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TOP STORIES

Eric Darius Makes it Three Weeks at No. 1 on the ‘Smooth Jazz Now’ TOP 30 Countdown
Steve Oliver Drops by As Special Guest for Part 2 Of Our Interview
September 3, 2010 – It’s been another smash week for Eric Darius as his new hits single ‘Uptown Swagger’ stayed at #1 on the ‘Smooth Jazz Now TOP 30 Countdown.’ “Eric went out of his way to create an album that had a little bit of everything on it, a nice mix,” says John Beaudin, Countdown host and Program Director of Smooth Jazz Now. More

Eric Darius No. 1 For Two Weeks in a Row
Steve Oliver Set as Guest on the Countdown
August 28, 2010 – Eric Darius is not giving up his #1 spot. The talented saxophonist received the most buzz in the last seven days with his latest single ‘Uptown Swagger.’ “Eric is going to be our special guest on the countdown in the next two weeks,” More

Eric Darius Takes the No. 1 Spot on the Smooth Jazz Now TOP 30 Countdown
Rob Tardik set as Special Guest
August 21, 2010 – After three weeks at the #1 spot Melody Gardot and her hit ‘Baby I’m a Fool” has finally stepped down leaving room for Eric Darius and his first single from the new album ‘On a Mission.” “Uptown Swagger” which has held the #2 spot for four weeks has gained the most ground in the last seven days on the countdown. “This song is totally taking off. More

Melody Gardot Remains in the TOP Spot for Three Weeks on The Smooth Jazz Now TOP 30 Countdown
Jack Prybylski Set as Special Guest for Part Two of Our Interview
August 13, 2010 – “This song has legs,” says Smooth Jazz Now Program Director, John Beaudin, when speaking of ‘Baby I’m a Fool’ by Melody Gardot. The popular love song by Gardot has landed in the #1 position for the 3rd straight week. “Our countdown is solely based on how many times a song spins each week,” says Shannon Edwards, More

10 Things You Might Not Know About Tammy Weis
August 12, 2010 – Smooth Jazz Now Program Director, John Beaudin, has his own interesting fact about Tammy Weis. They both lived in Vancouver in the late nineties and got to know each other professionally via phone interviews. Though Beaudin knew what Tammy looked like from her high profile in that city, More

Chris Botti Creates Theme Song For Christiane Amanpour's 'This Week'
August 10, 2010 – Success has a habit of multiplying itself. Chris Botti has had his “A” game on for quite a few years now and is no stranger to TV. Besides being a regular fixture on PBS he has also been the Musical Director for the Caroline Rhea show and not a week goes by that the talented trumpeter is not a guest on some variety show. More

"Fun in the Sun" By Steve Oliver Remains No.1 on The Billboard Smooth Jazz Chart
August 10, 2010 Los Angeles CA - Indie Contemporary Guitarist/Vocalist Steve Oliver holds the No.1 slot on Billboard's Smooth Jazz Chart with "Fun in the Sun" from his Global Kiss CD four weeks in a row and is No.1 on 5 other major smooth jazz charts. More

Melody Gardot Tops the ‘Smooth Jazz Now’ Chart for Two Weeks in a Row
Jack Prybylski Set As Special Guest
August 7, 2010 – Melody Gardot is still hot stuff on the ‘Smooth Jazz Now’ TOP 30 Countdown. The singer has scored top spot with her hit song ‘Baby I’m a Fool’ for a second week in a row. The tune, from Gardot’s 4th album ' More

10 Things You Might No Know About Jack Prybylski
August 6, 2010 – When we talked to Jack Prybylski we found out he was certainly an interesting chap. A deep thinker and a very spiritual man, the saxophonist has truly enjoyed the road to recording his latest album ‘Out of the Box.’ More

Johnny J. Rivera Joins On-Air Staff at Smooth Jazz Now.com
August 2, 2010 – Smooth Jazz Now is pleased to announce the addition of Johnny J. Rivera to our on-air staff. Rivera, a successful Jazz musician in Las Vegas, is fast becoming a national phenomenon with the success of his hit single ‘Lady Cab Driver.’ More

