February-March 2018

Photo: Antonio Dixon

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SHIRTS • TANKS • JACKETS • HATS GUITAR SHOP SHIRT

FLEECE JACKET

HATS

M, L ... $40 3X, 4X ... $45

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F E B RUA RY | M A R C H 2 0 1 8 | 5

Rainbow Promotions, LLC and Payne Pest Management Present

2nD AnnUAL

hosted by eric Darius embarcadero Marina Park north | 400 kettner Blvd | San Diego, CA 92101

FRiDAY, JUne 29, 2018 An intimate evening of Smooth Jazz with Monty Seward and Jessy J hosted by eric Darius

SATURDAY, JUne 30, 2018

eRiC DARiUS

BRiAn CULBeRTSon

JAzz FUnk SoUL ft.

JeFF LoRBeR, eveReTTe hARP AnD PAUL JACkSon JR.

The SAx PACk ft.

JeFF kAShiwA, STeve CoLe AnD JACkieM JoYneR

STeve oLiveR

SUnDAY, JULY 1, 2018

DAve koz SUMMeR hoRnS

ft. GeRALD ALBRiGhT, RiCk BRAUn, RiChARD eLLioT and inTRoDUCinG AUBReY LoGAn

hiRoShiMA

PeTeR whiTe

neSToR ToRReS MARCUS AnDeRSon

All acts and times are subject to change without prior notice.

For Tickets and information:

Rainbow Promotions, LLC (562) 424-0013 | www.sandiegosmoothjazzfestival.com Benoit Entertainment Group, llc

6 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS

Publisher and Managing Editor Melanie Maxwell Operations & Distribution Manager Craig Collier Copy Editors JoAnn Armke Kerri De Rosier Barbara Knox Brad Sondak Contributors Ken Capobianco Cashmira Maggie Espinosa Darcy Peters Graphic Design Gina Mancini New logo design by Andrew Harner Contributing Photographers Ambrose DiscoverLancaster.com/Terry Ross Antonio Dixon Describe The Fauna David Hopley Rachel Laukat Raj Naik Daniel Ray Reisig and Taylor Photography Douglas Sonders Lori Stoll Byana Webber Smooth Jazz News 5519 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., #134 San Diego, CA 92117 858-541-1919 smoothjazznews@aol.com www.smoothjazznews.com Smooth Jazz News is published seven times annually: Monthly: April and May; Bimonthly: June-July, August-September, October-November, December-January and February-March.

The publisher assumes no responsibility for claims or actions of its advertisers. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher, staff or advertisers.

No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without p ­ rior written ­permission from the publisher. ©2018, Smooth Jazz News | All rights reserved.

Smooth-Jazz News/123513291125001 @SmoothJazzNews

Photo: Raj Naik

CONTENTS

Jonathan Butler

Michael Lington

Paul Taylor

You don’t have to be celebrating romance to enjoy a Valentine’s Concert; all you need is a love of great jazz singing, sax and guitar. Rainbow Promotions is presenting such a show with its “A Special Evening of Music For Friends & Lovers” featuring Jonathan Butler, Michael Lington, Paul Taylor and Howard Hewett on Feb. 10, in Long Beach, California. For details on this and other events happening in February and March, check out the calendar section beginning on page 20.

4 Smooth Jazz News merchandise Fleece jackets, classic jazz shirts, golf shirts, T-shirts, tank tops and hats 8 Notes from the Publisher Smooth jazz artists set the stage for events benefiting children 10

28th Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest Music, dining and attractions are draws for this A-list event in Reading, Pennsylvania

13

Special FREE-CD/DVD with subscription offer Receive a FREE CD or DVD when you renew or subscribe to Smooth Jazz News at the 28th Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest

14 Black History Month Honoring the important contributions and achievements of African-Amercians throughout United States history

15 DISCover New Music Spotlighting the latest sounds of smooth jazz 16 Kirk Whalum Kicks off his U.S. tour with five shows at the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest 20

Calendar of smooth jazz events Concerts, festivals, Valentine’s shows and brunches nationwide

28 FREE Cool Stuff Enter to win free concert tickets to the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest 29 Smooth Jazz News subscription The perfect Valentine’s Day gift for yourself or a friend. Show your love ... subscribe today!

30 Cashmira’s Starguide February and March horoscopes 30 Book review “Gold Dust Woman: The Biography of Stevie Nicks”

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The Premier Gala on Saturday begins with an elegant reception featuring passed canapés and an array of hosted bars, followed by a fivecourse gourmet fine dining experience and the concert. And, when the band breaks for intermission, an auctioneer takes control of the mic to conduct a rapid-pace live auction. Tickets are $500*. (*Plus service charge.)

The Ocean Institute “Wave of Jazz” Festival is scheduled for March 2-3, at the Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point, California.

For tickets and more information, visit www.ocean-institute.org.

It wasn’t intentional. I doubt if each of the organizations even knew about the others when they planned their fundraising concerts for the month of March.

18th Annual Hands 4 Hope Starlight Serenade (March 10)

16th Annual Ocean Institute “Wave of Jazz” Festival (March 2-3)

Ocean Institute (above) and 2018 “Wave of Jazz” Festival headliner Jeffrey Osborne (right)

Imagine the expression on children’s faces the first time they wiggle their toes into the wet, sandy ocean floor as foamy waves rush up to their ankles. Or the excitement they feel sailing out to sea when a school of dolphin suddenly leap out of the water. These, and many other inspiring educational experiences, are what the Ocean Institute’s “Wave of Jazz” Festival raises money for.

Proceeds from this event––two nights of jazz concerts, dining and hosted bar––directly support the Adopt-a-Class program, which brings more than 10,000 underserved students a year to the Ocean Institute for hands-on, marine science programs and life-changing field trips. Since 2003, the organization has raised over $1 million for this special cause.

Both evenings feature performances by soul singer Jeffrey Osborne, guitarist Paul Brown and saxophonist Michael Paulo.

Opening night, on Friday, March 2, features a pre-concert reception showcasing tastes from the best Dana Point, California, restaurants, paired with specially chosen artisan brews and wine.

Ticket options include VIP ($250*) with pre-party and front row seating, general admission ($125*) and standing room only in the courtyard “Jazz Lounge” ($75*).

Photo: Ambrose

However, the timing, Southern California locations and being charity events aren’t the only things these three nonprofits have in common: all of them are raising money for children, they feature a smooth jazz lineup, and have auctions full of useful and extravagant items to bid on.

Over the years, Smooth Jazz News has been privileged to attend all of them at least once. And this is what I can tell you about each of them.

Gail Jhonson

Sinbad

When Lydia Floyd and her musician husband moved to Los Angeles from Brooklyn, New York, they joined First Baptist Church of North Hollywood and cultivated relationships within the congregation and the neighborhood. There, she witnessed the struggles of singleparent families, similar to that of her own childhood. As one of four children from a single-parent household, Floyd watched her mother help other single parents while also raising foster children, despite her own challenges with epilepsy.

As a proponent of enrichment activities and safe environments for children, Floyd founded Hands 4 Hope in 2000, an after-school program in North Hollywood, California. She took a large, unused church facility and filled it with academic, enrichment, cultural and recreational activities to guide learning and engage at-risk youth ages 8 to 18 from low-income, predominantly minority households.

Eighteen years later, Hands 4 Hope serves 100-125 children annually, from 2:30 to 7 p.m. on school days, and all day during the summer. The program offers free S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math)-based after-school programs, low-cost academic summer camps, semiannual single-parent resource fairs, tutoring, homework assistance, fitness, nutrition and healthy cooking classes, life skills such as financial literacy, community engagement and mentoring, and computers for children who don’t have one at home. Plus, teens have access to SAT preparation, college guidance, driver safety and career planning. And, when the budget allows, there are field trips. (Maybe the Ocean Institute can arrange a field trip for the Hands 4 Hope kids?)

However, it takes more than small county grants to pay $262,000 in annual operating expenses, including seven staff members, to keep these programs running. So, Floyd depends on the generosity of donors and proceeds from a variety of fundraising efforts to contribute to her 501(c)(3) charitable organization. One such event is their annual Starlight Serenade Benefit Concert.

