Socialism, Schmocialism - Plus September Shows! - PLUS Interesting News!!

In case you were keeping track, it's safe to report the blog score as Capitalism - 1, Socialism - 0. While I did get one response to my request for collaboration in my last blog post (GOLD STAR to Lorna Chiu! Woot!) I didn't get any others, so I made it out to precious few shows in the 2nd half of August. I would blame you, gentle readers, but my own frenetic schedule has made it tough to get out as much as I'd like.

So, without further ado, I will resume the usual format of shamelessly hawking shows I think might be cool. Here are my September picks!

But wait! Here's just a little bit of ado after all. You heard it here first, kids - I am branching out! I have just signed on to provide blog content to LAJazz.com. I'm so excited! I love that site - it's my go-to spot to find local shows - and am looking forward to perpetuating my biases to a larger group. I'll need your help, too; my scope is going to be a bird's eye view of the LA Jazz scene, and that scene is the most fun when you all come out to shows with me! But don't you worry - I'll still post things here as well and will loop you all in whenever I can't resist passing along juicy jazz tidbits. But in the meantime, check out my first LAJazz.com entry! Hooray!

OK, done with the ado! On with the shows! This is just the tip of the jazz iceberg for September, so if you hear of other shows and might like company, just let me know and I will do my level best to join you! Unless you wanted someone else's company, of course.

Monday, September 10: Bill Holman's Big Band at Charlie O's, Van Nuys. I've got a meeting in the valley that night and might poke my head in for the 2nd set at Charlie O's since I haven't been there in ages.

Sunday, September 16: Frank Capp's Generation Gap at Charlie O's, Van Nuys. Two times in six days? I need to check out this band because I love the concept. What's the concept, you might ask? Come to the show and find out!

Wednesday, September 19:Bill Cunliffe plays George Gershwin at The Jazz Bakery, Culver City. So you probably know that I love the Gershwins. And Bill Cunliffe's no slouch either! I'm excited to hear his interpretations of one of the majors in the Great American Songbook.

Thursday, September 27: Joe LaBarbera Quintet, Charlie O's, Van Nuys. OK, I'm also a fan of drummer-led small groups, and Joe's one of the finest on the planet.

Friday, September 28: Kathleen Grace at LACMA, Mid-Wilshire. This is right around the corner from me so it seems a shame not to go, especially on a Friday night, and ESPECIALLY especially since I've only had the opportunity to hear Kathleen live one time. She's fabulous. And the last time I went to a Friday LACMA show I had so much fun it didn't make good sense.

And that's a wrap. Enjoy the music!

Pam