Join us Friday, June 7! We’ll feature vocalist and arranger Alison Lewis accompanied by pianist Sandro Rebel. And in a set of classic jazz and Bossa standards, we’ll have vocalist Tiffany Lantello, with JL on guitar. Jason Luckett performs and hosts.
First Fridays Jazz Night w/ Jason Luckett & Friends Friday, June 7, 2024 8-10:30pm (doors: 7:30) Lyd & Mo Photography Studio & Gallery 27 N Mentor Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106
Performing: Alison Lewis Tiffany Lantello Jason Luckett
Using the title of a classic stage play or movie as inspiration, storytellers and poets write poems and stories to be read aloud. Writers may pen a personal story inspired by the themes of the play. They may write in the voice of a character from the play and tell his or her back story. Or they may simply riff on the words in the title. Whatever the writer’s approach, BACKSTORY has consistently been a fascinating and eclectic night of theatre. This month the play is “The Color Purple.”
The Victory Theatre Center presents BACKSTORY: THE COLOR PURPLE June 2nd, 7:30pm PST 3326 West Victory Blvd. Burbank, CA 91505
Library Girl Presents: It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding). Deluxe Mother’s Day Night show! Inspired by a Dylan song, not a Dylan tribute! Featuring readings by Karen Croner, Jeff Greenstein, Stephanie Barbé Hammer, Anna Goodman Herrick, O-Lan Jones, Darrell Larson and Maggie Sennish. Featuring music by Jason Luckett. Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Ave, Santa Monica 90405. $20 includes dessert and free parking. Get tickets NOW at ruskingrouptheatre.com – Click See a Show and look for Library Girl icon. Cover Photo: Cow Girl from Rite of Passage by Tom Chambers. Library Girl, now in its 15th year, created and curated by Susan Hayden
Join us Friday, May 3! We’ll feature the Danny Moynahan Trio, and Jennifer Leigh Warren, with JL on guitar & vocals. Jason Luckett performs and hosts.
First Fridays Jazz Night w/ Jason Luckett & Friends Friday, My 3, 2024 8-10:30pm (doors: 7:30) Lyd & Mo Photography Studio & Gallery 27 N Mentor Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106
Performing: Jennifer Leigh Warren Danny Moynahan Trio Jason Luckett
Ha! I’m laughing because this month as I write it is 68º and clear in LA. And for my new list members (welcome!), here’s the song that inspires friends to text me the weather report on these charmed days: “Good Day in LA” (on Bandcamp). It’s decidedly not even jazz adjacent, thus only been played once at First Fridays Jazz Night, by request! But we have a variety of things to catch up on, so enjoy it again, or for the first time, depending on what brought you here. (Scroll to the end for all the links and detailed info.)
To start, for First Fridays Jazz Night, w/ Jason Luckett & Friends on April 5 my guests will be the returning Marcelo Bucater, with the group, Little Brazil Trio, featuring Natália Spadini on vocals, Bruno Justi on guitar, and Marcelo on drums.
Jeanne Newhall is my other guest. We met doing the Aretha and Smokey tribute in January. Her piano and vocal arrangement of “Daydreaming” blew me away. I’ll accompany her on at least one tune, too.
Per usual, I’ll do a brief intro section, then close the night with a full set of my own. Can’t wait!
Before that, I’m going to be playing guitar and bass with Zoe FitzGerald Carter at Hotel Café, on Sunday, March 24, at 7pm. She’s in town promoting her new album, Before the Machine.
And I thought on Tuesday, March 26, you’d be able to see and hear me in a very unusual setting, on the sitcom Extended Family, starring Jon Cryer, Donald Faison, and Abagail Spencer. But it wasn’t the season finale (episode 13) it was the penultimate episode (#12) of a cute show about a divorced couple where the husband to be is the owner of the Boston Celtics (who aren’t playing well during most of the season, in contrast to real life). People started asking me about it when I got home this evening after writing this, so I found out it aired tonight. I filmed it in January and you can stream it on Peacock tonight.
For the inspiration corner…
… I’d guide you this month to the extended interview of Paul Simon on Stephen Colbert’s show. He was there to promote a new documentary on his music. What really got me was his spontaneous recitation of the lyrics for “Darling Lorraine,” a song he called one of his favorites, from the 2000 album, You’re the One. It’s a little known album and song, comparatively, but it’s one of my favorite Simon albums, and “Darling Lorraine” is one of my favorites on it. It was actually a big influence on my song, “The Passage of Time,” that I released on my live album a little while ago.
Another interview that I loved this month was Rick Beato interviewing George Benson. So much of it reminds me of my father, who was about 5 years older than Benson. For guitarists, this is a who’s who of the greats and beautiful memories of tutelage and mentorship. My favorite bit is when he talks of his step-father bringing an electric guitar home and how it blew the 7-year-old’s mind. It was a ploy to get the kid interested in music, just like my pops would sit me in front of the speakers to find what I liked before I could even speak. And, of course there were the George Benson albums he brought home to me later when I’d already taken to guitar, to nudge me towards jazz, specifically “The Other Side of Abbey Road,” which listening to now, I absolutely love, but didn’t completely get back then. But isn’t that the way gifts from your elders creep up on you. Rest in Peace, Pops: 25 years gone as of last week, so this interview felt like a hug.
Anyway, I hope you’ll join me in the coming days at some of these events. If you can make it on April 5 to Pasadena, you can bring drinks and snacks for yourself or to share, it’s kind of a salon/living room type experience. (As you might gather from the photo of last week’s artists: l to r, Casey Lipka, Marcel Camargo, Dusty Brough)
Lastly…
In the spirit of springtime, I’ll sign off with one of my favorite Desmond Tutu quotes:
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
Excited to have Marcelo Bucater back to FFJN, this time with his Little Brazil Trio. In addition to producing, performing, and recording with artists such as Carrie Underwood, Ladybug Mecca, Arthur Verocai, Adrian Younge, Tinto Tango and Adam Levy, Marcelo is the Drum Department Chair at Los Angeles College of Music (LACM).
We’ll also have composer, pianist and singer Jeanne Newhall, whom I met at the Aretha & Smokey tributes I did in January. She did an amazing version of Aretha’s “Daydreaming,” which floored me, highlighting the more psychedelic edges of the tune, but in a more jazz context. I’m really excited to hear what she’ll do one our night.
Of course, I’ll be playing, too!
Hope you can make it!
Doors: 7:30 Showtime: 8pm
Suggested donation: $20 at the door or online Venmo: @jasonluckett PayPal.me/jasonluckett (100% goes to the musicians).
In Playhouse Village in the heart of Pasadena IG: @firstfridaysjazznight
Marcel Camargo introduced me to Casey Lipka, who will bring her new group, Casey Lipka & Tres Acústicos, to FFJN on March 1. Marcel is one of the Tres. And, though Casey is singing backed by the three nylon stringed guitars, she’ll play a bit of bass with me on my set!
Singer-songwriter and LA Native, Casey Lipka (@caseylipka) has toured as a bassist with rock band CAKE, played on NPR’s Mountain Stage, composed music for ballet and fronted an 18-piece orchestra celebrating the music of Motown legends Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. She’s been described as “an amalgam of pop, folk, and jazz wrapped in a neo-classical vibe, where her ethereal sound exudes both vulnerability and strength.” The guitarists joining her, in addition to Marcel, are Nadav Peled (@peled.guitar) and Dusty Brough (@dustybrough).
Time: 8:00am.Admission: $150 (discounts available — see notes).Age restrictions: All Ages.Address:4101 E Willow St.
The Roots of Justice Convening will be a full day opportunity for dialogue, learning and reflection. Our keynote speaker is Jenan Mohajir with Interfaith America. Join us for meaningful conversations and workshops geared towards building bridges in divided times.
For a discounted ticket price, contact Vanessa Rodriguez at vrodriguez@cacej.org.
Time: 2:00pm.Admission: Reserved seats $25.00 CCA Members: $20.00.Age restrictions: All Ages.Address:1350 Main St.Venue phone: (805) 927-8190.
Come celebrate the music of soul music legend Sam Cooke on Sunday March 2. at Cambria Center for the Arts Theatre (CCAT)! We’ll cover his hits (You Send Me, Cupid, Bring It On Home to Me, Another Saturday Night) and deep cuts from his extensive discography.
The performers include Zoe Fitzgerald Carter, Mike Berman, Jesse Loren Strickman, Emily Zuzik, Justin Christian, Sebastian Luna, Jason Luckett, and Adrian Bourgeois.
Marcel Camargo (@marcelcamargomusic) is a Brazilian guitarist, who’s spent a lot of time as Michael Bublé’s guitarist. He’s an incredible composer and arranger, as well. Recently, he was on tour with Brazilian Legend, Arthur Verocai. (FFJN alum Marcelo Bucater played drums on that tour!) He’s also worked with diverse artists from Herb Alpert, Sérgio Mendes, and Bebel Gilberto to Tom Harrell and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson to Macy Gray, Inara George, and Jason Mraz.
I met Marcel in the 90s when he was playing a lot with Gretchen Parlato, while both were students at UCLA. When I started this series, he was one of the first people I wanted on it, so I’m so happy that he’s finally able to do it.
