Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "jazz"

HELLACAPPELLA 2012: Northern California’s Premier Showcase of Collegiate a Cappella Groups

2012-01-24T01:17:48Z

HellaCappella, the most highly anticipated a cappella concert of the year, will take place Saturday, February 4th, 2012 at 7:30pm at the ARC Pavilion on the UC Davis Campus. Hosted by UC Davis’ amazing, all-female a cappella group, The Spokes, HellaCappella is an exciting collaboration between a cappella groups of all shapes and sizes. Hailing from various northern Californian universities, this year’s dynamic lineup includes show-stopping performances by two-time champions of the International Competition of Collegiate a Cappella, The Men’s Octet from UC Berkeley, Cloud Nine from UC Santa Cruz, NBC’s The Sing Off a cappella competition finalists On the Rocks from University of Oregon, and more!

HellaCappella has been gaining momentum and selling out more and more seats each year. Now, for the first time ever, this eighth annual HellaCappella is proudly being held in UC Davis’ premier entertainment venue, the ARC Pavilion following the likes of chart-topping groups such as Ke$ha and LMFAO! HellaCappella’s audience continues to grow, attracting music lovers across generations from the greater Davis and Sacramento community.

The Spokes are the only all-female group at UC Davis. Founded in 2004, the group currently consists of 13 talented and dedicated girls whose shared passion for music and performing shines when they take the stage. Their repertoire includes a wide range of music styles, from top 40 (She Wolf by Shakira) to jazz (Smile by Charlie Chaplin) to alternative (Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes) to R&B (I’ll Be Waiting by Adele). The Spokes love to entertain the UC Davis campus and local community as well as all of California, and their enthusiasm for singing can be clearly heard in their latest album, On the Wall, which is now available on iTunes.

This HellaCappella, The Spokes have committed to raising funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society, the leading community-based health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Last year’s HellaCappella raised over $1500 for Daraja Academy, the first free all-girls secondary school in all of East Africa. The Spokes hope for even greater success this HellaCappella, as we rally our community to help support the American Cancer Society.

HellaCappella is a one day, must-see event that will premiere on Saturday, February 4th, 2012 at 7:30 pm in the UC Davis’ ARC Pavilion. Tickets can be purchased at the UC Davis Ticket Office located at Freeborn Hall on campus, by calling (530) 752-1915, or at tickets.com. Presale tickets are $7 for students and $10 for non-students. At the door, tickets are $9 for students and $12 for non-students.

On the night of the performance, doors open at 7:00 p.m. Parking can be found in Parking Lot 25 directly across from the ARC or the West Entry Parking Structure, located on the corner of La Rue Boulevard and Hutchinson Drive.

For more information, visit www.davisspokes.com.

Disclosure: Camille Martinez, author of this article, is the Publicity and Philanthropy Director for The Spokes, and hopes to see you at our next show!

Tia Fuller Quartet Inspires Audience

2011-12-12T06:26:28Z

Low lights and a sultry combination of magenta, fuchsia and violet lighting provided the ambiance for the evening. A glance around the room showed an audience of seasoned listeners: a mature, diverse crowd of jazz enthusiasts. At center stage, donning a shimmering purple sequin dress and fishnet stockings stood the quartet's leader, Tia Fuller.

The Tia Fuller Quartet starred in a four-day run at the UC Davis Mondavi Center Wednesday through Saturday, sponsored by the Capital Public Radio Studio Jazz Series.

Fuller emits a raw charisma, sassiness, an uncanny edginess and outright star quality onstage. She picked up her saxophone and began to play her first set. The opener "Decisive Steps," a magnificent composition, delivered a gut-busting solo where Fuller seemed to pour all of her energy into the instrument. Immediately, one gets a sense that "Decisive Steps" is a journeyer's soundtrack, one of perpetual movement and determination.

Afterward, the warm musician welcomed attendees and spoke with the audience.

The song "Wind Soar" delivered an inspirational message to the audience about elevation, pursuing one's dreams and visualizing accomplishments.

The quartet also treated the audience to "Katrina's Lullaby," a tribute to those affected by Hurricane Katrina. The track is not on the new album, “Decisive Steps,” but it allowed the musicians to show their range of musical style. "Katrina's Lullaby" has gospel and blues influences peeking through the composition.

The solid groove "Ebb and Flow" has a funky, upbeat tempo and sends the message of "just go with it."

"It's a difficult time in our economy right now," Fuller said. "There's job loss, money issues, obstacles, but we've got to move forward through them with faith and not fear. Keep your eye on the prize.”

Audience members clapped through the song and some danced in their seats.

"Kissed by the Sun" was another audience favorite. The lead musician spoke about the inspiration behind the piece, saying that it was reminiscent of a "sunbeam and a kiss, warm and juicy."

Fuller's saxophone is haunting when it echoes in silence and has a clear “voice.” She definitely has the chops and really knows how to make a saxophone “talk.” Each note captivates your attention. It is a delightful auditory treat to absorb the abrupt musical breaks and intricate scales, accompanied by the complimentary sounds of the piano, bass and drums.

Quartet members Rudy Royston (drums) and Mimi Jones (bass) really impressed the audience with their stunning solos. Unfortunately, the third member, Shamie Royston (Fuller's sister), was unable to attend. Pianist Rachel Eckroth filled in for Royston.

Overall, the Tia Fuller Quartet has great chemistry and takes listeners speeding along and sending them free-wheeling and somersaulting through notes executed with precision. The group's chart-topping album “Decisive Steps” is a testament to the devotion of sound. Listeners can sense enjoyment and a subtle boldness that finds its way inside to their soul.

Fuller ended the evening on a positive note.

"Move forward with decisive steps, with faith and not fear," she said. "I hope you remember that and take that with you."

Fuller Quartet Comes To Mondavi Center

2011-12-08T04:23:09Z

Tia Fuller and the Fuller Quartet are scheduled to perform at the UC Davis Mondavi Center tonight through Saturday, with daily show times at 8 p.m.

Tickets range from $19 to $38. The group’s recent accolades include the chart-topping album “Decisive Steps,” ranked No. 1 and touting the nomination for best jazz album in Jazz Week.

Fuller made time in her demanding schedule to speak with The SacPress to give audiences a glimpse into the heart and soul of this jazz sensation.

Fuller's passion for music is literally “in her blood” — the gifted saxophonist hails from a family of musicians. She said it is this personal connection that is the source for her inspiration.

She is a musician with a finely tuned sensitivity to her craft of creating music for her audience. Her reason for being so passionate about jazz music is due to its unlimited expression.

"It's the freedom," she said, "the freedom to express yourself even if it changes on a nightly basis. It's the ability to have a different voice based on how you feel."

Her candor is unwavering, a signature of authenticity. In another word, Fuller is an honest musician.

"I want people to be inspired, to feel connected and encouraged to move forward in spite of any challenges or differences they may face,” she said.

Jazz lovers and concertgoers will be moved by her riveting and energetic performance. It's a rare treat not to be missed.

Your Favorite Neighborhood just got Merrier!

2011-11-29T02:09:55Z

2nd Annual 12 Days of Midtown

Midtown Sacramento is all dressed up for the holiday season with events and specials that are sure to fill visitors and residents with holiday cheer. Festivities will occur December 1st - December 12th with a variety of activities for all ages. The 2nd Annual event will feature various local businesses throughout the Midtown district.

The 12 Days of Midtown kicks off with the Winter Wine & Jazz Mixer featuring the Sacramento Philharmonic on Thursday, December 1st. The full calendar of merry activities includes a Hot Toddy contests at Santa’s Tavern (The Golden Bear), a gingerbread cookie workshop at artBEAST, Santa’s Workshop at the MARRS Building, multiple holiday showcases by the region’s best performing arts organizations, and of course unique shopping opportunities and holiday sales.

Also back for its 2nd year is the Light Up Midtown contests. MBA has challenged 100’s of businesses to transform their store-fronts into the most impressive winter wonderland that their elves can engineer. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 businesses, with the top Midtown business receiving a $1,000 advertising grant. Resident and visitors are encouraged to vote. One lucky voter will win a $100 Gift Card to a Midtown business of their choice.

Plus for the 15th year in a row the City of Sacramento is providing Midtown with FREE Street metered parking all day on weekends and after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays through December 25th. So grab your loved ones and a pair of mittens, and check our events listing below for all your Midtown holiday happenings!

12 Days of Midtown events include:
• “Winter Wine & Jazz Mixer featuring the Philharmonic” Kennedy Gallery & Headhunters | Dec 1
• “SGMC Holiday Concert” First United Methodist Church | Dec 2
• “Santa’s Workshop” MARRS Building | Dec 3
• “Midtown Monthly’s Holiday FUNRaiser” Luigi’s Fungarden | Dec 3
• “Free Holiday Gift Wrapping” French Cuff Consignment | Dec 4
• “Gingerbread Cookie Decorating Party” ArtBeast Studio | Dec 5
• “Santa's Tavern & Hot Toddy Competition” Golden Bear | Dec 6
• “Every Christmas Story Ever Told” Capital Stage | Dec 7
• “Holiday Shopping Kick-Off Party” MAIYA Gallery | Dec 8
• “The Nutcraker, Opening Night” Community Center Theater | Dec 9
• “Emigrant Christmas” Sutter’s Fort | Dec 10
• “The Snow Queen” B Street Theatre | Dec 11
• “Season of Giving Blood Drive” BloodSource | Dec 12

Please check out exploremidtown.org for more information specific to each event.

Disclosure: Heather Philpott is the Communication & Events Manager at the Midtown Business Association and is a producer of the 12 Days of Midtown.

Celebrating the Wonder of This Moment

2011-11-16T18:18:34Z

Bob Stanley, Poet Laureate, and the Brubeck Jazz Institute have been refining Saturday, November 19 evening's, performance at California Stage (25th and R streets). The Wonder Of This Moment, Jazz and Poetry Live featuring James Humphrey's poetry with Bob Stanley, Norma Humphrey and son, Saroyan, Eve West Bessier, Lawrence Dinkins, and Mary Zeppa. Beginning at 7 p.m., there will be wine and food tastings, a raffle with 17 prizes, the sale of the poet's books. It will be an intense show with music composed for nearly all the poetry. Quoting a prominent poet, Bob Stanley, "This is going to be quite an event!" A donation of $25 for Stanford Home for Children is requested. Call (916) 240-1897 or see website: www.jameshumphrey.net. Norma Humphrey is creating this event in honor of her late husband's wishes to raise awareness for at-risk youth.

Selections of Mr. Humphrey's abstract art, "Color and Words", is currently on exhibit now through December 5th at the Urban Hive,1931 H Street.

Celebrating a Literary Hero's Legacy

2011-11-02T20:50:01Z

Throughout his 50 years as a poet, James Humphrey (1939-2006), twice nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature, commited himself to the one thing he could do, write about his challenging babyhood, youth and teen years to teach elementary through college-aged individuals how to overcome their abuse. It was a rich legacy of works, both words and abstract art, "too rich to leave behind", his widow of 43 years, said.

Fellow poet, Charles Bukowski (1920-1994) wrote: "Humphrey's poems--believe them. He's lived them. He knows that pain and suffering bloom like eternal flowers. He knows that trying is the one thing we have left."

A retired librarian from NY, Mrs. Humphrey moved to Sacramento to be closer to her son, Saroyan (a professional photographer and graphic artist), only 16 months ago and worked hard to create a memorable living event, honoring her husband's wishes to raise awareness for at-risk youth by generously donating the event's proceeds to Stanford Home to empower youth and families to overcome the challenges that threaten to keep them apart.

The evening of November 19, 2011 called "The Wonder of This Moment" will benefit The Stanford Home for Children in a live performance of Mr. Humphrey's works read by four featured poets, Eve West Bessier, Poet Laureate, Bob Stanley, Mary Zeppa and Lawrence Dinkins and accompanied by the award-winning Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet at California Stage (25th and R Streets) beginning at 7 p.m.

There will be wine and food tastings, a raffle and a book sale of Mr. Humphrey's books included his latest book, Naked: Poems Selected and New, 1969-2006.

For tickets ($25) and more information, www.brownpapertickets.com. Also: www.jameshumphrey.net, www.sacramentopoetrycenter.org, bobstanley@sbcglobal.net, 916-240-1897.

Disclosure: I am Norma the widow of poet, James Humphrey who originated this benefit in honor of my late husband.

Crocker Art Museum Hosts Esteemed Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet

2011-10-19T20:30:53Z

The Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet will bring their award-winning sound to the Crocker Art Museum on Thursday, Oct. 20. The Quintet will perform select works inspired by the exhibition “Gardens and Grandeur: Porcelains and Paintings by Franz A. Bischoff,” on view through October 23. The concert will take place in the Museum’s Setzer Foundation Auditorium at 7 p.m.

The Quintet—comprised of Alec Watson, piano; Rane Roatta, tenor sax; Malachi Whitson, drums; Tree Palmedo, trumpet; and Bill Vonderhaar, bass—is the winner of numerous DownBeat awards, including the 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011 awards for best collegiate jazz group in the country. The group has performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Playboy Jazz Festival, Brubeck Festival, Detroit International Jazz Festival, and at jazz clubs such as Yoshi’s in Oakland, Herb Alpert’s club Vibrato in Los Angeles, and the Jamboree Jazz Club in Barcelona, Spain.

The Brubeck Institute was established by the University of the Pacific in 2000. Named in honor of the acclaimed American jazz pianist and University of the Pacific alumnus, the Institute’s mission is to promote creativity, education, and dedication to music, as well as advance important social issues. The members of the Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet are in the Institute's Fellowship Program for recent high school graduates.

Tickets are $6 for Museum members and $12 for nonmembers. Tickets can be purchased at crockerartmuseum.org, the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling (916) 808-1182.

Playlist is part of the Museum’s Thursdays ‘til 9 program series, sponsored by Bank of America. The Crocker is open every Thursday until 9 p.m. for film screenings, social gatherings, concerts, and art happenings presented in collaboration with regional art groups.

For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

The Crocker Art Museum was one of the first art museums in the U.S. and is now one of the leading art institutions in California. Established in 1885, the Museum features one of the country’s finest collections of Californian art, exceptional holdings of master drawings, a comprehensive collection of international ceramics, as well as European, Asian, African, and Oceanic art. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Tuesday–Wednesday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursdays; 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Friday–Sunday. Every Third Sunday of the month is “Pay What You Wish Sunday” sponsored by Bank of America.

Cabaret, a review of the musical, at Sutter Street Theater in Folsom

2011-09-23T23:06:34Z

reviewed by Robin Aurelius

This shoebox theater is truly impressive for mounting a show as large and boisterous as Cabaret. The results were way beyond my expectations. From where I sat in the third row I could hear every nuance of every conversation, all the whispering anecdotes, and asides, the “sotto voce” solos, and all the dancers' backsides. This is a long, long, show, and I was never bored.

Cabaret is really beyond operetta. It is a mini opera, a sardonic satire, and parody of life at the Kit Kat. Every piece of it meshes (and grates) excitingly. Connie Mockenhaupt has put a lot of pizazz in where the show needs it. The set is colorful and provocative, and very efficient for the dozen actors who prance wildly with each other on the stage. The seats are comfortable, and in the audience, it's like being with family.

In the entre to the first act the dancers are lounging on the stage, getting ready for scene action. The maitre d' whips them into shape for their langourous, suggestive, postures.

What the cast does is some very tight melodious choral works, with the most intricate dance steps to be seen this side of Broadway. The Berlin connection is real, the accents are honed to European levels. Kudos to emcee Mark Ettensohn for a dashing irreverent, whipper-in-shaper. This glorious maitre d' is able to completely captivate both the audience and the dancers with his “shtick” singing and gyrating in three languages, while playing two (or more) sex roles.

The solos really take off. They hit the ceiling, go out the door and come back in, without any harshness. Remember in shoe box productions, no microphones. No CD's for the chorus. It's all there in the intense vocal training. Better than watching Glee.

Up front, at the piano, is Kate Janzen, the musical director. She's got all the cues down, without having to wave her hand. Sometimes the cast comes over and lays down on the piano She never misses a beat, and, when the scene needs it, she adds her own jazz vamp until ready. She never plays too loud, so when the solos get personal and in your face, the music is right there following the plot's mood.

The back story is about a waifish US guy Clifford Bradshaw (played by Elio Guiterrez) seeking to be an author in Paris. He falls in with some perfume smugglers, and can't get loose of them. He is dragged into a lover's triangle. His landlady falls belated in love with a Jewish fruit merchant. These two (Dennis Curry and Eileen Beaver) have some marvelous sultry, and foreboding duets which really ought to go mainstream.

Despite the cultural depravity of the era, and the shockingly bad behavior of the Nazi characters,

this musical succeeds in entertaining brilliantly, and making a strategic point, that even the best intentioned folks can be captured, compromised, and even silenced, by politics. The last scene of our US citizen taking the train back to his country is several minutes of supremely considerate and restrained stage direction.

Not a fault in all this, and much to exult in. Not to mention the Sutter Street neighborhood's well known ambience with a wine bar, a rowdy beer bar, a refined beer bar with 15 craft brews, and and ice cream palace, all open for your delectation.

This production plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 4 PM till October 16.

717 Sutter Street, Folsom, CA 95630 Tickets : 916-353-1001.

Sutter Street Theatre's "Cabaret" Promo Trailer from RJRUBY Productions on Vimeo.

“March to the Beat of One Heart”: Somalian Aid Concert in Sacramento Set for Sat., Sept. 3

2011-08-30T19:54:28Z

On Saturday September 3, a broad, multi-genre group of area musicians will join together to present a benefit concert for Somalian refugees. “March to the Beat of One Heart” will be held at Antiquite Maison Privee, 2114 P Street in midtown Sacramento. The event runs from 5 pm-11pm and there is $10 minimum donation.

The concert, in association with the Midtown Business Association and Swell Productions, will feature ten Sacramento musical acts playing for a common goal of assisting victims of the war and drought-ravaged region. 100% of the proceeds will go to Doctors Without Borders, a worldwide humanitarian aid organization, and their efforts in Somalia.

Guitarist and concert promoter Ross Hammond came up with the idea for the concert a little more than two weeks before the show date. "I was sitting at home reading the news about the millions of starving families displaced because of war, drought and famine. Watching this unfold is heartbreaking, and I felt that even though we're so far away we can still help. I'm no doctor or aid worker, but I do know how to put music together for a cause. After the initial idea, the concert came together in two days. The venue, sponsors, artists and press were very eager to get involved, so here we are."

The Somalian Aid Concert will feature music by Lee Bob Watson, The Ricky and Del Connection, Electropoetic Coffee, Greenhouse, Kathy Barwick and Pete Siegfried, Sherman Baker, Jahari Sai and Dave Lynch, Crossing the River, Walking Spanish and the Harley White Jr. Trio. These artists span many genres including folk, bluegrass, blues, jazz, soul and world music.

"This concert bridges the gap of seemingly disconnected Americans with the plight of desperate, starving people a world away," says Electropoetic Coffee poet Lawrence Dinkins. "Sacramento artists are rising to the call. I'm proud today to call myself a Sacramentan."

The motivation for Sacramento guitarist and songwriter Gene Smith (The Ricky and Del Connection, Kai Kln) is a humanitarian one. "After seeing the pictures on the news, it breaks my heart to see humans treat each other this way. I feel if I have a talent that can better things in any capacity then I will use it. Everyone should do that, whether they are a doctor or a lawyer or a musician."

Not only are Sacramento musicians donating their talents, but local businesses are also assisting. Midtown's Phono Select Records will be on hand spinning records before, during and after the event.

Profound Sound, a midtown musical instrument and repair store is donating a full PA system to use for the event. "I like to support the local scene and I especially like seeing others getting involved" says Profound Sound owner Joey Cline. "The situation in Somalia has been ongoing for 20 years now, and the average Somali lives on less than $1/day. If you want to help, this is a good cause."

"The idea is to present a variety of artists to show that this is a global issue," says Hammond. "The music showcased at this concert really covers the sound spectrum. We can all come together in Sacramento to raise awareness and money for this cause. If we can do it here, it can be done anywhere. Remember 'We Are the World?' I do."

Disclosure: Submitted by Mindy Giles, Swell Productions.

Interview with local talent Reg Gage

2011-08-04T23:32:58Z

Interview by: Judy Raderchak

First off tell the readers about yourself. (Your name, what you do where you came from etc.)

My name is Reginald Gage (Reg). I am the middle one of 6 born to Lewis and Elizabeth Gage. I was born and lived in Detroit, MI until I was 14, and then my family moved to Santa Clara, CA. I attended private academy’s all of pre-college life, Catholic Central High, in Detroit, St. Francis High, in Mountain View, CA, but convinced my father to allow me to go to the local high school my last two years of HS because I wanted to finally attend school with neighborhood friends. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend and receive my high school diploma from Emil R. Buchser High School in Santa Clara. It was a grand experience for me; being elected president of the senior class, being involved in student government, being a three sport athlete, as well as being able to go to a high school that had girls that went there also. Interestingly, my first year at Buchser, I had the distinction of being the only African American male in the school with an enrollment of better than 1800. From there, it was on to Santa Clara University, where I received my BA Degrees, Post Grad work at San Jose State University, Hayward State University, UCLA, UC San Diego and Cal Poly Pamona. Received my California Teaching Credential in 1972.

When and what inspired you to be a musician and an artist?

Reg Gage: My mother taught each of her basic pianos, so I began learning the rudiments at the age of 7. My dad would have an occasional discovery session that involved gathering his children in front of the radio, record player, book or TV and forcing us to listen to, or see what he considered to be important to experience. There, we were introduced to opera, classical music, jazz, Broadway shows, great art and artists, great literature and great men and women of accomplishment. His lessons introduced me Jerry Mulligan, Bobby Sherwood, Jackie Gleason, who was not just a comedian but also a tremendous arranger and conductor. As a youngster, I was introduced to Mozart, Bach, Tchaikovsky, Enrico Fermi, Edward Teller, and Robert Oppenheimer. My father and mother were great parents. My interest in art began with the baby sitter. He was an old Austrian gentleman named John Krauss. He showed me how to get past stick figures when I was 8.

Where did you learn your talents and how many years have you had to study?

Reg Gage: I never considered it talent, but by the time I was a freshman in High School, I was doing portraits using a set of pastel chalks that I received in my Christmas stocking. As time passed, I became more proficient to the point where I was doing renderings for kids in school as well as adults in the neighborhood. I started playing instrumental music in 7th grade. I wanted to play baritone sax like the great Jerry Mulligan, but there was only one baritone sax in the school band and that was already spoken for by an eighth grader. I was eventually convinced to try the baritone horn. I picked up the sax my first year in college. It was an alto sax, but I really didn't get into it until my late twenties when I decided to try the soprano sax, influenced by a soprano sax man by the name of Wayne Shorter.

Have you faced any challenges in your profession (as an artist and musician), if so what were they?

Reg Gage: My primary challenges in both fields were to believe in myself, particularly during a failed marriage, the deaths of my father and oldest brother, and the need to support myself during these troubling times.

What is your Favorite piece of art you have done and why?

Reg Gage: My favorite piece that I have done is a 36X40 Reverse Negative of John Coltrane playing his tenor sax. I painted it to compliment my black baby grand piano. It does that very well.

What is your favorite song to sing and why?

Reg Gage: I am not a singer, though I sang second tenor with Royal Stanton's Skyline Chorale while in college. I am a saxophones and flutes player who has written many songs, some with lyrics. I wrote a song that I titled "Black Rock." It is dedicated to how my wife and I met and got together. It is a rather catchy tune, and I am forced to sing
it on occasion, because she is often in the audience when I perform. It has always been very well received by the audiences.

What are some of the musical and art events have you preformed?

Reg Gage: I have performed all over California, Nevada, Arizona and British Columbia, Canada. I have performed in places like the Fairmont Hotel, Yoshi's, The Toll House Hotel in Los Gatos, CA, The San Jose Jazz Festival, The Stern Grove Jazz Festival in San Francisco, John Lee Hooker's in San Francisco, JJ's Blues Cafe in San Jose, The Delta King, Old Town Sacramento, Pearle's, San Francisco, Chuck's Cellar, Mountain View, CA, The City Cafe, in Yuba City, CA, CW31's Good Day Sacramento, Jazz on the Island, Rancho Murrieta, CA, Club Jazz, San Jose, CA.

You had mention to me you are a retired math teacher, what is your most memorable time as a teacher?

Reg Gage: The year was 1993. That year, I was a mentor teacher, also a member of the State of California Math Renaissance Board, taught 5 math sections and 1 drama class, coached 3 sports (My basketball team won the league championship), Wrote, produced and directed the school play (Margie Melendez Meets The Super Chief), Wrote the script for, produced and performed at the student and teacher's talent show. It was a great year.

How do you feel about the education system?

Reg Gage: In California, it is definitely broken. Teachers are grossly underpaid in relationship to the education required to qualify for a credential. Better pay gets better teachers. The money does not truly reach the classroom. The districts need to report directly to the State and eliminate the dysfunctional county offices of schools that drain huge amounts of capital from the state budget and accomplish what the districts can manage on their own. Also, parents should be required to attend a minimum of 2 training seminars per level (intermediate, middle and high school) where they can be given strategies as to how they can positively enhance their students educational experience.

Do you think the depictions in children's History text books accurate?

Reg Gage: For the most part, yes! The information is pretty much correct, but the presentation is rather poor. History textbooks should be designed to encourage the reader to seek more information than can be adequately covered in the space limitations of a single textbook.

Do you think racial profiling is affecting our society today and how do you feel about it? (You had explained how the teachers assumed you were from the ghetto because of your skin color; I think it’s important to discuss the challenges regarding racial profiling.)

Reg Gage: Profiling is not simply a racial thing. There are some very intelligent kids in this country that are assumed to be ignorant because they wear their pants way below the beltline. Yes, racism in this country is alive and well, it just changes it form. It is not politically correct to openly profess your disdain for another race or culture; so many people often find other ways to distance themselves from those that they feel are below them. For example, many do not realize that our economy is affected by the fact that many were willing to pay overly inflated prices for houses in order to divorce themselves from, what are termed, minorities by moving into areas that were price restrictive to minorities. This drove the price of many homes well beyond their actual value. The market is now correcting itself and we are in trouble.

If you could reach out to the world's youth, what would you say to guide them in the right path?

Reg Gage: My primary message to today’s youth is to honor self-respect. Learn to like yourself, learn to love yourself, when you look in the mirror, like what you see. For one cannot truly like another person, love another person or respect another person until you can do that, at least, for yourself..

What is the biggest achievement in your life?

Reg Gage: The biggest achievement in my life is to have found my education to be truly rewarding. I am a firm believer that higher levels of consciousness are achieved by increasing knowledge. The more we learn the more awake we become. Just think back to the crib. Don't remember huh! There are very few experiences at that time. As we experience and learn we become more alive, more awake. Case closed.

What do you hope accomplish in the future?
Reg Gage: To get my two manuscripts published. "Seven Years From Delhia," and "Nicodemus."

Thank you for the interview Reg Gage

If you would like to see Reg Gage live performance or see his amazing art work display please visit his website http://www.gagestudio.com/reg/art.html

Disclosure: By Freelance Writer Judy Raderchak

Interview with Cheryl A. Lockett, CaliJazz founder and daughter of Merced Blue Notes

2011-06-18T03:39:33Z

Cheryl A. Lockett, originally born Cheryl Craig, speaks to Sacramento Press about working in northen California and the jazz scene in Sacramento.

When did you begin CaliJazz?
CaliJazz started in 2005 although I had been doing similar work since then. The name is actually an acronym for my name with the “I” for Independent Jazz.

Your parents were involved in music? Tell us.
I’m a proud product of a line of recording musicians called The Merced Blue Notes.
The Blue Notes are music of the 50s and 60s, not many 1st generation members are still alive. The band ceased in late 60s, early 70s. Their music was re-released in 2004 by Ace Records from the UK. The music is alive and well.

What has your experience been working with musicians in Sacramento?
There are a handful of great musicians in Sacramento. Yet some are afraid to do what I need cause they haven't done it before. I need musicians to play all the genres I do including modern jazz, vintage blues, and classic rock. Its very important to have resources cause you cant always take your favorite with you.

What is your impression of the scene in Sacramento?
It has not been preserved well in Sacramento. There used to be more venues such as On Broadway near Tower Records. About 15 years ago, it started to go away. A younger society has different musical differences but that should not be a barrier. In Sacramento, its pretty dead. Its declined in other cities but quality jazz has been least supported in Sacramento....

Do you think jazz has been co-opted by the universities?
Studying music in school is just a premise to apprenticing someone or getting out there in the real world. A lot of people coming out of universities lack that experience. This idea is avoided by music scholars cause they don’t know how to teach emotion. When playing jazz, it is important that you connect with the emotional side and not avoid it.

