May 16, 2013

Napa Valley Jazz Getaway Set For June; Brian Culbertson Among the Many Performers

Idyllic Napa Valley will serve as the beatific backdrop for a festival of wine and jazz next month when the second Napa Valley Jazz Getaway  takes place June 5-9 featuring a luminous lineup of performers topped by the event’s Founder & Artistic Director Brian Culbertson. The soulful hit-making multi-instrumentalist will be joined by Grammy winners Take 6, Ray Parker Jr., Norman Brown and Kirk Whalum united with Rick Braun as BWB, funksters Larry Graham & Graham Central Station, saxophonists Eric Darius and Michael Lington, guitarist Nick Colionne, R&B vocalist Selina Albright, keyboardist Cecil Ramirez, party band DW3 and special guest comedian Sinbad.

Over 1,200 festival goers from all over the nation will flock to California wine country for concerts at the Napa Valley Opera House and Lincoln Theater while more intimate shows will be held at several wineries including Silver Oak and Chimney Rock. VIPs will be treated to a solo piano performance by Culbertson staged in the wine cave at Miner Family Winery, which was one of the most buzzed about shows at last year’s inaugural event.

The Napa Valley Jazz Getaway is a not-to-be-missed interactive lifestyle experience at which fans can share their passion for wine and jazz with the musicians while dining, during wine receptions and tastings, at autograph sessions, at a golf tournament at Silverado Resort & Spa, and at casual post-concert hangs at the Westin Verasa Napa. Prior to the June 8th concert, a silent auction and wine reception will be held in support of music education to benefit The GRAMMY Foundation at which many of the winery partners will provide complimentary pourings.

One of the brightest stars in the contemporary jazz galaxy, award-winning musician, songwriter and producer Culbertson is a consistent chart-topper with a catalogue that spans 13 solo albums along with hits that he wrote and produced for other marquee artists.

 

May 11, 2013

Providence Summer Jazz Series Hosted By Saxman Elan Trotman; Tickets Now on Sale

The Providence Summer Jazz Series, one of the hottest concert series in the Northeast region of the U.S., is set for June - Labor Day. Tickets for the Series are now on sale. The six star-studded shows will be held at the beautiful Pearl Restaurant and Lounge. The venue information is below.

Pearl Restaurant and Lounge
393 Charles St 
Providence, RI 02904
(401) 331-3000
www.pearlrestaurantri.com

Click here to buy tickets All seating is reserved with proof of ticket purchase.

Need a hotel? Stay in historic downtown Providence at the beautiful Biltmore Hotel. Call the box office for info on how to receive the Providence Summer Jazz Series room rate with your ticket purchase.

Talent lineup and dates: 

“Kick Off Concert” — Elan Trotman w/ Neil Letendre (Opening Act) June 7th

“Jazz in June” – Brian Simpson w/ Athene Wilson (Opening Act) June 21st

“Divas Night” — Althea Rene w/ Sheree Dunwell (Opening Act) July 5th

“The Birthday Bash” — Eric Darius w/ Daniel McClain (Opening Act) July 19th

“Tribute to Grover” — Gerald Veasley w/ Mike Rollins (Opening Act) August 16th

“Labor Day Finale” —  Jeff Lorber w/ Eric Bloom (Opening Act)

 

May 7, 2013

Legacy Recordings Celebrates Jazz Great Miles Davis as
Artist of the Month

Legacy Recordings celebrates Miles Davis as Artist of the Month May 2013.  The iconic jazz artist shares two milestones this month. His birthday, which will be commemorated on May 26, is preceded by New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission honoring Davis at a Medallion Ceremony at his Upper West Side Brownstone on May 16.
 
Also, to celebrate the Artist of the Month Creative Allies has launched a Design competition challenging fans to create a ‘cool’ commemorative poster inspired by Davis’ extensive catalogue. 
 
Visit the official links for new content: http://www.legacyrecordings.com/a/#/page/artist-of-the-month/, http://www.milesdavis.com, https://www.facebook.com/MilesDavis
 
Click here for information on the Poster Design Challenge.

 

Apr. 26, 2013

Montreaux Jazz Festival Set For July

The 47th Montreux Jazz Festival will be held July 5-20, 2013 in Montreux, Switzerland as organizers honor the memory of its founder, Claude Nobs, who passed away in January from injuries sustained in a skiing accident. 

The festival kicks off with a performance from legendary singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen and will feature a diverse lineup of artists including George Benson, Diana Krall, Sting, Randy Crawford & The Joe Sample Trio, Bobby Womack, Wyclef Jean, Oleta Adams, Grace Kelly Quintet, Bonnie Raitt, Prince, Lee Ritenour, Bob James & David Sanborn, Joe Cocker, Take 6, Marcus Miller and a Quincy Jones 80th Birthday Special in Tribute to Claude Nobs featuring Patti Austin, James Ingram and Siedah Garrett, among others.  The Montreux Jazz Festival was founded by Nobs in 1967 and enjoys legendary status among music fans worldwide.  Click here for the full festival lineup and ticket information.