Time: 8:00am.Admission: $150 (discounts available — see notes).Age restrictions: All Ages.Address:4101 E Willow St.
The Roots of Justice Convening will be a full day opportunity for dialogue, learning and reflection. Our keynote speaker is Jenan Mohajir with Interfaith America. Join us for meaningful conversations and workshops geared towards building bridges in divided times.
For a discounted ticket price, contact Vanessa Rodriguez at vrodriguez@cacej.org.
Time: 2:00pm.Admission: Reserved seats $25.00 CCA Members: $20.00.Age restrictions: All Ages.Address:1350 Main St.Venue phone: (805) 927-8190.
Come celebrate the music of soul music legend Sam Cooke on Sunday March 2. at Cambria Center for the Arts Theatre (CCAT)! We’ll cover his hits (You Send Me, Cupid, Bring It On Home to Me, Another Saturday Night) and deep cuts from his extensive discography.
The performers include Zoe Fitzgerald Carter, Mike Berman, Jesse Loren Strickman, Emily Zuzik, Justin Christian, Sebastian Luna, Jason Luckett, and Adrian Bourgeois.
I’m feeling sunny thinking about the next FFJN on March 1. Marcel Camargo and Casey Lipka & Tres Acústicos will join me.
I met Marcel in the 90s when he was playing a lot with Gretchen Parlato, while both were students at UCLA. When I started this series, he was one of the first people I wanted on it, so I’m so happy that he’s finally able to do it.
Through Marcel, I met Casey, who will bring her new group, Casey Lipka & Tres Acústicos, to the evening. Marcel is one of the Tres. And though Casey is singing backed by the three nylon stringed guitars, she’ll play a bit of bass with me on my set!
Here’s a little more on both artists:
Marcel Camargo (@marcelcamargomusic) is a Brazilian guitarist, who’s spent a lot of time as Michael Bublé’s guitarist. He’s an incredible composer and arranger, as well. Recently, he was on tour with Brazilian Legend, Arthur Verocai. (FFJN alum Marcelo Bucater played drums on that tour!) He’s also worked with diverse artists from Herb Alpert, Sérgio Mendes, and Bebel Gilberto to Tom Harrell and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson to Macy Gray, Inara George, and Jason Mraz.
Singer-songwriter and LA Native, Casey Lipka (@caseylipka) has toured as a bassist with rock band CAKE, played on NPR’s Mountain Stage, composed music for ballet and fronted an 18-piece orchestra celebrating the music of Motown legends Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. She’s been described as “an amalgam of pop, folk, and jazz wrapped in a neo-classical vibe, where her ethereal sound exudes both vulnerability and strength.” The guitarists joining her, in addition to Marcel, are Nadav Peled (@peled.guitar) and Dusty Brough (@dustybrough).
And just for fun, if you’ve forgotten, here’s my brief bio:
Jason Luckett writes, sings, and plays to break down barriers. With a love for jazz, soul, classic singer-songwriters, and Brazilian music he’s performed on stages worldwide from LA Library’s ALOUD series to Glastonbury, SXSW, UCLA’s Royce Hall and Copenhagen Songwriters Festival. He’s also recorded or played with artists as diverse as Kenny Burrell, Russell Ferrante, the Indigo Girls, Melissa Etheridge, and members of Bauhaus, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Ozomatli.
Can’t believe we’re celebrating the 1st Anniversary of First Fridays Jazz Night w/Jason Luckett & Friends! Joining me for full sets are Stefanie Naifeh (of The Underthings) w/Jeff Paris, doing an exploration of early blues and jazz; and Sorcerers of Peace (Jeff Dean, Rober Luis, Aziz Yehia, Hamed Habibpour). Jeff was with us playing in Lula in July and Rober was with Danette Christine on our very first show. I introduced Rober to Jeff, after meeting him that night, so it’s kind of like the band emerged from this community.
Hopefully we’ll have a couple surprises during my set, too!
Can’t wait to celebrate with you!
First Fridays Jazz Night w/ Jason Luckett & Friends Friday, February 2, 2024 8-10:30pm (doors: 7:30) Lyd & Mo Photography Studio & Gallery 27 N Mentor Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106
Performing: Stefanie Naifeh The Sorcerers of Peace Jason Luckett
Hosted by Jason Luckett
Doors: 7:30 Showtime: 8pm
Suggested donation: $20 at the door or online Venmo: @jasonluckett PayPal.me/jasonluckett (100% goes to the musicians).
In Playhouse Village in the heart of Pasadena IG: @firstfridaysjazznight
