July 1st, 2009 Ross
It turns out that First Lady Michelle Obama is quite a Jazz fan. She recently hosted an event at the White House, the first installment of the White House music series. The Jazz Studio brought in over 140 students from schools across the country to get the opportunity to learn from, and interact with, Jazz greats, including the entire Marsalis family — father Ellis and sons Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo and Jason, along with Cuban jazz master Paquito D’Rivera and Davey Yarborough.
Here’s the story from the White House web site:
Students explored the core elements of Jazz through educational workshops. These interactive sessions got students up and moving: dancing and breaking out their instruments, as they learned about everything from individual legends like Duke Ellington to the broader history of Jazz and its African-American roots. Kemba, 15, said this Jazz Studio opened her eyes to a style of music she doesn’t know much about: “I love all different types of music, but I never learned much about jazz. So this experience is great because it’s really teaching me.”
The First Lady stated that she wanted to hold today’s event because the White House should be the People’s House. She went on to explain why she wanted to bring this particular style of music to the White House: Jazz is globally recognized as America’s music, and considered by many to be one of America’s greatest gifts to the world, she said. Therefore, it is essential to preserve and protect it in schools across America so it can be enjoyed by generations to come. ”The understanding and appreciation of jazz is integral to understanding and appreciating American history and culture,” she said. ”It’s an outstanding artistic model of individual expression and democratic expression, as well. And there’s probably no better example of democracy than a jazz ensemble: individual freedom, but with responsibility to the group.”
For many of the students, music is one of their greatest loves, and their arts education has been central to their development. Luke, 18, explained that he feels music is his calling, “It is so expressive. When it comes to playing, I feel I can express myself at the deepest level.”
Anthony, 17, has been playing the saxophone since the 4th grade. He said in addition to being able to express himself, playing music has taught him “no matter what people say, you have the ability to be whoever you want to be.”
After the First Lady’s remarks, everyone was treated to a rousing performance by Paquito D’Rivera, Tony Madruga, Zach Brown, Kush Abadey and Elijah Easton, who is a 17-year-old student at the Duke Ellington School of Music.
This was just the first of an on-going series that will include Country and Classical events later in the summer and fall. The purpose of the White House music series is to support the arts and demonstrate the importance of arts education in America, which encourages the ability to think creatively. As one student, Alexander, 17, explained: “Playing music helps me in all academics – math, science especially, and it makes you more interested in the arts.” He added, “I can’t live without the violin. Always wanting to be better, practicing – you can’t stop once you start!”
(Smooth Jazz Network)
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June 30th, 2009 Ross
With hits such as “Ain’t No Sunshine”, “Use Me” and “Just the Two of Us” still being played frequently on Smooth Jazz and other radio stations it’s hard to believe that the last time Bill Withers recorded any music was way back in 1985. Even harder to believe is that, despite his success, he walked away from the music business voluntarily.
Now, more than two decades later, a reluctant Bill Withers is being drawn back into the spotlight. HBO is using “Use Me” to promote the new series “Hung”. And there are two films being released that prominently feature Withers. The first is “Soul Power,” about the concert that preceded the Muhammad Ali-George Foreman boxing match in Zaire in 1974. The second is even more personal, “Still Bill,” a documentary about Withers’s life and career.
In a recent Washington Post article Withers shared some of his story and his lack of interest in a comeback. About the comeback he said, “There’s a time for everything. And at certain times in your life, when you’re young enough for that kind of vanity, you draw attention to yourself. And some people can do that into their eighties. It depends on your personality and how you’ve been socialized. I wasn’t socialized in the entertainment business. I was in the Navy for nine years, I had a life outside of this well into my thirties [Withers worked in the aeronautics industry even after “Ain’t No Sunshine” became a hit]. You know, this whole music thing was something that came into my life after I was formed socially. So it was fun, it served its purpose, I still like it, but it’s not my main focus. In fact, it hasn’t been for a long time. There are other requirements. You’re somebody’s father, you’re somebody’s husband, you’re somebody’s friend. And for me, it was important that I not neglect those other requirements just to satisfy some personal need that I might have for approval or attention from people that I don’t even know.”
