NEW YORK (January 12, 2005) – Alizé, one of the nation’s leading liqueur brands, has announced it will serve as the title presenter for 2005 Grammy Winner Jill Scott’s upcoming North American “The Big Beautiful” concert tour.  Performance dates are set to kick off Wednesday, February 9, 2005, in Sacramento and will wrap up on March 26, 2005, in Philadelphia.  In support of the initiative, Jill Scott’s image will appear on Alizé point of sale and collateral materials throughout retail distribution channels nationwide.

In addition to presenting one of R&B's hottest performers, Alizé will add to the excitement of this tremendous partnership by offering consumers the chance to win front row tickets to a Jill Scott concert in London during the summer of 2005.  Contestants can enter to win at participating retailers or by visiting www.alize.com.  Contestants must be 21 to enter and are subject to regional eligibility requirements.  The deal was initiated and implemented by Allan Fried at Allied A.C.E.

Jill Scott is the perfect artist to represent the Alizé brand on a national level.  She’s smart, sexy, talented and soulful,” states Adam Gam, Alizé’s national brand director.  “Alizé has always had many fans in the music world, including stars such as Tupac Shakur, Wyclef Jean, Big Boi, Usher, Chingy, Nelly, Snoop Dogg, Fergie and others.  Music is in our blood and we would like to see more initiatives similar to this in the future.” 

According to Jill Scott, “I am thrilled and honored to have Alizé on board as title presenter of my concert tour.  I love to perform before a live audience, and this partnership will allow my music and words to reach a larger audience.

Alizé’s support for “The Big Beautiful” concert tour will be evident on both the national and regional levels and will include Alizé product sampling and CD giveaways at local nightlife venues in cities along the tour, participation in official concert after-parties at each stop on the calendar, as well as print and television advertising and in-store point of sale displays.

Tour dates for Jill Scott & The Big Beautiful; concert tour are as follows:

Wed-Feb-09-Sacramento, CA (Memorial Hall)
Thu-Feb-10-Oakland, CA (Paramount)
Fri-Feb-11-Oakland, CA (Paramount)
Mon-Feb-14-Los Angeles, CA (Universal Amphitheater)
Tue-Feb-15-Anaheim, CA (The Grove)
Thu-Feb-17-San Diego, CA (Symphony Hall)
Fri-Feb-18-Phoenix, AZ (Celebrity Theater)
Sun-Feb-20-Denver, CO (Paramount Theater)
Tue-Feb-22-Dallas, TX (Nokia Live)
Wed-Feb-23-Houston, TX (Ariel Theater)
Fri-Feb-25-Memphis, TN (Orpheum Theater)
Sat-Feb-26-New Orleans, LA (Saenger)
Mon-Feb-28-Nashville, TN (T-Pac)
Wed-Mar-02-Atlanta, GA (Fox Theater)
Fri-Mar-04-New York City, NY (Radio City Music Hall)
Sat-Mar-05-New York City, NY (Radio City Music Hall)
Sun-Mar-06-Newark, NJ (NJ PAC)
Wed-Mar-09-Washington, DC (Constitution Hall)
Thu-Mar-10-Washington DC (Constitution Hall)
Sat-Mar-12-Ledyard, CT (Foxwoods)
Sun-Mar-13-Boston, MA (Orpheum Theater)
Tue-Mar-15-Montreal, Canada (Metropolis)
Wed-Mar-16-Toronto, Canada (Massey Hall)
Fri-Mar-18-Detroit, MI (Fox Theater)
Sat-Mar-19-Chicago, IL (Chicago Theater)
Sun-Mar-20-Indianapolis, IN (Murat Theater)
Wed-Mar-23-Cleveland, OH (State Theater)
Thu-Mar-24-Baltimore, MD (Meyerhoff)
Sat-Mar-26-Philadelphia, PA (Tower Theater)
Sun-Mar-27-Philadelphia, PA (Tower Theater)


About Jill Scott
Jill Scott grew up in north Philadelphia, and began her career on stage performing her own works of poetry in local venues. Following one performance, Amir, drummer for the Roots, invited Jill to join the band in a collaboration and co-composition that resulted in the 1999 top 40 single "You Got Me." This was followed by collaborations with Eric Benet, Will Smith, Common, and others, as well as a period touring Canada in the Broadway musical "Rent". In 2000 Jill released her debut album, "Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol.1," which was followed by "Jill Scott 826+" the following summer. Scott's starpower soared over the next year, eventually earning her a Grammy nomination in early 2003 for "Best Female Vocal Performance" for the single "A Long Walk." 2004's "Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2" is Jill's latest release, which won her a 2005 Grammy for: "Best Urban/Alternative Performance" for the single "Cross My Mind."

About Alizé
Alizé Bleu is 20% alcohol by volume (40 proof). Red Passion Alizé, Wild Passion Alizé and Gold Passion Alizé are each 16% alcohol by volume (32 proof). Alizé VS and VSOP Cognacs are each 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof). Produced and bottled by L.&L., S.A., Cognac, France, Alizé has been imported to the United States by Kobrand Corporation since 1986. Kobrand Corporation was founded in 1944 and to this day remains one of few family-owned wine and spirits companies. Kobrand's portfolio of wine and spirits was meticulously selected according to a single, unerring principle: quality. This continued focus has made the Kobrand name synonymous with wines and spirits of the highest caliber for over 60 years. Kobrand is the exclusive agent for an outstanding selection of fine wines and spirits that include Maison Louis Jadot Burgundies, St. Francis, Cakebread Cellars, Sassicaia, Taylor-Fladgate Ports, and Delamain Cognacs. For additional information, visit www.kobrandwine.com