VidyA @ Yoshi’s Oakland
07/06/2009 Prasant Radhakrishnan – tenor saxophone David Ewell – upright acoustic bass Sameer Gupta – drums I had the pleasure of recently hearing the band, VidyA, at Yoshi’s Oakland. VidyA, which means knowledge in Sanskrit, intertwines South Indian classical music (Carnatic music) and jazz. The result of this pairing of genres was intoxicating. They played [...]
Friends of Golden Gate Library Present Jazz on Sundays Series
This Sunday, guitarist Calvin Keys and his trio will perform at 3pm at Golden Gate Library, 5606 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland, California. This concert is part of the Friends of Golden Gate Library 19th Annual Jazz on Sundays Summer Concert Series which runs through August 30. Concerts are held every Sunday at 3pm (doors open [...]
21st Annual San Jose Jazz Festival Sunday Series
The 21st Annual San Jose Jazz Festival Sunday Series is underway with five great concerts remaining. Upcoming shows feature Jeff Lorber, West Valley Jazz Orchestra, David Sánchez, Wayne Wallace, John Worley, Claudia Villela, and The Amina Figarova Sextet. For the complete schedule and ticket information, http://www.sanjosejazz.org/sunday-series.html Photo of John Worley at the 2006 San Jose [...]
Ranzel Merritt at The Jazzschool this Sunday@ 4:30pm
Join this rising star and his quartet for an exciting afternoon of jazz! Featuring Ranzel Merritt, tenor saxophone; Samora Pinderhughes, piano; Atemu Aton, bass; and Forrest Mitchell, drums. I have had the pleasure of hearing Ranzel with the Young Musicians Program and Jazzschool’s Rising Stars Concert Series. You will definitely be in for a treat. [...]
Singer Ernestine Anderson needs your help
From www.ernestineanderson.com ERNESTINE NEEDS YOUR HELP Dear Friends, We hear stories daily of people who are being forced to foreclose on their homes and it is truly heartbreaking. Recently, celebrities such as Ed McMahon and Evander Holyfield are in foreclosure. Unfortunately, that is a reality for many in this troubled economy and now, it has [...]
Clairdee to Perform at Jazz at the Chimes on May 18
MARY D’ORAZI 4499 Piedmont Ave. – Oakland , CA 94611 – Ph: 510/ 228-3218 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CLAIRDEE TO PERFORM AT JAZZ AT THE CHIMES MAY 18 “Jazz-inspired storyteller” brings it to Oakland ’s Chapel of the Chimes WHAT: vocalist Clairdee at “Jazz at the Chimes” concert and artist reception WHEN: May 18, 2008 – [...]
Frank Jackson Original Compositions – KQED Documentary, “The War: Bay Area Stories”
Here’s something you don’t want to miss, or if you need to, make sure to record to view later. In the recent news are articles on the seven-part series of “The War,” directed and produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, with the first episode, “A Necessary War,” to air Sunday, September 23, at 8 [...]
2007 Russian River Jazz Festival/Jazz on the River
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 9, 2007 CONTACT: Denise Lamott Public Relations (415) 897-5089 lamoore1@verizon.net THE 31st ANNUAL RUSSIAN RIVER JAZZ FESTIVAL TO FEATURE MUSIC LEGEND CHAKA KHAN, PLUS BONEY JAMES, JOE SAMPLE TRIO, PONCHO SANCHEZ, NORMAN BROWN & OTHERS FESTIVAL ON SEPTEMBER 8 & 9 BRINGS WORLD-CLASS JAZZ, WINE & FOOD TO THE PICTURESQUE BANKS [...]
New stamp honors Ella Fitzgerald
From Associated Press By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, Associated Press Writer Wed Jan 10, 2:25 AM ET WASHINGTON – The lady is a stamp! The U.S. Postal Service honors the First Lady of Song — Ella Fitzgerald — with her own postage stamp Wednesday. ADVERTISEMENT The 39-cent stamp is being released at ceremonies at Jazz at [...]
Andy Bey Duo @ The Jazz Bakery
Collin Artists (323) 467-4702 Fax (323) 292-9127 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE! The Andy Bey Duo, featuring Paul Meyers on guitar will be appearing at The Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave. in Culver City on Wednesday, November 8 through Saturday, November 11, at 8:00 PM and 9:30 PM (two shows each night). Don’t miss the special magic [...]
