Smooth Jazz Therapy

Now Listen To Your Favorite Tracks At Smooth Jazz Therapy

It is now possible for you to sample music directly from the Smooth Jazz Therapy home page. Each month we will be posting five featured tracks for your listening enjoyment and, to get things started, the wonderful new tune; ‘That Wayman Smile’ from Tom Braxton is topping the list. Also there is ‘On Sunday Morning’ from Art Sherrod Jr. who is one of the hottest sax players to hit the scene this year. He is in the excellent company of the incomparable Najee and with two great cuts from San Diego based flautist Bradley Leighton there really is something for everyone.

The Smooth Jazz Therapy player is located on the right hand side bar of the page. To get started simply select the tune you want and hit ‘play’.

Enjoy and check back here soon for great new streaming music.

Last Chance To Spend New Years Eve With Nick Colionne

It was way back on August 21 that Smooth Jazz Therapy first leaked news of a great chance to celebrate New Years Eve with Nick Colionne. Nick will be the headline performer at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Philadelphia Airport on December 31 and if you have not already made plans to be there then there is no time like the present. The event is the brainchild of Michael Tozzi of www.ijazzglobal.com who, as former Program Director for WJJZ and a driving force behind the city’s music scene, is in every respect Philly’s Mr. Smooth Jazz.

The all suites Embassy Hotel has recently undergone a $14 million upgrade and with a spectacular waterfall in the lobby is, by all accounts, a very cool place to be. Options are available for overnight and extra day stays, dinner, tickets for Nick’s big show and an after party with Philly's best party band, ZOE. For reservations and tickets call the Embassy Suites Hotel, Philadelphia International Airport at 215-365-4500 and ask for the Nick Colionne New Year's Special. Seating will be at tables in cabaret style so it goes without saying that the earlier you book the closer to the stage you will be.

Patsy Meyer Authors New Childrens Book

Now for something completely different; the multi talented Patsy Meyer, as well as being an outstanding contemporary jazz vocalist and percussion player is also a much acclaimed children’s author. Between gigs she has been working on the Kazoo-Boo Magical Adventure book series and just in case your Christmas list is not yet complete this book plus CD combo is a great gift idea. Perfect for any 4-8 year old child, it has won a Mom’s Choice Award and a Moonbeam Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature. Patsy also wrote songs and played all the bongo parts on the CD that comes with the book. Check it out here www.kazooboo.com

After that it’s not too late to give yourself a present by delving into the archives for Patsy’s outstanding 2007 collaboration with Patrick Lamb, ‘Don’t Get No Better’. It was one of the albums of the year, a huge Smooth Jazz Therapy favorite and is still available.

Sade's Soldier Of Love Hits The Airwaves

Probably the hottest music news of 2009 is that the first single from the album ‘Soldier of Love’ by the incomparable Sade is now out. Released to radio effective December 8, it is sure to monopolize the contemporary jazz charts for the conceivable future and set off a countdown to February 8, 2010 when the album is scheduled hit the streets. ‘Soldier of Love’ was recorded in England and is Sade’s first studio album since the multi-platinum ‘Lovers Rock’ in 2000. The single is co-written by Sade and longtime collaborators Andrew Hale, Stuart Matthewman and Paul Spencer Denman. It features a pulsating and anthem like drum beat that underpins the haunting vocals for which Sade is so well known.

Hear ‘Soldier Of Love’ now at www.sade.com

Dee Brown's True Reality Headed To Radio

In support of Dee Brown’s brand new CD ‘A Little Elbowroom’, nuGroove Records has just serviced the splendid ‘True Reality’ to radio. It’s a sumptuous mid tempo charmer that finds Brown’s melodic guitar entirely in sync with great sax from nuGroove label mate Darren Rahn.

Brown’s special blend of velvety smooth jazz and soulfully urban vibes first came to light in late 2006 with his incredible debut album ‘No Time To Waste’. The track ‘El Spanyo’ made it into the Smooth Jazz Therapy top twenty tracks of 2007 and, when the CD was subsequently re-released on nuGroove, it became one of the surprise packets of 2008.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘A Little Elbowroom’

Melba Moore & Phil Perry On YouTube

When recently I reviewed ‘The Gift Of Love’, the excellent new Shanachie release from Melba Moore and Phil Perry, I was instantly taken by the pairing’s terrific rendition of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Weakness’. This glorious homage to Wonder and vocalist Dionne Warwick finds Moore capturing the sweet charisma of Warwick’s unmistakable voice to perfection. Not only that, the track is further enhanced by Perry’s appropriately smooth interjections.

A live version of ‘Weakness’ by Moore and Perry can now be found at YouTube via the following link. Truth to tell there is not a weakness in sight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVQoyz7oNz0

Bradley Leighton - Touch

‘Soul Collective’ by flautist Bradley Leighton was, without doubt, one of the smooth jazz highlights of 2008. Replete with a deliciously soulful vibe, the album demonstrated that Leighton has all the attributes necessary to take the genre to another place. Now, his brand new digitally released single ‘Touch’ provides another chance to sample Leighton’s magic. With a haunting melody and a sumptuous bass line this is one seriously good tune and comes highly recommended.

