May 1, 2012 - We live in a world where most instrumental music sounds like it was made for a 5x5 vertically moving room and that includes some Smooth Jazz. Interestingly, most Smooth Jazz musicians are technically some of the best players on the planet but many have fallen into this big vacuous hole, an amnesic state, where channelling Bert Kaempfert is common place. 
April 17, 2012 – Get ready for another beautiful journey from David Benoit on May 29th. His new album, `Conversation,’ will no doubt serve as another expansion for the Smooth Jazz format. 
April 26, 2012 - Norah Jones is set to appear with a Live-on-Letterman webcast, featuring Jones from the prestigious Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, Wednesday, May 2nd at 8:00 ET. This is a clever, strategic move for Jones to push her next album “Little Broken Hearts” set for a May 1st release. 
April 4, 2012 – Esperanza Spalding is a groovy chick. I mean, really, when she’s in the room, everyone else disappears and I’m talkin’ more than that big “love-sculpture” hair. She’s the type of musician you might walk up to at a party, ask about her music, and walk away three hours later regretting the question. This lady has a vision so you better have a seat. 
February 21, 2012 - As it was stated during the Grammy Awards, "We've had a death in the family." Now our own Jazz family is remembeing Whitney Houston. 
February 21, 2012 - Shock, disappointment and horror are some of the many words fans used to describe Whitney Houston’s untimely death last week (February 11, 2012). My family and I were outside a Starbucks when one of our radio listeners texted me with, at first, the rumor. 
– Not many groups have stood the test of time like Airborne. Coming in around the time that the NAC format was really starting to cook, 1988, this outfit grew with every project, gig and album. Having just released their most powerful album yet, New Horizon’s, it looks like the world is ready for this, a full dose of positive, social conscious fusion. We sat down with the band to chat about all the twisting, yet beneficial roads taken. 
– The smart ones in life know that it’s not how you fall down in life that counts but how you get up. Zach Bandolin has had his fair share of topsy-turvy moments but the guitarist keeps swinging. 
- French Smooth Jazz guitar sensation Emmanuel Abitebol, more known as U-NAM, came to fame with his widely acclaimed somophore album ‘Back from the 80’s’ released in 2007. 
October 20, 2011 – This is no ordinary album. In fact, there is nothing normal about this album and that’s what makes this one of the most perfect projects that’s ever come across my desk. 
– On her third album Colbie Caillat has decided to strategically give us an uptempo summer-vibe. It still sounds like her smash debut “Coco” but this time it’s Colbie with caffeine and it’s positive and fun
– There are not too many things in life as deliciously lazy as Michael Franks voice. The guy could chill out someone on deaths door. Seriously, angst has no place on a Michael Franks record – he’s good at one great thing..making you feel good! 
- Programming Smooth Jazz Radio has allowed me to discover talent over the decades and follow the twists and turns in their career. Such is the case of saxophonist Steve Cole an artist whom has played on numerous number #1 Smooth Jazz hits and been a regular spin on most smooth jazz radio stations play lists. 
– There’s always been an understated value to everything that Sade does and sameness to her entire repertoire. That quality of old wine has served the singer/band well… until now. Unlike Norah Jones who has, at least, tried to mix-up-the-pot, Sade really needs to stop wearing the same dress to every party. 
– Well, one things for sure, Mindi Abair is not shopping on Main Street anymore. As they say, “run away from the past and eventually it will run into you.” |
Brian McKnight is leaving 'The Wave' radio station in Los Angeles The 6-9AM slot will now go to Kim Amidon who co-hosted mornings at adult-contemporary station KOST-FM (103.5) in L.A for 22 years before being let go. KTWV program director Jhani Kaye worked with Amidon at KOST and lured her out of retirement. Amidon has also been doing weekends on The Wave and has filled in for McKnight in mornings. McKnight says, "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time the last three years. I love the one-on-one with the fans," McKnight said, but "it seemed like a good time to get out." McKnight is expected to have his last day this Friday. KTWV (launched on Feb 14, 1987) has long been known as the flag-ship of all Smooth Jazz stations in North America but in recent years has gone through a myriad of changes including their move away from Smooth Jazz music and into R&B vocals. Ratings at the station have actually gone up with the changes. In January the station placed 16th in Los Angeles/Orange County with 2.9% share of a 6+ audience but has since moved to 5th place with 3.5 share. – by John Beaudin |
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Brian
McKnight To Headline Music City J.A.M. Nashville,
Tenn. - August 14, 2007 - The 2007 Music City
J.A.M. (Jazz And More), presented by Ferguson
Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, will take
place Labor Day weekend, September 1 and 2, at
downtown Nashville's Riverfront Park. Headlining
the two-day festival will be multi-platinum and
Grammy nominated R&B artist Brian
McKnight. |
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Smooth
Jazz Christmas 2005 September
28, 2005 - Smooth Jazz artists Dave
Koz, Brian
McKnight, Chaka Khan, Eric
Marienthal, Vanessa
Williams, Norman
Brown, David
Benoit, Toni
Braxton, Rick
Braun, and Gerald
Albright, will all contribute to this
holiday seasons "A Charlie Brown Christmas
Tribute". The album is due October 4th
from Peak
Records.Anita Baker will also release a holiday album with Blue Note. "Christmas Fantasy" hits stores October 4th, and will feature appearances by Joe Sample, Larry Carlton, Nathan East, Ricky Lawson, and all four members of The Yellowjackets. Barry Eastman, who co-produces here, also wrote three original tunes for the outing. Diana Krall will deliver her first Christmas album in 2005. The outing, "Christmas Songs" will be released on Verve November 1st. Dave Koz and friends, David Benoit, Patti Austin, and Jonathan Butler will be hitting the road on "A Smooth Jazz Christmas Tour". Dates are available on www.davekoz.com - by Cheryl Philips |
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