July 18, 2001 – Columbia R&B artist Maxwell will release his third album, Now, on Aug. 21, in the midst of a series of seven concerts at different New York venues. Now is the follow-up to the 1998 set Embrya, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Newcomer Alicia Keyes will open for shows at Irving Plaza (8/13), The Apollo Theater (8/14), Roseland (8/17), Hammerstein Ballroom (8/19), Beacon Theater (8/20), City Center (8/24) and the Theatre at Madison Square Garden (8/25).

To follow his seven-date, seven-venue mini-tour of New York, Maxwell has confirmed an additional slate of tour dates through early October. The itinerary includes multiple-night stands in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Chicago.