WELCOME TO CONTEMPORARY JAZZ FAN
WHAT'S HAPPENING

Also, in the upper right hand corner, you will find a drop-down menu.  Websites listing  some of the contemporary jazz musicians, live streams, obituaries, artificial intelligence, a fan's prospective and past grammys.  If you would like to add someone to the website listing, please contact me at the drop-down menu.  The artists websites will take you to their Facebook, X and Instagram sites. You can then find out more about their music and upcoming tours. 

❤️🎸WILLIAM HENRY MARCUS MILLER, JR. (yes that is his given name)

It is not often I am captivated for almost an hour and a half by an interview, but this articulate one with this bass guitar legend, composer and songwriter left me in a state of wonderment.  From his family's musical background, to his work with Miles Davis and Luther Vandross, finding out about his UNESCO peace award and working with Spike Lee, all this and more is why I just had to list this first.  I wanted others to see the ease,  goodness and love in this enlightening interview with On That Note host Shawn Stockman about one month ago.  Enjoy. https://youtu.be/YEpa8YqY1jw?si=_bm82Wx-3BENyrbh

EAST COAST VENUES WHERE YOU WILL FIND SOME OF YOUR ARTISTS PERFORMING
He also will be performing May 22 and 23, 2026 at Keystone Korner (see below).  Tickets available this Friday October 31st.

✨️KEYSTONE KORNER✨️ 
 Baltimore, MD

Live and Streaming www.keystonekornerbaltimore.com

This is a wonderful venue, in person and streaming great jazz for years. Stream for only $15 + fee

❤️🎷KIM WATERS - November 7

Chart-topping and multi-platinum selling saxophonist Kim Waters, one of the premiere architects and reigning kings of Contemporary Jazz, has written the soundtrack for the lives of generations of fans during his illustrious three-and-a-half decade career. His instantly recognizable and gorgeous tone, captivating melodies, insatiable grooves and irresistible fusion of Jazz, R&B, Blues and Pop, have catapulted him to the top of the charts time and time again. The Maryland-born and Georgia-based saxman has performed with everyone from Al Green, Isaac Hayes and Patti LaBelle to Phyllis Hyman, Teddy Riley, Guy, and Gerald Albright, to name a few. At the heart of Waters’ music and the real secret to his success, is his undying love affair with music. Kim Waters’ new and 26th solo recording Time 2 Groove (April 11, 2025) is brimming with gorgeous melodies and his superb alto and soprano saxophone playing on mostly original compositions.

"Simply one of the planet’s best saxophonists.” - JazzTimes Magazine 

https://youtu.be/waom-r7XvOU?si=2BiurPXpHQprdfTV 

❤️🎹🎷🎸JAZZ FUNK SOUL - November 14

Featuring three of the most important hitmakers on the scene today, this supergroup can whisk you're your mind away with Jazz, humble your heart with Soul, and make your foot stomp with Funk. When describing the performance of Jazz Funk Soul featuring 2018 Grammy winner Jeff Lorber, Grammy nominees Everette Harp and Paul Jackson Jr., you're talking about the real thing in adult contemporary music.Jazz Funk Soul has officially dropped their highly anticipated new album this June, Simpatico — featuring 10 tracks of pure groove and brilliance.

After 6 Grammy Nominations, keyboardist Jeff Lorber scored his first Grammy win in 2018, for Best Contemporary Instrumental album for his recording of "Prototype". Considered a master craftsman jazz pianist, Jeff Lorber has distinguished himself as a writer and producer (Dave Koz, Kenny G) with collaborations from Chick Corea to Gerald Albright with too many notables to be named in between.

Whether he is jamming with President Clinton or performing with Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Chaka Khan, Stanley Clarke, or Dianne Reeves, you always get 100% on stage with the captivating presence of 2015 Grammy Nominee and saxophonist Everette Harp.

Guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. received in 1989 a Grammy Nomination for Best R&B Instrumental "I Came to Play". He was the guitarist on three Grammy winning albums including Michael Jackson's "Thriller". Paul has either played with, composed for, or collaborated with an encyclopedia of music icons of all genres including Elton John, Whitney Houston, Patti LaBelle, George Benson, George Duke, David Benoit, and Al Jarreau, and heralded as "The Guitarist that can play anything" by Herbie Hancock.

