Smooth Jazz Therapy

Julian Smith Adds Sax Appeal To Britain's Got Talent

Although the quirky Susan Boyle has transformed the ratings busting television show ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ into an international phenomenon, another contender, and this time one with genuine star quality, could well be the next big thing in contemporary jazz.

With a style and a tone evocative of Kenny G, 39 year old Julian Smith from Birmingham, England has been a real surprise package. His performance of the poignant ‘Somewhere (There’s A Place For Us)’ was rapturously received and now, with a place in today’s final assured, literally anything could happen.

Of course, for the majority of the audience, and the judges too, this connection with contemporary jazz will almost certainly be lost. However, if the British public votes in the way it has thus far, Smith may be in line for the kind of exposure that could fast-track him into the lucrative and smooth jazz friendly American market.

Now that would be a fairy story.

Chaka Khan Headed To The Capital Jazz Fest

Described by smooth jazz guitarist Chuck Loeb as “the Woodstock of Jazz Festivals”, Washington/Baltimore’s premier contemporary jazz and soul event just got a little funkier. Organizers of the almost sold out 17th annual Capital Jazz Fest (which is happening June 5-7, 2009) have announced that the one and only Chaka Khan has been added to the ensemble. She replaces the recuperating Natalie Cole who underwent a kidney transplant earlier this month and from which she is expected to make a complete recovery. Khan will take her place on the Pavilion Jazz Stage to dazzle the crowd with four decades of hits plus songs from her latest and highly acclaimed Grammy-winning CD, ‘Funk This’. In doing so she will add to a line-up that already includes smooth jazz superstars Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, George Duke, Al Jarreau, Lalah Hathaway, Fourplay, Norman Brown, Roy Ayers, Will Downing, Kirk Whalum and Pieces of a Dream.

For information and to buy tickets go to www.capitaljazz.com/2009/

Cook Daniel - Dangle Grooves

Released in June 2008, but just finding its way onto the Smooth Jazz Therapy radar screen, ‘Dangle Grooves’ from Netherlands based Cook Daniel is a delightful amalgam of chill, dance and smooth jazz vibes. Keyboard player Daniel writes, produces, arranges and mixes all ten tracks and with some quality collaborations along the way offers a gentle reminder that it is still possible to find top notch contemporary jazz outside the confines of the USA.

Smooth Jazz Rides The 'L' - WLFM 87.7, It's New Home In Chicago

No sooner had WNUA 95.5, Chicago slammed shut its door on smooth jazz than WLFM, which broadcasts from atop the John Hancock Center, activated its 87.7 FM frequency in the Chicago-land area and acquired broadcast rights from the Smooth Jazz Network for the smooth jazz format. The new station will go by the nickname of ‘The L’ and will have the catchy slogan of “Smooth Jazz Rides The L, WLFM 87.7 FM, It’s New Radio Home In Chicago”.

Although initially the output will be nothing more and nothing less than the syndicated programming from Broadcast Architecture that some blame for the demise of the radio we knew and loved, press reports suggest that ‘The L’ plans to reconstitute the cutting-edge community approach to smooth jazz in Chicago that, in its heyday, WNUA demonstrated so well. One of its main goals will be to create a station that has a very strong Chicago identity with a musical mix that represents what Chicagoan’s have been asking for

Over the next few months ‘The L’ will use extensive market research to formulate an increasing amount of locally based programming. However, for now, we should all rejoice that, in Chicago, smooth jazz is back on the dial.

More Of The Same - WNUA And KKSF Say Goodbye To Smooth Jazz Radio

WNUA 95.5, the once proud voice of smooth jazz in Chicago, is no more. Effective May 22nd, 2009 at 9-55am the station flipped formats and, in so doing, sadly deprived a city that has music pulsing through its veins of an outlet which had served it well for the past 22 years. Although the station will retain an ‘on-line’ smooth jazz presence this is another indication that the days of contemporary jazz radio as we knew it and loved it are now strictly limited. As a frequent visitor to the mid west this hammer blow carries with it a very personal significance and I am saddened that an entire listening community has, in effect, been disenfranchised.

