Woody's Palm House in Palm Springs is a great spot to hear live music any day of the week because they have live music 7 days a week. And the quality of the performers is always some of the best the Desert music scene has to offer. The owner of Woody's Palm House, Wayne Woodliff, is a former musician himself and he personally selects every act that performs there. Tonight, I enjoyed the Shelly Yoelin Trio that performs regularly every Wednesday night. Shelly usually invites one of our great Desert singers to be a special guest and tonight the fabulous Michael Dees joined the group. Michael has had a long career of doing studio, movie and TV work in LA until he moved to Palm Springs a couple of years ago. His singing and his original compositions are top draw. He is simply one of the finest singers on the scene today even though we only get a few chances to hear him sing locally. I try never to miss one of his gigs.
Tonight Michael vocally joined the Shelly Yoelin Group consisting of Shelly Yoelin on Tenor and Flute, David Ring on Keys and Andy Fraga Jr. on Drums. These are three of the most talented musicians anywhere and when joined by Michael Dees, it's magic! Michael sang many songs tonight including the evergreen "What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life" the song Michael sang for the movie "The Happy Ending". Michael also sang several beautiful and sensitive songs he wrote the music and the lyrics for, one in particular is the sensational, "In A Moment". It was a great night for quality music!
I recorded Michael singing a swinging version of the classic "All or Nothing At All" at the event. I was recording from my table and caught some of the crowd sounds but I think you will still enjoy Michael Dees and the Shelly Yoelin group. Enjoy!
Greta Mattassa, Andy Fraga Jr., Larry Holloway and Doug McDonald
If you are a fan of Jazz vocals and were not at Pete Carlson's Jazz For Jazz Lovers Series last Friday January 26, you missed a spectacular performance by Jazz Vocalist, Greta Matassa. Greta has been voted best Jazz Vocalist in the Pacific North West four times and has recorded 10 highly successful CDs. Greta's influences include the best American vocalists, including EllaFitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra, and Anita O'Day. You can also hear the influences of Sarah Vaughn, Nancy Wilson, June Christy and Diane Schuur. It's one thing to have all these vocal giants as your musical heroes but then to perform using everything you have learned from these heroes is a talent that only a few musicians can accomplish. It is clear to everyone in the standing- room-audience tonight that Greta Matassa has more than proved she can join this illustrious group of vocalists. Greta's voice can move from sad to joyous, from delicate to strong and her phrasing is fresh and powerful!
Greta also teaches in Jazz camps, festivals, master classes and give clinics and workshops for aspiring singers. Tonight's performance was a clinic for the audience of what Jazz Vocals are all about.
Supporting Greta tonight was a group of three of the top musicians from the Coachella Valley area. Larry Holloway on Bass, Andy Fraga Jr on Drums and Doug McDonald on Guitar. Doug was called in at the last minute because the Guitar player that was scheduled, Bruce Forman came down with the flu. Doug's performance was outstanding especially considering he never performed with Greta before and he never had time to even review her charts. Doug is such a Pro, no one could even detect that Doug was not Greta's regular Guitar player!
I found a "YouTube" of Greta Matassa singing "The Song Is You" that will give you a good sample of Greta's vocal skills. She is joined by musicians Darin Clendenin on Piano, Clipper Anderson on Bass and Steve Dornes on Drums.
Andy Fraga, Jr, Larry Holloway, Trish Hatley and Barney McClure
Andy Fraga, Jr, Larry Holloway, Steve Madaio and Barry McClure
Seattle singer, Trish Hatley returned to Woody's last week and the singing and the music was nothing short of wonderful. Hearing Trish sing for a second time proved to me that she is one of the best female singers performing today. Her voice is strong and clear as a bell and her stage presence is evidence of her vast experience. Tonight she was joined on stage with Barney McClure on Keys. This was the first time I had heard Barney play and he turned out to be just terrific. In talking to Barney between sets, he told me that he is moving to the Desert. Great news for all the Jazz lovers because Barney can really play and will be a valued addition to our stable of great players we all love. Larry Holloway was on Bass and he just continues to provide solid intelligent solos that you just don't hear from many Bass players. Andy Fraga, Jr on Drums provided strong rhythm support for the group.
My good friend and superb Trumpet player, Steve Madaio was in the audience and Trish invited Steve up to play a few songs to the delight of the crowd.
It was a great evening of singing and Jazz and I hope we hear a lot more from Trish next season. In talking to Trish, she told me she is thinking of moving to the Desert. I hope she does as she would fit into our music scene perfectly.
The KM Project Band Dave Withim, Mike O'Neil, Tom Keenlyside, Andy Fraga Jr., Steve Madaio, Bill Saitta, Yarek Urant
Tom Keenlyside & Steve Madaio
Tom Keenlyside, Steve Madaio, Andy Fraga Jr, Bill Saitta
David Withim, Mike O'Neil, Tom Keenlyside
Tom Keenlyside, Steve Madaio, Andy Fraga Jr, Bill Saitta
Yarek Urant
Tom, Steve and Andy
The "Standing Room Only" Crowd at The Gardens on El Paseo
From the very moment we arrived at the beautiful "Gardens On El Paseo" in Palm Desert, we could sense an excitement in the air. Tonight was going to be a very special night! Steve Madaio and Tom Keenlyside were about to perform songs from their KM Project's new CD, "Slices". This CD has not been officially released to the public, but it is causing a buzz throughout the Valley. On this CD, Steve and Tom have carefully selected some of the great songs of the 60's and have recorded each one with their own Jazz interpretation. Those lucky enough to have had a pre-release opportunity to hear this CD have only expressed rave reviews! The concert was scheduled to start at 6:00 PM so we arrived early at 4:50 PM in order to get a good seat. Much to our surprise, about 300 Jazz lovers had the same thought in mind.
The crowd this evening had the kind of excitement and electricity that would rival any major Jazz event I have attended. The night's proceeds, (100%) went for the benefit of "Morning Start Center of VNA California, a center for kids who are grieving the loss of their parents. So the concert was a win-win for children of need and Jazz lovers throughout the Valley.
The program started with Steve's and Tom's interpretation of Bobbie Gentry's classic "Ode To Billy Joe" which got the concert off to a rousing start and brought the audience to their feet with applause. The audience appreciation of the music never stopped as Steve and Tom played several other songs from their "Slices" CD including Herbie Mann's"Memphis Underground" and Steppenwolf's "Born To Be Free". The last song they played from "Slices" was the great song written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards, "Sympathy For The Devil" that brought the house down.
True to their professionalism, Steve and Tom have added some of the very best players in the country as part of the KM Project Band including Bill Saitta on Electric Bass, Mike O' Neil on Guitar, Doug Westfall on piano, AndyFraga Jr. on Drums, and Yarek Urant on Keyboard.
This night started and ended with an audience that was ready for some world class Jazz sounds and they were not disappointed.
If you missed this concert, you will have another chance to hear Steve Madaio & Tom Keenlyside. They will be playing with the Coachella Valley Symphony Orchestra on Tuesday April 16. This very special one time event will be terrific! But a word to the wise, get your tickets early as I expect this show to be sold out. Tickets are $25, $35 and $45 and can be purchased at their website: www.cvsymphony.com or by calling 760-360-2222
If you love Jazz, songs from the greatest American songwriters, great guitar playing and great burgers, there is only one place in the Desert that can fill this bill. You can find it all at Woody's Burgers andBeer in Palm Springs on Wednesday nights. Music lovers have known for a long time that BrianNova is one of the most talented guitar players working today but few have had the opportunity to see Brian at his very best singing and playing in the perfect venue that allows him the freedom to musically do his thing! Brian Nova has played with many of the greats in Jazz and take it from me, he is also one of the greats. When it comes to playing jazz guitar, Brian has the fastest hands in the West. His playing imagination produces solos that are remarkably new, fresh and brilliant. In addition to his wonderful guitar work, Brian is also a great Jazz singer. His singing is original and creative just like his guitar playing. He is another example of the high level of musical talent living and working here in the California Desert. Joining Brian in a very supporting role was Larry Holloway on bass. Larry has been performing in the Desert for only the last couple of years but he has already established himself as one of the great bass players who call the Desert their winter home. His solos are always well constructed and original! Andy Fraga Jr was on drums providing solid support for Brian together with Larry. Andy was terrific as the drummer at the recent "Count Basie Tribute" and he continues to impress his audiences with his solid drumming. Also sitting in to sing a few songs tonight was Desert favorite, Carol Hampton. Carol has a wonderful voice and stage presence that few singers can match, Brian and his group play at Woody's Burgers and Beer every Wednesday night. So put next Wednesday at Woody's on your "To Do" list for great Jazz and great food also.
Carole Hampton, Andy Fraga Jr., Brian Nova and Larry Holloway
