Valentine's Day Special with The Michael Falcone Quintet

Valentine's Day Special with The Michael Falcone Quintet

Fri, Feb 14

Michael Falcone (piano/vocals) Guil Juliao (bass) Garrett Miller (drums) Michael Fortunato (trumpet/flugelhorn) Drew Lurie (congas) Playing the piano and singing since the age of six, Michael Falcone has evolved into a versatile performer. Michael offers a wide variety of musical styles from jazz, classical, blues rock and pop, to swing, and many Latin styles. Check out his self-produced debut album, “All This Because of You”. 

Tito Puente, Jr.

Tito Puente, Jr.

Sat, Feb 15

The comparison is inevitable. How could it be otherwise? Tito Puente Jr. carries his father with him – imprinted on his physical being and locked in his soul. It’s in his looks, his joy, and his music. 

Tito, Jr. is on a passionate mission. The younger Puente is determined to nurture the musical legacy left by his father. He refuses to let his father become a distant memory. “He was just too vibrant, too exciting. There was magic in the music my father made. It made people happy all over the world.”

He has found captive audiences who echo his passion. Crowds lured to a venue by the father are returning to see the son -- and to once again participate in the high voltage celebration that takes place on stage.
 Tito Puente, Jr. has become an audience favorite in casinos, performing arts centers, symphony halls and jazz festivals worldwide, performing more than 300 shows over the past 5 years. 

His 2004 album, “In My Father’s Shoes” featured the classic Puente titles and was spun into a BET Jazz television special of the same name.

He was seen in a tribute to his father’s music on NBC’s two hour special--“The Apollo at 70: A Hot Night in Harlem.” He has also appeared on the ABC soap opera hit “One Life to Live” in performance with his big band.

Symphony appearances include Dallas, San Antonio, Colorado, South Bend, and upcoming performances with the Palm Desert Symphony and the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marvin Hamlisch.

Tito, Jr.’s new CD release, “Got Mambo?” is a mixture of the old and the new as he takes a musical departure into some powerful new music he can truly call his own. Guest artists Bobby Cruz and Hansel & Raul help make this a coming of age project for Puente, Jr. and the album is receiving heavy praise from Tropical and Latin Jazz critics alike. 

Tito Jr. reveres the magnificent, lasting impact his father had on our musical lives. “People who don’t know anything about Latin music know my father and people always, always smile when they say my father’s name,” he confides. “That is a very special gift I have been given.” 

TD Lind & The Aviators

TD Lind & The Aviators

Wed, Feb 19

TD Lind & The Aviators is an indie rock band out of Southern California driven by old-soul storytelling, brawny vocals, and larger-than-life sound. Born in England, TD Lind signed a record deal at 19 years old and has since toured America and Europe for the last 30 years, sharing the stage with Sting, Bad Company, Wilco and many others. He has 4 critically-acclaimed albums, the last being produced by legendary producer Glyn Johns. In 2022, TD Lind joined up with producer and bassist David Franz (Iyeoka, Underground Sun), saxophonist Karl Hunter (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy), drummer Greg Weiser (Danny McGaw), and guitarist Sam Kulchin (The Caverns). They are known for their unforgettable live shows, as featured on their “Into the Light” album, recorded and released in 2023. Their debut studio album “Golden” was released on August 21, 2024. 

Phatback, Earl & Me!

Phatback, Earl & Me!

Fri, Feb 21

$25 GA/$35 VIP advanced $30/$40 at the door (subject to availability) Phatback, Earl & Me! is an American Blues, Blues Rock, and Rhythm & Soul band based out of Los Angeles, CA. Formed in 2022, the band features a group of ALL-STAR musicians who have played with and/or toured with Tower of Power, Bruce Springsteen, Bruce Hornsby, Kenny Loggins, Stevie Wonder, Richard Marx, Jason Mraz, Shawn Covin, Chicago, Snoop Dog, Blood, Sweat, & Tears, Joe Walsh, Celine Dion, Tears for Fears, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Jones, Whitney Houston, John Legend, Bruno Mars, The Doobie Brothers, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Isley Brothers and so may more... As "Sidemen and Women" with individual solo recordings to their names, this group of musicians looks for any opportunity to play music together. 

