By Mark Towns
One of the towering figures of Afro-Cuban jazz, pianist, composer and bandleader Chucho Valdés comes to Blue Note Los Angeles for a two-night engagement Monday and Tuesday, September 14–15, with performances at 7:00 and 9:30 p.m. each night.
Valdés has spent more than six decades expanding the possibilities of Cuban music and jazz. A founding member and longtime leader of the groundbreaking Cuban group Irakere, he helped create a distinctive fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms and ritual music with jazz, rock and classical influences that became enormously influential in the development of contemporary Latin Jazz.
His extraordinary career has earned him seven Grammy Awards, six Latin Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy and, most recently, recognition as a 2025 NEA Jazz Master, the highest honor bestowed on jazz artists by the United States government.
At 84, and approaching his 85th birthday in October, Valdés remains an active and adventurous musician. His recent projects include Cuba & Beyond, recorded with his Royal Quartet and nominated for a Grammy, as well as Irakere 50, celebrating the revolutionary ensemble he co-founded more than half a century ago.
The Blue Note engagement provides a rare opportunity to experience one of the great living masters of Cuban music in the intimate setting of the club’s new Los Angeles home.
Chucho Valdés
Blue Note Los Angeles
6372 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles
Monday & Tuesday, September 14–15
7:00 & 9:30 p.m.
NEA Jazz Masters Take Center Stage in Los Angeles
By Mark Towns
Los Angeles gets a particularly impressive gathering of jazz royalty Tuesday night, September 15, when the 2026 NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert comes to Walt Disney Concert Hall.
This year’s class has some serious Ritmo Caliente credentials. Brazilian percussion legend Airto Moreira, whose groundbreaking work stretches from Miles Davis and Weather Report to Return to Forever and his own Brazilian jazz recordings, is joined by Los Angeles pianist, composer and groove master Patrice Rushen, acclaimed vocalist and composer Carmen Lundy, and veteran jazz broadcaster Rhonda Hamilton, recipient of the A.B. Spellman Award for Jazz Advocacy.
The NEA Jazz Masters designation is considered the nation’s highest honor in jazz, and the annual tribute is less an awards ceremony than a concert celebrating the music and careers of the honorees. Lundy and Hamilton will be on hand in Los Angeles; Moreira and Rushen are unable to attend, but both will be represented by special musical performances. 2026 NEA Jazz Masters Event.pdf
And there’s plenty of firepower lined up for those performances. The cast includes drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, saxophonist Justo Almario, bassist Ben Williams, drummer Terreon Gully, guitarist Andrew Renfroe, bassist Dezron Douglas, pianist Julius Rodriguez, Diana Purim and a substantial supporting ensemble.
The concert begins at 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 15, at Walt Disney Concert Hall, and admission is free, with advance reservations available for up to two tickets per person. Remaining seats will be distributed through a same-night giveaway line. The entire program will also be streamed live online.
For Southern California jazz fans, this one is hard to beat: four distinctly different careers, one major honor, and a stage full of musicians assembled to celebrate them.
By Mark Towns
Few guitarists have spent five decades crossing musical borders as convincingly as Al DiMeola, who brings his current Guitarchitect Tour to Newport Beach’s historic Lido Theater on Friday, September 18.
For listeners who primarily associate DiMeola with the electrifying jazz-fusion of his early career, this particular tour offers another side of the guitarist. The current Guitarchitect presentation features an acoustic trio with Barcelona guitarist Isaac Romagosa and Spanish percussionist Sergio Martínez, creating an intimate setting for the rhythmic detail, intricate interplay and Mediterranean influences that have become such an important part of Di Meola’s musical language.
And intimate is particularly appropriate at the Lido Theater. With DiMeola scheduled to move on to the considerably larger Alex Theatre in Glendale the following night, the Newport Beach engagement offers Southern California listeners a relatively rare opportunity to experience one of the world’s great guitarists in a smaller room, where the subtleties of an acoustic performance can be heard and felt at close range.
DiMeola burst onto the international scene in the 1970s as a member of Chick Corea’s groundbreaking Return to Forever, where his extraordinary speed, precision and rhythmic command immediately established him as one of the major guitar voices of the fusion era. His subsequent solo recordings, including Land of the Midnight Sun, Elegant Gypsy and Casino, expanded that vocabulary, bringing together jazz, rock, Latin rhythms, flamenco and other international influences.
