Highlights!
This shows seems to have threads, themes, or connections throughout. As such, it makes writing this intro into a somewhat convoluted but highly interesting venture. Okay so here we go. A few cities, a couple of artists, and a few loose associations are all that is needed to connect the dots between many of the artists that we're featuring on this edition.

The city of New York is well represented on this program as we have selections from Machan, Matt Marshak, and the trumpeter known only as CM. Representing Toronto is the music of The Clayton/Scott Group and guitarist Aidan Mason. Speaking of Canadian cities, Winnipeg's Greg Lowe kicks off the FT segment. Alexander Zonjic who closes FT, also appears on a fantastic tune by Gene Dunlap and his band. Meanwhile appearing on Zonjic's track are Peter White and Jeff Lorber.

Showcase CD
Night on the Town - Eric Darius:
In spite of the fact that he's still a student at the University of Southern Florida, twenty-one year old Eric Darius is quickly developing into one of the brightest young stars in Smooth Jazz. Inspired by the music at his church, Darius first became interested in playing sax at ten. He took a few lessons & was performing publicly soon after. In high school he excelled in all aspects; in academics, athletics & in music. As a member of the school Jazz Ensemble, Darius traveled to NYC to perform at a major festival. The band came in fourth out of twenty entrants. But, more importantly, while he was there Eric was accorded the great privilege of being asked to jam with Wynton Marsalis and Paquito D'Rivera. All of this by the age of 17. Following a tour with that same ensemble, this time to Japan, Eric began recording his solo debut. He'd been dreaming about a project since the age of 14 when he wrote Crusin' in anticipation of getting his driver's license. That turned out to be the title track for the album that he released in the year 2000, although it wasn't promoted nationally until 2003.

Songo - Greg Lowe:
From 1986 thru until 1990 Lowe toured with The Lincolns, a Toronto-based Rhythm & Blues band. Since then he's concentrated for the most part, on writing and performing. This has resulted in various scores for television, theatre, and film. Several compositions have been featured at the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra's New Music Festival and broadcast by the CBC, and he has been commissioned by the WSO to compose a piece for electric guitar for the 2005 Centara New Music Festival. He continues to compose for television, theatre productions, radio dramas, and films, and recently completed another successful stint in Vancouver, directing the music and performing in "The River" a theatrical concert of Joni Mitchell's music which he helped to debut in Winnipeg in 2002.

Also during this period, Lowe has recorded five solo albums. The most recent of these is The Yellow Pelican, scheduled for release in early December. On the project, Lowe once again demonstrates that he is one of the finer guitarists in Canada, regardless of the genre. From that effort I've selected Songo, a track on which Lowe blends blues based jazz riffs with funky rhythms and grooves. Featured as well on this selection is Rick Boughton on flugelhorn.

CD: The Yellow Pelican
Label: Independent
Web Site: Greg Lowe

Sleep Tight Katydid - Dotsero:
Taking their name from a small town in the Colorado Rockies, Dotsero, according to Ute legend, means Something Unique. This band has a long history and has been playing and recording for nearly 20 years. 1990 proved to be a watershed point for the group and their critically acclaimed debut. That project which had been released the previous year, enjoyed the #1 spot on the R&R contemporary jazz chart for a five week stint. Their follow up projects met with similar success, with yet another #1 record and a couple of others breaking into the top ten or top thirty. The Watts Brothers, Stephen on sax and David on electric and acoustic guitars, continue to steer the efforts of Dotsero. The band has become well known for the energy of their live performance as well as for the fine caliber of their recordings. Fresh Pants is now their seventh & latest release and from it we present Sleep Tight Katydid, a pretty track which features the melodic side of their sound.

CD: Fresh Pants
Label: Cinderblock Records
Web Site: Dotsero ; Jazz @ Jacks

No Ordinary Love - Chris Botti:
Chris is a native of Portland Oregon but grew up in Corvallis, a small town located about 90 minutes away. Chris's mother was a classically trained pianist who also taught piano, and as such she was his earliest musical influence. In spite of this, Botti chose instead to take up the trumpet at the age of ten. He was performing professionally while still in high school and then continued his studies in music in Indiana. In 1986, Botti relocated to New York City and with the direction of a few topflight producers, he soon developed into a well regarded session player. In 1990, Chris was asked to join Paul Simon's band. He toured with Simon for a five-year period, so that it wasn't until 1995 that he finally recorded his solo debut.

