Upcoming New Jazz Releases - July 5, 2011 #jazz

Anita O'Day - Anita Sings The Most ( )
Art Farmer / Benny Golson - Meet The Jazztet ( )
Bill Evans - How My Heart Sings (Pid )
Bill Evans - At Montreux Jazz Festival (Universal )
Bill Evans - Conversations With Myself (Universal )
Bill Evans - Bill Evans At The Montreux Jazz Festival (Universal Japan )
Bill Evans - From Bill Evans With Love ( )
Bill Evans - Sunday At Village Vanguard ( ) - SACD
Bill Evans - Ultimate Bill Evens ( )
Bill Evans - Complete Village Vanguard Record (Phantom )
Bill Evans / Jeremy Steig - Whats New ( )
Bill Evans / Monica Zetterlund - Waltz For Debby (Phantom )
Billie Holiday - Greatest Interpretations ( )
Blossom Dearie - Blossom Dearie (Universal )
Bob Baldwin - Newurbanjazz.Com 2 ( )
Branford Marsalis - Songs Of Mirth & Melancholy ( )
Bud Powell - Jazz Giant (Essential Jazz Spain )
Bud Powell - Genius (Universal )
Bud Powell - Genius Of Bud Powell (Universal Japan )
Carmen McRae - After Glow ( )
Charie Chan - Nows The Time ( )
Charie Chan - Now's The Time (Universal Japan )
Chick Corea - Return To Forever (Pid )
Chick Corea - Crystal Silence (Pid )
Chick Corea - My Spanish Heart (Universal )
Chick Corea - Further Explorations (Phantom )
Chick Corea - In Concert: Zurich (Universal Japan )
Chick Corea - An Evening With Herbie Hancock And Chick Corea: In Concert (Universal Japan )
Chick Corea - Elektric Band (Universal Japan )
Chick Corea & Elektric Band - Chick Corea Elektric Band ( )
Chick Corea & Return To Forever - Light As A Feather (Universal Japan )
Chick Corea / Herbie Hancock - Evening With ( )
Chuck Mangione - Feels So Good ( )
Clifford Brown - Study In Brown (Universal Japan )
Clifford Brown - Live At Basin Street, April 1956 (Universal Japan )
Clifford Brown / Max Roach - Study In Brown ( )
Clifford Brown / Max Roach - At Basin St ( )
Coleman Hawkins - Hawkins Alive At Village Gate ( )
Coleman Hawkins - Hawkins! Alive! At The Village Gate (Universal Japan )
Count Basie - Basie In London ( )
Count Basie - Ella & Basie The Perfect Match '79 (Universal Japan )
Count Basie / Ella Fitzgerald - Ella & Basie ( )
Crusaders - Street Life (Universal )
Dinah Washington - Dinah Jams ( )
Dionne Bromfield - Good For The Soul (Phantom )
Dollar Brand - African Piano (Pid )
Duke Ellington - Duke Ellington And John Coltrane (Analogue Productions )
Ella Fitzgerald - Ella At Opera House (Universal )
Ella Fitzgerald - Mack The Knife: Ella In Berlin (Essential Jazz )
Ella Fitzgerald - Ella At The Opera House (Universal Japan )
Ella Fitzgerald - Porgy & Bess With Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong (Universal Japan )
Erroll Garner - Misty ( )
Eugen Cicero - Rokoko Jazz (Universal )
Eugen Cicero - Rokoko-Jazz (Universal Japan )
Gary Burton / Chick Corea - Crystal Silence ( )
Gary Burton / Chick Corea - In Concert Zurich ( )
George Benson - Breezin' (Weasel Disc ) - SACD
Gil Evans - Individualism Of Gil Evans ( )
Great Jazz Trio - At Village Vanguard (Universal )
Great Jazz Trio - At The Village Vanguard Again (Universal Japan )
Grover Washington Jr. - Wine Light ( ) - SACD
Herbie Hancock - New Standard (Pid )
Jeremy Steig - What's New (Universal Japan )
Jim Hall - Its Nice To Be With You ( )
Jim Hall - It's Nice To Be With You: Jim Hall In Berlin (Universal Japan )
Jim Hall - Intermodulation (Universal Japan )
Joao Gilberto - Getz/Gilberto (Universal Distribution ) - SACD
Joe Sample - Rainbow Seeker (Universal )
Joe Sample - Carmel ( )
John Coltrane - Love Supreme (Impulse Records )
John Coltrane - And Johnny Hartman (Universal )
John Coltrane - Live At Village Vanguard (Universal )
John Coltrane - Selflessness Featuring My Favorite Thing ( )
John Coltrane - Selflessness/My Favorite Thing (Universal Japan )
John Coltrane / Duke Ellington - Duke Ellington & John Coltrane (Universal Japan )
Keith Jarrett - Still Live (Pid )
Keith Jarrett - My Song (Pid )
Keith Jarrett - Bye Bye Blackbird (Pid )
Keith Jarrett Quartet - My Song ( )
Keith Jarrett Trio - Still Live (Phantom )
Keith Jarrett Trio - Bye Bye Blackbird ( )
Kenny Burrell - Night At Vanguard ( )
Larry Carlton - Alone But Never Alone ( )
Larry Carlton - Alone/But Never Alone (Universal Japan )
Lee Ritenour - Captains Journey (Phantom )
Lester Young - Pres And Teddy (Universal Japan )
Lol Coxhill - Ear Of Beholder (Airmail Japan )
Louis Armstrong / Ella Fitzgerald - Porgy & Bess ( )
Mccoy Tyner - Nights Of Ballads & Blues (Universal Japan )
Mccoy Tyner - Nights Of Ballads And Blues (Analogue Productions )
Michel Petrucciani - Michel Petrucciani ( )
Miles Davis - Ascenseur Pour L'Echafaud (Disconforme )
Miles Davis - Ascenseur Pour Lechafaud (Jazz Wax Records )
Modern Jazz Quartet - Plays Vendome ( )
Modern Jazz Quartet - Vendome (Universal Japan )
Monica Zetterlund - Waltz For Debby (Universal Japan )
Oliver Nelson - Blues & Abstruct Truth ( )
Oscar Peterson - Way I Really Play (Universal Japan )
Oscar Peterson - My Favorite Instrument (Universal Japan )
Oscar Peterson - Girl Talk (Universal Japan )
Oscar Peterson - Way I Really Play (Exclusively For My Friends, Vol. 3) (Universal Japan )
Oscar Peterson - Girl Talk (Exclusively For My Friends, Vol. 2) (Universal Japan )
Oscar Peterson - My Favorite Instrument (Exclusively For My Friends, Vol. 4) (Universal Japan )
Oscar Peterson - Oscar Peterson Plays: West Side Story (Universal Japan )
Pat Metheny - 80/81 (Pid )
Pat Metheny - American Garage (Pid )
Pat Metheny - Offramp (Pid )
Pat Metheny - First Circle (Pid )
Pianist-Waltz For Bill Evans - Pianist-Waltz For Bill Evans (Phantom )
Quincy Jones - Soul Bossa Nova ( )
Red Nichols - 1930-1931 (Pid )
Roland Kirk - Domino ( )
Sarah Vaughan - At Mister Kellys ( )
Sarah Vaughan - At Mister Kelly's (Universal Japan )
Serge Chaloff - Boss Baritone (Phantom )
Sonny Rollins - Alfie (Universal Japan )
Stan Getz - Sweet Rain (Verve )
Stan Getz / Joao Gilberto - Getz ( )
Stanley Cowell - Night At The Vanguard (Universal Japan )
Stephane Grappelli - Plays Jerome Kern (JTR )
Teddy Wilson / Lester Young - Pres & Teddy ( )
Tony Williams - Emergency ( )
Wes Montgomery / Jimmy Smith - Dynamic Duo ( )

