John Hammond (far right) with guest Melody Dewine and (rear) drummer Ralph Penland and bassist John Gianelli © Glenn Mitchell

Visiting Henri’s Back Room in Canoga Park for the first time and listening to the John Hammond Trio and guest vocalist Melodye DeWine was a very worthwhile experience. Pianist Hammond schedules the best musicians and vocalists in town to play there with his regular trio. On reading his website (www.johnfhammond.com) I was amazed at the credits this man has!

Melodye DeWine has done quite a few successful musical presentations throughout L.A. Hammond invited her on a Saturday evening in early August to sing with his trio, which included bassist John Giannelli and drummer Ralph Penland. The trio began with “Diane,” a number I hadn’t heard for a while. It came out very flowing and beautiful. Giannelli’s bass work is a work of art on his five-string instrument. It has a delectable sound – perfect for backing sound, including his super low bass notes. It is one of the better basses I’ve ever heard.

Red Holloway © Andrea Canter

Los Angeles' national saxophone treasure Holloway celebrates his 80th b-day in grand company with saxophonist Donald Harrison and friends at the Jazz Bakery on Wednesday, September 12th trhough Sunday, September 16th. There will be two shows nightly: 8 PM & 9:30 PM. Tickets are $25 and 1/2 price for students 21 and under.

James W "Red" Holloway was born in Helena, Arkansas on May 31, 1927 to a mother who played piano and a father who played violin. At the age of five, he and his mother moved to Chicago, where he graduated from DuSable High School and attended the Conservatory of Music.

Versatile LA drummer Evan Stone shows off his jazz chops on his recent release, Sticks and Stone/Volume 1 (Red Jazz). On Wednesday, August 22^nd you can catch the most of the core quartet from this recording live at Steamers in Fullerton.

Evan Stone has toured with Maynard Ferguson and pop artist Toni Childs. As eclectic as he is talented, Stone leads the progressive “new thing” rock band Salty the Pocketknife and tours with the Greg Adams Band, pop ensemble Aly and AJ, and his Translucent Ham Sandwich band. He’s been on stage with Larry Carlton, Gerald Albright, Tom Scott, Chris Boti, Jeff Lorber, Eric Marienthal, John Tesh, Diane Schur, Anthony Wilson and more.

Dave Brubeck

One of the most popular jazz artists of all time, 86-year-old Dave Brubeck continues to perform and record with the 21^st century edition of his famed quartet. On the heels of a new solo release, Indian Summer, Brubeck and the quartet (with saxman Bobby Militello, bassist Michael Moore, and drummer Randy Jones) will perform in San Diego (August 20^th), Hollywood (August 22^nd) and Santa Rosa (August 25^th), the latter concert sponsored by the Healdsburg Jazz Festival.