His next few releases were all well received but it was Chris's association with Sting that really thrust Chris & his music into the limelight. That began in 1999, when Botti joined Sting as featured soloist on a lengthy stint that lasted over two years. With a break of only ten weeks between that tour and the Jazz Trax Christmas Tour, Botti felt energized by the challenge of creating an album in a very short period of time. The resulting effort was Night Sessions, which climbed as high as # 2 on the Contemporary Jazz charts. That cd proved to be Botti's most successful release to date, that is until his most recent release, When I Fall In Love, catapulted to # 1. From that effort we selected Chris's cover of Sade's No Ordinary Love.

CD: When I Fall In Love
Label: Columbia Records
Web Sites: Chris Botti ; Chill with Chris Botti

I Wished On A Moon - Marilyn Scott:
Over the course of her career, Scott has established herself as a premiere vocalist & songwriter. Marilyn was born & raised in southern California. She started performing in school functions and was playing clubs by the time she was fifteen. Early on, Scott relocated to San Francisco to attend college on an art scholarship but also worked at establishing herself on that city's music scene. She fronted a few Cover Groups and Latin-Jazz bands and, in the process, Emilio Castillo of Tower of Power befriended her and hired Scott to handle vocal duties with the band. Those sessions prompted Marilyn to return to Los Angeles as a studio singer. After work with a variety of groups such as Spyro Gyra, the Yellowjackets, and Hiroshima, Scott set out as a solo artist. Her first effort was a single, a cover of Brian Wilson's "God Only Knows'', that reached The Top 100 on Billboard and led to her first album as a solo artist in 1979.

It was some time however, before Marilyn returned to solo recording. Her base in Los Angeles and her years as a studio singer led to loads of movie-soundtrack work. In 1991, she teamed with Bobby Caldwell and scored a big hit in Japan, which resulted in her headlining a tour of that country. Several projects followed throughout the 90s, including a pair of releases produced by George Duke. On Nightcap, her eighth & latest release, that creative association is rekindled. Together they strike a balance that brings freshness to the arrangements and one that allows Marilyn to explore all of her varied interests in R&B, pop, jazz and Brazilian music. We begin our exploration of the disc with its opening piece. Marilyn's superb stylings, some tantalizing piano from Mr. Duke, and Dori Caymmi on background vocals and guitar all contribute to making this relaxing and rhythmic track a standout!

CD: Nightcap
Label: Prana Entertainment
Web Site: Marilyn Scott

Isabela - Alexander Zonjic:
Seldom Blues is not only the latest album from flautist Alexander Zonjic, it's also the name of a brand new jazz supper club in Detroit. Seldom Blues opened in June of this year. It's an exciting venture dedicated to serving up great food and presenting live music & it was the inspiration for the cd. As part of the enterprise, Zonjic wished to create a record that reflected the spirit of the project. Hence he enlisted the aid of several close friends; namely James Lloyd, Bob James, Jeff Lorber, Kirk Whalum, Earl Klugh, and Peter White who all contribute to the album. The result is not only another highly enjoyable outing from Zonjic, but it may represent his most consistent and finest effort to date. From Seldom Blues we present the Spanish flavoured Isabela, a tasty piece featuring Peter White in collaboration with Jeff Lorber.

CD: Seldom Blues
Label: Heads Up International
Web Sites: Alexander Zonjic ; Heads Up ; Seldom Blues

As I research music for Café Jazz, I will frequently come across a selection that I can't believe how beautiful it is and how for the most part it's been overlooked by radio. Such was the case as I listened to Gene Dunlap, who has long been a favourite, and his "I Still Believe" cd. Now this album was actually released over a year ago, but as sometimes is the case, certain music makes its way northward ever so slowly, it's as if its arrival depended on dog sled and good conditions. Be that as it may, I would like to publicly thank David Chackler at 215 Records for sending me this fabulous cd and for all the help that he has provided in supporting the cause! But I digress.

Would you like to hear a incredible piece? One that's so soothing and restful, you really won't believe how great it is? That's what I said to my wife Jan after I discovered this wonderful track. She agreed and I think that you might too! I know that different people listen to music differently. However, I for one am most drawn to selections that have the ability to transport. So that brings us to the case in point and five full minutes of sheer musical ecstasy! If you enjoy Café Jazz and are looking for the quintessential smooth jazz track and one that encapsulates the vibe of our show, this just could be it! Alexander Zonjic (also appearing on the Fresh Trax segment later in the show) is featured on flute! Some fantastic contributions are provided from Dunlap band regulars, Ray Manzerolle on sax and Perry Hughes (no relation to Brian) on guitar. Rounding out the lineup are Pat Prouty on bass and the keyboard work of Charles Scales. All is under the watchful of Gene himself who handles drums, programming, and production duties. Now you really can't get much smoother than this!

CD: I Still Believe
Label: Liquid 8; Rhythm & Groove