Smooth Jazz News

11/03/2025

Melanie Maxwell took home the first place award for her 2024 Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival feature in the category for Magazines: Entertainment Reporting
First Place: Melanie Maxwell “The 37th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival" Smooth Jazz News
Judges Comment: "Challenging category to score, equally deserving"

Who earned awards at last night's San Diego Press Club 52nd Annual Excellence in Journalism awards? See the complete list here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F474NofZhHmtPUuI8qroWKsJTYsYU13Z/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=106957881835089069602&rtpof=true&sd=true

10/26/2025

Camella & Richard Elliot throw the BEST Halloween parties! And, last night was another epic bash at their Rancho Santa Fe, California estate! DW3 performed (Richard sat in with his sax). There was plenty of food and drinks. Amazing costumes. Celebrity guests. Dancing. Stunning views. Nonstop music & mingling. And, even a large-screen TV outside for baseball fans to watch the Dodgers win game 2 of the World Series.

10/24/2025

10/17/2025

If you're attending the Catalina Island Jazz Trax Festival this weekend, stop by the Smooth Jazz News booth to pick up the latest issue!

10/17/2025

Today we say farewell to our friend Steve Reid.

Steve was a larger than life personality and a tremendous composer, percussionist, and producer. A member of legendary contemporary jazz group the Rippingtons and a touring member of the band Supertramp, Reid founded his own group Bamboo Forest (a launching pad for many future headliners) and was a frequent collaborator with Steve Oliver in the early days.

From Steve Oliver -

Steve Reid discovered me in the Bay Area when I opened for him with violinist Jim Hurley from a famous New Age band called Ancient Future. We finished our duo performance and after the show Steve came up to me and took down my phone number. He asked if I wrote songs and if I had some for his new album. That album eventually became the Bamboo Forest record “Mysteries.” I wrote the whole album with Steve and it was through him that I met all my musical heroes.

Steve was the catalyst for me moving down to LA. He changed my world and my life. He always had a big heart and I loved his passion for Music and life.

Thank you, Steve for everything you brought to this world.

❤️

10/01/2025

The October-November-December issue has been published! It features Mindi Abair, Bob James, the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival, Christmas concert tours, New Year's Eve celebrations & more!

The digital edition is live now at www.smoothjazznews.com, where you can also subscribe to the print issue.

We'll also be distributing this issue at the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival, Oct. 10-12 and Oct. 17-19!

09/30/2025

The October-November-December issue has been published!

Paid subscribers' and advertisers' magazines are being mailed today.

The digital edition goes live tomorrow, Oct. 1.

09/27/2025

20th Annual Wine, Dine & Jazz Festival, Nov. 7-8, in Horseshoe Bay, Texas!
https://conta.cc/3KntBTY

Email from Smooth Jazz News BPM Super Group, Rebecca Jade, Monty Seward, and more! Greetings! Join us in the Texas Hill Country November 7–8 for Horseshoe Bay Resort’s 20th Annual Wine, Dine & Jazz Fe

08/30/2025

For any patrons of the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival, especially those who sat in the first few rows (or got photos taken with artists in the CD-signing line) and knew Phil Richardson, a security guard there for 19 years, we are sad to report that he passed away today. He was a dear friend of Smooth Jazz News' Craig Collier (they even appeared on on an episode of "Judge Mathis"!), and their friend Anthony Gomez. Anthony has been by Phil and his family's side since his hospitalization earlier this month.

Phil, who was 59 years old, is survived by his wife, Tracy, their children, Janessa Reese, Brandon Richardson & Dorian Richardson; his mother, Dorothy Richardson, and other family members and friends. We're sending prayers and condolences to the family, friends and Jack and Mary Tofelogo who own the security company Phil worked for. RIP Phil🙏

His family has set up a GoFundMe page. If you're able to donate, please do: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-phil-richardsons-family-through-this-difficult-time?attribution_id=sl:1a1a1b69-49d5-4098-9f5b-0bec750c010c&lang=en_US&ts=1756936181&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp13_t1&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=facebook

Here are some photos of Phil taken by Pat Benter.