SIMPATICO:

https://youtu.be/SU7FIkGWw2Y?si=fEVAipKLGJUMJ5iV 

🎷🎷🎷November 15 - THREE  saxaphonists:

❤️🎷WALTER BEASLEY is considered to be the Highest selling full-time Professor/Recording Artist in modern history. He is an award winning soprano saxophonist and singer, composer and producer, founder and CEO of Affable Publishing and Affable Records and was a professor at Berklee for several years. Walter has been in the top 10 best-selling African American saxophonists in the world since 1998. Also, he released 12 educational DVD's, a book and 8 APPs. Later this year, Walter will be releasing a new album. After many years of his career, he continues to be an inspiration and role model for many people, including people from the new generations.

❤️🎷RONNIE LAWS is an award-winning tenor saxophonist and composer whose career has, since the early 1970s, straddled the worlds of jazz and R&B. Since 1975, he has placed seven albums in the Top 200 -- including his 1975 Blue Note debut Pressure Sensitive -- as well as being the first saxophonist for Earth, Wind & Fire. He has worked as an in-demand session man and live musician with a who's-who of jazz and R&B greats including Ramsey Lewis, Gregory Porter, B.B. King, George Duke, Quincy Jones, Stanley Jordan, and dozens more.

❤️🎷Meet #1 Billboard Recording Artist PHILLIP “Doc” MARTIN, the doctor and rising star who’s music know no bounds. His melodies paint stories of passion, resilience, and the rhythm of life itself. Martin has 9 records under his belt, beginning with “Saxappeal" in 2003 up to his latest album called “On The Radio” in 2024. He had a #1 Song on Billboard "Vibin' In Time Feat. Alex Parchment" and a #9 Song On Billboard "The Doc Is In (The House)”. Phillip has played with the likes of with Grammy Award winner Sam Rivers, Grammy nominee Kirk Whalum, Sunnie Paxton, Marcus Johnson, and Sisaundra Lewis and the Sounds of Soul. 

❤️🎷GERALD ALBRIGHT - November 23

 For five decades, 9-time GRAMMY®-nominated saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist/composer/bandleader Gerald Albright has put his serpentine-fired, solo signature on many of the greatest hits of the latter half of the twentieth century; from Patrice Rushen's "Forget Me Nots," to Quincy Jones' "Setembro." And, he's been one of the most accomplished contemporary jazz and R&B artists on the scene, as evidenced by his 20 albums as a leader. Playing both sax and bass, he became the consummate session and touring musician, working with everyone from Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Jr., Atlantic Starr, The Temptations and Maurice White to Les McCann, Phil Collins, Teena Marie, the Winans and Whitney Houston. The inimitable combination of soul, groove, funk, smooth melodic dexterity, and jaw-dropping jazz virtuosity are what defines Albright as a "musician's musician."

❤️🎤TAKE 6 - December 5-7

10 Grammy Awards | 10 Dove Awards | Gospel Music Hall of Famers | And more! 

Take 6 members are: Claude McKnight, Mark Kibble, Joel Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea and Khristian Dentle. Heralded by Quincy Jones as the “baddest vocal cats on the planet!,” is the quintessential a cappella group and the model for vocal genius. 

❤️🎹 MARCUS JOHNSON HOLIDAY CELEBRATION - December 23 and 24

Marcus Johnson is back in town for the holidays to celebrate this Christmas, December 23rd & 24th! What better way to bring in the holidays and close out the year than with family, friends & spirited music. Marcus and Friends will make sure to put you in the holiday groove. Come ready to jam to MJ's classics and crank up the holiday!

Keyboardist and bandleader Marcus Johnson mans the boundaries between smooth jazz and modern R&B. While pursuing his JD and MBA at Georgetown, Marcus independently produced and distributed his first CD (Lessons in Love), which sold more than 40,000 units; a phenomenal success for an unknown independent artist's debut release. This album helped him launch his career as a renowned jazz keyboardist/pianist, and later, he released his second CD (Inter Alia), with staggering success. This success caught the attention of Black Entertainment Television (BET) founder and businessman Robert L. Johnson, who invested and partnered with Marcus to establish Marimelj Entertainment Group.
2026

❤️🎸MARCUS MILLER - May 23 and 24 - tickets on sale October 31st 

Past shows included: ❤️STANLEY CLARKE (guitar)❤️STANLEY JORDAN (guitar) ❤️JOSHUA REDMAN (sax) ❤️ELAN TROUTMAN (sax)❤️PIECES OF A DREAM❤️KIRK WHALUM(sax) ❤️ALEX BUGNON(piano)❤️BRIAN SIMPSON(piano)❤️WALTER BEASLEY (sax)❤️ MARCUS JOHNSON(piano)❤️ARTURO SANDOVAL(trumpet)❤️YELLOWJACKETS❤️TAKE 6❤️HOUSTON PEARSON (sax)❤️GREGG KARUKAS (piano) & PAUL BROWN (guitar)

