Nils Has Radio's Most-Played Song In 2005

If you haven't heard the song called "Pacific Coast Highway" by Nils, you should do yourself a favor.

That song by the veteran session player new to the smooth jazz scene in 2005 has been named the U.S.'s No. 1 smooth jazz single for 2005 by Radio & Records, a trade publication serving the radio industry.

The song was No. 1 for seven weeks. Although saxophonist Richard Elliot’s hit single called “People Make the World Go Round” took the top spot for 11 consecutive weeks, Radio & Records’ year-end chart is based on the total number of times a song is played, or “spinned.” “Pacific Coast Highway” was played almost 1,000 times more than the No. 2 song, Soul Ballet’s “Cream.” Nils’ current single, “Summer Nights,” also made the chart at No. 99 for the year. Coming in at No. 3 behind Soul Ballet is guitarist Tim Bowman’s “Summer Groove,” followed by “Pick Up the Pieces” by saxophonist Kenny G, “Two of a Kind” by saxophonist Michael Lington and “Let It Free” by saxophonist Dave Koz.

Rounding out the top 10 singles of the year are saxophonist Boney James’ “Stone Groove” with Joe Sample on piano, “Thursday” by saxophonist Steve Cole, “Nightlife” by saxophonist Paul Taylor and “XXL” by saxophonist Euge Groove.

Rick Braun, Richard Elliot Planning Duets CD

Trumpeter Rick Braun and saxophonist Richard Elliot are now in the planning stages of what could be one of the biggest smooth jazz projects in years - a duets album.

Braun says that the CD, which could be released by the fall of 2006, will draw on the duo’s history with the brass-heavy bands War and Tower of Power. It was back in 2000 that Braun offered a tasty CD with saxophonist Boney James called “Shake It Up” that was released by Warner Bros.

The upcoming duets CD will of course by released by ARTizen Music Group, the new smooth jazz founded by Braun and Elliot that recently announced the signing of saxophonist Shilts from Down to the Bone. Meanwhile, Braun’s brand-new album called Yours Truly features the Top 5 smooth jazz single called “Shining Star.” And Elliot’s current Top 10 single, “Mystique,” is the second from his ARTizen debut called “Metro Blue.” The first single, “People Make the World Go Round,” was No. 1 for 11 weeks.

Eric Darius' Next CD Features Smooth Jazz Heavyweights

Smooth jazz saxophonist Eric Darius, who earlier this month turned 23, has wrapped production on a new CD titled Just Getting Started. The CD, being released by Narada Jazz, is the follow-up to Eric’s debut from 2004 called Night on the Town. That CD featured the smooth jazz single of the same name.

The new 11-song CD of all original material features contributions from pianist Brian Culbertson, with whom Eric toured as a bandmember for much of 2004, and saxophonists Euge Groove and Steve Cole. Among the CD’s songs are include “Steppin’ Up,” “Lover’s Paradise,” “Groove On,” “If I Ain’t Got You” and “Slick.”

Just Getting Started will be available on March 7. Darius will be hosting and performing some of those new songs on Dec. 31 at a New Year’s Eve party at the Hyatt Regency in Tampa Bay along with violinist Karen Briggs and Nadia Darius, who is Eric’s younger sister.

Bobby Caldwell And Wife Building Home In New Jersey

Bobby Caldwell is about to undertake a big adventure – and it has nothing to do with music. The vocalist has picked his contractors and is now finalizing plans with an architect to build a new house that he and his wife have drawn up.

The house will be built on the horse property that Bobby and his wife Mary Moriarty – who celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary on Nov. 20 – own in northern New Jersey. Born in Manhattan and raised in Memphis and Miami, Bobby had until recently lived in Las Vegas after calling northern San Diego County home for many years.

"We’re getting through the initial stages of it and looking forward to the fun part of it," Caldwell says. "I’m certain that that’s going to absorb the next year of our lives. But it'll be a labor of love. We’re hoping that we’ll be celebrating next Christmas in the house."

Caldwell's most recent CD, his first in six years, is called Perfect Island Nights. Earlier this month, the Grammys nominated a CD called Songs From The Neighborhood - The Music Of Mister Rogers in the category of Best Musical Album For Children. The album features Caldwell singing on a song called “Sometimes.” The tune was written by Fred Rogers himself in 1972.

The longtime pianist on Rogers' show, the late Johnny Costa, also played in a band that Caldwell's parents created. They both had TV shows in Pittsburgh. "Johnny’s child was my best playmate when I was living in Pittsburgh, and Johnny himself was a close friend of the family," says Caldwell. "So I had a connection to the ‘Mister Rogers’ legacy."

All Star Cruise Gets New Host: Brian Culbertson

The All Star Smooth Jazz Cruise, which sailed for the first time in November, will return but with a new host and a new schedule. Keyboardist Brian Culbertson will replace the previous host, trumpeter Rick Braun, on the cruise that is now officially called The Brian Culbertson All Star Smooth Jazz Cruise.

Culbertson has signed a contract to be the host for the next two cruises. The second edition of the cruise will be held in January 2007 and is still scheduled to sail from Galveston, Texas. Artists confirmed so far, in addition to Culbertson, are saxophonists Boney James, Mindi Abair, Gerald Albright and Eric Darius, guitarist Nick Colionne and the group Down to the Bone.

To learn more about the cruise, go to www.allstarcruise.com.

Smooth Jazz Artists Dish Their Favorite Recipes

Some of today’s top contemporary jazz performers show off their culinary chops in Smooth Cooking, part of a series of four collectible recipe-card packages called Music Cooks that features various themes. The recipes are selected by Mark De Anda, who is the programmer director at the smooth jazz radio station KMGQ in Santa Barbara, Calif.

The collection of personal recipes from smooth jazz artists includes the Mambo Martini by guitarist Brian Hughes; Tom Scott's Easy Chopped Salad; Vegetarin Fajitas by Russ Freeman of the Rippingtons; Prawns with Green Curry from Greg Carmichael of Acoustic Alchemy; Chicken With Lemon and Green Olives by guitarist Craig Chaquico; and Smooth Jazz Burgers by pianist Bob James. There are 16 recipes in all.