Reissues
Ahmad Jamal - But Not For Me (Argo (Japan))
Anita O'Day - This Is Anita (Universal Japan )
Art Farmer - Summer Knows (East Wind)

Our thanks to:

New release information provided by allaboutjazz.com
The Upcoming Release Center at allaboutjazz.com is the most comprehensive new release listing for jazz music on the internet.
The information is updated biweekly by John Kelman

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Nick Colionne - "Feel The Heat" Release on Trippin 'n Rhythm July 5 - #jazz

Red-hot guitarist and vocalist Nick Colionne continues his blazing success into 2011. BET Jazz has described him as one of the most exceptional performers to come along in a long time. His upcoming CD FEEL THE HEAT marks his debut on the prestigious Trippin n Rhythm label, and takes his unique combination of jazz, funk, R&B, blues and soul to new heights. Long known for his dynamic, musically eclectic “live” performances, FEEL THE HEAT demonstrates his dynamic command of the guitar, rich baritone vocals and varied music styles, all of which make this latest CD a reflection of why he is a true force when performing in concert. His long string of Top 10 hits from his six previous CDs is a testament to his musical talent…FEEL THE HEAT is destined to add to that list.

Nick was honored with the prestigious 2007 International Instrumental Artist of the Year Award at the Wave Jazz Awards, succeeding 2006 winner Chris Botti. He was nominated for this award again in 2009. He was nominated as Guitarist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year by the American Smooth Jazz Awards in 2010 and received the Wayman Tisdale Humanitarian Award for his ongoing commitment to mentoring children and his work in the community and nationally in support of breast cancer causes.

Nick is frequently referred to as "the best dressed man in jazz", and he enjoys an on-going endorsement from the men's designer line Stacy Adams as well as longtime endorsements with Epiphone Guitars, Gibson Strings and Accessories and AKG Electronics.

The Chicago native learned to play guitar at 9 from his step-father, was a touring pro by 15 and as a teenager he honed his skills playing with R&B legends the Staples Singers, Curtis Mayfield, The Impressions, Natalie Cole and more. He worked with numerous successful groups before deciding to step out front and center and hasn’t looked back since.

Colionne has toured all over the world but his passion is mentoring children - he is in his 16th year of same at the St. Laurence K-8 School in suburban Elgin, IL. He has also developed a special music curriculum for the Florence B. Price Elementary School for the Performing Arts in Chicago. Nick’s charity work is on-going and generally quiet, but in 2009 he joined forces with Epiphone Guitars, Wine and Jazz Magazine and Tobin James Winery in a national campaign to benefit breast cancer research, and in 2010 he invited his sponsor Stacy Adams to participate in Suited Up For Success, a program with the Urban League of the Carolinas to benefit men re-entering the workforce. Stacy Adams has endowed “his” school, St. Laurence, with a music scholarship in his name to help needy students. He is the recipient of the Malcolm X College alumnus of the year award for his contributions to music and the community.

