Court To Rule On Case Involving Bobby Lyle's Daughter

After more than six years, the daughter of smooth jazz pianist Bobby Lyle will soon learn the outcome of her suit against one of the most popular TV shows in American history. Amaani Lyle, a former writer’s assistant for the hit comedy Friends, sued Warner Bros. and three Friends writers for sexual harassment, claiming that the writers created a "hostile work environment" by engaging in sex-related comments and jokes during writers' meetings.

Now, the California Supreme Court will hold a one-hour hearing in Sacramento on Feb. 14 where lawyers for Amaani Lyle and Warner Bros. will argue their cases. The court will then issue a written ruling within 90 days.

Amaani Lyle is currently serving in the U.S. Air Force in Germany, where she is the editor of a base newspaper. Bobby Lyle recently signed to Heads Up and will release a new CD this year.

Joyce Cooling Donating CD Proceeds To Mental Health

Smooth jazz guitarist Joyce Cooling has announced that all proceeds for her upcoming CD, which she is now completing, will be donated to two mental-health organizations: the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression.

In addition, Cooling will be performing at a benefit for the National Alliance on Mental Illness on June 3 at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco during the organization's annual walkathon.

Cooling says she wants to raise awareness and help with research of mental illness because her brother has been diagnosed as being schizophrenic. Joyce is calling her new album Revolving Door. Cooling and her writing partner Jay Wagner have already named several songs, including the title track and “Come and Get It,” “At the Modern,” “Mildred’s Attraction” and “Jesse’s Bench.”

Revolving Door will be released by Narada Jazz this spring.

Chris Botti-Andrea Bocelli Song Only On ITunes

Chris Botti is contributing to a new Andrea Bocelli song, but you won't find it on Bocelli's Amore when it's released on Jan. 31. The only way you can hear the song, “Estate,” will be to pre-order the entire CD on iTunes. The bonus song is included with orders.

The 14-song CD, without Botti’s tune, does include a song featuring saxophonist Kenny G called “Mi Manchi.” Pop stars Stevie Wonder and Christina Aguilera are also featured.

You knew this had to come. Botti is now so popular he's being used as a bargaining chip.

Jason Miles Offering "Butter Pecan" Remixes

Producer and keyboardist Jason Miles, who has worked with many of the top names in smooth jazz, has recorded contemporary tributes to legendary musicians such as Grover Washington Jr. and Ivan Lins. His latest project invoked the sprit of the late jazz trumpeter Miles Davis with a CD called Miles to Miles.

That CD includes a tune called “Butter Pecan” co-written by Gerald Albright and spotlighting the saxophonist’s playing. Now Miles is offering a special CD featuring four new remixes of the song, plus a live version of another song on the CD called “Street Vibe.” You can purchase the CD on iTunes, but it’s free to those who purchase Miles’ Brazilian-themed album called Brazilian Nights or Miles’ solo project called Cozmopolitan.

To take advantage of the offer, go to www.jasonmilesmusic.com.

Miles’ latest tribute project, “What’s Goin’ On: The Music of Marvin Gaye” will be released on Feb. 7 by Narada Jazz.

Chris Botti Doing National Anthem Sunday In Denver

This Sunday, Jan. 22, smooth jazz trumpeter Chris Botti will perform the National Anthem in Denver at the AFC Championship game between the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers.

It’s Botti’s first performance in the national spotlight at a sporting event since he did his version of “God Bless America” in October 2005 during a World Series games between the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros.

Sunday’s game will be televised live at 3 p.m. ET on CBS.

Jamie Foxx Blockbuster Samples Earl Klugh Classic

Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx has proved that he can make it as a vocalist as his debut album, Unpredicatable, remained at the top of Billboard’s Top 200 for two weeks in a row. Most of those who have purchased the CD are probably unaware that Foxx sampled a song by a smooth jazz superstar for a tune he titled “Three Letter Word.”

The oft-repeated sample in that song is taken from guitarist Earl Klugh’s composition called “Kari,” which is included on a duets album with pianist Bob James from 1979 called One on One. The CD was the first duets projects from Klugh and James, who would go on to release two more.