“I think we protect ourselves, if we’re lucky, [from taking] on more than we’re naturally equipped to handle. And I don’t know if I’m built to be the center of attention all the time. I’ve been fortunate enough that the music that I’ve done seems to have its own life without me having to show up everywhere and wave. Then again, we all live according to the options that are provided to us. Maybe if I had to, I’d be grinding it out every night in some joint somewhere.”
When asked about the movie “Still Bill”, the ambivalence toward fame it portrays, and whether he had seen the film, Withers responded, “Some of it. When we got down to the end and they were editing and re-cutting and stuff, I got tired of it. I turned it over to my wife. I was like, “This is wringing me out. I’m done.” I said, “I wanna go to Home Depot. If there’s anything embarrassing, make them take it out. I’ll be over in the aisle with the new flush valves.” You know, I’m accustomed to working in the 3-to-4 minute format. Songs don’t last that long, so it doesn’t take me that long to say what I need to say. Films are a lot more involved.”
“Still Bill” is being shown at festivals and screenings around the world. For more on the movie, see this web site:
www.stillbillthemovie.com
(Smooth Jazz Network)
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June 29th, 2009 Ross
The latest sales chart for Contemporary Jazz CD’s has been released by Billboard, and trumpeter Chris Botti stays in the number 1 spot with his “Chris Botti: In Boston” release. The CD has now been on the chart for 13 weeks.
Vanessa Williams, Ski Johnson and Boney James hold at 2, 3 and 4 respectively.
Kenny G makes this week’s strongest move, jumping from 8 to 5 with his latest release, “Rhythm and Romance”, which has now been on the charts for an amazing 72 weeks!
The only new entry in the top 10 this week is actually a re-entry. The late Wayman Tisdale’s CD “Rebound” does just that, rebounding to the number 9 spot.
The remaining spots are filled out by CD’s from Marcus Johnson, Richard Elliot, Bernie Williams, and Paul Hardcastle.
For all the chart details, see www.billboard.com.
(Smooth Jazz Network)
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June 26th, 2009 Ross
Saxophonist Jessy J stopped in to visit the Smooth Jazz Top 20 studios for a video interview and also to record the world premiere radio special for her new CD “True Love” due out in August. The first single “Tropical Rain” will be featured on featured on the Smooth Jazz Top 20 Countdown and Smooth Jazz Weekend shows this weekend of Saturday and Sunday, June 27th and 28th.
When asked “What does the J stand for in Jessy J?’ the answer was JAZZ. She revealed that she and Paul Brown (her #1 mentor) decided on her name as a result of wanting to find something easy for people to remember.
Her own last name was too long, so they played with Jessy and Jazzy and came up with Jessy J!
Being a female sax player is rather unique, and Jessy often finds herself the only female act at the many jazz festivals she plays. However, recently at the Newport Jazz Festival she had an unplanned opportunity to jump on stage with Candy Dulfer and Mindy Abair for an all female sax fest which was a whole lot of fun!
For more inside scoop on Jessy J, tune in to the Smooth Jazz Top 20 Countdown and Smooth Jazz Weekend shows this Saturday and Sunday on a radio station near you. For a complete list of the stations that carry the shows, please see this site:
www.smoothjazztop20.com
(Smooth Jazz Network)
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June 26th, 2009 Ross
The Smooth Jazz group Fattburger began more than 25 years ago as a local San Diego band, so it’s only fitting that they mark their rebirth and return to performing with a show in that city, at the club Anthology. That show took place last night.
It’s been more than a year since Fattburger has played in public following the death from diabetes of their founding member, keyboardist Carl Evans, Jr., 14 months ago. When Evans died just a year and a half after fellow band founder saxophonist Hollis Gentry Jr. passed away, it hit the band hard, drummer Kevin Koch told the North County Times in an interview.
