Sat. Sept. 6 KEM Mindi Abair The Pete Escovedo Orchestra Althea Rene On the Garden Stage: Lloyd Gregory & Forté Sun. Sept. 7 George Duke Guitars & Saxes 2008: Gerald Albright, Peter White, Jeff Lorber & Jeff Golub Earl Klugh Urban Jazz Coalition On The Garden Stage: Terrance Brewer & Forté Please note: Due to health reasons, Wayman Tisdale has cancelled all of his performances as he recovers from cancer. In addition, Bobby Caldwell has cancelled his performance due to surgery. Both of these cancellations were out of our control, but we wish for speedy recoveries for both of the guys. (Last Update: September 3, 2008) KEM Sat. September 6, 2008 On his sophomore album "KEM II", Detroit native and singer/ musician KEM takes you on a journey to somewhere free, grown up and sexy. Filled with songs you can really ride to, he sticks to the critically praised R&B/jazz sound that made his debut album Kemistry, a certified hit with over 500,000 albums sold. Frustrated with the glut of tired songs he heard on the radio and determined to breathe some fresh air into the R&B scene, KEM wrote, produced and financed his debut album by waiting tables and singing Top 40 covers in a wedding band. Motown later signed KEM and re-released the Kemistry album which went on to Gold status by the RIAA. Click photo for biography and artist websites. Mindi Abair Sat. September 6, 2008 Where do you go from #1? If you're singer, songwriter and saxophonist Mindi Abair -- whose 2006 release Life Less Ordinary debuted at the top of Billboard's contemporary jazz chart -- you step out of your comfort zone, reach deep inside, follow your heart, write a bunch of killer songs showcasing your dynamic vocals like never before and, yes, aim for the Stars. With the highly anticipated release of Abair's aptly titled debut, the amazingly versatile artist bursts onto the pop scene with gale force. She adds a refreshingly unique voice to an exciting new generation of crossover artists who are, like her, powerful instrumentalists as well as thought-provoking singer/songwriters. Click photo for biography and artist websites. Pete Escovedo Orchestra Sat. September 6, 2008 Pete Escovedo, along with such seasoned bandleaders as Eddie Palmieri, Poncho Sanchez and Ray Barretto, is today viewed as one of the standard bearers of Latin jazz. “There are so many great young players who are carrying on the tradition,” he says happily. “My job, as I see it, is to keep on doing what Tito, Mongo, Cal, Willie and others would be doing if they were still with us today. At the same time, we need to experiment and expand the genre.” The younger guys will see to that. But for Escovedo right now things couldn’t be better. “The audience is there, and it’s worldwide,” he enthuses. Click photo for biography and artist websites. Althea Rene Sat. September 6, 2008 Althea René's "No Restrictions" is an example of a collaboration of extraordinary talent that can be called a "Red Hot" tour de force of musicianship and groovability. She surrounds herself with some of today's most influential music producers, and guests include saxophonist Candy Dulfer, Chance Howard and bassist Rhonda Smith. Althea's unique urban contemporary style has a jazzy/R&B twist. Regarded among many musicians and flute enthusiasts as one of the nations most exciting solo improvisational flute players, Ms. René's live concerts emphasize her exceptional skill, soul, and artistic versatility. Click photo for biography and artist websites. Lloyd Gregory Sat. September 6, 2008 The Garden Stage When you think of that certain style of classic jazz guitar that is smooth, soulful, melodic and immediately likeable, you think of names like Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Earl Klugh and Larry Carlton. Now Lloyd Gregory has taken his place on that list of illustrious jazz guitarists. On his fourth album, “Free Fallin”, Gregory tips his hat to those who influenced him while carving out his own distinctive style that also includes hints of his R&B roots. Gregory has recorded with Martha Reeves and Freddie Stewart and has performed onstage with Stanley Clarke, Lenny Williams (Tower of Power), Freda Payne and Lowell Fulsom. You can see Gregory at numerous venous and festivals in Northern California including Biscuit & Blues, Oakland’s Art and Soul Festival, the Greek Theatre, Sonoma Jazz+, Fillmore Jazz Festival and Yoshi's. Click photo for biography and artist websites. Forté September 6 & 7, 2008 The Garden Stage Forté is a San Francisco-based with an irresistible blend of Funk, R&B, Jazz and Latin influences which has kept the band in popular demand. Forté has toured nationally and performed at local events on a regular basis. They have shared the same stage and opened for many national artists that include: Chris Botti, Boney James, Chaka Khan, Chuck Mangione, Joe Sample, Peabo Bryson, Norman Brown, Poncho Sanchez and others. Click photo for biography and artist websites. George Duke Sun. September 7, 2008 An enduring figure in fusion, straightahead jazz, R&B and funk since the 1960s, George Duke entered the scene in the 1960s as a pianist in a trio in San Francisco. By the end of the decade, he had begun exploring more progressive avenues by recording with the likes of Jean-Luc Ponty and Frank Zappa. In the ‘70s, he worked with an array of artists: Sonny Rollins, Michael Jackson, Stanley Clarke and others. By the ‘80s, he had shifted his emphasis to producing – Dee Dee Bridgewater, Take 6, Anita Baker and more – yet still maintained a solo discography of his own. He has also composed music for numerous motion picture and television projects, has scored six GRAMMY nominations for solo recordings, and has produced numerous albums for other artists that have been GRAMMY winners. Click photo for biography and websites. Peter White Appearing in Guitars & Saxes