What does the word jazz mean to you?
The word jazz is from the western world. We say it (jazz) is ours…America’s. The word is from America. It means nonsense, jive. The whole movement and its African history is considered uncivilized. It was too expressive and rhythmic compared to the other forms of music.

Jazz is about communication. In my family, we speak Tut, a secret code language created and shared by slaves and natives in this country. It is no longer secret but like jazz it was created by cross-pollination of customs and sounds.

How would you define jazz today?
There is a misconception about what jazz is—so many styles and such variance. It is in a state of mockery because of all the different types---acid jazz, cool jazz, all fusion. When technology comes in you get popular music. The thing to remember is that it is a cross-pollination of roots music.

For more information on Cheryl's shows, lessons, and workshops visit www.calijazz.com or e-mail cheryl@calijazz.com. Check out the Examiner article on Cheryl's work here.

Walk 'N Rock for Hope Productions with KISS

2011-05-31T02:18:31Z

Legendary rock band KISS walked onto stage and rocked the crowd Sunday night at Raley Field at a benefit concert for children sponsored by Hope Foundation. As if emerging from Mount Olympus, each of these rock icons entered the stage: Eric Singer, Catman; Tommy Thayer, Spaceman; Gene Simmons, The Demon and Paul Stanley, Starchild.

Opening bands Miles Schon and Big Boss Graffiti set the stage for the magnificent musical journey that was to come. Almost immediately following BBG’s last song, the crowd began chanting, "WE WANT KISS! WE WANT KISS! WE WANT KISS!"

Almost instantaneously after taking the stage, Paul Stanley sang out, "You said you wanted the best band, you got it- KISS!"

They masterfully took their diehard army of rock fans on a musical journey spanning 38 years. From the very first album, starting with “Modern Day Delilah” and culminating with “Let Me Go Rock N Roll,” they performed with the sort of music mastery, pyrotechnics, flames and fireworks that only they could deliver.

The only thing more astounding than their humility, compassion and generosity during meet and greets with fans is their philanthropy. KISS had four MINI Coopers customized to reflect each of their characters and put them up for auction on eBay, all proceeds going to Japan's relief effort.

Eric Singer was gracious enough to grant an interview to Marc McLaughlin (Sacramento Press) before rushing off to makeup.

Interview with Eric Singer (drums, vocals)

Marc McLaughlin: How does it feel to be doing a charity event for children (Walk ‘N Rock for Kids)?

Eric Singer: It's cool. I mean, everyone has to make a living, but when you can do what you love to do, make a living at it and also help people, it feels wonderful. I can do things that help people and I think that is really important. Then, when you add that it is for kids, it makes it even better. As you know, KISS does a lot of work with wounded soldiers and it is amazing being able to help them whenever we can.

MM: How does it feel to be a part of such an iconic band?

ES: Although I am not an original member, it really is an amazing feeling. This is a band that people recognize whether they know the music or not. The band is known world-wide; when we travel to Europe, it is just amazing how many people come out to see us. Being with people like Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, two original members, [makes you] realize that this band transcends generations and really touches people. Well, ultimately, your audience is what helps put you in a positive position. Without a fan base, you have nothing; however, you have to keep yourself there by delivering the music, the shows and the performances.

I always tell people, "You vote through participation in life."

If someone decides they don't like the product, service or the way they are treated, they will stop buying the product. Eventually, the company would have to redesign it or come up with a new product to keep their audience. This is true of anything, so your actions and your work need to be on target to keep you in business.

MM: Speaking of that, how does it feel now that the band is experiencing another reemergence in the music industry?

ES: Every band goes through their up and downs and their support comes in waves, so it is normal for us. It is nice though, seeing people still want to be around us and coming out to see this iconic band. Whenever you have people who support what you do, it feels good and we are just so supportive of that. Without our fans we would not be here, and knowing they support us is the ultimate compliment.

MM: KISS is known for their makeup most of all. How is it sitting there and actually having it applied - does it become a role you slip into or is it just one more thing that must be done?

ES: Yes, the makeup is something we are known more for than anything else. Some know the “monster” while others know the “star.” It is all a part of who we are. Because of that, the process is something that can not be explained. It takes a couple of hours to get ready and the makeup is a closely guarded secret. When I first started doing it, it felt strange to take on a role like that; becoming something so known, so iconic. Even after all this time, it is still the same. You become part of the character and you use that to entertain the fans.

Even with these interviews it is part of what we do. For this we flew in early so we could spend some time with the press. You know, Gene and Paul have been doing this since the beginning and they still go the extra mile and speak to people when asked. It is a part of what makes the band who they are. The work ethic is very high and an important part of what we do. Everyone does their part to keep things moving forward. Many bands of lesser levels do not put the time in and that is part of the reason why our fan base is as deep and supportive as it is.

MM: If there was one thing you would like to say to your fan base today, what would that be?

ES: I guess just keep doing what you are doing. It is a give and take, a mutual participation thing. One thing I learned in life is that you can't make everyone happy. You appeal to the majority by trying to find the ground that works for most. We thank the fans who come out and support us and continue to believe in this iconic band. Whether they have followed us for a day or 35 years, they are the reason we do what we do.

MM: Thank you for your time today and for supporting Walk ‘N Rock.

ES: Thank you and hopefully this will help the children of the community. We appreciate your time, and enjoy the concert.

Regretfully, the time came for Paul Stanley to attempt to say goodnight to the fans, who were simply not ready to let go. They chanted for an encore, and suddenly, KISS was back on stage to thrill the audience with “Black Diamond,” “Shout It Out Loud” and “Detroit Rock City.” Finally, an unbelievable night of charity for Hope Foundation finished with "Rock and Roll All Night."

38th Annual Sac Jazz Jubilee - photos

2011-05-29T03:43:11Z

(Click on above image for a lerger view)

The 38th Annual Sacramento Jazz Festival and Jubilee opened Friday with its traditional parade around the streets of Old Sacramento.

This year music will be played at 23 performance sites in Old Sacramento and the Convention Center area. Jubilee attendees can choose from a variety of music in addition to jazz, including blues, zydeco, rhythm & blues, western swing and afro-beat.

The Jazz Festival is presented by the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of America's own musical art form.

Special events throughout the Memorial Day weekend event include a swing dance contest, salute to war veterans, Jazz Master Class Series and late night parties.

More Jazz Festival photos available here.

An evening with one of the greats

2011-05-27T02:57:59Z

Patrons of the arts had the chance of a lifetime on Wednesday to experience one of the greats, singer Tony Bennett. UC Davis Mondavi Center executive director Don Roth welcomed spectators, who were dressed in their best, and the blue velvet curtain rose as if revealing royalty.

The show began with Antonia Bennett, a jazzy redhead who was so vibrant and whose voice was so rich, I can only expect that we will see more of Tony Bennett’s vivacious daughter in the future. Antonia began her set with “You’re a Lucky Guy,” and dedicated it to her father, standing in the wing.

Following the short opening set, the four-piece band of piano, guitar, bass and trap set transitioned seamlessly to the main act. Bennett stepped out onto the stage to a nearly full standing ovation without having sung a note.

He sang with actions and hand gestures, evidence of his Italian blood, as if telling a humorous personal anecdote rather than singing an award-winning song.

“Rosemary Clooney and I were the first American Idols,” he explained, describing a stint on an amateur talent program.

Later, he explained how he went from being Antonio Dominick Benedetto to “Tony Bennett.” He was discovered by comedian Bob Hope in Greenwich Village in 1949.

“That’s a little long for the marquee,” Bob Hope joked. It was Hope that decided his new name.

“Because of You,” “Smile,” “They All Laughed.” At times, the audience was almost too enthusiastic. On several occasions, Bennett had to extend a hold as he waited for the applause to subside so he could continue, every second appearing that he was surprised by the applause.

As Bennett, in the nearly pitch black auditorium but for a lone spotlight, grandly began “Maybe This Time,” a thought crossed my mind. This man fought in World War II, he was reprimanded and demoted for disobeying segregation laws, he was discovered by Bob Hope, was pals with Frank Sinatra, and here he is, still performing.

I always thought I had missed the Greats, the age that I am. As a perfectly attentive crowd listened to Bennett sing “The Way You Look Tonight,” I saw that we all got to experience at least one Great. I may have missed Frank, and I may have missed Bing, but I didn’t miss Tony.

The entire show was unbelievable. What a performer, and what a voice. At 84 years old, he still had no problem belting it out. This talent is something you just don’t lose.

Following each song, he clapped and wrung his hands thankfully, perhaps thinking the same.

About halfway through the show, Antonia Bennett stepped out again, and they sang “Hey, Old Friend” as a father-daughter duet.

We heard hit after hit, nearly all of them accompanied by a cute story about Hank Williams, Charlie Chaplin or Frank Sinatra. We may have heard shortened versions of a few, enriched by tremendous solos by Bennett’s accomplished instrumentalists. Each member was so into the performance, the passion and gusto were contagious.

At times throughout the performance, all eyes turned toward Bennett’s pianist. Lee Musiker was, without a doubt, the best, most talented pianist I have ever seen, even directing a crescendo or cymbal crash here and there mid-song. I hope Musiker will be producing his own albums as well, and the same for Bennett’s tremendous guitarist, Gray Sargent.

Coincidentally, Wednesday was Musiker’s birthday. Bennett saluted him literally and musically with a rendition of “The Best Is Yet to Come.”

Late in the show, Bennett sang “Fly Me to the Moon” sans microphone, and I heard an entranced woman sitting in front of me sigh audibly.

He ended the show, apart from numerous encores, with the clear choice, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” Bennett’s performance was phenomenal and heartwarming at the least. He made each song special, sometimes adding a tap or two and several turns — elegant and smooth — as if he were turning 45 rather than 85.

Jazz Jubilee a party for all

2011-05-26T00:22:07Z

Charlie Gehlbach hadn’t played his trumpet for 15 years, but after his friend took him to the Sacramento Jazz Festival & Jubilee more than a decade ago, he said he went straight home and picked it up again, inspired.

This weekend, Gehlbach and the band he later formed will be playing in the festival for the 11th time.

“Getting the chance to play at the festival, I’d always dreamed of that,” said the 78-year-old Auburn resident who began playing the trumpet at age 7 and now leads a band called Dr. Bach and the Jazz Practitioners.

“It’s really neat to have such a fabulous, fabulous festival here,” he said.

This weekend marks the 38th year of what started as a bunch of jazz enthusiasts playing in Old Sacramento and evolved into one of the biggest jazz festivals in the world, said Greg Willett, executive director of the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society, the nonprofit organization that holds the festival.

A parade through Old Sacramento at 11:30 a.m. Friday will kick off four days of partying, he said, adding that it’s not just Dixieland jazz anymore.

“The festival got a resurgence in the ’90s when we added other types of music like Western swing and Zydeco, which is a Cajun/Creole style of music,” he said.

Between 70 and 80 bands with hundreds of musicians are expected to attend, and they will play at 22 venues, mostly concentrated in Old Sacramento.

“It’s a great party for all types of people,” Willett said. “A lot of the older generation will be here right at 10 a.m. when we open (Saturday-Monday), and the younger generation will be staying until we close at 11:30 p.m. We schedule our music to fit with that phenomenon.”

About 60,000 - 70,000 people are expected to attend, and Willett said parking is always an issue, but a shuttle service will run from Old Sacramento to other venues on J and L streets such as the Sheraton, and it will cost festivalgoers $5 for the whole weekend.

“We have a smorgasbord of music styles,” Willett said. “We have some of the best musicians in the world, but you might not have heard of them unless you’re really into jazz, like Banu Gibson & New Orleans Hot Jazz or the Black Dogs.”

For a list of musicians and groups, click here.

One band playing the festival has a special connection to Memorial Day Weekend: the Colorado National Guard’s 101st Army Dixieland Band from Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colo.

“We’re making our 12th appearance at the jubilee,” said Musical Director Sgt. Lance Christensen. “Originally, we wanted to come because it was one of the largest jazz concerts in the world. We wanted to showcase our talents.”

The eight-piece band will be playing in the special tribute to veterans at 11:30 a.m. on Monday at the Firehouse Lot, near the intersection of L and Front streets. That event is free to service members.

For a map of music venues, click here.

“We and the audience get to thank our veterans,” Christensen said. “We always play patriotic music, all the service songs and, of course, we’ll also be playing ‘Taps’ for the veterans who are no longer here.”

He said the band members – most of whom are professional musicians or music teachers when they aren’t wearing fatigues – enjoy hearing the music of the other bands and consider it a form of musical training.

In addition to being a good event for music, it’s a good event for Sacramento, said Mike Testa, spokesman for the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“For fans of music who travel to these types of events, Sacramento is known for this festival,” he said. “It’s very prestigious for us to hold this. We’ve got a lot of great musicians, and my only hope would be that we can make it even better than it already is.”

He said the draw is an economic boon to the city, and with people traveling specifically for the event, he said he hopes they extend their stay and stick around to see other sites in the area.

Willett said planning the event takes about six months, and it relies on the 2,200 volunteers who signed up this year as well as his “lean staff.”

He said he is most excited to listen to the diversification of music brought to the festival.

“It’s not your father’s or grandfather’s jazz jubilee,” he said. “We have that, but we also have other types of Americana – American-made music.”

Food vendors will be set up on the streets, and beer and other food items will be sold in the venues, Willett said.

Online ticket sales have closed for the event, but Willett said tickets can be purchased at the trailers set up throughout Old Sacramento, with the main hub at Second and K streets.

Tickets are $110 for the weekend or $45 per day. After 9:30 p.m., $10 will get you into a single venue, space permitting, to “get a feel for the music,” Willett said.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Crocker Art Museum’s Outdoor Jazz Concert Series Kicks Off Today

2011-05-19T21:49:35Z

From May through September, the Crocker Art Museum’s Thursdays ‘til 9 concert series Playlist heads outdoors to the shady comfort of the E. Kendell Davis Courtyard for a full season of jazz. From Cajun and Brazilian to smooth tunes, this summer’s concerts will offer up the best of the Museum’s former Third Thursday Jazz series and new Playlist music series.

Concerts will start at 6 p.m. and tickets are $6 for Museum members and $12 for nonmembers. Tickets are available for purchase online at crockerartmuseum.org, at the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling (916) 808-1182.

Alfresco dining and beverage specials will be available throughout the evening, and Museum spotlight talks will be offered during intermission.

Tom Rigney and Flambeau will offer up fiery Cajun and zydeco two-steps, low-down blues, and funky New Orleans grooves on May 19.

On June 16, Sandy Cressman and Homenagem Brasileira will perform original arrangements of music by the great composers of Brazilian jazz such as Dori Caymmi, Milton Nascimento, Joao Donato, Jobim and many others.

Ecuadorian born guitarist Iván Nájera will present an explosive show encompassing a multitude of Spanish, Latin, and jazz flavored rhythms on July 21.

On August 18, jazz keyboard master Roger Smith will perform with special guests. A producer and composer, Smith is one of the most prolific artists in contemporary jazz, and he has played with legends such as Jeff Beck, Gladys Knight, Willie Nelson, and Leon Russell.

On September 15, Little Charlie Caravan will close out the outdoor jazz series in a swinging concert of gypsy jazz. Charlie Baty, otherwise known as “Little Charlie,” has a unique guitar voice influenced by the music of Django Reinhardt, blues, and swing. Other members of the band include Jason Vanderford, Bob Armstrong, and Keith Cary.

Thursdays ‘til 9 is sponsored by Bank of America with media support provided by Capital Public Radio and Sac Cultural Hub.

In the Flow Festival

2011-05-09T06:43:05Z

A five-day festival filled with music by 40 groups in five Midtown venues is about to engulf the Sacramento scene.

The In the Flow Festival, an annual event going from Thursday to May 16, will be bringing out improvisational players of jazz, rock, blues, electronic, poetry/spoken word and visual art.

Co-organizer and guitarist Ross Hammond, 33, addressed why it was created.

Hammond said it is important to create a music event in Sacramento and bring out the unknown and/or unrecognized talents.

“I knew enough people and acts, so we decided to put something cool together,” Hammond said. “It is a celebration of creative music and art. It is the music, art and poetry community just coming together and presenting their craft.”

The other innovators behind the celebration are Rob Woodworth and the late Byron Blackburn.

Among the many local performers this year, there will be jazz and improvisational musicians from Los Angeles.

Composer Vinny Golia, 65, will be performing with various people in the festival, but he is also bringing his group Vinny Golia Sextet.

Golia has performed at the festival for the past three years.

“My music is a mixture of jazz, rock and folk tied together,” he said. “It is a blend that is challenging for listeners and the players, compared to other music. It has a groove, it can swing, and at times it is serene, other times noisy.”

A night of poetry and music mixtures at Luna’s Cafe titled “Poetry VS. Band” will consist of regional poets trading verses with area jazz musicians.

Bassist Shawn Hale, 39, will be performing with multiple groups, and he will take part in the “Poetry VS. Band.”

“I am looking forward to the many fantastic musicians,” he said. “The event as a whole is a great thing to be a part of. Looking forward to it starting.”

Among the many events, on Saturday there will be free performances at Phono Select Records.

“There are not many events like this in other cities, where you can see a very wide selection of music, be exposed to live music instead of iPods or CD players,” Golia said. “It is live. People making music in the spare of the moment, you cannot beat that.”

The festival started in 2008 as a Midtown event. It relocated to Broadway and now is back to Midtown.

“Our original venue closed and we needed a bigger space,” Hammond said. “For two years we were at Beatnik Studios on Broadway. We moved back to Midtown this year after being persuaded by Dal Basi, owner of Phono Select Records.”

They are now working with Explore Midtown to make the In the Flow Festival a celebration of Midtown culture, Hammond said.

A f ull-festival pass costs $30, which includes a festival T-shirt. Tickets for individual days cost $10. Tickets can be purchased online or at Phono Select.

Antiquite Maison Privee, one of the venues, plans to cater, but for the most part Hammond said the surrounding Midtown business restaurants will be the best places for food.

The five venues are Antiquite (2114 P St.), La Raza Galeria Posada (1022 22nd St.), Luna’s (1414 16th St.), Phono Select (2312 K St.) and the Press Club (2030 P St.).

All the locations are walkable and bike-able, Hammond noted.

“The event is so dynamic,” Hale said. “There are different performers, and it’s got a little bit of everything as far as what people may enjoy for music. It is such an artistic and community-inspired event. To miss out you will be missing out on a great essence of Sacramento.”

Review for Pablo Ziegler's "Beyond Tango"

2011-05-02T06:06:54Z

“Beyond Tango,” pianist Pablo Zielger’s 17-song performance, fused the sharp sexiness of tango music with the jaunty improvisation of jazz to create an enlivened and engaging musical experience at the Mondavi Center on Friday.

Zielger began performing classical music at age 14 in his hometown of Buenos Aires, Argentina. In the 1960s, Zielger’s career made the leap to jazz music. Inspired by both classical and jazz compositions, as well as classic tango rhythms, Zielger formed his Quartet for New Tango in 1990.

The Mondavi Center’s 1801-seat Jackson Hall was nearly full for the performance, accommodating all ages of music lovers, from the young family to my left to the college-aged women to my right. The audience’s anticipatory chatter served as a reminder that the night’s performance was one of a just two U.S. tour stops for the performers of “Beyond Tango.”

The performance began in a bare bones fashion, with only Ziegler and fellow pianist Misha Dacić on stage to play dual-piano for opening song “Michelangelo 70.” Tall and thin, Dacić played with grace and precision, fingers tapping away at the keys like a novelist working furiously against a deadline. In contrast, Ziegler greeted the piano like an old friend, playing with warmth and fluidity.

It was as though the two pianos were having a conversation, pausing briefly to let the other chime in. As the song picked up, the performers’ notes became more desperate, cascading over each other to create a rush of emotional harmonies.

By the end of the night, the stage was full with a menagerie of instruments and musicians. Bandoneón (an accordion-like instrument used in tango music), cello, stand-up bass, two violins, viola, bassoon, flute, clarinet and classical drum kit all graced the stage as members of the Chamber Ensemble.

Pieces performed by the full Chamber Ensemble were almost too energizing for a sit-down concert. The heads of audience members were bobbing during the quick and flirtatious “Fuga y Misterio.” A guest appearance from tango dancers ready to interpret the stirring compositions into bodily movement would have been a welcome sight.

Violinst Machiko Ozawa kept the performance’s tension steady with her sharp slices of sound. She stormed through a solo during “Muchacha de Boedo,” channeling an impassioned mother delivering a sharp-tongued reproach to her children: equal parts seething and restrained. The solo was met with applause from audience members so appreciative of Ozawa’s skill they couldn’t hold their enthusiasm until the end of the piece.

When he wasn’t moving his fingers languidly over his instrument’s thick strings like the frantic legs of a daddy long-legs, bass player Pedro Giraudo was delicately waving his bow like a knife through butter to achieve a soft, airy sound.

Héctor Del Curto, the ensemble’s bandoneón player, performed with his whole body, shoulders heaving in his effort to pull the instrument’s layers into the shape of an upside-down “U.” The winding and sustained sound of the bandoneón acted as the glue for many of the night’s tunes, melding the ensemble’s disparate musical expressions into a cohesive unit.

As the stage lighting transformed into a mix of sunny orange and deep purple, Ziegler and the Chamber Ensemble performed the night’s most bittersweet piece, a song called “Nostalgias.” The low reverberation of Jisoo Ok’s cello melded with the slow weep of Girauudo’s bandoneón to conjure feelings of both hope and regret.

But the somber tone didn’t last long as the ensemble made the transition into romper “Milonga en El Viento.”

Arguably the most charming element of the night’s performance was the improvisational percussion executed by both bass and bandoneón players.

During the Chamber Quintet’s performance of “Buenos Aires Report,” Giraudo used an open hand to tap heartily on the side of his hollow instrument and, for added effect, quickly swiped a taught finger across its polished surface to produce crisp, rhythmic punctuation.

Del Curto rounded out Giraudo’s efforts with his own tinnier percussion, produced by rapping his fingertips on the bandoneón's outer shell. The impromptu percussion signaled the song’s move into a section with a quicker tempo.

Though talented stand-alone musicians, the ensemble seemed to thrive off the energy it created as a group. It was apparent that the ensemble’s members enjoy one another as more than colleagues, and their subtle on-stage interactions imbued the performance with an intimate yet inviting tone.

Ziegler and Giraudo smiled joyfully at one another during particularly lively portions of songs, the accordion and bass player riffed playfully off of one another, and Ziegler presented violinist Ozawa to the audience with the warmth of a proud father.

Though classically inspired, the performance was by no means a rigid affair, thanks in part to Ziegler’s personable addresses to the audience between pieces, during which he joked about song titles and thanked the crowd genuinely for their positive response. Rather than using some maestro-like hand signal to begin a song, Zeigler counted the ensemble off with a simple, rhythmic snap of his fingers and a quickly uttered, “one, two.”

In appreciation of the performers’ good vibes, the audience offered up some warmth of its own in the form of a standing ovation. With Zielger ushering the members to stand closer together, the Chamber Ensemble stood smiling in front of us before rewarding the crowd with a rare encore performance.

In an artist’s statement about “Beyond Tango,” Zielger wrote: ”The music is a kind of emotional portrait of me.” And after witnessing a live Pablo Ziegler performance, one can certainly see what he means.

Todd Clouser A Love Electric along with Alex Jenkins Sound Immersion Live at Beatnik Studios

2011-04-18T05:19:45Z

It proved to be a most electrifying night of Jazz at Beatnik Studios on Friday Night Featuring Todd Clouser A Love Electric with opening act Alex Jenkins Sound Immersion live in concert. The night was filled with a flurry of influences from Hendrix, Nirvana,African tribal drums, to 70's acid/fusion jazz with just a touch of contemporary jazz on top.

Opening act Alex Jenkins sound immersion began the evening with an amazing bang. Although the quartet has a distinct 70's Acid/fusion jazz flavor, they also mix in the almost tribal african drums as well as an intricately woven brass sound combined with the bass. The quartet features;Alex Jenkins - Percussion, Tony Passrell - Soprano & Tenor Sax and Flute, Randy Mckean - Alto Sax, Clarinet and Bass Clarinet, Mike Turgeon - Bas.

All of the selections that Alex Jenkins sound Immersion performed were from the current album they are recording to be released this summer. The standout tune "Oh we bahbah" is almost hypnotizing. Immediately the rhythmic, almost trance inducing sound of percussionist Alex Jenkins lulls you in and the sultry, smooth tones of the sax, clarinet and bass take you to the most pleasurable depths. The mood for the evening was most adequately and pleasantly set with the Alex Jenkins sound immersion opening the show.

Now, that the mood has been set. The audience was treated to the electrifyng sounds of Todd Clouser/A Love Electric. The ensemble consisted of Todd Clouser-guitar, Mark Andraud-Piano, Steven Bernstein-Trumpet, Greg Schutte-Drums and Gordy Johnson-Bass. The strong influence of the guitar with a Hendrix twist as well as 70's acid/fusion Jazz was completely engaging and drew you in further with the completetly intoxicating sounds of the trumpet along with the drums, meticulous movements of the piano, and bass. Most of the tunes the quintet performed are from the A Love Electric Album. Just when you think there couldnt be any more nuances added, "Curtis"- homage to Curtis Mayfield and Bobby in the City -dedicated to Bobby White (a band mate back in mexico city) takes you to a totally unexpected level of bliss and enjoyment.

If Friday evening was indicative of the types of Jazz Venues held at Beatnik studios, I will be waiting with baited breath for the next chapter. I've never experienced an evening with so many varied influences in jazz,rock and pop. The night truly proved to be the most delicious pot of gumbo,so to speak, with all of the key ingredients to thrill your musical palate.

Preview: Slumgum Sophomore Album Release Concert

2011-04-13T17:05:42Z

It’s been almost three years since Slumgum released its self-titled debut album, but the band members are ready and excited to let the public hear how hard they have been working since then.

The jazz quartet from Los Angeles will kick off the release of its sophomore album, “Quardboard Flavored Fiber,” with a performance in Sacramento on April 18 at Luna’s Cafe and Juice Bar, 1414 16th St.

According to Rory Cowal, Slumgum’s pianist, the band was drawn to Sacramento because of the city’s strong community for jazz and improvised music. The band first played in Sacramento about a year ago during a Second Saturday Art Walk.

“Since then, we have been visiting Sacramento more and more and are hoping to make a real presence here,” Cowal said. “We made friends here the last time, and we look forward to visiting them and meeting new folks, too.”

Slumgum’s three other members include Jon Armstrong on tenor sax, Dave Tranchina on bass and Trevor Anderies on drums. The four bandmates and friends met in school at the California Institute of the Arts and have been playing together for about five years. Cowal said that since the first album, the band has changed a lot, and they all felt that they needed to create an album that represented that.

“We are all invested into this musical project,” he said. “You can recognize the growth, comfort and strong bond in the unique musical sound that only exists as a combination of all the players working at the same thing together for so long.”

Cowal said he felt that the title track of the album was especially demonstrative of the group’s sound now, noting that it reflects their sense of humor and how much fun they have. Furthermore, it features a lot of the extremes, moods and sonic places they explore as a band.

A sense of playfulness remains at the core of Slumgum, whose name stemmed from Tranchina’s summer work with a beekeeper. It was then that they all discovered what slumgum was – the impure residue of the beeswax rendering process.

“Slumgum is goopy, goppy stuff, and the imagery was inspiring for us,” Cowal explained. “In the honey-making process, there is a little impurity, which is slumgum. That little impurity is the sense of adventure we put into our playing, the unknown that is part of our performance, and that mystery is what we really enjoy most.”

“The name is also kind of off the wall and sort of suggests that imagination and playfulness that we go for in our music.”

While jazz is the genre the four musicians work in together, they come from various backgrounds and gather inspiration from each, including but not limited to classical, country, pop and rock. They also point out the musicians around them in Los Angeles, who support one another, as a huge influence.

Cowal likened a successful performance experience for an audience member to a trip down the rabbit hole in “Alice in Wonderland” and suggested that all listeners approach the music with open ears and an open mind.

The evening’s bill will also include a set from concert series organizer and local Sacramento jazz musician Ross Hammond, who will be performing alongside ROVA Saxophone Quartet member Steve Adams.

“This is a pairing that makes sense,” Cowal said, “The two groups complement each other, and the whole evening of performance will be really fun.”

The concert will begin at 7 p.m., and cost of entry is on a sliding scale of $5-$10.

The album will be available for purchase at the concert but can also be purchased online on iTunes and CDBaby.

For more information, visit the band’s website.

Volker Strifler unveils stellar lineup in unprecedented Torch Club debut.

2011-03-30T08:30:33Z

Sometimes, amazing things are happening right under your nose and all it takes is for one small moment to grab you and change your course of direction, sucking you into something you would normally have walked right past and never given a second thought.

