Grammy's
Turns into Ray Charles Love Fest
February
14, 2004 - The late great Ray Charles cleaned
up at the Grammy's this year with 8 wins. His duets album "Genius Loves Company"
won many of the top prizes including Album of the Year and best Pop Album. "Here
We Go Again" his duet with Norah Jones
won Record of the Year and best Pop Collaboration. More
Will
Ackerman
Grammy Win
- Best New Age Album - "Returning"
Smooth
Jazz Nominees at the Grammys
December
8, 2004 - Looks like the sun won't set any time soon on Norah
Jones. The singer was nominated for five Grammys yesterday including nods
for Pop Vocal Album and Female Pop Vocal for her second CD "Feels Like Home."
The late Ray Charles was another multiple
nominee with seven (his album had 10 nominations) and the biggest artist heard
on Smooth Jazz radio was Alicia Keys with
eight nominations.
Read
more.
Will
Ackerman
1 Nomination
- Best New Age Album - "Returning"
Will
Ackerman 'Returning' To His Windham Hill Days 
August
26, 2004 - The man who's credited for securing the New Age
boom of the eighties via his record company Windham Hill is returning to those
roots on his new album. Will Ackerman who
sold his interest in Windham Hill to BMG in 1992 has re-recorded 11 classic solo
guitar pieces on 'Returning: Pieces for Guitar 1970-2004.' Due September 28 on
his own Mary's Tree record label the album features favorites like 'Processional,'
'Bricklayer's Beautiful Daughter,' 'Visiting,' 'Unconditional' and 'Hawk Circle.'
Though no longer on Windham Hill Ackerman is expected to be part of the lineup
of the annual Winter Solstice Tour which also features pianist Liz Story, vocalist
Samite and guitarist David Cullen. Ackerman says he still hears from many instrumental
musicians trying to break into the business and while he enjoys listening to new
music says "I'm simply not in a position to be of help as a conduit for artists
seeking a record contract." Also for the record Ackerman never liked the
term 'New Age' and never considered his music
to be part of that genre. Here
is the track list for 'Returning':
"Bricklayer's
Beautiful Daughter"
"Anne's Song"
"The Impending Death
of the Virgin Spirit"
"Pictures"
"Hawk Circle"
"Barbara's Song"
"Unconditional"
"Visiting"
"Processional"
"In a Region of Clouds"
"Last
Day at the Beach"
