Here's something you might be interested in.
As the year 2012 winds down, the San Diego jazz scene heats up this weekend for a slew of must-see concerts.
As it often does, this Friday begins with a conflict. The Gilbert Castellanos curated series at the Westgate Hotel continues with a stellar trio featuring LA musicians Gerald Clayton on piano with Hamilton Price on double-bass.
Under any other circumstance, this is where I'd be — arriving an hour early, naturally, to obtain those up-close-and-personal seats. Last time Price played the Westgate, (unamplified, no less), I almost transitioned into the spirit world, the sound was so glorious. Add the fast-rising piano star Clayton to the mix with the consistently exciting trumpeter, and you've got a "can't miss" event. As if that weren't enough, Castellanos has been dropping hints about a surprise drummer.
Having said that, I'm excited to reserve the weekend to Chuck Perrin and the three nights in a row of musical excellence he has lined up at the new Dizzy's in Pacific Beach.
On Friday, it begins with the David Negrete Quartet, (aka The Tribe of D). I don't know much about alto saxophonist Negrete, other than he is returning from a year in Japan. What I do know is that he will be accompanied by Joshua White on piano, former San Diegan and current NYC bassist Danny Weller and LA drum phenomenon Dan Schnelle.
On Saturday, Mr. Castellanos reassembles his jam-session quartet from his long residency at the Onyx: pianist Clayton, bassist Price and drummer Kevin Kanner. Look for several surprise guests as well. These guys have history, and they have all continued to develop into Southern California heavyweights.
Finally, on Sunday, the sublime veteran guitarist Mundell Lowe returns with the incredible bassist/vocalist Jim Ferguson, guitarist Jaime Valle and LA drummer Ramon Banda. Lowe and Valle have a special hook-up, and Ferguson and Banda will take this to another level. This one starts at 7 pm.
And, last but not least, ( I know I already said, "finally"), if you are looking for a jazz party on New Years Eve, come out to 98 Bottles for the Steph Johnson Trio. Johnson always knows how to bring the happy out of people, and with bassist Rob Thorsen, and drum-king Duncan Moore in the band, along with complimentary champagne and other accoutrements — it beats the hell out of watching television.
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/27/37558/
As the year 2012 winds down, the San Diego jazz scene heats up this weekend for a slew of must-see concerts.
As it often does, this Friday begins with a conflict. The Gilbert Castellanos curated series at the Westgate Hotel continues with a stellar trio featuring LA musicians Gerald Clayton on piano with Hamilton Price on double-bass.
Under any other circumstance, this is where I'd be — arriving an hour early, naturally, to obtain those up-close-and-personal seats. Last time Price played the Westgate, (unamplified, no less), I almost transitioned into the spirit world, the sound was so glorious. Add the fast-rising piano star Clayton to the mix with the consistently exciting trumpeter, and you've got a "can't miss" event. As if that weren't enough, Castellanos has been dropping hints about a surprise drummer.
Having said that, I'm excited to reserve the weekend to Chuck Perrin and the three nights in a row of musical excellence he has lined up at the new Dizzy's in Pacific Beach.
On Friday, it begins with the David Negrete Quartet, (aka The Tribe of D). I don't know much about alto saxophonist Negrete, other than he is returning from a year in Japan. What I do know is that he will be accompanied by Joshua White on piano, former San Diegan and current NYC bassist Danny Weller and LA drum phenomenon Dan Schnelle.
On Saturday, Mr. Castellanos reassembles his jam-session quartet from his long residency at the Onyx: pianist Clayton, bassist Price and drummer Kevin Kanner. Look for several surprise guests as well. These guys have history, and they have all continued to develop into Southern California heavyweights.
Finally, on Sunday, the sublime veteran guitarist Mundell Lowe returns with the incredible bassist/vocalist Jim Ferguson, guitarist Jaime Valle and LA drummer Ramon Banda. Lowe and Valle have a special hook-up, and Ferguson and Banda will take this to another level. This one starts at 7 pm.
And, last but not least, ( I know I already said, "finally"), if you are looking for a jazz party on New Years Eve, come out to 98 Bottles for the Steph Johnson Trio. Johnson always knows how to bring the happy out of people, and with bassist Rob Thorsen, and drum-king Duncan Moore in the band, along with complimentary champagne and other accoutrements — it beats the hell out of watching television.
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/27/37558/