Saturday, March 11th. The night was clear and I had just finished a long interview at Zen Sushi with restauranteur Jason Hon. I stood at the corner of 15th and I Street, waiting for the light to change. It was quiet and I was admiring the way the spotlights showcased the brickface of the Memorial Auditorium when the silver door to the Torch Club swung open. The blues that poured out of that door was the kind I hadn't heard in a long, long time. It was a jazzy, Delta blues sound from back in the Cotton Club era and it was the real thing.

"Who in the HECK is that?", I said to myself as I turned on my heel. Like an addict to the drug, into the joint I went.

I glanced at the handwritten sign hanging in the entryway. "Volker Strifler Band, $10" I paused. This can't be Volker Strifler.

My first look at the Volker Strifler Band was a few years back at a Sacramento Blues Society event. I remember a few guys with big hair, fancy shoes, guitar shredding and mismanaged sound with a heavy dose of poor attitude. I felt like I was listening to a group of recycled metal heads, each fighting to make his resurgence by way of the Blues by over-shredding. Not for me.

Then I saw them on the lineup list last year for the Northern California Blues Festival and I made sure my shift had me working the ticket counter. I took a pass on photographing the man whose myspace Bio uses the words extraordinaire and languorous. It was too hot for pomp, no matter the circumstance.

Yet there I was, utterly stupefied. The sound literally jerked me from my thoughts and brought me in the door from the street corner with such an interest, I could not have paid the cover fast enough. At first, I thought maybe he was a special guest in someone else's band or maybe he was using a local backup band. It simply wasn't the same guy I'd first heard years ago. This guy, this sound was making my blood stir. I found a seat on the bench near the front of the stage, soaking up the vibe.

The room was thick with the sweat of soulfulness. There was no fretboard surfing. Nobody was playing guitar behind their head. This was tight, purposeful, gut-wrenching blues. The kind of deep, passionate sound you feel through your bones when reknown artists like Michael 'Ironman' Burks lean back and wail and you just stand there watching, with your mouth slightly open, forgetting about the camera you're holding in your hands.

Then, a horn section revved up. Mad applause ensued. Volker had his guitar turned down and he was focusing on the projection of his vocals and it gave the room intimacy, allowing the bass and the horns to reach their full bouquet. As I rested my back against the wall, I could feel the energy bouncing off of me and it made my hair stand on end.

Oh, I'm sorry, did I forget to mention the horn section? It was mad, mad brass...mad applause. It was crazy.

About this time, Volker started to introduce "the band". Drums - Berklee Percussion Legend -T.J. Moran. Bass - Dewayne Pate (Robin Ford, Arturo Sandoval). Tenor Trombone - Carl Bowers (Dizzy Gillespie, Jerry Lewis). Sax - David Schrader (San Francisco Quartet, SF Symphony and Opera).

As my gaze fell to the left side of the stage, I could not believe my eyes - Michael Emerson on keys.

No time to gawk. I dug into my bag for a pen and something to scratch some scribble onto.

"The swanky drawl of a muffled trombone dripped with desire through an Ambient microphone, bringing the room back to the 1930's. It was captivating. A jazzy, improvosational version of "Somebody Help Me" (The Dance Goes On/Blue RockIt Records), from VSB's 2006 CD, set a hush over the room." I wrote that down and then crossed it out. What a line of crap.

This isn't a glossy fluff piece. This is blues of the respectful kind and I needed to properly describe everything I was experiencing. I wanted to document the facts for all of you so you would all know it when you heard it; the sound of a man whose heart is reaching out of his body, trying to touch every person in the room.

Strifler begged into the microphone with painful expression, "Lord, please, somebody help me..."
"...Sometimes it's rough, I'm hangin' tough... Somebody help me Lord, cause I can't see."

(Yes Lord, I thought to myself, help me. Help me write faster.)

During the brief break between sets, Liz DiGiorgio, the band's Manager, did a little bit of fancy navigating and as I scribbled away furiously, Volker sat down across from me on a little wooden stool.

Within a span of a few minutes I imposed upon him to tell me how he managed to turn his sound around and tighten up the ship to such a degree that it has, in my small opinion, put him leaps and bounds beyond where he's ever been before.

"I am trying to reach into my heart and I'll be honest with you." He looked me in the eye as he spoke to me and his face was full of hope and excitement.

"I'm scared to do this tonight - to make such a drastic change with this band for the first time up here like this, live. We've been playing together on and off for the last few years but never just like this. Tonight is the first time."

Ah, yes... there he was, telling me how he's following his heart and how it is leading him through it all. It was "truth time" for me.

So I told him the story of the big hair and the fancy shoes and the bad attitude and that terrible bio. I told him how this new sound pulled me into the club from the street corner while I was intending to just go home for the night and that by all accounts, this was a different man I saw sitting across from me. Tonight, I saw guts, improv, musicianship, respect and plenty of heart and soul laid wide open for everyone to take a piece of.

I applauded his ability to share this very personal experience of his, this night, with all of us.

Taking the stage again for the final set, the band opened with an instrumental number. It's beat seemed tantric, as if the sound challenged some mythical Jazz God from a distant century to come forth. The crowd started crouching lower and lower in a rhythmic, prehistoric-like dance. The volume surged, the crowd cheered for more...more...

Finally home for the night, I couldn't sleep. Big hair, fancy boots, egotistical, loud sounding, fret-shredding, reconstituted Dokken looking band...it had all vanished and there was only one thing left to say.

I had a really, really great time and I can't wait to see these guys again.

Try www.volkerstrifler.com for more information about the band and their calendar.

Art In Sacramento, Where Do We Go From Here?

2011-03-27T22:57:17Z

Master Barber & Beauty Shop presents:
Art on Stockton Blvd. - Art Panel Discussion

"Art In Sacramento - Where do we go from here?"

This is your chance to share and discuss with some of Sacramento's lead art professionals and artists! Join Master Barber & Beauty Shop and panel participants, Dr. Allan Gordon, Lorrie Kempf, Patris Miller, Daphne Burgess and James Sweeney for an evening of lively discussion on "Art in Sacramento." Come with your thoughts, stories and questions as professionals in the art world tell their personal and professional views on the Sacramento art scene.

Keynote Speaker: Gerry GOS" Simpson - Artist, Photographer and Author

Moderator: Tim Foster - Editor, Midtown Monthly

Panelist:
Allan Gordon (PhD, Curator, Artist)
Lorrie Kempf (SMAC, Curator, Artist)
Patris Artist (Artist, Gallery Owner)
James Sweeney (Art Collector, SAAAC)
Daphne Burgess (Artist)

Coffee and Tea is provided by: Old Soul Co.
Refreshment will be Available
This is a FREE event

SAAAC continues to succeed with First Saturday Art Tour

2011-03-27T22:48:40Z

Sacramento, CA-- Every first Saturday, the Sacramento African-American Art Collective (SAAAC) hosts a self-guided art tour exhibiting the works of established and emerging African-American artists. In addition, a wealth of talent by poets, musicians and other artists in various disciplines will be showcased. Participating artists are predominately from the greater Sacramento region and surrounding communities.

Art lovers will be able to view creative works in all media at over 10 venues throughout the city. People of all ages are encouraged to come out and enjoy this family-friendly event. The First Saturday Art Tour is free and open to the public from 12noon-9pm. Reception times for “Meet the Artist” opportunities are listed on the SAAAC Facebook page (www.facebook.com/SAAAC).

Art patrons may choose to go to some or all of the venues. The self-guided tour guides viewers from location to location ending at a Point of Destination closing reception. The Point of Destination spotlights, and is hosted by, a venue included in the tour. Artists and business owners from all the venues will be present. For the month of April 40 Acres Art Gallery 3428 3rd Avenue (Historic Oak Park) Sacramento, is the Point of Destination. This free event starts at 6:30pm.Seating is limited and guests are encouraged to arrive early.

Fine artist and cultural activist, Milton “510” Bowens presents “Food Stamps, Free Lunch and Fine Art” A Self Portrait. Join us as we artistically flash back to the sixties, seventies and eighties in a celebration of music, poetry and memory. A live DJ will spin old school hits and a select ensemble of the Sacramento area’s finest spoken word artist will perform. The evening will include a silent auction with proceeds benefiting Mr. Bowens’ Civil Arts Project.

Image: First and Fifteenth courtesy of Mrs. Jan Web. / Catering by Sweet Things
For more information please contact Gail Williams 510-417-1500 or Michael Craft 916-670-2932

Participating Locations:

-Sojourner Truth Multi-Cultural Museum / tel: 916.320.9573
2251 Florin Road, Ste. 126, Sacramento, CA 95822
Reception: Noon-1pm

-Master Barber & Beauty Shop / tel: 916.457.8708
4340 Stockton Blvd., Suite 2, Sacramento, CA 95820
Reception: Noon-1pm

-Carol's Books / tel: 916.335.9094
1913 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815
Reception: 1:30pm-2:15pm

-KUUMBA Collective Art Gallery / tel: 916.613.2940
-Framed by Frankie / tel: 916.613.2940
-Studio 14: Ed Nightingle / tel: 916.919.1301
1001 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815
Reception: 2:45pm-4pm

-Evolve the Gallery / tel: 916.572.5123
2907 35th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817
-Brickhouse Art Gallery / tel: 916.317.3302
2837 36th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817
-Underground Books / tel: 916.737.3333
2814 35th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817
40 Acres Art Gallery / tel: 916.457.5080
Reception: 4:30pm-6pm

-Celebration Arts Theatre / tel: 916.456.5080
4469 D Street, Sacramento, CA 819
Showtime 8pm / Call for more info

40 Acres Art Gallery - Point of Destination
Milton “510” Bowens presents
“Food Stamps, Free Lunch and Fine Art” A Self Portrait.
3428 3rd Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95817
Event begins at 6:30pm / Free to the public

Jazz on J brings live Jazz to Downtown Sacramento

2011-03-16T02:30:35Z

Seeing a lack of regular jazz shows in the central city, Grady O’Bryant sought to fill that void with a weekly series called Jazz on J at Shenanigans bar on J Street.

Jazz on J features a local jazz band every Thursday. The first Jazz on J show was on Feb. 17.

Grady worked with saxophonist Ava Lemert to create Jazz on J, which had its fourth show Thursday. Lemeret performs every week before the featured band.

“Grady and I met up at Shenanigan’s to talk about putting something together,” Lemert said. “He and I are the creators of the series. Grady had the idea that he wanted to put something together. Maybe have something every week.”

Every Thursday, from 6 - 7 p.m., local jazz artist Ava Lemert sings and plays her saxophone. The featured band plays from 7 - 9 p.m., and DJ Rock Bottom spins from 9 p.m. to midnight playing a contemporary jazz mix. Cover charge is $10.

O’Bryant explained his motivation behind starting Jazz on J.

“I worked over the past three years with various jazz bands,” O’Bryant said. “They complained that there’s not enough venues featuring jazz bands.”

O’Bryant also runs Sacramento Wine & Night Life Tours. He said he is planning on combining Jazz on J and the tours.

“I got a little different twist on it,” he said. “We’re bringing wine makers from wine country to Jazz on J, and we’re bringing the jazz bands out to wine country, too.”

The jazz scene has been lacking in Sacramento, Larry Ellis Jr. said. The 36-year veteran jazz pianist has been witness to the scene shrinking and growing for the past three decades. Larry Ellis Jr. and Southwind were featured at Jazz on J on March 3.

“The jazz scene as far as the kind of jazz that I play is really weak in Sacramento,” Ellis said. “Sacramento is notorious for supporting it for a little while and then flaking out.”

Ellis expressed hope and enthusiasm about Jazz on J.

“Jazz on J St. is a rekindling of jazz in Sacramento. It’s an outstanding event – a place for grown folks to go and enjoy themselves,” Ellis said. “They have good-quality music.”

Sabor Jazz was featured on opening night, on Feb. 17. Micheal Otwell plays flute and saxophone in Sabor Jazz.

“Grady is an absolute networking monster,” Otwell said. “He pulled us into the Jazz on J family of all places from Facebook. I never thought I would get a gig through Facebook.”

“The venue’s really good to play at,” Otwell said. “We had a pretty good crowd of about 50 or 60 people. The social media thing was really working for us.”

DJ Rock Bottom (profile on The Sacramento Press here) was asked to perform by O’Bryant to DJ Jazz on J.

“I think it’s great. It’s a good idea. It’s a good thing for the scene,” he said. “Many jazz musicians that don’t have that avenue to expose themselves on a commercial level can get exposure here.

“People don’t have to drive to the bay for it anymore,” he added. “It gives the people that love it the opportunity to see it live every week.”

Bill Meyer plays lead guitar for Innersoul. They were featured during the second week.

“I think it’s a very positive thing, and I’m glad to see the music is coming back to Sacramento,” Meyer said. “I think it’s going to grow.”

For information about future events, go to JazzonJ.com.

Big Sam's Funky Nation!

2011-02-19T02:16:14Z

New Orleans' funk phenomenon Big Sam's Funky Nation rolls into Sacramento Sunday night to play a show at Harlow's.

"Big Sam" Williams, a former member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, has been celebrated as "the top man on the slide trombone in the birthplace of jazz" by the San Francisco Chronicle.

He also has a recurring role playing himself on the HBO Original Series "Treme."

Jambase describes Big Sam's Funky Nation as "soul food to get us through the week" and touts the band for always "bringing a straight raw party."

BSFN is a stalwart on the U.S. festival circuit, having appeared at New Orleans Jazzfest, Bonnaroo, Voodoo Arts and Music Fest , South by Southwest, Gathering of the Vibes, and Jam Cruise. Sunday night is the second to last date on a West coast swing (they play Yoshi's SF on the 21st) before they return to the Southeast.

Opening for the New Orleans funksters are local favorite, soul/funk troubadours The Nibblers.

The last time The Nibblers opened up at Harlow's for a New Orleans powerfunk group led by a virtuoso slide trombonist featured in "Treme," it resulted in one of the best Sacramento shows of 2010.

I expect more of the same on Sunday night.

The show begins at 9 p.m., and tickets are $12.

Dancing shoes, though not required, are highly recommended.

See you there.

The Slackers Kick Off 2011 with a Bang

2011-01-04T01:44:40Z

I’ve been using the word “fantastic” a lot lately, a bad habit I picked up upon moving to California this year. I am trying to quit, but The Slackers show last night deserves no lesser superlative. The languid reggae sound of their albums betrays the intensity and raucous atmosphere of a live concert.

Harlow’s was packed with a crowd that included those sporting pork pie hats, the “flannels” and even a few groovy baby boomers sipping their wine responsibly. Of course, also attending was the obligatory drunk girl in jeggings and high-heeled boots that would later storm the stage for an impromptu “performance.”

We’ve all heard reggae or rock-steady before, but to witness the perfect fluidity of a band that’s been doing it for 20 years is a privilege. The deeply satisfying quacking croak of Dave Hillyard’s saxophone complemented Vic Ruggiero’s crooner punk vocals perfectly, along with Ruggiero’s famous organ skills.

I was surprised to learn that he worked on Pink’s 2003 album “Try This,” but not after watching him punch the keyboard flawlessly in a Slacker’s version of “Ain’t No Sunshine.” Somehow, even without the bittersweet lyrics of the Bill Wither’s original, it still rang poignantly heartbreaking.

On a side note, we noted bassist Marcus Geard, dressed in a white tuxedo jacket and a black derby hat, sneaking a bottle of Crown Royal backstage just before the show. The giant grin under his even larger handlebar mustache never left his face for the entire show. He and the band were having fun, and it infected the whole audience. Toward the end, even the jaded “flannels” were leaping and dancing around like kids on “Sesame Street.”

The Slacker’s’ show at Harlow’s Sunday night was indeed, my favorite, if overused, adjective. Fantastic.

www.theslackers.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33DHMa2C6fk

http://www.harlows.com/

The Slackers Grace Sactown with Gritty Reggae Sunday the 2nd at Harlow's

2010-12-31T03:28:19Z

You should be just about mended back to health from your New Year’s hangover, so come to Harlow’s on Jan. 2 for another night to party and stave off that post-holiday depression for a few more hours.

Call it ska, call it reggae, call it jazz, call it what you will: The Slackers are bringing it all to Harlow’s on J Street Sunday night. This year makes 20 that the Brooklyn-born sextet has been rocking-steady both the east and west coasts, and now we get a taste of the slackness here in Sacramento. Tickets are $12 at the door. Show starts at 8 p.m
http://www.theslackers.com/
http://www.myspace.com/theslackers

'P' Street Cultural Venue Hosts Guitar Expressions Music Series

2010-11-22T07:34:28Z

The warmth of the Antiquité Maison Privée (formerly the Lovell’s Antiques building) on P and 21st streets, was a welcome refuge from the downpour that raged outside. Host Derek Keller greeted guests at the door, and he was warm and full of energy about the opening performance of “GEMS (Guitar Expressions Music Series).”

Ross Hammond was on the bill for the night with a special guest, critically acclaimed saxophonist Phillip Greenlief. Greenlief has played with practically every recognizable name in jazz and has a penchant for music as cultural expression. Greenlief opened the show with an abstract extreme saxophone piece that I can only define as “a safari of sound” peppered with vocal outbursts. Imagine you were in the fields of Africa and off in the distance you could hear a rumbling you couldn’t describe until it got closer, and you could hear the cries of the elephants and the pounding of their feet hitting the dirt. As it overtook you where you stood, you were frozen, mesmerized, yet realizing you were in the middle of it all and it was too late to move out of the way, so you just stood there as the sound rushed by you and the air hit your face. Then, it was quiet again and you opened your eyes standing exactly where you were before it all began.

Hammond explained that much of his work these days is influenced by his newborn daughter. Of the four songs he performed, two songs were lullabies, one was for his wife and a final song was for Tommy Van Wormer, a friend who passed away earlier this year. Hammond incorporates single notes that are built up by use of a looping machine. Imagine, if you will, a track recorder that is enabled by pedals, recording each sound, each rhythm, forming the backing for what Ross plays over with his electric guitar.

The ambiance throughout the venue was impeccably done. It was cold outside yet so warm inside the effaced stone and wood building, recently renovated with refinished floors and ceiling. Amber lighting reflected on the wooden folding chairs, the leather lounge seating and the glassware on an old wooden bar. Appetizers lay formally arranged in the corner on silver trays, and each window bore endless cascades of the most exquisitely soft velvet drapes. You could have easily thought you were at a wedding reception.

I spoke briefly with building owners Marci Hoze and Sharon Wilson. Wilson said they wanted to keep the building, recently acquired from Michael Forbes, as close to the original design that the Lovell’s had used when it housed their antiques. Hence, they kept the stained-glass marquee and worked hard refinishing the wooden roof interior. They aspire to bring more cultural performance events to the community, and the venue is also booking weddings, receptions, reunions and rehearsal dinners.

“GEMS: Guitar Expressions Music Series” continues with performances by Greg Williams, Henry Robinett, Nahum Zdybel, with Derek Keller winding up the series.

Photo: Mary Franklin

Kenny G provides Hope in Harmony

2010-11-22T03:34:46Z

The downpour flooding Sacramento streets on Friday night couldn’t dampen the spirits of hundreds of people gathered at the Memorial Auditorium for a charity gala. The Hope Productions Foundation put on a wonderful event, Hope in Harmony, to raise thousands of dollars for children’s charities in Sacramento. Major sponsors included the Niello Company and Wells Fargo.

Grammy winner Kenny G was the artist who volunteered his talents to bring together about 250 players in the Sacramento philanthropic community for a VIP champagne reception, a dinner and auction, and a wonderful performance by the saxophone virtuoso.

Days before the event, a huge white tent was erected in front of the main entrance to the venerable Sacramento landmark. As the storm began with heavy rain and high winds, valets scrambled to park cars and usher gala-goers inside under sopping umbrellas. The guests were greeted by enthusiastic volunteers and treated to champagne and hors d’oeuvres prepared by Aioli, Hawks, Lucca, and Mikuni.

The guests were soon ushered inside to take their places at tables set up on the main floor of the auditorium, where youth from Stand Out Talent in Roseville entertained from the stage before dinner.

These are some of the youthful entertainers from Stand Out talent with director Jenn Bortz.

Following the meal, local media personality Kitty O’Neal took the stage to introduce Garry Maisel of Western Health Advantage who chairs the Board of Directors of the Hope Productions Foundation. Maisel shared some of the successes of the Foundation. Hope Productions Foundation is a Sacramento-based non-profit organization that provides support and training at no cost for local charities serving children and youth.

Since its first event in 2009, the Foundation has distributed over $1.5 million in contributions, leadership training, resources, business development and marketing to 16 local children’s nonprofit organizations and has directly helped more than 51,000 children. Hope Productions Foundation also produces the annual Walk N’ Rock for kids event, which in 2010 drew over 5000 participants.

The auction, including a Fund-A-Project drive was ably handled by benefit auction specialist David Sobon. Under Sobon’s energetic and entertaining guidance, participants bid for a variety of wonderful items, including a trip to a 5-diamond Hawaiian resort, a driving trip to the Monterey Peninsula in a luxury sport car, and a saxophone from the personal collection of featured artist Kenny G, who assisted in the auction with grace and humor.

Hayley Mackanin delivered a charming Angel Wings lapel pin to successful bidders.

A happy bidder receives one of Kenny G's personal saxophones.

Addison Gabelich delivers Angel Wings to successful bidder Nadine.

The general public audience was admitted during the auction, and some of the ticketholders were perplexed by the glittering gala attendees and the spirited bidding. But when Kenny G entered the hall from the back and wandered among the tables playing a lilting tenor sax number—including one of his trademark 140-second sustained notes, attributable to his “circular breathing” technique—the audience was delighted.

Kenny and his very talented band have been playing together for over 20 years, and their ease and joy with one another was obvious.

At one point Ron Powell, whom Kenny described as “the best percussionist in the world,” performed an amazing, athletic solo that included an audience call-and-response and a display of acrobatic juggling moves with his single drumhead. He was ably assisted by Stockton native Daniel Bejaranjo, also an accomplished drummer.

Kenny G. retains his long hair and youthful slenderness from his earliest fame almost 30 years ago. His energy and comfortable, folksy manner radiates joy to the audience wherever he performs. At one point he broke into the “Jeopardy” theme song when a microphone had to be replaced, and a while later he paused and remarked, “So, I think this is going pretty well so far… I like the tables…” Kenny played many of his number-one hits, starting with “Silhouette” and “Havana”; the band played one number from their just-released CD “Heart and Soul”, and they played a medley of Christmas music. The highlight of the evening for one couple was when their names were drawn from hundreds of raffle tickets and they were brought on stage to be serenaded by Kenny and then presented with the soprano sax (fingerprints and all, and to quote Kenny, “even the spit”.).

All in all, a delightful evening was enjoyed by music fans and supporters of children’s charities. Thank you, Kenny G and Hope Productions Foundation.

For further information: 916-920-4673 |http://www.hopeproductions.org

Photos | Kati Garner

Keller Williams returns

2010-11-20T02:58:34Z

Keller Williams made his triumphant return to Sacramento on Thursday night in front of a packed house at Harlow's. If the success of last night’s show is any indication, we won't have to wait another dozen years before his next visit.

The place was already jumping when I arrived a little before 8:30, and fans kept pouring in to the one-man jam band’s first set, which began just after 9 p.m.

Keller came on stage alone, as he is wont to do, strapped to an acoustic guitar. A stand to his right held an electric bass, in playing position, ready to be fingered. A stand to his left held an electric guitar, ditto. Behind him were several other electronic noisemaking implements, including a Macintosh laptop.

One of the most important tools of his trade lay at his (bare) feet, the loop pedal that he uses to record, well, loops that he layers on top of one another in order to create music that would otherwise necessitate three, four, five or more musicians to play.

As he went from instrument to instrument, a familiar tune began to develop. I couldn't quite place it until he brought a theretofore unnoticed instrument out, a trumpet. It was easy to miss because he was performing his trumpet solo using only his mouth. We were listening to a cover of the Van Morrison classic, "Moondance."

The show was peppered throughout with covers, including, ironically, or maybe not, "Pepper" by the Butthole Surfers, which Keller and the Keels cover on their recent release, "Thief." The song was a huge hit in 1996, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard charts. Then the Butthole Surfers fell off the face of the Earth (it's true, look it up).

Keller cherry-picked another outstanding one-hit wonder, Dee-Lite, playing an inspired version of 1990's feel-good song of the summer (I know, it was released in November, but it was so feel-good it transcended the seasons, and quite possibly space and time), "Groove is in the Heart." I'm not sure if there is truth to the rumor that he chose these two tracks in order to show off his prodigious rapping skills, but if the shoe fits...

Lest you think he was relying too much on ’90s MTV covers, he mixed in a rollicking cover of Patterson Hoods (Drive-By Truckers) southern rock anthem, "Uncle Disney," another track off of "Thief."

Later, belying his deadhead hippie roots, and to the delight of the white kids with dreadlocks contingent in the crowd (sizable), he broke into the Grateful Dead classic "Saint Stephen," which first appeared on “Aoxomoxoa,” but I remember it more from my young hippie starter kit, "Skeletons From the Closet."

As much as the crowd responded to the covers, it was the original songs that brought the crowd to it's frenzied apex. Keller’s songs are exceedingly danceable and are all marked by the songwriter’s playful sensibilities. He's a first-rate storyteller, and his stories are funny. At times, laugh-out-loud funny.

"Doobie in my pocket" is an autobiographical tale of an airport realization that "Theres a doobie in my pocket of my shirt in my suitcase," and the ensuing hysterics that said realization elicits. By the time he reaches the payoff, ("I'm wearing the shirt with the doobie in my pocket, it was never in my suitcase, I was wearing it the whole time") it's the crowd that is in the throws of hysterics.

"Kidney in a Cooler" is a song about breaking down in the middle of nowhere. The crowd can really get behind a refrain of "perpendicular teeth" repeated eight times. That's just good fun.

Perhaps the best example, especially considering the locale, was his closing song. "I love California" is what it sounds like, an ode to the Golden State. Heavy on the tongue in cheek. His love comes with caveats. For example: the lyric, "I love California, but only for a short while/If I lived there, my brain would certainly be mush, Willie Nelson-Mendocino Kush," citing a particularly potent strain of our state plant.

He goes on to poke fun at our thin skins ("I think its funny when it's 70 outside, and they grab their winter coats") and high rents, and the crowd full of Californians ate up every second of it. The duality of the song helps it go over just as well outside of the 31st state in the Union.

I had seen Keller twice before, but both times it had been at large festivals, with backing bands. In essence, I hadn't really seen him before. It was a wholly different experience to see him up-close and solo, jumping from one instrument to the next, emoting roguishly as he does so. I highly recommend it. It was the feel-good concert of the summer. (I know, I know, its November).

Images #'s 1 through 8 are the work of the supremely talented Steven Chea. The rest are the "work" of yours truly.

With Buika, it’s never the last drink

2010-11-08T02:11:57Z

"The last drink and last love are never the last..."

Concha Buika’s sultry voice reverberates softly through the golden walls of the Mondavi Center at UC Davis. Her hair is swept in a shiny, black scarf as her eyes gaze shyly at the room of roughly 1,000 audience members who are eagerly awaiting her next words of wisdom.

“I think this is important information,” she adds, chuckling a little into her microphone. The audience, taking in her words, cheers thoughtfully, as if she has just answered to their collective curiosities, thoughts they had no means to express.

Buika (“BWEE-kah”), born on the island of Mallorca to immigrants from Equatorial Guinea, has become an emerging Spanish vocalist who has created a rare yet ingenious sound, a hybrid of flamenco, jazz and soul. Influenced by her African roots, the Spanish gypsy community, Latin American beats and the Americanization of a Las Vegas stint, Buika has achieved a blended style of earthy passion and cosmopolitan wit. Her success in Spain has transferred internationally and across mediums, with her first film debut in Pedro Almodovar's upcoming film "La Piel Que Habito," as well as duets with Seal and Nelly Furtado. Her new Latin Grammy Award nominated album, "El Ultimo Trago (The Last Drink)," brings her to the United States for her first American tour, which had her swing through Davis last Saturday.

In between lyrics, Buika shares with the audience the many secrets she says she’s discovered along her travels. "It’s a secret, but I will tell you," she says, grinning.

“When we open our mouths to say something, we fall into the fire,” she says, lifting her skirt to begin subtle flamenco choreography as she shapes her fingers into imaginary castanets.

“When I feel I don’t know nothing, I realize I know everything,” she continues.

Her spoken lyrics come both from her own poetry and translations from “El Ultimo Trago," which covers interpretations of songs by one of Buika’s musical heroines, Mexican legend Chevela Varges.

Buika intersperses her elusive spoken words with the raspy, desperately powerful "el cante." Buika reintroduces Vargas’ classic songs by transforming Vargas’ bolero “El Ultimo Trago" into a blues number and “Somos” into the soft, rhythmic cha-cha.