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This year’s show, hosted again by comedian Sinbad and 94.7 The WAVE’s Pat Prescott, is a tribute to Bill Withers. The musical lineup includes Gail Jhonson and Jazz in Pink, trumpeter Greg Adams (founding member of Tower of Power), keyboardist Larry Dunn (formerly with Earth Wind & Fire), the Hands 4 Hope L.A. kids and a couple of surprise guests.

The evening begins with a VIP reception, catered by The Federal Bar, and silent auction at 6 p.m., followed by the concert at 8 p.m. There will also be a live auction during intermission, with Sinbad serving as auctioneer. And, if it’s anything like previous years, he will have everyone in tears from laughing so hard while he auctions off items such as spa resort getaways, gift cards, jewelry, autographed guitars, voice lessons, theater tickets and dining certificates. Tickets are $50 for general admission, and $75 for VIP (which includes the pre-concert reception, artist meet-and-greet and silent auction).

The 18th Annual Starlight Serenade Benefit Concert is scheduled for Saturday, March 10, at Harmony Gold Theater, 7655 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, California. For tickets, sponsorships and more information, visit www.Hands4HopeLA.org.

Richard Elliot, Rick Braun and Norman Brown in concert to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)

Photo: Lori Stoll

Photo: Reisig and Taylor Photography.

(March 23) When GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist Richard Elliot began performing benefit concerts for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), he had no idea one of his sons would be diagnosed with the disease two decades later.

Richard Elliot

Rick Braun

Norman Brown

“I do a lot of work for JDRF,” said Elliot from his ranch in the North San Diego community of Escondido. “But in the early ’90s I got a letter from a little girl––she was 7 or 8 at the time––and living in Orlando, Florida. Her parents were fans, and she said she had type-1 diabetes and her mom and dad were doing a fundraiser. They wondered if I would do a concert. I did it and did a yearly concert. Years later, my son was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes.

“Here’s an interesting thing. The girl’s name was Kaitlen Bubb. And, when our son was born, during the first couple of years we called him Bub. He was not diagnosed until he was 11. Sometimes that’s how things in life work.”

For the past 15 years, Elliot and his wife Camella have organized a biyearly fundraising concert at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Their 2016 event raised $95,000 for JDRF. They are hoping to match or exceed that amount at this year’s extravaganza, which features

performances by West Coast Jam (Elliot, Rick Braun and Norman Brown) and the West Coast Horns, a VIP pre-concert wine tasting with heavy hors d’oeuvres, a live auction and after-show artist meetand-greet reception.

The wine served at the tasting will be from the Elliots’ own vineyard.

The couple planted grapevines on four acres of the 10-acre estate they share with their five children, three dogs, five alpacas (with one on the way), five goats, three pigs and four horses. They harvested their first crop last summer. Those four Elliot Ranch Albariño tons of grapes, which were sold to Hungry Hawk Vineyards to produce the wine, made 1,500 bottles of Albariño, a light-bodied white wine, which was bottled in January under the Elliot Ranch Albariño label.

The remainder of the grapes, which are still fermenting in oak barrels for another year, will yield approximately 900 bottles of a cabernet named Big Fella Cab (a nod to their 4-year-old dog Moose, a 200 lb.

Newfoundland). The Elliots will keep several bottles of each for their own personal reserve, including the Albariño, which they have called “Alpacarino” in honor of their alpacas.

The Elliot Ranch Albariño vintage will be poured at the wine tasting and available for purchase at the March 23 concert, with a portion of the proceeds donated to JDRF by Hungry Hawk Vineyards, the reception’s sponsor. After the reception and before the concert, there will be a live auction. Concertgoers will have 15 minutes to bid on items such as a superior ocean-view cabin with balcony on the sold-out Dave Koz & Friends at Sea full-ship charter cruise to Scandinavia and the Baltic, May 13-20, 2018; a seven-day stay at the five-acre “Endless Horizon” vacation home in Pu’unoa, on Maui; a superior suite with view on Rick Braun’s European River Cruise Getaway, Aug. 10-17, 2019; a seven-day vacation at Marriott’s Desert Spring Villas in Palm Desert, California, and more.

The evening culminates with an after-show artist meet-and-greet for all attendees. Ticket options include $50* for mezzanine and balcony seating, $75* for upper orchestra and parterre sections, and $115* for VIP, which includes orchestra seating and pre-concert wine tasting. (*Plus service charge.)

The Richard Elliot benefit concert for JDRF is scheduled for Friday, March 23, at California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, California. For tickets or more information, visit www.artcenter.org or call 800-988-4253.

When corporate conglomerates pulled the plug on smooth jazz terrestrial radio, it was a big surprise. It’s also a bit surprising that smooth jazz has evolved into a lifestyle filled with music-themed, full-ship charters, global destination-travel festivals and a camaraderie among fans and stars that has far outlived the radio format from which it all sprung. And, gratefully, that lifestyle has also become a lifeline for people in need through the generosity of organizations such as these, and the fans who support their charitable endeavors.

10 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS

By Maggie Espinosa

FOR ITS 28TH YEAR ,

the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest kicks off with Brian Culbertson’s Colors of Love Tour and culminates with Kirk Whalum’s Gospel According to Jazz celebration with a full choir.

Too big to contain in one fairground, 10 days of concerts and educational events are spread among nearly 40 indoor venues around Reading and Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. More than 40,000 ticket holders from as far as Italy will devour performances of genre greats––Boney James, Rick Braun, Euge Groove, Peter White, Michael Franks, The Rippingtons, etc.––and garner bragging rights for seeing specialty ensembles performing only there.

“Our goal each year is to work with artists to create unique performances only at Berks Jazz Fest,” said John Ernesto, the festival’s general manager. “We are fortunate to have special relationships with artists willing to take on the challenge of these ensembles. This year, we are blessed to have several stellar ensembles.”

One such treat is Pieces of a Dream with special guests saxophonist Kim Waters, guitarist Nick Colionne and vocalist Eric Roberson, on April 7. Another, the Berks All-Star Jazz Jam—a fan favorite featuring Braun, Whalum, Gerald Albright, Everette Harp, Eric Marienthal, Elan Trotman, Bernie Williams, Nestor Torres and many more—is scheduled for April 12.

Photo: Lori Stoll

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Williams, the former New York Yankees outfielder turned jazz guitarist, is also teaming up with Trotman and Torres for “The Caribbean Connection,” which celebrates the music of their respective island heritages. Williams and flautist Torres, who both hail from Puerto Rico, and Barbados-born saxophonist Trotman will be accompanied by steel-pan drum virtuoso Kareem Thompson for two shows on April 14.

Without a doubt, the most poignant collaboration will be “Remembering Chuck Loeb,” a tribute to the beloved, prolific, and peerless headliner at Berks Jazz Fest, who lost his battle with cancer in July. “Chuck Loeb’s passing really affected the Berks Jazz Fest family,” said Ernesto. “In addition to being a great personal friend, Chuck was loved by everyone involved with the event.

When Chuck passed, it was only natural there would be a special event honoring him during the Berks Jazz Fest.”

On April 8, Loeb’s widow, singer-songwriter Carmen Cuesta, and the couple’s musically talented daughters, Lizzy and Christina,

Photo: Daniel Ray

Peter White, Keiko Matsui and Euge Groove are scheduled to perform as EPK on April 14

Brian Culbertson is scheduled to kick off the 28th Annual Berks Jazz Fest with his Colors of Love Tour on April 6

will grace the stage, along with 26 musical colleagues, to celebrate his 18 years of tireless festival devotion. A portion of ticket proceeds will establish the Chuck Loeb Scholarship Fund.

Although the festival’s amazing confluence of jazz luminaries will entertain daily from sunup to past midnight, revelers may want to take a day or two to explore the surrounding environs. Reading has its share of attractions.

