Legendary guitarist Bill Frisell's first release on OKeh Records is Big Sur, and features all-new music commissioned by the Monterey Jazz Festival. While staying at the Glen Deven Ranch, Frisell was captivated by the beauty and grandeur of the California coastline which inspired him to write this music. He is joined on the recording by Jenny Scheinman (violin), Eyvind Kang (viola), Hank Roberts (cello) and Rudy Royston (drums). Bill Frisell is one of the leading and most innovative guitarists of our time. His work covers a wide range of color and he has carved out a niche by virtue of his sound.  A Grammy® winner for Best Contemporary Jazz Album in 2005, Bill is one of the most singular musicians of his generation and has released over 30 albums since his debut recording in 1983.

Robin McKelle might have called this album The Real McKelle. "It's the record I've always dreamed of making. Not that there was anything stopping me in the past, it's simply that things panned out differently."

Soul Flower, Mckelle's new production, a contemporary blend of soul and rhythm 'n' blues has it's offical release tomorrow: Tuesday June 18 and radio has been picking up on the 'digital only' project with great enthusiasm. With 30 Total Stations/Shows, outlets include CBC Music in Canada, as well as local stations in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Seattle, Austin, Long Is. NY, El Paso, and in Robin's home town of Rochester NY. "I love that music so much that I couldn't see myself doing something ‘in the style of…". I grew up listening to Nina Simone and Gladys Knight. I sang their classics and what I enjoy most today is building my own repertoire in that same soulful vein."
Robin McKelle

The spirits of Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond reunite two modern jazz titans as Bob James and David Sanborn. The duo has just released a new recording called Quartette Humaine, a tribute to Brubeck's immortal collaboration with saxophone legend Desmond and features a hard-hitting quartet rounded out by Steve Gadd on drums and James genus on bass. Marked by volatile interplay, this quartet's music is anything but smooth, and will be evidenced at tonight's sold out SFJAZZ Center show.

The return of a full-time jazz format in Pittsburgh is moving closer to being a reality. The FCC has now approved the sale by Pittsburgh Public Media of a new terrestrial station: WYZR-FM. PPM is the nonprofit that operates the online: Pittsburgh Jazz Channel. The studios will be in McMurray PA, and will feature former WDUQ program host Tony Mowod. The station will be heard in areas south and west and later expanded to areas north and east for full coverage of the Pittsburgh area.
Pulled from a story by By Adrian McCoy / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The 35th Anniversary of the Playboy Jazz Festival features Bob James/David Sanborn along with Steve Gadd and James Genus. The lineup also includes: The LAUSD Beyond The Bell Jazz Band, ELEW and JazzAntiqua Dance Ensemble, Brubeck Brothers Quartet, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Taj Mahal and the Real Thing Tuba Band, The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra with special guests Patti Austin and Hubert Laws, India.Arie, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue & Sheila E.

The Fresno Summer Jazz Series kicked of at the The Rotary Amphitheater with David Sanborn and Bob James. The pair are on a multi city tour to promote their new CD: Quartette Humaine.

Singer Mario Biondi, with multi-platinum album sales throughout Europe, is known as the only true Italian Soul Singer. Biondi's new album, Sun, is a work of collaboration.  Produced by Mario along with Jean-Paul Maunick (aka Bluey, the lead singer of the successful British Jazz band Incognito) the album features guest appearances from the legendary Chaka Kahn and smooth jazz luminary Al Jarreau. With a warm, deep, sensual voice, Biondi patiently and carefully cultivated his musical passion starting at a young age alongside his father, singer Stefano Biondi. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with many diverse artists including Burt Bacharach, Tower of Power, The Crusaders and Michael Bolton to name a few.