Smooth Jazz

By now, Kanye West and Kid Cudi’s collaborative effort Kids See Ghostshas hit all major streaming services. Its release last night – a livestreamed listening party outside of Los Angeles – was clouded in confusion. The event was delayed several hours without any updates, and one attendee described the experience of hearing the album live as “like a really good night at a bar, but we couldn’t even hear that clearly.”

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With tour dates already booked, the ever-prolific songsmith Elvis Costello will release a new album, Look Now, this fall. The record features his longtime backing band the Imposters – which includes members of Costello’s original backing band, the Attractions – and will be his first full-length since Wise Up Ghost, his 2013 collaboration with the Roots. Look Now, which Costello co-produced with Latin Grammys winner Sebastian Krys, is due out October 12th.

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Kyle Pavone, vocalist in the Michigan metalcore band We Came as Romans, has died at the age of 28. No cause of death was revealed.

We Came as Romans confirmed Pavone’s death on social media. “Kyle's tragic loss came too early in his life and those of his bandmates. All are devastated by his passing,” the band wrote.

“We will miss his smiles, his sincerity, his concern for others, and his impressive musical talent. In lieu of flowers, we will be providing information regarding charity donations this coming week. The family and the band wish to thank their fans and the music community for all of their love and support as they navigate their grief.”

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Janet Jackson recruited Q-Tip for a soulful live version of their collaborative 1997 track “Got ‘Til It’s Gone” on Saturday during the 2018 Global Citizens Festival at Central Park in New York, New York.

Jackson opened the performance crooning between choreographed moves on a stage crammed full of dancers and musicians. Q-Tip emerged from the shadows to deliver his brief verse, rapping, “You act all wild, when I tell you to settle/ I was working round the clock, but your girls want to meddle.” The duo ended their take on the Joni Mitchell-sampling single locked in a long embrace.

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Margo Price and Late Show bandleader Jon Batiste will lead 2019 Tibet House Benefit Concert, taking place February 7th at New York’s Carnegie Hall.

Philip Glass once again will serve as artistic director for the event, with the composer also recruiting New Order’s Bernard Sumner, the Chris Robinson Brotherhood and Tibetan artist Tenzin Choegyal for the 32nd annual benefit concert.

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The Make Music Day festival unveiled a slate of parades, caroling and other festivities for Make Music Winter, to be held in cities across the country December 21st. The seasonal offshoot of the annual June event will take place in over 25 cities, including New York City, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Long Beach, California, Provo, Utah, Salem Oregon and Springfield, Pennsylvania. Events will be free and open to people of all ages and musical abilities.

New York City is set to host a handful of events, including a musical parade that will start in Manhattan, continue on the Staten Island ferry and wrap in the Staten Island neighborhood of St. George. Meanwhile, composer Patrick Grant has programmed an electric guitar parade that will take place in the streets of NYC and Roosevelt, Utah.

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Chance the Rapper educates Cookie Monster and Elmo on the letter T and the theater in a new Sesame Street segment.

In “T is for Theater,” which premiered Saturday on HBO, Chance the Rapper and Cookie Monster compete for a role in a play about a monster who loves cookies. After Cookie Monster wins the role by devouring a plate of cookies, Chance the Rapper suggests, “Maybe I should just be Waiter #3?”

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Songs from Travis Scott, the Weeknd, and the National will appear on For the Throne (Music Inspired by the HBO Series Game of Thrones). The soundtrack, which is available for pre-order, coincides with Game of Thrones‘ final season and will be released digitally on April 26th via Columbia in partnership with HBO.

The forthcoming album marks the first time the network has teamed with a major label to curate a soundtrack for the groundbreaking series. The LP will feature new songs from a bevy of artists. A$AP Rocky, Mumford & Sons, Ellie Goulding, SZA, Chloe x Halle, Jacob Banks, James Arthur, Joey Bada$$, Lennon Stella, Lil Peep, Maren Morris, Matthew Bellamy, Rosalía featuring A. Chal, The Lumineers, Ty Dolla $ign and X Ambassadors will also appear on the soundtrack.

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Mother’s Day is here and while your declarations of love can come from cards and candles and bouquets of dutifully-arranged blooms, consider springing for something a little more personal this year. Whether your mom is a casual music fan, has seen more concerts than she can count, or just needs help upgrading her audio gear, we’ve found ten gifts that will let mom hear “I Love You” in a whole new way.

1. Headphone Bookends
2. Vinyl Record Subscription Box
3. Crosley Cruiser Deluxe 3-Speed Suitcase Turntable
4. Reclaimed Instrument Bottle Openers
5. Personalized LP Record
6. The Beatles Original Studio Recordings (16 CD Box Set)
7. UrbanEars Ralis Portable Speakers
8. Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones
9. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 2.0 Earbuds
10. Original Art From Saatchi Art

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Dave Koz ~ You Make me Smile