The recipe package includes a smooth jazz compilation CD featuring 11 smooth jazz classics from artists such as George Benson, Grover Washington Jr. and Rick Braun.

Smooth Cooking is the the brainchild of Sharon O'Connor, a musician and author of 19 cookbooks. It's available at www.menusandmusic.com. A portion of the proceeds of Smooth Cooking will be donated to Santa Barbara-based The Dream Foudation, a non-profit company.

ARTizen Signs First Artist: Saxophonist Shilts

The ARTizen Music Group, a new smooth jazz record label co-created by trumpeter Rick Braun and saxophonist Richard Elliot, has signed its first artist: saxophonist Paul Weimer. You may know him better by his stage name, Shilts, and by his association with the British smooth jazz jam band Down to the Bone.

Shilts, who was raised in the U.K. but last year moved to Southern California, has just about finished a new CD, which Braun is producing and smooth jazz guitarist Chris Standring is performing on. Shilts’ first solo CD, See What Happens, was released in 2001 by the Higher Octave record label.

Braun and Elliot co-founded ARTizen last year along with industry executives Al Evers and Steve Chapman. After releasing Braun’s Sessions: Volume 1, the label released its first CD of all-new material on June 28 with Elliot’s Metro Blue. Braun followed that up in October with Yours Truly.

Shilts’ debut CD with ARTizen will be available this spring.

Steve Oliver Extends Offer Of “Imagine” Download

Smooth Jazz guitarist Steve Oliver has extended his offer of a free download of "Imagine" through Christmas Day.

The song is taken from Steve’s album called 3D. Oliver says that he grew up listening to the Beatles, and John Lennon's message of hope and peace continues to weave its way into his own compositions.

To get your free copy, go to www.steveolivermusic.com.

It was on Dec. 8 that a somber anniversary was observed. It was 25 years ago that John Lennon was killed by Mark David Chapman outside the Dakota apartment building in New York as he returned home from a recording session. Thousands of fans worldwide paused to reflect on Lennon’s life and career and thousand gathered in New York’s Strawberry Fields, located inside Central Park, to remember the former Beatle. Many gathered around a mosaic that reads simply, “Imagine.” It is, of course, in honor of Lennon’s iconic solo song of the same name.

2005's Top 10 Smooth Jazz CDs

1. Brian Culbertson, It's On Tonight (GRP): Culbertson sticks to his slow and sexy theme with amazing results. His best ever.
2. Jonathan Butler, Jonathan (Rendezvous): A return to mostly instrumentals was a good career move for the veteran guitarist.
3. Matt Bianco featuring Basia, Matt's Mood (Decca/Universal): The intoxicating mix of Brazilian and cool jazz is a winner. Every song is a treat.
4. Paul Hardcastle, Hardcastle 4 (Trippin 'n' Rhythm): Hardcastle’s best yet, and the vocal tunes featuring daughter Maxine are cool and sexy.
5. Marc Antoine, Modern Times (Rendezvous): Unlike anything he’s done before, but it’s Antoine all the way.
6. Jeff Lorber, Flipside (Narada Jazz): Another steady CD by the veteran pianist.
7. Praful, Pyramid In Your Backyard (Rendezvous): A bold step in a new direction from his debut CD.
8. Bona Fide, Soul Lounge (Heads Up): Vibes galore.
9. Steve Cole, Spin (Narada Jazz): The Chicago saxophonist creates some of the best hooks on the planet.
10. Brian Simpson, It's All Good (Rendezvous): Simply great music from Dave Koz’s musical director.

Jason Miles Re-Creates Magic Of Marvin Gaye

On his last album, producer and keyboardist Jason Miles – who has collaborated with many of the top names in smooth jazz – invoked the sprit of the late jazz trumpeter Miles Davis with a work called Miles to Miles.

Now Miles has his sights on the songs of Marvin Gaye for a CD he’s just finished recording called What’s Goin’ On: The Music of Marvin Gaye. Miles rearranged many of Marvin’s greatest hits and enlisted several top-notch musicians to help him, including vocalist Bobby Caldwell on “Distant Lover,” guitarist Nick Colionne on “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” Spyro Gyra saxophonist Jay Beckenstein on “Too Busy Thinkin’ Bout My Baby” and trumpeter Herb Alpert on “Let’s Get It On.” As always, Miles assembled a killer rhythm section with bassists Marcus Miller, Scott Ambush and James Genus, drummer Gene Lake and percussionist Cyro Baptista on board here.

Among the CD’s other songs are such Marvin Gaye nuggets as “What’s Goin’ On,” “Sexual Healing,” “Mercy Mercy Me” and “Ain’t Nothin’ Like the Real Thing.” There's a good mixture of instrumental and vocal tunes, with some inspired singing by Mike Mattison, Chiara Civello, James "D Train" Williams and Guida DePalma.

Miles says the idea for the CD came on an October evening at a restaurant in Martha’s Vineyard that was playing Marvin Gaye songs. Miles is no stranger to compilations. He has produced several other concept albums, including To Grover, With Love, Celebrating the Music of Weather Report and A Love Affair: The Music of Ivan Lins.

What’s Goin’ On: The Music of Marvin Gaye will be available Feb. 7 on the Narada record label.

After listening to an advance copy of this CD, I feel condident in saying it's one of the best tribute projects to come down the road in a long time. Miles takes Marvin's music in a new direction, and it's exhilarating.

Chris Botti Performing On Andrea Bocelli CD

Chris Botti will perform on the upcoming album called Amore by international superstar Andrea Bocelli, who has sold more than 50 million albums. Bocelli, a blind classical and operatic tenor from Tuscany, Italy, will be recording romantic standards with the help of producer David Foster.

In addition to Botti, Bocelli also called on several musicians with smooth jazz ties: Fourplay bassist Nathan East, guitarist Dean Parks, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and percussionist Paulinho da Costa.

Amore will be released by the Sugar/Phillips recording label on Jan. 31.

Mindi Abair And Diana Krall Venture Into MySpace

Mindi Abair and Diana Krall are hanging out in cyberspace.

If you have children in middle school, high school or college, you’re probably aware of the online community called MySpace.com. That’s where young people set up personal sites, jot down their thoughts in journals and post dozens of pictures. The website is attracting new users at a rate of 3.5 million a month and is now a place where young people learn about new bands and their favorite music. The site boasts 30 million user pages, and 400,000 are devoted to bands.

Recognizing the potential of MySpace, saxophonist Abair and vocalist Krall and their record labels have created pages that enhances their official websites and further allows fans keep track of their careers.

You might not see them replying to your comments anytime soon. But you never know.

Kenny G Collection Will Have Personal Notes

Kenny G has released several best-of collections, but an upcoming one will be the first to have the saxophonist’s personal comments attached to each selection. The Essential Kenny G, on Arista/Legacy, is the most extensive collection of his career as it features two CDs and 31 songs.

It’s being released in January to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Kenny’s Duotones CD of 1986. That CD sold more than 5 million copies and is considered his breakthrough project. The first single from that CD, “Songbird,” remains one of Kenny’s most popular and he says in the liner notes that he wrote it as a love letter to Lyndie Benson, a woman Kenny met at a concert two years earlier. They later became man and wife.

The Essential Kenny G will be released on Jan. 24.

The Essential Kenny G

1. Songbird (Kenny G) -5:02
2. Sade (Kenny G) -4:18
3. Slip Of The Tongue (Preston Glass, Narada Michael Walden) -4:50
4. Don't Make Me Wait For Love (Featuring Lenny Williams) (Preston Glass, Walter Afanasieff, Narada Michael Walden) - 4:01
5. Silhouette (Kenny G) - 5:27
6. Against Doctors Orders (Kenny G, Preston Glass, Alan Glass) - 4:43
7. What Does It Take (To Win Your Love) (Featuring Ellis Hall) (Johnny Bristol, Vernon Bullock, Harvey Fuqua) - 4:07
8. Brazil (Kenny G., Walter Afanasieff) - 4:36
9. Theme From Dying Young (James Newton Howard) - 3:58
10. We've Saved The Best For Last (Featuring Smokey Robinson) (Lou Pardini, Dennis Matkosky, Paul Gordon) - 4:18
11. Forever In Love (Kenny G) - 4:57
12. Midnight Motion live (Kenny G) - 8:21
13. By The Time This Night Is Over (Featuring Peabo Bryson) (Michael Bolton, Diane Warren, Andy Goldmark) - 4:22
14. Loving You (Dan Shea, Walter Afanasieff, Kenny G) - 3:17
15. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane) - 3:54
16. Sentimental (Kenny G., Walter Afanasieff) - 6:34

1. What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong with Kenny G) (George David Weiss, Robert Thiele) - 2:59
2. Morning (Kenny G., Walter Afanasieff) - 5:14
3. Sister Rose (Kenny G., Walter Afanasieff) - 6:12
4. Even If My Heart Would Break (Featuring Aaron Neville) (Franne Golde, Adrian Gurvitz) - 4:58
5. The Moment (Kenny G) - 6:00
6. Summertime (Featuring George Benson) (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, Dubose Heyward) - 6:43
7. Missing You Now (Michael Bolton featuring Kenny G) (Michael Bolton, Walter Afanasieff, Diane Warren) - 4:34
8. Pick Up The Pieces (Featuring David Sanborn) (Alan Gorrie, Owen McIntyre, Roger Ball, Malcolm Duncan, Robbie McIntosh,
Hamish Stuart) - 4:13
9. My Heart Will Go On (James Horner, Will Jennings) - 4:21
10. Beautiful (Featuring Chaka Khan) (Linda Perry) - 3:43
11. Havana (Kenny G., Walter Afanasieff) - 7:20
12. Going Home (Kenny G., Walter Afanasieff) - 5:30
13. The Way You Move (Featuring Earth Wind and Fire) (Antwan Patton, Carlton Mahone, Patrick Brown) - 4:08
14. Deck The Halls/The Twelve Days of Christmas Medley (Traditional) - 2:59
15. Auld Lang Syne The Millennium Mix (Traditional) - 7:52

Sony Recalls Chris Botti CD And Many Others

Earlier this week, Sony BMG Music announced that it would temporarily suspend production of music CDs with anti-piracy software called XCP – or “extended copy protection” – that when played on Windows PCs leave them vulnerable to viruses and hackers. Now Sony will now recall nearly five million of the CDS, which includes Chris Botti’s latest album called To Love Again. In addition, Sony has announced several other titles that are affected and will be recalled, including So Amazing: All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross and At This Time by Burt Bacharach.

Sony BMG had created a website where users could uninstall the software that allowed the CD to play on computers, but now says that it will soon release an updated uninstall program. In addition, Microsoft has announced that its upcoming Windows Update will remove the malicious software. Sony says that customers can exchange any CD with the XCP software for a replacement copy without it. For more information, go to www.sonybmg.com.

Steve Oliver Offers Holiday CD On Website

Lyrical guitarist Steve Oliver has just released his first holiday album, Snowfall, which at this time can only be found on his newly redesigned website at www.steveolivermusic.com.

It's a holiday treat worth getting - for yourself or someone who digs good music.

The 10-song CD is offered by Oliver’s Oohla Productions and features such standards as “Carol of the Bells,” “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World,” “The Christmas Song” and “Little Drummer Boy.” Oliver wrote two original songs, an instrumental called “Crystals in the Snow” and “Watching the Snow,” which features his lead vocals. In addition to playing guitar and singing on the CD, Oliver also played keyboards and percussion while handing the musical programming.

Contributing to the CD are pianist Tony Windle, saxophonist Will Donato and bassist KT Tyler.

To purchase Snowfall you can download the entire album for $10 or you can have it delivered for $15. The CD is Steve’s follow-up to 3D, which was released on the Koch label.

Mindi Abair Dedicating Song To New Orleans

Smooth jazz saxophonist Mindi Abair has entered the famed Capitol Studios in Los Angeles to finish recording her third CD and follow-up to Come As You Are. She has completed a tune called “Rain” that she’s dedicating to the people of New Orleans, many of whom were displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Other songs include “Far Away,” which features a string section directed by Julie Rogers, “Bloom,” “Do You Miss Me?” and “Slinky,” which Abair calls a fun and sexy, Euro-inspired tune that she plays the soprano saxophone on.

