LOS ANGELES–Knitting Factory Management, the artist management division of Knitting Factory Entertainment has signed virtuoso jazz and classical artist Dana Leong.

A San Francisco native, Leong received a double scholarship in classical cello and jazz trombone from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music.

In September, Leong and DJ QBert will speak and perform at the closing ceremony of the World Economic Forum: Annual Meeting of the New Champions
 (aka the “Summer Davos”) in Tianjin, China which will be followed by a week-long solo tour of China. His US tour dates resume in December with a Dana Leong Trio show in Palm Desert, CA.

A San Francisco native, Leong received a double scholarship in classical cello and jazz trombone from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music.

In September, Leong and DJ QBert will speak and perform at the closing ceremony of the World Economic Forum: Annual Meeting of the New Champions
 (aka the “Summer Davos”) in Tianjin, China which will be followed by a week-long solo tour of China. His US tour dates resume in December with a Dana Leong Trio show in Palm Desert, CA.

“We couldn’t be happier to have Dana on board,” said KFM’s Aaron Johnson. “He is a true virtuoso and one of the most exciting musicians and composers working today.”

In addition to the World Economic Forum, Leong’s web series The K-20 Forum will be hosting Dr. Connie Tomaino, executive director and co-founder of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function and senior vice president for music therapy at CenterLight Health System. She will be sharing autobiographical ingredients that led to founding the Center for Music and Neurologic Function. Dr. Tomaino and her work are prominently featured in the upcoming movie Alive Inside.

“And when we performed together on stage, it just felt really natural. We kind of have the same style onstage, and the same approach to our singing and music. It was just always a natural fit.”​

Go on tour with music sensation Austin Mahone as he makes a stop in Phoenix, Arizona for a major show. Starting the day with a photo shoot, Austin spends the rest of his time personally connecting with fans before the big night. Get to know the people closest to him on stage and off.

Nashville, TN–Richmond-based indie folk/rock band Carbon Leaf re-recorded its breakout album, Indian Summer, and has released it asIndian Summer Revisited.  CMT Edge had the exclusive premiere of fan favorite ‘One Prairie Outpost,’ noting that, “The Virginia-based ensemble re-recorded the whole project with an acoustic spin, breathing new life into a familiar batch of songs – some of which have never left the set list.”  Fans can buy and stream Indian Summer Revisited at all digital outlets.

Originally released back in 2004 on Vanguard Records, Indian Summer introduced the band to a wider audience with “Life Less Ordinary” reaching #5 at AAA radio and #29 on the Hot AC charts.  10 years since the release of this career-altering album, the members of Carbon leaf wondered how they could honor the album.  The answer came in the form of re-recording the album and re-interpreting the songs that helped shape where the band is now.

23 years, 11 studio albums, AAA and Hot AC radio success with “The Boxer” and “Life Less Ordinary”, and the honor of being the first independent band to win an American Music Award for ‘Best Unsigned Act’ are a few of the accolades that Carbon Leaf has earned throughout the years.  Over that time span the band has played numerous festivals including Bumbershoot, Wakarusa, and Summerfest.  This year Carbon Leaf hosted its own festival, Ragtime Carnival, which attracted performances from Holly Williams, The Black Cadillacs, The Wild Feathers, and Delta Rae.  The band has also shared the stage with immense musical talents such as The Avett Brothers, Toad The Wet Sprocket, Dave Matthews Band, Guster, Matt Nathanson, Jason Mraz, and David Gray.  Perhaps the most important factor is that Carbon Leaf continues to push forward as an independent band with the support of its loyal fans, embarking this summer/fall on a 50+ show tour extending into 2015.

Listen to Carbon Leaf’s Indian Summer Revisited at https://soundcloud.com/carbonleaf

LOS ANGELES, CA–Renowned songwriter, guitarist, and producer Blake Mills’ highly anticipated second album, Heigh Ho, is now available to hear in full a week prior to it’s official release via Pitchfork Advance. Heigh Ho will be released on September 16 via Verve Records / Record Collection.

