Video/Audio Clips Ventura County Jazz Musicians
Ventura County jazz musicians who are Grammy winners or nominees:
Ira Nepus on trombone playing ”When Lights Are Low” with Steve Moore on guitar from the album Another Time, Another Place - click here
Ira is a member of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and is a multi-Grammy winner. He has performed with Benny Carter, Woody Herman, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Aretha Franklin, Lionel Hampton, Elton John, Leon Russell, Elvis Costello, B.B. King, Diana Krall, Gladys Knight, John Pizzarelli, Dr. John, Natalie Cole, Milt Jackson, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Anthony Wilson, Gerald Wilson, Michael Buble, Hiroshima and many others.
Chuck Findley on trumpet playing "Birks Works" with Eric Marienthal on alto sax, Dave Grusin on piano, John Patitucci on bass and Dave Weckl on drums from All Blues, an album by the GRP All-Star Big Band that won the Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance in 1996 - click here
Chuck was a member of Jimmy Dorsey Big Band, Buddy Rich Band, Tonight Show Band, can be heard on over 350 albums, is a Grammy winner and performed with Miles Davis, Stanley Turrentine, Sarah Vaughan, Sonny Rollins, Freddy Hubbard, Al Jarreau, Lee Ritenour, Jaco Pastorius, George Benson, Peggy Lee, Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole, Dionne Warwick, Diane Schuur, Manhattan Transfer, Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra, Jimmy Smith, B. B. King, Steely Dan, Nancy Sinatra, , Quincy Jones, Jackson Browne, George Harrison, Elton John, Carole King, Rickie Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell, Jose Feliciano, The Rolling Stones, Tom Waits, Randy Newman, Tina Turner and many others.
Johnny Mandel conducting his song "Not Really The Blues" with the DIVA Jazz Orchestra - click here
Johnny Mandel (November 23, 1925 – June 29, 2020) has won 5 Grammy awards and been nominated 17 times. The musicians he worked with include Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Anita O'Day, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Diane Schuur, Shirley Horn, Jimmy Dorsey, Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, Tony Bennett, Hoagy Carmichael, Mel Torme, Diana Krall, Manhattan Transfer, Quincy Jones and many others.
Bob Florence on piano playing "Invitation" and "On Green Dolphin Street" live at Los Angeles Jazz Institute in 2006 - click here
Bob Florence (May 20, 1932 – May 15, 2008) was a pianist, composer, arranger, and big band leader who called Thousand Oaks home for many years. Bob had a Grammy win in 1999 for BEST LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE for his album Serendipity 18 and had an additional 18 Grammy nominations. He released 21 albums as the band leader and worked as an arranger/conductor with Count Basie, Louie Bellson, Harry James, Sergio Mendes, Joe Pass, Bud Shank, Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton, Si Zentner, Lena Horn, Anita O’Day, Chet Baker, Quincy Jones, Jack Sheldon and many others
Roger Kellaway on piano playing “Here's That Rainy Day” from his album Ain't Misbehavin' - click here
Roger has recorded with Ben Webster, Clark Terry, Sonny Stitt, Zoot Sims, Bud Shank, Lalo Schifrin, Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, Kenny Burrell and many others. He is a Grammy winner.
Justo Almario on tenor sax playing “Be Bop Drive” with Kevin Ricard on congas, Donald Vega on piano, Rene Camacho on bass and Lorca Hart on drums, from Justo’s Love Thy Neighbor album - click here
Justo is a multi Grammy winner. He has recorded 12 albums as a bandleader and recorded/performed with Mongo Santamaria, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Ayers, Tito Puente, Machito, Kenny Burrell, Dave Grusin, Alex Acuna, Abraham Laboriel, Harold Land Jr. Charles Mingus, Herb Alpert, Bobby Shew, John Heard, Billy Higgins, Walton, Terrence Blanchard, Joe Lovano, Andrae Crouch, Cachao, Patrice Rushen, George Duke, Jose Rizo’s Jazz on the Latin Side All-Stars and many others.
Murray Adler on violin playing “Lush Life” with singer Natalie Cole from the album Unforgettable... with Love that won the 1991 Grammy for Album of the Year - click here
Murray is a concertmaster, conductor, orchestral contractor and violinist who has recorded with John Coltrane, Ronnie Laws, Alice Coltrane, Sergio Mendes, George Duke, Stanley Clark, Frank Sinatra, Charlie Haden, Lalo Schifrin, Lee Ritenour, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Carl Saunders and many others.
Tom Scott on sax playing “Rock Island Rocket” with the L.A. Express - Larry Nash on keys, Robben Ford on guitar, Max Bennett on bass and John Guerin on drums, from the album Tom Cat. - click here
Tom Scott has 3 Grammy wins and 13 nominations and has played on over 500 albums, 850 tv recordings and 100 film scores. He has recorded with Thelonious Monk, Gerry Mulligan, Oliver Nelson, Don Ellis, Joe Pass, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Byrd, Freddie Hubbard, Roger Kellaway, Peggy Lee, Henry Mancini, Lalo Schifrin, Victor Feldman, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Nestico, Alphone Mouzon, Lee Ritenour, Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham, Airto Moreira, Quincy Jones, David Sanborn, Diane Schuur, Manhattan Transfer, Al Jarreau, Dave Grusin, Spyra Gyra, Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker, Otis Spann, Billy Preston, Blues Brothers, Steely Dan, Joni Mitchelle, Carole King, Tom Waits, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Wings, Barbara Streisand and many others.
Bonnie Bowden singing Victor Herbert's "Indian Summer”, a big band arrangement by Sammy Nestico, from her album Bonnie Bowden Sings the Great American Songbook, was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Female Pop Vocal category. click here
Bonnie has toured the world as a member of Sergio Mendes and Brasil 77 and Brasil 88. Her recording of Victor Herbert's "Indian Summer" arranged by the legendary Sammy Nestico was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Female Pop Vocal category. She has performed with Antonio Carlos Jobim, Stevie Wonder, Hubert Laws, Dori Caymmi, Dave Grusin, Steve Allen, The Mills Brothers, Steve Lawrence, Eydie Gormé, Robert Klein, Pete Barbutti, Sergio Mendes and her husband guitarist David Amaro.
Tom Peterson on sax playing "Along Comes Betty" with Ira Nepus on trombone, Jonathan Dane on trumpet, Rich Eames on keys, Jeff D'Angelo on bass and Dick Weller on drums - click here
Tom was a member of Doc Severinsen’s Tonight Show Orchestra for 18 years and performed/recorded with Dizzy Gillespie, The Glenn Miller Band, Ed Shaughnessy, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Wynton Marsalis, Chris Walden Big Band, Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Big Band, Snooky Young, Ellis Marsalis, John La Barbera, Don Menza, The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Elton John, Leon Russell, B.B. King, Kenny Loggins, Blood Sweat & Tears, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney/Wings and many others. Tom was nominated for a Grammy in 2016 with BEST LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE ALBUM John Beasley’s MONK'estra, Vol. 1
Brian Bromberg on bass playing “If I Should Lose You” with Freddie Hubbard on trumpet , Mike Garson on piano and David Bromberg on drums from It's About Time, The Acoustic Project. - click here
Brian is a multiple Grammy winner and released 20 of his own albums. Brian has produced at least a dozen top 10 hits as well as three number 1 songs for several artists. He has performed with Stan Getz, Arturo Sandoval, Bill Evans, Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard, Gerry Mulligan, Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel, Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Elvin Jones, Benny Golson, Clark Terry, Horace Silver, Les McCann, Lionel Hampton, Billy Cobham, Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughn, Roy Hargrove, Stanley Turrentine, Carmen McRae, Joe Farrell, Diane Schuur, Ernie Watts, Joe Sample, Larry Coryell, Lee Konitz, Lee Ritenour, Dianna Krall, Vinnie Colaiuta, Woody Shaw and many others.
Brian Scanlon on sax playing "El Entrometido" with solos by Tom Rainier on piano and Peter Erskine on drums, from Brian's 2020 album Brain Scan - click here
Brian has a Grammy win and two nominations on albums with Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band. Brian was a member of the NBC Orchestra, toured with trumpeter Doc Severinsen and played lead alto with Buddy Rich. He has recorded with Arturo Sandoval, Phil Woods, Rosemary Clooney, Bill Cunliffe, John LaBarbara, Carl Saunders, Dave Slonaker Big Band, The BBB featuring Bernie Dresel, Grant Geissman, Bob Dylan and Randy Newman and performed with Tony Bennett, Dizzy Gillespie, B.B. King, and the L.A. Philharmonic. Saxophone soloist for Natalie Cole and Maureen McGovern. At Pepperdine University, Brian directs the jazz ensemble and teaches saxophone.
Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band in 2019 at Folsom Jazz Festival - click here
Gordon has 4 Grammy wins - Best Instrumental Arrangement: "The Incredits" (2005), "Rhapsody in Blue" (2011), "On Green Dolphin Street" (2013) and Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album: Life in the Bubble (2014) and 22 nominations. He has worked with Louie Bellson, Chick Corea, Lee Ritenour, Dianne Reeves, David Sanborn, Tom Kubis, Arturo Sandoval, Bill Watrous, Grant Geissman, Johnny Mathis and many others.
Greg Bissonette on drums with Buddy Rich Big Band Machine at Buddy Rich Memorial Concert - click here
Gregg has performed with Maynard Ferguson’s Big Band, Lou Rawls, Ray Charles, The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Steve Lukather, Larry Carlton, Gino Vannelli, Brandon Fields, Walt Fowler, David Garfield, John Pattitucci, Luis Conte, Mike Miller and many others. He is a Grammy winner.
Karl Hunter on sax with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy playing at Epcot's "Eat to The Beat" series, November 9th, 2019. - click here
Karl and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy are Grammy nominated with a multi-platinum selling album. He has performed with Arturo Sandoval, Hank Crawford, B.B. King, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Duke Robillard, Ruth Brown, Jonny Lang, Kenny Logins, Robben Ford and many others.
Jonathan Dane on trumpet playing "Secrecy" with Ramses Araya on percussion, Brendan Statom on bass, Daniel Zimmerman on guitar and Luis Muñoz on drums - click here
Jonathan has performed/recorded with Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Cab Calloway, Billy May, Bill Cunliffe, Kim Richmond, Bill Holman, Bill Watrous, Jack Sheldon, Alan Pasque, Scott Whitfield, Aaron Serfaty, Chris Colangelo, Jason Harnell, Stan Kenton Reunion Band, Dean Mora Band and many others. He was a featured soloist on Bill Holman’s Grammy award nominated CD “Homage”. His sixth recording with Luis Munoz titled "The Dead Man" was named "BEST CD OF THE YEAR" in Jazziz Magazine for 2017.
Danny Janklow on alto sax playing "Alaina” with Dick Oates on alto sax, John Beasley on piano, Ben Shepherd - on bass and Dan Schnelle on drums - click here
Danny has shared the stage and/or recorded with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, George Benson, Wynton & Branford Marsalis, Benny Golson, Eric Reed, John Beasley, Wallace Roney, Savion Glover, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Bill Holman Big Band, Gordon Goodwin, Jimmy Heath, Stevie Wonder and many others. Danny was nominated for a Grammy in 2016 with BEST LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE ALBUM John Beasley’s MONK'estra, Vol. 1
Gregg Karukas on keys playing “Night Shift” - click here
Gregg was a founding member of The Rippingtons and since then has been in the company of the top acts in the Smooth Jazz and R&B pop genres, touring with Boney James, Peter White, Rick Braun, Dave Koz, Melissa Manchester, Larry Carlton, Sergio Mendes, Brenda Russell, Jeffrey Osborne and featured with various All-Star groups in recent years. Gregg won the Grammy for producing, composing, arranging, playing all keyboards and engineering Echoes of Love, which won Best New Age Album at the 55th Grammy Awards in February 2013.
Dick Weller on drums, John Tendy on tenor sax and Joe Bagg on organ performing live at The Lighthouse Cafe in Hermosa Beach in November 2013 and featuring songs off of Dick Wellers' album Tunes Remembered - click here
Dick has performed with Alan Pasqua, Bob Sheppard, John Beasley, Alfonso Johnson, Jeff Beal, Ladd McIntosh Big Band, Judy Niemack, Fred Hersch, Scott Colley and Bob Florence. He did two tours of Japan in 2013, one with the Billy Vaughn Orchestra and one with the Percy Faith Orchestra. Dick Weller on drums has a Grammy win in 1999 for BEST LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE Bob Florence’s Serendipity 18
Dan Higgins on alto sax playing “Tin Tin Deo” with Arturo Sandoval on trumpet - click here
Agoura Hills resident Dan Higgins contributed 2 arrangements and played sax and flute on the winning 2013 Grammy for BEST LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE ALBUM for Arturo Sandoval’s Dear Diz (Every Day I Think Of You). Dan has worked with Phil Woods, Louis Bellson, Dave Grusin, Eddie Daniels, Tom Harrell, Gerry Mulligan, Stanley Clarke, Arturo Sandoval and George Duke. As a member of the Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin big band, Dan recorded two albums and toured Europe and Japan. He can be heard on jazz albums with Quincy Jones, Bill Watrous, Rosemary Clooney, Wayne Bergeron, Sammy Nestico, Gordon Goodwin's Phat Band, Diane Schurr and Pat Williams. Dan was a part of the Barbra Streisand New Year's Eve Concerts 1994 and 1999 and the following U.S. tours. Dan's varied talents on all woodwinds make him a sought after session musician in the film, TV and record industry.
Maynard Ferguson on trumpet playing "Cherokee" with Big Bop Nouveau - click here
Maynard Ferguson (May 4, 1928 – August 23, 2006) Maynard settled in Ojai in 1973. He was an internationally renowned big-band leader, one of the world’s great brass players, composer, arranger, dedicated music educator and instrument designer. He was a three-time Grammy nominee. In 1950, 1951, and 1952, Ferguson won the Down Beat Readers' Poll for best trumpeter. In 1992, he was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame. Ferguson was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2003. Maynard recorded over 60 albums as a bandleader.
We continue our audio/video series with Ventura County jazz musicians who have performed or recorded with regional, national and internationally known jazz musicians:
Colin Bailey on drums playing “Mr. CB” with Dick Hindman on piano and Paul Warburton on bass click here
Colin Bailey has worked with Sarah Vaughan, Ben Webster, Benny Goodman, George Shearing, Chet Baker, Coleman Hawkins, Gerry Mulligan, Joe Pass, Clare Fischer, Ray Brown, Joe Williams, Richie Cole, Red Mitchell, Vince Guaraldi, Frank Sinatra and many others.
Glenn Zottola on sax playing “Three Little Words” with Don Abney on piano, Jimmy Raney on guitar, Oscar Pettiford on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums – click here
Glenn Zottola worked with Lionel Hampton, the Benny Goodman Sextet, Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Williams, Gerry Mulligan, Chick Corea, Milt Hinton, Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee, Eddie Higgins and many others.
Dick Nash on trombone playing “That’s A Plenty” with Benny Goodman on clarinet, Tony Terran on trumpet, Teddy Wilson on piano, Eddie Duran on guitar, Al Obidinski on bass and John Markham on drums – click here
Dick Nash has worked with Ella Fitzgerald, Harry James, Count Basie, Oscar Peterson, Louie Bellson, Nat King Cole, Art Pepper, Ray Anthony, Stan Kenton, Les Brown, Don Ellis, Pete Fountain, Jimmy Witherspoon and many others.
Bevan Manson on piano playing “Tree People Park” with Alex Hahn on alto sax, Dan Boissy on tenor sax, Jeff Miley on guitar, Joseph Pernicano on bass and Dave Johnstone on drums - click here
Bevan Manson has worked with Tierney Sutton, Bob Sheppard, George Schuller, John Lockwood, Howard McGhee, Cecil McBee, Matt Wilson, Ron Jones L.A. Big Band, Bob Moses and many others.
Alphonso Johnson on bass playing "Red Barron" with George Duke on keys, John Scofield on guitar and Billy Cobham on drums – click here
Alphonso Johnson has worked with Weather Report, Billy Cobham, Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, Chet Baker, Lee Ritenour, Sarah Vaughan, Eddie Henderson, The Crusaders and many others.
Mitch Holder on guitar playing "Prelude To A Kiss" - click here
Mitch Holder has worked with Woody Herman, Herb Alpert, Ella Fitzgerald, Dave Grusin, Nancy Wilson, Lee Ritenour, Shirley Bassey, Barbra Striesand, Frank Sinatra, Dionne Warwick, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Lalo Schifrin and many others.
George Young on sax playing “Things Ain't What They Used To Be” with Steve Gadd on drums, Eddie Gomez on bass, Warren Bernhard on keys and Ack Van Rooyen on trumpet – click here
George Young has worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Tony Bennett, George Benson, Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette, David Sanchez, Earl Klugh, Dave Holland, Toots Thielemans, Frank Sinatra and many others.
Simon Phillips on drums playing “Desire" with Hiromi Uehara on piano and Anthony Jackson on bass – click here
Simon Phillips has worked with Stanley Clarke, Gil Evans, Randy Brecker, Al DiMeola, Alphonso Johnson and many others.
Jim Fox on guitar playing “Teach Me Tonight” from his album Sunburst - click here
Jim Fox has worked with Woody Herman, Henry Mancini, Percy Faith Orchestra, Frank Sinatra, Jr., David Benoit, Rosemary Clooney, The Flying Pisanos, Bob Bain, Chuck Berghofer, Bob Sheppard, Ray Pizzi, Bill Watrus, Herb Ellis and many others.
Ruben Estrada on vibes playing " Get Out Of My Way " with Malcolm Ian Peters on bass, Joe Rotondi, Jr. on piano, Raul Rico, Jr. on percussion and Cougar Estrada on drums - click here
Ruben Estrada has worked with Poncho Sanchez, Mongo Santamaria, Justo Almario, Jimmy Branly, Richard Simon, Bob Leatherbarrow, John Heard and many others.
Fausto Cuevas on congas and Raul Pineda on drums perform "Cha Cha Chi Chi" - click here
Fausto Cuevas has worked with Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, Celia Cruz, Tito Nieves, Nestor Torres , Cheo Feliciano, and many others.
Jon Crosse on sax playing “All Night, All Day” with Clare Fischer on piano, Putter Smith on bass and Luis Conte on percussion - click here
Jon Crosse has worked with Art Blakey, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Freddie Hubbard and many others. He is the long time musical director for Paul Anka.
Bob Conti on percussion playing “Night and Day” with Federico Ramos on guitar, Alphonso Johnson on bass and Tom walsh on drums - click here
Bob Conti has worked with Diana Ross, Jose Feliciano, Liz Story, The Martini Kings, Benise, and many others.
Lenny Castro on percussion playing “At the Mambo Inn” with George Benson on guitar, Ron Carter on bass, McCoy Tyner on piano and Herlin Riley on drums - click here
Lenny Castro has worked with Wayne Shorter, Al Jarreau, Joe Sample, Lee Ritenour, Stanley Clarke, The Manhattan Transfer, Billy Childs, Yony Dumas, Bob Sheppard and many others.
Bob Bain on guitar playing “Unforgettable” with singer Nat “King Cole” and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra from the album Unforgettable in 1951 – click here
Bob Bain(1924 –2018) worked with Ella Fitzgerald, Buddy Rich, Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra, Tommy Dorsey and many others. He was The Tonight Show guitarist from 1972 to 1992.
