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First Friday’s Jazz Night

April Newsletter

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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: Cheryl Barnes & Phil Cabasso, with Leo Nobre

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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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FFJN 3/1/24: Marcel Camargo

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Marcel Camargo

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.

No shows booked at the moment.

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FFJN 1/5/24: Megan Shung & Ryan Whyman

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Photo of Megan and Ryan

Megan Shung often described as ‘the 21st Century violinist’, is an international violinist, composer, producer, and educator based in Los Angeles, California. Adept at multiple genres and styles, she has performed/recorded with artists including Anthony Kiedis, Michael Bublé, Seal & Billy Childs. In addition to being an active performer, Megan is also a passionate educator. Currently on the Suzuki and jazz faculty at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music (PCM). In 2023, she became the co-artist director of String Project Los Angeles a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to foster the bowed strings teaching community while celebrating the musical and cultural diversity of the city of LA.

Ryan Whyman is a seasoned pianist and composer from Los Angeles, and has made a living performing and recording with various artists and ensembles over the last decade. As a composer, he writes regularly for film, TV, and video games. Ryan released his debut album, Fantasies & Memories, in 2019.

No shows booked at the moment.

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FFJN 1/5/24: Cheryl Barnes & Phil Cabasso

Posted on by Jason Posted in First Fridays Jazz Night — 1 Comment ↓

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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FFJN 12/1: The Brothers Figaro, Dorothy Coleman Pincus

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The first Friday of the month is December 1st, so we’ll be doing The Holiday Edition of First Fridays Jazz Night w/ Jason Luckett & Friends. I’ll be joined by the Brothers Figaro (last time we were on a bill together was last century!!), and Dorothy Coleman Pincus, one of my secret vocal stars!

Brothers Figaro, "Old Time Christmas" album cover.

The Brothers Figaro are Phil Parlapiano and Bill Bonk. These guys made a huge impression on me as young artist when I’d open for them at Molly Malone’s. Their songwriting, singing and musicianship were so energetic and encompassed such a wide variety of sounds that it helped me to believe that so much was possible. I’m thrilled that they are going to bring their Old Time Christmas show to us on the 1st.

And Dorothy Coleman Pincus, has a résumé from Aretha Franklin to Barry Manilow, Stevie Wonder to Tupac Shakur. In fact, California knows how to party, in part, because of her vocals on that legendary collaboration “California Love” by Shakur and Dr. Dre (with Roger Troutman of Zapp fame — anyone ever slow dance to “I Want to be Your Man”? But I digress…). She’s sung with me and recorded over at my studio many times over the past couple decades. I’m going to accompany her on some holiday favorites. She always brings the love! Albeit, this evening, from a jazzier perspective!

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FFJN 11/3: Jennifer Leigh Warren

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Photo of Jennifer Leigh Warren

Jennifer Leigh Warren is a new friend of mine whom I met celebrating the 25th anniversary of Nana-Ama Danquah’s memoir, Willow Weep for Me. (Nana-Ama included an essay of mine in the anthology, The Black Body.) We started talking and laughing and I thought she’d be a great addition to our series. I asked her. And I’m so glad she said yes!

Her resume is rich with Broadway, touring and TV experience. For FFJN, she’s trying something new with just guitar accompaniment, from me. And we’ll duet on a couple things. It’s been so much fun seeing what we can do together.

Here’s her bio:

Jennifer Leigh Warren has been lauded for her theatrical work, from her show-stopping performance as “Alice’s Daughter” in the original Broadway cast of Big River (singing a song written for her by Roger Miller), to originating the role of “Crystal” in the Alan Menken/Howard Ashman Off-Broadway hit Little Shop of Horrors, to her performance in the original Broadway cast of Marie Christine at Lincoln Center. In the television musical event RENT: LIVE, she showcased her versatility as Mrs. Jefferson, Mrs. Cohen, Support Sue and the infamous bag lady. With the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, in the Disney Concert Hall, she performed as the narrator/vocalist in the “Rock my Soul” festival and performed her “Diamonds Are Forever: The Songs of Shirley Bassey” concert directed by Richard Jay Alexander in the Renberg Theater in Los Angeles. She starred as “The Blues Singer” in all four national tours of A Night with Janis Joplin (USA, Canada) streaming now on Broadway HD.com. For REPRISE! she was Lalume in Kismet, Cleo in The Most happy Fella and stopped the show as Shelia in Hair (with a vocal arrangement made for her by the great Peter Matz). On The Tonight Show, CONAN and Jimmy Kimmel, she performed with Broken Bells, The Kills, Trombone Shorty, Lisa Loeb and OK GO. In Japan, she re-created her Big River role (in Japanese) and in Denmark sang with Al Jarreau (televised LIVE throughout Europe). Film: Garry Marshall’s Valentine’s Day, The Other Sister and Dear God, Allison Anders & Martin Scorsese’s Grace of My Heart, Sean Penn’s The Crossing Guard, Larry David’s Sour Grapes. She is a graduate of Dartmouth College and a proud SAG-AFTRA AEA member. 

JenniferLeighWarren.com

No shows booked at the moment.

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FFJN Sept 1: Cathy Segal-Garcia & Gary Fukushima

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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. On the 1st, the band will include Chuck Manning on tenor and special guest percussionist.

First Fridays Jazz Night w/ Jason Luckett & Friends, 9/1/23

Cathy Segal-Garcia & Gary Fukushima
MASAUKO
Jason Luckett

Hosted by Jason Luckett
Doors: 7:30
Showtime: 8pm

Suggested donation: $20 at the door or online at PayPal.me/jasonluckett (100% goes to the musicians).

Lyd & Mo Photograpy Studio & Gallery
27 N Mentor Avenue, Pasadena, CA, United States, California

In Playhouse Village in the heart of Pasadena

RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/1292436704720195/
IG: @firstfridaysjazznight

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FFJN Sept 1: MASAUKO

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I think Masa and I may have first met at UCLA, but we became friends through the community around The World Stage in Leimert Park. We were the guys with acoustic guitars, who would fill that room without a mic during poetry nights. We were kin.

Masa also helped to facilitate my first collaboration with Peter J Harris, “Winter in Brazil,” after I’d heard what he had done with Peter’s words.

Soon after we met, Masa partnered with Neo Muyanga to form Blk Sonshine, and beauty was taken to another level! And he continues to grow and inspire me with the power of his voice and writing.

Here’s MASAUKO’s bio:

Masauko is a Malawian-American singer/songwriter, born in Los Angeles while his parents were in political exile. His primary instruments are the acoustic guitar and the voice. Masauko’s sound is a unique mixture of Southern African traditional music with jazz, folk, funk, hip hop and reggae. 

He performed at the request of Nelson Mandela in South Africa in 2005 and became a Mandela 46664 Ambassador. Mandela dared his ambassadors to use their art as a form of activism. From that time forward Masauko has used his music to support women and orphans in remote villages of Malawi. 

He received a Limon Roots award in August 2014 for his unique contributions to the culture of Costa Rica through African music.

In 2022, Masauko received a certificate of recognition from Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo for his work as an activist and artist in the USA and Africa. On September 1, at First Fridays Jazz Night w/ Jason Luckett & Friends, Masauko will share songs and stories about growing up in Pasadena and making music around the world.  

http://www.masauko.com

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