HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Happy New Decade !

Imagine someone telling you, ten years ago, that you'd soon be listening to your favorite music on Internet Radio. That you'd be able to program that music yourself (pausing so you don't miss a note, clicking to skip a song you don't want to hear). That there'd only be a couple of commercials per hour. That all of that would be possible was just a dream ten years ago.

Now, it's a dream come true! ChiTown Smooth Jazz has brought all of that (and more) into your life.

The imaginative staff at ChiTown Smooth Jazz is dedicated to exploring future innovations. The possibilities are limitless. Making your musical dreams come true is our goal.

Everyone at ChiTown Smooth Jazz wishes you a Happy, Healthy, Smooth Jazzy New Year !

Yours Smoothly,
Danae Alexander

The Only Constant is Change

If there's one thing that's true about radio, it's that you seldom get to say goodbye. For instance, in my life I've worked at seven stations and never been given the chance to do a last show. Management just doesn't like the “final show” idea.

That is why AccuRadio, Inc., the company behind ChiTownSmoothJazz.com, is a business unlike any other I've encountered in my career in broadcasting, and it's entirely in a good way. Take, for example, the fact that they're allowing me the chance to put up this final blog, knowing it's my opportunity to say goodbye.

Recently, I received an offer to program and host the midday show on WLFM 87.7, the over-the-air radio station which replaced WNUA 95.5 as Chicago's Smooth Jazz station this past May. The opportunity was, quite simply, too good to pass up.

My voice and name will slowly disappear from this site over the next few weeks. However, because of a unique arrangement between my current and future bosses, I will continue to work on the music at ChiTownSmoothJazz. I will still be here but behind the scenes, making sure the music remains true to our original vision for the site when it was launched this past June. ChiTownSmoothJazz.com isn't going away. And, of course, Danae Alexander will continue to be the familiar, welcoming voice that invites you into just about every channel here.

Last but definitely not least, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to every listener who's discovered us during the past six months. The support and encouragement Kurt Hanson, President of Accuradio, and I received along the way were remarkable and indicated to us that we were doing something right. You made the entire endeavor worthwhile. The countless emails, phone calls and comments in they take each one seriously.

Thank you for listening. To you and your family, we wish you all the blessings of a wonderful holiday season.

Rick O'Dell

Operations Manager – Smooth Jazz

Rick@accuradio.com

The Smooth Groove Christmas Show Next Sunday

Bryan Lubeck is one of the most underrated musicians in Chicagoland. If you've seen him in action at, say, Walter Payton's Roundhouse in Aurora or "Smooth Jazz at South Shore" in Michigan City, Indiana, over the years, you know the depth of this man's talent. Most of us, however, have never had the pleasure of being there when Bryan has strapped on his six-string. Now, here's your chance, this coming Sunday, December 13.

Bryan will be performing his annual "Smooth Groove Christmas Show" in Merrillville, Indiana, at the Merrillville United Methodist Church, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are only $15 at the door.

All proceeds will be donated to Bryan's annual charity effort, "Coats for Kids and Families," which has already given away more than 1,100 coats to needy area residents.

ChiTownSmoothJazz is proud to feature Bryan Lubeck on our "Smooth Jazz Christmas" and "Christmas Instrumentals" channels with his music on the stellar holiday CD, We Three Strings.

SIMPLE PLEASURES

Ever since I can remember, my two sisters and I were given identical "nighties" to wear on Christmas Eve. I realize now how very wise my Mother was to give us something to look forward to on the eve of the BIG DAY. It was a wonderful distraction that helped to dissolve some of the angst we felt over that "naughty and nice list" thing.

Even though our parents are no longer with us, we have kept the tradition going. We each take a turn providing the "nighties" for Christmas. Over time the family has expanded ( marriages, children ) so the "nighties" have evolved into T/sweat shirts with a theme. We've let our creativity flow turning what was an adorable yearly photo-op of three little girls into a group of ten holiday revelers trying to stop laughing long enough to even take a photo!

It's my turn this year and I've just put the finishing touches on ten T-shirts. The theme is.....
oh, I forgot it's TOP SECRET....that's part of the fun. No one can see them until Christmas Eve.
I have to confess that, although I'm a "grown up", the level of excitement my Mother initiated years ago still exists.

I shared this with you to let you know that, in the midst of the current economy where everyone is cutting back, holding on to a simple, inexpensive tradition can turn frowns into smiles and warm family memories.

Wishing you the happiness that simple pleasures bring this holiday season and always.

Sincerely,
Danae Alexander

An Evening with Ramsey Lewis

It's been years since Ramsey Lewis and his Trio performed their "Home for the Holidays" series at a downtown venue (how I miss that!), so we'll take Ramsey live any way we can get him in the month of December. Ramsey will be performing a benefit concert for the Supporting Excellence Endowment tonight, Friday, December 4, at the UIC Forum.

For tickets and information, click here.

Nominees for the 52nd Grammy Awards

We applaud these ChiTownSmoothJazz artists on their Grammy nominations announced yesterday:

Chris Botti - In Boston (Best Pop Instrumental Album & Best Long Form Music Video)

Hiroshima - Legacy (Best Pop Instrumental Album)

Booker T. Jones - Potato Hole (Best Pop Instrumental Album)

The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman - Modern Art (Best Pop Instrumental Album)

Spyro Gyra - Down the Wire (Best Pop Instrumental Album)

Beyonce - "At Last" (Best Traditional R&B Performance)

Jim Brickman - Faith (Best New Age Album)

Philippe Saisse - At World's Edge (Best Contemporary Jazz Album)

Randy Crawford & Joe Sample - No Regrets (Best Jazz Vocal Album)

The winners will be announced Sunday, January 31, 2010. The full list of nominees is available here.

Congratulations to our Dave Koz Christmas Concert Ticket Winners

Each of these loyal ChiTownSmoothJazz listeners be joining us Saturday night at the Auditorium Theater for Dave's reunion Christmas tour:

Nakiah Brown

Leanne Delia

Teresita Dinnsen

Kinnin Flores

Enya Masangkay

Yolanda Sartin

For your tickets and more information on the show, please click here.