December
1 - interview w/jazz journalist Cam Miller
2 - duo w/ pianist Ed Czach, Vibrato Jazz Grill
3 - (memorials for Art Hillery, Astrid Cowan)
4 - Lolly Allen (vibes); Larry Koonse (guitar); Rickey Woodard (tenor): Lighthouse, Hermosa Beach, CA - 11 am to 3 pm
5 - rehearsal w/Plas Johnson, Bill Peterson et al - chez Goldman, Mt. Washington
7 - Barbara Morrison at Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica - 7 to 10 pm
8 - Jon Mayer (p), Harold Mason (d) - The Merc, Temecula, CA - 7:30 to 10:30 pm
9 - Ed Moore (p), Bob Leatherbarrow (d) - Pasadena Women's Club, Ritz Carlton Hotel
10 - Tateng Katindig, w/special guest Ernie Andrews - private party, Playa del Rey
13 - Llew Matthews (p) - Steamers Cafe, Fullerton - 8 to 12 pm
14 - Barbara Morrison, Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica, 7 to 10 pm
15 - Dee Dee McNeal, Theo Saunders, Clayton Cameron - Crowne Plaza Hotel, 7 to 11 pm
17 - Pat Chartrand Quartet - Lighthouse Cafe, 30 Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach - 11 - 2pm
Howlett Smith (p) and his Christmas Cantata - 4394 W. Washington - 3:30 pm
|
November
2 - Barbara Morrsion - Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica - 7 to 11 pm
4 - John Zeretzke - school concert, Arcadia
6 - Ernie Andrews, Rickey Woodard, Nolan Shaheed, Ralph Pwenland - Twit Restaurant, Hollywood, 11 am
9 - Barbara Morrison - Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica - 7 to 10 pm
10 - Howlett Smith + vocalists - M Bar, Hollywood
11 - Howlett Smith - Baptist Church, 2412 Griffith, Los Angeles
16 - Barbara Morrison - Casa del Mar, Santa Monica
19 - Christopher Dawson (piano) - Vibrato Bar & Grill, 6:30 pm
23 - Barbara Morrison - Hotel Casa del Mar
24 - Howlett Smith, Gary Gibbons - Jazz Thanksgiving @ Second Baptist Church
25 - Dave Koonse (g) duo - private party
27 - Zinovy Gorow, Isaac Sadigursky, Richard Bernard - Klezmer - Hyatt Valencia
30 - Barbara Morrison - Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica
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October
October 2 - Hollywood Drum Show - Glendale, CA - w/Paul Kreibich and Lolly Allen (vibes)
5 - Barbara Morrison - Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica, CA - 7 to 11 pm
9 - Dave Pell Quintet - w/John Campbell, Med Flory, Frankie Capp - Thousand Oaks Library
12 - Barbara Morrison - Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica, CA
15 - Howlett Smith - Wilfandel House; Ernie del Fante Quartet, Bel Air Country Club
16 - Howlett Smith - "Lo Angeles, My Home" - United Methodist Church, Beverly Hills
19 - Barbara Morrison - Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica - 7 to 11 pm
20 - Dave Pell Octet - jazz festival at LAX Marriott Hotel - 11:30 - 12:30 pm
22 - Lanny Morgan Octet - jazz festival at LAX Marriott Hotel - 4:30 pm
Zinovy - Klezmer concert - private
26 - Barbara Morrison - Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica - 7 to 11 pm
30 - Llew Matthews, Mark Bernard - Thousand Oaks Civic Plaza Theater - 1 pm
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September
1 - 5 Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival (www.SweetHot.org)
7 Barbara Morrison - Hotel Casa Del Mar, Santa Monica - 7 to 11 pm
11 Ian Bernard (p), Teka (guitar, vocals) - Santa Ynez, CA
11 Barbara Morrison benefit concert - Musicians Union, Hollywood, 7 pm
14 Barbara Morrison, Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica - 7 pm
16 Pat Chartrand (tenor), Tom Owens (p) - Rolling Hills Church
17 Pat Chartrand Quartet - Lighthouse, 30 Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach
18 Jeannie Moody jazz party - Dave Mackay (p), Joe Correro (d)
21 Barbara Morrison - Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica - 7 pm
23 John Chiodini (g), Michael Rosen (d) - W Hotel, Hollywood
