May 17, 2013 - After only four weeks Andy Snitzer is sitting pretty at the top spot of the Smooth Jazz Now Top 50 Countdown. "Andy's done well," says John Beaudin Operations Manager at the AirCom Jazz Network, "he dethroned Boney James from the #1 spot," adds Beaudin. 
May 3, 2013 - Things keep looking better for Boney James. The popular sax-man has the biggest hit of the year so far on Smooth Jazz Now with 'Batucada.' It's now been #1 for five weeks. "It's always special when a song stands out that much," says John Beaudin Program Director of Smooth Jazz Now. 
April 30, 2013 – Good Morning America has announced a huge line up for its 5th Annual Summer Concert Series. 
April 25, 2013 – Three gifted smooth Jazz musicians; Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown came together 11 years ago with their group BWB. These guys put their name on the map with the famous album Groovin’ and are back in full swing with an upcoming release ‘Human Nature’ set for release June 18th. 
April 19, 2013 - Boney James is again the most talked about artist on Smooth Jazz Now. His hit 'Batucada' was the most requested tune on our station for the last two weeks. "You have to love a song with this type of staying power," says John Beaudin, Program Director of Smooth Jazz Now. 
April 10, 2013 – The hottest new song on the Smooth Jazz Now TOP 50 chart last week was Andy Snitzer's 'Candy' entering at an impressive #5. The tune comes from, 'The Rhythm,' Snitzer's 3rd Native Language album and his 8th overall. The label calls the single “sweet funk/pop” which it is indeed. “I just love this song,” says John Beaudin Program Director of Smooth Jazz Now. 
March 27, 2013 – They say “everything is perception” and from the start our image of Rob Tardik has been hard working and positive. With the release of his fourth album LIMITLESS, later this year, we thought we would catch up with Tardik and ask about the sound of the new project. 
March 27, 2013 - With the release of Jim Samuel's new album 'Smooth Covers, Smooth Dance' last week and our 90-minute radio special on his career we thought we would delve a little deeper into what makes Samuel tick. 
March 26, 2013 - Boney James had the most requested tune on Smooth Jazz Now for the second week in a row. His new single 'Batucada' has only been on the chart four weeks and two of those have been at #1. "Anytime we get a Boney single we know our audience will get it to #1," says John Beaudin, Program Director of Smooth Jazz Now. 
March 26, 2013 - Mike MacArthur has an impressive resume. Playing with Diane Schuur and the late great Maynard Ferguson creates great cache for an artist.
March 22, 2012 – Dave Koz will be joined by several of his old pals as he kicks off A Summer Horns Tour 2013.
March 13, 2013 - Boney James doesn't fool around! The famous sax-man has reached the #1 spot on the Smooth Jazz Now Top 50 Countdown and it only took him three weeks. "Ok, really - this is Freakin' Boney James," says John Beaudin, Program Director of Smooth Jazz Now. "Boney is not just known as a superstar, he proves it with every song and every album." 
March 9, 2013 – Natalie Cole has found her muse again! The 'Unforgettable' singer told fans on Twitter that she's coming back. The nine time Grammy winner should have a new album out this year. 
March 5, 2013 - Canadian singer, Michael Buble is getting ready for his upcoming album “To Be Loved’ hitting stores April 23rd. 
March 2, 2013 – I think the reputation of a music reviewer is that of a bitter and jaded curmudgeon living in a van down by the river. Years ago after writing a blistering review of a project that sounded half finished the artist approached me at a club and screamed, “You must spend a lot of time looking for things to hate?” “Actually it's the opposite, I answered, “I use my hours looking for the good stuff, 3/4 of the trip, however, is filled cliched blah!” 
March 1, 2013 - For the second week in a row Euge Groove had the most requested song on SmoothJazzNow. As a result his 'House of Groove' easily made it to #1 on the TOP 50 chart. "Euge is like Boney James, Dave Koz or Peter White," says John Beaudin, Program Director of SmoothJazzNow, "They all consistently release music that sticks with listeners." 
December 13, 2012 – SmoothJazzNow has a new artist/interview feature called One-On-One. It’s 20 questions for your favorite Smooth Jazz artists. Most acts will be asked the same questions but we will also change it up on some weeks. 
December 13, 2012 – Greg Adams has been out there. Even though many fans know him from his days with Tower of Power that stint seemed to be just an opening act for what was to come. 
December 11, 2012 - It's been a great year for Pete Giltin. The guitarist reached #1 on the SmoothJazzNow.com chart and there's no sign of him slowing down. We asked Pete to give us some rare facts - things you might not know about him. Check out the list. 
November 18, 2012 - Christmas music is a unique animal. A challenging one. Imagine explaining the concept to an alien, "So we celebrate this holiday and musicians, at least once in their careers, get to record the same 30-40 songs and hope that their versions sticks," MORE
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 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. 
