JazzWeek with airplay data powered by jazzweek.com • April 20, 2005 Volume 1, Number 22 • $7.95 In This Issue: JazzWeek Summit Showcase . 4 WAER Feted at Syracuse Jazz Fest. 6 Upcoming CD Release News. 9 Johnson Leaves WRTI . 9 Reviews and Picks. 17 Jazz Radio . 19 CURTIS STIGERS Smooth Jazz Radio. 24 Q&A page 13 Radio Panels. 28 News. 4 Charts: #1 Jazz Album – Monty Alexander #1 Smooth Album – Kenny G #1 Smooth Single – Boney James JazzWeek This Week EDITOR Ed Trefzger ’ve caught Curtis Stigers live a few times now, and I have CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Keith Zimmerman to admit that I’ve become a big fan. His performances are Kent Zimmerman Inothing like, but remind me completely of, Tony Bennett, Tad Hendrickson in that Curtis is the consummate entertainer. CONTRIBUTING WRITER An interesting story about Curtis Stigers isn’t covered in Tom Mallison PHOTOGRAPHY the Q&A with Tad Hendrickson in this issue, but it involves Barry Solof a favorite songwriter and performer of mine – especially from my college radio days – Nick Lowe. Back in 1992, before his PUBLISHER Tony Gasparre jazz record days, Curtis recorded Lowe’s “(What’s So Fun- ADVERTISING: Contact Tony Gasparre ny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding” on the soundtrack (585) 235-4685 x3 or album for The Bodyguard, a tune Lowe had written in the email: [email protected] mid-70’s, and which became an anthem for Elvis Costello SUBSCRIPTIONS: Prices in US Dollars: (you know, Diana Krall’s hubby?) Despite the fact the song Charter Rate: $199.00 per year, wasn’t in the movie, the soundtrack CD sold 15 million cop- JazzWeek w/ Industry Access – Charter Rate: $249.00 per year ies, and Lowe, who was a bit down on his luck, reaped a $1 To subscribe using Visa/MC/Discover/ million windfall, which made it possible to revive his career AMEX/PayPal go to: http://www.jazzweek.com/account/ on Lowe’s own terms. subscribe.html We’ve got more news on the JazzWeek Summit. Our show- case includes the legendary Mike Longo, and Mack Avenue AIRPLAY MONITORING BY recording artists Ilona Knopfler and Ron Blake. It should be a fun evening. The Syracuse Jazz Fest lineup is out now, too. It’s pretty exciting as well. I’m looking forward to a good few Mediaguide days of roll-up-your-sleeves workshops and jazz under the sun 1000 Chesterbrook Blvd. and stars. Suite 150 About the summit: the registration fee goes up after May Berwyn, PA 19312 31, so please register soon if you can. Don’t forget, all regis- JazzWeek (ISSN 1554-4338) trants receive VIP seating at the festival, and all subscribers is published weekly by receive a $50 discount on registration. To register, visit jazz- week.com/summit/, or you may use the registration form on page 7 of this issue. 2117 Buffalo Road Suite 317 – Ed Trefzger, Editor Rochester, NY 14624 phone: (585) 235-4685 fax: (585) 235-4685 [email protected] Copyright ©2005 Yellow Dog Communications Inc. jazzweek.com • April 20, 2005 JazzWeek 2 Contents April 20, 2005 News . 4 2005 JazzWeek Summit Artist Showcase Performers Announced . 4 Syracuse Jazz Fest Announces Artists . 5 Syracuse Fest Dedicated to WAER . 6 San Jose, Newport Fest Lineups . 8 Jazz and Tennis to Meet in Times Square . 8 4 Frank and Joe Show Ready 66 2/3. 9 Johnson Departs WRTI . 9 Eddie Palmieri Plans New CD . 10 New Great Jazz Trio CD, S’Wonderful, Coming June 28 on Columbia . 11 Sirius Jazz Plans Special Shows . 11 Birthdays . 11 Features Artist Q&A: Curtis Stigers . 13 13 Reviews and Picks . 17 Dena DeRose . 17 Mark Masters Ensemble . 17 Kenny Wheeler . 17 Editors’ Picks . 18 Jazz Charts . 19 Jazz Album Chart . 20 Jazz Add Dates . 21 19 Jazz Current CDs . 22 Jazz Radio Panel . 28 Smooth Jazz Charts . 24 Smooth Album Chart . 25 Smooth Singles Chart. 26 Smooth Current CDs . 27 Smooth Radio Panel . 28 24 Cover photo: courtesy curtisstigers.com JazzWeek Volume 1 Issue 22 jazzweek.com • April 20, 2005 JazzWeek 3 News 2005 JazzWeek Summit Artist Showcase Performers Announced SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Saxophonist Ron Blake and his band, singer Ilona Knopfler, and the Mike Longo Trio will perform at this year’s JazzWeek Artist Showcase, on Thursday, June 23, at the Everson Museum in Syra- cuse, N.Y. Legendary composer and band leader Mike Longo was the pia- nist with Dizzy Gillespie from 1966 to 1973. Longo also performed with Cannonball Adderley, Red Allen, and Coleman Hawkins, and studied with Oscar Peterson. He is the founder of Consolidated Artists Productions, an artist-owned record label, and has re- corded both small and large group al- bums for the label, including his most recent, Oasis from Mike Longo and The New York State of the Art En- Ed Trefzger semble. The 