24 Llew Matthews (p), Matt Gordy (d) - private party, Lomita, CA
October
1 Ken Reiner memorial - Long Beach, CA
5 Barbara Morrison - Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica - 7 pm
9 Dave Pell Octet - Library, Thousand Oaks, 2 - 5 m
12 Barbara Morrison - Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica - 7 pm
13 Dave Pell Octet - Bistro Gardens, Sherman Oaks, CA
15 Howlett Smith, piano - Wolfendale House, Los Angeles
19 Barbara Morrison - Hotel Casa del MAr, Santa Monica - 7 pm
20 Dave Pell Octet - LAX Marriott Hotel, 11:30 am
26 Barbara Morrison - Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica - 7 pm
30 Llew Matthews (p), Mark Bernard (v) - Thousand Oaks Civic Plaza Theater
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June
1 - Barbara Morrison - Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica - 7 to 11 pm
3 - Granita's Italian Villa - 11032 Downey Avenue, Downey - 6:30-9:30
8 - Barbara Morrison - Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica - 7 to 11 pm
9 - Tateng Kantindig w/David Williams: Muckenthaler, Fullerton - 7:30
15 & 16 - Barbara - Santa Monica and Leimert Park, respectively
17 - Ricky Woodard/Art Hillery, dwntn LA (details tba) 6:30-9:30 pm
21 - Plas Johnson - Duke Ellington Society, Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile
22 & 23 - Barbara Morrison - Santa Monica & Leimert Park, respectively
26 - Vibraphone Summit - Remo, 7308 Coldwater Canyon, 2 - 6 pm
29 & 30 - Barbara Morrison - Santa Monica & Leimert Park, respectively
July
6 - Ernie Andrews w/ Richie Cole - Orange County Marriott - 7 - 10 pm
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May
May 4 - Barbara Morrison + trio - Hotel Casa del Mar, Pico Bl. at Ocean, Santa Monica
7 - 11 pm
No cover - validated parking or free street parking available
May 5 - Barbara Morrison + trio - Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center, Lemiert Park
May 7 - VYMA classical and jazz concert - Occidental College/Thorne Hall
(please visit VYMA.org for details)
May 8 - Plas Johnson + Art Hillery (p), Fritz Wise (d)
The Lighthouse
30 Pier Avenue Hermosa Beach, CA
11 am to 3 pm
Mothers Day brunch available
No cover!
Call 310.937.4693
JazzAmerica 17-piece Band
Knights of Columbus, 224 Avenue I, Redondo Beach
4pm - 5 pm
$15 cover
presented by SOUTH BAY NEW ORLEANS JAZZ CLUB
May 11, 12 - Barbara Morrison - Wednesdays at Hotel Casa del Mar
Thursdays at Barbara's Performing Arts Center
May 13 - Mark Shane, Brian Shaw, Banu Gibson - private party, Rolling Hills
May 14 - JazzAmerica 2011 Summer "WorkChops" begin
(please visit www.JazzAmerica.org for details.
*Note: recorded auditions must be submitted by May 9)
May 15 - John Cocuzzi and Friends - Norris Center for the Perfoming Arts, Rolling Hills
May 18, 19 - Barbara Morrison - Wednesdays in Santa Monica,
Thursdays at the BMPAC
May 25, 26 - Barbara Morrison - Wednesdays in Santa Monica,
Thursdays at the BMPAC
May 29 - Dave Winstone - private party
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April
Friday, April 1 - duo w/pianist ED CZACH at Vibrato, Beverly Glen, 6:30-8:30
Wednesday, April 6 - trio backing BARBARA MORRISON at Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica, 7-11pm
Sunday, April 10 - ERNIE ANDREWS & JEFF CLAYTON at Red Lion Hotel, Sacramento, CA, 5 & 7 pm
Wednesday, April 13 - BARBARA MORRISON (Hotel Casa del Mar)
Sunday, April 17 - ERNIE ANDREWS, ART HILLERY - Dolo Coker Scholarship awards, 3 pm
Wednesday, April 20 - BARBARA MORRISON (Hotel Casa del Mar)
Saturday, April 16 - HOWLETT SMITH's original musical, "Los Angeles, My Home" - details TBA
Wednesday, April 27 - BARBARA MORRISON (see above)
Friday, April 29 - ERNIE ANDREWS - "Bones & Blues," 119th & Central Avenue
* * * *
also during April...
As Program Director for JazzAmerica, I produced two concerts featuring our spring youth band:
- Sunday, April 17 - Beverly Hills Women's Club
- Saturday, April 30 - Ayres Hotel, Hawthorne, CA
for information on JazzAmerica, please visit:
www.JazzAmerica.org
|
{memorable moments in recent months...}
|
February
Wednesday, 2/9: Barbara Morrison
Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica
7 - 11 pm
Sunday, 2/13: Ernie Andrews + Rickey Woodard, Ralph Penland
The Lighthouse, 30 Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach - $10
11 am - 3 pm
Monday, 2/14: Ed Moore + Bob Leatherbarrow
University Club, Pasadena
Tuesday, 2/15: VYMA Jazz instruction resumes for 2011
Glendale, CA
Please visit www.VYMA.org for information on how to enroll a student
Wed., 2/16: Barbara Morrison
Hotel Casa del Mar
Sat., 2/19: Kenny Burrell, Ernie Andrews
Proud Bird Restaurant, Inglewood
Sun., 2/10: Fred Katz, John Pisano
Skirball Museum, Brentwood, CA
Please visit www.Skirball.org
Wed., 2/21: Barbara Morrison
Thu., 2/24: Gil Bernal
Cafe 3.2.2.
Sierra Madre, CA
Fri. - Sun., 2/25-2/27: SAN DIEGO JAZZ PARTY
w/Houston Person, Bucky Pizzarelli, Dan Barrett, Rebecca Kilgore, Butch Miles et al
Please visit www.SanDiegoJazzParty.com for ticket information
|
exciting new release from
ufo-bass records:
"Poor Richard's All-Man Act
+ 1"
|
The reviews are pouring in...
* Helen Borgers, doyenne of the DJs at KKJZ-fm in Los Angeles (88.1), plays Poor Richard's Almanac + 1 during her broadcast and calls it...
"Wonderful, uplifting Music!"
* the New Jersey Jazz Society loves Poor Richard's Almanac + 1...
Poor Richard's All-Man Act, Plus One (UFO-BASS
Records) has a catchy title, and even catchier music. Bassist Richard Simon, the Poor Richard of
the title, has taken this occasion to place the spotlight on a 17-year old reed
player named CHLOE FEORANZO, the
Plus One in the title, by surrounding her with a first rate band comprised of
Dan Barrett on trombone, Bryan Shaw on trumpet and flugelhorn, Chris Dawson on
piano, Dave Koonse on guitar, Simon on bass and Hal Smith on drums. Barrett has arranged the twelve tracks to feature
Feoranzo on tenor sax and clarinet, and she does indeed shine, but the other
players on the date are also outstanding.
The tunes are all seasoned veterans.
They open with "I'll See You in My Dreams," and it is immediately
apparent that this young lady can play.
Along the way, they play jazz standards like Sidney
Bechet's "Si Tu Vois
Ma Mere," Mary Lou Williams' "Walkin'
and Swingin'" and Charlie Parker's "My
Little Suede Shoes." Perhaps the most
impressive playing by Feoranzo is her clarinet work on the demanding "Russian
Rag." Rather than printed liner notes,
the last track is a discussion between Feoranzo and Simon about each
selection. Chloe Feoranzo has a bright
future in the world of jazz, and it is uplifting to hear a young player who
combines natural talent with exquisite taste.
(www.richardsimon.com)
-- Joseph Lang
|
"...great, unique arrangements."
- Kari Gaffney, Kari-On Productions
A program of beautiful music featuring
Chloe Feoranzo* on clarinet and tenor sax,
with those "great, unique arrangements" by Dan Barrett.
To order, simply e-mail: UFOBASS@aol.com, or phone 310.UFO.BASS.
Choe recently enrolled as an undergraduate at Webster College just outside St. Louis, MO.
To hear Chloe Feoranzo perform "live," make plans now to attend the Los Angeles Jazz Society's Tribute Awards show on Sunday, October 10.
On that occasion, Chloe will be receive "NEW TALENT OF THE YEAR"
recognition!
