$30 GA/$40 VIP/ $25 wall seats $35/$45/$30 at the door (subject to availability) Azar Lawrence- saxophones Brian Swartz- trumpet Yayo Morales - drums Gerald "Get Down" Brown - bass Bryan Valesko- keys Taka Mori- guitar Azar was a young music prodigy, lovingly tutored by his mother, who taught music and led their church choir. At age 5, he played violin in the Los Angeles Junior Symphony, then viola, but his ears were turned to the saxophone at age 13. Azar spent his teen years immersed in jazz at the home of his best friend, none other than the late Reggie Golson, son of the great composer/arranger/saxophonist, Bennie Golson. From then on it was jazz, jazz, and more jazz! Azar began his jazz career at the renowned Dorsey High School Jazz Workshop. After high school he played in Horace Tapscott's Pan Afrikan Arkestra and played weekly with George Cables, Candy Finch, Larry Gales, and Woody Shaw in Los Angeles at a local club, L.B. West on 54th St. Before long, he performed with the Ike & Tina Turner band, the Watts 103rd Street Band and War. The 19 y.o. musical genius – he’d blush at the description – then joined John Coltrane drummer, Elvin Jones for 3 ½ years. Azar went on to record/write for luminaries such as Freddie Hubbard, Busta Rhymes, Roberta Flack, and Phyllis Hyman. His sensational collaborations of the period included writing and performing on Earth Wind & Fire’s highly acclaimed platinum album, Powerlight, and on Marvin Gaye’s Grammy award-winning, Hear My Dear. In the early 2000s, Azar surged back onto the jazz scene and continues to roar, electrifying audiences with outstanding original compositions inspired by his intense spiritual feelings, as well as songs from the Coltrane songbook: The Legacy and Music of John Coltrane, 2007, Speak The Word Revelations, 2008, Prayer For My Ancestors, 2009, Mystic Journey, 2010, The Seeker, Live At The Jazz Standard, 2014, which featured Azar’s own “Lost Tribes of Lemuria,” and McCoy Tyner’s signature, "Walk Spirit, Talk Spirit.” Azar’s 2018 album, Elementals, hit #2 on the Jazz Weekly charts. Chris May wrote: “Azar Lawrence sounds more like John Coltrane than John Coltrane ever did. Well, almost…. but it has not been a cynical pose designed to maximize Lawrence's commercial appeal.” (All About Jazz, April 18, 2018.) Concord reissued the highly acclaimed Bridge Into The New Age in November of 2017. 

DANNY JONOKUCHI: Danny Jonokuchi is a multi-talented jazz artist based in New York City and Los Angeles. As a jazz trumpeter, vocalist, composer, arranger, producer, and educator, few artists are as diversely involved in their craft. Composing and arranging have always been Danny's passion and his "well-crafted arrangements" (Jazz Weekly) have been performed by an incredible array of artists including Lady Gaga, Catherine Russell, Grammy-nominated vocalist Nicole Zuraitis, Hannah Gill, The Duke Ellington Legacy, The Budapest Scoring Orchestra, The Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Terell Stafford Quintet, Brian Newman, Charles Turner & Uptown Swing, The Christian Wiggs Big Band, The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band, The Birdland Big Band, The South Philly Big Band, Svetlana, & Peter Bernstein. Danny contributed to two GRAMMY award-winning projects with The Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra and the 8-Bit Big Band, and has performed on Broadway stages, dozens of studio albums, subbed with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and can be heard trumpeting on the acclaimed game Red Dead Redemption 2. His playing has also been featured on PBS, NPR, HBO, and Good Morning America. CHRISTIAN WIGGS: An emerging polymath in the music industry, Christian Wiggs is a vocalist, bandleader, lyricist, producer, director, artist manager, educator, founder of Bandstand Presents and host of "Jazz Tonight" on PBS. Born to a choreographer, Wiggs' immersion into theatre and the jazz tradition has led to a remarkable career as an artist, leading and featured with ensembles on prolific stages such as Birdland, Blue Note, Dizzy's Club and SXSW. Christian has shared the stage with acclaimed musicians such as Benny Benack III, Martina DaSilva, Bryan Carter, Chad Lefkowitz-Brown, Steven Feifke, Aubrey Logan, Alexa Tarantino, Bijon Watson, Danny Jonokuchi and George Fludas. Producing chart topping records for the most sought-after names in jazz including Emmet Cohen (JazzWeek #1), Benny Benack (JazzWeek #2) and Steven Feifke (JazzWeek #8), Wiggs leads a sought-after management agency that is home to GRAMMY and Tony Award-winner Bryan Carter, Chad LB, Marshall Gilkes, Danny Jonokuchi and Altin Sencalar. Wiggs has released three studio albums, hosts and produces the podcast "Off The Bandstand" and serves as the Executive Director of Global Jazz Workshop. Off stage, Christian serves as an active producer and director, his work behind the camera being featured by PBS, Playbill, ABC News, NPR Live Sessions, and WRTI 90.1. Danny Jonokuchi — Trumpet Christian Wiggs — Voice Jacob Scesney — Saxophone Jordan Seigel — Piano Alex Frank — Bass Kevin Van den Elzen — Drums 

