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Vince Guaraldi Releases Complete Soundtrack for ‘You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown’—First-Ever Peanuts Zoetrope LP

Eric Alper
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Vince Guaraldi Releases Complete Soundtrack for ‘You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown’—First-Ever Peanuts Zoetrope LP

LMFP is thrilled to announce the first-ever release of Vince Guaraldi’s complete soundtrack for You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown, the timeless 14th animated Peanuts special, from writer and creator Charles Schulz, director Phil Roman, and producers Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson. Originally airing fifty years ago on October 28th, 1975, on CBS-TV, the special went on to win the Emmy for Outstanding Children’s program. The special is currently available for streaming on Apple TV+.

The full soundtrack album includes the original 16 cues that comprise the score of the special – mixed into 14 tracks – plus a bonus track melding two of the intended opening cues left off the special. Additionally, the album features four bonus tracks from Bicycles are Beautiful, a film that Guaraldi scored for LMFP in 1974. Vince Guaraldi composed all 19 tracks on the album.

This is the first time Peanuts animation has appeared on a Zoetrope album. When the record plays at 45RPM, scenes from the special come to life. The action from the cartoon plays right along with the music on your turntable.

Highlights of the album include the title track, and fresh takes on classics like “Peppermint Patty” and “Linus and Lucy.” “Motocross” is the special’s central theme, and all its variations from the show can be heard on this album.

FIRST PEANUTS® ZOETROPE ALBUM EVERFIRST PEANUTS ZOETROPE ALBUM EVER

The melodies can be fully appreciated on their own, not hidden underneath dialogue or effects from the special.

The album features Guaraldi (piano, electric piano, clavinet, ARP String Ensemble, and Rhythm Ace Drum Machine), Seward McCain (bass), Mark Rosengarden (drums and guiro), and John Scott Trotter as the music supervisor. The Bicycles are Beautiful bonus material features Guaraldi on electric keyboard, McCain (bass) and Glenn Cronkhite (drums). Both soundtracks were originally recorded at Wally Heider Studio, in San Francisco: Good Sport on September 12, 18-19, 1975, and Bicycles Are Beautiful on April 2, 1974. The soundtrack was produced by Sean Mendelson and Jason Mendelson; mixed at WonderWorld Studio by Grammy and Emmy Award-Winning mixing engineer Clark Germain, and restored and re-mastered by Vinson Hudson (who has mastered all the LMFP releases).

The 28-minute album will be available July 11th, 2025, on 12” 45 RPM Zoetrope Eco Mix LP Picture Disc, and on CD, and digitally. Pre-Order here now

The LPs are eco-minded: The vinyl, as much as is possible, is partially made from Eco Mix, wherein old records are ground up and reused to produce new records. The Eco Mix portions are carbon-neutral and made from 100% recycled vinyl. For more information about our sustainability efforts, please see LMFP’s website.

The physical copies include liner notes that give a track-by-track analysis by album producer Sean Mendelson, and notes from album producer, Jason Mendelson, sons of legendary Peanuts® producer Lee Mendelson. Derrick Bang, Guaraldi biographer and author of Vince Guaraldi at the Piano, continues the tradition of providing an historical essay for both the special and the soundtrack. Plus, Charles Schulz’ son Craig Schulz adds an essay about the special’s inspiration. The liner notes (vinyl: 4 page and CD: 12-page booklet) contain images from the special, rare photographs and a Peanuts comic strip.

“I find the score for 1975’s “You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown” to be the most fascinating. The soundtrack is Guaraldi’s deepest exploration of synthesized music.” — From the liner notes by Sean Mendelson, producer of the album.

Track Listing (CD/Digital):

Disc 1:
1.    Motocross
2.    Peppermint Patty
3.    You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown (Centercourt)
4.    Fanfare / Fanfare (Alternate Take) / Hospital Scene / Hospital Scene (Bonus)
5.    Bass Blues
6.    Linus and Lucy
7.    Motocross (Reprise)
8.    You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown (Unused Opening Cues)
9.    The Great Pumpkin Waltz
10.  Motocross (2nd Reprise)
11.  Motocross (3rd Reprise)
12.  Motocross (4th Reprise)
13.  Motocross (5th Reprise Extended with Additional Piano)
14.  Lunch Theme / Motocross (6th Reprise)
15.  You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown (Reprise)
16.  Bicycles are Beautiful (Reprise)
17.  Bicycle Ballad (Medley)
18.  Bicycle Bounce (and Reprise)
19.  Bicycle Wizard (and Reprise)

Track Listing (Zoetrope LP):

Side A:
A1.    Motocross
A2.    Peppermint Patty
A3.    You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown (Centercourt)
A4.    Fanfare / Fanfare (Alternate Take) / Hospital Scene / Hospital Scene (Bonus)
A5.    Bass Blues
A6.    Linus and Lucy
A7.    Motocross (Reprise)

Side B:
B1.    You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown (Unused Opening Cues)
B2.    The Great Pumpkin Waltz
B3.    Motocross (2nd Reprise)
B4.    Motocross (3rd Reprise)
B5.    Motocross (4th Reprise)
B6.    Motocross (5th Reprise Extended with Additional Piano)
B7.    Lunch Theme / Motocross (6th Reprise)
B8.    You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown (Reprise)
B9.    Bicycles are Beautiful (Reprise)
B10.  Bicycle Ballad (Medley)
B11.  Bicycle Bounce (and Reprise)
B12.  Bicycle Wizard (and Reprise)