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| Noteworthy Performances: 2010
OCTOBER 3 - KENDALL KAY, Carol Chaikin et al - Mike Peak-hosted fundraiser, Laguna Beach
October 8 - 10 - PECOS VALLEY JAZZ FESTIVAL, Roswell, NM - w/Dan Barrett, Harry Allen
October 10 - LA Jazz Society Tribute banquet - performing w/New Talent Award winner CHLOE FEORANZO + Chris Dawson, Steve Barnes
October 13 - 14 - BARBARA MORRISON, then PLAS JOHNSON - Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica
October 22 - KENDALL KAY, Carol Chaikin, Ava Logan - for "Pearls of Hope" - Four Seasons Hotel
October 23 - HOWLETT SMITH, Quentin Dennard - St. Paul's Church 100th anniversary
October 23 - ERNIE ANDREWS, Rickey Woodard, Jackie Kelso, Llew Matthews, Ralph Penland
October 25 - Roger Neumann, Dave Koonse, Brian Atkinson - Charlie O's, Valley Glen - 8 pm
October 27 - Barbara Morrison - Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica - 7 to 11 pm
October 31 - surprise birthday party for pianist Art Hillery - Leimert Park, 1 to 5 pm
NOVEMBER
November 3 - Barbara Morrison, Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica
November 5 - PLAS JOHNSON, Bill Cunliffe - Radisson Hotel, Culver City
November 10 - Barbara Morrison
November 14 - Roger Neumann, Dave Koonse, Brian Atkinson - Jazz @ The Living Desert, Palm Desert
(e-mail for details or updates: UFOBASS@aol.com)
---------------------------------
previous month's activities
September 3 - 6 - Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival - w/Harry Allen, Ernestine Anderson, Herb Jeffries, Dan Barrett, Joel Scott
September 11 - Ian Bernard + "Teka" - Brazilian guitarist/vocalisat - Santa Barbara (private salon)
September 8 - BARBARA MORRISON, Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica - 7 to 11 pm
September 9 - PLAS JOHNSON, Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica - 7 to 11 m
September 10 - DAVE PELL, FRANK STRAZZERI, FRANK CAPP, Henri's, Canoga Park, 8 - 11 pm
September 12 - KENDALL KAY, Carol Chaikin - fundraiser hosted by Mike Peak, Laguna Beach, 2 pm
September 15 - 16 - BARBARA MORRISON, then PLAS JOHNSON, Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica
September 19 - DAVE MACKAY, JOE CORRERO, DICK NASH et al - Jeannie Moody's beach party
September 22 - 23 - BARBARA, then PLAS, Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica
September 25 - PAUL SMITH (Ella's pianist), ALEX SMITH (his grandson) - trio concert at Alva's, San Pedro, CA
September 28 - David Eastlee (guitar), VItello's guitar night
September 29 - 30 - BARBARA, then PLAS, Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica, 7 to 11 pm
October 6 - BARBARA MORRISON, Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica, 7 - 11 pm
------------------------------------------
highlights of engagements earlier this year...
February 15 - 16 - HOUSTON PERSON, BARBARA MORRISON recording
February 19-20-21 - DEL MAR JAZZ PARTY (w/HOUSTON PERSON, DAN BARRETT et al) SDJP.org
March 10 - Command performance ("encore") for Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Phoenix, AZ
April 9 - Dave Pell, Med Flory, Frank Strazzeri - Back Room at Henri's, 21601 Sherman Way, Canoga Park - 7 - 10 pm
April 10 (and Saturdays, temporarily) - Plas Johnson Quartet, Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica
April 17 - Plas! (moved to Thursdays in May), 7 - 11 pm
April 23-24-25 - ATLANTA JAZZ PARTY, Atlanta, GA - Bucky Pizzarelli, Dan Barrett, Rossano Sportiello
April 30 - Ernie Andrews, w/ Rickey Woodard, Llew Matthews, Bones & Blues, 119th & Central Avenue
May 1 - more Plas
May 2 - Ian Bernard, w/ Janis Mann - Soho, Santa Barbara, CA, 1 pm
May 6 - Tom Owens, Roger Neumann - Los Verdes Country Club
May 12 - Barbara Morrison @ Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica - 7 to 11 pm
May 13 - PLAS JOHNSON! @ Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica - 7 to 11 pm
May 14 - *Chloe Feoranzo + Dave Pell Quartet, Henri's in Canoga Park - 7 to 11 pm
