September 24, Sunday afternoon
Larry Vuckovich's Vince Guaraldi Tribute Quintet @ Lucy Mercer’s Throckmorton Theatre, Mill Valley – Vince's home town for the last 10 years of his life
Larry Vuckovich is honored to bring a tribute to his former teacher Vince Guaraldi to the Throckmorton Theatre. After receiving enthusiastic receptions at both the Monterey and San Francisco Jazz Festivals, this quintet will perform Vince Guaraldi’s true Jazz/Latin/funky side. That’s the music he loved to play and felt closets to. Vince became famous for his Peanuts/Charlie Brown music including his Charlie Brown’s Christmas TV specials. Larry, who was Vince’s only student and was chosen by Vince to play in his two piano quintet Powder Keg, presents an authentic first-hand musical portrait of the Bay Area native and internationally acclaimed pianist. Mill Valley, a place that Vince always loved, was his last hometown after moving from San Francisco. Vince lived there for over 10 years. This tribute to him is a first for Mill Valley and it should be a very festive event. We are honored to have Dia Guaraldi, Vince’s daughter, as our special guest. Also, Noah Griffin will be the MC and will sing Vince’s holiday classic, Christmas Time Is Here.
Venue: Throckmorton Theatre 142 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Admission: $20 in advance; $25 at the door; $15 more gives a special seat
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Tickets: http://throckmortontheatre.org/
Featuring: Larry Vuckovich, piano / Jeff Massanari, guitar / John Santos, Latin percussion / Jeff Chambers, bass / Akira Tana, drums / Noah Griffin, vocals & MC
October 1, Sunday afternoon
La Orquesta El Vucko @ Tucker Farm Center, Calistoga
Larry Vuckovich returns to Tucker Farm Center by popular demand bringing La Orquesta El Vucko a unique Latin band offering a wide-ranging repertoire of Afro-Cuban salsa, South America classics, Mexican boleros, plus jazz classics by Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk & Duke Ellington, all played in Latin rhythms. Another feature which stands out in today’s jazz scene is the Great American Songbook of rare standards played in Latin style as well as World Music including Balkan, Russian, Gypsy-Roma with a Latin touch. Soulful vocalist/percussionist/dancer Valeriana Quevedo sings both in Spanish the Latin classics, as well as the American rare standards in English. Congurero/bonguero Hector Lugo, in addition, brings his romantic vocal sound. Dynamic master timbalero Louis Romero adds his authentic rhythmic touch along with veteran bassist Jeff Chambers who rounds out the group. These stimulating Latin rhythms are perfectly suited for dancing, besides listening. There will be space available for dancing.
Venue: Tucker Farm Center 1201 Tucker Road, Calistoga, CA 94515
Admission: $20 advance/$25 at the door
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Information: Brown Paper Tickets
Featuring: Larry Vuckovich, piano / Valeriana Quevedo, vocals / Louis Romero, percussion / Hector Lugo, congas, vocals / Jeff Chambers, bass
October 14th, Saturday
Adam Shulman and Larry Vuckovich Duo @ Immanuel Lutheran Church in Los Altos
This is a refreshing and seldom heard format in which Larry has had some memorable experiences. He played with a successful two piano quartet Powder Keg with Vince Guaraldi and with other noted pianists like Lou Levy, Buddy Montgomery and Hod O’Brien. This evening’s piano duo will feature the young acclaimed Bay Area pianist, Adam Shulman, with whom Larry has excellent chemistry. Adam leads his own groups and plays with a plethora of Bay Area top musicians like Marcus Shelby, Anton Schwartz and Patrick Wolff as well as internationally known artists. As a student at UC Santa Cruz, he studied with the great pianist Smith Dobson and the trumpeter/arranger Ray Brown. He received his degree in classical performance under the tutelage of the Russian pianist Maria Ezerova. Larry, who was born in Montenegro, continues to tour nationally and internationally, including an appearance with his Jazz-Latin quartet at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola. Larry also performs at major Bay Area venues such as Yoshi’s, SFJazz Center, Monterey Jazz Festival and Bach Dancing and Dynamite.
Venue: Immanuel Lutheran Church 1715 Grant Road, Los Altos, CA 94024
Admission: $20 Donation
Time: 7:30 PM
Information: (650) 987-4906
Featuring: Adam Shulman, piano / Larry Vuckovich, piano
October 21st, Saturday
All-Star Latin/Jazz Quartet @ Forest Hill Concerts
The All-Star Latin/Jazz Quartet is comprised of John Santos, Larry Vuckovich, Jeff Chambers plus the multilingual vocalist VALERIANA QUEVEDO. Collectively these Jazz/Latin veterans have played with the likes of Cal Tjader, Tito Puente, Pete Escovedo, Bobby Hutcherson, McCoy Tyner, Paquito D'Rivera, Jose Mangual, and more. One of their specialties is transforming the timeless, beautiful melodies from the Great American Songbook to jazz rhythms and flavors including boleros, cha-chas, mambos, and sambas. The sound of this quartet is unique – you're in for an exciting experience! . . . Soulful vocalist/percussionist/dancer Valeriana Quevedo sings in Spanish, Latin classics as well as the American rare standards in English.
Venue: Forest Hill Concerts 250 Laguna Honda Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94116
Admission: $20 at the door.
Time: 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
Tickets: (415) 890-4342 Forest Hill Concerts offers refreshments and is a short walk from Forest Hill MUNI station • Free parking!
Featuring: Valeriana Quevedo, vocals/ Larry Vuckovich, piano / John Santos, Latin percussion / Jeff Chambers, bass
December 3rd, Sunday afternoon
Larry Vuckovich's 81st 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 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 musical dialogue. 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 16th, Saturday
Duet intimacy/improvisational dialogue @ Forest Hill Concerts
Featuring Mads Tolling, violin and Larry Vuckovich, piano, playing originals by both Larry and Mads, plus jazz standards, Latin, Brazilian and some with swinging contemporary flavor. The duo returns due to popular demand.
Mads Tolling, a two time Grammy Award winner, is an internationally renowned violinist, violist and composer. His quartet has performed all over the world and his recordings have received rave reviews. The Copenhagen born artist is a force in the educational aspects of jazz and improvisation, and teaches at Berkeley's Jazzschool Conservatory. The program will include originals by both Larry and Mads, plus jazz standards, Latin, Brazilian and some with swinging contemporary flavor.
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: Mads Tolling, violin / Larry Vuckovich, piano