The Kaleidoscope of LA Live Jazz
As a working jazz musician in L.A., it's sometimes challenging to get out to hear other artists in clubs. After a week or so of driving from San Diego to Santa Barbara and points in between on our choked and challenging freeway system to make the gigs on time, the sanctuary of a night off at home is most welcome.
This week I forced myself to get out and listen a bit and it was rewarding. I saw 3 bands that were diversely different and enjoyable in their own way. Thursday I caught Thelma Jones, the soulful R&B flavored jazz singer, at the Crowne Plaza LAX with her trio of Karen Hammack-piano, Ben May-bass, and John Merola-drums. She can really bring life to standards and the blues and the band gave great support. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable club experience.
Later that night we made our way to Catalina Bar and Grill to hear Chick Corea's Electrik Band. My longtime friend Eric Marienthal was on alto and the great drummer Dave Weckl was amazing as usual. This music was loud and busy with an emphasis on complex, flashy unison lines and the individual virtuosity of the players. The club was packed with young musicians and fans eager to cheer on their musical heroes in gladiator fashion. When I'm in the mood for it, fusion like this can be a lot of fun, but being more of an acoustic player, it can sometimes create an overbearing sonic overload. The music is marketed, as it has been for 20 or more years, to ears more conditioned to rock volume and intensity. It was great to see and hear Chick, a hero to all jazz musicians, still in great shape and going full throttle. Catalina's brings the best in national touring acts and also outstanding local players and singers as well.
Friday night we visited one of the new In-House Music venues, the Sheraton Universal in Universal City. It's a real nice space in the lobby that features mostly piano trios and vocalists. Drummer Jack Le Compte was leading a fine trio of pianist Larry Ditommaso and bassist Lou Schock. The trio was grooving on some bluesy tunes like In Crowd and Sunday in New York. All the guys were from Philadelphia and had a particular sound and camaraderie that reflected their history in that great town. There was no cover and reasonably priced drinks and food. The room was filled with friends and fans that created a real "club" atmosphere. Jack played some tunes that he knew were favorites of some of the friends in the audience.
The week didn't even include some of the great Latin and Big Band jazz abundant around L.A.
I came to the realization that there are many types of live jazz here to enjoy for different reasons. There are such an extraordinary amount of really fine players and singers in L.A. that it is easy to take their talent for granted and play favorites. Jazz record companies these days are emulating their pop, rock, and hip-hop counterparts by focusing mostly on new, young talent and creating "mega-bucks" celebrities. The true spirit of jazz has always been broader and more all-encompassing. The real process involves younger players being mentored by older, more experienced ones. The resulting relationship creates seasoned, soulful music and keeps the evolution of the art natural. Keeping younger players isolated from more experienced ones is a mistake. Many of our older musicians have priceless experience under their belt with greats like Sinatra, Basie, Ellington, etc. This is something that can't be acquired at any price. It deserves respect.
By keeping an open mind, the discriminating jazz listener can find many hidden musical treasures here in L.A. Some of the players that you see in the listings week after week are the ones to follow and watch. They are the ones making musical history here in L.A. Jazz is a deep, many-layered music and social phenomenon. The more one understands, the more mysteries appear and beckon us to learn more. Each region and style has a flavor all its own. Can you tell where a musician is from by his or her style?
The feeling of the local jazz club is really a wonderful thing. Places like Charlie O's, The Westin LAX, and the Vibe at Airtel are venues where L.A. jazz fans can find good music played by L.A. musicians and out of town players as well. The feeling of fellowship and fun mingling with the musicians and regular jazz fans is something special. This is the real deal. My hope is that every listener supports and enjoys the music played in our clubs, hotels, and restaurants as well as the national touring artists playing the bigger, more expensive venues. Get to know the musicians who are experts in playing this great music. Ask questions and listen intently. The "who's hot-who's not" mentality is very superficial.
Anyone who has paid their dues enough to play their instrument well and learn a body of musical repertoire is worth listening to. Enjoy!
