<br><a href="http://jazzhq.blogspot.com">HeadQuarters for the latest smooth jazz, pop, R&amp;B news and reviews</a>noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Fri, 6 Nov 2026 06:59:17 -0800Blogger http://www.blogger.com4910125http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/en-usno HeadQuarters for the latest smooth jazz, pop, R&amp;B news and reviews HeadQuarters for the latest smooth jazz, pop, R&amp;B news and reviewsnoreply@blogger.comhttp://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/11/belton-mouras-jr-scores-no-1-jazz-hit.htmlJazzNew Releasesnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Fri, 6 Nov 2026 06:59:17 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-2882977739222187150&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;In a remarkable year spanning multiple musical genres and filmmaking, Belton Mouras Jr. scored a No. 1 hit with his contemporary jazz single “Dynamo” and a Top 10 chart hit with his debut country single “Hold My Hand with Your Heart,” while simultaneously composing 13 original songs and the complete musical score for his debut feature film, Fingers: The Vegan 0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/11/r-singer-songwriter-drummer-arthur.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Sun, 1 Nov 2026 07:11:38 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-2662226336786771101After spending much of the year recording, touring across the U.S. and Europe, and performing aboard premier music cruises, Nashville-based singer-songwriter, drummer, and philanthropist Arthur Thompson is looking forward to something far more personal: having his family together for Christmas. That longing inspired Tennessee Christmas, a new five-song holiday EP arriving November 6.&nbsp;The 0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/10/contemporary-jazz-trombonist-hank-bilal.htmlJazzNew Releasesnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Tue, 27 Oct 2026 16:13:06 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-5654505647000487848GRAMMY® nominated trombonist Hank Bilal gathered ten Billboard No. 1 hitmakers and award‑winning musicians for his new single, “Astronomical,” which is currently climbing the Billboard, Mediabase, Smooth Jazz Network, and Groove Jazz charts.&nbsp;Bilal wrote and produced the otherworldly jazz-funk track featuring Phil Denny on tenor saxophone and Marcus Anderson on flute. The gravity-defying 0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/10/emerging-vocalist-lali-p-debuts-with.htmlJazzNew Releasesnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Fri, 23 Oct 2026 14:34:33 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-5218930554639854288Emerging vocalist Lali P makes an impressive debut with "Keep It Smooth," featuring acclaimed saxophonist Najee and produced by GRAMMY®-winning artist and producer Michael Mani. Blending Latin soul, R&amp;B, contemporary jazz, and Afrobeat influences, the single introduces Lali's sultry voice and sophisticated musical style. "Keep It Smooth" celebrates confidence, connection, and effortless cool 0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/10/canadas-jazz-fusion-secret-weapon.htmlJazzNew Releasesnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:37:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-4683880797714041020YouTube | Spotify | Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | TikTokThe greatest players in the world already know Jeremy Green. Mike Stern knows. So do Will Lee, Keith Carlock, Oz Noy, Tim Lefebvre and Jimmy Haslip, all of whom lined up to play on his new album. The charts know too. Now it’s time for the rest of Canada to discover what they’ve heard.‘In Motion,’ the second full length album 0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/10/guitarist-ronny-smiths-velvet-vibe.htmlGrammyJazzNew Releasesnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Tue, 20 Oct 2026 07:02:04 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-7482467283422764588&nbsp;Guitarist Ronny Smith’s Velvet Vibe is under GRAMMY® consideration for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, and three tracks from the collection – “Heavens’ Angel,” “Night Wave,” and “Velvet Vibe” – are up for Best Jazz Performance. The Pacific Coast Jazz release reflects Smith’s most cohesive artistic statement to date, built on soulful melodies, infectious grooves, and his signature cool0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/10/composer-keyboardist-mark-stephenss.htmlJazzNewsnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:53:10 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-337787367296058937Composer‑keyboardist Mark Stephens released a powerfully unifying single, “E Pluribus Unum,” on July 4th to mark America’s 250th anniversary. The track is now under consideration in four GRAMMY® categories.&nbsp;“E Pluribus Unum” is a soul-stirring rally cry to unite all Americans written, produced, and arranged by Stephens. Latin for “out of many, we are one,” the song’s message and lyric 0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/10/jazz-crooner-ori-dagan-swings-into.htmlJazzNew Releasesnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Thu, 15 Oct 2026 16:33:18 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-862022710499944611Spotify | YouTube | Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTokOne listen to Ella Fitzgerald's "Mack the Knife" and Ori Dagan was hooked for life. Now the award-winning Toronto jazz singer has made the kind of record that first inspired him. 