June 25th, Sunday
Two-time Grammy winner, violinist Mads Tolling & Larry Vuckovich present Improvisational Dialogue @ Brannan's Grill in Calistoga
Mads Tolling, a two-time Grammy Award winner is a nationally renowned violinist and composer. He tours and performs all over the world and his recordings received rave reviews. The program will include originals by both Larry and Mads plus jazz standards, Latin, Brazilian, swinging selections and ethno-jazz. Larry's original "Scandinavian Waltz," dedicated to the great Scandinavian musicians will be played this evening. These two European born jazz musicians who have absorbed the American art form of jazz and offer their unique interpretation in a form of a musical conversation. This will be a special treat for Calistoga jazz listeners. Don't miss this one!
Venue: Brannan's Grill 1374 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, CA 94515
Admission: $20 on performance floor, $10 lower floor/bar area listening only
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Information: (707) 942-2233
Featuring: Mads Tolling, violin / Larry Vuckovich, piano
Read: Tim Carl's Napa Valley Register article →
June 27th, Tuesday
Mads Tolling meets Noel Jewkes with Larry Vuckovich @ Seahorse in Sausalito
When jazz players meet for the first, there is usually an anticipation and excitement in the air between those musicians, which results in spontaneous, inspired playing. There will some creative interchange between Mads and Noel as the band will be performing interesting material, including originals, among which will be some great standards, Latin/Brazilian, contemporary jazz, including bluesy material, and more. Mads Tolling a two-time Grammy Award winner is an internationally renowned jazz 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, teaching at Berkeley’s Jazzschool Conservatory. Noel Jewkes is revered by musicians, critics and music lovers alike as the premier sax player in the Bay Area. Accompanying Mads and Noel is a veteran rhythm section including Larry Vuckovich, Jeff Chambers and Jimmy Gallagher. Seahorse offers some great Italian food and wines.
Venue: Sausalito Seahorse 305 Harbor Dr., Sausalito, CA 94965
Admission: No cover charge!
Time: 7:00 - 10:00 PM
Information: (415) 331-2899
Featuring: Noel Jewkes, multi-reeds / Mads Tolling, violin / Larry Vuckovich, piano / Jeff Chambers, bass / Jimmy Gallagher, drums
July 8th, Saturday
Larry Vuckovich's All Star Quartet with Noel Jewkes, with special guest vocalist Valeriana Quevedo @ Sebastopol Center for the Arts
Larry Vuckovich and Noel Jewkes have an association that goes back to 1965 – a period of playing together for over 50 years developing a unique musical rapport. Their wide-ranging repertoire includes originals by both, plus classic jazz and rare standards, Latin/Brazilian, Balkan Middle Eastern selections, bluesy – funky boogaloo material & more. Vocalist/dancer/percussionist Valeriana Quevedo brings a special vocal program featuring melodic Mexican/South American boleros plus Great American Songbook standards. Sebastopol listeners will be treated to a program of diverse American jazz. Rounding out the group is seasoned veteran bassist Jeff Chambers along with the talented 19 year old Tim Angulo on drums.
Venue: Sebastopol Center for the Arts 282 S. High St., Sebastopol, CA 95472
Admission: $20 general / $10 students
Time: 7:30 PM
Information: www.sebarts.org
Tickets: Brown Paper Tickets
Featuring: Valeriana Quevedo, vocals / Larry Vuckovich, piano / Noel Jewkes, multi-reeds / Jeff Chambers, bass / Tim Angulo, drums
July 9th, Sunday
Crosswinds: Global Jazz Journey (formerly Blue Balkan) @ Tucker Farm Center in Calistoga
Formerly the Blue Balkan Ensemble, this new revived group features the original Blue Balkan master violinist, Eric Golub along with the exciting marimba player, Tommy Kesecker. Vince Delgado, the great interpreter of the Middle Eastern percussion, along with the seasoned, master bassist Jeff Chambers and his rhythm partner, the swinging, talented 19-year-old drummer, Tim Angulo, create a stimulating rhythm team.
Larry Vuckovich has revived the original Blue Balkan ensemble expanding the repertoire into an even more diverse global approach. Besides the Balkan ethnic, Middle Eastern repertoire, the ensemble includes the global elements of North Africa, Russia, South American boleros, Cubans salsa, tango jazz, jazz funk and swinging American classics of Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane – contemporary - on the edge jazz.
Venue: Tucker Farm Center 1201 Tucker Summit Dr., Calistoga, CA 94515
Admission: $25
Time: Doors open 2 PM
Information: Brown Paper Tickets
Tickets: Brown Paper Tickets
Featuring: Larry Vuckovich, piano / Eric Golub, violin /Tommy Kesecker, marimba / Vince Delgado, dumbek-Middle Eastern percussion/ Jeff Chambers, bass / Tim Angulo, drums / special guest: Coralie Russo, oud.
Read: Tim Carl's Napa Valley Register article →
July 16th, Sunday
Artistry of Ballads, Blues, Swing with Ed Reed and Larry Vuckovich @ Piedmont Piano
Ed Reed and Larry Vuckovich share associations and experiences with a number of West Coast greats including Dexter Gordon, Hampton Hawes, Hadley Caliman, Art Farmer & more. They bring their collective musical experiences to the bandstand and put them through music expressing soulful feelings and emotions which only jazz veterans can produce who actually have lived this and traveled this life. Ed Reed, who recently had an exciting reception in New York, is one of the few singers around today who sings those special standards and blues with a feeling that will remain with the audience for a long time. Pianist Larry Vuckovich has accompanied some of the great vocalists in jazz such as Jon Hendricks, Mel Torme, Joe Williams, Irene Kral, David Allyn, Leon Thomas, Anita O’Day & many more. Don’t miss this unique presentation!
