NIGERIA: Tuface, M.I., Others To Tour N-America

By Ngozi Opurum, Daily Times-Nigeria

The United Sounds of Africa (USA) would kick off their first ever North American tour with Tuface, M.I, J.Martins.

Organised by Interglobe Entertainment Group (IEG) and Live Nation, the tour would get together new and existing partners to create music and cultural connections with their individual brands in the context of a global music agenda.

"United Sounds of Africa presents a perfect platform to connect with fans of the beautiful music coming out of Africa and taking the world by storm. I am excited and it is going to be a lot of fun," Tuface said.

IEG is a global leader in media and entertainment, while Live Nation Entertainment is the world's leading live entertainment and eCommerce company, comprised of four market leaders: Ticketmaster.com, Live Nation Concerts, Front Line Management Group and Live Nation Network.

"I am proud to be joining Tuface and everyone on stage as a part of this very first United Sounds of Africa tour. I think American audiences will be blown away by the talent and diversity onstage and by how much the African music scene has to offer. These will be amazing shows," M.I. said.

The tour which kicks off on August 1 in Houston, Texas, has Timi Dakolo, J. Martins, Iyanya, and Brymo as artistes to perform.

IEG created the USA project to bring the best African music vocalists /artistes /composers together for a series of live performances uniting Africa's diverse musical cultures. In addition, the USA tour will connect current African artistes with those of the diaspora, continuing the legacy of such globally successful, African-born artists as Akon, Sade, and K'naan.

"This will be an open platform for any audience that relates to a musical exchange and collaboration from one continent to the other. This tour presents Live Nation with the unique opportunity of introducing some of Africa's top musical talent to crowds across the country," Jay Belin of Live Nation said.

CEO Efe Omorogbe of Now Muzik, said, "We at Now Muzik are very proud to partner with Interglobe Entertainment Group and Live Nation on the U.S.A platform. We look forward to a thrilling experience on this tour and more importantly, we hope that the platform delivers for our artists, Tuface, Timi and J. Martins, along with many other exceptional African talents, the much-needed in-road into the mainstream American circuit."

Qunincy Jones: The 1969 Antibez Jazz Festival

Jazz à Juan, better known worldwide as the Antibes Jazz Festival is one of Europe’s grand old festivals. The festival owes a lot of its magic to the location in historic Juan-les-Pins. The balmy summer atmosphere and quality jazz is heightened by spectacular sunsets across the bay. Numerous people make this an annual visit, enjoying the south of France by day and the world of jazz at night. This year July 12-25, the festival will be celebrating 52 years of blue notes. The festival consistently hosts the best of American and French jazz. Date: July 01, 1969. Location: Antibez, France. Image: Pierre Fournier.

Sonny Okosuns: Ozi di from the Mountain Top

The outbreak of war had obviously slowed down pub-crawlers and nightlife in Lagos; and, with Igbo performing artists - Zeal Onyia, Rex Lawson, Celestine Ukwu, pop groups like the Attractions, Fractions and several other Igbo session men - who had fled Lagos back to the East, the entertainment industry of a highly themed vibes of Igbo casts disappeared and with constant blackouts as a result of the war, music and night life was minimized with Victor Olaiya, Bobby Benson, Roy Chicago and others of Yoruba origin who played occasionally.

READ FULL STORY FROM THE MUSIC BLOG

The Rick Olson Group Jazz Party

In one of the summer jams and concert series all around the Southland, The Rick Olson Quartet, premier jazz group in Los Angeles performs at the Julian Dixon Community Center of the Baldwin Hills Branch, Los Angeles City Public Library. Thursday June 21, 2012 as part of rehearsals and jam sessions for upcoming summer gigs in Los Angeles. The quartet entertained guests with Monk, Davis, Gillespie, Morgan classics. (L-R): David Weaver (Guitar), Max Acosts-Rubio (Drums), Michael Saucier (Bass) and Rick Olson (Keyboards). A community gathering and the groups CD Release. It was an evening of volunteer and collaboration for the community.

Jeff Lorber: Playboy Jazz Festival Community Event Concert Series

Trailblazing keyboardist/composer/producer Jeff Lorber at the Playboy Jazz Festival Community Events Pre-Concert Series. It was felt all over at the BHCP complex in Los Angeles that summer was just around the corner and, the beginning of the summer jams and concert series in Southern California. Philly native, Jeff Lorber slammed his Fusion Band live at the Playboy Jazz Festival Community Events Pre-Concert Series Sunday, May 27, 2012. The music, the crowd and the collaborative fanfare - amazing; launching his new CD "Galaxy." Ehirim Files Images.

Disco Diva Donna Summer Dead At 63

Paul Jabara, holding his Oscar for Best Original Song ("Let's Dance"), poses with singer Donna Summer, who sang the song at the Academy Awards show. Date: April 09, 1979. Location: Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles.

Donna Summer was an American singer/songwriter who gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s. She had a mezzo-soprano vocal range, and was a five-time Grammy Award winner. Summer was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach number one on the US Billboard chart, and she also charted four number-one singles in the United States within a 13-month period. Summer died on May 17, 2012. AP reports that she died in the morning at her home in Key West, Florida at age 63 following a battle with breast cancer and lung cancer.

Donna Summer's Walk of Fame Star on Hollywood Boulevard.

Conversations With Devin Bly

"How're you doing today," Devin would throw at me while his girl wraps around him with the "what's up" kinda look. The hard working 24-year-old in da hood kinda hip-hopper swinging in Los Angeles ain't playing in the world of Hip Hop and determined to be the next sure thing happening to Hip-Hop.

Born on May 27, 1987, Devin wants to take Hip-Hop to another level since his joint master-tape release with J-Nug The Boss called "That's Us." Devin was inspired by Lil wayne, working now on his solo mixtape due to be released before the Summer gigs begins of which he is no new comer, featuring in several gigs in the Los Angeles-Hollywood area pubs. Swag, dope and da music -- Devin wants to shake Los Angeles with his new approach on how to direct Hip Hop, whether it's underground or straight out of the master's voice - the dimension is gloomy and the time to rock LA full time is coming with a new mixtape. There is nothing about life now to hate for Devin - he's been working hard ever since he played that opening slot in a Hollywood gig and the duo mixtape with The Boss. On "That's Us" Devin explains he'd come up with something big while going solo and a mixtape that is about to be released within the summer. While we are at it, Devin says he couldn't wait after Capitol Records executives listened to his tape, and when I asked him about it, he said they all liked it and now waits on the next line of action. For his birthday, Devin drove to Las Vegas to treat himself before heading back to the studio for his upcoming release; and the Cream video is sure bet he's taken that step to rock Los Angeles in every way it flows and the next big blast at Samaka Studios. THE CREAM VIDEO