| Aug.
3 - Blue in
Green: Pianist
and composer Bill Evans collaborated with Miles Davis on this
beautiful ballad that was part of the historic "Kind of
Blue" session of 1959. Already a force in jazz piano playing,
Bill Evans went on to influence a whole generation of modern
piano greats that include Chuck Corea, Herbie Hancock and Keith
Jarrett. Our featured artist tonight, vocalist Tierney Sutton
can be included in the list, as her latest CD, entitled "Blue
in Green", pays homage to the great pianist and composer.
Besides Evans as an influence, Miss Sutton's work is reminiscent
of the great Dinah Washington and Ella Fitzgerald. She has just
returned from a European tour, "backed" exquisitely
by drummer Ray Bunker, bassist Trey Henry and pianist Christian
Jacob. We invite you to join us on our opening night which promises
to thrill and excite! |
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| Aug.
17 - A World of Piano:Piano virtuoso Milcho
Leviev thrilled audiences at the Balcony Theatre as part of our
Brubeck tribute last season. I personally called Mr. Leviev and
asked him if he would like to take part of our second annual
concert series. His reply was succinct and engaging but the only
word I recall with certainty was "YES". We are thrilled
and certain that you will be too as tonight's show will begin
with Mr. Leviev at the piano in a solo performance, followed
by his trio, featuring drummer Kevin Tulius and bassist Pat Senatore
performing their version of Rimsky Korsakov's "Scheherazade"
and George Gershwin's " Rhapsody in Blue". Yes, you
read that correctly, "Classical" Music meets jazz tonight
at Travis. This musical rendezvous awaits...YOU! |
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| Aug.
31 - Future Sounds .......Tonight! Peter Erskine is quite simply one of
the world's finest drummers, jazz or otherwise. Most recently
he could be seen touring with "Steely Dan" or maybe
you remember him from "Weather Report" albums featuring
the late bassist Jaco Pastorious. I remember him quite distinctly
from his performance with the stratospheric trumpeter Maynard
Ferguson. We are extremely pleased to present to you tonight
Peter Erskine and his "world renowned" trio featuring
Alan Pasqua and bassist Dave Carpenter. Miles Davis once said
" Music speaks for itself" and the Peter Erskine trio
will do just that, effortlessly blending jazz styles, original
compositions and jazz standards in what will be an opportunity
for all of us to spend an evening in the presence of three master
musicians. Now this IS something to write home about! |
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Sept.
14 - Come to a Jazz Party: You, your family and your friends are invited to
our second annual "Jazz Party". This is an outdoor,
annual event that will feature over 30 of the finest musicians
in the Los Angeles area performing in an informal setting. You
will meet the Founder of the Pasadena Jazz Institlute and be
inspired by the grand vision of this exciting, newly-formed organization.
Silent auction, appetizers and a "swinging" good time
are all on today's jazz menu. That's right, it's our annual fund
drive and we sincerely hope you will join us at the home of George
and Susan Kinney to celebrate America's premier contribution
to the world: JAZZ! |
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| Sept.
28 - Soul Station: Adolf Sax patented his invention, the saxophone,
in 1856. Apparently referred to as "the thing", it
really didn't "catch on" until American jazz players
discovered it and made it synonymous with this "new"
music from the new world. Tonight we celebrate the tenor saxophone
in jazz by featuring music of one of the greatest, Hank Mobley.
Space prohibits a complete listing but suffice it to say that
Hank Mobley was one of Blue Note Record's most recorded artists,
from the Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver and his own critically
acclaimed group. LA's own Titan of the Tenor, Ricky Woodward
is here tonight, on loan from the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.
He'll be featuring the music of Hank Mobley and some of his own
compositions with drummer Ralph Penland, pianist Larry Nash,
bassist John Heard and trumpeter Bobby Rodriguez. Don't miss
this swinging affair! |
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| Oct.
12 - Glass Enclosure: "A Beautiful Mind" won the best picture
of the year award for it's portrayal of genius John Nash's battle
with schizophrenia. We are giving out our own award tonight in
our tribute to piano great Bud Powell. He too suffered with schizophrenia
and other assorted mental demons while giving the world a catalog
of masterful compositions and setting a new standard for piano
playing. "Hallucinations", "Tempest Fugit'"and
"Glass Enclosure" are just some of the compostions
that, by their titles alone, indicate some haunting fascination
with the mind. Pianist Bill Cunliffe has accepted the daunting
task of performing in a tribute concert to a man referred to
as "The Amazing Bud Powell". Mr. Cunliffe's recently
released CD entitled "Bill Plays Bud" proves that he
and his men, drummer Joe Labarbera and bassist Darek Oles are
up to the task and the perfect choice for what promises to be
a magical evening. |
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| Oct.
