::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

buzzz worthy. . . Long Beach, CA: Boney James, a four-time Grammy nominee, headlines the 2014 Winter Concert presented by Rainbow Promotions, LLC, t he producers of the popular Long Beach Jazz Festival. The evening's opening act is Kirk Whalum a nd his "Gospel According to Jazz," which includes the vocal artistry of Sheléa and the multi-talented musician, Gerald Albright. BONEY JAMES Boney James is a leading proponent of the Slow Jazz movement, but his wide ranging talent can also bring a strong emotional surge, especially during his live concerts. The Boston Globe reported that "his music is muscular and gritty," and that he all but dares the crowd not to have a good time. His connection with his audience is visceral and vibrant as he takes them on a musical journey. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, James took up the clarinet at age eight, switching to saxophone when he was ten. Growing up in New Rochelle, New York, he was influenced by Stevi...

For their comeack release "Still:, brother and sister duo Benjamin and Priscilla Winans, aka BeBe and CeCe Winans, won two Grammys, leading the list of winners in the gospel category at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. The complete list of winners in the Gospel category are as follows: Best Gospel Song-“It’s What I Do” by Jerry Peters & Kirk Whalum, songwriters (Kirk Whalum & Lalah Hathaway)/The Gospel According To Jazz Chapter III Best Gospel Performance-”Grace” by BeBe and CeCe Winans/Still Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album-Hello Huricane/Switchfoot Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album-Love God, Love People/Israel Houghton Southern/Country/Bluegrass Gospel-The Reason/Diamond Rio Contemporary R&B Gospel Album-Still/BeBe and CeCe Winans Traditional Gospel Album-Downtown Church/Patty Griffin

Los Angeles, CA — Eight-Time Grammy nominated saxophonist Kirk Whalum has already had a whirlwind year with the recent release of the long-awaited third installment in his popular genre-bridging gospel jazz series, The Gospel According To Jazz: Chapter III (GATJ3). GATJ3 debuted at #4 on the Billboard Jazz Album chart and #11 on the Billboard Gospel Chart.  After recently being named President & CEO of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music & Stax Music Academy, Whalum now caps off a stellar year with the release of Everything is Everything: The Music of Donny Hathaway on August 31st on Rendezvous Music, an imprint of Mack Avenue Records. To celebrate the release of his new CD, on Monday, August 2nd, Whalum is set to appear on The Tonight Show and will sit in with Rickey Minor and The Tonight Show Band. This is a reunion of sorts for Whalum and Minor who played together on the Whitney Houston ‘The Bodyguard’ World Tour. Everything Is Everything consummates W...