As we’ve reported, the majority of the songs are written by Abair and her writing partner Matthew Hager. In addition to songs written with Adam Levy, the guitarist in Norah Jones’ band, and with blues legend Keb’ Mo’, Abair has called on numerous musicians to guest star on the CD, including vocalist Lalah Hathaway, keyboardist Ricky Peterson, bassists Stan Sargeant and Larry Klein and percussionist Paulinho da Costa.

The CD is expected to be released in the spring of 2006. Abair says she’s realizing a lifelong dream to record at Capitol Studios, where trumpeter Chris Botti also recorded his new CD called To Love Again.

"I definitely look forward to recording," she says. "You’ve written these songs and you have a specific sound in your head of what you want these songs to sound like. It’s a really fun yet arduous process. You know, I mean you’re sitting there, hmm, I hear this kind of thing and I go through five million keyboard sounds to try and find the right sound that I’m hearing. And so it is this really fun experiment of what we can make of this music that’s been in our heads for so long."

Rick Braun Offers Free Song Online - First New One in 2 Years

Trumpeter Rick Braun, who recently released a CD of cover tunes called Yours Truly, is now offering a brand-new song online. The song, “Sao Paulo,” is the first original song that Rick has offered to fans since his Esperanto CD from 2003.

And the good news even gets better – the song is available for free.

"Everybody’s welcome to come on to the site and download, their bonus track," Braun says. "The song’s really fun and catchy, sort of Brazilian type of a song. It’s a really neat tune. I’m happy with it."

To get your copy of the song, go to at www.artizenmusic.com and follow the link.

ARTizen Music Group is the new record label that Braun and partner Richard Elliot debuted late last year. Earlier this year, Elliot also offered a free download on the website of a song called “Mystery.”

Injury Forces Joyce Cooling To Cancel Cruise

Back problems have forced smooth jazz guitarist Joyce Cooling to cancel her appearance on this month’s first-ever All Star Smooth Jazz Cruise hosted by trumpeter Rick Braun.

Although Cooling recently strained her back while hauling musical equipment, she had hoped to still be able to set sail when the cruise departs on Nov. 13. But Cooling's manager says that she’s decided that it would be better for her to remain in her Bay Area home to recuperate while canceling all appearances for the rest of the year. Her first appearance in 2006 is scheduled for Jan. 14 in Cerritos, Calif.

Cooling is now focused on her rebabilitation and is working with musical partner Jay Wagner on a new album to follow-up her March 2004 release called This Girl’s Got to Play.

"We’ve written a bunch of songs for it," Cooling says. "And, as always but even more now than ever – and I think I say this every CD – I’m ready for a change. I need to stretch in a different way. I need to do some different things. I’ve been fooling around with a balalaika, and it’s given me some different chords and just opened up my head a little bit. I’ve been playing a little bit of keyboards, working on some vocals and just stretching out."

Maxine Hardcastle Gets Help From “American Idol” Creator

Maxine Hardcastle, whose sublime vocals made their debut on this summer’s Hardcastle 4 CD by her father, Paul Hardcastle, is now getting some excellent career guidance.

The 19-year-old budding singer and songwriter is now working on demo songs with Simon Fuller, who just so happened to create Pop Idol in Britain and its version in the U.S., American Idol. If you’ve heard Maxine’s vocals on the new CD, on which she sings three songs, you know she’s got talent galore. But she’s still able to take advantage of the fact that Fuller is Maxine’s godfather and was Paul’s best man at his wedding. Also, Fuller named his entertainment and talent management company, 19 Entertainment, after Paul’s worldwide hit from 1985 called “19.” Since then, Fuller – who created the Spice Girls and manages Annie Lennox – has been involved in the creation of 106 #1 singles and 83 #1 albums in the UK, along with 281 Top 40 albums and 430 Top 40 singles.

Proud Paul – whose “Serene” has been No. 1 on Radio & Records' smooth jazz singles chart for five consecutive weeks – calls Maxine’s original songs a cross between Norah Jones and the Corrs.

Hardcastle says he auditioned Maxine for a song called “Smooth Jazz Is Bumpin” on his new CD and says she definitely passed the test.

"You know when it’s your own daughter you have to be hyper-critical. And I was almost thinking, no, she wouldn’t suit it. But when I heard the way that she way that she approached the song and sung it, I was really surprised. That’s why I got her involved in three tracks. My good old friend Simon Fuller’s helping me out to look after her so there’s no rush. But she will be looked after I think she’s got a great future ahead."

We agree. With her obvious physical charms and angelic vocals, it looks like there's a new star coming our way soon.

Chris Botti Performing "God Bless America" At World Series

Smooth jazz trumpeter Chris Botti will have a national audience on Sunday, Oct. 23, when he performs "God Bless America" in Chicago at U.S. Cellular Field for Game 2 of the World Series. The Chicago White Sox are playing the Houston Astros.

Botti is only too happy to be in the national spotlight. Last year, he was scheuled to perform “God Bless America” during Game 5 of the World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox. But the Red Sox, of course, swept the Series in four games to capture their first championship in 86 years and deny Botti his chance.

"Me and my manager decided that it would be best for our schedule to play Game Five," he recalls. "Who would have ever thought that the St. Louis Cardinals would get swept in four? I think that was the lowest part of my career. We flew into St. Louis and landed during the seventh inning of Game Four and realized that they weren’t going pull it out and go to Game Five. You know, having to sit there in the hotel in St. Louis, which was by then a ghost town with sadness because the Cardinals had lost, was no fun. But that’s the way it goes. And those are the choices you make. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose."

Botti has a brand-new CD out this week called To Love Again.

Euge Groove Shares Personal Information

Many fans of smooth jazz saxophonist Euge Groove knew that he and wife Bane were expecting their fourth child last month, in September. Euge now wants to let his fans know that Bane suffered a miscarriage earlier in the year.

The saxophonist says he decided to go public with this personal matter because so many of his fans had been asking. "I want to thank all of my fans who expressed their concern and have wished us well," he says.