May 16 - *Chloe Feoranzo - CD Release - Jazz Forum, 16th & Pico, Santa Monica, 3 pm
May 23 - *Choe Feoranzo - CD Release #2 - Santa Clarita, 3 pm
May 26 - Barbara Morrison - Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica, 7 pm
May 27 - PLAS JOHNSON - Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica, 7 pm
May 28 - ERNIE ANDREWS - + Rickey Woodard, Bobby Rodriguez, Art Hillery - LACMA, 6 pm
May 29-30-31 - SACRAMENTO JAZZ JUBILEE - visit www.SacJazz.org
* - * - * - * - * - *
June 2 - BARBARA MORRISON - Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica, 7 pm to 11 pm
June 6 - BARBARA MORRION - Peninsula Hotel, Beverly Hills
June 9 - BARBARA MORRISON - Hotel Casa del Mar
June 10 - GIL BERNAL, PAT CHARTRAND, TOM OWENS, HAROLD MASON - Lighthouse Cafe, Hermosa Beach, 5 to 8:30 pm
June 11 - DAVE PELL, CHLOE, FRANK STRAZZERRI - Back Room @ Henri's, Cango Park, 7 pm
June 13 - CHLOE FEORANZO, DAN BARRETT, DAVE KOONSE - South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club, 3 pm
224 Avenue I, Redondo Beach (Knights of Columbus)
June 15 - ART HILLERY, JACKIE KELSO - Duke Ellington Society, UTLA Bldg., Los Angeles - 7:30 pm
June 16 - BARBARA MORRISON - Casa del Mar, Santa Monica
June 17 - PLAS JOHNSON, GARRYCK KING - Casa del Mar, Santa Monica, 7 to 11 pm
June 20 - ERNIE ANDREWS, RICKEY WOODARD, BOBBY RODRIGUEZ - Renaissance Hotel, brunch 11am
June 23 - BARBARA MORRISON, Casa del Mar
June 24 - PLAS JOHNSON, Casa del Mar
June 25 - GIL BERNAL, Restaurant 3.2.2, Sierra Madre
June 26 - LARRY NASH QUARTET - Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Centruy Blvd./LAX, 7 - 11 pm
June 30 - BARBARA MORRISON, Casa del Mar
* ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ *
July 2 - RICKEY WOODARD SEXTET - LACMA (LA County Museum), 6 to 8 pm
July 7 - BARBARA MORRISON, Hotel Casa del Mar, 7 - 11 pm
July 8 - PLAS JOHNSON, Hotel Casa del Mar, 7 - 11 pm
July 21 - HOUSTON PERSON, BILL CUNLIFFE, RALPH PENLAND - Newport Beach Marriott, 6 pm
July 22 - PLAS JOHNSON - Hotel Casa del Mar, 7 - 11 pm
July 23 - ERNIE ANDREWS w/RICKEY WOODARD, Radisson Hotel Culver City, 7:30 pm
July 25 - ERNIE ANDREWS w/RICKEY WOODARD, BOBBY RODRIGUEZ, CENTRAL AVE. JAZZ FEST, 2:30
July 28 - ERNIE ANDREWS - Newport Beach Marriott
_ * & * _ & * _
end-of-2009 highlights:
December 31 - New Year's Eve w/ RICHIE COLE (alto), Art Hillery, Dave Tull
December 13 - RICKEY WOODARD, BOBBY RODRIGUEZ, ART HILLERY, RALPH PENLAND -
Lighthouse Cafe, Hermosa Beach, 11 am - 3 pm
December 16 - BARBARA MORRISON - Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica - 6:30 - 10:30 pm
December 17 - JOHN COCUZZI Quartet - Odessa, Texas
August 29 - Nokia Theatre, w/ Ernie Andrews, Roy McCurdy, benefit for Jazz Bakery
September 4 - West Coast Jazz Party w/ Ernie Andrews, Houston Person (ts), Llew Matthews - 10 pm
September 3, 4, 5 & 6 - Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival, LAX Marriott Hotel (www.SweetHot.org)
September 11 - Radisson Culver City - Houston Person (ts), Llew Matthews (p), Ralph Penland (d)
September 12 -John Anson For Theatre, w/ Barbara Morrison et al - 60th birthday bash
September 14 - 16 - jazz clinic and performance, Roswell, NM
November 5 - 7 - Arizona Jazz Festival
{and from 2008...}
May 25 - 28 - recording session w/REBECCA KILGORE for Audiophile Records, w/Hal Smith, Chris Dawson, Anita Thomas
May 29 & 31 - live performances w/ERNIE ANDREWS + Jeff Clayton, Art Hillery, Llew Matthews
June 4 - twin CD Release parties - Pat Chartrand (tenor), Ann Grennan (vocalist), the Lighthouse, 30 Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach, 5 to 8:30 pm
June 7 - Vibraphone Summit - w/Dave Mackay (piano), Bob Leatherbarrow (drums) - Glendale Lutheran Church, 1300 E.Colorado, between Verdugo and Chevy Chase, 2 to 6 pm
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I'm proud to serve as Program Director for Buddy Collette's JazzAmerica jazz education program.
In January, 2009, JazzAmerica will resume its after-school jazz instruction at Fairfax high school in Hollywood, CA. Instructors John Stephens, Otto Granillo and Jack Le Compte will round out the faculty. The Young Lions, exceptional young musicians, winners of city-wide and state-wide marching band competitions in 2007, performed on consecutive Sundays last fall: November 16 at Hollywood & Highland, and November 23 at Catalina Bar & Grill.
In the spring of the new year, the Young Lions will participate in a "battle of the bands" to be held at the Grove adjacent to world-famous Farmers' Market. In April, they will perform in Pacific Palisades in a tribute to Jazz Appreciation Month.
Please write for details: UFOBASS@aol.com
& & &
This summer's 19-week series of "WorkChops" attracted upwards of 40 students from all over Southern California.
We studied the works of some great arrangers for big band, including Duke Ellington, Sammy Nestico, and Billy Byers. In a salute to a Los Angeles jazz legend, we've recently added a chart by bassist and bandleader Charles Mingus.
After a rousing set at last month's Central Avenue Jazz Festival, the JazzAmerica big band closed its season on August 31, 2008 at 6 pm. This was our annual appearance at the Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival, held at the LAX Marriott on W. Century Blvd at Airport Bl. Please visit www.SweetHot.org for more details.
* * *
On April 13, we staged an afternoon tribute to JazzAppreciation Month at the world-renowned Catalina Bar & Grill, showcasing two student bands and featuring the Plas Johnson Quartet, featuring Dee Dee McNeil.
To read an online Review of the April 13 spectacular:
Paste this Link into your Browser:
http://losangeles.broowaha.com/article.php?id=3468
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JazzAmerica
perpetuating America's indigenous artform
It's an honor to serve as Program Director of JazzAmerica.
Since 1994, this non-profit organization has provided tuition-free jazz education to hundreds of deserving youngsters from all over southern California.
JazzAmerica reflects the vision and dedication of co-founder Buddy Collette,a lifelong advocate of equal opportunity and a fervent believer in the value and power of music education.
Currently, we are providing after-school jazz instruction at Fairfax High School in Hollywood, CA. In the Spring of 2008, we will resume our annual "Summer WorkChops" for students aged 11 through 20.
Further information on JazzAmerica is available on its website, www.JazzAmerica.org.
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Richard Simon
earned a Master of Arts degree and taught English in the Los Angeles Community College District before picking up the bass at the age of 30. He then studied with the legendary bassist, Red Callender, and began working with LA's elder jazz elite, including Buddy Collette, Teddy Edwards, Lorez Alexandria, and Plas Johnson.
Richard plays a broad range of styles: he plays "traditional" jazz with trombonist Dan Barrett, vocalist Rebecca Kilgore and guitarist Eddie Erickson; "mainstream" jazz with Nancy Wilson's pianist, Llew Matthews, and flute virtuoso, Sam Most; and "be-bop" with vibraphonists Dave Pike and Terry Gibbs.
He has toured and recorded with the great clarinetist, Ken Peplowski ("Last Swing of the Century," on Concord), and performed and recorded with the singer, Keely Smith ("Swing, Swing, Swing," Concord). In mid-2006, he recorded with LA's premier jazz vocalist, Ernie Andrews, and tenor saxophonist Houston Person ("How About Me," High Note).
In 1994, Richard began teaching bass in Buddy Collette' s fledgling JazzAmerica program. Today, he is Program Director. JazzAmerica conducts jazz "WorkChops" for middle school and high school students. He recruits the students, hires the faculty, assembles the repertoire, organizes the rehearsals, books the performances and solicits the donations. In 2005-06, Richard wrote a proposal to and received a grant from theLos Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. (JazzAmerica is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.)
Having toured Japan three times, and played with the jazz-loving King of Thailand twice, Richard is among today's avid jazz ambassadors. He is available for tours, festivals and clinics worldwide.
