Ben Webster News

The California Honeydrops' seventh album (and first double album), Call It Home: Vol. 1 & 2, is out now via Tubtone Records. The record debuts at Billboard, who proclaims that it, “represents a new level of ambition…” Album purchase available here. 

“Live Learn,” the second track from The California Honeydrops' upcoming album, premieres at No Depression who call it, “a playful tune that's impossible not to dance along to,” furthering, “[it] opens with a plunking bass before lead singer Lech Wierzynski joins in on a call-and-response banter with the bass, even as a bright guitar riff adds some tasty seasoning to the bubbling stew.”

The California Honeydrops' seventh album (and first double album) Call It Home: Vol. 1 & 2 is set for release on April 6 via Tubtone Records. The lead track, “Call It Home” features music legend Bonnie Raitt, with whom the band supported on her 2016-2017 Dig In Deep tour. The song premieres at Noisey, who proclaim, “'Call It Home' is a smooth, sensuous song, with a guitar part evoking a hot summer day, an organ that sends you to the front pew and a brass section that feels like something straight out of The Blues Brothers.” 

Saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Rahsaan Barber's years of activity as a performer, producer, presenter, educator, and most recently DJ in his native Nashville have established him as an integral part of the city's vibrant jazz scene.

Saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Rahsaan Barber's years of activity as a performer, producer, presenter, educator, and most recently DJ in his native Nashville have established him as an integral part of the city's vibrant jazz scene.

Neville Dickie, one of the greatest boogie-woogie and stride pianists to ever come out of Britain, will be reunited with New Jersey's own Midiri Brothers at the Bickford Theatre on Monday, June 5.

Tenor and soprano saxophone virtuoso and visionary composer Matt Parker made a vivid impression with his 2013 debut recording, 'Worlds Put Together.' “Restlessly inventive” (Down Beat), Parker is “a fully formed artist with his own unique voice [who] sounds comfortable promenading down multiple paths” (All About Jazz).

Tenor and soprano saxophone virtuoso and visionary composer Matt Parker made a vivid impression with his 2013 debut recording, 'Worlds Put Together.' "Restlessly inventive" (Down Beat), Parker is "a fully formed artist with his own unique voice [who] sounds comfortable promenading down multiple paths" (All About Jazz).

Celebrate the sax-iness of Jule Styne!

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world-renowned ensemble was joined by more than 550 members of Chicago's corporate, civic and cultural communities for Gala 2015 on Saturday, May 9, 2015, raising more than $1.2 million for Steppenwolf's artistic, educational and community programming. Scroll down for photos!

Just in time for the 100th anniversary of the birth of Billie Holiday on April 7, 2015, Universal Music Enterprises honors the iconic artist with the simultaneous digital release of 17 classic Holiday albums.

Rutgers University is now seeking a new executive director to promote the university's jazz program.

The Philadelphia Artists Collective is following up their recent Philadelphia Fringe smash with a production of Federico Garcia Lorca's rarely produced play, Blood Wedding, at Drexel University. The show, part of Drexel University's Mandell Professionals In Residence program, runs November 6-23 at Drexel University's Mandell Theatre, 33rd & Chestnut Streets. Opening Night is Saturday, November 8, at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $15-$25 and are available online at www.philartistscollective.org.

In his first New York major engagement in 25 years, Emmy-nominated musical director, conductor, arranger and jazz pianist Donn Trenner collaborated with MAC and Bistro Award-winning jazz vocalist Shaynee Rainbolt for four Fridays in September. That critically acclaimed engagement returns to the Metropolitan Room in New York City for Four encore performances: Sunday, December 9th at 4pm; Tuesday December 11 at 7pm; and Saturday and Sunday December 15 & 16 at 4pm.

Hallmark Channel presents the World Premiere of the Hallmark Channel Original Movie, PUPPY LOVE starring Candace Cameron Bure ('Full House,' 'Make It Or Break It') and Victor Webster ('Castle'), today, September 8 (9pm ET/PT, 8C).

The 38th Annual Jazz Record Collectors Bash will be held June 29th - 30th at the Hilton Woodbridge in Iselin, New Jersey. Buy, sell, swap or trade 78s, LPs, CDs, memorabilia, rare jazz films and more.

Hallmark Channel presents the World Premiere of the Hallmark Channel Original Movie, PUPPY LOVE starring Candace Cameron Bure ('Full House,' 'Make It Or Break It') and Victor Webster ('Castle'), Saturday, September 8 (9pm ET/PT, 8C).

NEA Jazz Master Annie Ross and jazz vocal legend Andy Bey, plus other stars of the jazz and nightclub worlds, gather to salute the music of 20th-century genius Noel Coward in "ENGLAND SWINGS: Noel Coward in Jazz" at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola for two performances tonight, June 18th. Shows are at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. There is a $25 cover and $10 minimum at tables, and a $5 cover at the bar. Food is available. Dizzy's is part of Jazz at Lincoln Center, and is located in the Time-Warner Center at 60th St. and Broadway. Reservations can be made at www.jalc.org or at 212.258.9595.

NEA Jazz Master Annie Ross and jazz vocal legend Andy Bey, plus other stars of the jazz and nightclub worlds, gather to salute the music of 20th-century genius Noel Coward in "ENGLAND SWINGS: Noel Coward in Jazz" at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola for two performances on Monday, June 18th. Shows are at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. There is a $25 cover and $10 minimum at tables, and a $5 cover at the bar. Food is available. Dizzy's is part of Jazz at Lincoln Center, and is located in the Time-Warner Center at 60th St. and Broadway. Reservations can be made at www.jalc.org or at 212.258.9595.