The characters of Peanuts and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide, which is 41% owned by WildBrain Ltd., 39% owned by Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and 20% owned by the family of Charles M. Schulz, who first introduced the world to Peanuts in 1950, when the comic strip debuted in seven newspapers. Since then, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang have made an indelible mark on popular culture. In addition to enjoying beloved Peanuts shows and specials on Apple TV+, fans of all ages celebrate the Peanuts brand worldwide through thousands of consumer products, as well as amusement park attractions, cultural events, social media, and comic strips available in all formats, from traditional to digital. In 2018, Peanuts partnered with NASA on a multi-year Space Act Agreement designed to inspire a passion for space exploration and STEM among the next generation of students.

Lee Mendelson Film Productions (LMFP) is the Publisher of the Vince Guaraldi musical catalog associated with Peanuts. LMFP is also the producer of the classic Peanuts television specials, including A Charlie Brown Christmas, It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, along with the Hollywood animation studio Bill Melendez Productions. LMFP also produced over 50 other network Peanuts specials, 12 prime time Garfield specials, 121-program series “Garfield and Friends” and many other film and television animated, documentary and entertainment programs. Founded by the late Lee Mendelson in 1963, Lee Mendelson Film Productions, Inc., has received 11 Emmy Awards (from 45 nominations) and four Peabody Awards, as well as producing projects that have received Grammy and Academy Award nominations.

Derek Frank Releases Funk-Rock Throwdown “Barker’s Boogie” Ahead of Massive 2025 Tour

Eric Alper
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Derek Frank Releases Funk-Rock Throwdown “Barker’s Boogie” Ahead of Massive 2025 Tour

Out May 16, Virtuoso bassist and composer Derek Frank’s new instrumental “Barker’s Boogie” serves up a soulful fusion of funk, jazz, and blues-rock — anchored by his unmistakable low-end swagger. Packed with horns, gritty rhythm, and bluesy-rock flair, the track features fiery slide guitar from Johnny Stachela of The Allman-Betts Band/Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel.

A funk-forward homage to the horn-driven, envelope-filtered jams of the 1970s, “Barker’s Boogie” tips its hat to legends like The Brecker Brothers, Tower of Power, and Steely Dan. “I was particularly inspired by Steely Dan’s “Black Friday” and The Brecker Brothers’ “Inside Out,” Frank says. “I wanted that shuffle feel, and writing with Johnny in mind made total sense—it’s the perfect vehicle for his voice on slide guitar.”

Recorded live at Stagg Street Studios in Los Angeles, the single features a full-band lineup that brings the track’s raw energy to life: punchy bass, percussive keys, soulful horns, and a tight groove that hits hard. Stachela’s soaring slide melodies ignite the track, adding an edge that nods to both Southern rock and psychedelic funk.

The collaboration between Frank and Stachela was sparked during a recent blues session, where the chemistry was instant. “I had done a session for a blues record with Johnny a few weeks prior to this recording, loved his playing, and thought it would be really fun to feature him on something. Johnny’s tone and phrasing are just killer.”

“Barker’s Boogie” also serves as a gritty departure from Frank’s more disco-leaning singles, like March’s “Goin’ Stagg,” offering a different taste of his deep-rooted musicality.

A respected solo artist with three critically acclaimed albums (Let the Games Begin, Eleven Years Later, Origin Story), Frank has built a stellar reputation on and off stage. When he’s not crafting his own funk-fueled soundscapes, he’s performing with music royalty—including tours with Shania Twain, Gwen Stefani, Air Supply, Shakira, and Kelly Clarkson.

At the beginning of May, Frank will spend a few weeks in New York performing with Kelly Clarkson on The Kelly Clarkson Show and select concerts before hitting the road this summer with Don Felder—the legendary Eagles guitarist and co-writer of classics like “Hotel California,” “Victim of Love,” and “Those Shoes.” The Brotherhood of Rock 40-date North American amphitheatre tour — featuring Felder, Kevin Cronin (former lead singer of REO Speedwagon), and Styx — kicks off May 28, 2025, in Greenville, South Carolina, and runs through August. The tour will make stops at MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre (Tampa, FL), Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (The Woodlands, TX), Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre (Denver, CO), Toyota Pavilion at Concord (Concord, CA), Isleta Amphitheater (Albuquerque, NM), PNC Music Pavilion (Charlotte, NC), and Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater (Syracuse, NY), among others.

With “Barker’s Boogie,” Frank continues to prove he’s not only one of the most versatile bassists in the game—but also a dynamic composer capable of channeling the soul, sass, and swagger of a funk-rock era gone by.

Derek and his handpicked five- to seven-piece band craft an eclectic mix of funk, blues, soul, jazz, and southern rock, channeling the feel of vintage soundtrack music. His compositions are defined by tight arrangements, slinky grooves, and a deep sense of musical interplay that prioritizes taste and feel over flashy technique.

