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David Benoit Holds Down # 1 For Two Weeks
Jody Quine of Balligomingo is Special Guest on the Smooth Jazz Now TOP 30 Countdown
 July 24, 2010 – David Benoit’s new album ‘EarthGlow’ is certainly hitting a high note with fans of Smooth Jazz Now.com. The projects first single ‘Will’s Chill’ is number one for two weeks in a row. “Reaction has been really great in the last two-three weeks,” says Smooth Jazz Now Office Manager Kari Graham, “I think it might be time to add a few more tracks off the album to our station.”
Kenny G also seems to be on fire with his new single ‘Heart and Soul.’ After only two weeks it’s already in the #8 spot. Bob Baldwin’s new Michael Jackson Tribute album ‘Never Can Say Goodbye’ has three songs in high rotation on Smooth Jazz Now but the standout seems to be the title song, which jumped seven spots to #14. Jaared also has a new hit song with ‘Dancing with You’ from his new CD ‘Manhattan Nights,’ it jumped from #22 to 15.
Jody Quine (pictured below), lead singer, of the band Balligomingo will be the special guest on the program for the next two weeks. The groups hit song 'Spinning' was #1 for two weeks. More
David Benoit Takes # 1 Spot on the Smooth Jazz Now TOP 30 Countdown
Mindi Abair Set as Special Guest on Program
 July 15, 2010 – It’s never surprising but always an event when a Smooth Jazz superstar reaches the number one position on our TOP 30 Countdown. Case in point David Benoit’s new album ‘Earthglow’ has just produced our new number one tune with ‘Will’s Chill.’
Benoit, who grew up in Los Angeles, started studying piano seriously in his early teens and by the mid-seventies graduated to Music Director to Lainie Kazan, Ann Margaret and Connie Stevens. The pianist’s solo career started shortly after but it was not until his association with the famous GRP label that things finally took off.
“I think David Benoit is a national treasure,” says Smooth Jazz Now Program Director and Countdown host John Beaudin. ‘We’re talking about a guy who was there creating exceptional product when this format got started, in a similar form to now, back in the mid-eighties.” Benoit will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the American Smooth Jazz Awards on October 29, 2010. More
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David Benoit's next CD "Heroes" Set To Be Released in May 27, 2008
May 2, 2008 - Famous contemporary jazz pianist, composer and producer David Benoit is set to release his brand new album entitled "Heroes" for Peak Records in May 27, 2008. This album is Benoit's homage to his musical heroes and includes the famous tracks "Your Song," "Mountain Dance," "Light My Fire," "Waltz For Debbie," and "Human Nature." Composers and artists represented are Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis, The Doors, The Beatles, Dave Grusin, and Horace Silver. The album starts with famous Michael Jackson's track "Human Nature". The album includes two new Benoit compositions, including a tribute to Dave Brubeck, "A Twisted Little Etude."
In addition to his contemporary jazz work, Benoit has established himself as a classical composer, conductor, and artist. He is currently serving his 7th season with the Asia America Symphony Association as Music Director & Conductor of the Asia America Symphony Orchestra and Asia America Youth Orchestra. He will be debuting his latest concert work, "Dolores Del Carmen" for Spanish Guitar and Orchestra on June 7, 2008, with the Asia America Symphony Orchestra. He will be performing over the course of the season with famous Japanese sax player Sadao Watanabe, Japanese American pianist Jon Nakamatsu, and one of the world's top ukulele players, Jake Shimabukuro.
Five-time Grammy nominee David Benoit has arranged, conducted and performed music for many popular pop and jazz artists over the years, including Russ Freeman and the Rippingtons, Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin, Dave Koz, Kenny Rankin, Faith Hill, David Lanz, Cece Winans, David Pack, David Sanborn, and Brian McKnight. - by Akbar Nour
For more information: www.benoit.com; www.asiaamericasymphony.org
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Smooth Jazz Goes Cruising Crazy
 February 21, 2005 - Seems like everyone is cruising these days. Smooth Jazz Cruise pioneer Warren Hill has just completed his second sell out full charter while, almost at the same time, Bob James was sailing on a musical journey out of San Diego. Later in the year Rick Braun is leading a top-notch line up on a seven-day trip out of Galveston and Warren Hill's 2006 event is already proving to be a big early seller. Sandwiched among all this is the "Dave Koz & Friends At Sea" cruise that sails from San Diego on November 5 and is being managed by the same organization that made Hills last event such a success. Calling at destinations that include Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas and Peurto Vallarta, Koz has assembled a line up every bit as good as one would expect from this master of live Smooth Jazz. Artists already confirmed, and who performed on the Hill cruise, are Wayman Tisdale, Kirk Whalum, Jeff Golub, and Jonathan Butler. Joining them will be Marc Antoine, Patti Austin, David Benoit, Chris Botti, George Duke, Jeffrey Osborne and Praful. It's a line up that promises to produce seven days of high quality Smooth Jazz. - By Denis Poole |
November 15, 2011 - Dave Koz fans are thrilled with his fourth Christmas album. All the songs on his new release “Ultimate Christmas” are compilations from his three previous holiday albums. Now this is ringing in the festivities Koz style! 
October 25, 2011 – It was only a matter of time before the Air-Com Radio Network added another station to its line-up. Interestingly, the new station attracts the same demographic as the very popular Smooth Jazz Now – 35-64 adults. 
October 24, 2011 – It’s a great time to win an iPad-2! With the Holidays just around the corner you could consider it a great present for yourself or, better yet, give it to the one you love! 
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.
– With two more Smooth Jazz stations (WLOQ in Orlando and Wave/Toronto) giving up on the format this week we thought it was time to mix up the genre, just a bit! “Smooth Jazz Now” has decided to add more life to this format. 
– 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! 
– 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. 
- 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.” 