Ventura County jazz musicians who have performed or recorded with notable jazz musicians:
Ed Smith on percussion, Tony Ybarra on guitar and Santino Tafarella on bass at Santa Barbara Old Spanish Days Fiesta 2020 - click here
Ed Smith has played/composed/engineered on hundreds of albums including Dionne Warwick, Sarah Vaughan, Steve Tyrell, Pete Escovedo, Burt Bacharach, Ralph Carmichael, Buddy Bregman, Ennio Morricone, Rick Braun, Keiko Matsui, Gerald Albright, and many others as a bandleader. He has extensive credits on tv and film projects.
Eddie Arkin on guitar playing “Autumn Leaves” with Mitch Holder on guitar – click here
Eddie Arkin has produced, arranged, composed and/or played guitar/keys on albums with Stanley Clark, Lee Ritenour, Nancy Wilson, Diane Schuur, Bruce Lofgren Jazz Orchestra, Sam Riney, Patti Austin, Nnenna Freelon, David Benoit and many others.
Terry Bozzio on drums with Randy Brecker on trumpet live in Japan 2017 – click here
Terry Bozzio has performed with Herbie Hancock, Eddie Henderson, Woody Shaw. He toured/recorded with Frank Zappa and Missing Persons.
Joe Gray on sax playing "Opus One" with The Late Nite Big Band - click here
Joe Gray is bandleader and manager of Late Nite Big Band and Late Nite Small Big Band. He has performed with Ladd McIntosh, Blue Mitchell, Marshall Royal, Nat Pierce, Phil Gray, Hollywood Horns and many other Los Angeles’ Big Bands for the past 26 years and has done studio work.
Barry Cooper on guitar playing "Round Midnight" audio clip - click here
Barry Cooper has performed with Natalie Cole, Buddy Greco, Anita O'Day, Rosemary Clooney, recorded a solo guitar CD and has also recorded with the Dick Carey Tuesday Night Band.
Tim May on solo guitar - click here
Tim May has been a member of Les Brown And His Band Of Renown and recorded with Les McCann, Herb Alpert, Frank Sinatra, Ray Anthony, Stan Getz, George Benson, Peggy Lee, Diana Ross, Ray Charles and many others.
Davey Miller on drums playing "Corcovado" with Tom McMorran on piano and Adrian Rosen on bass - click here
Davey Miller is a drummer, artist and surfer. He has performed with Bradley Young, John Belzaguy, Mitch Forman, Bruce Lett, Doug Webb, Hans Zermulin, Brad Rabuchin, Bevan Manson, Tony Dumas, Mike Miller, Larry Koonse, John Beasley, Joe Bagg, Dennis Hamm, Steve Cotter, Nick Mancini, Kevin Axt, Rich Eames, Mahesh Balasooriya, Rufus Philpot and many others.
Tyler Hammond on drums, Alex Sill on guitar, Danny Connell on bass, Jacob Scesney on sax and Lady Gaga singing "Fly Me To The Moon" at Black Rabbit Rose - click here
Tyler Hammond is a member of the band mPhaka with saxophonist Karl Hunter and has performed with Lewis Porter, Matt Von Roderick, Bevan Manson, Kevin Fox and many others.
Tom Etchart on bass playing "Maputo" with Pentasonic - Joseph Horswell on sax, Gordon Jenewein on keys, Dan Patterson on guitar and Dave Hunt on drums - click here
Tom Etchart has performed with Joe La Barbera, Diane Reeves, Luis Munoz, Brad Rabuchen, Cougar Estrada, Jonathan Dane, Fabulous Hangovers and many others. Tom also directs his own jazz-fusion group Tom Etchart & Friends and the straight ahead jazz group CODA.
Sally Jackels singing "They Say it's Spring" with Roberto Montero on guitar - click here
Sally Jackels was a member of Vocal Flight on their maiden tour through France as they performed in clubs in Paris, Merlette, Aix a Provence and culminating in the Crest Jazz Festival in Southern France. She sang lead soprano in the six part jazz acapella group Vocal Underground.
Danny Young on bass with Toni Jannotta singing "Alone" and Carol Robbins on harp - click here
Granville Danny Young is a bassist, music teacher, songwriter, lyricist and singer. He is the son of NEA Jazz Masters Award winning trumpet player Eugene Edward "Snooky" Young. Danny has recorded with Ray Charles, performed with Lou Rawls, Jean Terrell, Ernie Andrews, Jonathan Butler, Everette Harp, Rick Braun, Bobby Lyle, Lalah Hathaway, Paul Jackson, Jr., played bass in Back to the Future, Fletch Lives, Colombo, Murder She Wrote, The Freddie Prinze Story, The Housewives of Beverly Hills, Ray Donovan and commercials for Disney and Coke.
Sean Riddle on bass playing “Light Blue” with Larry Koonse on guitar – click here
Sean has performed with Larry Koonse, Joe LaBarbera, Vinny Golia, Bennie Maupin, Chris Speed, Miroslav Tadic, Houman Pourmehdi and many others. His band is the Sean Riddle Project with Nick Stahl on sax, Will Kjeer on piano, Sean Riddle on bass and Anthony Ty Johnson on drums.
Dean Thomas on drums playing "Straight, No Chaser" with Winston Raval on piano, Jonathan Bautista on sax and Emerson Cardenas on bass - click here
Rehmannia Dean Thomas has performed with Kamasai Washington, Mahesh Balasooriya, Zane Musa, Austin Peralta, Sabine Pothier and many others.
Leigh Vance singing "The Nearness Of You" with Tom Buckner on tenor sax, Hans Ottsen on guitar, Kevin Bernstein on piano, Tom Etchart on bass and Charles Levin on drums - click here
Leigh Demarche Vance has performed with The Tex Beneke Orchestra, Donald O'Connor, Bob Hope, the Steely Dan cover band Dr. Wu, CODA, Tom Etchart and Friends, Leigh Vance and Friends with Brad Rabuchin on guitar, Brad Vance on bass and Todd Tatum on drums and many others. Her last CD was So In Love.
Michael Preddy on piano playing "Blue Samba" from his new album L.A. Jazz Club - click here
Michael has performed with Minnesota Orchestra, the Portland Symphony, the Houston Symphony Pops, the Dallas Symphony, Seattle and Nashville Symphonies. His television appearances include Saturday Night Live, The Boston Pops, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Michael has an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.