Elsewhere Bradley has a straight ahead flute project in the works that is due out sometime next year. For more information check out Bradley’s record label at www.pacificcoastjazz.com

Najee Gives Back To His Boyhood Community

The term ‘giving something back’ is one that at times can be overdone but has never been more appropriate than when applied to the recent visit by smooth jazz superstar Najee to his boyhood neighborhood of Jamaica, Queens. Born in Manhattan, Najee and his family moved to Brooklyn and then to Queens when he was 10 years old. He learned to play the clarinet while in elementary school student at St. Mark's Lutheran School in Bushwick, Brooklyn. His mother, Mary, a medical secretary, had a record collection heavy with sax players like Charlie Parker and John Coltrane so, as Najee himself puts it, “the saxophone kinda grew up in my psyche”.

Rob Tardik Returns With 'The Right Time'

A 2010 nominee for Guitarist of the Year at the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, industry veteran and highly respected guitarist Rob Tardik is on quite a roll. Having recently launched MDR Music Productions, that will license new music for TV, film and radio; he is now all set to release his brand new CD ‘The Right Time’. In fact the title could not be more apt as with a lively blend of 12 tasty instrumental cuts Rob (together with a stellar cast of backing musicians) takes this as the perfect opportunity to bring back the feeling and excitement of a real live band.

Described elsewhere as music to soothe your soul, ‘The Right Time’ features nine new tunes and three from his previous CD. These latter offerings have all been re-imagined by the melodic addition of Carson Freeman on sax and the luscious piano work of Davor Jordanovski whilst in terms of new music the albums closing track, the beautifully serene ‘Waiting For Rain’, captures Rob's passion for nylon string guitar and his intimate finger style of playing.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘The Right Time’. For more information go to www.robtardik.com

Cristophe DeVilla & Enois Scroggins - You Are My Girl

‘You Are My Girl’ by guitarist Christophe DeVilla and soulful vocalist Enois Scroggins is one the smoothest R & B cuts of the year and is currently out there on YouTube.

Find it now at www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu-GtL-PBBM

De Villa is a French jazz artist with a string of album’s to his name while, back in the day, Enois Scroggins worked with members of Cameo and The Gap Band. Together they have come up with a real gem. Check back here soon for more information the project from which this great track comes.

Peter White 'Bright' In The UK

It’s that time of year again and as the leaves in London town begin to fall there can only be one thing on the agenda. Yes, you guessed it; Peter White is back in the UK for his now annual mini tour that this year is partly in support of his brand new CD ‘Good Day’.

‘Bright’ is the album’s first radio single and is currently sitting at number two on the Groove Jazz chart of most played on smooth jazz radio.

To hear ‘Bright’ click here; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sd51nDIFkQ&feature=related

With an extended itinerary there is even more opportunities to catch him live and it all gets started on November 3 at Club One in Ascot, close to the famous horse racing track and a few miles from historic Windsor Castle. The following evening Peter will be at the Concorde Club in Eastleigh, Hampshire and will stay on the south coast to play Thirty Three restaurant in Poole, Dorset before heading back to London for seven nights at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in Dean Street.

The Thirty Three event is particularly notable for the fact it is being presented by the excellent www.smoothtraxfm.com for which Chris Boyce does such a fantastic job.

The tour concludes with two shows at the Maidstone location of Pizza Express on November 13 and 14. After that it is back to the USA for White’s participation in the twenty two night Dave Koz And Friends Christmas Show which commences in Mobile, AL on November 27.

There is still time to get tickets for some of the UK dates so for more information go to www.peterwhite.com and check out ‘Concert Schedule’.

Jeff Kashiwa Produces Debut Album From Hulon

Despite the increasing difficulty that new artists face in finding an outlet, one player to really strike gold is saxophonist Hulon. His fresh perspective on old-school style has been recognized by none other than Jeff Kashiwa who, between his responsibilities to super-group The Sax Pack and the demands of a successful solo career, has now produced Hulon’s debut CD.

‘First Impressions’, which is described as a mixture of hot grooves and romantic charm, is scheduled for release in early 2010. When asked about this exciting new project Kashiwa commented that "It is every producer's dream to come across an artist who has three qualities: drive to develop a unique voice, enthusiasm for creating music and a passion to perform; Hulon posses all three”.

The music of ‘First Impressions’ reflects many moods. From the retro soul of War's ‘Cisco Kid’ to the romantic ‘Follow Me’ Hulon shows he has the stuff to captivate a whole new audience. Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘First Impressions’.

Alan Hewitt To Release New CD On nuGroove Label

Smooth Jazz Therapy has long been a fan of keyboard maestro Alan Hewitt whose vibey sound captures to perfection the true essence of what great smooth jazz should be all about. His 2006 album ‘Metropolis’ remains an item of sumptuous buried treasure and now he is set to make a spectacular return with a brand new project, ‘Retroactive’. Due for release in early 2010 it marks Hewitt’s arrival at the consistently focussed nuGroove label and will feature gusts appearances from the likes of Greg Adams, Paul Jackson, Jr., Steve Madaio and Steve Oliver.

