Although the Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival has been going on for almost 30 years, I’ve only been going the past handful of years. What had I been missing? Some incredible “soul” food that is finger licking good,…
Category: Concert Reviews
Jazz Bakery’ “Moveable Feast” Presents: Billy Childs’ Rebirth Band @The Moss Theatre 05.26.17
While pianist/composer Billy Childs is best known for both his gentle and melodic chamber projects as well as producing vocal tributes to the likes of Laura Nyro, he showed that he is also able to flex his muscles when required.…
The Jazz Bakery’s “Moveable Feast” Presents: Peter Erskine’s “Dr. Um” Band @ The Moss Theatre 05.12.17
Although he’s been part of some of the most important bands ranging from Maynard Ferguson to Steps Ahead and Weather Report, drummer Peter Erskine demonstrated Friday night at the Moss Theatre that he has no intention of resting on his…
Anat Cohen & Trio Brasileiro@The Blue Whale 05.06.17
The warmth of Israel and Brazil melded together to create a rich mixture of sounds as clarinetist Anat Cohen teamed up with the Trio Brasileiro for an evening of swinging music of Sao Paolo and Sabra. The team of Douglas…
Julian Lage & Chris Eldridge w/ Aoife O’Donovan@Pepperdine
In this day of extreme polarities, is there any way that variant backgrounds and cultures can coincide? Judging by the 2 hour show presented by Julian Lage, Chris Eldridge and Aoife O’Donovan, the answer is a resounding “Of course” as…
Juan de Marcos & The Afro-Cuban All-Stars@Catalina’s 04.19.17
Juan de Marcos easily proves he is a faithful man. Since moving on as one of the key members of famous Buena Vista Social Club, he is now celebrating 20 years of his own band, the Afro-Cuban All Stars, accompanied…
The Last Waltz 40th Anniversary@The Orpheum 04.13.17
Yogi Berra may have said “nostalgia ain’t what it used to be,” but you couldn’t prove it Thursday night at the Orpheum Theatre, as the classic Last Waltz concert of 2 score years past was celebrated with old and familiar…
Doug MacDonald’s Quintet & Roger Neuman’s Quintet@E Spot Lounge 04.04.17
A “live” recording of two sets of LA’s finest mainstreamers packed the upscale E Spot Lounge Tuesday night, as Quintets lead by guitarist Doug MacDonald and tenor saxist Roger Neumann turned the upstairs club into a La La Land adventure for…
Jazz Bakery’s “Moveable Feast” Presents: Vinicius Canturaria 03.31.17
In an age when cultural fads come and go with a seemingly too easy disposal, Vinicius Cantuaria showed the audience at the Moss Theatre that certain musical styles, such as the samba/bossa nova promulgated by Tom Jobim half a century…
Lyle Lovett & Vince Gill@Chumash Casino 03.20.17
Vince Gill and Lyle Lovett showed that the fundamentals of jazz can be universally adapted to any genre of music. Elements of swing, blues, improvisation, a unique voice and a story to tell were all provided during the intimate and…