Jazz Buzz

jAzz BuZz and the succulent life

By Melanie Maxwell

Sending an ensemble of smooth jazz artists out on tour as a package has certainly gained popularity since the first incarnation of the “Guitars and Saxes” concept launched in 1995. That lineup featured saxophonists Richard Elliot and Warren Hill, with guitarists Peter White and Craig Chaquico, and was the brainchild of John Harrington and Bobby Engel, agents at Variety Artists International. Twenty-five years later, tour packages are on nearly every festival lineup. Here is a preview of some of the newest packages hitting the touring circuit in 2020:

1.

Keiko Matsui Kirk Whalum

Photo: Byanna Webber

Keyboardist KEIKO MATSUI and saxophonist KIRK WHALUM are touring together this year. Their first concert is scheduled for March 28, at the 30th Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, Grand Ballroom, 701 Penn St., Reading, Pennsylvania. For tickets or more information, visit www.berksjazzfest.com. For more information on Matsui and Whalum, visit their websites, www.keikomatsui.com/ and www.kirkwhalum.com/, respectively.

2.

PETER WHITE and EUGE GROOVE have teamed up

together again for another year of White Hot Summer Groove. The guitarist and saxophonist will also welcome MINDI ABAIR on select dates. Abair, who left the genre and her management a few years ago to explore her blues chops, is dipping her toes back into smooth jazz and has returned to her prior management team, Chapman & Co. Management. White and Groove are scheduled to perform at the Seabreeze Jazz Festival in Panama City Beach, Florida, on April 23 (www.seabreezejazzfestival.com); and the inaugural Mazatlan Jazz Festival in Mexico on May 16 (https://mazatlanjazzfestival.com/). For more information on White and Groove, visit their websites at www.peterwhite.com and www.eugegroove.com, respectively.

3.

Longtime friends RICK BRAUN and JONATHAN BUTLER not only share a close friendship, they’ll share a stage on several tour dates. Bookings are currently in the works. For more information and updates on Braun and Butler, go to www.rickbraun.com and www.jonathanbutler.com. (Above) Jonathan Butler (Left) Rick Braun

4.

Photo: Raj Naik

Brass lovers won’t want to miss trumpeters WILLIE BRADLEY, JOHNNY BRITT and ROB ZINN as the Brass Attack BBZ tour this year. Dates include Saturday, July 11, at the 4th Annual San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival, held at Embarcadero Marina Park North, 400 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, California. If you’d like to familiarize yourself with the backgrounds of these multitalented musicians, here are some quick facts: Bradley taught music to middle school students at an Army base in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, while playing local gigs

Willie Bradley

Rob Zinn

Photo: Alessandra Nicole and struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. In 2010, after his fourth stint in rehab, he made his dream of recording a CD come true by releasing a gospel jazz record, Speak to My Heart, with his group Kingdom Builders. Since then, he’s recorded two solo CDs, and he is now in the studio with Britt and Zinn finishing their single, a cover of Herb Alpert’s “Tijuana Taxi.” Britt produced the group’s first single, which is scheduled to hit the radio airwaves in late February. Britt is not only a vocalist, trumpeter, songwriter and producer, he is also the founder of Impromp2, an R&B soul group signed to Motown’s jazz label MoJazz Records in the ’90s. After 17 years together, the band broke up, and Britt released his first solo record, Feels so Good, in 2012. Throughout his career, he has continued composing songs for artists such as Boney James (three of which hit No. 1 on the radio airplay charts), Paul Brown, Euge Groove, Rick Braun, The Temptations, Peabo Bryson, Marion Meadows and Jessy J. He’s currently working on his next solo project, scheduled for release in May. Zinn, the third member of Brass Attack BBZ, is a veteran trumpeter and flugelhornist with two solo albums to his credit. While performing in his high school jazz band, the Maryland native began his career in a 15-piece swing band. His performance experience also includes dance party bands and blues groups. To learn more about these artists, visit their websites at www.williebradley.net, http://johnnybritt.com and http://robzinn.com, respectively. For tickets or more information about The San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival scheduled for July 10-12, which also features a Friday night dinner cruise aboard Inspiration Hornblower on July 10 (boarding at Pier 1 Hornblower Landing, 1800 N. Harbor Dr.), visit www.sandiegosmoothjazzfestival.com, or call 562-424-0013.

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Photo: Jurgen Reisch

Steve Oliver Tim Bowman

5.

Guitarists NILS, STEVE OLIVER and TIM BOWMAN

have formed Guitar G-Force. Although we don’t see these talented artists on every festival lineup, this newly minted trio is sure to generate some buzz with this package. To pique your interest, here’s a little bit about each one: With 10 solo CDs to his credit (and an 11th scheduled for release in March), NILS is also the author of several music books, JamTracks and lead sheets. In addition, he produces and writes songs for other artists, as well as for television and film. And, he teaches personalized private music lessons in the Los Angeles area and from anywhere online via Skype or Facetime. Oliver’s first solo release, First View, earned Smooth Jazz News’ Debut Artist of the Year title in 1999. In addition to his 11 solo records, the multi-instrumentalist/producer/vocalist has co-written or produced for smooth jazz artists such as Brian Simpson, Paul Taylor, Will Donato and Steve Reid. Detroit native Bowman grew up playing guitar in his church. He served as musical director for gospel luminaries The Winans before launching his solo career in 1987. Since then, he’s released seven solo records, which spawned five No. 1 singles on the radio airplay charts. Guitar G-Force is scheduled to perform on April 24, at the Seabreeze Jazz Festival at Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater, 500 W. Park Dr., in Panama City Beach, Florida. For tickets or more information, visit www.seabreezejazzfestival.com or call 850-267-3279. For more information on each artist, visit their websites at www.nilsmusic.com, www.steveoliver.com, and www.timbowman.com.

6.

Unfortunately, one artist will be absent from the festival and concert circuits this year. Saxophonist RICHARD ELLIOT is taking 2020 off. On Dec. 9, 2019, the Grammy-nominated saxophonist posted this message on his Facebook page: “To all of my dear friends and supporters,

I’m currently dealing with a health issue that has forced me to take time off this coming year to fully recover. I want to express my sincere love and gratitude for all of your prayers and thoughts.

Thank you for your inspiring kindness. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Much love to you all,

Richard”

We’re sending much love and healing prayers to Richard, and look forward to seeing him onstage in 2021! For updates on Elliot, visit his website at www.richardelliot.com, and social media platforms.

Richard Elliot