Music Man Blog: Kelly Corbin

Showing posts with label Kelly Corbin. Show all posts

Sunday, February 1, 2015

The Star Spotlight Shines On Linda Peterson At Backstreet Bistro

Linda Peterson

A lot of my readers have lunch at Backstreet Bistro on Saturdays to hear Linda Peterson perform in the courtyard. Linda is an extremely talented Keyboard player, Vocalist, Arranger, Composer and all-around good person. That is why she has fiercely loyal fans who turn out no matter where she is performing. Tonight was Linda's night to shine and she wasted no time singing and playing the music she loves. She became so engrossed with her music that she forgot about even taking a second break. Linda just did not want to leave the stage to the total enjoyment of the capacity crowd at Backstreet. Tonight Linda was supported by rock solid Jay Lewis who usually plays in a quartet with Bill Siatta. Tonight Jay was really rocking and showed us a little more of what he could do. Jay is a marvelous drummer and any Jazz buff would welcome him into any group. He never disappoints! Joining Jay was Kelly Corbin who seemingly keeps getting better and better. I have only seen Kelly playing Jazz in a quartet with Bill Siatta. I like to describe his playing as "Sax on steroids". Tonight, Linda was playing some great ballads from the Great American Songbook and Kelly surprised me with his sensitive riffs and solos around Linda's sweet voice. So Kelly Corbin can play ballads, who knew?

At the end of the night's program, Linda invited up Jeannie Norris to sing and she sang with
the ease of a seasoned pro. Then Linda pulled the great Carole Hampton up to sing some blues which brought the audience to its feet. I never get enough of Carole's singing and always enjoy her when she sits in. Linda Peterson will be performing again at Backstreet Bistro on Tuesday, February 3!

Jay Lewis, Kelly Corbin and Linda Peterson

Kelly Corbin and Linda Peterson

Jay Lewis

Jay Lewis and Kelly Corbin

Jeannie Norris

Carole Hampton Singing And Having Fun

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Trish Hatley & Barney McClure Keep the Friday Night Music At Woody's Jumping!

Trish Hatley

Barney McClure

Tim Pleasant, Trish Hatley, Kelly Corbin and Barney McClure

Trish Hatley & Kelly Corbin

Trish Dancing With a Member of the Audience

I traveled to Palm Springs on Friday evening to see Rose Mallett who sings at Woody's on Fridays. When I got there the bad news was that Rose and her keyboard partner, David Ring were out with a cold. The good news was that Trish Hatley and Barney McClure were sitting in for Rose and David. Trish and Barney are two of my favorite musicians, and I always love the opportunity to enjoy their music.

Trish Harley made her first appearance in the Desert last season and received rave reviews from everyone. She is from the Seattle area and is now bringing her wonderful singing voice to the Desert on a regular basis. Aside from having a great voice, Trish has a great stage presence and connects with her audience as soon as she walks on the stage. She is a real pro and as you can see from the photos above, she loves to perform and this love transfers directly to her audience. I also have to report that Trish is one of the best whistlers, that's right I said whistlers. Trish whistled through a couple of songs to the delight of the audience.

Barney McClure is simply a wonderful keyboard player, an amazing arranger and just an all around really nice person. This is the second time I have heard Barney play this week, and my opinion of him could not get any higher! Anytime you can get to hear him, run, don't walk.

The two other members of Rose's quartet that were on hand tonight, Tim Pleasant on Drums and Kelly Corbin on Sax performed wonderfully. This was my first opportunity to hear Tim, and his drumming was flawless. I have heard Kelly play many times but I was taken back tonight by his high level of performance. Kelly has quickly become one of the best Tenor player in the Valley.

So what started out as a disappointment, ended up as a great night of Jazz! Trish and Barney perform at Woody's on Mondays and I highly recommend you see them. I will be making a return visit on a future Friday to see wonderful Rose Mallett. Rose and David get well soon.

For those of you that have not had a chance to hear Trish Hatley sing, I have attached a YouTube video entitled "Trish Hatley's Kiss of Jazz Sampler". She really is a great singer!

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Live Jazz At Woodhaven County Club on Wednesdays

Bill Saitta, Jeff Olsen, Kelly Corbin, Doug MacDonald

Bill Saitta, Kelly Corbin, Doug MacDonald

Bill Saitta and Kelly Corbin

Jeff Olsen

I learned of a new Jazz venue that opened in the Woodhaven Country Club so I went on Wednesday to find out what the scene was like. What I found out was that you can go there and hear 3 hours of great live Jazz and have a meal size appetizer for $9.95! Live Jazz in the form of the Bill Saitta Trio with special guest, Kelly Corbin. This trio plays up a storm of Jazz every Wednesday from 6 to 9 in the Vista Lounge.

This was the first time this season that I had a chance to hear Kelly Corbin, and he was better than I remembered. Kelly is one of the best Tenor Sax players around and plays the keys off his Tenor. Kelly plays a lot with Bill Saitta at other venues, and if you have not heard him play, you are really missing some great Jazz. Doug Macdonald was on Guitar tonight, and it was my first time hearing him play. He was very impressive. Doug plays his solos in a very measured and intelligent way without a lot of extra notes, just a true direct, clear Jazz line. I also thought the construction of his solos were tight and thoughtful and a joy to listen to. His style is very different than most of the other Guitar players here in the Desert.

Bill Saitta continues to not only produce great Jazz on his Bass, but he also is responsible for getting another live Jazz venue open in the Valley. Bill has become the "Jazz Ambassador" of the Coachella Valley. My hat is off to Bill for keeping live music alive and growing for all of us! Also appearing tonight was the always wonderful drummer, Jeff Olsen. It seems Bill takes Jeff where he goes and with good reason. Jeff Olsen is one of the best drummers in California.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

The Music Man's 2012 "Coachella Valley Live Music Hall of Fame"

Dreaming Of LaQuinta
Oil by Robert Nicosia

Well the winter music season is just about over and it's time to publish the 2012 "Coachella Valley Live Music Hall Of Fame." This year has been a wonderful season for live music, and I had the great pleasure to meet and hear the marvelous musicians listed below. I would like to personally thank all of these musicians for the hours of great music they provided me and all the music lovers in the Valley. I know there are other great musicians that I have probably missed and I apologize for any oversights. Please keep the music playing, and I look forward to another great season next winter!

I would like to give special recognition to two new music venues that excelled in their efforts to support live music in the Desert this past season.

The first is "The Indian Wells Resort" that brought Frank Di Salvo to us last year. This year they expanded their music program to 6 nights a week to the delight of all of us. I can't wait for next winter to return to this great hotel for more great food and music! For those readers that live in the Desert year-round, please continue to support The Indian Wells Resort so we can keep the live music playing.

The second is "Woody's Burgers & Beer" in Palm Springs. Woody's opened this past year and has booked live music 6 nights a week to sell out crowds. It used the formula of reasonably-priced good food and great music with no cover charge to become one of the hottest music spots in the Desert. Woody's will continue to have live music through the rest of the year, so anyone staying in the Desert, please continue to support this great live music gem!