The Pagoda, a seven-story Japanese structure, offers sweeping views of the city, plus a cafe with Asian and American fare. Fifteen miles west is Reading Public Museum and Neag Planetarium featuring everything from Warhol to White Dwarf stars. April 7 is Diner Day at the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles, with coffee and pie at 1938 prices––5 cents and 25 cents. Stop at the oldest pub in Berks County, the Ugly Oyster Drafthaus, for a brewski, crab cakes, cheesesteaks, and, of course, oysters. Wine aficionados can hire an Uber and quaff the elixir at a dozen wineries along the Berks County Wine Trail. continued on page 12

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continued from page 11

Photo: Rachel Laukat

Photo: Douglas Sonders

Photo: DiscoverLancaster.com/Terry Ross

butter noodles, and the piece de And for some real Reading flavor, resistance, shoo-fly pie made of check out Jimmie Kramer’s Peanut molasses and a crumb topping, Bar, where you can get one of their pleasure the palate. daily blue-plate specials such as Another Lancaster dining pecan-encrusted chicken breast with option is aboard the Strasburg berry sauce served over rice, or the Rail Road, North America’s Country Mess (roast chicken, mashed oldest operating steam engine, potatoes, corn, gravy and cheddar). which began running in 1832.

It’s also the venue for the festival’s As you ride the rails through traditional Kickoff Luncheon on Amish Country, you can enjoy April 6, plus three additional events. traditional fare of ham balls, A 30-minute car ride from parsley buttered potatoes and a A nearby attraction to check out during the 10-day Boscov’s Reading will drop you in Lancaster, vegetable medley.

Berks Jazz Fest is the Amish Country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania the heart of the Pennsylvania One final must-see is Central Amish Country. The Amish are Market, America’s oldest farmers descendants of the Anabaptists driven out of Switzerland in the 1700s, market, in the heart of Lancaster City. Amish and “English”––as whom William Penn welcomed with open arms. Today, there are close the Amish refer to non-Amish––sell fresh produce and homemade to 33,000 “plain” people, as they call themselves, living in Lancaster. goodies. It’s yet another opportunity to interact with the plain folks They adhere to strict doctrine, which includes horse-and-buggy while sampling their unique creations. transportation, propane-powered electricity, simple dress with no A bit farther down the pike is York, Pennsylvania, the White buttons, and speak Pennsylvania German.

Rose City. This gem’s downtown North Beaver Street is one of A fascinating Lancaster outing is the Amish Experience Bus Tour, a two corridors in the state named “Greatest Public Street” by the three-hour excursion where passengers visit an Amish farm at milking Pennsylvania chapter of the American Planning Association. Brick time, stop at a soap-making or basket-weaving shop and interact with buildings filled with boutique shops and restaurants reminiscent of a family in their home to see how they live. Afterward, make sure a slower, simpler time line the avenue. Revolt Style Studio has fun to mosey down the country road to Good ‘N Plenty restaurant for vintage clothing, and Arthur & Daughters adheres to the street’s authentic Pennsylvania Dutch food. The 1871 farmhouse has served Americana feel with Made-in-the-USA apparel, including millions since it opened 50 years ago. Family-style seating is part of their own private-label collection. If you happen to be in town the allure. Diners meet and eat with people from all over the world on a Tuesday, stop by White Rose Bar & Grill for $4 fish bowl at long tables and make fast friends as they pass around large bowls margaritas and $1 tacos. Other days have specials, too, such as and platters of food. Pepper cabbage, chow-chow pickled veggies, Orange Crush cocktails, half-price burgers and crab pretzels. And, fresh baked bread with apple butter, crispy fried chicken, brown brunch is their specialty on weekends.

Barbados saxman Elan Trotman (center) is scheduled to perform with Puerto Rican guitarist Bernie Williams (left) and flautist Nestor Torres (right) as “The Caribbean Connection” with steel-pan drummer Kareem Thompson on April 14

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Ideas for quick jaunts from the Berks Jazz Fest could fill a book.

Here are two more: head one hour west to the sweetest place on Earth, Hershey, Pennsylvania, where the namesake hotel offers bliss seekers a cocoa massage at its day spa, and a round of golf at the Spring Creek course, or, one hour in the opposite direction is Philadelphia, where the activities, food and fun are endless.

So, whether you spend all 10 days at the festival, or map out a few opportunities to cavort around the Keystone State, Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest is a great place to be this April.

WHEN

April 6-15

WHERE

Various venues throughout Berks County, Pennsylvania

GETTING THERE Flights are available to the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), approximately 70 miles from Berks County.

STAYING THERE

B BI G I G DDEE A AL L FF RROOMM

SMOOTH NEWS SMOOTH JAZZ JAZZ NEWS Going to the 28th Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest?

PICK 1 PICK free1 free

Receive one CD/DVD FREE*

www.berksjazzfest.com/where-to-stay/

(while supplies last) from the selection shown below

TICKETS AND INFORMATION The Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest is presented by the Berks Arts Council.

For the complete lineup, tickets and more information, visit www. berksjazzfest.com or call 800-745-3000.

Choose one from this group of CD/DVDs

LINEUP With nearly 50 ticketed shows at six major concert venues, plus dozens of non-ticketed local events, there are too many to list all of them here. However, here are some of the headliners: Brian Culbertson, Rick Braun, Dave Koz, Boney James, Euge Groove, Peter White, Keiko Matsui, Fourplay, Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Kim Waters, Eric Marienthal, Pieces of a Dream, Nick Colionne, Jazz Funk Soul (Jeff Lorber, Everette Harp, Paul Jackson Jr.), Kenny Lattimore, Incognito, Maysa, The Rippingtons, Steve Cole, David Benoit, Marc Antoine, Carmen Cuesta, Lizzy Loeb, Christina Loeb and more.

CD Compliments of Justin Young

DVD Compliments of Eagle Rock Entertainment

CD Compliments of Sony Masterworks

when you renew or subscribe to Smooth Jazz News at our booth during the

28th Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest

Photo: Describe The Fauna

Various venues throughout Berks County, Pennsylvania April 6-15 Festival website: www.berksjazzfest.com

Maysa is scheduled to perform with Incognito on April 14

Boney James is scheduled to perform April 7

*This free-CD/DVD offer is a special promotion only available at the 2018 Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, while supplies last, and CD/DVD selection is subject to change without notice. This offer is not available when ordering by phone, mail or online. CD/DVDs are provided compliments of record labels.

14 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS

Black History Month is celebrated each February in the United States with concerts, rallies, parades, parties and other festivities to commemorate the contributions of African Americans who changed the world. Much progress has been made toward equality and against racial discrimination since Dr. Carter G. Woodson launched “Negro History Week” in 1926: We elected our first

By Melanie Maxwell black president, Barack H. Obama, to two terms in office, and Oprah Winfrey became the first black woman to launch a television network. Still, there is much more work to do. Here are some quotes from accomplished African American leaders.

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”

» Frederick Douglass (1818–1895)

Journalist, civil rights activist, author and one of the most powerful leaders of the 19th century anti-slavery movement, Frederick Douglass worked as an advisor to Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and later became the first African American citizen to hold a government position.

“I grew up like a neglected weed — ignorant of liberty, having no experience of it.”

» Harriet Tubman (1820–1913)

Born into slavery in Maryland, Harriet Tubman escaped to become the most famous “conductor” on the Underground Railroad, risking her life to lead hundreds of family members and other slaves from the plantation system to freedom on this elaborate secret network of safe houses. She was the first woman to lead an armed expedition during the Civil War. She helped the Union Army during the war, working as a spy among other roles.

“The different ness of races, moreover, is no evidence of superiority or of inferiority.

This merely indicates that each race has certain gifts which the others do not possess.”

» Dr. Carter G. Woodson (1875–1950)

Known as the “Father of Black History,” Carter G. Woodson was an African-American writer and historian whose launch of “Negro History Week” in 1926 evolved into “Black History Month,” which is celebrated internationally today. Born in New Canton, Virginia, Woodson dedicated his career to AfricanAmerican history, becoming the second African American to receive a doctorate from Harvard and eventually appointed as dean at Howard University and the West Virginia Collegiate Institute. He wrote more than a dozen books, including the 1933 “The Mis-Education of the Negro,” as well as literature for elementary and secondary school students. He also established the “Journal of Negro History” in 1916, the “Negro History Bulletin” in 1937, and formed the African-American-owned Associated Publishers Press in 1921.

Smooth Jazz News salutes the pathfinders of African-American equality

“In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

“The time is always right to do what is right.”

» Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–1968)

Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and social activist who, through his activism and inspirational speeches, led the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. He played a pivotal role in ending the legal segregation of African-American citizens. Dr. King also created the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and headed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

“I see Americans of every party, every background, every faith who believe that we are stronger together: black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American; young, old; gay, straight; men, women, folks with disabilities, all pledging allegiance under the same proud flag to this big, bold country that we love. That’s what I see. That’s the America I know!”

» President Barack Obama

(Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Aug. 4, 1961)

Barack Obama is a Harvard Law School graduate who became an Illinois senator, and then the the first African American to be elected as president of the United States. In 2012, he was re-elected to a second term.

F E B RUA RY | M A R C H 2 0 1 8 | 1 5

DARRYL WILLIAMS

MARIEA ANTOINETTE

• Here To Stay

• New single: “Overture”

(Darryl Williams Music)

(Masaii/Infinity Records)

Darryl Williams is a first-call bassist in the world of smooth jazz and has been touring with the top names in the business. His new CD, Here To Stay, features some sultry smooth grooves and will be one to remember in 2018.

The current single, “Do You Remember,” features smooth jazz superstar sax man Michael Lington.

AvAilAble At: iTunes, www.amazon.com, www.cdbaby.com Website: www.DarrylWilliamsmusic.com

Mariea Antoinette’s new single, “Overture,” featuring her mystical harp, immediately commands attention. The urban jazz alchemist, emerging from the lab, demonstrates that her mission is to shatter preconceived limitations and stretch and abolish musical borders. The harp is unexpectedly expressive in its delivery, and utilizing 9-piece strings in her orchestra gives Antoinette her signature jazz, funk sound. This track is a preview of great things to come from Antoinette.

Bookings available for 2018.

AVAILABLE AT: iTunes, www.amazon.com, www.cdbaby.com WEBSITE: www.marieaantoinette.com

Patrick Bradley • Intangible (Patricks Song Factory)

Keyboardist Patrick Bradley is embarking upon his fourth album, Intangible, with 10 original compositions produced by Jeff Lorber. Prepare for a groove-a-thon of trilingual takeoff via Bradley’s Hammond B3-organ, Moog synthesizer and electric piano stylings that coolly cross rock, fusion, jazz and R&B with fiery, funky mastery … and purpose.

AvAilAble At: iTunes, www.amazon.com, www.cdbaby.com Website: www.patrickbradleymusic.com

Justin Young • Blue Soul (Justntime Records)

This is what Dave Koz said about saxophonist Justin Young’s new CD: “I’ve known Justin a long time and have watched his development for many years now.

With his new album, Blue Soul, he confidently steps up to center stage with something meaningful to say, and the results are undeniable. Justin Young is certainly a new voice to be heard on the saxophone.”

AvAilAble At: www.justinyoungsax.com Website: www.justinyoungsax.com Advertisement: To inquire about placement, call 858-541-1919 or email smoothjazzads@aol.com.

16 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS

By Ken Capobianco

O

bbe a We yann B : o t Pho

r

n his most recent album, #Lovecovers— another in a series of records seamlessly blending jazz, R&B, gospel, and pop music— veteran saxophonist Kirk Whalum offers a beautiful, stirring take on Beyonce’s “Love on Top.” Never has a song title better exemplified the music and vision of an artist.

Whalum, one of the premier instrumentalists of his generation, has been spreading a message of love and compassion throughout his long career.

Over the course of three decades as a solo artist, Whalum, whose soaring saxophone solo graced Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” has become universally recognized for his soulful, spiritual saxophone work. He has brought his rare combination of gospel passion and jazz articulation to the jazz ensemble BWB (Norman Brown, Whalum and Rick Braun), as well as to countless collaborations with a broad array of jazz and pop luminaries. In recent years, he has recorded a series of four albums called The Gospel According To Jazz (the most recent, The Gospel According To Jazz Chapter IV in 2015), all emphasizing his deep Christian faith and God’s love.

While the 12-time Grammy nominee (one-time winner) has taken a decidedly more gospel focus with his music these days, Whalum, the son of a Memphis preacher, believes his musical direction is all in keeping with his original vision as an artist.

“My music has always been about the delicate dance between different worlds, and gospel has always been a part of the music I make,” the saxophonist-composer said recently via phone in Japan, where he was recording new songs for an upcoming solo album.

“If you go back to my first album, Floppy Disk (1985), you can hear it there—I grew up on gospel music, so it’s in the DNA. That spiritual element has always been a critical component since the beginning.”

KIRK WHALUM Making music that visualizes the invisible

F E B RUA RY | M A R C H 2 0 1 8 | 1 7

a wide array of musicians from around the globe to explore different sounds and rhythms for what may be his most ambitious project yet.

He was in Japan to record with world-renowned keyboardist Keiko Matsui, but many of his other collaborators might be less familiar to American audiences.

“The record is called Humanitè, and most of the musicians I’m working with are younger, in their 20s and 30s. Some are immensely popular in their home countries. Heavenese is made up of 11 Japanese musicians—wonderful musicians—dressed in traditional Japanese garb. It’s so different. What I’m trying to do with the album is push some boundaries. It’s definitely not going to be your mother’s smooth jazz record. The sound is going to be steeped in jazz, pop, world music and whatever we discover.”

He added that the album will be made up of originals, and there will be much more of his singing involved. The decision to work with younger global artists is all part of a very wise plan to reach new audiences and expand his musical footprint.

“My music has always been about the delicate dance between different worlds, and gospel has always been a part of the music I make.”

Photo: Byanna Webber

With Gospel According To Jazz and #Lovecovers, Whalum has turned to a panoply of pop music genres to find the core spiritual messages in songs. In the process, he has added new, revealing dimensions—a deft interpretive dance very few artists would dare attempt. He has covered songs like “Let ’Em In” from Paul McCartney and Wings, “My Hero” by hard rockers the Foo Fighters, and the great Curtis Mayfield’s “Keep on Pushing.”

He is not rearranging or reinterpreting the songs to make them unrecognizable; instead, he re-contextualizes them and trusts his audience members to discover their own meanings within the larger framework of his shows.

“It’s about mining out the spiritual messages out of the pop canon,” the supremely gracious and engaging Whalum said.

“I’m not taking liberties with the songs and making them what they are not. The songs speak for themselves. It’s all been part of a process of discovery. I remember I did ‘I’ll Be There’ onstage with BWB, and everybody loved it. The audience was so tuned in because they connected with the song and how it was presented.

“Faithful love as a concept.

It’s in the song, if you listen. As a Christian, that message is so very significant and powerful. Christ will not abandon you. He is there for you.

I know some people might not get the message or the concept of what I’m doing, and they may even disagree, but it does touch people on some deep level. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. My fans have fully embraced it.”

The epiphany that spurred the subtle change in the direction of his solo career toward more overt gospel occurred after Whalum experienced a major setback.

“When I got dropped by Columbia Records, that changed everything. It was so abrupt, and I was distraught and depressed as you can be. I’m talking really low.

“I had to rely on my faith, but it was such an emotional time. My girlfriend—we’ve been together since we were 15—and wife for 44 years, looked at me and said quite directly, ‘What can’t you do today that you couldn’t do yesterday? How are you different than when you were with Columbia?’

“And, of course, as usual, she was right. It had such a profound impact on me, and I started thinking creatively instead of just scraping the bottom of the barrel of my emotions—that existential doubt. After reflection, I thought I would bring together the many facets of my life—the creative, the spiritual and the ministry, which is where my roots are—and out of that came Gospel According To Jazz.”

For his next album, though, which he hopes to release early next year, Whalum is taking a very different approach. He’s working with

“It’s a full collaboration. We’re going to get together, and I’m going to get on their page. Hopefully, I can tap into their audiences, go global and reach a different generation of listeners. No doubt, I’ll also be learning something in the process.”

For his main appearance at the upcoming Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, though, Whalum will perform his “Gospel According To Jazz” as the festival’s closing set, one of his five appearances during the fest. He will appear with Fourplay, with whom he toured during Chuck Loeb’s illness and after the guitar giant passed away last year. He will also be involved in the tribute show for Loeb, which features a dizzying array of jazz greats, including Rick Braun, Dave Koz, Nathan East, Jeff Lorber and Michael Franks, as well as Loeb’s widow, singer-songwriter Carmen Cuesta, and their daughters Lizzy and Christina.