    ✨️THE BIRCHMERE✨️

Alexandria, VA 
www.birchmere.com

This is a great venue! (no streaming, in person only)

❤️🎹 KEIKO MATSUI - November 2 
"Through prayer and my music, I hope to be able to increase harmony on this planet.”- Keiko Matsui

"Keiko Matsui is appreciated not just as an artist but as a humanitarian. She dedicates every song she writes to causes that move her..."-NPR

“A musician of depth, range, grace and talent.” -All About Jazz"…

"Pretty melodies and spiritually uplifting anthems." –JazzTimes

"Matsui is always so consistent…The spiritual and charitable-minded Japanese keyboardist, blends ethereal new age textures with a rich soul-jazz sensibility better than anyone." -All Music 
  
❤️🎷NAJEE - November 8

Najee’s artistry is characterized by his smooth saxophone melodies and intricate flute work, showcasing his technical prowess and emotional depth. He often blends various musical styles, drawing from jazz, R&B, and world music, which allows him to reach a diverse audience. This genre-blending approach is evident in his latest album, "Under the Moon, Over the Sky", which features an all-star lineup and embodies his belief that music should be a celebration of life and culture.

❤️🎸PETER WHITE CHRISTMAS- December 7

with VINCENT INGALA🎷 and MINDI ABAIR🎷 Tickets on sale August 1st!

           ✨️TIN PAN✨️ Richmond, Virginia area

This is another great venue! Dinner and a show! Live only.

https://tinpanrva.com/

Experience the Tin Pan and the food:

https://youtu.be/Y7_8XdXgWPw?si=SDcbz_GSDIeGE9jp

 ❤️🎹 BRIAN SIMPSON - October 31

After graduating from Northern Illinois University, keyboardist and composer Brian Simpson relocated to Los Angeles where he was soon playing alongside musicians Gerald Albright and Norman Brown and eventually on a world tour with Janet Jackson. 

In 1990 Simpson received a call from George Duke that led to a decade of touring and production work with the late jazz legend. It was his tenure with George that led to working with a variety of artists, from James Ingram and Anita Baker to Dave Koz and Wayman Tisdaleled to working with a variety of artists, from James Ingram and Anita Baker to Dave Koz and Wayman Tisdale.

The popularity of his music world wide has kept Mr. Simpson on a seemingly endless world tour which in 2019 included Japan, Australia, Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, Spain, United Kingdom, Portugal, and South Africa.

With writing and performing credits on R&B chart-topping albums and Smooth Jazz Airplay charts, it's clear why Brian is the veteran Music Director of so many jazz events.

Brian is a recording artist with Shanachie Entertainment which released his eleventh CD entitled Soul Connection (2023).
https://youtu.be/nQHWUn7Z9dg?si=KkC-icT_U21btSdz

❤️🪈KIM SCOTT- November 14
Join Kim Scott and her band for the "Kim Scott Experience"! It will be a night you'll never forget as she performs her #1 Billboard hits along with some of your favorite classics!

✨️CAROLINA THEATER✨️
Durham, NC
https://carolinatheatre.org

🏆🏆ANNOUNCING THE 2026 GRAMMYs🏆🏆

The 2026 GRAMMY Awards are officially returning to Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026! 

✉️ The 2026 GRAMMY Awards nominations announcement will be revealed on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.

Click below to view all key dates and deadlines related to the 2026 GRAMMYs ⬇

https://www.grammy.com/news/2026-grammys-new-categories-announced?utm_source=fan-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=grammys
SPEAKING OF THE GRAMMYS, there are so many amazing Contemporary Jazz artists songs or albums up for their consideration in the first round of voting October 3-15.  Best of luck to them all, and those I missed.  Here are several:
🎷Michael Lington
 ❤️Goodbye -YouTube performance released today!
https://youtu.be/AZH9BBP8HlY?si=tFAYVLSYBCaGwp4 wand ❤️On the Scene
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPbTR2Eje7z/?igsh=MW15ZGpqdnEwc2gy

🎷🎹Dave Koz and Bob James - ❤️Just Us
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPZ0svTga6F/?igsh=dnZ3NnJuZGNkZWg1

🎷Eric Darius - ❤️Too Good 2 Let Go
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPXOTwgAcln/?igsh=MWtleGhtZWI5cHpiNA==

🎹Jeff Lorber - ❤️Te Amo featuring 🎷Randy Brecker and ❤️Architects of Sound

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPe37dqj6QE/?igsh=OWhyZTF1czYyaG5p

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

❤️Michael's email praising his good friend Brian Culbertson's new album Day Trip:  

Hey ML insiders, 

Hope you had a fantastic summer and as we're headed into the fall - I'm headed to Europe for 2 weeks on tour, Amsterdam, London and Sardinia.  Before I take off I wanted to share that my good buddy and long time collaborator, Brian Culbertson is releasing his brand new album, Day Trip, tomorrow Friday September 26th — and it’s absolutely fantastic.