If you haven’t heard this amazing CD before, you will soon be able to. Although it has been out of print for a while, Koch Records will reissue the CD on Jan. 24. It's an amazing CD that holds up beautifully more than 25 years later.

Jamie Foxx would no doubt agree.

Mindi Abair's New CD: Life Less Ordinary

Saxophonist Mindi Abair has completed a new, highly anticipated CD she's titled Life Less Ordinary. The 10-song CD, recorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angles and which will be released by the GRP record label, features nine original songs written by Abair and her writing partners Matthew Hager and Tyrone Stevens.

The CD also includes one cover song: “It Must Be Love,” which singer and songwriter Rickie Lee Jones recorded in 1984. Abair says she doesn’t normally do cover songs, but adds that she’s a huge of fan of Jones and the song holds a special meaning to her. In addition to singing on the song, Abair enlisted good friend Lalah Hathaway to provide background vocals.

Original songs include “Rain,” that she’s dedicating to the people of New Orleans; “Far Away,” which features a string section directed by Julie Rogers; and “Slinky,” which Mindi calls a fun and sexy, Euro-inspired tune. Also making the cut are “Bloom,” “Do You Miss Me?” “Long Ride Home,” “The Joint,” “True Blue” and “Ordinary Love.”

Mindi will be conducting a photo shoot for the CD early in February. Life Less Ordinary is expected to be released May 24.

Second Rendezvous Lounge Is On The Way

Rendezvous Entertainment, co-founded by smooth jazz saxophonist Dave Koz, has just wrapped production on the second installment of its chill music series called Rendezvous Lounge. The new 13-song CD, Rendezvous Lounge 2, is once again compiled by DJ Mark Gorbulew and features a mix of jazz, downtempo and world beat songs by Rendezvous artists Marc Antoine, Praful, Adani & Wolf and Camiel, in addition to European chill groups such as Afterlife and Montefiori Cocktail. In addition, Gorbulew created a new song called “Manhattan Groove.”

As a preview, Rendezvous is offering a free download of Praful’s “Wishful Walk,” which is included on the CD. To get your copy, go to the Rendezvous Afterparty website.

Rendezvous Lounge 2 will be available on Jan. 24.

Kirk Whalum Opens Door To “The Basement”

For more than a year, Kirk Whalum has been teasing his fans with a feature on his website, www.kirkwhalum.com, called “The Basement” that he said would be worth the wait. Now the wait is over as the saxophonist unveiled the interactive feature this week that he says in a voice-over is “where the musicians hang out.”

"The Basement” features three areas – the Saxophone Practice Room, the Band Practice Room and, in a nod to Kirk’s deep faith, the Bible Study Room. The site is still a work in progress, but many items are already in place. For example, in the Saxophone Practice Room you can hear Kirk practicing his instrument, while in the Bible Study Room you can see a short video of his first Bible Study installment. The Band Practice Room is where Kirk will feature interviews with musicians he’s worked with. This month’s interview is with bassist Michael Manson.

"I'll be having interviews with people like Euge Groove and musicians in my band," Whalum says. "It’ll also have interviews with folks I know and enjoy their music. The site's basically for musicians who are either inquisitive, curious or actually are trying to learn from guys who have been out there doing it. And the basement is where my studio is, so I'm always going downstairs and working it out. I still practice a lot."

Whalum says fans are free to sign into his guest book and log any comments, suggestions, constructive criticism or requests.

Boney James Signs With Concord, Plans Summer Release

Saxophonist Boney James has signed a contract with the Concord Music Group and is now working on a brand-new CD to be released this summer. Concord is also home to Peak Records, co-founded by Russ Freeman of the Rippingtons, and the Heads Up label, which works with many smooth jazz musicians.

It was inevitable that James would end his decade-long association with Warner Bros. when the label shuttered its jazz division in 2004. James released eight albums with Warner Bros., including a Christmas album and a duets project with trumpeter Rick Braun in 2000 called Shake It Up.

James' final CD with Warners wasn't too shabby. Released in August 2004, Pure entered the Billboard 200 charts at No. 66 and sold 17,000 copies in its first week, his best debut ever. It was nominated for a Grammy and featured two No. 1 smooth jazz singles, “Here She Comes” and “Stone Groove.” The third single, “2:01 AM,” is still on the charts.