 Next Wednesday, September 17th in Phoenix, AZ Mills will kick off a 13 city headlining U.S. tour. The Heigh Ho band will feature Rob Moose on violin, Stuart Johnson on drums, Tyler Chester on keys and Sebastian Steinberg on bass, among other frequent Mills collaborators. See below for the complete list of tour dates.

Heigh Ho was recorded in Los Angeles at the legendary Ocean Way studios in a room built for Frank Sinatra & used by everyone from Bob Dylan to Ray Charles. The self-produced album references a range of genres without really belonging to any. To that end, Mills asked several of his musical heroes – including Jim Keltner, Don Was, Jon Brion, Benmont Tench, Mike Elizondo, and Fiona Apple (who duets on the bucolic “Seven” and the debut single “Don’t Tell Our Friends About Me”)  – to collaborate on what would become Heigh Ho. “The goals for Heigh Ho were songs, sonics, and capturing performance,” Mills said.

Since quietly releasing his debut album, Break Mirrors, Mills’ rise within the industry has been significant.  Having most recently produced the highly anticipated sophomore album from Alabama Shakes, Mills has also worked with ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, Sara Watkins, Conor Oberst, Sky Ferreira, and Fiona Apple, with whom he toured extensively in 2013 and 2014.  As a session player and sideman he has worked with Beck, Cass McCombs, Jackson Brown, Lucinda Williams, Andrew Bird and Neil Diamond, among others. Rick Rubin and T Bone Burnett frequently call upon his services as a guitarist, and equally enamored is Eric Clapton who recently told Rolling Stonemagazine “Blake Mills is the last guitarist I heard that I thought was phenomenal.”

Tracklisting

*           If I’m Unworthy

*           Cry To Laugh

*           Just Out Of View

*           Seven

*           Don’t Tell Our Friends About Me

*           Gold Coast Sinkin’

*           Silence is Sincerity

*           Half Asleep

*           Three Weeks In Havana

*           Before It Fell

*           Shed Your Head

*           Curable Disease

Blake Mills U.S. Headlining Tour

9/17 – Musical Instrument Museum – Phoenix, AZ

9/18 – El Rey – Los Angeles, CA

9/19 – The Chapel – San Francisco, CA

9/20 – Sweetwater Music Hall – Mill Valley, CA

9/22 – Mississippi Studios – Portland, OR

9/23 – Columbia City Theatre – Seattle, WA

9/26 – Amsterdam Bat & Hall – St. Paul, MN

9/27 – Space – Evanston, IL

9/28 – Mayne Stage – Chicago, IL

9/30 – The Sinclair – Cambridge, MA

10/1 – (Le) Poisson Rouge – New York, NY

10/6 – The Hamilton – Washington, DC

10/8 – Rough Trade – Brooklyn, NY

10/9 – World Café Live – Philadelphia, PA

Watch his video of Heigh Ho http://pitchfork.com/advance/533-heigh-ho/

 

NEW YORK–This fall marks the worldwide release of Bon Jovi: Work, an extraordinary coffee table book that offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the top touring rock band in the world, by the band’s official tour photographer, David Bergman, during two record-breaking world tours from 2010-2013.

Weighing nearly five pounds, the oversized, 210-page hardcover art book is a stunning and incomparable collection of powerful color and black and white photographs, back stage and at home, capturing“what it’s like to travel the world with our band, inviting you to be a part of the action,” writes Jon Bon Jovi in the foreword to Bon Jovi: Work. “From the happy times to the harrowed, these images let you transcend the frame of the photograph to connect to specific moments whenever you open this book.”

With unprecedented access personally granted by Jon to document the band in some of its most private moments, Bergman crossed continents to photograph Bon Jovi night after night at the world’s biggest concert venues. He traveled with them on their private plane, was able to shoot from the stage during every show, and could walk into the dressing room to take pictures any time he wanted – instinctively knowing when to be in the room and when to stay out of the way so as not to affect the “real” moment.

Bergman’s never-before-seen photos take you inside the operating room as Jon deals with the pain of a potentially career-ending knee injury. Two large fold-out images open up to nearly 42 inches wide, while another section of the book features private photographs personally taken by Jon, giving fans a unique look — for the first time ever — at life through his eyes.

