 Time Out!
In 1959 The Dave Brubeck
Quartet shattered the concept that jazz could only be played
in 4/4 time. Our own Jack LeCompte shared his drum artistry in
his own version of Take Five, Blue Rondo a la Turk, and other
Brubeck classics. Bassist Eugene 'The Senator" Wright from
the original quartet was part of the group. |
 Genius of Modern
Music
Composer- pianist Thelonious
Monk made the cover of Time Magazine in 1964. At that time his
music had been influencing musicians and the jazz world for over
20 years. Saxophonist Marty Krystal recreated the classic Monk
quartet for us. |
 Bird Lives!
Characterized by blistering
fast tempos and a radically new melodic conception, BeBop truly
was a musical revolution. This concert is dedicated to the man
who lead the revolution, Charlie "Bird" Parker. Alto
saxophonist Danny House, and trumpet great Carl Saunders gave
us a thrilling evening of BOP! |
 An Evening of
Stride Piano
Stride Piano - the
first important style of jazz piano playing. At its height in
the 1930's, it evolved directly from Ragtime and took its name
from the striding motion of the player's leaping left hand. Our
own Christopher Dawson performed classic Fats Waller pieces and
"Carolina Shout" by the father of stride piano, James
P. Johnson. |
 Tenor Madness
Competition is a fact
of life in America and the cutting contest is where competition
is most evident in Jazz. The great tenor man, Lester Young, had
few rivals in the jazz arena. At this concert, Pasadena's own
Carl Randall and Louis Taylor battled it out. |
 Duke Ellington
Duke! No, not John
Wayne. The Duke we are referring to was the epitome of style,
elegance and sophistication. With the help of Dean Moras' Modern
Rhythmists, our audience traveled back in time and experienced
just a bit of that style. |
 Trumpet Summit
The Father of Jazz,
or "Pops" as Louis Armstrong was referred to, started
the jazz tradition with the trumpet. Our tribute concert featured
Nolan Shaheed and Carl Saunders. |
 Licorice Stick
The clarinet was once
THE instument of choice for many famed bandleaders. The King
of Swing played the clarinet. Our tribute concert was dedicated
to the unique sounds of the Benny Goodman quartet. Pianist Chris
Dawson brought his combo in for the night, along with a surprise
clarinetist. |
 Remembering
Wes
This tribute concert
featured the music of guitarist Wes Montgomery. His playing was
influential to all musicians who came in contact with his music.
We were proud to present two guitar masters, Larry Koonse and
Riner Scivally. |
 Singing and
Swinging
This evening celebrated
the great female jazz singers, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald
and Sarah Vaughan. LA's Barbara Morrison performed, with special
guests. |
 Drum Thunder
Drummer Art Blakey's
Jazz Messengers were the incubation for a new talent and driving
force in modern jazz for over 30 years. Art Blakey brought that
swinging beat and helped create a new jazz genre - Hard Bop.
Paul Kribeck brought in an all-star line up for our last tribute
concert of the season, going out with a crash, boom and BANG! |
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