Legendary guitarist Eddie Benitez returns to the show. Eddie was born in Puerto Rico on November 12, 1962. Soon after his birth, his family relocated to Europe. Raised in Italy and Spain, his father Francisco arranged private lessons for Eddie from the legendary classical guitar virtuoso, Andres Segovia. The Benitez family was unaware that their move to New York in 1968 would set the stage for the start of Eddie's extraordinary music career-one that would be launched onto the world stage when he was still just a young teen.

On August 6, 1976, Eddie Benitez debuted with his first concert at Madison Square Garden in front of 20,000 fans. He was just 14 years old. The music sensation of Eddie Benitez started that same year when he signed with Fania/CBS records and released his first album 'Nightlife', which went gold. Six months later saw another hit with 1977's 'Essence of Life', also going gold. In 1983, Eddie signed with the innovative label, Island Records, which produced another hit, "Spirtis". He has performed with legendary stars such as "Father of Smooth Jazz"-George Benson, Barry White, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria and many others, throughout his career.

Eddie's performing career came to a sudden halt when Eddie was diagnosed with Hodgkin's at the young age of 23. This changed his life forever as he survived the cancer and took time off to reflect on life and spirituality. He continued to write music over the years for many dance acts in the mid 80s through the early 90s. His music is a blend of Nu-Jazz, New Age, and Latin written from his heart and filled with love, passion, and devotion.

Throughout his life, Eddie has had many spiritual visions, including those that occurred while overcoming a heart attack and an unexplained 3-day coma. Eddie has experienced a level of healing in these experiences that mystifies doctors and which he understands in a spiritual dimension. Along with his own healings and visions have come healings for others for whom he has prayed. So mysterious and powerful have these been, it caused him to come under investigation in 1993 by MUFON and other Government agencies regarding massive healings in his Florida home. 'There is no healer, but faith in God, Christ and inr>
yourself,' Eddie told the investigators.

A major episode took place when he moved into a house in Tempe, Arizona. There a haunting took place that became a featured episode on the Discovery Channel series, A Haunting. In "Casa de los Muertos," the story of a demonic entity possessing his son, Eddie Jr., is recreated. The episode, which also features Eddie's music, continues to be shown worldwide.

2009 brought the exciting news that Eddie has signed with Nu Groove Records, a division of Sony Records, and is currently working on a new CD for release later this year. Look for World Music on a new level, with electrifying performances from Eddie later this year. In recent times audiences have claimed to see angelic beings on the stage with Eddie when he performs, giving rise to the name of his upcoming concert series and his soon to be released biography, Angels On My Stage.

 

Collette is an R&B singer whose silky voice breezes over hard hitting beats...somtimes a gentile wind, at other times a hurricane of South Carolina Soul.

Collette's debut album "Experience Collette", features a sweet blend of Southern hip-hop and soul. The artist wrote the entire album and even produced fourof the tracks.

The 26 year-old vocalist lists among her influences her gospel-singing mother, as well as Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Withers, Jill Scott, Amel Larrieux and Mary J. Blige-a list as varied as her own musical experiences.

Collette began as a pianist and saxophonist in early childhood, and wandered into singing as a teen. After spending four years in college at Howard University, singing and soaking ujp the raw energy of Washington D.C.'s Go-Go music scene, Collette was finally ready to expose the world to her unique brand of storytelling.

"Experience Collette" is not just an album title, but a directive to enjoy a soulful, hip-hop infused, jazz and gospel-inspired ride, touching on topics from Southern-style "cruising" to a grown-up crush and merry-go round love. Collette makes sure listeners leave on a positive note, remembering to "Dance in the Rain".

Positive vibes reign throughout most of the disc, with a dose of self-awareness, all strung together by the artist's knack for storytelling. Collette's sweet alto flows effortlessly between the styles she has chosen and leaves the listener humming and looking for more. If we're lucky, this isn't the last time we'll "Experience Collette."

Music lovers are thirsty for a sweet new take on soul music, and Colllette is tall glass of what they need.

Well, not literally.

At 5 feet 10 inches tall, this statuesque beauty grows thoughtful when asked about her goals for the CD. "Well I want people to listen, enjoy, and find in it something real to identify with. I want folks to have an out-of-the-ordinary good time, and just "Experience Collette"".

 

You wander from room to room
Hunting for the diamond necklace
That is already around your neck!"

Rumi

 

"All you have shall some day be given;
Therefore give now, that the season of giving
may be yours and not your inheritors."

Kahlil Gibran

Listen to The Louie Jones Show livee
Sundays 2:00- 3:00PM CST
WCFJ AM 1470

Serving Chicago's far South Side, Hyde Park, South Shore, the Southern and Southwest suburbs and the Northwest Indiana Region

Previous shows are archived for your listening at: www.louiejones.com

email: louie@louiejones.com
Feedback line (847)991- 8628.