Jon calls Bergman’s images “a work of art” and calls him “not only one of the finest photographers we’ve ever worked with, but he’s the kind of guy you can be comfortable hanging around with in any environment. At the end of the day, the work speaks for itself.”

Bergman has long dreamed of traveling the world on big music tours, and spent many years turning that dream into a reality. He’s been Bon Jovi’s official tour photographer since 2010, documenting the band on stage and on the road in more than 30 countries on six continents. Bergman also has toured with Barenaked Ladies, Sarah McLachlan, and Gloria Estefan, and worked with celebrity clients including Drew Carey, AvrilLavigne, and Joss Stone.

And that’s just in the concert world.

Bergman also has photographed six U.S. Presidents, five Olympic Games, and hundreds of major international events, including the Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals, and more. His images also have landed on the cover of Sports Illustrated 13 different times, including the unforgettable image of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees raising his son over his head after winning the Super Bowl.

Jon Bon Jovi first noticed Bergman’s work through his now-famous GigaPan, an incredibly high resolution, multi-shot panoramic image of President Obama’s first inauguration in 2009, which the rock star attended with his wife and two oldest children. Lauded as a pioneer of the technique which contains billions of pixels, allowing the viewer to zoom in and see most of the two million faces in attendance, Bergman’s GigaPan has since been viewed by over 20 million people.

“I’ll never forget the intense feeling I had on that day,” Jon continues in the book’s foreword, “a feeling that endures when I see David’s photograph. David’s photo distilled the spirit of the inauguration and the day’s pure emotion. “

The Bon Jovi experience has been “an honor and a pleasure” for Bergman, as he continues on his mission to bring respect back to the “tour photographer” profession.

The book is available exclusively at www.bonjovi.com/work.

 

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Universal Music Group and the Harrison family revealed that George Harrison’s first six solo albums, released between 1968 and 1975 on The Beatles’ Apple Records label, have been digitally remastered from the original analogue masters for CD and digital release on September 23 by Capitol/UMe. Wonderwall Music, Electronic Sound, All Things Must Pass, Living In The Material World, Dark Horse, and Extra Texture (Read All About It) are available now for preorder, both individually in digipaks and together within the deluxe, eight-disc boxed edition, The Apple Years 1968-75.

Designed to complement Harrison’s 2004 collection, The Dark Horse Years 1976-92, the new box features an exclusive DVD with several video pieces, including a new seven-minute film with previously unreleased footage. The Apple Years box also includes an exclusive perfect-bound book with an introduction by Dhani Harrison, new essays by award-winning radio producer and author Kevin Howlett, and rare and previously unpublished images.

This project has been overseen by George’s son, Dhani Harrison: “I am so happy that what we started a decade ago by releasing The Dark Horse Years is now complete with the release of his first six albums as The Apple Years. Some of these records have long been out of print, and so I cannot wait for music lovers to get their hands on these newly remastered versions. It’s a very proud moment for us, and I would like to thank everyone who has helped us in any way to achieve this.”

The six albums have been digitally restored and remastered at Lurssen Mastering in Los Angeles by a GRAMMY® Award-winning team of engineers including Paul Hicks, Gavin Lurssen, and Reuben Cohen. Wonderwall Music, Living In The Material World, Dark Horse, and Extra Texture (Read All About It) are all newly expanded with previously unreleased or rare additional tracks. All Things Must Pass includes the five extra tracks first released in 2001.

Max Hole, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group International, said: “George Harrison is a musical icon and one of the most imaginative and influential artists of all time. It’s been great for us to work with Dhani and Olivia Harrison and all of the team behindThe Apple Years project, a vital part of his legacy.”

