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Wadada Wins Guggenheim Fellowship
The John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation announced Wednesday the recipients of its annual fellowship in the fields of arts, science and general scholarship. The organization awarded 180 fellowships from a pool of nearly 3,000 applicants. Wadada Leo Smith, faculty member and director of the African American Improvisational Music Program, California Institute of the Arts was awarded the prestigious grant for Music composition.
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Staff Benda Bilili Praiseworthy Press and Documentary
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Don’t say we didn’t tell you so. With the phenomenal release of paraplegic Congolese quartet Staff Benda Bilili comes the onslaught of raves and reviews. Pitchfork.tv has featured the music video for “Polio” and has this to say about the band.:
“Flush with the success of his Congotronics series, Vincent Kenis scores again on the streets of Kinshasa, this time with a record by four singing, guitar-playing paraplegic polio victims on tricked-out Mad Max trikes. The four are assisted by a 17-year-old who plays a one-string electric lute made from a tin can through heavy distortion. Oh yeah, and it was recorded outdoors in Kinshasa's zoological garden with stolen electricity. So, great back story, but is it any good? I'm glad to report that yes, it is. For one thing, that tin-can lute sounds completely out of this world playing those blessed-out lead lines, especially set against the sublime harmonies of the four singers. Then there's the propulsive rhythm, guitars wrapping around hand percussion like fingers gripping the handlebars of a whacked-out makeshift trike”
A full-length documentary, Staff Benda Bilili: A True Story, has been making its way around numerous film festivals this year. To watch and learn more about the band’s background, check out the trailer or visit BBC for an interview with filmmaker Renaud Barret about the film. Or head over to the Crammed website for two new live performance videos, “Tonkara” and “Je t’aime.”
BBC Review of Tres Tres Fort
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www.crammed.be
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Nakai Joins Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder and others to honor Pete Seeger
R. Carlos Nakai, the world's premiere performer of the Native American flute and eight time GRAMMY nominee, is scheduled to perform May 3rd at Madison Square Garden for Pete Seeger's 90th birthday benefit concert.
The concert will include performances by Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder, Dave Matthews, Steve Earle, Joan Baez, John Mellencamp, Emmylou Harris, Arlo Guthrie, Ben Harper and about 40 other musicians. Proceeds from the concert will to go to the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater organization, a group that Seeger founded in the 1960's that is dedicated to preserving and cleaning up the Hudson River. For more information about the concert visit: www.seeger90.com
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Eve Kodiak Releases Part III of Dona Nobis Pacem
Pianist Eve Kodiak, who teamed up with cellist David Darling for their release of “The Return to Desire,” and received honorable mention from Yo Yo Ma!, has released a new video in continuation of her 8 Variations of Dona Nobis Pacem. See Part III here:
Dona Nobis Pacem: 8 “Scrapbook” Variations, Pt. III
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David Darling Interviewed On Echoes
David Darling’s latest release Prayer For Compassion was recently spotlighted as the March “CD of the Month” on Echoes, a nightly, nationally syndicated radio program featuring ambient, electronic and new age music. Producer/host John Diliberto cites that, like Darling himself, Prayer “gets deeper and reveals more shadings and nuances with each listening.” Diliberto also interviewed David on the recording process of Prayer. To listen to the interview and read Diliberto’s review, visit the links below:
David Darling Interview with John Diliberto on Echoes
David Darling’s Prayer for Compassion: Echoes Pick of the Month
David’s song “As Long as Grasses Grow and Rivers Run” from Prayer was also included in a recent broadcast of Hearts of Space, the #2 contemporary music program on public radio.
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Bloodkin’s Back with Rolling Stone Review and More
Singer-guitarist Daniel Hutchens and guitarist Eric Carter make up Bloodkin, and with their latest release Baby, They Told Us We Would Rise Again, have garnered praises from Rolling Stone reviewer David Fricke, Pitchfork and the Charleston City Paper. This brings much-deserved light to the rest of Bloodkin’s past material, including their solid 1994 debut Good Luck Charm and Daniel Hutchens’ stellar solo releases Lesser and Lovesongs For Losers. To read Fricke’s review on Rolling Stone, plus reviews from Pitchfork and the Charleston City Paper, check out the links below:
Fricke’s Picks: Bloodkin, Southern Blood Brothers
Pitchfork Review by Stephen M. Deusner
Dark as a Dungeon, Bright as the Sun: Bloodkin steps back to the plate with a knockout
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Larry Ochs Featured in All About Jazz
“Though there are many pleasing passages—one comes in the lengthy title track where plucked koto is pitched against arco cello whooshes, suddenly echoed by Ochs’ swooping—this is in truth a group music which demands to be judged on its own terms,” says All About Jazz contributor John Sharpe in his review of Spiller Alley, the 2008 release combining the sounds of Ochs, Maya Masoaka, and Peggy Lee. Spiller Alley continues to gain positive nods from the press. To read the rest of Sharpe’s review, liner notes by Alvin Curran and more, visit the links below.
All About Jazz Reviews Spiller Alley
Full Album Info and More Reviews
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Another Nomination for Canyon Records Artist Will Clipman
Right on the heels of his Grammy nomination, Will Clipman has been nominated for a Governor’s Arts Award! Clipman along with label mate Kevin Yazzie, is featured in an Arizona Native News interview discussing their musical accomplishments and Grammy nominations. We would like to congratulate Clipman on his continuing success for his latest solo album Pathfinder. To watch the interview in its entirety, visit the site below:
Linda White Wolfe of Arizona Native News Interviews Will Clipman and Kevin Yazzie
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NEW RELEASES
Flat Earth Society
Cheer Me, Perverts!
The varied, loud tunes of 15-piece Belgian group Flat Earth Society are back with their second release. The title, Cheer Me, Perverts—an anagram of clarinetist and lead composer Peter Vermeersch—does the job as a soundbite for the fabulous new repertoire of FES: sharp yet ambiguous, cheeky, alluding a little to the dark side... but ultimately making a LOUD and compelling case to the deviant streak in us all. One might ask, then, what has changed for this album since his past works. According to frontman Vermeersch, the songs on Cheer Me “have a more preconceived structure, the range of atmospheres is larger, the writing seems strangely more advanced and at the same time still clear and to the point.” Since this is clearly the case, Cheer Me is a tangent and even more compelling follow-up to their last release, Psychoscout. And while listening to the music, say the name out loud a few times – we promise it will make you smile.
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 Mocky
Saskamodie
In his latest release Saskamodie, Mocky flexes his musical muscles on drums, bass, Rhodes, piano, guitar, percussion, bells, recorder, vocals, whistle, organ, and toys for a creatively stimulating record that stands far above his prior releases. The eclectic Canadian, who has worked alongside Jamie Lidell, Feist, Gonzales, and Nikka Costa, has put his electro/hip hop/soul roots to the test in Saskamodie, allowing for imaginative, out-of-the-box storytelling that becomes a blend of retro/vintage and modern pop melody. As a first release for Crammed Discs, Mocky certainly proves that his versatility beyond electronic music is effortless.
“The bears and foxes and crows in Aesop’s Fables tell us stories about people. Mocky’s doing something with wind and wood and hands that does the same thing…acoustic instruments breaking music back down to the storytelling elements. His voice is a little bell, the narrator to a fable that makes the childlike, long forgotten gong in your chest wake right back up.” - Feist
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 José Neto
Mountains and the Sea de Novo
Sao Paolo native and guitarist/songwriter for the Steve Winwood band, José Neto showcases his solo arrangement and compositional talent in his latest release Mountain in the Sea de Nova. The acclaimed guitarist, who is known for his charismatic stage presence, dazzles listeners with rhythmic melodies and solos, one that is accompanied by Flora Purim (“Graca”). Mountains, which Neto says is a reworking of a 1987 album with the addition of four new songs, features his shameless style on an acoustic guitar.
