The Jazz Voyager
The Jazz Voyager is heading west once again to the Los Angeles/San Fernando Valley where film producer Mack Sennett built his studio lot on twenty acres in 1927 and subsequently where the surrounding area became known as Studio City. It is there that I will be entertained at The Baked Potato jazz club. This small storied venue offers up an array of its namesake and world class jazz.
I’ll be flying in a day early to visit LA’s Natural History Museum, a nostalgic architecture drive-by of the Brady Bunch house and for some stargazing at the Griffith Observatory. This weekend performance heating up the stage is by six time Grammy winner, pianist and composer Billy Childs. A recipient of several commissions he has worked with orchestras and symphonies, as well as leading his ouw groups.
The Baked Potato is located at 3787 Cahuenga Boulevard, Studio City, CA 91604. For more information visit https://www.thebakedpotato.com.
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The Jazz Voyager
This Jazz Voyager is jumping a plane for the streets of The Big Apple famous for Broadway, Harlem, Wall Street and Greenwich Village. It is the latter destination that I am ultimately spending the evening within the walls of the Zinc Bar. Live jazz headlines this subterranean club known for its African, Latin & Brazilian rhythms.Within this beautiful, small jazz club lies everything you want in a classic New York jazz experience. Dress up or dress down, it kind of doesn’t matter. But you know I’ll honor the music.
This Thursday I will be in the company of pianist Axel Tosca and his mother, international vocalist Xiomara Laugart. This will be a rousing jam session of Cuban rhythms that will keep the crowd enthused well into the morning hours. I trust there will be some afro rhythms included also but I look forward to the surprise of what I will hear.
The Zinc Bar is located at 82 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012. For more information visit https://www.zincbar.com.
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The Jazz Voyager
Heading south to Magic City on the Atlantic side of South Florida. This Jazz Voyager will be heading to the radio station on Coral Way that has been serving up the sounds of great jazz since 1977. It’s an honor to be able to take a seat in the WDNA Jazz Gallery for a new musical experience. Not unfamiliar with the music of our friends from South America, I am looking forward to the evening.
This week’s travels will have me listening to twenty-three female voices bringing to life the music of Brazil in all its rich multicultural heritage. They are known as the Brazilian Voices and they aspire to incorporate and promote the best of Brazilian culture throughout the world.
Evolving out of a vocal technique workshop organized by Beatriz Malnic and Loren Oliveira in 2001, they have since brought together a cast of devoted women, who volunteer their voices and time.
WDNA Jazz Gallery is located at 2921 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33145. For more information visit https://wdna.org.
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The Jazz Voyager
Not too often do I get a chance to see a friend perform, so this week is a rare treat in the travels of this Jazz Voyager. From the Emerald City in the Pacific Northwest I’m off to the Midwest’s Queen City to take a seat in the audience at Caffè Vivace. Coffee house or alternate work space by day, this cool little venue is a cool little jazz lounge by night, Tuesday through Saturday. Located in the Walnut Hills neighborhood is where the music of young and old local and national acts emanates on evenings such as this.
This sojourn leads me to see a talented musician I met years ago in Atlanta who is known in the jazz world as Joe Alterman. Surrounded by seating positioned to take in every aspect of his performance, the pianist delivers good sound music while others struggle between tradition and progression. Hopefully I’ll get to hear a few, songs you kinda know, off his new album by the same name.
Caffè Vivace’s address is 975 E McMillan Street, Cincinnati, OH 45206. For more information visit www.caffevivace.com.
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The Jazz Voyager
The Jazz Voyager is taking the next letter of the alphabet and continuing to head west to the Emerald City in the Beaver state. Beyond its world class athletes, home of Nike, and tech giants, this small shire also boasts its love of jazz. Eugene, Oregon is where The Jazz Station is located downtown in the heart of the entertainment corridor. This intimate 70 seat non-profit all-age venue has been a jazz mainstay of the city for over 15 years.
Taking the stage this week is saxophonist Idit Schner and I have the opportunity to do something that I so enjoy, seeing someone perform I’ve never seen before. I look forward to hearing her blend Zimbabwean folk music and jazz. As an educator of classical and jazz music at the University of Oregon, she has received several teaching awards.
The Jazz Station’s address is 124 W Broadway 97401. For more information visit https://thejazzstation.org/.
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