Wonderwall Music

“The album was a film soundtrack but as a standalone vision it embraces a glorious multiverse of sonorous vignettes like nothing I’ve ever heard. It speaks of a fearless heart.” – Nitin Sawney

Released in November 1968, George Harrison’s Wonderwall Music was the first solo album released by a member of The Beatles and the first LP to be released by Apple Records. The soundtrack music for director Joe Massot’s debut feature-length film, Wonderwall, the predominantly instrumental album is an intricate, vibrant tapestry of Western rock music and compositions in an Indian classical style. In 1992, George recalled, “I decided to do it as a mini-anthology of Indian music, because I wanted to help turn the public on to Indian music.” Three bonus tracks have been added to the remastered album: “In The First Place” by Liverpool group The Remo Four, who played the rock elements of the recording sessions, a previously unreleased alternate take of “The Inner Light,” and the previously unreleased “Almost Shankara,” a raga that was not used in the film or for the soundtrack LP. The booklet also includes a new essay of appreciation by the acclaimed musician, producer and composer Nitin Sawney and newly written historical notes by Kevin Howlett.

Electronic Sound

“Squalls of cavernous sound, white noise explosions, beautiful delicate patterns, the sound was wild and fluid and bore no relation to George’s other work.” – Tom Rowlands (The Chemical Brothers)

As a direct result of The Beatles’ keen curiosity about experimental music and other avant-garde artistic expression, Apple Records launched its short-lived Zapple subsidiary in February 1969 as a forum for unfettered sonic exploration, or, as announced at the time, “more freaky sounds.” George’s Electronic Sound and John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Unfinished Music No. 2: Life With The Lions, both released in May 1969, were Zapple’s only releases before it was closed down. Electronic Sound’s cover art, painted by George, depicts his Moog IIIP (which was later used on four tracks by The Beatles on their album Abbey Road) with the four modules from which the sound was synthesized. Each side of the Electronic Sound LP featured one exploratory long-form work. However, the American version of the album placed the pieces on opposite sides to the UK record, but with the same titles retained on the labels. Consequently, there has been confusion about which track is which. Research for the out-of-print album’s new release revealed that the UK LP was correct with “Under The Mersey Wall” on Side 1 and “No Time Or Space” on Side 2. The CD booklet includes new essays by The Chemical Brothers’ Tom Rowlands and Dhani Harrison, as well as newly written historical notes by Kevin Howlett.

All Things Must Pass

“It is both an intensely personal statement and a grandiose gesture, a triumph over artistic modesty, even frustration. In this extravaganza of piety and sacrifice and joy the music itself is no longer the only message.” – Ben Gerson (excerpt, 1971 Rolling Stone review)

All Things Must Pass was released by Apple Records in November 1970. Co-produced by Harrison and Phil Spector, many musicians contributed to the album, including Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Pete Drake, Gary Wright, Klaus Voormann, members of Badfinger, players from Delaney and Bonnie band, and John Barham. The triple-LP topped charts around the world and earned universal acclaim as a rock masterpiece. George became the first Beatle to have a solo number one single in both the UK and America with the album’s lead single, “My Sweet Lord,” which introduced his signature slide guitar playing. George co-wrote the album’s opening track, “I’d Have You Anytime” with his friend Bob Dylan, who also wrote another song on the landmark album, “If Not For You.” The new package includes the five additional tracks added to the album’s 2001 reissue: “I Live For You” (outtake), “Beware Of Darkness” (demo), “Let It Down” (alternative version), “What Is Life” (backing track), and “My Sweet Lord (2000).”

Living In The Material World

“What we need isn’t material, it’s spiritual. We need some other form of peace and happiness.” – George Harrison (1967)

In May 1973 came the release of George’s second studio album of new songs, Living In The Material World. He was joined in the studio by several musician friends who had also played on All Things Must Pass and others like Jim Keltner, with whom he had worked during The Concert for Bangladesh concerts in 1971. The album and its lead single, “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)” both reached number one in America and on charts around the world. The spiritual nature of Living In The Material World, described by Rolling Stone as “miraculous in its radiance,” is also reflected in the inclusion of an illustration from the Bhagavad-Gita in the artwork. The new release adds a remix of the single version of “Bangla Desh,” which has previously been available only on The Best Of George Harrison (1976), as well as two B-sides included on the album’s 2006 reissue, “Deep Blue” and “Miss O’Dell.”

Dark Horse

“To write a song is, to me, more a case of being the vehicle to get over that feeling of that moment, of that time.” – George Harrison

Released in December 1974, Dark Horse capped a prolific year for George, during which he had established his own Dark Horse record label, built a recording studio in his Friar Park home in England, and completed an ambitious tour of North America. Throughout the year, Harrison produced albums for several artists while also recording his own. The songs on the LP document both George’s fallibility, in “Simply Shady,” and his spirituality, in “It Is ‘He’ (Jai Sri Krishna).” Dark Horse reached the top five in America, sounding a high note at the end of Harrison’s rather frenetic year. The new release adds “I Don’t Care Anymore,” a sought after B-side making its CD debut, and a previously unreleased early, acoustic take of “Dark Horse.” The CD booklet includes newly written historical notes by Kevin Howlett.

Extra Texture (Read All About It)

“The songs on Extra Texture are as introspective as any of George’s albums. The first track is what he would call a pop song and the last song is an eccentric homage to Bonzo Dog “Legs” Larry Smith. But in between are tracks with strong melodies and thought-provoking lyrics. They are moody and personal and some of my favourites.” – Olivia Harrison

In late 1974, George returned to California to record his next album, the soul-tinged Extra Texture (Read All About It), his final album to be released through Apple Records. Leon Russell played piano on “Tired Of Midnight Blue,” and for some of the sessions, Harrison was joined by guitarist Jesse Ed Davis, plus Jim Keltner, Paul Stallworth, and David Foster from new band Attitudes, who were later signed by George’s newly formed Dark Horse label. Two of the LP’s songs date from 1974 sessions for Dark Horse at George’s home studio: the soulful love song “Can’t Stop Thinking About You” and the backing track of “His Name Is ‘Legs’ (Ladies & Gentlemen).” The new release adds “This Guitar (Can’t Keep From Crying),” a song Harrison rerecorded in 1992 as a demo for Dave Stewart, who plays electric guitar on it. More than ten years later, the track received overdubs by Ringo Starr on drums, Dhani Harrison on guitar, and vocalist Kara DioGuardi. The CD booklet includes newly written historical notes by Kevin Howlett.

The Apple Years 1968-1975 brings together these six albums for the first time in one beautifully presented collection. Remastered with meticulous care and attention to detail, George Harrison’s Apple albums now sound better than ever before. Olivia and Dhani Harrison believe that, with the release of these albums, many songs that were undervalued when first issued will now have new light shone upon them. There are many gems in the box awaiting fresh discovery or reevaluation.

 

New York, NY–Singer-songwriter and philanthropist, Beyonce’, who leads the pack this year with eight MTV Video Music Awards nominations, will join an exclusive list of artists who have received the legendary “Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award” as this year’s recipient.

Additionally, she will bring her unparalleled artistry to the 2014 “MTV Video Music Awards” live from The Forum in Inglewood, CA on August 24.

As a performer, Beyonce’ has delivered some of the most memorable performances in VMA history including the arresting and explosive “Ring the Alarm” in 2006, the anthemic “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” in 2009 and the unforgettable, surprise reveal during “Love On Top” in 2011.

Beyonce’s triumphant return to the Video Music Awards stage marks her fourth time performing on the annual live celebration of music in the world. Beyonce’ is continuously pushing and re-defining boundaries with her music and earlier this year, she raised the bar of innovation by unleashing her groundbreaking, self-titled visual album with 17 artistically captivating music videos from “Drunk in Love” to “Pretty Hurts.” As both a solo artist and as a member of one of the most beloved, chart-topping groups in history, Destiny’s Child, Beyonce’ has won an astounding 11 “MTV Video Music Awards,” including “Video of the Year” in 2009 for “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” and  “Best Female” in 2007 for “Crazy in Love” ft. JAY Z. This year, she leads all nominees with eight nods including “Video of the Year,” “Best Female” and “Best Choreography.” Beyonce’ will be presented with the highly coveted  “Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award” joining a prestigious list of past recipients including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Peter Gabriel, R.E.M., Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake.

Beyonce’ joins previously announced 2014 “MTV Video Music Award” performers Usher, Ariana Grande, 5 Seconds of Summer and Maroon 5.