It's no surprise that Nick Colionne's sustained chart-topping radio history and his incredible live performances, infused with his unique and soulful styling of jazz, funk, R&B and blues along with his rich vocals and engaging stage personality, have made him a force to be reckoned with.

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Jeff Golub - "The Three Kings"

On his first album for eOne Music, Blues For You, Jeff Golub began a stunning career transition from a contemporary, smooth jazz icon, back to his roots as a blues-rock guitarist of tremendous power and authority. That transition is now complete with Jeff s creation of The Jeff Golub Band, featuring the living legend of New Orleans piano, Henry Butler, currently a featured artist on the hit HBO series Treme.

The Three Kings of this new collection are B.B., Albert, and Freddie: cornerstones of the modern blues revival of the 1960s, and personal touchstones for Jeff Golub as he dives deeper into the limitless wellspring of this music. Some of the best-known tunes by these three giants are given fresh, modern interpretations, along with inspired original tunes. In addition to the instrumental dazzle, the album is packed with passionate vocals by Henry Butler and drummer Josh Dion. And to add final spice and sizzle, check out the guest appearances by Jeff s fellow guitar masters Robben Ford and Sonny Landreth.

The album closes with a poignant and haunting instrumental version of B.B. King s greatest hit, The Thrill Is Gone, in which Golub and Butler bring new dimensions and details to this classic of classics. All in all, THREE KINGS promises to be one of the most listened-to and talked-about blues releases of 2011.

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Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - June 27, 2011 #jazz

LW - TW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 1 - Dave Koz - "Hello Tomorrow" - (Concord)
2 - 2 - Euge Groove - "S7ven Large" - (Shanachie)
4 - 3 - Jackiem Joyner - "Jackiem Joyner" - (Artistry/Mack Ave)
5 - 4 - Cindy Bradley - "Unscripted" - (Trippin 'n Rhythm)
6 - 5 - Matt Marshak - "Urban Folktales" - (mattmarshak.com)
3 - 6 - Boney James - "Contact" - (Verve)
10 - 7 - Paul Taylor - "Prime Time" - (Peak)
7 - 8 - Norman Brown - "Sending My Love" - (Peak/Concord)
9 - 9 - Drew Davidsen - "Spin Cycle" - (Creative Soul Jazz)
8 - 10 - David Benoit - "Earthglow" - (Heads Up)
13 - 11 - Andy Snitzer - "Traveler" - (Native Language)
11 - 12 - Jeff Lorber Fusion - "Now Is The Time" - (Heads Up)
15 - 13 - Jonathan Fritzen - "Diamonds" - (Nordic Night)
14 - 14 - Elan Trotman - "Love and Sax" - (elantrotman.com)
12 - 15 - Walter Beasley - "Backatcha!" - (Shanachie)
24 - 16 - Michael Franks - "Time Together" (Shanachie)
16 - 17 - Keiko Matsui - "The Road.." - (Shanachie)
23 - 18 - Blake Aaron - "Soul Stories" - (Innervision)
19 - 19 - Down To The Bone - "The Main Ingredients" - (Trippin 'n Rhythm)
22 - 20 - Shilts - "Going Underground" - (Blanket)

Our thanks to smoothjazz.com

Visit smoothjazz.com to view the latest complete top 50 chart.
Visit smoothjazz.com to view the latest weekly chart recap.

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Upcoming New Jazz Releases - June 28, 2011 #jazz

Ben Williams - State Of Art (Concord Jazz )
Bill Evans - Sesjun Radio Shows (Phantom )
Count Basie - And Kansas City Seven ( )
David Weiss - Snuck Out (Sunny Side )
David Weiss & Point Of Departure - Snuck Out (Sunnyside Commu )
Denny Zeitlin - Labyrinth (Sunnyside Commu )
Ina Ray Hutton - Definitive Collection 1934-44 (Phantom )
Jeff Golub - Jeff Golub (Entertainment O )
John Coltrane - Countdown:Classic Albums-1957-59 (Phantom )
John Coltrane - Countdown-4 LPS: Blue Train/Giant Steps/Soul Trane/Coltrane Jazz (Jasmine )
Kenny Wheeler - One Of Many (Camjazz )
Live From The Cotton - Live From The Cotton (Aao Music )
Madeleine Peyroux - Standing On The Rooftop (Emarcy )
Marcus Anderson - Now ( )
Marcus Anderson - From The Heart ( )
Ramsey Lewis - Sun Goddess: Best Of Ramsey Lewis (Phantom )
Red Hot + Rio 2 - Red Hot + Rio 2 (Kela-Krossove )
Shirley Bassey - Magic Is You/Thoughts Of Love (Beat Goes On )
Tubby Hayes - Boppin' & Hoppin' (Phantom )
Tubby Hayes - Boppin And Hoppin (Jasmine )

Reissues
Bill Evans - Live (Pid )

Our thanks to:

New release information provided by allaboutjazz.com
The Upcoming Release Center at allaboutjazz.com is the most comprehensive new release listing for jazz music on the internet.
The information is updated biweekly by John Kelman

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Paul Taylor - "Prime Time" Release on Peak Records #jazz

Paul Taylor has just one question for his fans who have been Burnin' for more since his last hit album in 2009: Are you ready for Prime Time?