His acoustic playing became equally influential. The landmark Friday Night in San Francisco, recorded with Paco de Lucía and John McLaughlin, introduced an enormous audience to the possibilities of virtuoso acoustic guitar and remains one of the defining guitar recordings of its era.
But Guitarchitect isn’t simply a greatest-hits retrospective. Di Meola has reached into different periods of his catalog, including compositions rarely or never previously performed live. Material from albums including The Infinite Desire, Consequence of Chaos, Opus and Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody has found its way into the program alongside music from his recent album Twentyfour.
The concert also expands beyond a conventional set of songs. Billed as “Music, Multimedia & Tales,” Guitarchitect incorporates visual elements and DiMeola’s own stories, creating a journey through a career that has continually moved between musical cultures and resisted easy categorization.
Recent performances have drawn from that remarkably broad musical world, ranging from DiMeola originals and Astor Piazzolla to interpretations of Lennon-McCartney, with longtime audience favorites such as “Mediterranean Sundance” remaining part of the conversation.
After more than 50 years of recording and touring, DiMeola still approaches the guitar as an instrument without borders. At the Lido, audiences will have the unusual advantage of experiencing that musical world from just a few feet away.
Al DiMeola: The Guitarchitect Tour
Friday, September 18, 8 p.m.
Lido Theater
3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach
Leimert Park Jazz Festival-Chilling with Cool Sounds on a Hot Summer Day
By Ricky Richardson
Contributing Writer
Los Angeles, CA- The region has been experiencing a tropical heatwave for the last couple of weeks. You can feel the heat the moment you step outside.
That didn’t stop a diverse, multicultural crowd of thousands of jazz aficionados, art patrons, and gourmands from gathering on the upper deck of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
The occasion was the 7th Annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival, the highly anticipated and hottest jazz festival in the month of August. It should be noted that the Leimert Park Jazz Festival is the real deal for authentic jazz and Afro-Cuban music.
Rhonda Hamilton and José Rizo (KJAZZ, 88.1FM) returned as co-hosts for this iteration of the jazz festival on this sizzling Saturday for the final days of the summer. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Councilwoman Heather Hutt were in attendance for the festival. DJ’s Francesca Harding and Novena Carmel entertained the crowd in between live jazz sets.
The future of jazz is in good hands. The Fernando Pullum Community Jazz Band was fantastic while in the opening slot. These talented musicians sound like seasoned professionals on the tracks “Jazz Crimes,” “Boogielastic,” “Red Clay,” and their arrangement of “Thriller” and “You Rock My World.”
Kenneth Brown II is another young lion making a lot of noise in the local and international jazz community. His exciting performance was part of the Emerging Artist set. Trumpeter Kenneth Brown II and his tight band played a set of original compositions. The selections consisted of “Hoopin’ (title track of his latest CD) and continued with “Chukes,” “Alan’s Ambition,” and “The Collective,” to name a few. Kenneth was accompanied by Isaac Green-bass, Zaire King-guitar, Derrick Butler-keyboards/piano, Joshua Christian Childress-sax, and Dante Newcombe Knealy on drums.
Melena dedicated her set to the late great Chano Pozo. Chano Pozo, Cuban jazz percussionist, composer, singer, and dancer, is credited with the founding of Latin Jazz. It’s feeling Hot! Hot! Hot! Melena cranked up the temperature with a fiery set of Afro-Cuban music. The infectious rhythms were a delight for the salsa dancers. The crowd and I were in for an electrifying performance rooted in rhythm, heritage, and the enduring influence of the African diaspora. They opened their set with a nice intro followed by “Congo Yambumba,” “Manteca,” “A Chano Una Rumba Son,” and “Ave Maria Morena.” Melena segued from playing shekere, congas, and Bata drums.
Bobby West, legendary piano player, was next to perform. He opened his awesome set with “Ku’umba’s Rumba.” Their brilliant set continued with “Getting By,” by Kenny Garret. The genius and wizardry of Bobby West was on full display during his performance of “Royal Garden Blues,” a classic track from back in the day. “Big Mondays” was another track performed during their set.
A pause for the cause consisted of acknowledgement and showcasing the artistry and creativity of the Visual Arts Competition Winners. The winners were announced on stage by the Leimert Park Jazz Festival Jurors, Pamela Bright-Moon, Karla Funderburk, and Miela Foster, last year’s art competition winner. 1st Place Winner-Chidi Ukwuoma for the poster entitled “Night and Day.” This poster was featured as the official commemorative poster for the 2026 Leimert Park Jazz Festival. 2nd Place Winner-Debbie Pinker for her poster entitled “Moonlight Village. Third place was awarded to Karien Zachery for her poster entitled “Leimert Park June.
The 2nd Annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival and Holman United Methodist Church scholarship were presented to Joaquin Garde in the Instrumentalist category and Yasmeena Atia Sharif in the vocalist category. The winners were awarded a $2,250 scholarship.
Children had fun playing instruments in the music tent with Cesar Gandara and Darnell Jones.
Headliner José James’s set honored one of the most brilliant composer, improviser and musician, saxophonist John Coltrane. José had the crowd’s undivided attention throughout his mesmerizing performance of “Lush Life,” “They Say It’s Wonderful,” and a captivating arrangement of the classic “Equinox” by John Coltrane. José’s incredible band featured Julius Rodriguez-piano, Ebban Dorsey-sensational saxophonist, Ben Williams- bass, and Jonathan Pinson on drums.
The festival concluded with a solemn remembrance of the life and legacy of trombonist Ryan Porter. The Leimert Park Jazz Festival honored his family during a Presentation in Memory of Ryan Porter. A plaque was presented to the family in attendance: Yeveet Wilson (sister), Andrea Wilson (sister-in-law), and Robyn Wilkes (cousin).
Original compositions and arrangements composed by Ryan Porter were performed by the West Coast Get Down. This powerful tribute featuring select members of the West Coast Get Down, directed by Tony Austin, honored Ryan Porter through music, brotherhood and creative spirit that defined his life and legacy. Members of the West Coast Get Down are Tony Austin-drums, Cameron Graves-piano, Aaron Shaw-sax, Carlitos Del Puerto- bass, and Lemar Guillary-trombone. Ryan Porter’s enduring legacy as an artist, whose generosity, creativity, and artistry will inspire generations to come.
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By Ricky Richardson
Contributing Writer
Long Beach, CA- The City of Long Beach and Office of Ninth District Councilmember Dr. Joni Ricks-Oddie presented the 15th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival. The celebration was held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 2- 7 PM at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave., Long Beach, 90805).
“For 15 years, the Uptown Jazz Festival has showcased the very best of Long Beach, bringing together neighbors, families and visitors through the universal language of music,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a public statement. “As we celebrate this milestone year, we’re excited to welcome an outstanding lineup of artists for an afternoon that reflects the culture, creativity and community spirit that makes our city so special.”
A large crowd of music aficionados, foodies and concertgoers arrived early to secure a prime spot for this year’s milestone iteration of the festival.
Houghton Park lawn served as the perfect canvas for the colorful array of blankets, beach towels, and lawn chairs. Parasols and umbrellas came in handy due to the tropical heatwave the region is experiencing. Yes, fans served a dual purpose: to aid in cooling oneself and as a prop for the popular track “Boots on the Ground.”
It should have been apparent that the party people, aka grown folks, were in for a festive treat. DJ Mr. Quick (Da Shaun E. Quick) played an eclectic soundtrack in between live performances that kept the energy on the dance floor at a high level.
This popular annual free, family-friendly festival featured a tasty selection of food vendors and beverages for purchase. Vendors sold a variety of clothing, jewelry, hats, and accessories. Local community organizations and a couple of Departments from the LBC provided information and other resources. The little ones were engaged and entertained in the dedicated kids’ zone.
The City went all out to present a stellar lineup for the 15th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival. The festival got underway with a set by La Verdad. The tropical heat accelerated up a notch throughout their fiery set. The ensemble is led by Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Gabriel “Gabrielito” Gonzalez. Salseros quickly utilize the dance floor at the sound of the first note. La Verdad set the tone for the day with their captivating set of salsa, boogaloo, cha-cha, and Latin funk, to the delight of the dancers. Their set featured the tracks “Ahi Nama,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” a Willie Bobo Medley, “I Don’t Know,” “Fried Neckbones and Some Home Fries,” and “Guajira.” They concluded their set with “You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No)” a Salsa/Latin jazz arrangement by the Boogaloo Assassins. The original version is by Dawn Penn, a classic reggae and dancehall staple. Check out both versions on YouTube.