2005 JazzWeek Summit Artist Showcase, featuring the Mike Longo Trio, Ron Blake, Mack Avenue recording artist Ilo- and Ilona Knopfler, will be held in the world-renowned Everson Museum, designed by na Knopfler was born in Paris to mu- architect I.M. Pei. sical parents – her mother a singer and her father her accompanist – and be- sound, featuring Joey DeFrancesco ern United States. Each artist will also gan her musical career at the age of 15, and drummer Greg Hutchinson. Blake perform at the Syracuse Jazz Fest dur- singing rock in Hong Kong. But by has played with a veritable who’s who ing public concerts over the weekend the time she was 18, Knopfler had dis- in jazz, including Johnny Griffin, Ar- at the festival’s main stage at Ononda- covered the music Diane Schuur and thur Taylor, Stanley Turrentine, Jim- ga Community College. Al Jarreau, and found a love affair with my Smith, Bobby Hutcherson, Benny The Artist Showcase will be held the sound of jazz. Golson, Art Farmer, Roy Haynes, and in the Everson Museum’s auditori- Saxophonist Ron Blake will re- Ray Brown. um. Promotional opportunities for lease his second Mack Avenue CD The Artist Showcase will be a pri- a reception prior to the performanc- this summer. On Blake’s debut for vate event for JazzWeek Summit at- es are available. Those interested in the label, On Lest We Forget, produced tendees and distinguished sponsors of participating may contact Tony Gas- by Christian McBride, he celebrated the M&T Syracuse Jazz Fest, the larg- parre at (585) 235-4685 x3 or at tony. the classic Hammond B-3 organ trio est free jazz festival in the northeast- [email protected]. JW jazzweek.com • April 20, 2005 JazzWeek 4 News Syracuse Jazz Fest Announces Artists SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Performers for the M&T Syracuse Jazz Fest have been announced by festival founder and pro- ducer Frank Malfitano. The festival, June 24-26, coincides with this year’s JazzWeek Summit, June 23-25, in Syra- cuse, N.Y. This year’s festival, the largest free jazz festi- val in the northeast, has the theme “Jazz Meets Rock, Pop and Soul.” Headlining the main stage on Friday, June 24, will be TRIO! – Stanley Clarke, Bela Fleck, and Jean Luc Ponty as well as the Randy Brecker/Bill Evans Soulbop Band, featuring Hiram Bull- ock, Dave Kikowski, Rod- ney Holmes, and Victor Bai- ley. Also on Friday’s bill is Mack Avenue recording art- Charles Wainwright Frank Malfitano ist Ron Blake and his band. “It’s unquestionably our hot- test opening night ever,” said Malfitano. Saturday’s artists include the headliner for that day, singer Gino Vanelli, whose recordings infused jazz, pop, soul, and funk. Also on Saturday’s bill are the Mike Lon- go Trio, singer Ilana Knopfler, and the Club Django Sex- tet of Toronto. Saturday’s performances will be followed by a fireworks display. Sunday wraps up with Motown legend Smokey Rob- inson. “Smokey’s a living legend and our biggest headliner since Ray Charles,” Malfitano said. Robinson is joined that day by Mel Bay recording artist guitarist Corey Christian- sen, and Toph-E and the Pussycats, featuring Will Lee, Chris Parker, David Mann, and Cliff Carter. In addition, performing artists will be holding clinics and master classes at the festival site, Onondaga Commu- nity College. Two other stages at the festival will feature school groups and upstate New York artists. JazzWeek festival attendees will be provided admis- sion to VIP seating at the festival and transportation from the JazzWeek Summit conference site, the Marx Hotel and Conference Center. A large LED video screen will project a close-up of performers to audience members. JW jazzweek.com • April 20, 2005 JazzWeek 5 News Syracuse Fest Dedicated to WAER SYRACUSE, N.Y – The 2005 Syr- country will be attending the Jazz- acuse Jazz Fest will be dedicated to Week Summit in conjunction with the WAER-FM, Syracuse’s Jazz 88. Festi- festival. val director and founder Frank Malfit- “Over the years, we’ve stated pub- ano made the announcement at a news licly on numerous occasions that conference on Thursday, April 14. there would be no Jazz Fest without Malfitano presented a plaque com- [WAER]. We’re truly fortunate to memorating the dedication to WAER have a full-time jazz radio station in a general manager Joe Lee. “Since day market the size of Syracuse, and for all one, and for the past 25 years that Syr- they’ve done for jazz and for the festi- acuse Jazz Fest has been in operation val, this recognition and honor is long in Central New York, WAER-FM has overdue,” Malfitano said. been our staunchest ally, supporter, WAER, a service of Syracuse Uni- advocate and champion,” said Malfita- versity, reaches Syracuse and much of no.