“I was invited by my dear friend Chuck Loeb to guest on Fourplay’s Silver anniversary CD, having been told by Chuck, ‘We’ve had 25 years and no sax,’” Whalum said.

continued on page 18

18 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS

continued from page 17

“Only months later, he got the diagnosis and began treatment. At that time, I was asked to sub for him on a few dates. A few months later, the cancer came back, and I was asked to tour Europe with them for the summer. Immediately after that, Chuck passed away…I did a total of one year, and it was one of the most fulfilling years of my career. They don’t have to make any excuses for actual improvisation and interplay between real musicians.”

Whalum will be primarily focused on his closing night “Gospel According to Jazz” set, which he believes is especially relevant for the current climate of the country riven by division and hatred.

“These are very troubling times. What’s happening in the country is painful for many people,” the saxophonist said. “The message we are offering is to look within and find the spirit of Christ within you, and that’s powerful. People are looking for something to connect to. The music is a vehicle for something greater, a higher understanding. When I’m onstage, I’m sharing my belief system through the music. I’m visualizing the invisible.

When I play, I’m trusting God to manifest in what I play and appear in the music. It touches people in the audience—they feel something. They may not know what it is at the moment, but it’s real, and it connects us. That’s something I’m grateful to share.”

Whalum spoke from Japan on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in America, and he expressed disdain for recent events in the country.

“I’m quite political, and what is going on is hard to understand.

“I don’t recognize the white evangelicals who support [President] Trump or someone like Roy Moore. Jesus was always concerned with the marginalized and the outcast. He would have looked down at the power and money ideology that Trump represents.

Jesus focused on the poor and downtrodden. He was about common good and looking out for one another. And, that’s the message I tried to convey with #Lovecovers. We must make sure we are covering one another. What is happening in the country runs counter to that.”

He added he was not afraid of openly discussing politics and current events, as he feels his music is inherently political. “Jazz is the music of resistance. It’s always been the music of liberation and equality. It was the music of black people living in the furnace of oppression—when black people were being hanged from trees and set on fire. That’s what Billie Holiday sang about in ‘Strange Fruit.’

“The Gospel According To Jazz is political in the sense that politics is about doing what is right and just. Ethics. That’s what we are talking about. What would Jesus do? It’s about choosing the right and ethical path.”

Whalum is a complex, often profound man with many passions, but it seems that the gospel according to Kirk Whalum, which finds its foundation in the saxophonist’s devotion to God, can be boiled down to one basic principle. “It’s all about sharing love,” he said just before departing for his next destination in Asia.

For more information on Whalum, visit www.kirkwhalum.com.

ON TOUR APRIL 7-15

Photo: Byanna Webber

28th Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest

April 7: with Fourplay (Bob James, Nathan East and Harvey Mason), at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading April 8: “Remembering Chuck Loeb” tribute concert, at the Santander Performing Arts Center April 12: Berks All-Star Jazz Jam, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading April 13: “The Heart & Soul of Sax” with Everette Harp and special guests Maceo Parker and Dee Dee Bridgewater, plus the Berks Horns, at the Scottish Rite Cathedral April 15: “Gospel According to Jazz Celebration” featuring Take 6, plus Kevin Whalum, John Stoddard, Shelea Frazier and DOXA Gospel Ensemble, at the Scottish Rite Cathedral Various venues throughout Berks County, Pennsylvania www.berksjazzfest.com

JUNE 10

Brian Culbertson’s Napa Valley Jazz Getaway Oxbow Commons Napa, California www.jazzgetaway.com

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20 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS

CONCERTS AND FESTIVALS FEBRUARY 1

Super Bowl LIVE at Nicollet Mall Concerts featuring Gail Jhonson with the New Power Soul/Prince Tribute Band, 6:45pm, 505 Nicollet, Minneapolis, Minnesota, http:// gailjhonson.com/, 612-397-9275 Erin Stevenson, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 2

Darryl Walker & Keith Andrew, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

Nils, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 7

3

Maysa, 7:30pm, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Virginia, www.birchmere.com, 703-549-7500 Gerald Albright, 8 & 10pm, Scullers Jazz Club, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton, 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, Massachusetts, www.scullersjazz.com, 866-777-8932

Gerald Albright, 8 & 10pm, Scullers Jazz Club, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton, 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, Massachusetts, www.scullersjazz.com, 866-777-8932

Live Music Matinee with Tony Exum Jr., 6pm, Live at Jack’s, 500 16th St., #320, Denver, Colorado, www.liveatjacks.com, 303-433-1000 (free admission)

DOTSERO, 9:30pm, Live at Jack’s, 500 16th St., #320, Denver, Colorado, www.liveatjacks.com, 303-433-1000

DOTSERO, 9:15pm, Live at Jack’s, 500 16th St., #320, Denver, Colorado, www.liveatjacks.com, 303-433-1000

Pink Martini with China Forbes, 7:30pm, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, California, www.artcenter.org, 800-988-4253 8

Walter Beasley with Unit 3 Deep, 8pm, Rams Head Tavern, 33 West St., Annapolis, Maryland, www.ramsheadonstage.com, 410-268-4545 DW3, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 9

Rayford Griffin, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment,

3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 Justin Young, 4:30pm, Columbia Winery, 14030 N.E. 145th St., Woodinville, Washington, www.columbiawinery.com 10

Rainbow Promotions presents a Smooth Jazz Valentine’s Concert: A Special Evening of Music for Friends & Lovers featuring Jonathan Butler, Paul Taylor, Michael Lington & Howard Hewett; dinner (for VIP ticket holders), 5:30pm; concert, 7:30pm, Long Beach Performing Arts Center, Terrace Theater, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, California, www.rainbowpromotions.com, 562-424-0013 Karen Briggs, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

jazz funk soul FEATURING

JEFF LORBER, EVERETTE HARP AND PAUL JACKSON JR.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 D O O R S 7 P M | S H O W 8 P M | A G E 21+

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F E B RUA RY | M A R C H 2 0 1 8 | 2 1

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Will Downing, 7:30pm, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Virginia, www.birchmere.com Dan Siegel CD-Release Party, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 13

Mindi Abair Band, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729 14

Valentine’s Dinner with DOTSERO, Wil Alston as opening act, 6pm, Live at Jack’s, 500 16th St., #320, Denver, Colorado, www.liveatjacks.com, 303-433-1000 Erin Stevenson Valentine’s Show, 6:30 & 9pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 Mindi Abair Valentine’s show, 7:30 & 9:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729 Valentine’s Dinner Concert featuring Justin Young, 5pm, Obelisco at Apple Farm Village, 14525 148th Ave. N.E., Suite B-220, Woodinville, Washington, http://obelisco.com/events-dinners/ 15

Marcus Johnson with special guest Phillip “Doc” Martin, 8pm, Rams Head Tavern, 33 West St., Annapolis, Maryland, www.ramsheadonstage.com, 410-268-4545 Rebecca Jade, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 Mindi Abair Band, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729 16

DOTSERO, 9:30pm, Live at Jack’s, 500 16th St., #320, Denver, Colorado, www.liveatjacks.com, 303-433-1000 17

DOTSERO, 9pm, Live at Jack’s, 500 16th St., #320, Denver, Colorado, www.liveatjacks.com, 303-433-1000 Jazz Funk Soul featuring Jeff Lorber, Everette Harp & Paul Jackson Jr., 8pm, The Foundry, SLS Las Vegas, 2535 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada, www.slslasvegas.com, 702-761-7000

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Tony Exum Jr., 8pm, Live at Jack’s, 500 16th St., #320, Denver, Colorado, www.liveatjacks.com, 303-433-1000 Poncho Sanchez, 9:30pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 22

Jeffrey Osborne, 7:30pm, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Virginia, www.birchmere.com, 703-549-7500

rainbow PromoTions, LLc PresenTs

A Smooth Jazz Valentine’s Concert

a special evening of music for friends & Lovers

Rebecca Jade, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 23

Jeffrey Osborne, 7:30pm, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Virginia, www.birchmere.com, 703-549-7500 Jane Monheit, 8 & 10pm, Scullers Jazz Club, DoubleTree Suites

by Hilton, 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, Massachusetts, www.scullersjazz.com, 866-777-8932

Howard Hewett

Paul Taylor

DW3 Tributes to the Legends of Music, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 24

