APRIL is JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH 

live, listen, play, breathe jazz

Gala Concert
APRIL 30, INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY 

Hosted by Herbie Hancock
Presented by The Monk Institute

John Beasley, Music Director
featuring global jazz artists:

Pianists
Robert Glasper, Abdullah Ibrahim, Keiko Matsui, George Duke,
Ramsey Lewis, Eddie Palmieri,  John Beasley 

Vocalists
Al Jarreau, Milton Nascimento, Dianne Reeves, Ruben Blades, Joss Stone

Bassists
Marcus Miller, Ben Williams, James Genus

Saxophonists
Wayne Shorter, Branford Marsalis, Jimmy Heath, 
Liu Yuan, Dale Barlow, Igor Butman

Trumpets
Hugh Masekela, Imer Demirer, Terrence Blanchard, Christian Scott

Clarinetists
Anat Cohen, Husnu Senlendirici

Trombone
Alevtina Polyakova

Violinist
Jean-Luc Ponty

Guitarists
John McLaughlin, Lee Ritenour, Bilal Karaman, Joe Louis Walker

Drummers, Percussion, Tabla
Terri Lyne Carrington, Vinnie Colaiuta, Pedro Martinez, Zakir Hussain
 

MAIN EVENT:  Istanbul, Turkey
Gala concert at Hagia Irene, outer courtyard of Topkapi Palace
** streamed online **

GLOBAL EVENTS:
Jazz will be celebrated, studied, and performed around the world for 24 hours at 230 events in over 70 countries. Find your local events.

http://jazzday.com

STANLEY CLARKE BAND Stanley Clarke, John Beasley, Ronald Bruner Jr April 5, 6, 7 Yoshis, Oakland April 26 Evanston SPACE, Illinois LEE RITENOUR Band Lee Ritenour, John Beasley, Melvin Davis + Sonny Emory April 9 Jazz Kitchen April 11 Dosey Doe April 12 Oneworld Theatre

 MVI_2357

 NEXT CONCERT  

MONK’estra,
a BIG modern jazz BAND

John Beasley, Conductor/Arranger

Typhoon Jazz – Mon, March 11

MONK’estra celebrates Monk, other classic and original, compositions with a contemporary twist incorporating Afro-Cuban rhythms, modern jazz playing, Hip Hop and traditional big band instrumentation.

***************************************************************************************
MONK’estra BIG BAND

SAX: Bob Sheppard, Jeff Driskill, Justo Almario, Tom Luer, Tommy Peterson

TRUMPET: Bijon Watson, Jamie Hovorka, Ray Monteiro, Brian Swartz, Gabe Johnson

TROMBONE: Francisco Torres, Wendell Kelly, Andy Martin, Steve Hughes

BASS: Rickey Minor     DRUMS: Tony Austin

KEYBOARDS/MELODICA:  John Beasley

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Typhoon Jazz, Santa Monica:  Monday, March 11 | 8pm + 9:30pm | $15

Typhoon, 3221 Donald Douglas Loop South,
Santa Monica Airport – 310-390-6565, http://www.typhoon.biz

**Reservations Suggested**

YouTube: http://bit.ly/WqbyOf 

Concert Reviews of MONK’estra:

Beasley’s envelope-stretching arrangements, his extraordinary orchestrating abilities, imaginative soloing from players: a net result of some of the most mesmerizing big band music –individually and collectively– of recent memory. Don Heckman, International Review of Music

Five Stars:  Spectacular! The ultra-hip, ultra-cool, ultra-swinging John Beasley’s MONK’estra rocked the house at Vitellos.’ Supersize figure in the jazz music world, Beasley led a dazzling assemblage of players. – Cynthia Lum, Examiner.com

Beasley is a real genius. His imaginative, modern arrangements are artistic charts colored outside the lines of traditional big band music arrangements. – Paul Edelstein, Sounds of Timeless Jazz

John Beasley is one of the best pianists and improvisers on the jazz scene today. Beasley is a master musician, with total command of the jazz language, and his playing is always intense in both emotion and technique. All About Jazz

]]> http://www.johnbeasleymusic.com/?feed=rss2&p=1326 0 http://www.johnbeasleymusic.com/?p=1320 http://www.johnbeasleymusic.com/?p=1320#comments Sat, 02 Feb 2013 00:13:05 +0000 admin http://www.johnbeasleymusic.com/?p=1320 Very, very excited this week to launch new CD 3 Brave Souls + FUNK it UP with
Darryl, Ronald, Dwight and Nayanna (Feb 08):

“ass-wiggling funk/jazz” Something Else!

“3 Brave Souls create a groove so deep you could fall right in.” – Urban Flux

 YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRBFQA-5MdE

and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c9IwDL1Lhc

Seattle:
Tuesday, Feb 05 + Wednesday, Feb 06 – 7:30-9pm
Jazz Alley - 2033 6th Ave.  Seattle – (206) 441-9729
–showcase concerts, no cover, $5 admin fee–

Los Angeles:
Friday, Feb 08 - 8pm-9:30pm
Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Boulevard, Culver City
$25 / $20 (students) |  All Ages - (213) 628-2772

 GET TICKETS EARLY

www.facebook.com/3BraveSouls

MONK’estra, a BIG modern jazz BAND, John Beasley, Conductor/Arranger

MONK’estra celebrates Monk, classics, original compositions, with a contemporary twist incorporating Afro-Cuban rhythms, modern jazz playing, Hip Hop, and traditional big band instrumentation

BAND: SAX: Bob Sheppard, Jeff Driskill, Justo Almario, Tom Luer, Tommy Peterson | TRUMPET: Bijon Watson, Willie Murillo, Ray Monterio, Brian Swartz, Gabe Johnson | TROMBONE: Francisco Torres, Wendell Kelly, Andy Martin, Steve Hughes, Ryan Dragonn | BASS: Rickey Minor | DRUMS: Gary Novak | VOCALS: Dwight Trible + Nayanna Holley 

Wednesday, Jan 30 | 9pm + 10:30pm | $20
Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E S Onizuka St, Ste 301, LA, 90012, 213-620-0908 http://bluewhalemusic.com/

Wednesday, February 20 | 8-11:30pm | $20
Vitello’s Jazz 4349 Tujunga Avenue, Studio City, 91604, 818.769.0905 http://www.vitellosjazz.com

3 Brave Souls: CD Launch Concert
Darryl Jones, John Beasley, Ronald Bruner Jr.
featuring Dwight Trible 

“ass-wiggling funk/jazz” Something Else!

“3 Brave Souls create a groove so deep you could fall right in.” Urban Flux
“Eclectic brand of funk…danceable music…songs with hypnotic grooves, a soulful stew or a silky ballad. Jazz Times

Three Miles Davis alumni and funk-feel-freaks, groovemeister and Rolling Stones’ bassist Darryl Jones, master drummer Ndugu Chancler, and keyboardist John Beasley, joined forces to form 3 Brave Souls and baptize classic jazz flavorings with contagious, penetrating funk grooves with honey dew sounds of southern soul.  Jumping into the box on Feb 08: Ronald Bruner Jr. just out of recording with Prince on drums and singers Dwight Trible and Nayanna Holley.

YouTube: http://bit.ly/LTN7hV

Seattle:
Tuesday, Feb 05 + Wednesday, Feb 06
Jazz Alley - 2033 6th Avenue  Seattle – www.jazzalley.com, (206) 441-9729
-showcase concerts -no cover, $5 admin fee-
7:30pm show for 90minutes

Los Angeles:
Friday, Feb 08
Jazz Bakery @ Kirk Douglas Theatre  - 9820 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, 90232
8pm-9:30pm |  $25 / $20 (students) |  All Ages
http://jazzbakery.org – (213) 628-2772

   Nayanna Holley (Feb 08)

MONK’estra

a BIG modern jazz BAND

John Beasley, Conductor/Arranger

Blue Whale, Weds, January 23+30

Vitello’s Jazz – Wed, February 20

MONK’estra celebrates Monk and other classic compositions, with a contemporary twist incorporating Afro-Cuban rhythms, modern jazz playing, Hip Hop and traditional big band instrumentation, along with originals by Beasley.

****************************************************************************************************
MONK’estra BIG BAND 

SAX

Bob Sheppard, Jeff Driskill, Justo Almario, Tom Luer, Tommy Peterson 

TRUMPET

Bijon Watson, Willie Murillo, Ray Monterio, Brian Swartz, Gabe Johnson 

TROMBONE

Francisco Torres, Wendell Kelly, Andy Martin, Steve Hughes, Ryan Dragonn 

BASS
Rickey Minor 

DRUMS

Gary Novak 

VOCALS

Dwight Trible + Nayanna Holley

****************************************************************************************************************

Wednesdays, Jan 23 and Jan 30 | 9pm + 10:30pm | $20

Blue Whale123 Astronaut E S Onizuka St, Ste 301, LA, 90012, 213-620-0908 http://bluewhalemusic.com/

Wednesday, February 20 | 8-11:30pm | $20

Vitello’s Jazz 4349 Tujunga Avenue, Studio City, 91604, 818.769.0905  http://www.vitellosjazz.com

John Beasley is one of the best pianists and improvisers on the jazz scene today. Beasley is a master musician, with total command of the jazz language, and his playing is always intense in both emotion and technique. All About Jazz

Wednesday Jan 9, Wednesday, Jan 16, Wednesday Jan 23, Wednesday Jan 30
Duo, Trio, Big Band

CALENDAR:
Week 1 – Jan 09
Duality: Dwight Trible sings, John Beasley swings
Duality CD captures two master improvisational musicians re-imagining, re-interpreting, and re-inventing eight jazz standards. Fresh impressions on the tangled web of love, prejudice, and life.  9pm+10:30pm | $15

Week 2 – Jan 16
Trio: Gary Novak (drums), Carlitos del Puerto (bass), John Beasley (piano) with guest artists playing Beasley’s favorite Brazilian compositions by Ivan Lins, Caetano Velosa, Gilberto Gil, Edo Lobo (not necessarily in bossa/samba style). 9pm+10:30pm | $15

Week 3-Jan 23
MONK’estra a BIG modern jazz BAND – Conductor/Arranger, John Beasley
MONK’estra celebrates Monk and other classic and original compositions, with a contemporary twist incorporating Afro-Cuban rhythms, modern jazz playing, hip hop and traditional big band instrumentation.

MONK’estra Band:
Sax: Justo Almario, Bob Sheppard, Jeff Driscol, Tom Luer, Tommy Peterson;
Trumpet: Bijon Watson, Willie Murillo, Ray Monterio, Brian Swartz, Gabe Johnson;
Trombone: Francisco Torres, Wendell Kelly, Bill Reichenbach, Andy Martin;
Bass: Ricky Minor;
Drums: Ronald Bruner Jr.
Vocals:  Carmen Lundy and Dwight Trible.
9pm+10:30pm | $20

Week 4-Jan 30
MONK’estra a BIG modern jazz BAND – Conductor/Arranger, John Beasley
9pm+10:30pm | $20

 Blue Whale
123 Astronaut E S Onizuka St, Ste 301
- 213-620-0908 – http://bluewhalemusic.com/

Jazz Times - John is truly an amazing pianist, imaginative composer, creative improviser and arranger.

Los Angeles:  Jazz Bakery – Feb 08

3 Brave Souls
Darryl Jones, Ndugu Chancler, John Beasley
CD Launch Concert

“ass-wiggling funk/jazz”
“3 Brave Souls create a groove so deep you could fall right in.” – Urban Flux

Photo credit Juan Morse

Three Miles Davis alumni and funk-feel-freaks, groovemeister and Rolling Stones’ bassist Darryl Jones,
master drummer Ndugu Chancler, and keyboardist John Beasley,
join forces to form 3 Brave Souls and baptize classic jazz flavorings with
contagious, penetrating funk grooves with honey dew sounds of southern soul.

Jumping into the box are soul songstress Sy Smith and cosmic improviser Dwight Trible.

“Eclectic brand of funk…danceable music…songs with hypnotic grooves, a soulful stew or a silky ballad. – Jazz Times

YouTube – 3 Brave Souls

Jazz Inside magazine TOP CDs of 2012

Tuesday, Feb 05 + Wednesday, Feb 06

Jazz Alley
2033 6th Avenue  Seattle – (206) 441-9729
$20.50 (students+seniors discounts)

 Friday, Feb 08 – Jazz Bakery

Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232
8pm-9:30pm |  $25 / $20 (students) |  All Ages – http://jazzbakery.org – (213) 628-2772

Bios:
            Groove-meister of the highest order bassist Darryl Jones has been omnipresence in high-profile jazz, pop, and rock gigs, including 5 years with Miles Davis, Rolling Stones since 1993, and time with Michael Jackson, Madonna, Sting, Eric Clapton and Peter Gabriel. This personal project 3 Brave Souls feature Jones’ compositions and his husky vocals.

The pulsating funk beats on Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean could only be Ndugu Chancler. An inventive drummer and consummate time-and rhythm-keeper, Ndugu, has performed with Santana, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, George Duke, and Weather Report, among others.  Chancler contributed four songs to 3 Brave Souls CD and even some spoken words of wisdom!

Grammy-nominee John Beasley started his music career touring with Freddie Hubbard for 8 years and with his garage band (Vinnie Colauita+John Patittuci). At 28, Miles Davis took him on tour. Beasley went on to perform and record with Steely Dan (MD), Dianne Reeves, Christian McBride, Chaka Khan, Kenny Garrett, Queen Latifah (MD), LA Philharmonic, and James Brown’s final LA concert, to list a few.  Beasley composed five songs, two with soul songstress Sy Smith.

Songstress Sy Smith can be seen daily on The Tonight Show. She joins the band to sing on the songs she co-wrote. Vocalist Dwight Trible lifts the songs with his cosmic improvisations.

Facebook – www.facebook.com/3BraveSouls

Photographer philippaquet.com

MONK’estra

a BIG modern jazz BAND

John Beasley, Conductor/Arranger

Blue Whale, Weds, January 23+30

Vitello’s Jazz – Wed, February 20

MONK’estra celebrates Monk and other classic compositions, with a contemporary twist incorporating Afro-Cuban rhythms, modern jazz playing, Hip Hop and traditional big band instrumentation, along with originals by Beasley.

****************************************************************************************************
MONK’estra BIG BAND

SAX

Bob Sheppard, Jeff Driskill, Justo Almario, Tom Luer, Tommy Peterson

TRUMPET

Bijon Watson, Willie Murillo, Ray Monterio, Brian Swartz, Gabe Johnson

TROMBONE

Bill Reichenbach, Francisco Torres, Wendell Kelly, Andy Martin, Ryan Dragon

BASS
Rickey Minor

DRUMS

Ronald Bruner Jr.

VOCALS

Guest Artists

****************************************************************************************************************

Wednesdays, Jan 23 and Jan 30 | 9pm + 10:30pm | $20

Blue Whale123 Astronaut E S Onizuka St, Ste 301, LA, 90012, 213-620-0908 http://bluewhalemusic.com/

Wednesday, February 20 | 8-11:30pm | $20

Vitello’s Jazz 4349 Tujunga Avenue, Studio City, 91604, 818.769.0905  http://www.vitellosjazz.com

Soon after high school, John Beasley joined the Sergio Mendes band, along with the young Dianne Reeves, Siedah Garrett, Sergio’s wife Gracinha Leporace, Sebastian Neto, John Pisano and Oscar Castro-Neves.

During this eight-year tenure, Neto took Beasley under his wing and showed him percussion rhythms. Mendes and Mocier Santos became mentor-teachers. Sergio had Beasley copy Ivan Lins songs, which deepened his knowledge of the Brazilian songbook. Beasley was fortunate to meet and record with Ivan Lins and Tania Maria; and was introduced to Edu Lobo, Djavan and Nana Caymi. Beasley is indebted to all of these musicians, as their lessons in life and music have infused every song and project that he has made over a 30-year career, whether the music was Brazilian or not.

For Week 2 of Beasley’s Blue Whale residency, Beasley pays homage to his teachers and the music.  He revisits the Brazilian songbook not to mimic the original songs, but like other jazz standards, to play off of them and illustrate his musical growth.  Giving a nod to the past, but nose forward to evolve a future sound.

Playing my favorite Brazilian compositions by Ivan Lins, Caetano Velosa, Gilberto Gil, Edo Lobo (not necessarily in bossa/samba style)
John Beasley Residency – Week 2 – Jan 16     

Trio: Gary Novak (drums), Carlitos del Puerto (bass), John Beasley (piano) with guest artists playing Beasley’s .

Blue Whale

123 Astronaut E S Onizuka St, Ste 301, LA, 90012
- 213-620-0908 http://bluewhalemusic.com/

9pm+10:30pm | $15