You can’t put together a record like this without putting your heart into it. I felt every moment of it. I got that from Nat King Cole, he put his heart into everything he did. I’m excited for you to hear this album. You can preview the entire album here and also check out the special deals that we have put together for you.
I hope you enjoy listening to this as much as I have making it.
Thank you for your support,
-GB
Mahalia Jackson, often called the greatest gospel singer, returned to her hometown to appear at the first New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in April of 1970. While attending the Louisiana Heritage Fair in Congo Square (then known as Beauregard Square), she and Duke Ellington, who also appeared at the event, came upon the Eureka Brass Band leading a crowd of second-line revelers through the Festival grounds. George Wein, producer of the Festival, handed Ms. Jackson a microphone, she sang along with the band and joined the parade…and the spirit of Jazz Fest was born.
Inspired by the spirit of Mahalia Jackson and the Eureka Brass Band back in 1970, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival continues to celebrate the culture of Louisiana with the combined fervor of a gospel hymn and the joy of a jazz parade.
These artists will perform on the festival:
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Bill Miller
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Pura Fé
A Tribe Called Red
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Yellow Bird Indian Dancers
Stoney Creek Singers
Oneida Longhouse Singers and Dancers
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
•
Aaron Neville
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•
Dr. John
Allen Toussaint
•
Irma Thomas
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Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Pete Fountain
•
The Nevilles
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Rebirth Brass Band
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Galactic
Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk
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Better Than Ezra
The Meter Men featuring Zigaboo Modeliste, Leo Nocentelli and George Porter, Jr. with special Guest Page McConnell
Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers
Vernel Bagneris presents The 35th Anniversary Celebration of “One Mo’ Time”
Marc Broussard
Chris Owens backed by Her Hot Rhythms Band
Amanda Shaw & the Cute Guys
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Papa Grows Funk
Cowboy Mouth
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Tab Benoit
•
Anders Osborne
Theresa Andersson
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Big Sam’s Funky Nation
Jon Cleary & the Diabolical Fandangos
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John Boutté
Sonny Landreth
•
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra with special guest Dee Dee Bridgewater
Jeremy Davenport
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Davell Crawford
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Terence Blanchard
Deacon John
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Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters
Donald Harrison, Jr.
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Henry Butler & Friends
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Bonerama
Shamarr Allen & the Underdawgs
The Soul Rebels
Marcia Ball
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Charmaine Neville Band
Treme Brass Band’s Tribute to Uncle Lionel Batiste
Ellis Marsalis
Nicholas Payton XXX with Vicente Archer and Lenny White
George Porter, Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners
Tucka & the Groove City Express
•
John Mooney & Bluesiana
BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet with special Guest Jo-El Sonnier
Jonathon “Boogie” Long & the Blues Revolution
Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles Mardi Gras Indians
Walter “Wolfman” Washington & the Roadmasters
Los Hombres Calientes feat. Bill Summers and Irvin Mayfield
Glen David Andrews
Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience with special guest Queen Ida
Raw Oyster Cult
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Hurray For The Riff Raff
Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns
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The Iguanas
The Revivalists
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Creole String Beans
James Andrews & the Crescent City Allstars
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Eric Lindell
Dr. Michael White & the Original Liberty Jazz Band feat. Thais Clark
Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue
Leo Jackson & the Melody Clouds
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Astral Project
The Zion Harmonizers
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Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas
Val & Love Alive Mass Choir
Gregg Stafford and the Jazz Hounds
The Boutté Family Gospel
Fair Grounds Race Course, 1751 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, Louisiana 70119
The annual Hampton Jazz Festival presents the opportunity for us to marvel and appreciate the many visitors who journey here to enjoy American music at its best. This annual gathering has become more of a reunion – a celebration a friends, family, culture, music, and life.
The Hampton Jazz Festival is a major musical event started in 1968, and features many of the world’s major jazz artists. It is held during the last full weekend in June each year, with the primary venue being Hampton, Virginia’s Hampton Coliseum.
Festival organizers describe it as “the best available available jazz, R&B and blues artists that are on tour during the time of the festival… packaged at a reasonable price.” The Hampton Jazz Festival began in 1968 as a way to highlight great jazz. Held in the Hampton Colliseum the last full weekend in June, the annual event has hosted virtually every major jazz artist alive.
In the inaugural year, featured artists included Count Basie, Gary Burton, Dizzy Gillespie, Ramsey Lewis, Herbie Mann Quintet, Thelonius Monk Quartet, Wes Montgomery, Dionne Warwick, and Muddy Waters. 1969, the second year, brought such notables as Booker T & the MGs, George Benson Quartet, Dave Brubeck Trio with Gerry Mulligan, Ray Charles, Miles Davis, Gary Davis, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Sly and the Family Stone, and Herbie Hancock.
This 3-day festival features primarily R&B / jazz vocalists but also on this date, George Benson. The Forte Jazz Band featuring Brian Pinner opens.
Hampton Jazz Festival set for 28 – 30 June, 2013.