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! |
Chieli Minucci and Special EFX Offer Live DVD “The show has been one of the high points of my recent concert touring life,” Minucci says. “Even more so because it came as a kind of surprise gift from a chance encounter I had with festival producers Peter Gontha and Paul Dankemeyer. I'd been performing as a guest artist at saxophonist Michael Paulo's annual event in southern California when I was reintroduced to both Peter and Paul, who were attending the event. After reacquainting ourselves (actually I'd met them 20 years earlier in Jakarta when Special EFX opened the show for Spyro Gyra, when we were a relatively new act), we mutually expressed the desire to work together at the upcoming Java Jazz event.” To order the DVD, email Minucci at chieli@aol.com. The DVD will be available soon on CD Baby. Minucci’s most recent project is a double CD that celebrates the 25th anniversary of Special EFX. “Without You” features 22 new tracks, including new arrangements of familiar Special EFX favorites. “Without You” also features a 32-page booklet with information about the new music, as well as an extensive biography of Special EFX written by Minucci. Courageous Cats Concert Notes with Lynn Olson Keyboard: Lao Tizer Wow, the Baked Potato was jazz heaven, a teeny tiny venue, with three of four dozen seats, at the most. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who knows me or my writing that I wouldn’t be able to wait for the nine-thirty gig to start! I arrived early to feed my love of sound checks. Talk about acoustics, they were unbelievable! While I was waiting for the gig to start, I chatted briefly with an employee who shared a few secrets about the sand-filled raised stage and wood covered windows, amazing sound quality! I was told the venue started out over forty years ago as studio musician hang out. What an exciting night, Chieli’s debut at the ‘Potato’. For me, the place was reminiscent of the forty-five or so person capacity, Lowville Bistro gig I recently attended in Canada after the awards. There’s nothing like hearing live music in a living room atmosphere! Here’s a snip of sound check chatter: |
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Chieli Minucci Finally Re-releases His Classic “Renaissance” Minucci has the album available on his site http://www.chielimusic.com. On the way for 2010 is a great retrospective, “25th Anniversary” multimedia CD and DVD package which will encompass his Special EFX and solo works. The guitarist was recently featured on Alexander Zonjic’s excellent album “Doin’ the D” – by John Beaudin |
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Chieli Minucci is Just Showing Off! The Special EFX guitarist plans on releasing 4 albums online at chielimusic.com. Minucci says, “This is all new music, never released before.” Here’s what you can expect, “Solos, Duos & Trios,”will feature lost treasure featuring Minucci’s ex-partner in Special EFX George Jinda who died on January 11, 2001. “Raspberry n’ Cream,”might sound sweet but it’s a Blues project that`s more vocal featuring Philip Hamilton, Will Brock and Armsted Christian. “Pop Today” will be more commercial and aggressive with Johnny Kemp, Vic Starsky and Noel Cruz. “Drippings” will feature the more background version of Minucci. He has had a steady gig providing soap operas in the US with back ground music. You can buy the lot, one album at a time or one tune at a time. The latter for a buck a song. – by John Beaudin |
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Little Smooth Jazz Extras June 6, 2005 - Hidden extras appear to be one of the ways many Smooth Jazz artists are rewarding their loyal fans, according to smoothvibes.com. Some of the hidden gems found on the latest Smooth Jazz offerings are guitarist Chuck Loeb's untitled jazz/funk track after the last official song on the album "When I'm With You." Chieli Minucci's four hidden interludes which can be heard on his latest only if the album is played in order without skipping any tracks, and Mindy Abair's tribute to Cannonball Adderly from her album "Come As You Are", titled "26 Hemenway" (a reference to her address during her time at Boston's Berkelee College of Music). - By Cheryl Philips |
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Update On New Chieli Minucci Solo Album January 10, 2005 - Chieli Minucci tells Smoothjazznow he is just wrapping up work on his CD "Got It Goin' On" scheduled for a March release date. Joining him on the project are his regular band mates Jerry Brooks on bass, Lionel Cordew on drums, Jay Rowe on piano, Philip Hamilton on percussion and vocal and David Mann on sax. The amazing array of talented guests includes Marion Meadows, Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Oliver, Gerald Veasley and Kim Waters. Readers will recall that last year we spoke with Chieli about his son, Gianluca's band, The Malibu Boyscouts. Chieli is happy to say the band is still working, "With 5 shows scheduled between now and March, they have more work than me!" Talent, however, is not limited to Chieli and Gianluca."Love Is Always Young", a selection from the new CD was penned by Chieli's dad, Ulpio. Ulpio, a concert pianist and composer, who has written for Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby and Julius La Rosa is now 87 and still writing. Says Chieli, "He wrote this beauty when he was just about 80, with his lyricist, who's about the same age. These guys are still thinking about you-know-what!" - by Liz Rivard |
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Chieli Minucci Readies New Solo Album Chieli Minucci Nominated for Another Daytime Emmy Chieli Minucci Interview Jazz Guitarist Chieli Minucci May Soon Be Playing Second Fiddle! Review - Chieli Minucci - Night Grooves - Shanachie In 1982 the guitarist along with percussionist George Jinda (Died in Jan. 11, 2001) formed Special EFX, a band who consistently record what I call "race horse albums" - reliable, strong and with good legs. Those legs translated to albums that never sound dated and the early ones are still being played on Smooth Jazz radio today. Also, every Special EFX album has at least three punchy radio tunes and Minucci uses the same formula on his solo material. More |
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Friday, May 28, 2010
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