Ain’t no party like a Biscuits and Gravy Live party! I’ve lost track of the number of times they have performed at the Uptown Jazz Festival. Their return engagement is a testament to their patented crowd-pleasing performances. The party people, aka grown folks, were groovin’ and moving throughout their energetic set of classic old school funk, R&B, and soul. Their opening and closing tracks could serve as an Anthem for this year’s Uptown Jazz Festival. They opened their set with “Funky Good Time” by James Brown and concluded their set with “Funky Good Stuff” by Kool and the Gang. They continued to entertain the crowd with “We Want the Funk” by George Clinton and “Dream Maker” by Rick James, “Wildflower” by Doug Edwards and Dave Richardson, followed by “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan.
Who would have guessed that attendees would experience a Sig Alert! in Houghton Park. This Sig Alert was of a musical nature. Rush Hour Orquesta is a high-octane Los Angeles Salsa band founded by Raul Membrano and Jonathan Patterson. The party people returned to the Caribbean for another dance-inducing performance of classic Salsa Dura with a modern edge. The stage was percolating with explosive percussion, vibrant brass, and infectious grooves. Needless to say, there was No Parking on the Dance Floor. I’m looking forward to seeing this tight band at other summer concert series that feature salsa and Latin jazz.
Pandemonium coupled with a crowd frenzy atmosphere was the order of the day during the headlining set by Morris Day & The Time. This popular band from back in the day kept the party people, aka grown folks, on their feet and the dance floor with a classic medley of their biggest hits (not in this particular order). “Cool,” ‘Girl,” “Get It Up,” “777-9311,” “Jungle Love,” “Wild and Loose,” “Gigolos Get Lonely Too,” “Fishnet,” and “What Time Is It?” to name a few. The 15th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival concluded on a good note.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, the 15th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival is one for the history and record books. It’s my educated observation that this year’s festival might have broken an attendance record, or it came very close to the attendance for past iterations of the festival. You can view photos and videos on Instagram to see what a great time was had by all!!!
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By Mark Towns
Herb Alpert helped define an era when instrumental music was a major force on popular radio.
Throughout the 1960s, instrumental recordings regularly climbed the pop charts, and few artists enjoyed more commercial success than Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. At a time when rock bands and vocal groups dominated the airwaves, Alpert proved that a trumpet and a memorable melody could capture the imagination of millions of listeners.
On Sunday, July 5, Alpert returns to the Hollywood Bowl for the first time since 1968, bringing his Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass & Other Delights 60th Anniversary Tour back to one of Southern California’s most celebrated venues.
For younger listeners, it may come as a surprise that instrumental music once occupied such a prominent place on commercial radio. Along with artists such as Booker T. & the M.G.‘s, The Ventures and others, Herb Alpert helped demonstrate that a great melody didn’t need lyrics to become a hit. Few instrumental artists, however, matched the consistency of the Tijuana Brass.
One measure of Alpert’s success can still be found in record stores today. Spend an afternoon browsing through used vinyl and chances are you’ll run across a Herb Alpert album. Usually more than one. That’s not a reflection of changing tastes. It’s a reminder of just how many records he sold. With more than 70 million albums sold worldwide, Herb Alpert became one of the most successful instrumental artists in popular music history.
One of the signature recordings of that period was “A Taste of Honey.” Beatles fans may remember the song from Please Please Me, where Paul McCartney handled the vocal. Herb Alpert approached the same composition from an entirely different direction, transforming it into one of the defining instrumental recordings of the decade and earning four Grammy Awards in the process.
Although Alpert’s music was embraced by pop audiences, jazz listeners could always hear something more. His phrasing was economical and melodic, while the arrangements drew comfortably from Latin rhythms, mariachi traditions, big band writing and West Coast studio craftsmanship. The result was music that appealed to casual listeners without sacrificing musicianship.
That broad appeal eventually carried beyond the bandstand. Together with Jerry Moss, Alpert co-founded A&M Records, helping build one of the most influential independent labels in recording history. The label’s roster eventually included artists as diverse as Sergio Mendes & Brasil ‘66, Carpenters, Joe Cocker, Cat Stevens, Quincy Jones and many others, extending Alpert’s influence far beyond his own recordings.
The current anniversary tour celebrates the 60th anniversary of Whipped Cream & Other Delights, an album whose famous cover has become almost as recognizable as the music itself. Audiences can expect the familiar favorites including “The Lonely Bull,” “Spanish Flea,” “Tijuana Taxi,” “A Taste of Honey,” “Rise” and “This Guy’s in Love With You,” while a multimedia presentation traces the remarkable path of Alpert’s career through archival photographs, vintage film footage and stories behind the music.
