The Case of the Disappearing Solo

Astute listeners might notice a difference between Michael Bolton’s recently released single of “Georgia on My Mind” and the same song on his multi-platinum CBS album, “Soul Provider.”

And Michael Brecker isn’t happy about it.

CBS edited out of the single a solo by saxman Brecker and replaced it with one by fellow saxophonist Kenny G. Brecker--who has recorded solos on records by Bruce Springsteen, John Lennon, Paul Simon and Frank Sinatra--remains on the album’s “Georgia” track.

“The whole idea was for CBS to milk Kenny G’s name to enhance sales,” said Don Lucoff, president of New York-based DL Media, Brecker’s press representative. “Brecker played a very musical solo, it enhanced the record. If they didn’t think it was good, they would have replaced him before the album was released.”

Not so, said a representative of CBS who wished to remain anonymous. “Brecker’s an incredible artist and his solo was outstanding. It’s just that (Bolton’s) been on tour, opening up for Kenny, they have worked together for years, and on the record they simply made a special edit, which is common in our business. The edit could have been to make (the single) more topical, to release it for radio, to trigger a better reaction in this mode than in the original mode, to make it more salable. It could be any number of reasons.”

Lucoff was not impressed. “I’d have to say the title of Brecker’s new GRP release, ‘Now You See It . . . (Now You Don’t),’ has been taken to heart,” he quipped.

Brecker’s Southland tour dates--he was to play the Strand in Redondo Beach, the Wadsworth Theater in Brentwood and the Smothers Theatre in Malibu last week--were postponed until early next year, said his manager, Darryl Pitt. In the meantime, Brecker begins an on-and-off six-month tour with Paul Simon on Nov. 30 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Bernie Pearl, host of KLON-FM’s “Nothin’ but the Blues” for 10 1/2 years and artistic director of that station’s Long Beach Blues Festival, wants his fans to know that he left the station--he was replaced in a staff reorganization move last week by Bubba Jackson--for “irreconcilable differences with management.” In a press release, Pearl said that his listeners’ support “has made (the show) KLON’s most listened-to and best-supported program for most of the last decade.” To show that he bears no umbrage toward his former air partners, he added “To my colleagues, best wishes and continued success.”

RIM SHOTS: Pianist Dorothy Donegan, singer Lorez Alexandria and reedman Buddy Collette entertain at the BEEM Foundation’s second Scholarship Awards brunch, to be held Sunday, noon, at the Hyatt LAX Hotel (6225 W. Century Blvd.). Proceeds benefit BEEM’s scholarship programs for talented youths. . . . Saxophonists Bill Perkins, Cece Worrall and Benn Clatworthy, pianists George Gaffney and Arlette McCoy and trumpeter Steve Huffsteter are among the celebrants Wednesday at the sixth anniversary of Jax (339 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale), where jazz is heard with no cover or minimum seven nights a week. The party gets underway at 9 p.m., with Chuck Niles as emcee. Information: (818) 500-1604. . . . Pianist Marcus Roberts, saxman Richie Cole and Latin drummer Poncho Sanchez are headlining, and playing for no admission fee, at the second Santa Barbara International Jazz Festival, to be held today (starting at 6 p.m.) through Sunday at various venues in Santa Barbara. Other events include the Jazz Train, which leaves for Santa Barbara from Union Station tonight at 7:55 and after-hours jazz parties at the SoHo, City Broiler and Joseppi’s nightclubs. Information: (805) 962-0800 . . . Larry Carlton, Bob James and Najee highlight the 1990 Catalina Island Jazz Trax Festival, held at the Avalon Casino today through Sunday. Information: (800) 876-7328. . . . A Sunday afternoon (4-7 p.m.) jazz policy has ensued at the Westwood Marquis (930 Hilgard Avenue, Westwood). This week: pianist Louis Aldebert’s trio, plus guest reedman Brandon Fields.

TOP 10 JAZZ LPs

1. We Are in Love--Harry Connick Jr.

2. Music From “Mo’ Better Blues”--Branford Marsalis Quartet

With Terrence Blanchard

3. Standard Time Vol. 3: The Resolution Of Romance--Wynton Marsalis

4. Crazy People Music--Branford Marsalis Quartet

5. Lofty’s Roach Souffle--Harry Connick Jr.

6. Elaine Elias Plays Jobim--Elaine Elias

7. You Ought To Think About Me--Jimmy McGriff

8. Big Boss Band-George Benson, with Count Basie Orchestra

9. Question and Answer--Pat Metheny

10. Bluesiana Triangle--Bluesiana Triangle

SOURCE: Billboard