Brian and I go way back — we’ve worked together for many years both on the road and in the studio, and he’s been a huge part of my career, co-writing and producing some of my big hits like Road Trip, Show Me, Still Thinking of You and more!
Day trip is something really special — it features an amazing lineup of world-class artists, including Marcus Miller, Branford Marsalis, Mike Stern, Kirk Whalum, Sheila E., and many others, with the incredibly talented Nicholas Cole joining Brian as co-producer on 9 of the songs, The result is fresh, soulful, and full of energy.
Also, Brian is hitting the road this fall! Don’t miss the chance to experience this music live — his shows are high energy and always spectacular!
Listen to Day Trip and see tour dates on https://www.brianculbertson.com/
Let’s support Brian and celebrate this incredible new chapter in his music!
 — Michael
www.michaellington.com.

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

INSTAGRAM POSTS
❤️🎷GERALD ALBRIGHT
Playing sax on I Try! https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPpMKIsFMnY/?igsh=MWZ2Z2ZrM3A1bzRzcg==
https://youtu.be/HFsbJ1lRt-o?si=YaMFc_fE9aSN08qk

❤️🎷DAVE KOZ & ❤️🎹BOB JAMES - FYC
For Your Consideration (FYC) campaign for the album Just Us, a 2025 collaboration between saxophonist Dave Koz and pianist Bob James. The FYC campaign promotes the album for awards, particularly the Grammys, as indicated by the hashtag #grammyfyc and the album's mention of being Koz's most talked-about album of his career. The album features acoustic piano and saxophone performances of new originals and re-imaginings of Great American Songbook standards. 

This video explains the concept of the "Just Us" album and the collaboration between Dave Koz and Bob James.  It is a  terrific interview by Jazziz (who also has a good podcast interviewing many other contemporary jazz artists):
https://youtu.be/IuAjFRN1NoI?si=0uNE9GksjTiyAsBh 
 
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOl7kxGgRGt/?img_index=2&igsh=MzFlYTQyYmt4YTNl

I truly hope "Just Us" is submitted for a Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. 🙏🙏 It is the best collaboration I have ever heard...magical, memorizing, raw and a drug.

❤️🎸KEN NAVARRO 
New release In The Sky Today
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOOb-Q7DXz1/?igsh=MW1wcmc4cGpxeWRsZQ== 

❤️🎷DAVE KOZ AND SUMMER HORNS PLAYING ON AN ALASKAN AIRLINES FLIGHT!!  WHAT A HOOT!!!  HE TURNED A DELAY, THANKS TO A FLIGHT ATTENDANT, INTO A PARTY!.  WATCH THIS INSTAGRAM AND LUCKY PASSENGERS!!🔥

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNeQZmMS4ej/?igsh=OW92bGdmd2d6cXFn

❤️🎹JEFF LORBER
"Grateful for all who are  listening..."  See him and Jazz Funk Soul members at Keystone Korner November 14 (see details above) https://www.instagram.com/reel/DM8Y1qzxQ8h/?igsh=Z2wyeGRuenBvc2Jk

Listen to Rekindle from their new Simpatico album and feel the magic!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOeLjejgiCi/?igsh=MWFvNGRiMmFwcnFuYw==

❤️🎷🐶GERALD ALBRIGHT
So adorable, the Albright's dog Bella grooving to the music of her person.  Yes she is Living the Good Life!  Mediabase has it #22 on the chart.🔥https://www.instagram.com/reel/DM9PiwVAa8s/?igsh=N3U5ZnNiYzA0cDg3
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMwUGyWAhaH/?igsh=bnh4Z2hwMnF0a3pv

❤️🎹 BOB JAMES with Granddaughter AVA

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFvjymiyHpR/?igsh=MWhlYmwxZGt6d2QzMg==  

❤️ACOUSTIC ALCHEMY

Tiny deck pop up deck concert NPR, Monterey Bay. Very cool!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DL4Mk-auMwe/?igsh=cDNyYW9vbmwwOTV6

❤️MARCUS ANDERSON

Tells the story of how he worked with Luther Vandross on the making of Dance With My Father:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKSlQx9x9O_/?igsh=ampsa2FycGx5czF4

❤️🎷FABIAN CHAVEZ
Is "Chasing that Feeling"
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNGp-h6vcU-/?igsh=MWU2b21uZmNxdjlr

Bioiography:
https://share.google/an8erFr1o2EnONeL4

❤️🎹HERBIE HANCOCK

See and hear his beautiful, compassionate speech on Instagram as he accepts the prestigious International Polar Music prize in Stockholm May 27. He has been called a jazz scientist!

