Results for "Sacramento"

Carson Grimes

Vince Guaraldi’s Christmas Sauce: Adding Spice to Charlie Brown Vanilla

by Arthur R George
November 18, 2021

It's not simply that pianist Vince Guaraldi slipped jazz past the unsuspecting in composing A Charlie Brown Christmas, the evergreen “Peanuts" animation and soundtrack that has become inescapably part of the holiday. First broadcast in 1965, going on to six decades ago, A Charlie Brown Christmas is a tradition unto itself. It returns to television through ...

Sacramento-Based Drummer Alex Jenkins Releases 'Tri-Cycle' with Levi Saelua and Alex Reiff

September 10, 2021

Tri-Cycle is Alex Jenkins’ second trio album and features two of Sacramento’s most talented Jazz musicians; Levi Saelue on tenor saxophone/clarinet and Alex Reiff on the upright bass. The new album features seven original songs and two reworks; Led Zeppelin’s “No Quartet” and Dewey Redman’s “Joie De Vivre”. The opening track, “Scarlet Lullaby”, is an original ...

Take Five with Alex Jenkins

by AAJ Staff
September 1, 2021

Meet Alex Jenkins Alex Jenkins has always been a student of the world, especially its music. Well versed in music styles eastern and western, traditional and contemporary, Alex's sound transcends both traditions and boundaries. His expression of rhythm is most heavily influenced by his study of the tabla, a North Indian classical percussion instrument. This has ...

Guitarist/Composer Henry Robinett Releases 20-Year-Old Recording For The First Time, 'Jazz Standards, Vol. 2: Then Again'

January 13, 2021

Guitarist, composer, bandleader, and recording engineer Henry Robinett is releasing Jazz Standards, Vol. 2: Then Again on Nefertiti Records, Robinett’s own label. The album is the follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2020 release Jazz Standards, Volume 1: Then. John Sanders of Jazz Music Archives said, “Henry’s playing is often in a rapid abstract blues bop style, ...

Ronald G Jones

Born: September 11, 1940

A native of Delaware, Ron began playing drums at age 11 and by age 14 was playing professionally with local bands. At 21 he enlisted in the US Air Force, and in 1972 was sent to Anchorage, AK with the Alaskan Air Command Band. He continued to play in Air Force show bands for nearly nine years, and on several occasions was named Top Instrumental Soloist in the USAF’s annual Tops in Blue talent show. Ron retired from the Air Force in 1988, and continued to play in all kinds of bands, from country to Big Band to jazz combos, often backing up top name entertainers. Since his move to Sacramento, CA in the early 1980s, his drums have been heard in many top West Coast jazz bands

Rafa Selase

Born: January 1

Rafa Selase is an American soul and jazz pianist, musician, artist and songwriter most notably known for his work as a spoken-word performer and jazz pianist. His initial release, Meditation Music By Rafa Selase, reached #8 on the Billboard New Age Relaxation charts. He then followed that with a series of singles, and the "Red Blooded American" Album, which released on 9/11/2017. Rafa Selase has two terms for himself: one being "jazz activist" and the other being "student." He is a true artist that defies categorization as he fuses jazz, blues, folk, soul, hip hop and even elements of rock, as in songs like Mama You Never Told Me Pt

Jim Jordan

Tim Metz

There are few drummers as well respected as Tim Metz. An academically trained musician with a true feel for the subtle nuances in rhythm that add texture and musicality to jazz standards and new compositions alike, Metz continues to be an in-demand session and live player. Metz’s professional resume is impressive. His first drum lessons began when he was seven years old and by age 11 he was playing in the traditional jazz band The New Traditionalists. Graduating from Rio Americano, Metz went on to the prestigious William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey, where he graduated with a B.A

Christopher Long

Born: April 22

Chris Long is a vocalist, trombonist, band leader, and producer specializing in the American Songbook. Chris says, "I'm all about creating compelling performances of great songs so the audience enjoys a refreshing musical experience." Favorite songwriters include Gershwin, Porter, Arlen, and Berlin. Favorite vocalists include Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Dean Martin, and Perry Como. Trombone influences include Jack Teagarden, Tommy Dorsey, Dick Nash, and Urbie Green.