According to information gleaned from Zawinul’s European booking agents’ web sites, plans are afoot for two Zawinul Syndicate tours of Europe, the first occuring between February and May, and the second, dubbed the “70th Birthday Tour” to take place over the summer and fall. The advertised line-up is the same as last year’s band except at drums, where the incomparable Paco Sery is said to be replacing Nathaniel Townsley. All of this should follow-up a new Zawinul album to be released in the spring by ESC records.

Erstwhile Syndicate bass player Victor Bailey will lead his own band, consisting of Bailey, Jim Beard on keyboards, Bennie Maupin on sax, and Poogie Bell on drums. And current bass player Etienne M’Bappe will also lead his own band for the first time, in between Zawinul Syndicate gigs.