The Polar Music Prize is one of the most prestigious and unique music prizes in the world, crossing over musical boundaries and awarded to individuals, groups and institutions in recognition of exceptional achievements. Laureates from a wide range of countries, cultures and continents have received the Prize in Stockholm from the hand of His Majesty, King Carl XVI Gustaf. Besides Herbie Hancock the other winners are the incredible Queen with Brian Mays and Roger Taylor with an amazing performance by Adam Lambert (see below) and Barbara Hannigan, a very talented Canadian classic singer and conductor.

Herbie Hancock speech: 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKKsrPyPBOW/?igsh=MWl5NGJtbDhwNHk0aQ==

Most of the program is here with an amazing performance by Adam Lambert with Who Wants to Live Forever representing another winner the original Queen and Freddie Mercury.

Polar Prize Program on YouTube (not in entirety):

https://www.youtube.com/live/kllTHjhREvo?si=7RLJpi2gEeW1rXFi 
 
Adam Lambert performances: 

Who Wants to Live Forever:

https://youtu.be/C3JQ2lx1DBQ?si=j3wST8LtoPhDK8KX 

Another One Bites the Dust:

https://youtu.be/fKBdz2Rs48I?si=5jDaWJvL3e2d-Gg9</h1> 

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

    ✨️NOTEWORTHY✨️
 
❤️🎹BRIAN CULBERTSON
On The Hang Friday, September 12 YouTube, Brian  played four amazing songs (Let's Drive, In the Vines featuring Kirk Whalum on sax, The Winding Path and Sunset Kiss) from his new album Day Trip out now.  www.brianculbertson.com  YouTube September 26th -  Release Party! 
https://www.youtube.com/live/BnkLBT1ClW0?si=yV_Y1gwvw-H5N-IB
October 10 - Practicing with the Band
https://www.youtube.com/live/3Ei-6qCZbI8?si=q2FKGXbdgwrIghjA
Also, the next Jazz Getaway will be in Honolulu, HI October 8-12, 2026. 
Details at www.jazzgetaway.com
So far the lineup is Candy Dulfer, Keiko Matsui, David Benoit and Paul Taylor.  More to come!

 
❤️🎹 DAVID BENOIT, a contemporary jazz legend:

For four decades, the GRAMMY®-nominated pianist/composer/ arranger David Benoit has reigned supreme as one of the founding fathers of Contemporary Jazz.

When he was coming up, Benoit worked with singers Patti Austin, Connie Stevens, Ann-Margaret, and Lainie Kazan as her musical director/conductor. In 1976, Benoit released albums on the AVI label from 1977 to 1984. He later released several chart-topping recordings for GRP, including Freedom at Midnight (1987), Waiting for Spring (1989) and Shadows (1991), which both topped Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Charts at #5, #1, and #2, respectively.

His other noteworthy recordings include Letter to Evan (1992), his tribute to another piano influence, Bill Evans, and Here’s to You, Charlie Brown: Fifty Great Years (2000). Benoit also recorded with Russ Freeman on their album The Benoit/Freeman Project (1994), and on their follow-up collaboration, 2 (2004), which was released on Peak Records. His other recordings for the label include American Landscape (1997) and Orchestral Stories (2005), which featured his first piano concerto, “The Centaur and the Sphinx,” and a symphonic work, “Kobe”. 

He has received three GRAMMY® nominations in the categories of Best Contemporary Jazz Performance for “Every Step of the Way” (1989), Best Large Ensemble Performance for GRP All-Star Big Band (1996), and Best Instrumental Composition for “Dad’s Room,” the latter from the album Professional Dreamer (2000). He has also worked with an impressive potpourri of musicians including the Rippingtons, Emily Remler, the late Alphonse Mouzon, Dave Koz, Faith Hill, David Sanborn, CeCe Winans, Keiko Matsui, Hiroshima, and Brian McKnight. 

David’s career as a contemporary jazz pianist began in 1977 and includes 41 solo recordings over the past 40 years. Many of these, including his 1987 GRP Records debut “Freedom at Midnight” and its Grammy nominated 1988 follow-up “Every Step Of The Way”, are considered influential classics in the genre. 
Listen to Timeless with Spice Fusion (2024) 🔥and his latest album Steinway After Dark - magical🫆 on your favorite platform.

❤️🎸PETER WHITE

His 17th album Light of Day💯 was released in February 2025, veteran guitarist and contemporary jazz icon Peter White is celebrating a series of key personal and professional milestones. Having just turned 70, the British born artist says of the new collection, "I think this recording is one of the best I've ever made. I have as much enthusiasm and energy for music as I did in my twenties!" There are a lot of exciting twists and turns in the production throughout. Case in point, "Odyssey" features expansive arrangement, an excursion full of diverent moods, twists and turns, uncertainty and explosive excitement. Likewise, White gets the album to a rollicking, rip-roaring start with the buoyant "Catalonia," whose spirit of high adventure echoes some of the guitarist's earlier epic tunes like "Ramon's Revenge" (from Good Day) and "Don Quixote's Final Quest" (from Smile). At the opposite end of the emotional spectrum, White fulfills a career-long goal by having legendary saxophonist Ernie Watts join him on the soulful, sensually romantic ballad "Enchanted" and taps one of smooth jazz's most exciting young artists, saxophonist Vincent Ingala, to create a passionate duet with his guitar on the heartfelt ballad "I Love You Still." Also in this gentler vein is the lilting, graceful tune "Till I See You Again", White's tribute to one of the genre's most impactful and beloved artists, the late guitarist Nick Colionne. Over the course of his 35- year recording career, White has had four #1 Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums and seven #1 Smooth Jazz Airplay hits. 
See him at the Birchmere on December 7 with VINCENT INGALA & MINDI ABAIR.    Infomation below for tickets.

❤️🎸JONATHAN BUTLER

www.jonathanbutler.com 

Was live recently at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA

Jonathan Butler is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who leads a life few can imagine. Born in South Africa under the shadow of apartheid and raised in poverty, Butler was the first non-white artist to be played on South African radio and appear on national television. Though his musical abilities would take him away from the world he grew up in, Jonathan would neither forget the plight of his fellow South Africans, nor the man that led them to freedom. It is for this reason Nelson Mandela credits Butler's music as having inspired him during his imprisonment. In more ways than one, Jonathan Butler is representative of South Africa.

Jonathan's story begins at a very young age when his father presented him with a homemade one-string guitar. Little did his father realize that he was giving way to a musical phenomenon. From then on, Jonathan's musical gifts grew by leaps and bounds. In his early teens Butler won a local talent contest, affording him the opportunity to perform with a touring musical company throughout South Africa. On occasion he would perform at lavish concert halls for whites only, where he would not be allowed to use the bathroom, and the very next night he would perform in a dilapidated local township. Ultimately, his ticket to a new life was music.

At thirteen, Jonathan's talents caught the eyes and ears of the British record producer Clive Caulder. He was signed to Caulder's Jive Records and the rest is history. Jonathan's first single broke down racial barriers becoming the first song by a black artist played by white radio stations in South Africa and won the South African equivalent to a GRAMMY®.

His commitment to his craft came to fruition with his self-titled debut album, which received a GRAMMY® nomination for the pop hit "Lies." An instrumental "Going Home" earned him another GRAMMY® nomination and the mid-tempo ballad "Sarah, Sarah" confirmed Butler's place in popular music.

However, to Jonathan Butler, success is measured on a higher plane. A religious and spiritual man, Butler dedicates his life to being a devoted father and grandfather, and a caring citizen to his homeland, South Africa. And in spite of all the hardships, Jonathan Butler has an air of playfulness and quiet resilience that is easily visible in his passionate performances.

❤️🎷DAVE KOZ & ❤️🎹BOB JAMES

THEY WERE RECENTLY  TOGETHER ON TOUR

Order CD - JustUsAlbum.com💯

From Dave,
Thank you for all your amazing support. I hope you enjoy this new music Bob and I made that we're extremely proud of.

With much love and appreciation always…

Enhance your listening experience! Every CD purchase includes a limited-edition poster and a bonus track you can only hear on the CD.

BobJames.com | DaveKoz.com

❤️🎷KIRK WHALUM

www.kirkwhalum.com 

He also plays on Brian Culbertson's Road Trip album out September 26 on the song In the Vines!
Saxophone icon Kirk Whalum blasts off with his highly-anticipated new album Epic Cool, an electrifying collection of original grooves. Teaming up with producer Greg Manning (Keb’ Mo’, Herb Alpert, 2x GRAMMY® nominee, composer/collaborator on 10 #1 Billboard hits), Whalum focuses on his songwriting to craft an album that’s passionate and spirited on a monumental scale, but with his trademark soul. From danceable hits like “Bah-De-Yah!” to melodic, sultry jams (Whalum calls “Pillow Talk” the strongest song he’s written in 20 years), Epic Cool weaves a musical story that has wide, cross-genre appeal. Get ready to groove, because Epic Cool is anything but ordinary.