'Smooth Jazz Now' Moves Into Radio

As a sometime contributor to the contemporary jazz website www.smoothjazznow.com I am more than aware of the passion for the music that its President John Beaudin invariably displays. A significant on-air personality in his own right, and the driving force behind the prestigious Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, Beaudin is now moving into exciting new territory with the September 1 launch of www smoothjazznow.com as an internet radio station. Not only that, in a coup that might be considered by some as breathtaking, Beaudin has installed smooth jazz guitarist Ken Navarro as the afternoon drive time host and captured the services of the incomparable Nick Colionne to occupy the evening slot from 6 until 10 EST.

WVMV 98.7 Detroit Flips Formats

WVMV in Detroit that launched in 1995 on the 98.7 frequency has reportedly switched formats away from smooth jazz. Because Dom Theodore, vice president in charge of contemporary hits radio for CBS, was in Detroit on Monday this was taken by some as a strong signal that, when it all shakes out, the new sound on 98.7 would be that of ‘Amp Radio’ which is a format that CBS Radio has instituted at some of its stations across the country.

Although smooth jazz will still be available in Detroit, via the web at www.smoothjazzdetroit.com, this latest news represents a major loss to the many smooth jazz fans in the Detroit area that had long made WVMV a part of their listening lives. Not only that it is a further marginalization of a radio format that less than fifteen years ago appeared set to sweep the nation.

Of course one of WVMV’s major on-air personalities has been morning show host and smooth jazz flautist extraordinaire Alexander Zonjic. Consequently it was perhaps fitting that one of the last contemporary jazz features to be aired on the station was a snippet of an interview that Zonjic conducted with Kenny G where G was heard to reminisce about playing at P'Jazz in the Hotel Pontchartrain in Detroit. Then his seminal track ‘Songbird’ was played. Maybe ‘The Way We Were’ would have been more appropriate.

Pacific Coast Jazz Looking To The Grammy's

Smooth Jazz Therapy has long been impressed with the excellent San Diego based Pacific Coast Jazz. By providing a coherent voice to musicians of many jazz persuasions it is providing a wonderful shop window for some of the best talent around. Not only that, with PCJ recording artists Tom Braxton and Art Sherrod Jr both about to launch major releases, the star of this rapidly emerging boutique label is clearly in the ascendancy. Now, in connection with its none jazz outlet, the cutely titled That Other Label, no less that five of its artists are being strongly tipped for nominations for the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.

Kenny G On Blu-Ray - An Evening Of Rhythm & Romance

With global album sales in excess of 50 million copies, Grammy-Award winning saxophonist Kenny G is all set to break new ground. ‘An Evening Of Rhythm & Romance’, his first ever performance to be released in the Blu-ray format, is due out early next month when, simultaneously, it will also be available on DVD.

‘An Evening of Rhythm & Romance’ was filmed late in 2008 at the wonderfully atmospheric Humphreys By The Bay in San Diego when Kenny was in town as part of an extensive tour to promote his most recent studio album, ‘Rhythm & Romance’. Among the sixteen choice cuts are the Kenny G classics ‘Havana’ and ‘G-Bop’ while unsurprisingly there is also a place for his signature number ‘Songbird’. Cover versions of James Blunt’s ‘You’re Beautiful’, Louis Armstrong’s ‘What A Wonderful World’ and the Average White Band’s ‘Pick Up The Pieces’ are included as part of a collection that for G’s plethora of fans will instantly attain ‘must have’ status.

Bonus features for this release include a revealing interview with Kenny and a trio of seasonal tracks. Exclusive to the Blu-ray product are rehearsal takes of two of these Christmas tunes.

‘An Evening Of Rhythm & Romance’ is due for release on October 6 from Eagle Rock Entertainment.

Mark Harper With Wayman Tisdale - Dedication

Currently being serviced to radio is the sublimely smooth ‘Dedication’ by guitarist Mark Harper and the late Wayman Tisdale. This sumptuous duet has been released in advance of Harper’s forthcoming solo album ‘The Mark Harper Project’ and is a significant milestone for an artist whose career to date has been notable on many counts. As well as touring and recording with the likes of Dave Koz, Paul Jackson Jr, Jonathon Butler, Phyllis Hyman, Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Joe McBride and Ronnie Laws, Mark has been a member of the legendary Tower of Power since October 2007. His guitar skills and soulful backing vocals have quickly added another dimension to what is the most potent horn and rhythm section on the planet yet before joining ToP Mark was a long time member of Tisdale’s touring band. Harper and Tisdale enjoyed a special musical bond that was based on their mutual love of ‘old school’ soul and as Harper began to write and co-write the music that would culminate in his own project it was the track ‘Dedication’ that quickly caught Tisdale’s attention. He expressed an interest in being part of it and Harper, together with keyboard player Tony Blaine, spent four days at Wayman’s ranch completing the recording process. The result, ‘Dedication’, is a fitting tribute to the humanity of Tisdale and an early indication of the promise that, for Harper, the future might hold. For more on Mark Harper go to www.markharpermusic.com