As the falsetto of her flamenco-driven cries captivates the audience, she takes a moment to calm her intense vocal chords and capture her supporting musicians. Buika grabs what looks like an older DSLR camera and bends down to take a few shots of the drummer, the bassist and the pianist, as each musician round-robins into a jazzy solo instrumentation.

Buika continues the night with numbers from her first two albums, as well as more of Vargas’ classics such as "Luz de Luna." Between songs, she takes careful consideration to translate for the audience. “Luz de luna, it means moonlight,” she says. “Mentirosa, it means liar."

As her performance comes to a close, she thanks the audience with sincerity. “Muchas gracias, thank you so much!” she exclaims. But the audience demands an encore, and she returns to perform “Mi Niña Lola,” from her debut album “Mi Niña Lola.”

If the last drink is really never the last, well, then, let’s say, “Can we have another one please?”

Photos by Steven Chea.

Neo Crocker: believe it or not

2010-10-19T01:46:08Z

"Can you believe this is Sacramento?"

Saturday night, at Neo-Crocker 2010, I heard many variations on this theme, but the first time I heard it stands out.

The awestruck reveler voicing the sentiment? None other than Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson.

It was easy to understand his, and others’, disbelief. At first blush, Neo-Crocker certainly seemed to be a party more suited to New York or Los Angeles than our own fair hamlet, yet here it was, at Third and O, not on Fifth Avenue or Rodeo Drive.

But this was better.

It was like a New York party, but without the pretension.

It was like an L.A. party, but without the disingenuousness.

This was a party for a Sacramento all dressed up and wearing its big-boy pants.

It was certainly a feather in the cap for the "Sacramento as a world-class city" crowd.

Ultimately, the museum itself was the star, as well it should have been. I could have very easily spent the entire evening wandering the upper floors, perusing the art and enjoying the various strategically placed performers. As it was I spent close to two hours meandering through the myriad galleries, and I feel like I only scratched the surface.

The second floor, which celebrates the Art of Wayne Thiebaud, "Sacramento's most famous artist," featured Poetry Machine, by the Sacramento Poetry Center. Imagine a deli, but instead of serving hoagies, they serve poems.

As I walked by, not sure what was going on, I was shanghaied with "what do you want a poem about?" I repeated the question, stammered a bit and then replied, belatedly, "existentialism?" (I thought we left the pretension in New York?)

In less time than it took me to answer his question, the dapper gentleman at the typewriter produced this tour de force "instamatic" poem:

"Sometimes its hard to ask for the poem you want ask for.

This is why we don't get what we don't want.

Is this a song?

Is this a story?

Not sure"

I'm not exaggerating when I say this is now one of my favorite poems.

Robert Burns, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Robert Frost – and that guy in the tux.

On the third floor, I fell in love with landscape artist Edwin Deakin, a British painter who immigrated to Chicago at the age of 18 in 1856. In 1870, he moved to San Francisco and began creating iconic images of the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe Basin.

It seemed that every other painting that caught my eye was his work. I was admiring a particularly interesting piece of his, "Strawberry Creek," when I struck up a conversation with a statuesque blonde.

"This is so much better than it was before" said Autumn, referring to the museum. "This is great for Sacramento. I'm so impressed." She also said she'd just returned to Sacramento from New York and Milan, implying, I think, that she wasn't easily impressed.

In addition to art ranging from 16th-century Dutch masters to 21st-century modernist ceramics, there were several poets, musicians and "living sculptures" adding to the atmosphere.

Eventually I dragged myself away from the art upstairs to check out more of the action on the ground floor. On my way down I stopped by the drink check table (apparently they frown on carrying alcoholic beverages near the priceless artifacts) to mention how impressed I was to Jenny, one of the many volunteers on duty.

"I know, isn't it great? And it's here, in Sac. It's ours. I feel I have a certain ownership of it," she said, beaming like a proud parent.

Downstairs, the party was in full swing. On the main stage, where the Sacramento Ballet had performed earlier, fire dancers Vulcan Crew and Solar Flare were performing. The Main Stage was hosted by Taryn Thru-U, Mizz Monique Moore & Malhae, female impersonators extraordinaire.

In the Friedman Court, they were having a free-form fashion show by Miss Velvet Cream and Muse Salon. There were beautiful people, in beautiful clothes, with beautiful hair beautifully made-up, being beautiful. On pedestals.

In the E. Kendall Davis Courtyard there were all sorts of things going on – Body painting, Social Sculpture, a Wells Fargo Photo shoot, Style Inspired by Art presented by the Arden Fair Mall.

It was also the setting for my favorite musical act of the evening, Exquisite Corps, a three-piece jazz ensemble that closed out the evening.

As you went around the courtyard, counterclockwise, you could get your hair and makeup done, a professionally staged photo taken, your body painted and then made personalized pins or T-shirts...presumably with a stop at the cash bar between each station. Or maybe the smokers’ cage in the back (warning: please do not feed or taunt the smokers).

Throughout it all there were roaming performances by Santa Cruz's Nocturnal Sunshine. There is just something about stilt walkers. They add a wonderful level of surrealism to an event. And Sierra, Cindy and Karen, the girls from Nocturnal Sunshine, were great. I saw nary a stumble.

As if this weren't enough, there was also a live tattoo demo and life drawing taking place in the art studio. Alycia Harr of Leonardi Tattoo was putting her considerable talents on display, working on an arm sleeve for one person and a monumental back piece for another.

Right next door were a dozen or so easels set up around a small stage where various men and women modeled for revelers who drew them to the best of their ability. I must say, there were some supremely talented partygoers.

The headliner, RJD2, took the stage in Friedman Court at 11 p.m. to a decent crowd. He's a DJ and music producer out of Philadelphia and is well-known in hip-hop and electronica circles. You may know his track "A Beautiful Mine" as the theme song to the "Mad Men" TV series.

He started off with a lot of melodic and interesting instrumental tracks. He even dropped a caveat to the crowd early in his set. "If this is too damned artsy for you, and you just wanna dance, stick around. We'll get to that."

And he did, eventually, but I actually enjoyed his earlier stuff more than the straight dance stuff he played later. Although he was a bit more creative and eclectic in his mixes (I particularly liked his use of Desmond Decker’s "Shanty Town" and Talking Heads’ "Once in a Lifetime"), a lot of it felt like semi-generic club music. ("You got the best of my love," "She's a bad Mama Jamma" and "No Diggitty." Blackstreet? really?)

For the most part, the crowd seemed to enjoy the more elementary dance stuff, and there was a high-energy, if limited, dance floor. I guess that's what really matters. ( At one point, there was a little pushing and shoving, which looked like it was going to degenerate into a fight. Seriously, at a museum fund raiser? Who does that? Thankfully cooler heads prevailed, or this may have been a very different piece.)

Speaking of the crowd, I was struck by its heterogeneousness. It's hard to imagine a more eclectic group (at least for an event that cost nearly $100 at the door.) At one point, it may have been during "No Diggity," I was at the back of the dance floor next to two mostly naked and body-painted kids in their early 20s, when what must have been an 85-year-old woman came by with her walker, a huge smile on her face. Par for the course.

The outfits ranged from the snazzy to the absurd, black tie to sesame street. Many wore tuxes, one wore a jacket made of swatch watches. Our own editor in chief, David Watts Barton, was wearing a full red silk suit.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the food, provided by Bobbin and Patrick Mulvaney, who will also be operating the new Crocker Cafe. An army of servers wandered the grounds with goat cheese bruschetta with porcini mushrooms, mini burgers (so good), small chinese takeout boxes filled with delectable noodles, trail mix, Yukon gold potatoes with white cheddar and bacon, and many other yummy goodies.

Overall, the party was outstanding. It was visually stunning, artistically moving, culinarily satiating and sonically satisfactory.

"Can you believe this is Sacramento?"

I can.

All of the images are the work of the lovely and talented Kati Garner

Truth & Tea

2010-09-30T03:10:35Z

   I'd been in Harlow's for almost 10 full minutes Tuesday night when a fellow that I'd exchanged brief pleasantries with on the way in approached me at the bar. "Hey man, we're gonna go burn if you're interested."
   After a lengthy internal deliberation, I declined his kind offer. It was up to me, you see, to relay the evenings events to you, kind reader, and that's a responsibility I take very seriously. I wouldn't have my perceptions dulled by anything stronger than PBR. At least not until the set break.
   Truth & Salvage Co. was opening for San Francisco's Tea Leaf Green, and though I'd never seen either group live before, as the crowd rolled in, I felt a rush of familiarity – something akin to déjà vu. I may not have seen these guys before, but we certainly run in the same circles.
   Tea Leaf Green has been on my radar since it was coming of age in the burgeoning San Francisco jam scene of the late 1990s. The musicians have toured voraciously in the years since, and became known for both their improvisational acrobatics and their soulful songwriting. I'm not really sure how I managed to go so long without catching them live.
   Truth & Salvage was born in Hollywood in 2005, but the bands roots and soul lie in places as disparate as Asheville, N.C.; New Orleans; Indianapolis; Tupelo, Miss.; Atlanta; deep-southern Ohio and, I like to think, in the backseat of a Greyhound bus, rolling down Highway 41. It is an unusual six-piece band featuring four singer/songwriters, each of whom brings a unique voice to the group.
   At 8:25, I took my PBR out back to have a smoke. As the door closed behind me, I realized that the the back patio was not open. It was, instead, a de facto backstage area. To my chagrin, the door had locked behind me. To my relief, the band members out back took me in graciously.
   My happy misstep afforded me the opportunity to meet two of the four singer/songwriters. Bill "Smitty" Smith and Walker Young were gracious hosts and offered me a seat. We discussed High Sierra Music Festival(It's the best), deep-southern Ohio (Turns out that both Smithy and I are blessed, or afflicted, with roots therein), the Pacific Northwest (All agreed it's a wonderful place when the sun is shining, as it had been for the last two weeks as they toured there) and when they were going on (in two minutes).
   I walked through the backstage with the band and zigged toward the bar as they zagged toward the stage.
   They took the stage at about 8:45 and went immediately into the jubilant "Hail, Hail," the first track off their recent eponymous debut album. The song is a perfect opener, with a chorus both welcoming and celebratory ("Hail, hail, the gang's all here, with their heads full of reefer and their bellies full of beer"). It's a testament to their songwriting that, though I'd never heard the track before, it immediately felt familiar.
   This would become a theme for the evening.
   The next few songs I had listened to a couple times on their website earlier that day. If the songs that I'd never heard felt familiar, the songs that I had heard even once before felt like dear old friends. You know how a song from your past can sometimes trigger in you a flood of memories and emotion? "Heart Like a Wheel" was the third song they played, and it had that same effect on me. A song that I'd first listened to just hours earlier was eliciting a sense of melancholy for a phantom memory that never was. Powerful stuff.
   They played nearly their entire album, plus a couple extras, and there was nary a low point. It's hard to put a label on music generally, and in this case even more so, but hey, that's why they pay me the big bucks: Imagine you took southern rock, country, folk, blues, classic rock and New Orleans jazz and put them all into a mortar, and using Los Angeles as a pestle, made a musical guacamole. That musical guacamole is brought to you by Truth and Salvage Co.
Mmmmmm, musical guacamole. Eat your heart out Robert Cristgau.
   By the time the band finished up with, fittingly, the last track on its album, "Pure Mountain Angel," they had the fans who had come specifically to see them in a fervor, and they had gained at least one fan for life, although I'm guessing it's a lot more than that.
   Tea Leaf Green has a much larger local following than do the boys from T&S, so a lot of fans were trickling in during the openers' performance, and even more showed up after they had finished (gross miscalculation on their parts). By the time Tea Leaf Green took the stage sometime after 10 p.m., the crowd had more than doubled in size.
   The musicians opened with "California," a song that has been in their repertoire since the 1990s, and it set their loyal fan base into a body-twirling, head-shaking, fist-pumping, hippy-shaking tizzy that lasted the entirety of their 90-minute set.
The members of TLG are all fantastic musicians, and they have honed their improvisational skills to a fine point over the last 13 years of playing nearly nonstop. In 2007, Reed Mathews replaced founding member Ben Chambers on bass, but he seems to meld seamlessly with the original members.
   Josh Clark, guitarist and vocalist, bantered a bit with the crowd. "We're all friends here, right? Trevor needs a whiskey drink," he said, referring to keyboardist and fellow vocalist Trevor Garrod. A little while later, shots arrived on stage.
"I guess I'm gonna be drinking some whiskey here in Sac," he said. The statement proved prophetic when, moments later, to shouts of encouragement from the crowd, the band banged down the shots.
   As the set went on, It became clear that nearly everyone in the crowd seemed to know nearly every one of the words to every one of the songs. This was not their first rodeo.
   I enjoyed their set, especially several of the extended jams. A few of the high points for me were a boisterous, rollicking "Not Fit" and "Red Ribbons," both off of "Raise the Tent," their first album with Reed on bass, and one that I think I may have to invest in. Both tracks held up as songs but also served as canvases for extended jams that brought the crowd to a lather.
I also really liked "One Reason," as it was the only track that I knew well enough to sing along to, and thus, the only one where I fit in with the crowd.

Overall, it was a fantastic show. Both bands impressed, Tea Leaf Green was very good, and I would definitely check them out again. Truth & Salvage was a game changer. I think everyone should go see them, every chance they get. I certainly will be.

August Heats Up With 'Jazz At The Crocker'

2010-08-21T01:39:26Z

Who says summer has to end in August? Well, the organizers of the Crocker Art Museum’s “Jazz At The Crocker” summer music series agree.

In fact, the museum is prolonging the spirit of summer with its “Jazz At The Crocker” every third Thursday of the month beginning at 5:30 p.m. and going to 8 p.m. in the E. Kendall Davis Courtyard. This month, the Crocker featured the renowned Roger Smith jazz band.

The band consists of bandleader and keyboardist Roger Smith, drummer Brian Collier, bassist Curtis Ohlson, guitarist Jeff Tamelier, saxophonist Jon Skinner, saxophonist Tom E. Politzer and vocalist Carol J. Toca.

“The Crocker has been doing this for 15-20 years—it’s a popular series,” said Kathleen Richards, marketing and communications coordinator for the museum. “It was a year-round program, but with the construction, it became a summer series.”

“Jazz at the Crocker” is not the only music series the museum offers – for several years the museum held the Classical Music Series as well. However, with the preparation for the new building and ongoing construction of the new museum, the Crocker had to scale back its programs.

“We’ll be broadening the focus of the series after we move into the new building,” Richards said.

“We’re going to capitalize on the downtown cultural music scene after the museum finishes its move,” said Christian Adame, manager of Lifelong Learning for the Crocker. “In the next summer series, we will include Blues, Reggae and Indie Rock.”

“We generally have a list of performers that the museum keeps up with,” he said. “Most of our artists are local Northern California talent.”

“Roger Smith has been performing for a number of years here. He’s one of the popular artists in the series and has quite a following,” Richards said.

As the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding. The crowd did indeed turn out in support of “Jazz At The Crocker,” with an attendance of 600 people.

“I just like Jazz, and I like Roger Smith in particular,” said fan Virginia Craig. “I’ve been following his music for five years.”

The crowd stood clapping to the rhythmic soulful sounds of Roger Smith and danced the evening away. The crowd was having a “feel-good” time. It was the perfect kick-off to celebrate the closing of a week and a great excuse to unwind.

The energetic bandleader called out to the crowd, “It’s off the hook! Don’t sit down, Let’s keep it going!”

The front of the stage became an impromptu dance floor, where attendees began to dance, two-step, and sway to the undulating bass guitar and the saxophone piercing the air.

There were couples dancing in the aisles and singles two-stepping. However, if you’re still not convinced that going to “Jazz at the Crocker” isn’t a big party, one true sign of people having a great time is line dancing. So, it was clearly recognizable that everyone was enjoying the evening when a group began doing the Electric Slide.

“We’re members of the Crocker and it’s the third Free Thursday” said member and longtime jazz supporter Don Nicholson. “We like music, and our wives wanted to come out,” he added jokingly.

“We’ve been fans of jazz music for over 30 years,” said Nicholson’s friend, attendee Henry Jeter. “We’ve been in Pittsburg, New York and Chicago jazz scenes,” he added.

“In fact there ought to be more jazz,” Nicholson said.

Every song was a crowd hit, and with so many people in attendance, it was an extraordinary party. The band brought out a diverse crowd of many ages and ethnicities. It was proof that good music and pure entertainment knows no bounds.

The highlight of the evening came with the final performance. The band covered the Sly and The Family Stone classic “If You Want Me To Stay.”

The unmistakable bass line struck up and started getting the crowd into a familiar groove. The evening culminated in one big jam session. Listening to that song conjured a feeling similar to putting on your favorite pair of slippers—it was absolutely wonderful.

The crowd lingered after the final song. It seemed the audience still craved more and refused to end the party. Perhaps it was because many still had to face going to work Friday and wished it truly were the weekend.

“I like all the bands, and I attend all the shows in the series,” said Crocker member Kat Bell.

“I’m glad I came out—any excuse to listen to jazz is a perfect time,” said Bell’s friend, Frannie Martinez.

The entire event can be summed up in one word: excellent, as described by attendee Laszlo Mohacsi.

“It’s an excellent example of contemporary jazz,” Mohacsi said. “This was an excellent and relaxing venue for great price. It’s a more personal venue—unlike other jazz festivals.”

"An Evening With Duke Ellington"

2010-07-27T01:05:28Z

What is it about walking into a jazz club that elicits an immediate sense of cool?

Harlow’s transformed its nightclub into a swanky jazz club on Saturday night for “An Evening With Duke Ellington.”

Onstage was The Vivian Lee Quintet paying tribute to the great jazz musician by playing several of his classic songs.

The quintet is composed of lead vocalist Vivian Lee, Ron Foggia on piano, Paul Klempau on bass, Jeff Minneweather on snare drum and joining them for this special night on saxophone was Joe Berry.

The snare drummer beat the drum in triple time. The saxophonist made the instrument talk — mastering scales and riffs. The bass player plucked the strings with precision. The pianist tickled those keys.

And at the center of it all was the elegantly attired Lady of the quintet. Whoever said classical jazz was out of style…lied. The night was a toe-tapping, finger-snapping good time. Cool was officially in the building.

“Long before James Brown christened himself the hardest working man in showbiz, there was Duke Ellington,” Lee said. “ He worked 20-hour days and played 52 weeks a year.

“No one had a band or sound like Duke Ellington. It will never grow old,” she added.

The quintet brought several of Duke Ellington’s jazz standards to life, including “Sophisticated Lady,” “Do Nothing till You hear from Me,” “Caravan,” “How High the Moon,” “I Let A Song Go Out of My Heart” and “C Jam Blues.”

Lee’s vocals were silky smooth on each song. The musicians played various styles ranging from bluesy and sassy up-tempo songs featuring light scatting to songs with Latin flair sung with hypnotic notes.

“How High the Moon,” paid tribute to the sound of swing music. “Satin doll” – a signature tune – and its infectious melody made audience members sing along.

During the song “In a Sentimental Mood,” Lee took a break. The musicians were able to showcase their talents on this instrumental.

The romantic song compelled couples to dance. Yes, unlike the nightclubs of popular culture, the lost art of couples dance was invoked.

“In A Mellow Tone” made audience members shout with approval, saying “Yeah!” and “Walk that bass” — the sort of cool, hip lingo only a jazz club could permit.

The signature piece, “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” started with a lone bass-driven intro and then suddenly a dramatic drum snare powerfully burst into the well-known song. The piano player’s fingers flew over the keys. This time, several couples danced to the swing song. However, much to the audience’s dismay, this was the last song.

The crowd pleaded with the band for an encore. The band was given permission to go over its allotted stage time to indulge the enthusiastic audience. For the encore, the quintet played “Take 5” by Dave Bruebeck.

Lou Aparicio and Patty, a romantic pair, were thrilled about attending a night of jazz music. The couple frequently danced during the evening,

“It was a chance to listen to some good, old-time jazz,” said jazz club aficionado and dance connoisseur Lou Aparicio. “It’s a nice nightclub for entertainment—for Sacramento’s elite.”

“I was really amazed at the setting and the service here was superb,” said Patty, who declined to give her last name.

The dancing couple frequents the well-known clubs in town and even recommended several to attend—including The Backdoor, which Aparicio described as a “Frank Sinatra type of club.”

I spoke briefly with Lee about what inspired her to perform this special jazz collection.

“Good music inspires me,” she said.

“Scott (Brill-Lehn) asked me to come and do ‘An Evening Of Duke Ellington,’” Lee said. “I’ve done Billie Holiday before, and the next best thing was Duke Ellington,” she added.

It was the best indeed. The night ended with attendees singing the words or humming the melody to their favorite Duke Ellington song. His musical legacy lives on in the heart of jazz lovers.

Capital Public Radio’s Annual Used Record & CD Sale

2010-06-15T19:54:10Z

Capital Public Radio’s Annual Used Record & CD Sale will be held Saturday and Sunday June 26 and 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s sale will once again take place at the Howe ‘Bout Arden shopping center, 2100 Arden Way, Suite 172 in Sacramento.

The Annual Used Record & CD Sale offers music and movies for hugely discounted prices. Last year, approximately 1,000 people took advantage of the great deals on vinyl records, DVDs, audio books, videogames, and more.

There are diverse formats of audio and other entertainment to choose from in a variety of genres. From LPs to CDs, video games, and VHS to Blue Ray DVDs, all types of media have been collected over the past months All musical genres are featured, including, classical, hip-hop, country, punk, and more.

Capital Public Radio members receive 20% off all purchases. All purchases are tax-deductible, and every dollar supports the news, jazz and classical music you love. Come early to get the best picks.

WHAT: Capital Public Radio’s Annual Used Record & CD Sale
WHEN: June 26, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
June 27, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
WHERE: Howe ‘Bout Arden Shopping Center, Suite 172 (2100 Arden Way at Howe Avenue), Sacramento CA, 95825

Matt Schofield at Harlow's

2010-06-14T02:52:20Z

In the midst of his debut North American tour, highly regarded UK blues guitarist and singer Matt Schofield (Guitar & Bass Magazine picked him as one of the "Top Ten British Blues Guitarists of All Time) electrified the standing-room only audience at Harlow's last night with a showcase of why he is one of the premier blues guitarists of this generation.

Accompanied by Hammond organ player Jonny Henderson and the jazzy rhythms of former Robert Cray drummer, Kevin Hayes, Schofield was in stellar form as he demonstrated mastery of the blues guitar in an impressive set that rocked Sacramento on a windy Saturday night.

Musicians Honored At The "Sounds Of Soul Awards"

2010-06-08T06:17:42Z

It was a "Soulful" weekend indeed!

Following on the heels of the V101.1 Soul Jam, the Sounds Of Soul Awards rounded out the weekend’s music events.

The awards ceremony was held Sunday evening at The Crest Theatre. The show displayed a variety of talent in the categories of R&B, jazz, hip-hop and gospel. Several local performers graced the stage in an exciting line-up, which kept audiences curious to see which artist and genre would come next.

Although the event headlined Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Tatyana Ali as the host, she was unable to attend. Despite her absence, promoters and emcees of the awards ceremony said "the show must go on." The audience agreed and the show never skipped a beat after the announcement.

During the gospel segment, noted performances by Lolita Moore and the Family Life Christian Workshop brought down the house and got faith believers to have a praising good time. There were plenty of hands clapping and bodies rocking to the rhythms of the gospel artist and the choir performances.

Talented jazz musician Larry Ellis Jr. swept the jazz category. Ellis was awarded Best Jazz Band and Best Jazz Performer. After receiving his awards, the Larry Ellis Jr. Band took to the stage and played an instrumental rendition of “Rock Steady” by R&B soul group The Whispers.

The highlight of the show, however, was when the '90s music group Club Nouveau came onstage and performed their hit songs “Rumors,” “Why You Treat Me So Bad” and the Grammy-award winning song “Lean On Me.” Attendees danced as the trio sang these energetic up-tempo songs.

“We’ve been making music for 25 years,” producer and band member Jay King said. “You know, we started right out there in Del Paso Heights. We had the pleasure of making some music that would last through the years."

The tribute to the late Temptations front singer, Ali "Ollie" Woodson, was a touching moment. Recording artist Gwen Major was scheduled to sing a duet with the legendary performer before his untimely passing. The audience listened intently to Major perform solo alongside Woodson’s recorded signature voice on the Marvin Gaye classic “(Heaven Must’ve Sent) Your Precious Love.”

The showcase was a special way to honor the contributions of Sacramento-area musicians and celebrate music in the community. There were many musical artists who entertained the audience during the awards ceremony, which ran over the allotted time. Overall, it was musician’s collective participation that made the event a success.

Dance Company brings Broadway to Oak Park

2010-06-03T09:27:43Z

The 34th Street Dance company put on another high energy performance last Saturday at the Guild Theater. The theme was Fiat Lux, which is Latin for "let there be light. The show wrapped up with a tribute of dance routines to the late Michael Jackson, along with a heart felt and tearful ceremony to the seniors graduating from the company.

“Our mission is to use dance as a tool to build community and develop each dancer as a creative thinker, dance technician, and a leader” said Sheila Coleman, the founder and director of the company. The company trains in modern, hip-hop, and contemporary movement forms and for seven years, has shared its passion for dance with audiences all over California. The Sacramento-high based company is proudly led by Coleman , assistant director, Janay Hood, and dance coach and 34th SDC alumna, Rachel Hylton.

To view the photo gallery of the performance Click Here (photos by Ray Johnson/Npaphoto.com)

For more information on the 34th Street Dance Company, please visit Sheila Coleman's Facebook page

By Ray Johnson/Npaphoto.com

Photos from weekend Jazz Festival

2010-05-31T20:13:04Z

(Click on image above to see a larger view)

Warmer weather welcomed the thousands of guests at the 37th annual Sacramento Jazz Festival and Jubliee this weekend. Sponsored by the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society, the Festival brings together a variety of musical styles, including traditional jazz, Zydeco, blues, Latin jazz and swing music. Over 2,200 volunteers work together to support the Festival.

Photos by Ron Nabity

Sacramento Jazz Festival Snapshots

2010-05-31T19:39:34Z

Snapshots from Saturday and Sunday at the 37th Annual Sacramento Jazz Festival & Jubilee

Sam Rocha, string bass and tuba, Blue Street Jazz Band accompanies the group as they played gospel music Sunday morning.

Sacramento's MICK MARTIN and THE BLUES ROCKERS

Mick Martin, vocals and harmonica

Jimmy Pailer, guitar

Kyle Roland (above and below)

Drummer Bruce Pressley tunes his drums as a fan blows cool air.

Kyle Roland was discovered by Mick Martin at the Jubilee four years ago at the ripe old age of ten as he was playing along on his harp during one of Mick's shows. Mick heard him and had him come up on stage to play along and was taken aback not just at his ability to play a harp like it's on fire but at his incredible timing. Four years later, after sitting in with several blues greats and being taken under Mick's wing, Kyle, at fourteen years old is an incredible talent and a performer with the stage skills of a seasoned professional. The combination of his natural ability and the guidance of Mick have paid off well, for sure.

This young dude is absolutely unbelievable.(info from Mick Martin's website)

Igor's Jazz Cowboys, play acoustic Western Swing accompanied by a hot horn section. Their show features music from the Great Southwest all the way to New Orleans.

Not only can he play the upright bass, guitar, banjo and piano; but Igor can sing beyond three octaves.

Young musicians were featured:

J Street Jazz Cats — Davis, CA

Sax by Popular Demand — Davis, CA

Syncopating Sea-Monkeys — West Sac., CA (above and below)

Taking a break early Saturday night near the Delta King.

101st Army Dixieland Band (above and below) played at Firehouse Courtyard Saturday. The unit consists of 41 citizen-soldiers. In civilian life they are students, lawyers, public school teachers, college professors, engineers and pilots, to name just a few. Some are professional musicians; all are able to express their passion for music by performing as an Army Bandsman.They are based in Denver, CO.

Zydeco Flames washboard player, Lloyd Meadows, smiling and energetic entertains the crowds and gets them dancing (below).

Dancing in the Railroad Museum to the beat of jazz (above and below).

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Jazz Festival and Jubilee Opens Holiday Weekend

2010-05-29T04:42:14Z

The 2010 Sacramento Jazz Festival and Jubilee has kicked off Memorial Day weekend in Old Sacramento and the Sacramento Convention Center area. Festivities will continue through Monday.

According to the Jazz Festival's website, over 450 sets of live music will be performed this weekend. Featured artists include Arbors "Statesmen of Jazz," Molly Ringwald Quintet, Capitol Pops Concert Band and Mariachi Los Gallos.
Tickets start at $25. For a schedule of events, visit the Jazz Festival's website.

The Ophir Prison Marching Kazoo Band & Temperance Society performs.

The California Repercussions band performs on the streets of Old Sacramento.

Members of the California Repercussions band march into the audience and back into their band.

Members of the California Repercussions perform.

Young audience members getting a close up view of the California Repercussions.

Members of the California Repercussions perform.

A tubist of the California Percussions performs.

Agnus-Dei Farrant is an intern for The Sacramento Press.

Sac Jazz Festival & Jubilee Parade

2010-05-28T22:20:47Z

The 37th annual Sacramento Jazz Festival & Jubilee marched in today with a parade through Old Town Sacramento. The parade teased onlookers with a taste of the sights and sounds of this year’s Memorial Weekend event.

Visitors to the festival can expect about 70 bands playing traditional Dixieland-style jazz, blues, mariachi, Latin jazz, swing, marching band music, zydeco, ragtime and rockabilly in more than 450 sets of live music, according to the event organizers.

Advertised special events include a pianorama, Sunday Gospel service and, if you’re feeling that you can never hear enough ribbed metal percussion, there is even a Monday washboard concert.

Swing into summer with hot rods and live music this weekend

2010-05-26T20:25:02Z

This Sunday, May 30th kick of the summer season with the 2nd Annual Sacramento SwingTime event hosted by Fun Monkey Entertainment at the California Automobile Museum.

From 12pm - 10pm, enjoy a family-friendly, fun-filled day of music, food, drink, ice cream, vendors, a car show, and more! Also included, 8 musical acts inside the Museum headlined by Stompy Jones, Deke Dickerson & the Ecco-Fonics, and Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys and a Miss SwingTime Pin-Up Pageant. $18 admission includes full museum access as well as access to the event and a portion of the proceeds benefit the Museum. Kids 10 and under are free with paid adult admission and FREE event parking with paid admission. If you have a pre-1972 vehicle bring it out. The car show entry is free with your admission to SwingTime.

What goes better with swing music and pin-up girls than hot rods? While at the event make sure to check out the Museum's newest exhibit, Drive Fast, Take Chances: Birth of the Hot Rod. Sponsored by So-Cal Speed Shop, Sacramento this exhibit runs through July 5 and explores the hot rod culture that grew out of the dry lake beds of California in the post-World War II years. This new genre of car culture ultimately spread to drag strips and back roads, as well as burger drive-ins and street cruises, such as the annual car cruise hosted by the California Automobile Museum which will commence on the streets of Downtown Sacramento on July 31st.

Cars on exhibit include the legendary "Old Crow" belly tank racer owned by Bobby Green and featured in a Discovery Channel program on Bonneville racers as well as being prominently displayed in a recent Tommy Hilfiger advertisement.

Also on exhibit, examples of the style known as "highboys," '32 Ford "Deuce Coupes," as well as a disassembled '34 Ford that shows an up-close and detailed "how to" look at hot rod construction and the modifications that are more than skin deep.

For more information about the 2nd Annual Sacramento SwingTime vist www.sacramentoswingtime.com.

For more information about the Museum visit www.CalAutoMuseum.org.

Rollins jazzes up Mondavi Center

2010-05-21T04:19:59Z

How to be a saxophone legend, step one: When you walk onto the stage with a five-inch afro, beard and dark sunglasses, don't even introduce yourself. Just start playing and let that do the talking.

At age 79, Sonny Rollins is perhaps the greatest saxophone player around, and he proved it Thursday at the Mondavi Center in Davis. He treated the nearly full 1,800-seat Jackson Hall to an almost three-hour performance of jazz flecked with Caribbean and Latin vibes.

After finishing his opener, a 10-minute cover of Noël Coward's "Someday I'll Find You," Rollins introduced his four backing musicians: guitarist Russell Malone, percussionist Victor See-Yuen, bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Kobie Watkins.

The next song, a new one for his upcoming album next year, built a calypso-like groove on top of which Rollins soloed for the entire song. Then during the bebop-influenced "Nishi," off his latest studio album "Sonny Please," Rollins and Watkins "traded fours" (a call-and-response where each person plays for four bars) for several minutes before Watkins exploded into a Max Roach-inspired solo. This left the crowd awed and cheering loudly before the group took a 10-minute intermission.

Rollins traded his white shirt for a bright red one before the second half of the show to play his song "Why Was I Born?" which won a 2006 Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo. That tune also had traded fours between Rollins and See-Yuen, who played chimes, shakers, tambourines, triangle, wood blocks, bongos and congas throughout the night.

At this point in the show, Rollins stopped announcing song titles altogether, and the band played the last few songs with little pause. These included another song with an island-influenced groove, which the audience expected to segue into "St. Thomas," perhaps Rollins' best-known song.

Rollins soloed for what seemed like 10 minutes straight while employing some insanely difficult saxophone techniques like playing harmonic overtones, which are basically chords, as opposed to one solid note.

He borrowed licks from bebop standards written by his contemporaries and played trickling ostinatos - all the while building suspense by alluding to the melody of "St. Thomas" without actually playing it (click here to hear St. Thomas). The guitarist and bass player also took solos during which Rollins accompanied them.

The island groove gave way to a saxophone ballad that expressed a soulful sadness, before going back to the up-tempo calypso beat. Rollins commanded the audience: "Don't stop the carnival" near the end of the set, which brought the whole house to its feet. During the ensuing groove, Rollins twirled in a circle while playing a solo, drawing huge cheers.

The sax legend had even the seniors in the audience bobbing their heads, stomping their feet and getting their groove on all the way out the door, without even playing his best known songs: "St. Thomas," "Doxy" and "Oleo."

Photograph credit Michael Jackson.

UC Davis Jazz Bands' Talent Resounds

2010-05-21T03:39:25Z

For more than two hours, the full sounds of the University of California, Davis, Jazz Bands swelled through the Vanderhoef Studio Theatre in the Mondavi Center Wednesday night.

Approximately 200 people attended the event, including family and friends of the student musicians. The audience sat in the cool, dim theater holding black seats, steps and floorboards. Soft fuchsia and blue lighting came down from the two-story-high ceiling. The performances were directed by Delbert Bump, jazz band and combo director.

The night started with an organ trio consisting of Bump on organ, Steve Homan on guitar and Thomas "T" Moran on drums. The organ trio began with "F Blues," "Road Song" and "Enroll Goes Latin." The men closed their eyes for much of the performance, holding a slightly strained, satisfied look on their faces. Bump and Homan performed in all the bands including the jazz band and combo.

Bump has been at UC Davis for three years, but has been teaching music for 35 years, including 30 years at Solano Community College. In addition to being a jazz organist, Bump is also a composer and arranger. He plays organ, piano, saxophone, trumpet and drums.

"I'm sort of the jazz fixture at UC Davis," Bump said. "That's what I've been doing for the last three years, and it's been pretty successful. We have a lot of music majors, but it's not a totally music-major-oriented band. The students like me and get used to me, I'm kind of homespun, but I'm also right there performing with them."

The jazz bands meet every Wednesday night for three hours of practice. They perform every nine weeks under Bump's direction.

The UC Davis Jazz Combo performed as a septet with music senior Caroline Kuspa contributing vocals and John Webster on conga drums.

They performed "Little Boat," "The Gypsy In My Soul" and "Falling In Love With Love." Kuspa introduced two of the songs with her interpretations.

"The way I interpret ('The Gypsy In My Soul') is as the fire you have that you can't control," Kuspa said.

She brought laughter from both band and audience when she introduced "Falling In Love With Love."

"This last song is 'Falling In Love With Love,' which is foolish," she said. "And I'm young and I know that."

Kuspa then left the stage for the Jazz Combo to perform "Softly As A Morning Sunrise," "Afro Blue" and "Mambo Inn."

After a brief intermission, the organ trio came back with Homan's wife, Francesca, providing vocals. They performed "Sausalito Nights," "Lester's Blues," "Calling You" and "PT's Pad."

To end the night, the 23-piece UC Davis Jazz Ensemble filled the stage, Francesca Homan coming back to sing for the final two songs.

For the final combination, Francesca Homan remained and the stage was filled with Bump, Steve Homan, Moran on drums, Webster on conga drums, eight saxophonists, three trombonists, four trumpeters, one pianist and one percussionist.

The compositions performed were "Room For More," "Seven Steps to Heaven," "Groovin' Hard," "Well You Needn't," "More Than Seven," "Mood Indigo" and "Blues Medley."

"It's this kind of stuff we're trying to bring attention to at UC Davis," Alvin Delos Santos, alto saxophonist, music and economics senior said. "Historically, it's been very small and hasn't received too much funding, but that describes the music department in general. It's nice that we have cats like Delbert who helping bring attention and bring it into the community where it hasn't been before."

Photo courtesy of Phil Daley.

Agnus-Dei Farrant is an intern for The Sacramento Press.

Saxophone legend Sonny Rollins to play Mondavi

2010-05-17T04:11:33Z

It's been said that saxophone legend Sonny Rollins is just as good as jazz greats John Coltrane and Charlie Parker were. It's a reputation he pretty much holds alone because at age 79, Rollins has outlived nearly all the jazz musicians of his era.

The "saxophone colossus" will return Wednesday to the Mondavi Center in Davis, which he said has "very good acoustics we (musicians) salivate at." He'll bring to Jackson Hall some of his classics as well as new material from an album expected to debut next year.

Born in New York City, Rollins picked up a saxophone as a teenager. By the time he was 20, he had played with jazz legends Thelonious Monk, J.J. Johnson and Bud Powell.

In the decade that followed, he composed some of his best-known songs, including jazz standards "Doxy," "Oleo" and "St. Thomas." His bebop bandmates in those days included Miles Davis, Max Roach, Coltrane, Parker and Clifford Brown.

Like many jazz musicians, Rollins is self-critical.

"There's never absolute perfection, but I have something in focus and I want to get as close to it as I can get," he said. "My own performance has been progressing as the years have gone by and I'm very optimistic about the future at this point."

He was part of the Clifford Brown-Max Roach Quintet when Brown died in an auto accident. His good friend's death had a profound effect on Rollins and he began the practice of channeling fallen musicians.

"I used to channel (Brown) sometimes, and I got his spirit, (but) after a while I let his spirit go on because I didn't want to be greedy and keep him back here on Earth," he said. "So I let him go on. Same with the other guys."

As much as he respects his contemporaries, these days Rollins doesn't want to be known only for his associations with them.

"I don't feel any responsibility anymore for standing up for them or upholding their legacy," he said. "Now it's all me and I have to stand on my own, and I'm perfectly willing to do that. I've had years and years of associations. And I'll rise and fall now on my own accomplishments."

Rollins credits his diet and regular exercise, as well as staying away from smoking, for his longevity. He's also known as a private and solitary man who enjoys meditation and solo practice.

Rollins has been called reclusive and is famous for taking sabbaticals. For several years, he would practice alone on the Williamsburg Bridge. "I love playing outdoors because you can communicate with the sky," he said.

He's not content doing the same thing and likes to explore new musical ideas every day, Rollins said.

"I'm trying to make my own music as relevant and contemporary as hip-hop is," he said. "I can say it has a certain validity and, for its time, it's sort of what bebop was for our time."

Though he agreed that hip-hop is a genre that falls under the umbrella of jazz, Rollins said he isn't quite ready to perform a hip-hop song.

"You really have thrown me into a conundrum on that one," he said with a laugh. "(Other musicians) can use hip-hop in a way I can't and I don't know if I could make the transition."

A free pre-performance lecture will be given at 7 p.m. by Jeremy Ganter, associate director for programming at the Mondavi Center. The Alumni Center, AGR Room 8. The concert begins at 8 p.m. at Mondavi Center's Jackson Hall, 9399 Old Davis Road. Tickets are $17.50 to $55 and are available at the University of California at Davis ticket office and online here .

Photographs:
1. Credit: Jamie-James Medina.

2. Credit: Michael Jackson.

Jazz Appreciation, 2060

2010-05-14T02:33:42Z

When I was at school at the University of Oregon, I took a lot of classes. There were history classes, journalism classes, english classes, a lot of political science classes, a few science classes, even an art history class (Chicks, man!). To be honest, 10+ years removed from the experience, most of them have bled together in my memory.

A few stand out, however. An astronomy course where in a friend of mine cheated off me on the final and got a better grade. A sociology course where the professor offered extra credit to students who skipped class to join the WTO riots inSeattle. A military science course that I took along with a future NFL 1,000-yard rusher and a future NBA slam dunk champion. We learned to rappel…down the bleachers.

But possibly my single most memorable class at the U of O was an awesome jazz appreciation course I took my sophomore year. We learned about and listened to jazz greats like Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Count Basie and many others.

I probably listened to Miles Davis' “Kind of Blue" 50 times that semester, from start to finish. There is no question that I'm a better man for having done so.

Never has a college course been more aptly named. That semester, I developed a great appreciation for "the only true American art form."

Now, I realize that not everybody has the time to take a semester-long jazz appreciation course, and besides, its 470 miles to the University of Oregon. But I have some good news: The same effect can be achieved with a library card and a ticket to a Charlie Hunter show.

Charlie Hunter is a jazz guitarist extraordinaire, a truly one-of-a-kind performer, and he brought his unique seven-string stylings to Harlow's Wednesday night.

But first, the audience was given a crash course in classical music appreciation. To open the show, we were treated to a 30-minute set from onetime child prodigy and current violin virtuoso Rachel Barton Pine. The soloist, in town for a show with the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra this Saturday, was an epiphany.

She came out playing a 1742 "ex-Soldat" Guarnari, which she prefers to the Stradivarious, although she said it's simply a matter of taste. She compared the two different violins to red and white wine, although I don't recall which was which. I do remember that her violin had once been the property of Marie Soldat, a female virtuoso who had been discovered by Johannes Brahms at the age of 15 in 1878.

The legendary German composer even picked out the young Soldat's violin for her, and by extension, Barton Pine's for her. How cool is that?

She played a variety of songs, including one she described as "Chamber Blues," where the violin mimicked the sound of a blues harmonica, before finishing with a gypsy violin piece.

I was standing at the far end of the stage, next to the backstage door. At one point during her performance, Charlie himself popped out to take some of her in. "She's spectacular," I offered.

He gave me a wry smile and responded, "Yeah, I know."

I suppose he would. . . .

She stepped off the stage to surprisingly raucous applause just after 9:30. Ten minutes later, she was back, this time at a table to the side – a fan like the rest of us.

At 9:45, Charlie Hunter took the stage, joined by Eric Kalb on drums and Ron Miles on trumpet. Kalb has played with such R&B luminaries as Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, The Greyboy All Stars and John Scofield. The Jazz Times calls Ron Miles "one of the finest trumpeters in jazz today." And Charlie Hunter is, well, Charlie Hunter.

Charlie has been described as a "guitar wunderkind," and his playing is truly mind-boggling. He plays a custom made seven-string guitar, which has three bass strings and four guitar strings. He is his own bass player, and it's truly a sight to behold.

Listening with your eyes closed, or from another room, you'd bet anything that you were listening to a four-piece. Though the bass line and guitar sounds meld perfectly together, they are also totally free of one another, unencumbered in any way. Even upon re-entering the room, or opening your eyes, it’s still hard to believe that all that sound is coming from just the one instrument.

But Hunter is not some gimmicky virtuoso, he is one of the finest improvisational musicians of our time, and Kalb and Miles are more than worthy collaborators. The three men played for more than 90 minutes, alternating between jazzy, funky and bluesy, but remaining masterful throughout.

The only problem I had with the show, as is often the case when I attend shows where the vast majority of the audience is seated, was an inability to keep my dancing, well, er, restrained. My musical enjoyment center is connected directly to my "get up and boogie" bone. I am forever teetering on the brink of becoming "that guy," jitterbugging furiously while the rest of those in the crowd remain seated, nodding their heads or tapping their toes.

I can sit down for a moment, but what starts as a toe tap can rapidly degenerate into "the sprinkler," or, in some cases, even "the worm."

I had to find myself a spot off to the side of the stage where I could dance to my heart’s content without upsetting the more upright members of the crowd. A few kindred spirits joined me during some of the more up-tempo jams.

Finally, during the feverish encore, one brave soul stood up directly in front of the stage and began cutting the rug. Now, I have seen this move spark a feud between the seated and the dancing that would make the Hatfields and McCoys blush. But there was no such issue on this fine evening, and soon there were a couple dozen dancers near the front of the stage, peaceably intermingling with those who remained seated. Dogs and cats, living together. A wonderful end to a wonderful show.

I will never have the opportunity to see Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis or John Coltrane perform live. But I have seen Charlie Hunter, and so should you. Sure, it's not the same as seeing one of the greats who I learned about in jazz appreciation class so many falls ago. But 50 years from now, when they're teaching jazz appreciation at the University ofOregon, Outer Space Extension, you can bet they'll spend some time discussing Charlie Hunter. That's good enough for me.

Charlie and the boys are playing the Freight&Salvage in Berkeley at 8 p.m. tonight. If you leave right now, you might make it.

They are also playing Friday at the El Rey Theater in Chico.

Rachel Barton Pine is playing with the Sacramento Philharmonic on Saturday.

If you wanna catch a show, hit me up at lindol@gmail.com

In The Flow is coming this weekend!

2010-05-12T19:53:18Z

*Note, there is a bias here because I'm directly involved with the Festival's organizaiton, etc.
-RH

In The Flow 3!

The 3rd annual In The Flow Jazz/Improvisational Festival will be at Luna's Cafe, R5 Records and Beatnik Studios this weekend (Friday, 5/14 through Monday, 5/17). The lauded young improvisational music festival will feature musicians from all over the West Coast, including Vinny Golia, Nels Cline, (guitarist from super group Wilco and the Nels Cline Singers), Lovely Builders, Gerry Pineda, Tony Passarell, Henry Robinett and many more.

In The Flow 3 Festival, produced by area guitarist Ross Hammond along with a group of volunteers, will post up over thirty music groups at two major locations--Beatnik Studios at 17th & Broadway and new this year, the venerable Luna’s Café at 16th & N Sts. Tickets are $10 per day or $30 for a 4-day pass. Tickets are available at www.intheflowsacramento.com. “All of the artists presented are representatives of Sacramento, Los Angeles, SF/Bay Area and Portland. In The Flow 3 is a great chance to experience what artists from out West have to offer,” says Hammond.

The returning title sponsor of the weekend events at Beatnik is the Greater Broadway Partnership Neighborhood Association, in conjunction with the Jazzhouse and SMF Music.

Pre-fest events at Russ Solomon's R5 Records (corner of 16th & Broadway) and also Records at 1618 Broadway will be announced shortly.

Friday night, May 14 will feature a special night of poetry and music collaborations at Luna's Cafe. The event, hosted by local poet phenom NSAA (a.k.a. Lawrence Dinkins) will be a night of surprises as regional poets trade verses with area jazz and creative musicians.

On Saturday, May 15 and Sunday, May 16 In The Flow 3 returns to Broadway for two full days of music and art at Beatnik Studios. This year there will be terrific jazz and improvisational musicians from Los Angeles (Nels Cline, Vinny Golia, GE Stinson, Steuart Liebig, Tom McNalley), Portland, Oregon (Rich Haley), The Bay Area (Phillip Greenlief, Scott Amendola, Darren Johnston, Lisa Mezzacappa), Grass Valley (Randy McKean, Murray Campbell), plus Sacramento and Davis (Ross Hammond, Tony Passarell, Electropoetic Coffee, Alex Jenkins, Gerry Pineda). Over twenty different groups will be playing throughout the weekend.

In addition, there will be a special showing of regional visual artists Mark Fox, Nicole Fox, Milton Bowens, Greg LaTraille and Kathy Blackburn at Beatnik Studios all weekend during the Festival.

Monday, May 17 will be dedicated to late Sacramento bassist and In The Flow co-founder Byron Blackburn, as his final recording session will be released at Luna's Cafe. The Labor Day Session CD features Blackburn along with Ross Hammond, Tom Monson, Phillip Greenlief, Jaroba and Tony Passarell. The remaining band members will be playing music from the new CD. Since November 2009, a weekly jazz/improvisational series at Luna’s, “Nebraska Mondays” named in honor of the Nebraska-born Blackburn, has grown in popularity.

A detailed 8 page program guide (available in late April at many Broadway and Midtown restaurant/cafe/shop locations, as well as greater Sacramento locations) will give fest-goers both artist bio info and a handy walking map to the neighborhood cafes restaurants and businesses.

More information, and tickets can be found at www.intheflowsacramento.com.

Capital Public Radio Unites News & Information Programming, Expands Marketing

2010-05-07T02:53:22Z

With a focus on strengthening and expanding its news, information and public affairs content, Capital Public Radio has named Joe Barr Director of News and Information Programming.

In this new position, Barr, who previously served as Capital Public Radio News Director, will oversee the station’s news and information format, including local news, the daily talk show Insight, the California Capitol Network statewide news service and the Second Opinions health care forums as well as national news programming on CPR.

Capital Public Radio will soon be creating two more News and Information positions: a senior editor and business reporter. The station will be opening a bureau in Stockton later this year.

Capital Public Radio has also expanded its Marketing efforts. Constance Crawford was appointed to the position of Director of Marketing in January. Crawford is developing initiatives to raise awareness of Capital Public Radio in communities across California and northern Nevada.

“Joe and Constance bring essential leadership skills at a time when Capital Public Radio is breaking new ground in community service.” says President & General Manager, Rick Eytcheson. “We’re thankful for the support of our listeners and communities who value a strong and vital public radio station.”

Capital Public Radio serves more than 420,000 listeners per week with classical music, jazz, and in-depth news and information. Capital Public Radio also operates California Capitol Network (CCN) providing California State Capitol news to a network of over 30 radio stations in California, Nevada, and Oregon. The seven listener-supported, non-commercial frequencies: 88.9 FM (Sacramento), 90.9 FM (Sacramento), 91.7 FM (Groveland), 90.5 FM (Tahoe/Reno), 88.7 FM (Sutter/Yuba City), 88.1 FM (Quincy), and 91.3 FM (Stockton/Modesto) are licensed to Sacramento State.

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Raul Midon Brings Tour For Album "Synthesis" To Harlow's

2010-04-27T11:58:32Z

Phenomenal singer, songwriter and guitarist Raul Midon is ready to excite audiences at Harlow’s at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

The musician will bring his sensational vocals to the stage for one night as a part of the tour for his new album, “Synthesis.”

Midon’s sound is a fusion of jazz, soul and pop music steeped in Latin influence. Critics have often compared his vocal style and talent to the likes of Stevie Wonder and Donnie Hathaway. Yet this artist is by no means a replica of those musicians. Instead, Midon is a certifiably unique talent and in a league of his own.

He has a distinct sound that’s raw, clear and precise – a musical message that cannot be understood by merely reading the lyrics to his songs. According to Midon, his message transcends simple words and themes.

“‘Synthesis’ is a collection of stories about different characters…it’s not one message and not so much a concept,” Midon said. “But, there’s a musical message. I’ve been interested in combining different musical elements. The love songs are a little more spiritual too.

“I’m interested in a lot of different music,” he added. “So, it doesn’t fit into a specific genre, it’s a little Brazilian, soul, pop and jazz.”

His live performances are energetic and filled with surprises. Midon’s guitar-laced songs and extraordinary vocals are a soul-stirring combination that is sure to please audiences. Sacramento can expect a musician who is passionate about his craft – a musical virtuoso and a remarkably innovative performer.

“I’ll play songs from the new record on Saturday,” Midon said. “I’m a performer that does something differently every time. I like to try to be spontaneous with my songs. Anything goes—it’s the jazz element of improvisation.”

The concert this weekend will surely be dubbed, “The Raul Midon Experience.” And the experience will truly be one not to miss!

The Steve Gundhi Trio performs live at Master Barber & Beauty Shop

2010-04-08T03:51:41Z

Master Barber & Beauty Shop proudly presents JAZZ at the SHOP featuring THE STEVE GUNDHI TRIO. This will be the first of many performances by top Jazz artists at Master Barber & Beauty Shop new location. The new location, which includes a performace stage, is especially designed for performances and events.

THE STEVE GUNDHI TRIO features Clark Goodloe on Piano and Nick Uran on Drums.

Special guest performance by Spoken Word artist: NSAA (en-sah-ah)

$8 donation in advance and $10 donation at the door. Donations will benefit the non-profit organization, CTD Dream Builders. For advance tickets contact (916) 271-2872 or (916) 226-7099. Tickets are sold at Master Barber & Beauty Shop (4340 Stockton Blvd.)

"Little Feat" duo bring acoustic sound to Harlows

2010-03-25T21:25:12Z

For those who enjoy blues, country, jazz and a little unconventional flavor in their music, two men, who’ve had a longstanding reputation of providing just that, are in town.

This Friday at 7 p.m., Harlows Restaurant and Nightclub of downtown Sacramento is featuring the acoustic duet Paul Barrere and Fred Tackett of the renowned and well-traveled band, “Little Feat.” Local singer songwriter Kate Gaffney will open the show.

The group’s frontman Barerre, considered by many to be the heart and soul of the band, joined “Little Feat” three years after it was formed in 1969. And from there, the Hollywood native joined a cast of guys who, 38 years later, find themselves still living the dream.

Known for his exceptional stylized guitar playing, Barrere was drawn to the guitar in a way that most guys could understand.

“One day, one of my buddies was having a party, and he had a friend over with a beautiful guitar, and that’s where all the chicks were," Barerre said. "So that seemed good to me.”

Originally asked by "Little Feat" lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George to play bass guitar for the up-and-coming band, Barerre declined the offer, knowing his skills were best utilized on the instrument he knew best. Shortly after, the original bass player quit “Little Feat,” and they decided to expand to two regular guitars. Barerre got the nod, and the rest is history.

From then on, “Little Feat” began to grow in popularity, releasing albums “Sailin’ Shoes” and “Dixie Chicken” in 1972 and '73, respectively, and many others down the road.

Over the years, the band continued to rise in rankings. And with that accent came the opportunity to play with a number of famous artists and bands, such as The Black Crowes, Garth Brooks, Randy Newman, Jimmy Buffet, The Who and The Rolling Stones. Barrere said he knows he’s creating quite the legacy for himself and the band along the way.

“We’ve performed and done concerts with some of the best bands in the world,” Barerre said. “38 years I’ve been running around with these guys. It’s just been a wonderful career that keeps going on. I told someone a while back, ‘It’s great being an aging musician, because I’d hate being an aging rock star.’ ”

Barrere and Tackett decided to start the duet tour separate from the band in 1999. After putting together a successful 45-minute set, a man approached them at the gig at asked if they’d like to go with him to Japan for a few weeks. They gladly accepted, and from there, Barrere and Tacket began performing concerts all over the world, including most recently a tour of the United Kingdom, Spain and Amsterdam.

“I like doing the duet because we get to do a whole new slant with some of the songs,” Barerre said. “We can improvise off each other, and it’s always a different set.”

For Friday’s concert at Harlows, Barerre said that he and Tackett want to give folks a more country feel to their brand of music, while interacting with the audience as much as possible throughout the concert.

“It’s going to be a little more folky and community sounding this time,” Barerre said. “We can interact a lot better with the audience if it’s just us two, so that’s what we want. We’d also like to give a little history about the songs and where they came from, and sometimes the stories are actually true.”

Tickets for the show can be purchased for $25 online at harlows.com and inticketing.com, or for $30 at the door at Harlows on 2708 J Street.

Capital Public Radio Introduces JazzStream

2010-03-23T20:42:57Z

Capital Public Radio Introduces JazzStream
24-Hour Online Jazz Music

Capital Public Radio today introduced JazzStream. This new resource explores the vibrant artistry of jazz online, 24 hours a day at www.capradio.org/jazzstream.

In addition to the new JazzStream, Jazz fans can find expanded online radio options in the “On Demand” section at Capital Public Radio’s website, capradio.org. Signature programs like Acid Jazz, Classic Jazz and Swing or Mick Martin’s Blues Party are frequently updated. Listeners tuning to Capital Public Radio’s news/jazz stations enjoy public radio’s non-commercial format, and that extends to online and on-demand content.

“At a time when commercial radio stations in Sacramento are no longer offering a jazz option, our listeners are enjoying expanded jazz resources. We’ll continue our high level of integrity in music playlists while we explore even more ways to access the great music our jazz and blues-loving audience expects,” says Capital Public Radio President and General Manager, Rick Eytcheson.

In addition to expanded online Jazz offerings, Capital Public Radio’s Classical Station continues to offer a 24-hour on-air and online stream of soothing classical, opera and chamber music with the same non-commercial format.

Capital Public Radio News/Jazz Stations
90.9 FM Sacramento (KXJZ)
90.5 FM Tahoe/Reno (KKTO)
91.3 FM Stockton/Modesto (KUOP)
88.1 FM Quincy (KQNC)

Capital Public Radio Classical Station
88.9 FM Sacramento (KXPR)
91.7 FM Groveland/Sonora (KXSR)
88.7 FM Sutter/Yuba City (KXJS)

Capital Public Radio serves more than 420,000 listeners per week with classical music, jazz, and in-depth news and information. CPR operates seven listener-supported, non-commercial public radio stations licensed to Sacramento State.

More than 100 performers to pay homage to 'The Duke'

2010-03-17T05:45:06Z

This weekend, the Sacramento Master Singers will perform excerpts from Duke Ellington's "Sacred Concerts." It marks several important homecomings.

It will be a homecoming for the Grammy-winning piece, which was played by Ellington and his legendary orchestra in 1965 at Sacramento's Westminster Presbyterian Church. Friday through Sunday, it will be played at the Crest Theater, less than half a mile from the church.

It will also be a homecoming for Ardie Bryant, the "Ambassador of Tap," who spent his early years in Sacramento and graduated from Sacramento High School. Saturday, the legendary bebop jazz tap dancer, who has danced with everyone from Ellington to Count Basie, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, will turn 81.

He will join the Master Singers during a section of the "Sacred Concerts" called "David Dance," originally performed by Tap Dance Hall of Fame inductee Bunny Briggs.

Bryant said he will do two things upon returning to Sacramento. The first is to visit his parents' grave site, and the second is to participate in the Duke Ellington concert, which he said he considers an honor.

It's more than just a couple of homecomings, though. It's going to be a mammoth performance, probably the largest and most complex the SMS have ever performed, said Conductor Ralph Hughes.

All told, the stage will feature more than 100 performers, including the Master Singers, two American River College jazz bands, the Harley White Jr. Orchestra, several dancers and readers from Celebration Arts, the Capital Jazz Project, a handful of vocal soloists and Bryant.

According to Kathy Ossman, Sacramento Master Singers president and lead alto, to fit on the Crest's stage, the performers will need extra platforms to extend beyond where the current stage ends. Hughes said the score is so complex, ARC Jazz Director Dyne Eifertsen, CJP Pianist Joe Gilman and Hughes are all required to share cues and conducting duties.

Then, on top of that, there will be audience interaction. The Sacramento Regional Community Foundation, which helped SMS fund the show, wanted the group to include community participation.

"Some (audience participation sections are) with the whole audience, and some are with volunteers," Ossmann said. "There's a prayer section about what we need (to be) forgiven (for), and we have a chance for audience members to write what that may be in a booth in the lobby, and they can read that."

No one is more qualified to comment on Ellington's music than Bryant, Ellington's friend and musical partner. He also performed the "Sacred Concerts" for the first time in 2004 at the Disney Concert Hall with the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

"He composed all kinds of music, but (the Sacred Concerts) were the religious perspective of the man," Bryant said. "It's very moving, well-written and exciting to know that the man was that kind of person."

Ellington was also one of the most prolific jazz composers of all time, best known for penning some of the genre's most enduring classics, including "It Don't Mean a Thing," "Take the 'A' Train" and "Caravan."

"You really had to be on the ball to be in his company, because everyone working with him was saying something, and he gave you freedom to express yourself," Bryant said. "He used to play (piano) with me (tapping), and we would exchange rhythms," he said, adding, "bop-a-dee-bap-a-dee-bop!"

The 8 p.m. Friday show will be a free performance to high school and youth groups. Those who wish to attend should contact the Sacramento Master Singers business manager at 916-788-7464 or smsbusiness@surewest.net.

Public performances will be held Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $10 for students and can be purchased at mastersingers.org, by contacting the business manager, or at the door at 1013 K Street.

Photographs: Sacramento Master Singers, credit Bruce Patt Photograpy.

Master Barber & Beauty Shop celebrates 35 years in new location

2010-03-04T08:57:25Z

Master Barber Shop was established in 1958 and was acquired by Earlie D. and Mary Brown in December of 1974. During that time, the shop was located on Stockton Blvd. and 7th Ave. Since those early days, Master Barber & Beauty Shop, has had several locations. Each location being better than the last. In 1989, sons Rodney and Marichal, joined the family business.

The late owner and master barber, Earlie D. Brown, established business in the hair industry in the mid 1940's with Brown's Barber Shop (two locations, San Francisco and Marin City). What started out as nothing more than a dream and a dime and a nail in his pocket has turned into a family business. He died in February 1998. Mary Brown and sons, Rodney and Marichal, now handles daily operations.

In 2007, The Brown Family, added community activities at the salon. Art on Stockton Blvd. became one of Sacramento's largest celebration of African American Art, Poetry, Literature and History. The shop has featured such fine artists as Milton Bowens, Malik Seneferu and Shonna McDaniels, poets; Terry Moore, NSAA, Steven 'HurriKane' Clark and Heather Christian and authors; Grace Carter (Rivercity Griot), Joslyn Gains Vanderpool and Anita Royston (Our Black Fathers).

Celebrating 35 years in business, The Brown Family has decided to re-locate to a more comfortable and fitting site, continue striving for excellence in the Hair and Beauty industry and to accompany such events as Art on Stockton Blvd., Jazz @ the Shop, Master Renaissance Poetry, Comedy, Plays and more.

Starting Tuesday, March 9, 2010, Master Barber & Beauty Shop doors will open at 4340 Stockton Blvd., Suite 2 (the former Brown's Paradise building), on the corner of Stockton Blvd. and Parker. The phone number will remain the same, 916.457.8708. Until then, you can find us at 3504 Stockton Blvd. (between 10th and 11th Ave, next to the Colonial Theater). We will keep you updated on upcoming events.

There will not be an event on this date, but everyone is welcomed to stop by and say, Hi, view the new facility and/or have your hair styled or cut.

The Brown Family would like to thank all who have patronized and supported Master Barber & Beauty Shop throughout the years.

Disclosure Note: Marichal Brown is part-owner of Master Barber Beauty Shop.

Jazz Talent Casey Lipka

2010-02-24T05:36:38Z

Jazz enthusiasts should be aware of a new talent in town. If you haven't had the opportunity to catch the very beautiful and very talented Casey Lipka perform, opportunities abound this spring.

When did you get into music?

Music has always been a focal part of my life. As a kid, I would belt out pop songs, often along with my younger sister, in the car as we drove to school. My dad is a huge Beatles fan and plays guitar, so I was fortunate to grow up with live music in the house. My elementary school in Santa Monica, Calif., had a strong music and performing arts program, and it put on school-wide musicals each year. I was also exposed to Haitian music as one of the parents was from Haiti. My grandfather also contributed to my eclectic musical background. He loved Chinese opera, and I would come back after visiting with him and pretend I was a Chinese opera singer. In addition to singing, I started taking piano lessons at age 10, and in middle school I played clarinet in the school orchestra. While I was studying in Montreal, I started playing the upright bass that I often now play when performing along with singing.

Who inspires you?

I think the idea of jazz itself is incredibly inspiring. Within jazz there is a set form, but it allows so much room for improvisation and transformation.

Along with jazz itself, singer and bassist Esperanza Spalding has been a huge inspiration for me. When I first picked up the bass, someone told me there was a girl who simultaneously sang and played bass. I heard her music and fell in love with her sound when studying in Montreal, and two weeks later, I saw she had a show in New York City. I hopped on a bus and went. When I saw her perform, it reinforced the idea in me that music is so powerful. I want to be able to inspire and touch people in the way she did for me.

Tell me about your sound. Where and what did you study?

My sound combines jazz, soul, funk, contemporary and Brazilian. While I sang and played piano before college, I formally began studying music just prior to my year-long exchange program in Montreal at Concordia University. Concordia was really the beginning of my formal training and the time I decided I really wanted to pursue music. Being around such talented musicians propelled me to further my own development. I am now finishing an undergraduate degree at California State University, Sacramento, in the Vocal Jazz Program, led by Kerry Marsh and Julia Dollison. Being here has allowed me the space to try new things and further my own music.

How did you get into performing?

Initially, through other musicians who I had the chance to perform with. From there, I sought out my own opportunities locally in Sacramento and Los Angeles, where I am from originally. Performing has given me a chance to expand, experiment and grow. Besides doing community outreach at local schools in Sacramento, I play gigs around town and often drop into the Tuesday night jams at the Capitol Garage where other music students and faculty at Sacramento State perform.

What do you listen to?

I am always listening to different people. Right now I am listening to Baden Powell, Ahmad Jamal, Michael Jackson, Wayne Shorter, Chet Baker, Gretchen Parlato, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Thelonius Monk, Joao Gilberto and Forward Kwenda.

Casey can be reached via her website at: caseylipka.com or by e-mail at caseylipka@gmail.com

Jazz Concert at Beatnik Studios

2010-02-13T01:31:33Z

Beatnik Studios was graced Thursday with performances by local jam band CFR and Oklahoma-based postmodern jazz band Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey (JFJO).

Beatnik Studios hosted the benefit show for the Music Never Stops Foundation, as part of an ongoing Winter Jazz Concert Series running through April. The collaborative photography studio, off Broadway on 17th Street, has become a space for community engagement and a venue for the jazz series, band launches, a music school and local craft fair, to name a few.

There was a real sense of community to the evening as supporters danced to the music of CFR, which has performed at Second Saturday and other local venues and has many loyal Sacramento fans.

Following CFR’s funky, danceable set, JFJO emerged from its road home -- a mystery trailer in the backyard of Willie's Burgers -- and broke into “Sensation of Seeing Light.”

The music opened with a false start, then built and picked up before careening into a full-on jam session.

Considering JFJO has been in the game for 16 years, the band seems young. This may have something to do with the chronically evolving lineup. JFJO broke out in 1994 as an eight-piece band with emcees and horns. Since 2008, the reconfigured lineup is has been an instrumental quartet.

You’d expect the sound to be stripped down, but it was as complex as ever, with piano and acoustic bass layered with lap steel guitar and melodica.

JFJO is known for its progressive take on classic styles. Accompanied by a 45-piece orchestra at the Oklahoma Mozart Festival in June, the band will exhibit its “Ludwig” project, a contemporary reinterpretation of Beethoven’s third and sixth symphonies.

The music was sweeping; it built and relaxed. JFJO's “Trampoline Phoenix,” about (guess what) the joys of jumping on a trampoline with friends, struck me as something that would play on a Wes Anderson submarine -- something you wouldn’t want to dance to but makes you grin.

By the set’s finale, I was forced to reassess. Lots of people were moving, and not just the hardcore jam-band groupie dancers.

One of the most enthusiastic of these dancers was Andrew Larson, a Sacramento City College student and South Land Park resident.

“This band takes jazz in a whole new direction,” he said.

For more information, visit CFR and JFJO on MySpace.

The next night of the Winter Jazz Concert Series is February 25th at 8 p.m.

Sac Show winner Autumn Sky's annual Valentine's Day Show

2010-02-06T03:15:55Z



    Valentine's Day can be challenging for everyone out there, whether you've got a special someone to impress or not. The choices are limitless, and it can be hard to set something up that everyone will enjoy. This year, why not please the whole crowd with a just-before-Valentine's Day show starring local indie pop songstress Autumn Sky and up-and-comer Tre Burt?

    Miss Sky, who recently won the Sac Show award for best Acoustic Show, holds a Valentine's Day show each year. 2009's show at Luna's Cafe drew a huge crowd, where patrons and audience members alike sat on floors and laps to fit in the tiny room. This year will prove to be no less of a good time, especially considering that the rules have changed some. This year's show is free, all ages and will be on the second saturday artwalk. It also happens to be hosted at a venue famous for it's tasty frozen treats. Feel the Valentine's Day blues coming on? Then make a stop over at this show and just try not to smile.

Autumn Sky with Tre Burt

Yogurtagogo, 17th and L Sacramento, CA

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13th

All ages, no cover!

7pm

For more information, please e-mail Autumn Sky at mermaid_sings@hotmail.com.

PAST SHOW R EVIEWS

"Then something unusual happens: as Sky begins to strum and sing, the audience chatter instantly stops. Adults, teens and toddlers are all held in rapt attention as Sky’s pitch-perfect voice fills the room. (Her) voice is on par with Joanna Newsome’s poetic warble, Chan Marshall without the baggage and Jolie Holland, minus the Vaudevillian rain clouds." - Tony King, Midtown Monthly

"Autumn Sky...has a lot of potential to be one of Northern California's break out folk artists as Joanna Newsome, Vetiver and Devendra Banhart have done in the past." - PerfSpot.com

You Know, That 1 Guy

2010-01-21T04:25:46Z

What can you do with a cowboy boot, a hand saw, some metal pipes and string? A whole lot says Mike Silverman, performing as That 1 Guy on Thursday at Beatnik Studios. Don't miss your chance to see this one man band and his invention, The Magic Pipe.

Silverman, who grew up in the Bay Area, was introduced to music by his father's vintage stand-up bass. He says he remembers banging on it until he could reproduce sounds he liked. The instrument and being "in the right place at the right time" to his present career.

That 1 Guy has performed internationally and has large fan bases in places such as Europe and Australia, as well as the United States. He plays annually at the Woodford Folk Festival in Australia. Silverman says its among his favorite events and one at which about 15,000 listen to him play.

His one-man act started as a bet with a Bay Area club owner when Silverman was in college. Silverman performed 400-plus shows in one year with five bands. The bet was that if Silverman did the show alone he could keep the $50 that the band normally split. Silverman almost called the bet off the night before the show and described his time on stage as "one of the most awkward, terrible experiences ever."

By the end of the show, however, everything had changed. As the audience applauded, Silverman's uncomfortable experience was transformed into "one of the most rewarding nights of my life."

"People produce the best stuff when their back's against the wall," Silverman says, adding that he enjoys "never really knowing exactly what you're doing."

His method seems to work. Silverman has won awards at the Edinburgh Music Festival, toured with Buckethead of Guns N' Roses and produced several hit albums.

The Magic Pipe, That 1 Guy's stage centerpiece and Silverman's invention, is a one-of-a-kind instrument consisting of metal piping, two strings, 13 trigger sensors and other electronically connected pieces. He uses this instrument, to produce orchestral, full-bodied songs accompanied by lyrics.

That 1 Guy's new album, "That 1 Guy and the Magic Pipe Packs a Wallop!" which became available Wednesday.

For ticket sales and additional information,contact Beatnik Studios at 916-443-5808 or online at www.beatnik-studios.com.

For additional information, album purchases and tour schedule for That 1 Guy, visit www.thatoneguy.com.

Local Jazz Band, Counter Intelligence, Announces Two January Shows

2010-01-04T05:06:55Z

Sacramento jazz band, Counter Intelligence, just announced two new shows in Sacramento. The first show will be on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at Oshima Sushi, Natomas, Ca. The band will play from 6-9:30 p.m. The second show is at Revolution Wines in mid-town Sacramento. The band will play from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Counter Intelligence is a Sacramento based instrumental jazz band. The band has four members: Mark Buchholtz, keyboardist; James Radkins on electric bass; Joe Poteet, drummer and; E.J. Koford playing the flute and saxophone. Counter Intelligence has a history of playing songs ranging from classical jazz titles to blues and funk. The flute and saxophone add an interesting twist to familiar songs.

Oshima Sushi is located at 2071 Natomas Crossing Drive, Natomas, Ca. Revolution Wines is located at 2116 P Street, Sacramento, Ca.

A 3-day designer grand slam, Pecha Kutcha

2009-10-29T07:44:10Z

A 3-day designer grand slam is coming up, Pecha Kucha Night, brought to you by Ottolini & Associates, Architects. Come see and hear, dozens of the regions best designers, artists, architects and photographers talking about their work. Co-sponsored by Capital Creative Collective and Urban Hive. Music by Alex Trujillo.

Thursday, Nov. 5th, The Level Up Lounge - Outdoor Plaza, 8:20-10pm
Friday, Nov. 6th, The Urban Hive - 8:20-10pm
Saturday, Nov. 7th, MARRS Building - 8:20-10pm

What is Pecha Kucha Night?
"Each presenter is allowed 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds each – giving 6 minutes 40 seconds of fame before the next presenter is up. This keeps presentations concise, the interest level up, and gives more people the chance to show.

Pecha Kucha (which is Japanese for the sound of conversation) has tapped into a demand for a forum in which creative work can be easily and informally shown, without having to rent a gallery or chat up a magazine editor. This is a† demand that seems to be global – as Pecha Kucha Night, without any pushing, has spread virally to over 100 cities across the world."

Pecha Kucha Night, devised by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham (Klein Dytham Architecture), was conceived in 2003 as a place for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public.

Autumn Sky's CREATURE FEATURE

2009-10-22T02:26:23Z

Autumn Sky's "Creature Feature"

The only Halloween theme to land on a day sure not to interfere with your elaborate Trick-Or-Treats festivities falls on Friday, October the 30th. Join one of Sacramento's top chaunteuses, Autumn Sky, for a night of ghoulish tricks, treats, and musical fun at Luna's Cafe on O and 16th at 8:00pm. Cover at the door is only $6, and it's an all ages event sure to entertain with special guests Adrian Bourgeois, Carly Duhain, and Jared Emme.

See you there (muahaha.) Costumes are highly encouraged, as all the talent will be in full Halloween-themed attire!

AUTUMN SKY'S "CREATURE FEATURE"

8:00pm on October 30th. $6, all ages, located at Luna's Cafe and Juice Bar on O and 16th.

See www.myspace.com/autumnskymyspace for more information.

Autumn Sky at Club Retro's Benefit Show and Food Drive

2009-09-26T07:35:57Z

If you're free this evening, grab a couple of cans and make it on down to Orangevale for this for-a-good-cause event. Autumn Sky will be opening the lineup of indie and rock bands, dedicated to getting food to needy families in the area this season.

This will be an 8:00PM, all ages show. The cover will be somewhere around $6, and you are encouraged to bring at least two cans of food with you. Come early for a good place to stand, this is expected to be one of the biggest shows of the year at this venue.

As usual, I'll be there early to chat and hang out with you guys. Don't be afraid to say hello!

Dave Brubeck Takes Five at the Radisson

2009-09-20T01:18:57Z

The use of the word legend to describe an artist often draws cries of hyperbole. In a musical climate where acts become blockbusters seemingly overnight and evaporate into obscurity just as quickly, it's all too easy to forget about a truly enigmatic icon like Dave Brubeck.

Aside from a stint in the army during World War 2, the 88-year-old jazz pianist has been composing and performing since he graduated from the University of the Pacific in 1942.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of "Time Out," an album for which descriptors like "landmark," "innovative" and "groundbreaking" were coined.

Critically panned upon its release, the seven-song exercise in odd time signatures single-handedly changed the perceptions of jazz for casual and serious fans alike, and is now considered a classic in the genre, as well as being the first jazz album to sell a million copies.

Paul Desmond's smooth saxophone lines helped ease the jarring time signatures of bassist Eugene Wright and drummer Joe Morello, while Brubeck laid melodic piano runs over each performance. The album -- especially its hit single, the now-standard "Take Five" -- was a perfect melding of odd meter changes and occasional excursions into international music styles, all made accessible with memorable leads that belied the material's complexity. The outlandish post-modern cover art and heady musicianship on "Time Out" cemented it as a cornerstone of the new era of jazz, leading the way into the 60s with a different take on the genre.

On Friday, Sept. 18, Brubeck made a rare Sacramento appearance at the center courtyard of the Radisson Hotel, eschewing his regular performances at his alma mater, which is also home to an institute that bears his name.

A quartet from the Dave Brubeck Institute opened the night. While the members were just barely old enough to vote, they played with a refined touch that mirrored Brubeck's own classic lineup.

Aside from a few covers, the four skilled young players performed original pieces, the first of which was composed by saxophonist Chad Lefkowitz-Brown. The song, called "Still Here," began with a quick-ride cymbal workout from drummer Corey Fonville, which was anchored by bassist Zach Brown to form a sturdy foundation for the lead instruments that gave meaning to the composition's reaffirming title. Both Lefkowitz-Brown and pianist Noah Kellman got a solo, provoking call and response interplay between the two instruments before Fonville took the song home with rolling tom fills.

"315" was next, a tune from Kellman named after his hometown's area code in New York. In keeping with the city theme, the song had a pronounced urban feel to it, with a strong, upbeat tempo and an incredible bass solo. The quartet finally converged into one after a few minutes of rhythmic experimentation and locked into a swinging melody that lasted for the rest of the number.

If Marian McPartland is jazz piano's reigning queen, then Dave Brubeck is, without question, its king. This fact was made apparent once again when Mayor Kevin Johnson gave Brubeck a key to the city of Sacramento in return for the autographed piano key Johnson had once received from him. The award is another in the string of many Brubeck has received over the years, including a recent announcement from the Kennedy Center that he will be honored for excellence in the performing arts on Dec. 6.

All of this seemed to roll off of the man of the night, who seemed to simply want to sit at his throne and play the instrument he has mastered over the years.

When all awards and honors are given and done with, what's striking about Brubeck is his humility. He eased into his piano chair (no longer a stool, presumably for back comfort) and entered his own world, where myriad melodies, tonalities and rhythms cohabited and cooperated in ways which no other living jazz musician can coax with such ease.

Brubeck's set was mostly comprised of a Duke Ellington medley, a nice mix of songs and styles that brought cheers from the 1,000 or so people in attendance, especially when he finished his first solo. He smiled uncontrollably, likely the same expression he's always had during his thousands of previous concerts. At one point Brubeck let out a loud, "Oh!" in reaction to bassist Michael Moore's proficient use of his bow during a solo.

A tune called "Travellin' Blues," about Brubeck's wife, Lola, waiting at home while he toured, was an emotional centerpiece to the concert. The four players hinted at a groove before joining together for the refrain. Saxophonist Bobby Militello played a powerful solo comprised of massive sustained notes that could have easily been a heart-wrenching Bessy Smith ballad had they been vocalized.

In between songs, Brubeck spoke about his life as a musician. The next day's lengthy itinerary had the hard-touring road veteran slightly nervous.

"We're heading to Redwood City to play, and then it's on to Monterrey for the [annual] jazz festival," Brubeck said. "Rather than stay in a nice hotel for the rest of the day, we just keep going onto another gig; but that's the way we live, if you can call that living. Getting there and playing, though, that is the living."

During another break Brubeck mentioned that in 1958, President Eisenhower commissioned his quartet to play in various nations across the globe to spread good will.

One country was Turkey, where he and his bandmates were inspired by the regional music enough to compose Time Out's "Blue Rondo à la Turk." He then announced he would not play said piece that night, citing the tune in the challenging 9/8 time signature as a "real finger buster."

When someone in the front row requested "Take Five" instead, Brubeck responded with mock indignation -- "If that's what you want, then that's what you're going to get" -- before his fingers nimbly counted out the opening notes of the signature number.

Militello echoed the late Paul Desmond's sax melody perfectly and the rest of the band rode the song's groove until they broke for drummer Randy Jones to hammer out an extended solo filled with dramatic cymbal crashes and harrowing snare rolls. The rest of the members were as transfixed as the audience, with Brubeck even standing up to peek around his piano to watch the sticks fly before settling back in to return the piece to its central theme.

Before the audience noticed, almost two hours had passed and the quartet was still playing.

To end the set, Brubeck joked with the crowd by playing the melody of the nursery rhyme "Go to Sleep, Little Baby" before going into a final tune.

In total, the audience rose three times to give a standing ovation before sitting down after realizing that Brubeck was not going to forfeit his throne before he played every last note he could. The man clearly lives for music, whether playing it to audiences the world over or a quasi-hometown gathering. He is, as the Library of Congress has designated him to be, a living legend.

Photo credits to Jonathan Mendick. I don't know what technial wizardry he used to get these shots. He made the best out of a pretty rough lighting situation and came away with some great images.

Dave Brubeck to headline jazz concert at the Radisson

2009-09-17T04:07:06Z

Though the teenage members of the Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet have played together for less than a month, they have already achieved what many accomplished jazz musicians never will: At the Detroit International Jazz Festival over Labor Day weekend, they performed and shared the stage with legends such as Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea and Christian McBride.

They even spent time with Dave Brubeck when he visited their rehearsal. When Brubeck listened to the group's arrangement of his 1956 jazz standard "In Your Own Sweet Way," he loved it, said Steve Anderson, director of the Brubeck Institute.

"They're good. That's a given," Anderson said of the group, which will be a quartet Friday night when they open for the the Dave Brubeck Quartet at the Radisson Hotel. They will be down one member, however, since trumpet player Nick Frenay will join the New Generation Jazz Orchestra Friday in a performance with Wynton Marsalis at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Brubeck attended the College of the Pacific (now the University of the Pacific) in Stockton before starting the Dave Brubeck Quartet. The group's most famous song is "Take Five," from the 1959 album Time Out, an experimental record with odd time signatures ("Take Five" is in 5/4).

The Brubeck Institute was formed by a committee at the University of the Pacific in 2000 to honor alumni Dave and Iola Brubeck, who were married in 1942. The institute furthers the legacy of Brubeck through archives, a festival, a fellowship program, a summer outreach program and a summer jazz youth camp, said Anderson, who was part of the founding committee.

The fellowship program selects five students per year to become the Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet. This year's group includes three musicians from New York: Frenay on trumpet, Noah Kellman on piano and Chad Lefkowitz-Brown on saxophone. Bassist Zach Brown is from Maryland, and drummer Corey Fonville is from Virginia. All five members are 18 or 19.

Though they usually play Brubeck tunes, Friday's quartet will be playing originals and non-Brubeck standards. "Brubeck will do [Brubeck]," Anderson said. In their 35 to 40-minute set, the quartet will play about four pieces.

Brubeck, who turns 89 in December, will also be playing in a quartet. He will likely play one or two songs from Time Out, Anderson said, but he will also play non-Brubeck standards, most likely including some Duke Ellington tunes.

"Even though it's the Brubeck] Institute, when we see him, it's most often not on the campus," Anderson said. "The band meets with him once or twice a year, but it's usually at gigs."

"They're very excited about it; it's a very big deal to be opening for Dave," Anderson added. "This is a group of young musicians that play far beyond their years. They're not an average group [and] they are very exciting."

The all-ages concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, 500 Leisure Lane. Tickets cost $39 and $49 and can be purchased online by clicking here.

Avant-garde giant Oliver Lake performing Live in Sacramento

2009-09-15T05:16:20Z

Oliver Lake is a renaissance man in the truest sense of the word.

His singular alto saxophone playing has been heard in a myriad of settings, from the groundbreaking World Saxophone Quartet to performing with rapper Mos Def. He’s arranged music for Lou Reed and Björk, composing for the Brooklyn Philharmonic and regularly collaborates with various musicians, poets and dancers around the world.

In 1967, Lake helped establish the Black Artists Group in his native St. Louis, Mo., an organization formed to create a sense of community and to set an artistic and business example for young musicians, writers and other artists that still resonates to this day, especially in Lake’s own Passin’ Thru, his non-profit organization and record label, now in its 20th year. In addition to his status as one of the most creative jazz musicians currently playing, he is also an established painter and poet.

On Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at the Jean Runyon Little Theatre (located inside of the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium) Oliver Lake is making his Sacramento debut with a solo music and poetry performance entitled "Oliver Lake: Singular". Mr. Lake will also join the openers, the Tony Passerell Quintet for a couple numbers of free improvisation.

The Sacramento Press caught up with Lake in the midst of rehearsals with The Trio 3, his long-standing group with bassist Reggie Workman and drummer Andrew Cyrille.

The Black Artists Group (BAG) was a co-operative created to have performing artist themselves taking control of all facets of their creativity from the economical to the artistic. What qualities of BAG have you retained over these years?

Quite a bit of it, as a matter of fact. The BAG ended up being a great schooling for me not only musically but business-wise as well. I think it was one of my main inspirations for me starting my own record label, Passin’ Thru. When I moved to New York in 1974, I didn’t have any success until I used the lessons I had learned in the BAG, which was presenting myself and that would mean sometimes having to write the music, rent the space, rehearse the band and [laughs] make the posters! It was self-sufficient, self-producing and self-promoting and all of that went into the BAG. I learned quite a bit about survival as an artist in the BAG.

Last year you released Makin’ It by the Oliver Lake Organ Trio. How did that group come about?

It seems like there’s a resurgence of young organ players, especially on the East Coast. There’s a bunch of young guys playing the Hammond B-3 organ and they’re playing it so excitedly, especially the one who played with me, Jared Gold, who’s coming out of the mold of Larry Young, who was a tremendously forward-thinking organist. But I was seeing if I could put my stamp on that particular sound. I love the sound of the organ and it’s something I did years ago when I started out playing saxophone. It came up again after I heard Gold and I said, “I want to do something with him.” There’s a new Organ Trio CD about to come out.

It’s a fun recording, and it sounds like you are smiling all the way through it!

[laughs] It’s a fun, finger-popping CD, that’s for sure!

Here in Sacramento, you will be performing solo, which is daunting for any musician. Without any other instruments to react to or with, what do you use for inspiration to play in a setting like that?

In these cases, I use the audience a lot of times. I’m getting inspiration from the audience and also I’m doing poetry which gives me a chance to break up the space in a different way by using my voice because that will lead me to something else.

The music of Eric Dolphy has resonated throughout your works. What do you take from Dolphy’s music?

I like the unpredictability. That was one of the greatest things I liked about his saxophone playing. At the time I was coming up, a lot of the saxophone players had various clichés they would play — that’s normal and I’m not putting it down — but I got to the point when I would listen to a sax playing, I would be humming along with it because I knew they’d play a certain repetition or phrase. But when I heard Eric Dolphy, that blew all of that out of the window! I had no idea what he was going to play and that attracted me to him immediately and he was also a virtuoso on flute and bass clarinet and — oh, such a big inspiration. And I love his compositions. I still play them!

What’s the common thread running through all of your art, whether it be your music, your paintings or your poetry?

I think the blues is the common thread. Playing with the World Saxophone Quartet, playing solo or playing with my big band or the Trio 3 or my organ group, I think the blues is going straight through all of that. My sound is the blue sound.

Being raised in St. Louis, which is one of the great blues towns, you were probably exposed to an amazing array of music growing up.

Oh yeah! As a matter of fact, I lived one block from Tina Turner when I was in high school! I never got a chance to meet her, but she was always playing around St. Louis. Then there was Albert King and other St. Louis blues players who were there. I started out in a blues band, playing in local bands with Phillip Wilson and other players.

Are there any other artistic endeavors you’re tempted to dip your fingers into? You already have a lot going on!

[laughs] I’ve got a full plate! Between painting, doing music and composing, traveling and doing these different collaborations — I’m trying to do a continuation of that and getting better at all of the things I’m doing.

Your organization, Passin’ Thru, is not only a record label but also a non-profit organization. Can you talk about its accomplishments?

It’s about being in control of your destiny and that was one of the things that was stressed in the BAG — owning our copyrights, owning our music — that’s exactly what I’m doing with Passin’ Thru record label. Putting out my own CDs and owning the music I’ve composed and produced. There’s also Freddie Washington Jr. who was my mentor, a saxophone player from St. Louis. Passin’ Thru produced his first CD. He was one of the first saxophonists I studied with in St. Louis. So it’s not a vanity label. I have been putting out other artists and will continue to.

Education is a subject close to your heart and you teach younger musicians.

That’s right. I’m not associated formally with any university or school at the moment, but I do residencies at universities from time to time and private students and it’s always been a part of what I do. With Passin’ Thru, we also do some educational events from time to time. Education has been part of my life for many years.

Any words of advice you’d like to give young jazz musicians or anyone wanting to have a career in music?

I would just say “find your own voice,”an original voice in what they’re doing in music or the non-musical. In life. Whatever it is. Especially in music, you want to find your own voice, your own ground and work towards that. And never give up!

For more information on Oliver Lake and his music, please visit www.oliverlake.net and also www.passinthru.org.

Roger Smith Performs at the Crocker This Thursday

2009-09-14T21:26:58Z

Jazz keyboard master Roger Smith will perform during the Crocker Art Museum’s Third Thursday Jazz Summer Concert Series on September 17 from 5:30-8 p.m. Smith and his band will bring their lively spirit and exceptional talent to perform an array of melodies ranging from R&B to smooth jazz. This is the final concert of the Summer Concert Series before it takes a hiatus during the winter months.

During his 30 year career, Smith has released five CD recordings and collaborated on countless others. His Off the Hook was a smash, No. 1 hit on Billboard’s contemporary jazz singles chart in 1999 and stayed in the top 10 for nearly 20 weeks. Smith returned to the charts in 2004 with the 14-track solo CD Just Enough. His latest CD release and single of the same name, Sittin’ In is gaining airplay across the country. He has been the keyboard player and background vocalist in the Oakland-based soul band Tower of Power since 1999 and continues to tour over 180 days per year. Currently, he is developing projects with his band Jazz Rosco and producing projects for several other artists.

The Summer Concert Series is held in the Museum’s courtyard on the third Thursday of the month from May through September. Light refreshments and beverages are available for purchase. Concerts are free to Crocker members and $10 for nonmembers.

The Third Thursday Jazz Summer Concert Series is supported in part by 94.7 KSSJ, Renwood Winery, Rubicon Brewing Co. and Pepsi. For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.com/jazz.

The Night Harlem Came To Stockton Blvd

2009-08-30T13:33:44Z

Milton Bowens would like to believe that when you look at his art work you're not merely viewing paintings, his personal opinion or guarded pieces of his soul. You the viewer are being asked to confront history, truth, cultural stereo types and engage the possibilities of the future. Because when he paints he is not just engaging the viewer or confronting the critic over artistic merit, style and validity, he is confronting the use of art as a tool to communicate. He is asking questions, He is seeking solutions.

Born and raised in Oakland, Calif., Milton Bowens is the fifth boy of ten children. Milton’s artistic promise began at the age of five with nothing more than a few pencils and cut up brown paper bags used as sketch paper, thanks to his mother’s ingenuity of making the best of lean times.

Bowens received education under the mentorship of Fine Artist David Bradford, head of the Art Department and instructor at Laney College (Oakland). Inspired by great artists such as Jean Michel Basquiat, Robert Rauschenberg, Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence and Andy Warhol, Milton changed his focus from illustration to fine art. That shift proved crucial for Milton now considered a great artist in his own right and inspirational public speaker/community activist in the struggle to keep art a vital part of public education and a tool to help build self-esteem in youth.

Milton works tirelessly to create thought-provoking exhibitions that will help restore a level of hope in communities desperately in need of inspiration. Bowens just wants to paint. Bowens paintings has been showcased at Avisca Fine Art Gallery in Atlanta, GA, 40 Acres Art Gallery in Sacramento, CA, on the walls of the Sacramento Mayors office, and the African American Art & Culture Complex in San Francisco, CA just to name a few.

The Night Harlem Came To Stockton Blvd exhibit is Bay Area acclaimed artist, Milton Bowens, first time ever showing of his 9 piece collection of Afro Classical: The Subway Series on the West Coast. Afro Classical is an anthology of paintings depicting the importance of Jazz, Art and Words during the Harlem Renaissance. Bowens will speak on the importance of documenting African American art.

Join Master Barber & Beauty Shop as we step back in time to salute the Harlem Renaissance and the importance of African American Art, Music and Spoken Word in American society. Come and enjoy the viewing of Milton Bowen’s Afro Classical: The Subway Series and welcoming local NeoSoul and Jazz recording artist Miss MouthPeace. Miss MouthPeace is a dynamic vocalist, whose music is compared to Billie Holiday and Eryka Badu. She will be performing an acoustic set live.

The Opening Reception will be held Second Saturday, September 12, 2009 from 7:00pm - 10:00pm. Refreshments and Wine will be served. Addmission $5 donation, all ages welcomed. A portion of the proceeds will benifit C.T.D. Dream Builders.

Milton Bowens and Miss MouthPeace are available for interviews. For more information, please call (916) 457-8708 or email: Masterreport@hotmail.com.

Crocker's Jazz Series Features Peter Morgan this Thursday

2009-08-17T18:49:19Z

Contemporary jazz guitarist Peter Morgan and his ensemble will perform a light and breezy instrumental jazz with a coastal island flavor at the Crocker's popular Third Thursday Jazz Summer Concert Series on August 20. Running from May through September, concerts are held in the Museum Courtyard on the third Thursday of the month from 5:30-8 p.m. Light refreshments and beverages are available for purchase. Concerts are free to Crocker members and $10 for nonmembers.

Morgan is regarded as a stand-out vocalist and guitarist who brings an eclectic musical energy to all of his performances. He has performed alongside some of the biggest names in smooth jazz including Fattburger, Michael McDonald and keyboardist Phillipe Saisse. The Peter Morgan Band was recently voted "Favorite Musicians" by the readers of Folsom/El Dorado Hills Style Magazine. They have released two albums demonstrating their own distinctive style of jazz ranging from emotional piano ballads to high-energy Latin jazz with something for everyone to enjoy.

“To be able to create music that makes people cry, laugh or dance is a real gift," Morgan says. "It makes me want to pursue my music with a vengeance."

The Third Thursday Jazz Summer Concert Series is supported in part by 94.7 KSSJ, Renwood Winery, Rubicon Brewing Co. and Pepsi. For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org/jazz.

Early Times to Play Hometown Show at Harlow's

2009-08-13T04:57:05Z

Native Sacramento guitarist, DJ and producer Early Times will return home for a performance at Harlow's on Friday.

While his MySpace page lists his genre categorization as "Crunk/Dutch pop/Black Metal," Early Times' music is even more eclectic in reality. The sampling of songs on his profile ranges from the slap bass funk of "Doin' the Nasty," to the Hammond organ-inflected blues of "Black Panties," to the spacey, improviasational jam piece "DUI." His capability to play multiple styles has earned him collaborations with a diverse group of musicians both local (Tesla, Cake) and national (trumpeter Wynton Marsallis).

Though he currently resides in New York City, Early spent his years in Sacramento building his reputation in the local scene. His past nominations for nine different Sacramento Area Music Awards, including Best Rock Band, Best Blues Band and Best Jazz Band, showcase the broad scope of his influences. He made the move to Manhattan a year after winning the Critics' Choice Award as Sacramento's Best Guitarist in 1997.

"I try to make it out to Sac once a year," Early said via phone en route to Sacramento from Minneapolis, Mo. MN. "It's pretty much around this time, too. There are plenty of people in the music scene there I'm still in contact with."

As for his categorization, it seems that the wide space of "multi-genre" is the only one Early is comfortable occupying. "You pretty much have it with that classification," Early said of his sound being described to him as "broad and tough to pin down." "When I was in Sacramento, I would play a jazz club for a few nights, then a blues club and maybe a rock club, all in the same week sometimes."

The show this Friday will be a mix of old and new songs from Early's career and will "probably include some improvisations here and there," he said.

Early's lineup will include his longtime rhythm section of Neil Franklin (drums) and Artis "A.J." Joyce (bass). The main guitarist will be The Sacramento Press' own Sales Manager, Sonny Mayugba. Aside from the main lineup, the set will also include appearances from a range of other local musicians. "I'm not sure who will be making it out, but whoever does will be sitting in and joining whenever," Early said. "It's always a big party when I play."

A compilation CD of unreleased tracks, titled Sacramento's Most Wanted: 1990-1997, will be available at the show. "It's pretty much a bunch of stuff I did awhile back but never found a spot for," Early said. "Most of the songs have been played live, and I like them all enough to have them on the record."

His adventurous and unpredictable blend of genres is sure to thrill the crowd at Harlow's. The show starts at 9 p.m. at 2708 J St. It is 21+.

Early Times' biography and samples of his music can be found here:

http://www.myspace.com/earlytimesband

Dig Distributes Barnhart's Debut

2009-07-12T17:25:10Z

Sacramento record label Dig Music is best known for releasing records by hometown favorites Jackie Greene, Bucho and Kate Gaffney, as well as classic rock artists Sal Valentino and Cold Blood.

But right now, the label's best-selling artist, with an album at No.3 on the Jazzweek chart, is a release by another label, Unity, in a genre Dig Music has had very little experience with: Jazz.

Jazz trumpeter Scotty Barnhart is signed with Unity Records, but his solo debut, Say It Plain, was released and distributed in May by Dig Music.

Barnhart is doing business in Northern California, although he spends his time either at home in Los Angeles or Tallahassee where he teaches part-time at Florida State University. Barnhart signed with Unity after recording on an album by Jamie Davis, a former vocalist for the Count Basie Orchestra.

"Jamie signed with them and I played on his record," Barnhart said. "Unity liked the record we did, and they wanted to sign me. They said, 'We loved your play, we like you as a person'."

Of Dig's relationship with Unity, Dig Music CEO Marty DeAnda said, "As their friend and business partner, we are able to do a much better job for them as it relates to prioritizing their needs." Dig manufactures in Sacramento, but distributes nationally. DeAnda remarked that the only difference he perceived between basing a label in Sacramento versus New York or Los Angeles is the competition among talent trying to get signed onto a label.

"Jazz has been a traditional 'under the radar' musical form and has even less presence in Northern California with the exception of the Bay Area," said DeAnda. "This is kind of sad since jazz is the only pure American form of music. There are some very good players in Sacramento and of course Sacramento is famous for its annual Jazz Festival."

"With the industry currently in the greatest downturn in history, we actually have a better chance of survival, financially, because our overhead is so much less and our size allows us to change more quickly as the market changes," added DeAnda.

However, with a growing reputation for making discerning choices about which artists to sign, and with the production and distribution deal with Dig, Unity is looking forward to a bright future in the industry.

Said DeAnda of Dig, "We have built a solid reputation as a quality indie label. Having the presence of Scotty Barnhart, and Jackie Green, among others, does help. We have been approached by many famous performers including Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac), Ian McLagen (Faces) Elvin Bishop, Eddie Money, Peter and Gordon, Jim Messina (Loggins and Messina), the Sons of Champlin. We hope to continue to draw attention to ourselves and are proud that others across the country have heard of us."

Scotty Barnhart will be performing in Northern California at the Monterey Jazz Festival in September.

The (Afro)beat goes on

2009-06-25T18:54:06Z

What is Afrobeat? You might not have even heard of it five years ago, but now it's an emerging genre in the United States.

It began in the late '50s when Nigerian musician Fela Kuti created the unique style. His music inspired Nigerians to move in more ways than one.

The groove made people dance, but the lyrics got them to think about politics and react to government corruption. Truly a "world music," it has even inspired San Francisco band Albino.

"It's West African polyrhythms, James Brown horn lines and a great vehicle for social commentary," said Albino saxophone player and co-founder Nathan Endsley. He came across the genre while at UCLA studying music education with an emphasis on jazz.

Friday night at Marilyn's on K, the 10-piece band will give Sacramentans a taste of Afrobeat. Albino will play at 9 p.m.

The band describes their sound as "heavy, heavy Afrobeat." This could be due to a baritone sax player giving the band's four-piece horn section a heavy bottom end.

But Endsley said the band adds Afro-Cuban, funk and jazz flavors on top of an Afrobeat groove. "Each member has their own influences," he added.

Back in 2003, Endsley and two friends decided to spread the music pioneered by Afrobeat creator Fela Kuti, a.k.a. The Black President. They decided to form Albino and hit the road.

"The music has a social purpose instead of just being fun," Endsley said of Afrobeat. "You can say things with this."

Early on, unable to be on the road for as long as the band intended, the other two cofounders left the group. Since that day, Endsley has also been the manager of the band.

"It's a big community-oriented project," Endsley said of his band. "There's no one in the band free of responsibilities - that's the reality of a touring band."

Other members of the band have positions like tour manager, promotions manager and music director. Percussionist Kim Agnew dances on the stage and is in charge of the group's look.

On stage, the band looks like a tribe of sorts. Members wear costumes which have ranged from suits to Sun-Ra-themed garb. They even paint their own faces before their shows.

"A lot of people just think, 'What am I seeing?'" said Endsley of Albino's stage presence. "Face paint changes your perspective a bit - [it says] we're here to say something special."

"Expect to be surprised," he added. "Our goal is to make the musical experience incorporate the audience."

Tickets are $10 and are available here.

*Photographs courtesy Jonathan Costello.

Sacramento Unity and Diversity Music Festival June 27th

2009-06-22T08:27:32Z

The Sacramento Unity and Diversity Music Festival originaly Scheduled for May 2nd was rained, so we were forced to reschedule. Festivites were ready to get started bands were lined up, vendors and food booths were ready to go. People started lining up at the gate and down it came.. The City of Sacramento allowed us to cancel this event and come back with more strength and blessings. We know this is going to be a one of a kind festival, one that Sacramento has never seen. There will be Reggae, R&B, Salsa, Soca, Gospel Rap, Praise Dancers, Rock, and Dance Toops. We are working to bring All of Sacramento together with one rythem, one beat, one LOVE. You can purchase your tickets online at www.ticketweb.com and look for the Sacramento Unity Fest. Tickets are $13.00 on line or at the beat record store on 17th and Jst or $20.00 at the gate . You can also go to www.sacramentounityfest.com . Here you can Voluteer or sign up for a vendors booth. We will be accepting information for next years festival for food, vendors, and Artist. You can keep up with all of our up coming event at www.calwestcultural.com . Cant wait to see you there and cant wait for next year...

Iván Nájera Performs Tonight at the Crocker Art Museum

2009-06-18T16:31:40Z

Ecuador born guitarist Iván Nájera will perform at the Crocker Art Museum's popular Third Thirsday Jazz Summer Concert Series tonight. When it comes to contagious guitar rhythms and improvisational talent, Nájera is a true master. His sound is influenced by Spanish and Latin jazz rhythms and has been described as exhilarating and contagious.

Nájera’s influences are rich in cultural diversity, inspired by styles that include traditional Spanish Flamenco, Brazilian, Tropicalia, Andean, jazz and contemporary. He accompanies these with an underlying hint of classical seasoning, which he believes rests at the heart of any truly exceptional composition. Over the past year, Nájera has begun to add vocals to his musical mixtures. He now complements his guitar playing with a soft, evocative baritone that enhances the dimension of his music.

Najera will also be releasing his newest album at the performance, an exhilarating mixture of Spanish and Latin jazz, with a surprising upbeat element of explosive passion that makes this his most danceable release to date. He says of the new album, "This CD was born in my soul,” states the classically trained guitarist. “It is the manifestation of all that has happened in the years since my last release, and it is a testament to life. To living. To old friends and new beginnings.”

From May through September, Third Thursday Jazz concerts are held in the Museum's courtyard on the third Thursday of the month from 5:30-8 p.m. Light refreshments and beverages are available for purchase. Concerts are free to Crocker members and $10 for nonmembers.The Summer Concert series is supported in part by 94.7 KSSJ, Renwood Winery, Rubicon Brewing Co. and Pepsi. For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org/jazz.

The Crocker Art Museum was founded in 1885 and continues as the leading art institution for the California Capital Region and Central Valley. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections of California, European and Asian artworks. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday; Thursday until 9 p.m. Free admission on Sundays from 10 AM-1 PM is made possible through the support of Bank of America. For more information on exhibits and events call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Lots of free (and cheap) events this Weekend!!

2009-06-17T23:55:20Z

It has never occurred to me that Father's Day weekend always happens at the same time as the summer solstice. Is that by coincidence? The longest, sunniest day of the year falls on the weekend that we celebrate our Dad's. That's kind of cool! At least for those of us who celebrate them. Otherwise, think of it as an extended day for you to be having fun! This weekend is packed with family friendly events for the whole family to enjoy at budget friendly prices. There are a few things I've mentioned that are a little more pricey... but they sound so fun! Whatever your budget is and whomever you'd like to spend your time with, check out what this weekend has in store.

Thursday 6.18

Class: Small Business Forum: Going Green -- $FREE
Where: SHCC Offices (1491 River Park Dr)
When: 9am
Why: Every month a different topic is featured in these workshops. From accounting practices, legal issues, buying new technology and creating a business plan—they’ll teach you all you need to know to be more efficient in your business. This month will focus on the latest trend in business…Going Green. It won’t cost you any green to come so check it out!
Details

Food & Wine: Wild West Cheese Adventure -- $45
Where: C’est le Cheese (Penthouses at Capitol Park)
When: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Why: “Artisan cheese makers are pushing the frontiers of flavor into an entirely new world by using the sweetest, creamiest milk from locally raised cows, goats and sheep to create an exquisite array of stupendous artisan cheese. Join Laura Martinez, author of "The Everything Cheese Book", in a tasting adventure of these wild and wooly cheese creations paired with wine and beer from pioneering vintners and brewers. This class is guaranteed to transport you to the best of the Wild West!”~ C’est le Cheese
Details

Music: Third Thursday Jazz Summer Concert Series -- $10 (FREE to Crocker Members)
Where: CSUS Capistrano Hall
When: 5:30pm-8pm
Why: The Garrett Perkins Project will entertain with their versatile range of Jazz from bebop to modern contemporary jazz. The Garrett Perkins Project is dedicated to promoting music that is at once educational and entertaining. Garrett has had a Quartet since the age of fifteen as an avenue for playing his beloved alto saxophone.
Details

Friday 6.19

Festival: Sacramento French Film Festival—Opening Night -- $10/ $9 students (single ticket)
Where: Crest Theatre
When: 6pm (Movie at 8:30pm) ***The festival runs through Sunday, June 28th***
Why: Opening night and reception! You cannot see the film tonight without going to the reception. Enjoy an open wine bar and catered hors d’oeuvres by local restaurants and music by DJ Christophe. The Sacramento French Film Festival is an annual event held in July. It celebrates the present as well as the rich history of French cinema featuring new releases and rarely seen classics. It is the only festival dedicated to French cinema in Northern California and one of only two on the West coast. The Sacramento Bee described the Festival as “the Cinematic Highlight of Sacramento's Summer”. All of the films are in French with English subtitles. (Psst! Check out the website for more fun events like the fashion show on Saturday the 21st!!)
Details

Festival: All American Tattoo Festival--$15 at the door/$30 for the weekend
Where: Sacramento Convention Center
When: 2pm-11pm (also Saturday, 11am-11pm & Sunday, 11am-7pm)
Why: Tattoo lovers unite! Tell all your ink loving friends to come over to the CC this weekend. There will be tattoo contests for prizes in addition to the artwork and music. Whether you’re a seasoned (or should I say fully decorated) tattoo lover or a novice, this is the place to find what you’re looking for. Even if you’re not much of a tattoo fan, you got to come if only to see George the Giant. He is himself a complete sideshow performance- known for his fire breathing, sword swallowing, glass walking stunts and many more, he is sure to entertain! Plus...the world wide debut of SHIGE a book by Horitaka from the Yellow Blaze Tattoo Studio in Japan.
Details

Kids & Families: Wet 'n Wild Family Night @ the Y! -- FREE
Where: Sacramento YMCA
When: 6pm-8pm
Why: Join the Sacramento Area YMCA for a free Wet n' Wild Family Night with musical guests, Prima! Bring your swimsuit, flip-flops & towel, there will be plenty of wet n' wild games including a fundraiser dunk tank! This is a free community event where everyone is welcome so don't forget to tell your family & friends! Jamba Juice and Yogurtagogo will also be on hand selling their tasty juices and yogurt to help beat the heat!
Details

Kids & Families: Disney Train Comes to Sacramento! -- $FREE
Where: California State Railroad Museum
When: 9am-7pm (also Saturday, 9am-7pm & Sunday, 9am-4pm)
Why: Bring your family and friends to Old Sacramento to see the Disney Train on the tracks near the California State Railroad Museum. Disney is pulling out all the whistle stops and taking its show on the road with a spectacular immersive and interactive 40-city train tour, including a 3D sneak peek of film footage from the upcoming movie “Disney’s A Christmas Carol.” Enjoy a snowy backdrop in June in Old Sacramento, complete with all of the sights and sounds of Christmas including carolers, decorations, giveaways and many more surprises. This Disney family event is for guests of all ages and is free to the public. Starring Jim Carrey and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” opens in theatres November 6 in Disney Digital 3D and in IMAX 3D.
Details

Music: A Classic Rock Tribute with “ATB” -- $
Where: Double Tree Hotel
When: 8:30pm-11pm
Why: After the Beatles, music has never been the same. Or so believes ATB, which stands for After The Beatles. They are a classic rock tribute band keeping the Beatles alive by playing the music that the Beatles made, after the Beatles.
Details

Music: Les Claypool -- $25 adv/ $30 at door
Where: Radisson Hotel
When: 7:30pm
Why: Legendary Bassist from the popular band Primus. Back in their heyday (aka the 90’s), Les was recognized for his inventive, funky style. Advance tickets can be purchased at any Dimple Records store, The Beat and R5 Records.
Details

Saturday 6.20

Art: Stellar Studios’ Summer Solstice -- $FREE
Where: Stellar Studios (23rd & C St.)
When: 5pm-12am
Why: Celebrate Summer Solstice and support some local artists while you’re at it! Stellar will be featuring new work in glass, ceramics, metal & mixed media from all local artists. Get a glimpse into the future of art spaces. Also, it’s a great excuse to peruse and shop around with music & fire to compliment the atmosphere on the longest day of the year.
Details: http://sacramento365.com/event/detail/38873

Art/Class: Figure Drawing Marathon for Adults -- $65 ($45 for Crocker Members)
Where: Crocker Art Museum
When: 10:30am-4:30pm
Why: Back by popular demand! This workshop is for beginners and advanced students looking to learn or improve drawing skills. Draw from nude models while exploring the figure through warm-up exercises, gesture drawings and long poses. Note that this is an adult class! You must be 18 years or older. Drawing materials will be provided. Make sure you call to reserve your spot because reservations are required.
Details

Festival: 8th Annual Juneteenth Festival-- $FREE
Where: William Land Park
When: 11am-6pm (also Sunday, 11am-5pm)
Why: A Celebration of Freedom and the Emancipation Proclamation. What a way we’ve come! This is a two-day event featuring two stages of live musical entertainment, vendors, children's activities, spelling bee, fishing derby, The Juneteenth Educational Theater, essay/poster contests, theater, cultural dance performances, and more on Saturday! The Juneteenth Talent Show is probably the highlight of the event where local aspiring talent takes a stab at the stage. Nearly 8,000 people attend Juneteenth annually. On Sunday check out the 3rd annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament, the Juneteenth Gospel Extravaganza featuring Sacramento’s best gospel artists, food/ware vendors, and all kinds of children’s’ activities. Be there!
Details

Fundraiser: Round ‘em Up Barbeque -- $10 adults/ $5 kids
Where: Swanston Park
When: 3pm
Why: Grab the kids and head to the park for a family friendly BBQ! The Sacramento Children's Chorus will be performing an informal concert for entertainment. All of the proceeds for this event benefit the Sacramento Children’s Chorus. With all of the funding cuts happening with children’s programs, makes sense to support them in family fun ways such as these…
Details

Music: Pops in the Park Concert Series -- $FREE
Where: Bertha Henschel Park
When: 6pm-10pm
Why: This week is featuring the George Bruno Big Band. I don’t know much about the band- and couldn’t find any information on them other than they play at all kinds of family friendly events- but I do know that the Pops in The park Concerts are a great night out for families. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets and prepare to have some fun!
Details

Sunday 6.21 (Dad’s Day!)

Film: IMAX Father’s Day Package -- $Varies
Where: Esquire IMAX Theatre
When: 11am, 12:15, 1:15, 2:15 (Start Times)
Why: Take your Dad to see an IMAX show this weekend- or dad’s, take your kids out and save. In addition to the Stimulus Deal IMAX has been promoting, this Sunday Dad’s get in Free! You still need the receipt from a restaurant though. So the Stimulus Package Deal goes like this: Visit any Downtown/Midtown Sacramento Restaurant and spend $20…then bring your receipt to the Esquire IMAX Theatre and purchase any ticket to see Dinosaurs Alive 3D, Under The Sea 3D or African Adventure 3D for $5 or get a $5 discount off the full price admission ticket to Monsters vs. Aliens 3D, Star Trek, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian or Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. (Subject to availability) Up to 4 Tickets can be purchased with receipt.
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Music: Father’s Day BBQ Train -- $49 Adults/ $25 Kids (plus taxes & Service charge)
Where: Sacramento River Train
When: 11am
Why: Why not? When’s the last time you rode the train? This 3.5-hour trip includes a 28-mile train ride with a stop for a barbecue lunch at Elkhorn Park. The Sacramento River Train, which has three open-air cars and three enclosed air-conditioned coaches, operates between Woodland and West Sacramento.
Details

Keep in mind that all of these events and many more can can be found on Sacramento365.com, the year-round source for Sacramento events. If you have an event you would like to add to Sacramento365.com, visit the website. Its easy and free to add your events! Also, if you want to mention an event that I didn't squeeze into my little article- add it to the comments below! Have a great weekend!!

Crazy "cool" events this weekend!!

2009-06-04T22:47:02Z

I can honestly say that I am proud to be a Sacramentan. Even more so since I began working on the events calendar for Sacramento at the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau! I have pretty much lived in the Sacramento area my whole life and never before did I realize that there are so many things going on- all the time! This weekend is packed full of Festivals, fundraisers, music & theatre and hopefully by reading this you are prompted to get out and have some fun! And please do note that there are many more things happening that I may not have mentioned...in order to keep these articles concise, I narrow them down to a few events. Feel free to add events in the Comment section at the bottom of the page if you would like to mention one I didn't add. Happy galavanting...

