Pianist Edward Simon has been with the SFJAZZ Collective for almost ten years. He’s contributed original compositions to their playlist, and speaks excitedly about playing the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim and Miles in the current performance season. Simon (who leads two other ensembles) has more news: a CD that has just been released called... Continue Reading →
Soaring in the Clouds: A Masterful French Horn with Bob Watt
A solo debut that taps on the shoulder of many genres is the latest outstanding contribution by the Assistant Principal French horn player for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Bob Watt. His symphonic career has spanned nearly four decades, and he was the first African-American French horn player in a major US orchestra. “I Play French... Continue Reading →
Setting Life to Music with Jason Miles
He was an exec producer for Grover Washington, Jr., arranged a tribute album of Marvin Gaye, and worked closely with another Miles (the “Kind of Blue” one). Jason Miles’ reach is far and deep, with a daringly diverse catalog that would be impossible for most to achieve. A leader, sideman and project impresario, his attitude... Continue Reading →
The Grooves are Locked
Channeling Chet yet with his own smooth and sexy sound, LA-based guitarist/vocalist Dean Grech wants to bring jazz to people who have shied away from it. After all, the biggest cartoon of all time, Peanuts, was scored by the genius jazz artist Vince Guaraldi. Recently, Dean’s had some of his beloved guitars stolen, but proves... Continue Reading →
Behind the Lens, In Front of the Bebop
The Images and Career of Jazz Photographer Anthony Barboza The young Anthony Barboza couldn’t wait to get out of the Navy so he could start using his camera and record the world around him in what would become an astoundingly unique style. Besides an impressive body of commercial work that he has built through several... Continue Reading →