Norah Jones announced she'll be releasing her fifth studio album this spring called Little Broken Hearts.  The project is a collaboration with producer and musician Danger Mouse.  The nine-time Grammy winner also plans to tour extensively in 2012 and has announced several dates and venues including the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on August 10 and the Kodak Hall at Eastman Theater in Rochester, NY on June 29. 

Happy birthday to Anita Baker who celebrates today (January 26).  Anita was born in Toledo, Ohio and raised in Detroit, Michigan.  The eight-time Grammy winner got her start in the band Chapter 8, which released their self-titled debut album in 1979.  Her debut solo album, Songstress, was released in 1983 followed by her successful second project Rapture in 1986.  Rapture is her most successful album to date, selling over eight million copies worldwide and garnering Baker two of her eight Grammy Awards.  She hit number one on the Billboard 200 chart with her 1988 album Giving You The Best That I Got and received three more Grammy Awards for the effort.  She followed that release with Compositions in 1990 and Rhythm Of Love in 1994, both of which received additional Grammy Awards.  Baker has been working on a new studio album, but there is no confirmed release date at this time. 

Happy birthday to singer-songwriter, producer and actress, Alicia Keys who celebrates today (January 25).  Born Alicia Augello Cook in New York City, Alicia began playing the piano when she was seven.  She released her debut album Songs In A Minor in 2001 which garnered her five Grammy Awards, including Song of The Year for her worldwide hit "Fallin'."  Her acting credits include the films Smokin' Aces, The Nanny Diaries and The Secret Life of Bees.  Keys married record producer Swizz Beatz in July 2010 and the couple have a son, Egypt, born on October 14, 2010.  Alicia launched a new project in December 2011 as the producer of the Broadway show Stick Fly.  She is currently in the studio working on her fifth album due out later this year.

Birthday wishes to Aaron Neville who celebrates today (January 24).  Aaron was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana and recently celebrated fifty years in the music business.  His first hit song, "Tell It Like It Is," reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart and number two on the Hot 100 chart in 1967.  He teamed up with Linda Ronstadt in 1989 and their duet "Don't Know Much" also hit number one.  He frequently performs along with his brothers Art, Charles and Cyril as the Neville Brothers, in addition to his solo career.  They're on the bill for the upcoming New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on May 6.  Aaron's latest release is a return to his gospel roots called, I Know I've Been Changed.

The 2012 GRAMMY Nominees album which will be available tomorrow (Jan. 24).  The 18th edition of the best-selling collection includes songs from GRAMMY categories representing nominees for Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Best New Artist, Best Country Album, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Some of the artists featured on the collection include Adele, Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse, the Black Keys, Coldplay, J. Cole, Foo Fighters, Foster The People, Lady Antebellum, Lady Gaga, Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift.  A portion of the proceeds will benefit the MusiCares Foundation and the GRAMMY Foundation.  The GRAMMY's will air live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 12 at 8pm.

Soul and R&B legend Etta James has died at the age of 73.  James is most famous for her ballad "At Last", written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the 1941 film musical Orchestra Wives.  The song hit number two on the R&B chart in 1962 and was covered by scores of artists, including Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat 'King' Cole, Miles Davis and Beyonce.  She's received numerous awards over the years including one of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's first Pioneer Awards in 1989 and an NAACP Image Award in 1990. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was honored with the Billboard R&B Founders Award.  James also won three Grammy Awards plus a Lifetime Achievement honor in 2003, as well as nine Soul/Blues Female Artist of the Year awards from the Blues Foundation.

Paul McCartney, a fourteen-time GRAMMY winner and the 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year, will be performing at the 54th GRAMMY Awards on February 12.  McCartney is also nominated for Best Historical Album for Band On The Run (Paul McCartney Archive Collection — Deluxe Edition).  McCartney joins fellow guest performers Kelly Clarkson, Coldplay, Rihanna, Foo Fighters, Jason Aldean, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift.  Adele, Tony Bennett, Dave Koz and Corinne Bailey Rae are all nominated for awards.  The event will be hosted by LL Cool J and broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on CBS beginning at 8pm.

The 22nd Annual Berks Jazz Festival will take place March 23-April 1 in Reading, PA.  The world renowned festival announced their all-star lineup for the ten-day event, which includes George Benson, Chick Corea, Boney James, Bela Fleck and The Flecktones, Spyro Gyra, Brian Culbertson, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, David Benoit, Brian Bromberg, Mindi Abair, Chuck Loeb and Incognito among many others.  Benson is slated to perform the first weekend on March 24 at the Sovereign Performing Arts Center.  The full line-up is available here: berksjazzfest.com/ticketedevents.htm.

Dave Koz and his sister, Roberta, took a once in a lifetime trip to South Africa last year.  Dave posted a 'home video' of the experience on his website for his fans to enjoy.  Titled "Love letter to South Africa", the video is set to his song "Start All Over Again" featuring Dana Glover on vocals, from his Grammy nominated album Hello Tomorrow.  Koz is up for an award in the Best Pop Instrumental Album category.  The 54th Grammy Awards will take place on February 12, live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles beginning at 8pm on CBS.

Birthday wishes to Sade who celebrates today (January 16).  Born Helen Folasade Adu in Nigeria, she was raised in England.  While studying fashion design at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design she joined the band Pride and began her performing and songwriting career.  In 1983 Sade was signed by Epic Records and insisted bandmates, Stuart Matthewman, Andrew Hale and Paul Denman, join her on her debut album Diamond Life.  The album contained her smash hit "Smooth Operator" which launched her worldwide following.  Sade released her latest album, Soldier of Love, in 2010, her first new project in ten years.  She returned to the stage with her 'Sade Live' tour in 2011 and landed the number ten spot on the Top Grossing Tours of 2011, according to Billboard.