Les Davis News

The 50th anniversary of Aretha Franklin's arrival on the popular music scene is set for a major celebration in 2011.

Mac Gollehon at Zinc Bar Tuesday, January 18th

A very special Valentines-themed Southern Songbook concert, Desire and Death: Love songs on yearning and loss, will be hosted by Honeydogs frontman Adam Levy and the Local Show's Dave Campbell on Monday, February 14 at 7:30pm. Guest musicians include John Munson, Aby Wolf, Darren Jackson, Alicia Wiley, Holly Newsom, Alexei Casselle, Chastity Brown, Minor Kingdom (Kristian Melom), Grant Cutler and Ryan Paul.

Bob Gluck (Piano), Joe Giardullo (Soprano Saxophone,) and Christopher Dean Sullivan (Bass)

Sirius XM Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) announced today that in celebration of Neil Diamond's forthcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it will re- launch 'Neil Diamond Radio,' a music channel showcasing the music of Neil Diamond.

Downtown Saint Petersburg, also known as 'The Burg' continues to prosper even in a down economy. Ruby's Elixir will be one of the new kids on the block when they open this Friday, January 14th. Ruby's is located on 3rd Street North right off Central Avenue, between Central and First Avenue North on the west end of the Jannus Landing block at 15 -3rd Street North.

Back by popular demand, The Town Hall (123 W. 43rd St.), Times Square's landmark concert venue, presents CAPITOL STEPS, back by popular demand, on Friday, February 25th at 8PM.

The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street), Times Square's landmark concert venue, presents Ben Vereen in a concert on Friday, February 18 at 8:00PM that coincides with the release of his new CD "Stepping Out With Ben Vereen" on the Ghostlight Records label.

An exciting range of performances including a post-modern variety show, a contemporary psychedelic funk opera, a celebration for the acclaimed Apollo Theater in conjunction with its 75th anniversary exhibition, and the U.S. debut of Daorum, an innovative collaboration between Korean and Australian jazz musicians highlight the next three months of TARGET® FREE THURSDAYS at the David Rubenstein Atrium.

Downtown Saint Petersburg, also known as 'The Burg' continues to prosper even in a down economy. Ruby's Elixir will be one of the new kids on the block when they open this Friday, January 14th. Ruby's is located on 3rd Street North right off Central Avenue, between Central and First Avenue North on the west end of the Jannus Landing block at 15 -3rd Street North.

The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street), Times Square's landmark concert venue, presents Ben Vereen in a concert on Friday, February 18 at 8:00PM that coincides with the release of his new CD 'Stepping Out With Ben Vereen' on the Ghostlight Records label. Ben Vereen is a Tony Award winning stage veteran and Broadway star.

Legendary bassist/vocalist of Cream and former member of Tony Williams' Lifetime Jack Bruce joins forces with guitarist Vernon Reid, organist John Medeski and drummer Cindy Blackman from January 27 - 30 at the Blue Note. These celebrated musicians in multiple genres have all been deeply influenced by Williams and his music. For Jack Bruce, paying tribute to Williams is a homecoming that is more than welcome. 'One of the greatest highlights of my musical career was playing with Tony's amazing band,' he said. 'Together I believe we can rekindle the spirit of a more joyous and optimistic era.'

THE PROBLEM OF CELL 13, a world premiere mystery by John Arden McClure, continues the 30th Season of Dennis Wickline Productions, Inc. at Eastpointe's Broadway Onstage Live Theatre when it opens on Friday, January 7.

Mac Gollehon comes to Port 41 Thursday Feb.3rd at 8pm.

An exciting range of performances including a post-modern variety show, a contemporary psychedelic funk opera, a celebration for the acclaimed Apollo Theater in conjunction with its 75th anniversary exhibition, and the U.S. debut of Daorum, an innovative collaboration between Korean and Australian jazz musicians highlight the next three months of TARGET® FREE THURSDAYS at the David Rubenstein Atrium.

Mac Gollehon at Zinc Bar Tuesday, January 18th

An exciting range of performances including a post-modern variety show, a contemporary psychedelic funk opera, a celebration for the acclaimed Apollo Theater in conjunction with its 75th anniversary exhibition, and the U.S. debut of Daorum, an innovative collaboration between Korean and Australian jazz musicians highlight the next three months of TARGET® FREE THURSDAYS at the David Rubenstein Atrium.

Recording Academy President Neil Portnw issued the following statement on the recently deceased BIlly Taylor: 'A highly acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, and educator, Dr. Billy Taylor was a distinguished ambassador of the jazz community. A Recording Academy Trustees Award recipient in 2005, his career spanned more than six decades and he played with such luminaries as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Charlie Parker. As an educator, he crusaded for greater recognition of jazz, the genre he loved and called 'America's classical music.' As artistic advisor for jazz at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, he helped to raise the genre's profile and bring it into the mainstream culture. His wide-ranging promotion and support of jazz came to overshadow his primary career as an artist and performer, but his outstanding accomplishments and passion for the music he loved has created a timeless legacy that will continue to have a far-reaching impact on generations to come. The jazz world has lost one of its most ardent advocates, and our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, fans, and all who benefited from his artistry and his knowledge of and devotion to 'America's music.'

KARL DENSON'S TINY UNIVERSE post Phish Show held Thursday, December 30

Dr. Billy Taylor, a Jazz pianist, composer, educator and broadcaster who encompassed that rare combination of creativity, intelligence, vision, commitment and leadership, qualities that made him one of our most cherished national treasures, died in New York on December 28, 2010. He was 89 and lived in Riverdale, New York.