JAZZ

Wednesday, June 27, 2012 6:30PM

Wednesday, June 27, 2012 9:30PM

New York’s Premier Summer Jazz Series Returns…

Join us Wednesday, June 27th for the first Smooth Cruise of the summer season! For our kick-off show, we are delighted to present David Sanborn and Brian Culbertson, The Dream Tour, 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!

ABOUT THE DREAM TOUR
Legendary saxophonist David Sanborn and contemporary jazz’s favorite multi-instrumentalist Brian Culbertson are appearing in their first-ever nationwide co-headlining tour. Culbertson and Sanborn hit the road together with a show guaranteed to have jazz and urban adult music fans on their feet. We are pleased to present The Dream Tour on opening night of the 2012 Smooth Cruise Series.

Both musicians have milestones to celebrate in 2012. This year marks a special commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Sanborn’s first #1 single, “The Dream,” released on his 1987 smash hit A Change of Heart. Brian Culbertson, who grew up listening and learning how to play instruments against the backdrop of David Sanborn’s music, will release his thirteenth full-length album on June 12th. The album, aptly entitled Dreams, features Soul/R&B favorites Noel Gourdin, Stokley Williams of Mint Condition, and Philly songbird Vivian Green who appears on the debut single “Still Here." Dreams masterfully melds jazz sensibility with an R&B flair in a mélange of enchanting grooves, holding the key to a new dimension of the jazz listening experience by effortlessly combining elements of soul music with spellbinding melodies and the marvel of inner visions. With the lead singles “Still Here” and “Your Smile” having already been added as #1 to Urban Adult Contemporary and Smooth Jazz radio, 2012 is certain to be a pivotal turning point in Brian’s illustrious career.

With these two milestones in mind, the decision to name this collaborative 30 date tour was a no-brainer: The Dream Tour. Brian adds, “I remember growing up as a kid listening to David’s music. I studied it in school. To share the stage with one of my musical icons and friends truly is a dream come true.”

The multi-Grammy awarding winning Sanborn and #1 Billboard charting Culbertson have
amassed huge followings over the course of their careers, both known for uniquely blending jazz with instrumental pop and R&B. Audiences can expect a full collaborative show, with both artists sharing a bond playing one another’s repertoire. They’ll be sure to perform the current hits but promise to bring out some of their catalogue, including fan favorites that haven’t been played live in recent memory.

DAVID SANBORN
One of the most commercially successful American saxophonists to earn prominence since the 1980s, David Sanborn has released 24 albums, won six Grammy Awards, and has had eight Gold albums and one Platinum. Having inspired countless other musicians, he has worked in many genres which typically blend instrumental pop, R&B and lately, more and more traditional jazz. He released his first solo album “Taking Off” in 1975 but has been playing the sax since before high school when he was inspired by the great Chicago blues artists near his hometown of St. Louis. By age 14, Dave was able to play with legends such as Albert King and Little Milton. He went on to study music at Northwestern University before transferring to the University of Iowa where he played and studied with the great saxophonist JR Monterose.

Dave’s rich musical past includes moving to California to play in the Butterfield Blues Band and performing at Woodstock with Paul Butterfield. Following that, he toured with Stevie Wonder and recorded for Wonder’s “Talking Book” album, played with The Rolling Stones, and toured with David Bowie with whom he recorded the famous solo heard on “Young Americans”. At the same time, Dave was touring and recording with the great Gil Evans, dividing his time between the two. After moving to New York City and studying with George Coleman, Dave started his solo career where he later collaborated with such artists as Paul Simon and James Taylor.

His 1975 solo debut “Taking Off” is still considered a classic and further solidified his career. 1979’s “Hideaway” became a popular hit and further propelled Dave’s career with the single, “Seduction,” featured in the film, “American Gigolo.” The single, “All I Need Is You” won Dave his first Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance. Later albums have included guest artists such as Luther Vandross, Jack DeJohnette, Bill Frisell, Charlie Hayden, Wallace Roney, Kenny Barron, Christian McBride, and Eric Clapton.

In his three-and-a-half decade career that also includes numerous television appearances, Dave continues to be one of the most highly active musicians of his genre.

BRIAN CULBERTSON
Brian Culbertson began his musical quest at age 8 on piano, adding drums at 9, trombone at 10, then bass at 12. He grew up in Decatur, IL, loving genre-crossing jazz-pop artists such as Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears, Tower of Power, the Brecker Brothers, David Sanborn, Yellowjackets and Maynard Ferguson. A gifted young musician, his 7th grade piano recital consisted of all original tunes. He flourished in high school bands with his father, Jim Culbertson, as the school’s award-winning jazz band director, moved to Chicago to complete his studies at private DePaul University, then went on to compose jingles for clients such as United Airlines, Oldsmobile, Sears and McDonald’s in Chicago’s highly competitive advertising community.

At age 20, Brian self-produced his debut, Long Night Out (1994), swiftly followed by Modern Life. Driven by the hit single “Come To Me, the 1995 album was his first album to top R&R and Gavin’s Contemporary Jazz charts, and was then followed by After Hours (1996). With 1997’s Secrets, the hits kept coming with “So Good” and “On My Mind.” His 1999 follow-up, “Somethin’ Bout Love,” also sat high in the Contemporary Jazz Top 20 for nearly a year with the two No. 1 singles, “Back In The Day” and “Do You Really Love Me?” 2001’s Nice & Slow (with guest trumpeter Herb Alpert and singer/songwriter Kenny Lattimore) spent six weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart thanks to the No. 1 singles “Get It On” and “All About You.” 2003’s Come On Up was highlighted by a hot cover of Earth Wind & Fire’s “Serpentine Fire” and the beautiful “Our Love.” 2005’s It’s On Tonight found Brian making the switch from Warner Bros. to GRP/Verve featuring the lead-off single “Hooking Up” plus “Let’s Get Started,” as well as special guests Patti Austin, Will Downing, Chris Botti, Kirk Whalum, Ledisi and Boney James. The 2006 holiday album, A Soulful Christmas followed

2008 found Brian blasting back after two years with the all-star blowout Bringing Back the Funk, a ‘70s soul music salute that he co-produced with the legendary Maurice White, and featured William “Bootsy” Collins and Phelps “Catfish” Collins, plus members of the Rubber Band and the Horny Horns (all out of Parliament-Funkadelic), Larry Graham (Sly & The Family Stone and Graham Central Station), Larry Dunn (Earth Wind & Fire), Greg Adams (Tower of Power), Tony Maiden and Bobby Watson (Rufus), Michael Bland, Cora Dunham and Rhonda Smith (from Prince’s bands), Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley (James Brown’s JB’s band), Musiq Soulchild, David T. Walker, Ronnie Laws, Gerald Albright, Tom Scott, Paul Jackson Jr., Perri, plus several more LA session greats.

In total, Brian has produced or performed on over 20 No. 1 records. And, with 12 albums and counting, he always brings his very best – and the very best out of others – in all of his broad-ranging musical endeavors.

Be sure to join us for the first show of the season featuring David Sanborn and Brian Culbertson – The Dream Tour, on June 27, 2012!