“I don’t know about breaking up, but it took the wind out of our sails,” Koch said of the band’s reaction. “I wasn’t sure if I was ready to get back into it, because I’m pretty much responsible for all the management aspects of the band. It took me a while to get the inspiration back.
“Eventually, time cures everything, and it felt like a natural progression to get it going again. People were constantly asking us, ‘When’s the next CD coming out?’ ‘When are you playing again?’
“We’re back together now, working on new material. We’re open right now for just about anything. We’re going to start by playing some local shows around town.”
Koch said Allan Phillips will take Evans’ seat at keyboards.
“He’s been around for quite a while; he’s played with us a number of times, filling in for our percussionist, Tommy Aros. He’s familiar with the band, he’s traveled with us before, we all get along great. It seemed like a natural fit. He’s also a talented writer, so he’s been collaborating with us on new material.”
In the 14 months since Evans passed, Koch said the band’s members have drifted off into other projects, but they are now making Fattburger their main focus.
One thing the bad doesn’t have right now is a record contract. But Kevin Koch said that’s an advantage.
“We’re not with a label right now, which is kind of nice; we don’t have any deadlines, so we can take our time, zero in on our stuff and make sure we’re totally happy with it without having to rush. We’re working on that right now, then once we get a few things squared away, we’ll probably start shopping it or maybe even do it on our own, which seems to be really popular right now.”
While the band members turned down invitations to play this summer at the festivals they had become regulars at in their 25 years together, Koch said the band has given its booking agent the go-ahead to start booking concerts for next summer.
(Smooth Jazz Network)
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June 25th, 2009 Ross
Numerous news sites are now confirming that Michael Jackson has died today in Los Angeles at age 50.
Here’s the story from the Los Angeles Times web site:
Pop star Michael Jackson was pronounced dead by doctors this afternoon after arriving at a hospital in a deep coma, city and law enforcement sources told The Times.
Jackson was rushed to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center this afternoon by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics.
Fire Capt. Steve Ruda said paramedics responded to a call at Jackson’s home at 12:26 p.m. He was not breathing when they arrived. The paramedics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation and took him to the hospital, Ruda told The Times.
Paramedics were called to a home in the 100 block of Carolwood Drive off Sunset Boulevard. Jackson had rented the Bel-Air home for $100,000 a month. It was described as a French chateau estate built in 2002 with seven bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, 12 fireplaces and a theater.
The home is about 2 1/2 miles, about a six-minute drive, from UCLA Medical Center.
The news comes as Jackson, 50, was attempting a comeback after years of tabloid headlines, most notably his trial and acquittal on child molestation charges.
In May, The Times reported that Jackson had rented the Bel-Air residence and was rehearsing for a series of 50 sold-out shows in London’s O2 Arena. Jackson had won the backing of two billionaires to get the so-called “King of Pop” back on stage.
His backers envisioned the shows at AEG’s O2 as an audition for a career rebirth that could ultimately encompass a three-year world tour, a new album, movies, a Graceland-like museum, musical revues in Las Vegas and Macau, and even a “Thriller” casino. Such a rebound could have wiped out Jackson’s massive debt.
For more details as they become available see the LA Times web site at www.latimes.com.
(Smooth Jazz Network)
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June 24th, 2009 Ross
Normally in this space we update you on the latest Smooth Jazz concerts, CD releases, and artist info. All so that you can get more enjoyment out of the music you love. Today we give you a slightly different angle; a way you can hear that music more clearly, with better fidelity. And even some new radio stations you can hear, only on HD Radio.
Lauren Goode of WSJ gives you an excellent introduction to HD Radio in this video report:
www.wsj.com
And here’s a site you can use to find out more about HD Radio, and to look up HD stations in your area, including quite a few Smooth Jazz stations broadcasting on local stations’ special HD-2 frequencies:
www.hdradio.com
Here at the world HQ of the Smooth Jazz Network we have quite a few HD radios, and they sound great! One thing not mentioned in the WSJ report is the fact that there are many affordable HD tuners that will fit very nicely into your home theater system. Look into upgrading to HD if you need a new radio! Meanwhile, please keep listening to your local Smooth Jazz station on your analog FM radio. We appreciate your support!
