SUPER GROUP FORMS FOR MAY 18 PAJA CONCERT
PAJA is pulling out all the stops for our May 18th concert at the Oshman JCC Theater in Palo Alto. Dr. Herb Wong has assembled an exciting cast, including three of the best horn players in the business.
Richie Cole is one of giants of the alto sax and he is currently playing better than ever. He’ll be accompanied by local hero Andrew Speight, also one of our best altoists, and by Carl Saunders, considered by many to be one of the two or three finest jazz trumpeters alive. Jeff Chambers has been engaged as the bassist, so we know that area will be well taken care of. The piano and drums chairs have yet to be filled, but Herb has some very interesting players in mind. Stay tuned. You can depend on this group to wail on some bebop standards and American songbook classics. This should be an historic evening for Peninsula jazz fans.
And it will be PAJA’s first venture at the beautiful 380-seat Oshman Jewish Community Theater, featuring a state-of-the-art built-in sound system, and comfortable raked seating. Located in their large complex at the corner of San Antonio Road and Charleston in Palo Alto, the center has ample underground parking facilities and elevators to whisk patrons up to the second floor theater.
Tentatively, the ticket price will be $35 general admission, $30 to PAJA members, $15 students, and tickets will go on sale by mail on March 1. More information to come
OTHER GREAT GIGS TO CONSIDER
There’s just so much on the docket in our area in February and later. For a longer listing see “News, Schmooze and Reviews” and then click on “Club News.” Just look at these exciting events we have to look forward to:
Sunday, January 29 The Bay Area’s favorite vocalist Kenny Washington with the Michael O’Neill Quartet at Bach’s D&D Society in El Granada on the coast, north of Half Moon Bay.
Monday, February 13 Berkeley-based pianist Benny Green at Kuumbwa in Santa Cruz.
Sunday, February 19 Chucho Valdes and His Afro-Cuban Messengers—Stanford Lively Arts series. Dinkelspiel. 7pm
Friday, February 24 Also at Dinkelspiel, the Stanford Jazz Workshop offers one of their rare non-festival concerts, and this one is a must-see: Scott Hamilton, Larry Vuckovich, Kenny Washington, John Santos, Erik Jekabson, et al. Wow! $32 general admission. 8pm.
Weekend of March 9-11 San Jose Jazz’s Winterfest, featuring such heavy hitters as Ambrose Akinmusire, Gerald Clayton, Jamie Davis, Saxophonist Grace Kelly, and more. At the Theater on San Pedro Square.
Saturday, April 21 The Stan Kenton Alumni Big Band, led by Mike Vax. With alumni of Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, etc. At U. of Santa Clara’s Mayer Theater.
November 18, 2011
PETER WELKER LITTLE BIG BAND
Concert at Palo Alto's First Congregational Church
Deborah Winters at the Mike
Click to see additional photos
Taylor Eigsti got married recently. Here's a photo of Taylor and his six "best men."
left to right: Julian Lage, Aaron McClenden, Joe Sanders, Taylor Eigsti,
Nicholas Reis, Harish Raghavan, and Dayna Stephens
FREE MEMBER PARTY AUGUST 21
Our free member party on Sunday afternoon, August 21, was a grand success, with a tasty quartet led by B3 organist Bob Adams providing some fine straight-ahead jazz for the 80 or so members and guests who attended. The Community School of Music & Arts (CSMA) in Mountain View was the venue—its courtyard provided a comfortable and well-appointed area for both musicians and audience. For a late August afternoon, the weather was ideal (actually a bit chilly in the shade!); we all know how sweltering this time of year could be—so we lucked out.
Our wonderful PAJA volunteers provided great snacks and wine and soft drinks and a good time was had by all. The musicians were Bob Adams on B3 organ, Joe Oliveira on tenor, Tim Volpicella on guitar, and the ubiquitous Jason Lewis on drums—and they wailed, particularly on the last couple of numbers—“Watermelon Man” and “All Blues.” The crowd drifted off to the parking lot with smiles on their faces and mellow tunes running through their heads.
