JAZZ

Wednesday, September 1, 2010 6:30PM

Wednesday, September 1, 2010 9:30PM

New York’s premiere summer jazz series is back once again! Join us in celebrating the Smooth Cruises’ 13th year aboard The Spirit of New York, located at Pier 61, Chelsea Piers (23rd St & West Side Hwy). Experience this one-of-a-kind LIVE JAZZ concert series as you cruise down the Hudson River taking in fantastic views of the Statue of Liberty and the breathtaking Manhattan skyline. This summer will feature ten of the world’s greatest jazz acts in an intimate setting, every Wednesday evening starting June 30th ending September 1st. The Smooth Cruises sell out quickly, so get your tickets today!

JONATHAN BUTLER
Jonathan Butler is a product of South Africa. Born and raised in Cape Town, Jonathan Butler spent his youth under the shroud of apartheid, and official government policy of political, legal, and economic discrimination against non-whites. His escape was music. The youngest of twelve children, he began singing publicly in South African townships at the tender age of seven. Not even in his teens, Butler’s talents as a singer and guitarist were recognized and he soon found himself touring his poverty stricken country in a traveling variety show. British record producer Clive Caulder discovered and signed Butler to Jive records when the artist was still in his teens. His self-titled debut album introduced the young artist internationally and earned him a handful of Grammy nominations for the pop hit “Lies” and the instrumental “Going Home.” Butler’s most recent release, entitled simply Jonathan is an album that is both rich in content and joyous in emotion. Though his musical abilities were able to take him away from the world he grew up in, Jonathan will neither forget the plight of his fellow South Africans nor the man who ultimately led them to freedom. “Mandela Bay,” the second track on Jonathan, is a lively instrumental tribute to the legacy of Nelson Mandela. Tributes of Jonathan’s past continue on the album, as all the songs are tinged with world music sensibilities, relics of Jonathan’s childhood in Africa. Don’t miss Jonathan’s heartfelt music in this intimate Smooth Cruise setting!