Today's Jazz Events

Veteran drummer Paul Kreibich day trips to Venice Beach and The Grove and wonders: Is anybody listening to jazz nowadays? Is straight ahead jazz now just "hip wallpaper"? You can follow along to the places Paul's thoughts take him on his blog, right here on LAjazz.com.

Also be sure to check out Tom Meek's latest blog post for what's hot this holiday weekend!

Sammy Miller's musical career began at age 5 in a rock band he formed with his big brother and three sisters. Several years later, he was a member of the Peninsula High School jazz combo that won the Reno Jazz Festival in 2007. Miller went on to play for the Colburn Jazz Workshop, the Southern California Jazz Honor Band, and with David Benoit's jazz trio. He is currently the drummer for LACHSA (the LA County High School of the Arts) top combo and the big band. The Young Artist Jazz Series is proud to welcome Sammy back to Catalina's on Tuesday, July 15 at 8:00 p.m. Reservations (highly recommended!) can be made by calling (323) 466-2210.

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(Tom Meek) One of the world's most respected bassists, Dave Carpenter, died suddenly on Tuesday at age 48. His career was marked by being one of the most in-demand musicians in L.A. Dave was also a member of the touring bands of Buddy Rich, Allan Holdsworth and many others over the past 25 years. Most recently Dave was a member of the L.A. bands of Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua and Mitchel Forman. On a personal note, I first met Dave more than 20 years ago, and he was one of a select group of "musician's musicians" who had near-universal respect from both peers and fans. Dave enjoyed playing the most difficult music, was a man of considerable musical knowledge and opinions, and someone I greatly respected. I have heard from numerous musicians in L.A, and they are shocked and saddened, as am I, at this great and untimely loss.

This year's Mods and Rockers Film Festival features the US theatrical premiere of Tony Palmer's critically acclaimed 1977 series All You Need Is Love - 17 films that celebrate every major musical genre and feature virtually every major music star of the first 75 years of the 20th Century. The jazz program, which features three films - I Can Hypnotize 'Dis Nation, about ragtime, Jungle Music, about jazz, and Swing That Music!, about swing - will be screened on Saturday, July 5th at 5pm at the Egyptian Theater. Tony Palmer will be on hand to introduce the films and share some of his experiences making the film. Tickets are available at the box office or through Fandango.

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