Jacques Lesure Quintet

Jacques Lesure Quintet

Sat, Feb 22

JACQUES IS A DETROIT, MICHIGAN NATIVE. HE IS CURRENTLY A RESIDENT OF INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA. HIS CLASSIC STYLE, ALONG WITH HIS INNOVATIVE, YET SINCERE APPROACH TO THE MUSIC, ARE INTEGRAL PARTS OF HIS SIGNATURE SOUND. IT'S A SOUND STEEPED IN THE RICH TRADITION OF MENTORS LIKE GEORGE BENSON, KENNY BURRELL, AND A HOST OF OTHERS, BUT EXPRESSED IN HIS VOICE. IT’S NO SECRET THAT HIS MUSIC IS ROOTED IN THE FOUNDATIONS OF GOSPEL, BLUES AND IMPROVISED BLACK AMERICAN MUSIC. HE BELIEVES THAT THE SOUNDS OF “TODAY” ARE EQUALLY RELEVANT AS THOSE GLORIOUS DAYS GONE BY. IT IS THAT SYNERGY THAT MAKES HIS MUSIC SWING WITH A STYLE LIKE NO OTHER. JACQUES IS PROUDLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRESTIGIOUS WJ3 RECORDS IMPRINT AND NOW HAS THREE RECORDINGS AS AN ARTIST ON THAT LABEL. ALL HAVE RECEIVED GREAT REVIEWS INCLUDING A FOUR STAR RATING BY DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE AND ONE OF THE “TOP 100” ON THE JAZZ WEEK CHART. 

Tom Scott & The LA Express

Tom Scott & The LA Express

Wed, Feb 26

Tom Scott, Saxes & Aerophone Grant Geissman, Guitar Ruslan Sirota, Keyboard Chris Colangelo, Electric Bass Gary Novak, Drums Tom Scott is a renowned composer, arranger, producer, music director, saxophonist and educator. His 33 solo recordings have earned him 13 Grammy nominations and 3 Grammy awards and in 2017, he received his first Emmy Award nomination for Musical Direction of the Tony Bennett 90th Birthday TV Special on NBC. Tom’s career as a guest artist spans more than 2000 recordings—by such diverse artists as Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones, Thelonius Monk, the Blues Brothers, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and Aerosmith. His numerous contributions as a player and arranger include Joni Mitchell’s Court and Spark and Miles of Aisles, Steely Dan’s Aja and Gaucho; hit singles like Carole King’s Jazzman, Paul McCartney’s Listen to What the Man Said, Rod Stewart’s Do You Think I’m Sexy, Blondie’s Rapture, Toto’s Rosanna, Whitney Houston’s Saving All My Love for You; and on countless movie soundtracks such as Taxi Driver, The Jerk, Three Days of the Condor, Heaven Can Wait, Sea of Love, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc. and the latest release of A Star Is Born. Other achievements include composing film scores, among them Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, Uptown Saturday Night, Stir Crazy, Hanky Panky, The Sure Thing, Soul Man and Shakes the Clown. His television composing and conducting credits include the themes for Family Ties and Starsky & Hutch, background scores for Baretta, Cannon, Barnaby Jones, Streets Of San Francisco, numerous T.V. Movies, Specials and Documentaries. He has served as Musical Director for the Academy Awards, the Emmy Awards (9 times), the People’s Choice Awards, Comic Relief, the Carol Burnett Show, the Pat Sajak Show, Joni Mitchell, George Harrison, Olivia Newton-John, and the GRP All-Star Big Band, among others—and composed the musical score for a recent episode of the PBS "American Masters" series on the life of writer/director Blake Edwards. In addition, he's a DJ on KJAZZ radio in California, has his own podcast series "Tom Scott's Podcast Express", and is an Adjunct Faculty member at New York University. 