“His compositions start with a warm acoustic rhythm but, once the groove is set, he has an arsenal of techniques and sounds, refreshingly independent of pedals and laptops.” –Mike Hobart
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 Gregg Karukas
GK
Keyboardist/composer Gregg Karukas continues his successful streak of original smooth jazz releases with GK, an album that gracefully brings emotional ups and downs into the mix, but not without providing an overall tone of romance for his listeners. The album is another polished gem from Karukas, displaying a steady-yet-challenged maturation from prior albums like Heatwave and Nightshift.
“Gregg Karukas’ new release ‘GK’ is by far the most complete package that I have heard in 2009. Each track, produced by Karukas and a host of the world’s best supporting musicians provides fresh and engaging arrangements. Song to song, I was provided a gift of emotion, energy, and a depth of feeling that kept me engaged. What a pleasure to experience Gregg at his best while telling the ‘story’ with his fingers. The production and mixes of ‘GK’ are incredible…We can and will be playing any or all of these tracks in heavy rotation…beginning now.” - Dr. Mike (Michael Matheny, Host and Program Director for radioIO Smooth Jazz)
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 Bartholomew Bishop
Bartholomew Bishop
Folk rock musician Bartholomew Bishop is a longtime performer who was once featured as a new artist on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. A founding member of obscure 70’s rock group Providence, Bishop emerged as a session musician and has picked and sang alongside Marc Ellington, Pete Seeger, Jerry Garcia, and Ted Nugent. Now he’s back with a new record on Native Language that he says relates to today’s world.
“I wanted to do music for the present situation that relates urgency from the lessons we’ve learned in the not too distant past about realities of humanities’ very existence on earth. And just maybe have fun with the whole idea of bein’ alive…” - Bartholemew Bishop
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 Jeff Kashiwa
The Very Best of Jeff Kashiwa
One of the most diverse, in demand sax players in all of contemporary jazz, Jeff Kashiwa finds pure joy at the heart of his increasingly fast-paced touring schedule by reminding himself, every time he gets on stage, that he’s there to do one thing: Play! Over the last few years, he’s been doing just that to the tune of almost 100 performances annually, bringing his trademark exuberance to gigs with his longtime band Coastal Access, shows across the country with The Sax Pack (featuring fellow genre A-listers Steve Cole & Kim Waters), dates in the U.S. and England with Acoustic Alchemy and others with Chuck Loeb.
“While I’ve always been inspired by great melodic saxophonists like Stan Getz, I watch 'The Actor’s Studio' regularly on Bravo and am also fascinated by the way famous movie actors talk about their craft,” he says. “No matter how successful they are and how happy they should be with their previous success, they’re always more focused on what’s next. It’s the same with me, and I’m always looking forward to what’s on the horizon.” - Jeff Kashiwa
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 East West Quintet
Vast
East West Quintet - don't be fooled by the name. This genre-bending ensemble from Brooklyn, New York, is more likely to rock than to swing, utilizes both acoustic and electronic instruments, and is commonly found performing with not five but six band members. Formed in 2003 as a hard-bop ensemble in the mold of the Cannonball Adderley Quintet, the group quickly changed course, incorporating musical elements from their early punk, rock, and hip-hop experiences. Through years of experimentation and growth, the band has come into its own, divorcing itself from being jazz-rock, rock-jazz or any other clumsy musical description. Simply stated, East West Quintet is a compellingly powerful band that lies outside of conventional boundaries and appeals to listeners of all kinds.
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New from Superbuy
Robert Johnson
King of the Delta Blues
Blues giant Robert Johnson's King Of The Delta Blues Vol. 1 is the perfect intro to the torment of the man who, as legend has it, sold his soul to the devil to become the ultimate blues musician. His legend is immensely fortified by the fact that Johnson also left behind a small legacy of recordings that are considered the emotional apex of the music itself, many later adapted by rock artists such as The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and Led Zeppelin.
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Derek McCormack
Never Too Far From My Mind Derek McCormack was a much loved Irish musician and entertainer who in recent years toured the world extensively with The Fureys. He took ill while performing solo on an Irish Festival Caribbean Cruise and died suddenly on January 30, 2004 at age 51. He was most loved for his incredibly rich Irish Tenor voice and became the voice behind many of Barleycorn's most popular recordings, including,” Song for Ireland,” “Cavan Girl,” “Carrickfergus,” and “Roisin.” He was also a perennial favorite at Irish Festivals in the US performing at them regularly in his later years. Derek always wished to record an album under his own name and this wish was fulfilled with the release of “Never Too Far From My Mind” his only solo album in 2002. It features a beautiful selection of Irish classics performed in his unique and much loved style. "It has long been an ambition of mine to record a solo album,” he said. “The songs are all favourites of mine. Some are old, some are new, some are new versions. With the help of some wonderful musicians, I have finally realized my ambition." Derek will be missed by all of his fans worldwide, but his songs will be with us forever.
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 South Brisbane Federal Band
Strike Up The Brass! (Brass Band Favourites)
Formed in 1912, the South Brisbane Federal Band has for decades maintained a tradition of exceptional brass band performances. This, their most recent recording, demonstrates clearly why the band has earned so many accolades and awards at competitions both in Australia and overseas. Here are 19 tracks that are as bold as brass. Varying in tempo from the classic beat and swagger of "Colonel Bogey", to the more romantic theme from "Titanic", even The Beatles get a look in with "When I'm 64" and "Ticket to Ride". The band also give fabulous interpretations of four songs from the blockbuster film "Brassed Off.” Other great titles include "Advance Australia Fair", "Death Or Glory", "Finicula Finiculil", theme from "The Mission" and many more.
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Other Releases from Superbuy
Rhonda Davidson Irwin & Carmel Butler
Fun Songs for Kids Vol. 3
Manuel
In A French Café
Various Artists
Pachelbel Canon by the Ocean
Billie Holiday
Summertime: The Best of Billie Holiday
Nathan Parker
Smooth Sax
New from Canyon
Various Artists
Traditional Voices
Since 1951, Canyon Records Productions has specialized in the production and distribution of traditional and contemporary Native American music. This collection is drawn from Canyon recordings made in the 1950's and early 1960's and includes rare songs by historically important singers from over twenty tribes of the United States and Canada. It offers a unique glimpse into the rich and varied tribal cultures of Native America through their songs and dances.
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Verdell Primeaux & Johnny Mike
Known as two of today’s leading peyote singers, Verdell Primeaux of the Sioux and Johnny Mike of the Navajo people are award-winning musicians who have had a long, accomplished history in performing ceremonial pow-wow songs. Primeaux is a two-time Grammy winner hailing from a prominent recording family, while Johnny Mike, also a Grammy winner, composed hit releases like My Spirit Soars: Harmonized Peyote Songs and Hear Our Prayers. |
Verdell Primeaux & Johnny Mike
Sacred Path
Healing songs are a newer style of soothing harmonized chanting from the Native American Church (or Peyote Church) without the accompaniment of the peyote water-drum or rattle and are meant to facilitate meditation and prayer and provide comfort and peace for the singers and listeners. This recording combines the inspiring sound of healing chants sung by Verdell Primeaux and Johnny Mike with a backdrop of ambient electronic textures and sweeping atmospherics. The result is a innovative and reverent presentation of chants from the time-honored Native American Church tradition.
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Also freshly available from Verdell Primeaux & Johnny Mike:
Healing and Peyote Songs in Sioux and Navajo (with Robert Attson)
Peyote Songs of the Native American Church
Live in Harmony
Evolution: Generation to Generation
Gathering of Voices: Harmonized Peyote Songs
Northern Cree
The Northern Cree singers began their career as one of the most respected and influential groups on the pow-wow trail. As members of a drum group that have won numerous competitions since the 1980s, Northern Cree Singers have garnered the success and foundation that has allowed them to record over 30 albums leading to numerous nominations and awards from the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, NAMMY, Junos and the Grammys, including Best Native American Album Grammy in 2008. |
Northern Cree
Here to Stay
Northern Cree’s powerful singing resonates throughout the heart of pow-wow country, making dancers move to the beat and people sit up and listen. With this exciting live recording, their thirteenth, Northern Cree makes it clear they're "Here to Stay." Recorded live at the 11th Annual Snow Mountain Pow-Wow near Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Also freshly available from Northern Cree: Showtime: Round Dance Songs
Other Releases from Canyon Records
Paul Guy, Sr. & Paul Guy, Jr.
My Father’s Chapel
Young Grey Horse Society
It’s Just a Tribe Thang
Southern Cree
Keepin’ It Real
Kicking Woman Singers
Our Way of Life
Delbert “Black Fox” Pomani & Thomas Duran, Jr.
Connection to Mother Earth
Young Bird
Rendezvous
Tha Tribe
T2K
Siksika Ramblers
Straight from the Rez
Earl Ray
Traditional Songs of the Salt River Pima
Paul Guy, Jr. & Teddy Allen
Diné Peyote Songs
Cathedral Lake Singers
Live at Window Rock
UPCOMING RELEASES
Phunk Junkeez - Live Material
Bob Bralove & Henry Kaiser - Ultraviolet Licorice
Henry Kaiser, Damon Smith, and Weasel Walter - Plane Crash
Scott Colby - Slide of Hand
Henry Kaiser - Where Endless Meets Disappearing
Everett Shock with Henry Kaiser - Ghost Boys
Henry Kaiser & Wadada Leo Smith - YO MILES! (SHINJUKU)
Nels Cline, Henry Kaiser, Jim Thomas, Weasel Walter, and Allen Whitman - Jazz Free
Myles Boisen & Henry Kaiser - Backwards and Forwards
Roger Smith - My Colors; Just Enough (reissue)
New Jazz Hustlers (Stuart Wade of “Down to the Bone”)
Samba Soul 70!
Rebel Gilberto - Tanto Tempo Remixes
Ray Luv - Deathwish
More from Superbuy including Hank Williams, Bing Crosby, Django Reinhardt!
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TOUR DATES
Bloodkin
April 16, 2009
GERSTLES – LOUISVILLE, KY
April 17, 2009
THE DAME – LEXINGTON, KY
April 18, 2009
DOUBLE DOOR – CHICAGO, IL
April 23, 2009
THE STATE THEATRE – STARKVILLE, MS
April 24, 2009
MARTIN’S – JACKSON, MS
April 25, 2009
DOUBLE DECKER FESTIVAL – OXFORD, MS
May 16, 2009
HOME TEAM BBQ – CHARLESTON, SC
May 22, 2009
SOUL KITCHEN MUSIC HALL – MOBILE, AL
May 23, 2009
THE MAPLE LEAF – NEW ORLEANS, LA
May 28, 2009
THE POUR HOUSE – RALEIGH, NC
May 29, 2009
IS – CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
May 30, 2009
THE PLAZA – RICHMOND, VA
Roger Smith (with Tower of Power)
April 14, 2009
HOYT SHERMAN THEATER – DES MOINES, IA
April 15, 2009
3RD STREET SALOON – CEDAR RAPIDS, IA
April 16, 2009
HORSHOE CASINO – HAMMOND, IN
April 17, 2009
NORTON CENTER FOR THE ARTS – DANVILLE, KY
April 18, 2009
NEIGHBORHOOD THEATRE – CHARLOTTE, NC
April 30 – May 3, 2009
JAZZ ALLEY – SEATTLE, WA
June 18, 2009
MICHIGAN THEATER – ANN ARBOR, MI
June 19, 2009
ROCHESTER JAZZ FESTIVAL – ROCHESTER, NY
June 20, 2009
WEST OAK LANE JAZZ FESTIVAL – PHILADELPHIA, PA
June 21, 2009
FOXWOODS MGM GRAND THEATER – MASHANTUCKET, CT
July 30, 2009
ALIVE AT FIVE – ALBANY, NY
July 31, 2009
TOWN CENTER AT MEADOWBROOK PARK – HAMDEN CT
August 19 & 20, 2009
SAN MATEO COUNTY FAIR – SAN MATEO, CA
August 21, 2009
HUMPHREY’S CONCERTS BY THE BAY – SAN DIEGO, CA
August 22, 2009
ANTELOPE VALLEY FAIRGROUNDS – LANCASTER, CA
August 23, 2009
HOLLYWOOD BOWL – LOS ANGELES, CA
September 4, 2009
CHINOOK WINDS CASINO – LINCOLN CITY, OR
September 11-13, 2009
SOUTH POINT HOTEL & CASINO – LAS VEGAS, NV
September 23, 2009
KERN COUNTY FAIR – BAKERSFIELD, CA
September 25, 2009
THE MOUNTAIN WINERY – SARATOGA, CA
September 26, 2009
RADISSON HOTEL (THE GROVE) – SACRAMENTO, CA.
David Darling
May 1-3, 2009
Adventures in Improvisation at Stony Point Center, Stony Point, NY.
June 26-28, 2009
Music Improvisation Camp at Immaculata University, Frazer, PA.
July 4-10, 2009 -
Musicianship and Leadership Program at Kientalerhof in Switzerland.
Aug 2-7, 2009 -
Adventures in Improvisation at SUNY Fredonia, Fredonia, NY.
Oct 10-12, 2009 -
Adventures in Improvisation at Stony Point Center, Stony Point, NY.
October 22, 2009 -
with Coleman Barks, Albany, NY.
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Wadada Leo Smith
April 17, 2009 - 8:30P
Firehouse 12 Studio - New Haven, CT
May 23, 2009 - 8:30P
Symphony Space - New York, NY
September 1, 2009 - 8:00P
Sant'Anna Arresi Festiva - Sardinia
November 20, 2009 - 8:00P
Madrid Jazz Festival - Madrid, SPAIN
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Phunk Junkeez
April 17, 2009
MARQUEE THEATER, TEMPE, AZ
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Peter White
April 27, 2009
Soho, London UK
Pizza Express
April 28, 2009
Soho, London UK
Pizza Express
April 29, 2009
Soho, London UK
Pizza Express
May 1, 2009
Maidstone, UK
Pizza Express
May 4, 2009
Milton Keyes, UK
The Stables
May 9, 2009
Jazz on the Vine – Osthoff Resort
101 Osthoff Ave., Elkhart Lake, WI
Peter White And Mindi Abair
May 16, 2009
Palm Springs Riviera Resort
1600 N. Indian Canyon Dr.
Palm Springs, CA 92262
May 17, 2009
Hyatt Newport Jazz Festival
Hyatt Newporter, 1107 Jamboree Rd.,
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Peter White And Mindi Abair
May 27, 2009
Rodney Strong Winery
11455 Old Redwood Hwy.
Healdsburg, CA 95448
Peter White And Mindi Abair
July 19, 2009
KIFM Jazz at the Beach
Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre
300 North The Strand, Oceanside, CA
Peter White And Mindi Abair
July 31, 2009
Four Seasons Resort Aviara
7100 Four Seasons Point
Tennis Court Lawn
Carlsbad, CA
August 8, 2009
Peter White, Nick Colionne & Maysa
Carolina Smooth Jazz Friends Series
Halton Theatre
August 11, 2009
Scullers Jazz Club
Double Tree Guest Suites
400 Soldiers Field, Rd. Boston, MA 02134
Peter White And Mindi Abair
August 12, 2009
Spirit Cruise Ship
Pier 63 – Chelsea Piers West Side Highway
New York, NY 10011
Peter White And Mindi Abair
August 13, 2009
Birchmere
3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Alexandria, VA 22305
Peter White And Mindi Abair
August 14, 2009
Ramshead On Stage
33 West St.
Annapolis, MD 21401
Peter White And Mindi Abair
August 16, 2009
Glenora Wine Cellars
5437 Route 14
Dundee, NY
September 12, 2009
Radisson Hotel Groove – Outdoor
500 Leisure Lane, Sacramento, CA 95815
Peter White And Mindi Abair
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