: Smooth Jazz Now

Bob James - Artist of the Month
April 7, 2006 - Smooth Jazz pioneer Bob James who is the recipient of the George Benson Lifetime Achievement Award this year at the Canadian Smooth Jazz awards is our "Artist of the Month." James will receive the honor tonight at the 2nd annual awards ceremony. Check out the 60 page tribute to Bob James at the official Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards site here. Listen to our exclusive interview with Bob with a bonus clip from Earl Klugh paying tribute to the pianist. More

Bob James To Be Honoured at Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards
November 18, 2005 - Wave 94.7FM and smoothjazznow.com have joined forces for the 2nd year in a row to present the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards. This year's Gala will take place on Friday, April 7th, 2006 at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. Returning to host the awards is popular V98.7 Detroit morning man and Smooth Jazz flautist, Alexander Zonjic. Bob James will be honoured with the 2006 Benson Lifetime Achievement Award. A renowned keyboardist and composer, Bob James has been a mainstay of the contemporary jazz scene since the early 70's. He has released 38 solo albums, won two Grammy Awards and topped the jazz charts as a member of the super group, Fourplay. Notably, he brought smooth jazz into the living rooms of millions when he penned the now familiar theme song, "Angela", for the popular TV series, Taxi. Undoubtedly, James' performance at the 2006 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards will be a highlight of the evening. For updates on tickets and lineup, please check out the official site www.canadiansmoothjazzawards.com - by Liz Rivard

2nd Annual Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards Set For April 7, 2006

November 5, 2005 - Wave 94.7FM Hamilton/Toronto and Smooth Jazz Now.com are putting together plans for the second annual Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards. The ceremony set for Friday, April 7, 2006 will move to a bigger venue this year - "The Hammerson Hall at The Living Arts Centre, Mississauga Ont." . Tickets for the event will be $50 and a special VIP package including an after party with the stars is available for $90. Tickets and a full nomination list will be available shortly. - by John Beaudin

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

Fourplay Continues 'Journey' On June 22
June 2, 2004 - Fourplay has finally given in to the digital world. The supergroups new album 'Journey' to be released June 22 will be their first full digital album after recording in analog for so many years. The groups eight album will be released on RCA Bluebird featuring the same line-up for the band since 1998 keyboardist Bob James, bassist/vocalist Nathan East, guitarist Larry Carlton and drummer Harvey Mason. 'Journey' will only have one cover, Sting's 'Fields of Gold.' Longtime producer Don Murray was behind the controls again. Fourplay has scheduled eighteen shows from August to November.

Fourplay Finishes New Album

March 30, 2004 - Smooth Jazz super group Fourplay have finally finished their new album. Harvey Mason, Larry Carlton, Bob James and Nathan East (pictured Left to right) recorded the album at Firehouse Studio in L.A. On their official website www.fourplayjazz.com bassist extraordinaire East said, "We had fun in the studio swinging, playing funk, jazz, hip and pop combining elements that I think will serve up a record that can be enjoyed by a wide range of listeners." East who again appears on the latest Eric Clapton album, the Bluesy "Me and Mr. Johnson." says there will be vocals on the new Fourplay CD, "The band continues to push me to sing more which I had the opportunity to do on this recording. Fourplay is such a creative outlet for me and I look forward to presenting this new record to our listeners!"

Fourplay Tour Dates
MAY 27, 28 - Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts Cerritos, CA May, 29 - KIFM Festival, San Diego, CA Aug. 22 - Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, Ca.	Sept. 10 - Kettle Moraine Jazz Festival, West Bend, WI Sept. 16 - Detroit Opera House, Detroit, MI Sept. 18 - Chicago Theater, Chicago, IL