Native Vibe with Bill MacPherson on guitar and Nee Sackey on bass playing "Mirage" with Kevin Flournoy on keys, Tony Moore on drums, Michael Kelleher on percussion and Roger Friend on cajon - click here
Native Vibe is the eclectic fusion of jazz and African music that has recorded 12 albums. Bill Macpherson has performed with Luis Conte, Jimmy Haslip and Patti LaBelle. Nenyi “Nee” Quaison-Sackey has performed with Mindy Abair, Marion Meadows and Brian Hughes.
John C. Webb on sax playing "There Will Never Be Another You" with George Faber on piano and Phil Rumbley on bass - click here
Dr. John C. Webb currently performs with:The Barrelhouse Wailers, Studio C, The Martinez Brothers Band with Ruben Estrada, The Phoenyx Big Band, Main Street Jazz Band and has performed with Mezcal Martini Latin Jazz Band, Lorrel Cooper Quartet, Evie and All That Jazz Sextet, Shades of Soul, Ralph Mathis Trio, Swing Shift Big Band, Top Hat Big Band, Donna Butler Quartet, Bernie Meisinger Quartet, The Fabulous Hangovers, Havana Cinco, Mike Miller, Ric Fierabracci, Tom Scott and many others.
Austin Wrinkle on drums playing "Kucano Oro" with PLOTZ! - Daniel Rosenboom on trumpet, Gavin Templeton on alto sax, Brian Walsh on baritone sax, Jake Vossler on guitar and Orest Balaban on bass - click here
Austin Wrinkle was nominated for “World Percussionist Of The Year” in the 2014 Drum! Magazine Drummies Awards. He is a founding member of the internationally acclaimed percussion group Hands On’Semble.
Nancy Osborne singing “Alright OK” with Joe Gray’s Late Nite Big Band – click here
Nancy Osborne has performed with big bands and orchestras led by Nelson Riddle, Tex Beneke, Ray Anthony, Pat Longo, Johnny Vana, Geo Valle, Harry Selvin, Paul McDonald, Tony Capko and many others.
Domenic Genova on bass playing "Blues De Luxe" with Laurence Jube on guitar and Steve Forman on percussion - click here
Domenic Genova has played with John Pisano, Laurence Juber, Joe LaBarbera, Joe Porcaro, David Benoit, David Garfield, Patti LaBelle, Gerard Hagen, Jeff Richmond, Matt Harris, Mitch Holder, Jim Fox, Tim May, Richard Ruttenberg, Bob Zimmitti, Donna Deussen, Tom Buckner, Koji Ono, David Garfield, Keith Fiddmont, Nick Lane, Bevan Manson, Brad Rabuchen, Steve Marsh and many others.
Tom McMorran on piano playing “All Blues” with Chris Connor on bass and Vinnie Colaiuta on drums – click here
Tom McMorran has worked with Tom Scott, Flora Purim, Russ Freeman, Rayford Griffin, Jimmy Earl, Vinnie Colaiuta, Carl Saunders, Gary Novak, Zane Musa and many others.
Lennie Niehaus on alto sax playing "Stella By Starlight" with Stan Kenton Alumni Band - click here
Lennie Niehaus (June 11, 1929 – May 28 2020) was an alto saxophonist, arranger and composer on the West Coast jazz scene. He played on 14 albums with the Stan Kenton Big Band, recorded 8 albums as a bandleader, won an Emmy award for the tv movie Lush Life and wrote the score for the Clint Eastwood film Bird about Charlie Parker.
Tom Buckner on sax playing “Some Other Blues” with Kevin Bernstein on piano, Hans Ottsen on guitar, Tom Etchart on bass and Charles Levin on drums – click here
Tom Buckner has recorded with Grant Geissman, Gregg Karukus, Nate Birkey and Luis Munoz and performed with Peter Erskin, Theo Saunders, Bruce Forman, John Goux, Kendall Kay and many others.
Michael Fortunato on trumpet playing “Sweet Pea” with Shea Welsh on guitar, Evan Calbi on bass, DJ Bonebrake on vibes and Michael Dubin on drums – click here
Michael Fortunato is a member of Boyd Cannon’s Big Band, The Thousand Oaks Philharmonic and 5-Star Theatricals.
Rachel Flowers on piano playing “Someday My Prince Will Come” with Matt VanBenschoten on bass and Paul Tavenner on drums – click here
Rachel Flowers is a multi-instrumentalist and composer. Rachel's latest albums include "3 x 2" with Michael Sadler and her second solo album "Going Somewhere". Lorenzo DeStefano’s award winning film “Hearing is Believing” is about Rachel.
Diz Mullins on trumpet playing “Lonely Street” with Charlie Barnet and his Orchestra – click here
Ralph "Diz" Mullins has worked with Lanny Morgan, Bob Hathaway, Anita O’ Day, Woody Herman, Sy Zentner, Russ Morgan, Bill Richmond, Barney Kessel, Billy May, Buddy Childers, Bill Holman and many others. He leads the Swing Shift Orchestra.
Graham Dechter on guitar playing "Takin' It There" with Tamir Hendelman on piano, John Clayton on bass and Jeff Hamilton on drums – click here
Graham Dechter is a member of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and a leader of his own groups.
Mario Calire on drums playing “Forest Flower” with Karl Hunter on tenor sax, Jimmy Calire on Hammond B3 organ and Hans Ottsen on guitar – click here
Mario Calire is celebrated for his long affiliations with The Wallflowers and Ozomatli. He has won three Grammy awards and performed/recorded with Rickie Lee Jones, Liz Phair and many others.
Andrew Chermak on trumpet playing "The Lone Wanderer” with Dogfish – Derrick Morales on keys, Torrance Klein on bass and Tyler Hammond on drums - click here
Andrew “Drue” Chermak leads his own bands and is a member of The Barrelhouse Wailers and Dogfish Jazz Collective.
Jeanne Tatum singing "You Can’t Take That Away From Me” with Ricky Woodard on sax, John Proulx on keys, Jeff Faulkner on bass and Andrew Jaimez on drums – click here
Jeanne Tatum has performed at the Oxnard Strawberry Festival for almost 20 years. She has played with Mark Zier, Danny Young, Derol Caraco, Jim Tauber and many others.
Michael Falcone singing "Mack The Knife" with Phoenyx Big Band - click here
The Phoenyx Big Band under the leadership of Burt Gutierrez performs music popularized by Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Count Basie and many others.
Scott Weiss on trumpet playing "Watermelon Man" with Carl Saunders on trumpet, Tom McMorran on piano, Jim Wade on bass and Manon Franklin on drums - click here
Scott Weiss is a member of The Untouchables Jass Band and directs the Ojai Pops Orchestra.
Gabe Katell on baritone sax and flute with Adam Hersh on keys and Charles Beach on bass - click here
Gabe Katell is a member of Jazz Express, Harry Selvin Orchestra, Soul Expressions and has performed with Joe Gray and His Late Nite Big Band, Jazz Society Big Band, The Unforgettables, Sonny Phillips and many others.
The Palace Hot Society Orchestra reflects the jazz band as it was during the twenties. Palace Hot Society Orchestra playing “When You’re Smiling” – click here
Michael Wallace on trombone with Mezcal Martini Latin Jazz Band – click here
Michael Wallace is a member of the bands Mezcal Martini, Renegades and Soul Expressions. He has performed with Swing Shift Big Band, Studio C Band and many others.
Danny DeLurgio singing "Come Fly With Me" - click here
Danny DeLurgio pays a velvety smooth tribute to the great male vocalists from the golden age of swing that includes Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Louis Prima, Harry Connick and others.
Boom Duo's Noah Thomas on trumpet and John Lacques on drums/percussion playing "JG Scores A Snouter" -
Boom Duo combine music from Bourbon Street, Jaipur, experimentalism of Chicago, the energy of 1940s 52nd street NYC and jam sessions in Havana or Port au Prince.
The Ventura Jazz Orchestra playing “In The Mood” – click here
Ventura Jazz Orchestra is a classic, traditional big band featuring 17 musicians recreating and performing your favorite music from the swing era and beyond. The band was founded in 2008 by Dean Adams.
Rick Jarrett singing "Singin' In The Rain" with Paul McDonald Big Band - click here
Rick Jarret is an accomplished vocalist and entertainer who sings Smooth Jazz, R&B, Country, Show Tunes, Rat Pack, Pop, and a genre he likes to call Acoustic Soul. He has performed for Disney, the second generation Platters, and played at the Mark Taper Forum with Grammy and Tony award winners.
Bryan McCann on sax playing “The Look Of Love” with singer Lorraina Marro, Stuart Elster on piano, Jordan Richards on bass, Kurt Szul on guitar and Dave Tull on drums – click here
Bryan McCann has worked with David Foster and performed with Jim Fox, Domenic Genova, Steve Pemberton, Brad Rabuchen, David Patt, Donna Deussen, Donna Greene, Ventura Jazz Orchestra and many others. He is owner of Instrumental Music, an author and Georgetown University Professor of Brazilian History.
Renee Myara singing “Crazy He Calls Me" with Steve Cotter on guitar and Lyman Medeiros on bass – click here
Renee Myara Cibelli has graced the stages of The Roxy, The Whiskey, The Viper Room, The House of Blues and the Key Club. Her bands include The Fabulous Hangovers, Black Market Reverie, RMQ, Sonray, Morphonics, Krave, Akwid and Angel Alanis.
David Patt on guitar playing "Blue Skies" - click here
David Patt plays solo guitar for special events, is a member of a high energy jazz trio The Fabulous Hangovers, musical accompanist for Rick Jarrett - a fine solo smooth jazz singer and the musical partner of Edgar Thatcher a singer/songwriter/guitarist.
Donna Greene singing “What A Little Moonlight Can Do" with The Roadhouse Daddies - Greg Loeb on guitar, John Douglas on piano, Jon Crosse on sax, Zak Kopeikin on bass and Seth Woods on drums – click here
Donna Greene has a vintage flair that immediately recalls the glamour of the 1940’s and draws her audiences in with her sexy roadhouse style.
Jack Wassil on trumpet playing "Sugar Blues" with The Untouchables - click here
The Untouchables Jass Band plays the music that was born in New Orleans, out of Ragtime. Sam Hobel on piano, Jack Wassil on trumpet, Scott Weiss on trumpet, Dan Willard on sax, Jim Wade on tuba, John Egizi on trombone, Ed Siple on banjo, Kurt Nicewander on drums, Ralph Whitney on washboard and singer Lark Cobb.
Equinox Ensemble playing “Perdido” - Rafe Hernandez, trumpet & leader Jack Perr, lead trumpet Larry Jones, trombone Bob Hackett, alto sax & flute Dave Tolegian, tenor sax & flute Ernie Towler, baritone saxophone Kent Rollins, piano Jeff Falkner, bass Dave Renick, drums & Raul Rico, Jr., congas – click here
Equinox Ensemble was formed in September 1999 by Raef Hernandez. They are noted for its unique sound applied to diverse music stylings ranging from classic bebop through mainstream jazz and jazz-rock to Afro-Cuban/Latin jazz.
Bill Bannister on keys playing "Stolen Moments" with Patrick Martin on sax, Pablo Plasencia on bass and Doug Johnson on drums - click here
Bill Bannister has been a band member of Ventura Jazz Collective and performed with Matt Germaine, Tom Etchart, Hans Ottsen, Trey O'Toole and many others.
The Sedalia Ragtime Orchestra plays "Fun On The Levee” - click here
The Sedalia Ragtime Orchestra is devoted to presenting authentic music of the ragtime era including rags, marches, waltzes, show tunes, vaudeville songs, novelties, spirituals, and dance numbers from the era as well. Cary Ginell, flute/piccolo/director Jennifer Bliman, cornet, French horn Sara Marie Calvey, vocals William Carmichael, vocals Cari Celaya, violin Ken Dickey, tuba Sandy Harr, drums/percussion Ed Hirsch, trombone Marissa Margolis, vocals Mary Ann Marx, violin Rena Petrello, vocals Michael Preddy, piano Ron Rothman, clarinet Irene Silbert, violin/vocals Valerie Wong, cello.
Harry Selvin Big Band playing "New York, New York" with singer Nancy Osborne - click here
The Harry Selvin Big Band, complete with wonderful vocalists and 17 of the finest professional musicians perform Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and Frank Sinatra songs that bring back feelings of nostalgia that overwhelm your senses with memories of the best times of your life. Harry Selvin Big Band - Vocalists-Nancy Osborne and Bill A. Jones with Dave Williams - Drums, Tino Cardona - Bass, George Cole - Guitar, Bob Selvin - piano, Saxes-Patrick Ingram, Margaret Joyce, Sam Glenn, Tom Romero, Gabe Katell, Trumpets-Dick Lowe, Mike Rotman, Rob Sack, Jack Perr, Trombones-Bob Goodwin, Clay McCarter, Jim Baldree.