Hampton Coliseum, 1000 Coliseum Dr, Hampton, Virginia 23666
George Benson‘s amazingly elegant orchestra show, “an unforgettable tribute to Nat King Cole” is now in it’s fourth year of touring and from the looks of things, this masterpiece will be in demand for a good while. Judging from the overwhelming response worldwide (from Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles to three performances with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center and three performances with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House), Mr Benson, the orchestras and choruses have been thrilling audiences at every turn. And why not? George Benson is not only one of the world’s most respected guitarists, but also one of the great vocal stylists of our time. Throw in the lush orchestral arrangements and fathomless beauty of Nat King Cole’s music and you have an experience that is truly “unforgettable.”
The presentation, featuring George Benson, his touring band, plus orchestra and chorus recaptures the magic of that glorious chapter in music created by Nat King Cole, along with all the hits for which Mr. Benson is so well known. This is a truly magnificent evening of music.
Saturday, January 26, 2013 Start time: 8 PM
Mesa Arts Center, 1 East Main St, Mesa, Arizona 85201 (Tempe)
James Moody’s legacy will be celebrated with a night featuring his favorite musicians and friends, including George Benson, The Manhattan Transfer and David Sanborn; special guests Kenny Barron, Jon Faddis, Jimmy Heath, John Lee, Paquito D’Rivera, Christian McBride, Paul Lieberman, and Todd Coolman; plus Adam Nussbaum and the evening’s Music Director, Renee Rosnes (both longtime members of Moody’s group).
Friday, October 19, 2012 – 8:00 pm
Prudential Hall, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, One Center St, Newark, New Jersey 07102
George Benson
Thursday September 20, 2012
7PM in the Ballroom
Buy Tickets
George Benson is a jazz guitarist of unparalleled chops, a vocalist with great emotional range and sophistication or a combination of both.
Snoqualmie Casino, 37500 SE North Bend Way, Snoqualmie, Washington 98065 (Seattle area)
The 3rd Annual Richmond Jazz Festival at Maymont brings back a sense of serenity, soul and smooth sounds to the City of Richmond. Located at Maymont, the Richmond Jazz Festival features over 20 local, national and international bands and artists on two stages. Festival attendees enjoy smooth jazz, while taking advantage of products and services sold by vendors, scheduled wine tastings and chef demonstrations featuring international cuisine. This year, the festival will span over 3 days!
Festival performances will begin on Friday, August 10th with local jazz acts at the Hippodrome Theater. Then come enjoy the beautiful landscape of Maymont where over 20 artists will perform on August 11th and August 12th. The musical selections will be predominately jazz, but will also include R&B, neo-soul and other genres that add diversity and flavor to the festival.
Artists Schedule:
Friday
Lonnie Liston Smith
Saturday
India Arie
Robert Cray
Dave Koz
Trombone Shorty
Stanley Clarke
Keiko Matsui
Brian Simpson
Ravi Coltrane
Bebe Winans
Kim Waters
Allen Stone
Sunday
George Benson
The Whispers
Norman Brown
Poncho Sanchez
John Pizzarelli
Najee
Jeff Lorber
Nick Colionne
Norman Connors
Anhayla
Lonnie Liston Smith
Richmond Jazz Festival, Maymont Park, 1700 Hampton St, Richmond, Virginia 23220
Each year in early June, tens of thousands of music lovers from throughout the country flock to the suburbs of Washington, D.C. to attend this weekend of cool jazz and soul — The Capital Jazz Fest. Started in 1993, this multi-day, multi-stage outdoor music festival, which attracts music lovers from 44 states, is more than just a concert, it’s an event! It’s a place to people-watch, eat, drink, shop, mingle, relax, soak in the rays, and of course hear some of the coolest music performed by artists whom you won’t see anywhere else in the Washington-Baltimore area this summer.
In-between musical sets, enjoy fine art and crafts at the Festival Marketplace, culinary treats at the food court, plus artist workshops and meet & greets. And after the show, check out the late night after-parties. Black Sense is not the promoter of the festival, but their poster is stunning.
Talent Lineup
June 1-3, 2012
Updated on March 13, 2012
FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012
7:30pm – 10:30pm
(Gates open 6:30pm)
PAVILION STAGE
Hosted by Will Downing
An Evening with Anita Baker
plus special surprise guest comedian
also……..
10:30pm-1:30am at The Marriott BWI Hotel
Mix & Mingle Reception
SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 2012
12 noon – 10pm
(Gates open 10am)
PAVILION STAGE
Hosted by Will Downing
George Benson
Kirk Whalum featuring Kevin Whalum
Maysa
Peter White
Euge Groove
Afro Blue Vocal Band (finalist from “The Sing-Off” television show)
Gerald Veasley presents “The Sound of Philadelphia”
featuring Walter Beasley, Maysa, Nick Colionne, & Carol Riddick
“Catch A Rising Star” Showcase – Part I
featuring Frank McComb and Cindy Bradley
SOUL STAGE
Hosted by Tony Richards
Musiq Soulchild
Stephanie Mills
Kenny Lattimore
Steve Arrington
Tower of Power
Valerie Simpson’s Tribute to Nick Ashford
featuring the music of Ashford & Simpson
also….
10:30pm-3:00am at The Marriott BWI Hotel
Late Night Dance Party & Jam
Come eat, drink, dance, and mingle with Capital Jazz fans from across the country!
SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2012
12 noon – 10pm
(Gates open 10am)
PAVILION STAGE
Hosted by Will Downing
Fourplay
India Arie
Marion Meadows
Paul Taylor
Jessy J
Spyro Gyra
Naturally 7
Walter Beasley
“Catch A Rising Star” Showcase – Part II
featuring Jackiem Joyner and Al Turner
SOUL STAGE
Hosted by Tony Richards
Charlie Wilson
K.C. & The Sunshine Band
Marsha Ambrosius
Jeffrey Osborne
Anthony David
The Foreign Exchange
The 20th annual Capital Jazz Fest will take place on June 1-3, 2012.
Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, Maryland
The Smooth Jazz Cruise 2013, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, has had its lineup set for months now. David Sanborn and Marcus Miller will be welcoming special guest, George Benson, together with a cavalcade of stars, including Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer, Brian Culbertson, Bob James, and Angie Stone.
Longtime favorites Rick Braun, Richard Elliot and Jeff Golub will be there as well, together with newcomers Ken Ford, Steve Cole and Paul Taylor. Singer-guitarist Raul Midon and the ever-present Larry Braggs have just been added to our lounge performing group, which already features Chance Howard, Ellis Hall, Tom Braxton and Patches Stewart. With all- star bands, under the leadership of piano star Brian Simpson, backing up these performers, it will be an amazing array of talent and fun.
Speaking of fun, Alonzo Bodden has become the official comedian of Entertainment Cruise Productions, as he is now the resident funny man on The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise and our newly minted Soul Train Cruise. Though the music genres may be different, Alonzo’s ability to make people laugh at themselves and others is constant. By capturing the pulse of the cruise, Alonzo is able to personalize each and every one of his shows.
Our cruise programs are intended to provide our Guests with the very best in talent, music and production. When you peruse the names set forth above, though they are different in terms of genre or musical category, you cannot help but realize that they represent the very best in their field. That is the mission of Entertainment Cruise Productions and its Jazz Cruises division: to bring the very best to our loyal and amazing Guests!
Entertainment Cruise Productions, LLC and The Smooth Jazz Cruise announced today that George Benson, one of the most influential crossover musicians in contemporary jazz, R&B and pop, will perform at The Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater (“The Fred”) in Peachtree City, GA on Friday, June 1, 2012 to help launch The Smooth Jazz Cruise: The Greatest Party at Sea 2013. Tickets will go on sale Friday, March 2, 2012 at 10:00AM EST and are available at The Fred box office, Ticket Alternative outlets, via the Ticket Alternative phone line (800.745.3000) and online at www.ticketalternative.com.
Benson will be the special guest performer on The Smooth Jazz Cruise: The Greatest Party at Sea 2013, which will be his cruise debut. The 10-time Grammy winner will perform shows over two days when the luxurious 7-day Caribbean cruise is in port at Cozumel. At various points along the four-decade continuum of Benson’s illustrious career, he has been heralded as a jazz guitarist of unparalleled chops, a vocalist with great emotional range and sophistication or a combination of both. Benson is presently touring in support of his latest album, “Guitar Man.” “It’s a very simple equation,” the National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Master said of his longevity. “In the end, it’s about the songs and the stories. That’s what keeps the music fresh for me.”
Opening the concert at The Fred will be Atlanta-based jazz trumpeter Joey Sommerville, whose musical essence lies in the Baptist church. “When I was a teenager, I would judge the caliber of my playing by the number of people in the congregation who ‘got happy’. If you aren’t touching the listener’s soul, then you aren’t really playing music. Soul communication is the key.” His latest offering, “The Get Down Club,” is iconic, forward-thinking contemporary jazz featuring funk, gospel and bop influences delivered with pop sensibilities.
About Entertainment Cruise Productions, LLC
The largest private music ship charter company in the world, St. Louis, Missouri-based Entertainment Cruise Productions, LLC owns, produces and promotes The Smooth Jazz Party: Greatest Party At Sea (www.thesmoothjazzcruise.com) and The Jazz Cruise (www.thejazzcruise.com), and is proud to partner with Time Life for The Malt Shop Memories Cruise (www.maltshopcruise.com) and The Soul Train Cruise (www.soultraincruise.com). Entertainment Cruise Productions, LLC prides itself on providing first-class musical vacation experiences featuring marquee stars from their respective genres for loyal passengers, many of whom make the cruises an annual affair. With its current slate of excursions, Entertainment Cruise Productions, LLC will have produced 37 full-ship charter cruises. Additional information is available at www.ecpcruises.com.
Source: Great Scott Productions