26 - Cannonball:
It was certainly
a momentous event in Manhatten with the arrival of alto saxophonist
Julian "Cannonball " Adderley. Word spread quickly
that there was a man ready to fill the void of the recently departed
"Bird", Charlie Parker. Mr Adderley found a home in
the classic Miles Davis sextet next to John Coltrane and went
on to achieve fame and popular success with his own group. "Mercy,
Mercy, Mercy", penned by pianist Joe Zawinul, was a big
hit for the band and only one of the great tunes you will hear
tonight as alto saxophonist Dan Higgins brings in an all star
group featuring the original drummer from the famed ensemble,
Pasadena's own Roy McCurdy. It gets better, we are thrilled to
have vocalist Stephanie Haynes in to sing songs from the classic
Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley Capital sessions. Yes, dancing
is permitted in the aisles. See you at the show! |
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| Nov.
9 - Cool Struttin': Tonight we proudly bring back to the stage Christopher
Dawson who last season performed "An Evening of Stride Piano",
"Licorice Stick" (our Benny Goodman tribute) and "
An Evening of Gershwin" to an appreciative audience. When
discussing possible themes for this season, Mr. Dawson suggested
a tribute concert to one of his personal favorites, pianist-composer
Sonny Clark. "But no one has ever heard of this obscure
jazz great" I said. "That's the point" he countered.
Well, we both agreed and are sure you will that Clark's lyrical,
sophisticated and always swinging compositions deserve wider
appreciation and recognition. Pianist Christopher Dawson introduces
you to the music of Sonny Clark and premiers his new trio tonight
which features Tim Pleasant at the drums and Pasadena's own Darek
Oles on acoustic bass. Go on, applaud with abandonment, we are
recording tonight's performance! |
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| Nov.
23 - Remembering Norman Granz: Impresario
Extraordinaire. He started it all in Los Angeles at the Philharmonic
in 1944. Norman Granz took an informal jam session and made "Jazz
at the Philharmonic" part of American history, showcasing
some of the jazz world's greatest around the globe. He started
two jazz record labels, finally merging them into the internationally
known VERVE Records. Tonight we pay tribute to this jazz visionary
by recreating the thrill and excitement of the "jam session".
Rest up for tonight's show as we will feature a tenor battle
with sax greats Dave Moody and Kenny Treseder. Trading on trumpets
will be Willie Murrilo and Matt Fromke and recreating the famous
drum battle of "Rich vs. Krupa " will be drumming great
Paul Kreibich and the Executive Director of the Pasadena Jazz
Institute himself, Paul Lines, who will be coming "out of
retirement" to accept this challenge from Mr. Kreibich.
The May brothers, Daniel and Ben, fill out the rhythm section.
We delightfully encourage toe tapping, hand clapping and general
ecstatic behavior as YOU can spur the musicians on to greater
heights. Come and join the fun! |
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| Dec.
7 - Hot Five: The
year was 1925. The place: Chicago. Louis Armstrong's "Hot
Five" began a series of recordings that would make "Jazz"
a household word throughout the world. Though recorded in Chicago,
the music and musicians were from the Crescent City: New Orleans.
Tonight we're proud to offer (at an attractive rate!) "round-trip"tickets
to New Orleans without leaving Pasadena! Traditional jazz comes
to Travis as we feature Christopher Dawson at the piano, Corey
Gem on trumpet, Hal Smith on drums, John Reynolds on guitar and
from New Orleans, in town for this special engagement, clarinet
virtuoso Evan Christopher. Some call it Dixieland, the French
say "Le jazz hot", but we prefer "Classic, Swinging,
American music". Don't miss out on this trip to the bayou
as our own Crown City becomes Crescent City for one night only!
Mardi Gras Beads optional! |
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| Dec.
21 - It's a Charlie Brown Christmas: The soundtrack of our childhoods, most
Americans and increasingly the world's, is the music of jazz
pianist Vince Guaraldi. Behind the much-loved animated characters
are deceptively simple melodies, engaging harmonies and infectious
rhythms, all created by a west coast jazzman who referred to
himself as a reformed "boogie woogie" pianist. In reality
Mr. Guaraldi was a greatly admired, in-demand talent who recorded
with Cal Tjader, Bola Sete and many of the finest jazz
players on the West Coast. Tonight you'll have a chance to experience
some of his most famous compositions such as "Linus and
Lucy" and "Christmas Time is Here" in the hands
of a welcome new arrival on the Los Angele's jazz scene. From
New York City, pianist John Campbell will, with Colin Bailey
on drums and Bob Maize on bass celebrate the spirit of Christmas
by giving you and your family a very special evening of great
jazz. Bring the family, as the kids will certainly enjoy hearing
their favorite songs in concert and who knows, they may even
grow up to be jazz fans! Happy Holidays from all of us at the
Jazz Institute and have a "swinging" New Year. |
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