Contact Information
Richard Simon
tel: (310) 836-2277
cel: (310) 993-2277
email: ufobass@aol.com
mailing address: PO Box 661777
Los Angeles, CA 90066
| Sounds
of Richard Simon's recordings can be heard at: www.ufo-bass.com
|
Esteemed Colleagues
(a short list of leaders & sidemen through the years)
Joe Ascione
Gabe Baltazar
Gil Bernal
Bill Berry
Jimmie & Jeannie Cheatham
Rosemary Clooney
George Coleman
John Cocuzzi
Jake Hanna
Art Hillery
Gildo Mahones
Barbara Morrison
Maria Muldaur
Pete Fountain
Eddie Higgins
Linda Hopkins
Dick Hyman
Herb Jeffries
Anita O'Day
Sue Raney
Marshall Royal
Bobby Rodriguez
Howlett Smith
Sir Charles Thompson
Maxine Weldon
Gerald Wiggins
Rickey Woodard
| recording highlights
Ernie Andrews - "How About Me"
(High Note Records)
Buddy Collette Big Band - "Live in Concert"
(Bridge Records)
Plas Johnson - "Afternoon Delight"
(Carrell Records)
Eddie Erickson - "It's a Great Feeling"
(Blue Swing Recordings)
Dave Pike - "Bophead"
(Ubiquity Records)
Barbara Morrison - "Double Standards"
Gabe Baltazar - "Back in Action"
(VSOP Records)
Ken Peplowski -"Last Swing of the Century"
(Concord Records)
Keely Smith - "Swing, Swing, Swing"
(Concord Records)
Brady McKay - "Moon Swings"
| noteworthy events
Hawaii Jazz Festival
Gene Harris Jazz Festival (ID)
West Coast Jazz Festival
Atlanta Jazz Party (GA)
Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors (NY)
Otter Crest Jazz Party (OR)
San Diego Jazz Party
Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival
Jam session(s) w/King of Thailand
Japan tour: Concord/Fujitsu Jazz Festival
Pismo Beach Jazz Festival
Chicago's DuSable Museum
One O'Clock Jump/Basie Festival (CA)
Orange County Jazz Festival
Sacramento Jazz Festival
Dixieland Monterey (CA)
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| UFO BASS Records - Presenting the Under-Represented Artists of the West |
|
News flash: UFO-BASS Records proudly announces its newest release, "The Buddy Collette Big Band - Live at El Camino College."
This historic concert features the legendary Buddy Collette at the height of his powers as a saxophonist, composer and arranger.
The Big Band includes some beloved LA-based musicians who have since departed--including Red Callender (tuba), Allen Jackson (bass), Bobby Bryant (trumpet), Al Viola (guitar) and Thurman Green (trombone).
This CD is now available from all the usual sources, including Amazon.com Tower Records, and your favorite outlets. Please email UFOBASS.com if you are unable to obtain this special disc.
|
Previous releases on UFOBASS Records
(please visit http:/www.ufo-bass.com for details)
|
 |
| Groove Therapy |
|
Groove Therapy established UFO-BASS as a viable, significant jazz label, chronicling the great yet often overlooked musicians living on the West Coast.
Woodwinds: Buddy Collette, Gabe Baltazar
Piano: Art Hillery, Gerald Wiggins, Howlett Smith, Ronnell Bright
Guitar: Al Viola Drums: Sherman Ferguson, Johnny Kirkwood
|
 |
| Jazz for Thousand Oaks |
|
Buddy Collette - saxophone, flute
Sam Most - flute, alto flute
George Bohanon - trombone
Al Aarons - trumpet
Ronnell Bright - piano
Al Viola - guitar
Ndugu Chancler - drums
|
 |
| Covering the Basses |
|
...featuring the compositions of bassists - including Ray Brown, John Clayton, Charles Mingus, Christian McBride, Bob Haggart, Butch Warren, Oscar Pettiford.
Buddy Collette - alto saxophone, flute
Gil Bernal - tenor saxophone
Art Hillery - piano, Hammond B3 organ
Al Viola - guitar
Johnny Kirkwood -drums
"One of the year's ten best." -- Larry Nai, Cadence magazine
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The Jazz Masters Trio made its debut in 2001 at the Four Points Sheraton LAX. The group continues to build a following and refine its sound. Sam Most's solos combine dazzling technique with lilting lyricism, while Al Viola provides swinging counterlines and big-band chord voicings.
"This trio's sound is much bigger than the sum of its parts."
Note: with the passing of Al Viola in the winter of 2007, the world lost an exceptionally kind and warm human being. I'll forever miss his generosity, his smile and his zest for life. Heaven is now a better place for having you, Al.
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