FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rick Scott 310.398.0260
APRIL 25, 2002

The tenth album from soul jazz artist Jonathan Butler, "Surrender," will be his first for Warner Brothers Records when the record arrives in stores on June 18. Two singles for two different radio formats will precede the album: the instrumental "Wake Up" will be serviced to Smooth Jazz radio for adds on May 20, and the vocal track "Back To Love" will be shipped to Urban Adult radio. The collection was produced by Paul Brown and Butler, and features a guest appearance by sax sensation Boney James on the title cut.

Worldly, diverse, and ripe with texture, rhythm and melody, Butler creates spirited music from his soul. There are elements of R&B, jazz, Africano, and pop, but he prefers to avoid any labels that may limit the focus of his muse. Abundant joy, positivity, warmth, sincerity, and inspiration are also key ingredients that flow through Butler into his compositions. "Wake Up" is a festive South African pageant that allows Butler’s nylon guitar to sing gleefully. Even the heartfelt "Back To Love" is laced with hope in the face of a difficult relationship.

The two-time Grammy nominee feels that he’s persevered and has finally reached a comfortable, happy place in life. "This is the first time I went into the studio without the thought of making an album. It was just about letting the music move through me," Butler beamed radiantly. He wrote eight songs for "Surrender" and co-authored a ninth. "The story really is about triumph against incredible odds. Rather than reflect on pain, I’ve always chosen to celebrate the day."

It’s important to Butler that he interacts with fans through the concert experience. Plans are being made now for a full concert tour.

The songs on Jonathan Butler’s "Surrender" album are:

"This Is Love"

"Pata Pata Bum Bum"

"Surrender" (featuring special guest Boney James)

"Take Me Back"

"Wake Up"

"Thoughts Of You"

"Back To Love"

"River Of Life"

"Many Faces"

"African Moon"

See Jonathan Butler perform on the following dates (more will be added):

May 1 Atlanta, GA Centennial Olympic Park
May 3 Washington, DC Ron Reagan Trace Center
May 16 Cleveland, OH Allen Theatre (unplugged)
May 17 Dayton, OH Jilly’s (unplugged)
May 26 British Virgin Islands British Virgin Islands Music Festival
June 9 Saratoga, CA Mountain Winery
June 14 Huntington, NY IMAC (unplugged)
June 15 Detroit, MI V98.7 Jazz Fest
June 21 & 22 Africa Palais De La Culture Abidjan
June 28 Richmond, VA Kanawha Plaza
July 5-7 Oakland, CA Yoshi’s
July 12 Carlsbad, CA Four Seasons Resort
July 13 Pasadena, CA Central Park
July 14 Temecula, CA Thornton Winery
July 26 Tempe, AZ Red River Music Hall
August 2 Newport Beach, CA Hyatt Newporter
September 9 Las Vegas, NV Sunset Station
October 20 Clearwater, FL Clearwater Jazz Festival