PLUS read this sweet post on Instagram from his taleted bass guitar player son, KYLE WHALUM (plays on Kelly Clarkson show, on the Voice and for Katy Perry).

https://www.instagram.com/kylewhalum?igsh=cXljYXExNmx4enp5

❤️❤️THE HAWLEYS
❤️🎸ADAM HAWLEY

Featuring❤️🎹 Judah Sealy (https://g.co/kgs/FVDs59D)

Also, your home for fresh new sounds, MBF Entertainment Records. Adam is excited to announce the expansion of his label MBF Entertainment https://www.mbfentertainment.com

❤️🎤KAT HAWLEY

First Album Available Everywhere X-IX-VIII featuring Adam Hawley, Steve Cole, Greg Manning and Judah Sealy

Steam, Purchase Digital "X-IX-VIII," 💯featuring Billboard chart-toppers Adm Hawley, Steve Cole, Greg Manning and Judah Sealy, dropped on Friday, June 21; the single "Rather Be" goes for playlist added on Monday, June 24 serviced by Gorov Music Marketing.
LOS ANGELES, CA (21 JUNE 2024): Ready to capitalize on the opportunity to step into her own spotlight and make her own musical statement after years of flanking 16-time Billboard No. 1 hitmaker Adam Hawley, R&B-jazz singer-songwriter Kat Hawley released her debut album, "X-IX-VIII" on Friday (June 21). She wrote eight of the set's ten songs with her guitarist husband, Adam, who produced the MBF Entertainment album. Of note and in memorial: "Lazy Afternoon" was recorded to memorialize the late Cecil Ramirez,❤️ a Bay Area pianist and friend of the Hawley's. Greg Manning plays poignantly in place of Ramirez on this track.

For more information checkout her website at www.kathawley.com

❤️🎷ANDREW NEU
https://www.andrewneu.com/

NEW VINYL WITH BONUS TRACK: Night of the Mojito

Bring It On featuring Rick Braun

https://open.spotify.com/album/4Ay5wO4Dy43ILUmq68AH0W?si=QRYcS1syTTKfERVfqRKe4A

Keep It Real 

Also, CATWALK is Andrew Neu's debut big band CD and was recorded in 2016 at the legendary Eastwest Studios in Los Angeles. This well-rehearsed band of seasoned studio musicians was co-led with trumpeter, Tony Bonsera. The playlist includes eight original compositions as well as the standards Body and Soul, Cinema Paradiso and What Is This Thing Called Love all by Andrew.

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

LONG STANDING ARTISTS STREAMING SINCE THE PANDEMIC

❤️🎹BRIAN CULBERTSON "Over the past few years, I've been going back and listening more and more to music that inspired me as a young musician, artists like David Sanborn, The Brecker Bros, Chick Corea, Al Jarreau, Pat Metheny, and others in the jazz fusion world (before the term smooth jazz was created). It instantly brought me back to the days of 'no rules' and the pure joy of music, something that I think a lot of albums today are lacking. 

With that said, I set out to write and produce a new album that would try to capture a little bit of that late 70's and early 80's spirit of music exploration, along with using only live musicians and real instruments (no computer sounds or quantized sequencing). Similar in style to Another Long Night Out, this is the daytime version!!
DAY TRIP album pre-order out September 26.  Tune in on YouTube on the 26th for the release party from his Chicago studio 8 pm ET!  October 10 practicing with the band for the Day Trip tour.

ALBUM & DAY TRIP TOUR SCHEDULE AND TICKETS:
www.brianculbertson.com  

 ❤️🎹THE HANG
Support his long running show on YouTube Friday nights when not on tour.  Please tip Brian for The Hang shows through CashApp, Venmo or PayPal or Join his Hang Club and hear him Monday and Wednesdays too!

www.brianculbertson.com

Past YouTube Shows: 

September 26 Day Trip Release Party: 
https://www.youtube.com/live/y4jfqtsg4FM?si=epXgg7P_B_MbtdsI 

ON ILLINOIS FLOAT AT ROSE BOWL PARADE January 1, 2025🎶🎹❤️

Quite an honor for him to represent the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois👏👏

https://youtu.be/SsBRXhZyBzs?si=AdG1Cd-g6jzzGCFh 

❤️🎷MICHAEL LINGTON

On August 17 he did a Summer Jam concert on Stageit.  If you didn't see this, you missed another good one!  He also debuted his new video for us that will be out later in September/October. The song was Goodbye a tribute to the late David Sanborn..  He also did a tribute to the late Bobby Caldwell, his mentor, who would have been 74 yesterday.

Wonderful, when he is on break from touring, that he does these shows online for grateful fans.  He also has been doing these shows since the pandemic!  Now he is back on tour so take a look at the upcoming dates on michaellington.com

🎷Dreamy Night

https://youtu.be/kNJieBaYr1g?si=cUUC789aV-l6_H5u 

🎷On the Scene Message
https://youtube.com/shorts/7zBnr07qRE8?si=l0uZizEGQxaCdyjA
🎷On the Scene - Official Performance Video
https://youtu.be/X2f6806Cb80?si=xKqs2xmFeqtsHuyN 
STAGE IT 
Please support this long running show when not on tour on many Sundays.  Pay what you can.  Websites:
www.stageit.com/MichaelLington or www.michaellington.com

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆GRAMMY AWARD WINNERS
February 2, 2025

🏆Jazz Instrumental Album

Remembrance

❤️Chick Corea, Béla Fleck award and Chick Corea's daughter

🏆Urban Contemporary Album
So Glad to Know You

❤️Avery Sunshine
 https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFl4lQRSWhK/?igsh=MW9wa3gxbm0wZ2xzMw== 
❤️Grammy moment honoring the memory of Quincy Jones.  Herbie Hancock and Cynthia Erivo:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFvXejMCmPu/?igsh=MTBtOXBjamk2dm01aw=
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

❤️DONATIONS ARE STILL NEEDED FROM THE DEVASTAING FIRES IN LA PLEASE DONATE.  Keep the Music Playing!  MusiCares helps the humans behind the music because music gives so much to the world. 🎶

100% of your donation received will go to music people for health & human services, mental wellness & addiction recovery, and emergency & relief services. https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief

❤️🎹JEFF LORBER AND HIS FAMILY LOST EVERYTHING, HOME AND STUDIO AT PACIFIC PALISADES, CA
HIS SINGLE, TEARDROPS IN THE RAIN (FOR SHELLEY) AND ALBUM - PLEASE SUPPORT THIS WONDERFUL SOOTHING NEW MUSIC.  Purchase CD or through streaming services his new album ELEVATE.
https://www.lorber.com 

❤️Message from Dave Koz on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEoQYSsJ5WW/?igsh=MWFpbzJqOHg3c2pzNg==

❤️PLUS The GRAMMY family is deeply saddened by the horrific and destructive wildfires that took place in our beloved Southern California – a place that many within our music community call home.As the devastation unfolds, the Recording Academy and MusiCares have launched theLos Angeles Fire Relief Effort to support music creators and professionals impacted by the crisis, making a pledge of $1 million to kick off the efforts.

Let's rally together and help those who create the soundtracks of our lives at a time when they need us most. Thousands of families continue to be evacuated and displaced with no home to return to, and your donation can make all the difference in providing solace and comfort to the Angelenos impacted by this devastating natural disaster.

DONATE:  https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief

"The entire GRAMMY family is shocked and deeply saddened by the situation that is unfolding in Los Angeles. The music community is being so severely impacted but we will come together as an industry to support one another. Our organizations exist to serve music people because music is a powerful force for good in the world, and we hope the broader industry will now rally to this cause."
— Harvey Mason jr., Recording Academy CEO
"We expect the disaster relief efforts in Los Angeles to be extraordinary, if even just on the basis of how many music people have lost their homes in the last day. MusiCares is always committed to ensuring that music professionals are supported in times of crisis, and we ask for the larger community to donate for those in need at this dire time."
— Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCaresSupport For Those In Need
If you've been directly impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires, we want to help. Here are immediate resources for those in critical need.
MusiCares Assistance
For many in the music community, disasters like this can disrupt even the most basic needs. MusiCares is here to provide support. If you or someone you know in the music industry is affected by these wildfires, please reach out by emailing musicaresrelief@musicares.org or calling 1-800-687-4227.
Disaster Resources And Information Through LA County
For updated information about evacuations, road closures, emergency resources and free shelter through Airbnb, visit the 211LA website.
Find A Shelter
The Red Cross is operating emergency shelters throughout the greater Los Angeles area. To access a shelter, visit the Red Cross website.
Uber
Residents in Los Angeles County who've been ordered to vacate their homes can get a credit from Uber to get to an evacuation site. The $40 will only be valid for trips to an active shelter and by using the code WILDFIRE25.
Lyft
Lyft announced it will be offering $25 vouchers, valid for two trips, to 500 customers from now until midnight on Jan. 15. Use the code CAFIRERELIEF25 to get the promotion.
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