Shaun Cromwell is a singer and writer of eclectic roots-inspired songs, He uses guitar, banjo, and his voice to weave tales of intrigue and epics of sorrow. Drawing heavily from the pantheon of American roots traditions, he infuses more contemporary influences such as Bill Frisell, Lowell George, and Tom Waits. Arizona-based JC & Laney, are JC Scott and Laney Greynolds — acoustic rockers and balladeers who played in various bands individually before coming together to form this high energy Americana duo. The chemistry was immediate. With seven CDs now under their belt, they tour tirelessly around the western U.S. And as I’ve said before, Laney will draw you into their world and JC will spit you back out!
Thursday Apr 25 7:00pm VR Smith Group – TICKETS ( $17/$12)
Jazz vocalist Verna Rose “VR” Smith and her husband Putter Smith have devoted their lives to music and the arts. The South Pasadena residents have been fixtures in the LA jazz scene for years. A long residency at the intimate Cafe Beaujolais in Eagle Rock spawned the album VR & The Cafe Beaujolais Band — Lost and Found. Her vocal style is intentional and introspective. The clarity and gentle rasp of VR’s voice and her unique phrasing really distinguish her. Putter Smith has played bass with some legends including Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, Billy Eckstine and countless others. Joining VR and Putter will be Riner Scivally on guitar, Robert Kyle on sax, and Tim Pleasant on drums.
Wednesday May 1 7:00pm
Sydney Sprague; Danielle Durack + spc gst Alec Gross – TICKETS ($17/$12)
Singer-songwriters Sydney Sprague and Danielle Durack both currently reside in Phoenix — Sydney by way of Austin. Phoenix New Times says, “Sydney’s vocals are akin to comfort food for the soul; she has an ability in her vulnerability and gentleness to evoke a truly peaceful, easy feeling… One of Arizona’s finest voices.” Since the release of her 2017 debut album, Bonnie Rose, Durack has also risen to prominence in the Phoenix scene. It features a collection of piano-driven pop songs with infectious hooks, drawing comparisons to Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson. On her sophomore album, Bashful, Durack expands her sound into the territory of indie-pop. She gained national attention with her single “Sunshine” which was placed on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist. We’ll also hear from recent New York transplant, Alec Gross. Alec’s song “If You Don’t Mind (Baby Go Ahead)” was featured on the Wine & Song compilation CD a few years back.
Thursday May 2 7:00pm Carey Frank | Jimmy Vivino | Vincent Fossett, Jr. – TICKETS ( $17/$12)
Carey Frank received his Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Piano Performance from the University of Central Florida. He later received his Masters of Music in Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California, studying with Russell Ferrente (Yellowjackets), Alan Pasqua, and Peter Erskine. While completing his coursework, he released a self-produced debut album, “Keep Smiling”, a #1 best seller on Amazon Music in Cool Jazz. Jimmy Vivino serves as Music Director on TBS late-night show, Conan. Vivino has been a consistent element in O’Brien’s career, starting with the first episode of Late Night with Conan O’Brien in September 1993. In June of 2008 he moved from New York to Los Angeles to work as Music Director on The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. Early in his career he produced and arranged for such artists as Phoebe Snow, Laura Nyro, John Sebastian and Donald Fagen. They’ll be joined by acclaimed drummer Vincent Fossett, Jr.
American Songwriter Magazine called Bow Thayer “the best artist to come from New England in recent years.” He has pursued a creative vision to lead Americana and folk music into the future. His most recent album, A Better Version of the Truth, is an unflinching testament to his bass player, Alex Abraham, who suddenly left this world soon after his parts were recorded. Bow has now returned to the road from his home above Vermont’s White River to share those songs and others from his acclaimed body of work. Nels Andrews was born near some water, then, for a long time, lived in a desert near some chile peppers. In between he planted trees. Then he was in a tall city. Now he’s back near the sea. He likes the way stories sound when they’re sung. He was a winner at Kerrville, Telluride, and Mountain Stage songwriter competitions.
Thursday May 9 7:00pm
David Arnay Trio – TICKETS ( $17/$12)
Pianist David Arnay spent his formative years in Ithaca, New York. His keyboard work was essential to a series of original musical projects including a lengthy collaboration in the Zobo Funn Band, with influential guitarist/composer David Torn. In 1994 he joined jazz woodwind legend Bennie Maupin’s quintet which performed some of Arnay’s compositions. In 1997, Arnay released his first CD as a leader — Daddy’s Groove. The disc featured woodwind performances by Maupin and Bob Sheppard, with drummer Peter Erskine and bassists Alphonso Johnson and Dave Carpenter. His second CD was a self-produced trio project, Blues… And Then Some. With drummer Dave Tull and bassist Larry Steen, the album presented eight original compositions along with fresh arrangements of a few standards. The CD remains in regular rotation at KKJZ and beyond. After completing his master’s degree at USC/Thornton School of Music in 1999, David was invited to join the faculty. Arnay performed all keyboard tracks on guitarist Phil Upchurch’s CD, Tell the Truth. He will be joined for this show by Aaron Serfaty on drums and Trevor Ware on bass.
Nathan Rivera and Jessie Andra Smith bring their unforgettable brand of gypsy folk. The duo has traveled all over the world sharing their music on streets and stages. Their unique sound is a fusion of jazzy folk and blues on resonator guitars and accordion, with an interesting interplay of harmonies between the two voices. Upbeat tunes rooted in the spirit of jazz, improvisation, storytelling, and humor. The music of Pretty Polly melds the soul of old school American roots and the craft of contemporary songwriting. The Los Angeles duo (made up of Jessie Payo and Leeann Skoda) met at a show in Pomona on Valentine’s Day 2014 where they were each performing. They quickly bonded over American folk music. They soon began to combine their sets and perform together as a duo across Southern California and beyond. Their debut studio record Smoking Gun was released in May 2018.
Thursday May 16 7:00pm
Adam Miller Trio – TICKETS ( $17/$12)
Premier Guitar Magazine says “it takes an impossibly gifted player to improvise independent melodies, harmonies, and bass lines all at the same time – while maintaining an impeccable groove. Australia’s Adam Miller is one such rare phenomenon.” With a completely unique approach to the guitar, Adam’s music is groovy and approachable, while maintaining a melodic sophistication that only comes from years of cross genre hopping. His tendency to include complex rhythms, dissonant haunting phrases, combined with breathtaking riffs and melodies are his signature. His jazz influenced style with finger-picking mastery creates a improvisation filled live performance that is beautifully unpredictable. He’ll be joined by Justin Glasco on drums, and Joel Gottschlak on bass.
From the swampy farmlands and beach towns of North Carolina, Lipbone Redding migrated to New York City and became a subway musician. Steeped in the musical tradition of soul, boogie and blues, he honed his guitar and people skills in the underground caverns of New York. A residency at the tiny but famous Jules Jazz Bistro on historic Saint Mark’s Place was where Lipbone developed his signature jazzy lip trombone and unique style of musical storytelling. Originally from Evergreen Colorado, Abby Posner moved to California in 2002 to study at California Institute of the Arts. From new-folk to bluegrass and pop, Posner twists genres to create a fresh, catchy sound. She arranges, writes, and plays nearly all of the instruments on her albums. The sounds she creates are both pleasantly dark and playful. We’ll also have a special guest set from LA hit songwriter, Lois Blaisch.
Thursday May 23 7:00pm
Louie Cruz Beltran – TICKETS ($20)
Louie Cruz Beltran is a charismatic entertainer, singer and master percussionist. His musical career was crafted upon the soulful sounds of his ethnic American background and flavored with contemporary R&B, Jazz, and Salsa as well as the Great American Songbook. Early in his career, Louie performed with great artists such as Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente, Francisco Aguabella, and Jorge Claudio. Recently he has performed with legends Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Poncho Sanchez and many other renowned artists. Louie will be joined by Carlos Vivas on keyboard, JD Perez on drums, Andrew Ford on bass, and Justin Janer on sax and flute.
Wednesday May 29 7:00pm
Talbott Brothers; Sofia Talvik – TICKETS ($20/$14)
Blood is thicker than water and there’s nothing like family creating music together. Singer-songwriter duo The Talbott Brothers combine rock, blues and pop with honest storytelling. Nick and Tyler were born and raised in the small southwestern Nebraska town of Imperial. They began writing and performing together before relocating to Portland, Oregon. They discovered their love of music after digging their dad’s old dreadnought guitar out of the basement and teaching themselves to play along to Johnny Cash, Bob Seger and the Beatles. Following 2017’s GRAY, they found themselves in front of sold out crowds in the US. Unmistakably Nordic in flavor, Sofia Talvik is a North Sea siren blending sparkle and melancholy. A veteran performer with six albums under her belt, her Swedish roots give her music has a special tint. Her 16 month, 37 state tour through the U.S. has moved her closer to the Americana tradition, and her adventures on the road—of triumph and joy, but also self doubt and defeat—have found their way into her beautiful songs.
Thursday May 30 7:00pm
Molly Miller Trio – TICKETS ($17/$12)
A Los Angeles native, Molly Miller has performed, recorded, and toured with the likes of Jason Mraz, Wynton Marsalis, Donna Missal, Ashley Clark, and Printz Board. She grew up playing guitar in a band with her four siblings, performing on national television, and winning music awards all around the country. She graduated recently with her doctorate in guitar performance from the University of Southern California’s prestigious Thornton School of Music, where she also received both her Bachelors and Masters in Music. She has performed at major festivals ranging from Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy and Charlotte Jazz Festival to Bumbershoot and Riotfest. She just returned just from her two-week tour in Brazil playing lead guitar for Jason Mraz. She’ll be joined by the extraordinary rhythm section of Jay Bellerose on drums and Jennifer Condos on bass.
Wednesday Jun 5 7:00pm
Tony James Shevlin; Our Wild America – TICKETS ($17/$12)
Tony James Shevlin is an Anglo-Irish singer-songwriter who’s been a professional musician for most of his adult life and has performed all over the world, from Europe to Russia, Africa, the Middle East and Australia. Along the way he’s had songs used by Amnesty International, The Troggs, and REM. Tony splits his time between the UK, playing with his backing band The Chancers, and the US, where he performs as a solo artist. Our Wild Country (aka Alec Gross) is a recent transplant from NYC. He performs his dark and heavy brand of original folk, alt country, and soul throughout the US and Europe. The characters and story lines of Alec’s songs are set to haunting musical soundscapes that move beyond the acoustic guitars and plaintive vocals typical of Americana and Alt Country, and are augmented by unexpected blasts of raw, Stax-era R&B. All are graced by Alec’s soaring yet vulnerable tenor.
Thursday Jun 6 7:00pm
Lady Sings, Trumpet Swings – TICKETS ($18/$13)
