Smooth Jazz Therapy

Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards 2010

April 23, 2010. The sixth annual Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, held this year at the Livings Arts Centre in Mississauga, proved to be a fitting occasion for Canadian smooth jazz to honour its own. Awards host and flautist Alexander Zonjic (pictured here with trumpeters Rick Braun and Greg Adams) picked up accolades for both ‘Album of the Year’ (with his excellent ‘Doin The D’) and Broadcaster of the Year for the specialist show ‘From A to Z’, on The Wave 94.7 in Toronto and Hamilton.

Elsewhere singer-pianist Michael Kaeshammer also came up big with awards for ‘Keyboardist/Pianist of the Year’ and ‘Best Original Composition’ (for'Isabelle’) while other winners included Carol Welsman, Michael Bublé, Carson Freeman, Robert Tardik, Groove Kings and Tony Grace. International awards went to George Benson, Norah Jones and Pieces of a Dream.

I am indebted to Rob Yarmo for the great photograph that accompanies this story.

Bob Baldwin Targets Tribute To Michael Jackson

On June 25, 2010, a year to the day since the untimely death of Michael Jackson, contemporary jazz writer, producer and keyboard player Bob Baldwin will mount his own tribute to the great man with the release on Trippin' N Rhythm of the CD ‘Never Can Say Goodbye’. Conceived with the full blessing of the Jackson estate, this thoughtful collection of past to present Jackson hits is the first jazz record to pay homage to Jackson and speaks directly to the sentiment felt by millions of fans worldwide.

Served up in true Baldwin style, and boasting a sterling collection of handpicked Jackson classics, the CD should serve as both a stirring and fitting mark of respect to the man whose influence is still felt across the width and breadth of the musical spectrum.

With featured performances by Steve Oliver (who delivers a great guitar solo on ‘This Girl Is Mine’), Chuck Loeb and Cheili Minucci, ‘Never Can Say Goodbye’ promises to be one of the feel good albums of 2010.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Never Can Say Goodbye’.

Pat Metheny's Orchestrion Tour At Spreckels Theatre

April 21, 2010. Chances are that many of those who packed the historic Spreckels Theatre in downtown San Diego did so in the expectation of witnessing Grammy Award-winning composer and guitarist Pat Metheny play his own distinctive form of contemporary jazz. This he very much did yet even those familiar with his latest album ‘Orchestrion’, or who had researched what this Orchestrion tour is all about, could have been prepared for the musical extravaganza that, over 150 amazing minutes, he single handedly delivered.

Drew Davidsen - Around (Again)

With his brand new CD ‘Around (Again)’ guitarist Drew Davidsen has really hit the ground running. Not only is it becoming one of the most talked about releases of the year but has also led to his nomination in the category ‘Best New Artist’ at the up coming American Smooth Jazz Awards that will take place in Michigan City, IN on October 29. With featured performances from bassist Gerald Veasley and Special EFX keyboard player Jay Rowe the album is already garnering considerable interest with both terrestrial and internet radio.

The Uptown Band - Waiting For Her

With the vocals of Erich Cawalla and Jenifer Kinder at its heart the Philadelphia based Uptown Band is one of the northeast’s most versatile live acts. Now, courtesy of the new CD ‘Waiting For Her’, this tight seven piece collective is about to step out and take its musical ambitions to a whole different audience.

Mindi Abair Headed To The Movies

Due out in 2011, the movie ‘Just Go With It’ starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston will feature smooth jazz saxtress Mindi Abair who, as a wedding band member, will be playing herself. Abair and Sandler have been friends for sometime. She toured with him when Sandler did a music tour of the USA and in addition recorded vocals and saxophone for Sandler’s platinum selling CD ‘What’s Your Name?’

More recently Abair sang with Sandler when he received his lifetime achievement award at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards.

The news comes at an exciting time for Abair whose brand new CD ‘In Hi Fi Stereo’ is due out in mid May. She has co-produced the album with Rex Rideout and the penchant this legendary producer has for cutting edge urban jazz bodes well for the entire project. With both Lalah Hathaway and David Ryan Collins (currently with John Mayer’s band) rumored to be involved, expectations are understandably high.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘In Hi Fi Stereo’.

