EVERY SUNDAY AFTERNOON
SWINGING THE JAZZ STANDARDS WITH BAND MEMBERS LARRY HOLLOWAY, DON SHELTON, ALLEN GOODMAN, CHIP SMITH AND HAL LINDEN WITH NEW WORLD-CLASS GUESTS THAT JOIN THE BAND EACH AND EVERY WEEK.
When talented studio and recording musicians who also love jazz combine their talents a kind of synergy happens based on a deep understanding of music that results in a spontaneous musical conversation. Don Shelton vocalized with the Hi-Lo’s and Singers Unlimited and is amazing on clarinet, sax and flute. He recently played with Barbara Cook and the LA Phil. He worked with Clare Fischer in sessions for Prince, Michael Jackson and Robert Palmer, plus the Clare Fischer Latin Jazz Quintet and Bob Florence band. Drummer Allen Goodman brings years of experience from NY’s supper clubs to Carnegie Hall to NBC TV as a performer and studio drummer, as well as accompanying singers such as Dinah Shore, Johnny Mathis, Peggy Lee, Liza Minnelli, Vikki Carr, Bobby Troup, Billie Holiday & others. Larry Holloway has a unique approach to bass as exemplified by virtuoso bassist Red Mitchell and, in fact, was the first recipient of the “Red Mitchell Scholarship Award.” Regular pianists such as, Chip Smith, Andy Langham, Joe Bagg, Jeff Colella, Terry Trotter, Josh Nelson & Jon Mayer bring their distinctive talents to the group. Hal Linden joins the band as his schedule permits. Each performance is a singular thing, a shared afternoon of the magic of jazz.
San Diego’s Robin Adler has released Safaris to the Heart: The Songs of Joni Mitchell, produced by her husband, multi-instrumentalist Dave Blackburn. In early 2006 they embarked on this project to produce a tribute show to Joni, calling their band Mutts of the Planet after a line from a Mitchell lyric. Max Bennett, a former bassist for Joni Mitchell, wrote: “This CD is superb!!!!!!!!!! Everything on it is in great taste!…” She joins our band, including her pianist on the CD, Barnaby Finch, for an afternoon of jazz.
Pianist Barnaby Finch toured with Lee Ritenour, Ronnie Laws, Boz Scaggs and Lionel Richie among others. His piano was featured on the Lionel Richie/Diana Ross hit “Endless Love”. From 1982 to 1989 he toured with George Benson, and from 1987 to 1989 he was conductor and musical director. He has recorded with Lee Ritenour, George Benson, Pat Kelley, Kazu Matsui, Marlena Shaw, Ronnie Laws, Pressure, Lionel Richie, Earl Klugh, and Kenny Rogers, among others. He was a member of the Tom Scott Band from 1989 until 1992, performing in the house bands for the “Pat Sajak Show” and the “Carol Burnett Show” and recorded the album Them Changes with Tom.
Mark Winkler is a platinum award-winning singer/lyricist who has had over 150 of his songs recorded and/or sung by such artists as Dianne Reeves, Randy Crawford, Liza Minnelli, Bob Dorough and Lea Salonga. He has written lyrics for tunes by such esteemed composers as Wayne Shorter, Dexter Gordon, Joshua Redman and David Benoit. Mark has released 10 CDs in the US. His 11th CD (releasing August 2011) is entitled Sweet Spot and is the follow up to his 2009 release Till I Get It Right which was chosen as one of the 10 Best Vocal CDs of that year by JazzTimes Magazine.
Jazz critic Don Heckman says about Dolores Scozzesi: “As a painting tells an artist which direction to take, as the characters in a novel can inform a writer of their hopes and desires, so, too, can a song find its own way through the voice of an intuitive, receptive singer…her warm contralto illuminates dark passions as well as bright spirits.”
Pianist Andy Langham is one of the most in-demand musicians in Los Angeles and around the world today. His fresh takes on jazz standards from all eras, coupled with intriguing new tunes, make every performance unique.
THE SEASON FINALE! Debby Boone appears in program of pop/jazz tunes as only she can do them. Debby Boone earned instant fame when her first single, “You Light Up My Life”, was an overnight hit. The tune claimed the #1 spot on the Billboard charts for 10 straight weeks. Debby has won three GRAMMY Awards and seven GRAMMY nominations.
Debby’s new EP Album and show titled “Swing This” was inspired by her childhood years immersed in the Las Vegas “Swing” culture of the ‘60’s while traveling with her father, Pat Boone. “Swing This” is a reflection of the music, glamour, and pure exhilaration that led Debby to become a performer in the first place. In Debby’s own words, “Swing This” is “the party I’ve been waiting to throw my whole life.” Debby has just completed a successful two week run of her new show at New York’s Café Carlyle.
It has become a “tradition” for Debby to honor outstanding music students at her appearances; this year under the sponsorship of The Los Angeles Jazz Society and its President, Flip Manne, the widow of the great and world famous drummer Shelly Manne. The mission of the LAJS, founded in 1985, is “to excite, educate and engage students with the vibrant rhythms and sounds of the only indigenous American music – jazz.”
/ $15 cover for Season Finale.
