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.”

Brian Culbertson Is In The Mood - You Will Be, Too

Brian Culberton
It's On Tonight
(GRP/Verve)

Smooth jazz pianist Brian Culbertson wants you to make love to his music. So he crafted 12 songs for you to get your groove on with an almost-perfect collection of smooth jazz chill-out music. The results are ecstatic, as its consistency over the course of a dozen songs makes it the best of the eight CDs he’s recorded over 11 years.

Culbertson gets an assist from top-drawer musicians who have over the years certainly created a few babies with their own music. But it’s not that Culbertson really needed them – the versatile pianist also plays trumpet, trombone, synth bass, drum programming and percussion on the CD. And you won’t find one cover song, which today passes as a daring move in a smooth jazz world where at least one cover nod to the past seems to be a mandate.

Far from simply a sleepy collection of ballads, It’s On Tonight offers chill-music energy combined with Culbertson’s amazing songwriting abilities. Culbertson’s bass drives several songs – the funk-filled synth bass line in “Forbidden Love” transforms a slow, sexy song into something you can dance to. A slithering bass on “Wear It Out” imparts a European chill flavor, and Marc Nelson’s sexy vocals give it added punch. And on “Secret Affair,” the chill vibe is enhanced by Chris Botti’s mysterious and sexy trumpet lines.

Like saxophonist Boney James, Culbertson thankfully is expert at including vocal tunes that fit with a predominantly instrumental album without alienating his fans. The title track with Will Downing once again proves this. It also proves that Downing’s got the sexiest voice of any male vocalist in the smooth-jazz genre. On “Love Will Never Let You Down,” Patti Austin’s voice has never sounded better. Kirk Whalum plays sax on the tune, with Ricky Peterson giving it a bluesy touch with chilled organ work.

The CD’s first single, “Hookin’ Up,” is a midtempo track that bookends nicely with “Sensuality,” which turns the tempo down a bit and is, of course, very sensual. Both have nice guitar arrangements, to boot. “The Way You Feel” is another pretty ballad, which stands out with its insistent, knocking-on-the-door drum loops and Boney’s guest sax appearance.

Since It’s On Tonight is a CD with a theme, a rarity in iTunes’ mad, mad world, the CD certainly works as a whole. Still, two songs manage to stand out. “Let’s Get Started” is an uptempo treat kicking off the CD and offering a looping piano chorus and the da-da-da scatting of R&B vocalist Ledisi. Like Culbertson’s big hit on last album, “Come on Up,” it’s the kind of song that makes you go “yeah!”

And “Dreaming of You,” with some beautiful violin work by Culbertson’s wife, Michelle, may be the most beautiful song on this whole collection of beautiful songs. The spine-tingling melody is like something you’d hear on a heartbreaking movie soundtrack. It’ll give you an afterglow, for sure, as will the whole project.

New Zealand's Swingers: Twinset

Living in the USA, it’s easy to miss the great jazz swinging out of New Zealand. Luckily, Rafe Gomez of the Groove Boutique turned me on to the trio Twinset from windy Wellington.

Twinset = cool. They are Christopher Yeabsley on organ, brother Daniel Yeabsley on sax and Paul K. Hoskin on drums. They don’t play smooth jazz, but neither do they play freestyle, esoteric stuff you must matriculate from MIT to get. These blokes play the hell out of a song and will keep your feet jiggerin' all night long.

On their most recent album, 2004’s Lifestyle, there's “San Pedro Sula (Bossa Mix).” This thing swings and the sax is smoky and club-like. It’s toast in three minutes, but they do return with a “swing” take.

Twinset has released five CDs, including Mystical Soul from 2003 and It’s a Summer Feeling from 2002. Rafe is playing “Sunny” from Mystical Soul and "Boil the Jug" from Lifestyle, among others. Rafe loves these guys.

(Promo segue: Rafe’s ditty called “Icy” is dang hot, too.)

If you want to hear Twinset’s music, head on over to the band’s website. It’s probably the coolest thing you’ll do today. Unless you're reading this - you gotta be your own person to read a smooth jazz blog.