The popular saxophonist sure is. A true contemporary urban jazz force of nature, Taylor has been on one of the most successful runs of his 15 year recording career, scoring his first #1 ever on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart with Ladies' Choice (2007) and hitting #1 on the airplay charts with the title track from "Burnin". Fresh from kickin' it up on tour these past few summers as part of the Gentlemen of the Night tours with fellow saxophonists Marion Meadows, Michael Lington and Warren Hill, Taylor is keeping things soulful, funky and innovative as ever on his sixth Peak Records album and debut release through new partnership with Eone Entertainment Group. Paul's in Prime Time mode with emotionally powerful 10 song collection of instrumentals and vocals which finds him vibing with a mix of old and new (and very funky) musical friends.

For the first time since Nightlife (2005), the saxman is co-writing with Dino Esposito, one of the architects of the trademark Taylor sound who has been producing tracks for him since his 1997 hit Pleasure Seeker. Looking for a special breezy touch on the sensual ballad "Horizon," Taylor called his longtime pal, acoustic guitarist and "vocalese" master Steve Oliver, to complement his lilting alto melody. It was a sweet payback of sorts, as Taylor played on Oliver's breakthrough album First View in 1999.

Complementing the seven tracks helmed by Esposito are four urban adult contemporary vocal cuts co-penned and produced by The Heavyweights, a hit production team led by vocalist Jamie Jones of the Grammy® and American Music award winning R&B vocal group All-4-One, which released the album No Regrets on Peak Records in 2009. Since forming in 2003, The Heavyweights‹which includes songwriter/producers Jack Kugell and Jason Penrock‹have participated in recordings that have sold more than 28 million units.


Prime Time gets down to business with three tracks driven by the classic Taylor/Esposito grooves and sonic touches. The lone soprano tune on the collection, the mid-tempo, seductive "Push To Start" is the first single release and the perfect summery drive-time tune, with what Taylor calls a ³quasi-cinematic British pop/One Republic influence." Haunting ambient chill bubbles over into melodic yet gritty alto sax funk on "Moment of Truth" and "Don¹t Wanna Let You Go" is all about lilting and cool late night seduction. Fans of the classic All-4-One vocal style will find "Can¹t Nobody" all at once fresh and familiar, as Taylor¹s alto soars along with Jamie Jones¹ powerhouse vocal on the first track on the album produced by The Heavyweights.

Taylor visualizes a "Horizon" that takes his breath away on the track where he and Esposito work with Steve Oliver, blending the alto sax with a lush acoustic guitar harmony and dreamy, caressing wordless vocals. After "Laronda," Taylor finds a different mode of loving expression on the late
night elegant charm of "Say No More." Taylor finds some cool "Space" to put his sax harmony lines on the highly textured urban crossover vocal track featuring Andrea Anderson-Olson; penned by The Heavyweights, the song is essentially a female empowerment tune. Taylor, Jones and Kugell
collaborated on the high energy, grooving jazz title track, which is followed by a unique, silky cover of Kings of Leon¹s massive pop hit "Use Somebody."

Paul Taylor has been one of the most popular and innovative saxophonists and performers over the past decade and a half. But all that was simply a prelude to now, his Prime Time. Are you ready?

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Erin Dickins - "Nice Girls" release on Champagne Records #jazz

[See video at JazzHQ Facebook] A founding member of MANHATTAN TRANSFER, the original jazz vocal group, Ms. Dickins continues to enchant audiences throughout the world. She has performed and recorded with Leonard Cohen, Bette Midler, James Taylor, The Talking Heads, James Brown, Barry Manilow, Jaco Pastorius and Ashford & Simpson, to name but a few.

NICE GIRLS is Erin Dickins’ debut solo album, recently released on Champagne Records. Anchored by the single and video Nice Girls Don’t Stay for Breakfast —a remake of 1950’s starlet Julie London’s hit —Dickins’ album was carefully crafted over a two-year period by a group of renowned musicians including composer Jesse Frederick (music for Flamingo Kid, Full House, Perfect Strangers, Step By Step, Family Matters), pianist/arranger Rob
Mounsey (Kurt Elling, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Deborah Cox) and bassist David Finck (Harry Connick Jr., Steve Kuhn, Liza Minelli, Rod Stewart, Sir Andre Previn).

This collection of beautifully recorded and performed gems - from cool sultry ballads to swinging arrangements, is a perfect musical reflection to Dickins’ engaging personality.

Dickins comes from an artistic family. Her mother, who traded photo-portraits to a local opera singer in return for singing lessons for nine-year-old Erin, was formerly a dancer with the Rockettes in New York. Erin’s father was a passionate amateur jazz pianist who taught Erin to sing and play, sharing with her his deep love of music.

Dickins considers it her honor and responsibility to spread the joy that she experiences every time she performs. Music is an instrument of transformation, and Dickins is transformed when singing. She believes that as a musician she has been given a unique gift. “When I perform I give 200 percent. If I can be an instrument for joy, just for one instant, then I have done what is asked of me. That’s how you heal the planet, right?

One song, one person, one joyful encounter at a time - it’s nice work if you can get it.”

Seeing Dickins perform with her live band is an experience you do not want to miss. Riding off of the success of her recent launch at Avalon Theatre in Easton, MD, Dickins will be performing several spot dates throughout the U.S in 2011 and is booking international dates in China and Europe for 2012.

She is currently in the early stages of writing and pre-production for the follow-up to Nice Girls with Frederick.

In the meantime, she continues to devote her time working with children at SummerFame, a performing arts summer program she founded in 2000, along with her other charitable efforts.