Source: Smooth Jazz Network

 

Apr. 16, 2013

Music Resource For Indie Artists Available

The Ultimate Indie Bundle, created specifically for indie artists, is now available. The bundle includes: The Indie Bible e-book, which lists  indie-friendly radio stations, magazines, music blogs, labels etc.; and The Indie Bible Online, and a set of 7-venue directories for the U.S. and Canada (both directories cover all genres).  The directory is a must-have for indie artists seeking greater exposure and more opportunities. For more information, click on the image.

 

Apr. 8, 2013

Airborne Releases New Single; Full Album Due Out Shortly

The contemporary jazz/world group Airborne has released a new single entitled “Sunshower” from their upcoming Silver Skies CD, which celebrates their 25 years together.

“Sunshower” is the first single from the soon-to-be-released Silver Skies 25th anniversary CD by the band.  The album includes a wide range of all new compositions filled with their joyful trademark sound of island passion and urban emotion.

Airborne has produced a signature variation of musical conditions to specifically and remarkably chase the clouds away.

The single may be purchased via Amazon, Itunes, and CDbaby.

 

Mar. 27, 2013

David Sanborn & Bob James to Mount Joint Summer Tour

Longtime friends and collaborators saxophonist David Sanborn and keyboardist Bob James will be reunited for a 2013 summer concert tour.  Sanborn  and James released their landmark album Double Vision in 1986 containing their hit song “Maputo,” featuring star bassist Marcus Miller, and the Grammy-nominated tune “Since I Fell For You” featuring the iconic Al Jarreau on vocals.

The duo have announced a series of shows beginning June 6 at Town Hall in New York City and several summer festival performances including the famed Playboy Jazz Festival in Los Angeles on June 16. For a complete list of dates and ticket information, click here.

Source: Smooth Jazz Network

 

Mar. 5, 2013

The 35th Annual Playboy Jazz Festival to Be Held in June

The 35th Annual Playboy Jazz Festival will be held June 15-16, 2013 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The event will be hosted by a new Master of Ceremonies, comedian and actor George Lopez, who takes over hosting duties from longtime emcee Bill Cosby.

The festival will offer performances from Bob James and David Sanborn, George Duke with Jeffrey Osborne, Angelique Kidjo with Hugh Masekela and Taj Mahal, India.Arie, Sheila E., Trombone Shorty, 2013 Grammy winner Robert Glasper Experiment and Grammy nominee Gregory Porter. In addition, Naturally 7 will be joined by special guest Herbie Hancock; the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra will handle an 80th birthday salute to Quincy Jones featuring guests Patti Austin and Hubert Laws; and the Brubeck Brothers Quartet will perform a special tribute to their late father, piano legend Dave Brubeck. Click here for tickets and more information.

Source: Smooth Jazz Network

 

Jan. 18, 2013

Chick Corea, Preservation Hall Jazz Band First Acts Announced For 2013 Riverjazz

Eighteen-time Grammy Award winner Chick Corea and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band are the first two acts announced for the 2013 RiverJazz presented by Concannon Miller, May 9-24 at SteelStacks in Bethlehem. Tickets for the concerts, which will take place at the ArtsQuest Center’s Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, PA, will go on sale starting Tues., Jan. 22, 10 a.m., to ArtsQuest Members and Fri., Jan. 25, 10 a.m., to the public. They will be available at artsquest.org or by calling 610-332-3378.

On May 9, 7:30 p.m., it’s an evening of New Orleans-style jazz when the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (PHJB) takes the Musikfest Café stage. A touring act for half a century, PHJB derives its name from Preservation Hall, the venerable music venue in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter that was founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe. This dynamic band has traveled the world spreading its mission to nurture and perpetuate the art form of New Orleans jazz. Whether performing at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, for British Royalty or the King of Thailand, its music embodies a joyful, timeless spirit. Tickets for the Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s concert are $39 and $54.

Chick Corea, who will perform May 22, 7:30 p.m., is a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, brilliant composer and keyboard virtuoso who has attained living legend status after five decades of unparalleled creativity and artistic output. During his career, Corea has touched an astonishing number of musical bases – from straight ahead jazz, bebop and fusion, to children’s songs and chamber music. A tirelessly creative spirit, he continues to forge ahead, continually reinventing himself in the process.  In 2012 Corea earned his 17th and 18th Grammy Awards, one for Best Instrumental Jazz Album for Forever with Stanley Clarke and Lenny White, and the other for Best Improvised Jazz Solo for “500 Miles High” from Forever. Tickets for the Chick Corea show are $39 and $54.

Additional RiverJazz presented by Concannon Miller headliners will be announced in the coming weeks.  The series, now in its third year, will also include a diverse array of free performances by local and regional jazz acts during its two-week run. Sponsors helping to make RiverJazz possible include Concannon Miller, Adams Outdoor Advertising, The Express-Times/LehighValleyLive.com, The Reading Eagle, viamedia, WDIY Public Radio and WNTI Public Radio.

For more information on RiverJazz presented by Concannon Miller, please visit artsquest.org.