTH JAZZ CHRISTMAS
Due out on the November 8 is Smooth Jazz Christmas from pianist Marcus Johnson. The set is a collection of Johnston’s favorite holiday tunes infused with smooth jazz and r&B.

JAARED SEPT 2005 APPEARANCES
Sax-player Jaared is lined up for the following performances: Sept. 5 at the 3rd. Annual Guantanamo Bay Jazz Festival in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Sept. 6 at Timpano’s in Rockville, MD; and Sept. 8 at the Marriott Suite Hotel in Bethesda, MD. His latest album is Hangtime.

CRAIG CHAQUICO 2005 TOUR SCHEDULE
Craig Chaquico is on the road with a slew of performances lined up in the coming months. Here’s a sampling of where you can catch him: Sept. 3 – Las Vegas, NV @ Spring Mountain State Park; Sept. 4 – Denver, CO @ Taste of Colorado; Sept. 11 – Las Vegas, NV @ Las Vegas Harley; Sept. 17 – San Diego, CA @ San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival; Oct. 13 – Orlando, FL @ City Jazz; Oct. 14 – Ft. Meyers, FL @ Florida Gulf Coast University; Oct. 29 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Loboro Theatre; Nov. 12-19 – All-Star Smooth Jazz Cruise of the Caribbean.

AMOS LEE US TOUR SCHEDULE

Amos Lee will be hitting the road this Fall. His tour dates have just been announced. Keep an eye out for tickets in your area. Tour dates are listed below.

Oct. 3 - Baltimore, MD @ Ram's Head
Oct.4 - Baltimore, MD @ Ram's Head
Oct. 5 - Alexandria, VA @ Birchmere
Oct. 7 - Somerville, MA @ Somerville Theatre
Oct. 8 -: Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
Oct. 10 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
Oct. 13 - Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
Oct. 14 - Montreal, QUE @ La Tulipe
Oct. 15 - Toronto, ONT @ The Mod Club Theater
Oct. 17 - Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
Oct. 18 - Detroit, MI @ Magic Bag
Oct. 20 - Cincinnati, OH @ 20th Century Theater
Oct. 21 - Louisville, KY @ Headliners
Oct. 22 - Indianapolis, IN @ The Music Mill
Oct. 23 - Nashville, TN @ 3rd and Lindsley
Oct. 25 - Chicago, IL @ Columbia College
Oct. 25 - Chicago, IL @ Park West
Oct. 26 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Café
Oct. 28 - Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
Oct. 29 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Pabst Theater
Oct. 30 - St. Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hill
Nov. 1 - Columbia, MO @ The Blue Note
Nov. 2 - Kansas City, MO @ Grand Emporium
Nov. 4 - Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre
Nov. 5 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Club Sound
Nov. 7 - Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theater
Nov. 8 - Vancouver, BC @ Richards on Richards
Nov. 9 - Seattle, WA @ ShowboxNov. 11 - Eugene, OR @ WOW Hall
Nov. 17 – Los Angeles, CA @ Avalon
Nov. 18 – Santa Anna, CA @ Galaxy Theatre
Nov. 19 - San Diego, CA @ Belly Up

A second leg of dates for November and December will be available soon.

KATRINA TELETHON, KBLU 102.9, ANITA BAKER, JOHN SCOFIELD & MORE

NBC TO BROADCAST HURRICANE KATRINA TELETHON
NBC Universal has announced A Concert for Hurricane Relief, a benefit telethon to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. The hourlong show will air Friday, September 2 on NBC, MSNBC and CNBC. Performing will be Louisiana natives including pianist and singer Harry Connick Jr., jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and country singer Tim McGraw. Viewers will be encouraged to donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

TOP RADIO PICK: BLU 102.9
If you are into music from the likes of As One, Bebel Gilberto, Billie Holiday remixed, Black Mighty Orchestra, Boozoo Bajou, Brazilian Girls, Cesaria Evora, Cinematic Orchestra, De-Phazz, Dubtribe Sound System, Everything But The Girl, Frankie Knuckles, Rodney Hunter, St. Germain, Sarah Vaughan remixed, and Thievery Corporation among many, many others, then I highly recommend the brilliant BLU 102.9 Santa Fe, New Mexico. Call it chill, lounge, dance or whatever, the sound is sultry, sexy and best of all it's on 24/7 with very few commercials and an unlimited playlist for those who like as they call it "intelligent dance music…with a blu attitude."

