Feb. 13, 2012

Jazz & Classics Division of Concord Music Group
Wins 4 GRAMMY® Awards 

The Jazz & Classics Division of Concord Music Group has been honored with four GRAMMY® Awards. Winners were announced by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) at the 54th Annual GRAMMY® Awards on Sunday, February 12, 2012, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. All nominations were for albums released from
October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011.

Best Improvised Jazz Solo
“500 Miles High”
Chick Corea, soloist
Track from: Forever (Corea, Clarke & White)
[Concord Records]

Best Jazz Vocal Album
The Mosaic Project
Terri Lyne Carrington & Various Artists
[Concord Jazz]

Best Jazz Instrumental Album
 Forever
Corea, Clarke & White
[Concord Records]

Best Instrumental Arrangement
“Rhapsody In Blue”
Gordon Goodwin, arranger (Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band)
Track from: That’s How We Roll
[Telarc International]

Feb. 11, 2012

Whitney Houston Dead at 48

Whitney Houston, who reigned as pop music’s queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48. Publicist Kristen Foster said Saturday that the singer had died, but the cause and the location of her death were unknown.

At her peak, Houston was the golden girl of the music industry. From the mid 1980s to the late 1990s, she was one of the world’s best-selling artists. She wowed audiences with effortless and powerful vocals that were rooted in the black church but made palatable to the masses with a pop sheen.

Houston seemed to be born into greatness. She was the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, the cousin of 1960s pop diva Dionne Warwick, and the goddaughter of Aretha Franklin.

News of Houston’s death came on the eve of music’s biggest night – the Grammy Awards. It’s a showcase where she once reigned, and her death is sure to cast an air of sadness and loss on Sunday’s ceremony. Houston’s longtime mentor, Clive Davis, was to hold his annual concert and dinner Saturday; it was unclear if it was going to go forward.

 Feb. 3, 2012

George Benson Nominated for NAACP Image Award

The 43rd NAACP Image Awards will take place on Friday, February 17.  Jazz legend George Benson is nominated in the Outstanding Jazz Album category for his latest release, Guitar Man.  Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr., the 2011 winner of America’s Got Talent, is nominated for the Outstanding New Artist award.  Beyonce and Jill Scott each received four nominations, while Adele and Mary J. Blige each have two nods.  The 43rd NAACP Image Awards will air live on February 17 at 8 pm Eastern/7 pm Central on NBC.

Source: Smooth Jazz Network

Jan. 24, 2012

Lee Ritenour’s 3rd Annual Yamaha Six String Theory Guitar Competition and the Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin Rhythm Section Competition Begin

The 2012 3rd Annual Yamaha Six String Theory Guitar Competition and the Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin Rhythm Section Competition Contest Registration began on Jan. 21 and ends May 1, 2012.

In addition to guitar, this year’s competition includes piano/keyboards, bass guitar (acoustic & electric) and drums.

There will be a total of 4 prize packages with a value of over $600,000 and priceless opportunities in the music business.

Guitar prizes include Yamaha instruments, Berklee College of Music scholarship plus world-renowned guitar scholarships at National Guitar Workshop & Crown of the Continents Guitar Workshop, endorsements, professional mentoring, cash, Monster prizes, D’Addario prizes and potential Concord Record deal opportunity. Entries will be accepted in the genres of Rock, Blues, Jazz/Fusion, Acoustic, Classical/Flamenco and Country.

To register for guitar competition, click here.

Rhythm section prizes include Yamaha instruments, Berklee College of Music scholarships, an opportunity to record on Lee Ritenour’s 2012 CD, professional mentoring, an opportunity to attend and perform at the esteemed Crown of the Continents Guitar Workshop and Festival in Montana, Monster prizes and potential Concord Records deal opportunities. Entries will be accepted in the genres of Jazz, Fusion, Rock, Blues or Contemporary.

To register for piano, bass, or drums, click here .

Register now for your chance to win and live the dream!

Jan. 24, 2012

Sage Concerts and The Smooth Jazz Cruise Present the Desert Ridge Jazz Festival on April 14 – 15

The J.W. Desert Ridge Jazz Festival, presented by Sage Concerts in partnership with The Smooth Jazz Cruise, will take place on April 14 & 15 featuring a star-studded smooth jazz lineup including Dave Koz, Peter White, Bobby Caldwell, Acoustic Alchemy, and a host of other big names. The two-day event will be held in Phoenix, AZ, at the Sage Court of the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa. For more information, click here.

Jan. 23, 2012

Esperanza Spalding Announces World Tour Dates for Radio Music Society –
A Kaleidoscopic Collection Celebrating the Power of Song

Esperanza Spalding has announced world tour dates beginning April 18, 2012, as the bassist, vocalist, and composer unveils the brilliant compositions of her new release, Radio Music Society into a dynamic “big band” format. 

