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! |
Zach Bandolin Back Home After Lots of World Travelling After touring stints in Seoul and Japan the guitarist is firmly planted back home in Canada. Bandolin dropped by the Smooth Jazz studios recently and talked to Program Director John Beaudin. Here is a transcript of that on-air interview. – by Shannon Edwards |
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JOHN - Hi Zach. Good morning and welcome to the show. ZACH - Hi John, good morning to you too and to all the listeners of Smoothjazznow.
ZACH - When I decided to make an album, I wanted to relate my life experiences to my music, so I compared the process to writing my own book. Basically, every chapter tells a different story and that's how the title "Pages From My Book" came to be. ZACH - I look up to my guitar heroes for a deeper understanding of melodic guitar playing and for inspiration. But I do focus on my own technique and style of playing, rather than trying to mimic their style. |
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JOHN - 13 years in Seoul, tell me about that? ZACH - After a 3 year stint in Japan in 1994,I was given an offer that I could not refuse - to play in Seoul, South Korea. At that time, live performances were really in demand. The beauty of the place smote me - the people were nice and friendly, the technology was abundant and the money was good too! My original plan of staying for 2 years ended up with me staying for 13, playing in major cities all over the country, in honky - tonk bars, disco clubs and even theme parks. We played various styles of music ranging from Rock to Country to Pop and Techno, but my favourite was definitely playing Smooth Jazz in some of the more popular hotels in the city of Seoul. The song "Memories of Summer" speaks directly to my experience in Korea - as vivid as the changing colors of its seasons. ZACH - I’ve had lots of ups and downs in my personal life and career. I’ve been in and out of bad relationships and ignored them, hoping that they would run their natural course, but many situations still haunted me. When a friend of mine introduced me to the practice of meditation, it was then that I was able to listen to my inner self, fine-tune and get a hold of things. I learned to live in and embrace the real world, always remembering to take a step back when I need to put things into perspective. ZACH - This song is about what I’ve learned during my stay in Fuzhou, China. The Chinese believe that in order to attain stability, there must be a balance between good and evil, strong and weak, black and white or Yin and Yang. The energy of the universe is harnessed in the equity of the Yin and Yang, bringing peace and harmony. This song attempts to interpret this in the form of the 2 – chord progression that is very dominant throughout the piece. I try to blend improvised melodies to the syncopated tempo of the song. |
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JOHN - and “T Skyline” is also getting some requests, what about that one? ZACH - This song was originally titled “Toronto Skyline” but in the final minutes of production, I decided to call it “T Skyline” to leave a bit of mystery. This tune was playing in my mind as I took a stroll along the Lakeshore boardwalk, admiring the beauty of the city under a clear blue sky one summer day. JOHN - What do you consider the defining moment of your career? ZACH - Watching my music video on TV, completing my album and seeing it sold in online music stores. Mostly, that I’m finally out there and that people other than my relatives are complimenting my songs.
ZACH - Writing instrumental music is comparable to abstract painting, these songs are personal to the writer, but have a different meaning each time a new listener tunes into it. I just hope that people will enjoy my music and that it takes them to their own happy place every time they hear my songs.
ZACH - I am currently working on another album and plan to explore more of North America, hopefully sharing some music along the way. |
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April 4, 2010 – 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. His new album “Pages from My Book,” as the title states, is a travelogue into his past, present and even future. Bandolin consciously went into the project with an intention to be transparent with his skills and life lessons.
JOHN - “Pages from my Book” is a wonderful project and even though it sounds current, brings me back to the early guitar works of Carlton and Ritenour. How did you come up with the title? 
JOHN - Zach, what keeps you plugged in and what keeps you grounded? 
JOHN - What do you hope people come away with after listening to your music?  |
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