The news from Chicago only made what was already a bad week for contemporary jazz radio even worse. On May 18 KKSF 103.7, which has been providing San Francisco and the Bay Area with smooth jazz for the last twenty years also switched formats, in this case to something it is describing as ‘103.7 The Band’ but which in reality is no more than an oldies station playing hits from 60’s and 70’s.

Both broadcasters have cited economic considerations and a loss of advertising revenue as the main drivers for this change and KKSF even claims the decision was only made following ‘exhaustive market research’.

One is left to ponder on just where does the genre go from here.

Warren Hill Will Be Jammin In Jamaica

2009 has been quite a year for sax-man Warren Hill. His CD ‘La Dolce Vita’ (that was released in June of 2008) re-established him on the smooth jazz radio airwaves and now he is back with a dazzling new initiative. Appropriately titled ‘Jammin In Jamaica’, this all-inclusive, musical extravaganza is scheduled for November 18-22 at the Ritz-Carlton, Montego Bay when a full lineup of as yet to be announced guest artists are expected to perform. Advance publicity describes the Ritz-Carlton as the only 5 diamond property on the island of Jamaica and confirms that the ‘all-inclusive’ billing will extend to all musical events and meals plus all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Cindy Bradley - Bloom

When, in 2007, Buffalo, NY, trumpeter Cindy Bradley burst onto the smooth jazz scene with her debut solo project ‘Just A Little Bit’ I described it as a choice eight track collection replete with all the rhythm and melody necessary to get her noticed. Indeed, the recognition that the album brought led to a touring engagement with the legendary Pieces of A Dream and now, signed to Trippin ‘n’ Rhythm, she is back with her latest release ‘Bloom’. Notable on many counts, the CD is built around the basic constructs of Bradley’s velvety tones, stellar input as writer, performer and producer from the outstanding Michael Broening and consistently excellent performances from Mel Brown on bass and Freddie Fox on guitars. When one factors in the outstanding array of guest artists that have gathered to play a part it is not surprising that this promises to be one of the highlights of the smooth jazz year.

Candy Dulfer CD Release Party At The Blue Note, New York

On May 26-27, 2009 Candy Dulfer will make her debut at the famed Blue Note in New York with a CD release party in support of her latest collection ‘Funked Up’. It comes amidst her current tour in celebration of the album (which hit record stores across the USA on May 12) and hot on the heels of her scheduled performances in San Diego where she will headline the Gaslamp Jazz Festival and play two shows at Anthology.

The Passing Of Wayman Tisdale

Our condolences go out to the family and close friends of Wayman Tisdale, who passed away May 15, 2009 from complications of cancer.

Tisdale approached everything he did with the joyous spirit and good humor for which he was well known and the following words from Ben York perhaps best sums up what many of us are thinking today.

"Part of what is so difficult to comprehend, is why the good guys like Wayman get this hideous disease. No one will ever know the true reason but we can certainly learn from how Wayman handled it. Just like on the basketball court, he lived his life with dignity, grace, honor, and integrity. I often find myself questioning the purpose and reason as to why these things happen to such good people. The truth of the matter is you have to play your cards how they were dealt, and through it all, keep on smiling."

Wayman Tisdale born Tulsa Oklahoma; died May 15, 2009, aged 44.

Dave Koz, Nick Colionne And Brian Simpson At The Pizza Express

April 9, 2009, and only forty eight hours after arriving in London, Brian Simpson, Dave Koz and Nick Colionne had incredibly transformed themselves from being three of the most successful solo contemporary jazz artists of recent times into what might yet prove to be the hottest smooth jazz super-group that the genre has ever produced. In town to play the second of six sell out shows at the legendary Pizza Express Jazz Club, and bolstered by the impressive content of their collective discography, the fact they blew the doors off with a delicious amalgam of energy, sensitivity and outstanding artistry was all the more remarkable for the fact that before flying in from the USA they had never previously shared the same stage.

