Aug 7, 2024 2:02 PM
Snarky Puppy’s Shaun Martin Dies at 45
Shaun Martin, a multifaceted, Grammy-winning pianist, keyboardist and producer who was best known for his work in the…
Josh Johnson (left), Alex Boneham, Jay Bellerose and Jeff Parker perform at ETA in L.A.’s Highland Park neighborhood.
(Photo: Ryan Julio)
Bassist Anna Butterss said she never planned to move to L.A., but said, “It just turned out be surprisingly fantastic.”
(Photo: Eron Rauch)
Kevin “Daddy Kev” Moo at Low End Theory
(Photo: Courtesy World Galaxy)
Lee Pardini (left), Davey Chegwidden, Paul Bryan and Matt Mayhall perform at ETA in Highland Park.
(Photo: Courtesy ETA)“I had some buddies who are rockers or classical musicians come and check out what I’m doing here,” Julio said, “and the first question that both sides ask [is]: ‘When are we allowed to clap?’ It’s like, whenever you want. It’s just a bar. We’re hanging out. I don’t tell the bartenders to shake quieter.”
For the first 18 months that he booked jazz on Monday and Tuesday nights, Julio didn’t charge a cover. He wanted ETA to be a neighborhood spot, where people not necessarily looking for a night of jazz could happily stumble upon it. “Much to the chagrin of my business partners,” he said drily, sitting on a barstool during a recent Tuesday night, he wanted to “make it about the discovery aspect first.”
In July, however, Julio did begin charging a cover. And he’s certainly more than justified in doing so. Three-quarters of his Monday night quartet—Parker, Johnson and Butterss—featured prominently on one of the most well-received jazz albums of 2018, drummer McCraven’s Universal Beings (International Anthem). It’s the latest in a long line of indicators that L.A.’s jazz scene now rivals that of any city’s in the world—though many of those involved in it would argue that the rest of the world only just now is recognizing what’s been true for the better part of a decade.
“You have genuine interest in this new generation” of musicians, said World Galaxy’s Moo. “You can’t manufacture that. You can’t start the fire. But you sure can fan the flames. And it’s a bonfire right now.”
“It kind of seemed as if it was like, ‘Oh, someone’s finally done something in L.A.!’” Butterss said about the recent outpouring of attention. “To everyone here, it felt more like—finally, you know, these people are getting some recognition. But it’s not news to us that there’s a scene here.” DB
In addition to his work with Snarky Puppy, Martin freelanced as a keyboardist, producer and music director with prominent gospel and R&B musicians.
Aug 7, 2024 2:02 PM
Shaun Martin, a multifaceted, Grammy-winning pianist, keyboardist and producer who was best known for his work in the…
In addition to his instrumental prowess, Malone was praised for his musical generosity and his singular sense of humor.
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Guitarist and bandleader Russell Malone died Aug. 23, while on tour in Japan, after battling end-stage kidney failure.…
The June 19 Town Hall celebration of Michael Brecker was the culmination of the 10-night Peperoncino Jazz Festival.
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“I don’t focus on the harshness of the music business,” Lloyd says. “I focus on the profundity of what we’re doing because that’s the real stuff. You can change the world with that.”
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“To get this honor at this late stage, I suppose I’m blessed. I just know that this is a sacred song, and I’m in…
A concert of duets featuring trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire and bassist Dave Holland was cerebral and unhurried at this year’s Montreal Jazz Festival.
Aug 13, 2024 11:52 AM
In its third edition since rebounding from senior management changes and COVID-related disruptions, the 44th Festival…
