JAZZ

Wednesday, August 8, 2012 6:30PM

Wednesday, August 8, 2012 9:30PM

New York’s Premier Summer Jazz Series Returns…

Join us Wednesday, August 8th for a Smooth Cruise with Rick Braun and Richard Elliot at 6:30pm or 9:30pm aboard the Spirit of New York.

Celebrate the Smooth Cruises’ 15th year on the Hudson, 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 river enjoying stellar views of the Statue of Liberty and the breathtaking Manhattan skyline.

The Smooth Cruises sell out quickly, so get your tickets today!

RICK BRAUN

No one on today’s contemporary urban jazz scene knows more about the power of perfect, timely partnerships—or what it takes to keep the #1 hits coming—than Rick Braun. After launching the millennium with “Shake It Up” with Boney James and later hooking up with Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown as BWB, he reached greater heights in 2007 when he and saxman Richard Elliot (who were partners at the time with indie label ARTizen Music Group) teamed up for RnR. Their duet project immediately hit #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart and its catchy title track single was an instant smash, holding at #1 on Radio and Records’ (R&R) Contemporary Jazz airplay chart for over two months. After touring as part of Jazz Attack, then with Peter White and Jonathan Butler in 2005 and 2007, Braun and Richard Elliot teamed up for RnR in 2007 and toured in 2008.

Though the years Braun has also become a top genre producer, working with Elliot, Antoine, Willie & Lobo, David Benoit and Jeff Golub, among others. He set a record at the 2002 National Contemporary Jazz Awards in San Diego by winning a total of five trophies, including Best Male Artist, Best Album (“Kisses in the Rain,” which hit #1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart), Song of the Year (the title cut) and Best Brass Player. He also shared a Best Collaboration award with (then Warner Bros. label mate) Boney James for their 2000 hit “Shake It Up,” which reigned at #1 on the Billboard chart for 11 weeks. Braun next huddled up with Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown for BWB, which starred the #1 hit title track “Groovin’,” and a popular US tour in the Fall 2002.

Even those who have followed Braun’s rise as a solo artist since the release of 1993’s “Intimate Secrets” are sometimes surprised by the diversity of Rick’s résumé before he found his niche in contemporary jazz. While attending the Eastman School of Music, Braun and some classmates formed the jazz-fusion combo Auracle, which released two albums. His path toward solo stardom led him to some prestigious behind the scenes roles, first as a pop songwriter (“Here With Me” was a Top 20 hit for REO Speedwagon in 1988), then as a touring sideman with Rickie Lee Jones, Tina Turner, Glenn Frey, Natalie Cole, Crowded House, Tom Petty and War.

RICHARD ELLIOT

With a best-selling discography of over 15 recordings since 1986’s “Initial Approach,” thousands of live dates spanning over two decades, and one of the largest and most loyal fan bases in contemporary urban jazz, it’s incredible to hear Richard Elliot declare: “What I’m doing now, enjoying this upward trend in my career, is seriously the most fun I have ever had.” Then again, the multi-talented tenor saxophonist, composer and producer has been on one of the most incredible rolls since the 2005 release of “Metro Blue,” which debuted at #2 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart.

The Scotland born, L.A.-raised Elliot found his musical voice on tenor as a teen and landed his first professional gig touring with Natalie Cole and The Pointer Sisters while still in high school. Before joining Tower of Power (which began a stretch that he calls the most influential period of his early career) he played in the adventurous fusion band Kittyhawk and did some dream recording sessions with his Motown heroes Smokey Robinson, The Four Tops, and The Temptations. He later performed with Melissa Manchester and Yellowjackets, which found him hooking up for the first time with the legendary fusion band’s founding drummer Ricky Lawson.

Elliot was still on the road with TOP when he released his 1986 debut album “Trolltown.” Its success gave him the confidence to leave the band for a solo career, which has been rockin’ steady ever since. Embarking upon one of instrumental music’s most dynamic and multifaceted career, Elliot’s sound played a huge part in pioneering the genre that evolved into today’s contemporary urban jazz. Over the years, he’s had four #1 albums (“On The Town,” “Soul Embrace,” “After Dark” and “Jumpin’ Off”) plus several #1 airplay singles.

He has performed in all-star tours including Groovin’ For Grover, Jazz Attack, Guitars & Saxes, and the RnR tour with Rick Braun. We’re pleased to bring the always-exciting Braun-Elliot collaboration aboard for these two shows.

Kick back with the music of Rick Braun and Richard Elliot and enjoy some hot brass plus cool vocals on the Hudson Wednesday, August 8, 2012.