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 17, 2012 – Get ready for another beautiful journey from David Benoit on May 29th. His new album, `Conversation,’ will no doubt serve as another expansion for the Smooth Jazz format. 
April 26, 2012 - Norah Jones is set to appear with a Live-on-Letterman webcast, featuring Jones from the prestigious Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, Wednesday, May 2nd at 8:00 ET. This is a clever, strategic move for Jones to push her next album “Little Broken Hearts” set for a May 1st release. 
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. 
February 21, 2012 - As it was stated during the Grammy Awards, "We've had a death in the family." Now our own Jazz family is remembeing Whitney Houston. 
February 21, 2012 - Shock, disappointment and horror are some of the many words fans used to describe Whitney Houston’s untimely death last week (February 11, 2012). My family and I were outside a Starbucks when one of our radio listeners texted me with, at first, the rumor. 
– 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. 
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! 
- 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.” |
Johnny J. Rivera’s ‘Trying to Catch Rain’ to be Featured on ‘Full Spin’ Rivera will also sit in with Beaudin and describe each track from the project. In previous weeks Beaudin has featured ‘Global Kiss; from Steve Oliver, ‘Out of the Box’ from Jack Prybylski and Airborne’s ‘New Horizons.’ Full Spin is also replayed each Tuesday at 7PM (EST). More
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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.’ The vocalist and guitarist will host the morning slot of 6-8AM (eastern) starting today (August 2nd). “I'm elated to have my own show on Smooth Jazz Now,” says Rivera. “It's been a home to me since the beginning and the only place that I tune into, to listen to Smooth Jazz.” Rivera adds, “I'm looking forward to being part of this great family who are passionate about what they do, and work hard to keep real music, and real players dreams alive by allowing them to hang their hat's here and call Smooth Jazz Now home.” “Interestingly, it was during an interview that I discovered how amazingly comfortable Johnny was talking about music,” says John Beaudin, Program Director of Smooth Jazz Now.com. “ This guy has that infectious passion that’s so important for any radio host to have and he was amazing right from his first audition.” “Like other announcers on Smooth Jazz Now Johnny’s show will have it’s own flavor and he has some great surprises on the way,’ says Beaudin. Johnny is also a real Beatles fanatic like I am but he, unlike me, is a real Beatles expert. Rivera says, “John Beaudin and I met over the phone last year and I can honestly say in this business, this man is the real deal, it's rare to talk with an individual who comes from such a real place, his passion for radio, and music is something I have never encountered until now. He's a veteran in radio and one of the nicest guys I've had the honor to meet. There really are good people out there and if you run into John you'll know exactly what I mean and, if by chance you encounter these people let them know because life's too short. – Kari Graham |
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10 Things You Might Not Know About Johnny J Rivera June 18, 2010 – Johnny J. Rivera has just released the acclaimed album ‘Trying to Catch Rain’ featuring his hit ‘Lady Cab Driver’ but there are probably lots of interesting things you don’t know about this talented guitarist and vocalist.In the 1980’s Rivera auditioned for the TV show Fame and he also considers himself a real Beatles expert. I’ve talked to him and Rivera really knows his stuff. Rivera also came out of the closet with us to admit his deep, dark, ‘mullet’ past. His daughter found the picture of dad sporting a shiny, silky eighties mullet. Find out more about Johnny J. Rivera below. 1. Once auditioned for 80's Television show "Fame" 2. Loves Beatles Trivia and considers himself a Beatles expert 3.Starred as EL GALLO in his town version of the Broadway Musical The "Fantastiks" 4. Denied ever having a mullet until his daughter found a late 80's picture of him with a Mullet (still denies ever having one). 5.Favorite movie is Saturday Night and Sunday Morning starring Albert Finney 6. Stayed In Marilyn Monroe's seven bedroom mansion….and sang Happy Birthday Mr. President on a piano downstairs but later that evening slept in her master bedroom with one eye open (just in case she hated his rendition). 7.Loves Maple Leaf Trees 8.Did not want to fly to Texas to join his friend’s band which later turned into Edie Brikkell & the New Bohemians 9.Drives a Mini Cooper …… 10.Loves shopping…. READ MORE "10 Things You Might Not Know about..." |
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September 13, 2010 – Listen for a refreshing new album to be featured on ‘Full Spin’ this week. ‘Trying to Catch Rain’ by Las Vegas guitarist/singer will be played in full on Friday night at 7PM. “I met Johnny last year when he sent me the single ‘Lady Cab Driver,’” says ‘Full Spin’ host and station Program Director, John Beaudin. “His tune topped our chart, which is amazing for a relatively unknown artist, and now that the album is out we are pumped.” |
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