Keiko Matsui, 8pm, Rams Head Tavern, 33 West St., Annapolis, Maryland, www.ramsheadonstage.com, 410-268-4545 Al Williams Jazz Society, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 25

Michael Lington Jonathan Butler

saTurday, february 10, 2018 7:30pm

Keiko Matsui, 7:30pm, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Virginia, www.birchmere.com, 703-549-7500

Long beach Performing arts center

Oleta Adams, 7:30pm, Rams Head Tavern, 33 West St., Annapolis, Maryland, www.ramsheadonstage.com, 410-268-4545

VIP Packages available which include a savory 3-course dinner, a rose for each lady, and preferred seating

Boys & Girls Club Fundraiser featuring Dave Koz, Pat Prescott, Michaela Pereira & the music of DW3, light buffet dinner included, 6pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 continued on page 22

Terrace TheaTer

300 east ocean blvd., Long beach, ca 90802

TickeTs and informaTion:

rainbow Promotions LLc 562.424.0013 | www.rainbowpromotions.com Tickets also available through Ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000 connect with us:

22 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS

continued from page 21

MARCH 1

Erin Stevenson, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 Peabo Bryson, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729 2

Rachelle Ferrell, 7:30pm, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Virginia, www.birchmere.com, 703-549-7500 Ocean Institute “A Wave of Jazz” Festival featuring A Taste of Orange County & performances

by Jeffrey Osborne, Paul Brown & Michael Paulo, VIP reception at 5:30pm; gourmet dinner, 6pm; live auction, 7pm, Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point, California, www.oijazzfestival.com, 949-496-2274 Peabo Bryson, 7:30 & 9:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729

3

Rachelle Ferrell, 7:30pm, The Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Virginia, www.birchmere.com, 703-549-7500 Ocean Institute “A Wave of Jazz” Festival featuring Jeffrey Osborne, Paul Brown & Michael Paulo; cocktail reception, 5:30pm; gourmet dinner, 6pm; live auction, 7pm; concert, 9pm, Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point, California, www.ocean-institute.org/jazz-festival, 949-496-2274 JJ Sansaverino, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 Peabo Bryson, 7:30 & 9:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729 4

Peabo Bryson, 7:30pm, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 6th Ave., Seattle, Washington, www.jazzalley.com, 206-441-9729 8

Chris Botti, 7:30pm, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido,

California, www.artcenter.org, 800-988-4253 DW3, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 9

Bria Skonberg, 7:30pm, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, California, www.artcenter.org, 800-988-4253 10

18th Annual Starlight Serenade Benefit Concert featuring a Tribute to Bill Withers, starring Gail Jhonson & Jazz in Pink, Greg Adams, Larry Dunn, comedian Sinbad, the Hands4Hope L.A. Kids & very special guest vocalists, VIP reception, 6pm; concert, 8pm, Harmony Gold Theater, 7655 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, California, www.Hands4HopeLA.org Will Donato, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 11

Jeff Lorber featuring Jimmy Haslip, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch

Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 12

Buddy Guy with Brandy Zdan, 7:30pm, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, California, www.artcenter.org, 800-988-4253 15

Rebecca Jade, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 16

Happy Hour with DOTSERO, 5:30pm, Live at Jack’s, 500 16th St., #320, Denver, Colorado, www.liveatjacks.com, 303-433-1000 17

Jeff Kashiwa, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 18

Louie Cruz Beltran, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

F E B RUA RY | M A R C H 2 0 1 8 | 2 3

22

Rebecca Jade, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 23

Richard Elliot & West Coast Jam featuring Rick Braun, Norman Brown & The West Coast Horns, benefit concert for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), with VIP pre-concert wine-tasting reception, 5:30pm; live auction, 7pm; concert, 7:15pm; Artists Meetand-Greet, after-show, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, California, www.artcenter.org, 800-988-4253 Adam Hawley, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 24

Special EFX featuring Chieli Minucci, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

25

Eric Valentine CD-Release Party, 7pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 30

Greg Adams & East Bay Soul Funkalicious Band CD-Release Party, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 31

John Pizzarelli, 8 & 10pm, Scullers Jazz Club, DoubleTree Suites

by Hilton, 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, Massachusetts, www.scullersjazz.com, 866-777-8932 Greg Adams & East Bay Soul Funkalicious Band CD-Release Party, 8pm, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 Obelisco Wine & Live Music featuring Justin Young, 5pm, Obelisco at Apple Farm Village, 14525 148th Ave. N.E., Suite 121, Woodinville, Washington, http://obelisco.com/events-dinners/ continued on page 24

24 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS

Hornblower Cruises & Events yacht sailing on San Diego Bay

continued from page 23

FEBRUARY S AT U R DAY, F E B. 3

KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower with KJAZZ host Bubba Jackson, featuring performances by Mat Gurman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, California, www.hornblower.com, 310-301-9900, 888-HORNBLOWER KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower with KJAZZ host DJ Le-Roy Downs, featuring performances by Michael

Whitman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from 2431 W. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, California, www.hornblower.com, 949-650-2412, 888-HORNBLOWER S U N DAY, F E B. 4

KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Mat Gurman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from Fisherman’s Village Marina, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, California, www.hornblower.com, 310-301-9900, 888-HORNBLOWER

KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Michael Whitman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from 2431 W. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, California, www.hornblower.com, 949-650-2412, 888-HORNBLOWER Hornblower San Diego Champagne Brunch Cruise, sails 11am-1pm, boards at 10:30am from Pier 1 Hornblower Landing, 1800 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, California, www.hornblower.com, 619-686-8700

94.7 The WAVE welcomes Spaghettini’s Legendary Champagne Brunch with live broadcast and performances

by DW3, 10am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 S AT U R DAY, F E B. 1 0

Cupid’s Champagne Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Mat Gurman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from Fisherman’s Village Marina, 13755 continued on page 26

Smooth Jazz News’ 18th Anniversary Brunch featuring surprise guest artists

SUNDAY, FEB. FEB. 25, 2018

Photos: David Hopley

Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment | 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy. | Seal Beach, California www.spaghettini.com • Reservations 562-596-2199

Saxophonist Justin Young taking a selfie with Fran and Dean Willis and guitarist Rob Tardik

Spaghettini’s signature champagne

Brunch-goers during the Jan. 28, 2018 Smooth Jazz News Anniversary Brunch at Spaghettini

F E B RUA RY | M A R C H 2 0 1 8 | 2 5

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Gather the crew and toast your bottomless bubbly to that California lifestyle; your typical weekend brunch just got a facelift. Enjoy live jazz when you hop aboard any brunch in Marina del Rey, Newport Beach or San Diego with a chance to meet KJazz personalities Bubba Jackson and Dj Le-Roy Downs!

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26 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS

continued from page 24 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, California, www.hornblower.com, 310-301-9900, 888-HORNBLOWER KJAZZ Cupid’s Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Michael Whitman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from 2431 W. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, California, www.hornblower.com, 949-650-2412, 888-HORNBLOWER Hornblower San Diego Champagne Brunch Cruise, sails 11am-1pm, boards at 10:30am from Pier 1 Hornblower Landing, 1800 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, California, www.hornblower.com, 619-686-8700 S U N DAY, F E B. 1 1

KJAZZ Cupid’s Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Mat Gurman, 2 sailings: 11am-1pm & noon-2pm, boards at 10:30 & 11:30am, respectively, from Fisherman’s Village Marina, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, California, www.hornblower.com, 310-301-9900, 888-HORNBLOWER KJAZZ Cupid’s Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Michael Whitman, 2 sailings: 11am-1pm & noon-2pm, boards at 10:30 & 11:30am, respectively, from 2431 W. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, California, www.hornblower.com, 949-650-2412, 888-HORNBLOWER Hornblower San Diego Champagne Brunch Cruise, sails 11am-1pm, boards at 10:30am from Pier 1 Hornblower Landing, 1800 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, California, www. hornblower.com, 619-686-8700 94.7 The WAVE welcomes Spaghettini’s Legendary Champagne Brunch with live broadcast and performances by Rebecca Jade, 10am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 S AT U R DAY, F E B. 1 7

KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Mat Gurman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from Fisherman’s Village Marina, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, California, www.hornblower.com, 310-301-9900, 888-HORNBLOWER KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower Cruises featuring performances by Michael Whitman, sails noon-2pm, boards at

