PHILADELPHIA, May 17, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Smooth jazz makes a triumphant return to the Philadelphia Waterfront, with 97.5 WJJZ's Smooth Jazz Summer Nights, "Celebrating Ten Great Years with Ten Great Performances!" at Penn's Landing Great Plaza on Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street. In celebration of the 10th year, not one but two national smooth jazz artists will hit the stage every Friday night in August beginning at 7:30 pm and continuing the series of Free Friday night concerts during the 2007 summer season at Penn's Landing. Smooth Jazz Summer Nights is sponsored by Smooth Jazz 97.5 WJJZ, along with CW Philly 57 and CBS 3. This series is free to the public due to the generous support of Independence Blue Cross.
The series will kick-off Friday, August 3rd with Jeff Kashiwa who is undeniably one of Smooth Jazz's most popular performers. You can hear Kashiwa on a number of movie and television soundtracks. Kashiwa's most recognizable musical creation is probably the main theme for ABC's All My Children. Kashiwa's third Native Language album entitled Peace of Mind is scheduled to be in stores August 24th.
Ken Navarro, one of today's leading Smooth Jazz guitarists and composers, will also bring his unique sound to the Philadelphia waterfront Friday, August 3rd. Navarro's musical expertise and experience has made his workshop/concert presentations hugely popular at nationally renowned universities and their music schools. Navarro's latest CD release on the Positive Music Records label The Meeting Place was released worldwide this past January and is climbing up the Smooth Jazz charts.
Friday August 10th, the funky sounds of keyboardist Jeff Lorber and bass player Paul Jackson, Jr. will certainly make waves. Lorber grew up outside of Philadelphia in Cheltenham Township. Bringing together elements of funk, R&B, rock and electric jazz, keyboardist Jeff Lorber has been credited as a pioneer of Contemporary Jazz or NAC. Lorber has been a dynamic force behind the scenes writing and producing projects for Michael Franks, Dave Koz, Eric Marienthal and the late Art Porter. Lorber's Flipside CD from Narada Jazz was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Pop Instrumental Album category this year. Lorber's latest CD on the Narada Jazz label is entitled He Had a Hat.
Paul Jackson, Jr. has an impeccable reputation as a sideman and session player playing his signature Gibson model Paul Jackson Jr. ES347 and has become the most recorded and requested guitarist in the world. Paul Jackson, Jr. has worked with Barbara Streisand, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Destiny's Child, Elton John and numerous other artists. Paul was seen regularly on this past season of American Idol. Still Small Voice is the title of Jackson's latest solo CD on the Blue Note label.
Saxophonist Steve Cole is certainly a Philadelphia favorite. Cole has been a performer at Smooth Jazz Summer Nights every year since its inception and Friday, August 17th, Steve Cole will keep the party jumping. At the age of 18, Cole had the honor of taking center stage as soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. But, Cole decided to focus on Jazz, Pop and R&B, his true musical loves. TRUE on the Blue Note label is the fifth solo album for Steve Cole. Cole says, "I can't describe how excited I am about my new album TRUE. This is without question the funkiest, grooviest, most soulful album that I have ever recorded..."
Chieli Minucci and Special EFX featuring Nelson Rangell is sure to make a big splash Friday, August 24th. While growing up in Forest Hills, Queens, N.Y. Minucci began studying classical piano at age 5, but by age 8 he was playing guitar. The sound of music enveloped Minucci through his father's piano playing and composing songs for such musical legends like Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby. This would later be the influence for Chieli to become a composer himself.
Special EFX is among a small number of influential bands in contemporary Jazz that have been without fail creative, appealing, entertaining and musically fulfilling. Shanachie recording artist Chieli Minucci and Special EFX have been together for over two decades and have recorded 17 outstanding CDs.
Jazziz magazine writes that Nelson Rangell is "an artist of depth, a master of song, and an improviser non pareil." Rangell is a virtuoso performer of soprano, alto, and tenor saxophone, flute and piccolo. Nelson Rangell began his solo career 1987. "Soul to Souls" is Rangell's latest CD on Koch Records.
The series will conclude Friday, August 31st, with an exhilarating performance by Bobby Caldwell and the Smooth Summer All Star Band. Bobby Caldwell is the quintessence of blue-eyed soul with an exceptional musical career spanning over twenty-five years as a pop and R&B singer as well as a phenomenal composer. Bobby's ageless classic hit What You Won't Do For Love has been recorded and sampled by more than 100 artists. All combined, Bobby's songs and samples have contributed to more than 40 million sales, while artists as diverse as Tupac, Michael Bolton, Roberta Flack, Go West, and numerous others have all paid tribute to him. Perfect Island is Bobby Caldwell's latest CD on The Music Force Media Group label. Caldwell accompanied by the Smooth Summer All Star Band are sure to rock the boat during this 10 year celebration of Smooth Jazz on the Philadelphia waterfront.
Smooth Jazz WJJZ has a new address...all the great Smooth Jazz you love can now be heard on 97.5. On November 17th WJJZ was back on the air with new owners Greater Media. "It's great to be here; it's great to bring the music back to the listeners of Philadelphia..." WJJZ's Michael Tozzi also comments, "WJJZ is honored to have the opportunity to partner with our friends at Penn's Landing again especially for such a milestone as celebrating 10 years of great Smooth Jazz on the Philadelphia waterfront. This is one of the premiere concert events in Philadelphia each year. The thousands upon thousands of wonderful listeners and talented artists are what make these shows exhilarating and a weekend destination for so many each August throughout the past 10 years!" 97.5 WJJZ radio personalities will be on site every Friday evening to host the concert, give away prizes and sell special merchandise.
CBS 3 (KYW-TV) and CW Philly 57 (WPSG-TV) are part of the CBS Television Stations division, one of the largest network-owned station groups. "We are happy to expand the relationship we began with Penn's Landing Corporation last summer by having our sister station CBS 3 join the partnership," says Michael Colleran, president and general manager of the two stations. "The staff of CBS 3 is especially excited about promoting the Smooth Summer Nights series and sharing this exciting program with our viewers all summer long."
Public Programming at Penn's Landing would not be possible without our presenting sponsor Independence Blue Cross and the continued support of PECO, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Pennsylvania Lottery, Live Nation and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, all of whom are committed to serving the Greater Philadelphia community.
Penn's Landing Corporation is the non-profit organization responsible for funding and producing public programming at Penn's Landing. Independence Blue Cross is the presenting sponsor of the 2007 Summer Season at Penn's Landing. All events produced by Penn's Landing Corporation are FREE to the public and on the Great Plaza, the heart of Penn's Landing, Philadelphia's premier riverfront entertainment destination.
The Penn's Landing Corporation logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=349
For more information on event locations and event details, please call (215) 922-2FUN or visit http://www.pennslandingcorp.com. The Penn's Landing Corporation website is a virtual resource for the waterfront which can help visitors plan to easily park, play and stay all day at Penn's Landing.