CD Review: Mikole Kaar, "Give Em Heaven"

Anyone who has visited the Southern California live Jazz scene has probably run into Composer, Arranger and Reed player, Mikole Kaar.  Mikole Kaar has dedicated his entire life to live performing and even now when he has gigs 5 to 6 times a week, the first time he has a free night, you will find him sitting-in with other Jazz groups.  Playing since he was 9 years old, Mikole has studied Clarinet at Cal State and then became a Flute major at University of San Diego.

Mikole has just published a new CD, "Give Em Heaven" and it has been getting excellent reviews.  There is a mix of 10 songs on the CD, some great Jazz standards and a few written by Mikole for this CD.  The Jazz is hot and cool and so is the sound as Mikole has gathered 3 seasoned musicians to support him on this CD.  His supporting cast is made up of the fabulous guitar player and Desert favorite, Doug MacDonald who never disappoints his large Jazz fan base with his great playing, Paul Kreibich is on Drums and Harvey Newmark is on Bass.  Together they make beautiful music!

This CD has a wonderful groove and I especially like the pairing of up-tempo tunes with a couple of outstanding ballads.  I love the interpretation of the old Jazz standard "Invitation" that still sounds haunting every time I hear it.  One cut that Mikole composed, "A Song For Claire" has been selected to be on this year's "Desert Jam CD".  Profits from this CD go to "Wellness in the Desert Charity".  I also loved cut 4, "Darlicious".  I have to say that the influence of Doug MacDonald's wonderful guitar work on Mikole's playing is clear.  These two seasoned pros have been playing live performances together for a while now and they work perfectly together.  You can buy the CD or any of the tunes on Spotify, YouTube and Google and you can go on site to hear some of the great stuff Mikole has put down.  Mikole plays all over town and currently does gigs at "Oscars" in Palm Springs among other live music spots in the Valley.

I found a "YouTube" of Mikole Kaar playing the flute for the song "Comin' Home" with the Jackson Garrett Band to give you a sample of Mikole's playing style.  Enjoy!

The Players:

Mikole Kaar: Composer, Arrange, Tenor, Flute and Vocals
Doug MacDonald: Guitar
Paul Kreibich: Drums
Harvey Newmark: Bass

Playlist:
1. "Give Em Heaven"
2. "Invitation"
3. "Coming Home Baby"
4. "Darlicious"
5. "A Song For Claire"
6. 'Blues For For Jack"
7, "Dynamic Dynamo"
8. "Black Ballet"
9. "Imagine"
10. "Please Make Up Your Mind"

Mikole Kaar's Jazz Show at AJ's on the Green Is Lots of Fun!

Dan Papaila, Mikole Kaar, Gilbert Hansen and Tim Pleasant

Mikole Kaar

Dan Papaila

Gilbert Hansen & Tim Pleasant

John Farrow, Co-Owner

James Lowell, Our Waiter

Sandy, Our Hostess

I imagine that a great deal of my readers don't know about a neat new place to hear live Jazz on Tuesday nights. The place is "AJ's on the Green"located inside the Date Palm Country Club located at 36200 Date Palm Drive in Cathedral City. I was invited to listen to this group by the great guitar player Dan Papuila who was performing with the Mikole Kaar Jazz group.  AJ's is a perfect spot to hear live Jazz, small and intimate.

Mikole Kaar the leader of the group has been performing all over the Vally in the last few years and has developed a large following.  Mikole is totally dedicated to performing Jazz, and my guess is even if he didn't have a gig, he would be where he could play as a sit-in guest. It's really good to see someone who is so totally dedicated to his trade. Mikole plays his Tenor Sax in his own style and sound which is unlike any other sax player in the Desert.

Mikole asked some sensational players to join his Jazz group.  Tonight, the always entertaining Dan Papuila was on Guitar. Dan is not only an outstanding Guitar player, he also is a renowned teacher.  Dan has his own site that provides Guitar lessons and also provides a service where Guitar students can send in a tape of their performances and Dan will do a critique for them. I learned that Dan trades off every other week with our friend Brian Nova. Gilbert Hansen was on electric Bass Guitar and played in total unison with Tim Pleasant's excellent Drumming. These two pros make a great rhythm team! This group plays real "cool" Jazz that will please even the most purist of Jazz lovers.

The unexpected surprise tonight was in the quality of food and service at AJ's. Art Herrera, co-owner and chef prepares excellent dinners. We had the risotto with scallops and the short ribs. Both were as good as we have ever had! The service provided by our waiter, James and the Hostess Sandy was also excellent. 

Put AJ's on your "Future Visit" list for Tuesday nights! 

Mikole Kaar Sings,Plays Alto Sax, Clarinet and Keyboard at La Brasserie Bistro & Bar in La Quinta

La Brasserie Bistro & Bar

Mikole Kaar

Mikole Karr

                                                                   

Mikole Karr

Friday, February 3, I went to the great new French Bistro & Bar, La Brasserie in La Quinta to have dinner and hear Mikole Karr entertain.  I heard Mikole last year at the Coachella Wine Festival and recently found out that Mikole was playing at La Brasserie on Friday and Saturday.  Last time I heard Mikole he only played sax but tonight outside on the patio area,  Mikole also played wonderful clarinet, keyboard and sang.  Tonight's selection of songs were mostly from the "Great American Songbook" and Mikole played with a softness that matched the songs perfectly. But don't underestimate Mikole's ability as he can play traditional Jazz as well as any performer.  In fact, Mikole plays real Jazz every Tuesday night at the Palm Springs Tavern with a great group of talented Jazz musicians.

La Brasserie has great food and eating outside with the soft sounds from Mikole make for a wonderful romantic evening.  I will be catching Mikole's act at the Palm Springs Tavern in a couple of weeks.  In the meantime, you should get over to La Brasserie and experience eating great food outside while enjoying the smooth sounds of Mikole Kaar.

  

Lots of Food, Wine and Great Jazz at the Coachella Wine Festival at Miramonte Resort & Spa

Sisters Cupcakes

La Brasserie

Vicky's

One of the tasting booths

Tasting Booths

Lola Rossi, Mikole Kaar & Johnny Meza

Mikole Karr & Johnny Meza

On Saturday, April 16, I went over to The Miramonte Resort & Spa to attend the Coachella Wine Festival.  The Wine Festival is a four day wine and food adventure that includes a golf tournament at the Classic Club.  I was looking forward to tasting some great new California wines but was surprised to find that in addition to great wines there was also a large array of tasty food provided by some of the best restaurants in the Valley.  To top it all off, there was a live program of jazz music put together by my good friend, Johnny Meza.  The music started with a trio consisting of Johnny singing and on keyboard, Mikole Kaar on alto and the clear smooth voice of Lola Rossi.  I had just heard Lola sing the night before at the Escena Lounge & Grill and was delighted for the chance to hear more.  This was also the first time I got to hear Mikole Kaar play alto and he was a good addition to the group. I understand that Mikole plays in a jazz group every Tuesday at The Tavern, 3700 Vista Chino@ Gene Autry in Palm Springs. I hope I can get to review his show before I leave the desert.

Julio Cesare

The next musician to arrive was Julio Cesare who brought with him a new and very neat electronic drum.  According to Julio, this new electronic instrument can make hundreds of sounds. As he played with the group, he produced some great rhythms.  I found out later that Julio plays with the "Great" Inka Kings who perform at the La Quinta Resort on Saturdays.

Our next arrival was Denise Motto who played the keyboard and sang.  Denise was a powerhouse of rhythm combined with a soft and smooth voice.  An outstanding musician that I would like to hear more from.  She plays at Dink's Restaurant on Saturdays.

It was a very enjoyable afternoon with great weather, superb wines, delicious food, great sounds from some of my old musical friends combined with some very talented new musical friends.

Denise Motto