It has not taken Spalding long to emerge as one of the brightest lights in the musical world. Listeners familiar with her stunning 2008 Heads Up International debut, Esperanza, and her best-selling 2010 release Chamber Music Society, were well aware that the young bassist, vocalist and composer from Portland, Oregon was the real deal, with a unique and style-spanning presence, deeply rooted in jazz yet destined to make her mark far beyond the jazz realm. That judgment was confirmed on February 13, 2011, when Spalding became the first jazz musician to receive the GRAMMY® Award for Best New Artist.

Spalding’s latest release, Radio Music Society, set for release on March 20, 2012, is her most diverse, ambitious and masterful recital yet. Each of the 12 songs are accompanied by conceptual music videos, which further express her inspiration and story behind each track. Shot in various locations including New York City, Barcelona and Portland, all videos will be available to purchasers of Radio Music Society as a digital download or a DVD on the deluxe version.

Upcoming national TV appearances for Spalding include the Late Show with David Letterman, The View and Jimmy Kimmel Live. Look for features on Radio Music Society in O! Magazine, Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Latina Style, Glamour, W Magazine, Essence, Vibe, Men’s Journal and Hemispheres in-flight magazine, as well as USA Today, the New York Times, Associated Press and the Wall Street Journal, among others.

Fans of Spalding who purchase tickets thru Ticketmaster will receive a free song download of “City of Roses” from Radio Music Society, and in celebration of Black History Month, can purchase the e-single “Black Gold” (which includes a music video) on iTunes beginning February 7.

Click here for tour specifics.

Jan. 23, 2012

The Mallorca Smooth Jazz Festival Kicks Off From April 27 – 29

Welcome to the Mallorca Smooth Jazz Festival, the first smooth jazz festival in the European Mediterranean area. The festival will actually take place in Sa Coma on the beautiful east coast of the Spanish island Mallorca.   It is a music festival with unique live music in the exclusive ambience of the Protur Biomar Gran Hotel & Spa. Guests include Jeff Lorber, Eric Darius, Warren Hill, Marc Antoine, David Benoit, and Uné.

The Protur Biomar Gran Hotel & Spa is 5-star hotel is characterized by elegant and modern equipment, a full-equipped spa area, and landscaped gardens and swimming pools (indoor/outdoor). It is located only 300 metres from the beach, right on the Punta de n’Amer natural park.   This short musical vacation is all about enjoying the finer things in life: Good music, good food, good wine, good entertainment, good weather, and a unique experience in the breathtaking scenery of the Mediterranean Sea.   At the concerts on Friday and Saturday evening, we welcome some of the biggest and most successful international stars of the Contemporary and Smooth Jazz scene. On Sunday forenoon the festival celebrates its musical finale.

Secure your exclusive jazz getaway now! For more information contact: mallorca.smoothjazzfestival

Jan. 23, 2012

Berks Jazz Festival Gets Going on March 23

The 22nd annual Berks Jazz Festival will take place March 23-April 1 in Reading, PA.  The world renowned festival announced their all-star lineup for the ten-day event, which includes George Benson, Chick Corea, Boney James, Bela Fleck and The Flecktones, Spyro Gyra, Brian Culbertson, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, David Benoit, Brian Bromberg, Mindi Abair, Chuck Loeb and Incognito among many others.  Benson is slated to perform the first weekend on March 24 at the Sovereign Performing Arts Center.  The full line-up is at http://berksjazzfest.com/ticketedevents.htm

Jan. 23, 2012

Spring Breeze Soul Jazz Cruise Sails May 5 – 10

The Spring Breeze Soul Jazz Cruise, sailing from Cape Liberty, NJ to the exotic island of Bermuda gets underway on May 5 for one smooth, groovin’ good time. Guests include Kenny Lattimore, Alex Bugnon, Zoe, Walter Beasley, Art Sherrod Jr., Marcus Johnson, Matt Marshak, and The “Jazz in Pink Band.” Click here for more information.

Dec.13, 2011

Entertainment Cruise Productions Continues to Sail Beyond Jazz

Top music cruise producer adds The Soul Train Cruise to its burgeoning menu

It began a decade ago when then 70 year-old Anita Berry became the first person ever to charter a full cruise ship to create The Jazz Cruise featuring over a dozen of the genres’ grandest musicians.  A St. Louis-based company, Jazz Cruises, LLC was also born and conceived the star-studded The Smooth Jazz Cruise in 2004 under the executive direction of Berry’s son, Michael Lazaroff.  With both cruises selling out annually, including a second week of The Smooth Jazz Cruise: The Greatest Party at Sea that was added this year, Jazz Cruises, LLC blossomed into the world’s leading full ship music charter company.  2011 brought unprecedented growth for the company that evolved into Entertainment Cruise Productions, LLC, the new corporate moniker that reflects its diversification into music genres beyond jazz. 

Last October, Entertainment Cruise Productions teamed with Time Life to produce the second Malt Shop Memories Cruise, which featured a slate of idols from the 1950s & ‘60s such as The Beach Boys, Chubby Checker, and Little Anthony & The Imperials whose music is contained on the nearly 4-million selling, 10-CD box set Malt Shop Memories.  The four-day Caribbean cruise was so successful that it will become a seven-day cruise in 2012 boasting a luminous lineup of legends such as Dion, Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, Ronnie Spector, Darlene Love,The Original Drifters, The Duprees, Carl Gardner’s Coasters, and nearly a dozen other artists.  Malt Shop Memories Cruise will sail October 27-November 3 aboard Holland America’s M/S Eurodam from Fort Lauderdale to Turks & Caicos, San Juan, St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay.