Singer Kim Prevost and Virtuoso Guitarist Bill Solley Return to San Francisco for a Post-Katrina Concert
JAZZ AT PEARL’S TO HOST NEW ORLEANS DUO Singer Kim Prevost and Virtuoso Guitarist Bill Solley Return to San Francisco for a Post-Katrina Concert SONOMA, California (September 14, 2006)—They lost their home to Katrina, were evacuated for Rita and had to flee from Wilma. Husband and wife duo Kim Prevost and Bill Solley are happy [...]
2006 Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival Lineup Announced
SAN JOSE JAZZ SOCIETY ANNOUNCES HEADLINE ACTS FOR 2006 COMCAST SAN JOSE JAZZ FESTIVAL, PRESENTED BY SOUTHWEST AIRLINES 17th Annual Festival in Downtown San Jose to features Tribute to New Orleans Jazz; Neville Brothers, Dr. John, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Bud Shank and Eldar Scheduled to Perform SAN JOSE, Calif., April 26, 2006 — The [...]
A Jazzy Christmas – Volume 1
This radio blog is dedicated to my sister-in-law who is celebrating her birthday today. The above photo is a barge of Christmas decorations sitting on Lake Merritt in Oakland. Now that we have completed the classics, it is time to make the holiday season a little jazzy and mellow. Many of this week’s songs were [...]
The Quiet Storm – Volume 1
A few weeks ago when EJ did his OSW: Philly Soul – Vols. 1 & 2, it took me back to late summer nights in Chicago when I was sitting on my front porch listening to quiet storm late night radio. I had my trusty headphone radio (similar to the one shown above) that I [...]
My Shirley Horn Box Set – Disc 4
“Songs are lucky when Shirley Horn chooses them.” This is one of the best quotes that describe the magic of Shirley Horn’s music. The past few weeks have definitely been an education for me in Shirley Horn’s music. Thanks to everyone for their encouragement and support on this project. Preparing the final disc in My [...]
Jazz Veteran Shirley Horn Dies
Photo © Larry Busacca http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001349816 Jazz Veteran Shirley Horn Dies By Bill Holland, Washington, D.C. Shirley Horn, the Grammy-winning jazz vocalist and pianist known for her intimate, whispery vocals and top-drawer piano playing, died yesterday (Oct. 20) at Gladys Spellman Nursing Home in Cheverly, Md., following an extended battle with diabetes. She was 71. Always [...]
Hammond B3 innovator Jimmy Smith dies
From LiveDaily.com by Rob Evans liveDaily Editor Jimmy Smith credited with a style that revolutionized the Hammond B3 organ in the ’50s and ’60s, died at his Phoenix home on Tuesday (2/8), apparently of natural causes, his Verve Music Group publicist confirmed. He was 76. Jimmy Smith was truly without peer,” said a statement issued [...]
Flashback Friday – Shirley Horn – Embers and Ashes
Shirley Horn – vocals and piano Joe Benjamin – bass Lewis Powers – bass Harry Saunders – drums Herbie Lovelle – drums The year would not be complete without one more Flashback Friday. This album is commonly known as Embers and Ashes but its actual title is Embers and Ashes – Songs of Lost Love [...]
Just a little music news…
The 11th Annual Vallejo Shoreline Jazz, Art and Wine Festival is one of the biggest and most anticipated events in the North Bay. The excitement begins on August 28th and 29th from 11:30 am- 6:30 pm Located along Vallejo’s beautiful municipal marina on Harbor Way, the Vallejo Jazz Festival, one of the Bay Area’s most [...]
Flashback Friday – Shirley Horn – Travelin’ Light
I’m trav’lin’ light Because my man has gone So from now on I’m trav’lin’ light He said goodbye And took my heart away So from today I’m trav’lin’ light No one to see I’m free as the breeze No one but me And my memories Some lucky night He may come back again So until [...]
Cyrus Chestnut – You Are My Sunshine
“I have been told by many about my influences: jazz, gospel, classical, rhythm and blues, etc… and have been encouraged to make recordings addressing these idioms individually. I have never been interested in making repertory driven or stereotypical recordings – it has been my choice to a take a different route.” – Cyrus Chestnut Jazz [...]
Diane Schuur – Midnight
Midnight is the right time for love and good music. On her third release for Concord Records, Midnight, jazz vocalist Diane Schuur sets the mood for romance. For this album, she works with hitmaker Barry Manilow and his longtime collaborator, Eddie Arkin. The result is a beautifully crafted album of 13 songs that showcase Diane [...]
Dianne Reeves – A Little Moonlight
Someone to live for Beg, steal, and die for Eat humble pie for Fly to the sun and the moon and the sky for Someone to dance with Laugh with and cry for And that someone is you… Just the words from “I’m All Smiles” sets the mood for romance but add to that Dianne [...]