photo - Nick performing at the Jazz Trax Big Bear Festival

June was a very busy month. Nick started off with a bang at the world-famous Capital Jazz Fest, Columbia, MD, where he wowed the audience and, thanks to fans Rusty and Vera, had a terrific fan club get-together at the 9:32 Club on the grounds of the venue. There was a light rain falling all day, which seems to have deterred not one Capital Jazz fan - they came with small tents, umbrellas, slickers and picnic baskets!!!

The next weekend, after hosting a CD release party for up and coming sax player Reggie Foster Jr. in Gary, Indiana, Nick was off the next day to perform at WJZZ 107.5 FM Atlanta's"Jazz Under the Stars" at the wonderful Mable House/Barnes Amphitheatre where Southern hospitality reigns supreme thanks to Randall, Robbie and Chris. Thanks also to the incredible Joni, Dave Kosh and Wade Ford. And this year, when Nick sang "Rainy Night in Georgia"....it didn't!!!

The following weekend Nick performed "at home" in the Chicago area for the first time in quite a while. The Country Club Hills Amphitheatre hosted Nick and Brian Culberston on Father's Day. This new venue was outstanding and the hospitality equally so, and it was great to see Brian and his band again.

The following Friday Nick headlined at the CloseUp2SmoothJazz Fest in downtown Chicago at Pritzger Park - and was delighted to see so many friends, fans, and family at this city-friendly "first annual" event.

The next day it was off to California. As a midwestern boy, Nick was blown away by the Big Bear JazzTrax Fest. Driving up this beautiful mountain in a four wheeler to get to the summit, the band was awed by the beautiful vistas. Some hearty band members took the chair lift to the summit! Everyone went back down the mountain in a vehicle once used for exploration in Alaska. You don't get a lot of this in Chicago!!! Nick and the crowd had a great time and a special treat was seeing one of his loyal fans, Michael Robinson from Wisconsin, at the event. He chose that weekend to vacation in the area with his kids and attend the show. Nick announced from the stage that he fully expected Art Good, promoter of the Jazz Trax events and lover of exotic locales, to select the Space Shuttle as his next venue!

The final event of the month was at the Music Mill in Indianapolis, hosted by WYJZ 100.9 Smooth Jazz. This was Nick's first time at this excellent venue, and the audience was terrific - after 90 minutes of Nick's high energy show, they weren't finished and demanded an encore! Apparently Indianapolis knows what it likes. The day before the show Nick visited the WYJZ studios and morning hosts Ann and John, where he did a little playing, a little talking and had a great time.

Be sure and catch the Spring/Summer edition of How We Live, a new quarterly glossy magazine whose mission statement is to be " A Showcase of African-American Homes, Décor, Style & Careers". Nick is honored to be the subject of a feature article written by "Doc" Robinson in the "How We Entertain" section entitled "Nick Colionne: A Man On A Musical Mission".

This casually elegant magazine is distributed thru WalMart, Barnes and Noble, Bi-Lo Food Stores, B. Dalton Book Stores and numerous independent stores, or you can subscribe directly through their website, listed below. You owe yourself a look at this quality magazine.

Catch the interview with Nick Colionne band member and keyboardist Tim Gant in "On The Side" in the July issue of Smoothviews.com. Bonnie Schendell did the interview, and did a great job as always.

Tim is the third musician playing regularly with Nick to be featured in Smoothviews.com (Dave Hiltebrand and Chris Miskel have also been interviewed). We are very proud of all of them for catching the eyes and ears of one of the best jazz sites out there and being featured on same...and this is no small thing - previous interviewees have been Randy Jacobs, Richard Patterson, Oscar Seaton, Dwight Sills, old friend and sometimes part of the band Mike Logan, Rodney Lee and Lenny Castro among others. To read the interview click on the link below.

Congratulations, Tim - well deserved.

"It's Been Too Long" from Nick's CD "Just Come On In" will be included in 98.1 KIFM San Diego's 2008 Smooth Jazz CD Sampler, supporting the "ALL THAT JAZZ" project benefiting music programs in cash-strapped San Diego area schools. Distribution plans are for sale through local retailers and the station's web site. All net proceeds will be donated to the "ALL THAT JAZZ" project. Over the years KIFM has generated roughly $275,000.00 in donations to their chosen charities.

This is the third KIFM Sampler Nick has had a tune on (2006 and 2007 had "High Flyin'" and "Always Thinking of You" respectively). Nick is honored to be contributing to this worthy cause for kids.

Award winning artist Bettie Grace Miner is a woman of many talents. Her artist portraits, CD covers, event posters and fine art commissions are familiar to many jazz fans, but did you know she also creates tote bags? Bettie's tote featuring Nick is a unique combination of fine art and practical function, and with its new, tough as iron finish for the print, Nick's manager (who carries hers everywhere on tour) has found to to be practically indestructible. She has received so many compliments and questions about how to get one that Bettie has created a Special Offer just for Nick fans!

Regularly priced at $150, Nick fans can order for the price of only $95 plus shipping/handling (and sales tax for California residents) for a limited time by sending Bettie an email at bettie@minerworksofart.com and be sure to include your name with your request. Bettie will contact you directly via email with a secure order form so you can safely use your credit card.

Nick Colionne Totebag Features:

Fine Art Canvas Prints (Giclee') of Bettie Grace Miner's jazz artwork, featuring Nick Colionne, have been sewn into custom handmade tote bags. The vibrant canvas prints are of the same quality as those framed by art galleries and publishers, and with the new finish Bettie has recently discovered for the prints, they retain their "like new" appearance.

* The bags are handmade of of durable black denim and feature strong zippers, numerous pockets inside and out, with sturdy nylon straps.

* The Fine Art Tote Bag measures 17" wide x 14" tall x 4" deep with a 10" x 14" canvas art print.

* This offer is available for a limited time only, and all orders must be received by July 31...order yours now!

Artist Manager: Carol Ray, On The Edge Productions (847) 359-9941 / e-mail: jazz@nickcolionne.com

Promotions: Christine & Tom Clark, On The Edge Productions (610) 918-3252 / e-mail: funkyjazznc@gmail.com

Booking Agent: Steve Butler, Mighty Music Corp (718) 682-3611 / e-mail: mightymusiccorp@aim.com

Marketing/Media: Dolores Ann, On The Edge Productions (630) 289-9159 / e-mail: dolores@nickcolionne.com