Time Life again tapped Entertainment Cruise Productions to produce the first ever Soul Train Cruise, which is spawned from the iconic, trendsetting television series of the same name.  “The Hippest Trip at Sea” debuts February 17-24, 2013 with a lineup certain to keep the Soul Train line grooving including Patti LaBelle, The O’Jays, Kool & The Gang, Jeffrey Osborne, War, The Spinners, Harold Melvin’s Blues, Cuba Gooding & The Main Ingredient and others under the musical direction of George Duke.  Cruising aboard Holland America’s M/S Westerdam, cabins are already being booked for the cruise that will party from Fort Lauderdale to Turks & Caicos, San Juan, St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay.

“At Entertainment Cruise Productions, we are committed to providing the very best live music cruise experience possible, regardless of the music genre,” said Lazaroff.  “We are delighted to be launching the first ever sailing of The Soul Train Cruise along with Time Life.  To date, we have been selective in our genre selections as not all of them would make good cruises and some require a proper vehicle for presentation.  The vast world of R&B, soul and Motown is a good example.  While this music is perfect for a cruise, we have been trying to find the right wrapping paper to deliver this present to the public for years.  When Time Life mentioned Soul Train, we embraced the iconic theme and culture as the perfect vehicle for such a cruise.  The concept is immediately clear through the brand name and the programming elements are endless.  When added to our Malt Shop Memories Cruise and our industry-setting sailings of The Jazz Cruise and The Greatest Party At Sea (a/k/a The Smooth Jazz Cruise), Entertainment Cruise Productions is proud to be the leading full ship charter music cruise producer in the world.  With over 30 sailings, no company can match our experience and expertise.  And we are constantly entertaining and exploring new cruise concepts.”

Entertainment Cruise Productions’ jazz offerings remain healthy and robust.  The Jazz Cruise 2012 sold out last summer and both weeks of The Smooth Jazz Cruise 2012, which will be renamedThe Greatest Party at Sea in 2013 to reflect the wide appeal and array of live entertainment offered during the cruise, will again be sell-outs when they depart from Fort Lauderdale next month.

About Entertainment Cruise Productions, LLC

The largest private music ship charter company in the world, St. Louis, Missouri-based Entertainment Cruise Productions, LLC owns, produces and promotes The Smooth Jazz Party: Greatest Party At Sea (www.thesmoothjazzcruise.com) and The Jazz Cruise (www.thejazzcruise.com), and is proud to partner with Time Life for The Malt Shop Memories Cruise(www.maltshopcruise.com) and The Soul Train Cruise (www.soultraincruise.com).   Entertainment Cruise Productions, LLC prides itself on providing first-class musical vacation experiences featuring marquee stars from their respective genres for loyal passengers, many of whom make the cruises an annual affair.  With its current slate of excursions, Entertainment Cruise Productions, LLC will have produced 37 full-ship charter cruises.  Additional information is available at www.ecpcruises.com.

Nov. 26, 2011

EUROPAfest To Be Held In May 2012 In Bucharest, Romania

What: EUROPAfest Jazz, Blues, Pop & Classic Music Festival
When: May 4 – 19, 2012Date: 4 – 19 May 2012
Where: Bucharest, Romania

Boasting nineteen years of concerts, contests, unforgettable encounters with musicians from all around the world, creative synergies, and excitement,  EUROPAfest will bring together in Bucharest more than 300 jazz, blues, pop, & classic musicians from all over the world for two weeks in May 2012. Be a part of the celebration in one of the festival’s events which include concerts, jam sessions, competitions, master classes, and workshops.

For the “Jazz, Blues & Pop Concerts,“ bands from all over Europe of 2-6 musicians can apply. Of course exception can be made.

Interested musicians/bands are required to send by mail a short presentation  (CV, a CD/DVD) with their representative music and a recent photo. The organisers reserve the right to select the participating bands in accordance with the festival requirements and with its audience target.

Application deadline: January 31, 2012

Applications are to be sent to:

jmEvents
PO Box 13 – 63, Bucharest 13
Bucharest, Romania

For further details please visit http://www.EUROPAfest.ro or email office@jmevents.ro.

Aug. 10, 2011

A note to Jeff Golub’s friends and fans from his manager, Bud Harner

As most of you know, Jeff has been going through an unbelievable struggle with losing his sight. However, two specialists have given us hope that something can still be done to help reverse this situation. This requires extensive testing which Jeff is undergoing as we speak. These tests are vital to continuing the search for a solution, but they’re also expensive. We are hoping that all of you will take a moment to consider helping out. We’ve set up the Jeff Golub Medical Expenses account for that purpose. Any donation would go a long way to help cover the costs of Jeff finding sight again.