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
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
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
Ooh Baby! Songwriters at Play celebrates the music of Smokey Robinson and Aretha Franklin at the High Roller Tiki Lounge in Solvang on Saturday Jan. 13. The concert includes local and touring artists doing such favorites as You Really Got a Hold on Me, Respect, Natural Woman, Tracks of My Tears, and many more. Reserved seats for the 2pm concert are $20, available at my805tix.com
The lineup of performers includes Bay Area balladeers Zoe FitzGerald Carter, Aireene Espiritu, and Jesse Loren Strickman; SoCal singers Pi Jacobs, Jason Luckett, and Jeanne Newhall; Santa Barbara’s Will Breman, and California Valley’s Holly Ann Lewis.
The concert is produced by Songwriters at Play, husband-wife team, Steve Key and Bonnie Nelson-Key. They produced many tributes at SoHo in Santa Barbara, and various venues in the San Luis Obispo. Their events have covered the music of Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, Leonard Cohen, James Taylor, Carole King, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, and Bob Dylan. They also host monthly song contests at High Roller Tiki Lounge; the winners of their 10-part series will compete for the $1,000 grand prize next April. www.songwritersatplay.com
Ooh Baby! Songwriters at Play celebrates the music of Smokey Robinson and Aretha Franklin at the High Roller Tiki Lounge in Solvang on Saturday Jan. 13. The concert includes local and touring artists doing such favorites as You Really Got a Hold on Me, Respect, Natural Woman, Tracks of My Tears, and many more. Reserved seats for the 2pm concert are $20, available at my805tix.com
The lineup of performers includes Bay Area balladeers Zoe FitzGerald Carter, Aireene Espiritu, and Jesse Loren Strickman; SoCal singers Pi Jacobs, Jason Luckett, and Jeanne Newhall; Santa Barbara’s Will Breman, and California Valley’s Holly Ann Lewis.
The concert is produced by Songwriters at Play, husband-wife team, Steve Key and Bonnie Nelson-Key. They produced many tributes at SoHo in Santa Barbara, and various venues in the San Luis Obispo. Their events have covered the music of Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, Leonard Cohen, James Taylor, Carole King, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, and Bob Dylan. They also host monthly song contests at High Roller Tiki Lounge; the winners of their 10-part series will compete for the $1,000 grand prize next April. www.songwritersatplay.com
Ooh Baby! Songwriters at Play celebrates the music of Smokey Robinson and Aretha Franklin at CCAT on Sunday Jan. 14. The concert includes local and touring artists doing such favorites as You Really Got a Hold on Me, Respect, Natural Woman, Tracks of My Tears, and many more.
The lineup of performers includes Bay Area balladeers Zoe FitzGerald Carter, Aireene Espiritu, and Jesse Loren Strickman; SoCal singers Pi Jacobs, Jason Luckett, and Jeanne Newhall; Santa Barbara’s Will Breman, and Central Coast artists The Taproots, and Holly Ann Lewis.
Pi Jacobs, Will Breman, and Aireene Espiritu played CCAT in last January’s tribute to Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. The Taproots and Zoe FitzGerald Carter were in the Nov. 2022 tribute to Joni Mitchell. Jeanne Newhall has played many Songwriters at Play events, including this year’s tribute to Joan Baez. Jason Luckett and Holly Ann Lewis make their CCAT debuts in this show.
The concert is produced by Songwriters at Play, husband-wife team, Steve Key and Bonnie Nelson-Key. Their tributes at CCAT have included the music of James Taylor, Carole King, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, and Bob Dylan. They also host monthly song contests at Schooners in Cayucos; the winners of their 10-part series come to CCAT next April 14. www.songwritersatplay.com
Admission:Reserved seats $25.00 CCA Members: $20.00
Age restrictions:All Ages
Notes:
Ooh Baby! Songwriters at Play celebrates the music of Smokey Robinson and Aretha Franklin at CCAT on Sunday Jan. 14. The concert includes local and touring artists doing such favorites as You Really Got a Hold on Me, Respect, Natural Woman, Tracks of My Tears, and many more.
The lineup of performers includes Bay Area balladeers Zoe FitzGerald Carter, Aireene Espiritu, and Jesse Loren Strickman; SoCal singers Pi Jacobs, Jason Luckett, and Jeanne Newhall; Santa Barbara’s Will Breman, and Central Coast artists The Taproots, and Holly Ann Lewis.
Pi Jacobs, Will Breman, and Aireene Espiritu played CCAT in last January’s tribute to Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. The Taproots and Zoe FitzGerald Carter were in the Nov. 2022 tribute to Joni Mitchell. Jeanne Newhall has played many Songwriters at Play events, including this year’s tribute to Joan Baez. Jason Luckett and Holly Ann Lewis make their CCAT debuts in this show.
The concert is produced by Songwriters at Play, husband-wife team, Steve Key and Bonnie Nelson-Key. Their tributes at CCAT have included the music of James Taylor, Carole King, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, and Bob Dylan. They also host monthly song contests at Schooners in Cayucos; the winners of their 10-part series come to CCAT next April 14. www.songwritersatplay.com
The next First Fridays Jazz Night w/Jason Luckett & Friends is on December 1, 2023. It’s the Holiday Edition!
Joining me for the show are the Brothers Figaro Orchestra doing an Old Time Christmas, Dorothy Coleman Pincus bringing her love, my annual holiday revue (after a long hiatus) and hopefully more surprises.
First Fridays Jazz Night w/ Jason Luckett & Friends Friday, December 1, 2023 8-10:30pm (doors: 7:30) Lyd & Mo Photography Studio & Gallery 27 N Mentor Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106
The Brothers Figaro Orchestra Dorothy Coleman Pincus Jason Luckett & more!
Hosted by Jason Luckett Doors: 7:30 Showtime: 8pm
Suggested donation: $20 at the door or online PayPal.me/jasonluckett Venmo: @jasonluckett (100% goes to the musicians).
In Playhouse Village in the heart of Pasadena IG: @firstfridaysjazznight
DETAILS:
Artist:JASON LUCKETT
Jason Luckett Pasadena Residency: First Fridays Jazz Night w/ JL & Friends
