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| ’Legends of Jazz’ - ’Showcase’ LRSmedia announced the release of Legends of Jazz - Showcase, the inaugural CD / DVD package from the television series aired on PBS stations, hosted by multi GRAMMY award-winning composer / pianist Ramsey Lewis. The Showcase all-star package features jazz greats Al Jarreau, David Sanborn, Chris Botti, Dave Brubeck, Marcus Miller, Chick Corea, George Duke, Lee Ritenour, Jane Monheit, John Pizzarelli, Ivan Lins, Billy Taylor, Benny Golson, Clark Terry, and many more. The Legends of Jazz - Showcase CD / DVD package, distributed by WEA, is produced by award-winning producer Larry Rosen, consisting of a DVD and an audio CD, both featuring 13 selected unique performances from the Legends of Jazz television series hosted by Ramsey Lewis. The much-anticipated program is set to air nationally beginning in April 2006 in conjunction with Jazz Appreciation Month. The state-of-the-art CD / DVD set presents the stunning visuals of the series shot in HD and recorded in 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound. States Rosen the series producer, "Special joint TV and radio promotions will kick off the introduction of the Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis TV series and the Showcase product offering. We are excited to be able to coordinate the marketing of the 'SHOWCASE' release with the TV shows and the Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis United Stations syndicated weekly radio shows. This will give us a very strong presence in every major market in the country." Lee Rosenberg, CEO of LRSmedia, commented, "The compounding effect of TV and radio, as well as numerous national in-store promotions, along with our very aggressive PR and online campaign will create awareness for the Legends of Jazz - Showcase release way beyond what any jazz release would normally gain. We believe this is a major push to an underserved audience who has the desire to purchase great musical performances." To kickoff the series and launch Jazz Appreciation Month, top public television stations WETA in Washington, D.C. and WTTW in Chicago will preempt regular programming on Sunday, April 2nd to air marathons of back-to-back Legends of Jazz episodes. Major radio promotions will air on smooth jazz radio stations nationwide including WNUA-FM in Chicago, where Lewis is the morning drive host, and the KTWV "The Wave" in Los Angeles. New York's WNET-TV will do a 13-week joint promotion with smooth jazz station CD101.9FM announcing contests and special jazz features. All promotions will be tied into local retail outlets. Lewis in discussing the artistic dynamic of the series remarked, "What is so compelling about our Showcase release is the unique musical performances like Al Jarreau and Kurt Elling burning up the jazz classic 'Take Five.' David Sanborn and Phil Woods jammin' on 'Seor Blues, ' and Clark Terry's classic 'Mumbles.' The music is exciting and the look and sound are impeccable." Other outstanding tracks on the CD / DVD package include "My Funny Valentine" by trumpet star Chris Botti, "The Panther" by Grammy winners Marcus Miller, George Duke, and Lee Ritenour, "Armando's Rhumba" by keyboard master Chick Corea, "The Island" by Brazilian star Ivan Lins, " They Can't Take That Away From Me" by vocalists Jane Monheit and John Pizzarelli, the blues classic "12 Year Old Boy" by stars Keb' Mo' and Robert Cray, and a stellar performance of John Coltrane's classic, 'Dear Lord' by host Ramsey Lewis. "Take Five" by Al Jarreau and Kurt Elling will be released as a digital single on April 4th and available though iTunes, Napster and other online music services. The next release in the Legends of Jazz series will feature single volume sets scheduled to roll out over three consecutive months beginning late June through late August. Legends of Jazz Volumes 1 - 3 comprise three comprehensive DVD / CD collections featuring great performances by and intimate conversations with Legends of Jazz guests. Each volume will compile complete video and audio from four featured episodes. Volume three is highlighted by the NEA Jazz Masters show that boasts Chick Corea, Tony Bennett and Ray Barretto's last documented performance. All three volumes will be bundled into a handsomely packaged boxed set to be released in the fall. Produced, again, from HD masters in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound audio, each DVD volume contains multiple theme-based episodes and is accompanied by an audio CD that captures the performances contained in each volume. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |