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, 5/12 - James Torme at the Hotel Angeleno
Vocalist James Torme (son of of the late Mel) appears at the Hotel Angeleno in Brentwood. While James doesn't share his father's legendary dulcet tones, he does bring a sophisticated sound and approach that's recently earned him a new record contract and the 2007 Chuck Niles Music Award. With Ryan Cross on bass, Brandon Coleman on piano and Gene Coye on drums.
Tuesday 5/13 - J'Nae at The Mint
The young singer/songwriter (and very good pianist as well) J'Nae has a tight new band featuring Chris Wabich on drums, Tim Kobza on guitar, Dan Lutz on bass and the excellent young Paul Cartwright on violin. Mostly original material with a standard or two for good measure. At 8:30...one set. Tuesday is the hottest night of the week in Los Angeles with other strong gigs including guitarist Pat Kelley with bassist Kenny Wild and drummer Tom Brechtlein at Spazio (Guitar Night host John Pisano had recent back surgery and will be sidelined for some time), high school bass phenom Mike Gurrola with Josh Nelson and Kevin Kanner at the Jazz Bakery, Cartaya's Enclave at The Baked Potato, and Marco Mendoza's trio with Renato Neto and Joey Heredia at La Ve' Lee. All on a Tuesday.
Wednesday 5/14 - Scott Kinsey Group at La Ve' Lee
Musicians galore came out to hear last week's Scott Kinsey show, and with good reason. Woodwind and EWI master Steve Tavaglione is scheduled to play his first L.A. gig with Kinsey in some time. Jimmy Earl of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Gary Novak (just back from a European tour with Michael Landau) smoke in the rhythm section. Keyboardist Kinsey continues to push the envelope with composing featuring plenty of room for improvisation and collaboration, and these are four truly world-class players.
Thursday 5/15 - Mark Towns & Friends at La Ve' Lee
Guitarist Mark Towns leads a group of excellent players including Bryan Velasco (keys), Oskar Cartaya (bass), Richie Gajate-Garcia (percussion) and Enzo Todesco (drums) for a Latin session at La Ve' Lee. Vocalist Ana Robles is expected to sit in as well, and Latin/jazz fans should appreciate this musical evening.
Friday 5/16 - Jim Szilaygi Trio at Spazio
Three L.A. veterans team up to remind listeners what a piano trio is supposed to be about. I caught these guys a couple of months ago, and they were just flat-out terrific. Harvey Newmark on bass and Mark Stephens on drums join the very tasteful Jim Szilaygi on piano. These three combine for music that is about as close as you are likely to experience to a Bill Evans-style trio for some time...not flashy, just great playing as a unit.
Saturday 5/17 - Don Menza with the John Heard Trio at Charlie O's
Long-time sax man and arranger Don Menza (Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson) fronts a veteran quartet including John Heard on bass, Roy McCurdy on drums and Joe Bagg on piano.
Sunday 5/18 - Mitchel Forman at The Baked Potato
Keys wizard Mitchel Forman fronts his all-star band including Dave Carpenter on bass, Joel Taylor on drums and Brandon Fields on sax. Forman is consistently rated as one of the most skilled and versatile keyboardists in contemporary music, and his own group showcases the skills of four excellent players.
Also of note...vocalist Diane Schuur is the week's headliner Tuesday through Saturday at Catalina, and Francisco Aquabella's Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz Septet is the weekend headliner at the Jazz Bakery.
[Musicians] talk of nothing but money and jobs. Give me businessmen every time. They really are interested in music and art. 
– Jean Sibelius
Q: Why did the harmonica player leave his harp on the dashboard of his car?
A: So he could qualify for a handicapped parking space.
