Ides of March? You Don't Scare Me!!
Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your forgiveness for the butchered Shakespeare references! I promise to stop now. I think.
I have some very exciting jazzevents to share with you coming up in March! My February jazz adventures were on the slim side but most notable was the Newport Beach Jazz Party, in part because of the fabulous music (highlights included The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra featuring John Pizzarelli, and a tribute to Ray Brown with Benny Green, John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton), but primarily because I had a jazz buddy!!! My sister Kim joined me for the weekend and we had a phenomenal time. You should totally ask her what she thought about a jazz-centric weekend as not necessarily a jazz fan.... In fact, maybe she'll even comment to this post and tell you!!
Put on your seatbelts because there is a TON of great jazz coming up in March.
BUT WAIT!!
Are you fond of jazz vocals? If so, here are 2 shows still in February you may want to see...
Tuesday, February 27: The Dwight Trible Ensemble, featuring John Beasley at The Jazz Bakery, Los Angeles. John Beasley is a brilliant composer and pianist with a rich jazz history. Check him out!
Wednesday, February 28: Vicki Von Eps Trio at Cavallino Ristorante and Jazz Bar, Huntington Beach. I got the heads-up about this show from Tony Inzalaco, who I've heard several times and who happens to be Vicki's husband (and drummer!). Pay them a visit if you're in the area on Wednesday!
And now, the March stuff...
As usual, there is a LOT of great music happening in March, and as I am only going to scratch the surface I'd love for folks to comment to this blog with additional shows they'd like to share. I'm moving in a couple of weeks and because of that won't have much time to check out shows, but once I get settled it's ON! In the meantime, here is a handful of "don't miss" shows. I will do my level best to make all of these so if you are interested in going, you know the drill! (Or perhaps you don't - call or email me. You could've figured that out on your own though.)
Wednesday - Sunday, March 7-11: Russell Malone at The Jazz Bakery. Do you like jazz guitar? Then you'll love Russell Malone. He plays with phenomenal sensitivity and beautiful phrasing and is a character to boot. I'm going to try to make it out to one of the weeknight shows and hope to see you there!
Thursday, March 8: Chuck Berghofer and the Midnight Jazz Band at Charlie O's. You know me. I'm always making an effort to hear this band - they're money in the "straight ahead" bank every time!
Friday-Saturday, March 16-17: Jeff Hamilton Trio at Pasadena Jazz Institute. This happens to be my favorite trio playing right now in a rare Southern California concert. This promises to be less, um, complicated than the Spazio Back Room debacle of nearly a year ago, plus this venue needs support. Those of you who have heard this trio before know that this is a must see. I'd love to get a lot of folks out to experience this so be sure to come if you can!
Sunday, March 18: The California Jazz Foundation is sponsoring "Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon" at the Musicians' Union in Hollywood. This is a great opportunity to hear fabulous jazz, hang out with the Jazz Society folks who will be there en masse, and support a great cause. I'll be selling raffle tickets and I know you won't want to miss that.
Wednesday, March 21: Tony Inzalaco Quintet at Charlie O's. Here's another of my personal "must see" performers; all original tunes in the bop tradition. Lots of fun every time!!
Saturday, March 24: Graham Dechter Trio at Native Cafe. Speaking of jazz guitarists with sensitivity and phrasing skill, you've GOT to hear this guy. I'm sure he gets tired of people saying how young he is (I think he's 12) but I'm constantly befuddled by the amount of maturity in his playing. Gotta check him out.
Wednesday, March 28: Chuck Berghofer and the Midnight Jazz Band at Spazio. As I said before, these are the straight ahead masters. Don't miss them.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST....
The Los Angeles Jazz Society is actively seeking members to support our jazz programs. Many of you have already become members, and I'm urging those who haven't to consider coming on board! It's a small financial commitment (as low as $15 annually for musicians) and that's IT! For your membership dues, you'll receive a quarterly newsletter, notification of Jazz Society sponsored and endorsed shows, and discounts at local jazz (and even a few non-jazz) establishments. Your membership funds important programs that keep jazz alive in Los Angeles schools. Please consider signing up today!!
posted by Pam Howell @ 6:34 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
New Jazz Venue!!!
Hey folks, let's get out there and support a new jazz spot plus enjoy ourselves!!
THURSDAYS in March 8:00-9:00 pm (one set only!) Russia Restaurant 1714 N Ivar Ave, Hollywood (in the Knickerbocker Hotel) $5 Valet / $10 Cover
Mar 1 Kristin Korb
Mar 8 Cathy Segal-Garcia
Mar 15 John Proulx
Mar 22 Kathleen Grace
Mar 29 Kristin Korb
Reservations recommended: 323-464-2216
Hi Pam, I am checking back to your web page to see if you have gone to see Russell Malone and his quartet yet. Also, I saw your list of March shows at the Russia Rest. and it is so very interesting to see Kristin Korb's name. I have photo taken with Kristin and Russell, and I last saw her at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Idaho last year. And I just saw Kathleen Grace last week here where I live performing int he Frank DeMiero Jazz Festival that my daughter, Ashley, a jazz pianist, and her vocal jazz group from Edmonds Community College opened up for. Also, John Proulx was in the Saturday evening concert. It was a three night concert festival that started with John Pizzarelli on the first night. Anyway, it always amazes me that I read things about jazz artists like this after I have just seen them for the first time. I love Kristin Korb, by the way. Let me know if you see the Russell Malone quartet. He is using two different players, Danny Grissett-piano and Montez - drums, who is Roy Hargrove's new drummer. If you get to talk with Russell, tell him Kandie read your site and wrote you. Thanks for your love of jazz and writing about it. Kandie Webster in Washington State (jazzylover59)
Nice to "meet" you, Kandie! I actually didn't make it to Russell's show - might try for tonight - because my life is nuts right now. I met him in October on the Jazz Cruise and was able to hear him in several small settings. Good stuff. If I make it tonight I'll be sure to deliver your message!
I'm glad your daughter is keeping the jazz tradition going, and if you're fond of guitarists keep an eye out for Graham Dechter, a 20-year-old amazingly talented guy. Kristin Korb is a great contact to have, as a jazz educator, enthusiast, musician and all-around nice person!
Stay in touch, and hope our paths cross one of these days! -Pam
Hi again Pam. I almost flew into LA to see Russell and his quartet. I was going to contact you to see if we could go to one of the shows together. It would have been a great way to make a new jazz friend in person. I am just a jazzbaby at age 47. I saw the Russell Malone Quartet last year at Yoshi's. I was glad to become friends with Tassili Bond, bass. I wanted to go on that Jazz Cruise so badly. Most of my favorite jazz people were on it. But I could not justify the expense at the time. Did you write anything about your experiences on the cruise? I would love to read it if you did.
Hey Jazzbaby! I ended up not making the show at all due to some personal stuff going on but the dust is settling now so I should be back on the jazz scene. I haven't blogged about the jazz cruise but I have lots of stories - shoot me an email at pam@pamelahowell.com and I can share some of the more interesting tidbits. In a nutshell - it was a lot of fun and I hope to do it again one of these days!
Post a Comment
<< Home