Meanwhile, Groove and his wife will celebrate their 16th wedding anniversary next month and enjoy the time they spend with their three children; 15-year-old Dax, 14-year-old Canyon and 8-year-old Lilah Belle. In fact, they will be taking the kids with them on Warren Hill's Smooth Jazz Cruise in January 2006.

Groove's first single from his new album called Just Feels Right, a song called "Get Em Goin'," moved up to #4 on Radio & Records' smooth jazz chart this week.

Rick Braun Explains The Inspiration Behind New CD

Rick Braun’s new CD of cover songs called Yours Truly won’t be released until later this month, but right now you can hear song samples in addition to Braun’s explanation as to why he chose the specific songs that he did.

You can listen in by going to www.artizenmusic.com to hear a streamcast, or you download it to listen to whenever you want. Braun says the nine-minute audio is one of many interactive features that will be unveiled at the home of the ARTizen Music Group, which he co-founded along with saxophonist Richard Elliot.

During the five-minute audio, Rick explains that the upcoming CD is a love letter to his fans, which is why he chose Yours Truly as the title. Among the interesting things you’ll hear what song inspired him when he fell in love for the first time, what songs he grooved to while driving from his home to Pennsylvania to L.A. to embark on his musical career, and what track he couldn’t stop listening to after it came out.

"You know, I’ve had a pretty successful career in smooth jazz and I’ve got a lot of very loyal fans," Braun says. "So I decided to record a CD that was a compilation of some of my favorite songs and dedicate it to all of my fans who have given me this incredible career. If you look in the liner notes, you'll see that I sign it off as yours truly, Rick Braun."

The first single from the CD, Braun's languid reading of Earth, Wind & Fire's “Shining Star,” is No. 19 on Radio & Records' smooth jazz chart.

Richy Kicklighter: Chill-Out Guitar Music From Florida

You may never have heard of Florida guitarist Richy Kicklighter, but over the course of seven albums he’s made some of the most mellow and gorgeous smooth jazz on the planet.

Kighlighter's King’s Highway and Myakka CDs from 1993 and 1994, respectively, are two of his best. It may conjure up overworked images, but his best songs on those and all of his CDs have been the ones that’d be kissin' cousins for the warm breezes of tropical nights.

Kicklighter – and you have to love that name – returns with 12 new songs on Moving Skies, released on his Midnight Pass Music. There are many memorable moments here, but the one song that jumps out as one of the guitarist’s new classics is the title track. It’s simple, elegant and the perfect chill-out tune after a hot day at the beach. “Bahia Vista” and “Indian Shores” would work also.

A perfect way to iron out stresses, Moving Skies is a muy bueno guilty pleasure, better than therapy.

Bob James Fusing East and West On New CD

Veteran pianist Bob James' ambitious vision to fuse smooth jazz with music from the Far East and share it with his fans worldwide will shortly become a reality. James has just inked a deal with the Japanese division of Sony Music to release a CD called The Angels of Shanghai.

In January 2005, James made his third trip in two years to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music to record music with a talented group of five young Chinese musicians who attend the prestigious university. The result, when released later this year in Asia, will be a new Bob James CD with a decidedly Asian bent featuring exotic violins, harps and flutes and traditional Chinese melodies adapted to his own style.

Included will be a original songs, including one composed with Fourplay bandmember Nathan East called “Endless Time.” The CD will first be released in Japan and then Europe, and later next year in the U.S. to not conflict with a solo CD called Urban Flamingo that’s scheduled to be offered this February. U.S. audiences can get a taste of the music, however, since James plans to add “Endless Time” to Urban Flamingo.

James will debut the music of Angels of Shanghai at a live performance on Dec. 17 at the Bangkok Jazz Festival. In addition to the pianist and five musicians from Shanghai, the band will include East on bass and vocals, Jack Lee on guitar and Louis Pragasam on drums.

With James' track record, this will surely be an album to look forward to.

Mindi Abair Completes Renovation Of Florida Home

If you’re looking to settle in the city of Punta Gorda in Florida and are looking for a place to rent, you could find yourself with smooth jazz saxophonist Mindi Abair as your landlord.

Abair and her husband, musician Jason Steele, recently purchased a house in the city on Florida’s west coast. She says the 1926 home is a fixer-upper in the historic district right on the water on Charlotte Harbor. Much of Punta Gorda and the surrounding area was destroyed by Hurricane Charley in 2004.

Abair, Steele and several of their friends have landscaped the home, built a fence and indoor banister, renovated the kitchen, added a bathroom and built a brick patio. In addition, Abair oversaw the building of a new room in the space formerly occupied by an attic.

Abair says the home is now back to its original glory and she’s looking to rent it. And in the future Abair says she and Steele – who continue to live in Hollywood, Calif. – want to use the house as second home. Abair is originally from St. Petersburg, just up the coast, and Steele’s family lives in Punta Gorda.

Abair was in St. Petersburg, Fla., last year when Hurricane Charley slammed into Florida’s west coast, just north of where her husband’s family lived.

"A couple hours before the hurricane was supposed to hit us it turned and it hit south of us in Port Charlotte," she says. "As soon as he could get a flight in, we drove down there and just tried to save some of his family’s houses. I mean, we ripped up carpets and ripped down some of the drywall to try and just stop it from molding and mildewing. It was a disaster area down there. It was so horrible and you just wanted to stay down there and help these people because it could have been you.

Katrina, Rita Changing Plans For Rick Braun's Cruise

With the looks of Hurricane Rita, it looks like there might be big changes for Rick Braun's upcoming cruise.

For now, we know that Hurricane Katrina has caused a few changes for the first-ever All Star Smooth Jazz Cruise, departing in November from Galveston, Texas. First, because the Carnival Elation ship scheduled to take passengers on the cruise was called into commission to help with relief efforts on the Gulf Coast, the Smooth Jazz Cruise will now use the Carnival Conquest. ship. The Elation, which normally operates out of Galveston, is taking over the cruise schedule of the Carnival Ecstasy, which is being used to house Katrina refugees and relief workers.

The Conquest, which is one of Carnival’s newest ships in its fleet, normally sails from New Orleans but will now temporarily sail from Galveston. Passengers booked on the cruise – which had scheduled to make ports of call in Cozumel, Belize Playa Del Carmen in Mexico, will now visit Cozumel, the Cayman Islands and Montego Bay in Jamaica.