Thursday 6.4

Comedy: Paul Mecurio w/ Jason Downs & Laura Rosenberg -- $6/$4/$3
Where: Punch Line Comedy Club
When: 8:30pm (Showing thru June 7th-also @ 10:00pm Sat&Sun)
Why: He was a writer for the Daily Show with John Stewart. Not sure if he really needs more credits but heres a few others: Comedy Central Presents, The Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn, Late Night w/Conan O’Brien, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, Dr. Katz, NBC’s Late Friday…must be a pretty funny guy!
Details

Art: Sew What? Fashion Show--
Where: Social Nightclub
When: 7pm
Why: Local fashion from Gianna Couture, Marianno Ratto, Stephanie Lozano & more! Hair will be done by Suede Salon.
Details

Theatre: Hedwig and the Angry Inch -- $18-25
Where: Artisan Theatre
When: 8:00pm (Showing thru June 27th)
Why: This is New Helvetia Theatre Company’s first production at the beautiful Artisan Gallery on Del Paso Blvd. New Helvetia is rethinking theatre in Sacramento. Their goal is to “rediscover forgotten gems of the American Musical while re-examining classic musicals and plays”. Directed by Matthew Schneider, Hedwig is about a fictional rock and roll band fronted by an East German transgendered singer. This musical has become somewhat of a cult classic similar to The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a devoted following.
Details

Friday 6.5

Food & Wine: 7th Annual Celebrity Chef Challenge--$50 advance/$60 at the door
Where: California Auto Museum (formerly Towe)
When: 5:30-9:30
Why: Ladies & Gentlemen start your engines & drive on down to the 2009 Celebrity Chef Challenge!! Ride along side event emcees Edie Lambert of KCRA Channel 3 & Dennis Mangers of Darrell Steinberg's Office & your favorite local chefs as they whisk past the competition at the 7th annual Celebrity Chef Challenge.
Competitors will have 45 minutes to turn 5 secret ingredients into 3 power packed dishes right in front of your eyes!!! Fans will be treated to a VIP Food Show, Hosted Beer and Wine, Silent Auction, Raffle & 72,000 square feet of automotive excellence! And the Celebrity Judges are...Guy Farris & Melissa Crowley of Sacramento & Co. & Former State Assembly member Lloyd Levine, New This Year!!!
The finest culinary competition on the West Coast just got a little finer with the addition of the 1st Annual InAlliance Car Show that welcomes all makes and models!
Details

Music: Bucho! at Concert in the Park-- Free
Where: Cesar Chavez Park
When: 5pm-9pm
Why: Free music and family fun! In addition to Bucho, Righteous Movement & Happy Mayfield will be there too. Get there early and bring a blanket to check out the show. The beer garden gets really packed after awhile so its best to get there early- buy two while you’re at it to make it last longer. I haven’t tried the food but there are a bunch of options for eats if you’re hungry too. Afterward, your bracelet can score you discounts a local restaurants and bars.
Details

Music: Freekbass-- $15
Where: Marilyn’s on K (St)
When: 9:00pm
Why: The guys name is really Freekbass. Or at least that’s what he goes by. He studied bass at Cincinnati's School for the Creative and Performing Arts and never looked back. Influenced by the likes of Larry Graham, Sly Stone, Stevie Wonder, Parliament and Bootsy, you may expect this show to have some funk! Along with Freekbass the band consists of a guitarist, drummer and turntablist. Sounds like a show!
Details

Saturday 6.6

Food & Wine: 7th Annual Raley’s Grape Escape -- $40 advance/$50 day of
Where: Cesar Chavez Plaza
When: 4pm-7pm
Why: If you like to mingle with friends and meet new ones while sipping on wines and tasting delicious food from local restaurants all while enjoying the sounds of live Jazz…you gotta check this event out! Over 60 wineries (= 200+wines!) and 40+ restaurants will be serving up tastes of their yummy goods for you to enjoy. There’s also a “Chef's Challenge” presented by the Institute of Technology where 4 local chef’s will compete in two rounds to win. They get 25 minutes and a market basket of fresh produce and a cut of meat to come up with the winning recipe.
Details

Festival: Sierra Stampede Rodeo & Festival -- $10 ($25 for weekend pass)
Where: Central Park Horse Arena
When: 8am (Sat & Sun)
Why: If you've never been to a gay rodeo before, you don't want to miss Steer Deco, Goat Dressing or Wild Drag Race…this amateur rodeo attracts cowboys & cowgirls from across the United States! There'll be horse events, roping, steers, and bulls. The Festival's vendor area will include a beer garden, entertainment food & goodies for sale. Rodeo proceeds benefit Saddle Pals, a division of United Cerebral Palsy that uses horses for therapy. This event is brought to Sacramento and produced by Capital Crossroads Gay Rodeo Association. In addition to the rodeo, there will be kickoff events Thursday & Friday nights and afterparties both Sat & Sunday- A whole weekend of same-sex fun!
Details

Music: Jackie Greene in Concert-- $25 advance/$30 at door (subject to availability)
Where: Fairytale town
When: 6pm-10pm
Why: In celebration of Fairytale Towns 50th Anniversary of bringing “musical merriment” and wholesome family fun to Sacramento Jackie Greene and AKALive will be playing on the Mother Goose Stage. Your ticket is for the music only, however, there will be food & drinks available for purchase. This is a great night to bring the kids out- fun for the whole family! Kids can play and adults can enjoy some great music at the same time.
Details

Family: Pops in The Park Concert Series Kickoff-- $Free
Where: East Portal Park
When: 6pm
Why: The Q-Balls will be entertaining the friends & families out this week at East Portal Park. This six man band plays covers of music from the 60’s-80’s- fun, upbeat music great for both kids & adults. Deidre Fitzpatrick from KCRA3 will be the emcee. More than just a fun night out, Pops in the Park raises money for our under-funded neighborhood parks. Since 1995, proceeds from sponsorship, advertising, as well as the food & beverages sales during the events have been used to enhance our neighborhood parks, bring improvements to the neighborhood, provide youth athletic scholarships and make these events possible. Feel free to bring your own food & drink but do know that if you buy there, your money spent is going to a good cause.
Details

Sunday 6.7

Festival: Fiesta Filipino & Health Fair -- $Free
Where: Jose Rizal Community Center
When: 10am-5pm
Why: The Fiesta Filipino is an annual free event that attracts up to 6,000 people from all over Sacramento and surrounding counties. The event features all-day entertainment, food vendors, arts & crafts, local businesses, career fair and a health fair. Community-based health organizations participate in the health fair and offer various health services to the fair-goers for free.
Details: http://www.sacramento365.com/event/detail/38063

Music: Sunday Jazz Concerts in the Park -- $Free
Where: Grant Park
When: 6pm-8pm
Why: The sounds of Jazz are magical in the summer, especially when they are paired with Sacramento's beautiful parks! These concerts are brought to you by the Traditional Jazz Society of Sacramento and will be held at various parks located throughout Sacramento. Each concert will offer the community a chance to come together and listen to a musical form steeped in history and feature some of the best Jazz for miles. All entertainment is courtesy of the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society, with children's activities provided by the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Details

Festival: Nike Women's Fitness Festival-- $35
Where: CA State Capitol Park
When: 8am~3pm
Why: Ladies only! This is the largest women’s only event in the region. My understanding is that men can participate, they just can’t compete. So fair game ladies! This event is designed to promote women's fitness and health, along with raising money for critical programs for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. There will be a timed-run for women and a non-timed run/walk for teams and families. Following the races, participants are welcome to listen to live music, visit booths that include salon services, check out the Nike expo, loosen your muscles with message therapists and much more!
Details

Sports&Rec: World Extreme Cagefighting-- $42.50+
Where: Arco Arena
When: 3pm
Why: Sacramento’s very own Urijah Faber, from Ultimate Fitness downtown, is going up against featherweight champion Mike Brown for the title. This is a rematch of their previous clash in 2008. Many claim this fight to be the most anticipated fight in WEC history. I am not much of a fight watcher (I’m a lover! Not a hater…) but I am a big supporter of local people doing big things. Urijah has really made a name for himself in the world of Cagefighting and is known around the world for his lighting-fast hand speed & strong takedowns. Good thing you don’t have to be tall for this sport!
Details

Keep in mind that all of these events and many more can can be found on Sacramento365.com, the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Crown City Rockers at Beatnik Studios Friday

2009-06-04T06:47:40Z

The hip-hop and jazz group Crown City Rockers will be playing an all-ages show at Beatnik Studios on Friday. The doors open at 8 p.m. and the band begins at 9 p.m.

The five-piece band is self-described as a "genre-blending collective whose music is all together original, powerful and provocative," mixing an "organic blend of lush, funk-drenched grooves, riveting classic soul samples, sharp live instrumentation and old-school rhymes."

Originally formed in Boston in the late '90s, the band later relocated to Oakland, Calif. where they currently reside. The band is scheduled for an album release this fall.

Beatnik Studios is located at 1724 17th St. in Midtown Sacramento.

Admission is $10, and tickets can be purchased online here.

More information on the band is available here.

Author's Note: Accompanying promotional photo courtesy of SBL Entertainment.

NOW: 36th Annual Sacramento Jazz Festival and Jubilee

2009-05-22T02:56:21Z

The Annual Sacramento Jazz Festival and Jubilee is a Sacramento tradition that conjures up summer, swinging, and saxophones.

This year's festival, the 36th annual, will feature 600 jazz artists from all over the United States and the world, including the Count Basie Jazz Orchestra, a number of featured performers and about 60 sponsored bands from all over the stylistic map.

With 24 venues total, 19 in Old Sacramento and four at the Sacramento Convention Center, the whole shebang kicks off Thursday night at the Radisson Hotel from 8-9 p.m. The concert featuring the 17-time-Grammy-winning big band will be streamed live on Sacramento's Jazz Station, KXJZ 90.9. Tickets are $45 in advance, $50 at the door and $25 for Jazz Jubilee ticket holders, volunteers and Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society members.

At 10 a.m. Saturday, people should start lining up for the Jazz Jubilee's parade, according to the website. At 10:45, event organizers plan for "joyful noise" to be played from balconies in Old Sacramento, then, around 11:45, Mayor Kevin Johnson will serve as parade marshal.

Jazz bands, marching bands, "fire trucks, antique cars and limousines, clowns, dancing ladies and cakewalk strutters, military color guards and various dignitaries" will parade through Old Sacramento, under Interstate 5, down Second Street, J and L Streets and back to Old Sacramento.

The Festival will continue throughout the weekend, with music going on from 1-10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Monday. Special events will be held throughout the weekend such as a Memorial Day celebration, a swing dance contest, jam sessions and a closing ceremony.

Along with professional musicians and bands, 16 groups of developing high school and younger musicians will be playing on the Delta King Riverboat, the California State Railroad Museum and the Round Table Pizza in Old Sacramento.

Besides the Basie Jazz Orchestra, other notable bands include Mumbo Gumbo, Tom Rigney and Flambeau and theBenny Goodman Centennial Tribute.

The full schedule, hotel deals, transit information and more can be found at sacjazz.com.

*photo is a screen capture of sacjazz.com

Which event will you be attending this Memorial weekend?

2009-05-21T00:39:16Z

Although many of the events this weekend do not really reflect the true meaning of the foundation of this holiday, there are still some great things to do! Whatever your plan is this weekend, do take a moment to reflect on what Memorial Day is about and be thankful for our fellow Americans who put their lives on the line for the sake of our country. Just in case you aren't sure as to what Memorial Day is all about and why it is a National Holiday, here is the definition from Wikipedia: "Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the civil war), it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action." So here's to a great weekend and thank you to all those who made it possible!

Wednesday 5.20

Music: Izabella w/ Montana Slim -- $10
Where: Harlow’s (27th & J St)
When: 8pm
Why: Izabella is a dance-inspired rock and soul band hailing from the Bay Area. I haven’t seen them yet but hear they’re great! This is what their website has to say: “This six-piece family of musical explorers is avowed for producing danceable, dynamic grooves. Izabella's live performances exude joy and inspiration for all in attendance. Their unique blend of fist-pumping guitar, funked-out keys, poly-rhythmic beats, and impassioned vocals is unparalleled in the genre. As this musical collective continues to blaze their own trail, they remain in constant connection with their community of fans who ultimately make it all happen.”
Details

Thursday 5.21

Museum: Diverse Perspectives Tour -- $6/$4/$3
Where: Crocker Art Museum (216 O St)
When: 1pm
Why: For those of you out there with wheels to get around on, The Crocker Art Museum will be shining the spotlight on their works at eye-level. This is a special exhibit for wheelchair users and their friends and all are welcome!
Details

Art: Lecture by Catherine Clark-- $5 (Free to CCA members)
Where: Center For Contemporary Art (1519 19th St)
When: 7pm
Why: Catherine Clark, from the Catherine Clark Gallery in San Francisco, will discuss the work in the Center for Contemporary Art, Sacramento's "The Conundrum of Abundance," an exhibition of paintings by Chester Arnold, Scott Greene, and Julie Heffernan. They all share an affinity for abundance in their paintings. While the imagery differs, the works share a pre or post-apocalyptical narrative that simultaneously embraces this abundance, and questions it. This should be a great, informative event.
Details

Music: Third Thursday Jazz Summer Concert Series -- $10 (Free to Crocker Members)
Where: Crocker Art Museum
When: 5:30-8pm
Why: Guitarist and singer Perry Mills leads his band in playing rock-rooted and jazz-schooled music. Enjoy a spotlight tour during intermission.
Details

Festival: Sacramento County Fair-- $3 (Kids & Seniors Free!)
Where: Cal Expo
When: 10am-10pm, May 21st-25th (10am-7pm on Memorial Day)
Why: The County Fair features competitions showcasing talent from our region, arts and crafts displays, agricultural exhibits, a hypnotist, SPIKE the fire juggler, a carnival with 30 thrilling rides, and of course, an assortment of food ranging from traditional fair favorites to contemporary cuisine. Local bands and musicians will get your summer rockin’ and rollin’ on two stages this year. Each night, talented artists are guaranteed to impress audiences! The Demolition Derby, Roving cowboys, wandering jugglers, hands-on fun with physics and the popular Sunflower Saddle Ranch are the types of entertainment you can expect- It's a surprise around every corner! Individuals, families and groups can enter and participate in contests during the Fair including a Cookie Bake-Off, Potatomobile Races, Gift Wrapping, Memory Pages, Grab Bag Art, Trim-a-Tree and more. Frugal fun for the whole family!!
Details

Friday 5.22

Festival: 36th Annual Sacramento Jazz Festival--$45 ($50 at door)
Where: Old Sacramento/Convention Center
When: May 22nd-25th: Fri, 1pm-11pm; Sat & Sun, 10am-11pm; Mon, 10am-4pm
Why: Jazz music of all types will permeate Old Sacramento and the area around the Sacramento convention center. More than 60 bands at 23 venues, more than 20 nationally-known all-stars, and a dozen featured bands. Special events include a big Friday parade, specialty concerts, a rousing Sunday gospel service and respectful Memorial Day salute to service, and sixteen bands made up of teenage musicians on their own stages.
Details

Music: Wonderbread 5 -- $12
Where: Harlow’s
When: 10pm-1:30am
Why: For over a decade, the unstoppable, international rock and roll party machine known as the Wonder Bread 5 have been thrilling audiences, and exceeding client's expectations around the globe. (And on Saturday you can catch Mercy Me at Harlow’s too!)
Details

Theatre: Let's Go! Musical -- $20/25/30
Where: Crest Theatre
When: May 22nd-24th: Fri-Sun 8pm & Sat-Sun 2pm
Why: "Let's Go" will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions through its inspirational story. With jaw-dropping dance numbers and soulful renditions of your favorite songs, you'll be dancing and singing along with the cast! The performers in Let's Go! have a passion for their art and a desire to be deemed number one. Throughout the first act, the singers and dancers battle to find out who is the best. The magic begins when the rivals realize the only way to be number one is to act as one. United through a tragic loss, the performers come together in Act II and put on a show you'll never forget. Whether you are a fan of Country, R & B, Rock, Gospel, or Hip Hop, this musical has it all! At the end of each show, meet the Let's Go! Cast and hear their real life stories. This is a rare chance to meet the people behind the characters you see on stage and best of all- they’re from Sacramento!
Details

Music: Jackopierce -- $25 ($20 in advance)
Where: Marilyn’s on K (St)
When: 9:00pm
Why: The songs range from acoustic pop (the title-track, "Promise of Summer") to John Mellencamp-tinged country-rock ("Everything I'm Not"). Heartache is ever-present on a Jackopierce record. Jack O'Neill and Cary Pierce founded the duo in 1988 and after a decade-long run they decided to call it quits with a sold-out farewell tour 1997. In 2002, they reunited and have played 15-20 shows per year, always to sold-out venues.
Details

Music: Concert in the Park -- $Free
Where: Cesar Chavez Park
When: 5pm-8pm
Why: This week check out Silver Darling, Kris Anaya, & Buildings Breeding (their CD release!) followed by the featured band Two Sheds. Afterward, continue the fun with the “Weekly Concert Crawl” (Post Concert Specials)! Show your concert wristband and receive specials like happy hour pricing on food & drinks every Friday night at local bars and restaurants. Just ask for the Concert Crawl Deal.
Details

History: CARRIED WITH COURAGE: Historic Flags from the Capitol Collection -- $Free
Where: CA State Capitol Museum
When: Mat 22nd-23rd 9am-5pm
Why: This exhibit features a number of conserved Civil War flags from the Capitol Historic Flag Collection. Some of these flags were flown on display on the parade ground, while others have accompanied Californians into battle. Many of the flags to be exhibited have never before been seen by the public. This exhibit is a unique opportunity and will offer the public a once in a lifetime chance to view this remarkable collection.
Details

Saturday 5.23

Dance: Sacramento Ballet's Season Finale -- $38
Where: Sacramento Theatre Company
When: May 23rd & 24th: Saturday 7:30pm, Sunday 2:00pm
Why: The Sacramento Ballet is bringing their year to an end. These two shows will be the final performances for the Ballet’s 2008–2009 Season. Presenting highlights from its recently sold-out performance at the Mondavi Center’s Studio Theatre, these performances will showcase Amy Seiwert's "Well it's not a cry," Nolan T'Sani's "Ballet de Murphy," Molly Lynch's "A Journey" and Jared Nelson's "Jump Jive," along with additional Sacramento Ballet repertory favorites in a powerful display of the creative and artistic excellence that is the hallmark of what Sacramento Ballet’s Artistic Directors Ron Cunningham and Carinne Binda have consistently and brilliantly brought to the stage. Support the SacBallet!
Details

Festival: Handmade Parade-- $1
Where: Giovanni Hall (1333 58th St)
When: 10:00am-5:00pm
Why: Handmade Parade welcomes everyone to come and enjoy a wide range of fine art, folk art and crafts at this semi-annual event- with free craft demos, make & takes, and knitting & crochet demos to boot! The first 200 people there will receive a bag of freebies and discounts from our vendors and sponsors.
Details

Fundraiser: Walk 'N Rock for Kids Benefit-- $donation
Where: Raley Field
When: Walk 8:00am, Concert 8:00pm
Why: The morning will be filled with music at Raley Field and along the route. After the walk, enjoy entertainment, interactive booths, kids activities, more music, food and fun! Bobby Jackson will be the official spokesperson for this event- Don't miss it! Later that evening, Hope Productions and our corporate partners will host an exclusive VIP reception and a benefit concert featuring: Journey! (Tickets on sale) This will be open to the general public. The proceeds from the concert will be divided among the nonprofit partners.
Details

Family: Family Fun Program-- $Free w/ Museum admission ($7/6/3)
Where: California Auto Museum
When: 1:30pm-3pm
Why: Celebrate Mom all month long and make her a special keepsake, a race car themed picture frame complete with your picture next to your favorite Museum car! Just in time for the 93rd Indianapolis 500, you can also decorate your own miniature wooden race car.
Details

History: Memorial Day Ceremony -- $Free
Where: Historic City Cemetary
When: 10am
Why: Join the Historic City Cemetery Committee in honoring veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Music, speakers, color guard and dignitaries guided tours will be featured.
Details

Sunday 5.24

Music: A Fashion Night Stand -- $10
Where: MIX Downtown
When: Pre-party 6pm, Runway 9:30pm
Why: An upscale & fashion forward one night affair showcasing some of the best local fashion & talent rounds out the Memorial Day Weekend! Enjoy a runway main event featuring fashions by local boutique Madam Butterfly & local designers of Velvet Leaf, with styling by Suede Salon & showcasing Cast Images runway talent. Stay for the post-show party hosted by 100.5 The Zone until 2:00am. Walk the TwinSoup Pink Carpet, enjoy photo-ops, free swag bags valued at $250+ each, TwinSouptinis & more!
Details

Music: Graham-A-Rama -- $15
Where: Geery Theatre
When: 7pm & 9pm
Why: Join in the fun this weekend with Graham Sobelman as he welcomes Jerry-lee to the set! Also performing are the Graham-A-Rama puppeteers! A fun filled-hilarious time! This humorous display of talent occurs every Sunday at the Geery theatre so even if you can’t make it his week, keep it in mind…
Details

Monday 5.25

Theatre: Tommy the Musical-- $20 ($15 in advance)
Where: Crest Theatre
When: 7pm
Why: Sacramento's own Nancy Zoppi will be playing Tommy's mom- She is the daughter of a good friend of mine and an amazing performer! This show is not to be missed! Presented by Artistic Differences.
Details

Also keep in mind for that the Sacramento County Fair & the Sacramento Jazz Jubille are both continuing through Monday. If you didn't get a chance to go over the weekend, it's not too late!!

These events and many more can can be found on Sacramento365.com, the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Summer Concert Series Kicks off at the Crocker this Thursday

2009-05-19T19:50:05Z

An all-star cast of jazz musicians are slated to perform during the Crocker Art Museum’s popular Third Thursday Jazz Summer Concert Series. From May through September, concerts are held outside on the third Thursday of the month from 5:30-8 p.m. Light refreshments and beverages are available for purchase. Concerts are free to Crocker members and $10 for nonmembers.

The Perry Mills Project will open the series this Thursday, May 21. Guitarist and singer Perry Mills will lead his band in a passionate fusion of rock and jazz. Their new CD Hello? is aimed at engaging, rhythmic, and approachable musical art, infused with R&B and jam-band vibes, while keeping the integrity of progressive-rock and jazz-fusion influences. Passionate and dramatic, the music breaks new ground and serves to connect people’s hearts to the movement of energy and beauty.

Guitarist and singer Perry Mills is a veteran of the Los Angeles touring scene who first appeared on the Northern California music landscape with Objects in the Mirror. His music stemmed from the influences of soul, R&B and favorites like Jimi Hendrix, Joe Satriani and Steely Dan. The band features a marvelous lineup of artists in their own right, including composer and saxophonist Grant Reeves, bassist Mike Kelly, vocalist Tanya Scarlett, and fellow Objects alumni Mark McCartney on drums and Bob Villwock on keyboards.

“We want to touch hearts with this music, to unlock some emotional response for people that they maybe haven't yet found,” said Mills. “At a live show, to connect in that way with the art and the audience is uplifting for everyone. That's what the art is really all about. We want the audience to leave the show feeling better, inspired and energized.”

The Third Thursday Jazz Summer Concert Series is supported in part by 94.7 KSSJ, Renwood Winery, Rubicon Brewing Co. and Pepsi. For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org/jazz.

The Crocker Art Museum was founded in 1885 and continues as the leading art institution for the California Capital Region and Central Valley. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections of California, European and Asian artworks. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday; Thursday until 9 p.m. Free admission on Sundays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. is made possible through the support of Bank of America. For more information on exhibits and events call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Shady Lady Saloon adding music to the menu

2009-05-16T23:48:41Z

After opening their doors in early April, the owners of the already popular Shady Lady Saloon have finally received their much-anticipated live-music performance permit.

Delayed because of the job loss of the city official who was handling the process, the saloon is more than ready to host bands and will do just that starting Sunday, May 17.

Reminiscent of the early 1900s speakeasies and jazz era, some nights will feature hits from the 1920s and 1930s, but music won’t be limited to just that time period. The saloon aims to have a variety of “down beats” as well as jazz.

Tonight a DJ will be spinning songs from the beginning of the 20th century and Sunday a four-piece band will take the stage. Next Friday, May 22, the saloon will be hosting a Latin jazz band with horn players.

Also performing from time to time will be the Shady Lady’s own Jason Boggs, who is Executive Chef and co-owner of the saloon with Alex Origoni and Garrett Van Vleck.

Boggs is a saxophonist himself and is involved with a local band called The Snobs.

Boggs has been in contact with many players from what he calls the “once-vibrant Sacramento jazz scene,” who, he explains, have not had any venues to perform at and have expressed a lot of interest to him about performing at the saloon.

The owners of the saloon are still smoothing out the final details regarding which music groups will appear and how many days a week they will have live music performance. They hope to have live music as often as possible but that is not the bar’s sole focus.

“We’re not trying to be [just] a music club…people will still be able to sit down and enjoy casual conversation,” said Origoni, also explaining that the sound level will be kept at a reasonable level.

In addition to music performances, the burlesque group Sizzling Sirens are on board to make appearances in June and July.

While enjoying the entertainment, patrons can dine on the saloon’s late-night menu and sip on a house-made or classic cocktail from their extensive alcohol selection.

On Sunday night there will be a $5 cover charge, which will be waived if patrons are dressed according to the time period. It will be up to the maître d’ to decide if attire is worthy of free entry.

The Shady Lady Saloon is located at 1409 R Street and is open from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. every day.

SCHS Presentation: M Street, the West End, and Capitol Mall

2009-04-27T17:19:26Z

The Sacramento County Historical Society Presents:
M Street and Sacramento's West End
When: Tomorrow, April 28, 7:00 PM
Where: Sacramento Valley Medical Society Building
5380 Elvas Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95819

Cost: Free

What/Why: At this month's Sacramento County Historical Society meeting, SCHS President William Burg will present a historical perspective of the evolution of M Street/Capitol Avenue between the 1850s and the 1950s. Drawing on photographs mostly from the Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center (SAMCC,) the presentation will cover the area's early residential neighborhood, featuring the homes of prominent Sacramentans like Leland Stanford and E.B. Crocker, the industries along the waterfront, and the multicultural neighborhoods that formed in the 19th and early 20th century. Finally, the presentation will review the effects of the redevelopment era on the neighborhood, and its transformation from a neighborhood into Capitol Mall.

Ample parking is available behind the building and along Elvas Avenue.

http://www.sachistoricalsociety.org

This is a presentation I originally gave to a group of architects, developers and electeds last February, on the history of M Street and how it became Capitol Mall. This presentation will be an expanded version, with more of the story of who lived in the West End and why it became the target for redevelopment.

Sore throat last minute blues

2009-03-27T07:55:47Z

Despite a sore throat, I made a last minute decision to catch some improvisational music at Fox and Goose pub Thursday evening. I missed most of Antennae's and Kairos's set, but the Lost Trio made coming out worth the trouble. Ranging from bebop standards to Radiohead and orginal compostions, the trio's set went for a little over an hour.

Jammies Showcase High School Music

2009-02-20T18:46:53Z

With our state budget facing in such a dire crunch, music programs in our high schools struggle greatly. Many people overlook the talent of high school musicians, however, the Jammies, "A Celebration of Youth in Music & Arts", gives the community an opportunity to experience the talent of young performers, and support high school musicians.

The Jammies is a two-day concert series showcasing the best high school musicians in the Sacramento area starting Friday and ending Saturday.

At a price of $17-20 per ticket, Friday's concert will be held at the Mondavi Center at UC Davis at 7:30 p.m., and will showcase Classic music, which not only includes classical music, but also more modern jazz. Then on Saturday, tickets are $8 in advance or $15 the day of the show, and the concert will be held at the Crest Theatre at 8:00 p.m. This performance will showcase contemporary music.

Josh Murray, the director of the Rio Americano AM Jazz band, which is the school's top Jazz band, says of the band's upcoming Friday night performance, "We get to go out on a great stage and play for a large audience."

Rio Americano's band program is perennially one of the most talented and well known high school bands. In the past, the AM Jazz band has won the high school category at the Monterey Jazz Festival a record seven times, and it has been recognized as one of the top 15 high school Jazz bands four times since 2001 at the Essentially Ellington Festival at New York's Lincoln Center.

Says Murray of his AM Jazz band's participation at the Jammies, "It's always fun, and we're honored to share the same stage that many high profile musicians play on during the concert season."

Though the budget has pinched funding in small ways, Rio Americano's band program has not been affected for the most part due to private fund-raising events. "We're fairly safe", added Murray.

Rosemont High School Marching Band and Orchestra 21, Woodcreek High School Symphonic Band, Loretto High School Chamber Singers and Davis Senior High School Symphony Orchestra will also be representing their High School music programs Friday evening.

Sherman, another band comprised of Rio Americano students, is playing the contemporary music night at the Crest Theatre on Saturday. The band practices during "Small Ensemble" class at Rio Americano High School which is a class focusing on rock and roll and other modern music.

Said the three members of Sherman to the Sacramento News and Review in its cover story of the event, "We don't have anything better to do fourth period."

Visit Jammies.com for the full lineup and more detailed program information.