June 17, 2013 - Congrats to one of the nicest guys in Smooth Jazz!. Rob Tardik has another #1 song on the Smooth Jazz Now TOP 50 Countdown. "I've known Rob for years," says AirCom Radio Network's Operations Manager John Beaudin, "Rob works it hard. His message is always positivity and damn good music." Tardik only took seven weeks to reach the #1 spot. 
June 1, 2013 - Congrats to Andy Snitzer and his big hit "Candy." It stayed at #1 for a second week. "I've been a fan of Andy's for years now," says John Beaudin, Operations Manager of the AirCom Radio Network. "Andy is one of the best players in this and any format and the success of "Candy" is satisfying to his fans." Rob Tardik also had a strong week, "If Rob's "One World" continues it's momentum it will get the top spot very soon," says Beaudin. 
May 28, 2013 - There is a sense of new life on this Drew Davidsen album. Sure, he looks like a million bucks after shedding a few pounds but there is much more going on here. Davidsen is well known as a guy who gives back with his charity work in Ghana, West Africa and like Peter White, Davidsen balances energy, catchy melodies and amazing guitar playing. 
May 22, 2013 – Producer/keyboardist Jason Miles has come up with our highest charting new song this week with an interesting interpretation of Sly Stones, 'It's a Family Affair.' The tune entered our chart last Friday(May 17th, 2013) at #11, one of the highest debuts of the year. “I can't wait to hear this album,” says John Beaudin, Operations Manager of the AirCom Jazz Network, “Jason has never released anything that is normal, Jason always makes “out of the box” very tasty and interesting.” The album is called 'Sly Re imagined.' 
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 - 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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Smooth Jazz Guitarist Norman Brown Set To Launch His Christmas Tour Brown has been quite active this summer, as he toured with his "Norman Brown's Summer Storm", featuring energetic and funky hit making sax man Paul Taylor, Darius, Bugnon and multi-hit R&B singer, Chante Moore. He will not even rest after his "Intimate Christmas 08", as the guitarist, who also hosts a radio program, will embark on the "2009 Smooth Music Cruise" (January 31st - February 5, 2009.) There will be again a stellar lineup: Nick Colionne, two-time Grammy-nominated; superstar saxophonist Boney James; Grammy-nominated singer Heather Headley; two-time Grammy-award winner Larry Carlton (from Fourplay) and the vivacious sax player Mindi Abair. This great event will also feature Grammy-nominated trumpeter Greg Adams (Tower of Power), tenor sax player Steve Cole and many more. For more information: www.normanbrown.com; www.SmoothMusicCruise.com. – by Akbar Nour – Smooth Jazz Now.com |
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Norman Brown, "BWB is not Dead Yet" Norman Brown at the Top of the Charts As if this wasn't enough, the CD also debuted at No. 28 on the R&B charts. Brown has expanded his audience beyond the smooth jazz market. One of the reasons is his ability to capitalize on his vocals. "I've always felt like I could do what a lot of the great jazz artists in the past have done," he says. "Starting with Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole and into the future with George Benson, People like this were able to bring a whole new audience over to instrumental music because they were singing. So I've been finding the right songs, which has been successful so far." - by Francesca Samuel 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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| Norman Brown "Artist of the Month" for November November 1, 2004 - Mention the great guitarists to Norman Brown and he lights up like a firecracker, "You know I heard Wes Montgomery throughout my childhood because Dad always played him," says Brown, "But it didn't catch my ear until I started playing guitar." He told Smooth Jazz Now that Jazz wasn't his first choice though, "Before I wanted to be Wes Montgomery I wanted to be Jimi Hendrix." Luckily for us he found the Jazz religion and that included George Benson, "Oh yeah, he changed my life man. That's why I'm doing what I'm doing." Brown and Benson know each other and that influence as well as Montgomery's has always been a firm ingredient in the Norman Brown sound. The Grammy winner (he won last year for "Just Chillin") is our artist of the month for November. Read out interview. |
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Norman Brown Lets His Voice Be heard September 22, 2004 - "In this business you have to keep reinventing yourself," says Norman Brown. The guitarist who just released his follow up to the Grammy winning "Just Chillin," is excited about his new direction - singing. "In the beginning of my career I was discouraged from singing. I was told it's a no no for a Jazz musician to try to sing," says Brown, "It was just a nice way of saying you can't sing." After winning the Grammy he sat down with the president of Warner Brothers where he shared his wish to be a vocalist. The result is "West Coast Coolin," an album that incorporates his trademark catchy inspirational guitar style with a few Urban flavored vocals sung by Brown. The first single "I Might" is already charting on the U.S. Urban/AC charts. The guitarist also has "Up 'N' At 'Em" on the Smooth Jazz Charts. Norman Brown will be our 'Artist of the Month" for November. Read part one of our interview.Read part one of our interview. |
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| Norman Brown To Deliver New Album In June May 13, 2004 - Guitarist Norman Brown is currently charting with Brian Culbertson on 'Come On Up' from the Culbertson album of the same name but Brown should return to top billing shortly. The BWB guitarist will release his follow up the Grammy winning 'Just Chillin' next month. Producer Paul Brown will return behind the controls. Also expect a follow up to 'Groovin' from BWB featuring Brown with Rick Braun and Kirk Whalum possibly later this year. Brown's last album 'Just Chillin' from 2002 won a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album. BWB To Record and Tour This Year January 7, 2004 - To no ones surprise Smooth Jazz supergroup BWB made the top 20 in both Canada and the U.S. year end charts. The group consisting of Saxophonist Kirk Whalum, trumpeter Rick Braun and guitarist Norman Brown plan to record their second album later this year and plan to tour in February. Whalum told the Associated press the first BWB album was just a way of testing the waters without too much commitment, "unlike marriage, we thought this is something you want to try out first. If we were going to be committed to it, we wanted to make sure. The initial infatuation of it was undeniable. We love one another and love playing together.... We can't wait to get back into the studio." Whalum was recently nominated for a Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel for the disc "The Gospel According To Jazz Chapter II." BWB Gets Into Christmas May 21, 2003 - Your Holiday season could be a little funkier for 2003! Smooth Jazz supergroup BWB are working on a Christmas album for Warner Brothers but word is it may not be released this year. The boys in the band also have new solo albums in the works Kirk Whalum (left) will release "Into My Soul" on July 22nd and Rick Braun's latest will be out on August 26th. BWB (which also features Norman Brown) are currently on the road. |
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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. |
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