Saxophonist Branford Marsalis will perform with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra at three special performances in early March. The program will feature selections from esteemed French composers such as Darius Milhaud, Jacques Ibert, and Maurice Ravel. Marsalis is also at work on a new album with his quartet, planned for a fall 2000 release on Columbia.
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The Smashing Pumpkins have announced another round of dates for their ongoing tour of record stores. The new stops include Charlotte, N.C. (Saturday); Richmond, Va. (Sunday); Portland, Me. (Feb. 22); Albany, N.Y. (Feb. 23); Ann Arbor, Mich. (Feb. 24); Milwaukee (Feb. 26); and Champaign, Ill. (Feb. 27). The Pumpkins' fifth studio album, "MACHINA / the machines of God," is due Feb. 29 on Virgin. The single "Stand Inside Your Love" sits at No. 23 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart this week.
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Former Urge Overkill frontman Nash Kato will finally see his long-awaited solo album, "Debutante," released on April 18 by Will Records. The 11-track disc was originally scheduled for a February release on Loosegroove, but the label is currently facing an uncertain future amid rumors of an impending merger with Will. "Debutante," recorded in Chicago with producer Eric Rosse, includes a cover of Steely Dan's "Dirty Work."



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