Here’s the NYT obit.

I met Freddie for the one and only time this year, at CalState Northridge, when he came out to listen to a few student groups and offer some sage advice.  He talked about how he was getting his chops back into shape so he could come back and play with the students…oh well, but that one night was such a thrill for all the kids at CSUN.  Here’s a photo:

As you can see, even sitting down he had a commanding presence.

Rest In Peace, Freddie.

This article underscores something I’ve been worried about for a while now.

Here’s another one that hits closer to home.

My college music history professor used to say that it was ironic that virtually every “civilized” society in history has tried to marginalize music and the arts in terms of social priority (as evidenced by what’s getting cut in these tough economic times), yet no civilization has ever existed without music and the arts.

Take that, society.

LAJC member Robby Marshall’s highly anticipated CD debut of his electric group is finally upon us, set for Friday, December 12, at Señor Fish Bar, a relatively new nightspot in Little Tokyo on 1st and Alameda, with great tacos, and new bar and outdoor patio area complete with a tamale bar.  Robby’s writing reflects what seems to be a growing awareness of his generation, an emergence, if you will, of an ability to process complex information very quickly and yet cut to the heart of what’s meaningful.  Really, it’s okay to be smart, even intellectual and still have a soul.

This gig also marks the debut production of Masa Tsuzuki, amazing sound engineer and all around music enthusiast.  It is Masa’s ulitmate goal to bring to light all of the incredible underground music that creeps and crawls like hungry larvae within the cracks of the giant pillars of the L.A. entertainment industry.  Like Rocco (of Café Metropol), Masa gets a lot of pleasure out of seeing great musicians finally get their due.  This town definitely needs more Roccos, and here’s hoping that this gig marks the start of another great promoter’s career.

Guitarist and USC Doctoral candidate Brandon Bernstein has organized an extraordinary event to be held on Sunday, December 7 at the Pasadena Jazz Institute.  It’s a musical tribute to legendary guitarist and instructor Jimmy Wyble,  who played with Barney Kessel, Red Norvo, Benny Goodman,  and Frank Sinatra to name a few (he also was in several movies with Gene Autry and Roy Rogers), and taught many great guitarists, including Steve Lukather and Larry Koonse.  At age 87, Jimmy’s still going strong, playing a few times a week at the Chado Tea Room in Pasadena on Tuesday mornings and Sunday afternoons and their Little Tokyo store on Friday mornings.  The tribute will include performances by Larry Koonse,  Jamie Rosenn, Matt Otto, and many others.  There will be a $10 suggested donation, all of which goes to the LAJC.  It should be a really special night.

Check out Jimmy in action at his favorite hang here.  Truly amazing.

If you go to the Jazz Bakery website you will see that they list our show starting at 8pm rather than 7pm like we’ve been advertising all this time.  Apparently our request for an earlier start time went unheeded.  At least this will give you a little more time to get over there after rush hour; if you’re chronically challenged like me I suggest you stil think it’s at 7pm so when you saunter in 30-45 minutes late you’ll actually be early for once.

Man, this guy can write. Check out Brick Wahl’s LA Weekly picks this week. Nice props for LAJC here:

The biggest jazz event of the week has to be the L.A. Jazz Collective’s Fall Festival, a three-night, four-venue bash that begins Friday at the Pasadena Jazz Institute with the Josh Aguilar Group, Damon Zick and Friends, the Joe Bagg Quintet (with trumpeter Ron Stout) and the Steve Cotter Group; then Saturday at PJI again with the Scott Cummings Group, the Mike Scott Quartet (with pianist Josh Nelson), the Josh Welchez Quartet and the Ryan McGillicuddy Quartet. Matt Otto — such a tone — is scattered throughout. Bagg, too. On Sunday, catch your breath, nap, watch football, then head over to the Jazz Bakery on Monday for the Gary Fukushima Quartet (with Otto again), a kinda Getz-meets-Bird vibe from the David Sills/Gary Foster Quintet, and drummer Jason Harnell’s trio. Solid. Finally everyone piles into their jalopies for the quick run to the whiskey bar at Seven Grand downtown (7th between Grand and Olive) for SLanG — that’s trumpeter Brian Swartz, keyboardist Andy Langham and incredible drummer Gerry Gibbs. All four events might be a stretch, but you can easily make one of those gigs and see L.A.’s new jazz on display, with some fine veteran company in the mix. The young cats can be hard to find, playing little joints on underpublicized nights around downtown, but this time, the LAJC has flipped on the lights. Check it out.

Yes, by all means, Check It Out. It’s not too late…

We’ve got such a great weekend ahead of us. Here’s the final roster and order of bands:

Friday, 11/21 8pm Pasadena Jazz Institute

• 8pm: Joe Bagg Quintet featuring Ron Stout-Joe Bagg, piano; Ron Stout, trumpet; Matt Otto, saxophone; Ryan McGillicuddy, bass; Jason Harnell, drums

• 9pm: Damon Zick and Friends-Damon Zick, saxophone; Jason Thor, trombone; Gary Fukushima, piano; Ryan McGillicuddy, bass; Miles Senzaki, drums

• 10pm: Steve Cotter Group-Steve Cotter, guitar; Joe Bagg, organ; Jason Harnell, drums; Matt Otto, saxophone

• 11pm: Josh Aguiar Group-Josh Aguiar, trumpet; Brian Walsh, reeds; Gary Fukushima, piano; JP Maramba, bass; Jens Kuross, drums

Saturday, 11/22 8pm Pasadena Jazz Institute

• 8pm: Ryan McGillicuddy Quartet-Ryan McGillicuddy, bass; Jamie Rosenn, guitar; Joe Bagg, piano; Jason Harnell, drums

• 9pm: Mike Scott Quartet-Mike Scott, guitar; Josh Nelson, piano; Roger Shew, bass; Miles Senzaki, drums

• 10pm: Josh Welchez Quartet-Josh Welchez, trumpet; Matt Otto, saxophone; Joe Bagg, organ; Jason Harnell, drums

•11pm: Scott Cummings Group-Scott Cummings, drums; Steve Blum, piano; Brandon Schmidt, bass; Tim Fischer, guitar; Jon Armstrong, tenor; Brandon Sherman, trumpet

Monday 11/24 7pm Jazz Bakery

• 7pm: Gary Fukushima Quartet-Gary Fukushima, piano; Matt Otto, drums; Ryan McGillicuddy, bass; Ryan Doyle, drums

• 8pm: David Sills/Gary Foster Quintet featuring Larry Koonse-David Sills, tenor saxophone; Gary Foster, alto saxophone; Larry Koonse, guitar; Putter Smith, bass; Dean Koba, drums.

• 9pm: Jason Harnell Trio-Jason Harnell, drums; Joe Bagg, piano; Hamilton Price, bass

Monday 11/27 10pm Seven Grand

• 10pm: SLanG: Brian Swartz, trumpet and effects; Andy Langham, keys; Gerry Gibbs, drums

All of you hoping to see Anthony Wilson this weekend, our apologies, he has a big recording session this weekend with some huge names, I mean “A Star Is Born” HUGE. We will make every effort to include Anthony on one of our upcoming projects.

We’ve got a great series coming up next month, with two dates at the Pasadena Jazz Institute (Friday and Saturday, November 21 and 22) and a show at the Jazz Bakery (Monday, November 24).  Among those headlining the festival are guiaritst Anthony Wilson and saxophonist Gary Foster.  Official press release is below.

lajc-press-release-10-08

enjoy: