NEWSBITS...CARLOS SANTANA, HAMPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL, FREIHOFER'S SARATOGA JAZZ FESTIVAL...

Carlos Santana...
Effective immediately, all companies related to Santana and music icon Carlos Santana have relocated from Northern California to Las Vegas, NV, under the new corporation Cristalino, Inc. The holding company is run by the executive team of Michael and Maria Vrionis. Offices are located at 6000 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 6-A, Las Vegas, NV, 89119-3125; the telephone number is 702-331-9400. The mailing address for Cristalino, Inc. is 2375 E. Tropicana Ave., Suite 8, Box 270, Las Vegas, NV, 89119. "It is an honor to be working with Carlos Santana on the next phase of building the Santana brand and strategizing on future projects and partnerships with Cristalino," said Michael Vrionis. "The environment and energy of Las Vegas are great inspirations." Previously, these companies were based at 121 Jordan Street in San Rafael, CA. Remaining at that address is Universal Tone Management, also run by Michael and Maria Vrionis, which handles Carlos Santana's personal management. Cristalino, Inc. has contracted with Universal Tone to oversee all of its Nevada-based operations. Businesses comprising Cristalino, Inc. are the music label Guts & Grace Records, Inc.; Starfaith LLC, the administrative entity overseeing music publishing issues, and Santana Tesoro, LLC, DBA River Of Colors, the licensing entity for branded products including Carlos by Carlos Santana Shoes, hats, and purses, Maria Maria Restaurants, and signature musical instruments and gear.


Seeds for the move to Las Vegas were sown when longtime San Francisco Bay Area resident Carlos Santana and the Santana Band became the first artist-in-residence at the new Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The acclaimed show Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through The Hits (premiered in 2009. The next dates are planned for April/May, 2011. "My time in Las Vegas has been so exciting that I decided to buy a home here last year and move the band's base to Las Vegas," said Carlos Santana. "It is wonderful to be exploring this new phase of my life in the beautiful State of Nevada."

For 40 years and as many albums later, Santana has sold more than 90 million records and reached more than 100 million fans at concerts worldwide. To date, Santana has won 10 Grammy® Awards, including a record-tying nine for a single project, 1999's Supernatural (including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for "Smooth"). In 1998, the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, whose website notes, "Guitarist Carlos Santana is one of rock's true virtuosos and guiding lights." Among many other honors, he has also been cited by Rolling Stone as #15 on their list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time." His latest album, Guitar Heaven...The Greatest Guitar Classics Of All Time (Arista) -- featuring "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" -- came out in September 2010. With its release, Santana joins the Rolling Stones as one of only two acts in music history to score at least one Billboard Top 10 album every decade beginning with the 1960s. Guitar Heaven… is Santana's 29th Billboard Top 200 charting release, 12th Top 10 album debut, and third Top 10 debut in the past five years. Currently, Santana is preparing to go on the road with the Guitar Heaven 2011 Tour, beginning with a leg in Asia and Australia this March. A European itinerary commences in June.

Hampton Jazz Festival...
This June 24-26, 2011 the 44th annual Hampton Jazz Festival returns to Hampton, Virginia for yet another soulful weekend of unforgettable entertainment. This highly anticipated event will feature the top jazz, pop, R&B, and blues performers in the nation. This year’s line-up includes: Anthony Hamilton, Chaka Khan, Boyz II Men, Boney James, Charlie Wilson, KEM, Chrisette Michele, Soul of Summer featuring Jonathan Butler, Eric Darius, and Maysa, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Stephanie Mills, David Sanborn, George Duke, Marcus Miller and Laura Izibor.

Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival...
The Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival, one of the most celebrated and longest-running jazz events in the world, marks its 34th year at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, June 25 and 26, with a dynamic lineup of more than 20 acclaimed artists and ensembles on two stages. Highlights include festival debuts by Michael McDonald, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Tia Fuller, the Lionel Loueke Trio, Hilary Kole and Pedrito Martinez among others. Special festival features include: Sing the Truth! featuring Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves and Lizz Wright in a celebration of the music and civil rights legacies of Miriam Makeba, Abbey Lincoln and Odetta; andDee Dee Bridgewater in her acclaimed tribute to Billie Holiday, "To Billie With Love." A Night in Treme: The Musical Majesty of New Orleans featuring music inspired by the HBO series "Treme," which depicts the famous, culturally rich New Orleans neighborhood.