Sun. September 7, 2008 For the last 16 years, guitarist Peter White has consistently released chart-topping albums and radio singles that have helped define smooth jazz. Without pomp and circumstance, White’s distinctive acoustic guitar sound has romanced, danced and entranced listeners with beautiful melodies, lilting rhythms, and spry instrumentation. The British musician evocatively creates aural poetry, eloquently using pop, jazz, Latin, and R&B dialects. White has also become one of contemporary jazz's top entertainers, not only leading his own band on solo dates, but also collaborating with others on the "Guitars & Saxes" tour and his upcoming "Peter White Christmas Tour." Click photo for biography and artist websites. Gerald Albright Appearing in Guitars & Saxes Sun. September 7, 2008 Gerald Albright: among the most respected, multi-dimensional and sought after saxophonists to straddle the fence of jazz and R&B. Stax Records: the legendary Memphis-based recording company that defined southern soul from the late `50s to the mid `70s. Turn the former loose on the latter and what do you get: Sax for Stax, a soul stirring stew of down home rhythm and blues chased with a mason jar of jazz. Consisting of eight passionately rendered covers of Stax classics (three with vocal guests Will Downing, Ledisi and Philip Bailey), plus three originals written with Memphis in mind, Sax for Stax (released June 24) marks the sax master's eleventh solo project and second for Peak Records, which along with Stax, is a division of the Concord Music Group. Click photo for biography and artist websites. Jeff Golub Appearing in Guitars & Saxes Sun. September 7, 2008 Celebrating the diversity and bustling energy of the city he’s called home for more than twenty years, guitarist Jeff Golub’s "Grand Central" album has a “live” vibe to it, as if he grabbed his guitar, headed down to a dimly lit, gritty blues or jazz club in New York City, plugged in and started jamming with a group of friends. That’s pretty much how the album was recorded, keeping things loose and casual, allowing the musicians the freedom to improvise and freely explore the jazz, blues, rock, R&B and pop melodies and rhythms. There’s nothing particularly smooth about this edgy musician who brings blues and rock to contemporary jazz. Click photo for biography and artist websites. Jeff Lorber Appearing in Guitars & Saxes Sun. September 7, 2008 Over three decades after breaking ground as leader of the pioneering Jeff Lorber Fusion, the Philly-born and bred composer, producer and keyboard legend is still keeping the vibes fresh and the grooves funky, inspiring contemporary jazz fans everywhere to exclaim with each new musical excursion: Heard That. On his highly anticipated Peak Records debut (due in stores on September 30), Lorber keeps the soulful momentum going, collaborating brilliantly on pop, jazz, R&B and blues-influenced tracks--and even harkening back a bit to his early 80s Fusion heyday--with one of urban jazz's top hit makers and sonic architects, Rex Rideout. Click photo for biography and artist websites. Earl Klugh Sun. September 7, 2008 For over three decades and to this very day, the name Earl Klugh is synonymous with Guitar Legend. He maintains a loyal and devoted fan base, touring all over the US and the world, playing music that is beautiful, lyrical, elegant and eternally cool and classy. With "The Spice Of Life", Earl follows his 2005 Grammy-nominated solo classic Naked Guitar with his first full-ensemble album in more than eight years! Aided by silk-smooth arrangements, courtesy of three-time Grammy winner Don Sebesky, Earl sails through a collection of originals, standards (Cest Si Bon, My Foolish Heart), and even a Thelonious Monk tune (Bye Ya.) The sound is absolutely true to the Earl Klugh style: timeless, positive, and still fresh, with pristine studio sound. Click photo for biography and artist websites. Urban Jazz Coalition Sun. September 7, 2008 Urban Jazz Coalition is back…and better than ever! The band that has thrilled smooth jazz audiences from coast to coast returns with their energizing signature sound and some exciting new musical dimensions. Following the band’s recent crowd-pleasing performances at The Potomac Jazz & Seafood Festival, and The Jacksonville Beach Concert Seriesl, Urban Jazz Coalition is ready to release the 6th studio project of their illustrious 13-year career. The new CD, titled “A New Day”, will be serviced to smooth jazz radio on August 18 and available in September. “A New Day” continues to build on the Urban Jazz Coalition legacy, described by Brian Soergel of Jazz Times Magazine as “…A sound flush with rhythmic grooves, funky bass lines, smokin’ hot leads, and beautifully written songs”. Click photo for biography and artist websites. Terrance Brewer Sun. September 7, 2008 The Garden Stage Jazz Guitarist Terrence Brewer continues to ride a wave of positive press and praise surrounding his debut albums “The Calling: Volume One and Volume Two”, released in early 2006 on his Strong Brew record label. “Brewer has a natural, inviting sound that instantly transports you back to the heyday of classic jazz guitar…” writes David Rubien (San Francisco Chronicle). The Alameda guitarist, composer and musical director has employed an aggressive marketing and business plan that has resulted in 2,000 Northern California shows for his groups in the last 7 years. In addition, Brewer has performed or shared the stage with artists such as Michael McDonald, Mary Wilson (of The Supremes), Pete Escovedo and many others. Brewer performs regularly at notable Bay area jazz venues such as Herbst Theater, Anna’s Jazz Island, Yoshi’s and Jazz At Pearl and events such as Sonoma Jazz+ and the Marin Jazz Festival. Winner – SF Weekly Music Award – Best Jazz Artist Click photo for biography and artist websites.