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Gerald Albright Composes Theme for New BET Program
 October 5, 2010 - Smooth Jazz saxophonist Gerald Albright’s sound can now be heard every week on the BET television network as he’s composed the theme for a new show hosted by Ed Gordon. “Weekly With Ed Gordon” premiered Sunday, Oct. 3. “It’s a great and informative show,” Albright says.
For the show’s airtime, check your local listings.
Albright’s latest CD, “Pushing the Envelope,” was released in June and follows 2008’s Grammy-nominated “Sax for Stax.” Original titles include “Highway 70,” “Bobo’s Groove,” “Capetown Strut,” “I Found the Klugh” and “The Road to Peace (A Prayer for Haiti).”
Gordon, a veteran interviewer, says the weekly 30-minute show is a fast-paced roundtable talk show that highlights the week’s most important stories from politics to pop culture. It’s a mix of one-on-one headline interviews with today’s top newsmakers and celebrities, and features a roundtable discussion.
Gordon also hosts his critically acclaimed, award-winning specials “Conversations with Ed Gordon.” This latest show marks Gordon’s third stint with BET and adds to the list of positions Gordon has held over the years, including contributing correspondent for the CBS newsmagazine “60 Minutes II” and contributor for NBC’s "Today Show" and "Dateline." – By Brian Soergel
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SAX FOR STAX at Berks Jazz Fest
 March 27, 2009 - On Saturday, March 28th, 2009 at 2pm at Berks Jazz Fest in Reading, Pennsylvania (www.berksjazzfest.com), there will be the crowd-pleasing smooth jazz show Sax for Staxwithtwo supremely talented and long-time popular saxophonists, Gerald Albright and Kirk Whalum. The two are paired up as part of the exciting Sax for Stax tour on the legendary music of Stax Records. The Record company had artists such as Sam and Dave, Isaac Hayes, and the Staple Singers and was based in Memphis Tennessee (nicknamed Soulsville, USA). Stax Records is now a subsidiary of Concord Music Group. The Sax for Stax tour features Gerald Albright on alto saxophone with his uniquely bluesy tones and “So Amazing” high altissimo notes that delight audiences. Along with Kirk Whalum, with his special, soulful, smooth-as-silk tenor saxophone magic, they make a great combination. Albright and Whalum appeared together at the 2007 Berks Jazz Fest as part of the Guitars & Saxes tour with Jeff Golub and Tim Bowman. Since the mid-1960s, Albright, influenced by Cannonball Adderly and Maceo Parker, has been an in-demand studio musician and sideman. More |
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All Right for Summer with Gerald Albright's New CD
 May 21, 2008 - Great sax player Gerald Albright will be releasing shortly (June 24) his eleventh album and second one on the Peak Records label. It will be entitled "Sax For Stax" (produced by Albright himself and Rex Rideout) and will pay tribute to the famous music label "Stax Records", founded in the 60's in Memphis.
The label allowed the emergence of famous soul artists such as Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Carla Thomas and many others. "Sax for Stax" will feature height covers of famous Stax classics such as the Staple Singers' "Respect Yourself" featuring Ledisi; Johnny Taylor's "Cheaper to Keep Her" and "Who's Making Love, and the Dramatics' "What You See Is What You Get" featuring Earth, Wind & Fire vocalist Philip Bailey. There will also be three Albright'' original tracks also fruitful collaborations with famous R&B and contemporary jazz vocalist Will Downing on "Never Can Say Goodbye", talented sax man Kirk Whalum on "Memphis Passon" and a tribute to the Blues' Father titled "W.C. Handy Hop".
"Sax for Stax" will presumably be a next popular smash, following the success of his previous albums: "Groovology" (2002), "Kickin' It Up" (2004) and "New Beginnings" (Albright’s debut album on Peak Records in 2006). For more information: www.geraldalbright.com; www.peakrecords.com - By Akbar Nour |
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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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Gerald Albright Upbeat on 'Kickin' It Up'
 June 22, 2004 - The mantra for a lot of Smooth Jazz musicians in the last few years seems to have been "mix it up.' Whether conscious or not some of the top names in the format have stretched a bit. Dave Koz, Praful, Mindi Abair and Steve Oliver have certainly given the format a youthful spin on their recent releases. Gerald Albright's answer to kickin' it up a notch is just that, his new 'Kickin' It Up' album. "This is a really upbeat project," says Albright. "Fused with my jazz roots is a heavy influence from Philadelphia International Records, James Brown, Motown, and `70s funk bands like Cameo, Brick and The Bar-Kays." This is his eighth album and second for the GRP label and features Albright playing all the saxes, soprano, alto, tenor and baritones plus electric bass on most tracks. Special guests on 'Kickin' It Up' include Jeff Lorber contributing keyboards and drum programming on three cuts, Peter White ads guitar to 'Why Georgia' and George Duke is the pianist on the title tune. Kickin' It Up' was released on June 8th. |
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Groovin' For Grover Tour Debuts Next Week
March 16, 2004 - We lost him in December of 1999 and he remains a big part of the Smooth Jazz framework. Grover Washington Jr. His Sony press release said it best "He maintained the middle ground between jazz and rhythm-and-blues with great style and grace." If you want a taste of Grover's Inspiration check out the "Groovin' for Grover Tour" kicking off next week. Featuring heavyweights likes Richard Elliot, Jeff Lorber, Paul Taylor and Gerald Albright. The tour will serve as a tribute to the Jazz legend.
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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.” 
