September 29th Saturday
Duet Intimacy & Improvisational Dialogue @" Bird & Beckett " in San Francisco. Jeff Chambers, one of the most versatile and acclaimed bassists, joins Larry Vuckovich in an duo format. Larry and Jeff have an association, going back to 30 years of performing together. They have a close musical rapport playing a variety of styles, from swinging bebop, contemporary jazz, Brazilian/Latin, bluesy Boogaloo funky material, Balkan and in other world music & more. This is a wonderful concert setting with excellent acoustics where a listener can experience jazz improvisation close up.
Venue: Bird & Becket 653 Chenery St., San Francisco, CA 94131
Admission: $20 at the door
Time: 7:30 PM
Information: (415) 586-3733
Tickets: Bird & Becket
Featuring: Larry Vuckovich, piano/ Jeff Chambers, bass
October 6th, Saturday
Duet Intimacy/Improvisational Dialogue, featuring the magnificent Kai Lyons, guitar @ Forest Hill Concerts
Young guitarist, Kai Lyons, is an important and an exciting addition to the Bay Area jazz scene. He is truly one of the finest guitarists to appear on the scene in a long time. He and Larry Vuckovich, will present originals, plus jazz standards, Latin, Brazilian and some with swinging contemporary flavor. Kai Lyons at the young age of 23, has an amazing history. He has received scholarships at the major East Coast schools and is also well versed in world music. This summer, he spent a month in Ghana at a world music convention. He just returned from a two week trip in Cuba where he studied their special Latin music culture. Larry Vuckovich has performed with top musicians of various influences. He records on his Tetrachord Music label, which has produced top charting CDs. Larry, who was born in Montenegro, pioneered world music jazz fusion. He continues to tour nationally and internationally, including an appearance with his Jazz-Latin quartet at Lincoln Center's Dizzy's Club.
Venue: Forest Hill Concerts 250 Laguna Honda Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94116
Admission: $20 Suggested Donation
Time: 7:30 PM
Information: (415) 890-4342 Forest Hill Concerts offers refreshments and is a short walk from Forest Hill MUNI station • Free parking!
Featuring: Kai Lyons, guitar Larry Vuckovich, piano
October 14th, Sunday
Larry Vuckovich in Solo Concert with Commentary – A Fresh New Program @ Wunderman House, Mountain View
An afternoon of an interesting diverse program of American Standard Classics (Gershwin, Ellington, Porter), Jazz styles of various eras, World Music – Balkan/Gypsy – Roma, Latin/Brazilian/Tango Jazz & Classical Music influences. Pianist Larry Vuckovich presented a wide-ranging program on his previous concert in April that included some insights into Great American composers: Victor Young and Harry Warren. This time he is doing a different, fresh program on other composers, plus will include in his presentation a number of interesting jazz selections. He will give some of their interesting history – not typically known. Larry Vuckovich came to San Francisco in 1951 as a teenager from Montenegro – former Yugoslavia. He was fortunate to experience the heyday of jazz of which the '50s decade had some of the richest and most diverse developments happening. He heard such great big bands as Harry James, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Woody Herman as well as small groups as Miles Davis, MJQ, Bill Evans, Red Garland, Sonny Rollins, just to name a few. He brings to the solo piano format all the impressions he absorbed from that period and more which developed later throughout his performances with the masters Mel Torme, Jon Hendricks, Dexter Gordon, Philly Joe Jones, Bobby Hutcherson, Charlie Haden, Charles McPherson, Tom Harrell & more. He was fortunate to study classical piano at SF State with the noted Russian classical master pianist Vladimir Brenner. Larry Vuckovich is recognized for his piano touch where he incorporates some European classical themes fused with jazz. Larry is also recognized as a pioneer in the U.S. for combining the Balkan Folk influences with Jazz which is found on his landmark recording "Blue Balkan" featuring Bobby Hutcherson. We hope you will join us for a unique solo piano presentation.