Frank’s solo work has earned praise from Bass Magazine, Guitar World Magazine, American Songwriter Magazine, Bass Player Magazine, Music Connection Magazine, and podcasts such as “Everyone Loves Guitar” and “The Bass Shed”. Additionally, he received a Hollywood Independent Music Award nomination for Best Instrumental Song. His work has drawn comparisons to Lettuce, Vulfpeck, Cory Wong, Snarky Puppy, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Karl Denson, and John Scofield.

Growing up in Pittsburgh, Frank’s passion for music was sparked by the TV shows, movies, and MTV culture of the ‘70s and ‘80s. His love for bass emerged unexpectedly when he picked up the instrument at a music store while waiting for a guitar lesson. That moment launched a lifelong career that would take him to Los Angeles, where he became one of the city’s most sought-after touring and session bassists.

Tour Dates:

MAY 6     The Today Show on NBC  w/ Kelly Clarkson

MAY 9     Hard Rock Hotel & Casino  Atlantic City, NJ  w/ Kelly Clarkson

MAY 10   Hard Rock Hotel & Casino  Atlantic City, NJ  w/ Kelly Clarkson

MAY 25   Epcot Garden Rocks Concert Series Orlando, FL  w/ Don Felder

MAY 26   Epcot Garden Rocks Concert Series Orlando, FL  w/ Don Felder

MAY 28   Bon Secours Wellness Arena  Greenville, SC  w/ Don Felder

MAY 30   Hard Rock Hotel & Casino   Hollywood, FL   w/ Don Felder

MAY 31    Mid-Florida Credit Union Amphitheatre  Tampa, FL   w/ Don Felder

JUN 02   Daily’s Place  Jacksonville, FL  w/ Don Felder

JUN 04   Germania Insurance Amphitheater  Austin, TX  w/ Don Felder

JUN 06   Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion  Houston, TX  w/ Don Felder

JUN 07   Thunder Ridge Nature’s Arena  Ridgedale, MO  w/ Don Felder

JUN 08   GoPro Mountain Games  Vail, CO  *Derek Frank Band

JUN 09   Fiddlers’ Green  Denver, CO w/ Don Felder

JUN 11   Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre West Valley City, UT  w/ Don Felder

JUN 13   Toyota Pavilion at Concord Concord, CA  w/ Don Felder

JUN 14   Hayden Homes Amphitheater Bend, OR  w/ Don Felder

JUN 15   Cascades Amphitheater Ridgefield, WA  w/ Don Felder

JUN 26   Dauphin’s CountryFest  Dauphin, Manitoba   w/ Toque

JUN 28   Isleta Resort & Casino Albuquerque, NM   w/ Don Felder

JUN 29   Ford Amphitheater Colorado Springs, CO  w/ Don Felder

JUL 02   Starlight Theatre Kansas City, MO  w/ Don Felder

JUL 03   Vibrant Arena at The MARK Moline, IL   w/ Don Felder

JUL 05   Oak Mountain Amphitheatre Pelham, AL  w/ Don Felder

JUL 06   Ameris Bank Amphitheatre Alpharetta, GA  w/ Don Felder

JUL 08   PNC Music Pavilion Charlotte, NC  w/ Don Felder

JUL 09   Coastal Credit Union Music Park At Walnut Creek Raleigh, NC  w/ Don Felder

UL 11   Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater Virginia Beach, VA  w/ Don Felder

JUL 12   Jiffy Lube Live Bristow, VA  w/ Don Felder

JUL 14   Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater Syracuse, NY  w/ Don Felder

JUL 15   Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater Bridgeport, CT  w/ Don Felder

JUL 18   Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion Gilford, NH  w/ Don Felder

JUL 19   Xfinity Center Mansfield, MA  w/ Don Felder

JUL 20   PNC Bank Arts Center Holmdel, NJ  w/ Don Felder

JUL 25   California Mid-State Fair Paso Robles, CA  w/ Don Felder

AUG 01   Dos Equis Pavilion Dallas, TX  w/ Don Felder

AUG 02   Brandon Amphitheater Brandon, MS  w/ Don Felder

AUG 04   FirstBank Amphitheater Franklin, TN  w/ Don Felder

AUG 06   Riverfront Plaza Richmond, VA  w/ Don Felder

AUG 08   Freedom Mortgage Pavilion Camden, NJ  w/ Don Felder

AUG 10   The Pavilion at Star Lake Burgettstown, PA  w/ Don Felder

AUG 12   Broadview Stage at SPAC Saratoga Springs, NY  w/ Don Felder

AUG 13   Budweiser Stage Toronto, ON  w/ Don Felder

AUG 15   Ruoff Music Center Noblesville, IN  w/ Don Felder

AUG 16   Pine Knob Music Theatre Clarkston, MI  w/ Don Felder

AUG 19   Riverbend Music Center Cincinnati, OH  w/ Don Felder

AUG 20   Blossom Music Center Cuyahoga Falls, OH  w/ Don Felder

AUG 22   Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre Maryland Heights, MO  w/ Don Felder

AUG 23   Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre Tinley Park, IL  w/ Don Felder

AUG 24   American Family Field Milwaukee, WI  w/ Don Felder

SEP 5   June Lake Jam Fest June Lake, CA  *Derek Frank Band

SEP 10   Radio City Music Hall  New York, NY  w/ Melissa Etheridge

SEP 13   Harvest Music Festival 2025 Fredericton, Canada  w/ Melissa Etheridge

SEP 15   The VETS Providence, RI  w/ Melissa Etheridge

SEP 16   Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater Bridgeport, CT w/ Melissa Etheridge

SEP 18   Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B Buffalo, NY  w/ Melissa Etheridge

SEP 19   PNC Pavilion Cincinnati, OH  w/ Melissa Etheridge

SEP 20   Orion Amphitheater Huntsville, AL  w/ Melissa Etheridge

SEP 22   Mershon Auditorium Columbus, OH  w/ Melissa Etheridge

SEP 23   Iroquois Amphitheater Louisville, KY  w /Melissa Etheridge

SEP 25   White Oak Amphitheater Greensboro, NC  w/ Melissa Etheridge

SEP 26   Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park Atlanta, GA  w/ Melissa Etheridge

SEP 27   Alabama Theatre North Myrtle Beach, SC  w/ Melissa Etheridge

SEP 29   Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Ponte Vedra, FL  w/ Melissa Etheridge

OCT 4   Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol Bristol, VA  w/ Melissa Etheridge

OCT 7   McCain Auditorium Manhattan, KS  w/ Melissa Etheridge

OCT 8   Texas Trust CU Theatre Grand Prairie, TX  w/ Melissa Etheridge

OCT 9   The Espee San Antonio, TX  w/ Melissa Etheridge

OCT 11   Route 66 Casino Albuquerque, NM  w/ Melissa Etheridge

OCT 12   Arizona Financial Theatre Phoenix, AZ  w/ Melissa Etheridge

Brittany Davis Releases “Sun and Moon” Ahead of Transformative Album ‘Black Thunder’

Eric Alper
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Brittany Davis Releases “Sun and Moon” Ahead of Transformative Album ‘Black Thunder’

Today, Brittany Davis shares “Sun and Moon,” the second single and its accompanying video to be released in advance of her new album, Black Thunder, due June 13 via Stone Gossard’s Loosegroove Records. It follows the album’s initial offering “Amid the Blackout of the Night” (LISTEN) released in April. A six-minute-plus spiritual jazz meditation, “Sun and Moon” explores how Davis experiences the earth’s two most prominent forms of natural light having been blind since birth.
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“This song represents what it feels like for me to know of the sun and the moon yet not experience either one of them visually,” explains Davis. “Each one of the ultra lights of our universe is depicted by a certain chord. The sun is one chord and the moon is another. I’m trying to make the sonic version of what it means to have a light and dark balance. An intimate view upon the musical staff of my mind when it comes to the world I inhabit through sound and song. The sun and the moon, the ultra lights.”

Davis’ forthcoming album Black Thunder recalls artists like Nina Simone, Roberta Flack and Rahsaan Roland Kirk in its immersive, incantatory spirit. Recorded at Studio Litho in Seattle where Davis currently resides and produced by Josh Evans, the album features Davis on acoustic piano and vocals, Evan Flory-Barnes on bass, and D’Vonne Lewis on drums. The trio improvised the entirety of Black Thunder in a surge of interactive creativity across two days in the studio. Steeped in references to how Davis encounters the world, its 17-tracks present a consistently poignant and cathartic work.
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“Brittany, Evan, and D’Vonne have, in some way, been preparing for this recording all their lives. Honing their instrumental craft and ability, of course — but more importantly, preparing their ears, emotions, and egos to be fully present and create absolutely in the moment,” Evans explains. “To listen deeply and respond empathetically. To speak with uncomfortable honesty. To listen, and be vulnerable.”
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Davis arrives at Black Thunder via considerable headwinds. In 2023, she released her debut album, Image Issues, also via Loosegroove Records. It was met by critical hosannas. As NPR Music’s All Songs Considered put it, “Brittany’s music is a potent expression of hope…giving the listener courage to face the challenges the world throws at them.” And American Songwriter hailed her “voice that would fill the deepest cavern. The blind singer/songwriter is a marvel and not for any reason other than she is dripping with talent and presence.” Davis was featured on ABC’s Good Morning America, which noted, “She uses her music to connect with people and fight for a more inclusive world.” Black Thunder, however, marks a shift away from Image Issues’ contemporary soul-funk sound built upon drum machines and programmed keys; instead opting for a fully live, organic performance, one that showcases her stylistic maturation, pure expression and the breadth of her versatility.
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The work of a sui generis artist charting a course all her own by bulldozing easy narratives and accessing the realm of pure feeling, Davis’ Black Thunder is a creative thunderclap destined to resonate across the ages.

Eric Johanson Releases ‘Live in Mississippi’ and Launches Spring 2025 Tour

Eric Alper
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Eric Johanson Releases ‘Live in Mississippi’ and Launches Spring 2025 Tour

Electrifying guitarist Eric Johanson embarks on tour in support of his critically lauded new album Live in Mississippi (Ruf Records), appearing locally in Decatur at the Princess Theatre, 112 2nd Ave. NE, on Wednesday, May 28. Show 7:00 p.m.; tickets $35–$45. For more information, call (256) 350‑1745 or visit princesstheatre.org.

The best live albums put you right there on the front row. As the raucous Friday‑night crowd welcomed New Orleans musician Eric Johanson to the stage at the Ground Zero Club in Biloxi, Mississippi, for a set that mines his Billboard‑topping studio catalog, you’ll feel this generational performer in your bones.

“I want Live in Mississippi to make people feel like they’re at our show,” says the Louisiana‑born bandleader of the album recorded last August in the home of the blues. “Whether they’ve just seen the band and want a piece of that experience to take home, or they’ve never seen us perform at all, I want it to convey the energy and emotion of the live show.”

As anyone with a finger on the pulse of modern rock and blues surely knows, Johanson is among a handful of artists dragging these ancient musical forms in vital new directions. Represented by no fewer than five songs on Live in Mississippi, Johanson’s 2023 solo breakthrough, The Deep and the Dirty, was his biggest critical and commercial hit to date, topping the Billboard Blues Chart and igniting his global profile.

“A lot has happened since The Deep and the Dirty,” says Johanson. “It was #1 on Billboard, and we took the music overseas for the first time—performing in ten countries across Europe as well as all across the U.S. It’s been amazing to meet people from so many walks of life who are digging the music. This record captures us after a year of touring behind The Deep and the Dirty and features some of the songs we most enjoyed playing each night.”

From the thundering gallop of “Undertow” to the instinctive slide blues of “Just Like New,” Johanson’s power trio moves with rare musical telepathy. “Galaxy Girl” packs a brittle sting—the band drops out in the verses to give Johanson’s vocal full rein—while the bottleneck licks of “Familiar Sound” feel as old as the hills and utterly of the moment. It all builds to the climax of “Don’t Hold Back,” whose moody strut and brink‑of‑anarchy solo perfectly encapsulate the live experience—and that’s exactly how he likes it.

“I’m really thrilled with how Live in Mississippi turned out,” he adds. “The great thing about making a live record is you just play your heart out, and the recording captures exactly where you are in that moment of your life. You don’t get a chance to overthink or redo anything—or at least you shouldn’t. I just focus on sharing an experience with the people in the room, and I think the listener at home can feel that…”

Eric Johanson – Live in Mississippi
Spring 2025 Tour Itinerary
May 28 (Wed) – Decatur, AL @ Princess Theatre
May 29 (Thu) – Batesville, AR @ Levitt AMP Batesville Series
May 30 (Fri) – Nashville, TN @ The 58 @ Eastside Bowl*
May 31 (Sat) – Evansville, IN @ Mojo’s Boneyard*
June 1 (Sun) – Cincinnati, OH @ Ludlow Garage
June 2 (Mon) – Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark
June 3 (Tue) – Milwaukee, WI @ Shank Hall
June 4 (Wed) – Evanston, IL @ SPACE
June 5 (Thu) – Madison, WI @ The Bur Oak
June 6 (Fri) – Minneapolis, MN @ The Cabooze
June 7 (Sat) – Burlington, IA @ The Washington
June 8 (Sun) – Memphis, TN @ Rooster’s Blues House (tentative)

*Co-headlining with Leilani Kilgore

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Release Western-Inspired Video for “South of Here”

Eric Alper
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Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Release Western-Inspired Video for “South of Here”

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats today share a striking new video for the title track from the band’s critically acclaimed album, South of Here. Directed by Brantley Gutierrez and shot on location in Colorado on 35 mm Kodak film.

On the process of making the film, Rateliff shares, “‘South of Here,’ the music video, is a journey. It is not a destination but an act of self‑discovery. Directed by Brantley Gutierrez and shot on film throughout the Colorado wilderness, join me on my journey out West.”

Director Brantley Gutierrez adds, “When Nathaniel and I began discussing the concept for the video, we were both drawn to the mood and aesthetic of late‑1960s and early‑’70s westerns—films like Sidney Lumet’s Jeremiah Johnson. We wanted to capture that same texture, grain, and cinematic language, so we chose to shoot on 16 mm anamorphic to honor that legacy and to frame the kind of wide, rugged vistas you’d find in a John Ford western.”

Watch the band’s performance of “South of Here” live on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon from last month here. Fallon made a surprise appearance at their landmark, sold‑out show at Madison Square Garden—joining the band for their encore and delivering an electric rendition of their hit song “S.O.B.”—watch here.

The MSG performance capped off the band’s milestone first‑ever arena tour in support of South of Here, out now via Stax—listen here. The tour also saw stops at Los Angeles’s Kia Forum, Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena, and a slew of performances in Canada, including Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena.

This year marks yet another highlight for the band, which scored two No. 1s: “Heartless” and “Call Me (Whatever You Like)”—both from South of Here—topping the Adult Alternative Chart as their seventh and eighth No. 1s to date. See the band perform “Heartless” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert here.

Additionally, Rateliff has been appointed Newport Folk Steward—the first artist to hold the role at the legendary festival since Pete Seeger. The three‑year term will see Rateliff actively serving as Steward for two years and then advising the next recipient during a third, transition year. He has chosen to devote his term to artist advocacy, fellowship, and mentorship both at Newport and beyond.

