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 2/1 - Larry Goldings at Vitello's Upstairs
Monday night is becoming organ night at Vitello's Upstairs in Studio City, with Larry Goldings holding the chair this week. A strong supporting cast includes Anthony Wilson on guitar, Bob Sheppard on sax, and Mike Green on drums. Wilson appears downstairs at Vitello's Tuesday as John Pisano's guest for Guitar Night. Katisse Buckingham leads a quintet in downtown L.A. at Seven Grand.
Tuesday 2/2 - Adam Schroeder Quartet at Spazio
Baritone saxophonist Adam Schroeder leads a quartet Tuesday night at Spazio in Sherman Oaks. Also scheduled on this gig are Graham Dechter on guitar, Dave Robaire on bass, and Dan Schnelle on drums. Latin fans can check out bassist Oskar Cartaya's band Cartaya's Enclave at The Baked Potato. The young singer Dakota Horvath is at Catalina with the Clayton Cameron Trio.
Wednesday 2/3 - All Star Latin Jazz at Vitello's Upstairs
A quartet of Latin heavyweights takes the stage at Vitello's Wednesday night. On this one are Justo Almario on sax, Rene Camacho on bass, Walter Rodriguez on drums, and a rare appearance from Ramon Stagnaro on guitar. The fine singer Anne Walsh is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach.
Thursday 2/4 - Tom Ranier Trio at Vitello's Upstairs
Pianist Tom Ranier leads a trio featuring three members of the "Dancing With The Stars" band Thursday night at Vitello's Upstairs. Joining him are Trey Henry on bass and the exceptional Ralph Humphrey (Frank Zappa/Don Ellis) on drums. Saxophonist/vocalist Paulie Cerra leads a blues/jazz night at The Baked Potato with Kirk Fletcher on guitar, and the Norway-based trio of Per Oystein Erstad on bass, Jon Reidar Furuland on drums, and Iver Olav Erstad on organ.
Friday 2/5 - Dave Liebman at Vitello's Upstairs
Sax veteran Dave Liebman (Miles Davis) visits L.A. for a Friday night performance at Vitello's Upstairs with Bob Sheppard on sax, John Beasley on piano, Darek Oles on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums. Vibrato in Bel-Air hosts a Friday night show featuring the always interesting Mitchel Forman on piano, with a band including Walt Fowler on trumpet, Trey Henry on bass, and Ray Brinker on drums. Saxophonist Ernie Watts is at Spazio, while guitarist Carl Verheyen is at The Baked Potato.
Saturday 2/6 - Baked Potato All-Stars at The Baked Potato
Guitarist Jeff Richman leads a quartet of genuine all-stars Saturday at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The heavyweights on this gig include Mitchel Forman on keys, Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report) on bass, and Simon Phillips (Jeff Beck, The Who, Toto) on drums - plan on arriving early for this one. Samba fans can check out Katia Morales' Sambaguru at Spazio (also appearing Friday at the Radisson LA Westside).
Sunday 2/7 - Shogun Warrior at The Baked Potato
The terrific fusion/jam band Shogun Warrior takes its usual first Sunday turn at The Baked Potato Sunday night. Jeff Babko on keys leads fellow "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" bandmate Toshi Yanagi on guitar, John Daversa on trumpet and EVI, Toss Panos on drums, and a special appearance from Jimmy Johnson on bass, who provides some of the most innovative electric bass work anywhere in the world on this gig. Pianist Otmaro Ruiz is at Charlie O's with Edwin Livingston on bass and Jimmy Branly on drums, while pianist Mike Lang is at Catalina with Walter Rodriguez on drums and bass legend Abraham Laboriel, Sr.
Jazz is music invented by demons for the torture of imbeciles.
– Henry van Dyk, 1852-1933, U.S. clergyman
Dill piccolo: a wind instrument that plays only sour notes.
