Ray Brown News

This Spring, Eagle Rock Entertainment will present Ella Fitzgerald: Just One Of Those Things, directed by the award-winning Leslie Woodhead along with producer Reggie Nadelson. The film will be screened in select cinemas across the U.S, beginning April 3.

Jazz all-stars salute one of their own a?" the late piano legend and influential music educator Harold Mabern a?" in Giants of Jazz 22 Honoring Harold Mabern, a concert celebration of his life and craft on Saturday, November 16 at 8 p.m.

A combination of storytelling, musical theater, comedy and jazz, acclaimed master guitarist Bruce Forman brings his one-man show to New York City's theater district. a?oeThe Red Guitara?? will make it's Big Apple debut after playing well over 100 dates in more than 25 cities including Los Angeles, Melbourne, San Francisco, Munich and Denver.

Celebrate the music that made Harlem the center of the music universe at Harlem 100 Featuring Mwenso & The Shakes, Sunday, October 27 at 7 pm at Mayo Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $29-$69.

Sydney International Women's Jazz Festival, November 2 to 17, will feature 100 leading female artists at venues across Sydney - Bondi Pavilion, Pier One, Foundry616, Venue 505, The Newsagency, Joynton Ave Creative Centre and Studios 301.

Patsy Cline's trailblazing spirit is remembered in a?oeMy Patsy Cline Songbook,a?? the first-ever, full-length jazz tribute album arriving August 23, 2019.  Drawing on her country roots, vocalist Staci Griesbach's debut album explores looking at the Nashville Songbook as another treasure trove to consider reinterpreting for jazz, much like the traditional Great American Songbook.

Harlem based band Mwenso & The Shakes' debut album, Emergence, is out now viaRopeadope Records. The new music is receiving early critical praise—JAZZIZ calls the group, “…a unique troupe of global artists presenting music that merges entertainment and artistry” while WBGO.org furthers, “Not many bands in the orbit of jazz today can begin to approach the crowd-pleasing threshold of Mwenso & The Shakes.” ALL ARTS presented by New York Public Media adds, “The music doled out by Mwenso and The Shakes is effusive, overflowing with elements of classical jazz, blues, world music and tap. When played live, this amalgam of ideas and musical references has garnered the spiritual jazz-outfit with a reputation for energetic sets and genre-pushing inventions.” 

On Saturday, August 3, Westchester Collaborative Theater (WCT) continues its Jazz Masters music series with the Valerie Capers Quartet featuring Capers an accomplished performer, educator and composer and her band. Joining Capers will be John Robinson on bass, Alan Givens on saxophone and flute and Doug Richardson on drums. The band will perform two sets at 7:30 and 9 pm at WCT, 23 Water Street in Ossining.

Harlem based band Mwenso & The Shakes' debut album, Emergence, is set for release on August 2 via Ropeadope Records. The band's new single, “No Regrets,” premieres on JAZZIZ, who calls the group, “…a unique troupe of global artists presenting music that merges entertainment and artistry.” 

From musical theatre to Shakespeare, Aaron Sidwell (Wicked, American Idiot, Loserville, Ghost, EastEnders) and Lauren Samuels (Bend It Like Beckham, Romantics Anonymous, We Will Rock You, Grease, Water Babies, Over The Rainbow) will star as Henry and Katherine respectively, in TheBarn Theatre's (Best Fringe Theatre - The Stage Awards 2019) upcoming production of the Bard's timeless historical classic, Henry V.

From musical theatre to Shakespeare, Aaron Sidwell (Wicked, American Idiot, Loserville, Ghost, EastEnders) and Lauren Samuels (Bend It Like Beckham,Romantics Anonymous, We Will Rock You, Grease, Water Babies, Over The Rainbow) will star as Henry and Katherine respectively, in The Barn Theatre's (Best Fringe Theatre - The Stage Awards 2019) upcoming production of the Bard's timeless historical classic, Henry V.

From musical theatre to Shakespeare, Aaron Sidwell (Wicked, American Idiot, Loserville, Ghost, EastEnders) and Lauren Samuels (Bend It Like Beckham, Romantics Anonymous, We Will Rock You, Grease, Water Babies, Over The Rainbow) will star as Henry and Katherine respectively, in The Barn Theatre's (Best Fringe Theatre - The Stage Awards 2019) upcoming production of the Bard's timeless historical classic, Henry V.

The annual Highlights In Jazz series, a fan fave for almost a half century, can be counted on to deliver concerts that surprise and delight savvy jazz fans. The third event of the 2019 lineup showcases one of the series' most beloved traditions: paying homage to a living jazz great. The Highlights In Jazz presentation Salute to Randy Brecker celebrates the music and contributions of this beloved trumpeter and contemporary jazz icon. “Let's honor them while they can smell the roses,” declares producer Jack Kleinsinger.

In celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, Metro Art has partnered with KJazz 88.1 FM to present Jazz Tracks at Union Station, an extraordinary evening of free live jazz showcasing the next generation of artists, headlined by acclaimed jazz trumpeter Christian Scott.

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 Sylvan Winds announce the opening concert of the 2019 Spring Season celebrating music, art, and history. Performing in important cultural and historic New York City buildings, the ensemble creates imaginative and informative programs that reflect the environs of each space.

GHOSTLIGHT DELUXE, an imprint of Ghostlight Records, has announced the release of For Centennial Reasons: 100 Year Salute to Nat King Cole - the new album from the JOHN PIZZARELLI TRIO - in physical, digital and streaming formats today, Friday, February 8. Following high-profile collaborations with Sir Paul McCartney and Michael McDonald, Pizzarelli returns to his roots to honor his hero, the legendary jazz/pop vocalist and pianist Nat King Cole, whose centennial is being celebrated around the world this year with various concerts, books and recordings. For Centennial Reasons completes an epic trio of Pizzarelli albums saluting Cole, starting with Dear Mr. Cole, which helped put Pizzarelli on the map as an influential jazz guitarist and singer in 1994, and continuing with P.S. Mr. Cole, which cemented his legacy five years later. To order the album, please visit ghostlightrecords.lnk.to/pizzarelli-natkingcole

World renowned singer Jack Jones and celebrated drummer Jeff Hamilton kick off the 19th annual Newport Beach Jazz Party February 14, 2019 at the Newport Beach, CA, Marriott Hotel and Spa. Tickets are available by calling 949-205-1252 and by visiting NewportBeachJazzParty.com.

GHOSTLIGHT DELUXE, an imprint of Ghostlight Records, has announced the release of For Centennial Reasons: 100 Year Salute to Nat King Cole - the new album from the JOHN PIZZARELLI TRIO - in physical, digital and streaming formats on Friday, February 8. Following high-profile collaborations with Sir Paul McCartney and Michael McDonald, Pizzarelli returns to his roots to honor his hero, the legendary jazz/pop vocalist and pianist Nat King Cole, whose centennial is being celebrated around the world this year with various concerts, books and recordings. For Centennial Reasons completes an epic trio of Pizzarelli albums saluting Cole, starting with Dear Mr. Cole, which helped put Pizzarelli on the map as an influential jazz guitarist and singer in 1994, and continuing with P.S. Mr. Cole, which cemented his legacy five years later. To pre-order the album, please visit the label HERE.

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with the following acts: