Scene and Heard

Jake Shimabukuro performs at Bomhard Theater

Jake Shimabukuro entertained a sold out Bomhard Theater in Louisville, Kentucky. With his innovative display of the ukulele. Shimabukuro dazzled the audience with his electrifying high energy grooves and melodic ballads. His solo performance with the four stringed instrument touched upon all genres of music.

It’s rare for a young musician to earn comparisons to the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis. It’s even harder to find an artist who has entirely redefined an instrument by his early thirties. But Jake Shimabukuro (she-ma-boo-koo-row) has already accomplished these feats, and more, in a little over a decade of playing and recording music. As the San Francisco Gate recently posited about the Hawaiian musician: “The sounds the boyish 33-year old wrings from his ukulele…are unlike anything else in the history of the instrument.”

Shimabukuro began his music career in earnest performing at local Honolulu venues and coffee shops. “I loved just playing those little places, and I was happy with it at the time,” he remembers. “But when Sony Music Japan showed interest in signing me, I think it made me take my music seriously as a career.” Although a few several well-received solo releases helped the musician earn some fame on the island, his career really skyrocketed during a TV appearance in New York, where the producers of a local TV show called “Ukulele Disco” asked him to play a cover of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” in Central Park. It was an exhilarating performance – and one that quickly went viral, as the six-million-plus page views it’s received on YouTube can attest. “It was supposed to air once, but it somehow ended up on YouTube – which had just started out at the time – and suddenly people started asking about the asian guy who plays the ukulele,” says Jake.

The clip certainly opened the world’s eyes to the ukulele, and broadened Jake’s audience. In the years since that clip aired, Shimabukuro has performed with the likes of Jimmy Buffett, Bela Fleck, Bette Midler, Yo-Yo Ma, Cyndi Lauper and Ziggy Marley. He’s played on shows like “The Late Show with Conan O’Brien,” “The Today Show” and “Last Call with Carson Daly,” as well as NPR’s “Morning Edition” and “World Café.” Live, he’s landed slots on the Monterey and Playboy Jazz Festivals, performed at the Google campus and the influential TED conference, and played in front of the Queen of England at a benefit show (alongside Bette Midler). And next Valentine’s Day, fans can see Shimabukuro performing in a scene in the new Adam Sandler movie “Just Go with It.”

Despite the success, Jake remains humble and admittedly “awestruck” by how his love of the uke has propelled him to such great heights. For that, he gives full credit to the instrument he’s played with a passion since he was 4. “The ukulele is the instrument of peace,” he says. “And if everyone played one, the world would be a better place.”

Jake Shimabukuro

Jake Shimabukuro

Jake Shimabukuro

Randy Travis, is an American country singer and actor. Active since 1985, he has recorded more than a dozen studio albums to date, in addition to charting more than thirty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, of which sixteen have reached Number One. Considered a pivotal figure in the history of country music, Travis broke through in the mid-1980s with the release of his album Storms of Life on Warner Bros. Records; the album sold more than three million copies. It also established him as a neotraditionalist country act, and was followed by a string of several more platinum and multi-platinum albums throughout his career.  He left Warner Bros. in 1997 for DreamWorks Records; there, he would eventually switch his focus to gospel music, a switch which, despite earning him only one more country hit in the Number One “Three Wooden Crosses,” earned him several Dove Awards. This one time performance will be held on April 8th at 7:30 p.m. in the Showroom.  Tickets go on sale Friday February 4th, 2011 and may be purchased through Ticketmaster or the Horseshoe Box office

Pretty Lights Music, the digital label from Pretty Lights’ Derek Vincent Smith, is launching a new website, and dropping two new EPs today. The purpose of the label and its innovative model is to supply his fans, and fans of electronic music at large, with the dopest beats from the freshest producers. The EPs are offered as free downloads with the option to donate for exactly that reason- releasing good music to as many listeners as possible is our priority for PLM.

Break Science’s new EP, Further Than Our Eyes Can See, and Paper Diamond’s debut EP Levitate both went up today. Also available on the site is the debut record from Michal Menert,
Dreaming Of A Bigger Life, which went up in May 2010.

The new Break Science EP, Further Than Our Eyes Can See, consists of thought-provoking, highly-textured bass-pumping songs that include verses from some of today’s most conscious artists: Brooklyn’s Talib Kweli and Jahdan Blakkamoore, Sierra Leone’s Bajah and India’s Falu.

The new Paper Diamond EP, Levitate, has a raw energy and the kind of dramatic anticipation only a seasoned producer can incite. Driving beats and bass grab on tight while deep, rich tones rumble under layers of spacey synthesizers, sweet melodies, and catchy vocals.

Download Break Science’s Free MP3
of “Zion Station” HERE
)

Download Paper Diamond’s Remix of
Kanye West’s “Power” HERE

For more information on Pretty Lights Music, and the artists
mentioned above, please visit the official site!

The CNN report is below

Sydney, Australia (CNN) — Singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett fell off a concert stage during a show in Sydney, Australia Wednesday, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Doctors at Sydney’s St. Vincent’s Hospital listed Buffett, 64, in stable condition four hours after he was admitted, spokeswoman Denise Coughlan said.

She would not give details about his injuries.

Australia’s Daily Telegraph newspaper quotes witnesses saying Buffett fell from the Hordern Pavilion stage after singing “It’s been a lovely cruise, I’m sorry it’s ended.”

Headliners Music Hall

Arcade Fire, Bon Jovi, Jimmy Buffett, Sonny Rollins, Kid Rock,
John Mellencamp, Wilco, Robert Plant, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Willie Nelson,
The Strokes, John Legend & The Roots
To Join Hundreds of Louisiana Greats at 2011 Jazz Fest in New Orleans

Tickets On Sale Now
VIP & Discount Weekend Packages, Special Hotel Room Rates Available

New Orleans, LA (January 20, 2011)—The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell today announced the music lineup for the 2011 Festival scheduled for April 29 – May 1 and May 5 – 8. With twelve stages of virtually every style of roots music, Jazz Fest presents one of the entertainment world’s most diverse music lineups, including its unparalleled showcase of Louisiana’s unique culture.  Hundreds of thousands of fans annually flock  to the seven-day event that has been called America’s best festival.

Arcade Fire, Bon Jovi, Jimmy Buffett, Kid Rock, John Mellencamp, Wilco, Willie Nelson, The Strokes, Robert Plant, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Tom Jones, Jeff Beck, Sonny Rollins, John Legend & The Roots, The Avett Brothers, Cyndi Lauper, Wyclef Jean, Mumford & Sons, Alejandro Sanz, Jason Mraz, Maze feat. Frankie Beverly, Lupe Fiasco, Arlo Guthrie, Jamey Johnson, Fantasia, Kenny G, Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Decemberists, Gregg Allman Blues Band, Vickie Winans, Lucinda Williams, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Robert Cray, Bobby Blue Bland, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Edie Brickell, Keb’ Mo’, Rance Allen, Ahmad Jamal, Fourplay, Ricky Skaggs, Amos Lee, Jesse Winchester, Michelle Shocked, Tabou Combo, RAM, and Boukman Eksperyans of Haiti, Punch Brothers, Ron Carter Trio, Fisk Jubilee Singers, Ivan Lins, Charlie Musselwhite, Maceo Parker with guest Pee Wee Ellis and more are all among the national and international guest artists scheduled to appear at the 42nd edition of the Jazz Fest.

Hundreds of Louisiana artists, the heart and soul of the Festival, are scheduled to appear, such as: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, The Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Mystikal, Pete Fountain, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, Better Than Ezra, Rebirth Brass Band, Galactic, Tab Benoit, The Radiators, Cowboy Mouth,  Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Marcia Ball, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Ellis Marsalis, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Sonny Landreth, Henry Butler, Papa Grows Funk, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, John Boutté, Terence Blanchard, Amanda Shaw, The New Orleans Bingo! Show, Jon Cleary, Partners N Crime with 5th Ward Weebie, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Joseph Zigaboo Modeliste, Glen David Andrews, Anders Osborne, Buckwheat Zydeco, George Porter, Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, Big Freedia & Sissy Nobby, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes, MyNameIsJohnMichael, Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters, Zachary Richard, Warren Storm – Willie Tee & Cypress, Honey Island Swamp Band, Bonerama, John Mooney & Bluesiana, Nicholas Payton, Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Jeremy Davenport, Deacon John, Donald Harrison, Astral Project, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles, Banu Gibson, Shamarr Allen, Pine Leaf Boys, Mia Borders, Hot 8, Mahogany, New Birth & Pinstripe Brass Bands, Roots of Music Marching Crusaders Band, The Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians plus many more.

Quint Davis, producer/director of Jazz Fest said, “The 2011 Jazz Fest lineup will deliver an unprecedented balance of the traditional and the contemporary, in all of the many music categories the Festival presents:  from Bon Jovi, Sonny Rollins and Arcade Fire to Jimmy Buffett, Kid Rock, John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson to Ms. Lauryn Hill, The Strokes and Robert Plant and on and on, along with the unending list of New Orleans super talents.  This lineup reminds us that the artists we grew up with are now the icons of today, and that today’s new heroes are tomorrow’s heritage.  We’re honored to be able to once again celebrate the soul of America as only New Orleans and the Jazz Fest can.”

Randy Phillips, president & CEO, AEG Live, which co-produces the Festival said, “Once again, Quint Davis and the Jazz Fest Team have been able to amass one of the largest and deepest musical lineups of any festival in the world today.  AEG Live is proud to play a major role in the production of this beloved event.”

The 2011 Festival will also host the largest celebration of Haitian culture in the U.S. since the devastating earthquake one year ago.  New Orleans and Haiti have shared a deep cultural connection for over three hundred years and many of the local traditions and customs owe their roots to this complex Caribbean country.  The Jazz Fest is proud and honored to host the icons of Haitian music and culture including Wyclef Jean, Tabou Combo, RAM, Boukman Eksperyans, Emeline Michel, Djakout #1, DJA-Rara and Ti-Coca & Wanga Négès.  The many cultural connections will be illustrated throughout all aspects of this year’s Festival.  Some highlights include traditional Vodou drumming performances, folk crafts demonstrations led by visiting master artisans and rara band DJA-Rara parading throughout the Fair Grounds.   With the support of the Green Family Foundation, the program will also include a series of scholar-led panel discussions entitled Haiti & New Orleans: Cultural Crossroads as well as a listening station featuring excerpts from the Grammy nominated recordings of Dr. Alan Lomax made in Haiti for the Library of Congress in 1936-1937. 

The Jazz Festival offers three distinct VIP opportunities to experience the event in style: the Festival’s popular Big Chief VIP Experience ticket package provides special viewing access at most of the Festival’s stages; the Grand Marshal VIP Pass allows for up-close access at the three major stages; and the Krewe of Jazz Fest VIP Pass which entitles patrons to special covered seating at the Acura Stage audience area only.  All of the hugely popular VIP packages are on sale now while very limited supplies last.  (See attachments for details.) The Festival offers a special layaway arrangement for any of the VIP packages.  For information on layaway, please visit www.nojazzfest.com.

Tickets for the Festival, which takes place at the Fair Grounds Race Course, went on sale today.  A limited number of discount ticket packages including tickets to each day of a particular weekend of the Festival will be offered. Ticket packages purchased for all three days of the first weekend (April 29, 30 & May 1) will be $120 ($40 per day), while second weekend packages purchased for all four festival days (May 5, 6, 7, & 8) will be $160 ($40 per day). (Tickets included in each package are day-specific.)  Advance single day Jazz Fest tickets are only $45; the gate price is $60.   Children’s tickets (ages 2 – 10) are still only $5 and are available at the gate only.  Single day tickets to Jazz Fest are on sale by specific weekend, with each ticket valid for a single day’s attendance.

Tickets are available at www.nojazzfest.com and www.ticketmaster.com, at all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling (800) 745-3000. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Jazz Fest ticket office located at the New Orleans Arena Box Office. All Jazz Fest tickets are subject to additional service fees and handling charges.

A listing of hotels offering special Jazz Fest rates is posted at www.nojazzfest.com, where patrons can effortlessly reserve their hotel rooms for the event.  Festivalgoers can peruse room availability and book their accommodations early taking advantage of some of the best prices offered at participating hotels.

Shell is the Presenting Sponsor of the Festival.  Acura, Peoples Health, Miller Lite, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots (A Churchill Downs Company), Edison Chouest Offshore, Coca-Cola, Rajen Kilachand, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, Zatarain’s and St. Charles Vision are all also official Jazz Fest sponsors.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc. is the nonprofit organization that owns the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell. The Foundation uses the proceeds from Jazz Fest for year-round activities in the areas of education, economic development and cultural events. Education programs include the Don “Moose” Jamison Heritage School of Music and the Tom Dent Congo Square Lecture Series. Economic Development initiatives include the Community Partnership Grants, the Raisin’ the Roof housing program, the Sync Up conference and the Jazz & Heritage Talent Exchange web site. Cultural events include the Jazz Journey concert series and free community festivals: the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival, the Congo Square New World Rhythms Festival, the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival and the Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival. The Foundation also owns radio station WWOZ 90.7-FM, the Jazz & Heritage Archive, the Jazz & Heritage Gallery and the Jazz & Heritage Center. The Jazz & Heritage Gala raises funds for Foundation programming with a black-tie event to start the Jazz Fest season on Thursday, April 28 at the Hilton Riverside Hotel. For more information, please call the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation at (504) 558-6100 or visit www.jazzandheritage.org.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell is a co-production of Festival Productions Louisiana, LLC. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Festival Productions, Inc.-New Orleans) and AEG Louisiana Production, LLC. (a subsidiary of AEG Live).

