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!
Composer/Vocalist and Keyboard musician Linda Peterson is one of the most popular performers in both the State of Minnesota and the California Desert. Once you meet Linda, you will understand why. She is truly a warm and caring person and when you add her fabulous musical talents, you know why she is so popular! Linda with her warm personality is just one of a large extended family whose members have performed in the Minnesota area for over 50 years. What I particularly like about Linda is that she has the rare ability to select only those songs that have the finest lyrics and melodies. Linda only sings and plays the "Best of the Best" from the Great American Songbook. The music she composes is also beautiful and meets her high standard of performing only the best of lyric and melody. Linda is always busy here in the Desert. She plays at Woody's Palm House in Palm Springs every Thursday night starting at 6:30. She also has a regular gig at Backstreet Bistro every Saturday starting at 12.30pm.
Tonight's performance at Woody's in Palm Springs was very special because Linda was joined by her son and world-class Alto Sax player, Jason Peterson DeLaire. Like his mother, Jason can do it all musically. His primary instrument is Alto Sax but he also plays Piano and is a great Blues singer. Jason was here because he is touring with Michael Bolton with whom he has played with for years. He was scheduled to do a concert program with Michael at Fantasy Springs Casino the following night but here he was enjoying the chance to jam with his talented musical mother on his one night off. Fred Astaire once famously said "Got to dance, Got to dance" and Jason says "Got to play, Got to play". The Peterson family is one special musical gift to the world! Tonight we were treated with several Jazz vocals from Jason. He loves the Blues and he sings like he was born and raised in New Orleans.
As an extra musical bonus tonight, Linda welcomed a couple of outstanding musicians to join her and Jason. The musicians are visiting from Amsterdam and call themselves the Amsterdam Connection. Tim Welvaars is a terrific harmonica player and his partner, Naomi Adriaansz is a wonderful Tenor Sax player. They all joined in for several tunes and it was very entertaining. Jason's Blues voice and phrasing complimented Tim's Harp work and Naomi's Tenor sounds. And of course, Linda's keyboard tied the group together.
I must mention that Woody's Palm House is one of the best places to hear live music in the Valley. The owner, Wayne Woodliff, has done a spectacular job of fully renovating the entire interior and it's beautiful. And unlike most Jazz clubs, the food is also outstanding. Wayne is a strong supporter of live music and has live Jazz and R & B seven nights a week at Woody's.
I have attached a "YouTube" of Linda Peterson and Jason Peterson DeLaire playing "The GirlFrom Ipanema". I also found a "YouTube" of Jason playing keyboard and singing the "Christmas Song". I know Christmas is over but since it has been so cold this winter, I thought it would be ok. I wanted you to experience Jason's vocal and deep rich voice.
Larry Mitchell Drums, Bill Saitta Bass, Kelly Corbin Sax, John Higgins Keys
Bill Saitta & Kelly Corbin
Kelly Corbin & John Higgins
Bill Saitta, Kelly Corbin & John Higgins
We're back in the California desert doing my first music review of the winter. On Saturday, we traveled to Palm Springs to visit Woody's Burgers & Beer, a new restaurant and jazz club located at 317 No Indian Canyon Drive. Woody's opened 8 months ago and has already become established as a great place for great burgers and great live jazz sounds. You will love the food and the reasonable prices. You can sit and enjoy the live music with no cover charge. Sounds just about perfect to me. Woody's has live Jazz six nights a week from Tuesday through Sunday. So now we can add another great place for Jazz to our list. Call 760-230-0188 for reservations and say hello to the owner, Wayne Woodliff who will take good care of you.
"The Funk Junkies" is a group that was put together by Bill Saitta and it produces some great sounds. Bill likes to describe the group as playing "Funky Eclectic Jazz" but it sounds like "Smooth Jazz" to me. The program tonight was carefully put together with a wide range of sounds and rhythms. Some of the tunes I enjoyed the most were Ellington's "Don't Get Around Much Anymore"Stevie Wonder's "All In Love In Fair" and the great Cannonball Adderly classic "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy". If you like the sounds of great tenor sax, you have to catch this group and listen to Kelly Corbin. "The Funk Junkies" will be at Woody's on Saturday January 21st and Saturday January 28th from 7:00 to 11:00.
The group consists of Bill Saitta on Electric Bass, John Higgins on Keyboard, Larry Mitchell on Drums and Kelly Corbin on Tenor Sax.
