The sounds of dynamic R&B, Latin, soul, jazz and world music will be heard across Los Angeles during the second annual Verizon Musical Festival, Sept. 30-Oct. 6. Featuring Teddy Pendergrass, Béla Fleck, Ozomatli, Al Jarreau, Julieta Venegas and Ray Charles, the seven-day festival will also showcase performances by newcomers Lea DeLaria, Toshi Reagon, Chris Botti, Quetzal, Gerald Clayton and others. Concerts, including several free events, are scheduled at Royce Hall, Center Theater in Long B …

LOS ANGELES Budding entertainers have tried many ways to gain recognition Star Search, Showtime at the Apollo and American Idols just to name a few; however, the 2002 Verizon Music Festival, which comes to Los Angeles September 30-October 6, is the perfect showcase for new talent to share center stage with established artists. This year’s Verizon Music Festival "emerging talent" artists, who were selected based on their performances, recordings, media attention and indust …

RazorEdge Records announces the worldwide release of Rayford Griffin’s debut album, Rebirth of The Cool. In producing this recording, Griffin himself has been reborn as the leader of his own group, as a composer, as an arranger, and as a singer. Widely known as one of today’s top jazz drummers, Griffin has toured and recorded with a long list of legendary musicians including Michael Jackson, Bette Midler, Kenny G, Michael Bolton, and Anita Baker. Now, making his own mark, Rebirth …

From back-up to stepping-out when St. Louis native, Lynne Fiddmont, makes her move, Phil Collins, Stevie Wonder, The Jazz Crusaders, Lou Rawls, The Zawinul Syndicate, and other acts will miss having her on their stage. Fiddmont, who for years has been the go-to singer for an astoundingly diverse roster of musical talents that also includes Norah Jones, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Bill Withers, Teena Marie, Howard Hewitt, Yolanda Adams, Norman Brown, Nancy Wilson, Gloria Estefan, Whitney Hou …

Holidays are the perfect times to reminisce, and at the age of 96, with contemplation in mind, the oldest living NEA Jazz Master takes a ‘Stroll’ back in time to share thoughts and images from his personal jazz journey in a new book, Strollin’: A Jazz Life Through John Levy’s Personal Lens by Devra Hall Levy (ISBN: 9780982071403). Images spanning more than 50 years include Levy’s first trip to Japan with the Cannonball Adderley Quintet in 1963, and an amazin