Sunday, October 28, 2007

The Young(ish) Woman and the Sea - Part the First

November is nigh, and so is my second venture aboard The Jazz Cruise! I'm hoping that jazz isn't a metaphor for Hemingway's marlin, but I am planning to come back with jazz critiques to dazzle and amaze you. If I come back with a carcass though, you've been duly warned.

October was a slow month jazz-wise but inexcusably and soul-searchingly so. Please check out my LAJazz.com update called "
Don't Get Around Much Anymore", or, "DUDE! What the bleep happened to October!" As a reminder, I am splitting my jazz commentary between this blog and LAJazz.com, so please be sure to check out that site - not just for my posts, but also for their other fabulous jazz content. I should also interject here that any feedback you have on my jazz natterings is quite welcome and in fact desired right now; clearly I can be a bit of a windbag and would love to hear thoughts on how to better inform and/or force feed jazz to those near and dear.

Anyway. November promises to be much more populated with jazz, in part because my jazz-centric vacation will give me an opportunity to hear several shows a day for an entire week.

*thunk*

I just fainted with gleejazzhappiness.

But besides that, there are so many phenomenal local shows too!! I'll be gone for some of these, but back for others - so if you would like to get together, you know what to do!* Here are some of November's highlights, but as always, please do post comments if I've missed any goodies!

Saturday, November 3: Bob Sheppard at Vibrato, Bel Air. Bob is a super groovy, clearly Coltrane inspired tenor player who never fails to entertain.

Monday, November 5: (and other dates) Howlett "Smitty" Smith at Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill, Hollywood. I have it on good authority that this will make for a fun evening out. I defintely plan to catch a show soon!

Tuesday, November 6: (and other dates) Ahmad Jamal at Catalina Bar & Grill, Hollywood. There are not one, but TWO non-LA-based jazz pianists on my must see list this month. Ahmad Jamal's "Live at the Pershing" is among my favorite jazz recordings, and although this isn't likely to be a rehash of the good old days, I'd love to hear him live.

Wednesday, November 7: Tony Inzalaco Quintet at Charlie O's, Van Nuys. A regular on my "must see" list, Tony's having a CD release party and I want to be sure to get my copy of the new music!

Saturday, November 10: Kathleen Grace Band at Rosalie & Alva Performance Gallery in San Pedro. 1 - Kathleen Grace is awesome. 2 - I've heard great things about this venue.

Thursday, November 15: (plus other dates) McCoy Tyner at Catalina Bar & Grill, Hollywood. The other non-LA-based jazz pianist and living legend is not to be missed - he is really a very significant part of jazz history.

Tuesday, November 20: Dale Fielder at the Jazz Bakery, Culver City. This time it's for real - I am definitely going to this show! Very much looking forward to hearing this reed man at last!

Wednesday, November 21: Queen Latifah at Royce Hall, Westwood. Seriously. Queen Latifah. I heard her sing at the Bowl this year and she has the makings of a real live jazz diva. If you're not on the road for Turkey Day, try to get tickets!

Tuesday, November 27: Bill Cunliffe explores Billy Strayhorn at the Jazz Bakery, Culver City. So Bill is doing this discussion / performance series on various musical figures and it's really pretty cool. I'm looking forward to seeing this one!

And last but not least (or, considering the talent I've just named, it really IS least but that's OK), it's time to SAVE THE DATE for the 2nd annual "Tramp House Jazz Tasting"!!! Please mark your calendar for Saturday afternoon, December 15 as the day when those who are interested will get together, location pending depending on how many bodies are interested, and we'll chew the fat about jazz, nosh a bit, listen to some tunes, sip some wine, and break down why jazz is so groovy, in a very non-threatening environment. Last year's theme, "
How Pam Listens to Jazz" will be replicated in part, but we are going to narrow the focus a bit to have an even livelier discussion. Some preliminary thoughts (but all suggestions are welcome):

"Pot Luck: Here's My Favorite Song!"

"Why Ella Fitzgerald is so awesome"

"Jazz Genres: Latin jazz, cha cha cha? Bebopaloobop? Swing a ding ding?"

"I still think it's weird when people clap in the middle of a song."

"Cantaloupe Island (Herbie Hancock) versus Cantaloop (Us3) - or, When jazz meets pop - Tasty melange or train wreck?"

At this point I am gauging preliminary interest, so if you are available and interested in this fun fun fun adventure, please email me no later than Saturday, November 17 so I can confirm the session and location. CAN'T WAIT!!

Thanks for listening,

Pam

*um, that means call or email me.

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