ANITA BAKER CHRISTMAS ALBUM
Larry Carlton, Joe Sample, Nathan East and the Yellowjackets join Anita Baker on her first holiday album, Christmas Fantasy, due October 4 on Blue Note. Tracks on the CD include I’ll Be Home For Christmas, God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, O, Come All Ye Faithful, Frosty’s Rag and Christmas Time Is Here. This makes it her second release within a year and a remarkable feat when you consider that she did not release any new music for 10 years prior.

TONI BRAXTON’S NEW STUDIO RELEASE
Blackground Records/Universal is set to release Toni Braxton’s first studio album since 2002. Libra is due September 27 and it features 12 tracks including the first single, Please, which is currently number 40 on Billboard’s Hot R&B songs chart. Braxton will be busy promoting Libra in the coming months, as she co-hosts the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards on Sept. 7, followed a week later as she appears on ABC’s World Music Awards, and finally on BET’s 25th anniversary special in October.

JOHN SCOFIELD TO PERFORM AT 48TH MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL
Guitarist John Scofield will be the featured artist at the upcoming 48th Monterey Jazz Music Festival being held from September 16-18, 2005. Scofield will pay tribute to the late Ray Charles as he is joined on stage with Mavis Staples. His most recent release is a collection of Ray Charles music entitled That’s What I Say from Verve Records. The CD includes appearances by John Mayer, Dr. John, Mavis Staples and Warren Haynes.

BRAZILECTRO SESSION 7
Out now from Audiopharm is this sultry Latin-tinged two-disc CD compilation album featuring various chill artists. Brazilectro Session 7 includes sexy flawless remixes influenced by samba and bossanova genres. Artists contributing on this CD include Bebel Gilberto, Seu Jorge, new Brazilian singer Katia B, Quantic Soul Orchestra, Richard Dorfmeister and Gabin.

NEW MUSIC OUT THIS WEEK
Abbey Lincoln – Abbey Is Blue (Riverside)
Bobby McFerrin – Live In Montreal (DVD) (Verve)
Cal Tjader & Mary Stallings – Cal Tjader Plays/Mary Stallings Sings (Fantasy)
Carole King – Collection: Really Rosie/Music/Tapestry (Sony)
Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra – Not In Our Name (Verve)
Dave Holland & Barre Phillips – Music For Two Basses (ECM)
David Gordon Trio – Angel Feet (Guild)
Earth, Wind & Fire – Collection: That’s The Way Of The World/All ‘N All (Sony)
Eric Clapton – Back Home (Warner Bros.)
Euge Groove – Just Feels Right (Narada)
Gilberto Gil – Electrocustico (WEA International)
Gregg Karukas – Looking Up (V2)
Herbie Hancock – Possibilities (Vector)
John Klemmer – The Very Best Of John Klemmer (GRP)
Julian Priester – Love, Love (ECM)
Lee Ritenour – World Of Brazil (GRP)
Les Paul – Les Paul & Friends (Capitol/EMI)
McCoy Tyner – Passion Dance (Milestone)
Moutin Reunion Quartet – Something Like Now (Lightyear)
Sonny Rollins – Without A Song: The 9/11 Concert (Fantasy)
Steve Kuhn – Trance (ECM)
Thelonious Monk – Thelonious Alone In San Francisco (Riverside)
Various Artists – Basquiat’s Journey Through Jazz (Prestige)
Wynton Marsalis – Amongst The People: Live At The House Of Tribes (Angel)

NINA SIMONE AND BILL WITHERS DUALDISCS DUE OCTOBER 11
Upcoming from BMG are releases from Bill Withers and Nina Simone, with both due October 11 in DualDisc format. The Nina Simone disc will contain 15 tracks from various 1960’s performances. Included on the disc will be two previously unreleased tracks, Porgy And Bess Medley from the 1963 Newport Jazz Festival and Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood from the Westbury Music Fair. Also included will be a DVD containing some rare performances from the Ed Sullivan Show and Live At The Bitter End.