11:30am from 2431 W. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, California, www.hornblower.com, 949-650-2412, 888-HORNBLOWER Hornblower San Diego Champagne Brunch Cruise, sails 11am-1pm, boards at 10:30am from Pier 1 Hornblower Landing, 1800 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, California, www.hornblower.com, 619-686-8700 S U N DAY, F E B. 1 8

KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Mat Gurman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from Fisherman’s Village Marina, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, California, www.hornblower.com, 310-301-9900, 888-HORNBLOWER KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Michael Whitman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from 2431 W. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, California, www. hornblower.com, 949-650-2412, 888-HORNBLOWER Hornblower San Diego Champagne Brunch Cruise, sails 11am-1pm, boards at 10:30am from Pier 1 Hornblower Landing, 1800 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, California, www.hornblower.com, 619-686-8700 94.7 The WAVE welcomes Spaghettini’s Legendary Champagne Brunch with live broadcast and performances

by DW3, 10am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 S AT U R DAY, F E B. 2 4

KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Mat Gurman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from Fisherman’s Village Marina, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, California, www.hornblower.com, 310-301-9900, 888-HORNBLOWER KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Michael Whitman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from 2431 W. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, California, www.hornblower.com, 949-650-2412, 888-HORNBLOWER S U N DAY, F E B. 2 5

KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Mat Gurman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from Fisherman’s Village Marina, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, California,

www.hornblower.com, 310-301-9900, 888-HORNBLOWER KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Michael Whitman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from 2431 W. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, California, www.hornblower.com, 949-650-2412, 888-HORNBLOWER Hornblower San Diego Champagne Brunch Cruise, sails 11am-1pm, boards at 10:30am from Pier 1 Hornblower Landing, 1800 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, California, www.hornblower.com, 619-686-8700 Smooth Jazz News’ 18th Anniversary Brunch & Jam Session featuring DW3 & surprise guest artists, 10:30am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199

MARCH S AT U R DAY, M A R C H 3

KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower Cruises with KJAZZ host Bubba Jackson, featuring performances by Mat Gurman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from Fisherman’s Village Marina, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, California, www.hornblower.com, 310-301-9900, 888-HORNBLOWER KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower with KJAZZ host DJ Le-Roy Downs, featuring performances by Michael Whitman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from 2431 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, California, www.hornblower.com, 949-640-2412, 888-HORNBLOWER S U N DAY, M A R C H 4

KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower with KJAZZ host Bubba Jackson, featuring performances by Mat Gurman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from Fisherman’s Village Marina, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, California, www.hornblower.com, 310-301-9900, 888-HORNBLOWER KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Michael Whitman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from 2431 W. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, California, www.hornblower.com, 949-650-2412, 888-HORNBLOWER Hornblower San Diego Champagne Brunch Cruise, sails 11am-1pm, boards at 10:30am from Pier 1

Hornblower Landing, 1800 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, California, www.hornblower.com, 619-686-8700 94.7 The WAVE welcomes Spaghettini’s Legendary Champagne Brunch with live broadcast and performances by Erin Stevenson, 10am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 S AT U R DAY, M A R C H 1 0

KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Mat Gurman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from Fisherman’s Village Marina, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, California, www.hornblower.com, 310-301-9900, 888-HORNBLOWER KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Michael Whitman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from 2431 W. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, California, www.hornblower.com, 949-650-2412, 888-HORNBLOWER S U N DAY, M A R C H 1 1

KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Mat Gurman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from Fisherman’s Village Marina, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, California, www.hornblower.com, 310-301-9900, 888-HORNBLOWER KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Michael Whitman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from 2431 W. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, California, www.hornblower.com, 949-650-2412, 888-HORNBLOWER Hornblower San Diego Champagne Brunch Cruise, sails 11am-1pm, boards at 10:30am from Pier 1 Hornblower Landing, 1800 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, California, www.hornblower.com, 619-686-8700 94.7 The WAVE welcomes Spaghettini’s Legendary Champagne Brunch with live broadcast and performances by Erin Stevenson, 10am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 S AT U R DAY, M A R C H 1 7

KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Mat Gurman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from

F E B RUA RY | M A R C H 2 0 1 8 | 2 7

Fisherman’s Village Marina, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, California, www.hornblower.com, 310-301-9900, 888-HORNBLOWER KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Michael Whitman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from 2431 W. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, California, www.hornblower.com, 949-650-2412, 888-HORNBLOWER S U N DAY, M A R C H 1 8

KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Mat Gurman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from Fisherman’s Village Marina, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, California, www.hornblower.com, 310-301-9900, 888-HORNBLOWER KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Michael Whitman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from 2431 W. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, California, www.hornblower.com, 949-650-2412, 888-HORNBLOWER Hornblower San Diego Champagne Brunch Cruise, sails 11am-1pm, boards at 10:30am from Pier 1 Hornblower Landing, 1800 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, California, www.hornblower.com, 619-686-8700 94.7 The WAVE welcomes Spaghettini’s Legendary Champagne Brunch with live broadcast and performances

by Rebecca Jade, 10am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, www.947thewave.com, 562-596-2199 S AT U R DAY, M A R C H 2 4

KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Mat Gurman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from Fisherman’s Village Marina, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, California, www.hornblower.com, 310-301-9900, 888-HORNBLOWER KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Michael Whitman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from 2431 W. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, California, www.hornblower.com, 949-650-2412, 888-HORNBLOWER

S U N DAY, M A R C H 2 5

KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Mat Gurman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from Fisherman’s Village Marina, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, California, www.hornblower.com, 310-301-9900, 888-HORNBLOWER KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Michael Whitman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from 2431 W. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, California, www.hornblower.com, 949-650-2412, 888-HORNBLOWER Hornblower San Diego Champagne Brunch Cruise, sails 11am-1pm, boards at 10:30am from Pier 1 Hornblower Landing, 1800 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, California, www.hornblower.com, 619-686-8700 94.7 The WAVE welcomes Spaghettini’s Legendary Champagne Brunch with live broadcast and performances

by DW3, 10am, Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach, California, www.spaghettini.com, 562-596-2199 S AT U R DAY, M A R C H 3 1

KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Mat Gurman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from Fisherman’s Village Marina, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, California, www.hornblower.com, 310-301-9900, 888-HORNBLOWER KJAZZ Champagne Jazz Brunch Cruise aboard Hornblower featuring performances by Michael Whitman, sails noon-2pm, boards at 11:30am from 2431 W. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, California, www.hornblower.com, 949-650-2412, 888-HORNBLOWER

NOTE: Artists, events, venues, dates and show times are subject to change without notice. Smooth Jazz News is not responsible for any cancellations or changes or the accuracy of any concert or festival information contained in this magazine in advertisements and/or editorial, which has been provided by outside sources. Please contact each venue directly to confirm all information.

28 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS

a t w w w. s m o o t h j a z z n e w s . c o m

Please see contest rules posted on www.smoothjazznews.com. *Concert tickets only; does not include transportation or accommodations NOTE: Artists, events, venues, dates and show times are subject to change without notice. Smooth Jazz News is not responsible for any cancellations or changes.

Please contact each venue directly to confirm all information.

April 6, 10 p.m.

Rick Braun with special guest Dave Koz DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Reading, Pennsylvania

Rick Braun

Dave Koz

Photo: Antonio Dixon

To enter, simply visit www.smoothjazznews.com and complete the form on the “FREE Cool Stuff” page (one entry per person). We will draw one entry per prize each month.

Must have a valid email address and telephone number to enter. Please note that Smooth Jazz News DOES NOT sell or share its email database or information with any other organizations.

(www.berksjazzfest.com)

Chieli Minucci

Eric Marienthal

Photo: Lori Stoll

Each month we offer our readers the chance to win tickets* to concerts and festivals, CDs, merchandise or other fun things.

Enter to win a pair of tickets to one of these shows at the 28th Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest

April 6, 7:30 p.m.

Special EFX All-Stars featuring Chieli Minucci, Eric Marienthal, Lao Tizer, Karen Briggs, Gerald Veasley The Inn at Reading Wyomissing, Pennsylvania

April 13, 7 p.m.

