CD Review: Shelley Yoelin's Jazz workshop Septet; "Secret Steps"

Tenor Player, Composer, Educator and Arranger, Shelley Yoelin leaves his Jazz community in Chicago every winter and travels to the sunny Coachella Valley for the warm weather but also for the chance to play Jazz with some of the talented musicians in this area.  Shelly is a great musical gift to our area, and he is has no trouble finding willing venues to share his music.  Currently he is playing at AJ's on the Green on Tuesdays and Woody's Palm House on Wednesdays.  In addition, you can usually find him sitting in at all of the Jazz spots in town when he doesn't have a regular gig.  Shelly just retired as Chair of the Fine Arts Department and Director of Bands and Jazz Studies at Triton College.  Shelly just loves to play and joining the Jazz community here in the Valley allows him to do just that!

Shelly has gathered 6 outstanding musicians to join him on his new CD "Secret Steps" which resulted in some wonderful Jazz performances.  There are 9 tunes on the CD and Shelly wrote 3 of them including the title tune "Secret Steps".  Yoelin writes this about the title tune he wrote, "It's a novel conflation of the harmony to Sammy Fain's "Secret Love" and John Coltrane's "Giant Steps".

I have attached a "Youtube" of the group playing "Secret Steps" that I know you will enjoy!  "Giant Steps" is a great CD for any straight-ahead Jazz fan.  You can pick up a copy next time you visit Shelly live at AJ.'s or Woody's . Don't miss the chance to hear Shelly perform  at Woody's Palm House in Palm Springs or AJ's on the Green in Cat City!

By the way, the beautiful 1969 series II Fixed Head Coupe Jaguar E type on the CD's cover was restored by Shelly in the few hours of the day when he was not playing.

The Jackson Garrett Band Warms Up "The River" Shopping Mall

Mike Costley And The Jackson Garrett Band

On Sunday, January 4, 2015, a group of some of the most talented musicians in the West came together at "The River" Mall in Rancho Mirage to perform in support of "Desert Friends of the Developmentally Disabled". This non-profit group provides low-cost dental care to everyone with developmental disabilities, as well as senior citizens and veterans in the Coachella Valley and throughout Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. I find it interesting that these world-class musicians, who, are never paid the full value of their talents are always the first ones to offer their musical talents to help worthy charities all across the USA.  We all owe these musicians our admiration and support for the music they give us and their efforts to make our world a better place to live!

The performers today included a long list of A-list musicians put together by the tireless efforts of Chris Gore, singer, arranger, writer and all-around good guy who spent weeks putting this concert together.  Chris is the leader of the talented "Jackson Garrett Band" that performs at various functions in the Coachella Valley. He not only plays keyboard but sings, arranges and writes new material for the band. The reason why Chris is able to get all these great musicians to perform is because they know he a dedicated, committed individual and will do whatever it takes to get the job done. 

Today's performers included the lovely and golden voiced Beverly Jensen, John Pagels on Guitar, velvet throated singer Ken Steele, Shelley Yoelin on Tenor Sax, Singer and Valley weatherman, Patrick Evans, singer Michael D'Angelo, Chris Gore singing and playing Keyboard, desert-favorite singer Darci Daniels-Murphy and Mark Guerrero singing and playing Guitar. This group performed brilliantly but the closing performer, Mike Costley brought the house down with a world-class performance that electrified the audience. Mike has not been performing over the past year or so and his performance today reminded everyone of his singing and performance greatness. Today Mike Costley owned the stage!  Mike sang, danced and talked to the audience gathered at "The River" with a perfection few performers ever get to experience. It was simply a delight to hear Mike performing again. We all hope that Mike decides to perform again on a regular basis!

The Jackson Garrett Band today consisted of John Leys on Trombone, John Pagels on Guitar, Don Clark on Trumpet, Steve Alaniz on Tenor Sax, David Ring on Keyboard, Jay Lewis on Drums and the great bassist, Jeff Stover on Bass Guitar.

Darci Daniels-Murphy and the Jackson Garrett Band

Beverly Jensen and The Jackson Garrett Band

Ken Steele

Michael D'Angelo

Mike Costley & John Pagels

Shelley Yoelin

Chris Gore

Mark Guerrero

Sharon Sills Stars At Woody's Burgers and Beer Jazz Club in Palm Springs

Sharon Sills

James Nation, Sharon Sills, Shelley Yoelin and David Ring

James Nation, Shelley Yoelin and David Ring

On Friday, April 18,  Sharon Sills made her second appearance at Woody's Burgers and Beer in Palm Springs.  Sharon has her own unique style that fits the Palm Springs scene perfectly.  She has a remarkable voice that is strong and clear and when combined with her wonderful stage presence makes her one of the best entertainers in the Desert.  Sharon sits in from time to time at several entertainment venues in the Valley, but I believe this is the first time she was the featured singer.

Tonight Sharon sang many great songs from the 80's including an outstanding performance on two Melissa Manchester gems, "Come In From the Rain" and "Don't Cry Out Loud".  Sharon loves Rock & Roll and  Rhythm and Blues but also sings ballads beautifully!

Backing up Sharon tonight were three highly talented musicians.  David Ring is the leader of the group and is one of the best pianist in the Desert.  Several singers I spoke to rated David as their favorite piano player.  David also is a great Jazz pianist and loves to experiment with some of the great Jazz charts he covers.  Joining David were Shelley Yoelin on Sax, Flute and Clarinet.  I love Shelley's "take no prisoners" approach to playing Sax but tonight he impressed everyone with playing his Clarinet playing which was a perfect background for several ballads Sharon sang. On Drums was Jame Nation who provided a perfect beat and tempo for the group.

All in all, tonight's show at Woody's had a cabaret feel to it.  I look forward to hearing Sharon again in the near future. 

Gilbert Hanson Plays and Sings Jazz at Backstreet Bistro

Jay Lewis, Shelley Yoelin, Gilbert Hanson & Dan Papalla

Gilbert Hanson

     

Shelley Yoelin

Jay Lewis & Shelley Yoelin

Jazz lovers always make the best and most appreciative audiences.  On Tuesday, April 1,  the great electric Bass Man, Gilbert Hanson sat in for Bill Saitta to lead a group of very talented musicians perform a night of Jazz at The Backstreet Bistro. The weather was windy and cold. Only serious Jazz fans would brave this weather and have dinner on the patio so they could hear the great sounds. This night proved if you play great Jazz, they will come and the patio was full regardless of the weather.

As soon as the band started to play, it seemed to warm the air and everyone immediately enjoyed the music and the musicians.  Gilbert Hanson is one of the few electric Bass players who plays Jazz in the Valley.  He has a unique, cool style, puts down a great groove and walks his electric Bass as well as any Stand Up Bass player. In addition, he sings the Blues as good as anyone I have heard.  Tonight he warmed up the audience singing his version of "Going To Chicago".  

Taking the lead on most of tonight's songs was the talented Tenor Sax player, Shelley Yoelin. When Shelley plays he takes no prisoners, just full speed ahead. He delighted the audience with enthusiastic solos that were well-constructed. On Guitar tonight, was our old friend, Dan Papalla.  Dan is highly respected throughout California and for good reason.  He plays great fresh solos where the listener can clearly hear every note he plays. Any group would be glad to have him.  Jay Lewis one of the absolute best drummers in the Desert played Drums tonight and proved once again why he is so sought after by all the top professionals. He plays with great taste, never overpowers the group and performs original and tight solos.

It was a windy and cold night, but this talented group performed as if we were in the middle of a heat wave.  A great evening of Jazz for all.