Euge Groove releasing interactive CD

Smooth jazz saxophonist Euge Groove has something different planned for his next CD. Now, many artists say their next project is different, but Groove's certainly is.

On Aug. 31, Groove will debut a new, interactive CD titled Groove On This! The CD works inside the Beamz interactive software. A YouTube video explains a bit about how it works.

"The cool thing," says Groove, "is you can interact with my songs from either the laser beam controller, a midi keyboard, or directly for the keys on your computer. It's for anyone to mess with even if they know nothing about playing a musical instrument. I re-recorded new versions of 10 of my most popular songs and spent the last eight months getting it all to work inside the Beamz software."

Groove is justifiably proud of his upcoming CD. "It's a pretty bitchin' project," he says. "It truly is a blast to play with. I'll have video tutorials for each song up on my eugegroove.com/beamz site when it launches at month's end. In the meantime, the disc also comes with some brief video content from me explaining how to use it as well as mp3 versions of the 10 songs for people to reference to."

Groove on This track list

1. Chillaxin
2. Slam Dunk
3. XXL
4. Vinyl
5. Born 2 Groove
6. Geez Spot
7. Babylon
8. Rewind
9. As You Like It
10. From the TOP

Dave Koz's Bandleader Days Over

It looks like Dave Koz's gig as a bandleader is over.

In April, the saxophonist debuted as the bandleader on the new Emeril Lagasse Show, the first original non-scripted series on the ION television network. His all-star band included keyboardist Philippe Saisse, guitarist Jeff Golub, drummer Skoota Warner and bassist Conrad Korsch.

Koz composed and recorded the theme song for show, and “Emeril’s Theme” marked the second television theme song penned by Koz – his “Faces of the Heart” was used as ABC’s General Hospital theme. It was Koz’s second stint as a bandleader, as he appeared in a similar role early in his career with late-night TV host Arsenio Hall.

All indications point to the fact that the Emeril Lagasse Show will not be returning, and Koz acknowledged as much in a recent interview. Lagasse has signed on to create and host a daytime game show, A Taste of Emeril's: Cooking Challenge, for CBS. He’s also begins hosting the new show, Fresh Food Fast, on the Cooking Channel, this month.

Euge Groove: "All for You"

Saxophonist's Euge Groove's next single going for adds is "All For You" from his CD Sunday Morning. It continues the mellow streak after his first single from the CD, the title track.

It should easily be another hit.

Listen to a sample of the song.

Bernie Williams Performing National Anthem

Smooth jazz guitarist and former New York Yankees great Bernie Williams will perform the national anthem on June 30 for a nationally televised game on ESPN2.

The game is the last held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, between the New York Mets and Florida Marlins. Williams is a native on Puerto Rico.

Williams' current hit is “Ritmo de Otono,” which features saxophonist Dave Koz. It follows his Top 5 hit “Go For It.” Both are from his sophomore CD, the Latin Grammy-nominated Moving Forward.

Trippin Signs Young Saxophonist

Nineteen-year-old saxophonist Elizabeth Mis, a rising force in smooth jazz, has signed a contract with Trippin N Rhythm Records.

Just out of high school, Mis has already shared the stage with such artists as Boney James, Paul Brown and Peter White, and will soon be entering the studio to begin recording her trippin debut. It will be released in 2011.

Inspired to play the sax after listening to Kenny G, Mis taught herself the sax by playing along with the music of Dave Koz.

Mis, who is from Ohio, has performed the national anthem at Jacobs Field in Cleveland.

To learn more about Mis, go to elizabethmis.com.