'Live in the Market,' his fifth album and first live recording, arrives October 23 on G-THREE Records, and he celebrates the next night with a release concert at0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/10/keyboardist-charles-kelly-accelerates.htmlJazzNew Releasesnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Wed, 14 Oct 2026 07:48:39 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-1357497694720799014A Latin‑jazz powered call to break through barriers, the track previews Kelly’s forthcoming double album Transformation.&nbsp;&nbsp;Transformation demands momentum — and with his new single “Move It,” R&amp;B/jazz keyboardist Charles A. Kelly delivers a vibrant, Latin‑infused push toward progress. Out now via Innervision Records, the track that earned most added status in its debut week offers 0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/09/ronny-smith-expands-velvet-vibe-with.htmlJazzNew Releasesnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Wed, 30 Sep 2026 07:18:53 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-2652526701655155291The contemporary jazz guitarist accelerates his creative pace with a 12‑song collection and a Blues Alley release concert.&nbsp;Contemporary jazz guitarist Ronny Smith continues the most prolific period of his career, and he’s marking the moment with Velvet Vibe Deluxe Edition, arriving November 6 from Pacific Coast Jazz. The expanded release adds two new tracks to the album he dropped this 0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/09/rumba-flamenco-guitarist-jesse-cook.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Mon, 14 Sep 2026 16:57:25 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-6338650586435632761Rumba flamenco guitarist Jesse Cook releases his new album, 'past the breakwater,' on September 18 through Coach House Music, distributed by Believe. The 10-track record follows two singles already circulating, "forever" and "you were looking north," out now, and lands alongside the Forever Live Tour, an extensive run of North American dates that carries Cook and his band well into 2027, with a 0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/09/christian-mcbride-ursa-major-points-of.htmlJazzNew Releasesnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Mon, 14 Sep 2026 13:41:55 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-509138150851232912711x GRAMMY® Award-WinningChristian McBride Announces Highly Anticipated Debut AlbumFrom Newest EnsembleChristian McBride &amp; Ursa MajorPoints of Light out October 30 via Mack Avenue RecordsProduced by 8x GRAMMY® Nominated Terrace MartinUrsa Major Is:Saxophonist Nicole Glover, Guitarist Ely Perlman,Pianist Mike King, and Drummer Savannah Harris11x GRAMMY® Award-winning bassist, composer, and 0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/09/remembering-9112001-jazz-music.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Thu, 10 Sep 2026 22:10:29 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-4710112026162423689 0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/09/happy-labor-day-from-jazzhq-jazz-music.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Sun, 6 Sep 2026 14:11:08 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-7308377839704477515You have worked so hard and deserve to be praised for your outstanding effort.Let us celebrate your achievements from this past year and look forward with excitement to what we can do together in the coming year!&nbsp;On this day when we celebrate American labor, we celebrate you. Happy Labor Day!http://jazzhq.blogspot.comhttp://facebook.com/jazzhqhttp://twittter.com/jazzhq0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/09/keyboardist-bob-coate-offers.htmlJazzNew Releasesnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Fri, 4 Sep 2026 10:46:38 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-6395875522073483396Keyboardist Bob Coate entered the contemporary jazz space after retiring, bringing with him a grateful heart and an optimistic outlook for what lies ahead. That mindset fuels his invigorating new single, “Reflections,” which he wrote and is now garnering airplay across the globe.&nbsp;In addition to Coate’s jubilant keyboard work, “Reflections” features saxophonist Peter Herold, who pours passion0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-smooth-jazz-top-20r-countdown-with.htmlJazzNewsnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Thu, 3 Sep 2026 14:09:48 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-7245170733607365565A landmark moment for the Smooth Jazz Network® as Kepler celebrates four decades of shaping the genre’s sound, culture, and global reach&nbsp;Reaching 1,000 episodes is a rare feat in broadcasting, and this Labor Day Weekend the Smooth Jazz Top 20® Countdown with Allen Kepler joins that elite club as the Smooth Jazz Network® celebrates the milestone across its national footprint.