Jumaane Smith: Come On Home

Jumaane Smith: Come On Home

Thu, Feb 27

Jazz trumpeter, vocalist, and composer Jumaane Smith has performed on 5 GRAMMY Award-winning records (selling more than 60 million copies), 2 Emmy Award-nominated TV performances, the GRAMMY Awards with Stevie Wonder, in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (trumpet solo actor), at The White House, on the Today Show, Tonight Show, Oprah, Good Morning America, and American Idol. Jumaane has spent the last 18 years touring and recording with Michael Bublé as lead trumpeter and vocalist and featured soloist, was a member of Harry Connick Jr.’s house band for the syndicated daytime TV show “Harry,” and the featured guest soloist for Jackie Evancho’s, “Songs of the Silver Screen” world tour backed by a 60-piece symphony orchestra. Jumaane has toured with his own band to such world-class venues as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Vail Jazz Festival, Java Jazz Festival, Birdland Jazz Club, North Star Festival, Joe's Pub, Rochester International Jazz Festival, Catalina Island Jazz Festival, and many more. Jumaane Smith’s critically-acclaimed debut album, “I Only Have Eyes For You,” features special guests Michael Bublé, Jackie Evancho, and Naturally 7. His sophomore album, “When You’re Smiling,” was released to much praise in January 2020. His highly-anticipated third album, “Come on Home” was released by Zinn Music to enormous critical praise on August 16, 2024, and remained in the top 50 of the Jazz Week chart for 12 straight weeks. As a composer, Smith has scored music for films such as “Handsome Harry” (starring Steve Buscemi and Jamey Sheridan) and the documentary “Being in the World,” as well as for his own recordings and the interactive sheet music company Tomplay. Smith has worked with musical legends such as Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin, Christian McBride, Barbra Streisand, Alicia Keys, Kamasi Washington, Jon Batiste, Theo Croker, Etienne Charles, and many more. As a full scholarship recipient at the Juilliard School of Music’s Jazz Studies program (2001-2005), Wynton Marsalis was Smith’s primary trumpet teacher. 

Shawn Jones Big Band

Shawn Jones Big Band

Fri, Feb 28

Shawn Jones is an international touring Roots/Americana/Blues/Rock musician of over 30 years based in Southern California. Shawn tours with his band of "A level" touring/studio musicians as well as having a very dynamic solo show. Shawn performs over 200+ dates a year in the USA, UK, and EU. There are six studio album releases including Shawn's new album "In My Blood" due out early 2024. The upcoming album is produced by legendary producer/engineer Niko Bolas and mastered by multi-Grammy winning mixing/mastering/producer Richard Dodd. The new release features world renowned musicians: Herman Matthews, The Memphis Horns, Sam Bolle, Josie Aiello, and Philip Parlapiano. In recent years Shawn was invited to guest as opener for the five time Grammy winning legend Robert Cray on a 16 date theater tour of the UK and several shows in California. Shawn's skills as a seasoned songwriter, guitarist and vocalist make him one of the most dynamic and relevant artists on today's Americana/Roots/Blues/Rock music scene. Growing up in the heartland of Southern California, one of Shawn's earliest recollections as a boy was playing guitars and harmonizing with his late father Danny Jones. That formidable experience led him to follow his dreams as a professional musician. He's shared bills with many renowned musicians, including B.B. King, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Leon Russell, Derek Trucks, Robben Ford, Joe Bonamassa, and many others. Shawn was also managed by the late great country music legend Waylon Jennings for a time, toured in his band, and played on his 1996 release "Right For The Time". His variety of performances capture his audience whenever he's playing an acoustic set that highlights his soulful voice and incredible guitar skills or rocking the crowd with his band of world class musicians. Featuring: Shawn Jones -Guitar, Vocals Herman Matthews - Drums Ricky Cortes - Bass, Backing Vocals Marc Hugenberger - Keyboards Josie Aiello - Backing Vocals Ed Wynn - Saxophone Justin Kirk - Trombone Michael Fortunato- Trumpet 

