May 18, 2012
Ravel Orchestral Study Group May 18th
9:00-10:00 AM Breakfast with Igor. Leaving Home: Orchestral music in the 20th Century “Dancing On A Volcano” a conducted tour by Sir Simon Rattle.
10:00-11:00 AM We continue the score study of Rite of Spring. Stravinsky spills the beans. Please laugh occasionally. Learning should be fun.
11:00 AM until Noon Special musical guest, World-Class Trombonist , Jazz Artist and Master Teacher, Bob McChesney.
“Jazz Improvisation Demystified” for the Composer
by Bob McChesney
Composers may be unclear about what a jazz improviser actually does. In this presentation Bob will explain the differences between jazz composition and live improvisation, the way jazz improvisers think and what they did to develop their skill. A musician may be a master at performing written notes, but the skills needed for improvisation are specialized.
Subtopics will include: Scales and Chords, Patterns, Musical Shapes, Listening/Transcribing, Interaction with Other Musicians, Time Feel, Chord Symbols, Mastery, etc.
With more insight into the improviser’s world, the composer may better communicate his/her compositional ideas and desires for a more creative finished product.
12:00 Lunch is served. Hang out and meet new people, connect with your fellow composers and musicians. This is always a wonderful part of our study.
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Other stuff:
TAKE A HIKE BUDDY! Our first hike was rained out.
4 PM until approx. 6:30 PM May 18
Hike in the Verdugos after the Ravel Study.
Stough Canyon Nature Center trail
1598 E. Walnut
Burbank, CA 91501
Behind DeBell Golf Course
Park on the street at the entrance sign to the nature center, then walk up to the trail head. Around 4 we will start the hike. They lock the gates to the parking right next to the Nature Center at 5 PM, so make sure to park on the street.
Free.
The First Ravel Study Hike in the Mountains. I have no idea if anyone is interested in a good old fun hike, but I am scheduling one for the group after the May 18th Ravel Study. A big part of what makes our group worth doing is all of the great friendships and casual conversations we have with each other. Talking about gigs, the business, just making up jokes is just something very cool. It beats virtual friends and sitting in front of the slave box. A walk in the Mountains gives us exercise and a new perspective. I hike this trail every week and it is amazing. There is no fee, it is a public park in Burbank in the Verdugo Mountains. The plan is to meet between 3:30 and 4:00 pm May 18th at the park entrance sign to Stough Canyon Nature Center (park on the street in front of the park.) Then at 4:00 PM we will all go up as a group. It can get fairly hot in May, so bring plenty of water and sun protection and a hat. The trail as a couple medium steep switch backs as you go up the fire road (little kids can easily walk this). We will see how the group feels as to how far we will go. There are fantastic views of L.A. from up there. This informal hike gives you a chance to get to know some of the other composers and musicians who will be in the workshop. You can look down on the business (that’s nice) and really see with your eyes the lay of the land. It’s going to be a blast.
May 18, 2012
PONCHO SANCHEZ
Friday 5/18/12 – Two Shows – 7:30p $25 / 10p $25
If music were about pictures, percussionist Poncho Sanchez’s music would best be described as a kaleidoscopic swirl of some of the hottest colors and brightest lights to emerge from either side of the border.
At any given show, on any given record, fragments of Latin jazz, swing, bebop, salsa and other infectious grooves collide and churn in a fiery swirl, with results that are no less than dazzling.
A ticket purchase confirms a dinner reservation one hour before showtime. Dinner and full bar service are served during the show in the Show Room.
Upstairs at Vitello’s rated as “LA’s best listening room” and supper club atmosphere.
There is a minimum $18 per person food or beverage per person policy that applies beyond the purchase of this ticket.