Venue: Wunderman House, 655 Eunice Ave., Mountain View, CA
Admission: $25
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Information: for tickets call 707.299.9964
Featuring: Larry Vuckovich, solo piano
Read about the Wunderman House →
October 20th, Saturday afternoon
Dynamic vocalist Kim Nalley with Larry Vuckovich trio, plus Barry Finnerty on guitar. @ Tucker Farm Center in Calistoga
Kim Nalley is one of the most dynamic vocalists on the jazz scene today. She was awarded “ Most Influential African American in the Bay Area 2005”, and is already called “Legendary and a San Francisco institution.” Kim has earned a strong international reputation including performances in Moscow, Switzerland and at the prestigious Lincoln Center in New York. She will present a diverse program of great jazz standards, authentic blues singing. Kim has strong roots in swinging jazz. Guitarist Barry Finnerty, has performed with Miles Davis, is also featured along with Jeff Chambers, Kent Bryson and Larry Vuckovich. Food & refreshments available.
Venue: Trucker Farm Center 1201 Tucker Summit Dr., Calistoga, CA 94515
Admission: $25
Time: Doors open 2 PM; Concert 3pm-5pm
Information: Brown Paper Tickets
Tickets: Brown Paper Tickets
Featuring: Kim Nalley, vocals/ Barry Finnerty, guitar / Larry Vuckovich, piano / Jeff Chambers, bass / Kent Bryson,
October 21st, Sunday Afternoon
Eric Golub and Larry Vuckovich Duo – A Diverse Musical Journey with a Balkan Touch @ Community Church in Mill Valley
This is an intimate duet format displaying close musical chemistry between violinist Eric Golub and Larry Vuckovich. They go back to 1980 recording on Larry’s landmark, pioneering album, Blue Balkan featuring the great Bobby Hutcherson. They will perform a number of Balkan Ethnic, Gypsy-Roma selections plus jazz classics, rare standards, South American boleros, Brazilian, blues and more. Refreshments are also offered. Don’t miss this!
Venue: Community Church 8 Olive St. (corner of Throckmorton) in Mill Valley, CA 94941
Admission: $20
Time: 4:00 PM
Information: (415) 388-5540
Tickets: Brown Paper Tickets
Featuring: Eric Golub, violin, Viola/ Larry Vuckovich, piano
October 26th, Friday
A Listening Session Concert with Storytelling – Commentary of Rare Jazz Gems: Jazz from USA & the World @ Oakmont's The Berger Center
Pianist Larry Vuckovich, having played throughout the years with so many jazz greats, has acquired an extensive repertoire and knowledge of many various jazz gems – the best America has to offer musically. He will share all of this exciting information and give examples of great recorded Latin, Brazilian and American jazz gems. Here is a comment from a lady listener at one of my recent sessions: "Wow - I'm still spellbound by your presentation of the most beautiful Latin music. What a feast to the ears; it gave me such a spiritual lift. Also, I found the latter part of your presentation very interesting and educational, especially Sir Roland Hanna's interpretation of 'Fascinating Rhythm' - what a gem. Thanks again for a memorable musical experience." For the jazz listeners, especially in the North Bay, this is a good opportunity to hear some music that you never heard before. Don't miss this special listening experience. These sessions always leave the audience uplifted!
Venue: Berger Center 6575 Oakmont Drive, Santa Rosa, CA
Admission: $20 at the door
Time: 7:00 PM
Information: larryvuckovich@usa.net or call 707-537-7720
Featuring: Larry Vuckovich
November 3rd, Saturday
Fred Adler Presents: Jazz in the Autumn – Art of the Ballad @ Gualala Arts Center
Besides the powerful lyricism and the beauty that the ballads offer, the ballad format lends itself to be done in various interesting ways, such as being played in a bossa nova tempo, Latin boleros, 3/4 waltz time, slow – bluesy feel, walking 4/4 ballad playing, etc.… In this manner. This beautiful music does not have to be only on the too mellow side, but this format can also bring energy, along with beauty. For the people, especially in North Bay and Mendocino County, this is a special opportunity to hear a unique jazz presentation. The excellent Australia out to saxophonist Andrew Speight, and the seasoned bassist, Peter Barrshay, and myself look forward to playing some beautiful selections – some of them with the autumn titles.
Venue: Gualala Arts 46501 Old State Highway, Gualala, CA 95445
Admission: $25 advance, $5 more day of
Time: 6:30 PM
Tickets: Brown Paper Tickets or call them at 1-800-838-3006.