Venue: Piedmont Piano 18th and San Pablo, Oakland, CA
Admission: $20 Donation
Time: 4:00 PM
Information: (510) 547-8188
Featuring: Ed Reed, vocals / Larry Vuckovich, piano
July 17th, Monday
Dial "P" for Piano: Larry Vuckovich Quintet plays Sonny Clark @ Stanford Jazz Festival 2017
Sonny Clark was one of the great jazz pianists of the late '50s and early '60s, being a prolific sideman for John Coltrane, Art Farmer, Donald Byrd, Stanley Turrentine, and others on Blue Note, and leading his own trio for a number of under-rated but brilliant recordings. His music is a true hidden gem of jazz, and in this special concert, piano giant Larry Vuckovich performs his arrangements of a number of Sonny's rarely heard but exquisite masterpieces of bebop. Cited by another keyboard legend, Barry Harris, as one of the "premier west coast pianists," Vuckovich has appeared at many of the major jazz venues and festivals throughout Europe and North America. Along the way, he has played with jazz greats including Mel Lewis, Tom Harrell, Philly Joe Jones, Billy Higgins and many more. Larry was honored as a "Jazz Legend" by the Fillmore Jazz Heritage Center, along with Bobby Hutcherson, Cal Tjader and others who have contributed to San Francisco's vital jazz scene. Vuckovich's band features some of the top players on the West Coast, including saxophonist Noel Jewkes, with whom he shares half a century of bandstand experience. They both toured in vocalist Jon Hendricks' popular revue The Evolution of the Blues in the mid-1960s, and have performed and recorded in an array of settings over the years, including Vuckovich's 2000 tribute to Lester "Prez" Young, Young At Heart (Robbins Music). Larry Vuckovich has been close to Sonny Clark's piano style in music since the '50s and is honored to present this classic style of hardbop. Philadelphia born tenor saxophonist Rob Roth is the perfect partner for Noel Jewkes forming a close two-tenor team and interpreting authentically this style. Rounding out the group is a close-knit rhythm section of Jeff Chambers and Leon Joyce
Venue: Campbell Recital Hall, Braun Music Center, 541 Lasuen Mall, Stanford, CA
Admission: $15 / $40 General
Time: 7:30 PM
Tickets: http://www.stanfordjazzfestival.org/tickets/
Featuring: Larry Vuckovich, piano / Noel Jewkes, tenor saxophone / Rob Roth, tenor saxophone / Jeff Chambers, bass / Leon Joyce, drums
July 22nd, Saturday
Vocalist Extraordinaire Clairdee with Larry Vuckovich and Jeff Chambers @ Forest Hill Concerts.
Vocalist extraordinaire Clairdee reunites with pianist Larry Vuckovich at Forest Hills Concerts. They have performed on various occasions at different venues and have displayed excellent musical chemistry. This promises to be an exciting evening of great standards, jazz classics and blues, showcasing Clairdee’s masterful talents. Veteran bassist Jeff Chambers and Larry have performed together for over 25 years in numerous settings, including both instrumental and vocal, developing a close-knit rhythm duo. Clairdee is an international touring artist, playing to sold-out houses, and garnering rave reviews. In addition to leading her world-class band, she performs with symphony pop orchestras and big bands, and has worked with acclaimed instrumentalists. Larry Vuckovich and Jeff Chambers have played all over the world with many prominent musicians and at festivals.
Venue: Forest Hill Concerts Hill Christian Church, 250 Laguna Honda Blvd., San Francisco, CA
Admission: $20 Suggested Donation
Time: 7:30 PM
Information: (415) 890-4342
Featuring: Clairdee, vocals / Larry Vuckovich, piano / Jeff Chambers, bass
August 19th, Saturday
A Night of Brazilian Jazz: Celia Malheiros with Larry Vuckovich Trio @ Immanuel Lutheran Church of Los Altos
Celia Malheiros’ music is unique. A prolific composer, song writer, multi-instrumentalist and impressive singer, Celia is self-taught, eclectic, rooted in the folkloric sounds of her native Brazil and equally immersed in the universality of her adopted country – American jazz. With her own band she has performed throughout the U.S. at venues which include Monterey and San Francisco Jazz Festivals. Larry Vuckovich has performed with top musicians of various influences. He records on his own Tetrachord Music label, which has produced top charting CDs. Larry, who was born in Montenegro, has pioneered world music jazz fusion. He continues to tour nationally and internationally, including an appearance with Jazz-Latin quartet at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola. Jeff Chambers has played all over the world with many prominent musicians and at a long list of festivals. As one of the foremost bassists today, he works with Marlena Shaw, heads his own band and has recorded with Bobby Hutcherson, Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie and others. Together this trio will present a program of a unique blend of authentic Brazilian music combined with improvisational American jazz.
Venue: Immanuel Lutheran Church – 1715 Grant Road, Los Altos, CA 94024
Admission: $20 Donation
Time: 7:30 PM
Information: (650) 987-4906
Featuring: Celia Malheiros, vocals & percussion / Larry Vuckovich, piano / Jeff Chambers, bass