The thing that I always enjoy when going to see tenor saxist Bob Reynolds in concert is that I know that somewhere during the show he’s going to surprise me with something. Unlike many jazz musicians, Reynolds told me before…
Category: Concert Reviews
Poncho Sanchez@The Lobero Theatre 06.28.24
This past week we’ve had two examples of how Latin music essentially saved jazz and modern music. At a time when today’s sounds seemingly desire to self destruct by inaccessible cacophony or cerebral naval gazing, last week’s show of Eliane…
John Escreet CD Release@ Sam First Bar 06.14.24
It was fitting that one of the songs during John Escreet’s 70 minute set at Sam First Bar included Andrew Hills, poetic and dreamy “Erato”. The impressionistic yet intricate theme, deftly breathed out by Mark Turner/ts , brushed by Damion…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Owen Broder: Hodges-Front and Center Volume Two
Alto saxist Owen Broder continues to create albums in tribute to famed Ellingtonian Johnny Hodges, but this time focusing on two landmark small group albums Hodges was featured on, Back to Back and Side By Side. He’s joined by like…
Tedeschi Trucks Band and Little Feat @ The Greek 06.09.24
Two bands that are carrying on a legacy, one sticking to one’s lane, and the other looking for other worlds. Opening up things was the venerable and respected Little Feat, which has always been considered a “musician’s band” during its…
Lao Tizer Band@Triunfo Community Park 06.08.24
Yes, there is a local jazz scene, and there are local jazz artists for the Thousand Oaks area. In other words, the musical culture here does not only consist of tributes to Neil Diamond, Steely Dan and Fleetwood Mac. One…
Michael O’Neill @ The Grape Ventura 06.06.24
It only took 40 years for guitarist Michael O’Neill to take time off from his stints with the likes of George Benson, Ronnie Foster and Barbara Streisand to release his own solo album and put together a few gigs to…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Stephane Wrembel featuring Jean-Michel Pilc: Triptych Phase I, II, III
Just when you think you’ve pegged Stephane Wrembel, here he puts out three albums that are going to surprise you. He links up with pianist Jean-Michel P ilc, which make seem incongruous until you remember that all the French love…
Veronica Swift @ The Sun Rose 05.15.24
There’s an old adage, “you either build from your twenties, or recover from your twenties” The saying is fitting for Veronica Swift, who celebrated her 30th birthday on her second of four Wednesday residencies at the acoustically adroit Sun Rose.…
Tu-NER@The Baked Potato 04.11.24
While it is true that King Crimson has officially ended its reign, the ripple effect of Robert Fripp has been heard and felt most successfully by two bands created by touch guitarist Mark Reuter and Crimson alumnus drummer Pat Mastelotto.…