Columbia is set to release "piano Grand! a Smithsonian celebration" on DVD this August, following a related PBS special and a CD released June 27. Honoring the 300th anniversary of the piano, the DVD film will feature pianists Diana Krall, Cyrus Chestnut, Dave Brubeck, Billy Joel, Jerry Lee Lewis and Jean-Yves Thibaudet among others. The film will contain footage from the PBS special, music from the CD, interviews of the pianists and additional performances by Marcus Roberts, Katia Labeque and Marrielle Labeque. ...

Saxophonist Joshua Redman, pianist Brad Mehldau and saxophonist Maceo Parker appear on the soundtrack for the new Clint Eastwood film "Space Cowboys." Due Aug. 8, the album also features Willie Nelson singing "Still Crazy After All These Years" and Frank Sinatra teaming up with Count Basie for "Fly Me to the Moon." ...

The John Handy Quintet will give a special reunion performance at the John Handy Jazz Festival in San Francisco on Sept. 7–10. The Grammy-winning saxophonist will play with his old band, consisting of Michael White, guitarist Jerry Hahn, bassist Don Thompson and drummer Terry Clarke. Other performers at the event include vocalist Denise Perrier and pianists Randy Weston, Sir Roland Hanna and Kenny Drew Jr. ...

Saxophonists David Murray and James Carter, as well as B.B. King, will perform at this year's San Sebastian Jazz Festival in northern Spain starting Friday through Wednesday (July 21–26). The main stage for the event will be in the Plaza de la Trinidad in the Old Quarter of the city. Other festival performers include drummer Jack DeJohnette and pianists Keith Jarrett, Kenny Barron, Diana Krall and Uri Caine. More information is available at www.jazzaldia.com. ...

The Jazz Mandolin Project and Rob Wasserman's Space Island will begin the Buzztopia tour on Aug. 21 in San Diego. The tour will consist of 12 U.S. performances, including shows at four House of Blues clubs. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band also will join the tour for most of the performances. ...

Dr. John, singer Nina Simone and saxophonist Charles Lloyd will highlight the Jazz in Marciac festival in southwest France from Aug. 4–15. Wynton Marsalis, who premiered his 13-part "Marciac Suite" at the festival in 1997, is expected to attend this year. Other performers include pianist Kenny Barron, singer Dee Dee Bridgewater, pianist Ahmad Jamal, saxophonist George Coleman and pianist McCoy Tyner. More information is available at www.marciac.com. ...

Columbia Records is releasing new CDs from saxophonists Branford Marsalis and David Sanchez in August. Marsalis' new album, Contemporary Jazz, is due Aug. 15 and features drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts, bassist Eric Revis and pianist Joey Calderazzo. Melaza, due Aug. 8, is Sanchez's follow-up to his Grammy-nominated album Obsession. The native Puerto Rican gets a hand from Marsalis, pianist Edsel Gomez, bassist Hans Glawischnig, percussionist Pernell Saturnino, saxophonist Miguel Zenon and drummers Adam Cruz and Antonio Sanchez. ...

Dr. John, pianist Kenny Barron and violinist Regina Carter are on the list of performers for the Brecon Jazz Festival in Wales, UK, on Aug. 11–13. The historic market town will host about 90 shows, including acts by Cubana Bop, guitarist Jim Hall, saxophonist Andy Sheppard and guitarist Russell Malone. More information is available at www.breconjazz.co.uk. ...

Saxophonist Branford Marsalis, trumpeter Roy Hargrove, keyboardist Chick Corea and vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater will be among the acts at the Russian River Jazz Festival in Guerneville, Calif., on Sept. 9–10. Also playing on the sandy bank of the river north of San Francisco will be percussionist Poncho Sanchez, singer Kevin Mahogany, the Mel Martin/Harold Jones 17-Piece Big Band, Flora Purim & Airto and the Omega Aires Gospel Singers. For more information, go to www.sonic.net/rrjazz. ...

Pianist Andy Bey, saxophonist Jackie McLean, pianist Brad Mehldau and violinist Regina Carter are among the list of jazz and classical artists who will perform at the 2000–2001 concert series celebrating the 10th anniversary of Spivey Hall in Morrow, Ga. The series runs Oct. 7–May 10 and will consist of more than 40 performances. For more information, go to www.spiveyhall.org. ...

Regina Carter also will play the JazzThere Festival in Oakland, Calif. Carter will be on an opening-day bill that includes vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson and alto man Richie Cole. The July 28–30 affair also features sax man Teddy Edwards, piano thunderer McCoy Tyner and the Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Grover Mitchell. Performances are at the Convention Center, except for some free shows at the City Center Stage. For more information, check the festival's Web site at www.oaklandjazzthere.org/schedule.html.

— sonicnet.com staff report