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Song stylist Nicole Henry embraces change with soul and elegance #jazz

Vocalist to release Embraceable on August 23rd supported by NYC performances at Feinstein’s and Dizzy’s

After releasing a trio of critically-acclaimed albums and amassing reams of rave reviews and accolades about her live performances, Nicole Henry could have simply continued singing the Great American Songbook to blissfully satiate discerning music listeners. But like the truly gifted artist that she is, Henry deemed the time right to change, grow and expand her artistic muse. Audacious and undaunted in the face of uncertainty and risk, the highly rewarding result is Embraceable, an exquisite and elegantly performed twelve-song collection that adeptly delivers material certain to please those familiar with Henry’s soul-stirring artistry while garnering ardent admirers beyond jazz. Grammy nominated producer Matt Pierson (Kirk Whalum, Jane Monheit, Joshua Redman) produced the gorgeous record that will be released August 23rd through ArtistShare, a unique platform that invites fans to help finance and follow the creative process of their favorite artist’s recording project through exclusive behind-the-scenes video clips, photos and updates.

While jazz standards are timeless, Henry is a young, radiant, contemporary woman and an innate story-teller who desired to pour her passion into newer songs about experiences and emotions related to love and romance that she could establish as her own “modern standards.” Henry and Pierson elected to record four original songs for Embraceable, including a pair of soulful ballads from gospel/R&B artist John Stoddart (“Anything For You” and “Even While You’re Gone”), the triumphant affirmation “Hush Now” penned by Oli Rockberger, and collaborated with Stoddart and Doug Emery to compose the rousing “A Little Time Alone,” featuring Kirk Whalum’s soaring sax and a celestial, Sunday morning churchlike Henry vocal. Whether it be a Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil tune (“Just A Little Lovin’”), a signature song from Bob Marley (“Waiting In Vain”), or a Gershwin classic (“Embraceable You”), each song emerges from the core of her being. Although Henry possesses the vocal power capable of lighting up her hometown of Philadelphia, instead she skillfully lets her voice caress, emoting with the same kind of iconic grace, class and control from which legends are made. And when she does release her full command, it’s genuine, poignant and stunning.

Pierson was savvy to maintain the sense of warmth and intimacy that Henry’s alluring voice fosters naturally by using only live instrumentation, including horn and string sections. Recorded in New York City, he summoned world-class musicians to contribute to Embraceable including Whalum, guitarists Julian Lage, Jef Lee Johnson and Larry Campbell, Gerald Clayton (piano), Shedrick Mitchell (organ), Gregoire Maret (harmonica), Larry Grenadier (bass), Eric Harland (drums), Bashiri Johnson (percussion), and Gil Goldstein (piano), the latter of who splendidly arranged “Waiting In Vain” and “Embraceable You.”

“The creation of Embraceable afforded me a wonderful opportunity to challenge myself to grow musically, personally and professionally. I wanted to take a larger step in a new direction. And we know change is often met with resistance - even when it is self-initiated. Embraceable

reflects a process of letting go and getting out of my own way. It’s about being open, honest and communicative. There were a lot of new things and new people to trust, which has always been the hardest thing for me, and I had to trust and listen to myself. I had to be forgiving, willing and loving. Most importantly, I had to not only accept all of what I was going through, but I had to love and embrace it,” explained Henry.

This coming weekend, Henry will preview music from Embraceable with performances June 24th & 25th at Feinstein’s in New York City where she will be backed by Aaron Goldberg (piano), Richie Goods (bass) and Gregory Hutchinson (drums). On August 22nd, Henry will celebrate the album release with a show at Dizzy’s at Lincoln Center featuring many of the musicians who played on the disc including Lage, Grenadier and Harland.

Critics from New York Times, Billboard, JazzTimes, All About Jazz, Jazz Improv NY, L.A. Jazz Scene, Miami Herald, Miami New Times, Goldmine, and many others have hailed Henry’s recordings and concerts. Jazz radio welcomed Henry upon release of her debut album, The Nearness of You, in 2004, which earned her Best New Jazz Artist honors from HMV Japan. Her follow-up, Teach Me Tonight, spotlighting accompaniment by the Eddie Higgins Trio, went #1 in Japan where HMV Japan named it the Best Jazz Vocal Album of 2005. Henry’s 2008 disc, The Very Thought of You, reached #7 on Billboard’s jazz album chart and enabled the Miami Beach-based singer to perform throughout Japan, Europe, and Russia in addition to New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC. Further information is available at www.nicolehenry.com.

The songs that comprise Henry’s Embraceable are:
“Just a Little Lovin’”
“Like Someone in Love”
“Anything for You”
“Since I Fell for You”
“Trouble in Mind”
“Hush Now”
“Waiting in Vain”
“Embraceable You”
“A Day in the Life of a Fool”
“Even While You’re Gone”
“A Little Time Alone”
“Save Me From Myself”

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Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - June 20, 2011 #jazz