The musical guest list remains unchanged – among the many artists performing on board the weeklong cruise beginning Nov. 12 will be Peter White, Mindi Abair, Brian Culbertson, Euge Groove, Joyce Cooling, Marion Meadows and Michael Lington.

If Galveston is spared the wrath of Rita, a pre-cruise concert on Nov. 11 will star Al Jarreau and Boney James.

For more information, you can go to www.allstarcruise.com.

Chris Botti Finalizes New CD: To Love Again

Chris Botti has finally decided on a name for his new CD. The follow-up to his best-selling When I Fall in Love as originally called Embraceable You, then Still in Love and now To Love Again.

Botti has now whittled down the songs for the CD and has decided on 13 songs with guest performers such as Sting, Michael Buble, Gladys Knight, Steven Tyler, Renee Oldstead, and Jill Scott. The album’s songs include “Lover Man,” “Good Morning Heartache,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” “Smile,” “Pennies From Heaven,” “I’ll Be Seeing You” and “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?”

When the CD arrives in stores on Oct. 18, it will be available in two versions. The first CD version features the 13 songs, while second is a DualDisc, which is a double-sided disc with one side containing a standard CD and other side with DVD content. The DualDisc version of To Love Again has four bonus tracks of live performances: “To Love Again,” “I’ll Be Seeing You,” and two from Botti's idol, Miles Davis: “Flamenco Sketches” and “Milestones.”

Botti surely has another winner.

To Love Again Track Listing

1. Embraceable You
2. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life
3. My One And Only Love
4. Let There Be Love
5. What's New
6. Good Morning Heartache
7. To Love Again
8. Are You Lonesome Tonight
9. Lover Man
10. I'll Be Seeing You
11. Pennies From Heaven
12. Here's That Rainy Day
13. Smile
(With DualDisc)
1. Flamenco Sketches
2. To Love Again
3. I'll Be Seeing You
4. Milestones

Chuck Loeb Settles In South Carolina - Temporarily

Smooth jazz guitarist Chuck Loeb, a native New Yorker, has just relocated to South Carolina.

But he might not be there too long. The move was prompted after the Loebs learned that the house of one of their friends had burned down. Wanting to help out, Loeb decided to offer his house in Irvington, which is on the Hudson River north of New York City, to the family while they rebuilt their destroyed home. At the same time, Loeb and his wife, Carmen Cuesta, felt that this gave them the perfect opportunity to test the waters as far as living in the South for a while.

Loeb's two daughters are both in college.

Last year, Loeb and his wife invested in a home on Hilton Head Island, S.C. Loeb is now taking advantage of the nearby airport in Savannah, Ga., to travel back to New York for recording sessions and for traveling to shows. He will be flying from Savannah to Boston on Sept. 24 for the annual Beantown Jazz Festival.

Loeb's most recent album, When I’m With You, features the Top 5 hit called "Tropical."

Gabriela Anders Keeps Wedding - And Baby - A Secret

Top-secret celebrity weddings are nothing new.

Earlier this year, actress Renee Zellweger and country singer Kenny Chesney tied the knot in a private ceremony away from the prying eyes of paparazzi. And Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts and John F. Kennedy Jr. all managed to marry without the media finding out.

Smooth jazz vocalist Gabriela Anders has also managed to keep her marriage secret, although not because she didn’t want anyone to know. She just says she didn’t think anyone would be interested, did not give out any interviews and put nothing on her website. We’ve now learned that Gabriela’s wedding – which is secret no longer – occurred at a small church in New York City on May 22, 2004, in front of a small group of family and friends.

So who’s the lucky guy? He’s Wayne Krantz, a guitarist who performed on Gabriela’s latest CD, Last Tango in Rio. The name may not be too familiar, but Krantz has released several solo CDs and has appeared on albums by Steely Dan, Michael Brecker and others. We've now learned that Gabriela and Wayne have been keeping another secret – they are the proud parents of a nine-month baby girl named Marley Meredith Krantz.

Anders fell in love with her soon-to-be husband while watching him perform in a New York City club where he performs every Thursday night. "I was checking it out, then slowly we became friends and then we started to date," Anders recalls with a laugh. "And now we’ve become married and have a little baby. I have a small family, he has a small family, so the wedding was cool."

Marley will stay at home with her Dad in New York while Mom performs Sept. 10 in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Chris Botti Narrowly Misses Hurricane Katrina

Chris Botti missed Hurricane Katrina by only a few hours.

On Aug. 26, the trumpeter performed live at Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Miss. Like all of Biloxi's casinos, it is built on water since no casinos are allowed on land. Following the show, the trumpeter autographed CDs for his fans in the lobby.

Now that lobby and the entire floor above is submerged in water as the hurricane swept through the area. According to Botti's management, there was some discussion about the impending storm, but reports at that time indicated that Katrina's path was likely to strike further west. Botti and his team were able to leave the city safely one day before Biloxi was almost completely leveled by the force of the hurricane.

The Beau Rivage Resort and Casino, as is the entire beachfront of Biloxi, will be closed until further notice. It's estimated that the Beau Rivage will lose nearly $1 million each day in revenues.

Fourplay Staying Busy Between CDs

The members of the smooth jazz supergroup Fourplay, while now working on the follow-up to 2004’s CD called Journey that will be released next year, are have brand-new solo projects that will be released soon.

Earlier this month, guitarist Larry Carlton released a solo album in Japan of what he calls “jam band” music called “Fire Wire.” U.S. audiences won’t have to wait too much longer for its release here, as the album is expected to be released here by the end of the year.

Pianist Bob James’ next CD, featuring his quintet, will be released in February. Urban Flamingo will also feature guest appearances by guitarist Earl Klugh and James’ daughter, vocalist Hilary James. James will have some tour dates in October where he will try out some of the new material.

Drummer Harvey Mason, in addition to doing a lot of session work for other musicians, is working on both smooth jazz and straight-ahead jazz solo records.

Finally, bassist Nathan East, like Mason, continues to work in the studio. He’s not planning a solo record, but will be featured prominently on a new CD by the legendary Herbie Hancock called Possibilities that was released this week. He’s also been featured on recent albums by guitarist Eric Clapton and vocalists Eric Benet and Yolanda Adams.

