Frank Zappa News

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) welcomes distinguished UC alumnus Randy Edelman (CCM '69, HonDoc '04) back to Corbett Auditorium for one unforgettable evening beginning at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 27. A prominent singer, songwriter, arranger and film scorer, Edelman will bring his film scores to life during this special event concert featuring CCM's acclaimed Philharmonia Orchestra andJazz Ensemble.

Today, Dec. 29th, at the Park West, 322 W. Armitage, Chicago, just days after Frank Zappa's 72nd birthday, the Chicago Jazz Orchestra (CJO) presents an adventurous tribute to this great American musical genius. The show, which begins at 7:30 p.m., will feature the 15-piece CJO along with saxophonist Ernie Watts, who was in Zappa's band for the original recording of The Grand Wazoo. Electric violinist Mark Wood (Trans-Siberian Orchestra) and electric bassist Dave Morgan, who created the arrangements for this show, are also featured. Conducting the performance will be CJO artistic director Jeff Lindberg.

The ZAPPA FAMILY TRUST honors the American Composer's "Signature Guitar Compositions" on iTunes. Released on this year's anniversary of FZ's death (December 4), FRANK ZAPPA PLAYS THE MUSIC OF FRANK ZAPPA--A MEMORIAL TRIBUTE features the classic recordings of "Watermelon In Easter Hay," "Black Napkins" and "Zoot Allures," as well as the earliest versions from the Vault at the time of the original CD release in 1996 (still available from Barfko-Swill). It was one final wish of the Composer that these not be performed by anyone else; Dweezil Zappa is the sole exception with respect to the latter two works.

For fans who have ever dreamed of being in the music business or running their own record company-here's their chance. The ZAPPA FAMILY TRUST and ZAPPA RECORDS are offering up the unprecedented opportunity for Zappa fans to license their very own copies of ROXY BY PROXY by FRANK ZAPPA with The Mothers of Invention.

City Parks Foundation has announced the SummerStage Showcase, a special event taking place at the Highline Ballroom on Thursday, January 10, 2013. In partnership with Santa Monica's Twilight Concerts at the Pier, the SummerStage Showcase will feature R&B legend Shuggie Otis, Brooklyn's own People Get Ready, soul singer Ofei, as well as gospel singer Joshua Nelson and DJ Kool Herc for a night of performances that will offer audiences a preview of the upcoming 2013 season of SummerStage.

97.3 KBCO & Z2 Entertainment will present Zappa Plays Zappa at the Fox Theatre tonight, December 14th, 2012.

On Saturday, Dec. 29th, at the Park West, 322 W. Armitage, Chicago, just days after Frank Zappa's 72nd birthday, the Chicago Jazz Orchestra (CJO) presents an adventurous tribute to this great American musical genius. The show, which begins at 7:30 p.m., will feature the 15-piece CJO along with saxophonist Ernie Watts, who was in Zappa's band for the original recording of The Grand Wazoo. Electric violinist Mark Wood (Trans-Siberian Orchestra) and electric bassist Dave Morgan, who created the arrangements for this show, are also featured. Conducting the performance will be CJO artistic director Jeff Lindberg.

Unearthed after more than forty years and unheard since their original airing, the recordings of Village Voice "Scenes" columnist and radio personality HoWard Smith are available for the first time on iTunes beginning today, November 20.

The Rolling Stones, ABKCO Music & Records, Interscope Records and Universal Music Enterprises are pleased to announce the release of GRRR! by The Rolling Stones on the 13th of November 2012 in North America.

Stephen Hawking and his fellow physicists may not have yet figured out the formula for traveling through the time-space continuum, but apparently the Metropolitan Room discovered the secret. Last Friday night (October 26), I walked through the curtain into the main performance space and entered a time tunnel that took me from the 21st century into the 1960s and '70s. Two lovely, rising young stars of cabaret, Lauren Fox and Jennifer Sheehan (photo left), had obviously hurtled though that same time warp because in two separate shows on the same evening, they performed songs that had been written and recorded 15 to 25 years before they were born. In the process they transported this particular Baby Boomer joyously back to his youth and to the days of cultural upheaval, generation gaps, peace, love, war, and some of the best pop/rock music ever written.

The ZAPPA FAMILY TRUST is excited to announce a new 2-CD set released via iTunes and UNIVERSAL MUSIC ENTERPRISES Tuesday, October 30. UNDERSTANDING AMERICA is one of only three compilation albums produced and titled by FZ himself.

Tonight, October 28th, at 2:00 p.m. Centenary Stage Company will be presenting a performance by renowned jazz musician Bill Mays and The Inventions Trio in The Sitnik Theatre at the David and Carol Lackland Center.

PRIMUS will bring their unique 3D tour to The VETS tonight, October 21, 2012 at 7pm. The 3D and Quad Surround Sound-enhanced live musical performance is sure to provide a one-of-a-kind psychedelic experience. Primus' latest album, Green Naugahyde,was produced and engineered by Les Claypool in his personal studio, Rancho Relaxo, in Northern California, and features Claypool, long-time guitarist Larry LaLonde, and drummer Jay Lane. Lane was in an early lineup of the band, and was also in Sausage, a 1994 reunion of the 1988 Primus lineup.

Unearthed after more than forty years and unheard since their original airing, the recordings of Village Voice "Scenes" columnist and radio personality Howard Smith are available for the first time on iTunes beginning November 20.

Unearthed after more than forty years and unheard since their original airing, the recordings of Village Voice "Scenes" columnist and radio personality Howard Smith are available for the first time on iTunes beginning November 20.

One of the most amazing collection of jazz-fusion and progressive rock legends ever to assemble on one CD has happened with the new release by The Fusion Syndicate, available today, October 16, 2012 on Purple Pyramid Records.

On Sunday, October 28th, at 2:00 p.m. Centenary Stage Company will be presenting a performance by renowned jazz musician Bill Mays and The Inventions Trio in The Sitnik Theatre at the David and Carol Lackland Center.

Mary Gatchell will be performing her great music with her NYC band at the new Leddy Center at Verdant Pastures on Ladd's Lane in Epping, NH, Friday evening, October 12,at 7:30pm. Mary Gatchell will be performing her great music with her NYC band at the new Leddy Center at Verdant Pastures on Ladd's Lane in Epping, NH, Friday evening, October 12, at 7:30pm. Mary Gatchell is a dynamic singer, pianist, and composer living in New York City. With four albums to her credit, she has played in legendary clubs such as the Blue Note, Birdland, Bitter End, CBGB's, Knitting Factory, Boston House of Blues, Ryles, and many more.

One of the most amazing collection of jazz-fusion and progressive rock legends ever to assemble on one CD has happened with the new release by The Fusion Syndicate, available October 16, 2012 on Purple Pyramid Records. Brought together by multi-instumentalist, producer Billy Sherwood (Yes, CIRCA:), who gave us the fascinating release by the Prog Collective earlier this year. Now, Billy has produced, recorded and written tracks for a new jazz-rock-fusion supergroup of musical virtuosos - The Fusion Syndicate!