Articles by Kim Vinson

Times Square Ball Drop? Who Needs It? Cookin' at the Jazz Bakery on New Year's Eve.

by Kim Vinson
January 25, 2009

Kenny Burrell, James Moody, Benny Green, Clayton Cameron, Trevor Ware New Year's Eve Jazz CelebrationThe Jazz BakeryLos Angeles, California December 31, 2008

Kenny Burrell, James Moody, Benny Green, Clayton Cameron, and Trevor Ware sparked a jazz-infused fireworks display bringing in 2009. Thousands may have watched with festive flair in temperatures of 4 degrees while the famous ball descended in Times Square, New York, but in Los Angeles on a foggy and cold New ...

David Arnay and Nedra Wheeler at Parkway Grill, Pasadena

by Kim Vinson
September 13, 2008

David Arnay and Nedra WheelerFriday Night Jazz at Parkway GrillThe Parkway GrillPasadena, California August 15, 2008

Imagine this... An Olympic Marathon of the blues mixed with straight ahead jazz relays, all seasoned with a dash of ballads, swing, and contemporary compositions from the '60's and '70's and a standard turned into a tantalizing tango. This was the soulful session that occurred Friday night, August 15th, at the Parkway Grill in Pasadena. The packed lounge and ...

Scott Burns Quartet at Andy's Jazz Club, Chicago, June 25

by Kim Vinson
July 26, 2008

Scott Burns QuartetAndy'sChicago, IllinoisJune 25, 2008

It was a muggy summer night, but the streets were bustling with activity. I made my way into Andy's Jazz Club located in downtown Chicago at 11 E. Hubbard St., just west of Michigan Ave. The spacious venue was alive with a contagious energy. The waitress asked where I wanted to sit. I scanned the room, noticing seats near the stage area, and told her right up front. Her ...

A Jazz Explosion at the Musician's Union, Local 47, Los Angeles, CA

by Kim Vinson
May 23, 2008

Bruce Babad Quartet / Ramon Banda Quintet / Billy Valentine Quartet / Azar Lawrence QuartetLocal 47, Musicians' UnionLos Angeles, CAMay 4, 2008

The dues were paid, and honor and homage were made to the true art form in L.A. on this day.

The event was “A Jazz Explosion," hosted by the California Jazz Foundation on May 4, 2008 at the digs of Local 47, Musicians' Union in Los Angeles. It was an occasion ...

Justo Almario Quartet: L. A. County Museum of Art Jazz Series, May 2, 2008

by Kim Vinson
May 18, 2008

Justo Almario Quartet Friday Night Jazz Series, Los Angeles County Museum of Art Los Angeles, California May 2, 2008

The weather was just right as a crowd of jazz enthusiasts gathered to experience the glorious and tireless musicianship of woodwind virtuoso Justo Almario and his ensemble May 2 at the Friday Night Jazz Series hosted by Los Angeles County Museum of Art. It was jazz served up with sizzling sound-check appetizers, marvelous main ...

David Arnay: At the Parkway Grill, Pasadena, California, April 18th, 2008

by Kim Vinson
May 5, 2008

Mellow Out and Maybe Shout on a Friday Night A bumper to bumper car ride on a congested Los Angeles freeway ended in a welcoming atmosphere of musical satisfaction at Parkway Grill in Pasadena on Friday, April 18th, 2008. The dinner crowd waited patiently for seating in a designated area, adjacent to a cozy lounge softly beckoning patrons. All the anticipating guests, ready for a meal, a drink, a moment to reflect and perhaps enjoy a serenade of jazz and ...

Jazz at the "A" Frame, L.A. - Sunday Inspiration with the Nick Mancini Quartet

by Kim Vinson
March 2, 2008

Nick Mancini Quartet Jazz at the “A" Frame Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California January 20, 2008

Close your eyes, open your soul, and listen as your heart is lifted into another galaxy beyond your greatest jazz dreams. No, you're not in New York City, a metropolis known for jazz and for its jazz ministry through St. Peter's, the “Citicorps Church."

On the opposite coast the atmosphere was no less brilliant and spellbinding as ...