Jazz fans should also appreciate the musicians joining Alpert onstage. Keyboardist Bill Cantos, bassist Hussain Jiffry, drummer Ray Brinker, guitarist Kerry Marx, trumpeter Kris Bergh and trombonist Ryan Dragon make up a versatile ensemble capable of moving effortlessly between pop, Latin grooves and jazz.
Herb Alpert has hinted that the Hollywood Bowl audience can expect a few surprises unique to this homecoming performance. That seems appropriate. Nearly six decades have passed since his last appearance at the Bowl, but his return celebrates more than longevity. It celebrates a career that demonstrated just how far instrumental music could travel when memorable melodies, tasteful arrangements and outstanding musicianship came together.
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass perform Sunday, July 5, at the Hollywood Bowl. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Complimentary pre-concert wine and beer tastings begin at 4:30 p.m. in the Plaza Marketplace.
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By Mark Towns
Trumpeter Theo Croker brings his “100 Years of Miles” project to Blue Note Los Angeles on May 26 for an evening celebrating the enduring influence and creative spirit of Miles Davis through the lens of one of today’s most imaginative younger Jazz artists.
A Grammy-nominated trumpeter and composer, Croker has built a reputation for blending Jazz improvisation with soul, groove-driven rhythms, atmospheric production, and contemporary influences while remaining deeply connected to the tradition. The grandson of legendary trumpeter Doc Cheatham, Croker carries a strong musical lineage but has developed a distinctly modern voice of his own.
Part of Croker’s musical evolution came during a seven-year stay in Shanghai, where he performed extensively throughout Asia and developed the broader musical perspective that helped shape his adventurous approach. Since returning to the U.S., his recordings and live performances have moved comfortably between acoustic Jazz, electronic textures, hip-hop influences, and expansive improvisation, reflecting the same spirit of openness and reinvention that made Miles Davis such a transformative figure.
Blue Note promises “bold reinterpretations, deep cuts, and that fearless energy Miles set in motion,” suggesting the performance will go beyond a standard tribute concert and instead explore the restless creativity and forward momentum that defined Davis throughout his career.
For Los Angeles Jazz audiences, this should be a chance to hear one of today’s most compelling trumpet voices revisit the Miles Davis legacy with both reverence and originality.
Theo Croker brings his “100 Years of Miles” project to Blue Note Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 26, with performances at 7:00 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets and additional information are available through the Blue Note Los Angeles website. Theo Croker: 100 Years of Miles — A Living Tribute | Blue Note Los Angeles
A Night Worth Regretting
By Carl Anthony
There are evenings that exist at the perfect intersection of culture, community, and generosity, where the music is transcendent, the cause is worthy, and the room itself seems to hum with significance. Last Saturday was one of those evenings. The California Jazz Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Gala, Give the Band a Hand, unfolded at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel, and if you weren’t there, you missed something genuinely special.
It began before dinner even started. Lining the second-floor lobby, a gallery of photographs by renowned jazzographer Bob Barry stopped guests in their tracks with intimate portraits of jazz legends, the kind of images that make you feel history in the room. Cocktails flowed, hors d’oeuvres made the rounds, and strangers became friends over silent auction bids on rare and new items. The energy was warm, electric, and celebratory.
Then the ballroom doors opened. Nearly 250 guests settled into 25 tables as the program unfolded with the precision of a well-rehearsed set. KCRW’s LeRoy Downs, a master of the craft, commanded the room with charm and ease, the ideal host for an evening of this magnitude. The Just Jazz Student Collective played through dinner with a sophistication that would have surprised anyone who didn’t already know: the next generation of L.A. jazz is in extraordinary hands.
But the evening’s emotional core came in the awards and tribute sets, curated by the peerless music director Clayton Cameron. The first was a revelation: a deep dive into the life of John Dolphin, the visionary who turned Central Avenue into a music destination a full decade before Motown did the same for Detroit. Actor and vocalist Stu James brought Dolphin’s story to vivid life, followed by vocalist Darynn Dean, a talent you’ll be reading about for years to come, who paid tribute to Billie Holiday, a Dolphin’s of Hollywood regular, with arrangements so assured, so fully inhabited, that the ballroom went genuinely quiet. Her sextet, featuring saxophonists Nicole McCabe and Ricky Woodard, pianist Paul Cornish, bassist Trevor Ware and Myles Martin on drums, was the kind of performance that lodges in your memory and refuses to leave.