Swing Dancing!! The Barrelhouse Wailers are an 8-piece powerhouse collective from Ventura, California that seamlessly blend traditional style hot jazz and vintage blues with original compositions to create a sound that's as timeless as it is electrifying. With their roots deeply embedded in the rich soil of American musical traditions, this dynamic ensemble has been captivating audiences since 2013 with their high-energy performances and masterful musicianship. Driven by their passion for authenticity and innovation, The Barrelhouse Wailers deliver a sonic experience that pays homage to the classics while pushing the boundaries of contemporary music. Their infectious energy and tight-knit chemistry on stage promise an evening of entertainment that will have you on your feet and moving to the rhythm. They have released 2 albums featuring original music and standards, “Day In, Day Out” 2019 and “Never Look Back” 2023 Both albums are available for digital download on Bandcamp and on all major streaming platforms. Karen Parkhouse - Vocals/Percussion Todd Temanson - Banjo David Leoncavallo - Bass Jim Wade – Tuba John C. Webb - Clarinet/Saxophones/Flute/Vocals Bob Peyton - drums Max O'Leary- trumpet For more information, music, videos, and upcoming shows, please visit http://www.thebarrelhousewailers.com/. Follow us on : Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBarrelHouseWailers Instagram: @barrelhousewailers YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BarrelhouseWailers 

With Special Guest, Tom Scott on saxophone! The name says it all . Groove Legacy is an exciting band with a sound forged out of love and respect for great American, jazz, R&B and soul music. A sound that fills the void left in today's contemporary instrumental, music scene. Focusing on original compositions, groove legacy it definitely pays homage to some of their favorite musical influences. Such as the Crusaders, Stuff , The Meters, and the JB horns. with a hard hitting lineup that includes a unique conglomerate of some of the Los Angeles, finest musical talent. Groove legacy has exploded onto the scene as a truly powerful, exciting and commanding live band. Groove Legacy is : Paulie Cerra - Sax and Vocals Travis Carlton - Bass  Billy Steinway - Keyboards  Michael White - Drums  Ido Meshulam - Trombone  Sam Meek - Guitar  Collectively the fantastic musicians have played with a virtual who's who of Jazz, Blues, Soul, and Pop artists. Including Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Annie Lennox, The Crusaders, Larry Carlton, Joe Bonamassa, Robben Ford, Rickie Lee Jones, Eros Ramazzotti, Sara Bareilles, Boz Scaggs, Carrie Underwood, Rod Stewart, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Natalie Cole, Patti Austin, Sergio Mendes, Jeffrey Osborne, Lenny Kravitz, and many more. 

