Count Basie News

Genre-blurring artist Boney James is once again making a big impact on the charts with his new release HONESTLY as the album debuts at #1 on the Billboard Jazz and Contemporary Jazz charts. In addition, HONESTLY bows at #22 on the Billboard Current Albums chart (Boney's highest debut to date) pointing to another round of huge success for the 4-time GRAMMY nominated artist.

The Acme Jazz Quartet kicks off an exciting new season of live music at THE BLACK BOX, downtown Franklin's theater, music and event venue, on Friday, September 15 at 8 p.m. The Quartet features Kenny Hadley (drums), Mark White (guitar), Mark Poniatowski (bass) and Arnie Krakowsky (saxophone), four world-class musicians whose performance resumes include a long list of music royalty. A suburban hub for great music, THE BLACK BOX presents wide-ranging music entertainment, slated to include a Big Band Brunch, classical concert, cabaret performances, New England Artist Series events and more this fall. The home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 West Central Street.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for September 18-September 24, featuring Coltrane Revisited with Eric Alexander, Jaleel Shaw, Steve Kuhn, Lonnie Plaxico, and Steve Smith, Gabrielle Stravelli, Jessica Molaskey, and more. Scroll down for details!

Elvis Presley's Graceland has announced the acquisition of one of the most significant pieces of Elvis' musical history, which will be returned to Graceland 60 years after it was first purchased by Elvis for the home in 1957 – a white, baby grand piano with gold accents and a custom-made, gold, metal bench designed by Elvis with a white, leather cushion.

Following an August residency at Hotel Café, LA-based singer-songwriter Ethan Gruska is back on the road in North America for a tour with Asgeir before embarking on a 20+ date tour with Ray LaMontagne this October and November. See a full list of dates below.

BNS Productions has assembled a strong, deep, and engaging cast for August Wilson's JITNEY, and director Corlis Hayes keeps it chugging at a rush-hour pace.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for September 11-September 17, featuring Melissa Aldana, Arturo O'Farrill, David DeJesus, and more. Scroll down for details!

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra celebrates the start of Xian Zhang's second season as Music Director with an Opening Night Celebration Gala on Saturday, October 7, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. Zhang leads the NJSO in a performance of masterworks, as Jeremy Denk, a MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, makes his NJSO debut with Beethoven's “Emperor” Piano Concerto. Zhang pairs Beethoven's iconic concerto and Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus with Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique, recognizing the latter composer's admiration for the former.

Multi-award winning Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis will appear at the Capitol Center for the Arts on Sunday, October 8, 2017 at 7PM.

 The American Music Theatre Project at Northwestern University (AMTP) announces the 2017/2018 season of workshop readings written by award-winning music theatre creators, directed by leading regional theater and Broadway directors and performed by students in the AMTP program.

Carnegie Hall's community and family programs for September, October and November include Free Neighborhood Concerts, kicking off this fall with classical, American roots, and Argentine music in Manhattan; island swing in Brooklyn; big band and Broadway hits in Queens; and Puerto Rican rhythms in the Bronx. The series, now in its 42nd year, brings established mainstage artists as well as rising stars of jazz, pop, and world music to communities throughout New York City.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for September 4-September 10, including Steve Kuhn Trio with Steve Swallow and Joey Baron, Katie Thiroux, Tamir Hendelman Trio, and more. Scroll down for details!

September is jam packed with amazing talent at Blue Note Hawaii with an array of iconic national artists, local favorites and some great comedy.

Beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 12, The Shops at Columbus Circle, New York's premier dining and entertainment destination, in partnership with Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) launches its five-week concert series 'Sessions at the Circle.' JALC celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and invites visitors to celebrate this milestone with free performances.

Genre-blurring artist Boney James is once again creating a multi-format success story at radio. “Tick Tock” the first instrumental single from James' upcoming album debuts high on the Mediabase Smooth AC Charts in its first week.

Break out the Christmas lights and hang your stockings because Grammy Award® nominated country superstar, Martina McBride is hitting the road on her first annual holiday themed tour called, “The Joy of Christmas.” Tickets go on-sale to the general public on Friday, August 25th.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for August 28-September 3, including a Charlie Parker Birthday Celebration, Veronica Swift, Adam Larson Quartet, and more. Scroll down for details!

Unique portraits of many Broadway and jazz musical legends will be featured at highly respected British drummer and artist Gilson Lavis' first ever New York City art exhibit 'Gilson Lavis: In Tune With The Portraits' at the Salomon Arts Gallery at 83 Leonard Street in Tribeca from September 15th through October 5th, 2017. His paintings have become very much sought after in British music and art world inner circles. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the collection below!

Brundibar returns to Monmouth County in Count Basie Theatre's new production led by Eli Villanueva and Jason Tramm August 19 & 20

Forty years after Elvis Presley's death, his famous white grand piano is up for auction on eBay from August 10-20. The piano, which stood in the Graceland music room for more than a decade, is expected to sell for millions. Ten percent of the proceeds from the Elvis White Piano, as the auction is listed on eBay, will go to Starkey Hearing Foundation which supports hearing health initiatives around the world.