|
Sep. 26, 2007 God, if you missed it, you really missed it. Tetsuya Tatsumi was great. Melodic, mellow, smooth. And as the evening got on, he showed he can bop too. And the group backing him was right on. Satomi on piano, more than competent, Jeremy Ward on bass, he could play anywhere, and Darryl Pellegrini on drums, all pros. Watch this website. We're the only true jazz club in town.
Sep. 21, 2007: If you love the old jazz, if you like kicking back instead of stomping on, if you like the light melodic sounds of 50's jazz, then drop on by Wednesday, September 26, to hear, direct from Japan, Tetsuya Tatsumi. Check out his website by clicking on his name. There's a great little track of him on trumpet, cool, grooving sounds. What else can I tell you? It's not for old fogies, just the hip crowd.
September 07
Fort Union Entertainment and the PromoSapiens
presents: PS. it is also Slo's Birthday
When:September 8th,
2007 Saturday
Contact: 808.955.0800 August 07 It's official. Jazz Minds is really about young musicians. It's a dedication to the new generation of improv artists. Monday features two different bands. The late collaboration saw three horns, a keyboard, bass and drums. The beat is contemporary and driving. Tuesday is the only night with traditional jazz, and it's more beebop than swing. Wednesday in August features four different bands. Grooving, hip hopping, improvising new sounds.; Thursday is the groove beat of our own Randy Wheeler. Friday is jazz funk by the Lundgrens. We have a special treat August with David Leshare Watson. Watson comes from the Bay area and is a well known jazz figure. Saturday is Tempo Valley. Need we say more? July 18 OK check the new jazz Honolulu hip hop on Fridays. It's the Lundgren Jazz Funk with Adam Wren, vibraphone, John Lundgren, sax, flute, Tony Krause, bass, Veronica Lopez, congas, Russ Lundgren, drums. Till the wee hours. June 22 Here's an update on the haps for Fridays at Jazz Minds. The name of the night is The DugOut Lounge with DJ Jesse James Fame. The name of the band on fridays is Short Notice featuring Kevin Hughes on Guitar, Russ Lundgren on drums, Geoff Redd on bass, Adam Wren on vibraphone, and Alvin Thomas on the sax. The band plays new funky interpretations of Jazz standards that can be described as a sort of Groove Jazz with Hip Hop elements. DJ Fame plays a variety of Rare Grooves along with sampled Soul, Funk, and R&B breaks. Also featuring special guest Poets, MCees, and Djays. May 1 Special Friday May 11 Deep Pocket, jazz funk, 6:30-8:30 p.m., with Ikaika Tecson keys, Gary Hashimoto drums, Nathan Ing bass and David Matias sax, we hear this group is hot. Switcheroo... Mondays is now the Monday Night Jazz Arts Collaborative with Seph 1, it's hot. Musicians are dropping in after work. It runs till 2 a.m. if you're game. Last night was a seven piece band plus guests. Also special are 5 guest artists from Jamaica on the last Sunday gig Selecta Zacharijah. That's Sunday May 27. Aaron Hill is taking a stronger leadership role in the Gilbert Batangan Band Tuesdays. He is finishing up his master's degree in music at UH. Kevin Hughes has just joined Tempo Valley. Hughes is the music director at Hongwanji Mission. It's a stretch from bee bop to hip hop to the classics. April 4, 2007 Starting this coming Wednesday, April 11, the Satomi Jazz Trio will be transformed to the Satomi Jazz Quartet. Joining the Tokyo pianist will be New York saxophonist Reggie Padilla and New York bassist Tory Millard. Padilla relocated to Honolulu about three months ago. He has performed at such venues as the Bitter End, CBGB’s, the Lion’s Den and been featured on a video on BET on Kyle Jason’s “Why am I so funky?” Millard is a gifted rhythm man whose credentials include Al Green, Chick Correa and John Patitucci. Abe Lagimas fills out the quartet on drums. April 1, 2007 Jazz multi-instrumentalist musician, writer and composer Jeffery Smith will perform love ballads and jazz riffs Sunday night April 15, 2007 at the Jazz Minds Art and Cafe. Showtime is 7:30 P.M. This is a one night only performance that you don't want to miss.A true contemporary jazz artist, Smith's unique style of seductive strings and soft percussions are captivating even to the most discerning listener. You don't want to miss this one, a concert to remember. COST: $15.00 (in advance) $20.00 (at the door). Tickets available on April 2, 2007. Call: (808) 391-5950.
March 29 Special next week Tuesday, April 3, 9-12, direct from Tokyo... one of Japan's hottest jazz singers... Rie Furuse. Don't miss it. She'll be playing with the Satomi Jazz Band Jon Hawes on bass and Shinya Yarimizo on drums. See the Star Bulletin story here Mar. 1 Lots of new groups at Jazz Minds for March. Top of the list is the Fort Union Dugout with hip hop dance jazz on Fridays. This is grooving music for the hip crowd. Next is Randy Wheeler on Thursdays. Randy is planning new sounds and new rhythms on a hot night. Mondays sees Conscious Groove with Seph 1 instead of Juju. Juju we heard is off to Europe. This is also part of the edgy trend at Jazz Minds, joining Tempo Valley on Saturdays. Our straight ahead jazz nights is also seeing a change. Dave Yamasaki is taking a short break while the Satomi Jazz Trio steps in. Satomi will also be joining one of Japan's best jazz club singers in early April, Rie Furuse from Tokyo. The Tuesday slot is the only one that remains unchanged. Feb. 21, 2007 It’s all about jamming when it comes to jazz. Dropping in at Jazz Minds this past Wednesday were Japanese favorites Yasuko Hayakawa on piano and Masahiro Tajika on drums. They joined the Dave Yamasaki Trio for a few songs. Great music. You can catch part of them at www.makiba.com
Feb. 17, 2007 After a long run, gr00ve.imProV.arTiSts is pau and the Randy Wheeler NuJazz Quartet is taking over Thursday nights Feb. 22. Wheeler is one of the explorers of NuJazz. He has collected a highly expressive and unpredictable band. his musicians include Dave Chiorini on Bass, Reggie Padilla on keyboards and piano, and Abe Lagrimas on drums. Don't be suprised to see special guest appearances by popular local artists. Randy's style has been described as RnB throughout his career, but his advanced and spontaneous solos (which often sound as if he were thinking aloud) defied classification. A professional by the time he was 15, Randy Wheeler starteded in California, moved to Hawaii in 1992 and gained some attention for his playing with "The Beat Poets." Jan 31, 2007 Things change. Russ Lundgren is doing some theater work, so Dave Yamasaki is taking over. Jeremy Ward sticks in on bass, Wednesday will still be solid... David Mergens, after building a new following, is moving on. A new, very with it ensemble is taking over. Two singers, one rapper, a didgeridoo player, two DJ's, and one drummer/programmer for the electronics. They're called Conscious Groove. It doesn't get more hip than that. The Sunday reggae worked out and they're coming back the last Sunday of February.
Wednesday Tonight Jan. 31! and maybe tomorrow night Feb. 1 From Vancouver, BC... Tom Keenlyside, one of Canada's best Sitting in with Russ Lundgren Smooth, sweet, hard, rockin JAZZ!
Jan. 1 2007: If... you're gonna... be cool... you gotta come down... to Jazz Minds... for the new... Poe...try... Slam. Mondays. I said Mondays at 6:30 to 9. Plus, now we've got specials THREE nights a week... Tuesday Waikiki Workers Night, Wednesday Ladies Night and Friday Lovers Night. AND the new Saturday band is Tempo Valley, a local Windward side band doing New York urban jazz. Too, too much. 12.27 Last minute booking, don't miss it, the newest from Jazz Minds: Tempo Valley pre-New Year's, pre-CD release party this coming Saturday, December 30. Come on down. 11.30 Jazz is known for hot musicians sitting in with their friends to "jam." The tradition beats strong at Jazz Minds. Late November saw Colette Ikemi of San Francisco dropping in to sing with her friend Wednesday guitarist Dave Yamasaki. What a voice. She was born on the West Coast but her father has Hawaii ties and used to play with Eddie Kamai. Collette is of the group Hiroshima fame. 11.6 Jeff Said No! band to premiere their style of the blues at Jazz Minds Tuesday November 28th! Jeff Said No! is comprised of mostly staff from Hawaii Public Radio. Membership Manager Gene Evans on guitar and vocals, Political Reporter Chad Blair on guitar and vocals, Operations Manager Charles Husson on keyboards, Production Director Jason Taglianetti on bass, and the final two members are volunteers from Hawaii Public Radio’s first radio play series “Looking For Linda” Mark Tanouye on Drums and Bill Boynton on lead vocals and percussion. The band plays a blues rock style of music and basically just has a lot of fun with the audience. Bill Boynton is a true Thespian at heart and theatrics play a large part in his performances. A performance by the Jeff Said No! band is more than an experience with the blues it is like going to see a comedy theatrical performance as well. Where a hat and be prepared for a truly unique blues experience with the Jeff Said No! band at Jazz Minds Arts and Café Tuesday November 28th at 9pm.
|
10.31 Hey young'uns Boo.
October 31 Costume Party. Grove and sway
with 'Dem Bones, live jazz with attitude. Some call it
Halloween!
10.28 One of Hawaii's best jazz singers, if not the best, is a little known Aussie who choses the home life over the lime light and who every once in awhile bows to her passion and takes a gig. We were graced tonight to hear Louie Mundy with the Russ Lundgren Jazz Quartet. Russ has a knack for finding talent. If you ever hear or read this gal's name, go see her. The band also featured guitarist Kevin Hughes, the band director at Hongwangji School. It was a teacher's night with Hughes, and John Lundgren, musical director at Le Jardin. Mundy is also a teacher at Le Jardin. 10.21 Yes, we celebrated the first anniversary of Jazz Minds. Lot of people. Lot of music. Lot of fun. What can we say? Thank you everyone. 10.8.06 What a night... it was star time at Lew Maddox's good bye party... Lew is one of these low key, pleasant kind of guys, and apparently jazz musicians like that. His friends came out in force to blow a song or two. It started with DeShannon Higa, moved to Kit Ebersbach and then Teresa Bright came up. She's rarely on stage now so it was a treat. Then out of nowhere came April Deweerd. April is the wife of military in Hawaii and has no musical training. But she can belt or whisper. Hearing her was what it must have been like to discover Barbra Streisand in some New York dive before she was famous. Her version of Fever was a crowd favorite.
Others who
came up included Satomi Yarimizo, the beautiful, the sexy, the former
Miss Saigon--Rocky Brown,
And don't forget the one year anniversary party on Saturday, October 21. There's a change in the band from Pacific Jam to Son Caribe (with DeShannon Higa). Plus DJ Mark to handle the wee hours. Free pupus and $4 drink specials. Come on down. 10.5.06 Don Smith is back with the Buddy Mak Quartet on Friday. But Lew Maddox is leaving. There's a party this Friday, Oct. 6. There's also three new bands, a new TV show and the one year anniversary of Jazz Minds... Day after tomorrow, Friday, October 6 will see a party for Maddox of the Buddy Mak trio, the steady Jazz Minds band for Friday. Maddox is one of the oldest jazz drummers in Honolulu and has been playing professionally for over 50 years. He is leaving the islands. The following Tuesday, October 10 will see a special performance by Glen Murray and his band Cool Breeze. They have a new CD out featuring the original song Gabriella. Murray and flutist Sulubika are two of Honolulu’s lesser known but extremely proficient jazz improvisers. Saturday, the 14th sees a three piece blues band called Friends of Adam with Clay Campania. They start early at 8:30 p.m. and the evening gets topped with a 7 pc boogy band from Esprit, called Kona Wind. Finally, Saturday October 21 is the one year anniversary of Jazz Minds. In the early evening from 6-9 p.m., Ginai will begin taping her new Olelo show called Ginai’s Jazz Island. The show will focus on original jazz by Hawai‘i artists and have in-depth interviews with the artists. First up will be singer Sandy Magsino with the Justin James Quartet. The show will be taped very third Saturday of the month. The one year anniversary of Jazz Minds is probably the longest any jazz club, dedicated solely to live jazz six nights a week, has made it in Honolulu. “We’re very proud of this achievement. We want to thank all the jazz supporters in Honolulu and invite new listeners down,” said owner Young Yi. After Ginai, Pacific Jam, a big 6 pieces band, with Aria Aquino, Gilbert Delton and leader Rick Malvan will cap the night. Come on down. 9.29.06 Don Smith is back with the Buddy Mak Quartet on Friday. Smith adds a very easy going trumpet to the band, like a Sunday afternoon in the park. Larry Cook, the tenor man, has gone back to England.
8.22.06 God, you just missed the greatest session... Abe Lagrimas
on vibraphone with the Lundgren Jazz Quartet, composed of sax, drum,
bass, guitar. Very enchanting straight up jazz. Abe can really wail on the
vibes. Imagine the speed of a drum roll hitting various notes on the
vibes. The man is so talented the licks roll off like butter on a pancake
griddle. I'm sure we'll see more of him. 8.10.06 New to Jazz Minds is Amber Ricci with DragonFly. Amber will be accompianed by the very talented San Francisco native, Dave Yamasaki on guitar and vocals and other featured guest artists " sitting in ". Amber recently was a featured singer at the Malolo Lounge at the Hilton Waikaloa and was a lead impersonator as Mariah Carey in the American Timescape Show and has sung for the likes of John Travolta, Norah Jones, Janet Jackson, the Jazz Festivals, Journey and the Producer of " LOST ". Amber is currently writing and recording an contemporary Jazz album and teaches Yoga, Dance and Voice Workshops . Her website is www.AmberNetEvents.com7.28.06 New Jersey Joe Fausett is no longer New Jersey. He's Four on the Floor with Bobby Thursby. Not much else about the band has changed except the name. You can blame us, they didn't have a name ready when we first ran with their gig, and we liked New Jersey. But Joe likes Four on the Floor. Either way, they rock. In a bluesy way. Also, Ginai on Wednesdays has two new sidemen while Keith Scott. The pianist is Dan Del Negro of Honolulu Jazz Quartet fame. And she has a happening congo player in Aries Knight. Ginai is one of Hawaii's very best.
7.1.06 We're trying a new thing on Wednesdays. Drop in July 12 for the kick-off. It's a variety show with live music, comedians, and dancers. The comics include David Lee, Jordan Savusa, and Elroy, with special guests, the Dance Crew CIA and musical guest: J-Sac from Street Academy. Monday's band, The Nu Swing Project, includes a cast from across the West Coast. Leader and tenor saxman David Mergens is from Vancouver BC. He's old buddies with pianist Max Zipursky who's in Hawaii after a long east Asian trip. On drums is Russ Lundgren from Mendicino, on bass is Dave Chiorini from San Francisco, and guitarist Dan Krieger is from Venice, California. We also have a new band coming in Tuesdays later in the month, more sophisticated grooves Friday with Ginai and Dan Del Negro, and Max the Canadian Cat is looking to recreate Saturdays to a fever pitch. Max's band is called 4 Corners. This is a new collaboration bringing a brand new sound to Honolulu with blendings of hip hop, R&B and soul and a special guest every week. And don't forget to check our website for new bands and last minute changes. www.honolulujazzclub.com 6.17.06 Check out Bobby Thursby with "New Jersey" Joe Fausett on Fridays. Bobby is an original. He hails from Odessa, Texas and was discovered first by Roy Orbison who took him to Nashville where they cut a record which charted all the way to #8 in the nation. And that's before he finished high school. Bobby's been around, went around, played around until he decided to call Hawaii home. That was 1978. He recently released a CD called "Grease in my Gravy." 6.1.06 We're experimenting again. Found a few new cool bands for Jazz Minds. We've asked Gilbert Batangan back to help Wednesday while Ginai is on another gig. Then Bobby Thursday, well known around town as a bluesman, will be part of Four of the Floor for the first Friday in June.
4.19.06 Check out our Friday nights in May!! What a line-up. It starts with Rich Crandall May 5 after the Comedy Open Mike. Rich is bringing Todd Smith & Stacey Tangonan on bass and drums. Bill Beimes will come late and sit in on sax after his earlier gig. This is always good, driving, emotional jazz. The next week, May 12, will feature the popular Buddy Mak Quartet. Then Abe Lagrimas returns with his own group and fellow Berklee prodigy, Makoto Kadowaki on piano. They will be backed up by Jon Hawes on bass and DeShannon Higa on trumpet. Makoto was born in Tottori, Japan and started playing the piano at the age of six. He got interested in jazz while attending the Tokyo College of Music. After performing at various clubs around Tokyo, he decided to continue his jazz studies in Boston. Abe, by the way, at the age of 13, was the Grand Prize winner in an international drumming competition sponsored by Modern Drummer Magazine and New York City's premier drum school, The Drummer's Collective. The following year, he was one of the youngest musicians chosen to participate in Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead. In 2005, his jazz group PRELUDE signed with SonyBMG in Korea. Finally, we end May with the Honolulu Jazz Quartet on the 26th. This is undoubtedly one of Honolulu's finest steady jazz groups. Two members of the group, John Kolivas and Adam Baron recently backed up renown pianist Shelly Berg at the Hawaii International Jazz Festival at the Halekulani Hotel. They plan another CD to come out in September. Bass player Kolivas leads the group and is one of Honolulu’s most respected Jazz musicians. He is also a member of the Honolulu Symphony. Tenor man Tim Tsukiyama is a local boy who attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music and has played with the likes of Ray Charles, The Temptations, Cecilio and Kapono, and Kalapana. Tim is also a member of the Royal Hawaiian Band. Pianist Dan Del Negro was born on the south side of Chicago and his musical career is steeped in the traditions of that great jazz town. He has performed with Herbie Mann, toured with Les Miserables, and currently performs with Na Leo Pilimehana. Drummer Baron has studied at both the University of Missouri Conservatory of Music, and Berklee College of Music in Boston.
4.15.06 Well, sorry to say, Gilbert Batangan is gone. He was playing great music but there was not enough vibe and not enough fans were coming down. We switched to Groovology which is into the new, younger jazz, and we are hopeful this is something that jazz fans want. Come on down and check it out. And if you missed one of our special sessions with Rich Crandall in April, too bad... it was great. The house was packed, the jazz was cool and intense, and Hiroshi Hata showed why he is considered one of the best jazz guitarists in Japan. Hawaii's own Rocky Holmes added great additional sounds with a rocking and sweet flute. PS More and more people are finally getting the word on gr00ve.imProV.arTiSts with DeShannon Higa. It was packed last Thursday. Ciao.
3.22.06 Impressive is how I would describe the Gilbert Batangan Trio, which plays Tuesdays nights. Batangan has fingers that travel at warp speed. He is one of the fastest pickers I have ever heard. But he's just a quiet Pearl City boy who went to UH and now teaches music at Kaimuki Christian. His bass player Mark Tanouye was a child prodigy at 4 at classical piano. He switched to bass in high school and then to engineering. But he still wails and has not forgotten the keyboards. He is the piano man for C&K. Drummer Abe Lagrimas is only 22 but all the jazz guys remember him as a kid before he went to Berklee School of Music. Now he's recently back and gigging with everyone including people like Jimmy Borges, Gabe, Jake and Na Leo. Plus, he has a CD called Dimensions. It's Abe on the uke.
1.6.06 Comedy open mic was hot January 6 when Jo Koy stopped by at Andy Bumatai's comedy open mic in the early evening. The room was packed. Koy was in town from LA to open for Jon Lovitz. Koy brought the house down with his orange chicken story. Koy is rising. He was on his way to do a spot with Jay Leno and the Tonight Show. Awesome! Check out the January issue of Honolulu Magazine. There's a nice write up on Jazz Minds. Too bad they didn't put the article on their web site. Otherwise, we could have linked it for your convenience. But it's nice to know that the club is getting some positive recognition.
|
|
Dan Del Negro, Larry Cook (he's back from England), Ernie Provenchar,