Riverboat Dixie Jazz Band playing "Indiana" with Joan Adler - piano, Ken Dickey - tuba, Jim Flynn - drums, Sam Glenn - clarinet, Ed Hirsch - trombone, Linda Organ - banjo, Ron Ruiz - Leader/banjo, Scott Yawger - trumpet and Janet Daw - vocals - click here
The Riverboat Dixie Jazz Band, formed in 1998, are nine jazz musicians who enjoy playing traditional New Orleans style Dixieland Jazz from the early 1900's through the 1920's, the "Jazz Age". Their show is family oriented, exciting and upbeat for dancing and toe-tapping fun and adds some interesting history of the tunes they play and of the era along with a humorous, entertaining narrative.
Derrick Morales on piano playing "La Mamba" - click here
Derrick Morales performs solo piano, is in a duo with Zachary Sipos, is in a trio with Torrance Klein on bass and Tyler Hammond on drums, is in a quartet with Fahem Erfan on guitar, Torrance Klein on bass and Tyler Hammond on drums and is a member of the quintet Dogfish Jazz Collective with Drue Chermak on trumpet, AJ Asano on trombone, Torrance Klein on bass and Tyler Hammond on drums.
Tyler Hammond on drums, Alex Sill on guitar, Danny Connell on bass, Jacob Scesney on sax and Lady Gaga singing "Fly Me To The Moon" at Black Rabbit Rose - click here
Tyler Hammond is a member of the band mPhaka with saxophonist Karl Hunter and has performed with Lewis Porter, Matt Von Roderick, Bevan Manson, Kevin Fox and many others.
Michael Falcone on piano singing "Music To My Ears" with Danny Young on bass and Landon Young on drums - click here
Michael Falcone is a member of the Phoenyx Big Band, The Ventura Jazz Orchestra, Latin Touch and leads his own bands.
Larry Perpoli playing a drum solo from Bella Donna concert- click here
Larry Perpoli has performed with Native Vibe, Top Hat Big Band, Angel City Big Band, Swing Shift Big Band, Seniors of Note Big Band and many others. He is a music teacher that has had great success with children with special needs, including Autistic, ADHD and physical disabilities.
Ben Buttner on guitar playing "Blue Bossa" with Tom Etchart on bass -click here
Ben Buttner plays solo guitar, is in a duo with Britteny Burchett, leads New Orleans funk jam band Benjammington, performs with Americana bassist Mitch King, Soul Infusion, North of 33, singer Rachel Sedacca, and many others.
Karen Parkhouse singing “Day In, Day Out" with The Barrelhouse Wailers – click here
The Barrelhouse Wailers serve up their own take on Prohibition Era hot jazz and blues music of the 1920’s and 1930’s. Their new CD is "Day In, Day Out Rag" with singer Karen Parkhouse, Diamono Andreo – Drums/Washboard, David Leoncavallo – Bass, Jim Wade – Tuba, Drue Chermak – Trumpet, Stan Middleton – Trombone, John C. Webb - Clarinet/ Sax/ Flute and Todd Temanson - Banjo.
Del Franklin on sax playing "Just For A While" with singer Shea Chambers, George Friedenthal on keys, Mychal Lomas on bass and Donzel Davis on drums - click here
Del Franklin is a longtime member of the R&B-soul-funk- jazz group Raw Silk and was an original founding member of Oxnard’s own R&B group The Mixtures.
Jill Martini on guitar and Miles Lang on guitar playing “Blues For Ike” with Brandon Campbell on guitar, Alec Graham on bass and Lauren Donahue on violin - click here
The Jill Martini Soiree is an acoustic Gypsy Jazz ensemble that embraces dark Gypsy melodies, vintage Parisian swing, American jazz, and fiery Latin rhythms.
Jimmy Calire on Hammond B3 organ playing “Forest Flower” with Karl Hunter on tenor sax, Hans Ottsen on guitar and Mario Calire on drums – click here
Jimmy Calire is a composer, arranger, teacher, pianist, saxophonist, organist, singer, musical director and band leader. He has received The Lifetime Achievement in the Arts from the City of Ojai and was inducted into the Buffalo, NY Music Hall of Fame.
Boyd Cannon Big Band performing "A Warm Breeze" - click here
Jazz musicians who lived in Ventura County but now reside outside the area:
Joanne Brackeen on piano playing “I've Got The World On A String” with Cecil McBee on bass and Al Foster on drums - click here
Joanne Brackeen, now living in the Boston area, was a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (1969-1972) and performed with Joe Henderson (1972-1975), Stan Getz (1975-1977), Charlie Haden, Don Cherry, Billy Higgins, Charles Lloyd, Bobby Hutcherson, Dexter Gordon, Art Farmer, Paul Chambers, Sonny Stitt, Woody Shaw, Lee Konitz, George Benson, Pharoah Sanders, Freddie Hubbard and many others.
Adam Clark on drums with David “Fathead" Newman on sax and John DeFrancesco on keys – click here
Adam Clark, now living in the Phoenix area, has performed with George Benson, Joey DeFrancesco, Wycliffe Gordon, Billy Mitchell, Mike Crotty, Jesse McGuire, Marcus Printup, Andre Hayward, Barry Zweig, Bevan Manson, Bruce Lett, Doug Webb, Tony Dumas, Jimmy Vivino and many others.
Tyler Blanton on vibes playing “My Foolish Heart” with Drew Gress on bass and Johnathan Blake on drums – click here
Tyler Blanton, now living in New York City, recently toured Vienna, Switzerland and Copenhagen to support his new album “Sense of Place”.
Kevin Bernstein on piano playing “Arroyo (Verde)" Martin Nevin on bass and Jason Burger on drums - click here
Kevin Bernstein, now living in New York City, has performed with Doug Webb, Tony Dumas, Roy Hargrove, Donny McCaslin, Bobby Sanabria, Stanley Banks, Ric Fierabracci and many others.
Robben Ford on guitar, Miles Davis on trumpet, George Duke on keys, Felton Crews on bass and Vincent Wilburn, Jr. on drums – click here
Robben Ford, now living in the Nashville area, has performed with Miles Davis, Tom Scott, David Sanborn, Randy Brecker, Roger Kellaway, John Scofield , Larry Carlton, Wallace Roney, Joey DeFrancesca, Vinnie Colaiuta and many others.