Top Smooth Jazz Stars Creating New Charlie Brown CD

The biggest names in smooth jazz are falling for Charlie Brown.

When ABC airs a brand-new Charlie Brown TV special this December, viewers nationwide will hear a brand-new song featuring the piano of David Benoit and vocals by Vanessa Williams. The song, “Just Like Me,” was written by Benoit and Lee Mendelson, who has produced all of the animated TV shows based on the characters created by late Charles Schulz.

Before the TV special airs, though, listeners will be able to hear the song on an upcoming CD produced and arranged by Benoit called 40 Years – A Charlie Brown Christmas. The CD, to be released by Peak Records, which is co-owned by Russ Freeman of the Rippingtons, will feature a number of top smooth jazz performers including Benoit, Williams, Freeman and the Rippingtons, Eric Marienthal, Norman Brown, Rick Braun, Brian McKnight, Dave Koz, Toni Braxton and Gerald Albright.

The CD, commemorating the release 40 years ago of Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas, features updates of Guaraldi’s songs in addition to a few Christmas selections.

Benoit has been composing the music for Peanuts specials for several years, and in 2000 released Here’s to You, Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years! as a tribute to Schulz.

40 Years – A Charlie Brown Christmas will be released on Oct. 4.

Euge Groove's New Groovy Hairstyle

Saxophonist Euge Groove has decided to complete the ensemble for his upcoming retro CD called Just Feels Right. On the CD, Groove wrote smooth jazz with an eye toward 1976, which he calls his “summer of innocence.”

For the most part, he used instruments made before that year, and also enlisted musicians who were active in the era. So what has he done to complete the ensemble?

He’s let his hair grow out. Euge Groove-y, man!

Look at the CD cover, which will be available on Aug. 30, and you’ll see the saxophonist sporting shoulder-length hair and long goatee hanging from his chin. Groove says he actually started growing his hair out last fall when he began writing songs for the CD. He says he’s particularly proud of his goatee, which he says won’t get much longer now as he is trimming it regularly.

The retro look and sound seems to be working – Groove’s first single from the album, “Get Em Goin’,” is quickly moving up the smooth jazz charts.

Chris Botti To Steven Tyler: Walk This Way, Please

On his last CD, When I Fall in Love, trumpeter Chris Botti collaborated with such smooth vocalists as Sting and Paula Cole. On his upcoming CD, called Still in Love, Botti calls upon Sting and Cole again but also delved into the rock world for -wait for it - Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, the vocalist behind such rock classics as “Walk This Way,” "Sweet Emotion" and “Dude Looks Like a Lady.”

Botti and Tyler collaborate on the old chestnut called “Smile,” which is one of nine vocal duets on the 13-song CD. In addition to Sting and Cole, confirmed tracks include “Lover Man” by Gladys Knight, “Good Morning Heartache” by Jill Scott, and Paul Buchanan of the Scottish group Blue Nile on “Are You Lonesome Tonight.”

Ymmm. Sounds tasty.

Other vocalists on the CD are Michael Buble and Renee Oldstead, both of whom feature Botti on their most recent projects. Still in Love, recorded in London and Los Angeles, will be available on Oct. 18.

Kim Waters Works 'Love' Into Title For Third Time in a Row

Saxophonist Kim Waters has just finished his 15^th solo album, All For Love. It follows Kim’s In the Name of Love from last year, which itself followed Someone to Love You. That makes the new CD the third in a row with Love in the title. Just in case you want to know.

The upcoming CD features nine original songs, including one called “Dream Machine” that was written by guitarist Chuck Loeb. The one cover tune is Aretha Franklin’s “Day Dreaming,” which features lead vocals by Incognito singer Maysa and backing vocals by Vanessa Williams (not the actress/singer) and Lori Williams. Among other titles: “She’s My Baby,” “Hot Tub,” “Happy Feeling” and “Good to Go.”

Now you have a good idea of where this CD is heading.

Kim's smooth jazz hits the spot for the most part, but let's hope he gets his chance to stretch his chops soon. If you've ever seen him perform, you know this guy can play some hot jazz. Just saying it might be good to mix some of that in with his smooth jazz stuff.

All For Love will be released by Shanachie on Sept. 20.

Jazz Attack: Best Smooth Jazz Tour Ever?

The first-ever Jazz Attack tour, with saxophonist Richard Elliot, trumpeter Rick Braun, guitarist Peter White and guitarist and vocalist Jonathan Butler, concluded its four-month run on Aug. 6 in Woodinville, Washington. (The show will return for a special engagement in October in Delaware.)

The show’s format is a little different than most, since all of the performers – for the most part – all share the stage at the same time instead of concentration on just their solo work. Elliot says that the tour has been well-received by fans because all four musicians get together so well on stage and off, and that translates into a good time for all.

“This might be the best collaboration tour I’ve ever been a part of,” he says. “And I’ve been on a few of them. We wanted Jazz Attack to really have a feeling of more of a band than a bunch of individual artists. I think people respond to that. There’s something about this one that, for me, is very special. I mean, I can’t put myself in the position of the audience. They have to be the judge of that. But from an artist who’s on the tour, I will tell you, it’s just really a very special tour.”

On Saturday, the foursome showed why the show was a hit in more than 30 American cities since debuting in April. They had an easy rapport with the audience, which is a must for group tours such as these. But one reason the tour went over so well is one of the worst-kept secrets in the industry: It’s increasingly tough to sell a summer festival audience by a single performer. Earlier, separate shows this year at nearby Marymoor Park featured a few hundred people tops for guitarists Jesse Cook and Ottmar Liebert.

Fans want value at outdoor venues, and Jazz Attack offered plenty.

Melodic Lee Ritenour Music On the Way

Great news news for fans of Lee Ritenour's melodic music.

The guitarist, who has released many diverse albums during the past few years, is now in the studio recording his first CD of original smooth jazz since 1998’s This Is Love. That CD featured the smash hit called “Ooh-Yeah.” Since then, Ritenour has offered a classical CD with Dave Grusin, A Twist of Marley featuring various artists in 2001, a jazz CD called Rit’s House in 2002, A Twist of Motown in 2003 and the current OverTime, a live-in-the-studio recording of his greatest hits.

The only bad news is that it looks like Ritenour won’t be working on any new Twist Of CDs for a while. Those compilations, which began in 1997 with a tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim, are produced by the gutiarist and feature numerous smooth jazz artists. Ritenour says he wants to focus on the solo CD, which he hopes to release in the spring of 2006.

"Certain things come in phases, and we did three of the ‘Twists’ that were all very successful," Ritenour says. "But I think a lot of fans of mine also want to see me focus on the Lee Ritenour solo career and the guitar, so the guitar being in front and center will be an important part of it."

Kirk Whalum Nabs Babyface For Tribute CD

Saxophonist Kirk Whalum has decided to go to the source for his upcoming album of Babyface songs. Whalum has confirmed that Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds will sing on the song “I Said I Love You” on Kirk’s project tentatively titled Kirk Whalum Performs the Babyface Songbook. The ballad was first released on Babyface’s 1996 album called The Day.

Babyface joins an impressive list of guest musicians on the CD, including fellow vocalists Gabriela Anders and John Stoddart, trumpeter Rick Braun, guitarists Chuck Loeb and Norman Brown, bassist Christian McBride and keyboardist Ricky Peterson.

Here are the CD's 12 songs: “Whip Appeal,” “Breathe Again,” “Exhale,” “I’ll Make Love to You,” “When Can I See You,” "Can We Talk," "For the Cool in You," "Betcha Never," "Someone to Love," "Not Goin Cry," "I Said I Love You" and "Wey U."

Kirk Whalum Performs the Babyface Songbook will be available on Oct. 4.

Brian Culbertson Hopes To Tour U.S. Churches With Wife

You just may be able to catch Brian Culbertson inside a church later this year - playing piano.

The pianist, who just recently released his eighth solo album, is now finalizing one for his wife Michelle Culbertson called Be Still My Soul.

The album of traditional hymns will spotlight only Brian’s piano and Michelle’s vocals. After it's released this fall, the husband-and-wife team from Southern California plan to take the music on a tour of churches.

Michelle, an operatic singer, will lend her talents to a mixture of classical, jazz and pop compositions such as “Amazing Grace” “Holy, Holy, Holy” and “How Great Thou Art.”

In addition to 13 hymns, the album will include two original songs composed by Brian and songwriter Lindy Robbins. The CD will be released independently and offered on both Brian and Michelle’s websites in the fall.

"It’s a complete musical switch and change from myself, and it was really cool," says Brian. "We did all these new arrangements of all these hymns that are well over a hundred years old. Like if you would just play the piano alone, you would have no idea what song it is. And that’s what we wanted to try to create. It’s very cinematic. I've played it for a few people and they’re like, Oh man, I could have heard that in Braveheart."

If you want to hear what Brian and Michelle sound like in a smooth jazz mood, check out Brian’s new CD called It’s On Tonight. Michelle’s vocals and violin playing is featured on a couple of songs.

Ball Of Waxx Scores With 2 Classic Downtempo CDs

There’s some frustration that comes after picking up downtempo CDs with too much musical speed and not enough downtempo.

Two recent CDs from Ball of Waxx are definitely just right for those chill moments. Groove Closet: Downtempo Beats From Ball of Waxx is a real winner, 13 songs of sublime music that never varies from its relaxing mood. Of course, like the best downtempo, there’s an element of adventure. There’s Lord Runningclam on the ethereal “Desert Dress” and “Dewstep,” Numatic Soul on the bass-heavy and scratch-sampling “Dry Clean.”

The tracks I return to the most are by Eastern Sun and John Kelley, the latter previously known only for his breakbeat energy. Who knew he could be so mellow? “Playa Love” is the mellow one, with generous samples of crackling electricity – or at least that’s what I think of it when I hear it. The anthemic “Rapture at Sea” is fast becoming a classic, its tripped-up melody at once memorable.

“Rapture at Sea,” which rivals the best from Alex Cortiz, is also included on the Eastern Sun CD In Emptiness. Eastern Sun is the creation of Brian Saitzyk (who puts out music under Numatic Soul, too, among others names), and he and Kelley also collaborate on four other tracks. Hip and sophisticated, In Emptiness is mystical and compelling.

It’s as good as downtempo gets.

Peter White And Other Smooth Jazzers Going To Gitmo

Over the past year, the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba – also known as Gitmo – has been in the news due to alleged abuses at the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center. More than 500 foreign military prisoners from the war on terror are detained at the Detention Center’s Camp Delta.

This Labor Day, however, the mood at the base will be lightened during the third annual Guantanamo Bay Jazz Festival. Scheduled to perform are guitarist Peter White, pianist Alex Bugnon, saxophonist Paul Taylor and the Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman. White and the Rippingtons also performed at last year’s event.

More than 6,000 people representing all five of the armed forces – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard – will be on hand. Smooth Jazz has a history at the base. It was back in 1997 that Spyro Gyra made the trip as they performed for the troops following singer Sheryl Crow.

Brenda Russell Gets Her Shot On Broadway

The musical version of The Color Purple, featuring music and lyrics by Smooth Jazz vocalist Brenda Russell, will make its debut on Broadway on Dec. 1 at the Broadway Theatre. Previews will begin on Oct. 25. The play recently went through a summer workshop with choreographer Donald Byrd and producer Quincy Jones.

"We’ve become Broadway babies," says Russell with a laugh. "It’s been an extraordinary learning experience. We just drenched ourselves in the history of what we’re dealing with. You don’t want to walk in like you know something when you don’t."

The Color Purple, based on Alice Walker's popular novel of the same name, debuted last October in Atlanta and ran for four weeks. Russell, who shares songwriting duties with Allee Willis and Stephen Bray on such tunes as “Brown Betty,” “What About Love?” and “Push Da Button,” is now fine-tuning the show’s music. She is also taking care of her other career, as she’s on the Summer Storm tour with guitarist Norman Brown, saxophonist Everette Harp and vocalist Peabo Bryson. Brenda is performing her hits and songs from her new album called “Between the Sun and the Moon.”