Robert Glasper Leads ‘Black Radio Experience’ Return at Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa 2025

Eric Alper
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Robert Glasper Leads ‘Black Radio Experience’ Return at Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa 2025

The Blue Note Jazz Festival’s Black Radio Experience is set for its highly anticipated return to The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa, CA, from August 29-31. The Labor Day Weekend festival will feature performances by the Black Radio Experience’s Artist in Residence Robert Glasper, The Roots, Questlove, Jazmine Sullivan, Hiatus Kaiyote, Esperanza Spalding, and many more, with additional artists to be announced shortly.

Fan presales begin on Wednesday, May 7, at 9 A.M. PT/12 P.M. ET. General on-sale begins Friday, May 9, at 9 A.M. PT/12 P.M. ET. Three-day festival passes and more information can be found HERE.

“Black Radio Experience and Robtober are the platforms I use to bring all my favorite artists and collaborators together as one big family reunion, and this year is no different! I’m honored to be part of such an amazing community and bring that community back together for another dope weekend in Napa,” says Glasper.

Acclaimed musician, producer, and five-time Grammy winner Robert Glasper hosts the iconic weekend, bringing his visionary energy to the lineup. Afterparties will take place on Friday and Saturday night, featuring DJs and special guests: D-Nice, DJ Questlove, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Bryan-Michael Cox, Talib Kweli, and Jahi Sundance. In addition to performances, the weekend will include artist-led experiences, signature culinary events, and wine tastings.

On August 28, Glasper will host an exclusive Opening Dinner & Concert to kick off the Black Radio Experience. Tickets are available for purchase HERE.

For three days, legendary artists and music lovers will come together for a celebration unlike any other. From jazz, hip-hop, and R&B to soul, spoken word, and live DJ sets, the festival is celebrating the sound, legacy, and future of music in all its forms.

The Blue Note is also expanding to include a new venue in Los Angeles, bringing the legendary reputation of its renowned New York flagship to the heart of LA’s dynamic music scene.

The storied Blue Note Jazz Festival started in New York in 2011, each summer seeing a month-long celebration of jazz throughout June. The Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa kicked off in 2022 with curation by Robert Glasper, creating a multi-day jazz-meets-hip-hop-and-R&B festival taking place outdoors across multiple stages. Past headliners include John Legend, NAS, Mary J. Blige, Chance the Rapper, Maxwell, Jill Scott, and others. In 2024, the Napa festival was presented as a landmark spin-off with The Black Radio Experience, in association with Glasper at the Meritage Hotel.

The Blue Note is also partnering with The Hollywood Bowl to present the new Blue Note Jazz Festival in Los Angeles—formerly known as the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival—a beloved annual celebration of jazz held at the iconic Hollywood Bowl. Known for its stellar lineups and electric atmosphere, the festival showcases a diverse range of artists, from legendary performers like Charles Lloyd and Raphael Saadiq to emerging talents such as Yebba, Aneesa Strings, Cimafunk, and more, highlighting the rich and evolving traditions of jazz. This festival is a reimagining of the Playboy Jazz Festival that began at the Bowl in 1979 and inspired the full jazz series programming at the venue to date.The Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City has become one of the premiere venues in the world. While jazz is at its core, the Blue Note continues to broaden its offerings with a mission to spotlight contemporary artists across all musical styles, backgrounds, and cultures. The club and its sister institutions worldwide continue to draw massive household names with frequent surprise appearances from superstars like Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett, Quincy Jones, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, and more.

Blue Note Entertainment Group owns and operates New York’s Blue Note Jazz Club, Sony Hall, and Arthur’s Tavern; D.C.’s The Howard Theatre; and Blue Note Jazz Clubs Worldwide, which includes venues in Milan, Italy; Honolulu, HI; Beijing and Shanghai, China; Tokyo, Japan; Napa, CA; and Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil.

Robert Glasper is a sonic trailblazer redefining the boundaries of jazz, hip-hop, and soul. With five Grammys, an Emmy, and a Peabody Award, he’s not just a musician—he’s a movement. His groundbreaking Black Radio series reshaped modern music. In 2024, he released Apple Exclusives Let Go, Code Derivation (which earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Jazz Album), and Keys to the City: Volume One. Whether scoring films, leading genre-bending supergroups, or curating star-studded residencies, Glasper’s work is a constant evolution—elevating music while pushing sound, culture, and community forward.

Sierra Hull Releases ‘A Tip Toe High Wire’ and Joins Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Tour Following PBS NewsHour Spotlight

Eric Alper
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Sierra Hull Releases ‘A Tip Toe High Wire’ and Joins Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Tour Following PBS NewsHour Spotlight

Last night’s episode of PBS NewsHour featured a deep dive interview with songwriter, singer, and award-winning mandolinist, Sierra Hull. Taped earlier this year at The Hamilton Live in Washington, D.C., while Hull and her band were on their national headlining tour, Casciato took viewers from Hull’s early days growing up in Byrdstown, Tennessee, to present day—including releasing her first independent album, A Tip Toe High Wire and joining Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival Tour later this month. Casciato and Hull discussed her genre-bending approach to music, her precision with the mandolin, and a childhood letter she wrote to hero-turned-mentor Alison Krauss.

Up next for Hull: She heads to Mexico to play Viva El Gonzo Festival on May 8 before joining 11 dates of the aforementioned Outlaw Festival Tour and then it’s headlong into festival season with stops at Railbird, Earl Scruggs Music Festival, and more. A full tour routing can be found below.