Jazz musicians who stayed in Ventura County for a short time:
Charlie Parker on alto sax playing "Relaxin' at Camarillo" with Howard McGhee on trumpet, Wardell Gray on tenor sax, Dodo Marmarosa on piano, Barney Kessel on guitar, George 'Red' Callender on bass and Don Lamond on drums - click here
Charlie Parker (August 29, 1920 – March 12, 1955) stayed at Camarillo State Hospital, in Ventura County, during 1946-1947 for six months while he was detoxifying after a heroin addiction. He was a leading figure in the development of bebop and has a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Phineas Newborn Jr. playing “Stella By Starlight” with Ray Brown on bass and Elvin Jones on drums - click here
Phineas Newborn Jr. (December 14, 1931 – May 26, 1989) stayed at Camarillo State Hospital, in Ventura County, in 1960 for treatment of depression. He performed with Lionel Hampton, Charles Mingus, Oscar Pettiford, Kenny Clarke, Philly Joe Jones, Paul Chambers, Sam Jones, Jimmie Smith, Roy Hanes, Teddy Edwards and many others.
Ventura County's Chuck Cecil(1922-2019) interview about being a radio broadcaster and longtime host of the syndicated program "The Swingin' Years" - click here
Chuck Cecil's "The Swingin' Years" excerpt from 1983 - click here
Cecil 's radio show "The Swingin' Years" of big band music of 1935-1955 started on radio station KFI in Los Angeles in 1952 to 1973. The show continued in the 1970s and 80s on KGIL and KPRZ, KPCC in 1988-2000, KCSN/KJAZZ 2002-2012 and from his home from 2012-2016. Cecil began syndicating the program through American Radio Programs, Incorporated. During its peak, the show aired on hundreds of radio stations across the United States, in 135 countries and on the Armed Forces Radio Network. Cecil produced "The Swingin' Years" from his home in Ventura, California, where he moved from the San Fernando Valley in 2002, utilizing "a massive library of more than 50,000 78-, 45- and 33-rpm records, and his own personal library of interviews with 356 band leaders, singers and sidemen.Awards: National Association of Broadcasters recognizing his outstanding achievements during his lifetime as a broadcaster - Record 56 Years of continuous broadcast of The Swingin Years show with the same Show Host, Chuck Cecil Nominated to the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Living Treasure Award for 2013 Nominated Hollywood Walk of Fame Radio Personality Star for 2013 Nominated to The National Radio Hall of Fame 2012 for 2013 Awards Certificate of Lifetime Achievement from National Association of Broadcasters 2012 Keeper of the Flame- 2005 Music Preservation Award Proclamation City of Los Angeles Jazz Society 2005 Outstanding contribution to the preservation of Jazz Golden Bandstand Award- Big Band Academy of America 2000- Outstanding contribution to the preservation of Big Band music Hollywood Press Club Award- 1980- Outstanding support Proclamation from County of Los Angeles for outstanding contributions to the County and its music culture Certificate of Appreciation from Armed Forces Radio-Armed Forces Radio Award 1991 for outstanding contribution to support of our troops President and member of Pioneer's of Pacific Radio
Ventura County's Gene Lees interviewed at ASMAC luncheon - click here
Lees worked as a newspaper journalist in his native Canada before moving to Ojai, where he was a music critic and lyricist. He was editor of the jazz magazine Down Beat between 1959 and 1962. Lees wrote nearly one hundred liner notes for artists as diverse as Stan Getz, John Coltrane, George Barnes and Quincy Jones. Lees won the first of five ASCAP-Deems Taylor Awards in 1978 for a series of articles published in High Fidelity about US music. Lees' famous monthly Jazzletter was established in 1981, and contains musical criticism by Lees and others. As a biographer, Lees has written about Oscar Peterson, the partnership of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, Woody Herman, and has collaborated with Henry Mancini on Mancini's autobiography Did They Mention the Music? (1989). Lees wrote about racism in jazz music in Cats of Any Color: Jazz Black and White (1994) and on the effect of racism on the careers of Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Milt Jackson and Nat King Cole in You Can't Steal a Gift: Dizzy, Clark, Milt and Nat (2001). A memoir entitled Friends Along the Way: A Journey Through Jazz was published in 2003. His lyrics for Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Corcovado" (released as "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars"), have been recorded by such singers as Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Queen Latifah, and Diana Krall. Lees also wrote the lyrics for Charles Aznavour's, "Paris Is at Her Best in May" and "Venice Blue", and Aznavour's 1965 Broadway concert, The World of Charles Aznavour. Lees contributed lyrics to "Bridges" by Milton Nascimento "Yesterday I Heard the Rain" by Armando Manzanero and Bill Evans' "Waltz for Debby".
Ventura County's Jose Rizo talks about hosting on KJAZZ for 30 years, becoming a bandleader for Mongorama, and a new project the group has been working on - click here and click here
Jose was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, raised in Oxnard, and now lives in L.A. County. Rizo began hosting “Jazz on the Latin Side” on KLON (now KJazz) on January 7, 1990. He was intricately involved in organizing KLON’s “Latin Jazz Club Caravans” and “Cinco de Mayo Latin Jazz Dance Concerts”. Since the early 90’s. Jose has also served as a member of various Grammy committees for Latin & Jazz. He has been involved with the “Central Avenue Jazz Festival.” Rizo recieved a national award from the "Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Awards 2007. The debut "Mongorama" CD recieved a Grammy Nomination featuring master musicians like Hubert Laws, Poncho Sanchez, Justo Almario, and Oscar Hernandez. Rizo's new Jazz radio show "Bop, Straight Ahead" on KJazz 88.1 FM started January 4, 2021.
Ventura County's Raul Rico, Jr. has hosted and produced "Jazz Latino" since October 1994 that originally aired on KCLU-FM in Thousand Oaks and past shows can now be found at - click here
Percussionist Raul Rico, Jr., has been performing professionally for 41 years. He has been a member of "The Estrada Brothers", "The Nava Brothers", "Canela", "Nuestro", "Sabor Latino Big Band", "Tropical Knights", "Somos Son" and "Equinox." In addition to "Rumba Jazz", Raul has also led the group "Rubaya", the 14 piece salsa orchestra "Sonido Libre" and the 10 piece salsa orchestra "Mambo'n." He performs with Cougar Estrada's "The Lounge Trio" and his latest musical project "The Oxnard Salsa Orchestra." He is owner of Rumba Jazz Records and Raul's Liquor in Oxnard.
Ventura County's Cary Ginell's interview about his book Mr. B: The Music and Life of Billy Eckstine - click here
Cary is a music historian, broadcaster, archivist, and Grammy-nominated writer. He produced specials for NPR's "Jazz Profiles" on vibraphonist Terry Gibbs, saxofonist Julian “Cannonball” Adderley and flutist Herbie Mann, has annotated dozens of albums, honored five times by the ARSC with awards for "Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research" for his books. Cary is band director and flute/piccolo player with Sedalia Ragtime Orchestra, an Adjunct Professor at California Lutheran University and Publisher of VC On Stage.