"I’m thrilled and excited to be starting fresh with such a cool, forward-thinking company," says James. "I’m hard at work as we speak. Still hooking up some collaborations, but I already have George Duke and Wah Wah Watson on a track."

Michael Brecker Gets Transplant From Daughter

Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Michael Brecker, who has a rare blood disorder, has received a stem-cell transplant from his 16-year-old daughter, Jessica. (She is on the far right in the picture at right.) The musician who has played on many popular smooth jazz recordings was diagnosed last year with myelodysplastic syndrome, known as MDS.

Brecker, who is 56, has been checked out of the Sloan-Kettering Memorial Cancer Center in New York City and is being monitored by doctors.

Brecker has had a storied career, and has collaborated in the studio with artists such as David Benoit, George Benson, Larry Carlton, Bob James, Earl Klugh, Chuck Loeb, David Sanborn, Diana Krall and many others. In May 2004, Michael signed with the Heads Up recording label – home to Spyro Gyra, Marion Meadows, Pieces of a Dream, Nestor Torres and others – and was due to release a new album sometime in 2006.

That CD, of course, has been delayed, but Michael will be featured on Some Skunk Funk, a live album recorded in 2003 with his brother, trumpeter Randy Brecker. Heads Up will release the CD in July.

Chris Botti DVD Coinciding With PBS Special

In December 2005, a film crew from PBS shot footage from trumpeter Chris Botti’s two star-studded shows at the Wilshire Theater in Los Angeles for an upcoming one-hour television special. The special will air the weekend of March 3 on PBS stations nationwide.

In addition, those who want to watch the show over and over again will be able to purchase a DVD that will be available at the same time that PBS will be promoting during a pledge drive. It will feature an extended drum solo by Botti bandmember Billy Kilson that will not be shown on the PBS special. The still-untitled DVD will be Botti’s second – in 2002 he released one called Chris Botti & Friends: Night Sessions.

At the Los Angeles shows Botti performed songs from his new album of duets called To Love Again. Joining Chris on stage were Sting, Burt Bacharach, Paula Cole, Renee Olstead, Paul Buchanan and Gladys Knight, to name a few. Gil Goldstein is the orchestra conductor.

Bob James, Earl Klugh Reunited, If Only For 1 song

Back in 1992, pianist Bob James and guitarist Earl Klugh collaborated on a smooth jazz classic called Cool, which featured the smash radio hit “San Diego Stomp.” It was the follow-up to a duo albums they released in 1979 called One on One and Two of a Kind in 1982.

Now, James and Klugh are reunited for the first time since 1992 on James’ new solo album called Urban Flamingo. Even though it's only for one song, as Klugh plays guitar “Fresh Start.”

Joing James on the CD are his daughter Hilary James, adding vocals to a a song called “Lay Down With You,” while bassist Nathan East is featured on “Endless Time.” East, of course, is a member of Bob’s supergroup called Fourplay. For the most part, though, Bob assembled various members from some of his favorite Motown–based touring bands with the goal of transferring their live energy and passion into the recording studio. Those musicians include Al Turner, Ron Otis, Dave McMurray, Billy Kilson and James Genus.

Urban Flamingo will be released by the Koch recording label on Feb. 21.

Nick Colionne Adds Bonus Tunes To New CD

Smooth jazz guitarist Nick Colionne has finished a brand-new CD called Keepin’ It Cool, his first for the Narada record label. It’s the follow-up to his Just Come On In, which featured two smooth jazz singles – “High Flyin’” and “It’s Been Too Long." As a bonus Nick has added a live version of “High Flyin’ ” to the CD, as well as a live version of the classic “Rainy Night in Georgia,” on which he sings.

On the 13-song CD, Colionne contributes his practice of including at least one song either originally recorded or inspired by his hero, Wes Montgomery. This time it’s an original recording called “John L.” (The late guitarist’s real name was John Leslie Montgomery.) Among the CD’s other songs are “If You Asked Me,” which features guitarist Peter White and saxophonist Steve Cole, “Always Thinkin’ Of You,” “This Is the Song,” “Catch Me” and “Can You Feel It.”

Keepin’ It Cool will be released Feb. 21. Colionne Nick plans to tour extensively in 2006 to support the CD.