On tour:

May 8 – San Jose Del Cabo, MX – El Ganzo Oasis #

May 13 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre ✶

May 15 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre ✶

May 16 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl ✶

May 17 – Felton, CA – Felton Music Hall

May 18 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre ✶

May 20 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater ✶

May 22 – Spokane, WA – ONE Spokane Stadium ✶

May 24 – Ridgefield, WA – Cascades Amphitheater ✶

May 25 – Quincy, WA – The Gorge Amphitheatre ✶

May 31 – Lexington, KY – Railbird Music Festival 2025 #

June 28 – Sisters, OR – Big Ponderoo 2025 #

July 17 – Trumansburg, NY – Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival 2025 #

July 19 – Oak Hill, NY – Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival 2025 #

July 24 – Bethlehem, NH – The Colonial Theatre

July 25 – Hiram, ME – Ossipee Valley Music Festival 2025 #

August 1 – Ninilchik, AK – Salmonfest 2025 #

August 8 – Morgantown, WV – Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater

August 10 – Lowell, MA – Lowell Summer Music Series

August 30 – Mill Spring, NC – Earl Scruggs Music Festival 2025 #

September 10 – Las Vegas, NV – Bender Jamboree 2025 #

September 17 – Nashville, TN – Fogg Street Lawn Club

September 19 – Chattanooga, TN – IBMA Bluegrass Live 2025 #

September 21 – North Adams, MA – FreshGrass MASS MoCa

October 30 – Live Oak, FL – Hulaween (with The Infamous Stringdusters) #

✶ Outlaw Music Festival Tour w/ Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Billy Strings, and more

# Festival

Tommy Emmanuel and Richard Thompson Co-Headline Historic ‘Live at Carnegie Hall’ Concert October 30

Eric Alper
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Tommy Emmanuel and Richard Thompson Co-Headline Historic ‘Live at Carnegie Hall’ Concert October 30

TOMMY EMMANUEL, C.P.G—one of five people ever named a C.P.G. (Certified Guitar Player) by his idol, music icon Chet Atkins—and RICHARD THOMPSON, the influential singer-songwriter and virtuosic guitarist, will co-headline a very special show at the historic Carnegie Hall in NYC on October 30 at 8:00PM. This will mark the first time these two legendary artists have ever performed on a bill together (below are quotes from both artists). Tickets go on sale on Friday, May 9, with the pre-sale set for Wednesday, May 7 (pre-sale code: GUITAR). Tickets will be available for purchase here.

TOMMY EMMANUEL is a noted acoustic fingerstyle guitarist who frequently threads three different parts simultaneously into his material, operating as a one-man band who handles the melody, the supporting chords and the bass all at once. The composer, global touring artist, and Grammy Award winner is no stranger to iconic stages from Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium to London’s Royal Festival Hall, Paris’ L’Olympia, and Sydney’s Opera House. His most recent album is 2025’s Live At The Sydney Opera House (C.G.P. Sounds), recorded at the Sydney Opera House in his native Australia, HERE. Stream the album HERE. The companion film features performance highlights from his sold-out residency at the venue.

 

RICHARD THOMPSON has been on a singular musical journey for over a half century, from his days in the ‘60s as a pioneer of British folk rock with Fairport Convention, to his seminal ‘70s duo work with Linda Thompson, to the exploratory, deeply emotional music of the solo career that has been his primary concern ever since. Thompson’s genre defying mastery of both acoustic and electric guitar along with engaging energy and onstage wit continue to earn him new fans and a place as one of the most distinctive virtuosos and writers in Folk Rock history. His most recent album is 2024’s Ship To Shore (New West Records). The 12-song set was produced by Richard Thompson and recorded in Woodstock, NY. Stream the album HERE. It follows his 2018 studio album 13 Rivers and his 2021 memoir Beeswing: Losing My Way and Finding My Voice 1967-1975 which was published by Algonquin Books. Met with overwhelming critical acclaim, Pitchfork said 13 Rivers “may be his best album this century,” while Uncut Magazine awarded it a 9/10 rating, calling it “his best album in decades.”

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Draws 460,000 Fans

Eric Alper
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New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Draws 460,000 Fans

Featuring performances by Louisiana’s own Lil Wayne, Harry Connick, Jr., Trombone Shorty, Branford Marsalis, Tank and the Bangas, PJ Morton, Big Freedia, and Preservation Hall Jazz Band, alongside Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Luke Combs, Lenny Kravitz, Santana, John Fogerty, Burna Boy and hundreds more, the 2025 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell was attended by 460,000 fans, Jazz Fest organizers announced today.

“Thanks to all our loyal Louisiana fans for attending and making this Festival the authentic experience it is. To those who came here from all over the world to experience the best music, food and art Louisiana has to offer, we send a big thanks from New Orleans,” said Quint Davis, Producer/Director of the event. “If you didn’t make it, we’ll see you next year.”

