Maëla Raoult, a French clarinetist, orchestra conductor and music producer, has released a new single titled “Mars” on Azkaban Records. The track is available on digital platforms as well as CD and vinyl, according to the announcement.

The composition draws on space as a theme and features clarinet alongside guitar, electric bass, piano, keyboards, cello and percussion, blending jazz with traditional and Middle Eastern influences. The label describes the piece as built around improvisation and a shifting rhythmic groove, with Raoult’s clarinet and piano taking the lead role.

Raoult, born in Brest in 1990, trained at the Brest Music Conservatory and later studied in Paris and at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, from which she graduated with distinction in 2014. She has conducted orchestras including the Tokyo Sinfonia, Berlin Sinfonietta, Bordighera Symphony Orchestra and the State Chamber Orchestra of Azerbaijan since transitioning to professional conducting in 2024, according to her biography. She is now based in Belgium.

Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Maëla Raoult, maelaclar.org.

Stevie Wonder will tour Europe and North America this fall performing his 1976 album “Songs in the Key of Life” in full, marking the album’s 50th anniversary. The tour, promoted by Live Nation and produced by Wonder Productions, opens Oct. 13 at Utilita Arena Birmingham and includes stops in Paris, Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Hannover, Cologne, Amsterdam, Dublin, London, Manchester and Glasgow before crossing to North America.

The U.S. leg begins Nov. 19 at Madison Square Garden in New York, with additional dates in Chicago, Washington, D.C. and a two-night stand at Detroit’s Fox Theatre, closing Dec. 19 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

“Songs in the Key of Life” won Wonder the Grammy for Album of the Year, was certified Diamond and was inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. Presale tickets begin Sept. 9 for Europe and the UK, with general on-sale dates starting Sept. 10 for most of North America, Sept. 11 for Europe and the UK, and Sept. 15 for Detroit.

Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Avery Robinson, LiveNation.com.

Billy Joel has publicly mourned the death of Jon Small, a musician who played alongside him early in his career, in a tribute posted to social media.

Joel’s statement did not include a cause of death. The two had a long history together dating back to Joel’s pre-fame years, before he became a solo star.

Read the full story at Billboard.

Jan St. Werner, one half of experimental electronic duo Mouse on Mars, has announced a new solo album titled Squares Will Fall. The record features guest contributions from Justin Vernon and Sufjan Stevens.

Squares Will Fall is set for release on November 13 via Thrill Jockey.

Read the full story at Pitchfork.