May 19, 2012
Geoff Stradling’s STRADBAND
7pm Doors – 8pm & 9:30 $20
The StradBand
Winds:
Alex Budman
Ben Burget
Tom Luer
Kirsten Edkins
Phil Moore
Trumpets:
Charley Davis
Tony Bonserra
Gary Halopoff
Kye Palmer
Javier Gonzalez
Trombones:
Les Benedict
Paul Young
Ryan Dragon
Craig Ware
Piano – Geoff Stradling
Bass – Bruce Lett
Drums – Ed Smith
Percussion – Tiki Pasillas
Composer, arranger, orchestrator, pianist Geoff Stradling started piano lessons at age six, his mother was his 1st teacher. By 13 he had run through the piano instructors in his hometown, Bellingham Washington, so off he went to Seattle, studying bi-weekly at The Cornish School, coincidentally, where his grandmother had taught years before. Encouraged by a piano instructor, Geoff began to study composition.As a freshman in high school, Geoff created his 1st big band for which he composed and played. As a sophomore in college, he entered a national composition contest sponsored by the International Association of Jazz Educators, and won.At age twenty Geoff moved to Europe, soaking in the European experience: food, wine, melody. Melody! Different from the US where harmony and rhythm rule, here melody was king. Melody got into his soul, becoming a part of his life, and an important part of his music.In 1984 Geoff moved to Los Angeles where he met and married his wife of 26 years, Production Designer, Mimi Gramatky.L.A. work has varied in style and medium: orchestrating or arranging for Films like “X-men: Wolverine”, “The Simpsons Movie” and “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”; television like “The Academy Awards” and “Desperate Housewives”. As a pianist he has been featured on everything from AMC’s “Mad Men” to “Ritual de lo Habitual” – “Jane’s Addiction’” multi platinum CD, and jazz and blues great Ernestine Anderson’s two grammy nominated albums.
2010 brought the formation of “The StradBand” – Geoff’s 18 piece Jazz Orchestra, with all arranging and composition stemming from Geoff’s own hand. Drawing on all of his experiences, the music is full of passion, style, Flavor and yes, melody!
May 23, 2012
Otmaro Ruiz & Aaron Serfaty Quartet
$10 7p doors 8p show
Edwin Livingston; Ac. Bass
Aaron Serfaty: Drums
Otmaro Ruiz: Piano
Catina DeLuna: Vocals
May 24, 2012
AMBER WEEKES
Thursday 5/24 8pm / $15
Lanny Hartley piano
Trevor L. Ware bass
Fritz L. Wise drums
The daughter of avid music lovers, Amber Weekes had her first chance to sing before a live audience at age fourteen. That was
it! Performing was in her blood.
Amber is a Los Angeles native with Caribbean and Latin roots. She is a vocalist who has an on-going love affair with the torch song. Her influences include Nancy Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Diahann Carroll, and Oscar Brown, Jr.
Amber had been honing her craft, having studied with the legendary Phil Moore; vocal coach, Catherine Hansen; singer/songwriter/coach, Sue Fink; and three-time “Grammy” nominee jazz singer Sue Raney. She has performed at such venues as The “Jazz Bakery,” Holly Street Bar & Grill, and a weekly performer at “The Burning Leaf” Cigar Club, Maggiano’s, “Shanghai Red’s,” and “The Sky Room.” Amber has also entertained audiences at numerous benefits, fundraisers, and private engagements. Amber has had the honor of performing in the “ Terraza Lounge” at Caesar’s Palace as a featured artist with the Ghalib Ghallab trio, at the Westin, LAX, for the Duke Ellington Society and also with the “Rob Mullins Trio.” In the Summer of 2011, she was the featured artist for the opening night of the “New Rochelle Jazz Festival “ in New York.
The Amber has released her first full-length CD, “‘round Midnight,” which was produced by Louis Taylor and Trevor Ware, and is on the Sunset Music Group label. It is featured on radio stations on both coasts, “KKJZ” (formerly KLON) in Los Angeles, California and “WEAA” in Baltimore, Maryland.
Amber Weekes is a singer with all the necessary ingredients – glamour, grace, presence, and a voice that has been described as “soft as a pillow.”
please find further information at www.cdbaby.com
May 26, 2012
The John Novello Trio
FeaturingCarlitos Puerto on bass
Jimmy Branly on drums
Legendary Niacin band member and Hammond B3 player John
Novello joins forces with renown Cuban musicians bassist
Calitos Puerta and drummer Jimmy Branly. Carlitos is already one
of the most recognized acoustic bass players to emerge in the last
decade and Jimmy Branly’s credits include piano virtuoso Gonzalo
Rubalcaba, N.G la Banda, Isaac Delgado, Cuarto Espacio, Hernan Lopez
Nussa quartet, Flora Purim and Airto Moreira, Strunz and Farah, Celia
Cruz, to name just a few!
