Larry Coryell © Andrea Canter

The Jazz Bakery's Musical Feast series will present Larry Coryell and "Bombay Jazz" with Indian-inspired jazz and jazz-flavored raga on Sunday, March 14th in Largo at the Coronet Theatre, 366 North La Cienega Blvd. in Los Angeles. Saxophonist / composer George Brooks,  Indian bamboo flute master Ronu Majumdar, tabla virtuoso Aditya Kalyanpur join forces with guitar legend Larry Coryell to create the finest Indian-inspired jazz and jazz flavored raga. These world music visionaries blend the ancient improvisational art of Indian classical music with jazz (America’s own classical music) to create a soul satisfying, original music filled with rich melodies and dynamic rhythms. There will be a matinee performance at 4:00 p.m. and an evening performance at 7 p.m.. Tickets for each show are $25  or both shows for $30 (student rush 21 and under with ID is $15).

L-R, Theo Saunders, Tony Austin, Steve Cotter, Sony Holland, Jerry Holland and John B. Williams. (Photo by Terence Love)

Sony Holland has had a long-lasting desire to sing, from a very early age growing up in a small town, Pelican Rapids, northwest of Minneapolis, MN.  She says on her website, “There was always music in our house while growing up.”  Holland has spent the last several years preparing her vocal chops, learning the music business, and working at some of the better known jazz clubs on both East and West Coasts.  She has learned to use the best musicians in putting her shows on a higher level.  She has a wide selection of songs and, in particular, has fallen in love with the many gems from the Great American Songbook. This was her first appearance at Steamers on Friday, February 5th. 

Her band members are Theo Saunders--piano and arranger, John B. Williams--bass, Steve Cotter--guitar and Tony Austin--drums.  Her husband, Jerry Holland, is a guitarist, composer and arranger, and also her musical confidant.  He sat-in on several numbers with the group during the show. 

Poncho Sanchez

The Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band returns to Steamers, 138 W Commonwealth Ave. in Fullerton on Sunday, February 21^st, 2010. Conguero Poncho Sanchez is widely respected as one of the top American percussionists of our time. In his 2007 Grammy-winning release, Raise Your Hand on Concord Picante, conguero Poncho Sanchez and his legendary band payed homage to some of his soul heroes, as well as reaching into the timeless traditions of Afro-Cuban jazz and son. Poncho Sanchez’s newest album is his twenty-fourth recording on Concord Records and one of his finest. Psychedelic Blues features a more Latin jazz influenced sound honoring the tradition of Sanchez’s earlier work, and is less R&B influenced. The title track is neither psychedelic nor a blues, but a fast-moving mambo, written by Sonny Henry and arranged here by Francisco Torres [listen to streaming audio in QuickTime or Windows Media format].