CANADIAN JAZZ DIVA RANEE LEE RELEASES LIVES UPSTAIRS ON JUSTIN TIME RECORDS

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Female Vocalist, Jazz, Ranee Lee

2010 JUNO AWARD-WINNER VOCAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Ranee Lee - Lives Upstairs

It’s been a rather amazing journey for Ranee Lee, who for several decades has reigned virtually unchallenged as the Queen of Canada’s jazz divas. Ms. Lee recently won the coveted Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year (beating out Diana Krall, Emilie-Claire Barlow and Carol Welsman) for Lives Upstairs, her new release for Justin Time, Canada’s leading jazz label. “That recognition really does give you the seal of approval,” says Ranee, who has recorded many albums for the Montreal label. She has won and been nominated for many awards for both her singing and teaching; she’s played at every major jazz festival in North America and the world; she’s shared the stage and the microphone with hundreds of the great players of our time.

(What isn’t quite as well known is that Ms. Lee is a native New Yorker – born and raised in Brooklyn, as a matter of fact. “I think that everybody grew up in Brooklyn,” she says. “Every time I meet someone from the states they’ve either lived there or are still there – it’s like the center of the universe or something!”)

[Stax Museum of American Soul Music] – Kirk Whalum is now CEO of Soulsville Foundation

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African American, Jazz, Kirk Whalum, Saxophonist

Mark Wender & Kirk Whalum

We are pleased to announce to you that internationally renowned jazz and gospel musician and native Memphian KIRK WHALUM has joined the Stax Museum, Stax Music Academy, and The Soulsville Charter School as our new President & CEO! Please join us in welcoming this incredible new addition to the Soulsville Family!

Kirk brings a wealth of music industry and show business expertise to the Foundation and will help us tell the world about all of the great work that we do.

We are also pleased to announce that Mark Wender (pictured above with Kirk) has joined the Soulsville Foundation as Chief Operating Officer. Mark has a long and prestigious career in various aspects of business, video production, and working with nonprofit organizations. Please join us in welcoming him as well.

..:: Source: KirkWhalum.com ::..

– ANITA BAKER HEADLINES New Orleans Jazz Heritage Festival –

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African American, Anita Baker, Female Vocalist

Anita Baker

Anita Baker will be a headliner at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 25th, and has just started work on a new album in Nashville, planned for release by Blue Note Records later in 2010.

“I’m going to Nashville to mix it up, shake it and see what comes out”says the eight-time Grammy winner with obvious glee.

Baker will be producing the album with George Duke, Nathan East and Daniel Moore, recording in Nashville in part because, she explains, “they still know how to make a record in analog.” Baker has some long time friends in Nashville – just last month, when she performed at the TJ Martell Honors Gala there, attendees were surprised to find out that she counts many country stars and personalities among them.

Frank Kimbrough | Rumors

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Frank Kimbrough, Jazz, Piano

Frank Kimbrough - Rumors

Frank Kimbrough | Rumors – [Palmetto Records, 2010]

You want some jazz recording done old skool? Kimbrough gets a call from a pal telling him he’s four free studio hours available the next day. Wanna use them? Kimbrough scurries to get a cat he wants to play with that’s heading back to Barcelona, rounds up a third piece, a set card and the fur flies in three hours of recording. As close to pure improv as you can get, this is certainly a set with feeling and smarts played by cats that don’t need to be told what to do.

It’s art jazz that really smart jazz and proof of why he‘s on the speed dial of so many players in New York. —Chris Spector, Midwest Record Recap

Released on March 30th …

..:: Source: Palmetto Records ::..

Marcus Finnie | Boundless

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Drums, Jazz, Marcus Finnie

Marcus Finnie - Boundless

Marcus Finnie .:|:. Boundless – [Marcus Finnie, 2010]

::BIO:: A Memphis native, Marcus “Stix” Finnie began playing drums at church accompanying his mother on organ. From grade school to high school, Marcus began studying classical and jazz music. While playing at Olivet Baptist Church in Memphis, TN, Marcus was told by Grammy winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum that “if you keep practicing and learn to read music, you will play with me someday.” Ten years later during his college days at Middle Tennessee State University, Marcus was invited to record with Kirk Whalum on album – “Into My Soul.”