Friday Night Jazz features the art of jazz as practiced by leading Southern California artists. These free concerts are presented on the Los Angeles Times Central Court every Friday evening from April to November.  

Ernie Andrews
April 4th, 2008  

The 2008 Friday Night Jazz season opens with one of jazz’s living legends and L.A. treasures, vocalist Ernie Andrews. For over sixty years, Andrews has been thrilling audiences around the globe with hits recorded with such giants as Harry James, Cannonball Adderly, Gene Harris and Ray Brown. In a recent review, Los Angeles Times critic Don Heckman said, "[H]e blends a hard-swinging, outgoing vocal style with a quick-witted sense of humor . . . he does so with a rich timbre, a gift for drama and a singular capacity to stimulate an audience."

Alan Pasqua and the Antisocial Club
April 11th, 2008

With the release of his critically acclaimed Antisocial Club recording, keyboardist and composer Alan Pasqua returns to LACMA with bassist Darek Oles, drummer Steve Hass, trumpeter John Daversa, and saxophonist Bobby Jamieson for a fiery night of jazz fusion harkening back to Miles Davis of the late 60’s.

Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra
April 18th, 2008 

Founded by the late pianist and composer Horace Tapscott, the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra makes its LACMA debut under the direction of saxophonist Michael Session. First created in the late '70s, this community-based arts group has performed the world over, most recently at Disney’s REDCAT Theater as part of their Creative Music Festival: Creative Orchestras.

Diane Hubka
April 25th, 2008

Fresh off a two-week tour hosted by the Sinatra Society of Japan, vocalist and guitarist Diane Hubka has been winning international acclaim ever since her first CD, Haven't We Met. Featuring alto sax legend Lee Konitz, the CD was nominated for a 1999 Jazz Award for Best Recording Debut. ALL MUSIC GUIDE calls Hubka "one of the top vocalists of her generation."

Justo Almario
May 2, 2008       

Saxophone legend Justo Almario has combined elements of his native South American rhythms with American jazz to create an artistry distinctively his own. The award-winning composer, arranger, and woodwind player has recorded and toured with Mongo Santamaria, Koinonia, Freddie Hubbard, Chaka Khan, George Duke, Linda Ronstadt, and Placido Domingo.

Ralph Penland & the Polygon Quintet
May 9, 2008       

An internationally renowned drummer, Ralph Penland is a contemporary innovator creating a fusion of jazz, pop, rock, and R&B. He has played around the world with an impressive variety of artists including Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, Nancy Wilson, Stan Getz, Etta James, and Carlos Santana.

Thom Rotella
May 16, 2008     

Leading guitarist Thom Rotella makes his LACMA debut with his stellar quartet. Rotella has performed or recorded with a wide array of artists that ranges from Rick Braun to Luciano Pavarotti, Herbie Hancock to Frank Sinatra, Stanley Turrentine to The Beach Boys.

BoneSoir
May 23, 2008     

BoneSoir's straight-ahead jazz features five trombones and a rhythm section. Each member has an extensive background in a broad scope of musical performances and genres: festivals, theaters, clubs, and concert halls; motion picture, video, television and recordings.

Sandra Booker & The Creole Jazz Movement
May 30, 2008     

A native of New Orleans, vocalist Sandra Booker is regarded as one of the new masters in the jazz genre. Highly respected for her virtuosic scat ability, impeccable timing, crystalline tone, and bold musical individuality, Booker has created a world that is all her own. Legendary guitarist Kenny Burrell sums her up best when he says, "...some people got it and some people don't and Sandra Booker's got it all!"

Bill Cunliffe Trio plus TriMotif Winds
June 6, 2008      

Grammy-nominated composer, arranger and jazz pianist Bill Cunliffe is gathering nationwide attention with his innovative and swinging recordings and compositions. Cunliffe was the 1989 winner of the $10,000 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Award, and has received Downbeat awards, as well as stipends from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Red Holloway
June 13, 2008    

One of Southern California’s true living legends, saxophonist Red Holloway is still going strong at 80. Of his recent performance at the Playboy Jazz Festival, Variety writes “Holloway on tenor sax was in splendid form, voluptuous in the ballads, agile in bop, and his hard swinging work on the calypso was one of the festival's peak points.”

Mark Winkler
June 20, 2008    

Jazz vocalist and lyricist Mark Winkler has recorded nine CDs including acclaimed Mark Winkler Sings Bobby Troup and his songs have been recorded by such artists as Dianne Reeves, Randy Crawford, Liza Minnelli, and Nancy Wilson. Don Heckman wrote in the L.A. Times, "Winkler stands out among what appears  to be a diminishing fraternity: male jazz singers.”

Ark Sano Trio
June 27, 2008    

Since his sensational debut as the pianist of straight-ahead jazz band Black/Note, Ark Sano continuously maintains the reputation of one of the top pianists on the jazz scene. Beside recording four albums, including Jungle Music on Columbia and Nothin' But Swing on Impulse with Black/Note, he has performed around the world at the North Sea, JVC, Montreal, Monterey, and Umbria jazz festivals.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Friday Night Jazz is made possible in part by the Johnny Mercer Foundation. In-kind support is provided by KKJZ 88.1 FM.

Mitch Glickman, Director of Music Programs, 323 857-6014.
Bill Vestal, Sundays Live, 323 857-6234.
Ryan Zwahlen, Music Programs Coordinator, 323 857-6115.

WHEN
Every Friday 6 pm–8 pm, April through November.

WHERE
Los Angeles Times Central Court at LACMA.

FREE
No tickets or reservations required.

Music Department
call 323 857-6115

Get membership & save
Become a LACMA member and take advantage of discounts on all music program tickets.