LW - TW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 1 - Dave Koz - "Hello Tomorrow" - (Concord)
1 - 2 - Euge Groove - "S7ven Large" - (Shanachie)
5 - 3 - Boney James - "Contact" - (Verve)
3 - 4 - Jackiem Joyner - "Jackiem Joyner" - (Artistry/Mack Ave)
6 - 5 - Cindy Bradley - "Unscripted" - (Trippin 'n Rhythm)
7 - 6 - Matt Marshak - "Urban Folktales" - (mattmarshak.com)
4 - 7 - Norman Brown - "Sending My Love" - (Peak/Concord)
10 - 8 - David Benoit - "Earthglow" - (Heads Up)
8 - 9 - Drew Davidsen - "Spin Cycle" - (Creative Soul Jazz)
12 - 10 - Paul Taylor - "Prime Time" - (Peak)
9 - 11 - Jeff Lorber Fusion - "Now Is The Time" - (Heads Up)
11 - 12 - Walter Beasley - "Backatcha!" - (Shanachie)
14 - 13 - Andy Snitzer - "Traveler" - (Native Language)
13 - 14 - Elan Trotman - "Love and Sax" - (elantrotman.com)
19 - 15 - Jonathan Fritzen - "Diamonds" - (Nordic Night)
15 - 16 - Keiko Matsui - "The Road.." - (Shanachie)
16 - 17 - Steve Cole - "Moonlight" (Artistry/Mack Avenue)
29 - 18 - Patrick Bradley - "Under The Sun" (patrickbradley.net)
25 - 19 - Down To The Bone - "The Main Ingredients" - (Trippin 'n Rhythm)
20 - 20 - Nils - "What The Funk?" - (Baja/TSR)

Our thanks to smoothjazz.com

Visit smoothjazz.com to view the latest complete top 50 chart.
Visit smoothjazz.com to view the latest weekly chart recap.

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Groove Jazz Saxophonist's New Single, Produced by Jeff Lorber and Jimmy Haslip, Drops on June 20 #jazz

Norwegian-born and now L.A.-based saxophonist Terje Lie ("Terry Lee") is continuing to enjoy an extended Urban Vacation with the release of a third single, "Parlophone," on June 20. "Parlophone," another track off of Lie's acclaimed second album, Urban Vacation (TCat Records), pairs the saxophonist with contemporary jazz luminaries Jimmy Haslip and Jeff Lorber, who co-produced the CD and perform on the tracks. "Parlophone" further defines Lie's upbeat, energetic and positive musical vibe, which can best be described as "groove jazz."

Lorber, one of the most renowned artists and producers in contemporary jazz and R&B, co-wrote "Parlophone" with Haslip, founding bassist of the multiple Grammy winning jazz fusion band the Yellowjackets.

In addition to Lie's core presence on soprano sax, "Parlophone" features Lorber on electric keyboards and Haslip on bass. Tony Moore, who has recorded with Lorber, the Jazz Crusaders, Norman Connors and many others, handles drum duties.

Terje Lie Promo ShotSaxophonist Terje Lie began his musical career while still in high school in Norway as the lead vocalist of a blues/rock band, appearing on Norwegian television while only 17 years of age. He went on to become part of that country's scene of rising young jazz artists, featured as both a singer and saxophonist. Lie toured Norway, Sweden, and Finland with a variety of groups, and appeared on jazz programs on NRK, the Norwegian equivalent of the BBC. He was also a recipient of a grant from the Norwegian State Fund for Performing Artists.

Lie made his decision to move to the U.S. because his favorite styles of music "were being created in this country, 24/7, everywhere." Loving the Southern California climate and being "a certified beach bum," he chose L.A. as his new home base. Since relocating to L.A.'s South Bay area, he has continued to hone his craft, performing in clubs and at festivals and concerts along the west coast. His first CD, Traveler, introduced him to fans of contemporary jazz, earning critical praise, and spending considerable time on the smooth jazz charts.

Lie holds a degree in music education, as well as a Master of Music degree. He is active in music education, and as a clinician.

"Seeing how much work Jimmy and Jeff put into Urban Vacation has definitely inspired me to expect even more from myself as a composer, a musician, and a performer," says Lie. "It's great to have the opportunity now to share that with more fans than ever before. Jeff and Jimmy enlightened me about so much," he continues. " It was a tremendous experience to record with them, and the result is a seriously kickin' abum!"

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Clarence Clemons, E Street Band Saxophonist, Dies at 69

Clarence Clemons, the saxophonist in Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, whose jovial onstage manner, soul-rooted style and brotherly relationship with Mr. Springsteen made him one of rock’s most beloved sidemen, died Saturday at a hospital in Palm Beach, Fla. He was 69.

The cause was complications from a stroke, which he suffered last Sunday, said a spokeswoman for Mr. Springsteen.

From the beginnings of the E Street Band in 1972, Mr. Clemons played a central part in Mr. Springsteen’s music, complementing the group’s electric guitar and driving rhythms in songs like “Born to Run” and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” with muscular, melodic saxophone hooks that echoed doo-wop, soul and early rock ’n’ roll.

But equally important to the group’s image was the sense of affection and unbreakable camaraderie between Mr. Springsteen and his sax man. Few E Street Band shows were complete without a shaggy-dog story about the stormy night the two men met at a bar in Asbury Park, N.J., or a long bear hug between them at the end of the night.

Mr. Clemons also became something of a celebrity in his own right, acting in Martin Scorsese’s “New York, New York” and other films, and on television shows like “Diff’rent Strokes,” and jamming with President Bill Clinton at the 1993 inaugural ball.

A former college football player, Mr. Clemons towered over Mr. Springsteen at 6 feet 4 inches and about 250 pounds — his self-evident nickname was the Big Man — and for most of its history he stood out as the sole black man in a white, working-class New Jersey rock band. (The keyboardist David Sancious, who is also black, played with the group until 1974.) Onstage he had almost as much magnetism as Mr. Springsteen, and even if much of his time was spent hitting a cowbell or singing backup, he could still rile a stadium crowd with a few cheerful notes on his horn.