10 Things You Might Not Know About Shannon Edwards – Host of Night-Lite on Smooth Jazz Now
August 1, 2010 – Shannon Edwards was raised in the Okanagan, in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. Broadcasting was certainly never on her mind as she searched for a career, “It’s probably the last thing I expected to do,” says Edwards. . More

Meet Our On-Air Team

SMOOTH JAZZ NOW CHART FOR September 4, 2010

TW LW ARTIST SONG
1 1 Eric Darius Uptown Swagger
2 4 Steve Oliver  Fun in the Sun 
3 8 John Legend & the Roots Wake Up Everybody 
4 2 Kenny G Heart and Soul
5 3 Brian Culbertson featuring Earl Klugh  That's Life 
6 7 Tim Bowman Let it Shine
7 9 John Mayer Heartbreak Warfare 
8 21 Paul Brown Love You Found Me
9 12 Jackiem Joyner Dance with Me
10 11 Nikki Yanofsky God Bless the Child
Check out the whole chart here
SMOOTH JAZZ NOW TOP 30 COUNTDOWN
 
New Interviews

Interview: Zach Bandolin Back Home After Lots of World Travelling
April 4, 2010 – 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. More

In Conversation with U-NAM on his latest CD ‘Unanimity’
February 23, 2010 - 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. More

New Reviews

REVIEW - Sade – Soldier of Love
June 16, 2010 – 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. More

REVIEW - Mindi Abair – In Hi-Fi Stereo

May 12, 2010 – 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.” More

My Favourite Album of the Year…So Far - Review - Andy Scott - Hope
April 6, 2010 – I’ve learnt to restrain myself through the years. In the early nineties I was approached by a regular reader of my print music article who reminded me that I used the term “favorite album of the year” way too often. More

Spirit’n’Jazz Not Ready for the A-List
Review - Spirit’n’Jazz – Where Are You?

March 28, 2010 – Here is a band that I’ve watched carefully for the past few years and with the release of “Where Are You” I wondered if they could finally move their tickle-trunk of tricks to the next level. Unfortunately, they’ve eluded that destination but it’s not to say that this album is a total bust. More

 

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

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

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
David Benoit Excited About New Orchestral Album
December 4, 2004 - Like Chris Botti, David Benoit is diggin' the strings. The pianist's next album will be a whole orchestral affair. Set for a spring 2005 release "Orchestral Stories" is now being recorded in Prague, Czechoslovakia and will feature the Czech National Symphony Orchestra. Like Chill music strings could be a new trend for Smooth Jazz artists considering Botti is sitting pretty at #37 on the Billboard Top 200. Benoit has had the album in the works for many years and he's a natural, he performed numerous times with Orchestras, has written music of the ilk and he has studied conducting. Benoit is also the Music Director and Founder for the Asia America Youth Honor Orchestra. The project works with students 11 to 18 years old.
Russ Freeman Reunites with David Benoit on Project 2
June 29, 2004 - Ten years after they released their first Project CD David Benoit and Russ Freeman are finally back with their follow up simply titled 'The Benoit-Freeman Project 2.' The album released on Freeman's Peak label has been out since Tuesday June 22. The two musicians go way back when they worked together on the first Rippingtons album 'Moonlighting' in 1986. Since then Freeman has lead the Rippingtons to being one of the top acts in Smooth Jazz. Though Benoit has made guest appearances with the Ripps the pianist has had a long successful solo career having released over thirty albums since 1977. Benoit's last album 'Right Here Right Now' was officially his last for GRP/Verve and appropriately he has signed on to Freeman's Peak records. Benoit says his next album will be released either late 2004 or early 2005. The Benoit -Freeman Project have announced a short tour so far. Click here for the details. http://www.peak-records.com/tour.html

David Benoit To Release New Album in Late Summer
May 2, 2003 - Keyboardist David Benoit will be in good company on his next album. The new project due in late summer will feature trumpeter Rick Braun who's producing the project as well as saxophonists Mindi Abair and Dave Koz and guitarist Peter White. Like Pat Metheny on his soon to released album, Benoit will feature a version of Norah Jones' Grammy-winning hit "Don't Know Why." Benoit is also working on a song in tribute to the events of 911. Benoit has just been nominated for two National Smooth Jazz Awards: keyboardist of the year, and album of the year for his 2002 release Fuzzy Logic.