&nbsp;Launched in0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/09/cassandra-wilson-grammy-winning-jazz.htmlJazzObituariesnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Wed, 2 Sep 2026 14:38:16 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-6801300037379757092Cassandra&nbsp;Wilson, the Grammy-winning jazz singer, songwriter, and producer, has died. She was 70.Wilson’s longtime manager Robert Torre shared with&nbsp;WBGO&nbsp;that Wilson died early Wednesday morning in Jackson, Mississippi. A cause of death was not given.“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Cassandra Wilson, the Grammy Award-winning and legendary jazz artist,” 0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-kensington-market-jazz-festival.htmlJazzNew Releasesnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Wed, 2 Sep 2026 07:27:08 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-2485454602120133397&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kensington Market Jazz Festival Returns for Its 11th Year, September 18 to 20, 2026, With First Artists Confirmed: Alex Bird, Hilario Duran, Robi Botos, Rich Brown, Jane Bunnett, Marc Jordan, Robert PriestThe Kensington Market Jazz Festival (KMJF) is coming back. Now in its 11th year, the festival returns to the streets, stages, patios and intimate venues of one of Toronto's most 0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/08/grammy-winners-and-billboard-hitmakers.htmlJazzNew Releasesnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Tue, 25 Aug 2026 21:30:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-4013089423047227573Contemporary jazz guitarist Les Sabler has spent the last two years building toward his milestone tenth album by releasing a series of singles crafted with GRAMMY®‑winning and Billboard chart‑topping producers. The aptly titled Ten arrives October 9.&nbsp;Sabler began the project in 2024 with hitmaker Greg Manning, cowriting and producing three tracks that now anchor the album. Their first single0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/08/new-release-peter-cincotti-feat-chris.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Tue, 25 Aug 2026 21:27:23 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-4336015628949744963&nbsp;PETER CINCOTTI PARTNERS WITHGRAMMY®WINNING TRUMPETER CHRIS BOTTION SULTRY NEW SINGLE ‘VIBE’ImpactingSeptember 18th, 2026Formats: Jazz, NPR, Non-Commercial, Smooth Jazz, Triple AFOCUS TRACK FROM IN COLOR: PART TWOSET FOR RELEASE ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4&nbsp;Get It Now!“Changing the rules.” - CNN“A stunningly precocious singer, pianist and composer” - Vanity FairSeductive, cinematic, and 0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/08/dolly-parton-country-star-actor-and.htmlObituariesnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Tue, 25 Aug 2026 11:37:02 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-7329058770950544439Dolly Parton, one of the greatest singer-songwriters in country music who was also much cherished for her philanthropy, has died aged 80.Her death was announced by nephew Brian Seaver on Instagram. “I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now,” he said. “It is an honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness.”So gifted that she wrote 0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/08/r-flutist-david-crawford-reimagines.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Fri, 21 Aug 2026 08:46:46 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-2122151209854763134Veteran R&amp;B flutist and arranger David Crawford returns this month with a burst of creative energy, releasing a vibrant instrumental interpretation of “Let’s Stay Together” on Friday (August 21) while also debuting his first children’s book, Kids Bible Compass, accompanied by an original musical companion project.&nbsp;Crawford, whose career includes performing, producing, orchestrating, and 0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/08/guitarist-mark-murphy-to-release-new.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:44:06 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-6183002909299085077Mark Murphy Website&nbsp;&nbsp;0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/08/eva-cassidy-new-jazz-single-it-dont.htmlJazzNew Releasesnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Wed, 19 Aug 2026 10:46:05 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-6103622324733746244Eva CassidyIt Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)ImpactingSeptember 18th, 2026Format: Classical, JazzGet It Now!Eva Cassidy Vocal With Sensational New Big Band Arrangement!&nbsp;The first release from the forthcoming album JAZZED, It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) showcases Eva Cassidy at her most exhilarating. Long celebrated for her interpretations of folk, blues 0http://jazzhq.blogspot.com/2026/08/new-single-from-boney-james-ledisi-i.htmlJazzNew Releasesnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Fri, 7 Aug 2026 07:22:43 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358109.post-5929318651733558720FOUR-TIME GRAMMY NOMINEE + MULTI-PLATINUM SAXOPHONE ICON BONEY JAMES ANNOUNCES MILESTONE 20TH STUDIO ALBUM&nbsp;A SIMPLE MAN OUT OCTOBER 2 VIA CONCORD RECORDSBONEY JAMES SHARES NEW SINGLE“I BELONG TO YOU” FEAT. LEDISIIMPACTING NOWTwenty albums into a career built on deep groove and a saxophone voice all his own, Boney James is still finding new ground. Today, the four-time GRAMMY nominee and 0