Greg Adams & East Bay Soul At Anthology

Despite the rapidly emerging status of Anthology as San Diego’s preeminent music hotspot it is debatable if this upscale venue has ever staged a performance of such consummate quality and immense power as that served up on April 15, 2010 by Greg Adams and his brand new ensemble project East Bay Soul. This mega funky collective is the brainchild of the Grammy and Emmy nominated trumpeter Adams who just happens to be a founding member of the wonderful Tower of Power. At Anthology, as on the album, he was joined by another ex Tower of Power stalwart, trumpeter Lee Thornburg and the East Bay Soul roster was completed by Joey Navarro on keyboards, Evan Stone on drums, Brian Allen on bass, James Wirrick on guitar, Johnny Sandoval on percussion plus Michael Paulo and Greg Vail on alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. Suffice to say that the combination was nothing short of sensational throughout.

American Smooth Jazz Awards 2010

Denis Poole has been nominated in the category 'Journalist Of The Year'at the 2010 American Smooth Jazz Awards that will take place in Michigan City, IN on October 29, 2010. Although voting has now closed, please check back here often for up to date news and outcomes.

For more information go to,

www.americansmoothjazzawards.com/

Phillip Martin - Pride And Joy

When I recently reviewed the new CD, ‘Realization’, from rising sax star Phillip ‘Doc’ Martin, an unexpected bonus was the discovery of his 2007 release ‘Pride And Joy’. Not only did the album herald in his own Saxtime Entertainment label but also contained a fine blend of well chosen covers and brand new music. Consequently, and to prevent this excellent ten track collection from being consigned to the folder titled ‘buried treasure’, it is not too late to look back to what is a splendid piece of work.

Alan Hewitt Back On The Road With The Moody Blues

When, on June 17 in South Bend, IN, legendary rock band the Moody Blues opens up its 2010 tour of the USA and Europe, the highly talented Alan Hewitt will be in the lineup on keyboards. In fact Hewitt first toured with this iconic collective in early spring of this year and describes the entire experience as “often humbling and entirely phenomenal”.

2010 is turning out to be quite a year for Hewitt whose current CD, ‘Retroactive’ is really getting him noticed. Featuring stellar performances from Greg Adams, Paul Jackson, Jr., Steve Madaio and Steve Oliver the album also contains Hewitt’s intoxicating arrangement of the Isaac Hayes classic, ‘Shaft’.

Lynn Briggs Launches New Internet Radio Option

Effective April 13, 2010 revered broadcaster Lynn Briggs will launch a brand new internet radio option. Lynn Briggs Unplugged (www.lynnbriggsunplugged.com) will be the place where contemporary jazz, R&B, neo soul and other forms of music all meet to satisfy the musical needs of a demographic comprising highly educated and successful people from a broad range of social and ethnic backgrounds.

For more than twenty years, Lynn Briggs has been on the air and behind the scenes in such locations as Dallas, New York, Los Angeles and Detroit. A recipient of numerous honors, including the coveted Billboard Radio Personality of the Year award, she is known for her insightful interviews and rapport with artists. In fact Briggs is credited with ‘breaking’ many today’s leading performers.

Lynn Briggs Unplugged.com welcomes your comments and requests. Write to the [email protected]

Christophe De Villa - Jazz and Soulful

I first became acquainted with guitarist Christophe De Villa and his album ‘Jazz and Soulful’ by way of a YouTube clip of the track ‘You Are My Girl’. It included the voice of soulful vocalist Enois Scroggins and at the time I described it as one of the smoothest R & B cuts of the year. The good news is that having checked out the entire CD I can report that ‘You Are My Girl’ is far from being the only good song. In fact all ten tunes mark out De Villa as a player who can harness jazz of various complexions and produce something that, constantly, is melodically smooth.

American Smooth Jazz Awards 2010

Excitement is mounting with news that the nominees have been announced for the inaugural American Smooth Jazz Awards which will be held on October 29 at the Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa in Michigan City, Indiana. Among the 18 categories are both male and female vocalists, instrumentalists, song, album and entertainer of the year.

