Second Saturdays Jazz Night

April Newsletter


Upcoming Show: 
4/12/25 Pasadena, Second Saturdays Jazz Night w/ Jason Luckett & Friends, Featuring Gary Stockdale and Emily Zuzik… Read More »  RSVP on Facebook


Hey friends!

Thanks for opening this and being part of this community! I have a couple questions and updates to share, so please read on. 


April Shows & Booking More Gigs

April is pretty mellow in terms of shows — the only thing on the book is our Second Saturdays Jazz Night at Archetype Yoga on April 12. But I’d like to be playing more, especially after last month’s mini-tour. 

So, my first question: Do you know of some good venues near you, or would you be interested in hosting a house concert? I’m looking to perform out of town—or in town—Thursday–Sundays in April and May. More on that in a sec. 


Upcoming Songwriters Workshop

I’m planning a 3-day songwriters workshop in a beautiful home in Santa Monica with gorgeous, peaceful places to write. 

My questions for you: 

  • What do you look for in a creative workshop/retreat?
  • If you’ve done songwriting retreats before, what worked (or didn’t work) for you? 
  • Would you be interested in taking a course with me? 
  • Knowing me as many of you have over the years, what would you most like to learn with me?

Sound Play & Story

The Sound Play and Story class at GenSpace.

This leads me to why I’m focusing on Thursday–Sunday for shows … 

Last month I mentioned I’d be teaching at Annenberg GenSpace. In the course I’ve put together, we use sound and object based techniques to access our creativity and stories. I’ve loved it so much that I’m staying on Mondays and Wednesdays this month. It’s also inspired me to lead more workshops—not just for older adults, but for the curious of all ages. (Let me know if you’re interested, and I’ll tell you more about it!)

I love Wallis Annenberg’s vision of “creating a destination dedicated to enriching and expanding the lives of older adults by forging new relationships and creative expression through storytelling, technology, art, and horticultural therapy in beautiful green spaces.” 

Building community through creative exchange has always been the highest desire of my work. So I’m aiming to do more workshops and other activities to bring people together through our creativity. I’d love your help with that! For a more specific details about the course, click [here].


Second Saturdays: Volunteers & Support Needed!

I may have already hit the TL;DR (too long, didn’t read) threshold for some, but before you jump off—please remember to check out the great artists we have coming up for Second Saturdays on April 12: Gary Stockdale and Emily Zuzik. More info is at [this link]. 

The Roswell Sisters
The Roswell Sisters at last month’s Second Saturdays.

And, with regard to Second Saturdays Jazz Night w/Jason Luckett & Friends, I’m looking for volunteers to help keep it running smoothly. Specifically, 

  • Publicity help
  • Set-up and sound assistance on the nights of the show
  • A videographer (would be amazing)
  • Help for Sara and Jen for greeting and concessions
  • A fiscal sponsor to help sustain the series (so we can better support the musicians)

I’m so grateful for those who drop in their $25 or any donation each month! And, as we’ve moved to Saturdays, having a little extra funding/sponsorship would help us to keep bringing in the players accustomed to bigger payouts for weekend gigs.

Danette Christine, with Adam Levy and Jono at last month’s Second Saturdays.

We’ve built such a beautiful community. The musicians all love to play for us. I just want to keep it going strong—while also making sure I don’t topple from wearing too many hats (on top of my typical fedora!). So please let me know if you’re able to help with any of the above. 


Speaking of community…

In class today, we had almost a dozen non-musicians singing in improvised four-part harmony. One of them said, “It’s so hard to stay on my part.” This led to a discussion about the essence of standing in your integrity, while listening to others, in service of creating a beautiful, larger whole. It just seemed like a perfect metaphor for so many things in life. I love the lessons music teaches us!

Thanks again for your support and commitment to staying connected. I appreciate you so much! I hope to see you on the 12th or soon!

J

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SSJN 2/8/25: Cathy Segal-Garcia & Gary Fukushima

Cathy and I met probably a decade ago when her group Fish To Birds, an a cappella improvised singing group, was forming, I even sat in with them a few times! She’s been a long time influential presence on the jazz vocal scene in Los Angeles and a tireless champion of jazz of all kinds, and now hosts live broadcasts from Kulak’s Woodshed. Cathy & jazz pianist Gary Fukushima have had a wonderful musical relationship for many years. They are the founders of “The Moment”, a quirky modern-jazz & improvisational quintet with synth, guitar, tenor, and percussion.

I’m excited to have Cathy and Gary back with us on the 8th!

No shows booked at the moment.

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SSJN 2/8/25: Cheryl Barnes & Phil Cabasso, with Leo Nobre

CHERYL D. BARNES,  SINGER

Known principally as a Jazz singer, Cheryl’s versatility encompasses many musical genres.  Singing in four languages, Cheryl has performed around the world (including sharing the stage with J.J. Johnson, Wynton Marsalis, Quincy Jones, and a guest member spot with the world renowned Clara Ward Singers), and has recorded with a score of respected and beloved artists.  Her 16 years of Operatic training have brought her to the stage as a featured soloist with the Denver Symphony Orchestra, the Florida Orchestra and the Lawrence University Orchestra in Appleton, Wisconsin.  She has toured extensively throughout South America and the Caribbean, nurturing her love for Samba, Bossa Nova, Salsa and the riches of Latin and Afro-Cuban music. Her tours in Europe and Asia enthralled audiences.

A sought-after vocal clinician conducting numerous workshops and clinics across the U.S., she is also a founding member of the Jazz Vocal Coalition and retains an esteemed musical presence in Los Angeles, having been heard on stages ranging from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s prestigious  Friday Jazz Series to the Hollywood Bowl to the Hollywood and Las Vegas branches of the House of Blues.

What sets Cheryl apart from others is her incredible voice, which imbues each word she sings with a beauty and clarity all its own, taking the listener along on an extraordinary journey.  She opens her soul through her music and aims to make a direct connection with every listener.

She has created and performed a one woman show on the life of the great singer/dancer/actress Ethel Waters and has produced and participated in numerous recording projects.  Her most recent is entitled LISTEN TO THIS.  It features a remarkable cast of players including John Beasley, Rahn Coleman(Producer), Brandon Fields, John Hammond, Rickey Minor and, most notably, her husband and esteemed keyboardist/arranger, Phillip Cabasso, M.D.

Cheryl D. Barnes  brings a singular warmth and empathy to every line she sings, engaging listeners from a purr to a power belt.  Beloved around the world as a captivating live performer, she is one artist not to be missed.  

Visit Cheryl’s website for more in-depth reviews and information.  www.cheryldbarnes.com 

PHILLIP CABASSO….Jazz Piano, Arranger, Composer

Beginning at age 5, Phillip Cabasso began a life long musical journey.  Piano lessons, music in school, studying arranging and composition and performing on piano and trombone…all culminating in a 30 year collaboration with his wife, jazz singer Cheryl Barnes.  Their group, usually a trio with piano, bass and drums, performs regularly and wows audiences with their precision playing and artful renditions of jazz standards, R and B, Brazilian, as well as original compositions. This career taking place throughout university and medical school studies,  and as a respected full time internal medicine physician. He considers himself extremely fortunate to play with some of the greatest musicians in the world, not to mention, to be the musical director for the fabulous Ms Barnes!

No shows booked at the moment.

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