“Music is spiritual and it heals. It soothes the heart and mind,” says Butler, who has been through a challenging year in which his mother passed away, he lost one of his closest friends, *Wayman Tisdale*, and he supported his wife in her battle against cancer. “Sometimes it’s better not to tell people what you’re going through (while you’re going through it), but tell them after you’ve come through.” _So Strong_ features 10 original songs written or co-written by Butler, and a cover of *Johnny Nash*'s “I Can See Clearly Now.” “You can’t keep your head down all the time,” Butler says. “You have to celebrate. With all that’s presently going on in the world, I felt the need to give something to the fans, to offer hope. I had to get to that fun place again. The album is a departure; it’s optimistic and positive. It’s get up-and-dance, and feel good. … It’s all about just letting go. It’s about fun with flavor and a lot of feeling. I call it the three Fs: fun, flavor and feeling.” Butler, who produced and arranged the album, played most of the instruments, including guitars, bass and keyboards. Guests include trumpeter *Rick Braun*, saxophonists *Dave Koz* and *Michael Lington*, and drummer *Gordon Campbell*. Butler’s daughters, Randy and Jodie, provide background vocals. Songs include the title track, “Make Room For Me,” “You’ve Got to Believe in Something,” “Factual,” “Be Here With You” and “Feels So Good.” In addition, “Be Here With You” is a vocal duet between Butler and *Angie Stone*. _So Strong_ track list 1. So Strong (Butler/Lykes) - 3:45 2. You Got To Believe In Something (Butler) - 5:01 3. Make Room For Me (Butler) - 3:29 4. Factual (Butler/Lykes) - 4:10 5. Feels So Good (Butler/Lykes) - 3:45 6. Be Here With You (Butler/Lykes) - 4:38 7. Avia/For My Baby (Butler) - 4:25 8. I’m Right Here (Butler/Lykes) - 3:31 9. Color Green (Butler/Lykes) - 3:59 10. Good Times (Butler) - 4:03 11. I Can See Clearly Now (Nash) - 4:55 12. I Pay Respect (Butler) - 5:09 Original post by "Smooth Jazz Network.":http://news.smoothjazznetwork.com/?p=1682 Be sure to catch Jonathan Butler with *Spyro Gyra* at "The HSBC Jazz Festival":http://marqueeconcerts.com/events/jazz/165-spyro-gyra-jonathan-butler on Thursday, March 25 at The NOKIA Theatre Times Square! 2010-02-22T15:27:09-05:00 Jonathan Butler Finishes New Album! 18 Guitarist and vocalist *Jonathan Butler* has completed a new CD titled _So Strong_, his first studio smooth jazz project since 2005’s _Jonathan_. Since that time, he has offered the gospel project _Brand New Day_ and a DVD/CD combo, _Live in South Africa_. _So Strong_ will be released by Rendezvous Music, a division of Mack Avenue, on May 11. true 2010-02-22T15:21:00-05:00 Jonathan Butler Finishes New Album! 2010-02-22T15:29:10-05:00 "*CLICK HERE*":http://wearetheworldfoundation.org/ to watch the official video and to find out more about how you can donate to the cause. Be sure to see Patti Austin performing live at The HSBC Jazz Festival to be held at NOKIA Theatre Times Square on March 28, 2010. For tickets and more information "CLICK HERE":http://www.smoothjazznewyork.com/events/70-Patti-Austin-Tuck-and-Patti. 2010-02-17T14:25:27-05:00 WATCH: We Are The World - 25 for Haiti 17 We recently posted an interview with *Patti Austin* concerning her work with “We Are the World – 25 for Haiti.” This monumental musical creation is a 25th Anniversary re-recording of the American benefit single for African famine relief. This 21st century recording, which includes *Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Josh Groban*, and *Natalie Cole* among many others, will benefit Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts. The video was officially released Friday, February 12th. true 2010-02-17T14:23:00-05:00 WATCH: We Are The World - 25 for Haiti 2010-02-17T14:25:27-05:00 Don't miss "Al Jarreau in concert with Christian Scott":http://www.smoothjazznewyork.com/events/69-Al-Jarreau-Christian-Scott as a part of the "HSBC Jazz Festival":http://www.smoothjazznewyork.com/events/67-HSBC-Jazz-Festival on Saturday, March 27th at The NOKIA Theatre Times Square! 2010-02-12T14:10:58-05:00 The Valentine's CD Giveaway 16 This Valentine's Day, The Trades is conducting a Valentine's CD Giveaway of Al Jarreau's "_Love Songs_":http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012QLYBU/sr=8-1/qid=1266001592/ref=sr_digr_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1266001592&sr=8-1 ! This 14-song compilation would be the perfect Valentine's Day soundtrack, so be sure to "CLICK HERE":http://www.the-trades.com/article.php?id=11657 and enter for your chance to win! true 2010-02-12T14:10:00-05:00 The Valentine's CD Giveaway 2010-02-12T14:10:58-05:00 The Lineup: Thursday, March 25 8:00PM "Spyro Gyra & Jonathan Butler":http://www.smoothjazznewyork.com/events/68-Spyro-Gyra-Jonathan-Butler "PURCHASE TICKETS":http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0000443DBE6A5CD2?artistid=737861&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=4 Friday, March 27 8:00PM "Al Jarreau & Christian Scott":http://www.smoothjazznewyork.com/events/69-Al-Jarreau-Christian-Scott "PURCHASE TICKETS":http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/00004442AD98AC2B?artistid=734054&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=4 Sunday, March 28 7:30PM "Patti Austin, & Tuck and Patti":http://www.smoothjazznewyork.com/events/70-Patti-Austin-Tuck-and-Patti "PURCHASE TICKETS":http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0000443ED7BB5816?artistid=734472&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=202 These shows are reserved seating, so be sure to get your tickets early! "CLICK HERE":http://www.smoothjazznewyork.com/events/67-HSBC-Jazz-Festival for more information. 2010-02-09T10:36:06-05:00 Smooth Jazz New York Launches NYC’s Next Big Jazz Festival 15 On March 25, 27, & 28, 2010, Smooth Jazz New York will present The HSBC Jazz Festival at The NOKIA Theatre Times Square. Don't miss three nights of amazing jazz music! true 2010-02-09T10:18:00-05:00 Smooth Jazz New York Launches NYC’s Next Big Jazz Festival 2010-02-09T11:10:53-05:00 We would like to thank everyone who came out to make this event such a great success! Thank you to our sponsors: "WCBS-FM":http://www.wcbsfm.com/, The Heart Institute, "NY Partner Dance":http://www.nypartnerdance.com/, "Norwegian Cruise Lines":http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/home.html, "John Wm. Macy Cheesesticks":http://www.cheesesticks.com/, "TheaterMania":http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/discount-tickets/?source=marqueeconcerts, "Green & Black's Organic":http://www.greenandblacks.com/, CM Design, "Global Destinations":http://www.globaldestinationsinc.com/, "TruMarketing":http://www.trumarketing.com/, "Wine Soiree":http://www.winesoiree.com/ws/, "Fulcrum Wines":http://www.fulcrumwines.com/, & "Amalthea Cellars":http://amaltheacellars.com/. While you anxiously await The 2nd Annual Winter Wine Fest to be held in 2011, be sure to check out "The Spring Tasting":http://newjerseywinefestivals.com/ at The Hilton Short Hills in Short Hills, NJ scheduled for April 23, 2010! We'll see you there! 2010-02-08T15:09:41-05:00 The First of Many NYC Winter Wine Fests! 14 This past Friday night, Marquee Concerts along with Bacchus Wines hosted The 1st Annual New York City Winter Wine Festival at The NOKIA Theatre Times Square. This SOLD OUT event brought in over 1,000 thirsty consumers to sample 221 different wines from various regions around the globe. After more than 2 full hours of tasting, superstar jazz pianist Alex Bugnon took the stage and performed an amazing hour-long set to get the crowd dancing from station to station. true 2010-02-08T15:07:00-05:00 The First of Many NYC Winter Wine Fests! 2010-02-08T15:09:41-05:00 Wines for tasting will include: Jansz Sparkling Rose (Tasmania) Opawa Pinot Noir (Marlborough, NZ) Mawson Hill Block 3 Cabernet Sauvignon (Wrattonbully, AUS) Seppeltsfield Tawny (South Australia) Nederberg Lyric (South Africa) Nederberg Pinotage (South Africa) Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir (Oregon) Indaba Chenin (South Africa) Indaba Merlot (South Africa) Raats Cabernet Franc (South Africa) Rustenberg Chardonnay (South Africa) Rustenberg John X. Meriman (South Africa) Henriot Brut (France) Henriot Blanc (France) Henriot Rose (France) Principe Corsini Chianti Classico (Italy) Trefethen Dry Riesling (California) Trefethen Chardonnay (California) Trefethen Cabernet Sauvignon (California) Burch Hall Sauvignon Blanc (California) Burch Hall Chardonnay (California) Burch Hall Merlot (California) Burch Hall Cabernet Sauvignon (California) Burch Hall Cabernet Franc (California) Burch Hall Petite Sirah (California) Bellevue Touraine Blanc (France) Bellevue Touraine Gamay (France) Sylbain Gaudron Vouvray Sec (France) Grenouille Muscadet Sur Lie (France) Gerard Millet Sancerre Rouge (France) Girasole Pinot Blanc (California) Girasole Chardonnay (California) Girasole Sangiovese (California) Girasole Zinfandel (California) Girasole Pinot Noir (California) Michel Girard & Fils Sancerre Blanc (France) Domaine d'Ardhuy Bourgogne Rouge (France) Jean Ginglinger Gewurztraminer (France) Moulin de la Roquille (France) Bire Bordeaux Supiereuir (France) Taja Monstrell (Spain) Cheval Noir St. Emillion (France) La Courronne St. Emillion (France) Teatown Cellars Merlot (California) Buil & Gine Gine Gine Priorat (Spain) La Battistina Gavi (Italy) Jeriko Pinot Noir (California) La Hitaire Cote de Gascogne (France) Gaudou Cahors (France) Terra Andina Sauvignon Blanc (Chile) Terra Andina Chardonnay (Chile) Terra Andina Carmenere (Chile) Terra Andina Merlot (Chile) Terra Andina Altos Carmenere/Carignon (Chile) Mirrabooka Pinot Noir (Australia) Blue Cutting Road Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia) Tempus Two Melange White (Australia) Relativity Quantum Reserve (California) Florian Mollet Sancerre (France) For more information on this event visit "NYWineFestivals.com":http://www.nywinefestivals.com/index.html There will be a special musical performance by ALEX BUGNON at 9:00PM. Tickets to this event are selling fast, so make sure you "PURCHASE EARLY":https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pe/7656715! 2010-01-08T16:32:00-05:00 SNEAK PEAK: The NYC Winter Wine Fest – Wine List Preview 11 *JUST ANNOUNCED* New York Wine Festivals recently posted a Wine List Preview for the 1st Annual New York City Winter Wine Fest, to be held at The NOKIA Theatre Times Square on Friday, February 5th, 2010. true 2010-01-08T16:31:00-05:00 SNEAK PEAK: The NYC Winter Wine Fest – Wine List Preview 2010-01-08T16:32:00-05:00