There is also a category for Journalist Of The Year and I am honored to report that I have been included in the short list. Check back here soon for information on how to place your vote.

Speaking about his aims and aspirations for this ground-breaking event, Bernie Scott, president of Scott & Company Music Group and the American Smooth Jazz Awards is quoted as saying that “We want smooth jazz fans from all over the globe to be part of the voting process”.

Award presenters will be coming in from around the world to be part of the show and to date those confirmed as attending include high-profile radio personalities such as Jimi King from London, Philadelphia’s own Michael Tozzi, Doug Thomas from Sacramento, Lynn Bridges from Las Vegas and the voice of smooth jazz in Cleveland, the one and only Carmen Kennedy.

Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa is located 50 miles east of Chicago on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. Tickets for the dinner and awards ceremonies are available to the public through Ticketmaster or any Ticketmaster outlet. Special packages are available through Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa by calling 888-879-7711.

More news on the American Smooth Jazz Awards will follow and for a full listing of nominees click here.

Kirk Whalum - The Gospel According To Jazz Chapter 3

From his early days in Memphis, where he played in his father's church choir, saxophonist extraordinaire Kirk Whalum has drawn inspiration from a musical amalgam of gospel, R&B, blues, and jazz. During an illustrious career that began in 1984 (when he was ‘discovered’ by Bob James) his music has often betrayed the depth of his faith and this was confirmed in 1998 with the release of ‘The Gospel According To Jazz Chapter 1’. Although it was a glittering example of the way that throughout black history gospel and jazz have often intertwined, his pop jazz approach did not always find critical favor. However, the passing of time and subsequent launch of gospel orientated albums such as ‘Unconditional’ and ‘Hymns In The Garden’ meant that by 2002, when his ten track ‘The Gospel According To Jazz Chapter 2’ came along, critics seemed much more relaxed about a sacred message being contained in what appeared to be a secular envelope.

Eight years on and attitudes have changed. Whalum, together with artists such as Jonathan Butler, George Duke, Tom Braxton, Oleta Adams and the late Wayman Tisdale have all played their part in making ‘gospel jazz’ a legitimate adjunct to the contemporary genre. As a consequence Whalum’s brand new seventeen song double CD, the expansive ‘The Gospel According To Jazz Chapter 3’, is sure to be recognized as a star studded extension to this overall process.

Mindi Abair Back In 'Hi Fi Stereo' With New CD

Mindi Abair has always had an affinity with San Diego so it is no surprise that she has chosen this sun soaked city as the place where she will celebrate the release of her hotly awaited new album ‘In Hi Fi Stereo’. Available on Concorde Records from mid May the CD will be officially released on the evening of May 18 at an event staged by local radio station KIFM 98.1 at Borders Books & Music, 11160 Rancho Carmel Drive, San Diego, 92128. Twenty four hours earlier Mindi will be at Petco Park, San Diego to play the National Anthem ahead of the game between the Padres and the Giants when game time will be 7-05PM.

Jaared - Manhattan Nights

‘Manhattan Nights’ is the brand new album from DC based sax player Jaared and marks a significant step on his road to solo stardom. Highly regarded as a session and touring musician, fans in the UK will know him for constantly stellar performances during Peter Whites twice yearly sojourns to his native shores yet, in his own right, Jaared already boasts a significant discography. He debuted in 2001 with the Marcus Johnson produced ‘Foreward’ and followed that a year later with ‘Hang Time’. It included collaborations with smooth jazz luminaries such as Peter White, Ken Navarro and Roberto Vally while Jaared’s 2008 CD ‘Addiction’ found him partnering heavily with English keyboard player Oli Silk.

For ‘Manhattan Nights’ Jaared has again taken a collaborative approach. Michael Broening, as well as writing or co-writing twelve of the fourteen choice tracks, produces and plays keyboards throughout while additional input comes from guitarist Freddie Fox plus a veritable ‘who’s who’ of contemporary jazz performers.