Maria Muldaur is best known world-wide for her 1974 mega-hit “Midnight at the Oasis,” which received several Grammy nominations, and enshrined her forever in the hearts of Baby Boomers everywhere; but despite her considerable pop music success, her 56-plus year career could best be described as a long and adventurous odyssey through the various forms of American Roots Music. During the Folk Revival of the early '60s, she began exploring and singing early Blues, Bluegrass and Appalachian “Old Timey” Music, beginning her recording career in 1963 with the Even Dozen Jug Band and shortly thereafter, joining the very popular Jim Kweskin Jug Band, touring and recording with them throughout the '60s. In the 47 years since “Midnight at the Oasis,” Maria has toured extensively worldwide and has recorded 43 solo albums covering all kinds of American Roots Music, including Gospel, R&B, Jazz and Big Band (not to mention several award-winning children’s albums). She has now settled comfortably into her favorite idioms, Blues and what she calls “Bluesiana”- a gumbo of New Orleans flavored Blues, R&B, and “Swamp Funk”. Often joining forces with some of the top names in the business, Maria has recorded and produced on-average an album per year, several of which have been nominated for Grammys and other awards. Her critically acclaimed 2001 Stony Plain Records release, Richland Woman Blues, was nominated for a Grammy and by the Blues Foundation as Best Traditional Blues Album of the Year, as was the follow up to that album, Sweet Lovin’ Ol’ Soul. Her timely 2008 album, Yes We Can!, featured her “Women’s Voices for Peace Choir,” which includes: Bonnie Raitt, Joan, Baez, Jane Fonda, Odetta, Phoebe Snow, Holly Near and others. In 2009 Maria teamed up with John Sebastian, David Grisman, and Dan Hicks. Maria Muldaur & Her Garden of Joy garnered Maria her 5th Grammy Nomination, and was also nominated for Best Traditional Blues Album of the Year by The Blues Foundation. In 2011 Maria released Steady Love, a contemporary electric Blues album that reflects the kind of music she loves to perform live - what she calls “Bluesiana Music” - her own brand of New Orleans-flavored Blues, R&B and “Swamp Funk.” Steady Love reached #1 on the Living Blues Chart, and garnered her another nomination for Best Traditional Female Blues Artist from the Blues Foundation. In 2012, for her 40th album, Maria produced the critically acclaimed…. First Came Memphis Minnie, a loving tribute to the pioneering Blues woman who inspired and influenced so many female Blues artists who followed in her footsteps, many of whom joined Maria on this special project: Bonnie Raitt, Phoebe Snow, Ruthie Foster, Koko Taylor and Rory Block accompanied by the amazing guitar work of Del Rey, David Bromberg, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Roy Rogers, and others. In 2013, taking a brief hiatus from her yearly recording schedule, Maria focused on 3 special collaborations, performing worldwide with the 50th Anniversary Kweskin Jug Band Reunion concerts, teaming up with the Campbell Brothers, world-renowned Sacred Steel Gospel artists, for a very special presentation entitled, “Spirit & The Blues”, and touring as Special Guest Artist with Bill Wyman and The Rhythm Kings. In 2018, Maria released her 41st album "DON'T YOU FEEL MY LEG ~ The Naughty Bawdy Blues of Blue Lu Barker", which was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Traditional Blues category. Recorded in New Orleans with an amazing cast of A-List NOLA musicians, this album finds Maria at her finest, and is true to the spirit and soul of New Orleans and Barker's funny, coy, and risqué material. This marks her 6th Grammy Nomination! Maria says “it's an honor to be nominated. I'm so grateful that this music is being recognized & enjoyed again after all these years!’ In Sept. 2019, The Americana Music Association awarded Maria 'The Lifetime Achievement Americana Trailblazer Award' for her lifelong work of covering the depth and breadth of American Roots music and for being one of the pioneers who laid the groundwork for what we've come to call 'Americana Music'. In 2020, Maria collaborated with world acclaimed New Orleans band Tuba Skinny & recorded her 43rd album, Let’s Get Happy Together, a collection of 20s & 30s vintage Jazz & Blues. Released in May 2021, the album has received nothing but rave reviews. Stream the album on all listening platforms and get your copy today to spread some much needed happiness! Keep an eye out for future performance dates. 2024 marked 50 years since Maria’s big hit “Midnight at the Oasis” was riding at the top of the charts. To celebrate this landmark, Maria created a multi-media retrospective Way Past Midnight, which chronicles her 50 year journey “to The Oasis and Beyond”. This special presentation features all her hits and fan faves from every stage of her career, as well as fascinating, entertaining, (often humorous!) stories of her personal encounters, friendships, and collaborations with many of the greatest names in music. 

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 Dan Sadin (Frenship, Holychild, MØ). 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. 

