Tom Meek, a Los Angeles-area native, grew up in Ohio with a father who was a noted regional swing drummer and a library of thousands of jazz and popular recordings. He began working in radio at 11, as a coffee house DJ at 13, and as a commercial television producer at 15. In the late 1960's Meek began listening to rock and jazz fusion with pioneering artists including Don Ellis, Blood Sweat & Tears, Chicago, and The Mahavishnu Orchestra, and has remained a jazz, fusion and music aficionado since, with an emphasis on virtuosity. In the 1970's, Tom began producing what eventually became dozens of radio, television and video segments featuring live recordings and musician interviews, and expanded that to newspapers over the past decade. Meek began a television consulting practice in the mid-1980s, which has expanded to include other high-tech and IT areas with clients worldwide. In the mid-1990's Meek began exploring the possibilities of music and information distribution via the Internet. He has gone on to develop various Web sites, written extensively for Wikipedia and blogs about fusion and jazz music and musicians, and serves as a audio/video producer and consultant for musicians and events. Tom is also the editor of the Greatest Fusion Lists and Forums at DigitalDreamDoor.com. He is currently working on a music-related book and various music, production and consulting projects. Meek comes to LAJazz.com with an emphasis on what's happening live and locally, and is a frequent attendee at clubs and venues around Southern California, along with many people who travel here from locations worldwide, to see some of the best music being made nightly anywhere on the planet. Tom can be reached via e-mail at fusion07mp3@gmail.com, or visit his site at: www.myspace.com/fusion07mp3
Monday 3/8 - Katisse Buckingham Quintet at Seven Grand
Seven Grand in downtown L.A. hosts a quintet led by flute (and more) wiz Katisse Buckingham Monday night. Included on this gig are Nick Mancini on vibes, Garrett Smith on trombone, Edwin Livingston on bass, and the always terrific Ralph Humphrey (Frank Zappa/Don Ellis) on drums. An exceptionally strong Monday in L.A. jazz also features gigs from Carol Bach-y-Rita at Typhoon, Theo Saunders at Charlie O's, and the Monday Night Jammz at The Baked Potato with guest Tribal Tech members Scott Kinsey and Kirk Covington.
Tuesday 3/9 - Emil Richards Big Band at Vibrato
Vibes vet Emil Richards brings his 17-piece big band to Vibrato in Bel-Air, in an evening dedicated in part to the original score winner from this year's Academy Awards. The band features, among others, an all-star sax lineup of Alex Budman, Gary Foster, Pete Christlieb, Doug Webb, and Gene Cipriano. Other gigs of note Tuesday include the San Gabriel 7 featuring trombonist Bill Watrous at Catalina, and guitarist Pat Kelley as the featured guest for John Pisano's Guitar Night at Vitello's Upstairs with John Belzaguy on bass and Ralph Humphrey on drums.
Wednesday 3/10 - Josh Nelson Trio at Vitello's Upstairs
Pianist Josh Nelson is one of the best younger talents L.A. has to offer, with a resume including extended recent stints backing Natalie Cole and Sara Gazarek. Nelson is also a fine composer and arranger in his own right with two solo releases to his credit - Wednesday night he leads a trio at Vitello's Upstairs in Studio City with Dave Robaire on bass and Matt Slocum on drums. Veteran bassist Chuck Berghofer leads a trio including Bruce Forman on guitar and Tom Ranier on piano at Spazio.
Thursday 3/11 - Hiromi at the Japan America Theater
Japanese pianist Hiromi (Uehara) returns to L.A. under the auspices of the Jazz Bakery's "Movable Feast" series, this time at the Japan America Theater in downtown Los Angeles, in support of her recent solo piano release "Place To Be". Other gigs of note include The Austin Peralta (piano) Project at Spazio with Jeff Ellwood on sax, Ryan McGillicuddy on bass and Gene Coye on drums at Spazio, and the Joe LaBarbera Quintet with Bob Sheppard and Bill Cunliffe at Charlie O's.
Friday 3/12 - Matt Slocum Trio at Cafe Metropol
Drummer Matt Slocum celebrates a recent CD release with a show at downtown L.A.'s Cafe Metropol Friday night. Included on this one are Josh Nelson on piano and Dan Lutz on bass (the trio also appears Thursday night at the Crowne Plaza LAX). Also on Friday are Ralph Humphrey's Babaghanoush at Vitello's Upstairs, the Luis Conte Latin Group at the Radisson L.A. Westside, the Cannonball/Coltrane Project at Steamers, and vocalists Jules Day at Catalina and Sony Holland at the Left Coast Wine Bar & Gallery.
Saturday 3/13 - John Beasley Jazz Circle at Vitello's Upstairs
Pianist John Beasley (Miles Davis) is one of the most respected in Greater L.A. This edition of his Jazz Circle features Oscar Seaton on drums, Ian Martin on bass, and Dwight Trible on vocals. Saxophonist Richie Cole is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro, while guitarist Mike Keneally (Frank Zappa) is at The Baked Potato with a band including Zappa Plays Zappa drummer Joe Travers.
Sunday 3/14 - Larry Coryell's Bombay Jazz at Largo at The Coronet
Veteran guitarist Larry Coryell's "Bombay Jazz" project includes extensive elements of Indian music featuring George Brooks on saxophone, Ronu Majumdar on bansuri flute, and Aditya Kalyanpur on tabla. Sponsored by the Jazz Bakery, a 4PM matinee and 7PM evening show are offered. Trumpeter Mark Isham's Houston Street is at The Baked Potato with Jeff Babko on keys, Doug Lunn on bass and Tom Brechtlein on drums.
Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn.
– Charlie Parker
Q: What do you call a beautiful woman on a trombonist's arm?
A: A tattoo
