Calendar

It’s been a full quarter-century since a young saxophonist and composer released his debut recording as a leader, Trust. In September of 2017, Boney James released his 16th album titled, Honestly, following his 2015 release, futuresoul, which spent 11 weeks at the number one spot on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart. Cited as virtually creating the urban jazz genre—melding contemporary jazz with hip-hop sensibilities—the crossover virtuoso has racked up sales of more than three million records, four RIAA Gold albums,…

“When I started The Rippingtons, I never imagined it would last more than the release of one album, let alone thirty years,” says Russ Freeman, leader and founder of the GRAMMY nominated group, The Rippingtons. The band celebrated their 30th anniversary with the release of True Stories, their 22nd recording (June 2016). Freeman’s approach to composition has been compared to that of a mixed-medium painter. His ability to engage all the senses and employ disparate techniques has helped keep the…

In a career that spans more than three decades, saxophonist Dave Koz has racked up an astoundingly impressive array of honors and achievements: nine GRAMMY nominations, nine number one albums on Billboard’s Current Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, numerous world tours, playing for multiple presidents, a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and more. A platinum selling artist, Koz is also known as a humanitarian, entrepreneur, radio host and instrumental music advocate. Now, he has released one of the most…

Mike Stern is a six-time GRAMMY nominated American jazz guitarist. To a generation of contemporary jazz guitar aficionados, he is regarded as one of the true guitar greats of his generation. A player of remarkable facility whose searing lines are informed mainly by bebop and the blues while also carrying a rock-tinged intensity, Stern made his mark with Miles Davis in the early ‘80s before launching his solo career in 1985. Since then he has released 17 recordings as a…

Saxophone superstar Kim Waters celebrated his 30th year as a recording artist, has released 20 solo album, and has amassed 16 Top 10 and 14 number one singles, four number 1 CDs, and many millions of album unit sales. He offers his world-wide audience digital delights abundant with his distinctive, soul-imbued melodies, seductive grooves and consistently inspired performances. Waters’ primary influences were jazz icons Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Paul Desmond, and Cannonball Adderley. His…

Four-time GRAMMY Award winner Stanley Clarke is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated acoustic and electric bass players in the world. What’s more, he is equally gifted as a recording artist, performer, composer, conductor, arranger, producer and film score composer. A true pioneer in jazz and jazz-fusion, Clarke is particularly known for his ferocious bass dexterity and consummate musicality. Unquestionably, he has attained “living legend” status during his over 40-year career as a bass virtuoso. Clarke’s creativity has been recognized…