KJAZZ 88.1 FM Presents Jazz at LACMA

Oh boy!!!! It's jazz time in LA, and I couldn't be anymore excited!

The ever popular Jazz at LACMA series is back starting April 16th through November. Come enjoy a free outdoor concert every Friday night at one of LA's most unique art museums.

LACMA

Check out April's jazz legends scheduled to appear:

Friday, April 23
Alan Pasqua Quartet

Friday, April 30
John Proulx

LATCC | 6 pm | Free, no reservations

To find out more about Jazz at LACMA, visit http://lacma.org/programs/JazzatLACMA.aspx.

Jazz at LACMA is made possible in part by the Johnny Mercer Foundation.
In-kind support is provided by KKJZ 88.1 FM.

Jazz Art

Just a little something I put together. Click on the image to enlarge. Enjoy! :)

Smooth & Latin Jazz

Since we've touched on the subject, let's talk about smooth and Latin jazz.

Smooth Jazz - Smooth jazz began in the 1970s but really took off during the 80s. It's style evolved from fusion but instead of energetic solos, smooth jazz emphasizes a more polished sound. It was heavily influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and pop music genres. The smooth jazz movement took these styles and added it's modern, electronic personality to the music. Instruments that became widely associated with smooth jazz are the soprano saxophone, legato electric guitar, and electric keyboards.

What's unique about smooth jazz is that it's sound is far removed from the classic improvisation. Instead, smooth jazz consists of high tech layering of synthesizers and rhythm tracks, which puts more emphasis on the ensemble rather than the expression (improvisation does just the opposite). Unfortunately, this electronic sound separates smooth jazz from all other "live" performances, which proposes the argument of whether or not the term jazz truly applies.



Latin jazz - Also known as Afro-Cuban jazz, Latin jazz is a fusion of North, South, and Central American sounds using jazz improvisation and highly infectious rhythms. It's Bebop roots are apparent among some of its highly complicated and energized compositions. Original traces of Latin jazz can be attributed to trumpeter-arranger Mario Bauza and percussionist Chano Pozo in the mid 1940s.

Latin jazz consists of a straight rhythm rather than a swung rhythm (something that traditional jazz generally has). This style also uses a form of a clave (a five stroke rhythmic pattern used for temporal organization in Afro-Cuban music) instead of a backbeat. The conga, timbale, guiro, and claves (all percussion instruments) are some of the usual instruments used to give the music a Latin sound. Other predominant instruments in Latin jazz are the trumpet, saxophone, and trombone.


Banda Brothers

Enjoy! :)

Takin' Five...

Santana Plays Europa

This is a continuation of my Gato Barbieri post. However, the goal of this video is to show how a song can have a different sound when given a different emphasis (and instrument).



Obviously, Santana puts his own unique spin to a classic latin and smooth jazz favorite. Listen to how the structure of Europa remains the same; yet is different between Barbieri and Santana. Both are beautiful. Both are full of passion. I'm not too crazy about latin or smooth jazz, but this song always helps me to understand and appreciate the unique sound and quality talent that emerges from these two styles of jazz. Europa is always a favorite! Enjoy! :D

"Barbieri the Cat"

Talk about a sound that's both sensual and captivating! Argentine tenor saxophonist and composer, Leandro Barbieri, better known as Gato Barbieri, plays some of the smoothest saxophone you'll ever hear. Born to a family of musicians, Barbieri began playing after hearing Charlie Parker's "Now is the Time." He began his career playing the clarinet and alto saxophone. By the early 1960s, Barbieri was playing tenor saxophone and let the influences of John Coltrane's late recordings, as well as other free jazz saxophonists such as Albert Ayler and Pharoah Sanders, shape his unique sound. It was then a that Barbieri developed that warm, "gritty" tone, which would become Barbieri's trademark.

By the late 1960s, Barbieri was fusing sounds of South American music into his recordings and introduced a whole new world of passionate music. He won a Grammy for his score for Bernardo Bertolucci's film Last Tango in Paris, which led to a record deal with Impulse Records. He's worked with some of music's most recognizable artists such as Carlos Santana, and jazz music giants like Don Cherry and Charlie Haden. Gato Barbieri's smooth, sexy, passionate latin sound has truly made him a jazz icon among the free, latin, and smooth jazz communities.

Here are two of my favorite Gato Barbieri's songs:




She is Michelle - A song Gato Barbieri wrote for his wife Michelle some years after her tragic death. A personal favorite since my name is Michelle :D

Enjoy such an amazing sax!

Takin' Five...

April is Jazz Appreciation Month!!!!!! J.A.M.

To help 88.1FM KKJZ kick off Jazz Appreciation Month, let's take a look at one of jazz's greatest figures, Duke Ellington.

Duke Ellington was best known for leading his orchestra and composing music specifically for the style and skills of the members in his orchestra. "Jeep's Blues" was composed for Johnny Hodges, "Concerto for Cootie" for Cootie Williams, which later became "Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me" with Bob Russell's lyrics, and "The Mooche" for Tricky Sam Nanton and Bubber Miley. Because of Ellington's compositions, many of the orchestra members remained with the orchestra for several decades.

Here is a sample of Ellington's song "The Mooche", again composed to showcase Tricky Sam Nanton on flute and Bubber Miley, jazz trumpeter and cornet player (specializing in using the plunger mute):



"The Mooche" was a great example of how Ellington composed his music to showcase the members of his orchestra. It's no wonder as to why Duke Ellington was hailed as one of the greatest figures in jazz music history.
Here's another cover of "The Mooch" by the Royal Crown Revue. Enjoy! :D

88.1FM KKJZ

If you're looking for a jazz radio station, look no further! Cal State University Long Beach broadcasts one of the best jazz stations in southern California on 88.1 FM KKJZ.

KKJZ has been broadcasting since 1981. It's funded by contributions from listener members and other donors, with about 75% of its funding coming from station memberships. KKJZ offers memberships to their listeners which gives insight on local jazz events, discounts at various local businesses and concerts, chances to win tickets, CDs, exclusive invitations to meet jazz artists, and much more.

KKJZ features a jazz musician and their music in their weekly "Jazz Master of the Week." Here listeners can learn all about the featured musician's music, life, and possible upcoming shows. DJs are quite insightful and have a true passion for jazz and blues music. During the broadcasts, listeners can call in and make pledges that help fund the station. Many promotional offers are available for donations as well.

If you're looking for any upcoming jazz shows, KKJZ has great information on upcoming events and jazz festivals. Traditionally, KKJZ has broadcast at the Long Beach Jazz & Blues Festival, as well as the Playboy Jazz Festival. They also highlight smaller festivities such as the Hollywood & Highland Summer Jazz Concert Series, a great summer event for food, wine, and great music!

Make sure to check out their website for updated shows, artist information, and anything about jazz. April is Jazz Appreciation Month. Make sure to contact the station with your comments and questions about jazz, and your emails could be read on air! Once you discover 88.1 FM, KKJZ, you'll be hooked. It's easily my favorite jazz station. Check out the link below to visit their website.

http://www.jazzandblues.org


30th Annual Playboy Jazz Festival


5th Annual Hollywood & Highland Summer Jazz Concert Series

Enjoy the music!

Takin' Five...