The evening’s Nica Award was accepted on behalf of the ailing Dave Grusin by the renowned bassist Marcus Miller, who didn’t just accept an award and sit down, he related a few of his memories of the man, then sat in with the band. And then saxophonist Tom Scott, joined by Ernie Watts, the luminous Regina Carter on violin, guitarist Grant Geissman, Edwin Livingston on bass, the incomparable Clayton Cameron on drums and Patrice Rushen at the piano, played through a selection of Grusin’s work as Scott regaled us with stories and tidbits of information that reminded everyone in that room exactly why his music matters.
When the Foundation’s president, Edythe Bronston, showed the 20th Anniversary montage, about the 700 L.A. musicians that have been helped, from rent assistance to healthcare to groceries and gas money, there was a visible shift in the room. Auctioneer Kris Kloss facilitated a bidding war on two live auction items that the crowd vigorously took part in with laughter and applause, and paddles flew up for the Fund In Need so fast that it took two volunteers to track every donation.
As guests streamed out, picking up their auction wins and exchanging promises to see each other soon, the verdict was unanimous: What a night. Next year, don’t miss it twice. And wherever you hear music, give the band a hand!
Carl Anthony is a jazz writer, educator and curator and the executive producer of the “Jazzin’ the Grove” festival in Florida. For more information visit www.notoriousjazz.com .
“The John Dolphin Tribute band featured (l-r) Paul Cornish, piano; Darynn Dean, vocals; Trevor Ware, bass; Nicole McCabe, alto sax; Rickey Woodard, tenor sax and Myles Martin, drums.” (Photo: Bob Barry/Jazzography)
“The Dave Grusin Tribute band featured (l-r) Patrice Rushen, piano; Grant Geissman, guitar; Edwin Livingston, bass; Ernie Watts, tenor sax; Tom Scott, alto sax; Clayton Cameron, drums and Tom Scott, tenor sax.” (Photo: Bob Barry/Jazzography)
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Take 6 returns to Los Angeles for a one-night appearance at Blue Note LA on Thursday, April 30, bringing with them one of the most recognizable and enduring sounds in vocal music. For decades, they’ve occupied a space all their own, rooted in gospel but fully conversant in Jazz, R&B, and Pop.
What makes this group consistently compelling is their ability to bridge audiences. Jazz listeners hear the sophistication. Gospel audiences feel the foundation. Casual listeners just hear something that sounds amazing.
Their live performances move fluidly between styles and moods, from deeply rooted spiritual material to playful takes on familiar songs. There’s a sense of ease in how they present it all, backed by a catalog that spans generations without feeling dated.
Blue Note LA provides an ideal setting for this show. For longtime fans, it’s a chance to hear a group that has remained remarkably consistent while continuing to evolve. For anyone new to Take 6, it’s an opportunity to experience a vocal ensemble that has set the bar for decades.
Show Details:
Thursday, April 30
Blue Note LA
Showtimes typically at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM (check listing for exact times)
Tickets are available directly through Blue Note LA’s website and box office. Advance purchase is strongly recommended, as seating is limited and shows frequently sell out.
By Ricky Richardson, Contributing Writer
(Los Angeles, CA) Afro City Marketplace and Larry Nash teamed up to present Jazz Picnic Indoors! This stellar event was held at Afro City Marketplace, inside the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall, 3650 W. Martin Luther King Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA. 90008
This was an unforgettable afternoon of live jazz in the mall. The event was held on Sunday, August 3, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Afro City Marketplace was the perfect venue to relax, connect with other jazz aficionados, and enjoy listening to jazz and blues in a cozy environment. I forgot to mention that the Afro City Marketplace comes with a view. Afro City Marketplace showcases the creativity and talents of some wonderful artwork, as well as wearable art.
The first concert in the ongoing series was held on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Jazz Picnic on Father’s Day. The lineup for the 60th Anniversary featured Larry Nash & The Jazz Symphonic All-Stars, Ricky Woodard-sax, Kye Palmer-trumpet, Yvette Deveraux-violin, Roy McCurdy-drums, Richard Simon-bass, and Tony Poinsett-percussions.