The Wanee Festival announced its 2011 Line up featuring two nights of The Allman Brothers, Widespread Panic , Robert Plant and Sea of Joy band, Steve Miller Band, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi Band, The Warren Haynes Band and many more.

The  event is  Apr 14, 2011 – Apr 16, 2011Tickets include 4 nights of primitive camping, 3 full days of Music (Thursday – Saturday) and EXPANDED KICK OFF PARTY ON WEDNESDAY.

Tickets on Sale Saturday Jan. 22. More information at http://www.waneefestival.com

Robert Plant -Bonnaroo 2008

Robert Plant has confirmed a 12-date North American tour. Beginning April 8 in Louisville, KY, this will be the third leg of touring on these shores in support of the triumphant release of his latest album, Band of Joy. The touring band is the same that made the record and that is currently touring the States: Patty Griffin, vocals; Darrell Scott, multi-nstrumentalist/vocals; Byron House, bass/vocals; Marco Giovino, drums and percussion/vocals, and co-producer Buddy Miller, guitar/vocals. The full itinerary is listed below, along with a download of “Central Two-O-Nine,” the lone original track off the new album.

ROBERT PLANT SPRING TOUR:
April 8 – Louisville, KY – The Palace
April 9: – Chicago, IL – The Auditorium Theatre
April 11 – Milwaukee, WI – The Riverside Ballroom
April 12 – Minneapolis, MN – The State Theatre
April 15 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live Arena
April 17 – Vancouver, BC – The Queen Elizabeth Theater
April 19 – Portland, OR – The Schnitzer
April 20: – Seattle, WA – The Paramount
April 22 – Berkeley, CA – The Greek
April 23 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek
April 25 – Santa Barbara, CA – The Santa Barbara Bowl
April 27 – Denver, CO – The Fillmore

Cake plays Forecastle 2010

Cake - Forecastle 2010

CAKE is back on top! The band’s new album, Showroom Of Compassion, has debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 today, marking their first number one album in their nearly two decades of existence. Showroom Of Compassion, CAKE’s first record of new material since the release of Pressure Chief seven years ago, comes via the band’s own label, Upbeat Records. Not only is this a first for CAKE, who have always made it a point to stay true to their independent roots, but also the first Number One release for Warner’s Independent Label Group.

CAKE – John McCrea, Vincent DiFiore, Xan McCurdy and Gabriel Nelson – has been hard at work promoting Showroom. Last week, they performed their hit single, “Sick Of You,” on The Late Show With Jimmy Fallon. They also performed the song on Conan back in December. “Sick Of You” remains a Top 5 hit at both Alternative and Triple A radio, and the videocontinues in heavy rotation at both MTV2 and MTVu. Rolling Stone did a Q&A with lead singer John McCrea and premiered the video for the Showroom opener “Federal Funding,” with NPR recently featured “Teenage Pregnancy” as their “Song Of The Day.” CAKE also stopped by Fuel TV’s show “The Daily Habit” for a performance of “Sick Of You,” which can beseen here.

Showroom Of Compassion has been met by enthusiasm from both fans and critics alike, with Billboard saying the album  “finds the group at its most musically accomplished and quirkily ambitious, covering more ground on one album than most band do in an entire career,” the Los Angeles Times raving that Showroom shows CAKE is“in toned condition, turning out polished compositions that could fit in with its classic catalog.“ and Entertainment Weekly awarding the album a rock-solid B+, declaring Showroom as “remarkably fresh.” CAKE is booked to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live Tuesday, February 22^nd and on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno on March 1^st.

The buzz continues with “Long Time” set to be the second single off Showroom, featuring an animated music video created by French production company Callicore Films. Look for the video to debut next week.

New CAKE tour dates for 2011 include four nights at The Fillmore in San Francisco, four nights at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, three nights at the 930 Club in Washington DC and an evening with CAKE at Terminal 5 in NYC.
MORE CAKE IN THE MEDIA:
“We heard this hip little fuzzed-out tune on the radio, and we were, like, who’s this cool new band? Maybe something called Bear Antler? Then we realized it was CAKE.” – Rolling Stone

“Deadpan brilliance” – The New Yorker

“[‘Sick Of You’] is vintage CAKE, with frontman John McCrea’s jaded, semi-spoken vocals, crunchy guitar riffs, a skippy beat, and blasts of trumpet.” – Spin.com

“Fifteen years after they batted out their first left-field hit with “The Distance,” the band’s sound and words still have bite.” – New York Daily News

“‘Showroom of Compassion’ may well be one of the first great discs of 2011.” – New Jersey Record