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Steve Tyrell
Performance of the Month
Grammy Award-winning producer and vocalist Steve Tyrell is the definition of a renaissance man. In his nearly five decades in the music business, he has achieved success as a singer, songwriter, producer, music supervisor, and radio host. His breakthrough performances in Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride II helped Tyrell reinvent and re-popularize classic pop standards for a modern-day audience.
As an artist, all nine of his American Standards albums have achieved Top 5 status on Billboard’s Jazz charts. His first album, A New Standard, was among the best-selling jazz albums for more than five years. The Sinatra family, together with Quincy Jones, handpicked Steve to be the featured performer with the orchestra at their season opening concert in which Frank Sinatra was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. Also at the request of the Sinatra family, he reprised that performance at Carnegie Hall.
Tyrell’s work in the studio as a record producer has included collaborations with such diverse and legendary artists as Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Linda Ronstadt, Aaron Neville, Bonnie Raitt, Blood Sweat and Tears, Mary J Blige, Chris Botti, Dave Koz, Dolly Parton, Smokey Robinson, Burt Bacharach, Bette Midler, and Stevie Wonder, among many others.
This uncut, unedited performance was previously recorded on August 25, 2018, at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, CA.
photo credit: Tina Tyrell
Josie James featuring
Marlon Martinez
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Grammy-nominated singer Josie James is equally at home on the concert stage or in the recording studio with a track record that has been praised by many. She sings a wide variety of music influenced by R&B, gospel, pop and jazz. Jazz funk/fusion fans remember Josie James (“talk to me quick!”) as the lead vocalist of the original George Duke Band and sang on most of George’s albums including Duke’s last release Dreamweaver.
Josie’s recording and performance career was launched when she sang the lead vocal on "What’s The Story" from Patrice Rushen’s Before The Dawn. Her next big break came when Stevie Wonder asked her to sing on his classic album Songs In The Key Of Life. The second hit single from that album featured Josie on "Another Star". Stevie invited her again to sing on his Hotter Than July and Secret Life of Plants albums.
As one of the most sought after session vocalists in the business, Josie has been heard on many Top 10 albums and singles throughout her career. James appeared in the hit single "Easy Lover" video with Phil Collins and Philip Bailey, sang with Bailey on his multi-platinum Chinese Wall album, and toured Japan as his featured guest artist.
Josie’s own solo career commenced with her debut album Candles, which was released in the UK and has been considered a jazz/pop vocal classic. Once Josie’s voice came to the attention of the legendary hit songwriter Burt Bacharach, she began performing around the world with Bacharach as his featured vocalist. The Glastonbury Festival found Josie singing her memorable and popular version of the Bacharach/David classic "Anyone Who Had A Heart" performed in front of 200,000 people televised internationally and A Life In Song DVD for the BBC.
Hailing from Los Angeles, Marlon Martinez is a young virtuoso bassist and composer emerging at the center of the resurgent LA and New York jazz scenes. Discovered by Stanley Clarke, he has impressed legends such as George Duke, Burt Bacharach, Ellis Marsalis, Lenny White and Ron Carter. Classically trained and a graduate of the Colburn Conservatory of Music, Marlon has performed with Gustavo Dudamel, Valery Gergiev, the San Diego Symphony and more. He is a powerful performer and personality who captivates his audiences.
Marlon’s blazing big band, the Marlonius Jazz Orchestra (MJO), features some of LA’s finest young artists and soloists, and is a vehicle for his creative energy as a composer. His compositions are dynamic and soulful, with a fresh juxtaposition of tradition and originality – à la Quincy Jones, Charles Mingus, Thad Jones, Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington.
This performance was originally recorded live on August 17, 2019, at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, CA.
Darryl Walker sings Al Jarreau
Performance of the Month
Festival of Arts brought to the stage some of Southern California’s most well-known tribute bands. Talented performers pay homage to music legends as they re-create popular songs. In this performance, Darryl F. Walker performs his tribute to the legendary Al Jarreau at Festival of Arts.