The Heart & Soul of Sax featuring Kirk Whalum, Everette Harp and special guests Dee Dee Bridgewater and Maceo Parker Scottish Rite Cathedral West Reading, Pennsylvania

Kirk Whalum

Photo: Lori Stoll

Enter to win FREE cool stuff from Smooth Jazz News and our participating advertisers and vendors!

Everette Harp

April 14, 2 p.m.

The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman, plus Grace Kelly DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Reading, Pennsylvania

The Rippingtons

F E B RUA RY | M A R C H 2 0 1 8 | 2 9

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30 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS

“Gold Dust Woman: The Biography of Stevie Nicks” F E B RUA RY | M A RC H 2 018

CASHMIRA’S STARGUIDE Pisces Feb. 19 - March 20

Virgo Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

Aries March 21 - April 19

Libra Sept. 23 - Oct. 22

Taurus April 20 - May 20

Scorpio Oct. 23 - Nov. 21

Gemini May 21 - June 21

Sagittarius Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

Try to pay attention to your health.

You’ve been getting a bit lax about your eating habits. It’s time to actually look at what you are eating and make sure it is all real food.

Drink some more water, and you’ll be on the right track.

Things have been going pretty seriously for you the past couple of months. Responsibilities have piled up and required all your attention.

Take some time to experience the lighter side of life, and let the people near you help bring you smiles.

There have been a lot of delays in some of your plans. Don’t let that get you down; it’s all part of the plan. You may have to work a little harder to get where you want to be, but it will be worth it for you and your family.

You’ve been having some minor spats with friends lately. It just seems like you can never agree exactly. Give it up, and stop trying to change each other’s minds. Just go your way and let others go their’s. It’s not worth fighting about.

Life has been going along fairly swimmingly for you … but HALT! Things are going to change.

Responsibilities, duties and chores are all looming for you now. Grin and bear it; things just gotta get done!

Please take some time for yourself now. Work and personal chores have been crowding out all other occupations for quite a while. You need to take a breath, and give yourself a break. There’s no way you can continue if you do not.

Now is a good time to pull yourself away from all the duties and responsibilities you have given yourself. It’s not up to you to do all the work. Sharing in the job that benefits all is only fair. Give up the mantle, and let others help you.

You don’t have to work harder than everyone else. A little light flirtation now will remind you of the delightful side of life. Enjoy some time inside that little bubble before you head back to the salt mines.

Cancer June 22 - July 22

OK, you feel like taking a little risk. Don’t let the naysayers bring you down. Forge ahead with your plans, but be aware of the potential pitfalls. It’s time to go for it and see what happens. What is life without taking a chance once in a while?

It’s time to come up with your financial plan for the coming months. Your finances have been a bit of a mess, and now is the time to develop a plan that will make things easier for you.

Depend upon the assistance of someone close to you.

Leo July 23 - Aug. 22

Aquarius Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

It’s time to face that awkward conversation you’ve been meaning to have. It’s never fun to express negative feelings, but try to be truthful in the kindest way. You don’t want to hurt others, but this must be dealt with before things get out of hand.

Capricorn Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

Hmm, dreaming of hitting the road? Typical Aquarius, with happy feet raring to go. Before you head off for parts unknown, make a plan this time, and let others know about it. Simply disappearing will not serve you well.

By Stephen Davis St. Martin’s Press | 352 pages, $27.99 Reviewed by Darcy Peters Rock journalist Stephen Davis has more than enough material for this unauthorized biography, considering that his subject, Stevie Nicks, has a nearly 50-year career in the complicated world of rock ’n’ roll. Her careers with Fleetwood Mac and as a solo artist have been the stuff of rock legend.

Fleetwood Mac was a British band that had some success. After relocating to America, they went looking for new band members.

They were interested in a new guitarist, Lindsey Buckingham.

At the time, Buckingham was working and recording with his girlfriend Nicks, and still wanted to work with her. The band decided to take them both and found that Nicks was a budding songwriter as well. Nicks emerged as the star of the band, and the fact that her songs became some of the most popular tunes the band recorded and performed caused strife with Buckingham.

The new Fleetwood Mac released their self-titled album, which was a success with songs written by Christine McVie, Buckingham and Nicks. Their second record, Rumors, was an even bigger hit. However, the band was almost at odds with each other. Romantic entanglements and Buckingham’s antipathy to Nicks led to high drama.

Nicks was anxious to record more of her own songs and wanted to do them without the band. She was known to constantly make notes and drawings in her journals, many of which ended up as songs.

She also was a huge fan of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, even approaching Petty to work with him. That didn’t happen at the time, but they later became friends and worked with each other often. The song they did together, “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” was one of their biggest hits, and she toured with the Heartbreakers on their 30th Anniversary “Highway Companion” tour in 2006. After Nicks’ first solo album, Bella Donna, was released, her success as an individual artist became established.

She continued to release solo albums and recorded with Fleetwood Mac every couple of years, which included some fractious tours. Nicks’ trademark personal style, which originally featured flowy dresses and capes, boots and her famous top hat, added flair to her fame. Some of her current ensembles, which now include a group of famous shawls, have their own Facebook pages.

Nicks did have a severe drug problem, which put her out of commission for a while. She abused all of the popular tour drugs at the time, which was bad enough. But after seeing a doctor, she was prescribed Klonopin, a medication within the benzodiazepine class of drugs, which she used between the ages of 39 and 45. She has admitted many times that was the worst period of her life.

As part of Fleetwood Mac, she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. The 69-year-old Los Angeles resident continues to perform (sometimes appearing on television), work and write as a self-described old woman of rock ’n’ roll.

F E B RUA RY | M A R C H 2 0 1 8 | 3 1

April 6-15, 2018 Reading, PA

Tickets on sale now!

berksjazzfest.com

Spring Break for Jazz Lovers!

Spend 10 jazz- and blues-filled days and nights in the Greater Reading area!

Over 120 scheduled events, plus great shopping and dining, make the 28th annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest the perfect spring break for jazz lovers!

For tickets, call Ticketmaster toll free at 1-800-745-3000 or visit ticketmaster.com to order online.

BONEY JAMES

REMEMBERING CHUCK LOEB

BRIAN CULBERTSON

GERALD ALBRIGHT

BERNIE WILLIAMS

EVERETTE HARP

INCOGNITO WITH MAYSA PIECES OF A DREAM NICK COLIONNE KIM WATERS

JEFF LORBER PIECES OF A DREAM TAKE 6 EPK featuring EUGE GROOVE, KEIKO MATSUI, PETER WHITE

LISA FISCHER & GRAND BATON

DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER

DAVID BENOIT & MARK ANTOINE

VICTOR WOOTEN

MACEO PARKER ELAN TROTMAN

RICK BRAUN & DAVE KOZ KIM WATERS ERIC MARIENTHAL

SLAM ALLEN BAND

KIRK WHALUM

and many more!

32 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS

April 18th-22Nd 2018 ~ Panama City Beach, FLORIDA

the ultimate weekend of smooth jazz ~ 1998-2018

WHITE SANDS, BEAUTIFUL WATER, AND THE BEST IN SMOOTH JAZZ. EXPERIENCE THE SEABREEZE...

BRIAN CULBERTSON ~ BONEY JAMES PRESENTED BY

KOOL AND THE GANG ~ PETER WHITE EUGE GROOVE ~ NICK COLIONNE

GERALD ALBRIGHT ~ COMMODORES

RICK BRAUN ~ JEFFREY OSBORNE SPYRO GYRA ~ DAMIEN ESCOBAR RICHARD ELLIOT ~ CINDY BRADLEY

PEABO BRYSON ~ NAJEE ~ ERIC DARIUS JAZZ FUNK SOUL ~ JEFF LORBER PAUL JACKSON JR ~ EVERETTE HARP

THE FAMILY STONE ~ CHRIS STANDRING ~ KEIKO MATSUI VINCENT INGALA ~ LINDSEY WEBSTER ~ BEN TANKARD URBAN JAZZ COALITION FEAT. PHIL DENNY ~ RAGAN WHITESIDE

FLORIDA BEACHES WILDLIFE SUNSETS +MUSIC

Visit Us Online SeabreezeJazzFestival.com Charge by Phone at 1-877-987-6487