Jazz. Rock. Jazz-rock. Across more than four decades, legendary drummer Simon Phillips has shown an uncanny ability to excel in most any musical environment. Precision, intensity and emotion are hallmarks of Simon’s sound in every setting. By his twenties, Simon had already worked with iconic figures including Jeff Beck, Jack Bruce, Pete Townshend, Al Di Meola, Jon Anderson, Jan Hammer, Stanley Clarke, Jon Lord, Mike Oldfield, Brian Eno and others. High-profile recordings and/or tours were soon to come with the likes of Mick Jagger, Asia, The Who, Gary Moore, Joe Satriani and many more. But it was the untimely death of drummer Jeff Porcaro that led to Simon’s 21-year presence in Toto (1992-2014), highlighted by ten albums and numerous world tours. During this period Phillips also worked on various projects led by Steve Lukather, Michael Schenker, Derek Sherinian and others. Simon’s own compositions and group concept began to gel with the Protocol II album in 2013. There have since been three more Protocol albums, culminating with Protocol V in 2022. The band now features longtime electric bassist Ernest Tibbs, veteran keyboardist Otmaro Ruiz (John McLaughlin), Jacob Scesney on saxophones and the brilliant young guitarist Alex Sill. Simon will be performing at the Grape with: Steve Weingart - Piano Marlon Martinez - Bass Jacob Scesney - Tenor/Soprano Will Artope - Trumpet Ryan Dragon - Trombone 

Freda Ramey and House Arrest with special guest Colene Riffo Costume Contests!! Cash prizes! The House Arrest Band always brings the party wherever they perform, jammin’ all your dance hits from many genres: Old School Funk, Soul/R&B, Latin Soul, Cumbias, Boleros, Cha-Chas, Classic Oldies, Rock & Roll and everything in between. 

The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble is a 9 piece heavy, instrumental funk band from San Diego, CA. Their influences are vast and include Hip Hop groups like Wu-Tang Clan and A Tribe Called Quest, as well as funk and soul masters like Isaac Hayes, The Meters, and James Brown. Their last two LPs debuted in the top 15 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Chart. SFSE is equally at home in the studio as they are on the stage, where their original songs transform and take on new life through live performance. They have shared the stage with Kamasi Washington, Quantic, Lee Fields, Monophonics, Jungle Fire, and most recently served as backing band for Hip Hop legend, Big Daddy Kane. The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble are definitely still on a roll coming off of their fourth LP, Step Down, which debuted at #14 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart. It seems that the “Live” record is mostly an art form of the past. In the diaspora of funk, soul, and jazz music, we have so many legendary live albums we can reference, from Cannonball Adderley, Jimmy Smith, Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway… the list is endless really. We present SFSE’s first outing in this noble arena. “Live at Panama 66” showcases songs from SFSE’s first 4 LPs as well as some choice cover tunes. The record was performed and recorded live in a beautiful outdoor setting in San Diego, CA. It was indeed a picture perfect Mother’s Day in Balboa Park, with SFSE throwing down their uniquely funky, cinematic vibes. We hope you enjoy it. Tim Felten - Organ, Electric Piano Jesse Audelo - Bari Sax, Tenor Sax, and Flute Jake Najor - Drum Kit Kiko Cornejo Jr - Percussion 1 Omar Lopez - Bass Aquiles Magana Jr - Guitar Travis Klein - Tenor Sax, Flute Wili Fleming - Trombone, Vocals Sheryll Felten - Percussion 2 

CTRL+Z is a dynamic fusion of world class musicians hailing from the realms of rock, jazz, and progressive music. Thomas Lang- drums Marc Bonilla- guitar/vocals Ric Fierabracci- bass Alex Machacek- guitar Jonathan Sindelman- keys Featuring a repertoire of original works and songs from iconic figures such as Keith Emerson, Peter Gabriel, Asia, Chick Corea, Billy Cobham and more! 

THE LAO TIZER BAND Lao Tizer - keys Elliott Yamin - vocals Danny Janklow - sax, flute Anthony Crawford - bass Tony Austin - drums Munyungo Jackson - percussion "Jazz Group of the Year" nominee, The Lao Tizer Band, make their return to The Grape on Friday, December 20th in support of their brand-new Billboard-charting album & video release AMPLIFY. The new release is a major evolution for the group and includes 5 new original vocals and 4 new original instrumentals, with an all-star cast. The project was recorded and filmed all LIVE at legendary EastWest Studios in Hollywood with simultaneous 7-camera video shoot and a legendary cast of musicians. Joining keyboardist, bandleader and former "Best New Jazz Artist" nominee, Lao Tizer for the show are American Idol star, Elliott Yamin - vocals, drum phenom, Tony Austin (Kamasi Washington), GRAMMY-winning percussion legend, Munyungo Jackson (Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder), sax & flute wunderkind, Danny Janklow (MONKestra, Shelea), and Rolling Stone "2022 Bassist of the Year" nominee, Anthony Crawford (Jeff Lorber, Erykah Badu). Please join us as the group takes you on a high-energy musical ride through a variety of flavors and styles with an all-star cast of musicians.