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! |
Three Weeks at #1 for Gerald Albright & Norman Brown on the SmoothJazzNow Top 50
The top movers this past week included Acoustic Alchemy with their song 'One For Shorty' jumping 15 spots to #24. Brittni Paiva who jumped 15 spots to #34. She debuted on the chart last week. Both Paul Brown and Vincent Ingala had big gains moving up 10 slots to #33 and #14 respectively. The SmoothJazzNow TOP Chart is based only on audience requests and inquiries. It is a non-payola chart. Pay-for-play is prohibited on the station. MORE
Gerald Albright & Norman Brown Keep it at #1 on the SmoothJazzNow Top 50
Chris Standring had the hottest mover on the chart with 'Pandora's Box' climbing up fourteen spots to #5. Lee Ritenour also had a good week. His new single, 'The Village' moved up thirteen slots to #18. Three new tunes entered the chart this week. First the album track 'Dinah' a country-flavored song from Bobby Caldwell was the highest entry at # 27. Acoustic Alchemy debuted 'One For Shorty' at #39 and 'Alive' by Brittni Paiva entered at #46. The Smooth Jazz Now TOP Chart is based only on audience requests and inquiries. It is a non-payola chart. Pay-for-play is prohibited on the station. MORE
Gerald Albright & Norman Brown Make #1 a Collaborative Effort and Fourplay Debuts at #5 The Smooth Jazz Now TOP Chart is based only on audience requests and inquiries. It is a non-payola chart. Pay-for-play is prohibited on the station. Check out the chart |
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Gerald Albright Composes Theme for New BET Program 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 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' Groovin' For Grover Tour Debuts Next Week |
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Oct 6, 2012 - Norman Brown & Gerald Albright have just made it three weeks straight at #1. The pair are doing well with the hit 'In The Moment.' "I gotta say I love it when a tune that I really dig makes it to the top of the chart," says SmoothJazzNow Program Director, John Beaudin.
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.
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.
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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