Featuring: Larry Vuckovich, piano / Andrew Speight, alto sax / Peter Barshay, bass
November 11th, Sunday
Celebrating Detroit's Great Jazz Legacy: Detroit produced the largest number of influential jazz greats – Second Part Rare Jazz instrumental / Vocal Gems with Larry Vuckovich @ California Jazz Conservatory – The JAZZSCHOOL
While many America’s major jazz cities produced a number of important jazz musicians, the city of Detroit leads this list by bringing out the largest number of jazz greats. Just check out some of these masters: Hank Jones, Milt Jackson, Lucky Thompson, Wardell Gray, Yussef Lateef, Elvin Jones, Thad Jones, Donald Byrd, Terry Gibbs, Terry Pollard, Tommy Flanagan, Barry Harris, Paul Chambers, Pepper Adams, Joe Henderson, Sir Roland Hanna, Doug Watkins, Kenny Burrell, Charles McPherson, Sonny Red, Marcus Belgrave, Ron Carter, Alice McLeod (Coltrane), Betty Carter, Art Mardigan, Curtis Fuller, Louis Hayes, Billy Mitchell, Donald Walden, Sheila Jordan, Paul Keller, Chuck McPherson and there are more. Pianist Larry Vuckovich will showcase the music of these greats, noting their major stylistic influences which they contributed to jazz.… In the second part of this workshop, Larry Vuckovich will introduce the attendees to some more of rarely heard jazz vocal/instrumental gems – recordings that are obscure these days and need to be heard, due to the mark that they left on the jazz scene. Besides the musicians who attend these sessions, one does not have to be a musician to enjoy and learn some of this great history. A lot of past non-musician attendees have left these workshops inspired, leaving on a high note, having learned what they previously did not know. This is a premier presentation of this great Detroit theme – don't miss it!
Venue: California Jazz Conservatory 2087 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA
Admission: Advance $35 - Day of Workshop $45
Time: 12:00 PM (Noon) – 3:00 PM
Information: (510) 845-5373
Featuring: Larry Vuckovich, piano
December 9th, Sunday afternoon
Larry Vuckovich's 82nd Birthday: Solo Piano, Duet Intimacy & Improvisational Dialogue @ Piedmont Piano/Sunday afternoon Jeff Chambers, one of the most versatile and acclaimed bassists on the international scene, joins Larry Vuckovich in an duo format. Larry will open with some solo piano selections, after which he will bring Jeff to the stage.
Larry and Jeff have an association, going back to almost 30 years of performing together. They have a close musical rapport where their chemistry/interplay has developed to a high level of swinging, sophisticated jazz dialogue. They will be performing a variety of styles, from swinging bebop, contemporary jazz, Brazilian/Latin, bluesy Boogaloo funky material, Balkan and in other world music & more. After a couple of solo piano selections or so, Larry will bring Jeff on stage for some creative and swinging jazz. As always, we will bring special treats: assorted cheeses, hummus, olives, and wines, to express thanks to our jazz listeners. We hope you will join us for this special event. Piedmont Piano always has a world class nine foot concert grand on stage- either a Fazioli, or a Yamaha.
Venue: Piedmont Piano New Oakland store 18th and San Pablo, Oakland, CA
Admission: $20 Donation
Time: 4:00 PM Sunday afternoon
Information: (510) 547-8188
Featuring: Larry Vuckovich, piano / Jeff Chambers, bass
December 26th, Wednesday
Larry Vuckovich's All-Star Bay Area Sextet: Bringing in the New Year early in a Swinging Style! Greatest Hits of Jazz Decades from the 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s & more @ Yoshi's Jack London Square
After a very successful performance in June of Miles Davis's music, Live from the Black Hawk by Larry Vuckovich All-Star Bay Area sextet, Larry comes back to Yoshi's with a new, uplifting historic theme of the best swinging jazz from the 30's and on up. Come and hear the great hits from the orchestras of Count Bassie, Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey/Sy Oliver and the great jazz groups of Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Miles Davis & more. Don't miss this year ending swinging jazz that will keep you going into the New Year.
Venue: Yoshi's Jack London Square 510 Embarcadero West, Jack London Square, Oakland, CA Admission: $21 Time: 8 PM Tickets: Ticketfly Featuring: Larry Vuckovich, piano / Andrew Speight, alto sax / Joel Behrman, trumpet / Steve Heckman, tenor sax / Jeff Chambers, bass / Akira Tana, drums