Saxophonist Steve Cole, who released his debut CD in 1998, will offer his sixth solo project on May 10 with Moonlight, on the Artistry record label.
Cole says that Moonlight offers filled with popular standards, old and new, set amidst a orchestral background. In addition to the title track, songs include “You Can Close Your Eyes,” “Undun,” “Cry Me a River” and “The Look of Love.” In addition to the strings, the arrangements include harp, woodwinds and tempered brass. The supporting rhythm section is comprised of Mike Logan on keyboards, Russell Ferrante on piano and Steve Rodby on bass. The string arrangements are provided by Michael Cunningham.
After Stay Awhile, Cole has released Between Us, NY LA, Spin and his latest, 2006’s True.
Cole has also released two CDs with the Sax Pack, which features fellow saxophonists Jeff Kashiwa and Kim Waters. Their smooth jazz hits include “Fallin’ For You” and the current “Can’t Help Myself.”
Moonlight track listing
1. Moonlight
2. You Can Close Your Eyes
3. (I’m Afraid) the Masquerade Is Over
4. Undun
5. Angel
6. You Don’t Know Me
7. Cry Me a River
8. The Look of Love
9. The Long and Winding Road
Happy birthday to vocalist Al Jarreau, who today (March 12th) is 70. He was born in Milwaukee, Wis., and credits his first performing experience singing in a church choir.
Jarreau is currently the only vocalist in history to net Grammy awards in three different categories: jazz, pop and R&B. He added to his Grammy total in 2007 as his Givin’ It Up CD, a duet with guitarist George Benson, won for two songs: the smooth jazz hit “Mornin’” for Best Pop Instrumental Performance and “God Bless the Child,” which features vocalist Jill Scott, for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance.
In 2009, Jarreau released his first holiday CD, Al Jarreau Christmas.
Among Jarreau’s many memorable songs are “We’re In This Love Together,” “After All,” “Moonlighting,” “Mornin’,” “I Will Be Here For You” and “Tell Me What I Gotta Do.”
Jarreau’s next performance is March 21 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
A celebration of pianist Ramsey Lewis’ 75th birthday is one of the highlights of the schedule of the annual Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Ill. The season runs from June through September. Lewis is the artistic director of the festival’s Jazz at Ravinia series. Lewis, whose birthday is May 27, will perform with Nancy Wilson and the Dave Brubeck Quartet on June 18.
Among the many jazz artists scheduled are Orquesta; Buena Vista Social Club, featuring singer Omara Portuondo; Bobby McFerrin with the Chicago Children’s Choir; George Benson, Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin; and Tony Andriacchi.
Among other performers are Sting with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Colbie Caillat, Sheryl Crow, Nelly Furtado, the Moody Blues, Train, Steve Martin, Jethro Tull, Procol Harum, the Four Tops, the Temptations, and Vince Gill.
Lewis’ latest CD, Songs From the Heart: Ramsey Plays Ramsey, includes music from two commissioned world premiere performances from the Ravinia Festival.
Ten-time Grammy Award-winning vocalist Bobby McFerrin, who turns 60 today (March 11), next month will release VOCAbuLarieS, his first CD in eight years.
Like his 1988 #1 worldwide hit song “Don’t Worry Be Happy” and his multi-platinum duo album Hush with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, VOCAbuLarieS is based on Bobby’s experiments with multi-track recording and his exploration of the potential of the human voice. The new CD will be offered on April 6 and includes the songs “Baby,” “Say Ladeo,” “Wailers,” “Messages,” “The Garden,” “He Ran to the Train” and “Brief Eternity.”
McFerrin was born in Manhattan. He was exposed to a multitude of musical genres during his youth – classical, R&B, jazz, pop and world music. “When you grow up with that hodgepodge of music, it just comes out,” McFerrin says. “It was like growing up in a multilingual house.”
McFerrin spent his earliest days as a professional musician in jazz and cabaret bands, and it wasn’t until age 27 that he experienced what he calls his “light bulb moment” and realized that his true calling was singing.
Bobby McFerrin tour dates
3/17-18/10 Birchmere Music Hall Alexandria, VA
3/21/10 Boston Symphony Hall Boston, MA
3/23/10 McCarter Theatre Princeton NJ
4/10/10 Nob Hill Masonic Center San Francisco, CA
6/27/10 The Ravinia Chicago, IL
7/3-5/10 Oregon Bach Festival E ugene, OR
11/12-13/10 Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center New York, NY
Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds has announced several U.S. shows in advance of a new CD.
He will start off with a set of mid-March performances in Chattanooga, Tenn., on March 19 and Alexandria, La., on March 20.
The schedule features a couple of shows each month through a Sept. 3 concert in Atlantic City, NJ.
Babyface has been in the studio working on a solo album scheduled for release this year, according to his website.
Last year, Edmonds launched his own label, Soda Pop Records, with Island Def Jam. The upcoming CD will follow 2007’s Playlist, which featured the smooth jazz hit “Fire and Rain.”
Babyface’s many hit singles include “Whip Appeal,” “When Can I See You” and “I Said I Love You.”
Babyface tour schedule
3/19 Chattanooga, TN - Hamilton Country Trade & Convention Center
3/20 Alexandria, LA - North Levee Park
4/24 Oakland, CA - Oracle Arena
5/1 St. Petersburg, FL - Vinoy Park
5/7 Orlando, FL - House of Blues
5/8 Jacksonville, FL - Metropolitan Park
6/4 Kansas City, MO - Independence Arena
6/11 Saint Louis, MO - Chaifetz Arena
7/16 Atlanta, GA - Chastain Park
8/20 New York, NY - B.B. King Blues Club
8/21 Fort Monroe, VA - Walker Air Field
8/22 Alexandria, VA - Birchmere
9/3 Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa
Saxophonist Steve Cole, who released his debut CD in 1998, will offer his sixth solo project on May 10 with Moonlight, on the Artistry record label.
Happy birthday to vocalist Al Jarreau, who today (March 12th) is 70. He was born in Milwaukee, Wis., and credits his first performing experience singing in a church choir.
A celebration of pianist Ramsey Lewis’ 75th birthday is one of the highlights of the schedule of the annual Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Ill. The season runs from June through September. Lewis is the artistic director of the festival’s Jazz at Ravinia series. Lewis, whose birthday is May 27, will perform with Nancy Wilson and the Dave Brubeck Quartet on June 18.
Ten-time Grammy Award-winning vocalist Bobby McFerrin, who turns 60 today (March 11), next month will release VOCAbuLarieS, his first CD in eight years. 
Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds has announced several U.S. shows in advance of a new CD. 