The 60th Anniversary Party continued with top-notch musicians. The Larry Nash & The Jazz Symphonic All-Stars is a stellar group of musicians who have performed and recorded with a who’s who of artists from all genres of music. They have also toured all over the world. You might be surprised how many EPs or CDs in your private collection that features either Larry Nash-piano, Ricky Woodard-sax/flute, Yvette Devearuex-violin, Clayton Cameron-drums, Jeffrey Littleton-bass, and/or Munyungo Jackson, Jr., on percussion. Let me know if I need to pause so that you can complete this segment of your monthly assignment. They are also leaders in their own right.
The band played two brilliant and swinging sets of straight-ahead jazz and a dash of the blues to the delight of the appreciative crowd.
Larry Nash’s wizardry as a pianist, arranger, and composer was on full display throughout the afternoon. The All-Stars were given ample opportunity to stretch out throughout the program.
The band performed “Smell of Jasmine,” “Mississippi Jump,” “Christo Redemptor,” and “Present Tense” during their first set.
Highlights from their second set featured the selections “Flying Home” and a rollicking arrangement of “Cold Duck Time.”
Afro City Marketplace is an idea, an intimate and cozy atmosphere for some jazz on a Sunday afternoon. The mall was busy with parents and their kids shopping in preparation for returning to K-12 school campuses or institutes of higher education in a couple of weeks.
Afro City Marketplace held a Roaming Fashion Show in between live performances. The Roaming Fashion Show featured a dazzling display of wearable art for sale at Afro City Marketplace. Students of all ages are sure to stand out from the crowd with the nice selection of one-of-a-kind clothing and apparel featured at the Afro City Marketplace.
Afro City Marketplace is a business collective for all Black Designers, entrepreneurs, and brands. Rwanda Ray’s Afro City Marketplace has created a new shopping experience that supports Black owned businesses, while recycling Black dollars back into the community. Roll through to check out the amazing inventory.
Stay connected with Afro City Marketplace on Social media to learn about the next Jazz Picnic as well as other events happening monthly. www.afrocitymarketplace.com The concert series Jazz Picnic Indoors is creating a pleasant buzz in the jazz community and beyond.
Gyedu Blay Ambolley Brings His Landmark Album Simigwa to the Lodge Room
By Mark Towns
For Los Angeles music lovers, tonight is one of those rare opportunities that shouldn’t be missed. Gyedu Blay Ambolley, one of Ghana’s most revered musical figures, is bringing his eight-piece band from West Africa to the Lodge Room to perform his groundbreaking 1975 debut album Simigwa in its entirety for the first time ever in the United States.
Ambolley, affectionately known as the Simigwa Do Man, has spent decades shaping and reshaping the sound of Ghanaian highlife, fusing it with elements of funk, soul, and jazz. With 29 albums to his name, he remains a living force in African music, but Simigwa holds a special place in his catalog. Co-written and produced with fellow Ghanaian legend Ebo Taylor, the record is a vibrant, rhythm-forward masterwork equal parts highlife tradition and James Brown-inspired funk fire.
Born in the port city of Sekondi-Takoradi, Ambolley began his musical journey on his father’s flute at age eight and soon picked up the guitar under the guidance of mentors like Sammy Lartey and Ebo Taylor. He honed his craft in prominent Ghanaian ensembles such as Houghas Extraordinaires, the Meridians of Tema, and the Ghana Broadcasting Band. His career took a major turn in 1973 when he joined Taylor’s Uhuru Dance Band and traveled to Nigeria, performing alongside Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti at his famed Shrine.
The result of these experiences was Simigwa a joyful, daring blend of Ghanaian rhythms, Afrobeat, funk, and folk elements that cemented Ambolley as a creative force. With its infectious grooves, commanding horn lines, and unmistakable Afro-funk sensibility, the album still sounds ahead of its time.
Ambolley’s performance at the Lodge Room is more than a concert it’s a journey into the roots and evolution of modern West African music, delivered by the artist who helped shape it. If you’ve never experienced the electricity of Simigwa live, tonight’s your chance.
Gyedu Blay Ambolley & Band
Performing Simigwa in its entirety
Wednesday 7/23/25
Lodge Room
104 N. Ave 56 (2nd floor), Highland Park, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Doors open at 6 PM; show starts at 7 PM.
Tickets $30 in advance (+ fees); purchase only through the Lodge Room website: https://www.lodgeroomhlp.com/shows/gyedu-blay-ambolley/