www.stephaniebettman.com

To the high-class culture hounds of OC, the Soka Performing Arts center is typically synonymous with suit-wearing symphonies, renowned jazz giants and cultural dance troupes. But duo Stephanie Bettman and Luke Halpin don't fall under any of those categories. In fact, their folk/Americana sound and spirit already make them an anomaly of the venue's concert schedule when they hit the stage on on April 11. But trust us when we tell you that their show will allow even the stuffiest classical buffs to walk away accepting the fiddle and mandolin as instruments of fine art.

Known by their fans as simply Bettman and Halpin, the two had a  vision to utilize their long list of musical talents to create a solid, historical sound throughout the years. On paper, Battman and Halpin are the quintessential opposites: Stephanie is classically trained in opera, violin and voice, and studied at the Oberlin Conservatory. She's also a former aerialist. Luke is self-taught - at the age of 8, his dad handed him a mandolin and a Mel Bay book and said "learn how to play, you're in my band." Despite their differences, once they met they became inseparable.

More »

I'm just a really big fan of jazz.

When it comes to cracking the jokes, Alonzo Bodden has it covered. He kills on his weekly podcast called, "Who's Paying Attention?," he travels all around bringing the laughs everywhere he lands, he's done cameos on plenty of late night TV shows, and even won Last Comic Standing and later went on to judge the show. Don't get it twisted though, Alonzo isn't a one trick pony. Yeah he's a funny guy but here's a fun fact that you might not know. Alonzo is also wayyy into jazz music. So much so that he hosts a show on SmoothJazz.com and sets sail on jazz cruises entertaining on the high seas.

Before Alonzo goes on another jazztastic adventure, we got the chance to pin him down to get a list of his Top Five Jazz Songs to Turn up While Driving Down the 405. And by the way, he's hitting up the Irvine Improv this Thursday through Sunday (December 20th-23rd) so if you like to laugh (and who doesn't?), do yourself a solid and pick up tickets before he cruises away. Sorry, we couldn't help ourselves.

See Also:
*The Top Five Post-Break-Up Rap Debuts
*Top Five Sexiest Major Harris Songs
*Top Five Songs That Should Have Never Been Remade, According to Comedian Craig Shoemaker

More »

nancysanchez.com

​Hi Nancy,

My name is Ryan Ritchie and I'm pretty sure I'm in love with you. Let me explain.

A few days ago, I was browsing this here blog when I came across Gabriel San Roman's post about how you created a Kickstarter page in hopes of coming up with $15,000 for your full-length debut. One thing I am is honest, so I ain't gonna lie: That picture of you atop that blog was enough to get me to keep reading. Seriously, you are one good looking woman, the kind who makes lame dudes such as myself continue to read blogs they might not have otherwise read.

More »

​Here's the thing about the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra's POPS! concerts: You might not think you'd want to go, but you'd be wrong. Take me for example.

When I was a wee lad, I thought the music world began at the Germs and ended at Jawbreaker. I guess you could say I've expanded my horizons since then because I've been attending the LBSO's POPS! and classics concerts for about two seasons now and I might say they are my favorite shows to see. 

Now before you get all freaked out about going to a show where a sweaty dude in flannel's crotch isn't pressed into your backside, perhaps you should know that POPS! concerts aren't traditional classical music shows. This season's opener, for example, is on Saturday at the Long Beach Arena and features singer Tony DeSare doing a bunch of tunes from the Great American Songbook. That means songs written by the likes of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and George Gershwin--you'll probably hear "My Funny Valentine," "Just One of Those Things" and even Prince's "Kiss," along with some DeSare originals in the vein of the classic material he performs.



More »

​Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and Joe Lovano
Hugh Masekela
June 22, 2011
Hollywood Bowl

If you don't believe that music is a universal language, do yourself a favor and check out Hugh Masekela. The 72-year-old South African played for approximately 45 minutes last night and during his set, the singer sang maybe 20 words in English. Did that stop the crowd from enjoying his emotive voice and suggestive hip thrusts? Of course not.
More »

​Hollywood Bowl Opening Night with Harry Connick, Jr., and Gloria Estefan
June 17, 2011
Hollywood Bowl

The Hollywood Bowl opened its 90th season Friday night with its Hall of Fame concert featuring the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Youth Orchestra LA, Cirque du Soilel performers and sets by HOF inductees Harry Connick, Jr., and Gloria Estefan. That might sound like a lot of entertainment for one night, but the Bowl operates in such a smooth manner that the evening moved quickly without feeling rushed.

More »

​Grammy-nominated smooth jazz saxophonist Boney James was hit by a drunk driver last Saturday after driving home from his performance at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach Jazz Festival, his publicist reported.
James was stopped in traffic on the 405 freeway when a drunk driver rear-ended him at 70 miles per hour, "causing a gash in his chin that resulted in 14 stitches, a fractured jaw and two broken teeth."
More »

​Rick Berry's a lot of things. Some of these things include jazz trumpeter (currently in the Hollywood Canteen Swing Band), political candidate (he ran for Long Beach city council) and gardener (he's got a killer backyard garden). But to the rest of the world, he's got a new title that is pretty darn spiffy--marketing manager for the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra.

If you're like me, you're wondering why a jazzman is getting in bed with classical music. I just had to ask.

1. Tell the people a little bit about yourself.

I was born in Washington, DC, but my family moved to Long Beach in 1962 when I was just a baby. I've been in Long Beach my whole life, living in Alamitos Heights, the Peninsula, Belmont Shore and now downtown. I have an Electrical Engineering degree from CSULB, an MBA from Pepperdine, and a certificate in Nonprofit Arts Management from CSULB. Most of my career has been marketing electronic components for local manufacturers.

More »

Hey! Did you see me at the Orange County Performing Arts Center Friday night? If you were there, you couldn't miss me. I was the young guy.

OK, all jokes aside, I really was at OCPAC Friday night for the Blue Note 70th Anniversary tour. It was the early show and my friend Rick and I got there about five minutes before the band hit the stage. Where I come from - and by that I mean a punk/indie background - a 7:30 p.m. start usually means 8:20. Well, when you're dealing with music catered more towards adults, ie jazz, 7:30 means 7:35. I'll remember this next time. Not saying I'll abide by that rule, but I'll remember it.



More »

Freddie Hubbard died today at Sherman Oaks Hospital. He was 70.

I've always been a freak for the jazz trumpeter and still remember the first time I caught him live, in the early '80s at, of all places, Carnation Gardens at Disneyland--about as far as one can get from a smoke-filled gin joint. Back in those days, the Anaheim theme park drew some pretty righteous performers for jazz and blues festivals that had acts sprinkled all over the Magic Kingdom. I also recall seeing Leon Russell there only a few years after men with hair that long were not allowed through the gates.

Blocking an unrelenting sun with shades that had slid to the end of his nose, Freddie blew his horn with gusto alongside a tight group of sidemen for three or four shows that day, and I was there each time, watching this legend from mere yards away, with no more than 50 or 100 people around the makeshift stage.

Besides seeing him live at the Big D and at one of those jazz festivals in Long Beach that was either at Long Beach State, next to the Queen Mary or in the ocean-front park where they hold everything these days, I built up a collection of Hubbard vinyls that are still collecting dust in my garage. Most are solo albums, some shared efforts with another late, great jazzman, tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine.

It's time to break out the record player--and some gin.