For many fans, the bond between Mr. Springsteen and Mr. Clemons was symbolized by the photograph wrapped around the front and back covers of the 1975 album “Born to Run.” In that picture, a spent yet elated Mr. Springsteen leans on a shoulder to his right for support; the flip side revealed that it belonged to Mr. Clemons.

“When you look at just the cover of ‘Born to Run,’ you see a charming photo, a good album cover, but when you open it up and see Clarence and me together, the album begins to work its magic,” Mr. Springsteen wrote in a foreword to “Big Man: Real Life and Tall Tales,” Mr. Clemons’s semifictional memoir from 2009, written with Don Reo. “Who are these guys? Where did they come from? What is the joke they are sharing?”

Clarence Anicholas Clemons was born on Jan. 11, 1942, in Norfolk, Va. His father owned a fish market and his grandfather was a Southern Baptist preacher, and although he grew up surrounded by gospel music, the young Mr. Clemons was captivated by rock ’n’ roll. He was given an alto saxophone at age 9 as a Christmas gift; later, following the influence of King Curtis — whose many credits include the jaunty sax part on the Coasters’ 1958 hit “Yakety Yak” — he switched to the tenor.

“I grew up with a very religious background,” he once said in an interview. “I got into the soul music, but I wanted to rock. I was a rocker. I was a born rock ’n’ roll sax player.”

Mr. Clemons was also a gifted athlete, and he attended Maryland State College (now the University of Maryland Eastern Shore) on a scholarship for football and music. He tried out for the Dallas Cowboys and the Cleveland Browns, but a knee injury ended his hopes for a football career.

He was working as a youth counselor in Newark when he began to mix with the Jersey Shore music scene of the late 1960s and early ’70s. He was older than Mr. Springsteen and most of his future band mates, and he has often commented on the oddity — even the liability — of being a racially integrated group in those days.

“You had your black bands and you had your white bands,” he wrote in his memoir, “and if you mixed the two you found less places to play.”

But the match was strong from the start, and his saxophone soon became a focal point of the group’s sound. In an interview with The New York Times in 2005, Jon Landau, Mr. Springsteen’s manager, said that during the recording sessions for “Born to Run” Mr. Springsteen and Mr. Clemons spent 16 hours finessing the jazzy saxophone solo on that album’s closing song, “Jungleland.”

Mr. Clemons’s charisma and eccentricity extended offstage. Wherever the band played, he made his dressing room into a shrine he called the Temple of Soul. He claimed to have played pool with Fidel Castro and won. And by many accounts, including his own, he was a champion partier on the road. He was married five times and divorced four. His fifth wife, Victoria, survives him, as do four sons: Clarence Jr., Charles, Christopher and Jarod.

Mr. Springsteen put the E Street Band on hiatus on 1989, and apart from reuniting for a recording session in 1995, the group did not play again until 1999. But by the mid-1980s, when Mr. Springsteen reached his commercial peak, Mr. Clemons had already found fame on his own. In 1985 he had a Top 20 hit with “You’re a Friend of Mine,” on which he sang with Jackson Browne, and played saxophone on records by Aretha Franklin and Twisted Sister. Recently he was featured on Lady Gaga’s album “Born This Way.”

Mr. Clemons’s first encounter with Mr. Springsteen has become E Street Band lore. In most tellings, a lightning storm was rolling through Asbury Park one night in 1971 while Mr. Springsteen was playing a gig there. As Mr. Clemons entered the bar, the wind blew the door off its hinges, and Mr. Springsteen was startled by the towering shadow at the door. Then Mr. Clemons invited himself onstage to play along, and they clicked.

“I swear I will never forget that moment,” Mr. Clemons later recalled in an interview. “I felt like I was supposed to be there. It was a magical moment. He looked at me, and I looked at him, and we fell in love. And that’s still there.”

By BEN SISARIO - NY Times

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Terri Lyne Carrington's New Album 'Mosaic' Features All Female Lineup

If anyone is paying close enough attention to the entertainment world, they might see a bit of a trend: black women in the spotlight. Beyoncé's new single 'Run The World (Girls)' is all about women taking over ... basically everything. Queen Latifah is set to executive produce a newly scripted series on VH1 called 'Single Ladies' starring Lisa Raye and Stacey Dash. And Maya Rudolph, late of 'Saturday Night Live,' is getting shine with her starring role in the box-office hit 'Bridesmaids.' And now comes another notable addition -- drummer Terri Lyne Carrington's new project, 'Mosaic.'

Yesterday the jazz drummer announced the release of her fifth album, a special 14-song project featuring some of the most prominent female jazz artists playing today. Guests include Esperanza Spalding, the gifted vocalist/bassist who beat out Justin Bieber for Best New Artist at this year's Grammys, singers Cassandra Wilson and Dee Dee Bridgewater, and pianist Geri Allen.

In the male-dominated jazz world, Carrington has amassed a stellar reputation as one of the best drummers in the genre. For 25 years, the Berklee College of Music alum and now professor has worked with a number of well-known musicians, most notably Herbie Hancock, who she played behind for 10 years. Carrington received a scholarship to Berklee at the age of 11, and her illustrious career since has included a broad range of collaborative efforts. She was drummer for the house band on the 1990's late-night talk show, 'The Arsenio Hall Show,' and teamed with the singer Peabo Bryson on the 1996 Summer Olympic Games anthem, "Always Reach For Your Dreams."

For Carrington, 'The Mosaic Project' is not so much a politicized social statement about gender equality in the jazz world as it is a testament to the wealth of talented female jazz musicians. "When I started playing 25 years ago, I might have felt limited by the pool of available musicians," said Carrington in a recent statement. "But now there are so many talented women [out there]."

'The Mosaic Project' is scheduled for a July 19 release.
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Upcoming New Jazz Releases - June 21, 2011 #jazz

A Cappelletti / Maneri / Massaria / Stranieri - Metamorphosis (Leo Records -- City Hall -- )
Anders / Josefine Cronholm / Marilyn Mazur / John Taylor - Celestial Circle (Phantom )
Arrigo Cappelletti - Metamorphosis (Leo )
Beegie Adair - Love Letters: The Beegie Adair Romance Collection (Green Hill )
Benny Goodman - Goodman,Benny Vol. 7-Afrs Benny Goodman Show (Sounds Of Yesteryear
Benny Goodman - Complete 1947-1949 Small Group Session Master Takes, Vol. 1 (Blue Moon Import )
Benny Goodman - Afrs Benny Goodman Show 7 ( )
Benny Goodman - Afrs Benny Goodman Show, Vol. 7 (Sounds of Yester Year )
Billie Holiday - Icon (Verve )
Blazo - Colors Of Jazz (Indie Europe/Zoom )
Cappelletti / Maneri / Massaria / Stranieri - Metamorphosis ( )
Christian Scott - Ninety Miles (Concord )
Cindy Bradley - Unscripted (Trippin & Rhyth )
Dakota Suite - Hearts Of Empty (Karaoke Kalk Records/Forced Ex )
Dave Valentin - Pure Imagination (Highnote Records, Inc. )
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis - Lock The Fox (RCA )
Eddie Conson - 1954-1955 (Pid )
Eddie Johnson - Indian Summer (Nessa Records )
Elvin Jones - Midnight Walk ( )
Eric Hofbauer & The Infrared Band - Level (Creative Nation Music )
Ernie Krivda - Blues For Pekar (Capri )
Gabriel Bello - Gabriel Bello (East Cleveland Music )
George Masso - Swining Case Of Masso-Ism (Progressive )
Gerald Wilson - Legacy (Mack Avenue )
Gerald Wilson Orchestra - Legacy (Mack Avenue )
Harry Belafonte - Deep As The River (Synergy Ent. )
Herbie Mann - Original Album Series ( )
Ho Bynum / Morris / Schoenbeck - Next (PORTER )
HPrizm - Knives From Heaven (Thirsty Ear Recordings )
Infrared Band - Level (Creative Nation Music )
James Farm - James Farm (Phantom )
Jazz Couriers - Jazz Couriers In Concert Featuring Ronnie Scott & Tubby Hayes (Speciality )
Jo Stafford - At The Supper Club 3 ( )
Jo Stafford - Live At The Supper Club, PT. 3 (Sounds of Yester Year )
Joe Morris - Next (Porter )
John Coltrane - Original Album Series ( )
Johnny Richards - Kiss Her Goodbye (Uptown )
Johnny Richards - Kiss Her Goodbye - New York City 1958-1959 (Uptown Jazz )
Lucky Millinder & His Orchestr - 1951-1960 (Pid )
Lynne Arriale - Convergence (MTM )
Madeleine Peyroux - Standin' On The Rooftop (Emarcy )
Matata - Feelin' Funky (President )
Michael, Dr. White - Adventures In New Orleans Jazz PT. 1 (Mega Force )
Michael, Dr. White - Adventures In New Orleans Jazz, PT.1 (Basin Street )
Mongorama - Mongorama (Saungu )
Nicole Mitchell - Awakening (Delmark )
Nina Simone - To Love Somebody ( )
Nina Simone - Nina Simone Sings The Blues (4 Men With Beards )
Ornette Coleman - Original Album Series ( )
Paul Hardcastle - Hardcastle VI (Mega Force )
Paul Hardcastle - Hardcastle 6 (Trippin 'N' Rhythm )
Ralph Flanagan - Plays For Dancing 4 ( )
Ralph Flanagan & His Orchestra - Flanagan,Ralph & His Orchestra Vol. 4-Plays For Dancing (Sounds Of Yesteryear )
Ralph Flanagan And His Orchestr - Plays For Dancing, Vol. III 1950-1951 (Sounds of Yester Year )
Rolando Villazon - Smile-A Homage To The Movies (Phantom )
Sachal Vasandani - Hi-Fly (Mack Avenue )
Second Approach - Event Space (Phantom )
Shift - Songs From Aipotu (Leo Records -- City Hall -- )
Silvano Monasterios - Unconditional (Savant )
Stan Getz - 1953-1954 Norgran Studio Sessions (Mosaic Vinyl )
Starlicker - Double Demon (Delmark )
Taylor Ho Bynum / Joe Morris / Sara Schoenbeck - Next ( )
Umberto Petrin - Dawn Will Come (Leo Records -- City Hall -- )
Umberto Petrin - A Dawn Will Come ( )
Wardell Gray - 1950-1955 (Pid )

Reissues
Dean Martin - Solitaire (Synergy)
Nina Simone - Sings the Blues (RCA Legacy)
Nina Simone - Here Comes the Sun (Pazzazz)

Our thanks to:

New release information provided by allaboutjazz.com
The Upcoming Release Center at allaboutjazz.com is the most comprehensive new release listing for jazz music on the internet.
The information is updated biweekly by John Kelman

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