Grammy winning saxophonist Kenny G has announced new 2013 tour dates that include a four-night run with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra over Father's Day weekend.  The concerts will be held June 13-16 at Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA.  Kenny also has shows coming up on July 5 in Chandler, AZ; July 6 at the Thornton Winery in Temecula, CA and July 7 at The Grove in Anaheim, CA.  You can listen to Kenny every morning from 6-10am ET, Monday through Friday, on the "Kenny G and Sandy Show" on the Smooth Jazz Network and iHeartRadio.  Kenny also hosts "Contemporary Jazz with Kenny G" every Sunday evening from 7-9pm.    

Producer, arranger, composer and keyboard wizard Jason Miles leads a new Global Noize project as the group takes on the work of soul-funk legend Sly Stone.  GLOBAL NOIZE - SLY Reimagined - The Music of Sly and Family Stone will be released on the ZOHO Roots label on June 11, 2013.  Miles takes on eight classic Sly Stone tunes including "Family Affair" featuring Roberta Flack on lead vocals and "The Same Thing" showcasing Nona Hendryx on vocals.  Grammy-winning keyboardist Jason Miles is known for his groundbreaking synth programming for Miles Davis’ ‘80s masterpieces Tutu, Music from Siesta and Amandla; along with his contributions to a genre-crossing array of artists - including Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Ruben Blades, David Sanborn, Whitney Houston, Grover Washington Jr., The Crusaders, Chaka Khan and many others.  Jason performs The Music of Grover Washington, Jr. in Bethlehem, PA on May 24 and a full list of his tour dates is available here. 

Chaka Khan will be honored at the Apollo Theater Spring Gala 2013 as the legendary singer is inducted into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame.  The gala will be hosted by Emmy-award winning entertainer Wayne Brady and will feature performances and appearances by Erykah Badu, Mary J. Blige, Patti LaBelle, Jennifer Holliday and Sarah Jessica Parker.  The gala will be held June 10 in Harlem, New York.  Meanwhile, Chaka continues to celebrate her 40th anniversary in the music business as she readies a new jazz album, due out this summer on Blue Note.  She has also confirmed an appearance at the Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival on June 9 joining artists like Marcus Miller, Gregory Porter and Eddie Palmieri.  A full list of Chaka's tour dates is available here.

Bob James and David Sanborn released their new album Quartette Humaine via OKeh Records today (May 21).  The set marks the first project the duo has recorded together since their landmark album Double Vision was released in 1986.  On Quartette Humaine, Sanborn and James pay tribute to the late pianist and composer Dave Brubeck, especially his work featuring saxophonist Paul Desmond.  The all-acoustic set features Steve Gadd on drums and James Genus on bass and presents four new compositions by James, three new songs by Sanborn and two James-arranged covers including "My Old Flame" and "Geste Humain."  The duo kick off their 2013 tour on June 6 at Town Hall in New York City.  Meanwhile, Chieli Minucci is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Special EFX with the release of his new album Genesis via Shanachie Records. Chieli will perform with the Bernie Williams All Star Band on June 1 in Katonah, NY.

Maysa will release her tenth solo album entitled Blue Velvet Soul on June 18, 2013 via Shanachie Records.  The Soul/Jazz/R&B singer-songwriter has performed with legends like Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan, in addition to her work as the lead singer with the British jazz/funk band Incognito.  Blue Velvet Soul includes eight originals composed by Maysa and a cover of the Johnny "Hammond" Smith song "Quiet Fire" originally written for jazz singer Nancy Wilson.  She is also joined by her friend Bluey from Incognito on an uplifting duet called "Good Morning Sunrise."  Maysa will be performing in England in June and has a show in her hometown of Baltimore, MD on June 29.  A full list of her tour dates is available here.

Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé can add two more awards to her already impressive resume -- her hit single "Next To Me" won the Ivor Novello Awards for 'best song musically and lyrically' and 'most performed work'.  The Ivors were held in London yesterday (May 16) and are highly prized in the industry as they are voted on and awarded by fellow songwriters and composers.  Emeli already picked up two BRIT Awards in February for British Female Solo Artist and British Album of the Year for her multi-platinum album Our Version of Events.  The album was the UK's biggest-selling record of 2012 and broke the 50 year-old record set by The Beatles for the longest consecutive top 10 run for a debut album, at 63 weeks on the charts.  Emeli made a guest appearance on the finale of American Idol last night performing with 4th place runner-up Amber Holcomb.  Sandé will kick off a U.S. tour in Orlando, FL on July 2.   

South African singer-guitarist-songwriter Jonathan Butler has announced his 'Soul of Summer 2013 Tour' featuring award-winning percussionist-singer Sheila E. and saxophonist Elan Trotman, who hails from Barbados.  Jonathan shares, “I’m excited to get on the road with Soul of Summer 2013. This year, we have the Latin flavor of Sheila E., the Caribbean flavor of Elan Trotman, and with my South African roots, it creates a great world music experience. Music can be a unifying force and unity is the spirit of Soul of Summer.” The tour will kick off Memorial Day weekend at the San Diego Jazz Festival with a performance on May 25.  The trio will be backed by a 3-piece band comprised of bassist and musical director Dan Lutz, drummer Jay Williams, and keyboardist Dennis Hamm, while Jonathan's daughter Jodie Butler will handle background vocals.  A full list of Butler's tour dates is available here.   

The Billboard Music Awards will take place this Sunday, May 19th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, broadcasting live on ABC beginning at 8pm ET.  Comedic actor Tracy Morgan of "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock" fame will host the event.  Adele has five nominations including Top Female Artist and Top Billboard 200 Artist; Rihanna picks up nine nominations including Top Artist; Alicia Keys has three nods including Top R&B Artist and Lionel Richie makes the finalist list for Top Country Album for his top-selling duets set Tuskegee.  Madonna will be honored with the Top Touring Artist Award while Prince will receive the Billboard Icon Award.  There will be live performances from Prince, Christina Aguilera, Bruno Mars, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Ne-Yo and Justin Bieber among others.   

Natalie Cole is set to release her 25th album entitled Natalie Cole en Espanol on June 25, 2013 via Verve Records.  The multi-Grammy winning singer has created her first Spanish-language album inspired by the music recorded by her late father Nat 'King' Cole and her growing appreciation of the timeless works of the romantic Latin music composers.  The set is produced by Rudy Perez ("Latin Music Producer of the Decade" - Billboard) and features Natalie with duet partners Juan Luis Guerra on "Bachata Rosa" and Andrea Bocelli on the beloved "Besame Mucho."  In addition, Cole utilizes the same technique used on "Unforgettable," her multi-platinum, Grammy winning duet with her father, to perform a heartfelt duet of "Acercate Mas" (Come Closer to Me).  Nat Cole was the first American superstar to record an entire album of Spanish standards.  Cole Espanol was recorded between Cuba and Los Angeles and released in 1958.  Click here for Natalie's summer tour schedule.

Birthday wishes to legendary singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder who celebrates today (May 13).  Born Stevland Hardaway Judkins in Saginaw, Michigan, Stevie was a child prodigy who signed his first recording deal with Motown's Tamla Records when he was just eleven years-old.  The 22-time Grammy winner had his first number one hit when he was 13 years-old with his 1963 recording "Fingertips (Pt. 2)."  In 1972 Stevie released the album Talking Book which contained his hits "Superstition" and "You Are The Sunshine of My Life."  Seminal albums like Innervisions (1973), Fulfillingness' First Finale (1974), Songs in the Key of Life (1976) and Original Musiquarium (1982) followed.  Wonder is also recognized as an active political rights advocate, having lobbied to create a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  He was named a United Nations Ambassador of Peace in 2009.  Stevie received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996.  His music is highlighted in the current Broadway show Motown: The Musical being staged at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater in New York City.