Those who have been chomping at the bit ever since the announcement of Maxwell's forthcoming album, BLACKsummers'night, set for a July 7 release, will positively wet themselves to learn of his extensive summertime jaunt in support of the album. It's been eight years since the last Maxwell album, and BLACKsummers'night brings with it the expectation of lots more action from the artist -- it's merely the opening salvo in a trilogy of records whose second and third installments are currently set for 2010 and 2011 releases.

Maxwell recorded BLACKsummers'night live in the studio, with the help of stalwart cohort Hod David, and that urgent, immediate vibe will undoubtedly transfer well to a concert setting. Fans will be able to absorb these new tunes up-close (depending on how much you're willing to shell out for top-shelf seats) starting on June 17, when the tour kicks off in Grand Rapids, MI. It will continue until July 31, and will included stops at the Essence Festival and the BET Music Awards along the way.

Tour dates:

Wed-Jun-17     Grand Rapids, MI                    DeVos Performance Hall
Fri-Jun-19        Hammond, IN                          The Venue/Horseshoe Hammond
Sat-Jun-20       Milwaukee, WI                        Riverside Theatre
Tue-Jun-23      Seattle, WA                             Paramount
Wed-Jun-24     Vancouver, BC                        The Centre
Fri-Jun-26        Las Vegas, NV                        Pearl
Sun-Jun-28      Los Angeles, CA                      BET AWARDS
Mon-Jun-29     Phoenix, AZ                             Dodge
Wed-Jul-1        Austin, TX                                Bass
Thu-Jul-2         San Antonio, TX                      Majestic Theater
Sat-Jul-4          New Orleans, LA                     Essence Festival (Superdome)
Sun-Jul-12       Nashville, TN                           Ryman Auditorium
Mon-Jul-13      Louisville, KY                          Palace Theatre
Wed-Jul-15      Columbus, OH                         Palace Theatre
Thu-Jul-16       Cleveland, OH                         Allen Theatre
Sat-Jul-18        Pittsburgh, PA                          Heinz
Sun-Jul-19       Buffalo, NY                              Sheas PAC
Tue-Jul-21       Albany, NY                              The Palace
Wed-Jul-22      New Jersey                              NJPAC
Fri-Jul-24         Atlantic City, NJ                       Borgata
Sat-Jul-25        Foxwoods                                Foxwoods
Mon-Jul-27      Norfolk, VA                             Chrysler Hall
Tue-Jul-28       Savannah, GA                          Johnny Mercer
Thu-Jul-30       Tampa, FL                               Ruth Eckerd Hall
Fri-Jul-31         Miami, FL                                The Knight Center