Randy Crawford & Joe Sample - No Regrets

Infrequent, but invariably delightful, the collaborations of Joe Sample and Randy Crawford have, over the years, added hugely to the varied tapestry of contemporary jazz. From the now classic ‘Street Life’ which Randy sang with Joe’s group The Crusaders to Randy’s own album ‘Now We May Begin’ (for which Joe was a co-producer) it was almost inevitable that sooner or later the two of them would headline together. In 2006 this finally happened with their Grammy nominated duo CD ‘Feeling Good’. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart and paved the way for a successful string of tours around the world. Now they are back with the much anticipated and soul tinged follow-up ‘No Regrets’.

Shilts Headed To Radio With Broken Silence

When in August 2008 I reviewed the album, ‘Jigsaw Life’ from sax powerhouse Shilts, I described it as a superb measure of just how much he has developed as a writer, producer and performer. I found the growing maturity that the recording displayed as nothing short of breathtaking and felt this new found diversity would be sure to add to his already significant following. Not surprisingly it turned out to be a huge success and now nuGroove Records reports that the next single to be lifted from it for radio play will be the superb ‘Broken Silence’. Blessed with the haunting tones of a string quartet, outstanding Hammond B3 from Bill Steinway and Shilts own intoxicatingly restful playing this Latin tinged gem is as delightful as it is different.

For more information go to www.theNuGroove.com

Will Downing - Classique

Will Downing has long been regarded as the master of sensual smooth soul. His previous album (and debut on Peak Records) ‘After Tonight’ was recorded while he battled the muscle disorder Polymyositis but now, illness free and in dazzling form, he is back with the follow up ‘Classique’ that will hit records stores across the USA on June 16. With input both as a writer and arranger his sensitive touch is felt front back and centre while his collaboration as a producer with the in demand Rex Rideout has ensured a collection replete with the sensual grooves that have categorized Downing’s entire career.

Novello - B3 Soul

Once in a while someone comes along whose music defies the logic and reasoning that traditional genre placement can bring. Such a performer is Hammond B3 player John Novello who has joined forces with nuGroove Records for the release of his solo album ‘B3 Soul’. It is a collection that fuses old-school jazz with hip hop to deliver a mix unlike anything smooth soul jazz listeners will have heard before. However, fans that have witnessed the progression of Novello’s music will understand that ‘B3 Soul’ is indeed a return home for an artist who was nurtured on a diet of blues and soul jazz.

J P DeLaire - In My Life

The fact J.P. DeLaire has served as sideman for both Prince and Michael Bolton speaks volumes for his musical prowess. Now, with the release of the CD, ‘In My Life’, he is all set to channel his skills as keyboard player, sax-man and vocalist into what may prove to be a burgeoning solo career. The album delivers a welcome collection of self produced original compositions that range from contemporary jazz to the Minneapolis funk of his native roots. Commenting on the direction his music is now taking DeLaire is on record as saying “I think that there are many fans of the ‘Minneapolis Sound’ that are hungry for something new from that city’s scene. The lyrics are original but the grooves we’ve laid down should be a homecoming for a lot of listeners out there”.

David Benoit At Thornton Winery

April 26, 2009. For the opener of the 2009 Champagne Jazz Series at the Thornton Winery in Temecula, CA Mindi Abair was not the only show in town. Kicking off this sun soaked late afternoon event was keyboard player and composer extraordinaire David Benoit who, with his own special brand of silkily sophisticated playing, delighted the appreciative crowd with snippets from his considerable discography. In fact, Benoit has been a major influence on the contemporary jazz scene since 1977 and the release of his debut ‘Heavier Than Yesterday’. Now, thirty six albums later, he sits in the venerable position of smooth jazz superstardom and, backed by David Hughes on upright and electric bass, the outstanding Jeff Kashiwa on sax and Jamie Tate on drums (who is also a regular member of Mindi Abair’s line-up), used his performance at Thornton’s to remind everyone who was there of the astonishing legacy his music has created.