(Smooth Jazz Network)
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June 24th, 2009 Ross
A special concert in New York’s Madison Square Garden is planned for July 18th, to commemorate the 91st birthday of Nelson Mandela.
Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Queen Latifah and Aretha Franklin will be among the stellar lineup of performers. The Mandela Day event will also include sets from Wyclef Jean, Dave Stewart, Cyndi Lauper, Angelique Kidjo, Baaba Maal, Jesse McCartney and more.
Proceeds will benefit 46664, a part of Mandela’s foundation named after his prison number.
(Smooth Jazz Network).
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June 23rd, 2009 Ross
Word of a wonderful gesture comes to us via Dave Koz’s web site:
To honor his dear friend, the late Wayman Tisdale, and raise money for the foundation he founded which helps cancer patients and amputees cope with their afflictions, Dave is donating items of tour clothing for our latest contest. To enter, donate to the Wayman Tisdale Foundation* and ten donors will be chosen at random to win one of the tour items – each individually personalized and signed by Dave and sent directly to you from Dave’s wardrobe! Dave has donated the following items:
Donna Karan shiny brown suit worn on tour
Hugo Boss shiny blue suit worn on ‘07 Christmas tour
Richard Tyler Couture black jacket worn at the red carpet GRAMMY events and on the At The Movies tour
Gian Franco Ferre black jacket with blue circles worn on ‘07 Christmas tour
Hugo Boss green linen short sleeved shirt worn on ‘07/‘08 Summer tour
Robert Graham turquoise w/orange striped pattern long sleeved shirt worn on Summer tour
Robert Graham multi-striped long sleeved shirt worn at photo shoots and on cruise
Ted Baker white long sleeved shirt worn on ‘08 Christmas tour
Ozwald Boateng shiny green shirt worn on Asia tour and photo shoots
Rufus brown with blue patterned long sleeved shirt worn on ‘08 Christmas tour
“I miss Wayman so much—we all do. But his huge spirit lives on in his music, his amazing way of life which serves as an example to all of us, and in the great work his foundation is doing to help others who are going through similar ordeals he went through. I’m honored to donate ‘the shirt off my back’ to keep their mission intact and continue to help those who need it most. Thank you for being a part of it!”
What a great way to honor Wayman and keep his legacy going while getting the chance to win a priceless piece of stage clothing to have as your own! Your check must be received at the PO Box no later than July 15 in order to have a chance to win and don’t forget to include your name, mailing address and phone number so we’ll know where to mail your item if you win.
*Please make your check out to Wayman Tisdale Foundation and send, along with your name, mailing address and phone number, c/o Visible Image, LLC, PO Box 6454, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064-6454.
(Smooth Jazz Network)
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June 22nd, 2009 Ross
Carlos Santana has long been known as a musician’s musician, a man who appreciates and nurtures talent. And now another one of those talents will be unveiled to the listening public.
On July 14th you’ll be able to enjoy the music of the Santana band’s trumpet man, Bill Ortiz. This San Francisco legend has been well known on the Bay area music scene for many years, and with the release of his debut CD “From Where I Stand” he and Carlos Santana hope to spread the word around the world.
Ortiz has been a member of Santana’s touring band since 2000, landing the gig after performing on the Santana’s 1999 smash single Smooth from the multi-Grammy-winning, 30-million selling smash CD, Supernatural. Ortiz also appears on the Grammy-winning single The Game of Love from Santana’s 2002 release, Shaman. Carlos Santana states, “Bill articulates the beautiful language of jazz without loosing the purity and innocence of a child. It’s a wonderful experience to share music every night with him.”
Bill states, “I consider myself a jazz musician, but I’m not a purist at all, as my musical upbringing contains a wide variety of musical styles, including Latin, African, and Rhythm and Blues/Soul and Blues. My musical voice in “From Where I Stand” reflects all of those elements of who I am as a musician and a person. Music is not only what I do, music is who I am.”
(Smooth Jazz Network)
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