Jazz pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader John Beasley began his career in the early 1980s, around the time jazz’s Young Men in Suits proclaimed that bebop was the one true way of life. They spoke solemnly about “keeping the flame,” “honoring the tradition” and other such homilies. Record companies, clubs and......
History’s one-hit wonders make up a long, sometimes colorful and often tragic legion. Eden Ahbez was one of the luckier ones. He had a compelling song, with an unusual melody and a message of universal love. He was able to prevail upon Nat Cole’s valet to get it to the......
Soul music devotees have long wondered why Los Angeles didn’t field a great 1960s soul record label like Motown or Stax. Hollywood was fast becoming the recording capitol of the country and Motown would indeed relocate here by the end of the decade. Couldn’t the town produce a first-class soul......
Booking jazz pianists and their ensembles is no novelty for Bluewhale proprietor Joon Lee. L.A.’s most consistent and prolific showcase for new and cutting-edge jazz is the favored venue for many young, forward-looking keyboardists. But when pianist and composer Josh Nelson brings one of his infrequent multimedia extravaganzas into the......
The 83-year-old burlesque dancer Rosie Mitchell died last week of complications from lung cancer, and while no one is making much of it, she was one of the last living links to the heyday of the Follies Theatre. In an interview last year, Mitchell reminisced about those days. Her first......
While cellist Jacob Szekely embraces his instrument as the lead voice in non-traditional settings, he’s consciously avoided the gimmickry often associated with such efforts. He doesn’t do anything as predictable as spit out transcriptions of Hendrix and Coltrane solos. Instead, he’s internalized their improvisational strategies and flourishes, developing a vernacular unique......
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