Darryl Walker has been blessed with incredible talents. Since early childhood, when he could belt out “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” with the passion of Otis Redding, Darryl has grown into one of the most exceptional vocal talents in the industry and has graced some of the most notable venues and exclusive private events as well as notable jazz and R & B concerts in the country. In addition to his stunning vocal abilities, Darryl Walker has also become known for an amazing talent on the saxophone.
Specializing in R&B, Pop, Blues, and Jazz, Darryl has lit up countless live shows and recording sessions with leads and backgrounds. His natural talents, dedication to his craft, charisma and personal warmth come across with each and every performance.
This performance was previously recorded on July 17, 2018, at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, CA.
LA Transfer: A Tribute
to Manhattan Transfer
LA Transfer is the West Coast commentary on an East Coast legend. Made up of four high caliber Los Angeles-based vocalists, LA Transfer delivers the tradition of vocalese through Manhattan Transfer classics, as well as Manhattan Transfer-style arrangements of 1970s-2000s pop hits.
Vocalists include Jenny Ing (Margo Rey Band, Brian Johnson, John Oates), Jason Maniscalco (Fame, Radio City, The Buddy Holly Story), Anne Walsh (GRAMMY-nominated international touring artist, faculty at AMDA, OCC), and Jeff Bratz (America's Got Talent, Cabaret, The 39 Steps).
They are backed by an incredible trio including pianist Tom Zink (GRAMMY-nominated pianist/arranger), bassist Lyman Medeiros (Steve Tyrell Band, Michael Buble, faculty at Musicians Institute) and drummer Chris Wabich (GRAMMY-nominated artist, Leonard Cohen, Sting, Mark Murphy).
This performance was originally recorded on August 27, 2017, at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, CA.
The Hot Sardines
Live from MIM
“Take a blustery brass lineup, layer it over a rhythm section led by a stride-piano virtuoso in the Fats Waller vein, and tie the whole thing together with a one-of-the-boys front-woman with a voice from another era, and you have The Hot Sardines."
Proclaimed as “one of the best jazz bands in NY today” by Forbes and “consistently electrifying live” by Popmatters, The Hot Sardines are a one-of-a-kind vibrant group of talent that bridge the gap to another era with their own unique style and sound.
Founded by bandleader Evan “Bibs” Palazzo and lead singer Miz Elizabeth, this powerhouse ensemble takes you back to the glamour and passion of hot jazz in the ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s. The Hot Sardines deliver a fun, energetic and transformative performance that you will not want to miss!
This performance was originally broadcast live on January 17, 2015, from Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ.
NEW! Artist's Studio
featuring Jeremy Siskind
Pianist-composer Siskind is “a genuine visionary” (Indianapolis Star) who “seems to defy all boundaries” (JazzInk) with music “rich in texture and nuance” (Downbeat). A top finisher in several national and international jazz piano competitions, Jeremy Siskind is a two-time laureate of the American Pianists Association and the winner of the Nottingham International Jazz Piano Competition. Since making his professional debut juxtaposing Debussy’s Etudes with jazz standards at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall, Siskind has established himself as one of the nation’s most innovative and virtuosic modern pianists.
Enjoy this intimate musical program in the studio with host and fellow Yamaha artist Tom Zink, as he sits down with jazz pianist Jeremy Siskind. The program includes several magnificent performances from Siskind, interweaved with casual conversation between these two talented artists.
This performance was originally recorded on March 25, 2021, at Ming Dynasty Studio in Long Beach, CA.
Tony DeSare
Live at the Strand
Performance of the Month
Yamaha artist Tony DeSare returned to his hometown of Hudson Falls, NY, for the grand opening of the Strand Theater!
Named a Rising Star Male Vocalist in Downbeat magazine, DeSare has lived up to this distinction by winning critical and popular acclaim for his concert performances throughout North America and abroad. From jazz clubs to Carnegie Hall to Las Vegas headlining with Don Rickles and major symphony orchestras, DeSare has brought his fresh take on old-school class around the globe. DeSare has three top ten Billboard jazz albums under his belt and has been featured on CBS Early Show, NPR, A Prairie Home Companion, and the Today Show and his music has been posted by social media celebrity juggernaut George Takei.
DeSare has also collaborated with YouTube icons Postmodern Jukebox.
