Jazmine Sullivan

You'd have to have been living under some kinda two tonne rock not to of at least heard the track "Need U Bad" by new J Records artist Jazmine Sullivan. Her debut album "Fearless" reached number 6 on the billboard charts selling 65, 539 units in its first week.

"It’s been a long time since a debut artist has brought as much drama” cites USA Today’s 3-star review, while People’s 3.5-star Critic’s Choice review declares that FEARLESS is the "African-American answer to Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black.” Elle adds to the critical praise by stating the 21 year old Philly native “swings deep and wide like Sarah Vaughn, tears it up like Mary J., and emanates the lady-preacher seriousness of Lauryn Hill.”

Join the revolution and check out Jazmine when she hits a town near you. Visit her official site and MySpace page for more details.

Upcoming Shows:

1. October 8, 8pm @ Opera House - Boston, MA
2. October 9, 8pm @ Radio City Music Hall - New York, NY
3. October 10, 8pm @ Chevrolet Theatre - Wallingford, CT
4. October 12, 8pm @ Massey Theatre - Toronto, Ontario
5. October 14, 8pm @ The Taft Theatre - Cincinnati, OH
6. October 15, 8pm @ Fox Theatre - St. Louis, MO
7. October 17, 8pm @ Murat Theater - Indianapolis, IN
8. October 18, 8pm @ Chicago Theater - Chicago, IL
9. October 19, 8pm @ Fox Theatre - Detroit, MI
10. October 25, 8pm @ Paramount Theatre - Denver, CO
11. October 28-29, 8pm @ Paramount Theatre of the Arts -Oakland, CA
12. October 31, 8pm @ Pearl -Lax Vegas, NV
13. November 1, 8pm @ Shrine Auditorium - Los Angeles, CA
14. November 6-7, 8pm @ Verizon Wireless Theatre -Houston, TX
15. November 8, 8pm @ Majestic Theatre - Dallas, TX
16. November 10, 8pm @ BJCC Hall - Birmingham, AL
17. November 11, 8pm @ Orpheum Theater - Memphis, TN
18. November 12, 8pm @ Civic Center - Atlanta, GA
19. November 14, 8pm @ Coliseum Theatre - Greensboro, NC
20. November 15, 8pm @ Landmark Theatre - Richmond, VA
21. November 17-18, 8pm @ Constitution Hall - Washington, DC
22. November 21, 8pm @ Susquehanna Center - Philadephia, PA
23. November 23, 8pm @ United Palace Theatre - New York, NY

Chrisette Michele

I just remembered that I used to give you guys a heads up of any artists currently on tour. I guess I kinda forgot to keep up with my favorite artists but luckily one of my facebook friend’s (who is currently background singing for Chrisette), reminded me of my duties. So here are some upcoming dates for the wonderfully talented Chrisette Michele whose debut album “I Am” is in stores now. I’ll see my fellow Washingtonian’s at Howard’s homecoming! ;)

Upcoming Shows:

1. October 3-5 - Bermuda
2. October 16, 8pm @ Grape Street - Philadelphia, PA
3. October 19, 8pm @ Howard University Homecoming - Washington, DC
4. October 20 @ Hampton University - Hampton, VA
5. October 27, 8pm @ Club Code - Tampa, FL
6. October 28, 8pm @ HOB - New Orleans, LA
7. November 1 - New York, NY
8. November 2, 8pm @ Kaleidoscope - Chicago, IL
9. November 3, 8pm @ Grand Central Lounge - Detroit, MI
10. November 5 - New York, NY
11. November 18, 8pm @ Black Cat - Washington, DC
12. November 20 @ Temple Bar - Santa Monica, CA
13. November 26-29 - Japan, Tokyo
14. December 6 - Jackson, CA
15. December 9 @ Nokia Theater - New York, NY
16. December 11 @ House of Blues - Dallas, TX

India.Arie

India.Arie's locs are gorgeous but like she said, she is not her hair...
India Arie may not get the attention she deserves, but that hasn't stopped her latest album Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship from selling over 500,000 units (that's Gold!) To ensure the continued success of her album, India is embarking on a U.S. tour with a few dates in Europe. See below for details or visit www.indiaarie.com.

Upcoming Shows:
1. September 17,06 Black Oak Ranch - Laytonville, CA
2. September 28,06 Rams Head Live - Baltimore, MD
3. September 29,06 Keswick Theatre - Philadelphia, PA
4. September 30,06 Chrysler Hall - Norfolk, VA
5. October 4,06 Constitution Hall - Washington, DC
6. October 6,06 Royal Naval Dockyard - Bermuda
7. October 7,06 Beacon Theater - New York, NY
8. October 8,06 Landmark Theater - Richmond, VA
9. October 12,06 Chicago Theater - Chicago, IL
10. October 13,06 Riverside Theater - Milwaukee, WI
11. October 14,06 State Theater - Minneapolis, MN
12. October 17,06 Nokia Live - Grand Prairie, TX
13. October 20,06 Wilshire Theater - Los Angeles, CA
14. October 21,06 Spreckels - San Diego, CA
15. October 26,06 Fillmore - San Francisco, CA
16. October 27,06 Fillmore - San Francisco, CA
17. October 28,06 The Grove - Anaheim, CA
18. November 8,06 Huxleys - Berlin
19. November 11,06 Amager Bio - Copenhagen

Something New...

Misty Copeland and Candice Monet-McCall

Dancers from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in New York

Why not try something new and support the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre as it tours the U.S. starting at the end of this summer right through until Christmas! I watched the dance group last year when they peformed here in D.C. at the Kennedy Center and they were truly awe-inspiring! Visit their web site to find out more about their Upcoming Perfomances, they also have three performance dates in Kansas City, MO (September 6-9th).

Note: Misty and Candice (pictured above) are not part of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Group, I just threw in those pictures to show you some of the other black ballerinas out there - Keep representing ladies!

A Change is Gonna Come...

Leela James' hair is to die for!
If you don’t know about Leela James, please get to know! This songtress has one of the most powerful voices I’ve ever heard and her debut album 'A Change Is Gonna Come' is simply amazing! She has a few performances coming up, so if you live in the designated areas, please check her out. If you love Aretha Frankliln and Angie Stone, then you'll adore Leela James. In March she released her live album 'Live in New Orleans,’ visit www.leelajames.com to buy a copy.

Upcoming Shows:
1. August 18th 2006, 8:00 PM @ Carter Barron Amphitheatre, Washington, DC
2. August 20th 2006, 8:00 PM @ Golden Gate Festival, San Francisco, CA
3. August 26th 2006, 8:00 PM @ Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary, NC
4. October 25th 2006, 8:00OM @ The Parador, Houston, TX

Corinne Bailey Rae

I had to take a minute and talk to you about my fellow Brit Corinne Bailey Rae. She's about to blow up over here in the States so i'm letting you in on the deal early. Her self titled, debut album is already out in stores and my favorite songs from it are 'Like A Star' and 'Put Your Records On'. Her musical style is a cross between Billie Holiday, Sade, and Erykah Badu, so if this sounds like your thing check her out while she does a promotional tour in the US these next few months. Visit www.corinnebaileyrae.net for more info!

Upcoming Shows:
1. Crocodile Cafe, Seattle, WA, Mon, 24 Jul 2006
2. Lola's in Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR, Tue, 25 Jul 2006
3. Bimbo's 365 Club, San Francisco, CA, Thu, 27 Jul 2006
4. Brick By Brick, San Diego, CA, Sat, 29 Jul 2006
5. House of Blues, Los Angeles, CA, Mon, 31 Jul 2006
6. Gypsy Tea Room & Ballroom, Dallas, TX, Sat, 12 Aug 2006
7. Warehouse Live, Houston, TX, Sun, 13 Aug 2006
8. Antone's Nightclub, Austin, TX, Mon, 14 Aug 2006
9. Vinyl, Atlanta, GA, Wed, 16 Aug 2006
10. Ramshead Tavern, Annapolis, MD, Fri, 18 Aug 2006
11. Birchmere, Alexandria, VA, Sun, 20 Aug 2006
12. World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, Mon, 21 Aug 2006
13. Webster Hall, New York, NY, Wed, 23 Aug 2006
14. Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA, Fri, 25 Aug 2006
15. The Mod Club, Toronto, ON, Canada, Sun, 27 Aug 2006
16. Park West, Chicago, IL, Tue, 29 Aug 2006
17. Varsity Theater, Minneapolis, MN, Wed, 30 Aug 2006

Change is Good!

Goapele is so beautiful, love these pics of her!

Goapele's new album 'Change It All' is out in stores now and to promote it she's doing a few performances in 10 major cities. See below for more info, if you live in New York her concert there is free! By the way I haven't picked a copy of her new album yet so if anyone has heard it let me know what you think...

Upcoming Shows:
1. Jul 13 2006, 8:00PM @ The Social, Orlando, FL
2. Jul 14 2006, 8:00PM @ The Loft at Earthlink Live, Atlanta, GA
3. Jul 16 2006, 8:00PM @ The Bar Car, Nashville, TN
4. Jul 17 2006, 8:00PM @ Double Door, Chicago, IL
5. Jul 19 2006, 9:00PM @ Mod Club, Toronto, Canada
6. Jul 21 2006, 8:00PM @ Kanawha Plaza, Richmond, VA
7. Jul 22 2006, 8:00PM @ Artscape, Baltimore, MD
8. Jul 24 2006, 6:00PM @ Birchmere, Alexandria, VA
9. Jul 26 2006, 7:00PM @ Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA
10. Jul 29 2006, 1:30PM @ Central Park Summerstage, New York, NY - This show is FREE!