The 2026 Jazz Fest is scheduled for April 23 – May 3, with weekend dates of April 23 – 26 and April 30 – May 3. For the most up-to-date info, visit www.nojazzfest.com and follow the Festival on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

Over its two weekends Jazz Fest presented the region’s best music—blues, gospel, rock, R & B, traditional and contemporary jazz, Cajun and zydeco, brass band and Mardi Gras Indian music, and much more—along with the greatest American roots and world music. Jazz Fest also offered more than 100 different dishes of Louisiana’s irresistible cuisine from a menu that served up fine-dining quality food in a festival setting. Three acclaimed arts and crafts fairs sold handmade crafts from Louisiana and beyond. Jazz Fest 2025 also featured an immersive celebration of Mexico’s vibrant and influential culture at the Expedia Cultural Exchange Pavilion.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc. is the nonprofit organization that owns the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell. The Foundation’s proceeds from Jazz Fest are used for year-round activities in the areas of education, economic development and cultural enrichment. Visit http://www.jazzandheritage.org/ for more information on the Foundation.

Jazz Vocal Phenom Lucía Releases Globally Inspired Debut Album ‘Lucía’ May 16

Eric Alper
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Jazz Vocal Phenom Lucía Releases Globally Inspired Debut Album ‘Lucía’ May 16

The winner of the prestigious Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition (2022), 23-year-old singer Lucía releases her debut album on La Reserve Records on Friday, May 16, 2025 (PRE-SAVE ALBUM). Produced by Matt Pierson (Samara Joy, Brad Mehldau, Milton Nascimento), Lucía spotlights an exquisite versatility and superb technique as she covers American jazz classics and selections from the Latin American songbook. Lucía’s singular voice embodies the warmth reminiscent of jazz’s great early-20th century female vocalists, though it’s solely unique with her nods to her home of Veracruz, Mexico throughout Lucía.

Lucía is the first Mexican artist to enter the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, and it was her rendition of “What a Difference a Day Makes” that won over the judges and bestowed on her one of the most distinguished awards for voice. Popularized by Dinah Washington, the initial incarnation of “What a Difference a Day Makes” was a bolero written in Spanish by María Grever. On Lucía, she delicately sings it first as a jazz ballad in English, then levitates to a fiery reworking of the song (“Cuando Vuelva A Tu Lado”) in Spanish with her all-star band.

For the studio sessions, Pierson enlisted a cadre of jazz virtuosos: Venezuelan pianist Edward Simon, American double-bassist Larry Grenadier, Mexican drummer Antonio Sánchez, Puerto Rican saxophonist David Sánchez, Colombian guitarist Juancho Herrera, and Costa Rican percussionist Felipe Fournier. Lucía portrays the depth of her musical sensibility with Lucía’s velvety reading of McCoy Tyner and Sammy Cahn’s “You Taught My Heart To Sing” and an achingly vulnerable cover of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Lacy” to a mournful “Alfonsina y el Mar” and a version of “Veracruz” that brims with Lucía’s Mexican pride.

Her innate talent was nurtured from a very young age when she began performing at age two, together with her parents Laura Rebolloso and Ramón Gutiérrez and their acclaimed Son de Madera, a son jarocho ensemble. She grew up surrounded by fandangos and the son jarocho community, and is also the niece of Quetzal Flores, founder of the Los Angeles-based Chicano rock band Quetzal. Most importantly, Lucía’s parents played many records at home — from the salsa nuggets of El Gran Combo to the Latin folk of Mercedes Sosa and the healing Soul sides of Aretha Franklin.

After getting a degree in Jazz Studies from the university of Veracruz, Lucía contributed vocals to Mexican singer/songwriter Natalia Lafourcade’s De Todas Las Flores — one of the key Latin albums of the 21st century. She also performed with Lafourcade at Carnegie Hall (as well as being a backup singer on tour for two years), an experience that had a massive effect on her carving out her own path.

On recording her debut album, Lucía recalls, “there was a moment in the studio when we were recording ‘Veracruz’ and I just started to cry. It was that line about Veracruz shimmering in my soul, and the need to return to its distant beaches. I had sung that beautiful Agustín Lara song in choir during elementary school, and suddenly here I was, making a record with Antonio Sánchez and Larry Grenadier standing next to me. Matt asked me if I was OK, and I explained that I was crying out of sheer happiness.”

With the release of her debut album coming up in May 2025, Lucía will tour across Europe and the Americas showcasing her idiosyncratic approach to her songbook to the world. The combination of traditional American jazz with the radiance of Latin folk remains at the core of her identity — both as a person, and a vocalist.

“I love jazz standards so much, but there is also another side of me that resonates deeply whenever I go to a fandango party or a son jarocho concert. I wouldn’t be true to myself if I just did an album of songs in English. On my debut album, I managed to fuse that sound with my own roots in a very organic way. Fortunately, Matt connected with my vision immediately.”

Lucía’s future is certainly bright with her sparkling onstage presence and a debut album that represents the global evolution of jazz, where cultures from all over the world can dance together in harmony.

Lucía Tracklist:

Track List:
1. What A Difference A Day Makes (Cuando Vuelva A Tu Lado)
2. Silencio
3. You Taught My Heart To Sing
4. Lacy
5. You Must Believe In Spring
6. Exactly Like You
7. La Llorona
8. Mi Niña Lola
9. Speak Low
10. Blame It On My Youth
11. Veracruz
12. Alfonsina Y El Mar

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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