With a stellar big band, this accomplished and award-winning composer serves up a variety of standards and pop tunes in this full-length musical event, featuring piano performances by Tony DeSare and Ted Firth.
This performance was originally recorded on October 20, 2019, at The Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls, NY.
Téka
New Bossa
A native of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil, Téka mastered the traditions of Brazilian music at an early age. Along the way, she became equally entranced by American jazz. As her artistry grew, her talented singing and guitar playing fused the sensual rhythms and harmonies of Brazil with the sophistication and improvisation of jazz – a fascinating musical blend she calls New Bossa.
After graduating in Music Education from São Paulo University, Téka studied at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. Téka has performed and recorded with Brazilian legends Hermeto Pascoal, Gilberto Gil, Flora Purim and Airto Moreira as well as Grammy award-winner and Academy Award-nominated pianist/composer Roger Kellaway.
Her first CD, Garden Planet, included original music with an environmental theme. Both Garden Planet and her second release, Watercolours of Brazil, received high praise from critics and audiences. Reviewing those first two albums, The Los Angeles Times wrote, “Like João Gilberto, Téka brings everything into a unified expression, combining her vocal lines and rhythmic guitar accompaniments into a single, elegantly buoyant musical blend.”
Her latest release, So Many Stars, was described by the International Review of Music as “a definitive statement that she has matured into a gifted, world-class musical artist. Téka has a summer evening breeze quality to her voice always. She is as smoooooooooooth as bossa nova can be and that is very smooth indeed.”
This performance was originally recorded live on July 18, 2019, at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, CA.
The Rick Tatum Group
Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach is an annual, summer-long celebration held in beautiful Laguna Beach, CA, with numerous events and activities that encourage the appreciation, study, and performance of the arts. Some of the greatest highlights of the festival are the live musical performances—including this electrifying performance by The Rick Tatum Group.
Rick Tatum has performed coast to coast for more than 20 years. He has recorded with Grammy-winner Michael McDonald, written and recorded for national television shows, and has performed for and with the "Tonight Show Band". Rick is known by his peers and fans for pouring his whole heart into his music, singing with passion and "deep soul". Music lovers highly praise the rich timbre and range of his voice, and audiences of all ages appreciate the many favorite songs that are part of his repertoire.
The Rick Tatum Group, comprised of his All-Star friends, is truly R&B/Motown/Funk Jazz at its finest. Led by vocalist Rick Tatum, this talented band brings the stage to life with performance featuring Tom Zink on piano, Greg Vail on saxophone, Melvin Lee Davis on bass, and Tom Dante on drums.
This performance was originally recorded on August 23, 2015, at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, CA.
Bob Mintzer and
Russell Ferrante
Performance of the Month
Bob Mintzer leads several musical lives that, at times, seem humanly impossible for one person to sustain. He is a 20-year member of the Yellowjackets, leads his own Grammy-winning big band, is the recipient of the Buzz McCoy endowed chair of jazz studies at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, does workshops all over the world, writes books on jazz, writes for orchestra, concert band, and big band, travels with his own quartet, and plays with numerous other bands around the globe. He is equally active in the composing, performing and educational fields.
Bob has written over 200 big band arrangements. His big band music is played over the world and has influenced numerous big band writers. He honed his big band writing and playing skills in the bands of Tito Puente, Buddy Rich, Thad Jones-Mel Lewis. He has also written works for the National Symphony Orchestra, Metropole Orchestra of the Netherlands. WDR Big Band in Cologne, HR Big Band in Frankfurt and was commissioned to write a piece for concert band and tenor sax (“Go”) by a consortium of 50 universities.
As an instrumentalist, Bob has worked with Art Blakey, Jaco Pastorius, Sam Jones, Randy Brecker, Gil Evans, the Yellowjackets, GRP All Star Big Band, Mike Manieri, The New York Philharmonic, to name a few. He has done session work for James Taylor, Steve Winwood, Queen, Donald Fagan, Milton Nascimento, and countless others. Bob has recorded some 30 solo projects and was awarded with four Grammy nominations and a Grammy award for best large jazz ensemble recording in 2001 for Homage to Count Basie on the DMP label.
