Al Jarreau News

Resonance Records discovery Polly Gibbons, a British-born star on the rise, has a sound and style that give off sparks. It's raw, raspy, and full of heat; it sputters and growls, carves out funky grooves, and wails into the skies. All I Can Do, her third Resonance release, the label's founder George Klabin, places Gibbons in front of an audience, where she's at her most explosive.

The Philly POPS and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts will present the School District of Philadelphia's All-City Jazz Festival. The day of free jazz performances by student and professional musicians will be held in the Kimmel Center's Perelman Theater and Commonwealth Plaza on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 from noon 9 p.m. This will be the POPS's fifth year presenting this event and the third year in partnership with the Kimmel Center.

Lively McCabe Entertainment Co-President Michael Barra proudly announces a slate of three new stage musicals in partnership with licensing agency Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW) and music powerhouse BMG. These initial three projects, all which will have premiere productions in 2020 (TBA), will feature select music from the BMG catalog, as part of their previously announced partnership with Lively McCabe.

Resonance Records discovery Polly Gibbons, a British-born star on the rise, has a sound and style that give off sparks. It's raw, raspy, and full of heat; it sputters and growls, carves out funky grooves, and wails into the skies. All I Can Do, her third Resonance release, the label's founder George Klabin, places Gibbons in front of an audience, where she's at her most explosive.

One of the Southwest's largest jazz festivals will return to Texas Christian University March 22-23, 2019, for its 42nd year, featuring legendary American jazz drummer Duffy Jackson to the exciting theme,  "Tribute to the music of Count Basie and Buddy Rich." The 2019 TCU Jazz Festival will host more than 700 middle and high school students at Ed Landreth Auditorium and PepsiCo Recital Hall during the annual competition, encompassing two days of performances from some of the most highly-regarded names in jazz, TCU ensembles and young artists from across the state.

The Philly POPS will offer free tickets for furloughed government employees during the federal government shutdown. Government employees may present their IDs at the Kimmel Center Box Office to receive one free, complimentary pair of tickets to JAZZED! running January 18, 19 and 20 (One pair per Government-issued employee ID).

The Philly POPS presents Jazzed! The Philly POPS BIG Band with Terell Stafford, a swinging program honoring Philadelphia's unique contributions to the history of jazz, January 18 20 at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. This performance is a part of The Philly POPS 40th Anniversary Season, which celebrates artists and music with connections to Philadelphia and the POPS.

The Philly POPS presents Jazzed! The Philly POPS BIG Band with Terell Stafford, a swinging program honoring Philadelphia's unique contributions to the history of jazz, January 18-20 at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. This performance is a part of The Philly POPS 40th Anniversary Season, which celebrates artists and music with connections to Philadelphia and the POPS.

KPFK Radio's Arts in Review, Los Angeles's longest-running radio showcase on live theater and cabaret, presents its annual one-hour Christmas Day Holiday Drama Special, highlighted by the premiere radio dramatization, Christmas at the Algonquin, performed by the Arts in Review (AIR) Repertory Players, and the 15th annual concert presentation of Dylan Thomas' A Child's Christmas in Wales, featuring actor Al Alu.  Also featured is the music of singer/songwriter Al Jarreau, guitarist AnnaMaria, Koto Keys (Mara Purl & Marilyn Harris) and Pacifica Archives Music For the Holidays. Hosted by entertainment journalist Julio Martinez, the program airs Tuesday, December 25 (10-11am) on KPFK 90.7.FM and is streamed live worldwide on kpfk.org.

The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica presents Amy Keys, on Friday, December 7 at 8:00pm. Amy Keys is the fourth evening of blackbox @ the edye, which transforms The Edye into a club featuring up-and-coming jazz and blues artists.  The series is curated and hosted by The Reverend Shawn Amos; he and his house band perform at select shows during the season as well.   

After an extraordinarily successful year with the release of their #1 Billboard Contemporary Jazz album ICONIC and a world tour, Take 6 is capping off the year on a high note with four nights at the Blue Note in NYC (Nov. 8-11), a Friar's Club Billy Crystal tribute on November 13 at the Ziegfield Ballroom which they will be opening (additional performers/attendees include Bette Midler, Robert DeNiro, Alec Baldwin, Katie Couric, Meg Ryan, Martin Scorcese,  to name a few) and a Christmas special they participated in with Bebe Winans and Cece Winans, Anthony Hamilton, and others. "The Soul & Spirit of Christmas" will air on GetTV on November 23 at 8pm EST. They will end the year with additional tour dates in Europe (dates below.)

The Empress Theatre presents Raul Midon, Sunday Jazz Champagne Brunch on Sunday, November 11th at 1pm at The Empress Theatre - 330 Virginia St, Vallejo, CA 94590.

The Adrienne The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County (@arshtcenter) proudly launches the 11th season of its internationally acclaimed JAZZ ROOTS series with LEONARD BERNSTEIN 100 AND BEYOND, a centennial celebration of one of America's greatest and best-loved music superstars, on Friday, November 9, 2018. The one-night-only tribute to the world-renowned composer, conductor and pianist features performances by vocalists Ann Hampton Callaway and Jon Secada, saxophonist Kirk Whalum, pianist Shelly Berg and the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra.

Recognized by the world not only for their bold-face names, but especially by their superb talents, New Jersey Performing Arts Center's seventh annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival (November 4-18) is packed with performances by today's most listened-to luminaries on the jazz scene. NJPAC Jazz Advisor, six-time Grammy winner Christian McBride says, 'I'm beyond excited to announce the seventh annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival at NJPAC. It's gonna be a good one, baby. There's something very, very special about jazz vocalists, and we're committed to making sure the legacy of jazz vocals is alive and thriving. This year we'll present the world's finest singers, from Dianne Reeves and Gregory Porter to Cecile McLorin Salvant and Lalah Hathaway, and will continue to search for the next greats through the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition -- the SASSY Awards -- which is always a huge hit.'

Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts opens it's historic 90th Season on the Main Stage- and for one night only, Saturday, October 13 at 8PM, three jazz superstars come together on the Music Hall main stage; Icognito, Maysa, and Down to the Bone. Icognito is one of the great stories of UK music during the last four decades. Maysa has become one the greatest Soul-Jazz singer of her generation and the latest in a distinguished line of singers. And special guest, Down to the Bone is a group of talented musicians coming together on projects with good grooves. Join Music Hall for jazz and soul filled evening in the D.

Singer/Songwriter/Multi-instrumentalist Raul Midón prepares to delight his fans once again with the release of his tenth album, If You Really Want, on Friday, September 14th. The album features the talents of GRAMMY® Award-winning Dutch ensemble, Metropole Orkest, under the direction of Vince Mendoza, a multiple Grammy® Winner, which has collaborated with artists from Al Jarreau and Elvis Costello to Laura Mvula and Snarky Puppy. The orchestra compliments Midón's soulful vocals, presenting a collaborative arrangement that transcends many genres.

Attitudes, one of the most feel-good rock bands growing out of Los Angeles in the 1970s, will make waves yet again, this time in the world of streaming with a Best ofalbum to be released as a digital reissue out on August 10 from Dark Horse Records. The band's single 'Sweet Summer Music' is available today as the first instant-grat track from the record. Stream now at http://found.ee/darkhorse-attitudesbestof-r.

Seven musicians who define the terms artistry, teamwork and chemistry starting with the chemistry of the married couple of Karen and Norbert Stachel, the leaders of LehCats.  Their versatility is evident, and their ability to deliver and uplift both the music and the listener is profound. Movement to Egalitaria was released June 12, 2018 (IYOUWE). 

Shaunia Edwards, a respected gospel singer, was not only Browns fiancé, she was the co-writer and featured vocalist on 'I'm Here For You (I'll Never Leave You' (Brown's hit from his 2014 album Brown Sugar, Honey-Coated Love which made Groove Jazz Music's Top 100 of 2015) and his holiday song 'It's Christmas.' Even from heaven and always in his heart, Shaunia is working her magic. Brown turned a personal tragedy into a life affirming instrumental chronicle of endurance and hope.