HighNote Recording Artist: Thom Rotella

HighNote Recording Artist: Thom Rotella

Sat, Mar 01

Thom Rotella- guitar Roy McCurdy - drums Carey Frank- organ Brandon Fields - saxophone Lenny Castro - percussion Thom Rotella is nothing if not comprehensive, but then protean talent is an essential requirement for any successful studio musician. It's a prerequisite. For years, Rotella was among the handful of household-name musical artists who populated dozens of Hollywood first-call lists for recording sessions, concerts, club dates, TV shows, television commercials, film scores and more. Just a few of the artists who've engaged Thom Rotella's exceptional talent include Frank Sinatra, Norah Jones, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Nicks, Carly Simon, Debbie Harry, Burt Bacharach, Four Tops, the Beach Boys, Phil Spector, Lionel Richie, Bette Midler, Donna Summer, Seth MacFarlane, Don Was, Luciano Pavarotti, David Foster, Herb Alpert, Tom Scott and Cher as well as such GRAMMY winning jazz artists as Diane Schuurr, Stanley Turrentine, Gregg Karukas and Bill Cunliffe. And such Fortune 500 companies as Ford, Goodyear, Cadillac, Chevrolet and Taco Bell have availed themselves of Rotella's creative expertise by commissioning his original compositions for their ad campaigns and television commercials. And more often than not, that's Thom Rotella you're hearing on The Family Guy and American Dad among many others. We've also appreciated Thom's original music and performances on TV's Ellen DeGeneres Show, Extra, Sex and the City and China Beach. Additionally, he's lent his talents and imagination to any number of film soundtracks including Ted, Ted 2, Splash, Same Time Next Year, The Gods Must Be Crazy, Rumblefish, Mississippi Masala and many more. He also performed and composed an original score for the 2015 romantic comedy film Altos. In addition, Thom Rotella enjoys a multi-faceted career as a member of that exclusive club of studio musicians who've achieved an enviable notoriety and ubiquitous presence on today's popular music charts and broadcast radio. He's not only one of the most notable and enduring fixtures on L.A.'s studio scene but also an artist who routinely scores on both the smooth jazz and straight-ahead jazz charts. In 2019, Thom received a call from his old friend, producer and jazz guitarist, Chris Standring who, somewhere in the conversation, promised him a hit single. That single, "Eddie's Ready" an homage to the great jazz artist Eddie Harris, went to Number One on Billboard's Smooth Jazz charts. And Rotella's subsequent releases have all charted in the top twenty, including "Street Talk," Number One on Smooth Jazz radio and #3 on the Billboard charts and "Soul Kitchen" Number One on Watercolors. The guitarist's previous project titled Say Hey! is a compilation of all his hit singles plus some new bonus tracks. In addition Rotella is gigging with his 4tet, that features sax titan Ernie Watts. His latest straight-ahead jazz CD "Side Hustle" on HighNote Records, a followup to his album Storyline, is a nod to the jazz organ trio records the 60's. It features jazz legend Roy McCurdy on drums and Columbus, Ohio organist Bobby Floyd. And guest spots by Jeremy Pelt on trumpet, Eric Alexander on tenor and Lenny Castro on percussion. Kendall Kay (drums) and Gregg Karukas(organ) step in for the final track. The release date is 8/23/24 and is his 14th CD. 

Buddy Rich Big Band Machine featuring Cathy Rich and Gregg Potter

Buddy Rich Big Band Machine featuring Cathy Rich and Gregg Potter

Thu, Mar 06

A wild, swinging, rocking ride with the sixteen-piece Buddy Rich Big Band Machine grooving its way through Buddy's richest charts, played by the most incredible players. Featuring Buddy's daughter, Cathy Rich, as your guide through all that swings, while dropping vocals on you as smooth as "black label scotch", and Emmy Award-winning drummer Gregg Potter, beating everything within arms' reach in a blur of precision and sweat! This show will transform the room into a cool vibe filled with Buddy's music, Cathy's songs, Buddy Rich Big Band road stories, and Gregg's incredible drumming. Yeah, you heard that right. In this scene the impossible becomes possible because Buddy's back in town! Come witness the heart, spirit, humor and rage that lived in between every beat of his magical performances. This mega-legend lives on in a jaw-dropping, high-energy show, with a sixteen-piece big band. 

Lemon City Trio

Lemon City Trio

Fri, Mar 07

Nick Tannura - Guitar Brian Robertson - Organ/Synthesizers Aaron Glueckauf - Drummer  Lemon City Trio formed as a soul organ trio, and has since evolved into a band with its own sound and unique repertoire. The band hails from Miami, Fl and has made a name for itself throughout the state, and up the east coast. Ranging from edgy fusion grooves, to dreamy space Rock, and everything in between, LCT takes its audience on a journey from start to finish.