The Bill Withers disc, entitled Just As I Am, was his 1971 debut album. The CD contains the hit Ain’t No Sunshine. Also included will be a DVD on the making of the album as well as live performances.

A SMOOTH JAZZ CHRISTMAS WITH BRIAN MCNIGHT, CHAKA KHAN, NORMAN BROWN & OTHERS
Artists from the worlds of smooth jazz and R&B are contributing to the upcoming A Charlie Brown Christmas tribute album due October 4 via Peak Records. Newly recorded tracks are being performed by a bevy of artists including, Dave Koz, Brian McNight, Chaka Khan, Eric Marienthal, Vanessa Williams, Norman Brown, David Benoit, Toni Braxton, Rick Braun, Gerald Albright and the Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman.

LES PAUL TO RELEASE FIRST ALBUM IN 27 YEARS
Les Paul & Friends is famed guitarist Les Paul’s his first album release since 1978 and it features duets with guests: Eric Clapton, Sting, Buddy Guy, Keith Richards, Steve Miller, Richie Sambora, Peter Frampton, Jeff Beck, Joan Osborne and Joss Stone, among others. It’s available from Capitol/EMI Music.

SMOOTH JAZZ STATION TO SWITCH FORMATS
Clear Channel smooth jazz radio station KJZI, 100.3 FM in the twin cities will disappear from the airwaves next year to make room for a new talk station. Starting January 1, the station will relaunch itself as KTLK FM News/Talk 100.3 that will feature Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, among other not-necessarily-political talk shows. Clear Channel decided to replace the new station in KJZI’s place because the smooth jazz format had not performed as well as they had hoped for during their two years on the air.

TANGLEWOOD JAZZ FESTIVAL 2005
The Tanglewood Jazz Music Festival is scheduled to take place on September 2-4, 2005 in the Berkshire Hills of Lenox, Massachusetts. Jazz legends set to take the stage this year include Tony Bennett performing with the Count Basie Orchestra, Sonny Rollins, Madeline Peyroux, Toots Thielmans, Kenny Warner, Oscar Castro-Neves, Airto, Marion McPartland, Chris Botti, the Yellowjackets, Skitch Henderson, Bucky Pizzarelli, Jay Leonhardt, Diane Schurr featuring Dave Samuels with the Caribbean Jazz Project.

JAZZ NEWS FROM COLORADO

The Dave Holland Quintet, the Ron Carter Quartet and Horizon with saxophonist Bobby Watson are all performing at this year's Telluride Jazz Celebration in Colorado. Also appearing is Denver bassist Ken Walker's group, with guest Watson.

On the smooth jazz side, the Summer Fest 2005 at Coors Amphitheatre in Englewood this weekend presents Chris Botti, David Sanborn, Boney James and Vanessa Williams. The Summer Fest is being presented by Smooth Jazz (KJCD-FM) 104.3.

Also this weekend, guitarist Fareed Haque makes another stop in Denver, performing at Cervantes, 2637 Welton ($10, 303-297-1772). Though Haque is widely known for his world-music excursions, he also has worked with Denver-bred tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson.

On Sunday August 28, , the free Jazz at the Market series in Vail wraps up with saxophonist Max Wagner and his quartet.

On Sept. 2, the straight- ahead Vail Labor Day Weekend Party takes over the town with players such as the Clayton Brothers, singers Kurt Elling and Roberta Gambarini, vibist Stefon Harris, guitarist Russell Malone, trumpeters Jeremy Pelt and Terell Stafford, saxophonists Steve Wilson and Bootsie Barnes, drummer Lewis Nash and pianists Bill Cunliffe, Renee Rosnes and Johnny O'Neal.

In Denver on Wednesday August 31, singer/guitarist K.J. Denhert, brings her music from New York's 55 Bar to Dazzle for shows at 7 and 9 p.m. ($10). Her new CD is entitled Girl Like Me.

JAZZ NEWS FROM THE U.K.

Legendary saxophonist Pharoah Sanders is currently on tour in Europe as he makes a stop in the UK’s concert halls for three exclusive dates. He is scheduled to perform at the Barbican on September 28th.

George Duke also hits the UK as he recently stopped at the SmoothJazz FM the studios for a quick chat to talk about everything - from how he started singing and even what car he drives (and of course his brilliant new album Duke released now on Dome Records).

Other upcoming U.K. concerts...
Bob Martin Quintet @ 606 Club, 90 Lots Road, London SW10 on Aug. 27
Pharoah S. Russell Quartet @ Blue Js, London SE27 on Aug. 27
Jacqui Dankworth @ THe Chalk Pit, Hook, Hampshire on Aug. 27
Kenny Ball & his Jazzmen @ The Sands Venue, Lord Street, Gainsborough, Lincs. on Aug. 27
Gwyneth Herbert with the BBC Big Band @ Arundel Festival, Arundel Castle, West Sussex on Aug. 27
Ola Onabule @ 606 Club, 90 Lots Road, London SW10 on Aug. 28
Audun Waage Group @ Hell, Curtain Road, London EC2 on Aug. 28
The Rhythm Section @ Thomas Tripp, Christchurch on Aug. 28
Liane Carroll @ Smollensky’s, London WC2R on Aug. 28
Symeon Cosburn Quintet @ Regents Park Bandstand, London on Aug. 28
Tim Kliphuis Tribute to Stephane Grappelli @ Larry’s Music Room at Pizza on the Park, London SW1 on Aug. 28 through 31
Jamie Cullum & Theo Travis Quartet @ Ronnie Scott’s, London W1 from Aug. 29 through Sept. 3
Julie Edwards & Kevin Dearden Quintet @ The Puzzle Hall Inn, Halifax on Aug. 30
The Giorgio Serci Quartet @ British Library Piazza, 96 Euston Road London NW1 on Aug. 30
Lee Gibson @ St Ives Jazz Club, St Ives, Cornwall on Aug. 30
Matt Nickson Quartet @ Matt and Phreds Jazz Club, Manchester on Aug. 31
Lea DeLaria & Janette Mason @ Pizza Express Jazz Club, London from Sept. 29 through Oct. 1

JAZZ CHILL SOUNDS FROM TOM & JAY

Tom & Joy's jazzy multilingual music represents different shades of sunlight and Antigua, their latest, is an album of melodic breezes and gleaming bossa nova rhythms. The French duo make tunes that call to mind sitting in an outdoor café in the center of Paris' Left Bank or can transport to the steamy dance floors of São Paolo or Rio. Tom & Joy are no strangers to dance floors since remixes of their songs have been popular during the past few years as native Frenchman Bob Sinclar brought their loveliness to a wider audience. Along with their stellar band, the two also enlist drummer Tony Allen, formerly a player with Afrobeat star Fela Kuti and this combination explodes with African sounds that celebrate the melting pot of culture within. As the sweet summer sun starts to set around the world, an album like Antigua is the perfect remedy for end-of-season sadness - it holds the exquisite sound of outdoors in each beautiful track.

ERIC CLAPTON BACK HOME CD

It's been four years since three-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and 16-time Grammy winner Eric Clapton released an album of originals which, you'll all agree, is way too long a wait for his latest, Back Home, in stores August 29 (international release) and August 30 (US release). This album follows this summer’s historic and heralded Cream reunion and 2004’s gold, Top 10 Me And Mr Johnson covers album. The first single Revolution off the new album is already available for download on iTunes: www.itunes.com. Here is the track listing from this new Warner Brothers release:

So Tired
Say What You Will
Going Left
Love Don’t Love Nobody
Revolution
Lost And Found
Heaven
Love Comes To Everyone
One Day
One Track Mind
Run Home To Me
Back Home