Bob currently resides in Los Angeles in the former house of composer Arnold Schoenberg (his first LA residence, 1934-1936), teaches at USC, travels 4 months out of the year, and, when at home, writes and practices constantly.
Born in San Jose, California, Russell Ferrante began studying piano at the age of 9 years old. His early musical experiences revolved around the church where his father was the choir master. His interest in jazz and improvisation was kindled in high school and shortly thereafter he began performing with various R&B and jazz groups in the San Francisco Bay Area. This exposure to seemingly every kind of music helped prepare Russell for his professional career which began in 1973. It was then that he met guitarist, Robben Ford and toured the U.S. and Europe as part of legendary blues singer, Jimmy Witherspoon’s band. Russell moved to San Francisco in 1975 where he continued to be active on the vibrant local music scene.
In 1977 Russell moved to Los Angeles in order to continue working with Robben Ford. Within a short time, he was recording and touring with a variety of musicians including Robben, Joe Farrell, Tom Scott, and Joni Mitchell. It was during this period that Russell, Robben and Jimmy Haslip co-founded the jazz group, Yellowjackets. It was also during this time that he began working as a freelance writer, arranger and producer for numerous recordings including those by Bobby McFerrin, Michael Franks, Al Jarreau and many others. Presently, Russell continues his 25-year association with Yellowjackets who concertize and conduct clinics worldwide. From their inception in 1980, Yellowjackets have recorded sixteen albums, receiving thirteen Grammy nominations, and winning two awards -- Best R&B Instrumental Performance (1986) and Best Contemporary Jazz Performance (1989). They also wrote and performed music for the motion picture Star Trek IV, The Voyage Home. Russell is currently an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music.
This performance was originally recorded live on July 27, 2019, at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, CA.
Sarah McKenzie Quintet
Monterey Jazz Festival
In this performance from the 2014 Monterey Jazz Festival, Australian pianist, vocalist, and composer Sarah McKenzie leads the Sarah McKenzie Quintet.
McKenzie first gained attention with her "breezy technical style, songwriting acumen, and pronounced lyrical sense of swing" (apple.com). Soon after, she landed a spot as backing vocalist on Michael Bublé's Call Me Irresponsible tour, as well as an opening slot for Chris Botti's tour in 2011.
Hailed a once-in-a-generation talent, McKenzie has received multiple honors including a full-tuition scholarship to Berklee College of Music in 2012. Her music pedigree also includes mentorships by legends such as Graeme Lyall, Jamie Oehlers, and James Morrison.
This performance was originally broadcast live on September 20, 2014, from The Coffee House Gallery at Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, CA.
Laura Shaffer
The Noir Nightingale Quartet
Cabaret Jazz at the Smith Center brings the soul of jazz, elegance of cabaret and talent from the multitude of performers that cross the stage into one sophisticated nightclub. This rebroadcast performance from Cabaret Jazz features sultry jazz vocalist and one-of-a-kind performer Laura Shaffer, The Noir Nightingale.
Singer/recording artist Laura Shaffer was born and raised in Las Vegas, and started performing professionally when she was still a teenager. Spending years honing her talents working on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip and being mentored by veteran singers, musicians, and choreographers, she continues to perform in all of its major hotels such as The Palazzo, Mandalay Bay, The Wynn. She has opened for such icons as Tony Bennett, Bob Newhart, Wayne Newton, and Donny and Marie, and was chosen as the single performer to represent Las Vegas in the Emmy-winning CNN show, Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown “Las Vegas” episode.
Having gathered an international, multi-generational fan base with her glamorous vintage look and her swinging and sultry take on the great jazz and swing standards, she also performs special engagements across the country, including gala events, celebrity launches, and charity benefits. From showrooms to ballrooms to nightclubs, from small combo to big band, the “Noir Nightingale” enthralls with the glamour of Golden Era Hollywood, the glitz of mid-century Las Vegas, and an engaging vocal style.
This performance was originally recorded and broadcast live from Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center in Las Vegas, NV, on November 25, 2014.
Subject to change without notice
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= On Demand Weekend
