James Brown News

Centenary Stage Company's annual Summer Jamfest continues on Saturday July 18 at 8pm in the Sitnik Theater with Al Chez and the Brothers of Funk. With the resurgence of 'funk' music made popular by such commercial success as 'Uptown Funk' by Bruno Mars, Al Chez and the Brothers of Funk are on the front-lines of reinventing the genre. This high energy band, (which features sisters too) averages 15 amazing talented cats from the NY area. Along with unique musical arrangements of Rock-Soul-Jazz-Blues-Standards and original tunes, front man Al Chez stratospheric trumpet playing and soulful vocals, make for a magical memorable show.

The Frist Center for the Visual Arts' popular summer concert series Frist Fridays kicks off today, June 26, and will feature musical acts that celebrate personal style in conjunction with the summer exhibition Italian Style: Fashion since 1945.

'The Gospel Tradition: In Performance at the White House' showcases an evening of celebration with President and Mrs. Obama at the White House in honor of gospel music and its profound influence on American music.

Following their massively successful international Sweet Home Chicago tour, The Chicago Blues Brothers are now returning to the UK with a brand-new action packed show coming to the King's Theatre Glasgow for one night only on Friday 10 July.

The Muny presents Hairspray, winner of the 2003 Tony Award for Best Musical, featuring music by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman with a book by Mark O'Donnell & Thomas Meehan. The Muny's production of Hairspray is directed and choreographed by Dan Knechtges and music directed by Charlie Alterman.

Sonny Knight and the Lakers exist in the afterglow that soul luminaries like Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin created with their raucous, kinetic, and supreme live performances. Sonny Knight and the Lakers Do It Live, from the eponymous group, is a loving return to the height of live Rhythm and Blues, with Knight and his band perfectly capturing the uproarious vibe and rebellious musicianship of an era long gone in their first live album release. A year of steady touring through the US and Europe has allowed the group to create a seamless set, mixing songs from their critically-acclaimed debut studio album, I'm Still Here, with a couple covers of classic soul songs from their native Minneapolis, and re-imagined bits from Led Zeppelin and James Brown. Recorded in their hometown of Minneapolis at the Dakota Jazz Club over two nights and four performances, Sonny Knight and the Lakers aim to bring a new focus on the art of the live record. Hoping to add to the rich history of live albums rather than producing something merely derivative, they set out to reconstruct the ephemeral experience of a live concert and earn a permanent place on your record shelf. The double LP/CD release will be available in stores and digitally June 23rd via Secret Stash Records.

Since 1983, tenor saxophonist, composer, and arranger Bob Mintzer has been delving into the big band format and its myriad stylistic possibilities, collecting five Grammy nominations and one Grammy win in the process. His newest recording, 'Get Up!,' which is his 20th big band album to date, will be released by MCG Jazz today, June 23.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is proud to present the fifth annual Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival (PJLIF) this weekend, June 19 - 21, 2015.

Lincoln Center Out of Doors one of the country's longest-running, free, summer outdoor festivals opens its 45th season on July 22, 2015. A range of concerts, dance performances, family events, related film screenings, talks, and an exhibition will be presented across three weeks, from July 22 - August 9.

Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes presents the release of the 'Love To The Beat' Single by DJ E-Feezy, featuring Watch The Duck. This new song is available to stream on the Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes website and purchase on iTunes.

I, for one, will be keeping an eye open in the near future, eager to see the next moves that these five will make.

The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces the international cast - hailing from across the UK, US and Canada, for the UK premiere of What's It All About? Bacharach Reimagined. Burt Bacharach's celebrated songbook is given an exciting new interpretation with Kyle Riabko's thrillingly original musical arrangement. This show, directed by Oliver Award-winner Steven Hoggett, is a dynamic 90-minute non-stop musical journey in which the 27-year-old Riabko leads a talented group of young performers through Bacharach's classic melodies, blending nostalgia and innovation, where generations old and new can revel in the joy of these hits as if for the very first time.

If you want to see a great show with the humor of SNL on a stage in Charlotte, CHARLOTTE SQUAWKS is it!

Director Nick Kenkel has made lightning strike a second time at North Shore Music Theatre with his dazzling and definitive production of DREAMGIRLS. Blessed with a dream design team and a tremendously talented cast of triple threats, Kenkel has dug beneath the glitz and the glamour of the American music industry to explore the hopes, joys, disappointments and sorrows that accompany stars on the way up and back down.

Showtime Networks Inc. has acquired the rights to PLAY IT FORWARD, an intimate portrait on the life, family and career of legendary NFL tight end and future Hall of Fame inductee Tony Gonzalez, and his relationship with his older brother Chris

Brandon Victor Dixon and Steven Pasquale will join the previously announced Sutton Foster in Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party, running July 15 - 18, 2015 at New York City Center. (NOTE: Brandon Victor Dixon will replace the previously announced Joshua Henry, who has had a scheduling conflict.) The production will be directed by Leigh Silverman, with choreography by Sonya Tayeh. Jeanine Tesori is the Artistic Director of Encores! Off-Center and Chris Fenwick is Music Director.

Following their last two SOLD OUT Performances, The Bijou Theatre is very proud to announce the return of The Hollywood Allstars tonight, June 5th at 8pm! Don't miss the chance to see this amazing act at their Annual Sold Out, Standing Room Only Show. Tickets start at $30 for theatre seats and $40 for table seating.

Centenary Stage Company's ever popular Summer Jamfest will 'raise the roof' of the Sitnik Theater during the summer months with a variety of high-energy musical guests perfect for all tastes. Running July 11 through August 8, CSC will host an array of talented musicians paying tribute to some of America's greatest musical artists.

Last Orders! is a delicious circus degustation featuring the 2015 graduating students from the National Institute of Circus Arts. This rollicking show will run from June 11 to 20, 2015 at NICA's state-of-the-art National Circus Centre in Prahran.

Centenary Stage Company's ever popular Summer Jamfest will "raise the roof" of the Sitnik Theater during the summer months with a variety of high-energy musical guests perfect for all tastes.  Running July 11 through August 8, CSC will host an array of talented musicians paying tribute to some of America's greatest musical artists.